cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infants' ability to parse continuous actions.

In a series of 3 experiments, the authors examined 6- and 8-month-old infants’ capacities to detect target actions in a continuous action sequence. In Experiment 1, infants were habituated to 2 different target actions and subsequently were presented with 2 continuous action sequences that either included or did not include the familiar target actions. Infants looked significantly longer at the sequences that were novel. Experiment 2 presented the habituation and test trials in the reverse order. The results showed that infants habituated to the sequence still showed reliable evidence of recognizing the target action during the test trials. Experiment 3 was comparable to Experiment 2, except it tested whether infants could detect a different event segment, namely the transitions between events. The results showed that infants did not discriminate between test trials suggesting that transitions between events are not as easy for infants to recognize.
Analysis of the regions flanking the human insulin gene and sequence of an Alu family member

The regions around the human insulin gene have been studied by heteroduplex, hybridization and sequence analysis. These studies indicated that there is a region of heterogeneous length located approximately 700 bp before the 5' end of the gene; and that the 19 kb of cloned DNA which includes the 1430 bp insulin gene as well as 5650 bp before and 11,500 bp after the gene is single copy sequence except for 500 bp located 6000 bp from the 3' end of the gene. This 500 bp segment contains a member of the Alu family of dispersed middle repetitive sequences as well as another less highly repeated homopolymeric segment. The sequence of this region was determined. This Alu repeat is bordered by 19 bp direct repeats and also contains an 83 bp sequence which is present twice. The regions flanking the human and rat I insulin genes were compared by heteroduplex analysis to localize homologous sequences in the flanking regions which could be involved in the regulation of insulin biosynthesis. The homology between the two genes is restricted to the region encoding preproinsulin and a short region of approximately 60 bp flanking the 5' side of the genes.
Influence of anomeric configuration on mechanochemical degradation of polysaccharides: cellulose versus amylose.

Cellulose and amylose are (1→4)-linked polysaccharides that are used extensively in the textiles, paper, and food and feed industries and are finding increasing use as alternative fuels and so forth. At the molecular level, cellulose and amylose differ only in their anomeric configuration: β in cellulose, α in amylose. During processing and end use, these polymers experience a variety of mechanochemical stresses, many through contact with transient elongational flow fields. Here, we subject solutions of both polysaccharides to extended periods of ultrasonic irradiation, as the cavitational bubble collapse characteristic of ultrasound experiments creates flow fields strictly analogous to those encountered in other transient elongational flow scenarios. With the use of multidetector size-exclusion chromatography, the effects of anomeric configuration on both the limiting molar mass, beyond which polymers do not degrade in transient elongation flow (Mlim), and the rate of degradation have been isolated in th...
The Relations Among Religion, Motivation, and College Cheating: A Natural Experiment

A natural experiment was conducted studying the relations among student cheating, motivation, religiosity, and attitudes toward cheating. Students enrolled in a dual religious/college curriculum were surveyed regarding their cheating behavior, attitudes toward cheating, religiosity, and learning/grade motivations toward classes. Business and liberal arts college students were represented. Results strongly support the following conclusions. First, grade orientation is associated with increases in self-reported cheating. Second, among these religious students, more religiosity correlates with reduced reports of cheating in all courses. This result appears to be due to the unique effect of religion on self-reported cheating rates and, depending on course content, on a reduction of grade orientation in religious students. Third, business students report more cheating than their liberal arts counterparts, even when taking the same courses. They have less critical attitudes toward cheating and greater grade ori...
Genetic applications of transposable elements in eukaryotes

Transposable elements have many potential applications in genetic research, including insertional mutagenesis, gene mapping, gene cloning, gene transfer within and between species, and identification of genes expressed in specific tissues at a particular time. All these genetic approaches are important in the study of molecular biology and evolution. As the number of known transposable element families increases and their properties are further documented, their utility as genetic research tools will become greater. The purpose of this article is to discuss the salient properties of transposable elements in eukaryotes and their applications to genetic research.
Approximations to the ocean’s residual circulation in arbitrary tracer coordinates

Abstract The residual circulation is the flow which transports tracers. Its utility is tempered by the challenge associated with its computation: velocity must be mapped into tracer coordinates on a timescale which is short compared to eddy timescales. Several approximations have been introduced which allow the residual circulation to be evaluated using a small number of flow statistics, including the transformed Eulerian mean (TEM), the temporal residual mean (TRM), and the recently introduced statistical transformed Eulerian mean (STEM). This paper discusses the relationship between these approximations and illustrates their differences with a series of analytical and numerical examples. The STEM is found to be superior to the TEM and TRM in both its handling of the surface boundary condition and its ease of implementation.
Prevalence of Appropriate and Inappropriate Indications for Use of Digoxin in Older Patients at the Time of Admission to a Nursing Home

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of digoxin use and appropriate and inappropriate indications for digoxin use in older patients at the time of admission to a nursing home. DESIGN: In a prospective study of 500 consecutive patients aged 60 years of age or older admitted to a nursing home, 96 (19%) patients were receiving digoxin at the time of admission to the nursing home. Appropriate and inappropriate indications for digoxin use were investigated in these 96 patients. SETTING: A large, long-term health care facility where 500 consecutive older patients were studied. PATIENTS: The 500 patients included 344 women and 156 men, mean age 81 ± 8 years (range 60–100). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ninety-six of the 500 patients (19%) were receiving digoxin at the time of admission to the nursing home. Fifty-one (53%) of the 96 patients receiving digoxin had an appropriate indication for digoxin use, and 45 (47%) had an inappropriate indication for digoxin use. Appropriate indications for digoxin use included atrial fibrillation with or without congestive heart failure (CHF) in 35 patients (36%) and CHF with sinus rhythm and abnormal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction in 16 patients (17%). Inappropriate indications for digoxin use included CHF with sinus rhythm and normal LV ejection fraction in 18 patients (19%), misdiagnosis of edema or dyspnea as CHF in patients with sinus rhythm and normal LV ejection fraction in 17 patients (18%), history of possible (undocumented) paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in nine patients (9%), and sinus tachycardia in one patient (1%). Two of the 45 patients (5%) inappropriately treated with digoxin had evidence of digitalis toxicity on their admission electrocardiogram. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of digoxin use was 19% in older patients at the time of admission to the nursing home. Almost half of patients (47%) receiving digoxin at the time of admission had an inappropriate indication for digoxin use at that time.
Microwave Faraday Rotation Using a Bimodal Cavity

A technique has been developed for using a bimodal cavity to measure Faraday rotation at microwave frequencies with high sensitivity. Such measurements yield information about the off-diagonal elements of either the susceptibility or conductivity tensor of the sample being investigated. This paper presents a qualitative discussion of the behavior and use of this cavity. Previously presented analysis of the cavity operation is outlined and the measurements made to date, using the cavity, are indicated.
Multi-Scale Models of Genomic Bacterial DNA

Detailed structural models of genomic bacterial DNA were developed using multi-scale modeling methods. Initial models were generated using a coarse-grained representation of supercoiled plectonemic DNA informed by experimental data. Conformational sampling was carried out using a Monte Carlo procedure to generate ensembles of nucleoid structures for complete genomic DNA within the constraints of known nucleoid sizes. The resulting models suggest that nucleoids are porous structures that may allow the diffusion of most proteins and protein complexes, in particular those involved in transcription and replication. The coarse-grained models were further refined with increasingly detailed representations of helical DNA up to quasi-atomistic models to serve as starting structures for realistic models of cellular environments.
Role of progesterone signaling in the regulation of G-protein levels in female chronic constipation.

Background & Aims: Chronic constipation caused by slow transit is common in women with an F/M ratio of 9:1. The cause and mechanisms responsible for this syndrome are unknown. Progesterone has been suggested as a possible contributing factor. Our aim was to investigate the site and mechanisms responsible for this colonic motility disorder. Methods: Seven women with intractable constipation and slow transit time underwent colectomy and 6 women who underwent a left colectomy for adenocarcinoma (controls) were studied. Dissociated colonic circular muscle cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion. Changes in G-protein levels were measured by Western blot. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Gαq and progesterone receptors was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot. Results: Muscle cells from patients with chronic constipation exhibited impaired contraction in response to receptor-G-protein-dependent agonists (cholecystokinin [CCK], acetylcholine) and in response to the direct G-protein activator guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiophosphate). Contraction was normal with receptor-G-protein-independent agonists (diacylglycerol and KCl). Western blot showed down-regulation of Gαq/11 and up-regulation of Gαs proteins in patients with chronic constipation. The mRNA expression of Gαq was lower and the progesterone receptors were overexpressed in patients with chronic constipation compared with controls. These abnormalities were reproduced in vitro by pretreatment of normal colonic muscle cells with progesterone for 4 hours. Conclusions: Slow transit chronic constipation in women may be caused by down-regulation of contractile G proteins and up-regulation of inhibitory G proteins, probably caused by overexpression of progesterone receptors.
Childhood Violence and Adult Partner Maltreatment: The Roles of Coping Style and Psychological Distress

The study investigates the impact of psychological well-being, coping style, and maltreatment types on adult partner maltreatment patterns. A large sample of undergraduates completed assessments measuring history of childhood violence exposure, psychological distress, coping, and adult partner maltreatment. The multiply abused group (childhood physical abuse and witnessing family violence) experienced the highest levels of all forms of adult maltreatment, followed by the childhood physical abuse group. As childhood victimization became more severe, the relationship between childhood victimization and adult partner maltreatment became more direct. The current study highlights that individuals exposed to a greater degree of childhood victimization are more vulnerable to adult maltreatment because there are few mediators which may prevent or decrease risk for adult maltreatment. The results suggest that treatment and prevention efforts with victims of interpersonal violence should foster individualized coping skills and address specific psychopathology depending upon the individual’s childhood abuse history.
Comments on the equation of state of the products of high density explosives

Abstract The problem of the thermal equation of state of the products of solid explosives is considered. It is assumed that the products are in chemical equilibrium, that the specific chemical heat released is independent of the loading density, and that the detonation density is proportional to the loading density. Using the energy conservation equation and thermodynamic relationships, it is then shown that the thermal equation of state must satisfy the following relationship: F [ T ( 1 − K ) / 2 K υ ; υ ( 1 + K ) / ( 1 − K ) p ] = 0 . where K is a constant and F is an arbitrary function of its two arguments. It is then argued that the experimental knowledge of detonation velocity, pressure, density, and particle velocity versus loading density is not enough to check the validity of an assumed thermal equation of state of the products and to compute the detonation temperature. In particular, it is explained why similar detonation pressures, densities, and particle velocities, but completely different detonation temperatures have been calculated by various authors, using similar detonation velocity data but different thermal equations of state.
Vibrational spectroscopy of CS2: A physical chemistry experiment

The authors have developed an experiment out of a perceived need for an experiment in vibrational spectroscopy which goes beyond the usual infrared rotational-vibration spectrum of HCl and which will render a spectra that is sufficiently complex so that many of the features observed in larger molecules may be meaningfully illustrated.
Six degree-of-freedom haptic display of polygonal models

We present an algorithm for haptic display of moderately complex polygonal models with a six degree of freedom (DOF) force feedback device. We make use of incremental algorithms for contact determination between convex primitives. The resulting contact information is used for calculating the restoring forces and torques and thereby used to generate a sense of virtual touch. To speed up the computation, our approach exploits a combination of geometric locality, temporal coherence, and predictive methods to compute object-object contacts at kHz rates. The algorithm has been implemented and interfaced with a 6-DOF PHANToM Premium 1.5. We demonstrate its performance on force display of the mechanical interaction between moderately complex geometric structures that can be decomposed into convex primitives.
Reduced local energy surface profiles for hydrogen

Three dimensional molecular reduced local energy error surface profiles are reported. The calculations are carried out for the hydrogen molecule using the Hartree-Fock wavefunctions of Coulson, Goodisman and Kolos and Roothaan. These surfaces provide both a complete and a simple way to interpret local errors in these wavefunctions.
Early perfusion after controlled cortical impact in rats: quantification by arterial spin-labeled MRI and the influence of spin-lattice relaxation time heterogeneity.

Early posttraumatic cerebral hypoperfusion is implicated in the evolution of secondary damage after experimental and clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is the first report of cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement by continuous arterial spin-labeled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) early after TBI in rats using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model. CCI reduced CBF globally at approximately 3 hr (versus normal), with 85% and 49% reductions in a contused cortical region and contralateral cortex, respectively. In contrast, a prior MRI study from this laboratory showed at 24 hr post trauma a focal CBF reduction restricted to the injury site. In vivo spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1obs)), which is used in CBF quantification, was spatially heterogeneous early after CCI, a time when edema is developing in injured brain tissue. At 4.7 T, T(1obs) values are increased 29% in the contusion (versus normal), consequently reducing CBF quantification to a similar degree. MRI should facilitate coupling posttraumatic CBF with long-term functional outcome. Magn Reson Med 42:673-681, 1999.
PREDICTION OF ROAD TRAFFIC USING A NEURAL NETWORK APPROACH

A key component of the daily operation and planning activities of a traffic control centre is short-term forecasting, i.e. the prediction of daily to the next few days of traffic flow. Such forecasts have a significant impact on the optimal regulation of the road traffic on all kinds of freeways. They are increasingly important in an environment with increasing road traffic problems. The present paper aims at presenting the effectiveness of a neural network system for prediction based on time-series data. We only use one parameter, namely traffic volume for the forecasting. We employ artificial neural networks for traffic forecasting applied on a road section. Recurrent Jordan networks, popular in the modelling of time series, is examined in this study. Simulation results demonstrate that learning with this type of architecture has a good generalisation ability.
Structural analysis of silanediols as transition-state-analogue inhibitors of the benchmark metalloprotease thermolysin.

Dialkylsilanediols have been found to be an effective functional group for the design of active-site-directed protease inhibitors, including aspartic (HIV protease) and metallo (ACE and thermolysin) proteases. The use of silanediols is predicated on its resemblance to the hydrated carbonyl transition-state structure of amide hydrolysis. This concept has been tested by replacing the presumed tetrahedral carbon of a thermolysin substrate with a silanediol group, resulting in an inhibitor with an inhibition constant Ki = 40 nM. The structure of the silanediol bound to the active site of thermolysin was found to have a conformation very similar to that of a corresponding phosphonamidate inhibitor (Ki = 10 nM). In both cases, a single oxygen is within bonding distance to the active-site zinc ion, mimicking the presumed tetrahedral transition state. There are binding differences that appear to be related to the presence or absence of protons on the oxygens attached to the silicon or phosphorus. This is the firs...
Synthesis of Passive RC Networks with Gains Greater than Unity

This paper illustrates the fact that three-terminal passive resistor-capacitor networks are capable of having unity voltage gain at zero frequency and higher than unity gain over a prescribed frequency band. A general design procedure for synthesizing a transfer function with these properties using, insofar as possible, known methods of synthesis is outlined. Together with suggestions for further work, two examples are presented to illustrate the method.
Monitoring the permeability profile of lipid membranes with spin probes.

Abstract The rate of reaction of the ascorbate ion with the nitroxide group of spin probes intercalated in lipid bilayers has been studied to examine the mechanism of transport of solutes across membranes. The loss of electron spin resonance (ESR) signal follows first-order kinetics. For a given bilayer system, the half-time of the process increases with the distance of the reacting group from the aqueous interface, according to an approximately linear permeation profile. The dependence on phospholipid headgroup is that which would be predicted from the net charge; addition of negatively charged headgroups increases the half-time of reaction, and positively charged headgroups decrease it, compared with bilayers having no net charge. Addition of cholesterol, which is known to decrease the fluidity of the hydrocarbon core of the bilayer, is found to increase the half-time of reaction. The results have been analyzed in terms of a partition-diffusion mechanism. It is suggested that the rate-limiting step for partitioning the solute into the bilayer might be removal of water of hydration. Cholesterol increases the activation energy, most probably by increasing the height of the barriers to diffusion. Quantitation of the changes in reaction rates gives an estimate of the change in bilayer surface potential on changing the headgroup composition. Examination of the permeation profile supports a diffusive mechanism, from which it can be estimated that the diffusion coefficient is approximately halved on adding 35 mol% cholesterol to egg lecithin bilayers.
Metric theorems related to the Kronecker-Weyl theorem modm

Let (Ω, ℬ,P) be the infinite product of identical copies of the unit interval probability space. For a Lebesgue measurable subsetI of the unit interval, let\(A(N,I,\omega ) = \# \left\{ {n \leqslant N|\omega _n \varepsilon I} \right\}\), where ω=(ω1,ω2,...). For integersm>1, and 0≤r<m, define $$\varepsilon (k,r,m,I,\omega ) = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {1\,if\,A(k,I,\omega ) \equiv r(\bmod m)} \\ {0\,otherwise} \\ \end{array} } \right.$$ and $$\eta (k,m,I,\omega ) = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {1\,if\,(A(k,I,\omega ),m) \equiv 1} \\ {0\,otherwise.} \\ \end{array} } \right.$$
Otitis media. Incidence, duration, and hearing status.

• The middle ear status and hearing sensitivity in 483 normal infants have been closely monitored as part of the Dallas Cooperative Project, University of Texas at Dallas, effort to assess the effect of early otitis media with effusion on speech and language development. At least one episode of otitis media with effusion occurred in 73.5% of the children between the ages of 6 and 18 months. Almost a quarter of these were discovered at "well-baby" checkups and were appropriately classified as "silent." The hearing levels, the methods of hearing assessment, and the implications of these data are described. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.1989;115:1049-1053)
Fetal plasma and renal responses to ruminal fluid.

Abstract Amniotic fluid homeostasis is dependent on a balance of fetal fluid production and absorption. The fetal gastrointestinal tract is believed to resorb 500 to 1000 ml of amniotic fluid per day during 7 to 10 bouts of swallowing activity. However, the impact of ruminal fluid on fetal plasma composition and fluid homeostasis is largely unknown. Seven ovine fetuses (120 ± 1 day) received intraruminal infusions of 0.9% or 3% saline solution on alternate days. In response to successive 40-minute intraruminal infusions of 0.9% saline solution (0.5 and 1.0 ml/kg/min), there was no change from basal levels of fetal plasma osmolality (295.7 ± 2.9 mosm), plasma arginine vasopressin (1.45 ± 0.29 pg/ml), urine osmolality (150 ± 8 mosm), or urine volume (0.49 ± 0.10 ml/min). In response to the 3% saline solution infusion, significant increases were noted in fetal plasma osmolality (295.4 ± 3.1 to 302.6 ± 2.6 mosm), plasma arginine vasopressin (1.77 ± 0.31 to 4.84 ± 0.79 pg/ml), and urine osmolality (157 ± 13 to 342 ± 25 mosm), whereas fetal urine volume significantly decreased (0.35 ± 0.05 to 0.15 ± 0.06 ml/min). These results indicate that hypertonic, but not isotonic, saline solution infusion into the fetal gastrointestinal tract may affect fetal plasma composition and urine production. Under conditions of significant plasma to luminal osmotic gradients, fetal gastrointestinal water and electrolyte transfer may be more rapid than can be compensated by either fetal renal function or placental equilibration.
Differential regulation of human blood monocyte and alveolar macrophage inflammatory cytokine production by nitric oxide.

Background Nitric oxide (NO) has been associated with airway inflammation in asthma. Our previous work suggests that NO functions in an anti-inflammatory capacity through downregulation of stimulated cytokine secretion by normal human alveolar macrophages. Functional differences between alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes are thought to be related to maturation. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of NO on stimulated cytokine production by monocytes from asthmatics and normal healthy controls. Methods Monocytes and alveolar macrophages were obtained from normal volunteers (n = 13) and asthmatics with atopy (n = 7). Monocyte and alveolar macrophage cultures were stimulated with 0.5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide ± 1.0 mM DETA NONOate (releases NO in culture with t 1/2 = 20 hours at 37°C) and incubated for 24 hours. Cell-free supernatants were collected and assayed by ELISA for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Results Nitric oxide did not inhibit TNF production in monocytes of asthmatics and normals (mean ± SEM % TNF stimulation=19.6 ± 9.7). Similar to previous results, NO did inhibit alveolar macrophages (% TNF suppression=60.6 ± 4.4). To determine whether this differential effect of NO on the two cell populations was related to maturation, monocytes were matured by culture for 7 days. The in vitro matured monocytes demonstrated 51.7 ± 7.9% suppression of TNF. For each cell population, the responses of the asthmatics and healthy controls were not different. The differential effect is not cytokine specific since similar results were obtained with GM-CSF. Conclusion These results demonstrate a differential effect of NO on monocyte and alveolar macrophages cytokine regulation and this effect may be related to the state of maturation.
Evaluation of Ceftaroline, Vancomycin, Daptomycin, or Ceftaroline plus Daptomycin against Daptomycin-Nonsusceptible Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an In Vitro Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of Simulated Endocardial Vegetations

Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and daptomycin has few adequate therapeutic options. Ceftaroline (CPT) is bactericidal against daptomycin (DAP)-nonsusceptible (DNS) and vancomycin-intermediate MRSA, but supporting data are limited for IE. This study evaluated the activities of ceftaroline, vancomycin, daptomycin, and the combination of ceftaroline plus daptomycin against DNS MRSA in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs). Simulations of ceftaroline-fosamil (600 mg) every 8 h (q8h) (maximum concentration of drug in serum [Cmax], 21.3 mg/liter; half-life [t1/2], 2.66 h), daptomycin (10 mg/kg of body weight/day) (Cmax, 129.7 mg/liter; t1/2, 8 h), vancomycin (1 g) q8h (minimum concentration of drug in serum [Cmin], 20 mg/liter; t1/2, 5 h), and ceftaroline plus daptomycin were evaluated against 3 clinical DNS, vancomycin-intermediate MRSA in a two-compartment, in vitro, PK/PD SEV model over 96 h with a starting inoculum of ∼8 log10 CFU/g. Bactericidal activity was defined as a ≥ 3-log10 CFU/g reduction from the starting inoculum. Therapeutic enhancement of combinations was defined as ≥ 2-log10 CFU/g reduction over the most active agent alone. MIC values for daptomycin, vancomycin, and ceftaroline were 4 mg/liter, 4 to 8 mg/liter, and 0.5 to 1 mg/liter, respectively, for all strains. At simulated exposures, vancomycin was bacteriostatic, but daptomycin and ceftaroline were bactericidal. By 96 h, ceftaroline monotherapy offered significantly improved killing compared to other agents against one strain. The combination of DAP plus CPT demonstrated therapeutic enhancement, resulting in significantly improved killing versus either agent alone against 2/3 (67%) strains. CPT demonstrated bactericidal activity against DNS, vancomycin-intermediate MRSA at high bacterial densities. Ceftaroline plus daptomycin may offer more rapid and sustained activity against some MRSA in the setting of high-inoculum infections like IE and should also be considered.
Manual unloading of the lumbar spine: can it identify immediate responders to mechanical traction in a low back pain population? A study of reliability and criterion referenced predictive validity.

Background:: To date, no research has examined the reliability or predictive validity of manual unloading tests of the lumbar spine to identify potential responders to lumbar mechanical traction.Purpose:: To determine: (1) the intra and inter-rater reliability of a manual unloading test of the lumbar spine and (2) the criterion referenced predictive validity for the manual unloading test.Methods:: Ten volunteers with low back pain (LBP) underwent a manual unloading test to establish reliability. In a separate procedure, 30 consecutive patients with LBP (age 50·86±11·51) were assessed for pain in their most provocative standing position (visual analog scale (VAS) 49·53±25·52 mm). Patients were assessed with a manual unloading test in their most provocative position followed by a single application of intermittent mechanical traction. Post traction, pain in the provocative position was reassessed and utilized as the outcome criterion.Results:: The test of unloading demonstrated substantial intra and inter-r...
The Story Between the Lines: A Thematic Discussion of the Experience of Racism

This article is a thematic discussion of the 17 personal narratives submitted to the Journal of Counseling & Development's special issue on racism. A description of the themes, with connections and disparities, are offered along with implications, conclusions, and recommendations for future research.
The Role of Depression in Adolescent Smoking Trajectories

The public health significance of adolescent smoking and depression has been established, and the co-morbidity has been documented. However, the directionality of the relationship, mediating mechanisms, moderated effects, and the developmental heterogeneity between depression and smoking among adolescents are either unclear or have not been studied. Potential answers and future research needed to address four important questions are highlighted. One, what is the nature of the relationship between smoking and depression? Directionality has implications for distinct etiological and prevention intervention implications. Two, why is depression linked to smoking acquisition, and why does smoking contribute to the development of depression? Information regarding common and unique mechanisms by directional path will pinpoint intervention targets. Three, what modifies the impact of depression on smoking, and what modifies the impact of smoking on depression? This will provide critical information on who to target...
Energetics of ternary and quaternary alloy surfaces

Abstract In spite of the advance in theoretical modelling of surfaces, there are a limited number of investigations on the characteristics of multicomponent alloy surfaces. Moreover, the corresponding experimental work does not compare in scope and depth with the work done on binary alloy surfaces. Recent developments in computational modelling using semiempirical methods both in the fields of alloy design as well as surface analysis, hint to the possibility of exploiting the predictive power of these methods towards a comprehensive analysis of multicomponent alloy surfaces. In this work, we apply the BFS (Bozzolo-Ferrante-Smith) method for alloys to determine the essential features of multicomponent alloy surfaces. Several issues will be illustrated, ranging from the influence of ternary additions to the surface composition of (110) surfaces of binary alloys (Ti or Cr additions to NiAl), the composition and energetics of ternary (NiAlCr and NiAlTi alloys) alloy surfaces and quaternary (NiAlTiCr and NiAlTiCu) alloy surfaces.
CHEMICAL DEFENSE AGAINST HERBIVORY IN THE ANTARCTIC MARINE MACROALGAE IRIDAEA CORDATA AND PHYLLOPHORA ANTARCTICA (RHODOPHYCEAE)

Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory and Phyllophora antarctica A. et E. S. Gepp (Gigartinales, Rhodophyceae) are common in many high-latitude, shallow benthic marine communities in Antarctica, but previous observations have indicated little or no exploitation by potential herbivores. We have measured retention of test disks over the mouths of the common Antarctic sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri Meissner, and we have used this assay to examine potential chemical defenses in I. cordata and P. antarctica. Thallus disks of both macroalgal species were retained by the urchins for significantly shorter times than inert filter paper disks and much shorter times than paper disks with a feeding stimulant. Both nonpolar and polar extracts of each macroalgal species added to disks with a feeding stimulant significantly decreased retention times relative to controls. These results support the hypothesis that chemical defenses in I. cordata and P. antarctica play a role in deterring potential herbivores.
The vibrational transition moment for the ν2 bands of 14ND3 and 15ND3

Abstract Intensities were measured at high pressure (200 Torr) for blended K-multiplets in the P and R branches of the s0 → aν2 and a0 → sν2 bands of 14ND3. Intensities of 55 individual lines at 10 Torr of 15ND3 were also measured by deconvolution of the true line shape from the observed vibration-rotation spectrum and the instrumental line shape. From these results we estimate a transition moment of 0.179 ± 0.010 D for both 14ND3 and 15ND3. These lead to a derivative of the dipole moment, | ∂μ ∂Q 2 | = 93 cm 3 2 sec −1 .
CRF-induced seizures and behavior: interaction with amygdala kindling.

Abstract Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in doses varying from 10 to 100 μg has been reported to produce the late onset of seizures that resembles those observed during electrical kindling of the amygdala 7,8. We assessed the effects of repeated CRF administration on seizure development and on subsequent electrical kindling of the amygdala. Rats were administered vehicle or CRF (100 μg in 10 μl of sterile water, i.c.v.) once daily for 5 consecutive days and were rated for seizures and aggressive behavior. On days 1 or 2, all animals receiving CRF developed major motor seizures of late onset (1–5 h post-injection), accompanied by spiking in the amygdala. By day 5, however, no rats had seizures, suggesting the development of tolerance. Defensive biting attacks were also observed following latencies of several hours and tolerance appeared to develop to these as well. After the CRF regimen, treated rats developed amygdala-kindled seizures following electrical stimulation approximately twice as fast as vehicle-injected controls (P
Uncertainty Modeling and Quantification for Structural Health Monitoring Features Derived from Frequency Response Estimation

System identification in the frequency domain plays a fundamental role in many aspects of mechanical and structural engineering. Frequency domain approaches typically involve estimation of a transfer function, whether it is the usual frequency response function (FRF) or an output-to-output transfer model (transmissibility). The field of structural health monitoring, which involves extracting and classifying features mined from in-sit structural performance data for the purposes of damage condition assessment, has exploited many features for this purpose that inherently are derived from estimations of frequency domain models such as the FRF or transmissibility. Structural health monitoring inevitably involves a hypothesis test at the classification stage such as the (common) binary question: are the features mined from data derived from a reference condition or from data derived from a different (test) condition? Inevitably, this decision involves stochastic data, as any such candidate feature is compromised by error, which we categorize as (i) operational and environmental, (ii) measurement, and (iii) computational/estimation. Regardless of source, this noise leads to the propagation of error, resulting in possible false positive (Type I) errors in the classification. As such, the quantification of uncertainty in the estimation of such features is tantamount to making informed decisions based on a hypothesis test. This paper will demonstrate several statistical models that describe the uncertainty in FRF estimation and will compare their performance to features derived from them for the purposes of detecting damage, with ultimate performance evaluated by receiver operating characteristics (ROCs). A simulation and a plate subject to single-input/single-output vibration testing will serve as the comparison testbeds.
Purification and comparative biochemistry of a protease from the starfish pisaster giganteus

Abstract 1. 1. A trypsin-like protease was isolated from the pyloric caeca of the starfish, Pisaster giganteus . 2. 2. Results consistent with the occurrence of the enzyme as a zymogen in the pyloric caeca are presented. 3. 3. The enzyme resembled vertebrate trypsins with respect to reaction with certain inhibitors and substrates, pH-activity profile and molecular weight. 4. 4. Like certain other invertebrate trypsins, the Pisaster enzyme was stable at alkaline pH, unstable below pH 5·5, and was not activated or stabilized by calcium ions.
Epitaxial Graphene Transistors on SiC Substrates

This paper describes the behavior of top-gated transistors fabricated using carbon, specifically epitaxial graphene on SiC, as the active material. Although graphene devices have been built before, in this paper, we provide the first demonstration and systematic evaluation of arrays of a large number of transistors produced using standard microelectronics methods. The graphene devices presented feature high-k dielectric, mobilities up to 5000 cm2/Vldr s, and Ion/Ioff ratios of up to seven, and are methodically analyzed to provide insight into the substrate properties. Typical of graphene, these micrometer-scale devices have negligible band gaps and, therefore, large leakage currents.
Specificity of the Mnt protein determined by binding to randomized operators.

The relative binding affinities of Mnt protein from bacteriophage P22 are determined for each possible base pair at position 17 of the operator. These are determined from the partitioning of randomized operators into bound and unbound fractions; quantitation is provided by restriction enzyme analysis. Mnt protein is found to have an unusual specificity at this position: a C.G base pair (the wild-type operator) has the highest affinity, a G.C base pair has the lowest affinity, and both orientations of A.T base pairs are intermediate and nearly equivalent. A specific binding constant and specific binding free energy are defined and shown to be directly related to the information content of the operator sequences bound to the protein, taking into account the quantitative differences in binding affinities.
Imaging and imaging-guided therapy in severe acute pancreatitis

Effective utilization of imaging in patients with severe acute pancreatitis requires an understanding of the subtypes and complications of pancreatitis. Imaging, particularly computed tomography, can confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis, identify local complications, offer prognostic information, and guide therapeutic interventions. Conventional radiography, ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and magnetic resonance imaging have important adjunctive roles in the evaluation and treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Early identification of pancreatic parenchymal necrosis and areas of infection facilitates timely and appropriate management of these often critically ill patients. Imaging-guided interventions can provide definitive or adjunctive treatment for fluid collections, biliary and pancreatic duct obstruction, and vascular complications.
Construction of Social Reality During Early Adolescence: Can Expecting Storm and Stress Increase Real or Perceived Storm and Stress?

This study examines whether mothers' or adolescents' expectations concerning “storm and stress” behaviors at adolescence predict subsequent real or perceived adolescent behavior and attributes during the early years of adolescence. The study used a short-term longitudinal design. Participants were 6th- and 7th-grade adolescents and their mothers (N=270 families). Data were collected via telephone interviews and questionnaires at 2 time points approximately 1 year apart. Results indicated that adolescents' expectations for risk-taking/rebelliousness and for alienation and mothers' expectations for risk-taking/rebelliousness predicted increases in corresponding adolescent-reported outcomes over the 1-year period. Results are most consistent with the possibility of perceptual biases with respect to storm and stress behaviors, but could indicate the existence of self-fulfilling prophecies, particularly for risk-taking/rebelliousness.
Integrating Peer-Provided Services: A Quasi-experimental Study of Recovery Orientation, Confidence, and Empowerment

Objective: Peer-provided mental health services have become increasingly prominent in recent years, despite a lack of evidence of beneficial impact. The study presented here compared the effectiveness of the Vet-toVet program, a peer education and support program, and standard care without peer support on measures of recovery orientation, confidence, and empowerment. Methods: Participants were recruited in two consecutive cohorts between 2002 and 2006, one before the implementation of the Vet-to-Vet program in June 2002 (cohort 1; N=78) and one after (cohort 2; N=218). Follow-up interviews were conducted at one, three, and nine months. There were few baseline differences between the cohorts. Intention-to-treat analyses compared cohorts on changes over time on measures of recovery orientation, confidence, and empowerment. A third cohort (cohort 2–V) was constructed that consisted of the subset of participants from the second cohort who directly participated in more than ten Vet-to-Vet sessions since the last research interview (N=102). Comparisons between this cohort and the first cohort constitute as-treated analyses. Results: In the intention-to-treat analyses, the Vet-to-Vet cohort scored significantly higher on measures of empowerment. In the as-treated analyses, significant differences favoring the Vet-to-Vet cohort were observed on both empowerment and confidence. Secondary analyses of clinical measures showed significant differences favoring the cohorts 2 and 2–V on measures of functioning and on alcohol use. Conclusions: These data suggest that participation in peer support may enhance personal well-being, as measured by both recovery-oriented and more traditional clinical measures. (Psychiatric Services 59:1307–1314, 2008)
Three Surveys of Hiv-1 Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Men Working at a Sugar Estate in Malawi

Background: HIV-1 surveys in defined populations identify underlying risks and trends useful to mount interventions. Goal: The goal of the study was to determine HIV-1 prevalence and risk factors among men working at a Malawian sugar estate. Study Design: Three independent surveys were conducted in 1994, 1997, and 1998. Procedures included obtaining informed consent, interviewing, and drawing blood for HIV and syphilis testing. Analyses determined prevalence of HIV and associated risk factors. Results: HIV prevalence was 24.3% in 1994 (n = 1691), 22.8% in 1997 (n = 615), and 20.9% in 1998 (n = 1354; P < 0.03). From 1994 to 1998, the percentage of subjects with a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) decreased from 43.6% to 29.5% (P < 0.0001), accompanied by a substantial rise in STDs confirmed by physical examination (from 7.5% to 16.8%; P < 0.0001) and by laboratory testing for syphilis (from 6.5% to 10.4%; P < 0.0001). The percentage with multiple sex partners declined (from 62.0% to 35.2%; P < 0.0001), and condom use rose (from 10.9% to 18.9%; P < 0.0001). STDs were significantly associated with prevalent HIV infection each year. Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV has remained relatively stable and high in this cohort.
Optimal dose and schedule of consolidation in AML: Is there a standard?

Approximately 35%–40% of younger adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be cured using higher doses of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) as post remission consolidation. Earlier studies focused on higher doses of 3 gms/m 2 , but since then numerous studies evaluating differences in dose, schedule, number of courses, and the addition of other agents, suggest that an intermediate-dose of ara-C may offer the greatest benefit to most patients with less toxicity than with higher dose regimens. In retrospect, this was predictable by the cellular pharmacology of ara-C. Perhaps most importantly, the overall outcome has not changed in the past 2-3 decades, indicating that the limits of available chemotherapy have been defined for AML. This review examines studies that have established the various dosing options and considers whether there is a true standard for post remission therapy for patients with AML.
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) overtone phase-step resonator

The low gain nature of HF overtone chemical lasers has heretofore limited the devices to low magnifications on the order of 1.5. In this paper analyses are presented that show a phase step mirror resonator can enhance modal feedback in these devices such that operation at magnifications of at least 3 is possible. The mechanism for this feedback enhancement is destructive interference of the output wave causing confinement of the beam around the resonator axis. It is shown that the radius of the phase step for optimum performance is directly related to the resonator geometry. It is also seen that the phase step technique increases sensitivity of the resonator to misalignments. The analyses include both two and three-dimensional physical optics calculations complete with rotational non-equilibrium chemical laser gain.
Nonlinear dynamics: Chaotic billiard lasers

The chaotic motion of light rays gives microlasers surprising emission properties, enhancing quantum tunnelling by many orders of magnitude and producing highly directional output beams.
Bathymetric patterns of deep-sea gastropod species diversity in 10 basins of the Atlantic Ocean and Norwegian Sea

Bathymetric patterns of macrofaunal species diversity are best documented in the western North Atlantic where diversity is a unimodal function of depth, peaking in the mid-bathyal zone and being depressed in the upper slope and abyss. There are few inter-basin studies of diversity-depth trends that are controlled for taxonomy, sampling gear, and diversity measures. In this paper, we compare gastropod diversity gradients in the North American Basin of the Atlantic to estimates of diversity in 9 other regions: the Norwegian Sea, West European Basin, Guiana Basin, Gambia Basin, Equatorial Mid-Atlantic, Brazil Basin, Angola Basin, Cape Basin and Argentine Basin. All samples were collected with epibenthic sleds, and diversity calculated by the Sanders-Hurlbert normalized expected number of species. While sampling in other regions is generally less complete than in the western North Atlantic, results indicate that a unimodal pattern is not universal. Diversity can increase, decrease or show no relationship with depth. The level of diversity also varies among basins relative to the western North Atlantic, being depressed in the Norwegian Sea, at bathyal depths in the eastern North Atlantic, and below an oxygen minimum zone in the Cape Basin, and generally elevated at tropical latitudes and in abyssal regions where food supply is high. Associations between gastropod diversity and the ecology and geology of basins suggest that productivity, oxygen concentration, hydrographic disturbance and evolutionary-historical processes may be implicated in shaping bathymetric diversity gradients, but specific causes are difficult to discern. Much more intensive sampling, analyses of other major taxa, and more detailed ecological data are necessary to understand deep-sea biogeography at within- and between-basin spatial scales.