cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ignition of confined gaseous mixtures by hot surfaces and hot wires

Ignition times and spatial and temporal variations of temperature and concentration in gaseous mixtures confined between two infinite parallel walls or two infinite cylinders have been obtained by numerical integration of the appropriate conservation equations written in Lagrangian coordinates. Ignition times and ignition energies are presented for the case of an isothermal wall in terms of the initial mixture pressure and equivalence ratio for both one and two-step chemical reaction mechanisms. The numerical results indicate that there is a critical mixture pressure for which the ignition time is minimum. The values of this critical pressure are larger (smaller) than 1 atm for the one- (two-) step reaction mechanism. The critical pressure for the ignition time is not equal to the critical pressure for the ignition energy. The ignition time and energy decrease with the equivalence ratio within a certain range and then remain constant.
Intransitivity and Future Generations: Debunking Parfit's Mere Addition Paradox

ABSTRACT Duties to future persons contribute critically to many important contemporaneous ethical dilemmas, such as environmental protection, contraception, abortion, and population policy. Yet this area of ethics is mired in paradoxes. It appeared that any principle for dealing with future persons encountered Kavka's paradox of future individuals, Parfit's repugnant conclusion, or an indefensible asymmetry. In 1976, Singer proposed a utilitarian solution that seemed to avoid the above trio of obstacles, but Parfit so successfully demonstrated the unacceptability of this position that Singer abandoned it. Indeed, the apparently intransitivity of Singer's solution contributed to Temkin's argument that the notion of “all things considered better than” may be intransitive. In this paper, I demonstrate that a time-extended view of Singer's solution avoids the intransitivity that allows Parfit's mere addition paradox to lead to the repugnant conclusion. However, the heart of the mere addition paradox remains: the time-extended view still yields intransitive judgments. I discuss a general theory for dealing with intransitivity (Transitivity by Transformation) that was inspired by Temkin's sports analogy, and demonstrate that such a solution is more palatable than Temkin suspected. When a pair-wise comparison also requires consideration of a small number of relevant external alternatives, we can avoid intransitivity and the mere addition paradox without infinite comparisons or rejecting the Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives Principle
A study of β → α″ martensitic transformation volume change in TiAlV alloys

Abstract The effect of alloy chemistry on the sign and the magnitude of a volume change accompanying β → α ″ martensitic transformation in the TiAlV system is explored using X-ray diffraction. The transformation volume change is found to vary between −4.5 and +4.5%. Alloys within the composition range characterized by a large, positive (> +4%) volume change are further studied to explore their potential for dispersed-phase transformation toughening of γ-titanium aluminide. They are found to be reasonably chemically compatible with the γ phase. However, stability of the β phase in these alloys is low, causing martensite to form on quenching to room temperature. It was concluded that, due to insufficient stability of the β phase, these alloys are not suitable for dispersed-phase transformation toughening of γ-titanium aluminide.
Cell orientation response to cyclically deformed substrates: Experimental validation of a cell model

We have developed a stochastic model that describes the orientation response of bipolar cells grown on a cyclically deformed substrate. The model was based on the following hypotheses regarding the behavior of individual cells: (a) the mechanical signal responsible for cell reorientation is the peak to peak surface strain along the cell's major axis (p-p axial strain); (b) each cell has an axial strain threshold and the threshold is normally distributed in the cell population; (c) the cell will avoid any direction where the p-p axial strain is above its threshold; and (d) the cell will randomly orient within the range of directions where the p-p axial strains are less than the cell's threshold. These hypotheses were tested by comparing model predictions with experimental observations from stretch experiments conducted with human melanocytes. The cells were grown on elastic rectangular culture dishes subjected to unidirectional cyclic (1 Hz) stretching with amplitudes of 0, 4, 8, and 12%. After 24 h of stimulation, the distribution of cell orientations was determined by measuring the orientations of 300–400 randomly selected cells. The 12% stretch experiment was used to determine the mean, 3.5%, and the standard deviation, 1.0%, of the strain threshold for the cell population. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was then used to determine if the orientation distributions predicted by the model were different from experimentally measured distributions for the 4 and 8% stretches. No significant differences were found between the predicted and experimental distributions (4%: p = 0.70; and 8%: p = 0.71). These results support the hypothesis that cells randomly orient, but avoid directions where the p-p axial strains are above their thresholds.
Durable goods and horizontal merger analysis

Merger analysis based on standard HHI calculations generally may not fully consider the impact of product durability and hence may significantly bias enforcement efforts. Using an inverse demand equation modified to include a shift parameter linked to the installed base, this paper develops a Durability Adjusted HHI (DAHHI) measure of concentration. DAHHI analysis exposes two potential biases in standard HHI analysis: excessive enforcement in durable goods industries is likely using standard HHI analysis, and Merger Guidelines' thresholds are set too high for non-durable goods industries and too low for durable goods industries. Using the DAHHI methodology, the paper proposes corrections to both biases.
Substrate-Induced Conjugation of Bilirubin in Genetically Deficient Newborn Rats

Bilirubin appears to induce its own conjugation with glucuronide. Bilibrubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase activity is relatively high at birth in heterozygous offspring of permanently jaundiced female rats. The postnatal development of the transferase is accelerated in hyperbilirubinemic heterozygotes.
Digital video in education

Digital Video is an exciting new medium with the potential to revolutionize the way organizations train their employees. However, there are questions that must be answered. How practical is video? What is the demand? What is the best use of video? In this paper, we compare the performance and quality of common digital formats, analyze 851,770 queries from an Excite database, and present the results of a study that explores the value of digital video in an educational environment.
Calculation of fraction of dose absorbed: comparison between analytical solution based on one compartment steady state concentration approximation and dynamic seven compartment model

Oral absorption of a drug is modeled by the differential equations for dissolution, permeation and gastrointestinal transit processes. The purpose of the present study was to compare simple approximate analytical solutions with full numerical solutions for the calculation of the fraction of a dose absorbed (Fa). The GI compartment model for numerical integration consisted of 1 stomach, 7 intestine and 1 colon compartments, whereas for analytical solutions a simple one well-stirred compartment was used. Full numerical solutions were obtained by numerically integrating the dissolution, permeation and gastrointestinal transit differential equations. In the numerical integration calculation, the concentration change in the GI tract, particle size reduction, transit of drugs, etc., was dynamically simulated. Precipitation in the GI tract and regional differences of solubility and permeability were not considered. In total, 7056 numerical integrations were performed, sweeping practical drug parameter ranges of solubility (0.001 to 1 mg/mL), diffusion coefficient (0.1 – 10 x 10 -6 cm 2 /sec), dose (1 to 1000 mg), particle diameter (1 to 300 μm) and effective permeability (0.03 – 10 x 10 -4 cm/sec). The analytical solutions investigated were (I) a sequential first order approximation (Fa =1–Pn/(Pn – Dn)exp(–Dn) + Dn/(Pn – Dn)exp(–Pn), Dn: dissolution number, Do: dose number and Pn: permeation number. Dn, Do and Pn are the dimensionless parameters which represent the dissolution time/GI transit time ratio, the solubility/dose ratio, and the permeation time/GI transit time ratio, respectively), (II) a limiting step approximation (the minimum value of Fa = 1–exp(–Pn), Fa = Pn/Do and Fa = 1–exp(–Dn)) and (III) a steady state approximation for the dissolved drug concentration (Fa =1–exp(–1/(1/Dn + Do/Pn)), if Do < 1, Do = 1). Fa values by (I) and (II) were higher than those by numerical integration for low solubility compounds (r 2 = 0.80 and 0.98, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.28 and 0.079, respectively). By applying the steady state approximation, the correlation was improved (r 2 = 0.99, RMSE = 0.047). The steady state approximation for the dissolved drug concentration was appropriate for Fa calculation.
Incompleteness of results for the slow-server problem with an unreliable fast server

Efrosinin (Ann Oper Res 202:75–102, 2013) examined the optimal allocation of customers in an \(M/M/2\) queueing system with heterogeneous servers differentiated by their service rates and reliability attributes. Specifically, the faster server is subject to partial or complete failures, and the slower server is perfectly reliable. The objective is to determine an optimal allocation policy that minimizes the long-run average number of customers in the system. The purpose of this note is to show that some key arguments in Efrosinin (2013) related to the optimality of a threshold policy are incomplete.
Effects of fluid flow conditions on interactions between species in biofilms

Most microorganisms live in complex communities, where they interact both synergistically and competitively. To explore the relationship between environmental heterogeneity and the spatial structure of well-defined biofilms, single- and mixed-species biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Flavobacterium sp. CDC-65 was grown in a planar flow cell under highly controlled flow gradients. Both organisms behaved differently in mixed cultures than in single-species cultures due to inter-species interactions, and these interactions were significantly affected by external flow conditions. Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium showed a competitive relationship under slow inflow conditions, where the supply of growth medium was limited. Under such competitive conditions, the faster- specific growth rate of Flavobacterium allowed it to secure access to favorable regions of the biofilm by overgrowing Pseudomonas. In contrast, Pseudomonas was restricted to nutritionally depleted habitat near the base of the biofilm, and its growth was significantly inhibited. Conversely, under higher inflow conditions providing greater influx of growth medium, both organisms accumulated greater biomass in mixed biofilms than in single-species biofilms. Spatial segregation of the two organisms within the biofilms contributed to enhanced overall exploitation of available nutrients and substrates, while morphological changes favored better adherence to the surface under high hydrodynamic shear. These results indicate that synergy and competition in biofilms vary with flow conditions. Limited resource replenishment favors competition under low-flow conditions, while high flow reduces competition and favors synergy by providing greater resources and simultaneously imposing increased hydrodynamic shear that makes it more difficult to accumulate biomass on the surface. Ecological interactions that produce mechanically stronger and more robust biofilms will support more extensive growth on surfaces subject to high hydrodynamic shear, but these interactions are difficult to predict from observations of the behavior of individual organisms.
Using path analysis to measure natural selection.

We expand current methods for calculating selection coefficients using path analysis and demonstrate how to analyse nonlinear selection. While this incorporation is a straightforward extension of current procedures, the rules for combining these traits to calculate selection coefficients can be complex. We demonstrate our method with an analysis of selection in an experimental population of Arabidopsis thaliana consisting of 289 individuals. Multiple regression analyses found positive directional selection and positive nonlinear selection only for inflorescence height. In contrast, the path analyses also revealed positive directional selection for number of rosette leaves and positive nonlinear selection for leaf number and time of inflorescence initiation. These changes in conclusions came about because indirect selection was converted into direct selection with the change in causal structure. Path analysis has great promise for improving our understanding of natural selection but must be used with caution since coefficient estimates depend on the assumed causal structure.
A modified method for the production of 36ClL3− for use in plant nitrate transport studies

Abstract A modified method for the production and purification of 36 ClO 3 − in high yield is described. This procedure, involving the electrolytic oxidation of 36 Cl − in a cell with simple electrode design and purification of the electrolysis products ( 36 Cl − , 36 ClO 3 − , and 36 ClO 4 − ) by aqueous column chromatography, allows for the recovery of about 80% of the initial radiolabel as 36 ClO 3 − . The method is rapid and suitable for the production of this radiolabeled anion for use as a tracer analog for nitrate in plant membrane transport experiments.
Identifying Gaps in HIV Prevention Services

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programs and agencies are fighting growing rates of infection with decreasing resources. Identification of gaps in HIV prevention services can help inform prevention funding and program policies. To describe HIV prevention needs in a southern U.S. state, we conducted face-to-face interviews with prevention agencies and persons considered by others in their community to be "influential informants" of the community's HIV prevention services in a sample of counties in North Carolina. Using county as the unit of analysis (n = 10), we investigated differences in gaps by community characteristics, such as disparities in sexually transmitted disease rates. Lack of programs and problems with service program coordination/cooperation were reported frequently by rural counties. The most commonly reported barrier to meeting the needs of persons at risk for HIV was funding, followed by stigma. Findings from this study can inform local and regional planners on how to efficiently target prevention programs, including programs aimed at reducing racial and geographic disparities in sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV.
The Education of John Fowles

(1979). The Education of John Fowles. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 85-100.
The kinetics of crystal growth of calcium sulfate dihydrate

The crystallization of calcium sulfate dihydrate on the addition of seed crystals to stable supersaturated solutions has been studied at various temperatures between 15 and 45 °C. The growth follows an equation second order in relative supersaturation and the rate constant is independent of surface area changes but dependent upon the number of active growth sites introduced into the system. Under conditions of high supersaturation or low seed concentrations, crystal growth is preceded by an induction period which is shown microscopically to be caused by additional nucleation. The activation energy for the surface controlled crystal growth is 15.0 ± 0.5 kcal mole−1.
Effect of suckling on cortisol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone in postpartum beef cows.

Five primiparous, 3-year-old Hereford cows suckled ad libitum , were cannulated via the jugular vein and stanchioned for 2-day sampling periods, every 14 days starting 14 days after the mean calving date. On the second day of each period, calves were removed to a pen away from the cows, for 9 hours. Blood was sampled 5 min before calves were returned to their dams, as soon as possible after initiation of suckling (IOS), and at 15-min intervals for 45 min, thereafter. Cortisol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in the serum were quantitated by radioimmunoassay. Mean serum cortisol concentrations were 7.3 +/- .7, 9.4 +/- .7, 12.1 +/- .9, 7.5 +/- .5 and 5.7 +/- .4 ng/ml (mean +/- S.E.) at -5, 0, 15, 30 and 45 min after IOS, respectively, for all cows across all periods. Cortisol concentrations, during and after suckling, tended (P<.06) to differ among sampling periods, during the postpartum interval. Serum progesterone concentrations were .28 +/- .02, .28 +/- .02, .32 +/- .05 and .24 +/- .03 ng/ml at 0, 15, 30 and 45 min after IOS, respectively, for all cows across all period, indicating that suckling had no effect on serum progesterone, and were similar at all sampling periods during the postpartum interval. Serum LH concentrations were .81 +/- .07, .77 +/- .06, .71 +/- .04, and .72 +/- .04 ng/ml at 0, 15, 30 and 45 min after IOS, respectively. During the postpartum interval, serum LH concentrations were greater (P<.01) at 71 and 85 days postpartum than at any other time.
A stochastic model of the HIV epidemic for heterosexual transmission involving married couples and prostitutes: I. The probabilities of HIV transmission and pair formation

To assess effects of risk factors on the HIV epidemic by heterosexual transmission and the role of prostitutes, in this paper we consider four populations and derive the probabilities of HIV infection in these populations. The four populations considered are the single males, the single females, the married couples, and the prostitutes. It is shown that prostitutes form a stepping stone for the HIV epidemic by heterosexual transmission. Thus, in a society in which homosexual transmission and IV drug use are not frequent, the HIV epidemic can hardly be maintained without prostitutes.
AllAboard: visual exploration of cellphone mobility data to optimise public transport

The deep penetration of mobile phones offers cities the ability to opportunistically monitor citizensfi mobility and use data-driven insights to better plan and manage services. In this context, transit operators can leverage pervasive mobile sensing to better match observed demand for travel with their service offerings. In this paper we present AllAboard, an intelligent tool that analyses cellphone data to helps city authorities in exploring urban mobility and optimizing public transport. An interactive user interface allows transit operators to explore the travel demand in both space and time, evaluate the quality of service that a transit network provides to the citizens, and test scenarios for transit network improvements. The system has been tested using real telecommunication data for the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and evaluated from a data mining, optimization and user prospective.
Permanent suppression of cortical oscillations in mice after adolescent exposure to cannabinoids: Receptor mechanisms

Abstract Marijuana use in adolescence, but not adulthood, may permanently impair cognitive functioning and increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Cortical oscillations are patterns of neural network activity implicated in cognitive processing, and are abnormal in patients with schizophrenia. We have recently reported that cortical oscillations are suppressed in adult mice that were treated with the cannabinoids WIN55,212-2 (WIN) or Δ 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in adolescence, but not adulthood. WIN and THC are cannabinoid-1 (CB1R) and CB2R agonists, and also have activity at non-cannabinoid receptor targets. However, as acute WIN and THC administration can suppress oscillations through CB1Rs, we hypothesize that a similar mechanism underlies the permanent suppression of oscillations by repeated cannabinoid exposure in adolescence. Here we test the prediction that cannabinoid exposure in adolescence permanently suppresses cortical oscillations by acting through CB1Rs, and that these suppressive effects can be antagonized by a CB1R antagonist. We treated adolescent mice with various cannabinoid compounds, and pharmacologically-evoked oscillations in local field potentials (LFPs) in vitro in adults. We find that WIN exposure for six days in early adolescence suppresses oscillations preferentially in adult medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) via CB1Rs, and that a similar CB1R mechanism accounts for the suppressive effects of long-term (20 day) adolescent THC in adult somatosensory cortex (SCx). Unexpectedly, we also find that CB2Rs may be involved in the suppression of oscillations in both mPFC and SCx by long-term adolescent cannabinoid exposure, and that non-cannabinoid receptors may also contribute to oscillation suppression in adult mPFC. These findings represent a novel attempt to antagonize the effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure on neural network activity, and reveal the contribution of non-CB1R targets to the suppression of cortical oscillations.
Recovery of used frying oils with adsorbent combinations: refrying and frequent oil replenishment

Abstract Treatment of used frying oils with adsorbent combinations may improve the quality of fried foods and extend the frying life of oil. Two selected combinations of four commonly used filter aids: Britesorb (Br), Hubersorb 600 (HB), Frypowder (Fr), and Magnesol (Ma) were used to recover used frying oils by vacuum filtration. The effectiveness of the adsorbent treatments were evaluated by refrying chicken fritters and breasts in the recovered used oil. After 32 h continuous frying, the parameters of treated oil subjected to adsorbent combinations F (3% HB+3% Ma+2% Fr) and B (2% HB+2% Ma+3% Br), were reduced as follows: 61.9 and 59.7%, 38.0 and 11.3%, 25.2 and 19.5%, and 9.4 and 3.5% for free fatty acids (FFA), total polar component (TPC), Foodoil Sensor (FOS) reading, and color differences (ΔE), respectively, compared to the untreated used oil. After daily treatment for 4 days, the filter aid combination F reduced the final values of FFA, TPC, FOS and color differences by 64.2, 19.1, 32.6 and 4.4%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. These adsorbent combinations may be useful in extending the life of frying oils.
Do CEOs possess any extraordinary ability? Can those abilities justify large CEO pay?

Do CEOs possess any extraordinary ability critical to organizational success? Do CEOs receive large pay because of their unique abilities? We examine those questions using one such ability – the ability to forecast future firm risks – because over the last 40 years, firms’ survival and success has become highly dependent on firms’ preparedness to face uncertain future business environments. We measure CEOs’ risk-forecasting ability by the information contained in their personal equity trades. We find that CEOs’ earlier-than-normal stock-option exercises often represent modifications of their personal portfolios in anticipation of future risks unknown to the market today. These results suggest that on average, CEOs can forecast at least some future firm risks better than the market can, and they use that information to modify their personal portfolios. Additional tests show that firms design incentive-compatible compensation contracts by tying high-powered components of CEO compensation to their risk-forec...
Studies on the antibacterial properties of Eriodictyon californicum

Abstract The yerba santa plant, Eriodictyon californicum , contains a substance antagonistic chiefly to gram-positive and acid-fast organisms. The active principle, named eriodin, has been prepared in partially purified form by adsorption on activated bone charcoal. Further work on the active principle is still in progress.
20α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and the x-zone of the female mouse adrenal

Abstract 20α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-OHD) activity can be observed in the adrenal cortex of the young virgin female mouse using a histochemical staining procedure with blue tetrazolium (BT) which corresponds in distribution to the adrenal X-zone. The occurrence of both the 20α-OHD activity and the BT staining cells have been compared with changes in the X-zone after hormonal manipulation. The enzyme activity and BT staining cells can be induced in the male and female adrenal at age 8 days by estrogen administration. Normally the enzyme activity cannot be observed in the male adrenal, and not until the age of 12 days in the female adrenal. Treatment of both the male and the female with testosterone or progesterone causes regression of the X-zone and in the female there is a loss both of BT staining (qualitative) and of 20α-OHD enzyme activity, as well. The adrenal X-zone of the female mouse, which heretofore has been characterized only on the basis of morphology, can now be assessed by a biochemical parameter, the presence of 20α-OHD activity, an enzyme affected by sex steroid administration.
IgA as a blocking factor in human malignant melanoma.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA), isolated from the serum of patients with malignant melanoma, was found capable of abrogating the cytotoxic effect of sensitized lymphocytes on human melanoma target cells in vitro. IgG and IgM from melanoma serum, as well as IgA, IgG, and IgM from normal serum, did not have this ability. Blocking activity could be removed from melanoma serum or IgA fractions by absorption with melanoma tumor cells or antihuman IgA antiserum.
Effects of antipsychotic drugs on MK-801-induced attentional and motivational deficits in rats

Background Attentional deficits that accompany schizophrenia are not effectively treated by available antipsychotic medications. Disruption of NMDA receptor function is often used to model aspects of this disorder in rodents. We used the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) to characterize attentional deficits caused by acute administration or withdrawal from chronic administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801, and determine if they are ameliorated by haloperidol or clozapine.
The Price of Departmental Harmony Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

The purpose of this case is to reflect and share the experiences of one educational leadership department as it underwent a transformation from being a department of individuals to a department of colleagues. The case illustrates that change is slow and difficult. It also demonstrates the importance of faculty fit to a department. Without it, departments of educational leadership are unlikely to model best practices of leadership to their students and community.
3D multi‐fluid MHD studies of the solar wind interaction with Mars

The interaction of the solar wind with planets with no or only very weak intrinsic magnetic fields, such as Mars and Venus, involves their ionospheres. Single fluid MHD models, which incorporate some of the important mass-loading processes, have been useful in reproducing numerous observed features at these planets, such as the location of the bow shock, but they do have obvious limitations. Our present 3D MHD model is a two-fluid one, which considers protons and the dominant heavy ions in the ionosphere, separately. We have used this model to study the interaction processes at Mars. The model results are in general agreement with the average observed bow shock shape and position and predict reasonable locations for the ionopause. The calculated oxygen escape flux down the tail was estimated to be 2.7 × 10 25 s -1 , which is consistent with Phobos-2 estimates.
New class of control laws for robotic manipulators Part 1. Non–adaptive case

A new class of exponentially stabilizing control laws for joint level control of robot arms is introduced. It has recently been recognized that the non-linear dynamics associated with robotic manip...
On the eigenvalue problem Tu - [lambda] Su = 0 with unbounded and nonsymmetric operators T and S

In this paper we study both the theoretical problem of the existence and the practical problem of the approximate calculation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of (i) = 0, where T and S are some linear (in general unbounded and nonhermitian) operators in a Hilbert space. After a short discussion of a class of K -symmetric operators, in section 2 the author proves the existence of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of (i) under various conditions on T and S and investigates conditions under which the set of eigenvectors of (i) is complete. Section 3 indicates briefly the applicability and the unifying property of the generalized method of moments to the approximate solution of (i). Section 4 presents and thoroughly studies a very general new iterative method for the approximate solution of (i). The advantage of this method is that it does not require the practically inconvenient preliminary reduction of (i) to an equivalent problem with bounded operators and that under certain rather general conditions the convergence is mono tonic. Furthermore, by specializing operators and parameters, our iterative method contains as a special case, almost every known iterative method for the calculation of eigenvalues (mostly proved previously only for symmetric matrices and bounded operators). Finally the applicability and the numerical effectiveness of the iterative method is illustrated by calculating the smallest eigenvalue for a selfadjoint and nonselfadjoint eigenvalue problems arising in the problems of elastic stability.
The expression of MEF2 genes is implicated in CNS neuronal differentiation

Abstract The myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) proteins are transcription factors required for muscle differentiation. In the present study we examined MEF2 expression in developing cerebellar granule neurons. In the developing postnatal cerebellum, RNA blot analysis revealed that MEF2A and MEF2D RNA levels increase after birth. The majority of this increase occurs around postnatal day 9 reaching a peak at postnatal day 15–18 which is maintained in adults. This time course of expression coincides with the expression of GABAA receptor α6 subunit RNA, a marker for the differentiation of the mature cerebellar granule neurons. We further observed, using the polyclonal antibody generated against an MEF2A peptide, that MEF2 protein expression occurs primarily in the internal granule cell layer of the developing cerebellum. Thus, MEF2 expression increases as granule neurons differentiate and mature. Experiments also indicated that MEF2 expression not only occurs in the cerebellum but also in other regions of the CNS. In adult mice, expression of RNA for the MEF2 isoforms A, C and D occurs throughout the CNS. MEF2A and D expression occurs at highest levels in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus and cerebellum. The expression of MEF2C differs with low levels of expression in the cerebellum and hindbrain. Using the MEF2A polyclonal antibody, we observed a similar adult pattern of expression for the MEF2 protein with high level of expression in the olfactory bulb, cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum. These observations suggest that MEF2 molecules may be an important factor involved in CNS neuron differentiation similar to their role in muscle differentiation.
Exposure to forced swim stress does not alter central production of IL-1

Abstract In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that pro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in behavioral and physiological alterations produced by exposure to psychological stressors. Indeed, increases in central IL-1 production have been observed following stressors such as inescapable tailshock and social isolation, while no changes in IL-1 have been observed following other stressors (e.g., exposure to a predator). The goal of the following work was to establish whether exposure to the forced swim test (FST), a commonly used animal model of behavioral despair/depression, leads to an increase in central or peripheral production of IL-1. Briefly, adult male Sprague–Dawley rats ( n =8 per group) were forced to swim for 15–30 min (25 °C) and killed at various intervals (ranging from immediately to 24 h) following stressor termination. Brains (hippocampus, hypothalamus, posterior cortex) and multiple peripheral tissues (pituitary, adrenals, spleen, plasma) were then dissected and frozen for subsequent measurement of IL-1 using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No observable increases in IL-1 were found in rats that were forced to swim acutely, or in rats that were re-exposed to the forced swim stressor 24 h later. These data suggest that exposure to forced swim does not lead to an increase in central production of IL-1, suggesting that the central IL-1 system is unlikely to play a role in mediating behavioral consequences of this stressor. However, these data do not exclude the possibility that other pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha) might be produced in response to forced swim exposure.
Substance use and memory for health warning labels.

This article reports the relationship between substance use and memory for health warnings for cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and alcohol. Measures of substance use and recognition memory for warning labels were collected from 2 samples of college students (n = 288 and n = 243). It was hypothesized that if health warnings were noticed and remembered, then users, because they were often exposed to the warning labels, would have more accurate memory for the risks written on the containers of these products than nonusers. Prior research had not confirmed this relationship. In Study 1, a statistically significant correlation was obtained between use and recognition memory for both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. The effects for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco were replicated in Study 2 and observed for alcohol as well. Language: en
Correlation between the functional assay for activated protein C resistance(APCR) and factor V Leiden in the neonate and relationship to ethnicity and family history of thrombosis. † 669

Correlation between the functional assay for activated protein C resistance(APCR) and factor V Leiden in the neonate and relationship to ethnicity and family history of thrombosis. † 669
Upsetting Behavior: Reactions to Personal and Bystander Sexual Harassment Experiences

The current research was designed to examine objective and contextual factors related to the appraisal of potentially sexually harassing situations. Working female participants (n = 208) from a mid-sized southwestern university completed a workplace experiences survey in small groups. The majority of participants were Hispanic/Latina (77.9%). We predicted that characteristics of personal harassment experiences (e.g., number of distinct types of behaviors experienced, frequency, duration) and bystander harassment experiences would contribute independently to how upset women were by their own sexual harassment experiences. Results indicated that characteristics of personal harassment experiences and bystander experiences did predict how upset women were by their own gender harassment and by unwanted sexual attention experiences. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of considering multiple types of workplace stressors (e.g., personal and bystander sexual harassment experiences) and their relation to the appraisal process.
Measuring the impact of patient counseling in the outpatient pharmacy setting: development and implementation of the counseling models for the kaiser permanente/USC patient consultation study

The Southern California region Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, which serves 2.2 million patients, and the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy have designed and implemented a patient consultation study to determine the cost-effectiveness of three different approaches to providing pharmacist consultation to outpatients. This paper describes the development and implementation of these three models. A total of 107 pharmacies (approximately 600 pharmacists) participated in the study and were assigned to provide one of the models of patient consultation, designated the Kaiser Permanente (KP) model, the state model, and the control model. The KP model (20 pharmacies) provided targeted pharmaceutical care services to high-risk patients based on drug use. The state model (67 pharmacies) provided California-mandated patient consultation to patients with new or changed prescriptions, instructions for use, relevant warnings and precautions, storage requirements, and the importance of compliance. The control model (20 pharmacies) provided consultation when deemed necessary by the pharmacist and provided care similar to that provided before mandatory consultation in California. The KP and state models used the same pharmacist/technician/clerk resources, but the control pharmacies limited personnel resources to those existing before the mandatory consultation law was passed in California. The paper describes the KP model in detail and provides a literature-based rationale for targeting particular high-risk patients for expanded services. The paper also describes the training process, gives an example of a high-risk patient intervention, provides information on documenting pharmacist interventions in all models, and explains the method used for monitoring implementation of the models.
Mercury levels in fishes from some Missouri lakes with and without known mercury pollution

Abstract Mercurial fungicides used in golf greens maintenance can lead to elevated levels of mercury in fish, from lakes receiving greens drainage. Of the species tested, the largemouth bass was the most sensitive indicator with levels ranging from 1 to 7 μg Hg/g of wet tissue in fish taken from lakes which receive drainage from treated greens. Background mercury levels in largemouth bass from impoundments in central Missouri are 0.1–1.2 ppm depending on size and other factors. Many lakes with no known source of mercury contamination produce bass which contain significantly more than 0.5 ppm of mercury.
Dynamic proprioceptive target matching behavior in the upper limb: effects of speed, task difficulty and arm/hemisphere asymmetries.

Although proprioception consists of static (i.e. position) and dynamic (i.e. movement) components, most studies regarding the matching of proprioceptive targets have focused only on position. Further, these position-matching studies have recently indicated that proprioceptive ability is influenced by several factors including task difficulty and arm preference. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to quantify the matching of dynamic proprioceptive target arm movements under different matching conditions. Using torque motor-driven manipulanda, 11 blindfolded, right-handed adults experienced triangular velocity profiles at 2 different peak speeds (30°/s or 60°/s) with the preferred and non-preferred elbow. Subjects then matched the dynamics of these target movements with either the same (ipsilateral remembered) or opposite (contralateral remembered) elbow. Matching errors were generally larger for the more difficult, contralateral remembered versus ipsilateral remembered task, and for greater target speed conditions. One arm difference was found indicating a non-preferred arm advantage for the matching of average target acceleration in the ipsilateral remembered condition. Overall, these results demonstrate that dynamic proprioceptive feedback-matching performance is influenced by several factors including peak speed, task difficulty and limb preference.
An implementation of the enhanced-CAN BUS network connection in CAR real-time embedded software system

Today's automobile is featuring a large number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs). This will increase the system complexity, which will consequently increase the difficulties of programming design and safety and the software cost. Therefore, it is important to provide a reliable, real-time, effective and eventually a low-cost software development tool in the automotive industrial market. ERIKA Enterprise provides an open source for multi-processor real-time operating system kernel, implementing a collection of application programming interfaces similar to those of OSEK/VDX standard for automotive embedded controllers. In this paper, we research the automotive software framework for ERIKA Enterprise, and through the conducting of ERIKA software, the real time operating system for OSEK can be ported (embedded) into target ECU hardware in easily. Finally, we propose a demonstrative application for enhanced CAN (ECAN) bus network connection to show how real-time transmission of data frames through ECAN bus network connection is guaranteed by ERIKA Enterprise.
Case Report: Avoidance of Palpable Corporal Fibrosis Due to Priapism with Upregulators of Nitric Oxide

Introduction. Recent evidence suggests that blocking inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase in the penis may exacerbate fibrotic processes and that application of medications known to increase NO in tissues may prevent fibrosis. Aim. To report the use of an antifibrotic regimen consisting of medications known to upregulate NO production in two patients with refractory priapism. Methods. Two patients presented with priapism of greater than 48-hour duration. After corporal aspiration/irrigation and shunting procedures failed, both were prescribed a daily antifibrotic †
Parasitism as a potential contributor to massive clam mortality at the Blake Ridge Diapir methane-hydrate seep

Vesicomyid clam species are abundant in many deep-sea chemosynthetic communities, including cold seeps. They rely primarily on thiotrophic (sulphide-oxidizing) gill symbionts for nutrition and thus require sulphide-rich environments. Submersible surveys of megafaunal distributions at the Blake Ridge Diapir, a deep-sea methane-hydrate seep located ∼200 miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, documented massive mortalities of vesicomyid clams. The cause of these mortalities is unknown, but sulphide deprivation, sulphide toxicity, and disease are possible agents of mortality in this system. Similar redox profiles in sediment cores from live and dead clam beds do not support the hypothesis that there has been a transient shift in the flux of sulphide. To address the potential for disease as a cause of mortality, we undertook a histological survey of microparasites and other indications of disease in clam tissues. Six morphological types of parasites were identified using light microscopy, including two viral-like inclusions, Rickettsia-like gill inclusions, possible bacterial gut inclusions, bacterial gill infections, and a protistan inclusion. Of these parasites, two were pathogenic: viral-like inclusions in mantle tissues caused tissue degradation; bacterial gill infections resulted in localized disruption and degradation of gill filaments. Infection prevalence and densities were low for all parasites observed. The majority of clams examined showed intense haemocytic responses in the absence of any obvious etiologic agent, suggesting the presence of parasites not detectable by our methods. Our findings indicate that the clam population at the Blake Ridge seep was in relatively good health at the time of sampling.
Reproductive biology of a deposit-feeding amphipod, Casco bigelowi, with extended parental care

The reproductive traits of a deposit-feeding amphipod that engages in extended parental care were examined. At the study site in Lowes Cove, Maine, USA, Casco bigelowi (Blake, 1929) occurred in highest densities in soft sediments just below mean low water (MLW). During most months, the sex ratio was ≃1. Many females hosted males in their burrows throughout the summer, but after fertilization of females in September, all adult males disappeared from the study area. In October almost 80% of the females were ovigerous, and in November about the same percentage was parental, i.e. caring for juveniles in their burrows. The females produced only one brood each in late fall which they accommodated in their burrows for 2 mo or longer. The average number of juveniles per female was ∼20 in November, and continuously decreased until January. Juveniles reached sizes >10 mm length in the maternal burrows. In early December the first juveniles were found in their own burrows, but major recruitment took place in late December and January. It is concluded that for C. bigelowi, the delay of recruitment into the winter months with low predation pressure and the large offspring size at this time are major advantages gained by extended parental care. C. bigelowi is host to the peritrich ciliate Cothurnia sp. on its gills, and during the summer months >70% of all amphipods had ciliates on their gills. Juveniles still living in their mother's burrows showed infestation rates similar to that of the parent; those of highly infested mothers were more heavily infested than those of “clean” mothers. Facilitated epibiont transmission during intimate and long-lasting (2␣mo) parent–offspring associations may be a consequence of extended parental care.
Scheduling algorithms for message transmission over a satellite broadcast system

This paper addresses scheduling algorithms for message transmissions over a satellite broadcast system. The system is expected to deliver messages of widely varied length. Our objective is to find a scheduling algorithm that exhibits good delay performance for messages of all sizes. We show that classical scheduling algorithms such as first-come-first-serve and round-robin perform poorly in this environment. We study two alternative schemes. The first, gives preemptive priority to the message with the shortest remaining processing time (SRPT). This scheme is known to minimize overall average message delays, but results in disproportionately large delays for long messages. The second scheme, serves messages based on a dynamic priority function, where a message's priority varies based on how long the message has been in the system as well as its length. This scheme results in somewhat larger overall average delays, but it is more fair to long messages.
An Investigation Of The Effect Of Network Latency On Pedagogic Efficacy: A Comparison Of Disciplines

E-learning has become a mainstream educational opportunity, as noted in U.S. News & World Report. Further, differences among college students have been documented in various disciplines. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of network latency on pedagogical efficacy based on the students who were classified as in either humanities programs or engineering and science programs. The findings indicate that tolerances to screen update latencies are disciplinedependent and that students in engineering and science have a lower tolerance for screen update latency than students in the humanities.
Multi-Class Confidence Weighted Algorithms

The recently introduced online confidence-weighted (CW) learning algorithm for binary classification performs well on many binary NLP tasks. However, for multi-class problems CW learning updates and inference cannot be computed analytically or solved as convex optimization problems as they are in the binary case. We derive learning algorithms for the multi-class CW setting and provide extensive evaluation using nine NLP datasets, including three derived from the recently released New York Times corpus. Our best algorithm out-performs state-of-the-art online and batch methods on eight of the nine tasks. We also show that the confidence information maintained during learning yields useful probabilistic information at test time.