cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energetic and cell membrane metabolic products in patients with primary insomnia: a 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 4 tesla.

Study objectives Primary insomnia (PI) is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, and/or the experience of nonrestorative sleep combined with a subsequent impairment of daytime functioning. The hyperarousal hypothesis has emerged as the leading candidate to explain insomnia symptoms in the absence of specific mental, physical, or substance-related causes. We hypothesized that the cellular energetic metabolites, including beta nucleoside triphosphate, which in magnetic resonance spectroscopy approximates adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and phosphocreatine (PCr), would show changes in PI reflecting increased energy demand. Design and setting Matched-groups, cross-sectional study performed at two university-based hospitals. Patients Sixteen medication-free individuals (eight males, eight females; mean ± standard deviation (SD) age = 37.2 ± 8.4 y) with PI and 16 good sleepers (nine males, seven females; mean ± SD age = 37.6 ± 4.7 y). Measurements Diagnosis was established for all individuals by unstructured clinical interview, Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID), sleep diary, and actigraphy. Polysomnography was collected in individuals with PI. Phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) data were collected on all individuals at 4 Tesla. We assessed cell membrane (anabolic precursors and catabolic metabolites) and bioenergetic (ATP, phosphocreatine) metabolites in gray matter and white matter to determine their relationship to the presence and severity of PI. Results Individuals with PI showed lower phosphocreatine in gray matter and an unexpected decrease of phosphocholine, a precursor of the cell membrane compound phosphatidylcholine, in white matter. In addition, there was a trend toward a negative association between polysomnographically determined wake after sleep onset and gray matter beta-nucleoside triphosphate and white matter phosphocholine in the primary insomnia group. Conclusions These results support the hyperarousal hypothesis in PI based on lower phosphocreatine in gray matter in the PI group.
A new interpretation of the social organization and mating system of the Callitrichidae

Tamarins and marmosets are usually described as monogamous, or as living in extended family groups. Field research on a variety of callitrichid species shows, however, that immigration and emigration by adults are common and that groups are likely to be composed largely of unrelated adults of both sexes. Despite the number of adult females present in a group, only a single female is usually reproductively active. This female may mate with more than one male. Care for the young is provided by all group members but principally by adult males. This generally is referred to as a “communal breeding system. ” However, a vertebrate social system in which more than two reproductively active adults participate in infant care is rare and has otherwise been reported only in a small number of avian and canid species. Wild callitrichid groups virtually always include helpers, but the number of adults of each sex is highly variable. We propose that the Callitrichidae tend to live in small multimalemultifemale groups, communally rear the young of one female, and exhibit a mating pattern characterized by female promiscuity but a breeding system that is functionally polyandrous. There is a significant correlation between the number of males and a group and the total number of surviving young. The possible adaptive advantages of this social organization are discussed.
The destabilizing influence of plastic yielding on fracture

Abstract Plastic yielding at the crack tip, while absorbing plastic work, increases the far field elastic stresses leading to increases in the global crack driving force. This in turn produces competition between brittle and ductile modes of crack advance. In addition, plasticity at the crack tip introduces nonlinearity into the relationships between load, crack length and crack driving force so that perturbations in these result in unstable response. In the present work, the concept of notional crack growth introduced by Irwin is used to include crack tip plasticity in an effective compliance so that the effects of perturbations in compliance can be investigated numerically. It is shown that the resulting nonlinear relationships lead to substantial load drops in the load-load point displacement when compliance variations as small as 0.03 are assumed. These results are useful in interpretation of the slip stick mode of crack growth often observed in fracture experimentation.
Kinetics and Mechanisms of Dehydration and Recrystallization of Serpentine—I

Dehydration and recrystallization reactions of fine and coarse powders and also of massive samples of serpentine under isothermal heating conditions in air are followed by thermobalance measurements and by X-ray diffraction intensities. The rate of recrystallization to forsterite is shown to have an inverse relationship to the rate of dehydration. This result is interpreted in terms of the damage inflicted on the crystal structure of serpentine by the dehydration reaction; the more slowly this reaction occurs, the more readily is forsterite formed as a result of the topotactic relationship between forsterite and serpentine. The surface layers of particles and massive samples of serpentine which dehydrate readily appear to be highly disordered and consequently recrystallize to forsterite very slowly. The corresponding phenomena exhibited by kaolinite are discussed and compared with those by serpentine.
COUNTERCONDITIONING: FEAR AND RELAXATION

Counterconditioning of autonomic responses was evaluated by means of a compound stimulus transfer paradigm. During three sessions on different days Ss were conditioned to give a GSR to a visual stimulus (colored light) and further trained to relax on presentation of a visually projected stimulus word. After training on both experiences had progressed, test trials were introduced to assess the magnitude of response to the fear cue alone and to the compound stimulus created by simultaneous presentation of both cues (the word superimposed on the colored light background). Significant inhibitory transfer effects were observed with the GSR. On the last test trials the digital pulse volume showed less constriction to the compound of fear and relaxation stimuli than to the fear stimulus alone.
The history of the Point Defect Model for the passive state: A brief review of film growth aspects

Abstract A review is presented of the history of the Point Defect Model (PDM) for the growth and breakdown of passive films that form on the surfaces of reactive metals in contact with corrosive, condensed phase environments. The PDM has passed through three generations, with each successive generation addressing issues that have arisen from experiment or theory. Thus, the first generation model (PDM-I), developed in the early 1980s, assumed that the passive film was a single defective oxide layer that contained cation vacancies and oxygen vacancies that were generated and annihilated at the metal/film and film/solution interfaces, as inspired by the work by Wagner on high temperature oxidation. As with gas-phase systems, the film was assumed not to dissolve. However, it soon became evident that this model could not account for the properties of the passive state on metals in contact with aqueous environments and, accordingly a Generation II model (PDM-II) was developed to address these issues. PDM-II incorporated the bi-layer structure of the film comprising a defective oxide or hydride barrier layer adjacent to the metal and an outer layer that forms by precipitation of material from reaction of transmitted cations with species in the environment (including water, CO32−, HS−, etc.), introduced metal interstitials to the suite of defects, recognized barrier layer dissolution, and recognized the need to classify reactions as to whether they are lattice conservative or non-conservative, but assumed that control of the passive current resided in the barrier layer alone. PDM-II has enjoyed considerable success and the author knows of no instance where it has been demonstrated to be at odds with experiment when confluence between experiment and theory has been demonstrated. A Generation III model (PDM-III) has been recently developed to extend the theory to those cases (e.g., the valve metals) where the outer layer is so resistive that it controls the impedance of the interface and hence the corrosion rate. A fourth generation model that will describe passivity on alloys is now under development. The experimental evidence upon which each generation is based is reviewed.
Technical and tumor-related factors affecting outcome of definitive irradiation for localized carcinoma of the prostate.

Abstract Purpose: The influence of some tumor-related and technical factors on therapeutic outcome is analyzed in 738 patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the prostate treated with definitive irradiation. Methods and Materials: This is a retrospective study of the records of the Radiation Oncology Center. The information was coded on computer-compatible forms and analyzed with multiple cross-reference checks to ensure data reliability. Detailed analysis of portal films and dose distribution isodose curves was carried out in 310 patients on whom this information was readily available. All patients were followed-up for a minimum of 3 years (median observation, 6.5 years). Results: Disease-free survival rates in Stages A2 (T1b) and B (T2) were 76% at 5 years and 62% at 10 years; in Stage C (T3) it was 57% at 5 years and 38% at 10 years. Overall, prostate recurrence rates were: 8% for Stage A2, 17% for Stage B, 28% for Stage C, and 46% for Stage Dl (T4). The 10-year actuarial local failure rate by stage was 20% in Stage A2 (T1b), 24% in Stage B (T2), 40% in Stage C (T3), and 70% in Stage Dl (T4) tumors. When the inferior margin of the portals was at or caudal to the ischial tuberosity, the actuarial 5-year pelvic failure rate was 0% for Stage A2 (T1b), 18% for Stage B (T2), and 20% for Stage C (T3), in contrast to 60% for Stage A2 (T1b), 27% for Stage B (T2), and 38% for Stage C (T3) when the inferior margin was cephalad to the ischial tuberosity ( p = 0.05 in Stage C). Local tumor control was comparable in Stages A2 (T1b) and B (T2) when either small fields limited to the prostate and periprostatic tissues were used or, in addition, the pelvic lymph nodes were irradiated (85% and 80%, respectively). In Stage C (T3) there was significantly better pelvic tumor control (80% of 274 patients) when all of the pelvic (including common iliac) lymph nodes were treated compared with 65% in a group of 137 patients on whom the lymph nodes were irradiated with smaller fields (14 X 14 cm) ( p = 0.01). In Stage C (T3), 30 patients treated with doses less than 6000 cGy had a 50% overall pelvic failure rate compared with 35% in 20 patients receiving 6500 cGy and 24% in 362 patients treated with 7000 cGy ( p = 0.01). Pelvic tumor control or failure was closely associated with development of distant metastasis. In patients with pelvic tumor control, the distant metastasis rate was 18% for stages A2 (T1b) and B (T2) and 30% for stage C (T3), in contrast to 30% ( p = 0.02) and 65% ( p Conclusion: Volume treated and dose of irradiation are important factors influencing local/pelvic recurrence rate in carcinoma of the prostate, particularly in stage C tumors. With recent advances in three-dimensional treatment planning and conformal radiation therapy techniques, it is imperative to determine optimal volumes and doses of irradiation to be delivered to these patients while minimizing morbidity to enhance the role of irradiation in the management of localized carcinoma of the prostate.
Antibiotics for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The disease etiopathogenesis has not been well defined. Several observations suggest that portal bacteremia or chronic bile duct infection may be factors that could play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Clinical trials have tested different treatments for PSC but without convincing evidence of benefit. Liver transplantation is the only available therapeutic option that is thought to be beneficial for PSC. Antibiotics have been used in several case series over the years to treat PSC and have had, in some cases, impressive benefits when compared with other drugs used for treating the disease. We gathered the available data for different antibiotics used in PSC in this review. Further studies are needed to support the efficacy of using antibiotics for PSC patients.
rAAV-mediated subcellular targeting of optogenetic tools in retinal ganglion cells in vivo

Expression of optogenetic tools in surviving inner retinal neurons to impart retinal light sensitivity has been a new strategy for restoring vision after photoreceptor degeneration. One potential approach for restoring retinal light sensitivity after photoreceptor degeneration is to express optogenetic tools in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). For this approach, restoration of ON and OFF center-surround receptive fields in RGCs, a key feature of visual information processing, may be important. A possible solution is to differentially express depolarizing and hyperpolarizing optogenetic tools, such as channelrhodopsin-2 and halorhodopsin, to the center and peripheral regions of the RGC dendritic field by using protein targeting motifs. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have proven to be a powerful vehicle for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery, including in the retina. Therefore, the search for protein targeting motifs that can achieve rAAV-mediated subcellular targeted expression would be particularly valuable for developing therapeutic applications. In this study, we identified two protein motifs that are suitable for rAAV-mediated subcellular targeting for generating center-surround receptive fields while reducing the axonal expression in RGCs. Resulting morphological dendritic field and physiological response field by center-targeting were significantly smaller than those produced by surround-targeting. rAAV motif-mediated protein targeting could also be a valuable tool for studying physiological function and clinical applications in other areas of the central nervous system.
The obligation to help: The effects of amount of prior help on subsequent helping behavior

Abstract The effect of prior help, over a wide range of values, on subsequent helping behavior was studied. The amount of reciprocated help was shown to be a monotonic increasing function of the amount of prior help. The results are consistent with social exchange theories and the findings of other studies. Possible limitations of the experimental situation used are discussed.
Robotic surgery in urological oncology: patient care or market share?

The use of robot-assisted surgery for treatment of genitourinary malignancies is increasing dramatically. Kaye and colleagues argue that consumerism, rather than surgical outcomes, drives the adoption of this expensive technology. Robotics use should be targeted to surgical situations where clinical benefit or cost-effectiveness can be demonstrated.
Transition from diffraction to diffusion in the near-resonant Kapitza-Dirac effect: a numerical approach

Abstract We present selected results from a numerical analysis of the transition between the diffractive and diffusive regimes of the near- resonant Kapitza-Dirac effect. Our solution explicitly retains the kinetic energy term in the atomic Hamiltonian and is applicable in all parameter regions, from the Raman-Nath to the Bragg regime and from the purely diffractive to the diffusive limit.
Influencing uptake and localization of aminoglycoside-functionalized peptoids

The development of small-molecule therapeutics that target RNA remains a promising field but one hampered with considerable challenges that include programming high affinity, specificity, cell permeability, and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. Previously, we employed the use of peptoids to modularly display RNA-binding modules to enhance binding affinity and specificity by altering valency and the distance between ligand modules. Herein, factors that affect uptake, localization, and toxicity of peptoids that display a kanamycin derivative into a variety of mammalian cells lines are reported. A series of peptoids that display various spacing modules was synthesized to determine if the spacing module affects permeability and localization. The spacing module does affect cellular permeability into C2C12, A549, HeLa, and MCF7 cell lines but not into Jurkat cells. Moreover, the modularly assembled peptoids carrying the kanamycin cargo localize in the cytoplasm and perinuclear region of C2C12 and A549 cells and throughout HeLa cells, including the nucleus. These studies could contribute to the development of general strategies to afford cell permeable, modularly assembled small molecules that specifically target RNAs present in a variety of cell types.
Effect of vegetation on the temporal stability of soil moisture in grass-stabilized semi-arid sand dunes

Summary Soil moisture is a critical state variable affecting a variety of land surface and subsurface processes. Despite the complex interactions between soil moisture and its controlling factors, the phenomenon of temporal stability of soil moisture (TS SM) has been widely observed under natural conditions. In this study, the control of vegetation on TS SM is investigated by artificially manipulating surface vegetation (e.g., vegetated and de-vegetated plots) in a native grassland-stabilized sand dune area with similar soil texture and topography. Soil moisture data were collected at the depths of 30 cm (within the root zone) and 110 cm (below the root zone) over a period of four years. Using soil moisture data from the de-vegetated plots as a baseline, TS SM within the root zone is shown to be mainly affected by vegetation phenology at the study site. Therefore, the control of vegetation on TS SM varies on both seasonal and annual time scales. The change in the interseasonal patterns of TS SM is tightly related to plant phenology and the control of vegetation on the ranking of mean relative difference (MRD) of soil moisture significantly weakens during non-growing seasons due to diminished root water uptake. It suggests that the timing of sampling schemes (e.g., growing season vs. non-growing season) may alter TS SM patterns. On annual time scales, TS SM is affected by climatic conditions, as the control of vegetation on TS SM becomes stronger under drier conditions. In particular, vegetation tends to create larger contrasts in soil moisture levels between vegetated and de-vegetated plots in drier years. The soil moisture data also provide evidence that vegetation tends to reduce TS SM and increase spatial variability in soil moisture at the study site. The standard deviation of relative difference (SDRD) of soil moisture at the 30 cm depth (within the root zone) is considerably larger in the vegetated plots than those in the de-vegetated plots. As such, the effectiveness of using representative locations for monitoring mean soil moisture conditions in the vegetated plots deteriorates.
Classical rotational cross sections for H2—HD and HD—HD collisions

Abstract Classical trajectory calculations of integral cross sections for rotationally inelastic collisions of HD-para H 2 and HD—HD were carried out for a wide variety of transitions over a wide range of initial relative translational energies. The results of the HD—H 2 calculations were compared with the quantum effective potential calculations of Chu. It was found that the classical method is in reasonably good agreement with the quantum method for the calculation of rotational transitions of HD at the higher initial translational energies, but the classical method is in poor agreement with quantum results for HD excitation at low energies and for H 2 excitations at all energies.
Transnational History of Medicine after 1950: Framing and Interrogation from Psychiatric Journals

Communication amongst medical specialists helps display the tensions between localism and transnationalisation. Some quantitative sampling of psychiatric journals provides one framework for understanding the history of psychiatry and, to some extent, the history of medicine in general in the twentieth century. After World War II, extreme national isolation of psychiatric communities gave way to substantial transnationalisation, especially in the 1980s, when a remarkable switch to English-language communication became obvious. Various psychiatric communities used the new universal language, not so much as victims of Americanisation, as to gain general professional recognition and to participate in and adapt to modernisation.
CloudAffinity: A framework for matching servers to cloudmates

Increasingly organizations are considering moving their workloads to clouds to take advantage of the anticipated benefits of a more cost effective and agile IT infrastructure. A key component of a cloud service, as it is exposed to the consumer, is the published selection of instance resource configurations (CPU, memory, and disk). The number of instance configurations, as well as the specific values that characterize them, form important decisions for the cloud service provider. This paper explores these resource configurations; examines how well a traditional data center fits into the cloud model from a resource allocation perspective; and proposes a framework, named CloudAffinity, aimed at selecting an optimal number of configurations based on customer requirements.
Dynamics of two-dimensional melting

The dynamics of melting in two dimensions is studied, assuming that solids melt into liquids via a sequence of dislocation and disclination unbinding transitions. The hydrodynamics of solids, hexatics, and liquids in the presence of dislocations and disclinations is described as well as the dynamical response near the solid-hexatic and hexatic-liquid transitions. Although the theory is constructed with applications to free-standing liquid-crystal films in mind, it should be suitable with various modifications for films on solid substrates, lipid monolayers on water, and other systems.
Organochlorine contaminants in passeriformes and other avian prey of the peregrine falcon in the western united states

About 1,150 individuals of 38 species of Passeriformes and other small birds were collected in 1980 at 36 locations in eight western U.S. states for organochlorine (OC) chemical analysis. The bird carcasses (less beak, tarsi, gastrointestinal tract, and feathers) were combined by species and location (4 to 15 specimens per sample) into 124 composited samples for analysis. Also analyzed were 77 single specimens of four species, to assess variation in residue concentrations in individual birds. The chemicals detected (greater than 0.05 ppm) were the following (in order of frequency): DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, dieldrin and toxaphene. DDE accounted for 72% of total OC concentrations (ppm DDE/ppm total OCs) overall and PCBs accounted for 3%. DDE mean (geometric) residues were highest in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor Vieillot), 12.0 ppm; killdeer (Charadrius vociferus L.), 5.9 ppm; and Brewer's blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus Wagler), 2.7 ppm. Eight migratory species showed mean DDE residues 13 times higher than those in four resident species (1.3 vs. 0.1 ppm, p < 0.05), but PCB residues were similar (0.03 vs. 0.02 ppm). Insectivorous species showed higher DDE, PCB and total OC residues than did either omnivores or granivores (p < 0.05). Males of some species showed higher residues of DDE, PCBs and total OCs than did females (p < 0.05). DDE residues, but not PCBs, in killdeer, Brewer's blackbirds and violet-green swallows (Tachycineta thalassina Swainson) were significantly related (0.01 < p < 0.08) to latitude and longitude of origin. Concentrations of DDE in the carcass fat of some individual tree swallows and killdeer would be in the lethal range if 15 to 20% of the stored DDE were rapidly mobilized to the brain. Samples of 13 species contained DDE concentrations (greater than 3 ppm) considered sufficient to inhibit the normal reproduction of avian predators feeding on them. The evidence suggests that potentially harmful OC concentrations are present in certain western migrants and pose an even greater hazard to avian predators such as the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus Tunstall).
Incipient Cavitation Studied Under Strong Thermodynamic Effect

Incipient cavitation was studied under simulated cryogenic conditions on a NACA0015 hydrofoil in a tunnel filled with the perfluorinated ketone 2-trifluoromethyl-1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5-nonafluoro-3-pentanone. Through pressure measurements on the hydrofoil, laser-illuminated high-speed photography, and flash-illuminated photography, the extent of cavitation and the characteristic frequencies of its oscillation were studied under varying speeds in the range of 1.7-6.7 m/s and several angles of attack. The results presented in this paper are limited to a 5.1-degree angle of attack. It was found that the vapor formation was much stronger in fluoroketone than in cold-water tests at similar cavitation numbers. The formed bubbles were significantly smaller and there existed an extended speed range over which fluctuation amplitudes grew with no well-defined frequency peaks, as was observed in water.
The effect of prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures on the biochemical constituents, gonadal development and shell deposition of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Abstract 1. 1. The oysters in the heated effluent averaged 56 per cent higher in protein concentration, 109 per cent higher in carbohydrate concentration and 22 per cent higher in condition index than the control oysters during the winter and spring months. The warm temperatures in the discharge canal during this period (14–19°C) permitted the oysters to feed during the very large spring phytoplankton bloom, while the control oysters in the ambient temperature (2–7°C) remained relatively inactive. 2. 2. During the summer months, the control oysters attained levels of protein, carbohydrate and condition index that were similar to those of the warm-water grown oysters. 3. 3. The development of the gonads of the oysters in the heated effluent occurred 4 months earlier than in the controls, but spawning took place only 1 month earlier. 4. 4. The warm-water grown oysters produced thicker shells than the control oysters.
Role of peripheral immune response in microglia activation and regulation of brain chemokine and proinflammatory cytokine responses induced during VSV encephalitis

We report herein that neuroinvasion by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) activates microglia and induces a peripheral dendritic cell (DC)-dependent inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS). VSV neuroinvasion rapidly induces multiple brain chemokine and proinflammatory cytokine mRNAs that display bimodal kinetics. Peripheral DC ablation or T cell depletion suppresses the second wave of this response demonstrating that infiltrating T cells are primarily responsible for the bimodal characteristics of this response. The robust infiltrate associated with VSV encephalitis likely depends on sustained production of brain CCL19 and CCR7 expression on infiltrating inflammatory cells.
The Black Student Experience at Predominantly White Colleges: Implications for School and College Counselors

Research from higher education and cultural studies that has examined the Black college student experience at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) is presented to assist counselors in understanding how Black college students' relationships with faculty, family, friends from home, and peers in Black student organizations can become assets or liabilities to their academic achievement and persistence. Implications are provided for assisting counselors in preparing Black students for, and supporting them while attending, PWIs.
Length Effects in Tensile Strength in the Orthogonal Directions of Structural Composite Lumber

The natural variation of strength properties within brittle materials leads to the phenomenon of size effect which causes the expected strength of a material to decrease as the stressed volume increases. An important implication of size effect is that size adjustment parameters must be incorporated into multi-axial constitutive and failure models used in numerical simulations such as those made using the finite element method. These size adjustments are based on the sizes of the individual elements, rather than the size of the structural member. This experimental study seeks to determine whether such a size effect is present in the orthotropic principal material directions of parallel strand lumber (PSL) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and, if the effect is present, to quantify it. Tensile tests were performed on specimens of different test section lengths oriented in the longitudinal, transverse, and through-thickness (PSL only) directions and size effect adjustment parameters were estimated. Statistical results indicate the existence of size effect in LVL and PSL for the longitudinal and transverse directions.
Pin1 regulates the timing of mammalian primordial germ cell proliferation.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) give rise to male and female germ cells to transmit the genome from generation to generation. Defects in PGC development often result in infertility. In the mouse embryo, PGCs undergo proliferation and expansion during and after their migration to the gonads from 8.5 to 13.5 days post coitum (dpc). We show that a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, Pin1, is involved in the regulation of mammalian PGC proliferation. We discovered that both the male and female Pin1 -/- mice had profound fertility defects. Investigation of the reproductive organs revealed significantly fewer germ cells in the adult Pin1 -/- testes and ovaries than in wild type or heterozygotes, which resulted from Pin1 -/- males and females being born with severely reduced number of gonocytes and oocytes. Further studies in 8.5 to 13.5 dpc Pin1 -/- embryos showed that PGCs were allocated properly at the base of the allantois, but their cell expansion was progressively impaired, resulting in a markedly reduced number of PGCs at 13.5 dpc. Analyses using markers of cell cycle parameters and apoptosis revealed that Pin1 -/- PGCs did not undergo cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Instead, Pin1 -/- PGCs had a lower BrdU labeling index compared with wild-type PGCs. We conclude that PGCs have a prolonged cell cycle in the absence of Pin1 , which translates into fewer cell divisions and strikingly fewer Pin1 -/- PGCs by the end of the proliferative phase. These results indicate that Pin1 regulates the timing of PGC proliferation during mouse embryonic development.
Prevalence and severity of circumflex coronary artery disease in electrocardiographic posterior myocardial infarction.

To determine the coronary anatomy responsible for electrocardiographic posterior myocardial infarction, the prevalence and severity of disease in the right coronary and left circumflex coronary arteries were compared in 21 patients with electrocardiographic posterior infarction (17 of whom had associated inferior infarction) and 23 patients with isolated electrocardiographic inferior infarction. Significant circumflex coronary artery disease (≥75% stenosis) was more prevalent in patients with posterior or inferoposterior infarction (17 of 21) than in those with isolated inferior infarction (11 of 23) (p
Magnetic behavior of atomically engineered NiO–Co–Cu-based giant magnetoresistance spin valves using Pb as a surface modifier

Abstract The present study illustrates the efficacy of using surface modifiers, or simply surfactants, to alter, modify, or control the nature of interfaces and film morphology in order to control physical properties in magnetic multilayers. In particular, the magnetic properties of giant magnetoresistive NiO–Co–Cu-based symmetric spin valves are discussed in relation to the modification of interfaces and nanostructure using surface modifier Pb. Results show that a ML of Pb deposited on the first Co/Cu bilayer of the symmetric spin valve leads to reduced in-plane magnetic anisotropy and coupling. In the presence of Pb, the coherent growth mode of Co–Cu layers is disrupted, leading to a fine grain size (≈1–5 nm) in the metal layers. Although this grain size corresponds to the critical wavelength for maximum coupling due to Neel’s so-called “orange-peel” effect, the absence of topographical correlation between various interfaces prevent the occurrence of this form of coupling. At the same time, averaging of exchange interactions over such a fine grain size, which is much lower than the characteristic exchange length for Co (≈25–45 nm), precludes the display of local magnetocrystalline easy axes, thereby leading to low switching fields. The nature of magnetization reversal in the “free” Co layer of the Pb-free spin valve is highly local in nature and occurs by nucleation, growth and coalescence together of irregular micron or sub-micron sized domains.
The reflection of plane waves in a poroelastic half-space saturated with inviscid fluid

This paper discusses surface displacements, surface strain, rocking, and energy partitioning during reflection-of-plane waves in a fluid-saturated poroelastic half-space. The medium is modeled by Biot's theory, and is assumed to be saturated with inviscid fluid. A linear porosity-modulus relation based on experimental data on sandstones is used to determine the material parameters for Biot's model. Numerical results in terms of angle of incident waves and Poisson's ratio are illustrated for various porosities and degrees of solid frame stiffness. The results show that the amount of solid frame stiffness controls the response of a fluid-saturated porous system. A poroelastic medium with essentially dry-frame stiffness behaves like an elastic medium, and the influence of pore fluid increases as dry-frame stiffness is reduced. The effects of a second P-wave become noticeable in poroelastic media with low dry-frame stiffness.
Brief announcement: communication bounds for heterogeneous architectures

As the gap between the cost of communication (i.e., data movement) and computation continues to grow, the importance of pursuing algorithms which minimize communication also increases. Toward this end, we seek asymptotic communication lower bounds for general memory models and classes of algorithms. Recent work has established lower bounds for a wide set of linear algebra algorithms on a sequential machine and on a parallel machine with identical processors. This work extends these previous bounds to a heterogeneous model in which processors access data and perform floating point operations at differing speeds. We also present an algorithm for dense matrix multiplication which attains the lower bound.
Alpha Subunit Contamination of Human Albumin Preparations: Interference in Radioimmunoassay1

Certain preparations of human serum albumin have been found to decrease the apparent titer of antisera to alpha subunit of human TSH (hTSH-α) and the sensitivity of the resultant radioimmunoassay for the immunologically common alpha subunit of the human glycoprotein hormonesUtilizing bovine serum albumin as the carrier protein, antisera to hTSH-α had 20-fold highe titers, and the resultant radioimmunoassay demonstrated 20-fold greater sensitivity for alpha subunit. Interference in the alpha immunoassay was not caused by a protease since protease inhibitorsdid not eliminate it. Gel chromatography of human serum albumin revealed alpha immunoactivity inanelution position identical to that of standard alpha subunit. Only certain human serum albumin preparations demonstrated interference in the radioimmunoassay because of the species specificity of the alpha subunit. A possible explanation for the alpha subunit contamination of human albumin preparations may be contamination of the serum source with placental ...
Modeling and analysis of GaAs MESFETs considering the wave propagation effect

The effect of wave propagation along the electrodes of a GaAs MESFET is studied using a distributed circuit analysis technique. Each unit equivalent circuit consists of two subequivalent circuits, one modeling the transmission-line properties of the coupled gate and drain electrodes, and the other representing the traditional GaAs MESFET small-signal model. The distributed equivalent circuit is then analyzed using SUPER-COMPACT. The maximum available power gain or the maximum stable power gain of the device is calculated as a function of device width. It is shown that, for single-gate MESFETs over 100 mu m wide, the transmission-line properties of the electrodes have a significant effect on the transistor performance. The power gain also depends on where the input signal is fed and where the output signal is extracted. >
Effect of Inoculative Releases of Trichogramma ostriniae on Populations of Ostrinia nubilalis and Damage to Sweet Corn and Field Corn

Abstract European corn borer ( Ostrinia nubilalis ) is one of the most injurious pests of sweet and field corn in the United States. We report here on controlled experiments in which an egg parasitoid ( Trichogramma ostriniae ) was released inoculatively (75,000 females ha −1 ) early in the growing season (when corn plants were at the early to mid-whorl stage) to test its efficacy as a biological control agent of O. nubilalis. Releases were made in fields of sweet corn and field corn. Numbers of eggs laid in experimental plots, larval tunnels, and larvae and proportion of damaged ears were determined. Mass of ears was determined for field corn plots. In sweet corn, despite greater oviposition by O. nubilalis in T. ostriniae release plots, the number of borer larvae, stalk tunnels, and damaged ears was reduced by ∼50% compared with those in nonrelease plots. This reduction in damage was consistent for early and late-planted sweet corn. In the field corn plots, larger numbers of O. nubilalis eggs were again laid in some release plots than in control plots. However, O. nubilalis damage appeared to be suppressed in T. ostriniae release plots, although no significant differences were found in most. These results were promising, but further work is required in field corn. The results for sweet corn demonstrated that inoculative releases of T. ostriniae provide suppression of O. nubilalis populations adequate to reduce damage significantly.
Sexual Behaviors between Children: Professionals' Opinions and Undergraduates' Recollections

Concern about the acceptability of various child-to-child sexual behaviors has heightened during the past few years. Some clinicians and researchers have put forward opinions regarding which sexual...
Prestack seismic data reduces uncertainty in the appraisal of dynamic reservoir behavior

Summary Integrated reservoir characterization makes use of vario us types of data to construct detailed spatial distributions of petrophysical and fluid parameters. The benefit of data integration is the generation of reliable reservoir models that can be used for accurate asset management and optimal sweep efficiency. This paper appraises the dynamic behavior of reservoir models constructed with a novel inversion strategy based on the use of 3D pre-stack seismic data, wireline logs, and geological information. Such strategy extrapolates petrophysical variables laterally away from wells subject to honoring the existing 3D pre -stack seismic data. A numerical study in three dimensions is performed to evaluate the estimation algorithm as well as to assess the dynamic behavior of the estimated petrophysical properties. Depending on the number of wells and on the distance between them, the inversion algorithm can produce estimates of inter -well petrophysical properties with a vertical resolution intermediate between that of seismic data and well logs. Models generated with this inversion algorithm yield accurate and unbiased predictions of dynamic behavior after the onset of production when compared to predictions performed with either post-stack seismic data or standard geostatistical techniques.
Technological literacy for non-engineers

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Association of American Colleges (AAC) have jointly embarked on a project aimed at improving technological literacy offerings for liberal arts majors in higher education. The Technological Literacy Project has been funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The project has completed a comprehensive review of existing programs, curricular materials, and literature on technological literacy in higher education. It conducted a Technological Literacy Workshop, an invitational gathering of 50 experts in the field, in Washington in May 1991. The authors describe the output from that workshop, including issues identified and recommendations made. They also describe proposals for ongoing efforts for the stimulation of technological literacy programs for liberal arts majors in higher education, involving engineering colleges and their faculty members. >
Robotic cholecystectomy: learning curve, advantages, and limitations.

Background Robotic cholecystectomy is safe, feasible procedure. Initial studies showed significant set up time and operating time but no clear clinical advantage of the robotic involvement. We have investigated the learning curve, advantages and limitation of the procedure. Material and methods We reviewed all ( n = 51) robotic cholecystectomies performed between July 2004 and December 2005. The surgery was performed using the da Vinci system. We recorded operative time, setup time of robotics instrumentation, conversion to laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy and complication of the procedure. Results Forty-eight of the 51 procedures (94%) were completed robotically. We did not experience any significant complications directly related to robotics surgery. The mean ± SD operating time was 77 ± 22.3 min. The mean setup time for robotics (from incision until robot was in place, including draping the robot) was 24 ± 8.8 min. However, the setup time significantly improved as we gained more experience: from 30.6 ± 10.7 min (first 16 cases) to 18.3 ± 4.0 min (cases 33–48). The mean robotic time was 34 ± 16.1 min. We observed no significant improvement in robotic procedure time. Conclusions Robotic cholecystectomy offers significant advantages such as three-dimensional view, easier instrument manipulations and possibility of remote site surgery. We observed some shortcomings of robotic surgery such as need for larger and additional ports, and need for undocking the machine in case of cholangiography or change of patient position. Our data shows that the learning curve is between 16 to 32 procedures to significantly decrease the setup time and total operating time.
Shedding Light on Mediators' Decision-Making The Conscious & Unconscious Mental Processing Determining Experts' Automatic Intuitive Decisions

In efforts to provide better clarity about and to improve mediators’ performance and the quality of their decisions during the mediation process, I review the conscious and unconscious mental activities underpinning their judgments. Special attention is given to decisions that are automatic and intuitive, which are believed to dominate the process of decision-making in complex, fast-paced and dynamic conditions such as the mediation context. I challenge the prevailing assumption that decision accuracy is impaired by rapid decision speed, and propose the conditions in which fast automatic decisions could be more controllable and skillful. My proposition integrates the role of complex domain schema, explicit and implicit learning, knowledge acquisition processes and the interplay between conscious and unconscious subsystems for yielding skillful automatic judgments. The article culminates with highlighting the importance of continuous engagement in repetitive learning through reflective endeavor for developing mediation expertise.
Use of a Net Gun to Safely Capture Short-eared Owls in Mid-flight from a Helicopter

USO DE UNA PISTOLA DE RED PARA CAPTURAR DE MODO SEGURO A INDIVIDUOS DE ASIO FLAMMEUS EN VUELO DESDE UN HELICOPTERO Probamos una tecnica novedosa de captura que consiste en disparar desde un helicoptero una red sobre individuos de Asio flammeus en vuelo, para colocar transmisores satelitales en esta especie en disminucion. Capturamos 18 buhos (10 machos, 8 hembras) durante 17 horas de vuelo y colocamos transmisores en 12 aves que cumplieron con nuestro criterio de uso de transmisores. Desplegamos 2.5 ± 1.0 redes por captura exitosa, con una moda de una red por captura. Las persecuciones duraron 4.0 ± 4.1 min. No se mato ningun buho y no se detectaron heridas considerables como huesos rotos, abrasiones o contusiones. Todas las aves a las que se les colocaron los transmisores sobrevivieron al menos tres semanas luego de la captura; 10 de las 12 aves migraron hasta 5500 km. Hemos demostrado, por primera vez, el uso seguro de redes disparadas desde helicopteros para capturar aves en vuelo. Recomendamos el uso ...
A new method for classification and characterization of voltage sags

Abstract This paper presents new software developments related to sag classification and characterization. A new fuzzy rule based algorithm for classifying the types of voltage sags is proposed. The voltage sags are categorized into three types, i.e. sags due to the faults, large motor starting, or due to interaction between motor operation and faults. Three distinctive features of sag waveforms are defined and extracted first. Then a fuzzy logic based inference engine utilizing these features as inputs is implemented for decision making. Also presented are the characterization methods and suggested monitoring parameters for each of the three types of sags. Finally the application of the proposed characterization approaches for the equipment sensitivity study is illustrated. The results of case studies are reported. The presented approach has been implemented in MATLAB.
The 1978 nobel prize in physics.

One-half of the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics is to be awarded to Peter L. Kapitsa, director of the Institute for Physical Problems, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, Moscow, for his basic inventions and discoveries in the area of low-temperature physics. A review of the record shows Kapitsa to be not only a very competent scientist, but also a talented engineer and a successful technical manager. As his career has, on occasion, become embroiled in Russian politics and the continuing struggle between the individual and the state in the Soviet Union, he enjoys considerable world renown beyond the narrow confines of the physics community. In the popular press, in fact, he has come to be somewhat lionized as a leading scientist who defied Stalin and yet survived to continue as an important scientific contributor. Kapitsa endured harrowing experiences in arriving at the condition of octogenarian in his Mother Russia, but he was also given many honors by successive regimes therein. With all these facts taken together, Kapitsa is a figure who looms large on the world stage, and it is presumably with this combination in mind that the Nobel Committee made its selection, 40 years after his most significant contributions to low-temperature physics.