cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probing the role of multicellular organization in three-dimensional microenvironments

Successful application of living cells in regenerative medicine requires an understanding of how tissue structure relates to organ function. There is growing evidence that presentation of extracellular cues in a three-dimensional (3D) context can fundamentally alter cellular responses. Thus, microenvironment studies that previously were limited to adherent two-dimensional (2D) cultures may not be appropriate for many cell types. Here we present a method for the rapid formation of reproducible, high-resolution 3D cellular structures within a photopolymerizable hydrogel using dielectrophoretic forces. We demonstrate the parallel formation of >20,000 cell clusters of precise size and shape within a thin 2-cm(2) hydrogel and the maintenance of high cell viability and differentiated cell markers over 2 weeks. By modulating cell-cell interactions in 3D clusters, we present the first evidence that microscale tissue organization regulates bovine articular chondrocyte biosynthesis. This platform permits investigation of tissue architecture in other multicellular processes, from embryogenesis to regeneration to tumorigenesis.
Potential energy surfaces and vibrational energy levels of DCCl and HCCl in three low-lying states

We present ab initio multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations for the potential energy surfaces of HCCl in its three low-lying electronic states ( and ), and for the spin–orbit coupling between the and states. The two singlet states become a degenerate 1Δ state in collinear geometries. The potential energy surfaces are interpolated from 6075 MRCI energy points. The final surfaces are slightly adjusted using a coordinate and energy scaling approach. The resulting T e value is 2122.0 cm−1 for and 12209.8 cm−1 for . Vibrational energy levels of DCCl and HCCl are computed for the three states taking into account the Renner–Teller effect and the spin–orbit coupling. The calculated vibronic energy levels are in good agreement with the available experimental values. It is found that the spin–orbit effect is pronounced in the and states.
Pulse propagation in polyester–solvent systems

The propagation of sonic pulses through solvent-swollen polyester yarns has been investigated. A discontinuity is observed in the temperature dependence of the pulse transit time which has been associated with the on set of the glass transition of the polyester–solvent system. Good agreement is reached for several systems with an extrapolated zero shrinkage temperature obtained from dynamic shrinkage determination of the filament in the appropriate solvent. The agreement between the two methods suggests that an interaction parameter for the polyester–solvent system is measured which must ba associated with the onset of its glass transition.
The Recovered Charge Characteristics of High Power Thyristors

The recovery characteristics of high power thyristors and diodes becomes increasingly important to the circuit designer as devices are made larger and faster. This paper considers various types of recovery as well as some important circuit influences on the recovery characteristics of power devices. Low and high frequency device data are presented for a number of different circuit conditions. The effects of spreading velocity, peak current during conduction, conduction pulsewidth, and commutating di/dt are considered. A new method for recovered charge data presentation is shown and some practical test circuit design considerations are discussed.
Dispersion of the nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor in centrosymmetric media

The production of light at the combination frequency $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{2}$ in centrosymmetric media has been observed as a function of the frequencies ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{1}$ and ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{2}$ and the polarization directions of two incident dye-laser beams. The interference of the Raman resonance with the complex electronic contribution to ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(3)}$ has been observed. In diamond and in benzene all of the components of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility have been measured and calibrated with respect to known cross sections for spontaneous Raman emission. Contributions to the cubic nonlinearity have also been measured in the fluoride series Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, Sr${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, Cd${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, and in calcite.
Application of artificial neural networks to skidder traction performance

Abstract An artificial neural network simulating the tractive performance of a rubber-tired skidder operating on soft organic soil in the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina, U.S.A. was modeled for three tire sizes inflated at each of three inflation pressures (69, 103, and 172 kPa). The neural network (4–5-3-1) demonstrated good generalization of the pull-load relationship when presented with data not used in network training. The output of the network was in close agreement with the equations fitted using least squares methods for the actual pull-load data where the line pull increased linearly with the applied tree load.
The drainage routes of the bronchial blood flow in anesthetized dogs.

Abstract It is generally accepted that the bronchial blood flow from extrapulmonary airways drains to the systemic veins through the bronchial veins, while that from the intrapulmonary airways drains into the pulmonary vasculature and eventually the left heart. This concept has not been confirmed by physiologic studies in live animals. We measured the routes taken by radionuclide-labeled Diethylenetriamine penta-acetate (DTPA) deposited in the extrapulmonary and the intrapulmonary airways in dogs. In living, anesthetized open chest animals, the pulmonary circulation of the left lower lobe was isolated and perfussed with autologous heparinized blood. 99m Tc DTPA was deposited on the mucosa of the extrapulmonary left mainstem bronchus just beyond the main carina (extrapulmonary deposition) and 111 In DTPA on that of an intrapulmonary left lower lobe segmental bronchus (intrapulmonary deposition). Sequential blood samples from the right heart and from the isolated left lower lobe pulmonary circuit were counted for radioactivity, corrected for the volume in which they were distributed and for the bronchial blood that flowed into the isolated left lower lobe circuit, and expressed as the ratio of systemic to pulmonary drainage from each deposition site. The extrapulmonary tracer drained mostly to the systemic veins (84% of total) but also into the pulmonary circulation (16% of total). The intrapulmonary tracer drained mostly into the pulmonary circulation (70% of total) but also into the right heart (30% of total). Since tracers from both deposition sites drained to both circulations, the bronchial vasculature is continuous between the systemic (right heart) and the pulmonary circulation. Thus, it may provide a pathway for blood flow between the right and left heart.
The polypeptide composition and ultrastructure of nuclear ghosts isolated from mammalian cells

Abstract The polypeptide species of non-membranous nuclear ghosts from purified cell nuclei are conserved among a variety of human, hamster and mouse cell types studied, including HeLa, BHK, 3T6 and Hep-2 cell lines. The polypeptide species present in nuclear ghosts from HeLa cells synchronized in various stages of the cell cycle are largely the same with minor variations. The isolated nuclear ghosts are similar, in terms of polypeptide composition, to other residual nuclear structures isolated by independent techniques. The nuclear ghosts appear as flattened sac-like structures when viewed by scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy of the nuclear ghosts reveals ring-like structures which may represent the nuclear pores. Also observed are novel rod-shaped structures approximately 260 nm in length and 50 nm in diameter. The latter images either arise by a rearrangement during isolation of the nuclear ghost macromolecules or are a heretofore undescribed structure of intact nuclei.
Interfacial friction effects on the mechanics of stacked beams

Abstract The mechanics of stacked beams with interfacial friction are discussed. The particular example of two beams, simply supported and subjected to uniformly distributed loading is used to demonstrate an algorithm for computing load/deformation behavior and energy loss in such systems. It is demonstrated that the cross-sectional geometry of the beams affects the amount of energy lost to friction during loading, and it is suggested that this fact could be utilized in the design of slipping beam damping devices.
Compressive Strength of Wheat Endosperm : Analysis of Endosperm Bricks

ABSTRACT The material properties of wheat grain endosperm are central to its processing and end-use quality. The preparation of geometrically-defined endosperm specimens free of bran, germ, and pigment strand can facilitate the objective study of endosperm material properties. This study was conducted to characterize the material properties of wheat endosperm from two soft, two hard, and one durum wheat varietal samples. Additionally, each varietal sample was sorted according to vitreous or mealy kernel type. Endosperm ‘bricks’ approximately 0.76 × 2.08 × 1.06 mm were prepared using an abrading (Kernel Sanders, KS) device. Bricks were tested in compression using a texture analyzer (TA.XTPlus). Stress-strain curves were used to calculate failure strain, failure stress, failure energy, and Young's modulus. Additionally, the effect of brick aging up to one month, and changes in moisture content (freeze drying, oven drying, and equilibration to ≈10.5–11% mc) were studied. Intrakernel variation was assessed by...
Executive MBA Alumni Perceptions on Current Trends in Program Content

Abstract In this study, Executive MBA alumni of a large midwestern university were asked to what extent topics were addressed and should have been addressed in their Executive MBA program. The results showed that the alumni desired significantly more coverage of several areas, including some of the less traditional areas, such as new information technology, international business issues, and social/ethical issues. However, the alumni also wanted extensive continued coverage of traditional topics such as general management skills, development and formulation of business strategies, and financial management. Implications for management education are discussed.
An electret volatile organic chemical and particulate sensor

The use of an electret as a volatile organic chemical and particulate sensor is proposed, along with a mechanism to sense polar gases, particles, and droplets. The electret detects changes in the concentration of volatile organic chemicals and particulates, which are constituents of the combustion process, as a result of dipole-charge and induced dipole-charge interactions between the negative charge in the electret's polymer layer and the combustion products. >
Electrophoretic separation of serum acid phosphatase isoenzymes in Gaucher's disease, prostatic carcinoma and multiple myeloma.

Electrophoretic Separation of Serum Acid Phosphatase Isoenzymes in Gaucher'S Disease, Prostatic Carcinoma and Multiple Myeloma
The Nonprofit Business Model: Empirical Evidence From the Magazine Industry

This article seeks to shed some light on the nonprofit business model by considering empirical data from one area of the media industry where nonprofits make up a sizable segment: periodical publishing. The primary context for this study is the body of economic research into the effects of organizational structure on firm behavior, which is used to propose hypotheses about nonprofit periodicals. The results highlight management challenges that nonprofits face.
Agrin fragments differentially induce ectopic aggregation of acetylcholine receptors in myotomal muscles of Xenopus embryos.

Agrin is an extracellular synaptic protein that organizes the postsynaptic apparatus, including acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), of the neuromuscular junction. The COOH-terminal portion of agrin has full AChR-aggregating activity in culture, and includes three globular domains, G1, G2, and G3. Portions of the agrin protein containing these domains bind to different cell surface proteins of muscle cells, including α-dystroglycan (G1-G2) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (G2), whereas the G3 domain is sufficient to aggregate AChRs. We sought to determine whether the G1 and G2 domains of agrin potentiate agrin activity in vivo, as they do in culture. Fragments from the COOH-terminal of a neuronal agrin isoform (4,8) containing G3, both G2 and G3, or all three G domains were overexpressed in Xenopus embryos during neuromuscular synapse formation in myotomal muscles. RNA encoding these fragments of rat agrin was injected into one-cell embryos. All three fragments increased the ectopic aggregation of AChRs in noninnervated regions near the center of myotomes. Surprisingly, ectopic aggregation was more pronounced after overexpression of the smallest fragment, which lacks the heparin- and α-dystroglycan–binding domains. Synaptic AChR aggregation was decreased in embryos overexpressing the fragments, suggesting a competition between endogenous agrin secreted by nerve terminals and exogenous agrin fragments secreted by muscle cells. These results suggest that binding of the larger agrin fragments to α-dystroglycan and/or heparan sulfate proteoglycans may sequester the fragments and inhibit their activity in embryonic muscle. These intermolecular interactions may regulate agrin activity and differentiation of the neuromuscular junction in vivo. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 44: 436–445, 2000
Convalent surface immobilization of Arg-Gly-Asp- and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-containing peptides to obtain well-defined cell-adhesive substrates

The synthetic peptides Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Tyr and Gly-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-Tyr, which contain Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR), the ligands for two important classes of cell adhesion receptors, were covalently coupled to a nonadhesive modified glass surface by the N-terminal Gly. The N-terminal Gly served as a spacer, and the C-terminal Y served as a site for radioiodination. These modified substrates supported the adhesion and spreading of cultured human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) independently of adsorbed proteins and, it was demonstrated that a covalently immobilized YIGSR-containing peptide has biological activity. The surface concentration of grafted peptide on the glass was measured by 125I radio-labeling and was 12.1 pmol/cm2. HFFs spread on both immobilized peptide substrates, but at much slower rates on grafted YIGSR glass surfaces than on the RGD-containing substrates. Cells formed focal contacts on the RGD-derivatized substrates in the presence or absence of serum. Focal contacts formed on the YIGSR-grafted surfaces only when serum was present in the medium and had morphologies different from those observed on the RGD-containing substrates. Serum influenced the organization of microfilaments and the extent of spreading of adherent cells, although adsorption of adhesion proteins was minimal on all substrates. This derivatization method produced chemically stable substrates which may be useful in studying receptor-mediated cell adhesion, as the quantity of peptide available at the surface may be precisely measured and controlled.
Inter-entry selection control mechanisms: Implementation and evaluation

Inter-process communication is achieved in many concurrent programming languages through message entries. Many of these languages contain inter-entry selection constructs allowing a process to selectively choose one of a group of message entries to service. Generally, this selection process is handled non-deterministically. To enable a degree of control over this selection, limited inter-entry selection control mechanisms are available in several of these languages. This paper reviews the need for more expressive inter-entry selection control mechanisms and details the design and implementation of two such control mechanisms-static and dynamic preferences. These implementations of static and dynamic preferences, SRps and SRpd respectively, are extensions of the SR concurrent programming language. In both implementations, the use of preferences is optional, and thus, the overhead associated with their use is incurred only when their use is necessary. Finally, this paper describes the performance of these implementations on several classical synchronization problems. For tests run in a shared memory environment the results show that there is substantial cost associated with the preference implementations. However, the results of the distributed environment tests illustrate that the incremental cost of adding preferences is small and often not discernable when the overhead costs associated with communications across a network are considered.
The effect of cucurbitacin E glycoside, a feeding stimulant for corn rootworm, on biocontrol fungi: Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae.

Corn rootworms compulsively feed on cucurbitacins (bitter compounds found in many cucurbits), while most other pest insects are repelled by them. Several hypotheses have been proposed for this activity, but the results have been equivocal. One recent hypothesis suggested that cucurbitacin may provide protection against soil borne fungal entomopathogens, both in the adult corn rootworm and in the eggs laid in the soil. Any antifungal activity would preclude the use of this feeding stimulant to enhance the activity of fungal pathogens used in biocontrol. To test this hypothesis, we exposed two fungal pathogens of corn rootworm, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae , to an extract from a bitter mutant of Hawkesbury watermelon, which contained about 0.05% cucurbitacin E glycoside. The extract inhibited the growth of both fungi. However, when the extract was sterilized by passing through a 0.45 micron filter, this inhibitory activity disappeared. Purified cucurbitacin E glycoside did not inhibit the g...
As Time Goes by We Improve a Little More: Relationship Expectations of Young Women in Mexico

In this qualitative narrative study I explore expectations regarding male–female relationships and perceptions about intimate partner violence (IPV) with young urban women in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Carol Gilligan's work informed the analysis of the narratives. Themes identified follow: violence at home, resistance, and relational autonomy. The collective story these women tell is that they are familiar with violence in the home, they resist violence and gender inequality, they seek equality in intimate partner relationships, and they plan for futures where the centrality of family is valued in combination with a strong commitment to their own autonomy.
Osteoporosis and bone morbidity in cardiac transplant recipients

Abstract purpose: To evaluate the incidence and etiology of osteopenia and pathologic fractures in cardiac transplant recipients. patients: Thirty-one adult male cardiac transplant recipients and 14 adult men with congestive heart failure (CHF) awaiting cardiac transplantation. methods: Assessment of indices of bone and mineral metabolism and of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. results: BMD in the proximal femur was below normal in both groups compared to that in age-matched control subjects, whereas BMD in the lumbar spine was normal. There was no significant difference in BMD at any site between the two groups. No clinical parameter predicted BMD. In all patients, laboratory indices of bone mineral metabolism, except parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, were normal and not statistically different between the two groups. CHF patients had a trend toward elevations of PTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and urinary calcium excretion compared to transplant patients. Eight of 31 transplant patients and 2 of 14 CHF patients had vertebral compression fractures (c 2 = 11.8, p conclusions: Cardiac transplant recipients and patients with CHF awaiting transplantation had decreased hip BMD, but normal spine BMD. Although immunosuppressive therapy did not appear to influence bone mass, loop diuretics prior to transplantation may have stimulated a mild secondary increase in PTH that could have differentially caused loss of bone density at the hip in both groups. Pulse corticosteroids used in treating rejection may have contributed to the increased incidence of vertebral fractures in transplant patients. These data suggest that severe CHF with its associated diuretic use and decreased activity are primary contributors to osteopenia in these patients.
Complications of mastectomy and their relationship to biopsy technique.

Background: Wound complication rates after mastectomy are associated with several factors, but little information is available correlating biopsy technique with the development of postmastectomy wound complications. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is an accurate method to establish a diagnosis, but it is unknown whether this approach has an impact on complications after mastectomy.
Infrared multiphoton dissociation spectrum of CF3Mn (CO)4I

An infrared multiphoton dissociation spectrum of CF_3Mn(CO)(NO)^- has been obtained with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy combined with a line-tunable continuous wave CO_2 laser in the 925-1085 cm^(-1) wavelength range. The trifluoromethyl group in the anion shows two absorption maxima at 1045 and 980 cm^(-1). The peak at 1045 is assigned as a C-F stretch of A_1-type symmetry and the peak at 980 cm^(-1) is ascribed to a C-F stretch of E-type symmetry. It is quite interesting to observe that the symmetric C-F stretching mode changes little in frequency from 1063 cm^(-1) for CF_3Mn(CO)_5 to 1045 cm^(-1) for CF_3Mn(CO)_3(NO)^-, while the C-F stretching frequency of E-type symmetry decreases from 1043 cm^(-1) for the 18 e^- neutral precursor to 980 cm^(-1) for the 18 e^- anion. Comparison with the infrared multiphoton dissociation spectrum of CF_3Mn(CO)_4^- ion reveals that the degenerate C-F stretch of E-type symmetry increases from 945 cm^(-1) for the 17 e^- CF_3Mn(CO)_4^- to 980 cm^-1) for the 18 e^- CF_3Mn(CO)_3(NO)^-, whereas the symmetric C-F stretching bands overlap with each other within experimental uncertainties. Variations of the electron density and hybridization in the σ donor orbital of the CF_3 ligand due to the different d orbital splittings of the complexes may be responsible for the distinctive C-F stretching frequencies observed in CF_3Mn(CO)_5 (18 e^-), CF_3Mn(CO)_4^- (17 e^-), and CF_3Mn(CO)_3(NO)^- (18 e^-).
Is a friend a friend?: investigating the structure of friendship networks in virtual worlds

In this paper, we examine online friendships at a network level. We focus on three structural signatures: network size, balance (triangles), and age homophily in the friendship ego-networks of 30 users of the virtual world Second Life. In relation to previous findings from studies of offline friendship networks, our results reveal that online networks are similar in age-homophily, but significantly different in size and balance.
The Role of Bank Reputation in 'Certifying' Future Performance Implications of Borrowers' Accounting Numbers

We investigate the role played by the reputation of lead arrangers of syndicated loans in mitigating information asymmetries between borrowers and lenders. We hypothesize that syndications by more reputable arrangers are indicative of higher borrower quality at loan inception and more rigorous monitoring during the term of the loan. We investigate whether borrowers with more reputable lead arrangers realize superior performance subsequent to loan origination relative to borrowers with less reputable arrangers. We further examine whether certification by high reputation lead banks extends to the quality of borrowers’ reported accounting numbers. Controlling for endogenous matching of borrowers and lead banks, we find that higher bank reputation is associated with higher profitability and credit quality in the three years subsequent to loan initiation. We also show that bank reputation is associated with long run sustainability of earnings via higher earnings persistence, and debt contracting value of accounting via a stronger connection between pre-loan profitability and future credit quality. We further document that the enhanced earnings sustainability associated with higher reputation lead banks reflects both superior fundamentals and accruals more closely linked with future cash flows.
Analysis of 4-methylpyrazole in plasma and urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen-selective detection

A simple, sensitive, and specific gas chromatographic method for the quantitation of 4-methylpyrazole in plasma and urine is described. Samples containing 4-methylpyrazole, with 3-methylpyrazole as the internal standard, are extracted into ether and the concentrated ethereal extracts are chromatographed on a Carbowax 20M column using nitrogen-selective detection. Standard curves are linear and reproducible over the range of 25–1000 ng/mL for plasma and 0.5–5 μg/mL for urine. Recovery of 4-methylpyrazole is complete from plasma and urine, and the overall between-day coefficient of variation is within 6.0%. No interference is observed from the extractive constituents of plasma and urine. The assay method is suitable for an examination of 4-methylpyrazole disposition in animals and humans.
3,3', 5-Triiodo-L-thyronine up-regulation of Na, K-ATPase activity and cell surface expression in alveolar epithelial cells is Src kinase- and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent

Abstract We previously reported that thyroid hormone, 3,3′,5-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3), increased Na,K-ATPase activity of adult rat alveolar epithelial cells in a transcription-independent manner via increased cell surface expression of the α1 and β1 subunits of Na,K-ATPase. Now we sought to identify signaling molecules necessary for T3 stimulation of Na,K-ATPase activity in alveolar epithelial cells. Whereas protein kinase A inhibitor H-8 and protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolymaleimide did not block the T3-induced increase in Na,K-ATPase activity, two inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), wortmannin and Ly294002, and two Src kinase inhibitors, PP1 and PP2, blocked the T3-induced Na,K-ATPase activity. T3 stimulated the activity of PI3K as measured by phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. T3 also stimulated the serine 473 phosphorylation of the PI3K downstream molecule PKB/Akt in a dose-dependent manner. Transient expression of a constitutively active mutant of the PI3K catalytic subunit p110 augmented Na,K-ATPase activity and increased the amount of cell surface Na,K-ATPase α1 subunit protein. T3 also stimulated Src family kinase activity. Transient expression of a constitutively active Src kinase increased Na,K-ATPase activity, PI3K activity, and phosphorylation of PKB/Akt at serine 473. PP1 or PP2 blocked T3-stimulated PKB/Akt phosphorylation at serine 473 and PI3K activity that was activated by an active mutant of Src; however, wortmannin did not inhibit the T3-stimulated Src kinase activity. Although PP1 and wortmannin abolished the increase in Na,K-ATPase activity induced by the active mutant of Src, PP1 did not inhibit the active mutant of PI3K-up-regulated Na,K-ATPase activity. In summary, T3 stimulates the PI3K/PKB pathway via the Src family of tyrosine kinases, and activation of both the Src family kinases and PI3K is required for the T3-induced stimulation of Na,K-ATPase activity and its cell surface expression in adult rat alveolar epithelial cells.
The Modality-Specific Organization of Grammatical Categories: Evidence from Impaired Spoken and Written Sentence Production

We describe the case of a brain-damaged individual whose speech is characterized by difficulty with practically all words except for elements of the closed class vocabulary. In contrast, his written sentence production exhibits a complementary impairment involving the omission of closed class vocabulary items and the relative sparing of nouns. On the basis of these differences we argue: (1) that grammatical categories constitute an organizing parameter of representation and/or processing for each of the independent, modality-specific lexicons, and (2) that these observations contribute to the growing evidence that access to the orthographic and phonological forms of words can occur independently.
Comparison of Three Commercial Assays and a Modified Disk Diffusion Assay with Two Broth Microdilution Reference Assays for Testing Zygomycetes, Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., and Cryptococcus neoformans with Posaconazole and Amphotericin B

We compared posaconazole M27-A2 and M38-A MICs to Etest and YeastOne MICs for 92 zygomycetes, 126 Aspergillus isolates, 110 Candida isolates, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Reference MICs were also correlated with inhibition zone diameters in millimeters (modified M44-A disk and Neo-Sensitabs tablet methods). Etest MICs were obtained on solidified (1.5% agar) RPMI 1640 (2% dextrose), and zone diameters were obtained on supplemented (2% glucose and 0.5 μg/ml methylene blue [for all isolates]) and nonsupplemented Mueller-Hinton (MH; molds only) agar. MICs and zone diameters were obtained between 16 and 72 h. The overall agreement (% MIC pairs within a three-dilution range) between reference posaconazole and YeastOne MICs was 98 to 100% at 16 to 24 h for zygomycetes and yeasts and 99% at 24 to 48 h for Aspergillus. The overall agreement was lower between reference posaconazole and Etest MICs (94 to 97%) and by both methods with amphotericin B for all species (95 to 99.3%). For yeasts, the correlation coefficient was similar between reference posaconazole MICs and either disk (R, 0.810) or tablet (R, 0.769) zone diameter at 24 h and was superior on MH agar for molds at 16 to 48 h (R, 0.804 and 0.799 for disk and tablet, respectively). For amphotericin B, the best correlation between reference MICs and zone diameters was observed at 16 to 48 h for molds on MH agar (R, 0.736 to 0.812 and 0.765 to 0.749 for disk and tablet, respectively) and at 48 h for yeasts (R, 0.681 and 0.503 for disk and tablet, respectively). These data suggest the potential value of these alternative broth dilution and agar diffusion methods for testing posaconazole and amphotericin B in the clinical laboratory against the species evaluated.
Alternate Cardiovascular Baseline Assessment Techniques: Vanilla or Resting Baseline

The accurate evaluation of cardiovascular reactions to psychological challenge requires stable baselines against which change can be evaluated. When more than one challenge is employed, the recovery of this baseline becomes important in order to avoid carryover effects. Resting periods, even those of 20 min or more, do not guarantee baseline stability. We compared a 20-min resting condition and a new form of baseline condition in 48 college men using video tasks as the psychological challenges. The new form was a minimally demanding color detection task, termed the "vanilla" baseline condition. A 10-min version and a 20-min version of this condition were tested. Comparisons to 10-min resting baselines were made using our prior work and values from the literature. Vanilla baseline conditions were shown to be equal to or better than resting baseline conditions using criteria of between- and within-baseline stability, amplitude and significance of responsivity, and generalizability between sessions on separate days. Ten-minute resting baselines also showed acceptable stability, questioning the value of lengthy baselines. The good performance of the 10-min vanilla baseline in initial and replication samples supported its utility for estimating baselines for many purposes.
An emitter piloting advisory expert system for IC emitter deposition

A description is given of the EPAS (Emitter Piloting Advisory System) expert system, which was set up at Harris Semiconductor to advise fab operators how to adjust piloting cycle time for emitters on the basis of knowledge extracted from the most experienced engineer. EPAS consists of an input filter to validate the input parameter values, a knowledge base containing all the knowledge extracted from the expert, a learning mechanism trying to calculate dynamically for the next lot the estimated initial drive time which is closer to the one actually required, a convergence control mechanism to control the rule inference so that the result of an inference is always closer to the conclusion, a user facility module containing many Lisp-based modules developed to let the expert, engineers, and operators maintain the system by themselves, and a friendly interface to provide pleasant interactions with various kinds of users. >
Cohesive fracture modeling of elastic–plastic crack growth in functionally graded materials

Abstract This work investigates elastic–plastic crack growth in ceramic/metal functionally graded materials (FGMs). The study employs a phenomenological, cohesive zone model proposed by the authors and simulates crack growth by the gradual degradation of cohesive surfaces ahead of the crack front. The cohesive zone model uses six material-dependent parameters (the cohesive energy densities and the peak cohesive tractions of the ceramic and metal phases, respectively, and two cohesive gradation parameters) to describe the constitutive response of the material in the cohesive zone. A volume fraction based, elastic–plastic model (extension of the original Tamura–Tomota–Ozawa model) describes the elastic–plastic response of the bulk background material. The numerical analyses are performed using WARP3D, a fracture mechanics research finite element code, which incorporates solid elements with graded elastic and plastic properties and interface-cohesive elements coupled with the functionally graded cohesive zone model. Numerical values of volume fractions for the constituents specified at nodes of the finite element model set the spatial gradation of material properties with isoparametric interpolations inside interface elements and background solid elements to define pointwise material property values. The paper describes applications of the cohesive zone model and the computational scheme to analyze crack growth in a single-edge notch bend, SE(B), specimen made of a TiB/Ti FGM. Cohesive parameters are calibrated using the experimentally measured load versus average crack extension (across the thickness) responses of both Ti metal and TiB/Ti FGM SE(B) specimens. The numerical results show that with the calibrated cohesive gradation parameters for the TiB/Ti system, the load to cause crack extension in the FGM is much smaller than that for the metal. However, the crack initiation load for the TiB/Ti FGM with reduced cohesive gradation parameters (which may be achieved under different manufacturing conditions) could compare to that for the metal. Crack growth responses vary strongly with values of the exponent describing the volume fraction profile for the metal. The investigation also shows significant crack tunneling in the Ti metal SE(B) specimen. For the TiB/Ti FGM system, however, crack tunneling is pronounced only for a metal-rich specimen with relatively smaller cohesive gradation parameter for the metal.
Range-data-based object surface segmentation via edges and critical points

A novel method for range image segmentation is presented in this paper. It is based on an integration of edge and region information. The algorithm consists of three steps: edge and critical point detection, triangulation, and region growing. Experimental results show that the method is efficient for segmentation of the range images that contain polyhedral objects. A three-dimensional (3-D) surface structure graph (SSG) obtained from the segmentation is a description of the surface structure about an object. Therefore, a segmentation result also presents a data set that can be used to establish a surface model for computer-aided-design-based (CAD-based) vision and object recognition.
Contaminants of emerging concern in fresh leachate from landfills in the conterminous United States

To better understand the composition of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in landfill leachate, fresh leachate from 19 landfills was sampled across the United States during 2011. The sampled network included 12 municipal and 7 private landfills with varying landfill waste compositions, geographic and climatic settings, ages of waste, waste loads, and leachate production. A total of 129 out of 202 CECs were detected during this study, including 62 prescription pharmaceuticals, 23 industrial chemicals, 18 nonprescription pharmaceuticals, 16 household chemicals, 6 steroid hormones, and 4 plant/animal sterols. CECs were detected in every leachate sample, with the total number of detected CECs in samples ranging from 6 to 82 (median = 31). Bisphenol A (BPA), cotinine, and N,N-diethyltoluamide (DEET) were the most frequently detected CECs, being found in 95% of the leachate samples, followed by lidocaine (89%) and camphor (84%). Other frequently detected CECs included benzophenone, naphthalene, and amphetamine, each detected in 79% of the leachate samples. CEC concentrations spanned six orders of magnitude, ranging from ng L−1 to mg L−1. Industrial and household chemicals were measured in the greatest concentrations, composing more than 82% of the total measured CEC concentrations. Maximum concentrations for three household and industrial chemicals, para-cresol (7 020 000 ng L−1), BPA (6 380 000 ng L−1), and phenol (1 550 000 ng L−1), were the largest measured, with these CECs composing 70% of the total measured CEC concentrations. Nonprescription pharmaceuticals represented 12%, plant/animal sterols 4%, prescription pharmaceuticals 1%, and steroid hormones <1% of the total measured CEC concentrations. Leachate from landfills in areas receiving greater amounts of precipitation had greater frequencies of CEC detections and concentrations in leachate than landfills receiving less precipitation.
Error Probabilities for Binary Symmetric Ideal Reception through Nonselective Slow Fading and Noise

One of two correlated, equal energy, equiprobable waveforms is transmitted through a channel during a given time interval. The signal is corrupted in the channel by slowly-varying, frequency-nonselective fading and by additive, Gaussian noise. On reception, the corrupted signal is processed by an ideal receiver, which guesses that the transmitted waveform was the one which it computes to be a posteriori most probable. Expressions for the probability of committing an error in making such a guess are derived for both coherent and noncoherent receivers; these are studied in detail, and some general trends and system design considerations are noted. In an illustrative example, the results are applied to binary frequency-shift keyed (FSK) systems with various pulse shapes and frequency separations.
Determination of Subsurface Hardness Gradients in Plastically Graded Materials via Surface Indentation

Graded materials with high surface hardness and ductile cores are popularly used in high performance bearing applications to resist surface wear and fatigue damage. The gradient in hardness with depth is commonly determined using micro-indentation on the cross section of the material which contains the gradation in microstructure or composition. In the current study, a novel method is proposed to predict the hardness gradient profile using solely surface indentations at a range of loads. The method does not require the graded material to be sectioned, and has practical utility in the surface treatment industry. Two case hardened steels, M-50 NiL and Pyrowear V R 675, and a through-hardened M50 steel, are used as model materials to illustrate the concepts. For a material with a decreasing gradient in hardness, higher indent loads result in a lower measured hardness due to the influence of the softer subsurface layers. A powerlaw model is presented which relates the measured surface indentation hardness under increasing load to the subsurface gradient in hardness. It is shown that the response of the material is not influenced greatly by the absolute surface hardness value, but instead sensitive to the sharpness of the gradient in subsurface hardness beneath the indented region. The proposed approach is not specific to case hardened steels and can be used to determine the subsurface hardness gradient for any plastically graded material (PGM). [DOI: 10.1115/1.4003859]
Integration of electrostatic and fluid dynamics within a dust devil

[1] In this study we derive an analytical expression to describe the electrostatic field in a dust cloud with grain trajectories defined by fluid dynamics and grain charging via contact electrification. In order to solve for the electric field, we merge the fluid dynamic–driven grain motion directly into the basic electrostatic formalism to end up with an electric field dependent on meteorological variables within the dust cloud. We find that the E field is driven by two processes: the currents associated with the charging grains and the increasing velocity difference of varying-sized grains at early times. The resulting processes give rise to an exponentially growing electric field, which for Mars applications, quickly approaches breakdown values. Variations in the growth of the electric field are found with varying grains sizes and varying ambient atmospheric conductivity.
Quick conservative causality analysis

The causality problem is that of determining if a combinational circuit with cycles has acceptable behavior: that for all inputs the outputs are well defined and stable. While the problem manifests itself at the circuit level, it usually originates at the system level. It may arise when a system is designed as a collection of modules: when composed, cycles are discovered in the ensemble. One must analyze these cycles to correct possible errors or to capture the correct behavior appropriately for further synthesis. Previously published algorithms use iterated ternary logic simulation. This is correct and robust, but expensive and in many cases overkill. We propose a more efficient but conservative algorithm based on applying standard logic synthesis techniques of increasing power. We present initial results to demonstrate the practicality of this approach.
Approaching Special Needs Children's Social Competence from the Perspective of Early Friendships

This article asserts that peer friendship is a vital manifestation of social competence in the preschool years. Current conceptual and empirical advances in our appreciation of normal patterns of friendship development are reviewed and integrated to provide insight into the meaning of social competence for young special needs children. The questions generated pose challenges for researchers and practitioners who seek to enhance special needs children's social effectiveness.
Estimation of the Nuclear DNA Content of Gossypium Species

• Background and Aims Gossypium is an economically important, globally distributed taxon comprising more than 50 species. DNA content estimates from about half of the species indicate over a 3-fold variation exists. However, the nine DNA content estimates for G. hirsutum reveal over a 2-fold difference for this species alone. Recent reports have shown that several plant compounds can bias DNA content estimates obtained by commonly used methods. The purpose of this research was to examine the standardization procedures used for DNA content determinations with flow cytometry as applied to Gossypium, and generate revised DNA content estimates for all available Gossypium species using best-standard practices. • Methods Flow cytometry was used to measure fluorescence of isolated Gossypium nuclei stained with propidium iodide. Fluorescence values were converted to DNA content estimates based on the nuclear fluorescence of standard genotypes of barley, corn and rice. Various combinations of nuclei preparations relative to the standards were evaluated for their influence on the estimates. • Key Results Both external standardization and internal standardization with Oryza sativa ‘IR36’ yielded statistically similar DNA content estimates for Gossypium. Internal standardization with Hordeum vulgare ‘Sultan’ resulted in a high estimate of DNA content. Nuclear DNA content estimates were generated for 37 Gossypium species using external standardization. Estimates of ancestral genome sizes reveal that both increases and decreases in nuclear DNA content have occurred. Variation in intraspecific and intragenomic DNA content was low, and the allopolyploid AD-genome size was nearly the additive of its progenitor genomes. • Conclusions Due to unknown factors, internal standardization with H. vulgare ‘Sultan’ may not be appropriate for DNA content determinations of Gossypium. The current DNA content estimates support accepted cytogenetic divisions of the genus. Gossypium is a genus that exhibits genome constancy both through speciation within genomic groups and allopolyploidization.
Prevalence and ecological association of foliar pathogens of cucumber in North Carolina, 1996-1998

During the fall growing seasons of 1996-98, 5,400 leaves exhibiting leaf spots were collected from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fields and microscopically examined to identify the organisms associated with these symptoms. Five fungal pathogens were associated with leaf lesions: Alternaria cucumerina, Colletotrichum orbiculare, Corynespora cassiicola, Didymella bryoniae, and Pseudoperonospora cubensis; D. bryoniae and C. orbiculare occurred most frequently. When pathogens were paired on five or more leaves, associations between pathogen pairs were tested for independence via a 2-by-2 contingency table χ2 analysis. In all, 66 two-way pathogen associations were tested. Of these, 39 associations were negative (occurred together less often than expected at random), 1 was positive (occurred together more often than expected at random), and, in 16 cases, the pathogens were not associated. An association between C. orbiculare and D. bryoniae occurred 24 times and, each time, the relationship was negative. This result, combined with different environmental requirements for infection, suggests that these pathogens either occupy different niches in the plant canopy or are antagonistic. No relationship between the cultivars grown or the fungicides applied and the pathogens isolated from specific field sites was found. Information on the dominant pathogens responsible for leaf spot epidemics in North Carolina's cucumber fields will be useful to target breeding and disease control strategies.
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia Following Texas A2 Influenza Infection

In two patients a documented Texas A2 influenza infection was associated with the development of interstitial pulmonary disease. One patient had an acute fulminating process resulting in respiratory failure and necessitating ventilatory assistance. Open lung biopsy revealed a histologic picture consistent with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). The other patient had a subacute course, and the pulmonary histology showed UIP with features of desquamative interstitial pneumonia. The influenza virus may have had an etiologic role in the development of the interstitial lung disease in our two patients.