cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Directional Benefit in Simulated Classroom Environments

Purpose To examine speech recognition performance and subjective ratings for directional and omnidirectional microphone modes across a variety of simulated classroom environments. Method Speech recognition was measured in a group of 26 children age 10–17 years in up to 8 listening environments. Results Significant directional benefit was found when the sound source(s) of interest was in front, and directional decrement was measured when the sound source of interest was behind the participants. Of considerable interest is that a directional decrement was observed in the absence of directional benefit when sources of interest were both in front of and behind the participants. In addition, limiting directional processing to the low frequencies eliminated both the directional deficit and the directional advantage. Conclusions Although these data support the use of directional hearing aids in some noisy school environments, they also suggest that use of the directional mode should be limited to situations in w...
Surface seiches in lakes of complex geometry

In lakes of small to medium size, the characteristic frequencies of free oscillations of the water surface (seiches) depend only on the basin geometry. In irregularly shaped basins, such as dendritic reservoirs and multibasin lakes, these characteristic frequencies are not easily determined with simple formulas. Clear Lake, a multibasin lake in Northern California, is presented here as a case in point. The signature of the seiches in Clear Lake were only revealed after solving the eigenvalue problem governing the structure and frequency of seiches derived from the linear and frictionless depth-averaged shallow water equations in a nonrotating frame.
Frequency of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, Red-Green Colour Blindness and Xg a Blood-group among Chamorros

PROGRESSIVE fatal neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, occur with exceptionally high incidence in the indigenous population of Guam and the other Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific. Recent investigations indicate that these neurological problems are not limited to the Chamorros, the indigenous population of the Marianas1,2. Since extensive pedigree and epidemiological data revealed no single genetic defect which might reasonably account for such abnormalities, ancestral relationships among different aboriginal populations of the Western Pacific are being examined. If the ancestry of these groups can be defined in terms of several common genetic markers, then a comparison of the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinsonism-dementia or other neurological diseases occurring within these groups might facilitate the separation of genetic and non-genetic disease-producing factors. This communication reports the results of a preliminary survey for three sex-linked traits: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, red-green colour blindness and Xga blood-group in Chamorro males. The results are summarized in Table 1.
Lateral asymmetry in the fluorescence of human Y chromosomes stained with 33 258 Hoechst.

Abstract A difference in 33 258 Hoechst fluorescence intensity between sister chromatids is observed in the distal region of the long arm of Y chromosomes from human lymphocytes grown one replication cycle in medium containing 5-bromodeoxyuridine. This difference, which appears limited to the region exhibiting intense quinacrine-mustard fluorescence, is compatible with an unequal distribution of thymine residues between the two polynucleotide chains of the DNA in this Y chromosome region.
Crystallization and preliminary X‐ray diffraction studies of the cartilage link protein from bovine trachea

Cartilage extracellular matrix link protein, having molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa, is a metalloprotein that binds divalent cations and is only soluble in low ionic strength solutions. The link protein was purified from bovine trachea and has been crystallized by a vapor diffusion method using PEG 3350 as precipitant. The crystal symmetry is P1, and the unit cell dimensions are a = 43.55, b = 53.11, c = 60.10 A, α = 90.44, β = 106.21, γ = 101.51°. The VM of 1.8 A3/Da is consistent with the presence of two molecules of the link protein in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract X-rays from a synchrotron source to 1.7 A resolution. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Preoperative maneuvers to avert postoperative respiratory failure in elderly patients.

Background: The elderly appear particularly vulnerable to pulmonary complications following surgical procedures. Objective: The purpose of this study was to ident
Cellulase Enzyme Binding to Pre-Treated Biomass Particles Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Mechanical and hydrothermal pretreatment of biomass produces cellulose-rich particles with high-surface area to volume ratio. In addition, pretreated particles with sizes on the order of 1000-micron3 manifest diverse features, including sub-micrometer thin sheets and irregular yet voluminous, porous globules, with fibrous protrusions on the surface. Many of these features are observable on one single particle. These complex and porous particles are also observed to have numerous tunnels and crevices that can represent extensive pore volume for enzyme diffusion and provide additional surface area for cell-wall degrading enzymes to bind and react. To study the kinetics of cell-wall degrading enzymes binding to pre-treated biomass, we use confocal fluorescence microscopy, and take time-lapse, cross-sectional images of pretreated particles incubated in enzyme solution. By image reconstruction in both temporal and spatial domains, we attempt to elucidate cell-wall degrading enzymes binding kinetics.Pretreated wood particles are first immobilized on glass surface by droplet drying method, and re-hydrated with sodium acetate buffer. At room temperature, fluorescently labeled Thermobifida fusca cellulases -- Cel5A, Cel6B and Cel9A -- of varying concentrations in sodium acetate buffer are added to the substrates. We use confocal microscope to record the fluorescence intensity of immobilized particles. Over a period of hours, enzyme binding is observable from increasing fluorescence intensity of the particles. Of the three enzymes, Cel6B has the highest affinity, while Cel9A the lowest. In addition, by comparing fluorescence and scanning electron microscope images, we note cellulase preferentially bind to the parts of particles with low auto-fluorescence, and with fibrous or sheet-like features, indicating presence of large number of accessible enzyme binding sites.
Calcium binding is essential for plastin 3 function in Smn-deficient motoneurons

The actin-binding and bundling protein, plastin 3 (PLS3), was identified as a protective modifier of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in some patient populations and as a disease modifier in animal models of SMA. How it functions in this process, however, is not known. Because PLS3 is an actin-binding/bundling protein, we hypothesized it would likely act via modification of the actin cytoskeleton in axons and neuromuscular junctions to protect motoneurons in SMA. To test this, we examined the ability of other known actin cytoskeleton organizing proteins to modify motor axon outgrowth phenotypes in an smn morphant zebrafish model of SMA. While PLS3 can fully compensate for low levels of smn, cofilin 1, profilin 2 and α-actinin 1 did not affect smn morphant motor axon outgrowth. To determine how PLS3 functions in SMA, we generated deletion constructs of conserved PLS3 structural domains. The EF hands were essential for PLS3 rescue of smn morphant phenotypes, and mutation of the Ca2+-binding residues within the EF hands resulted in a complete loss of PLS3 rescue. These results indicate that Ca2+ regulation is essential for the function of PLS3 in motor axons. Remarkably, PLS3 mutants lacking both actin-binding domains were still able to rescue motor axons in smn morphants, although not as well as full-length PLS3. Therefore, PLS3 function in this process may have an actin-independent component.
An exon 10 deletion in the mouse ferrochelatase gene has a dominant-negative effect and causes mild protoporphyria.

Protoporphyria is generally inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. The enzymatic defect of protoporphyria is a deficiency in ferrochelatase, which chelates iron and protoporphyrin IX to form heme. Patients with protoporphyria have decreased ferrochelatase activities that range from 5% to 30% of normal caused by heterogeneous mutations in the ferrochelatase gene. The molecular mechanism by which the ferrochelatase activity is decreased to less than an expected 50% is unresolved. In this study, we assessed the effect of a ferrochelatase exon 10 deletion, a common mutation in human protoporphyria, introduced into the mouse by gene targeting. F1 crosses produced (+/+), (+/−), and (−/−) mice at a ratio of 1:2:0; (−/−) embryos were detected at 3.5 days postcoitus, consistent with embryonic lethality for the homozygous mutant genotype. Heterozygotes demonstrated equivalent levels of wild-type and mutant ferrochelatase messenger RNAs and 2 immunoreactive proteins that corresponded to the full-length and an exon 10–deleted ferrochelatase protein. Ferrochelatase activities in the heterozygotes were an average of 37% of normal, and protoporphyrin levels were elevated in erythrocytes and bile. Heterozygous mice exhibited skin photosensitivity but no liver disease. These results lend support for a dominant-negative effect of a mutant allele on ferrochelatase activity in patients with protoporphyria.
Reply to–Healy D. and Waterhouse J.M.: the Circadian System and Affective Disorders: Clocks or Rhythms?

In certain respects I agree with Drs Healy and Waterhouse's critique and reformulation of the circadian rhythm theories of affective illness, especially as presented in the more balanced perspective of their Concluding Remarks section.
The distal radioulnar joint : Problems and solutions

Disorders of the distal radioulnar joint are a major source of ulnar-sided wrist pain. Fortunately, our understanding of the anatomy, joint mechanics, and pathophysiology of this area has increased greatly in recent years, making resolution of many of these problems feasible. In most cases, an accurate diagnosis can be made, and successful treatment can then be prescribed. This review covers various problems affecting the distal radioulnar joint, including fractures and dislocations, triangular fibrocartilage pathology, arthritis, and other disorders.
Location management for hierarchically organized mobile ad hoc networks

A geography-based grid location service (GLS), proposed elsewhere, has resulted in a scalable location management service for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) where packet forwarding decisions are based on geographic position. A similarly scalable location management strategy has been devised for MANETs that employ hierarchical link state routing. Both approaches employ hierarchical principles to facilitate scalability. However, currently proposed approaches for hierarchical link state routing rely on a designated subset of nodes for location management. Such nodes represent potential sites of hot spot contention. In this paper, it is proposed that by applying the distributed database selection technique of GLS, a hierarchical location management scheme may be realized for MANETs based on link state routing that equitably distributes location server functionality among network nodes. Second, it is shown that location registration overhead per node for hierarchical location management is only logarithmic in the node count.
Nutrition, hydration, and dysphagia in long-term care: Differing opinions on the effects of aspiration.

Ojectives This study examined the management of aspiration in skilled nursing settings, by determining speech-language pathologists’ and nursing staff members’ agreement about aspiration, interventions, and impact on residents’ nutrition and hydration status, as determined by agreement scores on a questionnaire. Design Cross sectional descriptive. Setting Health care; skilled nursing facility. Participants Seventy-eight speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and 83 nursing caregivers. Intervention Participants completed a survey questionnaire requesting a level of agreement with statements about aspiration and interventions for aspiration. Questionnaires also included demographic questions for analysis purposes. Measurements Agreement scores on a modified Likert scale. Results There were no significant differences in agreement scores for SLPs by formal training or years of experience. Nurses showed differences by experience for 2 statements, and by level of certification for 3 statements. There were significant differences between responses for nurses and SLPs for 7 of the 10 items. Both groups demonstrated content knowledge that conflicts with principles documented in the medical literature. Conclusion Results suggest that both SLP and nursing training programs should include more evidence from multidisciplinary sources, specifically the medical literature, to improve the knowledge base of clinicians providing care to residents with swallowing disorders.
Analyzing the Effect of Bicycle Facilities on Commute Mode Share over Time

This study employs United States census data to analyze changes in bicycle commuting between 1990 and 2000 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. area. A variety of perspectives are used to understand the impact of newly created facilities. The evidence suggests that bicycle facilities significantly impact levels of bicycle commuting, although the results are not totally free of uncertainty. For example, areas near new bicycle facilities showed considerably more of an increase in bicycle mode share than areas farther away. Observing increased cycling due to these physical interventions provides a starting point to which future research could add detail that would be needed to guide infrastructure investment.
Ecclesiae Mercatorum and the Rise of Merchant Colonies

The incidence of churches as forerunners of merchant colonies in the Mediterranean is suggested in this exploratory study of medieval business and religion.
Towards sensitivity analysis of hybrid systems using simulink

In the design of engineered systems two types of models are used: (i) analysis models and (ii) system models. The system models are primary deliverables between design stages whereas analysis models are employed within a design stage. Sensitivity analysis studies the behavior of the system under small parameter variations which proves to be useful in design. To enable sensitivity analysis in verification of hybrid dynamic systems that model industry-size problems, support for simulation-based methods is desired. The computational semantics for simulation of corresponding analysis models must then be consistent with the computational semantics of the system models. A method is presented that enables direct sensitivity analysis on system models via an implementation in the Simulink(R) software. The approach relies on the existing ordinary differential equation solver of Simulink and the block-by-block analytic Jacobian computation to provide the analytic Jacobian for solving the sensitivity equations. Results of a prototype implementation show that sensitivity analysis can be applied to moderate size Simulink models of continuous and hybrid systems.
A Rogerian Process of Inquiry

This article presents a Rogerian process of inquiry that is proposed to be a creative and original method commensurate with the epistemological and ontological foundations of the science of unitary human beings and which supports the aim of Rogerian research to understand the nature of human evolution and its multiple, unpredictable potentialities. The development of this research methodology has been guided by Lincoln and Guba's (1985) paradigmatic approach to the identification of original processes of inquiry.
Induction of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) prevents neuregulin-induced demyelination by enhancing the proteasomal clearance of c-Jun

Modulating molecular chaperones is emerging as an attractive approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein aggregation, DPN (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) and possibly, demyelinating neuropathies. KU-32 [N-(7-((2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-8-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)acetamide] is a small molecule inhibitor of Hsp90 (heat shock protein 90) and reverses sensory deficits associated with myelinated fibre dysfunction in DPN. Additionally, KU-32 prevented the loss of myelinated internodes induced by treating myelinated SC (Schwann cell)-DRG (dorsal root ganglia) sensory neuron co-cultures with NRG1 (neuregulin-1 Type 1). Since KU-32 decreased NRG1-induced demyelination in an Hsp70-dependent manner, the goal of the current study was to clarify how Hsp70 may be mechanistically linked to preventing demyelination. The activation of p42/p44 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and induction of the transcription factor c-Jun serve as negative regulators of myelination. NRG1 activated MAPK, induced c-Jun expression and promoted a loss of myelin segments in DRG explants isolated from both WT (wild-type) and Hsp70 KO (knockout) mice. Although KU-32 did not block the activation of MAPK, it blocked c-Jun induction and protected against a loss of myelinated segments in WT mice. In contrast, KU-32 did not prevent the NRG1-dependent induction of c-Jun and loss of myelin segments in explants from Hsp70 KO mice. Overexpression of Hsp70 in myelinated DRG explants prepared from WT or Hsp70 KO mice was sufficient to block the induction of c-Jun and the loss of myelin segments induced by NRG1. Lastly, inhibiting the proteasome prevented KU-32 from decreasing c-Jun levels. Collectively, these data support that Hsp70 induction is sufficient to prevent NRG1-induced demyelination by enhancing the proteasomal degradation of c-Jun.
A rapid, vital staining procedure for flow cytometric analysis of human reticulocytes

A fluorescent staining procedure based upon thioflavin T is described. This dye permits rapid, vital, nonprecipitative staining of human reticulocytes. Flow cytometric analysis of thioflavin T stained whole blood specimens results in reticulocyte counts that correlate well with new methylene blue reticulocyte counts and give coefficients of variation approaching the theoretical limit. The shape of the fluorescence histogram is qualitatively similar to the reticulocyte age profile. Paired new methylene blue and thioflavin T reticulocyte counts are presented with illustrative cases of reticulocyte maturity distributions.
Early ribavirin pharmacokinetics, HCV RNA and alanine aminotransferase kinetics in HIV/HCV co-infected patients during treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin

Background/Aims We evaluated whether early ribavirin pharmacokinetics differ comparing hepatitis C/human immunodeficiency virus coinfected sustained virological responders and nonresponders. Methods Twenty-four treatment-naive coinfected patients received pegylated-interferon alfa-2b (12kDa) (1.5μg/kg) once weekly plus daily ribavirin (13.6mg/kg/d) for up to 48 weeks. Serum HCV RNA, serum alanine aminotransferase, and plasma ribavirin levels were measured frequently during the first 16 days of therapy and monthly thereafter. Results Six patients were sustained responders. During the first 4 weeks of treatment, median plasma ribavirin levels and area under the ribavirin curve were significantly lower ( p p p p =0.002) greater in sustained responders than nonresponders. At week 1, serum HCV RNA levels and changes in alanine aminotransferase levels relative to baseline could identify likely responders better than plasma ribavirin levels. Conclusions We conjecture that intracellular ribavirin accumulation may be enhanced early in treatment in coinfected sustained responders, although this hypothesis should be investigated further. At week 1, serum HCV RNA and changes in alanine aminotransferase levels relative to baseline might identify likely responders.
Gliomagenesis Arising from Pten- and Ink4a/Arf-Deficient Neural Progenitor Cells Is Mediated by the p53-Fbxw7/Cdc4 Pathway, Which Controls c-Myc

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor and may arise from a cell with neural stem-like properties. Deregulation of the retinoblastoma, phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), and p53 pathways are molecular hallmarks of this disease. Recent work has shown that p53(-/-)Pten(-/-) mice form gliomas in a c-Myc-dependent manner. To explore the role of the INK4A/ARF locus and Pten deletions in gliomagenesis, we generated Pten(-/-)Ink4a/Arf(-/-) mouse neural stem cells (mNSC) and such cells were highly proliferative, self-renewing, relatively refractory to differentiation, and induced both low- and high-grade glioma formation in vivo. In contrast to p53(-/-) Pten(-/-) mNSCs, however, Pten(-/-)Ink4a/Arf(-/-) mNSCs do not express appreciable levels of c-Myc in vitro, although glioma stem cells derived from thesecells did. Sequencing of Pten(-/-)Ink4a/Arf(-/-) mNSC-derived tumors revealed spontaneous mutations in Tp53 in vivo with subsequent downregulation of Fbxw7. Expression of p53 mutants in Pten(-/-)Ink4a/Arf(-/-) mNSC or knockdown of Fbxw7 resulted in reexpression of c-Myc with enhanced Pten(-/-)Ink4a/Arf(-/-) mNSC tumorigenecity. We propose that p53 mutations contribute to gliomagenesis by both allowing the overexpression of c-Myc through downregulation of Fbxw7 and by protecting against c-Myc-induced apoptosis.
Code book cipher system

A new system is proposed to enhance the security of a stream ciphering algorithm that is based on non-linear J-K flip flop networks (Pless's system). The new system incorporates a multiplexing algorithm with a Pseudorandom Number Generator (PNG) to generate a random sequence that is totally independent of the corresponding input sequence. This multiplexing algorithm can be achieved by using a 32 MByte Random Access Memory (RAM) code book filled with random sequences where the (25 bit) input sequence will specify the address of the output bytes. Although the RAM code book algorithm is very secure, another level of complexity is added using a non-linear arithmetic operation at the output stage where the message text (400 bits) will be added to a (320 bits) random key and then evaluated for a (320 bits) random base. Both, key and base, are generated by the code book which has a period of 10E110. The overall system is considered an NP-complete problem and it is very secure under plain-text attack. >
USA School Psychologists Characteristics, Role and Special Education Influence

USA school psychologists are described with regard to their employer, gender, age, race, professional membership, highest degree, title, certification and licensure. The role and function of school-based psychologists is then discussed in relation to recent changes, psychologist-student ratio, referral services used and student ethnicity. This is followed by consideration of the special education legislation and court decisions that have influenced the role of USA school psychologists.
A 20Gb/s Embedded Clock Transceiver in 90nm CMOS

A forwarded clock I/O link in 90nm CMOS is capable of passing data at 20Gb/s over 7-inches of FR4 with 2 sockets and packages at a power dissipation of less than 12mW/Gb/s. Passive distribution and AC coupling of the forwarded clock are used to achieve 820 fsrms of sample-time uncertainty. Nyquist rate channel losses in excess of -15dB are compensated using a combination of 4-tap transmit equalization and receiver continuous-time equalization
Attraction of Heliothis belladonna (Henry and Edwards) to the Sex Pheromone of the Corn Earworm Moth, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Several males of Heliothis belladonna (Henry and Edwards) were initially captured in traps baited with commercial pheromone lures for the corn earworm moth, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Significant numbers of H. belladonna moths were subsequently captured in traps baited with a 4-component blend of corn earworm pheromone composed of Z-11-hexadecenal, Z-9-hexadecenal, Z-7-hexadecenal, and hexadecenal, and with a 2-component blend composed of Z-9-hexadecenal and Z-11-hexadecenal. Males of H. belladonna were not captured in traps baited with Z-11-hexadecenal alone. Heliothis belladonna were captured in traps during March, April, and early May in eastern Washington, which is before monitoring of corn earworm by growers normally begins, and before the corn earworm flight is anticipated. Therefore, the capture of this non-target species is unlikely to be a problem for the monitoring of corn earworm moths.
Secondary mechanisms of diversification in the human antibody repertoire.

V(D)J recombination and somatic hypermutation (SHM) are the primary mechanisms for diversification of the human antibody repertoire. These mechanisms allow for rapid humoral immune responses to a wide range of pathogenic challenges. V(D)J recombination efficiently generate a virtually limitless diversity through random recombination of variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) genes with diverse nontemplated junctions between the selected gene segments. Following antigen stimulation, affinity maturation by SHM produces antibodies with refined specificity mediated by mutations typically focused in complementarity determining regions (CDRs), which form the bulk of the antigen recognition site. While V(D)J recombination and SHM are responsible for much of the diversity of the antibody repertoire, there are several secondary mechanisms that, while less frequent, make substantial contributions to antibody diversity including V(DD)J recombination (or D-D fusion), somatic-hypermutation-associated insertions and deletions, and affinity maturation and antigen contact by non-CDR regions of the antibody. In addition to enhanced diversity, these mechanisms allow the production of antibodies that are critical to response to a variety of viral and bacterial pathogens but that would be difficult to generate using only the primary mechanisms of diversification.
Expression of receptors for melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) in different tissues and cell lines.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a potent orexigenic neuropeptide and a physiological antagonist of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the brain as well as at peripheral sites, inclu...
Power and sample size evaluation for the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel mean score (Wilcoxon rank sum) test and the Cochran-Armitage test for trend.

The power of a chi-square test, and thus the required sample size, are a function of the noncentrality parameter that can be obtained as the limiting expectation of the test statistic under an alternative hypothesis specification. Herein, we apply this principle to derive simple expressions for two tests that are commonly applied to discrete ordinal data. The Wilcoxon rank sum test for the equality of distributions in two groups is algebraically equivalent to the Mann–Whitney test. The Kruskal–Wallis test applies to multiple groups. These tests are equivalent to a Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel mean score test using rank scores for a set of C-discrete categories. Although various authors have assessed the power function of the Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney tests, herein it is shown that the power of these tests with discrete observations, that is, with tied ranks, is readily provided by the power function of the corresponding Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel mean scores test for two and R > 2 groups. These expressions yield results virtually identical to those derived previously for rank scores and also apply to other score functions. The Cochran–Armitage test for trend assesses whether there is an monotonically increasing or decreasing trend in the proportions with a positive outcome or response over the C-ordered categories of an ordinal independent variable, for example, dose. Herein, it is shown that the power of the test is a function of the slope of the response probabilities over the ordinal scores assigned to the groups that yields simple expressions for the power of the test. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adverse effects of G-CSF in sickle cell syndromes

Though likely past kindergarten, it was nevertheless early on when I learned that sickle cell anemia is a disease of the red cell. In view of this simple principle, it was a nasty surprise to find that administering G-CSF to patients with sickle cell disease, a maneuver designed to affect white
A new design of tungsten carbide tools with diamond coatings

We have designed tungsten carbide tools with a new binder, which makes them suitable for advanced diamond tool coatings. The new tool substrates, made of tungsten carbide and nickel aluminide as binder phase, are produced by sintering and hot isostatic pressing, and also by combustion synthesis. The high temperature strength of nickel aluminide is key to superior tool performance at elevated temperatures. More importantly, nickel aluminides reduce the formation of graphite and promote diamond growth during chemical vapor deposition. Diamond films are deposited on the new tool substrates to investigate the nucleation density, adhesion, and wear resistance. The diamond coatings are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The graphitizing tendency due to cobalt in the tungsten carbide tools was found to be a limitation to improve adhesion of diamond films. The new tool substrates with nickel aluminide binder have been found to exhibit good adhesion and wear resistance. The implications of these results in advanced cutting tools are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 Materials Research Society.}
Lactate efflux from exercising human skeletal muscle: role of intracellular PO2.

It remains controversial whether lactate formation during progressive dynamic exercise from submaximal to maximal effort is due to muscle hypoxia. To study this question, we used direct measures of...
Seasonal Variation in Photosynthetic Rates Influences Success of an Invasive Plant, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Abstract Alliaria petiolata, an invasive biennial plant, actively grows and achieves high maximum rates of photosynthesis in early spring during its second growing season, when many indigenous ground layer species are still dormant and high levels of irradiance reach the forest floor. Alliaria petiolata also extends its growing season into the summer through stem elongation and production of new leaves that are adapted to ambient irradiance levels, unlike native deciduous forest spring ephemeral species or summer forbs. Photosynthetic rates for two populations of A. petiolata in a forest ground layer were measured in summer and fall of the plant's first growing season (1998) and in spring of the second growing season (1999). During the second growing season, estimates of native ground layer cover were made at 3–4 wk intervals from early April to late May. Maximum photosynthetic rates (AMax) were positively correlated (r2 = 0.791, df = 3, P = 0.0436) with mid-day irradiance reaching the forest ground layer...
Effects of dormant and growing season burning on surface fuels and potential fire behavior in northern Florida longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) flatwoods

Prescribed fire is widely used to manage fuels in high-frequency, low-severity fire regimes including pine flatwoods of the southeastern USA where prescribed burning during the growing season (the frost-free period during the calendar year) has become more common in recent decades. Growing season prescribed fires address ecological management objectives that focus on increasing herb cover and decreasing shrub cover. The shift from shrub to herb dominance due to burning in the growing season corresponds to a change in surface fuels that could affect fire behavior, yet little has been done to assess the potential effects. We examined the effects of season-of-burn on shrub and herbaceous fuel layers and predicted fire behavior at replicate plots on frequently burned mesic pine flatwoods for two season-of-burn treatments (growing and dormant season prescribed fires) in two geographic regions in northern Florida. The Fuel Characteristic Classification System was used to construct a representative fuelbed for each plot at each sampling time to predict fire behavior. Predicted fire behavior was tested for correlation with measured surface fuel properties to determine if there was an effect from differences in fuels characteristics across treatments. In addition, fire temperature was measured in situ as a proxy for fire intensity and tested for treatment effects on the re-growth of live surface fuels. Compared to single dormant season burns, our single growing season burns caused no changes to live understory fuels and had no detectable effect on fire behavior, although predicted rate of spread and flame length were significantly reduced after all prescribed burns. Shrub cover and predicted fire behavior were, however, significantly different between geographic regions, and shrub height was significantly affected by fire temperature. Predicted fire behavior was strongly correlated with measures of the litter and herb strata. Results from this study suggest that land managers should not initially expect large changes in understory fuel properties or potential fire behavior from a shift to burning during the growing season and show that geographic location and fire intensity had significant effects on live fuels and potential fire behavior.
Redesign of Glenn research center D1 flywheel module

Glenn Research Center has completed the redesign of the D1 flywheel module. The redesign includes a new rotor with a composite rim, motor/generator, touchdown bearings, sensors, and a magnetic actuator. The purpose of the relatively low cost module upgrade is to enable it to continuously operate throughout its speed range of 0-60,000 RPM. The module will be used as part of a combined attitude control and bus regulation experiment.
Numerical experiments of density driven CO2 saturated brine migration in heterogeneous two-dimensional geologic fabric materials

Abstract CO 2 geological sequestration has been recognized as potential solution for reducing anthropogenic atmospheric emissions. To better estimate the storage efficiency (capacity) of subsurface geologic formations and to understand the plume migration mechanism through porous geologic formations, this study performs numerical simulations of density driven CO 2 -saturated brine flow in highly resolved heterogeneous 2D fabrics. While large-scale convective currents driven by gravity have been cited as important for dissolution of CO 2 into brine, the impact of small-scale heterogeneity on the time scale of dissolution and final dissolved concentration is not well understood. Two aspects of small-scale geologic heterogeneity are examined here: 1) the correlation length of the sedimentary structures, or depositional fabric, of the material; and 2) grain size distribution (range of porosity and permeability). Twenty-seven clastic facies with three different fabrics were evaluated. These materials have variable horizontal correlation lengths (1:1 to 50:1) and range from extremely well sorted upper-coarse sand to very poorly sorted upper-coarse silt. We consider density contrast between CO 2 -saturated brine and initial brine as the main driving force of plume migration due to natural convection. Migration behaviors from both vertical and horizontal line sources are explored. The analysis is done using conservation of mass and momentum, governed by Darcy's law. Results show that effective convective migration is possible only in a limited range of facies at the scales investigated (100's sq. cm.).Only the extremely well and well-sorted coarse sands have mean permeability and porosity that exceed the critical Rayleigh number (≈ 4π 2 ). Results indicate that convective and dissolution processes are influenced primarily by the range in grain size (permeability), while the correlation length of the sedimentary fabric has minor effect.
Seizure burden in subarachnoid hemorrhage: “Time is brain” as well!

Seizures, predominantly nonconvulsive (NCSZ), complicate aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in about 10% of ruptures,1–3 with more seizures detected during continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring for more than 24 hours. Seizures, especially nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), as well as interictal and background findings,1 have been strongly associated with a worsened functional outcome,1–3 while factors impacting cognitive outcome after SAH differ slightly.
Uncovering the cultural dynamics in mentoring programs and relationships: Enhancing practice and research

In Uncovering the Cultural Dynamics in Mentoring Programs and Relationships: Enhancing Practice and Research, 38 international specialists presented a timely as well as gratifying academic book. To...
Nonlinear Transmission Lines Using Substrate Integrated Waveguides in LTCC

The generation and transmission of relatively short duration, broadband, peak pulse power bursts has numerous applications in the communications and defense sectors. In the past, nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) have been used to create such broadband pulses. While most NLTL designs are based on nonlinear capacitors or inductors arranged in a ladder network, the method presented here replaces the transmission line with a novel ferroelectric filled waveguide. When a large transient voltage is input to the guide the resulting electric field will cause the polarization field to move into the saturation region. This reduces the effective dielectric permittivity and thus the group velocity of the peak power portion of the wave is faster than all other portions of the pulse. This results in the middle portion of the pulse overtaking the leading edge and “piling-up” energy at the front edge of the pulse, creating what appears to be a temporal compression of the leading edge. The temporal compression results ...
Effect of skin or muscle incisions or the loss of blood on serum leucogenenol level.

SummaryIt has been found that damage to a tissue of a rabbit or a rat, such as results from a skin incision or an incision through the skin and muscles into the abdominal cavity, is followed 24 hr later by a significant increase in the concentration of leucogenenol in the animal's serum. Likewise, loss of approximately one-quarter to one-half of the blood in the circulation of rabbits or rats causes an increase 24 hr later in the animals'serum leucogenenol concentration.
Regional Composting of Residential Waste: An Economic Analysis

Paper and food are the two largest components of Maine's nonbulky residential waste stream, comprising approximately 33 and 28 percent, respectively. Given the large fractions which these two compostable components comprise, and the state's goal of reducing and recycling 50 percent of the state's waste, this preliminary analysis was carried out. Since size and location of a regional composting facility will impact both average processing as well as transportation costs, an approach was selected which could model both declining average processing costs as well as changes in transportation costs. A mixed integer linear programming model was developed which minimized waste management system costs allowing for the regional composting of organics. At present no cocollection of compostables with other waste is being conducted in the study area (Bangor, Maine). For modeling purposes, an upper and a lower level of increased costs for cocollection were used along with a wide range of waste tipping fees. The model ...
Fate of Tepa Uniformly Labeled with C14 in Male House Flies

Tepa uniformly labeled with C14 with a specific activity of 12 mc/mmole was used to study the metabolism and mechanism of sterilization in male house flies, Musca fomestica L. A wet-combustinon method was developed for C14-labeled compounds which gave quantitative recovery and reproducible results. The injection of C14-labeled tepa was adjusted to about 1 µg per male fly. Total recovery of radioactivity from treated flies and their excreta was almost quantitative; radioactivity in respiratory CO2 was only 0.75% of the injected dose during the first 12 hours. When male flies were allowed normal activities after an injection of about 1 µg of C14-labeled tepa, 50% of the dose was retained in the fly 5 hours after treatment. Radioactivity was present in treated flies as tepa or aziridinyl metabolites; radioactive metabolites in the excreta did not contain aziridinyl groups. Radiometric and colorimetric determinations indicated that treated flies retained about 9 and 5%, respectively, of the injected dose over prolonged periods. Radioactivity was transferred to female flies by copulation with treated males. Because this radioactivity was found within the female body and not on its surface, we concluded that the transfer was by copulation rather than by body contact. However, no detectable radioactivity was found in the sperm or the seminal fluid present in the spermathecae of inseminated females. An electron microscopic scrutiny of house fly sperm failed to reveal any structural changes brought about by the chemosterilant.
Regioregularity and Intrachain Ordering: Impact on the Nanostructure and Charge Transport in Two-Dimensional Assemblies of Poly(3-hexylthiophene)

The properties of supramolecular assemblies in conjugated macromolecular systems are strongly dependent on single chain effects. We report that differences in regioregularity (RR) of side chain attachment in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as small as ca. 4% are sufficient to induce dramatic changes in the electronic and morphological properties of the material. Casting the electronic absorption spectra in the framework of Spano’s model reveals that the conjugation length is surprisingly sensitive to RR, with differences in free exciton bandwidth between the two P3HT samples approaching 73 meV. The enhanced main chain planarization motivates a concomitant increase in nanofibril width as well as crystallinity observed in thin films of the higher RR variant. This observation correlates well with the field effect mobilities that are attenuated by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude in the lower RR polymer film. We suggest that the increased intrachain order coupled with a reduced fraction of grain boundaries in the hig...
An Unusual Presentation of Rhabdomyolysis in a Newly Diagnosed Sjögren’s Syndrome Associated Polymyositis

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious and potentially life-threatening syndrome due to rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers. Acquired and genetic causes should be investigated when patients present with rhabdomyolysis. In this article, we report a patient of polymyositis associated with Sjogren's syndrome, inducing rhabdomyolysis.
APPLICATION OF GENETIC ALGORITHM IN TRAIN LINE HOLDING

Train line holding of railway station is the complex problem of combination optimization.In this paper,the chromosome construction,fitness function of train holding is proposed,its genetic operation is designed,simulation of Shenyang Station is presented.There is important in railway station automatic sys- tem.
Motivated open-mindedness: Rectify biased perceptions in preparation for deliberation

The research on naive realism suggests that people have a tendency of impugning opponents’ cognitive biases and interacting with them in conflict-escalating approaches. Taking this to be a basic in...
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins and the Skeleton

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the current understanding of how bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) work to regulate bone formation during skeletal development and postnatal skeletal growth, in maintaining bone mass, and during bone repair. In the 20 years since the identification of the BMP genes, it has become clear that BMPs are involved in almost every aspect of bone biology. Although human clinical studies have proven that BMPs are safe and efficacious bone-inducing agents when added exogenously to sites undergoing repair, very little is known about the normal physiological roles endogenous BMPs play in skeletal tissues. This chapter highlights the current understanding of the skeletal actions of endogenous BMPs and discusses how this understanding is likely to define new clinical roles for BMPs. BMP activity is required to maintain normal bone function in the adult skeleton because generalized loss of BMPs through overexpression of BMP antagonists by osteoblasts leads to osteopenia, bone fragility, and spontaneous fracture. BMP activity found in bone declines with age, and this decrease correlates with the observation that osteoprogenitors are less effective at replicating, differentiating into osteoblasts, and laying down bone matrix in older animals. Several important questions still remain to be addressed, including why BMP therapeutics must be used in microgram amounts in the clinic whereas endogenous BMPs are active at far lower levels, and how BMP signals are integrated with other kinds of signals to maintain skeletal homeostasis.
Comparison of the prevalence of Toxocara egg shedding by pet cats and dogs in the U.S.A., 2011–2014

Abstract County based prevalence maps were produced using the annual data from the years 2011 through 2014 of the prevalence of Toxocara egg shedding in more than 500,000 pet cat and 2.5 million pet dog fecal samples submitted to centralized testing laboratories. Fecal examination results were obtained at these centers through examination of the samples by centrifugal floatation and microscopy, and were previously reported as annual data on the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) website. The county maps were generated with mapping and spatial analysis software, and statistical comparisons made using two data analysis packages. The national prevalence of eggs in the feces of pet cats and dogs during this four-year period was 4.6–5.1% and 1.8–2.0%, respectively. Thus, Toxocara cati and Toxocara canis remain considerably prevalent and geographically distributed in our pet populations in spite of the availability of effective and safe treatments. Furthermore, pet cats are found to be shedding Toxocara eggs more commonly than pet dogs. This trend was especially evident in the Northeastern, Midwestern and Southern regions of the U.S.A. when prevalence rates of fecal shedding for cats and dogs in different regions were compared using general linear modeling. In spite of this, fecal endoparasite examination tests for cats comprise only 16–17.6% of the total number of samples annually requested in this data set. This high prevalence of egg shedding poses a significant public health risk, as emphasized by the recent naming of toxocariasis to the list of the top five neglected parasitic infections of Americans. Therefore, it is essential for veterinarians to continue to stress to owners the importance of routine anthelmintic treatment for pets of all ages, and to place greater emphasis on the importance of testing and treatment of parasitic infections in cats.
Women in Relationship with Bisexual Men: Bi Men By Women, by Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli

Life is short, don't overanalyze things or agonize over them …Set some rules, boundaries, and listen to your heart …Not all marriages are meant to last,it has to be a win-win situation for both of ...
Drugs and Medical Devices: Adverse Events and the Impact on Women's Health

A large number of medications and medical devices removed from the market by the US Food and Drug Administration over the past 4 decades specifically posed greater health risks to women. This article reviews the historical background of sex and gender in clinical research policy and describes several approved drugs and devices targeted for use in women that have caused major morbidity and mortality. The intended population for the medications and devices, population affected, approval process, and the basic and legal actions taken against the medication/drug company are also discussed. It is recognized that women are still at risk for harm from unsafe medications and devices, and continued improvements in legislation that promotes inclusion of sex and gender into the design and analysis of research will improve safety for both men and women.