cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of antiepileptics

Abstract Antiseizure medications (ASDs) are a class of medications used to prevent and treat seizures in a wide range of disease states. Clinicians encounter many different disease states and syndromes associated with seizures, and the role of ASDs in these settings can vary. This chapter contains information on several topics including; the current management of status epilepticus (SE) and the different ASDs and strategies used in its management; recommendations and evidence regarding ASDs in the prevention of seizures in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), traumatic brain injury (TBI), hypoxic–ischemic injury (HII), and postoperative patients. This chapter first outlines some key questions in the management of SE, and seizures. The laboratory evidence section contains an overview of different ASDs and the clinical Evidence section provides information on each key question. The consensus statement section provides a summary of recommendations.
The Pathological and Entomological Framework of Plant Breeding

The purpose of this paper is to discuss gene manipulation by man in relation to disease (pathogen) and insect resistance in plants. Both disease and insect resistances are broad, complicated research areas and whole books have been devoted to each. Therefore, I can only present an overview and point out some salient features in this paper. My objective is to make it most useful to those not actively engaged in plant breeding. Furthermore, I have included only a limited number of references, mainly to serve as examples. My recent book chapter (Hooker, 1983) and other general works can be consulted for details and citations to additional research papers (Painter, 1951, 1958; Beck, 1965; Van der Plank, 1968, 1975; Pathak, 1970, 1972; Hooker, 1972a, 1984; Johnson, 1972; Maxwell et al., 1972; National Academy of Sciences, 1972; Sprague and Dahms, 1972; Nelson, 1973; Day, 1974; Gallun et al., 1975; Kennedy, 1978; Russell, 1978; Harris, 1979; Parlevliet, 1979; Maxwell and Jennings, 1980; Robinson, 1980a; Jenkins, 1981).
SU-E-T-501: Initial Orthovoltage Beam Profile Analysis of a Small Brass MLC

Purpose To create brass leaves for an orthovoltage MLC and take initial beam profile measurements. Methods The low-energy MLC was designed in previous work. Brass was chosen for its self-lubrication and low cost. Stock brass rectangles (30cm × 1.0cm × 0.5cm) were ordered with pre-cut gear rack along the topmost long edges. Leaf designs were translated into G-code, then cut with a Tormach CNC-1100 mill. Intense bowing was observed in the beam direction, which required straightening via an in-house jig. Straightened leaves were placed into MLC assembly and mounted to a 320 kVp orthovoltage tube. EDR2 film was irradiated in four situations: MLC open so one edge was isocentric, and MLC open more than isocentric, completely closed MLC, and an open field shot with the MLC removed. The first two scans tested penumbra for our rectangular edges due to unfocused design. The final two scans tested transmission and interleaf leakage. All four experiments were set to 120 kVp and 10 mA for two minutes. Results Transmission and interleaf leakage were found to be zero. Interleaf leakage is faintly visible on film, but undetected by our film scanner despite high spatial resolution. Penumbra at isocenter was found to be 0.72mm, which matched the penumbras of true field edges. Penumbra off-isocenter was 1.1mm. Mechanically, leaves are moving smoothly once straightened. Conclusion Beam profiles through our brass MLC are acceptable. Leaves attenuate and move as designed. Looking forward, we intend to animate our MLC to deliver more complicated treatment plans.
Wall Street scandals: The myth of individual greed.

There is rarely an introductory text in sociology that does not begin with C. Wright Mills' s (1967) distinction between personal troubles and structural or public issues. To lack sociological imagination is to confuse between these two levels of analysis in trying to explain public issues in terms of personal troubles, or history in terms of the individual's biography. "Troubles occur within the character of the individual and within the range of his immediate relations with others; Issues have to do with matters that transcend these local environments of the individual and the range of his inner life" (Mills, 1967:8) . Issues are generated in response to the dynamics of the social system and unfold within the larger structural and historical contexts where the character of the individual takes shape. Yet, the most popular explanation of the contemporary financial crisis with its disastrous social and economic consequences is personal greed. It is the greedy investment bankers, corrupt politicians, and unscrupulous lobbyists who are to take the brunt of the current economic meltdown in the United States. A few bad apples on Wall Street have created havoc on Main Street. Here, one may argue that greed that - if not kept in check - which seems to afflict almost everyone, transcending social class and status boundaries, may be a public issue - a structural problem - rather than a problem within the character of the individual. Not to be greedy within the contemporary social and economic system may be considered pathological, an instance of personal trouble.
Crystallization of Polymers: Crystallization kinetics of homopolymers: bulk crystallization

Introduction In discussing the crystalline state of polymers the concern up to now has been primarily with equilibrium concepts and expectations. Although the fusion of polymers is well established to be a problem in phase equilibrium, stringent experimental procedures must be employed to approach the necessary conditions. It is concluded from equilibrium theory that for homopolymers of regular structure high levels of crystallinity should be attained. However, this conclusion is contrary to usual experience. Since the crystalline phase only develops at a reasonable rate at temperatures well below the equilibrium melting temperature, the state that is actually observed in a real system is a nonequilibrium one. The constitution and properties of the state that is achieved are the result of the competition between the kinetic factors involved in the transformation and the requirements for thermodynamic equilibrium. In a formal sense one is dealing with a metastable state. This generalization is not unique to polymer crystallization. It also holds for a vast majority of substances that undergo a liquid to crystal transformation. For polymers, however, kinetic control is the dominant factor. For example, the crystallization from the melt of an n -alkane of about one hundred carbon atoms occurs extremely rapidly at a temperature just infinitessimally below its equilibrium melting temperature.
Interdisciplinary professional education: Training college students for collaborative social change

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for developing interprofessional competencies among graduates from professional and graduate programs, so that they are well prepared to participate in local, national and global social change strategies. Design/methodology/approach – After reviewing the literature on strategic social change initiatives the authors briefly describe two such initiatives: corporate social responsibility initiatives and social entrepreneurial ventures. After reviewing the interprofessional literature from various disciplines and professions, the authors categorized them into “competencies,” “rationale,” “conceptual framework,” “principles” and “challenges.” An examination of exemplar pedagogy from this body of literature suggests ways to prepare students to lead and actively participate in innovative, collaborative social change initiatives. Findings – Interdisciplinary competencies include teamwork, communication, contextual understanding, negotiation, critical t...
Pipelined memory controllers for DSP real-time applications handling unpredictable data accesses

Multimedia applications such as video and image processing are often characterized by a large number of data accesses. In many digital signal-processing applications, the array access patterns are regular and periodic. In these cases, it becomes feasible and efficient to generate optimized Pipelined Memory Access Controllers. This technique is used to improve the pipeline access mode to RAM by creating specialized hardware components for generating addresses and packing and unpacking data items. In this paper we focus on the design, implementation and validation of external memory interfacing modules which can efficiently handle predictable address patterns as well as unpredictable (dynamic address computations) in a pipeline way. In a second time, we analyze the benefits of balancing dynamic address computation from datapath to dedicated units in the memory controller, optimizing bitwise of operators, and data locality (decreasing bus transfers for power efficient design).
Antiviral Activity of Gold/Copper Sulfide Core/Shell Nanoparticles against Human Norovirus Virus-Like Particles

Human norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide in a plethora of residential and commercial settings, including restaurants, schools, and hospitals. Methods for easily detecting the virus and for treating and preventing infection are critical to stopping norovirus outbreaks, and inactivation via nanoparticles (NPs) is a more universal and attractive alternative to other physical and chemical approaches. Using norovirus GI.1 (Norwalk) virus-like particles (VLPs) as a model viral system, this study characterized the antiviral activity of Au/CuS core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) against GI.1 VLPs for the rapid inactivation of HuNoV. Inactivation of VLPs (GI.1) by Au/CuS NPs evaluated using an absorbance-based ELISA indicated that treatment with 0.083 μM NPs for 10 min inactivated ~50% VLPs in a 0.37 μg/ml VLP solution and 0.83 μM NPs for 10 min completely inactivated the VLPs. Increasing nanoparticle concentration and/or VLP-NP contact time significantly increased the virucidal efficacy of Au/CuS NPs. Changes to the VLP particle morphology, size, and capsid protein were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blot analysis. The strategy reported here provides the first reported proof-of-concept Au/CuS NPs-based virucide for rapidly inactivating human norovirus.
Hormones and Growth in Domestic Animals

The sections in this article are: 1 Requirement of Growth Hormone for Growth of Domestic Animals: Hypophysectomy/Growth Hormone-Replacement Therapy Studies 1.1 General Considerations 1.2 Hypophysectomy and Postnatal Growth in Domestic Animals (Mammals) 1.3 Hypophysectomy and Posthatching Growth of Poultry 1.4 Hypophysectomy and Fetal Growth in Domestic Animals (Mammals) 1.5 Hypophysectomy and Embryonic Growth of Poultry 2 Effects of Growth Hormone on Growth and Performance of Livestock and Poultry 2.1 General Considerations 2.2 Growth Hormone and Growth in Pigs 2.3 Growth Hormone and Growth in Horses 2.4 Growth Hormone and Growth in Ruminants (Cattle and Sheep) 2.5 Growth Hormone and Growth in Poultry 3 Physiological Mechanisms of Growth Hormone Action on Growth 3.1 Roles of Insulin-Like Growth Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Proteins as Mediators of Growth Hormone Action 3.2 Growlh Hormone and Growth of Adipose Tissue (Accumulation or Accretion of Fat) 3.3 Growth Hormone and Growth of Muscle (Accretion of Protein) 3.4 Chronic Administration of Growth Hormone and Carbohydrate Metabolism 4 Other Hormones Influencing Growth in Livestock and Poultry 4.1 General Considerations 4.2 Glucocorticoids and Growth 4.3 Insulin and Growth 4.4 Sex Steroids and Growth 4.5 Thyroid Hormones and Growth 5 Conclusions
On the Distribution of the Cauchy Maximum-Likelihood Estimator

The two-parameter Cauchy maximum-likelihood estimator T(y) = (T$\_{1}$(y), T$\_{2}$(y)) is known to be unique for samples of size n $\geq $ 3 (J. Copas, Biometrika 62, 701-704 (1975)). In this paper we exploit equivariance under the real fractional linear group to show that the joint density of T has the form p$\_{n}(\chi)$/(4$\pi $t$\_{2}^{2}$), where $\chi $ = $|t-\theta|^{2}$/(4t$\_{2}\theta \_{2}$). Explicit expressions are given for p$\_{3}(\chi)$ and p$\_{4}(\chi)$ and the asymptotic large-sample limit. All such densities are shown to have the remarkable property that E(u(T)) = u($\theta $) if u($\cdot $) is harmonic and the expectation is finite. In particular, both components of the maximum-likelihood estimator are unbiased for n $\geq $ 3, E log (T$\_{1}^{2}$ + T$\_{2}^{2}$) = log ($\theta \_{1}^{2}$ + $\theta \_{2}^{2}$), E(T$\_{1}^{2}$ - T$\_{2}^{2}$) = $\theta \_{1}^{2}-\theta \_{2}^{2}$, E(T$\_{1}$T$\_{2}$) = $\theta \_{1}\theta \_{2}$ for n $\geq $ 4, and so on.
Computerized tomographic evaluation of early idiopathic midline granuloma

Idiopathic midline granuloma (IMG) is a rare, slowly progressive inflammatory process producing localized destruction of the nasal mucosa, septum, paranasal sinuses, and palate, often associated with erosion through central facial tissue and bone. We review some of the salient features of IMG and present the first reported CT demonstration of this disease.
1,2 Anionotropic rearrangement of lithium-(1-alkynyl) triorganoborates: semi-empirical analysis of the transition state

Abstract The iodine induced rearrangement of lithium alkynylborates yields substituted acetylenes in high yield. Facile control of stereochemistry in these reactions gives them considerable synthetic utility. The product-determining step is a 1,2 migration of an alkyl group from boron to an adjacent carbon. The transition states for both the two step rearrangement and the concerted bimolecular reactions were compared. Free energy differences and partial charges of reactants, products, and transition structures were calculated semi-empirically using the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO) at the AM1 level. These were compared with gas phase results obtained from the same method. We conclude that the concerted iodine induced 1,2 anionotropic migration is energetically more favorable than the analogous two step process by ca. 95 kcal/mol.
Bitter Coffee and Watered-Down Bourbon: Lessons for Libraries from Chase and Sanborn Coffee and Maker’s Mark

The story of Chase and Sanborn Coffee provides a great morality tale for all organizations, including libraries, about how small changes may lead to larger problems down the road. Chase and Sanborn ranked with Maxwell House as one of the leading coffee brands in the early twentieth century. They were known not only for their fresh sealed coffee, but also for the Chase and Sanborn Hour variety show that featured many stars, including Don Ameche, Nelson Eddy, and Edgar Bergen with his wooden dummy Charlie McCarthy. In the years after World War II, there was a belief at the company that they could make small changes to the process to reduce costs, without changing the quality that much. A similar decision was made earlier this year by Maker’s Mark to reduce their alcohol for their Kentucky Bourbon as a cost-reduction plan to help boost profits. Using these two examples from the business world, the presentation will explore how small decisions can, over time, fundamentally change the very nature of any organization. For the library, the presentation will show how modest and sometimes seemingly consequence-free decisions about resources and services that a library provides can snowball into a complete change in the overall perception of the library. So changes that seem minor at the time, when considered together, transform and, more importantly, potentially undermine what the library is attempting to provide for their community. In the light of continued encroachment on a libraries space and budget, this type of conundrum might be easier to fall into than we might think or like. The story of Chase and Sanborn Coffee and Maker’s Mark Bourbon provide all organizations with a great morality tale about how small changes may lead to larger problems down the road. This is especially true of libraries, as we are looking at a world where the costs and demands are far exceeding our resources. The decisions that we make, or those that are made for us, will potentially have a great impact on our ability to serve our missions and purposes in libraries at every level. This might be particularly true of academic libraries, which are seeing contracting resources in four key areas: • Space (student space, work space, and collection stacks) • Staff (both librarians and other staff) • Stuff (thinking primarily about purchases, print holdings, and legacy collections) • Spend (the ability to acquire ongoing and new licensed materials, be they print or electronic). In our current economic and library budgetary environment, we know that resources are flat or shrinking for the most part. Many, if not most, Figure 1. Chase and Sanborn Coffee Figure 2. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
High impact training: Forging leaders for the global frontier

Global leaders can be "made", but it takes a training approach that is as serious and sophisticated as the global world these individuals are being asked to lead in. Fundamentally, global leaders require training programs that will help them radically redraw their provincial mental maps into global ones. In this article, we outline the key ingredients of successful global leadership training programs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Demographic and Methodological Characteristics Associated with Changes in Frequency of Alcohol Use: A meta-Analysis from the Collaborative Alcohol-Related Longitudinal Project

Frequency of alcohol use indicates the extent to which drinking is integrated into individuals' and groups' day to day social life and has potential public health implications. We used data from 25 longitudinal general population studies, disaggregated by gender and age group, to estimate the magnitude of changes in frequency of alcohol use over time, if any. Meta-analytic results indicated a reasonably consistent increase of about. 08 standard deviation across studies. We assessed the associations of characteristics of individuals (gender, age, birth cohort, initial abstinence rate, initial frequency), social contexts (country, historical period), and studies (sampling frames, measures of frequency, attrition rate) with findings of changes in frequency. Frequency of alcohol use appeared to stabilize by the third or fourth decade of life, with inconsistent rates of change across studies of younger persons. The data suggested simultaneous age, period, and cohort effects on changes in drinking frequency. St...
Heterologous prion interactions are altered by mutations in the prion protein Rnq1p.

Abstract Prions in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae show a surprising degree of interdependence. Specifically, the rate of appearance of the [ PSI+ ] prion, which is thought to be an important mechanism to respond to changing environmental conditions, is greatly increased by another prion, [ RNQ+ ]. While the domains of the Rnq1 protein important for formation of the [ RNQ+ ] prion have been defined, the specific residues required remain unknown. Furthermore, residues in Rnq1p that mediate the interaction between [ PSI+ ] and [ RNQ+ ] are unknown. To identify residues important for prion protein interactions, we created a mutant library of Rnq1p clones in the context of a chimera that serves as proxy for [ RNQ+ ] aggregates. Several of the mutant Rnq1p proteins showed structural differences in the aggregates they formed, as revealed by semi-denaturing detergent agarose gel electrophoresis. Additionally, several of the mutants showed a striking defect in the ability to promote [ PSI+ ] induction. These data indicate that the mutants formed strain variants of [ RNQ+ ]. By dissecting the mutations in the isolated clones, we found five single mutations that caused [ PSI+ ] induction defects, S223P, F184S, Q239R, N297S, and Q298R. These are the first specific mutations characterized in Rnq1p that alter [ PSI+ ] induction. Additionally, we have identified a region important for the propagation of certain strain variants of [ RNQ+ ]. Deletion of this region (amino acids 284–317) affected propagation of the high variant but not medium or low [ RNQ+ ] strain variants. Furthermore, when the low [ RNQ+ ] strain variant was propagated by Δ284–317, [ PSI+ ] induction was greatly increased. These data suggest that this region is important in defining the structure of the [ RNQ+ ] strain variants. These data are consistent with a model of [ PSI+ ] induction caused by physical interactions between Rnq1p and Sup35p.
Use of finite element modeling to interpret diffraction peak broadening from elastic strain distributions

An approach employing the finite element (FE) method to interpret diffraction peak broadening due to elastic strain distributions is presented that provides a model of the local variations of elastic strain and stress in a composite or multiphase microstructure. The method involves averaging elastic strain output from a representative FE model to generate a strain distribution analogous to the averaging taking place in the diffraction process. The procedure assumes that the FE model adequately represents the thermally stressed system, an aspect addressed by comparison of the strain distributions obtained from diffraction data and the FE model. Example applications are presented for thermal residual strain in 11 and 60vol.%WC-Ni composites. The stress in the WC, which is compressive on average, becomes tensile at corners and at locations that are normal to WC-Ni interfaces. The Ni stress, which is tensile on average, is compressive in narrow bands between WC particles. In addition, asymmetry of the Ni distribution on the high strain side, due to localized plastic flow, is successfully modeled for the 60vol.%WC-Ni. Composition effects are also represented. Uniqueness aspects and limitations of the procedure are discussed.
Policing Post-War Iraq: Insurgency, Civilian Police, and the Reconstruction of Society

Abstract We present an analysis of the ongoing dynamics of civilian police reform in Iraq since an end to major hostilities was declared in the Spring of 2003. Analyzing the development of Iraq's new police forces since the fall of the Ba'ath regime, our study particularly focuses on the Iraqi police as a preferred target of insurgent attacks. Theoretically, we rely on sociological perspectives on the transformation of the police function in the process of democratization of the polity and apply these insights comparatively to the democratic reform of Iraq's autocratic regime. We argue that the Iraqi insurgency is disproportionately targeted at the new Iraqi civilian police, not because of the role police would fulfill as representatives of the state, but because a well-established and regularly functioning police would represent an important and highly visible indicator of a pacified Iraqi society. First and foremost, we maintain, the insurgency is aimed at the Iraqi police forces in order to prevent a n...
An Euler-Monte Carlo algorithm assessing Moment Lyapunov Exponents for stochastic bridge flutter predictions

Wind-induced coupled flutter may lead to the collapse of cable-supported bridges. This study investigates several issues, associated with the assessment of bridge flutter. These include: influence of turbulence modeling, simulated by random perturbation to the span-wise correlation length of buffeting loads; effects of errors in the motion-induced or aeroelastic loads. The study makes use of random differential equations and numerically evaluates two-mode flutter by means of stochastic stability beyond mean squares through Moment Lyapunov Exponents. The development and implementation of a numerical algorithm are presented. Results, obtained for two simplified bridge examples, are discussed.
Universal cervical-length screening to prevent preterm birth: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective To determine whether routine measurement of second-trimester transvaginal cervical length by ultrasound in low-risk singleton pregnancies is a cost-effective strategy. Methods We developed a decision analysis model to compare the cost-effectiveness of two strategies for identifying pregnancies at risk for preterm birth: (1) no routine cervical length screening and (2) a single routine transvaginal cervical length measurement at 18–24 weeks' gestation. In our model, women identified as being at increased risk (cervical length < 1.5 cm) for preterm birth would be offered daily vaginal progesterone supplementation. We assumed that vaginal progesterone reduces preterm birth at < 34 weeks' gestation by 45%. We also assumed that a decreased cervical length could result in additional costs (ultrasound scans, inpatient admission) without significantly improved neonatal outcomes. The main outcome measure was incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results Our model predicts that routine cervical-length screening is a dominant strategy when compared to routine care. For every 100 000 women screened, $ 12 119 947 can be potentially saved (in 2010 US dollars) and 423.9 quality-adjusted life-years could be gained. Additionally, we estimate that 22 cases of neonatal death or long-term neurologic deficits could be prevented per 100 000 women screened. Screening remained cost-effective but was no longer the dominant strategy when cervical-length ultrasound measurement costs exceeded $ 187 or when vaginal progesterone reduced delivery risk at < 34 weeks by less than 20%. Conclusion In low-risk pregnancies, universal transvaginal cervical length ultrasound screening appears to be a cost-effective strategy under a wide range of clinical circumstances (varied preterm birth rates, predictive values of a shortened cervix and costs). Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ensuring the quality, reliability and precision of measurement processes through traceability

Inadequate measurement capability can place a heavy burden of implicit costs on manufacturers – even drive them out of business. It can have serious consequences for stakeholders in industry, commerce or science. High‐technology manufacturing must ensure a high level of precision in measurements, often to as much as a millionth of an inch. In seeking such high levels of precision, measurement laboratories often use traceability as a key precision criterion. Two comprehensive sets of measurements made over time by high‐precision laboratories on gauge blocks are used to explore the scope of traceability in ensuring high‐precision measurements. Significant differences were found between the high‐precision primary laboratories traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the USA. Explores general implications of such between‐laboratory differences and makes recommendations for secondary laboratories and stakeholders in dimensional metrology seeking to ensure a high level of precision in ...
Infrared Laser-Induced Thermal Lens Calorimetry:

Thermal lens calorimetry is applied to the measurement of infrared absorption of condensed phase samples. The unique trade offs encountered with longer wavelength lasers in thermal lens measurements are discussed. As a demonstration of the technique, the determination of hydrocarbons using a helium-neon laser operated at 3.39 μm is reported. The minimum detectable sample has an absorbance, A = 5 × 10−4, corresponding to 8 ng of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane within the beam volume in the sample. Interpretation of absorbance at the helium-neon laser transition is aided by the determination of functional group molar absorptivities from a series of normal, cyclic, and branched-chain hydrocarbons. The average specific absorption coefficient for hydrocarbons at this wavelength is found to be 2.09 (±0.09) 1 g−1 cm−1.
Long-lasting behavioral and dendritic spine deficits in the monocularly deprived albino rat

Abstract Monocular deprivation in the rat from the time of normal eye opening until 45 days of age significantly reduces the density of dendritic spines in visual cortex contralateral to the deprived eye. In addition, these animals are severely impaired in their ability to discriminate complex visual pattern using the deprived eye. In the present experiment we tested the ability of monocularly deprived rats to recover from these deficits if given 30 days of visual experience with the deprived eye beginning at 45 days of age. Animals to be tested behaviorally were trained to discriminate between columns and rows of 5-mm squares. We found that rats cross-sutured at 45 days of age and given 30 days of visual experience with the deprived eye were not significantly different from animals who began training within 2 days of cross suture. Both groups were significantly impaired in the acquisition of this discrimination relative to animals trained using their nondeprived eye. Two groups of animals were examined to assess the effects of 30 days of experience on dendritic spine density in the deprived hemisphere. One group was killed immediately at 45 days of age, the other group had the deprived eye opened at that time and then had 30 days of visual experience prior to killing. No significant recovery in spine density was found. These results have implications for a possible structure-function relationship between dendritic spines and visual behavior in the rat.
Wood taphonomy in a tropical marine carbonate environment: Experimental results from Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas

Abstract Both teredinid bivales and limnorid isopods attacked wood that was deployed experimentally for two years in a carbonate environment. On average, wood samples collected after one year on the sea floor lost 17% of their original surface area to Limnoria and 50% of their original volume to teredinids. After two years on the sea floor, wood samples lost an average of 39% of their original surface and 74% of their original volume. All samples of kiln-dried lumber (Pinus, Sequoia, Araucaria, Magnolia, and Quercus) experienced significantly more attack by teredinids and Limnoria than samples of Quercus stellata (post oak) branch wood that experienced terrestrial decomposition in a warm-temperate environment for five years before deployment on the sea floor. Taphonomic loss rates for wood in marine environments based on kiln-dried lumber may overestimate loss rates for natural wood entering marine environments after initial decomposition in terrestrial environments. Burial appears to play an important role in wood taphonomy. Burial to a depth of > 3 cm inhibited destruction by Limnoria, but not teredinids, possibly due to the greater tolerance of molluscs for low O2 levels and the ability of teredinids to raise their siphons above the wood surface. Both limnorids and teredinids may contribute to the formation of Teredolites (disaggregated, sediment-filled teredinid borings). Limnorid isopods remove the surface of wood exposing the calcite-lined borings of teredinids. Once their calcite-lined borings are exposed, teredinid are susceptible to predation, and in the aftermath of predation, teredinid borings may become sediment filled. Exposure also causes the calcite-lined borings to break and disaggregate, leading to the formation of Teredolites. The fossil record of teredinids reaches back to the Jurassic. Limnoria traces in the surface of wood are distinctive and diagnostic at the species level; however Limnoria have a sparse fossil record.
SU-FF-I-60: Image Quality Improvement Using a Custom Ventilator for Respiratory-Gated Micro-CT

Purpose: Acquiring Micro‐CT images of murine lungsin vivo requires respiratory gating to achieve optimal tissuecontrast at full inspiration. The use of a custom small‐animal ventilator and a specific acquisition technique has resulted in a dramatic improvement in image quality. Method and Materials: A commercially available small animal ventilator was customized for use with our commercially available micro‐CT scanner. The modified ventilator can hold the pressure in rodent lungs at a constant level (essentially perform a series of short breath‐holds at full inspiration), and can be programmed to trigger the scanner acquisition phase. The ventilator is set to cyclicly achieve a pre‐set pressure level of the anesthetic gas mixture (inspiration), trigger the x‐ray on phase of the scanner, acquire a single frame during the stable pressure phase, close the x‐ray shutter, and finally release the pressure of the anesthetic gas mixture (expiration) while the scanner rotates to the next view position, at which point the cycle repeats. Images can be reconstructed with either 90 or 45 micron isotropic voxels. Example images of several mice with lungtumors will be presented. Radiation dose is estimated to be about 0.26 Gy per scan session using this methodology. Results: This implementation has produced images with improved visibility of the tissue components, including airways and pulmonary blood vessels. The margins of individual lung lobes can be identified, which is very helpful when determining the location of a pathologic structure (lesion) for research purposes or subsequent necropsy. The improved image quality is also very helpful in the detection of small (0.3–0.5 mm diameter) lung lesions. Conclusion:Lungcancer research can benefit from extensive use of mouse models to investigate potential new treatment approaches. The use of improved non‐invasive imaging has positively impacted our lungcancer research program.
E‐resources: transforming access services for the digital age

Purpose – Libraries spend increasingly large amounts on electronic resources (ERs), but may not have adjusted staffing to support these resources. Assisting users with ER access problems is complex due to the many reasons a resource may be unavailable at a particular time. The objective of this paper is to describe the evolution of a library ER problem‐reporting help desk.Design/methodology/approach – A pilot project was undertaken by librarians at the Texas A&M University Libraries to redesign workflows and staffing to provide an efficient, effective help desk service for solving ER access problems.Findings – Including librarians with experience in licensing and managing ERs in providing help desk services improved response time, problem resolution, systematic information capture, and service expectations and policies, and also led to the development of an ER HelpDesk database with enhanced functionality.Practical implications – Delegating ER problems solely to information technology (IT) staff may seem ...
Bicycle and Pedestrian Studies Based on Data from National Household Travel Survey

Communities around the nation are addressing new federal regulations and an increased pressure by national and local advocacy groups to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians in transportation projects. To meet these demands, state and local transportation planning agencies must often rely on data sets derived from small samples and with little previous application to develop user characteristics and travel demand models that estimate the effect an increase in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure will have on the transportation network. One of the main sources for data on travel and transportation available to industry professionals is the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), which FHWA conducts every 5 to 7 years and which provides data sets on daily travel for all transportation modes, including information on driver characteristics, travel time, trip purpose, time of day, and day of the week a trip took place. An add-on program with NHTS offers agencies an opportunity to obtain local data that may...
Gold nanoparticle-packed microdisks for multiplex Raman labelling of cells

Micro/nanoparticles containing densely packed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess unique properties potentially useful for various biomedical applications. The micro/nanoparticles are conventionally produced by the bottom-up methods, which have limited capability for controlling the particle size, shape and structure. This article reports development of a top-down method that integrates layer-by-layer assembly and microcontact printing to fabricate disk-shaped microparticles named microdisks composed of densely packed AuNPs. This method allows precise control of not only the size, shape and structure of the microdisks but also the amount of the AuNPs in the microdisks. The microdisks can be loaded with different Raman reporters to generate characteristic surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra under the near infrared excitation over a centimetre-scale lens–sample distance. Moreover, the microdisks can be attached to single live cells. This microdisk platform holds potential for multiplex Raman labelling of therapeutic cells for in vivo tracking of the cells.
Simple confocal thickness gauge based on fibre-optic confocal sensor for non-contact measurement

A simple non-contact thickness measurement method based on a dual-confocal microscope has been developed and tested. A reference comparison method was adapted for calibration of the system. The high accuracy potential of the method was demonstrated by measuring the thickness of transparent samples and a non-transparent soft biological sample. Lensed-tip fibre-optic confocal sensors were tested for the method.
Influence of temperature on survival rate and infectivity of miracidia of two species of Phyllodistomum (Trematoda) to pelecypods

Abstract Miracida of the trematode Phyllodistomum bufonis and a new species of Phyllodistomum were compared to determine the effects of temperature on both the life span of these larvae and their ability to penetrate their respective pelecypod hosts. Miracidia of P. bufonis survive longer (30% for 2 days) than the new species (for one day) at all temperatures except 4° and 8°C. Bivalves could be infected with miracidia at each temperature that allowed survival. Optimum temperature ranges favoring infection was 15–30°C for P. bufonis and 20–26°C for Phyllodistomum sp.
Nicotine behavioral pharmacology: clues from planarians.

Abstract Background Nicotine is one of the world's most addictive substances and the primary reason that humans inhale tobacco smoke. The pharmacological effects of nicotine can be investigated in planarians, aquatic flatworms that possess an integrated neural network including cephalic ganglia that some consider the earliest ‘brain’ and spinal cord. Here, we tested the hypothesis that nicotine exposure elicits mammalian-like behaviors in planarians. Methods Planarian motility and stereotypy (C-shape hyperkinesias) were quantified following acute nicotine exposure. During repeated nicotine exposure, we investigated the presence of withdrawal, tolerance, behavioral sensitization, and environmental place conditioning. Results Acute nicotine exposure increased stereotypical activity and elicited biphasic effects on motility. A low concentration (0.01 mM) increased motility whereas higher concentrations (0.3–10 mM) elicited the opposite effect. Planarians exposed to nicotine (0.03 mM) for 60 min and then tested in water displayed reduced motility that was not observed during exposure to water, acute nicotine, or continuous nicotine. Nicotine-treated planarians withdrawn from the drug for 3 days before being challenged with nicotine displayed behavioral sensitization at low concentrations (0.1, 0.3 mM) but tolerance at higher concentrations (1, 3 mM). Planarians conditioned with nicotine in the ambient light (non-preferred environment) displayed a reduction in their natural preference for a dark environment. Conclusions The present results suggest nicotine elicits mammalian-like effects in planarians, including decreased motility and increased stereotypy following acute administration and abstinence-induced withdrawal, behavioral sensitization, tolerance, and place conditioning during repeated exposure.
Determination of the single-ion anisotropy in Cd1−xCoxS using optical Faraday rotation technique at T = 80 mK

Abstract The single-ion anisotropy constant D of Co 2+ in Cd 1− x Co x S was determined from a magnetization step which was detected using optical Faraday rotation technique. Experiments were performed in a dilution refrigerator at a temperature of approximately 80mK. Analysis of the data gave D / k B = 0.96 ± 0.02 K .
Stimulus equivalence and the untrained acquisition of stimulus functions

There is a rapidly growing area of research under the general heading of stimulus equivalence that has important implications for understanding some very basic and important issues in the fields of learning and cognition. These include the untrained acquisition of novel stimulus functions, symbolic behavior, the development of concepts or categories, and the development and behavioral effects of beliefs, expectancies, and schema. This research also has implications for understanding the development and treatment of several clinical disorders including substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and depression. The present paper describes the basic stimulus equivalence phenomena and reports several laboratory-based studies that explore its clinical implications. It concludes with a brief description of the general implications of this research.
Facial tissue depths in children with cleft lip and palate.

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a craniofacial malformation affecting more than seven million people worldwide that results in defects of the hard palate, teeth, maxilla, nasal spine and floor, and maxillodental asymmetry. CLP facial soft-tissue depth (FSTD) values have never been published. The purpose of this research is to report CLP FSTD values and compare them to previously published FSTD values for normal children. Thirty-eight FSTDs were measured on cone beam computed tomography images of CLP children (n = 86; 7-17 years). MANOVA and ANOVA tests determined whether cleft type, age, sex, and bone graft surgical status affect tissue depths. Both cleft type (unilateral/bilateral) and age influence FSTDs. CLP FSTDs exhibit patterns of variation that differ from normal children, particularly around the oronasal regions of the face. These differences should be taken into account when facial reconstructions of children with CLP are created.
Characterization of SMV Resistance Genes in Tousan 140 and Hourei Soybean.

'Tousan 140' and 'Hourei', two soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] accessions from Japan, each possess a single gene at different loci for resistance to Japanese Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) strain SMV C. However, more genetic information is needed to utilize these lines in a breeding program. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) the reaction of Tousan 140 and Hourei to SMV-G1 through G7 strains, (ii) the inheritance of SMV resistance in Tousan 140 and Hourei to strains SMV-G1 and G7, and (iii) the allelomorphic relationship of resistance genes in these accessions with previously known resistance genes. Tousan 140 and Hourei were crossed with SMV susceptible cultivar Lee 68 to study the inheritance of resistance. They were also crossed with lines possessing Rsv1, Rsv3, and putative Rsv4, and to each other, to elucidate the allelomorphic relationships among the genes in Tousan 140, Hourei, and previously reported genes. Inheritance and allelism studies indicated that Tousan 140 possesses two SMV resistance genes. These two genes were separated in two F(2:3) lines. One of the genes, an allele of Rsv1, expresses resistance to SMV-G1 through G3 and susceptibility to SMV-G5 through G7 while the other one, an allele of Rsv3, expresses resistance to SMV-G5 through G7 and susceptibility to SMV-G1 through G3. Their presence in Tousan 140 makes it resistant to strains SMV-G1 through G7. Hourei also is resistant to SMV-G1 through G7 and possesses two SMV resistance genes, which are also alleles of Rsv1 and Rsv3. One, probably the Rsv1 allele, expresses resistance to SMV-G1 and G7 and the other, probably the Rsv3 allele, expresses resistance to SMV-G7, but is susceptible to G1.
A hollow‐fiber trickle‐bed reactor

Etude experimentale pour etudier l'effet des fibres creuses sur l'ecoulement du gaz et du liquide et sur la vitesse de reaction
Open Issues in Intelligent Personal Health Record – An Updated Status Report for 2012

To improve the capability and usability of the personal health record (PHR) as a tool to empower consumers in the management of their own health, we have proposed the concept of an intelligent PHR (iPHR) and built a prototype iPHR system with four functions. These four functions use various health knowledge and computer science techniques to automatically provide users with personalized healthcare information to facilitate their well-being. This paper discusses several open issues in iPHR, including two enhancements to an existing function and two potential new functions. The two enhancements are for automatically compiling relevant self-care activities for each health issue and automatically identifying contraindicated self-care activities, respectively. One potential new function is personalized search for individual healthcare providers. Another potential new function is personalized local search for health-related services to help maintain patients in their homes. We include some preliminary thoughts on how to address these open issues with the hope to stimulate future research work on iPHR.
Autonomous control of phosphatidylinositol turnover by histamine and acetylcholine receptors in the N1E-115 neuron-like cell line.

Abstract Histamine was found to stimulate the turnover of phosphatidylinositol (PI) in cultures of neuron-like NE-115 cells. Turnover was measured by increased production of [3H]inositol phosphates (breakdown) and by accelerated incorporation of 32P into PI (resynthesis). Data were consistent with hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides being the inital event in receptor-stimulated PI turnover. This response to histamine desensitized within 10 min. Receptor systems for histamine and acetylcholine were tested for possible interactions: PI turnover in response to dual stimulation was approximately equal to the sum of the individual responses while prior desensitization of the acetylcholine receptor system had no effect on subsequent stimulation of the histamine receptor system. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that components of acetylcholine and histamine receptor systems responsible for PI turnover are autonomously organized and regulated.
The family of guanylyl cyclase receptors and their ligands.

IN 1963, shortly after the discovery of cAMP (1–5), Ashman et al. (6) identified cyclic-GMP (cGMP) in rat urine. Reports soon followed showing that various agents including neurotransmitters and hormones elevated cGMP concentrations in many different cells (for review see Ref. 7). In 1969, three laboratories discovered the enzyme, guanylyl cyclase (8–11). Initial expectations that the enzyme would be regulated in much the same manner as its already exciting sibling, adenylyl cyclase, met with immediate problems. These included the localization of guanylyl cyclase to both the particulate and soluble fractions of cell homogenates, and multiple experimental failures to activate the enzyme in broken cell preparations by agents known to elevate cGMP levels in intact cells. As a consequence, much of the earliest work on guanylyl cyclase concentrated on descriptive features of the soluble and particulate forms. In the mid-1970s, three studies (12–14) provided the first evidence that guanylyl cyclase activities p...