cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image processing for magnetic-resonance elastography

A newly developed magnetic resonance imaging technique can directly visualize propagating acoustic strain waves in tissue-like materials. By estimating the local wavelength of the acoustic wave pattern, quantitative values of shear modulus can be calculated and images generated that depict tissue elasticity or stiffness. Since tumors are significantly stiffer than normal tissue (the basis of their detection by palpation), this technique may have potential for 'palpation by imaging,' with possible application to the detection of tumors in breast, liver, kidney, and prostate. We describe the local wavelength estimation algorithm, study its properties, and show a variety of sample results.
Immaculacy: a game of privacy

With the intent of addressing growing concerns regarding online privacy, Immaculacy is an interactive story that immerses the player in a slightly dystopian world littered with privacy issues. Events unfold in the narrative based on hidden scores kept during gameplay and calculated based on specific decisions made by the player. Ultimately, we hope to create an engaging environment that helps players consider the decisions they are making in their own lives. We give the player experience with many privacy issues through their explorations of a world of hyper surveillance and connectivity.
Identification of Process Parameters for Friction Stir Welding Ti–6Al–4V

An experimental study was conducted to identify acceptable welding parameters for friction stir welding Ti-6Al-4V butt joints, ranging from 3 mm to 12 mm in thickness. The primary parameters of interest were the spindle speed and feed rate. Welds were produced using spindle speeds of 140-320 rpm and feed rates between 40 mm/min and 125 mm/min. Joints were evaluated by macro- and micrometallurgical examination along with limited fatigue and tensile testing. The weld parameters were found to influence the microstructure, penetration, void formation, and tool wear among other things. A process window was identified for combinations of the feed rate and spindle speed capable of achieving defect free joints for a given tooling configuration and thickness. It was found that the tensile and fatigue properties of the welds produced in this study were comparable to Ti-6Al-4V base material properties.
Craniosynostosis in the Amish

Eleven related persons with craniosynostosis are reported. Six of these cases occurred in four Ohio Amish sibships and were clinically indistinguishable from “nonspecific craniosynostosis,” which is not usually associated with other malformations. Despite some clinical variability, the genetic data seem to support the hypothesis that the condition in all six cases is due to homozygosity of the same recessive gene. Five cases occurred in a Wisconsin branch of the same Amish kindred and appear to represent typical Crouzon's disease. Formal genetic analysis is unable to discriminate between direct transmission of a dominant gene and pseudodominant recessive inheritance as cause of the condition in this family. Dominant inheritance appears more likely, but this kindred also suggests the possible existence of a recessively inherited form of Crouzon's disease.
Factors influencing systemic arterial oxygen saturation in complete transposition of the great arteries.

Abstract Hemodynamic data from 100 patients with complete transposition of the great arteries, all 1 year old or older, were reviewed. Only 2 patients, at rest and breathing room air, had a systemic arterial oxygen saturation level as high as 85 percent. In any patient with dextrotransposition of the great arteries and a systemic arterial saturation of 85 percent or greater, there is a strong likelihood of a single ventricle. At a given level of oxygen consumption, 3 potential variables influence systemic arterial oxygen saturation in transposition: (1) magnitude of the intercirculatory mixing, (2) hemoglobin concentration and (3) magnitude of the recirculated systemic mixed venous flow. The first 2 factors are directly related to systemic saturation, and the third is inversely related. Decreasing total pulmonary blood flow, secondary to increasing pulmonary vascular disease or pulmonary stenosis, results in decreased intercirculatory mixing and a decrease in systemic arterial oxygen saturation. This decrease in saturation is partially compensated for by an increase in hemoglobin concentration. An index calculated from the level of systemic arterial oxygen saturation divided by the value for hemoglobin concentration is useful in follow-up studies to determine the presence of pulmonary vascular disease or pulmonary stenosis. This index will often eliminate the need for repeated cardiac catheterizations before definitive corrective surgery is carried out.
Changes in d-aspartate ion currents in the Aplysia nervous system with aging

Abstract d -Aspartate (D-Asp) can substitute for l -glutamate (L-Glu) at excitatory Glu receptors, and occurs as free D-Asp in the mammalian brain. D-Asp electrophysiological responses were studied as a potential correlate of aging in the California sea hare, Aplysia californica . Whole cell voltage- and current clamp measurements were made from primary neuron cultures of the pleural ganglion (PVC) and buccal ganglion S cluster (BSC) in 3 egg cohorts at sexual maturity and senescence. D-Asp activated an inward current at the hyperpolarized voltage of − 70 mV, where molluscan NMDA receptors open free of constitutive block by Mg 2+ . Half of the cells responded to both D-Asp and L-Glu while the remainder responded only to D-Asp or L-Glu, suggesting that D-Asp activated non-Glu channels in a subpopulation of these cells. The frequency of D-Asp-induced currents and their density were significantly decreased in senescent PVC cells but not in senescent BSC cells. These changes in sensory neurons of the tail predict functional deficits that may contribute to an overall decline in reflexive movement in aged Aplysia .
Disproof of Cowling's theorem

T.G. Cowling's theorem (1934) is a general statement that axisymmetric dynamos cannot be constructed in astrophysical bodies. The theorem is based on the assumption that the electrical conductivity is a scalar, sigma E=J. In a counterargument, the author demonstrates that this statement is not valid for a diffuse plasma. He suggests that, in an astrophysical plasma, collisional processes can violate Cowling's theorem by scattering current into a current-free channel. >
Modeling complex equilibria in isothermal titration calorimetry experiments: Thermodynamic parameters estimation for a three-binding-site model

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a powerful technique that can be used to estimate a complete set of thermodynamic parameters (e.g., K(eq) (or ΔG), ΔH, ΔS, and n) for a ligand-binding interaction described by a thermodynamic model. Thermodynamic models are constructed by combining equilibrium constant, mass balance, and charge balance equations for the system under study. Commercial ITC instruments are supplied with software that includes a number of simple interaction models, for example, one binding site, two binding sites, sequential sites, and n-independent binding sites. More complex models, for example, three or more binding sites, one site with multiple binding mechanisms, linked equilibria, or equilibria involving macromolecular conformational selection through ligand binding, need to be developed on a case-by-case basis by the ITC user. In this paper we provide an algorithm (and a link to our MATLAB program) for the nonlinear regression analysis of a multiple-binding-site model with up to four overlapping binding equilibria. Error analysis demonstrates that fitting ITC data for multiple parameters (e.g., up to nine parameters in the three-binding-site model) yields thermodynamic parameters with acceptable accuracy.
Mutations in hereditary phosphoglucomutase 1 deficiency map to key regions of enzyme structure and function

Recent studies have identified phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) deficiency as an inherited metabolic disorder in humans. PGM1 deficiency is classified as both a muscle glycogenosis (type XIV) and a congenital disorder of glycosylation of types I and II. Affected patients show multiple disease phenotypes, reflecting the central role of the enzyme in glucose homeostasis, where it catalyzes the interconversion of glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate. The influence of PGM1 deficiency on protein glycosylation patterns is also widespread, affecting both biosynthesis and processing of glycans and their precursors. To date, 21 different mutations involved in PGM1 deficiency have been identified, including 13 missense mutations resulting in single amino acid changes. Growing clinical interest in PGM1 deficiency prompts a review of the molecular context of these mutations in the three-dimensional structure of the protein. Here the known crystal structure of PGM from rabbit (97 % sequence identity to human) is used to analyze the mutations associated with disease and find that many map to regions with clear significance to enzyme function. In particular, amino acids in and around the active site cleft are frequently involved, including regions responsible for catalysis, binding of the metal ion required for activity, and interactions with the phosphosugar substrate. Several of the known mutations, however, are distant from the active site and appear to manifest their effects indirectly. An understanding of how the different mutations that cause PGM1 deficiency affect enzyme structure and function is foundational to providing clinical prognosis and the development of effective treatment strategies.
Voluntary modulation of the vestibuloocular reflex in humans and its relation to smooth pursuit.

Human subjects attempted to modify their vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) in the dark by fixating imagined targets while experiencing predictable (SIN) sinusoidal (0.01–2.5 Hz) and unpredictable (SSN) sum of sines rotational stimuli (0.02–1.9 Hz). Modification was attempted under 2 instructional sets: VOR enhancement, ie tracking an imaginary earth-fixed target; VOR suppression, ie fixation of a chair fixed target. When compared to gain characteristics exhibited during the relax state with the same stimuli, subjects were able to alter VOR gain under both experimental conditions, raising it during the enhance paradigm and lowering it during the suppress paradigm. While ability to suppress the VOR was dependent on stimulus frequency, decreasing as frequency of rotation increased, subjects were equally able to modify their responses to the unpredictable and the predictable stimuli. Response phase did not change and was maintained close to 180 deg, regardless of instructional set, predictability, or frequency of stimulation for frequencies greater than 0.1 Hz. At frequencies below 0.1 Hz, a phase lead developed that was similar for all paradigms and rotational stimuli. In contrast, when subjects attempted to pursue visual targets that matched closely the velocities and frequencies of the chair rotation during predictable (SIN) and unpredictable stimulation (SSN), success was dependent on predictability of the stimulus. SSN target motion caused a significant decrease in pursuit velocity as compared to results using SIN target motion. Phase characteristics for both types of stimuli were similar, demonstrating a slight lead at lower frequencies and lagging as frequency of target oscillation increased. The results suggest that voluntary modulation of the VOR is not mediated by a neural control mechanism that is based on prediction. In addition, pursuit does not appear to contribute significantly to ability to cancel VOR. Instead, VOR modulation may be a cognitive event that involves use of a mechanism that produces simple parametric gain changes.
Production Systems: A Notation for Defining Syntax and Translation

This paper presents the formalism of Production Systems and investigates its applcation to defe the Syntax and trlation of programming languages. Several properties appear well-suited to this task: 1) the formalism can be used to specify exactly the syntax of a computer language, including context-sensitive requirements; 2) the specification of the context-sensitive requirements on syntax can be isolated from the context-free requirements; 3) the same formalism can be used to specify more general structural properties, including the translation of one language into another. The notation has been developed with readabifity as a prime designissue. The following examples are given:1) aspecificationofthesyntaxofasmallbutdifflcultsubset of PL/I;2) a specification of the rules for translating lambda-culus expressions into, normal form.
The Jerry McHenry Rescue and the Growth of Northern Antislavery Sentiment during the 1850s

In his second annual message to the Congress on 2 December 1851, President Millard Fillmore defended his administration's enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law. Although “lawless and violent mobs” had resisted federal officers trying to enforce the statute, he happily noted that resistance was sporadic and ineffectual: I congratulate you and the country upon the general acquiescence in these measures of peace which has been exhibited in all parts of the Republic … [T]he spirit of reconciliation which has been manifested in regard to them [the 1850 compromise measures] in all parts of the country has removed doubts and uncertainties in the minds of thousands of good men concerning the duration of our popular institutions and given renewed assurance that our liberty and our Union may subsist together for the benefit of this and succceding generations. Fillmore also received support from both the Democrats and Whigs; at their national conventions in 1852 they pledged to honor the Compromise of 1850 and earnestly hoped that sectional differences would wane.
The Bordetella type III secretion system effector BteA contains a conserved N‐terminal motif that guides bacterial virulence factors to lipid rafts

The Bordetella type III secretion system (T3SS) effector protein BteA is necessary and sufficient for rapid cytotoxicity in a wide range of mammalian cells. We show that BteA is highly conserved and functionally interchangeable between Bordetella bronchiseptica, Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. The identification of BteA sequences required for cytotoxicity allowed the construction of non-cytotoxic mutants for localization studies. BteA derivatives were targeted to lipid rafts and showed clear colocalization with cortical actin, ezrin and the lipid raft marker GM1. We hypothesized that BteA associates with the cytoplasmic face of lipid rafts to locally modulate host cell responses to Bordetella attachment. B. bronchiseptica adhered to host cells almost exclusively to GM1-enriched lipid raft microdomains and BteA colocalized to these same sites following T3SS-mediated translocation. Disruption of lipid rafts with methyl-β-cyclodextrin protected cells from T3SS-induced cytotoxicity. Localization to lipid rafts was mediated by a 130-amino-acid lipid raft targeting domain at the N-terminus of BteA, and homologous domains were identified in virulence factors from other bacterial species. Lipid raft targeting sequences from a T3SS effector (Plu4750) and an RTX-type toxin (Plu3217) from Photorhabdus luminescens directed fusion proteins to lipid rafts in a manner identical to the N-terminus of BteA.
Matrix method for integrating-sphere calculations

A simple matrix technique is presented for modeling integrating-sphere performance. The method is applicable to any sphere configuration, including those with flat areas, specular samples, and baffles, and is especially effective when used in computer simulations of sphere irradiance. The formalism can accommodate the angular sensitivity of any detector or the bidirectional-reflectance distribution function of any sample. Examples of simple analytical solutions are presented, and computer simulation is demonstrated with calculations of the irradiance inhomogeneities caused by underfilling a flat sample. In particular, the simulation shows that, when the input beam does not completely fill a flat sample, the sample is surrounded by a band of reduced irradiance. Outside this dark band, the irradiance is increased slightly. The width of the dark band, but not its depth, increases as the beam size decreases relative to the sample size. The depth depends on sample size and reflectance. Outside the dark-band region, the irradiance shifts due to sample underfilling are much smaller than the easily avoidable, first-order errors caused by neglecting the flat-sample effects.
Disrupting the p53-mdm2 interaction as a potential therapeutic modality

Abstract P53 and mdm2 are linked to each other through a negative feedback loop. P53 transactivates mdm2, but mdm2, in turn, is a major opponent of p53. Mdm2 promotes p53 degradation through a ubiquitin-dependent pathway on 26S proteasomes and is thought to be largely responsible for the very low levels of p53 protein in unstressed cells. The rationale for targeting the p53-mdm2 interaction therapeutically lies in the ability to activate p53 in all those tumors that retain wild type p53.
Interactions of calcium with purified and intact cell acetylcholinesterase of Electrophorus electricus

The effects of lanthanum on the activity of purified preparations of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from the electric organ ofE. electricus and on the activity of AChE in intact electro-plaques from the same species were studied. 0.1mm LaCl3 produced an initial inhibition of purified AChE which was followed by a delayed activation of the enzyme. Upon pretreatment of purified enzyme with LaCl3, initial activity was markedly increased. LaCl3 exerted a marked, concentration-dependent inhibition of intact cell AChE.
Early Adoption of Climate Information: Lessons Learned from South Florida Water Resource Management

AbstractSeasonal climate forecasting skill has improved over the past decades, accompanied by expectations that these forecasts, along with other climate information, will be increasingly used by water managers in certain regions of the United States. Most research efforts focus on why adoption does not occur; however, the important question of why adoption does occur has received little attention. Barriers to the use of climate information by this sector frequently identified include risk aversion, institutional constraints, and low forecast reliability. Relatively fewer researchers have focused on the identification and analysis of cases of adoption of climate information in the water management sector. Relying upon the results from observations and semistructured interviews conducted between 2006 and 2010 in South Florida, this research identifies the characteristics that enabled the early adoption of climate information by the South Florida Water Management District, one of the largest water managemen...
Prevalence of potential proton-pump inhibitor drug interactions: A retrospective review of prescriptions in community pharmacies

Drug interactions are a major cause of drug-related problems. This study assessed the comparative frequency of potential drug-drug interactions in patients receiving either omeprazole or lansoprazole. We reviewed prescription data from 144 community pharmacies in 25 states for the period of October 12, 1996, through October 20, 1997, from which the rates at which patients received either proton-pump inhibitor concurrently with > or =1 potentially interacting drugs were determined. A total of 7306 patients received only omeprazole, and 2486 received only lansoprazole. In this sample, 722 patients (9.9%) who received omeprazole also received a potentially interacting medication at the same time, compared with 8 patients (0.3%) who received lansoprazole (P<0.001). These data suggest that clinicians should be conscientious when selecting or dispensing drugs for patients taking omeprazole, given the relatively high prevalence of potential drug interactions in clinical practice.
e-Health and e-medicine

The world of e-health and e-medicine offer hematologists and oncologists wonderful opportunities to enhance and expand their practices and to offer patients the opportunity to gain access to information and specialty care never before available. Legal and political challenges abound, however, concerning the practice and financing of e-health and e-medicine. Financing and reimbursement for e-medicine are limited, licensure laws are structured in a way that inhibits telemedicine's widespread growth, public protection efforts are sluggish and spotty at best, and there are tremendous areas of uncertainty about such issues as malpractice exposure, patients' rights, and proper practices concerning physician-patient e-mail. It is impossible to predict what health care delivery will look like even a decade from now (and some would argue it would be a fool's errand to attempt to do so) [56]; however, despite all of these obstacles, physicians should continue to explore innovative ways to integrate computer technology and the Internet into medical practice.
Geographic variability of monoterpenes from cortex of Abies concolor

Abstract Cortical oleoresin from 351 Abies concolor trees collected in 43 localities was analyzed for composition of its monoterpenoid fraction. The populations could be segregated into three geographic groups: (1) Northern and Central California (equivalent to var. Iowiana), producing camphene and 3-carene in trace to small amounts; (2) Southern California (the Cuyamaca race), producing camphene in trace to small and 3-carene in larger amounts; and (3) states to the east of California (equivalent to var. concolor) producing camphene and 3-carene in larger amounts. California populations from the southernmost Sierra Nevada and Northern Transversal Ranges were found to be chemically intermediate between var. Iowiana and var. concolor. Statistical analysis indicated the presence of additional second-order segregations in each of the four population groups, The results are explained on the basis of existing paleobotanical records.
Postmodernist Diversions in African American Thought

This article critically examines the postmodern Blackness phenomenon that seeks primacy in African American thought. Using an Afrocentric analytical approach centered on the axis of culture and history of African Americans, I argue that the postmodern Blackness phenomenon is an unfortunate and precarious turn away from relevance. In its disapproving attitude and stance on cultural identity and consciousness, the quintessential issues in political belonging and politics, postmodern Blackness behaves as an impediment in the African American quest for freedom. Among the political hazards wrought by postmodern Blackness are (a) incessant disunity among African descended peoples and (b) dependency on political actors external to the African American community who are well organized and purposeful in pursuit of their own interests. This analysis also explains that at its core, postmodernism is yet another way of expressing the individualistic ethos of the European worldview.
Role of Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose Apoptosis of retinal capillary cells is an early event in the pathogenesis of retinopathy in diabetes, and oxidative stress has been linked to accelerated apoptosis of retinal capillary cells. Mitochondria are the major endogenous source of superoxide, and superoxide is considered to be a causal link between elevated glucose and the major biochemical pathways postulated to be involved in the development of vascular complications in diabetes. The purpose of the present study is to determine the role of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Methods The effect of overexpression of MnSOD on glucose-induced endothelial cell oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, and apoptosis was determined by using bovine retinal endothelial cells. Furthermore, the effect of diabetes in rats (11 months' duration) on the activity and the mRNA expression of retinal MnSOD were also determined. Results MnSOD activity in the nontransfected control retinal endothelial cells was 20% compared with the total SOD activity and was increased to 60% in the MnSOD-transfected cells. MnSOD overexpression prevented a glucose-induced increase in oxidative stress (8-hydroxy guanosine levels), nitrosative stress (nitrotyrosine formation), and apoptosis of retinal endothelial cells. MnSOD enzyme activity and its mRNA were decreased significantly in the retina obtained from the diabetic rats, and these abnormalities were prevented by long-term lipoic acid therapy. Conclusions The results of this study suggest a protective role for MnSOD in retinal capillary cell death and, ultimately, in the pathogenesis of retinopathy in diabetes. Understanding the role of MnSOD to modify the course of retinopathy could elucidate important molecular targets for future pharmacological interventions.
Dihydrogen as a Reactant in the Photochemistry of Bimetallic Cyclopentadienyl Carbonyl Compounds

Dihydrogen has been found to react photochemically with bimetallic compounds of the form [(η5-C5H5)M(CO)n]2, where M = Mo or W, n = 3, M = Fe or Ru, n = 2, to give the corresponding metal hydrides, (η5-C5H5)M(CO)nH. Hydride formation is only significant when the photolysis wavelengths are in the high-energy regions known to trigger CO loss from these compounds, and hydride formation is suppressed by added CO, making it likely that the reaction involves oxidative addition of H2 to an electron-deficient, CO-loss intermediate.
Deep-water coral structure on the Campbell Plateau, New Zealand

Abstract A deep-water coral structure defined by bathymetry and samplings of fauma, is recorded from the Campbell Plateau, east of Auckland Island, from a depth of 320 m. This is the first known occurrence of deep-water coral architecture in the Pacific Ocean. Several other possible coral structures from the southern side of the Chatham Rise, New Zealand, are also briefly described.
Physical origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of the 1 S yellow exciton luminescence intensity in Cu 2 O

A simple model is presented to explain the minimum in the integrated intensity of the phonon-assisted $1S$ yellow exciton luminescence in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$O as a function of temperature. It is shown that this behavior is due to a minimum in the temperature-dependent exciton population lifetime. This model also predicts the temperature dependence of the time-resolved luminescence spectrum in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$O.
Photodissociation dynamics of polyatomic molecules

This report consists of five studies as follows: A laser photofragmentation time-of-flight mass spectrometric study of acetophenone at 193 and 248 nm; A 193 nm laser photofragmentation time-of-flight mass spectrometric study of dimethylsulfoxide; 193 nm laser photofragmentation time-of-flight mass spectrometric study of HSCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}SH; Thiophene biradical decay of the primary laser photofragmentation product at 193 nm; and Scattering cross sections for O({sup 3}P)[SO(X,{sup 3}{Sigma}{sup {minus}})] + He[Ne, Ar, Kr]. Chapters are included for the introduction and general conclusions.
Hans and Me: Transformation of Revulsion in the Countertransference Within an Analytic Therapy

This is a case of a four-year psychoanalytic treatment of a 65-year-old gay man. The patient sought treatment due to persistent, severe symptoms of bereavement following the death, five years previously, of his lifelong partner. After a one-year period of impasse in the therapy, the analyst and patient formed a therapeutic connection through exploration of their shared sexual subjectivities and the patient's gifts to the analyst. The patient regained vitality and the analyst found himself changed.
Nonkeplerian dust dynamics at Saturn

We calculate the spatial location of possible stable nonequatorial halo dust grain orbits about Saturn, with surface potential determined by local photoionization and magnetospheric charging currents. Stability loci are calculated for both dielectric and conducting grains, in prograde and retrograde orbits, with the sign of the charge determined by the plasma environment. The results show that very small (<100 nm) grains in positive retrograde orbits are most likely to be found by the Cassini orbiter, while negatively charged grains are dynamically excluded.
A survey of levels of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages in 2009–2012, Hebei Province, China

Results of a survey of levels of ethyl carbamate (EC) (urethane) in alcoholic beverages carried out in four successive years from 2009 to 2012 by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are presented. The beverages were purchased for sampling from Hebei Province of China, including eight main areas of production. The samples comprised wines (n = 212), grain spirits (n = 143) and wine sauces (n = 164). The data show that the average EC content in these kinds of alcoholic beverages remains nearly constant over the years. The results provide valuable data for food authorities to establish maximum limits for EC in China.
A Multimicroprocessor System for Fault Tolerant Control of an Articulated Mechanism

A multiprocessor system consisting of three processors built for reliable control of an electrically powered leg (the OSU Monopod) is described. All computations are done in a redundant fashion by two processors. Results are then compared by a different pair of processors, and all three processors participate in the identification of the faulty processor in case of a disagreement of the two sets of results. The system is reconfigured when one of the computers fails. Comparison and fault diagnosis are done by software.
The development of a new, neutron, time correlated, interrogation method for measurement of 235U content in LWR fuel assemblies

Abstract This paper presents the first application of a new technique for the measurement of the 235 U content in fresh fuel assemblies. The technique, called time correlated induced fission (TCIF), uses a 252 Cf neutron source to irradiate the fuel assembly, and the subsequent induced fission events in the fissile material are measured by multiplicity counting. The doubles and triples rates are enhanced by having the trigger events from both the 252 Cf source and the induced fission neutrons in the same time gate in the coincidence analysis. The average neutrons per fission ( ν ) of the 252 Cf source is 3.76 and the induced fission ν for 235 U is 2.44, so the combined ν is ∼5.2 with one neutron removed by the fission reaction. This high effective ν significantly increases the multiplicity counting rates and reduces the statistical error. The background coincidence counts from the 252 Cf have been minimized by neutron shielding between the source and the detector. This method of active neutron interrogation has been applied to the measurement of fresh pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel assemblies. The neutron uranium collar (UNCL) that is routinely used for 235 U verification in PWR reactor fuel assemblies is used to compare the TCIF method with the typically used AmLi neutron interrogation source. This paper presents both the experimental verification of the TCIF method for a PWR mockup assembly and the MCMPX simulations to optimize the detector geometry.
Relation of Existential and Religious Variables to the Death Depression Scale-Revised

This study examined the relationship of existential variables as measured by the Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R), religious variables, and demographic variables to the Death Depression Scale-Revised (DDS-R). Participants were 500 English-speaking adults from undergraduate and graduate college classes, various work settings, church groups, and community organizations. The DDS-R total score, and at least one of the DDS-R factor scores, were significantly related to all eight of the LAP-R subscales and all but one of the five religious variables examined. Of particular significance are the LAP-R Purpose scale, LAP-R Death Acceptance scale, LAP-R Existential Vacuum scale, and the “strength of certainty regarding life after death” item. Among the demographic variables, being older, having more education, and living with a significant other were associated with lower DDS-R scores. Asian ethnicity and Catholic religion stood out as related to higher DDS-R scores.
Gravitational stresses in accreted bodies

The conventional treatment of body forces in continuum mechanics implies that these forces are applied to a structure having the dimensions of the final body. This treatment is quite satisfactory when the body forces arise from the presence of an acceleration field or of an electromagnetic field. It fails, however, when we turn to the determination of the state of stress in a body which grows to its final shape by the gradual accretion of layers of material. Then the weight of each new layer loads and deforms the earlier material before hardening and becoming a part of the final structure. Successive layers are applied not to an unstressed but to a partially complete structure which is in a state of initial stress and deformation. The final gravitational stresses in such an accreted body depend upon an historical element; that is, on the order and manner in which the final shape is attained. When the final state is achieved there is, in general, a non-vanishing dislocation tensor. An appropriate method of computing the final gravitational stresses due to own weight is indicated for the case in which the stresses and deformations are small enough to permit the use of the constitutive and geometric equations of the linear theory of elasticity. The method is illustrated for the case of a gravitating sphere that has grown to its final size by accretion of material.
Non‐linear effects of TMS capping on dimethyloctyl HPLC stationary phases

Co-bonding ligands on the same support to produce “blended” HPLC stationary phases is most commonly carried out in the form of capped reversed-phase materials. Non-additive retention properties were observed over a range of trimethylsilane/dimethyloctylsilane ratios. In addition, the increase in retention per mole of bonded trimethylsilane was greatest at the highest dimethyloctylsilane coverages.
Proteins from PHB granules

Over the years a number of techniques that rely on the fusion of a gene to a sequence encoding a polypeptide that can be readily purified by affinity chromatography have been devised to facilitate the protein purification both at the analytical and at the industrial scale (Nilsson et al. 1997; Hearn and Acosta 2001; Jonasson et al. 2002). While these techniques had greatly expedited the production of cloned products, they are not without drawbacks. First, affinity chromatography matrices are quite costly, an issue that becomes particularly significant in large-scale applications (Hearn and Acosta 2001; Przybycien et al. 2004). Second, the fusion protein has to be proteolytically cleaved and the affinity tag must be separated from the desired polypeptide.
The Relationship between Characteristics of the Victim, Persuasive Techniques of the Batterer, and Returning to a Battering Relationship

Abstract In two studies, we examined factors involved in the returning of American women to a battering relationship. In Study 1, several self-reported characteristics of 117 women in a shelter for battered women were found to predict intentions to return to the batterer or number of subsequent admissions to the shelter. In Study 2, 24 battered women identified on questionnaires several techniques commonly used by their batterers to persuade them to stay with or return to them.
Minds and Bodies: Human and Divine

Does God have a mind? Western theism has traditionally construed God as an intentional agent who acts on creation and in relation to humankind. God loves, punishes, and redeems. God's intentionality has traditionally been construed in analogy to human intentionality, which in turn has often presumed a supernatural dualism. Developments in cognitive science, however, render supernatural dualism suspect for explaining the human mind. How, then, can we speak of the mind of God? Borrowing from Daniel Dennett's intentional stance, I suggest that analogical reasoning regarding the mind of God be abandoned in favor of an ontologically agnostic approach that treats God as an intentional system. In this approach, God's purposive action is an explanatory feature of the believer's universe, a real pattern that informs our values and beliefs about the world and our place in it.
Age Differences in the Neural Representation of Working Memory Revealed by Multi-Voxel Pattern Analysis

Working memory function declines across the lifespan. Computational models of aging attribute such memory impairments to reduced distinctiveness between neural representations of different mental states in old age, a phenomenon termed dedifferentiation. These models predict that neural distinctiveness should be reduced uniformly across experimental conditions in older adults. In contrast, the Compensation-Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis (CRUNCH) model predicts that the distinctiveness of neural representations should be increased in older adults (relative to young adults) at low levels of task demand but reduced at high levels of demand. The present study used multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to measure the effects of age and task demands on the distinctiveness of the neural representations of verbal and visuospatial working memory. Neural distinctiveness was estimated separately for memory encoding, maintenance, and retrieval, and for low, medium, and high memory loads. Results from sensory cortex during encoding and retrieval were consistent with the dedifferentiation hypothesis: distinctiveness of visual cortical representations during these phases was uniformly reduced in older adults, irrespective of memory load. However, maintenance-related responses in prefrontal and parietal regions yielded a strikingly different pattern of results. At low loads, older adults showed higher distinctiveness than younger adults; at high loads, this pattern reversed, such that distinctiveness was higher in young adults. This interaction between age group and memory load is at odds with the dedifferentiation hypothesis but consistent with CRUNCH. In sum, our results provide partial support for both dedifferentiation- and compensation-based models; we argue that comprehensive theories of cognitive aging must incorporate aspects of both models to fully explain complex patterns of age-related neuro-cognitive change.
Gamma irradiation of Type B spermatogonia leads to heritable genomic instability in four generations of mice.

Mice conceived 6 weeks after paternal exposure to ionizing radiation were fathered by sperm that were Type B spermatogonia at the time of irradiation. Previous studies of these offspring showed that this paternal F0 germ cell irradiation led to decreased embryonic cell proliferation rates, altered enzyme activities, protein levels and whole-body weights. In the present study, we examined four generations of CD1 mice following paternal F0 irradiation of the Type B spermatogonia (1.0 Gy, 137 Cs g rays) to determine the stability of the heritable effects. Offspring were evaluated for changes in protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase enzyme activities and Trp53 and p21 waf1 protein levels. Two or more endpoints were significantly altered in all four generations of offspring from the irradiated F0 sire (P 0.05). To test the hypothesis that these heritable biochemical effects are random stochastic responses rather than some predictable uniform response, each endpoint was also evaluated in terms of a variability index (VI). Results of VI analyses show that the observed heritable phenotype is unpredictable in magnitude and direction of change for an endpoint between generations and within generations. These results indicate that irradiated spermatogonia develop a capacity to transmit a type of heritable genomic instability to four generations of offspring.
Human evolution and the mitochondrial genome

The use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) continues to dominate studies of human genetic variation and evolution. Recent work has re-affirmed the strict maternal inheritance of mtDNA, yielded new insights into the extent and nature of intra-individual variation, supported a recent African origin of human mtDNA, and amply demonstrated the utility of mtDNA in tracing population history and in analyses of ancient remains.
The Influence of Coastal Nutrients on Phytoplankton Productivity in a Shallow Low Inflow Estuary, Drakes Estero, California (USA)

Seasonal wind-driven upwelling along the U.S. West Coast supplies large concentrations of nitrogen to surface waters that drives high primary production. However, the influence of coastal upwelled nutrients on phytoplankton productivity in adjacent small estuaries and bays is poorly understood. This study was conducted in Drakes Estero, California, a low inflow estuary located in the Point Reyes National Seashore and the site of an oyster mariculture facility that produces 40 % of the oysters harvested in California. Measurements of nutrients, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton functional groups, and phytoplankton carbon and nitrogen uptake were made between May 2010 and June 2011. A sea-to-land gradient in nutrient concentrations was observed with elevated nitrate at the coast and higher ammonium at the landward region. Larger phytoplankton cells (>5 μm diameter) were dominant within the outer and middle Estero where phytoplankton primary productivity was fueled by nitrate and f-ratios were >0.5; the greatest primary production rates were in the middle Estero. Primary production was lowest within the inner Estero, where smaller phytoplankton cells ( 2 μm) were dominant at the inner Estero where no blooms occurred. These results indicate that coastal nitrate and phytoplankton are imported into Drakes Estero and lead to periods of high new production that can support the oyster mariculture; a likely scenario also for other small estuaries and bays.
Maze exploration behaviors using an integrated evolutionary robotics environment

This paper presents results generated with a new evolutionary robotics (ER) simulation environment and its complementary real mobile robot colony research test-bed. Neural controllers producing mobile robot maze searching and exploration behaviors using binary tactile sensors as inputs were evolved in a simulated environment and subsequently transferred to and tested on real robots in a physical environment. There has been a considerable amount of proof-of-concept and demonstration research done in the field of ER control in recent years, most of which has focused on elementary behaviors such as object avoidance and homing. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are the most commonly used evolvable controller paradigm found in current ER literature. Much of the research reported to date has been restricted to the implementation of very simple behaviors using small ANN controllers. In order to move beyond the proof-of-concept stage our ER research was designed to train larger more complicated ANN controllers, and to implement those controllers on real robots quickly and efficiently. To achieve this a physical robot test-bed that includes a colony of eight real robots with advanced computing and communication abilities was designed and built. The real robot platform has been coupled to a simulation environment that facilitates the direct wireless transfer of evolved neural controllers from simulation to real robots (and vice versa). We believe that it is the simultaneous development of ER computing systems in both the simulated and the physical worlds that will produce advances in mobile robot colony research. Our simulation and training environment development focuses on the definition and training of our new class of ANNs, networks that include multiple hidden layers, and time-delayed and recurrent connections. Our physical mobile robot design focuses on maximizing computing and communications power while minimizing robot size, weight, and energy usage. The simulation and ANN-evolution environment was developed using MATLAB. To allow for efficient control software portability our physical evolutionary robots (EvBots) are equipped with a PC-104-based computer running a custom distribution of Linux and connected to the Internet via a wireless network connection. In addition to other high-level computing applications, the mobile robots run a condensed version of MATLAB, enabling ANN controllers evolved in simulation to be transferred directly onto physical robots without any alteration to the code. This is the first paper in a series to be published cataloging our results in this field. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Sustained-Release Corticosteroid Options

Sustained-release corticosteroid treatment has shown to be a promising strategy for macular edema due to retinovascular disease (i.e., diabetes and retinal vein occlusion) and for the treatment of noninfectious posterior uveitis. Clinicians now have the option of three sustained-release corticosteroid implants: Ozurdex (Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA) which releases dexamethasone and two devices that release fluocinolone acetonide, Retisert (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY), and Iluvien (Alimera Science, Alpharetta, GA). Each has different physical characteristics and duration effect and has been approved for different indications. Herein we provide a summary of the current clinical knowledge regarding these implants.
Cigarette Smoke Condensate Induces Differential Expression and Promoter Methylation Profiles of Critical Genes Involved in Lung Cancer in NL-20 Lung Cells in Vitro: Short-Term and Chronic Exposure

Establishing early diagnostic markers of harm is critical for effective prevention programs and regulation of tobacco products. This study examined effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on expression and promoter methylation profile of critical genes (DAPK, ECAD, MGMT, and RASSF1A) involved in lung cancer development in different human lung cell lines. NL-20 cells were treated with 0.1-100 μg/ml of CSC for 24 to 72 hrs for short-term exposures. DAPK expression or methylation status was not significantly affected. However, CSC treatment resulted in changes in expression and promoter methylation profile of ECAD, MGMT, and RASSF1A. For chronic studies, cells were exposed to 1 or 10 μg/ml CSC up to 28 days. Cells showed morphological changes associated with transformation and changes in invasion capacities and global methylation status. This study provides critical data suggesting that epigenetic changes could serve as an early biomarker of harm due to exposure to cigarette smoke.
Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotube Arrays for High‐Efficiency Electrochemical Reduction of CO2: On the Understanding of Defects, Defect Density, and Selectivity

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) have been considered as a promising electrocatalyst for carbon-dioxide-reduction reactions, but two fundamental chemistry questions remain obscure: 1) What are the active centers with respect to various defect species and 2) what is the role of defect density on the selectivity of NCNTs? The aim of this work is to address these questions. The catalytic activity of NCNTs depends on the structural nature of nitrogen in CNTs and defect density. Comparing with pristine CNTs, the presence of graphitic and pyridinic nitrogen significantly decreases the overpotential (ca. −0.18 V) and increases the selectivity (ca. 80 %) towards the formation of CO. The experimental results are in congruent with DFT calculations, which show that pyridinic defects retain a lone pair of electrons that are capable of binding CO2. However, for graphitic-like nitrogen, electrons are located in the π* antibonding orbital, making them less accessible for CO2 binding.
Determination of Mass Diffusivity of Simple Sugars in Water by the Rotating Disk Method

The rotating disk method is shown to be an accurate method for determining the mass diffusivity of solid food components in liquid solutions. The diffusivities of sucrose and glucose in water were determined to be 0.50 and 0.66 (m2/sec × 109) at 25°C with activation energies of 36.3 and 31.6 kJ/g-mol, respectively.