cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing Ferromagnetic Soft Robots (FerroSoRo) with Level-Set-Based Multiphysics Topology Optimization

Soft active materials can generate flexible locomotion and change configurations through large deformations when subjected to an external environmental stimulus. They can be engineered to design ’soft machines’ such as soft robots, compliant actuators, flexible electronics, or bionic medical devices. By embedding ferromagnetic particles into soft elastomer matrix, the ferromagnetic soft matter can generate flexible movement and shift morphology in response to the external magnetic field. By taking advantage of this physical property, soft active structures undergoing desired motions can be generated by tailoring the layouts of the ferromagnetic soft elastomers. Structural topology optimization has emerged as an attractive tool to achieve innovative structures by optimizing the material layout within a design domain, and it can be utilized to architect ferromagnetic soft active structures. In this paper, the level-set-based topology optimization method is employed to design ferromagnetic soft robots (FerroSoRo). The objective function comprises a sub-objective function for the kinematics requirement and a sub-objective function for minimum compliance. Shape sensitivity analysis is derived using the material time derivative and adjoint variable method. Three examples, including a gripper, an actuator, and a flytrap structure, are studied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Inflammasomes and adaptive immune responses

A fundamental concept in immunology is that the innate immune system initiates or instructs downstream adaptive immune responses. Inflammasomes are central players in innate immunity to pathogens, but how inflammasomes shape adaptive immunity is complex and relatively poorly understood. Here we highlight recent work on the interplay between inflammasomes and adaptive immunity. We address how inflammasome-dependent release of cytokines and antigen activates, shapes or even inhibits adaptive immune responses. We consider how distinct tissue or cellular contexts may alter the effects of inflammasome activation on adaptive immunity and how this contributes to beneficial or detrimental outcomes in infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmunity. We aspire to provide a framework for thinking about inflammasomes and their connection to the adaptive immune response.
Contesting Hegemonic Masculinity Through Profeminist Passing on The Police’s Outlandos d’Amour

On their debut album Outlandos d’Amour (1978), British band The Police explicate the machinations of hegemonic masculinity in their lyrical content to highlight the multidimensional and performativ...
Chemical clogging and geotextile serviceability in subdrains adjacent to recycled concrete

The formation and deposition of tufa precipitate from the leachate of the recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) within fibers of a nonwoven geotextile, as can potentially occur in a transportation infr...
Conversion of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: patterns predicting persistent symptoms after revision.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common bariatric operation performed. However, it is not without its drawbacks and patients may develop gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) after LSG. There are limited data available to guide treatment choice for patients suffering these sequelae. Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the success of conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in treating GERD symptoms after LSG. Setting Single bariatric center, United States. Methods Analysis of a prospectively maintained clinical database was performed. Outcomes studied included heartburn-related quality of life score (GERD-HRQL), anti-secretory usage, and body mass index (BMI). Results A total of 54 patients met inclusion criteria during the review period. Of these, 41 patients (76%) underwent conversion for indication including GERD. Mean BMI at conversion was 33.8 ± 5.61 and was found to be significantly reduced at 12 months after conversion (n = 26; 63%; P 3 mo) was found to be a significant risk factor for continued antisecretory dependence after conversion to RYGB. Conclusion Conversion of LSG to RYGB quantitatively reduces GERD symptoms, and results in a modest but significant amount of weight loss. While there was a significant improvement in HRQL after revision, a subgroup of patients continued to be antisecretory-dependent and showed a limited improvement in HRQL. This limited response was predicted by a gradual onset of GERD symptoms prior to revision. An interval of 3 months or greater between LSG and onset of symptoms was found to be a significant risk factor for limited response to conversion.
qMC: A Formal Model Checking Verification Framework For Superconducting Logic

Single flux quantum (SFQ) circuits as an example of superconducting electronics (SCE) have the potential to replace CMOS circuits as they possess a theoretical potential of three orders of magnitude reduction in power accompanied with one order of magnitude higher speed. Despite its benefits, the SCE community lacks a reliable open source formal verification solution. This paper proposes a verification framework called qMC, a model checker for SFQ circuits using formal techniques. qMC offers an automated process that constructs a SystemVerilog testbench consisting of formal assertions to verify the SFQ-specific properties of the circuits and produce system correctness results and counterexamples using model checking (MC). Instead of creating an MC tool from scratch, we have built qMC based on well established open source back-end verification engines for MC of CMOS circuits, including Yosys-SMTBMC and EBMC. qMC allows for properties to be given in SystemVerilog formal assertions, time-limited SystemVerilog assertions, or linear temporal logic (LTL). qMC provides an improvement in terms of verification time and coverage when compared to state-of-the-art semi-formal based SFQ verification frameworks. For instance, verification time for a 4-bit array multiplier is sped up by 19.5x.
The interplay among interparental conflict, children's emotional insecurity, neurophysiological correlates of processing interparental conflict cues, and externalizing symptoms

Exposure to destructive interparental conflict consistently predicts children's externalizing symptoms. Research has identified children's emotional security as an explanatory mechanism underpinning this association, but little is known about the role of children's neurophysiology in this pathway. We aimed to address that gap using event-related potential (ERP) data from a sample of 86 children, ages 9-11 years. The P3 ERP was measured during an emotion categorization task involving photographs of a couple exhibiting facial expressions of emotion toward one another. Angry images were target stimuli, and happy and neutral images were nontarget stimuli. Children reported interparental conflict, and their mothers reported children's emotional security. Mothers also reported children's externalizing symptoms at two time points 1 year apart. Results indicated elevated interparental conflict predicted more behavioral dysregulation (an aspect of emotional insecurity), which predicted a smaller P3 on angry trials, which, in turn, predicted greater externalizing symptoms 1 year later, controlling for initial externalizing. Greater involvement in interparental conflict, another aspect of emotional insecurity, predicted a larger P3 on neutral trials. Further, both greater involvement and a larger P3 on happy trials predicted increases in externalizing. The results suggest differing associations between different elements of emotional insecurity and the P3.
Federated Learning via Plurality Vote.

Federated learning allows collaborative workers to solve a machine learning problem while preserving data privacy. Recent studies have tackled various challenges in federated learning, but the joint optimization of communication overhead, learning reliability, and deployment efficiency is still an open problem. To this end, we propose a new scheme named federated learning via plurality vote (FedVote). In each communication round of FedVote, workers transmit binary or ternary weights to the server with low communication overhead. The model parameters are aggregated via weighted voting to enhance the resilience against Byzantine attacks. When deployed for inference, the model with binary or ternary weights is resource-friendly to edge devices. We show that our proposed method can reduce quantization error and converges faster compared with the methods directly quantizing the model updates.
Magnetic resonance imaging of pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Pancreatic metastases are rare but are thought to be most commonly from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These metastases can present many years after the initial tumor is resected, and accordingly, these patients require prolonged imaging follow-up. Although the computed tomographic findings of these metastases have been extensively reviewed in the literature, little has been written about the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of these metastases. Pancreatic metastases from RCC are typically T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense. After intravenous administration of gadolinium, they are typically hypervascular and less commonly hypovascular. Chemical shift and diffusion-weighted imaging can aid in the diagnosis of these metastases.
Photoreduction of the uranyl ion with laser light and ethanol—I: Quantum yields and medium effects☆

Abstract The photoreduction of the uranyl ion in sulfuric acid with laser light and ethanol is discussed. Quantum yields of ∼0·6 and 0·5 were measured for the production of U(IV) with an argon ion laser and with the neon laser, respectively. The effects of ethanol and sulfuric acid concentrations to increase the quantum yields are discussed.
Compact and accurate MOST model for analog circuit hand calculations

A simple model for the MOS transistor small-signal drain-source resistance, /spl tau//sub ds/, is presented that accurately predicts analog circuit performance. It is ideal for first-order analog circuit hand calculations. The drain current, I/sub ds/, has exactly the same form as the conventional square-law model. The channel length modulation parameter, X, is modified based on two dimensional analysis to produce a simple model that matches measured devices to within 5% even for short devices. >
The merging of the senses: integration of subthreshold taste and smell

Central neural integration of sensory input from different modalities is a prerequisite for many types of perception and behavior. One of the best examples of such an integrative process may be flavor perception, whereby activation in two peripherally distinct neural systems, olfaction and gustation, combines to give rise to a unified oral sensation. Here we used a psychophysical method to show cross-modal summation of subthreshold concentrations of selected gustatory and olfactory stimuli, thus demonstrating that central neural integration of taste and smell inputs generates a representation of flavor perception.
Coherence Protocols for Bus-Based and Scalable Multiprocessors, Internet, and Wireless Distributed Computing Environments: A Survey

Abstract Caching has been widely used in many diverse computer applications to improve performance. Although these applications often utilize diverse platforms due to their inherent natures and scope of applicability, there are elements of the caching scheme and the coherence protocol operations that are common to all implementations, regardless of the differences in implementation. This paper attempts to take a wide survey of caching applications to illustrate both the common and the differing elements of caching implementations. Widely researched, traditional caching applications using snoopy (bus-based) and directory protocols will be reviewed, then the relatively newer problems of web caching and the unique implementation issues of wireless networking will be considered. This analysis will be utilized to build a characterization of the various caching implementations, specifically considering the order of complexity in memory requirements, message complexity, message size, and synchronization delay. These parameters will be used to suggest that the underlying network topology, the sharing characteristics and the granularity of the data items being cached strongly affect the performance of coherence protocols.
The stillbirth ‘scandal’

The scope of stillbirth has been overlooked by many, few would estimate that in high income countries that, late stillbirths (pregnancies 28 weeks or later) occurs twice as often as death due to HIV/ AIDS; ten times more common than deaths due to Hepatitis B; twice a common as deaths due to congenital anomalies; twice as common as deaths due to preterm complications, and ten times more common that Sudden Infant Deaths (SIDS) [1]. Perinatal audit is the key to identifying potentially modifiable factors that contribute to stillbirth: higher than expected intrapartum deaths should trigger a review of labor and delivery procedures; higher than expected number of losses of multiples should trigger a review of advanced reproductive technologies services [2]. Stillbirth prevention strategies in developed countries do share some similarities to those in developing countries, for example ensuring that poor and less educated women have access to contraception, timely access to good prenatal care. The most demonstrable effect of early prenatal care is the accurate dating of the pregnancy, screening for infection and the prenatal screening for chromosomal and congenital anomalies. In a setting where there is the availability of abortion for affected pregnancies, the number of stillbirths related to anomalies can be reduced significantly [3]. Suboptimal care has been shown to occur in 10 to 60% of stillbirths in developed countries [2]. The most common errors are failure to identify emerging clinical disorders, (such as fetal growth restriction), failure to use up-dated “best practice protocols”, poor communication or non-compliance of the members of the team (including those responsible to follow up with patients when appointments are missed). By focusing some light on the problem of stillbirth there has evolved a number of new and potentially helpful observations. The appreciation that advanced maternal age, racial minority (specifically within the United States non-Hispanic black status), and severe obesity all are associated with an increased risk of stillbirth after 39 weeks of gestation, providers have the opportunity to either increase fetal surveillance or offer induction, thus treating these women as post-dates sooner than their low risk peers. A program of increasing awareness of the importance of fetal movement as well as the optimal management of decreased fetal movement has been shown to reduce the overall stillbirth rate by 30%. [4]. Other interesting recent observations that may modify stillbirth risk are that that the habit of left-lying during sleep may reduce the risk of late pregnancy [5]; that significant maternal stress has been associated with and increased risk of stillbirth [6], and that the evolution of genetic testing to include the evaluation of microarrays (which detects a single-nucleotide polymorphism or duplications or deletions of 500kb or greater) is more sensitive than standard karyotype to a detect potential cause of stillbirth [7]. Hopefully with on-going research we will develop a greater understanding of the elephant in the room and fewer parents will end up in the “stillbirth club”.
In-Vivo Gene Signatures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in C3HeB/FeJ Mice

Despite considerable progress in understanding the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), development of new therapeutics and vaccines against it has proven difficult. This is at least in part due to the use of less than optimal models of in-vivo Mtb infection, which has precluded a study of the physiology of the pathogen in niches where it actually persists. C3HeB/FeJ (Kramnik) mice develop human-like lesions when experimentally infected with Mtb and thus make available, a faithful and highly tractable system to study the physiology of the pathogen in-vivo. We compared the transcriptomics of Mtb and various mutants in the DosR (DevR) regulon derived from Kramnik mouse granulomas to those cultured in-vitro. We recently showed that mutant ΔdosS is attenuated in C3HeB/FeJ mice. Aerosol exposure of mice with the mutant mycobacteria resulted in a substantially different and a relatively weaker transcriptional response (< = 20 genes were induced) for the functional category 'Information Pathways' in Mtb:ΔdosR; 'Lipid Metabolism' in Mtb:ΔdosT; 'Virulence, Detoxification, Adaptation' in both Mtb:ΔdosR and Mtb:ΔdosT; and 'PE/PPE' family in all mutant strains compare to wild-type Mtb H37Rv, suggesting that the inability to induce DosR functions to different levels can modulate the interaction of the pathogen with the host. The Mtb genes expressed during growth in C3HeB/FeJ mice appear to reflect adaptation to differential nutrient utilization for survival in mouse lungs. The genes such as glnB, Rv0744c, Rv3281, sdhD/B, mce4A, dctA etc. downregulated in mutant ΔdosS indicate their requirement for bacterial growth and flow of carbon/energy source from host cells. We conclude that genes expressed in Mtb during in-vivo chronic phase of infection in Kramnik mice mainly contribute to growth, cell wall processes, lipid metabolism, and virulence.
Zinc Deficiency in Cirrhosis: Micronutrient for Thought?

Involved in several physiological processes related to human health, zinc (Zn) is the second most abundant essential ‘trace’ element. The actions of Zn, mostly related to its catalytic or structural properties, also include serving as an enzymatic cofactor in the regulation of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Though Zn is part of the important metallozyme copper–Zn superoxide dismutase, Zn can also alter oxidative stress,1,2 and is also associated with innate and adaptive immune processes.3 Zn also exhibits anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects: chronic ethanol exposure in an animal model induced Zn deficiency in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the mitochondria, which stressed these organelles in vitro, activating intrinsic cell death signaling pathways, and Zn supplementation protected against apoptosis.4 In fact ER and mitochondrial stress are present in advanced liver disease 5,6 Zn is therefore of potential therapeutic value in this condition.
Isolation of bovine neutrophils with biomagnetic beads: comparison with standard Percoll density gradient isolation methods

A prerequisite for studies on bovine neutrophils is a reliable method of neutrophil isolation from blood to obtain highly purified cell populations that are functionally active. Since current techniques of neutrophil isolation fall short of these requirements, we have developed a newer and more effective technique for isolation of bovine neutrophils that utilizes biomagnetic beads coated with a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an abundant surface antigen on bovine neutrophils to purify these cells. Comparison of the purity and viability of bovine neutrophils isolated by a conventional method (continuous Percoll density gradient) with this new method showed that neutrophils isolated with biomagnetic beads were higher in purity and had an increased yield. In addition, cells isolated with biomagnetic beads demonstrated normal or even improved function in assays of chemotaxis, phagocytosis, degranulation, and respiratory burst activity. Finally, bovine neutrophils isolated using this method showed an overall lower level of spontaneous apoptosis, which correlates well with the high level of viability observed in the purified cell preparations. Thus, this method represents a significant advance over current methods for isolating bovine neutrophils and would be widely applicable to labs studying the biochemistry and signal transduction pathways in these cells.
Local Chemical Potential Equalization Model for Cosolvent Effects on Biomolecular Equilibria

A simple model for describing the effects of cosolvents on biomolecular equilibria in solution is presented. The model is developed using the Kirkwood−Buff theory of solutions and relates changes in the chemical potential of the cosolvent, due to the presence of the solute, to changes in the cosolvent (and water) concentrations in the vicinity of the biomolecule. The model is then used to determine the dependence of changes in the free energy for protein denaturation on cosolvent concentration. The experimentally observed linearity for urea, and small deviation from linear behavior for guanidinium chloride denaturation, are reproduced. In addition, the model is also predicted to provide a good description of the helix-inducing effects of TFE solutions.
Ab initio structure determination of the low-temperature phase of succinonitrile from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data—Coping with potential poor powder quality using DFT ab initio methods

Without experimental or predicted literature crystal structures for succinonitrile at low temperature, structure solution was attempted from powder diffraction data taken at 173 and 90 K from a solid sample. Its room-temperature plastic-crystal state makes production of a sample with good particle statistics and random orientation almost impossible. Combining constrained models, simulated annealing, and careful application of second-order spherical harmonic corrections nevertheless produced viable-looking structures at 90 and 173 K, yielding two distinct structure models with the same projection down c. VASP optimization of atom coordinates in the experimental cell agreed well with the 90 K model but poorly with the model derived from the 173 K data. The refined 90 K structure changed little on optimization and fitted all datasets from 85 to 225 K. Plots of cell data, torsion angles, and isotropic displacement parameters against temperature suggest possible phase transitions around 100, 120, and 180 K. Cell data at 90 K: monoclinic P21/a, a=9.0851(5) A, b=8.5617(5) A, c=5.8343(3) A, β=79.295(2)°, and Z=4. Succinonitrile has gauche conformation, in agreement with literature spectroscopy data.
Tracing phylogeny in a fish group (groupers) through proteins of the layers of the eye lens core

Abstract 1. 1. An initial study with tunas indicated that electrophoretic patterns of proteins from consecutively deeper layers of the lens core (nucleus) may reflect phylogenetic pathways. 2. 2. This approach was further evaluated in the present study with members of another fish group, the groupers. 3. 3. Densitometrically analyzed electrophoretic patterns of proteins from nuclear lens layers of the Warsaw, yellowedge, and red groupers agreed with generally accepted species relationships, plus reflected a picture of early and progressive divergence from separate ancestral stocks. 4. 4. This study supports the view that proteins in nuclear lens layers can be used to trace phylogenetic development.
An application-independent methodology of feature recognition with explicit representation of feature interaction

The existing feature-based design and feature recognition methods cannot fulfil the requirements of automated process planning. It is now recognized that satisfactory modelling of interactions between features is necessary for developing an automated process planning system. The selection of an optimum manufacturing process for a part needs to be considered at the conceptual design phase to incorporate the capabilities and constraints of the process in design. This paper describes a methodology of feature recognition that is independent of manufacturing process and explicitly generates geometric feature interactions in a part. The paper illustrates generation of feature sets for shape-forming processes, and describes a method to convert the process-independent features into machinable volumes and tool paths for material removal processes.
Evolving Spectra of Population III Stars: Consequences for Cosmological Reionization

We examine the significance of the first metal-free stars (Population III) for the cosmological reionization of H i and He ii. These stars have unusually hard spectra, with the integrated ionizing photon rates from a Population III stellar cluster for H i and He ii being 1.6 and 10 5 times stronger, respectively, than those from a Population II cluster. For the currently favored cosmology, we find that Population III stars alone can reionize H i at redshifts of z ’ 9 and 4.7 and He ii at z ’ 5:1 and 0.7 for continuous and instantaneous modes of star formation, respectively. More realistic scenarios involving combinations of Population III and Population II stellar spectra yield similar results for hydrogen. Helium never reionizes completely in these cases; the ionization fraction of He iii reaches a maximum of about 60% at z � 5:6 if Population III star formation lasts for 10 9 yr. Future data on H i reionization can test the amount of small-scale power available to the formation of the first objects and provide a constraint on values of � 8d0:7. Since current UV observations indicate an epoch of reionization for He ii at z � 3, He ii may reionize more than once. Measurements of the He ii Gunn-Peterson effect in the intergalactic medium at redshifts ze3 may reveal the significance of Population III stars for He ii reionization, particularly in ‘‘ void ’’ regions that may contain ‘‘ relic ’’ ionization from early Population III stellar activity. Subject headings: cosmology: theory — intergalactic medium
In vitro study assessing the technical feasibility of using 3-F inner dilators for imaging.

Purpose The 3-F inner dilators from three brands of micropuncture kits with slightly different designs were studied to identify the maximal flow rate of contrast medium infusion in hopes of identifying a safe range for the delivery of contrast media. Materials and Methods The inner dilators from three micropuncture kit manufacturers were tested. To assess maximum flow rates, each inner dilator was subjected to repeated contrast medium infusions at sequentially higher flow rates until it failed or reached maximal rate limits of the autoinjector. After a thorough inspection of each failed dilator, results for flow rates and pressures at failure were collected. Results All inner dilators were capable of achieving flow rates of at least 6 mL/sec at an average pressure of 258 psi. None of the inner dilators ruptured or resulted in a distal embolic event in our vessel model. Two dilators from the same manufacturer reached maximal rate limits of the autoinjector and did not fail. Conclusions The use of the inner dilators from these micropuncture kits for nonselective angiography at rates at or less than 6 mL/sec appears technically feasible. Although it appears to offer angiographers and patients a quicker and perhaps safer alternative than conventional upsizing to catheters with larger lumens, additional experimental and clinical trials are necessary to fully endorse this in clinical practice.
Abstinent adult daily smokers show reduced anticipatory but elevated saccade-related brain responses during a rewarded antisaccade task.

Abstract Chronic smoking may result in reduced sensitivity to non-drug rewards (e.g., money), a phenomenon particularly salient during abstinence. During a quit attempt, this effect may contribute to biased decision-making (smoking>alternative reinforcers) and relapse. Although relevant for quitting, characterization of reduced reward function in abstinent smokers remains limited. Moreover, how attenuated reward function affects other brain systems supporting decision-making has not been established. Here, we use a rewarded antisaccade (rAS) task to characterize non-drug reward processing and its influence on inhibitory control, key elements underlying decision-making, in abstinent smokers vs. non-smokers. Abstinent (12-hours) adult daily smokers ( N =23) and non-smokers ( N =11) underwent fMRI while performing the rAS. Behavioral performances improved on reward vs. neutral trials. Smokers showed attenuated activation in ventral striatum during the reward cue and in superior precentral sulcus and posterior parietal cortex during response preparation, but greater responses during the saccade response in posterior cingulate and parietal cortices. Smokers׳ attenuated anticipatory responses suggest reduced motivation from monetary reward, while heightened activation during the saccade response suggests that additional circuitry may be engaged later to enhance inhibitory task performance. Overall, this preliminary study highlights group differences in decision-making components and the utility of the rAS to characterize these effects.
A continuum theory of porous media saturated by multiple immiscible fluids: II. Lagrangian description and variational structure

Abstract The mechanical behavior of porous media is largely governed by the interactions among coexisting components. In a companion paper [Int. J. Eng. Sci. 40 (2002) 1807–1833], a continuum theory of multiphase porous media has been developed that is capable of rigorously characterizing these interactions. In this paper, the results previously obtained are used to develop a macroscale model where the state of a porous medium is described by macrostate variables measurable through experiments. The variational structure of the proposed theory is investigated. All the formulations of the macroscale model are presented in the Lagrangian setting. It is shown that the volume fractions of fluids can be considered as internal variables that microscopically represent capillary relaxation processes. By virtue of the variational description of the theory, Biot's principle of virtual dissipation [Int. J. Solids Struct. 13 (1977) 579] is rigorously recovered, and a link between the mixture theories and Biot's theory of porous media is established.
Base shade determination of a new elastomer for maxillofacial prostheses

A method for determining and fabricating base shades for MDX-4-4210 Clean Grade Elastomer has been described. Eight base shades are illustrated, and 12 base shade formulae are provided.
DAILY SOCIAL EXCHANGES AND AFFECT IN MIDDLE AND LATER ADULTHOOD: THE IMPACT OF LONELINESS AND AGE

Although daily social exchanges are important for well-being, it is unclear how different types of exchanges affect daily well-being, as well as which factors influence the way in which individuals react to their daily social encounters. The present study included a sample of 705 adults aged 31 to 91, and using Multilevel Modeling analyses investigated whether loneliness or age moderate the relationship between daily affect and daily social exchanges with family and friends. Results indicated differences between events involving family and those involving friends. Furthermore, lonelier individuals benefitted more from positive events than less lonely adults but were not more negatively reactive to negative events. Moreover, results suggested that older adults' affect is more independent of both positive and negative social events compared to younger people. Implications are discussed for the importance of daily social exchanges, daily social stress vulnerability, and the influences of loneliness across middle and later adulthood.
Incongruity, Humor, and Mark: Performance and the Use of Laughter in the Second Gospel (Mark 8.14–21)

Relatively little scholarly work has attempted to change the perception that the Bible is a non-humorous book. Drawing upon contemporary humor theory, this article explores how Mark's third sea crossing (8.14–21) is intended to evoke a humorous response. Although laughter emerges from the comedic depiction of the Twelve, humor complements the evangelist's broader theological agenda. In Mark, humor is a natural byproduct of performance and is a powerful means of communicating a central theme of the Gospel.
Nitrogen fertilization at the rice panicle differentiation stage to compensate for rice water weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) injury

Abstract A three-year study was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates applied at the panicle initiation stage of rice, Oryza sativa L., and insecticide applications on yield loss caused by rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kushel, damage. Our estimates of yield loss caused by L. oryzophilus injury were, at the recommended nitrogen rate of 191 kg N per ha, 1.7% in 1997, 11.8% in 1998, and 9.9% in 1999. In 1998, doubling the panicle differentiation nitrogen rate from 67 to 134 kg N per ha significantly increased yield by 591 kg per ha, averaged across insecticide treated and untreated plots. In both 1998 and 1999, reducing nitrogen rate below the recommended rate significantly (P 0.05) for yield in any year of our study, suggesting that increasing nitrogen at the panicle differentiation stage does not have a major impact on compensation of the rice plant for L. oryzophilus injury. Our results indicate that farmers should not increase nitrogen fertilizer at the panicle differentiation stage to compensate for L. oryzophilus damage.
Organization of the peripheral fly eye: the roles of Snail family transcription factors in peripheral retinal apoptosis

The periphery of the fly eye contains a number of concentrically arranged cellular specializations that are induced by Wingless (Wg) signaling from the surrounding head capsule (HC). One of these is the pigment rim (PR), which is a thick layer of pigment cells that lies directly adjacent to the HC and completely circumscribes the rest of the retina. Many of the cells of the PR are derived from presumptive pigment cells that previously surrounded peripheral ommatidia that subsequently died. Here, we describe the Wgelicited expression of Snail family transcription factors in the eye periphery that directs the ommatidial death and subsequent PR formation. These transcription factors are expressed only in a subset of the ommatidial cells not including the photoreceptors. Yet, the photoreceptors die and, thus, a non-autonomous death signal is released from the Snail-family-expressing cells that direct the death of the photoreceptors. In addition, Wg also elicits a similar peripheral expression of Notum, an enzyme that limits the extent of Wg signaling. Furthermore, we describe a later requirement for Snail family proteins in the 2° and 3° pigment cells throughout the main body of the eye.
Tributyltin exposure causes decreased granzyme B and perforin levels in human natural killer cells.

Abstract Natural Killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes that are capable of killing tumor cells, virally infected cells and antibody coated cells. Tributyltin (TBT) is a toxic chemical used for various industrial purposes such as: slime control in paper mills, disinfection of circulating industrial cooling waters, anti-fouling agents in shower curtains and the preservation of wood. TBT can be found in edible items such as dairy products and fish. This study investigates the mechanism by which TBT exposure decreases the immune function of human NK cells, in vitro. Cytotoxic function, the expression of the cytotoxic proteins (granzyme B and perforin), and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation were examined. NK cells exposed to 300 nM TBT for 1 h showed no significant decrease in cytotoxic function, levels of granzyme B and perforin, or phosphorylation of CREB. However, mRNA levels for the cytotoxic proteins were significantly decreased. A 24 h exposure to 200 nM TBT caused significant decreases in cytotoxic function, levels of granzyme B and perforin, and levels of granzyme B and perforin mRNA. When NK cells were exposed to 300 nM TBT for 1 h followed by a 24 h period in TBT-free media, again there were significant decreases in NK cell cytotoxic function, levels of granzyme B and perforin and their mRNA. A 1 h exposure to 300 nM TBT followed by a 48 h period in TBT-free media showed similar changes in cytotoxic function and levels of granzyme B and perforin as seen after 24 h in TBT-free media. Additionally, both of these exposures showed significant decreases in phosphorylation of CREB. These results indicate that TBT exposures can disrupt the transcription of granzyme B and perforin and that this disruption cannot be entirely accounted for by a decrease in phosphorylated CREB (phosphoCREB) levels.
Relationship between maximum extensibility of networks and the degree of crosslinking and primary molecular weight

The relationship between network chain concentration and the maximum value of the extension ratio at break is discussed. Experimental data obtained from the literature are then used to test the theoretically derived dependence.
Systems Biology: A Switch for Sex

The yeast pheromone response pathway works in a graded fashion, such that more pheromone leads to more response, but a recent study has shown that small modifications convert it into a bistable switch, with implications for the evolution and engineering of reaction networks.
Convergence and the Google Way

ABSTRACT The existing telecommunications industry is becoming transformed as a result of various innovations driven by advances in technology, market conditions, and regulatory changes. The development of technologies such as Voice over the Internet Protocol–Internet Protocol Telephony (VoIP–IP Telephony) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) have increased the scope of the telecommunications industry by migrating existing services, which were separate from the telecommunications industry, to the telecommunications industry. 1 The increased competition in data transport services has substantially reduced the level of profits of many telecommunications providers, resulting in a branching of new services that utilize the transport services. The 1996 Telecommunications Act has allowed growing consolidation of telecommunications providers to support the past model of transport services failing to adapt to significant changes presently occurring. 2 This shift is suitably being capitalized by several key orga...
Readmission After Pancreatic Resection is not an Appropriate Measure of Quality

Background Hospital readmission has been proposed as a metric for quality of medical and surgical care. We examined our institutional experience with readmission after pancreatic resection, and assessed factors predictive of readmission.
Development of Baroreflex Activity in Unanesthetized Fetal and Neonatal Lambs

Baroreflex activity was assessed in 10 fetal lambs at 85-145 days of gestation. ECG leads sewn to the fetal chest wall, vinyl catheters in brachial artery and femoral vein, and a balloon catheter in the descending aorta were exteriorized through the ewe's flank. After at least 36 hours, the reflex bradycardia, in response to increased blood pressure by balloon inflation, was measured. Baroreflex sensitivity was expressed as the slope of the beat-to-beat relationship between systolic (S.P.) or pulse (P.P.) pressure and the subsequent R-R interval or instantaneous heart rate (H.R.). Baroreflex activity was considered absent if the slope did not differ significantly from zero or if the correlation coefficient was less than 0.7. Throughout gestation baroreceptors could respond to pressure elevation, but the proportion of positive responses increased with age. Baroreflex sensitivity increased up to term when either S.P. or P.P. were plotted against the next R-R interval. Regression analysis of S.P. or P.P. vs. R-R interval, or of P.P. vs. H.R showed increasing baroreflex sensitivity with maturation Analysis of S.P. vs. H.R. showed no significant increase in response with advancing gestation; however, this type of analysis does not take into account the slower resting heart rates of older animals.
Regulation of phosphoglycerate mutase in developing forespores and dormant spores ofBacillus megaterium by thein vivo levels of phosphoglycerate mutase inhibitor

Bacillus megaterium accumulated 3-phosphoglycerate during sporulation which was utilized during spore germination. During sporulation a protein was synthesized before or at the start of 3-phosphoglycerate accumulation inside the developing spores about 1.5 h before dipicolinic acid accumulation. This protein has an affinity for Mn2+ and other divalent metal ions and inhibits phosphoglycerate mutase activity which has been shown to require Mn2+ However, the levels of the inhibitor decreased considerably (75–85%) during spore germination. No appreciable amount of the inhibitor was detected in the vegetable cell and mother cell compartment; however, the forespore compartment possesses an activity comparable to that of dormant spores. The partially purified inhibitor has a molecular weight of 11,000 and possesses both high and low affinity binding sites for Mn2+ and Ca2+ as determined by Scatchard plot analysis.
Turkey, Islam, and the EU

After the September 11th attacks on the United States, more than a few Americans came to believe that Islam andWestern Christianity were embroiled in a battle over fundamental differences–a “clash of civilizations,’ so to speak. But this rhetoric was neither new nor particular to the United States. Across the Atlantic for some time, in fact, it has been used in the debate over the proposed entry of Turkey, a Muslim country, into the European Union (EU).
Digital Imaging of Gamma-Ray Sources with Depth Information

A digital method for imaging gamma-ray emitting organs recorded through a Fresnel zone plate (FZP) aperture is described. This technique can be used in an almost real-time recording and imaging system to yield quantitative and qualitative cross-section and depth information of the source. Furthermore, this method avoids some of the problems introduced by the usual method of optical reconstruction. Experimental results of the recording of a multiplane gamma-ray source and the reconstruction of digitally and optically formed images are also presented.
Behavior of the Guinea Pig in the Open-Field Situation:

The open-field behavior of male and female guinea pigs of heterogeneous stock and age was studied in one experiment; in a second experiment six-week-old male pigs of the Hartley strain were observe...
Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of severe fetal renal anomalies

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in fetuses with severe renal anomalies. Study Design This was a case-control study that compared MRI findings in fetuses with suspected severe renal anomalies with gestational age–matched control fetuses. MRI was performed with T2-weighted single-shot fast-spin echo sequences. Each MRI was reviewed by an investigator who was blinded to clinical information. Results There were 2 cases of bilateral renal agenesis, 2 cases if bilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney disease, 2 cases if unilateral renal agenesis and contralateral multicystic dysplastic kidney disease, 2 cases if polycystic kidney disease, and 2 cases of early membrane rupture/normal kidneys. Fetuses with lethal renal anomalies had a characteristic bladder appearance (signal void [dark]), whereas control fetuses had bright signal in both bladder and renal pelvis ( P Conclusion Fetuses with lethal renal anomalies had signal void in the bladder region on MRI.
Twenty-four-hour total small bowel hypothermic storage preservation and transplantation in the rat: a study of various preservation solutions.

Three hundred forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were used as donors and recipients of fresh and preserved small bowel transplants in order to evaluate both the most important determinants of failure after preservation and transplantation, and the effect of various preservation solutions used for 24 h. Four different solutions were tested: saline for the control group, and Euro-Collins (EC), University of Wisconsin (UW), and albumin-dextran-adenosine-allopurinol-verapamil (ADAAV) for the experimental groups. The survival at 3 days was 80% for the control group, 66.6% for the ADAAV group, and 53.5 and 46.6% for the UW and EC groups, respectively (p . 05 saline vs ADAAV). Another two groups received small bowels on which the effect of nonflushing was studied for 6 and 24 h. In general, laboratory and histologic studies did not show a significant difference among the various groups of preserved small bowels. The worst groups were the nonflushed preserved small bowels, in which no surv...
Nuclear localization of melatonin in different mammalian tissues: Immunocytochemical and radioimmunoassay evidence

Melatonin was detected by an improved immunocytochemical technique in the cell nuclei of most tissues studied including several brain areas, pineal gland, Harderian gland, gut, liver, kidney, and spleen from rodents and primates. Cryostat sections from tissues fixed in Bouin's fluid, formalin, or acetone/ethanol were used. The nuclear staining appeared primarily associated with the chromatin. The nucleoli did not exhibit a positive reaction. The melatonin antiserum was used in the range of 1:500 to 1:5,000. Incubation of the antibody with an excess of melatonin resulted in the complete blockade of nuclear staining. Pretreatment of the sections with proteinase K (200-1,000 ng/ml) prevented the positive immunoreaction. In a second aspect of the study, we estimated the concentration of melatonin by means of radioimmunoassay in the nuclear fraction of several tissues including cerebral cortex, liver, and gut. The subcutaneous injection of melatonin (500 micrograms/kg) to rats resulted, after 30 min, in a rapid increase in the nuclear concentration of immunoreactive melatonin which varied in a tissue-dependent manner. However, samples collected 3 h after the injection showed that melatonin levels had decreased to control values. Pinealectomy in rats resulted in a clear reduction in the nuclear content of melatonin in the cerebral cortex and liver but not in the gut. The results of these studies suggest that melatonin may interact with nuclear proteins and that the indole may have an important function at the nuclear level in a variety of mammalian tissues.
Absorption of manganese by the thyroid gland of the guinea pig.

SummarySubcutaneous injection of manganese chloride into the guinea pig caused manganese to accumulate in all organs of the body tested, but the deposition was especially great in the thyroid gland where it began to appear within 30 minutes after administration. Absorption was particularly rapid during the first few hours, but the element continued to accumulate for at least 24 hours. Of the total amount of manganese deposited in the thyroid gland about 70%percnt; accumulated during the first 6 hours. Elimination of manganese from the thyroid, once it began, was rapid. Seventy per cent of the 24 hour accumulation disappeared within 48 hours after the injection; 85%percnt; of it vanished in 96 hours.
Xenon fractionation in porous planetesimals.

The distinctively fractionated Xe on Mars and earth may have its root in a common source from which both planets accreted. Beginning with Ozima and Nakazawa's (1980) hypothesis that terrestrial Xe fractionation was caused by gravitational separation of adsorbed solar nebular gases inside large porous planetesimals, it is pointed out that Xe would have been trapped as the planetesimal grew and pores were squeezed shut by lithostatic pressure. It is shown that enough fractionated Xe to supply the earth could have been trapped this way. The degree of fractionation is controlled by the lithostatic pressure at the pore-closing front and so would have been roughly the same for all large planetesimals. The predicted degree of fractionation agrees well with that preserved in terrestrial and Martian Xe. Relative to Xe, this source is strongly depleted in other noble gases. In contrast to the original Ozima and Nakazawa hypothesis, the present hypothesis predicts the observed fractionation, and it allows planetary accretion to occur after the dissipation of the solar nebula.