cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intra-specific competition and density dependent juvenile growth

A difference equation model for the dynamics of a semelparous size-structured species consisting of juvenile and adult individuals is derived and studied. The adult population consists of two size classes, a smaller class and a larger more fertile class. Negative feedback occurs through slowed juvenile growth due to increased total population levels during the developmental period and consequently a smaller adult size at maturation. Intra-specific competition coefficients are size dependent and measure the strength of intra-specific competition between juveniles and adults. It is shown that equilibrium states in which adults and juveniles occur together at all times are in general destabilized by significantly increased juvenilevs adults competition with the result that stable periodic cycles appear, in which the generations alternate in time and hence avoid competition. This result supports the tenet that intra-specific competition between juveniles and adults is destabilizing. Exceptions to this destabilization principle are found, however, in which populations exhibiting non-equilibrium, aperiodic dynamics can be equilibrated by increase competition between juveniles and adults. This occurs, for example, when adult fertility and competition coefficients are significantly size class dependent.
To eat or be eaten: Two complementary compensatory solutions to premature separation in The Three Little Pigs..

The fairy tale The Three Little Pigs is looked at through a psychoanalytic lens. It is suggested that each of the three pigs is dealing with the consequences of a disruption in the mother-child relationship (i.e., impingements in the holding environment, failures in the good-enough mother, breaches in the protective shield, or some failure in the mother's role vis a vis the developing separating/individuating child).
Processing and Properties of Particulate Composites from Coated Powders

A method is described for sintering of highly loaded (≤20 vol%) alumina matrix/silicon carbide whisker or platelet composites to closed porosity. The method uses controlled heterogeneous precipitation in a suspension of whiskers or platelets. The suspension-coated particles are calcined to produce a free-flowing composite powder which can be hot-pressed or free-sintered to high density. The results of consolidation and mechanical property testing are reported.
Full configuration interaction benchmark calculations for transition moments

Full configuration-interaction (FCI) calculations have been performed for the dlAI-f~IB1 and dIAI-(2)IA1 transitions in CH2 and for selected dipole and quadrupole transitions in BeO. The FCI transition moments are compared to those obtained from correlation treatments that truncate the n-particle expansion. The state-averaged MCSCF/SOCI and FCI results agree well, even for BeO, where the CASSCF level nonorthogonal transition moment differs from the state-averaged CASSCF transition moment.
Eicosanoid production in rat blood as affected by fasting and dietary fat

Abstract The effects of fasting and dietary linoleate on eicosanoid production in clotting rat blood incubated 10 minutes at 37°C was studied. Fasting increased eicosanoid synthesis. Dietary manipulation of eicosanoid levels was best demonstrated in the fed rat model. TXB 2 , PGE 2 , F 2α and E 1 synthesis increased when dietary linoleate increased from 0.0 to 0.41% calories; from 0.4 to 29% linoleate calories there was no change in PG synthesis, but a decrease in TXB 2 production was apparent.
In polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal steroids are regulated differently in the morning versus in response to nutrient intake.

Objective To investigate adrenal steroid regulation in polycystic ovary syndrome. Design Five-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and frequently sampled-intravenous gluclose tolerance test. Setting University research center. Patient(s) Thirty patients. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Anthropometrics, leptin, cortisol, DHEAS, glucose, insulin. Result(s) Morning cortisol correlated with sensitivity index (SI, r = .540), DHEAS correlated inversely with age ( r = −.6359), body mass index (BMI, r = −.6199), fat mass ( r = −0.630), and leptin ( r = −0.5676). Between the second and fourth hour of OGTT, cortisol changes (Δ) exhibited three patterns: I, responders (n = 9, Δ: 10.7 ± 1.0 μg/dL); II, nonresponders (n = 10, Δ: −3.5 ± 0.6 μg/dL); III, intermediates (n = 11, Δ: 4.3 ± 1.0 μg/dL). Compared with nonresponders, responders were more obese (BMI: 37.0 ± 1.6 vs. 31.7 ± 1.8 kg/m 2 ); had higher leptin (28.9 ± 1.7 vs. 24.1 ± 1.1 ng/mL), and lower DHEAS (133 ± 12 vs. 236 ± 32 ng/mL), higher glucose at 1 h of OGTT (195 ± 13 vs. 131 ± 12 mg/dL), higher area under the curve (AUC) Glucose (332 ± 20 vs. 265 ± 17 mg/dL), higher AUC Insulin (244 ± 50 vs. 125 ± 30 μU/mL), and lower nadir glucose (61 ± 2 vs. 70 ± 2 mg/dL). Conclusion(s) Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with lower morning cortisol and DHEAS but increased cortisol and DHEA responses after glucose ingestion. Morning steroid levels may not reflect the day-long exposure.
Neural mechanisms of visual selective attention

Visual selective attention improves our perception and performance by modifying sensory inputs at an early stage of processing. Spatial attention produces the most consistent early modulations of visual processing, which can be observed when attention is voluntarily allocated to locations. These effects of spatial attention are similar when attention is cued in a trial-by-trial, or sustained, fashion and are manifest as changes in the amplitudes, but not the latencies, of evoked neural activity recorded from the intact human scalp. This modulation of sensory processing first occurs within the extrastriate visual cortex and not within the striate or earlier subcortical processing stages. These relatively early spatial filters alter the inputs to higher stages of visual analysis that are responsible for feature extraction and ultimately object perception and recognition, and thus provide physiological evidence for early precategorical selection during visual attention. Moreover, the physiological evidence extends early selection theories by providing neurophysiologically precise information about the stages of visual processing affected by attention.
AN EVALUATION OF OVERLYING TISSUES TO DETERMINE FETAL EXPOSURE TO ULTRASOUND DURING THE THIRD TRIMESTER

Abstract Measurements of minimum and average total tissue thicknesses overlying the fetus during the third trimester were taken on 52 patients between 24 and 40 weeks gestation. Minimum total thickness of tissues constantly along the ultrasound path had a mean value of 1.75 cm, ranging from 0.40 to 3.70 cm. This corresponded to a mean attenuation of 0.87 dB MHz−1, ranging from 0.30 to 1.68 dB MHz−1. Average total thickness of tissues constantly along the ultrasound path had a mean value of 2.16 cm, ranging from 1.00 to 4.10 cm. This corresponded to a mean attenuation of 1.16 dB MHz−1, ranging from 0.64 to 2.03 dB MHz−1. Average attenuation was also calculated for all soft tissues along the ultrasound path, including the placenta. The resulting average attenuation was 0.47 dB cm−1 MHz−1. Maternal weight at the time of ultrasound examination had significant correlation with minimum and average ultrasound attenuation by tissues constantly along the ultrasound path. The R2 value was 46.7% for minimum attenuation (p-value
Adsorption of Small Aun (n = 1−5) and Au−Pd Clusters Inside the TS-1 and S-1 Pores

We used a hybrid quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics (QM/MM) approach to simulate the adsorption of Aun (n = 1−5), AuPd, and Au2Pd2 clusters inside the TS-1 and S-1 pores. We studied nondefect and metal-vacancy defect sites in TS-1 and S-1 for a total of four different environments around the T6 crystallographic site. We predict stronger binding of all clusters near Ti sites in Ti-substituted framework compared to adsorption near Si sitesconsistent with the experimental finding of a direct correlation between the Ti-loading and the Au-loading on the Au/TS-1 catalysts with high Si/Ti ratio. The cluster binding is also stronger near lattice-metal vacancies compared to fully coordinated, nondefect sites. In all the cases, a trend of binding energy (BE) versus Au cluster size (n) shows a peak at around n = 3−4. Our results show that there is enough room for the attack of H2O2 on the Ti-defect site even with Au1-4 adsorbeda result that supports the possibility of H2O2 spillover from the Au clusters to the ad...
Purification and Characterization of the Glutathione-S-transferases from the Northern Quahog Mercinaria mercinaria

: Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was isolated from the northern hardshell clam Mercinaria mercinaria (quahog) using a two-step procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation and affinity chromatography. Kinetic analysis of the purified enzyme using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrate revealed a specific activity of 38.0 µmol min-1 mg-1, while Vmax and Km values were estimated as 48.0 µmol min-1 mg-1 and 0.24 mM, respectively. Electrophoretic analysis of GST indicated multiple forms of the dimeric enzyme in quahogs with subunit molecular masses of 22, 24, 25, and 27 kDa. Isoelectric focusing analysis resulted in pI values for three isoenzymes of 5.1, 4.9, and 4.6. The acidic pI values obtained indicated that quahog GST belongs to the pi class. Inhibition of quahog GST by tetrapyrroles was similar to that of GST from oyster and rat liver. Quantitative comparison of tetrapyrrole inhibition patterns of quahog GST with those of oyster and rat liver GST indicated lower inhibition rates by three of the four tetrapyrroles tested (bilirubin, biliverdin, and chlorophillyin), suggesting that quahog GST could differ structurally or functionally from oyster and rat liver GSTs.
On the computation of induced norms for non-compact Hankel operators arising from distributed control problems

Abstract This paper considers the problem of computing the induced L 2 norm for Hankel operators which are not necessarily compact. In the literature such a norm has traditionally been computed by solving an infinite-dimensional eigenvalue-eigenfunction problem. In this paper, it is shown that a sequence of finite-dimensional eigenvalue-eigenvector problems can be solved to estimate the desired induced norm.
Group G streptococcal infection in a cat colony.

Lancefield Group G streptococci are known human pathogens that cause such diseases as epidemic pharyngitis, acute glomerulonephritis, and less frequently endocarditis, meningitis, and puerperal sepsis.13 Group G streptococci in dogs are usually isolated from the oral mucosa and are commonly referred to as Streptococcus canis. Members of this group have been implicated in a variety of suppurative infections in dogs, including otitis externa, dematitis, and lymphadenitis.1,3 Group G streptococcal infections are uncommon in cats.10 The organism has been isolated from juvenile cats with tonsillitis and cervical lymphadenitis. There have been a few case reports in which group G streptococci have been identified as the cause of fever, depression, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, and death in cats within laboratory colonies4,11,12 and as the cause of arthritis in a cat breeding colony.5 In 1 case, the organism was recovered from the pharynx of 2 clinically normal cats from the affected colony. Group G streptococci are considered normal flora of skin, pharynx, upper respiratory tracts, and genital tracts of cats;2 however, disease caused by group G streptococci has been reproduced experimentally by oral inoculation of healthy cats with the bacteria.11 The biochemical characteristics of group G streptococci isolated from cats are very similar to those of group A streptococci; therefore, identification of group G streptococci based on biochemical reactions is not reliable.9 The similarity of biochemical characteristics between group G and A streptococci suggest a possible pathogenicity for humans.8 Here, we describe severe pyothorax caused by group G streptococci in a juvenile cat and an adult cat. A 12-week-old male Domestic Shorthair kitten and a 2.5year-old female Bengal cat from a private colony of 105 cats died with severe respiratory signs over a period of 1 week. Fifteen other cats became sick with similar respiratory signs but responded to antibiotic treatment. The 12-week-old male kitten weighing 3.3 kg was submitted to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, for necropsy. The cat was in poor body condition and dehydrated. The eyeballs were sunken into the orbits. The pleural cavity was filled with approximately 50 ml of red-brown cloudy fluid containing fibrin strands (Fig. 1). The pleural surface of the lungs was covered by large amounts of fibrin. The lungs were collapsed, and the cranial lobes were atelectatic, with dark red firm areas. On cross section, the airways were filled with an exudate similar to that observed in the pleural space.
Neurosteroids as endogenous regulators of seizure susceptibility and use in the treatment of epilepsy.

Neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone are positive allosteric modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptors with powerful antiseizure activity in diverse animal models. Neurosteroids may be endogenous regulators of seizure susceptibility, for example, in catamenial epilepsy. Clinical trials with the synthetic neurosteroid analog ganaxolone in the treatment of refractory partial seizures and infantile spasms have been encouraging. Neurosteroids and analogs such as ganaxolone show promise in the treatment of diverse forms of epilepsy. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Regulation of iron transport related genes by boron in the marine bacterium Marinobacter algicola DG893

While there has been extensive interest in the use of boron isotope ratios as a surrogate of pH in paleoclimate studies in the context of climate change-related questions, the high (0.4 mM) concentration and the depth-independent (conservative or non-nutrient-like) concentration profile of this element have led to boron being neglected as a potentially biologically relevant element in the modern ocean. Here we report that boron affects the expression of a number of protein and genes in the “algal-associated” Gram-negative marine bacterium Marinobacter algicola DG893. Most intriguingly, a number of these proteins and genes are related to iron uptake. In a recent separate publication we have shown that boron regulates one such iron transport related protein, i.e. the periplasmic iron binding protein FbpA via a direct interaction of the metalloid with this protein. Here we show that a number of other iron uptake related genes are also affected by boron but in the opposite way i.e. they are up-regulated. We propose that the differential effect of boron on FbpA expression relative to other iron transport related genes is a result of an interaction between boron and the global iron regulatory protein Fur.
A direct comparison of azide and nitrile vibrational probes

The synthesis of 2'-azido-5-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine, N(3)CNdU (1), from trityl-protected 2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine was accomplished in four steps with a 12.5% overall yield. The IR absorption positions and profiles of the azide and nitrile group of N(3)CNdU were investigated in 14 different solvents and water/DMSO solvent mixtures. The azide probe was superior to the nitrile probe in terms of its extinction coefficient, which is 2-4 times larger. However, the nitrile IR absorbance profile is generally less complicated by accidental Fermi resonance. The IR frequencies of both probes undergo a substantial red shift upon going from water to aprotic solvents such as THF or DMSO. DFT calculations supported the hypothesis that the molecular origin of the higher observed frequency in water is primarily due to hydrogen bonds between the probes and water molecules.
Freight shipment modal split and its environmental impacts: An exploratory study

Freight transportation activities are responsible for a large share of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Various freight transportation modes have significantly different impacts on air quality and environmental sustainability, and this highlights the need for a better understanding of interregional freight shipment mode choices. This paper develops a binomial logit market share model to predict interregional freight modal share between truck and rail as a function of freight and shipment characteristics. This model can be used to estimate the impacts of various factors, such as oil price, on shippers’ mode choice decisions. A set of multiyear freight and geographical information databases was integrated to construct regression models for typical freight commodities. The atmospheric impact levels incurred by different freight modal choice decisions are analyzed to provide insights on the relationship among freight modal split, oil price change, and air quality. Implications:...
Repetitive Psychometric Measures: Spatial Orientation

A Spatial Orientation measure with 20 parallel forms was evaluated under various conditions with three samples, totalling 265 Ss. The forms were based on the Thurstone Card Test, but the format and...
Children's sensitivity to constraints on word meaning: taxonomic versus thematic relations

A major problem in language learning is to figure out the meaning of a word given the enormous number of possible meanings for any particular word. This problem is exacerbated for children because they often find thematic relations between objects to be more salient than the objects' taxonomic category. Yet most single nouns refer to object categories and not to thematic relations. How do children learn words referring to categories when they find thematic relations so salient? We propose that children limit the possible meanings of nouns to refer mainly to categorical relations. This hypothesis was tested in four studies. In each study, preschool children saw a series of target objects (e.g., dog), each followed by a thematic associate (e.g., bone) and a taxonomic associate (e.g., cat). When children were told to choose another object that was similar to the target (“See this? Find another one.”), they as usual often selected the thematic associate. In contrast, when the instructions included an unknown word for the target (“See this fep? Find another fep.”), children now preferred the taxonomic associate. This finding held up for 2- and 3-year-olds at the basic level of categorization, for 4- and 5-year-olds at the superordinate level of categorization, and 4- and 5-year-olds who were taught new taxonomic and new thematic relations for unfamiliar objects. In each case, children constrained the meaning of new nouns to refer mainly to categorical relations. By limiting the hypotheses that children need to consider, this constraint tremendously simplifies the problem of language learning.
Problems in understanding aircraft icing dynamics

A general discussion of the nonthermodynamic mechanisms present during ice accretion on nonrotatig and rotating/flexing aerodynamic surfaces is undertaken. It is shown that competing physical effects do not in general allow a rigorous scaling methodology to be formulated, but suggestions are made which may result in an acceptable approxiamte scaling scheme. A test program is described which may provide data from which these approximate scaling schemes may be validated.
Analysing China’s economic interdependence and political relations with its neighbours:

This study examines the effects that economic interdependence has on political relations between China and its neighbours. Three economic liberal hypotheses are tested using data from the International Cooperation and Regional Conflicts dataset to measure dyadic political interaction along with economic data from the IMF and China Statistical Yearbooks and control variable data from Polity IV, COW CINC, among other sources. Though a significant amount of literature addresses the effects trade has on conflict at the systemic level, few studies address it at the dyadic level and even fewer test the pacification of trade on non-Western states. Examining economic, political, institutional, geographical, and political relations data from 1987 to 2001, this research tests the economic liberal hypothesis which posits that interdependence is associated with cooperative political relations between states. The findings show that trade interdependence is generally associated with political cooperation. However, the ...
Hands-on privacy labs

Laboratory exercises are important in all technical disciplines including information security. Development of reliable laboratory exercises covering rapidly changing topics takes a lot of time and resources. Instructors often prefer to cover an ever-changing topic using textbook materials and additional readings rather than developing a new lab exercise. Privacy is one of those topics. This paper presents a virtual environment developed for hands-on exercises that will complement theoretical coverage of privacy topics. In these exercises, students will investigate technical aspects of privacy such as user tracking, data aggregation, and various tools such as Firefox add-on Collusion.
Size-selective grazing of coastal bacterioplankton by natural assemblages of pigmented flagellates, colorless flagellates, and ciliates

Fluorescently-labelled bacteria (FLB) were used to study the feeding strategies of a natural assemblage of estuarine protozoans and to examine whether the protozoan grazing could account for the in situ size structure of the bacterioplankton. The FLB, DTAF-stained enterococci, ranging in volume from 0.01 to 0.30 × 10−1 µm3, were added to a natural planktonic assemblage at a density of 5.5% of the natural bacterioplankton. Initial densities (individuals ml−1) were as follows: total natural bacteria, 2.2 × 106; FLB, 1.2 × 105; pigmented flagellates, 300; colorless flagellates, 250; and ciliates, 30. FLB consumption rates were determined by examining the contents of protozoan food vacuoles, and the long-term effect of grazing (over a period of 100 hours) was determined by monitoring the decline in the FLB density in experimental vessels. The average consumption rates of FLB by pigmented flagellates were similar to those by flagellates that lacked chloroplasts (0.9 and 0.6 FLB protozoan−1 hour−1, respectively). The ciliates consumed bacteria at an average rate that was 17-fold higher (per cell) than flagellates, and they displayed a greater preference for larger bacteria than did the flagellates. FLB of the mid-size classes (0.025–0.100 µm3) were heavily grazed by the entire protozoan assemblage; the smallest ( 0.100 µm3) FLB escaped protozoan grazing. This had a profound effect on the resulting size distribution of FLB. At the end of a 100-hour incubation, the percentage of mid-size FLB (0.025 to 0.100 µm3) decreased 2.0–2.2-fold, while the percentage of the smallest and the largest FLB increased 2.0–2.5-fold. Resultant densities of FLB were consistent with initial clearance rates determined for the protozoan groups. The grazing rates of protozoans on FLB were species-specific; whereas some species consumed FLB, others did not demonstrate bacterivory. The results suggest that protozoan grazing has a major effect on the size distribution of coastal bacterioplankton. By selectively feeding on a particular size-class of bacteria, planktonic ciliates may consume 15–90% day−1 of the standing stock of largest size classes of bacterioplankton. Thus, ciliates, which were present in low abundance in the field, could not balance the production of the entire bacterial community, but they may strongly influence the portion of the bacterial community represented by the largest bacterial class. The direct effect of flagellates (e.g., grazing) was limited to smaller bacteria.
Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide increases soil carbon

The general lack of significant changes in mineral soil C stocks during CO2-enrichment experiments has cast doubt on predictions that increased soil C can partially offset rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Here, we show, through meta-analysis techniques, that these experiments collectively exhibited a 5.6% increase in soil C over 2‐9 years, at a median rate of 19gCm � 2 yr � 1 . We also measured C accrual in deciduous forest and grassland soils, at rates exceeding 40gCm � 2 yr � 1 for 5‐8years, because both systems responded to CO2 enrichment with large increases in root production. Even though native C stocks were relatively large, over half of the accrued C at both sites was incorporated into microaggregates, which protect C and increase its longevity. Our data, in combination with the meta-analysis, demonstrate the potential for mineral soils in diverse temperate ecosystems to store additional C in response to CO2 enrichment.
Effect of acetoxycycloheximide and dibutyryladenosine cyclic 3′: 5′-monophosphate on axonal regeneration in the goldfish optic nerve

Abstract Acetoxycycloheximide (AXM) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) was injected unilaterally into the vitreous humor of the eye beginning 5–6 days after bilateral optic nerve crush. Injections were repeated every 12–24 h for a total of 3–5 days; goldfish were sacrificed 10 days after lesioning the nerves. At a low dosage of AXM (0.1 μg daily for 5 days), the mean outgrowth distance in treated neurons was 60% less than in contralateral control neurons. At a high dosage (0.3 μg daily for 4 days), outgrowth was immediately blocked in both treated and contralateral control axons. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, in a dose of 5 μM every 12 h for 3 days, produced a 38% reduction in outgrowth distance, associated with a 30% reduction in protein synthesis by the retinal ganglion cells and a 73% reduction in the amount of protein carried by the fast component of axonal transport.
“We require more vespene gas” Learning about social conflict in computer games and simulations

This paper explores how computer games and simulations can be used to stimulate the understanding of social and cultural conflicts as something inherently complex, and of various stakeholders' positions as contingent and contextual. We perform a close reading of a sample of games to discuss how they depict conflicts through simulations. Based on that, we extract a series of principles that can be helpful both to orient the design of games aimed at facilitating learning from conflict, and to facilitate the discussion and analysis of games by highlighting their strategies in depicting conflict.
The Augusta textile mills and the strike of 1886

(1973). The Augusta textile mills and the strike of 1886. Labor History: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 228-246.
Robot Vision Overview

The field of robot vision is growing rapidly and promises to provide a great improvement in the versatility of industrial robots. The purpose of this paper is to review several techniques commonly used in robot vision applications, describe some of the solved problems, and to present examples of the various applications of these robot vision techniques. A basic premise of this paper is that the gap between C AD and C AM can be decreased using automatic inspection techniques. The robot vision applications are expanding at an unprecedented rate. This paper is a review and an attempt to tie together the diverse technologies available. The application of robot vision in the integrated manufacturing process may be vital to improvements in productivity and product quality.
Omnibus-A Multiprogramming Executive System for the Zero Gradient Synchrotron Control Computer

As the digital computer undergoes increasing utilization as an on-line evaluation and feedback control device for an accelerator, it becomes necessary to provide it with a multiprogramming executive software system. The system should be capable of accommodating several on-line control functions simultaneously so that these functions can be developed independently. The system should also provide for general purpose off-line utilization, such as new program development, to proceed simultaneously with and unimpeded by the continuous operation of the accelerator. OMNIBUS, the multiprogramming executive system now in use with the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS) control computer, incorporates these features and several others not found in commercially available multiprogramming systems. OMNIBUS obtains data for the various control programs from locations and at specific times requested by the programs and also provides the control link; either by modifying the program stored in the timing system of the synchrotron, or by direct transmission of timing pulses or digitalinformation to the accelerator. The system provides for operator modification of the various control programs and communications with them without interrupting their on-line control or monitoring functions.
The Boundary Layer Behavior in Transient Turbulent Thermal Convection Flow

It is shown that in heat source-driven turbulent convection, the transient behavior of the thermal boundary layer is markedly different from that of the steady-state condition.(AIP)
Representations in animal cognition: an introduction.

Over the last decade, questions about representations have come to the fore in the literature on animal learning and cognition The papers in this special issue show the central role this concept now plays. They review contemporary experimental findings regarding animal representations of space; time, number sud rate; the properties of experienced stimuli and experienced relations between stimuli; the categorization of natural and artificial stimuli; and social relations amoung conspecifics
Dependence Map-Based Flow Control to Reduce Void Content in Liquid Composite Molding

ABSTRACT Prohibitive costs are preventing liquid composite molding processes, such as resin transfer molding, from gaining greater popularity. The high costs are mainly due to lack of automation and repeatability. Variations inherent in the preform cutting and placement process lead to unpredictable resin infusion patterns that sometimes form regions devoid of resin. This compromises the structural integrity of the composite and the part is rejected as scrap. Control during the filling stage of liquid composite molding processes have been shown to redirect the flow towards regions difficult to impregnate, providing a greater percentage of acceptable manufactured composite parts. However, many of the current techniques have various limitations. Many off-line control approaches depend on anticipation of problems, and on-line approaches are geometrically limited and can be computationally intensive if executed during manufacturing. The present work combines off-line and on-line approaches to infuse and fill ...
Improved automated method for the study of drug metabolism

Abstract The system for assaying drug metabolism by a continuous flow-through technique has been modified with the following: (1) an aluminum sample plate containing a trough for cooling, (2) a dual pickup mechanism that allows the enzyme to be picked up separately from the cofactors and substrate, (3) a dispensing apparatus that allows the release of discrete aliquots of the cofactor-substrate solution upon demand, (4) a mixing coil where the enzyme solution and cofactor-substrate solutions are mixed in precisely determined amounts for a finite period of time, and (5) a sequential dilution system that allows for analysis of total protein. The advantages of these modifications include (1) preservation of enzyme activity, (2) elimination of manual preparation of incubation mixtures, (3) uniformity of incubation time, (4) increased reliability of analyses by separation of pickup procedures, and (5) greater general usefulness of the system.
It's the proteases, stupid!

Despite its clinical importance, no intellectually satisfying mechanistic explanations have been provided for G-CSF–induced stem cell mobilization. Insights, however, from studies addressing the mechanism of IL-8–induced mobilization in normal or G-CSF–receptor deficient mice have been
Dexhowardia tetraspora: A new hyphomycete with possible basidiomycete affinity

Dexhowardia tetraspora gen. et sp. nov. was isolated as a contaminant in a culture received asSporotrichum aureum. It produces conidiophores which resemble those infrequently observed in conidial states ofFomitopsis annosus andF. insularis. Because it entirely lacks ampullate conidiophores, it cannot be considered congeneric withOedocephalum glomerulosum. A perfect state is unknown.
Improving the performance of a code for solving stiff systems of ODEs

Abstract The performance of LSODE, a widely used code for solving stiff systems of ordinary differential equations, has been improved by using strategies that reduce the need to evaluate Jacobians. Two such strategies are examined, and each has been implemented in LSODE. Numerical experiments show that the modified versions of LSODE outperform a standard library version on a variety of difficult stiff test problems.
UV Resonance Raman Investigation of a 310-Helical Peptide Reveals a Rough Energy Landscape†

We used UVRRS at 194 and 204 nm excitation to examine the backbone conformation of a 13-residue polypeptide (gp41(659-671)) that has been shown by NMR to predominantly fold into a 3(10)-helix. Examination of the conformation sensitive AmIII(3) region indicates the peptide has significant populations of beta-turn, PPII, 3(10)-helix, and pi-helix-like conformations but little alpha-helix. We estimate that at 1 degree C on average six of the 12 peptide bonds are in folded conformations (predominantly 3(10)- and pi-helix), while the other six are in unfolded (beta-turn/PPII) conformations. The folded and unfolded populations do not change significantly as the temperature is increased from 1 to 60 degrees C, suggesting a unique energy landscape where the folded and unfolded conformations are essentially degenerate in energy and exhibit identical temperature dependences.
Data cleaning using belief propagation

Effective data cleaning is critical in many applications where the quality of data is poor due to missing values or inaccurate values. Fortunately, a wide spectrum of applications exhibit strong dependencies between data samples, and such dependencies can be used very effectively for cleaning the data. For example, the readings of nearby sensors are generally correlated, and proteins interact with each other when performing crucial functions. We propose a data cleaning approach, based on modeling data dependencies with Markov networks. Belief propagation is used to efficiently compute the marginal or maximum posterior probabilities, so as to infer missing values or to correct errors. To illustrate the benefits and generality of the technique, we discuss its use in several applications and report on the data quality and improvements so obtained.
First Calculations of 15N-15N J Values and New Calculations of Chemical Shifts for High Nitrogen Systems: A Comment on the Long Search for HN5 and Its Pentazole Anion

In the potential solution observation of the long-sought-after pentazole anion (N5−), the principal experimental tool used for detection is NMR. However, in two experiments, very different conclusions were reached. To assist in the interpretation, we report predictive level coupled-cluster results for the spin−spin coupling constants and chemical shifts for all of the key species, which include NO3−, N5−, HN5, N3−, and MeOC6H5N3. In the case of the shifts, an empirical estimate based on the molecule polarity enables comparison of gas-phase and observed values with expected error bars of ∼ ±10 ppm. For the scalar couplings, the evidence is that the solution effects are modest, enabling the gas-phase values (with error bars are ∼ ±5 Hz) to be accurate. The latter supports the observation of centrally 15N labeled N3− in the cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) solution which could only occur if the pentazole anion had been created in the experiment, yet with too short a lifetime to be observed in NMR.
A causal approach to the measurement of job statisfaction

Abstract Differences in indicators used to measure job satisfaction raise the question of their comparability. Four commonly used measures of job satisfaction are thus compared with respect to their relationship to three independent variables—education, occupational status, and income (i.e., wages)—in the context of a causal model that incorporates considerations of measurement error in both independent and dependent variables. It is found that in some cases, different indicators imply different conclusions regarding the influence of education and occupational status on job satisfaction. The utility of a causal modeling approach to these problems is also demonstrated.
Muscle tension dysphonia as a sign of underlying glottal insufficiency.

Background: Hyperkinetic vocal function (muscle tension dysphonia) may be an indication of underlying glottal insufficiency. In the face of an organic voice disorder such as presbylaryngis or vocal fold paresis. Hyperkinetic laryngeal behaviors may be used to achieve glottal closure. Such compensatory laryngeal behaviors may mask the correct underlying diagnosis. Objective: We sought to evaluate the association between vocal fold bowing due to presbylaryngis and abnormal muscle tension patterns (MTPs). Methods: One hundred consecutive volunteers >40 years old were prospectively evaluated. All underwent a comprehensive head and neck examination that included transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy with videostroboscopy. Abnormal MTPs were compared in subjects with and without vocal fold bowing. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 61 years. Eighty-four percent (42 of 50) of the male subjects and 60% (30 of 50) of female subjects had evidence of vocal fold bowing. Of the 72 patients with bowing, 94% (68 of 72) had abnormal MTPs. Compared with subjects without vocal fold bowing, persons with bowing were 17 times more likely to exhibit abnormal MTPs (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Abnormal MTPs are common in persons with underlying glottal insufficiency. Patients with vocal fold bowing are 17 times more likely to exhibit abnormal MTPs (95% confidence interval, 4.9 to 59.4). Clinicians should be aware that compensatory hyperkinetic laryngeal behaviors may mask an underlying organic condition. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;127:448-51.)
Skull fracture mimicking eosinophilic granuloma

Background Delayed swelling after skull fractures is an uncommon complication following head trauma in children. Classically, growing skull fractures typically present in patients under 3 years of age with progressive subcutaneous fluid collections, or occasionally with neurologic symptoms. We present the case of a healthy 2-year-old boy with a lytic “punched-out” frontal skull lesion. The child presented 2 months after a minor forehead injury for which no medical attention was sought.
Ultrasonography as a Tool for Monitoring In Ovo Chicken Development. 1. Technique and Morphological Findings

Preliminary studies were performed to develop a method for using real-time, B-mode ultrasonography (US) to directly image the internal morphology of the chicken egg and developing embryo. Different soft tissue interfaces will reflect US waves differentially. These reflected waves, or echoes are then converted into a two-dimensional image of internal morphology. A major limitation of diagnostic US is its inability to penetrate through gas or hard tissue (bone, shell) interfaces. Methodology development to overcome the acoustic obstacle presented by the eggshell and air cell constituted the initial part of the preliminary study. An acoustical window was achieved by creating a 2-cm fenestration through the large end of the eggshell, then filling the air cell with sterile saline. Morphological features of the yolk and embryo were recorded at 0, 2, 6, 9, 14, and 17 days of incubation. The second part of the preliminary study explores whether the acoustic window, once created, could then be closed, and if closed, whether egg viability could be maintained. A second concurrent trial was conducted with 32 eggs that were fenestrated, imaged, recorded, reclosed, and incubated. Two methods of closure were attempted: one using dialysis membrane and tape; the other using an eggshell allograft. Hatchability was partially retained with both window closure methods.
Comparison of an Interferon-γ Release Assay with Tuberculin Skin Testing in HIV-infected Individuals

Rationale: Although interferon (IFN)-γ release assays are approved for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), limited data exist regarding their performance in HIV infection. Objectives: To compare tuberculin skin test (TST) results to the commercial IFN-γ release assay QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) for the diagnosis of LTBI in HIV-infected adults. Methods: A total of 294 HIV-infected subjects sampled from two San Francisco cohorts underwent TST, using 5 TU of purified protein derivative, and QFT, measuring IFN-γ response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis–specific RD-1 antigens. Main Results: Of 294 participants, 205 (70%) returned for an evaluable TST. Concordance between QFT and TST was 89.3% (kappa = 0.37, p = 0.007). However, in subjects with positive test results by either TST or QFT, only 28% (8/29) had positive test results by both modalities. TST-positive/QFT-negative discordant results were found in 5.1% of subjects and TST-negative/QFT-positive discordance in 5.6%. Indeterminate QFT results occurred in 5.1%, all due to a failure to respond to the phytohemagglutinin-positive control. Subjects with a CD4+ count of less than 100 cells/mm3 had a relative risk of an indeterminate result of 4.24 (95% confidence interval, 1.55–11.61; p= 0.003) compared with those with a CD4+ count of 100 or more. Conclusions: Overall concordance between QFT and TST in HIV infection was high, but agreement among subjects with positive tests by either modality was low.
Changes in immunologic properties of group A RBCs during treatment with an A-degrading exo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase.

BACKGROUND Blood group A RBCs theoretically can be converted to universal-donor group O cells by incubation with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (A-zyme). The purpose of this study was to compare the extent of A-zyme treatment required to abolish several immunologic responses of group B or O recipients to group A RBCs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A(1) RBCs were incubated for 2 hours at 37 degrees C in buffer alone (control) or with 0.1 to 5.0 units (U) of A-zyme per mL of packed cells. They were then tested for 1) immune adherence (% rosetting) and activation of monocytic cells (% erythrophagocytosis, TNFalpha production), 2) activation of immune hemolysis, and 3) hemagglutination with Dolichos biflorus lectin and pooled human anti-A serum. RESULTS A 2-hour incubation with < or =5.0 U of A-zyme per mL of packed cells abolished monocytic cell adherence and phagocytosis of group A(1) RBCs coated with IgG(3) A MoAb. Epitopes of A binding to IgG(3) anti-A A005 MoAb and BG-2 MoAb differed in A-zyme sensitivity. TNFalpha production in group B or O whole blood in response to the addition of A(1) cells varied, but it essentially was abolished when group A cells were treated with 0.1 to 1.0 U of A-zyme per mL of packed cells. A epitopes mediating immune hemolysis and hemagglutination with D. biflorus lectin were also cleaved by <5 U of A-zyme per mL of packed cells. In contrast, hemagglutination with polyclonal anti-A typing serum was diminished by only 1 to 2 serial titer dilutions. CONCLUSION A epitopes mediating immune hemolysis and immune adherence to and activation of monocytic cells are highly sensitive to A-zyme cleavage, as compared to those mediating hemagglutination with monoclonal and polyclonal anti-A.
Steroidal sapogenins. XXX stereochemistry of the side chain

Die optischen Drehungen einiger 20α, 25d; 20α, 25l; 20β, 25d; und 20β, 25-l-Sapogenine wurden bestimmt. Die ersten drei Serien gaben ubereinstimmend linksdrehende Werte, aber die letztere Gruppe erwies sich als rechtsdrehend. Die Struktur der vier Serien der Sapogenine folgte aus der Analyse dieser Befunde. Der mogliche Mechanismus bei der Entstehung dieser Verbindungen aus Pseudosapogeninen wurde besprochen. Die Autoren gelangen zum Schluss, dass sterische Faktoren an C20 und C25 die Richtung der Ringschliessung beeinflussen.
Review of environmental effects in intermetallics

The recent progress made in our understanding of the phenomenology and mechanisms of environmental embrittlement in ordered intermetallics is reviewed by considering two model alloy systems of the L12 and B2 crystal classes (Ni3Al and FeAl). The poor ductility commonly encountered when these alloys are tensile tested in ambient air is due mainly to environmental embrittlement, in the absence of which, both alloys are now known to be quite ductile. Both H2O and H2, at levels found in ordinary ambient air, are found to cause environmental embrittlement, with the former usually more deleterious. In the case of H2O, the micromechanism involves reaction with the intermetallic to form an oxide (or hydroxide) and simultaneous generation of atomic hydrogen which then enters the metal and causes embrittlement. In the case of H2, on the other hand, atomic hydrogen is generated as a result of the dissociation of physisorbed hydrogen molecules on the intermetallic surfaces. Consistent with the proposed embrittlement mechanism, ductility is found to increase with decreasing amounts of H2O (or H2) in the test environment, increasing strain rate, and decreasing (or increasing) temperature. Environmental embrittlement in Ni3Al (and other L12 alloys) occurs predominantly intergranularly, whereas in FeAl (and other B2 alloys) it can also occur transgranularly—presumably because diffusion of hydrogen is fast enough through the bulk in the more open B2 structure but only so along grain boundaries in the L12 structure. Microalloying with B, which segregates strongly to the grain boundaries, can overcome environmental embrittlement in L12 alloys, but not in B2 alloys; in the latter, alloying additions probably have to be added at significantly higher (macroalloy) levels to affect the bulk properties. In neither alloy is environmental embrittlement the sole source of brittleness: depending on the alloy stoichiometry, and grain boundary character, a given grain boundary may be intrinsically weaker (or stronger) than the bulk, thereby influencing overall ductility.
Shape disassembly using generating merging probability

Computer integrated manufacturing uses computer technology to integrate a manufacturing system through a man-machine interface that fills the gap between manual operation and machine processes. It is clear that a computer vision-based man-machine interface makes a fully automated system possible. The basic challenge of a vision-based interface is how to extract information from digitized images and convert it to machine-friendly “knowledge”. To extract information, then, it often end up to the problem of shape decomposition. This paper proposes an new approach in decomposing compound shapes without prior knowledge of the scene. The proposed algorithm exploits the fact that planar shapes can be completely described by contour segments, and can be decomposed at their maximum concavity into simpler objects. To reduce spurious decomposition, the decomposed segments are merged into groups by analyzing and utilizing the merging hypotheses. The algorithm calculates the linking possibility by weighting the angular differentiation between two segments. The techniques are implemented and are applied to other partial shape matching problems for clustering purposes.