cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
140 Characters or Less: Maintaining Privacy and Publicity in the Age of Social Networking

Through the advances of technology, people and information are accessible at virtually any time with the touch of a button. The effect of technology’s continuous growth is widespread in the sports world. No longer do you have to wait to get home or find the nearest television to find the score of the game or the latest stats on your favorite player. A cell phone with Internet access can provide you with all of the information you could want, including a way to watch the game live. In fact, technology has gone one step further and allows you direct access to the thoughts of those directly involved with your favorite team through social networking. Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook allow anyone to express his or her thoughts and actions to friends and followers.1 Additionally, these sites have granted public access to elite athletes and other influential people. The inclusion of celebrities to these sites is fairly new; however, the effects (both good and bad) are starting to reveal themselves. Comments made by professional athletes could be free promotional material for their teams and sport, or they could create a public relations nightmare. This fine line between good and bad publicity via social networking came to light with the 2010 free agency deals of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before the 2010 NBA Playoffs began, speculation regarding free agency became headline news when Chris Bosh, then starting forward for the Toronto Raptors,2 took to his Twitter page and asked a simple question, “Should I stay or should I go?”3 This tweet created a media firestorm and fan frenzy as people concluded that this statement meant Bosh, in the last year of his
Mathematical Modeling of Laser Surface Treatments

An experimenter is faced with a multi-parameter problem in understanding the laser surface treatment. The interrelationship between the variables is difficult to establish without extensive factorial experimentation. Alternatively, an assumed physical picture of the process can be modeled mathematically, and the model’s results can be compared to experimental results to test the model’s validity and thus, by inference, the physical model. Therefore, by modeling associated transport phenomena, the required process parameters can be estimated.
Localization of the polyadenylate sequences in messenger ribonucleic acid and in the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleic acid of HeLa cells.

Poly(A) sequences are covalently bound to the 3′ termini of mRNA and many heterogeneous nuclear RNA molecules of HeLa cells. Localization of the poly(A) sequences has been established in these experiments by the observation that a large fraction of the label introduced in the oxidized 2′,3′-cis-glycol groups of these RNAs by sodium borohydride reduction, is recovered in the poly(A) sequences released from these RNAs by ribonucleases A and T1. Similar conclusions were reached by analyses of the 3′ ends of the poly(A) sequences released by these ribonucleases from adenosine-labeled RNAs. These same 3′ end group-labeling techniques have shown that a short poly(A) sequence of about 20 nucleotides found in heterogeneous nuclear RNA is not at the 3′ end.
Idempotents a la mod.

SummaryAn idempotent satisfies the equation x2 = x. In ordinary arithmetic, this is so easy to solve it's boring. We delight the mathematical palette here, topping idempotents off with modular arit...
Synthesis of Polyolefin-PMMA Graft Copolymers

Due to low surface energy, lack of chemical functionalities, and crystallinity polyolefins possess poor interactions with other materials. Polyolefins exhibit inadequate compatibility with other synthetic polymers and virtually no adhesion to metal or glass. If these problems could be overcome it would phenomenally expand the available market for polyolefin applications. Accordingly, the chemical modification of polyolefins, especially polypropylene, has been an area of intense interest as a route to improve these commodity polymers.
Labeling of mesenchymal stem cells by bioconjugated quantum dots

Long-term labeling of stem cells during self-replication and differentiation benefits investigations of development and tissue regeneration. We report the labeling of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with RGD-conjugated quantum dots (QDs) during self-replication, and multilineage differentiations into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic cells. QD-labeled hMSCs remained viable as unlabeled hMSCs from the same subpopulation. These findings suggest the use of bioconjugated QDs as an effective probe for long-term labeling of stem cells.
Mindshifting: The Critical Thinking Leader

How does a leader shift their underlying perceptions about leadership? How might someone transform their thinking from an autocratic or paternalistic view to a servant-minded view? The mindshifts considered will deal with the leader’s view of himself or herself, the leader’s view of the led, and the leader’s view of the true purpose of leadership. Models of critical thinking will be applied to the practical challenge of addressing and changing our mental models to leverage our servant leadership power. The Mindset Pathways Model is presented, providing a way to seek lasting leadership mindset change. Multiple mindsets are considered and contrasted in this model to provide direction for the critical thinking leader.
Perspectives on the non-replication of associations of "loneliness" with systolic blood pressure and HbAlc: Methodological and mental health considerations a commentary on Das (2018).

Abstract Das (2018) presents a critique of the loneliness literature in terms of design (viz., small samples and the existence of only one longitudinal study) and potentially flawed data analyses that do not take into account clustering factors such as where the participants live. With respect to loneliness, Das's analysis of two large longitudinal population studies showed neither evidence of a high prevalence nor associations with the cardiometabolic measures, thereby providing additional questions regarding the role of loneliness in the causal chain of health and well-being. If questions concerning what loneliness is and its causal role in the chain of biological, personological, social, and cultural health and well-being are not clearly elucidated, then misconceptions of the role of loneliness construct can arise. Although Das indicates that differences in the assessment of loneliness may contribute to the failure to replicate associations, other individual differences and methodological factors may confound interpretation of the causal role of loneliness; these points warrant further comment, which is the focus of this commentary.
Lower Depression Scores among Walnut Consumers in NHANES

Background: Multiple studies have shown a Mediterranean diet, characterized by their olive oil and nut consumption, to be correlated with lower depression risk. Objective: To examine whether part of this reduced risk in the United States is attributable to walnut consumption, we analyzed data on walnut consumption and depression scores from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: NHANES survey data for 2005 through 2014 was pooled for adults with 24 h recall dietary data. Depression scores were based on PHQ-9 self-report responses. A total of 26,656 participants were characterized as reporting the consumption of walnuts with high certainty, walnuts with other nuts, other nuts, or no nuts. Results: After an adjustment for covariates, walnut consumers showed lower depression scores compared to non-nut consumers. The least square mean for total depression score was 26% lower for walnut with high certainty consumers than for non-nut consumers (p < 0.0001), and the association was stronger among women (32%, p < 0.0001) than men (21%, p = 0.05). The significant contributors to this difference were due to walnut consumers reporting greater interest in doing things (p = 0.003), less hopelessness (p = 0.02), and feeling more energetic (p = 0.05) than non-nut consumers. Non-nut consumers were more likely to have trouble concentrating (p = 0.02), to feel they were moving or speaking abnormally (p = 0.03), and to have thought they were better off dead (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Depression scores were significantly lower among nut consumers and particularly walnut consumers as compared to non-nut consumers. After controlling for potential covariates, walnut users had scores significantly lower than other nut consumers. The difference was strongest among women, who are more likely than men to report higher depression scores.
P8 Demographic Profiles of Patients Who Report Receiving Lifestyle Counseling for Diabetes Prevention

Background More than 33% of adults in the US have prediabetes yet only 11% report having been diagnosed with the condition (CDC). Lifestyle counseling has been shown to reduce risk for progression to diabetes. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of lifestyle counseling for diabetes prevention and demographic associations of adults who have self-reported prediabetes. Study Design, Settings, Participants Data include adults who self-reported they were informed by a provider to have prediabetes, be at risk for diabetes and/or be borderline for diabetes (n = 1110) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Lifestyle counseling outcomes are weight loss, physical activity and nutrition recommendations. Frequencies of demographics (gender, poverty level, race/ethnicity, age and BMI) are summarized for these outcomes. Chi-square testing determined association for outcomes and multiple logistic regression showed predictive association between outcomes and demographics. Results Rates of lifestyle counseling for the self-reported prediabetes population range between 31% - 60%. BMI is associated with all counseling outcomes, with obesity being the largest predictor of provider counseling about weight loss (OR 20.0; CL 7.0, 57.5), physical activity (OR 4.0; CL 2.0, 7.8), reduction of fat/calories (OR 4.4; CL 2.7, 7.4), and reduction of sodium (OR 5.6; CL 2.9, 11.0). Sodium reduction is the only outcome associated with multiple demographics: poverty (P = .0007), race/ethnicity (P Conclusion Provider conversations about lifestyle change for diabetes prevention are variable. To better understand how providers give lifestyle counseling to prevent prediabetes progression to diabetes, future research can examine salience of topics, barriers and causes of possible disparities.
Tasty waste: industrial fermentation and the creative destruction of MSG

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) traveled to America in the Pacific theatre of World War II. The flavor-enhancing food additive was known in the U.S. beforehand, but it was the experience of Japanese mil...
Injury-related behavior and neuronal plasticity: an evolutionary perspective on sensitization, hyperalgesia, and analgesia.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses evolutionary aspects of injury-related behavior, and examines behavioral, physiological, and molecular aspects of potentially adaptive behavioral reactions to injury. Common behavioral alterations produced by noxious stimulation in vertebrates and invertebrates are noted and placed into a tentative adaptive framework. Particular emphasis is placed on the defensive functions and underlying mechanisms of sensitization, which is defined broadly and applied at three different levels: behavioral sensitization, network sensitization, and cellular sensitization. Emerging results from quite separate lines of research on cellular and molecular correlates of nociceptive sensitization (network and cellular) in vertebrates and invertebrates are compared. With nociceptive sensitization, a specific adaptive hypothesis about reactions to peripheral axotomy was proposed, which explained patterns of hyperexcitability seen in various neurons following injury to their axons. A comparison, across diverse species, of neural reactions to bodily injury, or to signals likely to be associated with bodily injury, revealed similarities and differences between vertebrates and invertebrates.
Fine and hyperfine structure of the 3 super 2 P term in lithium.

Fine and hyperfine structure of term in 3p level of lithium studied by level-crossing spectroscopy technique, determining fine structure separation value
Potential hormonal and neurochemical biomarkers for postpartum depression

Abstract Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 10% of women worldwide. However, reliable biomarkers for PPD have not been established. Given the profound hormonal changes that occur perinatally, much of the research on biological underpinnings of PPD has focused on ovarian steroid hormones such as estradiol and progesterone. While hormonal factors likely play an important role in PPD etiology, there are likely other biological contributing factors. In this chapter, we review clinical evidence for potential biomarkers of PPD, including steroid hormones, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hormones, monoamines, immune factors, and genetic and epigenetic factors.
Role of opioid receptors in modulation of P2X receptor-mediated cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflex response

Myocardial ischemia evokes powerful reflex responses through activation of vagal and sympathetic afferents in the heart through the release of ischemic metabolites. We have demonstrated that extracellular ATP stimulates cardiac sympathetic afferents through P2 receptor-mediated mechanism, and that opioid peptides suppress these afferents’ activity. However, the roles of both P2 receptor and endogenous opioids in cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflex (CSR) responses remain unclear. We therefore hypothesized that activation of cardiac P2 receptor evokes CSR responses by stimulating cardiac sympathetic afferents and these CSR responses are modulated by endogenous opioids. We observed that intrapericardial injection of α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP, P2X receptor agonist), but not ADP (P2Y receptor agonist), caused a graded increase in mean arterial pressure in rats with sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy. This effect of α,β-meATP was abolished by blockade of cardiac neural transmission with intrapericardial procaine treatment and eliminated by intrapericardial A-317491, a selective P2X2/3 and P2X3 receptor antagonist. Intrapericardial α,β-meATP also evoked CSR response in vagus-intact rats. Furthermore, the P2X receptor-mediated CSR responses were enhanced by intrapericardial naloxone, a specific opioid receptor antagonist. These data suggest that stimulation of cardiac P2X2/3 and P2X3, but not P2Y receptors, powerfully evokes CSR responses through activation of cardiac spinal afferents, and that endogenous opioids suppress the P2X receptor-mediated CSR responses.
Octave band noise exposure: Laboratory models and otoprotection efforts

With advances in the understanding of mechanisms of noise injury, the past 30 years have brought numerous efforts to identify drugs that prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The diverse protocols used across investigations have made comparisons across drugs difficult. A systematic review of the literature by Hammill [(2017). Doctoral thesis, The University of Texas at Austin] identified original reports of chemical interventions to prevent or treat hearing loss caused by noise exposure. An initial search returned 3492 articles. After excluding duplicate articles and articles that did not meet the systematic review inclusion criteria, a total of 213 studies published between 1977 and 2016 remained. Reference information, noise exposure parameters, species, sex, method of NIHL assessment, and pharmaceutical intervention details for these 213 studies were entered into a database. Frequency-specific threshold shifts in control animals (i.e., in the absence of pharmaceutical intervention) are reported here. Specific patterns of hearing loss as a function of species and noise exposure parameters are provided to facilitate the selection of appropriate pre-clinical models. The emphasis of this report is octave band noise exposure, as this is one of the most common exposure protocols across pharmacological otoprotection studies.
Infant language stimulation: a mixed-methods study of low-income families’ preference for and use of ten strategies

Children who receive copious amounts of language stimulation from caring adults are likely to develop strong language skills, whereas children who receive limited language stimulation may experienc...
Smart Skin: Multifunctional Flexible Sensor Arrays

This chapter provides a brief background to the development of multifunctional sensors that can conform to any surface. The objective is to achieve what is now referred to, as “Smart Skin” (sensitive skin as defined by Vladimir Lumelsky, one of its pioneers) is a large area, flexible array of sensors with data processing capabilities. The microsensors are integrated to give the capability of sensing several stimuli, mimicking a real skin, including but not limited to temperature, touch, and flow. Other requirements are flexibility and ability to stretch and wrinkle without any degradation in its sensing figures of merit. Additional capabilities can be incorporated such as biochemical sensing and decision-making, and energy harvesting. When incorporated with thin film transistors fabricated on flexible plastic substrates, a complete “Smart Skin” is achieved.
Prediction of Coupled Hydro-Mechanical Behavior of Unsaturated Soils Based on Seasonal Variations in Hydrologic Conditions

Seasonal variations in hydrologic conditions greatly influence the hydromechanical properties of unsaturated soils. There are several models available to estimate shear strength of unsaturated soil...
Testing and modeling of hurricane wind-driven rain water ingress, propagation, and subsequent interior damage in residential buildings

Abstract Hurricanes are a main cause of economic losses in the world, including Florida. They affect exterior, interior, and the contents of residential buildings. The interior damage can be as much as half of the cost of total damage, but the estimation of the interior damage is still somewhat crude. Most damage models estimate interior damage as a percentage of the exterior damage, or through simple relationships, that relate the height of water ingress in the building to the interior damage. This paper presents a new model for interior and contents damage estimations, which takes into account the physical mechanisms of hurricane-induced interior and contents damage from rainwater ingress. The method incorporates the results of large and full-scale tests to quantify the rainwater propagation and distribution from component to component in the interior of the building, and combines the test results with estimates of water resistance characteristics of the building interior and contents, and with cost analyses. The model is part of the commercial residential low-rise vulnerability model of the Florida Public Hurricane Loss Model (FPHLM). The paper presents the impact of the model on the FPHLM vulnerability curves, and illustrates how the new model can help evaluate mitigation strategies.
Site preferences and ordering in Nb(Al1-xMx)2 (M = Ni or Cu) ternary Laves phases

Abstract The properties of binary Laves phases can often be improved by incorporation of additional elements into the crystal structure. In some cases, only a ternary Laves phase exists in an alloy system but with a substantial homogeneity range. Knowledge of the site preference in these compositionally complex intermetallics is necessary to tune the properties for improved performance. The site preferences and substitutional ordering behavior of two ternary C14 Laves phases Nb(Al1-xNix)2 and Nb(Al1-xCux)2 are studied with first-principles cluster expansion and Monte Carlo simulations. The ternary Laves phases show extended solubility ranges with constant Nb concentration from experiments, but do not have binary Laves analogues AB2 in their respective systems. At low alloying concentrations the alloying elements Ni and Cu have preferences for the 6h B-sites in the respective Nb(Al1-xNix)2 and Nb(Al1-xCux)2 Laves phases. At higher alloying concentrations ( x > 0.25), Cu atoms are distributed with a slight preference for the 6h B-sites, but the Ni atoms show higher preferences for the 2a B-sites. Pair correlation analysis from the Monte Carlo simulations show that both Laves phases prefer heteroatomic 1st and 2nd nearest neighbor pairs. Drop-synthesis calorimetry experiments and first-principles calculations of formation enthalpies as a function of composition are found to be in good agreement. The Monte Carlo simulation also show that the site preferences of the alloying element depend on the preference of homoatomic bond pair-types on the Kagome layers formed by 6h atoms.
Cerebrospinal fluid diversion for leptomeningeal metastasis: palliative, procedural and oncologic outcomes.

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) occurs in 3–5% of patients with solid metastatic tumors and often portends a severe prognosis including symptomatic hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting can provide symptomatic relief in this patient subset; however, few studies have examined the role of shunting in the palliation, prognosis and overall oncologic care of these patients. To identify and evaluate risk factors associated with prognosis after CSF diversion and assess surgical, symptomatic and oncologic outcomes in this population. A retrospective study was conducted on patients with solid-malignancy LM treated with a shunt at a NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2010 and 2019. One hundred and ninety patients with metastatic LM underwent CSF diversion. Overall survival was 4.14 months from LM diagnosis (95% CI: 3.29–4.70) and 2.43 months (95% CI: 2.01–3.09) from shunting. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) at time of shunting and brain metastases (BrM) number at LM diagnosis demonstrated significant associations with survival (HR = 0.66; 95% CI [0.51–0.86], p = 0.002; HR = 1.40; 95% CI [1.01–1.93] per 10 BrM, p = 0.04, respectively). Eighty-three percent of patients experienced symptomatic relief, and 79% were discharged home or to rehabilitation facilities post-shunting. Post-shunt, 56% of patients received additional systemic therapy or started or completed WBRT. Complications included infection (5%), symptomatic subdural hygroma/hematoma (6.3%), and shunt externalization/removal/repair (8%). Abdominal seeding was not identified. CSF diversion for LM with hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension secondary to metastasis can achieve symptomatic relief, hospital discharge, and return to further oncologic therapy, with a complication profile unique to this pathophysiology. However, decision-making in this population must incorporate end-of-life goals of care given limited prognosis.
Geochemical evolution of the Paradise Mountain Caldera complex, Davis Mountains: Implications for the tectonic and magmatic evolution of Trans-Pecos Texas and adjacent Mexico

Abstract The Paradise Mountain Caldera (~20 × 14 km), located west of Fort Davis, Texas, produced two major ignimbrite/lava complexes at ~36.2 and 35.9 Ma. The older unit (Fort Davis Tuff) is composed of rheomorphic tuff and overlying chemically similar lava. The younger unit (Wild Cherry Tuff) forms thick intracaldera deposits and an outflow sheet that spread over an estimated 2000 km2. Near the caldera, the two ignimbrites are separated by trachytic lava of the Mount Locke Formation. The 5-km diameter Point of Rocks intrusion, which crops out within the eastern margin of the caldera, may have fed the Mount Locke flows. Wild Cherry Tuff is overlain by silicic lava (Casket Mountain Formation, ~35.8 Ma), with which is shares chemical similarities. Intracaldera Wild Cherry Tuff was intruded by silicic intrusions and locally intensively silicified and kaolinized. In a revision of stratigraphic nomenclature, we assign all of the above volcanic units to a Barrel Springs Group. Collectively, the above units form a series ranging from trachyte to alkali rhyolite. Glomeroporphyritic trachyte of Mount Locke lavas represents silicic melt incompletely segregated from more mafic material within a source magma chamber. Variation between Mount Locke Formation trachyte and Fort Davis Tuff rhyolite can be modelled by fractionation of a mineral assemblage of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, FeTi oxides, and apatite; variation within the two major tuff units can be modelled almost exclusively by alkali feldspar. Central eruption within the caldera produced intracaldera tuff more evolved than most of its outflow. Alkali rhyolite of the Wild Cherry Tuff and Casket Mountain lavas, although similar in major element chemistry and mineralogy, show wide variation in incompatible trace elements, suggesting that evolution of silicic magmas in terms of major element chemistry had reached an impasse due to fractionation of a mineral assemblage whose bulk composition was similar to that of parental rhyolite. Paradise Mountain units represent a transition from alkalic magmatism in northeastern Trans-Pecos Texas to metaluminous to peraluminous magmatism in southwestern Trans-Pecos Texas and adjacent Mexico. Over a span of 10 Ma, silicic magmatism terminated southwestward over this region at a rate of about 24 km/Ma. This termination may reflect continued foundering of a sinking Farallon slab and associated asthenospheric mantle upwelling. Mafic magma derived by melting of lithospheric mantle formed plutons that, through filter pressing of silicic magma from crystalline mush, generated silicic melts. The transition across the Trans Pecos region from alkalic to metaluminous magmatism may have resulted through preferential modification of lithospheric mantle along the easternmost extent of Laramide subduction.
Learning-aided Asynchronous ADMM for Optimal Power Flow

The synchronization requirement is a bottleneck of many distributed optimization algorithms, particularly for solving problems with computationally heterogeneous subproblems and during the occurrence of communication failure/delay. This paper presents a double-loop learning-aided asynchronous alternating direction method of multipliers (LA-ADMM) that has information prediction capability and handles a considerable level of asynchrony between subproblems. A momentum-extrapolation prediction-correction technique is developed to enable subproblems to predict their neighbors missing shared variable information instead of using the latest received values. An online streaming-based anomaly classification is designed to observe the performance of predicted data and control Lagrange multipliers update over the course of iterations. The proposed LA-ADMM reduces under-utilization of computation resources, especially if subproblems are computationally heterogeneous. This algorithm also enhances distributed optimization robustness against communication failure/delay that may result in a considerable level of asynchrony between subproblems. LA-ADMM is applied to solve the optimal power flow problem for several test systems. Promising results are obtained as compared to the classical synchronous ADMM and asynchronous ADMM without the anomaly switch control.
Exposure to Violence Variety as a Risk Factor for Cigarette Smoking: Relevance of Sensation-Seeking and Impulsivity as Mediators.

Background Prior research has indicated that exposure to violence is a risk factor associated with cigarette smoking. However, the relevance of variety of exposure for predicting this outcome has remained underexplored. This is problematic, as increased variety of exposure may represent a measure of severity of trauma exposure with less recall bias than other measures. Further, related constructs of sensation-seeking and impulsivity have yet to be investigated as mediators of this relationship. It is predicted that increased variety of exposure to violence results in dysfunctional variation in these constructs, leading to increased daily cigarette use. Methods The present study utilizes data from the first three waves of the Pathways to Desistance study to examine these relationships. Generalized structural equation modeling is used to identify direct and indirect effects of interest. A bootstrap resampling process was used to compute normalized standard errors so that indirect effects were not biased. Results Results indicated that lifetime exposure to violence variety prior to baseline predicted increased daily cigarette use at follow-up. Neither sensation-seeking nor impulsivity were significant mediators when both constructs were included in the model, but impulsivity emerged as a significant mediator when separate mediation models were estimated for each construct. Conclusions The findings indicate the potential utility of screening for variety of exposure to violence to determine adolescents who may be at-risk for high frequency cigarette smoking. Programming focused on impulsivity may play a role in addressing cigarette smoking issues stemming from exposure to violence.
Protein Motifs: the Helix‐Turn‐Helix Motif

The helix-turn-helix motif was first observed in the structures of certain proteins that bind to specific regulatory sites on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). It is made up of a part of the protein comprising an α-helix followed by a turn followed by a second α-helix aligned approximately 120° to the first. When the protein binds to its regulatory site, the second α-helix of the helix-turn-helix occupies one of the grooves on the DNA and is critical in recognizing the correct target. Keywords: Cro; CAP; DNA binding; gene regulation
Maintenance of pregnancy in ovariectomized and nonovariectomized mice as an index of progesterone: steroid synergism and antagonism

Abstract The influence of endocrine factors on the maintenance of pregnancy in mice was measured in terms of fetal survival until close to term. Fetuses die promptly after maternal ovariectomy unless appropriate replacement therapy has been begun. Subcutaneous pellets of progesterone improved fetal survival rates in both intact and ovariectomized mice as compared to controls. Eleven other steroids given individually to intact mice increased, did not affect, or decreased fetal survival. When ovariectomy followed implantation of pellets of any of 14 steroids except progesterone, survival of fetuses was at or close to zero. If pregnant mice were ovariectomized after receiving pellets of mixtures of progesterone with one of 16 steroids in proportions of 1:1 and 99:1, fetal survival ranged from 15 to 93 per cent, depending on mixtures and proportions. Cholesterol and pregnanediol were nonhormonal steroids acting synergistically and antagonistically in mixtures with progesterone.
Fundamentals of Fatigue Crack Initiation and Propagation: Some Thoughts

The prediction of fatigue properties of structural materials is rightly recognized as one of the most important engineering problem. Therefore a basic understanding of the fundamental nature of fatigue crack initiation and growth in metals has long been a major scientific challenge starting with the first dislocation model of fatigue crack growth of Bilby et al. in 1963. For this purpose understanding the process of emission of dislocations from cracks, and determining precise expressions for the size of the plastic zone size, the crack-tip opening displacement and the energy release rate of the cracks are some of the major technical challenges. In this short paper we comment briefly on some of our important recent results obtained theoretically and by in-situ TEM studies and discuss how they may contribute to the understanding of the phenomena
Measuring Database Performance in Online Services: A Trace-Based Approach

Many large-scale online services use structured storage to persist metadata and sometimes data. The structured storage is typically provided by standard database servers such as Microsoft's SQL Server. It is important to understand the workloads seen by these servers, both for provisioning server hardware as well as to exploit opportunities for energy savings and server consolidation. In this paper we analyze disk I/O traces from production servers in four internet services as well as servers running TPC benchmarks. We show using a range of load metrics that the services differ substantially from each other and from standard TPC benchmarks. Online services also show significant diurnal patterns in load that can be exploited for energy savings or consolidation. We argue that TPC benchmarks do not capture these important characteristics and argue for developing benchmarks that can be parameterized with workload features extracted from live production workload traces.
Changing the Rules: Social Architectures in Virtual Worlds

In the late 1960s, Mischel (1968) sparked a debate in personality psychology by critiquing the reliance on trait-based frameworks of behavior. While the standard approach had been to measure stable dispositions (such as Extraversion), Mischel argued that behavior was largely determined by situational demands (such as being at a party). In the decades that followed, while there have been loud calls within the field to embrace an interactionist approach, research in personality psychology has still largely sidelined situational factors (Endler and Parker 1992) and has continued to focus on standardizing trait measures (Costa and McCrae 1985; Goldberg 1992).
Functionalized activated carbon for the adsorptive removal of perchlorate from water solutions

Two types of activated carbon, namely, Filtrasorb 400 and Nuchar SA, were functionalized by quaternary ammonium salts (quats), as to enhance perchlorate adsorption. Results showed that the adsorption of quats on Nuchar SA increased with increase in chain length (hydrophobicity) of quats. Filtrasorb 400, however, had limited uptake of long-chain quats such as dodecyltrimethylammonium and hexadecyltrimethylammoium (HDTMA). Results indicated that perchlorate removal by the functionalized activated carbon was directly related to the chain length of the modifying quats. Perchlorate removal by functionalized activated carbon increased with increase in chain length of the modifying quats and became less pH-dependent. Modified Nuchar SA had higher overall perchlorate removal capacity than the modified Filtrasorb F400, but was more strongly affected by pH than Filtrasorb 400. Activated carbon treated with HDTMA exhibited the best perchlorate removal capacity among all quats studied. Results indicated that tailoring the activated carbon surface with HDTMA rendered the activated carbon surface positively charged, which resulted in substantial increase in perchlorate removal compared to unfunctionalized activated carbons.
The Teacher Performance Assessment: Reflections on the Pedagogical Thought Processes of Three Student Teachers

The impacts of the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) on 3 pre-service teachersâ€™ pedagogical thought processes and self perceptions are the focus of this study. Qualitative research procedures included interviews, observations, and coding of the pre-service teachersâ€™ written documents. Emerging themes and implications for teacher education include variance in: 1) the pre-service teachersâ€™ ability to analyze and articulate learner outcome results; 2) how they thought they impacted student learning; and 3) their locus of control.
GEOMETRY AND THE ANOMALOUS HALL EFFECT IN FERROMAGNETS

Geometry crops up in physics in unexpected ways. The example in this talk traces an idea proposed 50 years ago. Mired in controversy from the start, it simmered for a long time as an unresolved problem, but has now re-emerged as a topic with modern appeal. In 1954, Karplus and Luttinger (KL) [1] discovered the earliest instance of the Berry phase [3] in solids when they calculated the charge current of electrons moving in a Bravais lattice with broken time-reversal symmetry (a ferromagnet). They uncovered a quantity Ω(k) that acts like a “magnetic field” in reciprocal space to produce a transverse velocity eE×Ω. The velocity leads to a dissipationless Hall current which, according to KL, accounts for the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) seen in all ferromagnets [1]. Because Berry-phase physics lay far into the future, the KL theory encountered stiff resistance. From the 60’s to late 70’s, Smit’s rival skew-scattering theory [2] gained ascendancy, with apparent support from experiments on dilute Kondo systems, e.g. CuMn (in hindsight, these experiments are irrelevant because the host lattice retains time-reversal invariance). In the past 4 years, interest in topological currents derived from the quantum Hall effects has led to the re-examination of the KL theory from the modern viewpoint [4–9]. The new treatments show that KL’s early perturbative approach has a much broader generality [4, 5]. Experiments [10–13] show that the Berry phase plays a key role in the Hall effect of magnetic materials. The evidence that the KL theory provides the correct explanation of the AHE and Nernst effect in ferromagnets is reviewed here. In a Hall experiment on a ferromagnet, the observed Hall resistivity ρxy is the sum of the AHE resistivity ρ′xy and the usual Lorentz term R0H (R0 is the ordinary Hall coefficient). We have
Maternally induced host regulation by the egg parasitoid Telenomus heliothidis

. The egg parasitoid Telenomus heliothidis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) arrested development and prevented emergence of its host, the egg of Heliothis virescens F. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Arrestment was due to a factor injected by the ovipositing parasitoid just prior to egg release. T. heliothidis prevented hatching of H. virescens eggs up to 62 h old. Implantation of the distal region of the parasitoid common oviduct also prevented host emergence. Examination of the distal common oviduct revealed large numbers of protein-containing vesicles in the cytoplasm of the oviduct epithelial cells. These vesicles may be the source of the arrestment factor. The arrestment factor did not prevent emergence of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an interspecific competitor of T. heliothidis.
Electrical properties of commercial sheet insulation materials for cryogenic applications

Dielectric properties of electrical insulation materials are needed for low temperature power applications. Performance of materials and their compatibility determine the size of the electrical insulation in power equipment. In this work we report the dielectric properties of some commercially available materials in sheet form. The selected materials are polypropylene laminated paper from Sumitomo Electric Inc., porous polyethylene (Tyvektrade) from Dupont and polyamide paper (Nomextrade) from Dupont. The dielectric properties are characterized with an electrical impedance analyzer in the frequency domain. The impedances are recorded in a cryocooler in the temperature range from 50 K to 300 K. The dielectric breakdown characteristics of the materials are measured in a liquid nitrogen bath at atmospheric pressure.
Increased sensitization to morphine-induced oral stereotypy in aged rats

Sensitization develops to the stereotypic biting behavior that appears with the repeated administration of high dose morphine to rats. Because there is evidence that this behavior is dopamine-mediated and that there are age-related changes in dopamine systems, we compared the development and expression of morphine-induced biting behavior in aged (24 months) and young rats (5 months). Animals were treated with four sensitizing 10 mg/kg doses of morphine or saline, followed by three weekly challenges with 4 mg/kg doses of morphine or saline. By the fourth sensitizing morphine dose and after the administration of each low dose challenge, the biting time was significantly greater for aged than for young morphine pre-treated rats. After the first weekly low dose challenge, the aged but not young animals expressed more biting than when they did after the last 10 mg/kg dose. These results indicate that sensitization to morphine-induced oral stereotypy is significantly greater in aged as compared to young rats. Age-related enhanced sensitivity to morphine-induced oral stereotypy might be related to age-induced increases in vulnerability to opioid-induced insults to the basal ganglia, and may be a model for certain diseases of this pathway.
Overlapping sensitivities of brook trout and brown trout to putative hormonal pheromones

The olfactory systems of brook and brown trout were equally sensitive to prostaglandin F2a and its derivatives, suggesting that these species have similar sex pheromone systems. This may explain partially hybridization behaviour observed between these species.
Thermal Cycle Degradation of Charge Carrier Lifetime and Resistivity in Silicon

Numerous published examples of high temperature induced changes in the properties of semiconductors indicate that thermal degradation of charge carrier lifetime may be responsible for excess current and noise in diffused junction radiation detectors. By comparing the noise and current in surface barrier diodes made from silicon which had been subjected to a thermal cycle to the properties of similar diodes made from uncycled material, it is demonstrated that there can be severe degradation of the original material. The relationship between charge carrier lifetime and noise in semiconductor radiation detectors is discussed. Detailed information on changes in resistivity and etch pit density for both p- and n- type silicon from several manufacturers as a function of original resistivity and thermal cycle is presented. Information on excess diode current and noise is available only for the n-type samples. The results are consistent with the previously observed strong dependence on both maximum temperature and rate of temperature change. Large increases in diode current and noise have been observed for cycles with peak temperatures as low as 500°C.
Electrons in Equilibrium with the Penetrating Component of Cosmic Rays in Lead at 10,000 Feet and at Sea Level

The number of electrons ($N$) in equilibrium with the penetrating component of the cosmic rays in lead at 10,000 ft. and at sea level has been measured with Wilson cloud chambers containing lead plates. The value for $N$ obtained at 10,000 ft. is 7.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 percent, at sea level 6.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 percent. Comparison is made with values for $N$ calculated from the equations of Bhabha and Tamm and Belenky with a mesotron mass of 200 m and Blackett's cosmic-ray spectrum. If the loss of low energy electrons as a result of scattering in the lead is taken into account, the calculated values for $N$ are only slightly larger than the experimental values. If the calculated values for $N$ are assumed to be correct, the present results provide additional evidence that protons constitute only a small fraction of the cosmic-ray particles in the lower atmosphere.
Josephson tunneling as a probe of the vortex-glass state.

Josephson tunneling between superconducting electrodes in the vortex-glass state is considered. The Josephson coupling energy and phase offset are stochastic, the typical value of the former scaling as the Eddwards-Anderson order parameter, Larkin-Ovchinikov length, and square root of the junction area. The influence of magnetic flux through the junction is explored, and magnetofingerprints, reminiscent of universal conductance fluctuations, are predicted. Properties of SQUIDs are also examined, and it is concluded that Josephson phenomena may provide a useful probe of the vortex-glass state
Transgenic Models of Heart Failure: Elucidation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Heart Disease

In recent years, several animal models of heart failure (HF) have been generated [1–4]. There are two main types of animal models: naturally occurring models and experimentally induced models (eg, chronic cardiac pacing, myocardial ischemia, pressure and volume overload, or genetically altered). This article focuses on the most potentially and widely used gene-based murine models of cardiac failure. Transgenic (TG) technology involves the ability to alter specifically the expression or activity of known gene products in intact animals [5]. Such techniques provide a powerful experimental system to study pathophysiology. Traditional TG approaches rely on gain-of-function or loss-of-function alterations. Many murine model systems of human heart disease have been established recently based on these attributes. The purpose of this article is to identify the major functional classes of genes that have been altered and to outline the results of experiments using these TG models. Assessment of the cardiovascular phenotype in the genetically manipulated mouse helps define the function of a given candidate gene. The choice of the candidate gene causing a specific cardiovascular disease presents a particular challenge because cardiovascular disease is often the result of the complex interplay of multiple genetic and environ-
Development and Benefits of Computer-Aided Travel Time Data Collection

Link travel times are one of the most widely used and valuable measurements of congestion. Travel time measures are compatible with multimodal analyses and are understood by nontechnical audiences, yet are rigorous enough for technical analyses by transportation engineers and planners. The "average" car and floating car techniques are the most widely used travel time—based measures. Although there are cost, safety, and data limitation problems associated with collecting travel time data manually, the use of computer-aided travel time technology solves most of these problems. Detailed speed, time, and distance information can be safely collected in up to 0.1-sec intervals for a reasonable cost. The consistent format of the computer data lends itself to an automated analysis process. The development and benefits of using computer-aided travel time data collection techniques using distancemeasuring instruments (DMI) and laptop computers are discussed. Automated analysis techniques and developmental software ...
Gene expression in the arachidonic acid pathway due to tissue injury and inflammation, an NSAID, and COXIB in a clinical model of pain

Background Acute inflammation is mediated by the arachidonic acid (AA) pathway with upregulation of cyclooxygenase (COX). This study evaluated gene expression initiated by tissue injury and inflammation in a clinical model of pain and its modulation by a selective COX-2 inhibitor and a dual COX1/COX2 inhibitor. Methods Eighteen healthy volunteers randomly received ibuprofen, rofecoxib, or placebo before surgery. RNA was extracted from oral mucosal biopsies taken from the surgical site prior to tooth extraction and 48 hours post-surgery. Labeled cRNA was hybridized onto Affymetric array (HG-U133 plus 2.0). Data analysis was performed by ArrayAssist and permutation testing. Results In post-surgery tissues in the placebo group, inflammation-related genes, PTGIS, ALOX15 and GRIA4, were up-regulated ≥ 3 fold from pre-surgery baselines whereas these genes were down-regulated or unchanged in the ibuprofen and rofecoxib groups. SOCS3, SOD2, and ANXA3, genes involved in inhibition of PLA2, were up-regulated in the ibuprofen and rofecoxib groups. Genes related to prostaglandin activity, PSME3 and PTGFRN, were up-regulated by rofecoxib. LOXE3, a gene in the lipoxygenases pathway, was down-regulated in placebo and ibuprofen groups but unaffected by rofecoxib. Conclusions These results suggest that coxibs and NSAIDs result in differential effects on AA cascade gene expression following tissue injury which reflects the inhibition of COX by these drugs. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P8–P8; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.034