cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serologic Response of Turkeys to an Agent Associated with Infectious Enteritis (Bluecomb)

The serologic response of turkey poults to an infectious enteritis (bluecomb disease) agent was analyzed. Serum samples collected from poults on post-inoculation days 3, 7, 14, and 21 were compared to serum from normal poults by electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. Albumin concentrations were decreased whereas alpha and gamma globulins were increased during the disease. Qualitative and quantitative changes occurred in all migration zones. Images
COMPACT COMPOSITION OPERATORS ON BESOV SPACES

We give a Carleson measure characterization of the compact composition operators on Besov spaces. We use this characterization to show that every compact composition operator on a Besov space is compact on the Bloch space. Finally we give conditions that guarantee that the converse holds.
Discovery, connection, nostalgia: key travel motives within the senior market.

Abstract The senior travel market may be segmented and profiled with a combination of psychological characteristicstravel motives; travel risk perceptions; cognitive age-as well as demographic characteristics. Activities-age, a measure of cognitive age related to the age a person identifies with while enjoying travel activities was able to discriminate between the four travel-motive segments identified with a large survey of the senior market: discovery and self-enhancement, enthusiastic connectors, reluctant travelers and nostalgic travelers. While nostalgia is an important travel motive for the largest segment of senior travelers, the cognitively younger, wealthier, healthier and better educated seniors are motivated to travel for discovery and self-enhancement. Each of the four travel segments provide travel marketers with opportunities for product and service development.
Index of Garbledness for Automatic Recognition of Plain English Texts

In this paper, an Index of Garbledness (IG) has been defined for automatic recognition of plain English texts based on linguistic characteristics of English language without using a dictionary. It also works for continuous text without word break-up (text without blank spaces between words). These characteristics, being vague in nature, are suitably represented through fuzzy sets. A fuzzy similarity relation and a fuzzy dissimilarity measure have been used to define this Index. Based on a threshold value of the Index, one can test whether the given text (continuous without word break-up) is a plain English text or not. In case the text under consideration is not a plain text, it also gives an indication to what extent it is garbled.Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(4), pp.415-419, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.501
A phenomenological multi-axial constitutive law for switching in polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramics

A phenomenological constitutive law for ferroelectric switching due to multi-axial mechanical and electrical loading of a polycrystalline material is developed. The framework of the law is based on kinematic hardening plasticity theory and has a switching surface in the space of mechanical stress and electric field that determines when non-linear response is possible. The size and shape of the switching surface in a modified electric field space remains fixed during non-linear behavior but its center moves around and thus is controlled by a kinematical hardening process. In general, the remanent polarization and the remanent strain are used as the internal variables that control how the center of the switching surface moves. However, the form presented in this paper has a one-to-one relationship between the remanent strain and the remanent polarization, simplifying the constitutive law and allowing remanent polarization to be used as the only internal variable controlling the kinematic effects. The constitutive law successfully reproduces hysteresis and butterfly loops for ferroelectric ceramics. The hysteresis and butterfly loops respond appropriately to the application of a fixed compressive stress parallel to the electric field. In addition, the law successfully handles remanent polarization rotation due to the application of electric field at an angle to the polarization direction.
Preferential D-loop extension by a translesion DNA polymerase underlies error-prone recombination

Although homologous recombination is considered an accurate form of DNA repair, genetics suggest that the Escherichia coli translesion DNA polymerase IV (Pol IV, also known as DinB) promotes error-prone recombination during stress, which allows cells to overcome adverse conditions. However, how Pol IV functions and is regulated during recombination under stress is unknown. We show that Pol IV is highly proficient in error-prone recombination and is preferentially recruited to displacement loops (D loops) at stress-induced concentrations in vitro. We also found that high-fidelity Pol II switches to exonuclease mode at D loops, which is stimulated by topological stress and reduced deoxyribonucleotide pool concentration during stationary phase. The exonuclease activity of Pol II enables it to compete with Pol IV, which probably suppresses error-prone recombination. These findings indicate that preferential D-loop extension by Pol IV facilitates error-prone recombination and explain how Pol II reduces such errors in vivo.
Comparison of discrimination methods for the classification of tumors using gene expression data

A reliable and precise classification of tumors is essential for successful diagnosis and treatment of cancer. cDNA microarrays and high-density oligonucleotide chips are novel biotechnologies increasingly used in cancer research. By allowing the monitoring of expression levels in cells for thousands of genes simultaneously, microarray experiments may lead to a more complete understanding of the molecular variations among tumors and hence to a finer and more informative classification. The ability to successfully distinguish between tumor classes (already known or yet to be discovered) using gene expression data is an important aspect of this novel approach to cancer classification. This article compares the performance of different discrimination methods for the classification of tumors based on gene expression data. The methods include nearest-neighbor classifiers, linear discriminant analysis, and classification trees. Recent machine learning approaches, such as bagging and boosting, are also considere...
Comparing networks using their fine structure

We introduce a novel technique for characterising networks using the structure of their sub-graphs, which we call the network’s fine structure. To judge the similarities between networks we use the earth mover’s distance between the distributions of features of their constituent sub-graphs. This technique is an abstraction of graph edit-distance. Given these similarity measures we explore their use in hierarchical clustering on several networks derived from a variety of sources including social interaction data.
Location and electrophysiological characterization of rostral medullary adrenergic neurons that contain neuropeptide Y mRNA in rat medulla.

The objective of this study was to characterize the projection pattern and electrophysiological properties of the rostral medullary adrenergic neurons (C1) that express neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in rat. NPY mRNA was found in a variable fraction of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-IR) neurons depending on the medullary level. By retrograde labeling (Fast Blue, FluoroGold), NPY mRNA was detected in virtually all C1 cells (96%) and C3 cells (100%) with hypothalamic projections but in only 9% of C1 cells and 58% of C3 cells projecting to thoracic segment 3 (T3) or T6 of the spinal cord. To identify the electrophysiological properties of the C1 cells that express NPY mRNA, we recorded from baroinhibited neurons within the C1 region of the ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and tested for projections to segment T3, the hypothalamus, or both. By using the juxtacellular method, we labeled these cells with biotinamide and determined whether the recorded neurons were TH-IR and contained NPY mRNA. At rostral levels (Bregma −11.8 mm), barosensitive neurons had a wide range of conduction velocities (0.4–6.0 m/second) and discharge rates (2–28 spikes/second). Most projected to T3 only (27 of 31 cells), and 4 projected to both the hypothalamus and the spinal cord. Most of the baroinhibited cells with spinal projections but with no hypothalamic projections had TH-IR but no NPY mRNA (11 of 17 cells). Only 1 cell had both (1 of 17 cells), and 5 cells had neither (5 of 17 cells). Both TH-IR and NPY mRNA were found in neurons with dual projections (2 of 2 cells). At level Bregma −12.5 mm, baroinhibited neurons had projections to the hypothalamus only (13 of 13 cells) and had unmyelinated axons and a low discharge rate. Four of five neurons contained both TH-IR and NPY mRNA, and 1 neuron contained neither. In short, NPY is expressed mostly by C1 cells with projection to the hypothalamus. NPY-positive C1 neurons are barosensitive, have unmyelinated axons, and have a very low rate of discharge. Most bulbospinal C1 cells with a putative sympathoexcitatory role do not make NPY. J. Comp. Neurol. 415:482–500, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Finite-lattice calculations for the two-dimensional axial-next-nearest-neighbor Ising model

The two-dimensional axial-next-nearest-neighbor Ising model is studied numerically using finite-lattice results. The row-to-row transfer matrix is mapped into a simple one-dimensional spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ quantum Hamiltonian. The leading eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors are calculated numerically for chains of finite lengths. Using a finite-lattice renormalization-group transformation the high- (low-) temperature region is analyzed with the use of the Hamiltonian for the original (dual) model. Although there is no clear evidence for a massless phase, the phase boundaries obtained in this way are a strong indication of the presence of a sinusoidal phase between the paramagnetic and the $〈2〉$ antiphase, in fair agreement with previous analytical results.
Synthesis of Valine and Isoleucine in Primitive Earth Conditions

SYNTHESIS of small amounts of valine, isoleucine and leucine from the polymerization of ammonium cyanide solutions has been reported1,2 in addition to the substantial yields of glycine, alanine, aspartic acid and serine3. We have been unable to find any valine, isoleucine or leucine synthesized by the polymerization reaction of NH4CN alone. On adding acetone or methyl ethyl ketone to the NH4CN solutions, significant yields of valine, alloisoleucine and isoleucine are, however, obtained. The previous identifications were based on the elution pattern from a Beckman1 automatic amino-acid column4. Because several non-protein amino-acids appear at the same elution positions as valine, isoleucine and leucine5,6 (for example, isoasparagine elutes with isoleucine), an error of identification is possible, although the specific amino-acids in this case are not known. We have used a more elaborate separation scheme to avoid the problem of overlapping peaks.
ABNORMALITIES OF TISSUE LIPIDS: AORTA FATTY ACIDS IN THE NEWBORN PERIO

The phosphoglyceride fatty acids of the aorta were studied in a group of 18 newborn infants with different gestational ages. All the infants had died during the earliest hours of life, before feeding. The total lipids, free cholesterol and lipid phosphorus were quantified in the lipid extract of the homogenized aorta, and no changes in their concentration were found throughout the period studied. As for the fatty acids, the following findings contrasting with those previously reported in brain tissue were observed as the gestational age went up: an increase of the w6 fatty acids, specially of the 20:4w6 with a slowing down of its elongation, and a decrease of the 18:0 in ethanolamine phosphoglycerides. In choline phosphoglycerides the 18:2w6 increased as the gestational age progressed, whereas the 18:0 and 18:lw9 did not vary. The 22:4w6/22:5w6 index increased in both phosphoglycerides but more significantly in lecithin. The w3/w6 ratio only increased clearly in choline phosphoglycerides.
Self-assembled monolayers of different conformers of p-tert-butylcalix[4]crown-6 derivatives and their metal cation recognition properties

Two isomers of p-tert-butylcalix[4]crown-6 derivatives form stable self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by taking advantage of the adsorption of bis-thioctic ester on gold electrodes, and their Cs+ recognition is completely dependent on the conformational orientation of the compounds.
Nuclearization of β-catenin in ectodermal precursors confers organizer-like ability to induce endomesoderm and pattern a pluteus larva

Background: In many bilaterians, asymmetric activation of canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling at the posterior pole is critical for anterior-posterior (AP) body axis formation. In 16-cell stage sea urchins, nuclearization of β-catenin in micromeres activates a gene regulatory network that defines body axes and induces endomesoderm. Transplanting micromeres to the animal pole of a host embryo induces ectopic endomesoderm in the mesomeres (ectoderm precursors) whereas inhibiting cWnt signaling blocks their endomesoderm-inducing activity and the micromeres become ectoderm-like. We have tested whether ectopic activation of cWnt signaling in mesomeres is sufficient to impart the cells with organizer-like abilities, allowing them to pattern normal embryonic body axes when recombined with a field of mesomeres. Results: Fertilized eggs were microinjected with constitutively active Xenopus β-catenin (actβ-cat) mRNA and allowed to develop until the 16-cell stage. Two mesomeres from injected embryos were then recombined with isolated animal halves (AH) from uninjected 16-cell stage embryos. Control chimeras produced animalized phenotypes (hollow balls of ectoderm) and rarely formed skeletogenic mesoderm (SM)-derived spicules, endoderm or pigment cells, a type of non-skeletogenic mesoderm (NSM). In contrast, over half of the 0.5 pg/pL actβ-cat mesomere/AH chimeras formed a partial or complete gut (exhibiting AP polarity), contained mesenchyme-like cells similar to SM, and produced pigment cells. At three days, chimeras formed plutei with normal embryonic body axes. When fates of the actβ-cat mRNA-injected mesomeres were tracked, we found that injected mesomeres formed mesenchyme-like and pigment cells, but endoderm was induced. Higher concentrations of actβ-cat mRNA were less likely to induce endoderm or pigment cells, but had similar mesenchyme-like cell production to 0.5 pg/pL actβ-cat mesomere/AH chimeras. Conclusions: Our results show that nuclear β-catenin is sufficient to endow naive cells with the ability to act as an organizing center and that β-catenin has both cell-autonomous and non-autonomous effects on cell fate specification in a concentration-dependent manner. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a shift in the site of early cWnt signaling in cleaving embryos could have modified polarity of the main body axes during metazoan evolution.
Applying Sport Psychology Philosophies, Principles, and Practices Onto the Gridiron: A Commentary

INTRODUCTION Mike Voight provides readers with a rare opportunity to listen directly to one of the most successful and recognized coaches in America speak about his coaching style. The coach is Pete Carroll, current coach of the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans football team. In five years at USC, Coach Carroll has amassed an 84.4% winning percentage and taken his team to three consecutive national title games, two of which they won. He is consistently regarded as the top college football coach in the nation by major media outlets and coaching associations. College football in America is a multi-billion dollar entertainment machine, with the winning team of the 2006 championship game projected to take home a $14 $17 million US payout [1]. In other words, coach Pete Carroll is a coach on the top of his game in one of the most competitive and high profile sports in America. This type of coach is typically not accessible for coaching scientists to include in their research [2]. Mike Voight has access to Coach Carroll and the USC football team as a result of his employment as a sport psychology consultant to the USC Athletic Department for the past eight years. Voight asked Coach Carroll to explain his coaching style, which included the philosophies, principles, and practices used to guide his highly successful football program. Instead of writing up the results as a typical academic research paper, the author chose to let the coach speak for himself by presenting select quotations that best represent Coach Carroll’s coaching style.
Increased expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) in dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats.

Expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) has been found in every tissue examined; however, it is most abundant in steroid-producing tissues. Although the primary function of PBR is the regulation of steroidogenesis, its existence in nonsteroidogenic tissues as well as in other cellular compartments including the nucleus suggests that there may be other roles for PBR. Our laboratory reported earlier a significant increase of PBR density in the nucleus of DMBA-induced malignant submandibular glands of rats, suggesting a role of PBR in nuclear events of peripheral tissues. Since then numerous studies have demonstrated the abundance of PBR in tumors.
Characterization of three new members of the Arabidopsis thaliana calmodulin gene family: conserved and highly diverged members of the gene family functionally complement a yeast calmodulin null

Three genes encoding members of the EF-hand family of Ca2+-binding proteins were identified from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. sequences deposited in the expressed sequence tag and genomic sequence databases. Full-length cDNAs for each of the genes, Cam7, Cam8, and Cam9, were sequenced. Cam7 encodes a conventional 16.8-kDa, 148-amino-acid calmodulin protein (CaM). In contrast, Cam8 and 9 encode highly diverged isoforms of the protein that share 73 and 49% amino acid sequence identity, respectively, with CaM7. RNA gel blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction experiments revealed that each of the genes is expressed in leaves, flowers and siliques. To test the functional properties of the polypeptides encoded by these genes, they were expressed in Escherichia coli and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Each was purified by Ca2+-dependent hydrophobic affinity chromatography. CaM7, but neither CaM8 nor CaM9, formed a complex with a basic amphiphilic helical peptide in the presence of Ca2+ that could be identified by gel electrophoresis. In spite of these in vitro differences, each of the sequences functionally substituted for yeast CMD1 to maintain viability. Isolation of yeast strains complemented by Cam9 required selection against the plasmid harboring wild-type yeast sequences, whereas complementation by Cam7 and Cam8 did not. These results suggest that the mechanism of action of CaM8 and CaM9 is similar to that of more conventional CaM sequences. CaM9, and to a lesser degree CaM8, however, appear to represent Ca2+-binding sensor proteins that interact with a more limited set of target proteins than do more conventional CaM isoforms.
Exploring speech-enabled dialogue with the Galaxy Communicator infrastructure

This demonstration will motivate some of the significant properties of the Galaxy Communicator Software Infrastructure and show how they support the goals of the DARPA Communicator program.
MO‐SAM‐BRB‐02: Proton Physics and Technology

The dose localization advantages of proton beams derive primarily from the Bragg peak in the proton stopping distribution. Therefore, the potential clinical gains expected form proton beams are based on physical, rather than biological, considerations. The rationale for proton therapy is based on the hypothesis that the superior dose distributions of proton beams will lead to increased local control; increased disease‐free survival; decreased treatment‐related morbidity; and improved quality of life. The degree to which each of these end‐points can be changed by proton therapy will depend upon the particular disease site, patient population, and other factors. In the last few years there has been a significant increase in interest in proton therapy and as a consequence, many new facilities are being planned and built. There are currently over 25 institutions worldwide treating patients with proton beams and over 55,000 patients have been treated. There are at least 25 new facilities in various stages of planning and building. We will discuss the rationale for proton therapy, the current status of proton therapy,proton physics and dosimetry, and technology for the acceleration and delivery of proton beams. We will also discuss new developments in proton therapy accelerators and treatmentdelivery systems. Technologies for carbon ion therapy will also be discussed. We will address issues related to the cost of protontreatments relative to the cost of photontreatments and discuss various ways in which the cost of proton therapy can be decreased. Learning Objectives: Understand 1. rationale for proton therapy; 2. current status of proton therapy; 3. physical characteristics of proton beams; 4. beam production and treatmentdelivery technology for proton beams; 5. acceptance testing and clinical commissioning of proton therapy beams; and 6. QA for protontreatments
Organic Surfactant-Controlled Composition of the Surfaces of CdSe Quantum Dots

The ratio of Cd to Se (Cd/Se) within colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs) synthesized with 90% trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as the coordinating solvent increases from 1.2:1 for QDs with radius R ≥ 3.3 nm to 6.5:1 for R = 1.9 nm, as measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The highest value of Cd/Se reported previously for CdSe QDs was 1.8:1. The dependence of Cd/Se on R fits a geometric model that describes the QDs as CdSe cores with Cd/Se = 1:1 encapsulated by a shell of Cd−organic complexes. Use of 99% TOPO as the coordinating solvent produces QDs with Cd/Se ≈ 1:1 for all values of R, and use of 99% TOPO “doped” with n-octylphosphonic acid (OPA), an impurity in 90% TOPO, produces QDs with values of Cd/Se up to 1.5:1. These results imply that Cd enrichment of the QDs is driven by tight-binding Cd2+−alkylphosphonate complexes that stabilize the interface between the polar CdSe core and the organic medium.
Pure Consciousness: Distinct Phenomenological and Physiological Correlates of "Consciousness Itself"

This paper explores subjective reports and physiological correlates of the experience of “consciousness itself” - self awareness isolated from the processes and objects of experience during Transce...
Ion concentration profile normal to cell membrane

Abstract Mathematical expressions are developed and completely solved for ion concentration profiles normal to an electrically neutral cell membrane model. A diffuse layer of charge exists near each surface of the membrane due to the difference in the total anion and total cation concentrations. Expressions for the spatial distribution and quantity of charge and the electric field intensity and voltage associated with the diffuse layer are also developed and completely solved. Similar relationships are described for a membrane model which contains special diffusion sites such as pores. In typical models the parameters of the diffuse layer are chiefly determined by the ratio of the thickness to relative dielectric constant of the membrane at the location where ion diffusion through the membrane is occurring. This should not be associated with the average membrane capacitance. If this ratio is greater than 10 A, the charge, voltage and concentration at the surface of the membrane differ by less than 2% from the values indicated by bulk solution measurements. If the ratio is less than 10 A, the charge, voltage and concentration differ considerably from bulk solution measurements. This is particularly so in the model with specialized diffusion sites. Because the model systems are of molecular dimensions, considerable discussion is devoted to the validity of the mathematical expressions and their application to biological membranes.
Economic and Political Constraints on the Demand-Side of Electricity Industry Re-structuring Processes

this paper identifies the major political and economic constraints that impact the demand-side of electricity industry re-structuring processes. These constraints have been a major barrier to implementing effective restructuring processes in many countries, particularly those in the developing world. The paper describes how these constraints have been addressed and how this has harmed market efficiency and system reliability using examples from re-structuring processes around the world. The paper proposes demand-side regulatory interventions to manage these constraints in a manner that limits the harm to wholesale market efficiency. Finally, specific regulatory inventions for developing countries are proposed.
Stereospecificity in the oxidation of phorate and phorate sulphoxide by purified FAD-containing mono-oxygenase and cytochrome P-450 isozymes

1. Both the cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenase system and the FAD-containing mono-oxygenase catalyse the sulphoxidation of thioether-containing organophosphate insecticides. Using purified FAD-containing mono-oxygenase and purified cytochrome P-450 isozymes isolated from mouse liver microsomes, the stereospecificity of the oxidation of phorate to (+)-and (-)-phorate sulphoxide and the further oxidations of the (+)-and (-)-phorate sulphoxides to the sulphone, the oxon sulphoxide and the oxon sulphone were examined. 2. The FAD-containing mono-oxygenase catalysed the formation of (-)-phorate sulphoxide, while two cytochrome P-450 isozymes (cytochrome P-450-B2, a constitutive form, and cytochrome P-450-PB, the principal form induced by phenobarbital) produced (+)-phorate sulphoxide. The other three constitutive cytochrome P-450 isozymes examined yielded racemic mixtures. 3. The FAD-containing mono-oxygenase had the lowest Km for the sulphoxidation reaction, 32 microM, while the Km values for the cytochrome P-450 isozymes ranged from 67 microM to 250 microM. No additional oxidation of phorate sulphoxide by the FAD-containing monooxygenase was detected using either (+)-phorate sulphoxide or (-)-phorate sulphoxide as substrates. 4. In contrast, all five cytochrome P-450 isozymes tested formed additional oxidation products; the (+)-phorate sulphoxide was the preferred substrate for all cytochrome P-450 forms. 5. The final oxidation product, phorate oxon sulphone, was derived by desulphuration of phorate sulphone, with the formation of the oxon sulphoxide being a terminal pathway.
Effect of thermal aging on impact strength acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) terpolymer

A high speed puncture impact apparatus was used to measure impact loss in thermally aged ABS (acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene) as a function of time and temperature. Impact energy values decreased to a low level and degraded surface layer thickness increased as a function of aging time at three aging temperatures. Systematic removal of surface layers from thermally aged samples progressively increased impact energy values to control levels. Infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and molecular weight data indicate that degradation occurs in the rubber, graft and rigid phases at different times during the thermal aging period. Microscopy results show a critical degraded layer thickness which causes brittle failure of the entire sample.
Fine structure of lipid-depleted mitochondria.

The fine structure of mitochondria and submitochondrial vesicles depleted of their lipid by extraction with aqueous acetone was studied. Thin sections of mitochondrial membranes depleted of more than 95% of their lipid retained the unit membrane structure. Densitometer tracings of the electron micrographs showed that the unit membrane of extracted mitochondria was, on the average, wider than that of unextracted controls and showed a greater variation in width. The outer membrane was lost in mitochondria from which 80–95% of the lipids was extracted. Inner membrane particles were present on submitochondrial vesicles depleted of up to 85% of their lipids. However, when more than 95% of the lipid was removed, few, if any, particles remained attached to the membranes but many particles were found unattached in the background. When lipid was restored to lipid-deficient preparations, the mitochondrial membranes were found to be devoid of inner membrane particles but were fully active with respect to succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity.
A Super-Element of Track-Wheel-Terrain Interaction for Dynamic Simulation of Tracked Vehicles

A track-wheel-terrain interaction model is presented in this paper, which can be used as a “force” super-element in a multibody dynamics code for dynamic simulation of tracked vehicles. This model employs a nonlinear finite element representation for the track segment that is in contact with the terrain and roadwheels, which can be used to simulate two different track systems, namely a continuous rubber band track and a multi-pitched metallic track, provided the finite element mesh in the track model is properly defined. The new track model accounts for the tension variations along the track (due to the non-uniformly distributed normal pressure and traction), track extensibility, and geometrically large (nonlinear) track deflections. A new solution algorithm is then proposed that includes an adaptive meshing method for representing track movement during the simulation for the multi-pitch tracks. Doing so produces a track model that captures high-frequency content of the track-wheel-terrain interaction, and it can more accurately describe the mechanics of a multi-pitch track as the vehicle negotiates rough terrain. The resulting track-wheel-terrain model combines approximate and known constitutive laws for terrain response with the new track representation, which allows the computation of the normal and shear forces, as well as the passage frequency, at the track-terrain interface. The track model and solution algorithm are further illustrated in this paper using a simple two-wheel system model and a full vehicle model of an M1A1 tank.
Large-Scale Deployment of Seed Treatments Has Driven Rapid Increase in Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides and Preemptive Pest Management in U.S. Field Crops

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used class of insecticides worldwide, but patterns of their use in the U.S. are poorly documented, constraining attempts to understand their role in pest management and potential nontarget effects. We synthesized publicly available data to estimate and interpret trends in neonicotinoid use since their introduction in 1994, with a special focus on seed treatments, a major use not captured by the national pesticide-use survey. Neonicotinoid use increased rapidly between 2003 and 2011, as seed-applied products were introduced in field crops, marking an unprecedented shift toward large-scale, preemptive insecticide use: 34–44% of soybeans and 79–100% of maize hectares were treated in 2011. This finding contradicts recent analyses, which concluded that insecticides are used today on fewer maize hectares than a decade or two ago. If current trends continue, neonicotinoid use will increase further through application to more hectares of soybean and other crop species and escala...
Concurrent cues for cytokinetic furrow induction in animal cells

Animal cells are deformable, yet live together bound into tissues. Consequently, physical perturbations imposed by neighbors threaten to disrupt the spatial coordination of cell cleavage with chromosome segregation during mitosis. Emerging evidence demonstrates that animal cells integrate multiple positional cues during cleavage-furrow induction, perhaps to facilitate error correction. Classical work indicated that the asters provide the stimulus for furrow induction, but recent results implicate the central spindle at least as much. Similarly, although classical work concluded that the stimulus occurs at the cell equator, new evidence shows that asters modulate cortical contractility outside the equator as well. Meanwhile, a newly revealed distinction between stable and dynamic astral microtubules suggests that these subsets might have complementary effects on furrow induction.
Estimating Speaker Height and Subglottal Resonances Using MFCCs and GMMs

This letter investigates the use of MFCCs and GMMs for 1) improving the state of the art in speaker height estimation, and 2) rapid estimation of subglottal resonances (SGRs) without relying on formant and pitch tracking (unlike our previous algorithm in [1]). The proposed system comprises a set of height-dependent GMMs modeling static and dynamic MFCC features, where each GMM is associated with a height value. Furthermore, since SGRs and height are correlated, each GMM is also associated with a set of SGR values (known a priori). Given a speech sample, speaker height and SGRs are estimated as weighted combinations of the values corresponding to the N most-likely GMMs. We assess the importance of using dynamic MFCC features and the weighted decision rule, and demonstrate the efficacy of our approach via experiments on height estimation (using TIMIT) and SGR estimation (using the Tracheal Resonance database.
Nitrogen release from the leaves of some tropical legumes as affected by their lignin and polyphenolic contents

Abstract Leguminous plant materials used as mulches, green manures and cover crops are generally assumed to provide a readily-available source of N to crops. However, little is known about the chemical composition and N release patterns of the variety of legumes being used in tropical agroecosystems. N release patterns from the leaflets of 10 troplcal legumes and rice straw were determined in a laboratory experiment. Ground leaf material was allowed to decompose in an acid soil (pH 4.5) for 8 weeks and the soil was analyzed periodically for extractable NH4+-N and NO3∼, -N. N release in the soil plus plant material were compared to that of the soil without plant material added and related to the N, lignin and polyphenolic concentrations of the leaflets. Three patterns of net N mineralization emerged during the 8-weeks. One pattern exhibited by the control soil, rice straw and leaves of two of the leguminous plants was a low, positive net mineralization. Another pattern showed much higher rates of mineralization than the control soil and the third pattern showed initial net immobilization followed by low but positive net mineralization rates. The amount of N mineralized during the 8 weeks as compared to the control soil ranged from +46 to −20% of the N added in plant material. Net mineralization was not correlated to % N or % lignin in the leaf material but was found to be negatively correlated to the polyphenolic concentration, r = −0.63, or the polyphenolic-to-N ratio, r = −0.75. Mineralization in excess of the control soil was found only for materials with a polyphenolic-to-N ratio
Development of the PowerCyber SCADA security testbed

Meeting current demands for critical infrastructure cyber security education and research will require accurate testbed development. The PowerCyber was designed to closely resemble power grid communication utilizing actual field devices and SCADA software. The testbed provides a novel environment where students can explore cyber attacks and defenses while evaluating their impact on power flow. This paper documents the design and implementation of the testbed while proposing cyber attack scenarios which will negatively affect grid operations. In addition, it documents the results of an initial cyber vulnerability assessment to evaluate the security posture of the current design.
Relevance of casual contact with peanut butter in children with peanut allergy

Background: Casual skin contact or inhalation of peanut butter fumes is reported and feared to cause allergic reactions in highly sensitive children with peanut allergy but has not been systematically studied. Objective: We sought to determine the clinical relevance of exposure to peanut butter by means of inhalation and skin contact in children with peanut allergy. Methods: Children with significant peanut allergy (recent peanut-specific IgE antibody concentration >50 kIU/L or evidence of peanut-specific IgE antibody and one of the following: clinical anaphylaxis, a reported inhalation-contact reaction, or positive double-blind, placebo-controlled oral challenge result to peanut) underwent double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized exposures to peanut butter by means of contact with intact skin (0.2 mL pressed flat for 1 minute) and inhalation (surface area of 6.3 square inches 12 inches from the face for 10 minutes). Placebo challenges were performed by using soy butter mixed with histamine (contact), and scent was masked with soy butter, tuna, and mint (inhalation). Results: Thirty children underwent the challenges (median age, 7.7 years; median peanut IgE level, >100 kIU/L; 13 with prior history of contact and 11 with inhalation reactions). None experienced a systemic or respiratory reaction. Erythema (3 subjects), pruritus without erythema (5 subjects), and wheal-and-flare reactions (2 subjects) developed only at the site of skin contact with peanut butter. From this number of participants, it can be stated with 96% confidence that at least 90% of highly sensitive children with peanut allergy would not experience a systemic-respiratory reaction from casual exposure to peanut butter. Conclusions: Casual exposure to peanut butter is unlikely to elicit significant allergic reactions. The results cannot be generalized to larger exposures or to contact with peanut in other forms (flour and roasted peanuts). (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;112:180-2.)
Loss of Contrast Sensitivity in Cystic Fibrosis

We measured the contrast sensitivity function in a 16-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis, before and during vitamin A supplementation. Before vitamin A supplementation, serum levels of vitamin A were abnormally low, the electroretinogram was reduced, and contrast sensitivity was abnormally low at all spatial frequencies. During vitamin A supplementation (25,000 IU/day), serum levels of vitamin A became low normal, the electroretinogram returned to normal, and the overall contrast sensitivity function improved by 94%. We propose that the contrast sensitivity function may be abnormal in patients with cystic fibrosis who have reduced retinal function secondary to vitamin A deficiency.
A Random shRNA-Encoding Library for Phenotypic Selection and Hit-Optimization

RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism for inhibiting gene expression through the action of small, non-coding RNAs. Most existing RNAi libraries target single genes through canonical pathways. Endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs), however, often target multiple genes and can act through non-canonical pathways, including pathways that activate gene expression. To interrogate all possible functions, we designed, synthesized, and validated the first shRNA-encoding library that is completely random at the nucleotide level. Screening in an IL3-dependent cell line, FL5.12, yielded shRNA-encoding sequences that double cell survival upon IL3 withdrawal. Using random mutagenesis and re-screening under more stringent IL3-starvation conditions, we hit-optimized one of the sequences; a specific nucleotide change and the creation of a mismatch between the two halves of the stem both contributed to the improved potency. Our library allows unbiased selection and optimization of shRNA-encoding sequences that confer phenotypes of interest, and could be used for the development of therapeutics and tools in many fields of biology.
Quantifying Magnetic Domain Correlations in Multilayer Films

The vertical correlation of magnetic domains in a Co/Cr/Co trilayer is statistically quantified as a function of an applied magnetic field. These measurements, used with determinations of the individual layer magnetometry curves, identify the presence of both antiferromagnetic exchange coupling and ferromagnetic dipolar coupling for different regions within the trilayer.
Effects of disulfiram and chloral hydrate on the metabolism of catecholamines in rat liver and brain.

Abstract Disulfiram and chloral hydrate are known inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), an enzyme involved in the metabolism of dopamine and noradrenaline as well as acetaldehyde. The inhibition in vivo of this enzyme by these drugs was investigated in rat liver and brain by measuring the distribution of catabolites obtained from catechol amines. Incubations of brain and liver tissues as well as perfusions of the caudate nucleus of conscious animals were performed with 14C-labeled catechol amines. Data from slice incubations revealed that disulfiram at a dose of 200 mg/kg· day given for at least 3 days inhibits brain ALDH more effectively (48 per cent) than the liver enzyme (16 per cent), as measured by the decreased formation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. Furthermore, disulfiram increases the rate of deamination of dopamine in liver slices by approximately 25 per cent, but did not alter the rate of dopamine deamination in the brain tissues. Tetrahydropapaverolinc (THP) was formed in every experiment utilizing dopamine. Approximately 10 per cent of the deaminated dopamine was recovered as the alkaloid. In addition, a non-identified metabolite of dopamine was isolated, primarily from incubations of brain tissues. Some, but substantially less, of the non-identified metabolite was obtained from incubations of liver slices as well as from brain perfusions. Chloral hydrate at a dose of 100 mg kg -day given for at least 3 days did not significantly affect the metabolism of dopamine in either organ. The metabolism of noradrenaline was not significantly altered by either drug. Data from the brain perfusions confirmed the conclusions from incubations of slices: disulfiram is a potent inhibitor of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid formation, while chloral hydrate is virtually ineffective at inhibiting the acid formation. The major differences found from the perfusion studies compared to the slice incubations were in the increased concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA) and the decreased formation of the non-identified metabolite. The finding that disulfiram only inhibited by 16 per cent the liver metabolism of dopamine while drastically inhibiting the liver metabolism of acetaldehyde suggests that different isozymes of aldehyde dehydrogenase are involved in the oxidation of these two aldehydes. The lack of inhibition of 3, 4-dihydroxymandelic acid formation suggests that the aldehyde derived from noradrenaline may be metabolized by still a different isozyme of aldehyde dehydrogenase.
Binding of ϵ-DNP-L-lysine exceeding two moles by purified chicken IgG anti-DNP antibody

Abstract Differences in the stoichiometry of ligand binding were observed between chicken IgG and rabbit IgG anti-2,4 dinitrophenyl antibodies elicited by the same immunogen and purified by identical procedures. Equilibrium dialysis binding studies revealed the ability of chiken IgG antibody to bind more than two moles of ϵ-DNP- l -lysine ligand relative to 2 mole bound by bivalent rabbit IgG antibody. Both chicken and rabbit IgG immunoglobulins showed identical quantitative capacity to bind α,ϵ-di-DNP- l -lysine ligand. Binding of additional moles of ϵ-DNP- l -lysine by chicken antibody was shown to be specific and located in the Fab' fragments. Studies suggest that anomolous binding capacity is consistent with a larger active site in chicken IgG relative to rabbit IgG.
Silencing Synapses with DREADDs

In this issue of Neuron, Stachniak et al. (2014) determine that the chemogenetic silencer hM4Di-DREADD suppresses presynaptic glutamate release, and by generating an axon-targeted hM4Di variant they demonstrate that it can be used to locally silence synaptic transmission in neural circuits.
The ultraviolet spectrophotometric determination of phosphorus as molybdovanadophosphoric acid in an organic solvent

A rapid, sensitivive, and reliable ultraviolet Spectrophotometric procedure for the determinationμg amounts of orthophosphate has been developed. The procedure involves the formation of molybdovanadophosphoric acid, extraction with 1-pentanol and measurement at 308 nm.
The effects of oxygen on the wear of tungsten-carbide-based materials

Abstract Pin-on-disk wear tests have shown that oxygen is a factor in the wear of commercial tungsten-carbide-based tool materials against cast iron and steel under a variety of conditions. Tool posts were constructed that allowed nitrogen jets to be directed at a tool-workpiece interface during machining operations. A relationship was observed between pin-on-disk and machining tests and it was shown that the wear of tungsten-carbide-based tool inserts could be reduced by reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere at the tool-workpiece interface with a flow of nitrogen.
An Interpretation of "Finite" Modal First-Order Languages in Classical Second-Order Languages

This note describes a simple interpretation * of modal first-order languages K with but finitely many predicates in derived classical second-order languages L ( K ) such that if Γ is a set of K -formulae, Γ is satisfiable (according to Kripke's 55 semantics) iff Γ* is satisfiable (according to standard (or nonstandard) second-order semantics). The motivation for the interpretation is roughly as follows. Consider the “true” modal semantics, in which the relative possibility relation is universal. Here the necessity operator can be considered a universal quantifier over possible worlds. A possible world itself can be identified with an assignment of extensions to the predicates and of a range to the quantifiers; if the quantifiers are first relativized to an existence predicate, a possible world becomes simply an assignment of extensions to the predicates. Thus the necessity operator can be taken to be a universal quantifier over a class of assignments of extensions to the predicates. So if these predicates are regarded as naming functions from extensions to extensions, the necessity operator can be taken as a string of universal quantifiers over extensions. The alphabet of a “finite” modal first-order language K shall consist of a non-empty countable set Var of individual variables, a nonempty finite set Pred of predicates, the logical symbols ‘¬’ ‘∧’, and ‘∧’, and the operator ‘◊’. The formation rules of K generate the usual Polish notations as K -formulae. ‘ν’, ‘ν 1 ’, … range over Var, ‘ P ’ over Pred, ‘ A ’ over K -formulae, and ‘Γ’ over sets of K -formulae.
Heats of adsorption of ammonia on silica-alumina catalysts and their surface energy distributions

Abstract Adsorption isotherms and calorimetric heats of adsorption of ammonia at 0 °C were determined on a series of commercial silica-alumina cracking catalysts, namely, virgin, heat-deactivated, steam-deactivated, and used catalyst. The fraction of acid sites and the magnitudes of the site energies vary with the history of the catalysts. The initial heat of adsorption is about 9–15 kcal/mole and decreases to a minimum at about θ = 0.1, then increases sharply. The adsorbate-adsorbate interaction is strikingly high. A procedure of Adamson and Ling was used to find site-energy distributions of the catalysts. There are two predominant site energies, one at about 7 and another at 13.7 kcal/mole. The relationship between acid sites and relative “D + L” cracking activity is discussed.