cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of intracranial implantation of dihydrotestosterone on sexual behavior in male Cnemidophorus inornatus, a direct sexual ancestor of a parthenogenetic lizard

Dihydrotestosterone was implanted directly into the brain of castrated male Cnemidophorus inornatus, a direct sexual ancestor of the parthenogenetic species C. uniparens. Only implants located in the anterior hypothalamus--preoptic area (AH-POA) induced male-typical sexual behavior. Implants in other brain regions, including the ventromedial hypothalamus, failed to elicit courtship or copulatory behavior. Radioimmunoassay revealed no significant difference in the concentrations of circulating androgens between the responding and nonresponding animals. Previous data from this laboratory demonstrated that the AH-POA controls male-like pseudosexual behavior in C. uniparens. The current results support the hypotheses that (i) the AH-POA is the major area of hormone action in the brain controlling male-typical sexual behavior in C. inornatus as in other vertebrates and (ii) the neural circuits controlling male-typical behavior have been conserved in the evolution of the parthenogen C. uniparens.
A thermochemical study of the liquid system NaBO2 + SiO2 at 1394 K

Abstract The enthalpies of mixing in the quasi-binary liquid system NaBO2 + SiO2 were measured by solid-liquid calorimetry at 1394 K. Correcting for the known enthalpy of fusion of SiO2 at this temperature we derived also the corresponding liquid-liquid enthalpies of mixing, ΔHmix, and the enthalpy interaction parameters, ΔHmix/NNaBO2NSiO2; the latter quantity changes from about −30 kj mol−1 in pure NaBO2 to about −20 kJ mol−1 at NSiO2 ≈ 0.67. From the experimentally determined curve for ΔHmix the partial enthalpies of the two components were obtained by the method of intercepts. For nsio2
High genetic divergence and recombination in Arenaviruses from the Americas.

The rodent-borne Arenaviruses are divided into two major antigenic groups: the Old World and New World complexes. Of the 15 known New World arenaviruses, four (Junin, Machupo, Sabia, and Guanarito) have been associated with hemorrhagic fever in humans. It has been difficult to assess the pathogenic or epidemic potential of the remaining viruses and the threat of emerging disease. We obtained full-length small (S) segment sequence data, encoding the nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein precursor (GPC), from all American arenaviruses to predict their evolutionary and functional relationships. Phylogenetic analysis of NP or GPC amino acid sequences from all New World arenaviruses revealed three lineages and that Tamiami and Whitewater Arroyo viruses were probably derived from a single recombinant progenitor. The results imply that arenaviruses have been evolving independently for a very long time, leading to very diverse groupings that do not correlate with geography, rodent host, or human epidemic potential.
Origin of the antibody-dependent cytotoxic cell in man.

Abstract Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against lymphoblastoid cells was absent in three cases of severe combined immunodeficiency prior to bone marrow transplantation. Post-transplantation, ADCC, T-cell function, and B-cell function were restored independently of each other. It is concluded that the effector cell in ADCC is a lymphoid cell distinct from both the mature T and B lymphocytes.
DSMC simulations of low-density fluid flow on MIMD supercomputers

Abstract Direct Simulation Monte Carlo is a well-established technique for modeling low density fluid flows. The parallel implementation of a general simulation which allows for body-fitted grids, particle weighting, and a variety of surface and flow chemistry models is described. We compare its performance on a 1024-node nCUBE 2 to a serial version for the CRAY-YMP. Experiences with load-balancing the computation via graph-based heuristics (Kernighan and Lin) and the newer spectral techniques (Pothen, Simon, and Liou) are also discussed. This is a critical issue since density fluctuations can create orders-of-magnitude differences in computational loads as the simulation progresses.
The prime at infinity and the rank of the class group in global function fields

Abstract In this paper we construct, for any integers m and n, and 2 ⩽ g ⩽ m - 1 , infinitely many function fields K of degree m over F ( T ) such that the prime at infinity splits into exactly g primes in K and the ideal class group of K contains a subgroup isomorphic to ( Z / n Z ) m - g . This extends previous results of the author and Lee for the cases g = 1 and g = m .
Selenium deficiency and type II 5'-deiodinase regulation in the euthyroid and hypothyroid rat: evidence of a direct effect of thyroxine

Selenium deficiency in rats is characterized by elevated serum T4 and decreased serum T3 concentrations, and low liver type I (5'D-I) and brain type II (5'D-II) iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase activities. These findings are partially explained by the demonstration that type I 5'D is a selenoprotein; however, 5'D-II does not contain selenium. Since 5'D-II varies inversely with serum T4 concentrations, and serum T4 is elevated in selenium deficiency, the decreased cerebrocortical 5'D-II activity may be secondary to the increased serum T4 levels. To determine the mechanism(s) by which selenium influences 5'D-II activity, we examined the effects of altered selenium intake on brain 5'D-II levels and enzyme turnover in euthyroid and thyroidectomized rats. Rats were fed a selenium-supplemented or selenium-deficient diet for 5 weeks from weaning; half of the animals were also thyroidectomized 3 weeks before death. Selenium deficiency was confirmed by decreased liver and brain glutathione peroxidase activities. In eut...
Neutropenic enteropathy: a 10-year review.

Abstract Purpose : With the advent of more aggressive chemotherapy, the incidence of neutropenic enteropathy is increasing. This review was performed to (1) determine which children are affected, (2) identify predisposing factors, and (3) assess efficacy of treatment. Methods: A 10-year (1988 to 1997) review identified 33 children who had 38 episodes of neutropenic enteropathy. Each presented with fever, abdominal pain, and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. All were treated with fluid resuscitation, bowel rest, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Surgical intervention was reserved for children with bowel perforation. Results: Neutropenic enteropathy occurred in 24 children with hematologic malignancies and nine with solid tumors. This disease developed in three children after bone marrow transplantation for leukemia. All five patients in whom recurrent episodes developed were receiving chemotherapy for Burkitt's lymphoma. Cytosine arabinoside and VP16 were the most commonly implicated chemotherapeutic agents. Four children required laparotomy and right hemicolectomy, and all survived. Overall survival was 94%. Conclusions: Although previously described in children receiving chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies, neutropenic enteropathy also occurs in children who have solid tumors and after bone marrow transplantation. The use of cytosine arabinoside and VP16 may predispose patients to this disease. Children receiving chemotherapy for Burkitt's lymphoma are at increased risk for recurrent episodes. Excellent survival rate was attained with supportive care being used as the primary treatment modality.
A review of the Mark 48-F, 3.50 pitch diameter, 2-stage reaction turbine designed for the staged combustion cycle requirements of an advanced space engine

The Mark 48-F two-stage reaction turbine was designed as a component for an advanced space engine propellant feed system, high-pressure liquid hydrogen turbopump. The turbine total inlet temperature and total inlet pressure were designed to be 1860 R and 3420 psia, respectively. At a design speed of 95,000 rpm, the turbine will develop 2543 horsepower with LO2/LH2 working fluid. The aerothermodynamic performance of a prototype turbine assembly was evaluated with gaseous nitrogen working fluid. Turbine performance was evaluated at turbine velocity ratios ranging from 0.250 to 0.782, and turbine speeds up to 25,250 rpm. Turbine test efficiency at the design velocity ratio of 0.483 was found to be 79.5% total-to-total.
Novel therapeutic uses and formulations of botulinum neurotoxins: a patent review (2012 - 2014).

Introduction: Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most toxic of known biological molecules and function as acetylcholine release inhibitors and neuromuscular blocking agents. Paradoxically, these properties also make them valuable therapeutic agents for the treatment of movement disorders, urological conditions and hypersecretory disorders. Greater understanding of their molecular mechanism of action and advances in protein engineering has led to significant efforts to improve and expand their function with a view towards broadening their therapeutic potential.Areas covered: Searches of Espacenet and Google Patent have revealed a number of patents related to BoNTs. This review will focus on novel therapeutic uses and formulations disclosed during 2012 – 2014. The seven patents discussed will include nanoformulations of FDA-approved BoNTs, additional BoNT subtypes and novel BoNT variants and chimeras created through protein engineering. Supporting patents and related publications are also briefly d...
Sensitivity of frost resistance and growth in citrus and avocado to chronic ozone exposure

summary The effects of elevated levels of ozone on growth and frost resistance were studied using broadleaf-evergreen citrus and avocado trees. ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit (Citrus parodist L.) trees on either Volkamer lemon (Citrus volkanieriana Ten. & Pasq.) or sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) rootstocks and ‘Simmonds’ or ‘Pancho’ avocado trees (Persea americana Mill.) on the rootstock ‘Waldin’ were exposed to ozone in open-top chambers for 4 months in 1988 and for 8 months in a second experiment in 1989. The ambient ozone concentration, averaged over a 12 h day, was 30-1 nl 1−1 in 1988 and 39-1 nl 1−1 in 1989 during the exposure period. Citrus tree growth, estimated by total leaf mass, was unaffected by ozone concentrations of 3 × ambient in either year but the growth of avocado in 1989 was reduced 20 and 61 % by ozone concentrations at 2 × and 3 × ambient, respectively. Frost resistance, estimated by electrolyte leakage from leaf disks and from survival of leaves, stems and whole plants following exposure to freezing temperatures, was often diminished in avocado and citrus at 3 × ambient ozone, but occasionally was increased at 2 × ambient. The effects of chronic ozone exposure on frost resistance were generally subtle; 3 x ambient ozone exposure in 1989 compared to 0.3 × only caused the temperature for 50% electrolyte leakage (LT30) to increase less than 1 °C (− 5.3 to −4.8 °C) in citrus and about 2 °C (− 8.0 to −5.8 °C) in avocado. Nevertheless, the tests for frost resistance on whole plants indicated that these differences could have a substantial impact on stem and plant survival if the frost was at a critical temperature. The likelihood that chronic ozone exposure currently affects citrus frost resistance in Florida appears slight.
Distribution of Pesticides in Fermentation Products Obtained from Artificially Fortified Grape Musts

SUMMARY None of 13 pesticides added to grape musts had any measurable effect on fermentation, but their distribution and relative concentrations in the end-products showed wide variation. Five cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides (demeton, malathion, parathion, Phosdrin, and Sevin) were still present in the finished wine, whereas three cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides (ethion, Diazinon, and Trithion) and all of the chlorinated insecticides tested (DDT, chlordane, Kelthane, Tedion, and endrin) were not detected in the wines. It was definitely established, however, that all the chlorinated compounds tested were in the sediments or lees removed after fermentation. Three cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds (ethion, parathion, and Trithion) were also more concentrated in the lees than in the original musts. Diazinon was not found in any component after fermentation, probably because it is hydrolyzed in acidic solution. Chlordane, DDT, endrin, Kelthane, Tedion, ethion, malathion, parathion, and Trithion were detected in the distillates from the lees containing these compounds, chlordane being considerably more concentrated than in the original must.
Concordance of computer-extracted image features with BI-RADS descriptors for mammographic mass margin

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate computer-extracted features for characterizing mammographic mass margins according to BI-RADS spiculated and circumscribed categories. The mass was automatically segmented using an active contour model. A spiculation measure for a pixel on the mass boundary was defined by using the angular difference between the image gradient vector and the normal to the mass, averaged over pixels in a spiculation search region. For the circumscribed margin feature, the angular difference between the principal eigenvector of the Hessian matrix and the normal to the mass was estimated in a band of pixels centered at each point on the boundary, and the feature was extracted from the resulting profile along the boundary. Three MQSA radiologists provided BI-RADS margin ratings for a data set of 198 regions of interest containing breast masses. The features were evaluated with respect to the individual radiologists' characterization using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, as well as with respect to that from the majority rule, in which a mass was labeled as spiculated (circumscribed) if it was characterized as such by 2 or 3 radiologists, and non-spiculated (non-circumscribed) otherwise. We also investigated the performance of the features for consensus masses, defined as those labeled as spiculated (circumscribed) or nonspiculated (non-circumscribed) by all three radiologists. When masses were labeled according to radiologists R1, R2, and R3 individually, the spiculation feature had an area A z under the ROC curve of 0.90±0.04, 0.90±0.03, 0.88±0.03, respectively, while the circumscribed margin feature had an A z value of 0.77±0.04, 0.74±0.04, and 0.80±0.03, respectively. When masses were labeled according to the majority rule, the A z values for the spiculation and the circumscribed margin features were 0.92±0.03 and 0.80±±0.03, respectively. When only the consensus masses were considered, the A z values for the spiculation and the circumscribed margin features were 0.96±0.04 and 0.87±0.04, respectively. We conclude that the newly developed features had high accuracy for characterizing mass margins according to BI-RADS descriptors.
Hypersonic flow over bodies in tandem

A computational study of hypersonic flow over two bodies in tandem was made with the aim to understand the problems that may be encountered when the drag of a ballute is used to decelerate a spacecraft in the outer atmosphere of a planet for aerocapture. When the trailing body is large, shock-shock interaction causes the flow to become violently unsteady. This can be avoided by making the second body in the shape of a ring. Several configurations are examined, and the interesting phenomena that occur are discussed.
172 Flexible Elemental Stoichiometry in Trichodesmium IMS101: Implications for Buoyancy‐Mediated Vertical Migration

The cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is considered the most abundant and active nitrogen fixing plankton genus in tropical and subtropical marine waters. In the northern subtropical gyres of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, this organism is notable as a source of new production and as a potential biological shuttle for phosphorus to surface waters. We have conducted recent laboratory experiments revealing the remarkable stoichiometric flexibility exhibited by this diazotroph. These results indicate that Trichodesmium spp. are capable of viable growth with carbon to phosphorus ratios approximately 16 times Redfield stoichiometry. Such P-sparing is clearly an adaptation to the oligotrophic environments from which these cultures were isolated. Building on this research, additional work was performed to determine the maximal temporal scale of vertical migration and the implicit dark period physiology. An experiment was designed to assess the physiological changes that would occur as cells of varying growth stages migrated below the euphotic zone into more phosphorus replete waters. At different stages of growth sub-samples of phosphorus replete or phosphorus limited cells were transferred to dark conditions. For each dark bottle, chl-a, particulate carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen, trichome count and fluorescence parameters were measured daily. Our experimental results indicate that the maximum duration of dark period survival (and hence vertical migration) is approximately three days during which period cells were able to fully recover from light depravation and resume typical growth rates. The knowledge of Trichodesmium bioenergetics gained from this research will serve to further constrain the potential role of Trichodesmium spp. in biogeochemical cycling.
Detection of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, StAR, in human liver cells ☆

Abstract Overexpressing StAR (a mitochondrial cholesterol transporter) increases (>5-fold) the rate of 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol and the rates of bile acid synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes; suggesting that the transport of cholesterol into mitochondria is rate-limiting for bile acid biosynthesis via the CYP27A1 initiated ‘acidic’ pathway. Our objective was to determine the level of StAR expression in human liver and whether changes in StAR would correlate with changes in CYP27A1 activity/bile acid synthesis rates in human liver tissues. StAR mRNA and protein were detected in primary human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells by RT-PCR/Northern analysis and by Western analysis, respectively. In immunocompetition assays, liver StAR was competed away with the addition of purified human adrenal StAR. Overexpressing CYP27A1 in both cell types led to >2-fold increases in liver StAR concentration. StAR protein levels also increased ∼2-fold with the addition of 27-hydroxycholesterol to HepG2 cell culture medium. Overexpressing StAR increased the rates of 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol/bile acid synthesis in both cell lines and increased intracellular levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol. In conclusion, human liver cells contain regulable StAR protein whose level of expression appears capable of regulating cellular cholesterol homeostasis, representing a potential therapeutic target in the management of hyperlipidemia.
Marcive's Shipping List Service: Colorado State University Libraries' experience

Abstract The article relates the problems and challenges encountered when Colorado State University Libraries (CSUL) began receiving and processing Marcive Shipping List Service (SLS) records; describes the associated procedures, work flows, and quality control measures; and provides an analysis of SLS. Based on CSUL's experience, it is strongly suggested that quality control be given a high priority to ensure that problems resulting from the integration of SLS with Marcive US Government Printing Office (GPO) cataloging and any in-house records are identified and resolved at the point of receipt. Having new titles immediately available online through multiple access points and with the correct location and format is an invaluable service for library users.
Magnetic bremsstrahlung and modified propagation function. spin-0 charged particles in a homogeneous magnetic field

Recently. Schwinger was able to solve exactly the modified propagation function for the spin-O charged particle in a homogeneous magnetic field. Here, we consider some applications of his result. In particuhar, the energy shift, the total decay rate, and the quantum corrections to the classical radiative spectrum are obtained explicitly. (auth)
Approaches to industrial image processing and their limitations

One of the main barriers to full industrial automation is in the practical realisation of pattern-recognition and image-processing systems, for image inspection, robot vision, texture analysis, attitude estimation, etc. This article reviews the present scene.
Sequence Comparison Via Alignment and Gibbs Sampling: A Formal Analysis of the Emergence of the Modern Sociological Article

Various substantive literatures in sociology seek small regularities in sequences: turning points in the life course, catalytic moments in organizational change, sharp turns in occupational traject...
Influence of Ag additions on the superconducting properties of HgBa2CuO4+δ materials — hole doping and surface barrier effects

Abstract A series of superconducting HgBa 2 CuO 4+δ materials, containing Ag x additions with molar fraction x up to 0.5, has been studied. The processing with Ag at elevated temperatures led to changes in superconducting properties; the properties are consistently interpreted in terms of the superconducting hole density, as obtained from the London penetration depth λ measured on the same materials. The irreversible magnetic properties are well described in terms of thermally activated tunneling of pancake vortices through a surface barrier.
A neutron spectrometer using pulse shape discrimination

Abstract A system for discriminating between scintillation pulses induced in a stilbene crystal by neutrons and gamma rays particularly from photo nuclear reactions is described. The pulse shape discriminator operates on a single voltage pulse from a scintillation counter and provides well-separated output pulses of opposite polarity to identify neutrons and gammas. The discriminator may be easily and quickly balanced to obtain discrimination with the aid of a test pulser incorporated in the system, and it is possible to reduce the dead time of the discriminator to less than 1 μsec. This system has been used in a neutron spectrometer to investigate the energy spectrum of neutrons in the energy range from 1 to 15 MeV.
Some possible parametric interactions in III-V semiconductors

Some three-frequency, phase-matched, forward-wave, parametric interactions possible in III-V "ionic" semiconductors are discussed. A tunable infrared parametric oscillator, with frequency variable over a wide range with applied magnetic field, is shown to be feasible.
The creation, manipulation and evolution of nanometer-scale structures on Ag films grown on Cu(1 1 1) substrates

Abstract We demonstrate how we can use scanning tunneling microscopy to create nanometer-scale pits several layers deep on Ag(1 1 1) films grown on a Cu(1 1 1) substrate. The creation of these pits is accompanied by the formation of multilayer-high islands. We also demonstrate the ability to manipulate small one-layer deep pits. In addition, the evolution of the islands and pits is also studied. Images show island and pit coalescence and instances of rapid and gradual decay.
The Presidential Scholars Program at the Medical University of South Carolina: An extracurricular approach to interprofessional education

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) developed a Presidential Scholars Program (PSP) in order to foster interprofessional collaboration among students from the different health professions on campus. Now in its seventh year, the program provides approximately 40 selected students each year from six different colleges with a two-semester interprofessional educational experience. Students work in small interprofessional teams on a project designed to address a broad-based health care issue; they also participate in other structured educational sessions throughout the year. As one means for assessing student impressions of the interprofessional collaborative experience, a survey was administered prior to and immediately after the experience. Additionally, a sample of non-scholar MUSC students was randomly selected for completion of the survey as a control group. Results indicate that PSP students have a significantly greater understanding of each other and deeper appreciation of the value of inter...
Simultaneous photoacoustic microscopy of microvascular anatomy, oxygen saturation, and blood flow

Capitalizing on the optical absorption of hemoglobin, photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is uniquely capable of anatomical and functional characterization of the intact microcirculation in vivo. However, PAM of the metabolic rate of oxygen (MRO2) at the microscopic level remains an unmet challenge, mainly due to the inability to simultaneously quantify microvascular diameter, oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (sO2), and blood flow at the same spatial scale. To fill this technical gap, we have developed a multi-parametric PAM platform. By analyzing both the sO2-encoded spectral dependence and the flow-induced temporal decorrelation of photoacoustic signals generated by the raster-scanned mouse ear vasculature, we demonstrated-for the first time-simultaneous wide-field PAM of all three parameters down to the capillary level in vivo.
Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of amorphous MnO2 electrochemical capacitor electrode material

Abstract Amorphous MnO2 was synthesized using the sol–gel method by reduction of NaMnO4 with solid fumaric acid. The synthesized product was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, BET and chemical analysis. Electrochemical characterization was performed using cyclic voltammetry by a three electrode method, and aqueous NaCl, KCl, and Na2SO4 solutions were used as electrolytes. Prepared material remained amorphous until 400 °C and transformed to crystalline Mn2O3 at 500 °C. The composition of prepared material was determined to be Na0.25MnO2·0.5H2O. A maximum capacitance of 110 F/g was obtained at a scan rate of 5 mV/s in 2 M NaCl solution. MnO2 yielded almost the same capacitance in 2 M and 1 M NaCl electrolytes. The specific capacitance of MnO2 remained constant up to 800 cycles in 1 M NaCl electrolyte at 5 mV/s scan rate.
Computer-aided control systems design technique with applications toaircraft flying qualities

The objective of this paper is to propose a frequency-matching technique for the design of single-input, single-output (SISO) control systems. The parameters of a cascade controller are determined by minimizing a weighted mean square error between the frequency responses of the compensated closed-loop system and a desired closed-loop system. The error is so defined that the controller parameters turn out to be solutions of linear algebraic equations. The technique is applied to the control system design of an aircraft incorporating flying qualities criteria for its longitudinal mode.
The direct observation of solidification as a function of gravity level

A saturated solution of NH4Cl was solidified on earth at 1 g and in a suborbital rocket flight at .00001 g. In the 1 g experiments, macrosegregation caused by the gravitational acceleration was marked. Nucleation started at the cold walls after which dendrites and dendritic debris were swept into the center of the cuvette by convective fluid flow. Secondary dendrite arms were oriented toward the cold wall. When solidified in low g, only four nuclei grew to form the complete casting. There were no free floating crystals or visible dendrite remelting. The lack of fluid flow allowed symmetrical dendrite growth into the fluid.
Polymer-virus core-shell structures prepared via co-assembly and template synthesis methods

Bionanoparticles (BNPs), consisting of virus and virus-like assemblies, have attracted much attention in the biomedical field for their applications such as imaging and targeted drug delivery, owing to their well-defined structures and well-controlled chemistries. BNPs-based core-shell structures provide a unique system for the investigation of biological interactions such as protein-protein and protein-carbohydrate interactions. However, it is still a challenge to prepare the BNPs-based core-shell structures. Herein, we describe (i) co-assembly method and (ii) template synthesis method in the development of polymer-BNPs core-shell structures. These two methods can be divided into three different systems. In system A, different polymers including poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP), poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PCL-b-P2VP) can form a raspberry-like structure with BNPs. In system B, polystyrene (PS) spheres end capped with free amine and BNPs can form a core-shell structure. In System C, layer-by-layer (LBL) method is used to prepare positive charged PS particles, which can be used as a template to form the core-shell structures with BNPs. These two methods may open a new way for preparing novel protein-based functional materials for potential applications in the biomedical field.
Adaptive Damage Detection Using Tunable Piezoelectric Admittance Sensor and Intelligent Inference

The piezoelectric impedance/admittance-based damage detection has been recognized to be sensitive to small-sized damage due to its high frequency measurement capability. Recently, a new class of admittance-based damage detection schemes has been proposed, in which the piezoelectric transducer is integrated with a tunable inductive circuitry. The present research focuses on exploiting the tunable nature of the piezoelectric admittance sensor for the effective identification of damage. In particular, we incorporate the Bayesian inference network into the damage detection process which can intelligently guide the accurate identification of damage location and severity by taking full advantage of the baseline model and measurement as well as the online measurement. As the tunable sensor can provide greatly enriched measurement information, the Bayesian inference can adequately utilize such information and furthermore directly and continuously update the structural model until the model prediction matches with the measurement results. This new approach takes into account the model uncertainty, measurement error, and incompleteness of measurements. Extensive numerical analyses and experimental studies are carried out on a panel structure for methodology demonstration and validation.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Fast neutron radiation therapy for unresectable squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: the results of a randomized RTOG study

Abstract Three hundred and twenty-two patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were entered on a randomized study comparing “mixed beam”f radiation therapy with photon radiation therapy. Patients with histologically proven tumors of T-stage T2, T3, or T4 and any N-stage originating in the oral cavity, oropharynx, supraglottic larynx, or hypopharynx were eligible. One hundred forty-five patients were randomized to photon treatment and 177 were randomized to mixed beam treatment. No significant differences could be demonstrated between the experimental and control groups for primary tumor control or overall survival, although there was an advantage for mixed beam treatment over photon treatment for patients with metastatic cervical adenopathy (69 vs. 55% complete response rate in the nods, p = .024). It is concluded that mixed beam radiation therapy does not offer a significant advantage over photon radiation therapy for patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
Detecting and Removing Data Artifacts in Hadamard Transform Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Measurements

Applying Hadamard transform multiplexing to ion mobility separations (IMS) can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio and throughput for IMS coupled mass spectrometry (MS) measurements by increasing the ion utilization efficiency. However, it has been determined that fluctuations in ion intensity as well as spatial shifts in the multiplexed data lower the signal-to-noise ratios and appear as noise in downstream processing of the data. To address this problem, we have developed a novel algorithm that discovers and eliminates data artifacts. The algorithm employs an analytical approach to identify and remove artifacts from the data, decreasing the likelihood of false identifications in subsequent data processing. Following application of the algorithm, IMS-MS measurement sensitivity is greatly increased and artifacts that previously limited the utility of applying the Hadamard transform to IMS are avoided.
The circular cylinder in simple shear at moderate Reynolds numbers: An experimental study

The flow around a neutrally buoyant circular cylinder in simple shear was studied using particle-image velocimetry. Steady experimental results are presented for both torque-free and fixed cylinders at shear-based Reynolds numbers between 8 and 25 at two different flow confinement values. These data, which are to our knowledge the first experimental results for this Reynolds number range, show that the normalized rotation rate decays much more slowly with Reynolds number than previous theoretical predictions for unconfined flow, with the rate of decay decreasing as confinement increases. A new simple model is proposed to explain these effects. Given physical and technological limitations upon steady and unconfined flow experiments and simulations, the effect of confinement on a cylinder in simple shear merits further study.
Characterization of strike-slip fault–splay relationships in sandstone

Abstract We document the length and angular relationships between strike-slip faults and their splays. The data indicate that the maximum splay length is correlated to the fault length by a power law but shows little correlation with the fault slip magnitude. The kink angle between faults and their splays is small for isolated faults (average ∼20°) and systematically larger for mechanically interacting faults (average ∼50°). Analytical models predict that splay length decreases with increasing confinement under biaxial compression. 2D numerical models of isolated faults show that small kink angles correspond to small values of the angle between the fault and the maximum compression ( β ) whereas large kink angles require greater β values. Similar models of interacting faults confirm the critical role of β on the kink angles and suggest that fault overlap and fault separation can also induce important variations in the kink angles. Our results provide a basis for a better understanding of fault segment linkage via splaying process and for a better assessment of the maximum thickness of fault damage zones. The results may also help to predict the length and orientation of secondary faults formed by splaying associated with first order faults with resolvable slip magnitude in the subsurface.
Identification of serum proteins following different stages of sodium sulfate precipitation of chicken serum.

Abstract 1. 1. Immunoglobulin G and IgM can be separated from serum by the addition of different concentrations of sodium sulfate. 2. 2. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the resulting supernatants and precipitates revealed that some IgG and IgM are lost during the separation procedure. 3. 3. Bands 4–9 on an acrylamide gel have not been identified and have been difficult to separate from major transferrin. 4. 4. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis has revealed the presence of bands 4–9 and not major transferrin in the precipitate resulting from the addition of 9% sodium sulphate.
Calibration free visually controlled manipulation of parts in a robotic manufacturing workcell

In this paper we introduce a new approach to visually manipulate, with the aid of a robot manipulator, a part placed randomly on a rotating turntable. The highlight of our approach is that the camera and the robot end effector are both assumed to be uncalibrated. We only assume that the height of the robot end effector is known. Our approach utilizes virtual rotation of the camera via image processing not previously introduced in the literature. Finally, the tracking scheme is implemented by planning the error and gradually forcing it to zero while maintaining the torque controls within acceptable limits. This way we demonstrate a new visually guided analytical tracking scheme.
Understanding air-core photonic-bandgap fibers: analogy to conventional fibers

It is shown from basic principles that the core modes of an air-core photonic-bandgap fiber (PBF) exhibit similar qualitative and quantitative behavior as the linearly polarized (LP) modes of an equivalent conventional fiber whose step-index profile is entirely determined by the band edges of the PBF. This analogy leads to the concept of effective numerical aperture (NA), which is used to provide an intuitive interpretation of the qualitative behavior of PBF modes. By using this equivalence, several key properties, including the number of modes, their cutoff, effective index, size, and divergence, and the dependence of these quantities on the PBF core and cladding parameters, can be predicted approximately by simulating the LP modes of the equivalent step-index fiber using standard LP-mode simulators or well-known formula. Besides providing a convenient tool to model the modes of a PBF, this analogy gives new physical insight into the fundamental characteristics of these complex waveguides.
Minimal equivelar polytopes

Every equivelar abstract polytope of type { p 1 , …, p n − 1 } has at least 2 p 1 ⋯ p n − 1 flags. In this paper, we study polytopes that attain this lower bound, called tight polytopes . Using properties of flat polytopes, we are able to give a complete local characterization of when a polytope is tight. We then show a way to construct tight polyhedra of type { p , q } when p and q are not both odd, and a way to construct regular tight polytopes of type {2 k 1 , …, 2 k n − 1 } .
Towards Automatic Retrieval of Blink-Based Lexicon for Persons Suffered from Brain-Stem Injury using Video Cameras

Directly connected to the brain, the eyes are the last part of our body we lose control of. For some persons, such as those suffered from a brain-stem stroke, the eyes provide the only means of communication with the world. The eye blinks for such persons are used to make their lexicon and the goal of many rehabilitation centers worldwide is to build tools that would allow automatic detection of the eye blink based lexicon. The tools designed so far are very cumbersome and still do not show the desired performance. At the same time, recent advances in computer hardware and computer vision, in particular, in motion and change detection, offered practitioners a new way for detecting blinks based on video observations of the person's face. This paper overviews different techniques to the problem and describes a vision-based system which is presently being tested in one of the rehabilitation centres. We show how to reliably detect a two-eye blink with a help of an off-the-shelf web-camera and present an approach to the detection a single-eye blink (wink) - this type of blinks is much harder to detect due the lack of spacial constrains, it is however the only type of movement some patients can exhibit.
Perceived Choice in Selecting Other Persons

An experiment was conducted to examine whether variables which have been found to affect perceived choice in decisional situations which were relatively asocial in nature would have similar effects in a decisional situation having direct implication for interaction with others. The procedure involved subjects making a decision about which of a set of possible partners they would like to work with on a subsequent task. Similar to evidence deriving from previous research on perceived choice in essentially asocial contexts, perceived choice was found to be greater when positive rather than negative options were available and when a moderately large number rather than a small number of options was available.
Socioeconomic status, blood pressure progression, and incident hypertension in a prospective cohort of female health professionals

Aims The aim of this study was to examine the association between socioeconomic status, blood pressure (BP) progression, and incident hypertension. Methods and results We included 27 207 female health professionals free of hypertension and cardiovascular disease at baseline. Participants were classified into five education and six income categories. The main outcome variables were BP progression at 48 months of follow-up and incident hypertension during the entire study period. At 48 months, 48.1% of women had BP progression. The multivariable adjusted relative risks [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for BP progression were 1.0 (referent), 0.96 (0.92–1.00), 0.92 (0.88–0.96), 0.90 (0.85–0.94), and 0.84 (0.78–0.91) ( P for trend <0.0001) across increasing education categories and 1.0 (referent), 1.01 (0.94–1.08), 0.99 (0.93–1.06), 0.97 (0.91–1.04), 0.96 (0.90–1.03), and 0.89 (0.83–0.96) across increasing income categories ( P for trend = 0.0001). During a median follow-up of 9.8 years, 8248 cases of incident hypertension occurred. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) were 1.0 (referent), 0.92 (0.86–0.99), 0.85 (0.79–0.92), 0.87 (0.80–0.94), and 0.74 (0.65–0.84) ( P for trend <0.0001) across increasing education categories and 1.0 (referent), 1.07 (0.95–1.21), 1.07 (0.95–1.20), 1.06 (0.94–1.18), 1.04 (0.93–1.16), and 0.93 (0.82–1.06) ( P for trend 0.08) across increasing income categories. In joint analyses, education but not income remained associated with BP progression and incident hypertension. Conclusion Socioeconomic status, as determined by education but not by income, is a strong independent predictor of BP progression and incident hypertension in women.
Review paper: modulation of mononuclear phagocyte function by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Pathogenic mycobacteria are highly adapted for survival within host mononuclear phagocytes. This is largely due to the organism's capacity to prevent macrophage activation, block phagosome acidification and maturation, and attenuate presentation of antigens to the immune system. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is one such organism that modulates the ruminant innate immune response. It is the causative agent in paratuberculosis, a chronic progressive granulomatous enteritis in ruminants. MAP initially interacts with cell membrane receptors on bovine mononuclear phagocytes and initiates cell signaling responses and phagocytosis. Mannosylated liparabinomannan (Man-LAM) is a major component of the MAP cell wall that interacts with the cell membrane of mononuclear phagocytes and may be a major virulence factor. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been incriminated as major signaling receptor that binds to MAP and initiates signaling though the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-p38 pathway. ...
Statistical parameters and percentile values for vector wind shear distributions of small increments

The relationship between the mean of the vector shears and the shear interval is analyzed and linked to the persistence of vector shears with the shear interval. A similar relationship exists between the standard deviation of the vector shears and the shear interval.
Epidural Analgesia in the Dog

Fifty-four noncesarean cases in which epidural analgesia was used as the primary control of surgical pain in the dog are presented. The technique, indications, mechanisms of action, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed. Our experience with this proven technique has shown epidural analgesia to be an effective, practical, and simple means of operative pain control with wide application beyond the usual indication of cesarean section.
ISOcat: remodelling metadata for language resources

The Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, is creating a state-of-the-art web environment for the ISO TC 37 (terminology and other language and content resources) metadata registry. This Data Category Registry (DCR) is called ISOcat and encompasses data categories for a broad range of language resources. Under the governance of the DCR Board, ISOcat provides an open work space for creating data category specifications, defining Data Category Selections (DCSs) (domain-specific groups of data categories), and standardising selected data categories and DCSs. Designers visualise future interactivity among the DCR, reference registries and ontological knowledge spaces.
Gag grouper, marine reserves, and density-dependent sex change in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The use of marine reserves for fishery management remains a controversial tool despite evidence of their success. In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), two marine reserves were put in place in order to protect spawning aggregations of gag grouper, which has experienced a steep decline in the male to female sex ratio since the 1970s. Reserve success is ultimately a function of the total amount of spawning aggregations protected, and fisher response to reserve implementation may have significant influence on the ultimate effectiveness of the reserves. We modeled the GOM gag grouper population under a range of potential reserve sizes and fisher responses. In general, larger reserves resulted in higher adult populations and sex ratio. Fisher response to reserves also had a large impact on reserve success. When we included density-dependent sex change in the model, the results showed a reduction in the sex ratio under high fishing pressure when compared to model simulations when sex change was fixed. While our model suggests that the reserves currently in place should result in a small increase in adult sex ratio given the current level of fishing mortality, such benefits might not be achieved in practice given possible future changes in transition rates or fisher behavior.
Detection and differentiation of Vibrio vulnificus and V. sinaloensis in water and oysters of a Gulf of Mexico estuary

Summary Vibrio vulnificus is a potentially lethal human pathogen that occurs naturally in estuarine waters and shellfish. Vibrio vulnificus was quantified in water and oysters from Florida's Gulf Coast by plating on mCPC agar, enrichment and plating, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Vibrio vulnificus was detected in 19%, 29%, and 97% of samples respectively by direct plating, qPCR, and enrichment. Only 8% of typical colonies from direct plating were confirmed by PCR for vvhA; others yielded no or atypically sized amplicons. Sequencing of the 16S rDNA of 16 vvhA-negative isolates with colony morphology typical of V. vulnificus identified 75% as V. sinaloensis. In vitro growth curves showed that V. sinaloensis grew more rapidly than V. vulnificus in seawater at temperatures ≤ 30°C. In contrast, the growth rate of V. vulnificus in alkaline peptone water was greater than that of V. sinaloensis, suggesting that these species can outcompete one another under conditions that are relevant to environmental parameters or regulatory monitoring regimes respectively. The virulence potential and ecology of V. sinaloensis are poorly understood; however, its phenotypic resemblance to V. vulnificus and the possibility that it could outcompete the pathogen in warm, estuarine waters argue for the need for a better understanding of this newly described Vibrio species.
Change and the Illusion of Change: Evolving Portrayals of Crime News and Blacks in a Major Market

Content analyses of news about Blacks are numerous, but few compare content over time in mainstream and Black-owned media organizations in a single market. This report analyzes local news items from Boston media during 30-day periods in 1986 and 2001. Although crime news concerning Blacks was less frequent in 2001, it dominated mainstream news about Blacks in both years despite journalists' pledges to overhaul racial-news coverage after questionable reporting of a racially charged insurance hoax in 1989. Conversely, story selection in New England's oldest Black newspaper showed dramatic change. These findings are consistent with organizational change theory, and add nuance to Wilson and Gutierrez's (1985) model of the evolution of mainstream coverage of minorities.
Halide enhancement of the luminescence of Cd10S4 thiolate clusters

New halide-substituted cluster anions [Cd10S4X4(SR)12]4– (R=Ph, X = I, 2a; R = p-MeC6H4, X = I, 3a or Br, 3b) of the [Cd10S4(SR)16]4– family have been prepared and characterized; investigations of their luminescence show that the introduction of the halide groups produces red shifts and significant enhancements in their emission intensities.