cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epitaxial growth of otavite on calcite observed in situ by synchrotron X-ray scattering

Synchrotron X-ray reflectivity and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to characterizean otavite (CdCO3) overgrowth during its precipitation from an aqueous solution onto a calcite (1014) cleavage surface. X-ray reflectivity was used to measure the otavite thickness and the roughness of the calcite/otavite and otavite/fluid interfaces. Specular and off-specular X-ray diffraction were used to measure the crystallographic orientation and long-range atomic order of the otavite overgrowth. The otavite grew coherently with a (1014) growth plane oriented parallal the calcite (1014) cleavage surface. The average growth rate of the otavite for the first 9 hours was 15 A · h−. During the early growth stage (≤50 A), the otavite (1014) lattice spacing (d-value) was compressed by as much 2.2% in the direction perpendicular to the calcite cleavage surface. As the otavite thickness increased, this d-value approached that of bulk otavite. At a thickness of 443 A, the otavite was determined to be of single-crystal quality (0.4° mosaic) and epitaxial with calcite. This study demonstrates a new and accurate approach for measuring in situ precipitation rates and growth mechanisms in mineral-fluid systems.
The evolution of active galactic nuclei: A multi-mass model

We have developed a multi-mass energy-space Fokker-Planck code to determine the luminosity and dynamical evolution of an AGN model consisting of a dense stellar system surrounding a supermassive black hole. This model is able to produce the full range of observed AGN luminosities: 1044–1048 ergs s−1.
U.s. Undergraduate education in public health: hot or not?

Objectives. Undergraduate public health education has received growing attention in recent years. This includes a Washington Post article referring to undergraduate public health education as a “hot field” for a global generation, the Critical Component Elements of an Undergraduate Major in Public Health developed by the Association of School and Programs in Public Health (ASPPH), and a recent report from the de Beaumont Foundation and ASPPH. To evaluate the demand for the degree and assess the current state of undergraduate public health education, the researchers examined the number and characteristics of publicly reported U.S. baccalaureate public health programs. Methods. The researchers reviewed three 2013 college directories and the ASPPH website and identified 112 institutions that used the term “public health” in their baccalaureate degree listings that guide prospective students in selecting an academic program. The undergraduate degree in public health was defined as a major leading to a B.S., B.A. or other baccalaureate degree in public health or public health studies that provides students with a strong general background in areas of knowledge basic to public health, or a specialized training in at least one of the five core disciplines of public health. The researchers then compared the degree contents as listed in the directories to the institutions’ websites to verify offering a public health curriculum. Carnegie Commission on Higher Education’s classifications of colleges and universities were applied to assess the characteristics of institutions offering baccalaureate degrees in public health. Results. Only 54 of the 2,968 U.S. institutions of higher education provided online information meeting the definition of an active undergraduate public health degree program. Conclusion. While public health may be a “hot” field in terms of the interest that it generates, the actual number of verified undergraduate programs available is relatively modest.
Panel discussion: laboratories for a computer security course

The panel members participated in an NSF sponsored faculty development Cybersecurity Workshop [1] held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in August, 2001. The goal of this workshop was to help address the national shortage of information security workers by preparing faculty members to teach cybersecurity. Mary Micco was an organizer of the workshop. Hart Rossman as an instructor. Charles Frank, Sharon Mason, and Robert Montante were attendees. The panel members will relate the lessons learned at this workshop and how they applied these lessons to incorporating information security into computer laboratories.
Predicting genetic variance in bi-parental breeding populations is more accurate when explicitly modeling the segregation of informative genomewide markers

Robust predictions of genetic variances for important traits would facilitate greater genetic gains in plant breeding. Previous attempts to predict the genetic variance ( $$\sigma_{\text{G}}^{2}$$ ) of traits in bi-parental breeding populations were inconsistent and context specific. The weakness of methods that consider the phenotypic distance, genetic distance, and relationship-based distance of pairs of parents, which we collectively term historical methods, stems from the fact that they do not explicitly model the segregation of the underlying genetic effects for a trait within a population. To address this issue, we propose the use of three modern methods made possible by the commonplace use of genomewide molecular marker data and genomic selection in modern breeding programs. These modern methods utilize both phenotypic and genotypic records to, in varying degrees, explicitly model the segregation of informative genomewide markers to predict $$\sigma_{\text{G}}^{2}$$ in bi-parental breeding populations. In this study, we evaluate the accuracy of historical and modern methods to predict $$\sigma_{\text{G}}^{2}$$ using 40 field-tested bi-parental barley breeding populations evaluated during 2003–2010 for Fusarium head blight severity. In general, the modern methods predicted the field-based estimates of $$\sigma_{\text{G}}^{2}$$ more accurately than the historical methods. Specifically, the modern method that most explicitly models the segregation of informative genomewide markers, called ‘PopVar,’ was the most accurate $$\sigma_{\text{G}}^{2}$$ prediction method.
Thoughts on Wackers' call for a standard unit of defect size.

As we try to pass along advice to the next generation of those who will engage in medical science, I endorse Dr. Wackers’ plea for reproducible standards for measurements of myocardial perfusion. Standards, from bearing sizes to protocols for Internet communication, have certainly enabled the industrial revolution and propelled modern technology. By comparison, medical science is far behind. Beyond the request for standardized measurements, I also believe that more careful thought about what we are measuring will be important. Useful standards can be constructed only from welldefined and reproducible quantities. Volumes can be precisely defined, so measurements of end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, EF and in principle of myocardial mass can be constructed and tested for accuracy and precision based on a well-defined ground truth. Perfusion measurements are more elusive. Absolute myocardial blood flow and flow reserve can be precisely defined, but are probably not yet in the realm of being routinely measured and diagnostically interpreted. Our present quantitative methods can attempt to estimate the fraction of myocardium that is ischemic (ischemic volume—or infarct volume if we can correctly differentiate). But suppose we measure ‘‘20% ischemic myocardium.’’ Twenty percent of the myocardium may be severely ischemic at rest or mildly ischemic at 12 METs and that would span a huge swath of diagnostic and prognostic territory. The stress and rest score method is a hopefully rational albeit arbitrary attempt to factor in severity of flow reduction with the compromised volume and represent more of an ‘‘ischemic burden,’’ but is semiquantitative and curiously difficult to precisely define. The error of estimation of this quantity is most important but particularly difficult to determine. Knowing the error of estimate is critical to determine if the numbers being measured can successfully classify a single patient as opposed to the average of a patient population. Thus, we measure something, without understanding precisely what it is, then correlate it with pathology or outcome and pronounce that it is now a ‘‘validated’’ standard measurement. Then, we ask that all other measurements be calibrated to the validated ‘‘standard.’’ This is actually not the path that propels modern technology. We need more careful thought and more precise definitions of what we are trying to measure: enough so that we have some level of ground truth by which to determine the accuracy and precision of the various quantitative methods, and some basic understanding of the physiological significance of the measurement. Population correlations alone cannot establish an adequate basis for reliable standardized measurements. So, from an engineering viewpoint, I agree with the need for better standards, and would additionally encourage the next generation to get past simple correlations and do some hard-headed scientific thinking about what is being measured and what needs to be measured and standardized.
Underground Planning at Stillwater Mining Company

As part of a new expansion effort, Stillwater Mining Company needed a tool for analyzing development and production scenarios in a new area of an underground platinum and palladium mine in Stillwater, Montana. We developed a large mixed-integer programming model that takes as input the planned mine layout, projected ore quality, and projected costs for basic mining activities, and produces as output a near-optimal schedule of activities that maximizes discounted ore revenue over a given planning horizon. We then used this model to evaluate various planning scenarios and make recommendations about development and production in this new area.
Piezoelectric films for high frequency ultrasonic transducers in biomedical applications

Piezoelectric films have recently attracted considerable attention in the development of various sensor and actuator devices such as nonvolatile memories, tunable microwave circuits and ultrasound transducers. In this paper, an overview of the state of art in piezoelectric films for high frequency transducer applications is presented. Firstly, the basic principles of piezoelectric materials and design considerations for ultrasound transducers will be introduced. Following the review, the current status of the piezoelectric films and recent progress in the development of high frequency ultrasonic transducers will be discussed. Then details for preparation and structure of the materials derived from piezoelectric thick film technologies will be described. Both chemical and physical methods are included in the discussion, namely, the sol–gel approach, aerosol technology and hydrothermal method. The electric and piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric films, which are very important for transducer applications, such as permittivity and electromechanical coupling factor, are also addressed. Finally, the recent developments in the high frequency transducers and arrays with piezoelectric ZnO and PZT thick film using MEMS technology are presented. In addition, current problems and further direction of the piezoelectric films for very high frequency ultrasound application (up to GHz) are also discussed.
Splitting initiation and propagation in notched unidirectional graphite/epoxy composites under tension-tension cyclic loading

Abstract The initiation and propagation of splitting damage in notched unidirectional graphite/epoxy composites under tension-tension cyclic loading were investigated experimentally. One-hundred-and-twenty [0°] 8 specimens, notched at the center with a 3·175, 6·350, or 9·525 mm hole or slit, were tested. Thirty specimens were loaded monotonically to failure to determine the static splitting stress. Ninety specimens were cycled at maximum loads corresponding to 80%, 70%, and 60% of their predicted static splitting stress. The stress ratio of the load cycle was maintained at a nominal value of R σ = 0·1 , while the frequency was changed with the stress amplitude to maintain the same loading rate. The results show that the static splitting stress is sensitive to both notch type and size and that the split length varies linearly with the natural logarithm of the number of accumulated load cycles. The intercept of this linear relation depends on the notch type, notch size, and stress level while its slope depends only on the notch size and stress level. Empirical functional forms are derived using multiple linear regression analyses of the test data.
Effect of surface active agents of the biosynthesis of riboflavin by Ashbya gossypii

Abstract 1. 1.The addition of various non-ionic surface active agents to a defined growth medium augmented the synthesis of riboflavin by cultures of Ashbya gossypii . 2. 2.The fatty acids and other moieties of the surfactants, when tested separately, did not stimulate flavinogenesis. 3. 3.A mixture of surface active agents giving a ratio of hydrophilic to lipophilic bonds of 13.5 gave the greatest yield of riboflavin. 4. 4.A mechanism by which riboflavin synthesis might be increased by lowering the interfacial tension of the growth medium is discussed.
Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Dose to the Mandible in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer

Purpose To determine the association between radiation doses delivered to the mandible and the occurrence of osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Methods and Materials We reviewed the records of 402 oropharyngeal cancer patients with stage T1 or T2 disease treated with definitive radiation between January 2000 and October 2008 for the occurrence of ORN. Demographic and treatment variables were compared between patients with ORN and those without. To examine the dosimetric relationship further, a nested case-control comparison was performed. One to 2 ORN-free patients were selected to match each ORN patient by age, sex, radiation type, treatment year, and cancer subsite. Detailed radiation treatment plans for the ORN cases and matched controls were reviewed. Mann-Whitney test and conditional logistic regression were used to compare relative volumes of the mandible exposed to doses ranging from 10 Gy-60 Gy in 10-Gy increments. Results In 30 patients (7.5%), ORN developed during a median follow-up time of 31 months, including 6 patients with grade 4 ORN that required major surgery. The median time to develop ORN was 8 months (range, 0-71 months). Detailed radiation treatment plans were available for 25 of the 30 ORN patients and 40 matched ORN-free patients. In the matched case-control analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between the volumes of mandible in the 2 groups receiving doses between 50 Gy (V50) and 60 Gy (V60). The most notable difference was seen at V50, with a P value of .02 in the multivariate model after adjustment for the matching variables and dental status (dentate or with extraction). Conclusions V50 and V60 saw the most significant differences between the ORN group and the comparison group. Minimizing the percent mandibular volume exposed to 50 Gy may reduce ORN risk.
Orbital mass in a cancer patient: is this metastatic disease?

Abstract The most common signs and symptoms of an orbital mass include proptosis, diplopia and choroidal folds. Laboratory testing, ultrasonography, neuro-imaging and in some cases surgical biopsy is required to make an accurate diagnosis of an orbital mass. In this case, a 45-year-old male presented with unilateral proptosis and a prior history of rectal carcinoma. It was not until the surgical biopsy was completed that the mass was revealed to be a hematoma with no evidence of malignancy.
Lung Cancer: Review of the ECOG Experience

Lung cancer represents a major health epidemic worldwide. This article reviews some of the recent results of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) trials in this disease.
A stopping theoretic approach to minimal time detection of system parameter change

The problem of minimal time detection of abrupt parameter changes in linear stochastic systems considered. The problem is posed as an optimal stopping problem for the detection in change of the induced probability measure. Under the assumption of a prior distribution for the time of change (or disruption) a stopping rule is given which minimizes the average detection delay when there is knowledge of the new measure after the change. When the new induced measure is unknown, a stopping rule is given, based only on the noisy observations and is shown to be better than the a priori knowledge of the disruption time.
Improving Attendance in Weight-Control Programs

This field study evaluated the use of a food dairy as a screening device for admission to a behaviorally oriented weight-reduction program for its effectiveness in improving attendance. All study participants were required (1) to attend an orientation meeting where the program was described and questions were solicited and (2) to pay a $25, nonrefundable fee. During the orientation experimental-group attendees were told that a 2-week food dairy was a requirement for admission to the series. It was expected the experimental requirement would decrease the number of less motivated enrollees, thereby reducing early termination and improving attendance. Keeping the record was in itself expected to modify eating behavior. This would have the effect of adding 2 weeks to the program and, therefore, weight loss at the end of the program was expected to be greater. In general, the hypotheses were confirmed. A smaller proportion of those who had the food-dairy requirement enrolled. a significantly larger proportion of experimental-group women enrollees attended at least three-quarters of the sessions. The attendance records of control-group and experimental-group men were not significantly different. Mean weight loss at the end of the program was greater for those enrolled under the experimental condition. Achievement of a weight loss of at least 8 pounds was found to be positively related to attendance.
The Nuclease Domain of Adeno-Associated Virus Rep Coordinates Replication Initiation Using Two Distinct DNA Recognition Interfaces

Integration into a particular location in human chromosomes is a unique property of the adeno-associated virus (AAV). This reaction requires the viral Rep protein and AAV origin sequences. To understand how Rep recognizes DNA, we have determined the structures of the Rep endonuclease domain separately complexed with two DNA substrates: the Rep binding site within the viral inverted terminal repeat and one of the terminal hairpin arms. At the Rep binding site, five Rep monomers bind five tetranucleotide direct repeats; each repeat is recognized by two Rep monomers from opposing faces of the DNA. Stem-loop binding involves a protein interface on the opposite side of the molecule from the active site where ssDNA is cleaved. Rep therefore has three distinct binding sites within its endonuclease domain for its different DNA substrates. Use of these different interfaces generates the structural asymmetry necessary to regulate later events in viral replication and integration.
Role of rapid sequence whole-body MRI screening in SDH-associated hereditary paraganglioma families

Patients with germline mutations in one of the SDH genes are at substantially increased risk of developing paragangliomas, pheochromocytomas (pheos), and other tumors (all combined referred to as SDH-related tumors). However, limited data exist on screening in SDH mutation carriers and no studies have evaluated whole-body MRI as a screening tool in asymptomatic patients. This was a single-center observational study. We evaluated the results of screening in 37 SDH carriers who underwent 45 whole-body MRIs and 47 biochemical tests. Screening included annual biochemical testing (catecholamines, metanephrines and chromogranin A) and biennial or annual rapid sequence whole-body MRI from the base of the skull to the pelvis beginning at age 10 years old. Six tumors (paragangliomas of the organ of Zuckerkandl, the aortocaval/vas deferens, of the carotid body times three, and a renal cell carcinoma) were diagnosed in five patients. In total, 13.5 % of all patients screened were diagnosed with SDH-related tumors. Whole-body MRI missed one tumor, while biochemical testing was normal in five patients with SDH-related tumors. The sensitivity of whole-body MRI was 87.5 % and the specificity was 94.7 %, while the sensitivity of biochemical testing was 37.5 % and the specificity was 94.9 %. Whole-body MRI had a higher sensitivity for SDH-related tumors than biochemical testing in patients undergoing screening due to their SDHB or SDHC mutation status. Whole-body MRI reduces radiation exposure compared to computed tomography scan and time compared to dedicated MRI of the head/neck, thorax, and abdomen/pelvis.
Non-human primate models of hormonal contraception and HIV.

Problem Recent concerns that hormonal contraception (HC) may increase risk of HIV acquisition has led to keen interest in using non-human primates (NHP) to understand the underlying mechanism and the magnitude of the risk. This is, in part, because some experiments which would be difficult or logistically impossible in women are more easily conducted in NHP. Method of study NHP models of HIV can inform HIV acquisition and pathogenesis research and identify and evaluate biomedical preventions and treatments for HIV/AIDS. Widely used species include rhesus, pigtail, and cynomolgous macaques. Results This paper reviews past, current and proposed NHP research around the intersection of HIV and HC. Conclusion NHP research may lead to the identification of hormonally regulated biomarkers that correlate with HIV-acquisition risk, to a ranking of existing or next-generation HC along an HIV-acquisition risk profile, and inform research around new biomedical preventions for HIV.
Sensitivity of composite floor system response at elevated temperatures to structural features

Abstract The sensitivity of composite floor system response at elevated temperatures to variations in structural features is examined in a sensitivity study based on a 2 4 factorial design. Four structural features were varied between two values, based on the NIST investigation of the WTC 7 collapse. The effects of the four parameters, as well as their interaction effects, are evaluated relative to time to onset of damage and time to failure for the structural features. Structural features that affected the response were ranked according to their influence. Of the four structural features varied in the analyses, floor beam length and connection type most influenced the structural response of the floor system, sometimes changing the time to damage onset or failure by more than 0.5 h. The presence or absence of girder studs and one- or two-sided girder framing influenced the structural response to a lesser extent. Interaction effects were apparent in the structural response, indicating that the structural features cannot be evaluated independently when considering the response of a composite floor system to fire effects. The findings suggest that a broader view of the impact of heating and cooling phases of fire types (standard fires, compartment fires, and traveling fires) that are used for evaluating the performance of composite floor systems needs to be considered, particularly with regards to floor lengths, connection types, and restraint of thermal expansion.
The Structure of Locally Compact Connected Groups and Metrizabilitya

. A conjecture of Wilcox that states that a compact connected group is metrizable iff every element of the group is a metric element is considered. The stronger result that Wilcox's conjecture is valid for locally compact connected groups is proved. The method is to make diligent use of the structure theorem of Pontryagin-Weil and the Iwasawa Decomposition Theorem. It turns out that the Pontryagin-Weil structure theorem for compact connected groups yields a simple proof of the generalization of some well-known facts for compact connected Lie groups. This in turn implies a quick proof of Mycielski's work with compact connected groups. Then making use of these facts, some structure theorems of Comfort, Robertson, and Soundararajan, and the duality theory for LCA groups, a number of theorems involving cardinal invariants of compact connected groups are established. These results imply the Wilcox theorem. Finally it is shown that the set of nonmetric elements in a compact connected group G is a dense nonmeasurable pseudocompact subset of G.
Ernst Cassirer's Neo-Kantian Philosophy of Geometry

One of the most important philosophical topics in the early twentieth century – and a topic that was seminal in the emergence of analytic philosophy – was the relationship between Kantian philosophy and modern geometry. This paper discusses how this question was tackled by the Neo-Kantian trained philosopher Ernst Cassirer. Surprisingly, Cassirer does not affirm the theses that contemporary philosophers often associate with Kantian philosophy of mathematics. He does not defend the necessary truth of Euclidean geometry but instead develops a kind of logicism modeled on Richard Dedekind's foundations of arithmetic. Further, because he shared with other Neo-Kantians an appreciation of the developmental and historical nature of mathematics, Cassirer developed a philosophical account of the unity and methodology of mathematics over time. With its impressive attention to the detail of contemporary mathematics and its exploration of philosophical questions to which other philosophers paid scant attention, Cassir...
The Emergence of Esther Lloyd-Jones

Abstract Esther Lloyd-Jones made significant contributions to the field of student affairs during her career, and she is known most commonly for her influence on the 1937 Student Personnel Point of View (SPPV). Much of her work can be applied to modern student affairs philosophy and practice. This study explores the early life of Lloyd-Jones, leading up to her involvement with the SPPV. Findings demonstrate the lasting influence Lloyd-Jones has had on the field of student affairs
Bacterial biomass and production in pack ice of Antarctic marginal ice edge zones

Abstract Bacterial biomass and production in pack ice is little known even though the pack accounts for the majority of the 20 million square kilometer Antarctic sea ice habitat. On three cruises in marginal ice edge zones, spring 1983 (AMERIEZ I), autumn 1986 (AMERIEZ II), and late winter 1985 (Wintercruise I), considerable bacterial biomass and production was found throughout ice floes up to 2.22 m thick. We hypothesize that bacteria accumulate in pack ice as a result of both physical and biological processes. During the formation and growth of ice, physical processes act to concentrate and accumulate bacteria within the ice matrix. This is followed by in situ growth along physiochemical gradients found in several sea ice microhabitats. Bacterial biomass and production in ice were equal to that present in several meters of underlying seawater during all seasons. Among microhabitats, highest bacterial production and most rapid rates of growth ( >1 d −1 ) were found in saline ponds on the surface of floes and porewater in the interior of floes. Bacterial carbon production ranged from 2% of primary production in surface brash to 45–221% of primary production in surface ponds and porewater. Bacterial growth and microalgal photosynthetic metabolism in pack ice appear to be coupled in a fashion similar to that described for fast ice. The presence of substantial numbers of active, feeding protozoans and metazoans in pack ice suggests, albeit indirectly, that bacterial production supports microheterotrophs of the microbial loop, which in turn may support organisms at higher trophic levels. Bacterial growth in pack ice may be important to the potential for primary production. Thus ice bacteria may provide remineralized inorganic nutrients necessary for continued microalgal growth in localized microhabitats within the ice or they may compete with algae for nutrients. Upon release from melting ice, actively growing bacteria also contribute to microbial biomass in seawater. From these seasonal studies, we conclude that bacterial production in pack ice contributes substantially to the trophodynamics of marginal ice edge zones during all seasons.
General solution for linearized stochastic error propagation in vehicle odometry

Abstract Although odometry is nonlinear, it yields sufficiently to linearized analysis to produce a closed-form transition matrix and a symbolic general solution for both deterministic and stochastic error propagation. The implication is that vehicle odometry can be understood at a level of theoretical rigor that parallels the well-known Schuler oscillation of inertial navigation error propagation. Response to initial conditions is shown to be expressible in closed form and is path-independent. Response to input errors can be related to path functionals. The general linearized solution for stochastic error propagation for two typical cases of odometry is derived and applied to two example trajectories.
An Examination of Speech Recognition in a Modulated Background and of Forward Masking in Younger and Older Listeners

Purpose To compare speech intelligibility in the presence of a 10-Hz square-wave noise masker in younger and older listeners and to relate performance to recovery from forward masking. Method The s...
A Short Note on Pointless Reference Formatting

In the last few years, several authors have opined that the multitude of reference styles used in scholarly journals is entirely pointless. In this brief note, a back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that this profusion of styles leads to significant waste of researchers' time and financial resources, all of which could be spent on far more meaningful pursuits. A simple solution is for all journals to adopt a single reference format. This could happen relatively easily, it is argued, if major funding agencies decided to back the idea.
Mammalian mitochondrial initiation factor 2 supports yeast mitochondrial translation without formylated initiator tRNA.

Abstract Initiation of protein synthesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts is widely believed to require a formylated initiator methionyl-tRNA () in a process involving initiation factor 2 (IF2). However, yeast strains disrupted at the FMT1 locus, encoding mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase, lack detectable but exhibit normal mitochondrial function as evidenced by normal growth on non-fermentable carbon sources. Here we show that mitochondrial translation products in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were synthesized in the absence of formylated initiator tRNA. ifm1 mutants, lacking the mitochondrial initiation factor 2 (mIF2), are unable to respire, indicative of defective mitochondrial protein synthesis, but their respiratory defect could be complemented by plasmid-borne copies of either the yeast IFM1 gene or a cDNA encoding bovine mIF2. Moreover, the bovine mIF2 sustained normal respiration in ifm1 fmt1 double mutants. Bovine mIF2 supported the same pattern of mitochondrial translation products as yeast mIF2, and the pattern did not change in cells lacking formylated . Mutant yeast lacking any mIF2 retained the ability to synthesize low levels of a subset of mitochondrially encoded proteins. The ifm1 null mutant was used to analyze the domain structure of yeast mIF2. Contrary to a previous report, the C terminus of yeast mIF2 is required for its function in vivo, whereas the N-terminal domain could be deleted. Our results indicate that formylation of initiator methionyl-tRNA is not required for mitochondrial protein synthesis. The ability of bovine mIF2 to support mitochondrial translation in the yeast fmt1 mutant suggests that this phenomenon may extend to mammalian mitochondria as well.
Long-Term Studies of the Black Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Infected with a Microsporidium

For 4 yr, we studied the host-pathogen relationship of the microsporidium Thelohania solenopsae Knell, Allen, and Hazard within field populations of the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, in Argentina. We established and monitored 6 field plots having a high density of fire ant colonies, many infected with the microsporidium. The density of colonies, initially 162 colonies per hectare, decreased to 28 colonies per hectare. The percentage of infected colonies, initially 22.4%, increased to 35.7% and was negatively associated with the density of colonies but positively associated with rainfall. T. solenopsae was the only known natural enemy of fire ants present consistently and in high levels within the plots. We suspect it is one of the main factors responsible for decreases in S. richteri population densities.
A neuromuscular elbow model for analysis of force and movement variability in slow movements

In this paper, we present a neuromuscular elbow model with both motor unit pool recruitment and Hill-based contraction dynamics. The model builds upon various models reported in the literature and provides a way to quantify force and movement variability in both isometric and non-isometric contractions. The model's accuracy in estimating muscle force variability at low force levels (at less than 20% maximum voluntary contraction) is evaluated in isometric contraction case and compared with experimental results from the literature. This comparison suggests that the model is accurate in estimating force variability within the low force range and can be used to explore effects of muscle force variability in increased kinematic variability during slow movements.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of BioCAST Multienvironment Air-Lift Bioreactor

AbstractA computational model was developed to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of a new multienvironment air-lift bioreactor. This model study considerably expands on the laboratory experiments by exploring the hydrodynamic characteristics of multiple combinations of geometries and operating conditions and by providing a visual illustration of the liquid-phase flow patterns. The model was first tested against preliminary laboratory results to ensure its validity. This included comparing two simplified geometries for the three-disc prototype air sparger assembly to determine which led to results closer to laboratory measurements. A torus geometry was found to better represent the prototype than a single disc. The model was modified to evaluate the hydrodynamic characteristics of alternative operating conditions and physical geometries beyond what would be possible in the laboratory. The flow pattern in the outer clarifier zone was shown to be very sensitive to the geometry of the bioreactor wall sep...
Spectrophotometric analysis of alkali-isomerized synthetic glycerides

Spectrophotometric data for several synthetic glycerides containing linoleic and linolenic acids are reported.
Correlation of Preoperative Pulmonary Function Testing with Clinical Course in Patients after Pneumonectomy

Postoperative morbidity and mortality were correlated with the preoperative results of three widely used tests of pulmonary function in 90 patients who underwent pneumonectomy for carcinoma of the lung. Factors analyzed following operation included thirty-day mortality, the incidence of arrhythmias, the frequency of respiratory complications, and the number of individuals requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Fourteen patients had a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 70% or less of predicted normal value. Eleven had a one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 1.5 liters or less, and 32 had an FEV1 of less than 2 liters. Twenty-six had an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.6 or less. There were no differences in morbidity or mortality between these individuals and the patients whose test scores exceeded these criteria. As a general rule, decisions regarding operability and extent of resection cannot be made solely on the basis of the three spirometry tests reviewed.
From conceptual representations to explanatory relations

Machery emphasizes the centrality of explanation for theory-based approaches to concepts. I endorse Machery's emphasis on explanation and consider recent advances in psychology that point to the "heterogeneity" of explanation, with consequences for Machery's heterogeneity hypothesis about concepts.
Lumiracoxib, a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor.

Lumiracoxib (Prexige®, Novartis AG) is a highly selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 that has been approved in 22 countries including the UK for analgesic therapy in chronic and acute pain. For patients with osteoarthritis, the recommended initial dose is 100 or 200 mg once daily, in one or two divided doses. In patients with primary dysmenorrhea, or following dental or orthopedic surgery with moderate-to-severe acute pain, the recommended dose is 400 mg once daily. The Therapeutic Arthritis Research and Gastrointestinal Event Trial (TARGET) tested the efficacy and gastrointestinal safety of the drug against two traditional nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, naproxen and ibuprofen. The results from this trial demonstrated that lumiracoxib reduces gastrointestinal ulcer complication rates by 66% overall and 79% among nonaspirin users in a population without gastroprotection. Lumiracoxib was not associated with a statistically significant difference in cardiovascular morbidity and mortali...
Designing safer ophthalmic drugs by soft drug approaches.

ABSTRACT There are two major novel metabolism-based drug design concepts which have significant advantages when used in the design of safe, specific ophthalmic drugs. One is based on predictable en...
Early results from a phase I/II radiation dose-escalation study with concurrent amifostine and infusional 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy for preoperative treatment of unresectable or locally recurrent rectal carcinoma

Abstract To improve the resectability and long-term local control of locally advanced rectal cancer, we have initiated a radiation dose-escalation trial. It is hoped that the radioprotector amifostine will sufficiently reduce rectal morbidity (without also reducing tumor response) to permit increasing radiation doses. Only 6 patients have been treated at the first dose level (45 Gy with a 9-Gy boost and concurrent continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil). During treatment, daily stool frequency improved or was stable. There was one case of transitory severe proctitis/enteritis. Four of the six patients achieved objective responses to preoperative treatment. These very early results suggest that the use of amifostine does not interfere with tumor response and that it may facilitate the delivery of higher boost doses to the rectum. Semin Oncol 29 (suppl 19):29-33. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
The Fertility of Interbreed vs. Intrabreed Matings as Determined from Artificial Breeding Data

Summary This investigation included 2,692 inseminations by 22 Holstein-Friesian and 14 Guernsey sires. There was no evidence from these data that any real difference in fertility exists between interbreed and intrabreed inseminations made on the same day, by the same technician and with semen from the same bull. Some indication of breed of bull effect on fertility was suggested.
Ectoparasites of the whitespotted rabbitfish, Siganus sutor (Valenciennes, 1835) off the Kenyan Coast: Distribution within the host population and site selection on the gills

Different populations of the whitespotted rabbitfish, Siganus sutor, were examined for ectoparasites: adults from the Mombasa area (sampled in December 1990) and different age classes (adult, subadult and juveniles) from Gazi Bay (sampled in December 1992 and August 1993). The most common gill parasites were: the monogeneans Pseudohaliotrema sp., Tetrancistrum sigani and Microcotyle mouwoi, the copepods Hatschekia sp., Pseudolepeophtheirus sp. and juvenile Caligidae, and prazina larvae of the isopod Gnathia sp. Adult siganids had a higher parasite load than subadults. Juvenile rabbitfish did not harbour any gill parasites. Temporal differences in the parasite load of subadult rabbitfish were observed for M. mouwoi (highest in the December samples) and for juvenile Caligidae (highest in August). The microhabitat of the 5 most common gill parasites was species specific. Most parasite species showed distinct site preferences with respect to both gill arches and gill sectors, within the gill arches. Niche breadth of the different gill parasite species was independent of the abundance of any of the other species present. However, niche breadths of M. mouwoi, Tetrancistrum sp. and Hatschekia sp. increased with their own abundance. This suggests that interspecific competition for space is low and that intraspecific factors could play an important role in the microhabitat choice of these gill parasites. The hypothesis that niche restriction leads to higher intraspecific contact and an enhancement of chances to mate was tested on 2 monogenean species, Pseudohaliotrema sp. and Tetrancistrum sigani. Their highly aggregated distribution over the gill filaments, leading to increased intraspecific contact, is consistent with the hypothesis.
Channel model for millimeter-wave communications based on geometry statistics

High frequency band millimeter wave (mmWave) communication is expected to be one of the key components for 5G wireless communications system. In designing the new air interfaces for mmWave, understanding the channel is a fundamental step. In this paper, we look into the key characteristics of the high frequency band channel and present a channel modeling framework based on geometry statistics. The proposed channel model lies between a fully statistically channel model and a ray-tracing based channel model and captures the key channel characteristics. Numerical results show a good match of the channel model with measurement results.
Nonrenormalizability of the quantized Dirac-Einstein system

The coupled Dirac-Einstein system is quantized and shown to be one-loop nonrenormalizable: The diagrams with eight external fermions yield a divergence proportional to the fourth power of the fermion axial-vector current. The gravitational variables required to couple gravitation to fermions are the (sixteen) vierbein fields possessing local Lorentz as well as coordinate invariance. For gravitation coupled to bosons, the vierbein and metric formulations remain equivalent at the quantum level.
Massive Hemoptysis Secondary to Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula: Treatment by a Catheterization Procedure

Massive pulmonary hemorrhage secondary to an acquired arteriovenous fistula is a rare event associated with high mortality. Cotton wads mounted on steel coils were inserted by percutaneous catheter and successfully occluded a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in a patient who had massive hemoptysis and contraindications to thoracotomy.
Immediate recovery of pituitary function after transsphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenomas

Mild hyperprolactinemia frequently accompanies the hypopituitarism associated with pituitary macroadenomas not secreting PRL. Because of this association, hypopituitarism was postulated to be due to compression of portal vessels. We postulate that resumption of hypothalamic control over pituitary function occurs immediately after adenomectomy. To test this hypothesis, we examined pituitary function before and after transsphenoidal adenomectomy in 26 ACTH-deficient patients and 23 subjects with normal adrenal and thyroidal functions (control group). Glucocorticoids, given only to ACTH-deficient subjects, were withdrawn 36 h after surgery. ACTH, cortisol, and PRL levels were measured twice daily in all patients. Both ACTH and PRL levels increased hours after surgery in controls and returned to baseline over 4 days. In all hypopituitary subjects, PRL levels decreased by 50% within hours of adenomectomy and remained so until discharge. ACTH levels, measured simultaneously, increased within hours in 17 of 26 hypopituitary patients, all of whom recovered normal adrenal function before discharge. Nine additional patients had low ACTH levels and required cortisol replacement. The reciprocal changes in PRL and ACTH levels measured simultaneously, hours after surgery, support the hypothesis that hypopituitarism is reversible and largely caused by compression of the protal vessels and the resulting interruption of delivery of hypothalamic hormones. The persistence of hypopituitarism in some patients suggests that ischemic necrosis of the anterior pituitary could limit recovery.
Effect of 14 MeV Neutrons on Space-Charge-Limited Current of Electrons in High Purity Silicon

Alloyed and symmetrical n+?n+ devices made of nominally 75k?cm ?-type Si are analyzed before and after irradiation with 14MeV neutrons at room temperature and doses of 1.2×1011, 5.5×1011 and 4.0×1012n/cm2. Immediately after the application of a large turn-on voltage step at t ? O, the flow of electrons through these devices is by pure, trap free, space-charge-limited current (sclc). From an analysis of this sclc, it is established that the drift velocity-field relationship of electrons in Si is affected by the radiation only at low temperatures in the low field range. For t>0, the current after irradiation decays below its initial trap free sclc value, thus revealing the presence of traps. Two categories are identified: fast traps with energy levels at about ?Etf ? 0.13eV below the conduction band and slow traps with energy levels at roughly ?Ets?005eV. Cross sections are also obtained. Introduction rates are about equal for both (llcm-l for fast traps and 8cm-1 for slow traps). These results demonstrate the sensitivity of sclc as a tool to detect traps and changes in the drift velocityfield relationship caused by radiation. Some implications of these results are discussed and additional experiments are suggested.
Who are the social media influencers? A study of public perceptions of personality

Abstract Social media influencers (SMIs) represent a new type of independent third party endorser who shape audience attitudes through blogs, tweets, and the use of other social media. A mature public relations literature has identified the characteristics of effective spokespersons, but relatively little is known about audience perceptions of the SMI. A q-sort technique identified core perceived attributes of four sample SMIs. A better understanding of the perceived personality of SMIs provides tools for optimizing an organization's SMI capital.
Discrimination of monovalent inorganic cations by “tight” junctions of gallbladder epithelium

Relative permeability coefficients (P's) for Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH 4 + and Tl+ have been measured in gallbladders of several animal species. Small differences are observed among individual animals of the same species in theP values for a given ion. Individual variations inP values of different ions are closely correlated, permitting construction of so-called selectivity isotherms. Exposure to pH 4 reversibly shiftsP values along the same isotherms as those defined by individual variation. Changes in partial conductances with pH indicate that cation conductance is controlled by acidic sites with an apparent pK a value near 4.5, anion conductance by basic sites with an apparent pK a value below 3. Isotherms for rabbit gallbladder and bullfrog gallbladder are quite similar, and the small differences between them are probably attributable to a narrower permeation channel in rabbit in bullfrog. Permeability ratios for eight other epithelia with leaky “tight junctions” fall close to the isotherms for rabbit and bullfrog gallbladders. The observed isotherms, sequences, and pH-dependence of alkali cation permeability are strikingly consistent with Eisenman's interpretation that selectivity is controlled by site field strength. Variation inP Tl andP NH4 is also correlated with variation in site field strength. Comparison with isotherms or “selectivity fingerprints” for glass electrodes and macrocyclic carriers suggests that the permeation channel in gallbladder tight junctions is highly hydrated; and that sites in the gallbladder may possess net charge and may not be in a precisely regular spatial array.