cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Irreversibility of time and ontopotentiality of signs

AbstractTime plays the central role in any developmental system. Its irreversibility contrasts with the functioning of the psychological realm that attempts to stabilize the real flow by means of perception/action constancies and signs. Efforts of apprehending the possible events of the next moment in ordinary life are paralleled by the focus on prediction in psychology as science. Signs operate as tools for reduction of the uncertainty of the immediate future. The notion of ontopotentiality of signs is introduced—it is the set of possibilities for creating quasi-stable meanings that would direct the flow of personal experiencing (in time) in a specific direction. This perspective advances further the notion of presentation (Vorstellung) that was worked through within the Brentano-Meinong tradition in philosophy and psychology. Narratives—and their corresponding notion of narrating—constitute macro-level stabilizing devices for individuals coping with uncertainty.
Role of metal ions in Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase. A study of the metal-water interaction by nuclear relaxation rate measurements on water protons.

The binding of metal to alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli and the binding of water and orthophosphate to the Me-2+-enzyme binary complex have been examined by water proton relaxation rate (PRR) measurements. Titration of the three paramagnetic metals, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Co2+, into apoalkaline phosphatase and the titrations of apoenzyme into metal have been carried out. Analysis of the spin-lattice relaxation rates for these titrations and of Scatchard binding curves derived from these results, as well as EPR data, show four tight manganese sites, between two and three tight copper sites, or four cobalt sites per enzyme dimer of molecular weight 80,000. The multiple sites for each metal are indistinguishable by these magnetic resonance techniques. Both the spin-lattice- and spin-spin-relaxation rates exhibit a negative temperature coefficient, showing that these processes are not exchange-limited. From a frequency dependence study of T-1 and from the T-1:T-2 ratio measured at 220 MHz, correlation times from the water-enzyme complexes have been estimated. For H20-Mn-2+-alkaline phosphatase, gamma c equals 1.55 times 10-9 s; for H20-Cu-2+ -alkaline phosphatase, gamma c equals 1.82 times 10-s; and for the cobalt complex, gamma c equals 1.0 times 10-12 s at 4 degrees. Assuming 1 water molecule bound per metal site, these correlation times correspond to the following water-metal distances: gamma (A) is 4.0 A for Mn-2+-H20, 3.4 A for Cu-2+-H20, and 2.8 A for Co-2+-H20. Thus, water is shown to bind directly to the metal atoms of alkaline phosphatase. The correlation between the length of the water-metal bond and the relative activity of the various metalloenzymes support the importance of this binding in the monophosphoesterase reaction catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase. Addition of excess orthophosphate to any of the water-metalloenzyme complexes does not displace an exchangeable water molecule from the metal site. The Mn-PO-4 distance which we have reported earlier (Zukin, R.S., Hollis, D.P., and Gray, G.A. (1973) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 53, 238) to be 7.3 A is consistent with this finding and suggests a model in which Pi binds to Mn-2+-alkaline phosphatase through a water bridge.
A proposed mechanism for chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (‘chemo-fog’)

Summary What is known and Objective: Chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment are, of necessity, cytotoxic. Unintended damage to normal central nervous system neuronal structure or function might lead to deleterious adverse effects on cognitive function, a mild form of which is reported by some cancer survivors. Understanding the physiologic connection between cancer chemotherapy and the reported cognitive dysfunction, could help inform choice of drugs, treatment regimens and new drug development. Our objective is to comment on a proposed mechanism for ‘chemo-fog’. Comment: An increasing number of patients are surviving cancer and are generating a new and rapidly growing category within the healthcare system. Some of these cancer survivors are reporting that they are experiencing residual and lingering effects from the cancer, or from its treatment, and that they now need care as survivors. This has given rise to the new field of ‘survivor care’. Control of chemo-fog is an important aspect and understanding its mechanism, the basis for more rationale therapy. Such insight would also help direct drug-discovery efforts. What is new and Conclusion: New evidence suggests that ‘chemo-fog’ may be due to excessive cytokine release by the cytotoxic agents. Control of the elevated levels of the blood–brain-barrier-permeable pro-inflammatory cytokines, may help minimize this adverse effect.
Vertical integration of memristors onto foundry CMOS dies using wafer-scale integration

As Moore's law scaling approaches its physical limit, there is increased interest in memristors as a replacement to transistors in memory applications due to their smaller footprint and superior scaling characteristics. However, memristors are intrinsically two-terminal devices, requiring an underlying CMOS control interface for proper operation. Thus the integration of CMOS and memristors is essential to the development of memristor technology. Accordingly, hybrid configurations have been proposed that make use of the advantages of CMOS while utilizing a high density of memristors. However, memristor/CMOS hybrid fabrication is not trivial because high-density memories require memristor dimensions to be much smaller than those of the underlying CMOS. Additionally, memristors typically make use of materials not allowed in conventional CMOS fabrication. These issues point to a post-CMOS fabrication approach. An associated consideration for memristor/CMOS hybrid fabrication is the high cost of whole wafer fabrication. While whole wafer fabrication of memristors is viable for large volume markets, it is not a practical route for niche applications or research. While this suggests the use of CMOS dies, edge effects typically set the minimum processable die size, as in the case of edge beads, which limit the achievable resolution of devices. To address these issues, we present a hybrid integration approach for post-CMOS vertical integration of memristors that is independent of CMOS die size. Our approach enables the vertical integration of memristors with small foundry-fabricated dies using a waferscale integration scheme. We demonstrate this approach using a 2.2-mm × 3.2-mm CMOS die fabricated in a standard dualpoly, three-metal 0.5-µm technology process. We use solution-processed BCB as an adhesive to embed CMOS dies into silicon wafer handles, allowing for easy handling and compatibility with a variety of lithography techniques such as electron-beam, nanoimprint and photolithography. The process is compatible with spin-coated planarization layers, such as polyimide or BCB, if nanometer-scale roughness is desired. As a demonstration, vertically integrated Ag/SiO 2 /Pt switches were fabricated on CMOS using conventional photolithography techniques in a university cleanroom and tested through the CMOS circuitry. The measurements were compared to those of Ag/SiO2/Pt switches fabricated off-chip in a similar process and indicate that the memristor/CMOS hybrids were fully functional. We believe this hybrid approach will pave the way for hybrid CMOS-memristor chips, enabling applications from neuromorphic computing to high-density memories.
Recognition of Group D Streptococcal Species of Human Origin by Biochemical and Physiological Tests

The speciation of 262 strains of group D streptococci isolated from human sources is described. One hundred forty-two isolates from blood cultures were included; 96 of these were submitted as isolates from clinical cases of subacute bacterial endocarditis. The results show that 98 Streptococcus faecalis, 29 S. faecalis var. zymogenes, 44 S. faecalis var. liquefaciens, 27 S. faecium, 13 S. durans, 44 S. bovis, and 7 unspeciated S. bovis-like group D isolates were identified. No S. faecium var. casseliflavus, S. equinus, or S. avium (group Q streptococci) were identified among the human isolates. The speciation procedures and techniques are detailed. The procedures and limitations of the tests used are discussed. Ninety-eight percent of the 262 strains were speciated by a spectrum of tests that allowed us to recognize atypical as well as typical strains within species.
Giant axons and synergic contractions in Branchiomma vesiculosum.

Synergic contractions following giant axon stimulation in Branchiomma vesiculosum have been investigated by the graphic method of recording. Isotonic and isometric levers were used, and electrical stimuli from condenser discharges were applied to the surface of the animal. Single muscle twitches occur at stimulation frequencies up to 2 per sec., above which clonus, and finally tetanus result. At high rates of stimulation fatigue rapidly sets in; this fatigue is reversible. Data for the time course of contractions are presented. Maximal tension develops about 255 msec. after the beginning of contraction, and relaxation occupies about 1.8 sec. Maximal tension developed isometrically under stimulation at different frequencies (12 per min. to 13 per sec.) was measured. Maximal tension is developed initially, and there is no evidence for facilitation. Extension of the animal and of strips of the body wall under tension are described. The results are discussed in terms of the habits of the animal, and compared with similar studies of other invertebrates.
Setting Highway Construction Contract Duration

A research study was performed to evaluate the methodologies used by transportation agencies to establish the contract durations used for highway construction projects. The study was financed by the Indiana State Highway Commission (ISHC). After reviewing the system used in Indiana, those used by other transporation agencies were also studied. Methods used vary from broad conceptual estimates to detailed critical path scheduling techniques. A method is proposed for the ISHC which incorporates some of the advantages of critical path methods, but does not require the preparation of a graphic network. The method should provide more consistency in the determination of contract time estimates by highway personnel. It should also provide a schedule guide for the field engineers during construction.
Sympathomimetic Drug Abuse Masking an Endogenous Hyperadrenergic State, Graves' Disease

Sympathomimetic drug use or abuse in a thyrotoxic individual can be clinically devastating as a result of enhanced cellular sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation. Thus, it is critical to recognize thyrotoxicosis in a patient with coexistent sympathomimetic drug abuse. This case report describes a patient with Graves' disease and severe hyperadrenergic symptomatology that was thought to result from sympathomimetic drug abuse.
Phage-display technology--finding a needle in a vast molecular haystack.

Abstract Screening of phage-displayed libraries of proteins and peptides has, for nearly a decade, proven to be a highly effective method for finding much needed ‘needles’ in a vast molecular ‘haystack’. Over the past year, it has been used to solve an increasing diversity of problems, including identification of binding motifs for much smaller targets and the use of novel screening methods to identify chemical activities.
The discovery and development of inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)

A summary of the discovery and advancement of inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is presented.
Ceramide induces neuronal apoptosis through the caspase-9/caspase-3 pathway

C 2 -ceramide, a cell-permeable analog of ceramide, caused cell death in cultured rat cortical neuronal cells. C 2 -ceramide-induced neuronal loss was accompanied by upregulation of caspase-3 activity, measured by cleavage of its fluorogenic substrate Ac-DEVD-AMC. Similar results were obtained when cortical neuronal cultures were treated with sphingomyelinase, an enzyme responsible for ceramide formation in the cell. Morphological evaluation of C 2 -ceramide-treated cortical neurons showed nuclear condensation and fragmentation as visualized by Hoechst 33258 staining. Co-administration of the selective caspase-3 inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk or caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEHD-fmk significantly reduced C 2 -ceramide-induced cell death, while co-application of the caspase-8, inhibitor z-IETD-fmk, was without effect. Immunoblot analysis of protein extracts from C 2 -ceramide-treated cortical neuronal cultures revealed upregulation of active caspase-9 and caspase-3 protein levels, whereas presence of active caspase-8 immunoreactivity was undetectable in this system. Administration of C 2 -ceramide to SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells also caused apoptotic cell death. Moreover, ceramide-induced cell death was significantly decreased in caspase-9 dominant-negative SH-SY5Y cells, while both caspase-8 dominant-negative cultures and mock-transfected cells showed equally high levels of cell death following C 2 -ceramide treatment. Taken together, these data suggest that neuronal death induced by ceramide may be linked to the caspase-9/caspase-3 regulated intrinsic pathway of cellular apoptosis.
Type I Interferons Protect From Toll-Like Receptor 9–Associated Liver Injury and Regulate IL-1 Receptor Antagonist in Mice

Background & Aims Liver inflammation and injury are mediated by the innate immune response, which is regulated by Toll-like receptors (TLR). Activation of TLR9 induces type I interferons (IFNs) via the interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-7. We investigated the roles of type I IFNs in TLR9-associated liver injury. Methods Wild-type (WT), IRF7-deficient, and IFN-α/β receptor 1 (IFNAR1)-deficient mice were stimulated with TLR9 or TLR2 ligands. Findings from mice were verified in cultured hepatocytes and liver mononuclear cells (LMNCs) as well as in vivo experiments using recombinant type I IFN and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Results Type I IFNs were up-regulated during TLR9-associated liver injury in WT mice. IRF7- and IFNAR1-deficient mice, which have disruptions in type I IFN production or signaling, respectively, had increased liver damage and inflammation, decreased recruitment of dendritic cells, and increased production of tumor necrosis factor α by LMNCs. These findings indicate that type I IFNs have anti-inflammatory activities in liver. IL-1ra, which is produced by LMNCs and hepatocytes, is an IFN-regulated antagonist of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β; IRF7- and IFNAR1-deficient mice had decreased levels of IL-1ra compared with WT mice. IL-1ra protected cultured hepatocytes from IL-1β–mediated sensitization to cytotoxicity from tumor necrosis factor α. In vivo exposure to type I IFN, which induced IL-1ra, or administration of IL-1ra reduced TLR9-associated liver injury; the protective effect of type I IFNs therefore appears to be mediated by IFN-dependent induction of IL-1ra. Conclusions Type I IFNs have anti-inflammatory effects mediated by endogenous IL-1ra, which regulates the extent of TLR9-induced liver damage. Type I IFN signaling is therefore required for protection from immune-mediated liver injury.
SU-D-9A-02: Relative Effects of Threshold Choice and Spatial Resolution Modeling On SUV and Volume Quantification in F18-FDG PET Imaging of Anal Cancer Patients

Purpose: PET imaging with F18-FDG is utilized for treatment planning, treatment assessment, and prognosis. A region of interest (ROI) encompassing the tumor may be determined on the PET image, often by a threshold T on the PET standard uptake values (SUVs). Several studies have shown prognostic value for relevant ROI properties including maximum SUV value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total glycolytic activity (TGA). The choice of threshold T may affect mean SUV value (SUVmean), MTV, and TGA. Recently spatial resolution modeling (SRM) has been introduced on many PET systems. SRM may also affect these ROI properties. The purpose of this work is to investigate the relative influence of SRM and threshold choice T on SUVmean, MTV, TGA, and SUVmax. Methods: For 9 anal cancer patients, 18F-FDG PET scans were performed prior to treatment. PET images were reconstructed by 2 iterations of Ordered Subsets Expectation Maximization (OSEM), with and without SRM. ROI contours were generated by 5 different SUV threshold values T: 2.5, 3.0, 30%, 40%, and 50% of SUVmax. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare SUVmean, MTV, and TGA (a) for SRM on versus off and (b) between each pair of threshold values T. SUVmax was alsomore » compared for SRM on versus off. Results: For almost all (57/60) comparisons of 2 different threshold values, SUVmean, MTV, and TGA showed statistically significant variation. For comparison of SRM on versus off, there were no statistically significant changes in SUVmax and TGA, but there were statistically significant changes in MTV for T=2.5 and T=3.0 and in SUVmean for all T. Conclusion: The near-universal statistical significance of threshold choice T suggests that, regarding harmonization across sites, threshold choice may be a greater concern than choice of SRM. However, broader study is warranted, e.g. other iterations of OSEM should be considered.« less
Enduring Effects of the Uniform: Previous Military Experience and Voting Turnout

Military service has the capacity to inculcate members with politically relevant traits that influence political participation later in life. Results from three decades of pooled national cross-sectional data among males indicate that previous experience with the military, the most controlling and least democratic facet of American democracy, has a largely positive effect on turnout propensity. For WWII, Korean War, and post-conscription era veterans, previous military service positively influences turnout when compared to contemporaries without military service, while Vietnam-era veterans exhibited lower turnout rates than non-veteran peers. Evidence suggests that socialization effects rival self-selection bias in explaining increased veteran turnout.
Practical use of a framework for network science experimentation

In 2006, the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) established a collaborative research alliance with academia and industry, called the International Technology Alliance (ITA) 1 In Network and Information Sciences, to address fundamental issues concerning Network and Information Sciences that will enhance decision making for coalition operations and enable rapid, secure formation of ad hoc teams in coalition environments and enhance US and UK capabilities to conduct coalition warfare. Research conducted under the ITA was extended through collaboration between ARL and IBM UK to characterize and dene a software stack and tooling that has become the reference framework for network science experimentation in support for validation of theoretical research. This paper discusses the composition of the reference framework for experimentation resulting from the ARL/IBM UK collaboration and its use, by the Network Science Collaborative Technology Alliance (NS CTA) 2 , in a recent network science experiment conducted at ARL. It also discusses how the experiment was modeled using the reference framework, the integration of two new components, the Apollo Fact-Finder 3 tool and the Medusa Crowd Sensing 4 application, the limitations identified and how they shall be addressed in future work.
An Approach for the Realization of Multithreshold Threshold Elements

An algorithm for the realization of k-threshold threshold realizable functions is presented. Instead of solving the set of linear inequalities, where the unknowns are the weights corresponding to the input variables, incremental weights are sought. The procedure reduces to that of resolving contradicting pairs of vertices by the incremental weights. The minimum number of thresholds are sought for each complementation and permutation of input variables. A definition of an optimal multithreshold weight threshold vector is derived from the reliability viewpoint. The desired solution is obtained through a search of all possible obtainable realization vectors of the function. For single-threshold realizable functions, permutation and complementation of input variables need not be considered if the input variables of the function are ordered and positivized. The procedure is systematic and has been programmed in FORTRAN IV. As a comparison with Haring and Ohori's tabulation on the 221 equivalence classes of four variable Boolean functions under the NPN1 operation, it can be seen that 42 of the 221 equivalence classes need fewer numbers of thresholds for their realization. For the same number of thresholds, 58 equivalence classes have less absolute sum of weights. Finally, with the number of thresholds and absolute sum of weights being equal, 36 equivalence classes have lower threshold values.
Prevalence and predictors of angina pectoris one month after myocardial infarction.

Angina pectoris (AP) is a treatable symptom that is associated with mortality and decreased quality of life. The prevalence and predictors of AP 1 month after a myocardial infarction (MI), a time when additional treatments might be offered, have not been described. We prospectively enrolled 2,094 patients with MI from 19 centers in the United States and evaluated angina symptoms 1 month after discharge with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify patient and treatment characteristics associated with 1-month AP. At 1 month, 571 patients (27.3%) had AP. Women (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09 to 1.74), younger patients (OR 1.33 per 10-year increment, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.47), those with previous coronary artery bypass (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.05), smokers (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.77), and those who developed postinfarct AP during the index hospitalization (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.65) were more likely to have AP at follow-up. In contrast, patients who were treated with coronary artery bypass surgery during their index admission were less likely to have AP at 1 month (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.77). The strongest correlate was the frequency of AP before patients' MI. Compared with those without AP before MI, those with AP 1 in 4 patients reported AP 1 month after an MI.
Toxicity to fish of flame retardant fabrics immersed in their water. Part I

A number of commercial and candidate flame retardants were studied with regard to their toxicity to fish when released from fabrics immersed in their water. Immersion of laundered or unlaundered flame retardant 100% polyester or polyester blend fabrics used in children's sleepwear in water containing goldfish resulted in release of the anticholinesterase flame retardant TDBPP (tris(2, 3-dibromopropyl) phosphate) and death of all fish within 24 hours. TDBPP undergoes loss of HBr in water and production of a metabolite.
The Holocaust and its effects on survivors: an overview

The Nazi Holocaust has had continuing and widely reverberating consequences not onlyfor the Jewish survivors but for the world at large. These consequences are detailed, first through a personal account of an Auschwitz survivor, and then through a discussion of the adaptive measures of concentration camp inmates and the long-term psychiatric and psychological effects on survivors and their families. The Survivor or Concentration Camp Syndrome and its relationship to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is described. Indirect effects of the Holocaust have been manifested in various ways, particularly through various levels of psychologic denial displayed by Holocaust criminals and (at least during the early postwar period) by the German public. The Holocaust has had profound effects on the ways the Jewish people regard themselves and are seen by others. Finally, the Holocaust can be seen as offering a kind of paradigmatic signature to the worldview of the end of the 20th century, emphasizing the persistence of evil and the limitations of the idea of progress.
Deficiency of a novel mismatch repair activity in a bladder tumor cell line

We demonstrate here that a cell line derived from a bladder cancer is defective in strand-specific mismatch repair. The mismatch repair deficiency in this cell line is associated with microsatellite instability and blocks an early step in the repair pathway. Since the addition of a known mismatch repair component hMutSalpha, hMutSbeta, hMutLalpha, replication protein A or proliferating cellular nuclear antigen could not restore mismatch repair to the mutant extract, the bladder tumor cell line is likely to be defective in an uncharacterized repair component. However, the repair in the mutant extract could be complemented by a partially purified activity derived from HeLa nuclear extracts. Therefore, in addition to revealing that a loss of mismatch repair function is associated with bladder cancer, this study provides information implicating a new mismatch repair activity.
Experimental Production of Malignant Tumors in the Albino Rat by Means of Ultraviolet Rays

Several different lines of investigation within recent years have focused attention upon the metabolic aspects of cancer, a review of which has been published by one of us (1). The brilliant work of the English investigators, Kennaway, Cook, Hieger, and their coworkers (2–5) has established the chemical nature of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons present in tar and their relation to the estrogenic hormones. Reviews of these studies have been published by Dodds (6) and Loeb (7). Recent investigations on the chemical nature of the bile acids, cholesterol, calciferol (one form of vitamin D), male and female sex hormones, cardiac aglucones, and the carcinogenic hydrocarbons have shown them all to contain a condensed carbon ring group of compounds, the skeleton key of which would be phenanthrene. Cook and Haslewood (8) and Wieland and Dane (9) have prepared methylcholanthrene from desoxycholic acid, one of the bile acids. Fieser and Seligman (10) also prepared it from cholic acid, another of the important bile acids. Methylcholanthrene is one of the most active carcinogenic agents known at the present time. Reviews of the chemical and biological effects of ultraviolet rays have been published by Ellis and Wells (11) and Laurens (12, 13). Of all radiations these are by far the most dangerous to the eye. They are invisible and nature does not usually protect the eye from their effects. According to some workers the production of cataract is due, at least partially, to the action of rays of short wavelength. When present in large quantities these have been shown to give rise to a certain turbidity of the lens. Recent work by Clark (14) is interesting in this connection. Extracts of lens proteins were made in solutions of sodium, potassium, and calcium chloride. When the extracts were heated to 40° C. for two hours after ultraviolet irradiation, opacity became marked in those containing calcium, but not in the presence of potassium. The ultraviolet rays caused light denaturation of the lens, which then became opaque in the presence of as little as 0.05 per cent calcium.
On the Design of Cascades of Boosted Ensembles for Face Detection

Cascades of boosted ensembles have become popular in the object detection community following their highly successful introduction in the face detector of Viola and Jones. Since then, researchers have sought to improve upon the original approach by incorporating new methods along a variety of axes (e.g. alternative boosting methods, feature sets, etc.). Nevertheless, key decisions about how many hypotheses to include in an ensemble and the appropriate balance of detection and false positive rates in the individual stages are often made by user intervention or by an automatic method that produces unnecessarily slow detectors. We propose a novel method for making these decisions, which exploits the shape of the stage ROC curves in ways that have been previously ignored. The result is a detector that is significantly faster than the one produced by the standard automatic method. When this algorithm is combined with a recycling method for reusing the outputs of early stages in later ones and with a retracing method that inserts new early rejection points in the cascade, the detection speed matches that of the best hand-crafted detector. We also exploit joint distributions over several features in weak learning to improve overall detector accuracy, and explore ways to improve training time by aggressively filtering features.
Plasma/muscle ratios of sulfadimethoxine residues in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Channel catfish (n = 84) maintained at a water temperature of 27 degrees C were used in a feeding study to determine the plasma to muscle concentration ratios of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and 4-N-acetylsulfadimethoxine residues. Sulfadimethoxine medicated feed was provided free choice at 42 mg SDM/kg body weight once daily for 5 days and the plasma and muscle concentrations of SDM were determined at selected withdrawal times (6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours) following the last dose. Considerable variation in total SDM tissue concentration among fish within a sampling period was observed. For fish (n = 12) at six hours post-dose, total SDM concentrations ranged from 1.4-24.8 micrograms/mL and 0.6-12.6 micrograms/g, with mean total SDM concentrations of 9.1 micrograms/mL and 5.3 micrograms/g for plasma and muscle, respectively. However, a mean plasma:muscle concentration ratio of 1.8:1 +/- 0.3:1 was obtained over all concentrations and sampling periods. The plasma:muscle 95% t distribution interval for individual fish was 1.2:1 to 2.4:1. A correlation coefficient of 0.967 was obtained for the relationship between plasma and muscle total SDM concentration among individual fish (n = 25). Results of this study indicate that plasma total SDM concentration may be used to identify samples containing violative SDM muscle residue. No fish contained total SDM muscle residues greater than the FDA tolerance (0.1 microgram/g) by 48 hours following the final dose.
Family Concerns and Involvement During Kindergarten Transition

The transition from preschool to formal schooling constitutes an important developmental milestone for children and their families. Very few empirical studies investigating the kindergarten transition for typically developing children have been published, and fewer have examined transition experiences from the perspective of caregivers. The aims of our study were to investigate: (1) parent concerns during transition, (2) perceived needs during transition, and (3) parent involvement in kindergarten preparation activities. Parents/caregivers of 86 general education students transitioning to kindergarten completed a survey assessing their concerns, needs, and involvement in transition preparation activities. Results suggest that although the majority of parents expressed few concerns regarding their child’s kindergarten transition, a subset (i.e., 27.9%) reported significant concerns. The areas of concern most often cited by families in this sample were socio-behavioral in nature. Parents in this sample expressed a desire for various types of information during transition. Parents most often reported engaging in low intensity transition practices characterized by generic forms of contact, rather than more individualized and intensive practices often cited in the literature as best practices. In addition, parent involvement in transition preparation activities differed by family socioeconomic status as well as district locale. This study offers practical suggestions and policy implications for coordinating family and school efforts during children’s kindergarten transition.
Recording instrumentation for steam turbines

INSTRUMENTATION for recording turbine speed, eccentricity, expansion, and vibration is now widely used on large steam turbines, particularly those over 80,000 kw. Most previous instrument systems for these measurements utilized four individual ink-type recorders; hence, one objective in developing a new instrument system was to use fewer recorders, reducing the panel space required. In addition, a high degree of reliability, long life, and good accessibility for inspection and servicing were major objectives.
Ordering in an off-stoichiometric Ni-Mo alloy

Abstract The various mechanisms of the ordering transformation in an off-stoichiometric Ni-Mo alloy have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. We have observed that the supersaturated solid solution of Mo in Ni decomposes into the terminal solid solution and the ordered β (Dla) phase by two distinct mechanisms. At 750°C. the alloy decomposes by homogeneous nucleation. while at larger undercoolings (at 700°C) the process occurs continuously, by a mechanism that has been termed spinodal ordering. Direct space, as well as reciprocal space, results are presented, and interpreted in terms of the various models for ordering transformations. The diffuse intensity maxima that occur at the {1 1 2 0} positions in reciprocal space have also been studied, and the results are discussed in terms of short range order models. de Mittels Durchstrahlungselektronenmikroskopie wurden die verschiedenen Mechanismen der Ordnungsumwandlung in einer nicht-stochiometrischen Legierung Ni-Mo unter-sucht. Wir haben beobachtet, daβ die ubersattigte Losung von Mo in Ni mit zwei Mechanismen in die endgultige feste Losung und die geordnete β-Phase (Dla) zerfallt. Bei 750°C zerfallt die Legierung durch homogene Keimbildung, wohingegen bei starkerer Unterkuhlung (bei 700°C) der Prozess kontinuierlich uber einen Mechanismus ablauft, der spinodale Ordnungseinstellung genannt wurde. Ergebnisse aus dem Orts- und dem reziproken Raum werden vorgelegt und auf der Grundlage der verschiedenen Modelle fur die Ordnungsumwandlung diskutiert. Auβerdem wurden die diffusen Intensitatsmaxima bei den {1 1 2 0} -Positionen ebenfalls untersucht; die Ergebnisse werden anhand von Nahordnungsmo-dellen diskutiert.
Office Management of Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Elderly

Deep venous thrombosis is common in the elderly. Diagnosis and management are now a part of office practice. As signs and symptoms are inconsistent and nonspecific, diagnostic testing is necessary. For patients with a low clinical probability, a normal D-dimer result can rule out disease. For patients with a high clinical suspicion or an elevated D-dimer, duplex ultrasonography may confirm the diagnosis. Anticoagulation, usually with low-molecular-weight heparin, should begin on suspicion and continue, along with warfarin, until the international normalized ratio is therapeutic. Arrangements for the initial daily injections can be made with a visiting nurse. Treatment should continue for at least 3 months, when a risk-versus-benefit analysis for continuing anticoagulation should be undertaken. Therapy may be discontinued for thromboses associated with a reversible risk factor or for patients in whom anticoagulant management was unstable or complicated by bleeding. A persistently high D-dimer result or evidence of residual clot on repeat duplex ultrasonography may support continuation. For all patients, the use of compression stockings to prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome is recommended.
Univariate cubic L 1 splines – A geometric programming approach

Univariate cubic L 1 splines provide C 1-smooth, shape-preserving interpolation of arbitrary data, including data with abrupt changes in spacing and magnitude. The minimization principle for univariate cubic L 1 splines results in a nondifferentiable convex optimization problem. In order to provide theoretical treatment and to develop efficient algorithms, this problem is reformulated as a generalized geometric programming problem. A geometric dual with a linear objective function and convex quadratic constraints is derived. A linear system for dual to primal conversion is established. The results of computational experiments are presented. In the natural norm for this class of problems, namely, the L 1 norm of the second derivative, the geometric programming approach finds better solutions than the previously used discretization method.
Reactions of alkoxy radicals under atmospheric conditions: The relative importance of decomposition versus reaction with O2

The reactions of alkoxy radicals determine to a large extent the products formed during the atmospheric degradations of emitted organic compounds. Experimental data concerning the decompositions, 1,5-H shift isomerizations and reactions with O2 of several classes of alkoxy radicals are inconsistent with literature estimations of their absolute or relative rate constants. An alternative, although empirical, method for assessing the relative importance under atmospheric conditions of the reactions of alkoxy radicals with O2 versus decomposition was derived. This estimation method utilizes the differences in the heats of reaction, Δ(ΔH)=(ΔHdecomposition−ΔHO 2 reaction), between these two reactions pathways. For Δ(ΔH)≲[22−0.5(ΔHO 2 reaction)], alkoxy radical decomposition dominates over the reaction with O2 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure of air, while for Δ(ΔH)≳[25-0.5(ΔHO 2 reaction)], the O2 reaction dominates over decomposition (where the units of ΔH are in kcal mol−1). The utility and shortcomings of this approach are discussed. It is concluded that further studies concerning the reactions of alkoxy radicals are needed.
Determination of total sulfur in soil and plant samples using sodium bicarbonate/silver oxide, dry ashing and ion chromatography

Abstract The determination of total sulfur (S) in soils and plant tissue samples can be accomplished using a combination of sodium bicarbonate/silver oxide, dry ashing and ion chromatography(IC). The proposed method offers high precision and acceptable accuracy for samples with more than 0.02% S. At the same time this procedure makes use of standard analytical equipment used in other phases of soil, water and plant tissue analysis. Soil sample sizes larger than 0.1g or high total S or barite (BaSO4) may not have acceptable S recoveries due to incomplete S oxidation or dissolution of BaSO4. In order to optimize recoveries of total S in these special soil samples, varying (decreasing) sample sizes is required.
Conformation of histidine model peptides. III. Chiroptical properties of cyclo‐L‐alanyl‐L‐histidine and cyclo‐L‐histidinyl‐L‐histidine

The chiroptical properties of the cyclic dipeptides cyclo-L-alanyl-L-histidine and cyclo-L-histidinyl-L-histidine have been investigated as a function of molecular conformation. The rotatory strengths of the n-π* transitions of the peptide chromophores and the lowest energy π-π* transitions of the imidazole chromophores have been calculated as a function of the angle of fold of the cyclic dipeptide group and the dihedral angles χ1 and χ2 of the amino acid side chains. The results of this investigation are consistent with the preferred position of the dihedral angle χ1 occurring near 60° in the free base form of cyclo-L-alanyl-L-histidine, and near 180° when the imidazole side chain is protonated. Furthermore, in the case of the free base form of the imidazole group, it is possible that the tautomeric isomer in which Ne is protonated may be more prevalent than the isomer in which Nδ is protonated.
Grasping impact force control of a flexible robotic gripper using a piezoelectric actuator

This paper presents robust force tracking control of a flexible beam during a grasping operation using a piezoceramic actuator. Equations describing the motion of the gripper in conditions of contact and noncontact are derived based on the cantilever beam. In this study, contact force is regulated, in addition to the impact force generated at the instant of contact, based on variable structure model reference adaptive control theory using only force measurements. For the derivation of the control law, it is assumed that parameters of the beam and the stiffness of the object are unknown. Computer simulations show the effectiveness the controller.
Effect of Iron and Magnesium on Manganese Metabolism

Abstract THERE are many areas in which water for livestock and poultry consumption contains high concentrations of iron and magnesium salts. In Iowa, a number of cases of leg problems with swine and turkeys have been reported from these areas. Furthermore, the Iowa State University Diagnostic Laboratory has diagnosed these leg problems to be due to nutritional rather than pathological causes. Leg disorders commonly observed in turkeys appear to be the gross symptoms of perosis. A dietary manganese deficiency has been found to cause perosis, (Ringrose et al., 1939). Excessive amounts of some minerals can be toxic to poults or can act as antagonists of other minerals. For example, magnesium has been known to be an antagonist of some minerals, especially calcium, and Wilgus and Patton (1939) found that ferric hydroxide and iron citrate decreased the diffusable manganese in the intestinal tract. The primary objective of the studies reported herein was…
The atmospheric infrared sounder: an overview

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) was launched in May 2002. Along with two companion microwave sensors, it forms the AIRS Sounding Suite. This system is the most advanced atmospheric sounding system to date, with measurement accuracies far surpassing those available on current weather satellites. The data products are calibrated radiances from all three sensors and a number of derived geophysical parameters, including vertical temperature and humidity profiles, surface temperature, cloud fraction, cIoud top pressure, and profiles of ozone. These products are generated under cloudy as well as clear conditions. An ongoing calibration validation effort has confirmed that the system is very accurate and stable, and many of the geophysical parameters have been validated. AIRS is in some cases more accurate than any other source and can therefore be difficult to validate, but this offers interesting new research opportunities. The applications for the AIRS products range from numerical weather prediction to atmospheric research - where the AIRS water vapor products near the surface and in the mid to upper troposphere will make it possible to characterize and model phenomena that are key for short-term atmospheric processes, such as weather patterns, to long-term processes, such as interannual cycles (e.g., El Nino) and climate change.
Ultrastructure of crystalloids in spermatogonia and Sertoli cells of normal human testis.

As studied with the electron microscope, the typical spermatogonial crystalloid of Lubarsch in 6 normal men and in a maturing normal boy was situated in the cytoplasm near the nucleus and was rod-shaped with maximum dimensions of 7 × 1.4 μ. The crystalloids were composed of closely packed parallel arrays of dense filaments 80–130 A wide. Dense granules resembling ribosomes were linearly disposed in the interfilamentous spaces. The complex of filaments and granules was embedded in a finely granular matrix. Although spermatogonial crystalloids resembled crystalloids found concurrently in Sertoli cells of the same testicular specimens there were significant dissimilarities at the macromolecular level. Encountered in spermatogonial cytoplasm and not in that of Sertoli cells were (a) focal accumulations of dense fine granules and (b) unique groupings of mitochondria having a very dense layer of intermitochondrial material. These findings were often in proximity to spermatogonial crystalloids suggesting an important relationship, possibly metabolic in nature.
Self-consistent rate-equation approach to irreversible submonolayer growth in one dimension

Abstract A self-consistent rate-equation (RE) approach to irreversible submonolayer growth in one dimension is presented. Our approach is based on a set of dynamical equations for the evolution of gaps between islands which is coupled to the island-density REs via local capture numbers and explicitly takes into account correlations between the size of an island and the corresponding capture zone. In the most simple formulation, fragmentation of capture zones is not directly included, but accounted for through a uniform rescaling, while nucleation is assumed to generate only gaps with average length. Using this approach, we have been able to accurately predict the scaled island-size, capture-number, and average-gap-size distributions in the pre-coalescence regime. Our approach also leads to a novel analytical expression for the monomer capture number σ 1 =(4/ RN 1 γ ) 1/2 where N 1 is the monomer density, γ is the fraction of the substrate covered by islands, and R is the ratio D / F of the diffusion rate to deposition flux which agrees with simulations over the entire pre-coalescence regime, and implies a novel scaling behavior for the island density at low coverage, in contrast to earlier predictions. Comparisons between our RE results and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are presented for both point islands and extended islands.
Recovery of the nasal mucosa following laureth-9 induced damage

Abstract Polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (laureth-9) has been used in drug formulations for nasal delivery to promote drug absorption and increase bioavailability, especially for compounds with high molecular weights. However, it has also been reported that laureth-9 causes morphological damage to the nasal membranes when it is administered. This morphological change/damage can affect the normal functioning of the nasal epithelium, and readily increases the potential for infection and the absorption of substances through the disrupted epithelial barrier. While previous investigators have studied the mucosal repair rate from various other respiratory tissues, few reports are available regarding the repair rate of the nasal mucosa itself. Laureth-9 was used to chemically induce damage to the nasal mucosa of anesthetized rats. Individual animals were then sacrificed at various times over the following 10 days for morphological examination of the nasal mucosa. Following euthanasia, the tissues of the nasal cavity were decalcified, fixed, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for light microscopic examination. Histological examination of mucosal samples taken 4 h after exposure showed no apparent morphological changes, whereas samples taken 24 and 48 h after administration showed signs of severe damage to the epithelium. Regrowth of the epithelium could be observed beginning on the third day following laureth-9 exposure; there was evidence of basal cell regrowth and differentiation by the fourth day. A completely regenerated epithelium could be observed between the seventh and the tenth days following exposure to the surfactant.
Shoulder dystocia: prevention and treatment.

Although shoulder dystocia is an infrequent event it has assumed a position of great clinical importance because of our litigious environment. Many cases are preventable by the proper identification of risk factors, especially glucose intolerance, macrosomia, obesity, and postdate pregnancies. The severity of the problem can be rapidly graded or determined by the response to a systematic treatment plan; such a plan is outlined. (Am J OBSTET GYNECOL 1990;162:5-9.)