cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Safe is Pupil Transporatation

The January 1970 Supplement to Pediatrics1 was provocative enough to cause me to write a letter to the local school bus authorities decrying Iowa9s bus accident record and safety regulations. This letter resulted in a chain of letters, and ultimately a reply from Arthur Roberts, Director of the Division of Transportation in the Iowa State Department of Public Instruction. The letter pointed out several difficulties which might arise from inappropriate interpretation of the data: Table I, on pages 168 to 170, reported accident rate in actual miles instead of thousands of miles, as was the case.
Comprehensive measurement invariance of alcohol outcome expectancies among adolescents using regularized moderated nonlinear factor analysis.

Abstract Alcohol outcomes expectancies (AOEs) are robust predictors of alcohol initiation and escalation of drinking behavior among adolescents. Although measurement invariance is a prerequisite for inferring valid comparisons of AOEs across groups (e.g., age), empirical evidence is lacking. In a secondary data analysis study, we employed regularized moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA) to simultaneously test differential item functioning (DIF) across age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and alcohol initiation for a 22-item, two-factor measure of positive and negative AOEs among adolescents (analytic n = 936 drawn from a parent study of 1023 adolescents). Evidence of DIF was minimal, with no DIF for the negative AOE factor and DIF for only two items of the positive AOE factor. The item “feel grown up” exhibited DIF by age, and the item “feel romantic” exhibited DIF by SES. After accounting for DIF, the positive AOE latent factor mean differed by SES, age, and alcohol initiation, and exhibited lower variability by alcohol initiation. The negative AOE latent factor mean differed by sex and SES, with greater variability by SES and age and lower variability by alcohol initiation. Group-differences findings for age and alcohol initiation are consistent with prior work, and differences by sex and SES are a new contribution to the literature that should prompt additional research to ensure replicability. The present study demonstrates the utility of the MNLFA technique for examining comprehensive measurement invariance, particularly for applied researchers who seek to examine substantive research questions while accounting for any DIF present in the scales used.
Terahertz Measurements and their Applications

This short course discusses several of the most commonly used techniques for performing measurements in the terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectral range has received heightened attention in recent years, due to the many promising applications ranging from fundamental spectroscopic measurements of materials to imaging and sensing for security, quality control, wireless communications, and process monitoring. Many different systems have been developed for accessing the THz range based on a wide range of different technology platforms, each with its own capabilities and challenges.
Statistics as a Catalyst to Learning by Scientific Method Part II—A Discussion

Industrial success requires efficient experimentation both for the improvement of existing products and processes and for development of new ones. Because results are usually known quickly, the natural way to experiment is to use information from each g..
Fat Women Need Not Apply: Employment Weight Discrimination Against Women

With increased obesity rates in the United States, there are more overweight adults facing weight discrimination in employment. Studies show that overweight women are more likely to face employment and wage penalties than their overweight male or normal weight female counterparts. This chapter discusses legal protection against weight discrimination and attempts to understand the attitudes associated with weight discrimination. Unlike other forms of discrimination, weight discrimination may be considered acceptable or justified by some decision-makers. However, employers who discriminate against individuals who are overweight may be unnecessarily limiting their talent pool. This chapter includes employment strategies for employers and job candidates that may help reduce weight discrimination.
Milk production of quarter horse mares during 150 days of lactation.

Milk production was measured in fourteen Quarter Horse mares at seven stages of a 150-d lactation period. Mares were divided into two groups of seven and fed diets containing either soybean meal or soybean meal and urea as nitrogen supplements. Rations were isocaloric, contained approximately 12.5% crude protein and were fortified with vitamins and minerals. Daily milk yield was estimated by the weigh-suckle-weigh method and milk composition was determined from samples taken by hand milking. Average daily milk yield ranged from 11.8 kg in early lactation to 9.8 kg in late lactation. Differences (P less than .01) in milk yield due to number of previous lactations were observed. Also, diet influenced (P less than .01) milk yield, with mares fed soybean meal producing an average of 1.2 kg more milk/d than mares fed urea as part of the N supplement. Further, stage (day) of lactation influenced (P less than .01) daily milk yield. The largest mean daily milk yield was measured at approximately 30 d postpartum, but the predicted lactation curve was linear (P less than .05) over the range of observations in this study. Average percentages of total solids, protein and fat over the 150-d lactation were 10.5, 2.1, and 1.3, respectively. All components decreased significantly with advancing lactation. There was a trend toward a positive association between milk yield and solids content of the milk, but it was not significant. Milk yield was not significantly related to fat content of the milk. However, milk yield and protein content were correlated (r = .23; p less than .05). As expected, solids content of the milk was positively associated with percentages of protein (r = .59; P less than .01) and fat (r = .44; P less than .01). Relationships among milk components were similar after adjustment for days in milk. However, yield of milk and composition were unassociated (P less than .05) when days in milk were held constant.
A Region of Deletion on Chromosome 22q13 Is Common to Human Breast and Colorectal Cancers

Chromosomal allelic losses have varying frequency in breast cancer, with key regions including chromosomes 1, 3p, 7q, 9p, 16q, 17, and 22q. Recently, we have been able to map a new target region of allelic loss on chromosome 22q involved in colorectal cancer. The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether this target region may also be involved in human breast carcinogenesis. Thirty-six pairs of matched normal and tumor specimens from breast cancer patients, as well as eight breast cancer-derived cell lines, were genotyped using 17 microsatellite markers spanning chromosome 22q. Allelic deletion was found in 19 of 36 tumors (53%), and the pattern observed in those cases with partial losses was consistent with a region flanked by D22S1171 and D22S928. This interval overlaps that identified in colorectal cancer and comprises nearly 1.1 Mb. This study provides evidence of a common region of deletion on chromosome 22q13 involved in both breast and colorectal cancers and underscores the existence of putative tumor suppressor gene(s) at this location.
Technology in the Classroom: a Tool or a Drag

Technology use in the classroom has always been viewed by educators and additional burden, an extra curricula thing they must learn to be effective teachers and teach it to students. Today teachers (most) at least cannot function without one equipment or the other even if they don’t like it, students needs and level of exposure to technology, global market requirement and instructional benefits have motivated teachers school and policy makers to implement technology in most schools in the United States. The use of technology in the classroom allows teachers to make a smooth shift into individualized instruction but not all teachers and students feel this way. This article will explore if technology is actually a great learning tool or a hindrance/drag to teachers and learners. Keywords: Technology, education, classroom technology
Tropomyosin is required for cardiac morphogenesis, myofibril assembly, and formation of adherens junctions in the developing mouse embryo.

BACKGROUND: We explored a function for tropomyosin (TM) in mammalian myofibril assembly and cardiac development by analyzing a deletion in the mouse TPM1 gene targeting αTM1, the major striated muscle TM isoform. RESULTS: Mice lacking αTM1 are embryonic lethal at E9.5 with enlarged, misshapen, and non-beating hearts characterized by an abnormally thin myocardium and reduced trabeculae. αTM1-deficient cardiomyocytes do not assemble striated myofibrils, instead displaying aberrant non-striated F-actin fibrils with α-actinin puncta dispersed irregularly along their lengths. αTM1's binding partner, tropomodulin1 (Tmod1), is also disorganized, and both myomesin-containing thick filaments as well as titin Z1Z2 fail to assemble in a striated pattern. Adherens junctions are reduced in size in αTM1-deficient cardiomyocytes, α-actinin/F-actin adherens belts fail to assemble at apical cell–cell contacts, and cell contours are highly irregular, resulting in abnormal cell shapes and a highly folded cardiac surface. In addition, Tmod1-deficient cardiomyocytes exhibit failure of α-actinin/F-actin adherens belt assembly. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of αTM1 resulting in unstable F-actin may preclude sarcomere formation and/or lead to degeneration of partially assembled sarcomeres due to unregulated actomyosin interactions. Our data also identify a novel αTM1/Tmod1-based pathway stabilizing F-actin at cell–cell junctions, which may be required for maintenance of cell shapes during embryonic cardiac morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 243:800–817, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enzyme Alterations in Tyrosine and Phenylalanine Auxotrophs of Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract The enzyme activities specified by the tyrA and pheA genes were studied in wildtype strain Salmonella typhimurium and in phenylalanine and tyrosine auxotrophs. As in Aerobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli, the wild-type enzymes of Salmonella catalyze two consecutive reactions: chorismate → prephenate → 4-hydroxy-phenylpyruvate (tyrA), and chorismate → prephenate → phenylpyruvate (pheA). A group of tyrA mutants capable of interallelic complementation had altered enzymes which retained chorismate mutase T activity but lacked prephenate dehydrogenase. Similarly, pheA mutants (in which interallelic complementation does not occur) had one group with altered enzymes which retained chorismate mutase P but lacked prephenate dehydratase. Tyrosine and phenylalanine auxotrophs outside of these categories showed loss of both activities of their respective bifunctional enzyme. TyrA mutants which had mutase T were considerably derepressed in this activity by tyrosine starvation and consequently excreted prephenate. A new and specific procedure was developed for assaying prephenate dehydrogenase activity.
Future particle-physics projects in the United States

Basic proposals of experiments aimed at precision measurements of Standard Model parameters and at searches for new particles, including dark-matter particles, are described along with future experimental projects considered by American Physical Society at the meeting in the summer of 2013 and intended for implementation within the next ten to twenty years.
Heuristics Behaving Badly: Party Cues and Voter Knowledge

Party cues provide citizens with low-cost information about their representatives’ policy positions. But what happens when elected officials deviate from the party line? Relying on the 2006 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES), we examine citizens’ knowledge of their senators’ positions on seven high-profile roll-call votes. We find that although politically interested citizens are the group most likely to know their senator's position when she votes with the party, they are also the group most likely to incorrectly identify their senator's position when she votes against her party. The results indicate that when heuristics “go bad,” it is the norm for the most attentive segment of the public to become the most misinformed, revealing an important drawback to heuristic use.
Autonomic and emotional responses of graduate student clinicians in speech-language pathology to stuttered speech.

Background: Fluent speakers and people who stutter manifest alterations in autonomic and emotional responses as they view stuttered relative to fluent speech samples. These reactions are indicative of an aroused autonomic state and are hypothesized to be triggered by the abrupt breakdown in fluency exemplified in stuttered speech. Furthermore, these reactions are assumed to be the basis for the stereotypes held by different communicative partners towards people who stutter. Aims: To examine the autonomic and emotional reactions of graduate student clinicians in speech–language pathology as they viewed fluent and severe stuttered speech samples. Methods & Procedures: Twenty-one female graduate student clinicians in speech–language pathology participated in this study. Each participant viewed four 30-s video samples (two fluent and two stuttered speech samples) while their autonomic responses (skin conductance response (SCR) and heart rate (HR)) were concurrently captured. Furthermore, emotional responses to stuttered and fluent speech samples were captured using the self-assessment manikin (SAM) and a rating scale with nine bipolar adjectives reflecting one's feelings. Outcomes & Results: An increase in SCR and deceleration in HR was observed as graduate clinicians viewed stuttered speech samples versus fluent speech samples and the differences were statistically significant. In addition, results from the self-rating scales showed that participants had negative feelings (e.g., emotionally aroused, unpleasant, embarrassed, uncomfortable, etc.) while viewing stuttered speech. Conclusions & Implications: Findings suggest that graduate student clinicians in speech–language pathology demonstrated altered autonomic and emotional responses similar to those manifested by fluent and stuttered speakers as they viewed stuttered speech samples. Collectively, these findings support the contention that the inherent nature of stuttered speech triggers a visceral reaction in a listener, irrespective of their background and knowledge about the disorder.
Is the membrane attack complex of complement an enzyme

Recent studies on the functional activities of the membrane attack complex of complement, C5b-9, are reviewed. A new speculative hypothesis has been advanced to account for the ability of complement to mediate lysis of various targets. This hypothesis has three major elements: 1) that the membrane attack complex is an enzyme; 2) that the substrate for this putative enzyme is a membrane constituent; 3) that the substrate specificity of the putative enzyme is dependent on the species source of individual complement components within the C5b-9 complex.
Promoting medical students' reflection on competencies to advance a global health equities curriculum

Background: The move to frame medical education in terms of competencies – the extent to which trainees “can do” a professional responsibility - is congruent with calls for accountability in medical education. However, the focus on competencies might be a poor fit with curricula intended to prepare students for responsibilities not emphasized in traditional medical education. This study examines an innovative approach to the use of potential competency expectations related to advancing global health equity to promote students’ reflections and to inform curriculum development. Methods: In 2012, 32 medical students were admitted into a newly developed Global Health and Disparities (GHD) Path of Excellence. The GHD program takes the form of mentored co-curricular activities built around defined competencies related to professional development and leadership skills intended to ameliorate health disparities in medically underserved settings, both domestically and globally. Students reviewed the GHD competencies from two perspectives: a) their ability to perform the identified competencies that they perceived themselves as holding as they began the GHD program and b) the extent to which they perceived that their future career would require these responsibilities. For both sets of assessments the response scale ranged from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree.” Wilcoxon’s paired T-tests compared individual students’ ordinal rating of their current level of ability to their perceived need for competence that they anticipated their careers would require. Statistical significance was set at p < .01. Results: Students’ ratings ranged from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree” that they could perform the defined GHD-related competencies. However, on most competencies, at least 50 % of students indicated that the stated competencies were beyond their present ability level. For each competency, the results of Wilcoxon paired T-tests indicate – at statistically significant levels - that students perceive more need in their careers for GHD-program defined competencies than they currently possess. Conclusion: This study suggests congruence between student and program perceptions of the scope of practice required for GHD. Students report the need for enhanced skill levels in the careers they anticipate. This approach to formulating and reflecting on competencies will guide the program’s design of learning experiences aligned with students’ career goals.
Introduction to Neutron Properties and Applications

Neutrons are powerful probes of nuclear and magnetic structure of condensed matter, and of lattice dynamics. Many of the unique properties of the neutron (shown in Tables 1⇓ and 2⇓) have no equivalent in X-ray studies (Bacon 1962). Neutrons are important in locating light atoms such as hydrogen and lithium and to study the diffusion of hydrogenous molecules. With some exceptions, they easily distinguish neighboring elements in the periodic table, such as Mg/Al and Si/Al for example, which are indistinguishable with X-rays. Neutrons are particularly well suited to investigations taking advantage of isotope substitution, since different isotopes (1H/2H) have very different scattering power. Indeed the inherent differences in the X-ray and neutron scattering processes mean that the neutron scattering length, the equivalent of the X-ray scattering factor, can be negative for certain isotopes, or near zero. This leads to possibilities unique to neutron experiments such as the use of null scattering materials (Table 2⇓) like alloys of Ti and Zr, and vanadium metal. TiZr and V are ubiquitous at neutron sources, and are used to make neutron transparent sample holders and for environmental cells. This property also allows contrast matching studies of nano-materials in mixtures of H2O-D2O, for example. The overall scattering length for H2O is negative and that of D2O is positive; by mixing the two forms of water, average scattering lengths in between those of H2O and D2O are created. These mixtures can then be used to match the average scattering length, contrast match, particles immersed in this fluid. In another example of the power of neutron scattering, the determination of magnetic structure and site magnetic moments is routine with neutron scattering techniques, because absolute measurements of intensity are straightforward. …
Diabetics are less likely to develop thoracic aortic dissection: a 10-year single-center analysis.

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an acknowledged risk factor for atherosclerosis, and diabetics are more likely to have hypertension. Atherosclerosis and hypertension are risk factors for aortic dissection. However, recent studies have shown that DM is associated with changes in aortic wall collagen. In this retrospective study we assess the relationship between DM and thoracic aortic dissection (TAD). Methods Patients with a diagnosis of thoracic aortic dissection during the last 10 years were identified from our hospital records. The prevalence of DM in Stanford type A and B TAD was compared with that of two age- and gender-matched control groups. For every diabetic dissection case, 10 controls were selected from the hospital data. Results Two hundred nineteen patients (median age 61 years, male:female ratio 145:74) were identified with TAD, comprising 131 type A dissections and 88 type B dissections. Only 3 of 131 (2.3%) type A aortic dissections were diabetics, whereas, in control group 1, 241 of 1310 (18.4%) were diabetics and, in control group 2, 116 of 1310 (8.9%) were diabetics [odds ratios: 0.1 (0.03–0.32) and 0.24 (0.07–0.76), respectively] ( P = 0.0001 and 0.007, respectively). Similarly, only 2 of 88 (2.3%) type B aortic dissections were diabetics, whereas 228 of 880 (26.0%) and 102 of 880 (11.6%) were diabetics in groups 1 and 2 [odds ratios: 0.07 (0.02–0.27) and 0.18 (0.04–0.73), respectively] ( P = 0.0001 and 0.0035, respectively). All these odds ratios were statistically significant ( P Conclusions Patients with thoracic aortic dissection are less likely to be diabetic. Although we identified association only, not causality, it is possible that DM, or its treatment, has a protective effect against aortic dissection.
Prenylcysteine methylesterase in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract Prenylated proteins undergo a series of post-translational modifications, including prenylation, proteolysis, and methylation. Collectively, these modifications generate a prenylcysteine methylester at the carboxyl terminus and modulate protein targeting and function. Prenylcysteine methylation is the only reversible step in this series of modifications. However, prenylcysteine α-carboxyl methylesterase (PCME) activity has not been described in plants. We have detected a specific PCME activity in Arabidopsis thaliana membranes that discriminates between biologically relevant and irrelevant prenylcysteine methylester substrates. Furthermore, we have identified an Arabidopsis gene ( At5g15860 ) that encodes measurable PCME activity in recombinant yeast cells with greater specificity for biologically relevant prenylcysteine methylesters than the activity found in Arabidopsis membranes. These results suggest that specific and non-specific esterases catalyze the demethylation of prenylcysteine methylesters in Arabidopsis membranes. Our findings are discussed in the context of prenylcysteine methylation/demethylation as a potential regulatory mechanism for membrane association and function of prenylated proteins in Arabidopsis .
Strong truth and rules of inference in fuzzy logic and approximate reasoning

Abstract We introduce the concept of designated truth values associated with a linguistic truth value. In particular, we introduce the concepts of tiue-like and false-like and strong true (false) like truth values. We discuss the connectives for fuzzy logic. We develop the rules of inference in fuzzy logic. We specialize these rules to case of approximate reasoning, i.e., situations where the logic is fuzzy and the propositions are interpretable in terms of possibility distributions.
Inactivation and Reactivation of Xanthine Oxidase in Dairy Products

Summary The effect of pasteurization, condensation, homogenization, and drying on xanthine oxidase (XO) has been studied. It has been found that heating whole milk to 195 F for 15 sec inactivates the XO, but when the same milk is condensed to 50% total solids and homogenized at 4,500 psi a portion of the XO is reactivated. More than 94% of the XO is inactivated when milk is exposed to sonic vibrations of a frequency of 10,000 vibrations per second for 7½ hr. The effect of mechanical stress applied to milk during processing on XO activity in dairy products is discussed. Data are presented which indicate that XO activity may be used to estimate the heat treatment a milk powder has received in processing.
Regulation of enzyme activities in Drosophila. I. The detection of regulatory loci by gene dosage responses.

In order to detect regulatory genetic sites in the autosomes of Drosophila melanogaster, the levels of X-linked glucose-6-phosphate dehydro-genase and autosomally linked α-glycerophosphate and isocitrate dehydrogenases have been monitored in extracts of flies aneuploid for regions of chromosomes II and III. In addition to expected structural gene dosage responses of α-GPDH and IDH, flies hyperploid for several autosome regions were found to display altered levels of one or more of the enzymes studied. While IDH activity was increased in flies hyperploid for segments of both chromosomes II and III, α-GPDH activity was decreased in specific hyperploids for chromosome II regions only. The latter group of segmental aneuploids were normal with respect to levels of chromosome II-linked alcohol dehydrogenase. To test if the observed responses were due to dosage changes of discrete genes lying within the larger effective segments, flies aneuploid for subdivisions of the chromosome segments 21A-25CD, 35A–40, and 70CD–71B were assayed. For two of these large segments so analysed, the apparent effects were attributable to specific small subdivisions, suggesting the presence of discrete regulatory sites within the latter. For the 35A–40 region the α-GPDH effect observed for subdivisions was not sufficient to account for the large α-GPDH decrease seen in flies hyperploid for the large, inclusive region. These observations are discussed with respect to the possible bases of effect of regulatory elements on enzyme activity.
Impression Technique for Arches Requiring Both Implant and Natural Tooth Restorations

Implant impression copings reduce access to prepared teeth during the impression-making process. If the impression copings and teeth are in close proximity, it may be difficult to extrude impression material circumferentially around the margins of the tooth preparations. A technique is described that allows the impressions of the prepared teeth to be made without the implant impression copings interfering. The advantages and disadvantages of the technique are discussed.
Low plasma free choline is prevalent in patients receiving long term parenteral nutrition and is associated with hepatic aminotransferase abnormalities

Hepatic transaminase abnormalities have been previously reported in patients receiving long term total parenteral nutrition (PN). We sought to determine if such abnormalities are caused by choline deficiency-induced hepatocyte damage. In 41 subjects (19 male, 22 female) aged 45.1 +/- 24.3 years (range 0.1-79 years) who have received PN for 5.5 +/- 4.7 years (range 0.1-14.5 years). We determined plasma free and phospholipid bound choline levels, serum albumin, ALT and AST. We also determined the daily volume of intravenous lipid emulsion received by the patients as well as the concentration of free choline and phospholipid bound choline in the lipid emulsion. Plasma free choline was low in 33 41 subjects (mean 7.15 +/- 2.5 nmol/ml, range 3.3-15.6, normal 11.4 +/- 3.7). Phospholipid bound choline was normal in 34 41 subjects (mean 2157 +/- 620 nmol/ml, range 1026-3887, normal 2364 +/- 774). Elevations in ALT and AST were significantly correlated with plasma free choline (r = -0.34, p = 0.03, r = -0.37, p = 0.02 respectively) but not with phospholipid bound choline. No relationship was found between age, PN duration or daily volume of intravenous lipid and plasma free or phospholipid bound choline. The lipid emulsion contained 24 +/- 6 nmol/ml of free choline and 11 630 +/- 552 nmol/ml of phospholipid bound choline. We conclude that low plasma free choline is prevalent in patients receiving long term PN and this abnormality is associated with elevated serum aminotransferases. Furthermore, intravenous lipid emulsion is an inadequate source of choline for this patient group.
Subtemporal—infratemporal and basal subfrontal approach to extensive cranial base tumours

A subtemporal-infratemporal and basal subfrontal approach for the removal of extensive, predominantly extradural cranial base neoplasms is described. This approach was used successfully in six of our patients. The advantages of this approach are extensive exposure of the anterior and mid-cranial base as well as the clivus, direct exposure and management of the ipsilateral petrous and cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA), and access to extracranial vessels for microvascular flap transfer. Disadvantages include prolonged operative time and less control of the contralateral petrous ICA. Six patients with extensive cranial base neoplasms had operations using this technique without any mortality or major permanent morbidity. The value of this approach to patients in terms of control or cure of extensive cranial base tumours has to be proven by long term follow-up.
INFLUENCE OF PRESSURIZATION ON BINDING STRENGTH OF TURKEY MEAT ROLLS STUFFED IN MEMBRANE CASINGS

The influence of pressurization on binding strength between meat pieces stuffed into membrane casings was evaluated using a pneumatic pressurization device. This device simulated the action of a pneumatic machine that is commercially available and is now used by the industry. The contents of a stuffed casing were pressurized when the open end was twisted and inserted through a 1 cm diameter opening on a fixed aluminum ring and pulled by an air cylinder piston to which the casing was attached. Using theoretical considerations, an equation was derived for determining internal pressure in a stuffed roll based on the principle that the pressure developed is a function of the unit strain on the casing. This principle was verified experimentally by monitoring internal pressures in a casing filled with a viscous fluid and connected to a mercury manometer. The internal pressure was linear in a plot against the reciprocal of the outside diameter of the roll The regression equation was used to calculate internal pressures in a casing stuffed with meat from the measured outside diameter. Interfacial binding evaluated as failure force in uniaxial tension decreased slightly with increasing pressures in the roll in excess of 5.7 psig. The decrease was insignificant in rolls ma from frozen meat but was significant in rolls made from fresh meat. In unpressurized rolls, increased incidence of pockets filled with cookout fluid was observed. Pressurization to 2–5 psig internal pressure appears to be optimal in terms of elimination of pockets filled with cookout fluid and maximum interfacial binding between meat pieces.
Plastic deformation in multilayered thin films during indentation unloading: a modeling analysis incorporating viscoplastic response

The indentation behavior of metal/ceramic multilayered thin films is studied numerically using the finite element method. The axisymmetric model consists of alternating aluminum (Al) and silicon carbide (SiC) layers above a silicon (Si) substrate, with the rate-dependent viscoplastic response of Al accounted for. Different unloading rates, with and without a hold period at the peak indentation load, are considered. Attention is devoted to plastic deformation in the Al layers during the unloading phase of indentation. It is found that the hold period stabilizes the deformation so the unloading response becomes insensitive to the unloading rate. However, significant parts of the Al layers under indentation still experience plastic deformation during unloading, due to the mechanical constraint imposed by the hard SiC layers. Consequently unloading is no longer an elastic event in this heterogeneous material system. The unloading induced plasticity is further analyzed by tracking the stress and strain histories inside the material throughout the course of indentation.
Time versus density enhancement of liver, spleen, and great vessels following rapid intravenous infusion of perflubron emulsion

Rationale and Objectives. We studied hepatosplenic enhancement in rhesus monkeys for 5 hr after rapid administration of perflubron (perfluorooctyl bromide [PFOB]) in an attempt to determine a clinically useful imaging window. Methods. Five rhesus monkeys were examined using perflubron emulsion, 90% w/v perfluorochemical administered intravenously at a dose of 1.5 ml/kg and rate of 0.5 ml/sec. Helical computed tomography examination of the abdomen was obtained prior to the contrast bolus and 5 min, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hr postcontrast. Mean density of liver, spleen, and aorta was measured at each time interval. Results. Significant aortic enhancement of 53 ± 7 Hounsfield units (HU) ( p p p > .05) over 5 hr. Splenic enhancement of 35 ± 9 HU was significant at 5 min ( p Conclusion. Enhancement of the liver, blood vessels, and spleen is rapid and persists for at least 5 hr, which suggests a wider temporal window for hepatosplenic imaging with perflubron than is currently available with iodinated contrast agents.
Multibaseline stereo system for evaluation of binocular stereo

Binocular, correlation based stereo has been a key component in many efforts at autonomous vehicle navigation. However, estimation of ground truth range data, especially in field conditions, remains a challenge. We present a 5 camera, multibaseline stereo system and demonstrate its use as a passive ground truthing mechanism for binocular stereo. In this paper, we provide both a system description and a detailed overview of a novel depth-based multibaseline stereo algorithm. Our new algorithm avoids the need for pairwise camera rectification. We conclude with several simulations and real world experiments to verify our results.
Effect of cyclophosphamide on the hematopoietic microenvironmental factors which influence hematopoietic stem cell proliferation.

Transplanted hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) regenerate more rapidly in the femoral marrow of lethally irradiated hosts pretreated with cyclophosphamide (CY) 4 days prior to X-irradiation than they do in that of uninjected irradiated hosts (control). On the other hand, regeneration of HSC transplanted into irradiated hosts given CY 7 days before X-irradiation is slower than in controls. The microenvironment in the femoral marrow was studied at various times after giving CY. Four days after injecting CY, the number of colony forming units (CFU), total nucleated hematopoietic cells, and mature myeloid and erythroid cells in the femoral marrow is markedly reduced. Seven days after injecting CY, the number of CFU in the femoral marrow is still reduced, the total nucleated cell count is back to normal, but the number of mature myeloid elements in the marrow are significantly increased. These observations suggest the conclusion that the rate of proliferation of HSC is modulated by the number of mature myeloid cells in the microenvironment.
Riding the wave: structural and energetic principles of helical membrane proteins.

Abstract Genome sequencing efforts have revealed that perhaps as many as 20–40% of open reading frames in complex organisms may encode proteins containing at least one helical transmembrane segment. Contrasting with this approaching tidal wave of helical membrane proteins is the fact that our understanding of the sequence–structure–function relationships for membrane proteins lags far behind that of soluble proteins. This looming reality emphasizes the tremendous biochemical and structural work that remains to be done on helical membrane proteins in order to elucidate the structural and energetic principles that specify and stabilize their folds, which define their functions. These facts are not lost on the pharmaceutical industry, where successful therapeutics and major discovery efforts are targeting membrane proteins.
Reversible inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by insulin

Extracts of fasted rat diaphragms, previously treated with or without insulin were assayed for glycogen synthase, protein kinase and cyclic [3H]-AMP binding. Treatment with insulin produced an elevation in the % of glycogen synthase I and a concurrent decrease in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity and cyclic [3H]-AMP binding. Analysis of extracts by disc gel electrophoresis demonstrated the inhibition of cyclic [3H]-AMP binding to involve the Type I protein kinase holoenzyme. Inhibition of protein kinase activity was most apparent in the presence of 0.2 micrometer cyclic AMP, with enzymatic activity of the insulin-treated extracts typically 60--65% of control. Higher assay concentrations diminished the difference between control and insulin-treated extracts and concentrations greater than 20 micrometer abolished it. The inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity after insulin was a transient and labile phenomenon. The effect was independent of ATP concentration in the assay, but was sensitive to the pH of tissue extraction, requiring a pH of 7.0 to 8.4 to be observed. Insulin-mediated inhibition of protein kinase activity was reversed upon preincubation of extracts at 0--2 degrees. Relatively concentrated homogenates (less than 4 microliter buffer/mg tissue) yielded extracts which exhibited little or no inhibition of protein kinase activity compared to extracts prepared from more dilute (6--10 microliter/mg) homogenates. A model for the inhibition of the cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase by an insulin-generated inhibitor which becomes directly associated with the Type 1 holoenzyme is proposed.
Cycloid crack sequences on Europa: Relationship to stress history and constraints on growth mechanics based on cusp angles

The original model developed to explain cycloidal cracks on Europa interprets cycloids as tensile fractures that grow in a curved path in response to the constantly rotating diurnal tidal stress field. Cusps form when a new cycloid crack segment propagates at an angle to the first in response to a rotation of the principal tidal stress orientation during a period of no crack growth. A recent revised model states that a cycloid cusp forms through the creation of a secondary fracture called a tailcrack at the tip of an existing cycloid segment during shearing motion induced by the rotating tidal stress field. As the tailcrack propagates away from the cusp, it becomes the next cycloid segment in the chain. The qualitative tailcrack model uniquely accounts for the normal and shear stresses that mechanically must resolve onto the tip of an existing cycloid segment at the instant of cusp formation. In this work, we provide a quantitative framework and test of the hitherto purely conceptual tailcrack model. We first present a relative age sequence inferred from geologic mapping of multiply cross-cutting cycloids in Europa's trailing hemisphere and place this into the context of the global stress history. The age sequence requires a cumulative minimum of 630° of shell reorientation due to nonsynchronous rotation to account for the observed range of orientations of cycloids of different ages. We determined the back-rotated longitudes of formation of two cycloid chain examples and used mathematical modeling of europan tidal stresses to show that the tailcrack model for cusp formation is not only viable, but places constraints on the overall development of a cycloid chain by controlling the timing of cusp development within Europa's orbit. For all cusps analyzed, the exact ratio of resolved shear to normal stress required to form the cusp angles by a process of tailcracking, as governed by the principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics, is produced at the tip of a shearing cycloid segment during Europa's orbit. Cusp formation occurs after the point in the orbit at which the maximum tensile principal tidal stress occurs, implying that tensile tidal stresses are not directly responsible for cusp development. Instead, cusps develop when a tailcrack forms at the tip of a cycloid segment in response to the highly perturbed stress field induced during concomitant opening and shearing at the tip of the cycloid segment.
Impact of Nanosizing on Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Poorly Soluble Pharmaceuticals

The quantitative determination of solubility and the initial dissolution rate enhancement of crystalline nanoparticles were critically investigated using a separation-based approach (ultracentrifugation and filtration). Four poorly soluble model compounds (griseofulvin, celecoxib, compound-X, and fenofibrate) were used in this investigation. The effect of the stabilizer concentration on the solubility of the unmilled compound was determined first to quantify its impact on the solubility and used for comparing solubility enhancement upon nanosizing. Methodologies were established for ultracentrifugation, ensuring satisfactory separation of crystalline nanoparticles. The data obtained using separation-based methodologies proved to be accurate, reproducible, and were in fair agreement with what would be predicted from the Ostwald-Freundlich equation. The dissolution studies under sink conditions were proved to be less efficient in quantifying the initial dissolution rate of crystalline nanoparticles. Nonsink dissolution experiments were able to reduce the high-dissolution velocity of nanoparticles and generated the best discriminative dissolution profile. The enhancement in initial dissolution rate was significantly less than that expected from the Noyes-Whitney equation based on surface area change. This discriminatory dissolution method can potentially be used further in the modeling of crystalline nanoparticles during drug development.
Molecular Weight Effect on the Absorption, Charge Carrier Mobility, and Photovoltaic Performance of an Indacenodiselenophene-Based Ladder-Type Polymer

Selenium substitution on a ladder-type indacenodithiophene-based polymer (PIDT-DFBT) is investigated in order to reduce band gap, improve charge mobilities, and enhance the photovoltaic performance of the material. The new indacenodiselenophene-based polymer (PIDSe-DFBT) possessed improved absorption over its sulfur analogue in films, as well as substantially higher charge mobilities (0.15 and 0.064 cm2/(V s) hole and electron mobility, respectively, compared to 0.002 and 0.008 cm2/(V s) for PIDT-DFBT). The enhanced material properties led to an improved power conversion efficiency of 6.8% in photovoltaic cells, a 13% improvement over PIDT-DFBT-based devices. Furthermore, we examined the effect of molecular weight on the properties of PIDSe-DFBT and found not only a strong molecular weight dependence on mobilities, but also on the absorptivity of polymer films, with each 15 000 g/mol increase in weight, leading to a 25% increase in the absorptivity of the material. The molecular weight dependence of the m...
Endogenous modulator of benzodiazepine binding in rat cortex.

: Benzodiazepine binding sites, solubilized with 1% digitonin, were used to study specific [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H]FNP) binding. Specific binding increased nonlinearly with increasing amounts of digitonin extract in the assay. Specific binding was increased, and the relationship to amount of extract became linear. in the presence of 2% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG). Heat treatment destroyed binding activity of the extract, but not ability to inhibit [3H]FNP binding. Kinetic analysis showed inhibition to be noncompetitive. The inhibitory activity was sensitive to trypsin. Extracts of repeatedly frozen, thawed, and washed membrane preparations still possessed inhibitory activity. It is suggested that digitonin solubilizes a membrane protein that inhibits benzodiazepine binding. PEG apparently removes this substance from the binding sites.
Comparison of circle absorber and jacksonrees systems for paediatric anaesthesia

To evaluate effects of anaesthesia delivery systems on respiratory work in infants, we measured end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2), transcutaneous PCO2 (PTcCO2) respiratory rate and arterial blood gases in infants (ages 0.2 to 23.8 months) anaesthetised with either a Jackson-Rees (n = 11) or paediatric circle absorber system (n = 15). Two hours after induction, with assisted ventilation there was no difference in PETCO2, PTcCO2, respiratory rate, pH or PaCO2 in infants anaesthetised with either system. In the laboratory, we measured inspiratory and expiratory resistances to breathing through each system at various tidal volumes and total gas flows into the circuit. These values were compared to resistances created by breathing through an appropriately sized endotracheal tube. Although there was lower resistance to ventilation through Jackson-Rees system, both systems had lower resistances for almost all flows tested than breathing through an endotracheal tube alone (p less than 0.05). The paediatric circle absorber system is an efficient apparatus for anaesthetising spontaneously breathing infants.
Microarchitecture parameter selection to optimize system performance under process variation

Design variability due to within-die and die-to-die process variations has the potential to significantly reduce the maximum operating frequency and the effective yield of high-performance microprocessors in future process technology generations. This variability manifests itself by increasing the number and criticality of long delay paths. To quantify this impact, we use an architectural process variation model that is appropriate for the analysis of system performance in the early-stages of the design process. We propose a method of selecting microarchitectural parameters to mitigate the frequency impact due to process variability for distinct structures, while minimizing IPC (instructions-per-cycle) loss. We propose an optimization procedure to be used for system-level design decisions, and we find that joint architecture and statistical timing analysis can be more advantageous than pure circuit level optimization. Overall, the technique can improve the 90% yield frequency by about 14% with 3% IPC loss for a baseline machine with a 20FO4 logic depth per pipestage. This approach is sensitive to the selection of processor pipeline depth, and we demonstrate that machines with aggressive pipelines will experience greater challenges in coping with process variability.
Regional sensitivity analysis using a fractional factorial method for the USDA model GLEAMS

Abstract A sensitivity analysis using the fractional factorial design technique of Plackett and Burman (PB) for the Ground water Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems (GLEAMS) model is presented. A software system has been developed for automated implementation of the PB technology. The application can vary up to 54 GLEAMS inputs and deduce input parameters of importance. Characteristic pesticide runoff and leaching results for the GLEAMS model are presented using seven geographically diverse soil/climate scenarios and two pesticides characteristic of a hydrophobic [chlorpyrifos: (O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) phosphorothioate)] and hydrophillic [atrazine: (2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)- s -triazine)] chemical. Scenarios representative of the Northern and Southern High Plains wheat, Southeast peanut, Midwest corn, Red River Valley sugar beet, Delta cotton, and Mid-Atlantic tobacco markets are presented. Geographic conditions (weather, soil, crop, and management practices) and physicochemical pesticide properties define both the number and sensitivity ranking of important GLEAMS inputs, illustrating the importance of specific field scale sensitivity analysis. In general, several parameters governing water hydrology were consistently found as sensitive. These include runoff curve number, soil porosity and soil evaporation parameter, with the runoff curve number being the most sensitive GLEAMS input parameter. Pesticide properties of importance were the soil/water equilibrium partition coefficient and soil degradation half-life, with the sensitivity of these inputs largely dependent upon the nominal value initially chosen and geographic region simulated.