cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energetics of C−H Bond Activation of Fluorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using a [Tp′Rh(CNneopentyl)] Complex

C−H bond activation of fluorinated aromatic hydrocarbons by [Tp′Rh(CNneopentyl)] resulted in the formation of products of the type Tp′Rh(CNneopentyl)(arylF)H. The stability of the Rh−Caryl product is shown to be strongly dependent on the number of ortho fluorines and only mildly dependent on the total number of fluorine substituents. Complexes with aryl groups containing two ortho fluorines have barriers to reductive elimination that are ∼5 kcal mol−1 higher than for those with a single ortho fluorine. Competition experiments along with ΔGre⧧ values allow for the determination of relative Rh−Caryl bond strengths and illustrate the large ortho fluorine effect on the strength of the Rh−Caryl bond. A large change in Rh−Caryl bond strength was measured for small changes in the respective calculated C−H bond strengths. Relating M−C to C−H bond strengths resulted in a line (slope = 2.14) that closely matches the theoretically calculated value (slope = 1.96). This is the first experimental quantization of an ort...
Substance Use Disorders in Gay/Bisexual Men With HIV and AIDS

The authors conducted a longitudinal study of psychological adaptation to AIDS in subjects with and without lifetime and current substance use disorders (SUD), in a cohort of HIV+ gay/bisexual subjects. A sample of HIV+ gay/bisexual men (n = 183) and an HIV- comparison group (n = 84) were assessed for SUD, depression, and anxiety disorders. Among HIV+ men, combined lifetime (42%) but not current (11.5%) SUDs were more prevalent than in HIV- men (27% and 10%, respectively). HIV+ men with current SUD reported more depression, distress and diminished quality of life than HIV+ men with no SUD, but HIV-illness severity did not differ. HIV+ men in recovery did not differ from men with no lifetime history. Most HIV+ gay/bisexual men with SUD discontinue or reduce substance use before or subsequent to knowledge of their HIV infection, probably in an attempt to adopt a healthier lifestyle. However, for some HIV+ men, persistent substance abuse/dependence is accompanied by higher levels of distress and diminished quality of life, underscoring their need for treatment intervention.
Amino acid racemization in lacustrine ostracodes, part II: Paleothermometry in Pleistocene sediments at Summer Lake, Oregon

The extent of amino acid racemization in fossil ostracodes of known age has served as a valuable proxy indicator of Pleistocene temperatures in the Great Basin of the western U.S. Here we assess the utility of this technique for estimating paleotemperatures in the Summer Lake basin of south-central Oregon. The enantiomeric composition (D/L values) of aspartic acid and glutamic acid was measured in Candona and Limnocythere ostracode valves collected from 32 sedimentary horizons within a ∼16-m section of lacustrine sediments associated with pluvial Lake Chewaucan and exposed along the Ana River. Independent geochronologic control spanning the past 250,000 years is provided by a recently revised age-depth model for the Ana River section. Measured D/L values in the fossil ostracodes generally increase down-section, but the trend is not monotonic and contains stratigraphic reversals. The D/L values from the Ana River section are significantly lower than those measured in ostracodes of comparable age from Lake Bonneville sediments, implying that the Summer Lake basin was colder than the Bonneville basin during the middle and late Quaternary. Although a higher north-south temperature gradient during the Pleistocene is expected considering the proximity of the Ana River site to former ice sheets, published amino acid paleothermometry equations for Candona yield unreasonably cold Pleistocene temperatures at Summer Lake. Measurements of fossil Candona valves from deposits across the western U.S. and northern Sonora reveal abnormally high amino acid concentrations in the subset of Ana River ostracodes analyzed, possibly related to unusual preservation and environmental factors at this site. This suggests that ostracode preservation has an influence on rates of racemization which complicates the application of amino acid paleothermometry at the Ana River site.
The event rate context in vigilance: Relation to signal probability and expectancy

The influence of the conditional probability of signals encountered during an adapting phase of a visual vigilance task on postadaptation performance was examined within the context of different background event rates (frequencies of presentation of repetitive neutral events). Slow (6 events/min) and fast (30 events/min) event rates were used. Within each event rate, four groups of subjects experienced either a low (.025) or a high (.125) conditional probability of signals for 20 min (adaptation phase) and then experienced either the same or the alternate probability for an additional 40 min (postadaptation phase). The overall frequency of correct detections was inversely related to event rate. With the fast event rate, subjects who were initially exposed to a high signal probability detected more signals during the post-adaptation phase than those who received early exposure to a low signal probability. By contrast, the effects of signal probability were negligible within the context of a slow event rate. These results suggest some limits to the applicability of an expectancy theory of vigilance.
Challenging ocular image recognition

Ocular recognition is a new area of biometric investigation targeted at overcoming the limitations of iris recognition performance in the presence of non-ideal data. There are several advantages for increasing the area beyond the iris, yet there are also key issues that must be addressed such as size of the ocular region, factors affecting performance, and appropriate corpora to study these factors in isolation. In this paper, we explore and identify some of these issues with the goal of better defining parameters for ocular recognition. An empirical study is performed where iris recognition methods are contrasted with texture and point operators on existing iris and face datasets. The experimental results show a dramatic recognition performance gain when additional features are considered in the presence of poor quality iris data, offering strong evidence for extending interest beyond the iris. The experiments also highlight the need for the direct collection of additional ocular imagery.
Simple mixing model for pressurized thermal shock applications

Abstract The phenomenon of fluid/thermal mixing in the cold leg and downcomer of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) has been a critical issue related to the concern of pressurized thermal shock. The question of imperfect mixing arises when the possibility of cold emergency core cooling water contacting the vessel wall during an overcooling transient could produce thermal stresses large enough to initiate a flaw in a radiation embrittled vessel wall. The temperature of the fluid in contact with the vessel wall is crucial to a determination of vessel integrity since temperature affects both the stresses and the material toughness of the vessel material. A simple mixing model is described which was developed as part of the EPRI pressurized thermal shock program for evaluation of reactor vessel integrity.
Loss of Motion Following Knee Ligament Reconstruction

Loss of motion following knee ligament surgery is a common and potentially serious complication. Loss of extension is most common following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and loss of flexion is most common after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The aetiology of loss of motion is multifactorial and includes impingement and capsulitis. The risk for loss of motion can be minimised by appropriate preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative intervention. Management of loss of motion depends on the cause and length of time following surgery.
Administration of Hypertonic (3%) Sodium Chloride/Acetate in Hyponatremic Patients with Symptomatic Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the effect of hypertonic (3%) saline chloride/acetate on various hemodynamic parameters in mildly hyponatremic patients with symptomatic vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We identified 29 hyponatremic (serum sodium < 135 mEq/L) patients who received hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate as a continuous infusion. Administration of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate resulted in higher central venous pressures and positive fluid balance, with a concomitant increase in serum sodium and chloride concentrations without metabolic acidosis. There were no changes in mean cerebral blood flow velocities after infusion of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate. We found no reports of congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, metabolic acidosis, coagulopathy, intracranial hemorrhages, or central pontine myelinolysis in any of these patients. We conclude that hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate can be administered to patients with mild hyponatremia in the setting of symptomatic vasospasm following SAH without untoward effects. Sample size and limitations of a retrospective analysis preclude conclusions about safety and efficacy of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate administration in this patient population. However, our results support justification for a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate versus normal saline in patients with symptomatic vasospasm following SAH.
CDAW 7 revisited: Further evidence for the creation of a near-Earth substorm neutral line

Eastman et al. (1988) have interpreted the CDAW 7 substorm of April 24, 1979, previously taken as unambiguously supporting the near-earth neutral line model of magnetospheric substorms, in terms of spatial movements of a preexisting plasma-sheet boundary layer (PSBL) and its associated current sheets across the observing ISEE 1 and 2 spacercraft. It is presently noted that, by contrast, a reinvestigation of ISEE 1 and 2 energetic particle measurements around substorm onset on short time-scales shows the observed flux pattern to require the formation of a particle source eastward of the ISEE spacecraft, well within the plasma sheet, associated with the substorm onset. Strong flows were absent prior to substorm onset, indicating the temporal nature of the event, as opposed to an encounter with a preexisting PSBL containing large flows.
Polarized wave functions for a few-body model nucleus

Abstract An approximation scheme for the wave function of a few-body system is developed, in which intrinsic polarization is introduced in a natural way. The polarized wave function is tested with model three- and four-body nuclei, and it is found that two different polarizations are nearly degenerate. The resulting resonant wave function yields accurate binding energies. Furthermore, the accuracy of the spatial density is checked by means of an error-estimating principle. The result is that the advantages of simplicity and generality of the polarized wave function are coupled with very good simulation of the correct wave function.
simpleGAMMA v1.0 – a reduced model of secondary organic aerosol formation in the aqueous aerosol phase (aaSOA)

Abstract. There is increasing evidence that the uptake and aqueous processing of water-soluble volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by wet aerosols or cloud droplets is an important source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). We recently developed GAMMA (Gas–Aerosol Model for Mechanism Analysis), a zero-dimensional kinetic model that couples gas-phase and detailed aqueous-phase atmospheric chemistry for speciated prediction of SOA and organosulfate formation in cloud water or aqueous aerosols. Results from GAMMA simulations of SOA formation in aerosol water (aaSOA) (McNeill et al., 2012) indicate that it is dominated by two pathways: isoprene epoxydiol (IEPOX) uptake followed by ring-opening chemistry (under low-NOx conditions) and glyoxal uptake. This suggested that it is possible to model the majority of aaSOA mass using a highly simplified reaction scheme. We have therefore developed a reduced version of GAMMA, simpleGAMMA. Close agreement in predicted aaSOA mass is observed between simpleGAMMA and GAMMA under all conditions tested (between pH 1–4 and RH 40–80 %) after 12 h of simulation. simpleGAMMA is computationally efficient and suitable for coupling with larger-scale atmospheric chemistry models or analyzing ambient measurement data.
A method for relating loudness-matching and intensity-discrimination data

A method that allows direct comparisons between pure-tone loudness-matching and intensity-discrimination data in normal and hearing-impaired listeners is described. This method makes a minimal numb...
Attempts to enhance light microscopic diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides).

• Precise pathologic criteria for the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF) remain controversial. With the use of a specific counting technique and defined criteria for cell types, we attempted to differentiate between a series of slides from patients with eczematous dermatitis, large plaque parapsoriasis, and atypical dermatitis with features that suggest MF, the plaque stage of MF, and the tumor stage of MF. This could not be done on the basis of cellular density in a defined field in the papillary dermis or on the basis of the percentage of atypical lymphocytes in the fields counted. Furthermore, individual investigator variance was shown to be highly significant despite efforts to minimize this factor. (Arch Dermatol1981;117:408-411)
Comment on "Transition-temperature oscillations in thin superconducting films"

A Comment on the Letter by B. G. Orr, H. M. Jaeger, and A. M. Goldman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 2046 (1984).
Changes in patterns of the human electroencephalogram during fluctuations of perception of stabilized retinal images.

Abstract Subjective reports of the spontaneous fluctuations of perception of a stabilized retinal image were recorded simultaneously with the subjects' EEG. Periods of fade-out of the image showed a high correlation with the occurrence of EEG alpha trains, whereas periods of visibility were correlated with low voltage fast activity. The consideration of motor reaction times and alpha blocking times or latencies to visual stimulation indicates that central processes control the time at which fluctuations of perception of a stabilized retinal image take place. These are not retinal events reflected in the higher levels at later times.
The Apical First Heart Sound as an Aid in the Diagnosis of Atrial Septal Defect

The phonocardiograms of 187 patients were reviewed. In 89 the apical first heart sound was soft or single; in 57 M1 was louder than T1 and in 23 the two components were equal. In only 18 cases was T1 louder than M1 at the mitral area, and of this group five were suspected of having atrial septal defect and 10 were proved cases. In three of the proved cases, this was the only significant finding, the other usual features being absent. Only two proved cases of atrial septal defect in this series did not have T1 louder than M1 at the apex; both had T1 equal to M1. One case suspected of having atrial septal defect also had T1 equal to M1 and in another suspected case the first heart sound was single. This unusual characteristic of the first heart sound may be useful as an indication favoring the diagnosis of uncomplicated atrial septal defect.
Decomposition of perfect graphs

Abstract We describe composition and decomposition schemes for perfect graphs, which generalize all recent results in this area, e.g., the amalgam and the 2-amalgam split. Our approach is based on the consideration of induced cycles and their complements in perfect graphs (as opposed to the consideration of cycles for defining biconnected or 3-connected graphs). Our notion of 1-inseparable graphs is “parallel” to that of biconnected graphs in that different edges in different inseparable components of a graph are not contained in any induced cycle or any complement of an induced cycle. Furthermore, in a special case which generalizes the join operation, this definition is self-complementary in a natural fashion. Our 2-composition operation, which only creates even induced cycles in the composed graphs, is based on two perfection-preserving vertex merge operations on perfect graphs. As a by-product, some new properties of minimally imperfect graphs are presented.
The effect of language barriers on dispatching EMS response.

AbstractObjective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of language barriers during medical 9-1-1 calls, on the time to dispatch and level of medical aid (Basic or Advanced Life Support). Methods. All 9-1-1 medical calls to two large call centers during one week for each of the months of August, October, December 2010 and February 2011, were reviewed for a notation of language barrier (LB). Non-language barrier calls were identified from the same time period such that there were an equal proportion of LB and non-LB calls by dispatch code and dispatcher. A total of 272 language barrier calls were identified. The computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) reports for the LB and non-LB calls were abstracted by research staff using a standard form, including: Start time of call, time to dispatch of BLS, time to dispatch of ALS, dispatch code, interpretation service use, on-scene upgrade to ALS, and on-scene downgrade to BLS. 9-1-1 recordings were abstracted for LB calls only to obtain information a...
Surface figure determination of vibrating optical membrane

A synchronized, phase-adjustable CCD camera trigger coupled to an audio frequency signal allows for interferometric surface figure determination of a vibrating optical membrane as a proof-of-concept demonstration for dynamic surface figure measurements.
Response of growth and density of a population of Geukensia demissa to land-derived nitrogen loading, in Waquoit bay, Massachusetts

Nutrient enrichment is a widespread phenomenon affecting coastal waters, including salt marshes. As land-derived nitrogen loading in estuarine waters increases, chlorophyll concentrations in the water also increase. We hypothesized that such increases might increase growth of the food-limited population of Geukensia demissa, which is a dominant component of salt marshes. To test this, we conducted a regional scale experiment in three estuaries of Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts that receive different nitrogen loading rates. A stable isotope experiment on mussel tissues and on particulate organic matter (POM) showed that mussels within an estuary fed on POM characteristic of that estuary, demonstrating the direct linkage between POM and mussels within an estuary. In addition, we measured age-specific shell growth rates of mussel populations using two different methods: indirectly, shell growth of mussels indicated by internal shell-lines was measured by fitting the data to the von Bertalanffy equation, and directly, mussels were transplanted from one estuary to the other two, and their actual shell growth rates after 80 days were measured. Growth rates of mussels in the Waquoit Bay estuaries varied with age of the mussel, tidal elevation, and with mean concentration of chlorophyll in the water. Mussels grew best in the lower intertidal zone, at the marsh banks. Young mussels grew faster than older mussels. Growth rates increased in response to presumed greater food supply across the estuaries, only for younger mussels. The significant differences we found among the mussels from different estuaries indicate a response to higher concentrations of food particles available in estuaries subject to higher nitrogen loads.
The effect of repetition on the perception of single letters

Single letters were presented for from one to five flashes, with S required to report what he saw after each flash. The clarity of the letter increased sharply with repetition. Since the letters were no larger than one-third of a degree in size, clarity could not have been increased by S making different fixations from flash to flash and combining them into a total percept. Nor was S guessing, since this could be ruled out by other indicators. Thus, it was concluded that repetition of the stimulus can have a direct effect on the clarity of a S’s percept of that stimulus.
Predicting the process of extinction in experimental microcosms and accounting for interspecific interactions in single-species time series

Predicting population extinction risk is a fundamental application of ecological theory to the practice of conservation biology. Here, we compared the prediction performance of a wide array of stochastic, population dynamics models against direct observations of the extinction process from an extensive experimental data set. By varying a series of biological and statistical assumptions in the proposed models, we were able to identify the assumptions that affected predictions about population extinction. We also show how certain autocorrelation structures can emerge due to interspecific interactions, and that accounting for the stochastic effect of these interactions can improve predictions of the extinction process. We conclude that it is possible to account for the stochastic effects of community interactions on extinction when using single-species time series.
Multifactorial optimization of endothelial cell growth using modular synthetic extracellular matrices

Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are complex materials, containing at least dozens of different macromolecules that are assembled together, thus complicating their optimization towards applications in 3D cell culture or tissue engineering. The natural complexity of ECMs has limited cell-matrix investigations predominantly to experiments where only one matrix component is adjusted at a time, making it difficult to uncover interactions between different matrix components or to efficiently determine optimal matrix compositions for specific desired biological responses. Here we have developed modular synthetic ECMs based on peptide self-assembly whose incorporation of multiple different peptide ligands can be adjusted. The peptides can co-assemble in a wide range of combinations to form hydrogels of uniform morphology and consistent mechanical properties, but with precisely varied mixtures of peptide ligands. The modularity of this system in turn enabled multi-factorial experimental designs for investigating interactions between these ligands and for determining a multi-peptide matrix formulation that maximized endothelial cell growth. In cultures of HUVECs, we observed a previously unknown antagonistic interaction between the laminin-derived peptide YIGSR and RGDS-mediated cell attachment and growth. We also identified an optimized combination of self-assembled peptides bearing the ligands RGDS and IKVAV that led to endothelial cell growth equivalent to that on native full-length fibronectin. Both of these findings would have been challenging to uncover using more traditional one-factor-at-a-time analyses.
AN ALGORITHM FOR GENERATING SOLID ELEMENTS IN OBJECTS WITH HOLES

Abstract An algorithm for dividing an object with holes into solid elements for finite element preprocessing is presented. Since a tetrahedron can always be subdivided into prisms and cuboids, the approach of first dividing the given object into disjoint tetrahedra is taken. Objects without holes are dealt with first. Two mesh operators, each generating a single tetrahedron, are presented. In addition to the construction procedure, it is shown that they handle all objects without holes. The algorithm for objects with holes requires a third operator. In addition to showing the necessary and sufficient condition for applying such an operator, it is shown that it effectively reduces the number of holes in an object by one while yielding three tetrahedra. The algorithm which sequences the three operators thus reduces a given polyhedron to a single tetrahedron iteratively. Data structure requirements and update procedures are also given in this paper.
The Effect of Scene Rotation on Target Acquisition

Studies were performed to determine the effects of scene rotation on target acquisition performance. Video tapes of simulated straight approaches to surface vehicular targets were made at constant offset, altitude, and speed using a terrain table (600:1) and a gimbal mounted TV camera. Detection and (separate) recognition tests were then made under load (button-pushing) and no-load conditions. No differences in detection slant range and erroneous detections were found between the rotated (roll-pitch) and non-rotated (yaw-pitch gimbal order) conditions or between the load/no-load conditions. Statistically significant differences were found between the recognition ranges and error scores for gimbal order but again not between load/no-load conditions. It was concluded that the sensor line of sight should be stabilized or derolled if maximum recognition performance is to be realized using airborne electro-optical systems in ground target acquisition.
Dopamine receptors are located on rods in bovine retina.

Abstract In purified rod outer segments, the dopamine receptor antagonist [3H]spiperone and agonist [3H]N-propyl-norapomorphine densely label sites with the pharmacological profile of dopamine-D2 receptors. In cryostat sections of retina, the region with the highest density of specific labeling by both [3H]spiperone and l -(−)-[N-propyl-3H(N)]propylnorapomorphine is the photoreceptor layer (rod inner and outer segments). These data show that dopamine receptors are primarily associated with photoreceptor rods and provide support for recent evidence which suggests that these receptors modulate photoreceptor function.
Insulin resistance is not a major determinant of low-density lipoprotein particle size

The relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) peak particle diameter and insulin sensitivity, very—low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) + intermediate-density lipoprotein (LDL) triglyceride, cholesterol, and apoprotein B, postprandial lipemia, and LDL + high-density lipoprotein (HDL) triglyceride was assessed. The subjects were 101 healthy males aged 15 to 45 years. Sixty-one subjects (60.4%) were offspring of a parent with coronary artery disease before age 60, and 40 subjects (39.6%) had no parental history of coronary artery disease. LDL peak particle diameter was measured following polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. An insulin sensitivity index (Si) was determined from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test using a minimal modeling method. A fat tolerance test was performed with a test meal containing 70 g/m2 fat, with triglyceride concentrations measured hourly for 12 hours. LDL peak particle diameter was significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = −.282, P < .01), waist to hip ratio (r = −.291, P < .01), fasting triglyceride (logarithmically [log] transformed) (r = −.556, P < .001), area under the postprandial triglyceride (log transformed) (r = −.562, P < .001), VLDL + IDLL triglyceride (log transformed) (r = −.321, P < .001), LDL + HDLL triglyceride (log transformed) (r = .583, P < .001), and HDL cholesterol (r = .347, P < .001), but there was no significant correlation with Si. Using stepwise regression analysis, LDL + HDL triglyceride showed the strongest relationship to LDL peak particle diameter, accounting for 34% of the variation in size. SI was not an independent predictor of LDL particle size. In conclusion, insulin sensitivity appears to have little influence on LDL particle size. The importance of LDL + HDL triglyceride should be ocnsidered a preliminary finding warranting varification in this and other populations.
In vitro carcinogenesis of hamster pancreatic duct cells : cellular and molecular alterations

Neoplastic transformation of Syrian golden hamster (SGH) pancreatic duct cells was induced by in vitro treatment with the direct-acting carcinogens N-methylnitrosourea (MNU) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosourea (HPNU), with subsequent selection by sustained culture in serum- and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-deprived medium. The present study examines the efficacy of serum and EGF deprivation as a selection pressure and the effect of the carcinogen dose, frequency and interval of exposure on tumorigenesis and K-ras mutation. Selection of carcinogen-initiated duct cells by serum and EGF deprivation is highly reproducible and effective, increasing the incidence of tumors from 26 to 93% for MNU or from 0 to 100% for HPNU. SGH pancreatic duct cells exposed to 0.5 mM MNU for 13 weeks (long-treatment schedule) produced K-ras mutations at codon 12 in six of six tumors. However, when cells were exposed to 0.125, 0.25 or 0.5 mM MNU daily for 5 days (short-treatment schedule), mutations of K-ras at codon 13 were identified in four of 16 tumors, the remaining 12 showing no mutations. Duct cells exposed to 0.5 mM HPNU by the short-treatment schedule produced K-ras mutations in codon 13 in six of six tumors, as contrasted to 12 tumors that developed from cells exposed to 0.125 or 0.25 mM HPNU, which all contained K-ras codon 12 mutations. The current experiments demonstrate that K-ras mutation in pancreatic carcinogenesis in vitro by MNU or HPNU can be modified by the nature and dose of the carcinogen as well as the frequency and duration of exposure.
Brief, Meal-Contingent Infusions of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide1–27 and Neuromedin B-10 Inhibit Spontaneous Feeding in Rats

Abstract We have previously shown that brief, meal-contingent infusions of the amphibian peptide bombesin (BN) reduce meal size in spontaneously feeding rats. These inhibitory effects presumably reflect actions of BN on receptors for its mammalian homologues, which include gastrin-releasing peptide1–27 (GRP) and neuromedin B-10 (NMB). In the present study, we used the spontaneous feeding paradigm to explore the effects of meal-contingent infusions of these mammalian homologues. Undisturbed, ad lib-fed male rats (n = 12) with chronic inferior vena caval catheters were infused with saline, 5 nmol/kg GRP, 5 nmol/kg NMB, and a mixture of 5 nmol/kg GRP and 5 nmol/kg NMB in counterbalanced order, with intervening noninfusion days. Infusions were remotely activated at the onset of the first nocturnal meal and continued for 3 min (34 μl/min), delivery being completed within the first 2 min of infusion. Feeding was measured via electronic balances linked to a computer. The effects of all peptide conditions were confined to the first nocturnal meal. Significant and comparable decreases in the size and duration of this meal were observed with GRP, NMB, and GRP + NMB, with no significant effects on the intermeal interval or satiety ratio (intermeal interval/meal size). Thus, brief vena caval infusions of GRP and NMB, given alone or together at the onset of the first nocturnal meal, significantly reduced meal size and duration in spontaneously feeding rats.
Evaluation of the potential for sexual reproduction in field populations of Cercospora beticola from USA

Abstract Cercospora leaf spot, caused by the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, is the most economically damaging foliar disease of sugarbeet worldwide. Although most C. beticola populations display characteristics reminiscent of sexual recombination, no teleomorph has been described. To assess whether populations in northern United States have characteristics consistent with sexual reproduction, 1024 isolates collected over a 3-y period were analyzed for frequency and distribution of mating type genes. After clone correction, an approximately equal distribution of mating types was found for each sampling year. Mating type frequency was also assessed in individual lesions. Lesions always consisted of isolates with a single mating type and microsatellite haplotype, but both mating types and up to five microsatellite haplotypes could be found on an individual leaf. The MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes were sequenced from 28 MAT1-1 and 28 MAT1-2 isolates, respectively. Three MAT1-1-1 nucleotide haplotypes were identified that encoded a single amino acid sequence. For MAT1-2-1, five nucleotide haplotypes were identified that encoded four protein variants. MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 gene expression analyses were conducted on plants inoculated with either or both mating types. MAT1-1-1 expression remained low, but MAT1-2-1 spiked during late stages of colonization. A segment of the MAT1-2-1 coding sequence was also found in MAT1-1 isolates. Taken together, these results suggest that C. beticola has the potential for sexual reproduction.
Collaborative reliability analysis for multidisciplinary systems design

Traditional Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) generates deterministic optimal designs, which are frequently pushed to the limits of design constraint boundaries, leaving little or no room to accommodate uncertainties in system input, modeling, and simulation. As a result, the design solution obtained may be highly sensitive to the variations of system input which will lead to performance loss and the solution is often risky (high likelihood of undesired events). Reliability-based design is one of the alternative techniques for design under uncertainty. The natural method to perform reliability analysis in multidisciplinary systems is the all-in-one approach where the existing reliability analysis techniques are applied directly to the systemlevel multidisciplinary analysis. However, the all-onone reliability analysis method requires a double loop procedure and therefore is generally very time consuming. To improve the efficiency of reliability analysis under the MDO framework, a collaborative reliability analysis method is proposed in this paper. The procedure of the traditional Most Probable Point (MPP) based reliability analysis method is combined with the collaborative disciplinary analyses to automatically satisfy the interdisciplinary consistency in reliability analysis. As a result, only a single loop procedure is required and all the computations are conducted concurrently at the individual disciplinelevel. Compared with the existing reliability analysis methods in MDO, the proposed method is more efficient and therefore provides a cheaper tool to evaluate design feasibility in MDO under uncertainty. Two examples are used for the purpose of verification.
Modeling of mid-IR type-II interband cascade lasers

The active region of a type-II mid-IR quantum cascade laser with improved high-temperature performance is investigated by multiband k(DOT)p methods. The calculated results show that internal losses due to intervalence absorption have been suppressed successfully in this active region. A fourteen-band k(DOT)p approach is used and results for short period type-II InAs/GaSb superlattices are compared with an eight-band k(DOT)p method and a plane wave pseudopotential method.
Biphasic Gompertzian malignant melanoma mortality rate dynamics: a manifestation of population genetic heterogeneity

SummaryThe Gompertz equation describes an exponential relationship between mortality and ageing. However, mortality in animal and human populations does not increase exponentially at older ages. Age-specific malignant melanoma mortality rate distributions in the white population of the United States from 1979 to 1989 displayed two distinct Gompertzian slopes; one between age 15 and 35 years, and a second between age 45 and 85 years. Rather than indicating a ‘biological’ limitation of the Gompertz law, multiphasic and upper age boundaries to Gompertzian mortality rate dynamics are a mathematical requirement in genetically heterogeneous populations.
Rate-based QoS techniques for cache/memory in CMP platforms

As we embrace the era of chip multi-processors (CMP), we are faced with two major architectural challenges: (i) QoS or performance management of disparate applications running on CPU cores contending for shared cache/memory resources and (ii) global/local power management techniques to stay within the overall platform constraints. The problem is exacerbated as the number of cores sharing the resources in a chip increase. In the past, researchers have proposed independent solutions for these two problems. In this paper, we show that rate-based techniques that are employed to address power management can be adapted to address cache/memory QoS issues. The basic approach is to throttle down the processing rate of a core if it is running a low-priority task and its execution is interfering with the performance of a high priority task due to platform resource contention (i.e. cache or memory contention). We evaluate two rate throttling mechanisms (clock modulation, and frequency scaling) for effectively managing the interference between applications running in a CMP platform and delivering QoS/performance management. We show that clock modulation is much more applicable to cache/memory QoS than frequency scaling and that resource monitoring along with rate control provides effective power-performance management in CMP platforms.
Atomic Layer Etching: An Industry Perspective

This paper provides an industry perspective on atomic layer etching (ALEt) process. Two process sequences representing two different methods of ALEt are described, followed by several examples where ALEt can be an enabling process technology in the semiconductor industry. The authors believe that there needs to be an increased understanding of surface functionalization, modification and chemistry-based material removal. We are confident that this review article will allow for increased scientific and technological solutions for enabling ALEt. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is not changed in any way and is properly cited. For permission for commercial reuse, please email: oa@electrochem.org. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0021506jss] All rights reserved.
A Validated Method for the Quantitation of 1,1-Difluoroethane Using a Gas in Equilibrium Method of Calibration

1,1-Difluoroethane (DFE), also known as Freon 152A, is a member of a class of compounds known as halogenated hydrocarbons. A number of these compounds have gained notoriety because of their ability to induce rapid onset of intoxication after inhalation exposure. Abuse of DFE has necessitated development of methods for its detection and quantitation in postmortem and human performance specimens. Furthermore, methodologies applicable to research studies are required as there have been limited toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic reports published on DFE. This paper describes a method for the quantitation of DFE using a gas chromatography‐flame-ionization headspace technique that employs solventless standards for calibration. Two calibration curves using 0.5 mL whole blood calibrators which ranged from A: 0.225‐1.350 to B: 9.0‐180.0 mg/L were developed. These were evaluated for linearity (0.9992 and 0.9995), limit of detection of 0.018 mg/L, limit of quantitation of 0.099 mg/L (recovery 111.9%, CV 9.92%), and upper limit of linearity of 27,000.0 mg/L. Combined curve recovery results of a 98.0 mg/L DFE control that was prepared using an alternate technique was 102.2% with CV of 3.09%. No matrix interference was observed in DFE enriched blood, urine or brain specimens nor did analysis of variance detect any significant differences (α = 0.01) in the area under the curve of b lood, urine or brain specimens at three identical DFE concentrations. The method is suitable for use in forensic laboratories because validation was performed on instrumentation routinely used in forensic labs and due to the ease with which the calibration range can be adjusted. Perhaps more importantly it is also useful for research oriented studies because the removal of solvent from standard preparation eliminates the possibility for solvent induced changes to the gas/liquid partitioning of DFE or chromatographic interference due to the presence of solvent in specimens.
Muscle tone regulation during REM sleep: neural circuitry and clinical significance

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a distinct behavioral state characterized by an activated cortical and hippocampal electroencephalogram (EEG) and concurrent muscle atonia. Research conducted over the past 50 years has revealed the neuronal circuits responsible for the generation and maintenance of REM sleep, as well as the pathways involved in generating the cardinal signs of REM sleep such as cortical activation and muscle atonia. The generation and maintenance of REM sleep appear to involve a widespread network in the pons and medulla. The caudal laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (cLDT) and sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD) within the dorsolateral pons contain REM-on neurons, and the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey (vlPAG) contains REM-off neurons. The interaction between these structures is proposed to regulate REM sleep amounts. The cLDT-SLD neurons project to the basal forebrain via the parabrachial-precoeruleus (PB-PC) complex, and this pathway may be critical for the EEG activation seen during REM sleep. Descending SLD glutamatergic projections activate the ventromedial medulla, and spinal cord interneurons mediate muscle atonia and suppress phasic muscle twitches in spinal musculature. In contrast, phasic muscle twitches in the masseter muscles may be driven by glutamatergic neurons in the rostral parvicellular reticular nucleus (PCRt); however, the brain region responsible for generating phasic twitches in the other cranial muscles including facial muscles and tongue are not clear.
Student Portfolios: A Tool to Enhance the Traditional Job Search

Student portfolios are a tool that academic institutions can implement to enhance students' job search processes. Students can enhance their ability to pass the initial screening process by preparing a portfolio that identifies their goals and provides evidence that they possess the skills and qualities to reach these goals. The portfolio should emphasize communication skills, as they are deemed most important by employers in the initial screening process. When preparing a portfolio, students should consider a variety of media, including paper, videotape, and compact disk. Schools that implement student portfolios must decide if all students will be required to prepare them, if the administra tors will determine the contents, and who will approve the contents of stu dents' portfolios.
Effect of cannabinoids on human Sertoli cell function in vitro.

Exposure to marijuana adversely affects spermatogenesis in humans and rodents. Since the Sertoli cell interfaces between changes in the serum hormonal milieu and the adluminal compartment and acts in various ways to support the germinal epithelium, this adverse marijuana mediated effect might be transmitted locally in the testes of humans by interference with Sertoli cell function. This report describes the effect of three active marijuana components: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CD) and cannabinol (CN) on various human Sertoli cell markers: transferrin, protein secretion and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity utilizing cultured human Sertoli cells. THC, CD, and CN tested in concentrations up to 200 ng/ml did not change transferrin secretion by these human Sertoli cells. Transferrin represents 1-4% of the total newly synthesized proteins of human Sertoli cells in culture. Even when the Sertoli cells were incubated for 30 days with THC there was no effect on transferrin secretion. T...
The impact of emotions and predominant emotion regulation technique on driving performance

Emotion-provoking stimuli abound on modern roadways. Driving measures, of both longitudinal and lateral control of the vehicle, have been shown to vary based on affective influences. Research, however, has yet to address how drivers' individual techniques to mitigate emotional reactions influence driving performance. To address this issue, the present study featured a dual-task protocol involving simulated driving together with processing of emotionally-valenced images with a fo- cus on different Predominant Emotion Regulation Techniques (PERT): one adaptive strategy (task-focused coping) and one maladaptive style (emotion-focused coping). Dependent measures included mean driving speed and number of lane excur- sions. Results indicated that pleasant images degraded longitudinal control to the greatest extent, while unpleasant images produced the greatest detriment in lateral control. Additionally, individuals' PERT played a major interactive role in drivers' longitudinal control leading task-focused females and emotion-focused males to adhere more closely to the speed limit; yet, it did not affect their lateral control. Results hold important potential implications for the amount or variety of training necessary for driver licensure to promote and sustain safe vehicle control.
A transactional object calculus

A transaction defines a locus of computation that satisfies important concurrency and failure properties. These so-called ACID properties provide strong serialization guarantees that allow us to reason about concurrent and distributed programs in terms of higher-level units of computation (e.g., transactions) rather than lower-level data structures (e.g., mutual-exclusion locks). This paper presents a framework for specifying the semantics of a transactional facility integrated within a host programming language. The TFJ calculus, an object calculus derived from Featherweight Java, supports nested and multi-threaded transactions. We give a semantics to TFJ that is parametrized by the definition of the transactional mechanism that permits the study of different transaction models. We give two instantiations: one that defines transactions in terms of a versioning-based optimistic concurrency model, and the other which specifies transactions in terms of a pessimistic two-phase locking protocol, and present soundness and serializability properties for our semantics.
Natural fractures in the Barnett Shale and their importance for hydraulic fracture treatments

Gas production from the Barnett Shale relies on hydraulic fracture stimulation. Natural opening-mode fractures reactivate during stimulation and enhance efficiency by widening the treatment zone. Knowledge of both the present-day maximum horizontal stress, which controls the direction of hydraulic fracture propagation, and the geometry of the natural fracture system, which we discuss here, is therefore necessary for effective hydraulic fracture treatment design. We characterized natural fractures in four Barnett Shale cores in terms of orientation, size, and sealing properties. We measured a mechanical rock property, the subcritical crack index, which governs fracture pattern development. Natural fractures are common, narrow (0.05 mm; 0.002 in.), sealed with calcite, and present in en echelon arrays. Individual fractures have high length/width aspect ratios (1000:1). They are steep (75), and the dominant trend is west-northwest. Other sets trend north-south. The narrow fractures are sealed and cannot contribute to reservoir storage or enhance permeability, but the population may follow a power-law size distribution where the largest fractures are open. The subcritical crack index for the Barnett Shale is high, indicating fracture clustering, and we suggest that large open fractures exist in clusters spaced several hundred feet apart. These fracture clusters may enhance permeability locally, but they may be problematic for hydraulic fracture treatments. The smaller sealed fractures act as planes of weakness and reactivate during hydraulic fracture treatments. Because the maximum horizontal stress trends northeast-southwest and is nearly normal to the dominant natural fractures, reactivation widens the treatment zone along multiple strands.