cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age-related changes in the immune response to influenza vaccination in a racially diverse, healthy elderly population

Proliferation to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and cell-mediated responses to influenza vaccine (FLU) were assessed in healthy elderly Caucasians, African Americans, Latinos and young Caucasians before and after immunization. Both PHA- and FLU-induced proliferation were reduced in elderly subgroups. FLU-induced proliferation increased post-vaccination in all elderly, except African Americans, but responses were lower than young. IL-2 and IFN-γ levels did not change after vaccination of elderly, regardless of race. The altered response to FLU in elderly African Americans, compared to elderly Caucasians and Latinos, indicates that racial background is important when drawing conclusions about immune responses to FLU in mixed elderly populations.
Voyager mission description

The Voyager Project, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, involves the lauching of two advanced spacecraft to explore the Jovian and Saturnian systems, as well as interplanetary space. The one-month lauch period opens on August 20, 1977, with arrivals at Jupiter in March and July of 1979, and at Saturn in November of 1980 and August of 1981. Gravity-assist swingbys of Jupiter are utilized in order to reduce the lauch energy demands needed to reach Saturn. In addition, a gravity-assist targeting option at Saturn will be maintained on the second-arriving Voyager for a possible continuation on to Uranus, with arrival in January of 1986. Flight through the Jovian and Saturnian systems will achieve close to moderate flyby encounters with several of the natural satellites, including special flyby geometry conditions for Io and Titan, as well as an Earth occultation of the spacecraft's radio signal by the rings of Saturn. The purpose of this paper is to describe the Voyager mission characteristics in order to establish a framework upon which to better understand the objectives and goals of the eleven scientific investigations which are described in subsequent papers.
Temperature distribution in layered road structures

An analytic framework dealing with heat movement in a three-layer pavement structure is set up based on the Fourier-Biot heat conduction equation. Exact analytic solution is obtained. The thermal characteristic frequencies of the pavement structure are derived in terms of the thermal properties of the layers. These frequencies are useful for understanding the recorded temperatures at different depths within a pavement structure. This is demonstrated using actual field data collected in a flexible pavement. Furthermore, this study shows that the thermal wave is significantly attenuated by the surface layer of the structure.
THE DISRUPTIVE EFFECT OF SELF-OBJECTIFICATION ON PERFORMANCE

Self-objectification is the act of viewing the self, particularly the body, from a third-person perspective. Objectification theory proposes numerous negative consequences for those who self-objectify, including decreased performance through the disruption of focused attention. In the current study, we examined whether women in a state of self-objectification were slower to respond to a basic Stroop color-naming task. Results showed that regardless of the type of word (color words, body words, or neutral words), participants in a state of self-objectification exhibited decreased performance. This study lends further evidence to objectification theory and highlights the negative performance ramifications of state self-objectification.
Impact of fuel composition on the recirculation zone structure and its role in lean premixed flame anchoring

Abstract We investigate the dependence of the recirculation zone (RZ) size and structure on the fuel composition using high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) and chemiluminescence measurements for C 3 H 8 / H 2 /air lean premixed flames stabilized in a backward-facing step combustor. Results show an intricate coupling between the flame anchoring and the RZ structure and length. For a fixed fuel composition, at relatively low equivalence ratios, the time-averaged RZ is comprised of two counter rotating eddies: a primary eddy (PE) between the shear layer and the bottom wall; and a secondary eddy (SE) between the vertical step wall and the PE. The flame stabilizes downstream of the saddle point of the dividing streamline between the two eddies. As equivalence ratio is raised, the flame moves upstream, pushing the saddle point with it and reducing the size of the SE. Higher temperature of the products reduces the velocity gradient in the shear layer and thus the reattachment length. As equivalence ratio approaches a critical value, the saddle point reaches the step and the SE collapses while the flame starts to exhibit periodic flapping motions, suggesting a correlation between the RZ structure and flame anchoring. The overall trend in the flow field is the same as we add hydrogen to the fuel at a fixed equivalence ratio, demonstrating the impact of fuel composition on the flow field. We show that the reattachment lengths ( L R ), which are shown to encapsulate the mean RZ structure, measured over a range of fuel composition and equivalence ratio collapse if plotted against the strained consumption speed ( S c ). Results indicate that for the flame to remain anchored, the RZ structure should satisfy L R , isothermal L R , reacting · S c U ∞ ∼ 0.1 . If this criterion cannot be met, the flame blows off, flashes back or becomes thermoacoustically unstable, suggesting a Damkohler-like criterion for aerodynamic flame stabilization in backward-facing step flows.
Biogenic amines and their metabolites in Trichostrongylus colubriformis, a nematode parasite of ruminants☆

Abstract 1. The following biogenic amines (BA) and BA metabolites were identified via HPLC in homogenates prepared from adults of Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Nematoda) recovered from the intestines of goats: N-acetyldopamine, DOPA, dopamine, epinephrine, epinine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylglycol, 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl) proprionic acid, metanephrine, O-methyl-DOPA, 3-methoxytyramine, norepinephrine, normetanephrine, octopamine, p-hydroxymandelic acid, serotonin, synephrine, tyramine and vanillylmandelic acid. 2. The mean concentrations of these compounds in groups of worms collected from different goats did not differ significantly with sex, but between the groups variance was high with probable components of both host and nematode origin.
Effect of bisenoic prostaglandins on the uterine vasculature of the nonpregnant sheep.

Abstract The effects of the bisenoic prostaglandins on the uterine vasculature and uterine contractile activity have been evaluated in an unanesthetized chronically catheterized nonpregnant sheep preparation. Changes in uterine blood flow were monitored with electromagnetic flow probes while uterine contractile activity and tone were determined via an intra-uterine balloon connected to a pressure transducer. Prostaglandins A 2 , D 2 , E 2 , and prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) were all found to be vasodilators. PGD 2 and PGI 2 were much more potent than PGA 2 and PGE 2 in dilating the uterine vasculature. The prostacyclin breakdown product 6-keto PGF 1α , PGF 2α , thromboxane B 2 , and the endoperoxide analogues U44069 and U46619 produced vasoconstriction of the uterine vasculature. Prostaglandins A 2 , D 2 and F 2α increased while PGI 2 decreased uterine contractile activity. PGF 2α also increased uterine tone suggesting that a portion of its vasoconstrictor activity may be due to mechanical compression of the uterine vasculature.
The wave, Laplace, and heat equations and related transforms

This paper is concerned with three basic transforms The first of these has been studied by Widder [1], who points out that f(t) can be interpreted as the temperature u(0, t) on the time axis, where u(x, t) is the solution of the heat equation withsymmetric initial temperature u(x, 0) = g(|x|) . The second has also been studied by Widder [2], where it is pointed out that f(t) can be interpreted as the value of the harmonic function u(x, t) on the t -axis arising from the boundary data u(x, 0) = g(|x|) .
Computer simulations of crystallinity gradients developed in injection molding of slowly crystallizing polymers

A model is developed to simulate the crystallinity gradients developed in injection molding of slowly crystallizing polymers. In this model, effects of nonisothermal and stress-induced crystallization kinetics are taken into account through phenomenological relationships. Computer simulations included calculations of the temperature, velocity, and pressure distributions as well as two dimensional crystallinity distributions in the final products. In addition, effects of various processing conditions: mold temperature, injection flow rate, and holding time are also included in the calculations. The crystallinity gradients obtained through computer simulations agree with the experimental results obtained with poly (p-phenylene sulfide) under a variety of processing conditions.
Emerging Microfluidic Tools for Functional Cellular Immunophenotyping: A New Potential Paradigm for Immune Status Characterization

Rapid, accurate, and quantitative characterization of immune status of patients is of utmost importance for disease diagnosis and prognosis, evaluating efficacy of immunotherapeutics and tailoring drug treatments. Immune status of patients is often dynamic and patient-specific, and such complex heterogeneity has made accurate, real-time measurements of patient immune status challenging in the clinical setting. Recent advances in microfluidics have demonstrated promising applications of the technology for immune monitoring with minimum sample requirements and rapid functional immunophenotyping capability. This review will highlight recent developments of microfluidic platforms that can perform rapid and accurate cellular functional assays on patient immune cells. We will also discuss the future potential of integrated microfluidics to perform rapid, accurate, and sensitive cellular functional assays at a single-cell resolution on different types or subpopulations of immune cells, to provide an unprecedented level of information depth on the distribution of immune cell functionalities. We envision that such microfluidic immunophenotyping tools will allow for comprehensive and systems-level immunomonitoring, unlocking the potential to transform experimental clinical immunology into an information-rich science.
Central localization in Hochschild homology

Abstract If A is an algebra with unit, M an A -bimodule, the Hochschild homology groups H i ( A , M ) are modules over the center Z ( A ). We show that these homology groups behave well with respect to localization in the commutative ring Z ( A ). We deduce a Mayer-Vietoris principle, and give some examples (commutative algebras, enveloping algebras, crossed–product algebras).
Exact Analysis of Ligand-Induced Dimerization of Monomeric Receptors

This paper analyzes the equilibria involved in the dimerization of monomeric receptors with homo-bifunctional ligands. We provide analytical expressions that can be used to estimate the concentration of each species present in a mixture of homo-bifunctional ligand and monomeric proteins, given initial conditions defining the total concentration of bivalent ligand [L2]0, the total concentration of protein [P]0, one dissociation constant Kd, and a parameter to account for cooperativity α. We demonstrate that the fraction of protein present in a complex of two proteins and one bivalent ligand (P·L2·P) is maximized at [L2]0 = Kd/2 + [P]0/2.
Analysis of continuous-time Kalman filtering under incorrect noise covariances

Abstract The behavior of the continuous-time Kalman filter under incorrect noise covariances is analyzed. The filter performance is quantified by the actual state error covariance. Through this quantity, the characteristic of the filter is examined. Convergence and divergence analyses of the actual state error covariance are given. The significance of the results presented in the paper is that they help one to understand and be able to predict certain behavior of the Kalman filter when inexact values of noise covariances are used.
Variability of Heat Content in the Central North Pacific in Summer 1987 Determined from Long-Range Acoustic Transmissions

Abstract The evolution of the heat content in the central North Pacific Ocean during summer 1987 has been measured using acoustic transmissions between transceivers deployed in a triangle approximately 1000 km on a side. The acoustically determined heat contents of the source-receiver sections agree with heat contents computed from CTD and XBT data obtained during May and September 1987. The accuracy of acoustical measurements of range-averaged heat content is comparable to estimates from CTD and XBT data. Transmissions at four-day intervals allow the continuous observation of heat content and show that it varies on time scales of weeks or less. The magnitude of these variations is of the same order as that observed from XBT sections, which are only occasionally available. Ocean–atmosphere heat exchange from bulk formulas accounts for only about half of the observed heat content increase from May through September 1987, indicating that advective effects are important in the region. The excess heat change ...
Integrating eHealth with human services for breast cancer patients

Following demonstrations of success of interactive cancer communication systems (ICCS) for patients, the challenge and opportunity are to integrate such systems with human resources. A randomized trial explored relative benefits of an ICCS, a human cancer information mentor, and a condition combining both. Women with breast cancer (N = 434) were randomized to have access to a tested ICCS (CHESS, the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System), a human cancer information mentor, both interventions, or a control condition providing a computer, training, and Internet access. Both a human mentor and an ICCS version improved health information competence and emotional processing over the Internet control, and the combined condition exceeded either alone. Integrating human and computer-based resources for breast cancer patients benefits them more than either alone.
Electrodeposition of NiFe Thin Films and NiFe/Cu Multilayers with a Recirculating Electrochemcial Flow Reactor

Nano-structured Ni80Fe20NCu multilayers were electrodeposited by a newly developed electrodeposition process utilizing a recirculating electrochemical flow reactor. This process, which operates in an inert gas environment, overcomes the limitations of conventional multilayer electrodeposition methods (single and dual bath techniques) by depositing pure magnetic layers without codeposition of the nonmagnetic metal and oxidation of metal interfaces. Structure, corrosion resistance and magnetic properties of electrodeposited NiFe (0 to 100 % Fe) thin film alloys were first investigated. Three different crystal regions, α, mixed α and γ, and γ phases were observed at 50 % Fe in the deposit, respectively. The narrow mixed phase regions was around 50 % Fe compared to 70-80% Fe for bulk alloys. The lattice parameters of electrodeposited alloys exhibited the same trends as bulk alloys. Maximum corrosion resistance was obtained at 50% Fe content in 0.5 M NaCl similar to bulk alloys. The corrosion resistance of the α phase was an order of magnitude less than the γ phase. The magnetoresistance (MR) of electrodeposited NiFe thin film alloys was higher than bulk alloys. Based on these studies, Ni80Fe20/Cu multilayers with individual layer thicknesses ranging from 100 nm to 1.26 μm have been electrodeposited in the recirculating electrochemical flow reactor. The layer thicknesses were precisely controlled by adjusting the amount of charge passed.
Frequency of undiagnosed cystic lung disease in patients with sporadic renal angiomyolipomas.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of undiagnosed cystic lung lesions suggestive of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) in patients who received a diagnosis of sporadic renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs). Methods We conducted a retrospective review of CT scans of the chest or abdomen for cystic lung lesions on 176 adult patients who received a diagnosis of sporadic renal AML during a 10-year period, 1997 to 2006, and comparison with chest CT scans of 176 control subjects without renal AML but matched for age, sex, and smoking history. Patients presenting with suspected or known pulmonary LAM and those with underlying tuberous sclerosis were excluded. Results Sporadic renal AML was diagnosed in 176 patients with a median age of 58 years (range, 20-91 years), the majority of whom were women (81.8%). Renal tumor was an incidental finding on imaging studies for most patients (90.3%). Nineteen patients (10.8%) had one or more cystic lung lesions and included nine patients (5.1%) with four or more cysts, all of whom were women. In comparison, eight control subjects (4.6%) had one to three cystic lung lesions and none of them exhibited four or more cysts. None of the patients with renal AML and cystic lung lesions, including six women with 10 or more cysts, had undergone an evaluation of their cystic lung disease. Conclusions We conclude that a significant portion of women with sporadic renal AMLs exhibit cystic lung lesions suggestive of pulmonary LAM but may remain undiagnosed. Coexistence of pulmonary LAM should be considered in women incidentally found to have sporadic renal AMLs.
Doxycycline impacts hernia repair outcomes.

Abstract Background Incisional hernias occur commonly in up to 20% of all abdominal operations. Incisional hernia formation has been associated with increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), reduced collagen 1, and increased collagen 3 expression. Doxycycline, a nonspecific inhibitor of MMPs, has been shown to beneficially reduce MMP levels in both cancer and aneurysm models. This study evaluates the impact of doxycycline upon MMP expression, collagen subtypes, and hernia repair distraction forces in an animal model of incisional hernia repair. Materials and methods Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats underwent incisional hernia creation and subsequent repair with polypropylene mesh. Animals were administered doxycycline or saline daily beginning 1 d prior to hernia repair and survived for 1, 2, or 4 wk. Serum and tissue were evaluated for MMP content and collagen subtyping utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. Tensiometric properties of the native abdominal wall after hernia repair were measured with an Instron Corp. (Canton, MA) mechanical testing system. Results There were no differences in control and experimental groups 1 and 2 wk following hernia repair; 4 wk following hernia repair, doxycycline treated animals demonstrated reduced serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels, reduced tissue levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9, and increased collagen 1 to 3 ratios. Distraction forces required to disrupt the hernia repair were increased in the doxycycline treated group compared with controls. Conclusions Doxycycline administration is associated with improved hernia repair strength with concomitant reduction of MMP levels with increased collagen 1 deposition. Longer term studies are required to better understand the impact of this treatment.
Calibration of fingernail imaging for multidigit force measurement

Fingernail imaging has been used to measure fingerpad force on the index finger of the right hand. This paper extends the procedure to the thumb, middle and ring fingers, in preparation for two-, three- and four-fingered grasping experiments where the individual finger forces are measured using fingernail imaging. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of fingernail imaging on the first four fingers of the right hand. The force prediction accuracy of all four fingers (thumb, index, middle and ring) is shown to be equivalent. In the x-direction, the force prediction error is 0.52N±0.02N, 0.52N±0.03N in the y-direction and 0.56N±0.04N in the z-direction. In addition, the four fingers register with equal accuracy. Given these results, experiments may be performed using fingernail imaging to measure the individual finger forces during grasping, provided a finger-tracking system is implemented to allow a camera to keep the fingers in view.
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm identified incidental to bone scintigraphy

A report is presented of a man who had a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm identified incidental to bone scintigraphy. The bone scan revealed displacement of the left kidney to nearly a horizontal axis and indicated the need for more definitive evaluation. Renal scintigraphy and computed tomography correctly demonstrated a ruptured, but contained abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Standards for service discovery and delivery

For the past five years, competing industries and standards developers have been hotly pursuing automatic configuration, now coined the broader term service discovery. Jini, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), Salutation, and Service Location Protocol are among the front-runners in this new race. However, choosing service discovery as the topic of the hour goes beyond the need for plug-and-play solutions or support for the SOHO (small office/home office) user. Service discovery's potential in mobile and pervasive computing environments motivated my choice.
Role of heat pipes in improving the hydrogen charging rate in a metal hydride storage tank

Abstract Metal hydrides can store hydrogen at high volumetric efficiencies. As the process of charging hydrogen into a metal powder to form its hydride is exothermic, the heat released must be removed quickly to maintain a rapid charging rate. An effective heat removal method is to incorporate a heat exchanger such as a heat pipe within the metal hydride bed. In this paper, we describe a two-dimensional numerical study to predict the transient heat and mass transfer in a cylindrical metal hydride tank embedded with one or more heat pipes. Results from a parametric study of hydrogen storage efficiency are presented as a function of storage tank size, water jacket temperature and its convective heat transfer coefficient, and heat pipe radius and its convective heat transfer coefficient. The effect of enhancing the thermal conductivity of the metal hydride by adding aluminum foam is also investigated. The study reveals that the cooling water jacket temperature and the heat pipe's heat transfer coefficient are most influential in determining the heat removal rate. The addition of aluminum foam reduces the filling time as expected. For larger tanks, more than one heat pipe is necessary for rapid charging. It was found that using more heat pipes of smaller radii is better than using fewer heat pipes with larger radii. The optimal distribution of multiple heat pipes was also determined and it is shown that their relative position within the tank scales with the tank size.
An endogenous peptide that induces long-term blood pressure elevation

Abstract A peptide was recently isolated from the blood of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats that stimulated an increase of calcium uptake by vascular tissue in vitro . In the present study normotensive rats were given nanomolar amounts of this peptide by intravenous or picomolar amounts by intracerebral injection and the effect on blood pressure was recorded. Injection of the peptide into the circulation had no significant effect on the elevation of blood pressure. By comparison, the injection of the compound into the third ventricle of the brain resulted in the elevation of blood pressure to hypertensive levels. The blood pressure response was characterized by a prolonged period of onset with maximal elevation observed several days after the beginning of treatment. Subsequently, the increase in blood pressure was well maintained with significant elevation noted days following the cessation of treatment.
Organochlorine, organobromine, metal, and selenium residues in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) collected during an unusual mortality event in the Gulf of Mexico, 1990.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), cis-chlordane, oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, mirex, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lindane, octachlorostyrene (OCS), p,p′-DDE,p,p′-DDT, dieldrin, triphenylphosphate (TPP), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDPEs) were measured in the blubber, and five metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, and manganese) and selenium were measured in the liver of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) obtained from the Gulf of Mexico during an unusual mortality event in 1990. The collection of animals included fetuses, sucklings (<1 year old), immature dolphins (2–5 years old), and adults of both sexes. PCBs, p,p′-DDE, HCB, and PBDPEs were detected in the blubber of each animal. Mean concentrations of organic contaminants were generally highest in adult males. p,p′-DDE was the single component analyte measured at the highest concentration. Immature females had greater concentrations of most chlorinated organics than adult females. Mercury and cadmium concentrations in liver increased with increasing age-class. The correlation between mercury and selenium in all animals was r=0.96, with a mole ratio of 0.90. Concentrations of lead, manganese, cadmium, and chromium did not follow any particular age-class trend.
Changes in small town social capital and civic engagement

Abstract Small towns are often depicted as places with many interpersonal relationships and generalized trust, or high social capital. Social capital is a resource which towns can use to solve problems and improve the local quality of life. In this paper, I determined if social capital and civic engagements have declined in small towns in the U.S. Midwest as has happened more generally and tested likely explanations for the change. Quantitative analyses of data from the U.S. Census, other secondary sources, and a longitudinal study of residents of 99 small towns were conducted. Findings revealed that social capital has declined, but one type of civic engagement improved. Towns in counties with more small farms in 1990 had more bonding social capital and civic engagement in 2004 than other towns when other factors were controlled. The proportion of local businesses had no impact on civic engagement and was negatively associated with one kind of social capital. Mixed findings about how income impacted social capital and civic engagement indicated a complex relationship. The retirement of the so called “civic generation” had minimal impact on social capital and civic engagement.
Infrared absorption in the Drude tail of doped semiconductors: The effect of finite electron densities

We discuss the influence of finite electron densities and electron-electron interactions on the infrared absorption coefficient of doped ($n$ type) semiconductors, for frequencies where the absorption coefficient is dominated by the free-carrier absorption. The aim is to extend earlier theories of LO-phonon-induced free-carrier absorption up to carrier densities where the electron plasma frequency is comparable to or higher than the LO-phonon frequency. Numerical studies of our expression for the absorption constant show that the coupling of the LO phonon to the electron plasma produces only small corrections to the absorption coefficient, for parameters appropriate to typical semiconductors. However, there are single-particle effects evident when $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\Omega}\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ the Fermi energy ${E}_{F}$. In this regime, we find deviations from the predictions of earlier theories valid only for low carrier concentrations.
Monotone second-best optimal contracts

Abstract We review the two stage nonlinear programming approach to the principal-agent problem proposed by Grossman and Hart (G-H) in 1983. The objective of the principal is to determine an optimal payment schedule to an agent that depends only on observable outcomes when (random) outcomes are influenced by unobservable actions of the agent. We establish that these ‘second-best’ optimal contracts are monotonically relted to observable outputs under fairly mild conditions. Two methods of proof are employed to establish that the monotone likelihood ratio condition (MLRC) on the probabilities of outcomes is sufficient for monotonicity of second-best optimal contracts in a three-state model. The first uses ideas related to the variation-diminishing property of totally positive matrices. The second approach uses a theorem of the alternative from linear programming theory to establish a condition that must hold under MLRC. The paper concludes with a counter-example that is a perturbed version of an example in G-H that shows that MLRC is not sufficient for monotonicity of second-best optimal contracts when there are four or more states.
Within-season use of public and private information on predation risk in nest-site selection

Nest-site selection can be an important preemptive defense strategy for songbirds to reduce the risk of predation and is likely most effective when it incorporates both public and private information about predation. We examined the degree to which two songbirds, the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis, n = 160 pairs) and the Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens, n = 70 pairs), changed nest-site attributes (e.g., nest height, nest concealment, and vegetation density surrounding the nests) between subsequent within-season nesting attempts from 2006 to 2010 in Ohio. Specifically, we asked if birds adjusted nest-sites based upon information such as prior experience with nest predation, predator abundance, and predation risk. We predicted that, in cases where previous nests failed (private information) and/or sites had a greater risk of nest predation (public information), birds would make greater changes in nest characteristics such as nest height, concealment, and the vegetation density surrounding the nest to make presumably safer nest sites. Only cardinals, not flycatchers, showed evidence of using private and public information in changing nest-site attributes. There were greater changes in nest height when previous nests failed, and greater changes in nest concealment at riskier sites compared to those with low daily predation rates. These findings suggest that species differ in behavioral plasticity and use of information in ways that can both reflect and predict their ability to adapt to novel conditions.
Structural studies of alanine- and lysine-rich regions of porcine aortic tropoelastin.

Abstract Lysine residues in tropoelastin are the precursors of the cross-links of mature elastin. Trypsin digestion releases the lysine as two major peptide classes, either very large (20–100 residues) or very small (3–4 residues), in roughly equal numbers. The small peptides are mainly Ala-Ala-Lys and Ala-Ala-Ala-Lys, (L. B. Sandberg, N. Weissman, and W. R. Gray, Biochemistry , 10 (1971) 52). Further digestion of the large peptides by subtilisin produced a mixture of many small fragments. The lysine-containing fragments were analyzed by ion-exchange chromatography on Aminex A-5 resin. They showed a marked enrichment in alanine, suggesting that the association of lysine residues with alanine-rich regions is very extensive. It is proposed that such regions may be α-helical in structure.
Statistical Analysis and Classification of Acoustic Color Functions

ABSTRACT In this paper we present a method for clustering and classication of acoustic color data based on statisticalanalysis of functions using square-root velocity functions (SVRF). The convenience of the SVRF is that it trans-forms the Fisher-Rao metric into the standard L 2 metric. As a result, a formal distance can be calculated usinggeodesic paths. Moreover, this method allows optimal deformations between acoustic color data to be computedfor any two targets allowing for robustness to measurement error. Using the SVRF formulation statistical modelscan then be constructed using principal component analysis to model the functional variation of acoustic colordata. Empirical results demonstrate the utility of functional data analysis for improving performance results inpattern recognition using acoustic color data.Keywords: acoustic color, functional data analysis, pattern recognition, shape analysis, sonar imagery 1. INTRODUCTION The problem of underwater object detection and classication capture using sonar has attracted a substantialamount of attention.
The role of density in the mechanical response of CNT turfs

Solvent capillary and axial compression can be used to increase the density of as-grown vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays, herein referred to as turfs. During solvent evaporation, carbon nanotubes cluster together along their vertical growth axis, and axial mechanical compression densifies through compressing tubes into tangled positions and decreasing the empty space between tubes in directions primarily perpendicular to the vertical growth axis. The elastic modulus of the turfs, measured by nanoindentation, is between four to fifteen times higher after densification than that of pristine turfs and scales directly with densification ratio, while the adhesive properties remain unchanged. The electrical conductivity of the densified structure also scales with density. This suggests that multiple methods of post-growth modification of CNT arrays can achieve densified turfs with tailored mechanical properties without corresponding degradation of the electrical contact behavior.
Family Participation for Juvenile Offenders in Deinstitutionalization Programs

VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article by Mahoney was to explore the impact of the deinstitutionalization of juvenile offenders on the juvenile and his/her family. METHODOLOGY: The author used a non-experimental review of literature to examine the relative rights of the child and family and the impact of deinstitutionalization on families and family members. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: The author found that the deinstitutionalization of juvenile offenders effects the juvenile's entire family. In the short term, it was found that the youth's presence may be disruptive and the young offender can frustrate and anger family members as well as provide a negative role model for other children in the home. The author noted that some families simply do not want their children, and she concluded that placing juvenile offenders into homes where they are not welcome and where families do not cooperate with treatment plans may be more harmful than placing the juvenile in more formal correctional settings. The author found that parents and children often do not have enough knowledge to make informed decisions about treatment options and whether or not they should take the offender's case to court. The author also found conflicting evidence in studies which traced recidivism rates of juvenile offenders treated at home, with some showing reduced arrest rates and others showing increased arrest rates. It was found that labeling may affect the juvenile offender treated at home less than the offender treated in a correction facility, but that his/her family may be subject to more stigmatizing as they become involved in the criminal justice system. Additionally, family members resistant to treatment or embarrassed by the juveniles delinquent actions often used the juvenile offender as a scapegoat by rejecting or negatively labeling him/her. The author gave several reasons for the lack of empirical data about the effects of deinstitutionalization on families, including a lack of enthusiasm for research by policy makers, a fear of evaluative research by people with a vested interest in the program, and the fact that private families are more difficult to study than youths in institutions. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) KW - Deinstitutionalization KW - Juvenile Offender KW - Family Relations KW - Parent Child Relations KW - Literature Review KW - Intervention Program KW - Treatment Program KW - Juvenile Justice System KW - Criminal Justice System KW - Correctional Decision Making KW - Juvenile Delinquency Language: en
Visual Function Abnormalities in Macular Heterotopia Caused by Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

In seven patients with displacement of the macula in one eye caused by vitreoretinal traction from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the macula was displaced toward the optic disk in all but one eye. The eyes with macular heterotopia showed (1) reduced visual acuity (ranging from 6/6 (20/20) to 6/24 (20/80), (2) reduced static perimetry sensitivity (particularly in the temporal field) with displacement of the peak sensitivity toward the blind spot, (3) loss of hue discrimination, and (4) metamorphopsia. In two eyes with macular heterotopia, Stiles-Crawford data provided evidence for photoreceptor disorientation; one eye had mixed orientation, and the other a displaced peak suggesting regular photoreceptor tilting. The proposed mechanisms of visual loss in eyes with macular heterotopia secondary to traction from proliferative diabetic retinopathy include detachment of the macula, disorientation of photoreceptors in the macula, and disturbance of normal neural connections within the retina caused by stretching of the retina.
Differentiation of bacterial colonies and temporal growth patterns using hyperspectral imaging

Detection and identification of bacteria are important for health and safety. Hyperspectral imaging offers the potential to capture unique spectral patterns and spatial information from bacteria which can then be used to detect and differentiate bacterial species. Here, hyperspectral imaging has been used to characterize different bacterial colonies and investigate their growth over time. Six bacterial species ( Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes ) were grown on tryptic soy agar plates. Hyperspectral data were acquired immediately after, 24 hours after, and 96 hours after incubation. Spectral signatures from bacterial colonies demonstrated repeatable measurements for five out of six species. Spatial variations as well as changes in spectral signatures were observed across temporal measurements within and among species at multiple wavelengths due to strengthening or weakening reflectance signals from growing bacterial colonies based on their pigmentation. Between-class differences and within-class similarities were the most prominent in hyperspectral data collected 96 hours after incubation.
Temporal Dynamics of Nutrients (N and P) and Hydrology in a Lake Superior Coastal Wetland

Abstract Coastal wetlands on Lake Superior are hydrologically complex ecosystems situated at the interface of upland catchments and the oligotrophic lake. Little is known about nutrient dynamics within coastal wetlands or their role in modifying or contributing to nutrient fluxes from watersheds to Lake Superior. We conducted an intensive study of Lost Creek Wetland (LCW) near Cornucopia, WI, with the objective of determining influences of temporal variability in hydrology on dynamics and retention of N and P. We measured hydrologic inputs and distributions of inorganic and organic forms of nitrogen and phosphorus within LCW under hydrologic conditions ranging from summer base flow to spring snow melt. Our study confirms that the interrelationship between hydrologic connections to lake and tributary and seasonal variations in hydrology can regulate internal nutrient dynamics of coastal wetlands. The strength of hydrologic linkage of LCW to Lake Superior and tributary varied greatly among seasons, resulting in shifts in the relative importance of these nutrient sources and influencing spatial distribution of nutrients within the wetland. Ratios of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the wetland were consistently low (
Spherical containment and the Minkowski dimension of partial orders

The recent work on circle orders generalizes to higher dimensional spheres. As spherical containment is equivalent to causal precedence in Minkowski space, we define the Minkowski dimension of a poset to be the dimension of the minimal Minkowski space into which the poset can be embedded; this isd if the poset can be represented by containment with spheresS d−2 and of no lower dimension. Comparing this dimension with the standard dimension of partial orders we prove that they are identical in dimension two but not in higher dimensions, while their irreducible configurations are the same in dimensions two and three. Moreover, we show that there are irreducible configurations for arbitrarily large Minkowski dimension, thus providing a lower bound for the Minkowski dimension of partial orders.
Assessment of similarity indices to quantify segmentation accuracy of scaffold images for tissue engineering

ABSTRACT Existing similarity metrics to compare the accuracy of n-Dimensional image segmentation with the corresponding ground truth is restricted to a limited set of volume fractions which, by themselves, lack robustness. This paper introduces a comprehensive list of linear and non-linear similarity measures widely used in such diverse fields as ecology, toxicology and patent trending. These metrics based on the binary "absence/presence" data were computed for assessing the delineation of tissue engineering scaffold images into porous and polymeric space using a wide variety of thresholding techniques. Keywords: Similarity index, segmentation, delineation, tissue engineering, porous scaffolds. 1. INTRODUCTION Health Care Technology Assessment (HCTA) has provided the much needed impetus to validate medical image processing techniques. Validation, whic h heretofore has been essentially an academic exercise, is now a mandated must-do component for the ultimate transition of a technology from bench to bedside. One of the componen ts of validation involves assessing the accuracy (agreement with truth, valid ity) of image processing methods. While it would be ideal to assess the accuracy of segmentation methods without the use of the elusive ground truth, a majority of existing validation techniques depend on the ground truth or its surrogate [1]. Given this truth and the delineation result produced by the method under investigation, similarity indices are computed to assess the degree of match between the ground truth and the given result. The similarity indices found in image processing literature are restricted to the computation of simple true positive, false positive, and false negative volume fractions and their combinations, such as sensitivity and specificity. However, in other fields like ecology, toxicology and patent trending a number of useful metrics are used to measure the degree of similarity. These measures, based on weighted combinations of the different volume fractions, are sensitive to the different errors (e.g., over estimation, under estimation) that are typically associated with image delineation tasks. This paper introduces a number of these similarity metrics to the image processing field. However, the primary goal of this endeavor is to assess the segmentation accuracy of micro-CT sections of three dimensional tissue engineering porous scaffo lds constructed using stochastic processes. These images were segmented into pore and polymeric sub spaces using a number of automatic thresholding algorithms. The segmentation results are compared with the manually delineated ground truth by computing the similarity indices described in this paper.
Toxin models of mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Abstract Significance: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized, in part, by the progressive and selective loss of dopaminergic neuron cell bodies within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the associated deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in the striatum, which gives rise to the typical motor symptoms of PD. The mechanisms that contribute to the induction and progressive cell death of dopaminergic neurons in PD are multi-faceted and remain incompletely understood. Data from epidemiological studies in humans and molecular studies in genetic, as well as toxin-induced animal models of parkinsonism, indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs early in the pathogenesis of both familial and idiopathic PD. In this review, we provide an overview of toxin models of mitochondrial dysfunction in experimental Parkinson's disease and discuss mitochondrial mechanisms of neurotoxicity. Recent Advances: A new toxin model using the mitochondrial toxin trichloroethy...
Selection of nematodes for zero cyst phenotypes with soybean

Summary Definitive genetic studies of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines)-soybean (Glycine max) relationship are complicated by the use of soybean lines with many genes for resistance to heterogeneous, amphimictic nematode populations. Inbreeding and artificial selection of cyst nematodes decreased their ability to form cysts on specific soybean lines assumed to have few genes for resistance. In the initial sib selection, single cysts were used to inoculate two-seedling units consisting of a seedling of one soybean line to evaluate the nematodes' ability to form cysts on it and a seedling of another line for comparison and maintenance of the nematode inbreds being developed. This method permitted some selection but was slow and labour-intensive. A better method of artificial selection for fewer cysts on specific soybean lines was to inbreed nematodes for about four generations, then to evaluate the inbreds for ability to form cysts on the soybean lines before selecting particular inbreds with poor ability to form cysts for the development of more inbreds. This increased the frequencies of specific nematode genes for avirulence or alleles for incompatibility with soybean lines containing the interacting [gene-for-gene] alleles for incompatibility (genes for resistance). The artificial selection apparently was for at least two nematode alleles for incompatibility since at least two soybean alleles were indicated in the segregation from crosses of soybean lines.
Theoretical analysis of blind identification of kinetic parameters in a three compartment model: nonuniqueness problem

Estimation of compartment model parameters can be done in dynamic medical imaging blindly - that is, without an input function. In this work we address the question of uniqueness of blind identification of kinetic parameters for a three compartment model such as is widely used with FDG. We show analytically that if only two regions of interest in the imaged organ are used, the solution is not unique. More regions are shown to lead to a unique solution.
Propensity To Complain: Effects of Personality and Behavioral Factors:

Literature suggests that the antecedents of complaining involve more than dissatisfaction alone; several other factors affect consumers' propensity to complain. This study examined the effects of personality and behavioral factors on consumers' propensity to complain. Findings suggest that consumers' locus of control and their price consciousness have a significant impact on their propensity to complain. Theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed in detail.
Lifeboat versus corporate ethic: social and demographic implications of stem and joint families.

The author distinguishes the lifeboat ethic of Northern Europe's stem family system from the corporate ethic of North India's joint family system, which has much in common with that of China. She contrasts these family systems to show how norms of residence and inheritance: a) Profoundly influence our values and social constructs. b) Shape patterns of conflict and cooperation between people, thus influencing many basic aspects of social organization and behavior. c) Influence health outcomes by categorizing people according to whether their health is promoted or allowed to fail. d) Shape a wide range of other development outcomes, including migration, strategies of household resource management, ways of exploiting commercial opportunities, and the operation of civil society. The author develops a number of hypotheses about the nature of these relationships. Some of these are substantiated quantitatively, and others can be tested empirically.