cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous Liquid Level Sensor Based on Coupled Light Diffusing Fibers

A continuous liquid level fiber optic sensor has been devised, developed, and tested. The sensor is based on two coupled light-diffusing glass fibers. The light from a laser diode is diffused out from the first fiber by scattering and coupled, always by the scattering, to the second fiber. The working wavelength has been selected in order to be strongly absorbed by most common liquids. The optical power measured at the ends of the collection fiber depends on liquid level. Both co-propagation and counter-propagation coupling configurations have been theoretically analysed and experimentally tested. Differently from counter-propagation configuration, co-propagation configuration exhibits a linear response with the liquid level and allows level measurements with a resolution in the order of millimetres over 1 m range.
The Connection Between Social Determinants of Health and Human Papillomavirus Testing Knowledge Among Women in the USA.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 99% of cervical cancers. In the USA, HPV testing has recently been recommended as a stand-alone option for cervical cancer screening in women over 30 years of age. Yet, studies have shown low awareness of HPV testing. This study examines awareness and knowledge that US women possess regarding HPV testing using the social determinants of health (SDOH) framework. Women aged 30 to 65 years, without hysterectomy, completed an online survey (N = 812). The outcome variables included HPV testing awareness and HPV testing knowledge, a six-item validated scale. Predictor variables included three domains of the Healthy People 2020 SDOH framework: economic stability, education, and health and healthcare. Other important sociodemographic predictors were also included. Multiple logistic and linear regression identified variables associated with HPV testing awareness and knowledge, respectively. 62.4% of the women were aware of HPV testing, and the mean knowledge score was 2.8 (out of 6). Lower awareness and knowledge were observed in older women compared with younger women and among women who had either not received HPV vaccination or were unsure of their vaccination status. Higher education attainment was associated with greater awareness and knowledge. Also, women who had a well-woman visit in the last year had better knowledge. Findings from the study can be used to develop targeted prevention strategies and initiatives to improve HPV testing awareness and knowledge to help women make more informed health decisions and promote uptake of this screening tool.
Lipid temporal trends in normal-weight youth.

Background Atherosclerosis begins in youth, partly driven by excess weight (EW) and abnormal lipids. Despite pediatric obesity worsening, lipids improved. Given the relation between EW and abnormal lipids, changes in normal-weight (NW) youth may be relevant. We examined the proportions and temporal trends of youth with abnormal lipids who were NW versus EW. Methods Analysis was done from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988-2016. Data were extracted for 10- to 20-year-olds measured with anthropometrics and laboratory testing to determine proportions of NW versus EW with total cholesterol >190 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 145 mg/dL (N = 14,785). In survey-weighted regression analysis, a weight-status interaction term was used to examine effect modification in the lipid temporal trend. Results Over time, EW prevalence increased, whereas dyslipidemia decreased (trend P value Conclusions NW constituted more than a quarter to half of youth with abnormal lipids. Over time, youth with abnormal lipids were less often NW. The novel observation that a high proportion of youth with abnormal lipids are NW is relevant to debates on universal lipid screening, the focus on weight reduction in youth lipid management, and conventional wisdom in cardiometabolic health.
Case Study of Social Sustainability Practices in U.S. Small Hub Airports

Airports have economic, environmental, and social impacts on communities. Many of these impacts are influenced by airport management decisions. Airport sustainability may be thought of as having fo...
Repayment performance for pay-as-you-go solar lamps

Abstract This paper provides a descriptive analysis of repayment performance for pay-as-you-go solar lamps, based on pilots conducted in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia during 2014 and 2015. In our sample, 95% of accounts were eventually paid off by the end of the observation period, and the median time to ownership was one week less than the nominal repayment term. Default rates of 11% and 7% were observed with a grace period of 50% and 100% of the repayment term, respectively. We document differences between weekly and monthly accounts (e.g., although time to ownership and on-time performance were better in weekly accounts, longer-term default rates were lower for monthly accounts). The observed payment patterns demonstrate that customers make extensive use of the flexibility allowed in rent-to-own models (e.g., fewer than 30% of customers followed a regular schedule of fixed installments). The analysis identified repayment frequency as one key factor associated with this behavior, as flexible payment patterns were much more likely to occur in weekly accounts than in monthly accounts. This paper highlights the importance of business model design in the diffusion of off-grid energy products in developing countries, outlining opportunities for future research in this domain.
Elisabeth von Heyking: China Through the Eyes of a Female Aristocrat

This chapter argues that it was the German aristocracy, rather than the bourgeoisie, which was the driving force of Germany’s imperial ambitions at the end of the nineteenth century. When the German Kaiser sent the diplomat Edmund von Heyking with his wife Elisabeth to China in 1896 to secure a harbor for the German fleet, they turned this mission into a fight for a German colony. Elisabeth played a significant role in this endeavor, as revealed in her journal Tagebucher aus vier Weltteilen (1926). Moreover, both her Tagebucher and her bestselling novel Briefe, die ihn nicht erreichten (1903) reveal a perception of China that was strongly influenced by previous writings, and reflects the multivocality Georg Steinmetz discusses with the concepts Sinophile and Sinophobe. Heyking’s often condescending tone toward the Chinese in her journal not only testifies to Germany’s sense of entitlement with respect to its desired colony in China, but also stems from the traditional sense of entitlement and superiority associated with the aristocracy. In contrast, the softer tone in her novel published after her return can be interpreted as an acquired appreciation for Chinese culture. Altogether, Elisabeth von Heyking’s representation of China reveals a strong aristocratic female voice that represents China in multifaceted, even contradictory, ways.
Consistent coordination patterns provide near perfect behavior decoding in a comprehensive motor program for insect flight

Patterns of motor activity can be used to decode behavior state. Precise spike timing encoding is present in many motor systems, but is not frequently utilized to decode behavior or to examine how coordination is achieved across many motor units. Testing whether the same coordinated sets of muscles control different movements is difficult without a complete motor representation at the level of the currency of control -- action potentials. Here, we demonstrate nearly perfect decoding of six hawk moth flight behaviors elicited in response to wide-field drifting visual stimuli about the flight axes -- pitch, roll, and yaw -- using a comprehensive, spike-resolved motor program and a simple linear decoding pipeline. A complex decoding scheme is not necessary, even if the functional patterns of control are nonlinear. We show that muscle covariation present in one pair of visual stimulus conditions can be used to decode behavior in a different pair of visual stimulus conditions, indicating the presence of conserved muscle coordination patterns at the level of motor neuronal timings in functionally distinct behaviors. We also demonstrate that as few as half the muscles can be used to retain decoding performance, linking coordination to redundancy in encoding, if not function, across the entire moth flight motor program.
Autocrine regulation of airway smooth muscle contraction by diacylglycerol kinase

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), a lipid kinase, catalyzes the conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid, thereby terminating DAG-mediated signaling by Gq-coupled receptors that regulate contraction of airway smooth muscle (ASM). A previous study from our laboratory demonstrated that DGK inhibition or genetic ablation leads to reduced ASM contraction and provides protection for allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. However, the mechanism by which DGK regulates contractile signaling in ASM is not well established. Herein, we investigated the role of prorelaxant cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) signaling in DGK-mediated regulation of ASM contraction. Pretreatment of human ASM cells with DGK inhibitor I activated PKA as demonstrated by the phosphorylation of PKA substrates, VASP, Hsp20, and CREB, which was abrogated when PKA was inhibited pharmacologically or molecularly using overexpression of the PKA inhibitor peptide, PKI. Furthermore, inhibition of DGK resulted in induction of cyclooxygenase (COX) and generation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) with concomitant activation of Gs-cAMP-PKA signaling in ASM cells in an autocrine/paracrine fashion. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) or extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) attenuated DGK-mediated production of PGE2 and activation of cAMP-PKA signaling in human ASM cells, suggesting that inhibition of DGK activates the COX-PGE2 pathway in a PKC-ERK-dependent manner. Finally, DGK inhibition-mediated attenuation of contractile agonist-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain 20 (MLC-20), a marker of ASM contraction, involves COX-mediated cAMP production and PKA activation in ASM cells. Collectively these findings establish a novel mechanism by which DGK regulates ASM contraction and further advances DGK as a potential therapeutic target to provide effective bronchoprotection in asthma.
Multispecies Coalescent: Theory and Applications in Phylogenetics

Species tree estimation is a basic part of many biological research projects, ranging from answering basic evolutionary questions (e.g., how did a group of species adapt to their environments?) to ...
Macroscopic Circuit Quantum Electrodynamics: A New Look Toward Developing Full-Wave Numerical Models

Devices built using superconducting circuits are a popular approach being pursued to develop quantum information processing hardware. These systems involve the quantized interactions of electromagnetic fields with large coherent collections of charges in superconductors, and so are typically referred to as macroscopic circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) devices or simply circuit QED devices. Although significant progress has been made recently, substantial engineering efforts are required to improve performance and scale these devices so they can address problems of practical interest. Performing these engineering efforts is difficult due to the absence of rigorous numerical modeling approaches. This work begins to address this by providing a new mathematical description of a commonly used circuit QED system, a transmon qubit coupled to microwave transmission lines. Expressed in terms of three-dimensional vector fields, our new model is better suited to developing rigorous numerical solvers than approximate lumped element circuit descriptions used in the literature. We present details on the quantization of our model, and derive equations of motion for the coupled field-transmon system. These results can be used in developing full-wave solvers in the future. To make this work more accessible, we assume a limited amount of training in quantum physics and provide many background details.
The attraction of gambling

If a repeated gamble is subjectively structured into units each consisting of a string of consecutive losses followed by a single win, longer strings will necessarily be less valuable. Longer, less valuable strings will be discounted by delay more than will shorter, more valuable strings. This implies that the whole gamble's expected, delay-discounted value will increase as delay discounting increases. With this restructuring, even games of (objectively) negative expected value, such as those at casinos, may be subjectively positive. The steeper the delay discounting, the greater the subjective value of the gamble (over normal ranges of discounting steepness). Frequent gamblers, who value gambles highly, would thus be expected to discount delayed rewards more steeply than would nongamblers.
School Performance Will Fail to Meet Legislated Benchmarks

Federally mandated progress goals may translate into widespread failure of California elementary schools.
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF MISSOURI RIVER RECREATION: ESTIMATES FROM THE MISSOURI RIVER PUBLIC USE ASSESSMENT

Exit interviews with visitors were used to estimate public use on and along 811 miles of the Missouri River from Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, to the river's mouth near St. Louis, Missouri, during a 13-month period in 2004 and 2005. We estimated both types and amount of public use and the economic value of the river to the users. Economic values of recreation to the public were estimated using both the Travel Cost Method (TCM) and the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). For these public access and areas, an estimated 2 042 980 individual visits were made to the river, with total economic benefits of the river to users estimated at $12.79 per individual visit (TCM) and $23.65 per individual visit (CVM).We discuss methodological differences between the two methods and the potential utility of this information to river management. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced order strip Kalman filtering using singular perturbation method

Strip Kalman filtering for restoration of images degraded by linear-shift-invariant blur and additive white Gaussian noise is considered. The image process is modeled by a large-order perturbed vector AR (autoregressive) model which takes into account the strong-weak correlation effects within a window. It has been shown that the composite dynamic model that is obtained by combining the image model and the blur model takes the form of a singularly perturbed system. The time-scale property of this singularly perturbed system is then utilized to decompose the large-order system into a reduced-order subsystem which closely captures the behavior of the original system. For this subsystem the relevant Kalman filtering equations are obtained which at each stage provide the suboptimal filtered estimates of the image and the one-step prediction estimates of the blur that are needed for the next stage. >
Chicano Folklore: A Handbook

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Maria Herrera-Sobek Year: 2006 Pages: 296 Publisher: Greenwood Publishing Group ISBN: 978-0-313-33325-5 (hard cover). Prices: $55.00 USD(hard cover).
Abstract P128: Walking May Be a Viable Alternative to Recreational Physical Activity for Promoting Physical and Mental Wellbeing Among the Elderly

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is a well-established protective behavior consistently associated with reduced risk of CVD morbidity and mortality. In older populations, moderate or vigorous activities (MVPA) are less common perhaps because of physical limitations; walking has been shown to have similar associations as MVPA with CVD outcomes. MVPA has also been associated with positive physical and mental wellbeing. Little is known, however, about how walking activities influence quality of life measures including indicators of mental wellness. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that greater MVPA and walking will be associated with higher levels of both physical and mental wellbeing. METHODS: We evaluated the cross-sectional relationships of MVPA and walking with physical and mental wellbeing among 2,402 San Diego participants in the Women’s Health Initiative using multinomial logistic regression. MVPA was the sum of moderate and vigorous activity in hours/week, each calculated as ([number of days/week in a...
Multi-level ant colony algorithm for optimal placement of capacitors in distribution systems

An ant colony algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal locations and ratings of capacitors in a distribution network for reactive power compensation. The approach is multilevel. Two separate tables of pheromones are maintained by the algorithm. Ants generate solution stochastically, based on these pheromone tables. The pheromone tables are updated periodically, so that pheromones accrue more along better solutions. Results obtained by the proposed algorithm have been compared with earlier schemes. We conclude that the proposed approach is an effective approach for optimally placing capacitors in a distribution system.
Alternative Modes of Living for the Elderly

This chapter will review critically literature and issues surrounding alternative housing for the elderly. It will focus on three central objectives: 1. To clarify what is meant by the concept of alternative housing. In the past it has been a murky and diffuse concept of limited heuristic value. In our analysis alternative housing will be viewed from two related yet different perspectives. First, a housing type will be considered alternative if it represents an alternative to institutonalization in a nursing home or other extended-care facility. Second, an alternative will include housing types which are considered atypical, newly emerging, or generally ignored in the literature. 2. To suggest a conceptual framework for organizing research and discussion. Thus far research on and discussion of alternative housing has been devoid of a guiding conceptual framework. For example, important levels of analysis such as macrosocial forces have not been taken into consideration or given adequate attention. 3. In general terms, to outline areas for future research and discussion.
COMPUTER MODELS OF DEPOLARIZATION ALTERATIONS INDUCED BY MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA: THE EFFECT OF SUPERIMPOSED ISCHEMIC INHOMOGENEITIES ON PROPAGATION IN SPACE AND TIME-FREQUENCY DOMAINS

A two-dimensional modified Luo-Rudy model was created to represent a 40 mm by 40 mm slab of myocardial tissue. An inhomogeneity was introduced to simulate acute myocardial ischemia, with components of hyperkalemia, acidosis and anoxia. Simulations were carried out for various degrees of ischemia, to study both the interaction of the propagation front with the inhomogeneity, and the reconstructed signals. The simulations utilized a modified LR model, with a realistic anisotropy of myocardial tissue. Each cluster (.4 mm ×.4 mm) was given bulk electric properties, Rx and Ry (25Ω and 250Ω, respectively). The slab was stimulated and the 2D depolarization pattern was computed by numerical integration. To study ischemia, a circular inhomogeneity with concentric regions (ro=12.8 mm{border zone, BZ}, ri=11.2 mm{extreme zone, EZ}) regions was introduced in the model. From the 2D simulations and the regional action potentials (AP), unipolar and bipolar lead potentials were reconstructed. Time-frequency decomposition was performed on the lead signals by wavelet analysis. Isochrone and (dV/dt)max maps were obtained to study depolarization. Our results indicate that spatial inhomogeneities yield dramatic spatial dispersion of the wavefront and are the origin of mid-frequency intra-QRS components in cardiac signals. Severe APD shortening and spatial distortion of the isochrone and upstroke maps are also observed.
Syntheses of [14C] and [2H4]PD0205520, an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor

5-(4-Methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pent-2-ynoic acid [4-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenylamino)-pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl]-amide, PD0205520, was under investigation as a potential inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase (TK) activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for cancer treatment. Both radio- and stable-isotope-labeled compounds were required for drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) and quantitative mass spectrometry bio-analytical studies. PD0205520 I4C-labeled in the pyrimidine ring system was prepared in seven steps in an overall radiochemical yield of 26% from [14C]thiourea. PD0205520 2H-Iabeled in the piperazine ring was synthesized in four steps in a 32% overall yield. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual energy rapid scan radiography for geometallurgy evaluation and isolation of trace mineral particles

Abstract Procedures are described for the evaluation and isolation of trace mineral particles from sample populations at the ppm level by dual energy rapid scan radiography using an X-ray microtomography instrument (XMT). After calibration of the XMT, the samples are split into narrow size fractions, each size fraction distributed/assembled on projection plates, and then the plates placed in the sample holder of the XMT for irradiation at two energy levels (dual energy analysis). In this way, for example, more than 200,000 particles of 250 × 150 μm in size can be interrogated in less than 1 h and the composition of particles containing high density mineral phases estimated. These trace particles can be isolated for 3D analysis by high resolution X-ray microtomography and/or selected for surface characterization using XPS, TOF/SIMS, or other analytical instruments. Rapid scan radiography can be used for the examination of drill core samples, tailings samples, or any other particulate sample containing trace mineral particles.
Perspective: preventive isoniazid therapy and the liver.

The preventive use of isoniazid (INH) has been controversial since 1975, but official agencies continue to advocate the procedure. Cost-effectiveness and risk benefit studies of preventive INH use have come to conflicting conclusions. A review of eight such studies indicates an increasing tendency to minimize INH hepatotoxicity and to disregard the declining tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in countries in which INH prophylaxis has not been widely adopted. We report three cases of fatal INH-asssociated hepatitis that illustrate that this complication of preventive INH use remains a serious problem. Current recommendations that encourage wide use of preventive INH therapy are unwise because they inflict a risk of fatal hepatitis on compliant adults and older children who have little danger of tuberculosis while being difficult to deliver to the alcohol- and drug-addicted persons whose risk is high. Health departments and physicians should severely restrict preventive INH therapy.
Children with special health care needs may encounter difficulty finding dental care.

Original Article Al Agili DE, Roseman J, Pass MA, Thornton JB, Chavers LS. Access to dental care in Alabama for children with special needs: parents' perspectives. J Am Dent Assoc 2004;135:490-5. Level of Evidence 4 Purpose The authors sought to characterize the degree that children with special health care needs in Alabama could access dental care and what barriers interfered with their access to dental care. Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Case series: Mail survey/descriptive
Sequence and expression of a novel human T-cell receptor beta-chain variable gene segment subfamily.

We describe the characterization of a novel subfamily of human T-cell receptor β-chain variable TCRBV gene segments, detected through homology to a mouse Tcrb-V13 gene segment probe. The new human TCRBV gene segment subfamily TCRBV21 contains three members, all of which have been characterized with respect to nucleotide sequence, chromosomal location, and expression in human thymocytes and peripheral T lymphocytes. Our results indicate that one member of the TCRBV21 subfamily is not expressed in either tissue type although its coding region, promoter, recognition, and splice sequences all appear to be functional at the nucleotide level, possibly indicating regulation at the level of transcription.
The impending crisis awaiting cardiac transplantation. Modeling a solution based on selection.

BACKGROUNDEach month, the number of transplant candidates added to the waiting list exceeds the number of transplantations performed, and many outpatients deteriorate to require transplantation urgently. The current list of 2400 candidates and the average wait of 8 months continue to increase.METHODS AND RESULTSTo determine the size at which the outpatient and critical candidate pools will stabilize, population models were constructed using current statistics for donor hearts, candidate listing, sudden death, and outpatient decline to urgent status and revised to predict the impact of alterations in policies of candidate listing. If current practices continue, within 48 months the predicted list will stabilize as the sum of an estimated 270 hospitalized candidates, among whom, together with newly listed urgent candidates, all hearts will be distributed and 3700 outpatient candidates with virtually no chance of transplantation unless they deteriorate to an urgent status. Decreasing the upper age limit now ...
Resource Note: Theoretical Atomic-Electron Binding Energies

Abstract An annotated bibliography of calculations of electron binding energies of neutral atoms is presented. The subject is summarized in a brief introduction. Published calculations are tabulated; entries are characterized according to range of atomic numbers; type of atomic model; nuclear charge distribution; and inclusion of relaxation, Breit interaction, and quantum-electrodynamic effects. The table is supplemented with a chronological list of selected papers on atomic structure calculations and with a list of references to some useful computer programs.
Mechanims involved in the glow-discharge deposition of doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon☆

It is shown that the dependence of the Fermi level on discharge phosphine concentration can be understood using a simple model of the doping process, in which charged dangling bonds during deposition are the precursors of all the dangling bonds in the deposited film.
Nerve fibers of the eighth nerve and their distribution to sensory nerves of inner ear in the bullfrog

The number of both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers has been determined for the eighth nerve and each of its sensory branches in the bullfrog. No significant differences were found in the size distribution of the myelinated nerve fibers among the three ampullary nerves or between the saccular and lagenar nerves. Comparison of these two functional groups also showed no significant differences in the myelinated nerve fiber size distribution between the angular acceleration and otolithic receptors, collectively the equilibrium receptors. The wide variability, that was found not only among the animals but also between the right and left sides, most likely resulted in the absence of differences. Highly significant differences were noted when the myelinated nerve fiber diameter distributions to the acoustic organs were compared to those of the equilibrium organs. The most notable difference was the absence of any myelinated nerve fibers whose diameters were greater than 8 micrometer.
Synthesis of 16-membered ring macrolide antibiotics I. Stereoselective construction of the ‘right wing” of the carbomycins and leucomycins from D-glucose

D-Glucose was converted to a backbone chain containing the appropriate functionalities and correct stereochemistry for the construction of the C1–C9 fragment of the 16-membered ring macrolide antibiotics carbomycin A and B and leucomycin A3.
The effect of exercise modality on exercise-induced hypoxemia

Abstract To investigate the effect of exercise mode on arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2), 13 healthy, actively training men who displayed exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH) performed two incremental maximal exercise tests: uphill treadmill running and cycle ergometry. At maximum, treadmill running resulted in a lower SaO2 (88.6±2.0% versus 92.6±2.0%), a lower ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide ( V E V CO 2 ; 28.8±0.6 versus 31.2±0.9), and a higher maximal oxygen consumption ( V O 2 , MAX ; 4.83±0.11 l·min-1 versus 4.61±0.14 l·min-1) when compared to cycle ergometry. When data were combined from maximal running and cycling, SaO2 was correlated to V E V CO 2 (r=0.54). However, there was no relationship between the differences in SaO2 and ventilation between exercise modes. This suggests that ventilation is important in the maintenance of SaO2, but that the difference observed in SaO2 between treadmill running and cycle ergometry cannot be explained by differences in ventilation and must be due to differences in diffusion limitation or ventilation-perfusion inequality.
Population Densities of the European Red Mite and the Predaceous Mite Typhlodromus (A.) fallacis on Apple Foliage Following Treatment with Various Insecticides

Single applications of 9 insecticides were made to apple trees in mid-August and the relative population densities of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), and predaceous mite, Typhlodromlls (A.) fallacis (Garman), were measured over a period of 5 weeks. P. ulmi increased in abundance following applications of carbaryl, NIA-10242 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranylmethylcarbamate), dioxathion, GS-13005 ( O, O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate S -ester with 4-(mercaptomethyl)-2-methoxy-δ2-1,3,4-thiadiazolin-5-one), ethion, and carbophenothion. Populations declined on trees treated with azinphosmethyl, Imidan® ( O, O -dimethyl S -phthalimidomethyl phosphorodithioate), diazinon, and on the control trees. The 3 last-mentioned insecticides were the least toxic to T. fallacis . In general, there was an inverse relationship between the toxicity of the insecticides to the predator and changes in P. ulmi populations. Evaluation of the data suggested that a major factor accounting for changes in P. ulmi densities was the toxicity of the insecticides to T. fallacis , rather than the effect of the insecticides on P. ulmi per se.
Encounters between bombardier beetles and two species of toads (Bufo americanus, B. marinus): Speed of prey-capture does not determine success

The contribution of prey-capture speed to toads' ability to ingest chemically protected prey is evaluated: first, by measuring the speed of toads ingesting palatable prey for comparison with reaction times for prey defenses, and second, by analyzing encounters between toads and bombardier beetles — insects with a quick and potent chemical defense. 1.a. Analysis of filmed (64 fps) prey-capture sequences reveals that the rapid tongue flip is preceded by a slower forward lunge of the entire body and followed by a still slower ingestion of retrieved prey (Fig. 1, Table 1). Only the tongue flip, which establishes contact with the prey and retrieves it into the toad's mouth, requires less time than latencies typically reported for invertebrate defensive responses. Ingestion of retrieved prey is not completed until more than 500 ms after initial contact between tongue and prey, giving prey sufficient time to respond with chemical defenses. 1.b. Marine toads, the larger of the two species studied, are slower than American toads in all phases of prey-capture up until the beginning of swallowing; however, they complete ingestion as quickly as American toads (Fig. 1, Table 1). 2. American toads which attack bombardier beetles usually reject the beetles after retrieving them into their mouths (Table 2). Rejection is a dramatic reversal of prey-capture which typically begins within 300 ms of initial contact between tongue and beetle (Figs. 1, 2). After rejecting a bombardier beetle, American toads exhibit behavior that suggests discomfort and display a temporary aversion to striking again at the beetle (Table 3). 3. Marine toads which attack bombardier beetles usually ingest the beetles without showing discomfort (Table 2). When they do reject bombardier beetles or show other behavioral reactions, the behavior is similar to but less intense than that of American toads. Irrespective of the outcome of a previous encounter, marine toads strike willingly when a second bombardier beetle is offered (Table 3). 4. An ingested bombardier beetle occasionally causes a toad discomfort but rarely induces the toad to evert its stomach and reject the beetle. 5. It is concluded that bombardier beetles attacked by a toad must deploy their chemical defense while still in the toad's mouth if they are to survive. When adequately stimulated, the beetles are able to respond in less time than toads require to ingest prey. Nevertheless, toads can overcome this chemical defense by retrieving and swallowing beetles without eliciting defensive discharges.
Adenosine depresses excitatory but not fast inhibitory synaptic transmission in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus.

The effects of adenosine on inhibitory synaptic transmission in area CA1 were examined using the rat hippocampal slice preparation and intracellular recording. Adenosine did not change fast inhibitory synaptic potentials (IPSPs) but depressed late IPSPs evoked by direct activation of interneurons in the presence of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and d,l-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). Directly activated IPSPs were unchanged by the selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT), but CPT reversed hyperpolarization and depression of late IPSPs produced by adenosine. These results indicate that adenosine depresses disynaptic IPSPs in area CA1 by decreasing synaptic activation of inhibitory neurons.
A dislocation dynamics approach to prediction of cleavage planes in b.c.c. metals

Abstract A new model is proposed to explain (001) cleavage for b.c.c. metals. The model is based on the concept of minimum stress relief. Hypothetical cleavage planes and directions were evaluated to test the model. The model predicts that b.c.c. metals will cleave on the (001) plane because of a minimum of plastic deformation despite a lower apparent surface energy for (110) planes.
Initial contact, exploration and attachment of barnacle ( Balanus amphitrite ) cyprids settling in flow

Settlement responses of barnacle (Balanus amphitrite) cyprids to boundary-layer flows were examined in laboratory flume-experiments. The leading-edge configuration of flat plates was altered in order to manipulate flows without changing surface topography or freestream velocity. Settlement along the plates correlated strongly with downstream gradients in shear stress. Analyses of video images taken during the experiments indicate that cyprids first contact plates in regions where plate-ward advection is high, and subsequent exploratory movement along the plate is oriented with flow direction at the plate surface. After exploration, cyprids reject a surface more frequently in a fast flow (10 cm s−1 freestream velocity) than in a slow flow (5 cm s−1), but rejection occurs in shear stresses well below the threshold that would prevent attachment and exploration. A higher rejection rate does not result in lower settlement, however, since contact rate is higher in fast than slow flows. The movement of cyprids in flow thus appears to be a passive transport process during the initial contact stage of settlement, but an active behavioral response to flow direction and shear stress during later stages of exploration and attachment.
Ionic blockade of the rat connexin40 gap junction channel by large tetraalkylammonium ions.

The rat connexin40 gap junction channel is permeable to monovalent cations including tetramethylammonium and tetraethylammonium ions. Larger tetraalkyammonium (TAA) ions beginning with tetrabutylammonium (TBA) reduced KCl junctional currents disproportionately. Ionic blockade by tetrapentylammonium (TPeA) and tetrahexylammonium (THxA) ions were concentration- and voltage-dependent and occurred only when TAA ions were on the same side as net K efflux across the junction, indicative of block of the ionic permeation pathway. The voltage-dependent dissociation constants (Km(Vj)) were lower for THxA than TPeA, consistent with steric effects within the pore. The Km-Vj relationships for TPeA and THxA were fit with different reaction rate models for a symmetrical (homotypic) connexin gap junction channel and were described by either a one- or two-site model that assumed each ion traversed the entire Vj field. Bilateral addition of TPeA ions confirmed a common site of interaction within the pore that possessed identical Km(Vj) values for cis-trans concentrations of TPeA ions as indicated by the modeled I-V relations and rapid channel block that precluded unitary current measurements. The TAA block of K currents and bilateral TPeA interactions did not alter Vj-gating of Cx40 gap junctions. N-octyl-tributylammonium and -triethylammonium also blocked rCx40 channels with higher affinity and faster kinetics than TBA or TPeA, indicative of a hydrophobic site within the pore near the site of block.
Authentication of L-Ascorbyl-2-sulfate in Salmonid Gastric Tissue: HPLC/Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectroscopic Verification

Abstract New findings establish the intact transfer of the L-ascorbyl-2-sulfate ester across the stomach membrane in salmon. In addition, measurement of the ester has been confirmed in a commercial fish diet. The procedure used a non ion-pairing C18 reverse phase column for the separation of L-ascorbyl-2-sulfate (AS) from coho salmon gastric tissue. The AS fraction was eluted from the column with 0.1 M ammonium acetate pH 5.0 and rechromatographed to ascertain purity. When chromatographed under the same conditions, the collected AS fraction had the same retention time as the purified standard of L-ascorbyl-2-sulfate dipotassium salt. The purified AS fraction was then confirmed as to structure by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry The AS fraction gave the same Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry results as the standard AS when subjected to mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (MSMS) analysis.
Integrated numeric and symbolic signal processing using a heterogeneous design environment

We present a solution to a complex multi-tone transient detection problem to illustrate the integrated use of symbolic and numeric processing techniques which are supported by well-established underlying models. Examples of such models include synchronous dataflow for numeric processing and the blackboard paradigm for symbolic heuristic search. Our transient detection solution serves to emphasize the importance of developing system design methods and tools which can support the integrated use of well- established symbolic and numerical models of computation. Recently, we incorporated a blackboard-based model of computation underlying the Integrated Processing and Understanding of Signals (IPUS) paradigm into a system-level design environment for numeric processing called Ptolemy. Using the IPUS/Ptolemy environment, we are implementing our solution to the multi-tone transient detection problem.
Sirolimus as Primary Immunosuppression Attenuates Allograft Vasculopathy With Improved Late Survival and Decreased Cardiac Events After Cardiac Transplantation

Background—We retrospectively analyzed the potential of sirolimus as a primary immunosuppressant in the long-term attenuation of cardiac allograft vasculopathy progression and the effects on cardiac-related morbidity and mortality. Methods and Results—Forty-five cardiac transplant recipients were converted to sirolimus 1.2 years (0.2, 4.0) after transplantation with complete calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal. Fifty-eight control subjects 2.0 years (0.2, 6.5 years) from transplantation were maintained on calcineurin inhibitors. Age, sex, ejection fraction, and time from transplantation to baseline intravascular ultrasound study were not different (P>0.2 for all) between the groups; neither were secondary immunosuppressants and use of steroids. Three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound studies were performed at baseline and 3.1 years (1.3, 4.6 years) later. Plaque index progression (plaque volume/vessel volume) was attenuated in the sirolimus group (0.7±10.5% versus 9.3±10.8%; P=0.0003) owing to reduced pla...
Oxidant and precursor trends in the metropolitan Los Angeles region

This paper describes recent historical trends in oxidant and precursors in the Los Angeles region. Control strategies and basinwide emission trends for nitrogen oxides and reactive hydrocarbons are documented year by year from 1965 to 1974. Trends in the geographic distribution of emissions are illustrated by computing net percentage emission changes over the decade for individual counties. The changes in emissions are compared with changes in ambient precursor concentrations and oxidant concentrations. We find that many of the changes in monitored air quality can be explained by trends in both total emissions and the spatial distribution of emissions.
Role of pro-oxidants and antioxidants in the anti-inflammatory and apoptotic effects of curcumin (diferuloylmethane)

Abstract Extensive research within the past half-century has indicated that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a yellow pigment in curry powder, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and proapoptotic activities. We investigated whether the anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic activities assigned to curcumin are mediated through its prooxidant/antioxidant mechanism. We found that TNF-mediated NF-κB activation was inhibited by curcumin; and glutathione reversed the inhibition. Similarly, suppression of TNF-induced AKT activation by curcumin was also abrogated by glutathione. The reducing agent also counteracted the inhibitory effects of curcumin on TNF-induced NF-κB-regulated antiapoptotic (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, IAP1), proliferative (cyclin D1), and proinflammatory (COX-2, iNOS, and MMP-9) gene products. The suppression of TNF-induced AP-1 activation by curcumin was also reversed by glutathione. Also, the direct proapoptotic effects of curcumin were inhibited by glutathione and potentiated by depletion of intracellular glutathione by buthionine sulfoximine. Moreover, curcumin induced the production of reactive oxygen species and modulated intracellular GSH levels. Quenchers of hydroxyl radicals, however, were ineffective in inhibiting curcumin-mediated NF-κB suppression. Further, N-acetylcysteine partially reversed the effect of curcumin. Based on these results we conclude that curcumin mediates its apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities through modulation of the redox status of the cell.
Adverse Effects of Humanitarian Aid in Complex Emergencies

Humanitarian relief operations into complex emergencies in the post‐Cold War era face many challenges. One of these is understanding and mitigating the possible adverse effects of humanitarian aid on target conflicts and populations. Humanitarian relief efforts can prolong, exacerbate, or in other ways harm the progression of emergency‐causing conflicts. Moreover, relief operations sometime undermine the development prospects of the target population, which is essential for reducing a population's vulnerability to future emergencies. This essay reviews the literature on this topic and offers some direction for future research.
Ferret: a toolkit for content-based similarity search of feature-rich data

Building content-based search tools for feature-rich data has been a challenging problem because feature-rich data such as audio recordings, digital images, and sensor data are inherently noisy and high dimensional. Comparing noisy data requires comparisons based on similarity instead of exact matches, and thus searching for noisy data requires similarity search instead of exact search.The Ferret toolkit is designed to help system builders quickly construct content-based similarity search systems for feature-rich data types. The key component of the toolkit is a content-based similarity search engine for generic, multi-feature object representations. To solve the similarity search problem in high-dimensional spaces, we have developed approximation methods inspired by recent theoretical results on dimension reduction. The search engine constructs sketches from feature vectors as highly compact data structures for matching, filtering and ranking data objects. The toolkit also includes several other components to help system builders address search system infrastructure issues. We have implemented the toolkit and used it to successfully construct content-based similarity search systems for four data types: audio recordings, digital photos, 3D shape models and genomic microarray data.
A comparison between MMPI and CPI adult profiles of children of alcoholics and nonalcoholics

Findings of a comparison of CPI and MMPI subscale score means between 31 children of alcoholics/problem drinkers (COAs) and 120 non-COAs in a longitudinal panel only minimally support the oft-quoted clinical literature's assertions concerning differences in adult outcome between COAs and non-COAs. However, findings appear to be congruent with the findings of other panel studies in the United States and Sweden. Implications for further research are noted.
OBJECT, MEMORY, AND MATERIALITY AT YAXCHILAN: THE RESET LINTELS OF STRUCTURES 12 AND 22

This article focuses on Structures 12 and 22 from Yaxchilan (Chiapas, Mexico), where the ancient Maya reset stone lintels from the sixth century a.d. in eighth-century buildings. The resetting highlights attention to the preservation of the lintels as relics from the past. Valued for their antiquity and the histories they had accrued, particularly from contact with ancestors, they served as loci for communication with the past, with memory inhering in their materiality. This essay also explores the lintels’ physical contexts and how the Maya may have engaged with them. For example, the arrangement of the Structure 12 lintels would have guided circumambulation. Such movement was associated with sacred processions, and evidence suggests the building was reserved for ancestor veneration. Although only restricted groups could have entered the small structure to perform rites, these may have been integrated into extended ceremonial circuits in public spaces.This article connects with studies of the life histories of things, in which analysis is directed toward objects’ use, reuse, and modification. Examining how people interacted with sculptures over time offers insight into the people and the objects and provides glimpses into Late Classic Maya perception of sculptures and their material qualities.
y scaling as a probe of nuclear light-cone dynamics

The y scaling exhibited in quasielastic electron scattering on nuclei is shown to occur in the same kinematic limit as x scaling in deep-inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering. Using the impulse approximation in a relativistic model, we demonstrate that the scaling function F(y) can be interpreted as the nucleon light-cone momentum distribution and the scaling variable y is related to the light-cone momentum t+ of the nucleon. We also derive the convolution formula for deep-inelastic lepton-nucleus scattering and show that the same F(y) can be extracted from the experimental structure functions of the nucleon and nuclei.