cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A computational study of depth of vibration into vocal fold tissues.

The effective depth of vocal fold vibration is self-regulated and generally not known a priori in vocalization. In this study, the effective depth was quantified systematically under various phonatory conditions using a fiber-gel finite element vocal fold model. The horizontal and vertical excursions of each finite element nodal point trajectory were recorded to compute trajectory areas. The extent of vibration was then studied based on the variation of trajectory radii as a function of depth in several coronal sections along the anterior-posterior direction. The results suggested that the vocal fold nodal trajectory excursions decrease systematically as a function of depth but are affected by the layered structure of the vocal folds. The effective depth of vibration was found to range between 15 and 55% of the total anatomical depth across all phonatory conditions. The nodal trajectories from the current study were compared qualitatively with the results from excised human hemi-larynx experiments published in Dollinger and Berry [(2006). J. Voice. 20(3), 401-413]. An estimate of the effective mass of a one-mass vocal fold model was also computed based on the effective depth of vibration observed in this study under various phonatory conditions.
Homer, Cadavers, and Organ Harvesting

The current shortfall of solid human organs available for transplantation into seriously ill human beings could be significantly alleviated if the supply of those organs could be increased substantially, and cadavers are, at present, the primary source of usable solid organs. The current requirement that a person be dead-in-fact, and not merely as good- as dead, before that person can be declared a cadaver is a major obstacle to our achieving a substantial increase in the supply of cadaveric solid organs. This article addresses questions regarding the propriety of the dead-in-fact requirement by way of an exploration of how Achilles, the central character of Homer’s Iliad, came, by the end of that work, to respect the dead body of Hector, whom he had recently killed in battle. After sketching the story of how that happened, and after describing the military culture of the Mediterranean civilization of 3,000 years ago — a culture that encouraged the mutilation of the bodies of fallen enemy warriors — the article considers the peculiar status that dead bodies possess just in virtue of being recently dead. It argues that a body in the interval between death and putrefaction possesses a numinous quality that the great religions have recognized, even if they have done so in differing ways. It then argues that our current practices with regard to declarations of death when organ harvesting is a real possibility are troublesomely blind to the numinous quality of the bodies from which solid organs may well be harvested. The article does not say what should be done about this.
A Preliminary Investigation towards the Risk Stratification of Allogeneic Stem Cell Recipients with Respect to the Potential for Development of GVHD via Their Pre-Transplant Plasma Lipid and Metabolic Signature

The clinical outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) may be influenced by the metabolic status of the recipient following conditioning, which in turn may enable risk stratification with respect to the development of transplant-associated complications such as graft vs. host disease (GVHD). To better understand the impact of the metabolic profile of transplant recipients on post-transplant alloreactivity, we investigated the metabolic signature of 14 patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning followed by either human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related or unrelated donor SCT, or autologous SCT. Blood samples were taken following conditioning and prior to transplant on day 0 and the plasma was comprehensively characterized with respect to its lipidome and metabolome via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LCMS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS). A pro-inflammatory metabolic profile was observed in patients who eventually developed GVHD. Five potential pre-transplant biomarkers, 2-aminobutyric acid, 1-monopalmitin, diacylglycerols (DG 38:5, DG 38:6), and fatty acid FA 20:1 demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity towards predicting post-transplant GVHD. The resulting predictive model demonstrated an estimated predictive accuracy of risk stratification of 100%, with area under the curve of the ROC of 0.995. The likelihood ratio of 1-monopalmitin (infinity), DG 38:5 (6.0), and DG 38:6 (6.0) also demonstrated that a patient with a positive test result for these biomarkers following conditioning and prior to transplant will be at risk of developing GVHD. Collectively, the data suggest the possibility that pre-transplant metabolic signature may be used for risk stratification of SCT recipients with respect to development of alloreactivity.
Optimized Digital Implementation of Carrier-based Randomized Discontinuous PWM Technique for Active Front End(AFE) Drives

Pulse width modulation (PWM) technique and micro-processor have been extensively used in power electronics converters. Discontinuous pulse width modulation (DPWM) technique is proposed and applied in industrial drive application where switching loss is of great concern and critical to increasing converter’s power density. In addition, random modulation is gaining more interest because of its potential to alleviate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem incurred in power electronics converter. In this paper, discussion is given on digital implementation of carried-based randomized discontinuous PWM for active front end drives. A different scheme of ADC sampling synchronization with randomized DPWM is put forward to achieve improved power quality performance while keeping conducted emission spectrum smoothly spread.
Community Partners' Perspectives and the Faculty Role in Community-Based Learning.

Background: Benefits of community-based learning for students in higher education are well documented. Comparatively less is known about the community partner experience. Purpose: The community par...
Epidermoid Cyst of the Lumbar Spine After Lumbar Puncture: A Clinical, Radiographic, and Pathologic Correlation.

Background Epidermoid cysts can rarely arise as a late complication of lumbar puncture. We describe a young man who had a remote history of a lumbar puncture and who was subsequently found to have a lumbar spinal epidermoid cyst on imaging, after presenting with lower extremity radicular pain. Case Description A 24-year-old man with a remote history of lumbar puncture presented with lower back pain and radicular leg pain which had been ongoing for over a year. Despite conservative management, the patient's symptoms progressed to worsening back pain and left L4 radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine demonstrated a peripherally enhancing, intradural, extramedullary lesion at L4-5. Diffusion-weighted imaging revealed diffusion restriction within the lesion, characteristic of an epidermoid cyst. The patient underwent an L4-5 laminectomy for resection of the intradural tumor. The lesion was noted to contain pearly white granules consistent with the appearance of an epidermoid cyst. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. On follow-up examination, the patient demonstrated improvement of his back pain and resolution of radicular symptoms. Conclusions Lumbar spinal epidermoid cysts may be either congenital or secondary to an iatrogenic cause. This patient had a remote history of lumbar puncture during workup for meningitis as a child. As a complication of a lumbar puncture, the formation of an epidermoid cyst can occur and is thought to be the result of implanted cutaneous tissue. This case provides a comprehensive illustration of the clinical, radiographic, intraoperative, and pathologic findings consistent with an iatrogenic epidermoid cyst.
Abstract P225: Effect of Weight Loss Strategies on Serum Uric Acid in Cancer Patients in the Spirit Study

Introduction: Obesity is strongly associated with elevated serum uric acid (SUA), a hypothesized mediator of cardiovascular disease. In observational studies, weight loss is associated with lower S...
p53 Disruption Increases Uracil Accumulation in DNA of Murine Embryonic Fibroblasts and Leads to Folic Acid-Nonresponsive Neural Tube Defects in Mice

Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur in nervous tissue during embryogenesis when the neural tube fails to close. Approximately 70% of all human NTDs can be prevented by folic acid (FA). Altered expression and/or function of the tumor suppressor protein p53 can lead to NTDs in mouse models. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine if dietary FA could rescue p53-/--induced NTDs in mice, and to determine the effect loss of p53 has on pathways in folate 1-carbon metabolism. Methods p53+/- female mice were randomly allocated and weaned onto either an FA-sufficient diet (2 mg/kg folic acid; +FA), or an FA-deficient diet (-FA). After 8 wk, the females were time-mated to p53-/- males. Embryos were examined at E12.5 for NTDs. Folate enzyme concentrations, nucleotide synthesis, uracil accumulation in DNA, and proliferation were measured in primary murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The "n - 1" chi-square test was used to compare NTD percentages, whereas all other data were analyzed by Student t test, except where noted a multilevel-fit model was used. Results NTD rates of litters from dams consuming the +FA diet (20/46; 43%) did not differ from those of litters from dams consuming the -FA diet (14/35; 40%) (P > 0.05). p53-/- MEFs had 55% higher rates of folate-dependent de novo dTMP synthesis, a ∼2-fold higher accumulation of uracil in DNA, and a ∼30% higher rate of proliferation (P ≤ 0.05) than p53+/- MEFs independent of folate. Conclusions p53-related NTDs are not FA responsive. Increased dTMP synthesis in p53-/- MEFs might not have been sufficient to meet the demands for thymidine triphosphate (dTTP) synthesis as evidenced by the elevated amounts of uracil in DNA. This study provides additional evidence that elevated uracil in DNA is a risk factor for NTDs.
Community Engagement in the Liberal Arts: How Service Hours and Reflections Influence Course Value:

Background:In response to critics’ charges that the liberal arts lack practical value, most colleges have incorporated service-learning in their curricula. Ideally, these service-learning activitie...
An Analytic Investigation of the Drug Formulation-Based Recalls in the USA: See More Beyond the Literal

High numbers of drug recalls persist despite the tremendous time and effort invested by pharmaceutical organizations and regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the quality of safe and effective medicines for the patient. It is imperative to better understand the underlying risk factors of drug formulation-based recalls to best protect the patient from poor quality drugs. Increased knowledge of underlying factors of formulation risk can also help inform the future design and development of drugs. In this study, we used a text mining technique with Python to parse the data and examine drug recalls from the aspect of administration route, dosage form, release mechanism, market type, pharmacologic class, and excipients. Observational analysis of the recalls revealed both high- and low-risk factors for the formulation-based recalls. Higher risk, or an increased probability of a formulation-based recall, was associated with factors such as extended release mechanism, capsule dosage form, oral route of administration, and an increased number of excipients, while lower risk of formulation-based recalls was associated with other factors including the new drug application market type, immediate release mechanism, and solution dosage form. In addition, the factors did not work independently, and we observed interactions among variables. For example, the release mechanism modified the effect of market type, administration route, and dosage form. This study will help inform the future design of quality drug products by pharmaceutical organizations and assist risk-based oversight by regulatory organizations, such as FDA, to ensure patient safety.
Exposure to smoke from high- but not low-nicotine cigarettes leads to signs of dependence in male rats and potentiates the effects of nicotine in female rats.

Abstract Nicotine is only mildly rewarding, but after becoming dependent, it is difficult to quit smoking. The goal of these studies was to determine if low-nicotine cigarettes are less likely to cause dependence and enhance the reinforcing effects of nicotine than regular high-nicotine cigarettes. Male and female rats were exposed to tobacco smoke with a low or high nicotine level for 35 days. It was investigated if smoke exposure affects the development of dependence, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, and nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization. Smoke exposure did not affect locomotor activity in a small open field or sucrose preference. Mecamylamine precipitated somatic withdrawal signs in male rats exposed to smoke with a high level of nicotine, but not in male rats exposed to smoke with a low level of nicotine or in females. After cessation of smoke exposure, there was a small decrease in sucrose preference in the male rats, which was not observed in the females. Cessation of smoke exposure did not affect anxiety-like behavior in the large open field or the elevated plus maze test. Female rats displayed less anxiety-like behavior in both these tests. Repeated treatment with nicotine increased locomotor activity, rearing, and stereotypies. Prior exposure to smoke with a high level of nicotine increased nicotine-induced rearing in the females. These findings indicate that exposure to smoke with a low level of nicotine does not lead to dependence and does not potentiate the effects of nicotine. Exposure to smoke with a high level of nicotine differently affects males and females.
Explosive Synchronization-Based Brain Modulation Reduces Hypersensitivity in The Brain Network: A Computational Model Study

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by hypersensitivity to multi-modal sensory stimuli, widespread pain, and fatigue. We have previously proposed explosive synchronization (ES), a phenomenon wherein a small perturbation to a network can lead to an abrupt state transition, as a potential mechanism of the hypersensitive FM brain. Therefore, we hypothesized that converting a brain network from ES to general synchronization (GS) may reduce the hypersensitivity of FM brain. To find an effective brain network modulation to convert ES into GS, we constructed a large-scale brain network model near criticality (i.e., an optimally balanced state between order and disorders), which reflects brain dynamics in conscious wakefulness, and adjusted two parameters: local structural connectivity and signal randomness of target brain regions. The network sensitivity to global stimuli was compared between the brain networks before and after the modulation. We found that only increasing the local connectivity of hubs (nodes with intense connections) changes ES to GS, reducing the sensitivity, whereas other types of modulation such as decreasing local connectivity, increasing and decreasing signal randomness are not effective. This study would help to develop a network mechanism-based brain modulation method to reduce the hypersensitivity in FM.
Word Frequency and Contextual Richness in Esl Word Identification

There has been considerable research conducted on the effects of meaning, frequency, context, and redundancy on word identification in first language (hereafter L1) reading comprehension. The first part of this paper will review some of the major research that has been presented concerning each of these factors.
Update of Endocrine Dysfunction following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common occurrences in childhood, often resulting in long term, life altering consequences. Research into endocrine sequelae following injury has gained attention; however, there are few studies in children. This paper reviews the pathophysiology and current literature documenting risk for endocrine dysfunction in children suffering from TBI. Primary injury following TBI often results in disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and antidiuretic hormone production and release, with implications for both acute management and survival. Secondary injuries, occurring hours to weeks after TBI, result in both temporary and permanent alterations in pituitary function. At five years after moderate to severe TBI, nearly 30% of children suffer from hypopituitarism. Growth hormone deficiency and disturbances in puberty are the most common; however, any part of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis can be affected. In addition, endocrine abnormalities can improve or worsen with time, having a significant impact on children’s quality of life both acutely and chronically. Since primary and secondary injuries from TBI commonly result in transient or permanent hypopituitarism, we conclude that survivors should undergo serial screening for possible endocrine disturbances. High indices of suspicion for life threatening endocrine deficiencies should be maintained during acute care. Additionally, survivors of TBI should undergo endocrine surveillance by 6–12 months after injury, and then yearly, to ensure early detection of deficiencies in hormonal production that can substantially influence growth, puberty and quality of life.
Infection and colonization of peanut pods by Aspergillus parasiticus and the expression of the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene, nor-1, in infection hyphae.

Abstract The aflatoxigenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus infect a wide variety of crops, all of which produce oil-rich seed. A histological study of the host–pathogen interaction between peanut, Arachis hyphogea , and A. parasiticus was performed in a system where peanuts remained attached to the plant and were inoculated without wounding. For infection studies, a genetically-tagged strain of A. parasiticus , G5, was engineered to harbor the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene under control of the nor-1 promoter from the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. There was a similar temporal pattern of aflatoxin B1 production and appearance of GUS activity in cultures of A. parasiticus G5. This strain was used to follow infection and aflatoxin production during colonization of undamaged, drought-stressed peanuts. The fungus colonized all tissues of the peanut pod and appeared to gain ingress through the corky layer of the pericarp. Both intra- and inter-cellular colonization were observed. Fungal colonization of the cotyledons resulted in visible depletion of storage bodies within cells. Two morphologically distinct types of hyphae, wider hyphae and narrower hyphae, were seen throughout the pod tissues. Statistical analysis revealed that the narrower hyphae were significantly more likely to produce GUS activity than wider ones. GUS activity was found in hyphae infecting the pericarp, embryo and cotyledons indicating expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes in these tissues. Interestingly, GUS activity was not observed in the hyphae colonizing the testa.
The Epidemiology of Arthropodborne Diseases

Epidemiology is the study of disease ecology. A disease is any departure from health. Infectious diseases result from infections by pathogens or parasites. However, as Chapter 1 explained, there are many other kinds of diseases (e.g., vitamin deficiencies, metabolic disorders, psychoses, etc.). Ecology studies the relationships between individuals or populations and their biological and physical environment. Understanding arthropodborne disease ecology is fundamental to medical entomology. Thorough knowledge of ecological relationships among host, parasite and vector may permit accurate prediction of the risk of arthropodborne diseases to humans or other vertebrate animals. Such knowledge also is vital to optimize strategies for disease prevention. Lastly, understanding pathogen-host interactions of a disease may help develop therapeutic measures.
Prerequisites for effective experimentation in computational biology

The development of any given biological model is driven by the experimental context in which it will be used. Hence, computer models are often overfitted to a single, unique, experimental context and fail to be useful in other situations. So doing severely limits the model's usefulness, effectively blocking inferential extensions to somewhat different conditions. To solve this problem, multiple, separate models of a biological system are required to adequately represent that system's behaviors. This is in stark contrast to the biological components to which these models refer. They function in many different situations, which is often not the case for mechanical components. The problem presents a fundamental breakdown in the extent to which any computer model represents its biological referent, especially when considering these functional units in a complex, medically relevant context. In this paper, we present the basics of a modeling method, FURM (Functional Unit Representation Method) that attempts to address this breakdown by enforcing and encouraging the use of some basic methodological principles in the development of any functional unit model.
Improved plant-based production of E1 endoglucanase using potato: expression optimization and tissue targeting.

Optimization of Acidothermus cellulolyticus endoglucanase (E1) gene expression in transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was examined in this study, where the E1 coding sequence was transcribed under control of a leaf specific promoter (tomato RbcS-3C) or the Mac promoter (a hybrid promoter of mannopine synthase promoter and cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter enhancer region). Average E1 activity in leaf extracts of potato transformants, in which E1 protein was targeted by a chloroplast signal peptide and an apoplast signal peptide were much higher than those by an E1 native signal peptide and a vacuole signal peptide. E1 protein accumulated up to 2.6% of total leaf soluble protein, where E1 gene was under control of the RbcS-3C promoter, alfalfa mosaic virus 5′-untranslated leader, and RbcS-2A signal peptide. E1 protein production, based on average E1 activity and E1 protein accumulation in leaf extracts, is higher in potato than those measured previously in transgenic tobacco bearing the same transgene constructs. Comparisons of E1 activity, protein accumulation, and relative mRNA levels showed that E1 expression under control of tomato RbcS-3C promoter was specifically localized in leaf tissues, while E1 gene was expressed in both leaf and tuber tissues under control of Mac promoter. This suggests dual-crop applications in which potato vines serve as enzyme production `bioreactors' while tubers are preserved for culinary applications.
Drawing power law graphs

We present methods for drawing graphs that arise in various information networks. It has been noted that many realistic graphs have a power law degree distribution and exhibit the small world phenomenon. Our methods are influenced by recent developments in the modeling of such graphs.
Actual and potential omniscience

have become, in some respects, foundational for phenomenological theology, has shown that theology, as a strictly philosophical enterprise, cannot "invent" its concepts, but must adhere, in reflection, to the manners of givenness whereby God is "meant."1 And, on the concrete prereflective plane of conscious life, Divinity is meant as supreme in every dimension of value in which it participates. A phenomenological theology cannot, then, deny that, insofar as God is meant as a mind, the divine mind must possess the attributes of mentality in the highest possible way consistent with the eidos: mind. Nor can it be gainsaid, more specifically, that, insofar as the divine mind is meant as a subject of cognition, Deity must possess knowledge in the most distinctively eminent way consistent with the nature of knowing. Yet it may well be (and, for Husserl, certainly is) the case that the very "essence" of mentality precludes the possibility of what we shall call "actual" omniscience. We shall later find reason to assert that the divine mind (qua mind) is governed by the same eidetic restrictions that rule the human mind (qua mind). But this is by no means to disenfranchize the Divine ftnower. What may at first sight appear to be an insufferable relinquishment of a divine prerogative long trea
Design of Controller and Data Acquisition System for a Gear Dynamometer

This paper describes the development of a controller and data acquisition system for a gear dynamometer that will monitor and control the motor speed and dynamometer torque. This project work is motivated by the lack of adequate design information describing the low-cycle, mechanical performance of plastic gears, despite the increasing usage of plastic gears. This is in contrast to the abundant amount of information available for metal gears. The control system for the test apparatus has numerous additional features which facilitate the gathering of information about the performance of plastic gears. This work has been performed by an undergraduate team for the two-semester capstone design course for the Mechanical Engineering Department at Bradley University. This project incorporates many aspects of a mechanical engineer’s education such as system design, sensor selection, and software mastery. This project also connects the specialty areas of material science, instrumentation, measurement, data acquisition, and design of experiments.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
A Fin-de-Siecle Achievement: Charting New Waters in Vertebrate Biology

Grunwald comments on the 36 papers in the December issue of Development from the laboratories of Nusslein-Vollhard and Driever, which report the results of a massive genetic screen of development in the zebrafish.
Lack of correlation of MRP and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase overexpression with doxorubicin resistance due to increased apoptosis in SV40 large T-antigen-transformed human mesothelial cells

Purpose: Evidence suggests that viral proteins such as simian virus large T-antigen (SV40 TAg) play a role in the response of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we investigated whether SV40 TAg-immortalized human mesothelial cells express drug resistance-related proteins and display resistance to chemotherapy, and whether SV40 TAg transformation affects apoptosis. Methods: We determined the mRNA and protein levels of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy subunit (γ-GCS h ), and P-glycoprotein (product of the MDR1 gene) by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, in normal human mesothelial (NHM) cell and SV40 TAg-transformed human mesothelial (Met-5A) cells. The effect of increasing concentrations of doxorubicin (DOX) on these cells was investigated using an MTT cytotoxicity assay, and the glutathione (GSH) content was measured spectrophotometrically. DOX accumulation in these cells was measured by treating the cells with [14C]DOX followed by scintillation counting. Cytoplasmic DNA fragmentation due to apoptosis following DOX treatment of the cells was quantitated by ELISA. Results: We showed that the MRP and γ-GCS h genes, but not MDR1, are coordinately overexpressed in Met-5A cells compared with NHM cells. Expression of MRP protein as detected by an anti-MRP antibody correlated with increased GSH levels and decreased accumulation of [14C]DOX in Met-5A cells compared with NHM cells. However, Met-5A cells were twofold more sensitive to DOX than NHM cells. In addition, quantitative measurement of apoptosis when cells were treated with 0.05 and 0.5 μM DOX revealed that drug-induced apoptotic cell death was increased about 1.4- and 3.0-fold, respectively, in Met-5A cells compared with NHM cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that increased levels of apoptosis might help overcome the DOX resistance effects of MRP/γ-GCS h overexpression in SV40 TAg-transformed Met-5A cells.
Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans(Serotype D) Strains Are More Susceptible to Heat than C. neoformans var. grubii (Serotype A) Strains

Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) and C. neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) differ in geographic prevalence and dermatotropism, with C. neoformans var. neoformans strains being more prevalent among isolates from temperate countries as well as from skin infections. Analysis of 19 strains from each serotype revealed wide variation in thermal susceptibility, with C. neoformans var. neoformans strains being more susceptible, on average, to heat killing. The results suggest a consistent explanation for the geographic differences between serotype A and D strains and for the dermatotropism of serotype D strains.
Compressive sensing of parameterized shapes in images

Compressive sensing (CS) uses a relatively small number of non-traditional samples in the form of randomized projections to reconstruct sparse or compressible signals. The Hough transform is often used to find lines and other parameterized shapes in images. This paper shows how CS can be used to find parameterized shapes in images, by exploiting sparseness in the Hough transform domain. The utility of the CS-based method is demonstrated for finding lines and circles in noisy images, and then examples of processing GPR and seismic data for tunnel detection are presented.
The effect of C1 spinal cord transection or bilateral adrenal vein ligation on thioridazine-induced arrhythmia and death in the cat.

The phenothiazine thioridazine 1 mg/kg/min was infused intravenously into three groups of cats: (1) thioridazine alone (N = 5), (2) after bilateral adrenal ligation (N = 4), and (3) after spinal cord section at the atlanto-occipital junction (C1; N = 6). The times to arrhythmia and death with thioridazine alone were 47.8 +/- 7.8 and 72.8 +/- 5.6 minutes respectively. After bilateral adrenal ligation, arrhythmia and death occurred at 41.1 +/- 5.2 and 53.1 +/- 5.8 minutes, respectively, which showed no increase (P greater than .05) from thioridazine alone. After spinal cord section, thioridazine-induced arrhythmia and death occurred at 74.0 +/- 13.7 and 85.7 +/- 13.8 minutes, respectively, which were not increased (P greater than .05) when compared with thioridazine alone. The results of this study suggest that neither adrenomedullary catecholamines nor the central sympathetic component above C1 plays a significant role in acute thioridazine-induced arrhythmia. The action of thioridazine to induce arrhythmia in spite of transection of the spinal cord or bilateral adrenal vein ligation suggests that its cardiotoxicity is a result of a direct myocardial effect. Thioridazine depressed blood pressure without producing the sustained reflex tachycardia normally seen with hypotension. This suggests that the agent may modify the baroreceptor reflex arc.
Persuader sex differences and peer pressure effects on attitudes toward drug abuse

This experiment was performed to assess the effects of the experimental confederates' sex and contrived group peer pressure on the drug attitudes of male college students. Subjects were exposed to all-male or all-female groups of experimental confederates (ersuaders) who expressed either extremely pro-drug or anti-drug sentiments in a guided group discussion. A drug attitude survey encompassing four drug categories was administered immediately following the discussion. Significant differences were found between subjects in the anti-drug and pro-drug groups. The sex effect data indicated that the male subjects reported more liberal drug attitudes following exposure to female persuaders in both the anti-and pro-drug treatment conditions for the more socially acceptable drugs such as marijuana, hashish, and stimulants. Implications of these findings for possible prevention and intervention strategies and for further research are discussed.
Environmental Sustainability Practices in Publicly Supported Two-Year Colleges in the Southern United States

In September of 2012, a mixed methods exploratory research study was conducted from among the 270 presidents of public two-year colleges in the 11-state region accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The purpose of the study was to examine the environmental sustainability practices used at these institutions. To determine the types of practices being used, section nine of the Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) for Colleges and Universities (Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future, 2009) was e-mailed to community, junior, and technical college presidents in the 11 states. A total of 137 respondents completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were presented for each state. Energy conservation, recycling of solid waste, waste reduction practices, building construction and renovation, and reduction of toxic materials were the most frequently cited practices among respondents. The least frequently cited practices included envi...
Juvenile sockeye salmon distribution, size, condition and diet during years with warm and cool spring sea temperatures along the eastern Bering Sea shelf

Interannual variations in distribution, size, indices of feeding and condition of juvenile Bristol Bay sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka collected in August to September (2000–2003) during Bering–Aleutian Salmon International Surveys were examined to test possible mechanisms influencing their early marine growth and survival. Juvenile sockeye salmon were mainly distributed within the southern region of the eastern Bering Sea, south of 57°0′ N during 2000 and 2001 and farther offshore, south of 58°0′ N during 2002 and 2003. In general, juvenile sockeye salmon were significantly larger (P < 0·05) and had significantly higher indices of condition (P < 0·05) during 2002 and 2003 than during 2000 and 2001. The feeding index was generally higher for age 1.0 year sockeye salmon than age 2.0 year during all years. Among-year comparisons suggested that Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus were important components of the juvenile sockeye salmon diet during 2000 and 2001 (20 to 50% of the mean wet mass) and age 0 year walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma were important components during 2002 and 2003 (50 to 60% of the mean wet mass). Warmer sea temperatures during spring and summer of 2002 and 2003 probably increased productivity on the eastern Bering Sea shelf, enhancing juvenile sockeye salmon growth.
The human β-interferon gene enhancer is under negative control

Abstract The human β-interferon gene is regulated by an inducible enhancer element. Analysis of the effect of deletions within this element on β-interferon transcription indicates that this enhancer is under negative control. Deletion of sequences from the 3′ end of the enhancer leads to a dramatic increase in the basal level of β-interferon mRNA and a decrease in the induction ratio. The remaining 5′ region of the enhancer can act as a strong constitutive transcription element, and it shares considerable homology with sequences known to be required for the activity of constitutive viral enhancers. We conclude that the β-interferon enhancer consists of a constitutive transcription element and a negative regulatory sequence that prevents enhancer activity prior to induction. Thus, derepression of a constitutive transcription element appears to play a key role in the control of human β-interferon gene expression.
Age differences in the commonality of free associations.

Abstract Commonality of associative response provides an index of the organization of semantic memory. The present study investigated age differences in semantic organization by comparing commonality of associative response. Thirty young (M=20 yrs) and 30 old (M = 72 yrs) adults gave free associations to single stimulus words of high or low linguistic frequency. Controlling statistically for education and verbal skills, it was determined that there were no age differences in the commonality or variability of associates. Results are discussed in reference to developmental trends in the organization of semantic memory.
Negative differential resistance of GaAs/Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As multiquantum well structures under high power photoexcitation: structure optimisation for an oscillator

A study is presented of the photocurrent behaviour of pin diodes having GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs MQW absorption regions for varying incident power, incident wavelength and barrier height, given by the Al fraction x. Optimum results for applications in high power oscillators are expected to be obtained for 0.1 < x < 0.2. The performance characteristics of optically controlled oscillators are estimated for a diode with MQW having Al0.15Ga0.85As barriers.
Embodied metaphor elicitation through augmented-reality game design

In this paper we present our experience of eliciting metaphors through the process of game design with children. For the purpose of determining a set of user interactions desired in children's augmented-reality experiences, we have conducted a study in which children used craft materials to design augmented-reality games. Game interactions and mappings between physical and virtual worlds were then analyzed to reveal metaphors in children's thinking. We describe the wide range of elicited metaphors, and argue for the use of game design as a process for metaphor elicitation.
International Pressure and Domestic Precedent: Japan's Resettlement of Indochinese Refugees

Abstract Why did Japan decide to admit more than 11,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia between 1975 and 2005? The conventional explanation is that Japan admitted these refugees because of pressure from foreign countries, and particularly from the United States. In this article, I argue that, in addition to foreign pressure, there was another factor that was important in causing Japan to admit these refugee populations. Japanese leaders agreed to admit Indochinese refugees because they came to believe that this would not set a precedent that would make Japan into a major destination for refugee resettlement.
A Radio Survey for Pulsar Wind Nebulae

We have imaged the fields of 35 pulsars with the VLA at 8.4 GHz to search for evidence that the pulsars have deposited energy into their surroundings in the form of an extended wind nebula. Candidates have both a wide range of transverse velocities and rotational energy losses. Of the 35 pulsars that we imaged, no pointlike or extended emission was detected toward 21 sources, to a typical rms surface brightness sensitivity of 40 μJy beam-1, for a beam size of 08. Pointlike emission was detected toward 14 pulsars with peak flux densities between 0.2 and 3 mJy. After a careful examination of each source we conclude that these detections are simply the time-averaged pulsed flux density from the pulsars themselves, and thus no new pulsar wind nebulae were discovered. From the surface brightness limits and an estimate of the size of the region where the pulsar wind is first shocked, we deduce that the fraction of the pulsars' spindown energy going into producing a compact radio nebula must be less than 10-6. In contrast, this fraction is 2 orders of magnitude larger for the six pulsars which are known unambiguously to have a radio pulsar wind nebula around them. Several explanations are given for this behavior, and we conclude that only young pulsars with high rotational energy losses produce an observable radio nebula.
Train Horn Noise Impact Assessment Model

Train horn noise has been long regarded as a nuisance to the residents of the adjacent communities, in spite of the fact that train horn is an effective deterrent to accidents at highway-rail grade crossings. Federal, state, and local governments are making efforts in mitigating the negative effect of train horn noise. This paper utilized census data and train speed and volume information to develop a GIS-based model that exhibits the train horn noise impact on adjacent populations and demonstrates how these impacts change with altered rail operations. This model serves as a tool for planners, engineers, and decision-makers to gain a better understanding of the most affected areas, thus pursue the most appropriate mitigation measures for the localities.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Dolomitization Process in Sabkha Environment: ABSTRACT

End_Page 788------------------------------Along the southern shores of the Persian Gulf, Holocene carbonate sediment infilling of coastal lagoons has generated extensive salt-encrusted, supratidal surfaces or coastal sabkhas, which are the site of penecontemporaneous dolomitization. Recent diagenetic dolomite is present mainly in the unlithified, upper-intertidal facies sediments, although minor quantities are at greater depths in other sediment facies. The aragonite fraction of the sediment is replaced, and the process may be complete (100% dolomitization) within 1,500 years after primary sediment deposition. Dolomitization is local in effect, depending on a combination of fluids high with mMg++/mCa++ ratios, a rapid interstitial flow rate (2-3 cm/yr), and a high surface-flooding f equency; the flanks of flood channels and peninsulas best achieve these requirements, and their primary sediments may be completely dolomitized. The local distribution of intensively dolomitized sediments is related to rapid sedimentation and associated shoreline progradation (approximately 2 m/yr); at slower progradation rates, more extensive dolomitization would ensue. The diagenetic dolomite occurs as 1-4 micron rhombs, is nonstoichiometric (Ca51-54), is partly ordered, has ^dgrO18 = +2.5 to +3.7 ^pmil, and ^dgrC13 = +4.0 to +4.4 ^pmil. Radiocarbon ages increase progressively inland from the present shoreline (1,500-3,500 years ago); these dates, however, reflect more the age of the original sediment than the age of the dolomitization event, most of th carbon in the reaction being derived from the original aragonite. The dolomitizing fluids are of marine origin and have the following characteristics: 3.25-3.75 mCl-/Kg: mMg++/mCa++ ratios between 7 and 22, pH between 6.3 and 6.9, a minimum pCO2 of 10-3 to 10-2 atmospheres, temperatures between 25° and 40°C and at saturation with respect to gypsum and celestite. Associated early diagenetic minerals within the coastal sabkha sediments include huntite, magnesite, gypsum, bassanite, anhydrite (nodular), celestite, and halite. Many ancient dolomites of probably analogous, penecontemporaneous, sabkha origin can be shown to have undergone later diagenetic recrystallization w th a concomitant coarsening of grain size, approach to a stoichiometric composition, an increase in ordering, and a loss of trace cations. End_of_Article - Last_Page 789------------
Chlorophyllase Activity in Apples and Bananas during the Climacteric Phase

A COMMON denominator of the ripening process in many fruits is the loss of chlorophyll and subsequent yellowing of the fruit skin. Biale and Young1 have stated that loss of chlorophyll is largely responsible for the ground colour changes observed in ripening fruits. Chlorophyllase functions in vitro both in the attachment and removal of the phybol side chain to the porphyrin nucleus of chlorophyll and prochlorophyll moieties2–4, and is probably important to the in vivo catabolism of chlorophyll in fruits4,5.
Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy of InAs 0.67 P 0.33 /InP strained single quantum wells

The optical emission characteristics of biaxially compressed InAs x P1− x /InP strained single quantum well (QW) structures, with nominal compositionx=0.67, have been investigated using photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopies. The highly strained QWs exhibit intense and narrow PL in the 0.9–1.5 μm wavelength range, similar to the lattice-matched InGaAs(P)/InP system. The 20 K PLE spectra exhibit well-resolved features attributed ton=1 heavy hole (E1H1) and light hole (E1L1) transitions in the 1.0–1.5 μm wavelength range. In addition, features attributed to transitions betweenn=2 electrons and heavy holes (E2H2), and betweenn=1 electrons and unconfined holes (E1Hf), were observed. The energy splitting between the heavy-hole and light-hole bands was found to be a sensitive measure of the band offsets in the system. The best prediction of this splitting was obtained for a valence band offset of δE V ∼0.25δE G . This value of band offset was in agreement with the energy position of the E1Hf transition. The observed transition energies were also compared with the results of a finite square well model, taking into account the effects of strain, and the results offer further support for the band offset assignment. This study indicates that the InAsP system may be advantageous for application in strained-layer optoelectronic devices operating in the 1.3–1.6 μm wavelength range.
Detection of E. coli O157:H7 from ground beef using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and chemometrics.

FT-IR spectroscopy methods for detection, differentiation, and quantification of E. coli O157:H7 strains separated from ground beef were developed. Filtration and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) were used to extract live and dead E. coli O157:H7 cells from contaminated ground beef prior to spectral acquisition. Spectra were analyzed using chemometric techniques in OPUS, TQ Analyst, and WinDAS software programs. Standard plate counts were used for development and validation of spectral analyses. The detection limit based on a selectivity value using the OPUS ident test was 10(5) CFU/g for both Filtration-FT-IR and IMS-FT-IR methods. Experiments using ground beef inoculated with fewer cells (10(1) to 10(2) CFU/g) reached the detection limit at 6 h incubation. Partial least squares (PLS) models with cross validation were used to establish relationships between plate counts and FT-IR spectra. Better PLS predictions were obtained for quantifying live E. coli O157:H7 strains (R(2)> or = 0.9955, RMSEE or = 14) and different ratios of live and dead E. coli O157:H7 cells (R(2)= 0.9945, RMSEE = 2.75, RPD = 13.43) from ground beef using Filtration-FT-IR than IMS-FT-IR methods. Discriminant analysis and canonical variate analysis (CVA) of the spectra differentiated various strains of E. coli O157:H7 from an apathogenic control strain. CVA also separated spectra of 100% dead cells separated from ground beef from spectra of 0.5% live cells in the presence of 99.5% dead cells of E. coli O157:H7. These combined separation and FT-IR methods could be useful for rapid detection and differentiation of pathogens in complex foods.
Water vapor absorption of carbon dioxide laser radiation

An optoacoustic detector or spectrophone has been used to perform detailed measurements of the absorptivity of mixtures of water vapor in air. A C(12) O(2)(16) laser was used as the source, and measurements were made. at forty-nine different wavelengths from 9.2 microm to 10.7 microm. The details of the optoacoustic detector and its calibration are presented, along with a discussion of its performance characteristics. The results of the measurements of water vapor absorption show that the continuum absorption in the wavelength range covered is 5-10% lower than previous measurements.
IR-Improved DGLAP-CS Theory

We show that it is possible to improve the infrared aspects of the standard treatment of the DGLAP-CS evolution theory to take into account a large class of higher-order corrections that significantly improve the precision of the theory for any given level of fixed-order calculation of its respective kernels. We illustrate the size of the effects we resum using the moments of the parton distributions.
Gastrografin aspiration in a 3 3/4-year-old girl

A case of Gastrografin aspiration in a 3 3/4-year-old child admitted for multiple trauma is described.