cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recovery of porcine aortic endothelial cell prostaglandin synthesis following inhibition by sublethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract Confluent monolayers of porcine aortic endothelial cells exposed for 10 min to 100 μM H 2 O 2 lose their capacity to produce prostaglandins in response to addition of saturating exogenous arachidonic acid. Significant recovery of prostaglandin I 2 and E 2 synthesis occurred within 3 h and full enzymatic capacity returned by 6 h. Reducing the injury by exposure to half the amount of H 2 O 2 allowed prostaglandin I 2 production to recover to a greater extent in 3 h, while cells exposed for 60 min to either 0.5 or 1.0 mM H 2 O 2 demonstrated no recovery. Pre-treatment with either actinomycin D or cycloheximide also prevented recovery following exposure to 100 μM peroxide. Injured cells did not recover when incubated with balanced salts after removal of peroxide, while incubation with medium 199 allowed for the complete return of synthetic capacity. Addition of 1% fetal calf serum in medium 199 did not facilitate recovery. Production of prostaglandins from endogenous arachidonic acid, released by either bradykinin or the ionophore A23187, was also inhibited by H 2 O 2 exposure, however, full recovery of this stimulated synthesis occurred within 3 h. Cycloheximide pre-treatment completely inhibited recovery of bradykinin-induced prostaglandin I 2 synthesis. These data demonstrate that sublethal concentrations of H 2 O 2 irreversibly inactivate fatty acid cyclooxygenase and that synthesis of new enzyme is required for recovery. This return of activity occurs more rapidly for production of prostaglandins from endogenous arachidonic acid compared with production following addition of exogenous substrate.
Photochemistry of Ortho, Ortho‘ Dialkyl Phenyl Azides

Phenyl azide, 2,6-diethylphenyl azide, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl azide, and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl azide were studied by laser flash photolysis (LFP) methods. LFP (266 nm) of the azides in glassy 3-methylpentane at 77 K produces the transient UV-vis absorption spectra of the corresponding singlet nitrenes. At 77 K, the singlet nitrenes relax to the corresponding triplet nitrenes. The triplet nitrenes are persistent at 77 K and their spectra were recorded. The rate constants of singlet to triplet intersystem crossing were determined at this temperature. LFP of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl phenyl azide in pentane at ambient temperature again produces a singlet nitrene, which is too short-lived to detect by nanosecond spectroscopy under these conditions. Unlike the other azides, the first detectable intermediate produced upon LFP of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl phenyl azide at ambient temperature is the benzazirine (285 nm) which has a lifetime of 62 ns controlled by ring opening to a didehydroazepine. The results are interpreted with the aid of Density Functional Theoretical and Molecular Orbital Calculations.
Single versus multiple systems of category learning: Reply to Nosofsky and Kruschke (2002)

Nosofsky and Kruschke (2002) argued that the singlesystem ALCOVE model (Kruschke, 1992) can account for the dual-task category learning data reported by Waldron and Ashby (2001). In our reply, we argue that Nosofsky and Kruschke overstated the ability of ALCOVE to account for the Waldron and Ashby results. In fact, ALCOVE has difficulty with these data, and we show that the only versions of ALCOVE that actually fit the Waldron and Ashby accuracy data make incorrect predictions about other previously unreported features of that experiment. We also show that the dual-system COVIS model (Ashby, Alfonso-Reese, Turken, & Waldron, 1998) naturally predicts these results.
Surgical treatment of erectile impotence using the inflatable penile prosthesis

The inflatable penile prosthesis provides a safe and effective means of surgically correcting male erectile impotence. This totally implanted, hydraulically operated device provides a means whereby a nearly normal penile erection can be attained when desired, with a flaccid penis at all other times. At the Mayo Clinic, the device has been implanted in 240 male patients who had erectile impotence. Patient selection depends on findings on a complete history, physical examination, routine laboratory studies, psychologic testing employing MMPI, and psychologic evaluation and consultation. Patient with either organic or psychogenic impotence are suitable candidates for penile implantation, the selection being based on specific criteria. The overall success rate with this prosthetic device has been 95%. Infection is the major pathologic complication, occurring in 3.7% and requiring removal of the device. Mechanical complications occur in approximately 5.5% of patients. All mechanical complications are correctable, but they usually require secondary surgical procedures. This experience indicates that the inflatable penile prosthesis is an excellent means of correcting male erectile impotence and reliably achieves the patient's preoperative expectations.
Codes and designs—existence and uniqueness

Abstract We illustrate many benefits of the marriage of codes and designs including details of the recent massive computer search for a projective plane of order 10.
Locating Breast Cancer in the Context of Women's Lives

Abstract Research has generally suggested that positive life circumstances may help alleviate the distress brought on by breast cancer. Little attention has been paid to the effects of negative life circumstances on women's adjustment to the disease. In this study, 110 women answered in writing an open-ended question about life circumstances (positive, negative, or both) that they perceived to have influenced their experience with breast cancer. Many women described both positive and negative circumstances, but negative circumstances were reported more commonly. The women described 28% of the negative circumstances as more salient or more distressing than breast cancer; these circumstances were coded as “negative distracting” circumstances. Exploratory regression analyses found that positive circumstances were associated with better adjustment and negative circumstances were associated with poorer adjustment. In addition, distracting circumstances were associated with better adjustment. Findings suggest t...
An “oblique effect” in the visual evoked potential of the cat

An oblique effect was observed in the amplitude of the VEP recorded from area 17 of the cat. The ratio of the responses to oblique gratings compared with responses to horizontal and vertical gratings averaged 0.77. Orientation dependence was strongest at low spatial frequencies, unlike the effect found in primates.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases

The cardiovascular effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) include vasodilation, antimigratory actions on vascular smooth muscle cells and anti-inflammatory actions. These endogenous lipid mediators are broken down into diols by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), and so inhibiting this enzyme would be expected to enhance the beneficial cardiovascular properties of EETs. sEH inhibitors (sEHIs) that are based on 1,3-disubstituted urea have been rapidly developed, and have been shown to be antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory, and to protect the brain, heart and kidney from damage. Although challenges for the future exist — including improving the drug-like properties of sEHIs and finding better ways to target sEHIs to specific tissues — the recent initiation of the first clinical trials of sEHIs has highlighted the therapeutic potential of these agents.
Oceanography of the North Pacific during the last 18,000 years: Evidence from fossil diatoms

Abstract Factor analysis of diatom sediment assemblages in the North Pacific defines five factors—Subtropical, Transitional, Subarctic, Production, and Okhotsk—which when mapped show distributions clearly related to those of water types and currents. The Subtropical, Transitional, and Subarctic factors exist in the corresponding oceanic Domains; the Production factor is confined to highly-productive cold-water environments of the Coastal Domain; the Okhotsk factor is probably an indicator of severe winter cooling and incomplete summer warming resulting in a subsurface temperature minimum. The factors can be treated as independent variables in a curvilinear regression analysis in which water temperature and productivity are dependent variables. Equations relating the factors to these parameters show a high degree of accuracy to estimate the parameters from a given fossil assemblage. Studies on a series of cores reveal a detailed picture of the North Pacific at 18,000 years B.P., during the peak of the last glacial event. Oceanographic effects included a strong cooling of surface and deeper waters in winter with incomplete summer warming, and heightened seasonal contrast, particularly along the Subarctic Front, which showed a seasonal latitudinal migration. Productivity was high throughout the northwestern Pacific, particularly along the Subarctic Front, probably due to increased shear between the gyres. After 18,000 years B.P., while temperature conditions remained glacial, productivity began to decrease. At about 14,000 years B.P. the steep gradients along the Front became more gentle, especially to the east, and the Transitional Domain was re-established. Winter temperatures warmed, and the subsurface layer of minimum temperature decreased as a result. By 8,000 years B.P. this transformation was complete, and the North Pacific assumed its present aspect.
Clinical trial in duchenne dystrophy. I. The design of the protocol

Therapeutic trials in muscular dystrophy have often been inconclusive. A protocol has been designed which selects patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and permits accurate measurement of their status. An integral part of the protocol is a system for checking on the consistency of the data obtained using a computer program.
Effects of Counterions in Heteropoly Electrolyte Chemistry. 1. Evaluations of Relative Interactions by NMR on Kozik Salts.

Evidence is accumulating for the major influence of the identities of counterions on syntheses and properties of various heteropoly anions. An easy and convenient NMR method is presented for evaluating the extent of significant association between heteropoly tungstate species and monoatomic metallic counterions (e.g., alkali metal cations). In diamagnetic [R2-P2W17O61-Th 4+ -R2-O61W17P2] 16- , the Th linkage is a flexible conducting bridge between the two substituted Wells-Dawson entities. A Kozik complex is a heteropoly species containing added delocalized “blue” electrons exchanging rapidly among several atoms (the belt W atoms of one Wells -Dawson unit in this case) while the same electrons exchange at a much slower rate through a conducting bridge. If a solution of the parent oxidized complex is reduced by 2 electrons per anion, the added electron pairs are distributed among the Wells-Dawson entities present, yielding an equilibrium mixture of oxidized, 4-electron-reduced, and 2-electronreduced complexes. The 31 P NMR spectrum of this mixture consists, for each of the two structural types of P atoms, of three lines: one for each kind of complex. The signal for the 2-electron-reduced species, which contains a pair of electrons in one heteropoly entity and none in the other, is a coalesced exchange peak located between the other two signals. These Th complexes have anti and syn conformations. When large firmly hydrated Li + is the only counterion, the complex remains in the anti conformation and the exchange peak is always exactly midway between the peaks for the oxidized and 4-electron-reduced species. When even small amounts of other alkali metal cations are present, they coordinate in a pocket between the heteropoly lobes of the Th complex, holding it in the syn conformation. In the syn conformation, the P atoms in one heteropoly lobe can sense whether or not the other lobe contains added electrons. This is manifested by the exchange peak moving offcenter between the signals from the oxidized and 4-electron-reduced species. The more concentrated the non-Li counterion, the greater the displacement of the coalesced signal. The order of effectiveness in the displacement is Rb > K > Na. These observations are explained, as are small changes in chemical shifts for all the species when K(H2O)m + progressively displaces Li(H2O)n + attached to the surface of the heteropoly entities. It is suggested that electron exchange through the Th and the K coordinated in the pocket adds to the stability of the syn-K Kozik complex.
Generalizing the modeling of fuzzy logic controllers by parameterized aggregation operators

Abstract We describe the type of reasoning used in the typical fuzzy logic controller, the Mamdani reasoning method. We point out the basic assumptions in this model. We discuss the S-OWA operators which provide families of parameterized “andlike” and “orlike” operators. We generalize the Mamdani model by introducing these operators. We introduce a method, which we call Direct Fuzzy Reasoning (DFR), which results from one choice of the parameters. We develop some learning algorithms for the new method. We show how the Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) method of reasoning is an example of this DFR method.
Retinoblastoma--genetic insights into neoplasia.

Retinoblastoma is a highly malignant ocular tumor that has been known to be hereditary in some instances. New information from cytogenetic and molecular studies indicates that there is a retinoblastoma gene and that the mutant alleles are recessive. The wild-type gene appears to be a suppressor of this neoplasia, and, when both alleles are lost, malignancy develops.
fezf2 expression delineates cells with proliferative potential and expressing markers of neural stem cells in the adult zebrafish brain

Fezf2 (also known as Fezl, ZNF312, or Zfp312) is an evolutionarily conserved forebrain-specific zinc finger transcription factor that is expressed during development and is implicated in patterning as well as neurogenesis in both zebrafish and mice. Despite these findings, the expression of fezf2 in the adult brain has not been well characterized, and fezf2 function in the adult brain remains unknown. The zebrafish has recently emerged as a new model system to study adult neurogenesis, given its similarity to mammalian systems and enhanced capability of undergoing adult neurogenesis. Through RNA in situ hybridization and using a fezf2 promoter-driven GFP transgenic line, we present data showing that fezf2 is expressed in radial glial progenitor cells of the telencephalic ventricular zone in the adult zebrafish brain, which co-express markers of neural stem cells and proliferation. Additionally, we identify the preoptic region and the hypothalamus as fezf2-expressing neurogenic regions in the adult zebrafish brain, where fezf2 labels progenitor cells as well as postmitotic neurons. Our findings establish Fezf2 as a novel marker for adult telencephalic ventricular progenitor cells that express markers of neural stem cells in zebrafish and lay a critical foundation for future investigation of Fezf2 function in the maintenance and differentiation of neural stem cells in the adult vertebrate brain.
Metabolism of primisulfuron by barnyard grass

Abstract Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus galli (L.) P.B.) is a grass weed species not controlled by the experimental sulfonylurea herbicide, primisulfuron (BEACON). The mechanism of resistance employed by barnyard grass was determined to be metabolism and not an insensitive target enzyme, acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS). Of the five weed species examined, barnyard grass was the fastest at metabolizing primisulfuron with an in vivo half-life between 1 and 2 hr. Two major classes of metabolites were produced and were found to be noninhibitory to AHAS. We have monitored the relative abundance of these metabolites by HPLC and have partially purified and characterized the metabolites. For one of the metabolite classes the initial step appears to be an hydroxylation reaction followed by glycosylation.
Nature and origin of through-going discontinuities in nonmarine foreland basin strata, Upper Cretaceous, Montana: Implications for sequence analysis

Two laterally traceable discontinuities (Montana, United States) that vary in character and origin provide a means of subdividing fully nonmarine strata into genetic packages that are likely related to changes in relative sea level. Both discontinuities are situated >100 km inland of contemporaneous shorelines, and both are characterized by features that render them distinguishable from other surfaces in the alluvial record (e.g., pervasive oxidation, persistent and unusually thick lags, extraformational clasts). The lower discontinuity probably formed due to a fall in eustatic sea level and appears analogous to a marine sequence boundary. The upper discontinuity probably formed due to a tectonically induced increase in the rate of base-level rise and lacks characteristic
Nonequilibrium dynamics of an ultracold dipolar gas

We study the relaxation and damping dynamics of an ultracold, but not quantum degenerate, gas consisting of dipolar particles. These simulations are performed using a direct simulation Monte Carlo method and employing the highly anisotropic differential cross section of dipoles in the Wigner threshold regime. We find that both cross-dimensional relaxation and damping of breathing modes occur at rates that are strongly dependent on the orientation of the dipole moments relative to the trap axis. The relaxation simulations are in excellent agreement with recent experimental results in erbium. The results direct our interest toward a less explored regime in dipolar gases where interactions are dominated by collision processes rather than mean-field interactions.
New Routes for Memory Retrieval and Reinforcement

Examining different aspects of learning and memory, Claridge-Chang et al. (2009) and Krashes et al. (2009) converge on the same set of neurons in the protocerebral posterior lateral 1 (PPL1) cluster in Drosophila melanogaster. The different roles attributed to PPL1 neurons demonstrate heterogeneity of function in small neuronal subsets of the Drosophila brain.
Oxidation-resistant coatings for ultra-high-temperature refractory Mo-based alloys

The synthesis of robust coatings that provide protection against environmental attack at ultra-high temperatures is a difficult challenge. In order to achieve this goal for Mo-based alloys the fundamental concepts of reactive diffusion pathway analysis and kinetic biasing are used to design a multilayer coating with a phase sequencing that provides for structural and thermodynamic compatibility and an underlying diffusion barrier to maintain coating integrity. The coating structure evolution during high-temperature exposure facilitates a prolonged lifetime as well as a self-healing capability. Both borosilicide and aluminide coatings that can be synthesized by a pack cementation process are demonstrated to yield superior environmental resistance on Mo-based systems at temperatures up to l,700°C and can be adapted to apply to other refractory metal systems.
Interlibrary Loan Meets Six Sigma: The University of Arizona Library's Success Applying Process Improvement

In 2004, the University of Arizona Library Document Delivery Team embarked on a strategic project to assess the service quality and cost of filling interlibrary loan journal article borrowing requests. The Document Delivery Team utilized a Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control process improvement method. Improvements that were implemented as a result of this study led to increased satisfaction, decreased turnaround time, and lower cost per delivered article. Customer satisfaction surveys were utilized to discover customer expectations and requirements and to evaluate the effect of improvements on the customer experience. Measurement of internal business processes and cost analysis tools were used to determine cost savings.
Information Regularized Maximum Likelihood for Binary Motion Sensors

We propose a pairwise mutual information based regularization technique for maximum likelihood sensor fusion in dense distributed sensor networks. The principle is demonstrated in target localization and tracking using a dense binary motion sensor network under a centralized data fusion framework. Simulations demonstrate that the information regularization enables the maximum likelihood localization procedure to provide significantly more accurate target position estimates compared to its unregularized counterpart, which is the current benchmark. The extensions of the information regularization principle to various sensor and data fusion problems such as outlier detection, and sensor failure identification are discussed.
Mortality from grossly encrusted bilateral pyelitis, ureteritis, and cystitis by Corynebacterium group D2

This is the first report of death due to gross encrustations of the entire upper urinary tract and bladder by Corynebacterium group D2 in a man with no history of renal transplantation or prolonged catheterizations. This case demonstrates that debilitated patients with a prior endoscopic procedure are at risk for this disease process. Prolonged treatment with appropriate antibiotics, acidification of the urine, and removal of crusts is essential for proper management.
Medical students’ reactions to aids: Influence of patient characteristics on hypothetical treatment decisions

A variety of nonmedical factors may influence treatment decisions for patients with AIDS. For example, some decisions regarding AIDS patients may be influenced by attitudes about homosexuality. In addition, people perceived to be “victims”; of events may be treated very differently from people perceived to be “responsible”; for their illness. To explore these issues, preclinical students were asked to indicate whether or not they would treat hypothetical AIDS patients. Two of the patients had engaged in high‐risk behaviors (multiple homosexual partners, intravenous drug use), and two had not (unaware female partners). Although students were equally willing to treat the IV drug user and his female partner, they were less willing to treat a patient who had engaged in homosexual relationships than his female partner. In this case, the decision to treat was influenced by attitudes concerning homosexuality but not perceptions of responsibility. Medical educators who are aware of these attitudes among their pre...
The short term predictive ability of earnings-price ratios: The recent evidence (1994–2003)

Abstract In this paper, I study the short-term predictive ability of earnings price ratios for the S&P 500 index from 94Q3 to 02Q4. Overall, I establish that both earnings price ratios levels and changes were effective in predicting index returns. However, I also uncover that this predictive effectiveness was quite volatile over the period. This finding may be interpreted either in a rational risk premium or an investor sentiment hypothesis. To examine the economic value of market timing using earnings price ratios, I implement both unconstrained and constrained trading strategies and uncover that, while market timing ability was the exclusive source of profits for the unconstrained strategies, positive market exposure accounted for a substantial portion of constrained strategies profits.
Issues and challenges in securing VoIP

Voice over the Internet protocol (VoIP) is being rapidly deployed, and the convergence of the voice and data worlds is introducing exciting opportunities. Lower cost and greater flexibility are the key factors luring enterprises to transition to VoIP. Some security problems may surface with the widespread deployment of VoIP. In this article, we discuss these security problems and propose a high-level security architecture that captures required features at each boundary-network-element in the VoIP infrastructure. We describe mechanisms to efficiently integrate information between distributed security components in the architecture.
Slumdogs vs. Millionaires: Balancing Urban Informality and Global Modernity in Mumbai, India

Abstract Mumbai and other Indian cities are rapidly transforming to address the needs of global commerce and the expanding middle class. Mumbai's vernacular environments, home to most working-class residents, are consequently being redeveloped using supermodern global aesthetics. The urbanism emerging from the current wave of modernism is an unprecedented radical departure from existing patterns of place. Proponents claim the new developments serve low-income residents' interests, when actually they ignore fundamental socio-cultural and economic realities. This paper considers two case studies, Dharavi and Girangaon, highlighting a subset of Mumbai's vernacular environments to argue for their significance and to explore alternative redevelopment approaches.
An approximate calculation of radiative heating and radiative equilibrium in the Martian atmosphere

Abstract A simple approximation to the equation of radiative heating has been developed for use in dynamical calculations in the Martian atmosphere. The integral equation is reduced to a linear algebraic equation by means of a trapezoidal approximation which pays particular attention to radiation exchange with the planet's surface and with space. The accuracy of the approximation is demonstrated both for radiative equilibrium and for perturbation heating calculations in a pure carbon dioxide atmosphere.
Operational Radiation Protection in High-Energy Physics Accelerators

An overview of operational radiation protection (RP) policies and practices at high-energy electron and proton accelerators used for physics research is presented. The different radiation fields and hazards typical of these facilities are described, as well as access control and radiation control systems. The implementation of an operational RP programme is illustrated, covering area and personnel classification and monitoring, radiation surveys, radiological environmental protection, management of induced radioactivity, radiological work planning and control, management of radioactive materials and wastes, facility dismantling and decommissioning, instrumentation and training.
Structural and Morphological Control of Mesostructures: Vanadium Based Nanofibers

Mesostructured vanadium−magnesium oxides (V−Mg−O) with various morphologies were synthesized at room temperature using MgCl2 and V2O5 as source materials and a large number of surfactants as templa...
Divergent Efficacy of Antibody to Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Intravascular and Peritonitis Models of Sepsis

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in the lethal consequences of intravascular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Escherichia coli sepsis was compared with that in bacterial peritonitis. Intravenous administration of E. coli LPS or E. coli (live or dead) resulted in large transient increases in serum TNF alpha levels, peaking at 90 min at 10,000-30,000 units/ml. In contrast, the serum TNF alpha response following the induction of bacterial peritonitis was substantially less, peaking at 200-500 units/ml. Sterile peritonitis (essentially nonlethal) and bacterial peritonitis (greater than 60% lethal) elevated TNF alpha levels to 1000-2000 units/lavage within the peritoneal cavity 2 h after challenge. Passive immunization with neutralizing goat anti-TNF alpha IgG improved survival from 8% to 75% in rats administered LPS intravenously but was completely ineffective in protecting rats from lethal E. coli peritonitis. Thus significant differences exist in the role TNF alpha plays in systemic intravascular models of sepsis and bacterial peritonitis.
A case-control study on breast cancer and body mass

A hospital-based case-control study was carried out to examine the effect of body weight/fat and physical activity on risk of breast cancer on 617 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases and 531 controls matched to the cases by age (+/- 5 years), race, year of interview (+/- 1 year) and hospital of admission. Breast cancer was not found to be associated with height, while being overweight appeared to be protective in premenopausal women [odds ratio, OR = 0.4 (0.2-0.7) for cases who weighted > or = 72.7 kg versus controls]. Increased body mass index (BMI) was protective in premenopausal women [OR = 0.4 (0.2-0.6) in breast cancer cases with BMI > or = 27 versus controls], but not in postmenopausal women, for whom it was a risk factor [OR = 1.5 (1.0-2.3)]. Few women reported any strenuous physical activity from ages 15 to 22 years (22% of premenopausal, 13% of postmenopausal women), and no significant effect on breast cancer risk was observed.
Speech timing skills of normally fluent and stuttering children and adults

Abstract This study was designed to explore the speech timing skills of normally fluent and stuttering children and adults producing two sentences, ten consecutive times at basal and modified speaking rates. Spectrographic displays of subjects' utterances in both conditions were made in order to obtain consonant, vowel, pause, and utterance duration measures. Results showed that (1) the two groups of children produced speech durational values similar to those of the two adult groups and (3) there were no consistent between- and within-group differences in the basal and modified rate conditions. Findings are discussed in terms of methodological and sampling differences that exist between the present study and past research on stutterers' speech production abilities.
Ranking continuous nearest neighbors for uncertain trajectories

This article addresses the problem of performing Nearest Neighbor (NN) queries on uncertain trajectories. The answer to an NN query for certain trajectories is time parameterized due to the continuous nature of the motion. As a consequence of uncertainty, there may be several objects that have a non-zero probability of being a nearest neighbor to a given querying object, and the continuous nature further complicates the semantics of the answer. We capture the impact that the uncertainty of the trajectories has on the semantics of the answer to continuous NN queries and we propose a tree structure for representing the answers, along with efficient algorithms to compute them. We also address the issue of performing NN queries when the motion of the objects is restricted to road networks. Finally, we formally define and show how to efficiently execute several variants of continuous NN queries. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithms yield significant performance improvements when compared with the corresponding naive approaches.
A micromechanical model for effective elastic properties of particulate composites with imperfect interfacial bonds

Abstract A micromechanical model for effective elastic properties of particle filled acrylic composites with imperfect interfacial bonds is proposed. The constituents are treated as three distinct phases, consisting of agglomerate of particles, bulk matrix and interfacial transition zone around the agglomerate. The influence of the interfacial transition zone on the overall mechanical behavior of composites is studies analytically and experimentally. Test data on particle filled acrylic composites with three different interfacial properties are also presented. The comparison of analytical simulation with experimental data demonstrated the validity of the proposed micromechanical model with imperfect interface. Both the experimental results and analytical prediction show that interfacial conditions have great influence on the elastic properties of particle filled acrylic composites.
A Genome‐Wide Linkage Scan for Quantitative Trait Loci Influencing the Craniofacial Complex in Humans (Homo sapiens sapiens)

The genetic architecture of the craniofacial complex has been the subject of intense scrutiny because of the high frequency of congenital malformations. Numerous animal models have been used to document the early development of the craniofacial complex, but few studies have focused directly on the genetic underpinnings of normal variation in the human craniofacial complex. This study examines 80 quantitative traits derived from lateral cephalographs of 981 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Quantitative genetic analyses were conducted using the Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines analytic platform, a maximum-likelihood variance components method that incorporates all familial information for parameter estimation. Heritability estimates were significant and of moderate to high magnitude for all craniofacial traits. Additionally, significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for 10 traits from the three developmental components (basicranium, splanchnocranium, and neurocranium) of the craniofacial complex. These QTL were found on chromosomes 3, 6, 11, 12, and 14. This study of the genetic architecture of the craniofacial complex elucidates fundamental information of the genetic architecture of the craniofacial complex in humans.
Assessing current and projected suitable habitats for tree-of-heaven along the Appalachian Trail.

The invasion of ecosystems by non-native species is a major driver of biodiversity loss worldwide. A critical component of effective land management to control invasion is the identification and active protection of areas at high risk of future invasion. The Appalachian Trail Decision Support System (A.T.-DSS) was developed to inform regional natural resource management by integrating remote sensing data, ground-based measurements and predictive modelling products. By incorporating NASA's remote sensing data and modelling capacities from the Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS), this study examined the current habitat suitability and projected suitable habitat for the invasive species tree-of-heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) as a prototype application of the A.T.-DSS. Species observations from forest surveys, geospatial data, climatic projections and maximum entropy modelling were used to identify regions potentially susceptible to tree-of-heaven invasion. The modelling result predicted a 48% increase in suitable area over the study area, with significant expansion along the northern extremes of the Appalachian Trail.
Use of electrochemical techniques to study mass transfer rates and local skin friction to a sphere in a dumped bed

Electrochemical techniques are developed to study the details of the flow around a single particle in a packed bed. Initial work has been done with a dumped bed of 1 in. spheres. Results are presented on the variation of the mass transfer coefficient and the shear stress around the surface of one of the spheres, the overall mass transfer rates to a sphere in a bed of inert spheres, and the effect of Reynolds number on the local mass transfer coefficient and the shear stress.
Influence of sowing date and stand density on rutin level in buckwheat

The use of buckwheat as a source of rutin for medicine or food supplement requires a high content of this component in pimary row materials. The study was aimed at the investigation of the influence of stand density and sowing dates on the rutin content in the aboveground parts at the stage of flowering and achenes of two buckwheat species (Fagopyrum esculentum and Fagopyrum tataricum). The rutin content in the aboveground parts of buckwheat was significantly higher in plants sown in mid-May. The sowing date did not influence the rutin content in the achenes. The whole buckwheat plant contained the highest content of rutin in 25 cm rows with a sowing ratio of 200 achenes per square metre. However, the final rutin amount obtained from a buckwheat stand depended on the production of biomass. Common buckwheat provided a higher rutin yield because it produced a higher amount of biomass of inflorescences, the part rich in this flavonoid. Therefore 12.5 cm rows with 400 seeds per square metre are suitable for rutin production because of the higher number of plants. We can recommend tartary buckwheat for achene production as a source of rutin for human nutrition or food supplement because it provides twenty-fivefold more rutin than common buckwheat.
Brief Communication: Physician Interest in Volunteer Service during Retirement

Many “baby boomer” physicians are reaching retirement age, which is contributing to concerns about a physician shortage in the United States. If retired physicians volunteered to see patients, it w...
Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Teacher Educator Demonstration Lessons

How effective and beneficial is demon stration teaching? Putnam collected data from teachers, principals, teacher educators, and teacher candidates to determine their perceptions of the bene fits a...
Advanced Minimally Invasive Techniques: Management of High-grade Spondylolisthesis and Thoracic Metastatic Spinal Disease

Recentadvances in spine surgery technology and instrumentation have allowed for the development of minimally invasive (MIS) techniques. These muscle-sparing approaches have been demonstrated to provide superior, if not similar, outcomes to traditional open techniques. However, MIS techniques are associated with a steep learning curve and greater radiation exposure. Furthermore, while suitable for most degenerative spinal conditions, MIS approaches may not be appropriate for complex spinal pathology. This articlediscusses the literature onopen and advanced MIS techniques for high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis and metastatictumors of the thoracic spine. Additionally, the authors’ preferred techniques along with their associated pearls and pitfalls are presented for both complex pathologies.
Structural characterization of lignite coal and char with CaCl2

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of adding 1.4% CaCl 2 (by mass) to coal on both coal and char structure. It is the fourth study in a series related to boiler application involving this salt. In this study the effect of CaCl 2 on density, pore structure, and compressibility of coal were investigated. To obtain information on the state of dispersion of the calcium a number of tests were undertaken which involved x-ray diffraction analysis, x-ray microanalysis and infrared analysis. The results indicated that addition of CaCl 2 to coal did not alter the coal structure to any significant extent. However, the char from treated coal showed a more disordered structure. The results also showed that calcium was highly dispersed in char which explains its higher reactivity observed in a previous study.
Synthesis and Characterization of New 2,3-Disubstituted Thieno[3,4-b]pyrazines: Tunable Building Blocks for Low Band Gap Conjugated Materials

Synthetic methods have been developed for the preparation of new 2,3-dihalothieno[3,4-b]pyrazines, from which a variety of new 2,3-difunctionalized thieno[3,4-b]pyrazines have been produced as precursors to conjugated materials. Structural, electronic, and optical characterization of these new analogues illustrate the extent to which the electronic nature of the functional groups can be used to tune the electronic properties of the thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine unit.
Components for Acoustic Surface Waves Based on Narrow-Strip Cutoff Sections

A new class of components for acoustic surface waves has been developed which is based on a simple structure that is equivalent to a small section of below-cutoff transmission line. The components include power splitters, directional couplers, nonreflecting delay-line taps, attenuators, resonant cavities and certain types of filters. They have the additional advantage of working on any substrate, piezoelectric Or not. The theory for each of these components has been developed with the aid of accurate equivalent networks, taking into account the modifications introduced by the finite width of the surface wave beam. Limited measured results taken so far agree well with the theory.
Caltech launches Terrascope

Geophysicists at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, will get real-time data about Earth motions with a new advanced seismic network they are installing. The Caltech terrestrial telescope, or “Terrascope,” will ultimately consist of an array of at least 10 broad-band, high-dynamic-range, digital seismometers placed around southern California, linked by satellite telemetry, and serviced by high-speed computers. In addition to the advanced data-recording features, each Terrascope station will have receivers for the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and will be a permanent part of that geodetic network. Terrascope's seismometers will have a dynamic range about 10,000 times broader than ordinary seismometers, so they will be able to record large and small earthquakes on the same scale. With additional data, geophysicists will be able to determine more about such earthquake characteristics as fault area, energy spectrum, and duration of ground breakage.
Genome duplication and multiple evolutionary origins of complex migratory behavior in Salmonidae.

Abstract Multiple rounds of whole genome duplication have repeatedly marked the evolution of vertebrates, and correlate strongly with morphological innovation. However, less is known about the behavioral, physiological and ecological consequences of genome duplication, and whether these events coincide with major transitions in vertebrate complexity. The complex behavior of anadromy – where adult fishes migrate up rivers from the sea to their natal site to spawn – is well known in salmonid fishes. Some hypotheses suggest that migratory behavior evolved as a consequence of an ancestral genome duplication event, which permitted salinity tolerance and osmoregulatory plasticity. Here we test whether anadromy evolved multiple times within salmonids, and whether genome duplication coincided with the evolution of anadromy. We present a method that uses ancestral character simulation data to plot the frequency of character transitions over a time calibrated phylogenetic tree to provide estimates of the absolute timing of character state transitions. Furthermore, we incorporate extinct and extant taxa to improve on previous estimates of divergence times. We present the first phylogenetic evidence indicating that anadromy evolved at least twice from freshwater salmonid ancestors. Results suggest that genome duplication did not coincide in time with changes in migratory behavior, but preceded a transition to anadromy by 55–50 million years. Our study represents the first attempt to estimate the absolute timing of a complex behavioral trait in relation to a genome duplication event.
Involvement of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and other proteins in group I and group II intron splicing

Group I and group II introns catalyse their own splicing, but depend on protein factors for efficient splicing in vivo. Some of these proteins, termed maturases, are encoded by the introns themselves and may also function in intron mobility. Other proteins are encoded by host chromosomal genes and include aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and various proteins that function in protein synthesis. The splicing factors identified thus far appear to be idiosyncratic, even in closely related organisms. We suggest that some of these protein-assisted splicing reactions evolved relatively recently, possibly reflecting the recent dispersal of the introns themselves.
The role of the Peyer's patch in carcinogenesis. I. The adsorption from the gut and retention of 3-methylcholanthrene by Peyer's patches.

Radiotracer methods were used to determine the distribution of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) within the lymphoid organs of rats following i.g. intubation, i.l. injection into the small intestine, i.v. injection or direct injection of the Peyer's patches with 3-[6-14C]methylcholanthrene (14C-MC). The data indicate that the gut-associated Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes were exposed to higher amounts of orally administered 14C-MC than any of the other lymphoid organs. Whereas the Peyer's patches exhibited the highest sp. act. for longer periods of time when low amounts of 14C-MC were administered, the sp. act. of the mesenteric lymph node were greater when rats were intubated with higher amounts of 14C-MC. Furthermore, the Peyer's patches were exposed to higher amounts of possible metabolites of 14C-MC. Injection of 14C-MC into the small intestinal lumen resulted in increased ratios of the Peyer's patch sp. act. to mesenteric lymph node sp. act., indicating that by-passing the stomach altered the distribution patterns. Data from rats injected i.v. with 14C-MC demonstrated that mesenteric lymph nodes but not Peyer's patches adsorbed and retained 14C-MC from the blood and indicated that the 14C-MC associated with Peyer's patches of i.g. treated rats was adsorbed from the gut rather than from the blood. Results obtained from rats which were exposed to 3-MC by directly injecting Peyer's patches with 14C-MC also indicated that the Peyer's patches were able to retain 3-MC once localized within this lymphoid organ, to metabolize the 3-MC and to possibly excrete the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon into the small intestine. Collectively the data indicate that Peyer's patches have an important role in the adsorption from the gut and subsequent retention of 3-MC and hence may be a likely target organ for lymphoid carcinogenesis following oral exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Adsorption of adenine, deoxyadenosine and deoxyadenosine mononucleotides at the mercury-solution interface

Abstract The adsorption of adenine, deoxyadenosine, deoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate, diphosphate and triphosphate has been studied by a differential capacitance method at pH 9 at the dropping mercury electrode. All adenine species appear to be adsorbed in a flat orientation on the electrode surface with any substituent deoxyribose or deoxyribosephosphate tilted away from the surface. The area occupied by one adenine molecule at the electrode surface is close to 55 A 2 while that occupied by the deoxynucleoside and deoxynucleotides is very similar. Deoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate undergoes self-association and this is clearly evident from adsorption measurements. A method has been devised to calculate the equilibrium constant for self-association of dAMP using differential capacitance measurements.