cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Responses by the Rat Uterus in Vivo to Deamino-Oxytocin Disproportionate to Its Estimated Plasma Half-Life

Deamino-oxytocin, oxytocin, and arginine-vasotocin were studied with respect to their actions on milk ejection, blood pressure, and uterine contractions in rats in vivo. In the in vivo uterus preparation, deamino-oxytocin had an extremely protracted action; the increment in response length as the injected dose was doubled (response-length increment) was 26 ± 4 min compared to 3.5 ± 0.4 min for similar doses of oxytocin. By comparing response-length increments for either pressor and milk ejection or pressor and uterine responses to injections of arginine vasotocin in single rats, we verified that the responselength increments for pressor, uterine, and milk ejection responses can, under some conditions, provide an estimate of plasma half-life. Response-length increments were then measured for oxytocin and deamino-oxytocin for pressor, uterine, and milk ejection responses. Response-length increments for deamino-oxytocin were short (like those of oxytocin, which had response-length increments similar to its p...
Effectiveness of Vital Oxide for Controlling Fungal Contamination on Building Materials

Rationale: Mold growth on building materials can be an exposure risk for atopic individuals. The gas chlorine dioxide is an effective fungicide but is unstable. Vital oxide (VO) is an aqueous solution containing either 0.2% or 0.5% chlorine dioxide in a stabilized form. The goal of this investigation was to determine the effects of VO on fungi commonly found growing on building materials. Methods: Ceiling tile and sheetrock squares (36 cm2) were sterilized and then saturated with either sterile distilled water or various concentrations of VO. Saturated squares were inoculated with a spore suspension of one of the following fungi: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium sp., and Stachybotrys chartarum. Cultures were incubated at room temperature for up to eight weeks. Spray applications of VO were also tested on ceiling tile squares inoculated with Asp. fumigatus or S. chartarum. Spore germination of all six species was evaluated in Sabouraud’s broth with and without VO for 96 hrs. Results:VO solutions containing either 0.1% or 0.2% chlorine dioxide inhibited growth of all six fungi on both ceiling tile and sheetrock squares. Spray applications were also effective for the species tested. In the germination experiments, some spore germination occurred in the medium with 0.1% chlorine dioxide ranging from <1% germination for Alternaria spores to 18% for Chaetomium spores; however, media with higher chlorine dioxide levels prevented spore germination for all species. Conclusions:VO inhibited growth of fungi on sheetrock and ceiling tiles and shows possible applications for control of indoor fungal contamination. Effectiveness of Vital Oxide for Controlling Fungal Contamination on Building Materials Estelle Levetin, PhD Faculty of Biological Science, The University of Tulsa 113
Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the radionuclide (indium)-labeled leukocyte scan.

Summary Objective Evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Indium 111 -labeled leukocyte scans as used in a general, tertiary care hospital. Methods Retrospective review of electronic medical records from all patients who underwent Indium 111 scan at two large Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, 1999–2005, to determine congruence between Indium 111 scan readings and final clinical diagnoses, using all available data with at least 6 months of follow-up. Results Of 145 indium scans done for possible skeletal infection, infection was judged to be present in 52 cases. The sensitivity was 83%, and the specificity was 90%, with a diagnostic accuracy of 88%. Fifty-nine scans were done for indications other than skeletal infection. In 20 instances, when specific foci were suspected, the suspicion was correctly confirmed by indium scan in every case, without false positives or negatives (sensitivity and specificity, 100%). In 39 scans done to search for a possible source of nonspecific findings of infection (fever, leukocytosis, bacteremia), the sensitivity and specificity were 81% and 87%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 85%. Conclusion Except as a means to confirm an already-suspected clinical focus, the indium scan appears to offer relatively little definitive information that can be used for diagnosis or treatment of infection.
An investigation of reciprocity and reinforcement theories of bargaining behavior

Abstract The three experiments reported here investigated some determinants of a negotiator's bargaining. The first two experiments, investigating the effects of an opponent's concessions, revealed that the negotiator does not reciprocate the opponent's concessions nor does he retain the expectation that his own concessions will be reciprocated. Rather he repeats those concessions that are reinforced by large opponent concessions. The third experiment examined the effects that opponent reinforcements (concessions) and constituent reinforcements produced in the negotiator's bargaining. It was found that constituent reinforcements altered the negotiator's bargaining and the opponent reinforcements interacted with those of the constituent to affect the negotiator's behavior. However the opponent reinforcements produced no main effects.
Serving Underserved Youth Through Physical Activity

(1997). Serving Underserved Youth Through Physical Activity. Quest: Vol. 49, Serving Underserved Youth Through Physical Activity, pp. 3-7.
Fluid flow and weld penetration in stationary arc welds

Weld pool fluid flow can affect the penetration of the resultant weld significantly. In this work, the computer simulation of weld pool fluid flow and its effect on weld penetration was carried out. Steady-state, 2-dimensional heat and fluid flow in stationary arc welds were computed, with three driving forces for fluid flow being considered: the buoyancy force, the electromagnetic force, and the surface tension gradient at the weld pool surface. The computer model developed agreed well with available analytical solutions and was consistent with weld convection phenomena experimentally observed by previous investigators and the authors. The relative importance of the influence of the three driving forces on fluid flow and weld penetration was evaluated, and the role of surface active agents was discussed. The effects of the thermal expansion coefficient of the liquid metal, the current density distribution in the workpiece, and the surface tension temperature coefficient of the liquid metal on weld pool fluid flow were demonstrated. Meanwhile, a new approach to free boundary problems involving simultaneous heat and fluid flow was developed, and the effort of computation was reduced significantly.
Crystallization of a small fragment of an aminoacyl tRNA synthetase

Abstract Single crystals of an amino-terminal fragment of Escherichia coli alanine tRNA synthetase have been prepared by the vapor diffusion method. The fragment extends to amino acid residue 368 and catalyzes the synthesis of alanyl adenylate. The crystals grow in the presence of alanine as rhombic plates in space group P212121 and with unit cell dimensions of a = 67.9 A , b = 98.5 A and c = 123.6 A (1 A = 0.1 nm). They diffract to better than 3 A resolution.
Dynamics of Single-Species Population Growth: Stability or Chaos?

We have examined stability at the carrying capacity for 25 genetically different populations of Drosophila melanogaster. In spite of their genetic heterogeneity, 20 of the populations yield stable equilibria and none have eigenvalues significantly greater than one. Computer simulations demonstrate how selection at the individual level may account for population stability (and, hence, that group selection is not necessary for the evolution of stability). Recent theoretical studies on density-dependent selection in random environments provide predictions consistent with our empirical findings.
Effects of phenethylisothiocyanate on the expression of glutathione S-transferases and hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen.

1. The effect of PEITC on the expression of hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GST) and the glutathione (GSH) conjugation has been investigated in the Sprague-Dawley rat, and it has been determined whether hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen (AA) could be inhibited through the induction of GST expression in mouse. 2. The hepatic GST activity and protein levels of alpha class (Ya, Yc) and mu class (Yb1, Yb2) of GST were elevated in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with PEITC (0, 3.16, 10, 31.6, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o., 3 days). The mRNA levels of GST Ya and GST Yb1 were also markedly increased 1 day after treatment with PEITC at dosages ranging from 31.6 to 200 mg/kg. The hepatic GSH content was significantly increased to 200% of control at dose of 200 mg/kg PEITC. 3. Pretreatment with 100 mg/kg PEITC significantly enhanced the biliary excretion of glutathione conjugate of AA 2-fold, whereas treatment with 200 mg/kg did not affect it. 4. In mouse, PEITC (100 and 200 mg/kg, 3 days) decreased the lethality and hepatotoxicity caused by AA. 5. These results indicate that (1) the induction of GST by PEITC is presumably under transcriptional regulation, and (2) PEITC may have a protective function against AA-induced hepatotoxicity by induction effect on GST, in combination of enhancement of hepatic GSH.
The Femtosecond Energy Diffusion Sensor: A Non-contact Tool for Photovoltaic Characterization

The femtosecond energy diffusion sensor is presented as a non-contact tool for the use in the characterization of thin film hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photovoltaic cells. The sensor is based on the pump-probe technique and when used with the appropriate models, this non-contact, non-destructive tool is shown to be capable of measuring important material characteristics of each layer of a p-i-n junction including bandgap and density of states. When fully developed, it is believed that the sensor could be used in a factory environment to detect and solve problems rapidly and to maintain control of the entire manufacturing process.
The Reflective Practitioner in Teaching: Toward a Research Agenda.

Abstract Recognizing the apparent appeal that the image of a teacher as a “reflective practitioner” has for teacher educators and noting the lack of clarity and consistency which accompanies its discussion, this project undertook to develop a description of what reflective practice in teaching would “look like.” The paper presents 12 critical attributes that would indicate a teacher's stance toward reflection, accompanied by four assumptions on which the attributes are based. Finally, the utility of these attributes is discussed in terms of both a research agenda and teacher education program decisions that they might inform.
Relationship of pheasant occurrence to barium in Illinois soils

Distribution of the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is nearly co-extensive with the boundary of Wisconsinan glaciation; this is an area of base-rich soils that are mostly developed in calcareous tills. Anderson and Stewart (1973) speculated that barium in the diet might be a factor limiting the pheasant establishment in habitats adjacent to areas of long-term sustaining populations in Illinois. Total Ba was calculated for soils of 74 conterminous counties for which there were pheasant population data. Barium over the range of about 480 to 700 mg kg−1 soil was unrelated to pheasant occurrence or to population indeces. The selective eating of iron-manganese concretions that are enriched in Ba might present a unique pathway for Ba loading.
Effect of tumor-promoting agents on density and morphometric parameters of mouse epidermal Langerhans and Thy-l+ cells

Topical application of tumor-promoting agents to the dorsal skin of female SENCAR mice on a twice-weekly basis resulted in a reduction in density per unit area of bone marrow-derived Thy-1+ dendritic cells. Activity was observed for well-established tumor-promoting doses of promoting agents of several different chemical types, including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, diterpene diester), anthralin (dihydroxyanthrone), and n-dodecane (n-alkane). A reduction in density of the same cells was also observed on the basis of the asialoGM1 lipid as a surface marker after TPA treatment. No parallel effect was observed for epidermal Langerhans (Ia+) cells, the second major epidermal immunofunctional cell type, except in the case of anthralin, a finding which is consistent with the reported toxicity of this agent. The stage 2 promoting agent mezerein was unique in inducing a consistent increase in Langerhans cell densities, but did not affect the density of Thy-1+ cells when applied for a prolonged period unless applied following four doses of TPA. In contrast to the SENCAR strain, the promotion-resistant Balb/c and C56BL/6 strains showed no response with respect to TPA-induced reduction of Thy-1+ cell density. In addition to effects on density, the above tumor-promoting agents induced morphological changes in both Thy-1+ and Langerhans cells. When these changes were placed on a quantitative basis by the calculation of shape and area fraction parameters, marked and significant effects were observed for the above agents, but not for the partial promoting agent mezerein nor the non-promoting phorbol diester 4-O-methyl-TPA. The effects of TPA were largely blocked by the potent anti-promoting agent fluocinolone acetonide, moreover. These findings further support an important role for quantitative and qualitative alterations in dendritic epidermal cells in tumor promotion.
Acid-Soluble Breakdown of Homologous Deoxyribonucleic Acid Adsorbed by Haemophilus influenzae: Its Biological Significance

Competent bacteria of Haemophilus influenzae strain Rd were exposed to various kinds of radioactive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for short periods of time and at relatively low temperature. The fate of phage HP1 DNA was studied most extensively. Adsorbed DNA was partially acid solubilized by lysogens and by nonlysogens with very similar kinetics. The biological activity of the DNA decreased extensively in both lysogenic and nonlysogenic recipients. 2,4-Dinitrophenol had no effect on the acid solubilization but largely abolished the biological inactivation. Inactivation kinetics for three different markers and for the triple combination were roughly the same. The presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol in the medium, or the HP1 prophage in the chromosome, did not alter this observation. This suggests that acid solubilization involves the destruction of whole DNA molecules. In view of the absence of DNA homology between phage and host, it is concluded that acid-soluble breakdown of adsorbed transforming DNA is not an integral part of the donor DNA integration process. Behavior of mutant bacteria indicates that neither exonuclease III nor exonuclease V is involved.
Day-ahead corrective transmission topology control

In order to sustain a continuous supply of electric power during a potential N-1 event, sufficient amount of reserves have to be acquired. The acquisition of such contingency reserves starts at the day-ahead scheduling phase. However, modern day-ahead unit commitment problems, which acquire reserves that exceed the largest contingency, do not guarantee a reliable solution as the deliverability of the reserves depends on the reserve locations. Corrective transmission topology control can be used by the operator during a post-contingency state as a mechanism to improve the deliverability of reserves. In this paper, a model that incorporates corrective transmission topology control within contingency analysis is presented. Various solution techniques are also compared in terms of performance and these methods are tested on the IEEE 118-bus and IEEE 73-bus test systems. Numerical results show that topology control significantly reduces the number of cases with constraint violations.
Determination of orders of relative alkali metal ion affinities of crown ethers and acyclic analogs by the kinetic method

Ladders of relative alkali ion affinities of crown ethers and acyclic analogs were constructed by using the kinetic method. The adducts consisting of two different ethers bound by an alkali metal ion, (M1 + Cat + M2)+, were formed by using fast atom bombardment ionization to desorb the crown ethers and alkali metal ions, then collisionally activated to induce dissociation to (M1 + Cat)+ and (M2 + Cat)+ ions. Based on the relative abundances of the cationized ethers formed, orders of relative alkali ion affinities were assigned. The crown ethers showed higher affinities for specific sizes of metal ions, and this was attributed in part to the optimal spatial fit concept. Size selectivities were more pronounced for the smaller alkali metal ions such as Li+, Na+, and K+ than the larger ions such as Cs+ and Rb+. In general, the cyclic ethers exhibited greater alkali metal ion affinities than the corresponding acyclic analogs, although these effects were less dramatic as the size of the alkali metal ion increased.
Inflow of ocular surface fluid through clear corneal cataract incisions: a laboratory model.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the self-sealing properties of standard clear corneal cataract incisions during two events: (1) application of mechanical external pressure, or (2) controlled fluctuation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Eight fresh human donor globes were prepared for Miyake video microscopy. A standard two-plane 3-mm clear corneal incision was created and a 3 × 3-mm sponge soaked with India ink was placed on the wound surface. One globe with a sutured corneal wound served as the control. A transcleral cannula was inserted and connected to a bottle of saline. Intraocular pressure was modified varying the bottle height. External pressure was applied through manual contact on different regions of cornea. Results Four of seven eyes demonstrated intraocular presence of ink, three of them after external manipulation and another after varying the IOP. Conclusion Self-sealing properties of unsutured clear corneal wounds were compromised in our model. These data may give insight into the possible mechanisms involved in the inflow of extraocular fluid into the eye through clear corneal cataract incisions.
Scientific substantiation of claims in the USA: focus on functional foods

Although functional foods are currently regulated the same as conventional foods by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there is some concern that they should not be. One concern is whether functional foods can/should carry the same type of health and nutrition labeling claims as conventional foods. For example, the type of nutrient content claim that describes a level of the nutrient such as “good or excellent source” presents a problem for functional foods since these claims relate back to a standard value for nutrients (the daily value or DV). At this time the bioactive or functional components in a functional food do not have daily values so they could not take advantage of this type of claim. Structure/function claims are also at issue since they are required to relate to the food’s attributes of taste, aroma, and nutritive value, rather than attributes of functionality (which would pertain to functional foods). There appear to be three categories of issues concerning the regulation of functional foods: safety; efficacy; and their effect on the overall diet. Since bioactive components can be synthesized or extracted and concentrated, the concern is that the amounts of these substances in functional foods might reach levels which are actually injurious to health or they may negate beneficial effects of substances in the same food. Most people/organizations consider that functional foods need to document their functionality. This means that unlike conventional foods, all functional foods, by definition, would have to apply for a health claim. Finally, the long term overarching concern is what will be the impact of a functional food-driven market on overall health. It is of interest to see how the regulatory environment for functional foods evolves in the next few years and what impact that environment has on the future of these foods.
THE NATIONAL CONTEXT EFFECT: AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE VALIDITY OF CROSS-NATIONAL RESEARCH USING UNREPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES *

The objective of this study was to investigate whether results from cross-national studies using convenience samples which are not representative of the nation can provide valid cross-national comparisons. Analysis of data from the International Dating Violence Study (IDVS) of university students in 32 nations (n = 17,404) enabled 18 tests of concurrent validity and found an average correlation of .51 between variables measured by the IDVS measured and by nationally representative samples. Construct validity was also supported by 41 empirical tests. The concept of national context effects explains how samples that are not nationally representative can provide valid nation-to-nation differences. It was concluded that convenience samples that are not representative of the nation but are comparable across nations can provide valid tests of theories about differences between nations. Consequently, if a study can only be done using convenience samples, that should not deter proceeding.
Predictors and Sequelae of Smoking Topography Over the Course of a Single Cigarette in Adolescent Light Smokers

Purpose The objective of this study was to determine whether adolescent smokers, who varied in their smoking histories and symptoms of nicotine dependence, exhibit any decrease in puff volume and duration similar to that typically seen in dependent adolescent and adult smokers. Moreover, we examined whether puffing trajectories were moderated by individual difference factors, as well as whether puffing topography over the course of smoking a single cigarette was predictive of an escalation in dependence symptoms.
Modified Bhattacharyya bounds and their application to timing estimation

Recently, a modified Cramer-Rao bound has been proposed for the problem of estimating non-random parameters in the presence of random nuisance parameters. In its scalar or vector form, the modified Cramer-Rao bound (MCRB) is simple to evaluate and shown to be tight in some cases. Unfortunately, the MCRB is proven to be at most as tight as conventional Cramer-Rao bound (CRB). Another bound, the Miller-Chang bound (MCB), has also been evaluated in the literature. It applies to a more restricted class of estimators, namely, those are uniformly unbiased with respect to the random nuisance parameters. The MCB was shown to be much tighter than the CRB in several cases. In this article, we present a new bound, the modified Bhattacharyya bound (MBB). Like the MCRB, the MBB is easy to calculate. Taking the MCRB as a special case, the MBB is proven to be at least as tight as the MCRB. A case study on timing estimation shows that the MBB is not only tighter than the MCRB, but tighter than the CRB in low SNR range for the problem studied. It is also observed that significant improvement can be achieved by calculating bigger J matrix. Another bound, the modified Bhattacharyya bound 2 (MBB2) is also presented. As an extension of the MCB, the MBB2 is found to be at least as tight as the MCB.
Building formal knowledge bases: Understanding evaluation use in the foundation community

In this article, we review 13 empirical studies that investigate the use of evaluation by foundations and highlight issues surrounding evaluation use in this context. After describing what is known in light of these studies, we discuss issues that warrant further investigation. We then report on preliminary findings from an ongoing study of evaluation use in small and mid-sized foundations which is being conducted as part of the University of Pittsburgh-Lilly Endowment evaluation partnership. We conclude by raising some questions that need to be addressed more rigorously by both the foundation and evaluation communities if we are to collectively improve the use of evaluation by one of our country's more important and powerful resources: foundations.
The causal role of odours in the development of recognition templates and social preferences

Despite decades of theoretical interest in the role of kin recognition in mate choice and nepotism, data on both the mechanisms and functions of recognition are available for only a few species. Even less common are demonstrations of direct causal links between the production and perceptual components of recognition and subsequent social preferences. Belding's ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingi, produce odours that vary with kinship and can be used to discriminate classes of kin. However, the links between odours, recognition templates and differential treatment of conspecifics have not been shown empirically. Here I examined whether the manipulation of odour recognition templates influences juvenile behaviours. I induced recognition errors by exposing young to odours from a foreign mother before natal emergence. According to phenotype-matching mechanisms, developing young should incorporate all encountered odours into their kin template and later treat individuals matching the template as kin. As in previous studies, the most preferred play partners were littermates, but young also interacted preferentially with juveniles from the foreign family, whose odours were similar to the foreign mother and therefore matched their templates, compared with unfamiliar, unrelated juveniles. This preference for juveniles of the foreign family could not be due to relatedness or direct familiarity prior to emergence. Patterns of nasal investigations mirrored those of play bouts. This is a novel demonstration of a causal link between recognition cues, recognition templates and ‘kin’-differentiated behaviours, and highlights the potency of social odours during development on later social dynamics.
Prospects of Thin-Film Thermoelectric Devices for Hot-Spot Cooling and On-Chip Energy Harvesting

Advances in thin-film thermoelectric (TE) materials have created opportunities for using TE devices in high heat flux applications such as hot-spot (H-S) cooling and on-chip energy harvesting. In this paper, we compare the performance of TE modules integrated directly on the silicon die with those that are attached to the heat spreader of the chip package. We make use of the Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 super lattice material to explore tradeoffs between the two integration options for H-S cooling and energy-harvesting applications. Package level finite element simulations show that on-chip energy harvesting can yield up to 30 mW of power from an H-S with a heat flux of 200 W/cm2, or the same H-S can be cooled as much as 19°C in the cooling mode. In addition, the TE module integrated on the die is shown to have a disadvantage due to the higher thermal resistance from the hot side of the module to the ambient.
Clinical review: fever in intensive care unit patients.

Fever is a common response to sepsis in critically ill patients. Fever occurs when either exogenous or endogenous pyrogens affect the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in the pre-optic nucleus. Prostaglandin E2 slows the rate of firing of warm sensitive neurons and results in increased body temperature. The febrile response is well preserved across the animal kingdom, and experimental evidence suggests it may be a beneficial response to infection. Fever, however, is commonly treated in critically ill patients, usually with antipyretics, without good data to support such a practice. Fever induces the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs), a class of proteins critical for cellular survival during stress. HSPs act as molecular chaperones, and new data suggest they may also have an anti-inflammatory role. HSPs and the heat shock response appear to inhibit the activation of NF-κβ, thus decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects of HSPs, coupled with improved survival of animal models with fever and infection, call into question the routine practice of treating fever in critically ill patients.
A range of artificial hearts

Housings, pumping diaphragms, and bases for a range of artificial hearts are made by vacuum forming and then joined together by radio-frequency (RF) welding. Insertion by a surgeon is made easier, since the ventricles can be folded up, compressed, squeezed, and held out of the way of the suturing because both the housing and the base are soft and flexible. The 65, 50, and 20 cm/sup 3/ ventricles are in production for implantation in animals. The 65 and 50 cm/sup 3/ ventricles have been implanted in eight calves. The pressure curves and absence of thrombosis on the inside of the heart are discussed. >
Lattice and OR decomposition-based algorithms for recursive least squares adaptive nonlinear filters

A lattice structure for adaptive Volterra systems is presented. The structure is applicable to arbitrary planes of support of the Volterra kernels. A fast least-squares lattice algorithm and a fast QR-lattice adaptive nonlinear filtering algorithm based on the lattice structure are presented. These algorithms share the fast convergence property of fast least-squares transversal Volterra filters; however, unlike the transversal filters, they do not suffer from numerical instability. >
An Investigation of the Irrotational Near Field of an Excited High Speed Jet.

The near-field pressure of a Mach 0.9 jet with Reynolds number of 6.2x10 5 has been investigated to examine the response of the jet to low-frequency forcing with localized arc filament plasma actuators (LAFPAs). The well-defined actuation phase allows for the phase averaging of the near-field pressure in order to separate the relevant features of the response from the background turbulence. The resulting phaseaveraged signal illustrates a compact wave with a positive pressure excursion preceding a negative one. This is indicative of a large-scale structure (a vortex ring) that is generated by each impulsively seeded perturbation. The signature of these large-scale structures is shown to rapidly decay with radial distance from the jet. Simultaneous measurements of acoustic far field were also performed along with the near field, allowing the relationship between them to be examined. Although the region near the jet shear-layer is largely hydrodynamic in nature, there is still significant correlation between the near-field pressure and the far-field acoustic around 30° polar angle, particularly as the jet evolves downstream past the potential core. This region is shown to shift upstream closer to the end of the potential core when the jet is forced.
High-frequency characterization of power/ground-plane structures

In this paper, we describe a strategy to characterize power and ground-plane structures using a full cavity-mode frequency-domain resonator model. We develop insights into modal analysis and introduce a novel technique to suppress modal impedances, minimizing both transfer and input impedances. The influence of port locations on the Z matrix is evaluated.
Comparison of Intelligence, School Readiness Skills, and Attention in In-Utero Drug-Exposed and Nonexposed Preschool Children

Children with in-utero drug exposure (IUDE) may be at risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the association between IQ, school readiness skills, and self-regulation behavior in IUDE children (n=103) and non IUDE-exposed children (n=33) at age 4 years. Mean IQ or school readiness scores did not significantly differ by IUDE exposure; however, both groups scored approximately 1 standard deviation below the mean for both IQ and school readiness skills. The IUDE group earned a significantly higher mean score (thereby performing poorer) than the nonexposed group on focusing and inattentive behavior. Factors associated with poor school readiness skills for all children (IUDE exposed and nonexposed) were not attending a preschool program and lower caregiver education level. Assuring high-risk children are identified and referred for early intervention services as well as treated for inattention behavior is crucial for their academic success.
ADVERSE SELECTION, MORAL HAZARD, AND GROWER COMPLIANCE WITH BT CORN REFUGE

We develop a principal-agent model of grower compliance with Bt corn refuge requirements for managing insect resistance to the Bt toxin. The model endogenizes the technology price, audit rate, and fine imposed on non-complying growers when grower willingness to pay for Bt corn and compliance effort is private information. Empirical analysis finds that practical application requires capping fine revenue. With such a program, the company raises the technology price and achieves complete compliance. The net welfare change (relative to competitive pricing) due to reducing company revenue and restricting technology access remains beyond the scope of this analysis.
Blind self-noise-free frequency detectors for a subclass of MSK-type signals

Frequency offset due to Doppler shift and/or oscillator instabilities degrade the receiver performance. A family of frequency detectors for frequency offset estimation and compensation in digital receivers is introduced. The proposed detectors are best suited for frequency offset compensation of a subclass of binary continuous phase modulation with h=1/2 that includes modulation schemes with nonnegative frequency pulses. For the considered modulation schemes, the modulation-induced self-noise term is absent from the variance of the frequency estimate. The estimator is nondata- and nontiming-aided and its estimation range is either half or a quarter of the bit rate (R). With larger frequency offsets, the estimators that have a /spl plusmn/R/2 estimation range introduce a frequency ambiguity of R that is of no relevance to the performance of a differential detection based receiver.
Identification, characterization, and comparative genomic distribution of the HERV-K (HML-2) group of human endogenous retroviruses

Background Integration of retroviral DNA into a germ cell may lead to a provirus that is transmitted vertically to that host's offspring as an endogenous retrovirus (ERV). In humans, ERVs (HERVs) comprise about 8% of the genome, the vast majority of which are truncated and/or highly mutated and no longer encode functional genes. The most recently active retroviruses that integrated into the human germ line are members of the Betaretrovirus-like HERV-K (HML-2) group, many of which contain intact open reading frames (ORFs) in some or all genes, sometimes encoding functional proteins that are expressed in various tissues. Interestingly, this expression is upregulated in many tumors ranging from breast and ovarian tissues to lymphomas and melanomas, as well as schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and other disorders.
Super-resolution Restoration of Facial Images in Video

Reconstruction-based super-resolution has been widely treated in computer vision. However, super-resolution of facial images has received very little attention. Since different parts of a face may have different motions in normal videos, this paper proposes a new method for enhancing the resolution of low-resolution facial image by handling the facial image non-uniformly. We divide low-resolution face image into different regions based on facial features and estimate motions of each of these regions using different motion models. Our experimental results show we can achieve better results than applying super-resolution on the whole face image uniformly.
Keepers of the Covenant or Platonic Guardians? Decision Making on the U.S. Supreme Court

How do the justices of the Supreme Court make their decisions? How does the Supreme Court of the United States make its decisions? The answer to these questions may not be the same. In studying judicial decision making, there has been a disconnection between individual and institutional levels of analysis. Lifetime tenure insulates individual justices and permits them to act on their substantive preferences. At the same time, the Court lacks the “sword and purse” and must rely on the other branches to fund or implement its directives. This study develops an integrative model to explain Supreme Court decision making. Using constitutional civil liberties and civil rights cases in the 1953 to 2000 period, conditions favorable to the attitudinal model, we find that institutional decision making is a function of attitudinal, strategic, and legal factors.
Evaluation of Culture- and PCR-Based Detection Methods for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Inoculated Ground Beef †

Currently, several beef processors employ test-and-hold systems for increased quality control of ground beef. In such programs, each lot of product must be tested and found negative for Escherichia coli O157:H7 prior to release of the product into commerce. Optimization of three testing attributes (detection time, specificity, and sensitivity) is critical to the success of such strategies. Because ground beef is a highly perishable product, the testing methodology used must be as rapid as possible. The test also must have a low false-positive result rate so product is not needlessly discarded. False-negative results cannot be tolerated because they would allow contaminated product to be released and potentially cause disease. In this study, two culture-based and three PCR-based methods for detecting E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef were compared for their abilities to meet the above criteria. Ground beef samples were individually spiked with five genetically distinct strains of E. coli O157: H7 at concentra...
Sensitivity Tunable Inductive Fluid Conductivity Sensor Based on RF Phase Detection

New results are presented for a sensitivity-tunable, inductive fluid conductivity sensor based on RF phase detection. An electronically controlled RF phase shifter allows the sensor to function in a wide range of conductivities from 2-70 mS/cm and helps tune the sensitivity of the response in a selected conductivity range. The noncontact nature of the sensor makes it suitable for corrosive fluids. Furthermore, the small size of the sensing element (1 inch. Sq X 6 mm thick) makes it suitable for compact in-line and hand held monitoring systems.
Dialyzer Reuse: What We Know and What We Don't Know

Despite extensive clinical experience, the effects of different reuse procedures have not been fully evaluated. The available data suggest that the effect of reuse on dialyzer performance depends upon the type of chemicals employed, the membrane type, and the size of the solute whose removal is being assessed. The effect of reuse on urea clearance is essentially defined by the residual cell volume with a total cell volume of > 80% associated with a dialyzer clearance that is within 10% of its original value. The effect of reuse on large solute clearance can be dramatic, with the procedure resulting in substantial changes in the beta2-microglobulin clearance of different dialyzers. Of note is the limited data available regarding the effect of reuse procedures on dialyzers processed more than 20 times.
Continuing Range Expansion of the Northern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys taylori) in Northeastern Texas

Abstract The range of the northern pygmy mouse (Baiomys taylori) continues to expand through Texas and into adjacent states. We report a new record for B. taylori in Hunt County, near its poorly understood northeastern limit in Texas. This record, together with results from other recent surveys, suggests that the northern pygmy mouse might only now be realizing the extent of range projected in the literature >25 years ago.
Child Care Center Characteristics Associated With Preschoolers' Physical Activity

Introduction Despite children spending long hours in child care centers, it is unknown what center characteristics are associated with children’s moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at the center and over the 24-hour day. Methods Mixed model ANOVA evaluated associations between 23 center characteristics (e.g., policies, facilities, practices, and staff training) and time in MVPA, measured with accelerometers, at the child care center and over the 24-hour day among 388 preschoolers from 30 randomly selected child care centers in Cincinnati, Ohio. Data collection occurred from November 2009 through January 2011; data analyses occurred in 2012–2014. Results Ninety percent of centers reported scheduling two or more outdoor sessions daily, yet only 40% of children had two or more outdoor sessions; 32% had no time outdoors. Eighty-three percent of centers reported scheduling ≥60 minutes outdoors; 28% of children experienced this during observation. Children spent a mean (SE) of 2.0 (0.06) minutes/hour in MVPA. Children with ≥60 minutes outdoor time had 0.6 minutes/hour more MVPA in child care ( p =0.001), and 0.5 minutes/hour over the 24-hour day ( p =0.001) than those who did not. Presence of an indoor play space, large outdoor playground, portable or fixed play equipment, staff PA training, weather and clothing policies, and TV/computer use were not related to children’s MVPA. Conclusions Outdoor time occurred less frequently than scheduled. Children with ≥60 minutes of outdoor time at the center were more active than children without. Centers may increase preschoolers’ PA by adhering to the scheduled ≥60 minutes of outdoor time daily.
Narrative Found in Nietzsche: Illuminating Our Life-Affirming Stories

In a modern age where many have abandoned God and have turned to science, a new problem emerges, which is that of meaning. With the death of God comes the birth of new ways in which we can begin to define and give meaning to our lives. This paper suggests that a Nietzschean conception of narrative can help to replace the meaning that people experience as lost once they abandon belief in God.
Nonlinear Load-Deflection Relations of Bonded Elastomeric Circular Disks and Strips

Abstract The nonlinear load-deflection relations of bonded circular disks and infinitely long strips are studied. Finite element analysis is used to evaluate the empirical formula proposed by Payne, which justifies the need for a better formula to predict the load-deflection relation for blocks with large shape factors under a relatively large deformation. General expressions for the load-deflection relations of blocks under axisymmetrical and plane-strain deformations are presented based on a variational approach, i.e. the Raleigh-Ritz method, in which no specific form of strain energy functions is required. Nonlinear load-deflection relations of circular discs and infinitely long strips made of a Mooney-Rivlin material are explicitly given in a power series form. It is found that these solutions agree well with the finite element results and are much more accurate than the empirical formula. It is shown that the solutions obtained by the Raleigh-Ritz method are not sensitive to deformations assumed.
Glass Scintillators

The preparation of scintillating glasses is currently being studied with principal emphasis on the use of cerium as an activator. The most efficient material investigated to date is a cerium activated high silica glass prepared originally by the Corning Glass Company. The pulse height of this material has been found to be as high as 10 per cent that of NaI(Tl), but its efficiency is dependent upon the purity of the high silica glass from which it is prepared. Conventional meltable glasses activated with cerium have been prepared which have a pulse height of 7 per cent of NaI(Tl). The pulse height of these meltable glasses is dependent upon their composition. Alkaline earths have been found to be deleterious, whereas the presence of aluminum has been found to be beneficial. The most efficient composition to date has been found to be 1.ONa2O, 0.30Ce2O3, 3.0-4.0(B2O3 + SiO2), 1.0-1.3Al2O3. Methods of preparation of both meltable and high silica glass type glasses as well as their optical properties are described.
Joint Hypothesis Testing and Gatekeeping Procedures for Studies with Multiple Endpoints

A claim of superiority of one intervention over another often depends naturally on results from several outcomes of interest. For such studies the common practice of making conclusions about individual outcomes in isolation can be problematic. For example, an intervention might be shown to improve o
Comparison Between Zero Mass Flux Flow Control Methods for Low Speed Airfoil Separation Control

Two methods of zero mass flux flow control have been investigated and compared for low Reynolds (Re) number flow over a NACA 4415 airfoil. These include a modular adaptive wing with an oscillating upper profile and a plasma actuator wing. Both flow control methods have been investigated across a range of steady and actuation frequencies of order f + = O(1) and Re of 2.5 · 10 4 , 5.0 · 10 4 and 1.0 · 10 5 . Velocity data is acquired over the upper surface of the airfoils using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Results show that increasing f + helps in reducing flow separation for both methods. While both are eective separation flow control methods, frequency plays a more important role in the former case, while energy is added cross-stream to the flow as opposed to the latter case where energy is added in the stream-wise direction.
Application of raw and biochared Moringa oleifera seed powder for the removal of nitrobenzene from aqueous solutions

AbstractLow cost and locally available Moringa seed powder as a potential biosorbent was tested for its effectiveness in the removal of nitrobenzene (NB) from aqueous solution. Biochared Moringa oleifera seed powder was also used to compare its performance in the uptake of NB from aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy fingerprint region of the biochared M. oleifera seed powder was clearer as compared to the raw. Pores observed by the scanning electron microscopy analysis were found to be 0.84 and 1.23 cm3 g−1 (by BET analysis) for the raw and biochared M. oleifera seed powder, respectively. The carbon elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was 80 and 70% for the raw and biochared M. oleifera seed powder, respectively. The removal efficiencies of the two sorbents were evaluated using factors such as solution pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time and initial NB concentration. A basic pH of 11 was found to be optimum for the uptake of NB for both sorbents. The sorption e...
Internet-based physical activity intervention for women with a family history of breast cancer.

Objective Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. Physical activity interventions that can be delivered through the Internet have the potential to increase participant reach. The efficacy of an Internet-based physical activity intervention was tested in a sample of women at an elevated risk for breast cancer.
Nomogramm und Richtwerte für die rechnergesteuerte Therapie bei der azidotischen Hyperglykämie

Um einerseits die durchschnittliche Lebenserwartung des Diabetikers der der Normalbevolkerung anzunahern und um die Spatkomplikationen weiter einzudammen, ist eine rasche und grose Therapieeffizienz bei Entgleisung des Diabetes mellitus notwendig. Die Entwicklung eines Systems zur kontinuierlichen Messung der Stoffwechselparameter Glukose, pH und pCO2 stellt derzeit eine optimale Therapiegrundlage dar. Es wurde gepruft, ob sich auf dem Boden empirisch gefundener Daten nutzbare Zusammenhange zur automatengerechten Therapie entwickeln lassen.