cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
β-Glucan attenuates chronic fatigue syndrome in murine model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of yeast-derived b-glucan on some immunological parameters in a mouse model of experimentally-induced chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This syndrome was induced by Brucella antigen injection. Our data show that the CFS manifested by a significant decrease of immune reactions including NK cell activity, cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, serious disruptions in activities of enzymes such as SOD, GSH and PGx both in blood and brain were observed. A two week supplementation of mice with glucan returned most of these values to normal. In addition, glucan supplementation improved the mean immobility time induced by long-term swimming. We conclude that glucan might be considered a potential natural treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Nature and Science, 1( 6 ):e 112 , 2015
The zero-switching loss mechanism in the capacitor coupled converter (C/sup 3/) and its extensions

The mechanism of zero-current switching in the C/sup 3/ is investigated. This circuit is operated in zero-current soft-switched fashion with no additional current stress imposed on the circuit components. Moreover, the zero-current switching eliminates the current tailing at turn-off, which is to present in high-power gate turn-off switches. Therefore, higher operating frequencies are practical. Experimental prototype results are included to demonstrate the switching waveforms. >
EFFECTS OF CONTROLLED GAS ENVIRONMENTS IN MICROBIAL ENHANCEMENT OF PLANT PROTEIN RECOVERY

Controlled gas environments were maintained by a novel aeration system in solid substrate fermentations for enhanced protein recovery from pressed alfalfa residues. High oxygen pressures stimulated biomass and enzyme production by an Aspergillus species, isolated from alfalfa, which produced cellulase and pectinase activities in growth-associated metabolism. High carbon dioxide pressures also stimulated enzyme production, but had less effect on biomass production, as estimated from the dissimilation of plant solids. Cellulase and pectinase activities were generally related to protein recoveries. Recoveries were up to 50% higher than those obtained by mechanical extraction, with maximum recoveries of nearly 70% of crude protein contents. Proteins not recovered at high cellulase and pectinase activities were believed to be in structurally bound forms not amenable to recovery by non-proteolytic enzymes. Buffering at pH8 and autoclaving of residues prior to fermentation had little effect on protein recoveries. Controlled gas environments are seen to offer an interesting potential for optimizing industrial fermentation processes for the production of microbial enzymes.
Investigation of electron transfer processes at open circuit polyvinylferrocene films using rotating ring-disk electrodes

Abstract Methodology for evaluation of electron transfer processes at unbiased polymer films using a rotating ring-disk electrode is described. The technique is based on the measurement of the time dependent ring shielding current which results from depletion of a solution species by its reaction at a polymer film confined to the disk at open circuit. A mathematical description of the shielding currents at open circuit which considers electron transfer at the disk and mass transfer of solution species to the polymer film allows measurement of kinetic parameters. Redox reactions between oxidized polyvinylferrocene (PVF) and Fe(CN)64−, and PVF and I3− in aqueous media are described in this context. The ring shielding currents exhibit mass transfer limited behavior when the bimolecular reaction flux exceeds the mass transfer flux of the solution species to the electrode. This condition is most prevalent at early stages of the bimolecular reaction when the concentration of the electroactive component of the polymer film is at a maximum. As the reaction proceeds the bimolecular reaction flux decreases due to the decreasing concentration of the polymer confined electroactive material and the process becomes kinetically limited. For simple single electron transfer processes such as the PVF+/Fe(CN)64− reaction, the bimolecular reaction rate constant can be determined. Under proper conditions, the mass transfer dependent pseudo-first order rate constant, reaction order and overall stoichiometry can be determined for reactions of fractional order such as the PVF/I3− reaction. It is determined that each monomer unit of PVF reacts with 1.5 I3− in two steps: a rate determining electron transfer followed by fast incorporation of I3− to form PVFI3.
Uterine activity during the third stage of labor.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of intrauterine pressure catheters (IUPCs) to measure uterine activity during the third stage of labor. Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary-care center. All births were attended by certified nurse-midwives. Low-risk pregnant women at term gestation had intrauterine monitoring attempted during the third stage of labor. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Results: Of the 36 women in the study, 19 had clear contractions recorded, 4 had unclear contractions, and 13 had flat tracings. The IUPC was useful for measuring uterine activity in a small number of women during the third stage of labor. When measured, uterine contractions were variable in strength and frequency. Discussion: Intrauterine pressure catheters can be used as a measurement of uterine activity during the third stage of labor and should be considered for future research about third-stage physiology. Further work is needed to determine the best procedure for placement, and IUPC use before expulsion of the placenta will not be useful in all women. Effective measurement of uterine activity may guide future research on interventions to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Dialogue in second language learning and teaching: Directions for research and practice

The paper contextualizes the concepts of dialogue and dialogism, as outlined by Bakhtin’s framework, in the fields of second language acquisition and applied linguistics. Specifically, it shows how dialogism could be applied to three distinct, but interconnected contexts: the context of immigrant second language learners, second and foreign language teacher education, and the increasingly important area of English as an international language. The paper argues that viewing language learners’ and their teachers’ identities as dialogic constructions and, particularly, the texts they produce as examples of active dialogic activities can help researchers and practitioners understand the active, agentive nature of the process of language acquisition better.
Interstellar and Interplanetary Communication by Optical Masers

IN Nature of April 15, 1961, p. 205, reference is made to seven stars of nearly the same luminosity and spectral characteristic as our Sun within 10 light years. Apparently this erroneous statement is derived from an earlier general statement in Nature, September 19, 1959, p. 844, except that 15 light years was changed to 10 light years.
Mitotic Rate as a Predictor of Sentinel Lymph NodePositivity in Patients With Thin Melanomas

Background Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy (LM/SL) provide important prognostic information for patients with early-stage melanoma. Although the use of this technique in patients with thin melanomas (≤1.00 mm) is not routine, risk factors that may predict sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity in this patient population are under investigation. We sought to determine whether mitotic rate (MR) is associated with SLN positivity in thin-melanoma patients and, therefore, whether it may be used to risk-stratify and select patients for LM/SL.
PREVALENCE OF SIX SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE AGENTS AMONG PREGNANT INNER-CITY ADOLESCENTS AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME

115 pregnant girls aged 13-17 years were investigated during the third trimester for endocervical infection with six sexually transmissible microorganisms. Specimens from 21 patients destroyed the tissue cell monolayers for propagation of Chlamydia trachomatis, but 11 were no longer toxic when recultured after freezing or with additional antimicrobial agents; Trichomonas vaginalis was present in 76% of the toxic specimens. C trachomatis was recovered from 37% of 105 specimens. T vaginalis was recovered from 34% of the 115 subjects, candida from 38%, Mycoplasma hominis from 70%, and Ureaplasma urealyticum from 90%. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was cultured from 1 of 12 girls infected earlier in pregnancy. T vaginalis infection, alone or with C trachomatis or candida, was associated with low gestational age and low birthweight. C trachomatis and candida infections alone had no effect on pregnancy outcome.
TOXICITY OF SIGNIFICANT RADIONUCLIDES IN LARGE ANIMALS

The biological availability and potential hazards from the ingestion of fallout fission products by domestic animals are discussed. Results are reported from studies on the effects of continuous ingestion of Sr/sup 90/ in miniature swine and I/sup 131/ in sheep. Miniature swine fed low levels of Sr/sup 90/ showed no observable effects during their first 4 years of life. It is pointed out that under normal agricultural practices, swine are sent to market at about 6 months of age and are rarely kept for breeding stock past 2 years of age. It is concluded that the level of Sr/sup 90/ ingestion by the standard domestic pig would not be enough to impair either growth of reproduction. An average contamination of about 0.02 mu C I/sup 131//lb of vegetation eaten by adult sheep did not impair growth or reproduction of the animal or its offspring. (C.H.)
Guest Editors' Introduction: Secure or Usable?

There's an old joke that computers are actually easy machines to secure: just turn them off, lock them in a metal-lined room, and throw away the key. What you end up with is a machine that is very secure--just not very usable.As the joke's continuing popularity demonstrates, many people believe that there is an inherent trade-off between security and usability. A computer without passwords is usable, but not very secure. On the other hand, a computer that requires you to authenticate every 5 minutes with your password and a fresh drop of blood might indeed be very secure, but nobody would want to use it.
Introduction to Symposium on Geophysical and Geological Properties of the Crust and Mantle: ABSTRACT

New petroleum is found with ideas. The explorationist must think in terms of scale and context. This symposium focuses attention on some very large scale features of both the upper mantle and crust. Deep-seated inhomogeneities and regional discontinuities periodically will leave their imprint on the upper crustal rocks on land and under the sea--perhaps even in the deepest ocean basins. By recognizing these major features and trying to understand their behavior, we will develop the context into which smaller-scale features must be fitted. By drilling these features we will find the petroleum of tomorrow. It is, therefore, timely that we lay the groundwork needed to develop these ideas that will lead to our discoveries of the coming decade. End_of_Article - Last_Page 341------------
Evaluation of high-resolution, true-colour, aerial imagery for mapping bathymetry in a clear-water river without ground-based depth measurements

This study evaluates the potential of the hydraulically assisted bathymetry (HAB-2) model coupled with true-colour, three-band, aerial imagery to map bathymetry in the clear-water McKenzie River, Oregon, USA, in the absence of ground-based depth measurements. It is the most rigorous test of the HAB-2 model to date. Correlation-coefficient (r2) values for sonar depths versus modelled depths are 0.40 for 2007, 10 cm resolution imagery. Overall depth trends follow those of sonar data, except in areas where there are shadows, riffles or obstructions that block the view of the river (e.g. overhanging trees, bridges). Low-pass filtering of the image to remove film granularity does little to improve the results, although an Olympic filter improves the r2 value from 0.40 to 0.48. The moderate fit of the model results to sonar data in 2007 may also result from the 28-39 day gap between sonar and image acquisition, during which time, the discharge changed. HAB-2 depth estimates for the 2008 0.5 m imagery fit the depth measurements more closely (r2 = 0.89). The better fit may reflect the collection of ground and image data at approximately the same time and discharge, as well as coarser spatial resolution, which created less sensitivity to changes in substrate size and colour. The results suggest that the best depth-estimate results for the HAB-2 model are for depths ranging from 0.25 and 1.5 m. Use of digital imagery collected with digital cameras should also improve accuracies. Results indicate that the HAB-2 is useful for characterizing the approximate depths throughout the river channel if one avoids shadows, riffles and obstructions.
Preparation of amorphous composite materials

Composite meterialoconuioting of an amorphous Ni75B17Si8 matrix and containing one or two reinforcing tungsten wire(s) were prepared by a modified melt-spinning technique, With this method it was possible to incorporate a single 10, 26 and 60μm wire in the entire length of an amorphous ribbon, as well as two 26μm wires. The process is continuous and allows the praparation of arbitrarily long composite ribbons.
Detection of serum adiponectin in the cat, bear, and horse using antibody from a commercial ELISA kit

Adiponectin is a hormone secreted from adipose tissue that closely associates with insulin resistance. In contrast to other adipokines, adiponectin levels decrease as fat mass increases. The ability to measure adiponectin in veterinary species will allow researchers to assess hormone function and may lead to improved screening tests and treatments for insulin resistance and type II diabetes. A commercial ELISA kit (B-bridge International) is available for adiponectin quantification in mice and rats. To test this assay's ability to bind adiponectin in several veterinary species known to develop insulin resistance with obesity, we conducted a Western blot analysis comparing mouse, cat, bear, and horse serum using the antibody provided with the assay. The proteins were subjected to denaturing SDS-PAGE and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. Blocking was performed in 5% milk solution. The membrane was then incubated with the rabbit anti-mouse adiponectin antibody provided with the ELISA kit, followed by incubation with peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG. Detection of bound antibody was performed using enhanced chemoluminescence. Bands corresponding to the adiponectin monomer (30 kDa) were apparent for each sample tested. Therefore, the antibody provided in the ELISA kit appears to bind with adiponectin in all species tested. Our laboratory has previously validated the ELISA mouse/rat adiponectin kit for use in cats. High DNA homology across species and strong antibody binding at the 30 kDa site warrant validation of the kit's accuracy in other species at risk for insulin resistance (eg. horses and bears).
Topological considerations in quantum theory

We consider the most general case of the restricted rigid rotor, controlled by passive mechanical devices located at θ=0 and θ=π. The purpose of these devices is to restrict the particle motion to a domain of a covering space (0,Mπ), whereM is an odd integer. This system, which is not a Hamiltonian one on the physical space (0, 2π), is compared with a Hamiltonian system having delta function barriers at θ=0 and θ=π. The case ofM an even integer is also discussed by using only one mechanical device at θ=0. This non-Hamiltonian system is compared with a Hamiltonian system having a delta function barrier at θ=0. It is shown that many of the wave functions of the non-Hamiltonian systems are the same as those of the Hamiltonian ones, with an average reflection coefficient of 1/(M+1) for oddM and 2/M for evenM, which are the classical values. We show how, in the case of very largeM, the superposition principle leads to de Broglie resonances.
In vitro synthesis of the glycosaminoglycans in estrogen-induced medullary bone in Japanese quail.

Abstract A short-term incubation system has been developed for the study of glycosaminoglycan synthesis during the early stages of medullary bone formation in estrogenized male Japanese quail. Quail were injected with estradiol-17β and killed at different times thereafter. Femoral shafts were incubated in BGJb medium (Fitton-Jackson modification) for 2 h prior to being labeled with H235SO4 for 2 h in the same medium. Glycosaminoglycans were extracted by a 24-h papain digest and chromatographed on a DEAE Bio-Gel A column. Material from birds that had been treated with estrogen for 34 h prior to incubation produced an elution profile showing two distinct peaks (I and II). Elution profiles of material from control animals had a single peak corresponding to peak II in the estrogenized samples. The estrogen-induced glycosaminoglycan peak I was present after 20 h of estrogen treatment and increased dramatically between 25 and 30 h after treatment. Identification of the peak material was achieved by digestion with chondroitinase ABC, keratan sulfate β-endogalactosidase, or nitrous acid followed by chromatography on a Sephadex CL-6B column. Peak I was keratan sulfate and peak II was predominantly chondroitin sulfate. The in vitro production of a unique marker for medullary bone matrix provides an excellent opportunity for studying the dynamics of matrix synthesis.
Radioactive waste partitioning and transmutation within advanced fuel cycles: Achievements and Challenges

Abstract If nuclear power becomes a sustainable source of energy, a safe, robust, and acceptable solution must be pursued for existing and projected inventories of high-activity, long-lived radioactive waste. Remarkable progress in the field of geological disposal has been made in the last two decades. Some countries have reached important milestones, and geological disposal (of spent fuel) is expected to start in 2020 in Finland and in 2022 in Sweden. In fact, the licensing of the geological repositories in both countries is now entering into its final phase. In France, disposal of intermediate-level waste (ILW) and vitrified high-level waste (HLW) is expected to start around 2025, according to the roadmap defined by an Act of Parliament in 2006. In this context, transmutation of part of the waste through use of advanced fuel cycles, probably feasible in the coming decades, can reduce the burden on the geological repository. This article presents the physical principle of transmutation and reviews several strategies of partitioning and transmutation (P&T). Many recent studies have demonstrated that the impact of P&T on geological disposal concepts is not overwhelmingly high. However, by reducing waste heat production, a more efficient utilization of repository space is likely. Moreover, even if radionuclide release from the waste to the environment and related calculated doses to the population are only partially reduced by P&T, it is important to point out that a clear reduction of the actinide inventory in the HLW definitely reduces risks arising from less probable evolutions of a repository (i.e., an increase of actinide mobility in certain geochemical situations and radiological impact by human intrusion).
Rumor and gossip: Social discourse on HIV and AIDS

(1999). Rumor and gossip: Social discourse on HIV and AIDS. Anthropology & Medicine: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 121-131.
Pharmacologic treatment of impulsive aggression with antiepileptic drugs

Aggressive behavior is a major concern in mental health and criminal justice settings. Although pharmacotherapy is often used in the treatment of the violent individual, no medication is presently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically for such use. In recent years, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have become increasingly popular for the management of impulsive (reactive) aggressive behavior. The research literature has implicated several neurobiologic deficits associated with impulsive aggression, including reduced central serotonergic functioning, executive dysfunction, and prefrontal deficits. It has been suggested that the neurobiologic deficits specific to impulsive aggressive behavior may serve as indicators of an ineffective behavioral control system. A review of the literature finds that AEDs, particularly those that block sodium channels and/or have GABA-related mechanisms of action, are effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of impulsive aggressive outbursts both when used as the primary agent of treatment and as an adjunct to ongoing pharmacotherapy. Strong evidence for efficacy in impulsive aggression exists from randomized controlled trials for most of the common AEDs (phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, valproate/divalproex sodium, topiramate). Additional controlled studies are needed for tiagabine and gabapentin. Of the common AEDs, only levetiracetam has been shown to be ineffective in the treatment of impulsive aggression. It is important to note that the anti-aggressive effects seen with the AEDs appear to be specific to the impulsive form of aggression. Individuals who display premeditated aggression do not seem to benefit from this type of treatment. Clinically, we recommend phenytoin (initial dose 100 mg three times daily) as the AED of first choice for the treatment of impulsive aggressive outbursts. This recommendation is based on this drug’s limited side effect profile (compared with the other AEDs) and the large amount of empiric data supporting its clinical efficacy in impulsive aggression. In the event that the impulsive aggressive individual does not respond to pharmacotherapy with phenytoin, carbamazepine (initial dose 150 mg three times daily) and valproate/divalproex sodium (initial dose 250 mg three times daily) have both proved to be effective secondary options.
An Examination of Basic Skills Education and Its Effect on Performance.

Abstract Deficiencies in employees' reading and writing skills cost businesses $25 to $30 billion each year in lost productivity, accidents, errors, scrap rates, and rework expenses. These problems can be mitigated by improving performance through skills education. Using an adapted model of Nadler and Lawler's (1977) expectancy theory, this study investigates the relationship between basic skills education and employee performance. This study lends support to the hypothesis that average performance is higher for employees who receive basic skills education than for those who do not.
The Relationship Between Environmental Concern and Acceptability of Environmental Impacts among Visitors to Two U.S. National Park Settings

This study examined the relationship between environmental concern and ratings of acceptability of environmental impacts among visitors at two national park settings. Based on the concept of a social ecological paradigm shift, it was hypothesized that individuals with greater levels of environmental concern are less accepting of environmental impacts in national parks than individuals with lesser degrees of concern. Sample data came from Cape Lookout National Seashore (N=392) and Moores Creek National Battlefield (N=236), two national park units in the south-eastern U.S.A. Environmental concern was measured by the New Ecological Paradigm scale. Acceptability was measured by visitor responses to 25 items covering different types of environmental park impacts. Analysis of variance and Tukey's means comparison procedure were used to test for differences between groups defined by levels of environmental concern on impact acceptability. Significant relationships were found between environmental concern and 15 of the 25 specific impacts in the Cape Lookout sample and 13 significant relationships were found in the Moores Creek sample. However, the relationships between environmental concern and acceptability varied somewhat across the two samples. These findings suggested that individuals with greater environmental concern were less accepting (or tolerant) of certain types of park impacts, while individuals with lesser degrees of environmental concern were more accepting of certain park impacts. Differences across the study settings were attributed to the different orientations of park visitors between the two national park units and recency effects. While the data reported are preliminary, they should be informative for park management purposes, particularly in the determination of standards for park impacts.
Comparative cytotoxicity between cisplatin and second generation platinum analogs.

The cytotoxic activity of cis-DDP and four second generation platinum coordination complexes (TNO-6; JM-82; JM-8; and JM-9) was compared on six established human colon carcinoma cell lines with different degrees of differentiation. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the inhibition of colony formation technique. Cis-DDP was uniformity active against all lines. JM-8 and JM-9 were virtually ineffective for all cell lines, even at concentrations as high as 50 μg/ml. JM-82 was slightly more active although (with the exception of LoVo cells) still about 10-fold less efficacious than cis-DDP. TNO-6 was the only derivative with appreciable cytotoxic activity although about 2 to 5-fold less than cis-DDP for lines SW48, 620, 480, and 1116. For LoVo and SW403, TNO-6 was slightly more active than cis-DDP. In both such instances, increased efficacy resulted from abrogation of the shoulder region of the survival curve while the slope remained essentially intact. Thus any enhancement in therapeutic efficacy with these second generation analogues can only be expected from possible decreases in toxic effects but not from superior tumor cell kill activity.
Gas exchange is essential for bioreactor cultivation of tissue engineered cartilage

Tissue engineered cartilage can be grown in vitro if the necessary physical and biochemical factors are present in the tissue culture environment. Cell me- tabolism and tissue composition were studied for engi- neered cartilage cultured for 5 weeks using bovine ar- ticular chondrocytes, polymer scaffolds (5 mm diameter ◊ 2 mm thick fibrous discs), and rotating bioreactors. Medium pH and concentrations of oxygen, carbon diox- ide, glucose, lactate, ammonia, and glycosoaminoglycan (GAG) were varied by altering the exchange rates of gas and medium in the bioreactors. Cell-polymer constructs were assessed with respect to histomorphology, bio- chemical composition and metabolic activity. Low oxy- gen tension (~40 mmHg) and low pH (~6.7) were associ- ated with anaerobic cell metabolism (yield of lactate on glucose, YL/G, of 2.2 mol/mol) while higher oxygen ten- sion (~80 mmHg) and higher pH (~7.0) were associated with more aerobic cell metabolism (YL/G of 1.65-1.79 mol/mol). Under conditions of infrequent medium re- placement (50% once per week), cells utilized more eco- nomical pathways such that glucose consumption and lactate production both decreased, cell metabolism re- mained relatively aerobic (YL/G of 1.67 mol/mol) and the resulting constructs were cartilaginous. More aerobic conditions generally resulted in larger constructs con- taining higher amounts of cartilaginous tissue compo- nents, while anaerobic conditions suppressed chondro- genesis in 3D tissue constructs. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 63: 197-205, 1999.
The comparative spectra of cosmic-ray protons and helium nuclei

We have re-examined and extended the measurements of the primary cosmic ray proton and helium nuclei intensities in the range from a few MeV nuc−1 to ∼100 GeV nuc−1 using a considerable body of recently published data. The differential spectra obtained from this data are determined as a function of both energy and rigidity. The exponents of the energy spectra of both protons and helium nuclei are found to be different at the same energy/nucleon and to increase with increasing energy between 1 and 100 GeV nuc−1 reaching a value=−2.70 at higher energies and in addition, theP/He ratio changes from a value ≲5 at 1 GeV nuc−1 and below to a value ∼30 at 100 GeV nuc−1. On a rigidity representation the spectral exponent for each species is nearly identical and remains virtually constant above several GV at a value of −2.70, and in addition, theP/He ratio is also a constant ∼7 above ∼3 GeV. The changingP/He ratio and spectral exponent on an energy representation occur at energies well above those at which interplanetary modulation effects or interstellar ionization energy loss effects can significantly affect the spectra. In effect by comparing energy spectra and rigidity spectra in the intermediate energy range above the point where solar modulation effects and interstellar energy loss effects are important, but in the range where there are significant differences between energy and rigidity spectra, we deduce that the cosmic ray source spectra are effectively rigidity spectra. This fact has important implications regarding the mechanism of acceleration of this radiation and also with regard to the form of the assumed galactic spectrum at low energies. The relationship between the proton and helium spectra derived here and the heavier nuclei spectral differences recently reported in the literature is also examined. If rigidity spectra are adopted for protons and helium nuclei, then the source abundance ratio of these two components is determined to be ∼7:1. Some cosmological implications of this ratio are discussed.
Strain rate effects in the ultrafine grain and nanocrystalline regimes—influence on some constitutive responses

Mounting evidence is pointing to some emerging novel behaviors of metals with ultrafine-grain (UFG) and/or nanocrystalline (NC) microstructures. One such novel behavior is related to the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of plastic response in the UFG/NC regime. Two inter-related parameters, viz., the strain rate sensitivity (SRS) and the activation volumes of plastic deformation, are used as fingerprints for the thermodynamics and kinetics of plastic deformation. Changes of these parameters with grain size may indicate transition of plastic deformation mechanisms. Therefore, investigations of these phenomena may bring out new strategies for ingenious design and synthesis of UFG/NC materials with desirable properties. In this article, we present a critical review on the experimental results and theories associated with the SRS of UFG/NC metals with different lattice structures, and the influences on some constitutive responses.
Mass spectrometric study of ion-molecule reactions in hexafluoroacetone

Abstract Ion-molecule reactions in hexafluoroacetone (HFA) were studied in a modified time-of- flight mass spectrometer at pressures of 10 and 60 m torr. The fragments CF + and CF 2 + react with parent HFA via CF 3 - transfer forming CF 3 CO + ; CF 3 + accepts F - forming CF 4 and CF 3 COCF 2 + . The CF 3 CO + ion reacts with HFA in a condensation reaction eliminating CO and forming CF 3 (CF 3 COCF 3 ) + ; this process is seen at both 10 m torr and 60 m torr source pressures. At the higher pressure, several other ion-adducts with HFA are observed including (CF 3 COCF 3 ) 2 + , F(CF 3 COCF 3 ) + , and CF 3 COCF 2 (CF 3 COCF 3 ) + . Although the structures of these ions are not known, ether and keto-ether structures are suggested as plausible.
Refuting The Whole System? Hume's Attack on Popular Religion in The Natural History of Religion

There is reason for genuine puzzlement about Hume’s aim in ‘The Natural History of Religion’. Some commentators take the work to be merely a causal investigation into the psychological processes and environmental conditions that are likely to give rise to the first religions, an investigation that has no significant or straightforward implications for the rationality or justification of religious belief. Others take the work to constitute an attack on the rationality and justification of religious belief in general. In contrast to these views, I argue that Hume aims to establish two important claims in ‘The Natural History of Religion’. First, almost all popular religions, including popular monotheism, are deeply superstitious. Second, superstitious monotheism is incompatible with the variety of theism supported by the argument from design. This incompatibility puts significant pressure on the rational acceptability of popular religions. In The Natural History of Religion (NHR), Hume describes Cicero’s argumentative strategy in De Natura Deorum. He claims that the skeptical Cotta ‘refutes the whole system of mythology by leading the orthodox gradually, from the more momentous stories, which were believed, to the more frivolous, which everyone ridiculed: From the gods to the goddesses; from the goddesses to the nymphs; from the nymphs to the fawns and satyrs’ (NHR 12.25 75). 1 The similarity between this description of De Natura Deo
Plasma concentrations of nicotine in rats during tolerance and chronic exposure studies

A convenient GC/MS method for the quantitation of nicotine is described. Brief and rapid tolerance to the hypertensive action of nicotine was observed during acute administration. Rats continuously exposed to (+)- or (-)-nicotine for 6 days showed significant dose-related suppression of water intake and body-weight decreases for the initial 4 days; then water consumption slowly returned to control levels, while body weight increased, but failed to reach control levels. During the withdrawal period, water consumption rose to levels significantly higher than that of the tartaric acid and water controls. Body weight during the withdrawal phase continued to increase but remained below those of control animals. Blood concentration of nicotine during acute tolerance was found to be 64.3 ± 17.8 ng/ml whereas the saline controls showed levels of 0.67 ± 0.67 ng/ml. Nicotine levels which were not detectable before the administration of nicotine, were elevated and constant during days 1 and 6 of the infusion period (320 ± 80 ng/ml of plasma) and fell to below levels of detectability 24 hr after the termination of the infusion.
Dissolved silica and the circulation in the Yucatan Strait and deep eastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The water below 1250 m in the Gulf of Mexico is richer in dissolved silica than water at the same depths in the northwestern Caribbean. This enrichment affords a natural tracer of the circulation patterns in the Yucatan Strait and was used to help select reference levels for geostrophic currents in the strait for December, 1972. Above 1000 m in the strait, the circulation generally followed previously described patterns with a strong northerly flow near Mexico and a weak southerly flow near Cuba. The choice of reference level had a much more dramatic effect on the magnitudes and directions of the calculated current below than above 1000 m. The core of the southerly flow was not horizontal across the strait but sloped downward from 600 m near Cuba to 1500 m near Mexico. Renewal water for the Gulf of Mexico was observed as a zone of northerly flowing water below 1500 m in the strait. After entering the gulf, this water appeared as a low-silica zone near the base of the western continental slope of Florida. It was 200 to 300 m thick and possibly 350 km long.
Stochastic properties of binocular rivalry alternations

The extent to which binocular rivalry phases are sequentially related was assessed by theν statistic and by autocorrelation. Both measures indicate that the duration of successive phases are independent. The frequency distributions of suppression phases and of nonsuppression phases can be fitted by gamma distributions. These results are consistent with models of the rivalry process that incorporate independence assumptions.
In vitro competition between ferrichrome and phage for the outer membrane T5 receptor complex of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Ferrichrome is shown to compete in vitro for the partially purified outer membrane phage T5 receptor complex of Escherichia coli K-12. Among siderochromes tested the competition is confined to ferrichrome and its analogs. Thus reversal of receptor inhibition of plaque formation is achieved by ferrichrome, ferricrocin, and the aluminum and chromium(III) derivatives of deferriferrichrome but not by rhodotorulic acid, Desferal, or ferrichrome A.
A New Procedure for the Differentiation of 01 Vibrio cholerae and Non‐01 V. cholerae Recovered From Oysters

Live oysters were inoculated with 01 V. cholerae or non-01 V. cholerae and the liquor from the oysters was spread onto thiosulfate citrate bile salts agar plates. After incubation the colonies with yellow centers were picked and streaked onto sheep blood agar plates. Biochemical tests were performed on all colonies. Isolates exhibiting characteristic V. cholerae reactions were checked for serological identity and inoculated into a vibrio medium. After incubation, the isolates were further analyzed for lactic and succinic acids by gas-liquid chromatography. Peak height ratios of lactic/succinic acid provided a testing parameter to distinguish all isolates of 01 V. cholerae from non-01 V. cholerae isolates recovered from the oysters.
Carbon-based nano-electro-mechanical systems

We provide an overview of our work where carbon-based nanostructures have been applied to two-dimensional (2D) planar and three-dimensional (3D) vertically-oriented nano-electro-mechanical (NEM) switches. In the first configuration, laterally oriented single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) synthesized using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were implemented for forming bridge-type 2D NEMS switches, where switching voltages were on the order of a few volts. In the second configuration, vertically oriented carbon nanofibers (CNFs) synthesized using plasma-enhanced (PE) CVD have been explored for their potential application in 3D NEMS. We have performed nanomechanical measurements on such vertically oriented tubes using nanoindentation to determine the mechanical properties of the CNFs. Electrostatic switching was demonstrated in the CNFs synthesized on refractory metallic nitride substrates, where a nanoprobe was used as the actuating electrode inside a scanning-electron-microscope. The switching voltages were determined to be in the tens of volts range and van der Waals interactions at these length scales appeared significant, suggesting such structures are promising for nonvolatile memory applications. A finite element model was also developed to determine a theoretical pull-in voltage which was compared to experimental results.
Studies of Circulation Time During the Valsalva Test in Normal Subjects and in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Circulation times (P32 from the antecubital and femoral veins to a peripheral artery) and roentgenographic studies of the pattern of venous distribution of a radio-opaque substance (Diodrast introduced through a cardiac catheter into the axillary vein and the inferior vena cava below the diaphragm) have been performed during the expiratory effort of the Valsalva maneuver. In normal subjects the circulation times were increased by the duration of the expiratory effort and the Diodrast injections were stagnated in the veins outside the thoracic cavity. These effects were in striking contrast to those in patients with congestive failure in whom the circulation times were retarded only partially if at all and the Diodrast injections continued to flow freely towards the right atrium during the expiratory effort. Thus, in patients with congestive failure the Valsalva maneuver does not interrupt the venous return to the right atrium as it does in normal subjects.
Semiclassical interpretation of meson exchange currents

The static, isovector meson exchange current contribution to the nuclear magnetic moment operator is rewritten so that its semiclassical origin is apparent. A heuristic argument is developed to explain the overall sign of the operator.
Some implications of animal alcohol self-administration studies for human alcohol problems.

A partir des donnees en experimentation animale sur la mise en place du processus de dependance alcoolique (ethanol), les auteurs tirent quelques implications sur ce meme processus chez l'etre humain
Information technology investments in purchasing: an empirical study of dimensions and antecedents

Abstract Despite the fact that U.S. companies have made substantial investments in information technology (IT), there is a paucity of empirical research on the nature of IT investments and boundary conditions that determine the extent of these investments. This study reviews the extant IT literature, develops a series of propositions related to the multidimensional nature of IT investments and their relationship with several antecedent conditions, and presents the results of an empirical test of the propositions in the context of the purchasing function of U.S. firms. Our results support the premise that IT used in purchasing is not a homogeneous phenomenon, but can, instead, be represented by three dimensions: base computer systems and support, purchasing-specific applications, and vender communications. Our findings further indicate that IT dimensions respond in a varying fashion to different antecedent conditions. Support was also found for the building-block nature of IT investments.
Spatial‐Scene Similarity Queries

Assessing spatial scenes for similarity is difficult from a cognitive and computational perspective. Solutions to spatial-scene similarity assessments are sensible only if corresponding elements in the compared scenes are identified correctly. This matching process becomes increasingly complex and error-prone for large spatial scenes as it is questionable how to choose one set of associations over another or how to account quantitatively for unmatched elements. We develop a comprehensive methodology for similarity queries over spatial scenes that incorporates cognitively motivated approaches about scene comparisons, together with explicit domain knowledge about spatial objects and their relations for the relaxation of spatial query constraints. Along with a sound graph-theoretical methodology, this approach provides the foundation for plausible reasoning about spatial-scene similarity queries.
A Simultaneous Assay of the Differentiating Agents, Phenylacetic Acid and Phenylbutyric Acid, and One of Their Metabolites, Phenylacetyl-Glutamine, by Reversed-Phase, High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract This paper describes a reversed-phase, high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the isolation, detection and quantification of phenylacetic acid, phenylbutyric acid and one of their metabolites, phenylacetylglutamine, from serum. The compounds are initially extracted from serum after protein precipitation with perchloric acid. The solution is neutralized with potassium bicarbonate and injected onto a C-18 column. The compounds are then differentially eluted using an increasing gradient of acetonitrile. Ionization of the two acids is suppressed by adding phosphoric acid to the mobile phase. The compounds are detected by UV absorbance at 208 nm. The assay yields a lower limit of detection of 2 μg/ml and is linear to concentrations as high as 2,000 μg/ml. Between 20 and 1,000 μg/ml the interassay percent coefficient of variation is less than 10%.
PS1-01: Alcohol and Drug Use Among Chronic Opioid Therapy Patients

Background/AimsOpioid misuse and abuse is a significant public health problem, and there is a need to better identify at-risk individuals. Study aims were to examine patient characteristics associated with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and aberrant drug related behaviors in chronic opioid therapy (COT) patients.MethodsWe conducted a telephone survey of a random sample of 972 COT patients in an integrated health care delivery system in 2009. Measures included weekly alcohol use and any illicit drug use in the last three months, and a composite measure of alcohol-only use, drug-only use, both alcohol and drug use, and tobacco only use. We conducted weighted multivariate logistic regressions models of AOD use and of aberrant drug-related behavior.ResultsFourteen percent were weekly alcohol users (134/972), 16% used illicit drugs (157/972), 9% (83/972) used both alcohol and drugs, 8% used only drugs (74/972), 34% (334/491) used only alcohol, and 50% (481/972) did not use any substances. Multivariate models indicated illicit drug use was associated with a higher likelihood for weekly alcohol use, while being female, a higher daily opioid dose, and greater pain severity was associate with a lower likelihood of weekly alcohol use. Tobacco use, weekly alcohol use, depression symptoms, being male, and middle age was associated with a higher likelihood of illicit drug use. For aberrant drug related behaviors, drug-only use and both alcohol and drug use (compared to no AOD use) were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving opioids from friends or family in the last year, as were postive depressive symptoms and younger age. Both AOD use and depression symptoms were associated with a higher likelihood of giving opioids to others, while a high daily dose was associated with a lower likelihood of giving opioids to others, compared to the lowest dosage. Polysubstance use gender, and depression were risk factors in this sample. Post hoc analyses of primary care utilization indicated that those with high dosage opioids were more likely to have a certain threshold of primary care visits in the last year, suggesting there is an opportunity to manage these high risk patients.
Acculturation, Substance Use, and Deviant Behavior: Examining Separation and Family Conflict as Mediators

This longitudinal study examined how separation and family conflict mediated the effects of two acculturation variables (English language use and generational status) on substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use) and deviant behavior outcomes in a Mexican American high school age sample. Structural equation modeling indicated that separation was a significant mediator of the relationship between acculturation and alcohol use, tobacco use, and deviant behavior. Family conflict mediated the effects of acculturation on marijuana use and deviant behavior. Model comparisons across gender groups suggested that generational status was an influential acculturation measure for females but not males. Additionally, English language use maintained a direct effect on marijuana use among females, whereas this relationship was mediated by separation for males.
Water homeostasis by wild larvae of Manduca sexta

Summary Modulation of faecal water loss is the principal mechanism by which larval Lepidoptera maintain water homeostasis in the laboratory. Is this also true of larvae in nature? We observed 12 fifth-instar larvae of Manduca sexta feeding on Datura wrightii in the Sonoran Desert, U.S.A. The two main sources of water stress were: evaporative water loss across the cuticle, which appeared to be promoted by increasing body temperatures and decreasing relative humidities during daytime observation periods; and attacks by tachinid flies, which prompted caterpillars to defaecate large quantities of water and to regurgitate digestive fluid onto themselves. In both cases, caterpillars responded by producing drier faecal pellets. A subset of caterpillars consumed water-rich flower buds of D. wrightii, which led to the production of comparatively wet faecal pellets. These data demonstrate that larval water balance in nature is affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors and that larvae respond to these perturbations by modulating the loss of water in the faeces.
Sports participation and suicidal behaviour: Does sport type matter?

Using the Add Health data set of 6485 adolescents aged 11-21 years, it was found that whether participation in sports was a protective factor or a risk factor for suicidal ideation depended on the particular sport, as well as the sex and ethnicity of the adolescents. In general, team sports was associated with a protective effect, while participating in a sport outside of the gender norms (for example, cheer leading/dance for boys and wrestling for girls) was a risk factor. The results were clearer for White adolescents and less clear for Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American adolescents.