cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the second variations for the stress wave problem using the Euler-Lagrange and adjoint formulations

Dynamical stress behaviors and shock transients in mechanics are important subjects to be studied. The use of the finite element method based on developed algorithms from the variational principle can give direct numerical solutions for partial derivatives of the functions in these problems. Many researchers have found it difficult to apply the finite element method to an hyperbolic type partial differential equation (PDE). The Galerkin method and the like have been used instead. The author has reported previous attempts to solve these hyperbolic type PDE's by employing variational principles in a number of papers. It is the purpose of this paper to show that under certain conditions the stationary values are strong extremals, not saddle points. This is equivalent to requiring that the second variations of the functional be positive semidefinite with discontinuities in the partials. The adjoint system can be arranged in a manner so it is a reflected mirror of the original system in time. Generalized boundary conditions employ many types of “springs” relating the various spatial partial derivatives. They are defined to satisfy the boundaries of the original and adjoint system relationship for the bilinear expression. Algorithms for use in the finite element method are simplified since the adjoint system gives exactly the same solutions as those of the original system. The second necessary condition for an extremum is satisfied by showing that the second variation of the functional is positive semi-definite.
Punishment and Beyond: Achieving Justice Through the Satisfaction of Multiple Goals

We investigated the hypothesis that people's need for punishment does not preclude a desire for restorative sanctions that address the repairing of the harm to victims and communities caused by wrongdoing. Study 1 showed that although people felt it was important to punish the offender to achieve justice, they viewed additional justice goals as equally necessary. Study 2 revealed that people viewed sanctions as differentially able to fulfill various justice goals. Study 3 showed that the target on which respondents focused-the offender, victim, or community-determined which sanctions they selected to achieve justice; and that people did tend, by default, to focus on punishing the offender when responding to crime. These findings, taken together, suggest that people view the satisfaction of multiple justice goals as an appropriate and just response to wrongdoing, which allows for a possible reconciliation between the "conflicting" goals of restorative and retributive justice.
Transformer "Miniaturization" Using Fluorochemical Liquids and Conduction Techniques

Reduction of size and weight in electronic type transformers to keep pace with miniaturization in other phases of electronic component designing has led directly to higher temperature operation. Temperatures in the region of 185°C require inorganic materials throughout, including where used, the dielectric coolant. Design details and materials performance in "miniaturized" electronic type transformers are discussed in this paper. Specific Class A transformers are redesigned using these new techniques, thus giving size comparison.
Mathematics Assessment: Practices and Reporting Methods

The curriculum, teaching, and assessment Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics advocate the use of various assessment techniques in mathematics, K-12. Practitioners from 35 school districts in two regions of a midwestern state completed a questionnaire and reported information about their assessment practices, reporting methods, and other issues that affect change in mathematics. The results of the survey suggest that current reporting practices are limiting the use of alternative classroom assessment practices. Delays in the use of alternative mathematics assessment practice can probably be expected until the reporting systems used in school districts become consistent with the assessment systems and teachers participate in ongoing professional development programs to learn more about alternative assessment practices.
Cytokines and Growth Factors in the Pathogenesis of AIDS-Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma

In the past, the study of KS pathogenesis has been hampered by the lack of in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. Recently, the establishment of long-term cultures of KS spindle cells and the development of animal models have allowed a variety of studies on the pathobiology of the disease. The results from these studies, reviewed herein, indicate that KS is a cytokine-mediated disease and that inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines and the HIV-1 Tat protein cooperate in its induction and progression in HIV-1-infected individuals.
The effect of a response-contingent stimulus introduced into a fixed-interval schedule at varying temporal placement

A response-contingent brief light (S1) is made to occur at systematically varied temporal positions in a 60 sec. fixed-interval reinforcement schedule. Functions are presented showing the effects of the S1 at all points in the fixed-interval. A comparison with previously reported data show that these effects do not depend on the presence of a response contingency requirement for S1 occurrence.
Of Mods and Modders: Chasing Down the Value of Fan-Based Digital Game Modifications

This article is concerned with the role that fan-programmers (generally known as “modders”) play in the success of the PC digital game industry. The fan culture for digital games is deeply embedded in shared practices and experiences among fan communities, and their active consumption contributes economically and culturally to broader society. Using a survey of the most commercially successful PC games in the first-person shooter category from 2002 until 2004, this article answers a series of questions concerning fan-programmer produced content: (a) What is the value of the fan produced game add-ons in terms of labor costs? (b) What motivates fans to make add-ons for their favorite games? and (c) How does the fan-programmer phenomenon in PC gaming fit into broader trends in the high-tech economy?
On strain energy release rates for interfacial cracks in bi-material media

Abstract Mode I and Mode II strain energy release rates GI and GII for a crack lying along the interface of two dissimilar elastic media were investigated analytically and by using the finite element method. The analytical solutions indicate that GII and GII do not converge in the form of crack closure integrals although the sum (the total strain energy release rate) is well defined. If the oscillatory terms are neglected, then GI=GII= 1 2 G . The finite element solutions in conjunction with the crack closure method agree with the analytical solutions if the assumed crack extension is larger than the region of violent stress oscillation. Moreover, the finite element solutions also converge to GI = GII = 1 2 G for small crack extensions, before they start to oscillate.
Modification of a single-molecule AFM probe with highly defined surface functionality

Single-molecule force spectroscopy with an atomic force microscope has been widely used to study inter- and intramolecular interactions. To obtain data consistent with single molecular events, a well-defined method is critical to limit the number of molecules at the apex of an AFM probe to one or to a few. In this paper, we demonstrate an easy method for single-molecule probe modification by using the Cu-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction. Excess terminal alkynes were covalently attached to the probe, and a bi-functional molecule containing an azide at one end and a carboxylic acid at the other was dissolved in the reaction solution. By simply contacting the probe and the Cu substrate, controlled carboxylation on the probe apex could be achieved, since the ‘click’ reaction requires the co-exist of alkyne, azide and Cu(I). The finite contact area would result in a highly defined surface functionality of the probe down to single molecule level with high reproducibility.
Processing of relative clauses is made easier by frequency of occurrence

We conducted a large-scale corpus analysis indicating that pronominal object relative clauses are significantly more frequent than pronominal subject relative clauses when the embedded pronoun is personal. This difference was reversed when impersonal pronouns constituted the embedded noun phrase. This pattern of distribution provides a suitable framework for testing the role of experience in sentence processing: if frequency of exposure influences processing difficulty, highly frequent pronominal object relatives should be easier to process but only when a personal pronoun is in the embedded position. We tested this hypothesis experimentally: We conducted four self-paced reading tasks, which indicated that differences in pronominal object/subject relative processing mirrored the pattern of distribution revealed by the corpus analysis. We discuss the results in the light of current theories of sentence comprehension. We conclude that object relative processing is facilitated by frequency of the embedded clause, and, more generally, that statistical information should be taken into account by theories of relative clause processing.
Dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase and tyrosine hydroxylase in diabetic rat retina

The effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the retinal dopaminergic system have been examined in Long-Evans (pigmented) rats. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity was significantly decreased while dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase was increased in 2-month-diabetic rats. The observed increase in dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in diabetic retinae may be related to neurotransmitter receptor changes because postreceptor activation of adenylate cyclase by guanylyl imidodiphosphate was not altered.
Misalignment correction for optical interconnects using vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers

In board-to-board optical interconnects, the misalignment between the board and the backplane connections can cause both optical loss and interchannel cross talk. A vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) is proposed to correct optical misalignment in an optical connector between the board and the backplane. Angular or lateral misalignment can be corrected with the designed module. The correction ability is determined by the acceptance angle of the VCSOA, which was characterized to be 9.4° full angle at a 3 dB gain drop for a 30 μW optical signal at 1 GHz. The lateral misalignment correction ability is 0.16f, where f is the focal length of the mini lens to converge the input light onto the VCSOA.
PCR detection of aflatoxin producing fungi and its limitations

Abstract Unlike bacterial toxins that are primarily peptides and are therefore encoded by a single gene, fungal toxins such as the aflatoxins are multi-ring structures and therefore require a sequence of structural genes for their biological synthesis. There is therefore no specific PCR for any one of the four biologically produced aflatoxins. Unfortunately, the structural genes presently in use for PCR detection of aflatoxin producing fungi are also involved in the synthesis of other fungal toxins such as sterigmatocystin by Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus nidulans and therefore lack absolute specificity for aflatoxin producing fungi ( Table 1 ). In addition, the genomic presence of several structural genes involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis does not guarantee the production of aflatoxin by all isolates of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus . The most widely used DNA target regions for discriminating Aspergillus species are those of the rDNA complex, mainly the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) and the variable regions in the 5′-end of the 28S rRNA gene. Since these sequence regions are unrelated to the structural genes involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis there successful amplification can be used for species identification but do not confirm aflatoxin production. This review therefore presents the various approaches and limitations in the use of the PCR in attempting to detect aflatoxin producing fungi.
Transistorized RC phase-shift power oscillator

A transistorized RC phase-shift oscillator is very similar to the electron tube circuit. Two important differences are: 1) A transistor possesses active phase-shift elements which can be utilized as part of the total phase shift; 2) large current capabilities of the transistor make it possible to obtain significant power at reasonable resistance values. The small-signal analysis given herein is based upon a hybrid-π transistor equivalent circuit which includes the active phase-shift elements of the transistor. Data are given for some operating circuits. Frequency modulation of the transistorized phase-shift oscillator can be readily carried out by modulating the transistor active phase-shift elements.
On the temperature dependence of the reaction O + NO → NO∗2

Abstract The published data on the temperature dependence of the radiative combination of atomic oxygen with nitric oxide at pressures near 1 torr is examined. Arguments are advanced to suggest that radiation near the cut-off wavelength (∼ 3875A) is coming from the unstabilized activated complex, No ∗ 2 . At 4000A a positive activation energy of 1 kcal mole −1 is deduced. Application of this temperature dependence with the rate coefficient at 5200A is made to airglow measurements in aurora. The deduced NO concentration is about 10 9 cm −3 , in general agreement with that deduced from the measured NO + /O + 2 ratio as well as an auroral model prediction.
Unilateral hypoglossal nerve injury in a collegiate wrestler: a case report.

Abstract Objective: To introduce the case of a collegiate wrestler who suffered a traumatic unilateral hypoglossal nerve injury. This case presents the opportunity to discuss the diagnosis and trea...
Optical frequency combs for atomic quantum control on atom chips

A technique to drive stimulated Raman transition between spin and/or momentum states of ultracold 87Rb atoms confined on an atomchip trap is discussed. We present our experimental and theoretical approach to an all-optical manipulation of the atoms using an optical frequency comb emitted by a modelocked ultrafast pulsed laser.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Four-port Fabry-Perot/Michelson interferometer: polarization-dependent response and ellipsometry

The com;lex amplitude reflection and transmission coefficients for the p and s polarizations at oblique incidence are determined for a four-port solid-substrate Fabry-Perot/Michelson interferometer. The amplitude response for each of the two reflected and two transmitted waves is considered as a function of the angle of incidence and optical path length. Incidence angles for maximum back reflection and maximum back transmission are noted for both polarizations. The presence of multiple ports enables four ellipsometric functions to be measured simultaneously, which is desirable for the accurate and unambiguous characterization of deposited thin films. Results are presented for reflection and transmission ellipsometry of a growing transparent MgF2 film on the planar entrance face of a ZnS-prism interferometer. © (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Simulation of Turbulent Flows Over Moving Sinusoidal Waves

In this study, turbulent flow over moving sinusoidal waves with different wave slope and wave speed is investigated by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package. The RANS models include the κ-e, κ-ω, and Reynolds stress formulations. The results show that the imposed waves significantly influence the pressure and friction stress, and velocity distributions. The performance of the turbulence models was presented, and the effects of wave slope and wave speed were compared and discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
ENZYMATIC REACTION RATE LIMITS WITH CONSTRAINTS ON EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANTS AND EXPERIMENTAL PARAMETERS

Abstract A general methodology is presented for estimating maximum rates of enzymatic reactions based on general characteristics of enzymatic reaction mechanisms, kinetic limits and thermodynamics. The useful range of experimentally derived kinetic parameters can also be extended by the methodology. The methodology divides the reaction mechanism into physical and chemical steps. Maximum rates that comply with kinetic and thermodynamic constraints are calculated by setting the physical rate constants to their diffusion limits and optimising the chemical rate constants subject to constraints of the reaction mechanism and overall equilibrium constant. Rate estimates from this methodology can be subject to additional constraints from experimental data, and thus conform to the distinctive features of the enzymatic reaction. The methodology is demonstrated using a reversible enzymatic reaction model involving ordered binding of two reactants and ordered release of two products (bi–bi mechanism). Numerical results are shown for alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1), which has a bi–bi mechanism. Pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.1) with a uni–bi mechanism and triosephosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.1) with a uni–uni mechanism are also examined.
Examination of an Interactive-Educational Intervention in Improving Parent and Child Distress Outcomes Associated With Pediatric Radiation Therapy Procedures

Although radiation therapy is a non-invasive and painless form of cancer therapy, distress reactions often occur among children and parents undergoing these procedures. This randomized 2 group clinical trial (N = 80) reports on the efficacy of a pediatric interactive-educational intervention regarding both parent and child distress outcomes. As predicted, parents in the intervention condition experienced greater reductions in trait anxiety, t(78) = 1.68, p < .05; and rated the intervention as significantly more effective in reducing pediatric procedural distress, as compared to parents in the control condition, t(78) = 1.74, p < .05. These findings suggest that interactive-educational interventions designed to reduce pediatric distress may generalize to parents, and highlight the importance of including parents in pediatric procedural interventions.
Mechanism of interferon action inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus in human amnion U cells by cloned human leukocyte interferon

The effects of a subsaturating, long treatment (24 h) dose of a highly purified cloned subspecies of human leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha A) on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) primary macromolecular synthesis in tsG41-infected human amnion U cells were examined. IFN-alpha A, under these conditions, was found to inhibit primary VSV protein synthesis ten-fold while producing no detectable effect on the amount or integrity of primary viral message transcripts. There was no selective reduction by IFN-alpha A of the VSV G or M proteins.
Early childhood staff attitudes toward their parent clientele

The attitudes of 236 early childhood staff toward the childrearing practices of their parent clientele were assessed. A 30-item questionnaire with three response formats was used. The data confirmed the hypothesis that there is a significant difference between staff ratings of good parenting practices and ratings of their own center parents' childrearing practices. However, staff members indicated that they thought their center parents were doing a better job at childrearing than most American parents today.
Micro-computed tomography (CT) based assessment of dental regenerative therapy in the canine mandible model

High-resolution 3D bone-tissue structure measurements may provide information critical to the understanding of the bone regeneration processes and to the bone strength assessment. Tissue engineering studies rely on such nondestructive measurements to monitor bone graft regeneration area. In this study, we measured bone yield, fractal dimension and trabecular thickness through micro-CT slices for different grafts and controls. Eight canines underwent surgery to remove a bone volume (defect) in the canine's jaw at a total of 44 different locations. We kept 11 defects empty for control and filled the remaining ones with three regenerative materials; NanoGen (NG), a FDA-approved material (n=11), a novel NanoCalcium Sulfate (NCS) material (n=11) and NCS alginate (NCS+alg) material (n=11). After a minimum of four and eight weeks, the canines were sacrificed and the jaw samples were extracted. We used a custom-built micro-CT system to acquire the data volume and developed software to measure the bone yield, fractal dimension and trabecular thickness. The software used a segmentation algorithm based on histograms derived from volumes of interest indicated by the operator. Using bone yield and fractal dimension as indices we are able to differentiate between the control and regenerative material (p<0.005). Regenerative material NCS showed an average 63.15% bone yield improvement over the control sample, NCS+alg showed 55.55% and NanoGen showed 37.5%. The bone regeneration process and quality of bone were dependent upon the position of defect and time period of healing. This study presents one of the first quantitative comparisons using non-destructive Micro-CT analysis for bone regenerative material in a large animal with a critical defect model. Our results indicate that Micro-CT measurement could be used to monitor in-vivo bone regeneration studies for greater regenerative process understanding.
Shallow-water theory for arbitrary slopes of the bottom

A new shallow-water theory valid for arbitrary bottom slope, due to Bouchut et al. (2003), is derived systematically by a scaling method. The fact that the pressure is hydrostatic, and the form of the velocity parallel to the bottom, are consequences of the scaling method, and need not be assumed.
Viral “Tumorigenesis” in man: Cell markers in condylomata acuminata

Determination of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) phenotype of a neoplasm occurring in a heterozygous female can be used to trace the cellular origin of the tumor. This technique was performed on 834 individual verrucous subunits from four condylomata acuminata (venereal warts) arising in two patients heterozygous for a B and an A gene at the G-6-PD locus. All four specimens contained both A and B types of G-6-PD. Furthermore, even single verrucous subunits from each specimen occasionally contained both enzyme types. These data indicate that condylomata acuminata have a multicellular origin. The initial number of cells which, after viral infection, developed into a condyloma acuminatum was estimated to be about 4,400 cells, on the basis of statistical analysis of the data in one case.
Nuclear vesiculation associated with pea enation mosaic virus-infected plant tissue.

Abstract Nuclei of pea enation mosaic virus-infected plant cells show, in the perinuclear space, vesicles that contain DNase-digestible fibrillar material. The vesicles in the perinuclear space are probably sloughed off from the nuclear envelope while they remain contained in a vesicular membrane which originated from the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. The packaged vesicles can be visualized in the cytoplasm of all parenchymatic cell types and in the phloem elements of the above ground plant parts. A similar cytopathic effect could not be found in tissues of viruliferous pea aphids ( Acyrthosiphum pisi ). Virus was found only in the gut contents (lumen) of viruliferous aphids and could not be identified with certainty in any other part of the aphids.
Effect of selenium compounds on selenium content, growth and 35S-cystine metabolism of skin fibroblasts from normal and cystinotic individuals.

Abstract Kidney samples from children with the inborn metabolic disease cystinosis contain 4 times more selenium (Se) than do kidney samples from normal individuals (p = 0.1). However, when cultured skin fibroblasts from cystinotic patients and normal control individuals are incubated in Se-D,L-methionine, Se-D,L-cystine, Se-cystamine-HCl, Se-urea, selenite or in medium without added selenium, only the cystinotic fibroblasts grown in Se-urea or selenite (SeO3=) contain more selenium than do the corresponding normal cells (p Se-cystamine > Se-cystine > SeO3= ⪢ Se-methionine. High (apparently toxic) concentrations of Se-urea and Se-cystamine lower the elevated intracellular free (nonprotein) cystine content of cystinotic fibroblasts to less than 60% of control values; at lower concentrations, these compounds raise the cystine content of these cells to over 140% of control values. Appropriate concentrations of SeO3=, Se-cystine and Se-
Molten wax, spilt wine and mutilated animals: sympathetic magic in near eastern and early Greek oath ceremonies*

The so-called ‘Cyrenean Foundation Decree’ describes and paraphrases what appears to be the oath of the seventh-century Theran colonists who founded the city of Cyrene in Libya. This oath contains a conditional self-imprecation, a common enough feature of many Greek oaths, but one which in this case involves wax effigies in what can best be described as a ritual employing ‘sympathetic magic’:
Measurements of the energy band gap and valence band structure of AgSbTe 2

The de Haas-van Alphen effect, galvanomagnetic and thermomagnetic properties of high-quality crystals of ${\text{AgSbTe}}_{2}$ are measured and analyzed. The transport properties reveal the material studied here to be a very narrow-gap semiconductor $({E}_{g}\ensuremath{\approx}7.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3\text{ }\text{meV})$ with $\ensuremath{\sim}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{19}\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ holes in a valence band with a high density of states and thermally excited $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{17}\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ high-mobility $(2200\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{2}/\text{Vs})$ electrons at 300 K. The quantum oscillations are measured with the magnetic field oriented along the $⟨111⟩$ axis. Taken together with the Fermi energy derived from the transport properties, the oscillations confirm the calculated valence band structure composed of 12 half-pockets located at the $X$-points of the Brillouin zone, six with a density-of-states effective mass ${m}_{da}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}⪢0.21{m}_{e}$ and six with ${m}_{db}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}⪢0.55{m}_{e}$, giving a total density-of-states effective mass, including Fermi pocket degeneracy, of ${m}_{d}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}\ensuremath{\approx}1.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2{m}_{e}$ (${m}_{e}$ is the free electron mass). The lattice term dominates the thermal conductivity, and the electronic contribution in samples with both electrons and holes present is in turn dominated by the ambipolar term. The low thermal conductivity and very large hole mass of ${\text{AgSbTe}}_{2}$ make it a most promising $p$-type thermoelectric material.
Managerial incentives and financial signaling in product market competition

This paper demonstrates how management compensation schemes can serve as an inexpensive and sometimes even free signaling mechanism. In the particular example studied here it is shown how a contract offered to the manager of a monopolistic tirm may induce him to take some actions that will credibly signal the Crm’s marginal cost and will deter entry if the firm is ‘suficiently’ ellicient. This signaling mechanism is not costly to the monopolist and therefore, it may prefer this mechanism to the costlier ‘limit pricing’ one.
Improvements of in vitro cell-material adhesion measurements.

The in vitro measurement of gingival cell-bacto agar substratum adhesive-bonding strength (γa) is described as it relates to cell- concentration, cell-substratum contact time and serum concentration. These three factors are critical in obtaining reprocible γa's for gingival cell-test substratum interactions. Cell concentrations of less than 35 × 103 cells per cm2 gave low γa's (70–75 ergs/cm2) whereas 90–130 × 103 cells/cm2 resulted in γa's of 109–119 ergs/cm2, respectively. Maximum γa's (123 ergs/cm2) resulted after the cells had been in contact with the agar substratum for 24 hours. The adhesive-bonding strenth after eight housrs of contact time, however, was not statistically different from the 24 housr readings and has the advantage of decreasing the test duration. Serum, and important factor for optimum adhesion measurements, produced a peak γa at the 10 % concentration.
SENSITIVE AND RAPID DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 IN GROUND BEEF BY NESTED PCR INCORPORATING IMMUNOMAGNETIC SEPARATION

ABSTRACT A protocol for detection of low numbers of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef by nested PCR incorporating immunomagnetic separation (IMS) was developed. The protocol enabled detection of 24 colony-forming-units (CFU) in 10 g of seeded ground beef without enrichment cultivation. Differential centrifugation was used for maximally recovering the target CFU. Partial digestion of the resulting cell pellet with proteinase K at 37°C was used for the removal of beef tissue, which was required for the proper function of IMS. Within the range of 24 to 2400 CFU/10 g, a log linear relationship between the numbers of inoculated CFU and the integrated intensity of the nested PCR products was obtained with both shiga-like toxin (SLT) 1 and 2 primer pairs.
Surface chemistry associated with the cooling and subaerial weathering of recent basalt flows

The surface chemistry of fresh and weathered historical basalt flows was characterized using surface-sensitive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surfaces of unweathered 1987–1990 flows from the Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, exhibited variable enrichment in Al, Mg, Ca, and F due to the formation of refractory fluoride compounds and pronounced depletion in Si and Fe from the volatilization of SiF4 and FeF3 during cooling. These reactions, as predicted from shifts in thermodynamic equilibrium with temperature, are induced by diffusion of HF from the flow interiors to the cooling surface. The lack of Si loss and solid fluoride formation for recent basalts from the Krafla Volcano, Iceland, suggest HF degassing at higher temperatures. Subsequent short-term subaerial weathering reactions are strongly influenced by the initial surface composition of the flow and therefore its cooling history. Successive samples collected from the 1987 Kilauea flow demonstrated that the fluoridated flow surfaces leached to a predominantly SiO2 composition by natural weathering within one year. These chemically depleted surfaces were also observed on Hawaiian basalt flows dating back to 1801 AD. Solubility and kinetic models, based on thermodynamic and kinetic data for crystalline AlF3, MgF2, and CaF2, support observed elemental depletion rates due to chemical weathering. Additional loss of alkalis from the Hawaiian basalt occurs from incongruent dissolution of the basalt glass substrate during weathering.
A biomechanical comparison of calf versus cadaver lumbar spine models.

Study design Biomechanical flexibility tests were performed using calf and human cadaveric lumbar spine models to investigate the effect of anatomic differences. Objectives The purpose is to determine if differences exist in biomechanical flexibility testing results between calf and human cadaveric spines when using identical methods and instrumentation. Summary of background data Calf spines are commonly used in biomechanical research as a substitute for human cadaveric spines in an attempt to reduce expense and specimen variability. Despite widespread use, the validity of this model has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods Five fresh calf spines and five human cadaveric spines (L2-L5) were used for nondestructive biomechanical flexibility testing. Maximum moments of 6.4 Nm were achieved in five increments of 1.6 Nm. The rotations of L3 with respect to L4 were measured in 5 cases: 1) intact; 2) following partial discectomy, including partial laminectomy and partial facetectomy; 3) partial discectomy with pedicle screw instrumentation; 4) total discectomy with pedicle screw instrumentation; and 5) pedicle screw instrumentation with interbody graft. Rotational angles were normalized to the intact case to determine the stabilizing effect during each testing case. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance to determine if significant differences existed between the calf spine results and the human cadaveric spine results. Results In both models, motion increased following discectomy, decreased with instrumentation, and increased with total discectomy. Placement of the interbody graft decreased motion during axial rotation, flexion, and extension but increased lateral bending motion. A two-way analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in the two models during flexion or extension (P > 0.05), but significant differences were discovered in axial rotation and lateral bending (P Conclusions Significant differences were identified in flexibility testing between calf and human cadaveric specimens. The calf spine model overestimated the stabilizing effect of instrumentation during lateral bending and underestimated stability during axial rotation. The extrapolation of calf spine data to the in vivo case, especially during axial rotation and lateral bending, should carefully consider the variation between these two models.
Nuclear hormone receptors in diabetic nephropathy

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in developed countries. In spite of glucose and blood pressure control, for example by use of angiotensin II receptor blockers, diabetic nephropathy still develops and progresses in affected patients and the development of additional protective therapeutic interventions is, therefore, required. Nuclear hormone receptors are transcription factors that regulate carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, the immune response, and inflammation. These receptors also modulate the development of fibrosis. As a result of their diverse biological effects, nuclear hormone receptors have become major pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of a host of diseases. The increasing prevalence of diabetic nephropathy has led intense investigation into the role that nuclear hormone receptors may have in slowing or preventing the progression of renal disease. This role of nuclear hormone receptors would be associated with improvements in metabolism, the immune response, and inflammation. Eight nuclear receptors have shown a renoprotective effect in the context of diabetic nephropathy. This Review discusses the evidence regarding the beneficial effects of the activation of these receptors in preventing the progression of diabetic nephropathy and describes how the discovery and development of compounds that modulate the activity of nuclear hormone receptors may provide potential additional therapeutic approaches in the management of diabetic nephropathy.
Heterogeneous distributions and dispersive photodissociation rates of benzo[a]pyrene diol-epoxide enantiomer-DNA and -poly (dG-dC) · poly (dG-dC) adducts

Abstract Two types of heterogeneity of adducts are illustrated and discussed utilizing non-line narrowed ( S 2 ← S 0 laser excitation) and line-narrowed (excitation into the (0,0) origin band) fluorescence spectra at low temperatures. The first type (type A) is due to structurally distinct and/or energetically inequivalent conformers. The second one (type B) is provided by an inhomogeneous environment of DNA and polynucleotides. In light of the above, the non-exponential photodissociation kinetics of the (±)- anti -BPDE-DNA and -polynucleotide adducts have been reanalyzed in terms of a dispersive first order chemical reaction, where the inhomogeneous effects are explicitly included. It is demonstrated that the DNA structure shows considerable inhomogeneous broadening, and that type B heterogeneity is responsible for the dispersive photodissociation process. The latter is accounted for by a Gaussian distribution of activation energies, with the center of the distribution at ≈ 600 meV and the full width at half-maximum equal to ≈ 50 meV (≈ 2 kT ). Photolabile (±)- anti -BPDE- DNA and -polynucleotide adducts are identified as quasi-intercalated (site 1) (+)- and (−)- cis -BPDE. The calculated concentrations of cis -BPDE adducts in DNA and polynucleotides from the kinetic data are in very good agreement with the cis -BPDE adduct concentrations obtained from the spectral and/or chemical analysis. The average photodissociation rate and the photodissociation quantum yield of cis - and trans -BPDE adducts are also estimated.
On Rescuing the Nonequivalent-Control-Group Design: The Random-Comparison-Group Approach

The nonequivalent-control-group design is important because true experimental designs are frequently either infeasible or undesirable and other quasi-experimental designs have only quite limited ap...
Use and development of entertainment technologies in after school STEM program

This design research paper examines the implementation and curriculum changes of an after school computer science program that promotes computational thinking to middle school students. The program, Students in Programming, Robotics, and Computer Science (SPARCS), can adapt to different presentation environments, such as independent after school sessions or a semester-long apprenticeship program. We trace one implementation of the program through the initial deployment, the development of infrastructure, and a reorganization of content to address student interests. We found that student attrition dropped and the average session enjoyment increased when our sessions integrated consumer technologies such as mobile applications, video games, and the Minecraft computer game. In this paper, we provide readers a framework for running computing outreach activities around similar consumer technologies.
Congenital Anomalies of the Larynx

Congenital laryngeal anomalies are relatively rare. However, they may present with life-threatening respiratory problems in the newborn period. Associated problems with phonation and swallowing may prevent a baby from thriving. Stridor is the most common presenting symptom of congenital laryngeal abnormalities. Often, it is associated with dysphagia, aspiration, and failure to thrive. Endoscopy is essential for evaluation and diagnosis in most cases. The differential diagnosis includes laryngeal cysts, atresia and stenosis, vocal fold immobility, and subglottic hemangiomas. In this article, the authors discuss in detail the evaluation and treatment for each condition.
Effect of Thaw Rates on Survival of Buffalo Spermatozoa Frozen in Straws

Abstract Eighteen ejaculates from three buffalo bulls of Nili-Ravi breed were tested in a 3×6×3 factorial experiment. Semen was extended in lactose-fructose-egg yolk-glycerol extender containing penicillin (1000 IU/ml) and streptomycin (1000 μ g/ml). Semen was frozen in .5-ml polyvinyl chloride straws in liquid nitrogen vapor and stored in liquid nitrogen for 24h. Straws were thawed at water bath temperatures of 0, 37, or 75°C for 2min, 15s, and 9s, respectively. At thawing bath temperature of 0, 37, or 75°C, percentage of motile spermatozoa averaged 30, 40, and 50%. Differences were significant between thaw rates for initial postthaw motility, postthaw sperm survival at 37°C, and absolute index of survival of spermatozoa. Bulls were also different for initial postthaw motility, postthaw sperm survival at 37°C, and absolute index of survival of spermatozoa. Thaw rate of 75°C for 9s was superior to other rates.
Effects of reducing complement constructions on sentence comprehension

Two experiments were performed testing the hypothesis that deletion of an optional cue to sentence structure increases comprehension difficulty. Sentences were used that contained that -complement constructions where the complementizer was either present or absent. Both experiments used both paraphrasing and phoneme monitoring tasks. The monitoring data for both strongly supported the hypothesis; the paraphrasing data did so weakly for the second experiment.
Primary Debulking Surgery Versus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage IV Ovarian Cancer

Primary debulking surgery (PDS) has historically been the standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. Recent data appear to support a paradigm shift toward neoadjuvant chemotherapy with interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS). We hypothesized that stage IV ovarian cancer patients would likely benefit from NACT-IDS by achieving similar outcomes with less morbidity. Patients with stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent primary treatment between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2007, were identified. Data were retrospectively extracted. Each patient record was evaluated to subclassify stage IV disease according to the sites of tumor dissemination at the time of diagnosis. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare overall survival (OS) data. A total of 242 newly diagnosed stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer patients were included in the final analysis; 176 women (73%) underwent PDS, 45 (18%) NACT-IDS, and 21 (9%) chemotherapy only. The frequency of achieving complete resection to no residual disease was significantly higher in patients with NACT-IDS versus PDS (27% vs. 7.5%; P < 0.001). When compared to women treated with NACT-IDS, women with PDS had longer admissions (12 vs. 8 days; P = 0.01), more frequent intensive care unit admissions (12% vs. 0%; P = 0.01), and a trend toward a higher rate of postoperative complications (27% vs. 15%; P = 0.08). The patients who received only chemotherapy had a median OS of 23 months, compared to 33 months in the NACT-IDS group and 29 months in the PDS group (P = 0.1). NACT-IDS for stage IV ovarian cancer resulted in higher rates of complete resection to no residual disease, less morbidity, and equivalent OS compared to PDS.
Determination of carbon centre types in solid fuel materials by CP/MAS n.m.r.

Abstract Methyl, quaternary aliphatic and aromatic, and hydrogen-bearing aliphatic and aromatic carbon centres in solid fuel samples have been determined quantitatively by pulse-programmed 13C n.m.r. coupled with elemental analysis. The method may be used for unaltered samples of oil shales, coals, etc., and has been tested on model compounds representative of components in these materials.
Semi-classical theory of laser cooling in two dimensions

We present a semi-classical theory of the light pressure force for atoms interacting with a two-dimensional laser field. Unlike previous 2D theory, ours is valid for general atomic level and laser field configurations. We show that striking new features appear in the velocity-dependent force arising from the multi-dimensionality. Finally, we describe in detail the novel numerical technique used in the calculation.
Pitfalls in Evaluating Aviation Accident Risk

Reducing accident risk is a primary goal of aviation safety. To accomplish that goal requires a thorough understanding of accident and exposure data used in the evaluation of accident risk. Using Gulf of Mexico helicopter data as an example, this paper examines the way in which civil aviation accident risk is determined, and discusses the pitfalls found in accident and exposure data. The implications for characterizing accident risk and evaluating safety improvements are discussed. Language: en
Adhesive Use in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Presently, tissue adhesives and sealants have limited use in oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. Skin closure occurs regularly with cyanoacrylate adhesives. Sealing of dural tears in conjunction with dural closure has been shown to be very successful. With the development of more head and neck reconstructive procedures and cosmetic procedures, demand will increase for better surgical adhesives. Clinical trials are beginning for newly developed adhesives with the chemical characterizations, the safe reabsorptive profile, and the adhesive strength necessary to benefit oral and maxillofacial surgery patients in the near future. Adhesives for bone fixation, while in early development, also show a promising chemical profile and will be of significant benefit to oral and maxillofacial surgical patients.
Ultrasound in twin pregnancy

This review evaluates the role of ultrasound in twin gestation. Ultrasound is essential in the diagnosis and management of perinatal complications common in twins, including fetal anomalies, conjoined twins, acardiac twinning, fetal demise, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and twin-to-twin transfusion. Indications for first-trimester scanning are reviewed, as well as its use in determining type of placentation, chorionicity, and amnionicity. The focus of this article will be the use of ultrasound and Doppler velocimetry in the evaluation of fetal growth and subsequent management of intrauterine growth retardation in twins, as well as the value of real-time ultrasound and Doppler evaluation in the diagnosis of discordant growth and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Synchronization in hybrid neuronal networks of the hippocampal formation.

Understanding the mechanistic bases of neuronal synchronization is a current challenge in quantitative neuroscience. We studied this problem in two putative cellular pacemakers of the mammalian hip...
Determination of in Vivo Phosphorylation Sites in Protein Kinase C

The primary structure of rat protein kinase C βII was probed by high pressure liquid chromatography directly coupled to an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer and by high energy collision-induced dissociation analysis to identify in vivo phosphorylation sites. The N-terminal methionine was found to be cleaved post-translationally and replaced with an acetyl group. Four phosphopeptides were identified. Two peptides, Thr500-Lys520 and Glu490-Lys520, are phosphorylated at Thr500 greater than 90%. Peptide His636-Arg649 is phosphorylated about 75% at Thr641. It is the only site that was previously identified during the in vitro autophosphorylation studies (Flint, A. J., Paladini, R. D., and Koshland, D. E., Jr.(1990) Science 249, 408-411). The fourth peptide Asn650-Lys672 is phosphorylated at Thr660. A discussion of the potential implication of these results follows.
Conditioned blood reperfusion markedly enhances neurologic recovery after prolonged cerebral ischemia.

Abstract Objectives To determine whether controlled reperfusion using conditioned leukodepleted blood can substantially limit cerebral reperfusion injury following prolonged ischemia. Methods Eighteen pigs (25-35 kg) underwent 90 minutes of hypothermic circulatory arrest (19°C) to produce brain ischemia. At the start of rewarming, 10 pigs received uncontrolled reperfusion with unmodified (normal) blood. The other 8 pigs underwent 10 minutes of controlled reperfusion by selectively perfusing both common carotid arteries with blood passed through a CoBRA filter. This filter conditions the blood by removing white blood cells, platelets, and attenuating complement. Two other pigs underwent cooling and rewarming only (controls) without ischemia. Neurologic assessment was done using neurologic deficit scoring (0 = normal, 500 = brain death), and jugular venous samples were obtained for biochemical analysis postreperfusion. Results There were no statistical differences in hemodynamics between groups. At 6 hours postanesthesia, all animals receiving normal blood were substantially neurologically impaired. At 24 hours, they all had abnormal positioning and all but 1 were unable to sit or stand (neurologic score 124 ± 19). In contrast, nonischemic controls and pigs receiving conditioned blood reperfusion showed only minor neurologic deficits at 6 hours, and at 24 hours all were considered normal (neurologic scores 0 and 6 ± 5; P P P Conclusions Following prolonged cerebral ischemia, reperfusion injury is avoided by delivering conditioned blood, which is devoid of white cells, platelets, and membrane attack complex. These results suggest that this modality is clinically useful in situations where the brain is subjected to prolonged ischemia.