cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential of bullfrog symphathetic ganglion cells

Abstract PREGANGLIONIC volleys evoke in the curarized superior cervical ganglion of turtles and rabbits (1,2) a positive wave (P potential) which is followed by a late occurring negative wave (LN potential). Tetanic stimulation enhances the P potential as well as the LN potential, whereas atropine completely abolishes both of them (2,3,4). Inasmuch as dibenamine depresses the P potential preferentially over the LN potential (4), and reserpine selectively depresses the P potential (5), it has been suggested that the P potential is produced by adrenaline which is released from the chromaffin cells in the sympathetic ganglion (4,5,6). A long lasting hyperpolarization, which corresponds to the P potential, has been recorded intracellularly from the postsynaptic neurons of sympathetic ganglia of rabbits, frogs and bullfrogs (7,8,9). The P potential can be considered to be an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) by reason of its trans-synaptic occurrence and its polarity (cf. 4), although there is no experimental evidence that it actually inhibits ganglionic transmission. Moreover, there is a report contrary to the idea that catecholamines act as the mediator of the P potential (10). Nevertheless, it was considered worthwhile to study the mechanism of the P potential, regardless of the kind of transmitter involved, in comparison with the IPSP of other cells in general. The present communication deals with the inhibition of postganglionic discharges caused by the P potential, and with the nature of the P potential which differs in characteristics from that of other cells so far studied.
Primary clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: An analysis of 15 cases with review of the literature

The clinical and pathological findings in 15 primary, “pure” clear cell carcinomas of the ovary included in the Magee-Womens Hospital Tumor Registry from 1947 through 1974 are discussed. The ages of the patients ranged from 35 to 75 years (mean 53). The most common clinical finding was an abdominal mass in 14 cases. At surgery, five patients had extraovarian spread, one accompanied by ascitis. The tumors varied in diameter from 4 cm to 17 cm (mean 10.5 cm); grossly, about one-third were cystic, one-third solid and one-third had combined cystic and solid areas. Microscopically, four basic patterns were seen: papillary, tubular, solid, and cystic, and in several an admixture of the above. Clear cells predominated in 48% of the cases and 23% displayed hobnail cells. Most patients were treated by TAH & BSO or variants thereof, some followed by radiation or chemotherapy. Four patients died with cancer within 35 months after diagnosis; two others died of unrelated causes three and 12 years later. The actuarial survival was computed as 55% at five years. Five patients were staged as IIb (FIGO classification); four died with tumor and the remaining patient is alive with recurrent tumor in the pelvis 18 months after the original diagnosis. Three patients with tumors displaying the cystic pattern are still alive; two with a predominantly papillary pattern and vascular permeation are dead. It is suggested that survival rates in these 15 cases may be related more to the extent of the lesion at the initial presentation than to the gross or microscopic pattern.
Economic Factors Underlying the Incidence of Large Farming Units: The Current Situation and Probable Trends

T HERE is now a growing awareness and concern about the gradual increase in the number of and in the concentration of production on large farms. Some of the concern is expressed by traditional agrarian fundamentalists; part is a genuine appreciation of the changing structure of agricultural production and the resulting impact on individuals, communities, and society. Farm management economists have been preoccupied with family-size farm operations. Farm input and marketing economists have focused upon traditional marketing firms and functions. Only recently have these two groups become interested in large production units, marketing interrelationships, and the structural impacts. Farm policy economists have focused their attention on farm commodity legislation designed for family farms. The need for analysis of large-scale units is now emerging in proposals to limit the size of commodity program payments to large producers. Problems of understanding and documenting "large-farm" phenomena result in part from the professions' inability to plan and conduct improved statistical data gathering and economic analysis as fast as the industry is changing. The U. S. Census has held to old classifications and frequency distributions that tend to count people, acres of crops, and number of livestock. These classifications are ill-designed for research about operating business units, especially those that are non-land based or are contractual in na-
Predictors of Gleason score upgrading in a large African-American population.

Gleason score from biopsy specimens is important for prostate cancer (PCa) risk stratification and influences treatment decisions. Gleason score upgrading (GSU) between biopsy and surgical pathology specimens has been reported as high as 50 % and presents a challenge in counseling low-risk patients. While recent studies have investigated predictors of GSU, populations in these studies have been largely Caucasian. We report our analysis of predictors of GSU in a large urban African-American population. A total of 959 patients with D’Amico low-risk prostate cancer underwent radical prostatectomy at Georgetown University or Washington Hospital Center between January 2005 and July 2012. Race, age, PSA, body mass index (BMI), cancer of the prostate risk assessment (CAPRA) score, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy characteristics (percent of biopsy cores showing adenocarcinoma, highest percent of biopsy core involved with cancer, and measured TRUS prostate volume) were analyzed with both univariate and multivariate analyses to identify significant predictors of GSU while controlling for clinical parameters. Of the 959 cases, 288 (30.0 %) were upgraded on final pathologic specimen with approximately 38 % (133/355) of African-American patients experiencing GSU. BMI (P = 0.02), percent positive biopsy cores (P < 0.01) and percent of core involved with cancer (P < 0.01), increasing CAPRA score, and serum PSA were independent predictors of GSU on both uni- and multivariate regression analyses. African Americans had a 73 % increase in the incidence of GSU over other races. More than a quarter of low-risk prostate cancer patients were upgraded on final pathology in our series. Higher BMI, serum PSA, CAPRA score, percent of cores positive, and percent of cores involved were independent predictors of GSU. Individuals with those clinical parameters may harbor occult high-grade disease and should be carefully counseled on treatment decisions.
Theory and design of coherent digital systems which track Doppler frequency

A unified theory from which the design of a large class of coherent digital communication systems can be optimally carried out is presented. In the design of digital communication systems, the error rate is the criterion which is invariably emphasized. In many digital systems, however, there is relative motion between transmitter and receiver which must be estimated by making use of Doppler frequency information. A new analysis of a general class of coherent digital systems is herein developed, in which the tradeoffs that exist between Doppler measurement capability and bit demodulation error rate are quantitatively presented. The theoretically unrecoverable power loss which exists when employing frequency division multiplexing subcarriers as compared to time division multiplexing is described. The results point out that there is significant parametric dependence of the optimal choice of system parameters on the carrier loop signal-to-noise ratio and the data rate.
EFFECT OF HEATED REGION ON TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION WITHIN TISSUE DURING MAGNETIC FLUID HYPERTHERMIA USING LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD

This work uses the lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) to solve the Pennes bio-heat equation (BHE) to predict the temperature rise behavior occurring in cylindrical biological tissues during magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH). Therefore, LBM is extended to solve the bio-heat transfer problem with curved boundary conditions. Effect of magnetic nanoparticles' (MNPs) volume fraction as well as the vastness of heated region on the temperature distribution are shown. The analytical and numerical finite difference solutions reveal the accuracy of the model.
Extracellular protease of Penicillium roqueforti. I. Production and characteristics of crude enzyme preparation.

Abstract The proteolytic activity of various strains of Penicillium roqueforti (ATCC 10110, ATCC 6987, Japan BP-13) was qualitatively assayed by streaking a suspension of spores on the surface of Czapek-Dox agar containing 1.0% sodium caseinate and 20mM calcium chloride. Extracellular proteolytic activity was based on the precipitation of the calcium-sensitive caseins in the agar medium. Protease was produced by shake-culturing (225rpm) the various strains of fungi in Czapek-Dox broth containing .5% Proteose-Peptone No. 3 at 25 to 27C for 72 to 78h. A cell-free extract of the strain releasing the largest quantities of extracellular protease (BP-13) was prepared by centrifugation of the vegetative growth, followed by filtering the supernatant through Millipore filters. The assay for proteolytic activity was based on the amount of trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen released after 9min incubation at 30C with 1.0% Hammersten casein at pH 5.75. The extracellular protease had pH optima of 3.0 and 5.5 for bovine serum albumin and casein. Maximum stability to pH occurred in the range of 3.0 to 6.0. The optimum temperature for proteolytic activity was 46C; thermal inactivation commenced at 48C.
The Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS): Acculturation, Birthplace and Alcohol-Related Social Problems Across Hispanic National Groups.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between acculturation, birthplace, and alcohol-related social problems across Hispanic national groups. METHOD: 5,224 Hispanic adults (18+ years) were interviewed using a multistage cluster sample design in Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis shows no association between acculturation and problems among men or women. Birthplace is a risk factor for social problems among both genders. Among men, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and South/Central Americans are more likely to report social problems than Cuban Americans. Other risk factors for men are unemployment, a higher volume of drinking, and a higher frequency of binge drinking. Among women, Mexican American origin and binge drinking are also risk factors for reporting problems. CONCLUSIONS: U.S.-born Hispanics may experience stress and other detrimental effects to health because of their minority status, which may increase the likelihood of more drinking and the development of alcohol-related problems. Language: en
De novo lipogenesis, lipid kinetics, and whole-body lipid balances in humans after acute alcohol consumption.

Background: Acute alcohol intake is associated with changes in plasma lipid concentrations and whole-body lipid balances in humans. The quantitative roles of hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and plasma acetate production in these changes have not been established, however. Objective: We used stable-isotope mass spectrometric methods with indirect calorimetry to establish the metabolic basis of changes in whole-body lipid balances in healthy men after consumption of 24 g alcohol. Design: Eight healthy subjects were studied and DNL (by massisotopomer distribution analysis), lipolysis (by dilution of [1,2,3,413 C 4]palmitate and [ 2 H 5]glycerol), conversion of alcohol to plasma acetate (by incorporation from [1- 13 C1]ethanol), and plasma acetate flux (by dilution of [1- 13 C1]acetate) were measured. Results: The fractional contribution from DNL to VLDL-triacylglycerol palmitate rose after alcohol consumption from 2 ∠ 1% to 30 ∠ 8 %; nevertheless, the absolute rate of DNL (0.8 g/6 h) represented < 5% of the ingested alcohol dose; 77 ∠ 13% of the alcohol cleared from plasma was converted directly to acetate entering plasma. Acetate flux increased 2.5-fold after alcohol consumption. Adipose release of nonesterified fatty acids into plasma decreased by 53% and whole-body lipid oxidation decreased by 73%. Conclusions: We conclude that the consumption of 24 g alcohol activates the hepatic DNL pathway modestly, but acetate produced in the liver and released into plasma inhibits lipolysis, alters tissue fuel selection, and represents the major quantitative fate of ingested ethanol. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:928‐36.
The effects of tegaserod, a 5‐HT4 receptor agonist, on gastric emptying in a murine model of diabetes mellitus

The C57BLKS/J db/db transgenic mouse is a model of diabetes mellitus that has been shown to have delayed gastric emptying. We assessed gastric emptying rates in C57BLKS/J mice, and determined the effects of tegaserod, a new selective 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist, on gastric emptying. Methods: Gastric emptying rates of a 20% glucose test meal were determined in 12–20-week-old female db/db mice and control littermates. The effects of tegaserod (0.1–2.0 mg kg−1, i.p.) on gastric transit were tested in a second group of db/db mice. Pretreatment with GR11308, a specific 5-HT4antagonist, was used to confirm the mechanism of action of tegaserod on gastric emptying. Results: Gastric emptying of glucose was significantly slower in db/db mice than in control littermates. Tegaserod (0.1 mg kg−1) significantly accelerated the gastric emptying rate of glucose in db/db mice, reducing the fraction of the meal remaining in the stomach at 30 min by 80%. GR11308 blocked the gastrokinetic effects of tegaserod. Conclusions: Gastric emptying was impaired in db/db mice. Low dose tegaserod improved gastric emptying rates in this model of gastroparesis through the activation of 5-HT4 receptors. These findings suggest that 5-HT4 receptor agonists may prove useful for improving delayed gastric emptying in gastroparesis.
Late Precambrian tectonism — the opening of the Iapetus Ocean

At the end of the Proterozoic/beginning of the Paleozoic, the Laurentian craton formed a passive continental margin facing the Iapetus Ocean. The evidence for this paleogeographic reconstruction, in North America, is as follows: (1) disparity in thicknesses and lithologies of lower Paleozoic sediments of the cratonic cover and the Appalachian orogenic belt; (2) the existance of graben-like Late Proterozoic basins at the edge of the craton; (3) the presence of the Late Proterozoic volcanic deposits in and at the edges of the grabens, implying extensional tectonics; and (4) the widespread occurrence of Late Proterozoic dikes that stretch parallel to the Laurentian margin. Cambrian sedimentary rocks rest unconformably to paraconformably on all these rocks and represent the shoreline facies of the Iapetus Ocean.
On the Discovery of Direct Ortho-Magnesiation

Metalation of 2,4-dicyanocubanecarboxamide (4) with lithium tetramethylpiperidide (LiTMP) followed by quenching with CO2 is non-regioselective and results in carboxylation at the 3 ( 5) and 6 ( 6 ) positions. However, when the reaction was repeated with LiTMP pre-treated with more than 0.5 equivalent of MgBr2, only 6 was produced. This was shown to occur by direct, regiospecific ortho-magnesiation by the bases BrMgTMP and MgTMP2. This initial observation of ortho-magnesiation has opened the way to wide application of this new methodology, a valuable and useful complement to ortho-lithiation.
IDENTIFICATION OF A HUMAN PTS1 RECEPTOR DOCKING PROTEIN DIRECTLY REQUIRED FOR PEROXISOMAL PROTEIN IMPORT

The discovery of many fatal human disorders resulting from impaired peroxisomal protein import makes the functional characterization of human peroxins critical. As part of our attempt to identify novel human genes and gene products involved in the import of peroxisomal proteins, we raised antisera against peroxisomal membrane proteins. One such antiserum inhibited peroxisomal protein import in semipermeabilized mammalian cells. This “import inhibiting” antiserum, ab-MF3, specifically recognized a 57-kDa protein. Immunoblot analysis of rat liver subcellular fractions demonstrated that this protein was present exclusively in peroxisomal membranes. Functional analysis revealed that this 57-kDa molecule bound the PTS1 receptor, Pex5p, in ligand blots, suggesting it is a docking site on the peroxisomal membrane. Previous studies have identified two yeast proteins, Pex14p and Pex13p, as Pex5p-binding proteins. To facilitate the biochemical analysis of peroxisomal membrane docking proteins, we cloned and expressed the previously unidentified human Pex14p, as well as a human Pex13p that is 39 aa longer than previously reported. Recombinant Pex14p was specifically recognized by the “import inhibiting” ab-MF3 and bound Pex5p and the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of Pex13p in ligand blots. These studies demonstrate that the ab-MF3-immunoreactive, 57-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein is Pex14p. Furthermore, this peroxin interacts with Pex5p and Pex13p(SH3) and is directly required for peroxisomal protein import.
Talipes equinovarus and maternal smoking: a population-based case-control study in Washington state.

Background Talipes equinovarus (TEV), also called congenital idiopathic clubfoot, true clubfoot and common clubfoot, is one of the most common major birth defects. Its correction is often difficult and expensive. Its etiology is poorly understood and few analytic epidemiological studies have been devoted to exploring specific risk factors for TEV. Methods Our population-based study consists of 239 documented cases of idiopathic TEV obtained from hospital and outpatient sources and 365 controls identified via random digit dialing from five Western Washington counties. Structured maternal interviews were conducted by trained interviewers and multiple logistic regression used to evaluate associations between maternal smoking and birth of a child with TEV. Results Our study shows strong associations between maternal smoking and idiopathic TEV. Case mothers were more likely to have smoked during pregnancy (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.5, 3.3). Increased TEV risk was seen with increased smoking and estimates ranged from 1.5 for the lightest smokers to 3.9 for the heaviest smokers. Gender specific differences in risk were also noted with risk estimates of 1.8 (95% CI = 1.2, 3.0) for boys whose mothers smoked during pregnancy and 2.8 (95% CI = 1.4, 5.4) for girls. Trends for increased risk with higher numbers of cigarettes were noted for both genders. For isolated TEV, the overall odds ratio (OR) for smoking was 2.4 (95% CI = 1.6, 3.6) with a range from 1.4–4.6. No confounders were noted. Conclusions As postulated, maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to increase the risk of having a child with idiopathic clubfoot and the number of cigarettes smoked influence that risk. Further delineation of dose-response is warranted as are continued efforts to decrease maternal smoking during pregnancy. Teratology 66:91–100, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Global/local scoring modifications for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure: relation to unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy patients.

Observation of figural reproductions of right temporal lobe epilepsy (RTLE) patients have revealed overall configuration errors, whereas in left temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE) patients, the global aspect of performance is generally preserved. This study compared performance of individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE, n = 83; RTLE, n = 63) on a global/local modification of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT). In Phase I, neuropsychologists (n = 6) and neuropsychology fellows (n = 3) completed a survey identifying the global and local aspects of the RCFT. Questionnaire responses were used to categorize a list of global and local items (five global, five local) for re-scoring the protocols of TLE patients during study Phase II. Results showed that the RTLE and LTLE groups were not differentiated according to the global or local indices F(1,141) = .385; p = not significant. There were lower local scores for both groups in the copy F(1,142) = 5.23; p = .024, immediate F(1,142) = 445.26; p < .001, and delay trials F(1,142) = 427.82; p < .001, indicating less retention of local information over time. Results suggest general declines in figural memory for local stimulus properties in both unilateral TLE groups. However, this relationship was weakened after controlling for global and local item verbalizability. (JINS, 2006, 12, 383–390.)
MECHANISM OF INTERACTION OF ACANTHAMOEBA ACTOPHORIN (ADF/COFILIN) WITH ACTIN FILAMENTS

We characterized the interaction of Acanthamoeba actophorin, a member of ADF/cofilin family, with filaments of amoeba and rabbit skeletal muscle actin. The affinity is about 10 times higher for muscle actin filaments (Kd = 0.5 microM) than amoeba actin filaments (Kd = 5 microM) even though the affinity for muscle and amoeba Mg-ADP-actin monomers (Kd = 0.1 microM) is the same (Blanchoin, L., and Pollard, T. D. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 25106-25111). Actophorin binds slowly (k+ = 0.03 microM-1 s-1) to and dissociates from amoeba actin filaments in a simple bimolecular reaction, but binding to muscle actin filaments is cooperative. Actophorin severs filaments in a concentration-dependent fashion. Phosphate or BeF3 bound to ADP-actin filaments inhibit actophorin binding. Actophorin increases the rate of phosphate release from actin filaments more than 10-fold. The time course of the interaction of actophorin with filaments measured by quenching of the fluorescence of pyrenyl-actin or fluorescence anisotropy of rhodamine-actophorin is complicated, because severing, depolymerization, and repolymerization follows binding. The 50-fold higher affinity of actophorin for Mg-ADP-actin monomers (Kd = 0.1 microM) than ADP-actin filaments provides the thermodynamic basis for driving disassembly of filaments that have hydrolyzed ATP and dissociated gamma-phosphate.
Role of organic acids formic, acetic, pyruvic and / oxalic in the formation of cloud condensation / nuclei CCN : a review

Although it is believed that organic aerosols play a key role in cloud nucleation and make an . important contribution to the cloud condensation nuclei CCN population, their specific species remain poorly characterized. This paper reviews the current knowledge of organic acids mainly . formic, acetic, pyruvic and oxalic acids . Without specification, organic acids in this paper refer to these four organic acids in the gas and aerosol phases. This paper analyzes the extent to which organic acids act as CCN and compares the physical and chemical properties of organic acids with those of CCN. The results show that aerosol formate and acetate concentrations range from 0.02 to 5.3 nmol m y3 and from 0.03 to 12.4 nmol m y3 , respectively, and that between 34 to 77% of formate and between 21 to 66% of acetate are present in the fine fraction of aerosols. It was found . that although most 98-99% of these volatile organic acids are present in the gas phase, their concentrations in the aerosol particles are sufficient to make them a good candidate for CCN. The results also show that organic acids may make an important contribution to the formation of CCN in some special sources such as vegetation emissions and biomass-burning. Organic acids are . expected to contribute significantly to the estimates of indirect cloud-mediated forcing due to aerosols. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Reliability modeling and management in dynamic microprocessor-based systems

Reliability failure mechanisms, such as time dependent dielectric breakdown, electromigration, and thermal cycling have become a key concern in processor design. The traditional approach to reliability qualification assumes that the processor will operate at maximum performance continuously under worst case voltage and temperature conditions. However, the typical processor spends a very small fraction of its operational time at maximum voltage and temperature. In this paper, we show how this results in a reliability "slack" that can be leveraged to provide increased performance during periods of peak processor demand. We develop a novel, real time reliability model based on workload driven conditions. We then propose a new dynamic reliability management (DRM) scheme that results in 20-35% performance improvement during periods of peak computational demand while ensuring the required reliability lifetime.
Heating Rate and Induced Thermotolerance in Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Larvae, a Quarantine Pest of Citrus and Mangoes

A bioassay and graduated temperature water baths were used to document the induction of thermotolerance in third-instar Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew). The 99% lethal time dose for larvae exposed to 44°C core temperatures in artificial fruit is 61.5 min when a slow heating rate (120 min ramp) is applied, but only 41.9 min when a fast heating rate (15 min ramp) is applied. In electrophoretic profiles a heat inducible protein of molecular weight 32 kDa was detected in 76% of the larvae exposed to the slow ramp treatment, but only 42% of the larvae in the fast ramp treatment. Results from this research demonstrate that thermotolerance can be induced under conditions used to commercially disinfest fresh produce and highlight the necessity for specifying heating rates in quarantine treatment schedules.
Formula Hybrid racing at Illinois Institute of Technology: Academic year 2008/2009

In May 2009, the third annual Formula Hybrid competition was held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH. This student event is a chance for several teams from all over the world to compete against one another in a real world engineering environment. The growth of the competition has been very evident over the three year period—with 28 teams participating in 2009. This growth has sparked a passion at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) for designing, building, and racing hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). Involvement in the competition has allowed for IIT to teach its students this advanced technology not only in the class room, but also with real world applications where students have been able to take the ideas and methods they have learned and implement them in this one of a kind competition. The WISER team at IIT fielded two student-designed hybrid electric vehicles of differing drive trains for the 2009 competition. These vehicles are cutting edge on many levels including lithium polymer and lithium phosphorus batteries, ultra-capacitors, a continuously variable transmission, and an electronic differential.
Bifurcation analysis of the metabolism of E. coli at optimal enzyme levels

Understanding the metabolic function of microorganisms has recently received a lot of attention due to its importance in fields such as health and industry. Metabolism in microorganisms is a sophisticated process comprised of several thousands of different components with intricate interactions between them. This characteristic is translated into complex dynamical behavior that such systems can exhibit e.g., multiple steady states, hysteresis, or oscillations. Kinetic models of the processes occurring in the cells allow us not just to determine optimal conditions for a given objective but also to assess their stability properties. In this work we evaluate the stability of the central carbon metabolism of E. coli, using the Chassagnole et al. model, at optimal enzyme levels as determined by E.V. Nikolaev (2005) for the production of serine. To accomplish this, we construct bifurcation diagrams considering the level of one, two and three enzymes as bifurcation parameters. We determine that the system goes through a Hopf bifurcation and/or a limit point for certain parameter values. This is achieved for a 68% change in the enzyme level, implying that the system is robust to perturbations on the process parameters at the optimal enzyme levels for the employed model description.
Determining Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) Stability in Molten Oxy-Fluoride Flux for the Production of Magnesium with the SOM Process

The solid oxide membrane (SOM) process has been used to produce magnesium by direct electrolysis of its oxide. In this process, MgO is dissolved in a molten CaF2–MgF2 flux and an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) SOM membrane separates the cathode and the flux from the anode. YSZ membrane stability limits the operating life of the SOM process. This study investigates the interactions between YSZ and the molten CaF2– MgF2 salt. The YSZ membrane is known to degrade due to diffusion of yttria into the flux. Yttria diffusion can, however, be decreased or prevented by adding YF3 to the flux. When the activity of yttria in the flux is greater than that of yttria in the membrane, yttria is observed to diffuse from the flux into the YSZ. Yttrium concentration profiles in the YSZ membrane as a function of time and YF3 content in the flux were determined using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). An analytic solution to the diffusion equation was used to model the diffusion process. This study helps to determine the optimum YF3 content needed in the flux to minimize yttria diffusion and increase membrane stability.
Behavioral variation and reproductive success of male baboons (Papio anubis × Papio hamadryas) in a hybrid social group

We take advantage of an array of hybrid baboons (Papio anubis x Papio hamadryas) living in the same social group to explore the causes and consequences of different male mating strategies. Male hamadryas hold one-male units and exhibit a sustained, intense interest in adult females, regardless of the latter's reproductive state. Anubis baboons, by contrast, live in multi-male, multi-female groups where males compete for females only when the latter are estrous. These two taxa interbreed to form a hybrid zone in the Awash National Park, Ethiopia, where previous work has suggested that hybrid males have intermediate and ineffective behavior. Here, we first examine male mating strategies with respect to morphological and genetic measures of ancestry. We found significant relationships between behavioral measures and morphology; males with more hamadryas-like morphology had more hamadryas-like behavior. However, genetic ancestry was not related to behavior, and in both cases intermediates displayed a previously unreported level of behavioral variation. Furthermore, male behavior was unrelated to natal group. Second, we evaluated reproductive success by microsatellite-based paternity testing. The highest reproductive success was found for individuals exhibiting intermediate behaviors. Moreover, over nine years, some genetically and morphologically intermediate males had high reproductive success. We conclude that the behavior of hybrid males is therefore unlikely to be an absolute barrier to admixture in the region.
Thermal Jamming of a Colloidal Glass

This publication was based on work supported in part by the National Science Foundation, No. DMR-1006323 and by No. KUS-C1-018-02, made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Facilities available through the Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) were also used for this study.
Fictitious Stones and Sir William Osler

Introduction and Objective Stone disease has for some reason that is not quite clear attracted both the prankster as well as the malingerer. The people who suffer from acute stone colic present with those who seek nothing more than narcotics. The term Munchausen’s disease was coined to describe the patient’s who seek surgery for some psychopathologic gain. William Osler who is considered by many to be the greatest physician of the twentieth century wrote the standard book of medicine for almost 30 years, The Principles and Practice of Medicine, which discussed stone disease.
Evaluating the implementation and sustainability of a program for enhancing veterans' intimate relationships.

ABSTRACTThe Warrior to Soul Mate (W2SM) program is a grassroots initiative on the part of Veterans Affairs chaplain services to provide relationship enhancement skills to veterans and significant others based on the Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills model. To examine the implementation and sustainability of the W2SM program, two online surveys were sent to each participating facility's W2SM leader. The first examined how individual W2SM events were conducted (100% response rate, 67 surveys) and the second assessed facility-level issues impacting program sustainability (100% response rate, 23 surveys). Four sites were selected for qualitative interviews based on levels of sustainability. In 2013, W2SM served 1,664 people including 847 veterans, incurring reasonable program costs when compared to other intensive Veterans Affairs services. However, there have been important systematic (e.g., contracting processes) and resource (e.g., time, concern over funding) challenges that are reflect...
Self Help Groups and Micro Finance- An Empirical Study

Microfinance is only successful model reaching the poor to uplift them by providing easy loan to build their business and other practices of self sufficiency, where regular financial services couldn’t reach. The success of SHGs as a development tool depends on the availability of Micro Finance. This study aims at evaluating the empowerment of rural women through SHGs and availing microfinance in two blocks from Tirunelveli District viz, Kalakadu and Valliyur. This study is compiled with the help of the primary data covered only three months period (2010). Totally 216 respondents were selected from 12 SHGs of two blocks by using simple random sampling method. The socio-economic conditions of members have improved since joining the groups. The positive changes have been reported in case of awareness regarding nutrition, health, hygiene, family planning, decision making related to money centered, interaction with outsiders, mobility, educational development, access to health services, family income etc. The result of chi-square analysis (χ2=9.14, P=0.0392), revealed that there is significant relationship between socio-economic status after joining SHGs and SHGs members in two blocks from Tirunelveli District study area. The Self Help Group really helps the women folk to participate in organized activities apart from helping members to mobilize funds. The present study concludes that the respondents are economically and social empowered by becoming members of SHGs in Tirunelveli District.
Auxetic Polymeric Bone Stent for Tubular Fractures: Design, Fabrication and Structural Analysis

Fracture fixation techniques, fracture management, and orthopedic trauma care have evolved, and various advancements have been made in the last 50 years. Minimally invasive biological osteosynthetic devices have the potential of transforming the prospects of orthopedic treatment. Internal fixation techniques offer tremendous advantages in the management of bone fractures. The main objective of this study was to fabricate a novel auxetic polymeric bone stent with potential applications in internal fixation procedures. A new “connected stars” geometry has been used for the fabrication of this device. After fabrication, the mechanical characterization of the auxetic bone stent was also carried out to study its properties and deformation behavior. The research work undertaken also assesses the potential for auxetic behavior of these tubular structures.
An Automata-Theoretic Approach to the Vehicle Routing Problem

We propose a new formulation and algorithms for the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). To accommodate persistent surveillance missions, which require executions in infinite time, we define Persistent VRP (P-VRP). The vehicles consume a resource, such as gas or battery charge, which can be replenished when they visit replenish stations. The mission specifications are given as rich, temporal logic statements about the sites, their service durations, and the time intervals in which services should be provided. We define a temporal logic, called TimeWindow Temporal Logic (TWTL), whose formulae allow for simple, intuitive descriptions of such specifications. Two different optimization criteria are considered. The first is the infinite-time limit of the duration needed for the completion of a surveillance round. The second penalizes the long-term average of the same quantity. The proposed algorithms, which are based on concepts and tools from formal verification and optimization, generate collision-free motion plans automatically from the temporal logic statements and vehicle characteristics such as maximum operation time and minimum replenish time. Illustrative simulations and experimental trials for a team of quadrotors involved in persistent surveillance missions are included.
Bare and Polymer-Coated Indium Tin Oxide as Working Electrodes for Manganese Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry.

Though an essential metal in the body, manganese (Mn) has a number of health implications when found in excess that are magnified by chronic exposure. These health complications include neurotoxicity, memory loss, infertility in males, and development of a neurologic psychiatric disorder, manganism. Thus, trace detection in environmental samples is increasingly important. Few electrode materials are able to reach the negative reductive potential of Mn required for anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), so cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) has been shown to be a viable alternative. We demonstrate Mn CSV using an indium tin oxide (ITO) working electrode both bare and coated with a sulfonated charge selective polymer film, polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene-sulfonate (SSEBS). ITO itself proved to be an excellent electrode material for Mn CSV, achieving a calculated detection limit of 5 nM (0.3 ppb) with a deposition time of 3 min. Coating the ITO with the SSEBS polymer was found ...
Searches: An Understudied Area of Racial Profiling

Racial profiling is an important issue in contemporary policing. Racial profiling research has primarily involved two things: (1) examining traffic stop data, and (2) using a benchmark or baseline in the discovery of racial profiling. A smaller literature has examined the searches to uncover racial profiling. The purpose of the present study is to examine traffic stop data-in particular searches-in understanding racial profiling. Using data more than 40,000 traffic stops from Louisville, Kentucky, the present study found that race is one of many factors that are used in the determination of a search. The policy implications of this finding are discussed.
Large Eddy Simulation of Internal Flowfield in Porous Chamber with Surface Mass Injection

Turbulent compressible flows in a porous chamber with surface transpiration have been analyzed numerically. Large-eddy-simulation technique is used to study the flow evolution within the chamber. The formulation treats the spatially filtered. Favre-averaged conservation equations of mass, momentum, and ener,T for compressible flows. The contribution of the large energy-carrying structures to momentum and ener,y transfer is computed exactly, and the effect of small-scales of turbulence is modeled using dynamic subgrid-scale model. The governing equations and the associated boundary conditions are numerically solved by means of a finite-volume-technique usin g fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme with domain decomposition and parallel processing. The evolution of vorticity field within the chamber indicates three successive regimes of flow development: the laminar, transition, and fully turbulent flow, respectively. Results show good comparison for the mean pressure and velocity profiles with the experimental data. The flowfield is dominated by strain rates in the axial direction resulting in higher turbulence intensity in the axial component compared with the vertical and spanwise direction. The present three-dimensional simulation predicts the turbulence intensity and Reynolds stress levels fairly accurately as compared with earlier work. The importance of vortex-stretching phenomenon to accurately capture the dissipation and production rates in a turbulent flowfield is elucidated in the present work.
Synthesized Warning Messages: Effects of an Alerting Cue in Single- and Multiple-Function Voice Synthesis Systems

The present study examined the effectiveness of preceding synthesized voice warning messages with an alerting cue as a function of the amount of information presented by the voice synthesizer and the workload level in the primary task. Subjects performed a simplified air traffic control task in which they were required to monitor two visual displays and to enter commands via a standard keyboard. Emergency messages were always presented by phoneme-based synthesized speech. However, the presence of an alerting cue (light and tone) prior to emergency messages and the presentation mode of noncritical messages (visual or auditory) were varied experimentally. When synthesized speech was used only for emergency messages, the presence of an alerting cue lengthened the response time to the message. However, when computer-generated speech was used for multiple functions, more emergency messages were detected when an alerting cue was used.
Analysis of Genotype and Clinical Phenotype in 2 Chinese Families with Type A Niemann-Pick Disease

Objective To study the acid sphingomyelinase(ASM) gene(SMPD1)mutation in 2 unrelated Chinese families with type A Niemann-Pick Disease(NPD) and analyze the phenotype and genotype relationship.Methods Two NPD families after patients or parental consent were collected.Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral bloods of the probands,their family members and 100 unrelated healthy individuals.Analysis of 6 exons and part exon-intron boundaries of the SMPD1 gene in patients,their parents and healthy individuals were carried out by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing.Results The PCR amplification clips which were consistent with the expected one could be purified and sequenced.One homozygote mutation of SMPD1,which named as T107C(V36A) was identified both in 2 probands.Parents of the 2 probands had the hetemzygous mutation(c.107T→C,p.V36A) in exon 1 while 100 healthy individuals had no mutation.Conclusions The SMPD1 gene is related with the clinical phenotype in 2 Chinese NPD patients who are homozygote mutations.Their parents are carrier with normal phenotype.
Reverse Na+/Ca2+ exchange contributes to glutamate-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration increases in cultured rat forebrain neurons

Activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors causes increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular Na+ concentration in neurons. It has been suggested that reversal of the plasma membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCE) may account in part for the rise in [Ca2+]i. Recently, KB-R7943 (2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea methanesulfonate) was reported to selectively inhibit the reverse mode of the NCE in non-neuronal cells. We investigated the effects of KB-R7943 on glutamate-stimulated increases in [Ca2+]i. In cultured rat forebrain neurons loaded with indo-1 acetoxymethyl ester, KB-R7943 inhibited the reverse mode of NCE (IC50 = 0.7 microM). When tested against kainate- (100 microM), N-methyl-D-aspartate- (30 microM), glutamate- (3 microM), or KCl- (50 mM) induced [Ca2+]i transients (15 sec, in the presence of Na+ and Ca2+), KB-R7943 inhibited these transients with IC50 values of 6. 6, 8.2, 5.2, and 2.9 microM, respectively. [Ca2+]i increases caused by a higher concentration of glutamate (100 microM) also were inhibited by KB-R7943 (10 microM). However, KB-R7943 had no effect on peak [Ca2+]i changes caused by prolonged application of glutamate and did not inhibit glutamate-induced neuronal injury. KB-R7943 did not inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate- or kainate-induced whole-cell currents, nor did it substantially inhibit voltage-sensitive Ca2+ currents, excluding a direct inhibition of these ion channels. These results suggest that reverse NCE contributes to the immediate rise in [Ca2+]i resulting from glutamate receptor activation. However, reverse NCE becomes less important as the stimulus time is increased, and Ca2+ entry by this route is not critical for the expression of excitotoxic injury.
Growth of solutal dendrites - A cellular automaton model

The stochastic cellular automaton (CA) model, originally proposed by Dilthey et al. (1997) was further refined and applied to the simulation of dendritic growth controlled by solutal effects in the...
Elevated C-reactive protein and posttraumatic stress pathology among survivors of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.

Abstract Background Systemic inflammation has emerged as a promising marker and potential mechanism underlying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relationship between posttraumatic stress pathology and systemic inflammation has not, however, been consistently replicated and is potentially confounded by comorbid illness or injury, common complications of trauma exposure. Methods We analyzed a large naturalistic cohort sharing a discrete physical and mental health trauma from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on September 11, 2001 (n = 641). We evaluated the relationship between multiple physical and mental health related indices collected through routine evaluations at the WTC Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC), a treatment program for community members exposed to the disaster. C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, was examined in relation to scores for PTSD, PTSD symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions/mood, arousal), depression and anxiety, while controlling for WTC exposures, lower respiratory symptoms, age, sex, BMI and smoking as potential risks or confounders. Results CRP was positively associated with PTSD severity (p Conclusions In this large study of the relationship between CRP and posttraumatic stress pathology, we demonstrated an association between systemic inflammation and stress pathology (PTSD; trending with depression), which remained after adjusting for potentially confounding variables. These results contribute to research findings suggesting a salient relationship between inflammation and posttraumatic stress pathology.
The interplay between information practices and information context: The case of mobile knowledge workers

The knowledge workforce is changing: global economic factors, increasing professional specialization, and rapid technological advancements mean that more individuals than ever can be found working in independent, modular, and mobile arrangements. Little is known about professional information practices or actions outside of traditional, centralized offices; however, the dynamic, unconventional, and less stable mobile work context diverges substantially from this model, and presents significant challenges and opportunities for the accomplishing of work tasks. This article identifies 5 main information practices geared toward mobilizing work, based on in-depth interviews with 31 mobile knowledge workers MKWs. It then uses these 5 practices as starting points for beginning to delineate the context of mobile knowledge work. We find that the information practices and information contexts of MKWs are mutually constitutive: challenges and opportunities of their work arrangements are what enable the development of practices that continually reconstruct productive spatial, temporal, social, and material contexts for work. This article contributes to an empirical understanding of the information practices of an increasingly visible yet understudied population, and to a theoretical understanding of the contemporary mobile knowledge work information context.