cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
805 AMIKACIN (AM) AND TICARCILLIN (TI) AS EMPIRIC THERAPY IN FEBRILE NEOTROPENIC CHILDREN WITH CANCER

Efficacy and toxicity of Am (600 mg/M2/d IV) and Ti (12 gm/M2/d IV) as empiric therapy were evaluated in 46 febrile neutropenic (≤1000 PMNs/mm3) children with cancer. Documented infection (DI), clinically apparent infection (CA), possible infection (PI) and doubtful infections (DOI) were evaluated as follows: Bacterial pathogens identified were E. coli-5, P. aeurginosa-2, Klebsiella sp.-2, Serratia sp-1, Staph. sp.-5 and Strep. sp.-1. The 4 non-responders did not have documented infections. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine clearance, potassium and urine analysis obtained before and after antibiotic therapy showed no significant differences. Comparisons of mean peak/trough serum levels of Am obtained on day 2 (23.9/< 2μg/ml) and day 5 (24.2/< 2μg/ml) showed no accumulation. Two of 23 paired audiograms obtained early in the course of and after Am therapy showed transient mild high frequency hearing loss. Am and Ti have low toxicity, are well tolerated and are adequate empiric therapy for the febrile neutropenic child.
Modeling exposures to organophosphates and pyrethroids for children living in an urban low-income environment

Pesticide exposure in urban low-income residential environments may be elevated as a result of persistent application due to severe pest infestation. Children living in this environment may be a sensitive subpopulation for these non-dietary exposures, due to their physiological and behavioral differences. In this study, we provide an exposure modeling framework to simulate exposures for children in this environment and assess dominant exposure routes and sources of exposure variability, in order to characterize factors that influence risk. We use a dataset of pesticide measurements collected in 42 low-income dwellings, including vacuum dust and floor wipe samples from kitchens and living rooms. We fit distributions to the concentration measurements for the organophosphates measured, chlorpyrifos and diazinon, and the most prevalent pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, and cyfluthrin), and simulated 1000 homes from the distributions. Concentration measurements were then connected with activity pattern data, short-term dermal and ingestion exposures and absorbed doses were simulated for children ages 1–5 years. For both pesticide groups, exposure values ranged widely, with concentration values contributing most significantly to exposure variability, although approximately 20-fold variability was attributable to exposure factors alone. In addition, upper percentile exposed children usually had both higher concentrations as well as greater influences from exposure and dose factors. Differences were also seen across pesticide groups in dominant exposure pathways. Our analyses indicate a profile of factors that describe individuals likely to receive high doses of one or multiple pesticides and could allow for more targeted intervention strategies. More generally, this work provides a standard framework to evaluate and describe exposures to prevalent residential pesticides via multiple pathways.
Ca2+ selectivity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase at the enzyme-water interface and in the Ca2+ entrance channel.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+−ATPase, a P-type transmembrane protein, can transport Ca2+ from the cytoplasmic to the luminal side over other cations specifically. The proposed Ca2+ entrance channel, composed of the main-chain carbonyl oxygen and side-chain carboxyl oxygen atoms of the amino acids, opens on the enzyme surface, just above the biphospholipid layer membrane−water interface, where Trp residues are frequently found. In this work, the physicochemical nature of Ca2+ selectivity over Mg2+ on the surface of the SR Ca2+−ATPase has been investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The selection process can be regarded as the first step of the specificity of the enzyme to transport Ca2+. Subsequently, the specificity of the entrance channel to conduct Ca2+ over other cations has also been explored. As revealed by thermodynamic analyses, either the aromatic or the aliphatic amino acid residues distributed on the surface of Ca2+−ATPase have a bigger affinity to Mg2+ than to Ca2+...
The effects of cognitive style and training on performance ratings' validity

This study investigated how personal cognitive style and training effect rating validity with two different rating tasks. Male undergraduate volunteers (n = 53) served as raters and rated videotaped lecturers. Using the Embedded Figures Test to measure cognitive style, two groups of raters were formed: those who tend to structure information presented (articulated) and those who do not (global). Half of each cognitive style received observational training designed to be congruent with the behavioral rating task. All raters completed two rating tasks: one requiring an evaluative judgment and one requiring a judgment of behavior frequency. It was hypothesized that with the evaluative rating task, cognitive style would be and training would not be a significant predictor of validity, because the training was not relevant to the task. It was also hypothesized that with the observational task training would improve rating validity (overcoming cognitive style), because the training was relevant to the rating task. Both hypotheses were supported.
Laser communications for covert links

An atmospheric lasercom link over a 4 km path has been implemented between The MITRE Corporation and Lahey Clinic, Bedford, MA. This testbed employs emerging 1550 nm laser and receiver technology for greatly enhanced covertness and eye safety compared to current 820 nm technology. Supporting testbed equipment provides automated monitoring of link performance, correlated with automated data acquisition of the local visibility and precipitation. This report describes the laser link and supporting testbed equipment under IBM PS/2 computer control in which continuous monitoring of the atmospheric conditions, link bit error rate, pointing jitter, and beam wander are accomplished. The bit error rate drives an automated adaptive data rate modem at one of three data rates, depending on weather conditions. Criteria for operation at 1550 nm, such as trade-offs with regard to atmospheric absorption, covertness and eye safety are presented. Characteristics of our custom designed laser transmitter (laser diode, beam parameters, modulation, etc.), and receiver (optics, detector electronics, bit synchronizer) are described. System alignment procedures and transmission performance as a function of temperature, visibility, and precipitation are presented.
The fully finite spherical model

A lattice sum technique is applied to the constraint equation of the finite size mean spherical model. It is shown that this allows the investigation of the model over a wide range of temperatures, for a wide range of system sizes. Correlation lengths and susceptibilities are shown to obey crossover scaling aroundT=0 below the lower critical dimension, and finite size scaling between the lower and upper critical dimensions. Universal scaling forms are suggested for the lower critical dimension. At and above the upper critical dimension, the behavior is identical to that of finite sized mean field theory. The scaling at and above the upper critical dimension is shown to be modified by the existence of a dangerous irrelevant variable which also governs the failure of hyperscaling. Implications for phenomenological renormalization experiments are discussed. Numerical results of scaling are displayed.
Application of Punched Card Equipment to the Analysis of Complex Spectra

The punched card tabulating and sorting equipment generally used in statistical and accounting work has been applied to the analysis of complex spectra into term values. The wave numbers of the lines are punched on the special cards provided for use with the machines. The method enables one either to determine wave number differences which frequently occur or to isolate those line pairs showing a given frequency difference. The advantages of the method include high speed, accuracy as high as desired without checking with an adding machine, and the fact that only one simple modification is needed of standard equipment that is available almost everywhere.
Lead-210 and Polonium-210 disequilibria in the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone

Abstract We report water column dissolved and particulate 210 Pb and 210 Po profiles along with ancillary data from the northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf collected during the summers of 2011 and 2012. The dissolved 210 Po/ 210 Pb ratio in bottom water was > 1 at 10 out of 12 stations whereas the 210 Po/ 210 Pb activity ratio in surface water was approximately 0.2–1.3. This lower dissolved 210 Po/ 210 Pb surface ratio indicates that 210 Po is generally more efficiently scavenged than 210 Pb in surface layers. The particulate 210 Po/ 210 Pb ratio was 1.6–5.1 in surface water and 2.5–10.4 in bottom water indicating that 210 Po tends to be more enriched in deep water particulate material as compared to surface material. The 210 Po and POC are significantly correlated (r 2 = 0.93) with the POC/ 210 Po ratio varying between 205 and 2094 μmol C dpm − 1 . These general patterns suggest that 210 Po is scavenged from the surface waters and regenerated or added to bottom waters relative to 210 Pb. The addition of Po to bottom water (either in the dissolved or particulate phase) likely requires a sedimentary source of Po, relative to Pb, to the overlying water column. Dissolved oxygen concentrations and water column stratification vary throughout the region, and we find no correlation between dissolved O 2 concentration and 210 Po excess. 210 Po enrichment does, however, appear to be coupled to the release of the redox sensitive trace metals Fe and Mn and remineralization of silica in bottom waters to some extent. We suggest that the cycling of these redox sensitive metals, coupled with the degradation of organic matter is the likely driving mechanism for 210 Po remobilization that produces the observed water column 210 Po distributions.
A Survey of Wheelchair Seating Problems of the Institutionalized Elderly

This study attempted to define and quantify the need for appropriate seating for elderly nursing home residents. A questionnaire was administered to 200 randomly selected nonambulatory elderly residents living in six Memphis area nursing homes. The study results supported previous findings that many nursing home residents have seating and mobility problems. Of the 139 wheelchair users analyzed, 112 (80%) experienced at least one problem related to discomfort, hindered mobility, or poor posture. Thirty-four percent of the residents had at least one problem considered to be severe. In most cases our respondents' seating and mobility problems could have been solved by the tailored application of presently available technologies.
Micro-optics coupling for 10-Gb/s avalanche photodiodes

In this paper we present free-space micro-optics coupling results for 10 Gb/s avalanche photodiode (APD) receivers. A free-space micro-optics approach provides compact cost-effective coupling with minimum insertion loss. Both DC and high frequency (RF) coupling characteristics are presented, and respective dimensions of the photosensitive areas are calculated. Effects of both axial and lateral misalignments on 10 Gb/s APD performance are presented. An analytical model for the photosensitive area of 10 Gb/s APDs is developed based on the RF coupling performance and can be used in optical design and opto-mechanical tolerance analysis. It is shown that free-space micro-optics coupling of APDs enlarges the effective size of the photosensitive area for achieving good RF device performance and provides robust packaging of 10 Gb/s APD receivers.
Genomic BLAST: custom-defined virtual databases for complete and unfinished genomes.

BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) searches against DNA and protein sequence databases have become an indispensable tool for biomedical research. The proliferation of the genome sequencing projects is steadily increasing the fraction of genome-derived sequences in the public databases and their importance as a public resource. We report here the availability of Genomic BLAST, a novel graphical tool for simplifying BLAST searches against complete and unfinished genome sequences. This tool allows the user to compare the query sequence against a virtual database of DNA and/or protein sequences from a selected group of organisms with finished or unfinished genomes. The organisms for such a database can be selected using either a graphic taxonomy-based tree or an alphabetical list of organism-specific sequences. The first option is designed to help explore the evolutionary relationships among organisms within a certain taxonomy group when performing BLAST searches. The use of an alphabetical list allows the user to perform a more elaborate set of selections, assembling any given number of organism-specific databases from unfinished or complete genomes. This tool, available at the NCBI web site http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/Entrez/genom_table_cgi, currently provides access to over 170 bacterial and archaeal genomes and over 40 eukaryotic genomes.
The Role of Affect in the Neurodevelopment of Morality

ABSTRACT— Human social existence is characterized by anintuitive sense of fairness, concern for others, and theobservance of cultural norms. This prosocial sensitivity isthe foundation for adult morality, emanating from thesophisticated integration of emotional, motivational, andcognitive mechanisms across development. In this article,we discuss how an integrated neurodevelopmentalapproach helps us understand moral judgment and behav-ior. We examine data emphasizing the importance ofaffect in moral development and we suggest that moralcognition is underpinned by speciﬁc, although not unique,neural networks. The regions recruited in moral cognitionunderlie speciﬁc states of emotion, along with cognitiveand motivational processes, which emerge and intercon-nect over the course of development to produce adaptivesocial behavior. KEYWORDS— emotion; morality; developmentMorality, in general, has been deﬁned as prescriptive normsregarding how people should treat one another, including con-cepts such as justice, fairness, and rights (Killen & Rutland,2011). In the past decade, research in many academic domainshas tried to more clearly deﬁne and investigate this construct.These studies suggest that mature moral abilities emerge from asophisticated integration of emotional, cognitive, and motiva-tional mechanisms. However, many of these theories lack theability to test speciﬁc hypotheses about when and how thesecomponents combine.A more accurate examination of the development of a maturemoral self requires an increased focus on neurobiological per-spectives. Establishing neurological methods within a develop-mental framework provides a more accurate account of moralmechanisms, bridging the gap between behaviors and theirunderlying neural correlates. Neuroscientiﬁc data may also allowus to better understand ambiguous behaviors early in life, takinginto consideration the contributions of so-called emotional ver-sus cognitive brain systems in response to morally laden stimuli.Furthermore, focusing on the ontogeny of morality providesopportunities to examine the interaction of moral systems beforesuch components are fully developed and operational.In this article, we use a multidisciplinary approach to investi-gate the role of affect in morality. First, we examine the develop-mental literature on early moral behavior, emphasizing thecognitive and affective changes that evolve during infancy.Then, we investigate the neural systems supporting thesechanges, focusing on the link between the maturation of theneural network and outward moral responses.Speciﬁcally, we argue that current data support the view ofmorality as a functionally integrated ability, made up of severaldistributed neural networks that change in activation and inte-gration over time. This moral devel opment is not unidirectional,originating from purely emotional activations and developinginto higher level cognizance. Rather, it involves nuancedchanges in children’s abilities to integrate their own affectivereactions with the thoughts and desires of those around them.
Opioid inhibition of spontaneously active neurons of the rat arcuate nucleus in vitro

Abstract The effects of opioid agonists were determined on single-unit activity recorded from the arcuate nucleus (ARC) in perfused, coronal slices of hypothalamus taken from proestrous rats., The selective, μ-receptor agonist Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-Gly-ol enkephalin (DAGO) produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the firing rate of 70–78% of the units tested. The concentration of DAGO that induced maximal inhibition of firing was approximately 0.5 μM. This inhibition of firing frequency occurred irrespective of cell location, firing pattern or baseline firing frequency. The effect of DAGO was antagonized by the opioid antagonist naloxone (0.1 μM). The selective κ-receptor agonist trans-(+)-34 dichloro-N-methyl-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl] benzeneacetamide methane sulfonate (U50,488H) did not decrease the firing rate in cells which did respond to DAGO. Blockade of synaptic activity decreased the level of spontaneous activity but did not prevent the inhibitory action of DAGO. These data support the hypothesis that opioids through activation of μ-receptors, inhibit neuronal activity in the arcuate nucleus. Furthermore, the opioid inhibition occurs in part via a direct postsynaptic action.
Quantification of cellulase activity using the quartz crystal microbalance technique.

The development of more efficient utilization of biomass has received increased attention in recent years. Cellulases play an important role in processing biomass through advanced biotechnological approaches. Both the development and the application of cellulases require an understanding of the activities of these enzymes. A new method to determine the activity of cellulase has been developed using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. We compare the results from this technique with those from the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) standard method and also from biccinchoninic acid and ion chromatography methods. It is shown that the QCM technique provides results closer to those obtained by measuring the actual reducing sugars. The elimination of the use of color development in the standard redox methods makes the QCM platform easier to implement; it also allows more flexibility in terms of the nature of the substrate. Finally, validation of the ...
On the reactive uptake of gaseous PAH molecules by micron-sized atmospheric water droplets

Abstract A falling droplet reactor was used to study the heterogeneous oxidation of gaseous PAH molecules adsorbed on a 92 μm diameter water droplet by ozone. The dynamic partition constant for the PAH between the droplet and air and the first-order surface rate constant was measured. The increase in uptake with ozone concentration was due to increased mass transfer via surface reaction of co-adsorbed ozone and PAH. The surface rate constant was rationalized through the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism. The rate constant was smaller for phenanthrene than naphthalene. The main reaction products identified in the aqueous phase indicated the peroxidic route for surface reaction of ozone with PAH. The heterogeneous reaction rate of ozone with adsorbed phenanthrene at the air–water interface of a 92-μm droplet was estimated to be 9300 times larger than the homogeneous reaction of ozone with phenanthrene in the gas phase and it was 76 times larger than the homogeneous oxidation by hydroxyl radical in the gas phase. For naphthalene that is more volatile, however, the homogeneous reaction with hydroxyl was more important. Increased organic carbon added to the droplet increased both the partition constant for phenanthrene and surface reaction with ozone. The partition constant for a droplet formed from actual fog water was much larger than for pure distilled water.
Beyond the gap: functions of unpaired connexon channels

Gap junctions consist of intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells directly and allow the exchange of small molecules. These channels are unique in that they span two plasma membranes--the more orthodox ion or ligand-gated channels span only one. Each cell contributes half of the intercellular channel, and each half is known as a connexon or hemichannel. Recent studies indicate that connexons are also active in single plasma membranes and that they might be essential in intercellular signalling beyond their incorporation into gap junctions.
Substance P induces biphasic endothelium-dependent relaxations in pig and rabbit carotid arteries.

Abstract Careful handling and preparation of freshly harvested vessels from 22 pigs and 12 rabbits revealed a two-phase vasorelaxation response to cumulative doses of substance P (SP). A rapid, transient relaxation was observed during the cumulative dose-response and a new plateau of equilibrium was seen following an increase in developed force after the last dose of SP. The phase 2 response is also produced by submaximal doses of SP and is not altered by pretreatment of the rings with Indomethacin. Acetylcholine (ACh) caused an endothelium-dependent relaxation but without evidence of a phase 2 plateau. N ω -Nitro-L-Arginine (L-NNA) and N ω -Nitro-L-Arginine Methylester (L-NAME) pretreatment resulted in a shift to the right in the phase 1 response to SP and a complete blockade of phase 2. Methylene blue caused nearly complete block of both phases. Nitroglycerin caused a dose-dependent and prolonged vasorelaxation with no phase 2.
Simulation Study of an Electronically Commutated DC Machine

A computer study of the static and dynamic behavior of a dc machine with a permanent magnet rotor and electronically commutated stator has been performed. Commutation by the back EMF or auxiliary capacitance was considered. Sample results and interpretations are presented.
From the Editors: Writing for Publication in Scholarly Journals

We are stepping down as editors of JECTE at the end of this calendar year. As we considered possible topics for this, our penultimate editorial, we decided that sharing some lessons we learned abou...
Personal account of the discovery of a new disease using next-generation sequencing. Interview by Natalie Harrison.

Gholson Lyon speaks to Natalie Harrison, Commissioning Editor Gholson J Lyon, MD, PhD, is a research scientist at the Center for Applied Genomics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and at the Utah Foundation for Biomedical Research (UFBR). He is also an adjunct assistant professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine. He is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. He earned an MPhil in Genetics, working with Nobel laureate Martin Evans in Cambridge, UK, then received a PhD and MD through the Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program. He has published peer-reviewed papers in biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology and molecular biology. In addition to his research interest in neuropsychiatric illnesses, Dr Lyon is focusing on the discovery of rare previously undiscovered Mendelian diseases. Recently Dr Lyon and a team of international researchers used a new disease-variant finding tool (variant annotation, analysis and search tool [VAAST...
Morphology-dependent resonances in inhomogeneous spheres: comparison of the layered T-matrix method and the time-independent perturbation method

The resonance locations and quality factors (Q’s) of morphology-dependent resonances in an inhomogeneous sphere with a small refractive-index perturbation are computed by using the T-matrix method for layered axisymmetric objects and a time-independent perturbation method. The resonance locations computed are similar. The changes in the Q computed with the two methods are typically within a factor of 2 or 3 of each other when the change from the unperturbed Q is less than 50%. For the type of perturbation that we consider here, an increase in the refractive index in a nonconcentric spherical region inside the larger sphere, the resonance frequencies always decrease, but the Q’s decrease or increase depending on the unperturbed Q and the location and shape of the perturbation. The change in frequency and the change in Q depend on the overlap of the perturbation with the energy-density distribution of the morphology-dependent resonance. For the same overlap, the change in Q is much larger for higher-Q modes than for lower-Q modes. A refractive index perturbation that causes a relatively small change in Q may cause the resonance frequency of a high-Q MDR to shift by many linewidths.
Higher order probability and intervals

If we know the probabilities p1,…,pn of different situations s1,…,sn, then we can choose a decision Ai for which the expected benefit Ci=p1·ci1+⋯+pn·cin takes the largest possible value, where cij denotes the benefit of decision Ai in situation sj. In many real life situations, however, we do not know the exact values of the probabilities pj; we only know the intervals pj=[p−j,p+j] of possible values of these probabilities. In order to make decisions under such interval probabilities, we would like to generalize the notion of expected benefits to interval probabilities. In this paper, we show that natural requirements lead to a unique (and easily computable) generalization. Thus, we have a natural way of decision making under interval probabilities.
Impaired toll-like receptor 8 signaling in multiple sclerosis.

Background The etiology and immunopathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well understood. It is recognized that although autoreactive T cells are the main early mediators of disease, other cell types, including cells of the innate immune system contribute to MS pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine if Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is functionally altered in patients with MS.
Shear Moduli of Structural Composites from Torsion Tests

A combined experimental/analytical approach for effective evaluation of in-plane and out-of-plane shear moduli of structural composite laminates from torsion is presented. The test samples are prod...
Climatic determinants of irrigated rice performance in the Sahel — I. Photothermal and micro-climatic responses of flowering

Abstract In the Sahel, variable crop duration of irrigated rice poses serious timing problems for intensification of production. Photothermal effects on phenology have been studied to develop simulation tools for breeding and cropping systems research. Forty-nine genotypes were planted at monthly intervals in various rice-garden trials. Environment variability among seasons, sites and within the crop canopy was characterized to develop a field-based, photothermal model for flowering. Basic concepts were summation of heat units and a linear thermal response of development rate having upper (Topt) and lower (Tbase) response limits. Photoperiodism was modeled by a slope constant (CPP) and a basic vegetative phase (BVP). Photoperiodism and transplanting shock acted as modifiers of heat requirements (Tsum), thereby having greater effects on duration at low than at high temperatures. Tbase, Topt, Tsum, BVP and CPP were considered genotypic constants and calibrated by optimization. Daily input temperature for the model was the physiologically relevant temperature Tphys at the shoot apex. Tphys depended on apex submergence, water temperature and diurnal temperature patterns. Diurnal temperature segments exceeding the Tbase-Topt range were disregarded. Mean water temperature was below air temperature, particularly at high leaf area index and on dry days. Mean air temperature was closer to the minimum than to the maximum when amplitudes were high or days short. Minimum temperatures below 18°C at booting stage resulted in near total spikelet sterility and a specific delay in heading. The model was validated for a site thermally different from the site of calibration.
Earth Radiation Budget : results of outgoing longwave radiation from Nimbus-7, NOAA-9, and ERBS satellites

Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data from Nimbus-7 ERB wide field-of-view instruments are compared with results from the ERBE instruments aboard the NOAA-9 and NOAA-10 satellites. Over most regions of the globe, the agreement between the two sets of OLR results is generally to within 8 W/sq m. There are larger differences at higher latitudes and regions concentrated over land and desert. Results of daytime and nighttime differences suggest that the shortwave channels may be at fault due to their different design for Nimbus-7 and NOAA-9. Some of the differences may also be related to different viewing geometry of the two satellites.
Use of 14C/C ratios to provide insights into the magnitude of carbon turnover in the crustose saxicolous lichen Caloplaca trachyphylla

Abstract Abstract: 14C/C ratios in samples from radial transects across individual thalli ofCaloplaca trachyphylla collected at two sites were measured and the results used to investigate whether 14C/C data might provide some insight into the magnitude of carbon turnover in this lichen species. The 14C/C data suggest that significant internal recycling/translocation of carbon is unlikely in the sampled thalli. However, converting the14 C/C data for the larger intact thalli sampled at each site to calendar years, using the atmospheric 14C record, does not yield constant or even monotonically varying growth rates. Since crustose lichen growth rates are constant or decrease with thallus size, and since the 14C/C data from these larger thalli show a relatively small spread in14 C/C data values compared to the Northern Hemisphere atmospheric 14C record over the past 50 years, the14 C/C data suggest that carbon turnover may be occurring. Carbon turnover was modelled starting with the atmospheric14 C record. Turnover was incorporated so that for each year in the record a constant percentage of the total carbon was lost annually and replaced by new photosynthetically fixed carbon with a 14C/C ratio equal to that of the contemporary atmosphere. The 14C/C data from the radial samples were then converted to a calendar year using the model record. Constant annual carbon turnover values of 0, 0·5, 1, 1·5, 2, 2·5, 3, 3·5, 4, 4·5, 5, 5·5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 50% were modelled. Carbon turnover values between 3 and 6% created 14C model records that when applied to 14C/C data from the thalli produced constant radial growth rates that were: (1) identical for all lichens at a given site, and (2) independent of lichen size at a given site. The 14C/C data further indicate that annual carbon turnover in this species of lichen is
Position Synchronization in Bilateral Teleoperation Under Time-Varying Communication Delays

Passivity-based approaches to bilateral teleoperation sacrifice performance to achieve robust stability against time-varying delays. Typically, force and velocity signals are exchanged in passivity-based bilateral teleoperation resulting in good velocity tracking, but may accrue a position drift. Recently, a power-based time domain passivity approach (TDPA) was proposed to passivate the communication channel in bilateral teleoperation with time-varying delays, which has the potential to be less conservative than other time-invariant passivity-based approaches. Several approaches have been proposed to address the problem of position drift in time-invariant passivity-based approaches to bilateral teleoperation, but the problem of position drift with power-based TDPA remains unsolved. We propose a feedback passivity-control-based scheme to achieve position synchronization in bilateral teleoperation with power-based TDPA. Our proposed method encodes position information with velocity to construct a composite signal, which is transmitted across the communication channel to attain position tracking. The proposed method utilizes time delay power network formulation, enabling extension to position-measured force bilateral teleoperation scheme. Simulations and experiments conducted on a custom one degree of freedom teleoperation setup demonstrate robust position tracking performance with our approach under time-varying communication delays and remote environment conditions.
Teaching old drugs to kill new bugs : structure-based discovery of anti-SARS drugs

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) main protease or 3C-like protease (3CLpro) is essential for the propagation of the coronaviral life cycle and is regarded as one of the main targets for structure-based anti-SARS drug design. It is an attractive approach to find new uses for old drugs as they have already been through extensive clinical testing and could easily be accelerated for clinical approval. Briefly, we performed virtual screening of a database of small molecules against SARS 3CLpro, analyzed inhibitor–protease complexes, and identified several covalent and non-covalent inhibitors. Several old drugs that bind to SARS 3CLpro active site were selected and in silico derivatized to generate covalent irreversible inhibitors with enhanced affinity. Furthermore, we show that pharmacophores derived from clusters of compounds resulting out of virtual screening could be useful probes for future structure–activity relationship studies (SARs) and fine-tune the lead molecules identified.
Computer-Assisted Face Processing Instruction Improves Emotion Recognition, Mentalizing, and Social Skills in Students with ASD

This study examined the extent to which a computer-based social skills intervention called FaceSay was associated with improvements in affect recognition, mentalizing, and social skills of school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). FaceSay offers students simulated practice with eye gaze, joint attention, and facial recognition skills. This randomized control trial included school-aged children meeting educational criteria for autism (N = 31). Results demonstrated that participants who received the intervention improved their affect recognition and mentalizing skills, as well as their social skills. These findings suggest that, by targeting face-processing skills, computer-based interventions may produce changes in broader cognitive and social-skills domains in a cost- and time-efficient manner.
A peptide ligand of the human thrombin receptor antagonizes thrombin receptor activating peptide and α -thrombin-induced platelet aggregation

Abstract Structure and function studies on thrombin receptor activating peptide have revealed that certain residues in this peptide could be replaced with alanine. Attempts to prepare antagonist peptides by single amino acid modification of thrombin receptor activating peptide have not resulted in potent antagonist peptide. In the present study, we report an antagonist peptide with multiple alanine substitutions in both critical and non-critical residues. At a concentration of 32 μM, this peptide could completely block agonist-induced platelet aggregation. The magnitude of the antagonist effect of this peptide depends on the concentration of the antagonist and preincubation time. This peptide blocked the platelet aggregation induced by the agonist peptide and also by α-thrombin, but did not have any effect on adenosine diphosphate or collagen-induced platelet aggregation indicating that the antagonist affects of this peptide may be pertained to thrombin receptor mediated events only. This peptide may be useful for blocking thrombin-mediated events like thrombosis and restenosis or can be used as a template for developing more efficient thrombin receptor antagonists.
Evaporated lithium surface coatings in NSTX

Abstract Two lithium evaporators were used to evaporate more than 100 g of lithium on to the NSTX lower divertor region. Prior to each discharge, the evaporators were withdrawn behind shutters, where they also remained during the subsequent HeGDC applied for periods up to 9.5 min. After the HeGDC, the shutters were opened and the LITERs were reinserted to deposit lithium on the lower divertor target for 10 min, at rates of 10–70 mg/min, prior to the next discharge. The major improvements in plasma performance from these lithium depositions include: (1) plasma density reduction as a result of lithium deposition; (2) suppression of ELMs; (3) improvement of energy confinement in a low-triangularity shape; (4) improvement in plasma performance for standard, high-triangularity discharges; (5) reduction of the required HeGDC time between discharges; (6) increased pedestal electron and ion temperature; (7) reduced SOL plasma density; and (8) reduced edge neutral density.
Rib formation in the fracture of polymethyl methacrylate

Polymethyl methacrylate was fractured under a variety of loading conditions. Various linear features were observed on fracture surfaces but attention was centered on ribs of torn-out material. Such ribs were formed only in cases where loading conditions resulted in a tensile stress field ahead of the crack tip. Moreover the width of the ribs, and also their spacing, increased as the crack traversed the specimen into zones of increasing tensile stress. These observations, along with previously published data on the dependence of rib spacing on molecular weight and temperature, led to the conclusion that rib formation was due to secondary tensile fractures. These were identified to be showers of microcracks, from side views of the ribs. Fractographic evidence was obtained that the crack accelerates after formation of each rib (i.e. shower) and a “stick-slip” mechanism adopted.
Migrant Rights: International Law and National Action

Migrant rights were put squarely on the agenda of the Global Forum on Migration and Development when it met in Manila in 2008, as the principal theme of the governmental and civil society discussions. The Forum proceeded with the assumption that migrant rights are a development issue, as well as a fundamental human rights issue. This article begins with a review of the normative framework for protecting migrant rights. While norms by themselves will not prevent abuses, they can serve as a basis for advocating implementation of policies and programs to achieve these goals. We argue that there is ample international law setting out the basic rights of migrants even though the principal migrant-centric instruments are not widely ratified. Failures in protecting migrant rights arise from the lack of implementation of these standards at the national level. The article then discusses a range of programs, mostly implemented by or in destination countries, which hold potential for overcoming barriers to the protection of the rights of migrants. These practical steps can be found in a wide array of countries, most of which have not become party to the Migrant Workers Convention. The article concludes that these initiatives have been implemented in an ad hoc manner, necessitating a more systematic approach at the national level to the protection of migrant rights.
Comments on Kenneth P. Winkler's Signification, Intention, Projection

Winkler argues that Locke, Berkeley and Hume are intentionalists: that is, they hold that a main goal of interpreting speech is recovering the speaker’s intended meaning. He also suggests that framing the story of early modern philosophy of language in terms of intentionalism will be helpful. I think the evidence Winkler presents of Locke’s intentionalism is compelling, but I have several questions about what that intentionalism amounts to and how it’s significant. First, what is the status of Locke’s intentionalism? Is it a philosophical theory he’s adopted, albeit not one he feels the need to articulate precisely? Or is it more like an unexamined assumption? Similarly, what is the relevant contrast class? Locke, Berkeley and Hume are all intentionalists, on Winkler’s view—and so are all the other early modern writers he mentions. Is intentionalism then an unexamined assumption of the early moderns in general? Or is Locke actually disagreeing with some philosopher(s) in virtue of his intentionalism? Finally, what motivates Locke’s intentionalism? Winkler says that it helps answer a question raised by Locke’s linguistic thesis that words signify ideas in the speaker’s mind: which ideas, out of all those present to her mind, are the ones signified? However, he also says he’s not sure that Locke realizes the connection—so presumably he must think that Locke’s intentionalism has some other motivation. I think we can start getting a handle on that motivation by looking at one passage I found very surprising when first reading Winkler’s paper. I hope that doing so will also help us see how framing early modern philosophy of language in terms of intentionalism is helpful. In the course of discussing Locke’s claim at 4.5.8 that our words are ‘designed by’ our ideas to signify things, Winkler says, “it’s strange to attribute intentionality to ideas” (7). In the next paragraph, he repeats the thought: Philosophia (2009) 37:503–505 DOI 10.1007/s11406-008-9151-7
Apparent donor-acceptor interaction between nitroaromatics and acetonitrile

The partitioning behavior of nitro-aromatics in octanol-water and acetonitrile/NaCl-saturated water was examined. The nitro group contribution is opposite in the two systems, from which two different bonding mechanisms were inferred. In addition to cavity effects the octanol-water system is characterized by H-bonding of water to the nitro groups, while in the acetonitrile/NaCl-saturated water system electron donor-acceptor complexation predominates. A linear free energy relationship which relates the partition coefficients in the two systems was logPaw=0.727 logPow+0.395 n+0.742 where n is the number of nitro groups per ring.
Measurement of renin and substrate concentrations in human serum

Abstract Methods for the measurement of renin and renin substrate by radioimmunoassay have been described. One method of measuring renin is based on the zero-order reaction velocity of angiotensin I formation when serum is incubated with an excess of hog substrate. This method was compared with a bioassay which has been described previously ( A. B. Gould, L. T. Skeggs, and J. R. Kahn, 1966 , Lab. Invest. 15 , 1802–1813) and with another radioimmunoassay which determines renin concentration from the rate of angiotensin I formation with endogenous substrate by using the integrated form of the Michaelis-Menten equation and the kinetic constants. Similar results were obtained by these three methods when 30 samples of serum from 15 normotensive people were assayed. No evidence was found to suggest any interference by activators or inhibitors in human serum. The mean recovery of human renin added to serum in 27 experiments was 93.5 ± 10.7% (SD). In addition, the kinetic analysis of human serum showed no difference in the rate of angiotensin formation, at comparable substrate levels, in sera from normotensive people (including women taking oral contraceptives) and patients with essential hypertension.
Trophic Relationships of 8 Sympatric Predatory Gastropods

tivated the maize on his own farm and permitted sampling beyond the stage at which he would have harvested it for silage. Grateful acknowledgment is made to the Louis W. and Maud Hill Family Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota for financial assistance. Permission to sample at the Cedar Creek Natural History Area was given by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Academy of Science.
Circulating hemagglutinins of New Zealand black strain mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes

Es wird gezeigt, dass der Gehalt an Serumantikorpern nach Immunisation mit Schaferythrozyten in jungen NZB-Mausen im Vergleich zu BALB/c-Stammen grosser ist. Diese Unterschiede wurden nach der zweiten und dritten Antigeninjektion geringer. Bei alten Coombs-positiven NZB-Mausen wird eine Verzogerung der Reaktion nach der ersten, jedoch eine normale Reaktionszeit nach der nun folgenden Injektion gefunden. Die Ergebnisse entsprechen den Resultaten mitJerne's Technik bei Reaktionsuntersuchungen antikorperbildender Zellen.
100% Correlation of Chaotic-thermal Light and Turbulence-Free Imaging

This talk reports a recent experimental observation of intensity and intensity-fluctuation correlation and anti-correlation of chaotic-thermal light with 100% contrast. Based on this study, a novel technology of turbulence-free imaging has been developed.
Characterization of a solar-powered fluidyne test bed

Abstract Liquid piston Stirling engines (sometimes termed “fluidyne” engines) have been studied extensively and applied in a variety of energy conversion applications. They are attractive for low capital costs and simplicity of construction. In addition, their operation as external combustion engines allows for flexibility in primary energy sources which is a distinct advantage when a low-cost or free source of heat can be paired with their minimal construction costs. Disadvantages of these devices include relatively low efficiency and low power density. A solar-powered fluidyne test bed was constructed and tested extensively. The test bed was composed of a fluidyne engine constructed from copper pipe and plastic tubing coupled with a Fresnel lens for concentrating solar energy. The test bed was instrumented with temperature, pressure, and position sensors. The concentrated solar energy from the Fresnel lens provided ample power to operate the test bed, and tests were run in a wide variety of conditions. Temperature, pressure, and volume phasing along with indicated work are presented and discussed for operation of the engine with no externally imposed load.
Prospects for simplifying ITSM-based management through self-managing resources

Information technology service management (ITSM) codifies and supports the current best practices in the management and governance of existing IT infrastructures, including the computing infrastructure that underlies service delivery. Once ITSM tools have identified and structured current best practices, there is a significant opportunity to simplify those practices, and thereby ITSM in general, by introducing self-managing resources (SMRs). SMRs and related technologies allow increased delegation of existing ITSM tasks from humans to autonomic managers and the restructuring of ITSM activities through process modification and task replacement or elimination. In particular, the use of SMRs and virtualization can convert many activities that currently require multiple planning, validation, and approval tasks into routine activities that have a simpler task flow, in much the same way that modern file systems have transformed file-layout tasks that formerly required a skilled administrator into tasks that are handled entirely and transparently by the operating system. This paper briefly describes the general principles of SMRs, explores a number of potential impacts that this technology will have on ITSM processes, and illustrates these ideas with an analysis of how selected ITSM flows may be transformed.
Older age is associated with peripheral blood expansion of naïve B cells in HIV-infected subjects on antiretroviral therapy.

Older HIV infected subjects were previously found to have significant B cell expansion during initial antiretroviral therapy in a prospective age-differentiated cohort of older and younger ($45 vs. #30 years) HIV-infected subjects initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) through the AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Here to further describe this expansion, using a subset of subjects from the same cohort, we characterized B cell phenotypes at baseline and after 192 weeks of ART in both older and younger HIV-infected groups and compared them to uninfected age-matched controls. We also examined whether phenotypes at baseline associated with response to tetanus and hepatitis A vaccine at 12 weeks. Forty six subjects were analyzed in the HIV infected group (21 older, 25 younger) and 30 in the control group (15 per age group). We observed