cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution and Inheritance of Hemoglobin Variants in American Cattle

Summary The relative frequencies and genetic determination of the two electrophoretically distinguishable adult bovine hemoglobin types were investigated in a large sample drawn from a number of different breeds and sources. Electrophoretic studies of hemoglobins from 121 males and 646 females, representing nine cattle breeds, indicate that the Ayrshire, Holstein, Angus, Hereford, and Milking Shorthorn breeds probably have only Type A hemoglobin; whereas, the Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Jersey, and Sindhi breeds have both Type A and Type B. An analysis of hemoglobin types among progeny from parents of known types substantiates the theory that the occurrence of these two types of hemoglobin is genetically determined by a pair of codominant alleles—HbA, determining Type A, and HbB, determining Type B. Estimates of the frequeney of HbB among the major dairy breeds are: Ayrshire—0.000, Holstein—0.000, Guernsey—0.116, Brown Swiss—0.117, Jersey—0.333. No gross physiological differences have been observed to be correlated with differences in hemoglobin type. The trait may be of some practical value in parentage determination and in the tracing of breed origins. The most significant feature of these results is that they represent a further demonstration of single-gene determination of a protein specificity.
Belts of Eruptive Centers in the Absaroka-Gallatin Volcanic Province, Wyoming-Montana

Two northwest-trending belts of eruptive centers, termed the Eastern Absaroka belt and the Western Absaroka belt, extend northwestward from the southeastern part of the Absaroka Range through the Gallatin Range. The belts were evidently zones of crustal weakness dating from Laramide or earlier time and lasting into the early Tertiary, when they served as conduits for volcanic and intrusive rocks of the Absaroka-Gallatin volcanic field. Igneous rocks of the Eastern Absaroka belt are more potassic than those of the Western Absaroka belt.
GTP-preferring protein phosphorylation systems in brain membranes: possible role in adenylate cyclase regulation.

Abstract Preincubation of brain membranes with GTP under phosphorylating conditions resulted in activation of adenylate cyclase which withstood sedimentation and washing. Investigation into the possible mechanism(s) underlying this activation revealed that these membranes contain endogenous systems which prefer to utilize GTP, rather than ATP, in the phosphorylation of specific protein substrates with apparent M.W. of 54K and 33K. This activity is highly stimulated by Mn++ ions, inhibited by cyclic AMP and independent of Ca++. Triton-X-100 extracts of brain membranes, which contain the catalytic and regulatory subunits of adenylate cyclase, were found to be enriched in endogenous activity which phosphorylated the 54K protein with GTP, but not ATP. These findings provide a means for direct testing of the hypothesis that protein phosphorylation plays a role in adenylate cyclase regulation.
Simultaneous rapid-scan infrared spectroscopy and temperature profiling during fast thermal decomposition reactions

A new experiment is described to advance the mechanistic description of fast thermal decomposition chemistry related to preignition and ignition. The technique is illustrated with data for ethylenediammonium dinitrate which displays separable thermochemical events in the condensed phase that correlate with the nature of the products evolved to the gas phase.
Black-White Differences in Attitudes toward Homosexuality and Gay Rights

Black homophobia has been cited as a contributing factor in slowing mobilization against AIDS in the African-American community, as an obstacle to black lesbians and gay men in coming to terms with their sexuality, and as a challenge to the legitimacy of the gay rights movement. Yet evidence that blacks are more homophobic than whites is quite limited. This article uses responses from almost seven thousand blacks and forty-three thousand whites in 31 surveys conducted since 1973 to give more definitive answers on black-white attitudinal differences and their demographic roots. Despite their greater disapproval of homosexuality, blacks' opinions on sodomy laws, gay civil liberties, and employment discrimination are quite similar to whites' opinions, and African Americans are more likely to support laws prohibiting antigay discrimination. Once religious and educational differences are controlled, blacks remain more disapproving of homosexuality but are moderately more supportive of gay civil liberties and markedly more opposed to antigay employment discrimination than are whites. Yet religion, education, gender, and age all have weaker impacts on black than on white attitudes, suggesting that black and white attitudes have different roots
Conservation of the name Tyrophagus putrescentiae, a medically and economically important mite species (Acari: Acaridae)

It was recently demonstrated that the taxonomic concept of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank, 1781), an ubiquitous, agriculturally and medically important mite species, involved two closely related...
Syntax Map: A Modeling Language for Capturing Requirements of Graphical DSML

Domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) are designed to model particular domains of interest using graphical, textual, or mixed syntax. Although most met modeling tools offer an environment that automates several language development tasks, there is still a lack of support for aiding the domain expert to capture the requirements of a graphical DSML. We introduce the Syntax Map as an approach to address the challenges of graphical DSML requirements specification. It is designed to aid domain experts in describing a first-class graphical DSML requirement using a set of graphical notations. In addition, the Syntax Map can be used to generate a met model by means of model transformations. This short paper motivates the need for the Syntax Map, provides several brief examples, and discusses lessons learned in our investigation of this approach.
Applied Social Science, Policy Science, and the Federal Government:

This article examines competing strategies for supporting and utilizing applied social science and the policy sciences in public decisions and program operations. It argues that tension and conflict are the normal, expected state of affairs between decision makers and the social science and policy science communities. This is so because of very different strategic perspectives governing the scientific standing, decision utility, and political "morality"of applied social research and policy research. The article suggests conflict can be dampened, but never completely eliminated, by two things: (1) sequential research designs that simultaneously produce both partial scientific truths and information useful to decision makers, and (2) more attention to overall quality control and utilization possibilities. However, such improvements require changes in the incentive and value systems of social scientists, policy scientists, and decision makers. The engineering of change m these three communities is itself a f...
Acute Changes in Leucine and Phenylalanine Kinetics Produced by Parenteral Nutrition in Premature Infants

To determine the effect of parenteral nutrition on the balance and catabolism of leucine (by oxidation) and phenylalanine (by hydroxylation) and to assess any acute changes in proteolysis and/or protein synthesis, leucine and phenylalanine kinetics were measured by stable isotope tracer infusions in nine 32-wk gestation premature infants under both basal conditions and in response to an i.v. infusion of glucose, lipid, and amino acids. Leucine and phenylalanine balance both changed from negative to positive during parenteral nutrition. However, leucine and phenylalanine catabolism were differently affected by parenteral nutrition; the rate of leucine oxidation increased 2-fold, whereas the rate of phenylalanine hydroxylation was unchanged from basal values. Phenylalanine utilization for protein synthesis and leucine utilization for protein synthesis (based on both plasma leucine andα-ketoisocaproic acid enrichments) increased significantly during parenteral nutrition. The endogenous rates of release of leucine (based on plasma leucine enrichment) and phenylalanine (both reflecting proteolysis) were significantly reduced during parenteral nutrition. The endogenous rate of release of leucine (based on α-ketoisocaproic acid enrichment) was slightly but not significantly lower during parenteral nutrition. The substantial increase in leucine oxidation without changes in phenylalanine hydroxylation suggests a possible limitation in the phenylalanine/tyrosine supply during parenteral nutrition. In addition, these results suggest that premature infants respond to parenteral nutrition with acute increases in whole body protein synthesis as well as a probable reduction in proteolysis.
Strength Evaluation and Fatigue Prediction of a Spur Gear Pair by Computer Simulation

Fatigue prediction of a three-dimensional mechanical component under dynamic load is critical for mechanical design. In this paper, computer simulation of three-dimensional dynamic stress followed by fatigue calculation was performed on a spur-gear pair using finite element modeling. Starting from gear pair geometry and operating conditions, the time histories of the dynamic loads and multi-axial stresses for a complete working cycle of a gear tooth were computed, and then post processed to produce fatigue strength information. Along with certain material properties obtained from experiments, this computer simulated fatigue design provides a useful tool for predicting fatigue failure of mechanical components.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Effects of continuous chlorination on spat of the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Newly settled spat of the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) exhibited reduced survival and growth when exposed to chronic chlorination (as Na-OCl). Spat exposed to nominal concentrations of 0.250 and 0.500 mg per 1 chlorine-produced oxidant (CPO) had only 20% survival after 12 weeks, compared to 64% survival in controls. Spat growth was retarded by nominal concentrations as low as 0.125 mg per I CPO. Shell height of control oysters increased 103% after 12 weeks, while spat exposed to 0.125 mg per I CPO grew 39% and spat exposed to 0.250 mg per I CPO had no net growth. Surviving spat exposed to 0.500 mg per I CPO showed an apparent growth increase of 160%, due mainly to heavy mortality among smaller-sized spat. The numbers of spat (whether surviving or not) that showed any growth over the 12-week exposure period decreased with increasing chlorine concentration. Larger spat were found to be more resistant than smaller spat to increased chlorination. The mechanism of growth inhibition in spat (mantle retraction and cessation of feeding) appeared to be similar to that found in adult oysters exposed to chlorine.
Neural network and fuzzy models for real-time control of a CVD epitaxial reactor

Controlling variability at each of the several processing steps in a wafer fabrication facility is a key concern for a semiconductor manufacturer. All the variables controlling the desired output must be understood and optimized for high yield. In addition, the process controller must be quick and responsive. For typical semiconductor manufacturing processes, which are very complex, designing an effective controller meeting these requirements is a challenging job. Several process control techniques are being pursued. In one of the common approaches, the statistical model based on empirical data and linear models such as auto-regression and moving averages are used. However, these models represent a complex process only in relatively small neighborhoods in the state space. Another approach is to use artificial neural network and fuzzy logic techniques to produce non-linear process models for real time process control. This paper provides a comparison of these different techniques for application to semiconductor manufacturing. The specific process chosen is the CVD-epitaxial deposition of silicon in a horizontal reactor. Analytical model is used to generate data under simulated production conditions. The input parameters are inlet concentration of silane, inlet velocity, susceptor temperature, and the downstream position. The output is the silicon deposition rate. Eighty four data sets are used to train both the neural net and fuzzy logic models. These models are then used to predict the output as a function of input parameters for fourteen additional data sets. A comparison of these predictions with the physical model's computational results and the experimental data shows good agreement. Further work is in progress to fully exploit the potential of physico-neural and physico-fuzzy models for run-to- run real-time process control.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Aspartate transcarbamylase is not a ping-pong enzyme

Abstract Previously published steady-state kinetic and isotope exchange data clearly indicated that aspartate transcarbamylase from Escherichia coli catalyzes its reaction by a sequential rather than a ping-pong mechanism. The recent suggestion by Kurtin, Bishop and Himoe (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 45 , 551 (1971)) that the previous evidence was insufficient led us to perform a direct test for carbamylation of the enzyme by carbamyl-P. Aspartate transcarbamylase is not labeled by 14C-carbamyl-P, ruling out a ping-pong mechanism even more emphatically than before.
Qualitative behaviour of solutions of the Goursat problem for hyperbolic differential equations

Abstract Oscillation criteria and asymptotic behavior of solutions of characteristic initial-value problems have been extended to the Goursat problem.
Homology between coding and noncoding sequences within the human class I HLA antigen gene

In our previous paper, we identified 32 recurring base oligomers (1 decamer, 4 octamers, 9 heptamers and 18 hexamers) within the coding sequence for the mouse class I major histocompatibility (MHC) antigen H-2Kb. The compilation of these recurring base oligomers led to the conclusion that the entire ancestral coding sequence for class I MHC antigens evolved from tandem repeats of the one 45 base-long primordial building block base sequence. As with most other mammalian genes, the gene for each class I MHC antigen is an admixture of coding and noncoding segments interspersed with each other. Thus, the status of noncoding segments should be clarified in relation to the concept of the primordial building block. The published 4,122 base-long sequence of human pHLA 12.4 germline gene afforded me an opportunity for clarification. Since the number of recurring base oligomers residing within the entire 4,000 +base-long sequence proved unmanageably numerous, the two portions 1,200 bases in the total length were singled out. Within these portions containing five noncoding and four coding segments, noncoding and coding segments shared 1 nonomer, 3 octamers, 6 heptamers and 5 hexamers; all the above-noted base oligomers were derived from different parts of the same 45 base-long primordial building block. It was thus concluded that not only the coding segments, but the entire ancestral gene for class I MHC antigens evolved from tandem repeats of the 45-base-long primordial building block. This new concept of primordial building block was discussed in relation to the mechanism of evolution by gene duplication.
Longitudinal association of initiation/perseveration and severity of geriatric depression.

Objective Many older adults with major depression (MDD) present with impairment in initiation and perseveration (IP) tests. However, it remains unclear how these abnormalities change during the course of depression. Methods The authors studied the longitudinal covariation of depression severity and IP functioning in 157 depressed older adults with MDD. Patients with and without baseline IP impairment were studied on three occasions over 1 year. Results Depression severity was associated with concurrent IP scores; however, despite IP improvement, those with impaired baseline IP functioning did not reach the level of their non-impaired counterparts. Conclusion The persistence of IP abnormalities suggests that these patients require careful treatment planning and follow-up, given that earlier studies noted an association of abnormal IP with disability and poor outcomes of depression treatment.
The effect of increase in baggage weight on elderly women's lower extremity muscle activation during gait

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of increased baggage weight on the muscle activation of elderly women's lower extremities during gait. A total of 24 elderly women who were residing in communities in Daegu, South Korea aged 79.6 ± 6.2, 149.7 ± 7.0 cm in height, and 53.5 ± 7.2 kg in weight participated in this study. The muscle activation of each muscle was measured three times at 2 kg, 3 kg, and 4 kg of baggage weight while the subjects were conducting treadmill walking wearing backpacks. Electrodes were placed on four muscles: the quadriceps muscle (rectus femoris), the hamstring muscle (semitendinosus), the tibialis anterior muscle, and the soleus muscle. The results show that the rates of increase in muscle activation in the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles according to baggage weight increase were higher than those in the quadriceps and hamstring muscles (
Six Types of Multistability in a Neuronal Model Based on Slow Calcium Current

Background Multistability of oscillatory and silent regimes is a ubiquitous phenomenon exhibited by excitable systems such as neurons and cardiac cells. Multistability can play functional roles in short-term memory and maintaining posture. It seems to pose an evolutionary advantage for neurons which are part of multifunctional Central Pattern Generators to possess multistability. The mechanisms supporting multistability of bursting regimes are not well understood or classified. Methodology/Principal Findings Our study is focused on determining the bio-physical mechanisms underlying different types of co-existence of the oscillatory and silent regimes observed in a neuronal model. We develop a low-dimensional model typifying the dynamics of a single leech heart interneuron. We carry out a bifurcation analysis of the model and show that it possesses six different types of multistability of dynamical regimes. These types are the co-existence of 1) bursting and silence, 2) tonic spiking and silence, 3) tonic spiking and subthreshold oscillations, 4) bursting and subthreshold oscillations, 5) bursting, subthreshold oscillations and silence, and 6) bursting and tonic spiking. These first five types of multistability occur due to the presence of a separating regime that is either a saddle periodic orbit or a saddle equilibrium. We found that the parameter range wherein multistability is observed is limited by the parameter values at which the separating regimes emerge and terminate. Conclusions We developed a neuronal model which exhibits a rich variety of different types of multistability. We described a novel mechanism supporting the bistability of bursting and silence. This neuronal model provides a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of networks with neurons possessing different types of multistability.
Health care resource utilization associated with a diabetes center and a general medicine clinic

OBJECTIVE: Studies have proposed that the features of diabetes clinics may decrease hospital utilization and costs by reducing complications and providing more efficient outpatient care. We compared the health care utilization associated with a diabetes center (DC) and a general medicine clinic (GMC).
Low-temperature anomalous specific heat without tunneling modes: A simulation for a-Si with voids

Using empirical potential molecular dynamics we compute dynamical matrix eigenvalues and eigenvectors for a 4096 atom model of amorphous silicon and a set of models with voids of different sizes based on it. This information is then employed to study the localization properties of the low-energy vibrational states, calculate the specific heat $C(T),$ and examine the low-temperature properties of our models usually attributed to the presence of tunneling states in amorphous silicon. The results of our calculations for $C(T)$ and ``excess specific-heat bulge'' in the ${C(T)/T}^{3}$ vs T graph for voidless $a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$ appear to be in good agreement with experiment; moreover, our investigation shows that the presence of localized low-energy excitations in the vibrational spectrum of our models with voids strongly manifests itself as a sharp peak in ${C(T)/T}^{3}$ dependence at $Tl3 \mathrm{K}.$ To our knowledge this is the first numerical simulation that provides adequate agreement with experiment for the very-low-temperature properties of specific heat in disordered systems within the limits of harmonic approximation.
Sibling relationships and internalizing symptoms of youth in foster care

Abstract Compared to the sibling literature of the general population, little is known about sibling relationships of youth in foster care. The current study aimed to report on sibling relationships among youth in foster care, and investigate the potential protective nature of sibling relationships of those who have experienced trauma on the expression of internalizing symptoms among a nationally representative sample of 152 adolescents in foster care. Results indicated that the large majority of the sample was currently separated from their sibling. Of those who were not living with their sibling, nearly three quarters saw their sibling monthly or less frequently with one third of the sample reporting never having any contact with their sibling. In addition, bootstrapping methods were used to determine if sibling relationships mediated the effect of trauma on internalizing symptoms. Results indicated that a positive sibling relationship significantly mediated this relationship. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Crystallization Kinetics of Glyme-LiX and PEO-LiX Polymer Electrolytes

The crystallization kinetics of oligomeric polyethers (glymes) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with a wide range of lithium salts including LiBETI, LiTFSI, LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiClO4, LiI, LiBF4, LiCF3SO3, LiNO3, and LiCF3CO2 have been examined in detail. Wide variations exist between the rates of crystallization of the phases. These variations are strongly dependent upon the lithium salt present and are well correlated with the ionic association behavior of the different lithium salts in aprotic solvents.
Pre-Chemiluminescent biexponential degradation of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate in hydrogen peroxide-acetonitrile

Abstract The pre-chemiluminescent hydrogen peroxide-bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate reaction has been studied in order to understand better its role in peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence. The reaction is shown to be first order in each reactant. An unusual biexponential degradation of the oxalate occurs which suggests that it exists in solution as two conformations that react with hydrogen peroxide at different rates. Inclusion of the fluorophor 9,10-diphenylanthracene does not affect the reaction rate.
Getting even with one's supervisor and one's organization: relationships among types of injustice, desires for revenge, and counterproductive work behaviors

I tested hypotheses derived from the agent–system model of justice specifying that, among the different types of justice, interpersonal and informational justice explain the most unique variance in counterproductive work behavior (CWB) directed toward one's supervisor, and procedural justice explains the most unique variance in CWB directed toward one's organization. I also tested whether individuals' desires for revenge against one's supervisor and one's organization mediate certain justice–CWB relationships. Results (N = 424) provided considerable support for the study hypotheses, showing that employees tend to direct their CWB toward the source of perceived mistreatment, and that desires for revenge explain part, but not all, of the relationships between some types of injustice and CWB. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of the duration of severe hypothyroidism and aging on the metabolic clearance rate of thyrotropin (TSH) and the pituitary TSH response to TSH-releasing hormone.

We have studied the effects of the duration of severe hypothyroidism (thyroidectomy) and aging on the pituitary TSH response to exogenous TRH and the TSH MCR in female rats. Rats were thyroidectomized (THYREX) or sham operated (SHAM) 4, 14, or 68 days before experimentation. All rats were prepared with chronic intraatrial catheters through which TRH (0, 250, or 1000 μg/100 g BW) or [125I]TSH was administered, and sequential blood samples were obtained. The MCR of TSH was determined in each group from the plasma disappearance curves of injected [125I]iodo-TSH and were found to be decreased in 4-day-THYREX [0.23 ± 0.01 (±se) vs. 0.27 ± 0.01 ml/min·100 g; P < 0.05], but not in 14-day-THYREX or 68-day-THYREX rats compared with age-matched SHAM controls. In addition, the TSH MCR was found to be decreased in 68-day-SHAM compared to 4- or 14-day-SHAM rats (0.15 ± 0.01 vs. 0.27 ± 0.01 ml/min·100 g; P < 0.05). The amount of TSH secreted (MCR·area under Δ plasma TSH curve·BW) in response to each dose of TRH was cal...
Education and career paths for data scientists

MOTIVATION: As industry and science are increasingly data-driven, the need for skilled data scientists is exceeding what our universities are producing. According to a Mckinsey report: "By 2018, the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills". Similarly, the ability to extract knowledge from scientific data is accelerating discovery and we need the next generation of domain scientists to be experts not only in their domain but also in data management. At the same time, however, researchers in academia who focus on building instruments or data management tools are often less recognized for their contributions than researchers focusing purely on the actual science.OVERVIEW: The goal of this panel will be to discuss all these challenges. We will discuss various aspects of how we should be educating both the emerging "data science" experts and the next generation of database and domain science experts. The panel will also discuss career paths for researchers who choose to specialize in developing new methods and tools for Big Data management in domain sciences, with recommendations for how we should better support these less traditional career paths.
The evolution strategy applied to drag minimization on a body of revolution

Abstract A new optimization method, the evolution strategy, has been applied to a problem in hydrodynamics. This procedure was developed to describe biological change but has application in many areas. The approach is to make small random changes in parameters describing the problem. In this illustration of the use of the method, a minimum drag shape for an axisymmetric body placed in a uniform flow parallel to its axis is sought. Small random changes in the parameters which describe the body shape are made. A performance parameter, the drag coefficient, is evaluated for each set of changes. A significant decrease in drag coefficient was found as a result of applying the evolution strategy.
Infrared thermography and FTIR studies of catalyst preparation effects on surface reaction dynamics during CO and ethylene oxidation on Rh/SiO2 catalysts

Abstract The use of infrared imaging has shown the spatial nature of non-uniform behavior on Rh/SiO 2 catalysts that could previously only be inferred through isolated thermocouple measurements at various points on the catalyst wafer. Catalysts prepared by different methods show different dynamic behavior.
Spectral characterization of biological aerosol particles using two-wavelength excited laser-induced fluorescence and elastic scattering measurements

A two-wavelength laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) instrument has been developed and used to characterize individual biological aerosol particles, including biological warfare (BW) agent surrogates. Fluorescence in discrete spectral bands from widely different species, and also from similar species under different growth conditions were measured and compared. The two-wavelength excitation approach was found to increase discrimination among several biological materials, and especially with respect to diesel exhaust particles, a common interferent for LIF BW detection systems. The spectral characteristics of a variety of biological materials and ambient air components have been studied as a function of aerosol particle size and incident fluence.
Giant magnetoresistance in 60–150-nm-wide pseudo-spin-valve nanowires

The magnetic and magnetotransport properties exhibited by arrays of 60–150-nm-wide pseudo-spin-valve (PSV) nanowires have been investigated. The starting PSV thin film consisted of sputtered NiFe (6 nm)/Cu(3.7 nm)/Co(3 nm)/Cu(3 nm), exhibiting a room temperature giant magnetoresistance (GMR) ratio of 2.5%. Large area arrays of 150-, 80-, and 60-nm-wide nanowires were patterned from this PSV film using a combination of interference lithography and ion milling. The effects of reducing the width of the wires are a monotonic decrease in the GMR ratio and the saturation magnetization, and an increase of both the resistivity of the wires and the average switching fields of the magnetic layers. On cooling the samples to 77 K, the resistivity decreases slightly and the GMR amplitude increases independently of the width of the wires. These results suggest the presence of a disordered region at the edges of the wires as a result of processing, which increases the resistivity and decreases the saturation magnetizati...
Atomic structures on faceted W(111) surfaces induced by ultrathin films of Pd

Abstract The faceting of Pd W (111) surfaces has been studied using a Scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Three-sided pyramidal facets having {211} faces with dimensions ranging from ∼3 to 15 nm can be induced by ultrathin Pd films (≥ 1 monolayer), upon annealing to 700 K or higher. From atomic-resolution STM-images of these surfaces, we obtain direct confirmation of the {211} structure on individual facets of the 3-sided pyramids. In addition, the atomic structure of the facet edges indicates that edge energy may play a role in faceting. When the as-deposited coverage of Pd is greater than the critical value (∼ 1 monolayer) for inducing faceting, the extra Pd atoms diffuse to form 3-dimensional clusters, some with discernible crystalline structures, upon annealing.
A nosocomial outbreak of ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type b in a geriatric unit.

A nosocomial outbreak of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bronchitis occurred in a geriatric unit. The three infected patients were grouped together in an isolation unit and treated. A prevalence survey was done by obtaining pharyngeal cultures from patients and staff in the unit. One patient and a nurse were asymptomatic pharyngeal carriers of Hib. One infected patient was bedridden, and his only known Hib contact was the nurse. Geographic clustering was the only significant risk factor, as determined by a case-control study. Carriers were treated with rifampin. The isolates were characterized for strain relatedness by using three methods. All produced i-lactamase and all were serotype b. Plasmid profiles and restriction endonuclease analysis of bacterial DNA were performed; chromosomes were digested with the restriction endonucleases HindIIIl and HaeIII. Strains were confirmed as identical by using these methods and were different from two Hib control strains producing 1-lactamase. This study documents nosocomial transmission of Hib, by using molecular typing methods.
Increasing Independence in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of Three Focused Interventions

The features of autism that inhibit the independent demonstration of skills, as well as three effective interventions for increasing independence, are explored in this review article. Independent performance may prove difficult for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) due to the core deficits of the disability, as well as executive function deficits that impact initiation and generalization. These difficulties, coupled with intervention strategies that encourage over-reliance on adult support, contribute to poor long term outcomes for adults with ASD in employment, housing, and relationship development. Self-monitoring, video modeling, and individual work systems each emphasize a shift in stimulus control from continuous adult management to an alternative stimulus and have proven successful in addressing executive function deficits and increasing independence.
Discourse ok revisited: default organization in verbal interaction☆

Abstract It is proposed that the association of ok with expected transitions in interaction reflects a fundamental organization of language behavior based on default understandings. The behavior of discourse ok and two additional examples of default organization in interaction are presented. Default verification, the assumption that participants in conversation mutually comprehend the discourse, contrasts with the verification potential of discourse ok . Ok can be used to show understanding in the sense of Schegloff (1982) by marking a mutually verifiable property of the discourse. By marking the current state of the talk as a routine transition, discourse ok is maximally informative and broadly applicable to many contexts, while requiring few linguistic and cognitive resources. Another example of default organization is the default sequencing of functions in discourse routines. Quantitative evidence is presented for the claim that discourse ok occurs at the boundaries of decision routines in decision making interactions. Evidence is also presented for the claim that the orientation of ok to expected events contrasts with the occurrence of well at transitions that are not expected. It is concluded that discourse ok participates in a default organization of language behavior that distinguishes unmarked, routine sequences and marked, nonroutine departures from expected events.
The effects of preoperative resorption and jaw anatomy on implant success. A report of 303 cases

The purpose of this paper is to report the outcome of 1097 consecutively implanted endosteal implants (Branemark) into 303 jaws, between September 1983 and May 1990. All implants were placed using the prescribed technique suggested by manufacturer, and were restored either with fixed or removable prosthesis. Alveolar bone resorption (quantity) was scored from lesser to greater degree by assigning a value of 1-5 to each jaw, and jaw anatomy was scored from 1-4, based on decreasing cortical and cancellous bone quality. The data were separated into fixed and removable prosthesis and analyzed to determine the correlation between success and the scored resorption and jaw anatomy, as well as implant position. Assessment demonstrated a maxillary success rate of 93.4% and a mandibular success rate of 97.2% over a 36-month period (mean). Results of correlations of success with jaw anatomy for both fixed and removable prosthesis revealed that bone quality 4 exhibited the greatest failure rate. Preoperative resorption values (1-5) had little effect on failure, and quality appears to influence failure more than quantity.
Composition, structure and dynamics of Dysart Woods, an old-growth mixed mesophytic forest of southeastern Ohio

Abstract Dysart Woods is a 23 ha old-growth remnant of mixed mesophytic vegetation located in southeastern Ohio, USA. A designation of mixed mesophytic for this forest has historically been difficult, in part due to the abundance of white oak (Quercus alba); however, the dominance of a variety of other hardwoods prevents a simple oak forest designation. Using two 0.35 ha plots on opposing north- and south-facing slopes, we describe the structure and composition of the overstory, understory, and soils, 30 years after their first examination. In 1970, the woods was dominated by beech (Fagus grandifolia), white oak, and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) — historically, the three most abundant species in this region. At that time, white oak was only present in the largest size classes, was not regenerating, and was predicted to decline in importance through succession. These patterns continue today suggesting that inferences made via overstory–understory relations in regards to forest succession are relatively robust over this time period. Beech and maple have increased in importance; white oak has decreased in importance due to mortality in the larger size classes and decreasing density due to regeneration failure. Coarse woody debris distributions correlated strongly with living stem species’ composition and structure implying an equilibrium balance. CWD volume and frequency were dominated by Quercus spp. A detailed analysis of forest health showed that all oak species were in severe decline. The oaks are in a disease decline spiral affiliated with a variety of pre-disposing and inciting factors which include their advanced age (>300 years), their large size (> 100 cm DBH), topography, chronic air pollution, drought, and Armillaria root rot fungus. Ca:Al molar ratios in the soil are also extremely low (
Point Splitting Regularization of Classical String Field Theory

Abstract We regulate Witten's star algebra using point splitting and conformal field theory techniques. Certain products of nonassociative operators and states are defined. This involves a refinement of star that exists in cases where Witten's star is ill-defined. A simple derivation of a recently discovered associativity anomaly is given. It is shown that there is no anomaly obstructing the equivalence of Witten's string theory action and the cubic action for string fields in the open string Fock space.
The effects of pomegranate extract on blood flow, vessel diameter, and exercise tolerance

Background During exercise, the demand for oxygen and energy substrates is elevated in active skeletal muscle. Supplements with high nitrate and polyphenol content have been shown to increase nitric oxide production and enhance exercise efficiency. The current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study aimed to investigate the acute effects of pomegranate extract on blood flow, vessel diameter, and exercise performance in active individuals.
Fast recursive AR estimation from an overdetermined system of extended Yule Walker equations

This paper presents a fast recursive least squares algorithm for estimating the AR coefficients in an AR or ARMA model. The algorithm is based on solving an overdetermined system of "t" Extended Yule Walker equations for the "p" AR coefficients. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is able to provide improved estimates over those of similar recursive algorithms, at a computational cost of an additional 2t multiplies and 2t adds.(1)
Comparison of susceptibility testing methods with mecA gene analysis for determining oxacillin (methicillin) resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp.

Ninety-nine clinical staphylococcal isolates (58 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. [CoNS] and 41 Staphylococcus aureus isolates) were evaluated for susceptibility to oxacillin. The following susceptibility testing methods, media, and incubation conditions were studied: agar dilution by using Mueller-Hinton (MH) medium (Difco) supplemented with either 0, 2, or 4% NaCl and incubation at 30 or 35°C in ambient air for 24 or 48 h; disk diffusion by using commercially prepared MH medium (Difco) and MH II agar (BBL) and incubation at 35°C in ambient air for 24 or 48 h; and agar screen (spot or swab inoculation) by using commercially prepared agar (Remel) or MH agar (Difco) prepared in-house, each containing 4% NaCl and 6 μg of oxacillin/ml (0.6-μg/ml oxacillin was also studied with MH agar prepared in-house for the agar swab method and CoNS isolates) and incubation at 35°C in ambient air for 24 or 48 h for swab inoculation and at 30 or 35°C in ambient air for 24 or 48 h for spot inoculation. The results for these methods were compared to the results for mecA gene detection by a PCR method. Given the ability to support growth and the results for susceptibility testing (the breakpoint for susceptible isolates was ≤2 μg/ml), the best methods for CoNS isolates were (i) agar dilution by using MH medium supplemented with 4% NaCl and incubation at 35°C for 48 h (no growth failures were noted, and sensitivity was 97.6%) and (ii) agar screen (swab inoculation) by using MH medium prepared in-house supplemented with 4% NaCl and containing 0.6 μg oxacillin/ml and incubation at 35°C for 48 h (one isolate that did not carry the mecA gene did not grow, and the sensitivity was 100%). All but one (agar dilution without added NaCl and incubation at 30°C for 48 h) of the methods tested revealed all oxacillin-resistant S. aureus isolates, and no growth failures occurred with any method. If the breakpoint for susceptibility was lowered to ≤1 μg/ml for agar dilution methods, more CoNS isolates with oxacillin resistance related to the mecA gene were detected when 0 or 2% NaCl agar supplementation was used. Only one CoNS isolate with mecA gene-associated resistance was not detected by using agar dilution and MH medium supplemented with 4% NaCl with incubation for 48 h. When the breakpoint for susceptibility was decreased 10-fold (from 6.0 to 0.6 μg of oxacillin per ml) for the agar swab screen method, fully 100% of the CoNS isolates that carried the mecA gene were identified.
Liquid metal flow through a sharp elbow in the plane of a strong magnetic field.

This paper treats a liquid-metal flow through a sharp elbow connecting two constant-area, rectangular ducts with thin metal walls. There is a uniform, strong magnetic field in the plane of the centrelines of the ducts. An analytical solution with a series of eigenfunctions is possible for two sectors of the geometry, while a finite-difference relaxation solution is used for the third sector. The analytical and numerical solutions are coupled at the common boundaries by a combination of a Galerkin minimization of a residual and of integrals of the basic conservation laws over cells adjacent to each boundary. Results are presented for the three-dimensional pressure, electric potential function and fluid velocity. The pressure drop due to the three-dimensional effects near the elbow is also presented. The eigenfunction series represents a quite general solution for any three-dimensional flow in a rectangular duct with a skewed magnetic field.
Invasive hemodynamics and force-frequency relationships in open- versus closed-chest mice

We compared hemodynamics, ventricular function, and force-frequency relationships in six open-chest and six closed-chest anesthetized mice (FVB/N strain). Left ventricular (LV) pressure was measure...
D-Card: A distributed mobile phone based system for relaying verified friendships

Cyber-physical networking systems (CPNSs) closely bridge cyberspace and the physical world. Cyberspace includes not only the Internet, but also telephone networks and short-range communications. CPNSs arise in many application domains, including social networking. Social CPNSs connect people embodied in the physical world with cyber social networking services to facilitate social interactions, including friendship formation. These services can be characterized by their dependence on Internet connections to operate. An important class of social CPNSs are mobile phone based ones. However, there is a lack of friendship verification in mobile phone based social CPNSs that allow miscreants to masquerade as friends. In this paper, we present D-Card, a mobile phone based social CPNS that provides friendship verification. D-Card provides an electronic name card that encodes relationship information for a person with his contact information. The name card includes a public key and digital signature. Comparing this public key with one from a trusted source enables identity verification. D-Card leverages a Bluetooth SDP toolkit to exchange information without requiring connection establishment. D-Card is a purely distributed CPNS that requires no Internet access or infrastructure. We implement the D-Card CPNS in Java ME and Bluetooth. Our experiments with real-world mobile phones illustrate its potential for friendship verification in mobile phone based social CPNSs. To the best of our knowledge, D-Card is the first such CPNS designed for this purpose.
Magnetic Properties and Thermal Stability of Graphite Encapsulated Cobalt Nanocrystals

Small particles are of interest for magnetic study due to their range of magnetic properties with particle size and unusual magnetic properties. In this study we produced graphite encapsulated magnetic cobalt particles and measured their structural and magnetic properties both before and after annealing at 550°C for 6 hours. No large change in the structural properties (particle size, shape, and lattice parameter) was observed as a result of the annealing. There were, however, significant changes in the magnetic properties. The coercivity was found to decrease at all temperatures, especially at temperatures below 100° K. The possible reasons for this reduction in coercivity are examined, with the change in the shape of the particles appearing most likely.
A Dispersal-Dependent Zone of Introgressive Hybridization between Weakfish, Cynoscion regalis, and Sand Seatrout, C. arenarius, (Sciaenidae) in the Florida Atlantic

Five diagnostic codominant nuclear DNA markers and a diagnostic mitochondrial DNA marker were used to survey weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and sand seatrout (C. arenarius), with particular focus on heretofore uncharacterized juvenile populations along the Florida (FL) Atlantic coast. Geographic and reproductive ranges of weakfish and sand seatrout were shown to overlap on the Atlantic coast along north and central FL. An active bidirectional zone of introgressive hybridization exists between these taxa, centered in the St Johns River, FL. Strong patterns of Hardy‐Weinberg, linkage, and cytonuclear disequilibrium and a bimodal hybrid index distribution were observed for juvenile cohorts in the zone center, coupled with narrow (;240 km) concordant clines. Parental forms had disparate habitat preferences; hybrid forms occurred predominantly in intermediate habitats. All genetic data were consistent with the hypothesis that the C. arenarius–C. regalis hybrid zone is maintained by a dynamic equilibrium between continued interspecific gene flow and one or more opposing forces. Cytonuclear analyses indicated that parental forms mate assortatively in the zone but that mate recognition was imperfect. Ethological mating dynamics are likely stabilized by some form of endogenous or exogenous postfertilization selection against hybrids such that parental taxa will likely continue to evolve independently.