cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of landscape pattern metrics and multiscale data in aquatic species distribution models: a case study of a freshwater mussel

The distributions of freshwater mussels are controlled by landscape factors operating at multiple spatial scales. Changes in land use/land cover (LULC) have been implicated in severe population declines and range contractions of freshwater mussels across North America. Despite widespread recognition of multiscale influences few studies have addressed these issues when developing distribution models. Furthermore, most studies have disregarded the role of landscape pattern in regulating aquatic species distributions, focusing only on landscape composition. In this study, the distribution of Rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica) in the upper Green River system (Ohio River drainage) is modeled with environmental variables from multiple scales: subcatchment, riparian buffer, and reach buffer. Four types of landscape environment metrics are used, including: LULC pattern, LULC composition, soil composition, and geology composition. The study shows that LULC pattern metrics are very useful in modeling the distribution of Rabbitsfoot. Together with LULC compositional metrics, pattern metrics permit a more detailed analysis of functional linkages between aquatic species distributions and landscape structure. Moreover, the inclusion of multiple spatial scales is necessary to accurately model the hierarchical processes in stream systems. Geomorphic features play important roles in regulating species distributions at intermediate and large scales while LULC variables appear more influential at proximal scales.
Developmental Modulation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Binding Proteins of Bacillus subtilis During Sporulation Stages

The isolation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-binding proteins from various stages of growth and sporulation of Bacillus subtilis is described. After adsorption and elution from phosphocellulose, the proteins were fractionated according to their ability to adsorb to denatured calf thymus DNA-cellulose or native B. subtilis DNA-cellulose. The proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and purification was monitored by a nitrocellulose filter binding assay. Approximately 1% of the proteins in the crude extract adsorbed to denatured calf thymus DNA-cellulose and 0.1% adsorbed to native B. subtilis DNA-cellulose. Each class of proteins varied qualitatively and quantitatively as sporulation proceeded. Several proteins from the exponential phase of growth that bound to denatured DNA were lost by T(0), whereas at T(5) new polypeptides appeared. Fewer changes in the profile of proteins with affinity for native DNA were observed between exponential phase and T(0); however, the dominant species in these eluates were clearly different.
Size exclusion chromatography sample pretreatment for GC‐AED analysis of metalloporphyrins in crude oils

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) has been demonstrated to be an effective and reproducible sample pretreatment procedure for removal of heavy oil matrices prior to GC-AED analysis of metalloporphyrins, and for the resolution of volatile metal species into clean and defined fractions. This paper also discusses the results obtained by SEC for determination of the distribution of metallopor-phyrins in crude oils and the correlation between total metal, metal-loporphyrin, and total distillable metal content.
Evolving cooperative strategies for UAV teams

We present a Genetic Programming approach to evolve cooperative controllers for teams of UAVs. Our focus is a collaborative search mission in an uncertain and/or hostile environment. The controllers are decision trees constructed from a set of low-level functions. Evolved decision trees are robust to changes in initial mission parameters and approach the optimal bound for time-to-completion. We compare results between steady-state and generational approaches, and examine the effects of two common selection operators.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL KINEMATIC MIGRATION IN VARIABLE VELOCITY MEDIA*

A three-dimensional (3-D) kinematic migration algorithm for media in which migration velocity varies linearly with depth is developed, implemented and tested. The algorithm is based on the concept that a single reflection or diffraction in a (zero- or finite-offset) trace may have originated at any point on a constant traveltime surface within the Earth defined by the observed two-way traveltime. The envelope of all such constant time surfaces, for all observed reflections and diffractions produced by one reflector, is the desired migrated 3-D image. The optimal envelope position in depth is determined, beneath each point on a regular grid, by a statistical imaging condition; an incremental function of depth containing the number of constant time surfaces passing through that depth increment is cross-correlated with a Gaussian function whose width is chosen to correspond to the vertical scale of the features of interest. The numerical procedures are based on the observation that, in a medium in which velocity varies linearly with depth, ray segments are circular so traveltimes can be computed analytically. Also, traveltimes are independent of azimuth so the 3-D problem can be collapsed into an equivalent 2-D problem. The algorithm is illustrated and tested by application to synthetic data and to scale-model data from the Seismic Acoustics Laboratory at the University of Houston.
Histidine Decarboxylase Gene in the Mouse Uterus Is Regulated by Progesterone and Correlates with Uterine Differentiation for Blastocyst Implantation

Cell-cell interactions between the blastocyst trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelium are essential to the process of implantation. The factors that participate in these interactions or their mechanism of actions are poorly understood. Histamine has long been suspected as one of the factors that is involved in implantation. Histamine is formed from L-histidine by histidine decarboxylase (HDC). We examined the expression and regulation of HDC gene in the mouse uterus during early pregnancy and under steroid hormonal stimulation. Northern blot hybridization detected a 2.6-kb transcript of HDC messenger RNA (mRNA) in uterine poly(A)+ RNA samples. Maximum uterine accumulation of HDC mRNA occurred on days 3 and 4 of pregnancy, followed by marked declines on later days (days 5-8). In ovariectomized mice, uterine mRNA levels were up-regulated by an injection of progesterone (P4) by 6 h, and the levels were maintained through 24 h. In contrast, an injection of estradiol-17beta neither stimulated nor antagonized P4-induced HDC mRNA accumulation. P4-induced up-regulation was considerably abrogated by pretreatment with RU-486, a P4 receptor antagonist, suggesting involvement of P4 receptor. In situ hybridization detected HDC mRNA specifically in uterine epithelial cells but not in other cell types. Again, high epithelial accumulation occurred on day 4 of pregnancy. With the progression of implantation (days 5-8), HDC mRNA levels declined in the luminal epithelium surrounding the implanting blastocysts, as compared with that away from the blastocysts. Immunoreactive histamine and HDC were colocalized with HDC mRNA. Western blotting detected a 54-kDa protein in epithelial cell extracts, which also exhibited HDC activity. Expression of HDC in epithelial cells, preceding implantation on day 4, at lower levels after initiation of implantation on day 5, and its regulation by P4 suggest that this gene plays an important role in implantation.
Movement-related potentials accompanying unilateral finger movements with special reference to rate of force development

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between force and rate of force development with electroencephalogram correlates. The primary question was whether the different components of movement related potentials (MRPs) were related to specific properties of force output while subjects performed index finger force production tasks. The peak force and rate of force development (e.g., a product of peak force over time-to-peak force) were manipulated, and the effects of these manipulations on components of MRPs preceding and accompanying force production tasks were examined. The hypothesis was that the rate of force development, rather than level of force itself, would directly influence the later component of MRPs. Consistent with this hypothesis was the finding that the amplitudes of MRP components preceding (MP) and accompanying (MMP, MTP) finger force production movements were significantly correlated with force development rate.
The Effects and Significance of Subminimal Inhibitory Concentrations of Antibiotics

Subminimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics cause structural alterations in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and, in certain instances, reduce growth of bacteria, enhance phagocytosis, increase the bactericidal activity of human serum, and induce production of beta-lactamase from gram-negative bacilli. Extrapolation of these in vitro effects to infection in humans is difficult but appears to be most appropriate in patients who receive synergistic combinations of antibiotics.
Green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) envenomation

Four cases of envenomation by green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) are reported. Despite the unusual appearance and occasional aggressive behavior of this spider, envenomation caused only local pain, pruritis, erythema, and induration. No local necrosis or systemic symptoms occurred. Treatment included tetanus immunization, wound care, and symptomatic therapy.
Losing control? “Design” of crystalline organic and metal–organic networks using conformationally flexible building blocks

Controlling the manner in which organic compounds and metal–organic frameworks assemble in the solid state is an attractive strategy for construction of new functional materials. Most crystal engineering studies employ geometrically well-defined and rigid molecular building blocks in order to limit modes of intermolecular association to only a few (ideally predictable) pathways. Although sacrificing a measure of control, the use of conformationally flexible molecules may provide unique opportunities to construct novel crystalline architectures exhibiting desirable attributes, such as dynamic solid state properties. In this Highlight some of the potential advantages and disadvantages encountered when using flexible components in crystal engineering are discussed. Purely organic systems as well as metal–organic constructs derived from conformationally mobile precursors are described in an effort to demonstrate the impact of molecular flexibility on solid state structure in a range of applications.
A liquid chromatographic-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometric method for quantitation of quetiapine in human plasma and liver microsomes: Application to a study of in vitro metabolism

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic agent for the treatment of schizophrenia. After an oral dose it is absorbed rapidly and extensively metabolized in the liver, resulting in low plasma concentrations of the parent drug. A sensitive analytical method is needed. A liquid chromatographic-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS-MS) method combined with a simple liquid-liquid extraction has been developed for the measurement of quetiapine in human plasma and in human liver microsomes (HLM). Clozapine is used as internal standard. Plasma samples or microsomes quenched with methanol (100 microL) were made basic and extracted with 3 mL n-butyl chloride. The reconstituted extracts were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS-MS. Selective reaction monitoring of MH(+) at m/z 384 and 327 resulted in strong fragment ions at m/z 253 and 192 for quetiapine and clozapine, respectively. Recovery of quetiapine and clozapine ranged from 62 to 73%. Intrarun accuracy and precision determined at 1.0 (lower limit of quantitation), 2.5, 200, and 400 ng/mL did not exceed 7% deviation from target and the %CV did not exceed 5.5%. The % target +/- %CV for interrun accuracy and precision were at least 95% +/- 7.4% at concentrations of 2.5, 200, and 400 ng/mL. Plasma samples (2.5 and 400 ng/mL) stored at room temperature for 24 h or after 3 cycles of freeze/thaw were all stable (maximum % deviation < or = 11.0%). Processed extracts (2.5 and 400 ng/mL) stored for 7 days at -20 degrees C or 6 days on the autosampler were all stable (maximum % deviation < or = 11.5%). The method has been used to study quetiapine utilization during incubation with HLM or with cDNA-expressed human cytochrom P450s (CYP). Quetiapine is extensively metabolized by CYP 3A4 and CYP 2D6 and to a lesser extent by CYP 3A7, CYP 3A5, and CYP 2C19.
From Molecules to Mating Success: Integrative Biology of Muscle Maturation in a Dragonfly

2 SYNOPSIS. Dragonflies begin adult life as comparatively weak fliers, then mature to become one of nature's ultimate flying machines. This ontogenetic transition provides an opportunity to investigate the relationship between life history, phenotypic plastic- ity, and changing ecological demands on organismal performance. Here we present an overview of a wide-ranging study of dragonfly muscle maturation that reveals i) ecological changes in the need for efficient versus high-performance flight, ii) organ- ism-level changes in performance, thermal physiology, locomotor mechanics, and en- ergy efficiency, iii) tissue-level changes in muscle ultrastructure and sensitivity to ac- tivation by calcium, and iv) molecular-level changes in the Lsoform composition of a calcium regulatory protein in flight muscle (troponin-T). We discuss how these phe- nomena may be causally related, and thereby begin to show linkages across many levels of biological organization. In particular, we suggest that alternative splicing of troponin-T mRNA is an important component of the "gearing" of muscle contractile function for developmental changes in wingbeat frequency and ecological demands on flight performance. Age-variable gearing of muscle function allows energetically eco- nomical flight during early adult growth, whereas power output is maximized at ma- turity when aerial competition determines success during territoriality and mating.
The structure of azoester-modified polybutadiene elastomers

It is demonstrated that the improved tack and green strength accompanying the IAD modification of polybutadiene arise strictly from the introduction of bulky, polar groups. The fact that addition of 1,4-PB occurs in a blocked arrangement is not a factor in the development of high green strength, as can be seen by the large increase in strength of modified 1,2-PB, wherein the IAD groups are randomly attached. The tack is also elevated through random IAD addition; however, the relevance of blocked vs. random structure in this regard cannot be completely judged since it depends as well on the absolute IAD level and the polymer's Tg, as well as the test temperature. At high levels of IAD (about 38 mol %), the modified PB becomes a phase-separated material, exhibiting high stiffness and brittleness. This heterogeneous system is quite unlike the PB modified with only 15 mol % IAD. These latter elastomeric materials are homogenous, and remain so during deformation. The attainment of high tack and green strength relies upon maximal addition of the IAD groups, provided the molecules retain their flexibility. In blending the modified PB with other rubbers, optimum behavior in the blends appears to be achieved when the IAD–PB is present as a continuous phase.
Efficacy of select antivirals against Cryptosporidium parvum in vitro

Cryptosporidium parvum is an intestinal pathogen associated with diarrheal disease in both humans and animals. Currently, no effective therapy exists to eliminate the parasite in the absence of a healthy, intact immune system. We used an in situ, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a primary screen to examine the effects of 13 antivirals on the development of C. parvum in human ileocecal adenocarcinoma (HCT-8) cells in vitro. Six of the compounds displayed some efficacy, and dose-response curves and toxicity assays were generated for each of the six compounds. All six were nucleoside analogs, and five of the six were structurally related. These results suggest one potential strategy for therapeutic intervention of C. parvum may be the use and development of certain types of nucleoside analogs.
Ethanol‐induced Impairments in Receptor‐mediated Endocytosis of Asialoorosomucoid in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes: Time Course of Impairments and Recovery after Ethanol Withdrawal

Chronic ethanol administration markedly impairs the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME) of a representative asialoglycoprotein, asialoorosomucoid (ASOR), by the liver. In this study, we further characterized these impairments by identifying the time of onset for ethanol-induced changes in RME as well as establishing the time course for recovery to normal endocytotic values after ethanol withdrawal. Ethanol administration for 3 days did not alter any aspect of endocytosis examined in this study. After feeding ethanol to rats for 7 days, however, significant decreases in amounts of ligand bound, internalized, and degraded were apparent. These impairments persisted throughout the 5-week feeding study although the effects were somewhat attenuated with more prolonged ethanol feeding. In addition, an accumulation of intracellular receptors was observed in ethanol-fed animals relative to controls after 7 days of ethanol feeding. In all cases, recovery of endocytotic values to control levels was partially completed after 2 to 3 days of refeeding control diet and was fully completed after 7 days of refeeding. These results indicate that ethanol feeding for as little as 7 days profoundly impairs the process of RME by the liver. These impairments can be reversed after refeeding control diet for 7 days.
Assessing patient-centred care through direct observation of clinical encounters

Patient-centred care, defined as respecting and responding to the needs and preferences of patients, empowering them to make decisions that best fit their individual needs, has been identified by the Institute of Medicine as an essential element of high-quality care.1 It can be thought of as respectfully involving the patient2 in a way that helps practitioners provide care that is concordant with their patients’ values, needs and preferences while better enabling patients to actively provide input and participate in their healthcare.3 Patients are more satisfied with their care when they feel that healthcare providers are understanding their needs, carefully listening and clearly providing information4; in addition, patient-centred care has been found to be associated with improved patient outcomes.5 In order to provide exemplary patient-centred care, one needs well developed communication skills, especially in the realm of active listening and responding to patient cues. The importance of physicians mastering the art of patient-centred communication skills can be seen as a theme in the educational objectives of medical school curricula as well as in the competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.2 Approaches to evaluating patient-centred communication skills include patient surveys that assess satisfaction with a healthcare provider6 and direct observation. Training programmes employ standardised patients to directly observe communication skills such as with Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.7 Direct observation can also occur in real time or through videotaped or audiotaped real patient encounters. When using audiotaped encounters, the ‘Content Coding for Contextualization of Care’ or 4C method can be used to evaluate clinical care performance.8 With this method, audio recordings of patient–provider encounters are used to assess whether care planning has taken …
Role of Aldosterone and Dietary Potassium in Potassium Adaptation in the Distal Colon of the Rat

The present experiments were designed to differentiate the effects of aldosterone and chronic potassium loading in the mechanism of colonic potassium adaptation, using a recently described animal model that permits systematic manipulation of aldosterone and dietary potassium. Unidirectional 42 K fluxes were performed under short-circuit conditions across isolated distal colonic mucosa from rats with intact adrenal glands and in adrenal ectomized, hormone-replaced animals. Administration of a potassium-enriched diet reversed net potassium absorption (+0.43 ± 0.10 μEq/h · cm 2 ) in intact animals to net potassium secretion (−0.76 ± 0.08 μEq/h · cm 2 ). Infusion of aldosterone in adrenalectomized animals, in an amount equivalent to that produced by potassium loading in intact rats, reduced 1 net K to zero (−0.03 ± 0.06 μEq/h · cm 2 ). Similarly, zero net potassium transport (−0.14 ± 0.08 μEq/h · cm 2 ) was observed when experimental rats were fed a potassium-enriched diet and maintained with basal aldosterone levels. Therefore, both elevated aldosterone levels and a potassium-enriched diet had an effect on net potassium transport, but neither produced the full effects of chronic potassium loading. An increase in net potassium secretion (−0.57 ± 0.07 μEq/h · cm 2 ) comparable to that of intact potassiumloaded animals did, however, occur when potassium loading and elevated aldosterone levels were combined in experimental animals. These studies demonstrate that (a) chronic potassium loading alters active potassium transport by an aldosteroneindependent mechanism and (b) the mechanism of chronic potassium adaptation represents the additive effects of increased dietary potassium and aldosterone.
Stress and Well-Being in Adolescence: The Moderating Role of Physical Exercise

Adolescence is quite often a period of personal adjustment and stress, and previous research has found that adolescents are vulnerable to the negative effects of stressful life events. The present research sought to determine whether a subset of adolescent girls, those who routinely engage in physical exercise, escape stress-induced disturbances in physical and psychological well-being. Self-report measures of stressful life events, physical and emotional well-being, and exercise habits were obtained from 220 females of secondary school age. In accordance with experimental hypotheses, stress had a substantial debilitating effect on physical and emotional health among persons who reported exercising infrequently but not among those who reported exercising regularly. Potential mediating mechanisms are identified and implications of the findings for primary prevention programs targeted toward adolescents are discussed.
The costs of dominance: testosterone, cortisol and intestinal parasites in wild male chimpanzees

Background: Male members of primate species that form multi-male groups typically invest considerable effort into attaining and maintaining high dominance rank. Aggressive behaviors are frequently employed to acquire and maintain dominance status, and testosterone has been considered the quintessential physiological moderator of such behaviors. Testosterone can alter both neurological and musculoskeletal functions that may potentiate preexisting patterns of aggression. However, elevated testosterone levels impose several costs, including increased metabolic rates and immunosuppression. Cortisol also limits immune and reproductive functions. Methods: To improve understanding of the relationships between dominance rank, hormones and infection status in nonhuman primates, we collected and analyzed 67 fecal samples from 22 wild adult male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. Samples were analyzed for cortisol and testosterone levels as well as intestinal parasite prevalence and richness. 1,700 hours of observation data were used to determine dominance rank of each animal. We hypothesized that dominance rank would be directly associated with fecal testosterone and cortisol levels and intestinal parasite burden. Results: Fecal testosterone (but not cortisol) levels were directly associated with dominance rank, and both testosterone and cortisol were directly associated with intestinal parasite richness (number of unique species recovered). Dominance rank was directly associated with helminth (but not protozoan) parasite richness, so that high ranking animals had higher testosterone levels and greater helminth burden. Conclusions: One preliminary interpretation is that the antagonist pleiotropic effects of androgens and glucocorticoids place a cost on attaining and maintaining high dominance rank in this species. Because of the costs associated with elevated steroid levels, dominance status may be an honest signal of survivorship against helminth parasites.
Dispersal of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Hawaiian rain forest

Abstract Introduced mosquito-borne pathogens avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum Grassi and Feletti) and avian pox virus (Avipoxvirus) have been implicated in the past extinctions and declines of Hawaiian avifauna and remain significant obstacles to the recovery and restoration of endemic Hawaiian birds. Effective management of avian disease will require extensive mosquito control efforts that are guided by the local ecology of the vector Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). During October and November 1997 and September through November 1998 five mark–release–recapture experiments with laboratory-reared Cx. quinquefasciatus were conducted in a native rain forest on Hawaii Island. Of the overall 66,047 fluorescent dye-marked and released females, 1,192 (1.8%) were recaptured in 43–52 CO2-baited traps operated for 10–12-d trapping periods. Recaptured mosquitoes were trapped in all directions and at distances up to 3 km from the release site. The cumulative mean distance traveled (MDTs) over the ...
Making connections and building bridges: improving the bi-national planning process

ABSTRACTCreating a continental transportation system that supports the efficient movement of goods between Canada and the United States is essential to the economies of both countries. However, 25 years after the passage of the Canada–US Free Trade Act and many agreements and accords later, poor connectivity, congestion and delays still plague many transborder corridors. Recent attempts to improve this situation involving several proposed new bridge projects have either been halted or significantly delayed over the last decade. This paper will review and critically examine the bi-national planning process that has been followed in an attempt to build a new bridge across the Detroit River, known as the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) project.
Assessment of chronic inhalation non-cancer toxicity for diethylamine

AbstractA non-cancer inhalation chronic toxicity assessment for diethylamine (DEA, CAS number 109-89-7) was conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A chronic Reference Value (ReV) was determined based on a high-quality study conducted in mice and rats by the National Toxicology Program. Chronic inhalation ReVs are health-based exposure concentrations used in assessing health risks of long-term (i.e. lifetime) chemical exposure. DEA is used industrially as an organic intermediate to produce corrosion inhibitors, and is widely used in rubber, pharmaceuticals, resins, pesticides, insect repellants, dye processing and as a polymerization inhibitor. Although systemic effects have been noted at higher concentrations, DEA acts primarily as a respiratory irritant with effects occurring in the upper respiratory tract. Rats were exposed to 0, 31, 62.5 and 125 ppm DEA and mice to 0, 16, 31 and 62.5 ppm DEA for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 105 weeks. Mice were slightly more sensitive than rats. The cr...
Experiments with photorefractive crystals for holographic interferometry

Photorefractive crystals such as iron-doped lithium niobate can be useful recording materials in holographic interferometry. These crystals are self-developing, erasable and reusable, and sensitive to the recording laser light only. As such they are extremely convenient for routine interferometry applications. In this paper, experiments in interferometry using iron-doped lithium niobate crystals for recording the holograms are discussed. The results presented include double-exposure holographic interferometry with cw and pulsed lasers, holographic subtraction interferometry, and real-time interferometry with photorefractive reference holograms. Example applications such as visualization of aerodynamic flow fields, heat transfer patterns, and acoustic fields are presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Foreign Intervention: A Case for Humility

The opening lines of F.A. Harper's 1951 article, "In Search of Peace," read as follows: "Charges of pacifism are likely to be hurled at anyone who in these troubled times raises any question about the race into war. If pacifism means embracing the objective of peace, I am willing to accept the charge. If it means opposing all aggression against others, I am willing to accept that charge also. It is now urgent in the interest of liberty that many persons become "peacemongers"." Harper’s words are as relevant as when he first wrote them. My goal is to urge all of you to fully embrace Harper’s call. I provide four reasons why I am highly skeptical of foreign military intervention.
The Use of Research Resources from a University Library by Criminal Justice Students

ABSTRACTThis study asks whether criminal justice students are more or less likely to utilize library resources to complete research assignments compared to their peers, and subsequently, whether they perceive the effectiveness of those resources differently. To do so, survey data from nearly 300 students from a mid-sized university in the northeastern United States are analyzed. The results indicate that criminal justice students are not more or less likely to utilize resources from the university library compared to their peers but that criminal justice students feel that services from librarians are less effective than do non-criminal justice students.
A Method for Analyzing the Critical Adhesion Energy of Thin Film Coatings

The edge delamination test (EDT) measures the energy required to cause a thin film, under biaxial tensile stress, to debond from a rigid substrate. Circular holes are etched through the films and if the stress is large enough, stable debond rings grow radially around the holes. A finite element analysis is used to find the applied strain-energy release rate as a function of debond crack length, hole radius and side-wall angle. However, the analysis may not be widely available, so, we present tables of reduced debond energy val ues, G r , to facilitate the use of the EDT. With observed EDT results, G r is extrapolated from the tables and then the critical debond energy is calculated by multiplying G r by the maximum strain energy. Also, we have fit G r with a semi-empirical equation, which is in good agreement over a broad range of geometries.
Signicance of Decomposition in Spacecraft Autonomy

Unlike traditional ight software used in spacecraft, many autonomy software use search algorithms that solve problems with NP complexity or worse. Without exhaustively testing the state space of search algorithms, we can only conclude that the worst case memory or time performance will be exponential or worse. This, however, is unacceptable for missions that are time critical and memory limited. The arti cial intelligence community has also been concerned with the intractability of AI algorithms. As result, a set of decomposition techniques, namely constraint decomposition and causal order decomposition, have been developed to address the issue. Decomposition techniques use a divide-and-conquer approach to divide a problem based on the properties of the problem into a set of simpler subproblems. By decomposing the problem, we are able to determine a tighter bound on the time and memory required to solve the problem and use the decomposition to solve the problem within the guaranteed time and memory. Furthermore, this approach can help design and verify autonomy software. In this paper we review two important decomposition techniques, constraint decomposition and causal order decomposition and their uses within spacecraft autonomy.
Abstract 2714: Colorectal Cancer in young (<50 years old) African Americans, Could race be a risk factor? A 20 years experience in an inner city teaching hospital

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, and survival in African Americans (AAs) is worse than Caucasians. Some studies suggest that the incidence of CRC is higher in AA patients below the age of 50 when compared to Caucasians. This study aims to confirm the higher prevalence of CRC in an AA population less than 50, and its implications to the screening guidelines. METHOD: In a retrospective study demographic data, indication and outcome of colonoscopy, and biopsy data were collected at Howard University Hospital (HUH) over a period of 21 years (1989-2008). All of the study patients were (AA), and cases were classified either symptomatic average risk (91%); or high risk (family history, IBD) (9%). Distribution of variables was studied by median (inter-quartile range) or number (%). RESULTS: Seventy five CRC cases younger than 50 years old were recorded from 1989 to 2008 at HUH. Median age (inter-quartile range) of these patients were 43 (40-46) years and 35 (47%) were female. Among them 55 (73%) were adenocarcinoma and 43 (57%) were located at left colon. In the same period a total of 671 CRC was recorded in HUH. We compared this data with 4591 CRC cases who were registered at District of Colombia (DC) from 1996 to 2007. While in HUH 11% of all CRC cases were under 50, this ratio for DC area was 9% (P=0.1). Among HUH patients 4%, 16% and 80% were 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49 years old, respectively. In DC area these ratios were 3%, 26% and 70% (P = 0.2). Among HUH tumors with available data 49%, 40%, 11% were local, regional, distant and unknown extension, while these proportions in DC area were 40%, 37%, 23% (P=0.018), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data showed a high burden of colorectal CRC in young AAs (<50). CRC rate of 80% (60/75) was seen for the age group of 40-49, which indicates cancer in AAs may starts at younger age than predicted (<45). The American College of Gastroenterology recommends to start screening of AAs at age of 45, but this may not cover many high risk people who are younger than 45. Further study is needed on AAs to confirm these findings. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2714.
Concerning Quadratic Interaction in the Quantum Cheshire Cat Experiment

In a July 2014 Nature Communications paper, Denkmayr et al. claim to have instantiated the so-called quantum Cheshire Cat experiment using neutron interferometry. Crucial to this claim are the weak values which must imply the quantum Cheshire Cat interpretation, i.e., "the neutron and its spin are spatially separated" in their experiment. While they measured the correct weak values for the quantum Cheshire Cat interpretation, the corresponding implications do not obtain because, as we show, those weak values were measured with both a quadratic and a linear magnetic field Bz interaction. We show explicitly how those weak values imply quantum Cheshire Cat if the Bz interaction is linear and then we show how the quadratic Bz interaction destroys the quantum Cheshire Cat implications of those weak values. Since both linear and quadratic Bz interactions contribute equally to the neutron intensity in this experiment, the deviant weak value implications are unavoidable. Because weak values were used successfully to compute neutron intensities for weak Bz in this experiment, it is clearly the case that one cannot make ontological inferences from weak values without taking into account the corresponding interaction strength.
The effect of surfactants and grain hulls on the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in aqueous environments

The effect of Triton X-100, Tween 80 and lecithin on the biodegradation of crude oil, diesel fuel and used motor oil by environmental isolates was evaluated in yeast-extract media containing surfactant at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 500, and 1,000 mg L'\ Sixty one microbial isolates from various sources were evaluated for petrochemical biodegradation and emulsification performance. From this screen, four isolates. Bacillus sp. SH.7.C-P, Rhodococcus equi MO.M-N, Rhodococcus equi CP.M-P, and Yarrowia lipolytica CP.D-N were selected for further studies. Petroleum-degrading activity of these isolates was evaluated by COj evolution from 20-ml bubbler tube cultures containing 2-ml petroleum hydrocarbons as the sole carbon source. Diesel fuel degradative activity of lipolytica CP.D-N was enhanced by low ^ Graduate student, Oapartment of Microbiology, Innmunology and Preventive Medicine, and Civil and Construction Engineering, Iowa State University. ' Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Center for Crops Utilization Research, Iowa State University. ^ Author for correspondence, * Professor, Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Iowa State University. * Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Preventative Medicine, Iowa State University.
SciDAC Institute for Ultra-Scale Visualization: Activity Recognition for Ultra-Scale Visualization

Understanding the science behind ultra-scale simulations requires extracting meaning from data sets of hundreds of terabytes or more. Developing scalable parallel visualization algorithms is a key step enabling scientists to interact and visualize their data at this scale. However, at extreme scales, the datasets are so huge, there is not even enough time to view the data, let alone explore it with basic visualization methods. Automated tools are necessary for knowledge discovery -- to help sift through the information and isolate characteristic patterns, thereby enabling the scientist to study local interactions, the origin of features and their evolution in large volumes of data. These tools must be able to operate on data of this scale and work with the visualization process. In this project, we developed a framework for activity detection to allow scientists to model and extract spatio-temporal patterns from time-varying data.
Surrogate Fathers, Suitable Sons

In October 1779, Robert-Denis Gambier de Campy joined the office of his uncle, Nicolas Jean, premier commis in the Ministry of War. His older brothers, Jean Nicolas and Pierre Francois, already worked there. Nicolas Jean, in charge of the administration of provinces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State for War, had inherited his position from his own uncle. Dying a bachelor in 1782, he was succeeded by his own eldest nephew, Jean Nicholas.1 Therefore, in 1791, when his brother died, Robert-Denis was the fourth Gambier de Campy to become premier commis. He did so even though his office and its responsibilities had been transferred to the newly created Ministry of Interior. In 1791, with the royalist Terrier de Montciel in charge, the position of premier commis still ‘belonged’ to the Gambier de Campy family. This would not be the case after Revolutionary politicians took full control of the ministries in 1792. It would certainly not be the case during the Terror. Finally, in theory at least, no family dynasty could survive the Constitution of Year III. It declared that ‘direct family lines — brothers, uncles and nephews, or [any] family members linked by a single degree, cannot belong to the same administration, and cannot succeed one another until after an interval of two years’.2
In-Depth Enforcement of Dynamic Integrity Taint Analysis

Dynamic taint analysis can be used as a defense against low-integrity data in applications with untrusted user interfaces. An important example is defense against XSS and injection attacks in programs with web interfaces. Data sanitization is commonly used in this context, and can be treated as a precondition for endorsement in a dynamic integrity taint analysis. However, sanitization is often incomplete in practice. We develop a model of dynamic integrity taint analysis for Java that addresses imperfect sanitization with an in-depth approach. To avoid false positives, results of sanitization are endorsed for access control (aka prospective security), but are tracked and logged for auditing and accountability (aka retrospective security). We show how this heterogeneous prospective/retrospective mechanism can be specified as a uniform policy, separate from code. We then use this policy to establish correctness conditions for a program rewriting algorithm that instruments code for the analysis. The rewriting itself is a model of existing, efficient Java taint analysis tools.
The computation of exact green's functions in acoustic analogy by a spectral collocation boundary element method

Aircraft airframe noise pollution resulting from the take-off and landing of airplanes is a growing concern. Because of advances in numerical analysis and computer technology, most of the current noise prediction methods are computationally efficient. However, the ability to effectively apply an approach to complex airframe geometries continues to challenge researchers. The objective of this research is to develop and analyze a robust noise prediction method for dealing with geometrical modifications. This new approach for determining sound pressure involves computing exact, or tailored, Green's functions for use in acoustic analogy. The effects of sound propagation and scattering by solid surfaces are included in the exact Green's function, which is tailored for a specific geometry. The exact Green's function is computed using a spectral collocation boundary element method that can easily accommodate complex geometries. A frequency-domain spectral collocation method is applied to both smooth and non-smooth boundaries, resulting in exponential convergence on smooth boundaries. Solution singularities at boundary corners are dealt with via an exponential grading element refinement. With proper refinement, exponential convergence is also obtained for non-smooth boundaries. The formulation and application of a three-dimensional time-domain BEM allows computation of exact Green's functions for all frequencies in a single calculation. Long-time instabilities in the time-marching numerical solutions are corrected via a Burton-Miller modified integral equation. Two examples provide validation of the acoustic analogy involving the exact Green's function.
Spatial Memory Performance of Socially Mature Wistar Rats is Impaired after Exposure to Low (5 cGy) Doses of 1 GeV/n 48Ti Particles.

Prolonged deep space missions to planets and asteroids will expose astronauts to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), a mixture of low-LET ionizing radiations, high-energy protons and high-Z and energy (HZE) particles. Ground-based experiments are used to determine whether this radiation environment will have an effect on the long-term health of astronauts and their ability to complete various tasks during their mission. Emerging data suggest that mission-relevant HZE doses impair several hippocampus-dependent neurocognitive processes in rodents, but that there is substantial interindividual variation in the severity of neurocognitive impairment, ranging from no observable effects to severe impairment. While the majority of studies have established the effect that the most abundant HZE species (56Fe) has on neurocognition, some studies suggest that the lighter 48Ti HZE particles may be equally, if not more, potent at impairing neurocognition. In this study, we assessed the effect that exposure to 5–20 cGy 1 G...
Determinants of Research and Development Intensity from a Network Perspective

We model and examine the research and development (R&D) intensity of a focal industry from an inter-industry network perspective. More specifically, we estimate how a focal industry’s R&D investment is affected by partner (suppliers and customers) industries’ R&D expenditure. We also investigate the impact of the overall economy on the focal industry’s R&D expenditure and finally how a focal industry’s position in the supply chain network moderates the overall economy’s impact on the focal industry’s R&D expenditure. We found that, in general, a focal industry’s R&D intensity is positively associated with its partner industries’ R&D intensity. In addition, an industry’s R&D intensity is positively associated with the growth rate of the overall economy. Finally, we found that a more central industry is subjected to a stronger impact of macroeconomic shocks on its R&D intensity though there is no significant association between an industry’s centrality and its R&D intensity.
Kinetics and mechanism of the condensation of pyridoxal hydrochloride with L-tryptophan and D-tryptophan, and the chemical transformation of their products

The kinetics and mechanism of interaction between pyridoxal and L-tryptophan, D-tryptophan, and their derivatives are studied. It is found that condensation reactions proceed via three kinetically distinguishable stages: (1) the rapid intraplanar addition of the NH2 groups of the amino acids to pyridoxal with the formation of amino alcohols; (2) the rotational isomerism of amino alcohol fragments with their subsequent dehydration and the formation of a Schiff base with a specific configuration; (3) the abstraction of α-hydrogen in the product of condensation of pyridoxal with L-tryptophan, or the abstraction of СО2 in the product of condensation of pyridoxal with D-tryptophan with the formation of quinoid structures, hydrolysis of which results in the preparation of pyridoxamine and keto acid or pyridoxal and tryptamine, respectively. Schiff bases resistant to further chemical transformations are formed in the reaction with tryptophan methyl ester.
Inguinal Exploration for the Management of Impalpable Undescended Testes

Introduction: The primary goal of surgical intervention with an impalpable testis is to locate and reposition the gonad. There has been much debate in the management of impalpable undescended testes. Many centres still advocate the role of open inguinal exploration in impalpable testes.Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 35 male patients. The clinical notes were reviewed for details of age at operation, side, location and condition of testes intraoperatively and the type of operation performed. Standard approach of inguinal explorations was performed under general anaesthesia. Follow up in first week and after 3 months was done. Results: 25(71.42%) impalpable testes were in left side, 9(25.71%) were on right side and 1(2.85%) was bilateral. At exploration 17(47.22%) were intracanalicular, nine (25%) were intraabdominal with seven low and two high,49(11.11%) were scrotal and six (16.66%) were absent, seven (41.17%) canalicular testes underwent orchidopexy and 10(58.22%) underwent gonadectomy for atrophied testes. Seven (77.77%) low abdominal testes were brought down to scrotum and two (22.22%) high abdominal were brought down to lower inguinal area as a first stage surgery. All 4(100%) scrotal testes were atrophied and gonadectomy performed. Six patients were diagnosed anorchia, 14 (87.5%) of impalpable testes that underwent orchidopexy were in a follow up with excellent results. One high first stage orchidopexy and another canalicular testes were found to have atrophied who did orchidectomy in follow-up.Conclusion: Inguinal exploration is a safe, reliable and successful surgical procedure for the management of impalpable testes including intraabdominal testes without procedure related complications.