cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hysteretic behavior of the hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase system

Carbamyl-P:glucose and PP2:glucose phosphotransferase, but not inorganic pyrophosphatase, activities of the hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase system demonstrate a time-dependent lag in product production with 1 mM phosphate substrate. Glucose-6-P phosphohydrolase shows a similar behavior with [glucose-6-P] ≦ 1.10 mM, but inorganic pyrophosphatase activity does not even at the 0.05 or 0.02 mM level. The hysteric behavior is abolished when the structural integrity of the microsomes is destroyed by detergent treatment. Calculations indicate that an intramicrosomal glucose-6-P concentration of between 20 and 40 μM must be achieved, whether in response to exogenously added glucose-6-P or via intramicrosomal synthesis by carbamyl-P: glucose or PP1: glucose phosphotransferase activity, before the maximally active form of the enzyme system is achieved. It is suggested that translocase T1, the transport component of the glucose-6-phosphatase system specific for glucose-6-P, is the target for activation by these critical intramicrosomal concentration of glucose-6-P.
From critical sociology to public intellectual: Pierre Bourdieu and politics

By the late 1990s, Pierre Bourdieu had become the primary public intellectual of major social scientific status at the head of the anti-globalization movement that emerged in France and in other Western European countries. This article discusses how Bourdieu became a leading public intellectual, a role that seems to contrast with his early years as a professional sociologist. It explores what seemed to change in Bourdieu’s activities and outlook as sociologist and what seems to have remained constant. It identifies several institutional conditions that seemed necessary for Bourdieu to be able to play the kind of public intellectual role he did in his later years. Bourdieu’s movement from a peripheral position to a central location in the French intellectual field, the changing character of the field itself, the growing influence of the mass media in French political and cultural life, the failures of the French Socialists in power, a cultural legacy of leading critical intellectuals in France, a unifying national issue of globalization, and the political conjuncture in 1995 all intersected in ways that opened a path for Bourdieu to choose new and more frequent forms of political action. His responses to that combination of factors at different moments reveal both a striking continuity in desire to preserve the autonomy of intellectual life and a change in view and strategy on how best to do that. The article concludes with a brief evaluation of Bourdieu’s public intellectual role.
Heterodyne-detected dispersed vibrational echo spectroscopy.

We develop heterodyned dispersed vibrational echo spectroscopy (HDVE) and demonstrate the new capabilities in biophysical applications. HDVE is a robust ultrafast technique that provides a characterization of the real and imaginary components of third-order nonlinear signals with high sensitivity and single-laser-shot capability and can be used to extract dispersed pump−probe and dispersed vibrational echo spectra. Four methods for acquiring HDVE phase and amplitude spectra were compared: Fourier transform spectral interferometry, a new phase modulation spectral interferometry technique, and combination schemes. These extraction techniques were demonstrated in the context of protein amide I spectroscopy. Experimental HDVE and heterodyned free induction decay amide I spectra were explicitly compared to conventional dispersed pump−probe, dispersed vibrational echo, and absorption spectra. The new capabilities of HDVE were demonstrated by acquiring single-shot spectra and melting curves of ubiquitin and conc...
The association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677 > T polymorphisms and risk of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Asia.

Objective: The association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677 > T polymorphisms and pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk in Asia is controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to further assess the relationship between MTHFR C677 > T polymorphisms and pediatric ALL for Chinese children. Materials and Methods: Studies about the MTHFR C677 > T polymorphisms and pediatric ALL risk were searched in the Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang and CNIK databases. The genotype of the case and control group were extracted and pooled by meta-analysis. The association between ALL risk and C677 > T polymorphisms was demonstrated by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Twelve articles were included in this study with 1803 ALL cases and 4146 controls. In recessive genetic model (TT vs. CC + CT), the OR was 0.37 (95%CI: 0.31-0.43); in dominant genetic model (TT + CT vs. CC) the OR was 0.94 (95%CI: 0.82-1.06); and in the homozygous model the OR was 0.84 (95%CI: 0.69-1.03). Conclusion: The results indicated that Asian children with TT genotype of MTHFR gene may have less risk of developing ALL.
Waiting for the Axe to Fall: Carlyle's Place in the Study of Crises of Authority:

The aim of this paper is to bring into the comtemporary discussion of crises of authority an ignored pre-Marxist approach best manifested in the writings of Thomas Carlyle and in the related ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville. Both stressed the importance of a nation's "collective unconscious" or value orientations in maintaining political legitimacy. If these erode, a "crisis in incubation" ensues, when authority is passively accepted until a major problem triggers a full-fledged crisis. The conjectural importance of this approach is indicated by brief comments on the possibility of a new type of crisis in the post-modem, post-industrial society.
Evaluation of hypothermia-induced analgesia and influence of opioid antagonists in leopard frogs (Rana pipiens).

Hypothermia results in diminished voluntary muscle activity, and is frequently used as a means of providing deep anesthesia to ectotherms and some mammals. In ectotherms, however, it is unclear if hypothermia produces true pain insensation. A needle-probe thermometer was used to demonstrate in frogs (Rana pipiens) that local hypothermia (9°C) could be induced by placement of a tourniqueted leg into ice water (6°C) for 10 min in contrast to the contralateral nontourniqueted leg (21.8°C) kept out of ice water. Analgesia was tested by placement of dilutions of acetic acid on the rear leg. Further tests using groups of 10 frogs demonstrated that frogs with local hypothermia tolerated greater concentrations of acetic acid (mean acetic acid test score = 11) than morphine (10 mg/kg)-treated (9.6) or nontreated (5.8) frogs. Additional studies showed that morphine analgesia was blocked with naloxone doses as low as 0.01 mg/kg and hypothermia-induced analgesia at 10 mg/kg. Naltrexone blocked morphine analgesia at dosages as low as 0.01 mg/kg and hypothermia-induced analgesia at 0.10 mg/kg. In summary, this study demonstrates that hypothermia induces significant analgesia in an amphibian, and that this analgesia is partially blocked by naloxone and naltrexone, suggesting that the effect is mediated at least partially by opioid receptors.
Stereospecific preparation of 1,2-epoxyalkyllithium reagents via the generalized lithiation of a-heterosubstituted epoxides1

Abstract A variety of α-heterosubstituted epoxides bearing triphenylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, diethoxyphosphinyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenyl, ethoxycarbonyl and cyano groups was found to undergo stereospecific α-lithiation by use of such bases as n -butyllithium, t -butyllithium or lithium diisopropylamide in solvent combinations of hexane with THF, ethyl ether or TMEDA at temperatures ranging from −78° to −110°C. The formation and stereochemistry of the resulting1,2-epoxyalkyllithium reagents were ascertained by quenching with deuterium oxide, methyl iodide or chloro(trimethyl)silane and analyzing the NMR spectra of the products isolated in 50–100% yields.
Automated Three-Dimensional Detection and Shape Classification of Dendritic Spines from Fluorescence Microscopy Images

A fundamental challenge in understanding how dendritic spine morphology controls learning and memory has been quantifying three-dimensional (3D) spine shapes with sufficient precision to distinguish morphologic types, and sufficient throughput for robust statistical analysis. The necessity to analyze large volumetric data sets accurately, efficiently, and in true 3D has been a major bottleneck in deriving reliable relationships between altered neuronal function and changes in spine morphology. We introduce a novel system for automated detection, shape analysis and classification of dendritic spines from laser scanning microscopy (LSM) images that directly addresses these limitations. The system is more accurate, and at least an order of magnitude faster, than existing technologies. By operating fully in 3D the algorithm resolves spines that are undetectable with standard two-dimensional (2D) tools. Adaptive local thresholding, voxel clustering and Rayburst Sampling generate a profile of diameter estimates used to classify spines into morphologic types, while minimizing optical smear and quantization artifacts. The technique opens new horizons on the objective evaluation of spine changes with synaptic plasticity, normal development and aging, and with neurodegenerative disorders that impair cognitive function.
Can Social Science Be Just

Despite the extensive commentary on the work of Peter Winch, there has been inadequate recognition of how his Idea of a Social Science discerned the implications of Wittgenstein’s philosophy for confronting issues regarding the nature and interpretation of social phenomena. Winch’s subsequent confrontation with anthropology can be further illuminated by examining one of the most contentious contemporary debates in this field. This case illustrates the paradoxes involved in meta-practices such as philosophy and social science seeking to make descriptive and normative claims about conceptually preconstituted forms of life, and it indicates the limitations of philosophical realism as a social scientific meta-theory.
Business information sources: A comparison of the Monthly Catalog and Books in Print

Abstract The viability of the Government Printing Office as a source of business information was tested by comparing the availability of material on two business-related topics from online searches of the Monthly Catalog and Books in Print . The GPO compared favorably for the topics “trade with China” and “industrial safety” in the areas of number of titles available, price of the items, and currency of the information.
The Validity of Locus of Control Dimensions for Chicano Populations

The multidimensional locus of control literature supported the tenability of five factorial dimensions: a) luck/fate, b) leadership/success, c) academics, d) politics, and e) respect. Contending that the contradictory locus of control findings involving Chicano populations may be due to methodological inadequacies, the purpose of the present study was to empirically determine the appropriateness of the five categories for comparing Chicano and Anglo populations. This was done by factor analyzing the responses of 203 Anglo and 244 Chicano undergraduates to Rotter's (1966) 1-E scale separately, and then comparing the corresponding factor pairs by using Cliff's (1966) congruence procedure. The luck/fate and leadership/success factors show substantial invariance across the two samples, whereas the cultural equivalence of the remaining three factors is somewhat questionable. The findings are discussed in relation to current knowledge of crosscultural differences between Anglo and Chicano populations.
Denitrification kinetics of high nitrate concentration water: pH effect on inhibition and nitrite accumulation

Abstract The effect of pH variation, within the range 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.5 and 9, on activated sludge denitrification of a synthetic wastewater containing 2700 mg/l NO 3 -N was examined using bench-scale Sequencing Batch Reactors. Two major effects were observed. One, at pH values of 6.5 and 7.0, denitrification of a synthetic wastewater containing high nitrate levels was significantly inhibited. Two, denitrification was achieved at higher pH values of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.0, but the accumulation of nitrite increased significantly as mixed liquor pH increased with peak values of 250, 500 and 900 mg/l NO 2 -N, respectively. As the pH rose, the specific rate of nitrate reduction increased. At the same time the specific rate of nitrite reduction increased in the absence of nitrate. In the presence of nitrate the specific rate of nitrite reduction remained constant, and the degree to which nitrite reduction increased in the absence of nitrate was a function of increasing pH. While increasing pH from 7.5 to 9.0 affected nitrite intermediate accumulation, the overall time for complete denitrification (reduction of both NO − 3 and NO − 2 ) was similar for the pH values of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.
Discussion of Unintended Consequences of Granting Small Firms Exemptions from Securities Regulation: Evidence from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

(GWZ) examine a potential unintended consequence of the SEC’s use of bright-line thresholds for compliance with reporting regulations. In particular, the authors consider whether the SEC’s postponement of compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) for “non-accelerated filers” (firms with a public float of less than $75 million) provided firms with an incentive to stay small. The authors find that non-accelerated filers are more likely to remain below the $75 million threshold than are accelerated filers. They also investigate a variety of actions that non-accelerated filers might take in order to keep their public float below $75 million.
SDS-PAGE analysis of bud-forming cotyledons of Pinus ponderosa

The placement of Pinus ponderosa embryos on a benzyladenine (BA) supplemented medium induces the differentiation of two distinct morphological types of cotyledons. Cotyledons in contact with the medium (lower cotyledons) do not elongate, and rapidly respond to BA by forming multiple buds along their entire length. Cotyledons not in contact with the medium (upper cotyledons) elongate, do not form buds, and are similar both morphologically and in protein profiles to seedling cotyledons that do not respond to BA. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis, protein differences between these two cotyledon types can be detected as early as one week. These protein differences include the reduced level of a 52,000 Kilodalton (52 Kd) peptide and the appearance of a 4 Kd peptide in the lower cotyledons. These peptide differences may prove useful as markers for tissue that will respond to BA.
Non-autonomous consequences of cell death and other perks of being metazoan

Drosophila melanogaster remains a foremost genetic model to study basic cell biological processes in the context of multi-cellular development. In such context, the behavior of one cell can influence another. Non-autonomous signaling among cells occurs throughout metazoan development and disease, and is too vast to be covered by a single review. I will focus here on non-autonomous signaling events that occur in response to cell death in the larval epithelia and affect the life-death decision of surviving cells. I will summarize the use of Drosophila to study cell death-induced proliferation, apoptosis-induced apoptosis, and apoptosis-induced survival signaling. Key insights from Drosophila will be discussed in the context of analogous processes in mammalian development and cancer biology.
Autoimmune disorders and extraintestinal manifestations in first-degree familial and sporadic inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study.

Background: Genetic factors may play a role in determining the development of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) and autoimmune diseases (AD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We sought to determine the association between EIMs and AD in patients with first-degree familial IBD and sporadic IBD. Methods: All patients evaluated in the IBD Clinic at the Mayo Clinic between January and September 1999 were offered enrollment. One clinic patient who was matched on age, gender, and geographic area of residence to each case served as controls. Information regarding EIMs and AD was obtained from a questionnaire completed by all IBD patients and controls. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) for EIM as a function of first-degree familial IBD compared with sporadic IBD and AD as a function of first-degree familial IBD compared with sporadic IBD were estimated with a matched one-to-one conditional logistic regression model. Results: Two hundred forty-three patients with IBD (47 first-degree familial IBD, 196 sporadic IBD) were enrolled. Forty percent of IBD patients had one or more EIMs compared with 14% matched controls [p < 0.001; OR = 3.1 (95% CI: 1.8 to 5.2)]. A total of 259 of the 1122 IBD patients and their first-degree family members indicated one or more EIM diagnoses (23%). The association between “familial versus sporadic” status and any EIM diagnosis was not significant [p = 0.59, the odds for an individual from a familial IBD family relative to an individual from a sporadic IBD family was 1.2 (95% CI: 0.8 to 1.7)]. Ten percent of IBD patients had one or more AD diagnoses compared with 19% matched controls [p = 0.04; OR = 0.4 (95% CI: 0.1 to 0.96)]. A total of 153 of the 1122 IBD patients and their first-degree family members indicated one or more AD diagnoses (14%). The association between disease status (“familial or sporadic”) versus any AD diagnosis was not significant [p = 0.68, the odds for any AD in an individual from a familial IBD family relative to an individual from a sporadic IBD family was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.9 to 2.3)]. Conclusions: There was a positive association between IBD status (patient vs control) versus EIM, but not AD. A significant positive association between disease type (familial or sporadic) versus either EIM or AD was not detected.
From Principles to Practice: Analyzing a Student Learning Outcomes Assessment System

The College of Business Administration (CBA) is part of a mid-sized urban university with a primary focus on teaching. It had recently decided to develop a process for defining student learning objectives and outcomes, measuring success in achieving these, and using the results of those measures for continuously improving the quality of student learning. Its aim was to design and develop a system which could automate data collection and streamline the processes of course effectiveness evaluation and course/curriculum enhancement. Even though many challenges still existed for the college, it nevertheless launched into a logical design of the Student Learning Outcome Assessment System (SLOAS). Alexis, the collegeâ€™s IT Manager, was assigned the responsibility for managing this project. She determined this system would be used for data collection and reporting in order to provide evidence that student learning outcomes were being achieved at the course, college, and potentially university levels. Amid the lack of internal development resources, insufficient IT support, constantly changing standards and policies, budget issues, and so forth. Alexis knew that she was faced with a challenging project.
Local behaviors of CR homeomorphisms between hypersurfaces

We show that if a CR homeomorphism can be holomorphically extended to a neighborhood of a nonminimal point (in Tumanov's sense), then the extended map is proper, and, near a minimal point, the holomorphic extension is biholomorphic in a neighborhood of the point.
Convective heat transfer in pressure-driven nitrogen slip flows in long microchannels: The effects of pressure work and viscous dissipation

Abstract An analytical and numerical study is carried out to examine the convective heat transfer in two-dimensional pressure-driven nitrogen slip flows in long microchannels, whose length-to-height ratios are above 500. The momentum and the energy equations are solved, where variable properties, rarefaction that involves velocity slip, thermal creep and temperature jump, pressure work, and viscous dissipation are all taken into account. Nitrogen is assumed to be a perfect gas. The effects of pressure work and viscous dissipation, which are particularly significant for long microchannels, are examined by analyzing the uniform wall temperature and the uniform wall heat flux cases. It is found that the degree of rarefaction, which is characterized by the Knudsen number, is the key factor that determines the relative importance of pressure work and viscous dissipation. It is demonstrated that, for perfect gases, rarefaction promotes the conversion of internal energy to mechanical energy. Specifically, regardless of the fluid field development, pressure work and viscous dissipation cancel out in the absence of rarefaction, while pressure work is greater than viscous dissipation with rarefaction and its dominance increases as the Knudsen number increases. It is shown that the combination of pressure work and viscous dissipation makes a significant impact on the Nusselt number in both the continuum and the rarefaction cases. Therefore, it is concluded that for convective heat transfer in internal gas flows, both pressure work and viscous dissipation need to be considered in analysis.
The Vapor Pressure of Calcium between 500 and 625°C

The vapor pressure of solid calcium has been measured between 500 and 625\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, by the method of molecular effusion. The amount evaporated was determined by microtitration to better than ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ g. The results are well represented by the empirical equation: $logp (\mathrm{in}\mathrm{mm})=8.15\ensuremath{-}\frac{9670}{T}$. The present values for the pressure are about ten times smaller than those previously reported by Pilling for the same temperatures. Since the specific heat of solid calcium is known as a function of $T$, the "vapor pressure constant," or "chemical constant," can be computed. The new pressure data lead to the correct value for this constant, but the old ones do not. For the heat of evaporation at $T=0$ the value 4.53\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{4}$ cal./mole is obtained.
Performance of a Novel La(Sr)Fe(Co)O3-Ag SOFC Cathode

Abstract Atomized silver spheres (≤53 μm diameter) were coated with a 1 μm thick layer of (La 0.6 Sr 0.4 ) 0.98 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3− δ via a mechanofusion dry processing method. The material was successfully utilized as an SOFC cathode on anode-supported YSZ electrolytes at 700 °C, producing >500 mW cm −2 (at 0.7 V) and exhibiting relatively stable performance (∼3% power degradation per 1000 h at 0.7 V) during >2000 h of operation.
Reduced basis set expansions for the iodine ion orbitals

Abstract Analytical expansions, with short and easily manageable basis sets, are available for the orbital wave functions of I - .
Can drug regimen changes prevent seizures in patients with apparently drug-resistant epilepsy?

Can drug regimen changes prevent seizures in patients with apparently drug-resistant epilepsy?
As‐Killing‐As‐Possible Vector Fields for Planar Deformation

Cartoon animation, image warping, and several other tasks in two-dimensional computer graphics reduce to the formulation of a reasonable model for planar deformation. A deformation is a map from a given shape to a new one, and its quality is determined by the type of distortion it introduces. In many applications, a desirable map is as isometric as possible. Finding such deformations, however, is a nonlinear problem, and most of the existing solutions approach it by minimizing a nonlinear energy. Such methods are not guaranteed to converge to a global optimum and often suffer from robustness issues. We propose a new approach based on approximate Killing vector fields (AKVFs), first introduced in shape processing. AKVFs generate near-isometric deformations, which can be motivated as direction fields minimizing an “as-rigid-as-possible” (ARAP) energy to first order. We first solve for an AKVF on the domain given user constraints via a linear optimization problem and then use this AKVF as the initial velocity field of the deformation. In this way, we transfer the inherent nonlinearity of the deformation problem to finding trajectories for each point of the domain having the given initial velocities. We show that a specific class of trajectories — the set of logarithmic spirals — is especially suited for this task both in practice and through its relationship to linear holomorphic vector fields. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method for planar deformation by comparing it with existing state-of-the-art deformation methods.
Modelling of near-limit behavior of premixed flames: A three-reaction-class kinetic model

A kinetic model with three classes of reaction-steps is used to study the behavior of premixed flames near lean and rich flammability limits. Besides the analytic deduction of the existence of such limits the lean, rich and near-limit response of burning rates to fuel content is obtained, whereby it is shown that the burning rate decreases as either flammability limit is approached but remains finite there instead of vanishing. Since these results are obtained without the influence of external effects such as stretch and heat loss, we conclude that the flammability properties of a mixture can be attributed to the chemical events in which the various species in the mixture participate.
Methanol Oxidation on Rhodium As Probed by Surface-Enhanced Raman and Mass Spectroscopies: Adsorbate Stability, Reactivity, and Catalytic Relevance

The relationship between surface speciation and catalytic activity/selectivity during methanol oxidation on polycrystalline rhodium under ambient-pressure flow-reactor conditions was studied from 25 to 500 °C by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) along with parallel mass spectrometric (MS) measurements. By utilizing SERS-active Rh films formed by electrodeposition onto gold, the former technique provides in situ surface vibrational spectra with unique sensitivity under these demanding conditions, enabling adsorbed species to be probed in real time (≈1 s) for comparison with the overall kinetics as evaluated by MS. Exposure of Rh to O2-free methanol yielded no detectable vibrational bands between 25 and 500 °C, although methanol decomposition to form CO and H2 was evident from MS. The presence of even subunity molar ratios of oxygen, however, yielded rich SER spectra, highlighted by bands indicative of CO(ads) (νRh-CO = 465 cm-1, νRh-CO ≈ 2000 cm-1). The catalytic selectivity toward CO2 (v...
Effects of 28 days exposure to diesel engine emissions in rats.

Abstract Groups of 15 rats each were exposed 20 hr/day, 7 days/week for 28 days to a 1:14 dilution of either raw or irradiated exhaust using a six-cylinder Nissan diesel engine. Body weight gains were significantly (P
Societal solutions to childhood origins of coronary artery disease

Childhood obesity and associated risks result in premature cardiovascular damage and disease with a consequent, large burden to society. There are causes for childhood obesity that are rooted in the socioeconomic milieu. Interventions that are population-based, and aimed towards prevention as opposed to treatment, are likely to be most effective in curtailing childhood obesity. Reforms to federal and state managed social welfare programs provide a compelling opportunity to affect the course and consequences of childhood obesity.
The baffling balloons

The experiment where two balloons are inflated to different diameters and connected together by means of a valve system, is considered. On opening the valve the balloon of smaller diameter becomes smaller and the balloon with the larger diameter inflates even further.
Spin and hole excitation spectra in cuprate superconductors: An exact study of finite lattices with the inclusion of direct oxygen-oxygen hopping

Abstract We present results of an exact diagonalization study of the groundstate properties as well as spin and single-particle excitation spectra of a single mobile dopant induced hole in the strong coupling limit of the three-orbital Hubbard model in finite lattices with up to 16 copper lattice sites in the presence of the direct oxygen-oxygen transfer term with corresponding matrix element tpp. We show that the groundstate and low energy excited state properties are consistent with the proposal of Zhang and Rice (ZR) of a tightly bound stable Cu-O spin-hole singlet state even for the case of finite and physically relevant values of tpp indicating that the ZR state is relatively stable and persists even for moderate tpp.
Information analysis by the paper wasp,Polistes fuscatus, during nest construction (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

The building decision process of the paper wasp,Polistes fuscatus, was studied by 1) analyzing the search pattern of the wasps prior to the addition of pulp to different areas of the nest, 2) comparing the pulp addition needs of the cell chosen for lengthening to those of other cells in the nest, and 3) presenting the wasps with eight types of dichotomous building choices, which provided information about the relative influence of different building cues. Wasps conduct a hierarchical search prior to pulp addition, which means that they search the comb face and petiole disproportionately more often and more thoroughly than the comb back and sides. Once a particular nest area triggers closer scrutiny, comparisons are made with adjoining areas. The most needy location is then chosen based on nest cues. When lengthening a cell, the development of the brood and relative cell length have a strong influence on which cell is chosen at all times, while distance of the brood from the cell mouth becomes important during the later stages of brood development. The results indicate that there is no simple hierarchical weighting of cues. The decision process involves comparisons among multiple cues, which for the most part have an additive influence when variation in relative cue strength is considered.
Pseudoprogression after stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Journal of Thoracic Oncology ® • Volume 9, Number 4, April 2014 Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a highly conformal treatment modality that uses image guidance to allow precise delivery of ablative doses of radiation to a target, resulting in excellent local control with minimal toxicity. SBRT is increasingly used as an alternative to surgical resection for patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer who are considered medically inoperable or refuse surgery. In addition, there is interest in incorporating SBRT into the treatment of locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer, most commonly as a boost to residual disease after conventional radiotherapy. As the use of SBRT increases, determination of proper follow-up of patients is paramount. Acute and late imaging changes are common after SBRT, and differentiation between residual/recurrent disease and post-SBRT change can be challenging. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a valuable tool in surveillance, as post-SBRT change typically does not exhibit fluorodeoxyglucose-avidity with standardized uptake values more than 5. However, even with the aid of PET imaging, misinterpretation of abnormalities is possible. Herein, we report such a case.
Theoretical models of the avian syrinx

The acoustic spectra of most birdsongs contain either a fundamental tone without overtones, a fundamental with harmonic overtones, or broadband noise with all frequencies present. The classic functional model of the avian syrinx suggests that vibrating medial tympaniform membranes generate these spectra. It is shown here that, while vibrating, these membranes should generate spectra that contain many partial overtones. As partials are not present in most birdsongs, the vibrating membrane model appears inadequate to explain syringeal function. Two new models are presented: the vibrating string model and the aerodynamic model. In the former, membrane-like medial tympaniform membranes are stretched into the shape of a string. Vibrating string-like medial tympaniform membranes could have acoustic spectra with either a fundamental alone or a fundamental plus harmonics. In the latter case, the medial tympaniform membranes function only to create an orifice through which respiratory air must pass. Periodic, trailing vortices are created off the downstream side of the membranes. The periodicity of vortex shedding determines the frequency of the sound. Acoustic spectra generated by this mechanism contain either a fundamental alone, a fundamental plus harmonics, or broadband noise. As the acoustic spectra postulated by the vibrating string model and the aerodynamic model correlate well with the acoustic spectra found in birdsong, they appear to be better models of avian syringeal function.
Development trends for therapeutic antibody fragments.

Although fewer antibody fragments have entered the clinic than full-length monoclonal antibodies, proof-of-concept studies for these therapeutics remain the main hurdle.
Moiré topography, sampling theory, and charged-coupled devices

Projection-type moire contouring can be done without a reference grid by undersampling projected cosine fringes with a charged-coupled-device detector array to eliminate entirely the unwanted sum, shadow, and grid terms of classical moire methods as well as the spurious moire fringes that are due to higher harmonics. The technique produces a high-visibility sampled version of the moire difference contour fringes. Higher-order aliasing can provide increased sensitivity when the same detector array is used. The sampling conditions are formulated as a moire extension to the Whittaker–Shannon sampling theorem.
Which is Better—Retroperitoneoscopic or Laparoscopic Dismembered Pyeloplasty in Children?

Purpose: Groups at multiple institutions have documented the efficacy of minimally invasive repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction with a retroperitoneoscopic or laparoscopic approach. To our knowledge no group has compared the 2 operative procedures directly at a single institution.Materials and Methods: The records of 49 consecutive patients with a history of retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty or transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction were reviewed retrospectively, of whom 29 underwent attempted retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty and 20 underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty cases were performed first in the series before changing to the laparoscopic pyeloplasty approach. Retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty was performed using an anterolateral approach with retroperitoneal balloon distention. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty repair was performed using a transmesenteric approach for left ureteropelvic junction obstruction or after right colon ...
Bridging the Gap Amongst Sociologist of Color: A Brief Overview of Mentorship and Social Network Opportunities in the PSA

This essay provides an overview of what the Committee on the Status of Race and Ethnic Minorities (CSREM) of the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) has accomplished in the last couple of years. Through the implementation of Talking Circles and the Making Connection Program—a mentorship program, we were able to create a space that connects emerging sociologists of color to support networks within academia and beyond.
Aldosterone and prednisolone control of cochlear function in MRL/MpJ-Faslpr autoimmune mice

Recently this laboratory showed aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid that only enhances sodium transport, was as effective as the glucocorticoid prednisolone in restoring cochlear function in autoimmune mice. To further test this relationship between sodium transport and autoimmune hearing loss, dosage comparisons were made of prednisolone and aldosterone control of the auditory dysfunction in autoimmune MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr) mice. Mice were tested at 2 months of age to establish baseline auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds, hematocrit, serum immune complexes, and anti-nuclear antibodies. Mice were then given different doses of prednisolone or aldosterone in their drinking water for 2 months. After the treatment period, most untreated water controls showed elevation of ABR thresholds due to the ongoing autoimmune disease. However, the steroid groups had significantly more mice with improved or unchanged thresholds. Both steroids improved stria vascularis morphology, although aldosterone appeared to be more effective. The immune suppressive prednisolone caused a dose-related improvement in levels of serum immune complexes and hematocrit, hallmarks of systemic autoimmune disease. Aldosterone, which has no immune suppressive function, did not alter systemic disease. The comparable efficacy of prednisolone and aldosterone in restoring auditory function suggests steroid reversal of autoimmune hearing loss in mice is due to increasing stria vascularis sodium transport and not suppression of systemic autoimmune reactions.
Frequency response function estimate and coherence: Part II

This is but one example of how the looks of the estimated frequency response function can be deceptive. The evaluation of data requires the use of all the plots, the autospectrums of the input and the output, the coherence function and the estimated FRF. In addition, an understanding of how the data was collected, the method used for estimating the FRF and the meaning of all of these plots is needed. In the next installment, we will discuss the use of averaging to acquire quality estimates. There were 5 averages taken to acquire the data seen above. Was this enough or should I have taken more?
Bridging the Gap Between Random Microstructure and 3D Meshing

AbstractThere are different ways to mathematically represent three-dimensional (3D) heterogeneous material microstructures. It is desirable to pick the representation that best bridges the gap between heterogeneous microstructure and computer-aided engineering finite element analysis. 3D cubic meshes of brick (voxel) elements can be generated for digital structures (e.g., from X-ray CT), but this work describes how simplified tetrahedral meshes, more suitable for complex mechanical problems, including crack generation, can be implemented. The mathematical representations of heterogeneous material structures considered in this paper include (1) 3D digital image microstructure, exemplified by the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory (VCCTL); (2) X-ray computed tomography (CT) images stacked into a 3D digital image; and (3) real-shaped sand and gravel particles, represented by spherical harmonic series, randomly placed into a 3D box to make a virtual concrete microstructure. The approach used invol...
Orthonormal aberration polynomials for anamorphic optical imaging systems with rectangular pupils

The classical aberrations of an anamorphic optical imaging system, representing the terms of a power-series expansion of its aberration function, are separable in the Cartesian coordinates of a point on its pupil. We discuss the balancing of a classical aberration of a certain order with one or more such aberrations of lower order to minimize its variance across a rectangular pupil of such a system. We show that the balanced aberrations are the products of two Legendre polynomials, one for each of the two Cartesian coordinates of the pupil point. The compound Legendre polynomials are orthogonal across a rectangular pupil and, like the classical aberrations, are inherently separable in the Cartesian coordinates of the pupil point. They are different from the balanced aberrations and the corresponding orthogonal polynomials for a system with rotational symmetry but a rectangular pupil.
Wavefield Extrapolation In Laterally Varying VTI Media

We describe an approach to performing wavefield extrapolation in VTI media in the case when the Thomsen anisotropy parameters δ and and vertical propagation velocity vary laterally. Our method is a combination of downward continuation with reference parameters, explicit correction filter application to account for laterally varying anisotropy, and interpolation between reference wavefields to ensure correct vertical propagation velocity. We address the questions of explicit filter design, spatial interpolation between reference wavefields, and operator splitting in 3-D. Both synthetic and real data examples are used to illustrate the performance of our algorithm.
Type I Versus Type II BBO Crystal For Frequency Conversion

A general theory for three-wave-mixing valid for both type I and type II is presented. Analytic expressions for the SHG efficiencies are compared with the numerical exact solution. The effects of beam walk-off and spatial profile overlap for various polarizations are included. System parameters such as deff, E-number, F-number and angular sensitivity are calculated for type I and II BBO crystals. The integrated efficiency for divergent pump beam is calculated for various ratio of beam divergence and crystal angular acceptance width. Experimental data for SHG of 1064 nm (YAG-laser) are presented and compared for type I and type II BBO crystal. From our measured data, we conclude that the simple model based upon the ratio of P( laser power) and the beam quality (Q) or inverse-square of the angular sensitivity overestimates the effects of beam quality on the efficiency. A rigorous model including the complicated coupling between P, Q and the efficiency is presented which correctly explains our data.
Exact solutions with compact and noncompact structures for the one-dimensional generalized Benjamin Bona Mahony equation

Abstract This paper is devoted to analyzing the physical structures of nonlinear dispersive variants of the Benjamin–Bona–Mahony equation. It is found that these generalized forms give rise to compactons solutions: solitons with the absence of infinite tails, solitons: nonlinear localized waves of infinite support, solitary patterns solutions having infinite slopes or cusps, and plane periodic solutions. It is also found that the qualitative change in the physical structure of solutions depends strongly on whether the exponents of the wave function u(x, t) whether it is positive or negative, and on the speed c of the traveling wave as well.
Effects of Conducting-Gesture Instruction on Seventh-Grade Band Students' Performance Response to Conducting Emblems

This study is an investigation of the effects of short-term conducting gesture instruction on seventh-grade band students' recognition of and performance response to musical conducting emblems (ges...
Shifts in Entrepreneurial Functions in Agriculture

Substantial elements of entrepreneurship in agriculture are being shifted to off‐farm firms and government agencies. These shifts involve public programs that control land use and guide its development and that take private land for public purpose. In the private sector, they include substitution of corporate enterprise for family farming, restrictions on freedom of action under credit arrangements, control over tenant‐operated farms, direction of management under vertical coordination contracts, and control of farmer cooperatives and bargaining associations over buying and selling. In the future, family farming may be under pressure to meet technological requirements, and corporation farming may offer competition. In the absence of a massive support program, the family farmer may continue to shift elements of entrepreneurship to off‐farm firms. An important question is: What is happening to farmer entrepreneurship under the impact of modern technology and urbanization?
Three-dimensional flow over two spheres placed side by side

Three-dimensional flow over two identical (solid or liquid) spheres which are held fixed relative to each other with the line connecting their centres normal to a uniform I stream is investigated numerically at Reynolds numbers 50, 100, and 150. We consider the lift, moment, and drag coefficients on the spheres and investigate their dependence on the distance between the two spheres. The computations show that, for a given Reynolds number, the two spheres are repelled when the spacing is of the order of the diameter but are weakly attracted at intermediate separation distances. For small spacing, the vortical structure of the near wake is significantly different from that of the axisymmetric wake that establishes at large separations. The partially confined flow passing between the two spheres entrains the flows coming around their other sides. Our results agree with available experimental and numerical data.
A simple mechanism for type security across compilation units

A simple technique is described that detects structural-type clashes across compilation units with an arbitrarily high degree of confidence. The type of each external object is described in canonical form. A hash function compresses the description into a short code. If the code is embedded in a symbol-table name, then consistency can be checked by an ordinary linker. For distributed programs, run-time checking of message types can be performed with very little overhead. >
Lacunar infarction as an embolic complication of cardiac and arch angiography.

Lacunar infarcts are small, deep cerebral infarcts resulting from occlusion of small, penetrating cerebral arteries. They are most commonly associated with hypertension. Cardiac sources of embolization are sometimes present in patients with lacunes, but direct proof of a causal relationship is lacking. This report attempts to support the contention that emboli can cause lacunar syndromes and lacunar infarction.We report two cases of pure motor hemiplegia, each of which developed while the patient was undergoing cardiac or aortic arch angiography. Neither patient had a history of previous transient ischemic attack or stroke. Initial computed tomography of the brain was normal in each. Repeat computed tomography in one confirmed a small, low-density lesion in the posterior limb of the internal capsule on the side appropriate to the patient's symptoms and remained normal in the second patient.These two cases offer evidence that the classic lacunar stroke syndrome of pure motor hemiplegia can occur on an embo...
Evolution of Deep Defect Centers in Semi-Insulating 4H-SiC Substrates under High-Temperature Annealing

The influence of postgrowth high-temperature anneals between 1400°C and 2400°C on the behavior of the D1 center in semi-insulating 4H-SiC was studied by photoluminescence. The optical signature of D1 was observed up to 2400°C with intensity maxima at 1700°C and 2200°C. It was also found that changes in the postannealing cooling rate drastically influence the behavior of the D1 center and the concentrations of the VC, VSi, VC–VSi, and VC–CSi lattice defects observed from electron paramagnetic resonance experiments. The change in intensity of the D1 defect has some correlation with the intensity change of the VC–VSi pair defect at temperatures above 1900°C. In addition, infrared photoluminescence spectroscopy studies showed that changes in the intensity of the D1 defect at 2100°C to 2400°C annealing temperatures and variable cool-down rates have close correlation with intensity changes of the UD2 defect.
Characterization of Iris yellow spot virus from Onion in Arizona

Iris yellow spot virus is an economically important pathogen affecting both bulb and seed onion crops in the US and several parts of the world. In January 2008, two commercial onion fields in Yuma County, Arizona, had plants with symptoms suggestive of IYSV infection. IYSV infection was confirmed by ELISA, and the virus infection was further verified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
Silhouette Lookup for Automatic Pose Tracking

Computers should be able to detect and track the articulated 3-D pose of a human being moving through a video sequence. Current tracking methods often prove slow and unreliable, and many must be initialized by a human operator before they can track a sequence. This paper introduces a simple yet effective algorithm for tracking articulated pose, based upon looking up observed silhouettes in a collection of known poses. The new algorithm runs quickly, can initialize itself without human intervention, and can automatically recover from critical tracking errors made while tracking previous frames in a video sequence.