cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Gradient in the Silane Coupling Agent Layers and Its Influence on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Composites

Studies of the structural gradient within the silane coupling agent interphase are reviewed. Origins of the structural variation in the silane layers are discussed in terms of the silane treating solution and variations in the substrates. The solution pH, concentration, solvent, hydrolysis time and aging time are some of the important parameters identified. Consideration is given to the following categories: the first monolayer on the substrate, the tightly chemisorbed layers near the substrate, the loosely chemisorbed layers in the middle and finally the physisorbed si lanes in the outermost layers. The role of these regions in terms of the reinforcement mechanism of composites and the rheology of polymer melts is discussed. Complex formation of silanes with metallic substrates is briefly mentioned.
Triphenylacetonitrile N-Oxide

[13412-55-0] C20H15NO (MW 285.36) InChI = 1S/C20H15NO/c22-21-16-20(17-10-4-1-5-11-17,18-12-6-2-7-13-18)19-14-8-3-9-15-19/h1-15H InChIKey = GKKDMGZBMGDYEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N (1,3-dipolar reagent1) Physical Data: mp 152–153 °C.2 Solubility: sol benzene, dioxane. Form Supplied in: colorless solid; not commercially available. Analysis of Reagent Purity: IR 2280, 1320 cm−1; the corresponding isocyanate, the primary decomposition product, has a strong band at 2250 cm−1. Preparative Method: usually prepared2, 3 by treatment of silver fulminate with triphenylmethyl chloride. The compound is reported4 to be readily available from triphenylacetaldehyde oxime by treatment with bromine in an NaOH/H2O/CCl4 mixture at 0 °C, but no experimental details are provided. Purification: recrystallization from a minimum amount of benzene. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: if the reagent is being prepared from silver fulminate, extreme caution should be exercised due to the shock sensitivity. Unlike other nitrile oxides, which are usually generated in situ, triphenylacetonitrile oxide is a fairly stable solid. Upon heating it rearranges to triphenylmethyl isocyanate. Introducing a 3- or 4-trifluoromethyl group dramatically increases the proclivity towards rearrangement.2
Accessing the Inaccessible: The Organization, Transcription, Replication, and Repair of Heterochromatin in Plants

Eukaryotic genomes often contain large quantities of potentially deleterious sequences, such as transposons. One strategy for mitigating this risk is to package such sequences into so-called constitutive heterochromatin, where the dense chromatin environment is thought to inhibit transcription by excluding transcription factors and RNA polymerase. This type of model makes it tempting to think of heterochromatin as an inert region that is isolated from the rest of the nucleus. Recent work on heterochromatin, however, reveals that it is a dynamic environment. Despite its dense packaging, heterochromatin must remain accessible for a host of processes, including DNA replication and repair, and, paradoxically, transcription. In plants, transcripts produced by specialized RNA polymerases are used to target regions of the genome for silencing via DNA methylation. Thus, the maintenance of heterochromatin requires a careful balancing act of access and exclusion, which is achieved through the action of a host of in...
Effects of Feeding a Vitamin K-Deficient Ration Containing Irradiated Beef to Rats, Dogs and Cats

A ration containing 35% beef irradiated with 2.79 megarad fed to 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats caused the death of 9 rats because of hemorrhage. The mean reciprocal of the prothrombin time was 0.068 plus or minus 0.018 sec/sup -/. When 3 male cats and 3 male dogs were fed a ration containing irradiated bsef for 40 weeks, all gained weight and the prothrombin time of the blood remained normal. The amount of vitamin K in the ration was calculated to be 6 mu g/100 g of ration solids, which was adequate to prevent prolonged prothrombin times of the blood of cats and dogs, although it was inadequate for rats. Irradintion of beef with 2.8 megarad was previously shown to cause a 50--85% loss in vitamin K content. Rats fed a ration containing nonirradiated beef survived and there was no prolonged prothrombin time of the blood. (H.H.D.)
Discharge and restitution of secretory material in the rat parotid gland in response to isoproterenol.

The sequence of morphological events occurring during discharge and restitution of secretory material in the rat parotid in response to isoproterenol administration has been studied using the electron microscope. With the dose used, discharge of secretory granules began within 5 min following injection and was complete by 40 mim. Intracellular accumulation of normal-appearing secretory material became evident at 6 hours, and restitution of resting quantities of secretory material was achieved between 12 and 18 hours after injection. Cellular events occurring during secretory discharge and restitution are discussed.
Limitations for applying standard 10G Ethernet sequence order-set in G.709 core transport network

Current lab assessment shows standard 10G Ethernet link fault sequence ordered-set works as expected between two direct attached clients. This paper evaluates the limitations applying the same ordered-set by inserting transport network between these clients.
Bonding of H to Ni, Pd, and Pt Surfaces

The bonding of H to the (111) surfaces of Ni, Pd, and Pt has been studied with use of angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. H adsorbed onto a cooled substrate produces photoemission spectra characteristic of chemisorption. In this state the H atoms form an ordered overlayer. Heating the chemisorbed layer to \ensuremath{\sim} 300 K results in an irreversible transition of the H atoms into a subsurface site.
Promoting Student Resilience in School Contexts

This article outlines specific actions that school personnel can take to promote the healthy social and emotional development of students at their schools. These recommendations are conceptually grounded in risk and resiliency theory and in the recognition that environments as well as individuals hold risk and protective possibilities. Focus is placed on protective possibilities that address the individual risk and resilience domains of autonomy, sense of purpose, social competence, problem-solving, and achievement motivation in classroom, peer, schoolwide, and family-school contexts.
Perceived Risk of AIDS among Prisoners Following Educational Intervention.

Abstract A pre/post quasi-experimental design was used to assess the impact of one state's AIDS education program on male (N = 75) and female (N= 65) inmates' perceived risk of HIV infection on the street and in prison. Post-test only comparison groups of male and female inmates were evaluated to control for the threat of testing. T-tests for paired samples were used to determine whether any significant changes occurred within groups (male & female), and t-tests for independent samples were used between groups to determine whether males or females experienced the greatest magnitude of change. Multiple regression analyses explored the relationships between selected independent variables, post-test perceptions, and magnitude of change. The men's levels of perceived risk declined significantly from pre- to post-test, whereas the women's increased (although not significantly) in two of three areas. Regression analyses indicated that change in perceptions was related to various variables (e.g., sex) outside of...
Treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children with trisomy 21.

Abstract Background: Nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction and tear film abnormalities occur frequently in children with trisomy 21. This study describes the outcomes of treatment for NLD obstruction in this population. Methods: The records of 15 children with trisomy 21 treated for NLD obstruction were reviewed. Eight patients were initially treated with NLD probing with or without placement of nonfixated lacrimal stents. Because of poor success with this procedure, the initial treatment of children with trisomy 21 and NLD obstruction was changed to balloon catheter dilation in 1997. Outcomes were considered excellent if the patient had complete resolution of epiphora and dacryocystitis, good if the patient had only mild residual symptoms, fair if the patient had significant residual symptoms, and poor if there was no improvement. Results: Of 8 patients treated initially with NLD probing, 5 had fair or poor outcomes. These patients all had good outcomes after placement of nasally fixated lacrimal stents, balloon catheter dilation, or both. Of 7 patients treated initially with balloon catheter dilation, 5 had excellent or good outcomes and 2 had fair or poor outcomes. Conclusion: Simple NLD probing is often unsuccessful in treating NLD obstruction in children with trisomy 21. Balloon catheter dilation appears to be a reasonable alternative first treatment in these patients. (J AAPOS 2000;4:230–2)
Gastric slow waves, gastrointestinal symptoms and peptides in systemic sclerosis patients

Impaired gastric slow waves, frequent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and altered GI peptides have been reported in Scleroderma (SSc) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among these three important components in GI dysmotility. Seventeen fasted SSc patients underwent four channel surface electrogastrography, measuring % of normal gastric slow waves or dysrhythmia. Patients completed a questionnaire designed by us to assess demographics, upper and lower GI symptoms (symptom presence, frequency and impact on quality of life, QOL), by YES/NO, Likert Scales and Visual Analogue Scales 1-100 mm (called GI Dysmotility Questionnaire, GIDQ) and health-related QOL by SF-36. Fasting plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and motilin levels were measured by peptide immunoassays. There were significant correlations between percentages of gastric dysrhythmias (bradygastria or arrhythmia) and a number of major GI symptoms such as nausea, abdominal bloating and pain. The plasma level of VIP was correlated positively with % dysrhythmia but negatively with % normal slow waves. Motilin was positively correlated with slow wave coupling (coordination). No major differences were noted in the measured peptides or gastric slow waves between limited SSc and diffuse SSc. Correlations were noted between SF-36 domain scores and our GIDQ scores. In SSc patients, gastric dysrhythmias are correlated with certain GI symptoms. Correlations are also noted between plasma VIP/Motilin levels and gastric slow waves. Thus in SSc, gastric dysrhythmias may be predictive of development of certain dyspeptic symptoms. Plasma VIP may be involved in the development of dysrhythmias.
Tectonic setting and provenance of the Neoproterozoic Uinta Mountain and Big Cottonwood groups, northern Utah: constraints from geochemistry, Nd isotopes, and detrital modes

Abstract The Neoproterozoic Uinta Mountain Group was deposited in an east-trending intracratonic rift bounded on the north by an active fault system and opening into a shallow sea on the west where the Big Cottonwood Group was deposited in an estuary. Although this rift may have been associated with the early stages in the breakup of Rodinia, it was not an aulacogen. Geochemical, Nd isotope, and detrital mode studies indicate that Uinta Mountain Group sediments were derived from mixed Archean and Paleoproterozoic sources with the former dominating. Big Cottonwood Group sediments appear to have been derived predominantly from Paleoproterozoic sources. The Archean sediment source is the Wyoming craton, and source rocks comprised dominantly granites enriched in Th, U, Y, Zr, Hf, and REE. The relative abundance of enriched granite implied by sedimentary rocks of the Uinta Mountain Group indicates that the Wyoming craton is anomalous compared to other Archean cratons. CIA values and A–CN–K relationships in shales of the Uinta Mountain and Big Cottonwood groups indicate high degrees of weathering of sources, probably in subtropical to tropical climates supporting a near-equatorial location for southwestern Laurentia at about 800 Ma. Differences in the Nd isotopic composition between the Big Cottonwood Group and Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in western Utah and northeast Nevada suggest a northwest-striking uplift in northwest Utah, possibly ancestral to the Paleozoic Toole–Uinta arch.
Fermi contours and surface dynamical phenomena

Abstract We present and analyze the application of angle-resolved photoemission to the study of surface systems where the breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation is evident. The results are generally presented in the form of the Fermi contours for surface-localized states with particular attention to how these are modified upon adsorption. The possible role in adsorbate vibrational damping of a surface band which brackets the Fermi level and which shifts smoothly upon adsorption is discussed using H/W(011) as an example. An empirical, symmetry based model is briefly presented to allow prediction, based upon photoemission results, of which adsorption systems might exhibit a strong breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Finally, we discuss the role of Fermi contours in damping surface phonon modes at non-zero wave number. Results for O/Mo(011) and W(011) are presented which may explain some the differences observed between the phase diagrams for these two systems.
Retrospective evaluation of admission criteria for paediatric electrical injuries

In the medical community, the practice of admitting all electrical burns for 24–48 h of observation, monitoring and laboratory evaluation is widespread. This retrospective review of paediatric electrical burns was conducted to determine which patients may safely be treated as outpatients. Retrospective analysis of all paediatric burns admitted between 1980 and 1991 identified 35 patients with electrical injuries. Patients were divided into two groups for analysis: those burned by exposure to household voltages (120–240 V; n=26) and those exposed to high voltages, in excess of 1000 V (n=9). The majority of household electrical injuries occurred secondary to contact with the household 120 V (2126). Contact with an extremity accounted for the largest number of these injuries (1826). The mouth was the second most frequent site of injury (726). Most of these patients (2026) had < 1 per cent BSA burn. No patient in the household-voltage group had an arrythmia that required treatment, nor were there any identified examples of compartment syndrome or other vascular complications. Seven patients did require minimal skin grafting. No deaths occurred in either group. The patients in the household-voltage group were significantly younger. High-voltage electrical injuries occurred in an older patient population and required more aggressive care and surgical intervention. This was evident at the time of initial evaluation. Based on these data, healthy children with small partial-thickness electrical burns and no initial evidence of cardiac or neurovascular injury do not appear to need hospital admission.
Imaging of the Cerebellopontine Angle

Pathologic processes within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) may present because of mass effect on local structures or on the pons or cerebellum. MR imaging is superior to CT for evaluation of the complete extent of a CPA mass and for characterization of its likely nature. MR is also superior to CT for the detection of leptomeningeal processes. Arriving at a short list of differential diagnoses requires a methodical approach, keeping in mind the location, signal, diffusion, and enhancement characteristics of the lesions. Advanced MR imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, are not usually needed routinely but may aid in the differential diagnosis when presented with atypical masses.
CDK5 and MEKK1 mediate pro-apoptotic signalling following endoplasmic reticulum stress in an autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa model

ER stress activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), which can ultimately result in apoptosis. Using a Drosophila model of ER stress, Ryoo and colleagues find that apoptosis is induced independently of the known UPR branches. They show that ER stress induces CDK5-mediated phosphorylation of MEKK1, which activates JNK and induces apoptosis.
Energy levels, wavelengths, and transition probabilities of Cu-like ions

Abstract Wavelengths, oscillator strengths, and transition probabilities for the electric dipole transitions between low-lying states (n = 4, 5, 6) of Cu-like ions are presented. The data are calculated from relativistic Hartree-Fock wavefunctions.
Decreasing the cost of metropolitan mass transit by optimizing resource allocation among public and private providers

This paper develops a mathematical programming algorithm that allocates a transit agency's resources among its private and public operators with the objective of decreasing the cost of transit in the urban area while holding total service constant
The RUSH Exam 2012: Rapid Ultrasound in Shock in the Evaluation of the Critically Ill Patient

Care of the patient with shock can be one of the most challenging issues in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. Even the most seasoned clinician, standing at the bedside of the patient in extremis, can be unclear about the cause of shock and the optimal initial therapeutic approach. Traditional physical examination techniques can be misleading given the complex physiology of shock. 1 Patients in shock have high mortality
Fail safe system for suppressing stimulated Brillouin scattering in large optics on the Nova laser

We have designed and are testing a `fail safe' system on Nova to suppress stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in large optics at the output of the laser. The system increases the laser bandwidth to prevent SBS and prevents pulses with insufficient bandwidth from being injected into the amplifier chain. It is thus fail safe. The system design and experimental measurements are presented.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Data Dependent Systems Approach to Modal Analysis Via State Space

The application of the Data Dependent Systems (DDS) methodology is proposed for the modal identification and characterization. Difference equation models derived from sampled free and forced response information are shown to quantitatively define the dynamic properties of the system. A modal decomposition of the DDS models, based on modern linear system theory in the state space format and analysed from the standpoint of theoretical modal analysis, yields the system eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and the parameters of a lumped structural model. The theoretical background is presented in detail; its validity is established by means of a simulation study. Advantages of the DDS approach are discussed. Although the simulation study, and to some extent the terminology, are based on mechanical systems, the method has applications in wider fields, e.g., electromagnetic radiation and scattering.
Inflight redesign of the IUE attitude control system

The one- and two-gyro system designs of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) attitude control system (ACS) are examined. The inertial reference assembly that provides the primary attitude reference for IUE consists of six rate sensors which are single-axis rate integrating gyros. The gyros operate in a pulse rebalanced mode that produces an output pulse for 0.01 arcsec of motion about the input axis. The functions of the fine error sensor, fine sun sensor (FSS), the IUE reaction wheels, the onboard computer, and the hold/slew algorithm are described. The use of the hold/slew algorithm to compute the control voltage for the ACS based on the Kalman filter is studied. A two-gyro system was incorporated into IUE following gyro failure. The procedures for establishing attitude control with the two-gyro design based on the FSS is analyzed. The performance of the two-gyro system is evaluated; it is observed that the pitch and yaw gyro control is 0.24 arcsec and the control is sufficient to permit extended periods of observation.
Magnesium pemoline and EEG sleep patterns in man

The effects of a single 25-mg dose of the alerting agent, magnesium pemoline, on the EEG-recorded sleep patterns of 10 normal Ss was studied by giving them either the drug or a placebo on two occasions a week apart just before bed. Over a 6-h sleep period magnesium pemoline had no effect on recorded sleep except to increase the frequency of rapid eye movements (REMs) within REM periods.
In Situ Methods for Quantifying Specific Radionuclides

Field spectrometry methods utilizing high resolution detectors can be used to quantify the concentration of radionuclides in soil, and the resulting external exposure rate. Advantages of the method compared to soil sampling followed by laboratory analysis are greater speed of analysis, integration of inhomogeneities of radionuclide areal distribution, and the immediate availability of data to guide further field studies. A disadvantage is that the calculation of results depends upon some knowledge or assumption about the distribution of radionuclides with depth in soil. The procedures necessary to calibrate and use a field spectrometer are discussed, and a practical guide is developed. Examples of uses of field spectrometry are the quantitation of complex mixtures of radionuclides in soil, the calculation of the resulting external gamma exposure rate apportioned by radionuclide, geochemical studies, preoperational and continuing studies at nuclear reactor sites, and the identification of short-lived, noble gas radionuclides in reactor plumes.
Carbohydrate/monomer complexes in aqueous polymerizations: Methylated-β-cyclodextrin mediated aqueous polymerization of hydrophobic methacrylic monomers

Hydrophobic methacrylic monomers were polymerized in aqueous media using methylated (1.8)-β-cyclodextrin (MeCD) additives. Hydrophobic monomers tert-butyl methacrylate (tBuMA), cyclohexyl methacrylate (CMA), and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (2EHMA) were each dissolved in chloroform with MeCD. Chloroform was then evaporated to yield solid monomer/cyclodextrin complexes. Complexes were shown by 1H NMR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to have molar ratios of monomer to MeCD as high as 0.72/1.00. The water-soluble complexes were readily polymerized in aqueous media using free radical initiation. During polymerization, hydrophobic methacrylic polymers precipitated and the majority of MeCD remained in solution. Poly(alkyl methacrylates) synthesized via this method exhibited number-average molecular weights ranging from 50 000 to 150 000 with polydispersities from 3.2 to 5.5 depending on monomer structure, and isolated yields were as high as 86%. Additionally, corresponding methacrylic/carbohydrate films were p...
Neuropathology and Molecular Genetics of Neurofibromatosis 2 and Related Tumors

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is an uncommon, autosomal dominant disorder in which patients are predisposed to neoplastic and dysplastic lesions of Schwann cells (schwannomas and schwannosis), meningeal cells (meningiomas and meningioangiomatosis) and glial cells (gliomas and glial hamartomas). Clinical and genetic criteria that distinguish NF2 from neurofibromatosis 1 have allowed more accurate assignment of specific pathological features to NF2. The NF2 tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 22q12 encodes a widely expressed protein, named merlin, which may link the cytoskeleton and cell membrane. Germline NF2 mutations in NF2 patients and somatic NF2 mutations in sporadic schwannomas and meningiomas have different mutational spectra, but most NF2 alterations result in a truncated, inactivated merlin protein. In NF2 patients, specific mutations do not necessarily correlate with phenotypic severity, although grossly truncating alterations may result in a more severe phenotype. In schwannomas, NF2 mutations are common and may be necessary for tumorigenesis. In meningiomas, NF2 mutations occur more commonly in fibroblastic than meningothelial subtypes, and may cluster in the first half of the gene. In addition, in meningiomas, a second, non-NF2 meningioma locus is probably also involved. Future efforts in NF2 research will be directed toward elucidating the role of merlin in the normal cell and the sequelae of its inactivation in human tumors.
Discontinuation of the plastic bag delivery system for carbon dioxide angiography will increase radiocontrast nephropathy and life-threatening complications.

AJR:197, November 2011 pure CO2 may have contaminants, such as rust, methane, and particulate matter. We recommend using a disposable aluminum or a stainless steel cylinder that has not been previously used and has been individually tested for purity. Some of the cylinders available for anesthesia may contain 80% oxygen and 20% CO2. If CO2 cylinders are purchased from other vendors, they should be tested for purity with a mass spectrometer (usually available in anesthesia departments) or using an inexpensive chemical reagent tube (Colorimetric Gas Detector Tube, Sensidyne). If an excessive volume of CO2 is injected into the venous side of the circulation, blood will be displaced from the right heart and pulmonary artery, resulting in a vapor lock phenomenon and possibly cardiac arrest. If excessive amounts are injected into the arterial system, there can be reflux into unwanted areas, such as the cerebral or coronary circulation, which might be lethal. Again, the cylinder should never be connected directly to the patient because even with the plastic bag system CO2 could rapidly flow into the vascular circulation. If the syringe is filled directly from the cylinder, the pressurized CO2 will expand in the vessel causing reflux into the adjacent vessel and discomfort to the patient. No system should include stopcocks, which could be inadvertently malpositioned, or additional 3-way stopcocks to fill the plastic bag system. The 1500-mL bag contains more than enough volume for most diagnostic and interventional procedures. If the bag is filled only to atmospheric pressure (flaccid), the amount of CO2 aspirated into the syringe is always accurate in volume. A closed airtight system is absolutely necessary because the partial pressure difference between the syringe CO2 and room air will result in rapid diffusion of room air into the syringe if the stopcock is left open [4]. Any system with stopcocks should not be used because the stopcock could be left open Discontinuation of the Plastic Bag Delivery System for Carbon Dioxide Angiography Will Increase Radiocontrast Nephropathy and Life-Threatening Complications
The Stock Statistics Parser

This paper describes how use the HTMLEditorKit to perform web data mining on stock statistics for listed firms. Our focus is on making use of the web to get information about companies, using their stock symbols and YAHOO finance. We show how to map a stock ticker symbol into a company name gather statistics and derive new information. Our example shows how we extract the number of shares outstanding, total volume over a given time period and compute the turnover for the shares. The methodology is based on using a parser-call-back facility to build up a data structure. Screen scraping is a popular means of data entry, but the unstructured nature of HTML pages makes this a challenge.
Fabrication of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 high-value integrated capacitors by chemical solution deposition

This report focuses on our recent advances in the fabrication and processing of barium strontium titanate (BST) thin films by chemical solution depositiion for next generation fuctional integrated capacitors. Projected trends for capacitors include increasing capacitance density, decreasing operating voltages, decreasing dielectric thickness and decreased process cost. Key to all these trends is the strong correlation of film phase evolution and resulting microstructure, it becomes possible to tailor the microstructure for specific applications. This interplay will be discussed in relation to the resulting temperature dependent dielectric response of the BST films.
Dynamical Kohn anomaly in surface acoustic wave response in quantum Hall systems near ν = 1 / 2

The dynamical analog of the Kohn anomaly image of the Fermi surface is demonstrated for the response functions to the surface acoustic waves (SAW) in quantum Hall systems near $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{1}{2}.$ Kinks appear in the velocity shift $\ensuremath{\Delta}s/s$ and attenuation coefficient $\ensuremath{\Gamma}.$ The effect is considerably enhanced under periodic modulation and can be observable in the geometry we propose, where the SAW wave vector is parallel to the wave vector of an external modulating potential.
Fluoxetine treatment affects nitrogen waste excretion and osmoregulation in a marine teleost fish.

Abstract Measurable quantities of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine, have been found in surface waters and more recently in the tissues of fish. This highly prescribed pharmaceutical inhibits the reuptake of the monoamine, serotonin (5-HT; 5-hydroxytryptamine), causing a local amplification of 5-HT concentrations. Serotonin is involved in the regulation of many physiological processes in teleost fish including branchial nitrogen excretion and intestinal osmoregulation. Since the gill and intestine are directly exposed to the environment, environmental exposure to fluoxetine has the potential of affecting both these mechanisms. In the present study, we test the potential sensitivity of these processes to fluoxetine by implanting gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta, intraperitoneally with different concentrations of fluoxetine (0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg g−1). Fluoxetine treatments of 25 and 50 μg g−1 were sub-lethal and were used in subsequent experiments. Fish treated with both 25 and 50 μg g−1 fluoxetine had significantly higher circulating levels of 5-HT than control fish, suggesting that any 5-HT sensitive physiological process could potentially be affected by these two fluoxetine doses. However, only fish treated with 25 μg g−1 fluoxetine showed a significant increase in urea excretion. A similar increase was not measured in fish treated with 50 μg g−1 fluoxetine, likely because of their high circulating levels of cortisol which inhibits urea excretion in toadfish. Intestinal fluid absorption appeared to be stimulated in fish treated with 25 μg g−1 fluoxetine but inhibited in 50 μg g−1 treated fish. Despite these differing responses, both doses of fluoxetine resulted in lowered plasma osmolality values, which was expected based on the stimulation of fluid absorption in the 25 μg g−1 fluoxetine-treated fish but is surprising with the 50 μg g−1 treated fish. In the case of the latter, the corresponding stress response invoked by this level of fluoxetine may have resulted in an additional osmoregulatory response which accounts for the lowered plasma osmolality. Our findings suggest that branchial urea excretion and intestinal osmoregulation are responsive to the SSRI, fluoxetine, and further investigation is needed to determine the sensitivity of these processes to chronic waterborne fluoxetine contamination.
Workshop Targets Development of Geodetic Transient Detection Methods: 2009 SCEC Annual Meeting: Workshop on Transient Anomalous Strain Detection; Palm Springs, California, 12–13 September 2009

The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) is a community of researchers at institutions worldwide working to improve understanding of earthquakes and mitigate earthquake risk. One of SCEC's priority objectives is to “develop a geodetic network processing system that will detect anomalous strain transients.” Given the growing number of continuously recording geodetic networks consisting of hundreds of stations, an automated means for systematically searching data for transient signals, especially in near real time, is critical for network operations, hazard monitoring, and event response. The SCEC Transient Detection Test Exercise began in 2008 to foster an active community of researchers working on this problem, explore promising methods, and combine effective approaches in novel ways. A workshop was held in California to assess what has been learned thus far and discuss areas of focus as the project moves forward.
Preparation and characterization of novel biodegradable tri- and tetraacrylate intermediates

Two biodegradable polymer intermediates, triacrylate 4 and tetraacrylate 7, were prepared by polycondensation reaction of ethyl β-hydroxybutyrate using glycerol and pentaerythritol as initiators and dibutyltin oxide as a catalyst, followed by functionalization of the hydroxyl end groups with acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethyl amine. These polymer intermediates were characterized using 1H-NMR and IR spectroscopic analysis and were employed as crosslinking agents during polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid to obtain the corresponding potentially biodegradable polyacrylates.
Is there a cost of meiosis in life history

Individuals who survive pass their entire genome to the next time period, while those who reproduce sexually pass only half of their genome. This observation has led to a “cost of meiosis” argument for life history, in which increased sexual reproduction can evolve only if the incremental gain in number of offspring more than twice exceeds the concomitant loss to survival. The age-structured genetic model developed here indicates that present measures for the cost of meiosis in life history obtain only if the number of progeny each living individual produces per unit time is independent of his or her age. For systems which meet this biologically important assumption, an approach to life history is delineated which bypasses biological restrictions from traditional models of age-structured selection.
Random word retrieval for automatic story generation

Over the past forty years, significant research has been done on story/narrative generation in which the computer is the author. Many existing systems generate stories by filling in a template or copying an analogous story (and changing the time, place, etc.) or by prompting the user to provide a start to the story. Very few systems generate variable stories without these techniques. While it is impossible to quantify a human writer's inspiration, we can consider a common exercise that authors perform; namely ‘writing prompts’. A writing prompt is just a topic or idea around which to start writing. The prompt can simply be a few words, which becomes the basis for a story. In this paper we present story generation from the perspective of how human authors create stories via writing prompts. The system will select a few random words as a prompt, which will form the basic parameters for generating a story. But unlike a human writer, a computer cannot intuitively know the context of a chosen word. Therefore, the Internet (and existing ‘Concept Knowledge’ systems) will be used to find the context for the selected words, thus guiding the story generation process.
Symmetry and asymmetry of human spatial memory.

Abstract Six experiments investigated the limiting conditions on and the causes of asymmetries in estimates of euclidean distance. Participants estimated distances between locations on recently learned maps or between buildings on their college campus. Estimates between landmarks and neighboring nonlandmarks were often asymmetric, but estimates between other pairs of locations were typically symmetric. These and other results were inconsistent with the predictions of models that attribute asymmetries to stimulus or to retrieval bias. A contextual scaling model of asymmetry is proposed. According to this model, asymmetries in proximity judgments are caused by general principles of human memory and judgment: (a) Stimuli differ in the contexts they establish in working memory, and (b) magnitude estimates are scaled by the context in which they are made.
Policing Nepotism and Cronyism Without Losing the Value of Social Connection

Antinepotism policies are common in work organizations. Although cronyism appears to be commonplace as well, official policing of cronyism is less common. We argue that social connections in some crony relationships and apparently nepotic ones may add considerable value to organizations. We also argue that policing of nepotic relationships can be a form of unfair discrimination when the perception of inequity, rather than its reality, is being policed. Finally we consider effective approaches that simultaneously preserve the value of social connection, avoid the actual ethical breaches associated with some social connections, and avoid any unfair discrimination on the basis of group memberships (in this case, family and friends).
Detoxification of multiple heavy metals by a half-molecule ABC transporter, HMT-1, and coelomocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Background Developing methods for protecting organisms in metal-polluted environments is contingent upon our understanding of cellular detoxification mechanisms. In this regard, half-molecule ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters of the HMT-1 subfamily are required for cadmium (Cd) detoxification. HMTs have conserved structural architecture that distinguishes them from other ABC transporters and allows the identification of homologs in genomes of different species including humans. We recently discovered that HMT-1 from the simple, unicellular organism, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, SpHMT1, acts independently of phytochelatin synthase (PCS) and detoxifies Cd, but not other heavy metals. Whether HMTs from multicellular organisms confer tolerance only to Cd or also to other heavy metals is not known. Methodology/Principal Findings Using molecular genetics approaches and functional in vivo assays we showed that HMT-1 from a multicellular organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, functions distinctly from its S. pombe counterpart in that in addition to Cd it confers tolerance to arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) while acting independently of pcs-1. Further investigation of hmt-1 and pcs-1 revealed that these genes are expressed in different cell types, supporting the notion that hmt-1 and pcs-1 operate in distinct detoxification pathways. Interestingly, pcs-1 and hmt-1 are co-expressed in highly endocytic C. elegans cells with unknown function, the coelomocytes. By analyzing heavy metal and oxidative stress sensitivities of the coelomocyte-deficient C. elegans strain we discovered that coelomocytes are essential mainly for detoxification of heavy metals, but not of oxidative stress, a by-product of heavy metal toxicity. Conclusions/Significance We established that HMT-1 from the multicellular organism confers tolerance to multiple heavy metals and is expressed in liver-like cells, the coelomocytes, as well as head neurons and intestinal cells, which are cell types that are affected by heavy metal poisoning in humans. We also showed that coelomocytes are involved in detoxification of heavy metals. Therefore, the HMT-1-dependent detoxification pathway and coelomocytes of C. elegans emerge as novel models for studies of heavy metal-promoted diseases.
The hCds1 (Chk2)-FHA Domain Is Essential for a Chain of Phosphorylation Events on hCds1 That Is Induced by Ionizing Radiation

hCds1 (Chk2) is an evolutionarily conserved kinase that functions in DNA damage response and cell cycle checkpoint. The Cds1 family of kinases are activated by a family of large phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-like kinases. In humans, ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinases activate hCds1 by phosphorylating Thr(68) . hCds1 and Cds1-related kinases contain the FHA (forkhead-associated) domain, which appears to be important for integrating the DNA damage signal. It is not known how ATM phosphorylation activates hCds1 function and whether the phosphorylation is linked to the FHA. Here, we demonstrate that the hCds1-FHA domain is essential for Thr(68) phosphorylation. Thr(68) phosphorylation, in turn, is required for ionizing radiation-induced autophosphorylation of two amino acid residues in hCds1, Thr(383) and Thr(387). These two amino acid residues, located in the activation loop of hCds1, are conserved in hCds1-related kinases and are essential for hCds1 activity. Thus, the hCds1-FHA domain mediates a chain of phosphorylation events on hCds1, which includes phosphorylation by ATM and hCds1 autophosphorylation, in response to DNA damage.
Chemically controlled reversible and irreversible extraction barriers Via stable interface modification of zinc oxide electron collection layer in polycarbazole-based organic solar cells

A spin-cast method is presented for the formation of phosphonic acid functionalized small molecule layers on solution-processed ZnO substrates for use as electron collecting interlayers in organic photovoltaics. Phosphonic acid interlayers modify the ZnO work function and the charge carrier injection barrier at its interface, resulting in systematic control of V OC in inverted bulk heterojunction solar cells. Surface modification is shown to moderate the need for UV light-soaking of the ZnO contact layers. Lifetime studies (30 days) indicate stable and improved OPV performance over the unmodified ZnO contact, which show significant increases in charge extraction barriers and series resistance. Results suggest that enhanced stability using small molecule modifiers is due to partial passivation of the oxide surface to molecular oxygen adsorption. Surface passivation while maintaining work function control of a selective interlayer can be employed to improve net efficiency and lifetime of organic photovoltaic devices. The modified cathode work function modulates V OC via static energetic barriers and modulates contact conductivity by creating reversible and irreversible S-shape current-voltage characteristics as a result of kinetic barriers to charge transport.
HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS to NEWTONIAN LIQUIDS IN AXIALLY ROTATED CANS

Overall heat transfer coefficients to water and silicone fluids in cans rotating in a steam retort were correlated by (Eq. A): ((A)) where the Reynolds number, pND2/μ, based on the rotational speed of the can, was varied over the range 12 < Re <44,000, the Prandtl number c0μ/k was tested between 2.2 and 2300, the can length to diameter ratio was varied over 1.11 < L/D<1.61, and the ratio of bulk to wall viscosities, μb/μw, was varied between 1.22 and 1.79. All fluid properties were evaluated at the arithmetic average of the initial and final temperatures of the can wall. Data for 106 trials were correlated with a multiple regression correlation coefficient of R’= 0.916. Internal film coefficients were about 7% higher than U values and can be calculated by h = (1.07 ± 0.04) U.
Depletion of neurons from preoptic area impairs drinking to various dipsogens.

Abstract We depleted neurons from the lateral preoptic region (LPO) of rats by iontophoretic application of the neurotoxin kainic acid (KA). Rats with KA-induced damage to LPO neurons drank less water than controls after subcutaneous (SC) administration of: (a) 5 ml of a 1.0 M saline solution or (b) 5 ml of a 30% polyethylene glycol (PG) solution. The drinking response to 1.5 mg/kg angiotensin 11 (All) was significantly smaller than was that of controls 15 min but not 1 hour after the SC injection. The experimental animals drank as much water as controls under ad lib conditions and showed normal drinking responses to low concentrations of hypertonic saline (0.5 M) or PG (10% or 20%).
Effects of prenatal stress on differentiation of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) of the rat brain

Abstract The present study was designed to determine the effects of prenatal malnutrition or environmental stress on the development of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN_POA). Pregnant rats were divided into a control group and two treatment groups (immobilization-illumination-heat or environmental stress, and nutritional stress). The two forms of stress were administered during the third trimester of gestation (days 14–20). Male and female offspring were sacrificed at birth, 20, and 60 days postnatally. The cross-sectional area of the SDN-POA was identified under light microscopy and was measured. The data confirm previous studies by showing a significant sex difference in the SDN-POA between control male and female rats. Prenatally stressed males sacrificed 20 and 60 days after birth showed SDN-POA areas 50% smaller than the nuclear areas of control males. The size of the SDN-POA of female offspring, however, was not significantly altered by prenatal treatments.
Usage Analysis of First-Generation Intelligent Transportation Systems Data Archive: Lessons Learned in Development of Novel Information Technology Application

ADMS Virginia is an archived data management system (ADMS) established to provide access to archived intelligent transportation systems data for use in numerous offline applications. The development team of ADMS Virginia faced the challenge—with limited experience—of developing an information technology-based system, that effectively anticipates uses of the system and users of the system. The team attempted to address this challenge, faced by many information technology professionals in the field of transportation, by using a spiral software development methodology and incorporating significant stakeholder input. This paper presents a usage analysis of ADMS Virginia. This analysis highlights key lessons learned that are of use to those developing ADMSs specifically and new transportation information technology systems in general. Key lessons learned include the following: (a) do not overspecialize early in a system's life, (b) anticipate a wide range of users, and (c) spiral development creates the risk o...
Physiological Responses of Adult Rainbow Trout Experimentally Released through a Unique Fish Conveyance Device

Abstract We assessed the physiological stress responses (i.e., plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, and lactate) of adult Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at selected time intervals after they had passed a distance of 15 m through a unique fish conveyance device (treatment fish) or not (controls). This device differs from traditional fish pumps in two important ways: (1) it transports objects in air, rather than pumping them from and with water; and (2) it uses a unique tube for transport that has a series of soft, deformable baffles spaced evenly apart and situated perpendicular within a rigid, but flexible outer shell. Mean concentrations of the plasma constituents never differed (P > 0.05) between control and treatment fish at 0, 1, 4, 8, or 24 h after passage, and only minor differences were apparent between the different time intervals within a group. We observed no obvious injuries on any of our fish. Our results indicate that passage through this device did not severely stress or injure fish and it...