cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Feedback Effects of Controversial Police Use of Force

Controversial cases of police use of force against minority civilians have become a ubiquitous feature of news headlines, and videos of these interactions between citizens and government actors have placed them in the public sphere. In this paper, we examine the feedback effects of these publicized incidents. Using a unique survey-experiment implemented in 2019, we demonstrate that controversial police use of force against minority civilians prompts strong emotional reactions, increases support for body-cameras, changes beliefs about excessive force, and alters attitudes toward law enforcement. Notably, our design allows us to examine the effects of both text-based news stories and videos pulled from two real-world use of force cases, one lethal and one non-lethal. This study has important implications for public opinion, feedback effects, and perceptions of law enforcement.
Uptake and Biological Effects of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Exposure in the Adult Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a legacy contaminant that has been detected globally within the environment and throughout numerous species, including humans. Despite an international ban on its use, this unique contaminant continues to persist in organisms and their surroundings due to PFOS’s inability to breakdown into nontoxic forms resulting in bioaccumulation. In this study, we analyzed the effects of a technical mixture of PFOS (linear and branched isomers) in the adult Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, at 2 days and 7 days exposure. Biomarker analysis (lysosomal destabilization, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione assays) in oyster tissue along with chemical analysis (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) of PFOS in oyster tissue and water samples revealed the oysters’ ability to overcome exposures without significant damage to lipid membranes or the glutathione phase II enzyme system; however, significant cellular lysosomal damage was observed. The oysters were able to eliminate up to 96% of PFOS at 0.3 mg/L and 3 mg/L exposures when allowed to depurate for 2 days in clean seawater. Chemical analysis showed the linear isomer to be the prevailing fraction of the residual PFOS contained in oyster tissue. Results provide insight into possible detrimental cellular effects of PFOS exposure in addition to offering insight into contaminant persistence in oyster tissue.
Evaluating Pain, Opioids, and Delirium in Critically Ill Older Adults.

Untreated pain and pain management with opioids are independent precipitating factors for delirium. This retrospective study evaluated the relationships among pain severity, its management with opi...
Environmental Instream Flows to Support Physical Habitat for Freshwater Biodiversity in Alabama's Rivers

Environmental-flow standards are needed to maintain hydrologic regimes that can provide optimal physical habitat to support the outstanding freshwater biodiversity of rivers in the southeastern US. Here, we used the physical habitat simulation (PHABSIM) model to estimate habitat-based environmental flows for 5 river reaches across 4 physiographic provinces of Alabama, using data from published habitat suitability curves (HSCs). We found that physical habitat-flow relationships, although varying by target species and local reach characteristics, are related broadly to river size and channel geometry. For the study rivers, optimal habitat was maximized at low levels of flow on smaller rivers in the Appalachian Plateau and Piedmont regions, while suitable habitat continued increasing with increased discharge for larger rivers on the Coastal Plain.
Factors associated with successful mentor matching in an intervention study of youth violence

One challenge of conducting intervention studies is ensuring that study participants are exposed to the intervention. For example, in our randomized controlled trial of Take Charge!, a mentor-implemented and research-informed violence prevention program that partners with one-on-one community-based mentoring agencies, only 50% of intervention youth with fight-related injuries were successfully matched with a mentor. We examined the differences between matched (n = 49) and unmatched (n = 49) youth with regard to demographics, time from injury to study enrollment, perceived seriousness of injury, belief that future injury can be avoided, and household chaos. Youth who were successfully matched with a mentor were more likely to perceive the injury as very serious or somewhat serious compared with unmatched youth (95.9% vs. 79.6%, p = .028). All other factors were not significantly associated with successful mentor matching. Future violence prevention interventions should consider youth perceptions as a factor that may influence the completion of desired interventions.
SEMANTICAL ANALYSIS OF MODAL LOGIC II. NON-NORMAL MODAL PROPOSITIONAL CALCULI

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses semantical analysis of modal logic ii and non-normal modal propositional calculi. The proof of sufficiency, which is omitted by many, proceeds by constructing a normal characteristic matrix by Lindenbaum's method. The tableaux that leads to a decision procedure for the propositional calculi is considered.
Using Economic Links between Firms to Detect Accounting Fraud

This paper explores whether accounting fraud can be detected using the information of firms that are economically linked to a focal firm. Specifically, we examine whether customer information disclosed by a supplier firm, combined with customers’ accounting information, helps to detect the supplier’s revenue fraud. We first confirm the economic link between the supplier and its customers by showing a strong positive correlation between the supplier’s sales growth and the growth rate of total customer purchases. We then introduce two variables based on customer accounting information — (1) the discrepancy between supplier sales growth and customer purchase growth and (2) customer excess purchases — and show that they are predictive of supplier revenue fraud. We conduct a battery of cross-sectional tests to further examine the two fraud predictors and generally find empirical results to vary cross-sectionally in a predictable way. Finally, the out-of-sample tests indicate that adding the two variables to the Dechow et al. (2011) model increases fraud prediction accuracy.
“There’s So Much That We’re Doing”: How Florida College System Institutions Address Basic Needs Insecurity Among Students:

Research Question: A sizable portion of college students experience food and housing insecurity, which poses a roadblock to fully and successfully engaging in higher education. In light of these co...
Music Sentiment Transfer.

Music sentiment transfer is a completely novel task. Sentiment transfer is a natural evolution of the heavily-studied style transfer task, as sentiment transfer is rooted in applying the sentiment of a source to be the new sentiment for a target piece of media; yet compared to style transfer, sentiment transfer has been only scantily studied on images. Music sentiment transfer attempts to apply the high level objective of sentiment transfer to the domain of music. We propose CycleGAN to bridge disparate domains. In order to use the network, we choose to use symbolic, MIDI, data as the music format. Through the use of a cycle consistency loss, we are able to create one-to-one mappings that preserve the content and realism of the source data. Results and literature suggest that the task of music sentiment transfer is more difficult than image sentiment transfer because of the temporal characteristics of music and lack of existing datasets.
Buxtehude's Pedaliter Keyboard Works: Organ or Pedal Clavichord?

This article explores the questions of how Buxtehude might have used a pedal clavichord for the purposes of teaching, performing, and composing, with special reference to his pedaliter praeludia.
Enzymes, Extremely Thermophilic

The availability of enzymes with optimal functional temperatures above 70°C has had considerable impact on basic and applied elements of biocatalysis. Not only have extremely thermophilic enzymes expanded the known thermal range of biological systems but they have also ushered in a new era in applied biocatalysis that is less restricted by limitations related to thermoactivity and thermostability. While much effort has been directed at understanding the intrinsic basis for enzyme stabilization at high temperatures, there is still much to be learned to appreciate this complex biomolecular trait. Nonetheless, strategic uses of extremely thermophilic enzymes continue to emerge and prospects for expanded use of biocatalysts in a variety of bioprocess settings are promising. As genome sequence information from extremely thermophilic microorganisms is mined for novel biocatalysts and molecular biological tools for improving enzyme function are refined, the future is bright for biologically based catalysis. Keywords: thermophilic enzymes; biocatalysis; thermostable; thermolabile; proteases
Emergency maneuver library - ensuring safe navigation in partially known environments

Autonomous mobile robots are required to operate in partially known and unstructured environments. It is imperative to guarantee safety of such systems for their successful deployment. Current state of the art does not fully exploit the sensor and dynamic capabilities of a robot. Also, given the non-holonomic systems with non-linear dynamic constraints, it becomes computationally infeasible to find an optimal solution if the full dynamics are to be exploited online. In this paper we present an online algorithm to guarantee the safety of the robot through an emergency maneuver library. The maneuvers in the emergency maneuver library are optimized such that the probability of finding an emergency maneuver that lies in the known obstacle free space is maximized. We prove that the related trajectory set diversity problem is monotonic and sub-modular which enables one to develop an efficient trajectory set generation algorithm with bounded sub-optimality. We generate an off-line computed trajectory set that exploits the full dynamics of the robot and the known obstacle-free region. We test and validate the algorithm on a full-size autonomous helicopter flying up to speeds of 56m/s in partially-known environments. We present results from 4 months of flight testing where the helicopter has been avoiding trees, performing autonomous landing, avoiding mountains while being guaranteed safe.
Nature and Frequency of Genetic Disease

Genes are major determinants of human variation. Genome sequencing studies have shown that an individual genome includes 10000–11000 differences from the reference genome that changes an amino acid in a protein (non-synonymous change) and an approximately equal number of synonymous variants. Any individual is heterozygous for 50–100 variants that have been associated with genetic disorders (1000 Genomes Project Consortium et al., 2010). Genetic variation spans a range from chromosomal changes to single nucleotide changes. The impact of genetically determined characteristics likewise spans a continuum and may be nil at one extreme or lethal at the other.
Neural Perspectives on Activation and Arousal

1 Neuroanatomical, Physiological, Genomic Mechanisms 2 Evolution of CNS Arousal Pathways 3 Clinical Study: Forebrain Arousal Regulation Mechanisms and Neurological Disorders of Consciousness 4 Summary Keywords: acetylcholine; arousal; cortical activation; dopamine; drive; electroencephalography; intralaminar nuclei; norepinephrine; reticular activating system; serotonin
Imaging of endogenous exchangeable proton signals in the human brain using frequency labeled exchange transfer imaging.

Purpose To image endogenous exchangeable proton signals in the human brain using a recently reported method called frequency labeled exchange transfer (FLEX) MRI. Methods As opposed to labeling exchangeable protons using saturation (i.e., chemical exchange saturation transfer, or CEST), FLEX labels exchangeable protons with their chemical shift evolution. The use of short high-power frequency pulses allows more efficient labeling of rapidly exchanging protons, while time domain acquisition allows removal of contamination from semi-solid magnetization transfer effects. Results FLEX-based exchangeable proton signals were detected in human brain over the 1–5 ppm frequency range from water. Conventional magnetization transfer contrast and the bulk water signal did not interfere in the FLEX spectrum. The information content of these signals differed from in vivo CEST data in that the average exchange rate of these signals was 350–400 s−1, much faster than the amide signal usually detected using direct saturation (∼30 s−1). Similarly, fast exchanging protons could be detected in egg white in the same frequency range where amide and amine protons of mobile proteins and peptides are known to resonate. Conclusions FLEX MRI in the human brain preferentially detects more rapidly exchanging amide/amine protons compared to traditional CEST experiments, thereby changing the information content of the exchangeable proton spectrum. This has the potential to open up different types of endogenous applications as well as more easy detection of rapidly exchanging protons in diaCEST agents or fast exchanging units such as water molecules in paracest agents without interference of conventional magnetization transfer contrast. Magn Reson Med 69:966–973, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving runoff risk estimates: Formulating runoff as a bivariate process using the SCS curve number method

[1] The Soil Conservation Service curve number (SCS-CN) method is widely used to predict storm runoff for hydraulic design purposes, such as sizing culverts and detention basins. As traditionally used, the probability of calculated runoff is equated to the probability of the causative rainfall event, an assumption that fails to account for the influence of variations in soil moisture on runoff generation. We propose a modification to the SCS-CN method that explicitly incorporates rainfall return periods and the frequency of different soil moisture states to quantify storm runoff risks. Soil moisture status is assumed to be correlated to stream base flow. Fundamentally, this approach treats runoff as the outcome of a bivariate process instead of dictating a 1:1 relationship between causative rainfall and resulting runoff volumes. Using data from the Fall Creek watershed in western New York and the headwaters of the French Broad River in the mountains of North Carolina, we show that our modified SCS-CN method improves frequency discharge predictions in medium-sized watersheds in the eastern United States in comparison to the traditional application of the method.
Enhancement factor for absorption of ozone gas into aqueous phenol solution

L'influence du pH sur la vitesse d'absorption de l'ozone dans une solution aqueuse de phenol peut etre expliquee par un modele mathematique de diffusion moleculaire accompagnee de decomposition de l'ozone et de reactions ozone-phenol, sans aucune hypothese sur le mecanisme de reaction
Calculation of Particle Mass from Sedimentation Field-Flow Fractionation Data: The Buoyancy Factor

Abstract Sedimentation field-flow fractionation equations commonly used for calculation of molecular weight are not valid for multicomponent systems in which there is preferential interaction because the buoyancy term (B) contained therein does not take preferential interaction into account. Correct molecular weights can be obtained by replacing that term with the value of B calculated from equations available in the preferential interaction and ultracentrifugation literature, in which the dependence of B on measured quantities (densities and solute concentration) is expressed indirectly through the partial specific volume at constant chemical potential (φ2′). In the present work an equation for B in the presence of preferential interaction is derived heuristically by applying Archimedes' buoyancy principle to the solvated solute, and B is expressed explicitly in terms of the measured quantities. Equations for φ2′, for the partial specific volume at constant molality (υ 2), and for B in the absence of pre...
Brain lipoprotein lipase is responsive to nutritional and hormonal modulation.

Functional lipoprotein lipase activity was recently described in rat brain. The present study was performed to further characterize the biologic significance of brain lipoprotein lipase (heparin releasable component) and elucidate regulatory factors. Comparative studies were performed on tissue (brain, adipose, and heart) heparin releasable lipoprotein lipase in the fasted and diabetic (streptozotocin 100 mg/kg BW IP) rat. Both fasting (96 hours) and diabetes (ten days) significantly decreased brain (cortical) (P < .05) and adipose (epididymal fat pad) (P < .001) lipoprotein lipase activity. In contrast, heart muscle enzyme activity was significantly increased (P < .001) in response to fasting and diabetes. Refeeding (Purina chow 96 hours) and insulin replacement (96 hours) reversed these changes in tissue lipoprotein lipase consequent to fasting and diabetes, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the changes in serum insulin concentration and adipose lipoprotein lipase, but there was no correlation between this parameter and brain or heart lipoprotein lipase. In addition, although T3 therapy normalized the low T3 state associated with both fasting and diabetes, it had no effect on the enzyme activity in the studied tissues. However, subsequent studies demonstrated that hypothyroidism (2 weeks post thyroidectomy) significantly decreased brain lipoprotein lipase activity (P < .001) and increased both the adipose (P < .025) and heart (P < .025) enzyme activity. T3 replacement (0.8 μg100 BW/d for 1 week) reversed the effects of hypothyroidism. However, the relationship between brain enzyme activity and serum T3 was nonlinear as hyperthyroidism tended to reduce brain LPL activity. These studies demonstrate that rat cortex heparin releasable lipoprotein lipase is responsive to fasting, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Although both insulin and T3 reversed, respectively, the effects of diabetes and hypothyroidism on cortex LPL, confirmation of direct hormone effects on enzyme activity must await future in vitro studies. The brain and adipose LPL response to fasting and diabetes was concordant, whereas the effect of hypothyroidism on the respective enzymatic responses was discordant. This study does indicate that cortical lipoprotein lipase could play an important role in brain lipid metabolism.
Effect of omeprazole on markers of performance in gastric ulcer-free standardbred horses.

Summary Reasons for performing study:A large percentage of performance horses develop gastric ulcers and many of those horses are treated with omeprazole. Unfortunately, no data have been published on the effects of the drug on markers of performance in animals without ulcers. Hypothesis:Omeprazole would alter markers of aerobic and anaerobic performance. Methods: Ten unfit, healthy, ulcer free, Standardbred mares were administered either control (CON; oral apple sauce, 20 ml) or omeprazole (OP; oral paste, 4 mg/kg bwt s.i.d.) in a random crossover fashion with the investigators blind to the treatment. Treatments were administered for 7 days prior to performing an incremental exercise test (GXT) on a high-speed treadmill. Endoscopic examinations were performed just prior to the trial to verify that the mares were ulcer-free. During the GXT, the mares ran on a treadmill up a 6% grade to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), run time (RT), velocity at VO2max, maximal velocity (Vmax), packed cell volume (PCV), plasma lactate concentration (LA) and plasma protein concentration (TP). Measurements were recorded at rest, at the end of each 1 min step of the GXT and at 2 and 5 min post GXT. Data were analysed using ANOVA for repeated measures and t tests for paired comparisons. Results: There was no effect (P>0.05) of omeprazole on VO2max; velocity at VO2max; RT; Vmax; 2 min recovery plasma LA. Nor were there any changes (P>0.05) in the relationship between treadmill speed and VO2, PCV, TP, or plasma LA. Conclusions:Omeprazole does not appear to improve physiological markers of performance in healthy, ulcer free horses. Potential relevance:These data may benefit various authorities responsible for deciding administration and timing policies of omeprazole as well as clinicians and horse owners.
Hydrogels for Soft Machines

Hydrogels have applications in surgery and drug delivery, but are never considered alongside polymers and composites as materials for mechanical design. This is because synthetic hydrogels are in general very weak. In contrast, many biological gel composites, such as cartilage, are quite strong, and function as tough, shock-absorbing structural solids. The recent development of strong hydrogels suggests that it may be possible to design new families of strong gels that would allow the design of soft biomimetic machines, which have not previously been possible.
Infections in patients with aplastic anemia: experience at a tertiary care cancer center.

BACKGROUND Infection is a significant cause of death in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). However, few recent studies have examined infectious complications in patients with AA. METHODS The authors retrospectively evaluated the type of infections, associated pathogens, and outcome of infectious episodes (IEs) in patients with AA who were treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between July 1994 and June 2000. RESULTS Fifty-two patients with a median age of 37 years (range, 3–83 years) were identified. Overall, 104 IEs were documented in 42 patients (81%). The most common microbiologically documented infections were bacteremias (38%) followed by pneumonias (16%). Most patients (55%) had bacterial infections, mainly caused by gram-positive cocci. Multidrug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli also were not uncommon in this patient population. Five of 12 patients who died during the study period died of infection. All of these patients had invasive fungal infections, mostly due to molds. All five patients had prolonged and severe neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS Infections remain a major cause of death in patients with AA. Bacterial infections, especially those caused by gram-positive cocci, constitute the main cause of IE. Invasive mold infections, however, are the major cause of death in this patient population. Cancer 2003;98:86–93. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11478
Composite coatings incorporating solid lubricant phases

The concept of incorporating a solid lubricant, silver (Ag), within a hard carbide film for vacuum tribology applications is investigated in this paper. SiC/Ag and HfC/Ag films were deposited by magnetron cosputtering at 200 °C onto Si and 440C steel substrates. The composition, phase structure, and morphology in these films was examined using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The microstructural analysis showed that Ag was incorporated both within and on the surface of the films. There was a strong tendency for Ag to segregate to the film surface. Vacuum tribology tests were conducted using a ball-on-disk test in a vacuum of 1.33 µPa with a 1 N load for 10 000 cycles. For both the SiC/Ag and HfC/Ag films, the average friction coefficients were reduced when sufficient Ag was present. These tests show that carbide-Ag composite films hold promise for vacuum tribology applications.
The occlusion process in a midlatitude cyclone over land

Abstract A historical review highlights the lack of consensus regarding the structure and evolution of occluded fronts and cyclones. In order to better understand the occlusion process, this paper and its companion examine a model simulation of the 14–16 December 1987 cyclone over the eastern United States. The structure of an occluded front was observed at low levels as the cold front caught up with the warm front, while aloft an upperlevel frontal zone appeared to play a role in the occlusion process. Although the thermal structure of this storm suggested that a cold-type occlusion should have formed, the model simulation produced a warm-type occlusion structure. An extensive review of the literature on occluded fronts suggested that cold-type occlusions are rare, if they exist at al1. Finally, the occluded front simulated in this case is compared critically to the Norwegian, “T-bone,” and other conceptual models of cyclone evolution.
The evolution of diastolic dysfunction in the hypertensive disease.

Aims To investigate the effects of cardiac remodelling on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, as evaluated by tissue Doppler and blood-pool indices, with respect to loading as expressed by wall stress. Cardiac remodelling is the major pathophysiological result of increased blood pressure and manifests as changes in the size, shape, and function of the heart. Methods and Results We evaluated 90 hypertensive patients and 30 healthy volunteers. The hypertensive patients were divided into three groups: (i) HTN-N: normal remodelling (n ¼ 30), (ii) HTN-CR: concentric remodelling (n ¼ 30), and (iii) HTN-CH: concentric hypertrophy (n ¼ 30). Mitral annular early diastolic (Ea) velocities were recorded. Filling pressures (E/Ea), relative wall thickness, LV mass index, DT, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), E/A ratio, and longitudinal wall stress (LWS) were also measured. Diastolic dysfunction (DD) was diagnosed based on published criteria. Progressive and increased incidence of DD with advancement of LV remodelling and an increase in LV mass was noted. Wall stress-loading was higher in the HTN-N group and lower in the HTN-CR and HTN-CH groups, despite the more deteriorated diastolic function in the latter groups. DD appeared early, even in the HTN-N group, which had a 36.6% incidence of DD compared to a 13% age-related incidence in the control group (P , 0.05). When the control group was used to define the reference values for septal Ea with the cut-off set as 2SD below the mean, the HTN-N, HTN-CR, and HTN-CH groups had abnormal diastolic function at 16.6, 26.6, and 56.6% incidence rates, respectively. Septal (Ea) was correlated
Corruption's Effect on Business Venturing within the United States

In developing countries with high levels of corruption, people are often forced into small-business venturing or survivalist entrepreneurship because larger, more efficient firms do not exist. In developed countries, however, low corruption means that people choose entrepreneurship as a better means of innovating. In this article we use federal convictions of state and local officials and the Small Business Administration's firm formation data to test whether corruption within the United States forces some people into business venturing. We find that business venturing within the United States is caused in part by corruption.
Polymorphism of the human TNF-α promoter — random variation or functional diversity?

As more and more polymorphisms are discovered in the genes encoding cytokines, a crucial question is whether this polymorphism has any functional effect. One of the most widely studied cytokine genes in this respect is the gene encoding human TNF-alpha. Much of the literature investigating the issue of whether TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms have any functional effect on TNF-alpha transcription or influence disease susceptibility appears to report negative results, giving the appearance and leading some authors to conclude that polymorphism at this locus is functionally silent and exists only because of linkage disequilibrium with selectable HLA alleles. This review presents a new analysis of the available data which suggests that polymorphism in the TNF-alpha promoter is not randomly distributed and therefore that it most likely does have some functional and selectable effect. Further, a comparison of available data suggests that there is more consensus in the literature than may at first appear to be the case.
Reducing Crude Protein in Beef Cattle Diet Reduces Ammonia Emissions from Artificial Feedyard Surfaces

Concentrated animal feeding operations are major sources of ammonia to the atmosphere. Control methods to reduce emissions include acidifying amendments, urease inhibitors, and absorbents. For beef cattle, decreasing crude protein (CP) in diets may be the most practical and cost-effective method to reduce ammonia emissions. Our objective was to quantify the effect of reducing CP in beef cattle diet on ammonia emissions. Two groups of steers were fed diets with either 11.5 or 13.0% CP and all urine and feces were collected. Manures from the two diet treatments were applied in a replicated laboratory chamber experiment, and ammonia emission was quantified using acid gas washing. In four seasonal field trials, manures from the two diet treatments were applied to two 10-m-diameter, circular, artificial feedyard surfaces, and ammonia emission was quantified using the integrated horizontal flux method. Manure from steers fed 11.5% CP diet had less urine, less urinary N, and a lesser fraction of total N in urine, compared with the 13.0% CP diet. Decreasing crude protein in beef cattle diets from 13 to 11.5% significantly decreased ammonia emission by 44% (p < 0.01) in the closed chamber laboratory experiment, and decreased mean daily ammonia flux by 30% (p = 0.10), 52% (p = 0.08), and 29% (p < 0.01) in summer, autumn, and spring field trials, respectively. No difference was observed in winter. On an annual basis, decreasing crude protein reduced daily ammonia flux by 28%. Reducing crude protein in beef cattle diets may provide the most practical and cost-effective way to reduce ammonia emissions from feedyards.
Tensor products of certain modules for the generalized cartan matrix lie algebra

The outer multiplicites of tensor product decompositions are computed for the smallest Euclidean Kac-Moody Lie algebra when one of the tensor factors is a fundamental module or the p-module. Some combinatorial identities are obtained.
Sensor Network Design via Observability Analysis and Principal Component Analysis

This paper extends a recently developed technique for sensor network design such that interactions between individual sensors are taken into account via principal component analysis. In past work, the trace of the empirical observability gramian was determined to be the most promising measure for determining the location of a single sensor. The extension to placing multiple sensors was performed by interpreting the trace of the gramian as the sum of the diagonal elements and defining interactions between sensors by comparing the magnitude of diagonal entries of empirical observability gramians computed for different sensors. However, the diagonal entries of the gramian only represent the variance of the output measurements for perturbations in a state. The covariances, which are given by the entries of the gramian not on the diagonal, are neglected using such an approach. The presented work remedies this situation, as all of the information contained in the empirical observability gramian is considered. P...
TRANSMETHYLATION PRODUCTS AS INTERMEDIATES IN ERGOSTEROL BIOSYNTHESIS IN YEAST.

Abstract 1. 1. The methylated non-saponifiable products obtained by transmethylation from S-adenosyl- l -methionine have been identified as sterols. 2. 2. At least three sterols possessing the transferred methyl group are observed; one of these is ergosterol. 3. 3. One of the unidentified sterols serves as a precursor of ergosterol in extracts of yeast. 4. 4. Formation of the methylated derivatives is greatly stimulated by carbonate.
Development and testing of a heat–cool methodology to automate oyster shucking

Abstract A heat/cool methodology was developed to facilitate oyster shucking. Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica from several locations were used. Two methods were designed to shuck oysters, which incorporated various heat–cool regimes. The first was a combination of low-pressure steam and cryogenic CO2, the second a combination of steam and cooling, either from cryogenic N2 or ice water. The oysters were instrumented with T-type thermocouples connected to a datalogger to monitor and record process temperatures. Methods also were developed to quantify meat detachment, shelf-life and textural changes. The methods developed allowed for the measurement and optimization of the shucking process. Advantages of the steam–ice water combination include availability of facilities and low cost. Additionally, under selected regimes, meat quality was similar to that of raw oysters, while some reduction in microbial activity was recorded. Results indicated quantifiable methods, which yielded oyster meat detachments in excess of 85%.
How does the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum affect tall fescue {Festuca arundinacea) rhizodeposition and soil microorganisms?

The goal of our study was to investigate the impact of fungal endophytes in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) on rhizodeposition and in turn, the soil microbial community. Sand-based, aseptic microlysimeter units were constructed for the collection of rhizodeposit solutions for chemical analyses from the roots of endophyte-free (E−) and endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue plants. E+ plants were infected with Neotyphodium coenophialum, the most common endophyte found in tall fescue. Rhizodeposit solutions collected over nine weeks from E+ grass contained more organic carbon and carbohydrates than E−. These solutions were allowed to percolate through columns of plant-free soils to assess the response of the soil microbial communities. Soils to which solutions from E+ grass were applied had significantly higher respiration rates than those receiving solutions from E− grass, suggesting that microbial activity was stimulated by changes in the rhizodeposits. Culture-based assays of the soil microbial community (plate counts and community-level physiological profiling) suggest that the basic structure of the microbial community was not affected by application of rhizodeposit solutions from E+ plants as compared to E−. Our results indicate that the presence of a fungal endophyte may enhance rhizodeposition by tall fescue and could consequently influence microbial mineralization processes in the soil. In grasslands where nutrients may be limiting, hosting a fungal endophyte has the potential to enhance plant nutrient supply indirectly via a stimulatory effect on the soil microbial biomass.
The role of auditory feature detectors in the perception of speech

Two adaptation experiments were conducted to determine some of the sufficient acoustic properties for excitation of the feature detectors underlying perception of voicing and place distinctions in speech. It was found that the greater the acoustic overlap between the adapting stimulus and the test continuum, the greater the adaptation effect. In addition, evidence was obtained that various parts of the speech signal (e.g., the second formant alone) are sufficient cues for adaptation of detectors. An outline of a model in which phonetic feature information is determined at an auditory level of analysis is presented.
Oncologic imaging: a guiding hand of personalized cancer care.

Our discipline is in a remarkably strong position to guide and advance the practice of medicine in the 21st century.
Nuclear Proton Decay

The effect of nuclear collisions on the decay rate of a proton inside a nucleus is discussed.
Studies on microarcing

Abstract Introduction of impurities into plasma discharges by unipolar arcs has been observed in various plasma experiments. However, the mechanisms which lead to microarcing are not well understood. To study the conditions under which micro-arcing occurs, as well as the resulting erosion rates, a small scale experiment has been initiated. Electrodes are immersed in a low-temperature RF-plasma. A capacitor is connected between them and biased by an external voltage supply. Currents between 10 and 200 A with pulse duration between 10 and 20 μs are measured when arcs strike across the space charge sheath between the negative electrode and the plasma. These arcs produce craters on the negative electrode with diameters between 20 and 50 μm. Relating the removed material to the integrated current of the arcs yields erosion rates of about 10−8 kg/C for 304 stainless steel. The present results suggest that arcing on the first wall of tokamaks is a transient phenomenon which may be controlled by proper surface conditioning.
Ethometric analysis of pheromone receptor function in cockroaches.

Abstract Cockroach olfactory receptors were studied with respect to their role in mediating behavioural responses to aggregation pheromone and female sex pheromone by employing experimental cockroaches in bioassays for aggregation and courting activity. Using organ ablation and techniques combining ablation with colchicine treatment of antennae, the antennae were determined to be sensory organs for perception of both pheromones. Since proteins are thought to be implicated in the molecular mechanism of olfactory perception, chemicals known to affect proteins were applied to the antennae. Bathing antennae with saline, distilled water, vincristine, vinblastine, or colchicine resulted in no reduction in responses to aggregation pheromone, whereas responses to sex pheromone were reduced. Vinca alkaloids caused the greatest depression in responses, and of these, vincristine treatment required the longest time period for complete recovery. Full sexual display by vinca alkaloid-treated males was not apparent until 8 days after treatment. The effect of formaldehyde vapour treatment, habituation, or both produced differential results. Formaldehyde treatment reduced responses to aggregation pheromone, but did not affect responses to sex pheromone. Habituation alone had no effect on aggregation, but initially reduced responses to sex pheromone. Combined treatments did not affect responses to aggregation pheromone, but resulted in a complete loss of responses to sex pheromone requiring a recovery period of 8 days. The main conclusion drawn from this work is that although responses to sex and aggregation pheromone are mediated by antennal sensillae, their mechanisms must differ drastically.
Knowledge and perceptions in advance care planning.

Objective: This study explores detailed knowledge of medical terminology and connotations of equivocal phrases frequently used in advance care planning. Method: One hundred seventy community-dwelling older adults answered yes-or-no questions about their knowledge of medical conditions and treatments and completed a written questionnaire about their connotations of ambiguous phrases such as “live like a vegetable.” Results: On average, participants answered 78% of all factual questions correctly; however, accuracy ranged from 59% to 94% across individuals. Participants knew the most about basic treatment purposes and procedures and the least about treatment outcomes. Perceptions of equivocal phrases were idiosyncratic, even for conventional terms such as improvement. Discussion: Older adults approach advance care planning with critical misconceptions and individualistic perceptions, about which family and health care professionals may be unaware. Efforts to improve advance care planning should include inst...
Polycaprolactone-coated 3D printed tricalcium phosphate scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: in vitro alendronate release behavior and local delivery effect on in vivo osteogenesis.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of in vitro alendronate (AD) release behavior through polycaprolactone (PCL) coating on in vivo bone formation using PCL-coated 3D printed interconnected porous tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds. Higher AD and Ca2+ ion release was observed at lower pH (5.0) than that at higher pH (7.4). AD and Ca2+ release, surface morphology, and phase analysis after release indicated a matrix degradation dominated AD release caused by TCP dissolution. PCL coating showed its effectiveness for controlled and sustained AD release. Six different scaffold compositions, namely, (i) TCP (bare TCP), (ii) TCP + AD (AD-coated TCP), (iii) TCP + PCL (PCL-coated TCP), (iv) TCP + PCL + AD, (v) TCP + AD + PCL, and (vi) TCP + AD + PCL + AD were tested in the distal femoral defect of Sprague–Dawley rats for 6 and 10 weeks. An excellent bone formation inside the micro and macro pores of the scaffolds was observed from histomorphology. Histomorphometric analysis revealed maximum new bone ...
Effects of castration and adrenalectomy on in vitro rates of tryptophan hydroxylation and levels of serotonin in microdissected brain nuclei of adult male rats

Rates of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) synthesis and levels of serotonin (5-HT) were measured in microdissected brain nuclei following castration or adrenalectomy of adult male rats. Fourteen days following gonadectomy, 5-HTP synthesis decreased in the nucleus raphe dorsalis (DR) and nucleus centralis superior (NCS), while levels of 5-HT were unchanged in the 7 brain nuclei examined. Administration of testosterone to castrated rats not only did not reverse the castration-induced decrease in 5-HTP synthesis in the DR and NCS, but also decreased 5-HT synthesis in the nucleus amygdaloideus centralis (AGC) and the nucleus septalis lateralis (LS). Following administration of testosterone, 5-HT levels were unchanged. 10 days following bilateral adrenalectomy, 5-HTP synthesis increased in the NCS and the median eminence. Levels of 5-HT increased only in the median eminence. The increased 5-HTP synthesis and 5-HT levels following adrenalectomy were not reversed by corticosterone administration. In addition, these selective changes in 5-HT metabolism did not result from hormonal effects on the availability of tryptophan to the brain. We conclude that there are subsets of serotonergic neurons in rat central nervous system which respond uniquely to removal of the gonads and adrenals. Furthermore, the dissociation between serum and brain tryptophan concentrations and changes in rates of 5-HTP synthesis argue against tryptophan availability as being a primary determinant of 5-HT biosynthesis and for a direct endocrine central nervous system interaction with serotonergic neurons.
Integers with consecutive divisors in small ratio

Abstract An elementary construction of a sequence of positive integers is given. The sequence settles a question of Erdos concerning integers with consecutive divisors in small ratio.
Utility of intraoperative consultation touch preparations.

Although intraoperative touch preparations (TPs) often are performed in conjunction with frozen sections, the comfort level of using TPs in actual practice and the effect of TP quality and cytologic experience on diagnostic accuracy have not been measured. To investigate the utility of intraoperative TPs and to compare them with that of frozen sections, five pathologists of differing levels of cytologic experience retrospectively reviewed 122 intraoperative TPs and frozen sections. Accuracy rates for individual pathologists were calculated and the accuracy using TPs was compared to that of frozen sections. TP accuracy was correlated with TP quality and cytologic experience. The mean rates of correct, incorrect, and atypical TP diagnoses were 88.5%, 4.1%, and 7.4%, respectively. The mean rates of correct, incorrect, and deferred frozen section diagnoses were 86.1%, 2.5%, and 11.9%, respectively. For the four pathologists with cytologic experience, both TP and frozen section diagnostic accuracy rates were similar; however, the pathologist who lacked cytologic experience had lower TP diagnostic accuracy. All pathologists who had cytologic experience requested a frozen section for cases with an atypical or incorrect TP diagnosis. In cases with a correct TP diagnosis a frozen section was requested 46.3% of the time. TPs of greater technical quality were associated with higher diagnostic accuracy. In conclusion, the use of performing TP and frozen section are complementary and result in increased diagnostic accuracy. For some pathologists, TPs may replace frozen sections in over 50% of cases.
Leaf Area Partitioning as an Important Factor in Growth

Despite continuing efforts to correlate unit area rates of photosynthesis of crop varieties with growth rates, there has been little or no success. It is reasonable to assume that partitioning of photosynthate into new leaf area is an important component of growth. Accordingly, an expression was developed to measure leaf area partitioning. Using growth analysis techniques, relative growth rates were compared to net assimilation rates, partitioning of daily weight gain into new leaf area, and partitioning of daily weight gain into new leaf weight of nine species grown in growth chambers under three temperature regimes. Day/night temperatures of 21/10, 32/21, and 38/27 C caused large differences in relative growth rates. Relative growth rates were closely correlated with leaf area partitioning in seven of the nine species, but were inversely correlated with leaf weight partitioning for six of the nine species. Relative growth rates were poorly correlated with net assimilation rates for five of the nine species. The product of net assimilation rate times leaf area partitioning is shown to be equal to the relative leaf area expansion rate. These results indicate that growth responses due to temperature shifts were more sensitive to changes in leaf area partitioning or relative leaf area expansion rates than to net assimilation rates. Because changes in leaf area partitioning or relative leaf area expansion rates can have an effect on relative growth rates that overshadow changes in net assimilation rates, and because net assimilation rates are largely a function of unit area rates of photosynthesis, the correlation of unit area rates of photosynthesis with growth should include consideration of leaf area partitioning or relative leaf area expansion rates.
Rate-Dependent X-Ros Signaling in Cardiac Ventricular Myocytes

X-ROS is the novel signaling pathway seen in ventricular myocytes1 and skeletal muscle2 that arises when cell stretch triggers local ROS (reactive oxygen species) production by NADPH oxidase 2. A sustained (10-20s) stretch produces a transient rise in ROS with a half-time of decay of ∼5 seconds. In cardiomyocytes, this ROS sensitizes local Ca2+ release channels (ryanodine receptors) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In normal heart cells, this produces a transient burst of Ca2+ sparks and ensures the fidelity of excitation-contraction coupling, but can trigger arrhythmogenic Ca2+ waves in diverse pathologies.In reports to date, X-ROS has been characterized in cells that were stretched and held at a constant length. However, this is not how a cardiomyocyte is stretched in situ - instead it is stretched (during diastole) and shortens (during systole) in rhythmic fashion. Additionally, this stretch is regulated by two factors that vary with changing physiologic demand: 1) preload (the amount of blood that fills the ventricles during diastole) grades the magnitude of cell stretch, and 2) heart rate varies the frequency of cell stretch. Thus we investigated how the magnitude and frequency of stretch affect X-ROS signaling. Briefly, we find a critical effect: rhythmic stretch elevates the steady state level of ROS production in the cell, and this level is graded by both the magnitude and frequency of stretch. In turn, the elevated ROS proportionately modulates Ca2+ spark rate. Thus our findings hold the critical implication that the redox state and Ca2+ signaling sensitivity of cardiomyocytes is coupled to mechanical changes and graded by both preload and heart rate.1. Prosser et al. “X-ROS signaling: Rapid mechano-chemo transduction in heart.” Science. 333, 1440 (2011 9 Sept).2. Khairallah et al. “Microtubules underlie dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.” Sci. Signal. 5, ra56 (2012).