cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nutrient-prey-predator model with intratrophic predation

A simple food chain which consists of nutrient, prey and predator with intratrophic predation of the predator is proposed and analyzed. The dynamics of the model depend on the basic reproductive numbers of the prey and predator. Intratrophic predation can have impact on the system only if the basic reproductive number of the predator is greater than 1. In this case, the system may have multiple coexisting equilibria. However, intratrophic predation can stabilize the system when such an equilibrium is unique. Moreover, it can elevate the magnitude of the prey population and diminish the level of nutrient concentration of any coexisting equilibrium.
Patterns of Emotional Social Support and Negative Interactions among African American and Black Caribbean Extended Families.

This study examines patterns of emotional support and negative interaction (i.e., criticism, conflict) from extended family members using data on African Americans and Caribbean Blacks from the National Survey of American Life. A pattern variable was constructed that describes four types of extended family networks: (1) high emotional support and high negative interaction (ambivalent), (2) high emotional support and low negative interaction (optimal), (3) low emotional support and low negative interaction (estranged) and (4) low emotional support and high negative interaction (strained). Multi-nominal logistic regression was used to investigate the sociodemographic and familial (e.g., frequency of family contact) correlates of the patterns of extended family networks. Family closeness and contact, as well as gender, age and marital status were associated with extended family network types. Optimal family networks were associated with higher levels of family contact and closeness; women, younger adults and unmarried persons were more likely than their counterparts to have more advantageous extended family networks. Overall, findings for African Americans and Caribbean Blacks revealed both important similarities (e.g., gender, marital status, family closeness and contact) and differences (e.g., age) in the sociodemographic and familial correlates of diverse extended family networks.
Silas Weir Mitchell, MD: The physician who discovered causalgia

Silas Weir Mitchell discovered and treated causalgia, a condition most often encountered by hand surgeons. He is considered the father of neurology as well as an early pioneer in scientific medicine. He was also a psychiatrist, toxicologist, author, poet, and a celebrity in America and Europe. His many skills and interests led his contemporaries to consider him a genius on par with Benjamin Franklin. His contributions to medicine and particularly hand surgery continue to resonate today.
Isometric Contraction of Epidermis and Stratum Corneum With Heating

Isometric contraction studies provide valuable data on the response of epidermal tissue to heating in water. A major change occurring in the tissue during heating is a conversion of the molecular structure of the α-filaments to β-configuration. Prior treatment of the tissue with several solvents show specific effects on the isometric contraction studies and the changes observed are discussed in relation to the structure of the tissue.
Testing the Perey effect

by applying a correction factor to the solution of the corresponding equation for the local equivalent interaction. This is usually referred to as the Perey correction factor. Purpose: In this work we investigate the validity of the Perey correction factor for single-channel bound and scattering states, as well as in transfer (p;d) cross sections. Method: We solve the scattering and bound state equations for non-local interactions of the Perey-Buck type, through an iterative method. Using the distorted wave Born approximation, we construct the T-matrix for (p;d) on 17 O, 41 Ca, 49 Ca, 127 Sn, 133 Sn, and 209 Pb at 20 and 50 MeV. Results: We found that for bound states, the Perey corrected wave function resulting from the local equation agreed well with that from the non-local equation in the interior region, but discrepancies were found in the surface and peripheral regions. Overall, the Perey correction factor was adequate for scattering states, with the exception of a few partial waves corresponding to the grazing impact parameters. These dierences proved to be important for transfer reactions. Conclusions: The Perey correction factor does oer an improvement over taking a direct local equivalent solution. However, if the desired accuracy is to be better than 10%, the exact solution of the non-local equation should be pursued.
Design of Bioabsorbable Polymeric Humeral Fracture Fixation Device

Approximately 55,500 proximal humeral fractures require surgical fixation annually. The current standard for internal humeral fracture fixation involves implantation of rigid metallic devices to prevent dislocation of bone fragments. However, these devices have high stiffness characteristics which can cause stress shielding in bone. A second method of fixation, called biological fixation, decreases stiffness which reduces stress shielding by utilizing more flexible devices. This approach tends leads to increased incidences of delayed healing and nonunion of fracture fragments. Therefore, this device design implements two bioabsorbable polymers in two distinct layers that degrade at different rates. The purpose of this design is to provide rigid fixation during the initial fracture healing phase followed by a period of biological fixation, allowing for functional healing along with a reduction in stress shielding over time compared to current devices. The bioabsorbable property permits the device to remain in situ, thus eliminating the need for removal surgery and reducing the risk of surgical site infection. Using finite element analysis, the design has been demonstrated to exhibit varying axial, torsional, and flexural stiffness over time. The final device was fabricated by injection molding, and tested for flexural stiffness. In addition, the polymers were tested for stiffness at specific time intervals over the course of the degradation period. All stiffness tests were performed under simple three point loads. A Nikon 3200 camera (Nikon Inc., Melville, NY) was used to sequentially image the material samples and plate throughout each load application. The flexural stiffness of the device was determined by utilizing Digital Image Correlation analysis in Matlab (MathWorks, Inc.) to analyze surface displacements between image frames. The success of the device was determined by comparing the observed difference in stiffness to standard stiffness values for humeral fixation devices currently available on the market. A substantial decrease in stiffness combines the benefits of rigid and biological fixation devices as well as eliminates the complications associated with each, providing an improved solution for proximal humeral fractures.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Naive Versus Minimum‐Risk Direct Hedging of Cash Metal Prices Using U.S. Metal Futures Markets

This research examines the ability of firms to utilize the existing primary U.S. metal futures markets indecreasing variability of spot metal positions. The focus of the analysis is on those twenty‐one U.S. cash metals listed in the Wall Street Journal which have an intrinsicrelation with (at least) one of the six primary metal futures markets.Hedging is deemed effective if variance of hedged returns is significantly lower than the cash‐postion return variance. Both risk‐minimizing and “naive” futures hedge postions are analyzed. On a realized return basis the direct off setting hedges prove to be effective in almost 93 percent of the forty‐two comparisons examined.
A Comparison of School Injuries Between Children With and Without Disabilities

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare rates, nature, and mechanisms of school injuries in children with and without disabilities. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study with repeated measures of 269 919 children with and without disabilities who were enrolled in 35 adapted schools from a large urban school district. Reports of injuries sustained from 1994 to 1998 were collected by the district's insurance division, and disability was assessed using special education guidelines determined by the California Department of Education. A generalized estimating equations model was used to estimate rate ratios, accounting for the repeated, nested nature of the data. Results Children with disabilities had more than double the rate of injury reported than children without disabilities (incidence density ratio [IDR] 2.3, 95% CI, 2.2–2.5). Almost one third of these injuries were due to fights, roughhousing, and assaults. Among all disabled children, those with orthopedic disabilities had the highest risk, with rates over 5 times that of children without disabilities (IDR 5.4, 95% CI, 4.4–6.6). Children with cognitive disabilities had comparatively lower rates of injury than children with physical disabilities. Conclusions For children with disabilities, physical impairment may play a greater role than cognitive impairment in managing risk for injury at school. Individual education programs (IEP), developed for children in special education, could be tailored to include injury prevention strategies.
XPS spectra of some transition metal and alkaline earth monochalcogenides

Abstract The first-row transition-metal monosulfides and alkaline-earth chalcogenides were studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that the bonding in the alkaline earth compounds is relatively ionic with XPS evidence for significant charge separation. On the other hand, transition metal sulfides, with the exception of MnS, appear to be principally metallic with little or no charge separation. Values for the inner orbital binding energy shifts are reported for a large number of monochalcogenides.
Identification of a Lycopene β-Cyclase Required for Bacteriorhodopsin Biogenesis in the Archaeon Halobacterium salinarum

Biogenesis of the light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin in the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum requires coordinate synthesis of the bacterioopsin apoprotein and carotenoid precursors of retinal, which serves as a covalently bound cofactor. As a step towards elucidating the mechanism and regulation of carotenoid metabolism during bacteriorhodopsin biogenesis, we have identified an H. salinarum gene required for conversion of lycopene to β-carotene, a retinal precursor. The gene, designated crtY, is predicted to encode an integral membrane protein homologous to lycopene β-cyclases identified in bacteria and fungi. To test crtY function, we constructed H. salinarum strains with in-frame deletions in the gene. In the deletion strains, bacteriorhodopsin, retinal, and β-carotene were undetectable, whereas lycopene accumulated to high levels (≈1.3 nmol/mg of total cell protein). Heterologous expression of H. salinarum crtY in a lycopene-producing Escherichia coli strain resulted in β-carotene production. These results indicate that H. salinarum crtY encodes a functional lycopene β-cyclase required for bacteriorhodopsin biogenesis. Comparative sequence analysis yields a topological model of the protein and provides a plausible evolutionary connection between heterodimeric lycopene cyclases in bacteria and bifunctional lycopene cyclase-phytoene synthases in fungi.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF THE Y-Ba-Cu-O SUPERCONDUCTOR

We report on the dependence of the properties of the YBa2Cu3Ox superconductor on the process by which it is prepared. Resistance measurements indicate the quality of the samples. X-ray diffraction data show an impressive enhancement followed by a saturation of the intensities of some diffraction lines with the hours of thermal treatment of the sample and the number of times it is ground.
State resolved studies of photochemical dynamics at surfaces

Abstract Photochemical surface processes are initiated by the absorption of photons by an adsorbate or the substrate, and followed by various energy transfer and relaxation processes that lead to nuclear motion along the reaction coordinates. A powerful way to gain insight into the molecular dynamics of such processes involves the determination of final state distributions in the translational and internal degrees of freedom of desorbed product molecules. These distributions include the angular distribution, the translational, vibrational, and rotational energy distributions, the spatial alignment of angular momentum vectors, and populations of spin-orbit and lambda doublet states. Additional information is contained in correlations between two or more degrees of freedom, e.g., the velocity distribution as a function of desorption angle or internal state, or correlations between spin-orbit and rotational state populations. In this Report we review state resolved studies of surface photochemistry (hν ⩽ 6.4 eV) for which the final state distributions have contributed to our understanding of the microscopic dynamics, focusing on recent progress in our ability to explain the observed distributions with simple dynamical models. After briefly reviewing basic photochemical excitation and reaction mechanisms at surfaces, we discuss experimental techniques, including time-of-flight measurement by mass spectrometer and laser spectroscopic techniques. We then review vibrational distributions of photochemically desorbed molecules, interpreting them in terms of a simple quantum dynamics model. A section on translational distributions discusses dynamical models explaining observed velocity distributions of photochemically desorbed species for both weakly and strongly quenched systems. Next we review rotational distributions of photochemically desorbed molecules, and present a dynamical model that can explain many of the observed distributions, as well as the ubiquitous positive correlations between the rotational and translational degrees of freedom. After discussing recent measurements of the spatial alignment of angular momentum vectors of photodesorbed molecules, we review models explaining spin-orbit state propensities and spin-orbit-rotational correlations for photodesorption and surface photodissociation systems.
Naturalism in Action

Abstract Can a naturalist earn the right to talk of a shared empirical world? Hume famously thought not, and contemporary stipulative naturalists infer from this inability that the demand is somehow unnatural. The critical naturalist, by contrast, claims to earn that right. In this paper, I motivate critical naturalism, arguing first that stipulative naturalism is question begging, and second, that the pessimism it inherits from Hume about whether the problem can be solved is misplaced. Hume's mistake was to mis-identify exemplary contexts of thought: thought is a kind of action, better exemplified at the backgammon table or the dinner party than in the study. By earning the right to this environment-involving conception of thought, the critical naturalist can address, rather than avoid, the explanatory problem Hume uncovered.
Quantum Computational Geodesics

The purpose of this paper is to mathematically investigate characteristics of a geodesic equation describing locally minimum complexity paths in the special unitary group manifold representing the unitary evolution of n qubits associated with a quantum computation. The geodesic equation is a nonlinear differential matrix equation of the Lax type. A simple local initial-value solution is elaborated for the case of three qubits.
Approaches to common obstacles in the exposure-based treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Treatment manuals have proven extremely useful in implementing exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP) with patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Nevertheless, treatment manuals cannot possibly attend to all possible situations encountered in therapy, especially with OCD patients who have such a diverse range of presentations. In this article we address four commonly encountered issues not explicitly described in the widely used EX/RP treatment manuals. First, we offer suggestions on how to help patients understand their OCD symptoms in ways that fit into the theoretical framework of the treatment procedures. Second, we address how to manage excessive reassurance-seeking behavior that is often observed in patients with particularly severe symptoms. Third, we describe the importance of consistent exposure during (and after) treatment. Fourth, we discuss clinical decision-making regarding the implementation of ritual prevention.
Inactivation of lsr2 Results in a Hypermotile Phenotype in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacterial species are characterized by the presence of lipid-rich, hydrophobic cell envelopes. These cell envelopes contribute to properties such as roughness of colonies, aggregation of cells in liquid culture without detergent, and biofilm formation. We describe here a mutant strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis, called DL1215, which demonstrates marked deviations from the above-mentioned phenotypes. DL1215 arose spontaneously from a strain deficient for the stringent response (M. smegmatis Delta rel(Msm) strain) and is not a reversion to a wild-type phenotype. The nature of the spontaneous mutation was a single base-pair deletion in the lsr2 gene, leading to the formation of a truncated protein product. The DL1215 strain was complicated by having both inactivated rel(Msm) and lsr2 genes, and so a single lsr2 mutant was created to analyze the gene's function. The lsr2 gene was inactivated in the wild-type M. smegmatis mc(2)155 strain by allelic replacement to create strain DL2008. Strain DL2008 shows characteristics unique from those of both the wild-type and Delta rel(Msm) strains, some of which include a greatly enhanced ability to slide over agar surfaces (referred to here as "hypermotility"), greater resistance to phage infection and to the antibiotic kanamycin, and an inability to form biofilms. Complementation of the DL2008 mutant with a plasmid containing lsr2 (pLSR2) reverts the strain to the mc(2)155 phenotype. Although these phenotypic differences allude to changes in cell surface lipids, no difference is observed in glycopeptidolipids, polar lipids, apolar lipids, or mycolic acids of the cell wall.
Improved Susceptibility Disk Assay Method Employing an Agar Overlay Technique

Susceptibility disks impregnated with 35 different antibiotics were assayed by the current Code of Federal Regulations method and by a new method employing an agar overlay. The new method, a simplified analytical procedure, exhibited improvement in zone definition and an increase in dose response. Assays performed by the new method were accurate and precise. The agar overlay technique appears to be superior to the current Code of Federal Regulations method. Images
Triterpenoid CDDO–methylamide improves memory and decreases amyloid plaques in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Oxidative stress is one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can markedly exacerbate amyloid pathology. Modulation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways represents an important approach for AD therapy. Synthetic triterpenoids have been found to facilitate antioxidant response and reduce inflammation in several models. We investigated the effect of the triterpenoid, 2-Cyano-3,12-Dioxooleana-1,9-Dien-28-Oic acid-MethylAmide (CDDO-MA) in Tg19959 mice, which carry the human amyloid precursor protein with two mutations. These mice develop memory impairments and amyloid plaques as early as 2-3 months of age. CDDO-MA was provided with chow (800 mg/kg) from 1 to 4 months of age. CDDO-MA significantly improved spatial memory retention and reduced plaque burden, Aβ42 levels, microgliosis, and oxidative stress in Tg19959 mice.
Effects of Storage Conditions on Chromium (III) and Chromium (VI) in Two Types of Potable Water

AbstractThe effects of temperature, light exposure, and pH on the interconversion of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in two chlorinated drinking water samples (groundwater and surface water) over a 28-day period were investigated. Six conditions were tested including exposure to a grow lamp (29°C), overhead fluorescent light (20°C), no light (20°C), incandescent light (10°C), no light (4°C), and no light (−19°C). Each condition was tested at pH 7 and 9. No clear interconversion of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) was observed in either the groundwater or surface water under any of the storage conditions except for the surface water samples adjusted to pH 9. These samples provided firm evidence for the conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) at temperatures of 29 and 10°C, with an increase in Cr(VI) concentration from an initial value of 2 ppb (μg/L) to a final value of 10 ppb over 28 days. Further research into whether conversion occurs at low temperatures is recommended to determine whether a hold time of 30 days (used in a standard metho...
Evidence for intensification of the global water cycle: Review and synthesis

One of the more important questions in hydrology is: if the climate warms in the future, will there be an intensification of the water cycle and, if so, the nature of that intensification? There is considerable interest in this question because an intensification of the water cycle may lead to changes in water-resource availability, an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical storms, floods, and droughts, and an amplification of warming through the water vapor feedback. Empirical evidence for ongoing intensification of the water cycle would provide additional support for the theoretical framework that links intensification with warming. This paper briefly reviews the current state of science regarding historical trends in hydrologic variables, including precipitation, runoff, tropospheric water vapor, soil moisture, glacier mass balance, evaporation, evapotranspiration, and growing season length. Data are often incomplete in spatial and temporal domains and regional analyses are variable and sometimes contradictory; however, the weight of evidence indicates an ongoing intensification of the water cycle. In contrast to these trends, the empirical evidence to date does not consistently support an increase in the frequency or intensity of tropical storms and floods.
Complications during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: Identification and prevention

Complications are inherent to any invasive procedure. The list of complications associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has steadily increased with the increase in complexity and the number of procedures performed over the years. This review focuses on strategies for prevention, and techniques for rapid detection and management of these complications.
Drones, witches and other flying objects: the force of fantasy in US counterterrorism

A key concern for critical terrorism studies is the extent to which counterterrorism contributes to the promotion and perpetuation of terrorism. When dealing with either the events leading to 9/11 or the current anti-Muslim movements in Europe, we owe serious attention to the self-generating process by which terrorism and counterterrorism operate as an edge that simultaneously and constitutively links and separates both aspects of the phenomenon. The 9/11 Commission Report established that the events could probably have been prevented; there were after all 50–60 officers who knew two of the future attackers were living in the United States. What requires analysis are the blind spots in counterterrorist thinking that lead to such failures and ultimately to the self-fulfilling nature of the war on terror. This article will examine the conceptual similarities between witchcraft societies and the counterterrorist thought and policies put in practice by various US administrations – having to do with the perver...
Plant metabolism: Enzyme regulation by 14-3-3 proteins

Abstract 14-3-3 proteins have been found to regulate the plant enzyme nitrate reductase by reversible phosphoserine binding. Plant plasma-membrane H + -ATPases, transporters that are activated by the phytotoxin fusicoccin, appear to be regulated in a similar fashion.
GaAs MMICs for Communications

During the past several years there have been rapid advances in GaAs MMIC technology. This paper will highlight these advances with emphasis on MMICs that are suited for communication applications.
Differential effects of acute and chronic haloperidol treatment on striatal and nigral 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels.

Abstract Chronic treatment of rats with haloperidol (4 weeks, 0.5 or 1 mg/kg) resulted in a significant attenuation of the large DOPAC rise seen in the corpus striatum after acute treatment. This tolerance effect was observed both shortly following termination of chronic treatment and on challenge with a low dose (0.1 mg/kg) of the drug 6–8 days later. In contrast, acute haloperidol treatment resulted in only a small and nonsignificant elevation of DOPAC levels in the substantia nigra, while chronic treatment caused a larger and significant increase in levels of the metabolite. Moreover, the latter effect was also observed in response to haloperidol challenge 6–8 days after discontinuation of drug treatment. The differential pattern of response in these two brain regions is discussed in relation to possible mechanisms mediating striatal tolerance and to recent observations regarding changes in nigral dopamine cell firing after chronic haloperidol treatment.
Optimal instrument control strategy for an actuator system with 1-angstrom closed-loop positioning resolution

An optimal instrument control strategy for a dual-stage actuator system is presented. Resolution extension by signal conditioning and digital averaging techniques was implemented during the instrument design. The motion controller was developed based on robust PID (proportional-integral-derivative) algorithm and coarse/fine relay mechanism. The closed-loop residual noise and optimal dynamic performance are demonstrated by experiments.
Soluble conducting polymers: The poly(3–alkylthienylene)s

The conjugated poly(3-alkylthienylene)s, P3ATs, can be processed from solution and subsequently used as semiconducting and metallic polymers. Both as-synthesized and solution-cast films can be readily doped with resulting electrical conductivities which are quite high, σ-30–100 S/cm.
Questioning Professional Autonomy in Qualitative Inquiry

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent committee in the United States that protects the rights and welfare of human subjects recruited to participate in research. The federal government requires that government-funded research of all types involving human subjects, or their records, must have approval from an IRB. Institutions that receive government funds have, therefore, established IRBs to comply with federal requirements. IRBs review research proposals prior to the commencement of research to ensure that the possible risks to human subjects participating in a study are minimized and justified by the anticipated benefits. IRB-type committees that are in place or are being established in other countries are identified under different names, such as Human Subjects Committee or Human Research Ethics Board.
A different idea in fascia sutures.

Abstract A different idea in tension sutures which inverts the sewn edges of the fascia, gives a strong reinforcement to the wound temporarily and which does not involve the skin and the subcutaneous tissue.
Histidyl-tRNA synthetase, the myositis Jo-1 antigen, is cytoplasmic and unassociated with the cytoskeletal framework

The myositis-specific anti-Jo-1 autoantibody, which is directed against histidyl-tRNA-synthetase, is found in 30% of polymyositis patients. The Jo-1 antigen has been reported to be a nuclear antigen by some authors. On the contrary we show that less than 2% of the total histidyl-tRNA and lysyl-tRNA synthetase activities are associated with purified rat liver nuclei or the hepatocyte intermediate filament-nuclear fraction. In the presence of polyethylene glycol, in which the high Mr multi-enzyme complex containing lysyl-tRNA synthetase is insoluble, 65% of the lysyl-tRNA synthetase and only 15% of histidyl-tRNA synthetase activities remained associated with the cytoskeletal framework. The Jo-1 antigen exhibited a diffuse granular cytoplasmic distribution in cultured rat hepatocytes as determined by indirect immunofluorescent microscopy. Hence, the Jo-1 antigen is cytoplasmic and unassociated with the cytoskeletal framework or high Mr synthetase complex in situ.
Multi-scale cultural heritage survey: Quick digital photogrammetric systems

Abstract Survey technologies play a leading role in the knowledge of cultural heritage and so far they have been finalized to data acquisition for describing geometric features and peculiarities of historical monuments in the context of conservation and safeguard. Moreover, the demand for 3D models of historical monuments is continuously increasing in the field of archaeological and architectural applications. The two main sources that can provide detailed and reliable 3D surface models are photogrammetry through image-based modelling, and Terrestrial Laser Scanner through laser scanning techniques. Among the works so far presented, the use of laser scanner for cultural heritage survey seems to achieve a position of monopoly in the 3D modelling pipeline. Laser scanner technology permits a detailed 3D description of the artefacts geometry: during the acquisition phase, it is possible to automatically acquire a great amount of 3D points without subjective interpretation from the operators. Some related geometric issues have not been solved yet, and thus a great amount of post-processing work is required to get final results. Recently, the development of digital stereo-photogrammetric systems capable to define 3D visualization and navigation environments represents a valid alternative as a tool for 3D documentation of cultural heritage. This paper aims to present the wide range of application of quick photogrammetric systems, either stereoscopic or trifocal, in the context of surveying archaeological–architectural artefacts at different scales and for different purposes.
Use of the Perclose ProGlide device with the 9 French Merci retrieval system.

Introduction Closure devices are commonly used in neurointerventional procedures to achieve groin hemostasis. These devices are particularly useful in procedures requiring anticoagulation and larger catheters. The suture-mediated Perclose ProGlide device is intended for use with 5F to 8F sheaths. We describe the use of the ProGlide device with 9F sheaths in acute stroke treatment using the Merci retrieval device.
Structural, magnetic, and defect properties of Co-Pt-type magnetic-storage alloys: Density-functional theory study of thermal processing effects

Using an optimized-basis Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker-coherent-potential approximation method, we calculate formation enthalpies $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{f}$, structural, and magnetic properties of paramagnetic (PM) and ferromagnetic, disordered A1 and ordered $\text{L}{1}_{0}$ CoPt, FePd, and FePt systems that are of interest for high-density magnetic-recording media. To address processing effects, we focus on the point defects that dictate thermal properties and planar defects (e.g., $c$ domain and antiphase boundaries) which can serve as pinning centers for magnetic domains and affect storage properties. We determine bulk Curie $({T}_{c})$ and order-disorder $({T}_{\text{o-d}})$ transition temperatures within 4% of observed values, and estimates for nanoparticles. Planar-defect energies ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{x}^{hkl}$ show that the favorable $[hkl]$ defects depend on processing conditions as ${T}_{c}l{T}_{\text{o-d}}$ in these alloys, and the PM defects agree with those observed. We correlate all properties with the electronic structure.
The Dentino‐enamel Junction is a Broad Transitional Zone Uniting Dissimilar Bioceramic Composites

The dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) couples a hard, brittle, stiff layer of enamel to underlying flexible and resilient dentin. Prior microscopic images have shown an abrupt demarcation between enamel and dentin; however, new data on protein expression suggests a graded transition. In this study, Vickers microindentations reveal a gradation in hardness with a wide transitional zone across the DEJ region. Therefore, the DEJ must be regarded as a broad transitional region between two interacting tissues, not as a discrete interface. This zone may reduce stress concentrations and act as an important toughening mechanism between mechanically and structurally dissimilar tissues.
Doppler optical micro-angiography for volumetric imaging of vascular perfusion in vivo

We propose a Doppler optical micro-angiography (DOMAG) method to image flow velocities of the blood flowing in functional vessels within microcirculatory tissue beds in vivo. The method takes the advantages of recently developed optical micro-angiography (OMAG) technology, in which the endogenous optical signals backscattered from the moving blood cells are isolated from those originated from the tissue background, i.e., the tissue microstructures. The phase difference between adjacent A scans of OMAG flow signals is used to evaluate the flow velocity, similar to phase-resolved Doppler optical coherence tomography (PRDOCT). To meet the requirement of correlation between adjacent A scans in using the phase resolved technique to evaluate flow velocity, an ideal tissue-sample background (i.e., optically homogeneous tissue sample) is digitally reconstructed to replace the signals that represent the heterogeneous features of the static sample that are rejected in the OMAG flow images. Because of the ideal optical-homogeneous sample, DOMAG is free from the characteristic texture pattern noise due to the heterogeneous property of sample, leading to dramatic improvement of the imaging performance. A series of phantom flow experiments are performed to evaluate quantitatively the improved imaging performance. We then conduct in vivo experiments on a mouse brain to demonstrate that DOMAG is capable of quantifying the flow velocities within cerebrovascular network, down to capillary level resolution. Finally, we compare the in vivo imaging performance of DOMAG with that of PRDOCT, and show that DOMAG delivers at least 15-fold increase over the PRDOCT method in terms of the lower limit of flow velocity that can be detected.
At the seams: DIYbio and opportunities for HCI

DIYbio (Do It Yourself Biology) aims to 'open source', tinker and experiment with biology outside of professional settings. In this paper, we present the origins, practices, and challenges of DIYbio initiatives around the world. Our findings depict DIYbio as operating across intersections ('seams') between a range of stakeholders, materials and concerns. To map out the role of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) across these seams, we present design exercises (functional prototypes) that explore three areas for future work: internal collaboration tools within the DIYbio and professional community; mechanisms for external communication with stakeholders from the general public; and bio-electronic assemblies of organic and digital materials. In doing so, we hope to critically re-envision the role of HCI at the emerging intersection of biology, computation and DIY.
Expression and characterization of splice variants of PYK2, a focal adhesion kinase-related protein.

Focal adhesion kinase and the recently identified proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), also known as cell adhesion kinase β, related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase or calcium-dependent protein tyrosine kinase, define a new family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases. Activation of PYK2 has been implicated in multiple signaling events, including modulation of ion channels, T- and B-cell receptor signaling and cell death. Mechanisms underlying the functional diversity of PYK2 are unclear. Here, we provide evidence for two novel alternatively expressed isoforms of PYK2. One isoform, designated PYK2s (PYK2 splice form), appears to be a splice variant of PYK2 lacking 42 amino acids within the C-terminal domain. A second isoform, referred to as PRNK (PYK2-related non-kinase), appears to be specified by mRNAs that encode only part of the C-terminal domain of PYK2. Northern blot analysis indicates that the unspliced PYK2 is expressed at high levels in the brain and poorly expressed in the spleen, whereas PYK2s and PRNK are expressed in the spleen. In situ hybridization studies of rat brain demonstrate that the unspliced PYK2 is selectively expressed at high levels in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and olfactory bulb, whereas PYK2s and PRNK are expressed at low levels in all regions of rat brain examined. Immunofluorescence analysis of ectopically expressed PRNK protein shows that PRNK, in contrast to full-length PYK2, is localized to focal adhesions by sequences within the focal adhesion targeting domain. In addition, PYK2, but not PRNK, interacts with p130(cas)and Graf. These results imply that PRNK may selectively regulate PYK2 function in certain cells by binding to some but not all PYK2 binding partners, and the functional diversity mediated by PYK2 may be due in part to complex alternative splicing.
Quantification of chloride in sweat with the cystic fibrosis indicator system

We examined the relation between chloride concentration and the area of complexed chloride of Medtronic's Cystic Fibrosis Indicator System, using a high-resolution x-y coordinated digitizer to measure the circumference of the chloride precipitation ring. These digitized points were entered directly into an IBM PC computer, where the area of the chloride precipitation was calculated with use of a repetitive rectangular estimation program. Using these data, we determined the relationship between the area of chloride precipitation and the chloride concentration of the standard NaCl solutions. When the area of the ring of chloride precipitation in the system's patch is measured immediately after the sweat test is completed, the concentration of chloride in the sweat can be calculated with a reproducibility equal to that of the Gibson-Cooke sweat test.
Land-use history and plant performance in populations of Trillium grandiflorum

Many forest herbs show reduced frequency in forests growing on former agricultural land (secondary forests) relative to forests that were never cleared for agriculture (primary forests). To explain this pattern, studies of secondary forest colonization by forest herbs have stressed the role of limited seed dispersal, though environmental conditions may also limit colonization. Here I demonstrate that adult plant performance of Trillium grandiflorum is significantly reduced in secondary vs. primary forests in central New York State, USA. Comparing primary and secondary sites both with relatively high soil pH, T. grandiflorum populations were more dense, and individual plants were larger and more likely to be flowering in primary than secondary forests. Using counts of annual leaf scars on the rhizome, I demonstrate that this result is not due to secondary populations being younger than primary populations. Age-specific leaf area was significantly greater in primary than secondary stands at high soil pH, and the data suggest slightly reduced seed set in secondary stands as well. These results point to a more important role for environmental conditions in limiting forest-herb colonization of secondary forests than has been previously appreciated. Restoration and conservation of forest herbs in post-agricultural forests will require more than simply overcoming dispersal limitation.
A Content Based Pattern Analysis System for a Biological Specimen Collection

Over the years many research collections of biological specimen have been developed for research in biological sciences. Number of specimens in some of these collections can be as high as several millions. There is a move to convert these physical specimens into digital images. This research is motivated by the need to develop techniques to mine useful information from these large collections of specimen images. Specific focus of this research is on the collection of parasites in the Harold W. Manter Laboratory (HWML) Parasite Collection, one of the top four parasite collections in the world. These parasites closely resemble in shape and have flexible bodies with rigid extremities. They have only a few specific structural differences. In this paper we present a technique to retrieve specimens based on shape of a given sample. This form of mining based on the shape of the specimen has the potential to discover linkages between specimens not otherwise known.
Complexity Issues in Neural Computation and Learning

The general goal of this workshop was to bring together researchers working toward developing a theoretical framework for the analysis and design of neural networks. The technical focus of the workshop was to address recent developments in understanding the capabilities and limitations of various models for neural computation and learning. The primary topics addressed the following three areas: 1) Computational complexity issues in neural networks, 2) Complexity issues in learning, and 3) Convergence and numerical properties of learning algorithms. Other topics included experimental/simulation results on neural networks, which seemed to pose some open problems in the areas of learning and generalization properties of feedforward networks.
Concerning the Integral dx/x[superscript m] (1+x)

Consider the integral [image omitted]. In the CRC Standard Mathematical Tables, this integral can require repeated integral evaluations. Enter this integral into your favourite computer algebra system, and the results may be unrecognizable. In this article, we seek to provide a simpler evaluation for integrals of this form. We state up front that the exponent m need not be an integer.
High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation as a Rescue Therapy for Adult Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND High-frequency oscillatory ventilation is an alternative ventilation mode that improves oxygenation in trauma patients in whom conventional ventilation strategies have been unsuccessful. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation on oxygenation, survival, and parameters predictive of survival in trauma patients. METHODS A retrospective case series of 24 adult patients admitted to the trauma intensive care unit at a level I trauma center between November 2001 and July 2005 and treated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Survivors and nonsurvivors were compared for mechanism and severity of injury, oxygenation parameters related to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and hospital course. RESULTS Of the 8577 patients admitted during the study period, acute respiratory distress syndrome developed in 103 (1%). Of those 103 patients, 24 (23%) were treated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Most of the patients treated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation had sustained blunt trauma (79%). Oxygenation parameters improved significantly with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in all patients, regardless of survival. Of the 24 patients treated with this ventilation mode, 15 (62%) survived. Survival did not correlate with improved oxygenation parameters but with the number of failed organ systems and injury severity. CONCLUSION Although high-frequency oscillatory ventilation improves oxygenation, severity of traumatic injury and organ failure, not respiratory parameters, are predictors of survival. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation should be considered for pulmonary rescue of severely injured patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Reduction of CD4+ T cells in vivo does not affect virus load in macaque elite controllers

A small percentage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)infected individuals spontaneously control virus replication. The majority of these elite controllers mount high-frequency virus-specific CD4 T cell responses. To evaluate the role these responses might play in viral control, we depleted two elite controller macaques of CD4 cells. SIV-specific CD4 T cell responses did not return to baseline levels until 8 weeks postdepletion. Viral loads remained stable throughout the experiment, suggesting that SIV-specific CD4 T cell responses may not play a direct role in controlling chronic viral replication in these elite controllers. Rhesus macaque models of immunodeficiency virus replication have proven invaluable in delineating cellular determinants of viral control. The importance of CD8 T cells in the control of viral replication was initially demonstrated in vitro (7, 26) but was shown to be critical to the control of acute (14, 22, 23) and chronic (2, 6, 23) immunodeficiency virus replication in vivo using the rhesus macaque model. In these studies, depletion of CD8 lymphocytes by the application of depleting antibody resulted in elevations in the levels of viral replication that coincided with the loss of CD8 T cells or, in the case of acute viral replication, resulted in the failure of postpeak viral containment, which normally precedes the establishment of chronic-phase set point viral load. Elite controllers (ECs) maintain low or undetectable chronicphase set point viral loads. Elite control is associated with certain major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) alleles, including HLA-B*5701 and HLA-B*2705, implying a key role for the immune system and more specifically for CD8 T lymphocytes in establishing control of viral replication (5). Our group has described an animal model of MHC class I-associated elite control involving the rhesus macaque alleles Mamu-B*08 and Mamu-B*17 (13, 27). We have further shown the importance of CD8 lymphocytes in the maintenance of viral control in this model by demonstrating increased viral replication after the application of a CD8-depleting antibody (2). This recrudescence was followed by the reestablishment of viral control concomitant with the emergence of CD8 T lymphocytes restricted by the elite control-associated MHC class I alleles (2, 12). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected ECs have
Validation of a clinical risk scoring system, based solely on clinical presentation, for the management of pregnancy of unknown location

Objective To assess a scoring system to triage women with a pregnancy of unknown location. Design Validation of prediction rule. Setting Multicenter study. Patient(s) Women with a pregnancy of unknown location. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Scores assigned to factors identified at clinical presentation, total score calculated to assess risk of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in women with a pregnancy of unknown location, and a proposed three-tiered clinical action plan. Result(s) The cohort of 1,400 women (284 ectopic pregnancies, 759 miscarriages, and 357 intrauterine pregnancies) was more diverse than the original cohort used to develop the decision rule. The recommendations of the action plan were low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk; the recommendation based on the model score was compared with clinical diagnosis. A total of 29.4% intrauterine pregnancies were identified for less frequent follow-up observation, and 18.4% nonviable gestations were identified for more frequent follow-up observation (to rule out an ectopic pregnancy) compared with intermediate risk (i.e., monitor in current standard fashion). For a decision of possible less frequent monitoring, the specificity was 90.8% (89.0–92.6) with negative predictive value of 79.0% (76.7–81.3). For a decision of more intense follow-up observation, the specificity was 95.0% (92.7–97.2). Test characteristics using the scoring system were replicated in the diverse validation cohort. Conclusion(s) A scoring system based on symptoms at presentation has value to stratify risk and influence the intensity of outpatient surveillance for women with pregnancy of unknown location but does not serve as a diagnostic tool.