cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formally representing how psychological processes shape actions and one another using functional fields

Abstract Many psychological theories understand that a person’s actions are psychologically mediated—that is, they are caused most proximally by how the person perceives their situation. Here, I discuss how functional field models can be used to represent the perceived situation as a path model detailing the forces a person understands as connecting actions, features of the environment, and their ultimate appraisal of the situation. I illustrate how specific situational factors can be represented as affecting a person’s actions by affecting these perceived forces, and thus their understanding of the action’s expected effects. I describe how verbal descriptions of the situation, or of their reasons for action, can be formally represented within field models. Finally, I describe how field models can be used to represent arguments about how traits relate to one another, such as how a person’s level of extraversion or callousness might affect the levels of many other traits. More generally, functional field models can help to represent how people actively construct their environment, and how we can better utilize people’s verbal descriptions of their own traits or their reasons for action.
Assessing Perceived Sentiment in Pull Requests with Emoji: Evidence from Tools and Developer Eye Movements

The paper presents an eye tracking pilot study on understanding how developers read and assess sentiment in twenty-four GitHub pull requests containing emoji randomly selected from five different open source applications. Gaze data was collected on various elements of the pull request page in Google Chrome while the developers were tasked with determining perceived sentiment. The developer perceived sentiment was compared with sentiment output from five state-of-the-art sentiment analysis tools. SentiStrength-SE had the highest performance, with 55.56% of its predictions being agreed upon by study participants. On the other hand, Stanford CoreNLP fared the worst, with only 5.56% of its predictions matching that of the participants’. Gaze data shows the top three areas that developers looked at the most were the comment body, added lines of code, and username (the person writing the comment). The results also show high attention given to emoji in the pull request comment body compared to the rest of the comment text. These results can help provide additional guidelines on the pull request review process.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Telepsychiatry Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowships.

OBJECTIVE This report summarizes findings from a 2020 survey of US child and adolescent psychiatry training programs that explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric telepsychiatry training. The authors hypothesized that telepsychiatry training significantly increased during the pandemic, in part due to legal and regulatory waivers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. METHODS In August 2020, an anonymous, 28-question online survey was emailed to all (138) accredited child psychiatry fellowships on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education website. Forty-nine programs responded (36%). This analysis focuses on three of the 28 questions relevant to the hypotheses: characteristics of the program's training in telepsychiatry; perceived impediments to clinical training; and perceived impediments to didactic training pre-COVID onset vs. post-COVID onset, respectively. Total scores were created to investigate differences in training programs and impediments to including telepsychiatry pre- and post-COVID onset. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare means pre- and post-COVID onset. RESULTS Results provided support for significant differences between training components related to telepsychiatry pre- and post-COVID onset, with participants reporting more training components post-COVID onset (M = 5.69) than pre-COVID onset (M = 1.80); t(48) = 9.33, p < .001. Participants also reported significantly fewer barriers to providing clinical experiences in pediatric telepsychiatry post-COVID onset (M = 2.65) than pre-COVID onset (M = 4.90); t(48) = - 4.20, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric telepsychiatry training in child psychiatry fellowships increased significantly. Perceived barriers to providing clinical, but not didactic, training decreased significantly.
In vivo and in vitro adipokinetic effects of corticotropin and related peptides1

The sections in this article are: 1 In Vitro Adipokinetic Activity 2 In Vivo Adipokinetic Effects 3 Relationship Between Corticotropin Structure and its Adipokinetic Activity 3.1 Adipokinetic Activity in the Rabbit 3.2 Adipokinetic Activity in the Rat and Mouse 4 Significance of the Adipokinetic Effects of Corticotropin
Political Theory and Politics Also Matter

This Response or Comment is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons at Michigan State University College of Law. It has beenaccepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons at Michigan State University College of Law. Formore information, please contactdomannbr@law.msu.edu.
Report on Distance Learning Technologies

Abstract : This report provides a wide view of the costs, risks, and benefits associated with instructional technology alternatives. The number and variety of possible paths to learning through this technology have increased markedly in recent years with the advent of interactive multimedia, satellite communications, and the Internet. More than ever before, learning technologies have created new educational possibilities for people and organizations. In this era of increasing financial stringency, we are obligated to examine these new possibilities in light of their obvious advantages: replication of high-quality instruction, lower overall costs, increased quality in educational outcomes, and the ability to provide these benefits over long distances. This report will show that with today's computer-based instructional technology, the question is no longer whether to use the technology, but rather how to use it.
Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase of human platelets: Properties and inhibition by ADP

Abstract The preparation and properties of a Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase from platelets are described. The enzym system require Mg2+ for activity, is stimulated maximally by the presence of Na+ and K+ in a ratio of 11.5/1, has a pH optimum 7.30–7.40, and is half-maximally inhibited by ouabain at a concentration of 0.15 μM. The Km for ATP is approx. 0.4 mM. Enzyme activity is localized in both the “membrane” and “membrane-granule” subcellular fractions. Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase activity is inhibited by ADP (which induces platelet aggregation) and by Pi. The inhibition by ADP is apparently not competitive with respect to ATP. Mg2+-dependent, K+-stimulated p- nitrophenyl phosphatase activity (a model for the externally-oriented K+-phosphatase portion of Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase) is also inhibited by ADP. GDP, which does not induce aggregation of platelets, has no effect on the Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase activity. It is postulated that ADP interacts with the external platelet membrane surface to inhibit Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase activity with a resultant decrease in cation transport and membrane potential. This phenomenon may play a role in platelet aggregation.
ZZFS: a hybrid device and cloud file system for spontaneous users

Good execution of data placement, caching and consistency policies across a user's personal devices has always been hard. Unpredictable networks, capricious user behavior with leaving devices on or off and non-uniform energy-saving policies constantly interfere with the good intentions of a storage system's policies. This paper's contribution is to better manage these inherent uncertainties. We do so primarily by building a low-power communication channel that is available even when a device is off. This channel is mainly made possible by a novel network interface card that is carefully placed under the control of storage system protocols.The design space can benefit existing placement policies (e.g., Cimbiosys [21], Perspective [23], Anzere [22]). It also allows for interesting new ones. We build a file system called ZZFS around a particular set of policies motivated by user studies. Its policies cater to users who interact with the file system in an ad hoc way -- spontaneously and without pre-planning.
High incidence of C02 laser beam contact with the tracheal tube during operations on the upper airway

Abstract Polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes from 50 consecutive CO 2 laser operations of the larynx and trachea were collected after tracheal extubation. In all cases, the helium protocol for laser operations was used, which includes the following: helium in the anesthetic gas mixture at 60% or more during laser resection (FIO 2 ⩽0.4); tracheal intubation with plain, unmarked polyvinyl chloride tubes; laser power density 1,992 W/cm 2 ; and laser bursts of ⩽10-second duration. No tracheal tube fires or airway burns occurred. The polyvinyl chloride tubes were examined for marks caused by the laser, and cuffed tubes were tested for cuff viability. Of the 50 tubes examined, 18 were noncuffed and 32 were cuffed. Although most contacts did not penetrate the tubes, 58% of the tubes showed evidence of contact with the laser as a brown mark on the tube or as a cuff leak. Cuffed tubes were more likely to incur laser contact (69%) than noncuffed tubes (39%), a significant difference (p = 0.04). Most of the cuffed tubes that came in contact with the laser sustained damage at the cuff (77%). It was concluded that the risk of tracheal tube contact with a laser beam is at least 1 in 2, that cuffed tubes are more likely to be hit with a laser beam than noncuffed tubes, and that cuffed tubes that are hit usually sustain damage to the cuff. Because no fires occurred in this series despite frequent laser contact with the tube, these data indicate that the helium protocol helps to prevent polyvinyl chloride tube fires.
The site of ribosome formation in the oocytes of the ascidian, Boltenia villosa.

1. In the very young pre-vitellogenetic oocytes of Boltenia villosa, electron microscopy has revealed a strong concentration of ribosomes, but hardly any endoplasmic reticulum. These RNP granules are aligned into strings so that the cytoplasm of the oocytes at this stage of development appears to be filled with a network of strings of ribosomes. 2. The outer of the two nuclear membranes actively form outpocketings which are set free into the cytoplasm. These do not form a part of the endoplasmic reticulum, but break into membranes. As a result, numerous such membranes are seen near but never far away from the nucleus. 3. These membranes detached from the outer nuclear membrane seem to “disintegrate” into strings of ribosomes. All stages from apparently intact membranes to rows of discrete RNP particles are seen in the cytoplasm. These observations of ribosome formation involving the outer nuclear membrane gives preciseness to the demonstration that their coming into being as structural units is, in my material at least, a cytoplasmic phenomenon.
Precision Measurement of Half-Lives and Specific Activities of U 235 and U 238

New determinations of the half-lives of $^{235}\mathrm{U}$ and $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ have been made. Improved techniques have allowed the half-life values to be measured with greater accuracy than has been heretofore achieved. Samples were prepared by molecular plating and counted in a intermediate-geometry $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-proportional counter with an extremely flat pulse-height plateau. The small amount of residual nonplated uranium was counted in a $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ counter. Energy analysis with a silicon-junction detector was used to measure the presence of "foreign" activities. For $^{235}\mathrm{U}$, the measured specific activity was (4798.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.3) (dis/min)/(mg $^{235}\mathrm{U}$), corresponding to a half-life of (7.0381\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0048) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{8}$ yr. For $^{238}\mathrm{U}$, the specific activity was measured as (746.19\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.41) (dis/min)/(mg $^{238}\mathrm{U}$), corresponding to a half-life of (4.4683\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0024) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{9}$ yr. Errors quoted are statistical (standard error of the mean), based upon the observed scatter of the data. This scatter exceeds that expected from counting statistics alone. We believe that systematic errors, if present, will no more than double the quoted errors.
A Methodology for Predicting Torsional Fatigue Crack Initiation in Large Turbine-Generator Shafts

This document presents results of a three-year program in which an analytical method was developed to estimate the cumulative fatigue damage sustained by a turbine-generator shaft system during a torsional transient. The work was conduted at the Steam Turbine-Generator Engineering and Manufacturing Department of the General Electric Company undr the sponsorship of the Electric power Research Institute (Proect RP1531-1). The product of this program was a methodology that used the results of analysis and torsional fatigue tests on 25.4 mm diameter laboratory specimens to predict the fatigue life of large-diameter shafts subjected to torsional transients. These predicted results were verified with 127 mm diameter specimens subected to simulated torsional transient load history tests. To account for complicated deformation cycles, range pair cycle counting and linear damage summation techniques were used. Notch root deformation response was characterized with a form of Neuber's rule. The results of tests of 25.4 mm and 127 mm diameter specimens showed that the proposed methodology characterized the torsional cumulative fatigue damage within a factor of two of the measured damage under laboratory conditions.
Distributed Detection of Information Flows in Chaff

Distributed detection of information flows is considered. The detector detects the presence of information flows by collecting timing information from nodes of interest through channels of finite capacity. The information flows are assumed to be perturbed up to a bounded delay and interleaved with chaff. Joint compression and detection schemes are proposed to achieve reliable detection with inaccurate measurements. Detection performance is analytically evaluated by robustness against chaff as functions of the capacity constraints in the data collection. The proposed detectors are proved to be optimal for their corresponding quantizers. A comparison of their performance gives guidelines on quantizer design.
Is there evidence for sterile neutrinos in IceCube data

Data from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector and Mini-Booster Neutrino experiments, and the revised expectations of the antineutrino flux from nuclear reactors suggest the existence of eV-mass sterile neutrinos. The $3+2$ and $1+3+1$ scenarios accommodate all relevant short-baseline neutrino data except for the low-energy Mini-Booster Neutrino Experiment anomaly. We analyze the angular distribution of upward going atmospheric neutrino events in the IceCube-40 data set for evidence of sterile neutrinos within these scenarios. Depending on how systematic uncertainties are handled, we find strong evidence for, or weak evidence against sterile neutrinos. We show that future IceCube data will definitively settle the issue.
Infiltrating basal cell carcinoma in the setting of a venous ulcer.

A 77-year-old man was referred with a 5-year history of an intermittently painful, nonhealing right medial ankle ulcer. The ulcer had not responded to multiple treatment modalities, including Unna boots, compression therapy, sclerotherapy, and split-thickness skin grafting. The past medical history was significant for a deep venous thrombosis in the right leg 30 years earlier (treated with warfarin for 3 months) and a history of greater saphenous vein harvesting for coronary bypass grafting 28 years previously. After the vein stripping, the patient had suffered from increasing right leg edema and stasis changes in the right leg. His history was also remarkable for coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, and lymphoma treated with chemotherapy 8 years before presentation, with no evidence of recurrence. He had stopped smoking approximately 20 years earlier. Medications included atenolol, simvastatin, nicardipine, nitroglycerin, and aspirin. Skin examination revealed a 3.0 × 3.5-cm ulcer adjacent to the medial malleolus. The edges of the ulcer appeared raised and rolled ( Fig. 1). Centrally, there was granulation tissue, which appeared healthy. There were surrounding dermatitic changes. Dorsalis pedis and the posterior tibial pulses were normal. Figure 1 Photograph. of the ulcer Download figure to PowerPoint Noninvasive vascular studies revealed severe venous incompetence of the right popliteal and superficial veins. Arterial studies and transcutaneous oximetry were normal. Computed tomographic scan of the pelvis did not reveal any adenopathy, and radiographic imaging did not reveal any bony changes suggestive of osteomyelitis. Biopsy of the ulcer edge and base showed infiltrating basal cell carcinoma ( Fig. 2). Mohs' micrographic surgery required three layers; the final extent of the ulcer was 7.8 × 6.9 cm. A split-thickness skin graft was placed. Figure 2 Histologic. section from biopsy specimen of edge/base of ulcer (hematoxylin and eosin; × 67) Download figure to PowerPoint
Impact behavior of nylon‐66 compositions: Ductile‐brittle transitions

The ductile-brittle transitions of nylon-66 compositions were studied by Izod and falling weight tests. Samples included unmodified and impact modified compositions. Brittle breaks did not occur in the toughest resin with changes in rate of loading, notch radius, thickness, or distance and orientation to the gate. A fracture mechanism is proposed.
Nitric oxide inhibits rat intestinal secretion by Clostridium difficile toxin A but not Vibrio cholerae enterotoxin

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intestinal inflammation is associated with increased synthesis of nitric oxide, whereas inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) reduces experimental chronic intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to test the effects of NO blockers and donors on acute intestinal inflammation induced by Clostridium difficile toxin A in rat ileum. METHODS: Rats received NOS inhibitors or NO donors before measurement of toxin-mediated ileal secretion and permeability changes. Mucosal mast cell and neutrophil activity were measured by release of rat mast cell protease II and myeloperoxidase activity, respectively. RESULTS: NOS inhibitors augmented but an NO donor inhibited toxin A- mediated ileal secretion and permeability when given before but not after toxin administration. Neither an NOS inhibitor nor an NO donor had any effect on cholera toxin-mediated secretion. Mast cell degranulation and neutrophil infiltration occurred after injection of toxin A or an NOS inhibitor, whereas the NO donor blocked both toxin A effects. CONCLUSIONS: NOS inhibitors augmented and an NO donor blocked the intestinal effects of toxin A but not of cholera toxin. NO protects against toxin A by inhibition of intestinal mast cells and neutrophils, which are activated by toxin A, but not by cholera toxin. (Gastroenterology 1996 Aug;111(2):409-18)
Experimental Supersonic Combustion Research at NASA Langley

Experimental supersonic combustion research related to hypersonic airbreathing propulsion has been actively underway at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) since the mid-1960's. This research involved experimental investigations of fuel injection, mixing, and combustion in supersonic flows and numerous tests of scramjet engine flowpaths in LaRC test facilities simulating flight from Mach 4 to 8. Out of this research effort has come scramjet combustor design methodologies, ground test techniques, and data analysis procedures. These technologies have progressed steadily in support of the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) program and the current Hyper-X flight demonstration program. During NASP nearly 2500 tests of 15 scramjet engine models were conducted in LaRC facilities. In addition, research supporting the engine flowpath design investigated ways to enhance mixing, improve and apply nonintrusive diagnostics, and address facility operation. Tests of scramjet combustor operation at conditions simulating hypersonic flight at Mach numbers up to 17 also have been performed in an expansion tube pulse facility. This paper presents a review of the LaRC experimental supersonic combustion research efforts since the late 1980's, during the NASP program, and into the Hyper-X Program.
Discovering new ADP-ribose polymer cycles: protecting the genome and more.

The authors thank Gilbert de Murcia, Valerie Kickhoefer and Susan Smith for very helpful comments on the manuscript. The authors are supported by research grants from the National Institutes of Health (CA43894, CA65579, NS38496) and Niadyne, Inc. (The authors are principals in Niadyne Inc., whose sponsored research is managed in accordance with University of Kentucky conflict-of-interest policies.)
Waterflooding Performance Using Dykstra-Parsons as Compared With Numerical Model Performance (includes associated papers 6403 and 6404 and 6407 and 6411 and 6416 )

Multilayered models have been used by a number of investigators to represent heterogeneous reservoirs. The purpose of this note is to present waterflood performance for multilayered systems using the standard Dykstra-Parsons method as method as compared with that predicted by the modified form using equations given and those obtained by using a numerical model. The predicted oil recovery, using Johnson charts or the standard Dykstra-Parsons recovery modulus chart is always conservative, if not overly pessimistic. The modified Dykstra-Parsons method, as explained in the text, shows good agreement with the numerical model.
Estimating the proportion of monthly precipitation that falls in solid form.

Abstract In applications where a monthly temporal resolution is employed, an important variable is the proportion of monthly precipitation that falls in solid form. Globally applicable equations for estimating this variable developed by previously published research are reevaluated. A revised equation developed 20 years ago by the lead author for climatological analysis works well for long-term data but not for actual monthly averages. A new equation, therefore, is developed for use with monthly data using an Arctic database of stations above 50°N latitude. These two equations have mean absolute fit errors of 0.0569 and 0.0614, respectively. The data were split into four regions—North America, northern Europe, northern Asia, and Greenland—and were also evaluated for the effect of elevation or seasonality influences. Results suggest that seasonality also is an important variable, particularly to differentiate between midwinter and transition months (i.e., October and April).
Oceanic flood deposits on the northern California shelf: large-scale distribution and small-scale physical properties

Abstract Flooding by northern California's Eel River in January 1995, March 1995 and January 1997 produced sedimentologically and geochemically distinct deposits on the adjacent continental shelf. X-radiographs collected during an extensive suite of box coring cruises revealed that these layers extended along-shelf for up to 50 km, were in water depths of 50–110 m and were up to 8 cm thick. The areal distribution of the three flood layers was remarkably similar, with
Crack interaction in an infinite elastic strip

Abstract The problem considers an arbitrary number of colinear and unequal size Griffith cracks opened by a non-uniform internal pressure in an infinite elastic strip. The cracks are located halfway between and parallel to the surfaces of the 2-dimensional medium. By appropriate integral transformations the mixed boundary value problem is reduced to singular integral equations. The stress intensity factors, crack openings and crack energies are then determined for many different cases.
A note on tests for interaction in quantal response data

There are few distribution-free methods for detecting interaction in fixed-dose trials involving quantal response data, despite the fact that such trials are common. We present three new tests to address this issue, including a simple bootstrap procedure. We examine the power of the likelihood ratio test and our new bootstrap test statistic using an innovative linear extrapolation power-estimation technique described in Boos, D. D. and Zhang, J. (2000) in Monte Carlo evaluation of resampling-based hypothesis tests. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 95, 486–492.
NK cell colony formation from human fetal thymocytes

Abstract We established a clonal cell culture system for human natural killer (NK) cells from fetal thymocytes. Thymocytes of 16 to 22 gestational weeks were cultured in methylcellulose in the presence of interleukin (IL)-7, IL-15, and steel factor (SF). After 14 days in incubation, large, diffuse colonies consisting of small cells were identified. Cells in the colonies were medium- to large-sized granular lymphocytes, expressing CD56 but not CD3, and revealed lytic activity against K562 cells. Colony-forming units (CFU)-NK were enriched in lineage negative (Lin − ) CD34 ++ subpopulations of fetal thymocytes, whereas a smaller number of CFU-NK also existed in Lin − CD34 + and Lin − CD34 − subpopulations. Cytokine requirement for the NK cell colony formation was examined under serum-free conditions. As a single agent, only IL-15, but not IL-2, IL-7, or SF, supported NK cell colony formation. IL-15 had synergy with IL-7 and SF independently, and the maximal number of colonies were obtained when the three cytokines were present. IL-2 also supported NK cell colony formation in the presence of SF. When IL-2 was added to cultures containing IL-15 alone, IL-15 plus SF, or IL-15, SF, and IL-7, the numbers of NK cell colonies were reduced relative to those without IL-2. These results indicate that IL-2 may regulate IL-15–responsive NK cell progenitors. This clonal culture system will be a useful tool in the investigation of NK cell ontogeny.
What Children Learn About Death from Film (502)

Objectives 1. Examine the relationship between children’s films and children’s comprehension of death. 2. Discuss the exploration of the experience of death for children through film. 3. Identify cinematic resources for use in the teaching of concepts related to children’s grief. Children’s comprehension of death depends on their experiences with death and their individual developmental level. One way that they experience death is through viewing films. This session explores the relationship between how film represents one of the most basic elements of life (death) and how these images impact children’s views of dying and death. Additionally, this session will discuss artistic representations of dying and death in children’s films that can be critically analyzed against the backdrop of reality. The significance of this session lies in the reality that popular culture has an easier access to a child’s heart and mind and can have a great influence over a child’s understanding of death. Films can broach complex issues for children, such as raising the consciousness and understanding of issues relating to dying and death. This increased awareness of issues that are hidden and neglected by society impacts attitudes and beliefs regarding dying and death. A cinematic approach can both help and hinder children in their processing of difficult issues while giving them the opportunity to extend or transcend artistic expression to the human experience of death. Understanding how to use film to introduce the concept of death into discussions between children, peers, and adults will be discussed.
Hot electrons and energy transport in metals at millikelvin temperatures.

Using a new technique, we measure the energy-loss lifetime for electrons in a metal from 25 to 320 mK. Applying a small electric field, of order 1 μV/cm at 25 mK, causes carriers to heat above the temperature of the phonon bath. The temperature difference induced reflects the rate of energy transport between the electrons and lattice. The 1-ms energy-loss lifetime and 1-cm inelastic diffusion length we have measured at 25 mK are the largest ever obtained.
Innovation and market growth in a new ‘New World’ wine region: the case of North Carolina

Using a broad theoretical framework of informal network interactions, resource endowments and institutional analysis, this paper examines the cycles of failure and success in the effects to establish a wine industry in a region in the South Eastern USA. Early attempts to grow vinifera grapes persistently failed because until recent decades there was no information available about how to combat diseases. Muscadine-based wines, from a native grape, flourished but then fell foul of institutional pressures (prohibition) that eliminated the industry at the beginning of the twentieth century. The industry's rebirth since the 1970s, initially with muscadines but then in recent decades focused upon vinifera and hybrids, is a product of informal networks where crucial knowledge has been shared, resource-rich leader firms have established professional production methods and provided operational benchmarks, and institutional support that has encouraged new industry entrants.
Increased TNFα production and Cox-2 activity in organotypic brain slice cultures from APPsw transgenic mice

Abstract β-Amyloid (Aβ) peptides are the principal component of senile plaques and vascular deposits in Alzheimer's disease and are derived from the proteolytic cleavage of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). We have previously shown that synthetic Aβ can stimulate cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) activity in brain organotypic slice cultures. In the present study, we used brain slices from transgenic APP Swedish (TgAPPsw) mice and control littermates of different age groups to determine the effect of APP overexpression on the levels of prostaglandin and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) release. The production of eicosanoid and TNFα was increased as a function of age in organotypic brain slice culture from TgAPPsw mice compared to age matched control littermates. We also showed that the selective Cox-2 inhibitor NS-398 reduces the production of eicosanoid and TNFα in organotypic brain slice cultures of TgAPPsw mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that either activity or expression of Cox-2 is increased in TgAPPsw mice brains as a function of age, contributing to an increased production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and TNFα.
Size, life history and ecology in mammals

ummary Allometric laws which scale numerous biomechanical and physiological processes to size in mammals have long been recognized and widely used in biology. There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that those life history parameters such as growth and maximum rates of reproduction, which depend in part on metabolic rate, are also scaled to size. Data are presented which, coupled with a literature review, show that gestation time, growth rates, age at first reproduction, lifespan, the intrinsic rate of natural increase, birth rate, net reproductive rate and litter weight are allometrically scaled to size and are, in consequence, inter-related. The exponents of the scaling functions are similar in all mammalian orders but in some taxa such as the primates, the species grow slower, live longer and reproduce at a lower rate. For these taxa the differences in life history parameters can be explained by differences in brain size and an existing hypothesis that the maximum rate of neural tissue growth constrains the maximum rate of growth and development of the entire organism. It is then argued that because size scales the main life history parameters of mammals it should also be a central theme in ecology from the individual to the community level of organisation. Examples are presented to show that size is ubiquitous in ecology and accounts for most of the variation in life history parameters between species. Size scaling offers a method of reducing species of varying size to similar dimensions of time, space and rates of action. It is therefore fundamental in distinguishing those life history parameters which arise as a consequence of size, the first order strategies, from those that vary between populations and according to environmental circumstances, the second order strategies. From this approach should develop a broader biological synthesis in which genetic and physiological determinants will inevitably feature more centrally than they do in ecological and behavioural theory. Resume Les lois allometriques unissant les processus biomecaniques et physiologiques avec la taille chez les mammiferes ont ete reconnues depuis longtemps et largement utilisees en biologic Il y a maintenant assez de certitude pour suggerer que les parametres biologiques tels que croissance et taux maximal de reproduction, qui dependent partiellement du rendement metabolique, sont aussi fonctions de la taille. Les donnees presentees ici, couplees avec une revue de la litterature, montrent que la duree de gestation, le taux de croissance, l'âge a la premiere reproduction, la duree de vie, le taux intrinseque d'accroissement naturel, le taux de natalite, le taux de reproduction net et le poids de la portee sont en relation allometrique avec la taille et, par consequent, sont en interrelation.
Elastomeric binary phase gratings for measuring acceleration, displacement, strain, and stress

This article describes the fabrication and operating principles of a device suitable for measuring displacements, stresses, strains, accelerations, and forces. The device consists of an elastomeric material with a surface relief diffraction grating embossed on its surface. Mechanical compression of this element changes the way that it diffracts light. This article also describes designs and performance characteristics of simple accelerometers and pressure sensors based on these devices.
Direct observation and analysis of crack propagation in iron-3% silicon single crystals☆

Microcracks, 10−2 cm long on {100} planes, are produced by precipitation of hydrogen in iron-3% silicon single crystals when hydrogen is introduced either by cathodic charging, or by quenching from a hydrogen atmosphere at a high temperature. Plastic deformation produced during growth of cracks can be observed as arrays of decorated dislocations in the volume of the crystals. The slip planes involved in plastic deformation around the tip of a crack have been identified and they are in accord with these predicted from theoretical considerations. Because of the discontinuous nature of the process of crack growth under internal pressure, it is possible to determine the ratio of the work done in starting a crack to the work done in propagating it, as a function of crack length. This ratio is of the order of unity for cracks about 10−2 cm long. Values for the distance to which plastic deformation extends from the tip of a stationary crack were measured and they compare favorably with values predicted from theoretical considerations.
A basis for accelerated progression of diabetic nephropathy in Pima Indians.

A basis for accelerated progression of diabetic nephropathy in Pima Indians. The Pima Indians of Arizona not only have a much higher incidence of nephropathy due to type 2 diabetes than Caucasians, but they also lose their renal function at an accelerated rate after they develop diabetic nephropathy. This rapid loss of renal function occurs despite a younger age of onset of nephropathy and lower blood pressures and lipid levels, all of which would seem to predict a slower rate of progression of nephropathy. These findings suggest that other factors contribute to the rapid progression of renal disease in this population. In particular, glomerulomegaly in this population may contribute to the high rate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) loss during the terminal, clinically manifest phase of nephropathy, because of the greater incremental loss of single-nephron GFR (SNGFR) with each nephron lost to sclerosis. In nine Pima Indians with type 2 diabetic nephropathy who underwent renal biopsy followed by serial iothalamate clearances for up to ten years, we examined the relationship between glomerular tuft volume at initial biopsy and the rate of GFR loss during the terminal phase. By multivariate analysis, significant independent effects of both glomerular volume ( P = 0.006) and podocyte density ( P = 0.043) were evident in these individuals. The effect of glomerular volume may result from a greater loss of intrinsic filtration capacity with each glomerulus lost, while the effect of podocyte density may reflect the destabilizing influence of "podocyte insufficiency" on the glomerular tuft. Similar factors may play a role in the rapid loss of GFR associated with progressive glomerular diseases in other indigenous populations in whom glomerulomegaly and glomerulopenia coexist.
Significance of Iatrogenic Pneumothoraces

The purpose of this study was to review the cases of iatrogenic pneumothorax that occurred between October 1983 and December 1988 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Long Beach, Calif, to determine the treatment and complications. During this time period, 106 patients were identified with iatrogenic pneumothorax, and the charts of 98 were available for review. There were 90 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax at this institution during the same time period. The most common cause of iatrogenic pneumothorax was transthoracic needle aspiration (35), followed by thoracentesis (30), subclavian venipuncture (23), and positive pressure ventilation (7). In 11 cases, the cause was due to miscellaneous triggers. The majority of the patients (65 of 98) were treated with chest tubes. The chest tubes were in place 4.7 ± 3.9 days. Nine of the patients required a second chest tube. Aspiration of the pneumothorax only was attempted in five patients, and all patients subsequently received a chest tube. Two patients died from iatrogenic pneumothorax. One patient receiving positive pressure ventilation developed an unrecognized tension pneumothorax. The other patient developed a pneumothorax after thoracentesis and was treated with a chest tube, which led to a staphylococcal empyema and death. From this study, we conclude that the incidence of iatrogenic pneumothorax exceeds that of spontaneous pneumothorax and that there is substantial morbidity and some mortality from iatrogenic pneumothorax.
Pulse structure studies and absolute cavity length determination for a synchronously pumped picosecond dye laser

Abstract Second harmonic cross correlation functions of a pulse with its near neighbor have been studied in a synchronously pumped cw dye laser. Measurements were made both as a function of dye laser cavity length mismatch and the number of cavity round trips separating the correlated pulses. The pulse envelope is found to have a characteristic interpulse frequency determined by the pump laser, whereas the pulse substructure has a characteristic frequency determined by the dye laser cavity length. The cross correlation measurements allow experimental determination of the dye laser length corresponding to exact synchrony. In contrast to theoretical predictions the length of exact synchrony corresponds to optimum pulse shape and duration. Our results are discussed in terms of a simple model which leads to pulse duration estimates as much as twice those obtained by conventional analysis of autocorrelation traces.
The benzoquinone ansamycin 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin binds to HSP90 and shares important biologic activities with geldanamycin.

Purpose: Benzoquinone ansamycins are antibiotics with anticancer potential. First described as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, they are now frequently used to target HSP90 chaperone function. While herbimycin A and geldanamycin (GA) have been widely used in preclinical studies, both drugs are poor candidates for clinical trials owing to their in vivo toxicity and lack of stability. We therefore examined the biologic effects of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AG), an ansamycin derivative with lower in vivo toxicity than GA. Methods: Binding of 17-AG to HSP90 was studied in vitro using a GA-affinity beads competition assay. We analyzed the drug-induced destabilization of p185erbB2, Raf-1 and mutant p53 in SKBR3 breast cancer cells by Western blotting. The antiproliferative activities of 17-AG and GA were compared using the MTT assay. Results: We found that, in a similar manner to GA itself, 17-AG bound specifically to HSP90. It also led to degradation of the receptor tyrosine kinase p185erbB2, the serine/threonine kinase Raf-1 and mutant p53. Both GA and 17-AG displayed comparable antiproliferative effects in SKBR3 and MCF7 cells. Even though HSP90 binding by 17-AG was weaker than by GA, 17-AG and GA caused biologic effects in tumor cells at similar doses. Conclusion: 17-AG shares the important biologic features of its parent compound GA. Since 17-AG has a better toxicity profile than GA, it is an interesting candidate benzoquinone ansamycin for clinical development.
Solid-State NMR Investigations of Peptide−Lipid Interaction and Orientation of a β-Sheet Antimicrobial Peptide, Protegrin†

Protegrin-1 (PG-1) is a broad-spectrum β-sheet antimicrobial peptide found in porcine leukocytes. The mechanism of action and the orientation of PG-1 in lipid bilayers are here investigated using 2H, 31P, 13C, and 15N solid-state NMR spectroscopy. 2H spectra of mechanically aligned and chain-perdeuterated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayers indicate that PG-1 at high concentrations destroys the orientational order of the aligned lamellar bilayer. The conformation of the lipid headgroups in the unoriented region is significantly altered, as seen from the 31P spectra of POPC and the 2H spectra of headgroup-deuterated 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine. These observations indicate that PG-1 disrupts microbial membranes by breaking the extended bilayer into smaller disks, where a significant fraction of lipids is located in the edges of the disks with a distribution of orientations. These edges allow the lipid bilayer to bend back on itself as in toroidal pores....
Characterization of WR-1065 absorption in the rat small intestine

A circulating in situ rat small intestine absorption model was used to study the lumenal metabolism and absorption of [14C]WR-1065. WR-1065 was found to be more tissue reactive and toxic than its phosphorylated form, ethiofos, at equimolar perfusate concentrations. The disappearance profiles of the radiolabeled drug and free WR-1065 indicate that WR-1065 is extensively metabolized in the intestinal lumen prior to absorption. Coadministration of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid enhances the absorption of the free thiol although not to the same extent as seen with ethiofos. Perfusion of WR-1065 in citrate buffer decreased lumenal degradation of the drug but resulted in decreased absorption. The total material converted to WR-1065 portal blood profiles following ethiofos and WR-1065 perfusion were altered possibly due to distribution and metabolism differences. This study coupled with earlier work completed on ethiofos have increased our understanding of the significant barriers to absorption observed following oral administration of these compounds.
From Enjoyment to Critical Thinking: A Journey of Developing Creativity and Critical Awareness in Story Writing in a Melanesian Community

Abstract Unlike the previous one-way transmission of Western knowledge to indigenous societies, this study presents an incorporation of local knowledge when introducing educational theories and practices to a local community in Papua New Guinea. This study also describes a process of local people with strong oral tradition beginning to understand theories of creative writing by actually practising to create stories. It is a collaborative study between local indigenous teachers, who play the major role, and the researcher, who plays the role of facilitator.
Phenology of Flight and Walking by Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Adults in Western Massachusetts

The phenology of flight and walking movements of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) adults was studied in a potato field in western Massachusetts using windowpane and pitfall traps. There were two periods of flight activity concurrent with postdiapause and appearance of first-generation adults in the field, and three periods of walking activity concurrent with postdiapause and appearance of first- and second-generation adults. Second-generation adults did not fly. We observed three distinct flight behaviors: local flight in and around the study field, long-distance flight that removed the beetle from the habitat, and diapause flight to nearby woods. Use of rubidium chloride as a marking agent allowed us to determine the origin of adults collected in the windowpane traps. The traps detected mostly local flight activity and were inefficient at monitoring migratory flights. A study in which first-generation adults were netted while they initiated long-distance flight on 24 July and 11 August 1987 revealed two distinct flight behaviors: the first group fed and oviposited after being captured and the second group did not feed or oviposit but entered diapause. We suggest that adults that emerge in July engage in aseasonal migration, which is a regular part of their life cycle, whereas adults that emerge later exhibit diapause-mediated seasonal migration, which is in response to diapause-inducing conditions.
47.4: Blue Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Device Stability Analysis

based on defect generation by exciton-polaron annihilation interactions between the emitter and host molecules, in a blue phosphorescent OLED, is shown to fit well with experimental data. A blue PHOLED with (0.15, 0.25) chromaticity is shown to have a half- life, from 1,000 nits, of 690 hrs. 1. Introduction operational stability of blue phosphorescent organic light emitting devices (PHOLED TM s) (1) presents a challenge to their wide-spread acceptance for use in large-area displays and solid- state lighting (2). However, the steady progress in green and red PHOLED efficiencies and lifetime are testament to the strengths of phosphorescent emitters to provide long operational lifetime with high efficiency. Table I shows the state of the art for PHOLED device performance. Green and red PHOLEDs have high efficacies and long lifetime to meet the specifications for display applications, and these characteristics have been engineered through the development of synthetic and fabrication processes, materials design and device architectures. A deep understanding of device failure is still needed to achieve similar performance characteristics for saturated blue PHOLEDs. The intrinsic luminance loss and voltage rise accompanying long term device operation are not well understood (3), and various hypotheses have been offered to explain the basis for intrinsic degradation in device efficiency, with the most widely accepted advocating chemical degradation of a fraction of the emissive molecules (2). Presumably, bond cleavage produces radical fragments, which then participate in further radical addition reactions to form more degradation products. These products act as non-radiative recombination centers, luminescence quenchers, and deep charge traps. For example, evidence has recently been presented that the excited states themselves may form reaction centers in the case of the common host material 4,4'-bis(9-carbazolyl)-2,2'-biphenyl (CBP) (4).