cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidation behavior of IN738LC in situ deposited with SiO2 during a burner rig test

Abstract A burner rig was utilized for in situ depositing SiO 2 on IN738LC and simultaneously for testing its oxidation behavior. For the SiO 2 deposition, a mixture of TEOS and methanol was steadily fed into the combustion chamber of the burner rig during processing. The exhaust flame temperature was set at 1374 °C, and the oxide precursors in the exhaust gas were carried vertically toward the pin-type specimens of IN738LC infixed to a carousel, 10 cm away from the exhaust gas nozzle. A thermal cycle consisting of a 54 min run and subsequent a 6 min pause was repeated four times, and a processed specimen was analyzed in terms of the deposition and oxidation of the substrate. All over the processed specimen was deposited with a Si-rich oxide layer. The surface morphology of the layer varied depending on the surface temperature: from broccoli-shaped grains of several micrometers in diameter at the location of the highest surface temperature of 1018 °C to finely dispersed particles of ≤ 1 μm at the cold (≤ 800 °C) peripheral regions of the specimen. Underneath the deposited layer, oxide scales were formed to be ≥ 10 μm in thickness, being identified as outer Cr-rich and inner Al-rich one. Al-rich oxide formed a continuous layer (~ 3 μm) at the location of the highest surface temperature, which became particles broadly distributed near the surface on going to the cold peripheral regions. Meanwhile, Cr-rich oxide formed a continuous layer (3–5 μm) at the cold regions, which became narrower and eventually disappeared at the hottest region. The changeover of the oxidation modes accorded with the behavior of the EDX intensity of Cr as a function of that of Al in the oxide scale; the Cr intensity decreased, while the Al intensity increased toward the hotter region. The EDX Si signal for the deposited layer increased with that of O with an increase in the surface temperature along the specimen, suggesting that the layer became denser at the location of higher surface temperatures. It was discussed that the deposited porous layer was densified during the process to a degree depending on the surface temperature of the specimen, which rendered the layer compacter at the location of higher surface temperatures. The oxygen diffusion through the compacter layer was suppressed more effectively, resulting in the preferred oxidation of Al over Cr in the alloy, namely better protection of the metal substrate in terms of the oxidation.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with development of ocular GVHD defined by NIH consensus criteria.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with development of ocular GVHD defined by NIH consensus criteria
Effect of prostaglandin E2 on the γ-interferon induction of antigen-presenting ability in P388D1 cells and on IL-2 production by T-cell hybridomas

Abstract The effect of prostaglandin E 2 on the γ-interferon (IFN-γ)-mediated induction of Ia expression and antigen-presenting activity in macrophage cell lines was studied. Using a lymphokine preparation obtained from the T-cell hybridoma FS7-20.6.18 (known to produce interferon) to induce the expression of Ia in P388D1 cells, the influence of PGE 2 on this phenomenon was studied. Screening of the cell cultures by indirect immunofluorescence using an anti-I-A d monoclonal antibody confirmed the inhibitory effect of PGE 2 in the induction of I-A d . However, the inhibition of the antigen-presenting ability of these cells, as measured by their capacity to stimulate interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by antigen-specific, I-region-restricted (Ag/I) T-cell hybridomas, was more difficult to demonstrate and was only evident when using low concentrations of Ia-inducing lymphokines or when using “low avidity” T-cell hybridomas. The latter were distinguished by the limited response (in the form of IL-2 production) that was observed when they were tested with P388D1 cells that had been induced with IFN-γ. By contrast, PGE 2 had profound inhibitory effects on the ability of T-cell hybridomas to secrete IL-2 in response to Ag/I or concanavalin A. These results suggest that although PGE 2 inhibits the full induction of Ia on macrophages, it has little effect on the induction of Ag/I presentation by the same cells, probably because most T cells require relatively low levels of Ia on the surface of presenting cells. T-cell responses to Ag/I are inhibited, however, because of the effects of PGE 2 on the T cells themselves.
Lack of effect of moderate Purkinje cell loss on working memory

192 immunoglobulin G-saporin (192-sap) is an immunotoxin which targets the cholinergic basal forebrain after injection into either the ventricular system or the parenchyma of the rat brain. When injected by the i.c.v. route, 192-sap kills some cerebellar Purkinje cells in addition to its more extensive killing of the cholinergic basal forebrain. Behaviorally, i.c.v. injections of 192-sap result in impaired performance in a variety of experimental paradigms of learning and memory including a working memory task in the radial maze. The current study examined the contribution, if any, of immunotoxin-induced Purkinje cell loss to impaired performance in the radial maze. To meet this aim, we used i.c.v. injection of another immunotoxin, OX7-saporin (OX7-sap), at a dose that produced Purkinje cell loss of similar extent to that produced by i.c.v. 192-sap. We then compared these OX7-sap-injected rats with 192-sap-injected rats in a radial maze working memory task. We found a working memory impairment only in the 192-sap-injected rats. These data show that moderate Purkinje cell loss alone is insufficient to impair working memory. Furthermore, the data are consistent with the idea that the working memory deficit observed in 192-sap-injected animals is likely due to lesioning of the cholinergic basal forebrain.
Finite skew-mixture models for estimation of positive false discovery rates

Abstract We propose a mixture model framework for estimating positive false discovery rates in multiple-testing problems. The density of a transformed p -value is modeled by a finite mixture of skewed distributions. We argue that a mixture of skewed distributions like the skew-normal one is better for addressing some features in modeling than the more commonly used mixture of normal distributions. Using the fitted distributions, we estimate the proportion of true null hypotheses, the positive false discovery rate and other important functionals in multiple-testing problems. We investigate the performance of our methodology via simulation and illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure using real data examples. We also discuss the role of an empirical null in place of the theoretical null distributions in the context of common biomedical applications.
The impact of bureaucratic openness on public trust in South Korea

In this study, I assess whether administrative procedural openness, via administrative procedure acts (APAs) enhances public confidence in the civil service. I argue that APAs increase governmental transparency, predictability and accountability. Consequently, APAs ought to enhance public confidence in a country's democratic institutions, ceteris paribus. To substantiate this prediction, I investigate trends, pre- and post-APA passage, in the attitudes of Korean citizens regarding their country's democracy in general and civil service in particular (as well as with a second, brief case study of Taiwan). The evidence supports my argument both cross-sectionally and over time, suggesting that passage of Korea's APA laws in the mid-1990s did enhance the Koreans’ confidence in their country's civil service. Attitudes toward the bureaucracy, in turn, are powerful predictors of satisfaction with Korea's democracy, measured both absolutely and relative to attitudes toward the state of the nation 10 years prior. S...
Navigation Solution to Maneuver Spacecraft Relative to Spheres Centered on Cooperative Satellites

A differential correction algorithm is presented to deliver an impulsive maneuver to a satellite to place it within the overlapping spheres, with user-defined radii, centered around multiple cooperative satellites within a constrained time. The differential correction algorithm develops and utilizes the state transition matrix along with the equations of motion and multiple satellites’ state information to determine the optimum trajectory to achieve the desired results. The results from the algorithm are presented for prograde orbits. The results are presented in order to allow for mission design trade-offs, including satellite separation distance and required ΔV based on the satellites’ initial inclinations. The results also provide empirical methods to determine the miss distance and optimum ΔV solutions for the provided problem. This work ultimately provides the framework for applying the algorithm to a unique user defined responsive space scenario.
Relationship between the Ellisville pluton and Chopawamsic fault: Establishment of significant Late Ordovician faulting in the Appalachian Piedmont of Virginia

The Chopawamsic fault is the most significant boundary in the western Piedmont of north central Virginia; it separates the metaclastic Early Ordovician or older Potomac terrane of Laurentian affinity from the dominantly metavolcanic Middle to Late Ordovician Chopawamsic terrane of unknown cratonic heritage. On regional maps, the Ellisville pluton had previously been depicted as stitching the Chopawamsic fault, although this relationship has never been documented. It has been hypothesized that the Chopawamsic fault marks the suture of the early Paleozoic Iapetus Ocean, which once separated Laurentian and Gondwanan crustal elements. Consequently, it is important to examine the stitching relationship in detail in order to place timing constraints on motion along this fault. We integrate detailed field mapping, kinematic analysis, petrography, major-oxide, trace, and rare earth element geochemistry, and U-Pb zircon geochronology in order to deduce the relationships between the Ellisville pluton, the Chopawamsic fault, and thus, the Potomac and Chopawamsic terranes in central Virginia. Our study reveals local textural and minor geochronologic variations in the Ellisville pluton, whereas composition and geochemistry are mostly homogenous throughout the body. These data, along with 1:24,000 scale mapping, collectively confirm that the Ellisville pluton stitches the Potomac and Chopawamsic terranes across the Chopawamsic fault. New U-Pb zircon geochronological analyses yield ages of ca. 444 Ma and ca. 437 Ma, and indicate that the latest significant movement of the fault occurred before a 443.7 ± 3.3 Ma main phase of magmatism present throughout the Ellisville pluton. These dates, with previously determined crystallization ages from the Chopawamsic terrane, constrain significant movement on the Chopawamsic fault to a ca. 10 million year interval in the Late Ordovician between ca. 453 to 444 Ma. Whether the accretion of the Chopawamsic terrane involved the closing of either a back-arc seaway or a global ocean has yet to be determined; however, based on its timing and kinematic nature, we suggest that the development of the Chopawamsic fault may be related to the Late Ordovician to Early Silurian Cherokee orogeny.
Lattice Parameters, Ionic Conductivities, and Solubility Limits in Fluorite-Structure MO2 Oxide [M = Hf4+, Zr4+, Ce4+, Th4+, U4+] Solid Solutions

Changes in the lattice parameters of fluorite type MO2 oxides (M = Hf4+, Zr4+, Ce4+, Th4+, U4+) due to the formation of solid solutions can be predicted by proposed empirical equations. The equations show the generalized relationship between dopant size and ionic conductivity in the binary systems of these oxides, illustrating that the smaller the difference between the dopant ionic radius and the critical dopant radius, the higher the conductivity. The solubility limit of the same periodic group elements in fluorite-structure MO2 oxides decreaes linearly with the square of Vegard's slope for each solute as determined from the proposed equations.
Novel Bacillus thuringiensis Binary Insecticidal Crystal Proteins Active on Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte

A new family of insecticidal crystal proteins was discovered by screening sporulated Bacillus thuringiensis cultures for oral activity against western corn rootworm (WCR) larvae. B. thuringiensis isolates PS80JJ1, PS149B1, and PS167H2 have WCR insecticidal activity attributable to parasporal inclusion bodies containing proteins with molecular masses of ca. 14 and 44 kDa. The genes encoding these polypeptides reside in apparent operons, and the 14-kDa protein open reading frame (ORF) precedes the 44-kDa protein ORF. Mutagenesis of either gene in the apparent operons dramatically reduced insecticidal activity of the corresponding recombinant B. thuringiensis strain. Bioassays performed with separately expressed, biochemically purified 14- and 44-kDa polypeptides also demonstrated that both proteins are required for WCR mortality. Sequence comparisons with other known B. thuringiensis insecticidal proteins failed to reveal homology with previously described Cry, Cyt, or Vip proteins. However, there is evidence that the 44-kDa polypeptide and the 41.9- and 51.4-kDa binary dipteran insecticidal proteins from Bacillus sphaericus are evolutionarily related. The 14- and 44-kDa polypeptides from isolates PS80JJ1, PS149B1, and PS167H2 have been designated Cry34Aa1, Cry34Ab1, and Cry34Ac1, respectively, and the 44-kDa polypeptides from these isolates have been designated Cry35Aa1, Cry35Ab1, and Cry35Ac1, respectively.
Characterization of the EYE2 Gene Required for Eyespot Assembly in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The unicellular biflagellate green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can perceive light and respond by altering its swimming behavior. The eyespot is a specialized structure for sensing light, which is assembled de novo at every cell division from components located in two different cellular compartments. Photoreceptors and associated signal transduction components are localized in a discrete patch of the plasma membrane. This patch is tightly packed against an underlying sandwich of chloroplast membranes and carotenoid-filled lipid granules, which aids the cell in distinguishing light direction. In a prior screen for mutant strains with eyespot defects, the EYE2 locus was defined by the single eye2-1 allele. The mutant strain has no eyespot by light microscopy and has no organized carotenoid granule layers as judged by electron microscopy. Here we demonstrate that the eye2-1 mutant is capable of responding to light, although the strain is far less sensitive than wild type to low light intensities and orients imprecisely. Therefore, pigment granule layer assembly in the chloroplast is not required for photoreceptor localization in the plasma membrane. A plasmid-insertion mutagenesis screen yielded the eye2-2 allele, which allowed the isolation and characterization of the EYE2 gene. The EYE2 protein is a member of the thioredoxin superfamily. Site-directed mutagenesis of the active site cysteines demonstrated that EYE2 function in eyespot assembly is redox independent, similar to the auxiliary functions of other thioredoxin family members in protein folding and complex assembly.
Value of Prostate Specific Antigen in Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer: Study of Men Born in 1913

AbstractPurpose: We attempt to elucidate the performance of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a screening test for prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We analyzed sera stored since 1980 in a nested case-control study.Results: The 36 patients with prostate cancer had a markedly greater mean serum PSA level than did 68 subjects without cancer (22.71 versus 2.67, respectively, p less than 0.0001). Among the controls 24 percent had a serum PSA of greater than 4.0 microgram/l. A serum PSA value exceeding 4.0 microgram/l. in 1980 was associated with a 20-fold excess risk of cancer between 1981 and 1986, and an 8-fold risk between 1987 and 1991.Conclusions: Diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer can be advanced substantially by serum PSA testing. However, the large number of high serum PSA values in men who remained free of clinical disease emphasizes the need for a more specific screening test.
The Relationship of the Lysozyme Fraction in Thick Egg White to Fertility and Hatchability of Eggs

Abstract INTRODUCTION CONSIDERABLE variation exists in fertility and hatchability of eggs among hens within individual breeder flocks as well as between different flocks. Likewise the height of the thick albumen of fresh eggs differs greatly among hens within a given flock. Forsythe and Foster (1950) reported that differences in the electrophoretic components of egg white from six strains of chickens were statistically significant. Cotterill and Winter (1954) reported significant differences between hens in lysozyme level of the egg white. The level of lysozyme was determined by the degree of lysis of a cell suspension of M. lysodeikticus. The same authors (1955) postulated that the interaction of lysozyme and ovomucin was responsible for the firm gel of thick egg white. Wilcox (1955) accounted for the increased thick albumen of eggs having a high lysozyme content by increased complexing between lysozyme and ovomucin. Studies by Wilcox and Cole (1954) indicate that the lysozyme content…
Map Room to Data and GIS Services: Five University Libraries Evolving to Meet Campus Needs and Changing Technologies

Programs for geospatial support at academic libraries have evolved over the past decade in response to changing campus needs and developing technologies. Geospatial applications have matured tremendously in this time, emerging from specialty tools to become broadly used across numerous disciplines. At many universities, the library has served as a central resource allowing students and faculty across academic departments access to GIS resources. Today, as many academic libraries evaluate their spaces and services, GIS and data services are central in discussions on how to further engage with patrons and meet increasingly diverse researcher needs. As library programs evolve to support increasingly technical data and GIS needs, many universities are faced with similar challenges and opportunities. To explore these themes, data and GIS services librarians and GIS specialists from five universities—the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Texas A&M, New York University, North Carolina State University...
Exception analysis and points-to analysis: better together

Exception analysis and points-to analysis are typically done in complete separation. Past algorithms for precise exception analysis (e.g., pairing throw clauses with catch statements) use pre-computed points-to information. Past points-to analyses either unsoundly ignore exceptions, or conservatively compute a crude approximation of exception throwing (e.g., considering an exception throw as an assignment to a global variable, accessible from any catch clause). We show that this separation results in significant slowdowns or vast imprecision. The two kinds of analyses are interdependent: neither can be performed accurately without the other. The interdependency leads us to propose a joint handling for performance and precision. We show that our exception analysis is expressible highly elegantly in a declarative form, and can apply to points-to analyses of varying precision. In fact, our specification of exception analysis is "fully precise", as it models closely the Java exception handling semantics. The necessary approximation is provided only through whichever abstractions are used for contexts and objects in the base points-to analysis. Our combined approach achieves similar precision relative to exceptions (exception-catch links) as the best past precise exception analysis, with a runtime of seconds instead of tens of minutes. At the same time, our analysis achieves much higher precision of points-to information (an average of half as many values for each reachable variable for most of the DaCapo benchmarks) than points-to analyses that treat exceptions conservatively, all at a fraction of the execution time.
Cooperative rule-based systems for aircraft control

This paper examines the application of artificial intelligence theory in the flight domain of a military aircraft. Nine rule-based systems were implemented to demonstrate complex system cooperation in combat aircraft operations. The organization of tasks within each rule-based system is described, and details of knowledge-base development and implementation are given. An interactive simulation testbed was developed to provide a realistic view of intersystem cooperation and pilot-system interaction. Single-processor emulations demonstrate cooperation of parallel rule-based systems. Software tools developed to aid in fast prototyping of rule-based systems are described. Search effort metrics were used to quantify and compare light- and heavy-workload phases of a combat mission.
A fuzzy logic model for hand posture control using human cortical activity recorded by micro-ECog electrodes

This paper presents a fuzzy logic model to decode the hand posture from electro-cortico graphic (ECoG) activity of the motor cortical areas. One subject was implanted with a micro-ECoG electrode array on the surface of the motor cortex. Neural signals were recorded from 14 electrodes on this array while Subject participated in three reach and grasp sessions. In each session, Subject reached and grasped a wooden toy hammer for five times. Optimal channels/electrodes which were active during the task were selected. Power spectral densities of optimal channels averaged over a time period of 1/2 second before the onset of the movement and 1 second after the onset of the movement were fed into a fuzzy logic model. This model decoded whether the posture of the hand is open or closed with 80% accuracy. Hand postures along the task time were decoded by using the output from the fuzzy logic model by two methods (i) velocity based decoding (ii) acceleration based decoding. The latter performed better when hand postures predicted by the model were compared to postures recorded by a data glove during the experiment. This fuzzy logic model was imported to MATLAB®SIMULINK to control a virtual hand.
POT1 protects telomeres from a transient DNA damage response and determines how human chromosomes end

The hallmarks of telomere dysfunction in mammals are reduced telomeric 3′ overhangs, telomere fusions, and cell cycle arrest due to a DNA damage response. Here, we report on the phenotypes of RNAi-mediated inhibition of POT1, the single-stranded telomeric DNA-binding protein. A 10-fold reduction in POT1 protein in tumor cells induced neither telomere fusions nor cell cycle arrest. However, the 3′ overhang DNA was reduced and all telomeres elicited a transient DNA damage response in G1, indicating that extensive telomere damage can occur without cell cycle arrest or telomere fusions. RNAi to POT1 also revealed its role in generating the correct sequence at chromosome ends. The recessed 5′ end of the telomere, which normally ends on the sequence ATC-5′, was changed to a random position within the AATCCC repeat. Thus, POT1 determines the structure of the 3′ and 5′ ends of human chromosomes, and its inhibition generates a novel combination of telomere dysfunction phenotypes in which chromosome ends behave transiently as sites of DNA damage, yet remain protected from nonhomologous end-joining.
Shaping Attention With Reward Effects of Reward on Space- and Object-Based Selection

The contribution of rewarded actions to automatic attentional selection remains obscure. We hypothesized that some forms of automatic orienting, such as object-based selection, can be completely abandoned in favor of a reward-maximizing strategy. In the two experiments reported here, we presented identical visual stimuli to observers while manipulating what was being rewarded (targets in different locations from the cue or in random object locations) and the type of reward received (money or points). We found that reward alone, not the objects, guides attentional selection and thus entirely predicts behavior. These results suggest that guidance of selective attention, although automatic, is flexible and can be adjusted in accordance with external nonsensory reward-based factors.
Coronavirus Replicase-Reporter Fusions Provide Quantitative Analysis of Replication and Replication Complex Formation

UNLABELLED The replication of coronaviruses occurs in association with multiple virus-induced membrane structures that evolve during the course of infection; however, the dynamics of this process remain poorly understood. Previous studies of coronavirus replication complex organization and protein interactions have utilized protein overexpression studies and immunofluorescence of fixed cells. Additionally, live-imaging studies of coronavirus replicase proteins have used fluorescent reporter molecules fused to replicase proteins, but expressed from nonnative locations, mostly late-transcribed subgenomic mRNAs, in the presence or absence of the native protein. Thus, the timing and targeting of native replicase proteins expressed in real time from native locations in the genome remain unknown. In this study, we tested whether reporter molecules could be expressed from the replicase polyprotein of murine hepatitis virus as fusions with nonstructural protein 2 or 3 and whether such reporters could define the targeting and activity of replicase proteins during infection. We demonstrate that the fusion of green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase with either nonstructural protein 2 or 3 is tolerated and that these reporter-replicase fusions can be used to quantitate replication complex formation and virus replication. The results show that the replicase gene has flexibility to accommodate a foreign gene addition and can be used directly to study replicase complex formation and evolution during infection as well as to provide highly sensitive and specific markers for protein translation and genome replication. IMPORTANCE Coronaviruses are a family of enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses that are important agents of disease, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Replication is associated with multiple virus-induced membrane structures that evolve during infection; however, the dynamics of this process remain poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether reporter molecules expressed from native locations within the replicase polyprotein of murine hepatitis virus as fusions with nonstructural proteins could define the expression and targeting of replicase proteins during infection in live cells. We demonstrate that the replicase gene tolerates the introduction of green fluorescent protein or firefly luciferase as fusions with replicase proteins. These viruses allow early quantitation of virus replication as well as real-time measurement of replication complexes.
Pathogen Inactivation: The Definitive Safeguard for the Blood Supply

Abstract Context.—Pathogen inactivation provides a proactive approach to cleansing the blood supply. In the plasma fractionation and manufacturing industry, pathogen inactivation technologies have been successfully implemented resulting in no transmission of human immunodeficiency, hepatitis C, or hepatitis B viruses by US-licensed plasma derivatives since 1985. However, these technologies cannot be used to pathogen inactivate cellular blood components. Although current blood donor screening and disease testing has drastically reduced the incidence of transfusion-transmitted diseases, there still looms the threat to the blood supply of a new or reemerging pathogen. Of particular concern is the silent emergence of a new agent with a prolonged latent period in which asymptomatic infected carriers would donate and spread infection. Objective.—To review and summarize the principles, challenges, achievements, prospective technologies, and future goals of pathogen inactivation of the blood supply. Data Sources....
Performance Comparison of VHTR Plants With Direct and Indirect Energy Conversion Cycles

This paper compared the performance of very high temperature reactor (VHTR) plants with direct and indirect closed Brayton Cycles (CBCs) and investigated the effect of the molecular weight of the CBC working fluid on the number of stages in and the size of the single shaft turbomachines. The CBC working fluids considered are helium (4 g/mole) and He-Xe and He-N2 binary mixtures (15 g/mole). Also investigated are the effects of using LPC and HPC with inter-cooling, cooling the reactor pressure vessel with He bled off at the exit of the compressor, and changing the reactor exit temperature from 700 o C to 950 o C on the plant thermal efficiency, CBC pressure ratio and the number of stages in and size of the turbo-machines. Analyses are performed for reactor thermal power of 600 MW, shaft rotation speed of 3000 rpm, and IHX temperature pinch of 50 o C.
The Jacobian Elliptic Functions

In Chapter 18, Ramanujan continues his development of the theory of elliptic functions begun in Chapter 16 with the theory of theta-functions and continued in Chapter 17 with an introduction to elliptic integrals and the compilation of a large catalog of series that can be evaluated in terms of elliptic function parameters. This chapter contains further series identities depending on the theory of elliptic functions. Such results are considerably fewer in number here than in Chapter 17 and generally are more difficult to prove. In particular, see Sections 4-7.
Namtokocoris Sites, a new genus of Naucoridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in waterfalls of Indochina, with descriptions of six new species

A new genus with six new species of Naucoridae inhabiting waterfalls of Indochina are described from a decade of aquatic insect collections in Thailand and Vietnam. Namtokocoris Sites NEW GENUS is diagnosed by a pair of prominent scutellar protuberances, the prosternal midline bears an expansive, thin, plate-like carina, the forelegs of both sexes have a one-segmented tarsus apparently fused with the tibia, and a single claw. Prominent linear series of stout hairs occur on the hemelytra, although this attribute is not unique within the subfamily. Despite the lack of sexual dimorphism in the forelegs, this new genus is a member of the subfamily Laccocorinae, an assignment based on other characters consistent with this subfamily. Character states of this genus are compared with those of other Asian genera of Laccocorinae. The type species, Namtokocoris siamensis Sites NEW SPECIES, is widely distributed from northern through eastern Thailand in waterfalls of several mountain ranges. Namtokocoris khlonglan Sites NEW SPECIES was collected only at Namtok Khlong Lan at Khlong Lan National Park. Namtokocoris minor Sites NEW SPECIES was collected at two waterfalls near the border with Burma in Kanchanaburi Province and is the smallest species known. Namtokocoris akekawati Sites NEW SPECIES occurs in waterfalls from Kanchanaburi Province south to Ranong Province along the Burmese border. In Vietnam, Namtokocoris dalanta Sites NEW SPECIES was collected in Thac Dalanta near Da Lat in Lam Dong Province. Namtokocoris kem Sites NEW SPECIES was collected from Thac Kem, a limestone waterfall in Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An Province, as well as in Nan Province of northern Thailand. Few characters are available to distinguish among the species; however, genitalic features are reliably diagnostic.
Application of Transgenic and Gene-Targeted Mice to Dissect Mechanisms of Lung Disease

By just after the beginning of the next millenium, the sequence of all human genes should be known. The function of the proteins encoded by most of these genes will, however, remain a mystery. Transgenic and gene-targeted mice provide powerful techniques to determine protein function in vivo [1]. In fact, these models have recently led to new insight into the function of many proteins that have been extensively studied for decades. “One invariable lesson of biological research has been the difficulty, virtual impossibility, of reliably predicting the properties of intact organisms from the properties of their constituent tissues, cells and molecules” [2]. Thus, hypotheses need to be confirmed in intact, complex biological organisms -not prokaryotes or lower eukaryotes, but mammals.
Barriers and Facilitators Related to Work Success for Veterans in Supported Employment: A Nationwide Provider Survey

Objective:Veterans with mental illness are at serious risk of poor work outcomes and career stagnation. Supported employment (SE) is an evidence-based model of vocational services that assists persons with mental illness to obtain competitive employment. The purpose of this study was to gain a rich understanding of barriers and facilitators related to competitive work success from the perspective of a nationwide sample of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) SE staff, supervisors, and managers.Methods:This study utilized a mixed-methods approach in which 114 VA SE personnel completed an online questionnaire consisting of a survey of work barriers and facilitators; open-ended questions elicited additional factors affecting work success. Descriptive statistics characterized factors affecting work success, and an emergent, open-coding approach identified qualitative themes describing other key elements influencing employment.Results:The most prominent work facilitators were perceived veteran motivation, ...
First record of Audubon’s Warbler ( Dendroica coronata auduboni ) in Jamaica

I observed and photographed an “Audubon’s” Warbler ( Dendroica coronata auduboni ) in Kingston, Jamaica, in December 2005. This is the first well-documented record of the auduboni population complex of the Yellow-rumped Warbler ( Dendroica coronata ) in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Se observo y fotografio una Bijirita de Audubon ( Dendroica coronata auduboni ) en Kingston, Jamaica, en diciembre del 2005. Este es el primer registro bien documentado del complejo poblacional auduboni de la Bijirita Coronada ( Dendroica coronata ) en Jamaica y el Caribe. J’ai observe et photographie en decembre 2005 une Paruline « d’Audubon » ( Dendroica coronata auduboni ) a Kingston en Jamaique. C’est la premiere observation bien documentee d’un individu du complexe d’espece auduboni de la Paruline a croupion jaune ( Dendroica coronata ) en Jamaique et dans la Caraibe.
Nucleic Acid Hybridization Techniques and Neurotoxicity Assessment

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of nucleic acid hybridization techniques and neurotoxicity assessment. Nucleic acid hybridization techniques allow for sensitive and specific detection, quantitation, and purification of DNA and RNA. Such techniques have been applied to measurement of changes in levels of nucleic acids resulting from exposures to neurotoxicants. The central premise governing nucleic acid hybridization is that single-stranded DNA and RNA molecules can form thermodynamically stable, double-stranded complexes based on their degree of sequence complementarity. The formation of double-stranded structures is a reversible process, dependent on biophysical parameters, such as salt concentration, temperature, and presence of chemical denaturants, such as formaldehyde and formamide. One key limitation of hybridization analysis is determining cause versus effect when studying neurotoxicants. Often, changes in expression of a given gene product following toxicant administration are not directly associated with the cause of toxicity, and only careful interpretation of data allows one to determine which neuronal pathways are activated. This chapter discusses in detail about gel-shift assays, southern blotting for DNA analysis, and northern blotting for mRNA analysis. Application of hybridization techniques to issues in neurotoxicology is also explained in the chapter.
The proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter 1 plays a major role in the intestinal permeability and absorption of 5-aminolevulinic acid.

Background and purpose 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been widely used in photodynamic therapy and immunofluorescence of tumours. In the present study, the intestinal permeability and oral pharmacokinetics of 5-ALA were evaluated to probe the contribution of the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) to the oral absorption and systemic exposure of this substrate. Experimental approach In situ single-pass intestinal perfusions and in vivo oral pharmacokinetic studies were performed in wildtype and Pept1 knockout mice. Perfusion studies were performed as a function of concentration dependence, specificity and permeability of 5-ALA in different intestinal segments. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed after 0.2 and 2.0 μmoL·g(-1) doses of 5-ALA. Key results The permeability of 5-ALA was substantial in duodenal, jejunal and ileal regions of wildtype mice, but the residual permeability of 5-ALA in the small intestine from Pept1 knockout mice was only about 10% of that in wildtype animals. The permeability of 5-ALA in jejunum was specific for PEPT1 with no apparent contribution of other transporters, including the proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1). After oral dosing, the systemic exposure of 5-ALA was reduced by about twofold during PEPT1 ablation, and the pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional after the 0.2 and 2.0 µmol·g(-1) doses. PEPT1 had a minor effect on the disposition and peripheral tissue distribution of 5-ALA. Conclusion and implications Our findings suggested a major role of PEPT1 in the intestinal permeability and oral absorption of 5-ALA. In contrast, another proton-coupled transporter, PAT1, appeared to play a limited role, at best.
Effects of Fertility Transitions on Schooling in Sub-Saharan Africa: From Micro-Level to Aggregate Effects

Researchers often face a level-of-analysis problem when investigating the implications of fertility transitions for schooling. Despite primary interest in macro-level outcomes, it is at the micro-level that the links between fertility and schooling can be most rigorously studied. Yet, assuming one can reliably estimate these micro-level links, the macro-level inferences are unclear. This paper proposes a framework for moving from micro- to macro-level associations between fertility and schooling. It expands previous aggregation schemes by considering transition-related changes in sibsize effects, family structure, and the distribution of fertility. More broadly, the framework helps apportion the national changes in schooling observed during fertility transitions into the influences of change in (a) fertility and its distribution, (b) family structure, (c) sibsize effects, and (d) socioeconomic context. The framework is illustrated with data from six sub-Saharan countries. Possible extensions are discussed.
Upgrade of the Tevatron Cryogenic System

Fermilabs superconducting Tevatron accelerator has reached its tenth year of operation. This year, three significant upgrades to the cryogenic system will become operational; a second central helium liquefier, a Tevatron satellite refrigerator lower temperature upgrade, and a satellite refrigerator controls system upgrade.
Impact of the baby-friendly hospital initiative on breastfeeding and child health outcomes: a systematic review.

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a key component of the World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. The primary aim of this narrative systematic review was to examine the impact of BFHI implementation on breastfeeding and child health outcomes worldwide and in the United States. Experimental, quasi-experimental and observational studies were considered eligible for this review if they assessed breastfeeding outcomes and/or infant health outcomes for healthy, term infants born in a hospital or birthing center with full or partial implementation of BFHI steps. Of the 58 reports included in the systematic review, nine of them were published based on three randomized controlled trials, 19 followed quasi-experimental designs, 11 were prospective and 19 were cross-sectional or retrospective. Studies were conducted in 19 different countries located in South America, North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia, Eurasia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Adherence to the BFHI Ten Steps has a positive impact on short-term, medium-term and long-term breastfeeding (BF) outcomes. There is a dose-response relationship between the number of BFHI steps women are exposed to and the likelihood of improved BF outcomes (early BF initiation, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at hospital discharge, any BF and EBF duration). Community support (step 10) appears to be essential for sustaining breastfeeding impacts of BFHI in the longer term.
Experimental study of torrefied pine as a gasification fuel using a bubbling fluidized bed gasifier

Torrefied biomass has higher C/O ratio, resulting in improved heating value and reduced hygroscopic nature of the biomass, thus enabling longer storage times. In the southeastern United States, pine is has been identified as a potential feedstock for energy production. The objective of this study was to understand the performance of torrefied pine as a gasification fuel in a bench-scale bubbling fluidized bed gasifier. The gasification of torrefied pine was carried out at 790, 935 and 1000 °C and three equivalence ratios (ERs: 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30). The effect of process variables were studied based on i) products yield, ii) syngas composition iii) syngas energy content, and iv) contaminants. The mean concentration of CO increased with an increase in temperature, but was not statistically significant. On the other hand, H2 concentration increased whereas CH4 concentration decreased significantly with an increase in temperature from 790 to 935 °C. Further, with an increase in ER from 0.20 to 0.30, only CO2 concentrations increased in the syngas. Results from torrefied pine were compared with raw pine gasification, and it was observed that torrefied pine gasification led to much higher char yield (more than twice) than pine; however, it produced less than half as much tar.
Photoinitiated oxidative addition of CF3I to gold(I) and facile aryl-CF3 reductive elimination.

Herein we report the mechanism of oxidative addition of CF3I to Au(I), and remarkably fast Caryl–CF3 bond reductive elimination from Au(III) cations. CF3I undergoes a fast, formal oxidative addition to R3PAuR′ (R = Cy, R′ = 3,5-F2-C6H4, 4-F-C6H4, C6H5, 4-Me-C6H4, 4-MeO-C6H4, Me; R = Ph, R′ = 4-F-C6H4, 4-Me-C6H4). When R′ = aryl, complexes of the type R3PAu(aryl)(CF3)I can be isolated and characterized. Mechanistic studies suggest that near-ultraviolet light (λmax = 313 nm) photoinitiates a radical chain reaction by exciting CF3I. Complexes supported by PPh3 undergo reversible phosphine dissociation at 110 °C to generate a three-coordinate intermediate that undergoes slow reductive elimination. These processes are quantitative and heavily favor Caryl–I reductive elimination over Caryl–CF3 reductive elimination. Silver-mediated halide abstraction from all complexes of the type R3PAu(aryl)(CF3)I results in quantitative formation of Ar–CF3 in less than 1 min at temperatures as low as −10 °C.
A budget impact analysis of telemedicine-based collaborative care for depression.

BackgroundPatients with depression use more health services than patients without depression. However, when depression symptoms respond to treatment, use of health services declines. Most depression quality improvement studies increase total cost in the short run, which if unevenly distributed acros
An Evolutionary Computation Approach to Examine Functional Brain Plasticity

One common research goal in systems neurosciences is to understand how the functional relationship between a pair of regions of interest (ROIs) evolves over time. Examining neural connectivity in this way is well-suited for the study of developmental processes, learning, and even in recovery or treatment designs in response to injury. For most fMRI based studies, the strength of the functional relationship between two ROIs is defined as the correlation between the average signal representing each region. The drawback to this approach is that much information is lost due to averaging heterogeneous voxels, and therefore, the functional relationship between a ROI-pair that evolve at a spatial scale much finer than the ROIs remain undetected. To address this shortcoming, we introduce a novel evolutionary computation (EC) based voxel-level procedure to examine functional plasticity between an investigator defined ROI-pair by simultaneously using subject-specific BOLD-fMRI data collected from two sessions seperated by finite duration of time. This data-driven procedure detects a sub-region composed of spatially connected voxels from each ROI (a so-called sub-regional-pair) such that the pair shows a significant gain/loss of functional relationship strength across the two time points. The procedure is recursive and iteratively finds all statistically significant sub-regional-pairs within the ROIs. Using this approach, we examine functional plasticity between the default mode network (DMN) and the executive control network (ECN) during recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI); the study includes 14 TBI and 12 healthy control subjects. We demonstrate that the EC based procedure is able to detect functional plasticity where a traditional averaging based approach fails. The subject-specific plasticity estimates obtained using the EC-procedure are highly consistent across multiple runs. Group-level analyses using these plasticity estimates showed an increase in the strength of functional relationship between DMN and ECN for TBI subjects, which is consistent with prior findings in the TBI-literature. The EC-approach also allowed us to separate sub-regional-pairs contributing to positive and negative plasticity; the detected sub-regional-pairs significantly overlap across runs thus highlighting the reliability of the EC-approach. These sub-regional-pairs may be useful in performing nuanced analyses of brain-behavior relationships during recovery from TBI.