cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Brief Training to Identify Autism Spectrum Disorder During Toddler Well-Child Care Visits.

Objective To examine the effect of a brief Enhanced training using the information-motivation-behavior (IMB) change model on improving providers' surveillance rates and accuracy of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) detection. Method Toddlers (n = 5,672) were screened for ASD during their pediatric well-child visits. Pediatric providers (n = 120) were randomized to receive Enhanced (incorporating components of the IMB model) or Control training. Providers indicated whether they had an ASD concern at each well-child visit. Toddlers who were positive on any screener and/or whose provider indicated ASD concern were invited for a diagnostic evaluation. Differences in provider-indicated ASD concerns before and after training were evaluated using log-linear analyses. Results The Enhanced training did not have a significant effect on provider-endorsed ASD concerns (p = 0.615) or accuracy of endorsing concerns (p = 0.619). Providers in the Control training showed a significant reduction in indicating whether or not they had concerns after the training (from 71.9% to 64.3%), which did not occur in the Enhanced group. The Enhanced training led to more frequent endorsements of language (χ2 = 8.772, p = 0.003) and restricted and repetitive behavior (χ2 = 7.918, p = 0.005) concerns for children seen after training. Conclusion Provider training had limited impact on ASD surveillance, indicating the importance of using formal screening instruments that rely on parent report during well-child visits to complement developmental surveillance. Future research should examine whether providers who indicate specific concerns are more likely to accurately refer children for ASD evaluations.
A Simple Method for Restraint of Small Mammals for Sampling Blood or Tissue in the Field

Because wild rodents often harbor zoonotic pathogens that can be transmitted via saliva, urine, or feces (e.g., hantaviruses), researchers can be at risk when collecting rodent blood or tissue samples that are required for innumerable assays (e.g., infection status, hormone assays, etc.). I describe how inexpensive, readily available 50-mL centrifuge tubes can be easily modified to create a handling tube for the safe restraint of small rodents while a blood and/or tissue sample is collected from the tail. This approach has been used to successfully sample thousands of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), the primary host for Sin Nombre virus, a zoonotic disease that is pathogenic for humans.
A novel restricted single-isocenter stereotactic body radiotherapy (RESIST) method for synchronous multiple lung lesions to minimize setup uncertainties.

Abstract Treating multiple lung lesions synchronously using a single-isocenter volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) plan can improve treatment efficiency and patient compliance. However, due to set up uncertainty, aligning multiple lung tumors on a single daily cone beam CT (CBCT) image has shown clinically unacceptable loss of target(s) coverage. Herein, we propose a Restricted Single-Isocenter Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (RESIST), an alternative treatment that mitigates patient setup uncertainties. Twenty-one patients with two lung lesions were treated with single-isocenter VMAT-SBRT using a 6MV-FFF beam to 54 Gy in 3 fractions (n = 7) or 50 Gy in 5 fractions (n = 14) prescribed to 70-80% isodose line. To minimize setup uncertainties, each plan was re-planned using the RESIST method, utilizing a single-isocenter placed at the patient's mediastinum. It allows for an individual plan to be created for each tumor, using the first plan as the base-dose for the second plan, while still allowing both tumors to be treated in the same session. The technique uses novel features in Eclipse, including dynamic conformal arc (DCA)-based dose and aperture shape controller before each VMAT optimization. RESIST plans provided better target dose conformity (p
Clinical Trials in Pericardial Disease: New Paradigm Shift.

Aim of the review is to discuss the results of major clinical trials and how they can have impact on clinical practice. Pericardial diseases have been the Cinderella of cardiovascular diseases for many years, but improvements in the knowledge of etiology and the pathophysiology especially of recurrent pericarditis have led to first clinical trials that have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of colchicine on top of standard anti-inflammatory therapies and of anti-IL-1 agents (anakinra and rilonacept) in corticosteroid-dependent and colchicine-resistant pericarditis. Current pooled data suggest that anti-IL-1 agents should be a first option for corticosteroid-dependent and colchicine-resistant recurrent pericarditis with evidence of systemic inflammation by means of elevated C-reactive protein. This could translate into an upgraded recommendation for these agents in future guidelines. Treatment of pericardial diseases is improving moving towards a more personalized therapy according to the presentation and etiology, and new or old drugs could be important to expand the therapeutic spectrum.
P-69 Care home designated to take COVID-19 patients – palliative care support

Background Three Acute NHS Trusts were reaching maximum bed capacity by January 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A local recently refurbished care home was identified as a suitable COVID-19 discharge facility for COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 contact patients whose ceiling of care could be managed in this setting (including oxygen therapy) to help ease bed pressures. Aims To support primary care and care home staff with symptom control and decision making for those patients who were end-of-life. To help avoid readmission back into the Acute NHS Trusts who were already at capacity. To support the relatives of these patients. Method From January until the end of March 2021 support was provided to the designated care home in the form of: A weekly virtual ward round. Members on the virtual ward round included a GP, the Lead Nurse from the care home, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, a paramedic and a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist. The provision of regular telephone calls throughout the week was dependant on need from the care home. If there were any particular patients that the care home staff had concerns about a clinical nurse specialist would be available at weekends and bank holidays for advice and support. Telephone calls to relatives. Results Prevention of patients being readmitted to the Acute NHS Trusts following the input from specialist palliative care. Quality symptom control provided for patients not for escalation. Quality end-of-life care. Support for care home staff. Conclusion The specialist palliative care input made a positive contribution to the care of patients and also to the symptom control of those patients who were end-of-life. Staff felt supported in looking after these patients at a time when care home staff were generally feeling very isolated.
High efficiency 1.7 GHz gyropeniotron amplifier

Proposed applications require a highly efficient, high-power source to drive accelerators in the 0.8-1.7 GHz region. The gyropeniotron is projected to operate at high frequencies with an efficiency in excess of 75%. The saturated power and efficiency of the gyropeniotron amplifier in a cylindrical waveguide with the slotted structure have been calculated from a three-dimensional self-consistent theory. Design parameters have been determined for a 17-GHz gyropeniotron operating in the second cyclotron harmonic with a 100-kV, 10-A beam. For an ideal axis-encircling beam, the calculated efficiency is 78%. For a realistic beam with 2% axial velocity spread and 5% guiding center spread, the efficiency is only reduced to 66%. The saturated power is 660 kW. Power in excess of 1 MW can be obtained with a higher-energy beam. >
Development of a second breakdown model for bipolar transistors

An effort was made to obtain an improved bipolar junction transistor model, suitable for modeling or predicting the behavior of circuits under large-signal, high-stress conditions. A circuit-level second-breakdown model was developed for use with the circuit analysis code SPICE. This model uses a dependent subcircuit to perform diagnostic and controlling functions. A hitherto unencountered scheme for modeling avalanche breakdown is presented as part of the breakdown model, although it can be used independently. The complete model is implemented by means of external, circuit-level augmentations of the library bipolar transistor model contained within SPICE. The ability of the model to emulate second breakdown is demonstrated by a comparison between empirical and simulated results. >
Abnormalities of Left Ventricular Inflow and Outflow

Congenital abnormalities of left ventricular inflow and outflow include abnormalities of the left atrium, mitral valve (supravalvar, valvar, and subvalvar), and abnormalities of the left ventricular outflow tract, the aortic valve, and supravalvar area. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has become an important adjunctive tool in evaluating and following patients with this group of anomalies. This chapter reviews the role of CMR in the care of patients with congenital abnormalities of left ventricular inflow and outflow. In addition to describing the morphologic abnormalities and their clinical presentations, the indications and limitations of CMR in each condition are discussed and a suggested CMR examination protocol is provided.
Interaction of serotonin with the catecholamines. I. Inhibition of dopamine and norepinephrine oxidation.

Abstract Serotonin proved to be an effective inhibitor of both the enzymatic and autoxidation of dopamine and norepinephrine. Kinetic studies of the inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation indicated that serotonin forms an inhibitor-substrate complex. Structure-activity relationships indicate that the ring hydroxyl group of serotonin and the two ring hydroxyl groups of the catecholamines are the only requirements for interaction to occur. The possibility that serotonin modulates the activities of the catecholamines on a purely molecular level through complex formation has been discussed.
Losses in Idle Conductors in D-C Machine Armature Slots [includes discussion]

Expressions are derived for the magnetic field intensities and current densities in the slot space of d-c armatures when the slot contains idle conductors not connected in the armature circuit. Equations for the calculation of the copper losses in the conductors are given. Theoretical results are compared with tests.
Uniform scale mixture models with applications to variance regression

Scale mixtures of uniform distributions are used to model non-normal data in both univariate and multivariate settings. In addition to providing greater modelling flexibility, the use of scale mixtures of uniforms also results in straightforward computational strategies, particularly in a Bayesian analysis where Monte Carlo methods are used.
Capacitance-Voltage Characteristics of Thin-film Transistors Fabricated with Solution-Processed Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube Networks

We report the capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements on thin-film transistors (TFTs) using solution-processed semiconducting carbon nanotube networks with different densities and channel lengths. From the measured C-V characteristics, gate capacitance and field-effect mobility (up to ~50 cm2 V−1 s−1) of the TFTs were evaluated with better precision compared with the results obtained from calculated gate capacitance. The C-V characteristics measured under different frequencies further enabled the extraction and analysis of the interface trap density at the nanotube-dielectric layer interface, which was found to increase significantly as the network density increases. The results presented here indicate that C-V measurement is a powerful tool to assess the electrical performance and to investigate the carrier transport mechanism of TFTs based on carbon nanotubes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11671-015-0999-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Nuclear Spin Conversion in Molecules

In molecules with identical atoms, such as H, the nuclear spins can take on different arrangements called nuclear spin modifications. For hydrogen, the spin modifications are ortho (with spins aligned parallel) and para (spins aligned antiparallel). In their Perspective, [Hougen and Oka][1] discuss results reported in the same issue by [ Sun et al. ][2] in which conversion among different spin modifications of ethylene is studied. Laser light is used to separate different spin modification to create a gas depleted in one modification, and then the nuclear interconversion is observed over time. Because ethylene has four nuclear spin modifications, the subtle influences of molecular symmetry can be examined in greater detail than previously possible. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5756/1913 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5756/1938
Emerging Techniques for Test Data Compression

Increasing test costs has been one of the disadvantageous consequences of technology scaling especially in deep sub-micron designs. The amount of test data required to achieve good test quality has increased tremendously due to the increasing complexity of devices as well as the need to test for newer defect mechanisms that are becoming predominant in smaller device geometries. This has led to the development and deployment of new design-for-test (DFT) technologies to mitigate the problem. Test data compression has been at the forefront of solutions to reduce test costs through reduction in tester storage and test application time. In addition, it has the advantage of needing minimal changes to traditional design flow. The popularity and wide adoption of test data compression can be gauged by the fact that almost all EDA vendors now include test compression with their test solutions. Most test data compression techniques have concentrated on scan test vectors since the bulk of the increase in test data is due to scan vectors, including both stuck-at and delay tests. The test data of scan vectors consist of two parts - the test input or stimulus which is loaded into the scan chains and the test response which is captured at the scan cells after the capture cycle and unloaded through the scan chains for comparison with the correct response. The compression of both these parts present different challenges and hence require separate schemes. The input compression should be loss-less (to avoid reduction in fault coverage) while the response compression is complicated by the presence of unknown values (X's) that are captured in the scan cells. This presentation first briefly summarizes current test data compression techniques. Most of the commercial tools for test data compression utilize on-chip circuits for decompression that belong to the category of linear decompressors. We discuss the limitations of current schemes and look at future challenges. Subsequently, we talk about emerging techniques that seek to overcome these challenges. Several techniques have been developed at NEC Labs for both input test data compression and output (response) compaction. XWRC (Wang et al., 2005) is an externally loaded weighted random pattern compression scheme that combines weighted random pattern testing and LFSR reseeding to achieve very high input compression. PIDISC (Balakrishnan et al., 2006) is a pattern and design independent seed compression scheme to further compress the seeds of LFSR in reseeding based compression schemes. On the output side, a novel compactor to handle test responses with unknown values has been developed (Chao et al., 2005). Response Shaper (2005) is a technique to eliminate the reduction in fault coverage in spatial response compaction due to error masking caused by the appearance of unknown values and even errors. XBlock (Wang et al., 2006) is an efficient LFSR reseeding based technique to block unknown values for temporal compactors
Fate and Potential Significance of Postspawning Anadromous Fish Carcasses in an Atlantic Coastal River

Abstract Large numbers of spawning, anadromous clupeid fish (Alosa spp.) ascend North American coastal rivers and streams annually. In many regions, post-spawning mortality is high, resulting in potentially significant inputs of marine-derived animal detritus to tidal and nontidal freshwater systems. I estimated retention of carcasses and assessed the mechanism(s) of biological processing for carcasses of migratory blueback herring Alosa aestivalis in the James River, Virginia. In a first experiment, 418 tagged and weighed carcasses placed in the river were transported downstream at an average rate of 986 m/h. In a second experiment, 72 carcasses were fixed in the river as artificial substrates and recovered over the next 192 h. Instantaneous decomposition rates averaged 0.015/h, and the predicted mean time to complete decay was more than 240 h. An aquatic saprolegniale fungus (Saprolegnia sp.) heavily colonized most carcasses after 48 h. No aquatic macroinvertebrates were associated with any recovered ca...
Broad, Global, and Multidisciplinary Civil Engineering Education

To prepare civil engineers for work on complex societal systems, ABET criteria include requirements for broad education, knowledge of contemporary issues, and multidisciplinary teamwork. These important criteria are more difficult to interpret and assess than criteria in technical areas, and this paper draws from a range of instructional experiences to offer guidance about incorporating them into university civil engineering programs. The experiences are designing an all-university core curriculum, integrating a civil engineering curriculum, teaching broad course content to civil engineering students, assessing curriculum for an ABET visit, and offering an experimental interdisciplinary graduate course about coupled natural and human systems. Conclusions show that educators cannot completely overcome root problems such as inadequate preparation of students in the K-12 system, but they can use a range of tools such as the systems approach, institutional analysis, and explanation of key historical events to focus discussion on broad and global issues. These would, in turn, provide outcomes that can be assessed for effectiveness.
Phylogenetic analysis of Blattabacterium, endosymbiotic bacteria from the wood roach, Cryptocercus (Blattodea: Cryptocercidae), including a description of three new species.

Abstract Members of the cockroach genus Cryptocercus are wood-feeding, subsocial insects that live in temperate forests of the Nearctic and Palaearctic. At present, nine species are recognized: Cryptocercus relictus and Cryptocercus kyebangensis in eastern Asia and Russia, Cryptocercus primarius and Cryptocercus matilei in southwestern China, Cryptocercus clevelandi in the western USA, and Cryptocercus darwini, Cryptocercus garciai, Cryptocercus punctulatus, and Cryptocercus wrighti in the eastern USA. Like all extant cockroaches, Cryptocercus harbor endosymbiotic bacteria, Blattabacterium, in their fat bodies. The endosymbionts in all cockroaches have been considered a single species, Blattabacterium cuenoti, since their discovery about a century ago. However, a recent analysis of DNA sequences from representatives of four cockroach families has indicated that there is considerable DNA sequence divergence among B. cuenoti from different host species. As a part of our studies on the evolution of Cryptocercus, we examined DNA sequence divergence among B. cuenoti from six of the nine known Cryptocercus species. Specifically, we sequenced ∼2400 bp of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes of B. cuenoti from six species of Cryptocercus. We found that B. cuenoti in Cryptocercus has differentiated into multiple monophyletic lineages distinguishable by DNA sequence of rRNA genes and host association. Our sequence divergence estimates were consistent with those reported for other, congeneric bacterial species. We propose the recognition of three new species of Blattabacterium within Cryptocercus species as follows: Blattabacterium relictus sp. nov. in C. relictus, Blattabacterium clevelandi sp. nov. in C. clevelandi, and Blattabacterium punctulatus sp. nov. in C. darwini, C. garciai, C. punctulatus, and C. wrighti.
Conditioned place preference to morphine in cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice

Recent reports have suggested an involvement of the brain cannabinoid system in the morphine-reward pathway. To address this question we evaluated whether CB1 receptor knockout mice would show a conditioned place preference to morphine. CB1 receptor knockout mice developed a strong place preference to 4 and 8 mg/kg morphine, similar to that in wild-type Swiss-Webster mice. This data thus does not support a contribution of the brain cannabinoid system to morphine reward.
Biomass, Production, and Changes in the Availability of Light, Water, and Nutrients During the Development of Pure Stands of the Chaparral Shrub, Ceanothus Megacarpus, After Fire

Pure stands of the evergreen shrub, Ceanothus megacarpus, attain a mean of 4871 g/m2 in aboveground live biomass in 21 yr of growth after fire in the Santa Ynez Mountains of California. Mean net aboveground primary productivity is 850 g-m-2-y-1. In 21-yr-old stands there is also 990 g/m2 of attached dead wood as lower branches on the living shrubs and 476 g/m2 of standing dead shrubs that have died during the thinning of these stands due to intraspecific competition. During stand development, leaf-area-index increases to 1.6 m2/m2 and available light below the canopy de- creases linearly with increasing leaf biomass. Foliar mineral analyses suggest no foliar deficiencies of minerals in stands up to 20 yr old. Many years are required for the development of extensive root systems which are able to decrease the water stress experienced by C. megacarpus during summer drought. Water potential measurements show that moisture is a more limited resource in young (6-yr- old) stands that in older, well-developed stands, though the latter have considerably more leaf area for transpiration. Density-dependent competition for moisture may drive the self-thinning process seen in stands of C. megacarpus during an interval from 5 to 15 yr after fire, but decreasing available light may determine steady-state levels of vertical structure and biomass in this evergreen community.
OMNI: An Optoelectronic Multichannel Network Interface Based on Hybrid CMOS-SEED Technology

This paper presents a hybrid CMOS-SEED multiprocessor network interface smart pixel design that implements a reservation-based channel control protocol for collisionless concurrent access to multiple optical interprocessor communication channels. An asynchronous optical token is used as the arbitration mechanism for reservation control instead of slotted access. This work demonstrates that complex network protocol functions can be implemented using optoelectronic smart pixel technology.
Interchanging spline curves using IGES

Abstract Current CAD/CAM systems employ a variety of spline types, spline representations, and curve design algorithms. The IGES (initial graphic exchange specification) was designed to enable interchange of the more commonly used spline types among CAD/CAM systems, independent of the design algorithms originally used to create them. IGES supports parametric cubic splines through a piecewise polynomial representation. This paper describes the design considerations leading to the interchange common spline curve types. A short introduction to splines and spline representations is included.
Gene profile changes after Pseudomonas aeruginosa exposure in immortalized airway epithelial cells.

To test the hypothesis that the excess inflammatory response in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells is the result of differential activation of genes in response to a laboratory strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), a 48-h time course of genes expressed following PAO1 stimulation (109CFU for 1 h) was studied in two pairs of airway epithelial cells: 9/HTEo−and 16HBE14o−, each with a matched normal and CF phenotype pair. cRNA was hybridized to Affymetrix HG-U95Av2 chips and pairwise comparisons against zero time (no PAO1) were calculated for each time point. PAO1 elicited profound changes in both cell pairs: for 9/HTEo−, 144 genes changed significantly in the normal pair, and 116 for the CF pair; for the 16HBE14o−pair, 57 genes changed significantly for the normal pair and 53 for the CF pair. Changes were much greater in the 9/HTEo−than in the 16HBE14o−pair, but basal levels of expression of inflammatory genes are higher in the 16HBE14o−pair, so 16HBE14o−was used mainly to corroborate the results of 9/HTEo−. Clustering analysis indicated that the pattern of gene expression is similar in the CF cells and their normal counterparts. However, there were substantial quantitative differences in gene expression. Thus, the difference between CF and normal resides in the magnitude, not the pattern, of the changes. abbreviations: CF – cystic fibrosis; CFTR – cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator; CFU – colony forming units; PAO1 – laboratory strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa; BAL – bronchoalveolar lavage; IL – interleukin; NF-kB – nuclear transcription factor kappa B; NOS−2 – nitric oxide synthase; DMEM – Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium; GM-CSF – granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; GROα– melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha (CXCL1); CXCL2 – chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2, GROβ; TNFAIP3 – tumor necrosis factor, alpha-induced protein 3; NFKBIA – nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha; ELISA – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; RT-PCR – reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; GAPDH – glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; UPGMA – unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean; GO – Gene Ontology.
Surveillant Institutional Eyes in Korea: From Discipline to a Digital Grid of Control

This article investigates the shift from disciplinary societies (the visible and physical violence of power) to control societies (the modulating and normalizing techniques of power) in South Korea. At the institutional level, during the period of repressive and disciplinary society in Korea (1948-1992), the regulatory control systems of the state were mainly performed by two formidable apparatuses: the national ID system and the National Security Law. On the other hand, the deployment of institutional power since 1993 has been based on the logic of free-floating control, dispersion, normalization, and modulation. This study examines how the techniques of power were gradually transformed from a centralized and hierarchical model into a distributive and dispersed network model, based on flow, speed, and mobility.
Recovery of bile secretion following orthotopic liver transplantation

Abstract Recovery of hepatic function following orthotopic liver transplantation includes the ability to produce ‘adequate' bile. What constitutes adequate bile flow, however, has not previously been defined. The present study was undertaken to characterize biliary water and electrolyte secretion following hepatic transplantation. Bile was sampled from nine liver transplant recipients for 15–25 consecutive days during chronic t-tube biliary drainage. Liver biopsies and t-tube cholangiograms were unremarkable in all patients. During the first post-operative day mean bile flow, bile salt concentration, [BS], and bile salt output (BSO) were 60.0 μl/min, 6.8 mM and 0.41 μmcl/min, respectively. [BS] increased over days 1–5 and then plateaued at 12.2 mM over days 6–25 post-transplant. BSO and bile flow increased over days 1–12 before achieving steady-state values of 4.52 μmol/min and 334.7 μl/min, respectively. In each patient bile flow increased linearly with increasing BSO. Choleretic index (CI), varied from 36.9–77.1 μl/μmol (mean: 50.7 ± 8.8). The y -intercept for this relationship ranged from 52.4–156.9 μl/min (mean: 95.9 ± 81.8). Only primary bile salts (82% cholate and 17% chenodeoxycholate), were observed in the bile of each patient. Biliary electrolyte concentrations were similar to that observed in plasma. Each was relatively unaffected by changes in bile flow and BSO. Electrolyte outputs increased linearly with respect to both BSO and bile flow. We conclude that recovery of bile secretion following orthotopic liver transplantation occurs gradually over a 10–12 day period and is strongly dependent upon bile salt secretion.
Effect of dietary oleates on lymph lipids in the young bovine.

Abstract The effect of feeding mono-, di-, and triolein and oleic acid with skimmilk on thoracic duct lymph flow and lipid composition was studied in dairy calves. Administration of either reconstituted skimmilk only (aqueous dispersion containing 20% nonfat milk solids) or reconstituted skimmilk plus any of the lipids increased the flow rate of lymph in the thoracic duct. The concentration of lipid in the lymph and the amount of lipid transported per hour increased significantly by 2 to 5 hours after the lipids were fed; feeding only reconstituted skimmilk did not alter the lipid concentration in the lymph. Feeding of each test lipid also caused about a 2-fold increase of the proportion of oleic acid in the triglycerides of the lymph lipids. This elevation of oleic acid and the concomitant decrease of the other fatty acids occurred less rapidly after the monoolein feeding than when other lipids were fed. Free fatty acids and cholesterol esters in the lymph were altered only slightly, suggesting that most of the oleic acid in the dietary lipids was incorporated into triglycerides.
Influence of corrosion deposits on near-threshold fatigue crack growth behavior in 2xxx and 7xxx series aluminum alloys

The role of corrosion deposits in influencing the near-threshold fatigue crack propagation behavior of 2XXX and 7XXX series aluminum alloys is examined in detail. The composition, thickness, and distribution of fracture surface oxide films are characterized with the aid of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning Auger spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy analyses. It is found that the extent of crack closure due to corrosion debris in aluminum alloys is strongly dependent on the composition and aging treatment. The results suggest that environmentally-influenced near-threshold crack propagation in some aluminum alloys is controlled by twoconcurrent andmutually-compctitive mechanistic processes: a dominant role of crack closure due to corrosion deposits (which tends toarrest completely the near-threshold crack) and a strong embrittling effect (which considerablyincreases near-threshold crack growth rates) concomitantly with the crack tip oxidation phenomenon in the moist medium. The near-threshold corrosion fatigue characteristics of aluminum alloys are contrasted with those in a wide range of steels in order to gain an insight into the various
Toroidal-type shells free of bending under uniform normal pressure☆

Abstract The linear membrane solution is known to be inadmissible in the case of a toroidal shell of circular cross-section under uniform hydrostatic pressure, as it leads to a serious violation of the compatibility condition. This paper shows that the compatibility can be restored by a slight change in the meridian of the shell, rather than by resorting to bending or non-linear membrane theories. Exact solutions, within the linear shell theory, are given for the shape of the meridian, stresses and displacements.
Implementing ShakeMap for the New Madrid Seismic Zone

Immediately after a damaging earthquake, emergency managers rapidly seek answers to many important questions: Where is the worst and/or least damage? What equipment and personnel must be mobilized and to what extent? ShakeMap was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program to assist in answering these questions by producing near-real-time maps of ground motion and shaking intensity following significant earthquakes (Wald et al. 2004). To produce maps, ShakeMap mimics a dense array of seismometers by using an attenuation relationship to model peak ground motions at virtual or “phantom” stations between existing seismic stations. The modeled data are corrected for site amplification (Borcherdt 1994) and used to produce an instrumental intensity map, a hybrid Modified Mercalli map based on instrumental recording (Wald et al. 1999a). ShakeMap software, implemented predominantly in the Western United States (Northern and Southern California; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Seattle, Washington), requires a degree of regional customization to ensure accuracy of the maps. We report here on the Eastern United States software customization required for implementation of ShakeMap in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and verification of the resulting maps. The New Madrid region has a relatively high seismic hazard, yet very little data exist for large earthquakes. To estimate peak ground motions for magnitudes greater than 6.0, we qualitatively compared scenario ShakeMaps using different attenuation relationships and intensity regressions to a magnitude 7.4 scenario produced by the USGS Memphis hazard mapping group (Chris Cramer, personal communication 2005; see also http://www.ceri.memphis.edu/usgs/products/regional.html). For smaller events (M < 6) we used the 10 February 2005 magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Blytheville, Arkansas, as an example. The study location is in the Upper Mississippi Embayment of the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) and is centered on the NMSZ (figure 1). The area covers a four-by-four-degree grid from …
THE EFFECT OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON WHEAT ROOT VESICLES ENRICHED IN PLASMA MEMBRANE

— The irradiation of plant cells with UV radiation (254nm) causes various solutes to leak from the cells. Vesicles enriched in plasma membranes were prepared from wheat roots. These were used to determine whether UV radiation alters membrane function by direct action on the membranes and to distinguish between the chemical effects produced by high and low fluences of UV. The plasma membrane-associated K+-stimulated ATPase was very sensitive to UV radiation (100% inhibition with 1.35kJ/m2). ATPase activity measured in the absence of K+ and K+-stimulated ATPase activity measured in the presence of diethylstilbestrol were much less sensitive. Lipid breakdown, as measured by malondialdehyde production, occurred only at UV fluences greater than 1.8 kJ/m2.
Cationic ring‐opening polymerizations of cyclic ketene acetals initiated by acids at high temperatures

Three unsubstituted cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs), 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 1a, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2a, and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 3a, undergo exclusive 1,2-addition polymerization at low temperatures, and only poly(CKAs) are obtained. At higher temperatures, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) can be dominant, and polymers with a mixture of ester units and cyclic ketal units are obtained. When the temperature is raised closer to the ceiling temperature (Tc) of the 1,2-addition propagation reaction, 1,2-addition polymerization becomes reversible and ring-opened units are introduced to the polymer. The ceiling temperature of 1,2-addition polymerization varies with the ring size of the CKAs (lowest for 3a, highest for 2a). At temperatures below 138°C, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2a, underwent 1,2-addition polymerization. Insoluble poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane) 100% 1,2-addition was obtained. At above 150°C, a soluble polymer was obtained containing a mixture of ring-opened ester units and 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 1a, polymerized only by the 1,2-addition route at temperatures below 30°C. At 67–80°C, an insoluble polymer was obtained, which contained mostly 1,2-addition units but small amounts of ester units were detected. At 133°C, a soluble polymer was obtained containing a substantial fraction of ring-opened ester units together with 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 3a, underwent partial ROP even at 20°C to give a soluble polymer containing ring-opened ester units and 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. At −20°C, 3a gave an insoluble polymer with 1,2-addition units exclusively. Several catalysts were able to initiate the ROP of 1a, 2a, and 3a, including RuCl2(PPh3)3, BF3, TiCl4, H2SO4, H2SO4 supported on carbon, (CH3)2CHCOOH, and CH3COOH. The initiation by Lewis acids or protonic acids probably occurs through an initial protonation. The propagation step of the ROP proceeds via an SN2 mechanism. The chain transfer and termination rates become faster at high temperatures, and this may be the primary reason for the low molecular weights (Mn ≤ 103) observed for all ring-opening polymers. The effects of temperature, monomer and initiator concentration, water content, and polymerization time on the polymer structure have been investigated during the Ru(PPh3)3Cl2-initiated polymerization of 2a. High monomer concentrations ([M]/[ln]) increase the molecular weight and decreased the amount of ring-opening. Higher initiator concentrations (Ru(PPh3)3Cl2) and longer reaction times increase molecular weight in high temperature reactions. Successful copolymerization of 2a with hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane was initiated by BF3OEt2. The copolymer obtained displayed a broad molecular weight distribution; Mn = 6,490, Mw = 15,100, Mz = 44,900. This polymer had about 47 mol % of (Me2SiO) units, 35 mol % of ring-opened units, and 18 mol % 1,2-addition units of 2a. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3655–3671, 1997
The adhesion of thin plasma-polymerized organic films to metal substrates

The direct pull method was used to study the adhesion of thin (<1 μm) plasma-polymerized films on metal substrates. Application of this method provides information on the cohesive, as well as the adhesive, properties of these films. After breakage of the films by the pull method, the interface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the nature of the breakage at the interface. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to determine whether any chemically adsorbed layers of organic films remained after the films had been pulled from the metal substrate. The adhesive or cohesive strengths of plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene films on 304 stainless steel, aluminum and silver were measured by the pull method. Adhesive strength was found to be higher than cohesive strength for plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene films on the various substrates. The result for plasma-polymerized chlorotrifluoroethylene films was not as expected, indicating that considerable care is required in the interpretation of tensile tests of laminates such as those conducted in this study.
Using Bioluminescence To Monitor Treatment Response in Real Time in Mice with Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection

Mycobacterium ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer, a potentially disabling ulcerative skin disease. Only recently was antimicrobial therapy proven effective. Treatment for 2 months with rifampin plus streptomycin was first proposed after experiments in the mouse footpad model demonstrated bactericidal activity. This treatment is now considered the treatment of choice, although larger ulcers may require adjunctive surgery. Shorter, oral regimens are desired, but evaluating drug activity in mice is hampered by the very slow growth of M. ulcerans, which takes 3 months to produce countable colonies. We created a recombinant bioluminescent M. ulcerans strain expressing luxAB from Vibrio harveyi for real-time evaluation of antimicrobial effects in vivo. Mouse footpads were injected with wild-type M. ulcerans 1059 (WtMu) or the recombinant bioluminescent strain (rMu). Two weeks later, mice received rifampin plus streptomycin, kanamycin alone (to which rMu is resistant), or streptomycin alone for 4 weeks and were observed for footpad swelling (preventive model). Untreated controls and kanamycin-treated rMu-infected mice received rifampin plus streptomycin for 4 weeks after developing footpad swelling (curative model). Compared to WtMu, rMu exhibited similar growth and virulence in vivo and similar drug susceptibility. A good correlation was observed between luminescence (measured as relative light units) and number of viable bacteria (measured by CFU) in footpad homogenates. Proof of concept was also shown for serial real-time evaluation of drug activity in live mice. These results indicate the potential of bioluminescence as a real-time surrogate marker for viable bacteria in mouse footpads to accelerate the identification of new treatments for Buruli ulcer.
A fit mouse is a hoppy mouse: jumping behavior in 15-day-old Mus musculus.

An analysis of a juvenile hopping response from an 8 × 8 diallel cross is used to demonstrate the experimental genetic approach for testing presumed adaptive fitness of behaviors in developing organisms. In accordance with predictions, the explosive jumping behavior exhibited by 15-day mice is characterized by a pattern of genetic dominance toward high expression of the trait. Wild mice show even more vigorous responses, indicating that selection pressures maintaining high responding have been relaxed during domestication. These data suggest some applications and limitations of genetic methods for the study of behavioral evolution as related to development.
Acetyl-l-carnitine corrects the altered peripheral nerve function of experimental diabetes

Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) has been shown to facilitate the repair of transected sciatic nerves. The effect of ALC (50 mg/kg/d) on the diminished nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia of 3 weeks' duration was evaluated. The aldose reductase inhibitor, sorbinil, which is reported to normalize the impaired NCV associated with experimental diabetes, was used as a positive control. Aldose reductase inhibitors are thought to have an effect by decreasing peripheral nerve sorbitol content and increasing nerve myo-inositol. Treatment of STZ-diabetic rats with either ALC or sorbinil resulted in normal NCV. Sorbinil treatment was associated with normalized sciatic nerve sorbitol and myo-inositol; ALC treatment did not reduce the elevated sorbitol levels, but sciatic nerve myo-inositol content was no different from nondiabetic levels. Both ALC and sorbinil treatment of STZ-diabetic rats were associated with a reduction in the elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content of diabetic sciatic nerve, indicating reduced lipid peroxidation. The beneficial effects of sorbinil and ALC on the altered peripheral nerve function associated with diabetes were similar, but their effects on the polyol pathway (frequently implicated in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy) were different.
Polarized light photography in the evaluation of photoaging

Abstract Background: The clinical characteristics of photodamaged skin, such as coarse and fine wrinkling, sallowness, hyperpigmentation, tactile roughness, laxity, and erytherma, are not accurately evaluable from photographic records. Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop accurate and reproducible photographic techniques that generate an evaluable record of the characteristics of photodamaged skin. Methods: The method used involved illumination and photography through polarizing filters (polarized light photography). Results: Polarized light photography generates images that selectively enhance either the surface features or the subsurface features of the skin, providing an accurate and evaluable record for evaluation of photodamaged skin. Conclusion: Polarized light photography, when coupled with precise framing and mapping, yields an accurate and evaluable record of photodamaged skin.
Inclusion of nonlocal scattering in quantum transport

Abstract We present a new method to include nonlocal scattering, intrinsically including the intra-collisional field effect and collision duration broadening, in an ensemble Monte Carlo transport method. We use these methods in our quantum Wigner function Monte Carlo to study the role of this nonlocal scattering on device operation for a resonant tunneling diode. Without any prior knowledge of a form for the broadening, the system achieves a Lorentzian joint spectral density. Even so, we show that nonlocal scattering is a small correction, as it does not affect device operation.
Circulating triglycerides after a high-fat meal: Predictor of increased caloric intake, orexigenic peptide expression, and dietary obesity

Recent studies in normal-weight rats have linked circulating triglycerides (TG), when elevated by a high-fat (HF) compared to equicaloric low-fat (LF) meal, to an increase in subsequent food intake and hypothalamic expression of orexigenic peptides. The present study tested whether natural variations between rats in their TG levels after a small HF meal can also be related to their individual patterns of eating and peptide expression. In tail vein blood collected on three separate days 60 min after a HF meal, levels of TG were found to be strongly, positively correlated within rats from day to day but were highly variable between rats (75-365 mg/dl), allowing distinct subgroups (33% lowest or highest) to be formed. Compared to "Low-TG responders" with post-meal levels averaging 109 mg/dl, "High-TG responders" with 240 mg/dl showed in two separate experiments a significant increase in caloric intake in a subsequent laboratory chow meal. Before this larger meal, these rats with elevated TG consistently exhibited higher expression levels and synthesis of the orexigenic peptides, enkephalin, orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone, as revealed using real-time quantitative PCR, radiolabeled in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence histochemistry. Over the long-term, the High-TG responders also showed an increased propensity to overeat, gain weight and accumulate excess body fat on a chronic HF diet. This simple measure of TG levels after a HF meal may offer a useful tool for identifying subpopulations with increased risk for overeating and dietary obesity and detecting early signs of brain disturbances that may contribute to this high-risk phenotype.
The role of inquiry in science teaching

Until science teachers are able to view scientific inquiry as part of the content of science—and until teachers become well grounded in the history and philosophy of science—they cannot be educated to teach science as inquiry. So says the author of this thoughtful article.
Abnormal coronary hemodynamics and myocardial energetics in patients with chronic heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Coronary sinus blood flow, transmyocardial oxygen extraction, myocardial oxygen consumption, and transmyocardial lactate extraction were determined, along with systemic hemodynamics, in 34 patients with chronic stable angina without heart failure (group 1), in 66 patients with heart failure associated with coronary artery disease (group 2), and in 28 patients with heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy without coronary artery disease (group 3). Compared with group 1 patients, in patients with heart failure in groups 2 and 3, resting coronary sinus blood flow was 30% and 24% higher, respectively (p < 0.05), myocardial oxygen consumption was 25% higher (p < 0.01), and coronary sinus oxygen content was 33% lower (p < 0.01). The rate-pressure product was not different between the three groups. In eight patients with heart failure (five in group 2 and three in group 3), myocardial lactate production was observed without angina. Thus in patients with chronic heart failure resulting from either chronic coronary artery disease or dilated cardiomyopathy, resting coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption tend to increase probably because of an increase in myocardial oxygen requirements. Silent myocardial ischemia may also occur in both the presence and absence of coronary artery disease in patients with chronic heart failure. The abnormal coronary hemodynamics and myocardial metabolic function may play a role in causing progressive deterioration in cardiac function in dilated cardiomyopathy.