cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histocompatibility screening by molecular techniques: use of polymerase chain reaction products and heteroduplex formation.

Novel molecular approaches have recently become available allowing improved major histocompatibility complex (MHC) matching of potential allogeneic bone marrow donors and recipients. Current cellular and serological assays are hindered by aberrant cell populations and limited reagents which only detect an individuals' phenotype. Therefore, a molecular screening protocol which discriminates at the genotypic level would be advantageous. Here we describe a two-step DNA-based approach that can be applied to large-scale screening of potential donors. A primiary screen, utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reduces the potential donor population, whereas a secondary or fine resolution screen uses DNA heteroduplex analysis to determine identity or non-identity at specific loci. Heteroduplex analysis generates a DNA migration pattern that is unique for alleles at a given locus, and is more sensitive than serology in discriminating among individuals. Here we demonstrate the potential feasibility of htis approach by analyzing results at one MHC locus, HLA-DQ. Since this mehod does not rely on typing sera or viable lymphocytes, it is not subject to the variability found in the traditional methods. In contrast to traditional methods, these molecular techniques can provide the critical information needed to select a potential bone marrow donor. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Likelihood Analysis and Flexible Structural Modeling for Measurement Error Model Regression

A computational approach is presented for likelihood analysis of regression models with measurement errors in explanatory variables. If y, x, and w represent the response, an unobservable true value of an explanatory variable, and an observable measurement of x, then the likelihood function is based on the density of the observable variables: @(y,w) = ∫ƒ(y,w|x)ƒ(x)dx. For realistic model specifications the integral must be approximated numerically. While one could conceivably use a general-purpose optimization routine for finding estimates that maximize the approximate likelihood, that tends not to work very well. The approximate density, however, has the form of a finite mixture model so that the standard EM Algorithm for that problem can be applied. The resulting approach is practically important since it easily permits realistic distributional modeling and can be accomplished through iterative application of readily available routines.
An Application of James-Stein Estimation to Survey Data

A procedure is examined for adjusting observed values of a sample of entities toward the overall sample mean. This procedure provides estimators with lower expected mean square errors than the ordinary least-squares estimators, at the cost of accepting a slight bias. The procedure was applied to a variety of analysis problems, using data from two sample surveys, and the performance of the adjusted estimators was compared to that of maximum likelihood estimators. While generally the adjusted estimator was somewhat superior to the ordinary estimator, the improvement was too slight to warrant recommending widespread use of the technique.
Age-dependent spatial memory deficits in transgenic mice expressing the human mid-sized neurofilament gene: I.

Abstract Previous studies have revealed that the transgenic mouse line expressing the human neurofilament-mid-sized (NF-M) gene evidences age-dependent and cell-specific pathological neurofibrillary accumulation in the central nerve system. In the current study, we investigated the learning and memory processes of NF-M transgenic mice at 3 and 8 months of age in a modified Morris water maze using a series of tasks including those primarily related to reference memory (i.e., spatial learning, reversal learning and probe trials) and to working memory (i.e., matching to sample tasks with or without delays). At 3 months of age, NF-M transgenic mice were indistinguishable from age- and litter-matched non-transgenic wild-type controls on any of the tests of reference and working memory. At 8 months of age, however, the NF-M transgenic mice exhibited significantly poorer performance than the age- and litter-matched wild-type control mice on both reference and working memory tasks. Immunohistohistological study of the brains of the 8-month-old NF-M transgenic mice revealed spherical and tangle-like neurofilamentous accumulation in their cerebral cortices. These results suggest that NF-M transgenic mice express both age-related histopathological changes and age-dependent learning and memory deficits. Whether NF-M transgenic mice exhibit even more severe behavioral impairments when they become aged is currently under study.
Recent developments in the identification of human skeletal material

A review of publications over the last fifteen years of methods in the field of physical anthropology for aging and sexing human skeletal material is presented. The approaches used by various authors have been summarized into six categories: (1) Visual examination of bones (2) Anthropometric measurements of bones (3) Anthropometric measurements with subsequent use of statistics in the form of discriminate function analyses (4) Time and sequence of eruption of the teeth (5) x-ray examination of the internal structure of section bone (6) Microscopic examination of the internal structure of bone. A method to seasonally date prehistoric burials from the chitinous exuvia of fly pupae found with the burials is discussed.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia. The scope of the problem.

Background. The prevalence and incidence of clinical problems secondary to and associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are of increasing concern as the population ages. Methods. Selected published reports using anatomical and clinical criteria to identify BPH and its clinical sequelae were reviewed. Results. The following observations seem to reflect the current state of knowledge: (1) BPH develops with increasing frequency as men age; (2) BPH causes significant pathologic changes in the urinary tract of some patients and symptoms in others; and (3) other identifiable or cryptic etiologic factors may be the predominant cause of identical voiding dysfunction in patients with BPH. Conclusion. Essential information about factors initiating and promoting development of BPH, the exact mechanisms by which BPH alters voiding mechanisms, and definitive diagnostic criteria to establish the role of BPH in clinical changes are lacking. Progress in these problem areas is essential to guide appropriate clinical management.
Video injection for slit lamp augmented reality

Real-time tracking and overlay of previously stored photographic and angiographic images directly onto the real-time slitlamp biomicroscopic or surgical microscopic eye fundus image may facilitate real-time image comparison, measurement, and correlation for diagnosis, management and treatment of retinal diseases. Very high resolution and brightness is necessary to inject the overlayed image into the optical path of the diagnostic or surgical instrument. A binocular slit-lamp biomicroscope interfaced to a CCD camera, framegrabber board, and PC allows for posterior segment examination with a hand-held contact or non-contact lens, synchronous with acquisition and digitization of slitlamp fundus images. A video-injection system was developed, which consists of electrical and optical components. An electronic controller and miniature cathode ray tube (CRT) display with resolution up to 1024 X 768, adjustable brightness of up to 400 FL, and high linearity is interfaced to existing equipment with custom-modified beam splitters. Working prototypes for the Nikon NS-1V and Zeiss SL-30 slitlamp biomicroscopes were developed. Design considerations for other slitlamp and operating room microscopes were explored and refined.
Relationship between knowledge and attitudes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and hand hygiene behavior in Veterans with spinal cord injury and disorder

The objective of this analysis was to understand the relationship between knowledge and attitudes regarding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and hand hygiene behavior based on a baseline survey administered to Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Higher knowledge was associated with higher attitude scores ( r = 0.35, P = .003), but knowledge and attitudes were not associated with behavior. Also, those with quadriplegia had higher knowledge scores ( P = .03). Knowledge and attitudes, although related, do not appear to fully explain patients' hand hygiene behavior.
Tuberculosis and HIV Co-infection, California, USA, 1993–2008

To understand the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection in California, we cross-matched incident TB cases reported to state surveillance systems during 1993–2008 with cases in the state HIV/AIDS registry. Of 57,527 TB case-patients, 3,904 (7%) had known HIV infection. TB rates for persons with HIV declined from 437 to 126 cases/100,000 persons during 1993–2008; rates were highest for Hispanics (225/100,000) and Blacks (148/100,000). Patients co-infected with TB–HIV during 2001–2008 were significantly more likely than those infected before highly active antiretroviral therapy became available to be foreign born, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander and to have pyrazinamide-monoresistant TB. Death rates decreased after highly active antiretroviral therapy became available but remained twice that for TB patients without HIV infection and higher for women. In California, HIV-associated TB has concentrated among persons from low and middle income countries who often acquire HIV infection in the peri-immigration period.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Operations

Ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs during coronary artery bypass graft operations. Strategies are needed to lower the extent of damage. Attempts to find these strategies have been occurring for more than 40 years, with remote ischemic preconditioning being one method. This review provides a look at potential mechanisms involved in remote ischemic preconditioning, experimental evidence supporting it, clinical studies that support and negate it, and potential reasons for differences between clinical studies. With remote ischemic preconditioning having the potential to better clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft operations, a large clinical trial needs to be undertaken to better assess its practical clinical application.
Facilitation at single synapses probed with optical quantal analysis.

Many synapses can change their strength rapidly in a use-dependent manner, but the mechanisms of such short-term plasticity remain unknown. To understand these mechanisms, measurements of neurotransmitter release at single synapses are required. We probed transmitter release by imaging transient increases in [Ca2+] mediated by synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in individual dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat brain slices, enabling quantal analysis at single synapses. We found that changes in release probability, produced by paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) or by manipulation of presynaptic adenosine receptors, were associated with changes in glutamate concentration in the synaptic cleft, indicating that single synapses can release a variable amount of glutamate per action potential. The relationship between release probability and response size is consistent with a binomial model of vesicle release with several (>5) independent release sites per active zone, suggesting that multivesicular release contributes to facilitation at these synapses.
Calibration of inertial and vision systems as a prelude to multi-sensor fusion

Effective integration of vision and inertial sensing can be used to overcome the classical issue of inertial divergence in inertial systems over time. However, for such integration, two types of calibration need to be performed, namely, (a) calibration to estimate the intrinsic properties of the vision cameras, such as the focal length and lens distortion parameters, and (b) determination of the transformation between the camera and the inertial system. While there are a variety of approaches to calibrate a camera optically, only a few accomplishments have been reported on calibration of cameras with inertial systems. Even the latter ones have been developed under indoor conditions. Calibration of a two sensor system under indoor conditions does not provide an appropriate and practical transformation for use in outdoor maneuvers due to invariable differences between outdoor and indoor conditions. Also, use of custom calibration objects in outdoor operational conditions is not feasible due to larger field of view that requires relatively large calibration object sizes. Hence calibration becomes a critical issue particularly if the integrated system is used in Intelligent Transportation Systems applications. In such cases it is essential that the two sensor system be calibrated in an outdoor setting in the final configuration of the vehicle. This paper introduces a calibration technique to determine the optimized transformation between the inertial and vision sensor systems in an outdoor setting. The derived intrinsic properties and the transformation between individual sensors are verified during two separate test runs on a section of an actual roadway. Finally, on a third roadway section the inertial and converted vision data are successfully compared with data from a manual survey performed.
Post-transplant survival is improved for hepatitis C recipients who are RNA negative at time of liver transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection recurs universally in patients who are viremic at liver transplantation and likely accounts for the diminished post-transplant graft and patient survival. We evaluated whether undetectable HCV RNA pre-transplant improves graft and patient survival after transplantation. Cases, defined by HCV listing diagnosis and positive HCV antibody, were selected from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database and further grouped as HCV RNA-positive (n=4978) or negative (n=445) based upon pre-transplant testing. Controls were non-HCV recipients (n=2995). RNA-negative cases had significantly better 5-year graft (72% vs. 64%) and patient (79% vs. 69%) survival than RNA-positive cases (p 0.05 for both). Non-proportional hazards modeling of RNA-positive cases identified a subgroup with rapid progression leading to early graft loss and death. Multivariable analyses confirmed that a positive HCV RNA prior to transplantation was a significant independent predictor of graft loss and death. In conclusion, HCV patients who have undetectable RNA at the time of liver transplantation experience improved long-term graft and patient outcomes. We speculate that the post-transplant survival of HCV recipients could be improved by safe and tolerable pre-transplant antiviral strategies.
TraceLab: an experimental workbench for equipping researchers to innovate, synthesize, and comparatively evaluate traceability solutions

TraceLab is designed to empower future traceability research, through facilitating innovation and creativity, increasing collaboration between researchers, decreasing the startup costs and effort of new traceability research projects, and fostering technology transfer. To this end, it provides an experimental environment in which researchers can design and execute experiments in TraceLab's visual modeling environment using a library of reusable and user-defined components. TraceLab fosters research competitions by allowing researchers or industrial sponsors to launch research contests intended to focus attention on compelling traceability challenges. Contests are centered around specific traceability tasks, performed on publicly available datasets, and are evaluated using standard metrics incorporated into reusable TraceLab components. TraceLab has been released in beta-test mode to researchers at seven universities, and will be publicly released via CoEST.org in the summer of 2012. Furthermore, by late 2012 TraceLab's source code will be released as open source software, licensed under GPL. TraceLab currently runs on Windows but is designed with cross platforming issues in mind to allow easy ports to Unix and Mac environments.
Fermat's principle for non-dispersive waves in non-stationary media

Fermat9s principle of stationary travel time serves as a powerful tool for solving direct and inverse problems of wave propagation in media with time–independent parameters. In this paper, Fermat9s principle is extended to non–stationary media that support waves with frequency–independent velocity. The approach used to prove the stationarity of travel times with respect to deformation of the actual ray trajectory is based on a comparison of the rays that follow from the variational principle with those from the eikonal equation. Inhomogeneous, moving and anisotropic media are considered. The identities that relate phase and group velocities and their derivatives in general anisotropic, inhomogeneous, non–stationary media are established. It is shown that not only the travel time but also the eikonal is stationary on the actual ray in media with time–dependent parameters if all trial rays are required to arrive at the receiver simultaneously. Some corollaries and applications of Fermat9s principle in non–stationary media are discussed briefly.
The functional morphology of the musculature of squid (Loliginidae) arms and tentacles.

The arms and tentacles of squid (Family Loliginidae: Sepioteuthis sepioidea (Blainville), Loligo pealei (LeSueur), Loligo plei (Blainville), Loliguncula brevis (Blainville)) do not possess the hardened skeletal elements or fluid-filled cavities that typically provide skeletal support in other animals. Instead, these appendages are made up almost entirely of muscle. It is suggested here that the musculature serves as both the effector of movement and as the skeletal support system itself. High-speed movie recordings were used to observe prey capture by loliginid squid. Extension of the tentacles (1 pair) during prey capture is probably brought about by contraction of transverse muscle fibers and circular muscle fibers. Contraction of longitudinal muscle fibers causes retraction of the tentacles. Torsion of the tentacles during extension may be the result of contraction of muscle fibers arranged in a helical array. The inextensible but manipulative arms (4 pairs) may utilize a transverse muscle mass to resist the longitudinal compression caused by contraction of the longitudinal muscles which bend the arms. A composite connective tissue/muscle helical fiber array may twist the arms.
Assessing the sources of atmospheric mercury wet deposited in Florida, USA

From October 2008 through August 2010, event-based precipitation samples for mercury (Hg), trace elements, and major ions analysis were collected at six monitoring sites in Florida, USA. The objectives of these measurements were to quantify the levels of Hg wet deposition across the state, and to assess the contributions to Hg in precipitation from major local and regional emission sources in support of a Hg Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project. The measurement sites were located in Pensacola, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Davie, and Everglades National Park. For the period April 2009 through August 2010, Hg wet deposition rates ranged from 26.8 to 38.7 µg/m 2 across the six sites. We observed a strong seasonal pattern, with increases in measured Hg concentrations and Hg wet deposition occurring during the summer months, which was further pronounced at the southern sites. We also observed a clear overall spatial gradient in Hg wet deposition, increasing across sites from north to south.
Editorial: Further Thoughts on Authorship: Gift Authorship

Authorship is sometimes one of the most vexing ethical issues in publishing scientific articles although not a new concern. Alexander, in 1953, noted the trend in increasing numbers of authors as a result of the evolution from individual researchers to teams [1] and the complexities of establishing who should and who should not be considered an author. (A PubMed search at the time of this writing listed 778 articles with “authorship” in the title, 253 of which had been published in the past 5 years.) Several years ago Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research published an editorial, “Thoughts on Authorship,” describing recent national and international efforts to establish standards for determining authorship [3]. Part of the reason for these standards was the growing numbers of authors on most papers and the corresponding difficulty of determining the contributions of those authors. Clearly any given study and paper involves a finite amount of effort, and the larger the number of authors, the smaller percentage effort on average will be for a given author [4, 5]. However, most studies and reports likely involve substantial efforts from a few individuals with lesser contributions from others; as authors are added, at some point the effort of the additional authors will be vanishingly small or absent. The inclusion of individuals with minimal or no input reflects “loose authorship,” [2], “honorary authorship” [15], or “gift authorship” [6, 8, 11]. Marcia Angell (a former Deputy Editor of New England Journal of Medicine) in her 1983 article, “Editors and Fraud” [2], referred to “loose authorship” as a form of deception. While gift authorship is not new, it appears in the literature as a major concern only in the 1980s, perhaps owing to the continuing rise in numbers of authors and an increased sensitivity to ethical issues in publishing.
Integrating Economic Land-Use and Biophysical Models

Land-use change is a leading cause of environmental degradation in terrestrial systems and has important implications for natural resource use. Economists have a long tradition of studying land use and in recent decades have developed empirical land-use models using econometric and optimization approaches. Integration of these land-use and biophysical models allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the consequences of future land-use change and the use of land-use policies to avoid undesirable outcomes. I provide a conceptual framework for the modeling approach, describing the individual components of an analysis as well as how they are linked together. My review describes how the literature has evolved to take advantage of spatial data and greater computing capabilities. Although most researchers have used either an econometric or an optimization approach, there is potential to combine these methods to identify more efficient land-use policies that still meet criteria of tractability and political acc...
Animal Rights, Animal Wrongs and the Question of Balance

The issue of “animal rights” is part of a larger, overriding problem of the rights of all living beings to an habitable earth. The dangers posed to the overall environment by researchers who are insensitive to their animal subjects is not unlike that of animal rights activists who are equally unaware of the adverse effects which arise from some of their own daily actions. The present paper looks at both the world of science and antivivisection, making the case that all of us must begin to appreciate more fully the concept of there being limits to growth and the need to make better use of life sustaining resources still available. Issues involved in the debate over ethics in animal research are extremely complex. Greater wisdom must be sought out and exercised in order to lead us toward policies that will work out best in the long run for both people and other animals. Scientists should not overreact to criticism of animal exploration and study which truly benefits the survival of all life on earth. Furthe...
Evolution of spin excitations in electron-doped Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4−δ

We briefly review results of recent neutron scattering experiments designed to probe the evolution of antiferromagnetic (AF) order and spin dynamics in the electron-doped Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4-delta as the system is tuned from its as-grown nonsuperconducting AF state into an optimally doped superconductor (T-c = 24 K) without static AF order. For under doped materials, a quasi-two-dimensional spin-density-wave was found to coexist with three-dimensional AF order and superconductivity. In addition, the low energy spin excitations follow Bose statistics. In the case of optimally doped material, we have discovered a magnetic resonance intimately related to superconductivity analogous to the resonance in hole-doped materials. On the other hand, the low energy spin excitations have very weak temperature dependence and do not follow Bose statistics, in sharp contrast to the as-grown nonsuperconducting materials. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Los centros de incubación de negocios y la gestión de redes: exploración empírica aplicando el análisis de redes sociales

Las incubadoras de negocios consideran la gestion de redes como un elemento critico para generar capacidades competitivas; el modelo mas evolucionado actualmente es conocido como «incubacion en red». Sin embargo, diversos investigadores aducen la necesidad de relacionar estos dos constructos positivamente. El estudio explora la aplicacion de la «teoria de redes» al campo del emprendimiento a traves de las interconexiones, entre incubados y grupos de interes, y las magnitudes propias de dicha teoria. La muestra comprende 18 empresas asistidas bajo la modalidad de «acompanamiento externo». Su originalidad radica en explorar las claves del exito de la gestion de incubacion desde la perspectiva del analisis de redes. Por ultimo, se aporta una serie de recomendaciones para futuros estudios
Alternative splicing and programmed cell death

Programmed cell death (PCD) is critical for development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Genetic and biochemical studies have revealed that PCD is under complex and delicate regulation. An important level of such regulation may be pre-mRNA splicing as suggested by the observation that a number of PCD regulatory genes are expressed as functionally distinct or even antagonistic isoforms as a result of alternative splicing. Studies on alternative splicing of these genes are reviewed here. Expression and function of a large number of genes involved in PCD are regulated by alternative splicing, including death receptors and intracellular components of the death machinery. Alternative splicing affects not only intracellular distribution but also functional activity of these death regulators, providing a fine-tuning mechanism in modulating a presumably tightly controlled process of cell death.
'God of Independence, God of Peace': Village Politics and Nationalism in the Maquis of Cameroon, 1957-71

The story of freedom fighter Jean Djonteu provides a new approach to the history of Union des populations du Cameroun (UPC) nationalism in the Grassfields and Mungo regions of Cameroon. Within the context of Baham, his village of origin, Djonteu's actions and tracts reveal his politico-spiritual reasons for joining the UPC militia in its revolutionary fight against Franco-Cameroonian state administration. UPC nationalism and village political culture formed a hybrid of political ideologies, or a ‘village nationalism’ articulating UPC anti-colonialism with Grassfields political concepts of nation and sovereignty that pre-dated European occupation. As this articulation disintegrated, Grassfields populations disengaged from state politics and turned inwards towards village political culture and spirituality rekindled by popular involvement in the UPC nationalist movement.
Pregnancy in a Jehovah's witness with cervical cancer and anemia.

A 34-year-old Jehovah's Witness presented with vaginal bleeding and anemia at 23 weeks gestation. She was diagnosed with a FIGO Stage IB2 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The patient refused transfusion of blood products and strongly desired to continue the pregnancy. She was hospitalized and at 33 weeks gestation underwent a Cesarean-radical hysterectomy with measures that minimized blood loss.
Ten Modal Models

We consider the results of adding to a basic modal system T 0 the axioms G1. CLpp; P n . CL n pL n+1 p ; B n . CpL n Mp , where n ≧ 1 1 , in all combinations. The method of Meredith's [7] will be extended to get models of these systems in lower predicate calculus (LPC) with a constant binary relation, U . Most of the results were already obtained in [1]–[6], though systems as in (i) and (ii) below were not investigated, except that S4 0 in (ii) was mentioned in [1]. However some repetition may be excused in view of the simplicity with which the results are obtained by the present method.
New and Emerging Intraperitoneal (IP) Drugs for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy after surgical debulking represents an essential component of treatment for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Three quarters of patients respond very well to initial treatment with platinum-containing drugs used either alone or in combination with a taxane, usually paclitaxel. With relapse rates exceeding 50% and median survival time of 2 years for patients after relapse, efforts are focused on treatment approaches to achieve and extend clinical complete remissions. These approaches include consolidation and maintenance therapy, intraperitoneal (IP) administration of cytotoxic agents, new combination chemotherapy regimens, development of new cytotoxic agents, and molecular-targeted therapies (beyond tumor DNA, the classical target of cytotoxic drugs). IP chemotherapy, which involves direct instillation of chemotherapy into the tumor site in the peritoneal cavity, is the focus of this review article. This article discusses studies involving new and emerging IP drugs for both first-line chemotherapy treatment of advanced ovarian cancer and recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.
A type system for functional traversal-based aspects

We present a programming language model of the ideas behind Functional Adaptive Programming (AP-F) and our Java implementation, DemeterF. Computation in AP-F is encapsulated in sets of functions that implement a fold over a data structure with the help of a generic traversal. In this paper we define the syntax, semantics, and typing rules of a simple AP-F model, together with a proof of soundness that guarantees that traversal expressions result in a value of the expected type. Applying a function set to a different structure can then be statically checked to eliminate some runtime tests and sources of program errors.
Uncertainty Analysis of Mars Entry Flows over a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator

A detailed uncertainty analysis for high-fidelity flowfield simulations over a fixed aeroshell of hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator scale for Mars entry is presented for fully laminar and turbulent flows at peak stagnation-point heating conditions. This study implements a sparse-collocation approach based on stochastic expansions for efficient and accurate uncertainty quantification under a large number of uncertainty sources in the computational model. The convective and radiative heating and shear stress uncertainties are computed over the hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator surface and are shown to vary due to a small fraction of 65 flowfield and radiation modeling parameters considered in the uncertainty analysis. The main contributors to the convective heating uncertainty near the stagnation point are the CO2–CO2, CO2–O, and CO–O binary collision interactions, freestream density, and freestream velocity for both boundary-layer flows. In laminar flow, exothermic recombination rea...
Successful Dose Reduction Using Reduced Tube Voltage With Hybrid Iterative Reconstruction in Pediatric Abdominal CT.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to assess radiation dose reduction, image quality, and diagnostic confidence using low tube voltage in combination with hybrid iterative reconstruction in contrast-enhanced pediatric abdominal CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS. CT examinations of 133 patients (median age, 10 years) were performed at sequentially reduced doses. The first group (group 1) was scanned using dimension-based protocols at 120 kV for all patient sizes. The optimized group (group 5) was scanned at 80 kV for less than 18 cm in the lateral dimension and 100 kV in the 19–30 cm lateral dimension. CT examinations reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and four levels of hybrid iterative reconstruction were reviewed by four blinded readers for subjective image quality and diagnostic confidence. Objective noise, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were recorded. Data were analyzed using t tests, one and two-way ANOVA, and the intraclass correlation coefficien...
Repatriate Knowledge Sharing Environment: Scale Development and Validation

The transfer of repatriate international knowledge to their colleagues is essential for organisations to capitalise on the benefits international assignments can offer and to gain a competitive edge. Literature on knowledge sharing and repatriate effectiveness was reviewed for the development of the repatriate knowledge sharing environment (RKSE) measure. The first phase of the study created and pilot tested a proposed seven-dimension measure of the RKSE. Phase two confirmed the dimensions of the measure and examined the validity of the measure. The first phase alluded to an eight-dimension RKSE factor structure: source credibility, knowledge quality, source awareness, employee interaction, source recognition, workplace professionalism, supervisor support and promotion of knowledge exchange. Phase two exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the eight-dimension RKSE scale. Furthermore, construct validity was found for the eight dimensions of RKSE scale and criterion-related validity was established. Through the use of this new instrument, organisations can improve their understanding of the organisations support towards repatriate knowledge management.
COEVOLUTION OF DEADLY TOXINS AND PREDATOR RESISTANCE: SELF-ASSESSMENT OF RESISTANCE BY GARTER SNAKES LEADS TO BEHAVIORAL REJECTION OF TOXIC NEWT PREY

Deadly toxins and resistance to them are an evolutionary enigma. Selection for increased resistance does not occur if predators do not survive encounters with toxic prey. Similarly, deadly toxins are of no advantage to individual prey if it dies delivering the toxins. For individual selection to drive the coevolutionary arms race between resistant predators and lethal prey, the survivorship of individual predators must covary with their resistance. The extreme toxicity of the rough skinned newt Taricha granulosa appears to have coevolved with resistance in its predator, the common garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis, yet the mechanism by which individual selection can operate has been unclear in this and other lethal prey-predator systems. We show that individual snakes assess their own resistance relative to newt toxicity and reject prey too toxic to consume. Rejected newts all survived attacks and attempted ingestion by snakes that sometimes lasted over 50 min. Behavioral moderation of toxin exposure by sn...
Renal calyceal and pelvic contraction rhythms

An experimental study of the porcine multicalyceal pacemaker system was undertaken. In particular, the characteristic rhythmicities of in situ calyces were examined as well as rhythmicities between the calyceal system and the renal pelvis using pig kidneys perfused ex vivo via the renal artery. The temporal and spatial organization of calyceal and renal pelvic contraction rates were evaluated by simultaneously recording pressure from the renal pelvis and from three calyces. The results obtained from 15 kidneys indicate that the upper, middle, and lower calyces contract rhythmically at the essentially equal rates of 12.8 +/- 2.4, 14.0 +/- 1.6, and 13.06 +/- 2.3 min-1. The interaction between the activities of different calyces was analyzed by measuring the phase of individual calyceal contractions. Phase locking, coordination of contraction and phase oscillation, systematic fluctuations, or divergence of phase were obtained in most preparations, indicating the existance of a mechanism of coherent intercalyceal coupling. During periods in which phase locking occurred, pelvic contractions were related to all of the observed calyceal regions. When phase oscillation was present, the region of calyceal system evidencing a higher frequency was associated with pelvic contraction, whereas in the absence of calyceal coupling renal pelvic contractions could not be correlated to calyceal activity.
Field dependence of the vortex core size

We argue that in clean high-$\kappa$ type II superconductors, the low temperature vortex core size (defined as the coherence length $\xi$) in high fields should decrease with increasing applied field in qualitative agreement with experimental data. Calculations are done for the Fermi sphere and cylinder (with the field parallel to the cylinder axis). The results for clean materials at T=0 can be represented as $\xi(H)/\xi(H_{c2}) = U (H/H_{c2})$ with $U$ being an universal function.
Significance of Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurochemicals in Hypoxic Chemotransmission of the Carotid Body

Chemoreflexes arising from the carotid body are important for maintaining respiratory and cardiovascular homeostasis during hypoxic environmental stress. Conversion of hypoxic stimulus to action potential encoded signals requires transduction and transmission processes. Type I cells of the glomus tissue are considered to be the initial transducers of hypoxic stimulus. Several studies have examined the mechanisms of chemo-transduction in type I cells.1, 2, 3 Some of the current ideas concerning the transduction are summarized in Figure 1. Whatever may be the transduction mechanism(s), eventually they release neurochemicals) from the glomus cells which are necessary for transmission of the hypoxic stimulus.
HIFiRE-5 Flight Test Heating Analysis

The HIFiRE-5 is a 7-degree minor-axis half-angle elliptic cone with a 2.5-mm nose radius and 2:1 aspect ratio. Its flight test occurred in April 2012. The upper stage of the sounding rocket failed to ignite, resulting in a peak Mach number of about 3 instead of the target of 7. The instrumentation (almost 300 thermocouples and 50 pressure transducers) performed well and provided a wealth of supersonic aeroheating and boundary-layer transition data. Heat flux has been calculated from paired thermocouples and boundary-layer transition locations identified from the heating rates. Steady-state conduction analyses were made to verify the assumptions inherent in the calculation of heat flux from temperature. The pressure transducers indicate the expected dependence upon angle of attack and yaw and offer a check for the Inertial Measurement Unit.
Passage of cannibalized tissue among honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony members

After cannibalizing larvae, adult worker honey bees in cages and small colonies regurgitated little or no cannibalized tissue to growing worker or queen larvae during 2- and 12-h periods. Adult queens and drones received no appreciable cannibalized tissue. These results support the idea that nutrient recycling that follows cannibalism in honey bee colonies occurs via the hypopharyngeal and possibly other glands of worker nurse bees after they cannibalize larvae. In addition, adult workers passed some cannibalized larval tissue among themselves during these experimental periods. This is trophallaxis of a nutrient-rich substance, which may be similar to the trophallactic exchange of sugar syrup or queen substance reported in other studies.
Effect of Lithium Polysulfides on the Morphology of Block Copolymer Electrolytes

Lithium polysulfides (Li2Sx, 1 ≤ x ≤ 8) are produced during the discharge of lithium–sulfur batteries. Lithium–sulfur batteries are of interest due to their high energy density. The morphology of m...
Factors affecting growth and reproduction in selected species of Aphanomyces.

Factors affecting growth and reproduction in single-spore isolates of Aphanomyces cochlioides, A. stellatus and A. sp. were studied using a defined medium and natural substrates. All grew well in a...
Along‐strike structure of the Costa Rican convergent margin from seismic a refraction/reflection survey: Evidence for underplating beneath the inner forearc

The convergent margin offshore Costa Rica shows evidence of subsidence due to subduction erosion along the outer forearc and relatively high rates of uplift (∼3–6 mm/yr) along the coast. Recently erupted arc lavas exhibit a low 10Be signal, suggesting that although nearly the entire package of incoming sediments enters the subduction zone, very little of that material is carried directly with the downgoing Cocos plate to the magma generating depths of the mantle wedge. One mechanism that would explain both the low 10Be and the coastal uplift is the underplating of sediments, tectonically eroded material, and seamounts beneath the inner forearc. We present results of a 320 km long, trench-parallel seismic reflection and refraction study of the Costa Rican forearc. The primary observations are (1) margin perpendicular faulting of the basement, (2) thickening of the Cocos plate to the northwest, and (3) two weak bands of reflections in the multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection image with travel times similar to the top of the subducting Cocos plate. The modeled depths to these reflections are consistent with an ∼40 km long, 1–3 km thick region of underplated material ∼15 km beneath some of the highest observed coastal uplift rates in Costa Rica.
The Ore Minerals Under the Microscope: An Optical Guide.Bernhard Pracejus, Editor. Atlases in Geo-sciences, 3. 2008. Elsevier, Amsterdam. Pp. 894. ISBN 978-0-444-52863-6. Price US$395.00.

This book is a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that it is a great color picture book; the bad news is that it is virtually nothing but a great color picture book. In the preface, the editor states that he prepared this as a supplement to Paul Ramdohr’s famed 1969 reference The Ore Minerals and Their Intergrowths . The idea was to offer “color photos for as many different ore minerals as possible…[because]…it is simply impossible to deduce color tints from black and white micrographs or descriptions alone.” To this end, the editor has been successful. The editor goes on to say, “this atlas does not attempt to be a handbook on how to examine ore minerals…or distinguish textures for obtaining genetic information…but rather it is meant as a search file for comparative use…text is limited to a minimum.” The resulting work is, indeed, long on pictures and very short on text. Consequently, the utility of this book is severely limited. It certainly is far too complex for students who need information on textures, parageneses, or optical techniques. On the other hand, it will not be used as a tool by experienced microscopists, who will rely upon the electron microprobe to identify minerals rather than delve through hundreds of pictures of variously colored tiny mineral grains. It is not clear what is meant by “search file for comparative use” because there is not …
Staged Hybrid Endovascular Repair of a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Aortocaval Fistula

There is a growing body of literature expanding the indication of endovascular aneurysm repair, from prophylactic treatment of aneurysms to other indications such as ruptured and complicated ruptured abdominal aneurysms. Concomitant aortocaval fistula is rare, and reports of open and endovascular repair exist. We report a unique hybrid approach to a case of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with aortocaval fistula, repaired primarily via endovascular approach in a hybrid, two-staged fashion. Representative images are presented in addition to a short review of this pathology.
Leaching Kinetics of Potash Feldspar Roasted Clinker

The leaching kinetics of roasted clinker with Na OH, which was obtained by roasting potash feldspar with Na2CO3, was studied. The effects of temperature and stirring intensity on the leaching rate of Si O2 were examined. The results showed that under the optimal conditions of leaching temperature 95 ℃, stirring intensity 400 r/min, clinker granularity 74?89 ?m, Na OH concentration 0.2 mol/L, and leaching time 80 min, the leaching rate of Si O2 reached up to 99%. The leaching process of roasted clinker was mixed controlled by the chemical reaction and external diffusion without the solid product layer. The leaching process included the earlier stage in 0?10 min and the later stage during 10?80 min. The apparent activation energy of two stages was 15.24 and 29.94 k J/mol, respectively. The kinetic equations could be expressed as 1?(1??)1/3?7.074exp[?15239/(RT)]t and 1?(1??)1/3? 45.85exp[?29940/(RT)]t, respectively.
Analysis on the Carrying Capacity Safety Margin and Related Parameters Sensitivity of Overhead Transmission Lines in Guangdong Power Grid

As the current carrying capacity limits of overhead transmission lines are based on the most unfavorable weather conditions to maintain the safety distance limits and to control conductor temperature,there should be a big line normal carrier safety margin.According to the circuit operation conditions in Guangdong Power Grid,the measured environmental parameters and standards around the world,this paper analyzes the four key carrier control conditions,i.e.the permit conductor temperature,ambient temperature,sunlight intensity and wind velocity,and their carrier safety margins respectively,then makes calculations of the four control parameters sensitivity to the current carrier.The results showthat there are safety margins as the four key control parameters with values of 70 ℃,40 ℃,0.1 W/cm2,0.5 m/s respectively,in which the values for sunlight intensity and wind speed are in extreme circumstances.However the probability of the ambient temperature,sunlight intensity and wind velocity being simultaneous in extreme cases is very small,so there is indeed a big safety margin in the whole Guangdong Power Grid.
Switching Transient Generation in Surface Interrogation Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Time-of-Flight Techniques

In surface interrogation scanning electrochemical microscopy (SI-SECM), fine and accurate control of the delay time between substrate generation and tip interrogation (tdelay) is crucial because tdelay defines the decay time of the reactive intermediate. In previous applications of the SI-SECM, the resolution in the control of tdelay has been limited to several hundreds of milliseconds due to the slow switching of the bipotentiostat. In this work, we have improved the time resolution of tdelay control up to ca. 1 μs, enhancing the SI-SECM to be competitive in the time domain with the decay of many reactive intermediates. The rapid switching SI-SECM has been implemented in a substrate generation-tip collection time-of-flight (SG-TC TOF) experiment of a solution redox mediator, and the results obtained from the experiment exhibited good agreement with that obtained from digital simulation. The reaction rate constant of surface Co(IV) on oxygen-evolving catalyst film, which was inaccessible thus far due to the lack of tdelay control, has been measured by the rapid switching SI-SECM.