cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection uncertainty and the facilitation of chromatic detection by luminance contours

A suprathreshold luminance flash (1°, 200 msec) on a large uniform yellow field facilitates detection of a coincident (1°, 200 msec) red or green equiluminant flash and approximately linearizes the psychometric function for detecting the chromatic flash. The facilitation is produced by the suprathreshold contour created by the luminance flash. We tested whether the contour facilitates detection by reducing spatiotemporal uncertainty in detecting the chromatic flash. Uncertainty increases false alarms, and this effect can be factored out by correcting yes–no psychometric functions for guessing. Uncertainty also alters the shape of the receiver operating characteristic. Measurements of yes–no psychometric functions and receiver operating characteristics do not support the uncertainty reduction hypothesis.
Mechanism of red blood cell aging: Relationship of cell density and cell age

The human red cell has a life span of 120 days. The mechanism that determines cell removal from the circulation with such precision remains unknown. Most studies of red cell aging have been based on analysis of cells of progressively increasing age separated by density. The relationship between red cell age and density has been recently challenged, and the hypothesis has been put forward that cell death is not the result of a progressive deterioration of essential cell constituents. This theory was based on preliminary observations in transient erythroblastopenia of childhood, which could not later be confirmed. When the relationship between cell aging and increasing density is critically reviewed, it appears to be based on firm experimental evidence, confirmed by in vivo demonstration of decreasing survival of cells of increasing age. Analysis of studies using buoyant density gradients reveals that this technique can easily distinguish the single exponential slope of decline for those cell components that change progressively throughout the red cell life span from the biphasic decline of those that decrease drastically at the reticulocyte-mature red cell transition. The view that the aging of the red cell and its removal from the circulation result from a progressive series of events during the 120 days of its life span appears to be the most consistent with the available data. Density separation, validated by much experimental evidence, remains a most useful technique for the study of the mechanism of aging of the red cell.
A study of the foundations of ethical decision making of clinical medical ethicists

A study of clinical medical ethicists was conducted to determine the various philosophical positions they hold with respect to ethical decision making in medicine and their various positions' relationship to the subjective-objective controversy in value theory. The study consisted of analyzing and interpreting data gathered from questionnaires from 52 clinical medical ethicists at 28 major health care centers in the United States. The study revealed that most clinical medical ethicists tend to be objectivists in value theory, i.e., believe that value judgments are knowledge claims capable of being true or false and therefore expressions of moral requirements and normative imperatives emanating from an external value structure or moral order in the world. In addition, the study revealed that most clinical medical ethicists are consistent in the philosophical foundations of their ethical decision making, i.e., in decision making regarding values they tend not to hold beliefs which are incompatible with other beliefs they hold about values.
Embedded Localities: Employment Decline, Inner City Population Growth, and Declining Place Stratification among Japan's Mid-Size and Large Cities

The 1990s were a decade of economic decline in Japan. During this period, similar to the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, Japan's largest cities suffered contractions in total and manufacturin...
032 Transcriptional Profiling of Wound Healing Progression

The complexity of cellular and molecular events that occur during wound healing is given by the rapid and continuous changes of matrix structure, cell population, local cytokine composition, nutrient and oxygen availabilities and overall metabolic activity. Angiogenesis is an essential event in the repair of injured tissue. Transcriptional events leading to wound neovascularization begin immediately after the injury has occurred and continue throughout the process until scar remodeling becomes quiescent. This study investigated progression of wound angiogenesis by quantitatively measuring transcripts of multiple genes that participate in wound angiogenesis. The studies were done using a murine model of bilateral 3 mm excision wounds. Wound tissues were collected from 6 hours up to 10 days post-wounding. Each time point consisted of 8 wounds pooled from four different mice. After RNA purification, the samples were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR using specific TaqMan probe/primer sets for selected transcripts that included the following groups: a) angiogenic factors; b) anti-angiogenic factors; c) receptors; d) cytokines and enzymes; e) matrix proteins; f) signaling molecules and transcription factors; g) apoptosis and proliferation markers; and h) housekeeping genes. A total of 58 genes were profiled including four housekeeping genes. The transcripts revealed several patterns of expression. Some genes such as angiopoietin 1(Ang1), e-selecting, placental growth factor (PlGF), MMP-9 and thrombospondin 1(TSP1) had a clear biphasic pattern where early peaks were detected within the first 24 hours after wounding and were followed by dowregulation and a second increase in transcription after several days. Other transcripts appeared early and had a sustained expression and they include fibroblast growth factor two (FGF2), FGF7, hypoxia inducile factor alpha (HIF-1a) and STAT3. Examples of late transcripts included HOXD3 and alpha smooth muscle actin. Results derived from this study largely confirm previous studies profiling a small number of individual genes such as VEGF, TSP1 and 2 and others. However, the present study integrates complete transcriptional profiles of large number of genes known to have a critical role in healing progression with a particular emphasis on revascularization. A more detailed model of event sequences that lead to tissue reperfusion after injury is derived from the results. Funded by a Cedars-Sinai grant from the Skirball-Kenis Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and RO1GM066292 to MRSH.
Static and dynamic response of a multiplexed-array piezoresistive contact sensor

Multiplexed piezoresistive sensor arrays hold great potential for measuring contact stress distributions for orthopedic research applications. However, their acceptance has been handicapped by output drift and the fact that their dynamic response has not been well characterized. In this report, the static and dynamic responses of one device of this class (the K-Scan piezoresistive contact stress sensor) are formally characterized using a specially made pressure vessel that provides spatially homogeneous contact stress. Drift was predominant early in static loading, reaching relationtive errors of approximately 30 percent over a 10-min period. During loading, first-order dynamic analysis showed that the time constant (and time lag) was nearly zero and there was little attenuation of the output up to 20 Hz. A deconvolution algorithm proved capable of compensating for the great majority of static drift.
CHEMO-IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CONJUGATED CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEINS IX. THE SPECIFICITY OF ANTIGENS PREPARED BY COMBINING THE p-AMINOPHENOL GLYCOSIDES OF DISACCHARIDES WITH PROTEIN

The results of the present study indicate that by means of serological reactions it is possible to differentiate selectively the p-aminophenol glycosides of maltose, cellobiose, gentiobiose, and lactose. The immunological specificity of disaccharide-protein antigens prepared from these derivatives, irrespective of the nature of the conjoined protein, is determined by (1) the glycoside molecule as a whole, (2) the configuration of the terminal hexose molecule, and (3) the position of linkage of the two hexose units in the carbohydrate radical. The specificity of the antibodies induced by the disaccharide antigens appears to be more sharply defined when the configuration of the terminal hexose is of the beta rather than of the alpha type.
Pancreatic triglyceride lipase and colipase: Insights into dietary fat digestion

Dietary fats have an impact on health and disease. A pancreatic exocrine protein, pancreatic triglyceride lipase, is essential for the efficient digestion of dietary fats. This enzyme requires another pancreatic exocrine protein, colipase, for full activity in the gut lumen. In addition to its importance in fat digestion, pancreatic triglyceride lipase has potential applications in medical therapy, medical diagnostics, and industry. This potential stimulated interest in lipases; radiograph during the last few years, studies applying the technologies of molecular biology and radiograph crystallography greatly increased our knowledge about pancreatic triglyceride lipase and colipase protein structure, enzyme mechanism, and gene structure. This review focuses on these recent advances and discusses models for the kinetic properties of pancreatic triglyceride lipase and for the interaction of pancreatic triglyceride lipase with colipase.
SU-FF-T-416: Antiproton Therapy: A Simplified Method to Characterize and Compare Dose From Peripheral Radiation Fields

Purpose: Recent work has shown the potential benefits of antiprotons for radiotherapy. Because of the large amount of energy released by the annihilation of antiprotons, it is of interest to understand the dosimetric properties of the peripheral field. The purpose of this research is to develop a standard method to estimate, characterize, and compare the secondary dose in the peripheral radiation field of particle beams, allowing for the assessment of relative safety and treatment suitability for a given patient. Method and Materials: The FLUKA 2008.3 Monte Carlo package was used. A simplified set of target and secondary tissue phantoms (1 cm diameter spheres) were placed in a volume of water, with secondary phantoms placed every 10 cm out to 100 cm along the beam axis and perpendicular to the beam axis at the depth of the target. The target phantom was irradiated by a pencil beam of particles (antiprotons, protons, etc.). Absorbed dose was evaluated in the target phantom and ambient dose equivalent (H*(10)) was evaluated in the secondary phantoms using factors from ICRP 74 and Pelliccioni to convert from fluence. This data was then used to determine the ratio of H*(10) to target absorbed dose. Additionally, the relative contributions by different particles to the H*(10) were measured as well as various particle fluence spectra. Results: 2–40 million primary beam particles yielded satisfactory statistics to estimate the peripheral field dose values for beams of antiprotons and protons.Conclusion: As awareness of second cancer risk grows, a standard scheme for estimating secondary dose from particle therapy will be all the more important. Our scheme allows for detailed characterization of the peripheral field and dose estimation can be made for non‐target organs by weighting dose with tissue factors.
Do institutional attributes predict individuals' degree success at two-year colleges?

This chapter explores institutional attributes that matter for two-year college students and how they vary by different subpopulations of students, with an eye toward understanding what institutional attributes better support the success of underprepared students.
Kinematic and electromyographic responses to perturbation of the jaw.

The task‐dependent organization of sensorimotor mechanisms during the production of speech was investigated using a perturbation paradigm. Six subjects received unanticipated jaw perturbations before and during tongue elevation for [1d1], in which the lips do not participate, and bilabial closure for [1b1], in which the tongue does not participate. A strain gauge system was used to monitor inferior–superior displacements of the upper lip, lower lip, and jaw, while hooked‐wire electrodes monitored muscle activity in various muscles of the lips, jaw, and tongue. Results indicated significant compensatory kinematic adjustments to jaw perturbations in the lips and/or jaw during [1b1], but no labial compensations during [1d1] (with the exception of one subject). EMG responses were inconsistent and not necessarily indicative of the kinematic findings. Individual subjects responded to perturbations reliably but differently, using different combinations of involved articulators to achieve bilabial closure and lingua–alveolar contact. The current study supports earlier research which suggests that the components of the motor system are flexibly assembled, based on the requirements of the specific task. That is, compensatory responses to sensory information occur only when such responses are functionally necessary.
Sotalol Is More Powerful Than Propranolol in Suppressing Complex Ventricular Arrhythmias

BACKGROUND: Sotalol has combined type II and type III antiarrhythmic properties. Although the beta-blocking action of sotalol is thought to contribute to its antiarrhythmic actions, few data are available from direct comparative clinical trials with pure beta-blocking drugs. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this double-blind, randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel study, we have compared the antiarrhythmic efficacy and safety of treatment with sotalol vs propranolol in 181 patients with organic heart disease and frequent (>30 ventricular premature complexes [VPCs]/h) repetitive ventricular premature complexes. Eighty-seven were randomized to receive sotalol and 94 received propranolol. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were identical, and the majority of patients had coronary artery disease or hypertensive heart disease. Most patients had a long-standing history (>5 years) of ventricular arrhythmias and, in a significant proportion, antiarrhythmic therapy with other drugs had failed in the past. After withdrawal of all antiarrhythmic drugs and 1 week of placebo, qualified patients were randomized to sotalol (320 mg/day) or propranolol (120 mg/day). patients not achieving adequate response were given higher doses of sotalol (640 mg/day) or propranolol (240 mg/day)At baseline, both groups had comparable frequency of total VPCs/hour (274/h and 255/h for sotalol and propranolol groups, respectively) which was reduced to 71 VPCs/h and 109/VPCs/h, respectively, at the end of phase 1. At final evaluation there was a significantly greater response to sotalol as demonstrated by 80% reduction in VPCs/hour with sotalol compared with only 50% reduction noted in the propranolol group. Adequate therapeutic response was also achieved in a significantly greater percentage of patients on sotalol compared with propranolol (56% vs 29%, P =.02). Sotalol was also superior to propranolol in suppressing the VT events/day during phase 1 (89% vs 78% reduction in VT events/day, P <.05). Sotalol was more effective than propranolol in all subgroups and in patients with heart rate <75 beats per minute. CONCLUSIONS: Sotalol is more powerful than propranolol in suppressing ventricular arrhythmias documented on Holter recordings. The superiority of sotalol appears to be related to its combined class II and class III antiarrhythmic actions.
Love waves from local traffic noise interferometry

Surface-wave interferometry on local scale usually aims at recovering Rayleigh waves. This is because of the predominant use of vertical component geophones in exploration seismology and the fact that Rayleigh waves occur for any given subsurface structure. On the other hand, Love waves are present only in layered media and require horizontal component geophones for their observation. As they depend on shear-wave velocity structure and density only, the analysis of Love waves provides a potentially powerful supplement to Rayleigh wave inversion. Perhaps surprisingly, recent studies show that low-frequency Love waves (0.05–0.1 Hz) excited by the interaction of ocean waves with the ocean floor (the Earth's microseism) can be recovered by interferometry, and that their S/N is high compared to Rayleigh waves (Lin et al., 2008). On a regional scale, Jay et al. (2012) analyzed the ambient noise field in a volcanic region and found that Love waves with frequencies of about 0.3 Hz are observed more clearly than c...
The moderating role of religiosity on nonprofit advertising

Abstract Nonprofits need to compete for donations now more than ever. Maintaining a socially responsible reputation and developing ads that are emotional and likable are tactics used to encourage donations. This study explores the role of religiosity as a moderator of antecedents to intent to donate to the nonprofit sponsor of pro-social ads and finds that religiosity acts as a moderator in the relationship between liking of the ad, perceived corporate social responsibility of the nonprofit, and intent to donate to the nonprofit. Managerial implications suggest that nonprofits employing negative emotional appeals in advertising should (1) feature real victims (not actors) to generate empathy and (2) target more religious individuals through demographic and psychographic segmentations.
Inappropriate Activation of the TSC/Rheb/mTOR/S6K Cassette Induces IRS1/2 Depletion, Insulin Resistance, and Cell Survival Deficiencies

Tuberous sclerosis is a largely benign tumor syndrome derived from the acquisition of somatic lesions in genes encoding the tumor suppressor products, TSC1 or TSC2. Loss of function of the TSC1-TSC2 complex, which acts as a Rheb GAP, yields constitutive, unrestrained signaling from the cell growth machinery comprised of Rheb, mTOR, and S6K. We demonstrate herein that constitutive activation of the Rheb/mTOR/S6K cassette, whether by genetic deletion of TSC1 or TSC2 or by ectopic expression of Rheb, is sufficient to induce insulin resistance. This is the result of downregulation of the insulin receptor substrates, IRS1 and IRS2, which become limiting for signal transmission from the insulin receptor to PI3K. Downstream of PI3K, the survival kinase, Akt, is completely refractory to activation by IRS-dependent growth factor pathways such as insulin or IGF-I in TSC1- or TSC2-deficient cells but not to activation by IRS-independent pathways such as those utilized by PDGF. The antiapoptotic program induced by IGF-I but not PDGF is severely compromised in TSC2 null cells. Our results suggest that inappropriate activation of the Rheb/mTOR/S6K pathway imposes a negative feedback program to attenuate IRS-dependent processes such as cell survival.
Stability of the triangular points in the elliptic restricted problem of three bodies.

The two variable expansion method is used to study the stability of infinitesimal motions about the triangular libration points in the elliptic restricted problem of three bodies. This perturbation technique entails replacing the independent variable (here/, the true anomaly of the smaller primary) with two new independent variables. The results of the study are analytical expressions for the transition curves bounding regions of stability in the IJL — e plane, accurate to 0(e). For small e, these expressions are seen to compare favorably with the numerical analysis of Danby.
Vitamin B12 and the Requirement of the Chick for Methylating Compounds

Abstract In a previous communication Gillis and Norris (1949) showed that certain types of practical chick rations are significantly improved by the addition of betaine or choline. However, when the basal diet contained 0.15% of an animal protein factor (APF) concentrate (Wilson and Company’s liver paste) no further response was obtained by adding betaine or choline. The APF concentrate used in this work contained approximately 17 micrograms of vitamin B12 per gram. The assumption was made that either this vitamin or some unidentified component of the APF complex exerted a sparing action on the chick’s requirement for labile methyl groups. The amount of APF concentrate used supplied only 0.0018% choline in the diet. A report of a preliminary experiment in which a purified vitamin B12 preparation was found to have the same effect as the APF concentrate was made at the Informal Conference on Poultry Nutrition held at Detroit, April 18, . . .
A novel anti-inflammatory peptide inhibits endothelial cell cytoskeletal rearrangement, nitric oxide synthase translocation, and paracellular permeability increases.

The endothelial cell (EC) membrane-cytoskeletal interface in part maintains plasma membrane integrity and promotes cell—cell apposition. Nonmuscle filamin (ABP-280), an actin crosslinking protein, promotes orthogonal branching of F-actin and is the major protein that links the peripheral actin network to the plasma membrane through its C-terminal glycoprotein binding site. In response to bradykinin, filamin translocates from the cell periphery to the cytosol within 1 min. A synthetic peptide, corresponding to filamin's C-terminal calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II phosphorylation site (CaM peptide), prevents calcium-activated filamin translocation in permeabilized bovine pulmonary artery EC. The myristoylated permeable form of this peptide inhibits bradykinin-induced filamin translocation and F-actin rearrangement in cultured intact ECs. In addition, bradykinin-induced paracellular gap formation is significantly attenuated by CaM peptide, which suggests that the presence of a filamin-based peripheral F-actin network is essential for maintaining EC barrier function. Moreover, CaM peptide reduces wound-induced EC migration rate by 40%, which indicates that F-actin rearrangement is required for efficient cell motility. The CaM peptide affects other bradykinin-induced inflammatory responses. EC nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) translocates from the cell membrane to the nuclear fraction within 1–2 min of bradykinin treatment. Pretreatment with CaM peptide inhibits eNOS translocation. However, the peptide has no effect on bradykinin-induced von Willebrand Factor release. In summary, the CaM peptide exhibits several anti-inflammatory properties that include maintaining EC junctional stability and inhibiting eNOS translocation. J. Cell. Physiol. 172:171–182, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparative Evaluation of the AccuProbe Group B Streptococcus Culture Test, the BD GeneOhm Strep B Assay, and Culture for Detection of Group B Streptococci in Pregnant Women

We compared a rigorous culture method with the Gen-Probe AccuProbe Group B Streptococcus Culture Test (APGB) and the BD GeneOhm StrepB assay (GOSB) for the detection of group B streptococci (GBS) from an 18- to 24-h LIM broth. Culture (95.3%) and GOSB (95.3%) were more sensitive than APGB (86.5%) for the detection of GBS.
Prostate Tissue Stem Cells and Prostate Cancer Progression

Tumor heterogeneity has been ascribed to the presence of cells with stem cell characteristics in a variety of malignancies, and prostate cancer (PCa) is no exception. Phenotypically distinct subsets of tumor cells that are functionally unique in tumor-regenerating potential, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), have been identified in both mouse and human prostate cancer. Whether, or not, CSCs arise from normal tissue stem cells is an important philosophical question with potential clinical implications. Regardless of the origin of the tumor-initiating cell, prostatic CSCs share certain attributes with normal prostate stem cells, including self-renewal, multi-lineage potential, and castration-resistance. In this chapter, cellular hierarchies in both normal prostate and prostate tumors are reviewed, and the cell-of-origin from which prostate tumors may arise is further considered. Keywords: Cancer stem cells (CSCs); Castration; Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC); HPCa; Self-renewal; Transformation
An experimental study of Au removal from solution by non-metabolizing bacterial cells and their exudates

In this study, we examine the initial interactions between aqueous Au(III)-hydroxide-chloride aqueous complexes and bacteria by measuring the effects of non-metabolizing cells on the speciation and distribution of Au. We conducted batch Au(III) removal experiments, measuring the kinetics and pH dependence of Au removal, and tracking valence state transformations and binding environments using XANES spectroscopy. These experiments were conducted using non-metabolizing cells of Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas putida suspended in a 5 ppm Au(III)-(hydroxide)-chloride starting solution of 0.1 M NaClO4 to buffer ionic strength. Both bacterial species removed greater than 85% of the Au from solution after 2 h of exposure time below approximately pH 5. Above pH 5, the extent of Au removed from solution decreased with increasing pH, with less than approximately 10% removal of Au from solution above pH 7.5. Kinetics experiments indicated that the Au removal with both bacterial species was rapid at pH 3, and slowed with increasing pH. Reversibility experiments demonstrated that (1) once the Au was removed from solution, adjusting 35 the pH alone did not remobilize the Au into solution and (2) the presence of cysteine in solution in the reversibility experiments caused Au to desorb, suggesting that the Au was not internalized within the bacterial cells. Our results suggest that Au removal occurs as a two-step pH-dependent adsorption reduction process. The speciation of the aqueous Au and the bacterial surface appears to control the rate of Au removal from solution. Under low pH conditions, the cell walls are only weakly negatively charged and aqueous Au complexes adsorb readily and rapidly. With increasing pH, the cell wall becomes more negatively charged, slowing adsorption significantly. The XANES data demonstrate that the reduction of Au(III) by bacterial exudates is slower and less extensive than the reduction observed in the bacteria-bearing systems, and we conclude that Au reduction occurs most rapidly and extensively upon interaction with cell wall functional groups.
Estimation of Ocean Water Chlorophyll-a Concentration Using Computational Intelligence

In this paper, we present a computational method to estimate chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration from remotely sensed reflectance (Rrs) measurements. The proposed method integrates two computational intelligence paradigms, a fuzzy c-means (FCM) cluster analysis and an ensemble of artificial neural networks (ANNs). This approach will be particularly useful in estimating Chl a concentration from Rrs measured at various locations representing heterogeneous water types. The performance of the proposed method is compared with the traditional approach, where a single ANN is used for all water types. We showed that the cluster-based approach has the potential to build a more global Chl a prediction model.
Scattering of light from deformed regions surrounding voids and inclusions in high polymers

Abstract : The H(V) clover-leaf type scattering pattern sometimes found for amorphous polymers can arise from the birefringent region caused by the strain surrounding a void or an inclusion in a polymer. The form of such a pattern may be theoretically explained by extension of a theory due to Goldstein. (Author)
Stabilization of Liquid Foams through the Synergistic Action of Particles and an Immiscible Liquid

Liquid foams are familiar from beer, frothed milk, or bubble baths; foams in general also play important roles in oil recovery, lightweight packaging, and insulation. Here a new class of foams is reported, obtained by frothing a suspension of colloidal particles in the presence of a small amount of an immiscible secondary liquid. A unique aspect of these foams, termed capillary foams, is the particle-mediated spreading of the minority liquid around the gas bubbles. The resulting mixed particle/liquid coating can stabilize bubbles against coalescence even when the particles alone cannot. The coated bubbles are further immobilized by entrapment in a network of excess particles connected by bridges of the minority liquid. Capillary foams were prepared with a diverse set of particle/liquid combinations to demonstrate the generality of the phenomenon. The observed foam stability correlates with the particle affinity for the liquid interface formed by spreading the minority liquid at the bubble surface.
Experimental Study on Solidification of Copper-Iron Alloys during Wedge-Mold Casting

The effect of cooling rate and iron content on the solidification of copper-iron alloys during the wedge-mold casting had been investigated in this paper. The experimental results show that the morphology of as-cast structure is mainly determined by iron content and the grain size is affected by both the iron content and cooling rate. The as-cast structure is obviously refined and its morphology changes gradually from columnar grains to equiaxed ones with the increase in iron content. When iron content is greater than 3% (wt%) the as-cast structure is composed of equiaxed grains. With the increase in cooling rate the as-cast structure is gradually refined and primary γ-Fe phase is gradually scattered uniformly throughout the matrix.
An Objective Algorithm for Detecting and Tracking Tropical Cloud Clusters: Implications for Tropical Cyclogenesis Prediction

An algorithm to detect and track global tropical cloud clusters (TCCs) is presented. TCCs are organized large areas of convection that form over warm tropical waters. TCCs are important because they are the ‘‘seedlings’’ that can evolve into tropical cyclones. A TCC satisfies the necessary condition of a ‘‘preexisting disturbance,’’ which provides the required latent heat release to drive the development of tropical cyclone circulations. The operational prediction of tropical cyclogenesis is poor because of weaknesses in the observationalnetworkand numericalmodels;thus,past studies havefocused on identifying differencesbetween ‘‘developing’’ (evolving into a tropical cyclone) and ‘‘nondeveloping’’ (failing to do so) TCCs in the global analysis fields to produce statistical forecasts of these events. The algorithm presented here has been used to create a global dataset of all TCCs that formed from 1980 to 2008. Capitalizing on a global, Gridded Satellite (GridSat) infrared (IR) dataset, areas of persistent, intense convection are identified by analyzing characteristics of the IR brightness temperature (Tb) fields. Identified TCCs are tracked as they move around their ocean basin (or cross into others); variables such as TCC size, location, convective intensity, cloud-top height, development status (i.e., developing or nondeveloping), and a movement vector are recorded in Network Common Data Form (NetCDF). The algorithm can be adapted to near-real-time tracking of TCCs, which could be of great benefit to the tropical cyclone forecast community.
Culex (Melanoconion) Mulrennani, a New Species from Florida (Diptera: Culicidae)

Eight species of Culex , subgenus Melanoconion are listed by Wirth (1945) as occurring in the United States, of which six have been recorded from Florida: Culex pilosus (D. & K.), C. erraticus (D. & K.), C. peccator D. & K., C. atratus Theob., C. opisthopus Komp, and C. elevator D. & K. C. abominator D. & K. has been recorded from Texas by King and Bradley (1937) with a later description of the larva by Eads (1943) and C. anips Dyar has been reported as collected in 1916 at San Diego, California by Dyar. Pritchard, et al. (1947) record four of the Florida species as occurring on the Florida Keys: Culex atratus Theob., C. pilosus (D. & K.), C. elevator D. & K., and C. erraticus (D. & K.), of which C. atratus Theob. is the most common species.
Illicit use of prescription stimulants in a college student sample: a theory-guided analysis.

Abstract Background The illicit use of prescription stimulants (IUPS) has emerged as a high-risk behavior of the 21st century college student. As the study of IUPS is relatively new, we aimed to understand (1) characteristics of IUPS (i.e., initiation, administration routes, drug sources, motives, experiences), and (2) theory-guided intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental correlates associated with use. Methods Using one-stage cluster sampling, 520 students (96.3% response rate) at one Pacific Northwest University completed a paper-based, in-classroom survey on IUPS behaviors and expected correlates. Aim 1 was addressed using descriptive statistics and aim 2 was addressed via three nested logistic regression analyses guided by the Theory of Triadic Influence. Results The prevalence of ever engaging in IUPS during college was 25.6%. The majority (>50.0%) of users reported initiation during college, oral use, friends as the drug source, academic motives, and experiencing desired outcomes. Intrapersonal correlates associated with use included identifying as White, lower grade point average, diagnoses of attention deficit disorder, and lower avoidance self-efficacy. Interpersonal correlates of use included off-campus residence, varsity sports participation, IUPS perceptions by socializing agents, and greater behavioral norms. Exposure to prescription drug print media, greater prescription stimulant knowledge, and positive attitudes towards prescription stimulants were environmental correlates associated with use. In all models, IUPS intentions were strongly associated with use. Conclusions IUPS was prevalent on the campus under investigation and factors from the intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental domains were associated with the behavior. Implications for prevention and future research are discussed.
Strong ecological but weak evolutionary effects of elevated CO2 on a recombinant inbred population of Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary • Increases in atmospheric CO 2 concentration have an impact on plant communities by influencing plant growth and morphology, species interactions, and ecosystem processes. These ecological effects may be accompanied by evolutionary change if elevated CO 2 (eCO 2 ) alters patterns of natural selection or expression of genetic variation. • Here, a statistically powerful quantitative genetic experiment and manipulations of CO 2 concentrations in a field setting were used to investigate how eCO 2 impacts patterns of selection on ecologically important traits in Arabidopsis thaliana ; heritabilities, which influence the rate of response to selection; and genetic covariances between traits, which may constrain responses to selection. •C O 2 had strong phenotypic effects; plants grown in eCO 2 were taller and produced more biomass and fruits. Also, significant directional selection was observed on many traits and significant genetic variation was observed for all traits. However, no evolutionary effect of eCO 2 was detected; patterns of selection, heritabilities and genetic correlations corresponded closely in ambient and elevated CO 2 environments. • The data suggest that patterns of natural selection and the quantitative genetic parameters of this A. thaliana population are robust to increases in CO 2 concentration and that responses to eCO 2 will be primarily ecological.
Peritoneal Absorption of Vancomycin During and After Resolution of Peritonitis in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPO) Patients

We studied the absorption of i.p. loading dose of vancomycin (30 mg/kg of body weight) in five continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, both at the time of peritonitis and after i...
Amenorrhea: Observations based on the analysis of luteninizing hormone–releasing hormone testing

From 1973 to 1976, 130 patients with symptomatic amenorrhea were evaluated by pituitary gonadotropin response to a subcutaneous injection of luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (LHRH). These patients were placed in 13 specific disease categories by extensive endocrine evaluation. The LHRH test itself was not used for diagnostic categorization. Test results from these groups of patients were compared with those from 18 early follicular control subjects using logarithms of four baseline and 13 response measurements. Results were as follows: Gonadotropin measurements demonstrated a logarithmic distribution. Each diagnostic category demonstrated multiple significant differences when compared to the control group. Statistical comparisons using logarithms yielded additional significant differences (when n
Japanese Manufacturers in the U.S.: Strategic Changes in the Next Decade

Japanese direct investment, in the U.S. countries to increase substantially, now ranking behind the U.K. as the second largest in the U.S. This paper suggests how the manufacturing and marketing orientation of Japanese direct investors may change in the decade of the 1990s as the Japanese gain confidence and experience in operating within the U.S. business environment.
High Resolution Wavelength Demultiplexers using the Second Photonic Band of Planar Photonic Crystals

A superprism-based photonic crystal wavelength demultiplexer in the second-band is proposed, which considerably improves the spectral resolution of these devices. Major challenges in the implementation of these devices are discussed, and appropriate solutions are presented.
Abstract 491: Defining the origins of ras/p53 mediated squamous cell carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The precise identity of cancer cells of origin and the molecular events of tumor initiation in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are unknown. Here we show that malignancy potential is related to the developmental capacity of the initiating cancer cell in a genetically defined, intact, and inducible in vivo model. Specifically, these data demonstrate that hair follicle stem cells (SCs) serve as cancer cells of origin when oncogenic Kras is expressed and p53 is ablated, whereas their more developmentally restricted progeny, the transit amplifying (TA) cells, are unable to generate even benign tumors in the same genetic context. Employing a temporal model of tumorigenesis in situ, we highlight the phenotypes of cancer progression from hair follicle SCs including hyperplasia, dysplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and SCC formation. Furthermore, we provide insights into the inability of hair follicle TA cells to respond to tumorigenic stimuli. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 491. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-491
Structure of CoxAg100−x and Its Relation to GMR

We have studied the structure of the Co-Ag granular system across the entire composition range, as well as the annealed samples, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction. GMR, as much as 80% at 5K and 25% at room temperature, have been observed. The absolute values of the resistivity (ρ) and the change of the resistivity (Δρ) as functions of the magnetic Co concentration and the annealing temperature have been determined. A linear relation between Δρ and 1/rCo, where rCo is Co particle size, has been found. This result suggests that the magnetic scattering at the interfaces is crucial to GMR.
Prediction of compression strength of laminated and textile composites using a tow collapse model

The tow collapse model that was developed for predicting the compression strength of fiber reinforced composites, was verified by experimentation of off-axis laminates, multiaxial laminates, and textile composites. Compression tests were conducted using the modified IITRI test specimen. The laminate specimens were made up of AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy composite and the textile composites were made of BASF G30-500 graphite fiber tows (tow size is 6K) and Dow Chemicals Tactix 123 matrix. Predicted compression strength agreed reasonably well with the test data for all cases considered. The compression strength was found to be strongly dependent on the percentage of axial tows and its misalignment angle. A small variation in the offaxis fiber/tow orientation had marginal effect on the compression strength. Hence, the off axis tow misalignment angle can be assumed to be same as the initial laminate or the tow orientation angle.
Management of Senile Ptosis with Levator Muscle Resection Using the Putterman Clamp.

Putterman clamp, a muscle clamp, is commonly used in conjunctival mullerectomies. We report 3 cases of senile ptosis repaired with levator muscle resection using the Putterman clamp. The redundant levator aponeurosis was removed with electrocautery after clamping with the Putterman clamp. The levator muscle was refixed to the tarsus with three 4-0 Vicryl stitches after adjusting the height of the eyelid fissure. No intraoperative difficulties were encountered. Ecchymosis and edema were limited in the immediate postoperative period. No complications were noted during the follow-up. The benefits of using the Putterman clamp in levator muscle resection are illustrated in these cases.
Care of the Elderly Ovarian Cancer Patient: The Surgical Challenge

The elderly population, typically defined as greater than 65 years of age, is the most rapidly growing age bracket in the United States. The US Census estimates that by the year 2020, there will be over 54 million people living in the United States over the age of 65 (13.5 %) and by 2040, this will increase to over 80 million people (20.4 %) [34]. In 2020, approximately 2 % of people will be greater than 80 years of age, and this percentage will double by 2050 [34].
Techno‐economic assessment of the effect of torrefaction on fast pyrolysis of pine

Techno-economic assessment of bio-oil production from fast pyrolysis of pine was explored through process simulation. In this work, bio-oil production via a one-step pyrolysis route and a two-step pyrolysis which included a torrefaction step before fast pyrolysis were modeled to process 1000 MT/day of dry feed (dry basis) through the pyrolyzer at a temperature of 530 °C while two-step -pyrolysis was investigated at three different torrefaction temperatures of 290, 310, and 330 °C. Different scenarios that included the use of fossil energy to produce process heat as well as use of renewable energy either through the combustion of char or a portion of the condensates from -torrefaction were also investigated. Economic analysis indicates that a torrefaction step results in a reduction in the minimum selling price of bio-oil produced which reduced further with -torrefaction -temperature with lowest bio-oil price of $1.04/gal obtained for a two-step pyrolysis at torrefaction -temperature of 330 °C in comparison to $1.32/gal for a one-step process. Minimum selling price of bio-oil on an energy basis however suggests a higher price of about $22.19/GJ for a two-step in -comparison to $16.89/GJ for a one-step. There could be a trade-offs between the higher quality and the higher selling price considering the downstream upgrade step to hydrocarbon fuel. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Darzens Glycidic Ester Condensation

The Darzens glycidic ester condensation involves the condensation of an aldehyde or ketone with an α-halo ester, in the presence of a base, to afford an α,β-epoxy ester (a ‘glycidic ester’). The first synthesis of a glycidic ester was reported by Erlenmeyer in 1892 and is illustrative of the general reaction, as shown in equation (1).1 The reaction was subsequently developed and generalized by Darzens.2 Glycidic esters, in addition to undergoing transformations normally associated with epoxides, afford upon hydrolysis glycidic acids, which subsequently decompose to provide aldehydes or ketones (Scheme 1).3 The reaction is thus pivotal in a general method for the one-carbon homologation of aldehydes and ketones.4 An illustration of the classic reaction is found in one of the major industrial achievements of the 1940s, the commercial synthesis of vitamin A.5 A key step in this process involves the Darzens condensation of methyl chloroacetate and (β-ionone to give the corresponding glycidic ester, which upon sequential hydrolysis, decarboxylation and basic treatment affords the thermodynamically favored α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, subsequently converted to vitamin A (Scheme 2). The mechanism and stereochemical course of the reaction have been studied extensively and have been the subject of some controversy;2,6 the scope of its applicability has been broadened beyond the use of α-halo esters to include α-halo compounds that are activated by a variety of electron-withdrawing substituents.
Synergistic neighborhood relationships with travel behavior: An analysis of travel in 30,000 US neighborhoods

A now substantial body of literature finds that land use and urban form have a statistically significant, albeit relatively modest, effect on travel behavior. Some scholars have suggested that various built-environment characteristics influence travel more in concert than when considered in isolation. Yet few previous studies have combined built-environment measures to create holistic descriptions of the overall character of neighborhoods, and fewer still have related these neighborhoods to residents’ travel decisions. To address this gap in the literature, we develop a typology of seven distinct neighborhood types by applying factor analysis and then cluster analysis to a set of 20 variables describing built-environment characteristics for most census tracts in the United States. We then include these neighborhood types in a set of multivariate regression models to estimate the effect of neighborhood type on the travel behavior of neighborhood residents, controlling for an array of personal and household characteristics. We find relatively little variation in the number of daily trips among neighborhood types, but there is substantial neighborhood variation in both person miles of travel and mode choice. Travel by residents of one particular neighborhood type is notably distinguished from all others by a very low number of miles traveled, little solo driving, and high transit use. However, this neighborhood type is found almost exclusively in just a few very large metropolitan areas, and its replicability is uncertain.
Ultrastructural diagnosis of neuropathic detrusor overactivity: validation of a common myogenic mechanism.

Different types of cell junctions have been described in lower urinary tract musculature. Intermediate cell junctions (ICJ) predominate the normal mammalian detrusor(including that of the human), mediating coupling of smooth muscle cells (cell-to-cell transmittal of contraction) mechanically.7,8,14,15 ICJ consist of strictly parallel sarcolemmae of adjacent cells, with 25 to 60 nm separation gaps that contain central linear densities. They are bordered by paired symmetrical dense plaques in the subsarcolemmal sarcoplasm, and anchor obliquely slanted myofilaments to the cell membranes (Fig. 1).
Subband processing based symbol-rate estimation method for MFSK signal

In this paper, we are focusing on the symbol-rate estimation problem of MFSK signals under wideband receiving situation. The channelization is indispensable in the shortwave wideband receiving signal processing. It will arise signal spectrum distortions when the carrier frequency of the needed MFSK signal is unknown. We proposed a new subband processing based method to solve this inevitably question. The signal model of subband MFSK signal is presented and analyzed firstly, and the correlation between symbol-rate and the transtion of MFSK subband signal' instantaneous amplitude is pointed out. Then we present the novel symbol-rate estimation method based on the instantaneous amplitude of the subband signal. and give out deduction of the estimation expectation to prove the method is unbiased. To testify the efficiency and credibility of the method, Monte Carlo computer simulations are carried out. When half of the 8FSK signal's spectrum is damaged, the symbol-rate estimation method is almost 100% accurate as long as the SNR is above 4dB.