cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal trends of Dechlorane Plus in air and precipitation around the North American Great Lakes.

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is a chlorinated flame retardant manufactured only in Niagara Falls, New York and in Huai'an, China. To determine if the environmental levels of this compound were changing significantly, we measured the long-term temporal trends of its concentrations near the Great Lakes between 2005 and 2015 using air (vapor + particle phase) samples (N = 1047) and precipitation samples (N = 449). We used a multiple linear regression model of DP concentrations to isolate the variabilities due to sampling date and population near the sampling site. The results show that the total DP concentrations in precipitation varied seasonally, maximizing on January 18, but the concentrations in the vapor + particle phase did not show seasonal variations. Vapor + particle phase DP levels were relatively high in Cleveland, and precipitation DP levels were relatively high at Point Petre. DP's concentrations in neither phase were changing as a function of sampling date, indicating that the input of this compound into the environment is continuing, presumably because its use and production are not regulated. Based on the ratio of the anti conformer relative to the total of the two conformer concentrations, we suggest that the syn conformer is somewhat more environmentally stable than the anti conformer.
Long-term yogurt consumption and risk of incident hypertension in adults.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relation between yogurt consumption as well as cheese, milk, and total dairy, and high blood pressure (HBP) in two Nurses' Health Study cohorts (NHS, n = 69 298), NHS II (n = 84 368) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS, n = 30 512). METHODS NHS, NHS II, and HPFS participants were followed for incident HBP for up to 30, 20, and 24 years, respectively. Hazard ratios were calculated using time-dependent multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Pooled risk estimates were derived from fixed effects meta-analyses. RESULTS Participants consuming at least five servings per week (vs. <1 serving per month) of yogurt in NHS, NHS II, and HPFS had 19% (95% CI 0.75-0.87), 17% (95% CI 0.77-0.90), and 6% (95% CI 0.83-1.07) lower HBP risks, respectively. In pooled analyses of these cohorts, higher yogurt consumption was linked with 16% (95% CI 0.80-0.88) lower HBP risk; higher total dairy (3 to <6 vs. <0.5 servings/day), milk (2 to <6/day vs. <4/week) and cheese (1 to 4/day vs. <1/week) were associated with 16% (95% CI 0.81-0.87), 12% (95% CI 0.86-0.90), and 6% (95% CI 0.90-0.97) lower HBP risks, respectively. After controlling for BMI as a possible causal intermediate, total dairy, yogurt, milk, and cheese were associated with 13, 10, 8, and 8% lower HBP risks, respectively. The combination of higher yogurt intake and higher DASH ('Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension') diet scores was associated with 30% (95% CI 0.66-0.75) lower HBP risk compared with lower levels of both factors. CONCLUSION Higher total dairy intake, especially in the form of yogurt, was associated with lower risk of incident HBP in middle-aged and older adult men and women.
Artificial Wombs and Embryo Adoption

In this essay, I will offer a tentative assessment of the ethics of both embryo adoption (Heterologous Embryo Transfer-HET) and the use of an artificial uterus on the basis of currently articulated Catholic teaching. While embryo adoption is already a present reality, a discussion of an artificial uterus may seem utterly unrelated to any real possibility, akin to an ethical evaluation of using a Star Trek transporter. However, such a judgment must also reckon with contemporary developments. In 1973, viability was considered to begin at around 28 weeks gestation and neonates under 1,000 g were allowed to die, but by the year 2000 premature infants of only 18 weeks and 470 g are reported to have survived (Singer & Wells, 1984, p.131; Oderberg, 2000, p. 5). Since then, efforts by scientists to lower the threshold of viability have continued, in particular at Temple University, Cornell University, and Juntendo
Pediatric Urological Complications with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

Intraoperative radiotherapy with variable energy electrons has been used as a supplemental boost to treat 6 children with locally advanced retroperitoneal malignancies. Of the patients 4 had treatment-related injuries to portions of the urinary tract within the intraoperative and external radiation fields. Three patients had significant renal impairment requiring surgical correction. The pathogenesis and management of treatment-induced injury to the urinary tract are discussed.
Improving High-resolution Impedance Manometry Using Novel Viscous and Super-viscous Substrates in the Supine and Upright Positions: A Pilot Study

Background/Aims Swallows with viscous or solid boluses in different body positions alter esophageal manometry patterns. Limitations of previous studies include lack of standardized viscous substrates and the need for chewing prior to swallowing solid boluses. We hypothesize that high-resolution impedance manometry (HRiM) using standardized viscous and super-viscous swallows in supine and upright positions improves sensitivity for detecting esophageal motility abnormalities when compared with traditional saline swallows. To establish normative values for these novel substrates, we recruited healthy volunteers and performed HRiM. Methods Standardized viscous and super-viscous substrates were prepared using "Thick-It" food thickener and a rotational viscometer. All swallows were administered in 5-mL increments in both supine and upright positions. HRiM metrics and impedance (bolus transit) were calculated. We used a paired two-tailed t test to compare all metrics by position and substrate. Results The 5-g, 7-g, and 10-g substrates measured 5000, 36 200, and 64 700 mPa∙sec, respectively. In 18 volunteers, we observed that the integrated relaxation pressure was lower when upright than when supine for all substrates (P < 0.01). The 10-g substrate significantly increased integrated relaxation pressure when compared to saline in the supine position (P < 0.01). Substrates and positions also affected distal contractile integral, distal latency, and impedance values. Conclusions We examined HRiM values using novel standardized viscous and super-viscous substrates in healthy subjects for both supine and upright positions. We found that viscosity and position affected HRiM Chicago metrics and have potential to increase the sensitivity of esophageal manometry.
A Gentle Introduction to Spatiotemporal Data Mining

Spatiotemporal data mining refers to the extraction of knowledge, regularly repeating relationships, and interesting patterns from data with spatial and temporal aspects. In recent years, many spatiotemporal frequent pattern mining algorithms were developed for spatiotemporal event instances represented by a series of region objects that evolves over time. These algorithms focus on the discovery of spatiotemporal co-occurrence patterns and event sequences by inspecting the spatiotemporal overlap and follow relationships. Before moving onto these relationships, we will demonstrate different types of spatiotemporal knowledge to place the relationships and methods in the greater context. This chapter provides a bird-eye view on the output of spatiotemporal data mining techniques in the literature, gives rationale for mining spatiotemporal patterns from evolving regions, and explains the challenges of mining patterns from evolving region data.
Iodine binding and release from antimicrobial hemostatic polymer foams

Abstract Hemostatic macroporous polymer foams synthesized via high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating were loaded with iodine to impart broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The effects of kaolin loading and iodine content on structure and antimicrobial activity were identified. ATR-FTIR, Raman, and XRD provided detailed insight into the complexation of iodine with the cross-linked PEG-NaAA-PEG macroporous polymer matrix. Iodine was found to incorporate into the foams exclusively as triiodide (I3−) ion coordinated to the various carbonyls throughout the polymer structure. Continued, sustained release kinetics of iodine over 48 h was achieved at high iodine loading, while low iodine yielded burst release kinetics. Broad spectrum antimicrobial activity dependent on iodine loading was demonstrated with significant zone of inhibition against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus. This represents the first report of detailed complexation and sustained release of antimicrobial iodine into highly absorbent, hemostatic, and biocompatible polymeric wound dressing material with potential to combat bacterial resistance in infected wounds.
On the Complexity of Automatic Complexity

Generalizing the notion of automatic complexity of individual words due to Shallit and Wang, we define the automatic complexity A(E) of an equivalence relation E on a finite set S of words. We prove that the problem of determining whether A(E) equals the number |E| of equivalence classes of E is NP-complete. The problem of determining whether A(E) = |E| + k for a fixed k ≥ 1 is complete for the second level of the Boolean hierarchy for NP, i.e., BH 2-complete. Let L be the language consisting of all words of maximal nondeterministic automatic complexity. We characterize the complexity of infinite subsets of L by showing that they can be co-context-free but not context-free, i.e., L is CFL-immune, but not coCFL-immune. We show that for each e > 0, L e ∉ coCFL, where L e is the set of all words whose deterministic automatic complexity A(x) satisfies A(x) ≥ |x|1/2−e .
Clinical research progress of biological markers for acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury(AKI) is a clinical syndrome characterized as acute renal dysfunction with difficult treatment and high mortality,and is one of the most common complications in critically ill patients.Till now,the blood creatinine and urine volume were widely used to diagnose AKI in clinic,but both of them could not represent the change of renal function timely and accurately.Some new biomarkers provide new probable criteria for early diagnosis and treatment of AKI.In this paper,we make a review on new biological markers focused on AKI research at present. Key words: Acute kidney injury; Blood creatinine; Biomarker
Single-use hypodermic needles and obstetric sleeves failed to reduce bovine leukemia virus transmission in three dairy herds

The objective of this study was to determine the utility of single-use hypodermic needles and reproductive examination sleeves in reducing the transmission of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in dairy herds. Numerous epidemiological studies have identified re-use of needles and exam sleeves as significant risk factors for BLV, therefore adopting a practice of single-use needles and sleeves is a commonly suggested management change for reducing BLV transmission. We conducted a field trial on 3 midwestern commercial dairy herds that had not been employing single use of needles or sleeves as part of their herd health protocol. Additionally, each of the herds had a BLV prevalence among adult cows of at least 20%. BLV milk-ELISA negative cows were randomly assigned to always receive a new single-use needle and new exam sleeve (intervention group). We also monitored and tested BLV milk-ELISA negative cows that received the standard management practice of needles and sleeves that were shared with ELISA-positive herd mates (controls). Cumulative incidence of new infections was determined by semiannual BLV milk-ELISA testing. The cumulative incidence of new BLV infections was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Medical hygiene to prevent bloodborne transmission is still recommended, but in these 3 herds, re-use of needles and sleeves did not appear to be a major route of BLV transmission.
Impact of payer status and hospital volume on outcomes after head and neck oncologic reconstruction.

Abstract Background High-volume centers improve outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNCA) reconstruction, yet it is unknown whether patients of all payer status benefit equally. Methods We identified patients undergoing HNCA surgery between 2002 and 2015 using the National Inpatient Sample. Outcomes included receipt of care at high-volume centers, receipt of reconstruction, and post-operative complications. Multivariate regression analysis was stratified by payer status. Results 37,442 patients received reconstruction out of 101,204 patients who underwent HNCA surgery (37.0%). Privately-insured and Medicaid patients had similar odds of receiving high-volume care (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.87–1.11) and undergoing reconstruction (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.86–1.05). Medicaid beneficiaries had higher odds of complication (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22–1.51). The discrepancy in complication odds was significant at low-volume (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.12–1.84) and high-volume centers (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.15–1.47). Conclusions Medicaid beneficiaries are as likely to receive care at high-volume centers and undergo reconstruction as privately-insured individuals. However, they have poorer outcomes than privately-insured individuals at both low- and high-volume centers.
Industrial Growth Constraints in 2018: Enterprises’ Opinion

In the course of monthly surveys which have been carried out by the Institute for Economic Policy since 1992, Russian industrial enterprises are asked to identify factors which curb output growth. Insufficient domestic demand has been a major problem for the industry since the period of the 2008-2009 crisis.
A career's journey with Jim

It is a bit of an understatement for me to say that James C. Wyant has had a significant impact on my career. He has been my teacher, my instrument supplier, my mentor, my colleague, my boss and construction partner, and most importantly, my friend. This talk is my attempt to reflect on this journey. I first met Jim, actually Professor Wyant at the time, in 1977 when I took his Optical Testing course. I do not recall working much if any with Jim when I was a student, but the Optical Sciences Center was much smaller at the time, so we certainly knew each other. When I graduated in 1980, I went to work at the Kodak Research Labs doing, you guessed it, interferometry. This was a very interesting time for interferometry as phase-shifting interferometry was just starting to take hold. As I started publishing and became involved with this community, my interactions with Jim increased to where he became my mentor. After WYKO was founded, I purchased a couple of instruments. Jim was instrumental in recruiting me to become a faculty member, which I did in 1991. After Jim became Director of OSC, it became apparent that we needed more space, and Jim asked me to help him. We started by drafting a ridiculously optimistic forecast of the growth of OSC that would be enabled by a new building. The forecast led to approval, an initial budget, and got the process started. Jim then essentially asked me “to go build a building,” which led to a pre-architectural study, revised budgets, selecting an architect, design, selecting a contractor and construction (with ample donuts at the weekly construction meetings). We occupied the building in 2006 only to find that the building was essentially completely full on move-in, and that we had already met the ridiculously optimistic forecast! About the same time in 2005, Jim convinced the University to elevate us to the College of Optical Sciences, and Jim became our first Dean.
The Coding Stages Assessment: development and validation of an instrument for assessing young children’s proficiency in the ScratchJr programming language

Background and Context: Despite the increasing implementation of coding in early curricula, there are few valid and reliable assessments of coding abilities for young children. This impedes studyin...
Particle pair statistics of inertial particles at small separation using stereoscopic particle tracking

Particle pair statistics of inertial particles having average Stokes numbers of 2.1 and 14 are measured in isotropic turbulence at a Reynolds number of Reλ = 240. The radial distribution function (RDF) and mean relative approach velocity are obtained at small separation distances using 2-frame stereoscopic particle tracking velocimetry (stereo-PTV). At small separation distance, the RDF varies by an order of magnitude in the range of Stokes numbers investigated. However, the mean relative approach velocity is found to have a weak dependence on Stokes number. The results are shown to have high accuracy when compared to analogous mono-PTV datasets, and can be used to provide a more reliable estimate of the inter-particle collision rate. The main limitation of the measurement is observed at separation distances less than the laser sheet thickness, where the technique tended to underestimate the mean relative approach velocity.
Ductile Crack Bifurcation and Arrest in Pressurized Pipe

This paper presents selected results on ductile crack propagation, curving and branching, and crack arrest from ten dynamic pipe rupture tests. Strain gage results adjacent to the crack path showed that a Dugdale-Barenblatt strip yield zone, of the order of eight pipe diameters in length, preceded the propagating crack tip and that the maximum principal strain direction changed from the hoop to the axial direction approximately 6 to 8 pipe diameters downstream of the crack tip. This change in principal strain direction constitutes the sufficiency condition for crack curving or branching prior to crack arrest in the absence of a crack arrester. The necessary condition for crack arrest is the sudden and sufficient increase in fracture resistance due to either increased apparent fracture toughness or a pipe opening restraint in the crack path.
The Role of Fas in the Immune System Biology of IL-2Rα Knockout Mice: Interplay among Regulatory T Cells, Inflammation, Hemopoiesis, and Apoptosis

Introducing lpr mutation prevents early mortality associated with IL-2Rα knockout (KO) mice, prompting us to determine the role of Fas in the immune system biology of IL-2Rα KO mice. Consistent with a defect in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cell expression, spontaneous lymphocyte activation in lymphoid organs was observed in 6-wk-old mice. In 16- to 22-wk-old mice, infiltration of leukocytes was observed in bone marrow, colon, lung, pancreas, lacrimal gland, and salivary gland, but not in heart, thyroid, liver, stomach, small intestine, ovary, and kidney. In the lymphocytes-infiltrated bone marrow, B cell lymphopoiesis was blocked at pro-B to pre-B/immature B stage, culminating in an age-dependent B cell loss in the periphery. These phenotypes were also observed in IL-2Rα KO mice bearing the lpr mutation (DM mice), indicating Treg cell function and the phenotypes attributed directly to Treg cell abnormality are largely Fas-independent. However, anemia and body weight loss were partially prevented, tissue cell apoptosis was inhibited, and lifespan was improved in the DM mice, demonstrating Fas-dependent elements in these processes. Our age-dependent, lifelong analysis of IL-2Rα KO and DM mice supports a CD4+CD25+ Treg cell-based mechanism for the abnormal immune system biology observed in IL-2Rα KO mice and provides a global view of the interplays among Treg cells, multiorgan inflammation, hemopoiesis, and apoptosis.
Sexual Satisfaction and Relationship Satisfaction in Dating Couples

Abstract This study assessed the merits of an amended Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction (IEMSS; Lawrance & Byers, 1992, 1995) that includes a measure of relationship communality, a construct not adequately captured by existing exchange models of sexual/relationship satisfaction. A total of 189 undergraduates (102 female) in sexually active dating relationships completed measures of sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, favorability of sexual exchanges, and the extent to which their romantic relationships were characterized by mutually communal behaviors (i.e., relationship communality). Analyses revealed that relationship communality made a small but unique contribution to sexual satisfaction and a large contribution to relationship satisfaction, even after controlling for sexual satisfaction and favorability of sexual exchanges. Implications for understanding the dynamics of sexually active dating relationships are discussed.
Dialysis Support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the pediatric intensive care unit encompasses a wide spectrum of dialysis modalities, including peritoneal dialysis, intermittent hemodialysis, and continuous hemodialysis. The choice of RRT modality depends on the clinical setting, access, availability of equipment, and experience of the staff. Advances in newer access, dialysis equipment, and improved understanding of delivered dialysis have had a positive impact on survival in children with acute renal failure. Renal replacement therapy can also be used in children with specific clinical disease processes such as inborn errors of metabolism. Currently, there is no superior mode of RRT in acute renal failure. There are limited data available on the appropriate choice of modality for the specific disease state. This area requires further prospective studies to define the role of RRT in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Chapter 2 A survey of theories of the family

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the theories of the family, and discusses the household technology and utility possibility frontiers, decision-making in the family, theories of the marriage and household membership, and interdependent preferences within families. An important conceptual building block for economic theories of marriage is the utility possibility frontier that any couple would face, if they were to marry each other. It is a consequence of the second fundamental theorem of welfare economics that if preferences are convex and there are no consumption externalities, then any household that allocates marketable private goods among its members will act as if each household member is given a personal income and is allowed to spend it as he or she wishes. Although the problem of benefit–cost analysis of household public goods in benevolent families seems interesting and important, it does not seem to have received much attention in the literature.
Studies of the affinity of nuclear material for uroporphyrin: II. Phytohemagglutinin “transformed” rat peritoneal lymphocytes

Abstract Peritoneal exudates of rats injected intraperitoneally with PHA-P over a 10-day period contained many cells morphologically similar to the transformed lymphocytes observed when rat peripheral lymphocytes are cultured in vitro , in the presence of PHA. These transformed cells were the only cell type among those of the peritoneal exudate to retain uroporphyrin in the nucleus for up to 24 hours after injection of the porphyrin. Peritoneal cells and peripheral lymphocytes from normal rats not given PHA-P did not contain any uroporphyrin under similar conditions. In respect to the affinity of nuclear material for uroporphyrin the PHA-P stimulated cells are similar to Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.
Early Math and Literacy Skills

Children's cognitive skills and socioemotional behaviors at school entry constitute the building blocks for the acquisition of later, more sophisticated skills. But discussions of preschool “quality” reveal little consensus regarding the relative importance of cognitive versus socioemotional skills for school readiness. Our chapter summarizes evidence showing that future school achievement is much less a function of a child's school-entry social and emotional development than his or her concrete literacy and numeracy skills. Ability to pay attention and engage in school tasks occupies an intermediate position. Expanding the conception of school “success” to include not only doing well on achievement tests but also completing high school and attending college, changes the picture somewhat. Avoiding persistently low math achievement matters the most for positive school attainment, but children with persistent antisocial behavior problems across middle childhood are also at elevated risk of low attainment.
Expression of the p80 region of bovine viral diarrhea virus and identification of specific antibodies to this recombinant protein in bovine sera.

Abstract A 917-base pair segment of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) genome encoding part of the p80 region was cloned into plasmid Gex-2T expression vector for expression as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST). When the p80 and GST sequences were in the same reading frames, the resulting GST-p80 fusion protein had a molecular mass of 58 kilodaltons (kDa) in SDS-PAGE. Extracts of control E. coli carrying only the vector plasmid (Gex-2T) did not contain this new 58-kDa protein band. Mouse monoclonal antibody specific to BVDV-p80 recognized this recombinant protein. Seventy cattle sera that had an SN titer (to TGAC isolate of cytopathic BVDV) greater than 1:8 reacted with this recombinant protein in Western blots. Of 28 cattle sera that had SN titers ≤ 1:8, only one serum tested positive on Western blots.
The contribution of parenting practices in a risk and resiliency model of children's adjustment

A risk and resiliency model of children's adjustment was evaluated, with a focus on the relationship of parenting practices to risk and protective factors. Risk factors included family stress, family conflict, parent psychopathology and low socio-economic status. Protective factors included family cohesion, family social support and family moral– religious orientation. The research hypothesis was that parenting practices would have a direct effect on child outcomes, as well as a moderating effect on the relationship between risk and protective factors and child outcomes. Three different outcomes were utilized: disruptive behaviour disorders, adaptive emotional functioning and school achievement. Participants were 80 children aged 6–12 years and their mothers. Hierarchical regression analyses suggested that the combination of family risk and protection and parenting practices was highly predictive of child functioning for both disruptive externalizing behaviours and positive emotional adaptation. It was found that negative family factors were more highly associated with negative child outcomes, whereas positive family factors were more highly associated with positive child outcomes. Family risk factors and poor parenting primarily accounted for the variance in externalizing child behaviours. Alternately, family protective factors and positive parenting primarily accounted for the variance in child adaptive behaviours. Parenting practices had a direct effect on child outcomes, but was not a strong moderator of the relationship between risk and protection factors and child outcomes.
Improving the horizontal transport in the lower troposphere with four dimensional data assimilation

The physical processes involved in air quality modeling are governed by dynamically-generated meteorological model fields. This research focuses on reducing the uncertainty in the horizontal transport in the lower troposphere by improving the four dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) strategy in retrospective meteorological modeling. In particular, characterization of winds in the nocturnal low-level jet and overlying residual layer is crucial to accurately model regional-scale ozone transport in the key airsheds of the US. Since model errors in wind speed and direction lead to spatial displacements of pollution plumes, observations not routinely used in previous retrospective modeling are introduced through FDDA in an effort to help reduce this transport uncertainty. Prior to the main modeling sensitivity, an observational uncertainty analysis was pursued to identify uncertainties in the wind speed and direction in the lower 1-km of the troposphere that are inherent in the observational data sets used in FDDA. Comparisons of observations among various platforms (radar wind profilers, radiosonde soundings and weather radar profiles) taken in close proximity revealed that an uncertainty of approximately 1.8 m s �1 for wind speed and about 20� for wind direction was intrinsic to the measurements. In the modeling sensitivities, some minimal improvement of modeled winds within the convective planetary boundary layer (PBL) was found when surface analysis nudging of wind was eliminated. Improvements in the nocturnal jet and residual layer winds at night are demonstrated as a reaction to the use of new observations in the data assimilation in layers above the stable PBL. There is also evidence that the assimilated observations above the convective PBL during the day led to improvements of winds within the PBL, which may relieve the need of nudging within the PBL, including surface analysis nudging. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
An Approach to Elongated Fine-Particle Magnets

The coercive force predicted by theory for single-domain particles with shape anisotropy frequently far exceeds the observed value. From an examination of the results of Paine, Mendelsohn, and Luborsky on elongated iron particles, several approximate models are suggested which may exist in certain experimental situations. Detailed calculations are presented for a "chain-of-spheres" model remagnetizing by several mechanisms. Comparison with experiment on certain single-domain particles of known elongation favors the chain-of-spheres model as a suitable description of their magnetic behavior. A successful calculation is made of the coercive force of material prepared by several earlier workers. A comparison of the new models with the older ones indicates a direction for experimental advance.
The first structure–function approach to drug design in anaesthesiaDr David S. Savage and pancuronium bromide

This is the story of the development of pancuronium bromide and David S. Savage's enormous contribution to the first rational structure–function approach to the design of a pharmaceutically useful drug.
Suppression of mitotic activity and synchronization of cell development in olfactory epithelium

Prolonged continuous application of hydroxyurea to frog olfactory epithelium suppresses mitotic activity in this tissue without side effects. After ZnSO4-induced coagulation necrosis of the olfactory epithelium, application of hydroxyurea prevents the usual epithelial regeneration. A method for obtaining frog olfactory epithelium with a developmentally synchronized neuronal population is introduced. The epithelium is first ablated by perfusion of the nasal cavity with ZnSO4. Then the epithelium is allowed to regenerate for 6 days, after which continuous introduction into the nasal cavity of hydroxyurea suppresses mitotic activity and thus the generation of new cells in the tissue. Cells formed during the 6 days prior to hydroxyurea treatment continue to develop. We found that the olfactory receptor cells are generated beginning on the 6th day after ablation, and so the epithelia contain a highly synchronized population of neurons all generated within about 24 h.
Histological effects and bioaccumulation potential of coal particulate-bound phenanthrene in the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas

Abstract Fathead minnows Pimephales promelas were exposed to phenanthrene adsorbed to μm coal particles in a 14-day flow-through exposure to determine changes in histology and bioaccumulation. Based on light microscopic examination, coal particulates caused no obvious damage to external surfaces such as gills or skin and particulates were not observed to have accumulated in internal tissues. However, coal particles were readily ingested and this was followed by extensive mucous secretion by the gut mucosa. In addition, electron micrographs of the gut showed mucous globules in coal-exposed epithelium but no erosion of microvilli. Phenanthrene bioacumulation was compared in fish exposed to dissolved aqueous phenanthrene and fish exposed to dissolved aqueous phenanthrene plus coal particulate-bound phenanthrene. Enhanced phenanthrene uptake was not measured in coal-exposed fish and bioconcentration factors were 1000–4000 during the 14-day exposure period. Elimination of coal from the gut and phenanthrene from the tissues was rapid; both were undetectable after a 24-h depuration period.
Role of income diversification in protecting natural forests: evidence from rural households in forest margins of Sri Lanka

Income diversification among households living in forest margins helps to maintain a sustainable livelihood. Reducing forest dependency helps in-situ conservation of biodiversity thereby conserving forest resources. This paper presents evidence of income diversification and its effects on forest resource extraction by rural communities living in forest margins. Diversified income sources of typical households include crop farming, off-farm employment, animal husbandry, home gardening and extraction of non-timber forest products and fuelwood. The calculated mean indexes of diversification for the households in forest margins under investigation were 2.53, 2.57, 2.19 and 2.25. Results of the analysis show that the income diversification index had a negative and significant effect on dependency of rural households on forest resource extraction for three forest reserves. A positive relation between the index of income diversification and total income indicates an increase in household income due to increasing diversification income sources. However, given the complex nature of protecting natural forests, income diversification should be part of a broader integrated policy goal to protect natural forests.
Activity stain for the detection of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its application to the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of beef heart.

Abstract A rapid method for detecting cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterases in a gel matrix after electrophoresis has been described. The method can be employed for identifying cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in partially purified preparations as well as for screening crude tissue extracts for this activity. When combined with density gel scanning, this technique permits the estimation of the relative levels of enzyme activity in different tissues or preparations. Beef heart contains at least two electrophoretically distinct forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity, both of which can hydrolyze cyclic 3′,5′-AMP and cyclic 3′,5′-GMP.
In Women Under 35 with Unexplained Infertility, IUI Cycle Outcomes Using 50 mg of Clomiphene Citrate are Similar to Those Using 100 mg

-0.312 0.162; r1⁄4 -0.126, 95% CI -0.368-0.133). Total motile count in the dSA and/or iSA were not predictive of FR (r1⁄4 0.115, 95% CI -0.125 0.343; r1⁄4 -0.068, 95% CI -0.300-0.171). No correlation could be determined between dHBA or iHBA values. CONCLUSION: Total motile count, spermmorphology and HBAwere not predictive of fertilization success or failure in conventional insemination IVF cycles. In addition, HBA values were not reproducible between SA samples and may not be a more accurate diagnostic sperm function test to predict fertilization potential. FINANCIAL SUPPORT: None. References: 1. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for non-male factor infertility: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril 2012; 98:1395-9. 2. http://origio.com/products/midatlantic%20devices/hba.aspx.
CONTRADICTORY ACTIONS OF CAFFEINE, CORAMINE, AND METRAZOL

The results of experiments on rats and rabbits narcotised with barbital and treated with caffeine, coramine, or metrazol reveal the fact that these substances are capable of accentuating the depressant action of the barbiturate under certain conditions. The barbiturate was administered in single sub-lethal doses. The other substances were given in varying quantities, each dosage unit being slightly below or above the lethal level for normal controls. Sub-lethal doses of caffeine and coramine administered to the barbitalised rat caused transient arousals, with tremors or mild convulsions at certain dosage levels and the same effects, followed by delayed death in depression, at higher levels. The percentage of recoveries from the combined substances was less than that from caffeine and coramine alone. Lethal doses of metrazol caused permanent arousal without convulsions at lower dosage levels, permanent arousal with convulsions at higher levels, and convulsions followed by death at still higher levels. The barbitalised rat was able to tolerate large lethal doses of metrazol, indicating a high degree of reciprocal antagonism between barbital and metrazol in that species. A depressant effect was more in evidence than a stimulatory action with caffeine. The rat manifests a distinct species intolerance to coramine. It is not a suitable animal on which to make generalisations in comparative studies on coramine. Normally stimulating doses of coramine and metrazol, administered in single or fractional portions to barbitalised rabbits, caused transitory arousal at certain dosage levels, with death in depression in others; but in every instance coramine or metrazol, when combined with barbital, increased the duration of narcosis over that of the controls, and caused some fatalities. These studies point to possible danger in the use of these substances indiscriminately in barbiturate depression and emphasise their contraindication in deep barbiturate depression. We interpret these phenomena as due to a secondary depressant action of caffeine, coramine, and metrazol elicited at certain levels of depression initiated by the barbiturates.
Attempts at induced agranulocytosis in rats using dipyrone.

Dipyrone administered orally to rats at the rate of 50 and 100 mg. per day over a period of 8 weeks did not produce any abnormalities in the blood picture. In addition no visible differences could be observed in the rats receiving the drug over those of the control group. No sensitivity to the drug was observed.
QoE evaluation for video streaming over eMBMS

As the multicast standard for Long Term Evolution (LTE), Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS) was introduced by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to facilitate delivery of popular content to multiple users over a cellular network. If a large number of users is interested in the same content, for e.g., live sports, news clips, etc., multicast transmission can significantly lower the cost and make better use of the spectrum as compared to unicast transmission. In this paper, we study and analyze the quality of experience (QoE) at the end user during live video streaming over eMBMS. We consider a comprehensive end-to-end MBMS streaming frame-work based on H.264/AVC encoded video content delivered in a chunked format over multiple segments using the File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) protocol, combined with application layer (AL) forward error correction (FEC) based on Raptor and RaptorQ codes. Specifically, our study involves QoE evaluation in terms of startup delay, rebuffering percentage and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) metrics and provides performance evaluations to characterize the impact of various MBMS streaming, transport and AL-FEC configurations on the end user QoE. We also propose a decoding strategy that takes into consideration the systematic structure of AL-FEC codes to enhance performance when a source block decoding fails.
Point-defects in magnesium sulfide

The results of a study of point defects in MgS are presented. First we obtain empirical interionic potentials in the framework of a shell model and then calculate defect energies using the HADES and ICECAP simulation procedures. The calculated Schottky formation energy is 10.9 eV in comparison to the cation and anion Frenkel formation energies of 11.9 and 25.1 eV, respectively. The migration energy by the vacancy mechanism of the Mg2+ and S2− ions is predicted to be 2.5 and 3.4 eV, respectively. One-electron ICECAP calculations yield the optical absorption energy of 3.1 eV for the F+ center in MgS.
BtubA-BtubB heterodimer is an essential intermediate in protofilament assembly.

Background: BtubA and BtubB are two tubulin-like genes found in the bacterium Prosthecobacter. Our work and a previous crystal structure suggest that BtubB corresponds to a2tubulin and BtubA to b2tubulin. A 1:1 mixture of the two proteins assembles into tubulin-like protofilaments, which further aggregate into pairs and bundles. The proteins also form a BtubA/ B heterodimer, which appears to be a repeating subunit in the protofilament. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have designed point mutations to disrupt the longitudinal interfaces bonding subunits into protofilaments. The mutants are in two classes, within dimers and between dimers. We have characterized one mutant of each class for BtubA and BtubB. When mixed 1:1 with a wild type partner, none of the mutants were capable of assembly. An excess of between-dimer mutants could depolymerize preformed wild type polymers, while within-dimer mutants had no activity. Conclusions: An essential first step in assembly of BtubA + BtubB is formation of a heterodimer. An excess of betweendimer mutants depolymerize wild type BtubA/B by sequestering the partner wild type subunit into inactive dimers. Withindimer mutants cannot form dimers and have no activity.
Fractography of AISI 1140 Modified Steel under Static and Cyclic Loading Conditions

The fracture behavior of modified AISI 1140 resulfurized steel containing manganese (1.05 to 1.25%) and sulfur (0.16 to 0.23%) has been studied under controlled fast fracture and fatigue fracture conditions. “C”-shaped ring samples were machined from tubes hammer forged at 700°C by the GFM process (Gesellschaft fur Fertigungstechnik und Maschinenbau [AG] manufactured in Steyr, Austria) so as to develop a highly fibered (axial) microstructure. The microstructure of the material was evaluated and compared with the fracture surface morphology as a function of loading history. It was determined that the MnS inclusion stringers were encapsulated within the ferrite phase and that static fracture progressed along the stringer-ferrite interface. Conversely, fatigue cracks as evidenced by the presence of fatigue striations propagated mainly within the ferrite phase.
Surveying the noise exposure of classrooms

Abstract The results of a survey of schools in Hong Kong exposed to road traffic and aircraft noise are reported. The purpose of the survey was not to assess individual schools but to produce noise exposure data on all the schools in the city. The results of the study are presented as a tool with which the existence and severity of the problem can be assessed and with which decision-makers can examine the ramifications of setting different noise level standards. The sampling procedures used to collect data rapidly and of sufficient accuracy for the purposes of the study are reported. Some observations are made on how such results should be interpreted by the acoustician for the non-specialist decision-maker.
Effect of Early Small Exchange Transfusion on the X-Irradiated Dog.∗:

Summary1. Immediate removal of 250 cc of blood and replacement with an equal volume of normal compatible whole blood in 20 lb dogs given 550 r whole body irradiation (expected LD 80) results in a marked delay in onset of radiation syndrome and mortality. There is a suggestive decrease in ultimate mortality as well. 2. No differences in average leucocyte count, platelet count, or hematocrit were observed in the two groups, nor were there differences in clinical or postmortem anatomical findings. 3. The implications of these results are discussed.
Asymptotically minimax tests of composite hypotheses

X1,⋯,X> nare independent, identically distributed random variables with common density function f(x¦θ1,⋯,θk,θk+1), assumed to satisfy certain standard regularity conditions. The k+1 parameters are unknown, and the problem is to test the hypothesis that θk+1=b against the alternative that θk+1=b+cn−1/2. θ1,⋯,θkare nuisance parameters. For this problem, the following artificial problem is temporarily substituted. It is known that ¦θ1-ai¦≦n−1/2M(n) for i=1,⋯,k, where a1, ⋯,akare known, and M(n) approaches infinity as n increases but n−1/2M(n) approaches zero as n increases. A Bayes decision rule is constructed for this artificial problem, relative to the a priori distribution which assigns weight A to θk+1=b, and weight 1-A to θk+1=b+cn−1/2, in each case the weight being spread uniformly over the possible values of θ1,⋯,θkin the artificial problem. An analysis of the structure of the Bayes rule shows that if estimates of θ1,...,θkare substituted for a1..., akrespectively, the resulting rule is a solution to the original problem, and this rule has the same asymptotic properties as a solution to the artificial problem as the Bayes rule for the artificial problem, no matter what the values a1..., akare.
An architecture for the internet key exchange protocol

In this paper we present the design, rationale, and implementation of the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Protocol. This protocol is used to create and maintain Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) associations and secure tunnels in the IP layer. Secure tunnels are used to construct virtual private networks (VPNs) over the Internet. The implementation is done in the application layer. The design includes four components: (1) an IKE protocol engine to execute the IKE protocol, (2) a tunnel manager to create and manage secure tunnels--it generates requests to the IKE protocol engine to establish security associations, (3) VPN policy administration tools to manage VPN policies that guide the actions of the IKE protocol engine and the tunnel manager, and (4) a certificate proxy server to acquire and verify public key certificates that are used for authentication of messages and identities in the IKE protocol. The implementation was done on the Advanced Interactive Executive® (AIX®) operating system at IBM Research and has been transferred to IBM's AIX, Application System/400®, and System/390® products.
Analysis of Leak-off Tests in Shallow Marine Sediments

Typical analysis of the Leak-off testing (LOT) in wells assumes elastic wellbore and involves identification of diversion points from linear trends of the recorded plots. However, LOTs from wells in the shallow marine sediments (SMS) are inherently nonlinear and their analysis becomes a problem. The paper presents mathematical models of the pressure-volume behavior for two different possible failures around the casing shoe, annular crack (cement-rock parting) and formation fracture. The study submits that these two failure modes would control abnormal LOT patterns. A general pressure-volume model of LOT has been developed including volumetric effects of wellbore expansion, mud loss into the rock, and propagation of an annular crack or plastic fracture. A diagnostic method is proposed to identify LOT-control mechanisms (i.e., formation fracture, annular crack, or mud loss) by analyzing the shut-in section of the LOT's plot.
Assortative Mating in Mice and the Incest Taboo

FEMALES from some inbred strains of Mus musculus, in a state of induced oestrus, when allowed to choose between a male of their own strain and another of a different strain, prefer to associate and mate with males of the different strain. This phenomenon was studied by Mainardi1 in the C57BL and Swiss strains, and by us (ref. 2 and unpublished results) in the strains BALB/Ibg, DBA/Ibg, C57BL/Ibg, C57BL/J and C3H/J. Our study suggested the existence of a polymorphism for female mating preference, since females from the BALB/Ibg and C3H/J strains mated at random. Observations of the behaviour of females reared with foster fathers showed that a major determinant of mating preference is a “paternal effect”. DBA/Ibg males, due to their genotype, provide social stimuli which induce a tendency in their daughters for mating preference for unlike males, whereas BALB/Ibg males do not induce any tendency for mating preference in their daughters.