cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generation of auditory brain stem responses (ABRs). I. Effects of injection of a local anesthetic (procaine HCl) into the trapezoid body of guinea pigs and cat

Auditory brain stem potentials were recorded between the skull and a non-cephalic reference electrode in anesthetized guinea pigs before and after the injection of a local anesthetic agent (procaine HCI) into the trapezoid body from a ventral approach. All components except P1, N1 and P2 were affected; N2 was delayed; P3 and N3 were lost; P4 was both broadened in duration and shortened in latency; N4 was attenuated in amplitude. All of these changes were temporary and recovery of the components occurred. Identification of the altered components was aided by their latency and amplitude changes as a function of both stimulus intensity and rate. This study implicates the trapezoid body as contributing to the generation of auditory brain stem components beginning with N2.
Mechanisms Linking Tumor Cell–Associated Procoagulant Function to Tumor Dissemination

There is a persuasive body of evidence suggesting that tissue factor (TF) is a major determinant of tumor progression. In addition to its "traditional" function as the initiator of hemostasis, TF may support tumor progression through signaling mechanisms involving either direct signal transduction through the TF cytoplasmic domain or TF:F VIIa-mediated and TF/F VIIa/F Xa-mediated activation of protease-activated receptors. Whereas TF-mediated signaling events uncoupled from hemostasis may play an important role in tumor dissemination in some contexts, TF-mediated thrombin generation appears to be the major mechanism linking tumor cell-associated TF to metastasis. At least one mechanism coupling thrombin generation to metastatic potential involves the most distal components of the hemostatic system (i.e., platelets, fibrinogen, and factor XIII) and leads to a restriction in natural killer cell-mediated lysis of newly formed micrometastases. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms linking TF and circulating hemostatic system components to tumor progression may lead to novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Permanent bubble arrays from a cross-linked poly(para-phenyleneethynylene): picoliter holes without microfabrication.

An azide-substituted poly(para-phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) 4 was prepared by the Heck−Cassar−Sonogashira−Hagihara method. Thin films of 4 form self-assembled bubble arrays from carbon disulfide solution utilizing the breath figure method. The as-formed porous films of 4 are soluble in common solvents, and the air bubbles are interconnected. Upon heating to 300 °C, 4 cross-links and the thin film turn into insoluble matrix with isolated bubbles. The cross-linking process has transformed the bubble arrays of 4 into insoluble picoliter beakers or picoliter vials, whose diameters are approximately 3.0 and 1.5 μm at the top and bottom, respectively.
Gender Roles and Substance Use Among Mexican American Adolescents: A Relationship Moderated by Acculturation?

This research assesses the effects of adaptive/ maladaptive gender roles and acculturation in predicting substance use in a 2007 sample of 1466 Mexican American seventh-grade adolescents from Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. Multiple regression analyses found significant effects for both adaptive and maladaptive gender roles, as well as several gender-specific interactions between gender roles and linguistic acculturation that predicted substance use. Limitations of the research are noted, as well as implications for understanding the impact of acculturation on how gender roles differentially affect substance use in Mexican American boys versus girls.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 negatively regulates HER3/ErbB3 level and signaling

HER3/ErbB3, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family, has a pivotal role in cancer and is emerging as a therapeutic antibody target. In this study, we identified NEDD4 (neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 4) as a novel interaction partner and ubiquitin E3 ligase of human HER3. Using molecular and biochemical approaches, we demonstrated that the C-terminal tail of HER3 interacted with the WW domains of NEDD4 and the interaction was independent of neuregulin-1. Short hairpin RNA knockdown of NEDD4 elevated HER3 levels and resulted in increased HER3 signaling and cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. A similar inverse relationship between HER3 and NEDD4 levels was observed in prostate cancer tumor tissues. More importantly, the upregulated HER3 expression by NEDD4 knockdown sensitized cancer cells for growth inhibition by an anti-HER3 antibody. Taken together, our results suggest that low NEDD4 levels may predict activation of HER3 signaling and efficacies of anti-HER3 antibody therapies.
Rhinosporidiosis of the parotid duct

Summary Rhinosporidiosis involving the parotid duct with subsequent duct cyst formation has been reported. This condition was treated successfully by excision of the cyst. Although rhinosporidiosis most often involves the nose, nasopharynx, and ocular adnexa, many other structures may be infected.
The control of cell motility and epithelial morphogenesis by Jun kinases

Originally identified as stress-activated protein kinases that control cell survival and proliferation through transcription factor c-Jun, the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) subgroup of MAP kinases (MAPKs) have recently emerged as crucial regulators of cell migration and the morphogenetic movement of epithelial sheets. In Drosophila, a well-orchestrated JNK signaling pathway controls formation of actin stress fibers and cell shape changes, which are required for the sealing of embryonic epidermis in a process known as dorsal closure. The JNK pathway is also involved in morphogenetic processes in mice including closure of the eyelid, neural tube and optic fissure. This article focuses on recent advances in understanding the role of JNK pathway in the regulation of cell migration, cytoskeleton rearrangement and the morphogenesis of epithelial sheets.
Frequency-stabilized lasers: a parochial review

It is hoped that this article will serve as a useful introduction to the art of stabilized lasers, especially for those who are joining this sport from other fields. It has become clear that pre- stabilization of the laser on the non-saturable resonance of a stable cavity is a good strategy: with adequate feedback system design, one can effectively replace the intrinsic noise of the laser with the measurement noise of the stabilizer system. By now sub-Hertz frequency control and optical phase locking have been demonstrated with most of these tunable sources. The ready access to modulation of the diode laser can lead to a very simple but impressive source, while the external stabilizer approach is attractive for dye and optically pumped solid-state sources. Current work on amplitude-stabilization of the laser pump may lead to reduction of the `intrinsic' solid state laser noise as well. With the current explosion of interest in atom trapping techniques we can look forward to major progress in the narrow-line laser/super- sharp absorber high resolution spectroscopy business. Applications range from atomic clocks to cold atom collision physics to tests of special relativity. The combination of ultra-stable lasers with cold atom interferometry will be especially powerful in offering new tests of atomic charge neutrality and of time reversal invariance via new limits on atomic electric dipole moments. Remarkably, a practical instrument for oil and gas prospecting might be based on a laser-diode/atom-interferometric measurement of local `g'.
Additional cross-cultural validity testing of the Intercultural Development Inventory ☆

Abstract Intercultural competence/sensitivity is increasingly recognized across the global spectrum of educational institutions, corporations, government agencies and non-government organizations as a central capability for the 21st century. The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) is an assessment tool that measures the level of intercultural competence/sensitivity across a developmental continuum for individuals, groups, and organizations and represents a theoretically grounded measure of this capability for perceiving cultural differences and commonalities and modifying behavior to cultural context. This study represents additional cross-cultural validity testing of the IDI, building on the previous work of Paige, Jacobs-Cassuto, Yershova, and DeJaeghere (2003) and Hammer, Bennett, and Wiseman (2003) . The 50 items from IDI v2 were administered to 4763 individuals from 11 distinct, cross-cultural samples. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms the following basic orientations toward cultural difference originally explicated by Bennett, 1986 , Bennett, 1993 in the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS): Denial, Defense, Reversal, Minimization, Acceptance, and Adaptation. In addition, it also identifies Cultural Disengagement as an additional scale within the IDI; but one that is not located along the developmental continuum. Second, the inter-scale correlations support the theoretically proposed, developmental formulation from Denial through Adaptation. Third, the current analysis offers strong support for an overall Developmental Orientation (DO) scale and an overall Perceived Orientation (PO) scale. Fourth, Minimization is found to be a transitional orientation toward cultural differences and commonalities, between the more monocultural (ethnocentric) orientations of Denial and Polarization (Defense, Reversal) and the more intercultural mindsets of Acceptance and Adaptation. Fifth, readability analysis indicates the IDI is appropriate for high (secondary) school students (age 15 or above) or individuals with a 10th grade reading level. Finally, criterion validity of the IDI was assessed. The results indicate that the IDI has strong predictive validity toward bottom-line goals within organizations; namely, the achievement of diversity and inclusion goals in the recruitment and staffing function. These findings complement previous results that demonstrated that the IDI also possesses strong content and construct validity across culture groups.
Current-driven dynamics in molecular-scale devices

We review recent theoretical work on current-triggered processes in molecular-scale devices—a field at the interface between solid state physics and chemical dynamics with potential applications in diverse areas, including artificial molecular machines, unimolecular transport, surface nanochemistry and nanolithography. The qualitative physics underlying current-triggered dynamics is first discussed and placed in context with several well-studied phenomena with which it shares aspects. A theory for modelling these dynamics is next formulated within a time-dependent scattering approach. Our end result provides useful insight into the system properties that determine the reaction outcome as well as a computationally convenient framework for numerical realization. The theory is applied to study single-molecule surface reactions induced by a scanning tunnelling microscope and current-triggered dynamics in single-molecule transistors. We close with a discussion of several potential applications of current-induced dynamics in molecular devices and several opportunities for future research.
The Incidence of Monotone Likelihood in the Cox Model

In estimating covariate coefficients for the Cox proportional-hazards model, there is a nonzero probability for any finite sample that the maximum likelihood estimate will be infinite. This implies that in Monte Carlo studies the variance is not a suitable estimator of precision. This also may necessitate a stratified analysis when multiple covariates are involved. A simple method is given for detecting and handling these infinite estimates.
Normal Laboratory Reference Intervals among Healthy Adults Screened for a HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Clinical Trial in Botswana

Introduction: Accurate clinical laboratory reference values derived from a local or regional population base are required to correctly interpret laboratory results. In Botswana, most reference intervals used to date are not standardized across clinical laboratories and are based on values derived from populations in the United States or Western Europe. Methods: We measured 14 hematologic and biochemical parameters of healthy young adults screened for participation in the Botswana HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Study using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) (TDF2 Study). Reference intervals were calculated using standard methods, stratified by gender, and compared with the sitederived reference values used for the TDF2 study (BOTUSA ranges), the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) Grading Table for Adverse Events, the Botswana public health laboratories, and other regional references. Results: Out of 2533 screened participants, 1786 met eligibility criteria for participation in study and were included in the analysis. Our reference values were comparable to those of the Botswana public health system except for amylase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), phosphate, total and direct bilirubin. Compared to our reference values, BOTUSA reference ranges would have classified participants as out of range for some analytes, with amylase (50.8%) and creatinine (32.0%) producing the highest out of range values. Applying the DAIDS toxicity grading system to the values would have resulted in 45 and 18 participants as having severe or life threatening values for amylase and hemoglobin, respectively. Conclusion: Our reference values illustrate the differences in hematological and biochemical analyte ranges between African and Western populations. Thus, the use of western-derived reference laboratory values to screen a group of Batswana adults resulted in many healthy people being classified as having out-of-range blood analytes. The need to establish accurate local or regional reference values is apparent and we hope our results can be used to that end in Botswana.
Captopril and Losartan for Mitigation of Renal Injury Caused by Single-Dose Total-Body Irradiation

It is known that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II type-1 receptor blockers (ARBs) can be used to mitigate radiation-induced renal injury. However, for a variety of reasons, these previous results are not directly applicable to the development of agents for the mitigation of injuries caused by terrorism-related radiation exposure. As part of an effort to develop an animal model that would fit the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "Animal Efficacy Rule", we designed new studies which used an FDA-approved ACEI (captopril) or an FDA-approved ARB (losartan, Cozaar®) started 10 days after a single total-body irradiation (TBI) at drug doses that are equivalent (on a g/m(2)/day basis) to the doses prescribed to humans. Captopril and losartan were equally effective as mitigators, with DMFs of 1.23 and 1.21, respectively, for delaying renal failure. These studies show that radiation nephropathy in a realistic rodent model can be mitigated with relevant doses of FDA-approved agents. This lays the necessary groundwork for pivotal rodent studies under the FDA Animal Efficacy Rule and provides an outline of how the FDA-required large-animal studies could be designed.
Natural Occurrence of Tularemia in Marsupials, Carnivores, Lagomorphs, and Large Rodents in South-Western Georgia and Northwestern Florida

The primary reservoir of tularemia in this country is considered to occur in rabbits, although Pasteurella tularensis has been isolated from many species of animals. Jellison and Parker (1944) stated that 90 % of the human cases of tularemia result from contact with rabbits, with Sylvilagus spp. the direct source of over 70%. Cases contracted from other mammals, game birds, and blood-sucking arthropods account for the other 10%. In addition to the 28 species of animals listed by Burroughs et al (1945), the following native mammals have been reported as natural hosts of tularemia in the United States: opossum (Mease, 1929; and Calhoun et al, 1956); badger, porcupine, and mink (Nakamura, 1950); coyote (Kunkel, 1930; and Green, 1933); and raccoon (Green, 1933; and Calhoun et al, 1956). Potentially any animal actively infected with tularemia may transmit the disease to man either by direct contact or indirectly through blood-sucking arthropods. In addition, it has been suggested that epizootics of tularemia may occur in local animal populations through the medium of water and that contaminated water may be an occasional source of human infection (Jellison et al, 1942). Figures cited by Jellison and Parker (1944) show that Georgia ranked fourth among the states in the number (610) of cases of tularemia reported prior to 1942.
On Lateral Buckling of End-Loaded Cantilever Beams.

The classical problem of lateral buckling of cantilever beams with transverse end load is reexamined, as an example of a problem fully governed by theintrinsic equations of Kirchhoff's curved beam theory. It is shown that asuitable non-dimensionalization of the differential equations of the problem leads to astraightforward perturbation solutions, with leading and second-order terms of the expansion having well-defined differences in physical significance. The equations of a recent extension of Kirchhoff's theory, which take account of transverse shear deformation, are used for the purpose of obtaining a numerical result for the influence of shear deformability on the lateral buckling load.
Decentralized multi-product multi-stage systems with backorders

A multi-stage production/inventory system with decentralized two-card kanban control policies producing multiple product types is considered. The system involves one-at-a-time processing at each stage, finite target levels in the buffers and batch transfers between production stages. The demand process for each product is assumed to be Poisson and excess demand is backordered. Products have a priority structure and the processor at each stage is shared according to a switching rule. Our objective is to obtain steady-state performance measures such as the average inventory and service levels for each product type. We propose an approximation algorithm based on: (i) characterization of the delay by a product type before receiving the processor's attention at each stage; and (ii) creation of subsystems for all the storage activity and phase-type modeling of the remaining system's behavior. Numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy of the method and its potential use in system design.
Combining Model-Based Systems Engineering, Simulation and Domain Engineering in the Development of Industrial Automation Systems: Industrial Case Study

Due to increasing complexity, the design of Industrial Automation Systems are becoming more challenging. In that sense, efforts have been driven to develop Model-Based Systems Engineering tools and methods. Despite recent progress, there are still doubts in terms of the practical use and benefits. The main concerns are related to integration among tools and exchange of information between multidisciplinary artifacts. This paper compares Document-Centric Engineering (CAx tools) and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in light of Industrial Automation Systems using a real domain. Therefore, a MBSE compliant method was developed and tested. Commercial tools such as the Eclipse platform and the ModelicaML language were used to perform abstract modeling while COMOS® from Siemens® was used to develop the multidisciplinary artifacts for project documentation. A Java application was developed to integrate component information between the selected environments. The OpenModelica Compiler was integrated to the platform to allow system and component behavior simulation. Tests have shown that the tools involved on this investigation still need further development concerning maturity and exchange of information from abstract models down to domain specific models. On the other hand, MBSE has proven to be an important tool to match different team approaches and concerns, improving team communication using conceptual-wide and abstract symbols. Connecting abstract ModelicaML models to a simulation environment using Modelica led to a better understanding of systems behavior prior to realization and provided an analysis environment for early detection of project errors and operational failures.
Effect of clipping height and interval on coastal bermudagrass production

Abstract Data from afield study at Plains, Georgia, USA, were used to estimate the effect of clipping height and clipping interval on model parameters for Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers.). The analysis delineates the relationship of first- and second-order growth functions to harvest interval, clipping height and nitrogen level. Both growth functions follow logistic dependence upon nitrogen. The first-order function shows asymptotic dependence upon clipping height, while the second-order function exhibits a maximum at approximately 10 cm (4 in). The complex dependence of seasonal yield upon harvest interval, clipping height and applied nitrogen is described.
Responses of brown adipose tissue to diet-induced obesity, exercise, dietary restriction and ephedrine treatment.

Drug-induced weight loss in humans has been associated with undesirable side effects not present in weight loss from lifestyle interventions (caloric restriction or exercise). To investigate the mechanistic differences of weight loss by drug-induced and lifestyle interventions, we examined the gene expression (mRNA) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and conducted histopathologic assessments in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice given ephedrine (18 mg/kg/day orally), treadmill exercise (10 m/min, 1-h/day), and dietary restriction (DR: 26% dietary restriction) for 7 days. Exercise and DR mice lost more body weight than controls and both ephedrine and exercise reduced percent body fat. All treatments reduced BAT and liver lipid accumulation (i.e., cytoplasmic lipids in brown adipocytes and hepatocytes) and increased oxygen consumption (VO2 ml/kg/h) compared with controls. Mitochondrial biogenesis/function-related genes (TFAM, NRF1 and GABPA) were up-regulated in the BAT of all groups. UCP-1 was up-regulated in exercise and ephedrine groups, whereas MFSD2A was up-regulated in ephedrine and DR groups. PGC-1α up-regulation was observed in exercise and DR groups but not in ephedrine group. In all experimental groups, except for ephedrine, fatty acid transport and metabolism genes were up-regulated, but the magnitude of change was higher in the DR group. PRKAA1 was up-regulated in all groups but not significantly in the ephedrine group. ADRs3 was slightly up-regulated in the DR group only, whereas ESRRA remained unchanged in all groups. Although our data suggest a common pathway of BAT activation elicited by ephedrine treatment, exercise or DR, mRNA changes were indicative of additional nutrient-sensing pathways in exercise and DR.
Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of water accumulation and transport in graphite flow fields in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell: Do defects control transport?

Water management remains a leading challenge in the implementation of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. At present there are many excellent models for the distribution of water within PEM fuel cells, but little quantitative data on the water distribution that can be compared to models. In this paper magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to examine and quantify the flow of water in graphite coated flow fields in a miniature PEM (hydrogen) fuel cell. It was found as with Teflon® flow fields, that the water accumulated in waves along the bottom of the flow field. The water waves moved very slowly through the flow channels and seem to get stuck on tiny defects in the flow field. The water accumulated at the defect, until the wave nearly bridged the gap between the cathode and the bottom of the flow field. Then the water wave was pushed along to the next defect. Surprisingly, the current out of the cell was nearly constant as waves accumulated and were swept away, even though the flow was clearly not at steady state. These results show that small defects in the wall of the flow field play a critical role in water transport in the flow fields.
Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Maternal Nutrition and the Fetus

Available evidence supports the importance of including facts about smoking and pregnancy in all teaching 10 women in the childbearing years. The incidence of low birthweight infants is possibly almost twice as high among smoking mothers, and these low birthweight babies are known to be at risk on several counts. Compromised utilization of vitamins and minerals is presented as a causative factor: calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin C levels are lower in smokers. Other vitamin levels may be affected. Poor nutrition and other factors connected with smoking may result also in stillbirths, spontaneous abortions, congenital anomalies, and cancer in the offspring. Nurses have a unique opportunity to contribute to maternal‐child health by teaching and counseling about smoking in pregnancy.
Carbon-dependent control of electron transfer and central carbon pathway genes for methane biosynthesis in the Archaean, Methanosarcina acetivorans strain C2A.

The archaeon, Methanosarcina acetivorans strain C2A forms methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from a variety of one-carbon substrates and acetate. Whereas the biochemical pathways leading to methane formation are well understood, little is known about the expression of the many of the genes that encode proteins needed for carbon flow, electron transfer and/or energy conservation. Quantitative transcript analysis was performed on twenty gene clusters encompassing over one hundred genes in M. acetivorans that encode enzymes/proteins with known or potential roles in substrate conversion to methane. The expression of many seemingly "redundant" genes/gene clusters establish substrate dependent control of approximately seventy genes for methane production by the pathways for methanol and acetate utilization. These include genes for soluble-type and membrane-type heterodisulfide reductases (hdr), hydrogenases including genes for a vht-type F420 non-reducing hydrogenase, molybdenum-type (fmd) as well as tungsten-type (fwd) formylmethanofuran dehydrogenases, genes for rnf and mrp- type electron transfer complexes, for acetate uptake, plus multiple genes for aha- and atp-type ATP synthesis complexes. Analysis of promoters for seven gene clusters reveal UTR leaders of 51-137 nucleotides in length, raising the possibility of both transcriptional and translational levels of control. The above findings establish the differential and coordinated expression of two major gene families in M. acetivorans in response to carbon/energy supply. Furthermore, the quantitative mRNA measurements demonstrate the dynamic range for modulating transcript abundance. Since many of these gene clusters in M. acetivorans are also present in other Methanosarcina species including M. mazei, and in M. barkeri, these findings provide a basis for predicting related control in these environmentally significant methanogens.
Deconcentration of Public Housing Effects on Residents' Satisfaction with their Living Environments and their Fear of Crime

Dispersal of public housing from inner-city areas has been advocated widely since passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Using data from a comparative study of eight public-housing developments (four located in inner-city areas and four located outside of the inner city), we provide evidence that deconcentration of public housing provides some benefits for low-income, single-parent households. Compared with inner-city residents, those living in deconcentrated developments were more satisfied with their living environments and less fearful of crime. Deconcentration did not result in social isolation, but it did isolate residents from employment opportunities.
On a variational analysis of finite deformations of prismatical beams and on the effect of warping stiffness on buckling loads

An earlier approximate consideration of the finite-deformation problem of prismatical beams is modified through the inclusion of non-linear displacement derivative terms in the expressions for transverse shearing strains. The general system of equations is specialized so as to describe the problems of lateral buckling of doubly symmetric cross section cantilever beams including warping stiffness effects. While the present results agree with the earlier results for the case of a combination of end bending moment and axial end force, this is not so for the case of a transverse end force. For this latter problem we now have the classical Timoshenko result as a special case, in contrast to what followed from the earlier consideration.
Source Influence for Focusing Potential of Guided Waves in Hollow Cylinders by Using a Circumferential Phased Array

The phased array focusing technique is being developed with the intent to inspect hundreds of feet of pipeline from a single array position. The single array position is beneficial if access to a pipe is limited, e.g. steam pipes onboard U.S. Naval ships, nuclear power plant pipes, oil and natural gas pipelines. The steam pipes have a protective coating which would ordinarily be removed and replaced for an inspection. From a single array position, ultrasonic guided waves propagate under the coating, down the length of the pipe and return information about potential defects. Focusing the ultrasonic energy at a predetermined location along the length of the pipe enhances the ability to detect defects that current state of the art inspection systems cannot. Focusing is achieved by applying excitation time delays to a multi-channel signal generation system. The excitation sources are equally spaced about the circumference of the pipe. Time delays are calculated using theoretically generated angular displacement profiles in a hollow cylinder. These theoretical displacement profiles are dependent upon excitation source influences. In this paper, the excitation source influence on focusing potential in pipe was studied. Further, focusing potential contour plots for different frequencies and distances from the excitation source were created. Based on the contour plots, sample focusing experiments were carried out.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Carbon ion beam focusing using laser irradiated heated diamond hemispherical shells

Experiments preformed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Trident Laser Facility were conducted to observe the acceleration and focusing of carbon ions via the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) mechanism using hemispherical diamond targets. Trident is a 200 TW class laser system with 80 J of 1μm, short-pulse light delivered in 0.5ps, with a peak intensity of 2 × 1020 W/cm2. Targets where Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamonds formed into hemispheres with a radius of curvature of 400μm and a thickness of 5μm. The accelerated ions from a hemisphere were diagnosed by imaging the shadow of a witness copper mesh, located 2.4mm behind the target, onto a film pack located 5 cm behind the target. Ray tracing was used to determine the location of the ion focal spot. The TNSA mechanism favorably accelerates hydrogen found on the targets. To make the carbon beam detectable, targets were first heated to several hundred degrees Celsius using a CW, 532nm, 8W laser. Imaging of the carbon beam was accomplished via an auto-radiograph of a nuclear activated lithium fluoride window in the first layer of the film pack. The focus of the carbon ion beam was determined to be located 630 ± 110μm from the vertex of the hemisphere. LA-UR 09–06918
361 Satisfaction With Provider Communication Is Associated With Perceived Disease Knowledge in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

SATISFACTION WITH PROVIDER COMMUNICATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH PERCEIVED DISEASE KNOWLEDGE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD) Julie Wright, Kenneth Wallston, Svetlana Eden, Ayumi Shintani, T. Alp Ikizler, Kerri Cavanaugh. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA Effective patient-provider communication is a crucial component of high quality patient care. Data are scarce regarding patient views of physician communication skills in the setting of pre-dialysis CKD care. Adult patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD (Stages 1-5) were enrolled from April-October 2009 during nephrology clinic visits. Patient satisfaction with provider communication was assessed using the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), a validated scale for measuring patient perception of physician interpersonal and communication skills. Perceived knowledge was assessed by asking patients to rate their CKD knowledge on a scale from 1 (no knowledge) to 4 (a lot of knowledge) in nine areas and averaged to generate an overall perceived knowledge survey (PiKS) score. Associations between CAT and patient characteristics, including PiKS and a validated measure of objective CKD knowledge, were examined. Of 399 patients enrolled, the mean (SD) age was 57 (16) years. 53% were male, 83% Caucasian, and 77% had CKD Stage 3-5. The mean (SD) CAT and PiKS scores were 4.69 (0.51) and 2.56 (0.61), respectively. CAT was associated only with PiKS (Spearman correlation 0.15, p<0.0001) in unadjusted analysis. Patients of older age (OR 1.22 CI [1.11, 1.35]; p<0.0001 per 10 years), higher eGFR (1.03 [1.02, 1.04]; p<0.0001 per 5 ml/min/1.73m), and higher PiKS (2.15 [1.72, 2.68]; p<0.0001 per 1.0 increment increase) were likely to have higher odds of satisfaction with provider communication in adjusted analysis that also included sex, race, health literacy (REALM survey), income, number of provider visits, and objective knowledge. Adjusted analysis presented no evidence that objective knowledge was associated with CAT score. In addition to advancing age and higher eGFR, patients' perception of their disease specific knowledge may be an important component of their satisfaction with CKD care.
Pedagogic Creed as Foundation: An Approach to Teaching Social Studies Methods

This article describes the evolution of the author's approach to teaching a secondary social studies methods course over an eighteen-year period. Earlier in his career, the author imposed a reflective, issues-centered approach to teaching social studies as the preferred model of teaching. As a result of a combination of his own professional growth and the persistence of a few students who resisted the reflective, issues-centered model, the author revamped the methods course with positive results. The newer iteration of the course involves a deeper exploration of alternative curricular paths through which each prospective teacher is challenged to develop his or her own choice of philosophical orientation and concomitant teaching practices. The author also discusses specific readings, writing assignments, and other course activities used in the methods course. The author concludes that problematizing teachers' pedagogical and curricular choices encourages freedom and experimentation and treats beginning tea...
What Computers Do: Model, Connect and Engage

Every 30 years there is a new wave of things that computers do. Around 1950 they began to model events in the world (simulation), and around 1980 to connect people (communication). Since 2010 they have begun to engage with the physical world in a non-trivial way (embodiment—giving them bodies). Today there are sensor networks like the Inrix traffic information system, robots like the Roomba vacuum cleaner, and cameras that can pick out faces and even smiles. But these are just the beginning. In a few years we will have cars that drive themselves, glasses that overlay the person you are looking at with their name and contact information, telepresence systems that make most business travel unnecessary, and other applications as yet unimagined.All computer systems are built on the physical foundation of hardware (steadily improving, according to Moore's law) and the intellectual foundations of algorithms, abstraction and probability. Their performance is determined by basic issues of latency, bandwidth, availability and complexity. In the future they will deal with uncertainty much better than today, and many of them will be safety-critical and hence much more dependable.
Grey Turner's sign.

A 51-year-old Romanian male without a significant past medical history presents with shortness of breath, bilateral lower extremity swelling and right upper extremity swelling and pain. Doppler ultrasound confirmed an extensive right upper extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). He was anticoagulated with intravenous heparin. He developed hemodynamic instability on Day 2 of hospitalization and required vasopressors. A left femoral triple lumen catheter was placed urgently. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the chest excluded pulmonary embolism. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed severely impaired left ventricular function with an ejection fraction of 10%. …
Effects of fenfluramine, m-CPP and triazolam on repeated-acquisition in squirrel monkeys before and after neurotoxic MDMA administration.

Rationale: Establishing functional deficits as a result of neurotoxic dosing regimens of MDMA has been difficult. However, moderate success has been achieved when sensitive animal models and drug challenge have been used together. Objective: The present study used a repeated-acquisition technique and dose-effect determinations before, during and after neurotoxic MDMA exposure to characterize the effects of serotonergic drugs on learning, and to determine if MDMA-induced serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxicity is associated with learning deficits as measured by changes in response rate or the percentage of errors. Method: The effects of various serotonergic drugs were characterized in six squirrel monkeys responding under a repeated-acquisition procedure before and after neurotoxic dose regimens of MDMA. Specifically, cumulative dose-effect curves for m-CPP (0.032–1 mg/kg), fenfluramine (0.1–3.2 mg/kg) and triazolam (0.0032–0.1 mg/kg) were obtained prior to MDMA administration, with the latter drug serving as a non-5-HT control. Results: In general, all of the drugs tested decreased overall response rate as the cumulative dose increased, whereas only triazolam markedly increased the percentage of errors. MDMA treatment produced significant (80–99%) decreases in brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA axonal markers, but did not lead to changes in either dependent measure of responding or shifts in the dose-effect curves obtained during pharmacological challenges with m-CPP, fenfluramine or triazolam. Conclusions: Taken together, these results demonstrate that serotonergic drugs can disrupt learning in monkeys, but indicate that MDMA-induced 5-HT neurotoxicity does not lead to disruptions in this particular type of serial learning task.
The effect of a scalp reference signal on coherence measurements of intracranial electroencephalograms

Objective: To determine the effect of a scalp reference signal, such as that recorded from the mastoid or ear, on the coherence of referential intracranial electroencephalograms (EEGs). Methods: The relationship between reference signal power and magnitude squared coherence (MSC) was determined from the theoretical expression of the coherence of referential recordings, obtained under the assumption that the reference signal is not correlated with the signals being studied. The effect of a contaminated reference signal on the coherence of intracranial EEGs was determined by measuring the MSC of both a recording of background EEGs with a simulated contaminated reference signal and a contaminated recording of a seizure. Results: The MSC of referential intracranial EEGs is inflated due to the reference signal. This inflation is a function of the true MSC of the intracranial signals and the power of the reference and intracranial signals. The inflation is limited where reference signal power is smaller than the power of the intracranial signals; maximum inflation <0.1 when reference signal power=0.2×power of intracranial EEGs and ≤0.2 when reference signal power=0.5×power of intracranial EEGs. A contaminated reference signal may have a considerable effect on MSC, however. The changes to the MSC spectrum that result from a contaminated reference primarily occur in an open-ended high-frequency band and may create an elevated plateau in this part of the MSC spectrum. Conclusions: The findings presented here suggest a scalp reference signal is suitable, with careful monitoring of the reference signal, for coherence analysis of intracranial EEGs. A reference signal will have a limited effect on the coherence of intracranial EEGs except when it is contaminated. In the event the reference signal is contaminated it should be possible to detect this from the stereotyped features of the coherence spectrum.
Layer dependence of the superconducting transition temperature of HgBa2Can−1CunO2n+2+δ

Abstract High-pressure methods have been used to synthesize multiphase compositions in the Hg12{ n −1} n homologous series. The phase assemblages were examined by optical, electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction techniques, and their stoichiometries verified by electron microprobe. Transport and magnetic susceptibility measurements were combined with the results of the phase analysis to establish superconducting transition temperatures for both as-prepared and O 2 - or Ar-annealed materials. It was found that the transition temperature peaks at T c = 134 K for n = 3 and then decreases abruptly for n >4, reaching T c K for n ⪖7.
MODERN POLLEN DISPERSAL IN ARGENTINA

Abstract Extensive analyses were made of surface soil samples and extant vegetation from Argentina, where palynological reconstructions of paleoenvironments over the last 15,000 years is underway. The major vegetation zones in the desert northwest and the sub‐antarctic southwest and south of Argentina are discernible in the relative frequency of their respective pollen assemblages. Where quantitative comparisons of plant and pollen data are possible, representation factors for the pollen taxa are calculated. In addition to the conventional approach using percentage values, principal component and cluster analysis prove to be excellent and complementary techniques in that they reduce the data set into definite groups of representative taxa, both for plants and pollen. The comparison of these groups and their respective dominance along transects indicate that, for example, in the treeless vegetation zones of the desert northwest of Argentina, the transition zone between the grassland and desert scrub (Punen...
Productivity and Automation

Neither of the two basic ways we assemble things today–i. e., by people or by special-purpose machines–rests on a coherent body of analytically derived knowledge. These manufacturing methods, which may be accurately characterized as experience-based rather than science-based, have been the principal handicap in achieving major improvements manufacturing productivity. In the absence of major productivity improvements, the consumer has borne the brunt of cost increases in raw materials, labor, and energy. Clearly, the key to improved productivity is the development of advanced computer-based systems that incorporate a greater degree of the knowledge base-systems that compensate for the designer's unfamiliarity with manufacturing technology and help him come up with a more manufacturable product design.
Multivariate point process models in social research

Abstract This paper advocates the use of multivariate point processes for modeling dynamic processes where several types of discrete outcomes occur repeatedly over time. The first section provides an overview of point process models with emphasis on the intensity function specification. The second section discusses complete and incomplete likelihood techniques for estimating parameters and briefly reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques. The paper ends with an empirical example from organizational sociology that illustrates the application of a multivariate point process model and complete likelihood estimation.
Comments on a Supposed Clovis ‘‘Mastic’’

Abstract The conclusions of a paper in this journal (Tankersley, 1994) rest on inaccurate use of terms for, and erroneously assigned properties of, organic materials commonly encountered in archaeological contexts.
Comparative biology and behavior of monogamous pairs and one male-two female trios of Herring Gulls

In northern Great Lakes Herring Gulls one male-one female pairs are the predominate breeding association. We found that 0.6% to 1.0% of the nests from 1978 to 1981 were attended by one male-two female trios in which both females laid eggs. Individually marked birds in trios remated in successive years in 77% of the instances which was not significantly different from pair fidelity.
Association between polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived oxylipid biosynthesis and leukocyte inflammatory marker expression in periparturient dairy cows

Peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from periparturient cows can have exacerbated inflammatory responses that contribute to disease incidence and severity. Oxylipids derived from the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can regulate the magnitude and duration of inflammation. Although PUFA substrate for oxylipid biosynthesis in leukocytes is known to change across the periparturient period, the plasma oxylipid profile and how this profile relates to leukocyte inflammatory phenotype is not clear. The objective of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between the profile of pro- and antiinflammatory plasma oxylipids and the inflammatory phenotype of peripheral blood leukocytes during the periparturient period. Seven multiparous Holsteins were sampled from the prepartum period through peak lactation. Plasma oxylipids were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, peripheral leukocyte mRNA expression was measured by quantitative PCR, and PUFA content of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of several hydroxyl products of linoleic and arachidonic acid changed over time. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid concentrations in leukocytes increased during early lactation, suggesting that substrate availability for hydroxyoctadecadienoic and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid biosynthesis may influence the oxylipid profile. Leukocyte mRNA expressions of IL-12B, IL-1B, inducible nitric oxide synthase 2, and cyclooxygenase 2 were correlated with several plasma oxylipids. These are the first observations linking leukocyte inflammatory gene responses to shifts in oxylipid biosynthesis in periparturient dairy cows.
Generalized emittance measurements in a beam transport line

A generalized emittance-measurement program has been developed. Beam line specifics are entirely resident in data tables, not in program code. For instrumentation, the program requires one or more multiwire profile monitors; one or multiple profiles are acquired from each monitor, corresponding to one or multiple tunes of the transport line. Emittances and Twiss parameters are calculated using generalized algorithms. The required matrix descriptions of the beam optics are constructed by an online general beam modeling program. Design of the program, its algorithms, and initial experience with it is described. >