cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase transitions and radiation sensitivity of choline chloride, bromide and iodide

Abstract The organic salt choline chloride exists in two crystalline polymorphs. One (α-form), which is present at ambient temperature, is extraordinarily sensitive to ionizing radiation. The other (β-form), which exists above 78°C, is radiation stable. The present work shows that radiation sensitivity increases rapidly above 25°C, but reaches a maximum around 65°, well below the α- to β- crystal phase transition. This behavior is correlated with the onset of various rotational motions that are indicated by recent NMR studies. We have also found that H atom irradiations of the β-form, and of the radiation stable choline iodide, produce as much decomposition as in the α form, a result that is in accord with previously published theories of the mechanism of the α-form's unique radiolysis.
Age-related electrophysiological changes in cerebellar noradrenergic receptors

Noradrenergic transmission in the central nervous system declines early in the aging process. This decline can be demonstrated as subsensitivity to the depressant effects of norepinephrine on cerebellar Purkinje neurons of aged rats. In young rats alpha1 alpha2 and beta adrenergic receptors are present and functional in the cerebellar cortex. The purpose of this study was to determine which of these receptor subtypes alter their response with age. Inhibition of the spontaneous activity of Purkinje neurons by selective noradrenergic agonlsts was compared in young (3-month-old) and aged (18-and 26–28-month-old) Fischer 344 rats. These agonists were applied to Purkinje neurons by pressure microejection from multi-barreled micropipettes and the change in neuronal action potential discharge rate was recorded. Purkinje cells of both groups of aged rats were significantly less sensitive to locally-applied isoproterenol, a beta-adrenerglc agonist, than Purkinje cells of young rats. Subsensitivity to the alpha, agonist phenylephrine and the alpha2 agonist clonidine was not observed in the aged rats. These results suggest an age-related functional decline in an adenylate cyclase-linked beta receptor system with no concomitant functional change in receptor systems linked to other second messengers.
Drought tolerance in two perennial bunchgrasses used for restoration in the Intermountain West, USA

An ideal restoration species for the semi-arid Intermountain West, USA would be one that grows rapidly when resources are abundant in the spring, yet tolerates summer’s drought. We compared two perennial C3, Triticeae Intermountain-native bunchgrasses, the widely occurring Pseudoroegneria spicata and the much less widespread Elymus wawawaiensis, commonly used as a restoration surrogate for P. spicata. Specifically, we evaluated seedlings of multiple populations of each species for biomass production, water use, and morphological and physiological traits that might relate to drought tolerance under three watering frequencies (WFs) in a greenhouse. Shoot biomass of E. wawawaiensis exceeded that of P. spicata regardless of WF. At low WF, E. wawawaiensis displayed 38% greater shoot biomass, 80% greater specific leaf area (SLA), and 32% greater precipitation use efficiency (PUE). One E. wawawaiensis population, E-46, displayed particularly high root biomass and water consumption at high WF. We suggest that such a plant material could be especially effective for restoration of Intermountain rangelands by preempting early-season weeds for spring moisture and also achieving high PUE. Our data explain how E. wawawaiensis has been so successful as a restoration surrogate for P. spicata and highlight the importance of measuring functional traits such as PUE and SLA when characterizing restoration plant materials.
Multirobot Control Using Time-Varying Density Functions

An approach is presented for influencing teams of robots by means of time-varying density functions, representing rough references for where the robots should be located. A continuous-time coverage algorithm is proposed and distributed approximations are given whereby the robots only need to access information from adjacent robots. Robotic experiments show that the proposed algorithms work in practice, as well as in theory.
Keynote: Bionanoscience for innovative global healthcare research & technology (BIGHEART)

Modern medicine has the potential of becoming both more personalized-and low cost-thanks to recent discoveries at the intersection of molecular biology, chemistry, and engineering physics. I will speak about using optical controls of our individual gene circuits in living cells for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases and neurological diseases. I will also describe an integrated molecular diagnostic system, which, with the help of cell phones and GPS, will enable epidemiological surveying and remote healthcare delivery. These are just two examples of new solutions made possible by bionanoscience to some of the greatest challenges in global healthcare. I will share my vision of BIGHEART, which requires the convergence of integrative art, culture, and technology and science (iACTS). The BIGHEART with iACTS can solve ill-defined real-world problems of global healthcare in both developed and developing world.
Leg strength comparison between younger and middle-age adults.

Although a risk of occupational musculoskeletal diseases has been identified with age-related strength degradation, strength measures from working group are somewhat sparse. This is especially true for the lower extremity strength measures in dynamic conditions (i.e., isokinetic). The objective of this study was to quantify the lower extremity muscle strength characteristics of three age groups (young, middle, and the elderly). Total of 42 subjects participated in the study: 14 subjects for each age group. A commercial dynamometer was used to evaluate isokinetic and isometric strength at ankle and knee joints. 2 × 2 (Age group (younger, middle-age, and older adult groups) × Gender (male and female)) between-subject design and Post-hoc analysis were performed to evaluate strength differences among three age groups. Post-hoc analysis indicated that, overall, middle-age workers' leg strengths (i.e. ankle and knee muscles) were significantly different from younger adults while middle-age workers' leg strengths were virtually identical to older adults' leg strengths. These results suggested that, overall, 14 middle-age workers in the present study could be at a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Future studies looking at the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries at different work places and from different working postures at various age levels should be required to validate the current findings. The future study would be a valuable asset in finding intervention strategies such that middle-age workers could stay healthier longer.
Laser selected fluorescence of human cataractous lenses at liquid helium temperatures

Laser excitation of an inhomogeneous distribution of chromophors at temperatures near 0 K is known to result in sharp fluorescence spectra in numerous systems. When this technique was applied to human cataractous lenses at 4 K, broad fluorescence resulted. The wavelengths of maximum fluorescence were different from those previously reported, thus demonstrating the observation of new fluorophors. The broad fluorescence appears to result from internal conversion and energy transfer processes and not from low frequency vibrational motions or strong vibronic coupling. Consequently, other site selection techniques, such as spectral hole burning, may produce sharp spectra with vibronic structure that can be used to identify the molecular species involved.
COMPUTER SIMULATION STUDIES OF MIGRATION MECHANISMS IN IONIC GLASSES AND LIQUIDS

Ion dynamics computer simulations of the migration of cation and anions in "computer glasses" and liquids of silicate and fluoride types are reported, and examples of the diagnostic power of the simulation method are given. The existence of high pressure minima in the viscosity of molten aluminosilicates is indicated.
The use of a brucella protein antigen in dermal hypersensitivity as an adjunct method to diagnose bovine brucellosis

A total of 191 cows in 3 herds were injected with a brucella protein antigen in an effort to compare serologic and bacteriologic findings with delayed hypersensitivity and to possibly detect incubative brucellosis. Using cultural and serologic results, the responses to the BPA antigen were inferior to serologic tests in the diagnosis of infection. None of the 23 skin test positive/seronegative cows were positive on subsequent herd blood tests.
PROTON DECAY OF THE ISOBARIC ANALOG OF THE GROUND STATE OF $sup 208$Pb POPULATED BY THE (p,n) REACTION.

The relative widths for the proton ($\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{p}$) decay of the isobaric analog of the $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ ground state have been remeasured with significantly improved accuracy using the charge-exchange reaction $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}(p,n)$ rather than $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}(p,p)$ and ($p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) excitation functions to populate the isobaric analog level. For the first time the sequential process ($p,n\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{p}$) has been observed both with a heavy ($A\ensuremath{\sim}200$) target nucleus and also with a target nucleus which is even-even rather than even-odd. The total cross section for the isobaric-analog-state reaction $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}(p,n)^{208}\mathrm{Bi}$ has also been measured for the range of proton bombarding energies between 25.2 and 47.3 MeV.
Comparison of an equal-dose spinal anesthetic for cesarean section and for post partum tubal ligation.

Abstract Background We postulated that a spinal dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine 12mg and morphine 100μg administered for cesarean section would yield an equivalent sensory block height and provide sufficient analgesia if administered within 48h of delivery for postpartum tubal ligation. Method 20 women undergoing postpartum tubal ligation (PPTL) within 48h of vaginal delivery and 20 undergoing cesarean section (CS) were recruited. Spinal anesthesia was induced with intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12mg and morphine 100μg at L3/4 with patients in the right lateral position. Results Baseline demographics of groups were comparable, but tubal ligation patients had greater parity, with a mean±SD 14.5±7.5h from delivery to spinal anesthesia, and shorter duration of surgery, 21.4±7.6 vs. 35.3±11.3 min. Maximal sensory block was higher in group CS than PPTL, T2 (T1-T4) vs. T3 (T2-T5), P =0.001; time to reach maximal level did not differ significantly, (6.9±3.9 vs. 8.7±2.8 min, P =0.091). There was no difference in time for spinal block to recede two segments or to T10, and for motor block recovery to Bromage 2, all P >0.05. More CS patients were hypotensive (80% vs. 45%, P =0.048) and had intraoperative nausea (25% vs. 0%, P =0.047), but mean phenylephrine and ephedrine usage did not differ significantly. Conclusion An equivalent dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine 12mg and morphine 100μg for both CS and PPTL resulted in a higher sensory block, more hypotension and nausea in CS patients. The studied regimen might be appropriate for PPTL, but appears excessive for CS.
Inhibition of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase-Catalyzed Synthesis by Intercalated DNA Benzo[a]Pyrene 7,8-Dihydrodiol-9,10-Epoxide Adducts

To aid in the characterization of the relationship of structure and function for human immunodeficiency virus type-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT), this investigation utilized DNAs containing benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE)-modified primers and templates as a probe of the architecture of this complex. BPDE lesions that differed in their stereochemistry around the C10 position were covalently linked to N6-adenine and positioned in either the primer or template strand of a duplex template-primer. HIV-1 RT exhibited a stereoisomer-specific and strand-specific difference in replication when the BPDE-lesion was placed in the template versus the primer strand. When the C10R-BPDE adduct was positioned in the primer strand in duplex DNA, 5 nucleotides from the 3΄ end of the primer terminus, HIV-1 RT could not fully replicate the template, producing truncated products; this block to further synthesis did not affect rates of dissociation or DNA binding affinity. Additionally, when the adducts were in the same relative position, but located in the template strand, similar truncated products were observed with both the C10R and C10S BPDE adducts. These data suggest that the presence of covalently-linked intercalative DNA adducts distant from the active site can lead to termination of DNA synthesis catalyzed by HIV-1 RT.
Radial basis function strain estimators

Elastography is an emerging imaging modality that can visualize breast tumors via their tissue elasticity and strain properties. Computing strain elastograms by taking the first-order derivative of axial displacement images has a limitation, however; this method will amplify displacement measurement errors that, in turn, will degrade the quality of the strain elastograms. To overcome this limitation, we describe a novel spatial-filtering approach that involves fitting dimensionally increasing, multi-resolution radial basis functions (RBFs) to the displacement field. The results of experiments conducted on an elastically heterogeneous phantom revealed three important observations. Firstly, excessive filtering occurred when spatial filtering was performed using a firstorder radial basis function, to the extent that it was not always possible to discern high-contrast elastic inclusions in the resulting strain elastogram. Secondly, artifacts were incurred when spatial filtering was performed using the high-resolution first-order basis function. Thirdly, second-order basis functions improved our ability to discern lesions in strain elastograms, but this was highly dependent on the resolution of the basis function we employed. More specifically, we achieved better visibility using the low-resolution second-order basis functions, and lower visibility using the high-resolution basis functions. It was concluded that the radial-basis-function strain-estimation method performed sufficiently well to warrant more in-depth studies.
COMPARISON OF COAXIAL AND NORMAL INCIDENCE ION SCATTERING

Abstract Low energy ion scattering in the coaxial scattering (CAS) and normal incidence scattering (NIS) modes are compared and contrasted. CAS uses a fixed large scattering angle and NIS uses a fixed normal beam incidence angle, illustrating the most common shadowing and blocking situations encountered in low energy ion scattering. The features probed are the experimental configurations, the shadowing and blocking cones, the type of information obtained, interpretation of the data, and the amenability to interpretation by ion trajectory simulations. The experimental systems used as examples for the spectra are 4 keV Ne+ scattering from clean Pt{111} and InP{001} surfaces. The Pt{111} surface, due to its simplicity from the lack of reconstruction, is used to illustrate the incident α, exit β, and azimuthal δ scans, their interpretation, and their simulation. The results illustrate (i) how either the CAS or NIS modes can be used in configurations which make them sensitive to exclusively the 1st-layer atomic structure or to subsurface atomic structure, (ii) the configurations which give the least amount of multiple scattering, i.e. the sharpest scattering spectra, and (iii) which configurations are most readily simulated.
A prospective four-year follow-up of neuropsychological function in HIV seropositive and seronegative methadone-maintained patients

The evolution of central nervous system (CNS) impairments associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was assessed by a prospective, longitudinal study of patients in a methadone maintenance clinic. At a mean of 47 months after baseline testing, which included physical exams, HIV antibody testing and a neuropsychological (NP) screening battery, 121 subjects received a second NP assessment. Forty subjects (33%) who were seropositive at baseline showed statistically significant declines in NP function over the 4 years compared with 81 seronegatives, on the Finger Tapping and Trail Making B tests. This relatively long-term follow-up suggests that subtle cognitive deficits develop over time and can be identified early, but their course is slow and appears generally to parallel that of non-CNS symptoms/signs of HIV infection.
The influence of earthworm community structure on the distribution and movement of solutes in a chisel-tilled soil

Abstract Although it is known that deep-burrowing earthworms can increase the depth of penetration of solutes in soil, their comparative effect on solute transport when they are added to communities composed solely of epigeic and endogeic species is not clear. Ionic tracers were applied as artificial rainfall to the surface of plots with or without added deep-burrowing earthworms (n=3). We determined the soil water content, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon (SOC), strontium, and bromide concentrations in soil samples taken from a 320 mm ×380 mm, 56-position grid with 40 mm sample spacing. Earthworm inoculations increased populations of deep-burrowing Lumbricus terrestris L., and decreased those of the surface-dwelling L. rubellus Hoffmeister, and had no impact on geophagous species; compared to the earthworm communities in control plots. The average soil concentrations of SOC, bromide and strontium were higher where earthworms were inoculated compared to controls. Solute concentrations, SOC, and soil water content all decreased with depth. Synthetic data derived from multivariate analyses were used as an index of solute transport intensity. Solute transport intensity was greater at any given depth in response to earthworm inoculations, compared to that in controls. Although we observed a characteristic breakthrough of solutes to greater depths where deep-burrowing earthworms were inoculated, there were no differences in the spatial distribution of solutes between the two earthworm communities studied. We concluded that although the activity of deep-burrowing species allowed solute breakthrough to greater depth, the more diffuse distribution of solutes was the result of the dominant random burrowing activity of epigeic and endogeic earthworm species, which comprised the larger proportion of earthworms in these communities.
Chromosome-wide linkage disequilibrium caused by an inversion polymorphism in the white-throated sparrow ( Zonotrichia albicollis )

Chromosomal inversions have been of long-standing interest to geneticists because they are capable of suppressing recombination and facilitating the formation of adaptive gene complexes. An exceptional inversion polymorphism (ZAL2(m)) in the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is linked to variation in plumage, social behavior and mate choice, and is maintained in the population by negative assortative mating. The ZAL2(m) polymorphism is a complex inversion spanning > 100 Mb and has been proposed to be a strong suppressor of recombination, as well as a potential model for studying neo-sex chromosome evolution. To quantify and evaluate these features of the ZAL2(m) polymorphism, we generated sequence from 8 ZAL2(m) and 16 ZAL2 chromosomes at 58 loci inside and 4 loci outside the inversion. Inside the inversion we found that recombination was completely suppressed between ZAL2 and ZAL2(m), resulting in uniformly high levels of genetic differentiation (F(ST)=0.94), the formation of two distinct haplotype groups representing the alternate chromosome arrangements and extensive linkage disequilibrium spanning ~104 Mb within the inversion, whereas gene flow was not suppressed outside the inversion. Finally, although ZAL2(m) homozygotes are exceedingly rare in the population, occurring at a frequency of < 1%, we detected evidence of historical recombination between ZAL2(m) chromosomes inside the inversion, refuting its potential status as a non-recombining autosome.
A Monte Carlo Examination of External Unfolding.

Monte carlo techniques were used to examine regression approaches to external unfolding. The pres ent analysis examined the technique to determine if various characteristics of the points are recovered (such as ideal points). Characteristics of the situations were manipulated, including number of stimuli, error level, and measurement level. Generally, monotonic analyses resulted in good recovery. Recovery was poor when the data were generated by a weighted Eu clidean process. Negative weights were commonly en countered, apparently due to error in the data. In this approach, estimation is done by statistical techniques, and some statistical concerns should be taken into ac count when examining the results. Index terms: ex ternal unfolding, monte carlo simulation, multidimen sional scaling, nonmetric methods, parameter estimation, unfolding.
An in vivo insulin effect on hepatocyte chromatin determined by DNA-rna hybridization.

Summary Chromatin was isolated from the parenchymal liver cells of rats that were made insulin deficient with alloxan and from insulin deficient rats that were treated with insulin. RNA was transcribed from each chromatin in vitro by E. coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Competitive DNA-RNA hybridizations indicated that there were differences in the RNA transcribed from these two chromatins.
Deposition of Ge23Sb7S70 chalcogenide glass films by electrospray

Abstract Solution-based chalcogenide glass films, traditionally deposited by spin-coating, are attractive for their potential use in chip-based devices operating in the mid-infrared and for ease of nanostructure incorporation. To overcome limitations of spin-coating such as excessive material waste and difficulty for scale-up, this paper introduces electrospray as a film deposition technique for solution-based chalcogenide glasses. Electrospray is shown to produce Ge23Sb7S70 films with similar surface quality and optical properties as films deposited by spin-coating. The advantages of electrospray deposition for nanoparticle dispersion, scalable and continuous manufacturing with little material waste, and comparable film quality to spin-coating make electrospray a promising deposition method for practical applications of chalcogenide glass films.
The Racial Politics of Progressive Americanism: New Deal Liberalism and the Subordination of Black Workers in the UAW

In February 1937, members of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) celebrated their pioneering victory over General Motors by waving American flags as they marched out of Fisher Body and paraded through the streets of Flint, Michigan. Later that year, as the UAW turned to organizing Ford's massive River Rouge plant, the Ford edition of the United Automobile Worker described the complex as a foreign country and called on workers to “win this for America” and “win the war for democracy in River Rouge!” When a successful strike finally led to union recognition and an NLRB election in 1941, the UAW urged Rouge workers to “keep faith with America” and its greatest leaders, Washington, Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, by voting for the inclusive unionism of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) over the un-American alternative of the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
Wrecked regulation of intrinsically disordered proteins in diseases: pathogenicity of deregulated regulators

Biologically active proteins without stable tertiary structure are common in all known proteomes. Functions of these intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are typically related to regulation, signaling, and control. Cellular levels of these important regulators are tightly regulated by a variety mechanisms ranging from firmly controlled expression to precisely targeted degradation. Functions of IDPs are controlled by binding to specific partners, alternative splicing, and posttranslational modifications among other means. In the norm, right amounts of precisely activated IDPs have to be present in right time at right places. Wrecked regulation brings havoc to the ordered world of disordered proteins, leading to protein misfolding, misidentification, and missignaling that give rise to numerous human diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Among factors inducing pathogenic transformations of IDPs are various cellular mechanisms, such as chromosomal translocations, damaged splicing, altered expression, frustrated posttranslational modifications, aberrant proteolytic degradation, and defective trafficking. This review presents some of the aspects of deregulated regulation of IDPs leading to human diseases.
Neuraminidase-releasable surface sialic acid of cultured astroblasts exposed to ethanol.

Abstract— Chronic exposure of intact cultured primary hamster astroblasts, clonal line NN, to 100 mM ethanol resulted in significant increases (10–52%) in the releasability of sialic acid from the cell by exogenously added Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase. Enzymatically releasable sialic acid was from the glycoprotein but not the ganglioside fraction of the cell. Addition of ethanol to the medium did not affect the enzymatic hydrolysis of sialyllactose nor did ethanol, over a concentration range of 0–200 mM, alter the enzymatic release of sialic acid from intact NN cells. The total cellular sialic acid content was independent of length of cell exposure to ethanol but varied with the age of the cells. These data suggest that exposure of cells for prolonged periods to ethanol results in steric modification of surface glycoproteins.
Functional domains of the bacteriophage P2 scaffolding protein: identification of residues involved in assembly and protease activity.

Abstract Bacteriophage P2 encodes a scaffolding protein, gpO, which is required for correct assembly of P2 procapsids from the gpN major capsid protein. The 284 residue gpO protein also acts as a protease, cleaving itself into an N-terminal fragment, O⁎, that remains in the capsid following maturation. In addition, gpO is presumed to act as the maturation protease for gpN, which is N-terminally processed to N⁎, accompanied by DNA packaging and capsid expansion. The protease activity of gpO resides in the N-terminal half of the protein. We show that gpO is a classical serine protease, with a catalytic triad comprised of Asp 19, His 48 and Ser 107. The C-terminal 90 amino acids of gpO are required and sufficient for capsid assembly. This fragment contains a predicted α-helical segment between residues 197 and 257 and exists as a multimer in solution, suggesting that oligomerization is required for scaffolding activity. Correct assembly requires the C-terminal cysteine residue, which is most likely involved in transient gpN interactions. Our results suggest a model for gpO scaffolding action in which the N-terminal half of gpO binds strongly to gpN, while oligomerization of the C-terminal α-helical domain of gpO and transient interactions between Cys 284 and gpN lead to capsid assembly.
On box products

Abstract We prove two theorems about box products. The first theorem says that the box product of countable spaces is pseudonormal, i.e. any two disjoint closed sets one of which is countable can be separated by open sets. The second theorem says that assuming CH a certain uncountable box product is normal (i.e. ω 1 −□ α ω 1 X α where each X α is a compact metric space).
Inexpensive fluorescent particles for large-scale experiments using particle image velocimetry

Custom-produced fluorescent particles are presented and their use as tracers for particle image velocimetry is evaluated. The fabrication procedure is explained and the main properties of the particles are described. The advantages of using fluorescent particles over nonfluorescent ones are discussed, in particular, for applications involving large facilities, as those used in hydraulic research. Images using the produced particles are also shown.
Gambling behavior in multiple-choice betting games

Abstract In a multistage gambling process, a gambler is required to apportion his capital over the available alternatives, and is paid according to the outcome of the game. His problem is to choose a betting policy that is optimal with respect to some criterion. Examinations of logarithmic and power utility functions yield proportional stationary Markov betting policies which are generalized to cases where the vector of probabilities of outcomes is unknown. The sensitivity of the model to departures from optimality is investigated. Twenty-nine subjects participated individually in a multiple-choice multistage gambling experiment. While neither the logarithmic nor the power model was strictly supported, the former was favored by the data. Both the current amount of capital and the pattern of previous outcomes, irrelevant factors in both models, were found to affect subjects' betting decisions.
New Directions in the Relation Between Public and Private Debt

Until the 1980s the outstanding indebtedness of government and private-sector borrowers in the United States exhibited sufficient negative covariation that total outstanding debt remained steady relative to nonfinancial economic activity. Three hypotheses—one based on lenders9 behavior, one on borrowers9 behavior, and one on credit market institutional arrangements—provide potential explanations for this phenomenon. Since 1980 the U.S. debt markets have departed from these previously prevailing patterns, however, as both government and private borrowing have risen sharply.
Superconductivity of new ternary borides with the LuRuB2-type structure

Abstract A new group of superconducting ternary borides has been found with the general formula MTB 2 , where M is Sc, Y or Lu and T is Ru or Os. The superconducting transition temperatures range from 1.3K for ScOsB 2 to 10.0K for LuRuB 2 . Additionally, ismorphous compounds with M=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er or Tm order magnetically with critical temperatures in the range 2K to 46K. The occurrence of superconductivity and magnetism in this new ternary boride structure is discussed with respect to analogous data in MT 4 B 4 systems.
Is Event-Based Prospective Memory Resistant to Proactive Interference?

Proactive interference builds up rapidly in recall with the presentation of successive lists comprising items from a single category (e.g., animals). In two experiments, we used a similar build-up paradigm in prospective memory. Interestingly, in Experiment 1, there was no evidence of proactive interference in prospective memory, although build-up emerged in a similar recall task. In Experiment 2, by also showing proactive interference build-up in a recognition task analogous to our prospective memory task, we ruled out the possibility that it was the recognition processes inherent in the prospective memory task that might make the task easier and prevent proactive interference. We suggest that, under normal conditions, prospective memory is resistant to build-up of proactive interference and propose that this resistance is a function of the strengthening afforded by a cue-to-intention association that is a part of prospective memory tasks. We discuss the finding using the classical paired-associate learning framework.
Quine, Analyticity and Philosophy of Mathematics

Quine correctly argues that Carnap's distinction between internal and external questions rests on a distinction between analytic and synthetic, which Quine rejects. I argue that Quine needs something like Carnap's distinction to enable him to explain the obviousness of elementary mathematics, while at the same time continuing to maintain as he does that the ultimate ground for holding mathematics to be a body of truths lies in the contribution that mathematics makes to our overall scientific theory of the world. Quine's arguments against the analytic/synthetic distinction, even if fully accepted, still leave room for a notion of pragmatic analyticity sufficient for the indicated purpose.
Muscle chemoreflexes and exercise in humans.

This review focuses on the role afferent nerves from the contracting muscles play in linking muscle metabolism to the cardiovascular adjustments during exercise by means of a ‘muscle chemoreflex’. In the 1930s Alam and Smirk provided the first clear evidence that human (and animal) skeletal muscles are innervated by chemosensitive afferents that can evoke increases in arterial blood pressure. They proposed that the purpose of the increase in pressure was to improve blood flow to the active muscles. Subsequent studies have identified the slowly conducting group IV afferents as the major class of fibres participating in the sensory arm of this reflex. Most of these fibres travel via the dorsal roots to the ipsilateral spinal cord where they synapse in the substantia gelatinosa and release substance P or other peptide transmitters. The second order (or higher) neurons cross to the contralateral side of the spinal cord and travel rostrally to stimulate brainstem cardiovascular centres and increase arterial pressure. Current evidence favours the concept that substances associated with muscle acidosis provide the stimulus to the afferents. In humans, chemosensitive afferent activation causes a marked increase in vasoconstrictor efferent muscle sympathetic nerve activity. It is unclear if the muscle chemoreflex improves blood flow to ‘underperfused’ active muscles by augmenting arterial pressure, or if the increase in sympathetic outflow restrains metabolic vasodilatation to regulate arterial blood pressure during activities like running or cycling.
SU‐FF‐T‐325: Dose Perturbation Study in a Multichannel Breast Brachytherapy Device

Purpose: To determine the dosimetric effects due to air pockets and high Z contrast within a new multichannel breast brachytherapy device Method and Materials: The 5‐6cm diameter Contura brachytherapy device was inflated using 37cm3 of saline to a 40 mm diameter. Baseline dose falloff from an HDR Iridium‐192 source was measured in water using a Markus parallel plate chamber supported on a motorized vertical drive. Ionization measurements with the Iridium source centered in the central Contura channel and an anterior off‐center channel were performed. Data were collected at distances from 1 to 50 mm. Comparison studies were conducted with identical inflated volume containing varying air pocket volumes (1–4 cm3) and varying concentrations of Isovue contrast solution (3, 6, and 9% by volume). Doseperturbation factors (DPF) were computed and evaluated. Results:Doseperturbations due to air pockets and contrast solutions were observed. As the volume of air increased the DPF caused increased dose at a rate of approximately 2.25%/cm3. The effect was relatively consistent for both channels throughout the distance range. The effects due to contrast were more complex. Increased dose was observed from the 3% solution, by 2% from the source in the central channel (♯5) and by 4% with the source in the off‐center channel (♯1). A dose reduction of 1.0% from channel ♯5 and 1.5% dose increase from channel ♯1 occurred from the 6% contrast solution. The 9% contrast solution caused dose reductions by 3.5% (channel ♯5) and 2.5% (channel ♯1). The DPF from all contrast solutions moderated with increasing distance. Conclusion:Doseperturbations due to air pockets and high Z contrast solution can be significant. Treatment planning systems do not account for these. It is important to minimize internal air pockets and limit contrast solution concentration to avoid dose errors to the target and normal tissue.
Ventricular tachycardia rate and morphology determine energy and current requirements for transthoracic cardioversion.

BACKGROUNDThe electrical current and energy required to terminate ventricular tachyarrhythmias are known to vary by arrhythmia: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is generally considered to require less energy than ventricular fibrillation (VF). The hypothesis of our study was that current requirements for transthoracic termination of VT are further determined by VT rate and QRS complex morphology.METHODS AND RESULTSWe prospectively studied 203 patients who received a total of 569 shocks for VT or VF by following a current-based protocol. This protocol recommended shocks for VT beginning at 18 A (70 +/- 22 J) and shocks for VF beginning at 25 or 30 A (137 +/- 52 J or 221 +/- 70 J). The ventricular tachyarrhythmias were subclassified as monomorphic VT (MVT): uniform QRS complex morphology on surface electrocardiogram and heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute; polymorphic VT (PVT): nonuniform QRS complex morphology and heart rate less than or equal to 300 beats per minute; or VF: nonuniform QRS complex mor...
Timing of parturition events in Yellowstone bison Bison bison: implications for bison conservation and brucellosis transmission risk to cattle

Yellowstone bison Bison bison are chronically infected with brucellosis (caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus), which raises concerns about possible transmission to cattle when they migrate to winter ranges outside the Yellowstone National Park. We monitored bison from April to mid-June during 2004-2007 to estimate the timing and location of parturition events that may shed tissues infected by B. abortus. Observed abortions (N ¼ 29) occurred from January through 19 May, while peak calving (80% of births) occurred from 25 April to 26 May, and calving was finished by 5 June. Observed parturition events (N¼ 115) occurred in the Park and on the Horse Butte peninsula in Montana, USA, where cattle were not present at any time of the year. Allowing bison to occupy public lands outside the Park where cattle are never present (e.g. Horse Butte peninsula) until most bison calving is completed (late May or early June) is not expected to significantly increase the risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle because: 1) bison parturition is essentially completed weeks before cattle occupy nearby ranges, 2) female bison meticulously consume birthing tissues, 3) ultraviolet light and heat degrade B. abortus on tissues, vegetation and soil, 4) scavengers remove fetuses and remaining birth tissues and 5) management maintains separation between bison and cattle on nearby ranges. Allowing bison to occupy public lands outside the Park through their calving season will help conserve bison migratory behaviour and reduce stress on pregnant females and their newborn calves, while still minimizing the risk of brucellosis transmission to cattle.
Specific Coagulases of Staphylococcus aureus.

Three staphylococcal coagulases termed I, II, and III were differentiated by measuring the antibody titer of human sera. Coagulases I and II are antigenically distinct; coagulase III appears to be related to both coagulases I and II. These results were confirmed by specific neutralization experiments. These observations emphasize the importance of employing the correct type of coagulase in studying the role of this substance in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections. Preliminary observations in animals indicate that specific anticoagulase develops following induced infections. The role of this antibody in the recovery mechanism remains to be determined.
Sodium Channel β1 Regulatory Subunit Deficiency Reduces Pancreatic Islet Glucose-Stimulated Insulin and Glucagon Secretion

Glucose-stimulated insulin and glucagon release regulates glucose homeostasis by an excitation-secretion coupling pathway beginning with ATP-sensitive K+ channel closure, membrane depolarization, and entry of calcium ions to stimulate exocytosis. The contribution of voltage-gated sodium channels to this release pathway is still being elucidated. We demonstrate that loss of Scn1b, a major regulatory subunit expressed with Nav1.7 protein in mouse pancreatic islets, reduces glucose-stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion in vitro and in vivo, resulting in severe fed and fasting hypoglycemia. This genetic mouse model is the first to demonstrate that sodium channelopathy impairs the physiological excitation-release coupling pathway for pancreatic insulin and glucagon release.
A double‐blind trial of the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine, and the H1 receptor antagonist promethazine hydrochloride in the treatment of atopic dermatitis

Twenty young adults with atopic dermatitis were allocated randomly in a clinical trial to compare the action of the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (Tagamet) and the H1 receptor antagonist promethazine hydrochloride (Phenergan), singly and in combination. No significant differences were found, clinically or in the laboratory investigations, between the patients on either drug alone or the combination of the two.
Inhibition of Candida albicans attachment to extracellular matrix by antibodies which recognize hydrophobic cell wall proteins

Cell surface hydrophobicity influences the adhesive properties of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Hydrophobic proteins are present in the C. albicans cell wall. These proteins were used to generate a polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibodies. We characterized three of these monoclonal antibodies (designated 6C5, 5F8 and 5D8) that recognize different hydrophobic cell wall proteins. Initial characterization of the three antigens, and assessment of their distribution among various Candida species was also carried out. Further, pretreatment of germ tube initials with the mAb inhibits binding of these cells to immobilized extracellular matrix. These results suggest that these hydrophobic proteins are involved in C. albicans adhesion events.
Direct comparison of microarray gene expression profiles between non-amplification and a modified cDNA amplification procedure applicable for needle biopsy tissues.

Abstract Global gene expression profiling by cDNA microarray analysis has been used to discover the biomarkers for early diagnosis of various cancers, subclassing cancer type, and prediction of patient's treatment outcome. The information provided by gene expression profiling may contribute to the design of molecular mechanism-based strategies for cancer prevention and/or treatment. However, the standard procedure for cDNA microarray analysis requires 5μg of good quality total RNA as starting material for each target preparation reaction. Thus, there is a limit for needle biopsy samples, laser capture microdissected tissues, or flow-sorted cells to successfully utilize the microarray technology. In order to profile the gene expression of needle biopsy tissue, we have modified the standard protocol by carrying out cDNA amplification after cDNA synthesis. We compared percentage present calls, absent calls, reproducibility, and concordance in needle biopsy samples processed by standard microarray protocol (cDNA non-amplification method) and our modified protocol (cDNA amplification method). The results showed that cDNA amplification method provided high reproducibility, representation, and concordance with the standard cDNA non-amplification method. We have successfully analyzed the gene expression profiles of needle biopsy tissues using the modified method without significantly changing the expression profiles. These results suggest that the global gene expression profiles of small biopsy samples can be achieved by our modified method to facilitate the analysis of gene expression profiles for clinical application.
NEST 2014: views from the trainees-talking about what matters in efforts to diversify the STEM workforce.

This paper summarizes the outcomes of a retreat designed to cultivate interactions between trainees at various training levels and provide them opportunities to share their training perspectives and expectations. Retreat outcomes are used to support the development of better science, technology, engineering, and mathematics training practices by informing the trainers’ perspective.
The alcohol paradox: a psychological model

The paradoxical continuation of excessive drinking by chronic alcoholics despite extremely aversive personal deterioration is addressed by a two-factor theory. The theory regards the increasing stereotypy of alcohol-related behaviors as a function of: (a) primary neuropsychological impairments that result from alcohol abuse and (b) secondary fears of catastrophic failure attendant upon brain dysfunction, which leads to acquired aversions to situations that require adaptive behaviors. A schematic quantitative model of this formulation is presented that may be useful to practicing psychologists in explaining perserverative behavior in a variety of brain syndromes. Language: en
Approximate inference of Bayesian networks through edge deletion

In this paper, we introduce two new algorithms for approximate inference of Bayesian networks that use edge deletion techniques. The first reduces a network to its maximal weight spanning tree using the Kullback-Leibler information divergence as edge weights, and then runs Pearl's algorithm on the resulting tree for linear-time inference. The second algorithm deletes edges from the triangulated graph until the biggest clique in the triangulated graph is below a desired bound, thus placing a polynomial time bound on inference. When tested for efficiency, these two algorithms perform up to 10,000 times faster than exact techniques. See www.cis.ksu.edu/~jas3466/research.html for more information.
Hemogram and bone marrow morphology in children with chronic aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome

Background Aplastic anemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are both acquired disorders in which bone marrow fails to produce or release sufficient blood cells. Anemia, infections and thrombocytopenia are common signs of such diseases. Clinically, it is difficult to distinguish chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) from MDS, especially from MDS without splenomegaly. As prognosis and treatment of AA and MDS are different, it is extremely important to make a differential diagnosis for the two diseases.
Rearrangement of Simian Virus 40 Regulatory Region Is Not Required for Induction of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Immunosuppressed Rhesus Monkeys

Rearrangements of the JC virus (JCV) regulatory region (RR) are consistently found in the brains of patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), whereas the archetype RR is present in their kidneys. In addition, the C terminus of the large T antigen (T-Ag) shows greater variability in PML than does the rest of the coding region. To determine whether similar changes in simian virus 40 (SV40) are necessary for disease induction in monkeys, we sequenced the SV40 RR and the C terminus of the T-Ag from the brain of simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected monkey 18429, which presented spontaneously with an SV40-associated PML-like disease, as well as from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), kidneys, and brains of SV40-seronegative, SHIV-infected monkeys 21289 and 21306, which were inoculated with the 18429 brain SV40 isolate. These animals developed both SV40-associated PML and meningoencephalitis. Thirteen types of SV40 RR were characterized. Compared to the SV40 archetype, we identified RRs with variable deletions in either the origin of replication, the 21-bp repeat elements, or the late promoter, as well as deletions or duplications of the 72-bp enhancer. The archetype was the most prominent RR in the brain of monkey 18429. Shortly after inoculation, a wide range of RRs could be found in the PBMC of monkeys 21289 and 21306. However, the archetype RR became the predominant type in their blood, kidneys, and brains at the time of sacrifice. On the contrary, the T-Ag C termini remained identical in all compartments of the three animals. These results indicate that unlike JCV in humans, rearrangements of SV40 RR are not required for brain disease induction in immunosuppressed monkeys.