cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leaf Phosphate Status, Photosynthesis, and Carbon Partitioning in Sugar Beet (IV. Changes with Time Following Increased Supply of Phosphate to Low-Phosphate Plants).

Changes in photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, and growth following resupply of orthophosphate (Pi) to moderately P-deficient plants (low-P) were determined for sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L. cv F58-554H1) cultured hydroponically in growth chambers. One set of plants was supplied with 1.0 mM Pi in half-strength Hoagland solution (control plants), and a second set (low-P plants) was supplied with 0.05 mM Pi. At the end of 2 weeks, the low-P plants were resupplied with 1.0 mM Pi. Low-P plants rapidly accumulated large amounts of Pi, and the photosynthesis rate increased to control values within 4 to 6 h. The rate of photosynthesis appeared to be controlled by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP); low P reduced photosynthesis and RuBP levels, and P resupply increased photosynthesis and RuBP in a manner parallel with time. Low-P treatment reduced adenylate levels substantially but not nicotinamide nucleotides; adenylate levels recovered to control values over 3 to 6 h. With low P, more photosynthate is allocated to non-P carbon compounds (e.g. starch, sucrose) than to sugar phosphates. When P is resupplied, sugar phosphates increase as starch and sucrose pools decrease; this increase in leaf (chloroplast) sugar phosphates was most likely responsible for the increases in RuBP and photosynthesis and may have increased adenylate levels (through enhanced levels of ribose-5-phosphate).
Genie in a bottle

An overlooked compound has a surprise in store for physicists. It becomes superconducting at a much higher temperature than any other stable metallic compound.
Persistence of Bacteriophages in Experimentally Infected Cell Cultures

A bacteriophage, isolated from a live measles vaccine and designated ϕV-1L, was intentionally introduced into cell culture systems. The bacterial virus persisted in the cell cultures after daily medium changes and trypsinization, and in cell lysates prepared by freezing and thawing. The results suggest that phages contaminating cell cultures may be carried over into the final product during the manufacture of viral vaccines.
Children and Violence: Findings and Implications from a Rural Community

The present study addresses gaps in the youth violence literature by exploring the types and levels of children's violence exposure in a rural setting and examining psychological trauma associated with violence exposure. The study is a secondary data analysis using a rural sample (N = 549) from a larger study. The larger study employed a 45-minute questionnaire given to students in grades 3 through 8. The questionnaire was designed to assess children's present and past violence exposure as a victim and witness across the home, school, and neighborhood. In addition, this questionnaire assessed children's psychological trauma symptoms. Our study found that children in the rural sample were exposed to high amounts of violence as both victims and witnesses within, and prior to, the past year. Violence exposure variables explained a significant amount of variance in total trauma symptoms after controlling for demographic variables. This finding is consistent with the literature examining the association of trauma and violence exposure.
Glycolate Uptake by Mutant Strains of Escherichia coli K-12

Mutant strains of Escherichia coli K-12 were shown to be impaired in their ability to assimilate glycolate-2-(14)C. One strain (Glc-103) has lost the ability to oxidize glycolate; another strain (Glc-102) was relatively impermeable to the compound. A third strain (Glc-104) had undergone a similar loss in permeability, and, in addition, was deranged in the synthesis of either glyoxylate reductase or malate synthase G.
Numerical Simulation of Ground‐Water Interaction with Lakes Allowing for Fluctuating Lake Levels

Most numerical models of ground-water flow incorporate lakes as constant head nodes. We developed a computer package for the widely used MODFLOW code to simulate three-dimensional steady-state and transient ground-water flow with fluctuating lake levels. This package considers precipitation to and evaporation from the lake surface, stream flow, and ground-water inflow and outflow for multiple lakes. We demonstrate the use of the package through the results of steady-state and transient simulations for a hypothetical ground-water flow problem involving a lake and two streams.
The role of computer tools in experts’ solving ill-structured problems

Abstract The focus of this study is first, the qualitative changes within the human agent as a result of extensive computer tool use (over 5 years), also described as the effect of tool use [Pea, R. D. (1985). Beyond amplification: using the computer to reorganize mental functioning. Educational Psychologist , 20 (4), 167–182; Salomon, G. (1990). Cognitive effects with and of computer technology. Communication Research , 17 (1), 26–44], and second, the “quantitative changes in accomplishment” of the human agent in the presence of computer tools, also described as effect with-tools [Pea (1985, p. 57); Solomon (1990)]. This research used ill-structured problem solving as the task and experts with more than 6 years of domain and tool experience to document the changes in their knowledge structures. The study also compared the differences between the ill-structured problem solving with and without the computer tool to identify differences that may be a result of the computer’s presence.
Finite Element Microscopic Stress Analysis of Cracked Composite Systems

This paper considers the stress concentration problems of two types of cracked composite systems: (1) a composite system with a broken fiber (a penny-shaped crack problem), and (2) a composite system with a cracked matrix (an annular crack problem). The cracked composite systems are modeled with triangular and trapezoidal ring finite elements. Using NASTRAN (NASA Structural Analysis) finite element computer program, the stress and deformation fields in the cracked composite systems are calculated. The effect of fiber-matrix material combination on the stress concentrations and on the crack opening displacements is studied.
Molecular cloning and expression of mouse and human cDNA encoding AES and ESG proteins with strong similarity to Drosophila enhancer of split groucho protein

Mouse and human cDNA encoding AES (amino-terminal enhancer of split) and ESG (enhancer of split groucho) proteins with strong similarity to Drosophila enhancer of split groucho protein were isolated and sequenced. Mouse AES-1 and AES-2 proteins, probably resulting from alternative splicing, contain 202 and 196 amino acids, respectively, while mouse ESG protein consists of 771 amino acids. The amino acid sequences of mouse and human AES proteins were found to exhibit approximately 50% identity to the amino-terminal region of Drosophila groucho, mouse ESG and human transducin-like enhancer of split (TLE) proteins. Mouse AES transcripts of 1.5 kb and 1.2 kb were abundantly expressed in muscle, heart and brain. Human AES transcripts of 1.6 kb and 1.4 kb were predominantly present in muscle, heart and placenta. Mouse ESG (homolog of human TLE 3) transcripts of 3.3 kb and 4.0 kb were found only in testis, while human TLE 1 transcripts of 4.5 kb was more abundant in muscle and placenta compared to heart, brain, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. Human AES, TLE 1 and TLE 3 genes were mapped to chromosomes 19, 9 and 15, respectively, using human and Chinese hamster hybrid cell lines.
Systemic Candidiasis in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW, ≤1500g) Infants: Risk Factors and Outcome 1476

Systemic Candidiasis in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW, ≤1500g) Infants: Risk Factors and Outcome 1476
Sensitivity-based methods for convergence acceleration of iterative algorithms

Abstract A new method to accelerate the convergence of iterative schemes for the numerical integration of systems of partial differential equations has been developed. The basic idea is that the residual at a grid point depends on the values of the solution vector at the neighboring grid points used in the local discretization approximation. Thus, the new acceleration method is based on the sensitivity of the future residual to the change in the solution vector at the neighboring grid points with the objective to minimize the future residual. The result is a set of optimum iterative relaxation parameters for the entire flow field or for each individual grid line. The method is easy to implement in the existing codes. We have applied it to a finite difference code for two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Test cases involve laminar and turbulent flows with severe grid clustering and flow separation. The results are compared with those of a basic explicit Runge-Kutta (RK) time-stepping iterative algorithm and with the implicit residual smoothing (1RS) and the distributed minimal residual (DMR) acceleration techniques. The new acceleration scheme is shown to be superior to these methods especially on highly-clustered grids.
Role of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Cholecystokinin-Induced Activation of Cultured Vagal Afferent Neurons

Cholecystokinin (CCK), an endogenous brain-gut peptide, is released after food intake and promotes the process of satiation via activation of the vagus nerve. In vitro, CCK increases cytosolic calcium concentrations and produces membrane depolarization in a subpopulation of vagal afferent neurons. However, the specific mechanisms and ionic conductances that mediate these effects remain unclear. In this study we used calcium imaging, electrophysiological measurements, and single cell PCR analysis on cultured vagal afferent neurons to address this issue directly. A cocktail of blockers of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) failed to block CCK-induced calcium responses. In addition, SKF96365, a compound that blocks both VDCC and the C family of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, also failed to prevent responses to CCK. Together these results suggest that CCK-induced calcium influx is not subsequent to the membrane depolarization. Ruthenium red, an inhibitor of the TRPV family and TRPA1, blocked both depolarizing responses to CCK and CCK-induced calcium increases, but had no effect on the KCl-induced calcium response. Selective block of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels with SB366791 and HC030031, respectively, had minor effects on the CCK-induced response. Application of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, an activator of select TRPV channels but a blocker of several TRPC channels, either had no effect or enhanced the responses to CCK. Further, results from PCR experiments revealed a significant clustering of TRPV2-5 in neurons expressing CCK1 receptors. These observations demonstrate that CCK-induced increases in cytosolic calcium and membrane depolarization of vagal afferent neurons are likely mediated by TRPV channels, excluding TRPV1.
Adoption of Lean Principles in a High-Volume Molecular Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory

Clinical laboratories are constantly facing challenges to do more with less, enhance quality, improve test turnaround time, and reduce operational expenses. Experience with adopting and applying lean concepts and tools used extensively in the manufacturing industry is described for a high-volume clinical molecular microbiology laboratory, illustrating how operational success and benefits can be achieved.
Surfactant effects on alpha factors in full-scale wastewater aeration systems

Aeration is an essential process in the majority of wastewater treatment processes, and accounts for the largest fraction of plant energy costs. Aeration systems can achieve wastewater oxygenation by shearing the surface (surface aerators) or releasing bubbles at the bottom of the tank (coarse- or fine-bubble aerators). Surfactants accumulate on gas–liquid interfaces and reduce mass transfer rates. This reduction in general is larger for fine-bubble aerators. This study was conducted to evaluate mass transfer effects on the characterization and specification of aeration systems in clean and process water conditions. Tests at different interfacial turbulence regimes were analysed, showing higher gas transfer depression for lower turbulence regimes. Higher turbulence regimes can offset contamination effects, at the expense of operating efficiency. This phenomenon is characteristic of surface aerators and coarse bubble diffusers and is here discussed. The results explain the variability of α factors measured at small scale, due to uncontrolled energy density. Results are also reported in dimensionless empirical correlations that describe mass transfer as a function of physiochemical and geometrical characteristics of the aeration process.
Diagnostic Assessment of Geriatric Urinary Incontinence

Abstract Urinary incontinence affects 15% to 30% of the population1 and 50% of those living in nursing homes. Care for incontinence is difficult because this condition is underre-ported by patients and underdiagnosed by physicians. This article describes the medical and nursing diagnostic assessment of urinary incontinence of geriatric populations, and the criteria for referral. Comprehensive review of urinary incontinence, including treatment, is available elsewhere.2,3 Although this article focuses on the assessment of urinary incontinence, the type of treatment being considered guides the scope of the evaluation, and therefore, treatment of incontinence is discussed.
Regulation of intestinal blood flow with increased intraluminal pressure.

To better characterize the mechanisms which regulate intestinal blood flow (IBF), we studied the effects of gradual and rapid increases in intraluminal pressure (LP) in anesthetized canines. Polarographic measurements of hydrogen washout allowed repeated assessment of IBF (ml/min · g) in control (CL) and distended (DL) autoperfused small intestinal loops. In group I (n = 7) graded increases in LP (mm Hg) were produced by saline inflation. In group II (n = 4), IBF was measured before and after intraarterial aminophylline (adenosine blockade); LP was then rapidly raised to 24 mm Hg. IBF was unchanged by time (CL 0.64 ± 0.24) or gradual distension (DL 0.65 ± 0.28 at mean maximal LP = 26). Aminophylline did not change IBF at LP = 0. Rapid distension after adenosine blockade was accompanied by immediate increases in IBF (0.96 ± 0.41, P < 0.05) and decreased resistance (50 ± 25% control). IBF is maintained despite gradual increases in luminal pressure. Blockade of adenosine, an intestinal vasodilator, does not inhibit this response; hyperemia associated with rapid distension is not impaired. We conclude that autoregulation of IBF during distension is not accomplished by an adenosine mediated metabolic mechanism.
A Context-Aware framework for patient Navigation and Engagement (CANE)

Engaging patients in the management of their health care can improve the quality of their care and enhance their experience while making more efficient use of care provider resources, especially for chronic diseases. However, health care system complexity and the challenge of consumer health literacy hinder greater engagement. In this paper, we propose a Context-Aware patient Navigation and Engagement (CANE) framework to support informed decision making and more efficient use of health care services. We use the BPMN 2.0 workflow language to formalize the description of navigation processes derived from medical guidelines and develop a healthcare network ontology to assist patient understanding of various clinical activities from multiple perspectives (e.g., resource, logistics, financial, and time). A running example of type 2 diabetes management is used to illustrate our CANE framework. Finally, we describe the system architecture of our prototype.
Multifetal pregnancy reductions of triplets to twins: Comparison with nonreduced triplets and twins

Abstract Objective: Multifetal pregnancy reduction has been shown to improve survival rates in high-order multifetal pregnancies (≥4). There is, however, some controversy as to whether multifetal pregnancy reduction improves pregnancy outcomes of triplets reduced to twins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this issue by comparing outcomes of triplet gestations undergoing reduction to twins with outcomes of nonreduced twin gestations and expectantly managed triplet gestations. Study Design: The study included 143 triplet pregnancies that underwent reduction to twins over a 10-year period at a single center. These were compared with 12 nonreduced triplet pregnancies from the Wayne State University Perinatal Database and with 2 groups of twin pregnancies: 605 from the Wayne State University Perinatal Database and 207 from the Quest Diagnostics Database. Results: The miscarriage rate for expectantly managed triplets was 25%, compared with 6.2% for triplets reduced to twins. This rate was similar to the rates for both groups of nonreduced twins: 5.8% (Quest) and 6.3% (Wayne State University). Severe prematurity occurred in 25% of nonreduced triplets compared with 4.9% of twins after reduction. This rate was also similar to that of nonreduced twins: 7.7% (Quest) and 8.4% (Wayne State University). The mean gestational age at delivery for expectantly managed triplets (32.9 ± 4.7 weeks) was significantly shorter than for triplets reduced to twins (35.6 ± 3.1 weeks). By comparison, nonreduced twins had a mean gestational age at delivery of 35.8 ± 3.9 weeks for Quest and 34.4 ± 3.6 weeks for Wayne State University. Mean birth weights were significantly lower in expectantly managed triplets as compared with triplets undergoing reduction to twins (1636 ± 645 g vs 2381 ± 602 g, respectively). Nonreduced twins had a mean birth weight of 2254 ± 653 g for Quest and 2123 ± 634 g for Wayne State University. Pregnancy loss rates, mean length of gestation, and mean birth weight did not vary significantly between triplets who underwent reduction to twins and nonreduced twins. Conclusions: Reduction of triplets to twins significantly reduces the risk for prematurity and low birth weight and may also be associated with a reduction in overall pregnancy loss. This suggests that multifetal pregnancy reduction of triplets to twins is a medically justifiable procedure not only from an actuarial viewpoint but also from the ethical perspective of supporting patients' autonomy and respect for patients' individual circumstances. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1268-71.)
Stability of lactate dehydrogenase in metal-catalyzed oxidation solutions containing chelated metals

The role of metal chelators in altering the reactivity of metal-catalyzed oxidation solutions containing iron or copper, ascorbate, and hydrogen peroxide was evaluated by measuring the loss of enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the formation of hydroxyl radicals. The chelators used were iminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, bicinchoninic acid, dihydrobenzoic acid, desferroxalamine mesylate, and phytate. All of the chelators tested at a 10:1 chelator:metal ratio afforded some protection to LDH compared to the unchelated system. Selected chelators that afforded only partial protection to LDH were able to provide nearly complete protection at higher chelator:metal ratios. This protection is likely attributable to the chelators' ability to remove surface-bound metals and, thereby, reduce “site-specific” oxidation. Many metal−chelator pairs generated hydroxyl radicals. The rate and amount of hydroxyl radicals formed varied depending on the metal−chelator pair. Although large amounts of hydroxyl radicals did not always result in increased protein inactivation, the absence of radicals was required for complete protein protection. The chelator to metal ratio required to eliminate hydroxyl radical formation varied widely with the metal−chelator pair and was unusually high in some cases. The results suggest that metal−chelator pairs (of various ratios) can be screened for hydroxyl radical formation and that those which show no radical formation are expected to protect the protein. No definitive conclusions can be drawn concerning the stability of LDH in solutions capable of producing hydroxyl radicals as the rate and extent of hydroxyl radical formation was not correlated simply to LDH inactivation under the conditions studied.
Learning objective functions for manipulation

We present an approach to learning objective functions for robotic manipulation based on inverse reinforcement learning. Our path integral inverse reinforcement learning algorithm can deal with high-dimensional continuous state-action spaces, and only requires local optimality of demonstrated trajectories. We use L1 regularization in order to achieve feature selection, and propose an efficient algorithm to minimize the resulting convex objective function. We demonstrate our approach by applying it to two core problems in robotic manipulation. First, we learn a cost function for redundancy resolution in inverse kinematics. Second, we use our method to learn a cost function over trajectories, which is then used in optimization-based motion planning for grasping and manipulation tasks. Experimental results show that our method outperforms previous algorithms in high-dimensional settings.
Neighborhood design, connectivity assessment and obstruction

Neighborhood design, in particular street connectivity, has come to be understood as an important component of urban sustainability. Academics have presented a range of measures for assessing connectivity, some of which have been employed by North American governments in their development review process. However, these measures are subject to numerous ‘distortions’ and are not completely reliable to objectively assess connectivity. Perhaps the most developed approach is the LEED-ND pilot program, which assesses connectivity of the network of roads and pedestrian paths based on an elaborate form of intersection density. The likelihood that this tool will be widely used in the future invites a test of its effectiveness. This article examines existing subdivisions to devise a ‘typology of obstruction’ that demonstrates how the LEED intersection density standards can be met while greatly limiting the movement of cars and pedestrians. A method of evaluating connectivity based on route directness is used to demonstrate this lack of connectivity, and is proposed as one possible alternative to the current system.
The DARC side of metastasis: shining a light on KAI1-mediated metastasis suppression in the vascular tunnel.

Tumor cell metastasis to distant organs is an inefficient process that is limited in part by recently identified metastasis suppressors. Interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding stroma are thought to control much of cancer progression. In the August issue of Nature Medicine, Bandyopadhyay et al. (2006) demonstrate that specific cell surface interactions between the metastasis suppressor KAI1 on tumor cells and the decoy cytokine receptor DARC on adjacent vascular cells triggers senescence in the tumor cells and suppresses metastasis. These new observations demonstrate how metastasis suppressors can relay the restraint imposed by the stroma onto disseminating tumor cells.
Recombinant yeast TFIID, a general transcription factor, mediates activation by the gene-specific factor USF in a chromatin assembly assay.

Abstract The TATA box-binding transcription factor TFIID from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was tested for its ability to mediate regulatory factor functions both in a cell-free system reconstituted with other general initiation factors (purified from HeLa cells) and in a combined nucleosome assembly-transcription system. In the latter assay recombinant yeast TFIID, expressed in and purified from bacteria, was sufficient to prevent nucleosome assembly-mediated repression and to mediate transcriptional enhancement of the adenovirus major late promoter by the gene-specific activator USF. In contrast, recombinant yeast TFIID was unable to mediate activation by USF in the system reconstituted only with purified general factors. Under the same conditions a partially purified natural yeast TFIID was able to mediate activation by both USF and Sp1 (assayed with the human immunodeficiency virus promoter), but to a lesser extent than observed with a partially purified natural human TFIID. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the structure of the yeast and human TATA factors and the possible involvement either of specific TFIID modifications or of coactivators.
The effect of antibiotics on Escherichia coli ingested by macrophages.

SummaryMacrophages obtained from mouse peritoneal washings or the culture of human peripheral monocytes, were incubated in vitro with opsonized E. coli. Macrophages containing viable E. coli were then incubated with either rifampin, gentamicin or ampicillin. Only rifampin killed all intracellular and extracellular bacteria whereas gentamicin and ampicillin eradicated only extracellular bacteria. Rifampin is able to penetrate macrophages and kill bacteria that have survived phagocytosis.
Magnetic behavior of R1.9Zr0.1Fe14B and R1.9Zr0.1Fe12Co2B compounds

Abstract Magnetic properties of R1.9Zr0.1Fe14B (R = Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy) and R1.9Zr0.1Fe12Co2B (R = Pr, Nd) have been determined. The effect of substitution of R by Zr on the saturation magnetization, Curie temperature and anisotropy is presented. All the compounds show a decrease in magnetic moment and Curie temperature but an increase in anisotropy field. For example, in Nd1.9Zr0.1Fe12Co2B, μs = 32.1μB, Tc = 715 K and HA = 83 kOe.
Materials characterization for MEMS: a comparison of uniaxial and bending tests

A wide range of techniques have been developed recently for testing the mechanical properties of materials used in MEMS. Many of these techniques focus on uniaxial tension testing, while others address bending or torsional modes of deformation. This paper compares the two primary modes of testing - uniaxial tension and bending - in terms of the associated forces, deflections and sensitivities to uncertainty in geometry and loading. When determining elastic modulus, the bending test is shown to be more sensitive to uncertainties in beam cross section than is the tension test. On the other hand, in connection with strength characterization it is shown that small deviations form ideal uniaxial loading, either in terms of an offset from the neutral axis or an angular misalignment from the axis, can result in a large decrease in the apparent strength. Bending test for strength determination do not suffer such dramatic effects due to the misalignment of the applied loading.
Quantifying the Frequency of Tumor-propagating Cells Using Limiting Dilution Cell Transplantation in Syngeneic Zebrafish

Self-renewing cancer cells are the only cell types within a tumor that have an unlimited ability to promote tumor growth, and are thus known as tumor-propagating cells, or tumor-initiating cells. It is thought that targeting these self-renewing cells for destruction will block tumor progression and stop relapse, greatly improving patient prognosis. The most common way to determine the frequency of self-renewing cells within a tumor is a limiting dilution cell transplantation assay, in which tumor cells are transplanted into recipient animals at increasing doses; the proportion of animals that develop tumors is used the calculate the number of self-renewing cells within the original tumor sample. Ideally, a large number of animals would be used in each limiting dilution experiment to accurately determine the frequency of tumor-propagating cells. However, large scale experiments involving mice are costly, and most limiting dilution assays use only 10-15 mice per experiment. Zebrafish have gained prominence as a cancer model, in large part due to their ease of genetic manipulation and the economy by which large scale experiments can be performed. Additionally, the cancer types modeled in zebrafish have been found to closely mimic their counterpart human disease. While it is possible to transplant tumor cells from one fish to another by sub-lethal irradiation of recipient animals, the regeneration of the immune system after 21 days often causes tumor regression. The recent creation of syngeneic zebrafish has greatly facilitated tumor transplantation studies. Because these animals are genetically identical, transplanted tumor cells engraft robustly into recipient fish, and tumor growth can be monitored over long periods of time. Syngeneic zebrafish are ideal for limiting dilution transplantation assays in that tumor cells do not have to adapt to growth in a foreign microenvironment, which may underestimate self-renewing cell frequency. Additionally, one-cell transplants have been successfully completed using syngeneic zebrafish and several hundred animals can be easily and economically transplanted at one time, both of which serve to provide a more accurate estimate of self-renewing cell frequency. Here, a method is presented for creating primary, fluorescently-labeled T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in syngeneic zebrafish, and transplanting these tumors at limiting dilution into adult fish to determine self-renewing cell frequency. While leukemia is provided as an example, this protocol is suitable to determine the frequency of tumor-propagating cells using any cancer model in the zebrafish.
Massage with kinesthetic stimulation improves weight gain in preterm infants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of massage with or without kinesthetic stimulation on weight gain and length of hospital stay in the preterm infant. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted evaluating the effects of massage with or without kinesthetic stimulation (KS) on weight gain and length of stay (LOS) in medically stable premature ( and 1000 g, average daily weight gain was increased in the intervention groups compared to control. This effect was mainly attributable to the M/KS group. Massage with KS is a relatively simple and inexpensive intervention that can improve weight gain in selected preterm infants. Length of hospital stay is not impacted by massage with or without KS. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of massage in the extremely low BW(<1000 g) infant.
Personal Perspective: Why Haven't the Robots Come?

The creation and adoption of technology by nations is strongly influenced by many factors. A strong force that is often overlooked is the role of culture in technology invention, choice, development, and marketing. This study—based on a plenary address given at the Second International Conference on Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing and Hybrid Automation in Honolulu, August 13, 1990—explores the intimate influence that the cultures of Japan and the U.S. each have had on the invention and differential rate of adoption and use of robots in the their nations.
The abnormally early appearance of the eastward motion of auroras in the evening

Abnormally early eastward auroral motion appearance in evening and associated magnetospheric plasma shell motion
Supporting the Assembly Process by Leveraging Augmented Reality, Cloud Computing, and Mobile Devices

The assembly process is often very complex and involved, collecting and managing a significant number of parts in an intricate manner. Because the quality of a product is in large part impacted by the assembly process, intuitive and carefully scaffolded guidelines can make a difference in how fast and how accurate an assembler can complete the assembly process. To this end, the authors propose an innovative system that leverages three current and emerging technologies; augmented reality (AR), cloud computing, and mobile devices, to create an Augmented Reality Product Assembly (ARPA) system. This paper describes the total framework for creating the ARPA system. They also discuss how the system leverages augmented reality visualizations for repurposing user-generated assembly guidelines by incorporating cloud-based computing. Although the authors situate ARPAâ€™s use in an industrial setting, it is domain-independent and able to support a wide range of practical and educational applications.
“Good English without Idiom or Tone”: The Colonial Origins of American Speech

The interplay between modes of speech and the demographical, geographical, social, and political history of Britain's North American colonies of settlement influenced the linguistic evolution of co...
Assessing efficacy of chronic therapy when disease is characterized by frequent relapses: The example of schizophrenia

In assessing the efficacy of therapy for schizophrenia, the effect of medication on relapse needs to be distinguished from the influence of relapse on medication. Typically, effective medication prevents relapse, but relapse generally induces medication. Conventional analyses using either treatment or disease as outcome do not separate these two effects. We propose an alternate approach that uses both treatment and schizophrenic relapse as random variables. Data from 58 schizophrenic patients, with up to 60 consecutive monthly determinations of antipsychotic medication and schizophrenic events, were analyzed using a bivariate transition model with random effects. This analysis revealed that the risk of current schizophrenic relapse is reduced by continuous medication (previous month and current month) but not necessarily by discontinuous medication.
Comparative thermal adaptation in cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) inhabiting Mediterranean ecosystems

Abstract The thermal responses of cicadas inhabiting the Mediterranean ecosystems in Europe, North America, South Africa, and Australia are investigated. A total of 37 species and two subspecies from 17 genera representing eight tribes and three subfamilies of cicadas are investigated. The analysis includes species that are restricted to the Mediterranean ecosystem as well as those which also inhabit additional environments. The data suggest that cicadas adapt to the climate type regardless of particular types of plants within the various Mediterranean communities. Similarly, cicada thermal responses are independent of body size or taxonomic affinities. There is a wider range of body temperatures for the maximum voluntary tolerance temperature than for heat torpor or minimum flight temperatures. This diversity seems to be determined by the subdivision of the habitat used and the behavior of the species. All species possess relatively elevated heat torpor temperatures adapting to the general thermal characteristics of the Mediterranean ecosystem. The data suggest that cicadas adapt to the Mediterranean climate type regardless of the diversity of particular types of plants within the various communities, of body size or of taxonomic position.
Decoupling synchronization and data transfer in message passing systems of parallel computers

Synchronization is an important issue for the design of a scalable parallel computer, and some systems include special hardware support for control messages or barriers. The cost of synchronization has a high impact on the design of the message passing (communication) services. In this paper, we investigate three different communication libraries that are tailored toward the synchronization services available: (1) a version of generic send-receive message passing (PVM), which relies on traditional flow control and buffering to synchronize the data transfers; (2) message passing with pulling, i.e. a message is transferred only when the recipient is ready and requests it (as, e.g., used in NX for large messages); and (3) the decoupled direct deposit message passing that uses separate, global synchronization to ensure that nodes send messages only when the message data can be deposited directly into the final destination in the memory of the remote recipient. Measurements of these three styles on a Cray T3D demonstrate the benefits of the decoupled message passing with direct deposit. The performance advantage of this style is made possible by (1) preemptive synchronization to avoid unnecessary copies of the data, (2) high-speed barrier synchronization, and (3) improved congestion control in the network. The designers of the communication system of future parallel computers are therefore strongly encouraged to provide good synchronizationfacilities in addition to high throughput data transfers to support high performance message passing.
An approach for treating contact surfaces in Lagrangian cell-centered hydrodynamics

A new method is presented for modeling contact surfaces in Lagrangian cell-centered hydrodynamics (CCH). The contact method solves a multi-directional Riemann-like problem at each penetrating or touching node along the contact surface. The velocity of a penetrating or touching node and the corresponding forces are explicitly calculated using the Riemann-like nodal solver. The contact method works with material strength and allows surfaces to impact, slide, and separate. Results are presented for several test problems involving both gases and materials with strength. The new contact surface approach extends the modeling capabilities of CCH.
What are journalists for

What are journalists for? It's a question that has no definitive answer—certainly not one we can apply uniformly in all places at all times. But we should be asking the question and can, perhaps, provide some tentative answers for contemporary U.S. society. Journalists should have the same goal as all people: to balance their own needs for fulfillment with the collective project of making the world a more just, humane, sustainable place to live for everyone and everything. But how should journalists pursue that goal? The question has been on my mind a lot lately since I teach journalism classes and over knowing what to tell students about a journalism career. I left mainstream newspaper journalism because I found it unsatisfying both politically and personally. The longer I'm out of the trade and the more I critically evaluate it, the more dissatisfied I become.
Concentration of Long-Acting Thyroid Stimulator (LATS) by Subfractionation of γG Globulin from Graves' Disease Serum1

The concentration of long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) present in the serum of patients with Graves' disease was increased 30–37 times over that of the original sera, by means of column chromatography. More than half the original LATS activity appeared in the first fraction obtained when serum was passed, initially, through a DEAE-Sephadex column. The protein contained therein was identified by immunoelectrophoresis as γG;, globulin. Biological activity of this material was specifically neutralized by anti-γG globulin serum and not by anti-γA or anti-γM serum. Further purification was achieved by passage through a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) column with a recovery in all fractions of 50% of the starting LATS activity. The bulk of the LATS activity, however, was concentrated in the slower-eluting fractions. Approximately half the total LATS activity in all the fractions (10% of the original serum activity) appeared in one of the slower-eluting fractions (C V). These slower-eluting fractions on immuno...
Patent Ductus Arteriosus Masquerading as Aortic Transection in a Trauma Victim

A high-speed motorcycle crash is a risk factor for thoracic aortic injury due to the rapid deceleration mechanism. We present a previously healthy 44-year-old man who was involved in a motorcycle accident. Initial spiral computed tomography indicated an intimal flap, which was visualized with evidence of mediastinal hemorrhage. The man was taken emergently to the operating room where a patent ductus arteriosus was seen at the location of the suspected aortic injury. No true aortic injury was appreciated.
Landmark Control and Updating of Self-Movement Cues Are Largely Maintained in Head Direction Cells After Lesions of the Posterior Parietal Cortex

Head direction (HD) cells discharge as a function of the rat’s directional orientation with respect to its environment. Because animals with posterior parietal cortex (PPC) lesions exhibit spatial and navigational deficits, and the PPC is indirectly connected to areas containing HD cells, we determined the effects of bilateral PPC lesions on HD cells recorded in the anterodorsal thalamus. HD cells from lesioned animals had similar firing properties compared to controls and their preferred firing directions shifted a corresponding amount following rotation of the major visual landmark. Because animals were not exposed to the visual landmark until after surgical recovery, these results provide evidence that the PPC is not necessary for visual landmark control or the establishment of landmark stability. Further, cells from lesioned animals maintained a stable preferred firing direction when they foraged in the dark and were only slightly less stable than controls when they self-locomoted into a novel enclosure. These findings suggest that PPC does not play a major role in the use of landmark and self-movement cues in updating the HD cell signal, or in its generation.
Some New Proofs of Results on Hazard-Rate Functions

Simple proofs are given for the properties of hazard-rate functions of systems, whose subsystems are operating sequentially (in series) or simultaneously (in parallel) and whose hazard-rate characteristics are known.
Optimizing Chemotherapy: Concomitant Medication Lists

Identifying sources of variability in the response to cancer chemotherapy requires knowledge of all variables, including concomitant medications, that can alter the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy. This study investigated the accuracy of the lists of concomitant medications in the charts of cancer patients. Information collated from a questionnaire, patient interview, and the patient's medical chart was used to obtain validated medication lists. Patients took an average of 4.8 prescription drugs, 1.6 nonprescription drugs, and 1.6 other remedies within the 3 days prior to chemotherapy. Of the concomitant drugs actually taken, the medical records did not report 24% of prescription drugs, 84% of nonprescription drugs, and 83% of other remedies. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were more complete than paper charts, but even these omitted >75% of nonprescription drugs and other remedies. Potential drug interactions were noted in this study. This study documents the extent and complexity of the concomitant drugs taken by patients undergoing chemotherapy and the deficiencies in recording this information in medical charts.
The evolution of optimal foraging strategies in populations of digital organisms

Foraging strategies in uncertain environments is the subject of a great deal of biological investigation, much of which is grounded in mathematical models. One theoretical prediction with wide empirical support is the ideal free distribution (IFD), where agents distribute themselves among patches of resources in proportion to their suitability. However, the IFD assumes that agents have perfect information of the environment. In nature, this assumption is often violated, yet the IFD is still observed. Insights into evolved mechanisms and behaviors that result in the IFD show how such efficient outcomes may emerge from little information. In this study, the artificial life platform Avida is used to observe populations of digital organisms as they evolved to optimize resource intake in an environment with unpredictable resource distributions. It is shown that the ideal free distribution can emerge from simple foraging strategies that require minimal information. It is demonstrated that this distribution is a result of choices made by the organisms, and not simply due to those in a more advantageous setting producing more offspring. Deviations from the IFD appear to be correlated with reduced information or foraging aggregation. Distributions with organisms of differing abilities are also investigated, demonstrating further correspondence with theoretical predictions.
CRYSTALS OF CALCIUM COMPOUNDS IN GRAMINEAE

Summary From reviews of the anatomy and cell contents of grasses it would appear that crystals of calcium compounds do not occur. However, 13 scattered reports of such crystals in grasses have been discovered in the literature. As a result of observations made by the author, calcium oxalate crystals have been found in bundle sheath cells and adjacent mesophyll in leaves of Melinis minutiflora (Panicoideae).
Thermal Transport Phenomena in Buoyancy-Driven Nanofluids

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the thermal transport phenomena in buoyancy-driven nanofluids. The experimental model for this study is a rectangular enclosure with differentially heated vertical walls and adiabatic horizontal walls. The nanofluids were confined within the enclosure. Simulations were performed to measure the transient and steady-state temperature response of the nanofluids to applied load. Experimental observation shows settling of the nanoparticle at low heat loads and a remixing of the nanofluid at higher loads. At high loads, the buoyancy force increased hence increasing the re-circulatory motion of the nanofluid. This may be one method of addressing the settling of nanoparticles in nanofluid. For natural convection in an enclosure, this paper shows that the thermal behavior of nanofluids is identical to pure fluids. Temperature data collected during the experiment were used to study the variation of Nusselt number with Rayleigh number.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Segmentation precision of abdominal anatomy for MRI-based radiotherapy

The limited soft tissue visualization provided by computed tomography, the standard imaging modality for radiotherapy treatment planning and daily localization, has motivated studies on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for better characterization of treatment sites, such as the prostate and head and neck. However, no studies have been conducted on MRI-based segmentation for the abdomen, a site that could greatly benefit from enhanced soft tissue targeting. We investigated the interobserver and intraobserver precision in segmentation of abdominal organs on MR images for treatment planning and localization. Manual segmentation of 8 abdominal organs was performed by 3 independent observers on MR images acquired from 14 healthy subjects. Observers repeated segmentation 4 separate times for each image set. Interobserver and intraobserver contouring precision was assessed by computing 3-dimensional overlap (Dice coefficient [DC]) and distance to agreement (Hausdorff distance [HD]) of segmented organs. The mean and standard deviation of intraobserver and interobserver DC and HD values were DCintraobserver = 0.89 ± 0.12, HDintraobserver = 3.6 mm ± 1.5, DCinterobserver = 0.89 ± 0.15, and HDinterobserver = 3.2 mm ± 1.4. Overall, metrics indicated good interobserver/intraobserver precision (mean DC > 0.7, mean HD < 4 mm). Results suggest that MRI offers good segmentation precision for abdominal sites. These findings support the utility of MRI for abdominal planning and localization, as emerging MRI technologies, techniques, and onboard imaging devices are beginning to enable MRI-based radiotherapy.