cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fractal nature of electrical conductivity in ion-implanted polymers.

The electrical-conductivity and current-transient data for ion-implanted polymers are explained in terms of a percolative phase transition from an insulating state to trap-controlled hopping conduction on a backbone cluster. The value of the critical exponent s' for electrical conductivity versus the fluence ranges from \ensuremath{\sim}4 to 5, consistent with the fractal behavior in the vicinity of the phase transition. The percolative stabilization of radicals is suggested as a reason for the sharp increase in the unpaired spin concentration within the damage structures, recorded by the ESR measurements. A scaling relation between the free spin concentration and ESR linewidth, including an exponent ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathrm{min}}$ [\ensuremath{\sim}1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 for poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide)] is established. The change in s', as a function of ion energy, is connected with the crossover between nuclear and electronic energy transfer. The one-dimensional character of the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity is related to the links connecting the groups of traps. The contribution of dangling bonds is suggested as a reason for the lagging of the percolation threshold in the conductivity measurements, as compared to ESR. The fractal exponent \ensuremath{\alpha} of the dielectric relaxation is measured versus fluence from the current transients (\ensuremath{\alpha} between 0.22 and 0.85). A sharp increase in the real part of the dielectric constant at low frequencies is observed, as expected for fractals.
Mesolensing: High-Probability Lensing without Large Optical Depth

In a variety of astronomical situations, there is a relatively high probability that a single isolated lens will produce a detectable event. The high probability is caused by some combination of a large Einstein angle, fast angular motion, and a dense background field. We refer to high-probability lenses as "mesolenses." Planetary and stellar masses located within 1-2 kpc are examples of mesolenses. We show that their presence can be detected against a wide variety of background fields, using signatures of both time variability and spatial effects. Time signatures can be identical to those of microlensing, but can also include baseline jitter, extreme apparent chromaticity, photometric events well fit by lens models in which several independent sources are simultaneously lensed, and sequences of events. Spatial signatures include sequential astrometric lensing of surface brightness fluctuations, as well as patterns of time variability that sweep across the background field as the lens moves. Wide-field monitoring programs, such as Pan-STARRS and LSST, are well suited to the study of nearby masses. In addition, targeted high-resolution observations of the region behind a known mass traveling across a dense background field can use lensing effects to measure the lens mass and study its multiplicity.
Prices of Highway Resurfacing Projects in Economic Downturn: Lessons Learned and Strategies Forward

AbstractIt was observed that economic downturns were typically associated with oil price shocks. Based on historical construction data from highway resurfacing projects in Kentucky, this paper investigates the relationship between oil price, Kentucky diesel price index (KDPI), Kentucky asphalt price index (KAPI), and construction cost of highway resurfacing projects. It was found that the bidding price of a commonly used asphalt mixture was significantly affected by four factors: KDPI, KAPI, number of bidders, and a recession factor primarily attributable to the “sticky prices” effect. The KDPI and KAPI can be estimated from the oil price by regression models. The sensitivity of the asphalt mixture and resurfacing project costs to oil price variation was analyzed. On the basis of the analysis result, it is suggested that the highway agencies may avoid the oil price peak typically preceding a recession and take advantage of the oil price plunge after the recession starts. However, in the long run, the agen...
Stop codas in Old Chinese and Proto Sino-Tibetan: A lexical diffusion analysis

Reconstruction studies of Old Chinese (OC hereafter) and Proto Sino-Tibetan (PST hereafter) have yielded numerous significant discoveries related to the phonological histories of these two ancient languages. Despite recent advancements into OC and PST phonological histories, a few mysteries remain yet unsolved. One such mystery, the ‘stop coda’ problem, is as hotly debated now as it was when it was first raised seventy years ago. This long-running debate focuses on the existence and identity of the ‘stop codas’ in OC and in its parent language, PST. One reason why this debate has failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion is that the reconstruction methodology is limited, which assumes the Neogrammarian law of sound change. This law holds that sound change occurs without exception in every form that meets the structural description. Although this law applies to many sound changes in myriad world languages, it is not the only possible pathway of sound change. In this paper, I will argue that the key to the ‘stop-coda’ problem of OC belongs to another sound change type — lexical diffusion.The organization of the paper is as follows. In Part One, I will introduce the background of the debate over the ‘stop codas’ in OC. Part Two reviews previous opposing analyses of the ‘stop coda’ debate. Part Three details my proposal for a lexical diffusion analysis of the ‘stop coda’ problem based on internal evidence in Chinese. Part Four investigates the problem using the Comparative Method based on external evidence from Tibetan and loan words from Chinese to Sino-Japanese. In Part Five, I will present my solution to the ‘stop coda’ problem, which is based on the analysis in the two preceding sections. Finally, in Part Six, I will discuss the general methodology of phonological reconstruction in light of the sound change mechanism.
Presence of the dinosaur Scelidosaurus indicates Jurassic age for the Kayenta Formation (Glen Canyon Group, northern Arizona)

The Glen Canyon Group (Moenave, Wingate, Kayenta and Navajo Formations) of northern Arizona represents an extensive outcrop of early Mesozoic age terrestrial sediments. The age of these formations has long been disputed because independent stratigraphic data from marine tie-ins, paleobotanical and palynological evidence, and radiometric calibrations have been scanty or absent. The fauna of the Kayenta Formation in particular has been problematic because it has appeared to contain both typical Late Triassic and Early Jurassic taxa Here I report that the principal evidence for Late Triassic taxa, dermal scutes previously assigned to an aetosaur, in fact belongs to the thyreophoran ornithischian dinosaur Scelidosaurus , previously known only as a washed-in form found in marine sediments in the Early Jurassic of England. The presence of this dinosaur represents the first vertebrate biostratigraphic tie-in of the Glen Canyon Group horizons with reliably dated marine deposits in Europe. Together with revised systematic assessments of other vertebrates and independent evidence from fossil pollen, it supports an Early Jurassic age for the Kayenta Formation and most or all of the Glen Canyon Group.
On the Reliability of the Rank Histogram

Abstract Ensemble consistency is a name for the condition that an observation being forecast by a dynamical ensemble is statistically indistinguishable from the ensemble members. This statistical indistinguishability condition is meaningful only in a multivariate sense. That is, it pertains to the joint distribution of the ensemble members and the observation. The rank histogram has been designed to assess overall ensemble consistency, but mistakenly employing it to assess only restricted aspects of this joint distribution (e.g., the climatological distribution) leads to the incorrect conclusion that the verification rank histogram is not a useful diagnostic for good behavior of ensemble forecasts. The potential confusion is analyzed in the context of an idealized multivariate Gaussian model of forecast ensembles and their corresponding observations, and it is shown that the rank histogram does correctly assess the consistency of forecast ensembles.
Localization of proline receptors involved in regulating nematocyst discharge

At least two distinct classes of chemoreceptor are known to regulate nematocyst discharge in sea anemones. One class of receptor binds N-acetylated sugars and the other class binds certain amino compounds including the imino acid, proline. Previously, receptors for N-acetylated sugars were localized using colloidal gold conjugates of bovine submaxillary mucin. The sugar receptors are known to cycle by receptor-mediated endocytosis from the apical surface of supporting cells. In this study, colloidal gold conjugates of polyproline were used to determine the distribution of proline receptors. We find that polyproline-gold, like mucin-gold, localizes to the apical surface of supporting cells. Binding of polyproline-gold to supporting cells is blocked by excess free polyproline or free proline. After appearing at the cell surface, polyproline-gold enters endosomes, followed by multivesicular bodies. To test for possible artifact due to colloidal gold, trafficking of cationized ferritin (CF) was monitored in the presence of proline. CF appears at the cell surface, followed by endosomes, multivesicular bodies, and lysosomes. Some evidence is presented that proline receptors are sorted from N-acetylated sugar receptors in endosomes. We propose that receptor-mediated endocytosis functions in anemone tentacles to enhance the temporal resolution of chemosensing. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Female with rash, acute kidney failure and rheumatoid arthritis

This case describes a 42-year-old female with longstanding history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Felty syndrome (FS). She presented with acute renal kidney failure, skin rash and hemoptysis. A clinical suspicion of small vessel vasculitis (SVV) was thought, serology was also positive for various markers of SVV. However, these serology markers could be false-positive in a patient of rheumatoid arthritis. A renal biopsy was performed that led to the final diagnosis of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Patient was managed according to the standard guidelines for therapy (plasmafiltration and immunosuppression). It is challenging to manage a patient of RA, in the presence of Felty syndrome-related granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Patient initially showed signs of improvement, but finally succumbed to complications of therapy. The case provides insight into the diagnosis and management of such cases.
Programmed-temperture split-splitless injection of triglycerides: Comparison to cold on-column injection

The performance of split and splitless programmed-temperature (PTV) injection is compared to cold on-column and hot (classical) split injection for the analysis of triglycerides on an apolar capillary gas chromatographic column. Quantitative accuracy and precision of PTV injection are determined for a synthetic mixture of triglycerides relative to cold on-column injection.
Economic Well-Being in a Youth Cohort

Using multiple regression analysis on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the author found that the level of economic well-being varied by sex and race or ethnicity. Education, hours worked, and marital status were the most consistent predictors of economic well-being, depending on the sex and race or ethnicity of respondents in 1992 and 1985, and self-esteem was also a consistent predictor among Hispanic men and White women in 1992. Nonetheless, the influence of education on economic well-being declined between 1985 and 1992 for all groups except White women, while the influence of hours worked declined for all groups except Hispanic women and Black men. The findings provided empirical evidence for the reported generalized anxiety in regard to people's ability to influence their economic well-being.
W1nd and Current Effects on Large-Scale Oil Slicks

The relative effect of local winds and near-surface currents in determining the movement of oil slicks in coastal and shelf waters was determined from 39 surveys by Raydist-equipped helicopters during the Main Pass 41C spill off the Mississippi Delta in March 1970. Orientation of oil slicks is closely controlled by local wind direction; slicks usually form 10 deg-40 deg to the right of the wind. An easily utilized regression model for slick area and orientation as a function of wind velocity and local conditions is also presented.
Vertebrate extracellular calcium-sensing receptor evolution: selection in relation to life history and habitat.

Ionic calcium (Ca(2+)) supports essential functions within physiological systems, and consequently its concentration is homeostatically regulated within narrow bounds in the body fluids of animals through endocrine effects at ion-transporting osmoregulatory tissues. In vertebrates, extracellular Ca(2+) is detected at the cell surface by the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Interestingly, the taxonomic distribution of CaSRs is restricted to vertebrates, with some CaSR-like receptors apparently present in non-vertebrate chordates. Since bone is a known Ca(2+) storage site and is characteristically restricted to the vertebrate lineage, we hypothesized a functional association of CaSR with vertebrate skeleton that may have an ancient origin. Protein sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate CaSRs and related GPCRs of the glutamate receptor-like family expose similarities and indel differences among these receptors, and reveal the evolutionary history of CaSRs. Evolutionary selection was tested statistically by evaluating the relationship between non-synonymous (replacement, dN) versus synonymous (silent, dS) amino acid substitution rates (as dN/dS) of protein-coding DNA sequences among branches of the estimated protein phylogeny. On a background of strong purifying selection (dN/dS 1) was detected on some branches to major clades in the CaSR phylogeny, especially to the tetrapod vertebrate CaSRs and chordate CaSR-like branches. Testing also revealed overall purifying selection at the codon level. At some sites relaxation from strong purifying selection was seen, but evidence for adaptive evolution was not detected for individual sites. The results suggest purifying selection of CaSRs, and of adaptive evolution among some major vertebrate clades, reflecting clade specific differences in natural history and organismal biology, including skeletal involvement in calcium homeostasis.
Psychological factors in eyewitness identifications

Abstract It has been suggested that incorrect eyewitness identifications have led to more miscarriages of justice than all other factors combined. Several issues which are likely to affect the accuracy of eyewitness identifications are discussed. Research on the impact of race on identifications has illustrated an “own-race bias” in identification accuracy, but it is not yet clear to what extent this bias is related to racial prejudice or amount of cross-racial experience. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has suggested that eyewitnesses who are more certain of their identifications are more likely to be correct, research on this issue has yielded mixed results. Because of its fallible nature, some writers have argued that eyewitness evidence should be used sparingly or not at all in the judicial process. Other suggestions highlight procedures for minimizing bias and providing legal safeguards for the suspect during the identification process, or educating jurors about the potential fallibility of eyewitness evidence by means of judge's cautionary jury instructions or by the use of researchers as expert witnesses. Controversial issues concerning researchers as expert witnesses are discussed.
Evaluating Assistive Technology in the Education of Persons with Severe Disabilities

This commentary includes a brief discussion of issues raised by the articles and systematic review contained in this special issue addressing technology applications for persons with severe developmental disabilities. Topical areas include a discussion of; (1) a need to compare “high tech” with “low tech” applications, (2) procedural fidelity, (3) collateral effects associated with intervention, (4) the conditional use of newly established behavior, (5) response efficiency and contextual fit, and (6) treatment intensity.
Configuration interaction studies on the electronic states of the CUO molecule

Relativistic multireference configuration interaction calculations are carried out on the low-lying electronic states of the CUO molecule at linear geometries. The results of these and previous CUO calculations are discussed on the basis of the natures of these states and the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of computing electronic structure. We find the state, at its minimum geometry, to be 0.17 eV lower then the 3Φ2 state at its minimum energy geometry. The principal term of the state is 82.1% of the wave function with no large secondary terms. The principal term of the 3Φ2 state is 70.8% of the wave function with a secondary 3Δ2 term being 11.6% of the wave function. Calculations on CUO(Ar) at previously optimised geometries give the lowest state as 1 A′.
Bias-dependent noise up-conversion factor in HBT oscillators

This paper reports on the low-frequency noise up-conversion process in HBTs and their contributions to the close-in carrier phase noise of the HBT based oscillators. The experimental results of an HBT oscillator at 5.6 GHz demonstrate that the low-frequency noise up-conversion factor is primarily a function of the transistor's phase variation to its quiescent point. Thus, in addition to the transistor's noise parameters of f/sub c/ and N/sub F/, the phase sensitivity to the bias point provides another important transistor parameter in design of low phase noise oscillators. This concept can also be extended to oscillators based on other devices, such as BJT's, MESFET's and HEMT's. >
Supplier‐buyer contracting: Asymmetric cost information and cutoff level policy for buyer participation

We consider the problem of designing a contract to maximize the supplier's profit in a one-supplier–one-buyer relationship for a short-life-cycle product. Demand for the finished product is stochastic and price-sensitive, and only its probability distribution is known when the supply contract is written. When the supplier has complete information on the marginal cost of the buyer, we show that several simple contracts can induce the buyer to choose order quantity that attains the single firm profit maximizing solution, resulting in the maximum possible profit for the supplier. When the marginal cost of the buyer is private information, we show that it is no longer possible to achieve the single firm solution. In this case, the optimal order quantity is always smaller while the optimal sale price of the finished product is higher than the single firm solution. The supplier's profit is lowered while that of the buyer is improved. Moreover, a buyer who has a lower marginal cost will extract more profit from the supplier. Under the optimal contract, the supplier employs a cutoff level policy on the buyer's marginal cost to determine whether the buyer should be induced to sign the contract. We characterize the optimal cutoff level and show how it depends on the parameters of the problem. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 48: 41–64, 2001
Stability analysis of interacting queues in the ALOHA systems

In this work we consider the finite user, infinite buffer slotted ALOHA system and analytically extend the known bounds for its stability region. The technique employed consists of expressing the stability region in terms of certain status probabilities and then solving for the status probabilities by employing results from the analysis of dependent queues and that of Markov Chains.
Spinal Mechanisms in the Control of Lamprey Swimming

SYNOPSIS. The lamprey, an anguilliform fish, swims using lateral undulatory movement; a transverse wave passes backward, from head to tail, the amplitude of the wave increasing as it moves tailward. The wave of muscle activity producing this movement travels down the body faster than the mechanical wave. The way in which certain features of anguilliform movement contribute to its efficiency have been described. The neural activity underlying swimming is characterized by: 1) rhythmical alternation between the two sides of a single segment; 2) a burst duration that remains a constant proportion of the cycle time and is independent of the cycle frequency; 3) rostrocaudal phase lag that is constant and also independent of the cycle frequency. Local circuits in the lamprey spinal cord can generate this locomotory pattern in the absence of sensory feedback following activation of excitatory amino acid receptors; the pattern is centrally generated. It has been hypothesized that the spinal central pattern generator for locomotion consists of a series of segmental burst generators coupled together by an intersegmental coordinating system. The intersegmental coordinating system functions to keep the frequencies of the oscillators along the cord constant and to provide the appropriate rostrocaudal phase lag. Mechanosensitive units within the spinal cord are sensitive to movement of the spinal cord\notochord and movement of the spinal cord/notochord can entrain the burst pattern. Entrainment occurs through movement-related feedback onto neurons at the local level. The possible roles this movement-related feedback plays during locomotion are discussed.
Noncommutative cross-ratios

We present a definition and discuss basic properties of cross-ratios over noncommutative skew-fields.
Inverse design model for radiative heat transfer

Inverse solution techniques are applied to the design of heat transfer systems where radiation is important. Various solutions using inverse methods are demonstrated, and it is argued that inverse design techniques provide an alternative to conventional iterative design methods that is more accurate and faster, and can provide a greatly improved first estimate of a thermal design. This estimate can then he used as a trial design in more complete thermal analysis programs for predicting system behavior, eliminating many faulty first design trials
Microindentation of titanium: Dependence of plastic energy on the indentation depth and time-dependent plastic deformation

The cavity model and the dislocation mechanics were used to analyze the plastic energy dissipated in an indentation deformation. The plastic energy dissipated in an indentation cycle was proportional to the cube of the residual indentation depth. The experimental results supported the analysis for the indentation of commercially pure titanium by a Vickers indenter. Slip bands around the indentation were observed, suggesting that the indentation deformation was controlled by dislocation motion. The indentation hardness decreased with the indentation load, showing the indentation size effect. The ratio of the total energy to the plastic energy was found to be proportional to the ratio of the maximum indentation depth to the residual indentation depth. The effects of holding time were examined on the time-dependent plastic deformation of the commercially pure titanium at ambient temperature.
On water seepage and fast preferential flow in heterogeneous,unsaturated rock fractures

Abstract Evidence from a number of field sites suggests that water seepage through fractured unsaturated zones may proceed, in part, by means of fast preferential flow paths. This paper presents conceptual and numerical models which aim at developing an understanding of water seepage behavior in such media, and exploring conditions for fast preferential flow. Water seepage has been numerically simulated in heterogeneous fractures, which were conceptualized as two-dimensional heterogeneous porous media. Flow was found to proceed in dendritic patterns along preferential paths, giving rise to such features as localized ponding and bypassing. Fast preferential flow can occur from `external' (non-uniform boundary conditions) or `internal' mechanisms (heterogeneities), or a combination thereof. A most effective condition for fast preferential flow is the presence of sub-horizontal barriers of significant length. Limited parameter variation studies have shown strong dependence of seepage patterns on fracture permeability and applied flow rate. The temporal evolution of seeps proceeds on a vast range of time scales. This casts doubt on the applicability of steady-state concepts for water migration in unsaturated zones of fractured rock where infiltration is episodic. An approximate invariance of seepage behavior was derived for simultaneous space-and-time scaling, suggesting that seepage patterns should appear more vertically elongated as the scale of observation is increased. Numerical simulation experiments have confirmed this invariance, as well as its limits of applicability.
Neuroimaging of retinal nerve fiber layer in AD using optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used for the management of diseases affecting the eye. It has the ability to measure the thickness of the nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the retina. OCT is similar to ultrasound, but utilizes light. Unlike ultrasound, there is no tissue contact. OCT measures structures less …
Measuring and Managing the Benefits of Customer Retention An Empirical Investigation

Past research on the benefits of customer retention (BCR) has been characterized by the lack of a psychometrically adequate criterion. Research has primarily operationalized the BCR by using only r...
Conduit diameter and drought‐induced embolism in Salvia mellifera Greene (Labiatae)

SUMMARY The relationship between conduit (vessel and tracheid) diameter and water-stress-induced air embolism was examined using a double staining technique. Comparisons were made between irrigated control plants at water potentials of −13 MPa and water stressed plants at about −8 MPa. Water stress was induced either by natural drought conditions or by laboratory drying of shoots from previously irrigated shrubs. Stem segments were perfused with 0.1 % basic fuchsin to mark the initially conductive conduits, and, following high pressure perfusion of 10 DIM citric acid to remove embolisms, with 0.1% alcian blue to mark the initially embolized conduits. Hydraulic conductance per pressure gradient (kh) was measured before and after embolisms were removed. Diameters of non-embolized and embolized conduits were then measured microscopically in transverse stem sections. In irrigated controls there was little embolism and mean diameters were not significantly different for embolized SM. non-emboltzed conduits. For both artificially dehydrated and naturally droughted plants there was a 91% drop in kh due to embolism, and the mean diameter of embolized conduits was about 30 μm vs. 21 μm vs for non-embolized conduits. With increasing conduit diameter there was an increased probability of embolism. Wider conduits may have larger pores in their pit membranes, thus increasing their vulnerability to water-stress-induced embolism. Alternatively, wider conduits may merely have more pits, thus increasing their statistical chances of having a particularly large pore in an air-exposed pit membrane. Narrow vessels and tracheids provide an interwoven auxiliary transport system that appears to be of importance to transport when many of the wider, more efficient conduits become embolized.
Softening of Membrane Bilayers by Detergents Elucidated by Deuterium NMR Spectroscopy

Material properties of lipid bilayers were studied on the mesoscopic scale using deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The fluid phase of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) was compared with DMPC containing a nonionic detergent as an additive. Order parameter profiles were obtained from the deuterium NMR spectra of DMPC having perdeuterated acyl chains (DMPC-d54). A reduction of the order parameters of DMPC-d54 in the presence of the detergent octaethyleneglycol-mono-n-dodecyl ether (C12E8) was observed, consistent with an increased configurational freedom of the phospholipid acyl chains. Relaxation rates and were measured and spectral densities Jm(mω0) where m = 1,2 were calculated from the combined relaxation results. Profiles of the observables, i.e., order parameters, relaxation rates, and spectral densities were interpreted within the framework of a new composite membrane deformation model, which describes characteristic properties of the membrane in terms of a continuum ...
Fluorescence characteristics of photoautotrophic soybean cells.

We report here the first measurements on chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence characteristics of photoautotrophic soybean cells (cell lines SB-P and SBI-P). The cell fluorescence is free from severe distortion problems encountered in higher plant leaves. Chl a fluorescence spectra at 77 K show, after correction for the spectral sensitivity of the photomultiplier and the emission monochromator, peaks at 688, 696 and 745 nm, representing antenna systems of photosystem II-CP43 and CP47, and photosystem I, respectively. Calculations, based on the complementary area over the Chl a fluorescence induction curve, indicated a ratio of 6 of the mobile plastoquinone (including QB) to the primary stable electron acceptor, the bound plastoquinone QA. A ratio of one between the secondary stable electron acceptor, bound plastoquinone QB, and its reduced form QB- was obtained by using a double flash technique. Owing to this ratio, the flash number dependence of the Chl a fluorescence showed a distinct period of four, implying a close relationship to the ‘S’ state of the oxygen evolution mechanism. Analysis of the QA- reoxidation kinetics showed (1) the halftime of each of the major decay components (∼ 300 μs fast and ∼ 30 ms slow) increases with the increase of diuron and atrazine concentrations; and (2) the amplitudes of the fast and the slow components change in a complementary fashion, the fast component disappearing at high concentrations of the inhibitors. This implies that the inhibitors used are able to totally displace QB. In intact soybean cells, the relative amplitude of the 30 ms to 300 μs component is higher (40:60) than that in spinach chloroplasts (30:70), implying a larger contribution of the centers with unbound QB. SB-P and SBI-P soybean cells display a slightly different sensitivity of QA- decay to inhibitors.
Relative value of solvent and expeller soybean meal for lactating dairy cows.

Nitrogen solubility and enzymatic and rumen in vitro degradabilities indicated protein from expeller soybean meal was more resistant to ruminal degradation than that from solvent soybean meal. This was confirmed in Trial 1 by reduced rumen ammonia and branched-chain volatile fatty acids, and by 64% more supplemental protein escaping the rumen when cows were fed expeller soybean meal. In Trial 2, rations supplemented with either solvent or expeller soybean meal, averaging 16.4% protein, were fed to 12 cows in a crossover study. Production averaged 35.3 kg/d but was not influenced by diet. A small but significant improvement in milk to feed ratio occurred with expeller soybean meal. In Trial 3, four sources of protein were fed to 20 cows in a 4 x 4 Latin square: 6.3% solvent, 4.1% expeller (plus .3% urea), 10.0% solvent, or 6.6% expeller soybean meal. Production of milk and milk components was similar on the diets containing 6.3 and 6.6% soybean meal, intermediate on 10.0% solvent, and least on the expeller-urea diet. Milk to feed was equal and greatest on diets containing 6.6% expeller and 10.0% solvent soybean meal, indicating comparable utilization of the expeller diet containing only 60% as much supplemental protein.
Circular rDNA Replicons Persist in Tetrahymena thermophila Transformants Synthesizing GGGGTC Telomeric Repeats

Site-directed mutagenesis of the telomerase RNA from Tetrahymena thermophila was used previously to demonstrate the templating function of a sequence within this RNA; this sequence specifies the sequence of telomeric DNA in vivo. The possible functional importance of a phylogenetically conserved nucleotide outside the telomerase RNA template region was investigated by a similar experimental approach. The telomerase RNA gene was altered by site-directed mutagenesis, cloned in a circular selectable transformation vector consisting of an rRNA gene carrying a selectable drug resistance marker, and introduced into macronuclei of vegetatively dividing Tetrahymena thermophila by microinjection. Changing an invariant A to U at position 16 of the telomerase RNA (A16U) had no effect detectable by phenotype on telomerase function in vivo. However these experiments showed that a telomerase template alteration that dictates the synthesis of the mutant telomeric DNA sequence GGGGTC leads to a profound change in the population of rDNA replicons. The addition of GGGGTC mutant repeats leads to selective pressure for the loss of high copy linear rDNA, and the rRNA genes are maintained in the form of the circular rDNA replicons introduced during transformation.
Multifaceted responses to two major parasites in the honey bee (Apis mellifera)

The recent declines in managed honey bee populations are of scientific, ecological and economic concern, and are partially attributed to honey bee parasites and related disease. McDonnell et al. investigate behavioral, chemical and neurogenomic effects of parasitization by the ectoparasite Varroa destructor and the endoparasite Nosema ceranae. The study reveals important links between underlying mechanisms of immunity and parasitization in social insects by demonstrating that chemical signals and neurogenomic states are significantly different between parasitized and non-parasitized honey bees, and that neurogenomic states are partially conserved between bees infected with distinct parasites. However the study does not reveal whether differences measured are primarily the result of adaptive host responses or of manipulation of the honey bee host by the parasites and/or confounding viral loads of parasitized individuals. Questions answered and raised by McDonnell et al. will lead to an improved understanding of honey bee health and, more generally, host-parasite interactions.
Development and testing of a multi-level chevron actuator based positioning system

We present the design, fabrication, and testing of a micro-scale positioning system. The SUMMiT V™ processed design allows an in-plane, bi-directional, micron-scale linear motion of a shuttle using a ratcheting mechanism and multilayered chevron actuators. A single latching system with oppositely faced ratchet teeth on either side of the shuttle is used for achieving the actuation. The design is intended to reduce the footprint and number of electrical connections needed, compared to similar devices. A LabVIEW based optical characterization setup was developed for automated testing of the device. The device produced a maximum displacement of ~180μm.
Prognosis in dislocations of the shoulder.

1. Five hundred shoulders in a series of 488 patients, with a follow-up study on 313 shoulders (63 per cent), are reviewed relative to prognosis. 2. The study included patients treated over the past twenty years, with a mean follow-up period of 4.8 years. 3. In 38 per cent of the patients the dislocation recurred. 4. Primary shoulder dislocations were found to occur as frequently after forty-five years of age as before forty-five. 5. The incidence of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder was very high in the second decade (92 per cent), but showed marked decrease after age fifty (12 per cent). 6. The age of the patient at the time of the primary shoulder dislocation was the most significant single prognostic factor. 7. Throughout this study, the average age of those patients in whom redislocation did not occur was greater than in those in whom dislocation did recur. 8. Various phases of trauma in relation to dislocations were reviewed. Usually the greater the initial injury, the lower was the incidence of recurrence. 9. Fracture of the shoulder girdle was a complication in 24 per cent. The incidence of fracture of the greater tuberosity was 15 per cent. This complication was accompanied by an appreciable lowering of the incidence of recurrence (7 per cent). The exception was in chip fractures of the anterior glenoid rim. 10. Humeral-head defects were present in 38 per cent of the primary dislocations and in 57 per cent of recurrent dislocations. These were associated with an increase in the incidence of recurrence (82 per cent). 11. From our figures, the incidence of recurrence seemed to be affectd very little by the type and length of immobilization of the shoulder following dislocation. Although a high incidence of recurrence was noted in the group of patients for whom where was no immobilization or for whom there were very short periods of immobilization, long periods of immobilization were not associated with a significant decrease in recurrence. 12. The incidence of recurrent dislocation relative to handedness was not significant. 13. Following primary or initial dislocation, 70 per cent of the dislocations which recurred did so within two years. 14. Following operative procedures for the repair of recurrent shoulder dislocation, 52 per cent recurred within two years after operation. 15. The incidence of posterior dislocation was 2 per cent. 16. The incidence of bilateral dislocation was 2.4 per cent. 17. The incidence of associated nerve injury was 5.4 per cent. 18. The incidence of epileptics with shoulder dislocations was 2 per cent.
Maternal exposure to indole-3-carbinol during pregnancy and biomarkers of breast cancer risk among female rat offspring

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 696 Maternal diet during pregnancy can have a permanent impact on offspring's later susceptibility to various diseases, including breast cancer. We investigated here, by utilizing an animal model, whether a maternal dietary exposure during pregnancy to 2,000 ppm indole-3-carbinol (I3C), present in cruciferous vegetables, impacts biological end-points that are associated with altered breast cancer risk among offspring. The end-points were mammary gland morphology, cell proliferation, and expression of genes in the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway that regulate mammary stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, were assessed when the offspring were 3- and 9-weeks of age. The number of terminal end buds (TEBs); i.e., the mammary structures that give rise to malignant mammary tumors, was significantly reduced in the rats exposed to I3C in utero , when compared to controls (p = 0.003). Further, cell proliferation was reduced in the lobules (p = 0.011), ducts (p = 0.038) and TEBs (p = 0.043), and cyclin D1 mRNA was down-regulated (p<0.008) in these rats. No changes in the estrogen receptor α or BRCA1 were noted. However, tumor suppressor gene APC mRNA was significantly down-regulated (p = 0.026), and in agreement with this finding, nuclear localization of β-catenin was increased in lobules (p = 0.036) in the in utero I3C exposed rats. Together, these data suggest that in utero I3C exposure is protective against breast cancer, but further research, including studying changes in susceptibility to mammary tumorigenesis (a study currently in progress), is necessary to confirm or refute this conclusion.
Lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis

Lung transplantation is a well accepted treatment for end-stage cystic fibrosis. Despite these successes, many cystic fibrosis patients die awaiting lung transplantation, primarily because of the lack of donor organs. As a result, appropriate allocation of donor organs is necessary to maximize the s
Troponin I-Interacting Protein Kinase:– A Novel Cardiac-Specific Kinase, Emerging as a Molecular Target for the Treatment of Cardiac Disease –

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In patients with acute coronary syndromes, timely and effective myocardial reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention is the primary treatment of choice to minimize the ischemic injury and limit the size of the myocardial infarction (MI). However, reperfusion can itself promote cardiomyocyte death, which leads to cardiac dysfunction via reperfusion injury. The molecular mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury are not completely understood and new drug targets are needed. Recently, we reported that cardiac troponin I-interacting protein kinase (TNNI3K), a cardiomyocyte-specific kinase, promotes IR injury via profound oxidative stress, thereby promoting cardiomyocyte death. By using novel genetic animal models and newly developed small-molecule TNNI3K inhibitors, we demonstrated that TNNI3K-mediated IR injury occurs through impaired mitochondrial function and is in part dependent on p38 MAPK. Here we discuss the emerging role of TNNI3K as a promising new drug target to limit IR-induced myocardial injury. We will also examine the underlying mechanisms that drive the profoundly reduced infarct size in mice in whichTNNI3Kis specifically deleted in cardiomyocytes. Because TNNI3K is a cardiac-specific kinase, it could be an ideal molecular target, as inhibiting it would have little or no effect on other organ systems, a serious problem associated with the use of kinase inhibitors targeting kinases that are more widely expressed.
Population Fluctuations of Mast-Eating Rodents Are Correlated with Production of Acorns

I used a 14-year dataset on dynamics of mast-consuming rodents from an eastern deciduous forest to determine the relationship between population fluctuations of white-footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus ), deer mice ( P. maniculatus ), and eastern chipmunks ( Tamias stria-tus ) and production of acorn mast. Mast (acorn) production was episodic with four excellent crops produced in 14 years. Densities of rodents in summer ranged from 3 to 103 animals/ha and correlated positively with production of mast the previous autumn (all r 2 > 0.56). During years of high production of mast, stores of acorn lasted throughout winter, whereas in most years, acorns were gone by January. During years of high production of mast, mice bred all winter, which resulted in high densities the following summer. Episodic production of mast and resulting fluctuations in consumers of mast have implications for the predator-satiation hypothesis and other community processes.
Global Epidemiology of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Perspectives on US Minority Populations

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical syndrome predicted to be the next global epidemic affecting millions of people worldwide. The natural course of this disease including its subtype, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is not clearly defined especially in the African-American segment of the US population.
Determination Of Aluminum Coordination Environments In Amorphous AI2O3 By Solid State Nmr Spectroscopy

It previously has been difficult to probe the localized coordination environment of aluminum atoms in amorphous alumina samples by solid state NMR spectroscopy. Such an in situ technique has benefits in probing the structure of the material and monitoring the evolution of the microstructural development during thermal processing. The recent developments of more sophisticated NMR techniques by Pines, et al. , specifically devised for treatment of problems unique to the solid state spectroscopy of quadrupolar nuclei, have permitted a glimpse into these Materials. As a result of applying these experimental techniques to new materials systems, a better understanding of the solid state structure of amorphous aluminas derived from polymer pyrolysis has emerged. Correlations between the onset and completion of crystallization and the localized structure may now be possible.
The effect of initial reward on the rate of reacquisition

A 2 by 2 factorial design, using 40 rats in a runway, was employed to investigate the effect of initial reward on the rate of reacquisition following an interpolated nonreward training. The reacquisition rates were found to be significantly faster for the groups when the reward was the same in the initial and reacquisition phases (transfer shift) than when it was different (nontransfer shift). In the nontransfer shift condition, there was a tendency for the group with a gain in stimulus intensity (V) to adjust the reacquisition asymptotic level faster than did the group with a loss in V.
100 MW and above generator protection operational analysis from 1998 to 2002

The operation situation of 100 MW and above generator protection from 1998 to 2002 is introduced,focusing on the protections of low correct operation rate,such as differential pro-tection,inter-turn protection,stator earthing protection and negative sequence current protection. The existing problems are summarized by example analysis and the responsibility analysis is carried out for the generator incorrect operations. It is aimed to improve the performance and operational level of generator protection by exchanging the experience and information.
Continuation Semantics in Typed Lambda-Calculi (Summary)

This paper reports preliminary work on the semantics of the continuation transform. Previous work on the semantics of continuations has concentrated on untyped lambda-calculi and has used primarily the mechanism of inclusive predicates. Such predicates are easy to understand on atomic values, but they become obscure on functional values. In the case of the typed lambda-calculus, we show that such predicates can be replaced by retractions. The main theorem states that the meaning of a closed term is a retraction of the meaning of the corresponding continuationized term.
Myocutaneous Flaps in Genitourinary Oncology

AbstractBetween January 1983 and September 1992, 32 myocutaneous flaps were fashioned in 28 patients for reconstruction following treatment of genitourinary malignancies or complex pelvic fistulas. Of the myocutaneous flaps 14 were used to obtain primary soft tissue coverage of large but otherwise uncomplicated wounds and 10 were used to cover previously irradiated resection sites. Four myocutaneous flaps were used to repair complex radiation-induced fistulas involving the bladder, vagina, urethra and rectum. Flaps were used to cover infected or nonhealing open wounds in 8 cases, 4 of which also had been previously irradiated. Myocutaneous flap donor sites were the tensor fascia lata in 11 cases, gracilis in 9, rectus abdominis in 10 and rectus femoris in 2. There was 1 major complication (flap loss) and 9 minor complications. There were no perioperative deaths. Myocutaneous flaps are an effective means of covering large groin, perineal and lower abdominal surgical defects after radical surgery.
Coupled geomechanics and flow modeling of thermally induced compaction in heavy oil diatomite reservoirs under cyclic steaming

Shallow, heavy oil diatomite reservoirs produced using cyclic steaming are often associated with significant subsidence. In cases where the pore pressure is not allowed to deplete noticeably, observed subsidence suggests a mechanism other than pressure decline is responsible. We perform coupled flow and geomechanics modeling to determine whether thermally induced compaction of the reservoir rock could play an important role in subsidence. First, we model laboratory-scale tests on diatomite samples subjected to mechanical and thermal loads. During these tests, substantial non-recoverable thermal compaction was measured. Using the modified Cam-clay model as a basis, thermally induced compaction is implemented by reducing the size of the yield surface as a function of temperature. This leads to a satisfactory modeling of the test results. Second, this new approach is used to model a symmetric pattern of wells in a generic heavy oil diatomite field produced using cyclic steaming. Results from simulations that consider or neglect thermally induced diatomite compaction show that thermal effects can potentially induce significant inelastic pore volume reduction and substantial subsidence.