cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative effects of virulent and avirulent poxviruses on cell cycle progression.

Abstract We studied the impact of tumorigenic poxviral infection on key regulators of cell cycle progression. Malignant fibroma virus (MV) is a virulent poxvirus that causes severe immunological impairment in vivo and in vitro. It also directs expression of important cellular regulatory proteins, such as p53. Its avirulent relative, Shope fibroma virus (SFV), has little effect on the immune system or p53. Accordingly we examined the effects of MV and SFV on the cell cycle in RK-13 rabbit kidney fibroblasts. MV caused an accumulation of cells in G2/M phase and decreased the percentage of cells in G0/G1. Prolongation of G2/M phase was associated with increased levels of cyclin B protein, decreases in cyclin A and cdc2 proteins, and diminished cdc2 activity. In contrast SFV did not affect cellular cycling detectably. SFV infection was accompanied by large increases in cyclin A and cdc2 proteins and increased cdc2 activity. Thus alterations in cell cycle transit during virus infection may reflect active direction in which virus induces changes in cell cycle regulators. Such changes may be important in the differences in virulence between MV and SFV.
Handedness but not dominance influences variability in endurance time for sustained, submaximal contractions

The purpose of this study was to compare endurance time and accompanying neuromuscular adjustments when left- and right-handed subjects used the dominant and nondominant arms to sustain submaximal ...
Functionalizing the GaN(0 0 0 1)-(1×1) surface II. Chemisorption of 3-pyrroline

Abstract Chemisorption of 3-pyrroline (C 4 H 6 NH) on the GaN(0 0 0 1)-(1×1) surface has been studied using mainly X-ray-excited Auger electron, electron energy loss and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopies (XAES, ELS and UPS, respectively). The XAES data show adsorption near room temperature with a total sticking probability of ∼0.05 and a saturation coverage of ∼0.34 molecules per surface lattice site. The ELS data show removal of the characteristic surface-state band centered at ∼3.4 eV and the appearance of a π→π * loss at 7.2 eV due to CC bonds. The UPS data, which have been analyzed with the aid of density functional theory molecular orbital calculations, indicate adsorption with the 3-pyrroline ring remaining intact. The results are consistent with bonding via the molecular N atom in a fourfold coordinated configuration bridging two surface Ga atoms, as proposed earlier for ammonia and aniline. However, in this case adsorption by charge donation from the molecular N non-bonding lone-pair orbital to a single surface Ga dangling orbital cannot be excluded on the basis of UPS alone. Adsorption causes a decrease in electron affinity ( δχ ≈−0.92 eV) due to a surface dipole layer, and measurement of δχ and of changes in band bending have been used to construct a partial energy-level diagram for the adsorbate-covered surface. Some results (ELS and UPS) are also given, for comparison, for the chemisorption of pyridine.
Absorption of ballistic phonons by quasiparticles in superconducting Pb

Abstract Phonon imaging of single-crystal Pb at T =2 K shows strong absorption of ballistic longitudinal phonons with wave vectors in {1 1 1} planes. A calculation of the phonon-scattering from quasiparticles on the anisotropic Fermi surface of Pb indeed shows concentrated scattering in these planes; however, the temperature dependence of absorption suggests an anisotropic gap with a minimum that is much lower than the accepted gap of Pb.
A simple geometric model for the syn-kinematic erosional denudation of thrust fronts

Abstract The syn-kinematic denudation history of contractional orogenic systems is explored using a simple geometric construction. The purpose is to gain a better appreciation of the relationship between thrust-related shortening and erosion at the front of an orogen, specifically in cases where rocks with marked differences in metamorphic grade are juxtaposed across faults. Although this analysis examines an obvious feature of orogenic fronts, that erosion and thrusting occur synchronously, the magnitude of the necessary erosional flux has not been appreciated. The front of an orogen is modeled as a wedge comprising one component represented by the elevation above the level of the thrust toe and a second, subsurface component, between the dipping slab and the level of the toe of the thrust. Because pressure is a simple function of overburden it is possible to calculate the horizontal distance from the toe to the point along the slab at any given pressure. Thrusting by itself does not effect pressures in the hanging wall, and hence the footwall would be expected to assume the pressure gradient of the hanging wall. If a thrust juxtaposes rocks that record markedly different equilibrium pressures, material must have been removed from the hanging wall syn-kinematically. If the thrust bounds the metamorphic front of an orogen and deposition occurs synchronously with thrusting in the foreland, removal of material is required to occur syn-kinematically, otherwise the thrust will bury the foreland. The amount of material that must be removed syn-kinematically is dependent on the pressure differential across the thrust and the dip of the thrust. For any given dip an increase in the differential pressure requires an increase in cross-sectional area that must be removed, both above and in the foreland direction of this point. From these simple relationships it is possible to calculate that at least 1 × 10 7 km 3 of material was eroded from the Main Central Thrust of the Himalayas between about 20 and about 15 Ma, and that a comparable amount must have been removed from the southern front of the Dabie Shan-Sulu region of eastern China between the Middle Triassic and Middle Jurassic. In both, approximately equivalent sediment volumes are preserved in the sedimentary basins adjacent to the orogens. In addition, the rapid increase in the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr of the seawater during the interval from about 20 to 15 Ma is compatible with erosion of this amount of material.
Prefamily Counseling: Working with Blended Families

According to the literature, approximately 50% of all Americans have some kind of step-relationship. Living in a blended family has become more commonplace, as have significant issues related to family members' adjustment to and day-to-day maintenance of them. In the majority of instances, blended families enter into life together with little awareness of what to expect, common problems blended families experience, and plausible solutions to the difficulties often faced. Based on the current literature and clinical experience, preblended family counseling, a framework approach that brings family members together prior to remarriage or cohabitation, has been developed.
RNA Structure: Describing the elephant

The three-dimensional structures of RNAs are notoriously difficult to determine. Functional comparisons of variant molecules and cross-linking experiments are providing new information for structural modeling.
Quick screening of plasmid deletion clones carrying inserts of desired sizes for DNA sequencing

Plasmids pWQX001 and pWQX005, constructed from pGEM-4 with an insert of 6.5 kb, were unidirectionally digested with exonuclease III and exonuclease VII. The DNA digests were ligated and used to transform competent cells of Escherichia coli DH5-alpha. The size of the deletion plasmid carried by each transformant was estimated through agarose gel electrophoresis of crude lysates without any purification of the plasmid DNA. Colonies carrying plasmid DNAs with different deletions of the insert were grown and their DNAs were purified through a miniprocedure. The size of each purified plasmid DNA was determined accurately after linearization of the plasmid with an appropriate restriction endonuclease. The remainder of the DNA preparation was sufficiently pure to be sequenced using Sanger's dideoxynucleotide chain termination method. An easy, quick procedure is described for the preliminary selection of templates for DNA sequencing after construction of deletion clones of recombinant plasmid DNA using exonuclease III and exonuclease VII. This procedure permits a rapid screening of large numbers of colonies and selection of those carrying plasmid DNAs with inserts of the desired sizes for sequencing. This procedure does not require purification of the deletion plasmid DNA.
The effect of temperature changes on a tubular heterogeneous catalytic reactor

Abstract Responses of a tubular heterogeneous catalytic reactor to changes in temperature have been studied experimentally as well as theoretically by means of a mathematical model. The model's predictions were found to be in good agreement with experiments for both a sudden increase and a sudden decrease in temperature. Theoretical studies of periodic temperature variations indicated that a higher production rate could be obtained than for steady state operation at the time average temperature.
Ascorbic acid blockade of muscle contractions by neurotransmitters and 2-aminoethanol.

Abstract On isolated tissues, reducing agents (Ascorbic acid, NaHSO 3 ) antagonized contractile responses of ACH, NE, ISO and 2-aminoethanol. Oxidizing agent, (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 abolished muscle relaxations produced by NE and Mg. Biogenic amines, catechol, hydroquinone and ascorbic acid which produced muscle relaxations also reduced oxidized cytochrome C, whereas ACH, 2-aminoethanol and (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 which produced contractions did not. It appears that the aromatic rings of biogenic amines behave as reducing portions of the molecules causing muscle relaxations and the aminoethyl side chains act as oxidizing portions causing contractions. The relative effectiveness of the oxidizing and reducing portions of the molecule in any given tissue may therefore account for the ability of biogenic amines to produce relaxations in one tissue and contractions in the other.
Fatigue Response of Aluminum Aircraft Structure under Engineered Residual Stress Processing

Advanced surface treatment methods for imparting beneficial residual compressive stresses into fatigue-prone metallic components such as laser shock processing (LSP) and low plasticity burnishing (LPB) have proven highly effective in prolonging the life of titanium turbine engine blades. The objective of the current effort was to experimentally evaluate whether similar life enhancement benefits are possible for metallic aircraft structures. Under this initiative, aluminum test specimens were processed using three engineered residual stress techniques, referred to as LSP 1, LSP 2, and LPB, and subsequently fatigue tested under uniaxial, constant amplitude loading conditions. Evaluation of the test results indicated that both the LSP and LPB processes, if carefully designed and applied, have the potential to increase the fatigue life of aircraft structural components.
Alpha adrenoceptors in the rabbit ear thermoregulatory microcirculation

The rabbit ear microcirculation was analyzed in a chronic unanesthetized model to evaluate alpha adrenergic microvascular control in a thermoregulatory end organ. This model allowed direct measurement of microcirculatory responses without the effects of anesthetics or inflammatory responses induced by acute surgical intervention. The ipsilateral facial artery was catheterized for drug injections into the experimental ear. Microvascular diameter changes following stimulation or blockade of adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes were observed directly through a chronic microvascular chamber implanted in the rabbit ear. Vascular alpha1- and alpha2-ARs appear to be distributed differently across the arterioles and AVAs of the rabbit ear. Both alpha1- and alpha2-ARs appear to contribute to vasoconstriction of AVAs in the conscious rabbit ear. In contrast, alpha1-AR's (vs alpha2-ARs) appear to predominate in adrenergically mediated sympathetic vasoconstriction of arterioles.
Superconductivity and magnetic susceptibility of TiU alloys

Abstract The superconducting transition temperatures of TiU alloys have been measured. They peak at a temperature of 3.8 K at 20 a/o U. Similar behavior is seen for Ti Cr, Ti Mo, and Ti W indicating that U in Ti behaves like a hexavalent transition metal and is not magnetic. Magnetic susceptibility measurements support this viewpoint.
Additive concentration effects on dicalcium phosphate dihydrate cements prepared using monocalcium phosphate monohydrate and hydroxyapatite

In our previous study, we investigated the setting time, mechanical properties and microstructure of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate cements prepared using monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) and hydroxyapatite (HA). Despite the use of sodium citrate as a setting regulator, setting occurs rapidly in the MCPM/HA system and further studies on other retardants are needed. In the present study, sodium pyrophosphate and sulfuric acid were tested to evaluate their effectiveness in maintaining workability of the cement paste. MCPM/HA cements at a powder to liquid ratio of 1.0 with sodium pyrophosphate and sulfuric acid at 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM were manufactured and studied based on their setting time, mechanical and porosity properties, phase composition, and microstructure. These measurements were compared to our previous data using sodium citrate. The results showed that the additives have a dose-dependent effect on the setting time. Their order of efficiency is sodium pyrophosphate > sodium citrate > sulfuric acid. However, the sulfuric acid group exhibited the highest compressive strength (CS) compared to the other groups. A lack of correlation between the CS and the porosity of the cements suggested that a mechanism other than porosity reduction was responsible for the CS increase. Since x-ray diffraction analysis did not indicate an effect on composition, explanations based on calcium sulfate dihydrate formation and changes in microstructure were proposed based on scanning electron micrograph observations.
Recession, inflation and the international monetary system

Abstract The difficult circumstances being faced by the world economy and its uncertain prospects for the 1980s make it necessary to take a new look at the present financial mechanisms and international institutions for monetary cooperation, with a view to adapting them to current needs and to developments in the near future. The industrial countries will have more modest rates of growth than in earlier decades, and this will have significant consequences for the developing countries: (a) stagnation of official development aid flows; (b) possible intensification of protectionist trends; (c) slow growth of producers of raw materials whose export markets will be seriously limited; (d) gradual shift of world economic and political activity toward oil-producing developing countries and, to a lesser extent, toward the exporters of manufacturers; (e) industrial countries and raw materials producers will become increasingly interdependent; (f) oil-producing and other higher income developing countries will increase their participation in regional economic cooperation and official development aid efforts. Some of the more specific problems which require attention from the international community are inflation and recession; structural disequilibria, recycling and external debt; adjustment process; creation of liquidity and transfer of resources; and participation of the developing countries in the monetary system.
From bedside to bench and back again: A 30-year saga

My work (Mark S. Gold) began in the 70s looking for the mechanisms of drug reinforcement and withdrawal. Through observation and experience, drugs of abuse and the drive for food appeared to be quite related. As pioneered by Bart Hoebel, food can become an object of desire and act in most respects as a drug of abuse. The Gold lab is investigating working models for pathological attachment to eating and food addiction. New pharmacological treatments which interfere with food reinforcement may be the next step.
A description of the Ross Ice Shelf air stream (RAS) through the use of self-organizing maps (SOMs)

[1] The low-level wind field across the Ross Ice Shelf region, Antarctica is studied through the method of self-organizing maps (SOMs). Emphasis is placed on identifying and characterizing the Ross Ice Shelf air stream (RAS). The RAS is a dominant northward stream of air resulting in significant transport of atmospheric mass from the interior of Antarctica. Two SOMs are created for the lowest model level (∼13 m) and the 5th lowest model level (∼150 m), from archived real-time numerical weather prediction output of the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS). A verification of the SOM for the lowest model level is completed by comparing select nodes to automatic weather station wind rose plots. The winds depicted in the lowest model level SOM are dominated by the position of the cyclone in the Ross Sea and the changes in wind speeds on the Antarctic plateau. The 5th lowest model level provides a better depiction of the RAS. The RAS is found to be present primarily when associated with a cyclone in the Ross Sea. There is a strong seasonality to the RAS with the RAS occurring frequently during the winter months and rarely during the summer months. The structure and position of the RAS is strongly dependent on the position of the Ross Sea cyclone.
Examination of candidate genes for hypoadrenocorticism in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

Inherited hypoadrenocorticism occurs in some dog breeds including the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR) and is thought to be due to an immune attack on the adrenal glands. The genetic cause of this disorder in dogs has not been identified; however, many genes have been associated with hypoadrenocorticism and other immune-mediated conditions in humans including AIRE, BAFF, Casp10, CD28, CTLA-4, FASL, PTPN22, and TNFRSF6B. Microsatellite marker loci were analysed for linkage with the disease phenotype in a pedigree of NSDTRs and excluded all genes examined, the exception being CTLA-4, which was neither excluded nor shown to be associated by this analysis. Thus, genes associated with hypoadrenocorticism in humans were not linked with the condition in the dog. Further examination is necessary to identify the genetic cause of inherited hypoadrenocorticism in dogs and this may reveal a novel gene not yet implicated with immune-mediated disease.
The Impact of Vulnerabilities and Strengths on the Academic Experiences of Twice-Exceptional Students: A Message to School Counselors:

The ever-broadening roles of school counselors range from traditional (advisor for college planning) to novel (advocating for students with learning difficulties or giftedness). A newly recognized group of learners, with both learning difficulties and academic strengths, known as twice-exceptional learners, has emerged. After a synopsis of federal legislation that has shaped the field of twice-exceptionality, the authors use two case examples to highlight the contribution of prevailing educational myths to the lack of attention to twice-exceptional students. They conclude with comprehensive recommendations.
Benefits and complications of the duodenal switch/biliopancreatic diversion compared to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background Despite providing superb excess weight loss and increased resolution of comorbid diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared to other bariatric procedures, the duodenal switch/ biliopancreatic diversion (DS/BD) has not gained widespread acceptance among patients and physicians. In this study, we investigated outcomes, symptoms and complications among postsurgical DS patients compared to RYGB patients. Methods We used propensity scores to retrospectively match patients who underwent DS/BD between 2005 and 2010 to comparable Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients. We then reviewed patient charts, and surveyed patients using the University of Minnesota Bariatric Surgery Outcomes Survey tool to track outcomes, comorbid illnesses and complications. Results One hundred ninety consecutive patients underwent primary DS/BD between 2005 and 2010 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. There were 178 patients available for follow-up (93.7%) who were matched to 139 RYGB patients. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia all significantly improved in each group. Improvements were significantly higher in the DS/BD group. Percent total weight loss was not different between groups. Loose stools and bloating symptoms were more frequently reported among DS/BD patients. With the exception of increased emergency department visits among DS/BD patients (P Conclusion The DS/BD is a robust procedure that engenders both superior weight loss and improvement of major comorbidities. Complication and adverse event rates are similar to those of RYGB.
Urgent thoracotomy for pulmonary or tracheobronchial injury

Three hundred eighty-eight of 7,283 (5.3%) admitted trauma patients underwent urgent thoracotomy. In 61 patients (15.7%), pulmonary or tracheobronchial injury prompted thoracotomy (11, blunt; 50, penetrating). Pulmonary hemorrhage necessitated thoracotomy in 54 patients (88.5%); tracheobronchial injury in five patients (8.2%). The mortality was 27.9%. Nine patients (14.8%) underwent pneumonectomy: eight died of intractable hemorrhagic shock during thoracotomy despite rapid control of pulmonary hemorrhage: one died of sepsis. Eleven patients (18.0%) underwent lobectomy: six (54.5%) died of concomitant injuries. Thirty-six patients (59.0%) underwent pneumonorrhaphy: one died of concomitant injuries. Five (8.2%) patients underwent tracheobronchial repair: one died of concomitant injuries. Pneumonectomy was uniformly fatal and should be a procedure of last resort in the treatment of pulmonary injury, as lobectomy and pneumonorraphy are better tolerated by these critically ill patients.
The First Supernovae

What were the first supernova like, and what nuclei did they synthesize? What limits our ability to accurately simulate their behavior? These and related questions are critically reviewed.
BRIDGING THE DIVIDE BETWEEN LOGISTICS AND MARKETING: FACILITATING COLLABORATIVE BEHAVIOR

Inter-functional collaboration can significantly improve service operations. Yet, despite the compelling need to increase collaborative behavior, our understanding of how firms' logistics and marketing departments view each other and of the behavioral factors that influence inter-functional collaborative behavior is limited. This study utilizes a descriptive, interview-based approach that draws upon the Critical Incident Technique to discover nuances and insights about logisticians' and marketers' often complex interactions.
Circulating angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in women with eclampsia.

Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether eclampsia has a different circulating profile of angiogenic (placental growth factor [PlGF]) and antiangiogenic factors (soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 [sVEGFR-1] and soluble endoglin [sEng]) from severe preeclampsia. Study Design This cross-sectional study included pregnant women in the following groups: (1) normal pregnancy (n = 40); (2) severe preeclampsia (n = 40); and (3) eclampsia (n = 20). Maternal serum PlGF, sVEGFR-1, and sEng concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The study results included the following: (1) the median concentration of sVEGFR-1 and sEng was higher and of PlGF was lower in severe preeclampsia or eclampsia than in normal pregnancy ( P Conclusion Eclampsia is associated with higher maternal circulating concentrations of sVEGFR-1 and sEng and lower concentrations of PlGF than normal pregnancy but with similar concentrations to severe preeclampsia. These findings suggest that eclampsia shares a common pathogenic pathway as severe preeclampsia.
A Prospective Case-Control Study of the Role of Astrovirus in Acute Diarrhea among Hospitalized Young Children

This study examines the importance of astroviruses as a cause of acute diarrhea in hospitalized children <10 years old during a 5-year period. Stools were screened by electron microscopy and were tested for astrovirus, rotavirus, and enteric adenovirus by EIA. During the study, 14.6% of hospitalized children had diarrhea. Astroviruses were second only to rotaviruses as etiologic agents of both community-acquired and nosocomial diarrhea. Community-acquired astrovirus infection occurred in 6.8% of patients, and nosocomial disease occurred in 16.2%. Most cases occurred from March through June, and astrovirus type 1 was the most common. The symptoms of astrovirus-infected children were similar to those of children with rotavirus infection. However, astrovirus-infected children had a lower median age, less dehydration, and lower symptom severity scores and were less likely to have been admitted for gastroenteritis than were children with rotavirus. Astrovirus, for which only rehydration therapy is required, should be considered as another common diarrheal pathogen in children <2 years old.
A technique for sustained synchronization of hamster estrous cycles by hormonal means

Abstract Rapid synchronization of hamster estrous cycles was achieved by administration of two subcutaneous injections of 7.5 μg of estradiol, given 24 hr apart, followed by one injection of 1 mg of progesterone/135 g body weight, given 20 hr after the last estradiol injection. Behavioral estrus occurred 4 hr after the injection of progesterone. Synchronized animals were mated during the second natural estrus following hormone treatment. Abnormal vaginal discharges were noted in most animals during the first few days after treatment, and, occasionally, a dissociation between behavioral and vaginal estrus was observed. However, by the second natural estrus after treatment, 69% of the colony demonstrated synchronized estrous cycles, both vaginally and behaviorally, and all abnormal discharges disappeared. The fertility rate was comparable to that in the colony from which the treated animals were taken, and the gestation period was normal, with an 8-hr range in onset of parturition. Offspring were normal in litter size, body weight, time of eye and vagina opening, sex ratio, and regularity of estrus. It was concluded that the technique is suitable for use by investigators interested in litter size and neonate development, in addition to those requiring time-mated or behaviorally synchronized animals. With the information gained from the experiment, a treatment schedule was devised which would produce 94% synchronization in a colony.
Powering the world with nuclear energy – past, present, and inevitable future

Purpose – The article aims to explore the potential for pebble‐bed high‐temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology to meet possible future energy shortages.Design/methodology/approach – The historical evolution of nuclear power is reviewed followed by empirical data that demonstrate the finite nature of oil and gas reserves. The characteristics of HTGR technology are then explored.Findings – A pebble‐bed HTGR ameliorates nuclear waste disposal issues, does not disgorge large quantities of excess heat, is terrorist‐resistant, solves persistent problems concerning weapon proliferation, and is inherently safe.Originality/value – The article makes the case for the US Department of Energy to take the lead in demonstrating a pebble‐bed HTGR plant to overcome industry reluctance to invest in this technology.
The Linkage Between Deviant Lifestyles and Victimization An Examination From a Life Course Perspective

A small but growing body of research has demonstrated the merits of linking victimization to a life course perspective. Although cross-sectional studies have shown a strong association between deviant lifestyles and victimization, few have assessed this association from the life course perspective. Drawing data from a prospective, longitudinal study, the current study examines this association in a group of high school adolescents. Results from latent growth curve models show that (a) victimization and deviant lifestyles, measured as involvement in delinquent activities, affiliation with deviant peers, and time spent on unsupervised activities change over time; and (b) change in deviant lifestyle patterns leads to change in victimization patterns over time.
Constructive Decomposition of the Controllability Lie Algebra for Quantum Systems

In this technical note, we show how to use the analysis of the controllability Lie algebra of a quantum mechanical system to study its dynamics and facilitate the design of controls. We give algorithms to decompose the dynamics and describe an example of application to two coupled spin 1/2's.
Pseudocodeword weights and stopping sets

We examine the structure of pseudocodewords in Tanner graphs and derive lower bounds of pseudocodeword weights. The weight of a pseudocodeword is related to the size of its support set, which forms a stopping set in the Tanner graph.
Analysis of condensed tannins: a review

Abstract Plant condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins, PAs) have both positive and negative effects on feed digestibility and animal performance, depending both on the quantity and biological activity of the tannins that are present. In this review, the chemistry and analysis of condensed tannins (PAs) are examined. Our first focus is on the complexity of the structures of condensed tannins and our second emphasis is on the analytical methods used to evaluate tannins. The section on methods is subdivided into a discussion of methods to determine the amount of condensed tannins or total phenolics in a sample and a section on methods to measure biological activity. The methods to measure reactivity include assays involving protein binding and precipitation, as well as those that involve enzymatic and microbial inhibition. The last section of the paper discusses structure–activity relationships and provides information on how to select appropriate assays for measurement of the quantity and activity of condensed tannins.
Rare earth metal recycling

REs consist of the fourteen lanthanide group metals, Scandium, and Yttrium and are critical for advanced technologies, green technologies, and defense technologies. Nearly 200 minerals contain >0.01% RE metals but only a dozen have high enough quantities to be economically extractable. In this article, we will review the need for rare earth recycling, options available to recycle rare earth metals, and the possibilities and difficulties of recycling rare earths on an industrial scale. Even though processes are available to extract RE metals from waste products, most of them are still at laboratory scale and very few examples exist where they have been applied in industrial size recycling settings. Because rare earths are used in small amounts, a key challenge is the lack of information about the amount of rare earth metals in products. Nevertheless, preliminary findings show that specialized rare earth recycling lines may be technically feasible, but not economically profitable unless a broader systems perspective is taken.
Hierarchical simulation of high speed digital interconnects using a packaging simulator

A hierarchical strategy is presented which permits the tradeoff of modeling and simulation accuracy with simulation speed in the simulation of high speed signals on interconnects in multichip modules and printed circuit boards. Using a point modeling paradigm for discontinuities and impulse response thresholding a smooth transition is achieved between delay modeling and full circuit simulation. >
Association of outdoor recreation availability with physical activity and weight status in Minnesota youth.

OBJECTIVE: Examine macro-level associations of youth physical activity (PA) and weight status with availability of outdoor recreation resources (i.e., parkland, forestland, natural preserves, nonmotorized trails, and motorized trails) across counties in Minnesota. METHODS: Hierarchical regression models examined if availability of recreation resources significantly improved prediction of PA and weight status of 9th and 12th grade boys and girls (2010) across Minnesota counties. RESULTS: The inclusion of county-level densities of recreational land variables did not produce a significant increase in R(2) for any of the models predicting 9th grade outcomes, yet county-level densities of recreational trails did significantly increase R(2) for both levels of PA and weight status. In contrast, the inclusion of recreational trails did not produce any significant increases in R(2) for 12th grade outcomes, although the inclusion of recreational land did significantly increase the R(2) for 12th grade girls achieving 30min of PA 5 or more days of the week. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that various recreational land and trail types may have different impacts on and associations with PA and health outcomes. As such, it is important that future studies focus not only on parks, but also on other types of recreational lands and trails as well. Language: en
A strategy for building an amplified transcriptional switch to detect bacterial contamination of plants

We have designed and tested a transcriptional autofeedback loop that could be used to engineer plants to sense the presence of bacteria. The signal amplification circuit was built based on the biological switch responsive to the presence of bacterial flagellin. Several flagellin- and E. coli-inducible Arabidopsis promoters were cloned and tested in transient expression assays in Arabidopsis and lettuce protoplasts using a flagellin-based peptide. These were investigated either as direct drivers of a reporter gene, or as a component of a transcriptional autofeedback loop. Arabidopsis promoters from the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase 18 (ATXTH18) and cytochrome P450 family CYP82C3 monooxygenase worked well as biological switches. These promoters were incorporated into our feedback loop system for signal amplification. The inclusion of a transcriptional repressor reduced basal expression, thereby increasing fold-amplification of signal detection and fine-tuning the positive autofeedback loop regulation.
Effects of estrogen and progesterone administration on extracellular fluid

To determine the effect of estrogen and progesterone on plasma volume (PV) and extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), we suppressed endogenous estrogen and progesterone by using the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist ganirelix acetate in seven healthy women (22 +/- 1 yr). Subjects were administered GnRH antagonist for 16 days. Beginning on day 5 of GnRH antagonist administration, subjects were administered estrogen (E(2)) for 11 days, and beginning on day 12 of GnRH antagonist administration, subjects added progesterone (E(2)-P(4)) for 4 days. On days 2, 9, and 16 of GnRH antagonist administration, we estimated ECFV (inulin washout), transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TER(alb)), and PV (Evans blue dye). Plasma E(2) concentration increased from 17.9 +/- 4.5 (GnRH antagonist) to 195.9 +/- 60.1 (E(2), P < 0.05) to 245.6 +/- 62.9 pg/ml (E(2)-P(4), P < 0.05). Compared with GnRH antagonist (1.3 +/- 0.5 ng/ml), plasma P(4) concentration was unchanged during E(2) (0.9 +/- 0.3 ng/ml) and increased to 9.4 +/- 3.1 ng/ml during E(2)-P(4) (P < 0.05). Both E(2) (44.1 +/- 3.1 ml/kg) and E(2)-P(4) (47.7 +/- 2.8 ml/kg) increased PV compared with GnRH antagonist (42.8 +/- 1.3 ml/kg, P < 0.05). Within-subjects TER(alb) was a strong negative predictor of PV (mean r = 0.92 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05), and TER(alb) was lowest during E(2)-P(4) (5.7 +/- 0.5, 4.1.0 +/- 1.1, and 2.8 +/- 0.9%/h, P < 0.05, for GnRH antagonist, E(2), and E(2)-P(4), respectively). ECFV was reduced during E(2) (227 +/- 31 ml/kg, P < 0.05) compared with both GnRH antagonist (291 +/- 37 ml/kg) and E(2)-P(4) (283 +/- 19 ml/kg). Thus the percentage of extracellular fluid in the plasma compartment increased to 21.0% (P < 0.05) during E(2) compared with GnRH antagonist (16.1%) and E(2)-P(4) (17.2%) administration. Thus E(2) increased PV via actions on the capillary endothelium to lower TER(alb) and favor intravascular water retention, whereas during E(2)-P(4) PV increased via the combined responses of ECFV expansion and lower TER(alb).
What Makes a “Good” Reader? Asking Students to Define “Good” Readers

This article shares a simple questionnaire that can be used with students to ascertain their understanding of good readers and the strategies they use. Responses from a questionnaire administered in January and August in one fourth-grade classroom are categorized and shared. The responses show the students' belief that good reading is done by both adults and children. The survey also showed students had an increased awareness that multiple and varied strategies were used by good readers. Students articulated more comprehension-focused strategies in January than in August. More students felt they were good readers in January than in August. Vocabulary was overlooked by all students as an important component of reading. Extensive reading was used less often to describe a good reader in January than in August. The author encourages teachers to analyze students' perceptions of good reading to inform reading instruction and adapt instruction if necessary. Teaching students to read like proficient readers can only work if students have an accurate picture of what strategies good readers use.
A multiphase level set framework for motion segmentation

We present a novel variational approach for segmenting the image plane into a set of regions of piecewise constant motion on the basis of only two consecutive frames from an image sequence. To this end, we formulate the problem of estimating a motion field in the framework of Bayesian inference. Our model is based on a conditional probability for the spatio-temporal image gradient, given a particular velocity vector, and on a prior on the estimated motion field favoring motion boundaries of minimal length. The corresponding negative log likelihood is a functional which depends on motion vectors for a set of regions and on the boundary separating these regions. It can be considered an extension of the Mumford-Shah functional from intensity segmentation to motion segmentation. We propose an implementation of this functional by a multiphase level set framework. Minimizing the functional with respect to its dynamic variables results in an evolution equation for a vector-valued level set function and in an eigenvalue problem for the motion vectors. Compared to most alternative approaches, we jointly solve the problems of segmentation and motion estimation by minimizing a single functional. Numerical results both for simulated ground truth experiments and for real-world sequences demonstrate the capacity of our approach to segment several - possibly multiply connected - objects based on their relative motion.
Space-time interference cancellation in MIMO-OFDM systems

In this paper, a two stage hybrid interference cancellation and equalization framework is proposed for interference cancellation in the uplink of multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. The first stage uses time domain equalization to suppress cochannel interference, mitigate asynchronism, and shorten the postequalization channel response to be no longer than the length of the cyclic prefix. The second stage performs low-complexity single tap equalization and detection in the frequency domain. The framework is developed specifically for spatial multiplexing and is applied to multiuser MIMO-OFDM systems with asynchronism between users as well as to single-user MIMO-OFDM systems. Various equalizer design methods are proposed that determine the coefficients directly from the training data and are compared with methods based on channel estimates. The equalizer coefficients and postequalization channel response are found by solving a joint optimization that maximizes the signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) in the frequency domain. Simulations compare various training-based methods and show the proposed methods provide good bit error rate (BER) and SINR performance in a variety of interference scenarios.
Preprocessing for noise reduction of chaotic signals

Existing algorithms for filtering noise from contaminated chaotic signals require relatively high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). A preprocessing method is proposed for initial noise reduction in severe SNRs. This method uses all the difference vectors between the points in a small neighborhood of the point of interest to estimate more accurately the tangent surface described by Cawley and Hsu (1992). This preprocessing method is applicable to noisy data from any nonlinear dynamical system, because it does not require knowledge of the system dynamics. >
An efficient subspace sampling framework for high-dimensional data reduction, selectivity estimation, and nearest-neighbor search

Data reduction can improve the storage, transfer time, and processing requirements of very large data sets. One of the challenges of designing effective data reduction techniques is to be able to preserve the ability to use the reduced format directly for a wide range of database and data mining applications. We propose the novel idea of hierarchical subspace sampling in order to create a reduced representation of the data. The method is naturally able to estimate the local implicit dimensionalities of each point very effectively and, thereby, create a variable dimensionality reduced representation of the data. Such a technique is very adaptive about adjusting its representation depending upon the behavior of the immediate locality of a data point. An important property of the subspace sampling technique is that the overall efficiency of compression improves with increasing database size. Because of its sampling approach, the procedure is extremely fast and scales linearly both with data set size and dimensionality. We propose new and effective solutions to problems such as selectivity estimation and approximate nearest-neighbor search. These are achieved by utilizing the locality specific subspace characteristics of the data which are revealed by the subspace sampling technique.
Didelphic uterus and unilaterally imperforate double vagina as an unusual presentation of right lower-quadrant abdominal pain.

A 14-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with a three-day history of progressive right lower-quadrant abdominal pain that began on the second day of her menses. A 3-cm, tender, violaceous mass was noted on pelvic examination to the right of her vaginal introitus. Operative incision of this mass resulted in the drainage of 500 mL of old menstrual blood. Further evaluation identified this mass as a unilaterally imperforate hymen in a patient with duplicate vagina and didelphic uterus. This presentation of localized lower quadrant abdominal pain as a result of hematocolpometra differs significantly from symptoms due to imperforate hymen of a nonduplicated reproductive system and is exceptionally rare.
Achieving rigor and relevance in online multimedia scholarly publishing

This paper discusses the importance of relevance and rigor in scholarly publishing in a new media–rich world. We defend that scholarship should be useful and engaging to audiences through the use of new media, and at the same time scholarly publishers must develop and maintain methods of ensuring content accuracy and providing quality controls in the production of scholarly multimedia products. We review examples and a case study of existing scholarly publishing venues that attempt to maintain quality control standards while embracing innovative multimedia formats. We also present lessons learned from the case experience and challenges that face us in the scholarly publication of multimedia.
The Use of Communication Technology to Manage Work-Home Boundaries

Communication technologies have facilitated workers’ ability to integrate the home and work domains; however, these tools have also allowed each domain to more frequently intrude into the other. We examined workplace policies and norms, individual preferences, and family norms and expectations as antecedents of connectivity behaviors that utilize communication technologies to bridge the boundaries between home and work. The control of interruptions from communication technology was examined as a moderator of the relationship between connectivity behavior and work-family conflict. Data were gathered from employees of two universities (n = 290). We found that being required to be connected after hours and role integration preference were associated with higher levels of connectivity behaviors. Connectivity behaviors were not associated with work-family conflict, nor was there support was for the proposed moderator. Job type and hours worked after hours were significantly associated with both connectivity behavior and work-family conflict.
Mixed Valence, Crystalline Electric Fields and the Kondo Effect in Ce (Pd,Ag)3

The intermetallic compound CePd3 is currently of interest because it is thought to be1 an example of a system of intermediate valence room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Both lattice constant2 and magnetic susceptibility3 studies suggest a Ce ion valence of 3.45. The susceptibility3 is remarkably temperature independent varying gradually from 1.1 × 10−3 emu/mole at 300K to about 1.5 × 10−3 at 20 K, followed by an upturn below about 20 K which is thought to be due to residual magnetic impurities. This behavior is typical of systems thought to have intermediate valence such as CeSn3, α Ce, YbAl2 etc. The electrical resistivity of CePd3 is rather striking. Upon cooling from 300 K the resistivity rises from about 125µΩcm to a maximum value of 170µΩcm at 100 K and then drops dramatically to a value of about 10µΩcm at low temperatures. Qualitatively similar but far less pronounced behavior is observed for CeSn3 which has a maximum of 15µΩcm at about 200 K.
Algorithm Level Fault Tolerance for Molecular Dynamic Applications

Handling soft errors have recently emerged as an important topic in high performance computing. Though there has been a significant amount of work on algorithm-level fault tolerance (ABFT) solutions, they have been applied to linear algebra problems only. Molecular dynamics represents a popular class of computational applications that are susceptible to soft errors because of their long running nature, and yet there has been no ABFT solution for them. This paper develops such a solution. We show how we are able to map the key computational kernel of molecular dynamic to a matrix vector multiplication (MVM), in which the matrix holds the intermediate data, the vector comprises the coordinate of the atoms, and the final force is the matrix vector product. We adapt existing MVM based solutions to this problem, though additional optimizations are required for efficiency. Our effectiveness evaluation shows that our method can always achieve an F-score of over 0.9, provided an appropriate tolerance threshold is chosen. The overall overhead of detection and recovery is also always less than 10%.
Direct laser fabrication of nanowires on semiconductor surfaces

Periodic nanowires are observed from (001) orientation of Si and GaAs when the surfaces are irradiated interferentially by high power laser pulses. These nanowires are self-assembled and can be strain-free while their period is consistent with interference period. The nanowire morphologies are studied by atomic force microscopy. The observed period between nanowires depends on the wavelengths used and interference angle. The nanowire width increases with laser intensity. The narrowest nanowires observed have the width smaller than 20 nm, which is more than 10 times smaller than the interference period.
Wavefront encoded computational optical sectioning microscopy reduces depth variability in 3D imaging

Wavefront encoded (WFE) computational optical sectioning microscopy (COSM) is evaluated in simulation and experiment. Experimental results show that restoration variability due to spherical aberration is reduced by 23% in WFE-COSM compared to traditional COSM.