cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface characterization of carbon fibers and interphase phenomena in epoxy-reinforced composites

Abstract Fourier transform IR attenuated total reflection spectroscopy has been used to characterize the surface of oxidized graphitized carbon fibers. The spectra of the samples oxidized for different times are compared, and the bands at 1720 and 1580 cm −1 , arising from the oxidative treatment, are followed as a function of the oxidation time. A theoretical approach, based on exact optical theory, has been utilized to aid in the interpretation of the results, particularly the enhancement of the IR absorbances of the surface species, due to the presence of the graphitic substrate. The influence of the surface species on the curing of an epoxy system has also been monitored by the same technique. A curve-fitting program has been used to deconvolve the overlapped IR bands of the epoxy coating. The integrated intensities of the ester, anhydride, epoxy and carboxylic acid, plotted against the curing time, clearly show the dependence of the cross-linking process on the concentration of the surface species. The surface groups act as a catalyst for cross-linking and there exists an optimal concentration below which an activation of the curing process occurs. Above that concentration, a retardation of the curing process has been detected.
Ultrasound assessment of uterine cavity remodeling after surgical correction of subseptations.

Objective To assess the postoperative restoration of a normal uterine cavity, uterine cavity measurements were obtained in patients with arcuate or septate uteri in the periods before and after resection. Study Design Twenty-eight women diagnosed with arcuate or septate uteri were evaluated with 3-dimensional ultrasound before and after undergoing surgical resection by hysteroscopic resection, in a university center. In addition to the conventional parameters, measurements of the subseptum's length and width, and cavity width, were obtained on a frozen coronal view of the uterus. Postoperatively, uterine cavity width was measured. Results Twelve patients were diagnosed with arcuate uterus and 16 with septate uterus and subsequently underwent surgical correction. Of them, 50% had a retroverted uterus and 61% had a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (7/28, or 25%, had both). Uterine length, width, and height, before and after resection, were similar between arcuate and septate, as were the subsepti base widths, despite the different lengths. However, cavity width was significantly decreased after resection only in the septate uterus group: 3.6 cm, 95% confidence interval, 3.3–3.9, preoperatively vs 2.8 cm, 95% confidence interval, 2.5–3.1, postoperatively, respectively; P P = .05). Conclusion Postoperative measurements of the uterine cavity revealed a remarkable uterine remodeling capacity: we speculate this could represent the most important single change to explain improved pregnancy outcomes after surgical correction of subseptations.
Civil Society Versus Organized Crime Local and Global Perspectives

Based on fieldwork in Palermo, the AA. analyze the city's antimafia movement in which the words civil society have ample resonance. On the one hand, they convey an ecumenical meaning, suited to overcoming the otherwise polarized Communist and Christian Democratic political identities that antimafia activists inherited from the Cold War era. On the other hand, they evoke cultural hegemony, exemplified by antimafia initiatives in the public schools. To understand the contemporary currency of civil society, the AA. argue, requires revisiting the Cold War years when the overt and covert exercise of political violence not only impeded the formation of democratic institutions, but made a mockery of such institutions where they existed. Social movements emerging from that era often make rhetorical use of the civil society concept as an umbrella under which to demand transparency, democracy, and human rights. Coincidentally, civil society discourse has acquired enormous currency with the United Nations, the IMF and World Bank, and a vast array of non-governmental organizations. At this level, the issue is the marginalization of new global enemies, no less threatening than the (Soviet) evil empire - specifically, the uncivil forces of crime and corruption that, under the post-Cold War conditions of triumphant neo-liberal capitalism, can only grow and thrive if not held in check.
Duration judgment and the segmentation of experience

Two experiments tested an interval segmentation explanation of duration judgment. In Experiment 1, a 170-sec time interval was filled with 27 unrelated words and three high-priority events (HPEs). These HPEs were clustered at the beginning of the interval (unsegmented condition) or distributed throughout the interval (segmented condition). Both recognition and recall of list information were measured, in addition to duration estimates. While no differences in memory performance were found, duration estimates were greater in the the segmented condition. Experiment 2 also tested the effects of interval segmentation but used 36 words and eight HPEs, a longer clock duration, and also measured the remembered number of events (RNE) in the interval. As in Experiment 1, the segmented condition produced longer duration estimates in the absence of memory performance and RNE differences. A segmentation hypothesis seems a better explanation of these results than previously proposed storage size or amount-of-processing models of duration judgment.
Severity of Illness and Organ Failure Assessment in Adult Intensive Care Units

The critical care community has been using severity and organ failure assessment tools for over 2 decades. The major adult severity assessment models are Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation, Simplified Acute Physiology Score, and Mortality Probability Model. All three recent versions of these models perform well in predicting hospital mortality. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score is the most used tool for assessment of multiple organ failure. These tools have been used extensively in clinical research involving critically ill patients and for benchmarking and the measurement of performance improvement. Their roles as clinical decision support tools at the bedside await future studies because of their unknown or poor performance at the individual patient level.
Structural polymorphism of I-E subregion antigens determined by a gene in the H-2K to I-B genetic interval.

THE generation of immune responses in mice is influenced by Ir genes located in the I region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)(1). In some instances maximum responses require complementation by two genes, one in the I-A or I-B and the other in the I-E or I-C subregion(2,3). The effects of these genes are thought to be mediated by Ia alloantigens, which are cell surface molecules whose expression is controlled by the I region(4). This is based on the observations that anti-Ia sera inhibit in vitro immune responses(5,6), and soluble factors that enhance in vitro immune responses express Ia alloantigenic determinants(7,9). Jones et al.(10), using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, observed that the expression of I-E subregion antigens is controlled by two genes, one in the I-A subregion, the other in the I-E subregion, and that the polymorphism of these antigens is influenced by an I-A subregion gene. As an explanation, the authors proposed that only one of the two polypeptide chains present in I-E immunoprecipitates is an I-E subregion product, the second being a product of the I-A subregion. Antisera obtained by cross-immunisation of I-E subregion-disparate strains of mice immunoprecipitates a molecular complex consisting of two chains, designated alpha and beta, with molecular weights of 32,000 and 29,000 respectively(11-14). Previous studies suggested that I-E antigens isolated from B10.A(5R) and B10.D2 mice had identical alpha-chains but different (beta)-chains(15). However, as these mice differed at multiple genetic regions, it was not possible to show which I subregion(s) determined the polymorphism of the E(beta) chain. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the I-A subregion on the polymorphism of I-E subregion antigens. We have now shown by peptide mapping that the I-E subregion polymorphism which Jones et al. found to be controlled by the I-A subregion probably reflects structural polymorphism of beta-chains controlled by an I-A subregion gene.
Hyperactivity, antisocial behavior, and childhood injury: a critical analysis of the literature.

Studies investigating the relationship between hyperactivity, antisocial behavior, and injury in children are reviewed. Most of the studies have reported that these behaviors are important risk factors for injury. However, design problems with these studies are noted. Early studies employed inappropriate control groups, or omitted them altogether, whereas more recent studies have used retrospective measures that depend on the recall of mothers and teachers, and which are therefore vulnerable to bias. When, on the other hand, prospective designs were used, a relationship between hyperactivity and injury was not found. In all these recent studies, a relationship between injury and management problem or aggressive behavior was reported. It is concluded that the relationship between hyperactivity and injury is still under question, and that a further prospective study will be required to resolve the issue. Language: en
Nonlinear Parallel and Perpendicular Diffusion of Charged Cosmic Rays in Weak Turbulence

The problem of particle transport perpendicular to a magnetic background field is well known in cosmic-ray astrophysics. Whereas it is widely accepted that quasi-linear theory (QLT) of particle transport does not provide the correct results for perpendicular diffusion, it was assumed for a long time that QLT is the correct theory for parallel diffusion. In the current paper we demonstrate that QLT is in general also incorrect for parallel particle transport if we consider composite turbulence geometry. Motivated through the recent success of the so-called nonlinear guiding center theory of perpendicular diffusion, we present a new theory for parallel and perpendicular diffusion of cosmic rays. This new theory is a nonlinear extension of QLT and provides us with a coupled system of nonlinear Fokker-Planck coefficients. By solving the resulting system of integral equations we obtain new results for the pitch-angle Fokker-Planck coefficient and the Fokker-Planck coefficient of perpendicular diffusion. By integrating over pitch angle we calculate the parallel and perpendicular mean free path. To our knowledge the new theory is the first that can deal with both parallel and perpendicular diffusion in agreement with simulations.
Pretreatment effects on the active site for methane activation in the oxidative coupling of methane over MgO and Li/MgO

The effects of high temperature pretreatments on the activity of MgO and Li/MgO catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane have been studied. The MgO powder catalyst exhibited a turnover frequency of 3.0×10−3 molecules/sites, at 990K, whereas the Li/MgO catalyst showed a turnover frequency of 7.0×10−2 molecules/sites, under the same reaction conditions. The initial C2 formation rate was observed to increase with pretreatment temperature over the MgO catalyst, supporting our previous proposal that F-type defects are responsible for methane activation.
Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization of Potential Manure Components

Current estimates of plant availability of manure N are highly variable. A study was conducted to examine C and N mineralization characteristics of manure components from feeds (immature and mature alfalfa and orchardgrass, soybean meal, roasted soybean meal), forage cell walls (acid detergent fiber [ADF] and neutral detergent fiber [NDF]), simple N compounds (urea, amino acids and peptides), and nondietary metabolic components (ruminal bacteria and colonic cells). Nitrogen and C mineralization were determined by aerobic incubation of sample-amended soil. Changes in NH + 4 and NO - 3 concentration and CO 2 production were monitored over 112 d. At C to N ratios below 15, there was a declining exponential relationship between the initial potential rate of C mineralization and the sample C to N ratio. However, at C to N ratios above 15, the initial potential rate of C mineralization was low and insensitive to C to N ratio. Percent of added N mineralized ranged from 92% for urea and 13% for mature orchardgrass to a net N immobilization for ADF- and NDF-amended soils. When the C to N ratio was below 42, there was a linear relationship between readily mineralizable N and the C to N ratio. There were also positive relationships between readily mineralizable C and N and the components' total N concentration. Manure contains a range of compounds that have rapid or intermediate N mineralization characteristics, or that are strong immobilizers of N. These results suggest that improved estimates of manure N mineralization may be obtained by considering both the readily available N components and components that strongly immobilize N.
Alternative splicing is an efficient mechanism for the generation of protein diversity: Contractile protein genes as a model system

Alternative splicing has emerged in recent years as a widespread device for regulating gene expression and generating protein diversity. Its analysis has provided some mechanistic understanding of this form of gene regulation and, in addition, has provided new insights into some fundamental aspects of splicing. This mode of regulation is particularly prevalent in muscle cells, where genes such as troponin T are able to generate up to 64 different isoforms from a single transcriptional unit. Alternative splicing has the potential to raise the coding capacity of the small multigene families that code for the contractile proteins so that several million structurally different sarcomeres can be generated. The mammalian alpha-tropomyosin gene has proved particularly useful for the analysis of the mechanisms involved in this type of regulation. In particular, the mutually exclusive splicing of exons 2 and 3 has provided answers about the processes involved in the three main regulatory steps: (a) establishment of mutually exclusive behavior; (b) the elements involved in setting up the default pattern of splicing, and (c) the switch from the default to the regulated splicing pattern in some cell types.
Analysis of decision aiding a submarine emergency decisionmaking

An analytical approach is presented for investigating the quantitative effects of a decision aid upon user workload and organization performance. The approach is applied to the problem of submarine emergency control. Results of the analysis indicate the importance of considering the organizational context when contemplating the design of decision aids and illustrate the implications for workload of metadecisions about whether and how decision aid information is to be used.
Laser Drawing of Optical Fibers

A system consisting of a cw CO2 laser and an ellipsoidal reflector was developed in order to draw fused silica fibers from bulk material. The system was used to obtain unclad fused silica fibers (Suprasil 2) having a total transmission loss of less than 100 dB/km at 6328 A. Preforms (rod in tube) have also been drawn to fibers of long lengths with diameters as small as 10 μm and variations within 5%. Analysis of the fiber drawing process established relations that allow determination of the design parameters for fiber drawing systems. Experimental results are given that support these relationships.
Ketalization of phosphonium ions by 1,4-dioxane: selective detection of the chemical warfare agent simulant DMMP in mixtures using ion/molecule reactions

Phosphonium ions CH3P(O)OCH 3 + (93 Th) and CH3OP(O)OCH 3 + (109 Th) react with 1,4-dioxane to form unique cyclic ketalization products, 1,3,2-dioxaphospholanium ions. By contrast, a variety of other types of ions having multiple bonds, including the acylium ions CH3CO+ (43 Th), CH3OCO+ (59 Th), (CH3)2NCO+ (72 Th), and PhCO+ (105 Th), the iminium ion H2C=NHC2H 5 + (58 Th) and the carbosulfonium ion H2C=SC2H 5 + (75 Th) do not react with 1,4-dioxane under the same conditions. The characteristic ketalization reaction can also be observed when CH3P(OH)(OCH3) 2 + , viz. protonated dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), collides with 1,4-dioxane, as a result of fragmentation to yield the reactive phosphonium ion CH3P(O)OCH 3 + (93 Th). This novel ion/molecule reaction is highly selective to phosphonium ions and can be applied to identify DMMP selectively in the presence of ketone, ester, and amide compounds using a neutral gain MS/MS scan. This method of DMMP analysis can be applied to aqueous solutions using electrospray ionization; it shows a detection limit in the low ppb range and a linear response over the range 10 to 500 ppb.
Polyhalogenated biphenyls and phenobarbital: Evaluation as inducers of drug metabolizing enzymes in the sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus

Several doses of Aroclor 1254 (polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture), Firemaster FF1 (polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) mixture), 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (HBB), 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) and phenobarbital (PB) were administered to the marine fish sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus). The PCB and PBB mixtures caused induction of hepatic microsomal benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase (AHH), 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (7-EC) and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (ERF) activities, but not benzphetamine N-demethylase (BND), epoxide hydrolase (EH) or glutathione S-transferase (GSH-T) activities. This induction pattern is typical of that caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in fish and mammals or by tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in mammals. The extent of induction of AHH-activity and cytochrome P-450 content was higher when experiments were carried out in summer (water temperature 25 ± 4°C) than in winter (water temperature 11 ± 3°C). Firemaster FF1 (15 mg/kg) induced fish for at least 56 days in both summer and winter at which time the liver concentrations of PBB were in the ppm range. PCB concentrations in the ppm range have been found in fish from polluted lakes and seas, thus we may expect that environmental exposure to PCB is sufficient to induce hepatic mixed function oxidase (MFO) activities. The PCB isomer 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-HCB, which induces the same spectrum of hepatic drug-metabolizing activities as TCDD and PAH in rats, had a broadly similar effect in the sheepshead. Another purified isomer, 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-HBB, which induces the same enzymes as PB in rats, had no effect on drug-metabolizing activities in sheepshead. PB was also without effect on sheepshead hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes, although a typical narcotic effect was produced in PB-treated sheepshead. Our studies provide further evidence that drug-metabolizing activities in fish liver are readily induced by chemicals like TCDD or PAH, but we fail to demonstrate induction after treatment of sheepshead with inducers of the PB type.
Convective cloud downdrafts as the cause of large blowdowns in the Amazon rainforest

Nelson et al. (1994) report a non-uniform distribution of large (0.33 to 33 km2) blowdowns in the rainforests of Amazonia. Occurrence of such large disturbances in the wet, low wind speed regime of the Amazon Basin cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms such as fire or hurricanes. While downdrafts from deep convective clouds are likely candidates, this paper draws upon meteorological observations from the central Amazon Basin to show that the requisite magnitudes of wind speed can be reached but only under conditions which would explain the observed horizontal distributions of the large blowdowns. Outflow velocities due to density driven downdrafts in the convective clouds are shown from observations to reach 15 m/s and correspond to the propagation velocities of longlived Amazon squall lines. Maintenance over 48 h of these squall lines depends upon the correspondence between the outflow velocity and the propagation velocity. The storms propagate within a basic current moving at 5 m/s, increasing the outflow velocities to 21 m/s. The development of a storm-generated pressure field must be called upon to increase the magnitude of the density and basic currents to more than 30 m/s. Such conditions occur only when the convection is embedded in squall lines which reach their diurnal maximum at locations nearly coincident with the observed locations of the maxima in large blowdowns. The characteristics of the observed blowdowns in terms of orientation, size and shape are consistent with winds derived from the postulated downward moving density currents being deflected and accelerated orthogonally at canopy top and forest floor. The causes and distribution of large blowdowns in the wet, low wind regime of the Amazon rainforest are shown to be important in explaining the disturbance regime of that system. Such disturbances are necessary in maintaining diversity of the system by locally disrupting the canopy, altering levels of incident radiation received at the surface and changing patterns of nutrient cycling, carbon uptake and storage.
Who you callin' white?! A critical counter-story on colouring white identity

This action research, which utilizes critical race theory's counter-storytelling, analyses a process of debunking White students' epistemology of ignorance in a history course at an urban public high school. After piloting a raced curriculum that deliberately re-centers marginalized counter-stories of students of colour, I document its impacts on White students' understanding of history. Ultimately, such a process problematizes White students' sense of identity. I employ the analytic tools of Whiteness as power to understand how White students responded to curriculum on race and racism. The analysis silences White dominant Discourse while activating counter-stories by modelling critical consciousness and colourscence for my students of colour. Further, I detail two specific responses made by White students in this study: (1) symbiotic transformation; and (2) active resistance. Regardless of the differences in responses, both are processes in debunking White epistemology of ignorance.
A Large N and lattice study of the top condensate model

Abstract We discuss the relation between the Higgs-Yukawa model (a simplified Standard Model) and the generalized top condensate model. The phase diagram of a U(1) chiral symmetric Higgs- Yukawa model is calculated in the large fermion color number (N) limit. Comparison is made with the lattice simulation results.
Teratocarcinoma × friend erythroleukemia cell hybrids resemble their pluripotent embryonal carcinoma parent

Abstract Five independent clones of somatic cell hybrids have been produced by fusing FBU Friend erythroblastic leukemia cells with cells of the pluripotent teratocarcinoma-derived embryonal carcinoma line PCC4azal. All five lines closely resemble their PCC4azal parent. They look like embryonal carcinoma cells by phase contrast and electron microscopy, have high levels of alkaline phosphatase but low levels of acetylcholinesterase, and, like PCC4azal, express both LDH-A and LDH-B. Tumors produced from hybrid lines often contain large amounts of differentiated tissue, including representatives of all three of the classical germ layers. These results suggest that the genome of a pluripotent mammalian cell, far from being unconditionally susceptible to whatever signals differentiated cells employ to maintain their stable phenotype, may itself be able to “reset” the genome of the differentiated cell.
What Made Carolina Blue? In-Migration and the 2008 North Carolina Presidential Vote

In this article, we examine the role that in-migration played in contributing to the 2008 Democratic presidential victory in North Carolina. Prior to Barack Obama, the last time the Tar Heel State ...
The parallel processing compute server

The Parallel Processing Compute Server (PPCS) is a distributed-memory multiprocessing system consisting of System/370 microprocessors (33 at present) interconnected through a matrix switch. This paper describes the hardware configuration, the extensions to the System/370 instruction set that are provided to support the distributed memory and interprocessor signalling, the modification to the VM/SP operating system that allow it to run effectively on many closely coupled processors (most of which have no disks), and the application-support layer, which permits FORTRAN programs to take advantage of the highly parallel environment. A PPCS with 32 satellite processors, Parallel VM, and CS/X has been installed at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and is running applications used by the high-energy physics (HEP) community. At CERN, on-line data acquisition and preprocessing of experimental data is a major computing task. High-energy physics experiments can generate streams of data at a rate of several gigabytes per second. Once filtered and recorded, data are subject to further analysis off-line. Both on-line and off-line processing are numerically intensive computing jobs. The PPCS is primarily intended for the off-line processing, but it can be used for on-line work as well.
Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment: Vertical distribution of ozone on Mars

The vertical distribution of ozone in the atmosphere of Mars is computed from ultraviolet spectra obtained by the Mariner 9 spacecraft. In the Northern Hemisphere the ozone scale height is much smaller than the atmospheric scale height in midlatitudes and increases rapidly to a maximum farther north. At high latitudes (above 60 deg) there is no significant difference between the scale heights of ozone in the Northern (winter) Hemisphere and the Southern (summer) Hemisphere. Comparison of the ozone distribution with atmospheric temperature structure indicates that at some locations in the North, the density of water vapor increases with altitude, and the time for vertical mixing is about 3 days or more.
Heat Transfer in a Cooling Channel with Vortex Generators

The artwork shown consists of instantaneous photos of thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) images on the surfaces of a model of an advanced airfoil internal cooling passage. Heat transfer enhancement over the entire passage results from the placement of delta-wing shaped vortex generators on one of the passage walls (Chyu et al., 1997), Sequential TLC images are transformed into distributions of heat transfer coefficients using a custom-developed, liquid crystal thermographic processing system. The average heat transfer coefficient over the entire periodic region can be as high as 5 times that in a smooth passage. Such a high level heat transfer enhancement has never been reported for internal passage cooling. The artwork indicates the swirling in the main passage flow; most evident on the sidewall photo.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Psychoeducational, Neurocognitive, and Psychiatric Functioning in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

The present study sought to examine the longitudinal psychoeducational, neurocognitive, and psychiatric outcomes of children and adolescents with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a population with a high incidence of major psychiatric illnesses appearing in late adolescence/early adulthood. Little is known of the developmental changes that occur in the early teen years, prior to the age of highest psychosis risk. Data were collected from 71 participants (42 subjects with 22q11DS and 29 control subjects) at Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2), approximately 3.5 years later. The 22q11DS group was significantly lower functioning than controls on IQ, neurocognition, and academic achievement at both T1 and T2. Children with 22q11DS also showed significantly greater social-behavioral difficulties and psychiatric symptoms, and were more likely to meet criteria for psychiatric disorders at both time points. In evaluating change over time from T1 to T2, the 22q11DS group did not show significant changes in psychoeducational or psychiatric outcomes relative to the controls, however, lack of expected age-related gains in attention regulation were noted. Within the 22q11DS group, an increase in the Attenuated Prodrome for Schizophrenia (number of psychiatric symptoms) was noted from T1 to T2 and four children with 22q11DS met criteria for Psychosis for the first time. Predictors at T1 that uncovered psychopathology symptoms at T2 included full-scale IQ, externalizing symptoms, and problem social behaviors. Overall, younger adolescent and preadolescent children with 22q11DS in this study exhibited slowed growth in attention regulation, with an increase in subclinical symptoms of schizophrenia, suggestive of increasing impairments in domains that are relevant to the high risk of Schizophrenia. Early predictors of later psychopathology included both cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. These findings begin to elucidate the trajectory of changes in psychopathology in children with 22q11DS in the years leading up to the onset of major psychiatric illnesses.
Impact of finite beams of ductile metal

Abstract An analysis is here presented of the large plastic deformations of a beam under impact such as that due to a blow of a massive hammer, in which one cross-section is suddenly forced to move with a given velocity. The analysis treats both the case in which the velocity of the struck section is maintained constant until the total permanent deformation is acquired and cases of interrupted impacts in which the force at the struck section is suddenly removed after an arbitrary contact time. A complete solution in general non-dimensional form is obtained in a simple manner by basing the analysis on the assumption of “plastic-rigid” behaviour and results can be expected to be valid when the plastic deformations are large enough. Criteria for the validity of the present results are discussed, based on the major assumptions of the analysis.
Effect of orientation on the modulation sensitivity for interference fringes on the retina.

It is now well established that, for many test targets, vertical and horizontal orientations yield higher visual acuities than oblique orientations. In order to assess the role of the optics of the eye in this effect, focusing errors of the eye were bypassed by using as the measure of resolving capacity the modulation sensitivity for sinusoidal interference fringes formed on the retina. The modulation sensitivity for vertical and horizontal orientations of the fringes was greater than for oblique orientations for a wide range of spatial frequencies. A similar orientation preference was found for the cut-off spatial frequencies. Measurements of the modulation sensitivity at 15° orientation intervals indicated that maxima in sensitivity were spaced at 90° intervals. Since the effects of the optics of the eye have been eliminated, the origin of meridional variations in acuity must lie in the retina and/or higher visual pathways.
Transhepatic closure of patent foramen ovale.

Transhepatic right heart catheterization is an uncommon procedure for adult interventional cardiologists. We report its successful use for closure of a patent foramen ovale in an elderly patient without femoral vein access. Also described is a novel method of using a vascular plug to achieve hemostasis of the hepatic venous access site. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Silicon elastic recoil detection studies of polymer diffusion: Advantages and disadvantages

Tracer diffusion measurements in polystyrene using silicon and helium elastic recoil detection (ERD) are compared. The tracer diffusion coefficients measured using Si ERD are a factor of 1.6 lower than those measured using helium. This discrepancy is attributed to the silicon beam induced release of hydrogen and carbon nuclei during analysis which alters the density of the polymer. This beam induced release tends to offset the advantage of increased depth resolution and sensitivity gained using silicon instead of helium ERD. Analyses performed on samples coated with a 100 A layer of silicon and on samples cooled to −50°C show appreciable decreases in the beam-induced release of the constituent nuclei.
Cell cycle changes during growth and differentiation of imaginal leg discs in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The relative DNA content of Drosophila melanogaster imaginal leg disc nuclei during larval growth and pupal and adult differentiation was measured by microspectrophotometry. During the larval proliferative phase there were twice as many nuclei in the 4C class as nuclei in the 2C class. At the end of the third larval instar, the proportion of nuclei with a 4C DNA value increased. By 3 hr after pupariation, during pupal cuticle secretion, 90% of the nuclei were in this class. After pupal apolysis which occurs at 12 hr after pupariation, the 4C to 2C ratio was reversed. The increase in the proportion of nuclei with a 2C value was observed until 24 hr after pupariation when 90% of the nuclei were in this class. We propose that most cells divide at least once between pupal and adult differentiation. All of these changes in the cell cycle were correlated temporally with changes in the ecdysteroid titers that occur during these periods.
Triplet excitons in chalcogenide glasses as elucidated by optically detected magnetic resonance.

The photoluminescence in glassy ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$, ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$, and ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{\mathit{x}}$(${\mathrm{As}}_{0.4}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{0.6}$${)}_{100\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$ has been studied by optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) at 3 and 16 GHz. Experimental data reveal problems with existing triplet exciton models and suggest possible modifications. The addition of Cu into the glass has an insignificant effect on the ODMR signals. This behavior, although surprising, is consistent with a high degree of localization of triplet excitons at As atoms.
Perturbing the DNA sequence selectivity of metallointercalator-peptide conjugates by single amino acid modification.

Metallointercalator−peptide conjugates that provide small molecular mimics to explore peptide−nucleic acid recognition have been prepared. Specifically, a family of peptide conjugates of [Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+) [where phi = 9,10-phenanthrenequinone diimine and phen‘ = 5-(amidoglutaryl)-1,10-phenanthroline] has been synthesized and their DNA-binding characteristics examined. Single amino acid modifications were made from the parent metallointercalator−peptide conjugate [Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+)-AANVAIAAWERAA-CONH_2, which targets 5‘-CCA-3‘ site-specifically. Moving the glutamate at position 10 in the sequence of the appended peptide to position 6 {[Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+)-AANVAEAAWARAA-CONH_2} changed the sequence preference of the metallointercalator−peptide conjugate to 5‘-ACA-3‘. Subsequent mutation of the glutamate at position 6 to arginine {[Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+)-AANVARAAWARAA-CONH_2} caused more complex changes in DNA recognition. Thermodynamic dissociation constants were determined for these metallointercalator−peptide conjugates by photoactivated DNA cleavage assays with the rhodium intercalators. At 55 °C in the presence of 5 mM MnCl_2, [Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+)-AANVAIAAWERAA-CONH_2 binds to a 5‘-CCA-3‘ site with K_d = 5.7 × 10^(-8) M, whereas [Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+)-AANVAEAAWARAA-CONH_2 binds to its target 5‘-ACA-3‘ site with K_d = 9.9 × 10^(-8) M. The dissociation constant for [Rh(phi)_2(phen‘)]^(3+) with random-sequence DNA is 7.0 × 10^(-7) M. Structural models have been developed and refined to account for the observed sequence specificities. As with much larger DNA-binding proteins, with these metal−peptide conjugate mimics, single amino acid changes can lead to single or multiple base changes in the DNA site targeted.
Reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies of Ca segregation on MgO (100) surfaces

Abstract The technique of reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS) in the electron microscope is applied to the study of oxygen-annealed (100) surfaces of MgO. It is shown that REELS can detect the Ca layer that forms on the surface during annealing. High-spatial-resolution surface analysis indicates that Ca preferentially segregates to surface steps and is associated with decoration material at the steps, which has been reported in earlier studies. The presence of a Ca marker layer on the annealed MgO surface provides a suitable test sample for investigating the influence of surface resonance diffracting conditions on the reflection spectra.
Pure strategy solutions of blotto games

Some necessary conditions for a Blotto game to be solvable by interior pure strategies are presented. The mathematics involved is little more than an exercise in calculus. Nevertheless, a test of the elementary conditions given here exposes as incorrect various solutions to Blotto games which appear in the classified literature.
Immune System Involvement in the Pathogenesis of JC Virus Induced PML: What is Learned from Studies of Patients with Underlying Diseases and Therapies as Risk Factors.

The human polyomavirus JC PyV lytic infection of oligodendrocytes in the human brain results in the demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, PML. JCV is a common virus infection in the population that leads to PML in patients with underlying diseases and therapies that cause immune deficiencies or modulate immune system functions. Patients may have high levels of antibody to JCV that does not protect them from PML nor clear the infection once PML is established. Cell mediated immunity plays a more effective role in clearing initial or reactivated JCV infection before PML occurs. However patients with underlying diseases and therapies for treatment are at high risk for PML. MS patients on natalizumab are one of the categories with the highest incidence of PML. Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting α4 integrins that prevents inflammatory cells from entering the brain and it has been used as a treatment for MS. A number of studies have investigated the occurrence of PML in these patients and their cell mediated immune profile that might gain insight into the mechanism that ties natalizumab with a high risk of developing PML. It seems that cells of the immune system participate in the pathogenesis of PML as well as clearance of JCV infection.
Family study of fibromyalgia and affective spectrum disorder.

Background Fibromyalgia is one member of a proposed group of psychiatric and medical disorders, collectively termed affective spectrum disorder (ASD), hypothesized to share possibly heritable pathophysiologic features. Two predictions of the ASD hypothesis were tested: ASD, taken as a single entity, aggregates in families; and fibromyalgia coaggregates with other forms of ASD in families. Methods Probands with and without fibromyalgia, together with their first-degree relatives, were administered structured diagnostic interviews. Noninterviewed relatives were diagnosed according to information provided by interviewed relatives. Aggregation and coaggregation of disorders were analyzed with proband predictive logistic and linear regression models. Results In 533 relatives of 78 probands with fibromyalgia and 272 relatives of 40 probands without fibromyalgia, the estimated odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for the familial aggregation of ASD was 1.8 (.97, 3.2), p = .065, and the increase in number of forms of ASD in a relative for each additional form of ASD in a proband was .076 (.027, .1240), p = .002. The OR for the coaggregation of fibromyalgia with other forms of ASD was 2.0 (1.2, 3.2), p = .004; this remained significant even after excluding all mood-disorder diagnoses: 1.8 (1.1, 3.0), p = .012. Conclusions These findings support familial aggregation of ASD collectively and familial coaggregation of fibromyalgia with other forms of ASD.
NinAlm alloy clusters: analysis of structural forms and their energy ordering

Abstract Structural forms of model Ni n Al m , n + m = 13, alloy clusters are studied for all stoichiometric compositions using a many-body potential. These forms are distinguished by their geometries ( isomers ) and the distributions of the two types of atoms within a given geometry ( homotops ). General notions of mixing energy and mixing coefficient applicable to arbitrary, including many-body, potentials are introduced. It is shown that for each stoichiometry the energy ordering of the homotops, within classes defined by the isomeric form and the type of the central atom, is governed by the degree of mixing as measured by the mixing coefficient.
Mechanisms of fluoride homeostasis.

Abstract The mechanisms of fluoride excretion have been studied in two human subjects, in dogs and in normal and nephrectomized rats with radio fluoride. The author gives a summary of these different studies. It appears that the body possesses a remarkable ability to maintain a constancy of body fluid fluoride concentration in spite of large variations of fluoride intake. These mechanisms of homeostasis are carried out by the kidney, which operates as an effective organ of fluoride excretion, as well as by the skeleton.
Genetics of the female reproductive ducts

Familial aggregates of the most common disorders of mullerian differentiation in females—Mullerian aplasia, incomplete Mullerian fusion—are best explained on the basis of polygenic/multifactorial inheritance. No information exists on the number and chromosomal location of responsible genes. Single mutant genes (Mendelian) are responsible for the McKusick-Kaufman syndrome (MKS) and the hand-foot-genital syndrome. The molecular basis for the latter condition involves HOXA13, but the molecular basis of MKS and other disorders of the female reproductive ducts is unknown. Vaginal atresia, Mullerian aplasia, and incomplete Mullerian fusion are not infrequently observed in malformation syndromes. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Semin. Med. Genet.) 89:224–239, 1999. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of Dysphagia in Elderly Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

The purpose of this study was to describe the swallowing characteristics of elderly patients requiring mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy admitted to a long-term, acute-care hospital. The study was conducted through retrospective record review of patients on mechanical ventilation who had received a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) during their hospitalization. In a period from 1994 to 2002, 58 patients met the inclusion criteria. The study examined the results of both the clinical and the MBSS evaluations and compared the results and recommendations of the two examinations. Data were obtained from the MBSS records to describe the group in terms of dysphagia symptoms, frequency and occurrence of aspiration, respiratory status, and demographic variables. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to determine differences between the evaluations and any significant associations between aspiration and demographic variables, pharyngeal symptoms, and cognitive deficits. Significant differences were found between diet recommendations before and after the MBSS, and significant associations were found between aspiration and three pharyngeal symptoms. Although aspiration and especially silent aspiration occurred frequently in this group, most individuals were able to begin some level of oral intake after the MBSS evaluation. Due to the lack of reliable clinical evaluation measures, the MBSS is necessary for differential diagnosis of dysphagia and dietary recommendations for these individuals.
Spatial localization precedes temporal determination in visual perception

Abstract The temporal order of two spots of light successively appearing in the dark, just before a saccade, influences their perceived spatial relation. Both spots are mislocalized in the saccade direction––the second more so than the first––because mislocalization grows as time elapses from stimulus to saccade onset. On the other hand, the perceived order of the two spots may be altered if the second spot is at the focus of spatial attention. How would these illusory perceptions of space and time interact when they are brought to play together? Could they be independent or could one perception depend on the other? Here we show that perceived location of stimuli is not affected by illusory temporal order, whereas perceived temporal order is affected by misperceived location. The results suggest that the brain processes spatial location of visual stimuli before processing their temporal order.
Objective: biochemical function

DNA sequencing enables the discovery of new genes in high-throughput, low-cost experiments. Conversely, gene function is determined by low-throughput, high-cost experiments. This inverse relationship for these two types of data is a major impediment in meeting one of the major scientific challenges of our time—the understanding of genomes. This mismatch in throughput is illustrated by considering the progress made for one of the earliest sequenced genomes, that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb). When its genome was published in 1998, more than a quarter of its genes had no known function (Cole et al., 1998). Our lack of knowledge about these approximately 1000 “conserved hypothetical” genes in Mtb represents a serious deficiency in our understanding of its biology. Now, after more than a decade of progress, our knowledge of those proteins' functions is essentially unchanged—there are still greater than 900 genes with no known function (Lew et al., 2011). In contrast, during this same period, the scientific community has sequenced approximately 18,000 new genomes (Pagani et al., 2012), containing millions of new hypothetical proteins. Apparently, the vector of our progress has tipped decisively away from data interpretation and comprehension, and toward mere data collection. To address the issue of gene function testing and annotation for all microbes, we founded COMBREX (COMputational BRidge to EXperiments), an endeavor aimed at accelerating the rate of gene function validation (Anton et al., 2013). Two of COMBREX's more prominent initiatives were the creation of a comprehensive database for protein function data (http://combrex.bu.edu), and the deployment of a crowdsourcing platform to catalyze protein function experimentation. In the course of these two efforts, it became apparent that fundamental changes in approaches to the problem of protein function determination were needed if there was any hope of keeping pace with DNA sequencing. We suggest that the community work together to (1) re-establish the connection between existing gene annotation and the foundational experimental data that supports all annotation, (2) develop experiment design principles to help guide the identification of maximally informative targets for function validation, (3) invest in the development of higher-throughput approaches for the testing of protein function, and (4) provide an expedited publication pathway for reporting experimental results of gene function, analogous to the reporting of newly sequenced genomes in the journal “Standards in Genomic Sciences.”