cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Split intensionality: a new scope theory of de re and de dicto

The traditional scope theory of intensionality (STI) (see Russell 1905; Montague 1973; Ladusaw 1977; Ogihara 1992, 1996; Stowell 1993) is simple, elegant, and, for the most part, empirically adequate. However, a few quite troubling counterexamples to this theory have lead researchers to propose alternatives, such as positing null situation pronouns (Percus 2000) or actuality operators (Kamp 1971; Cresswell 1990) in the syntax of natural language. These innovative theories do correct the undergeneration of the original scope theory, but at a cost: the situation pronoun and operator theories overgenerate, as argued extensively by Percus (2000) and Keshet (2008). This paper presents new data that supports the STI over other analyses, such as structures where DPs lose their de re readings in positions where syntactic movement is blocked. These data point the way to a new theory of intensionality. This new theory, called split intensionality, is a modification of the STI which aims to solve the problems raised for the original scope theory without overgenerating. The proposal calls for an additional intensional abstraction operator that creates an expression denoting an intension from an expression denoting an extension. When a DP moves to a position above this operator, it is interpreted de re; otherwise it is de dicto. The crucial part of the new proposal is that a DP may move above this operator and yet remain, for instance, below an intentional verb or inside an if-clause. Therefore, a DP within an island for syntactic movement may be de re and yet not move out of the island when the intensional abstraction operator is also within the island.
Hybrid Rare Earih Quadrupole Drift Tube Magnets

A prototype quadrupole permanent magnet with adjustable field strength has been constructed and tested. The magnet consists of iron pole pieces to provide the required field shape along with rare earth permanent magnet material (samarium cobalt) to energize the magnet. A unique feature of the configuration is the adjustability of the field by rotating the outer rings consisting of permanent magnets and iron. Magnetic tests show small field errors coming from well understood assembly details. Mechanical tests show the design needs further consideration to ensure reliability. It is planned to use this type of magnet in the SuperHILAC prestripper drift tubes.
Optimizing analog-to-digital converters for sampling extracellular potentials

In neural implants, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provides the delicate interface between the analog signals generated by neurological processes and the digital signal processor that is tasked to interpret these signals for instance for epileptic seizure detection or limb control. In this paper, we propose a low-power ADC architecture for neural implants that process extracellular potentials. The proposed architecture uses the spike detector that is readily available on most of these implants in a closed-loop with an ADC. The spike detector determines whether the current input signal is part of a spike or it is part of noise to adaptively determine the instantaneous sampling rate of the ADC. The proposed architecture can reduce the power consumption of a traditional ADC by 62% when sampling extracellular potentials without any significant impact on spike detection accuracy.
A radioenzymatic microassay for simultaneous measurement of catecholamines and their deaminated metabolites.

Abstract A simple and specific assay for measurement of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and their major deaminated metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol and 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid in plasma has been developed. The assay is based on the conversion of these compounds to their O-methylated derivatives in the presence of catechol-O-methyltransferase and S-adenosyl-[methyl3H]methionine. The formed tritiated derivatives are selectively extracted in organic solvents and isolated by thin-layer chromatography. After oxidation to vanillin they are purified by solvent extraction and measured by liquid scintillation spectrophotometry. The assay is rapid and results can be obtained in less than 3 hr.
The Effect of Advanced Practice Nurse‐Modulated Education on Rehabilitation Nursing Staff Knowledge

Rehabilitation is a specialty area with defined competencies and discrete nursing knowledge. Nurses need to be educated in the basic competencies of rehabilitation to provide safe, quality care to patients with chronic illnesses and disabilities. A critical appraisal of the literature showed that education increased knowledge in a specialty area and had positive benefits for nurses, organizations, and patients. The purpose of this paper is to describe an evidence-based educational intervention. Self-study modules on 15 rehabilitation competencies were developed for 16 nurses working on a new inpatient unit. Outcomes were evaluated using pre and post tests via the online Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Competency Assessment Tool (CAT). Data were analyzed using the SPSS14.0 statistical package. Paired t-tests demonstrated a significant difference between pre and post test scores on 14 of the 15 competencies measured. Findings suggested that education of nursing staff resulted in increased knowledge about rehabilitation nursing competencies.
Evidence for high-l rydberg states in atomic lithium excited by electron impact

Abstract By a time-of-flight technique we have studied the radiative decay of lithium atoms excited to high Rydberg levels by electron impact. The observed decay rates are consistent with large values for the orbital angular momentum quantum number l .
Soil moisture affects survival of microorganisms in heated chaparral soil.

Abstract Prescribed burning, the planned application of fire to reduce the hazards of wildland fuels, is coming into wider use in southern California chaparral. Soil was heated to various temperatures in factorial combination with various soil moistures to determine the direct effects of fire and soil moisture on the survival of microorganisms in chaparral soil. For fungi, mild heating increased germination of dormant forms yielding significantly higher counts than those in unheated soil. With increasing temperatures, microbe populations showed an exponential decrease. For heterotrophic soil bacteria, this decrease was summarized as a function of soil moisture and temperature. Microbial groups differed significantly in sensitivity to temperature: fungi > nitrite oxidizers > heterotrophic bacteria. Physiologically-active populations in moist soil were significantly more sensitive than were dormant populations in dry soil. The mathematical model presented shows qualitatively that more of the microbial biomass will be killed when the soil is moderately moist—as during prescribed burning—than when it is dry. Mineralization of killed microbial biomass in soil and release of plant nutrients may partially explain the increased plant growth and reduced response to fertilizer at burned sites.
Four-dimensional heteronuclear correlation experiments for chemical shift assignment of solid proteins

Chemical shift assignment is the first step in all established protocols for structure determination of uniformly labeled proteins by NMR. The explosive growth in recent years of magic-angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR (SSNMR) applications is largely attributable to improved methods for backbone and side-chain chemical shift correlation spectroscopy. However, the techniques developed so far have been applied primarily to proteins in the size range of 5–10 kDa, despite the fact that SSNMR has no inherent molecular weight limits. Rather, the degeneracy inherent to many 2D and 3D SSNMR spectra of larger proteins has prevented complete unambiguous chemical shift assignment. Here we demonstrate the implementation of 4D backbone chemical shift correlation experiments for assignment of solid proteins. The experiments greatly reduce spectral degeneracy at a modest cost in sensitivity, which is accurately described by theory. We consider several possible implementations and investigate the CANCOCX pulse sequence in detail. This experiment involves three cross polarization steps, from H to CA[i], CA[i] to N[i], and N[i] to C′[i−1], followed by a final homonuclear mixing period. With short homonuclear mixing times ( 200 ms), long-range correlations are revealed. For example, a single 4D experiment with 225 ms homonuclear mixing time reveals ∼200 uniquely resolved medium and long-range correlations in the 56-residue protein GB1. In addition to experimental demonstrations in the 56-residue protein GB1, we present a theoretical analysis of anticipated improvements in resolution for much larger proteins and compare these results in detail with the experiments, finding good agreement between experiment and theory under conditions of stable instrumental performance.
AKT and TOR Signaling Set the Pace of the Circadian Pacemaker

The circadian clock coordinates cellular and organismal energy metabolism [1]. The importance of this circadian timing system is underscored by findings that defects in the clock cause deregulation of metabolic physiology and result in metabolic disorders [2]. On the other hand, metabolism also influences the circadian clock, such that circadian gene expression in peripheral tissues is affected in mammalian models of obesity and diabetes [3, 4]. However, to date there is little to no information on the effect of metabolic genes on the central brain pacemaker which drives behavioral rhythms. We have found that the AKT and TOR-S6K pathways, which are major regulators of nutrient metabolism, cell growth, and senescence, impact the brain circadian clock that drives behavioral rhythms in Drosophila. Elevated AKT or TOR activity lengthens circadian period, whereas reduced AKT signaling shortens it. Effects of TOR-S6K appear to be mediated by SGG/GSK3β, a known kinase involved in clock regulation. Like SGG, TOR signaling affects the timing of nuclear accumulation of the circadian clock protein TIMELESS. Given that activities of AKT and TOR pathways are affected by nutrient/energy levels and endocrine signaling, these data suggest that metabolic disorders caused by nutrient and energy imbalance are associated with altered rest:activity behavior.
Permeation of chlorothalonil through nitrile gloves: collection solvent effects in the closed-loop permeation method.

Abstract The aim was to measure the permeation of the fungicide chlorothalonil from Bravo Ultrex through disposable (Safeskin) and chemically protective (Solvex) nitrile glove materials in a closed-loop ASTM type permeation cell system employing different collection side solvents. The permeated fungicide was measured in the collection medium by the internal standard method through capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and selective ion monitoring using m / z 222 (internal standard 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl), and 224 and 226 (chlorothalonil). The permeated glove materials did not show swelling or shrinkage and infrared reflectance changes. Different permeated masses for the same glove material for aqueous emulsion challenges of 2.2 mg/mL Bravo Ultrex for 8 h were observed for different solvents with isopropanol > hexane > water for Safeskin, and isopropanol = hexane > water for Solvex. Solvex gloves always permeated less than Safeskin gloves for the same challenge time. When challenges with solid Bravo Ultrex occurred, chlorothalonil was still found in the collection side in the same solvent order as for the aqueous emulsion challenges, with Solvex always less than Safeskin for the same collection solvent and same challenge time. Kinetic experiments showed isopropanol was not a suitable collection solvent for Safeskin for 4 and 8 h. Hexane was not a valid collection solvent for Solvex and Safeskin for 8 h, but was better than isopropanol.
Anesthesia for ocular trauma

Summary Controversies exist regarding optimal anesthetic management of patients receiving surgery for ocular trauma. Ocular injuries are commonly encountered in clinical practice as an estimated 750,000 patients are hospitalized with eye injuries annually throughout the world. Many, particularly those with open globe injuries, require surgery, often under emergency conditions that make the patient's anesthetic management challenging. This paper reviews epidemiological data illustrating the prevalence and incidence of serious eye injuries and then presents a case study detailing the anesthetic management of a severely traumatized patient to illustrate a discussion of current options and recommendations for the management of such cases.
MR perfusion imaging reveals regions of hypoperfusion associated with aphasia and neglect

Objective: To evaluate diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and MR perfusion imaging (MRPI) as tools for identifying regions of infarct and hypoperfusion associated with aphasia and neglect in hyperacute stroke. Secondary goal: to establish a functional correlate of a radiologically defined “ischemic penumbra.” Methods: Forty subjects underwent DWI, MRPI, and standardized tests for lexical deficits or hemispatial neglect within 24 hours of stroke onset or progression. Ten patients had repeat DWI, MRPI, and cognitive testing after 3 days (in some cases after reperfusion therapy). Pearson correlations between error rate on cognitive testing and volume of abnormality on DWI versus MRPI were determined at each time period, and regions of hypoperfusion corresponding to specific cognitive deficits were identified. Results: Error rate was more strongly correlated with volume of hypoperfused tissue on MRPI ( r = 0.65 to 0.93; p p r = 0.54 to 0.75; p = 0.14 to p Conclusions: MRPI shows regions of hypoperfused cortex associated with lexical deficits or hemispatial neglect, even when DWI shows no infarct or only small subcortical infarct. MRPI–DWI mismatch indicates regions of functionally salvageable tissue.
Sources of Perceived Organizational Support: Goal Setting and Feedback1

In this paper we examine goal setting and feedback as possible sources of perceived organizational support (Eisenberger, Huntington, Hutchison, & Sowa, 1986). Surveys were administered to 337 employees from 3 different organizations in the southern California area. Two path models were examined: one that allowed goal setting and feedback to have direct effects on perceived support and organizational commitment, and one that only allowed goal setting and feedback to have direct effects on perceived support. Results show that goal setting and feedback do not have direct effects on organizational commitment but, rather, affect commitment indirectly by way of their effects on employee perceptions of support from the organization.
Creation and distribution of CD-ROM databases for the library reference desk

SilverPlatter has been delivering CD-ROM products to the library reference market since August 1986. Before that the product was tested for about three months at a limited number of libraries. This article summarizes our experiences and gives some first observations on the use of this exciting new technology in libraries. Three important groups are discussed: Information Providers; Librarians; End-Users in the library. All three groups have different interests and concerns. A list of the most significant advantages and objections within each group is given. The article offers ideas about how to overcome the often very real objections of the different players in this marketplace. © 1988 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A heterogeneous computing system with memristor-based neuromorphic accelerators

As technology scales, on-chip heterogeneous architecture emerges as a promising solution to combat the power wall of microprocessors. In this work, we propose a heterogeneous computing system with memristor-based neuromorphic computing accelerators (NCAs). In the proposed system, NCA is designed to speed up the artificial neural network (ANN) executions in many high-performance applications by leveraging the extremely efficient mixed-signal computation capability of nanoscale memristor-based crossbar (MBC) arrays. The hierarchical MBC arrays of the NCA can be flexibly configured to different ANN topologies through the help of an analog Network-on-Chip (A-NoC). A general approach which translates the target codes within a program to the corresponding NCA instructions is also developed to facilitate the utilization of the NCA. Our simulation results show that compared to the baseline general purpose processor, the proposed system can achieve on average 18.2X performance speedup and 20.1X energy reduction over nine representative applications. The computation accuracy degradation is constrained within an acceptable range (e.g., 11%), by considering the limited data precision, realistic device variations and analog signal fluctuations.
Tracing the roots of syntax with Bayesian phylogenetics

The ordering of subject, verb, and object is one of the fundamental components of the syntax of natural languages. The distribution of basic word orders across the world’s languages is highly nonuniform, with the majority of languages being either subject-object-verb (SOV) or subject-verb-object (SVO). Explaining this fact using psychological accounts of language acquisition or processing requires understanding how the present distribution has resulted from ancestral distributions and the rates of change between orders. We show that Bayesian phylogenetics can provide quantitative answers to three important questions: how word orders are likely to change over time, which word orders were dominant historically, and whether strong inferences about the origins of syntax can be drawn from modern languages. We find that SOV to SVO change is more common than the reverse and VSO to SVO change is more common than VSO to SOV, and that if the seven language families we consider share a common ancestor then that common ancestor likely had SOV word order, but also that there are limits on how confidently we can make inferences about ancestral word order based on modern-day observations. These results shed new light on old questions from historical linguistics and provide clear targets for psychological explanations of word-order distributions.
Information management and cohesion in the study of written discourse

Abstract In this article, we describe a model for the analysis of information management and cohesion in written discourse. Concepts of discourse analysis ore defined, specifically information management, syntax, semantic reference, lexicon, cohesion, and intonation, with examples taken from scholarly publications in psychology, biology, and history. Information management in our model serves a pragmatic function, separate from the lexicogrammar of the sentence. In the construction of texts, lexis serves as the interface between information and syntax; it also plays a significant role in cohesion. In describing the key terms and concepts used in our model (e.g., theme-rheme, topic—comment, given—new), we suggest that detailed descriptions of how writers manage information and achieve connectivity in extended discourse can provide much-needed knowledge about styles and genres of writing for research in composition and reading.
Enantioselective CC and CH Bond Formation Mediated or Catalyzed by Chiral ebthi Complexes of Titanium and Zirconium

The development of catalytic processes that effect enantioselective bond formation under mild conditions is an important and challenging task in modern chemical synthesis. In this connection, chiral C2-symmetric ansa-metallocenes (bridged metallocenes) have found notable applications as catalysts. This article discusses the chemistry of this class of chiral metallocene complexes with regard to their utility in catalytic and enantioselective CC and CH bond formation reactions. In addition, where applicable, a brief comparison with other related catalytic enantioselective processes is offered. Many of the reactions effected with high levels of enantioselectivity by catalytic amounts of these complexes are of great significance to the preparation of new materials and in the synthesis of therapeutic agents. For example, zirconocene complexes readily catalyze the enantioselective addition of alkylmagnesium halides to alkenes, and cationic zirconocene complexes may promote the highly stereoregulated copolymerization of terminal alkenes. Furthermore, the related chiral titanocenes are involved in an impressive range of useful asymmetric catalytic reactions, including the enantioselective hydrogenation of olefins and reduction of imines or ketones. This review attempts to bring together the practical aspects of the use of [(ebthi)M] complexes of Group 4 transition metals (catalyst synthesis and resolution), outline the manner in which the C2-symmetric chiral ligands are believed to initiate stereoselective bond formation, and highlight the aspects of this chemistry that are less well understood and require further research.
SO(10) SUSY GUTs, the gravitino problem, non-thermal leptogenesis and axino dark matter

Abstract Simple SUSY GUT models based on the gauge group SO ( 10 ) require t – b – τ Yukawa coupling unification, in addition to gauge coupling and matter unification. The Yukawa coupling unification places strong constraints on the expected superparticle mass spectrum, with scalar masses ∼ 10 TeV while gaugino masses are quite light. A problem generic to all supergravity models comes from overproduction of gravitinos in the early universe: if gravitinos are unstable, then their late decays may destroy the predictions of Big Bang nucleosynthesis. We present a Yukawa-unified SO ( 10 ) SUSY GUT scenario which avoids the gravitino problem, gives rise to the correct matter–antimatter asymmetry via non-thermal leptogenesis, and is consistent with the WMAP-measured abundance of cold dark matter due to the presence of an axino LSP. To maintain a consistent cosmology for Yukawa-unified SUSY models, we require a re-heat temperature T R ∼ 10 6 – 10 7 GeV , an axino mass around ∼ 0.1 – 10 MeV , and a PQ breaking scale f a ∼ 10 12 GeV .
Lane Change Guidance for Freeway Incident Management

Abstract This study proposes a design and evaluation method of lane change guidance system for freeway incident management. Microscopic simulator VISSIM is used to facilitate the design and evaluation. Sixteen incident scenarios are used with four varying factors: demanding flow, incident duration, incident location and driver compliance rate. The average number of stops per vehicle and the average speed from one-hour simulation runs are recorded as performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the lane change guidance system. The results show that the lane change guidance system has positive impact on the environment and safety for certain traffic conditions.
Evaluating knowledge of the nature of (whole) science

I profile here a prospective method for assessing nature of science (NOS) knowledge, as an alternative to VNOS and similar approaches. Questions about cases in contemporary news and from history probe scientific literacy in context. Scoring targets how "well informed" the analysis is, based on identifying relevant NOS information and in- terpreting its import appropriately. The assessment shifts focus from declarative statements to functional (or interpretive) analysis. It also entails reframing current NOS characteriza- tions from selective lists of tenets to the multiple dimensions shaping reliability in scientific practice, from the experimental to the social—namely, to Whole Science. This approach underscores the role of reflective student inquiry and historical and contemporary cases in NOS instruction. C
Chemical biology: A degrading solution to pollution

Environmental pollutants such as dioxins affect human health. It now seems that dioxins exert their effect by forming atypical enzyme complexes that mediate the breakdown of steroid-hormone receptors.
Investigation of Bulk Electron Traps Created by Fast Neutron Irradiation in a Buried N-Channel CCD

Electron traps created by high energy (~15 MeV) neutron irradiation at 300°K have been characterized by the double pulse technique in an n-buried-channel CCD. Measurements have been made of electron emission from the traps as a function of time from 77°K to 300°K. Three distinct trap levels are observed at (Ec-Et) equals 0.14, 0.23, and 0.41 eV. Electron emission from the traps as a function of time does not follow the expected exponential time behavior. Analysis of the dispersion in the time vs. emission curves leads to apparent widths of 0.08 and 0.10 eV of the energy levels at Ec - 0.14 and Ec - 0.41 eV, respectively. Introduction rates of the levels and possible physical defects which create the levels are also discussed.
Techniques for hand‐rearing tree‐shrews (Tupaia belangeri) from birth

In captivity, Tupaia belangeri (Thailand tree-shrew) frequently show aberrant patterns of maternal care which result in the death of offspring. In order to maximize the potential of the tree-shrew as an animal resource for experimental studies we have developed a program for hand-rearing tupaiidae from birth. Newborn tree-shrews were removed from mothers with a history of poor parental care to a nursery maintained under conditions of controlled relative humidity (70 ± 10%) and temperature (25 ± 1°C) on a 12 h dark: 12 h light cycle. The young tree-shrews were fed on a liquid formula until the eyes opened (Day 18–23) and for the subsequent 10 days on a transitional diet until they could feed themselves on solid food. Our hand-rearing protocol appears to conform to the natural weaning pattern of tupaiids. Food consumption during the liquid diet phase was linearly related to age and the increase in body weight in both sexes. The initial growth rate of male and female hand-reared tree-shrews was slower than that of maternally reared animals during the liquid diet phase. The growth rate accelerated subsequently and the body weight of hand-reared tree-shrews eventually reached that of maternally reared animals of the same sex. Various developmental changes occurred during the same period in artificially and naturally reared animals. In both hand-reared and maternally reared groups, the growth rate of male tree-shrews exceeded that of females from about Day 40 onward. The accelerated growth rate of male tree-shrews was in apparent association with an increase in androgen secretion at the onset of puberty. The high fecundity of tree-shrews in captivity reinforced with a program for hand-rearing the young make T belangeri a potential alternative to more conventional laboratory species in specific areas of biomedical research.
Receptor potential and impulse initiation in two varieties of reptilian muscle spindle

AMONG muscle spindles, those in snake and lizard are the simplest in structure, consisting of a single intrafusal muscle fibre innervated by a single sensory and several motor nerve fibres. Two varieties of spindle occur: one type, the long-capsule spindle has a longer and more slender capsule than the other, the short-capsule spindle1. They differ in their responses to stretch; the response of the long-capsule spindle depends mainly on degree of stretch while the short-capsule spindle responds both to velocity and amplitude of stretch2–4.
Plant responsiveness to variation in precipitation and nitrogen is consistent across the compositional diversity of a California annual grassland.

Question: How does responsiveness to water and Nitrogen (N) availability vary across the compositional and functional diversity that exists in a mesic California annual grassland plant community? Location: Northern California annual grassland. Methods: A mesocosm system was used to simulate average annual precipitation totals and dry and wet year extremes observed in northern California mesic grasslands. The effects of precipitation and N availability on biomass and fecundity were measured on three different vegetation types, a mixed grass forb community, and a forb and a grass monoculture. The treatment effects on plant community composition were examined in the mixed species community. Results: While growth and seed production of the three vegetation types was inherently different, their responses to variation in precipitation and N were statistically similar. Plant density, shoot biomass, and seed production tended to increase with greater water availability in all vegetation types, with the exception of a consistent growth reduction in high precipitation (1245 mm) plots in the first year of the study. Shoot biomass responded positively to N addition, an effect that increased with greater water availability. Nitrogen addition had little effect on plant density or seed production. In the mixed grass-forb community, biomass responsiveness to water and N treatments were consistently driven by the shoot growth of Avena barbata, the dominant grass species. Conclusions: Vegetation responses to changes in precipitation and N availability were consistent across a range of composition and structural diversity in this study. Plant growth and seed production were sensitive to both increased and decreased precipitation totals, and the magnitude of these responses to N availability varied depending on soil moisture conditions. Our results suggest the impacts of changing precipitation regimes and N deposition on annual productivity of California grasslands may be predictable under different climate scenarios across a range of plant communities.
Die Abhängigkeit der Blockierungsparameter am Graphit von Verschiedenen Einflussgrössen bei der Kathodischen Hypochlorit-reduktion

Zusammenfassung Die Blockierungsparameter einer paraffinierten Graphitelektrode wurden bei der kathodischen Hypochlorit-Reduktion in 1 M KOH nach einer fruher beschriebenen Methode bestimmt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Potentialverschiebung der I-E -Kurven bei unterschiedlicher anodischer Elektrodenvorbehandlung allein auf die variierte Blockierung zuruckzufuhren ist. Es wurden untersucht der Blockierungsgrad in Abhangigkeit vom anodischen Vorbehandlungspotential, von der Vorbehandlungszeit bei konstantem anodischen Vorbehandlungspotential und die Abnahme der Blockierung von der kathodischen Nachbehandlungszeit bei konstantem kathodischen Potential. Mit zunehmendem Blockierungsgrad werden die mittleren Radien der aktiven Stellen kleiner, wahrend ihre Zahl fast unverandert bleibt. Die teilweise Elektrodenblockierung ist bei der von uns verwendeten Elektrode vom Impragnierungsmittel im wesentlichen unabhangig.
Role of detoxification in Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) tolerance of the miticide tau-fluvalinate.

ABSTRACT The varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) is a devastating pest of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Beekeepers have relied on the pyrethroid pesticide tau-fluvalinate as a principal agent of varroa mite control. While this miticide was quite effective at controlling varroa mites through the 1990s, its efficacy has waned as resistance to tau-fluvalinate has appeared in many populations of mites. Resistance in some populations of varroa mites has been associated with elevated detoxification of tau-fluvalinate. Honey bees tolerate miticidal tau-fluvalinate applications principally through rapid detoxification mediated by cytochrome-P450 mono-oxygenases, with the other detoxification enzyme families, the carboxylesterases and glutathione-S-transferases, playing much smaller roles in miticide tolerance. The goal of this study was to test the capability of the glutathione-S-transferase enzyme inhibitors diethyl maleate and curcumin, which should interfere minimally with honey bee detoxifi...
Operant conditioning of cortical steady potential responses in rats.

Abstract This study was conducted to determine if amplitudes of rat cortical steady potential (SP) responses to an auditory stimulus could be altered by operant conditioning procedures using food reinforcement. The negative SP responses to the 5-sec tone alone diminished with repeated presentation of the stimulus. When food reinforcement was given immediately following the tone, SP response amplitudes increased and stabilized after 4–5 sessions. Thereafter, the animals were required to increase or decrease the amplitudes of response in order to obtain reinforcement. Two of three rats required to increase amplitudes were successful and three of four rats required to decrease amplitudes were successful. It is concluded that changes in cortical SP responses can be operantly conditioned.
A noise estimation algorithm with rapid adaptation for highly nonstationary environments

A noise estimation algorithm is proposed for highly nonstationary noise environments. The noise estimate is updated by averaging the noisy speech power spectrum using a time and frequency dependent smoothing factor, which is adjusted based on signal presence probability in subbands. Signal presence is determined by computing the ratio of the noisy speech power spectrum to its local minimum, which is computed by averaging past values of the noisy speech power spectra with a look-ahead factor. The local minimum estimation algorithm adapts very quickly to highly non-stationary noise environments. This was confirmed with formal listening tests that indicated that our noise estimation algorithm when integrated in speech enhancement was preferred over other noise estimation algorithms.
Transit Use, Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index Changes: Objective Measures Associated With Complete Street Light-Rail Construction.

Objectives. We assessed effects on physical activity (PA) and weight among participants in a complete street intervention that extended a light-rail line in Salt Lake City, Utah.Methods. Participants in the Moving Across Places Study resided within 2 kilometers of the new line. They wore accelerometers and global positioning system (GPS) loggers for 1 week before and after rail construction. Regression analyses compared change scores of participants who never rode transit with continuing, former, and new riders, after adjustment for control variables (total n = 537).Results. New riders had significantly more accelerometer-measured counts per minute than never-riders (P < .01), and former riders had significantly fewer (P < .01). New riders lost (P < .05) and former riders gained (P < .01) weight. Former riders lost 6.4 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per 10 hours of accelerometer wear (P < .01) and gained 16.4 minutes of sedentary time (P < .01). New riders gained 4.2 MVPA minutes (P < .05) and ...
MITRAL VALVE MYXOMA

Cardiac myxomas arising from the mitral valve are extremely rare. We describe the case of an asymptomatic 49-year-old woman who was found to have a 3.6 x 4.0-cm myxoma originating from the atrial side of the anterior mitral leaflet. The lesion was successfully treated by surgical excision and mitral valve replacement. A review of the literature regarding this rare lesion is presented.
Impacts of Avian Predation on Juvenile Salmonids in Central California Watersheds

Central California coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are endangered and steelhead (O. mykiss) are threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. As part of local monitoring efforts, Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags) are used in population biology and marine survival studies of these stocks. Since 2006, PIT tags have been recovered on Ano Nuevo Island (ANI), an important breeding site for several species of seabirds and marine mammals. The objective of this study was to assess magnitude and effects of avian predation on juvenile salmonids in central California. Objectives were accomplished by 1) identifying predators, timing of predation, and quantifying predation using PIT tag recoveries and Mark-Recapture modeling, and 2) using behavior of a predator (the Western Gull) to examine susceptibility of juvenile salmonids to predation. Between 2006 and 2010, 252 unique PIT tags were recovered on ANI in areas that indicate Western Gulls were the primary predator depositing tags on ANI. Predation by gulls occurred during downstream migration of juvenile salmonids or immediately following ocean entry. Mark-Recapture modeling indicated PIT tags from 1-4% of tagged salmonids were deposited on ANI from watersheds in central California. Minimal temporal overlap between gulls and salmonids occurred at area watersheds, and observation of predation was rare; however, predation was 100% when overlap occurred. Predation by Western Gulls was an appreciable source of mortality for central California salmonids and should be considered in future management plans for these species.
Hemispheric asymmetries and gender influence Rembrandt's portrait orientations

For centuries painters have predominantly painted portraits with the model's left-cheek facing the viewer. This has been even more prevalent with females ( approximately 68%) than males ( approximately 56%). Numerous portraits painted by Rembrandt typify this unexplained phenomenon. In a preliminary experiment, subjects judged 24 emotional and social character traits in 20 portraits by Rembrandt. A factor analysis revealed that females with their left cheek exposed were judged to be much less socially appealing than less commonly painted right-cheeked females. Conversely, the more commonly painted right-cheeked males were judged to be more socially appealing than either left-cheeked males or females facing either direction. It is hypothesized that hemispheric asymmetries regulating emotional facial displays of approach and avoidance influenced the side of the face Rembrandt's models exposed due to prevailing social norms. A second experiment had different subjects judge a different collection of 20 portraits by Rembrandt and their mirror images. Mirror-reversed images produced the same pattern of results as their original orientation counterparts. Consequently, hemispheric asymmetries that specify the emotional expression on each side of the face are posited to account for the obtained results.
Biosynthesis of thromboxane by snake (Elaphe obsoleta) erythrocytes and the requirement of eicosanoid production for blood clotting

Lower vertebrates provide important insights into the evolution of eicosanoid synthesis and function. Whole snake blood, purified nucleated erythrocytes, and isolated leukocytes activated by clotting or A23187 produced thromboxane, PGE2, and 5-lipoxygenase products. Indomethacin's complete inhibition of clotting suggests eicosanoids produced by these cells are important in snake blood hemostasis.
Static and dynamic structure in design patterns

Design patterns are a valuable mechanism for emphasizing structure, capturing design expertise, and facilitating restructuring of software systems. Patterns are typically applied in the context of an object-oriented language and are implemented so that the pattern participants correspond to object instances that are created and connected at run-time. This paper describes a complementary realization of design patterns, in which many pattern participants correspond to statically instantiated and connected components.Our approach separates the static parts of the software design from the dynamic parts of the system behavior. This separation makes the software design more amenable to analysis, thus enabling more effective and domain-specific detection of system design errors, prediction of run-time behavior, and more effective optimization. This technique is applicable to imperative, functional, and object-oriented languages: we have extended C, Scheme, and Java with our component model. In this paper, we illustrate our approach in the context of the OSKit, a collection of operating system components written in C.
Wireless echocardiographic image acquisition and review

Digital echocardiography has altered clinical workflow and improved patient care. While network performance is critical for data transfers, bandwidth tradeoffs might be acceptable to allow access to data outside of the echo laboratory. In this study, we examined the ability to use portable ultrasound in a wireless environment to provide real-time echo monitoring. Video output of a handheld machine transmitted over a wireless infrastructure in which various parameters were modulated to assess their impact In this testbed configuration, we are able to transmit full color echocardiographic images via 802.11b to a handheld computer with a resolution of 320/spl times/240 pixels at 15 fps. While a major strength of ultrasound is its portability, wired network connectivity creates limitations on effective data management The growth of handheld echocardiographic devices further emphasizes the need for wireless connectivity beyond the boundaries of the hospital.
THE COMBINATION OF GELATIN WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID : II. NEW DETERMINATIONS OF THE ISOELECTRIC POINT AND COMBINING CAPACITY OF A PURIFIED GELATIN.

1. Cooper's gelatin purified according to Northrop and Kunitz exhibited a minimum of osmotic pressure and a maximum of opacity at pH 5.05 +/-0.05. The pH of solutions of this gelatin in water was also close to this value. It is inferred that such gelatin is isoelectric at this pH and not at pH 4.70. 2. Hydrogen electrode measurements with KCl-agar junctions were made with concentrated solutions of this gelatin in HCl up to 0.1 M. The combination curve calculated from these data is quite exactly horizontal between pH 2 and 1, indicating that 1 gm. of this gelatin can combine with a maximum of 9.35 x 10(-4) equivalents of H(+). 3. Conductivity titrations of this gelatin with HCl gave an endpoint at 9.41 (+/-0.05) x 10(-4) equivalents of HCl per gram gelatin. 4. E.M.F. measurements of the cell without liquid junction, Ag, AgCl, HCl + gelatin, H(2), lead to the conclusion that this gelatin in 0.1 M HCl combines with a maximum of 9.4 x 10(-4) equivalents of H(+) and 1.7 x 10(-4) equivalents of Cl(-) per gram gelatin.
Nanocomposites of Titanium Dioxide and Polystyrene-Poly(ethylene oxide) Block Copolymer as Solid-State Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries

There is considerable interest in developing solid electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries as they have the potential to increase both energy density due to incorporation of a lithium metal anode and safety of batteries due to the fact that they are nonflammable. Block copolymers with a mechanically hard non-conducting block and a soft ion-conducting block provide an avenue for obtaining highly conducting rigid solids. In this study we add surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles to a mixture of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt. The presence of BF4 − moieties on the surface of the particles was essential for obtaining macroscopically homogeneous electrolytes; macrophase separation was observed with the same nanoparticles with surfaces covered with oleic acid. The stability of these composite electrolytes against lithium metal electrodes was tested in symmetric lithium-composite electrolyte-lithium cells. The surprising result was that electrolytes with 24 wt% nanoparticles exhibited optimum stability; the amount of charge passed before dendrite formation observed in the optimized composite electrolyte was a factor of 4.7 larger than that of the neat block copolymer electrolyte. Both tensile and shear moduli of the electrolytes were non-monotonic functions of particle concentration with peaks in the vicinity of 17 to 20 wt%.
The effects of level of competition, sport, and sex on the incidence of first-time noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are disabling and are associated with the early onset of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Little is known regarding the incidence rate of first-time noncontact ACL injuries sustained during athletic events and how they are independently influenced by level of competition, type of sport, and the participant’s sex.Hypothesis:Level of competition (college or high school), type of sport (soccer, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, football, rugby, volleyball), and the athlete’s sex independently influence the incidence rate of first-time noncontact ACL injuries.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Between fall 2008 and spring 2012, first-time noncontact ACL injury data were collected from 8 colleges and 18 high schools across 7 sports. Athlete exposure was computed retrospectively using team rosters and numbers of scheduled practices and games. Injury incidence rates (IRs) were computed per 1000 athlete exposures. The independent effects of ...
Culture predicts Mexican Americans' college self-efficacy and college performance.

In hopes of promoting college success among Mexican Americans, researchers have identified factors related to their academic performance. A gap in the literature exists between the interactive role of acculturation, enculturation, and generation status in predicting college self-efficacy and college performance (grade-point average, or GPA). To fill this void, this study investigated the relation of demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, socioeconomic status) and cultural variables (e.g., acculturation, enculturation, generation status) on academic outcomes (e.g., college self-efficacy, college performance) among 408 Mexican-American college students. Results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses indicated socioeconomic status, generation status, enculturation, and acculturation had significant positive effects on college self-efficacy; socioeconomic status and the interaction of higher enculturation and first-generation status were positively and significantly related to GPA. Post-hoc analyses indicated college self-efficacy predicted college performance for students who were second generation and beyond. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Synthesis of docosahexaenoyl-, arachidonoyl- and palmitoyl-coenzyme a in ocular tissues

Abstract The synthesis of long-chain acyl coenzyme A (CoA) was studied in the cornea, lens, vitreous, retina and pigment epithelium (PE) in the rat using [14C]-labeled palmitic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids as substrates. Except for retina and PE, the ocular tissues studied showed relatively little enzyme activity with the fatty acid substrates. In addition, the enzyme activities were studied in homogenates and microsomal fractions from retina, pigment epithelial cells and choroid of frog, bovine and human eyes. Long-chain acyl CoA synthetase from the microsomal fraction exhibited three- to fivefold greater activity than homogenates in retina and PE. The enzyme activity was highest with palmitic acid, followed by arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. There were significant differences in enzyme activity between the species. The apparent Km (μ m ) and Vmax [nmol min−1 (mg protein)−1] values for the enzyme in bovine retinal microsomes were 7·91±0·39 ( s.e. ) and 21·6±1·04, respectively, for palmitic acid substrate and 5·88±0·25 and 4·58±0·21, respectively, for docosahexaenoic acid substrate. These values for bovine pigment epithelial microsomes were 13·0±0·27 and 36·9±1·18, respectively, for palmitic acid and 15·8±0·40 and 13·2±0·56, respectively, for docosahexaenoic acid. The synthesis of acyl CoA may play a central role in controlling the availability of free arachidonic acid for eicosanoid formation and in the retention of polyunsaturated fatty acid families (18:2, n-6 and 18:3, n-3) within cells of ocular tissues, particularly retina and retinal PE.