cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moxalactam for obstetric and gynecologic infections. In vitro and dose-finding studies

Abstract Moxalactam (LY 127935), a "third-generation" β-lactam antimicrobial, has been shown to have promising in vitro activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens similar to those isolated from women with pelvic infections. Pharmacodynamic studies have shown that its serum half life is longer than 2 hours, which permits less frequent dosing. The current investigation was carried out in two parts: In the first phase, the minimal inhibitory concentration of moxalactam against 519 clinical isolates was determined and compared to antimicrobials used in infections caused by these microbes. In vitro activity of moxalactam comparable to that of clindamycin was demonstrated against B. fragilis and other Bacteroides species. There was similar activity to penicillin G and clindamycin against anaerobic gram-positive cocci and activity superior to amikacin was demonstrated against Enterobacteriaceae . The second part of this investigation was a clinical one and 100 women with pelvic infections were given treatment with moxalactam. With an initial dose of 3 gm/day, women with posthysterectomy cellulitis and pelvic inflammatory disease did well. Women with pelvic infections following cesarean section responded less readily to this dose; however, when the initial dose was increased to 6 gm/day, a 91% cure rate was effected. The results of these investigations indicate that moxalactam is useful as a single-agent antimicrobial for treatment of polymicrobial female pelvic infection.
A formação docente na perspectiva do acadêmico do curso de educação física.

A proposta deste ensaio e a formacao docente na perspectiva do academico do curso de Educacao Fisica, buscando um novo olhar sobre esta realidade que e acrescentar ao debate a perspectiva do academico. Entender como o mesmo percebe seu processo de formacao. Toda curiosidade nasce de uma relacao direta com um fenomeno. Pensamos entao, quais as aprendizagens realmente significativas e relevantes para a formacao e atuacao desse futuro profissional na realidade escolar para lidar com todo esse contexto de diversidades. Palavras-Chaves : Escolarizacao; Educacao Fisica; Formacao. Abstract : The proposal of this essay is teacher training under the perspective of the physical education undergraduate student, searching for a new look at this reality adding to the debate the perspective of the student, attempting to understand how this training process is understood by the student. Curiosity stems from a direct relationship with a phenomenon. It is important to identify which learning processes are really important and relevant to the training and perfomance of this future Professional in the school reality to deal with all this context of diversity. Keywords : Schooling; Physical Education; Training.
, Little HM, Fogelman A, Jennings L, Calhoun E, Dawson EB: Pregnancy in the adolescent. I. Preliminary summary of health status.

Abstract Basic descriptive data concerning the obstetric, socioeconomic, educational, nutritional, and biochemical information have been obtained from over 800 adolescent pregnant women who sought prenatal care at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals. The mean nutrient intake with the exception of calcium and iron met or exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances of the National Research Council (1964). Biochemical assessment revealed significant deprivation of iron, vitamins A and C, and riboflavin. Clear differences between nonwhite and white segments of the population were found in the hematologic levels. Implications are discussed for the educational, social, health, and related nutritional preparation of these young mothers in our community.
Tetracyclines inhibit connective tissue breakdown: new therapeutic implications for an old family of drugs.

Tetracyclines have long been considered useful adjuncts in peridontal therapy based on their antimicrobial efficacy against putative periodontopathogens. However, recently these drugs were found to inhibit mammalian collagenases and several other matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by a mechanism independent of their antimicrobial activity. Evidence is presented that this property may be therapeutically useful in retarding pathologic connective tissue breakdown, including bone resorption. The experiments leading to this discovery are described and possible mechanisms are addressed, including the specificity of tetracyclines' anti-collagenase activity, the role of the drugs' metal ion (Zn2+, Ca2+)- binding capacity, and the site on the tetracycline molecule responsible for this nonantimicrobial property. Of extreme interest, the tetracycline molecule has been chemically modified in multiple ways, generating a new family of compounds called CMTs (chemically modified tetracyclines) that lack antimicrobial but s...
Down-regulation of Wilms’ tumor 1 expression in glioblastoma cells increases radiosensitivity independently of p53

The Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) gene is overexpressed in human glioblastoma and correlates with wild-type p53 status. In other cell types, WT1 inhibits p53-mediated apoptosis in response to DNA damaging agents. However, neither this interaction nor the relationship between WT1 and radiosensitivity has been studied in glioblastoma. To study this interaction, we generated LN-229 glioma cell lines (p53 mutant) stably expressing WT1 isoforms and induced apoptosis by transfecting with different doses of wild-type p53 plasmid expression vector. Constitutive expression of WT1 did not protect against exogenous p53-mediated apoptosis. Likewise, WT1 expression did not protect against endogenous p53-mediated cell death induced by radiotherapy in U87MG cells, which contain functional wild-type p53. We then tested the efficacy of WT1 siRNA in inhibiting WT1 expression and its effect on radiosensitivity. In T98G and LN-18 glioma cells, which possess p53 mutations, WT1 siRNA decreased WT1 protein to almost undetectable levels by 96-h post-transfection. Furthermore, WT1 siRNA transfection caused a significantly larger decrease in viability following irradiation than was seen in untransfected cells in both cell lines after treatment with ED50 of ionizing radiation. In conclusion, WT1 overexpression did not protect against p53-mediated apoptosis or ionizing radiation induced cell death. WT1 siRNA increased the radiosensitivity of two human glioma cell lines independently of p53. Anti-WT1 strategies may, therefore, prove useful in improving the response of glioblastoma to radiotherapy, thus potentially improving patient survival.
Analysis of eighteen years of environmental radiation monitoring data

Abstract Continuous monitoring of the penetrating component of the environmental radiation field has been conducted at the Environmental Measurements Laboratory's Regional Baseline Station in Chester, New Jersey, for almost two decades. The dose rate in air was measured simultaneously using two 25.4 cm diameter, 25 atmosphere, argon filled ionization chambers. An analysis of this data record was performed to assess the degree of temporal variations that result primarily from snow cover, soil moisture, and atmospheric scavenging of radon progeny. The means and extremes for the entire record are provided. Frequency histograms of the record are also provided to examine the variations in the daily average dose rate. The yearly average daily dose rates do not differ by more than 5% from the mean of the entire database. Analysis of the data by season indicates that the winter shows the largest variation and lowest average dose rate. The length of this study provided an opportunity to look for trends matching the 11-y solar cycle; however, the data show no such trend.
The off‐versus on‐label use of medical devices in interventional cardiovascular medicine?: Clarifying the ambiguity between regulatory labeling and clinical decision making, Part III: Structural heart disease interventions

The majority of devices used to treat congenital cardiac lesions in the cardiac catheterization laboratory are used on an off-label basis. This article discusses the predicaments faced by the interventional cardiologist when implanting devices on an off-label basis, using procedural examples of PFO closure and endovascular stent placement. Strategies that may benefit patient and provider, as well as satisfying regulatory agencies are suggested. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The X-ray structure and spectrum of NGC 6251

Observations of NGC 6251 in the low-energy X-rays with the Position Sensitive Proportional Counter on board ROSAT are reported. No X-ray emission is seen from the 4.5-arcmin-long radio jet of this galaxy, suggesting that the electron spectrum is cut off for electron energies greater than 10 exp 12 eV, but a bright X-ray source is coincident with the center of the galaxy. The power-law spectral indexes is close to the HF radio spectral index of the VLBI core, supporting a synchro-self-Compton model for this component of the X-ray emission. The infall of material into the nucleus is sufficiently rapid to power the mini-AGN component, if the mass of the central black hole exceeds 50,000 solar masses.
The physics of particle acceleration by collisionless shocks

Abstract Using analytic theory, test-particle simulations, and self-consistent hybrid simulations, we show that quasi-perpendicular shocks—those which propagate nearly perpendicular to the upstream magnetic field—accelerate particles directly out of the incident thermal population to energies much higher than the upstream ram energy of the plasma. It has already been established that quasi-parallel shocks—those which propagate nearly in the same direction as the upstream magnetic field—efficiently accelerate particles directly out of the incident thermal population; however, this has not yet been established for quasi-perpendicular shocks. Our results can be understood within the framework of the diffusive shock acceleration theory. We find that the accelerated-particle spectrum obtained from a more-general self-consistent hybrid plasma simulation are quantitatively consistent with a less-sophisticated test-particle simulation. The implications of this are discussed.
In vitro synthesis of IgG and IgM in patients with HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis.

Abstract Spontaneous and PWM-driven IgG and IgM synthesis was investigated in the PBMC of 15 patients with HBsAg-negative CAH and six HBsAg-positive patients with CAH. PBMC from patients with HBsAg-positive CAH show an impaired IgG synthesis upon stimulation with PWM but an IgM increase similar to that of control subjects. In contrast, PBMC from HBsAg-negative patients with CAH show a trend to spontaneous increased synthesis of IgG and a decrease or lack of IgG and IgM synthesis upon PWM stimulation. Steroid treatment seems to ameliorate these alterations. No differences were found among the three groups of HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis (autoimmune, HBsAg-related and cryptogenic). These results indicate that differences of B-cell functions may exist in the two groups of CAH patients, not only in spontaneous B-cell activation or PWM-induced Ig synthesis but also in the different classes of Ig.
The Hopf algebra of uniform block permutations

We introduce the Hopf algebra of uniform block permutations and show that it is self-dual, free, and cofree. These results are closely related to the fact that uniform block permutations form a factorizable inverse monoid. This Hopf algebra contains the Hopf algebra of permutations of Malvenuto and Reutenauer and the Hopf algebra of symmetric functions in non-commuting variables of Gebhard, Rosas, and Sagan. These two embeddings correspond to the factorization of a uniform block permutation as a product of an invertible element and an idempotent one.
Energy Consumption and Water Production Cost of Conventional and Renewable-Energy-Powered Desalination Processes

Abstract Desalination technologies improve water quality, greatly reduce water shortage problems, and improve quality of life and economic status. Two main technologies are currently used in water desalination: thermal (phase-change) processes and membrane processes. The primary thermal distillation processes include multistage flash distillation (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED), and vapor compression (VC). The VC process encompasses two types: mechanical (MVC) and thermal (TVC). The common membrane desalination processes include reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodialysis (ED and EDR). Energy cost, operational and maintenance cost, and capital investment are the main contributors to the water production cost of any of these processes. The energy cost is responsible for about 50% of the produced water cost. For thermal distillation processes (MSF, MED, and TVC), two energy forms are required for the operation: (1) low-temperature heat, which represents the main portion of the energy input and is usually supplied to the system by a number of external sources (e.g., fossil fuel, waste energy, nuclear, solar) and (2) electricity, which is used to drive the system's pumps and other electrical components. For the MVC thermal distillation process, only electricity is needed. For membrane processes (RO and ED), only electricity is required as an energy input. Renewable energy systems such as solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind, and geothermal technologies are currently used as energy suppliers for desalination systems. These renewable resources are now a proven technology and remain economically promising for remote regions, where connection to the public electric grid is either not cost effective or feasible, and where water scarcity is severe. As the technologies continue to improve, and as fresh water becomes scarce and fossil fuel energy prices rise, renewable energy desalination becomes more viable economically. The technical features, energy consumption, environmental considerations, and potential of renewable energy use in driving the main desalination processes are reviewed and analyzed in this paper. The current and projected costs of water produced from conventional and renewable-energy-driven processes are discussed and compared.
New Northern hemisphere common proper-motion pairs

A list of 705 new Northern celestial hemisphere common proper-motion pairs as derived from the Second US Naval Observatory CCD Astrograph Catalog is presented, along with details of their separation, motion, brightness and colour. Objects of particular interest are noted, and the use of the catalogue for such work gauged.
Synthesis of Halogen-Free Polyisobutylene by in situ Hydride Transfer to Living Polyisobutylene from Tributylsilane

Hydride transfer reaction between living polyisobutylene cation (PIB+) and tributylsilane in hexanes/methyl chloride 60/40 (v/v) solvent mixtures at -80, -70 and -60 °C was studied to synthesize halogen-free polyisobutylene (PIB). The hydride transfer reaction between tributylsilane and living PIB capped with 1,1-ditolylethylene (PIB-DTE+) have also been carried out under similar conditions at -80 °C. The rate of hydride transfer reaction increases with the increase of tributylsilane concentration for the reaction of both PIB+ and PIB-DTE+ with tributylsilane. Gel Permeation Chromatography and NMR Spectroscopy suggested practically complete capping of the polymeric cation and the absence of side reactions.
Some evidence on pore sizes in poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers having unimodal, bimodal, or trimodal distributions of network chain lengths

Unimodal, bimodal, and trimodal networks were prepared by end linking functionally-terminated chains of poly(dimethylsiloxane). The resulting materials were characterized using a “thermoporometric” technique in which freezing points or melting points are determined for solvent absorbed into the network stuctures. The extent to which the normal melting point is suppressed depends on how much the solvent is constrained within the network pores. Several well-defined melting points were observed for some of the multimodal networks, which is consistent with their unusual distributions of network chain lengths.
Accuracy, stability and reciprocity in informal conversational networks in rural Kenya

Abstract In this paper, we ask several questions about conversational networks. How accurately do respondents report the characteristics of their network partners? How stable are these networks over time? And if one participant in a conversation reports it, does the other? The data come from a longitudinal survey of ego-centered conversational networks and reproductive behavior in small villages in rural Kenya. Because network partners were also interviewed in one of the four research sites, we are able to compare the respondents’ reports of their alters’ behavior with these alters’ self reports. We find a strong relationship between the reported behavior of egos and their reports of their alters’ behavior, as others have done elsewhere. However, discrepancies between the respondents’ reports of their network partners contraceptive behavior and their network partners’ self reports are substantial. Levels of network stability and reciprocity were also low. The discrepancies between the respondents’ reports of their network partners and the partners’ own reports are primarily due to incorrect reporting by the respondents, whereas the low levels of stability and reciprocity are related to the difficulties of measuring regular but diffuse social structures. Some of our results are specific to the context of rural Kenya, but other are more likely to be generalizable. The influence of social networks on behavior may be strong or weak, but its measurement has systematic problems.
‘It’s a different time. It’s a different era. It’s a different place’: the Legacy of Vietnam and Contemporary Memoirs of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

This article examines the most signiﬁcant memoirs of the ‘War on Terror’, arguing that although comparisons to Vietnam have emerged as legible and legitimate within critiques of US policies, these memoirs have not embraced discourses of Vietnam’s remembrance to critique the war and its surrounding issues. However, neither have they explicitly rejected those memorial strategies. Rather, they have acknowledged and reconﬁgured them, insistently recalling elements of Vietnam’s remembrance that initially facilitated critiques of US foreign policy and the portrayal of veterans’ struggles and revising and redeploying them in ways that obscure critical questions regarding the war’s violence and the policies that enable it. In doing so, they undermine comparisons to Vietnam as they celebrate the soldier, justify his violence, deﬁne the loss of American lives as the war’s only signiﬁcant tragedy, and refuse to critique the war or the policies that enable it.
100 years of psychology of concepts: the theoretical notion of concept and its operationalization.

Abstract The operationalization of scientific notions is instrumental in enabling experimental evidence to bear on scientific propositions. Conceptual change should thus translate into operationalization change. This article describes some important experimental works in the psychology of concepts since the beginning of the twentieth century. It is argued that since the early days of this field, psychologists’ theoretical understanding of concepts has been modified several times. However, in all cases but one, these theoretical changes did not translate into changes in the operationalization of the notion of concept learning.
Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of clean and Ag-covered Fe monolayers on W(110)

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of magnetic Fe transition-metal atoms as an overlayer on a nonmagnetic transition metal, W(110), and the effects of a Ag covering on the magnetism of Fe/W(110), are determined by means of the highly precise self-consistent all-electron full-potential linearized-augmented-plane-wave method based on the local-spin-density approximation. The interlayer spacings of Fe-W and Ag-Fe are determined from total-energy calculations. We find that the Fe atoms are relaxed downward (compared to the average of the Fe-Fe and W-W bulk bond lengths) by 9.5% and 4.0% for clean and Ag-covered Fe/W(110), respectively. We find that the hybridization of the W and Fe d bands plays an important role in determining the magnetism of the Fe/W(110) systems. The magnetic moment (2.18${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$) and the magnitude of the Fermi-contact hyperfine field (-148 kG) of the Fe in relaxed Fe/W(110) are greatly reduced compared to those of the unrelaxed Fe/W(110) (by 0.38${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ and 46 kG, respectively). The Ag covering increases the magnitude of the Fermi-contact term of the Fe by 29 kG by encouraging the indirect covalent spin polarization of the s-like electrons. If one includes estimates of the dipolar and unquenched orbital-angular-momentum contributions, then our calculated values of the hyperfine field are found to be in remarkable agreement with recent conversion-electron M\"ossbauer-spectroscopy experimental values.
A possible virus infection in the brown algaPylaiella littoralis

Virus-like particles are described which occur in the unilocular sporangia of the marine brown algaPylaiella littoralis. The particles are hexagonal in the ultrathin section, 130–170 nm in diameter and resemble virus-like particles and true viruses seen in other organisms. Sporangia which contain virus-like particles exhibit various inclusions and modifications, such as dark-staining areas in the nucleus and membranous components in the cytoplasm, which are not seen in uninfected sporangia and which may be involved in the development of the particles.
One Clock-Cycle Response 0.5 m CMOS Dual-Mode ΣΔ DC-DC Bypass Boost Converter Stable over Wide ESRLC Variations

Power supplies in portable applications must not only conform and adapt to their highly integrated on-chip and in-package environments but also, more intrinsically, respond quickly to fast load dumps to achieve and maintain high accuracy. The frequency-compensation network, however, limits speed and regulation performance because it must cater to all combinations of filter capacitor 𝐶 𝑂 , inductor L, and 𝐶 𝑂 's equivalent series resistance 𝑅 E S R resulting from tolerance and modal design targets. As such, it must compensate the worst-case condition and therefore restrain the performance of all other possible scenarios, even if the likelihood of occurrence of the latter is considerably high and the former substantially low. Sigma-delta ( Σ Δ ) control, which addresses this issue in buck converters by easing its compensation requirements and offering one-cycle transient response, has not been able to simultaneously achieve high bandwidth, high accuracy, and wide 𝑅 E S R L C compliance in boost converters. This paper presents a dual-mode Σ Δ boost bypass converter, which by using a high-bandwidth bypass path only during transient load-dump events was experimentally 1.41 to 6 times faster than the state of the art in current-mode Σ Δ boost supplies, and this without any compromise in 𝑅 E S R L C compliance range (0–50 m Ω , 1–30 𝜇 H, and 1–350 𝜇 F).
Emergent microbial food webs in ecological treatment systems for wastewater: insight from stable carbon isotopes.

Abstract The overall significance of microbial predation to the natural disinfection process of bacterial fecal pathogens in ecological treatment systems (ETS) is not well understood, due to the complex interactions and difficulties associated with quantifying components of the microbial food web in situ. A 13 C-labeled biological tracer was developed via the growth of K-12 Escherichia coli on d -(+)-glucose derived from Zea mays which is naturally enriched in 13 C due to the C 4 photosynthetic pathway. A microcosm experiment was conducted utilizing partially treated wastewater collected from a functioning ETS at the Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York. A filter-feeding ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis and cyclopoid copepod Cyclops sp., were introduced to the microcosms to simulate an emergent pelagic food web in an ETS. The 13 C-labeled E. coli tracer successfully produced a δ 13 C signature that was distinct from alternative carbon sources in the simulated food web. Predation of E. coli by T. pyriformis was observed when the 13 C-labeled E. coli tracer was the sole carbon source, however predation of E. coli by T. pyriformis in the presence of alternative carbon sources was negligible; the ciliate exhibited a δ 13 C value most similar to the total dissolved solids in the ETS water. Minor predation of T. pyriformis by Cyclops sp. was observed elucidating a potential link to higher trophic webs. Sensitivities of the developed tracer and its feasibility for in situ analysis of emergent food webs are discussed.
The Role of Religion in the Generation of Suicide Bombers

Suicide terrorism is an international problem that endangers the well-being of whole populations. Standard explanations suggest that religious fanaticism is a primary driving force in the generation of suicide bombers. A growing body of empirically based scholarship, however, indicates that suicide terrorism is a multifactorial phenomenon that cannot easily be explained away as an outcome of religious fanaticism. Religion in general, Islam in particular, plays a minimal direct role in the generation of suicide bombers. This brief article will summarize recent studies regarding the root causes of suicide terrorism as they pertain to the fields of behavioral health, violence, and violence prevention. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8:204–208 (2008)]
Potential effector and immunoregulatory functions of mast cells in mucosal immunity.

Mast cells (MCs) are cells of hematopoietic origin that normally reside in mucosal tissues, often near epithelial cells, glands, smooth muscle cells, and nerves. Best known for their contributions to pathology during IgE-associated disorders such as food allergy, asthma, and anaphylaxis, MCs are also thought to mediate IgE-associated effector functions during certain parasite infections. However, various MC populations also can be activated to express functional programs—such as secreting preformed and/or newly synthesized biologically active products—in response to encounters with products derived from diverse pathogens, other host cells (including leukocytes and structural cells), damaged tissue, or the activation of the complement or coagulation systems, as well as by signals derived from the external environment (including animal toxins, plant products, and physical agents). In this review, we will discuss evidence suggesting that MCs can perform diverse effector and immunoregulatory roles that contribute to homeostasis or pathology in mucosal tissues.
Fluid fracture interaction in pressurized reinforced concrete vessels

The water penetration and flow through cracks in reinforced concrete structures are investigated experimentally and numerically. First, wedge-splitting tests of reinforced concrete under strain control were performed. These specimens were subjected to a mechanical load, as well as to an internal hydrostatic pressure. Pressure along the propagating crack and flow rates were measured. Then, nonlinear fracture mechanics-based finite element simulations were performed. From this study, it was determined that the rebars on the outer side of the wall in concrete containment vessels are more effective in preventing leakage than are the inner ones. Furthermore, it was once again determined that the presence of a hydrostatic pressure reduces not only the fracture energy of concrete but also the bond between reinforcement and concrete. Finally, two analytical models are proposed.
Drop sizes in annular gas‐liquid flows

The droplets that appear in annular gas-liquid flows are formed by the eruption of wavelets from the surface of the wall layer. Ninety per cent of the volume of this dispersed liquid is carried by only about 10% of the drops. We find, as suggested by Wicks and Dukler, that the distribution of drop sizes can be characterized by an upper limit, log normal function with only one of the three parameters, the volume median diameter, a strong function of flow conditions. A method for predicting the average diameter is suggested which is consistent with a theoretical interpretation based on a Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism, whereby the destabilizing force is the pressure variation over the wavelets.
Pressure broadening in the oxygen b1Σ+g(v′=1)←X3Σ−g(v″=0) band measured by cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Abstract We have measured coefficients for pressure broadening of the oxygen b 1 Σ + g ( v ′=1)←X 3 Σ − g ( v ″=0) band at 688 nm by N 2 using cavity ring-down spectroscopy. There is a noticeable dependence on rotational quantum number, consistent with significant anisotropy in the N 2 –O 2 intermolecular potential. The results also suggest that pressure broadening coefficients may depend on the collider and on the vibrational quantum number of the absorber.
Shell morphology of Littorina saxatilis Olivi: the relative importance of physical factors and predation

Abstract Shell thickness and aperture areas of Littorina saxatilis Olivi were studied in samples from three distinct micro-environments. As in other studies, thick shells have been associated with the presence of shore crabs and mobile boulders, whilst forms with large apertures and thin shells were characteristic of areas where there was a high risk of dislodgement by waves. When viewed at a right angle two measures of aperture size can, however, be made; one inner and one outer. Large outer aperture areas were found at the localities with high wave exposure and small inner areas at the localities where crabs were found. At the locality with the conflicting pressures of a high risk of dislodgement by waves and crab predation, the snails showed small inner areas and large outer areas. Laboratory experiments with small female Carcinus maenas (L.) confirmed that snails with thicker shells and smaller aperture areas are better able to resist crab predation compared with thin-shelled snails with large inner and outer aperture areas. Crabs attacked snails using three crushing and two pulling techniques, the last two without damaging the shell. Handling times varied substantially within size classes of prey and no particular prey size yielded a maximum return per unit handling time. Attack success rate decreased with increasing snail size from sheltered and exposed boulder localities, but was consistently high for all sizes of snails from an exposed cliff. Prey value modified for attack success rate was therefore highest for snails from this site. When given a range of size classes the crabs always selected the smallest snails from all three localities. Given a mixed diet of snails from boulder populations and cliff localities crabs always selected snails from the cliff locality.
Knowledge-enhanced Matching Pursuit

Compressive Sensing is possible when the sensing matrix acts as a near isometry on signals of interest that can be sparsely or compressively represented. The attraction of greedy algorithms such as Orthogonal Matching Pursuit is their simplicity. However they fail to take advantage of both the structure of the sensing matrix and any prior information about the sparse signal. This paper introduces an oblique projector to matching pursuit algorithms to enhance detection of a component that is present in the signal by reducing interference from other candidate components based on prior information about the signal as well as the structure of the sensing matrix. Numerical examples demonstrate that performance as a function of SNR is superior to conventional matching pursuit.
Simulations of tensile fracture in thin films bonded to solid substrates

Abstract We perform simulations of crack growth in a brittle-elastic two-dimensional film bonded to a rigid substrate and subject to isotropic tensile stress. The motion of the film sites is dissipative and we consider both purely dissipative dynamics and dynamics with finite dissipation. In both cases, we find a threshold stress for crack growth below which the lattice is stable against further breaking. Effective fractal dimensions are computed for crack clusters nucleated by a single defect in an otherwise undamaged lattice with both finite and infinite dissipation. When the dissipation is infinite, the crack clusters have asymptotic fractal dimensions of 2-0 and exhibit a cross-over from a fractal dimension of 1 -0 to a fractal dimension of 2-0 as the stress in the lattice is increased from the threshold. When the dissipation is finite, all crack clusters grown with stress equal to or greater than the threshold stress have fractal dimensions of 2-0. These results contrast with those found in crack mod...
Callose Formation and Subsequent Disappearance: Studies in Ultrasound Stimulation.

The ultimate objective of investigations currently under way is to test the proposal that callose levels can influence translocation. Callose, ,8-1, 3-glucan, is a natural component of certain plant cells (2, 5); it also appears following various kinds of stimulation (1, 2). Experimentally, such treatments usually result in irreversible injury. It was considered that a procedure whereby callose is induced to form in cells suffering minimal injury would permit the assessment of the physiological significance of the substance. In the present studies low intensity ultrasound served to stimulate callose formation without irreversible injury. The method offers the advantages that intact plants can be treated and that the treated area can be narrowly localized.
Function after revision of failed total hip arthroplasty

Measurements of functional performance were made before and 6 months after 31 primary total hip replacements and 31 total hip revisions for prosthetic loosening. After revision, functional performance returned to levels substantially the same as after primary hip replacement except for greater reliance on canes for patients in the revised group. Ratings of hip status and hip pain were slightly less satisfactory after revision as compared to after the primary operation.
Solid Reaction and Microstructure of Interface of 3D Meshy SiCn/Cu Composite

The SiC/Cu composite was prepared by the method, which is patented in China, casting the metal into the SiC skeleton in a special furnace at 1160°C by pressure, caused by pressure difference between pressured gas and vacuum. During the preparation, the SiC decomposed. The carbon precipitated and the silicon, which has well affinity with the metal, formed silicon-copper compounds as Cu4Si, gathering in the silicon-copper interface area, identified by means of EDS and XRD. The mechanism of the solid reaction was discussed and the microstructure and morphology was studied by means of optical devices, SEM, EDS and XRD as well. And the diffusion coefficient was calculated.
Saharan dust particles nucleate droplets in eastern Atlantic clouds

[1] Many soil-derived particles dominated by insoluble material, including Saharan dusts, are known to act as ice nuclei. If, however, dust particles can compete with other atmospheric particle types to form liquid cloud droplets, they have a greater potential to change climate through indirect effects on cloud radiative properties and to affect the hydrological cycle through precipitation changes. By directly collecting and analyzing the residual nuclei of small cloud droplets, we demonstrate that Saharan dust particles do commonly act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the eastern North Atlantic. Droplet activation calculations support the measurements by showing that due to its slightly hygroscopic nature, even submicron dust can be important as CCN. Given the dual nature of Saharan dust particles as CCN and ice nuclei, this infusion of dust is expected to impact not only droplet size and albedo in small clouds, but ice formation in deep convective clouds.
Pulsed Elevated Rate Discharge of Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices

A number of electrochemical energy storage devices have been developed and used widely to power portable applications. Lithium-ion batteries are extremely popular for use in portable devices as a result of their high energy density. Despite their high energy density, most commercial off-the-shelf cells are only modestly power dense, limiting them from being used to drive high power or pulsed power applications. Recently, new high power lithium-ion battery technologies such as the Saft VL5U cell have been developed, which are not readily available off the shelf, with power densities as high as 28.5 kW/kg [1] that are an attractive means for driving pulsed power systems. Additionally, advanced energy storage capacitors, such as electric double layer capacitors and lithium-ion capacitors, have been developed with high energy and power densities that also make them a suitable candidate for use in pulsed power applications. Previous research using these types of devices in applications other than as storage in hybrid electric vehicles and renewable energy platforms has been limited. The University of Texas at Arlington is currently engaged in research to understand the limitations of these types of devices and to understand their future potential for use in pulsed high current experiments. A test stand, similar to that of Chen [2], but with a higher electrical action capability, has been developed and used to further characterize the performance of these types of devices when they are discharged at rates 10's to 100's of times their rated C values in pulsed fashion. This paper describes the rationale behind the experiments, the experimental setup developed, and the research progress made thus far.
Mutations in the E1a gene of type 5 adenovirus result in oncogenic transformation of Fischer rat embryo cells.

Transformation of a specific clone of Fischer rat embryo (CREF) cells with wild-type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) or the E1a plus E1b transforming gene regions of Ad5 results in epithelioid transformants that grow efficiently in agar but that do not induce tumors when inoculated into nude mice or syngeneic Fischer rats. In contrast, CREF cells transformed by a host-range Ad5 mutant, H5hrl, which contains a single base-pair deletion of nucleotide 1055 in E1a resulting in a 28-kd protein (calculated) in place of the wild-type 51-kd acidic protein, display a cold-sensitive transformation phenotype and an incomplete fibroblastic morphology but surprisingly do induce tumors in nude mice and syngeneic rats. Tumors develop in both types of animals following injection of CREF cells transformed by other cold-sensitive Ad5 E1a mutants (H5dl101 and H5in106), which contain alterations in their 13S mRNA and consequently truncated 289AA proteins. CREF cells transformed with only the E1a gene (0-4.5 m.u.) from H5hrl or H5dl101 also produce tumors in these animals. To directly determine the role of the 13S E1a encoded 289AA protein and the 12S E1a encoded 243AA protein in initiating an oncogenic phenotype in adenovirus-transformed CREF cells, we generated transformed cell lines following infection with the Ad2 mutant pm975, which synthesizes the 289AA E1a protein but not the 243AA protein, and the Ad5 mutant H5dl520 and the Ad2 mutant H2dl1500, which do not produce the 289AA E1a protein but synthesize the normal 243AA E1a protein. All three types of mutant adenovirus-transformed CREF cells induced tumors in nude mice and syngeneic rats. Tumor formation by these mutant adenovirus-transformed CREF cells was not associated with changes in the arrangement of integrated adenovirus DNA or in the expression of adenovirus early genes. These results indicate, therefore, that oncogenic transformation of CREF cells can occur in the presence of a wild-type 13S E1a protein or a wild-type 12S E1a protein when either protein is present alone, but does not occur when both wild-type E1a proteins are present.
Late magnetic fields and positive evoked potentials following infrequent and unpredictable omissions of visual stimuli

Randomized and infrequent omissions during presentation of a steady train of visual stimulation produced distinctive wave forms of both the magnetic fields and electrical potentials. Electrical potentials at Pz showed a positive peak in response to the omitted stimuli which occurred on the average 445 msec after the time when a stimulus was anticipated. Analyses of the magnetic wave forms indicated that at least two separate sources appear to be active coincident with the electrical positive peak. One source localized in the occipital lobes in the vicinity of the visual cortex while the other source was located in the medial aspects of the temporal lobe or even deeper in the lateral thalamus. Judging from the calculated direction of current flow it appeared that the deep source would contribute greater potentials in the frontal areas of the scalp while the source in the occipital area would contribute to more posterior placement of electrodes, especially at Pz.
CHILDHOOD CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS AND FAMILIAL CANCER

The occurrence of cancer among parents, siblings, and offspring of 725 children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors was compared with occurrence of cancer among such relatives of 360 birth certificate controls, using the Connecticut Tumor Registry. 84 (12%) of the children with CNS tumors (cases), none of whom had neurofibromatosis, and 42 controls (12%) had at least one first-degree relative with cancer. However, certain types of cancer were much more frequent among relatives of cases. There were 9 CNS tumors and 3 other nervous system tumors among relatives of cases, but no nervous system tumors among relatives of controls. Leukemia occurred in 6 relatives of cases but in no relatives of controls. Disproportionately many patients with cancer of the bladder, ovaries, and uterus were similarly found among relatives of cases. 12 siblings of cases developed cancer before age 20, while only 1 sibling of a control did. In each of 3 families, 3 siblings developed various cancers, confirming previously reported associations of CNS tumors, leukemia, and colonic cancer. Children with more malignant tumors (eg, medulloblastoma) were more likely to have a relative with a CNS tumor than children with better-differentiated tumors (eg, astrocytoma). These data suggest that there is a familial occurrence of CNS tumors, and that the occurrence of a CNS tumor in a child may be associated with an increased incidence of CNS tumors, leukemia, and childhood tumors in general among his relatives.
Veterans Administration Cooperative Studies Project No. 147. Part IX: A comparison of the mechanical properties of several alternative metal ceramic alloys cast in clinical and research laboratories

Abstract Comparison of mechanical properties of five metal ceramic alloys cast in clinical and research laboratories resulted in significant differences. Tested alloys included one Au Pd (control), one Pd Ag, and three Ni Cr. Mechanical properties included strength, elongation, and microhardness. Tensile bars were torch cast simultaneously with restorations in the clinical laboratory and induction cast by using a preformed design in the research laboratory. Mechanical properties of most alloys showed larger variations when cast in the clinical laboratory. In the clinical laboratory the Au Pd alloy showed significantly higher values for all properties. One Ni Cr alloy was not significantly affected by environment for all properties. The remaining alloys were significantly affected for some properties by environment. The different laboratories had no greater or lesser effect on the base metals as a group than on the noble metals. Variation in handling, spruing, casting, and specimen size may account for some of the differences between laboratories.
Modulation of Hen Granulosa Cell Steroidogenesis and Plasminogen Activator Activity by Transforming Growth Factor Alpha

AbstractStudies were conducted with chicken granulosa cells to evaluate the relative efficacy of human recombinant transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) versus murine epidermal growth factor (EGF) to affect cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation and progesterone production stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) or steroid output induced by a cAMP analogue, and to modulate plasminogen activator (PA) activity.Increasing concentrations of EGF (33–328 nM) and TGFα (0.04–18'nM) were found to inhibit cAMP formation stimulated by LH in a dose-dependent manner, with calculated half-maximal inhibitory doses (ID30s) of 97.1 and 0.27 nM, respectively. Similarly, a 470-fold difference in the ability of TGFa (ID30 = 0.13 nM) versus EGF (ID30 = 61.3 nM) to half-maximally suppress LH-induced progesterone production was observed in the same cells. Progesterone production stimulated by a cAMP analogue (8-bromo-cAMP, 1 mM) was also attenuated by EGF (ID30 = 75.9 nM) and TGFa (ID30 = 0.08 nM), suggesting a pos...
Digital data acquisition and analysis of striated muscle diffraction patterns with a direct memory access microprocessor system.

A microprocessor based data acquisition computing system has been developed to examine dynamic changes in light diffraction patterns from single skeletal muscle fibers. A significant improvement in digital data acquisition rate compared to previous designs has been achieved by utilizing a fast dedicated analog to digital converter and direct memory access data storage. Diffraction patterns from muscle fibers are imaged onto a 256 element charge‐coupled device. The analog output of a full 256 point frame of data may be digitized and stored in 2.2 ms (128 point half frame in 1.1 ms) with a spatial resolution of up to 5.0 nm/sarcomere. This computing system can transfer up to 28 full frames of data as one continuous block directly between the CCD and memory leaving the CPU free for experimental control and closed‐loop processing. The computing system calibrates and analyzes diffraction data under sofware control for sarcomere length, dispersion, and peak intensity. The operation of this data acquisition comp...
Low background study of the neutrinoless double beta decay of 76-GE and upper limit for neutrino mass

Abstract A Ge detector system was built possessing significnt reduced background, from natural radioactivities, notably 208-TI (2.6 MeV line). After a 2600 h measuring period a lower limit for the half life of the neutrinoless double beta decay in 76- Ge of T( 1 2 o ν) > 1.7 × 10 22 yr (1σ) was obtained, corresponding to a neutrino mass upper limit of 22 eV.
Regulation of Cognitive Resources During an N-Back Task in Youth-Onset Psychosis and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The goals of the current study were to use behavioral and pupillary measures to examine working memory on a spatial n-back task in 8-20-year-olds with youth-onset psychosis or ADHD (Combined subtype) and healthy controls to determine the contribution of different attentional factors to spatial working memory impairments, and to examine if age-related changes in performance differed across groups. Although both clinical groups had lower perceptual sensitivity on both 0- and 1-back, there was no evidence of an impairment in spatial working memory or differential order effects on the 0-back. Instead, results suggest that both clinical groups had difficulty encoding the stimuli. They also appeared to have difficulty maintaining attention and/or readiness to respond, and, to a lesser extent, recruiting resources on a trial-to-trial basis. It is likely that these attentional problems prevented the clinical groups from encoding the stimuli effectively and contributed to their general performance deficits.
A Psychometric Investigation of the Academic Self-Concept of Asian American College Students.

The psychometric properties of scores from the Academic Self-Concept Scale are examined in a group of 198 Asian American college students. Using parallel analysis, a four-factor solution accounting for 46% of the variance was found. In a test of construct validity, academic self-concept was found to be negatively related to adherence to Asian values, positively related to adherence to European American values, and positively related to grade point average. Results suggest that academic self-concept, as currently measured, is primarily an individualistic psychological construct.