cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Indentation-Derived Yield Strength in Metallic Multilayers

The determination of overall mechanical properties of small-scale structures, such as nanolayered materials, frequently relies on the nanoindentation technique. In this study finite element modeling is employed to examine the relationship between indentation hardness and overall strength of multilayered composites. For simplicity the laminated structure is taken to consist of alternating layers of two elastic-perfectly plastic materials. The overall yield strength under uniform far-field loading is first quantified. Indentation loading of the layered structure is then simulated to cover a wide range of indentation depth from within one layer thickness to well into multiple layers. The systematic hardness values thus obtained are converted to corresponding flow stresses. It is found that the indentation-derived strength consistently underestimates the composite yield strength. Friction at the contact surface is also found to play a significant role. Relevant issues on applying indentation techniques to probe overall mechanical properties of metallic multilayered are discussed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The Changed Balance of Regulatory and Naive T Cells Promotes Tolerance after TLI and Anti-T-Cell Antibody Conditioning

The goal of the study was to determine how the changed balance of host naive and regulatory T cells observed after conditioning with total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and antithymocyte serum (ATS) promotes tolerance to combined organ and bone marrow transplants. Although previous studies showed that tolerance was dependent on host natural killer T (NKT) cells, this study shows that there is an additional dependence on host CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. Depletion of the latter cells before conditioning resulted in rapid rejection of bone marrow and organ allografts. The balance of T-cell subsets changed after TLI and ATS with TLI favoring mainly NKT cells and ATS favoring mainly Treg cells. Combined modalities reduced the conventional naive CD4+ T cells 2800-fold. The host type Treg cells that persisted in the stable chimeras had the capacity to suppress alloreactivity to both donor and third party cells in the mixed leukocyte reaction. In conclusion, tolerance induction after conditioning in this model depends upon the ability of naturally occurring regulatory NKT and Treg cells to suppress the residual alloreactive T cells that are capable of rejecting grafts.
Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of oligonucleotide-tethered and related platinum complexes

Three classes of hydroxy-tethered platinum(II) complexes have been synthesized from K2PtCl4 and appropriate amino alcohols. A sequence of selective oxidation and hydrolysis has been developed to prepare hydroxy-tethered platinum(IV) complexes. A novel procedure for the synthesis of amminetrichloroplatinate(II) anion has been generated and used to synthesize a number of monohydroxy-tethered nonchelating platinum complexes. These tethered platinum complexes, including hydroxy-tethered, phosphoramidite-tethered, and monodeoxyribonucleotide-tethered platinum(II) and -(IV) complexes, have been examined in vitro for antitumor activity in both leukemia and ovarian cancer cell lines. Activity of some of these complexes was similar to cis-platin, and most of them showed much better potency than carboplatin. We observed an interesting structure−activity correlation for platinum(II) complexes for both PA-1 and SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cell lines. However, platinum(IV) complexes showed much more diversified response am...
Synthesis and fast axonal transport of proteins in the isolated Aplysia nervous system.

Fast axonal transport and neuronal protein synthesis was studied in the isolated nervous system of Aplysia californica. The abdominal ganglion with attached pleural-abdominal connectives (PAC) was removed and the ganglion pulse-labelled with [35S]methionine for 30 min in vitro. The axon containing connectives were ligated 24–28 mm from the ganglia and the system was perfused with chase media for 6–72 h to allow labelled rapidly transported proteins to accumulate at the ligature. One-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and fluorography was used to analyze the distribution of rapidly transported proteins along the right PAC. By 12 h, a significant accumulation of labelled proteins at the ligature was present but the build up was not complete until 48 h when almost no trailing of rapidly transported proteins was observed. Quantitation of the transport profiles of several rapidly transported protein ssuggested a discontinuous release of proteins from the cell body. Analysis using two-dimensional PAGE revealed 10 major groups of rapidly transported proteins. These proteins were all identified among the total complement of newly synthesized proteins in cell R2. Not all rapidly transported proteins are cleared from the cell body at the same rate. Several of the major groups were no longer present in the neuron cell body 24 h after labelling, indicating that these species are selectively exported; others were still present after 3 days, suggesting that these proteins with a longer residence time have functions in both somatic and axonal regions of the neuron.
Vitamin D and cardio-metabolic disease.

There has been an explosion in the number of investigations focused on the role of vitamin D in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Accompanying this growth and concentration of scientific reports has come a significant degree of confusion and uncertainty. This is largely attributed to the fact that large-scale randomized studies to evaluate the impact of vitamin D interventions on metabolic outcomes are still few and insufficient. While many studies support the role of vitamin D therapy in reducing cardio-metabolic risk factors, others do not, and notable limitations exist in almost all studies reported to date. Until definitive well-designed prospective intervention studies are completed, we at Metabolism have remained committed to reporting the latest scientific findings by publishing novel original articles, and summary reviews and editorials, focused on this constantly evolving field. Our goal has been to serve as a platform for advancing and distributing scientific knowledge in this arena, and providing clarity and editorial interpretations on the most contemporary data available. In this regard, this editorial highlights recent updates on studies that evaluate the role of vitamin D in cardio-metabolic diseases, with an emphasis on those studies published in Metabolism in the past two years, thereby extending upon on our prior summaries for our readers. Notably, recent issues of Metabolism, including this current one, have published novel studies focused on the interactions between vitamin D and the renin-angiotensin system, adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and genetics.
The Effect of Costimulation on T Cell Receptor Dynamics

T cells are able to robustly discern extremely low numbers of agonist peptide amidst a myriad of background peptides. Costimulation of CD28 on the T cell by CD80 on the antigen presenting cell is known to enhance the sensitivity of this recognition process, but the physical mechanisms by which these two pathways interact remain unresolved. We quantitatively characterized the T cell dose response to varying surface densities of both agonist peptide and the costimulatory ligand CD80. Using time-lapsed TIRF and confocal microscopy, the colocalization and internalization of TCR and CD80 was tracked over the standard calcium response time. TCR and CD80 spatiotemporal dynamics varied between agonist surface concentrations in a non-linear manner. Implications of these results will be discussed.
Group counseling: Sexuality and the hearing impaired adolescent

Deaf adolescents are concerned with questions of who they are, what they can do, what they can become, how they compare with others of the same sex and how they intrigue the opposite sex. They are experimenting in all areas of their life; in their talk, their dress, their interests, their goals; adopting new fads, making new relationships, learning new skills and seeking adventure. Consequently certain themes recur again and again in group counseling concerning career choice and employability, independence, relationship to authorities, acceptance of deafness as a permanent handicap, utilization of community agencies and audiological centers, management of feelings, recreation and social opportunities, deaf rights, and boy-girl relationships and sex. Communication is facilitated through the group-centered approach in addressing areas of social behavior, marriage and family planning.
Private forestland parcelization and development in Wisconsin’s Northwoods: perceptions of resource-oriented stakeholders

Abstract Increases in the parcelization and development of private forestlands in the US and other countries have become a major concern of natural resource agencies and groups. This concern is particularly heightened in heavily forested areas such as Wisconsin’s “Northwoods,” where private lands make up a majority of the forest area and play a critical role in supplying economic, ecological, and quality of life values. As a part of the Forest Fragmentation Education Initiative, we assisted the non-governmental group 1000 Friends of Wisconsin in identifying the range of perceptions and concerns about parcelization and development held by public land managers, conservation and environmental organizations, forest industry groups, non-industrial woodland owners, and other resource-oriented stakeholders (N=182). Employing a qualitative methodology involving facilitated workshop discussion and thematic analysis, we identified critical themes in four main areas: (1) Patterns—parcelization and development are exhibiting a range of patterns on the forest landscape in terms of movement, distribution, size, and rate of change. (2) Drivers—the attractiveness of the Northwoods and people’s concept of the good life, combined with changes in the economic, demographic, and technological aspects of society, are seen as causal agents behind increased parcelization and development. (3) Effects—while some aspects of parcelization and development might benefit residents and nature in the Northwoods, most effects are seen as negatively impacting recreation opportunities, forest health, local communities, the timber-based economies. (4) Solutions—an integrated strategy is needed to guide future growth and ameliorate the negative impacts of parcelization and development, including planning and regulation, taxes and incentives, acquisition and funding, and education and ethics. Implications for planning, research, and program development are noted.
Carbamates, thiolcarbamates, dithiocarbamates and thioncarbamates derived from 2-benzothiazolinone and benzoxazolinone

The reaction of 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-benzothiazoline with methyl, phenyl isocyanate, or dimethylcarbamoyl chloride afforded the carbamates 1–4. The carbanilate 5 was prepared by the reaction of 2-benzothiazolinone with 3-chloropropyl-N-methylcarbanilate under basic conditions. The reaction of the appropriate 2-benzothiazolinone with the appropriate 2-chloro or 3-chloropropyl disubstituted thiolcarbamate under basic conditions furnished the thiolcarbamates 6–14. The thiolcarbamate 15 was prepared by the reaction of sodium di-isopropylthiolcarbamate with 3-(chloromethyl)-2-benzothiazolinone. The reaction of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-ben-zothiazolinone and related compound with the appropriate sodium or triethylamine salt of disubstituted dithiocarbamate afforded the dithiocarbamate 16–22. The reaction of the appropriate xanthate with the potassium salt of bromoacetic acid and the appropriate secondary amine afforded the thionocarbamates 23–29. The thionocarbamate 30 was synthesized by the reaction of 5-chloro-2-benzothiazolinone with 3-chloropropyl diethylthionocarbamate.
Structural consequences of nickel versus macrocycle reductions in F430 models: EXAFS studies of a Ni(I) anion and Ni(II) .pi. anion radicals

Factor 430 (F430) is a nickel tetrapyrrole (hydrocorphin) found in methyl coenzyme M reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the final stages of the reduction of carbon dioxide to methane in methanogenic bacteria. Reduction of Ni(II) F430 and isobacteriochlorins unambiguously results in Ni(I) species whereas porphyrins, chlorins, and hexahydro- and octahydroporphyrins yield anions variously ascribed to Ni(I) or Ni(II) {pi} radicals with some metal character. The authors present here EXAFS results for the Ni(II) radical anions of a chlorin and a porphycene and for the Ni(I) anion of an isobacteriochlorin (iBC) that clearly demonstrate the structural consequences of metal versus macrocycle reductions.
Cytochemical Localization of Enzymes in the Wall of the Pollen Grain

ANGIOSPERM pollen grains have enzymes which are readily leached out by water. The release begins within minutes of immersion, and is not related to the germination of the grains and the growth of the pollen tube, for it occurs in media which inhibit germination1. If the enzymes were derived from within the pollen protoplast, the rapid leachability would seem to indicate a remarkable permeability of the plasmalemma to proteins. But another possibility is that enzymes and other proteins are situated extracellularly in the pollen grain wall, which has been observed before2. We report here the storage of various hydrolytic enzymes in the pollen walls of ten species of flowering plants, and show that the site of deposition is the cellulosic intine in walls of several different structural types.
Effectiveness of delayed punishment in an applied setting

The relative effectiveness of immediate and delayed reprimands contingent on off-task behavior in a classroom was examined. This was the first attempt to demonstrate the timing-of-punishment effect in an applied setting. Subjects were 4 hyperactive first and second graders. Their off-task behavior was reprimanded by the teacher either at onset or approximately two minutes following onset. Rates of noninteractive first interactive off-task behavior were recorded. Immediate reprimands resulted in much lower rates of interactive off-task behavior than did delayed reprimands. Non-interactive off-task rates were unaffected by reprimand timing. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
Field Methods and Techniques: Reciprocity as a Field Technique

In the past, young anthropologists often embarked on a first field trip in a spirit not unlike that of adolescent primitives facing initiation into the tribe. In solitary agony, supported only by the wise sayings of their anthropological ancestors, they met their crucial and mysterious ordeal. This old practice of sink-or-swim field experience was not in all respects unwise. A great deal of good field work and interviewing technique is analogous to the developmental experiences of life—phenomena which all social scientists must experience personally rather than vicariously.
Salt-dependent effects of juvenile hormone and related compounds in larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia

Abstract 1. 1. Molting in state III larvae of the brine shrimp. Anemia, is interrupted, or even accelerated, when populations are exposed to various concentrations of juvenile hormone, methyl farnesoate, or methoprene in artificial sea-water. 2. 2. The effects are believed to be salt-dependent, because exposure to these compounds in sea-water that is isotonic to larval hemolymph had no effect. This suggests that the juvenoids may target the ion transporting epithelia.
Psoralen plus UVA protocol for Compositae photosensitivity.

Background: Patients allergic to sesquiterpene lactones found in Compositae plants may develop severe photosensitivity, which can result in persistent light reaction. Treatment of these exquisitely photosensitive individuals can be very difficult, often requiring hospitalization. Although some treatment regimens have used psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) therapy, no specific outpatient protocol has been established. Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an effective PUVA outpatient regimen to treat Compositae photosensitivity. Methods: A prednisone-assisted PUVA protocol was established in which the prednisone dose was decreased weekly, and the PUVA dose was increased during the same time interval. Results: Both patients enrolled in the study experienced dramatic improvement in their previously unresponsive eruptions. Conclusions: Two men aged 66 and 80 years were subjected to this protocol. Both men had chronic photodistributed dermatitis that resolved with this treatment and in one instance has remained clear for 18 months without needing further PUVA therapy.
Distribution of CRF-like immunoreactivity in the rabbit.

Abstract CRF-like immunoreactivity was measured by radioimmunoassay in the brains and gastroenteropancreatic tract of normal rabbits. It was detected in the brain, with the highest concentration being found in the ventral hypothalamus. The distribution of immunoreactivity was much more limited in the rabbit brain than in the rat brain, with substantial amounts of peptide detected only in areas of close proximity to the hypothalamus, e.g., thalamus, preoptic area, midbrain and amygdala. In addition, the extrahypothalamic immunoreactivity was slightly retarded on Sephadex G-50 chromatography relative to rat CRF-like immunoreactivity and synthetic ovine CRF. No apparent CRF-like immunoreactivity was detected in boiling water extracts of lung, pancreas, duodenum or antrum. These data in conjunction with a previous report of void volume immunoreactivity on Sephadex G-50 only in the hypothalamus suggest that CRF is synthesized only in the hypothalamus and is not a member of the class of peptides found throughout the gastroenteropancreatic tract and the central nervous system.
A path planning algorithm for lane-following-based autonomous mobile robot navigation

In this paper we address the problem of autonomous robot navigation in a "roadway" type environment, where the robot has to drive forward on a defined path that could be impeded by the presence of obstacles. The specific context is the Autonomous Challenge of the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (www.igvc.org). The task of the path planner is to ensure that the robot follows the path without turning back, as can happen in switchbacks, and/or leaving the course, as can happen in dashed or single lane line situations. A multi-behavior path planning algorithm is proposed. The first behavior determines a goal using a center of gravity (CoG) computation from the results of image processing techniques designed to extract lane lines. The second behavior is based on developing a sense of the current "general direction" of the contours of the course. This is gauged based on the immediate path history of the robot. An adaptive-weight-based fusion of the two behaviors is used to generate the best overall direction. This multi-behavior path planning strategy has been evaluated successfully in a Player/Stage simulation environment and subsequently implemented in the 2009 IGVC. The details of our experience will be presented at the conference.
Naturalistic and experimental analyses of word frequency and neighborhood density effects in slips of the ear.

A comparison of the lexical characteristics of 88 auditory misperceptions (i.e., slips of the ear) showed no difference in word-frequency, neighborhood density, and neighborhood frequency between the actual and the perceived utterances. Another comparison of slip of the ear tokens (i.e., actual and perceived utterances) and words in general (i.e., randomly selected from the lexicon) showed that slip of the ear tokens had denser neighborhoods and higher neighborhood frequency than words in general, as predicted from laboratory studies. Contrary to prediction, slip of the ear tokens were higher in frequency of occurrence than words in general. Additional laboratory-based investigations examined the possible source of the contradictory word frequency finding, highlighting the importance of using naturalistic and experimental data to develop models of spoken language processing.
Primary myxopapillary ependymoma of the medulla: case report.

Objective Myxopapillary ependymoma is a subclassification of ependymoma that is thought to be nearly exclusive to the conus medullaris or filum terminale. Primary intracerebral or brainstem myxopapillary ependymomas are rare. Clinical presentation An 8-year-old child presented with a 5-month history of nausea and vomiting and a 1-week history of headache. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a nodular mass in the medulla with an associated cyst extending into the fourth ventricle. Intervention A suboccipital craniotomy was performed, and a gross total resection of the lesion and cyst was achieved. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma. A discussion of other reported cases of extraspinal myxopapillary ependymomas is presented. Conclusion This is the first report of a case of myxopapillary ependymoma, confirmed by histology, in the medulla. Although rare, myxopapillary ependymomas outside of the filum terminale do exist.
Spectrophotometric studies on the binding with polynucleotides of 4,4'-diacetyldiphenylurea-bis(guanylhydrazone) and methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone)

4,4'-Diacetyldiphenylurea-bis(guanylhydrazone) (DDUG), an agent very effective against several animal leukemias and tumors, was found, spectrophotometrically, to interact in a biphasic manner with several natural, native and heat-denatured, and synthetic DNAs. The spectrum of DDUG was shifted towards the visible region with a hypochromic shift reaching a maximum hypochromicity at 316 mmu at a 1 : 1 molar ratio of DDUG to DNA nucleotide. Increasing molarity of DNA nucleotide resulted in a further shift towards the visible end, but with hyperchromicity rather than hypochromicity, and reaching its peak at 323 mmu. The interaction with yeast RNA was much weaker than that with DNA. 4,4'-Diacetyldiphenylurea (DDU) did not show any interaction with DNA; its monoguanylhydrazone (DDUM) showed only a hypochromic interaction. In contrast to DDUG, methylglyoxal-bis( guanylhydrazone (CH3-G), an aliphatic bisguanylhydrazone with antileukemic properties, showed only a hypochromic interaction with DNA at low ionic strength. Unlike DDUG, CH3-G was a very weak inhibitor of the DNA polymerase reaction. The hypochromic shift of the DDUG spectrum with DNA was abolished in the presence of 15 mM sodium citrate or 500 mM NaCl but not in the presence of 150 mM NaCl or 100 mM sodium acetate. The hyperchromic shift was abolished in the presence of 8 M urea. From the results obtained with different DNAs, RNA, synthetic polynucleotides and nucleotides, it appears that the total shift of the DDUG spectrum in the presence of intact DNA can not be ascribed to interaction with a single base although a greater shift occurred in the presence of G-C rich DNA.
A review of clinical studies with combinations of fluphenazine and nortriptyline

SummaryUnder an identical protocol fluphenazine 0.5 mg. combined with nortriptyline 10 mg. (‘motival 10’) was compared with placebo, diazepam 2 mg. and the combination of perphenazine 2 mg. with amitriptyline 25 mg. in patients presenting with anxiety and mild depression. Another similar double-blind study compared fluphenazine 0.5 mg. and nortriptyline 20 mg. (‘motival 20’) with doxepin 25 mg. There was a marked difference between the response to placebo and that to ‘motival’ which demonstrated the sensitivity of the trial design. Although there were no statistically significant differences between the active treatments, the combination of a tranquilliser with an antidepressant produced a more rapid response in controlling the symptoms of anxiety and depression. * ‘Motival’ is a Trade Mark for Squibb fluphenazine combined with nortriptyline.Side-effects were mild and transient in nature. In the total of 242 patients who received one or other combination of fluphenazine and nortriptyline, 3 patients treat...
Plankton dynamics and carbon flux in an area of upwelling off the coast of Morocco

Abstract A carbon flux study was carried out off the coast of Morocco, at 31°N, in a region characterized by the presence of a persistent cyclonic eddy. Two short-term (4 and 3 day) deployments of free-floating sediment traps were combined with water column sampling and rate process measurements as the ship followed the traps. For a period of 36 h between trap deployments, a hydrographic section was run along 31°30'N as part of a larger scale survey being carried out simultaneously on the R.V. A. von Humboldt. The first trap deployment was near the eastern margin of the eddy and the traps moved to the north and west in a frontal jet associated with its northern boundary. After the second deployment, which was at the recovery point of the first, the traps moved to the west and then to the southwest. Throughout the study, chlorophyll concentrations varied between 27 and 125 mg m−2 (0–100 m), with highest concentrations in the upwelled water nearest the coast and in upwelled water generated within the cyclonic eddy. Particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) concentrations were relatively uniform (13.6±1.8 and 1.63±28 g m−2 with phytoplankton carbon accounting for 16–85% of total POC. Bacterial carbon was ∼ 5% of total POC and mesozooplankton carbon concentrations were equivalent to ∼9% of total POC. Microzooplankton biomass was not assessed but POC:PON ratios in the water column were often high, suggesting there was sometimes a large detrital component in the POC. Primary production rates varied between 1.0 and 2.5 g C m−2 day−1. Bacterial consumption accounted for ∼50% of primary production. Metabolic rates suggested that copepods were ingesting more than 0.4 g C m−2 day−1. while filtration rates suggested that ingestion of phytoplankton carbon was only ∼0.2 g C m−2day−1, even when phytoplankton constituted ∼85% of the POC. f-ratios (based on uptake rates for 15N-nitrate and ammonia) were between 0.1 and 0.4, and excretion by mesozooplankton could account for ∼ 40% of the daily ammonium uptake by phytoplankton. HPLC pigment analysis showed that when chlorophyll biomass was high, diatoms were dominant, whereas when it was low, small prymnesiophytes, chlorophytes and diatoms were all important. The composition of the fluoresecent pigments in material in the sediment traps indicated that intact phytoplankton and copepod faecal pellets were the main sources but the relative rates of sedimentation of pigment, POC and PON for the two trapping periods did not reflect differences that were observed in the overlying water column. This was likely to be the result of spatial heterogeneity and strong horizontal currents heterogeneity and strong horizontal currents within the euphotic zone. Thus, material collected at 100 m probably did not originate in the water column immediately overlying the traps and trapping efficiencies might also have been variable.
Estimation of surface longwave radiation components from ground-based historical net radiation and weather data

[1] A methodology for estimating ground upwelling, clear-sky and cloud downwelling longwave radiations (L↑, Lsky↓, and Lcld↓) and net shortwave radiation (Sn) at 30-min temporal scales based on long-term ground-based net radiations and meteorological observations is described. Components of surface radiation can be estimated from empirical models, cloud radiation models, and remote sensing observations. The proposed method combines the local calibration of empirical models and the radiative energy balance method to obtain the dual-directional, dual-spectral components of the surface radiation for the offline land surface process modeling and ecosystem study. By extracting information of radiation components from long-term net radiation and concurrent weather data, the utility of tower net radiation observations is maximized. Four test sites with multiyears' radiation records were used to evaluate the method. The results show that when compared with the results of empirical models using default parameters the proposed method is able to produce more accurate estimates of longwave surface components (Lg↑, Lsky↓, Lcld↓) and net shortwave radiation (Sn). Overall, the estimated and observed surface radiation components show high correlations (>0.90), high index of agreement (>0.89), and low errors (root mean square error <30 W m−2 and bias <11 W m−2) at all of the test sites. The advantage of this scheme is that the refinement is achieved using the information from the historical net radiation and weather data at each observation site without additional measurements. This method is applicable for many existing observation sites worldwide which have long-term (at least 1 year) continuous net radiation records.
Hospice Volunteer Training for Health Science Students: An Academic Medical Center–Hospice Community Partnership

Within the academic medical center providing interdisciplinary, experiential, longitudinal, and mentored learning experiences for students regarding hospice/end-of-life care is a considerable challenge. This article describes an innovative course for medical, nursing, and social work students taught as a partnership among the departments of family medicine, medical history/ethics and three community hospice programs. The goals of the course are: (1) understanding the hospice philosophy of care; (2) understanding that hospice care is an interdisciplinary team process; and (3) development of the caregiver skills of self-reflection as a form of self-knowledge while participating in the care of terminally ill patients. Achieving these goals is challenging for students (especially medical students) and faculty but highly rewarding. The development, implementation and evolution over the past 3 years of this hospice volunteer training course are discussed.
Questions from Our Readers Commentary on Lamaze International's Statement on Induction.

Lamaze International recommends that “pregnant women neither choose nor agree to be induced unless there is a true medical indication for induction.” This commentary discusses the recommendation and its implications for the practice of childbirth education.
Best management practices and timber harvesting: the role of social networks in shaping landowner decisions

Abstract The influence of social others in private landowner decision-making has received limited attention despite growing support for peer-to-peer learning and landowner cooperative behavior. We applied social network analysis (SNA), a relatively novel methodology in the context of private forestry, to evaluate the influence of landowners' social networks on their forestry management decisions and as related to current policy arrangements in Wisconsin, USA. We found that an increase in landowner ties to others, and specifically forestry professionals, was associated with greater application of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality, but may also increase landowners' perceived difficulty with the timber harvest process. Landowner enrollment in a forestry incentive program were noted; program enrollees tended to have larger networks, slightly higher BMP application ratings, and rated their process and overall perceptions of the harvest lower than non-program enrollees. We discuss the important...
Measurement of beam divergence of 30-centimeter dished grids

The beam divergence of a 30-centimeter diameter thrustor with dished grids was calculated from current densities measured with a probe rake containing seventeen planar molybdenum probes. The measured data were analyzed as a function of a number of parameters. The most sensitive parameters were the amount of compensation of the accelerator grid and the ratio of net to total accelerating voltage. The thrust losses were reduced by over 5 percent with the use of compensated grids alone, and by variation of other parameters the overall thrust losses due to beam divergence were reduced to less than 2 percent.
Androgen and Estrogen Effects on Vasopressin Messenger RNA Expression in the Medial Amygdaloid Nucleus in Male and Female Rats

Vasopressin messenger RNA (AVP mRNA) expression in the medial amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) is almost completely dependent on gonadal steroids. In the BST, the effects of gonadal steroids on AVP mRNA expression are sexually dimorphic. Males have more cells that express AVP mRNA and more AVP mRNA per cell than females. Here we test whether this is also true for the MA. In gonadectomized rats that were treated with testosterone, males had more cells that were labeled for AVP mRNA than females. However, the labeling per cell did not differ between males and females. To assess contribution of testosterone metabolites to these differences, male and female rats were gonadectomized and implanted with empty tubing, or tubing filled with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E), or E plus DHT (E+DHT). The pattern of steroid effects on AVP mRNA expression in the MA was similar in both sexes. Hardly any labeled cells were found in rats with empty implants or rats treated with DHT. Significantly more labeled cells were found in rats treated with E, and even more cells in rats treated with E+DHT. The number of AVP mRNA-labeled cells was higher in males than in females for E as well as E+DHT treatment, but the labeling per cell did not differ between sexes. These data suggest that the number of MA cells that can express AVP mRNA is higher in males than in females, but the estrogen and androgen responsiveness of individual AVP mRNA-expressing cells in the MA does not differ between sexes.
The nature of the bridging nitrido ligand. Synthesis and reactivity of heterobimetallic nitrido-bridged compounds

Abstract Heterobimetallic nitrido-bridged compounds (R 3 SiO) 3 VNM(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 (R  Me or Et and M  Ir or Rh) and (Me 3 SiO) 3 VNRh(PPh 3 ) 3 have been synthesized by condensation reactions between vanadium silylimido compounds, V(NSiR 3 )(OSiR 3 ) 3 , and group VIII metal fluorides, MF(L)(PPh 3 ) 2 . Oxidative addition of small molecules (MeI, O 2 , H 2 ) to the iridium(I) of (R 3 SiO) 3 VNIr(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 occurs, producing iridium(III) compounds in which the VNIr interaction is retained. In contrast, however, the nitrido linkages in (Me 3 SiO) 3 VNM(L)(PPh 3 ) 2 are readily cleaved by silylating reagents (ClSiMe 3 , ClSiEt 3 , HSiEt 3 ), producing V(NSiR 3 )(OSiMe 3 ) 3 and a group VIII metal chloride or hydride product. Comparison of the reactivity and spectroscopic data among the nitrido-bridged compounds and with related iridium(I) and rhodium(I) complexes suggests that the nitrido-bridged compounds are best viewed as adducts in which anionic [(R 3 SiO) 3 VN:] − acts as a simple two-electron donor to the 14-electron cationic [M(L)(PPh) 2 ] + fragment.
Design of a Silicon Integrated Electro-Optic Modulator Using Ferroelectric BaTiO 3 Films

We propose a novel design concept for compact electro-optic modulators based on a horizontally slotted ridge waveguide using ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) as the electro-optically active material. A low voltage-length product is achieved by concentrating the propagating electromagnetic fields in the BaTiO3 layer. Thus, high overlap between the modulation electric fields and the guided light is achieved. The proposed waveguide structure features low propagation loss and can be easily fabricated with standard silicon fabrication techniques.
Calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum of normal and dystrophic mice.

Abstract Contraction of skeletal muscle is triggered by release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In this study, highly purified normal and dystrophic mouse sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were compared with respect to calcium release characteristics. Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were actively loaded with calcium in the presence of an ATP-regenerating system. Calcium fluxes were followed by dual wavelength spectrophotometry using the metallochromic indicators antipyrylazo III and arsenazo III, and by isotopic techniques. Calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was elicited by (a) changing the free calcium concentration of the assay medium (calcium-induced calcium release); (b) addition of a permeant anion to the assay medium, following calcium loading in the presence of a relatively impermeant anion (depolarization-induced calcium release); (c) addition of the lipophilic anion tetraphenylboron (TPB − ) to the assay medium and (d) using specific experimental conditions, i.e. high phosphate levels and low magnesium (spontaneous calcium release). Drugs known to influence Ca 2+ release were shown to differentially affect the various types of calcium release. Caffeine (10 mM) was found to enhance calcium-induced calcium release from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ruthenium red (20 μM) inhibited both calcium-induced calcium release and tetraphenylboron-induced calcium release, and partially inhibited spontaneous calcium release and depolarization-induced calcium release. Local anesthetics inhibited spontaneous calcium release in a time-dependent manner, and inhibited calcium-induced calcium release instantaneously, but did not inhibit depolarization-induced calcium release. Use of pharmacological agents indicates that several types of calcium release operate in vitro. No significant differences were found between normal and dystrophic sarcoplasmic reticulum in calcium release kinetics or drug sensitivities.
Industrial vision systems based on a digital image correlation chip

A digital image correlation chip was developed as part of an electronic module library for real- time industrial machine vision applications. A core algorithm of the authors' systems is binary edge image correlation. The other electronic modules described in this paper include a monochrome edge detector and color edge detector. These modules were combined in a variety of ways for different applications. High efficiency, in terms of processing speed and hardware size, of the vision systems was confirmed in laboratory prototypes.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Clinical Outcomes for Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Duodenum and Ampulla of Vater:A Population-Based Study

Previous case series report that neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the ampulla of Vater have worse overall survival (OS) than NETs in the duodenum. We aimed to compare the OS of patients with ampullary NETs to patients with duodenal NETs. This retrospective comparative cohort study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry from 1988 to 2009. OS was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazard regression. Ampullary NETs (n = 120) were larger (median size 18 vs. 10 mm, p < 0.001), higher grade (poorly and undifferentiated tumor 42 % vs. 12 %, p < 0.001), higher SEER historic stage (distant metastasis 16 % vs. 7 %, p < 0.001), and more often resected (78 % vs. 60 %, p < 0.001) than duodenal NETs (n = 1,360). Median OS was significantly worse for patients with ampullary NETs than with duodenal NETs (98 vs. 143 months, p = 0.037). Local resection was performed for 50.5 % of the resected ampullary NETs and resulted in similar OS compared to locally resected duodenal NETs (HR 1.37, 95 % CI 0.76–2.48, p = 0.291). While ampullary NETs are more advanced at presentation and have worse OS than duodenal NETs, long-term survival is possible with proximal small bowel NETs. For locally resected NETs, OS is similar between ampullary and duodenal NETs.
Mobile trace element contents in Jilin chondrite

A determination is conducted of ppm-ppt levels of Co, Se, Ga, Rb, Cs, Te, Bi, Ag, In, Tl, Zn and Cd (arranged empirically in order of increasing mobility at 1000 C) by radiochemical neutron activation analysis in eight Jilin samples of known Ar-40 content and a large vein from one of these. The trace element contents of the vein do not differ markedly from those of Jilin whole-rock samples. Only Rb correlates with Ar-40, possibly due to chance. All elements but Cd are present at levels similar to thdse in H4-6 chondrites with long K/Ar age (i.e., presumably mildly shocked). These levels are low relative to those in analogous L4-6 chondrites suggesting that H chondrites formed and/or evolved under higher pre-shock temperatures than did mildly shocked L chondrites. Time-temperature conditions during shock-loading of Jilin parent material were mild relative to those in strongly shocked L chondrites, being sufficient at most only to mobilize Cd.
CHANGES IN PLASMA LEVEL OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS INDUCED BY ACTH. III. EFFECTS OF VARIOUS VEHICLES AND MODES OF ADMINISTRATION

Based on their ascorbic-acid depleting potency, various preparations of ACTH did not differ in their ability to increase the plasma level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) when a dose of 25 I.U. of ACTH was given intravenously as a six-hour infusion. When ACTH is injected intramuscularly it is apparently absorbed or destroyed faster than when given intravenously. When ACTH is injected intramuscularly it is apparently absorbed or destroyed faster than when given intravenously. Reduction in these rates of absorption or destruction can be achieved by giving ACTH intramuscularly either in gelatin or as a zinc protamine complex.
Selective flocculation of synthetic mineral mixtures using modified polymers

Abstract The role of the presence of active groups in polymers and operating variables such as conditioning time in producing flocculation in single and mixed mineral slimes made of hematite, quartz and chalcopyrite is examined at different conditions of pH. Selective flocculation was achieved on the basis of results obtained for single mineral systems as, for example, in the case of hematite—quartz mixtures using sulfonated polymer. Flocculation was found to go through a maximum as the mineral was conditioned with the polymer solution. Interestingly, the times of maximum flocculation for various minerals were sufficiently different from each other so that it could be considered as a potential factor for achieving selectivity. Also, cleaning of the selectively flocculated product by simple redispersion in water improved the separation. Electrokinetic studies conducted to study the mechanisms involved provided indication for the shift of shear plane.
Reduced Neuronal Size in Posterior Hippocampus of Schizophrenic Patients

The hippocampus, an integral component of the corticolimbic circuitry of the brain, has been recently implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This article has employed quantitative morphometric techniques to determine whether abnormalities of posterior hippocampal cross-sectional area, as well as the number, size, and degree of disarray of pyramidal neurons were present in 9 control and 14 schizophrenic subjects. Seven schizophrenic patients showed evidence of superimposed mood disturbance (schizoaffective type), while the remaining seven were a mixture of paranoid, undifferentiated, and catatonic types. All morphometric measurements were conducted under strictly blind conditions; stepwise multiple regression and analyses of covariance were used to evaluate the effects of various confounding variables. There were no differences in the cross-sectional size of the hippocampus or degree of neuronal disarray between the two groups. Similarly, the number of pyramidal neurons was also the same in sectors Cornu Ammonis (CA) 2, CA 3, and CA 4 for the controls and schizophrenic subjects. In CA 1, the schizophrenic subjects without mood disturbances showed a significant reduction (36%) of pyramidal neuron numbers when compared with those of both controls and patients with mood disturbance. Pyramidal neurons were smaller in all sectors of the schizophrenic specimens, CA 1 (p less than or equal to 0.01), CA 2 (p less than or equal to 0.01), CA 3 (p less than or equal to 0.01), and CA 4 (p less than or equal to 0.005), but there were no differences with respect to the presence of mood disturbances. Corrections for the effects of age, postmortem interval, fixation interval, hypoxia, and neuroleptic exposure did not alter the pattern in the data. The significance of a smaller size of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in this group of schizophrenic specimens is unclear, but it is consistent with the suggestions of other laboratories that there may be altered function of this brain region in chronically psychotic individuals.
Guanylate-binding protein-1 is expressed at tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells in response to interferon-γ and regulates barrier function through effects on apoptosis

Guanylate-binding protein-1 (GBP-1) is an interferon inducible large GTPase involved in endothelial cell proliferation and invasion. In this report, expression and function of GBP-1 were investigated in vitro in intestinal epithelia after exposure to interferon-γ and in human colonic mucosa from individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Interestingly, in contrast to other epithelia, GBP-1 distributed to the plasma membrane in intestinal epithelial cells where it colocalized with the tight junction protein coxsackie- and adenovirus receptor. In addition, expression of GBP-1 was upregulated in colonic epithelia of individuals with IBD. Downregulation of GBP-1 by siRNA resulted in enhanced permeability that correlated with increased apoptosis. Indeed, inhibition of caspase activity prevented the inhibition of barrier formation induced by the loss of GBP-1. These data suggest that GBP-1 is a novel marker of intestinal mucosal inflammation that may protect against epithelial apoptosis induced by inflammatory cytokines and subsequent loss of barrier function.
Broadening the tests of learning models

Abstract For many years psychological studies of the learning process have used a simulated medical diagnosis task in which symptom configurations are probabilistically related to diseases. Participants are given a set of symptoms and asked to indicate which disease is present, and feedback is given on each trial. We enrich this standard laboratory task in four different ways. First, the symptoms have four possible values (low, medium low, medium high, and high) rather than just two. Second, symptom configurations are generated from an expanded factorial design rather than a simple factorial design. Third, subjects are asked to make a continuous judgment indicating their confidence in the diagnosis, rather than simply a binary judgment. Fourth, cumulated performance scores, payoffs, and the availability of a historical summary of the outcomes are varied in order to assess how these treatments modulate performance. These enrichments provide a broader data set and more challenging tests of the models. Using 123 subjects each in 480 trials, we compare five existing learning models plus several variants, including the well-known Bayesian, fuzzy logic, connectionist, exemplar, and ALCOVE models. We find that the subjects do learn to distinguish the symptom configurations, that subjects are quite heterogeneous in their response to the task, and that only a small part of the variation across subjects arises from the differences in treatments. The most striking finding is that the model that best predicts subjects' behavior is a simple Bayesian model with a single fitted parameter for prior precision to capture individual differences. We use rolling regression techniques to elucidate the behavior of this model over time and find some evidence of over-response to current stimuli.
Onboard Energy Conversion And Thermal Analysis Of The MTL System

A non-nuclear energy conversion concept-MTL (Microwave Power to Low Earth Orbits) was previously presented in order to supply SDI platforms power in the housekeeping, alert and burst power modes. In this paper the major issues addressed are:, system design, integration and analysis. Parametric design of the major subsystems of the MTL bus, which includes the rectenna, the monolithic solid oxide fuel cell etc, is presented. The results of the parametric design,and of computer simulation are used as inputs to construct a comprehensive systems design code. A reference MTL system design which meets the requirements of duty cycles spelled out in open literature is presented. A comparison of mass and power is made between the MTh system and the SP-100 and burst power systems, which demonstrates the competitiveness of the proposed MTh design.