cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SENSORY DIFFERENCE TESTS: THURSTONIAN AND SSA PREDICTIONS FOR VANILLA FLAVORED YOGURTS

The Thurstonian prediction that judges will get a higher proportion of correct 3-AFC tests than triangle tests was confirmed using a yogurt system. As predicted, d' values for the triangle and 3-AFC tests corresponded. Sequential Sensitivity Analysis predictions for the sensitivity of various tasting sequences were confirmed for the 3-AFC test but not the triangle test. Further predictions that the 2-AFC is more sensitive than the 3-AFC were confirmed. This increase in sensitivity more than offset the greater statistical power of the 3-AFC. Difficulties of specifying the nature of the difference for the 2-AFC and 3-AFC tests were overcome using a warm-up procedure.
Carbon nanotubes as photoacoustic molecular imaging agents in living mice.

Photoacoustic imaging of living subjects offers higher spatial resolution and allows deeper tissues to be imaged compared with most optical imaging techniques1,2,3,4,5,6,7. As many diseases do not exhibit a natural photoacoustic contrast, especially in their early stages, it is necessary to administer a photoacoustic contrast agent. A number of contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging have been suggested previously8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15, but most were not shown to target a diseased site in living subjects. Here we show that single-walled carbon nanotubes conjugated with cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides can be used as a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging of tumours. Intravenous administration of these targeted nanotubes to mice bearing tumours showed eight times greater photoacoustic signal in the tumour than mice injected with non-targeted nanotubes. These results were verified ex vivo using Raman microscopy. Photoacoustic imaging of targeted single-walled carbon nanotubes may contribute to non-invasive cancer imaging and monitoring of nanotherapeutics in living subjects16. Photoacoustic imaging offers higher spatial resolution than most optical imaging techniques, but contrast agents are needed because many diseases in their early stages do not display a natural photoacoustic contrast. Using single-walled carbon nanotubes conjugated with a peptide as a contrast agent allows the non-invasive photoacoustic imaging of tumours in animals.
Electron sheaths in a crossed-field gap-equilibrium solutions and transition to turbulence

Summary form only given, as follows. There is renewed interest in the equilibrium solutions and the transition to turbulence of electron sheaths in a crossed-field gap. In this paper, we present an analytic theory of the critical current beyond which transition from laminar to turbulent behaviour occurs, under the assumption that the electrons are released from the cathode with a nonzero mono-energetic velocity. This analytic theory is found to be in excellent agreement with the results obtained from a particle simulation code. We also find that the behaviour of the sheaths is quite different, depending on whether B>B/sub H/ or B B/sub H/, where many crossed-field amplifiers of practical significance operate, we find that there is no electrostatic potential minimum in the equilibrium solution, in sharp contrast to the B B/sub H/ cases. The spatial extent and the frequency of oscillations of this microsheath depend on the injected current and on the initial velocity. This study seems to have added substance to the notion, widely held in the community of ultra-low noise crossed-field amplifiers, that a necessary condition for quiescent behaviour in a crossed-field gap is that electron emission be limited.
Integration of Small-Molecule Discovery in Academic Biomedical Research

Rapid advances in biomedical sciences in recent years have drastically accelerated the discovery of the molecular basis of human diseases. The great challenge is how to translate the newly acquired knowledge into new medicine for disease prevention and treatment. Drug discovery is a long and expensive process, and the pharmaceutical industry has not been very successful at it, despite its enormous resources and spending on the process. It is increasingly realized that academic biomedical research institutions ought to be engaged in early-stage drug discovery, especially when it can be coupled to their basic research. To leverage the productivity of new-drug development, a substantial acceleration in validation of new therapeutic targets is required, which would require small molecules that can precisely control target functions in complex biological systems in a temporal and dose-dependent manner. In this review, we describe a process of integration of small-molecule discovery and chemistry in academic biomedical research that will ideally bring together the elements of innovative approaches to new molecular targets, existing basic and clinical research, screening infrastructure, and synthetic and medicinal chemistry to follow up on small-molecule hits. Such integration of multidisciplinary resources and expertise will enable academic investigators to discover novel small molecules that are expected to facilitate their efforts in both mechanistic research and new-drug target validation. More broadly academic drug discovery should contribute new entities to therapy for intractable human diseases, especially for orphan diseases, and hopefully stimulate and synergize with the commercial sector.
Vocal perception: Brain event‐related potentials in a chimpanzee

We describe the first brain event-related potential (ERP) study of cognitive processes in the chimpanzee. In an extension of our studies on the ontogeny of vocal perception, ERP measures were obtained during the presentation of simple nonsignal stimuli as well as conspecific and human vocalizations. We initially confirmed findings from humans and monkeys of the appearance of a longlatency positivity in the ERP waveform to a rare stimulus in an oddball paradigm. This ERP component is reminiscent of the P3a reported in humans under similar (passive) experimental conditions. We further demonstrated that both conspecific and human vocal stimuli having affective significance also enhanced late positive components of the ERP. These late positive components displayed a predominant fronto–central distribution, with a maxima at Cz. Additionally, responses to adaptively significant vocal stimuli showed a right hemisphere laterality, whereas no significant laterality was observed with the rare stimulus in the oddball paradigm. Results document the feasibility of ERP measures in chimpanzees and their potential utility in the study of the ontogeny and phylogeny of vocal perception. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Toxic and teratologic effects of verapamil on early chick embryos: evidence for the involvement of calcium in neural tube closure.

Toxic and teratologic effects of verapamil, a calcium antagonist, on chick embryos explanted at stage 8 (four-somite stage) and cultured for 6–8 hours were investigated. In general, embryos responded to verapamil in a dose-related manner. Concentrations lower than 2 μg/ml had no apparent effect on the development of embryos. A concentration of 15 μg/ml significantly increased the incidence of embryos (approximately 80% of viable embryos) with neural tube closure defects and less numerous somites. Higher concentrations (e.g., 30 μg/ml) were embryotoxic and over 90% of the embryos were either severely malformed or dead after 8 hours of incubation. Compared to controls, verapamil-treated neuroepithelial cells had smoother apical surfaces and less conspicuous microfilament bundles. The deleterious effects of verapamil (15 μg/ml) could be reversed by subculturing the affected embryos, within 3 hours of treatment, on nutrient medium alone or on nutrient medium containing 25 μg/ml chlorotetracycline (CTC), a calcium agonist, the latter being more effective provided that treatment did not exceed 4 hours. Exposure of the developing neuroepithelium to 15 μg/ml verapamil for 3–4 hours resulted in a significant reduction in free Ca2+ levels, as revealed by the pyroantimonate precipitation method, throughout neuroepithelial cells. Overall results suggest that verapamil causes neural tube closure defects by reducing intracellular free Ca2+ levels, thereby relaxing apical microfilament bundles of developing neuroepithelial cells.
Transcriptional Control of the pref-1 Gene in 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation SEQUENCE REQUIREMENT FOR DIFFERENTIATION-DEPENDENT SUPPRESSION

Preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) is a transmembrane epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein highly expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, but is undetectable in mature fat cells; this down-regulation is required for adipocyte differentiation. We show here that pref-1 transcription is markedly suppressed during adipose conversion and results in decreased Pref-1 RNA levels. Using 3T3-L1 cells stably transfected with Pref-1 5'-deletion constructs truncated at -6000, -2100, -1300, -692, -300, -235, -193, -183, -170, -93, and -45 base pairs, we determined that the -183 to -170 region is responsible for the suppression of the pref-1 gene during adipogenesis. This is distinct from the -93 to -45 sequence important for pref-1 promoter activity in preadipocytes. The placement of a 40-base pair -193 to -154 pref-1 sequence containing the putative SAD (suppression in adipocyte differentiation) element upstream of the SV40 promoter decreased promoter activity by 85% upon adipocyte differentiation, compared with 40% observed with the SV40 promoter alone. The SAD element is therefore sufficient for adipocyte differentiation-dependent down-regulation of a heterologous promoter. A DNA-protein complex was observed when the -193 to -174 sequence was used with 3T3-L1 nuclear extracts in gel mobility shift assays. Competition with oligonucleotides harboring base substitution mutations identified a core sequence of -183AAAGA-179 as crucial for DNA-protein complex formation. UV cross-linking predicts that an approximately 63-kDa protein specifically binds the SAD element.
Using Global Positioning System Data to Understand Day-to-Day Dynamics of Morning Commute Behavior

The day-to-day variability of journey-to-work trips, including departure time, route choice, and trip-chaining behavior, was examined with Global Positioning System-based disaggregate morning commute data for 56 drivers during a 1-week period. Data were collected from the ongoing instrumented vehicle projects in Atlanta sponsored by NHTSA and FHWA. The study examines alternative measurements of the day-to-day variability of the commute pattern. While commuting trips are often thought to be highly repetitious and therefore highly predictable trips, research results indicate that commuters change departure times more frequently than routes, and trip chaining significantly affects commuters' departure time and route choice behavior. This study begins to explore definitions and relationships that will be necessary to better understand the day-to-day commute dynamics.
Sequential letter and word recognition in deaf and hearing subjects

To examine the processing of sequentially presented letters of familiar and nonsense words, especially among Ss of vastly differing experience on sequential tasks, three groups of Ss were tested on letters of words spelled sequentially on an alphanumeric display and on letters of words fingerspelled. These were a deaf group (N=33) with little or no hearing and who varied in their fingerspelling ability; a staff group (N=12) who taught fingerspelling and were highly proficient; and a hearing group (N=19). Of principal interest was the finding that the hearing Ss did better on nonsense letter recognition, while the deaf group did better on word recognition. Word length was important except to the staff Ss on fingerspelled words, which also suggests that concentration on fingerspelling proficiency forces attention to the whole word and not its component letters. Hearing Ss, who are the group faced with an unfamiliar task, seemed to attend to each letter and hence had more difficulty with recognition of the longer unit.
Clinical assessment of phosphor-plate computed radiography: Equipment, strategy, and methods

Initial experiences with a medical innovation project promise future applicability. Scientific assessment of the innovation usually points out deficiencies that must be overcome before optimal, widespread use of the technology is feasible. This presentation details the equipment, strategy, and methodological principles used at the University of Arizona in assessing the clinical use of computed radiography based on using phosphor plates as the X-ray receptor. The focus of this research has been to evaluate the applicability of computed radiography to clinical indications which might test potential weaknesses or virtues of the technology. We present examples of experiments that illustrate the general principles described.
Symmetric smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SSPH) method and its application to elastic problems

We discuss the symmetric smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SSPH) method for generating basis func- tions for a meshless method. It admits a larger class of kernel functions than some other methods, including the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), the modified smoothed parti- cle hydrodynamics (MSPH), the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM), and the moving least squares (MLS) meth- ods. For finding kernel estimates of derivatives of a function, the SSPH method does not use derivatives of the kernel func- tion while other methods do, instead the SSPH method uses basis functions different from those employed to approxi- mate the function. It is shown that the SSPH method and the RKPM give the same value of the kernel estimate of a function but give different values of kernel estimates of deriv- atives of the function. Results computed for a sine function defined on a one-dimensional domain reveal that the L 2 ,t he H 1 and the H 2 error norms of the kernel estimates of a func- tion computed with the SSPH method are less than those found with the MSPH method. Whereas the L 2 and the H 2 norms of the error in the estimates computed with the SSPH method are less than those with the RKPM, the H 1 norm of the error in the RKPM estimate is slightly less than that found with the SSPH method. The error norms for a sam- ple problem computed with six kernel functions show that their rates of convergence with an increase in the number of uniformly distributed particles are the same and their magni- tudes are determined by two coefficients related to the decay rate of the kernel function. The revised super Gauss function has the smallest error norm and is recommended as a ker- nel function in the SSPH method. We use the revised super
Sustained Yawning as a Side Effect of Imipramine

The occurrence of sustained yawning, uncoupled from sedation but caused by psychotropic medication, has been noted infrequently in the literature. This case report suggests the possibility of an association between imipramine and sustained yawning. Mechanisms of action for this yawning are proposed and a treatment strategy is offered.
2009 Presidential Address: Beyond Words and War: The Global Future of Religion

The AAR as an organization has changed over the years, and the study of religion has evolved from a focus on words and war to a global era in which the very idea of religion in a European and American sense is being challenged. Though the meaning of “religion” may be contested, the field of religious studies continues to provide an epistemic worldview analysis of phenomena and perceptions. The field of religious studies is at the forefront of a sociotheological turn in the liberal arts—an increasing awareness of the spiritual and moral dimension of all of public life—that will help us understand the religiosity of the emerging global society of the future. IN THE PAST HUNDRED years, the study of religion has taken a remarkable journey. It has seen dramatic changes in what is perceived to be the “religion” that is to be studied, and an amazing transformation in the task of studying it. How will these understandings and academic approaches be altered in the future? To begin speculating on these developments, we turn to the past and to the evolution of the study of religion over recent decades. In 1909, the year the AAR was founded, the study of religion was the study of words, specifically sacred texts, and the study of one text in particular, the Bible. A Society of Literature and Exegesis had been established some twenty years earlier—the society that we know today as the SBL—but four members of the Society had a different vision. One of
Development and application of a comprehensive soot model for 3D CFD reacting flow studies in a diesel engine

A three-dimensional reacting flow modeling approach is presented for diesel engine studies that can be used for predictions of trends in soot emissions for a wide range of operating conditions. The modeling framework employs skeletal chemistry for n-heptane for ignition and combustion, and links acetylene chemistry to the soot nucleation process. The soot model is based on integration and modification of existing submodels for soot nucleation, agglomeration, oxidation, and surface growth. With the optimized modeling parameters, the simulations agree well with results of high-pressure shock tube studies of rich n-heptane mixtures, reproducing the trends for soot mass over a range of temperature and pressure conditions (T = 1550–2050 K, P = 20, 40, and 80 MPa). Engine simulation results for soot mass are in excellent agreement with diesel engine smoke number measurements over a range of injection timings (−11 ◦ ATDC–2.4 ◦ ATDC) and two exhaust gas recirculation levels (16 and 26–27%). The model results demonstrate that correct description of the soot formation, as well as the soot transport processes, is critical for achieving reliable predictive capabilities in engine simulations.
Rat heart cannot synthesize docosahexaenoic acid from circulating α-linolenic acid because it lacks elongase-2

The extent to which the heart can convert α-linolenic acid (α-LNA, 18:3n-3) to longer chain n-3 PUFAs is not known. Conversion rates can be measured in vivo using radiolabeled α-LNA and a kinetic fatty acid model. [1-14C]α-LNA was infused intravenously for 5 min in unanesthetized rats that had been fed an n-3 PUFA-adequate [4.6% α-LNA, no docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3)] or n-3 PUFA-deficient diet (0.2% α-LNA, nor DHA) for 15 weeks after weaning. Arterial plasma was sampled, as was the heart after high-energy microwaving. Rates of conversion of α-LNA to longer chain n-3 PUFAs were low, and DHA was not synthesized at all in the heart. Most α-LNA within the heart had been β-oxidized. In deprived compared with adequate rats, DHA concentrations in plasma and heart were both reduced by >90%, whereas heart and plasma levels of docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-6, 22:5n-6) were elevated. Dietary deprivation did not affect cardiac mRNA levels of elongase-5 or desaturases Δ6 and Δ5, but elongase-2 mRNA could not be detected. In summary, the rat heart does not synthesize DHA from α-LNA, owing to the absence of elongase-2, but must obtain its DHA entirely from plasma. Dietary n-3 PUFA deprivation markedly reduces heart DHA and increases heart DPAn-6, which may make the heart vulnerable to different insults.
Petrogenesis of the 1.43 Ga Sherman Batholith, SE Wyoming, USA: a Reduced, Rapakivi-type Anorogenic Granite

The 1·43 Ga Sherman batholith, southeastern Wyoming, USA, origin that are found throughout the Proterozoic ‘anorogenic’ granite provinces of the southwestern USA, Adirshows extreme A-type petrochemical characteristics compared with other Mid-Proterozoic granite batholiths of North America. It ondacks, eastern Canada, southern Greenland and the Fennoscandian Shield (Anderson, 1983). Phanerozoic consists of: (1) the Sherman granite, a coarse-grained biotite hornblende granite that locally contains fayalite and pyroxenes; (2) examples include Paleozoic granites of southeastern Australia (Collins et al., 1982) and of Corsica (Poitrasson et the Lincoln granite, a medium-grained biotite granite; (3) a porphyritic biotite hornblende granite that probably formed by interaction al., 1995), and the Mesozoic Nigerian Younger granites ( Jacobsen et al., 1958) and the White Mountain Magma of granitic and mafic magmas; and (4) iron-enriched mafic dikes and pods. The ilmenite-series, metaluminous Sherman granite Series (Foland & Allen, 1991). ‘Anorogenic granite’ refers to plutons that are not associated with compressional exhibits extreme values of FeO/(FeO + MgO) and is rich in structures, and that were emplaced long after any known K, REE, Nb and Y. It crystallized at temperatures exceeding orogenic event. Anorogenic, or ‘A-type’ granites (Loiselle 900°C and a pressure of ~2·5 kbar, with water activity of 0·7 & Wones, 1979) are characterized by low H2O and O2 and Dlog fO2 of –0·1 to –0·5. The Lincoln granite, which is fugacities along with high FeO/(FeO + MgO), K2O/ peraluminous and has less extreme A-type geochemical characteristics, Na2O and K2O contents. A-type granites typically are rich crystallized at temperatures as low as 750°C and Dlog fO2 of in incompatible elements, including rare earth elements around 0·5 units above FMQ (fayalite–magnetite–quartz). The (REE), Zr, Nb and Ta, but poor in Co, Sc, Cr, Ni, Ba, rocks of the Sherman batholith are chemically equivalent to lavas Sr, and Eu. Minimum magma liquidus temperatures are from the Yellowstone hotspot. Like the Yellowstone magmas, the 900–1000°C (Clemens et al., 1986; Creaser & White, Sherman batholith probably originated by partial melting of under1991). Some workers suggest these rocks are derived plated, mantle-derived mafic rocks. from melting of tonalitic or more felsic crust (Anderson & Cullers, 1978; Collins et al., 1982; Clemens et al., 1986; Creaser et al., 1991), whereas others relate the granites
The capsular matrix

Abstract The morphogenetic role of two types of functional matrix-periosteal and capsular—in craniofacial growth is examined. The term growth is defined inclusively to include the changes in size and shape as well as changes in spatial position in time. The periosteal matrices are responsible for transformative growth, the changes in size and shape. The capsular matrices are responsible for translative growth, the changes in position. The role of oronasopharyngeal functioning spaces as competent, primary, morphogenetic agencies is detailed. The volumetric expansion of these capsular functional matrices is capable of accurate quantitative description.
Model-based classification of radar images

A Bayesian approach is presented for model-based classification of images with application to synthetic-aperture radar. Posterior probabilities are computed for candidate hypotheses using physical features estimated from sensor data along with features predicted from these hypotheses. The likelihood scoring allows propagation of uncertainty arising in both the sensor data and object models. The Bayesian classification, including the determination of a correspondence between unordered random features, is shown to be tractable, yielding a classification algorithm, a method for estimating error rates, and a tool for evaluating the performance sensitivity. The radar image features used for classification are point locations with an associated vector of physical attributes; the attributed features are adopted from a parametric model of high-frequency radar scattering. With the emergence of wideband sensor technology, these physical features expand interpretation of radar imagery to access the frequency- and aspect-dependent scattering information carried in the image phase.
Osteotome technique for removal of symptomatic ear canal exostoses.

Objectives/Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to assess a transcanal osteotome technique for removing symptomatic ear canal exostoses. Outcome measures included healing rates and the rate of complications. Study Design: Prospective study in a private practice. Methods: A straight 1-mm osteotome and a curved 1-mm osteotome were used by way of a transcanal approach to incrementally remove obstructive ear canal exostoses. If anterior or superior bone growths were closely approximating the tympanic membrane, they were partially removed with a 1.5 mm cylindrical end- and side-cutting burr. Healing rates were monitored with weekly postoperative visits. Results: Two hundred twenty-one ear canals (140 patients) were consecutively treated with this technique. Healing was achieved at 2 to 8 (average 3.50) weeks, with 90% healed by 4 weeks. There were 4 mobilizations of a full-thickness segment of anterior bony canal wall; 3 exposures of periosteum anterior to the anterior bony wall; 1 tear of the tympanic membrane requiring a tympanoplasty; 18 anterior and 11 posterior tympanic membrane tears that healed spontaneously; 3 instances of sensorineural hearing decrease; 3 cases of new-onset postoperative tinnitus; and 1 instance of postoperative positioning vertigo. There were no lacerations of the tympanic membrane by an osteotome, no facial nerve injuries, no soft tissue stenoses of an ear canal, and no skin grafting of an ear canal. Conclusions: The described technique of using osteotomes transcanal for removal of symptomatic obstructive ear canal exostoses promoted rapid healing and was effective and safe.
Structures of Host Range-Controlling Regions of the Capsids of Canine and Feline Parvoviruses and Mutants

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) differ in their ability to infect dogs and dog cells. Canine cell infection is a specific property of CPV and depends on the ability of the virus to bind the canine transferrin receptor (TfR), as well as other unidentified factors. Three regions in the capsid structure, located around VP2 residues 93, 300, and 323, can all influence canine TfR binding and canine cell infection. These regions were compared in the CPV and FPV capsid structures that have been determined, as well as in two new structures of CPV capsids that contain substitutions of the VP2 Asn-93 to Asp and Arg, respectively. The new structures, determined by X-ray crystallography to 3.2 and 3.3 A resolutions, respectively, clearly showed differences in the interactions of residue 93 with an adjacent loop on the capsid surface. Each of the three regions show small differences in structure, but each appears to be structurally independent of the others, and the changes likely act together to affect the ability of the capsid to bind the canine TfR and to infect canine cells. This emphasizes the complex nature of capsid alterations that change the virus-cell interaction to allow infection of cells from different hosts.
FLEX: a tolerant and cooperative user interface to databases

FLEX a user interface to relational databases, can be used satisfactorily by users with different levels of expertise. FLEX is based on a formal query language, but is tolerant of incorrect input. It never rejects queries; instead, it adapts flexibility and transparently to their level of correctness and well-formedness, providing interpretations of corresponding accuracy and specificity. The most prominent design feature of FLEX is the smooth concatenation of several independent mechanisms, each capable of handling input of decreasing level of correctness and well-formedness. Each input is cascaded through this series of mechanisms until an interpretation is found. FLEX is also cooperative. It never delivers empty answers without explanation or assistance. By following up each failed query with a set of more general queries, FLEX determines whether an empty answer is genuine, in which case it suggests related queries that have nonempty answers, or whether it reflects erroneous presuppositions on the part of the user, in which case it then explains them. >
Temperature dependence and irradiation response of 1/f-noise in MOSFETs

Measured the 1/f-noise of 3 /spl mu/m/spl times/16 /spl mu/m nMOS transistors with gate-oxide thickness of 48 nm as a function of frequency (f), gate voltage (V/sub g/), and temperature (T). For a temperature range of 85 K/spl les/T/spl les/320 K, noise measurements were performed at frequencies of 0.3 Hz/spl les/f/spl les/1 kHz with V/sub g/-V/sub th/=2 V, where V/sub th/ is the threshold voltage. Devices were operated in strong inversion in their linear regimes. A detailed comparison of the temperature and frequency dependences of the 1/f-noise of MOS transistors shows the importance of thermally activated charge exchange between the Si channel and defects in the oxide. After X-ray irradiation, the noise power increases after positive-bias irradiation and decreases after postirradiation annealing, in agreement with previous work. For these devices and experimental conditions, detailed comparisons of the temperature dependencies of the noise magnitude and frequency dependence show that the 1/f-noise of nMOS transistors is very well described by the model of Dutta and Horn. As a result, we are able to extract the energy distributions before and after irradiation for the near-interfacial oxide (border) traps that cause the majority of the noise.
Fabrication of flexible pressure sensors with microstructured polydimethylsiloxane dielectrics using the breath figures method

Flexible touch sensors with high sensitivity show promise in biomedical diagnostics and for artificial “electronic skin” for robotics or prosthetic devices. For “electronic skin” applications, there exists a need for low-cost, scalable methods for producing pixels that sense both medium (10–100 kPa) and low pressures (<10 kPa). Here, the “breath figures” (BFs) method, a simple, self-assembly-based method for producing honeycomb-structured porous polymer films, was used to prepare pattern compressible, and microstructured dielectric layers for capacitive pressure sensors. Porous polystyrene BFs films served as molds for structuring polydimethylsiloxane dielectrics. Pressure sensing devices containing the BFs-molded dielectrics consistently gave pressure response with little hysteresis, high sensitivities at lower applied pressures, and improved sensitivity at higher pressures. Analysis of microstructure geometries and pressure sensor performance suggests that structures with higher aspect ratios (height-to-width) produce less hysteresis, and that less uniform, more polydisperse structures yield a more linear pressure response.
Extensible query processing in starburst

Today's DBMSs are unable to support the increasing demands of the various applications that would like to use a DBMS. Each kind of application poses new requirements for the DBMS. The Starburst project at IBM's Almaden Research Center aims to extend relational DBMS technology to bridge this gap between applications and the DBMS. While providing a full function relational system to enable sharing across applications, Starburst will also allow (sophisticated) programmers to add many kinds of extensions to the base system's capabilities, including language extensions (e.g., new datatypes and operations), data management extensions (e.g., new access and storage methods) and internal processing extensions (e.g., new join methods and new query transformations). To support these features, the database query language processor must be very powerful and highly extensible. Starburst's language processor features a powerful query language, rule-based optimization and query rewrite, and an execution system based on an extended relational algebra. In this paper, we describe the design of Starburst's query language processor and discuss the ways in which the language processor can be extended to achieve Starburst's goals.
Transformation of amorphous TiO2 to a hydronium oxofluorotitanate and applications as an HF sensor

Abstract Amorphous titania thin films were examined for use as the active material in a polarimetry based HF sensor. The amorphous titania films were found to be sensitive to vapor phase HF and the reaction product was identified as a hydronium oxofluorotitanate phase, which has previously only been synthesized in aqueous solution. The extent of reaction varied both with vapor phase HF concentration, relative humidity, and the exposure time. HF concentrations as low as 1 ppm could be detected for exposure times of 120 h.
Effects of endotoxin on pigs prefed omega-3 vs. omega-6 fatty acid-enriched diets

We investigated in a porcine model whether omega-3 fatty acids modify the physiological response to sepsis. For 8 days, 16 male pigs were fed a diet containing 18% fat by weight enriched with either omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids (FA). A group of six pigs receiving their regular diet served as controls. The omega-3 FA-supplemented pigs had elevated levels of omega-3 FA in their serum-free FA, serum phospholipid (PL), and platelet PL levels compared with either of the other groups. On the ninth day, the unanesthetized pigs were injected with 0.3 mg/kg of endotoxin (Escherichia coli) intravenously. The animals had a significant decrease in their arterial O2 pressure (PaO2) [from 84.4 +/- 6.8 (SD) to 64 +/- 9.4, and from 83.1 +/- 7.2 to 55.9 +/- 6.3 mmHg in the omega-6 FA and regular diet groups, respectively]. The PaO2 did not decrease in the omega-3 FA pigs. The omega-3 FA group had significantly lower pulmonary vascular resistance (541 +/- 205 dyn.s.cm-5) 20 min after endotoxin compared with either the omega-6 FA or regular diet groups (797 +/- 233 and 1,102 +/- 552 dyn.s.cm-5, respectively) and more normal blood pressure compared with the other two groups. Plasma thromboxane (Tx) B2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) levels were lowest in the omega-3 FA diet group and highest in the regular diet group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Altered global gene expression profiles in human gastrointestinal epithelial Caco2 cells exposed to nanosilver

Extensive consumer exposure to food- and cosmetics-related consumer products containing nanosilver is of public safety concern. Therefore, there is a need for suitable in vitro models and sensitive predictive rapid screening methods to assess their toxicity. Toxicogenomic profile showing subtle changes in gene expressions following nanosilver exposure is a sensitive toxicological endpoint for this purpose. We evaluated the Caco2 cells and global gene expression profiles as tools for predictive rapid toxicity screening of nanosilver. We evaluated and compared the gene expression profiles of Caco-2 cells exposed to 20 nm and 50 nm nanosilver at a concentration 2.5 μg/ml. The global gene expression analysis of Caco2 cells exposed to 20 nm nanosilver showed that a total of 93 genes were altered at 4 h exposure, out of which 90 genes were up-regulated and 3 genes were down-regulated. The 24 h exposure of 20 nm silver altered 15 genes in Caco2 cells, out of which 14 were up-regulated and one was down-regulated. The most pronounced changes in gene expression were detected at 4 h. The greater size (50 nm) nanosilver at 4 h exposure altered more genes by more different pathways than the smaller (20 nm) one. Metallothioneins and heat shock proteins were highly up-regulated as a result of exposure to both the nanosilvers. The cellular pathways affected by the nanosilver exposure is likely to lead to increased toxicity. The results of our study presented here suggest that the toxicogenomic characterization of Caco2 cells is a valuable in vitro tool for assessing toxicity of nanomaterials such as nanosilver.
Vascular Targeting of Brain Tumors – Bridging the Gap with Phage Display

The development of targeted therapies for cancer remains an enormous challenge. Despite advances in the understanding of molecular pathways involved in tumor growth and rational design of new agents, a gap exists between drug development and patient survival. Ligand-directed delivery of drugs to the tumor is one approach to improve therapeutic indices and help close this gap. Tumor blood vessels are an attractive systemic target for site-directed delivery, as the endothelial lining is uniquely altered by the tumor microenvironment at early stages of disease progression. In the case of brain tumors, the normally restrictive blood–brain barrier becomes molecularly and structurally abnormal permitting specific systemic targeting. Phage display is ideally suited as a method to identify accessible ligand–receptor pairs in an unbiased, functional assay. Discovery of such specific directive systems for brain tumors would have wide-reaching applications for therapeutics and diagnostics.
Contribution of vasopressin to blood pressure regulation during hypovolemic hypotension in humans

In animals subjected to hemorrhage, plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations increase to levels sufficient to cause vasoconstriction, thus attenuating the hypotensive response. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of vasopressin to blood pressure regulation during hypotension in humans. Hypotension was induced in twelve normal subjects by lower body negative pressure (LBNP) before and after intravenous administration of vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist. Before drug administration, LBNP reduced systolic blood pressure from 125 +/- 4 to 78 +/- 12 mmHg (P < 0.01) as vasopressin concentration increased from 2.9 +/- 0.6 to 17 +/- 6 pg/ml (P < 0.05). After administration of the vasopressin antagonist, LBNP reduced systolic blood pressure from 128 +/- 3 to 89 +/- 11 mmHg (P < 0.01). The hypotensive response to LBNP was not potentiated by inhibiting vasopressin's vasoconstrictive effects (P = NS). Thus hypotension causes marked increases in plasma vasopressin concentration. In contrast to findings in animal studies, however, vasopressin does not contribute to the maintenance of blood pressure during hypotension in humans.
Models of Digital Cooperation

ABSTRACT Three cooperative digital library projects (American Memory; the Publication of Archival, Library, and Museum Materials program; and the Minnesota Digital Library) are analyzed for evidence of the costs and benefits of cooperative digital library projects for digital conversion generally.
On resonant triad interactions of acoustic–gravity waves

The propagation of wave disturbances in water of uniform depth is discussed, accounting for both gravity and compressibility effects. In the linear theory, free-surface (gravity) waves are virtually decoupled from acoustic (compression) waves, because the speed of sound in water far exceeds the maximum phase speed of gravity waves. However, these two types of wave motion could exchange energy via resonant triad nonlinear interactions. This scenario is analysed for triads comprising a long-crested acoustic mode and two oppositely propagating subharmonic gravity waves. Owing to the disparity of the gravity and acoustic length scales, the interaction time scale is longer than that of a standard resonant triad, and the appropriate amplitude evolution equations, apart from the usual quadratic interaction terms, also involve certain cubic terms. Nevertheless, it is still possible for monochromatic wavetrains to form finely tuned triads, such that nearly all the energy initially in the gravity waves is transferred to the acoustic mode. This coupling mechanism, however, is far less effective for locally confined wavepackets.
Implementation of fluorescence confocal mosaicing microscopy by "early adopter" Mohs surgeons: a review of recent progress

Confocal mosaicing microscopy (CMM) enables rapid imaging of large areas of fresh tissue ex vivo without the processing that is necessary for conventional histology. When performed with fluorescence mode using acridine orange (nuclear specific dye) it enhances nuclei-to-dermis contrast that enables detection of all types of BCCs including thin strands of infiltrative basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Thus far, this technique has been mostly validated in research setting for the analysis of BCC tumor margins. Recently, CMM has been adopted and implemented in real clinical settings by some surgeons as an alternative tool to frozen section (FS) during Mohs surgery. In this review article we summarize the development of CMM guided imaging of ex vivo tissues from bench to bedside. We also present its current state of application in routine clinical workflow not only for the assessment of BCC margin but also for other skin cancers such as melanoma, SCC, and some infectious diseases where FS is not routinely performed. Lastly, we also discuss the potential limitations of this technology as well as future developments. As this technology advances further, it may serve as an adjunct to standard histology and enable rapid surgical pathology of skin cancers at the bedside.
Custodial Grandparenting: New Roles for Middle-Aged and Older Adults:

An overview of grandparenting in light of changing demographics, family composition, and intergenerational dynamics is presented, as well as a review of custodial grandparenting which is impacted not only by these changes, but also by factors unique to this role. Research to date suggests that the demands of custodial grandparenting may be harmful to the psychosocial adjustment of those raising grandchildren and that such persons may be particularly in need of mental health services, especially if they are caring for problem grandchildren. However, such work also suggests that there are nevertheless many strengths and rewards associated with raising a grandchild later in life. The implications of these stressful demands on middle-aged and older persons' adjustment and life satisfaction are discussed, as are methodological issues in such research as well as future directions work in this area might take.
Ineffectiveness of parenteral pyridoxine in relieving or preventing the egg white syndrome in the rat.

SummaryParenteral doses of pyridoxine failed to cure or to delay the onset of the egg white syndrome in rats on a ration which included the essential fatty acids. The assumption by others, therefore, that “pyridoxine and essential fatty acids act mutually to enhance or replace biotin,” is not supported by these experiments with the rat.
Measuring Particulate Emissions of Light Duty Passenger Vehicles Using Integrated Particle Size Distribution (IPSD).

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted the low emission vehicle (LEV) III particulate matter (PM) standards in January 2012, which require, among other limits, vehicles to meet 1 mg/mi over the federal test procedure (FTP). One possible alternative measurement approach evaluated to support the implementation of the LEV III standards is integrated particle size distribution (IPSD), which reports real-time PM mass using size distribution and effective density. The IPSD method was evaluated using TSI’s engine exhaust particle sizer (EEPS, 5.6–560 nm) and gravimetric filter data from more than 250 tests and 34 vehicles at ARB’s Haagen-Smit Laboratory (HSL). IPSD mass was persistently lower than gravimetric mass by 56–75% over the FTP tests and by 81–84% over the supplemental FTP (US06) tests. Strong covariance between the methods suggests test-to-test variability originates from actual vehicle emission differences rather than measurement accuracy, where IPSD offered no statistical improvement over g...
Overwinter Survival of Pink Bollworm Larvae in Buried Cotton Bolls

Winter larval survival and spring moth emergence were evaluated for Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) obtained from Safford, Marana, and Yuma, Ariz., and buried Dec. 10 at the University of Arizona Cotton Research Center, Phoenix. Total spring moth emergence was similar for all 3 populations—between 0.30–0.33% for the samples buried at 20 cm. Yuma larvae buried at 5 cm exhibited a survival rate 3 times higher than those buried at 20 cm. Irrigation on Dec. 10 was detrimental to Yuma and Marana larvae; Feb. 19 irrigation reduced survival of all 3 groups. Moth emergence was stimulated by a spring irrigation on Mar. 26. One month following burial of Safford bolls, only 51.9% of the original larvae were recovered. By May 18, occurrence of larvae in bolls decreased to 0.4%.
Abstract B6: Vegetable and fruit intakes and risk of Barrett’s esophagus in men and women

Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008 B6 Background Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). Modifiable risk factors for BE are largely unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if vegetable and fruit intakes were associated with BE risk. Design In a case-control study based in western Washington State, we compared the vegetable and fruit intakes of 170 patients newly diagnosed with BE to those of 182 controls from the general population. Relationships between vegetable and fruit intakes and BE were examined using unconditional logistic regression to compute odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Participants in the second and third tertiles of vegetable intake appeared to be at lowered BE risk (multivariate-adjusted OR=0.40 (95% CI=0.22, 0.74); OR=0.35 (95% CI=0.18, 0.70) respectively; Ptrend=0.047) compared to participants in the first tertile of vegetable intake. Similarly, participants in the second and third tertiles of combined vegetable and fruit intake were at lowered BE risk (multivariate-adjusted OR=0.53 (95% CI=0.29, 0.96); OR=0.47 (95% CI=0.24, 0.93) respectively; Ptrend=0.094) compared to participants in the first tertile of vegetable and fruit intake. Similar results were obtained in subanalyses limited to BE cases with visible and with long-segment BE. Conclusions Data from our study support that increased intakes of vegetables and vegetables and fruits are associated with lowered risks of BE in men and women. Prospective data that examine relationships between diet and BE are needed. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B6.
Functionality of host proteins in Cucumber mosaic virus replication: GAPDH is obligatory to promote interaction between replication-associated proteins

Here, we evaluated the role of two host proteins, a Bromo domain containing RNA binding protein (BRP1) and Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), in the replication of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). LC-MS/MS analysis of host/viral proteins pull down against BRP1 from CMV-infected plants co-infiltrated with BRP1-FLAG agroconstruct identified that BRP1 specifically interacts with a ten amino acid motif (843-SPQDVVPLVR-852) encompassing the helicase domain of replicase protein p1a. The interaction between BRP1 and p1a was subsequently confirmed using a BiFC assay. Among fourteen other host proteins identified to interact with BRP1 during CMV infection, six were found to block accumulation of viral progeny in Arabidopsis thaliana lines defective in each of these host proteins. Additional BiFC assays followed by trans-complementation assays identified that plant lines defective in the expression of GAPDH blocked CMV replication by interfering with p1a:p2a interaction. Distinct roles of BRP1 and GAPDH in the replication of CMV are discussed.
Multi-Megawatt Gyrotron Design Study

AbstractElectron cyclotron radiation has been successfully used in present day tokamaks for plasma heating and current drive. The direction of future tokamak research in these areas is toward higher injected ECRH power levels. Resonant magnetic fields in future devices (5T in ITER), and consequently the resonant frequencies, are only a about a factor of two greater than in existing ECRH experiments (DIII-D, T-10). Studies will be presented that indicate 5–10 MW of ECRH power can be efficiently generated with gyrotron oscillators. We suggest that short pulse experiments are possible in the near term to investigate multi-megawatt gyrotron operation and guide CW gyrotron development.