cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sibling Influence on Smoking Behavior: A Within-Family Look at Explanations for a Birth-Order Effect

Using a repeated-measures design, we found a significant birth-order relationship suggesting lower ages of smoking onset in later born siblings of a 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth cohort. Two social learning mechanisms, modeling and opportunity, were explored to help illuminate the causes of trends in the within-family means. When empirical patterns were compared to predictions derived from our specifications of how opportunity and modeling processes should work, the results were unsuccessful in explaining the birth-order effect. As a third explanation of the birth-order effect, telescoping did show a significant influence. The effect size was small, however, and had little effect on the group means assessed. Finally, a pattern did emerge that was consistent with a reformulation of the opportunity process in which sisters play a particularly strong role. We develop future research implications of this pattern and speculate on genetic and social conservatism explanations.
Utilization Of IR Imagery In Tactical Reconnaissance

This paper discusses two infrared sensors currently used by the Navy in the far infrared spectrum. Spectral region selection, description of the sensors, system operational concepts, sensor application, sensor selection and potential future sensor capabilities are described.
Developing a Focal Plane Array at the GBT for 21 cm Astronomy

Progress has been made on the design of a 9 receiver array in the 700 to 945 MHz range to replace the single receiver in that frequency range currently in use at the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia. The new array will increase the rate of data collection ~9x in ongoing 21 cm intensity mapping, and it should also be a valuable resource for other users of the GBT. The following paper describes the science of 21 cm intensity mapping and the work that has been done in designing the receiver for the focal plane array.
A Comparison of Survival and Recurrence Outcomes in Patients With Endometrial Cancer Undergoing Robotic Versus Open Surgery

Abstract Objective To compare recurrence and survival outcomes in women who underwent either robotic or open surgical procedures to treat endometrial cancer. Design A retrospective chart review (Canadian Tack Force classification II-2). Setting A single academic institution. Patients A total of 936 patients who underwent surgical staging for endometrial cancer between 2001 and 2013. Intervention Through retrospective chart review, data were collected on patient characteristics, surgical procedures, intraoperative and postoperative complications, histopathology, adjuvant therapies, and recurrence and survival outcomes. Estimated 3-year progression-free survival and 5-year overall survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Main Results Of the 936 patients who underwent endometrial cancer surgery, 350 had robotic-assisted surgery and 586 had laparotomy. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, race, body mass index, and comorbid conditions. The laparotomy group had significantly more patients with grade 2-3 tumors, nonendometrioid histology, and stage III-IV disease. In a multivariate analysis, operative type was not an independent prognostic factor for intraoperative complications, but robotic surgery was associated with decreased postoperative complications and readmission rate. Median duration of follow-up was 30 months in the robotic cohort and 42 months in the laparotomy cohort. Estimated 3-year progression-free survival was 90.87% for the robotic group and 78.30% for the laparotomy group, and estimated 5-year overall survival was 89.14%for the robotic group and 79.47% for the laparotomy group. In a multivariate analysis, including stage, grade, histology, operative type, and adjuvant therapy, operative type was not an independent prognostic factor for recurrence or overall survival. Conclusion Compared with laparotomy, robotic staging for endometrial cancer is associated with less postoperative morbidity without compromising short-term recurrence rates or survival outcomes.
Against the Gallows: Antebellum American Writers and the Movement to Abolish Capital Punishment. By Paul Christian Jones. (Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press, 2011. Pp. x, 228. $35.00.)

In this new study, the author argues that, during the antebellum period, American authors and editors played a key role in changing the perception of the gallows from a necessary tool of sober just...
Functional endemism: population connectivity, shifting baselines, and the scale of human experience

Quantifying population connectivity is important for visualizing the spatial and temporal scales that conservation measures act upon. Traditionally, migration based on genetic data has been reported in migrants per generation. However, the temporal scales over which this migration may occur do not necessarily accommodate the scales over which human perturbations occur, leaving the potential for a disconnect between population genetic data and conservation action based on those data. Here, we present a new metric called the “Rule of Memory”, which helps conservation practitioners to interpret “migrants per generation” in the context both of human modified ecosystems and the cultural memory of those doing the modification. Our rule states that clades should be considered functionally endemic regardless of their actual taxonomic designation if the migration between locations is insufficient to maintain a viable population over the timescales of one human generation (20 years). Since larger animals are more likely to be remembered, we quantify the relationship between migrants per human (N) and body mass of the organism in question (M) with the formula N = 10M−1. We then use the coral reef fish Pomacentrus moluccensis to demonstrate the taxonomic and spatial scales over which this rule can be applied. Going beyond minimum viable population literature, this metric assesses the probability that a clade's existence will be forgotten by people throughout its range during a period of extirpation. Because conservation plans are predicated on having well-established baselines, a loss of a species over the range of one human generation evokes the likelihood of that species no longer being recognized as a member of an ecosystem, and thus being excluded in restoration or conservation prioritization. [Correction added on 26 December 2012, after first online publication: this formula has been corrected to N=10M−1].
A model-independent method of determining energy scale and muon number in cosmic ray surface detectors

Abstract Surface detector arrays are designed to measure the spectrum and composition of high energy cosmic rays by detecting the secondary particle flux of the extensive air showers (EAS) induced by the primary cosmic rays. Electromagnetic particles and muons constitute the dominant contribution to the ground detector signals. In this paper, we show that the ground signal deposit of an EAS can be described in terms of only very few parameters: the primary energy E , the zenith angle θ , the distance of the shower maximum X max to the ground, and a muon flux normalization N μ . This set of physical parameters is sufficient to predict the average particle fluxes at ground level to around 10% accuracy. We show that this is valid for hadronic air showers, using the two standard hadronic interaction models used in cosmic ray physics, QGSJetII and Sibyll, and for hadronic primaries from protons to iron. Based on this model, a new approach to calibrating the energy scale of ground array experiments is developed, which factors out the model dependence inherent in such calibrations up to now. Additionally, the method yields a measurement of the average number of muons in EAS. The measured distribution of N μ of cosmic ray air showers can then be analysed, in conjunction with measurements of X max from fluorescence detectors, to put constraints on the cosmic ray composition and hadronic interaction models.
A note on the “Search after meaning”: Sensibleness of paraphrases of well formed and malformed expressions

Subjects were required to assess the sensibleness of sentences where each set of sentences included a source sentence plus some of its paraphrases. Characteristically, the paraphrases of malformed expressions (anomalous sentences, sentences with order inversions, word salads) were judged to be more sensible than their source expressions. This was taken as evidence for Ss’ ability to impose sense on deviant expressions.
EFFECT OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE CUT POINT BETWEEN FINE AND COARSE AMBIENT MASS FRACTIONS

AbstractA review of recent studies on the size distribution of ambient particles reveals considerable variability, both spatially and temporally, depending on the source of origin, geographical location, meteorological conditions, and various other chemical and physical parameters. However, there is generally a clear separation into fine and coarse modes, with a dividing point between 1.0 and 2.5 μmlm where the mass of the two modes is at a minimum. In the 1970's, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the dichotomous sampler to separate fine and coarse particles and choose a cut point at 2.5 μmlm. However, recent data collected with new samplers, such as the size-fractionating MOUDI impactor, reveal that both aged sulfates and particles associated with aerosol acidity reside in the range below 1.0 μmlm diameter. Indoor combustion aerosols such as cigarette smoke and kerosene heater emissions have also been found to reside in the sub-micrometer range. Before embarking on a new and extens...
Pacemaker activity in the upper urinary tract

Ureteral peristaltic activity begins with the origin of electrical activity at pacemaker sites. These sites are located in the proximal portion of the urinary collecting system. The 'atypical' smooth muscle cells at these sites fire 'pacemaker' potentials at a frequency higher than the 'driven' action potentials recorded from typical smooth muscle cells. In contrast to typical smooth muscle cells, these atypical pacemaker cells have less than 40% of their cellular area occupied by contractile filaments and demonstrate a sparse immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin. Expression of c-Kit, a tyrosine kinase receptor, correlates with the onset of organized ureteral peristalsis in the embryo. Capsaicin-sensitive sensory afferents and the endogenous release of tachykinins and prostaglandins are involved in the maintenance of normal ureteral peristalsis.
Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment for Cancer Treatment: A Biomaterials Approach

Tumors are complex tissues that consist of stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, immune cells and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as non-cellular components, in addition to neoplastic cells. Increasingly, there is evidence to suggest that these non-neoplastic cell components support cancer initiation, progression and metastasis and that their ablation or reprogramming can inhibit tumor growth. Our understanding of the activities of different parts of the tumor stroma in advancing cancer has been improved by the use of scaffold and matrix-based 3D systems originally developed for regenerative medicine. Additionally, drug delivery systems made from synthetic and natural biomaterials deliver drugs to kill stromal cells or reprogram the microenvironment for tumor inhibition. In this article, we review the impact of 3D tumor models in increasing our understanding of tumorigenesis. We also discuss how different drug delivery systems aid in the reprogramming of tumor stroma for cancer treatment.
Functional inactivation of Rb sensitizes cancer cells to TSC2 inactivation induced cell death.

We showed previously that inactivation of TSC2 induces death in cancer cells lacking the Retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor under stress conditions, suggesting that inactivation of TSC2 can potentially be used as an approach to specifically kill cancers that have lost WT Rb. As Rb is often inactivated in cancers by overexpression of cyclin D1, loss of p16ink4a cdk inhibitor, or expression of viral oncoproteins, it will be interesting to determine if such functional inactivation of Rb would similarly sensitize cancer cells to TSC2 inactivation induced cell death. In addition, many cancers lack functional Pten, resulting in increased PI3K/Akt signaling that has been shown to modulate E2F-induced cell death. Therefore it will be interesting to test whether loss of Pten will affect TSC2 inactivation induced killing of Rb mutant cancer cells. Here, we show that overexpression of Cyclin D1 or the viral oncogene E1a sensitizes cancer cells to TSC2 knockdown induced cell death and growth inhibition. On the other hand, knockdown of p16ink4a sensitizes cancer cells to TSC2 knockdown induced cell death in a manner that is likely dependant on serum induction of Cyclin D1 to inactivate the Rb function. Additionally, we demonstrate that loss of Pten does not interfere with TSC2 knockdown induced cell death in Rb mutant cancer cells. Together, these results suggest that TSC2 is potentially a useful target for a large spectrum of cancer types with an inactivated Rb pathway.
Color reactions of pyridines with pentacyanoamminoferrate

Abstract Trisodium pentacyanoamminoferrate is proposed as a spot test, chromatographic spray or spectrophotometric reagent for pyridines. A 1:1 colored complex of the reagent and pyridine derivative is formed in aqueous solution. The intensity and stability of the color varies with the pH.
Australin Antigen Detection

Two hundred and fifty potentially Australia Antigen (AuAg)-positive serum samples had been collected from individuals who were recovering from AuAg+ hepatitis. These were tested for AuAg by five counterlectrophoresis (CEP) methods and by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) technic. Of these, 149 (6%) were negative by all CEP tests as well as by RIA, and 67 (27%) were positive by all tests. In only 13 per cent was there disagreement. Eighteen (7%) were positive by RIA only, and 16 (6%) were positive by RIA with variable results in the different CEP tests. Additional studies on the RIA method showed that it could detect standard AuAg diluted 1:1,000. CEP was negative at dilutions greater than 1:10. Kinetic studies suggested that RIA could be adapted to a reasonably rapid test (2 hours) with only a slight loss in sensitivity.
Semi-Proxy Wars and U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy

On 4 February 2014, Al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan (aka Al Qaeda Central) repudiated Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. Ayman al-Zawahiri declared that al-Baghdadi and his newly formed Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) were no longer part of Al Qaeda's organization and Al Qaeda Central could not be held responsible for ISIL's behavior. It represents the first time that Al Qaeda Central has renounced an affiliate publicly. The announcement was driven by months of fighting between ISIL and Jabhat al-Nusra, another Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria. In fact, in Syria, Al Qaeda fighters are competing against each other for influence, as well as against other opposition groups, the Syrian regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iraqi militiamen, and Lebanese Hezbollah. This chaotic, semi-proxy war is unlike any previous problem encountered, made even more challenging by the limited U.S. presence on-the-ground. More worrisome, this semi-proxy war also has spread beyond Syria. Similar...
Nutrition and oral mucosal diseases

Oral manifestations of nutritional deficiencies can affect the mucous membranes, teeth, periodontal tissue, salivary glands, and perioral skin. This contribution reviews how the water-soluble vitamins (B(2), B(3), B(6), B(12), C, and folic acid), fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E), and minerals (calcium, fluoride, iron, and zinc) can affect the oral mucosa.
Relationship between dialyser type and signs and symptoms

A crossover study to compare the effects of seven different dialysers on intradialytic symptoms in 37 patients during dialysis with acetate-containing dialysate was performed at five centres in four countries. The same manufacturing lot of each dialyser and of blood line sets were used by all centres. The same clinical data (duration of dialysis, blood pressure, weights, temperature, drugs, symptoms, and treatments) and technical data (blood flow, dialyser clearance, and ultrafiltration rate) were collected. Kt/V for urea was used to determine dialysis prescribed. Intradialytic symptoms and signs were measured hourly or when observed by staff using the haemodialysis treatment form (see Introduction). After each week of treatment with a particular dialyser, patients completed a questionnaire relating to the presence and severity of symptoms. (Only presence or absence of symptoms are presented.) Wide differences in dialysis duration and blood flow between centres were noted. These may have contributed to the differences between centres in relationship to staff reported responses to different dialyser: Dialysers with the lowest incidence of both signs and symptoms and of chest pain, back pain, and itching (arbitrarily designated bioincompatibility symptoms) were the Duo-Flux and Filtral, with the G120 M, the CD 4000, and the T 150 having the highest incidence. By patient questionnaire the most biocompatible dialysers were the T 150, F 60, and the Filtral, with the most symptom producing being the G120 M and the G10-3N. Perceptions of symptoms between patients and staff differed substantially overall and between centres. Hypersensitivity reactions were noted in two patients, both occurring with cuprammonium cellulose hollow-fibre dialysis, despite adherence to manufacturers' instructions concerning saline priming and removal. Both patients showed antibody titres greater than 1:160 against ethylene oxide-HSA. Ethylene oxide was not detected (limit of detection 1 part per million) in dialysers, blood line sets, or fistula needles. The study suggests that dialysis symptom reporting is complicated by individual perceptions, staff reactions, and the efficiency of recording. In this study ethnic and cultural differences must be added to the haemodynamic differences and other prescription-related elements in influencing symptoms. Despite these problems a hierarchy of dialyser-related symptoms and signs could be discerned which largely paralleled laboratory findings of biocompatibility. Future comparative studies relating symptomatology to membrane and dialyser structure should consider the variables identified as influencing symptoms and their reporting.
From traditional fallacies to structural hypotheses: Old and new conceptions in period style research

The unsatisfactory quality of the period style work carried out in the past by exceptionally gifted scholars suggests that work on the relationship between the arts suffers from defects of a methodological nature. The weaknesses of the traditional methods are easier to point out than the advantages of any new method, which of necessity has yet to prove itself — but new methods must be tested if progress is to be made. The validity of a structural approach to period style will only be ultimately demonstrated (or discredited) by a full-length study of a period style following this method.
Strategies and problems of wildlife preservation in the USSR

Abstract The Soviet Union, like all other industrialised countries, has encountered serious problems of wildlife conservation in the course of its development. These include loss of habitat due to economic expansion, problems of protecting endangered species, controlling hunting and combating poaching, mitigating the adverse effects of economic development, and enforcing the legislation that has been passed to regulate all the foregoing. Despite the existence of numerous conservation laws, the compilation of a Soviet Red Book, and an increasing amount of public awareness of the need for wildlife protection, the goals of wildlife conservation remain hard pressed to keep up with the predictable consequences of a half-century of intensive economic advancement.
Maintaining the confidentiality of computerized mental health outcome data.

The emergence of managed behavioral health care has increased the value of data describing outcomes of mental health treatment. At the same time, increased development of the national information infrastructure and other computer linkage systems has facilitated the flow of information among a wide network of data systems. These two developments create a dynamic tension between the need to share information and the need to protect the privacy of mental health clients and the confidentiality of their computerized records. This problem is exacerbated by the cost associated with potential solutions. Unfortunately, policy development in this area has lagged behind rapid developemnts in technology. The mental health administrator must balance the three components of this conflict (the increasing need for information transfer, the protection of confidentiality, and cost) without a great deal of guidance. This article offers recommendations that may help the mental health administrator manage this conflict.
Root n Bandwidth Selectors for Kernel Estimation of Density Derivatives

Abstract Based on a random sample of size n from an unknown density f on the real line, the problem of adaptively selecting the bandwidth in kernel estimation of f (k) is investigated, where f (k) denotes the kth derivative of f. The estimates of density derivatives can be used to evaluate modes and inflection points of f and can be applied to the estimation of scores in certain additive models and to the empirical verification of the law of demand in econometrics. For all k, the information bounds for bandwidth selectors are given, and two types of adaptive bandwidth selectors are proposed. A careful analysis of the kernel estimate of the integrated squared bias (ISB) term, contained in a generalization of smoothed cross-validation, indicates that the “sync kernel” is the proper choice for estimating ISB and, consequently, leads to the first type of selector. The second type of selector is based on the plug-in method, which involves expanding ISB up to suitable order and estimating integrated squared den...
Hyperhydration prior to a simulated second day of the 3-day moderate intensity equestrian competition does not cause arterial hypoxemia in Thoroughbred horses.

Dehydration and the associated impairment of cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function comprise major veterinary problems in horses performing prolonged exercise, particularly under hot and humid conditions. For these reasons, there is considerable interest in using pre-exercise hyperhydration to help maintain blood volume in the face of the excessive fluid loss associated with sweat production during prolonged exertion. However, recently it was reported that pre-exercise hyperhydration causes arterial hypoxemia in horses performing moderate intensity exercise simulating the second day of an equestrian 3-day event competition (E3DEC) which may adversely affect performance (Sosa Leon et al. in Equine Vet J Suppl 34:425–429, 2002). These findings are contrary to data from horses performing short-term maximal exertion, wherein hyperhydration did not affect arterial O2 tension/saturation. Thus, our objective in the present study was to examine the impact of pre-exercise hyperhydration on arterial oxygenation of Thoroughbred horses performing an exercise test simulating the second day of an E3DEC. Control and hyperhydration studies were carried out on seven healthy Thoroughbred horses in random order, 7 days apart. In the control study, horses received no medications. In the hyperhydration experiments, nasogastric administration of NaCl (0.425 g/kg) 5 h pre-exercise induced a plasma volume expansion of 10.9% at the initiation of exercise. This methodology for inducing hypervolemia was different from that of Sosa Leon et al. (2002). Blood-gas tensions/pH as well as plasma protein, hemoglobin and blood lactate concentrations were measured pre-exercise and during the exercise test. Our data revealed that pre-exercise hyperhydration neither adversely affected arterial O2 tension nor hemoglobin-O2 saturation at any time during the exercise test simulating the second day of an E3DEC. Further, it was observed that arterial blood CO2 tension, pH, and blood lactate concentrations also were not affected by pre-exercise hyperhydration. However, hemodilution in hyperhydrated horses caused an attenuation of the expansion in the arterial to mixed-venous blood O2 content gradient during phases B and D of the exercise protocol, which was likely offset by an increase in cardiac output. It is concluded that pre-exercise hyperhydration of horses induced in the manner described above is not detrimental to arterial oxygenation of horses performing an exercise test simulating the second day of an E3DEC.
PI3K and cancer: lessons, challenges and opportunities

The central role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation in tumour cell biology has prompted a sizeable effort to target PI3K and/or downstream kinases such as AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in cancer. However, emerging clinical data show limited single-agent activity of inhibitors targeting PI3K, AKT or mTOR at tolerated doses. One exception is the response to PI3Kδ inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, where a combination of cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic activities drive efficacy. Here, we review key challenges and opportunities for the clinical development of inhibitors targeting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Through a greater focus on patient selection, increased understanding of immune modulation and strategic application of rational combinations, it should be possible to realize the potential of this promising class of targeted anticancer agents.
Opera and the City: The Politics of Culture in Beijing, 1770–1900. By Andrea S. Goldman. (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2012. Pp. xv, 365. $55.00.)

This thoroughly researched and erudite study turns the history of Chinese opera, often treated elsewhere as an esoteric subject, into a key venue for broad social and cultural inquiry into the evol...
Update on Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions

In the past decade there have been major strides in the development of devices and techniques for nonsurgical lower extremity revascularization. These advances have broadened indications for endovascular therapies and expanded the treatment options for patients with peripheral vascular disease. A variety of new laser-etched steel and nitinol stent designs now complement balloon angioplasty. In the iliac segment, stenting has replaced balloon angioplasty as the first-line therapy for treatment of symptomatic occlusive disease. Stenting results in superior acute procedural success and long-term clinical efficacy compared to balloon angioplasty and is a “less invasive” alternative to surgical reconstruction. Endoluminal stent grafts offer promise in the treatment of high-risk patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. New strategies are being developed to address the diverse nature of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and infrapopliteal disease where balloon angioplasty, stenting, and stent graft strategies have proven unsatisfactory for treatment of diffuse disease and long occlusions. The next millennium will see the use of “therapeutic angiogenesis,” the intravascular and intramuscular administration of DNA fragments or proteins, to stimulate new vessel growth in patients not amenable to conventional surgical or endovascular therapies. Brachytherapy, the intravascular delivery of a retrievable ionizing radiation source, represents an exciting development that offers the potential of reducing restenosis in the SFA.
Bacterial Etiology for Chronic Villitis Is Not Supported by Polymerase Chain Reaction for 16S rRNA DNA

Chronic villitis is characterized by chorionic villi infiltrated by lymphocytes, histiocytes, and sometimes plasma cells. In a small percentage of cases, an infectious agent can be demonstrated within areas of chronic villitis. However, the pathogenesis of most lesions is idiopathic. Chronic villitis may represent the direct spread of chronic endometrial infection by bacterial organisms that are particularly problematic for culture. To test this hypothesis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers for the universal bacterial 16S rRNA DNA was performed on DNA extracted from areas of chronic villitis selected from placentas in the Yale Pathology database. Specific areas of chronic villitis were first confirmed by examination of sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then removed from archived paraffin blocks. Control tissue spiked with known bacterial counts was also prepared to test the sensitivity of the experiment. All tissue was deparaffinized, dehydrated, and digested with proteinase K. DNA extraction was performed with the Gentra Puregene kit. PCR was done using primers p11 and p13 for the 16S rRNA DNA. The 233-bp amplified target product was identified by agarose gel electrophoresis. Nineteen specimens with multifocal chronic villitis without confinement to anchoring villi were studied. None of the chronic villitis specimens had a demonstrable product using the PCR primers for 16S rRNA DNA, despite adequate DNA in the samples and controls. The assay was sensitive down to approximately 1500 bacteria per specimen. In conclusion, these data do not support a bacterial etiology for chronic villitis.
A Legal Perspective on Shareholder Relationships in Family Businesses: The Scope of Fiduciary Duties

When the employment of a shareholder in a family business is terminated or when dividends are not paid to inactive members, disputes often arise that can lead to litigation. In the past, minority shareholders have not had much leverage in these situations. However, developments of the past decade have substantially enhanced the position of minority shareholders. Recognizing this, professionals in the family business area may be able to mediate disputes before the polarization that leads to litigation occurs.
Heating due to the 9.6 micron ozone band in an inhomogeneous atmosphere - A new approximation

The Curtis-Godson (1953) method, when applied to the 9.6-micron ozone band, yields large errors. Kuriyan et al. (1977) suggested a method improving this result and yet retaining the analytic simplicity of the transmission function. In this paper, the analytic form of the derivative of the transmission function is obtained and then the heating rates are calculated with the new approximation. The errors in this case are negligibly small. Algebraic manipulation enables the reduction of this approximation to a form similar to that proposed by Goody (1964). This procedure permits interpretation of the boundary conditions in physical terms.
Experimental Trac language primitive to allow user control of the scan algorithm

The Trac language as defined by Calvin Mooers lacks provisions to permit the creation of user-defined functions having the attributes of primitives of the language.
Exhibitionistic M in drama majors : A validation.

8 student drama majors gave significantly more exhibitionistic M on the Rorschach than a matched control group. Results were construed as supporting Piotrowski's interpretation of the human movement response. Additional connotations of M were suggested.
Efficient simulation of blackout probabilities using splitting

Abstract Standard Monte-Carlo simulation may be computationally intractable when the events of interest are extremely rare. This paper applies the rare-event simulation technique of splitting to the problem of estimating large-scale blackout probabilities. First, a stochastic model of cascading line failures is developed. Then, a simple network is presented and an analytical solution is derived for the simple network. Exploration of the analytical solution provides some guidance for setting splitting parameters in more complicated networks. In particular, geometrically increasing levels typically give an improvement over equally-spaced levels, due to the cascading nature of blackouts. The splitting methodology is applied to several different network topologies of varying complexity – a mesh network, a grid network, and the IEEE 118-bus network. Numerical results indicate that splitting has the potential to be effective on problems for which standard simulation may be infeasible.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of lofexidine, the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist, in opiate addicts plasma using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis.

Objectives: The objective of this investigation was to characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of lofexidine. Lofexidine is an orally bioavailable α 2-adrenergic receptor agonist analogue of clonidine that acts centrally to suppress opiate withdrawal symptoms. Methods: During the detoxification period of a phase 3 placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial, six subjects were entered in this preliminary pharmacokinetic study. Results: Pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma samples collected during study day 7 indicated that Cmax was 3242 ± 917 ng/L. The mean trough levels between the study days were not significantly different (p >. 05), suggesting that the subjects were at steady-state. Conclusions: Although preliminary due to the limited number of subjects, these findings are the first to document lofexidine clinical pharmacokinetics in opiate addicts using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-mediated nitrogen transfer from vineyard cover crops to grapevines

Cover crops are often planted in between vineyard rows to reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and improve soil structure. Roots of both grapevines and cover crops form mutualistic symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and may be interconnected by AM hyphae. To study nutrient transfer from cover crops to grapevines through AM fungal links, we grew grapevines and cover crops in specially designed containers in the greenhouse that restricted their root systems to separate compartments, but allowed AM fungi to colonize both root systems. Leaves of two cover crops, a grass (Bromus hordeaceus) and a legume (Medicago polymorpha), were labeled with 99 atom% 15N solution for 24 h. Grapevine leaves were analyzed for 15N content 2, 5, and 10 days after labeling. Our results showed evidence of AM fungi-mediated 15N transfer from cover crops to grapevines 5 and 10 days after labeling. N transfer was significantly greater from the grass to the grapevine than from the legume to the grapevine. Possible reasons for the differences between the two cover crops include lower 15N enrichment in legume roots, higher biomass of grass roots, and/or differences in AM fungal community composition. Further studies are needed to investigate N transfer from grapevines to cover crops and to determine net N transfer between the two crops throughout their growing seasons, in order to understand the significance of AM fungi-mediated interplant nutrient transfers in the field.
Understanding tinnitus: The dorsal cochlear nucleus, organization and plasticity

Tinnitus, the perception of a phantom sound, is a common consequence of damage to the auditory periphery. A major goal of tinnitus research is to find the loci of the neural changes that underlie the disorder. Crucial to this endeavor has been the development of an animal behavioral model of tinnitus, so that neural changes can be correlated with behavioral evidence of tinnitus. Three major lines of evidence implicate the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) in tinnitus. First, elevated spontaneous activity in the DCN is correlated with peripheral damage and tinnitus. Second, there are somatosensory inputs to the DCN that can modulate spontaneous activity and might mediate the somatic-auditory interactions seen in tinnitus patients. Third, we have found a subpopulation of DCN neurons in the adult rat that express doublecortin, a plasticity-related protein. The expression of this protein may reflect a role of these neurons in the neural reorganization causing tinnitus. However, there is a problem in extending the findings in the rodent DCN to humans. Classic studies state that the structure of the primate DCN is quite different from that of rodents, with primates lacking granule cells, the recipients of somatosensory input. To address the possibility of major species differences in DCN organization, we compared Nissl-stained sections of the DCN in five different species. In contrast to earlier reports, our data suggest that the organization of the primate DCN is not dramatically different from that of the rodents, and validate the use of animal data in the study of tinnitus. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Tinnitus Neuroscience.
NVESD Time-Limited Search Model

A summary of the development and impact of the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) Time-Limited Search (TLS) Model for target detection is presented. This model was developed to better represent the search behavior when an observer is placed under time-constrained conditions. The three primary components of the search process methodology are (1) the average detection time (based on characteristics of the image), (2) occurrence and time delay associated with false alarms, and (3) the time spent searching a Field-of-View (FOV) before moving on to another FOV. The results of four independent perception experiments served as the basis for this methodology. The experiments, which were conducted by NVESD, portrayed time limited search conditions for different sensor resolution and background clutter levels. The results of the experiments showed that these factors influence the search process and their impacts are represented within the components of the TLS methodology. The discussion presents the problems with the current model and details the constraints that must be understood to correctly apply the new model.
Muscle contraction: a mechanism of energy transduction

Abstract A mechanism of muscle contraction is presented in which energy from the hydrolysis of MgATP is transferred directly to conformational strain in a flexible segment of the myosin head. That segment is proximal to both the active site and the subfragment 1—subfragment 2 hinge (the portion of the myosin molecule that connects each of its two enzymatically active globular heads to the long thin helical body). This proximity allows configurational changes at the active site, which are an intrinsic part of the enzymatic mechanism, to impose a localized strain, or distortion, near the hinge. The energy, trapped in the protein this way, is subsequently used for mechanical work when other enzymatically-induced conformational changes free the strained segment of the myosin head to unbend. As this happens, the head rotates and the distal end (opposite the hinge) attaches to the actin filament and pulls on it. In this mechanism, actin interacts with myosin in two different ways: (1) at the active site where it activates a step in the hydrolysis of MgATP that frees the head to rotate; (2) at the distal end of myosin, where it forms the grip through which the rotating head pulls on the actin filament. The first interaction allows actin to initiate primary movement of the myosin head; the second directs the force and allows the movement of the head to be used for the sliding motion of the actin and myosin filaments during contraction. In this model, there are also two different energy transfers: one occurs in the transduction process itself when energy from hydrolysis is trapped as conformational distortion in the hinge region; the other occurs, reversibly, when actin and myosin form and then break the distal grip; in this second transfer there is no net energy change in the course of a cycle. A chemical mechanism is suggested to explain actin-activation of hydrolysis at the active site-hinge region.
Seismotectonics of the Cape Mendocino, California, area

A radio-telemetered network of high-gain seismographs allowed determination of hypocenters for 150 earthquakes with depths of 5 to 30 km in the Cape Mendocino area. Analysis of P - and S -wave arrival times indicates that the region exhibits a Poisson's ratio in excess of 0.3. The pattern of seismicity reveals a diffuse distribution. Composite fault-plane solutions indicate general north-south compression, consistent with generally inferred movements of the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates. Near the cape, however, the principal compression is oriented roughly northwest-southeast, consistent with Gorda plate motion normal to the ridge. Right-lateral strike-slip movement appears to be the dominant faulting pattern. Thrust-fault mechanisms seen at the continental margin near the cape may reflect late Cenozoic underthrusting at the Gorda plate boundary. East-west cross sections of hypocenters show no indications of an active Benioff zone. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the San Andreas fault joins the Mendocino fracture zone, which absorbs most of the right-lateral strike-slip motion. The Gorda plate is now deforming near the continental margin, apparently the consequence of transition from thrusting near the cape to right-lateral faulting northward as the mode of accommodation of the relative plate motions.
Interpollutant emission trading of ozone precursors in southeast Texas

Interpollutant trading (IPT) allows for trades among emissions of different compounds that contribute to ambient concentrations of the same pollutant. Shortages of single pollutant offsets have motivated the consideration of interpollutant offsets for ozone precursors on a case-by-case basis in California, but IPT has been approached with caution because of the difficulties in assessing the adequacy and uncertainty of trading ratios between oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) and volatile organic compound (VOC) sources and in resolving fundamental environmental policy and equity concerns. This study examines trading of NO x and VOC emissions in Houston, Texas. Houston annually experiences ozone concentrations that are among the highest in the United States. The region has a large population base as well as numerous petrochemical facilities that emit large amounts of VOCs, including highly reactive VOCs such as ethylene, propylene, and 1,3-butadiene. IPT ratios can be defined as tons of VOC emissions equivalent to a ton of NO x , given an impact index such as maximum ozone concentration, area exceeding a threshold ozone concentration, or population exposure. IPT ratios for Houston exhibit variability due to a combination of large spatial gradients in emissions and meteorological conditions across the region. NO x disbenefits have a particularly important influence on the variability in IPT ratios between source categories and metrics on some episode days. IPT ratios based on different impact indices, notably, maximum daily 8-h ozone concentration and population exposure, in Houston correlated poorly with each other, which increases the complexity of trading program design. The results suggest the importance of careful assessment and design of IPT programs.
Polyethyleneimine Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as a Substrate for Neuronal Growth

We report the synthesis of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) graft copolymer. This polymer was prepared by the functionalization of SWNTs with polyethyleneimine (PEI). We used this graft copolymer, SWNT-PEI, as a substrate for cultured neurons and found that it promotes neurite outgrowth and branching.
NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION: VALIDITY OF FREQUENCY DATA

A review of research regarding methodological advantages and disadvantages of various types of naturalistic observation procedures has produced relatively little since Arrington's (1943) initial re...
Encapsulation of bio-based PCM with coaxial electrospun ultrafine fibers

In this study, bio-based phase change material (bio-PCM) was successfully encapsulated in ultrafine fibers via coaxial electrospinning technique. Natural soy wax was used as the bio-PCM for thermal storage and Polyurethane (PU) was used as the shell material for encapsulation. The bio-PCM fibers were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that coaxial electrospinning resulted in a uniform fiber morphology with a core-shell structure, and a homogeneous wax distribution throughout the core of the fibers. Thermal analysis results show that the enthalpy increases with wax content. The fibrous structures exhibited balanced thermal storage and releasing properties for thermo-regulating functions. The thermal properties were unaltered after 100 heating-cooling test cycles, demonstrating that the composite fibers have good thermal stability and reliability.
Calculation of supersonic viscous flow over delta wings with sharp subsonic leading edges

Two complementary procedures were developed to calculate the viscous supersonic flow over conical shapes at large angles of attack, with application to cones and delta wings. In the first approach the flow is assumed to be conical and the governing equations are solved at a given Reynolds number with a time-marching explicit finite-difference algorithm. In the second method the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations are solved with a space-marching implicit noniterative finite-difference algorithm. This latter approach is not restricted to conical shapes and provides a large improvement in computational efficiency over published methods. Results from the two procedures agree very well with each other and with available experimental data.
A system for multilocus chromosomal integration and transformation-free selection marker rescue.

Yeast integrating plasmids (YIPs) are a versatile tool for stable integration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, current YIP systems necessitate time- and labor-intensive methods for cloning and selection marker rescue. Here, we describe the design, construction, and validation of a new YIP system capable of accelerating the stable integration of multiple expression constructs into different loci in the yeast S. cerevisiae. These 'directed pop-out' plasmids enable a simple, two-step integration protocol that results in a scarless integration alongside a complete rescue of the selection marker. These plasmids combine three key features: a dedicated 'YIPout' fragment directs a recombination event that rescues the selection marker while avoiding undesired excision of the target DNA sequence, a multifragment modular DNA assembly system simplifies cloning, and a new set of counterselectable markers enables serial integration followed by a transformation-free marker rescue event. We constructed and tested directed pop-out YIPs for integration of fluorescent reporter genes into four yeast loci. We validated our new YIP design by integrating three reporter genes into three different loci with transformation-free rescue of selection markers. These new YIP designs will facilitate the construction of yeast strains that express complex heterologous metabolic pathways.
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

Three unheralded results, two in Coordinate Geometry and the other in Plane Geometry, provide three proofs of a theorem dubbed by this author as �The Fundamental Theorem�. The above theorem offers a uniform proof establishing the positive integral nature of the radii of the incircle and the three escribed circles associated with the right triangle corresponding to any Pythagorean triplet of natural numbers. Another special selection of Pythagorean triplet ensures the positive integral nature of the radii of six circles namely; the incircle, circumscribing circle, the three escribed circles and the nine point circle of the right triangle that comes from the specialized Pythagorean triplet. Through these connections some other new results that can be deduced from the Pythagorean triplet are presented in this article.