cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pervasive synchronization of local neural networks in the secondary somatosensory cortex of cats during focal cutaneous stimulation.

Extracellular discharges were recorded from 205 neurons in the secondary somatosensory (SII) cortex of isoflurane-anesthetized cats. Cross-correlation analysis was used to characterize the temporal coordination of SII neurons recorded during cutaneous stimulation with a focal air jet that moved back-and-forth across the distal forelimb. Over two-thirds of the recorded neuron pairs (n=357) displayed significant levels of synchronized activity during one or both directions of air-jet movement. The probability of detecting correlated activity varied according to the distance separating the neurons. Whereas synchronized responses were observed in 82.3% of the pairs in which the neurons were separated by 200–300 µm, the incidence of synchronization declined to 52.3% for neurons that were separated by 600–800 µm. The distance between neurons also had a significant effect on the temporal precision of correlated activity. For neurons that were separated by 200–300 µm, synchronized responses in the cross-correlograms (CCGs) were characterized by narrow (0.5–1.0 ms) peaks at time zero. For SII neurons that were more widely separated, the peak half-widths were substantially broader and more likely to be displaced from time zero. Analysis of directional sensitivity indicated that only 14.2% of the correlated neurons displayed a directional preference for synchronized activity. By comparison, 63.4% of the neurons displayed a directional preference in their discharge rate. These results indicate that stimulus-induced synchronization is a prominent feature among local populations of SII neurons, but synchronization does not appear to play a critical role in coding the direction of stimulus movement. A comparison of these results with those obtained from similar experiments conducted in primary somatosensory (SI) cortex indicates that neuronal synchronization is more likely in SII cortex. This finding is discussed with respect to the known functional differences between the SI and SII cortical areas.
Monolayer graphene growth on Ni(111) by low temperature chemical vapor deposition

In contrast to the commonly employed high temperature chemical vapor deposition growth that leads to multilayer graphene formation by carbon segregation from the bulk, we demonstrate that below 600 °C graphene can be grown in a self-limiting monolayer growth process. Optimum growth is achieved at ∼550 °C. Above this temperature, carbon diffusion into the bulk is limiting the surface growth rate, while at temperatures below ∼500 °C a competing surface carbide phase impedes graphene formation.
Time-optimal/sliding mode control implementation for robust tracking of uncertain flexible structures

An improvement strategy in robust control is proposed for uncertain linear or nonlinear systems. This two-stage control scheme first modifies the original desired trajectory, and then imposes robustness against uncertainties in tracking the new trajectory. For the trajectory modification stage, two different schemes are considered: Time Optimal-Rigid Body Motion (TO) and Shaped Input (SI). The robustness stage is performed using Sliding Mode Control with Perturbation Estimation (SMCPE), an advanced form of SMC. This routine brings some strong features as demonstrated by examples. A rotating hub with flexible beam attachment is taken as the first example, and an undercontrolled two-mass system with a linear spring as the second. The comparative studies show superior results for the combination of TO-SMCPE over SI-SMCPE. Moreover, this two-stage control exhibits stable and highly advantageous performance even for cases where H∞ type robust control structure is declared unstable.
Tenderness of Poultry Meat 2. Effect of Scalding Procedures

Abstract PROCESSING procedures have been reported as exerting a major effect on tenderness of poultry meat. Gainer, Stewart and Lowe (1951) pointed out the detrimental effects of excessive machine picking. Wise and Stadelman (1957) confirmed this effect with commercially used pickers. The effects of scalding on tenderness of chicken meat after aging was reported by Shannon, Marion and Stadelman (1957). They found that the harmful effect was a result of time and temperature of scalding. Similar observations were made by Klose et al. (1959) for turkeys and by Pool et al. (1959) for chickens. The purpose of the research reported herein was to expand the earlier observations relative to effects of scalding on tenderness. PROCEDURE Young, turkey hens were used throughout these studies. The turkeys were placed in crates at the farm and transported to the processing plant prior to 8:00 a.m. each day. They were slaughtered about 2 hours after…
On the theory of ionospheric scintillations of lunar radar echoes

Abstract Different components of lunar radar echoes can be isolated using Doppler shift techniques in conjunction with continuous wave transmissions, or time delay techniques in conjunction with coherent pulsed transmissions. The shape of the region producing the echoes depends on the techniques used, which consequently should produce a definite, and possibly large, effect on the scintillations of ionospheric origin. If these scintillations can be separated from the lunar-induced scintillations, it should be possible to derive useful information about ionospheric irregularities using a single antenna instead of groups of two or three antennas distributed at various distances on the ground.
Visual factors in word perception

An experiment is reported confirming the existence of the “word-letter phenomenon” (WLP): At tachistoscopic exposure durations, each letter of a four-letter word is perceived more accurately than a single letter. Data obtained rule out several artifactual interpretations, including the possibility that perception of letters in a word is facilitated merely by the presence of adjacent contours. The WLP is shown to depend critically on what type of display is used as a preand postexposure field. While a masking field of high-contrast random contours produced a large and reliable WLP, a plain white field eliminated the phenomenon entirely. This pattern of results suggests several ways in which perception at the word level may differ from perception at the letter level.
Myofibrillogenesis and Z-band differentiation.

Developing myotubes in skeletal muscle tissue from the limbs of larval newts have been examined with respect to the ultrastructure and sequence of events accompanying myofibril formation. A population of filaments having a diameter of 100 A is found to occur throughout and beyond the period of myofibrillogenesis. This population is in addition to developing actin and myosin filaments and probably does not contribute directly to myofibril formation. Rather it may represent a cytoskeletal network which ultimately becomes principally disposed around and at right angles to older myofibrils at the level of their Z-bands. Assembly of thick and thin filaments into myofibrils seems to occur, in this muscle, predominantly near the periphery of the cell with registration of these components into A-, I-, and Z-bands being accomplished as they assume progressively more internal locations. Z-bands appear to develop by coalescence of Z-bodies which in turn are earlier related to skeins of fine filamentous material which commonly occupy the most peripheral cytoplasm of these and other mesenchymally derived cells. Fine structural details of these skeins, Z-bodies, and Z-bands have been analyzed with regard to the several prevailing concepts of Z-band architecture. An hypothetical sequence for myofibril formation and Z-band differentiation is presented which takes into account several observations and relates them to the looping filament configuration previously proposed for mature Z-band structure.
Oxygen Use in the Perioperative Period. Should We Change Our Practice

Oxygen Use in the Perioperative Period. Should We Change Our Practice? Traditionally, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) administered during an anesthetic, is between 30-100%, and remains an individualized practice that varies among Anesthesia Departments in the country. Recently, there have been emerging studies showing that a higher than usual FiO2, may be beneficial in reducing the surgical site infection rate after colorectal surgery.
Molecular evaluation of proliferative-phase endometrium may provide insight about the underlying causes of infertility in women with endometriosis

To determine if endometrial gene expression is different in women with endometriosis-related infertility and fertile women. Prospective study of mid-follicular phase endometrium in 47 subjects in two phases: microarray study of 10 infertile women with endometriosis and five fertile controls, and a quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) study of 27 infertile women with endometriosis and 15 fertile controls. Gene expression was determined by DNA microarray, and qRT-PCR used for 12 “promising” genes based on the microarray analysis. Compared to fertile controls, women with stage I–II endometriosis had 23, and women with stage III–IV had 35 genes that were significantly up- or down-regulated by microarray. However, using qRT-PCR, only chemokine ligand (CXCL) 13 was significantly down-regulated and somatostatin was significantly up-regulated with early endometriosis, and only CXCL 14 was significantly down-regulated with advanced endometriosis compared to fertile controls. Our findings indicate that the pattern of gene expression in proliferative-phase endometrium is different when comparing tissue from patients with endometriosis versus fertile controls. Recognition of these endometrial alterations could be helpful to diagnose and stage endometriosis, and may provide insight to explain why conception rates are low in women with endometriosis.
Effect of antioxidants on apoptosis and cytokine release in fetal rat Type II pneumocytes exposed to hyperoxia and nitric oxide

The response of the fetal rat Type II pneumocyte (FTIIP), the stem cell of the alveolar epithelium, to hyperoxia would be helpful to understand the effects of oxygen-induced injury to the developing lung. Our goals were to evaluate the effect of antioxidants (AO) on apoptosis and release of cytokines in freshly isolated FTIIP (day-19) in the presence of 95% O2 and/or nitric oxide (NO). There was increased apoptosis in FTIIP exposed to hyperoxia alone and in combination with NO; this was significantly attenuated (p < 0.01) in the presence of 3 AO, namely grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 has been shown to have a role in ameliorating tissue damage owing to persistent inflammation. The release of IL-10 was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in the presence of GSPE and catalase, compared to control. Addition of SOD led to increased IL-10 compared to GSPE or catalase (p < 0.01) or the combination of GSPE + SOD + catalase (p < or = 0.01). Thus, in our in vitro model of hyperoxic and NO mediated injury to FTIIP, protection from apoptotic cell death with the addition of AO was associated with varying levels of IL-10 release. Our data suggest that the use of SOD and/or IL-10 may decrease hyperoxic lung injury by decreasing apoptosis. Further studies are needed to understand the mode of protection from catalase and GSPE.
Sustainability and Planetary Thresholds Are Focus of New Worldwatch Report

Sustainability versus “sustainababble” was one of the key themes in State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible?, published by the nonprofit Worldwatch Institute in Washington, D. C. The report, released 19 April, also discussed passing or approaching planetary “boundaries” for some critical biophysical processes in the Earth's system and how to prepare for a much different world due to climate change and other environmental concerns.
Angular correlations of γ-rays from Coulomb excited 63,65Cu

Abstract The multipole admixtures of the transitions between the low-lying 7 2 − and 5 2 − states of 63, 65Cu have been obtained from angular distributions and γ-γ angular correlations. The states were excited via Coulomb excitation effected with α-particles. The admixture δ for the 365.3 keV γ-ray in 63Cu is −0.105 ± 0.025. For the 366.7 keV γ-ray in 65Cu it is −0.16 ± 0.06. Values extracted for the B(E2) and B(M1) transition rates with these admixtures are: (2.8+1.6−1.2) × 10−50e2 · cm4 and 0.24±0.04 (e h /2mMc) 2 for the 365 keV γ-ray and 9.2+8.0−6.0 and 0.34 ± 0.08 for the 367 keV γ-ray.
Enhanced Arrhythmogenic Activity of β-Adrenoceptor Stimulants in Desoxycorticosterone-Pretreated Rats

AbstractThe arrhythmogenic activity of four β-adrenoceptor stimulants, metaproterenol, salbutamol, isoetharine, and dobutamine, was determined in adult, Wistar rats pretreated for 3-4 weeks with desoxycorticosterone (DOCA) and 1% saline as drinking fluid. Doses (SC) of these stimulants which were well tolerated in untreated animals elicited severe ventricular dysrhythmias, often leading to death in ventricular fibrillation. The LD50 in mg/kg was as follows: metaproterenol, 0.28; salbutamol, 0.60; isoetharine, 2.3; and dobutamine, 4.8. The relative potency of metaproterenol, salbutamol, and isoetharine correlates well with their ability to stimulate β1-adrenoceptors. It is suggested that DOCA-saline pretreatment in rats may be used as a model for the rapid screening of drugs affecting β-adrenoceptors.
Operations related groups (ORGs): A clustering procedure for production/inventory systems

Abstract Many production/inventory systems contain thousands of stock keeping units (SKUs). In general, it is not computationally (or conceptually) feasible to consider every one of these items individually in the development of control polices and strategies. Our objective here is to develop a methodology for defining groups to support strategic planning for the operations function. Accordingly, such groups should take into consideration all product characteristics which have a significant impact on the particular operations management problem of interest. These characteristics can include many of the attributes which are used in other functional groupings and will most certainly go beyond the cost and volume attributes used in ABC analysis. The ORG methodology is based on statistical clustering and can utilize a full range of operationally significant item attributes. It considers both statistical measures of discrimination and the operational consequences associated with implementing policies derived on the basis of group membership. The main departure of this analysis from earlier work is: 1) the approach can handle any combination of item attribute information that is important for strategy purposes, 2) management's interest in defining groups on the basis of operational factors can be accommodated, 3) statistical discrimination is considered directly, 4) group definition reflects the performance of management policies which are based (in part) on group membership, and 5) the method can be applied successfully to systems with a large number of SKUs. The specific application which motivated development of the ORG methodology was an analysis of distribution strategy for the service parts division of a major automobile manufacturer. The manufacturer was interested in developing optimal inventory stocking policies, which took into account the complexities of its multiechelon distribution network, supplier relationships and customer service targets for each market segment. This manufacturer stocked over 300,000 part numbers in an extensive network with approximately 50 distribution centers and thousands of dealer locations (i.e., 1.5 million SKU/ location combinations). The results of this application indicated that the advantage of using operationally relevant data for grouping and for defining generic, group-based policies for controlling inventory can be substantial. The ORG methodology can be of value to operations managers in industries with a large number of diverse items.
Heat Flow and Fluid Flux in Cascadia's Seismogenic Zone

The Cascadia Subduction Zone in the northeast Pacific has generated a large number of megathrust earthquakes and poses the greatest recognized seismic hazard to the northwestern United States. To learn more about the risks this subduction zone poses, scientists from Washington and Oregon conducted a research cruise in August aboard the R/V Atlantis to collect data that would estimate the thermal structure of the “fully locked zone” of the Cascadia megathrust fault. This locked zone resists the continuous motion of two tectonic plates as they collide, storing compressional energy that produces large megathrust earthquakes when released by the abrupt failure of the locking process.
The antiapoptotic gene A1/BFL1 is a WT1 target gene that mediates granulocytic differentiation and resistance to chemotherapy

Previous work has demonstrated that WT1 (–Ex5/–KTS) potentiates granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)–mediated granulocytic differentiation. This WT1 isoform suppresses cyclin E, which may contribute to the prodifferentiation effect by slowing proliferation, but WT1 target genes that affect survival might also be involved. We screened a cDNA array and identified the bCL2 family member A1/BFL1 as a new WT1 target gene in 32D cl3 murine myeloblast cells. Induction of WT1 (–Ex5/–KTS) expression is accompanied by up-regulation of A1 on the cDNA array, and this up-regulation was confirmed by semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, both promoter-reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggest that this isoform of WT1 activates the promoter directly. Constitutive expression of A1 in 32D cl3 cells induces spontaneous granulocytic differentiation, with both morphologic and cell-surface antigen changes, as well as resistance both to chemotherapy and to withdrawal of interleukin-3 (IL-3). Finally, we note an association between WT1 expression and A1 expression in primary acute myeloid leukemia samples. Taken together, these results demonstrate that A1 is a new WT1 target gene involved in both granulocytic differentiation and resistance to cell death, and suggests that these genes might play an important role in the biology of high-risk leukemias.
53. Maternal obesity is associated with alternations in the gut microbiome in toddlers

Background: Alterations in bacteria that naturally reside in the intestines may contribute to obesity. Because the infant microbiota are largely derived from the mother, differences in the maternal microbiota may link maternal and child obesity. Methods: This study included 77 mother–child pairs, with children assessed at ∼2 years of age. Women completed measures of maternal health, child diet and collected stool samples from their children which were analyzed by deep sequencing. Shannon Diversity Index (SDI) was used to measure alpha-diversity and the adonis statistic was used to measure differences in distance matrices between variables. Results: Children born to obese mothers had a significantly higher SDI ( p p Faecalibacterium , Oscillibacter , and Roseburia in the child. These effects were not attributable do differences in child body composition. Obese and non-obese mothers were demographically similar and showed no significant differences in child feeding behavior. Conclusions: Maternal obesity may predict differences in the gut microbiota of offspring. In particular, we observed greater Faecalibacterium and Oscillibacter in toddlers, microbial populations that have previously been associated with obesity. This may be a mechanism by which maternal obesity confers risk of obesity in offspring.
The value of protective isolation procedures in cardiac allograft recipients

The impact of protective isolation on the incidence of infection in 60 cardiac transplant recipients (mean age, 49.2 years) was studied in a prospective randomized trial. Thirty patients were randomized to protective isolation, which consisted of private room, hat, mask, sterile gown, and handwashing. Thirty patients were randomized to no isolation, which meant they recovered in a crowded, open intensive care unit and were adjacent to recipients of liver transplants or patients who were on the trauma, neurosurgical, and general surgical services, many of whom had an infection of the incision or a pulmonary infection. There was no difference between groups in the proportion of patients in whom infection developed (chi 2[1] = 0.27; p = 0.6), the number of infection-related deaths (2 in each group), the types of infection (bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoal), or the overall outcome. Because protective isolation offered no benefit over standard care in protecting these patients from infections or the associated complications, we have discontinued its routine use after cardiac transplantation.
Neurologic dysfunction in hypothyroid, hyperlipidemic Labrador Retrievers

Background: Hypothyroidism has been associated with a variety of neurologic signs, but the mechanism for this association is not completely understood. Hypothyroidism also is associated with hyperlipidemia that predisposes to atherosclerosis, increased blood viscosity, and thromboembolic events. Objective: The objective is to characterize neurologic signs potentially associated with hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in canine hypothyroidism. Animals: This study used dogs referred to North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of neurologic signs. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in which medical records of dogs with neurologic signs and a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia were reviewed. Details of the history, presenting signs, results of routine blood tests, thyroid tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and diagnostic imaging, and response to therapy were compiled. Results: Three Labrador Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever cross fit the inclusion criteria. All dogs were hypothyroid and severely hyperlipidemic. Neurologic signs included tetraparesis, central and peripheral vestibular signs, facial paralysis, and paraparesis. Two dogs had an acute history and rapid resolution of signs consistent with an infarct, the presence of which was confirmed in 1 of the dogs by magnetic resonance imaging. Two dogs had chronic histories of cranial neuropathies and paraparesis. One of these dogs had evidence of iliac thrombosis and atherosclerosis on ultrasound examination. All dogs improved with thyroid hormone supplementation. Clinical Relevance: Labrador Retrievers may be predisposed to the development of severe hyperlipidemia in association with hypothyroidism. One possible consequence of severe hyperlipidemia is the development of neurologic signs due to atherosclerosis and thromboembolic events.
FT-IR Remote Sensing of Industrial Atmospheres for Spatial Characterization

Two identical Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) field monitoring systems have been used to investigate differences in apparent plume concentrations as a function of height. The two systems also have been used to monitor the same plume simultaneously at the same height to estimate the precision that can be expected. The data collected suggest that IR beam height may play a significant role in the measured concentrations of plume constituents.
When patients choose: comparison of Nuss, Ravitch, and Leonard procedures for primary repair of pectus excavatum

Abstract Background/Purpose Pectus excavatum is a common chest wall deformity, and several procedures have been developed for its correction. We allow patients to choose among Leonard, Nuss, and Ravitch procedures. This study aimed to determine which procedure most patients select and the resultant outcomes. Methods Charts were reviewed of all pectus excavatum repairs performed for 4 years by a practice covering a university-based children's hospital. Procedure choice, operative time, length of stay, analgesia, fees, and complications were recorded. Results The Ravitch procedure was chosen by 60.9% of our patients, Leonard procedure by 23.9%, and Nuss procedure by 15.2%. Operative times were not significantly different among the groups. The mean length of stay was 2.2 days (Ravitch), 1.5 days (Leonard), and 3.9 days (Nuss) ( P P Conclusions We allow patients to choose among Leonard, Ravitch, and Nuss procedures for repair of pectus excavatum. Most select the Ravitch procedure. Length of stay, fees, analgesic needs, and complication rate were highest among patients in the Nuss group; all of these variables were lowest in the Leonard group.
Kennedy's Nothing in Heaven Functions as it Ought

(1982). Kennedy's Nothing in Heaven Functions as it Ought. The Explicator: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 6-7.
An investigation of the contact angles between low melting metals and substrates of niobium and zirconium

Abstract Contact angles between droplets of tin, indium and gallium and substrates of niobium and zirconium were measured for various substrate surface roughnesses over the temperature range 303 −- 923 K. Three characteristic regions of the temperature dependence of contact angles were observed. A steady-state region in which the contact angle θ is relatively independent of temperature was preceded and followed by regions in which θ decreased rapidly with increasing temperature. For the steady-state or second region, contact angles were found to be independent of time, whereas in the third region the contact angles showed a decreasing trend with increasing time at constant temperature. In accordance with theoretical predictions, when θ is greater than 90°, an increase in roughness of the substrate causes a corresponding increase in θ. Electron microprobe analyses showed that only the system Ga-Zr exhibited evidence of interdiffusion at the interface.
Whitman Naked?: A Forum

Introduces a forum concerning the controversy over whether a series of seven nude photographs from the 1880s by Thomas Eakins could be of Walt Whitman.
Moral commitment without objectivity or illusion: Comments on Ruse and Woolcock

Peter Woolcock, in “Ruse's Darwinian Meta-Ethics: A Critique”, argues that the subjectivist (nonobjectivist) Darwinian metaethics proposed by Michael Ruse (in “Taking Darwin Seriously”) cannot work, because the “illusion of objectivity” that Ruse claims is essential to morality breaks down when it is recognized as illusion, and there then remain no good reasons for acknowledging or following moral obligations. Woolcock, however, is mistaken in supposing that moral behaviour requires rational motivation. Ruse's Darwinian metaethical analysis shows why such objective support for morality is neither plausible nor necessary; and when that is recognized, it can also be seen that Ruse's proposed “illusion” of moral objectivity is superfluous.
PEARL: Lines 1205–1208

Translation is always an act of interpretation; it is nearly inescapable that, at best, some subtle shade of meaning in the original may be lost or, at worst, the sense of the text itself will be a...
When is medical industry backing lacking

A sales representative from Megastint approached Dr A. Krasia with an offer to financially support future educational conferences and allow his institution to be a training center if he participates in a new study comparing an old product to a recently approved and more expensive one. Dr Krasia and his department currently use Megastint's products. The medical center's utilization committee must approve the addition of more expensive pharmaceuticals, devices, or equipment, and Dr Krasia is the chair. How should Dr Krasia respond to Megastint's offer of financial support and to become a training center? AAccepting gifts from commercial sources is always wrong. BEducational funding by faculty clinical practice needs to be supplemented by commercial sources. CSince the institution already uses Megastint's products, there is no conflict. DPhysicians with any decision-making power over purchases are compromising their fiduciary duties to patients and their institutions by accepting directed industrial funding. EIf Dr Krasia's decision-making role is small and the gift is not to his direct benefit, the conflict is negligible.
Relaxation and dynamical properties of water in partially filled porous materials using NMR techniques

Abstract The study of relaxation times of NMR active nuclei in liquids confined to pore structures allows characterization of the geometry of the open volume providing information regarding its homogeneity, spatial distribution, and tortuosity. Experiments performed on samples containing different amounts of fluid can probe the degree of homogeneity at smaller and smaller length scales, permitting a determination of the intrinsic nature of the liquid-solid interaction responsible for the observed enhancement of the relaxation rates. The results of longitudinal and transverse relaxation experiments on water filling a microporous leached borosilicate glass are discussed. Particular emphasis is devoted to relaxation and dynamical properties at sub-monolayer coverage. This is discussed in the context of the molecular interaction at the liquid-solid interface. The results are interpreted in terms of anisotropic rotation of the adsorbed molecules and the characteristic times of such motion are extracted. This is compared with the molecular translation degree of freedom derived from NMR pulsed field gradient techniques suggesting that the two types of motion are closely related.
Theoretical and Experimental Study of Time- and Temperature-Dependent Photoluminescence in ZnO

In this work, we investigate the dynamics of photo-excited carriers in ZnO. Specifically, we study the luminescence spectrum and the effect of temperature on the luminescence rise time. For comparison, experimental time- resolved photo-luminescence studies on ZnO samples are performed. In the theoretical model, interaction with a laser pulse is treated coherently and a generalized Monte Carlo simulation is used to account for scattering processes. The scattering mechanisms included are carrier interactions with polar optical phonons and acoustic phonons, and carrier–carrier Coulomb interactions. We observed a good agreement between the experimental and simulation results for the photo-luminescence spectrum. Furthermore, as the temperature increases, the luminescence rise time decreases, mostly due to the weaker effect of polar optical scattering at lower temperature.
The two-phase flow downstream of a production engine combustor swirl cup

The two-phase flow downstream of a production gas-turbine engine combustor fuel injection system (i.e., “swirl cup”) is characterized at atmospheric pressure in the absence of reaction. The swirl cup features a centrally located simplex atomizer, a surrounding liquid filming surface, and counter-swirling air streams. Two-component phase Doppler interferometer is employed to determine the time averaged droplet size and velocity distributions and the time-averaged velocities of the continuous phase (gas-phase in the presence of spray). The time-dependent behavior of both phases is documented with a high-speed video camera. This work represents the first detailed characterization of the two-phase flow field in a production fixture and reveals the complexity of the flow field produced. The interferometric results, for example, reveal an on-axial recirculation zone and show that droplets are entrained as a function of size. Large slip velocities between the gas phase and the droplets are measured in all regions of the flow, indicating the presence of momentum transfer between phases. The magnitude of the slip velocities is correlated with droplet size. High speed photographs (1) reveal the dynamic behavior of the droplet and continuous phase, (2) identify clustering of droplets, and (3) reaffirm a correlation of droplet recirculation with size.
A LIFE-COURSE PERSPECTIVE ON SPIRITUALITY AND DESISTANCE FROM CRIME

Spirituality is a component of many drug and alcohol treatment strategies, and faith-based programming is also common within prison settings. Yet research on religiosity—crime linkages has often relied on general youth or adult samples or has included a short time line for gauging positive effects. Life-course researchers focused on serious delinquents, in turn, have often emphasized other factors associated with long-term crime patterns, such as marital attachment and job stability, or the criminality of the individual's social ties. This study draws on quantitative and qualitative data derived from a long-term follow-up of a sample of serious adolescent male and female offenders to explore the role of spirituality and religious participation as influences on adult patterns of criminal involvement (N= 152). The respondents were first interviewed as adolescents, in 1982, and again as adults in 1995 and 2003. Results of longitudinal analyses that take into account self-report and incarceration histories at both time periods do not reveal a significant association between these indices of religiosity and the likelihood of evidencing a pattern of sustained desistance. Our analysis of indepth life-history interviews conducted with most respondents over these two time periods and 41 additional interviews focused specifically on spirituality and religion are used to explore in more detail the promise and challenges associated with relying on religiosity as a catalyst for sustained behavior change.
The Law of One Price: Developed and Developing Country Market Integration

The Law of One Price (LOP) is important to models of international trade and exchange rate determination. This study investigates a variant of the LOP applied to developed and developing countries. The competing hypotheses are (1) that one price prevails in both developed and developing countries and (2) that one price prevails in developed countries and another single price in developing countries. Using data from an internationally competitive commodity (soybean meal), we found evidence favors the first hypothesis, although two large developing countries under study are active participants in regional trade integration, which may bias them against the first hypothesis.
Volumetric Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging to Assess Early Response to Apoptosis-Inducing Anti–Death Receptor 5 Antibody Therapy in a Breast Cancer Animal Model

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer type diagnosed in women and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths in women. Typically, the more successful breast cancer treatments are targeted to cancer cell receptors known to facilitate tumor growth, namely, estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 proteins. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), however, is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that is devoid of the aforementioned receptors and less responsive to standardized treatment.1 Tumor cytotoxicity has been shown to be mediated by tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand and agonistic monoclonal antibodies through interactions with cell surface death receptors (DR5) with activation of the caspase-8 pathway.2–5 An agonistic monoclonal antibody (TRA-8) specific for human DR5 was developed and shown to induce apoptosis of breast cancer tumor cell lines.6 Additionally, TRA-8 in combination with chemotherapeutic agents has an antitumor effect that can yield a substantial regression of tumor size in TNBC murine models.7 Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging has also been shown to be useful in early detection of the response to TRA-8 therapy in animal models due to pronounced apoptosis and intratumoral changes in diffusion properties.8 A follow-up animal study using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging also proved capable of distinguishing the early response to TRA-8 therapy.9 The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) to assess tumor perfusion has been explored extensively in recent years. By tracking the time-intensity profile of backscattered echo signals, blood flow measurements can be estimated as presented in recent preclinical10–18 and clinical19– 24 studies. Notwithstanding, results have been traditionally acquired using 2-dimensional contrast-enhanced US, which implies that a majority of perfused tissue is omitted from analysis because this modality is inherently a planar imaging assessment. Overcoming this limitation via development of real-time volumetric contrast-enhanced US imaging techniques and data-processing strategies has been shown to improve perfusion measurements because the entire tumor burden is considered.25 The purpose of our study was to determine whether volumetric contrast-enhanced US imaging could detect the early tumor response to TRA-8 therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy in a preclinical TNBC animal model.
Improving the adaptability of multi-mode systems via program steering

A multi-mode software system contains several distinct modes of operation and a controller for deciding when to switch between modes. Even when developers rigorously test a multi-mode system before deployment, they cannot foresee and test for every possible usage scenario. As a result, unexpected situations in which the program fails or underperforms (for example, by choosing a non-optimal mode) may arise. This research aims to mitigate such problems by creating a new mode selector that examines the current situation, then chooses a mode that has been successful in the past, in situations like the current one. The technique, called program steering, creates a new mode selector via machine learning from good behavior in testing or in successful operation. Such a strategy, which generalizes the knowledge that a programmer has built into the system, may select an appropriate mode even when the original controller cannot. We have performed experiments on robot control programs written in a month-long programming competition. Augmenting these programs via our program steering technique had a substantial positive effect on their performance in new environments.
Sebaceoma of the auricle

Objective: To report a case of sebaceoma of the auricle, and to discuss the differential diagnosis, histopathological features, surgical management and genetic associations of this entity. Methods: Case report and review of the medical literature. Results: A 79-year-old man presented with a slowly growing lesion of his auricle. Excision of the mass and histopathological review revealed a benign, basaloid, adnexal neoplasm consistent with sebaceoma. Due to its association with Muir–Torre syndrome and increased risk of visceral malignancy, the patient was followed closely for signs of malignancy. At 36 months post-excision, there were no signs of recurrence; thereafter, the patient continued to receive routine cancer surveillance follow up. Conclusion: Sebaceoma is a rarely encountered, benign, adnexal neoplasm which can occur in the head and neck. The treatment is surgical excision, and recurrence is rare. Sebaceoma can occur as part of Muir–Torre syndrome, and in these patients there is an increased risk of other sebaceous lesions and visceral malignancy; thus, genetic testing and surveillance should be strongly considered.
Orthopaedic crossfire--Stem modularity is unnecessary in revision total hip arthroplasty: in the affirmative.

Abstract Numerous options are available for femoral stem fixation in revision total hip arthroplasty, including cemented stems, proximally-coated cementless stems, extensively coated cementless stems, impaction grafting cemented stems, and modular cementless stems. In terms of versatility, ease of insertion, use with an extended trochanteric osteotomy, and clinical results, extensively coated cementless stems remain the gold standard. Modular cementless stems have not matched the clinical results of extensively coated cementless stems. In addition, modular stems introduce increased complexity, cost, and potential complications and are therefore, rarely, if ever, necessary in revision total hip arthroplasty. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Genetic and Functional Interaction of Evolutionarily Conserved Regions of the Prp18 Protein and the U5 snRNA

Both the Prp18 protein and the U5 snRNA function in the second step of pre-mRNA splicing. We identified suppressors of mutant prp18 alleles in the gene for the U5 snRNA (SNR7). The suppressors’ U5 snRNAs have either a U4-to-A or an A8-to-C mutation in the evolutionarily invariant loop 1 of U5. Suppression is specific for prp18 alleles that encode proteins with mutations in a highly conserved region of Prp18 which forms an unstructured loop in crystals of Prp18. The snr7 suppressors partly restored the pre-mRNA splicing activity that was lost in the prp18 mutants. The close functional relationship of Prp18 and U5 is emphasized by the finding that two snr7 alleles, U5A and U6A, are dominant synthetic lethal with prp18 alleles. Our results support the idea that Prp18 and the U5 snRNA act in concert during the second step of pre-mRNA splicing and suggest a model in which the conserved loop of Prp18 acts to stabilize the interaction of loop 1 of the U5 snRNA with the splicing intermediates. Pre-mRNA is spliced in two sequential transesterification reactions within the spliceosome (5, 7, 34, 54). The active spliceosome is composed of the U2, U5, and U6 snRNPs together with a dynamic cast of proteins. The U2 and U6 snRNAs appear to form the catalytic core of the spliceosome,
Mannheimia haemolytica Leukotoxin Binds to Lipid Rafts in Bovine Lymphoblastoid Cells and Is Internalized in a Dynamin-2- and Clathrin-Dependent Manner

Mannheimia haemolytica is the principal bacterial pathogen of the bovine respiratory disease complex. Its most important virulence factor is a leukotoxin (LKT), which is a member of the RTX family of exotoxins produced by many gram-negative bacteria. Previous studies demonstrated that LKT binds to the beta(2)-integrin LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) on bovine leukocytes, resulting in cell death. In this study, we demonstrated that depletion of lipid rafts significantly decreases LKT-induced bovine lymphoblastoid cell (BL-3) death. After binding to BL-3 cells, some of the LKT relocated to lipid rafts in an LFA-1-independent manner. We hypothesized that after binding to LFA-1 on BL-3 cells, LKT moves to lipid rafts and clathrin-coated pits via a dynamic process that results in LKT internalization and cytotoxicity. Knocking down dynamin-2 by small interfering RNA reduced both LKT internalization and cytotoxicity. Similarly, expression of dominant negative Eps15 protein expression, which is required for clathrin coat formation, reduced LKT internalization and LKT-mediated cytotoxicity to BL-3 cells. Finally, we demonstrated that inhibiting actin polymerization reduced both LKT internalization and LKT-mediated cytotoxicity. These results suggest that both lipid rafts and clathrin-mediated mechanisms are important for LKT internalization and cytotoxicity in BL-3 cells and illustrate the complex nature of LKT internalization by the cytoskeletal network.
Becoming and Remaining Assertive: A Longitudinal Study

The effectiveness of assertiveness training, the duration of its effect, and changes in life style or relationships after training were examined in a longitudinal study of 11 white middle-class adult women who participated in a 10-wk. assertiveness training course. An assertiveness inventory, a life-style and health check list, and an interview were used as initial and follow-up measures for the trained group and a comparison group. Follow-up measures were completed six to eight weeks following training and 24 to 36 months later. Pretest assertiveness scores for the trained group were significantly lower than for the comparison group but did not differ significantly at the time of the posttest or the final follow-up test. No significant differences between groups were found on the life-style and health check lists.
A national agenda for public health informatics.

The AMIA 2001 Spring Congress brought together members of the the public health and informatics communities to develop a national agenda for public health informatics. Discussions of funding and governance; architecture and infrastructure; standards and vocabulary; research, evaluation, and best practices; privacy, confidentiality, and security; and training and workforce resulted in 74 recommendations with two key themes—that all stakeholders need to be engaged in coordinated activities related to public health information architecture, standards, confidentiality, best practices, and research; and that informatics training is needed throughout the public health workforce. Implementation of this consensus agenda will help promote progress in the application of information technology to improve public health. � J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2001;8:535-545.
Relation Between Crossbridge Structure and Actomyosin ATPase Activity in Rat Heart

Abstract —Cardiac myofilaments contain proteins that regulate the interaction between actin and myosin. In the thick filament, there are several proteins that may contribute to the regulation of the contraction. The myosin binding protein C, or C protein, has 4 sites that can be phosphorylated by a Ca2+-calmodulin–controlled kinase, protein kinase A or protein kinase C. Using electron microscopy and optical diffraction, we examined the structure of thick filaments isolated from rat ventricles with either the α or β isoform of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and the effect of specific phosphorylation of C protein on the structure. In thick filaments with α-MHC, crossbridges were clearly visible. Phosphorylation of C protein by protein kinase A extended the crossbridges from the backbone of the filament, changed their orientation, increased the degree of order of the crossbridges, and decreased the flexibility of the crossbridges. Crossbridges in filaments with β-MHC were less ordered and apparently more flexible. Phosphorylation of C protein in β-MHC–containing filaments did not extend the crossbridges and did not alter degree of order or flexibility. The relative flexibility of the crossbridges inferred from the optical diffraction pattern correlated well with the rate of ATP hydrolysis by actomyosin. These results suggest that (1) crossbridge flexibility is an important parameter in setting the rate of crossbridge cycling, and (2) C protein–mediated control of the position and flexibility of crossbridges may regulate actomyosin ATPase activity by modifying the kinetics of crossbridge cycling.
The sensory hand

We explore the world around us with our eyes and hands but, as pointed out by John Napier in Hands (1980), only one of these permits us to see around corners and in the dark. The exploratory capacity of the hand brings to the tactile sense a quality that transcends all the other senses and led Bichat in the early days of the 19th century to refer to touch as the only active sense. An inert hand receives an impoverished sensory input and is but a poor transmitter of information about an object placed in it to the centres for perception. But to observe a skilled Braille reader translating series of raised dot patterns into meaningful language at a rate of up to 100 words per min is to recognize not only the high resolution sensory capacities of the active human hand but also the capacity of the neural signals generated by the mechanoreceptors in the moving fingers to gain rapid access to the highest cognitive centres. This is on the input side. On the output side, apart from the chimpanzees who exhibit a limited capacity, humans are the only species that can communicate meaningfully with the hands. It is not without significance that in naming the individual fingers, medieval anatomists dubbed the middle finger impudicus or obscenus . (medieval lawyers, too, but that is another story). The hand and the somatosensory system of which it is the handmaiden have never attracted the same extensive and long continued treatment as the eye and the visual sense. Vernon Mountcastle's book, The Sensory Hand, nevertheless, comes in a tradition that commenced with Sir Charles Bell's Bridgewater Treatise of 1832 ( The Hand its Mechanism and Vital Endowments as Evincing Design ), a pre-Darwinian perspective on the place of the forelimb appendage in the broader …