cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A remark on a paper of Ibukiyama and Skoruppa

It was proved by Ibukiyama and Skoruppa that the spaces J1,m(l) of Jacobi forms of weight 1, index m and level l vanish if gcd (l,m)=1. We will show that the result holds without the gcd hypothesis.
Accepting unrelated broods helps replacement male yellow-headed blackbirds attract mates

Replacement male yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) did not destroy broods sired by the previous territorial male and they showed no aggression toward females with unrelated broods. To test whether their tolerance of unrelated young was misdirected normal parental care, we removed males from experimental territories after primary nests were completed but before secondary nests were initiated. Replacement males fed young that they presumably had sired in secondary nests and ignored foster young in primary nests, whereas control males fed young in their primary nests. To identify potential benefits of accepting unrelated young, we analyzed patterns of within-season breeding dispersal and of female settlement on territories following nest losses to predators. Although some female yellowheads do renest on the same territory following nest failures, the number of nests initiated on territories after a predation event was significantly lower than the number initiated on territories without predation over the same period of time. This implies that late-settling females use the number of active or failed nests and/or the number of females on a territory when choosing where to breed. If replacement males that accepted unrelated offspring attract more new females in the remainder of the current breeding season than infanticidal males, then tolerance of unrelated young by replacement males may be adaptive in some polygynous birds.
Development of a simplistic vegetative filter strip model for sediment and nutrient retention at the field scale

Vegetative filter strips (VFSs) are a commonly used conservation measure to remove pollutants from agricultural runoff. The effectiveness of VFSs has been widely studied at the plot scale, yet researchers generally agree that field scale implementations are far less effective. The purpose of this research was to develop a field scale VFS submodel for the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). A model for the retention of sediments and nutrients in VFSs was developed from experimental observations derived from 22 publications. A runoff retention model was developed from Vegetative Filter Strip MODel (VFSMOD) simulations. This model was adapted to operate at the field scale by considering the effects of flow concentration generally absent from plot scale experiments. Flow concentration through 10 hypothetical VFSs was evaluated using high resolution (2 m) topographical data and multipath flow accumulation. Significant flow concentration was predicted at all sites, on average 10% of the VFS received half of the field runoff. As implemented in SWAT, the VFS model contains two sections, a large section receiving relatively modest flow densities and a smaller section treating more concentrated flow. This field scale model was incorporated into SWAT and verified for proper function. This model enhances the ability of SWAT to evaluate the effectiveness of VFSs at the watershed scale. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theory of Superconductors Containing Magnetic Impurities

We have studied in detail and extended the recent theory of Gor'kov and Rusinov which describes superconductors with ferromagnetically aligned impurities, under the assumption that the electron mean free path due to spin-orbit interaction is small as compared with the coherence distance. We show that all usually considered physical quantities of such a system are identical to those of a superconductor containing magnetic impurities with randomly oriented spins, and point out those vertices for which differences should arise. In addition, we investigate the magnetic properties of such systems. The upper critical field as a function of impurity concentration and temperature is calculated, and it is shown that the specific heat at the transition point in the presence of a field is a function of temperature only and does not depend on the magnetic-impurity concentration. The last results can explain the recent experimental findings by Finnemore et al.
Microtubules and angiotensin II receptors contribute to modulation of repolarization induced by ventricular pacing

Background Left ventricular pacing (LVP) in canine heart alters ventricular activation, leading to reduced transient outward potassium current (I to ), loss of the epicardial action potential notch, and T-wave vector displacement. These repolarization changes, referred to as cardiac memory, are initiated by locally increased angiotensin II (AngII) levels. In HEK293 cells in which Kv4.3 and KChIP2, the channel subunits contributing to I to , are overexpressed with the AngII receptor 1 (AT1R), AngII induces a decrease in I to as the result of internalization of a Kv4.3/KChIP2/AT1R macromolecular complex. Objective To test the hypothesis that in canine heart in situ, 2h LVP-induced decreases in membrane KChIP2, AT1R, and I to are prevented by blocking subunit trafficking. Methods We used standard electrophysiological, biophysical, and biochemical methods to study 4 groups of dogs: (1) Sham, (2) 2h LVP, (3) LVP + colchicine (microtubule-disrupting agent), and (4) LVP + losartan (AT1R blocker). Results The T-wave vector displacement was significantly greater in LVP than in Sham and was inhibited by colchicine or losartan. Epicardial biopsies showed significant decreases in KChIP2 and AT1R proteins in the membrane fraction after LVP but not after sham treatment, and these decreases were prevented by colchicine or losartan. Colchicine but not losartan significantly reduced microtubular polymerization. In isolated ventricular myocytes, AngII-induced I to reduction and loss of action potential notch were blocked by colchicine. Conclusions LVP-induced reduction of KChIP2 in plasma light membranes depends on an AngII-mediated pathway and intact microtubular status. Loss of I to and the action potential notch appear to derive from AngII-initiated trafficking of channel subunits.
Cell death mechanisms and modulation in traumatic brain injury

Cell death after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of neurological deficits and mortality. Understanding the mechanisms of delayed post-traumatic cell loss may lead to new therapies that improve outcome. Although TBI induces changes in multiple cell types, mechanisms of neuronal cell death have been the predominant focus. Recent work has emphasized the diversity of neuronal death phenotypes, which have generally been defined by either morphological or molecular changes. This diversity has led to confusing and at times contradictory nomenclature. Here we review the historical basis of proposed definitions of neuronal cell death, with the goal of clarifying critical research questions and implications for therapy in TBI. We believe that both morphological and molecular features must be used to clarify post-traumatic cell death and related therapeutic targets. Further, we underscore that the most effective neuroprotective strategies will need to target multiple pathways to reflect the regional and temporal changes underlying diverse neuronal cell death phenotypes.
Use of the skin protection assay in experimental syphilis to assess protective immunity against a specific Treponema pallidum surface epitope.

We have recently shown that a monoclonal antibody, designated M131, that binds a surface phosphorylcholine epitope on Treponema pallidum possesses complement-dependent killing activity and confers partial protection in rabbits following passive immunization (Blanco et al., 2005, Infect. Immun. 73:3083–3095). In this study, the protective potential of M131 was further tested using the rabbit skin protection assay of Titus and Weiser. Both M131 and infection-derived immune rabbit serum resulted in significant lesion delays corresponding to at least a 90% reduction of the treponemal challenge inoculum. The skin protection assay provides a way to assess the protective potential of specific immunogens while using far less antibody than in passive immunization protocols.
Synthesis of open-cell metal foams by templated directed vapor deposition

Low-density, open-cell nickel base superalloy foams have been synthesized by a high-rate, electron beam-directed vapor deposition process and their mechanical properties evaluated. The deposition process uses an open-cell polymer foam template upon which is deposited a metal alloy coating. The electron beam evaporated flux was entrained in a rarefied transonic gas jet and propagated along the flow stream lines through the polymer structure. After vapor deposition, the polymer template was removed by low-temperature thermal decomposition. The resultant ultralightweight metal foams consisted of a three-dimensional open cell, reticulated structure possessing hollow triangular ligaments with relative densities of <3%. Their mechanical integrity was increased by either pressureless or transient liquid phase sintering. The mechanical properties of these ultralightweight metal foams were comparable to theoretical predictions for open-cell, reticulated foams.
TU‐A‐BRA‐02: Incorporating PET/CT Images into 3D Ultrasound‐Guided Biopsy of the Prostate

Purpose: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in American men. Systematic transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)‐guided prostate biopsy is considered as the standard method for prostate cancer detection. The current biopsy technique has a significant sampling error and can miss up to 30% of cancers. As a Result, a patient may be informed of a negative biopsy Result but may in fact be harboring an occult early‐stage cancer because the current ultrasound imaging technology has difficulty to differentiate carcinoma from benign prostate tissue and because the current TRUS‐guided biopsy is blind and random. We are developing methods to combine PET/CT with three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasoundimages for targeted biopsy of the prostate with the aim of improving cancer detection rate. Methods: The 3D ultrasound‐guided biopsy system consists of a 3D mechanical localization system and software workstation for image segmentation, registration, and biopsy planning. For PET imaging, we use a new molecular imaging tracer called anti‐1‐amino‐3‐18F‐fluorocyclobutane‐1‐carboxylic acid ([F18]FACBC) that has shown promising results for detecting and localizing prostate cancer in our human clinical trials. In order to plan biopsy, we developed a 3D, automatic segmentation method for the prostate ultrasoundimages. In order to incorporate PET/CT images into ultrasound‐guided biopsy, we developed image registration methods to fuseTRUS and PET/CT images.Results: The segmentation method was tested in ten patients with a DICE overlap ratio of 92.4% ±1.1%. The registration method has been tested in phantoms. The biopsy system was tested in prostate phantoms. Three‐dimensional ultrasoundimages were acquired from four human patients. We are integrating the system for PET/CT directed, 3D ultrasound‐guided, targeted biopsy in human patients. Conclusions: A PET/CT image‐directed, 3D ultrasound‐guided biopsy system has been developed for the prostate. This research is supported in part by NIH grant R01CA156775 (PI: Fei), Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Clinicians and Scientists Award (PI: Fei), and the Emory Molecular and Translational Imaging Center (NIH P50CA128301).
Instability of the ideal tungsten (001) surface.

The energetics of reconstruction models of the ideal W(001) and Ta(001) surfaces are studied by the general-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. The ideal W(001) surface is found to be very unstable to the low-temperature Debe and King c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2) structure, gaining an energy of about 1200 K upon reconstruction. It is thus not likely that the high- (room-) temperature phase is in the ideal p(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1) structure. It is determined that the instability is due to local bonding effects and not to a Fermi-surface instability.
Kappa-Carrageenan, sodium chloride and temperature affect yield and texture of structured beef rolls

Structured lean beef rolls (4% fat), formulated with 33% added water, 1% sodium chloride and 0.35% sodium tripolyphosphate and cooked to 63 o , 73 o and 83 o C, had low cook yields and poor texture and bind. Kappa-carrageenan (KC) added at 0.5-1% and NaCl at 2-3% increased cook yield and improved textural properties (bind, force to fracture, hardness). Rolls with 1.0% KC and 3% NaCl had the highest cook yield (154% meat weight basis) and the highest values for force to fracture and hardness. Cook yield decreased and hardness increased with increased cooking temperature. Effects of KC on yield and texture were most pronounced at the lowest NaCl level (1%) and the highest temperature (83 o C). KC also reduced purge of vacuumpackaged slices during refrigerated storage
Monoclonal antibody based ELISAs for cryptococcal polysaccharide

Mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed to detect Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide from the four serotypes A, B, C and D. The ELISAs avoid the problem of unreliable polysaccharide binding to polystyrene plates by using MAbs to capture and immobilize the polysaccharide antigen. The presence of polysaccharide is detected using MAbs of a different isotype from that of the capture MAb. The capturing MAbs are themselves immobilized on the plates using commercial goat anti-mouse polyclonal sera. The MAbs bind to the glucuronoxylomannan component of cryptococcal polysaccharide. The ELISAs can be used to measure the concentration of polysaccharide in biological fluids and are potentially useful tools for basic research and clinical studies.
Routing algorithms for delay-insensitive and delay-sensitive applications in underwater sensor networks

Underwater sensor networks consist of sensors and vehicles deployed to perform collaborative monitoring tasks over a given region. Underwater sensor networks will find applications in oceano-graphic data collection, pollution monitoring, offshore exploration, disaster prevention, assisted navigation, tactical surveillance, and mine reconnaissance. Underwater acoustic networking is the enabling technology for these applications. In this paper, an architecture for three-dimensional underwater sensor networks is considered, and a model characterizing the acoustic channel utilization efficiency is introduced, which allows investigating some fundamental characteristics of the underwater environment. In particular, the model allows setting the optimal packet size for underwater communications given monitored volume, density of the sensor network, and application requirements. Moreover, the problem of data gathering is investigated at the network layer by considering the cross-layer interactions between the routing functions and the characteristics of the underwater acoustic channel. Two distributed routing algorithms are introduced for delay-insensitive and delay-sensitive applications. The proposed solutions allow each node to select its next hop, with the objective of minimizing the energy consumption taking the varying condition of the underwater channel and the different application requirements into account. The proposed routing solutions are shown to achieve the performance targets by means of simulation.
Glycoform quantification of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry platform.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a glycosaminoglycan consisting of repeating uronic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine disaccharide units {[HexAβ/α(1−3)GalNAcβ(1−4)]n}. CS chains are polydisperse with respect to chain length, sulfate content, and glucuronic acid epimerization content, resulting in a distribution of glycoforms for a chain bound to any given serine residue. Usually, CS glycoforms exist, differing in sulfation position and uronic acid epimerization. This work introduces a novel LC−MS/MS platform for the quantification of mixtures of CS oligosaccharides. The CS polysaccharides were partially depolymerized and labeled with either the light (d0) or heavy (d4) form of 2-anthranilic acid (2-AA). Excess reagent was removed, and mixtures of the CS standard (d0) and unknown (d4) were made. The CS mixture was subjected to size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection in the negative ion mode. Tandem mass spectra were acquired, and quantification of unknown ...
Creep of aromatic polyamide fibres

Abstract Creep of Kevlar 29, Kevlar 49 and PRD 49-III fibres was investigated. The fibres exhibited transient creep and the strain-time relationship was represented by a logarithmic time law. The creep strain recovered with time when the load was removed. Upon reloading to the same creep stress the strain-time relationship was again logarithmic but the creep rate was reduced. Modulus measurements were made during the creep test and these showed that the modulus increased with time. This result indicated a crystallite rotation mechanism which could account for the experimentally observed creep strain. Creep in PRD 49-III fibres exhibited a small temperature dependence over the temperature range 20°C to 150°C. The apparent creep activation energy was consistent with the range of values reported for hydrogen bonding. This suggests one possible creep mechanism in which the combined action of stress and thermal activation causes rearrangement of intercrystalline bonds in the crystallite boundaries resulting in boundary creep. Boundary creep allows crystallite rotation which produces the macroscopic creep strain. Boundary creep is discussed in terms of the fibre morphology and a model of delayed elasticity.
Integration of hypnotic and systematic desensitization techniques in the treatment of phobias: a case report.

Abstract This case study investigated the possibility of combining Erickson's hypnotic “pseudo-orientation” technique with systematic desnsitization. A 49 year old female with a long-term phobic reaction to clorine bleach was seen for a total of nine hours, which included assessment, relaxation training, desensitization, hypnosis, and in vivo test sessions. The pseudo-time orientation procedure was designed so the patient could experience during hypnosis the successful completion of future treatments. Response to treatment and a post-discharge questionnaire indicated that hypnosis contributed to the relatively short treatment time needed for the patient to actively overcome her fears. If replicated, the technique would provide a means of shortening treatment, and would challenge traditional notions of extinction.
Sex differences in endorsement of influence tactics and political behavior tendencies

Sex differences in the endorsement of influence tactics and political behavior tendencies were surveyed among 337 employees (176 males and 161 females). The sample was composed of managers, business owners, and professional, technical, sales, and office support workers from a variety of organizations. No significant differences were found between males and females with respect to scores on the Political Orientation Questionnaire, preference for teamwork, exchange of favors, and upward appeal. However, women were significantly less likely than men to perceive themselves as relying on charm, manipulative tactics, and personal appearance to achieve results and gain advantage. None of the sex differences could be attributed to years of job experience.
Error processing in current and former cocaine users

Deficits in response inhibition and error processing can result in maladaptive behavior, including failure to use past mistakes to inform present decisions. A specific deficit in inhibiting a prepotent response represents one aspect of impulsivity and is a prominent feature of addictive behaviors in general, including cocaine abuse/dependence. Brain regions implicated in cognitive control exhibit reduced activation in cocaine abusers. The purposes of the present investigation were (1) to identify neural differences associated with error processing in current and former cocaine-dependent individuals compared to healthy controls and (2) to determine whether former, long-term abstinent cocaine users showed similar differences compared with current users. The present study used an fMRI Go/No-Go task to investigate differences in BOLD response to correct rejections and false alarms between current cocaine users (n = 30), former cocaine users (n = 29), and healthy controls (n = 35). Impulsivity trait measures were also assessed and compared with BOLD activity. Nineteen regions of interest previously implicated in errors of disinhibition were queried. There were no group differences in the correct rejections condition, but both current and former users exhibited increased BOLD response relative to controls for false alarms. In current users, the pregenual cingulate gyrus and left angular/supramarginal gyri overactivated. In former users, the right middle frontal/precentral gyri, right inferior parietal lobule, and left angular/supramarginal gyri overactivated. Overall, our results support a hypothesis that neural activity in former users differs more from healthy controls than that of current users due to cognitive compensation that facilitates abstinence.
Low noise Sb-heterostructure diode detectors for W-band imaging arrays without RF amplification

The figure of merit for RF detectors, noise-equivalent power (NEP), is determined by the noise divided by the sensitivity. Thus, the challenge is to design a diode structure that has low junction resistance while maintaining a large nonlinearity. This work presents sensitivity and noise measurements for Sb-heterostructure backward diodes with varying barrier thicknesses and cross-sectional areas. Nominal diode areas are 2x2mm2 and 3x4mm2 with 15Å and 20Å barriers. The best NEP measured to date is 1.19 pW/rtHz at 36.5 GHz.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of cannabinoid receptor stimulation and blockade on catalepsy produced by dopamine receptor antagonists.

Abstract The ability of cannabinoid receptor stimulation or blockade to alter catalepsy produced by dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists was studied in rats. The cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A (N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamidehydrochloride) (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg) reduced catalepsy elicited by the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP 55,940 (1α,2-(R)-5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexyl-phenol) (0.5 mg/kg). However, SR 141716A (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg) did not decrease catalepsy produced by the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (R-(+)-7chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1-H-3-benzazepine (0.5 mg/kg) or the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist raclopride (S(-)-3,5-dichloro-N-(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-methyl-6-methoxysalicylamide) (2.5 mg/kg), suggesting that, under these conditions, endogenous cannabinoid ligands do not modulate the cataleptic effects of dopamine D1 or D2 receptor antagonists. In contrast, CP 55,940 (0.025 and 0.1 mg/kg), at doses which do not produce catalepsy when administered alone, enhanced catalepsy produced by SCH 23390 and raclopride. These results suggest that stimulation, but not blockade, of brain cannabinoid receptors modifies catalepsy behavior produced by selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor blockade.
New Data with Arsenic Trioxide in Leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Arsenic and its derivatives have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Arsenic trioxide has demonstrated remarkable activity in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), for which it can bring about complete remissions (CR) in > 80% of patients with relapsed disease, and molecular remission in 90% of those who enter a CR. Clinical trials have explored its use in the first-line setting and as part of consolidation therapy for de novo APL, for which it appears to provide an event-free and overall survival advantage. Two multicenter trials have examined its use in the treatment of the myelodysplastic syndromes; as a single agent, it yields responses in 20% of patients, and smaller trials have provided evidence for its use in non-APL acute myeloid leukemia populations in combination with other drugs such as gemtuzumab ozogamicin, ascorbic acid, and cytarabine.
Roles of income and equality in poverty reduction: recent cross-country evidence

This paper uses a reasonable model and recent cross-country data to study empirically the effects of income and equality on poverty. Three main points are noted. First, the estimates show highly significant roles of income and equality in poverty reduction, and the effects of increased income and lower inequality are both substantial. Second, the elasticity of poverty with respect to inequality is substantially larger than that relative to income. Third, the estimates suggest a ‘growth elasticity’ of poverty that is much smaller than the values used in almost every study. Therefore, most of the well-known and influential recent research seems to have overstated the impact of income growth on poverty alleviation by de-emphasising the role of inequality, to which poverty is highly responsive, and by using an income (growth) elasticity of poverty that is much larger than what seems reasonable. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signal transduction from N-cadherin increases Bcl-2. Regulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway by homophilic adhesion and actin cytoskeletal organization.

Associated with the metastatic progression of epithelial tumors is the dynamic regulation of cadherins. Whereas E-cadherin is expressed in most epithelium and carcinomas, recent studies suggest that the up-regulation of other cadherin subtypes in carcinomas, such as N-cadherin, may function in cancer progression. We demonstrate that a signal transduction cascade links the N-cadherin·catenin adhesion complex to up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In suspension, aggregates of DU-145 cells, an E-cadherin expressing human prostate carcinoma line, survive loss of integrin-dependent adhesion by a different anti-apoptotic signaling pathway than the N-cadherin expressing lines PC3 and PC3N. N-cadherin intercellular adhesion mediates a 3.5-fold increase in Bcl-2 protein expression, whereas the level of the proapoptotic protein Bax remains constant. Only N-cadherin ligation in PC3 cells, which express both N-cadherin and E-cadherin, is sufficient to induce activation of Akt/protein kinase B. N-cadherin homophilic ligation initiates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent activation of Akt resulting in Akt phosphorylation of Bad on serine 136. Following N-cadherin homophilic adhesion phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was identified in immunoprecipitates of the N-cadherin·catenin complex. The recruitment of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to the adhesion complex is dependent on ligation of N-cadherin and an organized actin cytoskeleton because cytochalasin D blocks the recruitment. We propose that N-cadherin homophilic adhesion can initiate anti-apoptotic signaling, which enhances the Akt cell survival pathway in metastatic cancer.
Transient behavior of cadmium in a grassland arthropod food chain

Abstract Biological assimilation and transport of cadmium were determined for an arthropod food chain in an east Tennessee grassland community. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that there were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in assimilation rates (17% assimilation per day) or biological half-lives (7 days) of 109 Cd either as soluble nitrate or insoluble oxide in crickets under identical conditions. Field experiments demonstrated that primary consumers (crickets) accumulated 109 Cd much more rapidly (uptake rate = 0.55 day −1 ) than did the spider predators (uptake rate = 0.08 day −1 ). Equilibrium concentrations in crickets were obtained in 9 days (0.04 ppm cadmium), while equilibrium was not reached in spiders during the 30-day study. Food-chain concentration of cadmium did not occur as crickets accumulated levels of cadmium 60% of that in their vegetation food sources and spiders accumulated only 70% of the cadmium present in the cricket tissues.
Thirty years of research on the subjective well-being of older Americans

Thirty years of research among older Americans on life satisfaction, morale, and related constructs has yielded a consistent body of findings. Parallel results for measures of these contructs and high intercorrelations justifies considering them in terms of a single summary construct, subjective well-being. As this research has relied almost exclusively on survey measures, interpretations are limited to the social-psychological level of people's day-to-day verbal behavior. This research shows reported well-being to be most strongly related to health, followed by socioeconomic factors and degree of social interaction, for the general population of Americans over 60. Marital status and aspects of people's living situations are also conclusively related to well-being. Age, sex, race, and employment show no consistent independent relation to well-being. In addition to indicating that negative life situation exigencies, such as poor health and low income are related to lower well-being, the results tentatively indicate that these exigencies create a greater vulnerability to the impact of other negative conditions.
SiC-based power converters for high temperature applications

As commercial-grade silicon carbide (SiC) power electronics devices become available, the application of these devices at higher temperatures or frequencies has gained interest. This paper contains temperature-dependent loss models for SiC diodes and JFETs and simulations for different power converters that are useful for predicting the efficiency of these converters. Additionally, tests to characterize the static and dynamic performance of some available devices are presented to give further insight into the advantages that might be gained from using SiC devices instead of Si devices for hybrid electric vehicle applications.
A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay to quantitate MS-275 in human plasma

A rapid, sensitive and selective method was developed and validated using LC/MS/MS for determination of MS-275 in human plasma. Sample preparation involved a single step liquid-liquid extraction by the addition of 0.2 ml of plasma with 5 ml acetonitrile/n-butyl-chloride. Separation of the compounds of interest, including the internal standard paclitaxel, was achieved on a Waters X-Terra C(18) (50 mm x 2.1mm i.d., 3.5 microm) analytical column using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/ammonium acetate (pH 2.9; 2mM)(60:40, v/v) containing 0.1% formic acid and isocratic flow at 0.15 ml/min for 3 min. The analytes were monitored by tandem-mass spectrometry with electrospray positive ionization. Linear calibration curves were generated over the range of 0.5-100 ng/ml with values for the coefficient of determination of >0.99. The values for both within day and between day precision and accuracy were well within the generally accepted criteria for analytical methods (<15%). This method was subsequently used to measure concentrations of MS-275 in cancer patients receiving an oral weekly dose of 4 mg/m(2).
Teachers and game-based learning: Improving understanding of how to increase efficacy of adoption

Interest in game-based learning for K-12 is growing. Thus, helping teachers understand how to use these new pedagogies is important. This paper presents a cross-case study of the development of teacher professional development for the River City project, a games-based multi-user virtual environment science curriculum project for middle school children, over three years of its development. Successful professional development required attention to multiple factors including teacher efficacy in using the software, pedagogical issues and school culture. A theoretical model for successful technological implementations is discussed.
The Case for Perfection

(2009). The Case for Perfection. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 127-139.
A Curse on Your Ancestors: Exploring the 'Mongrelization' of Mina Loy

In the early twentieth century, traditional Europe fell apart. Out of the chaos and uncertainty fostered by World War I grew Modernism, a movement marked by drastic breaks from the traditions of Western art and culture (Abrams 202). Through this schism, Modernists found the freedom to forge their cultural future; for Modernist artist and poet Mina Loy, this freedom allowed her to forge a cultural purpose for her “mongrelized” ancestry. In Anglo-Mongrels and the Rose, Loy allegorizes her Hungarian-Jewish father, her English-Christian mother, and herself as Exodus, the English Rose, and Ova, respectively, to illustrate not only the chaos to be found in cross-cultural marriage, but also the artistic freedom and beauty to be found in its consummation and procreation. In my essay, I argue that Loy’s frequent use of discordant imagery, pauses and enjambment within her verse suggest the fragmentation of Exodus’s Hungarian-Jewish identity in his attempts to assimilate to English culture and identity through marriage to the English Rose. Out of the discord of their union grows Ova, an ungendered, dehumanized entity that represents the uniting of her parents’ cultures in “mongrelized” human form. Through my exploration of Anglo-Mongrels and the Rose, I demonstrate that Ova’s creation of a new poetry allegorizes Loy’s belief that the fragmentation of nationalism is a necessity for the birth of a new twentieth century culture.
Ocular tracking as a measure of auditory motion perception.

Abstract Motion is a potent sub-modality of vision. Motion cues alone can be used to segment images into figure and ground and break camouflage. Specific patterns of motion support vivid percepts of form, guide locomotion by specifying directional heading and the passage of objects, and in case of an impending collision, the time to impact. Visual motion also drives smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEMs) that serve to stabilize the retinal image of objects in motion. In contrast, the auditory system does not appear to be particularly sensitive to motion. We review the ambiguous status of auditory motion processing from the psychophysical and electrophysiological perspectives. We then report the results of two experiments that use ocular tracking performance as an objective measure of the perception of auditory motion in humans. We examine ocular tracking of auditory motion, visual motion, combined auditory + visual motion and imagined motion in both the frontal plane and in depth. The results demonstrate that ocular tracking of auditory motion is no better than ocular tracking of imagined motion. These results are consistent with the suggestion that, unlike the visual system, the human auditory system is not endowed with low-level motion sensitive elements. We hypothesize however, that auditory information may gain access to a recently described high-level motion processing system that is heavily dependent on `top-down' influences, including attention.
Effects of egg size reduction and larval feeding on juvenile quality for a species with facultative-feeding development

Abstract In free-spawning marine invertebrates, larval development typically proceeds by one of two modes: planktotrophy (obligate larval feeding) from small eggs or lecithotrophy (obligate non-feeding) from relatively large eggs. In a rare third developmental mode, facultative planktotrophy, larvae can feed, but do not require particulate food to complete metamorphosis. Facultative planktotrophy is thought to be an intermediate condition that results from an evolutionary increase in energy content in the small eggs of a planktotrophic ancestor. We tested whether an experimental reduction in egg size is sufficient to restore obligate planktotrophy from facultative planktotrophy and whether the two sources of larval nutrition (feeding and energy in the egg) differentially influence larval survival and juvenile quality. We predicted, based on its large egg size, that a reduction in egg size in the echinoid echinoderm Clypeaster rosaceus would affect juvenile size but not time to metamorphosis. We reduced the effective size of whole (W) zygotes by separating blastomeres at the two- or four-cell stages to create half- (H) or quarter-size (Q) “zygotes” and reared larvae to metamorphosis, both with and without particulate food. Larvae metamorphosed at approximately the same time regardless of food or egg size treatment. In contrast, juveniles that developed from W zygotes were significantly larger, had higher organic content and had longer and more numerous spines than juveniles from H or Q zygotes. Larvae from W, H and Q zygotes were able to reach metamorphosis without feeding, suggesting that the evolution of facultative planktotrophy in C. rosaceus was accompanied by more than a simple increase in egg size. In addition, our results suggest that resources lost by halving egg size have a larger effect on larval survival and juvenile quality than those lost by withholding particulate food.
Novel Neurotrophic Factors, Receptors, and Oncogenes

Theories concerning the regulation of brain growth during development, involutional changes during aging, and responses to pathological insults frequently postulate a principal role for neutrophic factors (NTF). For nearly four decades, the only known NTF has been nerve growth factor (NGF), which, despite its name, addresses a relatively limited spectrum of neuronal types. Detailed models on the role and actions of NTFs have been constructed from studies conducted with NGF and sympathetic or dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. In brief, these propose that NGF is produced by the innervated target tissue, where it is taken up by nerve terminals and retrogradely transported to the neuronal soma to regulate gene transcription. At some developmental stages, NGF is required for neuronal survival. Throughout life, it appears to regulate growth as reflected by somal diameter, axonal arborization, the density of synaptic connections, and the quantity of neurotransmitter produced (Edgar 1985, Thoenen & Edgar 1985, Levi-Montalcini 1987). Relatively recently a role for NGF as an NTF for some CNS neurons, specifically the cholinergic neurons of the septum and basal nucleus, has been recognized. A potential application for NTFs in treatment of CNS disease was suggested by recent studies in which exogeneous NGF was shown to increase survival of septal neurons after lesions of the fornix (Hefti 1986, Williams et a1 1986, Kromer 1987) and to reverse the atrophic changes associated with aging in the basal nucleus (Fischer et al 1987). However, only a small minority of the neurons in the brain and spinal cord are responsive to NGF. The search for novel NTFs has frequently employed neurons in cell culture. Trophic activity has been detcted in many sources, including
Inhibition of human IAPP fibril formation does not prevent β-cell death: evidence for distinct actions of oligomers and fibrils of human IAPP

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by an approximately 60% deficit in beta-cell mass, increased beta-cell apoptosis, and islet amyloid derived from islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Human IAPP (hIAPP) forms oligomers, leading to either amyloid fibrils or toxic oligomers in an aqueous solution in vitro. Either application of hIAPP on or overexpression of hIAPP in cells induces apoptosis. It remains controversial whether the fibrils or smaller toxic oligomers induce beta-cell apoptosis. Rifampicin prevents hIAPP amyloid fibril formation and has been proposed as a potential target for prevention of T2DM. We examined the actions of rifampicin on hIAPP amyloid fibril and toxic oligomer formation as well as its ability to protect beta-cells from either application of hIAPP or endogenous overexpression of hIAPP (transgenic rats and adenovirus-transduced beta-cells). We report that rifampicin (Acocella G. Clin Pharmacokinet 3: 108-127, 1978) prevents hIAPP fibril formation, but not formation of toxic hIAPP oligomers (Bates G. Lancet 361: 1642-1644, 2003), and does not protect beta-cells from apoptosis induced by either overexpression or application of hIAPP. These data emphasize that toxic hIAPP oligomers, rather than hIAPP fibrils, initiate beta-cell apoptosis and that screening tools to identify inhibitors of amyloid fibril formation are likely to be less useful than those that identify inhibitors of toxic oligomer formation. Finally, rifampicin and related molecules do not appear to be useful as candidates for prevention of T2DM.
Segmentation of hybrid motions via hybrid quadratic surface analysis

In this paper, we investigate the mathematical problem underlying segmentation of hybrid motions: given a series of tracked feature correspondences between two (perspective) images, we seek to segment and estimate multiple motions, possibly of different types (e.g., affine, epipolar, and homography). In order to accomplish this task, we cast the problem into a more general mathematical framework of segmenting data samples drawn from a mixture of linear subspaces and quadratic surfaces. The result is a novel algorithm called hybrid quadratic surface analysis (HQSA). HQSA uses both the derivatives and Hessians of fitting polynomials for the data to separate linear data samples from quadratic data samples. These derivatives and Hessians also lead to important necessary conditions, based on the so-called mutual contraction subspace, to separate data samples on different quadratic surfaces. The algebraic solution we derive is non-iterative and numerically stable. It tolerates moderate noise and can be used in conjunction with outlier removal techniques. We show how to solve the hybrid motion segmentation problem using HQSA, and demonstrate its performance on simulated data with noise and on real perspective images.
The Effects of Prior Attitudes and Attitude Importance on Attitude Change and Class Impact in Women's and Gender Studies1

Attitude change in women's and gender studies (WGS) students has been a central goal of the WGS movement since its inception. Attitude change theory stresses the crucial roles of prior attitudes and attitude importance in the effectiveness of a persuasive message. This study examined attitude change dynamics in 548 WGS students drawn from 32 United States college campuses. Results provided partial support for the following hypotheses: (a) Students with attitudes discrepant from the WGS message demonstrate more resistance to attitude change when they deem these attitudes to be more important, and (b) WGS class impact is greater among students who rate class-relevant attitudes as more important.
3D finite elements to model electromechanical coupled solids at failure

This work presents an extension of newly developed 3D finite elements to model failure in purely mechanical based materials [1, 2] to electromechanical coupled materials. Following the approach suggested in [6] for the plane setting, new finite elements are developed, which in addition to resolving strong discontinuities in the mechanical displacement field are capable of modeling strong discontinuities in 3D also in the electric potential. An application to a 3D off-centered three point bending test under combined mechanical and electrical loading outlines the performance of the newly developed finite elements. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Higgs phenomena in asymptotically free gauge theories

We examine in detail the possibility of using the Higgs mechanism to remove the catastrophic infrared singularities in non-Abelian gauge theories which are asymptotically free. Our investigation encompasses theories based on $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ or $\mathrm{O}(N)$ with scalars in one vector, two vector, $M$ vector, adjoint, tensor, and adjoint plus one vector representations. We find that for these theories an $S$ matrix, in the perturbative sense, and asymptotic freedom can not coexist. We show that a wide class of Yukawa couplings can be ignored in studying the large-momentum properties of the scalar couplings.
Dexamethasone effects on myoblast proliferation and differentiation

Effects of glucocorticoids on myoblast proliferation and differentiation were determined in cell culture. Dexamethasone (1 X 10(-7) M) decreased myoblast doubling time by 7 h and increased cell densities as much as 800% after 8 days of exposure of the cells to dexamethasone. Stimulation of myoblast proliferation by glucocorticoids was dose dependent, with half-maximal activity exhibited at concentrations of 3 X 10(-9) M dexamethasone or 2.3 X 10(-8) M corticosterone. In differentiating cultures, the rate of accumulation and final levels of DNA and creatine phosphokinase were highly stimulated by dexamethasone. However, normalization of creatine phosphokinase levels (a marker for myoblast differentiation) per microgram DNA demonstrated a small (30%) decrease in differentiation in cultures exposed to glucocorticoids. These results indicate that glucocorticoids stimulate early myogenesis by increasing the number of myoblasts but do not stimulate the differentiation of these cells.
Adopting A Surgical Safety Checklist Could Save Money And Improve The Quality Of Care In U.S. Hospitals

Use of the World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist has been associated with a significant reduction in major postoperative complications after inpatient surgery. We hypothesized that implementing the checklist in the United States would generate cost savings for hospitals. We performed a decision analysis comparing implementation of the checklist to existing practice in U.S. hospitals. In a hospital with a baseline major complication rate after surgery of at least 3 percent, the checklist generates cost savings once it prevents at least five major complications. Using the checklist would both save money and improve the quality of care in hospitals throughout the United States.
Gender and Gang Membership: A Contrast of Rural and Urban Youth on Attitudes and Behavior.

The authors investigated the relationships of gender and gang membership to latent variables of psychosocial characteristics, drug use, delinquency, weapons possession, and fear within rural and urban school districts in Colorado. They compared 1,669 self-reported gang members to a sample of 1,742 nongang members in Grades 7 through 12. Gender was related more strongly to the latent variables than was place, which tended to favor the urban districts.