cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of multiple presentations on judgments of children's phonetic accuracy.

Two experiments examined whether listening to multiple presentations of recorded speech stimuli influences the reliability and accuracy of judgments of children's speech production accuracy. In Exp...
Structures of Sepiapterin and Isosepiapterin

SEPIAPTERIN and isosepiapterin are yellow, yellow -fluorescent compounds which occur in Drosophila melanogaster and accumulate in the sepia mutant. They are believed to be closely related 2-amino-4-oxo-6-acyltetrahydropteridines, the acyl group in isosepiapterin being propionyl and in sepiapterin, lactyl. However, there has been some controversy concerning the location of the hydrogen atoms on the pyrazine part of the molecule. Forrest1 favoured a distribution of the hydrogens on the 5 and 8 positions largely by analogy with the yellow 5,8-dihydro compounds (for example, I) synthesized by Pfleiderer and Taylor2, and with the 5,8-dihydro structure assigned to the red dihydroquinoxaline (II) on the basis of its nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum by Barltrop, Richards and Russell3.
Intra-Frame Image Coding By Adaptive Vector Quantization With Variable Block Sizes

ABSTRACT Vector quantization is a new coding technique which has enjoyed much success in its brief history. Its most attractive features are a high compression ratio and a simple decoder. Thus, it shows great promise in applications using a single-encoder with a multiple decoder such as videotext and archiving. However, some problems have arisen, most notably edge degradation, the so-called "block effect". A novel method is described in this paper which alleviated this problem without much increase in computational effort. A index has been devised, the activity index, based upon measurements on the input image data; it is used to classify image areas into two groups, active and nonactive. For nonactive areas, large block size is used, while for active areas the block size is small. Two codebooks are generated corresponding to each of the two groups of blocks formed. Using this adaptive vector quantization scheme the results obtained show that the edge features are well preserved upon reconstruction at the decoder.
RHIZOID CELL DIFFERENTIATION IN THE FERN GAMETOPHYTE OF PTERIS VITTATA

A B S T R A C T A series of events in the differentiation of rhizoid cells in the gametophyte of Pteris vittata L. is described. Differential in vivo staining reactions make it possible to trace a sequence of stages from pre-mitotic nucleocytoplasmic staining (corona stage), through the events of mitosis, to formation of an internally segmented rhizoid cell which then grows out from the parent thallus cell. When the standard ribonuclease test is employed, basophilic protoplasmic staining due to pyronin is prevented in developmental stages up through early formation of the rhizoid cell. Staining in these stages is therefore assumed to be due to ribonucleic acid associated with protein synthesis. A new developmental phase starts just prior to the protrusion growth of this cell when an intensely pyroninophilic material appears at the membrane of the rhizoid cell nucleus and along cytoplasmic strands radiating to the peripheral regions of the cell. The staining of this newly synthesized material cannot be prevented by ribonuclease treatment, and it shows strong positive tests for protein and polysaccharide. As long as the rhizoid continues to grow, this material remains concentrated in the growing tip region. Material showing similar staining reactions is also found in the cells of the meristematic notch area. Although thallus cell walls do not stain, the rhizoid cell wall adsorbs basic stain, in some cases, metachromatically. Finally, it is suggested on the basis of observations reported here that the sometimes neglected role of the nucleus in theories of unequal cell division-differentiation should be re-examined.
Effect of size on the relative rate of degradation of rat liver soluble proteins

Abstract A double isotope method was used to determine the relative turnover rates of soluble proteins of rat liver. The proteins of the supernatant fraction were separated on Sephadex G-200 both in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, giving a size distribution based on subunit molecular weight (in the presence of sodium dodecy sulfate) and multimeric molecular weight (in buffer alone). In both cases it was found that greater degradation rates were associated with greater molecular weights. These data indicate that one of the properties of proteins (or subunits) which determine rates of degradation is size.
Mathematical aspects of the fluctuating barrier problem. Explicit equilibrium and relaxation solutions

Abstract The diffusive kinetics in a symmetric double well with a high barrier fluctuating randomly in time is investigated by means of the corresponding Fokker–Planck equation. In the Smoluchowski limit explicit solutions for the equilibrium and the relaxation eigenfunctions are given. Moreover, the least negative eigenvalue, the relaxation rate, is calculated for all values of the barrier fluctuation rate.
HIV-associated nephropathy: a review of the epidemiology and clinical course in the HAART era.

A40-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN with history of HIV infection and schizophrenia was initially referred to a nephrologist in 1999 with records indicating that he had proteinuria and hematuria for at least 1 year. The patient had no knowledge of any kidney disease or abnormality with his urine. He denied the use of any nonprescription medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the presence of lower extremity edema, rash, cough or hemoptysis, joint pain, difficulties passing his urine, and changes in urine color or habits. He was diagnosed with HIV infection 1 year prior and had not received any antiretroviral medications. He had a prior history of syphilis with documented treatment with penicillin. He reported smoking one pack of cigarettes per day, had previously used cocaine and marijuana, but had not used any illicit substances for many years. He denied any history of intravenous drug use. He had a questionable history of a blood transfusion, although this was not well documented. His physical exam revealed a well-developed male in no distress. His blood pressure was 140/73 in the right arm seated. His temperature was 98.2°F with a pulse of 101 beats per minute and a weight of 208 pounds. His skin and joints were normal. His fundoscopic exam did not reveal any abnormalities consistent with hypertension or vasculitis. There was no palpable lymphadenopathy. His lungs were clear to auscultation bilaterally, and his cardiac exam was normal. His abdominal exam did not reveal any evidence of hepatic or splenic enlargement. His extremities did not have any evidence of edema. His serum creatinine was 2.2 mg/dL. CD41 lymphocyte count was 490 cells/mL. HIV RNA level was not known. Microscopic exam of the urine demonstrated free red blood cells (too numerous to count) and occasional fragmented red blood cell casts. Hepatitis serologies did not indicate chronic infection with either hepatitis B or C. A 24-h urine collection revealed 4.3 g of protein. Renal ultrasound revealed bilaterally large kidneys, measured at 13.9 cm on the left and 13.6 cm on the right. Renal biopsy was suggested, but the patient initially refused.
PowerScope: a tool for profiling the energy usage of mobile applications

We describe the design and implementation of PowerScope, a tool for profiling energy usage by applications. PowerScope maps energy consumption to program structure, in much the same way that CPU profilers map processor cycles to specific processes and procedures. Our approach combines hardware instrumentation to measure current level with kernel software support to perform statistical sampling of system activity. Postprocessing software maps the sample data to program structure and produces a profile of energy usage by process and procedure. Using PowerScope, we have been able to reduce the energy consumption of an adaptive video playing application by 46%.
An information classification system for life cycle and manufacturing standards

Sustainable manufacturing aims to increase efficiency and offset negative impacts throughout the life cycle of products. A myriad of standards pertaining to various aspects of a product's life cycle exist; however, it is often difficult for non-experts to navigate and comprehend these standards. The objective of this paper is to describe a classification system for capturing the requirements, concepts and terminology from those standards at the intersection of life cycle and manufacturing process domains. The classification is implemented as an ontology using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). We then use an ontology visualization tool we have developed, to help users navigate and understand the information in these standards more easily. Such an ontology can support life cycle assessment activities or sustainability decision-making in the life cycle stages, such as replacing energy consuming processes and equipment with sustainable practices. In addition, the ontology can support the development of new life cycle and manufacturing standards. The ontology provides a holistic picture of the requirements to enrich comprehension of and compliance to the growing number of sustainable manufacturing standards.
Interactions of five- and six-membered cyclic esters with α-chymotrypsin: Kinetic evidence for covalent enzyme intermediates

Abstract Interactions of α-chymotrypsin with 2-coumaranone ( I ), 3,4-dihydrocoumarin ( II ), o -hydroxy-α-toluenesulfonic acid sultone ( III ), and β- o -hydroxyphenylethanesulfonic acid sultone ( IV ) were studied in the presence of 14% acetonitrile at pH 7.0 by means of the proflavin displacement technique and by inhibition of N -acetyl- l -tryptophan ethyl ester (ATrEE) hydrolysis. Under saturating conditions of either I , II , or III , an enzyme intermediate was shown to accumulate using either the proflavin displacement technique or the ATrEE activity assay. The intermediates have characteristics of covalent enzyme-substrate compounds and are believed to decompose simultaneously by two pathways, one to give free enzyme and hydrolyzed cyclic ester, and the other to give the original cyclic ester and free enzyme. With α-chymotrypsin and III the observed first-order rate constant for decomposition of the intermediate by the two pathways was 0.19 ± 0.04 min −1 , while the rate constant for the hydrolytic pathway alone was 0.013 ± 0.0009 min −1 . These results indicate that the covalent-like intermediate with this sultone is not only capable of reverting to starting cyclic ester but prefers this pathway over hydrolysis. Sultone IV was found to bind to enzyme; but in contrast to the behavior of esters I–III , the binding did not result in accumulation of a covalent-like intermediate.
Physics-Based Low-Cost Test Technique for High Voltage LDMOS

This paper presents a low-cost test technique for testing high-voltage laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (HV-LDMOS) to identify structural defects such as gate-FOX breakdown, post breakdown thermal stress and drain leakage due to high voltages. A novel highly accurate hybrid MOS-p model for HV-LDMOS was developed and validated across various device geometries including both long and small gate-channels. Structural defects in HV-LDMOS were modeled and their physical effect was induced in the hybrid MOS-p model to develop fault models. These fault models were used for parametric testing and diagnosis of HV-LDMOS. A novel test technique using a noise-reduction scheme to test HV-LDMOS is presented in this paper. Test simulations were performed on a MOSFET driver IC with a 700 V LDMOS and experimental validation was performed by building a prototype test setup and making hardware measurements for breakdown and leakage tests. This test technique overcomes the test challenges pertaining to power supply and tester system noise, and provides a superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when compared to conventional test methods. The noise-reduction scheme is inexpensive and highly accurate. The fault-model based test approach reduces the test suite for HV-LDMOS to a couple of test measurements which reduces the overall test cost and time.
Optical Method For Determining The State-Of-Charge Of A Lead-Acid Battery

An optic device utilizes the index of refraction and critical angle to determine the state of charge of a lead-acid battery.
The response of a continuously stratified fluid to an oscillating flow past an obstacle

An oscillating continuously stratified flow past an isolated obstacle is investigated using scaling arguments and two-dimensional non-hydrostatic numerical experiments. A new dynamic scaling is introduced that incorporates the blocking of fluid with insufficient energy to overcome the background stratification and crest the obstacle. This clarifies the distinction between linear and nonlinear flow regimes near the crest of the obstacle. The flow is decomposed into propagating and non-propagating components. In the linear limit, the non-propagating component is related to the unstratified potential flow past the obstacle and the radiating component exhibits narrow wave beams that are tangent to the obstacle at critical points. When the flow is nonlinear, the near crest flow oscillates between states that include asymmetric, crest-controlled flows. Thin, fast, supercritical layers plunge in the lee, separate from the obstacle and undergo shear instability in the fluid interior. These flow features are localized to the neighbourhood of the crest where the flow transitions from subcriticality to supercriticality and are non-propagating. The nonlinear excitation of energetic non-propagating components reduces the efficiency of topographic radiation in comparison with linear dynamics.
Management of patients with malignant bowel obstruction and stage IV colorectal cancer.

Abstract Background: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO), a serious problem in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, remains poorly understood. Optimal management requires realistic assessment of treatment goals. This study's purpose is to characterize outcomes following palliative intervention for MBO in the setting of metastatic CRC. Study Design: Retrospective review of a prospective palliative database identified 141 patients undergoing surgical (OR; n = 96) or endoscopic (GI; n = 45) procedures for symptoms of MBO. Results: Median patient age was 58 years, median follow-up 7 months. Most (63%) had multiple sites of metastases. Computed tomography (CT) scan findings of carcinomatosis (p = 0.002), ascites (p = 0.05), and multifocal obstruction with carcinomatosis and ascites (p = 0.03) significantly predicted the need for percutaneous or open gastrostomy tube, or stoma. Procedure-associated morbidity for 81 patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO) was 37%; 7% developed an enterocutaneous fistula/...
Nanostructured fumed metal oxides for thermal interface pastes

Fumed metal oxides (13 nm aluminum oxide particles and 20–25 nm zinc oxide particles), which are in the form of porous agglomerates of nanoparticles, are effective as thermally conductive solid components in thermal pastes. They are as effective as carbon black, but are advantageous in their electrical non-conductivity. Without fuming, the oxides are less effective. By coating with silane, which decreases the viscosity of the paste, they are even more effective. The organic vehicle (polyol esters) and solid component content (2.4–4.0 vol.%) are chosen to attain conformability and spreadability. The use of either 4.0 vol.% silane coated fumed zinc oxide or 2.4 vol.% silane coated alumina gives thermal pastes that are more effective than commercial thermal pastes (Ceramique and Shin-Etsu). Fumed zinc oxide is superior to non-fumed zinc oxide in improving the thermal stability. Silane coating of the fumed zinc oxide further improves the thermal stability. Fumed alumina does not affect the thermal stability, but silane coated fumed alumina improves the thermal stability. Though silane coated fumed zinc oxide is superior to silane coated alumina in enhancing the thermal stability, it is slightly inferior in the phase separation tendency.
Consequences of Diabetes Cardiovascular disease

This is the third of three articles dealing with the International Diabetes Federation meeting, which was held in Paris, 24–29 August 2003. Paul Valensi (Bobigny, France) discussed approaches to silent myocardial ischemia in persons with diabetes. Addressing the question of whether it is in fact advisable to detect cardiovascular disease (CVD) in persons without history of myocardial infarction or angina, he noted the poor prognosis of persons with diabetes, whose risk of myocardial infarction in the absence of CVD is similar to that of persons without diabetes and with a prior myocardial infarction. Those having evidence of CVD are at particularly increased risk, with half dying within 8 years (1). One-year mortality after thrombolysis is increased by half in persons with diabetes, and survival of persons without diabetes who have had a second myocardial infarction is similar to that of those with diabetes after an initial event (2). The prevalence at autopsy of high grade and multilevel coronary atherosclerosis in diabetic individuals without clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) is similar to that of persons without diabetes with clinical CAD, both for males and for females (3). In a French multicenter study of 417 asymptomatic diabetic persons with at least two additional risk factors undergoing thallium scintigraphy with exercise or dipyridamole, 162 had positive nuclear study, and of 70 having angiography, 39 were found to have evidence of CAD, a positive predictive value of only 56%. Other studies suggest that approximately one-third of asymptomatic persons with diabetes have a positive screening test, but that only approximately one-third of these have positive results on angiography, suggesting poor correlation between functional and morphological abnormality. Alternatively, Valensi suggested, scintigraphy may actually be more sensitive than angiography to the presence of CAD, noting that there certainly is evidence that an abnormal study is associated with …
Cell autonomous expression of inflammatory genes in biologically aged fibroblasts associated with elevated NF-kappaB activity

Chronic inflammation is a well-known corollary of the aging process and is believed to significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality of many age-associated chronic diseases. However, the mechanisms that cause age-associated inflammatory changes are not well understood. Particularly, the contribution of cell stress responses to age-associated inflammation in 'non-inflammatory' cells remains poorly defined. The present cross-sectional study focused on differences in molecular signatures indicative of inflammatory states associated with biological aging of human fibroblasts from donors aged 22 to 92 years. Gene expression profiling revealed elevated steady-state transcript levels consistent with a chronic inflammatory state in fibroblast cell-strains obtained from older donors. We also observed enhanced NF-κB DNA binding activity in a subset of strains, and the NF-κB profile correlated with mRNA expression levels characteristic of inflammatory processes, which include transcripts coding for cytokines, chemokines, components of the complement cascade and MHC molecules. This intrinsic low-grade inflammatory state, as it relates to aging, occurs in cultured cells irrespective of the presence of other cell types or the in vivo context. Our results are consistent with the view that constitutive activation of inflammatory pathways is a phenomenon prevalent in aged fibroblasts. It is possibly part of a cellular survival process in response to compromised mitochondrial function. Importantly, the inflammatory gene expression signature described here is cell autonomous, i.e. occurs in the absence of prototypical immune or pro-inflammatory cells, growth factors, or other inflammatory mediators.
Genetic Diversity and Natal Origins of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Western Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle) foraging areas, where juveniles, subadults, and adults of diverse natal origins coalesce and spend a large portion of their lives, can be located thousands of kilometers from nesting beaches. Unfortunately, the natal origin of turtles in many foraging areas remains unknown. Resolution of this issue was recently listed among the conservation priorities for the species by a global panel of Green Turtle researchers. We examined the genetic diversity and natal origins of Green Turtles from a well-known foraging area in the western Gulf of Mexico. Bayesian mixed-stock analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes was used to demonstrate that an overwhelming percentage (∼95%) of individuals in the western Gulf of Mexico foraging group likely originate in other Gulf of Mexico and northern Caribbean rookeries, with smaller contributions from the western and southern Caribbean, and potentially the Mediterranean Sea. Management of Green Turtles in the western Gulf of Mexico will be...
Enhanced thermomechanical properties of a nematic liquid crystal elastomer doped with gold nanoparticles

Abstract Here we report the development of a thermomechanical nematic liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Embedding a low concentration of AuNPs enhances the thermal conductivity of the actuator with minimal effect on the elasticity of the cross-linked polymer. Doping LCEs with AuNPs provides a means to improve the material response time to external stimuli. Under fast heating conditions, the AuNP-doped LCE actuators exhibited more than a 100% increase in the rate of change of strain with respect to time.
Analysis of a low complexity variable step size adaptive algorithm

A number of variable-step-size algorithms have been proposed to improve the performance of stochastic gradient based adaptive systems. In the present work, the convergence and steady-state error performance of a low-implementation-complexity variable-step-size algorithm is analyzed. Iterative expressions for the evolution of the moments of the step size are derived and are used in conjunction with expressions for the mean square error to predict the learning curve. Expressions for the steady-state size, from which the steady-state mean square error can be found, are also developed. The analytical results are compared with simulation and good agreement is found. >
FASTBUS Review 1985

The progress of developments based on the FASTBUS Specification DOE/ER -0189 for modular high-speed data acquisition and control systems is reviewed. Available hardware components and efforts in standardized FASTBUS software are summarized. The status of FASTBUS applications at research laboratories in North America is reported. FASTBUS work in Europe and Japan is presented in other papers at this conference. Due to the highly condensed nature of this review, background information and references from reports at the 1983 and 1984 Nuclear Science Symposia may be useful.
The U.S. Share of Trading Volume in Cross‐Listings: Evidence from Canadian Stocks

I analyze the firm-specific determinants of the U.S. share of trading volume for 126 U.S.-listed Canadian firms. I find that the U.S. share of volume is directly related to the mass of informed and liquidity traders in the United States relative to Canada, as proxied by relative analyst following, relative duration of listing, and the U.S. share of sales. Evidence also supports the market liquidity argument that the market with lower spreads and greater depths has greater volume. Finally, the U.S. share is directly related to the relative sensitivity of the stock's value to information in the United States.
Efficacy of treatment of patients with echocardiographically detected right-sided heart thrombi: A meta-analysis

Although echocardiography detected right-sided heart thrombi are frequently associated with massive pulmonary embolism and death, there are conflicting recommendations in the literature about the optimal treatment of this condition. Our objective was to resolve this uncertainty by pooling all existing English language case reports in order to examine the relationship of treatment with survival. There were 71 published reports involving 119 subjects, of which 93% presented with abnormal cardiac signs and symptoms and 7% were asymptomatic but had risk factors for pulmonary embolism. The only factors that were significantly related to survival were whether pulmonary emboli were present, and the type of treatment actually received. Variables not significantly related to survival included cardiac symptoms and the echocardiographic appearance of the thrombus. The estimated probability of survival in patients with pulmonary emboli receiving heparin, thrombolytic agents, surgical embolectomy, or none of the above, was 0.70, 0.62, 0.62, and 0.19, respectively, while the estimated probability of survival in patients without pulmonary emboli for the same four treatment groups, was 0.92, 0.89, 0.89, and 0.53, respectively. We conclude that the efficacy of all three treatments are similar, and that they enhance the probability of survival. Because of the similar efficacy of drug therapy and surgery and the convenience of the former, drug therapy should probably be chosen. In addition, considering the small advantage of heparin with respect to the probability of survival, heparin may be the best choice if the illness is not characterized by a rapid downhill course.
From host recognition to T-DNA integration: the function of bacterial and plant genes in the Agrobacterium-plant cell interaction.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and its related species, A. rhizogenes and A. vitis, are the only known bacterial pathogens which ‘genetically invade’ host plants and stably integrate part of their genetic material into the host cell genome. Thus, A. tumefaciens has evolved as a major tool for plant genetic engineering. Furthermore, this unique process of interkingdom DNA transfer has been utilized as a model system for studies of its underlying biological events, such as intercellular signalling, cell-to-cell DNA transport, protein and DNA nuclear import and integration. To date, numerous bacterial proteins and several plant proteins have been implicated in the A. tumefaciens–plant cell interaction. Here, we discuss the molecular interactions among these bacterial and plant factors and their role in the A. tumefaciens–plant cell DNA transfer. Taxonomic relationship: Bacteria; Proteobacteria; alpha subdivision; Rhizobiaceae group; Rhizobiaceae family; Agrobacterium genus. Microbiological properties: Gram-negative, nonsporing, motile, rod-shaped, soil-borne. Related species:A. rhizogenes (causes root formation in infected plants), A. vitis (causes gall formation on grapevines). Disease symptoms: Formation of neoplastic swellings (galls) on plant roots, crowns, trunks and canes. Galls interfere with water and nutrient flow in the plants, and seriously infected plants suffer from weak, stunted growth and low productivity. Host range: One of the widest host ranges known among plant pathogens; can potentially attack all dicotyledonous plant species. Also, under controlled conditions (usually in tissue culture), can infect, albeit with lower efficiency, several monocotyledonous species. Agronomic importance: The disease currently affects plants belonging to the rose family, e.g. apple, pear, peach, cherry, almond, roses, as well as poplar trees (aspen). Useful web site:http://www.bio.purdue.edu/courses/gelvinweb/gelvin.html
Norepinephrine Stores and Contractile Force of Papillary Muscle from the Failing Human Heart

The relation between cardiac norepinephrine concentration and the functional state of the myocardium was studied in left ventricular papillary muscles removed from patients with congestive heart failure at the time of mitral valve replacement. Myocardial function was assessed by determining the maximum isometric active tension that the papillary muscle could develop in an in vitro system, and by measuring the increase in active tension in response to the norepinephrine-releasing sympathomimetic amine, tyramine. The norepinephrine concentration averaged 0.36 µg./Gm. in 17 muscles. In eight of these a response to tyramine was observed with a 21-per cent increase in active tension, and the norepinephrine concentrations averaged 0.53 µg./Gm.; in the other six muscles tested with tyramine no positive inotropic response was observed, and the norepinephrine concentration was significantly lower, averaging 0.16 µg./Gm. The maximum active tension in 17 muscles averaged 1.78 Gm./mm.2, and a significant positive cor...
Rhodopsin regeneration, calcium, and the control of the dark current in vertebrate rods.

— The dark current of retinal rods is suppressed for an extended period when their rhodopsin is bleached. An 8% bleach completely suppresses the current for 8 min and after 35 min it is fully recovered. The dark current can recover fully from a bleaching flash without any rhodopsin being regenerated. Moreover the recovery can be hastened either by lowering the activity of calcium ions surrounding the rods or by regenerating the rhodopsin. The recovery of the dark current following these bleaches showed zero order kinetics, regardless of whether the recovery was hastened by low calcium, 11-cis retinaldehyde or not. If all the rhodopsin is bleached in the retina, the dark current does not recover; the addition of 11-cis retinaldehyde, but not all-trans retinaldehyde, to the bleached retina causes the dark current to begin its recovery as early as 10 min after the addition with zero order kinetics (1.3% min-1). In two of three similar experiments, the dark current recovered 100%. When the recovery rate of the dark current from the retina showing the earliest response is compared with the rate of the regeneration of rhodopsin in the plasma and disc membranes, the dark current begins its recovery after the plasma membrane rhodopsin is fully regenerated and the disc rhodopsin is half regenerated. When the disc rhodopsin is fully regenerated, the dark current is recovered 75%, and 20 min later it is completely recovered.
Health and environmental effects profile for pentachloronitrobenzene.

Pure pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is a colorless crystalline solid (Worthing, 1983). The commercial product may have a light-yellow to cream color with a musty odor (Hartley and Kidd, 1983). It is practically insoluble in a number of organic solvents. The compound is reasonably stable but may undergo hydrolysis in a strong alkaline medium (Hartley and Kidd, 1983). In 1983, Olin Corp., Leland, MS, was the only manufacturer of PCNB in the United States (SRI, 1984; Hartley and Kidd, 1983). No data for U.S. production volume for this chemical are available, but recent production source data (USITC, 1985; SRI, 1985) suggest that this chemical is no longer commercially produced in the United States. The primary usage of PCNB is as a soil fungicide for a wide variety of crops and in seed treatment (Worthing, 1983; Hartley and Kidd, 1983). The fate of PCNB in water has not been comprehensively studied. Only qualitative data regarding fate and transport in water are available. The half-life of PCNB in the water phase was estimated to be 1.8 days. The two processes reported to be most responsible for the rapid decrease in PCNB concentration in water were volatilization and sorption to seston and biota, followed by sedimentation as detritus (Schauerte et al., 1982). Neither biodegradation nor photolysis appears to be a significant process for the loss of PCNB from water (Crosby and Hamadmad, 1971; Schauerte et al., 1982). The BCFs for PCNB in the golden orfe, Leucisens idus melanotus, and in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, were reported to be 950-1130 and 260-590, respectively (Korte et al., 1978; Oliver and Niimi, 1985). It therefore appears that PCNB will moderately bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Pertinent data regarding the fate and transport of PCNB in air could not be located in the available literature as cited in the Appendix. Based on its physical properties and its behavior in other media, it would appear that PCNB will persist in the atmosphere because no known chemical/photochemical processes significantly degrade this chemical. Precipitation of particulate PCNB, especially of larger particle size and higher particle density, may remove some PCNB from the atmosphere. PCNB is persistent in soils. The two processes that are important in the loss of PCNB from soils are volatilization and biodegradation; biodegradation is more rapid in soils under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions (Ko and Farley, 1969; Casley, 1968; Gile and Gillett, 1979; Cole and Metcalf, 1977).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Skin Cancer, Irradiation, and Sunspots: The Solar Cycle Effect

Skin cancer is diagnosed in more than 2 million individuals annually in the United States. It is strongly associated with ultraviolet exposure, with melanoma risk doubling after five or more sunburns. Solar activity, characterized by features such as irradiance and sunspots, undergoes an 11-year solar cycle. This fingerprint frequency accounts for relatively small variation on Earth when compared to other uncorrelated time scales such as daily and seasonal cycles. Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filters, applied to the solar cycle and skin cancer data, separate the components of different time scales to detect weaker long term signals and investigate the relationships between long term trends. Analyses of crosscorrelations reveal epidemiologically consistent latencies between variables which can then be used for regression analysis to calculate a coefficient of influence. This method reveals that strong numerical associations, with correlations >0.5, exist between these small but distinct long term trends in the solar cycle and skin cancer. This improves modeling skin cancer trends on long time scales despite the stronger variation in other time scales and the destructive presence of noise.
Oligomeric Cocoa Procyanidins Possess Enhanced Bioactivity Compared to Monomeric and Polymeric Cocoa Procyanidins for Preventing the Development of Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Impaired Glucose Tolerance during High-Fat Feeding

There is interest in the potential of cocoa flavanols, including monomers and procyanidins, to prevent obesity and type-2 diabetes. Fermentation and processing of cocoa beans influence the qualitative and quantitative profiles of individual cocoa constituents. Little is known regarding how different cocoa flavanols contribute to inhibition of obesity and type-2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to compare the impacts of long-term dietary exposure to cocoa flavanol monomers, oligomers, and polymers on the effects of high-fat feeding. Mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with either a cocoa flavanol extract or a flavanol fraction enriched with monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric procyanidins for 12 weeks. The oligomer-rich fraction proved to be most effective in preventing weight gain, fat mass, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance in this model. This is the first long-term feeding study to examine the relative activities of cocoa constituents on diet-induced obesity and insulin ...
Etnohistoria paˀipai en la Baja California

Mixco presents several texts in Paˀipai, theonly member of the Pai branch of the Yuman language family that is found inMexico. He notes that at the present time there are only two villages wherePaˀipai is spoken by a total of about 300 persons, San Isidoro inTrinidad Valley, and Santa Catarina in the Alamo region. He briefly traces thehistory of the area from the first peopling to the present day. The stories include traditional myths, such as the coyote stories and thelegend of Jalkutat , a dragon. Also among the texts are a briefmeditation on the role of the Native American in the history of Mexico, "TheRoot of Mexico". Another historical tale relates the tragic history of the waragainst the filibusters in 1911, which divided the community.
Control of the Banks Grass Mite Attacking Grain Sorghum and Corn in West Texas

A large population of mites, primarily Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), was reported attacking grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, in the Hereford, Texas, Area in 1967. A 2-year study in the Hereford area showed that Supracide® ( O,O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate S -ester With 4-(mcrcaptomethyl)-2-methoxy-∆2-1,3,4-thiadiazolin-5-one) disulfoton (both as granular and ligquid concentrate formulations), and carbophenothion applied at 0.5 lb AI/acre were the most effective treatments. Monocrotophos, diazinion, and ULV Supracide offered some control capabilities at the 0.5 lb AI/acre rate. Applications were made in 1967 and 1968 on sorghum in the early-soft-dough to hard-dough stages of plant growth. It was determined that yields were not significantly in creased by reduction of the mite populations. Observations on parathion-treated fields indicated increased yields after mites were controlled on young sorghum. Higher incidence of plant lodging was observed in heavily infested sorghum fields. Subsequent studies in 1969 near Pecos, Texas, involved 20 acaricides, and Supracide was determined to be signigicantly more effective than the others in controlling the acaricide-tolerant mites which were encountered. Investigations on sorghum conducted in 1970 near Hereford Determined that Supracide remained effective in most cases, but carbophenothion, disulfoton, and parathion were relatively ineffective at 0.5 lb AI/acre. These date indicated that acaricide resistance was increasing in the mite populations. Granular phorate applied at 1 lb AI/acre was found to be effective, and acaricidal activity was increased in sorghum and corn plots that were iriated following application. Yield increases were observed during 1970 in both sorghum and corn plots where effective acaricides were aerially applied.
Aerodynamic Characterization of Wing Membrane with Adaptive Compliance

Membrane wings with adaptive compliance have a great potential to improve the maneuverability and performance of micro air vehicles. Moreover, adaptive compliance might be used by flying animals with membrane wings such as bats, to control aerodynamic performance. In this work, we characterized the mechanical properties and aerodynamic performance of a low aspect ratio membrane wing with adaptive compliance. The membrane was made of dielectric material coated with compliant electrodes, and supported by a rigid frame. The compliance of the wing was controlled by applying a voltage across membrane. We tested the wing model in a wind tunnel. We found that when a fixed voltage is applied across the wing membrane the camber increases, accompanied by a small increase in lift. However, lift is significantly increased when the wing is forced with an oscillating field at specific frequencies. In addition, stall is delayed, and for a range of angle of attacks there is an increase in lift to drag ratio. Fluid dynamics measurements are needed to identify the source of lift enhancement and analyze the fluid-membrane interaction.
Characterization of function spaces of vector fields and an application in nonlinear peridynamics

Abstract The paper introduces a class of nonlocal derivative operators defined over vector fields that turn out to satisfy a nonlocal integration by parts formula. We demonstrate that in several function spaces, these operators have similar continuity property as the classical differential operators. A closed formula for the limit of these operators will be obtained when nonlocality vanishes. The limit analysis together with the integration by parts formula enables us to link the nonlocal derivative operators and associated function spaces with the conventional local differential operators and Sobolev, bounded variations, and bounded deformation function spaces. As an application, we present an existence result and asymptotic analysis in the sense of Γ -convergence of some nonlinear variational problems that arise in nonlocal continuum mechanics.
Functionalization of Carbon Dioxide with Ethylene at Molybdenum Hydride Complexes

The molybdenum tetrahydride species (Triphos)MoH4PPh3 (Triphos = PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2) generated from sodium triethylborohydride addition to (Triphos)MoCl3 was found to promote CO2 functionalization to afford acrylate, propionate, and formate species. The formation of (Triphos)MoH4PPh3 occurs via a (Triphos)Mo(H)Cl(PPh3) intermediate followed by dismutation of an unobserved six-coordinate molybdenum(II) dihydride complex. Addition of dihydrogen to the dismuation product mixture affords a nearly quantitative yield of (Triphos)MoH4PPh3. The molybdenum tetrahydride species facilitates CO2 insertion into a metal hydride to produce a formate complex, (Triphos)Mo(H)(κ2-CHO2)(PPh3), with an observed rate constant of [2.9(2)] × 10–4 s–1 (25 °C), which is independent of CO2 pressure. Selective formation of acrylate and propionate carbon dioxide–ethylene coupling products, (Triphos)Mo(H)(κ2-C3H3O2)(PPh3) and (Triphos)Mo(H)(κ2-C3H5O2)(PPh3), was achieved by sequential addition of olefin and heterocumulene to (Triphos)Mo...
The effect of curosurf on the 32 preterm infants suffered from hyaline membrane disease

Objective To study the effect of curosurf on the hyaline membrane disease.Methods The 100mg/kg surfactant was dripped into the trachea in less than 4 hours after birth and the therapeutic effect was ex- amined on the hyaline membrane disease.Results Blood gas analysis was taken at half an hour,six,twelve,eighteen and twenty-four hours after the surfactant,respectively.The values of PaO_2,SaO_2 and PaO_2/FiO_2 were strikingly in- creased,which were all significantly improved than those of pre-surfactant(P0.01),and the parameters of ventila- tor were gradually decreased at six and twelve hours post-surfactant,the differences were both more remarkable than those of pre-surfactant(P0.01 ).At six and twenty-four hours after the surfactant the preterm infants were all ex- amined with X-ray,and none of them developed hyaline membrane disease.Conclusion Curosurf used as soon as possible after birth can prevent hyaline membrane disease and improve the alveolar oxygenation.
Surgical management of actively bleeding duodenal ulcer.

To control hemorrhage and eliminate the ulcerogenic mechanism, some surgeons have favored gastric resection with or without vagotomy; others have preferred the more conservative approach of a vagotomy, oversewing of the bleeding site, and pyloroplasty. This discussion examines the advantages, disadvantages, and results of each approach.
“It’s About Trust”: Slavery and Ethics in the Dollhouse

Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse (2009–2010) shows us what BDSM might look like in the strange posthuman world of the third millennium. Donna Haraway’s cyborg theory suggested as early as 1985 that the boundary between flesh and information systems was blurry, and would get blurrier (Haraway 1985/1990). In his novel Schismatrix, Bruce Sterling (1986) began to deploy the term “posthuman” to talk about these changes. In the late 1990s, literary critic N. Katherine Hayles built the concept of the posthuman into a full-fledged critical theory. Hayles emphasized embodiment. She claimed that thought depends “for its specificities on the embodied form enacting it,” and she argued quite convincingly that “this realization … is so broad in its effects and so deep in its consequences that it is transforming the liberal subject, regarded as the model of the human since the Enlightenment, into the posthuman” (1999: xiv).
Pericles and Athenian Nationalism: The Conquest of History

At the urging of Pericles, Athens entered a war with Sparta in 431 BC. The statesman's strategy required the Athenians to refuse an infantry battle, withdrawing behind the city walls to watch the Spartans ravage their farms. Pericles’ status allowed him to convince the Athenians to accept this plan, and he remained popular enough in the first year of the war to be chosen to deliver the annual funeral oration. In this speech Pericles laid out his vision of the Athenians’ special qualities and their right to rule, as well as the need of individuals to sacrifice themselves in the service of their beloved Athens and of the city-state's current power and future glory. As the war continued and a plague struck Athens, Pericles’ popularity waned. In his final speech in Thucydides he makes a bald case for the glory and advantages of rule over other Greeks and the dangers of letting that rule slip away. The Athenians took out their frustrations on Pericles even as they continued to fight the war he had promoted. Thucydides’ analysis of Pericles as a leader reflects the statesman's admirable qualities, the deficiencies of the leaders who followed him, and the criticisms of those who believed Pericles had corrupted the political process and led Athens into a disastrous war. Looking back on Pericles as an older man, Thucydides sought to defend the leader his own history had shown to be the principal cause of war in 431. O ne wonders about the mood in Athens as the Spartans marched northeast toward Attica in the early summer of 431. We know that the playwright Euripides produced his Medea in that spring, and its story of a mother driven to murder her own children might strike us as reflective of a particularly disturbing moment in Athenian history were the tale not a traditional feature of Greek mythology. Still, Euripides felt compelled to choose this story and present it in the way he did as Athens prepared for war with the other great power in Hellas. It is more than possible that some Athenians who watched the play in the spring that year felt a discomfort amplified both by the approaching war and by the cries of infuriated Medea.
Dynamic Network Formation Using Ant Colony Optimization

Military and industry are moving toward every device being network enabled and connected for reliable availability of communication and information. To make this type of system a reality, the devices must be capable of forming a network topology on their own in a dynamic environment to ensure that the correct information reaches a desired location and on-time. This research presents three contributions for solving highly dynamic (i.e. drastic change within the network) Multi-commodity Capacitated Network Design Problems (MCNDPs) resulting in a distributed multi-agent network design algorithm. The first contribution incorporates an Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm Ant Colony System (ACS) to solve the static MCNDP with weak constraints. Second, a new algorithm is developed and has the capability to dynamically adjust its exploration parameter of the solution space. This enhanced algorithm converges quicker and automatically adjusts to the dynamically changing network environment. Third, a distributed approach is created replacing the previous centralized solver. The distributed algorithm produces comparable results, but more importantly calculates the network topology in less than 20 percent of the computation time.