cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of insulin on SN-1,2-diacylglycerol species and de novo synthesis in rat skeletal muscle

Insulin treatment increases the SN-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) concentration in skeletal muscle. Because DAG may participate in transmission or modulation of the insulin receptor signal, we examined the effect of insulin on total DAG and on different DAG species in isolated rat hemidiaphragms incubated with 5 mmol/L glucose. Five DAG species (16:0-18:1 omega 9, 16:0-18:1 omega 7, 18:0-18:1 omega 9, 18:0-18:2 omega 6, and 18:1-18:2) were identified and quantified. After a 5-minute incubation with 60 nmol/L insulin, neither total DAG nor a DAG species increased; exposure to insulin for 10 or 20 minutes increased the concentration of total DAG and of several DAG species. Insulin did not increase DAG in muscles incubated without glucose. Two sources for the insulin-mediated DAG increase were considered: phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis and de novo DAG synthesis from glucose. Concentrations of choline and phosphocholine in muscle were not increased after 10-minute incubations with insulin. However, insulin increased 14C incorporation from [U-14C]glucose into DAG, triacylglycerol (TAG), and total lipids approximately threefold. Okadaic acid (OKA), an inhibitor of phosphoprotein phosphatases 1 and 2A, increased muscle DAG content and synthesis from glucose, similar to the effect of insulin. Doses of OKA or insulin that increased DAG mass greatly exceeded those required for stimulation of glucose transport. The insulin-mediated, relatively slow increase in muscle DAG observed here likely reflects primarily de novo synthesis from glucose. This effect would be downstream of insulin stimulation of glucose transport. However, a possible insulin-mediated, rapid transient increase in muscle DAG content and PC hydrolysis cannot be ruled out by our studies.
Postganglionic site of action of nicotine with special reference to its direct action on blood vessels.

Summary and ConclusionIn the L-T preparation, which is essentially an isolated vascular bed, nicotine induces marked vasoconstriction. Resection of both sympathetic chains and of all spinal nerves does not alter the action of nicotine. T.E.A. ion, capable of blocking the action of the “nieotinie-stimulating” substances upon ganglion cells, curare, capable of paralyzing postganglionic fibers, and Dibenamine capable of blocking the same fibers, do not abolish the vasoconstrictor action of nicotine. Serial sections of the vessels of the frog's hind legs have shown the absence of ganglion cells.It appears, therefore, that in the L-T preparation the site of action of nicotine is peripheral to the postganglionic fibers, possibly directly on the blood vessels. In the intact animal, it may be assumed that in addition to its known sites of action on ganglion cells, and adrenal medulla, nicotine may also act directly on the neuroeffector cells of the blood vessels.
Frequency-tunable UV laser system for biological and chemical detection

An efficient, compact, tunable ultraviolet laser system has been constructed by frequency tripling a Q-switched, tunable near-infrared Cr:LiSAF laser source. The nonlinear conversion from the fundamental to the third harmonic was accomplished through second harmonic generation in lithium triborate (LBO) followed by sum frequency mixing of the fundamental and the second harmonic in beta-barium borate (BBO). Third harmonic output with this combination of nonlinear crystals has yielded 5 mJ of energy at 280 nm with an overall conversion efficiency of 7%. The Cr:LiSAF master oscillator has been modeled in detail to optimize performance. System specifications of tuning range, linewidth, output energy, temporal behavior, and repetition rate were determined by the end use application as a UV excitation source for a chemical and biological stand-off detection system.
Genetic variation in the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) predicts functional gastrointestinal diagnoses and poorer health-related quality of life.

Summary Background The beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is an important target for epinephrine, a neurotransmitter in pain signalling. ADRB2 haplotypes affect receptor expression and ligand response, and have been linked to painful non-GI disorders. Aims To assess whether ADRB2 polymorphisms (rs1042713, rs1042714) are risk alleles for functional GI (FGID) and extraintestinal functional (EIFD) diagnoses, and whether ADRB2 predicts GI symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods Of 398 subjects (49.6 ± 2.9 years, 68.0% female), 170 (42.5%) met Rome III criteria for ≥1 FGID [IBS (n = 139, 34.9%); functional dyspepsia (FD, n = 136, 34.1%), functional chest pain (FCP, n = 25, 6.2%)], while 228 were healthy controls. FGID subjects reported on bowel symptom severity and burden (10-cm VAS), frequency (days/last 2 weeks), EIFD, psychiatric diagnoses and HRQOL (SF 36). Multivariable models determined the contribution of ADRB2 polymorphisms to HRQOL, and mediational analyses assessed functional diagnoses as potential intermediates. Results rs1042714 minor G alleles were associated with FGID diagnoses (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.7; P = 0.009), particularly FD (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.3), with trends towards IBS (P = 0.19) and FCP (P = 0.06) diagnoses. Within IBS, G allele carriers had more severe bowel symptoms (P = 0.025), and symptomatic days (P = 0.009). G allele carriers had greater numbers of EIFD (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.07, P < 0.001) and poorer HRQOL. The effect of ADRB2 on HRQOL was partially mediated by FGID, EIFD and psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusions ADRB2 minor alleles at rs1042714 predict FGID and EIFD, and may influence bowel symptom severity and HRQOL. These findings provide indirect evidence of sympathetic nervous system role in FGID pathophysiology.
Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy in pediatric patients.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy is used widely in adult melanoma and breast cancer to determine nodal status without the morbidity associated with elective lymph node dissection. This technique can be used in children to determine lymph node status with limited dissection and accurate interpretation. The authors report their initial experience. Methods: The charts of patients who underwent lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy were reviewed retrospectively. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in patients with truncal lesions 24 hours before surgery to determine the draining nodal basin (for surgical mapping). The tumors were injected 1 hour preoperatively with technetium sulfur colloid and in the operating room with Lymphazurin blue. The draining basin was examined using a radioisotope detector. The blue nodes with high counts were localized and removed. If nodal metastases were identified, lymph node dissection was recommended. Four patients were injected only with Lymphazurin blue. Results: Thirteen children (7 girls, 6 boys; mean age, 7 years) underwent lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy. The tumor types were as follows: 8 malignant melanoma (6 extremity, 2 truncal), 1 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, 1 alveolar soft part sarcoma, and 3 rhabdomyosarcoma. A mean of 2.4 nodes (range, 1 to 6) were removed from each patient. Six patients had a positive sentinel node. Formal lymph node dissection was performed on 4 of the 6 patients, 1 of whom had further nodal disease with 2 of 13 nodes containing micrometastases. One of the 6 patients refused lymph node dissection and adjuvant therapy; the final patient had rhabdomyosarcoma, a malignancy for which lymph node dissection is not indicated. Pulmonary metastasis developed 26 months after diagnoses in the patient with alveolar soft part sarcoma and a negative sentinel node. This patient was injected only with Lymphazurin blue at the time of sentinel node biopsy and refused adjuvant therapy. There have been no other recurrences. There were no complications related to lymphatic mapping or sentinel node biopsy. Conclusions: Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy, using both technetium-labeled sulfur colloid and Lymphazurin blue, can be performed safely in pediatric skin and soft tissue malignancies. Further study with long-term follow-up will determine the utility and accuracy of this technique in pediatric malignancies. J Pediatr Surg 35:961-964. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Reaction times of aging subjects to monaural verbal stimuli: some evidence for a reduction in right-hemisphere linguistic processing capacity.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of advanced aging on hemispheric organization for linguistic processing. Specifically, it was an attempt to identify whether the neur...
Time Trends of Mortality from Gastric Cancer in Europe

The time trends of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease are shaped by a birth-cohort phenomenon. The aim of this study was to assess the extent by which a birth-cohort phenomenon also affected the long-term time trends of gastric cancer among different European countries. Mortality data from France, Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden of the past 56–85 years were analyzed. The age-specific death rates were plotted against the period of death as period-age contours and against the period of birth as cohort-age contours. The long-term time trends of gastric cancer mortality were found to have risen among generations born during the 18th century until the mid-19th century and then to have declined in all subsequent generations. The rise and fall of gastric cancer preceded similar birth-cohort patterns of gastric and duodenal ulcer by about 10–30 years. With the exception of gastric cancer in Germany, similar birth-cohort phenomena were found in all countries, as well as in men and women. The time trends of mortality from gastric cancer and peptic are shaped by birth-cohort patterns that have affected all countries of Europe. It remains an enigma why mortality associated with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer suddenly started to rise within a short time period during the 19th century.
Mass transfer and dynamic liquid—liquid interfacial tension. 4. Relaxation processes in nonequilibrium multicomponhent heterogeneous systems

Abstract The theory of the relaxation processes in interfaces of nonequilibrium oil-brine-surfactant systems is developed. Both slow and rapid relaxation mechanisms are considered, in regard to adsorption, diffusion, and mechanical deformation. The results of the theory are compared with experimental data that had been previously reported.
Palynologic and petrographic variation in the Otter Creek coal beds (Stephanian, Upper Carboniferous), western Kentucky

Abstract The palynology and petrology of the Lisman (Lower Otter Creek) and Upper Otter Creek coals of the Stephanian portion of the Sturgis Formation of the Western Kentucky coal field was investigated in samples from mine and roadcut exposures. The Lisman coal bed exhibits an upward decrease in palynologic diversity and an upward increase in inertinite macerals. These factors suggest a change in swamp paleoecology in response to a climate which was gradually becoming drier. The Upper Otter Creek coal bed exhibits less lateral continuity in palynomorph assemblages than does the Lisman. The Upper Otter Creek palynomorph assemblages are less diverse than the Lisman assemblages. Overall, the variation in the Upper Otter Creek coal bed cannot be attributed with certainty to any factor other than the local relief within the swamp.
The azido[14C]atrazine photoaffinity technique labels a 34-kDa protein in Scenedesmus which functions on the oxidizing side of photosystem II

Abstract We have used azido[ 14 C]atrazine to photoaffinity label thylakoids from wild-type (WT) Scenedesmus and a mutant, LF-1, which is blocked on the oxidizing side of photosystem II (PS II). One protein is labeled in each case, at 34 kDa in the WT and 36 kDa in LF-1. Previous comparison of the WT with LF-1 had been used to assign a PS II donor side function to the 34-kDa protein. These results suggest that this photoaffinity technique does not label the herbicide-binding protein involved in electron transfer on the reducing side of PS II.
VA Cooperative Study on Alcoholic Hepatitis III: Changes in Protein-Calorie Malnutrition Associated with 30 Days of Hospitalization with and without Enteral Nutritional Therapy

Patients with moderate to severe alcoholic hepatitis and features of protein-calorie malnutrition were studied with respect to changes in their nutritional status during 30 days of hospitalization. Thirty-four patients served as controls, were given a 2500 kcal hospital diet and allowed to eat ad libitum. Twenty-three patients were given, in addition to the hospital diet, a nutrition supplement high in calories, protein, and branched-chain amino acids (Hepatic Aid). Because of anorexia, the controls consumed lesser amounts of both calories and protein while those given the nutritional therapy exceeded their estimated energy requirements (116.1 %) and consumed a mean of 98.3 g of protein per day. This was well tolerated despite the fact that portal systemic encephalopathy was present in 72% of the patients. Mortality associated with the liver disease was comparable in both groups, 16.7% in the treated us 20.6% in the controls. In those patients that survived the 30 days of hospitalization, clinical and bio...
Design of the optoelectronic receiver for deep-space optical communications

The opto-electronic receiver (detector and pre-amplifier) necessary to meet the demands of high capacity deep space missions is designed for a Mars-Earth optical communication link. The receiver requirements are driven by link performance (data rate, bit-error rate, margin), delivered power, pulse width, background signal, telescope quality, and atmospheric effects. Meeting these requirements becomes more challenging as the mission range and the demand for link capacity increases. In this article, the detector's characteristics (e.g. quantum efficiency, noise, gain, and diameter) are designed to address these various requirements. The receiver sensitivity's dependence on the background noise power and on the APD detector's characteristics is analyzed. The improvement in opto- electronic receiver sensitivity is quantified for improvements in APD quantum efficiency, ionization factor, and bulk dark current. It is also found that as the background signal increases the improvement on the receiver sensitivity from an improved detector is diminished due to the quantum noise limit. An opto-electronic receiver is designed based on a Silicon APD to meet the mission requirement of a PPM (M equals 256) 30 kbps data rate (BER of 10-5) link. Improvements to the APD detector are also studied to describe a design that would achieve over 50 kbps data rates for a Mars-Earth optical communication link.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Composition of renal medullary tissue

Concentration of the urine is achieved by osmotic equilibrium of the collecting duct fluid with the hypertonic, medullary interstitial fluid. The medullary tissue concentration of various osmotically–active substances, especially urea and sodium chloride, undergoes drastic changes depending on the physiological state of the animal. It has been assumed that intracellular and extracellular osmotic pressures and urea concentrations are equal. However, many questions remain unanswered. What are the concentrations of osmotically active molecules in each of the various compartments? What types and amounts of small organic compounds are present? How does the high osmolality effect the metabolic state of these cells? Are inorganic molecules bound, that is, what are their activity coefficients?
Platelet-activating factor improves intrauterine insemination outcome

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to investigate intrauterine insemination pregnancy rates after human spermatozoa exposure to platelet-activating factor. Study Design: Spermatozoa were incubated with platelet-activating factor in sperm-washing medium before intrauterine insemination. Patients whose sperm were incubated with sperm-washing medium alone served as controls. Pregnancy outcome was determined by ultrasonography (fetal heartbeat). Results: Patients whose sperm were treated with exogenous platelet-activating factor had a significantly ( P Conclusion: Inclusion of platelet-activating factor into a semen processing protocol, before intrauterine insemination, will significantly improve pregnancy rates. Platelet-activating factor may have a stimulatory effect on centriole-intact spermatozoa, enhancing their motility and fertilization success and resulting in improved pregnancy rates. Additional studies will elucidate the reproductive significance of platelet-activating factor activity in spermatozoa and its role in the establishment of pregnancy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:1064-5.)
Eye specification in Drosophila: perspectives and implications

The discovery that Drosophila eyeless is homologous to vertebrate Pax6 produced enormous interest in eye specification and a reappraisal of eye evolution. While the transcription factor Eyeless/Pax6 is necessary and in some circumstances sufficient to induce eye development the simple story of eye specification has become more epic than haiku. At least seven other nuclear proteins act with Eyeless/Pax6 to induce the eye and, furthermore, extrinsic developmental signals are required. Some striking similarities between later events of retinal patterning in vertebrates and insects have led to a deeper debate on the evolutionary path to these apparently quite different organs.
A cell-matrix model of anabolic and catabolic dynamics during cartilage biomolecule regulation

Physiologic regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in articular cartilage tissue is controlled by cellular and molecular mechanisms which are not fully understood. It has been observed that the synthesis of the ECM structural molecules, glycosaminoglycan and collagen are promoted by growth factors such as IGF-1 and TGF-s. Concomitant ECM degradation is promoted by a variety of cytokines such as IL-1. The clinical need for reparative therapies of articular cartilage is linked with its poor intrinsic healing capacity. The following modelling approach was applied to engineered cartilage as a platform for exploring cartilage biology and to introduce a predictive tool as a bioinformatic support system supporting regenerative therapies. Systems biology was adapted through a mathematical framework producing a computational intelligence paradigm to explore a controlled phasic regulatory influence of the inhibition and production of ECM biomolecules. Model outcomes describe a steady synthesis of ECM as a dependence on a cyclic influence of the catabolic action of proteases and anabolic action of growth factors. This relationship is shown quantitatively in a governing harmonic equation representing the simplified biological mechanisms of biomolecule homeostasis.
Universes Collide: Combining Immunotherapy with Targeted Therapy for Cancer

There have been significant advances in the past several years with regard to targeted therapy and immunotherapy for cancer. This is highlighted in melanoma, where treatment with targeted therapy (against the BRAF oncoprotein) results in responses in the majority of patients, although the duration of response is limited. In contrast, treatment with immunotherapy results in a lower response rate, but one that tends to be more durable. Insights about mechanisms of response and potential synergy between these treatment strategies for melanoma are a focus of this review, with opportunities to extend these insights to the treatment of other cancers. Significance: Two major advances in melanoma have occurred concurrently and involve treatment with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint blockade. However, each of these approaches has limitations with regard to overall response rates or duration of response. To address this, investigators have proposed combining these strategies, and this concept is being tested empirically in clinical trials. There is a scientific rationale supporting the combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and these concepts are discussed herein. Cancer Discov; 4(12); 1377–86. ©2014 AACR .
A variational principle and an algorithm for limit analysis of beams and plates

Abstract A variational principle for limit analysis of beams and plates is developed from a yield function based on the Frobenius matrix norm. The formulation produced a pair of maximization and minimization problems with a duality relation between them. Exact solutions of two simple problems are presented as verification to the validity of the new variational principle. An iterative algorithm is constructed to solve the minimization problem. The algorithm, tested successfully on the two example problems, is intended for beams and plates with general loading and boundary conditions and shapes.
Behavioral responses of the Strawberry Poison Frog (Oophaga pumilio) to herbicide olfactory cues: possible implications for habitat selection and movement in altered landscapes

Recent research has focused on the importance of behavior in mediating the effects of landscape change on amphibian populations and communities. Factors such as chemical contaminants may affect habitat selection and movement of amphib- ians in human-altered habitats and contribute to landscape-level patterns of distribution and abundance. The objective of this study was to determine if the Strawberry Poison Frog (Oophaga pumilio (Schmidt, 1857)) can use olfactory cues to detect and avoid the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup™. Fifty frogs were captured in the field in Costa Rica and tested in experimental arenas where they were given a choice between a control and an herbicide treatment. Analysis of time spent in treatment areas revealed a significant interaction between sex and treatment. Analyses of choice at the start and end of the trials indicated that sex and cardinal direction were important factors influencing orientation behavior. These results suggest that males and females differed in their behavioral responses, and that male O. pumilio may use olfactory cues to detect and avoid areas treated with glyphosate-based herbicide. However, the sampled population was male-biased, which resulted in a lower sample size and lower power to detect an effect for females. Further work is needed to better understand amphibian behavioral responses to herbi- cides, as well as the role of sex and individual variation in modifying these responses.
A method for obtaining a canonical Hamiltonian for nonlinear LC circuits

A method is presented for obtaining the Hamiltonian and the proper canonical variables that is both very general and simple. A tree of capacitors is used to write the state equations for an LC circuit with independent sources, and transformations to canonical variables are generated from the circuit topology by considering an alternate tree (cotree) containing as many inductors (capacitors) as possible. A method is given to obtain these transformations by inspection, based on fundamental loops and cutsets of both the capacitor and alternate trees. When the nonlinearities in the capacitors and inductors are small, a change of coordinates is given to achieve complete separation of the canonical variables of the unperturbed (linear) system. These results should allow the application of techniques from Hamiltonian dynamics, such as canonical perturbation theory, to circuits. >
(Bio)-behavioral CAD

We propose the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) systems, techniques, and tools to observe the neuron-level activity of the brains of designers or CAD tool developers. The objective is to enable designers and developers to complete their task in a faster and more creative way with significantly reduced number of logical and design errors. While fMRI techniques are already used in economics, decision and several other social sciences, until now their potential for closing the design productivity-silicon productivity (DPSP) gap has not been recognized. By compounding the new approach with techniques for designing integrated circuits and system within fMRI data collection and analysis, we will establish a positive productivity and creativity feedback loop that may permanently close the DPSP gap. As a preliminary and presently feasible step, we propose the creation of behavioral CAD research and development techniques. The usage of judiciously selected verbal, visual information and reintroduction of successful design paradigm and exposure to beneficial synthesis templates may help current and future designers to learn and design more effectively.
Toward a nowcast/forecast system for water levels in the Chesapeake Bay

The Model for Estuarine and Coastal Circulation Assessment (MECCA) is currently being used in an experimental nowcast/forecast scheme aimed at enhancing National Ocean Service predictions of water level within the Chesapeake Bay. Winds and water levels observed at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBDT) are used in combination with winds observed at Thomas Point Light to produce a twice daily nowcast of the water level within the bay. These nowcasts provide initial conditions for forecast runs as well as providing water level information throughout the bay rather than lust at tide gauge locations. Tests of predictive capabilities have included driving MECCA with forecasts of subtidal water level at the open boundary and forecast wind fields that will be available operationally. The quality of the water level forecast is highly dependent upon the accuracy of both the open boundary condition and windfield forcing conditions.
INTEGRAL-an integrated framework for distributed software validation and verification

A prototype validation and verification (V&V) system, called INTEGRAL, is presented that provides comprehensive and homogeneous analysis capabilities for the development and maintenance of distributed systems. The underlying software model supporting various V&V activities in INTEGRAL, called the extended modified Petri net model is applicable to the descriptions of both products and processes at various levels of the software life cycle. The goal of this research is to demonstrate the availability and applicability of a Petri-net-based software development paradigm supported by INTEGRAL. >
Events before droplet splashing on a solid surface

A high-velocity (≈1 m s ―1 ) impact between a liquid droplet (≈1 mm) and a solid surface produces a splash. Classical observations traced the origin of this splash to a thin sheet of fluid ejected near the impact point, though the fluid mechanical mechanism leading to the sheet is not known. Mechanisms of sheet formation have heretofore relied on initial contact of the droplet and the surface. In this paper, we theoretically and numerically study the events within the time scale of about 1 μs over which the coupled dynamics between the gas and the droplet becomes important. The droplet initially tries to contact the substrate by either draining gas out of a thin layer or compressing it, with the local behaviour described by a self-similar solution of the governing equations. This similarity solution is not asymptotically consistent: forces that were initially negligible become relevant and dramatically change the behaviour. Depending on the radius and impact velocity of the droplet, we show that the solution is overtaken by initially subdominant physical effects such as the surface tension of the liquid―gas interface or viscous forces in the liquid. At low impact velocities surface tension stops the droplet from impacting the surface, whereas at higher velocities viscous forces become important before surface tension. The ultimate dynamics of the interface once droplet viscosity cannot be neglected is not yet known.
Voters, MySpace, and YouTube

MySpace and YouTube have affected election campaigns in simple, but significant, ways. These social networking sites, which are used by a substantial segment of the U.S. voting age population, represent the next Internet generation, which is primarily user driven. They have created benefits such as increasing the potential for candidate exposure at a low cost or no cost, providing lesser known candidates with a viable outlet to divulge their message, and allowing campaigns to raise contributions and recruit volunteers online. In conjunction with these benefits, YouTube and MySpace have also posed a new set of challenges to campaign staff, the most important of which is the reduced level of control that campaigns have over the image and message of the candidate, which is of critical importance to election outcomes. This article discusses these benefits and challenges and the influence of YouTube and MySpace on the 2006 election and future campaigns.
Comparing the Future Concerns of Early Wave Baby Boomers With the Concerns of Young-Old Adults

Using data from a statewide needs assessment survey, this study examines and compares the self-reported future concerns of two age groups in Mississippi: Early wave Baby Boomers (age 55 to 64; n = 383) and the young-old (age 65 to 75; n = 349). Items under analysis focus on issues related to future concerns surrounding financial resources, health, and employment. Results from multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) indicate that Early wave Baby Boomers have higher levels of future concern than the young-old group in all three areas. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that the financial and employment concerns of the Baby Boomers were higher than the concerns of the older group even after subjective well-being and income were taken into account. However, age differences in health concerns disappeared after controlling for current health and well-being. These findings suggest that the financial concerns of the Baby Boomers extend to the whole cohort and not just to the most financially stressed.
Project ReSpecT: Toward an Evidence-Based Mentoring Model for Induction Teachers

School districts have struggled with special education teacher shortages for over a decade. Special education teachers who leave the profession after a few years certainly contribute to the shortag...
Interpreting Velocities from Heat-Based Flow Sensors by Numerical Simulation

We have carried out numerical simulations of three-dimensional nonisothermal flow around an in situ heat-based flow sensor to investigate how formation heterogeneities can affect the interpretation of ground water flow velocities from this instrument. The flow sensor operates by constant heating of a 0.75-m-long, 5-cm-diameter cylindrical probe, which contains 30 thermistors in contact with the formation. The temperature evolution at each thermistor can be inverted to obtain an estimate of the ground water flow velocity vector using the standard interpretive method, which assumes that the formation is homogeneous. Analysis of data from heat-based flow sensors installed in a sand aquifer at the Former Fort Ord Army Base near Monterey, California, suggested an unexpected component of downward flow. The magnitudes of the vertical velocities were expected to be much less than those of the horizontal velocities at this site because the sensors were installed just above a clay aquitard. Numerical simulations were conducted to examine how differences in thermal conductivities may lead to spurious indications of vertical flow velocities. We found that a decrease in the thermal conductivity near the bottom of the sensor can perturb the temperature profiles along the instrument in such a manner that analyses assuming homogeneous thermal conductivity could indicate a vertical flow component even though flow is actually horizontal. This work demonstrates how modeling can be used to simulate instrument response to formation heterogeneity and shows that caution must be used in interpreting data from such devices.
The nature of ethics codes in franchise associations around the globe

The worldwide growth of franchising has been phenomenal during the past decade. At the same time there has been increased media attention to questionable business practices in franchising. Similar to some trade associations and professions, franchising has sought self-regulation by developing codes of conduct or ethics. This study examines the codes of ethics covering franchising activities in 21 countries. The results reveal that there is considerable variation in the activities/issues covered by the codes. Specifically, the codes cover most stages of the franchising relationship, focus on a narrow set of stakeholders, are short on ethical guidance, and offer few enforcement provisions. The implications of these findings for international franchising and research are discussed.
Calculations of the Structure and Properties of Rapidly Quenched Ni/Zr Alloys

Using molecular dynamics and a modified embedded atom potential developed by our group we studied the diffusivity and viscosity of molten Ni1-xZrx alloys as a function of composition, temperature, and cooling rate. Previous results indicate that these potentials represent the Ni-Zr system quite well. Liquid alloys were quenched at rates of 5 × 1011 and 1012 K/s. For x > 0.04 the solidified alloys were crystalline. For higher x values, the solidified alloys were amorphous. For the amorphous alloys, the composition dependence of the calculated glass transition temperature Tg follows the general trend of experimental Tg values. The calculated viscosity and diffusivity show systematic variation with composition. For the undercooled Ni-6 at.Zr melt the calculated viscosity shows the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) behavior characteristic of a “fragile” glass.
Volume-cycled oscillatory flow in a tapered channel

Oscillatory viscous flow in a tapered channel is analysed under conditions of fixed stroke volume. A lubrication theory is developed for small taper and the general result is steady bidirectional drift and an induced steady pressure gradient. The characteristics of the drift profiles change significantly as the Womersley parameter is increased. For large values difficulties arise in the matched asymptotics method which are resolved by introducing a steady drift layer that is much thicker than the Stokes layer. This double boundary layer does not arise in pressure-cycled oscillations. Both Eulerian and Lagrangian drift are examined. The results are compared qualitatively to experimental observations which primarily focus on the application to ventilation in the lung.
Retinotopic organization of the superior colliculus in relation to the retinal distribution of afferent ganglion cells

Sensory representations in the brain exhibit topographic variations in magnification. These variations have been thought to reflect regional differences in the density of innervation at the sensory receptor surface. In the primate visual cortex, for example, local magnification factors have been reported to be proportional to the corresponding densities of retinal ganglion cells. We sought to learn whether this principle also operates in a second major retinofugal pathway--the projection to the superior colliculus. In cats, we first used retrograde transport to determine the retinal distributions of the ganglion cells that project to the colliculus. Then, we compared the numbers of colliculopetal ganglion cells in selected retinal sectors to the areas of the corresponding collicular representations. Collicular areal magnification was not simply proportional to the density of afferent ganglion cells, being instead at least 5-fold greater than expected in the representation of the central visual field. These data imply that incoming retinal afferents are more widely spaced in the central regions of the tectal map than in the map's periphery. Such variations in afferent density appear to play as large a role as the distribution of ganglion cells in determining the metric of the collicular map.
Feeding, Uptake, and Utilization of Carbohydrates by Western Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperus (Banks), prefers various mono-, di-, and trisaccharides, total feeding being the greatest on paper disks treated with 5% ribose followed by 3% xylose, 2% maltose, 2% fructose, 2% arabinose, and 2% ribose. In multiple choice tests, termites were not able to discriminate between 2% ribose, 2% fructose, 2% xylose, and 2% maltose. Termites readily take up [14C]sucrose in feeding studies. Most of the sucrose is used as an energy source for respiration (89.2%), a very small proportion remains within the termite (9.3%), and an even smaller amount is excreted as solid waste (1.5%). The amount of 14C label transferred to other colony members via trophallaxis, body contact, or grooming is small and directly dependent upon the time and numbers of donors and recipients. At day 15 postmixing, the percentage of transfer was highest, 14.4 and 15.1% for both 1:1 and 2:1 donor to recipient mixing ratios, respectively. The mean amount of labeled 14C received by recipients increased from seven disintegrations per minute (dpm) on day 2 to 30 dpm on day 15 for 1:1. Overall mean radioactivity recovered from recipient termites when mixed with donor termites at 1:1 ratio (20 dpm) was significantly less than (28 dpm) when mixed with donor termites at 2:1 ratio. Sugars act as phagostimulants to the termites at concentrations much higher to those that termites naturally encounter in wood. Termites readily metabolize carbohydrates such as sucrose, and thus their use in bait matrices may increase consumption and retention at bait stations.
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION FROM A WET PRAIRIE WETLAND UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS: PAYNES PRAIRIE PRESERVE, FLORIDA, USA

Evapotranspiration and other surface-energy balance components of a wet prairie community dominated by Panicum hemitomon (maiden cane), Ptilimnium capillaceum (mock bishop’s weed), and Eupatorium capillifolium (dog fennel) in Central Florida, USA were investigated. Drought conditions resulted in water-table levels from 0.58 to 1.20 m below ground level and variable soil wetness conditions during the observation period. Energy-balance measurements were made using the eddy correlation approach. The overall evapotranspiration rate was 4.16 mm d−1, and the average Bowen ratio was 0.42. Energy partitioning had an enhanced sensible heat-flux component and a dampened latent heat-flux component when the volumetric soil water content was less than or equal to 0.09 for the sandy soil. Evapotranspiration was classified into a two stages, first stage (wet) and second stage (dry) based on the soil water availability. The Penman-Monteith model gave good results for the first stage evapotranspiration. The Priestly-Taylor and the Penman models overstimated first stage evapotranspiration. A simple second stage evapotranspiration model, developed by applying a reduction factor based on soil moisture to the Penman-Monteith model, provided improved estimates of evapotranspiration for second stage observations.
Computational linguistics and deep learning

Deep Learning waves have lapped at the shores of computational linguistics for several years now, but 2015 seems like the year when the full force of the tsunami hit the major Natural Language Processing (NLP) conferences. However, some pundits are predicting that the final damage will be even worse. Accompanying ICML 2015 in Lille, France, there was another, almost as big, event: the 2015 Deep Learning Workshop. The workshop ended with a panel discussion, and at it, Neil Lawrence said, “NLP is kind of like a rabbit in the headlights of the Deep Learning machine, waiting to be flattened.” Now that is a remark that the computational linguistics community has to take seriously! Is it the end of the road for us? Where are these predictions of steamrollering coming from? At the June 2015 opening of the Facebook AI Research Lab in Paris, its director Yann LeCun said: “The next big step for Deep Learning is natural language understanding, which aims to give machines the power to understand not just individual words but entire sentences and paragraphs.”1 In a November 2014 Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), Geoff Hinton said, “I think that the most exciting areas over the next five years will be really understanding text and videos. I will be disappointed if in five years’ time we do not have something that can watch a YouTube video and tell a story about what happened. In a few years time we will put [Deep Learning] on a chip that fits into someone’s ear and have an English-decoding chip that’s just like a real Babel fish.”2 And Yoshua Bengio, the third giant of modern Deep Learning, has also increasingly oriented his group’s research toward language, including recent exciting new developments in neural machine translation systems. It’s not just Deep Learning researchers. When leading machine learning researcher Michael Jordan was asked at a September 2014 AMA, “If you got a billion dollars to spend on a huge research project that you get to lead, what would you like to do?”, he answered: “I’d use the billion dollars to build a NASA-size program focusing on natural language processing, in all of its glory (semantics, pragmatics, etc.).” He went on: “Intellectually I think that NLP is fascinating, allowing us to focus on highly structured inference problems, on issues that go to the core of ‘what is thought’ but remain eminently practical, and on a technology
Simian Retrovirus D

Simian type D retroviruses (SRVs) and Mason–Pfizer monkey virus (MPMVs) are members of the family Retroviridae belonging to the genus Betaretrovirus. These viruses are simple retroviruses encoding gag, pro, pol, and env genes. These viruses naturally infect members of the nonhuman primate genus Macaca, commonly known as macaque monkeys. SRV appears to be highly species specific, although the virus will replicate in the cells of other primate species, including in vitro cultured cells of human origin. SRV infections are largely a problem for laboratory monkey colonies. Infected monkeys develop a disease with many of the characteristics of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). SRV-infected moneys are unique in developing a Kaposi sarcoma-like cancer that provides a model for Kaposi sarcoma seen in AIDS patients. Human infections with SRV or MPMV have been reported in widely different diseases such as cancer and even schizophrenia. However, direct evidence of SRV as an etiologic agent of any human disease is thus far unproven. Transient infections with SRV may occur after occupational exposure to infected laboratory monkeys. Killed-virus and vaccinia vector-based vaccines have been successfully tested. Vaccination of laboratory workers is not recommended however, because containment measures have been effective in preventing infection of laboratory workers.
The ATPase activity of GroEL is supported at high temperatures by divalent cations that stabilize its structure.

Previously, we reported that the ATPase activity of GroEL that requires potassium and magnesium was highly temperature dependent in the 25–60 °C range. Here, we report that the monovalent cations, rubidium and ammonium were able to fully substitute for potassium; while the divalent cations manganese, cobalt, and nickel supported the ATPase activity of GroEL albeit to a lesser degree than magnesium. ATPase activities with manganese, cobalt, and nickel were 64%, 41%, and 29%, respectively, of the maximum activity (100%) when utilizing magnesium. Interestingly, the ability of all the cations to support the GroEL ATPase activity was somewhat consistent over the entire 25–60 °C range. Maximum ATPase activities were observed at 49 °C. Here, the influence of these cations on the thermal denaturation of GroEL was also monitored using bisANS binding as an indication of the exposure of hydrophobic surfaces during thermal denaturation of GroEL. Maximum exposure of hydrophobic surfaces on GroEL alone or in the presence of each of the monovalent cations was determined to occur at 65 °C. However, the maximum exposure of hydrophobic surfaces on GroEL in the presence of magnesium, manganese, cobalt or nickel was found to occur at 71 °C indicating that GroEL is significantly stabilized against thermal denaturation by these divalent cations.
Endoscopic Ultrasonography: From the Origins to Routine EUS

‘‘The first report of endoscopic ultrasonography [EUS] to my knowledge is that of DiMagno et al....although images were only obtained in dogs, this work established the feasibility of EUS. ...But in 1980 the potential of this hybrid technology was scarcely apparent to anyone probably including these first endosonographers who did not expand on their demonstration of the feasibility of EUS’’ [1]. ‘‘The resultant high-resolution scans may improve the ultrasonic diagnosis of cardiac, gastrointestinal and renal diseases. A similar adaptation in other endoscopes may be useful in the investigation of genitourinary and respiratory tracts and other areas’’ [2]. ‘‘...it should be possible to determine whether or not a disease process is mucosal, intramural or extraluminal...point out the wide potential clinical applicability of intracavity endoscopic ultrasonography (e.g. within the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, pancreatic ducts, intravascular spaces etc.). It is likely that specialized ultrasonic probes will be developed to detect small lesions anywhere within the human body’’ [3].
The application of controlled ventilation with the laryngeal mask airway under general anesthesia in fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of spontaneously breathing or controlled ventilation with laryngeal mask airway( LMA) in fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children. Methods Sixty children undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy were randomized into two groups: group C( controlled ventilation) and group S( spontaneous breath). After successful LMA insertion, group C received intravenous injection of cisatracurium at a dose of 0. 2 mg / kg,while group S had spontaneous breath and assistant ventilation if necessary. The values of HR,MAP,SpO 2,P ET CO 2,V T and blood gas analysis from radial artery were recorded 5 min before anesthesia induction( T 0),during LMA insertion( T 1),at the beginning and 5 min after operation( T 2 and T 3),and during LMA removal( T 4). In addition,the operation time,recovery time,interruption times,dosage of remifentanil,times of intra-/ post-operative bucking and breath holding and operator's satisfaction were also investigated. Results Compared with group S,the operation time,times of interruption were decreased,the dosage of remifentanil and operator' s satisfaction index were increased( P 0. 05 or P 0. 01). Compared with group S at T 2 and T 3,HR, MAP,P ET CO 2,PaCO 2 and HCO-3 in group C were significantly decreased,and pH,PaO 2,BE,SaO 2, SpO 2 and V T were significantly increased( P 0. 05 or P 0. 01). Compared with T 0,the P ET CO 2 at T 2 and T 3 in group C was significantly decreased,while at T 3 in group S was significantly increased( P 0. 05). Compared with T 1,the V T at T 2 and T 3 in group C was increased,while in group S was decreased. The PaO 2 was increased significantly in two groups,and the PaCO 2 in group S was significantly increased( P 0. 05 or P 0. 01). Compared with group S,the frequency of bucking,breath holding and body movement were decreased in group C( P 0. 05 or P 0. 01). Conclusion Controlled ventilation with LMA under general anesthesia in fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children was reliable,safe and effective anesthetic method with less adverse reaction and more satisfaction. It is worthy of spreading to clinical use.