cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-1α and tumour necrosis factor inhibit rat gastric fundus motility in vitro

Abstract In this study, the effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukins 1α and 6 (IL-1α and IL-6) on rat gastric fundus motility were investigated in vitro. IL-1α and TNF induced rapid dose-dependent inhibition of stomach motility, with maximal relaxation equal to that induced by 100 μM papaverin, and respective EC 50 s of 20 and 450 pg/ml. IL-6 had no effect on gastric motility up to a 3 ng/ml concentration.
Fractional dynamics pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamic models

While an increasing number of fractional order integrals and differential equations applications have been reported in the physics, signal processing, engineering and bioengineering literatures, little attention has been paid to this class of models in the pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) literature. One of the reasons is computational: while the analytical solution of fractional differential equations is available in special cases, it this turns out that even the simplest PKPD models that can be constructed using fractional calculus do not allow an analytical solution. In this paper, we first introduce new families of PKPD models incorporating fractional order integrals and differential equations, and, second, exemplify and investigate their qualitative behavior. The families represent extensions of frequently used PK link and PD direct and indirect action models, using the tools of fractional calculus. In addition the PD models can be a function of a variable, the active drug, which can smoothly transition from concentration to exposure, to hyper-exposure, according to a fractional integral transformation. To investigate the behavior of the models we propose, we implement numerical algorithms for fractional integration and for the numerical solution of a system of fractional differential equations. For simplicity, in our investigation we concentrate on the pharmacodynamic side of the models, assuming standard (integer order) pharmacokinetics.
Current Technology for the Derivation of Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines from Human Embryos

Technology for the derivation, propagation, and characterization of pluripotent stem cell lines from the human embryo has undergone considerable refinement and improvement since the first published description of human embryonic stem cells in 1998. In particular, there has been extensive effort to optimize protocols and develop defined culture systems with a view toward future clinical applications of embryonic stem cell-derived products. Here, we review the current status of methodology for human embryonic stem cell derivation and culture, and we highlight the challenges that remain for workers in the field.
Exercise and tissue ascorbic acid content in guinea pigs

Abstract The effects of treadmill exercise (20 m/min, five days/wk, one hr/day) on growth and tissue ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations were investigated in 40 young, male guinea pigs. Animals were fed ad libitium an AA-free diet which was supplemented with AA. AA was administered daily via gavage feeding. Animals were divided into two groups, exercise (E) and sedentary (S). Food consumption and body weight were recorded. After eight weeks, animals were sacrificed and blood taken via heart puncture. Liver, spleen, adrenals and kidneys were removed, weighed and frozen. Plasma and organ tissues were analyzed for AA. Results indicated that exercise had no significant effect on growth. Growth was within normal range. Exercised animals had significantly (p
Regiochemistry in the Hydroalumination of Alkoxypropargylic Alcohols

The regiochemistry resulting from the hydroalumination and hydrostannylation of alkoxypropargylic alcohol 1 is reported.
First-principles simulation of liquid silicon using Langevin dynamics with quantum interatomic forces.

We present a method capable of performing molecular-dynamics simulations on complex systems using ab initio pseudopotentials. Here, we apply this method to examine the properties of liquid silicon. Our simulation method does not use fictitious electron dynamics; at each time step the interatomic forces are computed quantum mechanically. The liquid is prepared by melting the crystal and thermalizing the resulting liquid via Langevin dynamics. Once the desired temperature has been achieved, the Langevin ``viscosity'' term is turned off and dynamical properties may be examined. Our procedure has a number of advantages over other techniques. For example, large time steps can be used with this method. Metallic systems such as liquid silicon can be handled in a straightforward fashion. No ad hoc dynamics or Nos\'e dynamics need be employed to equilibrate the system to the desired temperature. Results for liquid silicon including the pair correlation function, density of states, and self-diffusion parameters are presented and compared to previous calculations and to experiment.
Using belief propagation to counter correlated reports in cooperative spectrum sensing

Consider spectrum sensing systems where the presence of the primary user of the spectrum is detected by secondary users (SUs) in a centralized cooperative fashion. The sensing results can be correlated due to environmental reasons. SUs may or may not be honest. If dishonest, they could be colluding. Existing methods to fuse the SU reports either ignore the correlation in the SU reports, or they need to know the source of correlation. In this paper, we propose a belief propagation based fusion algorithm to exploit the correlations in reports of groups of SUs irrespective of cause. We show that identifying the groups of SUs having correlated reports reduces the probability of error of spectrum sensing. Our method is based on modeling the probability distribution underlying the SU reports as a Bayesian network. The process of learning the Bayesian network also shows that it is theoretically impossible to identify collusion.
Heterotopic and homotopic callosal connections in rat visual cortex

Abstract Heterotopic and homotopic callosal projections of rat visual cortex are evaluated. Callosal termination zones in visual cortex are identified with a degeneration technique following complete section of the corpus callosum. The zones which receive callosal afferents are the lateral one-third of area 17, an anteroposterior strip in dorsal and in ventral areas 18a, and 4 patches in area 18b. Following a large injection of lectin-bound horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into visual cortex, many retrogradely labeled neurons are found in the medial two-thirds of area 17 which does not receive callosal afferents, as well as in the lateral, callosal-recipient zone. These data suggest that hetereotopic callosal pathways exist in visual cortex. Injections of tritiated amino acids into restricted parts of visual cortex show the following heterotopic connections: lateral area 17 projects to dorsal area 18a; medial area 17 projects to lateral area 17 and dorsal area 18a; area 18a projects to lateral area 17 and anteromedial area 18b; area 18b projects to lateral area 17, dorsal area 18a, heterotopic sites in area 18b, and to area 29d. Heterotopic connections are generally less dense than homotopic ones. In addition, heterotopic projections terminate in the supragranular layers. This contrasts with the homotopic afferents of areas 17 and 18a which have additional strong projections to layer V. The distribution of label through the depth of the cortex in some of the callosal recipient zones has been quantified. Injections of WGA-HRP restricted to areas 17, 18a or 18b corroborate the presence of each of the heterotopic connections described above. Heterotopic afferents originate mostly from layer V neurons, whereas homotopic afferents arise from neurons primarily in layers II-V. Like the afferents, the numbers of callosal projection cells in heterotopic regions are substantially less than that in homotopic sites. Heterotopic callosal connections may be one factor responsible for binocular vision and also may provide the basis for large, non-oriented receptive fields of units in layer V of rodent visual cortex.
Dynamic Heterogeneity in a Glass Forming Fluid: Susceptibility, Structure Factor, and Correlation Length

We investigate the growth of dynamic heterogeneity in a glassy hard-sphere mixture for volume fractions up to and including the mode-coupling transition. We use an 80,000 particle system to test a new procedure to evaluate a dynamic correlation length ξ(t): we determine the ensemble independent dynamic susceptibility χ(4)(t) and use it to facilitate evaluation of ξ(t) from the small wave vector behavior of the four-point structure factor. We analyze relations between the α relaxation time τ(α), χ(4)(τ(α)), and ξ(τ(α)). We find that mode-coupling-like power laws provide a reasonable description of the data over a restricted range of volume fractions, but the power laws' exponents differ from those predicted by the inhomogeneous mode-coupling theory. We find ξ(τ(α))~ln(τ(α)) over the full range of volume fractions studied, which is consistent with an Adam-Gibbs-type relation.
Spectroscopic Analysis of Two Carbon-rich Post-Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars

The chemical compositions of the C-rich post-asymptotic giant branch (pAGB) stars IRAS 05113+1347 and IRAS 22272+5424 are determined from high-resolution optical spectra using standard LTE model atmosphere-based techniques. The stars are C, N, and s-process enriched, suggesting efficient operation of the third dredge-up in the AGB star following a first dredge-up that increased the N abundance. Lithium is present with an abundance requiring Li manufacture. With this pair, abundance analyses are now available for 11 C-rich pAGBs. A common history is indicated and, in particular, the s-abundances, especially the relative abundances of light to heavy s-process elements, follow recent predictions for the third dredge-up in AGB stars.
DNA synthesis in purified maize mitochondria.

We have developed an in organelle DNA synthesis system using isolated mitochondria from maize. The organelles used in this assay are shown to be intact by a number of criteria. Both the high molecular weight components and the smaller plasmid-like components of the mitochondrial genome are used as templates; however, the plasmid-like elements are relatively more active as templates. The termini of the linear plasmids — S-1, S-2 and the 2.3 kbp plasmids — are more highly labelled than internal regions, probably as a result of filling in of gaps at the termini mediated by a DNA polymerase or to exonuclease degradation of the 3′ OH termini, with subsequent filling in. Although most of the DNA synthesis observed in this system most likely results from this type of synthesis at DNA nicks or termini, a small amount of specific, potentially replication-associated, synthesis is also detected.
IGF-1 and pAKT signaling promote hippocampal CA1 neuronal survival following injury to dentate granule cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protects neurons from apoptosis and in vivo offers neuroprotective support to hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons following ischemia or seizure. IGF-1 signals through IGF-1 receptors activating phosphytidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt or pMAPK pathways. IGF-1 can be induced with injury and microglia and astrocytes may serve as a source of this neurotrophic factor to promote neuronal survival. An acute systemic injection of trimethyltin (TMT; 2 mg/kg, ip) to mice induces apoptosis of dentate granule neurons within 24 h and a differential response of microglia with ramified microglia present in the CA-1 region. Using this model, we studied the role of IGF-1 in the survival of CA-1 pyramidal neurons under conditions of altered synaptic input due to changes in the dentate gyrus. Within 24 h of injection, IGF-1 mRNA levels were elevated in the hippocampus and IGF-1 protein detected in both astrocytes and microglia. IGF-1 was redistributed within the CA-1 neurons corresponding with an increase in cytoplasmic pAkt, elevated PKBα/Akt protein levels, and a decrease in the antagonist, Rho. pMAPK was not detected in CA-1 neurons and ERK2 showed a transient decrease followed by a significant increase, suggesting a lack of recruitment of the pMAPK signaling pathway for neuronal survival. In mice deficient for IGF-1, a similar level of apoptosis was observed in dentate granule neurons as compared to wildtype; however, TMT induced a significant level CA-1 neuronal death, further supporting a role for IGF-1 in the survival of CA-1 neurons.
Solvent modulation: An accurately modeled method for controlling solute retention in liquid chromatography

La modulation consiste a faire varier la composition de la solution A (methanol/eau) et celle de la solution B (acetonitrile/eau). Les capacites de facteur theoriques et experimentaux sont compares pour les composes suivants: pyrene, anthracene, naphtalene, toluene, diphenylamine, nitrobenzene et phenol
RNases J1 and J2 are critical pleiotropic regulators in Streptococcus mutans

In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that post-transcriptional control mechanisms are the principal source of gene regulation for a large number of prokaryotic genetic pathways, particularly those involved in virulence and environmental adaptation. Post-transcriptional regulation is largely governed by RNA stability, which itself is determined by target accessibility to RNase degradation. In most Firmicutes species, mRNA stability is strongly impacted by the activity of two recently discovered RNases referred to as RNase J1 and RNase J2. Little is known about RNase J1 function in bacteria and even less is known about RNase J2. In the current study, we mutated both RNase J orthologues in Streptococcus mutans to determine their functional roles in the cell. Single and double RNase J mutants were viable, but grew very slowly on agar plates. All of the mutants shared substantial defects in growth, morphology, acid tolerance, natural competence and biofilm formation. However, most of these defects were more severe in the RNase J2 mutant. Phenotypic suppression results also implicate a role for RNase J2 as a regulator of RNase J1 function. Unlike Bacillus subtilis, RNase J2 is a major pleiotropic regulator in S. mutans, which indicates some fundamental differences from B. subtilis in global gene regulation. Key conserved residues among the RNase J2 orthologues of lactic acid bacteria may hint at a greater role for RNase J2 in these species.
Efficient summarization framework for multi-attribute uncertain data

This paper studies the problem of automatically selecting a small subset of representatives from a set of objects, where objects: (a) are multi-attributed with each attribute corresponding to different aspects of the object and (b) are associated with uncertainty -- the problem that has received little attention in the past. Such object set leads to new challenges in modeling information contained in data, defining appropriate criteria for selecting objects, and in devising efficient algorithms for such a selection. We propose a framework that models objects as a set of the corresponding information units and reduces the ummarization problem to that of optimizing probabilistic coverage. To solve the resulting NP-hard problem, we develop a highly efficient greedy algorithm, which gains its efficiency by leveraging object-level and iteration-level optimization. A comprehensive empirical evaluation over three real datasets demonstrates that the proposed framework significantly outperforms baseline techniques in terms of quality and also scales very well against the size of dataset.
Temperature and amiloride alter taste nerve responses to Na+, K+, and NH4+ salts in rats

Abstract The effects of adaptation/stimulus temperature (25°C vs. 35°C) on taste nerve responses to salt stimulation and amiloride suppression were assessed in rats. We measured the integrated responses of the chorda tympani nerve to 500 mM concentrations of NaCl, Na2SO4, sodium acetate (NaAc), KCl, K2SO4, potassium acetate (KAc), NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4, and ammonium acetate (NH4Ac) mixed with or without 100 µM amiloride hydrochloride at 25°C and 35°C. Taste nerve responses to all Na+ and NH+4 salts, but not K+ salts, were significantly smaller at 25°C than at 35°C. Amiloride significantly suppressed taste nerve responses to all salts (Na+ salts >K+ salts > NH4+ salts); amiloride suppression of Na+ and NH+4 salts was significantly greater at 25°C than at 35°C. Benzamil-HCl, a more potent Na+ channel blocker compared to amiloride, strongly suppressed taste nerve responses to NaCl and KCl, but not to NH4Cl. Amiloride and benzamil suppression of NaCl responses were similar; however, amiloride suppressed KCl responses more than did benzamil. The results suggest that: (1) amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels are involved to varying degrees in the transduction of sodium and potassium salt taste, and (2) amiloride may inhibit membrane proteins other than passive Na+ channels during stimulation with potassium and ammonium salts.
Adult ESOL Students and Service‐Learning: Voices, Experiences, and Perspectives

This multiple-case study examined the unique perspectives ofsix adult English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)students who participated as the givers of a service in a semes-ter-long service learning community college ESOL course. Theirages ranged from 19 to 45 and they hailed from ﬁve differentcountries (Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, Venezuela, andVietnam). This study focused on the students’ perspectivesregarding their oral communication skills, and speciﬁc exampleshave been drawn from sources such as student journals, reﬂec-tion papers, projects, semistructured interviews, and personalobservations. The beneﬁts identiﬁed by the participants includebecoming more active learners, developing an appreciationof learning in an authentic atmosphere, and gaining self-conﬁdence. Challenges overcome include language barriers andfeelings of fear and incompetence.doi: 10.1002/tesj.89
Observations on the evolution of satellite launch volume and cyclicality in the space industry

Abstract Satellites have been rightly described as the lifeblood of the entire space industry and the number of satellites ordered or launched per year is an important defining metric of the industry's level of activity, such that trends and variability in this volume have significant strategic impact on the space industry. Over the past 40+ years, hundreds of satellites have been launched every year. Thus an important dataset is available for time series analysis and identification of trends and cycles in the various markets of the space industry. This article reports findings of a study for which we collected data on over 6000 satellites launched since 1960 on a yearly basis. We grouped the satellites into three broad categories – defense and intelligence, science, and commercial satellites – and identified and discussed the main trends and cyclical patterns for each of these. Institutional customers (defense and intelligence, and science) accounted for over two-thirds of all satellites launched within our time period (1960–2008), and, in the 1960s and 1970s, they accounted for 90% and 73.5%, respectively. A fair conclusion from this data is that the space industry was enabled by, and grew because of the institutional customers, not commercial market forces. However, when the launch data is examined more closely, a growing influence of the commercial sector is noticeable. Over the past two decades communication satellites accounted for roughly half of all launches, thus reflecting an important shift in the space industry in which the commercial sector is playing an equal role (on a launch volume basis) to that of the institutional market. Cyclical patterns in the satellite launch volume over the past decade are separately discussed before we sum up with a conclusion.
Human primary ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) subtype-specific pathology is preserved in a mouse intraductal (MIND) xenograft model

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-obligate precursor of invasive breast cancer. The current recognition that DCIS lesions exhibit inter- and intra-lesion diversity suggests that the process of evolution to invasive breast cancer is more complex than previously recognized. Here we demonstrate the reproducible growth of primary DCIS cells derived from patient's surgical and biopsy samples by the mouse intraductal (MIND) model. MIND involves injection of cells into the NOD-SCID IL2Rgamma$^{{\rm{null}}}$ (NSG) mouse mammary ducts. Twelve (eight unique and four repeats) DCIS and two atypical hyperplasia specimens, heterogeneous with respect to biomarker expression and histology, were injected into 48 mouse mammary glands and analysed for successful xenotransplantation. Overall, 14/34 and 11/14 MIND xenotransplanted glands contained human DCIS and atypical hyperplastic cells, respectively, after 8 weeks, which formed single and multi-layered epithelium inside the ducts, and were heterogeneous with respect to expression of human cytokeratins, oestrogen receptor α (ER), and HER2. ER protein expression was recapitulated in MIND xenografts at ratios similar to the corresponding patient biopsies. In both patient biopsies and corresponding MIND xenografts, HER2 protein expression and nuclear HER2 gene overexpression were restricted to the DCIS lesions and were not found in the surrounding stroma or normal ducts. The xenografted DCIS lesions recapitulate the pathology and heterogeneity of human disease, thus providing a powerful tool for the characterization of the distinct cellular and molecular basis of inter- and intra-tumoural heterogeneity and the processes of DCIS to early invasive breast cancer progression.
Solvation of the Proton in Humic Acids

Tuck and Diamond1 have described the primary solvation of the proton in the solvent extraction of strong acids by basic organic solvents from dilute acids. Their work gives evidence that the hydronium ion, H3O+, is a trihydrated hydronium ion, , in dilute acids. Others have given evidence from X-ray2, nuclear magnetic resonance3, infra-red4, and Raman5 studies for the existence of the hydronium ion, H3O+, in the solid state.
Nuclear structure studies using radioactive beams

Abstract A review is made of the world wide program to study the structure of radioactive isotopes using radioactive nuclear beams. The discussion includes examples of elastic and inelastic scattering, inverse kinematic, charge exchange and nuclear breakup reactions. Experiments which use radioactive nuclear beams to study structure beyond the driplines are also presented. Finally, future directions at the NSCL are presented along with a possible upgrade to the present radioactive beam facility.
Effects of an acrylic resin tray on relative surface doses for 10 MV X ray beams

Abstract Relative surface doses (RSD) for 10 MV X rays were measured and analyzed with an acrylic resin block tray present in the beam. It was found that the secondary electron contamination becomes significant for large fields in isocentric set-ups. Medium and high Z filters are investigated and suggested to be used to reduce RSD.
Comorbidity of impulse control disorders in pathological gamblers

Objective: To investigate the rate of impulse control disorders among pathological gamblers and examine the relationship of comorbidity to gambling severity. Method: Ninety-six adult pathological gamblers [mean age: 46.7 ± 11.0 years; female: 44 (45.8%)] completed the following: Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview, Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Modified for Pathological Gambling, and Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale. Results: Twenty-two subjects (22.9%) reported a comorbid impulse control disorder, most commonly compulsive sexual behaviour and compulsive buying. Subjects with comorbidity reported significantly greater intensity of urges (t = −2.021; df = 94; P = 0.046) and thoughts (t = −2.147; df = 42.3; P = 0.038) related to gambling, and greater interference (t = −3.913; df = 48.1; P < 0.001) and distress (t = −2.504; df = 52.7; P = 0.015) secondary to gambling urges and thoughts. Conclusion: Impulse control disorders appear common among pathological gamblers and are associated with more severe gambling symptoms.
Motile Zoospores of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Move Away from Antifungal Metabolites Produced by Amphibian Skin Bacteria

Chytridiomycosis is an amphibian skin disease that threatens amphibian biodiversity worldwide. The fungal agent of chytridiomycosis is Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. There is considerable variation in disease outcomes such that some individuals and populations co-exist with the fungus and others quickly succumb to disease. Amphibians in populations that co-exist with the B. dendrobatidis have sublethal infections on their skins. Symbiotic skin bacteria have been shown in experiments and surveys to play a role in protecting amphibians from chytridiomycosis. Little is known about the mechanisms that antifungal skin bacteria use to ameliorate the effects of B. dendrobatidis. In this study, we identified that B. dendrobatidis isolate JEL 310 zoospores display chemotaxis, in the presence of two bacterially-produced metabolites (2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol and indole-3-carboxaldehyde). In the presence of either metabolite, B. dendrobatidis zoospores move more frequently away from the metabolite. Using parameters estimated from this study, a simple stochastic model of a random walk on a lattice was evaluated. The model shows that these individual behaviors over short time-scales directly lead to population behaviors over long time–scales, such that most zoospores will escape, or not infect a tryptone substrate containing the bacterially-produced metabolite, whereas many zoospores will infect the tryptone substrate containing no metabolite. These results suggest that amphibians that have skin bacteria produce antifungal metabolites that might be able to keep B. dendrobatidis infections below the lethal threshold and thus are able to co-exist with the fungus.
A Preliminary Report on the Mineralogy of the Norton County, Kansas‐Furnas County, Nebraska, Achondrite (1000,400)

This paper presents a preliminary report on the friable enstatite achondrite, with nickel-iron inclusions, more than a ton of which fell in Norton County, Kansas, and Furnas County, Nebraska, on 1948 February 18 (C.N. = 1000,400). Megascopically, the achondrite resembles a rhyolite porphyry, the fine-grained groundmass of grayish-white color containing phenocrysts of 2 types, the first, a light-gray mineral exhibiting cleavage at angles of 88° and 92°, the second, a clear, glassy mineral which does not cleave or part, but rather shatters with a conchoidal fracture. Under closer examination, both the groundmass and the phenocrysts of the stone are found to consist chiefly or solely of a very pure enstatite. In addition to inclusions of nickel-iron, the achondrite contains abundant small flakes of graphite, and a brown, platy mineral, identified tentatively as diallage. For both the cleavage enstatite and the glassy enstatite, α = 1.652, β = 1.654, γ = 1.660; and, furthermore, the other optical constants are the same, except that the axial angle found for the glassy enstatite (80° to 85°) is more than twice that found for the cleavage enstatite (40°). Primary, secondary, and tertiary fusion crusts, ranging in thickness from at least 17.7 mm. down to less than 0.2 mm., have been found on the achondrite. Those portions of the fusion rind so far examined microscopically in oil immersions were found to be extremely fine-crystalline, and not glassy, and they had an average index of refraction of 1.656.
Characterization of thallium-based ternary semiconductor compounds for radiation detection

We report on the characterization of optical and electronic properties of a series of thallium chalcogenide, wide gap ternary semiconductor compounds including Tl6I4Se, Tl6I4S, Tl3SbS3, Tl2SnS3, and Tl7Bi3I16 for ionized radiation detection at the x-ray and γ ray regimes. The semiconductor crystals were grown by the modified Bridgman method. The optical absorption, band gap, mobility-lifetime products for electron and hole carriers were measured at room temperature. For Tl6I4S and Tl6I4Se the mobility-lifetime products are comparable to those of CdZnTe. We measured room temperature detector response to x-ray and γ ray sources. For 137Cs radiation, Tl6I4Se has a well-resolved spectral response comparable to that of CdZnTe.
On the possibility of long-wavelength long-lifetime high-quantum-yield luminophores.

Abstract We describe an approach to creating a new class of luminophores which display both long wavelength emissions exceeding 600 nm and long lifetimes. These luminophores are based on resonance energy transfer (RET) from a long lifetime donor to a short lifetime but long wavelength acceptor. We demonstrated the possibility of obtaining these desirable spectral properties using donors and acceptors noncovalently bound to DNA. The donor was a ruthenium (Ru) metal–ligand complex in which one of the diimine ligands intercalated into double-helix DNA. The acceptors were either nile blue, TOTO-3, or TO-PRO-3. Upon binding of the acceptor to donor-labeled DNA, we found that the acceptor quantum yield was remarkably enhanced so that the wavelength-integrated intensities of the donor and acceptor bound to DNA were many-fold greater than the intensity of the donor and acceptor alone when separately bound to DNA. The origin of this effect is efficient energy transfer from the donor. Under these conditions the effective overall quantum yield approaches that of the acceptor. Importantly, the increased quantum yield can be obtained while maintaining usefully long apparent acceptor lifetimes of 30 to 80 ns. The effect of an increased quantum yield from a low quantum yield donor may find use in assays to detect macromolecular binding interactions. These results suggest the synthesis of covalently linked donor–acceptor pairs with the desirable spectral properties of long wavelength emission, high quantum yield, and moderately long lifetimes for gated detection.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION IN SELECTION ON CORRELATED LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS AND PLANT SIZE IN CHAMAECRISTA FASCICULATA.

Intraspecific studies of selection on multiple traits of a plant's life history provide insight as to how the composite life history of an organism evolves. Current understanding of selection on plant life-history traits is deficient in three important areas: 1) the effects of selection through correlated traits, 2) the effects of selection on a trait throughout the plant's lifetime, and 3) spatial and temporal variation in selection on plant life-history traits among populations and years. This study documents spatial and temporal variation in selection on three life-history and two morphological traits for two natural populations of Chamaecrista fasciculata, a native summer annual. Life-history and morphological traits (date of seedling emergence, size at establishment, size prior to reproduction, date of initial flowering, and date of initial fruit maturation) varied significantly between sites and/or years. Selection on traits varied either spatially, between sites and among transects within one site, or temporally, between years. In addition, life-history traits were phenotypically correlated among themselves and with morphological traits; correlations were generally constant over time and space. Indirect selection caused changes in means and variances in traits not under direct selection, but which were correlated with traits under selection. Selection on date of emergence varied in direction and magnitude among different life-cycle stages, while selection on other traits varied only in magnitude among life stages of the plant. This study documents the complexity of the selective process and the importance of considering multiple life stages and traits when studying the evolution of life-history traits.
Value of Aspen Sawdust as a Roughage Replacement in High-Concentrate Dairy Rations

Abstract In two lactation trials we determined if aspen sawdust could be a roughage replacement in high-concentrate dairy rations. In Experiment 1, 20 lactating Holstein cows were separated into four equal groups and fed ad libitum one of the following four all-pelleted rations for a 6-wk experimental period: (1) grain mix with 10% sawdust; (2) grain mix with 10% sawdust, 5% sodium bentonite, and 2% sodium bicarbonate; (3) grain mix with 20% sawdust; or (4) grain mix with 30% sawdust. The four rations did not produce significant differences in milk production, percent milk protein, percent milk solids-not-fat, feed intake, or body weight. Milk fat percent, rumination time (h/day), and ruminal acetate-to-propionate ratios were affected and averaged 2.1, 2.0, 1.24; 2.6, 1.6, 1.75; 2.8, 3.2, 1.58; and 3.7, 4.1, 2.60 for each of the four groups. Experiment 2 was similar to Experiment 1 except 12 lactating cows were separated into three equal groups; each group was fed one of the following three rations during the experimental period: (1) grain mix with 2.3 kg alfalfa hay; (2) grain mix with 12% sawdust and 2.3 kg hay; or (3) grain mix with 12% sawdust, 5% sodium bentonite, 2% sodium bicarbonate, and 2.3 kg hay. Effects of treatment were not significant on milk production or composition, feed intake, or body weight. Milk fat percent, rumination time (h/day), and ruminal acetate-to-propionate ratios averaged 3.4, 5.1, 1.81; 3.5, 6.3, 2.17; and 3.6, 5.1, 3.43, respectively. Aspen sawdust can be a partial roughage substitute in lactating dairy cow rations, and it is helpful in maintaining near-normal milk fat content in high-concentrate rations. The sawdust cannot, however, serve as the only source of roughage for lactating cows because of the irregular feed intake that results if no other forage is fed.
Flux pinning by thin planar defects

Planar defects, specifically grain boundaries, are now recognized as a major source of flux pinning in many materials, including the commercial A-15 superconductors. Unfortunately little theoretical attention has been devoted to the interaction between a planar pinning centre and the flux line lattice (FLL) of a type II superconductor. A Ginzburg-Landau perturbational approach is used here to calculate the pinning force per unit area exerted by a thin isolated planar defect upon the FLL. The pinning force is considered to arise from electron scattering at the defect plane, which creates a perturbation in the Ginzburg-Landau parameter,κ. The method of approach is of general applicability, however, and is easily adapted to other pinning mechanisms encompassed by the perturbational formalism. Second order terms in the FLL energy are retained, as well as all significant higher order terms in the Fourier transforms both of the superconducting electron density ¦ψ¦2, and of ¦ψ¦4. It is shown that a large error results, except at very high fields, if the above terms are ignored. The functional dependence of the elementary pinning force on temperature and field are shown to vary somewhat with the nature of the material and the pinning defect.
Laser pointing angle and time of measurement verification of the ICESat laser altimeter using a ground-based electro-optical detection system

The Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) will begin science operations in 2003 with an emphasis on determination of the ice sheet temporal variations in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The ICESat bus will serve as the transport for an instrument called the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS). GLAS will provide altimetry and lidar measurements with a high level of accuracy. For altimetry, the GLAS data will enable determination of the laser pointing angle to within 1.5 arcsec and the laser pulse time of arrival on the ground to within 100 sec. Both of these data products contribute to the determination of the measured altitude vector from the spacecraft to the ice surface. Verification of both the laser pointing angle and the timing can be achieved by using a unique experimental technique designed to ‘capture’ an altimeter pulse on the surface of the Earth. The capture of the laser pulse is accomplished by covering the illuminated area with devices designed to detect the arrival of energy within the altimeter footprint. This ground-based technique will supply an independent, unambiguous determination of the laser footprint geolocation and the epoch time associated with the arrival of the pulse on the surface. Knowledge of the laser footprint centroid on the ground will infer the laser pointing direction in the geocentric reference frame. This in situ measurement of the footprint geolocation and time of arrival will be compared to the corresponding data products provided by GLAS. The comparison of the GLAS laser pointing and the timing data with an independent measurement will verify the accuracy and/or will indicate the existence of any biases or errors in the generation of the GLAS altimetry data products. The detectors have been designed and tested in the laboratory and analyzed for energy level thresholds, system stability, temperature response and overall performance. Timing hardware has been tested and software has been written to achieve event detection within the desired accuracy.
Confirmation of QTL controlling seed yield in spring canola ( Brassica napus L.) hybrids

Allelic effects observed in QTL discovery experiments must be confirmed to be useful in subsequent breeding efforts. Two QTL affecting seed yield of spring hybrid canola (Brassica napus L.) were previously identified in two populations of inbred backcross lines (IBLs) containing germplasm introgressed from a winter cultivar. The effects of favorable alleles at these QTL were retested by crossing two selected IBLs (M5 and M31) to three spring canola lines having different genetic backgrounds. Doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from each F1 were genotyped with RFLP markers flanking the QTL and grouped into the four possible QTL genotypes. For the first field experiment, DH lines derived by crossing the M5 line to one spring line were crossed to two female testers and evaluated as individual testcross progenies in one environment. QTL genotypes had large variances and were not significantly different. A second field experiment was conducted using the DH lines from the first experiment and two other sets of DH lines derived from the M31 line crossed to two different spring canola lines. Individual lines within each QTL genotype of each set were bulked and crossed to the same testers used in Experiment 1. Bulked hybrid seeds of each QTL genotype were planted in a split-split plot randomized block design and 12 replicates. QTL genotypes had smaller variances in this experiment, and the effects of one QTL were confirmed in some genetic backgrounds. These results suggest that bulking of QTL genotypes and use of an appropriate experimental design with many replicates are needed to detect small differences between QTL genotypes.
Effectiveness of questionnaires for screening hearing of school-age children: a comprehensive literature review.

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the effectiveness of parent or teacher-completed questionnaires as a tool to screen school-aged children for permanent hearing loss. Design: A rapid evidence assessment was completed to provide a summary of information published between 1980 and 2013 in English or Spanish. To identify relevant publications, a database search was conducted using nine databases. Study sample: Seven studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Results: Authors of three of the studies recommended use of the questionnaire as a method for screening hearing in school-aged children, and authors of four of the studies did not recommend use of the questionnaire. However, only one of the seven studies provided good evidence that questionnaires are an effective way of identifying hearing loss among children. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence that parent or teacher completed questionnaire screening can be reliably used to identify children i...
Shot-profile migration of GPR data

Multi-offset GPR data possess a number of important advantages over constant-offset data, and are becoming increasingly popular within the GPR community. With the availability of these data comes the opportunity to experiment with state-of-the-art seismic imaging techniques. Here, we consider the application of shot-profile migration, a prestack scalar wave-equation imaging method, to 2-D multi-offset GPR data. With this method, source and receiver wavefields of individual shot records are propagated separately and combined at depth with application of an imaging condition. Receiver wavefields are comprised of recorded traces, and source wavefields are modeled from point sources at the transmitter locations. The complete migrated image is the sum of all overlapping shot-record migrations. After a brief discussion on the limiting assumptions of applying this scalar wave-equation approach to GPR data, we outline the theory of shot-profile migration. We then demonstrate the application of the method to multi-offset GPR data collected near Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Does Minority Racial-Ethnic Status Moderate Outcomes of Collaborative Care for Depression?

Researchers continue to find racial-ethnic disparities in treatment receipt and outcomes. In this VA study of a collaborative program to treat depression in primary care, treatment responses of veterans from minority groups were markedly higher than those of white veterans.
Working Distance Comparison of Inductive and Electromagnetic Couplings for Wireless and Passive Underwater Monitoring System of Rinsing Process in Semiconductor Facilities

This paper reports a side-by-side comparison of two wireless and passive sensing systems: inductive and electromagnetic (EM) couplings for an application of in-situ and real-time monitoring of wafer cleanliness in the rinsing process at semiconductor/microelectromechanical system (MEMS) manufacturing facilities. A MEMS sensor is designed to measure the resistivity of water, corresponding to the ionic concentration, to evaluate the rinsing process inside the micro-features. The transponder, containing the MEMS sensor, receives power from an external interrogator, modulates the resistivity data, and emits back the modulated signal to the interrogator, in all wireless and battery-free operation. Two wireless systems based on inductive and EM couplings have been implemented on 4-inch glass wafers, maintaining the wafer form factor. Inductive coupling system has parasitic electric field coupling. The working distance of the inductive coupling system is attenuated in water and is likely limited by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), while that of the EM coupling is primarily limited by the coupled power. Hence, inductive coupling is suitable for a short distance measurement that allows more sophisticated functionality with sufficient power, whereas EM coupling could be optimized for long distance detection but has a tight power budget. The implemented on-wafer wireless monitoring units achieve a working distance of 6 and 25 cm with a concentration resolution of less than 2% (4 ppb for a 200 ppb solution) for inductive and EM couplings, respectively.
Self-revealing gestures: teaching new touch interactions in windows 8

The touch language we use to interact with computers and devices is still developing. How can we teach users of our systems new touch gestures without interfering with their user experience? A team of user experience designers and researchers went through an iterative process to design a teaching method for two new touch interactions. This case study describes the designs they created, their insight from user studies, and the final design that will be implemented in Windows 8.
Report of the Committee on Snow, 1951-1952

The report of the Committee on Snow consists of brief reports from the various members of the Committee. Comments have been summarized inasmuch as the report for 1950–1951 was a comprehensive report covering the activities in research on snow on a national and an international basis. This report is an effort to bring matters to a fairly current point as related to the previous report.
Pharmacokinetics of Sulfisoxazole Compared in Humans and Two Monogastric Animal Species

The pharmacokinetic profile of sulfisoxazole was studied and compared in dogs, swine, and humans. The trial was conducted over a 72-hr period after intravenous administration and a 96-hr period after oral administration in dogs and swine. In humans, the trial was conducted over an 8-hr period after oral administration. A two-compartment model system was used to define the pharmacokinetic profile. The mean half-lives for the distribution phase were 4.08, 1.30, and 0.56 hr in dogs, swine, and humans, respectively. For the elimination phase, the mean half-lives were 33.74, 46.39, and 7.40 hr in dogs, swine, and humans, respectively. The mean volume of the central compartment was approximately the same in dogs and swine, 10.6 and 10.5 liters, respectively. Humans had a smaller volume of distribution, 7.7 liters. The steady-state volumes of distribution were 17.2, 30.3, and 16.2 liters in dogs, swine, and humans, respectively. Dogs and swine excreted 42.2 and 30.7%, respectively, of the intravenous dose and 29.4 and 18.3%, respectively, of the oral dose. The bioavailability was 69.8% in dogs and 100.0% in swine. The fraction of drug bound ranged from 30 to 50% in dogs, 40 to 60% in swine, and 25 to 40% in humans.
Family Mediators and Moderators of Treatment Outcomes Among Youths with Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetes: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To determine whether multisystemic therapy (MST) improved family relationships among youths with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes and whether these changes mediated MST effects on health outcomes. The moderating effect of family demographics on study outcomes was also assessed. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 127 youths. Changes in general family relationships and caregiver support for diabetes care from baseline to treatment completion were assessed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test whether changes in family relations mediated improvements in frequency of blood glucose testing (BGT) and metabolic control. Results MST increased support for diabetes care from both primary and secondary caregivers in two-parent but not in single-parent families. However, MST had the strongest effects on BGT and metabolic control in single-parent families. SEM did not support family relations as the mediator of improved BGT or metabolic control. Rather, MST had a direct effect on BGT for all participants. BGT mediated improvements in metabolic control among single-parent families. Conclusions MST improved family relationships for youths with diabetes in two-parent but not in single-parent families. Objective outcomes related to diabetes were strongest for single-parent families. Other processes such as increased parental monitoring may have been responsible for improved health outcomes among these families.