cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The growth fraction of human myeloma cells

Greater reductions of tumor load in patients with multiple myeloma may result from therapeutic strategies that are based on a better knowledge of growth kinetics. We have previously shown that the labeling index of myeloma cells remains unchanged when tumor mass is reduced and that the cells of relapsing patients have differnt biologic properties than the cells present before melphalan-prednisone therapy. This study investigated the growth fraction (GF) of myeloma cells at various disease stages using continuous i.v. infusions of tritiated thymidine. We studied 17 patients on 22 occasions (4 untreated, 2 unresponsive, 6 in remission, and 10 in relapse). All untreated an unresponsive patients and 5 of 6 patients in remission had a GF of less than 4%. GF was defined in these studies as the maximum percentage of labeled plasma cells exposed continuously to tritiated thymidine. Relapsing patients, with the most rapid tumor doubling times, had GF ranging from 14% to 83%. The plasma cell transit time through the proliferative compartment for all of the relapsing patients ranged from 6.6 to 11.9 days and the calculated intrinsic cell loss ranged from 50% to 86%. These findings support our model for the growth kinetics of multiple myeloma that assumes that the entire tumor mass issues from a small proportion of proliferating cells and that the growth kinetics of myeloma cells in relapsing patterns differ from those in untreated and unresponsive patients. Therapeutic trials with cycle-active agents need further investigation in selected relapsing patients who are likely to have a high growth fraction.
Advantages of III-nitride laser diodes in solid-state lighting

III-nitride laser diodes (LDs) are an interesting light source for solid-state lighting (SSL). Modelling of LDs is performed to reveal the potential advantages over traditionally used light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The first, and most notable, advantage is LDs have higher efficiency at higher currents when compared to LEDs. This is because Auger recombination that causes efficiency droop can no longer grow after laser threshold. Second, the same phosphor-converted methods used with LEDs can also be used with LDs to produce white light with similar color rendering and color temperature. Third, producing white light from color mixed emitters is equally challenging for both LEDs and LDs, with neither source having a direct advantage. Fourth, the LD emission is directional and can be more readily captured and focused, leading to the possibility of novel and more compact luminaires. Finally, the smaller area and higher current density operation of LDs provides them with a potential cost advantage over LEDs. These advantages make LDs a compelling source for future SSL.
A novel system for cloud-based micro additive manufacturing of metal structures

Abstract Cloud-based computing holds enormous potential for collaboration, cost-saving, streamlining, and versatility of manufacturing. Additive manufacturing, being a computer-based system that can save point-by-point data of parts to be manufactured, can be easily integrated into the cloud. Preliminary work was done to test the cloud-based application of an in-house micro metal additive manufacturing by electrochemical deposition process. The system was linked to commercial cloud and email access for constant real-time communication from any user with a phone, tablet, or personal computer. The process could be started, stopped, altered, and queried remotely via the cloud. Input parameters (i.e.: geometry, tool size) and preliminary design rules (i.e.: current feedback threshold value) were specified. Plots of output performance, time, and current information were communicated back to the user on-demand, as well as stored on the cloud long-term. The cloud could then link input parameters to the history of system performance on such input parameters in a cloud-stored database. An experiment was set up to optimize horizontal deposition parameters based on deposition resolution, and save these values into the cloud for future use, The experiment was successfully executed and demonstrates the advantage of long-term storage, knowledge sharing, and convenience that the cloud offers for the manufacturing realm.
The Benefits of Bullies: Sophists as Unknowing Aids of Philosophy in Plato's Euthydemus

In the Euthydemus, Socrates insists that Crito and his son join him in taking lessons from a pair of sophists freshly arrived in town. His subsequent depiction of these sophists not as teachers of virtue, but rather as reprehensible bullies seems, however, to undercut this proposal. While most interpreters for this reason dismiss Socrates’ appeal to Crito as mere irony, I make the case that we should take Socrates seriously. Treating Socrates’ exchanges with Crito as a key to understanding the whole, my analysis reveals that in Platonic epistemology the path to wisdom involves engaging with bullies like the sophists. By providing a relatively safe test of one’s devotion to a life guided by reason, the sophists unknowingly aid the philosophical mission.
Program Fertilization for Establishment of Orange Trees

The citrus industry recently added over 160000 acres of new groves in south Florida. Young, densely-planted groves are typically fertilized in excess of current guidelines in an effort to accelerate fruit production. The objectives of this study were to develop an efficient N fertilization program for maximum initial orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) production, to assess the use of controlled-release N, and to ascertain the effect of soil pH on tree growth and yield. 'Hamlin' orange trees on Carrizo citrange rootstock were planted at 194 trees/acre in 1989 on a sandy Alfisol, and were grown for 4 yr under four fertility levels. In the first 3 yr, four relative rates (12.5, 25, 50, and 100%) of a complete (N-P-K) fertilizer were applied using three N sources (ammonium nitrate [AN], a 50/50 mixture of AN and isobutylidene diurea [AN-IBDU] and 60/40 mixture of AN and methylene urea [AN-MU] [...]
Cognitive-Affective Characteristics of Smokers with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Panic Psychopathology

The present study evaluated differences among daily smokers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (PD), panic attacks (PA), and no axis I psychopathology (past 6 months) in terms of several cognitive-affective variables implicated in both the onset and maintenance of anxiety psychopathology and cigarette smoking. The sample consisted of 123 daily smokers (62% women: M(age)=29.7, SD=11.9). Compared to the PA and no psychopathology groups, the PTSD group reported significantly higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, discomfort intolerance, negative affectivity, anxious arousal, and anhedonic depression; and, the PTSD group reported significantly lower levels of perceived control over anxiety-related events than the PA group. The PD group, compared to those in the PA and no psychopathology groups, reported significantly higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, negative affectivity, and anxious arousal; and significantly lower levels of perceived control over anxiety-related events. No significant differences were evident between the PTSD and PD groups. Theoretical and clinical implications of the present findings are discussed in terms of smoking and emotional vulnerability.
STURGEON GLUE FOR PAINTING CONSOLIDATION IN RUSSIA

AbstractSturgeon glue, prepared from the inner membrane of the air bladder of the fish, has long been used by Russian conservators as a consolidant and adhesive. It has recently become more accessible to Western conservators. It has greater tack and lower viscosity than comparable mammalian products like gelatin and rabbit-skin glue. The consolidation of badly tented paint on a 16th-century panel painting is described. Translated and adapted sections from the standard text of Russian conservators illustrate current techniques in Russia.
Permanent Damage Effects in Si and AlGaAs/GaAs Photodiodes

We report here on a study of permanent damage effects in photodiodes due to total dose exposures of 108 rad (Si) ionizing-radiation from a Co60 source. Specifically, we compare the degradation of optical quantum efficiency and increases in photodiode leakage current in Si PIN structures with specially designed and fabricated, double heterostructure AlGaAs/GaAs photodiodes. Results indicate some degradation in quantum efficiency (20-30%) for both types of devices. Leakage currents were found to increase signficantly after 108 rad in the Si PIN structures but only increase slightly in the AlGaAs/GaAs structures.
Association of dietary soy genistein intake with lung function and asthma control: a post-hoc analysis of patients enrolled in a prospective multicentre clinical trial

Background: Broad dietary patterns have been linked to asthma but the relative contribution of specific nutrients is unclear. Soy genistein has important anti-inflammatory and other biological effects that might be beneficial in asthma. A positive association was previously reported between soy genistein intake and lung function but not with asthma exacerbations. Aims: To conduct a post-hoc analysis of patients with inadequately controlled asthma enrolled in a prospective multicentre clinical trial to replicate this association. Methods: A total of 300 study participants were included in the analysis. Dietary soy genistein intake was measured using the Block Soy Foods Screener. The level of soy genistein intake (little or no intake, moderate intake, or high intake) was compared with baseline lung function (pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)) and asthma control (proportion of participants with an episode of poor asthma control (EPAC) and annualised rates of EPACs over a 6-month follow-up period. Results: Participants with little or no genistein intake had a lower baseline FEV1 than those with a moderate or high intake (2.26L vs. 2.53L and 2.47L, respectively; p=0.01). EPACs were more common among those with no genistein intake than in those with a moderate or high intake (54% vs. 35% vs. 40%, respectively; p<0.001). These findings remained significant after adjustment for patient demographics and body mass index. Conclusions: In patients with asthma, consumption of a diet with moderate to high amounts of soy genistein is associated with better lung function and better asthma control.
Noble gases identify the mechanisms of fugitive gas contamination in drinking-water wells overlying the Marcellus and Barnett Shales

Abstract Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enhanced energy production but raised concerns about drinking-water contamination and other environmental impacts. Identifying the sources and mechanisms of contamination can help improve the environmental and economic sustainability of shale-gas extraction. We analyzed 113 and 20 samples from drinking-water wells overlying the Marcellus and Barnett Shales, respectively, examining hydrocarbon abundance and isotopic compositions (e.g., C2H6/CH4, δ13C-CH4) and providing, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive analyses of noble gases and their isotopes (e.g., 4He, 20Ne, 36Ar) in groundwater near shale-gas wells. We addressed two questions. (i) Are elevated levels of hydrocarbon gases in drinking-water aquifers near gas wells natural or anthropogenic? (ii) If fugitive gas contamination exists, what mechanisms cause it? Against a backdrop of naturally occurring salt- and gas-rich groundwater, we identified eight discrete clusters of fugitive gas contamination, seven in Pennsylvania and one in Texas that showed increased contamination through time. Where fugitive gas contamination occurred, the relative proportions of thermogenic hydrocarbon gas (e.g., CH4, 4He) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) and the proportions of atmospheric gases (air-saturated water; e.g., N2, 36Ar) were significantly lower (P < 0.01) relative to background groundwater. Noble gas isotope and hydrocarbon data link four contamination clusters to gas leakage from intermediate-depth strata through failures of annulus cement, three to target production gases that seem to implicate faulty production casings, and one to an underground gas well failure. Noble gas data appear to rule out gas contamination by upward migration from depth through overlying geological strata triggered by horizontal drilling or hydraulic fracturing.
Functional characterization of monoclonal antibody inhibitors of α2- antiplasmin that accelerate fibrinolysis in different animal plasmas

In humans with acute thrombotic disease, thrombi often appear to resist fibrinolysis induced by plasminogen activators. To examine the potential role of α2-antiplasmin (α2AP) in thrombus resistance in vivo, we generated monoclonal antibody inhibitors of α2A P. In a somatic cell fusion, 99 hybridomas were obtained that produced MAbs that bound to human 125I-α2AP in a capture assay. Screening assays showed that 3 of these MAbs, 49, 70, and 77, neutralized the function of α2AP. Immunoblotting experiments indicated that these MAbs recognized an epitope present in native α2AP that was destroyed by denaturation with SDS. Each of these MAbs fully inhibited the binding of the other MAbs to α2AP, but none of them competed with the binding of another anti-α2AP MAb, RWR. When tested for their binding to nonhuman α2APs in plasmas, all three MAbs were strongly crossreactive with all primate plasmas tested but showed an idiosyncratic pattern of binding to α2AP in other plasmas, suggesting unique fine epitope specificit...
Concurrency control in an object-oriented data base system

Object-oriented data bases are fast gaining in popularity, especially with advanced applications like computer aided design (CAD) and multimedia data bases (MMDB). The modeling techniques required by these applications cannot be met by conventional data base systems. The semantic richness of the object-oriented model facilitates the modeling of the advanced data base applications. These applications are characterized by long-duration cooperating transactions. Unlike the conventional data bases, serializability can no longer be the correctness criterion. This article describes our on-going research in the area of transaction management for object-oriented data bases. We have previously defined a new transaction model for object-oriented data bases that takes into consideration the unique requirements of the advanced applications. This article describes a new concurrency control protocol that satisfies the correctness criterion for a concurrent execution of transactions in an object-oriented data base environment.
Interstitial Ordering of Carbon in Tantalum

The effect of interstitial carbon on the structure of tantalum was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. Interstitial ordering was found, and the ordered structure was determined from computation and comparison with electron diffraction data. The superlattice structure is tetragonal, with a c/a ratio of 1.128, and an ideal composition of Ta64C. Since the superlattice was determined from thin foils, it was necessary to compare the thin foil results with bulk specimens, alloyed to correspond to Ta64C. Microscopic examination of bulk specimens showed many domain boundaries, separating regions in which the tetragonality associated with ordering was oriented in different directions. An analysis of these domain boundaries indicates that there are three possible types: coherent, semicoherent, and antiphase. Der Einflus von Kohlenstoff auf Zwischengitterplatz auf die Struktur des Tantals wurde mit Hilfe der Transmissions-Elektronenmikroskopie und der Beugung untersucht. Es wurde eine Zwischengitterordnung gefunden. Die geordnete Struktur wurde aus Berechnungen und Vergleichen mit Elektronenbeugungsdaten ermittelt. Das Ubergitter hat eine tetragonale Symmetrie mit einem c/a-Verhaltnis von 1,128 und besteht aus der idealen Zusammensetzung des Ta64C. Da das Ubergitter an dunnen Schichten bestimmt wurde, war es notwendig, diese Ergebnisse mit denen von Volumenmaterial zu vergleichen. Das Volumenmaterial wurde legiert, damit es dem Ta64C entspricht. Mikroskopische Untersuchungen des Volumenmaterials ergaben viele Domanengrenzen, die Gebiete voneinander abtrennten, in denen die auf der Zwischengitterordnung beruhende tetragonale Struktur in verschiedenen Richtungen orientiert war. Eine Analyse der Domanengrenzen ergab drei verschiedene Arten: koharente, semikoharente und Antiphasengrenzen.
Noninvertibility and the structure of basins of attraction in a model adaptive control system

We present a two-dimensional, nonlinear map, arising from a simple adaptive control problem, which exhibits disconnected boundaries separating the basins of attraction of its coexisting attractors. We perform a detailed study of the relation between this phenomenon and the noninvertible nature of the map and demonstrate how the complex basin structure is caused by a change in the number of preimages of points along a stable manifold.
Measuring elevated microvascular permeability and predicting hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke using first-pass dynamic perfusion CT imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) can be a devastating complication of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased microvascular permeability (PS) of the blood-brain barrier was detected in early AIS by using first-pass dynamic perfusion CT (PCT) and whether PS was significantly higher in infarcts destined for HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with AIS less than 3 hours old and evaluated by PCT were included. PS color maps were retrospectively generated from PCT data using the Patlak model. One reader analyzed each PS map by drawing 4 circular 10-mm regions of interest on any focal abnormality. The mean of these 4 regions of interest represented the PS of the infarct (PS infarct ). The mean of 4 mirror regions of interest on the nonischemic contralateral hemisphere was also obtained (PS control ). PS infarct and PS control were compared by using an exact Wilcoxon test. PS infarct for infarcts that developed HT on follow-up (PS HT ) was compared with all of the others (PS No-HT ) using an exact Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Forty-four infarcts (88%) showed focal PS elevation in the region of infarct. In units of milliliters per 100 milliliters per minute, PS infarct ranged from 0 to 13 (mean: 3.5 ± 3.1) versus PS control of 0–0.8 (mean: 0.28 ± 0.27; P HT ranged from 5.2 to 13 (mean: 9.8 ± 2.9) versus PS No-HT of 0–5.9 (mean: 2.7 ± 2.0; P HT and PS No-HT persisted irrespective of rtPA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated permeability was detectable in AIS by using first-pass PCT and it predicted subsequent HT.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Infection Causing Constrictive Pericarditis

A case of severe constrictive pericarditis resulting from an indolent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the automatic internal cardiac defibrillator is described. Total explanation of the device was attempted after nine months but was unsuccessful because of dense adhesions under the patch electrodes. The patient subsequently developed clinical and hemodynamic findings of constrictive pericarditis and a second desperate attempt to remove the patches resulted in operative death. Diagnostic modalities for detecting infection of the AICD are reviewed. As soon as there is infection involving any component, the entire lead system and pulse generator should be removed.
Evaluation of HIV 2-LTR formation models using monotone system theory

An important question in HIV research is whether the combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) is capable of fully suppressing the replication of HIV virus. Recent experiments have tested whether this is the case by perturbing the virus dynamics in patients with apparently suppressed HIV replication, as measured by blood viremia levels, by adding an integrase inhibitor raltegravir to the existing cART regimen. Following the addition of raltegravir, a consistent spike followed by decay was observed in the concentrations of a HIV DNA artifact marker, the 2-LTR circle. In previous work, we have shown that a model of ongoing HIV replication explains this behavior, while a model of controlled or absent HIV replication does not. A recent paper by Angeli and Sontag (2012) describes a method of invalidating biological models with sign-definite interactions by considering the monotonicity of the observed outputs relative to the monotonicity of the network description of the model. In this paper, we use this method to evaluate alternative explanations of the observed 2-LTR behavior. We show via monotone system theory that models consistent with the observed non-monotonic response in measured 2-LTR are either biologically infeasible or contain ongoing viral replication.
Complex formation of picloram and related chemicals with metal lons

Abstract The complex formation of metal ions with pyridine carboxylic acids was estimated with polarography and spectrophotometry. Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), α-picolinic acid, fusaric acid, dipicolinic acid, and quinolinic acid formed complexes with Fe(III) or Cu(II) whose coordination involves, most probably, a lone pair of electrons of pyridine nitrogen and a carboxylic group. Picloram-metal complexes were, however, estimated to be relatively unstable compared to other pyridine-α-carboxylic acids tested. Effects of pyridine carboxylic acids on oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were tested in vitro in a horseradish protoheme peroxidase system. No significant effect of the pyridine carboxylic acids was observed at 2 × 10−4 M. Also, no concentration effect of picloram (10−5 to 3 × 10−3 M) was obtained. These results suggest that the phytotoxic action of picloram may not result from the depletion of free metal ions in plants nor inhibition of activity of metal-containing enzymes through strong chelation as hypothesized. Thus, auxin activity of picloram should be explained in other wasy.
Frequency discretization in dielectrophoretic assisted cell sorting arrays to isolate neural cells

We present an automated dielectrophoretic assisted cell sorting (DACS) device for dielectric characterization and isolation of neural cells. Dielectrophoretic (DEP) principles are often used to develop cell sorting techniques. Here we report the first statistically significant neuronal sorting using DACS to enrich neurons from a heterogeneous population of mouse derived neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and neurons. We also study the dielectric dispersions within a heterogeneous cell population using a Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation. This simulation model explains the trapping behavior of populations as a function of frequency and predicts sorting efficiencies. The platform consists of a DEP electrode array with three multiplexed trapping regions that can be independently activated at different frequencies. A novel microfluidic manifold enables cell sorting by trapping and collecting cells at discrete frequency bands rather than single frequencies. The device is used to first determine the percentage of cells trapped at these frequency bands. With this characterization and the MC simulation we choose the optimal parameters for neuronal sorting. Cell sorting experiments presented achieve a 1.4-fold neuronal enrichment as predicted by our model.
Thyrotropin releasing hormone but not histidyl-proline diketopiperazine is depleted from rat spinal cord following 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treatment.

Histidyl-proline diketopiperazine (His-Pro DKP) has been proposed as a metabolite of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). Since spinal cord TRH arises from serotoninergic (5-HT) neurons in the brainstem, a 5-HT neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT), was injected into the lateral ventricle of 7 rats, and the levels of TRH and His-Pro DKP in the spinal cord were studied 5 weeks later. In comparison to the saline treated controls, 5,7-DHT treated animals showed marked depletion of TRH throughout the spinal cord, especially in the lumbosacral area where almost 90% disappeared, (0.28 ± 0.02vs2.46 ± 0.01ng/mg protein; P < 0.0001). In contrast, His-Pro DKP showed no significant change in any region. Since 5,7-DHT lowers spinal cord TRH by destroying TRH perikarya in the medulla, we conclude that spinal cord His-Pro DKP is not derived from the same neurons as TRH.
Pharmacotherapy of Allergic Rhinitis: Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are potent antiinflammatory preparations that have become a mainstay of pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis. Numerous forms are available, and these may be administered systemically or locally. It is incumbent upon the prescribing physician to be aware of the general guidelines for use of corticosteroids, the various preparations available, and the potential side effects associated with their administration.
Metallic and ceramic thin film thermocouples for gas turbine engine applications

Hot section temperatures in gas turbine engines can reach 1500°C, an environment in which implementing sensors for in situ measurement is rather difficult. Therefore, there is a need to develop instrumentation for these turbine engines that can survive the harsh conditions. Thin film instrumentation is targeted for this purpose because it is non-invasive to the physical and thermodynamic properties of the engine components. Type-S and type-K thin film and wire thermocouples are currently being utilized for surface temperature measurement during the testing phase of gas turbine engines. These metallic thin film thermocouples suffer from drift and degradation due to microstructural changes and oxidation. Therefore, thin film thermocouples based alternatively on platinum:palladium and indium oxynitride:indium tin oxynitride, as well as their oxide counterparts, have been developed and proved to be more stable than conventional type-S and type-K thin film thermocouples operating in these high temperature (> 1000°C) oxidizing environments. Furthermore, the metallic and ceramic thin film thermocouples described within this paper exhibited remarkable stability and have drift rates similar to bulk (wire) thermocouples operating in the same temperature range.
Mapping and Analysis of Human Guidance Performance From Trajectory Ensembles

This paper describes a mapping method for the analysis of guidance performance. Spatial state and time-to-go maps, along with their statistics, are computed from an ensemble of trajectories. The mapping technique is motivated by the concept of spatial value function associated with an optimal guidance model. For illustration, the method is applied to trajectories collected from a human-operated miniature helicopter in a precision interception task. The closed-loop dynamics of the helicopter under human control was modeled as a mass-point system. The closed-loop model provides a formal interpretation for the extracted maps and is also used to compute optimal trajectories that serve as absolute baseline for the guidance performance. The maps extracted from the experimental trajectories show that human guidance performance is sufficiently stationary and spatially coherent to be meaningfully embedded in a spatial map. The comparison with the optimal baseline makes it possible to identify the subject's specific performance gaps. Performance metrics that are defined and computed on hand of the maps enable more detailed assessment of the operator's performance. The general results demonstrate that the guidance performance of a trained subject can be meaningfully modeled as a guidance policy based on a simple closed-loop mass-point model.
Sample collection in clinical proteomics—Proteolytic activity profile of serum and plasma

Purpose Proteolytic enzymes are promising diagnostic targets since they play key roles in diverse physiological processes and have been implicated in numerous human diseases. Human blood is a relatively noninvasive source for disease-specific protease biomarker detection and subsequent translation into diagnostic tests. However, the choice of serum or plasma, and more specifically, which anticoagulant to choose in plasma preparation, is important to address in the sample preparation phase of biomarker discovery. Experimental design We have previously utilized a combinatorial library of internally quenched fluorogenic probes to successfully map the global proteolytic profiles of various biological fluids. In this study, we utilized the platform to ascertain the impact of three commonly used anticoagulants (EDTA, heparin, and citrate) on the proteolytic activity profile of plasma and serum collected from a healthy Caucasian male. Results Serum and plasma citrate were observed to be most proteolytically active, followed by plasma heparin and then plasma EDTA. Detailed analysis of the amino acid distribution of motifs cleaved and not cleaved by the samples offered significant insights in to active proteolytic components within them. Conclusion and clinical relevance Broad quantitative comparison of proteolytic profiles of these samples revealed several novel insights related to the differential substrate recognition of proteases present in these biological fluids.
SPATIAL INTERACTIONS IN PERCEIVED SPEED

Previous research has shown that the perception of motion within a local region is influenced by other motions within neighboring areas (eg induced motion). Here, a study is reported of the perceived speed of dots moving within a circular target region, which was surrounded by other motions within a larger surrounding area. The perceived speed of the central dots was found to be fastest when the surround was stationary; it became slower as the speed of motion in the surround was increased. This decrease in the perceived target speed with increases in surround velocity occurred regardless of whether the direction in which the surround moved was the same as or opposite to the motion of the target region. This result cannot be explained by using simple models of perceived speed that depend only upon such factors as the magnitude of relative motion between center and surround. The spatial area over which these motion interactions occur was also investigated.
Effects of Visual Message-Related Cues, Age, and Hearing Impairment on Speechreading Performance

Three groups of adult subjects, differing primarily in age and auditory status, performed two speechreading tasks. One task consisted of speechreading sentences in which the only cues provided were...
A limit parity admixtures in the atomic 2s → 1s transitions☆

Abstract From a measurement of the intensity of the atomic 2 s →1 s transition in Tm ( Z = 69) a limit of F 2 −8 was derived for the square of the parity admixing amplitude in the 2s state, not inconsistent with predictions of neutral current models.
Contact angle and stability of interfacial nanobubbles.

Small bubbles of gas are known to exist at the interface between hydrophobic solids and water. Two features of these bubbles are unexplained: the very low contact angle and the stability. A self-consistent explanation of both of these effects is that there is a film of contaminant at the air−water interface that decreases the surface tension and thus the contact angle, and also hinders diffusion of gases from the bubble, thereby increasing the lifetime. If, during the lifetime of the bubble, the surface tension increases faster than the area of the air−water decreases, the interfacial energy can lead to a stabilization of the bubbles.
Electron spin resonance of γ-ray produced ion radical pairs in a single crystal of maleic anhydride

From the ESR measurements, it has been found for the first time that positive and negative ions are trapped in pairs along the c axis with a separation of one unit in a γ-irradiated single crystal of maleic anhydride at 77°K.
A Comparison of the Experiences of Dominant and Minority Group Members during an Intergroup Encounter

Focusing on the immediate effects of the intergroup situation on participants' anxiety, affect, cognitions, and task involvement, comparisons were made between the experiences of minority group members (African-Americans) and dominant group members (European-Americans) during intergroup encounters of varied group composition (i.e. participants held either solo or non-solo status). The group composition manipulation had very little effect overall. However, regardless of group composition, European-American participants were more adversely affected than African-American participants, as evidenced by cognitive and task involvement variables. African-American participants' experiences may have been less adverse due to their greater intergroup experience and more effective use of intergroup coping strategies such as mindfulness.
Genetics of familial episodic vertigo and ataxia.

: The familial episodic ataxias are prototypical inherited channelopathies that result in episodes of vertigo and ataxia triggered by stress and exercise. Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA-1) is caused by missense mutations in the potassium channel gene KCNA1, whereas episodic ataxia type 2 (EA-2) is caused by missense and nonsense mutations in the calcium channel gene CACNA1A. These ion channels are crucial for both central and peripheral neurotransmission. Within the last few years, the genetic mechanisms underlying these relatively rare familial episodic ataxia syndromes have been worked out. They provide a model for understanding the mechanisms of more common recurrent vertigo and ataxia syndromes, particularly those associated with migraine. Migraine affects as many as 15-20% of the general population, and it has been estimated that about 25% of patients with migraine experience spontaneous attacks of vertigo and ataxia. We identified 24 families with migraine and benign recurrent vertigo inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. These families have numerous features in common with EA-1 and EA-2 (particularly EA-2), suggesting that benign recurrent vertigo may be an inherited channelopathy. An ion channel mutation shared by brain and inner ear could explain the combined central and peripheral features of the syndrome.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANDROGENS DURING INANITION IN THE CHICK1

CHICKS given an amount of food insufficient for normal body growth proved to be more responsive to anterior pituitary hormone and responded to smaller amounts of androgens than did birds whose nutrition was normal (i, 2). These results suggested the possibility of using such animals for bioassay of androgens. It was also observed that gonad weights in the dieted chicks were lighter than in the controls, which indicated that there was a considerable suppression of the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin. A study of animals suffering from inanition, therefore, affords a valuable approach to the problem of pituitary control of testis growth and male hormone secretion in the chick, and would be similar to the study now being made on the rat (3). The use of chick comb growth with its possible application to male hormone assay has been investigated by others (4, 5), but the variability in response seemed to make this test impracticable.
Early growth of silicon on sapphire. I. Transmission electron microscopy

The early growth of Si on (0112) ‐oriented sapphire has been examined by transmission electron microscopy. The Si was deposited at 1000 °C by pyrolyzing silane in H2. The nominal growth rate was 0.4 μm/min. The morphology of the initial Si growth islands was determined after 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 3.5 sec of growth. The basic Si orientation is (100) with [011] Si∥[2110] Al2O3. Extensive faulting and twinning is observed leading to {221} orientations. These defects apparently form at coalescence sites of adjacent islands. Also present are four {110} orientations occuring as twin‐related pairs. The observation of isolated {110} domains indicates that they nucleate on the sapphire independently of the (100) domains. The {110} and (100) domains grow at about the same rate. Eventually, the {110} domains become trapped by the surrounding (100) domains. The volume percentage of the {110} domains is constant with growth time and equals 7% up to coverages of 90%.
Sensitivity analysis of Navy tactical decision-aid FLIR performance codes

UFLR is one of an evolving set of FLIR performance prediction programs used at sea to predict the ranges for detection, classification, and identification of target ships. One aid in the validation of such a program is a sensitivity analysis of the program parameters. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the ranges for detection, classification, and identification are strongly sensitive to target areas, target-to-background, temperature difference and atmospheric conditions such as windspeed, visibility, humidity, and vertical temperature, humidity, and pressure profiles. One uncontrollable parameter is the noncontiguity in space and time of the radiosonde and FLIR measurements. This problem was investigated by dithering the radiosonde data, input to UFLR, with a random number generator to generate variations in the pressure, temperature, and relative humidity in the atmospheric profile. Results indicate that noncontiguity of measurements can lead to 50% error in range predictions.
Computational analysis of bacterial RNA-Seq data

Recent advances in high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) have enabled tremendous leaps forward in our understanding of bacterial transcriptomes. However, computational methods for analysis of bacterial transcriptome data have not kept pace with the large and growing data sets generated by RNA-seq technology. Here, we present new algorithms, specific to bacterial gene structures and transcriptomes, for analysis of RNA-seq data. The algorithms are implemented in an open source software system called Rockhopper that supports various stages of bacterial RNA-seq data analysis, including aligning sequencing reads to a genome, constructing transcriptome maps, quantifying transcript abundance, testing for differential gene expression, determining operon structures and visualizing results. We demonstrate the performance of Rockhopper using 2.1 billion sequenced reads from 75 RNA-seq experiments conducted with Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus pyogenes and Xenorhabdus nematophila. We find that the transcriptome maps generated by our algorithms are highly accurate when compared with focused experimental data from E. coli and N. gonorrhoeae, and we validate our system's ability to identify novel small RNAs, operons and transcription start sites. Our results suggest that Rockhopper can be used for efficient and accurate analysis of bacterial RNA-seq data, and that it can aid with elucidation of bacterial transcriptomes.
Dynamic Analysis and Controller Design of the Balloon Point Control System of Gamma-Ray Imager/Polarimeter for Solar Flares

A pointing control system is developed for the Gamma-Ray Imager/Polarimeter for Solar flares (GRIPS) balloon-borne instrument which provides a near-optimal combination of high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and polarimetry of solar-flare gamma-ray/hard X-ray emissions from ∼20 keV to ∼10 MeV. Within the narrow field of view of its sun sensor, the telescope must track the sun with a 0.5 degrees rms accuracy. This paper introduces the mechanical structure of the pointing control system and investigates the dynamics and control strategy and presents the simulation and experimental results.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The development of intermodal emotion perception from bodies and voices

Even in the absence of facial information, adults are able to efficiently extract emotions from bodies and voices. Although prior research indicates that 6.5-month-old infants match emotional body movements to vocalizations, the developmental origins of this function are unknown. Moreover, it is not clear whether infants perceive emotion conveyed in static body postures and match them to vocalizations. In the current experiments, 6.5-month-olds matched happy and angry static body postures to corresponding vocalizations in upright images but not in inverted images. However, 3.5-month-olds failed to match. The younger infants also failed to match when tested with videos of emotional body movements that older infants had previously matched. Thus, whereas 6.5-month-olds process emotional cues from body images and match them to emotional vocalizations, 3.5-month-olds do not exhibit such emotion knowledge. These results indicate developmental changes that lead to sophisticated emotion processing from bodies and voices early in life.
A Conjecture on the Density of a System of Weighted Polynomial Functions

Abstract A conjecture on the density of a system of weighted polynominal functions is proposed. This system of weighted polynominal functions arises in the discussion of linear differential delay equations. By the known results for the linear differential delay equations, we confirmed the conjecture in some special cases. This paper attempts to draw the attention of people working in analysis and approximation theory.
Applications of Conformal Mapping to the Phenomenological Representation of Scattering Amplitudes

A series representation of scattering amplitudes analytic in cut planes is derived by means of a conformal mapping. The new series has the advantage that in general it converges more rapidly than the conventional power series. An example is considered in which an angular distribution which requires ${(cos\ensuremath{\theta})}^{4}$ terms for a good fit requires only second-order terms in the new series. The resulting advantages in using this series in extrapolations to poles are discussed. As a second example, a modified effective-range formula is derived.
Comparison of thallium-201 and technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile

Abstract Thallium-201 ( 201 TI) is a well-established radionuclide used in myocardial perfusion imaging for assessing the presence and prognostic significance of coronary artery disease. Recently, technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile ( 99m Tc-sestamibi) has become available for the same diagnostic and prognostic procedures. This discussion compares the imaging characteristics and clinical applications of 201 TI with those of 99m Tc-sestamibi. There is a strong diagnostic concordance between the 2 agents in symptomatic patients. Various comparative clinical trials have shown in numerous patients that both agents have a similar diagnostic yield in both planar and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Because of better image quality of the 99m Tc agent, there is a trend toward better specificity and normalcy rate, in comparison to 201 TI. However, when using reinjection imaging protocols, 201 TI retains a unique place as an imaging agent to identify viable myocardium.
The role of early visual attention in social development

Faces convey important information about the social environment, and even very young infants are preferentially attentive to face-like over non-face stimuli. Eye-tracking studies have allowed researchers to examine which features of faces infants find most salient across development, and the present study examined scanning of familiar (i.e., mother) and unfamiliar (i.e., stranger) static faces at 6-, 9-, and 12-months-of-age. Infants showed a preference for scanning their mother's face as compared to a stranger's face, and displayed increased attention to the eye region as compared to the mouth region. Infants also showed patterns of decreased attention to eyes and increased attention to mouths between 6 and 12 months. Associations between visual attention at 6, 9, and 12 months and the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales DP (CSBS-DP) at 18 months were also examined, and a significant positive relation between attention to eyes at 6 months and the social subscale of the CSBS-DP at 18 months was found. This effect was driven by infants' attention to their mother's eyes. No relations between face scanning in 9- and 12-month-olds and social outcome at 18 months were found. The potential for using individual differences in early infant face processing to predict later social outcome is discussed.
Diffusivity of ultrasound in polycrystals

Abstract T he diffusivity of ultrasound in an untextured aggregate of cubic crystallites is studied theoretically with a view towards nondestructive characterization of microstructures. Multiple scattering formalisms for the mean Green's dyadic and for the covariance of the Green's dyadic (and therefore for the energy density) based upon the method of smoothing are presented. The first-order smoothing approximation used is accurate to leading order in the anisotropy of the constituent crystallites. A further, Born, approximation is invoked which limits the validity of the calculation to frequencies below the geometrical optics regime. Known result for the mean field attenuations are recovered. The covariance is found to obey an equation of radiative transfer for which a diffusion limit is taken. The resulting diffusivity is found to vary inversely with the fourth power of frequency in the Rayleigh, long wavelength, regime and inversely with the logarithm of frequency on the short wavelength, stochastic, asymptote. The results are found to fit the experimental data.
Admission to a Dedicated Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Is Associated With Decreased Resource Use for Infants With Prenatally Diagnosed Congenital Heart Disease

Many factors in the delivery and perinatal care of infants with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) have an impact on outcome and costs. This study sought to determine the modifiable factors in perinatal management that have an impact on postnatal resource use for infants with CHD. The medical records of infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD (August 2006–December 2011) who underwent cardiac surgery before discharge were reviewed. The exclusion criteria ruled out prematurity and intervention or transplantation evaluation before surgery. Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and cost data were collected. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine the impact of perinatal decisions on hospitalization cost and surrogates of resource use after adjustment for demographic and other risk factors. For the 126 patients who met the study criteria, the median hospital stay was 22 days (range 4–122 days), and the median inflation-adjusted total hospital cost was $107,357 (range $9,746–602,320). The initial admission to the neonatal versus the cardiac intensive care unit (NICU vs. CICU) was independently associated with a 19 % longer hospital stay, a 26 % longer ICU stay, and 47 % more mechanical ventilation days after adjustment for Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery, version 1 score, gestation age, genetic abnormality, birth weight, mode of delivery, and postsurgical complications. Weekend versus weekday delivery was not associated with hospital cost or length of hospital stay. For term infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD undergoing surgery before discharge, preoperative admission to the NICU (vs. the CICU) resulted in a longer hospital stay and greater intensive care use. Prenatal planning for infants with CHD should consider the initial place of admission as a modifiable factor for potential lowering of resource use.