cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring the soot onset temperature in high-pressure n-dodecane spray pyrolysis

Abstract Soot formation in pyrolyzing sprays of n-dodecane is visualized and quantified in a high-pressure, high-temperature, constant-volume spray chamber at 38 bar, 76 bar, and 114 bar. Sprays of n-dodecane are injected at 500 bar from a single-hole, 186-µm orifice diameter fuel injector. We quantify the temporal evolution of the soot optical thickness and the total soot mass formed in the pyrolyzing sprays using a high-speed extinction imaging diagnostic. The vessel ambient temperature and pressure are varied independently to identify the soot onset temperature for n-dodecane pyrolysis. Linear extrapolation of the maximum soot formation rates as a function of ambient temperature reveals a soot onset temperature near 1450 K. The onset temperature determined here for n-dodecane is within 50 K of those previously measured along the centerline of atmospheric pressure coflow diffusion flames for smaller alkane fuels.
Native grass ground covers provide multiple ecosystem services in Californian vineyards

Mechanisms responsible for the success or failure of agricultural diversification are often unknown. Most studies of arthropod pest management focus on enhancing natural enemy effectiveness. However, non‐crop plants can also change crop host quality by reducing or adding soil nutrients or water, and therefore improve or hamper pest suppression. Native perennial ground covers may provide food or habitat to natural enemies and, in terms of competition for soil nutrients or water, be more compatible with crop management than exotic annuals. We conducted a 3‐year vineyard study to examine the impacts of native perennial grasses on pests, natural enemies, crop plant condition and soil properties. We included three ground cover treatments: bare soil with a grower standard drip irrigation; native grasses with drip irrigation; and native grasses with drip irrigation as well as an additional flood irrigation to keep the grasses green and growing during the season. Numbers of leafhopper pests Erythroneura spp. decreased in both native grass treatments, where parasitism rates were higher. Vine petiole nitrate levels were lower in grass treatments, indicating competition for soil nitrogen, which is most often considered to be detrimental. Berry weight was higher in the irrigated treatment but did not differ between the bare soil and non‐irrigated grass treatment. Grape °Brix was similar in the bare soil and native grass treatments, suggesting native grasses did not compromise grape quality. In fact, leaf water stress was lower and soil moisture higher not only in the irrigated grass treatment but, at times, in the non‐irrigated grass treatment, compared with the bare soil treatment. Synthesis and applications. Our work shows that native grasses contribute to a reduction in vineyard leafhopper pests by reducing host quality through competition for soil nitrogen and providing food resources and/or habitat for natural enemies. Native grasses also improve soil water content and may be part of a water conservation program for perennial crops in dry climate regions.
ON THE BEACH - INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY IN THE REAL WORLD

Organic extracts of sea water, beach sands, clams and ocean sediments have been analyzed by infrared spectroscopy during a three year study. Over 300 water samples, 37 sand and sediment samples and 12 clam samples were analyzed. Infrared spectra of the extracts were measured after removing the solvent. Furthermore, the spectra were re-measured after separation by TLC, and some were re-measured after saponifying the extracts. The spectra, obtained after removing the solvent, have suggested novel uses of infrared spectroscopy in marine pollution studies, e.g., various fractions of petroleum and phthalic acid esters can be monitored. Moreover, infrared spectroscopy can be used very effectively to “screen” samples in order to determine further analysis requirements.
Two proteins crosslinked to RNA containing the adenovirus L3 poly(A) site require the AAUAAA sequence for binding.

Abstract The major proteins crosslinked by UV light to RNA containing the adenovirus-2 L3 poly(A) site are species of 155, 68 and 38 kd mol. wt (p155, p68 and p38). Mutation of AAUAAA to AAGAAA prevented cross-linking of the two larger proteins and destroyed the ability of the RNA to compete for binding of these proteins. However, association of p155 and p68 with precursor was unaffected by deletion of sequences downstream of the poly(A) site critical for in vitro polyadenylation. These two proteins are in the polyadenylation-specific, but not the nonspecific complexes detected by electrophoresis in nondenaturing gels. In addition, p155 and p68 are not found on RNA which has been processed. p155 bound a 15-nt oligomer containing AAUAAA, and thus does not require extended RNA sequence for interaction with RNA. Identified by immunoprecipitation with specific antibody, p38 is the C protein of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particles (hmRNPs). While p155 has an Sm epitope, it is not associated with snRNPs containing trimethylated guanosine caps.
Application of IUCN criteria and Red List categories to species of five Anacardiaceae genera in Madagascar

The conservation status of five genera of Anacardiaceae in Madagascarwas determined by applying IUCN risk assessment criteria to recent taxonomicrevisions and available specimen data. A major problem in establishing protocolsfor efficiently protecting and conserving Madagascar's biodiversity is the lackof essential biological information. In light of this, primary occurrence dataappears to be an invaluable tool for assessing both current and historic speciesdistributions. GIS technology was used to create species distribution maps forhistoric vs. recent occurrence data to analyze the change in conservationstatus, extent of occurrence, and area of occupancy for each of the targetspecies. A GAP analysis reveals that 14 (100%) of the target species for whichdata were available are considered threatened by IUCN standards. Furthermore, 11(79%) species showed a decrease both in the number of subpopulations and theirextent of occurrence when compared to historic distributions. This studyhighlights the importance of two factors necessary to address modernconservation questions. Sound conclusions regarding the conservation status ofindividual species requires a strong taxonomic framework and good collectiondata for a species distribution. However, because specimen data are very oftenincomplete and biased both geographically and taxonomically, reaching soundconclusions requires field knowledge of individual species to compensate forthese limitations.
Enhancement of Jet Impingement Heat Transfer by Means of Jet Axis Switching

Abstract The method of numerical simulation has been used here to establish the heat transfer characteristics of a fluid jet impinging on a target surface. In particular, it was demonstrated that a fluid mechanic phenomenon designated as jet axis switching has a tremendous effect on both the magnitude and surface distribution of the impingement heat transfer coefficient. The neglect of this phenomenon, which has been common in the literature on jet impingement heat transfer, gives rise to significant inaccuracies in the predicted values of the heat transfer coefficient. As an essential prelude to the heat transfer analysis, the fluid mechanics of jet impingement were set forth in detail in order to document the jet-axis switching phenomenon. For this purpose, color contour and velocity vector diagrams are displayed to show the change of shape experienced by the jet as it passes through an unconfined space. The local heat transfer coefficient at all points of the impingement plate was determined. The highest values of the Nusselt number do not occur when the plate is nearest to the origin of the jet. Off-axis peaks of the local Nusselt number were found to exist at locations between z/b = 0 and 3 for respective impingement plate positions X max /b = 30 and 10. The numerical predictions compared favorably with experimental results from the literature.
Developing Librarian Competencies for the Digital Age

This book is part of the series of staff development books published by the Medical Library Association with Rowman & Littlefield. The changes and challenges faced by health sciences librarians require the skills described in this practical and highly readable work.
Time and the other in crisis: How anthropology makes its displaced object:

Displacement is typically approached in anthropology as an exceptional experience that is associated with refugees and forced migration. Recent representations of a migration ‘crisis’ have reinforc...
Feasibility and Accuracy of Fast MRI Versus CT for Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for children when there is concern for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is a significant source of ionizing radiation. Our objective was to determine the feasibility and accuracy of fast MRI (motion-tolerant MRI sequences performed without sedation) in young children. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we attempted fast MRI in children RESULTS: Among 299 participants, fast MRI was available and attempted in 225 (75%) and completed in 223 (99%). Median imaging time was 59 seconds (interquartile range 52–78) for CT and 365 seconds (interquartile range 340–392) for fast MRI. TBI was identified by CT in 111 (50%) participants, including 81 skull fractures, 27 subdural hematomas, 24 subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 35 other injuries. Fast MRI identified TBI in 103 of these (sensitivity 92.8%; 95% confidence interval 86.3–96.8), missing 6 participants with isolated skull fractures and 2 with subarachnoid hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Fast MRI is feasible and accurate relative to CT in clinically stable children with concern for TBI.
Tribological analysis of a novel lubricant additive: Pyrone esters

Abstract This work evaluates the friction and anti-wear properties under boundary lubrication of novel lubricity additives derived from 2-pyrone. Pyrone Esters (PEs) of varying carbon chain lengths were synthesized by reacting coumalic acid chloride with alcohols. Chemical composition was verified via NMR and mass spectroscopy while rheological behavior was characterized with a parallel plate rheometer. In comparison, a commercially available monoester was tested. For friction and wear testing, all additives were blended at 1% by weight into a mineral base oil. Neat oil served as the control. A custom reciprocating microtribometer and temperature controlled stage was used to generate wear scars and record the time-evolving friction response. Results showed that the addition of certain PEs reduced friction by up to 25% and mitigated wear by up to 60% in comparison to the neat oil. Subsequently, PE demonstrated its superb potential as an environmentally friendly base stock or lubricant additive.
Freeway Traffic Speed Estimation by Regression Machine-Learning Techniques Using Probe Vehicle and Sensor Detector Data

AbstractIn the literature, machine-learning techniques have been extensively implemented to capture the stochastic characteristics of freeway traffic speed. The deployment of intelligent transporta...
A comparison of different carbon taxes on utilization of natural gas

Abstract In the U.S., natural gas combined cycles (NGCC) are replacing coal generators as the inframarginal providers of electricity due to low natural gas prices and the environmental advantages of NGCC compared to coal. In this research, we show that a carbon tax in the U.S. would lead to increased utilization of NGCC as a substitute for coal generation, lowering energy sector carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. This approach contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action while also gradually transitioning the U.S. energy sector to cleaner energy sources. Through the use of fixed-effects regression and counterfactual calculations, we analyze data from 2003 to 2017 to evaluate the impact of a carbon tax ranging from $10-$250/ton of carbon dioxide emissions. We estimate that a $220 per ton of CO2 emitted carbon tax would be necessary to reach a 75 percent NGCC utilization target, but the largest marginal increase in NGCC utilization comes from a carbon tax of $10-$50/ton CO2 emitted. A $50 carbon tax would initially reduce electricity sector carbon emissions approximately 10% per year without requiring new NGCC capacity in the short term.
Feeling for Our Robot Overlords: Perceptions of Emotionally Expressive Social Robots in Initial Interactions

Human-to-human scripting accounts for a user’s tendency in human-robot interactions (HRI) to utilize scripts just as they would if talking to another person. Can a robot’s emotional verbal expressi...
The invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima, impacts understory nativity, not seedbank nativity

Abstract Ailanthus altissima, the invasive forest tree commonly known as the tree-of-heaven, has been associated with decreased levels of plant species richness and native species diversity. However, this relationship with resident plants has been inconsistently found and the tree’s influence on the seedbank has yet to be studied. To further understand the long-term impact of this tree, ten paired invaded-uninvaded sites were identified in Virginia, USA in a variety of different-aged stands. The herbaceous and woody understories for each plot were inventoried and soil samples were collected and grown out for 34 weeks in a greenhouse. All plants were identified to the most detailed taxonomic level possible. In total, 35 woody understory species, 62 herbaceous understory taxa, and 77 seedbank taxa were identified. The relationship between A. altissima presence and i) the proportion of individual plants that are native, ii) the proportion of species that are native, iii) the native diversity, and iv) the nonnative diversity were analyzed. In addition, models including the invasion age were also considered. We show that A. altissima invasions were associated with a decrease in the proportion of native plants and species in the understory, but not in the seedbank. Nonnative woody diversity also increased with A. altissima presence. Additionally, the impact on the nativity of the woody understory became more extreme over time. We end by discussing the benefits of both managing A. altissima invasions early to limit its overall impact and including the management of other nonnative plants in A. altissima restoration plans.
Puberty- and Menstruation-Related Stressors Are Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Reproductive Tract Infection Symptoms Among Adolescent Girls in Tanzania.

Puberty and menstruation are significant stressors for adolescent girls and young women in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the impact of these stressors on girls’ mental health and reproductive health. In 2018, a cross-sectional self-report survey was conducted with 581 adolescent girls and young women between 13 to 21 years old who had reached menarche and were attending secondary school in Moshi, Tanzania. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of puberty-related stressors and menstruation-related stressors (menstrual deficits, movement/activity difficulties, and menstrual symptoms) to depression, anxiety, and the likelihood of reporting reproductive tract infection (RTI) symptoms. Puberty-specific stressors, menstrual symptoms, and menstrual deficits were associated with depression and anxiety. Movement/activity difficulties were associated with anxiety. Increases in menstrual symptoms, menstrual deficits, puberty stressors, and depression were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting a lifetime RTI. However, the relationship of puberty stressors and depression with RTIs was no longer significant in two of three models after correcting for Type I error. Overall, puberty- and menstruation-related stressors were associated with mental health and symptoms of reproductive tract infections. This suggests there is an important relationship between stressors specific to adolescent girls and young women during puberty, mental health, and reproductive health. There is a need for adolescent-tailored interventions to reduce the negative impact of stressors among girls transitioning through puberty in sub-Saharan Africa.
Updating urinary microbiome analyses to enhance biologic interpretation

Objective: An approach for assessing the urinary microbiome is 16S rRNA gene sequencing, where a segment of the bacterial genome is amplified and sequenced. Methods used to analyze these data are rapidly evolving, although the research implications are not known. This re-analysis of an existing dataset aimed to determine the impact of updated bioinformatic and statistical techniques. Methods: A prior Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN) study compared the urinary microbiome in 123 women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) and 84 controls. We used the PFDN unprocessed sequencing data of V1-V3 and V4-V6 16S variable regions, processed operational taxonomic unit (OTU) tables, and de-identified clinical data. We processed sequencing data with an updated bioinformatic pipeline, which used DADA2 to generate amplicon sequence variant (ASV) tables. Taxa from ASV tables were compared to OTU tables generated from the original processing; taxa from different variable regions (e.g., V1-V3 versus V4-V6) after updated processing were also compared. After updated processing, data were analyzed with multiple filtering thresholds. Several techniques were tested to cluster samples into microbial communities. Multivariable regression was used to test for associations between microbial communities and MUI, while controlling for potentially confounding variables. Results: Of taxa identified through updated bioinformatic processing, only 40% were identified originally, though taxa identified through both methods represented >99% of sequencing data in terms of relative abundance. When different 16S rRNA gene regions were sequenced from the same samples, there were differences noted in recovered taxa. When the original clustering methods were applied to reprocessed sequencing data, we confirmed differences in microbial communities associated with MUI. However, when samples were clustered with a different methodology, microbial communities were no longer associated with MUI. Conclusions: Updated bioinformatic processing techniques recover many different taxa compared to prior techniques, though most of these differences exist in low abundance taxa that occupy a small proportion of the overall microbiome. Detection of high abundance taxa are not significantly impacted by bioinformatic strategy. However, there are different biases for less abundant taxa; these differences as well as downstream clustering methodology and filtering thresholds may affect interpretation of overall results.
System Identification: Formulation

Consider a single-input–single-output (SISO) linear time-invariant (LTI) stable discrete-time system $$y(t) =\displaystyle\sum\limits_{ i=0}^{\infty }a_{ i}u(t - i) + d(t),\quad t = t_{0} + 1,\ldots,$$ (2.1) where {y(t)} is the noise corrupted observation, {d(t)} is the disturbance, {u(t)} is the input with u(t) = 0 for t < 0, and \(a =\{ a_{i},i = 0,1,\ldots \},\) satisfying $$\|a\|_{1} =\displaystyle\sum\limits_{ i=0}^{\infty }\vert a_{ i}\vert < \infty.$$ To proceed, we define $$\begin{array}{ll} & \theta = (a_{0},a_{1},\ldots,a_{m_{0}-1})^{\prime} \in {\mathbb{R}}^{m_{0} }, \\ & \widetilde{\theta } = (a_{m_{0}},a_{m_{0}+1},\ldots )^{\prime}, \end{array}$$ (2.2) where z′ denotes the transpose of z.
Treatment of Contamination in Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Contamination is the most common concern in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 50–55 % of those with OCD exhibiting contamination fear. Similarly, cleaning compulsions, the compulsions most linked to contamination OCD, are the second most common OCD symptom, second to compulsive checking. Various maladaptive cognitions, disgust sensitivity, emotion dysregulation, and neural characteristics have been associated with contamination OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) has been demonstrated to be efficacious with contamination OCD; however, individuals with contamination-related OCD respond more poorly to treatment. The majority of the research body consists of studies of adults, and little research has examined contamination OCD in children or adolescents. The following case study reviews the successful treatment of a 13-year-old with contamination-related OCD, social anxiety, and depression through the use of traditional ERP combined with therapy addressing family factors. The case illustrates the importance of clients completing exposure exercises to items at the top of the client’s exposure hierarchy as well as the impact that family factors may have on children and adolescents with contamination-related OCD.
Searching multilingual digital documents minitrack introduction

The next great challenge to digital document access is for search engines to provide access to "foreign" documents, i.e. either text documents not in the user's native language or multimedia documents (images, video, audio) without textual content upon which to anchor the search mechanism.
Deconstructing Privilege: A Contrapuntal Approach

In classrooms that are largely comprised of students from white, western, middle-class social locations, the idea that institutionalized racisms warrant investigation into the phenomenon of white privilege is often met with various forms of hostility and resistance. In such classrooms (and in society at large) ideological justifications, self-deception, various forms of culpable ignorance, along with the desire to believe that one is innocent provide privileged individuals with the luxury of believing that they have earned and deserve all the material, social, and psychological advantages they have accrued. Few seem comfortable with the fact that they are somehow complicit in a matrix of global domination as a result of their being socio-discursively constructed in a nebulous network of power relations. After reading and discussing literature on the invisible privileging mechanisms that make whiteness “natural” and preferred at the same time, one of the students in a preservice education class I visited asked her group: “Why would anyone notice or challenge something that benefits them?” Might her question be rendered moot if privilege were not conceived as entirely beneficial?
Kinetic analysis of the action of P-site analogs.

Many of the studies that led to the understanding of P-site mechanisms stem from kinetic and binding analysis of P-site inhibitors, using enzyme preparations containing the cytoplasmic domains of adenylyl cyclase. The conserved first and second cytoplasmic domains of adenylyl cyclase (C 1 and C 2 ) can be individually expressed in Escherichia coli . Although devoid of enzymatic activity on their own, the simple mixing of these domains reconstitutes full adenylyl cyclase activity, including synergistic activation by G s α and forskolin and inhibition by P-site inhibitors and G i α. However, this system has several distinct advantages over studies using membranes containing the full-length adenylyl cyclase. Kinetic analysis of the action of P-site analogs on adenylyl cyclase activity is in essence the examination of any inhibitor of enzyme action. Therefore, the classic types of kinetic experiments used to determine the mechanism of P-site inhibitors are mentioned, but those techniques that are unique to adenylyl cyclase and this class of inhibitors are emphasized.
An 8.2 J solid-state laser using phase-conjugation to coherently combine eight parallel amplifiers

Coherent coupling, or beam combining, offers a significant benefit to designers of practical high-power lasers. Unlimited by volume availability, the medium selection trade-offs can be based on many other important material parameters including stimulated-emission cross section and saturation fluence, compatibility with diode pumping, available optical quality, resistance to radiation damage, and thermo-mechanical properties. In our flashlamp-pumped laser, we chose Cr-sensitized, Nd-doped gadolinium scandium gallium garnet (Cr:Nd:GSGG), which is significantly more efficient than Nd:YAG and has thermo-mechanical properties that are vastly superior to those of Nd:glass. >
Classification of vector-valued modular forms of dimension less than six

The main purpose of this dissertation is to classify spaces of vector-valued modular forms associated to irreducible, T-unitarizable representations of the full modular group, of dimension less than six. Given such a representation, it is shown that the associated graded complex linear space of vector-valued modular forms is a free module over the ring of integral weight modular forms for the full modular group, whose rank is equal to the dimension of the given representation. An explicit basis is computed for the module structure in each case, and this basis is used to compute the Hilbert-Poincare series associated to each graded space.
EFFECT OF BREAD CRUMB STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION ON RATE OF MOISTURE SORPTION IN SANDWICH COMPOSITES

ABSTRACT Shelf-stable sandwiches will undergo thermodynamically driven migration of moisture from relatively high to relatively low aw regions, thereby potentially compromising stability and acceptance. While differences in aw determine the final moisture-content distribution, rates of migration can be affected by physicochemical properties of the moisture-receiving phase. Lowered aw bread crumb that varied in: bulk density/cell size, oil content, resistant starch content and gluten content was produced and interfaced with higher aw cheese and stored for 4 weeks. The bread was sliced into 5 mm sections parallel to the interface and added moisture per gram calculated for each section weekly, and distributions of g added moisture/g dry weight versus distance were determined. Treatment varied distribution parameters, and sorption was reduced in higher density, oil content and resistant starch content bread crumb. Adjustment of bread physicochemical properties can improve the shelf life of stored sandwiches. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Migration of moisture from higher to lower water activity regions in stored sandwich composites can be slowed – and thus, product quality enhanced – by adjusting the physicochemical properties of the bread phase. Specifically, increasing the bulk density, oil content and resistant starch content of the bread/crust component will slow sorption from higher aw fillings.
Nicotine patch plus lozenge gives greatest increases in abstinence from smoking at 6 months compared with placebo; smaller effects seen with nicotine patch alone, bupropion or nicotine lozenges alone or combined

Commentary on: ME Piper, SS Smith, TR Schlam, et al.. A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of 5 smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. Arch Gen Psychiatry2009;66:1253–62.
Emergence of mature teratoma following treatment of sacrococcygeal endodermal sinus tumor: CT and MR imaging with pathological correlation

We report a case of pseudoretroconversion in which, clinically and pathologically, it appeared that an endodermal sinus tumor retroconverted to mature teratoma. An 8-month-old white female infant with a sacrococcygeal tumor, diagnosed by biopsy as endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor), was treated with chemotherapy. The residual tumor after treatment was mature teratoma confirmed by imaging and by pathological examination. We present the computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with pathological correlation.
Flow injection microscopy for the study of intracellular calcium mobilization by muscarinic agonists.

Abstract The study of cellular response to chemical agonists is essential in understanding the complex functions mediated by cell surface receptors. Flow injection microscopy has been used with the CHO-M1-WT3 cell line and the fluorescent Ca 2+ indicator Fura-2-AM to monitor mobilization of internal Ca 2+ . Repeated stimulation of cells mounted in an inverted radial flow chamber allows the direct comparison of relative intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization with respect to agonist dose. The process of determining dose–response relationships is simplified since an entire dose–response curve can be constructed from a distinct set of cells. Use of flow injection lends precision to the application and removal of agonists while allowing cellular activity to be monitored throughout the stimulation and recovery processes. In this work, dose–response curves have been constructed for the muscarinic agonists carbachol, acetylcholine, and pilocarpine resulting in EC 50 values of 1.7 μM, 56 nM, and 6.8 μM, respectively.
Pressure estimates in two dimensional incompressible fluid flow

Abstract We derive sharp pressure estimates for two dimensional incompressible fluid flow, in terms of natural quantities such as enstrophy, energy and angular momentum. We cover both the Euler and Navier–Stokes equations, and both periodic planar flows and spherical flows.
Effects of Diet-Induced Obesity on Motivation and Pain Behavior in an Operant Assay

Obesity has been associated with multiple chronic pain disorders, including migraine. We hypothesized that diet-induced obesity would be associated with a reduced threshold for thermal nociception in the trigeminal system. In this study, we sought to examine the effect of diet-induced obesity on facial pain behavior. Mice of two different strains were fed high-fat or regular diet (RD) and tested using a well-established operant facial pain assay. We found that the effects of diet on behavior in this assay were strain and reward dependent. Obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) display lower number of licks of a caloric, palatable reward (33% sweetened condensed milk or 30% sucrose) than control mice. This occurred at all temperatures, in both sexes, and was evident even before the onset of obesity. This diminished reward-seeking behavior was not observed in obesity-resistant SKH1-E (SK) mice. These findings suggest that diet and strain interact to modulate reward-seeking behavior. Furthermore, we observed a difference between diet groups in operant behavior with caloric, palatable rewards, but not with a non-caloric neutral reward (water). Importantly, we found no effect of diet-induced obesity on acute thermal nociception in the absence of inflammation or injury. This indicates that thermal sensation in the face is not affected by obesity-associated peripheral neuropathy as it occurs when studying pain behaviors in the rodent hindpaw. Future studies using this model may reveal whether obesity facilitates the development of chronic pain after injury or inflammation.
TH-A-220-01: An Automated Optimal ROI Discovery Method for Real-Time 3D Surface Image Monitoring of Head Motion

Purpose: To increase image registration accuracy, and to remove the time‐ consuming manual region‐of‐interest (ROI) selection process for patient monitoring 3D surface imaging systems (AlignRT,VisionRT,UK), a method was developed to adaptively define an optimal ROI based on discovering topographically stable surfaces over time. Methods: Our method calculates the displacement and velocity of 3D surface points between a series of images captured in real‐time and the reference image. Using a set of selection criteria, the algorithm adaptively constructs a ROI by including only facial surfaces that move rigidly with the target and excludes surfaces that fluctuate locally such as the mandible regions and eyes. Data for five volunteers were acquired over various facial surface and motion types. A total of 27 data sets were analyzed, with 2–7 data sets for each volunteer and each data set contained consecutively captured 40–120 real‐time images. Results: The adaptive ROI selection algorithm correspondingly detected surfaces affected by different types of facial movement independent of target motions. It interpreted the eyes, eyebrows and mandible motions shown in the real‐time 3D images as independent of target motion even when AlignRT misinterpreted them, and excluded them from the final ROI. For 3D images taken with substantial facial motions, either most of the facial areas were excluded or only small areas with random patterns were included in the final ROI. The algorithm excluded the upper side and nose where the view of the cameras was blocked, and thus surface was not well‐ reconstructed in many of real‐time 3D images when couch was rotated greater than 40°. Conclusion: The method successfully located suitable ROI surfaces undergoing minimal displacement and temporal fluctuation. By automating the ROI selection process, the time and complexity of current ROI definition can be reduced, together with user‐dependent registration errors.
Structural Origins of Silk Piezoelectricity

Uniaxially oriented, piezoelectric silk films were prepared by a two-step method that involved: (1) air drying aqueous, regenerated silk fibroin solutions into films, and (2) drawing the silk films to a desired draw ratio. The utility of two different drawing techniques, zone drawing and water immersion drawing were investigated for processing the silk for piezoelectric studies. Silk films zone drawn to a ratio of λ= 2.7 displayed relatively high dynamic shear piezoelectric coefficients of d(14) = -1.5 pC/N, corresponding to over two orders of magnitude increase in d(14) due to film drawing. A strong correlation was observed between the increase in the silk II, β-sheet content with increasing draw ratio measured by FTIR spectroscopy (C(β)∝ e(2.5) (λ)), the concomitant increasing degree of orientation of β-sheet crystals detected via WAXD (FWHM = 0.22° for λ= 2.7), and the improvement in silk piezoelectricity (d(14)∝ e(2.4) (λ)). Water immersion drawing led to a predominantly silk I structure with a low degree of orientation (FWHM = 75°) and a much weaker piezoelectric response compared to zone drawing. Similarly, increasing the β-sheet crystallinity without inducing crystal alignment, e.g. by methanol treatment, did not result in a significant enhancement of silk piezoelectricity. Overall, a combination of a high degree of silk II, β-sheet crystallinity and crystalline orientation are prerequisites for a strong piezoelectric effect in silk. Further understanding of the structural origins of silk piezoelectricity will provide important options for future biotechnological and biomedical applications of this protein.
Type-2 Iodothyronine 5′Deiodinase (D2) in Skeletal Muscle of C57Bl/6 Mice. II. Evidence for a Role of D2 in the Hypermetabolism of Thyroid Hormone Receptor α-Deficient Mice

Mice with ablation of the Thra gene have cold intolerance due to an as yet undefined defect in the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) uncoupling protein (UCP). They develop an alternate form of facultative thermogenesis, activated at temperatures below thermoneutrality and associated with hypermetabolism and reduced sensitivity to diet-induced obesity. A consistent finding in Thra-0/0 mice is increased type-2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) mRNA in skeletal muscle and other tissues. With an improved assay to measure D2 activity, we show here that this enzyme activity is increased in proportion to the mRNA and as a function of the ambient cold. The activation is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system in Thra-0/0, as it is in wild-type genotype mice, but the sympathetic nervous system effect is greater in Thra-0/0 mice. Using D2-ablated mice (Dio2−/−), we reported elsewhere and show here that, in spite of sharing a severe deficiency in BAT thermogenesis with Thra-0/0 and UCP1-knockout mice, they do not have an increase in oxygen consumption, and they gain more weight than wild-type controls when fed a high-fat diet. UCP3 mRNA is highly responsive to thyroid hormone, and it is increased in Thra-0/0 mice, particularly when fed high-fat diets. We show here that muscle UCP3 mRNA in hypothyroid Thra-0/0 mice is responsive to small dose-short regimens of T4, indicating a role for locally, D2-generated T3. Lastly, we show that bile acids stimulate not only BAT but also muscle D2 activity, and this is associated with stimulation of muscle UCP3 mRNA expression provided T4 is present. These observations strongly support the concept that enhanced D2 activity in Thra-0/0 plays a critical role in their alternate form of facultative thermogenesis, stimulating increased fat oxidation by increasing local T3 generation in skeletal muscle.
Two simultaneous charge structures in thunderstorm convection

[1] A pair of simultaneous, horizontally displaced, thunderstorm electric field soundings are used to investigate an existing conceptual model of thunderstorm charge structure. The soundings show that two different vertical charge structures, one in the updraft and one outside the updraft, can exist at the same time inside a storm, as depicted in the existing model. The data suggest that the two charge structures can be relatively close together, since the soundings are separated by only 3 to 8 km horizontally in the convective region of the storm. Horizontal extent of the charge structures is estimated to be at least 4 km × 4 km. The differences in the two charge structures are coincident with substantial differences over this same 3 to 8 km horizontal distance in the reflectivity structure, updraft speed, and lightning activity of the convection. The nonupdraft sounding was made through the intense reflectivity core found at middle levels in the convection. Additional electric field complexity and additional charge regions were found in the nonupdraft sounding, and the lightning-related electric field changes tended to be larger in magnitude and more numerous in that sounding than in the updraft sounding.
Intensified Charge Injection Device (ICID) Intensifier Imager

This paper is a progress report on the development of an Intensified Charge Injection Device (ICID). The basic ICID mechanisms and its experimental verification are presented. A 244x250 element array, specifically designed for the intensified mode, will be described along with its expected performance.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Activity-dependent changes in voltage-dependent calcium currents and transmitter release

Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are important in the regulation of neuronal structure and function, and as a result, they have received considerable attention. Recent studies have begun to characterize the diversity of their properties and the relationship of this diversity to their various cellular functions. In particular, Ca2+ channels play a prominent role in depolarization-secretion coupling, where the release of neurotransmitter is very sensitive to changes in voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents. An important feature of Ca2+ channels is their regulation by electrical activity. Depolarization can selectively modulate the properties of Ca2+ channel types, thus shaping the response of the neuron to future electrical activity. In this article, we examine the diversity of Ca2+ channels found in vertebrate and invertebrate neurons, and their short- and long-term regulation by membrane potential and Ca2+ influx. Additionally, we consider the extent to which this activity-dependent regulation of Ca2+ currents contributes to the development and plasticity of transmitter releasing properties. In the studies of long-term regulation, we focus on crustacean motoneurons where activity levels, Ca2+ channel properties, and transmitter releasing properties can be followed in identified neurons.
A METHODOLOGY FOR MEASURING CONSUMER PREFERENCES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

This article presents an approach for measuring consumer preferences in developing countries. The role of marketing research in developing countries and the salient factors which have an impact on how marketing research should be conducted in these countries are briefly discussed. The popular preference measurement procedures developed in the advanced nations are briefly reviewed and found to be unsuitable for use in developing countries. Hence, an alternative approach is proposed which reduces the data collection demands imposed on the respondents. It makes use of pictorial or visual stimuli and requires input from the respondents using a simple binary scale. An empirical investigation illustrating the proposed approach is reported. The convergent validity of the proposed procedure is assessed and found to be highly satisfactory.
Cancer Biomarkers: Closer to Delivering on their Promise

Taguchi et al. describe, in this issue of Cancer Cell, a quantitative comparative biomarker discovery approach that integrates animal lung cancer models with validation in well-controlled human clinical study sets. This approach overcomes many of the major barriers that have held back the field of cancer biomarkers in the past.
Exploration of the transition temperatures and crystal structure of highly crystalline poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene): An experimental and computational investigation

Abstract Experimental determination of transition temperatures for highly crystalline polymers such as poly-1,3-cyclohexadiene (PCHD) can be difficult due to reduced solubility and thermalization processes which occur during data acquisition. In order to facilitate further understanding of these processes for PCHD, density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) were used in conjunction with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) to explore the oligomer microstructures, the crystal structure, and the temperature dependence of the specific volume (1/ρ). DFT geometry minimizations on isolated oligomers were used to identify the lowest energy confirmer; revealing that alternating R,R and S,S chiral bonds between monomer units afford the lowest energy structure. MD simulations of crystalline PCHD were constructed so as to replicate the experimental XRD pattern of crystalline PCHD, with the best fit producing a monoclinic crystal structure. The temperature dependence of the specific volume derived from MD simulations provided insight into the glass/vitrification ( T g ) and melting ( T m ) transition temperatures. Comparison of the simulation transition temperatures with differential scanning calorimetry data of PCHD polymerized with Ni(acac) 2 /MAO shows good agreement and solidifies the fidelity of the newly defined PCHD crystalline structure.
Glucose production rate in extremely immature neonates (< 28 weeks) studied by use of deuterated glucose.

ABSTRACT: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a frequent complication in immature infants. This may be due to small substrate stores, a high brain:body weight ratio, and immature enzyme systems. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the rate of glucose production in newborn infants with gestational ages of less than 28 wk. The subjects were 10 newborn infants delivered after 25 to 26 gestational wk. Their mean birth weight was 772 g (range 588–1000 g), and their mean postnatal age at the time of the study was 15 h (range 4–24 h). An isotopic compound (d-6,6-2H2-glucose) was given as a constant-rate i.v. infusion. In addition to dideuteroglucose, eight of the infants also received an i.v. infusion of unlabeled glucose at a rate of 1.4–2.6 mg·kg−1·min−1. Blood samples for determination of the concentration and isotopic enrichment of plasma glucose were obtained every 15 min in a 2-h period. Isotopic enrichment, measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, was used for calculating the glucose production rate. The mean glucose production rate related to body weight (± SD) was 6.1 ± 1.5 mg·kg−1·min−1. The results show that infants born at <28 gestational wk have a capacity to produce glucose on their 1st d of life at rates close to or even exceeding those reported in term infants.
The differential-reactor approximation under dynamic conditions

Abstract The errors introduced in using the differential-reactor assumption to analyze bench-scale reactor data are examined for dynamic operating conditions. Examples of dynamic behavior are extraction and non-catalytic fluid-solid reaction in a fixed bed of particles. These two cases are considered at isothermal conditions using a shrinking-core model. By comparing concentration vs time curves at the exit of the reactor with those obtained by the exact solution, it is possible to give some limits for the errors associated with the differential-reactor assumption. Three kinds of deviations are found: (1) a temporary, initial (and practically unimportant) error during the first residence time; (2) at intermediate times, sustained errors comparable to those associated with steady-state operation; and (3) a possible large error near the end of the extraction or reaction.
Experimental predation studies of malacophagous larvae of Sepedon fuscipennis (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) and aquatic snails

Experimental studies were conducted under both laboratory and field conditions to determine the effects of prey density, three levels of prey aggregation, water depth, and predator density on the number of snails killed per larva of Sepedon fuscipennis. Of these factors, predation rates were most influenced by prey density and water depth. The number of small (2–4.5 mm) Lymnaea palustris killed per larva of S. fuscipennis increased at a decreasing rate as prey density increased under shallow water conditions. Larvae killed a mean of 14 snails at a prey density of 200/m2, while an average of 24 snails were killed per larva of S. fuscipennis at a prey density of 4000/m2. This functional response to prey density was largely confined to third-instar larvae, and as water depth was increased the response was not apparent. A field study in which larval densities of S. fuscipennis were manipulated showed that the population density of smaller individuals of L. palustris (< 4.5 mm) was reduced when predator density was increased. Populations of Physa integra, Gyraulus parvus, and larger L. palustris were not significantly reduced by the malacophagous larvae at the levels tested.
Structural Survey of Zinc Containing Proteins and the Development of the Zinc AMBER Force Field (ZAFF)

Currently the Protein Data Bank (PDB) contains over 25 000 structures that contain a metal ion including Na, Mg, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag, Cd, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg. In general, carrying out classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of metalloproteins is a convoluted and time-consuming process. Herein, we describe MCPB (Metal Center Parameter Builder), which allows one to conveniently and rapidly incorporate metal ions using the bonded plus electrostatics model (Hoops et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 8262−8270) into the AMBER force field (FF). MCPB was used to develop a zinc FF, ZAFF, which is compatible with the existing AMBER FFs. The PDB was mined for all Zn-containing structures with most being tetrahedrally bound. The most abundant primary shell ligand combinations were extracted, and FFs were created. These include Zn bound to CCCC, CCCH, CCHH, CHHH, HHHH, HHHO, HHOO, HOOO, HHHD, and HHDD (O = water and the remaining are 1-letter amino acid codes). Bond and angle force consta...