cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol pharmacodynamics in young-elderly adults contrasted with young and middle-aged subjects.

Effects of aging on ethyl alcohol (EtOH) pharmacodynamics were examined over progressive dosing schedules (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 g/kg) in groups of young (25.0±2.9 years), middle-aged (41.1±6.6 years), and young-elderly adults (60.9±2.6 years) using three computerized cognitive-neuromotor tasks: digitsymbol substitution (DSS), keypad reaction time (KRT), and subcritical tracking (SCT). Hysteresis curves of performance impairment (adjusted for pre-drug baseline) as a function of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were examined for time-course effects, and regression analyses were performed to assess the contribution of age beyond that accounted for by BAC. Results reflected differences in the patterning but not magnitude of impairment for elderly subjects, with earlier decrements and more rapid acute tolerance observed for DSS, in conjunction with less pharmacodynamic sensitivity for SCT. Regression analyses furthermore indicated that age and impairment were negatively related, arguing against synergistic intoxication effects as a function of aging. Analyses specifically comparing performance at baseline versus legally intoxicating BACs (>1.0 mg/ml) likewise reflected a lack of interactive effects involving the elderly. Elderly subjects nevertheless exhibited significantly lower baseline performance for DSS and KRT than young subjects and achieved higher BACs with equivalent doses. These latter findings support the exercise of caution by elderly individuals consuming EtOH prior to engaging in neuromotor pursuits such as driving.
Self-Objectification and Its Psychological Outcomes for College Women

The objectification of women by our society can become internalized by women, resulting in negative psychological outcomes. Using Fredrickson and Roberts' (1997) objectification theory, we tested a model of the relationships between self-objectification and disordered eating and depressive symptoms in a sample of undergraduate women (n = 384). One postulate of self-objectification theory is that self-objectification can lead to a lack of internal awareness, which may mediate the relationship between self-objectification and restrictive eating, bulimic, and depressive symptoms. Results of structural equation modeling suggest that self-objectification has a direct relationship to restrictive eating, bulimic, and depressive symptoms. The mediational role of internal awareness was relevant for depressive symptoms but not for restrictive eating or bulimic symptoms. Depressive symptoms did, however, mediate the relationship between self-objectification and bulimic symptoms. The relevance of our findings to the ...
Effects of hydration, annealing, and melting on heat transport properties of fused quartz and fused silica from laser-flash analysis

Abstract Thermal diffusivity (D) at high temperature (T) was measured from 15 samples of commercial SiO2 glasses (types I, II, and III with varying hydroxyl contents) using laser-flash analysis (LFA) to isolate vibrational transport, in order to determine effects of impurities, annealing, and melting. As T increases, Dglass decreases, approaching a constant (~ 0.69 mm2s− 1) above ~ 700 K. From ~ 1000 K to the glass transition, the slope of D is small but variable. Increases of D with T of up to 6% correlate with either low water and/or low fictive temperature and are attributed to removal of strain and defects during annealing. Upon crossing the glass transition, D substantially decreases to 0.46 mm2s− 1 for the anhydrous melt. Hydration decreases Dglass, makes the glass transition occur over wider temperature intervals and at lower T, and promotes nucleation of cristobalite from supercooled melt. Due to the importance of thermal history, a spread in D of about 5% occurs for any given chemical type. Combining prior steady-state, cryogenic data with our average results on type I glass provides thermal conductivity (klat = ρCPD) for type I: klat increases from ~ 0 K, becoming nearly constant above 1500 K, and drops by ~ 30% at Tg. We find that D− 1(T) correlates with thermal expansivity times temperature from ~ 0 K to melting due to both properties arising from anharmonicity.
Kinetic Theory Analysis of Sheaths and Shocks

The properties of sheaths formed on the divertor plates have a strong influence on plasma behavior in the scrape-off-layer. What makes these properties quite different from those of standard Debye sheaths is that the magnetic field in the SOL intersects divertor plates at a shallow angle. The survey covers the following issues of the sheath physics in an oblique magnetic field: sheath structure and particle trajectories; effect of diamagnetic and electric drifts on the current-voltage characteristics of the sheath; effect of the surface roughness and waviness on sheath properties and plasma transport; possible role of the anomalous transport, etc. The second class of objects briefly discussed in the present survey are shock waves which can appear in the divertor region if the incoming plasma flow is supersonic. The outline of the kinetic theory of impurity retention by the shocks is presented.
Linear Electromechanical Model of Ionic Polymer Transducers -Part II: Experimental Validation

A series of experiments are performed to assess the validity of an equivalent circuit model of ionic polymer transducers. The fundamental parameters of the model are the dielectric permittivity of the material, the viscoelastic modulus, and the effective strain coefficient of the transducer. The results demonstrate the validity of a simplifying assumption regarding the reflected impedance of the polymer. This allows us to use a simpler set of expressions to predict the time and frequency response of the polymer. The expressions for sensing and actuation are verified in a series of step response and frequency response tests of cantilevered transducers. The curvefit algorithm used for parameter identification works well but there is always a tradeoff in accuracy between the time domain and frequency domain measurements. This could imply the existence of an input-level dependence on the parameters. In spite of this level dependence, the linear model is able to predict the response of an input-output pair tha...
Rotation-invariant Histogram Features for Threat Object Detection on Pipeline Right-of-Way

We present a novel algorithm that automatically detects anomalies in pipeline right of the way (ROW) regions in aerial surveillance videos. Early detection of anomalies on pipeline ROWs avoids failures or leaks. Vehicles that are potential threats vary in size, shape and color. The detection algorithm should be fast to enable detection in real-time. In this paper, we propose a rotation-invariant gradient histogram based descriptor built in CIELab color space. An SVM with radial basis kernel is used as the classifier. We use only the a and b components since they represent the color values. The region of interest is divided into concentric circular regions. The number of such concentric regions is based on the size of the target. The inner regions capture the local characteristics and finer details of the image. Larger regions capture the global characteristics. A noise reducing differentiation kernel is used to compute the gradient of the region to cope with motion blur and noise introduced by atmospheric aberrations. A gradient orientation histogram is constructed in each region by voting the magnitude of gradients. The final descriptor is build by concatenating the magnitude of DFT of orientation histograms collected from a component and b components. The magnitude of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of the histogram is invariant to rotations. DFT can be efficiently computed as Fast Fourier Transfrom (FFT). Since the algorithm uses a sliding window detector, it can easily be parallelized.
The effect of a flaxseed oil-enhanced diet on the product quality of farmed brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) fillets.

The effects of dietary modification with flaxseed oil-enhanced (Flax) feed on the product quality of brook trout fillets were examined. Trout were fed a commercial feed supplemented with fish oil (CD) or flaxseed oil (Flax) for 165 d before harvesting. Proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined on fillets. Quality parameters of the raw fillets were examined over the storage period by measuring color (L ∗ , a ∗ , b ∗ ), muscle pH, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances test. Evaluations on the cooked fillets included sensory evaluation with triangle tests and a paired preference test. There were no differences in proximate composition between the groups; however, the total omega-3 fatty acids were greater in Flax fillets (P < 0.05). Diet and day were shown to interact in their effect on whiteness, pH, and lipid oxidation (P < 0.05); however, linear regression did not determine that malondialdehyde concentration was associated with time in either diet type implying that lipid oxidation in the vacuum-packed fish was controlled at storage temperatures (4 ◦ C). Sensory panelists were able to choose the odd sample in a replicated triangle test analyzed using the β-binomial model, and there was preference for Flax fillets (P < 0.05). Results indicate that a Flax-enhanced diet would have favorable effects on product quality of farmed brook trout.
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) exposure of male mice produces a decrease in cell proliferation of preimplantation embryos.

Abstract In this study using an aggregation chimera assay we examined male mice exposed to a nonmutagenic reproductive toxicant, EGME, for the transmission of impaired viability to their progeny preimplantation embryos. Prior to their aggregation into pairs, one of the embryos was labled with a viable dye fluorecein isothiocyanate (FITC) to determine the relative cellular contribution from each partner embryo when chimeras were dissociated 30 to 35 h later (2 to 3 cell cycles). Direct cell-cell contact of embryos derived from exposed males and embryos from control males creates a competitive situation that has been shown to confer a cell proliferation disadvantage to the embryo from an exposed parent. The cell proliferation disadvantage is expressed as a “proliferation ratio”: number cells from an experimental embryo/total chimera cell number. Male mice were exposed to EGME by gavage for 5 days with 0, 50, 200, 750, or 1500 mg/kg and were serially mated with unexposed female mice for the next 7 weeks. Proliferation ratios were significantly decreased in the 50, 200, and 750 mg/kg dose groups at week 4, which corresponds to the pachytene spermatocyte stage of spermatogenesis. Proliferation ratios were also significantly decreased in the 1500 mg/kg group at week 5. Due to transient infertility in this dose group, there were not sufficient numbers of embryos to evaluate for week 4. These results indicate that male mice exposed to EGME transmitted adverse effects to their progeny embryos that were expressed as an embryonic cell proliferation disadvantage in the chimera assay.
Scintillation counting of 32P without added scintillator in aqueous solutions and organic solvents and on dry chromatographic media.

Abstract Cerenkov radiation produced by 32P makes possible a convenient and efficient method for determination of 32P in virtually any sample utilizing conventional scintillation counters. Organic solvents provide high absolute efficiencies—the highest efficiency measured, approximately 80%, was obtained with toluene. Approximately 50% absolute efficiency is obtained in aqueous solutions with very little variation when strong acids, bases, or salts are present. Paper and silica gel give similar efficiencies with no liquid present because Cerenkov radiation occurs in polyethylene and in glass. Samples are completely unaltered by the counting. Counting conditions are constant for all samples. The efficiency varies with volume, solution composition, and vial material. Efficiencies relative to water for a wide variety of aqueous solutions and organic solvents have been determined using a rapid, highly accurate method.
Studies on Thermal Denaturation of DNA from Various Chlamydiae

Determination of the base composition of DNA, expressed as percentage of the bases guanine plus cytosine (G 4C), has been valuable in the taxonomy of several groups of organisms (e.g., [1, 2]). Such percentages have usually been determined either from studies of buoyant density gradients on the DNA [3] or from study of its thermal denaturation temperature [4]. Base composition values frequently supplement information from DNA hybridization experiments [5, 6]. In studies on the organisms now designated chlamydiae [7], DNA hybridization experiments by Gerloff et al. [8] failed to show a significant difference between the meningopneumonitis agent and 4 other chlamydiae, none of which however, was a trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIG) agent [9]. A marked difference was found between meningopneumonitis agent and various nonchlamydial organisms included for control. In later investigations, Kingsbury and Weiss [10] included 3 TRIG agents and found large differences between these and the agents of meningopneumonitis and psittacosis in studies of both DNA hybridization and base composition. Their data support the proposal by Page [7] that chlamydiae be divided into 2 species, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci.
Thermal Analysis of a Piston Cooling System with Reciprocating Heat Pipes

The reciprocating heat pipe is a very promising technology in engine piston cooling, especially for heavy-duty diesel engines. The concept of the reciprocating heat pipe is verified through the experimental observation of a transparent heat pipe and by thermal testing of a copper/ water reciprocating heat pipe. A comparative thermal analysis on the reciprocating heat pipe and gallery cooling systems is performed. The approximate analytical results show that the piston ring groove temperature can be significantly reduced using heat pipe cooling technology, which could contribute to an increase in engine thermal efficiency and a reduction in environmental pollution.
Predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation using CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

Background Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most frequent complication of cardiac surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pharmacologic prophylaxis is the main method of preventing POAF but needs to be targeted to patients at high risk of developing POAF. The CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system is a clinical guideline for assessing ischemic stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. The present study evaluated the utility of this scoring system in predicting the risk of developing de novo POAF in cardiac surgery patients. Materials and methods A total of 2385 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our institution from 2008–2014 were identified for analysis. Each patient was assigned a CHA2DS2-VASc score and placed into a low- (score of 0), intermediate- (1), or high-risk (≥2) group. A multivariate regression model was created to control for known risk factors of atrial fibrillation. Results POAF occurred in 380 of 2385 patients (15.9%). Mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores among patients with POAF and without POAF were 3.6 ± 1.7 and 2.8 ± 1.7, respectively (P < 0.0001). Using multivariate analysis, as a patient's CHA2DS2-VASc score rose from 0–9, the risk of developing POAF increased from 8.2%–42.3%. Each point increase was associated with higher odds of developing POAF (adjusted odds ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–1.36, P < 0.0001). Compared with low-risk patients, patients in the high-risk group were 5.21 times more likely to develop POAF (P < 0.0001). Conclusions The CHA2DS2-VASc algorithm is a simple risk-stratification tool that could be used to direct pharmacologic prophylaxis toward patients most likely to experience POAF.
Students' Coordination of Knowledge When Learning to Model Physical Situations

In this article, I present a study in which 12 pairs of 8th-grade students solved problems about a physical device with algebra. The device, called a winch, instantiates motions that can be modeled by pairs of simultaneous linear functions. The following question motivated the study: How can students generate algebraic models without direct instruction from more experienced others? The first main result of the study is that students have and can use criteria for judging when 1 algebraic expression is better than another. Thus, students can use criteria to regulate their problem-solving activity. The second main result is that constructing knowledge for modeling with algebra can require students to coordinate criteria for algebraic representations with several other types of knowledge that I also identify in the article. These results contribute to research on students' algebraic modeling, cognitive processes and knowledge structures for using mathematical representations, and the development of mathematic...
Bilevel formulation of a policy design problem considering multiple objectives and incomplete preferences

A bilevel optimization formulation of policy design problems considering multiple objectives and incomplete preferences of the stakeholders is presented. The formulation is presented for Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) policy design for decentralized energy infrastructure. The upper-level problem is the policy designer's problem and the lower-level problem is a Nash equilibrium problem resulting from market interactions. The policy designer has two objectives: maximizing the quantity of energy generated and minimizing policy cost. The stakeholders decide on quantities while maximizing net present value and minimizing capital investment. The Nash equilibrium problem in the presence of incomplete preferences is formulated as a stochastic linear complementarity problem and solved using expected value formulation, expected residual minimization formulation, and the Monte Carlo technique. The primary contributions in this article are the mathematical formulation of the FIT policy, the extension of computational policy de...
Spectroscopic valence of cerium in cerium-lanthanum-iron compounds

In ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{14}$B and ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{17}$, cerium is mixed valent and nonmagnetic. Any structural or compositional modification of these intermetallics which induces cerium to become trivalent and develop a local 4f moment should result in compounds with enhanced magnetostrictions, magnetocrystalline anisotropies, and net magnetic moments. Due to the dependence of cerium valence on steric volume, one approach for manipulating the valence is to increase the cell volume of these phases by forming pseudoternaries or pseudobinaries of these compounds with lanthanum. In this work, we report the spectroscopic valence of cerium obtained from the cerium ${\mathrm{L}}_{3}$ edge of ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ce}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{14}$B, ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ce}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{17}$, and selected hydrides and nitrides of these intermetallics. In ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ce}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{14}$B the average cerium valence is found to decrease only slightly with increasing lanthanum content. Analysis of the extended x-ray absorption fine structure of the cerium and lanthanum ${\mathrm{L}}_{3}$ edges from the ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ce}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{14}$B series is only consistent with cerium preferentially occupying the small 4f rare-earth site in the tetragonal ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{14}$B structure. In ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ce}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{17}$ the shift of cerium towards the trivalent state with decreasing x is more pronounced, but the shift is incomplete over the range of compositions investigated (x\ensuremath{\geqslant}1). Although these results do not exclude the possibility of trivalent cerium in some of these compounds, none of the compounds provided unambiguous evidence of trivalent cerium.
Direct contact condensation in packed beds

A diffusion driven desalination process was recently described where a very effective direct contact condenser with a packed bed is used to condense water vapor out of an air/vapor mixture. A laboratory scale direct contact condenser has been fabricated as a twin tower structure with two stages, co-current and countercurrent. Experiments have been operated in each stage with respective saturated air inlet temperatures of 36, 40 and 43 °C. The temperature and humidity data have been collected at the inlet and exit of the packed bed for different water to air mass flow ratios that vary between 0 and 2.5. A one-dimensional model based on conservation principles has been developed, which predicts the variation of temperature, humidity, and condensation rate through the condenser stages. Agreement between the model and experiments is very good. It is observed that the countercurrent flow stage condensation effectiveness is significantly higher than that for the co-current stage. The condensation heat and mass transfer rates were found to decrease when water blockages occur within the packed bed. Using high-speed digital cinematography, it was observed that this problem can occur at any operating condition, and is dependent on the packing surface wetting characteristics. This observation is used to explain the requirement for two different empirical constants, depending on packing diameter, suggested by Onda for the air side mass transfer coefficient correlation.
Composing Data Parallel Code for a SPARQL Graph Engine

The emergence of petascale triple stores have motivated the investigation of alternates to traditional table-based relational methods. Since triple stores represent data as structured tuples, graphs are a natural data structure for encoding their information. The use of graph data structures, rather than tables, requires us to rethink the methods used to process queries on the store. We are developing a scalable, in-memory SPARQL graph engine that scales to hundreds of nodes while maintaining constant query throughput. Our framework comprises a SPARQL to data parallel C compiler, a library of parallel graph methods, and a custom multithreaded runtime layer for multinode commodity systems. Rather than transforming SPARQL queries into a series of select and join operations on tables, our front end compiles the queries into data parallel C code with calls to graph methods that walk internal data structures, constructing answers in their wake. In this paper, we describe the compilation process and give examples of the generated C code parallelized with OpenMP. We present performance numbers for the SP2Bench SPARQL benchmark queries on a 48-core shared-memory system. With respect to conventional relational database systems such as Virtuoso, our approach uses less memory and provides higher performance.
EFFECT OF TENSILE STRESS ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF BOVINE MUSCLE

The changes in ultrastructure of bovine semitendinosus, both raw and heated (90°C) and subjected to tensile stress, were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Stress parallel to the fiber axis resulted in the initial rupture of the muscle fiberendomysium sheath. Perpendicular stress caused initial rupture at the endomysium-perimysium junction with the muscle fibers remaining undisturbed. Similar observations were made on the muscle tissue heated to 90°C and subjected to tensile stress. Heating to 90°C does not alter completely the fibrous nature of the perimysium connective tissue. Some native type collagen fibrils were observed, even after the severe heat treatment. The effect of applied stress on components of the muscle tissue is an important consideration in the development of a more reliable test method for evaluation of meat tenderness.
Fast and ultrasensitive method for quantitating prion infectivity titre

Bioassays are the standard way to measure prion infectivity titres, but can be time-consuming. In this study, bioassays are compared with a modified version of the protein misfolding cyclic amplification technique with beads (PMCAb), demonstrating that PMCAb can be more precise and faster than bioassays.
Device Design Issues for a High-Performance Bipolar Technology with Si or SiGe Epitaxial Base

Design issues for a high-performance bipolar technology with Si or SiGe epitaxial base are discussed. Narrow and shallow polysilicon emitter formation and extrinsic base design for low base resistance are investigated using selective epitaxy emitter window (SEEW) transistors. In spite of a close proximity of the extrinsic base diffusion to the intrinsic device a cut-off frequency (f T ) up to 50 GHz has been achieved for an emitter width of 0.35 ?m. The depth of the extrinsic base diffusion did affect the collector-base capacitance and indicated that the extrinsic base should be designed in a manner consistent with the circuit operating current density. Further, we discuss in detail the emitter window tolerance for SEEW formation.
Microbiology: Fat, bile and gut microbes

Western-style diets could be contributing to the rapid increase in inflammatory bowel disease. New research suggests that dietary fat can alter bile composition and so favour the growth of pro-inflammatory gut microbes. See Letter p.104 Milk fat is shown here to potentiate experimental colitis in susceptible mice, in association with increased luminal concentrations of sulphite-reducing bacteria. Mice fed a diet with comparable caloric intake containing unsaturated fatty acids are protected. The inflammation is caused by milk-fat-promoted taurine conjugation with bile acids, which increases the availability of organic sulphur used by the bacteria. This finding supports the suggestion that the recent upwards trend in complex immune disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases could reflect changes in human microbiomes elicited in genetically susceptible individuals by dietary and other environmental changes.
An effective model of blood flow in capillary beds

In this article we derive applicable expressions for the macroscopic compliance and resistance of microvascular networks. This work yields a lumped-parameter model to describe the hemodynamics of capillary beds. Our derivation takes into account the multiscale nature of capillary networks, the influence of blood volume and pressure on the effective resistance and compliance, as well as, the nonlinear interdependence between these two properties. As a result, we obtain a simple and useful model to study hypotensive and hypertensive phenomena. We include two implementations of our theory: (i) pulmonary hypertension where the flow resistance is predicted as a function of pulmonary vascular tone. We derive from first-principles the inverse proportional relation between resistance and compliance of the pulmonary tree, which explains why the RC factor remains nearly constant across a population with increasing severity of pulmonary hypertension. (ii) The critical closing pressure in pulmonary hypotension where the flow rate dramatically decreases due to the partial collapse of the capillary bed. In both cases, the results from our proposed model compare accurately with experimental data.
PREOPERATIVE SCREENING FOR GENETIC ABNORMALITIES IN MEN WITH NONOBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA BEFORE TESTICULAR SPERM EXTRACTION

Abstract Purpose Men with nonobstructive azoospermia may be treated with testicular sperm extraction and assisted reproduction. However, in men with severely impaired spermatogenesis genetic anomalies may be a cause of low sperm production. We present the results of genetic screening of men with nonobstructive azoospermia who are testicular sperm extraction candidates. Materials and Methods Genetic evaluation was performed in a sequential series of 190 men with nonobstructive azoospermia who were candidates for testicular sperm extraction, including standard peripheral karyotypic analysis and detailed polymerase chain reaction based evaluation of the Y chromosome. All men found to harbor genetic defects were referred for genetic counseling. Results Of the 190 patients 33 (17%) had genetic abnormalities. Of the 101 men who underwent karyotyping 21 (21%) had cytogenetic abnormalities, including 13 with Klinefelter's syndrome. Of the 183 men who underwent Y chromosome partial deletion analysis defects were detected in 17 (9%). Five men had karyotypic anomalies as well as evidence of partial Y chromosome deletions on polymerase chain reaction based analysis. Genetic counseling was done in 31 men with defects before testicular sperm extraction. Knowledge of the specific genetic defect resulted in a change of clinical management in 7 of the 33 couples (21%) in which the man had a genetic abnormality. Conclusions These results indicate that preoperative genetic screening is important in men with nonobstructive azoospermia who are candidates for testicular sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Genetic testing provides men with reassuring etiological information regarding the infertile condition as well as a means to assess the risk of passing infertility traits to male offspring. It allows specific preimplantation genetic testing of embryos during assisted reproduction to minimize the risk of transmitting genetic defects to offspring.
Confirming the Diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis

To the Editor: I was delighted to read the interesting case report by Chang and Windish1 of 2 patients with cannabinoid hyperemesis and compulsive bathing. However, I was surprised by the authors' claim that these cases were the first reported in the United States. I found 3 other case reports that had already been published in the United States by simply searching PubMed and Google.2-4 Although still rarely reported, cannabinoid hyperemesis may be much more common than currently recognized. Because this syndrome has been recognized only recently and its validity has been questioned,5 it is of paramount importance to clearly define and fully report all new cases. The diagnosis is suggested by the characteristic triad of habitual cannabis use, cyclic vomiting, and compulsive bathing, but confirmation relies heavily on patient follow-up. Previous case reports and case series have shown that, almost universally, patients improve in the months after marijuana cessation, thus confirming the diagnosis. Unfortunately, adequate patient follow-up was lacking for the 2 cases by Chang and Windish, and the diagnosis remains uncertain. I hope that the authors can convey their patients' outcome and that a future issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings might provide the necessary follow-up to confirm the suspected diagnosis.
Evaluating the risk of releasing genetically engineered organisms.

This article considers the question of a priori assessment of the safety of releasing recombinant DNA engineered organisms. Now and for the foreseeable future, decisions to release such an organism must be based on the results of limited, case-by-case risk assessment studies. The criteria calling for the termination of release programs must be agreed upon in advance of these studies. There is no justification for excluding classes of release organisms from risk assessment. Theory is useful in suggesting a hierarchy of risks, raising the questions that have to be addressed in case-by-case risk assessment and providing protocols for the standardization and execution of these studies. We do not believe that theory can be used to argue categorically for or against the safety of specific releases of recombinant DNA engineered organisms.
Husserl’s Way to Authentic Being

In a journal entry from 1906, Husserl complains of lacking “internal stability” and of his desire to “achieve” it. My claim in this paper is that the “phenomenological method,” which he made public in his 1907 lectures Die Idee der Phanomenologie was, and is, a means to achieve the inner harmony that Husserl longed for. I do not provide an analysis of why Husserl might have felt the way he did; my aim is to show what internal stability might be and how one might achieve it. I conclude that the phenomenological method is the means, the “how,” to internal stability, which I characterize as “clarity” and “harmony” regarding our beliefs and, and ultimately, our authentic comportment.
Anti-predator defence by neighbours as a responsive amplifier of parental defence in tree swallows

. Tree swallows defend their nests against predators with a combination of active and passive defence behaviour. Active defence consists of repeated dives towards the predator accompanied by alarm calling, while passive defence is limited to circling above the predator, with alarm calling at lower rates than during active defence. During 224 presentations of a ferret or rat snake near nests of tree swallows, up to 13 neighbouring tree swallows joined in the defence bouts. With only one exception, these defending neighbours limited their participation to passive defence. In 66 of the predator trials, no neighbouring birds engaged in defence. These trials with no defending neighbours were at nests with significantly lower intensities of parental defence, and there were no other detectable differences between the nests with and without defending neighbours. Of the 158 trials during which defending neighbours were present, the number of neighbours recruited to a defence episode was strongly correlated with male calling behaviour and male and female attendance, with the strongest effect due to the maximal alarm call rate of the defending male parent. Within the limited range of densities provided in the experiments, the numbers of defending neighbours recruited was not significantly affected by the local density of active swallow nests, even though most defending neighbours came from nests within 75 m of the nests being defended. Neighbouring swallows engaged in passive defence at all stages in their nesting cycles, although significantly more had older chicks in their own nests when they defended. An examination of the various costs and benefits of anti-predator behaviour by neighbours suggests that the principal cost is the time taken from other activities, especially foraging for the neighbour's own offspring. The principal benefit appears to be defence of the neighbours' offspring and selves through distraction and 'moving on' of predators, respectively. Thus, self-interest alone appears to explain participation in group defence, although the lower benefits obtained by neighbours probably explains their lack of active defence. The responsiveness of neighbours to variation in the intensity of parental defence suggests that they are interpreting the behaviour of the parents at the nest being threatened as an honest signal of the magnitude of the threat, although it is not clear how such honesty might be maintained. In any event, the participation of neighbours in defence bouts amplifies the sensory impact of the anti-predator display and probably enhances its anti-predator function.
Large Eddy Simulation and Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes modeling of flow in a realistic pharyngeal airway model: an investigation of obstructive sleep apnea.

Computational fluid dynamics techniques employing primarily steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) methodology have been recently used to characterize the transitional/turbulent flow field in human airways. The use of RANS implies that flow phenomena are averaged over time, the flow dynamics not being captured. Further, RANS uses two-equation turbulence models that are not adequate for predicting anisotropic flows, flows with high streamline curvature, or flows where separation occurs. A more accurate approach for such flow situations that occur in the human airway is Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The paper considers flow modeling in a pharyngeal airway model reconstructed from cross-sectional magnetic resonance scans of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea. The airway model is characterized by a maximum narrowing at the site of retropalatal pharynx. Two flow-modeling strategies are employed: steady RANS and the LES approach. In the RANS modeling framework both k–e and k–ω turbulence models are used. The paper discusses the differences between the airflow characteristics obtained from the RANS and LES calculations. The largest discrepancies were found in the axial velocity distributions downstream of the minimum cross-sectional area. This region is characterized by flow separation and large radial velocity gradients across the developed shear layers. The largest difference in static pressure distributions on the airway walls was found between the LES and the k–e data at the site of maximum narrowing in the retropalatal pharynx.
F-actin and microtubule suspensions as indeterminate fluids

The viscosity of F-actin and microtubule suspensions has been measured as a function of shear rate with a Weissenberg rheogoniometer. At shear rates of less than 1.0 per second the viscosity of suspensions of these two structural proteins is inversely proportional to shear rate. These results are consistent with previous in vivo measurements of the viscosity of cytoplasm. This power law implies that shear stress is independent of shear rate; that is, shear stress is a constant at all shear rates less than 1.0 per second. Thus the flow profile of these fluids is indeterminate, or nearly so. This flow property may explain several aspects of intracellular motility in living cells. Possible explanations for this flow property are based on a recent model for semidilute suspensions of rigid rods or a classical friction model for liquid crystals.
A derivation of the optimum continuous linear estimator for systems with correlated measurement noise

Differential equations for minimum variance linear filter separating signals from additive correlated noise, using discrete time optimum formulas
What Constitutes Successful Undergraduate Research

Research has become a point of much greater emphasis in the undergraduate science curriculum within the past few generations of undergraduate students. However, there is not universal agreement upon what constitutes a successful undergraduate research program, and how degrees of success should be measured. A model for a successful program based principally on student ownership of research projects will be presented here. This approach is an attempt to give undergraduate students the most holistic research experience possible, by involving them in all stages of a research project in a limited amount of time. A central goal for each student is a definable product of their particular project, which is disseminated to as wide an external audience as possible. Measures of success, from student perspectives, will be discussed. These measures include data from interviews of students before and after their research experience.
The Distribution of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSF-R) and Its Messenger RNA Expression in the Human Fetus ♦ 1380

The Distribution of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSF-R) and Its Messenger RNA Expression in the Human Fetus ♦ 1380
Phosphorus concentrations in soil and subsurface water: a field study among cropland and riparian buffers.

Riparian buffers can be effective at removing phosphorus (P) in overland flow, but their influence on subsurface P loading is not well known. Phosphorus concentrations in the soil, soil solution, and shallow ground water of 16 paired cropland-buffer plots were characterized during 2004 and 2005. The sites were located at two private dairy farms in Central New York on silt and gravelly silt loams (Aeric Endoaqualfs, Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts, Fluvaquentic Eutrudepts, Glossaquic Hapludalfs, and Glossic Hapludalfs). It was hypothesized that P availability (sodium acetate extractable-P) and soil-landscape variability would affect P release to the soil solution and shallow ground water. Results showed that P availability tended to be greater in crop fields relative to paired buffer plots. Soil P was a good indicator of soil solution dissolved ( or =0.45 microm) reactive P (PRP), and dissolved unreactive P (DUP) concentrations in ground water. Soil organic matter and 50-cm depth soil solution DRP in buffers jointly explained 75% of the average buffer ground water DRP variability. Results suggest that buffers were relatively effective at reducing soil solution and shallow ground water DRP concentrations, but their impact on particulate and organic P in ground water was less clear.
Publication Changes, Journal Content, and the Editorial Board

William Rasdorf, Editor Dept. of Civil Engineering, North Carolina State Univ., Campus Box 7908, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908. This issue marks a watershed for the Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. Beginning with volume 20 in 2006, we will publish six issues per year instead of four, i.e. the JCCE is transforming from a quarterly journal to a bimonthly journal. The reason for this change is that the number of submissions to the JCCE is increasing, and consequently, the number of papers that are being published is also increasing. Although that outcome is positive and highly desirable, these papers also initiate a cascading series of events in the publications pipeline that affects the publication queue by extending the time from acceptance to publication. Under no circumstances do we desire delays in the publication process of accepted papers. A key advantage of publishing bimonthly will be to reduce the publication backlog and speed up publication times. But doing so will facilitate author participation in the JCCE and promote more rapid dissemination of critical knowledge. Moving to a bimonthly publication will enable us to better engage authors, increase the size of the issues over time, and put papers into the hands of readers more often. It also brings the JCCE to the reader’s attention more often.
Comparison of Simultaneous Heat and Moisture Transport through Glass-Fibre and Spray-Cellulose Insulations

Experimental results from an investigation of moisture transport and accumula tion in cellulose insulation, in the presence of a thermal gradient, are reported. These results are compared, qualitatively, with the results obtained on glass-fibre insulation from earlier investigations. The comparison reveals that an appreciable quantity of moisture is transported through cellulose via condensed phase flow, in the presence of thermal gradients.
EFFECT OF HYPOXIA ON MITOCHONDRIAL ELECTRON TRANSPORT COMPLEXES AND ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES IN THE NEWBORN HEART

Effect of 60 min hypoxia (N2) and subsequent 40 min reoxygenation (re-02) on mitochondrial state 3 respiration (QO2), electron transport complexes (ETC), adenine nucleotides (AdN= ATP+ADP+AMP) and adenine nucleotide translocase (AdNT) activity were studied in isolated, arterially perfused newborn (NB) and adult (A) rabbit hearts. In the oxygenated muscle (control) QO2, AdNT and ATP were significantly (P<0.05) greater in NB than in A. After N2, QO2 and AdNT decreased significantly (P<0.01) in both age groups, and the values of Q02, AdN, and AdNT in the NB were significantly greater (P<0.05) than in A. N2 depressed ETC I in the A but not in the NB. After re-02, QO2 and AdN returned to control values in NB (96 ± 10% of control) but not in A (56 ± 3%), and the recovery of AdNT in NB (70 ± 2%) was significantly greater than in A (39 ± 5%). There was good correlation between QO2 and AdN as well as AdNT in both age groups. Conclusion: 1) the effect of N2 and re-02 on Q02, AdN, AdNT and ETC in NB is less than in A, 2) AdN is important in maintaining mitochondrial function.
The role of complex formation in the flocculation of negatively charged sols with anionic polyelectrolytes

Flocculation of negatively charged colloids by anionic polyelectrolytes, resulting from the adsorption of polymers on the colloid surface and from bridging of polymer chains between solid particles, is only possible if an appropriate concentration of electrolyte is present in the solution. Complex formation in the immediate vicinity of the sol surface between the counter cation and the functional groups of the polyelectrolyte plays a major role in the attachment of anionic polyelectrolytes to negative hydrophobic sols.
Laser-induced fluorescence spectra of the cold radicals, ZnCH3 and CdCH3, and their inert-gas complexes, XCdCH3 (X = He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe)

Abstract Electronic spectra of the radicals ZnCH 3 and CdCH 3 cooled in a free jet expansion are reported. Possible assignments of the vibronic features observed are given. A preliminary spectroscopic study of the inert-gas radical van der Waals complexes XCdH 3 (X = He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) is also reported.
Resistance to β-Lactam Antibiotics and Its Mediation by the Sensor Domain of the Transmembrane BlaR Signaling Pathway in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococci, a leading cause of infections worldwide, have devised two mechanisms for resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. One is production of β-lactamases, hydrolytic resistance enzymes, and the other is the expression of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP 2a), which is not susceptible to inhibition by β-lactam antibiotics. The β-lactam sensor-transducer (BlaR), an integral membrane protein, binds β-lactam antibiotics on the cell surface and transduces the information to the cytoplasm, where gene expression is derepressed for both β-lactamase and penicillin-binding protein 2a. The gene for the sensor domain of the sensor-transducer protein (BlaRS) of Staphylococcus aureuswas cloned, and the protein was purified to homogeneity. It is shown that β-lactam antibiotics covalently modify the BlaRSprotein. The protein was shown to contain the unusual carboxylated lysine that activates the active site serine residue for acylation by the β-lactam antibiotics. The details of the kinetics of interactions of the BlaRS protein with a series of β-lactam antibiotics were investigated. The protein undergoes acylation by β-lactam antibiotics with microscopic rate constants (k2) of 1–26 s−1, yet the deacylation process was essentially irreversible within one cell cycle. The protein undergoes a significant conformational change on binding with β-lactam antibiotics, a process that commences at the preacylation complex and reaches its full effect after protein acylation has been accomplished. These conformational changes are likely to be central to the signal transduction events when the organism is exposed to the β-lactam antibiotic.