cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive-Experiential Theory: An Integrative Theory of Personality

Cognitive-experiential self-theory (CEST) is a global theory of personality that substitutes an adaptive unconscious for the Freudian maladaptive unconscious. The unconscious of CEST is an associative, automatic learning system, mediated by affect that humans share with other higher order animals that have adapted successfully with it over millions of years of evolution. The system is referred to as an experiential system because it adapts by empirically learning from experience. Humans also uniquely process information with a “rational system,” which is a verbal reasoning system. The two systems operate by different rules and attributes. They operate in parallel and are bi-directionally interactive, both simultaneously and sequentially. Although the systems usually operate in harmony and often synergistically, they also may conflict with each other and otherwise interfere with each other's performance. The influence of the experiential on the rational system can account for the irrationality of humans particularly when attempting to solve interrelationship problems, both interpersonal and intersocietal. According to CEST, despite their remarkable intelligence people often do poorly in solving relationship problems, which fall primarily in the domain of the experiential system, as their experiential processing biases their rational processing. This chapter demonstrates that CEST has theoretical and research implications for elucidating a wide range of psychological issues, including the nature of intuition, the existence of a global factor of experiential intelligence, psychological sources of physical and emotional well-being, psychobiography, and the meaning of dreams. Keywords: CEST; cognitive-experiential self-theory; integrative personality theory; adaptive unconscious; dual-process theory
Ideal-MHD stability of the ISX-B tokamak

The ideal-MHD properties of the ISX-B plasmas are investigated. Equilibria that closely match the experimental data are used in this study. These equilibria are found to be marginally stable, within the accuracy of the calculation, to modes with low toroidal mode number. They are also stable to ideal ballooning modes, but close to the marginal point.
Pretreatment with statins enhances myocardial protection during coronary revascularization.

Abstract Objective: This experimental study was undertaken to determine whether pretreatment with statins would enhance myocardial protection and minimize ischemic injury during revascularization of acutely ischemic myocardium. Methods: In 20 pigs the second and third diagonal arteries were occluded for 90 minutes, followed by 45 minutes of blood cardioplegic arrest and 180 minutes of reperfusion. Ten pigs received atorvastatin (40 mg orally every day) for 21 days before surgical intervention; 10 others received no statins. Ischemic damage was assessed on the basis of the need for cardioversions for ventricular arrhythmias, regional wall-motion scores (4 = normal to −1 = dyskinesia) were determined by means of 2-dimensional echocardiography, endothelial function was assessed on the basis of bradykinin-induced coronary artery relaxation, and infarct size was calculated by determining the area of necrosis to the area of risk by means of histochemical staining. Results are given as means ± SE. Results: Statin-treated animals required fewer cardioversions (0.11 ± 0.01 vs 2.87 ± 0.20, P = .0001), had improved wall-motion scores (2.81 ± 0.10 vs 1.52 ± 0.08, P = .01), had lower infarct size (21% ± 2% vs 41% ± 2%, P = .0001), and had more complete coronary artery relaxation (34% ± 5% vs 8% ± 4%, P = .01). Total serum cholesterol levels were similar between the groups (62 ± 5 mg/dL for statin-treated animals vs 68 ± 5 mg/dL for non-statin-treated animals, P = .30). Conclusions: Pretreatment with statins enhances myocardial protection during revascularization by means of mechanisms that are independent of their cholesterol-lowering properties. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;125:1037-42
Comparison of microdialysis sampling perfusion fluid components on the foreign body reaction in rat subcutaneous tissue.

Microdialysis sampling is a commonly used technique for collecting solutes from the extracellular space of tissues in laboratory animals and humans. Large molecular weight solutes can be collected using high molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) membranes (100 kDa or greater). High MWCO membranes require addition of high molecular weight dextrans or albumin to the perfusion fluid to prevent fluid loss via ultrafiltration. While these perfusion fluid additives are commonly used during microdialysis sampling, the tissue response to the loss of these compounds across the membrane is poorly understood. Tissue reactions to implanted microdialysis sampling probes containing different microdialysis perfusion fluids were compared over a 7-day time period in rats. The base perfusion fluid was Ringer’s solution supplemented with either bovine serum albumin (BSA), rat serum albumin (RSA), Dextran-70, or Dextran-500. A significant inflammatory response to Dextran-70 was observed. No differences in the tissue response between BSA and RSA were observed. Among these agents, the BSA, RSA, and Dextran-500 produced a significantly reduced inflammatory response compared to the Dextran-70. This work demonstrates that use of Dextran-70 in microdialysis sampling perfusion fluids should be eliminated and replaced with Dextran-500 or other alternatives.
A network model for control of inspiratory cutoff by the pneumotaxic center with supportive experimental data in cats

A network model for the control of inspiratory cutoff by the pneumotaxic center (PC) in cats, based on a previously described anatomical model, is proposed. It is postulated that in vagotomized cats early expiratory cells in the PC produce the inspiratory cutoff. The firing patterns of neurons derived from the model were similar to those observed in the PC. Systematic changes in any one of several parameters in the model resulted in a marked change in inspiratory amplitude with no significant change in inspiratory duration; this response is similar to that already observed in vagotomized cats during changes in ventilatory drive. The basic conformation of the model was tested experimentally in the isolated respiratory center preparation of the cat. Discharges of 48 cells in the PC were recorded and the firing patterns analyzed to determine the change in frequency and temporal pattern of activity associated with spontaneous changes in the amplitude and/or duration of inspiration. 47 of the 48 cells exhibited changes in firing pattern that were consistent with the model.
958 ABNORMALITIES OF HUMORAL RESPONSES IN PEDIATRIC AIDS

5 children with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and 1 with AIDS related complex (ARC) were assessed with regard to specific antibody function. All patients were immunized with bacteriophage 0X174, a T cell dependent antigen. 5 children were immunized with tetanus toxoid, and 4 with pneumococcal vaccine. Serum immunoglobulins and mitogenic responses were measured in all children. Responses to bacteriophage 0X174 showed blunted primary responses and markedly decreased secondary responses, with absent class switch (IgM-IgG) in 5 of 6 patients. Antibody responses to tetanus toxoid and pneumococcal vaccine were diminished as well. 5 children had elevation of at least one immunoglobulin class. In vitro lymphocyte mitogenic responses, especially to staphylococcal cowan A and pokeweed, were diminished. Pediatric AIDS patients have significant abnormalities in humoral immunity. Both T and B cell dysfunction play a role.
Wear improvement of surgical Ti-6A1-4V alloy by ion implantation

Abstract The effects of ion implantation of nitrogen on the corrosive-wear behavior of the surgical alloy, Ti-6Al-4V (6 wt.% Al, 4 wt.% V), were investigated. Tests made use of an apparatus designed to produce conditions similar to those that obtain at the sliding interface between the alloy head of the femoral component and the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) cup of the acetabular component of an artificial hip joint. The apparatus provided for in situ electrochemical measurements with the wear partners immersed either in a saline test solution or a saline solution with bovine serum added. Profilometry studies were done after the tests. Implantation of nitrogen produced a marked improvement in wear performance of the alloy for the conditions of polarization that were studied and for the test fluid either with or without serum. An added benefit is that the correlated wear performance of the UHMWPE wear partners of the alloy samples was also improved by ion implantation of the alloy samples.
Rapid response biosensor for detection and identification of common foodborne pathogens

An integrated optic biosensor for detecting foodborne pathogens is described. The sensor is based on a planar waveguide operating in an interferometric mode. The device functions by detecting the direct binding of an antigen molecule to a functionalized waveguide surface. It is capable of detecting biomolecules at subnanogram/milliliter concentrations and has been used to detect proteins specific to Salmonella.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fecal control following pyloric valve transposition after abdominoperineal resection.

The objective of this study was to learn if a transposed pyloric valve could be mobilized to the perianal area following an abdominoperineal resection and function as a replacement for the excised anal sphincter. The study was performed in a surgical research laboratory. Eleven cats were used in the study: 9 served as experimental animals and 2 were controls. The operation involved mobilization of the pyloric valve based on an intact omental pedicle; the proximal side of the pyloric valve was anastomosed to the divided end of the left colon and the distal end of the pyloric valve was sutured to the perianal area. The excellent healing of the pyloric valve in its ectopic position was confimed anatomically and histologically following the sacrifice of the animals. The pyloric valve was effective in maintaining complete fecal control in 4 cats and almost complete fecal continence in 2 other cats. Three other cats developed fecal incontinence due to a perianal fistula, and 2 control cats had complete fecal incontinence. There appears to be no anatomical or technical reason why the pyloric valve cannot be applied in the human as a replacement for an excised anal sphincter.
A Case Series of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Augmentation of Antidepressant Medication for Anxiety in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective: To provide preliminary estimates of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating anxiety disorders among youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) whose anxiety remained clinically problematic following an adequate course of pharmacotherapy.Method: Seven youth with ASD and one or more comorbid anxiety disorders, who were non- or partial-responders to serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) treatment delivered by their community provider (age range = 12–15 years), received 16 sessions of weekly CBT. Assessments were administered at baseline, approximately 17 weeks following baseline (pre-treatment), and after receiving CBT (post-treatment).Results: Four of seven participants were classified as treatment responders (much or very much improved) at post-treatment. Clinician severity ratings for 6 of 7 participants—as measured by the PARS, ADIS-IV-P, and CGI-Severity—decreased following CBT, with effect sizes ranging from 1.35 to 1.54. Parent-rated anxiety and ASD symptoms in the ...
Interpolation by quadratic splines

Abstract Convergence properties of quadratic spline interpolation of continuous functions that does not necessarily take place at the midpoints of mesh intervals are investigated. A theorem giving lower bounds on the elements of the inverse of certain tridiagonal matrices is proved. This result is used to precisely relate the norm of certain interpolating projections to the points of interpolation and local mesh ratios. It is shown, for example, that for Lipschitz continuous functions, any choice of interpolation points, one in each mesh interval, uniformly bounded away from the mesh points, yields convergence at the best possible rate with no mesh ratio restriction.
Long-Life Bipropellant System Demonstration, Viking Orbiter Propulsion System

On April 23,1980 Viking Orbiter One (VO-1), operating in the blowdown mode, completed a 10-s Mars orbit trim maneuver to position the spacecraft for its final science sequence in May-June 1980. This brings the number of propulsive maneuvers for VO-1 to 23. Total accumulated operating time for the rocket engine is 2896 s, representing a total impulse of 3.93 x 10 N-s. The estimated propellant remaining is sufficient to operate the rocket engine for an additional 30 s. VO-1 has completed more than 1700 days in space, 1400 days in orbit around Mars, and more than 2 yr of attitude-control-system operation with helium gas transferred from the propulsion-system pressurant tank. The mass of helium remaining is expected to be sufficient for attitude control through June 1980. This paper presents the flight history of the Viking 75 Orbiter propulsion systems and summarizes the design and test philosophy that have contributed to their success.
Spinal osteoblastoma in children and adolescents

Osteoblastoma as a cause of back pain, scoliosis, and reversible neurological deficit has received scant attention in the neurosurgical literature. The tumor has a predeliction for the spine, occurs in young people, and may undergo sarcomatous change. Total removal is necessary for cure. Eight cases of spinal osteoblastoma in children and adults are reported, demonstrating the spectrum of the disease, pitfalls of diagnosis and treatment, and prognosis.
The effect of film thickness on the tensile bond strength of a prosthodontic adhesive.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of cement film thickness on the tensile bond strength of a prosthodontic adhesive. Rexillium III alloy cylinders were bonded end-to-end with Panavia Opaque adhesive cement and film thicknesses of 20, 50, 80, 110, 140, and 200 μm were evaluated. The specimens were thermocycled for 24 hours (1080 cycles) between 5° and 60° C, stored for 30 days at 37° C, and the mean bonds for tensile strength, including the mode of failures, were recorded. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences, but the strongest bond strengths were recorded for the 80 μm cement film thickness.
Fluid-structure interaction analysis of non-Darcian effects on natural convection in a porous enclosure

Abstract Non-Darcian effects on natural convective flow and heat transfer in a square enclosure filled with a porous medium was analyzed numerically using fluid–structure interaction (FSI) model. The transport equations were solved for various pertinent parameters using a finite element formulation based on the Galerkin method of weighted residuals. Such parameters included Rayleigh number, porosity, elasticity of the flexible wall, and the effective thermal conductivity of the porous medium. Further, the fluid domain was described by an Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation that is fully coupled to the structure domain. Different flow models for porous media such as Darcy’s law model and Darcy–Forchheimer model were considered in this investigation. Comparisons of isotherms, streamlines, and average Nusselt number are made between rigid and FSI models. The results of this investigation showed that Rayleigh number and the elasticity of the flexible wall had a profound effect on the shape of the flexible wall and consequently on the heat transfer enhancement within the enclosure.
Changes in translatable mRNAs during the larval-pupal transformation of the epidermis of the tobacco hornworm.

Abstract At the initiation of metamorphosis when exposed to ecdysteroid in the absence of juvenile hormone (JH), the lepidopteran epidermis changes its commitment from one for larval differentiation to one for pupal differentiation. Changes in mRNA populations during this change both in vivo and in vitro were followed by a one-dimensional SDS-gel electrophoretic analysis of translation products made in a mRNA-dependent rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. The larval epidermal cell was found to lose its translatable mRNAs for larval cuticular proteins and the larval-specific pigment insecticyanin during the change in commitment; these never reappeared. For Class I cuticular proteins and for insecticyanin, this loss occurred during the exposure to ecdysteroid, each with a differing time course. By contrast, Class II cuticular mRNAs first increased during this time, then also disappeared by the time the cells were pupally committed. In vitro these mRNAs appeared in only trace amounts in response to 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE). The pupally committed cell (late in the wandering stage) contained mRNAs for three low-molecular-weight proteins which were precipitable with the pupal cuticular antiserum. The remainder of the pupal cuticular mRNAs were not translatable until the third day after wandering, a time when pupal cuticle is being deposited in response to a molting surge of ecdysteroid. The pupally committed cell also had at least one new noncuticular mRNA which coded for a 34K protein and which was absent from both larval and pupal epidermal cells making cuticle. Since its appearance in response to 20-HE in vitro is repressed by JH, it is called a pupal commitment-specific protein. Thus, during the change of commitment 20-HE inactivates larval-specific genes irreversibly in a sequential cascade of events. The activation of most pupal-specific genes then requires a subsequent exposure to more ecdysteroid.
Intersection probabilities of impersistent joints

Abstract Joint intersection points are of interest because of their relations to the blocks that comprise the rock mass. Removable tetrahedral blocks, for example, have exactly one joint intersection point at the interior block apex; thus joint intersection probabilities are related to occurrence probabilities of rock blocks, and hence to stability of rock slopes and excavations. A solution is obtained giving relative probabilities of intersection of sets of parallel, impersistent joints in a discontinuous rock mass. A solution is also found for intersection probabilities of line segments in the plane. These probabilities are shown to depend on the joint intensities and on the relative orientations of joint sets or line sets. They prove to be remarkably simple functions of parameters that may be readily measured or estimated in the field. The ambiguities of the traditional definitions of persistence and spacing are avoided by use of joint intensity as a measure of density. Methods for the estimation of joint intensity by area sampling and line sampling techniques are discussed.
Poly(vinyl acetate), poly((1-O-(vinyloxy) ethyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) and amorphous poly(lactic acid) are the most CO2-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon-based polymers

Abstract Poly(vinyl acetate), PVAc, remains the most CO 2 -soluble non-fluorous polymer identified to date. Small sugar acetates are known to be extraordinarily CO 2 -philic, but cellulose triacetate, a crystalline high molecule weight polymer is CO 2 insoluble. Therefore, an amorphous high molecular weight polymer with pendant sugar acetates was synthesized. This polymer, poly(1- O -(vinyloxy) ethyl-2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl-β- d -glucopyranoside, P(AcGIcVE), was indeed CO 2 -soluble, however cloud point pressures of P(AcGIcVE) at 5 wt% polymer and 298 K were greater than that required for the dissolution of PVAc. Finally, the solubility of amorphous poly(lactic acid), PLA, was determined over a wide range of molecular weight. The corresponding cloud point pressures were much greater than either PVAc or P(AcGIcVE). Ab initio calculations for the CO 2 /PVAc dimer and CO 2 /PLA dimer mixtures were conducted in an attempt to elucidate the dramatic differences in the cloud point values of PVAc and PLA. Our calculations indicate that there is little difference in the average interaction energies for the CO 2 /PLA and the CO 2 /IPA systems. The only indication that PVAc would be expected to be more CO 2 -soluble that PLA was that the vinyl acetate dimer has binding modes that will readily accept multiple CO 2 molecules, whereas the binding modes for the lactic acid dimer can apparently only accommodate a single CO 2 molecule at a time.
Orientation In Neotropical Bats. II Phyllostomatidae and Desmodontidae

The orientation sounds of Chilonycteris rubiginosa, C. personata, Pteronotus, Macrotus, Glossophaga, Leptonycteris, Artibeus (Phyllostomatidae), and Desmodus (Desmodontidae) were analyzed for frequency, frequency pattern, and duration. All of these bats produce ultrasonic orientation pulses of both a frequency modulated and harmonic pattern. Ordinarily at least two harmonic components characterize the onsets of pulses with additional harmonics commonly occurring later on. There is an invariable frequency drop, usually less than one octave, from beginning to end of each pulse. The rate of frequency drop may be irregular, especially so in C. rubiginosa , characterized as well by long pulses. Glossophaga produce sounds of unusually high frequency (up to 208 kc) and short duration. No generalities seem to characterize the frequency and duration of phyllostomatid sounds.
Digital epiphyseal fusion in adolescence: A longitudinal study+

Distal epiphyseal fusion of the adolescent hand was studied by frequent serial roentgenograms. A unit scoring method for quantitating epiphyseal maturation allowed direct comparison between children without regard to age, sex, or pateern of maturation. The average time for fusion of fifteen digital epiphyses of the hand was approximately 16 months, with a range of from 4 to 28 months. The rate of digital epiphyseal fusion is not correlated with sex, digital length, chronological age, or the number of epiphyses undergoing maturation. Apparently, the total time for fusion of all epiphyses is related to the time required to complete the fusion process in any given epiphysis.
Two types of event memory

Psychologists and neuroscientists have long debated the nature of memory: How many types are there? Tulving (1, 2) proposed a distinction between semantic memory (general knowledge) and episodic memory (personal experiences that carry information about time and location). Tulving noted that episodic memories are autobiographical in nature: “Most, if not all, episodic memory claims a person makes can be translated into the form ‘I did such and such, in such and such a place, and in such and such a time’” (1, p 389). He also provided examples of episodic memory (1, pp 386–387) to indicate that he had in mind both events from the laboratory (remembering words in a list encountered in a laboratory setting) and those from life (remembering meeting a sea captain who knew many jokes) as indicative of episodic memory. No distinction was made between retrieval of the two types of events. The interesting results of Patihis et al. (3) and previous papers on people with highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) (4, 5) call into question part of Tulving’s (1, 2) claims. Memory for laboratory events may be fundamentally different from memory for events of one’s life. A person can excel at one type of retrieval but not the other.
An isotope dilution procedure for detection and quantitative estimation of phenylthiohydantoins released in the Edman degradation

Abstract A simple, rapid procedure for quantitative estimation of phenylthiohydantoins liberated in the Edman degradation is described. Peptides are degraded using 3H-phenylisothiocyanate. The radioactive thiazolinones released in the acid cleavage step of the degradation are added to a mixture of unlabelled phenylthiobydantoins and are isomerized in situ to the corresponding phenylthiohydaatoins. The phenylthiobydantoin mixture is separated using thin layer chromatography, ultraviolet-absorbing areas are scraped off, and radioactive areas are located by liquid scintillation counting. This procedure is rapid, sensitive and inexpensive. No specialized apparatus other than a scintillation counter is required. The procedure is especially applicable to automated versions of the Edman degradation.
A stochastic structural reliability model explains rotator cuff repair retears

High rates of tendon retear following surgical repair of large rotator cuff tears have been reported. This study developed a probabilistic structural reliability model of retear with potential to guide quality improvement interventions. A probabilistic biomechanical model of survivorship from a recurrent tear, based on structural reliability and Markov processes, treated the capacity of the surgical repair to withstand tensile loading and the load applied by the supraspinatus muscle as independent lognormally distributed random variables. For a repair to remain intact at the end of the tth day, it had to remain intact on days 0, … , t − 1. After retear was predicted to occur, that repair remained torn in the model. The model predicted two-year survival of 75.7%, which is within the 95% confidence interval of the Kaplan–Meier for data reported by others. The model’s demonstrated prediction of retear can be used for improving repair survival: lowering the variance in both repair strength and in post-operati...
Potential well metamorphosis of a pivoting fluid-filled container

Abstract This paper investigates the stability of a pivoting cylindrical container that is slowly filled with fluid. The action of filling the container with fluid causes the system’s potential energy to evolve and modify the stability of equilibria. We analyze the stability behavior of this system and find distinct regions where edge and spill conditions require alternative expressions for the system’s potential energy. The stability of the upright and tilt angle equilibria are studied using the Lagrange–Dirichlet theorem. We provide exact expressions for the potential energy of the system and bifurcation diagrams that compactly represent the stability behavior of the upright equilibria and additionally predict the presence of non-trivial or tilted equilibria. Theoretical investigations are then compared with a series of experimental tests that validate the container upright and tilted equilibria stability.
Reducing respiratory effect in motion correction for EPI images with sequential slice acquisition order.

a b s t r a c t Motion correction is critical for data analysis of fMRI time series. Most motion correction algorithms treat the head as a rigid body. Respiration of the subject, however, can alter the static magnetic field in the head and result in motion-like slice shifts for echo planar imaging (EPI). The delay of acquisition between slices causes a phase difference in respiration so that the shifts vary with slice positions. To characterize the effect of respiration on motion correction, we acquired fast sampled fMRI data using multi-band EPI and then simulated different acquisition schemes. Our results indicated that respiration introduces additional noise after motion correction. The signal variation between volumes after motion correction increases when the effective TR increases from 675 ms to 2025 ms. This problem can be corrected if slices are acquired sequentially. For EPI with a sequential acquisition scheme, we propose to divide the image volumes into several segments so that slices within each segment are acquired close in time and then perform motion correction on these segments separately. We demonstrated that the temporal signal-to-noise ratio (TSNR) was increased when the motion correction was performed on the segments separately rather than on the whole image. This enhancement of TSNR was not evenly distributed across the segments and was not observed for interleaved acquisition. The level of increase was higher for superior slices. On superior slices the percentage of TSNR gain was comparable to that using image based retrospective correction for respiratory noise. Our results suggest that separate motion correction on segments is highly recommended for sequential acquisition schemes, at least for slices distal to the chest.
Evaluation findings from genetics and family health history community-based workshops for African Americans

The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation and effectiveness of community education workshops to change genetics and health-related knowledge, intentions, and behavior of urban African Americans. Eight workshops were held and 183 participants consented to participate in the study. A majority of the participants were African American (97%) and female (84%) and just over half were 65 years and older (60%), and had some high school or were high school graduates (52%). The community-based workshops were standardized and comprised a 45-min PowerPoint presentation that included group discussions and interactive activities. The evaluation used a pre–post design with a 2-month follow-up. The group as a whole (and the subgroups by age and education level) significantly improved their knowledge of race and genetics from pretest to posttest as measured by their scores on the “Race”, Genetics, and Health knowledge questions. Findings around intentions showed that the largest number of participants pledged to collect family health history information from family members. Findings around behavior changes showed that, along the stages of change continuum, there were more participants at maintenance (stage 5) at the 2-month follow-up than at the pre-workshop for three health-related activities. Feedback was positive as participants indicated they appreciated the information they received and audience involvement. The article discusses local and global implications for practice and research among community health educators.
SUN proteins and nuclear envelope spacing.

The nuclear envelope consists of 2 membranes separated by 30–50 nm, but how the 2 membranes are evenly spaced has been an open question in the field. Nuclear envelope bridges composed of inner nuclear membrane SUN proteins and outer nuclear membrane KASH proteins have been proposed to set and regulate nuclear envelope spacing. We tested this hypothesis directly by examining nuclear envelope spacing in Caenorhabditis elegans animals lacking UNC-84, the sole somatic SUN protein. SUN/KASH bridges are not required to maintain even nuclear envelope spacing in most tissues. However, UNC-84 is required for even spacing in body wall muscle nuclei. Shortening UNC-84 by 300 amino acids did not narrow the nuclear envelope space. While SUN proteins may play a role in maintaining nuclear envelope spacing in cells experiencing forces, our data suggest they are dispensable in most cells.
Slag accumulation in the Titan solid rocket motor upgrade

Numerical simulations of slag accumulation in the aft end of the Titan solid rocket motor upgrade (SRMU) are described. These quasisteady, two-phase flow solutions at 0-, 30-, 55-, 80-, 110-, and 125-s burnback geometries involve a gas phase and an A12O3 liquid phase of a single droplet size, where four droplet sizes (10, 35, 60, and 100 fim) have been considered. The two-phase flow calculations are inviscid and rotational (Euler equations), with full momentum and energy coupling between the phases. Both phases are treated with an Eulerian approach. The stability of the AI2O3 droplets with respect to breakup is shown not to affect our predictions. The capture rate as a function of time is determined from the solutions at the five burn times, which is then integrated over the total burn time to determine the total slag captured. It is found that slag capture starts at time zero and continues throughout the firing. Using a droplet size distribution from a recent experimental study produces a total slag accumulation of 2265 kg, which is in good agreement with the static test results. Also, predictions of the slag pool depth as a function of time show good agreement with real-time radiography measurements. Small changes in propellant grain design, such as the use of a short-lived inhibitor in the submerged nozzle region, only provide a small reduction in the total slag captured during the burn. Slag accumulation is unaffected by the g levels typical of an SRMU flight.
Privacy ethics in the age of disclosure: Sweden and america compared

Sweden, a model welfare state, and the United States, with its ethos of rugged individualism, have institutionalized ethical systems for protecting the research subject’s right to privacy. The ethical concerns driving these “codes” of ethics are similar across the two societies, but the institutional systems for protecting privacy, indeed the very definitions of privacy, are different, reflecting variant value systems. The Swedes have an open government but are vigilant and effective guardians of the privacy of individual files. In contrast, the Americans keep their government relatively closed but allow relatively easy access to individual files. Regardless of this basic difference, researchers in both countries are struggling to rethink their ethical systems in the face of rapid development of communications technology in what has emerged as the age of disclosure. This paper begins with the cultural concepts of privacy in Sweden and the United States. Privacy was chosen as the focus of this paper because it stands at the center of deception and disclosure in research, a pressing ethical problem facing sociologists today. Next is a comparison of the institutionalized systems for protecting the individual’s right to privacy in the two countries, followed by a discussion of the social pressures confronting the two systems. The paper concludes with a comparison of the ethical principles utilized by both countries.
Molecular diagnosis of Alpers syndrome

Background/Aims: Alpers syndrome is a developmental mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome leading to fatal brain and liver disease in children and young adults. Mutations in the gene for the mitochondrial DNA polymerase (POLG) have recently been shown to cause this disorder. Methods: The POLG locus was sequenced in 15 sequential probands diagnosed with Alpers syndrome. In addition, the POLG mutations found to cause Alpers syndrome in the 20 cases published to date were analyzed. Results: POLG DNA testing accurately diagnosed 87% (13/15 = 87%: 95% confidence interval = 60–98%) of cases. Five new POLG amino acid substitutions (F749S, R852C, T914P, L966R, and L1173fsX) were found that were associated with Alpers syndrome in five unrelated kindreds, and 14 different allelic combinations of POLG mutations were found to cause Alpers syndrome in the 20 probands published to date. The most common Alpers-causing mutation was the A467T substitution, located in the linker region of the pol c protein, which accounted for about 40% of the alleles and was present in 65% of the patients. All patients with POLG mutations had either the A467T or the W748S substitution in the linker region. Conclusions: Screening for A467T and W748S substitutions in POLG now constitutes the most rapid and sensitive test available for confirming the clinical diagnosis of Alpers syndrome. � 2006 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Atmospheric Refractivity Anomalies Induced by Mesoscale von K& aacute;rm& aacute;n Vortex Streets

We present new findings that indicate that Von K& aacute;rm& aacute;n vortex shedding in the wake of mountainous islands is capable of inducing large, refractive index anomalies in the atmospheric boundary layer.
DYNAMIC MONITORING OF STEEL GIRDER HIGHWAY BRIDGE

Currently there are different monitoring techniques that have been considered for use in the structural evaluation of bridges. These include approaches based on both static and dynamic behavior. The use of dynamic properties has advantages over static properties, since components of the dynamic properties are only marginally influenced by variations in the loading. When dynamic properties are used, field studies have shown that it is not always sufficient to use only natural frequencies and modal displacements. Some research for structural evaluation of bridges indicates that techniques based on use of derivatives of the natural frequencies and the modal displacements may be more effectively used to generate effective diagnostic parameters for structural identification. This paper presents the results of applying one of these methods, the modal flexibility approach, to a field study of a bridge in which the bearings were partially restrained in colder weather. While others have used impact methods with the modal flexibility method, in this study the approach is modified so that excitation is provided by vehicular traffic. The results show that the modified modal flexibility method provides a clear indication that there have been changes in the bridge's structural behavior.
The NMDA receptor complex modulates clonidine-induced increases in growth hormone levels in rats

Intraperitoneal administration of clonidine (50 micrograms/kg) produced increases in growth hormone levels in male Wistar rats. Pretreatment with NMDA receptor antagonists including (+/-)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP/NMDA site), ifenprodril (polyamine site), and dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) or phencyclidine (PCP) (channel blockers) did not have any significant effect on clonidine-induced increases in growth hormone levels. In contrast, pretreatment with 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) (NMDA receptor-associated glycine site antagonists) significantly attenuated clonidine-induced increases in growth hormone levels. Attenuation of clonidine's effect on growth hormone levels by NMDA receptor-associated glycine site antagonists appears most likely due to an interaction between their effects on the NMDA receptor complex with growth hormone releasing factor.
The influence of shape on the glassy dynamics of hard nonspherical particle fluids. I. Dynamic crossover and elasticity.

We extend and apply the center-of-mass version of the microscopic naive mode coupling theory to study the ideal kinetic glass transition of dense fluids and suspensions composed of broad families of one-, two-, and three- dimensional hard nonspherical particles. A kinetic arrest diagram is constructed which indicates a dynamical crossover or onset of activated barrier hopping controlled transport. We find (quasi-) one-dimensional rods and rings form ideal glasses at the lowest volume fractions which decrease strongly with aspect ratio. Two-dimensional disks form ideal glasses at intermediate volume fractions which decrease slowly with the number of particles comprising the planar objects. Compact three-dimensional cluster particles exhibit a subtle nonmonotonic variation of the onset volume fraction that depends on their detailed shape, surface corrugation, and intraparticle interstitial volume. A strong correlation between the ideal kinetic arrest volume fraction and dimensionless compressibility (amplit...
Thiamin Phosphate Synthase: The Rate of Pyrimidine Carbocation Formation

Thiamin phosphate synthase couples 4-amino-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyrimidine pyrophosphate (HMP-PP) and 4-methyl-5-(β-hydroxyethyl)thiazole phosphate (Thz-P) to make thiamin phosphate on the biosynthetic route to thiamin-PP, the active form of vitamin B1. We show that this coupling reaction goes through a pyrimidine carbocation intermediate by using transient state kinetic methods, and that the rate constant for carbocation formation at the active site of the enzyme is 0.4 s-1.
Scales of urine acidification : Apical membrane-associated particles in turtle bladder

Scales of urine acidification: Apical membrane-associated particles in turtle bladder. Since the time of Smith, studies of urinary acidification have shifted their focus to ever smaller scales and have revealed iterative patterns or organization. For this review we focus on the organization of intra- and submembrane particules at the scale of the apical cell membrane of the H + secreting, α intercalated cells. Particles were examined quantitatively by thin section and freeze-fracture (FF) electron microscopy. Ongoing studies in turtle bladder indicate that the density of submembrane particles (studs) per μm 2 is approximately the same as that of spherical units (SPUs) forming linear (rod-shaped) arrays on FF. This one-to-one relationship is observed in the presence or absence of CO 2 and suggests that CO 2 -induced changes in H + secretion do not involve dissociation of the intramembrane (channel) and cytoplasmic (catalytic) parts of the H-ATPase. Structure-function studies based on density estimates of the particles, morphometry of the H + secreting cell population, and measurement of H + transport rate prior to fixation permit functional correlation across scales of study.
Model of Fish Biomass Dynamics

Abstract A model of fish biomass dynamics is developed based on principles of physiology, population biology, and trophic ecology. The model is designed to incorporate measurable parameters for simulating seasonal changes in a natural population. All parameters were implemented for the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and simulation results compared with independently derived laboratory and field data. Applications of the model to thermal enrichment problems are given as an example of future potential uses.
Structure-function studies on the active site of the coelenterazine-dependent luciferase from Renilla.

Renilla luciferase (RLUC) is a versatile tool for gene expression assays and in vivo biosensor applications, but its catalytic mechanism remains to be elucidated. RLUC is evolutionarily related to the α/β hydrolase family. Its closest known homologs are bacterial dehalogenases, raising the question of how a protein with a hydrolase fold can function as a decarboxylating oxygenase. Molecular docking simulations with the coelenterazine substrate against an RLUC homology model as well as a recently determined RLUC crystal structure were used to build hypotheses to identify functionally important residues, which were subsequently tested by site-directed mutagenesis, heterologous expression, and bioluminescence emission spectroscopy. The data highlighted two triads of residues that are critical for catalysis. The putative catalytic triad residues D120, E144, and H285 bear only limited resemblance to those found in the active site of aequorin, a coelenterazine-utilizing photoprotein, suggesting that the reaction scheme employed by RLUC differs substantially from the one established for aequorin. The role of H285 in catalysis was further supported by inhibition using diethylpyrocarbonate. Multiple substitutions of N53, W121, and P220—three other residues implicated in product binding in the homologous dehalogenase Sphingomonas LinB—also supported their involvement in catalysis. Together with luminescence spectra, our data lead us to propose that the conserved catalytic triad of RLUC is directly involved in the decarboxylation reaction of coelenterazine to produce bioluminescence, while the other active-site residues are used for binding of the substrate.
On the Minimum Harmonic Trajectory Pattern for Point-to-Point Motion

In this paper, the lowest harmonic trajectory pattern for point-to-point motions with zero end point velocity, acceleration and jerk of fully controlled nonlinear dynamics systems that can be synthesized is proved to be a unique combination of a fundamental frequency harmonic and its second harmonic. For fully controlled dynamic systems such as robot manipulators and other computer controlled machines with rigid links, it is shown that such a trajectory pattern would yield the minimum number of harmonic in the required actuation forces/torques. Such trajectory patterns are therefore suitable for point-to-point motion synthesis of high-precision and high-speed computer controlled machinery and can also be synthesized to minimize excitation of the system natural modes of vibrations.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Narrowing the Achievement Gap in Second-Grade Social Studies and Content Area Literacy: The Promise of a Project-Based Approach

Abstract This study addresses the question: Do second-grade students from low- socioeconomic-status (SES) schools taught with an iteratively designed project-based approach to social studies and content literacy instruction: (a) make statistically significant gains on standards-based social studies and content area literacy assessments, and (b) reach a benchmark on these assessments set by a group of students from high-SES schools? If so, what did the project-based approach entail? Students from 4 classrooms in low-SES schools were assessed before and after experiencing 2 project-based units focused on standards in economics; civics and government; public discourse, decision making, and citizen involvement; and content area literacy. Students from 2 high-SES schools were also assessed, following a year of business-as-usual social studies and content literacy instruction, to establish a benchmark we hoped low-SES students could attain. Results show that low-SES students made statistically significant gains...
Carnitine prolongs the half-life of ethanol in broilers

The object was to determine if carnitine attenuated ethanol metabolism in broilers similar to that reported in the rats. Two groups (n = 5) of 5-week-old broilers were given for 10 days the feed with or without 0.5% L-carnitine supplement. A single oral dose of ethanol on day 8 was followed by serial blood samples which were analysed for ethanol. Another dose of ethanol was given on day 10 and 2 hr later, plasma and liver were collected and analysed for ethanol, total lipid, triglycerides and carnitine. The carnitine supplemented diet prolonged the half-life of ethanol due to attenuation of ethanol metabolism which is similar to that reported earlier in rodents. The increases in plasma and hepatic acylcarnitines indicate that supplementary carnitine lessens the load of free acyl groups in the liver by eventual oxidation or excretion.
Site-Specific Measurement of Terbium and Calcium Binding to Calmodulin and Calmodulin Fragments

Calcium controls a variety of cellular processes including muscle contraction, cellular motility, and synaptic function. A key player in many of these signaling events is the evolutionarily conserved Ca2+ sensor, calmodulin (CaM), a 148 amino acid protein consisting of four EF hand Ca2+-binding domains arranged as pairs in two globular domains (N- and C-lobe) connected by a flexible linker. Though extensive work has investigated Ca2+ binding to CaM, published Ca2+ association constants and cooperativity factors vary by several orders of magnitude. Surprisingly little of this variability is attributable to differences in experimental conditions. We have determined through simulations that macroscopic total binding curves are fundamentally insufficient to constrain a complete, quantitative model of Ca2+ binding to CaM. To improve estimates of Ca2+ affinity and cooperativity in binding to CaM we have conducted site-specific binding measurements at each binding site. To detect metal occupancy at individual sites, terbium (Tb3+) ions, which have been shown to effectively substitute for Ca2+ in activating CaM, are sensitized via energy transfer from a minimally invasive tryptophan residue inserted in each EF hand. Through competition experiments, both Ca2+ and Tb3+ association constants can be determined. We have obtained site-specific Tb3+ binding isotherms at all four sites in full CaM and measurements of Tb3+ binding and Ca2+ competition in an isolated, N-lobe CaM fragment. These data suggest distinct Ca2+ and Tb3+ affinities at each of the sites in the N-lobe CaM fragment and distinct Tb3+ affinities at all four sites in full CaM. The additional information obtained through site-specific binding measurements enhances estimates of Ca2+ affinity and cooperativity in binding to CaM. This technique is powerful in its applicability to a variety of EF-hand containing calcium-sensing proteins in isolation or in complex with signaling partners.