cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of mating on female locomotor activity in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae).

Effect of mating status on locomotor activity was examined in females of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker). Mated females were more active than virgin females in both strains of N. vitripennis that were tested and regardless of whether or not the mated female stayed with her mate before testing. Mated females were more active than virgin females when tested immediately after mating and when tested 1 h, 1.5 h, and 2 h after mating. Mated females were still more active than virgin females when both had been allowed to parasitize a host for 2 h. Mated females were not significantly more active than virgin females at 1, 3, and 5 d after mating. Mated females that were allowed to parasitize a host for 3 h before testing were less active compared with those not given a host. Amount of activity was independent of a female’s head width and did not affect a female’s subsequent offspring production. Despite being more active, mated females did not kill more hosts than virgin females. However, among mated females, females that were more active subsequently killed more hosts, whereas this was not true for virgin females. Discussion of relevance to biological control and suggestions for future research are provided.
Effect of Supplemental Biotin on Reproductive Performance of Turkey Breeder Hens and its Effect on the Subsequent Progeny’s Performance

Abstract INTRODUCTION IT IS known that biotin is essential for reproduction and normal embryonic development in avian species (Cravens et al, 1942Cravens et al, 1944). Couch et al. (1948a) placed chicken hens on a low biotin diet and found that hatchability was reduced to zero by the end of the sixth week. The biotin content of deficient eggs was 28 p.p.b. of yolk and 2 p.p.b. for egg white on a wet weight basis. In another experiment, Couch et al. (1948b) demonstrated a failure of embryonic development when the yolk contained SO p.p.b. of biotin. Normal embryonic growth and development were supported by 150 p.p.b. of biotin. In recent studies, Jensen (1967) reported that egg production and hatchability were improved by biotin supplementation in diets of turkey breeder hens. The studies reported herein were conducted to determine the effect of supplemental biotin on reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens and to determine the…
Machaut's Monophonic Virelai Tuit mi penser: Intersections of Language Sound, Pitch Space, Performance, and Meaning

While analyses of vocal music often highlight connections between textual meaning and musical structure, less common is the study of language sounds in relation to musical structure. An exploration of Guillaume de Machaut's monophonic virelai Tuit mi penser highlights connections that exist between language sounds, pitch space, performance, and meaning. In particular, the refrain of Tuit mi penser fuses the pitch motion with the language sound progression to create a darkening trajectory of the musical sound. This musical sound progression is seen both in Machaut's notation as well as two performances using spectrographs, which are computer images of musical performance. A comparison of Machaut's notation with sonic analysis of actual musical performances reveals the intersections between not only pitch, language sound, and performance, but also musical structure and semantic meaning of the text.
Correction of hyponatremia and osmotic demyelinating syndrome: have we neglected to think intracellularly?

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a complication generally associated with overly rapid correction of hyponatremia. Traditionally, nephrologists have been trained to focus solely on limiting the correction rate. However, there is accumulating evidence to suggest that the prevention of ODS is beyond achieving slow correction rates. We (1) reviewed the literature for glial intracellular protective alterations during hyperosmolar stress, a state presumed equivalent to the rapid correction of hyponatremia, and (2) analyzed all available hyponatremia-associated ODS cases from PubMed for possible contributing factors including correction rates and concurrent metabolic disturbances involving hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, and/or hypoglycemia. In response to acute hyperosmolar stress, glial cells undergo immediate extracellular free water shift, followed by active intracellular Na+, K+ and amino acid uptake, and eventual idiogenic osmoles synthesis. At minimum, protective mechanisms require K+, Mg2+, phosphate, amino acids, and glucose. There were 158 cases of hyponatremia-associated ODS where both correction rates and other metabolic factors were documented. Compared with the rapid correction group (>0.5 mmol/L/h), the slow correction group (≤0.5 mmol/L/h) had a greater number of cases with concurrent hypokalemia (49.4 vs. 33.3 %, p = 0.04), and a greater number of cases with any concurrent metabolic derangements (55.8 vs. 38.3 %, p = 0.03). Glial cell minimizes volume changes and injury in response to hyperosmolar stress via mobilization and/or utilization of various electrolytes and metabolic factors. The prevention of ODS likely requires both minimization of correction rate and optimization of intracellular response during the correction phase when a sufficient supply of various factors is necessary.
A comment on the calculation of variation of drift transistor cut-off frequency with collector voltage

Abstract The formula commonly employed for calculating the internal cut-off frequency ƒα of a drift transistor is quite inadequate for estimating the variation of ƒα with collector voltage. It is shown that a good approximation to the rigorous treatment can be derived employing the charge control concept.
Fuse cut-outs — Their design and application for A-C. distribution circuits

MANY NEW developments to meet modern requirements have been applied to the renewable expulsion-fuse and oil-fuse cut-outs for a-c. distribution systems of 15,000 volts and below. While there are several different types of fuse cut-outs, the universal design problem is the interruption of an arc formed when the current carrying element melts. Both expulsion-fuse and oil-fuse cut-outs depend for this interruption upon the gas pressure generated by the current in the arc.
Prediction, Linear Regression and the Minimum Sum of Relative Errors

When linear regression is used for prediction purposes, the minimization of the sum of relative errors (MSRE) is proposed as an alternative criterion to the minimization of the sum of squared errors (MSSE) and the minimization of the sum of absolute errors (MSAE). The problem is formulated as a linear programming problem and a solution procedure is given. The problem of subset selection with the MSRE criterion is also considered and results illustrated with an example.
Hormone-induced enlargement of receptive fields in trigeminal mechanoreceptive neurons. I. Time course, hormone, sex and modality specificity

Abstract The phenomenon of hormone induced enlargement of receptive field area in mechanoreceptive neurons was investigated with respect to time course, hormone, sex and modality specificity. In acute recording experiments, threshold receptive field boundaries of single trigeminal ganglion neurons innervating the facial region of rats were determined for several different treatment groups. Among ovariectomized females injected with estradiol benzoate (EB) for 2,5, or 10 days, receptive field areas were significantly increased after only 2 days. Enlargement of field areas appeared to be maximal after 5 days of EB. Lordosis behavior was observed after 10 days of EB but not after 2 or 5 days, suggesting that receptive field enlargement occurs independently of hormone induced lordosis behavior. In normal, intact females, receptive field area varied significantly with the estrous cycle (large during estrus, small during diestrus) indicating that this phenomenon is naturally occurring, not dependent upon the method of estrogen administration. Progesterone given for 10 days had no effect on receptive field area. Treatment with 2 days of EB followed by a single progesterone injection produced reliable lordosis but did not result in any further increase in receptive field area beyond the increase produced by 2 days of EB alone. Thus the synergism between estrogen and progesterone that is recognized for induction of lordosis is absent with respect to receptive field enlargement. The small increase in field area following 10 days of testosterone treatment could be accounted for by the fact that such animals had blood serum estradiol levels comparable to animals given 2 or 5 days of EB, possibly the result of a testosterone to estrogen conversion. It was concluded that hormone induced receptive field enlargement appears specific for estrogen. Castrated male rats treated with 10 days of EB show the same increase in receptive field area as females, indicating that the phenomenon is not specific to females. Analysis of receptive field area as a function of receptive field type and adaptation rate showed that EB induced field area enlargement was specific to rapidly adapting mechanoreceptive neurons.
An overview of flexibility and generalized uncertainty in optimization

Two new powerful mathematical languages, fuzzy set theory and possibility theory, have led to two optimization types that explicitly incorporate data whose values are not real-valued nor probabilistic: 1) flexible optimization and 2) optimization under generalized uncertainty. Our aim is to make clear what these two types are, make distinctions, and show how they can be applied. Flexible optimization arises when it is necessary to relax the meaning of the mathematical relation of belonging to a set (a constraint set in the context of optimization). The mathematical language of relaxed set belonging is fuzzy set theory. Optimization under generalized uncertainty arises when it is necessary to represent parameters of a model whose values are only known partially or incompletely. A natural mathematical language for the representation of partial or incomplete information about the value of a parameter is possibility theory. Flexible optimization, as delineated here, includes much of what has been called fuzzy optimization whereas optimization under generalized uncertainty includes what has been called possibilistic optimization. We explore why flexible optimization and optimization under generalized uncertainty are distinct and important types of optimization problems. Possibility theory in the context of optimization leads to two distinct types of optimization under generalized uncertainty, single distribution and dual distribution optimization. Dual (possibility/necessity pairs) distribution optimization is new. Mathematical subject classification: 90C70, 65G40.
Ammonia detection using nanoporous alumina resistive and surface acoustic wave sensors

Abstract The effect of pore size and uniformity on the response of nanoporous anodized alumina to ammonia at room temperature, 23 °C, is reported. Pore sizes examined range from 13.6 to 48 nm, with pore size standard deviations ranging from 2.6 to 7.8 nm. The nanoporous alumina films were used in conjunction with 98.5 and 32.5 MHz surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, and as impedance-based sensors, both of which were found sensitive to ammonia. The SAW devices showed a frequency shift of approximately 0.001% per percentage change in ammonia concentration. Similarly, at 5 kHz an alumina sensor with an average pore size of 13.6 nm, standard deviation 2.6 nm, exhibits a factor of two change in impedance magnitude as it is cycled between an ammonia and argon environment. The nanoporous alumina-based sensors demonstrated a fast response time (≈30–40 s) and recovery time (≈60–80 s), and complete recovery upon removal from an ammonia ambient. We believe the enhanced physisorption of ammonia on alumina films due to the large surface area, provided by the mesoporous topology, is responsible for the sensing behavior.
From EEG source localization to source imaging

A new functional imaging technique, "FOCUS", has been developed to transform the traditional scalp EEG into an image of source activities. The image is based on multiple spatio-temporal dipole models and consists of gross spatial patterns and source waveforms reflecting the estimated activities of the different brain regions. The application of the 'FOCUS' technique to the EEG in temporal lobe epilepsy revealed the presence of different activities at the basal and lateral aspects of the temporal lobe. The source waveforms showed propagation patterns consistent with subdural recordings which were not recognizable in the scalp EEG.
The impact of cardiovascular drug innovation on the longevity of elderly residents of Switzerland, 2003-2012

Previous investigators have argued that one of the two most important contributors to improved human survival is the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Among Swiss inhabitants age 65 and over, 90% of the 1994-2010 decline in the overall death rate was due to the decline in the rate of deaths from diseases of the circulatory system. Little if any of the decline in cardiovascular mortality is likely to have been due to changes in behavioral risk factors, especially tobacco use and obesity. This study examines the impact of cardiovascular drug innovation on the longevity of elderly residents of Switzerland using cross-sectional patient-level data on about 22 thousand patients insured by a major health insurer (CSS) during the period 2003-2011. We investigate the effect of the vintage (world launch year) of the cardiovascular drugs used by an individual in 2003 on his or her longevity (time till death), controlling for several demographic characteristics and indicators of health status. We are able to track a patient’s vital status until 12/31/2011: 8 years after the end of the period in which cardiovascular drug use (and other variables) are measured. Our estimates indicate that people who used newer cardiovascular drugs in 2003 had longer time till death than people who used older cardiovascular drugs, controlling for the number of 2003 prescriptions and their distribution by main anatomical group, the number of 2003 doctor visits and their distribution by specialty, whether the person was hospitalized in 2003, sex, and age. Our most conservative estimates imply that cardiovascular drug innovation accounted for almost a quarter of the increase in longevity among elderly residents of Switzerland during 2003-2012, and that it increased their longevity by almost 3 months. Other estimates are about twice as large. All of the estimates are consistent with the hypothesis that newer classes of drugs tend to be therapeutically superior to older classes of drugs, and that newer drugs tend to be superior to older drugs within the same class. Even our more conservative estimates indicate that the use of new cardiovascular drugs by elderly residents of Switzerland has been highly cost effective. Our conservative estimate of the cost per life-year gained from cardiovascular drug innovation is below $10,000, and some economists have argued that the value of a statistical life-year is as high as $300,000.
Using a discrete choice experiment to inform the design of programs to promote colon cancer screening for vulnerable populations in North Carolina

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is suboptimal, particularly for vulnerable populations. Effective intervention programs are needed to increase screening rates. We used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to learn about how vulnerable individuals in North Carolina value different aspects of CRC screening programs. We enrolled English-speaking adults ages 50–75 at average risk of CRC from rural North Carolina communities with low rates of CRC screening, targeting those with public or no insurance and low incomes. Participants received basic information about CRC screening and potential program features, then completed a 16 task DCE and survey questions that examined preferences for four attributes of screening programs: testing options available; travel time required; money paid for screening or rewards for completing screening; and the portion of the cost of follow-up care paid out of pocket. We used Hierarchical Bayesian methods to calculate individual-level utilities for the 4 attributes’ levels and individual-level attribute importance scores. For each individual, the attribute with the highest importance score was considered the most important attribute. Individual utilities were then aggregated to produce mean utilities for each attribute. We also compared DCE-based results with those from direct questions in a post-DCE survey. We enrolled 150 adults. Mean age was 57.8 (range 50–74); 55% were women; 76% White and 19% African-American; 87% annual household income under $30,000; and 51% were uninsured. Individuals preferred shorter travel; rewards or small copayments compared with large copayments; programs that included stool testing as an option; and greater coverage of follow-up costs. Follow-up cost coverage was most frequently found to be the most important attribute from the DCE (47%); followed by test reward/copayment (33%). From the survey, proportion of follow-up costs paid was most frequently cited as most important (42% of participants), followed by testing options (32%). There was moderate agreement (45%) in attribute importance between the DCE and the single question in the post-DCE survey. Screening test copayments and follow-up care coverage costs are important program characteristics in this vulnerable, rural population.
Victor Hugo's Notre‐Dame de Paris on the Nineteenth‐Century London Stage

Victor Hugo's Notre‐Dame de Paris (1831) was translated for English readers as The Hunchback of Notre‐Dame in 1833. One year later, Quasimodo, Esmeralda, Frollo, and the rest of Hugo's cast of characters appeared in London theaters. This article is the first to discuss three nineteenth‐century English stage adaptations of Hugo's novel: two adaptations penned by dramatist Edward Fitzball – Esmeralda; or, The Deformed of Notre Dame (1834) and Quasimodo; or, The Gipsey Girl of Notre Dame (1836) – as well as Andrew Halliday's Notre‐Dame; or, The Gypsey Girl of Paris (1871). These adaptations rewrote Hugo's historical romance into domestic dramas that eschewed the novel's tragic ending in favor of a happy ending. They also erased Hugo's political commentary and social critiques from the drama. Overall, the essay demonstrates that although these changes kept Hugo's story in mass circulation for almost two centuries, they have done so at the expense of the novel's republican politics and social commentary.
A probabilistic theory of coherence

Desideratum (1) captures the qualitative features that a probabilistic generalization of logical coherence should satisfy — it requires C to respect the extreme deductive cases, and to be properly sensitive to probabilistic dependence (a general notion of probabilistic dependence will be defined precisely, and in a slightly non-standard way, below). I propose a probabilistic measure of coherence C based on a slight modification of Kemeny and Oppenheim’s (1952) measure of factual support F. The formulation of C is somewhat intricate. We begin with some preliminary definitions. First, we define the two-place function F(X,Y). F(X,Y) may be interpreted as the degree to which one proposition Y supports another proposition X (relative to a finitely additive, regular, Kolmogorov (1956) probability function Pr).
A framework for advanced practice nursing

The empirical and expository literatures about advanced nursing practice have lacked a broad, comprehensive, conceptual framework to organize and guide substantive work. Such a framework is needed during the development of health care policy, educational curricula, role descriptions, and research agendas for this arena of practice. The framework proposed in this article represents an integrative synthesis of previous work on advanced nursing practice. The proposed framework is based on the definition of advanced practice nursing as professional health care activities that (1) focus on clinical services rendered at the nurse-client interface, (2) use a nursing orientation, (3) have a defined but dynamic and evolving scope, and (4) are based on competencies that are acquired through graduate nursing education. Advanced practice nursing is comprised of activities in the domains of advanced clinical practice, health care systems management, and professional involvement in broad health care discourse.
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and cardiovascular thromboembolic events.

In the recent perspective published by Bing and Lomnicka in the Journal [(1)][1], several hypotheses were given for why cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors may cause cardiovascular events. The investigators even stated in their abstract that their report “confirms evidence that selective
Sensory aspects of drinking water in contact with epoxy lined copper pipe

Pipe relining via in situ epoxy lining is used to remediate corroded plumbing or distribution systems. This investigation examined the effects on odour, TOC, THM formation and disinfectant demand in water exposed to epoxy-lined copper pipes used for home plumbing. The study was conducted in accordance with the Utility Quick Test, a migration/leaching method for utilities to conduct sensory analysis of materials in contact with drinking water. The test was performed using water with no disinfectant and levels of chlorine and monochloramines representative of those found in the distribution system. Panelists repeatedly and consistently described a "plastic/adhesive/putty" odour in the water from the pipes. The odour intensity remained relatively constant for each of two subsequent flushes. Water samples stored in the epoxy-lined pipes showed a significant increase in the leaching of organic compounds (as TOC), and this TOC was demonstrated to react with free chlorine to form trichloromethane. Water stored in the pipes also showed a marked increase in disinfectant demand relative to the water stored in glass control flasks. A study conducted at a full scale installation at an apartment demonstrated that after installation and regular use, the epoxy lining did not yield detectable differences in water quality.
Steroid Regulation of Human Placental Integrins: Suppression ofα 2 Integrin Expression in Cytotrophoblasts by Glucocorticoids1

Maintenance of uterine-placental attachment during human pregnancy may depend at least partly on adhesive interactions between cytotrophoblasts and their extracellular matrix (ECM). Such interactions are often mediated by integrins, signal-transducing heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins. We previously showed that glucocorticoid (GC) suppressed the expression of collagen and laminin in human placenta; here we show that GC also modulates the expression by human cytotrophoblasts of the integrin subunits alpha2 and beta1, components of a known receptor for these ECM ligands. Cytotrophoblasts were isolated from human term placentas, cultured up to 4 days in the presence of 0-1000 nM dexamethasone (DEX), and assayed for 1) integrin messenger RNA (mRNA) levels by Northern hybridization, 2) integrin subunit synthesis after [35S]methionine labeling, or 3) cell surface integrin levels after 125I labeling by lactoperoxidase. In four independent experiments, 100 nM DEX reduced mRNA levels for integrin alpha2 to 6+/-1% of the control value. This effect was similar between 1-4 days of treatment and was dose dependent between 1-1000 nM DEX. Cortisol treatment (100 nM) inhibited levels of integrin alpha2 mRNA, but 100 nM testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were less effective, suggesting that this response was specific to GC. In immunoprecipitation studies, treatment of cytotrophoblasts with 100 nM DEX for 2 days reduced the rates of synthesis of the alpha2 integrin subunit as well as its expression on the cell surface to 1-10% of control levels. DEX effects on the beta1 integrin subunit were less dramatic. DEX reduced beta1 mRNA levels to only 69+/-8% of control levels, a smaller reduction compared with effects on alpha2 integrin mRNA. DEX inhibited beta1 protein synthesis and cell surface expression to 60-70% of control levels. In all experiments, DEX had no effect on total protein synthesis. Thus, our results demonstrate that GC treatment specifically and markedly down-regulates expression of alpha2 integrin subunit by human cytotrophoblasts. This finding is consistent with the concept that uterine-placental adherence across gestation may be regulated by coordinate effects on ECM ligands and cellular adhesion receptors.
A microcomputer based automated specimen weighing and recording system

This paper will discuss a portable microcomputer based data acquisition system for toxicology research. The data acquisition system and the companion data base were designed and built by a team of individuals at Battelle, which consisted of Barry Brownstein, Jack Webb, Robert Weiner, and myself. The remainder of this paper will describe the factors which affected the design of the system, as well as details regarding the system's implementation. We will first examine the motivation for such a system.
Three necessary conditions for the validity of the Fresnel phase approximation for the near-field beam pattern of an aperture

A simple, straightforward derivation of three necessary conditions that define the region of validity for the near-field directivity function (beam pattern) of an aperture (array) is presented. The derivation of all three criteria is based on determining what conditions must be satisfied in order to obtain a valid Fresnel approximation of the time-independent free-space Green's function. Comparisons with other near-field conditions in the literature are made. >
Optical encryption system with a binary key code

A double-random-phase optical encryption system that uses a binary key code is proposed. The key code is generated as a binary computer-generated hologram. The binary key code can be displayed on a binary spatial light modulator (SLM) such as a ferroelectric liquid-crystal display. The use of a binary SLM enables us to renew the key at high speed. A joint transform correlator based on a photorefractive crystal in the Fourier domain is used to perform shift-invariant encryption and decryption. Computer simulations of the effects of using a binary encoded key code instead of a complex amplitude key code are shown. Preliminary optical experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Perturbation Theory of the Constrained Variational Method in Molecular Quantum Mechanics

The variational problem of minimizing the energy of a trial wavefunction which is constrained to give the known theoretical or experimental expectation value of an operator is discussed. A perturbation approach is developed, which leads to simple equations for estimating the effect of the constraint on the expectation values of other operators, and the increase in energy due to the constraint. It is shown that for hypervirial operators the constraint procedure for satisfying the corresponding hypervirial theorem leads to equal and opposite results from the variational procedure. The equations are compared with those of a conventional perturbation treatment, which tends to support the constraint procedure. The theory is extended to cover the effect of constraints on second‐order properties and multiple constraints. The perturbation equations are applied to Robinson's (1957) calculations on the lithium hydride molecule, previously discussed by Rasiel and Whitman (1965).
Cholinergic suppression of transmission may allow combined associative memory function and self-organization in the neocortex

Selective suppression of transmission at feedback synapses during learning is proposed as a mechanism for combining associative feedback with self-organization of feed forward synapses. Experimental data demonstrates cholinergic suppression of synaptic transmission in layer I (feedback synapses), and a lack of suppression in layer IV (feedforward synapses). A network with this feature uses local rules to learn mappings which are not linearly separable. During learning, sensory stimuli and desired response are simultaneously presented as input. Feedforward connections form self-organized representations of input, while suppressed feedback connections learn the transpose of feedforward connectivity. During recall, suppression is removed, sensory input activates the self-organized representation, and activity generates the learned response.
Improvement of defibrillation efficacy with preshock synchronized pacing

Introduction: We previously demonstrated that wavefront synchronization by spatiotemporal excitable gap pacing (Sync P) is effective at facilitating spontaneous termination of ventricular fibrillation (VF). Therefore, we hypothesized that a spatiotemporally controlled defibrillation (STCD) strategy using defibrillation shocks preceded by Sync P can improve defibrillation efficacy. Method and Results: We explored the STCD effects in 13 isolated rabbit hearts. During VF, a low-voltage gradient (LVG) area was synchronized by Sync P for 0.92 second. For Sync P, optical action potentials (OAPs) adjacent to four pacing electrodes (10 mm apart) were monitored. When one of the electrodes was in the excitable gap, a 5-mA current was administered from all electrodes. A shock was delivered 23 ms after the excitable gap when the LVG area was unexcitable. The effects of STCD was compared to random shocks (C) by evaluating the defibrillation threshold 50% (DFT50; n = 35 for each) and preshock coupling intervals (n = 208 for STCD, n = 172 for C). Results were as follows. (1) Sync P caused wavefront synchronization as indicated by a decreased number of phase singularity points (P < 0.0001) and reduced spatial dispersion of VF cycle length (P < 0.01). (2) STCD decreased DFT50 by 10.3% (P < 0.05). (3) The successful shocks showed shorter preshock coupling intervals (CI; P < 0.05) and a higher proportion of unexcitable shock at the LVG area (P < 0.001) than failed shocks. STCD showed shorter CIs (P < 0.05) and a higher unexcitable shock rate at LVG area (P < 0.05) than C. Conclusion: STCD improves defibrillation efficacy by synchronizing VF activations and increasing probability of shock delivery to the unexcitable LVG area. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 581-587, May 2004)
Metribuzin degradation in soil. I, Effects of soybean residue amendment, metribuzin level, and soil depth

Plant residue and soil depth effects on metribuzin degradation were investigated. Dundee silt loam soil collected at depth increments of 0–10 cm (SUR) and 10–35 cm (SUB) was treated with labeled [5−14 C]metribuzin. Samples were assayed at several time points up to 140 days after treatment. Soybean residue was added to half of the SUR samples (RES), with remaining SUR unamended (NORES). None of the SUB samples were amended with soybean residue. Metribuzin mineralization to 14CO2 proceeded more slowly in RES and SUB than in NORES and SUR, respectively. Extractable components in SUR samples included polar metabolites, plus deaminated metribuzin (DA) in the RES, and parent metribuzin in the NORES. Deaminated diketometribuzin (DADK) and metribuzin comprised major 14C components extracted from SUB, while in SUR, faster degradation of metabolites resulted in metrizubin as the primary identifiable compound. Unextractable 14C increased until day 35 for both RES and NORES, after which it remained constant for NORES. but declined for RES. A corresponding rise in RES polar 14C suggested that as soybean residue decomposed, 14C bound in the residue was released as extractable polar material. Soil with soybean residue accumulation may alter metabolite degradation patterns, but does not impede initial metribuzin degradation. Depth differences in metribuzin degradation were attributed to reductions in microbial activity with increasing soil depth.
Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infections, Chicago Pediatric Hospital.

Invasive and skin community-associated (CA)–methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from children were matched with invasive CA–methicillin-sensitive S. aureus strains during 2000–2004. Isolates were analyzed for presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin. A USA400 lineage clone (n = 6) and the predominant USA300 lineage clone emerged.
Some new results on momentum and heat transfer in compressible turbulent free jets

Momentum and heat transfer in axisymmetric turbulent free jets exhausting into quiescent air, using finite difference technique
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Chemokine Receptor 2-Deficient Mice: Influence of Dose on Disease Progression

Within a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced granuloma, lymphocytes and macrophages work together to control bacterial growth and limit the spread of infection. Chemokines and chemokine receptors are involved in cell migration and are logical candidates for a role in granuloma formation. In the present study we addressed the role of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in M. tuberculosis infection. In previous studies (W. Peters et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:7958-7963, 2001), CCR2−/− mice were found to be highly susceptible to a moderate or high dose of H37Rv administered intravenously (i.v.). We have expanded those studies to demonstrate that the susceptibility of CCR2−/− mice is dose dependent. After low-dose aerosol or i.v. infection of CCR2−/− mice with M. tuberculosis, there was a substantial delay in cell migration to the lungs and delayed expression of gamma interferon and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The CCR2−/− mice had a severe and prolonged deficiency in the number of macrophages in the lungs and an early increase in the number of neutrophils. Despite these deficiencies in cell migration, the CCR2−/− mice did not have increased bacterial loads in the lungs compared to wild-type (C57BL/6) mice and successfully formed granulomas. This finding is in contrast to CCR2−/− mice infected with a high dose of M. tuberculosis administered i.v. These results indicate that with low-dose infection, a delay in immune response in the lungs does not necessarily have detrimental long-term effects on the progression of the disease. The fact that CCR2−/− mice survive with substantially fewer macrophages in the low-dose models implies that the immune response to low-dose M. tuberculosis infection in mice is more robust than necessary to control the infection. Finally, these data demonstrate that, in cases of infectious disease in knockout models, clear phenotypes may not be evident when one is solely evaluating bacterial numbers and survival. Functional assays may be necessary to reveal roles for components of the multifactorial immune system.
Structural analysis of the lipooligosaccharide from the commensal Haemophilus somnus genome strain 129Pt

The structure of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from the commensal Haemophilus somnus strain 1P was elucidated. The structure of the O-deacylated LOS was established by monosaccharide analysis, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The following structure for the O-deacylated LOS was determined on the basis of the combined data from these experiments. [chemical structure: see text] In the structure Kdo is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid, Hep is L-glycero-D-manno-heptose and lipid A-OH refers to O-deacylated Lipid A. The elucidation of this structure has increased our understanding of the relationship between the variability in LOS structure and the pathogenic potential of this organism. Specifically, the inability of this commensal strain to sialylate its LOS suggests that LOS sialylation could be a crucial virulence factor for H. somnus.
Thermal Contact Resistance and Thermal Conductivity of a Carbon Nanofiber

It has been suggested that CNTs and carbon nanofibers CNFs can be used as thermal interface materials to enhance contact thermal conductance for electronic packaging applications. Several groups have reported mixed experimental results from no improvements to large improvements in the thermal contact conductance due to the CNTs and CNFs 8‐12. These mixed results can be caused by the difference in surface coverage and perpendicular alignment of the CNTs or CNFs. Moreover, the results can be affected by two other factors. First, the CNTs and CNFs grown using different methods possess different defect densities and different intrinsic thermal conductivities. Secondly, the contact thermal resistance of the nanometer scale point and line contacts between a CNT or CNF and a planar surface can be high due to enhanced phonon-boundary scattering at the nanocontacts. We have used a microfabricated device to measure the thermal resistance of an individual CNF from a vertically aligned CNF film for applications as thermal interface materials. The measurement was conducted before and after a platinum Pt layer was deposited on the contacts between the CNF and the microdevice so as to investigate the thermal contact resistance between the CNF and a planar surface. The contact resistance was reduced by the platinum coating for about 9‐13% of the total thermal resistance of the nanofiber sample before the Pt coating. At temperature 300 K, the obtained axial thermal conductivity of the carbon nanofibers was about three times smaller than that of graphite fibers grown by pyrolysis of natural gas prior to high-temperature heat treatment.
Genetic map of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, edition 10.

Etude des parametres de croissance de la levure ascomycete Clavispova lusitanine. La mort cellulaire est concomitante avec une croissance exponentielle au-dela d'une temperature maximum. Il existe deux temperatures maximum
Highly Undersampled Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction via Homotopic $\ell_{0}$ -Minimization

In clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), any reduction in scan time offers a number of potential benefits ranging from high-temporal-rate observation of physiological processes to improvements in patient comfort. Following recent developments in compressive sensing (CS) theory, several authors have demonstrated that certain classes of MR images which possess sparse representations in some transform domain can be accurately reconstructed from very highly undersampled K-space data by solving a convex lscr1-minimization problem. Although lscr1-based techniques are extremely powerful, they inherently require a degree of over-sampling above the theoretical minimum sampling rate to guarantee that exact reconstruction can be achieved. In this paper, we propose a generalization of the CS paradigm based on homotopic approximation of the lscr0 quasi-norm and show how MR image reconstruction can be pushed even further below the Nyquist limit and significantly closer to the theoretical bound. Following a brief review of standard CS methods and the developed theoretical extensions, several example MRI reconstructions from highly undersampled K-space data are presented.
Increasing the Problem-Solving Skills of Students with Developmental Disabilities Participating in General Education:

Although skill in problem solving is critical to success in school and the community, as well as to promoting student self-determination, problem solving remains a neglected curriculum area for students with developmental disabilities. Using the self-determined learning model, 4 students with mental retardation or developmental disabilities were taught problem-solving skills to achieve self-set goals. A multiple-baseline-across-participants design was used, and the instruction was provided in general education content classes. Target behaviors included increasing appropriate touching, increasing contributions to class discussion, and increasing direction following. Data revealed immediate and dramatic changes for all participants, with performance levels maintained at 100%. Anecdotal social validation data supported the findings. The implications of these findings in respect to promoting self-determination and inclusive practice are discussed.
Inhibition of Granzyme B by PI-9 protects prostate cancer cells from apoptosis.

BACKGROUND. In order for tumors to grow and proliferate, they must avoid recognition by immune cells and subsequent death by apoptosis. Granzyme B (GrB), a protease located in natural killer cells, initiates apoptosis in target cells. Inhibition of GrB by PI-9, its natural inhibitor, can prevent apoptosis. Here we investigate whether PI-9 protects prostate cancer cells from apoptosis. METHODS. The expression of PI-9 was quantified by qPCR in several prostate cancer cell lines, and GrB activity was tested in each cell line. PI-9 was overexpressed in LNCaP cells, which lack endogenous PI-9. Apoptosis was induced by natural killer cells in LNCaP cells that either contained or lacked PI-9, and the percent cell death was quantified. Lastly, PI-9 levels were examined by qPCR and immunohistochemistry in prostate tumor tissue. RESULTS. Prostate cancer cell lines that expressed PI-9 could inhibit GrB. Overexpression of PI-9 protected LNCaP cells from natural killer cell-mediated apoptosis. Examination of the levels of PI-9 in tissue from prostate tumors showed that PI-9 could be upregulated in low grade tumors and stochastically dysregulated in high grade tumors. Additionally, PI-9 was found consistently in high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and atrophic lesions. CONCLUSIONS. These results indicate that overexpression of PI-9 can protect prostate cancer cells from apoptosis, and this effect may occur in human prostate tumors. These findings imply that early prostatic inflammation may trigger this increase in PI-9. This suggests that PI-9 upregulation is needed early in tumor progression, before additional protective mechanisms are in place. Prostate # 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Zinc metabolism in schistosomes.

SummaryWhen 65ZnCl2 was injected intraperitoneally into hamsters infected with Schistosoma mansoni the incorporation of 65Zn into the parasite, including worms of both sexes and eggs, was much greater than the incorporation of 65Zn into host tissue. Furthermore, the worm/blood 65Zn concentration ratio increased throughout 21 days, being 10 and 20 after 1 day for female and male worms respectively, and 36 and 44 after 21 days. The determination of biological half-life of tracer doses of 65Zn in hamsters heavily infected with S. mansoni and in hamsters not infected showed no significant differences in half-life between the two groups up to 50 days postinjection.
3D Printing And The Future Of Complex Legal Challenges: The Next Great Disruptive Technology Opportunity Or Threat?

The advent of 3D printing brought with it a variety of legal challenges, including intellectual property concerns. In 2014, the 3D printing technology is not futuristic sci-fi anymore. Goldman Sachs included 3D printing in a list of seven technologies that are reshaping the way we live and are reinventing, the notion of what’s possible. There is not a day anymore when you don’t hear about this technology. Examples are legion, such as: Philips announced a collection of new 3D-printed lamp line; NASA customized spacecraft and instrument parts using 3D printing, New Balance is introducing a track-specific running shoe that uses 3-D printing to create a plate on the sole of the shoe that is supposed to enhance performance with every step, Microsoft is extending its 3D modeling and printing application to the cloud, allowing users to create and print 3D objects, Nike 3D printed “concept cleat” for shuttle drill using SLS plate construction, etc.This article has two objectives. First, we quickly present how 3D printing works. Second, we discuss how 3D printing is raising new legal issues as it brings sophisticated manufacturing capabilities into the homes and offices of millions around the world and will become the next industrial revolution.
Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current in arterial smooth muscle cells from aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats

Aorta from aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats (AHR) demonstrates an increased basal 42K efflux. We investigated the cellular mechanisms of this alteration by measuring 42K efflux from aortic segmen...
Study on Reasons and Measures for Exam Attributional Bias——Based on the Case Study of Vocational College Student S

Currently,the attributional bias about test failure is very common on campus.The student S shows dangerous attribution bias.He simply owns his failure to tether' s will.Such a bias has never been discussed in any openly published articles.Therefore case study is significantly urgent.This article discusses the reasons from individual,school to society perspectives.It is believed that the main reasons are campus exam credibility crisis induced by social negative influence,college exam policy and student's moral decline and vocational students special learning concept.In the end,this article puts forward some measures based on the case study.
Probable Place of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis Involving the Hip

Summary At the time of this writing our experience with total hip arthroplasty is entering its third year. We are using the Charnley low friction arthroplasty and feel confident in advising total hip arthroplasty to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid spondylitis involving the hips, this procedure gives the most predictable result for both relief of pain and restoration of function. Complications are considerably less than with any other surgical procedure used before for relief of pain and improvement of function; this would include cup arthroplasty and replacement of the femoral head. Special consideration must be given the rheumatoid patient because of the general nature of his disease and the involvement of multiple joints in most instances. Yet although this may preclude his ambulating as well as the patient with osteoarthritis, the rheumatoid patient is usually quite satisfied when he is able to move about as he wishes with little or no pain or when he can move even from bed to chair with greater ease than before the operation. We have operated on patients younger than 50 years of age, which is our standard lower age for total hip arthroplasty, because so many rheumatoid patients have involvement at a younger age and because of the severe crippling nature of the disease. The problem is usually bilateral. These patients tend to put less stress on their new hip joints than those with osteoarthritis.
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Catalyzed Aluminum Carbide Formation at Aluminum-Carbon Interfaces

Aluminum carbide may form at aluminum-graphite interfaces during the high temperature processing of graphite fiber reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites. The presence of carbide at these interfaces is generally believed to be detrimental to the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the resulting composites.
AIDS prevention: legislative options.

This article reviews legislative options to prevent the transmission of HIV infection. It distinguishes between pre-exposure measures designed to prevent intitial exposure, and post-exposure measures aimed at preventing infected individuals from exposing others. Part I identifies education as the key component of a comprehensive prevention program, and reviews options for pre-exposure education programs designed to avoid or minimize exposure. Part II reviews post-exposure prevention measures, focusing on reporting and contact tracing provisions. Mandatory reporting by name of individuals testing HIV positive and mandatory contact tracing are opposed as counterproductive prevention measures; voluntary partner notification is supported. Part III examines various prevention efforts for settings where there may be either a real or perceived risk of transmission of HIV infection. Part IV sets out conclusions.