cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasticizer migration from children's toys, child care articles, art materials, and school supplies.

Abstract Dialkyl phthalates, including diisononyl phthalate (DINP), have been used as plasticizers in children's products made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), such as teethers and toys. Children may be exposed to phthalates when handling or mouthing PVC products because plasticizers are not covalently bound. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 prohibited certain phthalates from use in child care articles and children's toys. Thus, manufacturers have changed to other plasticizers or non-PVC plastics and there is interest in evaluating the potential health risks of alternative plasticizers. In 2008, CPSC staff purchased 63 children's products comprising 129 individual pieces (articles). Plastics identified FTIR included PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Plasticizers identified by in the 38 PVC articles included acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC) (20); di (2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) (14); 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINX) (13); 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TPIB) (9); di (2 ethyhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (1); and DINP (1). Half of the tested articles contained multiple plasticizers. CPSC measured migration rates using the Joint Research Centre method. Migration rates correlated roughly with plasticizer concentration and inversely with the molecular mass of the plasticizer. We then combined the migration rates with data on mouthing duration to estimate children's exposure to plasticizers in toys and child care articles, and estimated margins of exposure. All margins of exposure were >1,000, suggesting a low risk potential. However, the plasticizers in this study have multiple uses. Exposure from other sources and routes of exposure will be considered in future work.
Put an elephant into a fridge: optimizing cache efficiency for in-memory key-value stores

In today's data centers, memory-based key-value systems, such as Memcached and Redis, play an indispensable role in providing high-speed data services. The rapidly growing capacity and quickly falling price of DRAM memory in the past years have enabled us to create a large memory-based key-value store, which is able to serve hundreds of Gigabytes to even Terabytes of key-value data all in memory. Unfortunately, CPU cache in modern processors has not seen a similar growth in capacity, still remaining at the level of a few dozens of Megabytes. Such an extremely low cache-to-memory ratio (less than 0.1%) poses a significant new challenge---the limited CPU cache is becoming a severe performance bottleneck that hinders us from fully exploiting the great potential of high-speed memory-based key-value stores.To address this critical challenge, we propose a highly cache-efficient scheme, called Cavast, to optimize the cache utilization of large-capacity in-memory key-value stores. Our goal is to maximize cache efficiency and system performance without any hardware changes. We first present two light-weight, software-only mechanisms to enable user to indirectly control the cache content at application level. Then we propose a set of optimization policies to address several critical design issues that impair cache's efficacy in the current key-value store systems. By carefully reorganizing the data layout in memory, redesigning the hash indexing structure, and offloading garbage collection, we can effectively improve the utilization of the limited cache space. We have developed a module in Linux as a kernel-level support, and implemented two prototypes based on Memcached and Redis with the proposed Cavast scheme. Our experimental studies show promising results. On a 6-core Intel Xeon processor with only 15-MB cache, we can raise the cache hit ratio up to 82.7% with a very small cache-to-memory ratio (0.023%), and significantly increase the key-value system throughput by a factor of up to 4.2.
Targeting of the diabetes prevention program leads to substantial benefits when capacity is constrained

Approximately 84 million people in the USA have pre-diabetes, but only a fraction of them receive proven effective therapies to prevent type 2 diabetes. We estimated the value of prioritizing individuals at highest risk of progression to diabetes for treatment, compared to non-targeted treatment of individuals meeting inclusion criteria for the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Using microsimulation to project outcomes in the DPP trial population, we compared two interventions to usual care: (1) lifestyle modification and (2) metformin administration. For each intervention, we compared targeted and non-targeted strategies, assuming either limited or unlimited program capacity. We modeled the individualized risk of developing diabetes and projected diabetic outcomes to yield lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life expectancy, from which we estimated net monetary benefits (NMB) for both lifestyle and metformin versus usual care. Compared to usual care, lifestyle modification conferred positive benefits and reduced lifetime costs for all eligible individuals. Metformin’s NMB was negative for the lowest population risk quintile. By avoiding use when costs outweighed benefits, targeted administration of metformin conferred a benefit of $500 per person. If only 20% of the population could receive treatment, when prioritizing individuals based on diabetes risk, rather than treating a 20% random sample, the difference in NMB ranged from $14,000 to $20,000 per person. Targeting active diabetes prevention to patients at highest risk could improve health outcomes and reduce costs compared to providing the same intervention to a similar number of patients with pre-diabetes without targeted selection.
Chemotherapy and Abdominal Wall Closure Technique Increase the Probability of Postoperative Ventral Incisional Hernia in Patients With Colon Cancer.

BackgroundChemotherapy is associated with postoperative ventral incisional hernia (PVIH) after right hemicolectomy (RHC) for colon cancer, and abdominal wall closure technique may affect PVIH. We s...
AGO2 promotes tumor progression in KRAS-driven mouse models of non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the deadliest malignancy in the United States. Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of cases and is frequently driven by activating mutations in the gene encoding the KRAS GTPase (e.g., KRASG12D). Our previous work demonstrated that Argonaute 2 (AGO2)—a component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)—physically interacts with RAS and promotes its downstream signaling. We therefore hypothesized that AGO2 could promote KRASG12D-dependent NSCLC in vivo. To test the hypothesis, we evaluated the impact of Ago2 knockout in the KPC (LSL-KrasG12D/+;p53f/f;Cre) mouse model of NSCLC. In KPC mice, intratracheal delivery of adenoviral Cre drives lung-specific expression of a stop-floxed KRASG12D allele and biallelic ablation of p53. Simultaneous biallelic ablation of floxed Ago2 inhibited KPC lung nodule growth while reducing proliferative index and improving pathological grade. We next applied the KPHetC model, in which the Clara cell–specific CCSP-driven Cre activates KRASG12D and ablates a single p53 allele. In these mice, Ago2 ablation also reduced tumor size and grade. In both models, Ago2 knockout inhibited ERK phosphorylation (pERK) in tumor cells, indicating impaired KRAS signaling. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of KPC nodules and nodule-derived organoids demonstrated impaired canonical KRAS signaling with Ago2 ablation. Strikingly, accumulation of pERK in KPC organoids depended on physical interaction of AGO2 and KRAS. Taken together, our data demonstrate a pathogenic role for AGO2 in KRAS-dependent NSCLC. Given the prevalence of this malignancy and current difficulties in therapeutically targeting KRAS signaling, our work may have future translational relevance.
Assessing Tactical Scheduler Options for Time-Based Surface Metering

NASA is committed to demonstrating a concept of integrated arrival, departure, and surface operations by 2020 under the Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD2) sub-project. This will be accomplished starting with a demonstration of flight specific time-based departure metering at Charlotte Douglass International Airport (CLT). ATD2 tactical metering capability is based on NASAs Spot And Runway Departure Advisor (SARDA) which has been tested successfully in human-in-the-loop simulations of CLT. SARDA makes use of surface surveillance data and surface modeling to estimate the earliest takeoff time for each flight active on the airport surface or ready for pushback from the gate. The system then schedules each flight to its assigned runway in order of earliest takeoff time and assigns a target pushback time, displayed to ramp controllers as an advisory gate hold time. The objective of this method of departure metering is to move as much delay as possible to the gate to minimize surface congestion and engine on-time, while keeping sufficient pressure on the runway to maintain throughput. This flight specific approached enables greater flight efficiency and predictability, facilitating trajectory-based operations and surface-airspace integration, which ATD2 aims to achieve.Throughout ATD2 project formulation and system development, researchers have continuously engaged with stakeholders and future users, uncovering key system requirements for tactical metering that SARDA did not address. The SARDA scheduler is updated every 10 seconds using real-time surface surveillance data to ensure the most up-to-date information is used to predict runway usage. However, rapid updates also open the potential for fluctuating advisories, which Ramp controllers at a busy airport like CLT find unacceptable. Therefore, ATD2 tactical metering requires that all advisories freeze once flights are ready so that Ramp controllers may communicate a single hold time when responding to pilot ready calls.
Inference of large modified Poisson-type graphical models: Application to RNA-seq data in childhood atopic asthma studies

Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technology have yielded huge amounts of transcriptomic data. The discreteness and the high dimensions of RNA-seq data have posed great challenges in biological network analysis. Although estimation theories for high-dimensional modified Poisson-type graphical models have been proposed for the network analysis of count-valued data, the statistical inference of these models is still largely unknown. We herein propose a two-step procedure in both edgewise and global statistical inference of these modified Poisson-type graphical models using a cutting-edge generalized low-dimensional projection approach for bias correction. Extensive simulations and a real example with ground truth illustrate asymptotic normality of edgewise inference and more accurate inferential results in multiple testing compared to the sole estimation and the inferential method under normal assumption. Furthermore, the application of our method to novel RNA-seq data of childhood atopic asthma in Puerto Ricans demonstrates more biologically meaningful results compared to the sole estimation and the inferential methods based on Gaussian and nonparanormal graphical models.
Mitral atresia with levoatriocardinal vein. A form of congenital pulmonary venous obstruction.

Abstract In an infant with mitral atresia and an almost imperforate atrial septum a collateral venous channel provided a pathway through which pulmonary venous blood was carried to the systemic venous system. The collateral channel started at the upper left pulmonary vein and connected with the left innominate vein. Similarities between this case and the one in the literature are emphasized. In the latter, the collateral channel began at the left atrium and terminated in a systemic vein derived from the cardinal venous system, hence the name levoatriocardinal vein. The case emphasizes the point that angiocardiographic demonstration of an anomalous pulmonary venous channel does not preclude the presence of an underlying serious intracardiac obstructive lesion as mitral atresia with inadequate interatrial communication. Roentgenographic evidence of pulmonary venous obstruction and cardiac enlargement should suggest this possibility.
What is it Like to be a Deliberative Democrat

It has become fashionable these days to talk about “deliberative” models of democracy. Political theorists as diverse as Jurgen Habermas, Joshua Cohen, and Seyla Benhabib have been arguing that within democratic politics, the justification of the political authority vested in any particular policy depends in part on the process by which it was created and enacted. In their recent book, Democracy and Disagreement, Amy Gutmann and Dennis Thompson argue that moral conflict is inevitable in political discourse, and thus that the legitimacy of any given policy comes from the deliberative process by which that policy was chosen. In Democratic Education, Gutmann argued that democracy “is a political ideal — of a society whose adult members are, and continue to be, equipped by their education and authorized by political structures to share in ruling.” In order to understand what kind of citizens are necessary to fulfill this ideal, we must understand what it is that the citizen is required to do in taking up his or her share in ruling. We might refer to these requirements as the requirements of democratic citizenry.
Constructing all minimum genus embeddings of K3,n

Abstract We show that all minimum genus embeddings of K 3 , n , orientable or nonorientable, can be constructed using simple operations based on adding one crosscap or one handle at a time.
Corrosion Behavior of Cerium-Based Conversion Coatings on Magnesium Alloys Exposed to Ambient Conditions

Exposure of CeCCs on AZ31B and AZ91D Mg alloys to ambient sunlight, temperature, and humidity was done to determine the effect on corrosion resistance. It was found that the CeCCs changed from pale yellow to almost translucent after 24 hours of sunlight exposure. The effect of the solar electromagnetic radiation on the morphological, chemical and optical properties of these coatings was investigated using SEM and UV-Vis characterization techniques. In addition, the corrosion performance of CeCCs before and after ambient exposure was studied by ASTM B117 neutral spray testing and electrochemical polarization measurements. In general, the changes in appearance did not adversely affect the corrosion performance of the coatings.
The roles of potassium currents in Drosophila flight muscles

The roles of different K+ currents in regulating the generation and waveform of action potentials in Drosophila dorsal longitudinal flight muscles (DLMs) were examined in current-clamp experiments. In response to depolarizing current, DLMs displayed an initial transient rectification of the electronic potential lasting for up to hundreds of milliseconds. This delay in excitation was followed by oscillations or graded spikes that finally gave way to sharply rising spikes. Previous voltage-clamp studies of DLMs have revealed an inward Ca2+ current and at least three K+ currents: IA and IK, which are voltage-dependent, and IC, which is Ca2+ dependent. IA and IC are early inactivating currents, while IK is a slow, noninactivating current. In mature adults, selective elimination of IA either with Shaker (Sh) mutations or with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), had no effect on spike duration or on the delay in excitation. In contrast, when IC was specifically eliminated with the slowpoke (slo) mutation, there was no delay before excitation, the amplitude of the spikes was significantly increased, and the spike duration was increased by 10-fold. Similar results were obtained by reducing IC in normal muscle by intracellular injections of EGTA or by use of low Ca2+ saline. Furthermore, DLM spikes evoked in slo by stimulation of the motorneuron were also broadened, suggesting that IC functions in a similar manner during normal flight as in current-clamped muscles. Elimination of IK along with IA and IC in saline containing tetraethylammonium or Ba2+ resulted in further prolongation of the DLM spike. In Ba2+ saline, there was an additional increase in spike amplitude as well. We conclude that in mature adults, IC, rather than IA, plays the major role in repolarization of DLM spikes and in the delay before excitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A 360° Digital Phase Detector with 100-kHz Bandwidth

The general availability of digital circuit components with propagation delay times of a few nanoseconds makes a digital phase detector with good bandwidth feasible. Such a circuit has a distinct advantage over its analog counterpart because of its linearity over a wide range of phase shift. This paper describes a phase detector that is being built at Los Alamos National Laboratory for the Fusion Materials Irradiation Test (FMIT) project. The specifications are 100-kHz bandwidth, linearity of ± 1° over ± 180° of phase shift, and 0.66° resolution. To date, the circuit has achieved the bandwidth and resolution. The linearity is approximately ± 3° over ± 180° phase shift.
Size complexity of volume meshes vs. surface meshes

Typical volume meshes in three dimensions are designed to conform to an underlying two-dimensional surface mesh, with volume mesh element size growing larger away from the surface. The surface mesh may be uniformly spaced or highly graded, and may have fine resolution due to extrinsic mesh size concerns. When we desire that such a volume mesh have good aspect ratio, we require that some space-filling scaffold vertices be inserted off the surface. We analyze the number of scaffold vertices in a setting that encompasses many existing volume meshing algorithms. We show that under simple preconditions, the number of scaffold vertices will be linear in the number of surface vertices.
MMR vaccination status of children exempted from school-entry immunization mandates.

Abstract Background Child immunizations are one of the most successful public health interventions of the past century. Still, parental vaccine hesitancy is widespread and increasing. One manifestation of this are rising rates of nonmedical or “personal beliefs” exemptions (PBEs) from school-entry immunization mandates. Exemptions have been shown to be associated with increased risk of disease outbreak, but the strength of this association depends critically on the true vaccination status of exempted children, which has not been assessed. Objective To estimate the true measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination status of children with PBEs. Methods We use administrative data collected by the California Department of Public Health in 2009 and imputation to estimate the MMR vaccination status of children with PBEs under varying scenarios. Results Results from 2009 surveillance data indicate MMR1/MMR2 coverage of 18–47% among children with PBEs at typical schools and 11–34% among children with PBEs at schools with high PBE rates. Imputation scenarios point to much higher coverage (64–92% for MMR1 and 25–58% for MMR2 at typical schools; 49–90% for MMR1 and 16–63% for MMR2 at high PBE schools) but still below levels needed to maintain herd immunity against measles. Conclusions These coverage estimates suggest that prior analyses of the relative risk of measles associated with vaccine refusal underestimate that risk by an order of magnitude of 2–10 times.
Teaching to Talent: Evaluating an Enriched and Accelerated Mathematics Program

The authors present an evaluation of the Gifted Math Program, which was established in 1984 and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. Mathematics achievement, and mathematics preferences were assessed for second-seventh grade students who participated in the program, as compared with students who were accepted but did not participate. Significant differences were found on mathematical achievement favoring students in the program. The two groups did not differ on stated preferences for learning math, however, the groups differed dramatically on expressed opportunities in math. The authors conclude that there are programs which can address the needs of bright young mathematicians.
Active Transport of Biotin in Escherichia coli K-12

The transport of [(14)C]biotin into cells of a biotin prototroph, Escherichia coli K-12 strain Y10-1, was investigated. The vitamin taken up by the cells in this strain existed primarily in the free form. Addition of glucose enhanced the rate of uptake six- to eightfold and the steady level was reached in 2 to 3 min resulting in accumulation of biotin against a concentration gradient. The uptake showed marked dependence on temperature (Q(10), 2.3; optimum, 37 C) and pH (optimum 6.6) and was inhibited by iodoacetate. Energy of activation for glucose-dependent uptake was calculated to be 16,200 cal per mol. The rate of biotin uptake with increasing biotin concentrations showed saturation kinetics with an apparent K(m) and V(max) values of 1.4 x 10(-7) M and 6.6 pmol per mg of dry cells per min respectively. The cells also accumulated biotin against a concentration gradient in the absence of added glucose, although at a much lower rate. This accumulation was much more susceptible to inhibition by azide and uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation suggesting that the energy source was supplied through the electron-transport chain. Inhibition studies with a number of biotin analogues indicated the requirement for an intact ureido ring. The biotin uptake was inhibited in cells grown in biotin-containing medium and was shown to be the result of repression of the transport system, suggesting the control of the biotin transport.
Sar: semantic-aware replication

This dissertation presents a replication framework that facilitates semantic-aware data replication (SAR) in wide area networks (WANs). WAN data replication is fundamentally difficult. As a result, generic replication algorithms must make compromises among Consistency, Availability, Response time, and Partition resilience (CARP) when used in WANs. This dissertation seeks to design algorithms based on specific semantics of the shared data sets (e.g. data properties, workload characteristics, and update patterns) to achieve the optimized CARP trade-offs. Integrating a set of semantic-aware algorithms using distributed objects to form the SAR framework, we implement a practically important e-commerce application, the distributed TPC-W benchmark. Our prototype evaluations show significant improvements on system availability and response time while preserving the consistency guarantees desired by the TPC-W benchmark. The primary focus of the dissertation is on the development of the SAR framework. Within the framework, contributions include (a) exploiting application semantics using the object-oriented approach, (b) employing a hybrid method that integrates a number of novel replication algorithms to make an important class of applications work, (c) proposing a novel replication algorithm for the multi-writer/multi-reader replication scenario with a high access locality, and (d) outlining a general purpose replication library that uses semantic-aware objects for building other distributed applications in WANs.
Looking Ahead to Select Tutorial Actions: A Decision-Theoretic Approach

We propose and evaluate a decision-theoretic approach for selecting tutorial actions by looking ahead to anticipate their effects on the student and other aspects of the tutorial state. The approach uses a dynamic decision network to consider the tutor's uncertain beliefs and objectives in adapting to and managing the changing tutorial state. Prototype action selection engines for diverse domains ?calculus and elementary reading ?illustrate the approach. These applications employ a rich model of the tutorial state, including attributes such as the studenti¾s knowledge, focus of attention, affective state, and next action(s), along with task progress and the discourse state. For this study, neither of our action selection engines had been integrated into a complete ITS, so we used simulated students to evaluate their capabilities to select rational tutorial actions that emulate the behaviors of human tutors. We also evaluated their capability to select tutorial actions quickly enough for real-world tutoring applications.
An Instrument for Bone Mineral Measurement Using a Microprocessor as the Control and Arithmetic Element

We have developed a self-contained instrument for the determination of bone mineral content by photon absorptometry. A high-resolution detection system allows measurements to be made at up to 16 photon energies. Control and arithmetic functions are performed by a microprocessor. Analysis capability and limitations are discussed.
ATHE EFFECTS OF SESAME OIL AND FRACTIONS OF SESAME OIL ON ADRENALECTOMI2ED AND OTHER EXPERIMENTAL RATS

SESAME OIL has been reported to be inactive when used in numerous experiments as a control oil or as a vehicle for fat-soluble substances. There are indications, however, that it may not be inactive under all conditions. Pollia (1) reported that when rats bearing sarcomas were injected intraperitoneally with sesame oil, there was marked damage to the viscera. Spurr and Kochakian (2) found that subcutaneous injections of sesame oil twice daily shortened the mean survival period of immature adrenalectomised male rats by 1.6 days as compared with untreated controls. They attributed this effect to the handling and treatment, noting that “handling and trauma are deleterious factors known to shorten the survival of adrenalectomizied animals.” Sandholzer (3) found that sesame oil was effective in prolonging the survival time of mice that were given a fatal injection of Friedlander's bacillus.
Adapting to duty-hour limits--four years on.

Dr. Harry Yoon discusses the ways in which residency programs have tried to revise a training system and culture characterized by notoriously long hours and relatively low compensation while managing an ever-increasing workload.
Heidegger, Hegel, and Ethnicity: The Ritual Basis of Self-Identity

Rapprochant la conception non-consciente de l'etre-au-monde heideggerien de la necessite de la representation religieuse dans la societe consciente de Hegel, l'A. montre que l'existence de la conscience de soi se releve a travers l'analyse phenomenologique des rituels sacres et a travers le pluralisme de l'ethnicite et de la culture
Myocardial infarction due to intracoronary thrombi without significant coronary artery disease in systemic lupus erythematosus

Acute myocardial infarction is a potentially fatal complication of SLE. Reported mechanisms include atherosclerosis, arteritis and coronary arterial spasm. The following case report presents a fourth possible cause; intracoronary thrombus with angiographically normal coronary arteries in a patient with active lupus and AMI. (Chest 1991; 100:571-72)
A review of in vitro bioeffects of inertial ultrasonic cavitation from a mechanistic perspective

This selective review of the biological effects of ultrasound presents a synopsis of our current understanding of how cells insonated in vitro are affected by inertial cavitation from the standpoint of physical and chemical mechanisms. The focus of this review is on the physical and chemical mechanisms of action of inertial cavitation which appear to be effective in causing biological effects. There are several fundamental conditions which must be satisfied before cavitation-related bioeffects may arise. First, bubbles must be created and then brought into proximity to cells. Exposure methods are critical in this regard, and simple procedures such as rotation of a vessel containing the cells during exposure can drastically alter the results. Second, once association is achieved between bubbles and cells, the former must interact with the latter to produce a bioeffect. It is not certain that the inertial event is the prime mechanism by which cells are lysed; there is evidence that the turbulence associated with bubble translation may cause lysis. Additionally, there appear to be chemical and other physical mechanisms by which inertial cavitation may affect cells; these include the generation of biologically effective sonochemicals and the apparent emission of ultraviolet (UV) and soft X-rays. The evidence for inertial cavitation occurring within cells is critically reviewed.
How Much Can Evolutionary Psychology Inform the Educational Sciences

In response to a stimulating article by David C. Geary on the value of understanding the evolutionary basis of learning as a guide to instruction, I raise several objections. When evolutionary theory is used to explain everything from sex differences in math and reading to why children are bored in school, it loses its explanatory power. There is also the problem of falsifiability, which is a central tenet in the scientific method, and the problem that a large portion of the population does not believe in evolution. The most important message from evolutionary psychology is the incredible adaptability that people have in response to new challenges, which I contend is the most valuable lesson we can learn from our evolutionary past.
High-thermal-conductivity, mesophase-pitch-derived carbon foams: effect of precursor on structure and properties

Abstract Pitch-based carbon foams are not new, but the development of high thermal conductivity foams for thermal management applications has yet to be explored. The research reported here focused on a novel foaming technique and the evaluation of the foaming characteristics of two mesophase pitches (Mitsubishi ARA24 and Conoco Dry Mesophase). After graphitization to 2800°C, densities of the graphite foams ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 g/cm3, with average pore diameters ranging from 275 to 350 μm for the ARA24-derived foams, and from 60 to 90 μm for the Conoco-derived foams. Scanning electron microscopy and polarized light optical microscopy were performed to characterize the cell walls, revealing highly aligned graphitic-like structures along the axis of the ligaments. Analysis of X-ray diffraction results determined that the foams exhibited average interlayer (d002) spacings as low as 0.3355 nm, stack heights (Lc) up to 80 nm and crystallite sizes (La) up to 20 nm. Finally, thermal diffusivity measurements were performed revealing that the bulk thermal conductivity varied with density from 40 to 150 W/m K. The specific thermal conductivities of the graphitized foams were more than six times greater than solid copper.
Asymmetrically acting lycopene β-cyclases (CrtLm) from non-photosynthetic bacteria

Carotenoids have important functions in photosynthesis, nutrition, and protection against oxidative damage. Some natural carotenoids are asymmetrical molecules that are difficult to produce chemically. Biological production of carotenoids using specific enzymes is a potential alternative to extraction from natural sources. Here we report the isolation of lycopene β-cyclases that selectively cyclize only one end of lycopene or neurosporene. The crtLm genes encoding the asymmetrically acting lycopene β-cyclases were isolated from non-photosynthetic bacteria that produced monocyclic carotenoids. Co-expression of these crtLm genes with the crtEIB genes from Pantoea stewartii (responsible for lycopene synthesis) resulted in the production of monocyclic γ-carotene in Escherichia coli. The asymmetric cyclization activity of CrtLm could be inhibited by the lycopene β-cyclase inhibitor 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-triethylamine (CPTA). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that bacterial CrtL-type lycopene β-cyclases might represent an evolutionary link between the common bacterial CrtY-type of lycopene β-cyclases and plant lycopene β- and e-cyclases. These lycopene β-cyclases may be used for efficient production of high-value asymmetrically cyclized carotenoids.
The relation between feelings of knowing and the number of neighboring concepts linked to the test cue

We investigated whether feeling-of-knowing judgments are influenced by the number of different neighboring concepts linked to the test cue in long-term memory as measured using association norms. The purpose was to evaluate contrasting predictions made by the partial-retrieval hypothesis and the competition hypothesis. The partial-retrieval hypothesis assumes the more neighboring concepts activated by the test cue, the higher the feeling of knowing. In contrast, the competition hypothesis assumes that feelings of knowing are sensitive to competition between neighboring concepts, and it predicts that the fewer neighboring concepts activated by the cue, the higher the feeling of knowing. The findings were compatible with the competition hypothesis showing that both feeling-of-knowing and prediction-of-knowing ratings always were higher, the fewer different concepts were linked to the test cue. We obtained an identical pattern of results using different kinds of cues including taxonomic category names, ending sounds, and meaningfully related associates. We consider different ways that these findings could be reconciled with the partial-retrieval hypothesis, and we also discuss implications for other explanations of feeling-of-knowing effects.
Effects of Roads on Endangered San Joaquin Kit Foxes

San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) occur in central California, USA, and are endangered due to habitat loss and degradation. As the human population of California grows, more roads are being constructed in remaining kit fox habitat. We examined effects of 2-lane roads on demographic and ecological patterns of kit foxes on the Lokern Natural Area (LNA) from August 2001 to June 2004. Of 60 radiocollared kit foxes, only one was struck by a vehicle. Foxes were assigned to 1 of 3 risk categories (high, medium, or low) based on proportion of time spent in road-effect zones, which were defined by the probability of a fox encountering a road during nocturnal movements. Fox survival probabilities, reproductive success, litter size, nocturnal movements, and den placement all were similar among risk categories. Nocturnal locations of foxes were closer to roads than were den locations, and den fidelity was lowest for medium-risk foxes and highest for low-risk foxes but intermediate for high-risk foxes. Food availability and use were not affected by proximity to roads. We were unable to detect any significant detrimental effects from 2-lane roads on kit fox demography and ecology. Our results suggest that standard mitigation strategies, such as crossing structures and exclusionary fencing, would not benefit kit foxes on the LNA.
The ground turbulent boundary layer of a stationary tornado‐like vortex

Recently, experimental data became available on the ground turbulent boundary layer of a model tornado vortex. A comparison with early theories of Weber, Anderson, Rott and Lewellen is made and it is found that the root-mean-square error seems great and justifies development of an improved theory with newly specified velocity profiles which are close to the experimental data. The dependence of the boundary layer development on the Reynolds number is explicitly shown. The present theory also extends to the useful Reynolds number range of the natural tornado. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1969.tb00477.x
A true 16 b self-calibrating BiCMOS DAC

An instrument-grade DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that produces true 16-b performance after a brief calibration period and retains accuracy over a usable temperature range is described. Typical results for DNL (differential nonlinearity) and end-point INL (integral nonlinearity) for the 10-V unipolar range at 25 degrees C and for the calibrated top 6 b only are shown. The chip occupies 80 kmils/sup 2/ in a BiCMOS process, and dissipates 500 mW from +or-15-V/+5-V supplies. >
Sediment budget along a barrier island chain

The sediment budget for a stretch of coast along a barrier chain is calculated through use of historical records, covering a time span of nearly 100 years, mapped short-term changes, and estimates of volume changes caused by physical processes. For the section studied along the southeastern United States, accretion has exceeded erosion. The sediment deficit requires an input at an average rate of 796,000 m3 (1,041,000 cubic yards) annually. This deficit is partially filled by longshore drift from adjoining sections and by biogenous contributions. Currents are insufficient to carry material from the mainland across the lagoons. Longshore drift and biogenous source cannot account for approximately 337,000 m3 (441,000 cubic yards) of sediment annually. It is postulated that this material is being moved in from a reservoir on the continental shelf. This reservoir is either the unconsolidated relict sediments or outcrops of poorly consolidated Tertiary rocks which are only thinly veneered by Holocene sediments.
Long-term food restriction depresses serum thyroid hormone concentrations in the rat

Long-term food restriction exerts an anti-aging action in rodents. The mechanism underlying its modulation of aging processes is unknown but changes in endocrine systems have been postulated as couplers of food restriction to aging. The effects of long-term food restriction on the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were examined in 6-month-old, male Fischer 344 rats. For 4.5 months a Food Restricted group was fed 60% of the amount consumed by an Ad Libitum group. Food restriction did not alter the 24-h mean T4 concentration but reduced the 24-h mean T3 concentration from 95 +/- 1 to 87 +/- 3 ng/dl. The Ad Libitum group exhibited diurnal rhythms in both serum T4 and T3 concentrations, with peak values for each hormone at 1000 h. Although food restriction eliminated the 1000 h peak for both thyroid hormones, it abolished the diurnal variation only for T3. The dietary-induced changes in serum T4 and T3 are consistent with a role for these hormones in the anti-aging action of food restriction.
Locomotion and Head Scanning Initiated by Hypothalamic Stimulation Are Inversely Relateda

Stimulation in the hypothalamus elicits locomotor stepping. Before stepping is initiated, head scanning movements occur. We determined the relationships between the latency of locomotor initiation and the number, extent and direction of the head scanning movements. Chronic stimulation electrodes were stereotaxically implanted in and around the hypothalamus of 29 rats. Under awake conditions, 38 locomotor sites were tested in a runway apparatus. Behaviors occurring between the onset of stimulation and the first step were recorded on videotape. Points on the rat were digitized at sampling rate of 6 Hz to produce measures of head angles in the vertical, horizontal, and sagittal planes. The priming paradigm was used with a current selected for each site that was minimally sufficient to produce reliable stepping. In trials at approximately 1-min intervals, a 5-s train of stimulation (the control) was followed by a second train (the test) delivered 5–20 s later. Initiation latency on control trains was strongly correlated with head movement measures. Vertical and lateral head movements were independent of one another. Together, their frequency and extent accounted for 85% of the variance in locomotor initiation latencies. In effective priming trials, when locomotor initiation latencies were reduced on the test train, the frequency and extent of vertical and lateral head movements were also reduced. In non-effective priming trials, when latencies were not reduced, head movements were not reduced. Head scanning and locomotor initiation reflect reciprocal processes. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Overcoming Resistance to Achievement-based Unit Grading in Secondary Physical Education.

(2008). Overcoming Resistance to Achievement-based Unit Grading in Secondary Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 79, No. 4, pp. 46-49.
On Detecting Undercutting in Conjugate Pairs

One significant and common trait of a conjugate pair is the occurrence of geometric singularities in the contacting surfaces, which typically prevents the correct meshing of the two contacting parts. These singularities, which have been naturally linked to the concept of “undercutting” in a conjugate pair, are notoriously difficult to determine both formally and computationally. On the other hand, it is surprising that, although the concept of undercutting has been known for a long time, it has not yet been formally defined or studied except for some very specific applications. Consequently, general purpose algorithms for undercutting detection and quantification remain elusive. We argue that detecting points around a singularity appears to be significantly easier than detecting the singularity itself. Thus, we propose that undercutting be unambiguously defined in terms of points in the neighborhood of geometric singularities, which may lead to general computational algorithms to detect and quantify undercutting in a conjugate pair.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Seating and wheeled mobility in the disabled elderly population

Elderly persons constitute the largest among the populations regularly using wheelchairs. This is a review of the few studies specifically concerned with seating for the elderly; it identifies current problems, particularly in the seating for aged people who are in long-term care facilities. This review describes ways of matching currently available seating technology with the needs of disabled elderly persons. Two major barriers to greater use of newer seating technology are (1) the high cost of durable medical equipment and (2) the failure of most clinicians and institutional administrators to recognize the importance of posture and comfort to provide functional independence in wheelchair users. This review discusses seating for four groups of elderly persons: (1) the nonmobile, dependents who may be safety risks and are without energy or ability to wheel or walk by themselves; (2) mobile nonambulatory; and (3) ambulatory, but with special wheelchair needs. Research is needed in wheeled mobility in a number of areas: better matching of mobility to function, cheaper and more effective cushions, more modular seating systems, and better lifting and transfer devices. The American National Standards Institute in cooperation with Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America has recently recommended standards for wheelchair performance that may be legislated in the next few years.
The Distributional Properties of Rasch Item Fit Statistics

This study reports the results of an empirical investigation of the distributional properties of the item fit statistics that are commonly used in Rasch model calibration programs as indices of the fit of the responses to individual items to the measurement model. There are two aspects of this study: an investigation of the distributional properties of the item fit statistics when the data fit the model, and the power of the item fit statistics to detect measurement disturbances. This study is based on simulated data to control for the presence of confounding factors, such as multidimensionality, differences in the slopes of item characteristic curves, and guessing. The results indicate that, when that data fit the model, the distributional properties of the item fit statistics, corrected for use of estimated person parameters, are close to hypothesized mean and standard deviation and that it is possible to construct reasonable Type I error rates that can be used as a frame of reference when investigating...
CRACKING THE COREGULATOR CODES

The study of the genetic code has collectively revealed that the biochemical basis of heredity is uniform for nearly all known forms of life. Genetic approaches have generated a much better appreciation and understanding of many aspects of biological processes-and in some cases provided strategies for the treatment of human diseases. Still, the enormous and undoubtedly impressive amount of information gathered on gene sequences, their myriad expression patterns and translation into proteins is insufficient to answer seemingly simpler questions such as to what sets us humans apart from much more undemanding species while sharing almost the same sets of genes. Regulation of the proteome by post-translational modifications (PTMs) is beginning to be understood as a major contributing factor to the structural and functional diversity in biology and for defining cellular mechanisms in particular. Covalent, PTMs provide an astonishingly rich and specific basis for an ultrafast regulation of cellular processes, many of which converge to transcription units to control gene expression. With this essay we intend to share with the reader the rapid growth of our knowledge of the many conjunctions that exist between PTMs and key cellular processes that have emerged by studying the nuclear receptors (NRs) and their transcriptional coregulators.
Autopilot Design for the Stanford DragonFly UAV: Validation through Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation*

We present an embedded autopilot design for the Stanford DragonFly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) of which the digital computer in the avionics is only capable of processing sampled data and executing discrete-time control policies. We demonstrate that linear control design is not sufficient to satisfy performance requirements for specified high performance maneuvers at slow sample rates. We design a new nonlinear digital controller using an approximate feedback linearization. The sampled nonlinear dynamics for the feedback linearization is obtained using the Adams-Bashforth method, and the resulting control law is augmented with the discrete disturbance accommodation control to improve the performance and stability of the controlled system. The control law is implemented on a Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation, which is a testbed platform that provides a faithful laboratory representation of the DragonFly UAV in flight: sensor and actuator packet delay and communication constraints in the control, are included in this testbed. We evaluate the control law using different sample rates and present our results. Keyword: UAV flight control, discrete-time control policy, approximate feedback linearization, disturbance accommodation, embedded systems.
Fracture behavior of high-strength, high-conductivity copper alloys

Abstract The fracture behavior of three copper alloys, namely, one dispersion-strengthened alloy: GlidCop™CuAl25, and two precipitation-hardened alloys: Hycon3HP™CuNiBe and Elbrodur CuCrZr, was investigated in the temperature range 20–300°C in vacuum. The results show that all these three alloys experienced a loss of fracture resistance with increasing test temperature. In the case of the CuNiBe alloy, the fracture resistance drops very rapidly as test temperature increases, and the other two alloys also experience drops in toughness, but not quite to the same extent. In fact, the fracture resistance of CuCrZr is affected only moderately by test temperature. The reduction of fracture resistance with increasing temperature in vacuum shows that the environment is not the only factor responsible for poor toughness. Further, microstructural analysis of the CuNiBe alloy shows that changes in grain boundary microstructure resulted from discontinuous precipitation. This is assumed to have a significant effect on the fracture behavior of this alloy.
Virial coefficients from the hard-dish radial disribution function

Abstract The second term in the density expansion of the hard-disk radial distribution function is evaluated exactly and compared with the corresponding terms from approximate heories of fluids. We note that the modified Born-Green-Yvon equation merits further detailed considerations.