cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation View Factors from A Finite Rectangular Plate

The determination of radiation view factors from a differential strip to a rectangular plate to other finite geometries, has practical importance in many engineering applications. Examples are radiation exchange within the internal engine cavities of gas turbines, furnaces, kilns, reactors, and other devices that normally operate at high temperatures. To date, the general analytical expression for view factor from a rectangular plate with an arbitrary orientation and dimensions has not been available. This study attempts to develop an exact and general formula for shape factors: (1) from a differential element to an arbitrary nonintersecting finite rectangular plate, and (2) from a differential strip to a rectangular plate with the former being in a plane that has parallel generating lines to the latter, This formula is then used to generate the view factors from a rectangular plate to some finite geometries via single integration.
"Some guys have all the luck": mate preference influences paced-mating behavior in female rats.

In the present study, mating behavior was observed in female rats that were given the opportunity to mate with two males simultaneously. Three groups of females were tested: 1) sexually naive, naturally cycling rats in proestrous; 2) sexually naive, hormone-primed, ovariectomized (OVX) rats; and 3) hormone-primed, OVX rats tested 1 week after sexual receptivity testing. One male rat was determined to be the preferred male for each female, if she spent more time with him during a mating test. Independent of sexual experience, female rats were less likely to leave their preferred male than their non-preferred male following intromissions. However, when they left their preferred male, they returned to him faster than to their non-preferred male. This effect of preference was slightly more robust in the OVX rats. When female rats from Group 2 were tested with the same pair of males for 3 additional tests, each female's preference for a particular male was stable. That is, a female rat preferred the same male in approximately 3 out of the 4 tests, which is more likely than would be expected by chance. In a final experiment, pairs of male rats were tested with different females once weekly to determine if different females would prefer particular males consistently. Although no male rat was preferred by all females, females consistently preferred the same male from each pair during approximately 70% of the tests. In conclusion, female mate preference may have adaptive significance for the reproductive success of rats.
The effects of sildenafil and acetazolamide on breathing efficiency and ventilatory control during hypoxic exercise

The reduced arterial oxygen tension at high altitude impairs the ability to work. Acetazolamide improves arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) by increasing ventilation but is associated with an increased work and cost of breathing. Depending on the settings, sildenafil can also increases SaO2 possibly through a reduction in pulmonary hypertension and interstitial edema, which could improve ventilation–perfusion matching. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of acetazolamide and sildenafil on ventilatory control and breathing efficiency (V E/VCO2) during submaximal steady-state hypoxic exercise in healthy individuals. Following 18 h of hypoxic exposure in an altitude tent at an oxygen concentration of 12.5% (simulated altitude of 4,300 m), 15 participants performed 10 min of hypoxic exercise on a stationary bicycle at 40% of their sea level peak oxygen uptake (VO2) while randomly receiving sildenafil 40 mg (SIL), acetazolamide 125 mg (ACZ) or a placebo (PLA). There was no difference in VO2 during exercise between conditions while SaO2 was greater with acetazolamide compared to both placebo and sildenafil. Acetazolamide increased ventilation (PLA 49.0 ± 3.2, SIL 47.7 ± 3.1, ACZ 52.1 ± 3.0 l/min) and reduced end-tidal CO2 (P ETCO2) (PLA 32.1 ± 0.8, SIL 32.8 ± 0.9, ACZ 29.2 ± 0.7 mmHg) compared to placebo and sildenafil. Breathing was less efficient with acetazolamide (increased V E/VCO2) in comparison to placebo and sildenafil (PLA 41.5 ± 1.0, SIL 40.4 ± 1.3, ACZ 45.4 ± 1.0) while sildenafil did not change V E/VCO2 during hypoxic exercise. In conclusion, acetazolamide increased ventilation and reduced breathing efficiency while sildenafil did not affect breathing efficiency despite a trend toward a blunted ventilatory response, possibly due to a reduction in pulmonary hypertension and/or ventilatory drive, during submaximal hypoxic exercise in healthy individuals.
1495 A PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTI) IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH EITHER CLEAN INTERMITTENT CATHETER IZATI ON OR URINARY DIVERSION

Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) has become the treatment of choice for patients with a neurogenic bladder replacing urinary diversion. However, no well controlled studies are available assessing the efficacy of CIC over ileal loop diversion (ILD) in altering short term morbidity and frequency of UTI's. Consequently, a one year prospective study was carried out comparing patient morbidity, infection rates, and bacterial organisms in 33 children with meningomyelocele. Twenty four of the children, aged 3-12 years, performed CIC while 9 of the children, aged 10-18, had ILD. A minimum of 4 cultures per year were obtained on each patient. All ILD and 21/24 CIC patients were maintained on urinary tract antiseptics. One patient on CIC sustained a transient doubling of serum creatinine with progressive hydronephrosis requiring diversion. However, no patient in either group demonstrated a permanent decrease in renal function. Only 5 of 90 (5.6%) positive cultures from patients with CIC and 1/36 (2.8%) positive cultures from patients with ILD were associated with signs or symptoms. This difference was not statistically significant. Over the study period, 3/24 (13%) children treated by CIC had sterile urine cultures while none of the IID patients were free from bacteriuria. Otherwise, the frequency of bacteriuria was similar in both groups. The most common cause of bacteriuria was E. coli accounting for approximately 1/3 of infections in both groups. These data suggest that patients treated with CIC are not significantly different from those with ILD with respect to UTI morbidity, frequency, or bacterial organisms. CIC may then be preferable to ILD as surgical morbidity can be avoided.
Prescribed-function vibration generator

An electromechanical system which produces vertical vibrations in the image of prescribed functional wave-forms is described and the mathematical theory of its operation derived. The advantage and usefulness of this device for theoretical researches and for routine testing, as compared to the common vibration generator producing sinusoidal motions, is indicated by actual examples of the response of vibration pick-ups to complex motions of prescribed waveform.
Methods for benchmarking photolithography simulators

Numerical simulation has become an indispensable tool for the design and optimization of photolithographic processes. Because the semiconductor industry now relies heavily on these tools, it is necessary to be able to benchmark their accuracy - as feature sizes continue to shrink, the numerical error in these simulators must decrease as well. Fortunately, there is a large body of literature from the optics community that can be used to benchmark the absolute accuracy of an aerial image calculation. We present a suite of closed-form solutions that are particularly relevant to optical lithography simulation. Our tests include solutions for both scalar and vector imaging models and for imaging with and without aberrations. These tests will be used to demonstrate how to identify many of the common numerical problems that can arise when performing aerial image calculations, and the closed-form solutions will be outlined in a form that will allow the tests to be applied to any aerial image simulator. Specific results will be presented for PROLITH and SPLAT. Both of these simulators give results that are in agreement with the closed-form test problems.
Identification of Methicillin-Resistant or Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in Blood Cultures and Wound Swabs by GeneXpert

Until a decade ago, clinicians could use epidemiological clues to select empirical therapy for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ([5][1]). The emergence of MRSA as a community pathogen and the documentation of the inferiority of non-beta-
EFFECT OF ELECTRON-HOLE SEPARATION ON THE LANDAU-LEVEL PHOTOLUMINESCENCE IN LAYERED STRUCTURES IN A TILTED MAGNETIC FIELD : MAGNETO-STARK EFFECT

We show that the photoluminescence (PL) intensities of the interband transitions between the electron and hole Landau levels (n{sub e},n{sub h}=0,1,{hor_ellipsis}) in a perpendicular magnetic field B{sub {perpendicular}} are modulated strongly by a superimposed in-plane field B{sub {parallel}} in type-II quantum wells due to electron-hole separation: B{sub {parallel}} suppresses the intensities of the n{sub e}{r_arrow}n{sub h}=n{sub e} diagonal transitions initially and generates n{sub e}{r_arrow}n{sub h}{ne}n{sub e} off-diagonal transitions that are forbidden at B{sub {parallel}}=0. The intensities oscillate at higher B{sub {parallel}}. An additional electric field E{sub {parallel}} parallel to B{sub {parallel}} modifies the effective B{sub {parallel}} and introduces a magneto-Stark shift in the PL line. This new Stark shift requires B{sub {parallel}}{ne}0 unlike the ordinary Stark shift in perpendicular E{sub {perpendicular}}. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
The Sensitivity of Some Plant-Parasitic and Free-Living Nematodes To Gamma and X-Irradiation

Die Sterilisationswirkung ionisierender Strahlen wurde an 14 Nematodenarten untersucht. Populationsverminderungen konnten mit wesentlich geringeren Strahlendosen erzielt werden, als sie fur-eine vollstandige Sterilisation erforderlich waren. Das empfindlichste Stadium im Entwicklungszyklus von Panagrellus silusiae war der Embryonalzustand. Larven und erwachsene Tiere vertrugen sehr hohe Strahlendosen. Zellteilungen fanden bei den meisten Arten bis zu 320 000 statt, sofern die Gonaden gebildet waren. Bei Tylenchorhynchus claytoni trat Zellreifung bis zu 500 000 r auf, wie sich am Langenwachstum und an der Bildung von Vulva und Spicula zeigte. An Korpergrossenanderungen waren sowohl Erhohung als auch Verminderung der Korperlange als Folge der Bestrahlung zu beobachten. Diese beiden entgegengesetzten Wirkungen gingen einmal zuruck auf Schadigungen, die die Nahrungsaufnahme verhindern und zum anderen auf eine Sterilisation ohne Beeinflussung der Nahrungsaufnahme. Morphologische Veranderungen wurden bei allen Arten beobachtet und umfassen kutikulare und innere Schaden.
The influence of side group modification in polyphosphazenes on hydrolysis and cell adhesion of blends with PLGA.

Abstract Polyphosphazenes have been synthesized with tris(hydroxymethyl)amino methane (THAM) side groups and with co-substituents glycine ethyl ester and alanine ethyl ester. The THAM side group was linked to the polyphosphazene backbone via the amino function. The three pendent hydroxyl functions on each THAM side group were utilized for hydrogen bonding association with poly(glycolic–lactic acid) (PLGA). Co-substitution of the polyphosphazene with both THAM and glycine or alanine ethyl esters was employed to avoid the insolubility of the single-substituent THAM-substituted polyphosphazenes. Both poly[(tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane)(ethyl glycinato)phosphazene] and poly[(tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane)(ethyl alanato)phosphazene] (1:1 ratio of side groups) were blended with PLGA (50:50) or PLGA (85:15). DSC analysis indicated miscible blend formation, irrespective of the detailed molecular structure of the polyphosphazene or the composition of PLGA in the blend. Hydrolysis studies of the polyphosphazene:PLGA (50:50) blends indicated that the PLGA component hydrolyzed more rapidly than the polyphosphazene. Primary osteoblast cell studies showed good cell adhesion to the polymer blends during 14 days, but subsequent limited cell spreading due to increased surface roughness as the two polymers eroded at different rates.
Are introduced rats (Rattus rattus) both seed predators and dispersers in Hawaii

Invasive rodents are among the most ubiquitous and problematic species introduced to islands; more than 80% of the world’s island groups have been invaded. Introduced rats (black rat, Rattus rattus; Norway rat, R. norvegicus; Pacific rat, R. exulans) are well known as seed predators but are often overlooked as potential seed dispersers despite their common habit of transporting fruits and seeds prior to consumption. The relative likelihood of seed predation and dispersal by the black rat, which is the most common rat in Hawaiian forest, was tested with field and laboratory experiments. In the field, fruits of eight native and four non-native common woody plant species were arranged individually on the forest floor in four treatments that excluded vertebrates of different sizes. Eleven species had a portion (3–100%) of their fruits removed from vertebrate-accessible treatments, and automated cameras photographed only black rats removing fruit. In the laboratory, black rats were offered fruits of all 12 species to assess consumption and seed fate. Seeds of two species (non-native Clidemia hirta and native Kadua affinis) passed intact through the digestive tracts of rats. Most of the remaining larger-seeded species had their seeds chewed and destroyed, but for several of these, some partly damaged or undamaged seeds survived rat exposure. The combined field and laboratory findings indicate that many interactions between black rats and seeds of native and non-native plants may result in dispersal. Rats are likely to be affecting plant communities through both seed predation and dispersal.
Deoxygenation in warming oceans—Looking back to the future

671 Earth’s climate has varied dramatically over its long history, from snowball glaciations to greenhouse extremes. Ancient warming is one reason we study the past—to get the fullest possible picture of what might lie ahead. No episode of past warming was more dramatic than the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) ~55 m.y. ago: a rapid temperature increase of ~5–8 °C unfolded over a mere tens of thousands of years, driving severe perturbations to the marine and terrestrial carbon cycles and concomitant impacts on ecologies in both settings. As we anticipate the impacts possible via modern climate trends, with similar levels of projected carbon release and temperature rise but over only centuries, the PETM has become a conservative poster child for why we look back in time to inform our understanding of the future. Among the growing list of concerns in the face of the current warming trend are widespread decreases in the dissolved oxygen content of seawater, or ‘ocean deoxygenation’ (Keeling et al., 2010), in part because O 2 is less soluble in warmer water. In this regard, however, the PETM’s potential as an ancient window to view modern climate has been only partly realized. Oxygen loss has been implicated in perturbations to organisms living on the deep seafl oor, but little is known about the intensity and global extent of those O 2 -challenged conditions. Dickson et al. (2012, p. 639 in this issue of Geology) set their sights on fithis gap through the use of molybdenum isotope measurements applied to an exceptional set of drill-core samples collected in the Arctic Ocean. Their data point convincingly to low-O 2 conditions during the PETM that were more expansive than today’s. The causes and consequences of O 2 loss in the ocean during PETM
Dynamically observing intratumor injection of laser-absorbing dye and immunoadjuvant using digital x-ray imaging technique

WeiR.ChenUniversity of Central OklahomaDepartment of Physics and EngineeringEdmond, Oklahoma 73034andUniversity of OklahomaDepartment of Physics and AstronomyNorman, Oklahoma 73109E-mail: wchen@ucok.eduHong LiuUniversity of OklahomaCenter for Bioengineering and School ofElectrical EngineeringNorman, Oklahoma 73019Wei YueJiping WangUniversity of VirginiaDepartment of Internal MedicineCharlottesville, Virginia 22908Robert E. NordquistUniversity of OklahomaDepartment of OphthalmologyOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104andWound Healing of Oklahoma, Inc.3945 North Walnut StreetOklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105Abstract. Selective laser-tissue interaction is a promising method fornoninvasive treatment of deep tumors. Using a laser beam with a wave-length in the near-infrared region and an intratumoral injection of a laser-absorbing dye, the laser energy can destroy targeted tumor cells whilesparing normal surrounding tissue. Introducing an immunoadjuvant canachieve possible systemic antitumor immune response, hence augment-ing the selective laser-tissue interaction. Administration of the dye andthe immunoadjuvant, and the time window for optimal laser application,are crucial in determining the outcome of the treatment. To determinethe dynamic distribution of intratumor-injected laser-absorbing dye andimmunoadjuvant, a digital x-ray imaging technique was employed. In-docyanine green as the laser-absorbing dye and glycated chitosan asthe immunoadjuvant were injected into the center of a rat tumor, and thetransmitted x-ray signals through tumor tissue and surrounding normaltissue, before and after the injection, were acquired and analyzed. Thetransmitted signals through tissue were reduced due to the injection ofeither dye or immunoadjuvant solution. The diffusion of aqueous solu-tions in tissue was a function of time and of the properties of the solutes.The indocyanine green solution, due to its low molecular weight, diffusedthrough the tumor almost immediately after injection, then gradually dis-persed into the surrounding tissue. The glycated chitosan, on the otherhand, due to its high molecular weight and high viscosity, dispersedslowly and took about 20 to 25 min to reach maximum accumulation atthe edge of the tumor. Our results showed that the digital x-ray imagescould be used to guide the precise positioning of the injecting needle,and to determine the distributions of the dye and immunoadjuvant in thetumor and in the surrounding normal tissue. Apparently, the dynamicobservation of dye and immunoadjuvant administration and their diffu-sion process could be used to optimize the parameters for laser treat-ment of deep tumors.
Expression of fear-conditioning is accompanied by increased paired-pulse depression within the amygdala.

Abstract Fear-conditioning is a model of fear learning and anxiety. The lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA) provides a critical link for relaying thalamic and cortical auditory information to the rest of the amygdala during the fear conditioning process. Alterations in excitatory synaptic transmission in the thalamic to LA pyramidal cells was studied using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in brain slices from fear-conditioned animals. Following paired stimulation of the thalamic afferents, paired-pulse depression (PPD) could be recorded at 200-ms to 2-s intervals. Increasing transmitter release by decreasing the Mg 2+ /Ca 2+ ratio enhanced PPD suggesting that PPD is reflective of changes in release probability. Analysis of the pairs of composite, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) showed that there was no correlation between EPSC pairs suggesting that PPD may be mediated through a release-independent mechanism of presynaptic origin. However, AMPA and NMDA receptor mediated PPD had a different time course and magnitude suggesting postsynaptic factors may be involved in PPD. After fear-conditioning PPD of the composite and AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs was enhanced suggesting that neurotransmitter release may be increased in learned fear. The NMDA receptor-mediated PPD was however not altered in fear-conditioned animals. The differences in response of AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated PPD suggest that postsynaptic mechanisms may also be involved in the expression of fear conditioning.
Time, Teams, and Task Performance: Changing Effects of Surface- and Deep-Level Diversity on Group Functioning

Time serves as a medium for collaboration in teams, allowing members to exchange personal and task-related information. We propose that stronger team reward contingencies stimulate collaboration. As time passes, increasing collaboration weakens the effects of surface-level (demographic) diversity on team outcomes but strengthens those of deep-level (psychological) diversity. Also, perceived diversity transmits the impact of actual diversity on team social integration, which in turn affects task performance. Results from four waves of data on 144 student project teams support these propositions and the strong relevance of time to research on work team diversity.
Investigations on proteins and polymers. VII. The denaturation of egg albumin.

Summary The denaturation of egg albumin, in the pH range of 0.9–3.4, over the temperature range 25.0–44.4°C., has been found to follow first-order kinetics, over a wide range of initial protein concentrations and for a wide range of the total denaturation process. Two distinct ways of denaturation have been detected. The first involves the suppression of the dissociation of one hydrogen ion in the protein molecule, while the secon involves two such suppressions. In a moderately acid solution, only the first such dissociation is of significance, while the second dissociation enters into prominence in more acid regions. From the respective rate constants, the apparent heats of activation, ΔH*, were found to be 36.7 and 50.0 kcal./mole.
The predictive validity of the Five-Factor Model of personality with preschool age children: A nine year follow-up study

This study examined whether maternal ratings of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) obtained when children were 3.5 years would show theoretically coherent patterns of relations with a variety of behavioral referents in the laboratory at 5 years as well as with maternal and self-ratings of psychological functioning in adolescence. As expected, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were associated with measures of self-regulation at both ages as well as with an internal locus of control, but only Conscientiousness was associated with high academic performance. By contrast, Neuroticism was associated with measures of anxiety and Extraversion was associated with difficulty inhibiting behaviors at both ages. Openness to Experience was associated with sophisticated play behavior at 5 years and self-confidence in adolescence. Overall, this study yielded strong support for the predictive validity of the FFM with preschool age children and provided further evidence that there are striking continuities in personality from early childhood to adolescence.
The Retroductive Recognition of Absence (RRA) methodology

– Current research methodologies in the field of information science employ induction or deduction, ignoring the third fundamental mode of cognition, retroduction. This paper seeks to introduce the Retroductive Recognition of Absence (RRA) methodology that expands inquiry from its current inductive and deductive bases to include the intuition‐based retroduction/abduction of Charles Sanders Peirce., – In brief, RRA consists of an iterative performance, of its nine‐step heuristic, with each iteration narrowing the scope of the research, while increasing the depth of examination. The nine steps are: perceive a phenomenon leading to surprise; perform the fundamental and primary retroduction; synthesize the phenomenon into a hypothesis; bracket intuitive prejudices; immerse in the data; conceptualize; hypothesize; select the hypothesis most efficient to test; and test the hypothesis. The iterations continue until the researcher reaches a hypothesis testable by inductive or deductive methods. This RRA methodology incorporates a “definition heuristic” that defines any previously undefined concept, a heuristic based on Spradley and McCurdy's classification of definitions., – A study of Compelled Nonuse of Information (CNI) demonstrated the usefulness of RRA in the study of phenomena from an initial “hunch” to a testable hypothesis. As such, the RRA methodology decreases subjectivity and imparts rigor to the study of absent or newly emergent phenomena that have no theoretical basis, no data, and no pre‐existing, coherent body of literature., – This paper presents the philosophy and practice of the RRA methodology and the retroductive philosophical inquiry postulated by Peirce.
Natural discretizations for the divergence, gradient, and curl on logically rectangular grids☆

Abstract This is the first in series of papers creating a discrete analog of vector analysis on logically rectangular, nonorthogonal, nonsmooth grids . We introduce notations for 2-D logically rectangular grids, describe both cell-valued and nodal discretizations for scalar functions, and construct the natural discretizations of vector fields, using the vector components normal and tangential to the cell boundaries. We then define natural discrete analogs of the divergence, gradient, and curl operators based on coordinate invariant definitions and interpret these formulas in terms of curvilinear coordinates, such as length of elements of coordinate lines, areas of elements of coordinate surfaces, and elementary volumes. We introduce the discrete volume integral of scalar functions, the discrete surface integral, and a discrete analog of the line integral and prove discrete versions of the main theorems relating these objects. These theorems include the following: the discrete analog of relationship div A → = 0 if and only if A → = curl B → ; curl A → = 0 if and only if A → = grad ϕ ; if A → = grad ϕ , then the line integral does not depend on path; and if the line integral of a vector function is equal to zero for any closed path, then this vector is the gradient of a scalar function. Last, we define the discrete operators DIV, GRAD, and CURL in terms of primitive differencing operators (based on forward and backward differences) and primitive metric operators (related to multiplications of discrete functions by length of edges, areas of surfaces, and volumes of 3-D cells). These formulations elucidate the structure of the discrete operators and are useful when investigating the relationships between operators and their adjoints.
An Intrafollicular Ovum Laid by a Fowl

Abstract ABNORMAL eggs of various kinds have interested biologists for centuries. The literature in that field is now so voluminous that it might be expected to contain descriptions of all kinds of abnormal eggs that are likely to occur. However, so far as the writer has been able to determine, the abnormality described below has not previously been reported. The egg shown in Figure 1 was found on April 22, 1937 in a trapnest at this laboratory. It had evidently just been laid by the White Leghorn pullet, C-511, found standing over it in the nest. It consisted of an apparently fully developed ovum completely enclosed in an unruptured ovarian follicle. The latter seemed normal in every respect and was covered with the usual extensive network of blood vessels. The stalk of the follicle was 27 mm. long and it tapered down almost to a thread at the end where it . . .
Low-cost real-time 3D PC distributed-interactive-simulation (DIS) application for C4I

A 3D Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) application was developed and demonstrated in a PC environment. The application is capable of running in the stealth mode or as a player which includes battlefield simulations, such as ModSAF. PCs can be clustered together, but not necessarily collocated, to run a simulation or training exercise on their own. A 3D perspective view of the battlefield is displayed that includes terrain, trees, buildings and other objects supported by the DIS application. Screen update rates of 15 to 20 frames per second have been achieved with fully lit and textured scenes thus providing high quality and fast graphics. A complete PC system can be configured for under $2,500. The software runs under Windows95 and WindowsNT. It is written in C++ and uses a commercial API called RenderWare for 3D rendering. The software uses Microsoft Foundation classes and Microsoft DirectPlay for joystick input. The RenderWare libraries enhance the performance through optimization for MMX and the Pentium Pro processor. The RenderWare and the Righteous 3D graphics board from Orchid Technologies with an advertised rendering rate of up to 2 million texture mapped triangles per second. A low-cost PC DIS simulator that can partake in a real-time collaborative simulation with other platforms is thus achieved.
Transition of calcium orthophosphate to pyrophosphate at elevated pressures

Abstract The equilibrium transition temperature of 2 CaHPO4 ⇄ Ca2P2O7 + H2O was determined as 322.5 ± 2.5°C. at 2000 bars H2O pressure and 342.5 ± 2.5°C. at 4000 bars H2O pressure. The monetite dehydration is extremely sluggish due to the large structural change of the anion groups, orthophosphate (PO4′′′) to pyrophosphate (P2O7″″). A stersochemical mechanism of dehydration is suggested based on crystallo-graphic investigations.
Successful Laparoscopic Management of Ruptured Tubal Pregnancy with an Ipsilateral Ectopic Pelvic Kidney

Objective. To report a case of successful laparoscopic management of a left ruptured tubal pregnancy in the setting of an ipsilateral ectopic pelvic kidney. Method. Case report was prepared at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. The patient is a young woman gravida 2 para 0 in her twenties who presented with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She had a plateaued beta HCG and ultrasonographic findings suggestive of ectopic left tubal pregnancy along with an ectopic ipsilateral pelvic kidney. The IRB approval is not needed, as this is a case report. The informed consent could not be obtained, as the patient was not reachable. Result. Multiple intraperitoneal adhesions, left ruptured ampullary ectopic pregnancy and left retroperitoneal pelvic mass consistent with ipsilateral ectopic pelvic kidney. Conclusion. Laparoscopic management of tubal pregnancy can be safely performed in the setting of an ipsilateral ectopic pelvic kidney.
A rapid impact assessment method for use in a regulatory context

Assessing the impacts of projects that affect aquatic resources is an integral part of regulatory programs. The time, resource, and technical requirements of existing assessment methods often prohibit their routine use by regulatory staff. Consequently, many evaluations are based on area affected and best professional judgment. In this paper, we present a Rapid Impact Assessment Method (RIAM) that can be used to assess impacts to aquatic resources in a manner that is scientifically defensible, yet easy to implement by regulators, planners, and resource managers. The RIAM provides a framework for assessing impacts while allowing for specialization of evaluation criteria based on the habitat type, region of interest, and specific regulatory, planning, or management goal. Site-specific impacts are assessed, by comparing the conditions present at each site prior to project implementation to conditions present after implementation of the project. A set of evaluation criteria is defined to reflect the important ecological characteristics to be evaluated. Each project site is given a pre- and post-project rating for each evaluation criterion, ranging from A for site conditions similar to those present at reference sites to E for the most degraded condition. Impact scores for each criterion, ranging from −4 to +4, are based on the difference between the pre- and post-project rating levels at each site. We demonstrate the application of the RIAM by using it to assess the impacts of projects permitted under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act on the following six evaluation criteria: endangered species habitat, structural diversity of habitat, spatial diversity of habitat, open space habitat, linear contiguity of habitat, and adjacent habitats. In the future, the method developed in this study can be used as a predictive tool to help monitor impacts on an ongoing basis.
Evidence that mast cells are not required for healing of splinted cutaneous excisional wounds in mice.

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving the interaction of many cell types to replace lost or damaged tissue. Although the biology of wound healing has been extensively investigated, few studies have focused on the role of mast cells. In this study, we investigated the possible role of mast cells in wound healing by analyzing aspects of cutaneous excisional wound healing in three types of genetically mast cell-deficient mice. We found that C57BL/6-KitW-sh/W-sh, WBB6F1-KitW/W-v, and Cpa3-Cre; Mcl-1fl/fl mice re-epithelialized splinted excisional skin wounds at rates very similar to those in the corresponding wild type or control mice. Furthermore, at the time of closure, scars were similar in the genetically mast cell-deficient mice and the corresponding wild type or control mice in both quantity of collagen deposition and maturity of collagen fibers, as evaluated by Masson’s Trichrome and Picro-Sirius red staining. These data indicate that mast cells do not play a significant non-redundant role in these features of the healing of splinted full thickness excisional cutaneous wounds in mice.
Characterization of Metarhizium anisopliae Strains by Carbohydrate Utilization (API50CH)

Abstract The utilization of 49 carbohydrates was examined for 134 isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae covering 16 characterized strains, seven isolates of Metarhizium flavoviride var. flavoviride, nine isolates of Microhilum oncoperae , and 30 isolates of Beauveria bassiana using the API50CH system. Using canonical variate analysis five major groupings were discernible: B. bassiana, M. oncoperae, M. flavoviride, and two M. anisopliae groups. The two M. anisopliae groups consisted of a large cluster of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae strains and a group of cold-active M. anisopliae isolates able to germinate at 5°C. Based on this and other data, we suggest that the cold-active group forms a distinct variety of M. anisopliae which we propose to call var. frigidum. Differentiation of the 16 strains of M. anisopliae was possible using the API50CH system and we conclude that carbohydrate utilization is a useful and biologically relevant taxonomic criteria for the separation of Metarhizium strains and other entomogenous fungi.
Attachment of ribosomes to nascent messenger RNA in Escherichia coli.

Abstract In intact cells of Escherichia coli at 0 °C, radioactive uridine is incorporated into messenger RNA so slowly that cell lysates can be prepared after the addition of fewer than 30 nucleotides to the growing 3′ ends. Under these conditions, nearly half of the radioactivity is associated with ribosomes in a magnesium-dependent binding. The findings are interpreted to mean that polysomes are formed on messenger strands before transcription is completed.
A Hadoop approach to advanced sampling algorithms in molecular dynamics simulation on cloud computing

Cloud computing has emerged as a prevalent computing paradigm with the advantages of virtualization, scalability, fault tolerance, and a usage based pricing model. It has been widely used in various computational research fields. Replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) and replica exchange statistical temperature molecular dynamics (RESTMD) are two sampling algorithms in molecular dynamics. Due to the inherent parallel feature of REMD and RESTMD, it is practical to convert them into cloud computing applications. However, the performance of REMD and RESTMD on clouds has not been extensively investigated. In our work, we implemented REMD and RESTMD in cloud computing environment through Hadoop, an open source implementation of MapReduce platform, and evaluated the performance of REMD and RESTMD in cloud computing environment and in high performance computing (HPC) environment as reference. In our research, REMD and RESTMD exhibits good feasibility in cloud computing. Otherwise, cloud computing demonstrates the characteristics of virtualization, elasticity, and scalability, providing a robust environment for REMD and RESTMD.
Differences in pigment-containing organelles between color forms of the red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus.

Chromatophores of two color forms of the salamander, Plethodon cinereus were studied by electron microscopy. Erythrophores found in the red-backed form possess pterinosomes, some with regions of high electron density. In addition, a few melanosome-like organelles are present. On the other hand, the lead-backed form displays no visible erythrophores but instead melanophores with melanosomes being the most prevalent organelle and a few pterinosomes. The possibility that this represents a kind of hybrid chromatophore with intermediate stages in melanosome-pterinosome interconversion is discussed.
LogGP: incorporating long messages into the LogP model—one step closer towards a realistic model for parallel computation

We present a new model of parallel computation---the LogGP model---and use it to analyze a number of algorithms, most notably, the single node scatter (one-to-all personalized broadcast). The LogGP model is an extension of the LogP model for parallel computation which abstracts the communication of fixed-sized short messages through the use of four parameters: the communication latency (L), overhead (o), bandwidth (g), and the number of processors (P). As evidenced by experimental data, the LogP model can accurately predict communication performance when only short messages are sent (as on the CM-5). However, many existing parallel machines have special support for long messages and achieve a much higher bandwidth for long messages compared to short messages (e.g., IBM SP-2, Paragon, Meiko CS-2, Ncube/2). We extend the basic LogP model with a linear model for long messages. This combination, which we call the LogGP model of parallel computation, has one additional parameter, G, which captures the bandwidth obtained for long messages. Experimental data collected on the Meiko CS-2 shows that this simple extension of the LogP model can quite accurately predict communication performance for both short and long messages. This paper discusses algorithm design and analysis under the new model, examining the all-to-all remap, FFT, and radix sort. We also examine, in more detail, the single node scatter problem. We derive solutions for this problem and prove their optimality under the LogGP model. These solutions are qualitatively different from those obtained under the simpler LogP model, reflecting the importance of capturing long messages in a model.
Comparison of endogenous event-related potentials in attend and non-attend conditions: latency changes with normal aging.

Abstract Objective : Endogenous event-related potential (ERP) components have been observed under both attend and non-attend conditions, but it appears that at least some of the attend and non-attend components are functionally and topographically distinct. Also, under active task conditions, motivational and attentional variations may modulate the amplitude of the ERP. These various effects of attention on the ERP can complicate comparisons of the ERPs of normal subjects with the ERPs of clinical subjects, who may have reduced attentional capabilities. The experiment reported here sought to develop a non-task paradigm that reliably produces the same ERP components typically seen under task conditions. Methods : Using rare auditory stimuli that were discrepant from the frequent stimuli both in frequency and intensity, stimuli were presented under non-attend instructions and under instruction to count the rare stimuli. The ERPs in these two conditions were compared with ERPs in a standard oddball paradigm which used stimulus parameters comparable to those of most previous experiments on ERPs in aging. Fifty subjects, ranging in age from 20 to 77, participated. Results : The ERPs to the DISCREPANT oddball stimuli under non-task conditions were similar in scalp distribution to the ERPs to the same stimuli in the ATTEND condition and to the ERPs in the STANDARD/ATTEND condition. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the age-related increase in ERP latencies among the DISCREPANT/IGNORE, the DISCREPANT/ATTEND, and the STANDARD/ATTEND conditions. Conclusion : The results indicate that increases in ERP latencies with aging can be assessed in the absence of task requirements, and that the paradigm described here may prove useful in investigating cognitive processing speed in clinical populations.
Prognosis in the era of comparative effectiveness research: where is nuclear cardiology now and where should it be?

In our recently published review, we inadvertently omitted references to two studies. The results do not substantially change. By adding these references (128a and 128b), we now have 5 studies instead of 3 which makes up Figure 7. Below are the references as well as a corrected Figure 7. When pooling the event-free survival from five series including a total of 4,257 patients, the overall survival was 96.5% for a normal MFR as compared to 77.7% for an abnormal MFR (Figure 7) (126-128, 128a, 128b). References
Visual and nutritional food cues fine-tune timing of reproduction in a neotropical rainforest bird.

Food may act as a proximate factor in the regulation of avian seasonal breeding. Food cues could provide particularly important seasonal information to birds living in variable tropical environments, but this has not yet been tested. Spotted antbirds (Hylophylax n. naevioides) inhabiting a humid forest in central Panama (9 degrees N) likely use changes in the tropical photoperiod to time reproduction on a long-term, seasonal basis. We predicted that these insectivorous birds also adjust reproduction to short-term cues such as food availability because the onset of the rainy season and the resulting increase in insect abundance varies considerably between years. To test this prediction, prior to their breeding season (when they had half-maximal gonads), we either exposed captive male spotted antbirds to an ad libitum standard diet only or added live crickets to this diet. Males that received live crickets significantly increased gonad sizes within 3 weeks over controls on the standard diet. Moreover, in six additional experiments cricket availability always increased song rate, usually within a few days. The stimulatory effect of live crickets on song activity may function independent of nutritional aspects: Freshly killed crickets, providing similar nutritional content as live crickets, did not stimulate the birds' song activity. However, song activity increased to intermediate levels when live crickets were shown under a clear plastic wrap, i.e., when birds could see but not eat crickets. We hypothesize that the opportunity to see and handle live insects stimulates song and reproductive activity in these birds. Our data indicate for the first time that a tropical rainforest bird can use food cues to evaluate the suitability of local environmental conditions for breeding. J. Exp. Zool. 286:494-504, 2000.
Monostatic propagation channel enhanced backscatter effects: a comparison of refractive spectral models

Enhanced backscatter effects associated with the mean intensity and scintillation index for a monostatic propagation channel through atmospheric turbulence are analyzed for two spectral models of refractive-index fluctuations. The analysis presented here shows that using a more physically realistic modified spectrum with inner and outer scale parameters as well as a high-wave-number rise (bump) can lead to significantly different results than those predicted by the idealized Kolmogorov power law spectrum. The target models used in this analysis include a smooth target finite mirror, glint target finite retroreflector, and a rough surface target (Lambert surface). The general method of analysis is based on weak fluctuation theory.
Pharmacological characterization of endocannabinoid transport and fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors.

1. The mechanism of anandamide uptake and disposal has been an issue of considerable debate in the cannabinoid field. Several compounds have been reported to inhibit anandamide uptake or fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH; the primary catabolic enzyme of anandamide) activity with varying degrees of potency and selectivity. We recently reported the first evidence of a binding site involved in the uptake of endocannabinoids that is independent from FAAH. There are no direct comparisons of purported selective inhibitory compounds in common assay conditions measuring anandamide uptake, FAAH activity and binding activity.
Innate Neural Stem Cell Heterogeneity Determines the Patterning of Glioma Formation in Children

The concept that gliomas comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases distinguished by their developmental origin raises the intriguing possibility that neural stem cells (NSCs) from different germinal zones have differential capacities to respond to glioma-causing genetic changes. We demonstrate that lateral ventricle subventricular zone NSCs are molecularly and functionally distinct from those of the third ventricle. Consistent with a unique origin for pediatric low-grade glioma, third ventricle, but not lateral ventricle, NSCs hyperproliferate in response to mutations characteristic of childhood glioma. Finally, we demonstrate that pediatric optic gliomas in Nf1 genetically engineered mice arise from the third ventricle. Collectively, these observations establish the importance of innate brain region NSC heterogeneity in the patterning of gliomagenesis in children and adults.
Inhibition of glutamate uptake causes an acute increase in aqueous humor protein

Inhibition of glutamate transport has been shown to increase paracellular permeability of epithelial cell monolayers in vitro. To determine if blocking glutamate transport would affect tissue permeability in vivo, D-aspartate (D-Asp; 300 nmol 30 microliters-1) (a non-toxic competitive inhibitor of glutamate transport) or a placebo was injected into the anterior chambers of the fellow eyes of 15 adult rabbits. [14C]-L-glucose and/or [125I]-rabbit albumin were included in the injection vehicle as aqueous humor (AH) outflow markers. The specific inhibition of glutamate uptake by D-Asp was indicated by a 15% increase in AH glutamate (174 +/- 9 nmol ml-1 to 205 +/- 13 nmol ml-1; P = 0.03) at 1-1.5 hr post injection. Also, the efflux of [14C]-L-glucose and [125I]-rabbit albumin from the AH of D-Asp injected eyes was increased 22% over the placebo-injected control eyes (P < or = 0.02). Concomitantly, the total protein concentration in the AH from D-Asp injected eyes (517 +/- 35 micrograms ml-1) was 19% greater (P < 0.02) than the protein concentration in AH from placebo-injected control eyes (420 +/- 36 micrograms ml-1). In additional studies, an irreversible inhibitor of glutamate transport, threo-beta-hydroxyaspartate (THA; 30 nmol 30 microliters-1), was shown to increase the efflux of [14C]-L-glucose (22%; P < 0.05) from the anterior chamber and increase AH protein concentrations by 29% (484 +/- 112 micrograms ml-1 in control AH versus 686 +/- 117 micrograms ml-1 in THA AH, P = 0.08) at 1 hr post intracameral injection. SDS-PAGE analysis of the AH associated the protein increase in the D-Asp and THA injected eyes but not placebo-injected control eyes with a detectable increase in a 66 kDa protein (aligns with serum albumin) and several lower molecular weight (23-35 kDa) AH proteins. The results found suggest that inhibition of glutamate transport from the AH acutely increases intraocular epithelial/endothelial paracellular permeability.