cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low carbohydrate diet decreases myocardial insulin signaling and increases susceptibility to myocardial ischemia.

Aims Low Carbohydrate Diets (LCD) are a popular intervention for weight loss, but the effect of such diets on myocardial ischemia is not known. Myocardial energy substrates and insulin signaling pathways may be affected by these diets, and both may play a role in protection of ischemic myocardium. We investigated whether LCD increases susceptibility to cardiac injury during ischemia and reperfusion in the isolated rat heart.
Thyroid Hormone Regulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Levels in Mouse Mammary Glands

The specific binding of iodinated epidermal growth factor ([125I]iodo-EGF) to membranes prepared from the mammary glands and spontaneous breast tumors of euthyroid and hypothyroid mice was measured in order to determine whether thyroid hormones regulate the EGF receptor levels in vivo. Membranes from hypothyroid mammary glands of mice at various developmental ages bound 50–65% less EGF than those of age-matched euthyroid controls. Treatment of hypothyroid mice with l-T4 before killing restored binding to the euthyroid control level. Spontaneous breast tumors arising in hypothyroid mice also bound 30–40% less EGF than tumors from euthyroid animals even after in vitro desaturation of the membranes of endogenous growth factors with 3 m MgCl2 treatment. The decrease in binding in hypothyroid membranes was due to a decrease in the number of binding sites, not to a change in affinity of the growth factor for its receptor, as determined by Scatchard analysis of the binding data. Both euthyroid and hypothyroid me...
Remote sensing imagery for resource inventories in central Africa: The importance of detailed field data

The rate of rain forest clearing throughout central Africa is of national and international interest because it affects both the region's contribution to global warming and impacts the sustainable productive capacity of its natural resource base. The size and inaccessibility of much of central Africa makes remote sensing imagery the most suitable data source for regional land cover mapping and land transformation monitoring. Present image availability is poor. Most regional studies have had to rely on coarse resolution AVHRR 1 km data that fails to detect the small-scale agricultural clearings that are the primary cause of land cover change throughout the region. This study demonstrates that higher spatial resolution Landsat MSS imagery, which comprises the most available, geographically comprehensive and longest time series dataset, is too coarse to map land cover in low population density areas typical of most of central Africa. Furthermore, this study cautions that the use of high resolution imagery without detailed collateral field data on population density and land use practices while generating superficially plausible results, will most probably produce highly inaccurate estimates of land cover and land transformation. Policies for future regional remote sensing surveys of central Africa should focus on acquisition of higher spatial, spectral, and radiometric resolution imagery and must be accompanied by detailed, systematic field data collection.
Lysine incorporation into serum-lipoprotein protein by the isolated perfused rat liver.

Abstract 1. 1. The incorporation of lysine into the protein moieties of four ultracentrifugally separated classes of serum lipoproteins by the isolated perfused rat liver was studied. 2. 2. The results indicate very rapid incorporation into the two lowest density fractions, d d 1.006–1.019, with much slower incorporation into other serum proteins. 3. 3. Livers from rats pretreated with carbon tetrachloride showed markedly decreased incorporation into all classes of proteins, especially those of lowest density. 4. 4. Omission of exogenous fatty acid from the system did not decrease lysine incorporation significantly.
Effects of porosity in graphite materials on ablation in arc-heated jets

The ablation performance of chemically vapor-deposited carbon on a carbon felt made from polyacrylonitrile fiber, ATJ-S, and ATJ-S percursor graphites was studied in an arc jet at stagnation pressures and bulk gas enthalpies of 2.2 to 10.3 MPa and 4700 to 5800 J/g, respectively. The initial nonlinear ablation kinetics is associated with the attainment of thermal and chemical equilibrium. In the subsequent steady-state period, the ablation rate is constant. Ablation was modeled with an exponential rate relationship and the steady-state rate constants were shown to be related exponentially to porosity. A scanning electron microscope examination of ablated surfaces showed that nonuniform surface ablation can be correlated with porosity, fiber density, and the fiber-matrix interfacial spacing.
Modulation-induced sidebands in magnetic resonance

Abstract The induced transition probability between Zeeman levels was calculated in the case of a nuclear spin under a modulated magnetic field. It was shown that the intensities of the sidebands can be accurately calculated for a given lineshape of the signal when no significant saturation occurs. This result suggested a technique for accurately measuring the modulation amplitude of magnetic fields. This suggestion was confirmed experimentally in the case of an rf field produced by an ENDOR coil. A quantum-mechanical explanation for the production of sidebands was also found during the course of this calculation.
Speed of Tropical Storms and Typhoons After Recurvature in the Western North Pacific Ocean

Abstract Twenty-five years of tropical cyclone data (1945–69) for the western North Pacific were evaluated to determine the, speed-of-movement characteristics of tropical storms and typhoons following recurvature. The results show that the acceleration of storms following recurvature is dependent on the meteorological characteristics of the storm, and the surrounding synoptic environment which is a function of the time of the year. Forecast equations derived by linear regression techniques are presented for the speed of movement of tropical cyclones 36 hr after recurvature.
Plant cell wall polymers as precursors for biofuels

The conversion of plant biomass into liquid transportation fuels is a complex process that could be simplified by altering the ratios of the cell wall polymers that constitute the main biomass components. The composition of biomass varies naturally depending upon plant species and cell type, including some highly specialized walls that consist mainly of a single component. Progress is being made in understanding the molecular basis of these natural variations in wall composition. This new knowledge will be a valuable resource that can be used during efforts to generate designer biofuel crops using either selected breeding methods or recombinant DNA techniques.
Strategic behavior and national culture: the case of the banking industry in Jordan

This paper examined the relationships between national culture and strategic behavior in the banking industry in Jordan and U.S. The study first developed a strategic posture and secondly a cultural profile for the top management of the research domain. The strategic posture suggested the readiness for strategic response from managers. The degree of readiness was correlated with the constructed cultural profile of the managers and financial performance of the banks. The study found significant relationships between certain national cultural strategic characteristics, (risk propensity, time orientation, and openness to change, uncertainty avoidance and managerial perception of control over the environment) strategic behavior and financial performance.
Early histopathologic changes in purple glove syndrome

An 86-year-old African-American man presented with tonic-clonic seizures. Intravenous phenytoin was urgently administered into the dorsum of the right hand. The patient developed a raised purple area of discoloration around the intravenous insertion site within 2 h and edema and vesiculobullous lesions of the distal forearm, hands, and fingers within 8 h. Microscopic sections from a biopsy at 12 h revealed epidermal necrosis, superficial ulceration, and a mild superficial and deep perivascular lymphoid infiltrate, associated with numerous thrombi of small vessels throughout the dermis. The findings were judged to be consistent with soft-tissue injury associated with intravenous administration of phenytoin, also termed purple glove syndrome. Purple glove syndrome, named for its distinctive purple discoloration and swelling of the hands in the distribution of a glove, is an uncommon complication of intravenous phenytoin administration through small dorsal veins of the hands. It is comprised by pain, discoloration, and edema in the vicinity of intravenous infusion of phenytoin through dorsal veins of the hand. The histopathologic features of fully developed lesions have been reported; however, early-stage findings have not been previously described, and the histogenesis of this lesion is controversial. The presence of thrombi in this early-stage lesion suggests that thrombosis plays a role in the initial pathogenesis of this condition.
Dynamics of pattern formation during low-energy ion bombardment of Si(0 0 1)

Abstract Sputtering of surfaces by collimated, low-energy ion beams results in spontaneous pattern formation in many systems. In order to explore the mechanisms that control the pattern formation, we have used in situ light scattering to measure the evolution of sputtered Si(0 0 1) surfaces. The results are interpreted within a linear instability model originally proposed by R.M. Bradley and J.M.E. Harper [J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 6 (1988) 2390] that includes the dependence of the sputter yield on the local surface morphology.
Relating Flexible Pavement Acceptance Criteria to Performance Using Mepdg Simulations and Piecewise Cubic Spline Interpolation

Abstract The performance of the highway system is inevitably linked to its quality of design and construction. To control the quality of construction, elaborate Quality Assurance (QA) programs have been developed by highway agencies based on statistical sampling and acceptance procedures to ensure that the work is in accordance with the plans and specifications. The QA procedure is intended to ensure that the constructed pavement would perform well during its design life. However, numerous field investigations and research studies over the years have identified a gap in our understanding of the relationship between the QA test results and pavement performance (fatigue cracking, rutting, etc.). This paper is intended to present the framework for developing an understanding of the relationship between QA tests and flexible pavement performance, which is essential for developing Performance Related Specifications (PRS). In the first part of the paper, the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) QA pro...
A characterization of ptolemaic graphs

A connected graph G is ptolemaic provided that for each four vertices Ui, 1 ≤ i ≤ 4, of G, the six distances dii = dG (Ui, Ui), i ≠ j satisfy the inequality d12d34 ≤ d13d24 + d14d23 (shown by Ptolemy to hold in Euclidean spaces). Ptolemaic graphs were first investigated by Chartrand and Kay, who showed that weakly geodetic ptolemaic graphs are precisely Husimi trees (in particular, trees are ptolemaic). in the present paper several characterizations of ptolemaic graphs are given. It is shown, for example, that a connected graph G is ptolemaic if and only iffor each nondisjoint cliques P, Q of G, their intersection is a cutset of G which separates P-Q and Q-P. An operation is exhibited which generates all finite ptolemaic graphs from complete graphs.
Research Note: Use of Fenbendazole for the Treatment of Turkeys with Experimentally Induced Nematode Infections

Abstract Turkeys were raised under parasite-free conditions until 25 days of age at which time the birds were administered infective ova of Capillaria obsignata, Heterakis gallinarum, and Ascaridia dissimilis. At 28 days postinfection, four groups of birds were placed on rations medicated with fenbendazole at 15, 30, 45, or 60 ppm. These rations were given ad libitum for 6 consecutive days. At 31 days postinfection, five additional groups of birds were placed on rations medicated with fenbendazole at 15, 30, 45, 60, or 120 ppm. These latter rations were given ad libitum for 3 consecutive days. One group of turkeys served as an unmedicated, infected control. Treatment group size ranged from 17 to 19 birds. All birds were necropsied 5 days after the medicated rations were withdrawn and nematode recovery was performed. Control birds harbored an average of 3.29 A. dissimilis, 12.06 H. gallinarum, and 65.94 C. obsignata. All but one of the fenbendazole-medicated groups showed 100% removal of A. dissimilis. The exception was that group that received fenbendazole at 15 ppm for 6 days, and that showed a 98.5% efficacy. The removal rate for H. gallinarum ranged from 78.6% (15 ppm for 3 days) to 100% (120 ppm for 3 days and 45 ppm for 6 days). The C. obsignata infections proved dose-limiting, with a removal rate ranging from 30.8% (15 ppm for 3 days) to 97.8% (45 ppm for 6 days).
MATHEMATICS BELIEFS AND ACHIEVEMENT OF ADOLESCENT STUDENTS IN JAPAN: RESULTS FROM THE TIMSS 1999 ASSESSMENT'

A recent study (1) of undergraduate students in a precalculus course indicated that they expressed slightly positive attitudes toward mathematics. It is important, however, to examine relationships between students' initial attitudes and achievement outcomes. The present purpose was to assess the relationship between self-beliefs and mathematics achievement for a large national sample of students from the TIMSS 1999 international sample (eighth graders) from Japan. Several significant relationships between mathematics beliefs and test scores were noted. In addition, the overall multiple regression equation that assessed the joint significance of the complete set of self-belief variables was significant (F7,65 = 159.48, p <.001) and explained 20.6% of the variance in mathematics achievement test scores.
EXTENDING A MULTICHANNEL ANALYZER FOR TWO PARAMETER PULSE HEIGHT ANALYSIS

Abstract The system described extends the utility of a 400 or 512 channel analyzer from a single parameter to a two parameter pulse height analyzer. This is done with a two parameter selector which selects the coincident events to be measured and also the memory subgroup to store them. It basically consists of a fast-slow coincidence circuit, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and four digital windows. Energies of events coincident in X and Y detectors are measured by the multichannel analyzer and ADC respectively. Four energy regions of the Y spectrum may be selected with the digital windows which sort out the X signals into the separate quadrants of the multichannel analyzer memory. Thus, the multichannel analyzer stores four X spectra each of which is in coincidence with a selected energy band in Y spectrum. Furthermore, a “live” intensity-modulated “map” of E y vs. E x (100 × 100 channels) can be displayed on an external oscilloscope. The combination of X - Y display and digital windows provides an efficient tool for making accurate, high resolution, two parameter analysis with a limited number of channels. In the non-coincidence mode the analyzer stores uncorrelated events from two detectors on a time sharing basis. The digital windows route these events to the two respective memory subgroups, as well as prevent spectral distortion due to chance coincidence.
What the Bayesian framework has contributed to understanding cognition: Causal learning as a case study

The field of causal learning and reasoning (largely overlooked in the target article) provides an illuminating case study of how the modern Bayesian framework has deepened theoretical understanding, resolved long-standing controversies, and guided development of new and more principled algorithmic models. This progress was guided in large part by the systematic formulation and empirical comparison of multiple alternative Bayesian models.
Single mothers and child support: The possibilities and limits of child support policy

Abstract In recent years, policy-makers have argued that one method of reducing welfare dependency is to toughen up child support enforcement. Yet every government effort to do so has yielded meager results. Furthermore, experts predict that even when fully implemented, Congress's most recent effort to fix this system, the Family Support Act of 1988, will do little more to help most poor children to get child support from their fathers. These failures indicate that policy makers and social scientists must go much further in their efforts to understand how child support policy affects or fails to affect families. Data drawn from 214 AFDC mothers in four cities show that although welfare mothers are mandated by law to pursue child support in cooperation with their local Child Support Enforcement office, many mothers who want to remain on the welfare rolls but do not want to reveal the father's identity engage in what I call covert non-compliance—they pretend to comply, but in fact hide crucial identifying information from the authorities. These data show that those who engage in covert non-compliance have good reason for doing so. In their negotiations with the welfare system, child support officials, and their absent partners, welfare-reliant mothers act strategically to maximize their family's potential economic and social gains.
Phospholipid methylation increases during capacitation of golden hamster sperm in vitro.

The present report describes in vitro experiments with golden hamster sperm designed to determine whether there is any relationship between sperm phospholipid methylation and capacitation and/or the acrosome reaction. Washed cauda epididymal hamster sperm were incubated in a capacitation medium containing lmethyl-3Hlmethionine. After 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 h of incubation, sperm were extracted with a chloroform:methanol:2 N HCI mixture to extract total phospholipids. Liquid scintillation counting revealed that the methyl-3 H-group was incorporated into phospholipids with maximum incorporation at 3.5 h and an increase of 50% between 2.5 and 3.5 h. Uptake of labeled methionine by sperm reached its plateau by 1.5 h of incubation. Some sperm were eapacitated by 3.5 h because that is the time at which the rate of acrosome reactions began to increase and because at least 50% of them were able to undergo the acrosome reaction 10 mm after the addition of the fusogen Iysophophatidylcholine (LPC) at 3.5 h but not at 2.5 h. Homocysteine thiolactone and 3-deazadenosine, inhibitors of transmethylation, inhibited incorporation of methyl-3H into phospholipids at 3.5 h by approximately 90% and also inhibited LPC-induced acrosome reactions by 60%. Separation of methylated sperm phospholipid by thin-layer chromatography demonstrated the presence of 3H-Iabeled phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine. phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine, and to a lesser extent phosphatidylcholine. In addition, an unidentified lipidwas also highly labeled.These resultsstrongly suggest a positivecorrelation between phospholipid methylation and capacitation and/or the acrosome reaction of hamster sperm in vitro. Possible mechanisms for phospholipid methylation involvement in these events are discussed.
An objective counterfactual theory of information

We offer a novel theory of information that differs from traditional accounts in two respects: (i) it explains information in terms of counterfactuals rather than conditional probabilities, and (ii) it does not make essential reference to doxastic states of subjects, and consequently allows for the sort of objective, reductive explanations of various notions in epistemology and philosophy of mind that many have wanted from an account of information.
Cross-Compiling Android Applications to iOS and Windows Phone 7

Android is currently leading the smartphone segment in terms of market share since its introduction in 2007. Android applications are written in Java using an API designed for mobile apps. Other smartphone platforms, such as Apple's iOS or Microsoft's Windows Phone 7, differ greatly in their native application programming model. App developers who want to publish their applications for different platforms are required to re-implement the application using the respective native SDK. In this paper we describe a cross-compilation approach, whereby Android applications are cross-compiled to C for iOS and to C# for Windows Phone 7. We describe different aspects of our cross-compiler, from byte code level cross-compilation to API mapping. A prototype of our cross-compiler called XMLVM is available under an Open Source license.
Correlates of DSM-III personality disorder in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Forty-three patients with primary obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) completed the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ), a self-rating scale designed to assess axis II personality disorders (PD) from DSM-III. Results showed that 53% of the patients received at least one PD diagnosis. The most frequent diagnoses were avoidant (30%), histrionic (26%), dependent (19%), and schizotypal (16%). Consideration of the personality traits irrespective of diagnostic category showed that in addition to avoidant and dependent personality characteristics, the sample had strong passive aggressive and compulsive tendencies and substantial histrionic, paranoid, and schizotypal traits. Patients exhibiting a greater number of personality traits were also significantly more symptomatic. However, anxiety, phobic, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were not selected as unique predictors of any personality variables in the regression analyses. Rather, the most important correlate of PD in these patients consisted of dysphoric mood as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and, to a lesser degree, younger age or shorter duration of illness. These findings do not support a specific link between OCD and PD in general and compulsive PD in particular.
The Structure Of A Fuzzy Production System For Autonomous Robot Control

The Structure of a Fuzzy Production Systemfor Autonomous Robot ControlCan IsikSyracuse University, Electrical and Computer EngineeringSyracuse, NY 13244 -1240, Tel.(315) 423 1125Alexander MeystelDrexel University, Electrical and Computer EngineeringPhiladelphia, PA 19104, Tel.(215) 895 2220AbstractA knowledge -based controller for an autonomous mobile robot is realized as a hierarchyof production systems. The hierarchical structure is achieved following the informationhierarchy of the system. A high level path planning is possible by utilizing the incom-plete world description. More detailed linguistic information, obtained from sensors thatcover the close surroundings, enables the lower level planning and control of the robotmotion.A linguistic model is developed by describing the relationships among the entities ofthe world description. This model is then transformed into the form of rules of motion
"Studying injured minds" - the Vietnam head injury study and 40 years of brain injury research

The study of those who have sustained traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during military conflicts has greatly facilitated research in the fields of neuropsychology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology and neuroimaging. The Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) is a prospective, long-term follow-up study of a cohort of 1,221 Vietnam veterans with mostly penetrating brain injuries, which has stretched over more than 40 years. The scope of this study, both in terms of the types of injury and fields of examination, has been extremely broad. It has been instrumental in extending the field of TBI research and in exposing pressing medical and social issues that affect those who suffer such injuries. This review summarizes the history of conflict-related TBI research and the VHIS to date, as well as the vast range of important findings the VHIS has established.
Interplay between superconductivity and magnetism

Abstract The f-electrons in rare earth and actinide intermetallic compounds are responsible for a rich variety of novel superconducting and magnetic states that have been discovered during the past two decades. In this paper, we briefly review these remarkable superconducting and magnetic states, how they are believed to originate, and the f-electron materials in which they are found. Examples of phenomena that are produced by superconducting-magnetic interactions in certain ternary and quaternary rare earth compounds include the coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetism, the destruction of superconductivity by the onset of ferromagnetism at a second critical temperature Tc2 below the superconducting critical temperature Tc1, accompanied by a new sinusoidally modulated magnetic state that coexists with superconductivity in a narrow temperature interval above Tc2, and the induction of superconductivity by the application of high magnetic fields. Multiple superconducting phases have been discovered in several U “heavy fermion” compounds, f-electron materials in which the electrons have enormous effective masses as high as several hundred times the mass of the free electron. The multiple superconducting phases are apparently the result of the interaction of an unconventional superconducting state with a coexisting weakly antiferromagnetic state. This unconventional superconducting state is presumed to involve electrons that are paired in states with angular momentum greater than zero via antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations, and is similar to the superconducting state that is believed by many (but not all!) researchers to be responsible for high-Tc superconductivity in the cuprates.
Creating a positive first impression of information technology support at the start of school

To capture students' attention, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) at Indiana State University (ISU), created a Start of School Event. This event has been conducted the last three years at ISU. A Start of School Committee comprised of members of the various units in the OIT started the planning process. This committee designed and coordinated the activities of the event. One of the centerpieces of the event was a Technology Information Tent. At the tent, OIT distributed Microsoft Campus Agreement (MSCA) software, safe computing CDs, Student Technology Guides, provided technical help, gave away prizes, answered general questions about the campus, and offered the opportunity for students to be photographed with the school mascot. In addition, the University's radio station WISU broadcasted live from the tent. This array of activities created a carnival atmosphere for the students. For five days starting the Sunday before classes started, a steady stream of students took advantage of easy access computer support. Over 50 OIT staff members assisted with the tent over the five days. Over 2,400 students signed contracts and received the MSCA CDs. Another 2,500 asked for assistance and received answers to such technical questions as how to get connected to the Indiana State network or remove viruses from their personal computers, and many brought their laptops by for hands-on support. The paper focuses on the activities, products, and survey results of the event as well as the project plan for the event.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS, AND TEAM OUTCOMES

Emotional intelligence reflects the ability to read and understand others in social contexts, to detect the nuances of emotional reactions, and to utilize such knowledge to influence others through emotional regulation and control. As such, it represents a critically important competency for effective leadership and team performance in organizations today. In this paper, we develop a conceptual model that brings together theory and research on emotional intelligence, leadership, and team process and outcomes. Additionally, we formulate testable propositions, propose directions for future research, and discuss implications for practice.
Chemical diffusion in a one dimensional lattice with two sites inequivalent

Abstract Making use of the exact form of the Nernst-Einstein equation and an exact expression for the d.c. ionic conductivity derived by Richards, I have derived an exact expression for the chemical diffusion coefficient in a one dimensional lattice with two sites inequivalent and self-blocking by the atoms. It was found that the chemical diffusion coefficient is independent of concentration. This particular result, however, can apply only to the one dimensional lattice.
Bridging the Gap Between Teaching and Learning in Geometrical Optics: The Role of Research

Research on the learning and teaching of physics is discipline-specific, focuses on the state of the student, and can be generalized beyond a particular instructor, course, or institution. As an example, this article describes how results from research have contributed to the improvement of student learning in geometrical optics.
Exploring Anti-LGBT Homicide by Mode of Victim Selection:

This study extends previous research by comparatively examining variations in situational circumstances of bias homicide targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) victims. Rather tha...
Streptanthus bracteatus (Brassicaceae), a rare annual woodland forb, thrives in less cover: Evidence of a vanished habitat?

One of the challenges of understanding habitat requirements of endangered species is that the remaining populations may not be in optimal habitat, requiring experimentation to determine optimal habitat and to guide management. A better knowledge of its habitat requirements is important for the conservation of Streptanthus bracteatus, a rare annual of central Texas woodlands. The habitat requirements of a rare, declining species like S. bracteatus can also provide insights into anthropogenic habitat degradation and into previous disturbance regimes. We conducted a garden experiment and a transplant experiment to determine the effect of different light environments on the growth and reproduction of S. bracteatus. Higher levels of light improved S. bracteatus performance, especially fecundity. The optimum level of combined canopy and understory cover at the height of a S. bracteatus plant (≤0.5 m above ground) was less than 50 %. The remaining populations of S. bracteatus are in sub-optimal habitat because it is not open enough. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that this species was a “fire-follower.” The results also support the hypotheses that central Texas woodlands were once more open and that fire played an ecological role in these woodlands, an example of the ecological requirements of a rare species revealing past community structure and dynamics.
Freeze-Thaw Tests on Trough Receivers Employing a Molten Salt Working Fluid

Several studies predict an economic benefit of using nitrate-based salts instead of the current synthetic oil within a solar parabolic trough field. However, the expected economic benefit can only be realized if the reliability and optical performance of the salt trough system is comparable to today’s oil trough. Of primary concern is whether a salt-freeze accident and subsequent thaw will lead to damage of the heat collection elements (HCEs). This topic was investigated by experiments and analytical analysis. Results to date suggest that damage will not occur if the HCEs are not completely filled with salt. However, if the HCE is completely filled at the time of the freeze, the subsequent thaw can lead to plastic deformation and significant bending of the absorber tube.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Characteristics and viral susceptibility of an embryo cell line from Marmosa mitis.

SummaryA cell line designated as MME, was established from the embryo of a pouch-less South American marsupial, Marmosa mitis. The cells were mostly fibroblastic in shape and displayed contact inhibition. Cytogenic evaluation revealed a simple karyotype (2n = 14) and large chromosomes. Growth curves of MME cells at passages 22 and 31 showed a relatively short doubling time of 20 hr. The MME cells had a fairly wide viral spectrum. Vesicular stomatitis, influenza A, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, myxoma and bluetongue viruses were all capable of replication in this cell line.
Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic internet use

Abstract Background: Problematic internet use has been described in the psychological literature as ‘internet addiction’ and ‘pathological internet use’. However, there are no studies using face-to-face standardized psychiatric evaluations to identify behavioral characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity or family psychiatric history of individuals with this behavior. Methods: Twenty individuals with problematic internet use were evaluated. Problematic internet use was defined as (1) uncontrollable, (2) markedly distressing, time-consuming or resulting in social, occupational or financial difficulties and (3) not solely present during hypomanic or manic symptoms. Evaluations included a semistructured interview about subjects’ internet use, the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (SCID-IV), family psychiatric history and the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) modified for internet use. Results: All (100%) subjects’ problematic internet use met DSM-IV criteria for an impulse control disorder (ICD) not otherwise specified (NOS). All 20 subjects had at least one lifetime DSM-IV Axis I diagnosis in addition to their problematic internet use (mean±SD=5.1±3.5 diagnoses); 14 (70.0%) had a lifetime diagnosis of bipolar disorder (with 12 having bipolar I disorder). Limitations: Methodological limitations of this study included its small sample size, evaluation of psychiatric diagnoses by unblinded investigators, and lack of a control group. Conclusions: Problematic internet use may be associated with subjective distress, functional impairment and Axis I psychiatric disorders.
Vertical transport and fate of low-water-solubility chemicals in unsaturated soils

Abstract Adsorption, dispersion and changes in moisture content control the rate of transport of solutes in an unsaturated soil column. A one-dimensional mathematical model has been developed to examine the simultaneous transport of heat, moisture and chemical mass in unsaturated soils. Chemical concentration is assumed to be low. The field equation for chemical transport is strongly coupled to the field equations for moisture content and temperature while the converse is not true. Vertical temperature, moisture content and chemical concentration profiles were determined using the iterative Thomas algorithm procedure on implicit backward difference approximations to the defining set of nonlinear partial differential equations. For a specified set of hydraulic properties, initial distributions of chemicals in the soil column and external weather conditions, chemical concentration profiles for 100-days simulations illustrated the influence of the combined effects of adsorption and dispersion on chemical transport in unsaturated soils. Numerical dispersion was minimized by keeping nodal spacing small in the vicinity of steep gradients of moisture content, temperature and chemical concentration. Numerical dispersion occurred more frequently in the solution for chemical transport, particularly when dispersivities were low. For this situation the criterion for nodal spacing was Δz a L , where a L was dispersivity.
Parent perceptions of autism severity: exploring the social ecological context.

Abstract Background Health professionals incorporate parent reports into the diagnosis and treatment of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet little is known about the contextual forces that may shape parents' perceptions of their child. Objectives The current study seeks to: 1) compare the social ecological contexts of parents of children with ASD and parents of non-autistic children, and 2) explore the social ecological influences on parents' perception of their child's ASD severity. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2007–2008 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) in the United States. Social ecological factors of interest included variables depicting family physical environment, family social environment, and individual parent characteristics. Results Results indicate that parents of children with ASD had increased odds of reporting poor neighborhood social capital, greater aggravation, more difficulty coping, and lower levels of relationship satisfaction and mental health. Parents' perceptions of their child's ASD severity were associated with several factors of their social ecological context. More severe parent-reported ASD was associated with aspects of the physical environment (rundown housing and garbage on the street), the social environment (parent relationship satisfaction) and individual parent characteristics (parent aggravation and mental health). Conclusions Results suggest ways that professionals can contextualize parent reports to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of children with ASD. Findings also highlight a need for longitudinal research using well-characterized measures to determine the nature and direction of relationships between contextual factors and parents' perceptions.
The effects of isoflurane on canine cerebral metabolism and blood flow.

The cerebral metabolic and vascular effects of isoflurane (Forane) were investigated in six unmedicated ventilated dogs. At the MAC of this anesthetic (1.4 per cent, end-expired) there was a 23 per cent decrease in the rate of cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) (compared with values at end-expired concentrations of
An optimization problem on graphs

On donne une condition suffisante pour qu'un graphe praticable soit minimal. Cette condition peut se verifier en temps polynomial. On montre comment obtenir un graphe praticable minimal
Blind equalization based on blind separation with Toeplitz constraint

Blind equalization (BE) has been modeled as a blind source separation (BSS) problem and achieved using BSS algorithms. One drawback of on-line algorithms considered in previous work for blind equalization is their slow convergence. We show that the Toeplitz structure of the mixing matrix and the separating matrix in the BSS model for BE can be exploited to obtain faster convergence and better performance. In addition, a constraint on the length of the equalizer impulse response can provide further improvement. For sources with independent inphase and quadrature parts, we can use I/Q constrained BSS technique to do equalization and achieve phase recovery. We use the well-known equivariant adaptive source separation via independence (EASI) algorithm to illustrate the ideas, although the approach we describe is more generally applicable.
The envelope gene is a cytopathic determinant of CCR5 tropic HIV-1

Late stage AIDS associated CCR5 tropic HIV-1 clones (R5-AIDS HIV-1) exhibit greater cytopathic effects (CPE) than earlier isolates from the same patients. In this study, envelopes from a series of three biological clones derived from the same patient were evaluated as a cytopathic determinant of R5-AIDS HIV-1 for thymocytes. In a single round of replication in thymocytes, the AIDS associated clone mediated greater initiation of reverse transcription. This enhancement was not due to broadened coreceptor tropism, as all clones studied were exclusively R5 tropic. The full-length R5-AIDS env mediated greater infectivity than R5 pre-AIDS env when used to pseudotype a reporter virus. R5-AIDS env pseudotypes were more resistant to TAK-779 and showed more rapid infection kinetics but similar resistance to a CD4 blocking mAb. We conclude that the enhanced thymic replication and CPE shown by the R5-AIDS clone is due to enhanced efficiency of Env-mediated entry via CCR5.
Holocene rate of slip and tentative recurrence interval for large earthquakes on the San Andreas fault, Cajon Pass, southern California

Abstract Detailed mapping of the San Andreas fault zone where it crosses Cajon Creek, southern California, has revealed a number of late Quaternary deposits and geomorphological features offset by the fault. Radiocarbon dates from alluvial and swamp deposits provide a detailed chronology with which to characterize the activity of the San Andreas fault. Four independent determinations of the slip rate on the San Andreas fault yield an average rate of 24.5 ± 3.5 mm/yr for the past 14,400 years. The similarity of the four values, which span different intervals of time from 5900 to 14,400 years ago, suggest that the slip rate has been constant during this period. The slip rate confirms that the San Andreas fault is accumulating slip faster than any other fault in the plate boundary, throughout California. Also, the sum of the slip rates on the San Andreas (24.5 mm/yr) and the San Jacinto (10 mm/yr) faults south of their junction is the same as the San Andreas north of their junction (35 mm/yr). An excavation provided evidence for at least two and up to four earthquakes that caused rupture on the fault between 1290 and 1805 A.D., and tentative evidence for six earthquakes in about the last 1000 years. Both lines of evidence imply an average recurrence interval for large earthquakes of about 1 to 2 centuries. Combined with the historic record, this investigation indicates that the last major earthquake at Cajon Creek was probably at the beginning or middle of the 18th century. While the record at Cajon Creek may suggest that the next major earthquake on the San Andreas fault is overdue, the data can be interpreted to indicate that the recurrence interval for earthquakes on the San Andreas south of the 1857 rupture is 3 to 4 centuries and that the anticipated event should not be expected until the next century.
A machine learning approach for identifying amino acid signatures in the HIV env gene predictive of dementia.

The identification of nucleotide sequence variations in viral pathogens linked to disease and clinical outcomes is important for developing vaccines and therapies. However, identifying these genetic variations in rapidly evolving pathogens adapting to selection pressures unique to each host presents several challenges. Machine learning tools provide new opportunities to address these challenges. In HIV infection, virus replicating within the brain causes HIV-associated dementia (HAD) and milder forms of neurocognitive impairment in 20–30% of patients with unsuppressed viremia. HIV neurotropism is primarily determined by the viral envelope (env) gene. To identify amino acid signatures in the HIV env gene predictive of HAD, we developed a machine learning pipeline using the PART rule-learning algorithm and C4.5 decision tree inducer to train a classifier on a meta-dataset (n = 860 env sequences from 78 patients: 40 HAD, 38 non-HAD). To increase the flexibility and biological relevance of our analysis, we included 4 numeric factors describing amino acid hydrophobicity, polarity, bulkiness, and charge, in addition to amino acid identities. The classifier had 75% predictive accuracy in leave-one-out cross-validation, and identified 5 signatures associated with HAD diagnosis (p<0.05, Fisher’s exact test). These HAD signatures were found in the majority of brain sequences from 8 of 10 HAD patients from an independent cohort. Additionally, 2 HAD signatures were validated against env sequences from CSF of a second independent cohort. This analysis provides insight into viral genetic determinants associated with HAD, and develops novel methods for applying machine learning tools to analyze the genetics of rapidly evolving pathogens.
Using the open-source statistical language R to analyze the dichotomous Rasch model

R, an open-source statistical language and data analysis tool, is gaining popularity among psychologists currently teaching statistics. R is especially suitable for teaching advanced topics, such as fitting the dichotomous Rasch model-a topic that involves transforming complicated mathematical formulas into statistical computations. This article describes R’s use as a teaching tool and a data analysis software program in the analysis of the Rasch model in item response theory. It also explains the theory behind, as well as an educator’s goals for, fitting the Rasch model with joint maximum likelihood estimation. This article also summarizes the R syntax for parameter estimation and the calculation of fit statistics. The results produced by R is compared with the results obtained from MINI STEP and the output of a conditional logit model. The use of R is encouraged because it is free, supported by a network of peer researchers, and covers both basic and advanced topics in statistics frequently used by psychologists.
Mesoanalysis of summertime convergence zones in central and eastern North Carolina

Abstract It is demonstrated that it is possible to perform informative mesoanalysis of summertime convergence boundaries in the southeastern United States by combining capabilities of the new WSR-88D Doppler radar with Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite imagery and conventional surface data. Observed phenomena are identified as thunderstorm outflow boundaries, sea-breeze fronts, horizontal convective rolls, deep synoptic-scale fronts, prefrontal troughs, shallow fronts (airmass boundaries lacking upper-level support), stationary and propagating boundaries of unknown origin, and the “Piedmont trough,” which is apparently a new feature discovered in the course of this research. The transition zone between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain was found to be a preferred location for convergence boundaries. An unexpectedly far inland advance of the sea breeze to central North Carolina occurred in some instances. The very sensitive “clear air mode” of the WSR-88D radar, when used in combination wi...
BOOK REVIEW: Reality Check: The Nature and Performance of Voluntary Environmental Programs in the United States, Europe, and Japan . R. D. Morgenstern and W. A. Pizer, eds. 2007. RFF Press, Washington, DC. 189 pp. $80 cloth, $38.95 paperback.

Over the last twenty years, industrial groups in the United States, Japan, and Europe have developed various types of programs that promise that their member companies will voluntarily improve, for...
Erythermalgia: molecular basis for an inherited pain syndrome

Inherited erythermalgia (also termed erythromelalgia) is characterized by severe pain in the limbs in response to mild thermal stimuli or exercise. Its molecular basis has, until recently, been enigmatic. Studies of families with autosomal dominant erythermalgia have now demonstrated mutations in sodium channel Na v 1.7, which is selectively expressed within nociceptive dorsal root ganglion and sympathetic ganglion neurons. Shifts in activation and deactivation, and enhanced responses to small stimuli in mutant channels, decrease the threshold for single impulses and high-frequency trains of impulses in pain-sensing neurons. Erythermalgia, the first inherited painful neuropathy to be understood at a molecular level, is a model disease that could hold lessons for other painful conditions and for the development of rational, mechanism-based treatments for pain.
Positivism, Historicism, and Political Inquiry*

The present controversy between “behavioral” and “postbehavioral” views of political inquiry reflects a larger dispute between two opposing theories of knowledge. Whereas the behavioral movement has its epistemological roots in positivism and, ultimately, in classical British empiricism, the most recent protest against behavioralism draws upon the theory of knowledge that has been the principal foe of empiricism over the past century. This theory of knowledge, which received the name “historicism” shortly after its emergence, had become the dominant epistemological position by the mid-twentieth century. This essay considers the general nature of historicism and its influence on the recent revolt against positivism in the philosophy of science. Finally, it examines the use that political scientists have made of historicist principles in opposing positivistic models of political inquiry. It argues that an epistemological relativism becomes unavoidable once certain premises of historicism are embraced.