cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trajectory planning for a reconfigurable mobile robot in mobile manipulating mode

The trajectory planning in the case of grasping a space target is researched in this paper for a reconfigurable mobile robot, Joint Locomotion - 2 (JL-2), in the Mobile Manipulating (MM) mode. The trajectory is composed of three segments, including the robot locomotion trajectory in plane generated by a cubic polynomial function, the trajectories of the end-effector adjusting its posture and approaching the target. Moreover, the forward and inverse kinematics of JL-2 with 8 DOFs is established. Based on the inverse kinematics, posture variables of the sampling points on the obtained trajectories are converted to the corresponding joint variables. With the movements of joints, JL-2 may accomplish the grasping task along the desired trajectory. The trajectory planning algorithm and kinematics models are simulated in MATLAB, ADAMS, and the real robot platform, respectively. The validity and rationality of the proposed method are verified.
Highlands management in a flood-prone watershed: Does reflexive reciprocity make a difference?

Abstract Poor levels of reciprocity (or “upstream/downstream” situations) are believed to discourage responsible actions and thus make sustainability harder to achieve. This paper presents a study that compares land use management resulting from concurrent reflexive reciprocal and nonreciprocal relationships in a Haitian watershed. The watershed is typically nonreciprocal in that flash floods and debris flows affecting the lowlands are thought to be initiated by upslope land management. It differs from conventional nonreciprocal cases in that the majority of people living in the lowlands own or otherwise manage upslope land. Concepts of reciprocity and self-interest indicate that downslope-residing land managers should implement more upland hazard-reduction conservation practices than upslope-residing land managers. This idea was tested using data on the number of soil conservation measures applied to upslope land parcels. The resulting multilevel model demonstrated that downslope households report employing more soil conservation measures in their upslope fields than upslope households. Additional communal actions to increase assurances of working in concert, however, are still needed to reduce disaster vulnerability.
Inhibition of ganglioside synthesis abrogrates neuroblastoma mediated lymphocyte apoptosis1

Purpose: Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that neuroblastoma (NB) induces lymphocyte death both in vivo and in vitro. Multiple soluble mediators may trigger this death mechanism. Gangliosides have potent immunosuppressive effects in both NB and other tumors; however, the mechanism has not been clearly delineated. The purpose of these studies was to determine if the inhibition of ganglioside synthesis by d-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morphilino-1-propranol (D-PDMP) could abrogate tumor-induced lymphocyte apoptosis by NB. Methods: FEMX, a potent ganglioside-producing melanoma cell line and 6-NB cell lines (SY5Y, BE, CHP126, IMR 32, EP1, SKNS) were grown under standard conditions and assayed for the production of the gangliosides GD2 and GD3 by fluorescent-activated cell sorting analysis. These cell lines were then treated with D-PDMP at doses of 10 and 20 μM for up to 5 days and ganglioside synthesis was assayed. The 48-hour PDMP treated and untreated cell lines were coincubated with the Jurkat T cells for 8 hours and analyzed by the JAM assay, a functional test for % T cell death (DNA fragmentation). The data were analyzed by Student’s t-test. Results: All cell lines produced GD2 at varying levels, while only FEMX was found to produce GD3. Treatment with the ganglioside inhibitor D-PDMP at 10 and 20 μM completely inhibited GD2 production at 48 hours. The results of coculture assay for percentage of lymphocyte death following D-PDMP treatment are shown below: legend. FEMX∗ EP1∗ BE CHP 126† IMR 32† SY5 Y∗ SKNS H w/o PDMP Rx 59.5 ± 5.5 62.7 ± 1.0 50.4 ± 3.9 42.0 ± 2.8 41.5 ± 4.3 31.0 ± 1.7 29.8 ± 1.2legend w/PDMP Rx R Rx 41.5 ± 1.0 49.3 ± 2.3 42.4 ± 1.4 2.1 ± 1.1 5.9 ± 1.9 23.6 ± 1.7 30.8 ± 1.1 legend Mean ± SEM, ∗p < .05, †p < .001. Significant difference in T-cell death induced by D-PDMP-treated (Rx) versus untreated tumors, n = 6. Conclusions: Treatment of NB cell lines with D-PDMP inhibits ganglioside synthesis. Ganglioside-induced immunosuppression by NB may be mediated by lymphocyte death. Therapeutic strategies directed at inhibiting synthesis of these potent immunosuppressants may now be devised.
Separation of IgG Fab and Fc fragments by isoelectric focusing

Abstract Preparative liquid isoelectric focusing in a sucrose stabilized gradient was employed to separate Fab and Fc fragments of human and chicken IgG. Immunoelectrophoresis was used to confirm separation of the fragments. The advantages of isoelectric focusing over the classical method of ion exchange chromatography are discussed.
Factor structure of posttraumatic stress among Western New York undergraduates following the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center

The structure of posttraumatic stress is of both theoretical and clinical interest. In the present study, seven models of posttraumatic stress were compared using confirmatory factor analysis. A sample of 528 Western New York undergraduate students was assessed 1 and 3 months after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. At the Month 1 assessment, the current three-factor Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) model, which consists of Intrusions, Avoidance/Numbing, and Hyperarousal, did not provide a good fit to the data; however, a four-factor model consisting of factors labeled Intrusions, Avoidance, Dysphoria, and Hyperarousal did fit the data well and provided better fit than the three-factor model and other competing models. Importantly, Dysphoria spans symptoms from the traditional DSM Numbing and Hyperarousal clusters. The four-factor model continued to fit the data well at Month 3. These findings parallel the results of earlier studies which suggest that a four-factor model better reflects the nature of posttraumatic stress than do simpler models, including the DSM. The present work is consistent with a dimensional model of stress responses and calls for further longitudinal work in this area.
Validation of lithography based on the controlled movement of light-emitting particles

A novel particle-based lithography is proposed. In this approach a particle moving in a liquid in contact with a light-sensitive substrate creates traces on that substrate (for example on a photoresist or on a photographic film). The light-emitting particle causes photochemical/photoelectric changes in the light-sensitive substrate, creating a latent image. A group of these particles can be used to write many features on the same substrate in a parallel manner. We investigate the use of electrokinetic forces to move the particles over the light-sensitive substrate. We also report on the use of high-aspect-ratio carbon MEMS (C-MEMS) electrodes as 3D dielectrophoretic traps for the light-emitting particles and investigate the feasibility of using these carbon electrodes to manipulate the light-emitting particles to trace sub-micron patterns on a light-sensitive surface. We propose two types of particle-based lithography schemes and discuss applicable scaling laws. Feasibility experiments were carried out using microscale devices.
Review of the Mydid genus Opomydas Curran (Diptera: Mydidae)

The genus Opomydas Curran (Diptera: Mydidae) is reviewed with 2 species recognized: O. townsendi (Williston) and O. limbatus (Williston). Opomydas aihamas (Seguy) is a new junior subjective synonym of O. limbatus . The male and female genitalia of both species are illustrated for comparison.
SSRIs act as selective brain steroidogenic stimulants (SBSSs) at low doses that are inactive on 5-HT reuptake

Brain principal glutamatergic neurons synthesize 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (Allo), a neurosteroid that potently, positively, and allosterically modulates GABA action at GABA(A) receptors. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Allo levels are decreased in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression. This decrease is corrected by fluoxetine in doses that improve depressive symptoms. Emotional-like behavioral dysfunctions (aggression, fear, and anxiety) associated with a decrease of cortico-limbic Allo content can be induced in mice by social isolation. In socially isolated mice, fluoxetine and analogs stereospecifically normalize the decrease of Allo biosynthesis and improve behavioral dysfunctions by a mechanism independent from 5-HT reuptake inhibition. Thus, fluoxetine and related congeners facilitate GABA(A) receptor neurotransmission and effectively ameliorate emotional and anxiety disorders and depression by acting as selective brain steroidogenic stimulants (SBSSs).
The use of uh and um by 3- and 4-year-old native English-speaking children: Not quite right but not completely wrong

The delay markers (DMs) uh and um are often used by adult English speakers to indicate that an upcoming pause is due to a speech disruption, not the end of a conversational turn. Moreover, uh and u...
Cell-Free Protein Synthesis in Microfluidic Array Devices

We report the development of a microfluidic array device for continuous-exchange, cell-free protein synthesis. The advantages of protein expression in the microfluidic array include (1) the potential to achieve high-throughput protein expression, matching the throughput of gene discovery; (2) more than 2 orders of magnitude reduction in reagent consumption, decreasing the cost of protein synthesis; and (3) the possibility to integrate with detection for rapid protein analysis, eliminating the need to harvest proteins. The device consists of an array of units, and each unit can be used for production of an individual protein. The unit comprises a tray chamber for in vitro protein expression and a well chamber as a nutrient reservoir. The tray is nested in the well, and they are separated by a dialysis membrane and connected through a microfluidic connection that provides a means to supply nutrients and remove the reaction byproducts. The device is demonstrated by synthesis of green fluorescent protein, chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase, and luciferase. Protein expression in the device lasts 5-10 times longer and the production yield is 13-22 times higher than in a microcentrifuge tube. In addition, we studied the effects of the operation temperature and hydrostatic flow on the protein production yield.
GENETIC VARIATION IN RARE AND WIDESPREAD LOMATIUM SPECIES (APIACEAE): A COMPARISON OF AFLP AND SSCP DATA

Plant conservation genetics has been hampered by a lack of markers for studies of levels and patterns of variation in rare species. We investigated the levels of variation in several rare and widespread species of the western North American genus Lomatium Raf. (Apiaceae) using two relatively new molecular markers: AFLPs and single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCPs). For each species, approximately 150 AFLP loci have been scored, yielding estimates of species-level percent polymorphic loci in rare species ranging from near zero to over 80%. Levels of AFLP diversity were similar in two of the rare species, L. bradshawii (Rose ex Mathias) Mathas & Constance and L. ochocense Helliwell & Constance, and the widespread species. The third rare species, L. cookii Kagan, which has small populations, has low levels of diversity based on AFLPs. We also examined nucleotide diversity at the single-copy nuclear-DNA locus glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gap-C). PCR-amplified segments were analysed for allelic variation using SSCPs, and intrapopulational nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in both L. bradshawii and L. cookii. In the 211bp segment of Gap-C analysed, five nucleotide sites were segregating within populations of L. bradshawii and two in L. cookii.
A prospective postoperative evaluation of urinary tumor-associated antigens in sarcoma patients. Correlation with disease recurrence

Tumor-associated antigens (TAA) excreted into the urine of sarcoma patients can be detected by the complement-fixation assay. The authors prospectively measured TAA levels in the urine of 50 sarcoma patients postoperatively to determine whether reappearance of antigen in the urine would be predictive of disease recurrence. Twenty-five patients developed recurrence of their disease in the postoperative period, and 24 (96%) had reappearance of antigen in the urine 10.1 ± 9.2 months prior to clinical evidence of recurrence. Of the 25 patients who remained disease free (mean follow-up, 48 months), 23 of 25 (92%) were urinary-antigen negative at last follow-up, although 8 patients had transient elevations of urinary TAA early in the postoperative period. Results indicate that postoperative measurement of urinary TAA in sarcoma patients permits selection of a subset of individuals at high risk for the development of recurrence. This knowledge can be of assistance in the postoperative management of these patients. Cancer 53:1306-1310, 1984.
Comparative genomics, minimal gene-sets and the last universal common ancestor

Comparative genomics, using computational and experimental methods, enables the identification of a minimal set of genes that is necessary and sufficient for sustaining a functional cell. For most essential cellular functions, two or more unrelated or distantly related proteins have evolved; only about 60 proteins, primarily those involved in translation, are common to all cellular life. The reconstruction of ancestral life-forms is based on the principle of evolutionary parsimony, but the size and composition of the reconstructed ancestral gene-repertoires depend on relative rates of gene loss and horizontal gene-transfer. The present estimate suggests a simple last universal common ancestor with only 500-600 genes.
Photochemically-Triggered Decarboxylation/Deamination of o-Nitrodimethoxyphenylglycine

o-Nitrodimethoxyphenylglycine (1) decomposes on photolysis at 366 nm to release ammonia and carbon dioxide, via a five-step mechanism (Scheme 1). We have obtained spectroscopic and kinetic data from experiment and calculation which support our mechanism. We have also confirmed that a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor bearing 1 as a photolabile cage releases a tight-binding inhibitor on photolysis at 366 nm.
Development of Structurally Ultrasmall Electrodes for Electrochemistry at Single‐Nerve Cells

Abstract : Electrodes having tip diameters in the few hundred nanometer range have been constructed by coating thin copolymer films onto suitable electrode materials that have been etched to very small dimensions. Desorption of the insulation from the exact tip of the structure is a key element in the construction of electrodes of suitable dimensions for neuronal analysis. Preliminary data obtained in collaboration with Yau Yi Lau of our laboratories shows the utility of these insulated, etched carbon fiber electrodes for analysis of neurotransmitter release from single nerve cells. (js)
Carboxylic acids as latent initiators of radical polymerization carried out in the presence of hypervalent iodine compounds: synthesis of branched and transiently crosslinked polymers

The acetoxy groups in (diacetoxyiodo)benzene, PhI(OAc)2, can exchange with methacrylic acid in various solvents yielding [(acetoxy methacryloyloxy)iodo]benzene or (dimethacryloyloxyiodo)benzene. The last two hypervalent iodine compounds can serve as inimers due to the presence of polymerizable moiety and the easy generation of radicals upon thermal or light-induced homolysis of the I–O bonds. PhI(OAc)2 was added to mixtures of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate, and upon heating to 80 °C, branched or transiently crosslinked polymers were formed. In homopolymerizations of methyl methacrylate initiated by PhI(OAc)2, i.e., in the absence of the monomer with carboxylic acid group, no branching or gelation was observed.
Conformal proton therapy for early-stage prostate cancer☆

Abstract Objectives. To assess the effect of proton radiation on clinical and biochemical outcomes for early prostate cancer. Methods. Three hundred nineteen patients with T1-T2b prostate cancer and initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels 15.0 ng/mL or less received conformal radiation doses of 74 to 75 cobalt gray equivalent with protons alone or combined with photons. No patient had pre- or post-treatment hormonal therapy until disease progression was documented. Patients were evaluated for biochemical disease-free survival, PSA nadir, and toxicity; the mean and median follow-up period was 43 months. Results. Overall 5-year clinical and biochemical disease-free survival rates were 97% and 88%, respectively. Initial PSA level, stage, and post-treatment PSA nadir were independent prognostic variables for biochemical disease-free survival: a PSA nadir 0.5 ng/mL or less was associated with a 5-year biochemical disease-free survival rate of 98%, versus 88% and 42% for nadirs 0.51 to 1.0 and greater than 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. No severe treatment-related morbidity was seen. Conclusions. It appears that patients treated with conformal protons have 5-year biochemical disease-free survival rates comparable to those who undergo radical prostatectomy, and display no significant toxicity. A Phase III randomized dose-escalation trial is underway to define the optimum radiation dose for early-stage prostate cancer.
A broadband UHF antenna on a non-uniform aperiodic (NUA) EBG surface

A new concept to design thin directional broadband antennas on EBG or HIS surfaces is proposed. Using our proposed concept an octave or more bandwidth is obtained with fairly thin EBG structures even at UHF frequencies allowing low profile antenna design and development. At the heart of the proposed scheme lies the concept of a non-uniform aperiodic EBG surface where the EBG patch size and their inter-element distance are varied according to a specific tapering profile.
Generation of Turbulent Inlet Conditions for Thermal/Velocity Boundary Layer Simulations

A new approach for simulating realistic turbulent temperature information at the entrance o f a computational domain which considers a spatially evolving turbulent boundary layer is presented. According to the method proposed by Lund et al . [3 ], turbulent velocity data is predicted from an auxiliary simulation. In the development section prior to the computational domain, the flow field is spatially growing. Here, the above mentioned subsidiary simulation generates inflow conditions through a sequence of simple operations where the velocity field at a downstream station, the so called recycle plan e, is rescaled using empirical scaling and re -injected at the inlet of the development section until reaching some convergence criterion. The same concept was employed by Kong et al . [2] for predicting turbulent inflow temperature fluctuations in Direct Nu merical Simulations (DNS) of a flat plate with isothermal and isoflux wall boundary conditions. Since the previous models use a single scaling as in the classical approach, not only for the velocity but also for the temperature fields; this research propos es new scales determined from the analysis of the RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier – Stokes) equations for the inner and outer regions. The velocity scales are based on the work of George and Castillo [1], meanwhile the temperature scales are able to absorb the effects from the pressure gradient, upstream conditions and the Peclet number dependence are a modified form of the equilibrium similarity analysis of Wang and Castillo. In this way, a broader range of turbulent inflow thermal fluctuations may be gene rated in the future , particularly; for pressure gradient flows . The new models are te sted in DNS over a flat plate with a zero pressure gradient. The rescaling process is done at each time step in the main flow simulation; in other words, our model does no t consider an auxiliary simulation.
Effects of temperature on the viscous behavior of blood from antarctic birds and mammals

Abstract 1. The shear-dependent blood viscosity of antarctic birds and mammals has been studied as a function of temperature and hematocrit. 2. The shear-dependence of blood viscosity of antarctic birds and mammals is similar to that reported for other species at 38°C. 3. The apparent viscosity of blood from antarctic species is greater than that from temperate zone species at 0 and 5°C. 4. An adaptive significance is suggested for the greater apparent viscosity and lower yield stress of blood from antarctic species compared to temperate zone species.
A deterministic polynomialtime algorithm for constructing a multicast coding scheme for linear deterministic relay networks

We propose a new way to construct a multicast coding scheme for linear deterministic relay networks. Our construction can be regarded as a generalization of the well-known multicast network coding scheme of Jaggi et al. to linear deterministic relay networks and is based on the notion of flow for a unicast session that was introduced by the authors in earlier work. We present randomized and deterministic polynomialtime versions of our algorithm and show that for a network with g destinations, our deterministic algorithm can achieve the capacity in ⌈log(g + 1)⌉ uses of the network.
In vivo toxicity of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (ALT) on CBA/CA mice

CBA/Ca male mice were given 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) in drinking water (1 mg/ml) for up to 7 weeks. Water consumption and body weight decreased significantly. Neutropenia and lymphopenia were observed during and after exposure. Significant macrocytic anemia developed and disappeared as a function of red cell life span after stopping AZT intake. A microthrombocytosis was seen. Bone marrow cellularity and spleen colony-forming unit (CFU-s) content fell, but recovered completely and quickly after terminating AZT intake. Hemopoietic stem cell function measured by 2 different methods of rescuing fatally irradiated mice was normal 4 weeks after AZT exposure, suggesting that AZT treatment does not induce a long-lasting effect in genetic control of mitotic potential of stem cells. This is in marked contrast to exposure of CBA/Ca mice to benzene and ionizing radiation.
Inactivation of WBCs in RBC suspensions by photoactive phenothiazine dyes : comparison of dimethylmethylene blue and MB

BACKGROUND: The transfusion of blood components containing WBCs can cause unwanted complications, which include virus transmission, transfusion-associated GVHD, alloimmunization, febrile reactions, and immunomodulation. Phototreatment with 4 μM of dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) and 13 J per cm2 of white light irradiation has previously been shown to be an effective way to inactivate different models of enveloped and nonenveloped viruses in RBC suspensions, with minimum damage to RBCs. The present study compares WBC photoinactivation in buffy coat after DMMB or MB phototreatment under virucidal conditions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Buffy coat diluted to 30-percent Hct was treated with the dye and white light. Isolated WBCs were assayed for cell proliferation and viability by an assay using a tetrazolium compound, limiting dilution analysis, DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry assays. RESULTS: DMMB and 2.5 J per cm2 of light phototreat-ment can inactivate T cells to the limit of detection by limiting dilution analysis (>4.76 log reduction). No WBC proliferation activity was observed after DMMB and 3.8 J per cm2 of light. DNA degradation after DMMB phototreatment was light dependent. In addition, DMMB phototreatment induced apoptosis in WBCs. In contrast, MB phototreatment under virucidal conditions did not cause significant changes in the viability of WBCs. Neither DNA degradation nor signs of apoptosis were observed after MB phototreatment. CONCLUSION: DMMB phototreatment inactivates T-lymphocytes, the cells that cause GVHD.
Chronic treatment with desipramine improves cognitive performance of rats in an attentional set-shifting test

Alterations in central monoaminergic neurotransmission are important in the actions of many antidepressants. This study tested the hypothesis that tonic elevation of noradrenergic (NA) neurotransmission in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by chronic treatment with the selective norepinephrine (NE) reuptake blocker desipramine (DMI) may contribute to the beneficial cognitive effects of this antidepressant drug (AD). Male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with DMI acutely (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or chronically for 21 days (7.5 mg/kg/day via osmotic minipump) before assessing performance on an attentional set-shifting test. The extradimensional set-shifting component of this test reflects a process of cognitive flexibility that is dependent upon mPFC, and that we have shown previously to be facilitated by NA activity in mPFC. Microdialysis was performed to measure NE release in mPFC concurrently with behavioral testing. Acute DMI treatment produced an increase in extracellular NE levels in mPFC, and a modest improvement in overall performance across all task stages of the attentional set-shifting test, but failed to produce a significant improvement in any of the individual specific tasks comprising the test sequence. Chronic DMI treatment tonically elevated basal extracellular NE levels in mPFC, associated with a significant improvement in performance specifically on the extradimensional set-shifting component of the test. There was also a significant reduction in set loss errors in rats treated chronically with DMI. Hence, tonic elevation of NA transmission in mPFC by chronic DMI treatment was associated with a time-dependent facilitation of cognitive flexibility that may contribute to the mechanism whereby chronic treatment with ADs, specifically NE reuptake blockers, may exert a beneficial therapeutic effect on cognition in depressed patients.
Perspectives of an American University of Beirut graduate on nursing scholarship.

Nursing scholarship is necessary for the advancement of the nursing discipline. Engaging in scholarly activities is every nurse’s responsibility regardless of job title, position, or practice setting. Scholarship today is no longer limited to the practice of academicians and scientists; rather, it is integral to the work of nurse leaders, clinicians, health policy specialists, researchers, and educators. The scholarly contributions of nurses have been noted at regional, national, even international levels. This article describes a renewed and contemporary view on nursing scholarship and discusses the role of the nurse in promoting the nursing profession using scholarly activities.
Fourier-transform infrared study of the nematic order in thermotropic main-chain polyesters

Infrared spectroscopy has been used to analyze the microstructures of liquid-crystalline polymers in various mesophases. It was quite evident that there is little indication of conformational order associated with the flexible polymethylene sequences in the nematic or isotropic phases. However, additional spectroscopic evidence does suggest that polyesters with an even number of methylene units have a higher degree of lateral order when compared to those with an odd number in the liquid-crystalline state.
The saga of the spurges: a review of classification and relationships in the Euphorbiales

The saga of the spurges: a review of classification and relationships in the Euphorbiales. The order Euphorbiales, defined by Lindley in 1836, has undergone many vicissitudes to the present day. Over 30 families have been referred to the Euphorbiales by various authors, but most of them no longer appear closely related to the Euphorbiaceae. Several families commonly referred to Euphorbiales (or Tricoccae) in the 19th century now appear better located in other orders: Buxaceae in Hamamelidales (sensu lato), Empetraceae in Ericales, and Callitrichaceae in Lamiales. Several putatively related families, including the Aextoxicaceae, Stackhousiaceae, and Dichapetalaceae, appear to be of Celastralean affinity. The Simmondsiaceae, a problematical family once referred to the Buxaceae, have been included in the Euphorbiales in recent classifications, but the evidence for this is still inconclusive. Thymelaceaceae show a number of similarities to Euphorbiaceae, but share a greater number of distinctive characters with Malvales. The Euphorbiales show affinities to both the Malvales and Geraniales {sensu lato), and separation of these three orders between two major dicotyledon subclasses (Dilleniidae and Rosidae) appears questionable. The evidence does not support recognizing segregate families from the Euphorbiaceae such as the Bischofiaceae, Picrodendraceae and Stilaginaceae; the Euphorbiales are therefore best construed as containing a single major family, the Euphorbiaceae, as suggested by Hutchinson; the small family Pandaceae is also included in the Euphorbiales but may not be separable from the Euphorbiaceae. The recent classifications of Airy Shaw and Webster agree in many respects, and areas of disagreement indicate the need for additional data gathering and analysis.
Effect of chromophore-charge distance on the energy transfer properties of water-soluble conjugated oligomers

The synthesis of 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(3"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-propyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C3), 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(4"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-butyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C4), 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(6"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C6), and 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(8"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-octyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C8) is reported. Fluorescence energy transfer experiments between C3-C8 and the acceptors pentasodium 1,4-bis(4'(2",4"-bis(butoxysulfonate)-styryl)styryl)-2-(butoxysulfonate)-5-methoxybenzene (3), fluorescein labeled single-stranded DNA and fluorescein labeled double-stranded DNA in water, buffer, and methanol reveal the importance of hydrophobic and electrostatic forces in determining chromophore-chromophore close proximity. In water, the oligomers with longer side chain length show better energy transfer, as well as higher Stern-Volmer quenching constants (K(sv)), largely due to a stronger hydrophobic attraction between the optically active components. In methanol, the differences in energy transfer are leveled, and the oligomers with shorter side chain lengths show higher K(sv) values. Compounds C3, C4, C6, and C8 were also used to dissect the different contributors to DNA hybridization assays based on cationic conjugated polymers.
Tryptophan feeding adversely influences pregnancy

Abstract Additional tryptophan during pregnancy reduces embryo and neonate survival in the golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus . Relatively small doses of exogenous serotonin have been reported to cause abortions in several vertebrate species (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Smaller doses reduce litter sizes, increase still births and neonate abnormalities, and otherwise influence pregnancy adversely. These effects are produced by serotonin throughout pregnancy, beginning at implantation (6). The availability of tryptophan is probably the most important rate limiting factor in serotonin synthesis (7). Inasmuch as tryptophan is an essential amino acid and is not synthesized by the body, the diet is the sole source; studies have shown that increases (8) or decreases (9) in dietary tryptophan lead to concomitant changes in serotonin content. Because tryptophan is employed in humans to promote sleep (10, 11, 12) and to decrease appetite (13) we felt it might be important to test whether increased amounts of diet tryptophan can adversely influence pregnancy.
Heat transfer around a horizontal tube in freeboard region of fluidized beds

Etude experimentale des coefficients de transfert de chaleur locaux et moyens pour des tubes horizontaux places au-dessus de lits fluidises a l'air avec des diametres moyens de particules variant entre 275 et 850 microns. Influence du diametre des particules du debit d'air, de la profondeur du lit et de la distance entre le lit et les tubes
In search of the memoryless property

This paper describes a distribution fitting exercise that has been used in an undergraduate introductory simulation class. The intent is for students to collect data describing a customer arrival process, with the goal of determining whether the exponential distribution is a good fit. The paper briefly reviews the memoryless property, and presents some teaching tips directed toward students' understanding of the concept. The data collection exercise is then presented, with attention to common pitfalls students have encountered in the past. A presentation of the variety of distributions that emerge as "best fitting", when samples are actually drawn from an exponential distribution, serves as a warning against over-reliance on goodness of fit measures.
Positivity of green's function for an n-point right focal boundary value problem on measure chains

We determine sufficient conditions for the positivity of Green's function for an n-point right focal boundary value problem on measure chains whose forward jump operator is delta differentiable. For n = 3, 4 and various measure chains, we see that positivity depends on the distances between boundary points.
Lack of dilator effect of leptin in the hindlimb vascular bed of conscious rats.

Leptin acts in the hypothalamus to decrease appetite and increase sympathetic nerve activity. Some in vitro studies have suggested that leptin may possess vasodilator actions that oppose sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction. We tested whether leptin is a vasodilator of the hindlimb vascular bed in vivo, and also whether it alters vasodilation to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside. In conscious instrumented Sprague–Dawley rats we measured iliac blood flow responses to local arterial infusion of acetylcholine (0.1 and 1 Ag/min) and sodium nitroprusside (1 and 10 Ag/min) before and after 2 h of intra-arterial leptin (at doses of 0.1 or 1 mg/kg, n=10 each) or vehicle (n=10). Leptin infusion over 2 h did not change mean arterial pressure, heart rate or iliac flow and conductance. In addition, leptin did not significantly alter the vasodilation (increase in the conductance ratio between infused and non-infused arteries) induced by acetylcholine, whereas pre-treatment with a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, N G -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, significantly attenuated the vasodilation to acetylcholine. Leptin also did not affect the vasodilation to sodium nitroprusside. Lack of effect of leptin on vasodilator function could not be due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system because lumbar sympathoactivation was obtained only 4 h after the iliac infusion of 1 mg/kg/h of leptin. These findings are in accordance with our previous results and argue against a meaningful direct dilator action of leptin on resistance vessels in vivo. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Relative motion of selected carpal bones: A kinematic analysis of the normal wrist

The relative motion of selected carpal bones and the radius was studied using five cadaver specimens labeled with metal markers to precisely quantitate their motions. Data was obtained by means of a combination of orthoradiography, sonic digitization, and computer analysis. We conclude that the wrist functions as two carpal rows with the distal row bones relatively tightly bound to one another and the proximal row bones less so but still moving together. Therefore, we theorize that the proximal row functions as a variable geometry intercalated segment between the distal row and the radius-triangular fibrocartilage.
The irreducibility of some level 1 Hecke polynomials

Let T p,k (x) be the characteristic polynomial of the Hecke operator Tp acting on the space of level 1 cusp forms S k (1). We show that T p,k (x) is irreducible and has full Galois group over Q for k < 2000 and p < 2000, p prime.
Low-dose thalidomide in myeloma: efficacy and biologic significance.

The efficacy of thalidomide at doses as low as 50 mg every other day was first reported at the VII International Multiple Myeloma Workshop in Stockholm, Sweden, in September 1999. This article discusses the duration of responses with low-dose thalidomide and the subsequent efficacy with thalidomide combination approaches. The median effective dose of thalidomide was 200 mg/d. Thalidomide's mechanism of action, particularly its effects on macrophages, is described. Current approaches to single-agent and combination therapy are presented.
EFFECTS OF ENZYMATIC MODIFICATION ON THE MORPHOLOGY I OF NONEXTRUSION TEXTURED SOY PROTEIN

Papain was used to modify soy flour protein to get a raw material whose protein banding pattern on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is similar to that of glandless cottonseed flour. The morphology of the nonextrusion textured soy, cottonseed and enzyme modified soy products was compared with scanning electron microscopy. Textured modified soy product was similar to textured cottonseed product in air cell surface detail, variation of air cell wall thickness and product surface, but different from textured cottonseed product in air cell size. None of the characteristics of textured modified soy product was similar to that of textured soy product. Particle size and shape of soy and cottonseed flour did not affect the morphology of the textured product. There are significant differences in rheological properties among these three kinds of textured products, with the modified soy product exhibiting the lowest stress, resilience or work, specific work and toughness index values. Transmitted light microscopy demonstrated structural differences among the textured products which could be correlated with the products' rheological properties. Molecular weight distribution of the water extractable flour proteins seems to be one of the possible factors affecting the morphology of textured products. High molecular weight proteins seem to be essential for “good” texturization.
Relationship between attitudes toward mental illness and provision of pharmacy services.

Abstract Objectives To compare how community pharmacists felt they and other health professionals perceived individuals with depression and schizophrenia and whether pharmacists' attitudes and other factors affected willingness to provide services to patients with mental illness. Setting Northeastern United States in summer 2006. Participants Pharmacists at 750 community pharmacies. Intervention A survey was mailed to the community pharmacies, which were randomly selected from a list obtained from a state board of pharmacy in the northeastern United States. Main outcome measures Pharmacist attitudes toward individuals with schizophrenia and depression and willingness to provide pharmacy services to patients with mental illness. Results 292 surveys were completed (response rate 38.9%). The pharmacists surveyed felt that they had more positive attitudes toward individuals with depression and schizophrenia compared with other pharmacists ( P ≤ 0.01). Compared with physicians, pharmacists perceived themselves as having less negative attitudes toward those with depression ( P ≤ 0.001) but greater negative attitudes toward individuals with schizophrenia ( P ≤ 0.05). More pharmacists were willing to provide services to those with asthma than those with mental illness ( P ≤ 0.001). Pharmacists were more likely to provide services to patients with mental illness if they had fewer negative attitudes for those with depression or schizophrenia and placed a greater value on counseling patients ( P ≤ 0.001). Minority pharmacists were more willing to provide services to patients with mental illness. Conclusion Community pharmacists have more negative views of schizophrenia than depression and felt that they perceived those with schizophrenia more negatively than physicians. Our findings suggest two ways to improve community pharmacist willingness to provide services to patients with mental illness: reduce negative attitudes toward patients with mental illness and increase pharmacists' perceived value of counseling patients.
Does subtle screening for substance abuse work? A review of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI).

Aim Through a complex combination of direct (face-valid) and indirect (subtle) subscales, the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) is purported to detect substance use disorders with a high degree of validity regardless of respondent honesty or motivation. This review evaluates empirical evidence regarding the reliability and validity of this widely used screening instrument. Methods Source documents were 36 peer-reviewed reports yielding data regarding the SASSI's internal consistency, test–retest reliability, psychometric structure, convergent and divergent validity and criterion (predictive) validity. Results The total N of the studies reviewed equaled 22 110. Internal consistency is high for the overall SASSI and for its direct but not its indirect (subtle) subscales, suggesting that the instrument taps a single face-valid construct. SASSI classifications converged with those from other direct screening instruments, and were also correlated with ethnicity, general distress and social deviance. Studies found test–retest reliability lower than that reported in the test manuals. Sensitivity was found to be similar to that for public domain screening instruments, but on specificity the SASSI appears to yield a high rate of false positives. Conclusion No empirical evidence was found for the SASSI's claimed unique advantage in detecting substance use disorders through its indirect (subtle) scales to circumvent respondent denial or dishonesty. Recommendations for screening and for future research with the SASSI are offered.
How well can CMIP5 simulate precipitation and its controlling processes over tropical South America

Underestimated rainfall over Amazonia was a common problem for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) models. We investigate whether it still exists in the CMIP phase 5 (CMIP5) models and, if so, what causes these biases? Our evaluation of historical simulations shows that some models still underestimate rainfall over Amazonia. During the dry season, both convective and large-scale precipitation is underestimated in most models. GFDL-ESM2M and IPSL notably show more pentads with no rainfall. During the wet season, large-scale precipitation is still underestimated in most models. In the dry and transition seasons, models with more realistic moisture convergence and surface evapotranspiration generally have more realistic rainfall totals. In some models, overestimates of rainfall are associated with the adjacent tropical and eastern Pacific ITCZs. However, in other models, too much surface net radiation and a resultant high Bowen ratio appears to cause underestimates of rainfall. During the transition season, low pre-seasonal latent heat, high sensible flux, and a weaker influence of cold air incursions contribute to the dry bias. About half the models can capture, but overestimate, the influences of teleconnection. Based on a simple metric, HadGEM2-ES outperforms other models especially for surface conditions and atmospheric circulation. GFDL-ESM2M has the strongest dry bias presumably due to its overestimate of moisture divergence, induced by overestimated ITCZs in adjacent oceans, and reinforced by positive feedbacks between reduced cloudiness, high Bowen ratio and suppression of rainfall during the dry season, and too weak incursions of extratropical disturbances during the transition season.
Persistent High Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol-Preferring (P) Rats Results from a Lack of Normal Aversion to Alcohol

Aims: In this study, we tested the impact of pretreatment with alcohol on subsequent alcohol drinking in outbred Sprague–Dawley and selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Methods: As a pretreatment, male Sprague–Dawley and P rats were given a passive oral administration of either alcohol (1.0 g/kg) or tap water. Then, they were given free choice of drinking alcohol (5% v/v) or water in their home cages, which was measured over 4 weeks. Results: Without alcohol pretreatment, there was no significant strain difference in alcohol preference; both strains preferred 5% (v/v) alcohol solution. The strain difference was only apparent in the groups given alcohol pretreatment. This arose from the fact that alcohol pretreatment significantly reduced alcohol preference in the Sprague–Dawley rats to a level well below 50%, while it did not alter drinking behavior in P rats. The same effects were seen with total alcohol consumption (g/kg/day). These effects persisted throughout the 4 weeks of the study. Conclusions: The principal difference between the Sprague–Dawley and P rats was that the P rats did not show the normal aversion to alcohol after forced exposure to alcohol that the Sprague–Dawley rats showed. One of the potential contributors to high alcohol intake and preference in P rats may be lack of sensitivity to aversive effects of alcohol.
Application of the Zhang-Gal-Chen Single-Doppler Velocity Retrieval to a Deep Convective Storm

Abstract The Zhang–Gal-Chen single-Doppler velocity retrieval (SDVR) technique is applied to a multicell storm observed by three radars near the Orlando, Florida, airport on 9 August 1991. This dataset is unique in that 3-min volume scans at very high spatial resolution (200 m) are available during a 24-min period. The retrieved (unobserved) wind, determined using only the radial wind and reflectivity from one of the radars, is compared to the (observed) winds obtained from a hybrid three-dimensional wind synthesis. Error statistics demonstrate that the retrievals perform best when applied in a reference frame moving with the storm; however, the results also show that the specification of this frame is problematic. The findings also indicate that, in an environment where the mean flow has a critical layer, the moving reference frame is best defined as a function of height rather than a volume mean. The benefit of such a reference frame is case dependent and is best realized in regions such as a surface co...
An open-source SIFTLibrary

Recent years have seen an explosion in the use of invariant keypoint methods across nearly every area of computer vision research. Since its introduction, the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) has been one of the most effective and widely-used of these methods and has served as a major catalyst in their popularization. In this paper, I present an open-source SIFT library, implemented in C and freely available at http://eecs.oregonstate.edu/~hess/sift.html, and I briefly compare its performance with that of the original SIFT executable released by David Lowe.
An optical external localization system and applications to indoor tracking

Precise robot positioning is important for many applications in indoor environments. Current solutions to the indoor localization problem are either both unreliable and inaccurate, or very expensive. In this paper we propose, design and build a low-cost, robust and accurate indoor localization system using laser light sources. The system calculates the coordinates of a robotic arm by using triangulation algorithms with precisely measured values of the angles of the receiver with respect to the three laser emitters. A system of three rotating lasers and receiver unit was built and deployed in the wing of an aircraft. Using this system, a robotic arm could be localized accurately within error margins defined approximately by Gaussian distributions centered at the objectpsilas true coordinate values and with standard deviations of 0.19 mm, 0.11 mm and 0.34 mm in the x, y and z coordinate directions respectively. The system was also used to detect vertical drop in the robotic arm due to its weight as it extends to perform fitting operations on the skin of the wing. Feedback from the laser localization system was used to adjust the position of the tip of the robotic arm in order to perform a sequence of high precision docking tasks within the aircraft wing.