cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell-Based Therapeutics in Stroke: An Industry Perspective

Although stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, more than 1000 published preclinical studies and more than 100 clinical trials have failed to confirm even a single neuroprotective agent for the treatment of this devastating disease. The solution for future drug development of stroke therapeutics must be truly transformational, considering less emphasis on animal models of neuroprotection, greater emphasis on mechanisms that are more pleiotropic and clinical trials that address critical, often neglected, aspects of study design, such as population homogeneity, endpoints, and outcomes specifically related to baseline deficits and ensuring that the timing of endpoint measurement provides a sufficient epoch of time to demonstrate improved outcome. Cell therapy may provide the field with the disruptional catalyst to address the shortcomings of the previous several decades, assuming that our understanding of the potential benefit of cell therapy in a therapeutic role can advance more in parallel with our technical capabilities for their utilization. The great promise of stem cell therapy to repair, replace, and/or redirect endogenous stem cells provides an exciting alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of stroke and many other diseases with an unmet medical need.
Evaluating the Hostage Barricade Database System (HOBAS)

ABSTRACT The Hostage Barricade Database System (HOBAS), maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is the only entity that compiles national statistics on crisis incidents. The HOBAS statistics are used in both research and decision making. This paper questions whether HOBAS can be reasonably expected to render the representative, unbiased data that is expected from it. In this research, qualitative analysis of the HOBAS data collection process and quantitative comparisons of HOBAS statistics to other studies, cast significant doubt on HOBAS's validity.
Particle Aggregate Breakup by Fluid Shear

In estuaries and coastal waters, fine particles are transported as aggregates with size and settling properties controlled by coagulation and breakup mechanisms. A review of the separation sciences literature on emulsion and aggregate breakup in turbulent fluids reveals considerable theoretical and experimental uncertainty, but the importance of inhomogeneities in reactor turbulence near walls and rotating elements is recognized. Predictions of droplet and floe sizes have not accounted for this inhomogeneity except through questionable assumptions of breakup kinetics. Available clay coagulation and breakup data in seawater systems indicate that clay aggregates are relatively fragile and low fluid shear rates of 8 s-1 are sufficient to decrease overall removal kinetics because aggregate sizes are limited by breakup. Calculations indicate that aggregate deposition in estuaries is controlled by breakup processes occurring within the viscous sublayer rather than aggregate dynamic calculated from mean fluid properties.
Generalized rayleigh quotient shift strategy in QR algorithm for eigenvalue problems

QR algorithm for eigenproblems is often applied with single or double shift strategies. To save computation effort, double implicit shift technique is employed. In Watkins and Elsner[1], a higher-order shift strategy, generalized Rayleigh quotient shift strategy, is introduced. In this paper, we give a generalization of the double implicit shift technique for the higher-order strategy, and compare the computation cost for different orders with numerical experiments.
Expression of fluorescently tagged connexins: a novel approach to rescue function of oligomeric DsRed-tagged proteins1

A novel, brilliantly red fluorescent protein, DsRed has become available recently opening up a wide variety of experimental opportunities for double labeling and fluorescence resonance electron transfer experiments in combination with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Unlike in the case of GFP, proteins tagged with DsRed were often found to aggregate within the cell. Here we report a simple method that allows rescuing the function of an oligomeric protein tagged with DsRed. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach on the subunit proteins of an oligomeric membrane channel, gap junction connexins. Additionally, DsRed fluorescence was easily detected 12-16 h post transfection, much earlier than previously reported, and could readily be differentiated from co-expressed GFP. Thus, this approach can eliminate the major drawbacks of this highly attractive autofluorescent protein.
Spectrum of small mutations in the dystrophin coding region

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD and BMD) are caused by defects in the dystrophin gene. About two-thirds of the affected patients have large deletions or duplications, which occur in the 5' and central portion of the gene. The nondeletion/duplication cases are most likely the result of smaller mutations that cannot be identified by current diagnostic screening strategies. We screened approximately 80% of the dystrophin coding sequence for small mutations in 158 patients without deletions or duplications and identified 29 mutations. The study indicates that many of the DMD and the majority of the BMD small mutations lie in noncoding regions of the gene. All of the mutations identified were unique to single patients, and most of the mutations resulted in protein truncation. We did not find a clustering of small mutations similar to the deletion distribution but found > 40% of the small mutations 3' of exon 55. The extent of protein truncation caused by the 3' mutations did not determine the phenotype, since even the exon 76 nonsense mutation resulted in the severe DMD phenotype. Our study confirms that the dystrophin gene is subject to a high rate of mutation in CpG sequences. As a consequence of not finding any hotspots or prevalent small mutations, we conclude that it is presently not possible to perform direct carrier and prenatal diagnostics for many families without deletions or duplications.
On the shape and dimensions of three-dimensional cavities in supercavitating flows

The shape of long, trailing cavities behind three-dimensional headforms is discussed. The case of a flat elliptic wing is specifically treated. Three distinct shape regimes are found: quasi-planar, long-flat, spheroidal. These appear in successively higher speed ranges (lower cavitation numbers, σ). It is argued that the cavities may be replaced by surrogates in the form of slender ellipsoids. The pressures on these are almost constant and correspond to a cavitation number equal to twice their longitudinal added mass coefficient, k 1. A heuristic theory based on kinetic energy fields is given, relating k 1 to the product of headform drag and cavity length. This theory correlates with an exact theory in the same form given by Garabedian for axi-symmetric cones and also with its extension to planar flows. Results are given here for the shape of the cavity behind an elliptic wing of any aspect ratio, given drag, and cavitation number. Specific formulae are given in the form, o = f(CD/AR), for the transition between the quasi-planar and long-flat regime, and the long-flat and spheroidal regime.
Biografía de un hombre masa: ¿Qué le debe España a José Ortega y Gasset?

?Que porcentaje de barbaridades puede contener la obra de un filosofo para que podamos dejar de tomarle en serio? Sea cual sea la tasa exacta, la obra de Jose Ortega y Gasset la roza. “Si el europeo se habitua a no mandar el”, escribia en La rebelion de las masas (1929), “bastaran generacion y media para que el viejo continente, y tras el el mundo todo, caiga en la inercia moral, en la esterilidad intelectual y en la barbarie omnimoda”. “[F]acil es notar”, afirmo en La deshumanizacion del arte (1925), “que la historia se columpia ritmicamente del uno al otro polo, dejando que en unas epocas predominen las calidades masculinas y en otras las femeninas”. “Espana es una cosa hecha por Castilla”, dijo en Espana invertebrada (1921), “y hay razones para ir sospechando que, en general, solo cabezas castellanas tiene organos adecuados para percibir el gran problema de la Espana integral”. Y: “El egoismo aparente de los grandes pueblos y de los grandes hombres es la dureza inevitable con que tiene que comportarse quien tiene su vida puesta a una empresa”. “Desde el punto de vista de la seleccion humana”, decia en Estudios sobre el amor, “(...) la mujer no colabora con su preferencia sentimental en el perfeccionamiento de la especie” ya que “manifiesta un decidido entusiasmo por la mediocridad”. Nadie como Ortega ha sabido proferir tanto disparate con tanto aplomado desparpajo. Y sin embargo, a ningun pensador espanol se le ha atribuido una influencia mayor. Esta contradiccion entre autoridad e irresponsabilidad intelectual, entre vision y desacierto, es uno de grandes enigmas que plantean su vida y obra. A pesar de su presencia central en la vida publica espanola durante cuarenta anos –igual de centrales– en la historia del pais, sigue siendo dificil definir el lugar de Ortega, ni mucho menos calibrar el valor de su obra, en el contexto de la cultura espanola y occidental del siglo xx. La culpa es en parte del propio Ortega, quien como escritor e intelectual publico fue ambivalente y volatil en extremo. Pero tambien hay factores historicos mayores. La Guerra Civil, el franquismo y la transicion han acabado por imponer lecturas
Planning using abstraction induced by substitution property

A knowledge-independent planning approach for a class of structured problems is discussed. The planning method is based on abstraction of the search space. It is shown that if the search space has the substitution property (substitution partitions), then a hierarchy of abstract spaces can be realized in which each space is a homomorphic image of its predecessor. The determination of the substitution property is considered. A sufficient condition for the existence of the substitution partition is identified in the form of a partition generator. Two interesting classes of problems are shown to possess such a generator. They are the problems with symmetry and direct product spaces with acyclic dependency (interaction). >
The Many Landscapes of Recombination in Drosophila melanogaster

Recombination is a fundamental biological process with profound evolutionary implications. Theory predicts that recombination increases the effectiveness of selection in natural populations. Yet, direct tests of this prediction have been restricted to qualitative trends due to the lack of detailed characterization of recombination rate variation across genomes and within species. The use of imprecise recombination rates can also skew population genetic analyses designed to assess the presence and mode of selection across genomes. Here we report the first integrated high-resolution description of genomic and population variation in recombination, which also distinguishes between the two outcomes of meiotic recombination: crossing over (CO) and gene conversion (GC). We characterized the products of 5,860 female meioses in Drosophila melanogaster by genotyping a total of 139 million informative SNPs and mapped 106,964 recombination events at a resolution down to 2 kilobases. This approach allowed us to generate whole-genome CO and GC maps as well as a detailed description of variation in recombination among individuals of this species. We describe many levels of variation in recombination rates. At a large-scale (100 kb), CO rates exhibit extreme and highly punctuated variation along chromosomes, with hot and coldspots. We also show extensive intra-specific variation in CO landscapes that is associated with hotspots at low frequency in our sample. GC rates are more uniformly distributed across the genome than CO rates and detectable in regions with reduced or absent CO. At a local scale, recombination events are associated with numerous sequence motifs and tend to occur within transcript regions, thus suggesting that chromatin accessibility favors double-strand breaks. All these non-independent layers of variation in recombination across genomes and among individuals need to be taken into account in order to obtain relevant estimates of recombination rates, and should be included in a new generation of population genetic models of the interaction between selection and linkage.
Inactivation kinetics of selected aerobic and anaerobic bacterial spores by pressure-assisted thermal processing.

Abstract The combined pressure–thermal inactivation kinetics of spores from three strains of anaerobic (Clostridium sporogenes, C. tyrobutylicum, and Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum), and six strains of aerobic (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. sphaericus) bacteria were studied. Spores of these bacteria were prepared in deionized water and treated in a custom-made kinetic tester over various pressure (0.1 and 700 MPa) and thermal (105 and 121 °C) combinations. Survivor data were modeled using log-linear and Weibull models to obtain relevant kinetic parameters. In comparison to thermal treatment alone, the combined pressure–thermal conditions accelerated the inactivation of the spores tested. A measurable fraction of spore populations was inactivated during the pressure come-up time. Pressure-assisted thermal processing (PATP) at 700 MPa and 121 °C for 1 min inactivated up to 7–8 log for some of spores tested. Among bacteria evaluated, based on survivor curve data T. thermosaccharolyticum, B. amyloliquefaciens Fad 82, and Fad 11/2 were found to produce the most PATP-resistant spores. PATP inactivation plots showed characteristic upward curvature, which is indicative of the tailing behavior. Since both log-linear and Weibull kinetic models did not consider microbial reduction during process come-up time, our results demonstrated that the estimated model parameters were not adequate to compare combined pressure–thermal resistance of various bacterial spores tested.
Twinning in Porichthys notatus Girard

Abstract Three sets of twins hatched from 900 eggs of Porichthys notatus Girard. Two sets were immediately preserved. At no time during development did the third set differ significantly from nontwin larvae. Twinning probably occurred during cleavage.
A note on the occurrence of a crayback stalagmite at Niah Caves, Borneo

Joyce Lundberg1 and Donald A. McFarlane2 Figure 1. Location of Niah Caves, Sarawak, Malaysia
Characterization of Fines Produced by Sand Crushing

Sand particle crushing generates coarse fragments with size d⩾75 μm and fine fragments, i.e., “fines,” with size d<75 μm . Yet, postcrushing fines are seldom characterized due to testing constraints. An experimental study was conducted to examine the size distribution evolution of fine fragments generated by crushing two uniform sands with contrasting degrees of mineral composition heterogeneity, in one-dimensional compression. The determination of fine fragment sizes was made possible by using a particle size analyzer that employs a small sample. The results indicate that the degree of mineral composition heterogeneity affects the load–deformation behavior of crushing sands and the resulting amounts and size distribution evolutions of the produced coarse and fine fragments. In particular, the trends gathered suggest that fines generation occurs by abrasion of parent particles, coarse fragment breakage, and subsequent breakage of fine fragments with sizes larger than the comminution limit.
Mothers’ Attachment to Infants: Relations with Infant Temperament, Stress, and Responsive Maternal Behavior

According to attachment theory, mothers’ internal effective responses to their infant would predict their responsive behavior. Moreover, following the transactional model, maternal stress and infant temperament could affect both maternal feelings and behaviors. In this study, 38 mothers completed attachment, stress, and infant temperament questionnaires, and were observed interacting with their infants, when the infants were six weeks and nine months old. Maternal feelings of attachment were unrelated to their responsive behaviors. More severely stressed mothers felt less attached at six weeks, but stress did not affect maternal behaviors. Fussy babies had less attached mothers: the effect of temperatment on responsive behaviour was more complex. Mothers of fussier babies were less responsive. Mothers also reported feeling more attached to boys. Discussion centered on the buffering of maternal responsive behavior, development of maternal attachment, and the need to examine maternal attachment and responsi...
Investigation of pH-dependent gel structure in amorphous carbonate-containing aluminum hydroxide by viscometry, fiber optic doppler anemometry, and freeze fracture/freeze etch scanning electron microscopy

Abstract Particle interactions in amorphous carbonate-containing aluminum hydroxide suspensions were studied by rotational viscometry, fiber optic Doppler anemometry, and freeze fracture/freeze etch scanning electron microscopy. The particle interactions were pH dependent; however, they were not symmetrical in relation to the point of zero charge. Particle networks were present further from the point of zero charge when the pH was above the point of zero charge. It is hypothesized that negatively charged edge groups, which exist when the pH is above the point of zero charge, interact with the hydroxyls on the faces of the sheet-like particles more strongly than do uncharged or positive edge groups, thus producing the observed asymmetrical behavior of pH-dependent properties.
Quantitative reverse transcription strand displacement amplification: quantitation of nucleic acids using an isothermal amplification technique.

Recent advances in nucleic acid amplification techniques have allowed for quantitation of viral nucleic acid levels in clinical specimens. The most prevalent testing is carried out for HIV viral load. Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is an isothermal DNA amplification system utilizing a restriction enzyme and a DNA polymerase with strand displacement properties. SDA was adapted for quantitative RNA amplification (QRT-SDA) of an HIV gag sequence by including AMV reverse transcriptase, a quantitative control sequence, and 32P-labeled detector oligonucleotides for the HIV and the control sequences. We have also improved the amplification efficiency by including the single-strand binding protein from gene 32 of T4 bacteriophage (T4gp32) to enhance strand displacement replication. In a preliminary analytical demonstration of the technique, RT-SDA was quantitative to within twofold over a range of 500-500,000 transcripts that were generated from a plasmid bearing an HIV gag sequence. QRT-SDA potentially represents a convenient alternative for viral load testing in a clinical setting.
Implementing current controlled current source in electromagnetic full-wave simulation using The FDTD method

This paper introduces a new FDTD approach to analyze CCCS. The approach is simple to implement and efficient in terms of both computational time and memory usage. The approach can be used to analyze microwave circuits that include CCCS. In addition, it can be used to implement different non-linear devices using their equivalent circuit models. The numerical results based on the new approach show very good agreement with results from the analytical solution, which proves the validity of this approach. Additional examples of more complicated circuit topology will be presented at the conference.
Combustion Wave Speeds of Sol−Gel-Synthesized Tungsten Trioxide and Nano-Aluminum: The Effect of Impurities on Flame Propagation

Nanoparticles of tungsten trioxide (WO3) were synthesized using sol−gel chemistry and combined with nanoscale aluminum (Al) particles to form a thermite. The as-made sol−gel-derived WO3 aerogel contains impurities such as hydroxyl groups that are inherent to the synthesis process. These impurities can be removed via heat-treating the powder, and both as-made and heat-treated mixtures were examined for ignition and flame propagation as a function of the mixture bulk density. Results showed that the hydroxyl impurity impedes flame propagation in high density (compressed pellets) by acting as a heat sink and absorbing energy during flame propagation. In loose powders (low density mixtures), convection plays a more dominant role in flame propagation, such that the reduced particle size of the as-made WO3 produces higher flame propagation speeds than the enhanced thermal transport properties associated with the heat-treated WO3.
A correlation for heat transfer between immersed surfaces and gas-fluidized beds of large particles

Abstract Heat transfer between immersed surfaces and fluidized beds of large particles is investigated. Large particles here refer to those belonging to groups IIB and III of the powder classification scheme of Saxena and Ganzha, and characterized by Ar > 130,000. Four correlations for large particles proposed so far are examined on the basis of available experimental data. The data correspond to operating pressures ranging from ambient to 8.1 MPa and Reynolds numbers ranging up to 5000. A total of 366 data points have been used in the present study. It is found that none of the available correlations adequately predicts the heat transfer coefficient over the entire range of experimental conditions, and their ranges of applicability and probable uncertainties are established. A new correlation is developed on the basis of these data and the known mechanistic details of heat transfer by particle and gas convection. The proposed correlation is Nu = 5.95(1 − e) 2 3 + 0.055 Ar 0.3 Re 0.2 Pr 1 3 and is accurate within ±35% for gas-solid fluidized bed systems characterized by Ar > 130,000.
An interleaved rational/radix arithmetic system for high-precision computations

A new interleaved rational/radix number system is proposed for upgrading the precision of normalized Floating-Point (FLP) arithmetic operations without increasing the basic word length. A complete set of rational rounding and arithmetic algorithms are developed. The Average Relative Representation Error (ARRE) of the proposed flexible FLP system is computed through a series of simulation studies on CDC 6500. Our results show a 10% improvement of representation accuracy when compared with the ARRE of conventional FLP system. The architecture of a rational FLP arithmetic processor is also presented. Tradeoffs between operating speed and computing accuracy are discussed.
A 100-Year Average Recurrence Interval for the San Andreas Fault at Wrightwood, California

Evidence for five large earthquakes during the past five centuries along the San Andreas fault zone 70 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles, California, indicates that the average recurrence interval and the temporal variability are significantly smaller than previously thought. Rapid sedimentation during the past 5000 years in a 150-meter-wide structural depression has produced a greater than 21-meter-thick sequence of debris flow and stream deposits interbedded with more than 50 datable peat layers. Fault scarps, colluvial wedges, fissure infills, upward termination of ruptures, and tilted and folded deposits above listric faults provide evidence for large earthquakes that occurred in A.D. 1857, 1812, and about 1700, 1610, and 1470.
Manipulating Self-Complexity with Communication Role Assignment: Evidence for the Flexibility of Self-Concept Structure

Abstract This article reports an experimental technique for manipulating self-complexity, a characteristic of self-concept organization related to affective reactivity. The assignment of different communication roles is examined as a possible manipulation of self-complexity. In Experiment 1, participants who expected to transmit information about themselves (transmit group) had lower self-complexity than participants who expected to receive information about themselves (receive group). In Experiment 2, an additional communication role condition was included as a control group. Following the self-complexity manipulation and assessment, we observed affective reactions to feedback on academic ability. The mean self-complexity of the receive and control groups did not differ, and both exceeded the mean of the transmit group. Affective reactivity did not differ among the groups and was not significantly correlated with self-complexity. The implications of the self-complexity manipulation are discussed in terms of the flexibility and functionality of self-concept structure.
Comparison of extraction solvents and techniques used for the assay of isoflavones from soybean

The impact of extraction solvents and techniques on the assay of isoflavones from soybean was investigated. This systematic study was undertaken to address substantial variations in the solvents and procedures used for the extraction of isoflavones from soybeans by different research groups as described in the recent peer-reviewed published literature. Comparison of four previously optimized and commonly deployed solvent mixtures (acetonitrile:water 58:42 (v/v); ethanol:water 70:30 (v/v); methanol:water 90:10 (v/v); superheated pressurized water) was carried out for the extraction of isoflavones. In addition, we also examined the extraction efficiencies of three additional new solvent mixtures (dimethyl sulphoxide:acetonitrile:water, 5:58:37 (v/v/v); dimethyl sulphoxide:ethanol:water, 5:70:25 (v/v/v); Genapol:water 5:95 (v/v)) for the extraction of isoflavones from soybeans. Assessments of six commonly used extraction techniques (shaking, vortexing, sonication, stirring, Soxhlet, and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE)) with an optimized extraction solvent mixture was also performed. Both, the total isoflavones content and the isoflavones HPLC profile varied significantly with different extraction solvents and techniques. Optimum total isoflavones recoveries from soybean samples were obtained with dimethyl sulphoxide:ethanol:water (5:75:25, v/v/v) solvent mixture using a PLE. Intermediate extraction recoveries of total isoflavones from soybean samples were obtained with the other extraction solvent mixtures and techniques tested. The extraction efficiencies of isoflavones with shaker, vortex, stirring, and Soxhlet were between 65% and 70% as compared to PLE. Total isoflavones extracted by the sonication procedure was 93.3% as compared to PLE.
Routine interval appendectomy in children is not indicated.

Background: This study evaluates outcomes for children treated without interval appendectomy (IA) after successful nonoperative management of perforated appendicitis. Methods: A retrospective study of pediatric patients with appendicitis was performed from 12 regional acute-care hospitals from 1992 to 2004 with mean length of follow-up of 7.5 years. Main outcomes were recurrent appendicitis and cumulative length of hospital stay. Results: The study included 6439 patients, of which 6367 (99%) underwent initial appendectomy. Seventy-two (1%) patients were initially managed nonoperatively and 11 patients had IA. Of the remaining 61 patients without IA, 5 (8%) developed recurrent appendicitis. Age, sex, type of appendicitis, and abscess drainage had no influence on recurrent appendicitis. Cumulative length of hospital stay was 6.6 days in patients without IA, 8.5 days in patients with IA, and 9.6 days in patients with recurrent appendicitis. Conclusion: Recurrent appendicitis is rare in pediatric patients after successful nonoperative management of perforated appendicitis. Routine IA is not necessarily indicated for these children.
Medicare's payment system: its effect on discharges to skilled nursing facilities from rehabilitation hospitals.

Abstract Chan L, Ciol M. Medicare's payment system: its effect on discharges to skilled nursing facilities from rehabilitation hospitals. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:715-9. Objective: To determine if Medicare's payment system for rehabilitation hospitals encourages discharges to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Medicare payments to hospitals are based on limits derived from a hospital's average allowable patient charge during a base year. Thereafter, payments are capped, but hospitals receive additional incentive payments if succeeding costs are reduced. It was a hypothesis of this study that discharges to SNFs would increase after the base year. In this way, rehabilitation hospitals would limit high-cost patients when under reimbursement limitation. Methods: Medicare claims data for 162,239 discharges from 69 rehabilitation hospitals between 1987 and 1994 were analyzed. After controlling for patient and provider characteristics, we compared the odds of being discharged to a SNF before, during, and after the base year. Results: Before and during the base year, 4.7% and 6.6% of patients were discharged to a SNF. After the base year, 9% of patients were sent to a SNF. After controlling for temporal and seasonal trends, as well as for patient and provider characteristics, those discharged after the base year were significantly more likely to be sent to a SNF than those discharged during the base year. These odds increased with increasing length of stay in the rehabilitation hospital. For those with a length of stay of 29 days (75th percentile) the odds increased by 11% (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.18). Conclusions: The incentives of Medicare's reimbursement system may encourage an increase in the percentage of patients discharged to SNFs after the base year. These findings have significant implications regarding the structure of Medicare's prospective payment system currently planned for this class of hospital. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Increasing the incentive salience of cocaine challenges preference for pup- over cocaine-associated stimuli during early postpartum: place preference and locomotor analyses in the lactating female rat

Rationale/Objectives Prior studies using a dual-choice conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure revealed that postpartum female rats (dams) strongly prefer chambers associated with pups over those associated with subcutaneously administered cocaine almost exclusively during early but not late postpartum (Mattson et al. 2001). The present study examines whether early postpartum dams retain strong pup-associated chamber preference when contrasted with a cocaine stimulus of greater incentive salience (intraperitoneal [IP] injections with brief conditioning sessions). Locomotor rate was measured during conditioning (stimuli-present) and test (stimulus-absent) sessions.
Artificial insemination and gamete management in fish

Artificial insemination (the collection of spermatozoa and ova and their mixing together in various media that keep spermatozoa motile) is carried out in only a few species (mostly freshwater), such as salmonids, cyprinids and acipenserids. Traditionally, fresh water (or sea water for marine species) is used as the medium in which the male and female gametes are mixed. However, fresh water is not a very favourable medium because hypotonic shock causes the sperm structure to deteriorate in several minutes and the egg is activated quickly. These problems can be avoided by using as media various saline solutions of different composition, depending on the species (125 mM NaCl pH 9 for salmonids; 50 raM Nacl pH 8 for cyprinids). These media prevent sperm deterioration, prolong slightly the duration of motility, and prevent or defer the cortical reaction. These solutions also prevent the yolk of crushed eggs from precipitating when it comes into contact with the water, limit motility and block the micropyle. Fi...
Low-energys-wave\(\overline K\)N scatteringscattering

A study of the low-energys-wave\(\overline K\)N scattering in theI=0 andI=1 states has been carried out in the multi-channelN/D formulation. In solving the matrixN/D equations, we have incorporated the Balazs method. The exchange contributions included in this calculation are: vector mesons,p1/2 baryons,p3/2 baryons and low-lyingd3/2 baryons. The coupling constants of these exchange particles are calculated either from the experimental parameters or from unitary symmetry. Imposing the condition that Y*0 (1405) be the resonance below the\(\overline K\)N threshold, the scattering lengths for theI=0 state and its coupling constants to the\(\overline K\)N system and the energy dependence ofk ctgδ are calculated. Further adjusting the residue of poles, we were able to reproduce the experimental scattering lengths for theI=1 state. From these results we calculated elastic absorptive cross-sections. All these calculated values agree quite well with the experimental values.
GROUP COHESION AND CONFORMITY BEHAVIOR

Group differences in levels of cohesion and motivation were unrelated to conformity to social pressure in a judgmental perceptual situation thereby failing to support Festinger's cohesion theory.
Progressive generation of force-closure grasps for an n-section continuum manipulator

A continuum manipulator, such as a multi-section trunk/tentacle robot, is promising for deft manipulation of a wide range of objects under uncertain conditions in less-structured and cluttered environments. With whole arm grasping, it is adaptive to objects of different sizes and shapes. Previously, we introduced a method for automatically computing grasping configurations of a continuum manipulator with three constant-curvature sections was introduced based on minimum bounding circles of object cross-sections. However, using minimum bounding circles (or circumcircles if they exist) alone may not result in tight and stable grasps. In this paper, we introduce an approach for progressively generating tight grasping configurations section by section to achieve a tight and force-closure whole arm grasp. This approach directly applies to n-section continuum manipulators and generates a force-closure grasping configuration efficiently without requiring minimum bounding circles of a target object.
Point defect dynamics and evolution of chemical reactions in alanates by anelastic spectroscopy.

We report the first measurements of elastic modulus and energy dissipation in Ti-doped and undoped sodium aluminum hydride. It is shown that the chemical reactions that occur by varying the sample temperatures or by agingmost sensitively affect the elastic constants, such that the modulus variations allow the time and temperature evolution of decomposition to be monitored. After a well-defined thermal treatment at 436 K, a thermally activated relaxation process appears at 70 K in the kilohertz range, denoting the existence of a new species, likely involving hydrogen, having a very high mobility, that is, 10 3 jumps/s at the peak temperature corresponding to a relaxation rate of about 10 1 1 s - 1 at room temperature. The activation energy of the process is 0.126 eV and the preexponential factor 7 x 10 - 1 4 s, which is typical of point defect relaxation. The peak is very broad with respect to a single Debye process, indicating strong interaction or/and multiple jumping type of the mobile entity. The present data suggest that the models aiming at interpreting the decomposition reactions and kinetics should take into account the indicated point-defect dynamics and stoichiometry defects.
Dissolving Boundaries: Introduction

The traditional boundaries drawn between comparative politics and international relations are dissolving. With only a few exceptions, international relations scholars acknowledge that “domestic politics matter” and matter much. Comparative politics scholars likewise recognize with increasing regularity that international politics influences relations within states. In this volume, we consider whether and the extent to which boundaries between the two fields are and should be dissolving. Although the boundaries between international political economy and comparative political economy are perhaps even more fluid, we focus here on issues related to domestic and international security and conflict. While this orientation reflects the editors' own interests and expertise, the focus on conflict and security issues also represents a particularly hard case for the dissolution of boundaries between the subfields as conflict has traditionally been viewed as high politics and the least likely to be affected by domestic politics (in the case of international security issues) or by international politics (in the case of domestic security issues). This work is divided into two broad parts. In the first part, we explore the relatively uncontroversial notions that domestic variables affect issues of international security and that international variables can affect issues of domestic security. There are articles that focus on theoretical concerns and trends in the field as well as those that consider specific instances of linkages across the subfields via either empirical or formal methods. In the second part of the work, we explore the more controversial notion that international and comparative politics are linked not only because conditions in one environment affect events in the other, but also because it is possible to use a single theoretical framework to understand domestic and international security issues. Once again there are articles that lay out some of the key issues and those that use a single theoretical …
Changes in T-DNA methylation and expression are associated with phenotypic variation and plant regeneration in a crown gall tumor line.

Phenotypic variation of an octopine-type crown gall tumor line resulting from changes in the pattern of T-DNA methylation and expression is described. Variants that grow as unorganized callus always express T-DNA transcripts 1 and 2. In shoot-forming variants (teratomas) only T-DNA transcript 4 is expressed. This line also regenerates normal-appearing, rooted plants in which all T-DNA expression is suppressed. Tissues from these plants require phytohormones for growth in vitro. These plants are selffertile and transmit T-DNA through meiosis, and T-DNA suppression is maintained in the next generation. After treatment of regenerated plant tissue with 5-azacytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methylation, T-DNA transcription and phytohormone-independent tumorous growth resume. The T-DNA of cell lines in which T-DNA is not expressed is highly methylated, whereas the level of T-DNA methylation is reduced in 5-azacytidine treated cells that resume T-DNA expression and phytohormone-independent growth. The correlation between the degree of T-DNA methylation and the level of T-DNA expression indicates that hypermethylation is responsible for the suppression of T-DNA transcription.
Critical wetting angle for spontaneous liquid infiltration into orderly packed fibres or spheres

The static mechanics requirement for liquids to infiltrate spontaneously into orderly packed monosized spheres or fibres is studied. It is found that a wetting angle much lower than 90 ° is required to achieve spontaneous infiltration, and this wetting angle also varies considerably with respect to the infiltration direction, the arrangement of the fibres or spheres, and the packing density.
The molecular and ionic solubility of nickel dimethylglyoximate

Abstract Values are reported for the solubility product constant and the ionization constant of nickel(II) dimethylglyoximate in aqueous solution. The solubility of nickel dimethylglyoximate in the investigated pH range from 2 to 9 is accounted for by the species Ni+2 and Ni(HDx)2; there is no evidence for the existence of a significant amount of NiHDx+. The extraction constant has been calculated from the ionization constants of Ni(HDx)2 and H2Dx and the molecular solubilities of the former in water and chloroform.
Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in patients with pulmonary embolism: correlation of fibrinolytic specificity and efficacy.

Blood samples from 24 patients who received recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for angiographically documented acute pulmonary embolism were examined to identify and quantify fibrinolysis. Before and after the intravenous administration of 50 mg rt-PA over a 2 hr period, levels of total fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP), and cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XDP) were measured in each patient. Elevated levels of XDP were found in all patients before treatment (mean 2.0 micrograms/ml, normal less than 0.2 microgram/ml), and these increased 12-fold with treatment. Fibrinogen levels fell 30% and FDP levels increased 24-fold for the entire group of patients. Over this 2 hr period, 10 of 24 patients (responders) demonstrated 25% or greater improvement in the extent of pulmonary artery thrombus as quantified by Urokinase Pulmonary Embolism Trial score, and these patients were found to have a significantly lower XDP/FDP ratio after rt-PA (p less than .04) than those patients who failed to respond. These data suggest that the intravenous administration of pharmacologic doses of rt-PA in patients with pulmonary embolism produces both fibrinolysis and fibrinogenolysis, successful thrombolysis in these patients is associated with a preponderance of fibrinogenolysis over fibrinolysis, the XDP/FDP ratio is a useful indicator of fibrinolytic specificity, and in patients with acute pulmonary embolism the endogenous fibrinolytic pathways are activated, albeit ineffectively, as indicated by the increased circulating XDP levels seen in all 24 patients before the administration of rt-PA.
Compact Optical Fiber Faraday Ring Ammeter

The magneto-optic (Faraday) effect in dia-magnetic materials is a promising method of measuring magnetic fields or electric currents in space plasmas due to its non-invasive character. Fiber-optic sensors with coherent detection schemes are attractive for these measurements. The Faraday Ring Ammeter (FRA) is the first in a series of space plasma ammeters under development whose ultimate goal is detecting currents with a pA/m2 resolution. This instrument has 450 meters of twisted single mode optical fiber as its sensing element. The optics for injection (including GRIN lenses) and for coherent detection (po-larimetry) are integrated with the electronics in a (6" x 5" x 3") box. Operating at a laser wavelength of 830mn currents as small as a few hundred milliamperes through the FRA have been measured.
Offline and Online Multi-Thread Polling in Long-Reach PONs: A Critical Evaluation

Multi-thread polling (MTP) with offline scheduling and offline excess bandwidth distribution has recently been proposed to overcome the long propagation delay of long-reach passive optical networks (LR-PONs). In this paper, we propose a complementary MTP approach with online scheduling and online excess bandwidth distribution. We evaluate the throughput-delay performance of offline and online MTP against offline and online single-thread polling (STP) with excess bandwidth distribution as well as double-phase polling (DPP) with excess bandwidth distribution. We find that online MTP and STP as well as DPP give significantly lower average packet delays than offline MTP.
Functionalization via glycerol transesterification of polymerized soybean oil

An acylglycerol-based molecule was synthesized by the thermal polymerization (bodying) of soybean oil followed by transesterification with glycerol. Transesterification with glycerol at temperatures greater than 200°C provided the desired polyol prepolymers. The extent of bodying and quantity of glycerol added during the transesterification provided tunability of the polyol molecular weight and functionality. The hydroxyl numbers, acidity, and viscosity of the polyols were characterized. The polyols were evaluated in elastomers and rigid foams. Extractability analyses were performed on the polyurethane elastomer wafers to evaluate crosslinking. Rigid foaming results for the processed soy-based polyol showed excellent physicochemical properties suggesting comparability with a petroleum-based polyether polyol. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
THz materials discovery and integration: The search for novel functionality

The functionality of terahertz metamaterials can be dramatically increased through judicious materials integration. In addition to semiconductors, materials ranging from graphene to superconductors can enhance or enable new functionality. Following a brief review, we present recent results creating nonlinear metamaterials using InAs and YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 , and discuss the broad range of possibilities to explore using transition metal oxides in the design of metamaterials.
Nitrogen protection of fecundity and fertility in female Habrobracon treated with x-rays.

BBACONID anoxia experiments were performed as a logical sequel to investigations with ingested chemical protectors1. In both cases, damage was assessed by scoring the eggs produced per unit of time and the larvae emerging therefrom. Eggs are dispensed in exact order from the single developmental series identical for each of the four ovarioles. This feature makes it possible to correlate quantitative modifications in the number of eggs, and their hatchability, with the cellular state at the time of irradiation.
Adenosine 5'-phosphate and assembly of actin filaments in vitro.

Loewy (1952) reported that adding adenosine 5′-phosphate to crude supernatants of Physarum extracts caused small increments in their specific viscosity. It is shown here that 5′AMP † has this effect on the soluble fraction (100,000 g supernatant) and that the viscosity rises are correlated with the new appearance of individual filaments from amorphous precursor material. The filaments formed are shown to be actin by their size, shape and ability to interact with heavy meromyosin subfragment 1. ATP and inosine 5′-phosphate also cause filament assembly but 3′AMP is inactive. A polypeptide with a molecular weight of 55,000 is found in sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels of hybrid complexes made by co-precipitating supernatant proteins with added rabbit myosin. These hybrid complexes form 5′AMP when incubated with ATP.
Primary Melanoma of the Umbilicus: Report of a Case and Review of the Relevant Anatomy

Background Malignant melanoma presenting on the umbilicus is rare. Treatment of melanoma on the umbilicus is difficult because of the unusual anatomy of the umbilicus. Objective To present the case of a patient with a primary malignant melanoma of the umbilicus and to discuss treatment concerns that are relevant to the umbilical anatomy. Methods This is a case report as well as a review of the pertinent anatomy. Results The initial excision was read as having clear deep and lateral margins on histopathologic examination. Postoperative complications led to a re-excision down to and including the umbilical attachment to the peritoneum. The re-excision revealed residual primary cutaneous malignant melanoma in a remnant umbilical cyst. Conclusion When a malignant melanoma is located on the vertical sidewall or bottom of the umbilicus, one should consider surgical excision down to peritoneum, including the umbilical attachment to the peritoneum. Because this is beyond the scope of training for most dermatologic surgeons, it would be appropriate to refer these patients to a surgical oncologist or a plastic surgeon.
Health promotion among older cancer survivors with prior disabling conditions.

Older cancer survivors, who often cope with multiple disabling conditions, can find health promotion challenging. This study's purpose was to explore predictors of health promotion for older cancer survivors with a disabling condition that existed prior to their cancer diagnosis. The 92 cancer survivors were predominantly women with preexisting neuromuscular impairments and an average age of 69 years. Half were breast cancer survivors, and 58% were 6 or more years since their cancer diagnosis. In hierarchical regression analyses, self-efficacy for health promotion and social support were the strongest predictors of the total HPLPII and its subscales. The findings suggest that nursing interventions to assist older cancer survivors with multiple chronic conditions in building their social support and perceived self-efficacy may help them lead more healthy lives.
Microbial Genomics and Infectious Diseases

Advances in genomic technologies have permitted a better understanding of the biology of microbes, be they pathogenic or benign. This article discusses the myriad effects of genomic information on our understanding of and response to microbial infections.