cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rheo-dielectric effect in liquid suspensions

A rheo-dielectric effect, dielectrostriction, relates the polarizability of a material to its deformation. Stress, strain, strain rate or some combination of these parameters could be the state variables for a given material. The description of the dielectrostriction in isotropic materials involves two material coefficients. A key advantage of the presented experimental technique is the utilization of a single deformation mode, shear deformation, for two independent measurements of the material coefficients in liquid suspensions. The study is conducted with micro- and nano-sized alumina oxide (Al2O3) particles dispersed either in silicone oil (Newtonian fluid) or in liquid silicone elastomer (viscoelastic fluid). The dielectrostriction response of each suspension is compared with those of the corresponding base liquids. The selection of strain or stress as the state variable of deformation is discussed. Material coefficients for both the strain- and stress-based descriptions are presented for each system.
Effects of heat treatment on the permeability of polyvinyl alcohol films to a hydrophilic solute

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films may be useful as release-controlling membrane systems. Untreated, they are readily permeable to water and hydrophilic drugs. Because heating has been used to increase crystallinity and thus reduce the solubility and swelling in water of PVA films, we have studied the effects of heat on the permeability of PVA films to a water-soluble drug marker. Heat treatment was varied in the temperature range 100-200 degrees C for 1 h. The effect of time of heating was studied at 100 degrees C for 0.5-160 h. After pre-equilibration with water (heat-treated membranes remained intact, untreated ones dissolved), membrane permeabilities to methylene blue in aqueous solution (37 degrees C) were determined in a rotating diffusion cell. Permeabilities decreased with increased heating times (0.98-0.039 cm X min-1 for 0.5-160 h at 100 degrees C, respectively). Heating in air or N2 produced similar results. Further dramatic decreases in permeability occurred with increasing pretreatment temperatures; membrane permeability fell by a factor of approximately 500 with increasing temperature in the range 100-200 degrees C. There was no evidence of decomposition at temperatures less than or equal to 190 degrees C for 1 h. Results were consistent with literature reports of heat-induced increases in crystallinity. Membranes were simple to prepare and permeability could be controlled without recourse to chemical manipulation.
Electric propulsion produced environments and possible interactions with the SP-100 power system

An examination of a conceptual SP-100 type power system has been conducted to assess the effect of possible electric thruster induced contamination. The operating characteristics and known exhaust plume properties of various electric thrusters are summarized along with the natural environment and its effects to provide background for the contamination discussion. Charge buildup on nonconducting surfaces, differential charging of surfaces and arcing should be moderated by the operation of an electric thruster system. Thin film deposition of eroded thruster materials is a possible contamination mechanism. Electric thruster field efflux and propellant condensation should have only a minor contaminating effect upon a nuclear power system.
Perturbation analysis of the influence of the isotherm coupling factor on the resolution between two compounds in chromatography

Abstract The influence of the coupling factor between the adsorption isotherms of the two components of a binary mixture on the elution profiles of their bands in liquid chromatography, on their retention times and on the resolution between these bands is discussed using a perturbation approach.
A Furin-like Convertase Mediates Propeptide Cleavage of BACE, the Alzheimer's β-Secretase

The novel transmembrane aspartic protease BACE (for Beta-site APP Cleaving Enzyme) is the beta-secretase that cleaves amyloid precursor protein to initiate beta-amyloid formation. As such, BACE is a prime therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. BACE, like other aspartic proteases, has a propeptide domain that is removed to form the mature enzyme. BACE propeptide cleavage occurs at the sequence RLPR downward arrowE, a potential furin recognition motif. Here, we explore the role of furin in BACE propeptide domain processing. BACE propeptide cleavage in cells does not appear to be autocatalytic, since an inactive D93A mutant of BACE is still cleaved appropriately. BACE and furin co-localize within the Golgi apparatus, and propeptide cleavage is inhibited by brefeldin A and monensin, drugs that disrupt trafficking through the Golgi. Treatment of cells with the calcium ionophore, leading to inhibition of calcium-dependent proteases including furin, or transfection with the alpha(1)-antitrypsin variant alpha(1)-PDX, a potent furin inhibitor, dramatically reduces cleavage of the BACE propeptide. Moreover, the BACE propeptide is not processed in the furin-deficient LoVo cell line; however, processing is restored upon furin transfection. Finally, in vitro digestion of recombinant soluble BACE with recombinant furin results in complete cleavage only at the established E46 site. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that furin, or a furin-like proprotein convertase, is responsible for cleaving the BACE propeptide domain to form the mature enzyme.
Group dynamics of dependency and counter-dependency manifested in drawings of graduate art, movement, and music therapy students

Abstract Weekly, spontaneous drawings were collected from twelve art therapy students, eleven dance therapy students, and seven music therapy students over a 10-week period. The drawings from the first, third, fifth, seventh and tenth weeks were coded and scored for high defensiveness (realistic images) and low defensiveness (symbolic images). It was hypothesized that the art therapy students would be more defensive, i.e., counter-dependent than the music and dance therapy students. The art therapy students produced significantly more realistic images than the music or dance therapy students, thus supporting the hypothesis and demonstrating the usefulness of spontaneous drawings as an indicator of group dynamics.
Distal stressors and the life stress process

The current paper expands the concept of stressors to include two distinct types: recent (proximal) stressors and more distant (distal) stressors. It then examines the role played by these two types of stressors in an expanded model of the life stress process. In expanding the life stress model to include stressors occurring over a longer period of time, the paper first examines the ability of distal stressors to increase the variance explained in depressive symptomatology above and beyond that explained by the more traditional model variables: recent stressors and social support. In modeling distal stressors in the life stress process, two models are tested: (1) an independent model in which stressors and resources are examined for their independent effects on distress, and (2) a deterioration model in which stressors are seen to affect subsequent levels of support, which then serve to increase depression. Analysis showed that distal stressors make a significant and independent contribution to explaining variations in depressive symptomatology, above and beyond that explained by more recent stressors and social support. Support was found for both the independent model and the deterioration model of the life stress process. Distal stressors, proximal stressors, and social support have an independent effect on current depression. Further, distal stressors and proximal stressors erode current levels of support, which in turn impact on current levels of depression. The implications of these and other findings are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Distinct rat neurohypophysial nerve terminal populations identified by size, electrophysiological properties and neuropeptide content

Voltage-gated ion channels are critical to excitation-secretion coupling in nerve terminals. We have identified two distinct populations of rat neurohypophysial (NHP) terminals distinguished by size, neuropeptide content and electrophysiological properties, including resting membrane potential, action potential (AP) properties, and K+ current and Na+ current characteristics. In large terminals (10–16 μm diameter), resting membrane potential was more negative than in small terminals (5–9.9 μm; −61±4 mV vs. −55±3 mV; p<0.01), action potential amplitude was larger (69±4 mV vs. 53±3 mV; p<0.01), peak IK was larger (1460±90 pA vs. 1140±70 pA; p<0.05) with a more negative V1/2 for activation (−3.1 mV vs. −0.6 mV; p<0.05), and Na+ current density was greater (∼470 pA/pF vs. ∼300 pA/pF; p<0.01) with more negative V1/2 values for activation from −70 or −90 mV holding potentials (−44 mV vs. −24 mV; p<0.01). A positive linear correlation between INa amplitude and terminal size showed an inflection at a diameter of 9.2 μm. Neuropeptide content was generally segregated into a population of small terminals (<10 μm diameter) containing predominantly vasopressin and a population of large terminals (≥10 μm diameter) containing predominantly oxytocin (OT); a small fraction of terminals in each group contained both peptides. These findings suggest that electrophysiological differences between small vasopressin-containing and large oxytocin-containing neurohypophysial terminals may contribute to their observed differential firing and peptide release patterns.
Circulating transportation orbits between earth and Mars

This paper describes the basic characteristics of circulating (cyclical) orbit design as applied to round-trip transportation of crew and materials between earth and Mars in support of a sustained manned Mars Surface Base. The two main types of nonstopover circulating trajectories are the socalled VISIT orbits and the Up/Down Escalator orbits. Access to the large transportation facilities placed in these orbits is by way of taxi vehicles using hyperbolic rendezvous techniques during the successive encounters with earth and Mars. Specific examples of real trajectory data are presented in explanation of flight times, encounter frequency, hyperbolic velocities, closest approach distances, and Delta V maneuver requirements in both interplanetary and planetocentric space.
Finger tracking and gesture interfacing using the Nintendo® wiimote

Nintendo's wiimote is a revolution in gaming technology, being able to detect motion as it is moved around as well as infrared sensors linking it to the Wii console to show what the user is pointing at. Other gaming enthusiasts have been able to use the wiimote for more than just a controller for the Wii by connecting it to a computer through its Bluetooth connectivity and turning it into a receiver for infrared signals to create "finger-tracking". This new type of gesture interface could prove to be a very useful tool, not only for gaming but for anyone who wants to make a presentation more interactive rather than using the traditional mouse and keyboard.
Ethical issues in postexperimental and postexperiential debriefing

This article presents an analysis of the ethical issues in debriefing simulations and games informed by a consideration of the ethical issues involved in debriefing research experiments. Ethical is...
Unusual manifestations of henoch schonlein purpura

Henoch schonlein syndrome (HSP) represents a diagnostic challenge when gastrointestinal symptoms or other atypical symptoms precede the cutaneous manifestations. We describe two patients whose abdominal symptoms antedated cutaneous manifestations. Six-year-old, black male patient, presented with 1 wk history of vomiting (without diarrhea or urinary symptoms), hypertension (140/90 mmHg), diffuse abdominal pain and hypoactive bowel sounds:. WBC’s 40,000/Cu mm3 with 80 percent hypoproteinemia, (albumin 1.6 G%), high plasma renin and stools positive for occult blood. Renal function and urinalysis was normal. Two weeks later patient developed urticarial purpuric rash over the ankles, gross hematuria and gross edema. Biopsy of the skin lesion was consistent with HSP vasculitis. Second patient 4 yr Brazilian male patient presented with abdominalpain, vomiting, blood in the stools, and pain in the right testis. Three days later, developed purpuric rash over his limbs and trunk. He also had hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, leukocytosis and normal urine analysis. Abdominal pain, bloody stools, painful testicular swelling and hypoproteinemia abated with steroid therapy. In HSP patients, atypical presentation of abdominal pain, hypertension, hypoproteinemia without proteinuria testicular swelling and leucocytosis in the absence of cutaneous and joint manifestations poses as diagnostic problem. Protein-losing enteropathy should be considered in HSP patients with hypoproteinemia.
A comparative study of β-N-acetylglucosamididase from Mercenaria mercenaria, Mya arenaria and Spisula solidissima

Abstract 1. 1. β-N-Acetylglucosaminidase was partially purified from the digestive gland of the three coastal New England bivalves Mercenaria mercenaria Spisula solidissuma and Mya arenaria and their properties compared. 2. 2. Heat inactivation studies on the β-N-acetylglucosaminidases preincubated at 45°C revealed that the preparation from S. solidissima was stable up to 60 min, while thatfrom M. arenaria and M. mercenaria lost 47 and 91% of their original activities under these conditions, respectively. 3. 3. Inhibition studies indicated that d -glucoronolactone is more inhibitory iswards the M. arenaria enzyme, while HgCI2 appears to be less inhibitory towards the S. solidissima enzyme. 4. 4. The Vmax value for β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from M. mercenaria was approximately 2.5 fold greater than that from S. solidissima and M. arenaria 5. 5. Other characteristics of the β-N-acetylglucosaminidases such as pH optimum Km, mol. wt, energy of activation, and effect of ionic strengtt on enzyme activity were found to be aimilar for all three species. 6. 6. The digestive gland of all three species of clams also contained the following activities: β- d - galactosidase, α- d -galactosidase, α- l -fucosidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α- d -mannosidase. Trace amounts of β- d -xylosidase, α- d -xylosidase, α- d -glucosidase and β- d -glucuronidase were also detected.
The vertical distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere of Mars

Calculations are performed of the vertical distribution of water vapor and condensate in an adiabatic atmosphere on Mars taking into account turbulent diffusion and terminal velocity. The distributions are found to be substantially different when terminal velocity is included. The eddy-diffusion coefficient in the troposphere cannot be much greater than 100,000 sq cm/sec if optical depths are to be kept low enough to be consistent with observations. Processes in the boundary layer are also discussed. It is concluded that virtually all the water vapor is to be found in the lowest 6-10 km and that the lowest 2 km should have a greater concentration than the rest of that layer. Some observational tests of these ideas and conclusion can be performed by the Viking missions to Mars.
Simulation: A Survey with Research Suggestions

Abstract Simulation is one of the most powerful analysis tools available to those responsible for the design and/or operation of complex processes or systems. It is heavily based upon computer science, mathematics, probability theory and statistics; yet the process of simulation modeling and experimentation remains very much an intuitive art. This paper attempts to survey selected aspects and point out areas needing additional research. Among the topics discussed are: random variate generation, programming languages, starting conditions, sample size, variance reduction, design of experiments and validation.
Self-Actualization, Openness, and Loosely Coupled Systems

This article presents a definitional and theoretical critique of Mittelman's notion of openness. An alternative conceptualization of self-actualizers as exemplars of loosely coupled personality systems is introduced. This loosely coupled personality system notion allows for a dialectical model of self-actualizers that might resolve seeming personality dichotomies, such as concurtently high levels of both openness and closedness.
Europe and the politics of language: citizens, migrants and outsiders

Europe and the politics of language: citizens, migrants and outsiders, by Mairead Nic Craith, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan, 2006, pp. xii+217, £55.00 (hardback), ISBN 1-4039-1833-3 In Europe and t...
Financial impact of surgical site infections on hospitals: the hospital management perspective.

Importance Surgical site infections (SSIs) may increase health care costs, but few studies have conducted an analysis from the perspective of hospital administrators. Objective To determine the change in hospital profit due to SSIs. Design Retrospective study of data from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2010. Setting The study was performed at 4 of The Johns Hopkins Health System acute care hospitals in Maryland: Johns Hopkins Bayview (560 beds); Howard County General Hospital (238 beds); The Johns Hopkins Hospital (946 beds); and Suburban Hospital (229 beds). Participants Eligible patients for the study included those patients admitted to the 4 hospitals between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2010, with complete data and the correct International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code, as determined by the infection preventionist. Infection preventionists performed complete medical record review using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions to identify SSIs. Patients were stratified using the All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups to estimate the change in hospital profit due to SSIs. Exposure Surgical site infections. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcomes of the study were the difference in daily total charges, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rate, and profit for patients with an SSI when compared with patients without an SSI. The hypothesis, formulated prior to data collection, that patients with an SSI have higher daily total costs, a longer LOS, and higher 30-day readmission rates than patients without an SSI, was tested using a nonpaired Mann-Whitney U test, an analysis of covariance, and a Pearson χ 2 test. Hospital charges were used as a proxy for hospital cost. Results The daily total charges, mean LOS, and 30-day readmission rate for patients with an SSI compared with patients without an SSI were $7493 vs $7924 ( P = .99); 10.56 days vs 5.64 days ( P P Conclusions and Relevance The data suggest that hospitals have a financial incentive to reduce SSIs, but hospitals should expect to see an increase in both cost and revenue when SSIs are reduced.
Hydrogen Atom Abstraction Reactions of Charged Polyaromatic σ-Radicals Related to the Active Intermediates of the Enediyne Antitumor Drugs

Polar effects are demonstrated to play an important role in controlling the reactivity of polyaromatic σ-radicals that are structurally related to the active intermediates of the enediyne anticancer type antibiotics. This was accomplished by measuring the rate constants of hydrogen atom abstraction for novel, charged dehydroquinolines, dehydroisoquinolines, dehydrobenzenes, and dehydronaphthalenes in the gas phase by using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The reactivity trends observed for these radicals upon hydrogen atom abstraction from tetrahydrofuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, simple models of deoxyribose, do not reflect differences in reaction exothermicities, radical sizes, exact location of the radical site in the ring system, or heteroatom−radical site distances. However, the reactivity trends match the trend in the calculated electron affinities of the radicals. The radicals' different electrophilicities result in variations in the reaction barrier due to different ...
Wavelength-dispersive device based on a Fourier-transform Michelson-type arrayed waveguide grating.

We propose a new type of arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) device that operates as a Fourier-transform (FT) spectrometer without the need of scanning elements. The large input aperture size typical of a FT spectrometer eliminates the requirement for a narrow single-mode input waveguide while still achieving high spectral resolution with a markedly increased light-gathering capability (etendue). An example of the device with a resolution of 0.07?nm(?10?GHz) and designed for a silicon-on-insulator platform is presented. The calculated spectra show no noticeable deterioration for aperture widths as large as 40??m, yielding more than a 50-fold increase in aperture size compared with conventional AWG or echelle grating based devices at the equivalent resolution.
Measurement of thin film interface toughness by using laser-generated stress pulses

Abstract A new technique to measure the toughness of interfaces is presented. In this experiment a laser-generated compressive stress pulse on the back surface of a substrate disc is made to propagate towards a thin film interface containing a population of well characterized microcracks. The compressive stress pulse reflects into a tensile pulse from the coating's free surface and leads to the dynamic initiation of one of the cracks. The coating's free surface velocity at crack initiation is measured by using an optical interferometer, and related to the local energy release rate (equal to interface toughness) for a prescribed flaw geometry by using a numerical simulation based on dynamic fracture. Both penny-shaped and line interfacial microcracks were generated by combining photolithography and encouraging layer buckling from selected spots under the influence of their own residual compressive stresses. The experimental strategy is demonstrated on interfaces between sapphire substrates with (0001) plane orientations and coatings of Al, Cr, Nb and Sb for which the interface toughnesses of 1.3, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.04 J/m 2 were obtained, respectively.
Growth of native Hawaiian school children: I. Research design, stature, and weight measurements.

A semilongitudinal survey of the growth of native Hawaiian school children, focused on the development of fatness, has been carried out on the Island of Hawaii. Four cohorts of children, first studied in grades one, four, seven, and ten, were measured annually for four years. Several factors, including percentage of Polynesian ancestry, identification with Hawaiian culture, socioeconomic status, dietary intake, and physical fitness, have been considered for their potential relationship to the development of fatness Data presented here indicate that native Hawaiian boys tend to be taller for their age than NHANES-II medians until age 14 years, but are not significantly taller than their non-Hawaiian classmates. Native Hawaiian boys and girls are heavier for their age than NHANES-II medians at most ages and are significantly heavier than non-Hawaiian classmates. Percentage of Polynesian ancestry is a significant predictor variable of both stature-for-age and weight-for-age among native Hawaiian children in the first and fourth grade cohorts. Study of fatness in a genetically heterogeneous Polynesian population that is relatively homogeneous in regard to modernization may yield insights into genetic contributions to the problem of obesity among Pacific Islanders.
Alternative Feeding Strategies and Potential Disease Transmission in Wisconsin White-Tailed Deer

Abstract We conducted experimental feeding using 3 feeding methods (pile, spread, trough) and 2 quantities (rationed, ad libitum) of shelled corn to compare deer activity and behavior with control sites and evaluate potential direct and indirect transmission of infectious disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in central Wisconsin, USA. Deer use was higher at 2 of the feeding sites than at natural feeding areas (P ≤ 0.02). Deer spent a higher proportion of time (P < 0.01) feeding at pile (49%) and spread (61%) treatments than at natural feeding areas (36%). We found higher deer use for rationed than ad libitum feeding quantities and feeding intensity was greatest at rationed piles and lowest at ad libitum spreads. We also observed closer pairwise distances (≤0.3 m) among deer when corn was provided in a trough relative to spread (P = 0.03). Supplemental feeding poses risks for both direct and indirect disease transmission due to higher deer concentration and more intensive use relative to c...
Infrared spectra of butenyl anions: multiphoton electron detachment as a photochemical probe of isomeric structures of gas phase anions

Abstract The techniques of ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy have been used to examine IR multiphoton electron detachment reactions of C4H−7 structural isomers and stereoisomers. Anions are trapped at low pressure for up to several seconds during irradiation with the unfocused output of a line-tunable continuous wave CO2 laser. By examining photodetachment yields as a function of laser wavelength and irradiation period it is possible to distinguish three different isomers. Deprotonation of cis-2-butene by NH−2 and H− forms exclusively the cis-1-methylallyl anion whereas deprotonation of trans-2-butene or 1-butene yields a mixture of the cis and trans anions. The third isomer, 2-methylallyl anion, results from deprotonation of 2-methylpropene. IR multiphoton electron detachment spectra in the 10 μm region are presented for these anions and isomeric mixtures.
Circular dichroism spectra of putative transcribed and repressed chromatin.

Abstract Circular dichroism (CD) spectra have been determined for chromatin fractions obtained by ECTHAM-cellulose chromatography. The molecular ellipticity at the positive long wavelength maximum is about 3000 deg cm2/dmol for early-eluted chromatin fractions, thought to be relatively repressed in vivo , and 5000–6000 deg cm2/dmol for late-eluted chromatin fractions, those thought to be preferentially transcribable in vivo . CD bands in the peptide bond spectral region also differ for the two chromatin fractions, early-eluted chromatin having a more helical conformation for proteins. In addition to previously known differences in protein content, the biological activity of a native chromatin fraction can now be correlated with the conformation of its DNA.
Measuring diffusion in inhomogeneous systems in imaging mode using antisymmetric sensitizing gradients

Abstract A principle for self-diffusion pulse-sequence design which cancels harmful cross terms involving both imaging and sample susceptibility-induced gradients by using antisymmetric diffusion-sensitizing-gradient pulses is proposed. A water diffusion coefficient of 1.94 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 was obtained by the cross-term-free sequence, a bipolar sensitizing-gradient pulse (BGP) scheme, while the conventional method gave 2.22 and 1.60 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 with sensitizing gradient running parallel and antiparallel to the imaging gradient, respectively. A diffusion coefficient of 1.38 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 was obtained from an apple, in fair agreement with 1.56 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 for its juice, using the BGP sequence. Although the conventional technique gave similar values for apple juice, it gave only about half as large a value for the whole apple, presumably because of internal gradients from inhomogeneous susceptibility. The rms value of these local gradients in the apple was estimated as 6.0 kHz/cm in our 200 MHz instrument.
The Effect of Competition and Salinity on the Growth of a Salt Marsh Plant Species

Young rhizome sprouts of the herbaceous perennial Jaumea carnosa were propagated from material collected in a salt marsh along the central California coast. The sprouts were transplanted to flats of sand sown with different densities of seeds of a representative glycophyte, Lolium perenne L. "Derby, turf type." Controls flats contained only Jaumea or Lolium. Three series of replicated flats were watered from above with dilutions of seawater in 1/10 strength Hoagland solution, such that dissolved salts were 400, 4000 or 11,600 ppm. Two other series were continuously subirrigated with 400 or 11,600 ppm salt water. After 61 days of treatment in a greenhouse with a 30/11°C thermoperiod (mean daily max/min), all plants were harvested and weighed. In the monospecific control flats, the growth of both species declined with increasing salinity, but the relative decline of Lolium was three times that of Jaumea. Jaumea's root: shoot ratio was also less affected by salinity. Both species grew well when subirrigated by 400 ppm salt water, but grew poorly when subirrigated by 11,600 ppm salt water, indicating that aeration alone is not the most significant factor in the marsh. The effect of interspecific competition on Jaumea was marked at low salinity, depressing growth by 52% compared to controls, but at high salinity the competitive effect was insignificant, whether the plants were watered from above or subirrigated. This supports the hypothesis that intolerant halophytes such as Jaumea are restricted in nature to salt marshes because they are poor competitors with glycophytes on non-saline soils.
Processes in language acquisition: the roles of gender, attention, and maternal encouragement of attention over time

This longitudinal study including 87 infant-mother dyads examined the relation between infant temperamental attention, maternal encouragement of attention, language, and the effects of gender. At ages 0;4, 0;8, and 1;0, global attention was assessed from Rothbart's (1981) IBQ; manipulative exploration was assessed with the Bayley (1969) IBR; and maternal verbal, visual and physical encouragement of attention were coded from 5 minutes of mother-infant free-play. At 1;0, language was measured using language items from the Bayley Mental Scale and parent-report items from Hendrick, Prather & Tobin's (1984) SICD-Revised. Multiple regressions indicated that gender, infants' manipulative exploration and maternal physical encouragement of attention at 0;4, and maternal verbal encouragement of attention at 1;0, were all positively related to language at 1;0. Interactions indicated that girls high in 0;8 or 1;0 manipulative exploration had more advanced language skills than girls low in manipulative exploration or than boys, regardless of their attention level. Additionally, maternal verbal encouragement of attention appears to be particularly salient in the development of language for boys.
A state-of-the-art SIMD two-dimensional FFT array processor

A novel implementation of a Two-dimensional FFT array processor is given. The reasons for its superior performance is the one-to-one and onto mapping of the problem communications topology onto the interconnection network, VLSI-based implementation, a proper choice for the number system, multiple-parallelism, and the use of packet-switching as opposed to circuit switching. A performance comparison also presented.
Hodgkin's disease of the esophagus: successful treatment of a rare complication.

A patient with Hodgkin's disease presented with an esophageal sinus tract and bronchial involvement. Beyond documentation of the rather grave significance of this rare complication, the published literature offers little help in the management of the problem. An interrupted course of high voltage radiotherapy effected closure of the sinus and permitted proceeding with standard therapy for his disease.
Emmett Oliver's Story: Psycho-Social Development of an Extraordinary Native American

Emmett Oliver's life story offers clear evidence that human resilience originates in a combination of many aspects of personality traits, abilities and interests, and supportive social relationships. Living in an era when many of his Native peers did not develop their talents or find a meaningful place in their rapidly changing cultures, Emmett pursued an education. He became a teacher, a Coast Guard Commander, a counselor, and an educational policy maker. His achievements severed to bolster his motivation when he felt drawn to a less challenging work. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. This article is available in Online Readings in Psychology and Culture: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol3/iss1/6
Segmenting the prostate and rectum in CT imagery using anatomical constraints

The automatic segmentation of the prostate and rectum from 3D computed tomography (CT) images is still a challenging problem, and is critical for image-guided therapy applications. We present a new, automatic segmentation algorithm based on deformable organ models built from previously segmented training data. The major contributions of this work are a new segmentation cost function based on a Bayesian framework that incorporates anatomical constraints from surrounding bones and a new appearance model that learns a nonparametric distribution of the intensity histograms inside and outside organ contours. We report segmentation results on 185 datasets of the prostate site, demonstrating improved performance over previous models.
Effect of impulse flow on the release and synthesis of dopamine in the striatum

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a study investigating effect of impulse flow on the release and synthesis of dopamine (DA) in the rat striatum. The effect of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) on the firing of dopaminergic neurons in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra was investigated by means of single unit recording techniques. The identification of DA neurons based on both, histochemical and neurophysiological characteristics made it possible to make extracellular recordings from these neurons. These unit recording experiments revealed that GHB or GBL administered intravenously or intraperitoneally in doses of 100–200 mg/kg routinely, decrease the firing of units localized to the DA containing cells present in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra. Serotonin and norepinephrine (NE) containing neurons in the midbrain raphe and locus coeruleus respectively were much less responsive to the inhibitory properties of GHB. If impulse flow is interrupted in the DA system by placement of a high frequency electrothermic lesion in the nigro-neostriatal pathway or by direct injection of local anesthetics into this pathway an increase in neostriatal DA similar to that produced by GHB treatment is also observed.
Electrical impedance tomography and Calderón's problem

We survey mathematical developments in the inverse method of electrical impedance tomography which consists in determining the electrical properties of a medium by making voltage and current measurements at the boundary of the medium. In the mathematical literature, this is also known as Calderon's problem from Calderon's pioneer contribution (Calderon 1980 Seminar on Numerical Analysis and its Applications to Continuum Physics (Rio de Janeiro, 1980) p 65 (Soc. Brasil. Mat.)). We concentrate this review around the topic of complex geometrical optics solutions that have led to many advances in the field. In the last section, we review some counterexamples to Calderon's problems that have attracted a lot of interest because of connections with cloaking and invisibility.
Comment on "How cats lap: water uptake by Felis catus".

Reis et al . (Reports, 26 November 2010, p. 1231) reported on the mechanism by which cats lap and gave a theoretical and experimental analysis of their observations. Their explanation for the cat’s lapping frequency, however, is based on an incorrect application of the principles of fluid dynamics. The revised analysis given here agrees with their observations and predicts a similar lapping frequency for cats and dogs.
796-5 Stenting of Renal Artery Stenosis: One-Year Followup

Palmaz-Schatz stents were deployed in 55 renal arteries (articulated in 30 and nonarticulated in 25) of 45 pts (35 unilateral, 10 bilateral). Forty of the patients were male and 5 were female (mean age 65 ± 5 years). 20/45 (44%) pts had associated diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. We retrospectively analyzed clinical outcome (renal functions, blood pressure, and number of antihypertensive medications) at 6 and 12 months. Six month angiographic followup was available in 25/45 pts (56%) and showed a restenosis rate of 5/25 (20%) Unilateral Bilateral No Restenosis Creatinine (mg%) 2.1 ± 1.1 to 1.5 ± 0.9 2.5 ± 0.7 to 1.5 ± 0.6 2.1 ± 0.6 to 1.5 Diastolic BP (mmHg) 95 ± 10 to 80 ± 8 * 9O ± 9 to 80 ± 5 * 90 ± 7 to 80± 2 * No. of Meds. 3.2 ± 1to 1.1 ± 0.9 * 2.9± 1 to 2.0 ± 0.5 * 3.1 ± 1to 1.5 ± 1.0 * * p l 0.05; values listed are pre- and 12 months post-procedure Complications Two patients developed pseudoaneurysm of left brachial artery, which required percutaneous closure. Conclusions 1) Renal artery stenting can be performed with a low complication rate, 2) In the majority of patients, symptomatic improvement was achieved and maintained over a 12-month period and the number of antihypertensive medications required decreased, and 3) Based on our study, we would recommend renal artery stenting as the therapeutic option of choice for symptomatic renal artery stenosis.
CW iodine laser performance of t-C4F9I under closely-simulated air-mass-zero solar pumping

Abstract The irradiance from a dc solar-simulator source was modified in order to closely-simulate the air-mass-zero (AMO) solar spectrum in the absorption band of the iodides t-C4F9I and n-C3F7I. With this modification, the output power of the t-C4F9F laser was measured to be approximately four times that of n-C3F7I for the iodide pressures below 12 Torr. This increase agrees with the previously reported result with a pulsed laser system. A maximum output power of 46 W at a pressure of 6.5 Torr was achieved with the t-C4F9I laser system, which is to our knowledge the highest reported output from a CW photodissociation iodine laser to date. The significant increase of the laser system efficiency comes from the photochemical kinetics favorable to the pump source spectrum and chemical reversibility of the iodide t-C4F9I.
Performance issues and resolutions for the .NET runtime virtual machine

The .NET Runtime is an example of virtual machine technology "in action". It forms the foundation of every C#, and VB application written today, and is one of the most widely distributed pieces of virtual machine technology. Performance considerations have been a driving force in its design; however they may not be the ones you might have guessed. Scalability, working set, and startup time turn out to be more important considerations then the more traditional "instruction path" notion of performance. In this talk I will provide a brief background on the runtime, describe some of the performance problems we faced, and how we solved them. Finally I will talk a bit about the performance challenges we have still in front of us as ever more demanding customers use the runtime.
kaPoW plugins: protecting web applications using reputation-based proof-of-work

Comment spam is a fact of life if you have a blog or forum. Tools like Akismet and CAPTCHA help prevent spam in applications like WordPress or phpBB. However, they are not devoid of shortcomings. CAPTCHAs are getting easier to solve by automated adversaries like bots and pose usability issues. Akismet strives to detect spam, but can't do much to reduce it. This paper presents the kaPoW plugin and reputation service that can complement existing antispam tools. kaPoW creates disincentives for sending spam by slowing down spammers. It uses a web-based proof-of-work approach wherein a client is given a computational puzzle to solve before accessing a service (e.g. comment posting). The idea is to set puzzle difficulties based on a client's reputation, thereby, issuing "harder" puzzles to spammers. The more time spammers solve puzzles, the less time they have to send spam. Unlike CAPTCHAs, kaPoW requires no additional user interaction since all the puzzles are issued and solved in software. kaPoW can be used by any web application that supports an extension framework (e.g. plugins) and is concerned about spam.
Internally generated currents in a small-aspect-ratio tokamak geometry.

Pressure driven currents are observed in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) heated, small-aspect-ratio toroidal plasma in the CDX-U device. A toroidal current of 1.05 kA was generated with \ensuremath{\sim}8 kW of ECR power. At this current level, the poloidal field created by these currents is significantly larger than the vacuum field and produces closed flux surfaces in a small-aspect-ratio tokamak geometry. After flux surface formation we hypothesize that bootstrap currents are driven to maintain the discharge. This internally driven current may offer an attractive method to start up and maintain the tokamak discharge.
Protein-protein interactions in a higher-order structure direct lambda site-specific recombination

Abstract The highly directional site-specific recombination of bacteriophage lambda is tightly regulated by the binding of three different proteins to a complex array of sites. The manner in which these reactions are both stimulated and inhibited by co-operative binding of proteins to specific sites on the P arm of attP and attR has been elucidated by correlation of nuclease protection with recombination studies of both wild-type and mutant DNAs. In addition to co-operative forces, there is a specific competitive interaction that allows the protein-DNA complex to serve as a “biological switch”. This switch does not depend upon the simple occlusion of DNA binding sites by neighboring proteins; but, rather, the outcome of this competition is dependent on long-range interactions that vary between the higher-order structures of attP and attR. These higher-order structures are dependent on co-operative interactions involving three proteins binding to five or more sites.
ASRI2005‐90 Vaginal formulations – how innocuous are they to the vaginal epithelial immune function?

Problem: The disruption of the epithelial barrier and activation of inflammatory pathways may lead to increased susceptibility to viral infection. Over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal products have received little attention in this regard, however the recent development of anti-HIV-1 microbicides has brought the importance of mucosal integrity to forefront. While vaginal microbicides represent a promising strategy for preventing HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections, they can be efficacious only if they cause no epithelial toxicity or inflammation. Method: We used a novel organotypic cervicovaginal model (VEC100, Mattek) to compare hygienic or spermicidal OTC to the anti-HIV-1 microbicide cellulose acetate 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate (CAP). Results: CAP film and gel formulations appeared non-toxic in MTT and LDH viability assays and did not induce release of pro-inflammatory mediators e.g. IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 as compared to controls. In contrast, a commercially available vaginal cleansing film containing Nonoxynol-9 showed proinflammatory potential commeasurable to that of TNFα. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the usefulness of the VEC tissue model for immunoinflammatory characterization and safety assessment of vaginal products. It provides evidence that CAP in film and gel forms may be used as a safe anti-HIV-1 prevention agent or vehicle for other vaginal products. This study was supported by NICHD 1P01HD041761.
Cytogenetic characterization and gene expression profiling in the rat reflux-induced esophageal tumor model

Objectives The reasons for the increasing incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma are not clear. A causal relation between gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal adenocarcinoma has been suggested. Support for this comes from the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the rat reflux model. However, to date, no systematic characterization of the tumors derived from this model has been reported. Methods We induced biliary reflux by creating esophagojejunal anastomoses in 12 Sprague–Dawley rats. The experiment was terminated at 9 months, and rat esophagi were harvested for histopathologic documentation of reflux-associated changes and evidence of tumor formation. Three cell lines were established from 2 of the reflux-associated tumors. We tested the ability of these cells to grow in vitro in tissue culture and in vivo as xenografts in an orthotopic location at the gastroesophageal junction. Furthermore, we performed a cytogenetic analysis and determined the array-based gene expression profiles of these 3 rodent carcinoma lines compared with normal esophageal mucosa. Results At 9 months, 12 of 12 rodents had histologic features of metaplastic columnar epithelium in the esophagus, with 7 having invasive carcinomas with glandular differentiation (either adenocarcinomas or adenosquamous carcinomas). The 3 cell lines established from 2 reflux-associated tumors were capable of sustained in vitro propagation and grew successfully as xenografts in both subcutaneous and orthotopic locations, confirming the tumorigenic nature of these lines. Despite their establishment from primary tumors with glandular features, the histology of the xenografts was that of well-differentiated squamous carcinomas. Karyotype analyses demonstrated cytogenetic heterogeneity and aneuploidy; furthermore, translocation (7:11) was present in all 3 lines. Array-based gene expression profiling confirmed upregulation of several cancer-related genes important in human esophageal cancer. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the differential expression of selected transcripts (vascular endothelial growth factor [ VEGF ], polo-like kinases [ PLK ], cyclin dependent kinase 4 [ CDK4 ], hypoxia-inducible factor 1α [ HIF1α ], and insulin-like growth factor 1 [ IGF-1 ]) in comparison with nonneoplastic esophageal mucosal scrapings. Conclusions The rodent reflux model is capable of inducing metaplastic epithelial changes simulating Barrett esophagus, as well as subsequent neoplastic transformation, at a high frequency. Cell lines have been established from these tumors that are capable of in vitro and in vivo passaging. The rodent reflux model should be a valuable model for studying therapy and chemoprevention efforts for Barrett esophagus, whereas the established cell lines provide a useful resource for drug discovery and other high-throughput studies.
EFFECT OF LOW DOSE PREMARIN AND HALOTESTIN ON LIPOPROTEIN IN TURNER SYNDROME

Sex hormones have been shown to alter high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-C). Estrogens increase, while androgens (A) decrease, HDL-C. Some progestogens reduce HDL-C, but effects of low dose combined oral contraceptives remain controversial. Data is sparse concerning the effect of low dose A therapy. 11 patients with Turner syndrome (TS), aged 9 to 14 years, received Premarin (P, conjugated estrogens) 0.15 mg (0.16 ± 0.004 mg/M2) and Halotestin (H, Fluoxymesterone) 1 mg (1.09±0.03 mg/M2) p.o. daily with the exception of one girl who received P,H every other day. Baseline HDL-C was measured after at least 3 months without P, H and after 6 and 12 months of therapy. All 11 girls completed 6 months and 5 girls 12 months of therapy. Mean ± S.E. levels of HDL-C for baseline, 6 and 12 months were 50.7 ± 1.9, 45.0± 2.8 and 45.0 ± 2.8 mg/dl respectively and indicated significant decrease from baseline to 6 month (p< 0.01 - paired t) and 12 month (p<0.025 paired t) of therapy. Plasma testosterone, measured in 9 girls was in the prepubertal range. In 3 TS girls, 15, 12, 9 years, receiving low dose P without H for more than 6 months, HDL-C levels were 59, 49 and 56. Our study suggests that even low dose H therapy can reduce HDL-C, and may imply that low dose combined oral contraceptives can be associated with reduced HDL-C in normal females. Girls with TS or other disorders who receive A may have decreased HDLC which has been associated as an independent risk factor in coronary heart disease.