cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved airflow method and packaging system for forced-air cooling of strawberries

The package system designs currently used by the strawberry industry are largely based on empirical techniques and have limited the efficiency of forced-air cooling applications. In this study, a new system capable of promoting a more uniform and energy-efficient cooling was developed. The design of this new system was based on a series of numerically based guidelines (previously developed by using a validated CFD model of the process) and involved not only the design of individual clamshells and trays, but also the overall circulation of the airflow across the palletized structure. The improved performance of the system was experimentally assessed. For the same airflow conditions, the new design significantly improved the uniformity and energy-efficiency of the process, while replicating of the cooling rate of commercial designs. In particular, no significant differences were found among the cooling rates of individual clamshells, and the pressure drop across the system was decreased by 70%.
Acceleration of diabetic renal injury in the superoxide dismutase knockout mouse: effects of tempol

Abstract Indices of renal injury and oxidative stress were examined in mice with deficiency of cytosolic Cu 2+ /Zn 2+ superoxide dismutase (SOD1−/−, KO) and their wild-type (WT) littermates with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. After 5 weeks of diabetes, KO diabetic (D) but not WT-D mice developed marked albuminuria, increases in glomerular content of transforming growth factor β , collagen α 1(IV), and nitrotyrosine, and higher glomerular superoxide compared with corresponding values in nondiabetics. After 5 months of diabetes, increases in these parameters, mesangial matrix expansion, renal cortical malondialdehyde content, and severity of tubulointerstitial injury were all significantly greater, whereas cortical glutathione was lower, in KO-D than in WT-D. In contrast to WT-D, after 4 weeks of diabetes, KO-D mice did not develop the increase in inulin clearance ( C In ) characteristic of early diabetes. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N ω -nitro- l -arginine methylester suppressed C In in WT-D, but had no effect on C In in KO-D. Treatment of KO-D with the SOD mimetic tempol for 4 weeks suppressed albuminuria, increases in glomerular transforming growth factor β , collagen α 1(IV), nitrotyrosine, and glomerular superoxide, and concurrently increased C In . The latter action of tempol in KO-D was blocked by the N ω -nitro- l -arginine methylester. The findings provide support for a role for superoxide and its metabolism by SOD1 in the pathogenesis of renal injury in diabetes in vivo, and implicate increased interaction of superoxide with nitric oxide as a pathogenetic factor.
Arcuate relaxing incisions guided by corneal topography for postkeratoplasty astigmatism: vector and topographic analysis.

PURPOSE To determine if using corneal topography for planning arcuate relaxing incision placement for postkeratoplasty astigmatism improves clinical results. METHODS Twenty-six eyes with high levels (> 5 diopters [D]) of postkeratoplasty astigmatism were studied in a nonrandomized, retrospective, observational case series. Relaxing incisions were placed in the peripheral graft in each steep topographic hemimeridian. The following data were measured: keratometric, topographic, and refractive vector analysis; nonvector astigmatism reduction; surface regularity and asymmetry (surface regularity index and surface asymmetry index); topography patterns; surgical design; and visual acuity. RESULTS Topographic analysis changed some aspect of the surgery in 51/52 incisions with a 15.7 degrees mean change in incision location. The mean vector correction index (CI) was 0.89 to 0.92 for keratometric, topographic, and refractive indices. Sixty-five percent of eyes had surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) values within 2 D of the surgical goal. Eighty-one percent of eyes had at least a 50% reduction in net astigmatism and 85% had < or = 3-D residual refractive cylinder. The mean logMAR visual acuity increased 2 lines. The preoperative and postoperative spherical equivalent showed a high correlation (rho = 0.914, P = 0.000). The correlation between SIA and targeted induced astigmatism (TIA) was 0.56 (P = 0.003). There was a significant improvement in surface regularity index (P = 0.000) and surface asymmetry index (P = 0.05) values. No statistically significant correlations were found between total incision length and SIA or TIA, or between TIA and correction index. All patients had symmetric (58%) or asymmetric (42%) bowtie topographic patterns preoperatively with 35% achieving round/oval patterns postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Topography-guided relaxing incision offers an easy method to plan surgery and has some limited advantages over conventional techniques.
Independent and Synergistic Associations of Asthma and Obesity with Systemic Inflammation in Adolescents

Introduction. Both asthma and obesity often occur in the same individual. Each increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with systemic inflammation likely playing a vital role. We examined the independent and synergistic associations of asthma and obesity with systemic inflammation using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in adolescents. Methods. This study involves the cross-sectional design carried out in the adolescent and respiratory medicine practices in a children’s hospital. Out of 124 adolescents (mean age 16.1 ± 2.3 years), who were either of obese (N = 75) or of normal weight (N = 49). 51 had asthma (18 normal weight and 33 obese). Results. hs-CRP levels were higher in obese versus normal weight groups (geometric mean ± SD: 2.38 ± 2.91 vs. 0.72 ± 3.54; p < .001), and in the asthmatic versus non-asthmatic groups (geometric mean ± SD: 1.21 ± 3.71 vs.1.96 ± 3.28; p = .039). We found a trend of increasing hs-CRP levels across the four groups (p < .001), with the obese asthm...
Drought-induced cracks in the soil as refuges for small mammals: an unforeseen consequence of climatic change

The impact of global climatic change on ecological systems has been identified as one of the major themes of ecology over the coming decades (Lubchenco et al. 1991). Already, a considerable body of research has examined possible results of climatological changes on community and population structure (Peters & Lovejoy 1992). Much of the discussion of terrestrial vertebrate communities has suggested changes in composition of the floristic community as the factor driving faunal community change. Most of the remaining research has considered changes resulting from shifting food sources or physiological responses to temperature change (for examples, see Dawson 1992; Rubenstein 1992). Although these explanations should remain priorities for research in global change, we present the differential use of drought-induced cracks in the soil as burrows or refuges for small mammals as an example of the effects that climate-initiated structural changes in the abiotic environment may have on vertebrate communities. We contend that this is an example of an effect that is not considered in coarse-scale models of climatic change, yet
ELISA assay for colon cancer

The high mortality rate for patients with colon cancer results largely from the inability to diagnose the condition in its early stages. The assay described in this report may be useful in early detection of colon cancer. In the study we use the cotton-top tamarin, Saguinus oedipus, as an animal model for studying human colon cancer. This New World monkey develops a high incidence of colitis and colon cancer. Antibodies that recognize adenocarcinoma cells and antigens from these cells can be detected in the sera of tamarins with colon cancer. The antibodies are not found in sera of healthy animals. In one procedure, tamarin adenocarcinoma cells are used to coat the wells of a microtiter plate. In an alternate procedure, a glycoprotein adenocarcinoma antigen is used. The antigen is extracted from a cultured tamarin colon cancer line by detergent solubilization followed by affinity chromatography. Test sera are examined by adding biotinylated immunoglobulin serum fractions to the coated wells. The wells are washed and an avidin-enzyme conjugate is added. Positive sera are identified by the addition of the substrate. The presence of the autoantibodies in the sera may be taken as evidence that the animal has colon cancer.
Coherence and Polarization Effects in Mössbauer Absorption by Single Crystals

The polarization dependence of the absorption cross section must generally be taken into account in calculating M\"ossbauer absorption spectra of single crystals which exhibit hyperfine splittings. A method for doing this in an experimentally interesting class of cases is described. In these cases, the incident radiation beam can be divided into two components, each having its own complex index of refraction. A number of conditions under which this division is always possible are described in terms of crystal symmetry considerations. Also, a practical method of computing the polarization of the cross section in terms of the hyperfine interactions for arbitrary nuclear transitions is described. A representation of the polarization in terms of a 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 density matrix is introduced which is convenient in cases where two or more nuclear transitions overlap in energy and in cases where resonant nuclei are located at several different or crystallographically equivalent but differently oriented sites in the crystal. A method for applying these results to an analysis of data to obtain electric-field-gradient parameters, mean square displacements, and magnetic structures is outlined.
Fairness in Ultimatum Games with Asymmetric Information and Asymmetric Payoffs

Abstract Players bargained over chips with different exchange rates and with different information regarding these exchange rates. Offers generally reflected a self-serving definition of fairness. There is ample evidence that relative income shares entered players utility functions, resulting in predictable variations in both rejection rates and offers. However, offers were significantly more likely to be rejected when first-movers intentionally offered unequal money splits compared to when comparable offers were clearly unintentional. When both players were fully informed and first-movers had higher exchange rates, conflicting fairness norms developed, resulting in unusually high rejection rates. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C72, C78, C92.
Transport of water and alkali metal ions through MFI zeolite membranes during reverse osmosis

Abstract Molecular sieve zeolite membranes have recently been shown to be potentially useful for treating saline wastewater by reverse osmosis. In this paper, reverse osmosis of 0.1 M solutions of alkali metal chlorides, including LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl, and CsCl, has been investigated on MFI-type zeolite membranes synthesized from an aluminum-free precursor. The MFI zeolite membrane exhibited high rejection rates (ri > 95%) for all alkali metal ions at an applied pressure of 2.75 MPa. The rejection rates of Li+ and Na+ declined slightly while the ion flux increased more dramatically than did the water flux with moderately raising the temperature. Increasing the hydraulic pressure difference across the membrane resulted in significant enhancements in both the water flux and the ion rejection rates but with much less influence on the ion flux. The ion flux increased monotonically with the crystallographic ion size from Li+ to Cs+ while the dependence of the corresponding water flux on ion size exhibited a maximum for the 0.1 M KCl solution. The ion separation by reverse osmosis on the MFI zeolite membranes was found to rely on the restricted access of hydrated ions to the zeolitic pores and the competitive diffusion of water and ions in the zeolite channels.
The government deficit in a growth model: Consequences and trade-offs☆

Abstract This paper investigates the consequences of a fixed, positive government deficit/national-income ratio (where the deficit includes interest payments on the debt) in a growth model. To keep the deficit ratio fixed, policymakers must continuously adjust the primary deficit ratio (the deficit ratio when the deficit excludes interest payments) to offset endogenous changes in the interest/income ratio. The model is used to derive the impact of the deficit ratio and the monetization ratio-the fraction of the deficit financed by money-on the capital/labor ratio, the inflation rate, and the interest/income ratio. Consequences and trade-offs are examined. In the model, raising the deficit ratio reduces the capital/labor ratio; and must raise either the interest/income ratio, or the inflation rate, or both.
Longitudinal Progression Trajectory of GFR Among Patients With CKD

Background The traditional paradigm of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) progression in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a steady nearly linear decline over time. We describe individual GFR progression trajectories over 12 years of follow-up in participants in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK). Study Design Longitudinal observational study. Setting & Participants 846 AASK patients with at least 3 years of follow-up and 8 GFR estimates. Measurements Longitudinal GFR estimates from creatinine-based equations. Predictors Patient demographic and clinical features. Outcomes Probability of a nonlinear trajectory and probability of a period of nonprogression calculated for each patient from a Bayesian model of individual estimated GFR (eGFR) trajectories. Results 352 (41.6%) patients showed a >0.9 probability of having either a nonlinear trajectory or a prolonged nonprogression period; in 559 (66.1%), the probability was >0.5. Baseline eGFR >40 mL/min/1.73 m2 and urine protein-creatinine ratio Limitations Clinical trial population; absence of direct GFR measurements. Conclusions In contrast to the traditional paradigm of steady GFR progression over time, many patients with CKD have a nonlinear GFR trajectory or a prolonged period of nonprogression. These findings highlight the possibility that stable kidney disease progression can accelerate and, conversely, provide hope that CKD need not be relentlessly progressive. These results should encourage researchers to identify time-dependent factors associated with periods of nonprogression and other desirable trajectories.
Thermomechanical effects in a laser IFE first wall

Laser fusion chamber walls will experience large, pulsed heat loads at frequencies of several hertz. The heating, consisting of X-rays, neutrons, and ions, occurs over a few microseconds and is deposited volumetrically over the first few microns of the wall. For a reasonable chamber radius, the heating will be such that the surface temperature is a significant fraction of the melt temperature of the wall, and significant plasticity can be expected in ductile wall materials. This paper presents results for the transient temperatures and stresses in a tungsten-coated steel first wall for a laser fusion device. Failure analyses are carried out using both fatigue and fracture mechanics methodologies. The simulations predict that surface cracks are expected in the tungsten, but the cracks will arrest before reaching the substrate if the crack spacing is sufficiently small. In addition, the thermal and stress fields are compared for a laser fusion device with several simulation experiments. It is shown that the simulations can reproduce the peak surface temperatures, but the corresponding spatial distributions of the stress and temperature will be shallower than the reactor case.
Inclusion identification by means of electron probe microanalysis

Abstract Each stage in the analysis of inclusions by electron probe microanalysis is evaluated. These stages include experimental design and instrument operation, specimen preparation, element identification, element distribution mapping, and quantitative data scanning. The use of signals other than x-rays for inclusion analysis is considered, as well as the analysis of submicron inclusions. The approach taken assumes that microprobe analysis will be used in conjunction with careful optical microscopy and that quantitative microscopy may be used to classify the inclusions after microprobe analysis is carried out.
Cross sections for electron excitation of the 2{sup 3}S metastable level of He into higher triplet levels

Cross sections for electron excitation out of the 2${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S metastable level of He into the 2${\mathrm{}}^{3}$P, 3${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S, 3${\mathrm{}}^{3}$P, 3${\mathrm{}}^{3}$D, 4${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S, 4${\mathrm{}}^{3}$P, 4${\mathrm{}}^{3}$D, 5${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S, and 5${\mathrm{}}^{3}$D levels have been obtained for energies up to 18 eV. We have observed a broad excitation function for the 2${\mathrm{}}^{3}$P level with a peak apparent cross section of 1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}14}$${\mathrm{ncm}}^{2}$. For the n=3, 4, and 5 levels, the excitation functions show a pattern of sharp peaks for excitation into the n${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S levels, slightly less sharp peaks for excitation into the n${\mathrm{}}^{3}$P levels, and relatively broad peaks for excitation into the n${\mathrm{}}^{3}$D levels. Absolute cross sections have been obtained for all the above mentioned levels using a laser-induced fluorescence technique and the results agree well with experimental values reported by Lagus et al. [Phys. Rev. A 53, 1505 (1996)] The cross sections for the 2${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n${\mathrm{}}^{3}$P excitations which correspond to dipole-allowed optical transitions are smaller than the corresponding 2${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S and 2${\mathrm{}}^{3}$S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n${\mathrm{}}^{3}$D excitation cross sections, in contrast to the trends observed for excitations out of the ground level. This reversal behavior is discussed in terms of the dipole matrix element sum rule. Our cross-section data are compared with those of the alkali-metal atoms.
Microvascular hepatic artery anastomosis in pediatric segmental liver transplantation: microscope vs loupe.

Use of operative microscopy (OM) has dramatically reduced the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) in children undergoing segmental liver transplantation. We used OM (12–16×) in our early experience. We changed to high power loupe magnification (6×) after 14 cases. We examined our experience with microvascular hepatic artery reconstruction in 28 consecutive children (<18 years) who underwent living donor (LDLT) or split liver transplantation (SLT). Reconstructions were done with interrupted, end-to-end anastomoses with 8–0 polypropylene using microvascular techniques. Group 1 consisted of 14 children who underwent LDLT employing OM for the hepatic artery anastomosis. Group 2 consisted of the subsequent 14 children (11 LDLT, 3 SLT) in whom 6× loupe optics were used for the arterial anastomosis. Grafts included 25 left lateral segments, 2 left lobes, and 1 right lobe. Recipients’ median age was 1.0 years (range 3 months to 17 years). The mean follow-up time was 27.1 months. There were no cases of HAT. Variables of age, sex, graft type, number of Doppler ultrasound exams (DUS), and biliary complications were similar between groups. Microvascular hepatic artery reconstruction in children with 6× loupe magnification can yield results as good as operative microscopy.
Diffusion of Single Vacancies and Divacancies in Quenched Gold

An effective diffusion coefficient ${D}_{\mathrm{eff}}$, and an effective energy of migration ${E}_{m}$ are derived which describe the combined diffusion of single vacancies and divacancies which are in thermal equilibrium. ${D}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ is the appropriate diffusion "constant" to be used in Fick's law, if one wishes to describe the flow of voids, and expresses the fact that each vacancy during its random walk spends part of its lifetime as a single vacancy and part of its lifetime as a divacancy. ${E}_{m}$ can be expressed in terms of ${{E}_{m}}^{1}$ and ${{E}_{m}}^{2}$ (the energies of migration of a single vacancy and a divacancy, respectively), and is concentration- and temperature-dependent. Its minimum is ${{E}_{m}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{B}_{2}$, where ${B}_{2}$ is the binding energy of a divacancy. From analysis of measurements of ${E}_{m}$ on Au specimens quenched from above 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, one finds that ${{E}_{m}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{B}_{2}\ensuremath{\sim}0.56$ eV, or more directly that ${{E}_{m}}^{1}+{B}_{2}\ensuremath{-}{{E}_{m}}^{2}=0.26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$ eV. The same value for this latter parameter was derived from another independent experiment, namely from the critical concentration of vacancies for which clustering will just occur.The binding energy of a divacancy in Au was observed to be: ${B}_{2}=0.10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$ eV, and its energy of migration: ${{E}_{m}}^{2}=0.66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06$ eV. ${B}_{2}$ was obtained from an analysis of the decrease in resistivity observed during the transient process in which single vacancies and divacancies come into equilibrium with one another. In addition it was found that the resistivity of a divacancy is (4.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3)% less than that of two well-separated single vacancies.
Simulation and Analysis for Lead Frame Bending Impact to Assembly Singulation Process

In this paper, a transient non-linear dynamic finite element framework is built for the punch clamping process and a 3D bent lead frame geometry based on test data. The objective of this paper is to optimize the punch assembly process by modeling the complete punch clamping process through explicit finite element code LS-DYNA. Two major parts are considered: one is the lead frame bending geometry and the other is punch clamping process optimization. Modeling shows the stress impacts to the junction area between the lead frame and mold compound. The effect of different clamping tooling geometry, the different tooling movement as well as different clamping process are discussed for the impact to mold compound. The modeling results have shown that the optimized clamping tool geometry and movement can reduce clamping induced stress and therefore can eliminate package cracking and delamination even if clamping a bent lead frame
QUASIPARTICLE ENERGIES FOR CUBIC BN, BP, AND BAS

Electronic excitation energies at the high-symmetry points \ensuremath{\Gamma}, X, and L are obtained for zinc-blende-structure BN, BP, and BAs in the GW approximation using a model dielectric function. A model for the static screening matrix makes use of the ab initio ground-state charge density and either experimental values or empirical estimates for ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\infty}}}$, the electronic contribution to the macroscopic dielectric constant. Wave functions from an ab initio local-density-approximation calculation with norm-conserving pseudopotentials are employed along with the self-consistent quasiparticle spectrum to obtain the energy-dependent one-particle Green function G. The minimum band gaps are found to be 6.3, 1.9, and 1.6 eV for BN, BP, and BAs, respectively, in close agreement with existing measurements of 6.1 and 2.0 eV for BN and BP, respectively. The BN direct band gap is predicted to be 11.4 eV versus the experimental value of 14.5 eV, and the BP direct band gap is predicted to be 4.4 eV versus 5.0 eV from experiment.
On the rate of convergence of viscosity solutions for boundary value problems

A class of singularly perturbed boundary value problems is considered for viscosity tending to zero. From compactness arguments it is known that the solutions converge to a limit function characterized by an entropy inequality. We formulate an approximate entropy inequality (AEI) and use it to obtain the order of convergence. The AEI is also used to obtain the order of convergence for monotone difference schemes.
Narrative inquiry: designing the processes, pathways and patterns of changea

Narrative inquiry, as a component of systems design, provides a method of exploring systemic change and the design of educational systems from the perspectives of the facilitator of the change process, the invested participant in the change process, and the resistive participant in the change process. Systems design furnishes the construct within which to consider change, while narrative inquiry facilitates the design conversations that develop the processes, pathways and patterns that lead to the unfolding idealized school as a socially constructed reality of the participants. Rather than deal with discrete events individually, the personal stories that evolve in narrative inquiry allow people to build larger frames of reference and examine underlying assumptions and beliefs that guide our actions. Stories recreate experience in ways that allow the personal, cultural, and historical ground to remain present. As a relationship method, it emphasizes the human connections consistent with the interrelatedness found within members of a school. Using a three-dimensional change model and narrative inquiry, this paper addresses the question: How can the stories embedded in the history context and culture of a school inform the change process? How can narrative inquiry mediate the process of moving across boundaries to the educational future? How can narrative inquiry identify symbolic boundaries that exist within an educational organization? Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological factors associated with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) hospitalization rates in California, USA: a geospatial analysis.

The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus subtype (H1N1) pandemic had a large impact in the United States of America (USA), causing an estimated 192,000 to 398,000 hospitalizations and 8,720 to 18,050 deaths between April 2009 and mid- March 2010. Recent research on the 2009 H1N1 pandemic has largely focused on individual, non-spatial demographic characterizations (e.g. age and race/ethnicity) associated with H1N1 hospitalizations. Broader ecological factors such as transportation use, land use and other socioeconomic factors are important aspects of influenza studies that have not been empirically examined. This research explores and identifies ecological factors associated with 2009 H1N1 pandemic hospitalization rates. We conducted a spatial regression analysis of county level hospitalization rates from 3 April to 15 September, 2009 obtained via the California Department of Public Health. Hospitalization rates were found to be spatially dependent. Public transportation usage rates and agricultural land use proportions were significant environmental factors positively related to hospitalization rates. Consistent with public health official’s assumptions and existing evidence, county percentages of persons less than 18 years of age were positively associated with hospitalization. These findings help to clarify the limited consensus and dubious evidence on the role of broader ecological factors associated with pandemic influenza. A better understanding of the ecological risk factors associated with hospitalizations should also benefit public health officials with respect to their work aiming at improving emergency supply allocation and non-pharmaceutical intervention strategies in the context of an influenza pandemic.
Pedagogical power tools for teaching Java

We describe a Java toolkit that is designed to support the creation of powerful and extensible GUI interfaces during the first year computer science course. The goals of this toolkit are to provide:• an infrastructure for creating well designed programs that illustrates the concepts of computer science and its practical applications• an environment for learning the basic ideas of interface design and for experimenting with a variety of designs• a paradigm for building interfaces in Java that scales from individual data items to large structures, using recursively displayable container classesAdditionally, the toolkit classes themselves can be studied as examples of proper object oriented design, and of building event listeners.
Treatment of the Infected Stone

Infected kidney stones refer to stones that form because of urinary tract infections with urease-producing bacteria, secondarily infected stones of any composition, or stones obstructing the urinary tract leading to pyelonephritis. The mainstay of treatment of infection stones is complete stone removal. Kidney stones that obstruct the urinary tract and cause obstructive pyelonephritis are also frequently referred to as infected stones. Obstructive pyelonephritis is a urologic emergency as it can result in sepsis and even death. Infection stones and obstructive stones causing pyelonephritis are different disease processes, and their workup and management are described separately.
Polarization at light Bragg diffracted by sound on optically isotropic solids

It is demonstrated that the polarization of light which has been diffracted from shear ultrasonic waves is not, in general, perpendicular to that of the incident lights but depends on the relative orientation of light and sound polarizations and propagation directions. The polarization of light diffracted by longitudinal sound waves depends as well on the relative magnitudes of the photoelastic constants.
The effect of story presentation rates on story retelling by individuals with Down syndrome

The current study examined the effect of story presentation rates on story recall performance in 35 individuals with Down syndrome and 3 control groups (35 mental age matched, 35 syntax comprehension matched, and 35 syntax production matched children). Three short audiotaped stories were presented to each individual at three different rates (normal, storyteller [slow with expressive inflections], and slow rate). The effect of group but not rate was significant. Individuals with Down syndrome recalled more content words than the production-matched group and the production-matched group recalled fewer content words than the mental age matched and comprehension-matched groups. The results were interpreted in relation to working memory deficits in individuals with Down syndrome, developmental change in story recall of typically developing children, and the contribution of syntax comprehension to story recall.
Statistical Characterization and Process Control for Improved Growth of La2−xSrxCuO4 Films

We have used combinatorial molecular beam epitaxy (COMBE) technique to deposit thin cuprate films with continuous spread in chemical composition, as well as nominally uniform films. We have patterned them into linear pixel arrays and measured the transport properties of each pixel. We applied detailed statistical analysis to differentiate between various possible sources of random pixel-to-pixel variations, and utilized this knowledge to considerably tighten the process parameters and significantly reduce such variations. The density and quality of data points is high enough to allow detection of quantum phase transitions induced by tuning the chemical composition.
Optimizing the measurement of dialysis: which denominator?

Comparisons of outcomes in men versus women undergoing chronic maintenance hemodialysis have shown differences usually favoring men despite larger doses given to women ([1][1]–[3][2]). All agree that larger doses are given to women because of their smaller size, which allows delivery of more
Dual-spectrum laser source based on fiber continuum generation for integrated optical coherence and multiphoton microscopy.

A single-laser dual-spectrum source designed for integrated optical coherence and multiphoton microscopy is demonstrated. The source implements the laser characteristics needed to optimally per- form both modalities while extending the spectral range for this im- aging technique. It consists of a widely tunable, mode-locked, Ti- sapphire laser with a portion of its output spectrally broadened via continuum generation in a photonic crystal fiber. The continuum- broadened beam allows for enhanced optical sectioning with optical coherence microscopy, while the unbroadened beam from the ultrashort-pulse Ti-sapphire laser optimally excites fluorescent mark- ers. The noise power of the continuum-broadened beam is less than 1.1 dBm/Hz higher than the Ti-sapphire laser in the range from 1H z to 25 MHz, and the fiber shows no sign of damage after 100 h of use. We demonstrate the use of this source across a wide spectral range by imaging green fluorescent protein-transfected mouse fibroblast cells costained with fluorescent dyes that are maximally excited at various wavelengths. Images of unstained in vivo human skin are also presented. This source extends the feasibility of this in- tegrated imaging modality and will facilitate new investigations in in vivo microscopy, tissue engineering, and cell biology. © 2009 Society of
Regulation and epigenetic control of transcription at the nuclear periphery

The localization of DNA within the nucleus influences the regulation of gene transcription. Subnuclear environments at the nuclear periphery promote gene silencing and activation. Silenced regions of the genome, such as centromeres and telomeres, are statically tethered to the nuclear envelope. Recent work in yeast has revealed that certain genes can undergo dynamic recruitment to the periphery upon transcriptional activation. For such genes, localization to the periphery has been suggested to improve mRNA export and favor optimal transcription. In addition, maintenance of peripheral localization confers cellular memory of previous transcriptional activation, enabling cells to adapt rapidly to transcriptional cues.
Iontophoretic permeation of sodium cromoglycate through synthetic membrane and excised hairless mouse skin.

— The iontophoretic transport properties of sodium cromoglycate were characterized using a synthetic membrane and excised hairless mouse skin. The permeation rate of sodium cromoglycate through the synthetic membrane was found to be linearly dependent on the density of electrical current applied. Passive diffusion through the excised hairless mouse skin was not demonstrated for sodium cromoglycate; however, under iontophoresis, an appreciable permeation was exhibited by the drug through the animal skin, which was also found to be a function of the electrical current density.
A Framework for Integrating Real-Time MRI With Robot Control: Application to Simulated Transapical Cardiac Interventions

The advent of intraoperative real-time image guidance has led to the emergence of new surgical interventional paradigms including image-guided robot assistance. Most often the use of an intraoperative imaging modality is limited to visual perception of the area of procedure. In this study, we propose a framework for performing robot-assisted interventions with real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) guidance. The described computational core of this framework, processes on-the-fly rtMRI, integrates the processed information with robot control and renders it on the human-machine interfaces. This information is rendered on a visualization and force-feedback interface for enhanced perception of a dynamic area of procedure and for assisting the operator in the safe and accurate maneuvering of a robotic manipulator. The framework was experimentally tested by applying it to a simulated Transapical aortic valve implantation with a virtual robotic manipulator. rtMRI data were processed on-the-fly in a rolling-window scheme and together with a multithreaded and multihardware implementation, the core delivered appropriate speed of 20 Hz for visualization and 1000 Hz for force feedback. The experimental results demonstrate significant improvement in the simulated task by both decreasing the duration of the procedure by half and increasing safety in the presence of cardiac and breathing motion by reducing the duration or incidents the operator collides with the tissue.
Applications of soft x-ray lasers

The high brightness and short pulse duration of soft x-ray lasers provide unique advantages for novel applications. Imaging of biological specimens using x-ray lasers has been demonstrated by several groups. Other applications to fields such as chemistry, material science, plasma diagnostics, and lithography are beginning to emerge. We review the current status of soft x- ray lasers from the perspective of applications, and present an overview of the applications currently being developed.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Infection of Neonatal Biomphalaria glabrata with the Miracidia of Echinostoma caproni

Abstract: We used a Biomphalaria glabrata snail model for our studies and investigated the suitability of B. glabrata neonates, reared on a Nostoc sp. diet, for infection with Echinostoma caproni miracidia. We found that neonatal snails could become infected with E. caproni miracidia with 31 ± 11% standard error (SE) of our exposed snails containing rediae infections at 4 wk post-exposure (PE). However, the survival of exposed neonates was significantly (P < 0.05, Student's t-test) less than that of the unexposed controls at 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk PE.
A pulsed triple ionization source for sequential ion/ion reactions in an electrodynamic ion trap

A pulsed triple ionization source, using a common atmosphere/vacuum interface and ion path, has been developed to generate different types of ions for sequential ion/ion reaction experiments in a linear ion trap-based tandem mass spectrometer. The triple ionization source typically consists of a nano-electrospray emitter for analyte formation and two other emitters, an electrospray emitter and an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization emitter or a second nano-electrospray emitter for formation of the two different reagent ions. The three emitters are positioned in a parallel fashion close to the sampling orifice of the tandem mass spectrometer. The potentials applied to each emitter are sequentially pulsed so that desired ions are generated separately in time and space. Sequential ion/ion reactions take place after analyte ions of interest and different set of reagent ions are sequentially injected into a linear ion trap, where axial trapping is effected by applying an auxiliary radio frequency voltage to the end lenses. The pulsed triple ionization source allows independent optimization of each emitter and can be readily coupled to any atmospheric pressure ionization interface with no need for instrument modifications, provided the potentials required to transmit the ion polarity of interest can be synchronized with the emitter potentials. Several sequential ion/ion reactions examples are demonstrated to illustrate the analytical usefulness of the triple ionization source in the study of gas-phase ion/ion chemistry.
Kinetics and Crystallographic Analysis of Human Glutathione Reductase in Complex with a Xanthene Inhibitor

We have determined the crystal structure of a complex between the noncompetitive inhibitor (Kis = 27 μM, Kii = 48 μM with respect to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and Kis = 144 μM, Kii = 176 μM with respect to NADPH) 6-hydroxy-3-oxo-3H-xanthene-9-propionic acid (XAN) and human glutathione reductase (hGR). The structure, refined to an R-factor of 0.158 at 2.0 A resolution, reveals XAN bound in the large cavity present at the hGR dimer interface where it does not overlap the glutathione binding site. The inhibitor binding causes extensive local structural changes that primarily involve amino acid residues from a 30-residue α-helix that lines the cavity and contributes to the active site of hGR. Despite the lack of physical overlap of XAN with the GSSG binding site, no GSSG binding is seen in soaks carried out with high XAN and GSSG concentrations, suggesting that some subtle interaction between the sites exists. An earlier crystallographic analysis on the complex between hGR and 3,7-diamino-2,8-dimethyl-5-phenyl-phenazinium chloride (safranin) showed that safranin bound at this same site. We have found that safranin also inhibits hGR in a noncompetitive fashion, but it binds about 16 times less tightly (Kis = 453 μM, Kii = 586 μM with respect to GSSG) than XAN and does not preclude the binding of GSSG in the crystal. Although in structure-based drug design competitive inhibitors are usually targetted, XAN's binding to a well defined site that is unique to glutathione reductase suggests that noncompetitive inhibitors could also serve as lead compounds for structure-based drug design, in particular as components of chimeric inhibitors.
Setup reduction and increased effective capacity

Setup reduction is an important aspect of the Just-In-Time JIT and Zero Inventory ZI concepts. This paper looks at the increased effective capacity that results from setup reduction. A certain amount of time, as well as expense, is required for each setup within a multiproduct firm. By reducing the time required for setups, less time is required to carry out those setups. That time can either be used to reduce lot sizes or to reduce overtime. We use an EOQ-like setting with stationary deterministic demand rates for each product. This simple model allows explicit solutions to be derived, not only for optimal setup time reduction, but for optimal overtime as well. Numerical examples illustrate the results.
Slr1293 in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 Is the C-3′,4′ Desaturase (CrtD) Involved in Myxoxanthophyll Biosynthesis

When grown at high light intensity, more than a quarter of the total carotenoids in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis consists of myxoxanthophyll, a polar carotenoid glycoside. The biosynthetic pathway of myxoxanthophyll is unknown but is presumed to involve a number of enzymes, including a C-3',4' desaturase required to add one double bond to generate 11 conjugated double bonds in the monocyclic myxoxanthophyll. A candidate for this desaturase is Slr1293, which was identified by genome similarity searching. To determine whether Slr1293 is a desaturase recognizing neurosporene and lycopene, slr1293 was expressed in Escherichia coli strains accumulating neurosporene or lycopene. Confirming such a desaturase function for Slr1293, these E. coli strains accumulated 3',4'-didehydroneurosporene and 3',4'-didehydrolycopene, respectively. Indeed, deletion of slr1293 in Synechocystis provides further evidence that Slr1293 is a desaturase recognizing neurosporene: In the slr1293 deletion mutant, neurosporene was found to accumulate and was further processed to produce neurosporene glycoside. Neurosporene hereby becomes a primary candidate to be the branch point molecule between carotene and myxoxanthophyll biosynthesis in this cyanobacterium. The slr1293 gene was concluded to encode a C-3',4' desaturase that is essential for myxoxanthophyll biosynthesis, and thus it was designated as crtD. Furthermore, as Slr1293 appears to recognize neurosporene and to catalyze the first committed step on the myxoxanthophyll biosynthesis pathway, Slr1293 plays a pivotal role in directing a portion of the precursor pool for carotenoid biosynthesis toward myxoxanthophyll biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803.
Endonuclease-containing Penelope retrotransposons in the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga exhibit unusual structural features and play a role in expansion of host gene families

Background Penelope-like elements (PLEs) are an enigmatic group of retroelements sharing a common ancestor with telomerase reverse transcriptases. In our previous studies, we identified endonuclease-deficient PLEs that are associated with telomeres in bdelloid rotifers, small freshwater invertebrates best known for their long-term asexuality and high foreign DNA content. Completion of the high-quality draft genome sequence of the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga provides us with the opportunity to examine its genomic transposable element (TE) content, as well as TE impact on genome function and evolution.
Cue-Reactive Altered State of Consciousness Mediates the Relationship Between Problem-Gambling Severity and Cue-Reactive Urge in Poker-Machine Gamblers.

In order to enhance our understanding of the nature of poker-machine problem-gambling, a community sample of 37 poker-machine gamblers (M age = 32 years, M PGSI = 5; PGSI = Problem Gambling Severity Index) were assessed for urge to gamble (responses on a visual analogue scale) and altered state of consciousness (assessed by the Altered State of Awareness dimension of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory) at baseline, after a neutral cue, and after a gambling cue. It was found that (a) problem-gambling severity (PGSI score) predicted increase in urge (from neutral cue to gambling cue, controlling for baseline; sr 2 = .19, p = .006) and increase in altered state of consciousness (from neutral cue to gambling cue, controlling for baseline; sr 2 = .57, p < .001), and (b) increase in altered state of consciousness (from neutral cue to gambling cue) mediated the relationship between problem-gambling severity and increase in urge (from neutral cue to gambling cue; κ2 = .40, 99 % CI [.08, .71]). These findings suggest that cue-reactive altered state of consciousness is an important component of cue-reactive urge in poker-machine problem-gamblers.
Fluoxetine, smoking, and history of major depression: A randomized controlled trial

The study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial testing whether fluoxetine selectively enhances cessation for smokers with a history of depression. Euthymic smokers with (H+, n = 109) or without (H-, n = 138) a history of major depression received 60 mg fluoxetine or placebo plus group behavioral quit-smoking treatment for 12 weeks. Fluoxetine initially enhanced cessation for H+ smokers (p = .02) but subsequently impaired cessation regardless of depressive history. Six months after quit date, fluoxetine-treated participants were 3.3 times more likely to be smoking (p = .02). Further research is warranted to determine why high-dose fluoxetine produces continuing effects that oppose tobacco abstinence.
Identifying Admired Models to Increase Emulation Development of a Multidimensional Admiration Scale

According to social cognitive theory, people are most likely to emulate the behaviors of admired models. Though potentially valuable to researchers and practitioners, this postulate remains untested, as there is no validated measure of admiration. To facilitate research on admiration, a 14-item measure was constructed and the resulting scores were validated across two studies.
A comparison of SOAP and REST implementations of a service based interaction independence middleware framework

This paper describes the conceptual design of an interaction independence middleware framework and describes the role that web services plays within it. We investigate two pervasive service-oriented architecture paradigms, SOAP and REST, in order to gauge their potential effectiveness in meeting underlying back-end data transmission requirements; provide implementations for the service-oriented architecture and data model; and, finally, critically evaluate both implementations with an emphasis on their performance with regard to both efficiency and scalability.
Effect of Polymer Concentration and Composition on Blue Phase Liquid Crystals

Effect of polymer concentration and composition on the electro-optic properties of blue phase liquid crystal (BPLC) composites is investigated. By increasing the polymer concentration, a more stable structure and faster response time are obtained, while keeping a low hysteresis (~ 3%). The major tradeoff is the increased operating voltage. Monomer ratio also plays an important role on the stability of the polymer-stabilized BPLC.