cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LATERALIZATION, LANGUAGE LEARNING, AND THE CRITICAL PERIOD: SOME NEW EVIDENCE

New evidence is presented that modifies Lenneberg's (1967) proposed critical period of language acquisition. The development of lateralization is complete much earlier than puberty and is thus not a barrier to accent free second language learning by adults. Rather, the development of lateralization may correspond to normal first language acquisition. Also, the case of Genie, a girl who endured 11 years of enforced isolation, shows that some first language acquisition is possible after the critical period, although mechanisms outside of the left hemisphere may be involved. Genie's slow but steady progress also implies that adult achievement in learning second languages should not be pre-judged.
Comparative Conformational Dynamics of Supercoiled Plasmids and Linear DNA during Capillary Electrophoresis

The electrophoretic migration of 40 and 90 kbp supercoiled (sc) double-stranded (ds) plasmid DNA in dilute and entangled solutions of linear hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC, Mn = 438 800) was visualized by video fluorescence microscopy at 60−222 frames/s. The sc-DNA molecules migrated as elastic rods with stretch−contraction cycles directed along the electric field axis. The elastic rod electrophoretic behavior of sc-DNA is completely different from the familiar random coil electrophoretic dynamics of linear ds-DNA. Extension−contraction cycles were more periodic for sc-DNA than for linear ds-DNA. The consequences of the different sc-DNA and linear ds-DNA electrophoretic dynamics on mobility dispersion are discussed.
Homes for a world of strangers: Hospitality and the origins of multiple dwellings in Urban America

Our historical understanding of the origins and development of multiple dwellings is incomplete. The standard account involves people struggling to establish permanent homes despite overcrowding and hypercompetitive housing markets. But there was another line of development for multiple dwellings in America—one that followed the spatial logic of hospitality rather than domesticity. Instead of evolving out of residential structures, it arose from the practice of providing travelers and strangers with temporary shelter, food, refreshment, and household services. Empirically, this article offers a significant revision of the history of urban housing, one that involves a distinctive set of imperatives and a different morphology. Theoretically, it contends that our analysis of the urban landscape, with its longtime emphasis on the production and distribution of goods, would benefit from another look at the interrelated phenomena of mobility, transience, and anonymity—classic symptoms of urbanism that were foun...
SN-119 MOSSBAUER STUDY OF DILUTE TIN-LEAD ALLOYS

M{umlt o}ssbauer spectroscopy has been performed using the {sup 119}Sn resonance on a variety of low-concentration tin in lead samples, ranging from 1.3 at.thinsp{percent} to 18.5 at.thinsp{percent} tin in lead. We observe three basic resonances, which we identify as dispersed tin in lead (I), precipitated {beta} (white) tin in lead (II), and precipitated {alpha} (gray) tin in lead (III), where the latter is only observed below 286 K. Contrary to earlier published results that reported an anomalous falloff in the elastic fraction for dispersed tin in lead, we find only the typical temperature dependence. The M{umlt o}ssbauer temperature is found to be 104 K for the dispersed state, as found from a Debye model analysis based on the transmission integral. Both this M{umlt o}ssbauer temperature and the isomer shift relative to a CaSnO{sub 3} source agree with earlier published values within experimental error. For the precipitated state (II), it is found in the initial stages of precipitation both the isomer shift and the measured M{umlt o}ssbauer temperature are close to that of the dispersed state (I). As the sample is annealed or cold worked, the precipitates grow and both the isomer shift and the characteristic M{umlt o}ssbauer temperature approach thatmore » of {beta}-Sn, 140 K. The precipitation-dissolution reaction is traced using a sample containing 18.5 at.thinsp{percent} tin in lead by annealing at progressively higher temperatures and following changes in the isomer shift. Dissolution is found to begin as low as 360(+15/{minus}5)thinspK. A significant result that has not been reported by earlier investigators of this system is the observation using M{umlt o}ssbauer spectroscopy of the {alpha} phase of tin (III). Furthermore, the formation of this phase takes place without the usual long incubation period required when a lead host matrix is not used. Moreover, a technique for curve fitting such M{umlt o}ssbauer spectra based on an analytic expansion of the transmission integral is demonstrated that isolates each component in the unresolved resonance. We find that the M{umlt o}ssbauer effect technique can be used for assessing the phase diagram in systems such as the Sn-Pb alloy, and our results indicate that the accepted phase diagram may need refinement. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
OH radical initiated oxidation of 1,3-butadiene: isomeric selective study of the dominant addition channel.

We report the first isomeric selective kinetic study of the dominant isomeric pathway in the OH initiated oxidation of 1,3-butadiene in the presence of O2 and NO using the laser photolysis−laser induced fluorescence (LP-LIF) technique. The photodissociation of the precursor 2-iodo-but-3-en-1-ol results exclusively in the dominant OH−butadiene addition product, permitting important insight into the OH initiated oxidation mechanism. On the basis of analysis of the time dependent OH/OD signals, we have determined a rate constant for O2 addition to the hydroxyalkyl radical of 7.0−3.0+7.0 × 10−13 cm3 s−1, and we find a value of 1.5−0.6+1.0 × 10−11 cm3 s−1 for the overall reaction rate constant of the hydroxy peroxy radical with NO. We also report the first clear experimental evidence of the (E) form of the δ-hydroxyalkoxy channel through isotopic labeling experiments and provide an upper bound of 13 ± 5% to its branching ratio. This species provides a mechanistic pathway for the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-butena...
Security Breaches, Network Exploits and Vulnerabilities: A Conundrum and an Analysis

Enterprise systems are continuously on cyberattacks as struggle for solutions are sort. Today, these organizations spend over $70 billion on IT security, but are unable to protect the organization since cyber criminals routinely discover exploits and breach those defenses with zero-day attacks that bypass traditional technologies. These attacks occur during the vulnerability window that exists in the time between when a loophole is first exploited and when software developers start to develop and publish a counter to that threat. Many organizations had been breached by the zero-day attack concept. This means that at least one attacker had bypassed all layers of organization defense-in depth architecture. Using data from our survey of 202 participants, this study analyses how attacks are changing the cyber platform and why traditional and legacy defenses are functioning below par and expectations.
Z-SCAN APPROACH FOR MEASURING THE THRESHOLD OF TWO-PHOTON PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION

A technique is suggested to measure the threshold of two-photon initiated photopolymerization involving a Z-scan of a thin film of sensitive material along the focusing axis of the laser beam. A condition of reaching the threshold when scanning the sample along Z-direction is identified via interferometric effect. The technique is demonstrated for measurements employing Nd:YAG laser in nanosecond regime with fundamental frequency 1064 nm and its harmonic of 532 nm. Threshold data are presented for particular systems, indicating a threshold of 5 GW/cm2 for a system based on Rose Bengal exposed by a 1064 nm nanosecond-pulsed radiation and 0.05 GW/cm2 for Darocur initiators exposed to 532 nm.
"When the Cup Has Been Drained": Addiction and Recovery in The Wind in the Willows

The year 1908 was a watershed in the publication of children's literature in Britain, Canada, and the United States. In Canada, the year ushered in Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables; in the United States, L. Frank Baum brought out the fourth of the Oz books, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz; and in England, Beatrix Potter introduced Jemima Puddleduck, while Kenneth Grahame gave us Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad of Toad Hall. Yet even as these very public debuts occurred in the literary field, a number of important developments took place behind the scenes that bear on childhood studies. In Britain, that year brought the pas- sage of the Children Act of 1908, which granted authorities the power to deprive "inebriates" of custody of their children; it was also the year in which a parliamentary committee issued an official inquiry into the body of legislation known as the Inebriates Acts (Valverde 87, 69). Both of these actions had potentially momentous consequences for the lives of alcoholics and their families, especially their dependent children. The Children Act of 1908 and the earlier Inebriates Acts may seem improbably remote from the idyllic world of The Wind in the Willows. Yet the public debate over the causes and consequences of excessive drinking, as well as possible cures, held profound personal significance for its author. For before Fowey, the Cornish hamlet where Grahame enlivened letters to his son with early versions of his animal stories; and before Cookham Dean, the village on the Thames that provided the im- mediate inspiration and setting for the novel; and before Cranbourne, where Grahame spent his later childhood, there was his boyhood home in Argyllshire, and prior to that the family's fashionable Edinburgh townhouse, both of which slipped away under the influence of a fa- ther's uncontrollable drinking. In fact, the dissolution of these early homes, linked to the perceived dissoluteness of James Cunningham Grahame, resulted in the removal of the Grahame children to their grandmother's home in Cookham Dean: an event that led, many years later, to the composition of The Wind in the Willows. In his published work, Grahame seldom made reference to the period before Cran- bourne, yet he claimed unusually vivid memories of his early childhood, once commenting: "I feel I should never be surprised to meet myself
Calculated effects of "screening pigments".

Abstract The possibility that photoproducts of rhodopsin bleaching change the effective absorption spectrum of rhodopsin by acting as a “screen” or filter is investigated theoretically. The effective absorption spectra of rhodopsin in the presence of screening photoproducts are calculated as functions of the λ max of the photoproduct and the concentration of both the photoproduct and rhodopsin. Two cases are considered: (1) rhodopsin and photoproduct are homogeneously distributed in the receptor; and (2) the photoproduct is concentrated at one end of the receptor. Implications of this kind of screening mechanism for visual processes are briefly discussed.
Plasma-particle interactions in a laser-induced plasma: implications for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The interaction between laser-induced plasmas and individual particles controls the rate of particle dissociation and subsequent atomic diffusion and emission processes, with implications for single-particle spectroscopy, as well as materials synthesis and other plasma sources. It is demonstrated through quantitative plasma imaging studies that discrete particles dissociate on a time scale of tens of microseconds within plasmas formed by 300-mJ Nd:YAG laser pulses. Significant spatial nonhomogeneity, as measured by localized atomic emission from particle-derived calcium atoms, persists on a comparable time scale, providing a measure of their average atomic diffusion rate of 0.04 m2/s. In addition, the resulting calcium atomic emission is explored using image analysis as well as traditional spectroscopic analysis.
Characterization of Thermal Barrier Coatings Using Thermal Methods

Although low thermal conductivity was one of the major reasons for the development of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) based on yttria stablilized zirconia (YSZ), its mechanical properties are often considered crucial in failure analysis and assessment of coatings. Thermal properties usually are treated as just basic material parameters and have not been utilized widely in TBC characterization and failure analysis. In fact, thermal transport properties such as thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are closely related to the microstructural changes of the TBC. In this paper, a brief overview of characterization of TBCs using thermal thermophysical properties and temperature mapping is presented.
Prevalence of fear of pain and activity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

Abstract Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) report pain, fatigue, emotional distress, activity avoidance, and disability. The role of fear of pain and activity in FMS patients has received only limited attention. FMS patients (N = 233) underwent examinations by a physician, physical therapist, and psychologist and completed measures of fear of pain and activity, disability, depressive mood, impact, and pain. Patients with high levels of fear of pain and activity (38.6%) reported greater disability ( t = 4.02, P t = –4.14, P t = –2.71, P t = –2.39, P P Perspective Fear of movement is a significant concern for chronic pain sufferers because these behaviors maintain pain and increase disability. This study examined the role of fear in FMS, including associations between fear of pain/movement, pain severity, depressed mood, physical performance, and disability in FMS subgroups.
Syntactic Autonomy: Why There is No Autonomy Without Symbols and How Self‐Organizing Systems Might Evolve Them

Two different types of agency are discussed that are based on dynamically coherent and incoherent couplings with an environment, respectively. I propose that until a private syntax (syntactic autonomy) is discovered by dynamically coherent agents, there are no significant or interesting types of closure or autonomy. When syntactic autonomy is established, then, because of a process of description-based selected self-organization, open-ended evolution is enabled. At this stage, in addition to dynamics, agents depend on localized, symbolic memory, thus adding a level of dynamic incoherence to their interaction with the environment. Furthermore, it is the appearance of syntactic autonomy that enables much more interesting types of closures among agents sharing the same syntax. To investigate how we can study the emergence of syntax from dynamic systems, experiments with cellular automata leading to emergent computation that solves nontrivial tasks are discussed. RNA editing is also mentioned as a process that may have been used to obtain a primordial biological code necessary for open-ended evolution.
Electrospun soy protein scaffolds as wound dressings: Enhanced reepithelialization in a porcine model of wound healing

Abstract In this study we describe the use of an electrospun soy protein-based tissue scaffold (SPS) as a bioactive wound dressing in a pig model of full thickness excisional wound healing. The time course of wound healing and the quality of the healing tissue were evaluated using histology (H&E and Masson's trichrome staining). While the overall rate of wound closure was similar in the SPS-treated vs. untreated control wounds covered with Tegaderm®, there were significant qualitative differences between the two groups. Two weeks after a single application of SPS at the time of wounding, the SPS treated wounds showed robust signs of reepithelialization, which was absent in the control wounds. After 4 weeks, the SPS treated wounds contained a stratified epithelial layer in the epidermis that looked essentially normal, while the connective tissue in the dermis was attaining a cellular, organized appearance. By contrast the nascent epidermis of the untreated controls appeared immature, while the dermis was still replete with numerous inflammatory/immune cells. Masson's trichrome staining confirmed the increased presence of collagen in the dermis of the SPS treated wounds at 4 weeks, while the control wounds were largely devoid of collagen. Finally, in addition to enhanced reepithelialization and dermal tissue regeneration, 4 weeks after application of the SPS dressing, we observed the presence of dermal appendages, such as sweat glands and hair follicles. No such appendage formation was observed in the untreated controls during the entire duration of our study. Taken together, the histological data clearly indicate that our soy protein based scaffolds accelerated and enhanced a more natural mode of tissue regeneration in the porcine model of full thickness excisional wound healing. Given the similarities between porcine and human wound healing, we anticipate that SPS will also be advantageous in clinical applications.
Design parameters that affect the performance of UV-emitting traps in attracting house flies (Diptera: Muscidae).

The influence of six parameters of UV-emitting electric fly traps on catch of house fly, Musca domestica L., were evaluated. Tested were lamp brightness to the flies, the size of the UV-reflecting or emitting area of the trap, lamp wattage, trap shape, trap color, and trap size. Brightness and size of the UV-target were the two most important parameters influencing catch. Other factors—i.e., orientation of bulbs, background luminosity, and trap location—also influenced trap attractiveness. Methods are given for calculating the relative attractiveness of light sources for house flies and of calculating the relative efficiency of any electric trap design. Calculated effectiveness has been validated by experimentation.
The structure of marginal detonation waves

A new type of marginal detonation wave was observed in a 3 × 14in. tube using a 2H2 + O2 + 3 Ar mixture at 58 torr initial pressure. Its structural details were determined using a combination of laser streak schlieren and smoked foil records. It was found that under these conditions the detonation contained a strong transverse wave system that became a transverse detonation near the end of each cell. It was also found that in this marginal situation the cell size of the detonation increased to 2.29 times its ordinary value. A comparison is made between this structure and both the structure of a single spin detonation in a round tube and an ordinary well-established propagating detonation in a large tube.
Soil nitrogen transformations under Populus tremuloides , Betula papyrifera and Acer saccharum following 3 years exposure to elevated CO 2 and O 3

Increases in atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3 may affect forest N cycling by altering plant litter production and the availability of substrates for microbial metabolism. Three years following the establishment of our free-air CO2–O3 enrichment experiment, plant growth has been stimulated by elevated CO2 resulting in greater substrate input to soil; elevated O3 has counteracted this effect. We hypothesized that rates of soil N cycling would be enhanced by greater plant productivity under elevated CO2, and that CO2 effects would be dampened by O3. We found that elevated CO2 did not alter gross N transformation rates. Elevated O3 significantly reduced gross N mineralization and microbial biomass N, and effects were consistent among species. We also observed significant interactions between CO2 and O3: (i) gross N mineralization was greater under elevated CO2 (1.0 mg N kg � 1 day � 1 ) than in the presence of both CO2 and O3 (0.5 mg N kg � 1 day � 1 ) and (ii) gross NH4 1 immobilization was also greater under elevated CO2 (0.8 mg N kg � 1 day � 1 ) than under CO2 plus O3 (0.4 mg N kg � 1 day � 1 ). We used a laboratory 15 N tracer method to quantify transfer of inorganic N to organic pools. Elevated CO2 led to greater recovery of NH4 1 - 15 N in microbial biomass and corresponding lower recovery in the extractable NO3 � pool. Elevated CO2 resulted in a substantial increase in NO3 � - 15 N recovery in soil organic matter. We observed no O3 main effect and no CO2 by O3 interaction effect on 15 N recovery in any soil pool. All of the above responses were most pronounced beneath Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides, which have grown more rapidly than Acer saccharum. Although elevated CO2 has increased plant productivity, the resulting increase in plant litter production has yet to overcome the influence of the pre-existing pool of soil organic matter on soil microbial activity and rates of N cycling. Ozone reduces plant litter inputs and also appears to affect the composition of plant litter in a way that reduces microbial biomass and activity.
On the computational behavior of a polynomial-time network flow algorithm

A variation on the Edmonds-Karp scaling approach to the minimum cost network flow problem is examined. This algorithm, which scales costs rather than right-hand sides, also runs in polynomial time. Large-scale computational experiments indicate that the computational behavior of such scaling algorithms may be much better than had been presumed. Within several distributions of square, dense, capacitated transportation problems, a cost scaling code, SCALE, exhibits linear growth in average execution time with the number of edges, while two network simplex codes, RNET and GNET, exhibit greater than linear growth. Our experiments reveal that median and mean execution times are predictable with surprising accuracy for all of the three codes and all three distributions from which test problems were generated. Moreover, for fixed problem size, individual execution times appear to behave as though they are approximately lognormally distributed with constant variance. The experiments also reveal sensitivity of the parameters in the models, and in the models themselves, to variations in the distribution of problems. This argues for caution in the interpretation of such computational studies beyond the realm in which the computations were performed.
Optimization Problem in Biomolecular Simulations With DCA-Based Modeling of Transition From a Coarse to a Fine Fidelity

In multiscale modeling of highly complex biomolecular systems, it is desirable to switch the system model either to coarser, or higher fidelity models to achieve the appropriate accuracy and speed. These transitions are achieved by effectively imposing (or releasing) certain systems constraints from a fine scale model to a reduced order model (or vice versa). The transition from a coarse model to a fine one may not result in a unique solution. Therefore, a knowledge-based or physics-based optimization procedure may be used to arrive at the finite number of solutions. In this paper, it is shown that traditional approaches to address and solve the optimization problem such as Lagrange multipliers or changing the constrained optimization problem to an unconstrained one based on coordinate partitioning or basic linear algebra methods are computationally expensive for biomolecular systems. It is demonstrated that using a DCA based approach in modeling the transition can reduce dramatically the computational expense associated with the manipulations performed as part of optimization as well as the ones performed to derive the dynamics of the transition.© 2009 ASME
Revisit the Purkinje Related VT

Purkinje-related VT includes idiopathic LV VT (ILVT), some post infarction VT, bundle branch reentry, and focal Purkinje VT. Among them, ILVT is the most common one. In 1983, Lin et al. designated ILVT as an unique clinical entity with specific properties: patients having no structural heart disease, tachycardia showing RBBB/superior axis pattern, a reentry mechanism, verapamil responsive, slow-response tissues related. Subsequently, Ohe et al. reported this VT may also having right axis deviation in 1988. Catheter ablation was demonstrated in eliminating this VT at exit site by Nakagawa and Wen et al. in 1994. The underlying substrate was suggested as LV false tendons by Suwa et al., but Lin or Tharkur et al. did not have a conclusive answer on this. In 1997, we firstly demonstrated this tachycardia can be ablated at least 2–3 cm away from the tachycardia exit site. We found it is macroreentry along the LV septum. Subsequently, Tsuchiya et al. recorded the late diastolic potential preceding the Purkinje potential. Nogami et al. described the relationship between the late potential and presystolic Purkinje potential within the circuit revealing diastolic potential is another ablation target. This reentry circuit was further defined by Lai and Aiba et al. Now LVVT can be classified by QRS morphology: common type, uncommon type, and upper septal type. The success rate in catheter ablation is 90–95%. But the etiology of ILVT is still need to be determined.
A hybrid genetic algorithm for the point to multipoint routing problem with single split paths

A hybrid evolutionary algorithm for solving the Point to Multipoint Routing Problem (PMRP) is presented. We considered an application of the PMRP called the Message Scheduling Problem. The Message Scheduling Problem is the process of scheduling a set of requests through a network where each request has a single source and multiple destinations. Our new algorithm not only treats each request as a whole, but also allows up to two paths for transmitting the request bandwidth. We call this problem the Point to Multipoint Routing Problem with Single Split Paths. Our hybrid algorithm uses a genetic algorithm and a heuristic Steiner tree algorithm for finding near-optimal solutions to this problem. We designed the chromosome to accommodate not only the option of multiple paths for a request, but how to split the bandwidth. We ran our algorithm against results from previous researchers with superior results.
Association of urinary bladder and genital tumors

Abstract One hundred and fifty-two women with primary bladder tumors and no history of previous primary genital tumors were compared with 13 women who had genital malignancies prior to or at the time of the discovery of the bladder lesion. All the second primary bladder lesions were transitional cell carcinoma, and 69 per cent were superficial. However, the survival rate of these patients was worse compared to that of patients with the same clinicopathologic stage but without a history of previous cervical or uterine tumor. Irradiation of the pelvic tumors does not seem to increase the incidence or to affect the histopathology or the treatment of the second primary lesion in the bladder.
Perceived consequences of communicating organ donation wishes: An analysis of beliefs about defending one's decision

Family communication about organ donation is vital but rare. This research sought to understand a key barrier to communication among young adults: potentially having to defend one's decision to parents. In Study 1, 28 undergraduates considered the advantages and disadvantages of defending a decision about donation to their parents. Fifteen beliefs addressing parental acceptance, knowledge, related discussions (mortality, religion), appearing ignorant, and decision uncertainty, justification, and regret emerged. In Study 2, 209 students evaluated each belief, reported disclosure intentions, and confronted a behavioral option to disclose donation decisions to parents. Students were less likely to disclose if they believed they might change their mind (OR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.24–0.71) or think they made the wrong choice (OR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.18–0.62). Students perceiving they would strengthen their belief in donation were more likely to disclose (OR = 4.49; 95% CI 2.04–9.88). Family communication regarding donat...
Glycolytic metabolism of neonatal mononuclear cells.

Summary: The mononuclear cells of newborn infants compared to those of normal adults contain diminished activity of pyruvate kinase (PK) (14.9 ± 1.2 vs. 22.3 ± 1.3 μmol/1010 cells/min) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) (195 ± 10 vs. 415 ± 19). These deficiencies are accentuated in the cells of premature infants (4.9 ± 0.5 and 71 ± 15, respectively) and are accompanied by reduced activity of adenylate kinase (AK) (14.8 ± 1.9 vs. 33.6 ± 2.6). The activities of AK and PGK in adult and neonatal mononuclear cells are stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Although the PK activity of adult cells is stimulated by PHA, the PK activity of neonatal cells is not. Mononuclear cell glycolysis is stimulated by PHA in both adults and neonates. The mean lactate production of neonatal cells is slightly lower than it is in adult cells (93 vs. 110 μmol/1010 cells/hr, unstimulated, and 151 vs. 181, stimulated), but the differences are not statistically significant. The ATP content of neonatal cells (3.8 ± 0.4 μmoll 1010 cells) is reduced compared to adult values (6.0 ± 0.3). Lactate production is directly correlated with PK activity in adult and neonatal mononuclear cells. Neonatal mononuclear cell PK activity increases to adult levels during the first year of life. Speculation: Glycolytic metabolism of neonatal mononuclear cells differs from that observed in adult cells. Pyruvate kinase may play a critical role in the energy metabolism of immunocytes. The observed increase in mononuclear cell PK activity to adult values in the middle of the first year of life may suggest a correlation of PK activity with maturation of monocyte function.
Accounting for polarization cost when using fixed charge force fields. I. Method for computing energy.

Although it is not currently standard practice, the cost to change the electronic polarization from one appropriate for the gas phase to that implied by the charge model should be considered when deriving force fields based on fits to certain types of experimental data and for using force fields to compute observables that involve changes in molecular polarization. We present mathematical expressions and a method to estimate this polarization cost implied by a fixed charge model force field, where the fixed charge model can be any combination of point charges, higher-order multipoles, or even distributed charge densities, as long as they do not change in response to environment. These expressions illuminate the relationship between polarization costs associated with fixed charge models, self-polarization energies of polarizable models, and quantum chemical based approaches that use continuum representations of the solvent, such as the self-consistent reaction field and polarizable continuum models. The te...
The effect of stress on the Lüders band velocity in niobium

Abstract The effect of stress on the Luders band velocity has been studied in niobium of two impurity levels at room temperature. The results indicate that the velocity is uniquely dependent on the effective stress, being independent of specimen length, crosshead velocity, the number of fronts and the long-range internal stress fields associated with the structure. The activation volume as a function of stress derived from the present tests is independent of impurity content and is in good accord with that derived previously for yielding and flow in Nb, supporting thermallyactivated overcoming of the Peierls-Nabarro stress as the rate controlling mechanism.
Influence of selenium on heat shock protein 70 expression in heat stressed turkey embryos (Meleagris gallopavo)

Heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) family of proteins, which functions as molecular chaperones, has been associated with tolerance to stressors in avian species. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral incorporated into the seleno-enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx). GSHpx reduces oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) in the GSH/GSSG antioxidant system and protects cells from oxidative damage. This study was conducted to examine if the relationship between dietary supplementation of selenium to turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens and the embryonic expression of hsp70 and GSHpx activity in heat stressed embryos. Livers of embryos developing in eggs from turkey hens fed diets with or without supplemental Se were analyzed for hsp70 concentration and GSHpx activity before and after recovery from a heating episode. Before heat stress, hsp70 concentrations were equivalent in each treatment, but GSHpx activity was maximized in the SE treatment group. After recovery from the heating episode, hsp70 concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the non-Se-supplemented groups, but in the Se-supplemented groups the hsp70 concentrations were not different from pre-stress concentrations. In the pre-stress Se-supplemented group, liver GSHpx activity was significantly higher than GSHpx activity in the non-Se-supplemented embryo livers, and in the livers from embryos recovering from heat stress, GSHpx activity in the non-Se-supplemented group was lower than the pre-stress activity and significantly lower than the GSHpx activity in liver from Se-supplemented embryos recovering from heat distress. Se supplementation to the dams resulted in a significant increase in their embryos and that condition would facilitate a decreased incidence of oxidative damage to cells. A more reduced redox status in embryos from Se-supplemented dams decreased the need for cellular protection attributed to stress induced hsp70 and presumably allows heat distressed embryos to resume normal growth and development than embryos from dams with inadequate selenium nutrition.
Mass-flow characteristics of imploding thin film plasma atom cells

Abstract A detailed parametric study of axially-observed emission from imploding thin film plasmas was performed in order to determine the optimum electrical and physical discharge conditions for analytical spectrometric measurements. Discharge energy, frequency and resistance were systematically varied and analyte emission from the plasma observed both with and without spatial and temporal resolution. The effects of discharge tube diameter and length were also investigated. Low-inductance underdamped discharges produced the most complex emission features, with self-reversal of analyte ion lines predominating during the current maxima and most positive analyte emission originating from axially-expelled plasma vapor. Temporal separation of absorption and emission components of the signal were best facilitated by the use of a critically damped (unipolar) discharge, which retained the high-power densities desired for efficient atomization yet allowed detection of vanadium at the low-ng level. Axial observation limits the analytical dynamic range due to self-absorption from the axially-expelled vapor. Radial observation of emission or re-excitation of the sampled vapor by ICP or MIP is suggested for more efficient measurement of analyte produced by this atom cell.
Histological and anatomic changes in Barrett’s esophagus after antireflux surgery

Objective: The best treatment approach for patients with documented Barrett’s esophagus remains controversial. There is currently no well designed prospective study examining the effect of successful antireflux surgery on Barrett’s esophagus. Methods: Fourteen patients with histologically proven Barrett’s esophagus underwent standard antireflux surgery followed by careful endoscopic, histological, and symptomatic follow-up beginning at 2–4 wk after surgery. Pre- and postoperative symptoms, patient functional assessment scores, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and 24-h pH studies were compared, in addition to monitoring patients for evidence of squamous re-epithelialization and dysplasia. Results: Patients demonstrated statistically significant improvement in symptoms, functional assessment scores, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and 24-h pH assessments after antireflux surgery. Two patients had complete disappearance of short segments (2 and 3 cm) of Barrett’s esophagus. Ten additional patients demonstrated evidence of squamous re-epithelialization, although biopsies often showed mixed components of squamous and columnar epithelium. No patients showed progression of dysplastic change, and four patients demonstrated the disappearance of low grade dysplasia throughout the period of the study. Conclusion: Successful antireflux surgery can produce at least partial squamous re-epithelialization in Barrett’s metaplasia and stabilization or apparent improvement in dysplasia in some patients without the need for long term medication. Continued long term endoscopic and histologic follow-up is still required in all patients with Barrett’s esophagus after antireflux surgery.
MHC class I–restricted myelin epitopes are cross-presented by Tip-DCs that promote determinant spreading to CD8 + T cells

Myelin presentation to T cells in the central nervous system (CNS) sustains inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells contribute to MS, but only cells that present myelin to CD4(+) T cells have been identified. We show that MHC class I-restricted myelin basic protein (MBP) was presented by oligodendrocytes and cross-presented by Tip-dendritic cells (DCs) during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS initiated by CD4(+) T cells. Tip-DCs activated naive and effector CD8(+) T cells ex vivo, and naive MBP-specific CD8(+) T cells were activated in the CNS during CD4(+) T cell-induced EAE. These results demonstrate that CD4(+) T cell-mediated CNS autoimmunity leads to determinant spreading to myelin-specific CD8(+) T cells that can directly recognize oligodendrocytes.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire:

Test-retest reliabilities for the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire are presented for eight samples across seven countries, representing both Eastern and Western cultures. Despite the variability of the samples and of the test-retest intervals, values fully support the reliability of the subscales.
Microfluidic sorting of droplets by size

Droplet sorting by size was achieved in microfluidic channels through controlling the bifurcating junction geometry and the flow rates of the daughter channels. The sorting designs separated droplets with a radius difference of as little as 4 μm. The developed droplet channel design can be potentially used in combination with other particle sorting system to improve the sorting efficiency without the control of electrodes or fluidic valves.
Online Model-Based Clustering for Crisis Identification in Distributed Computing

Large-scale distributed computing systems can suffer from occasional severe violation of performance goals; due to the complexity of these systems, manual diagnosis of the cause of the crisis is too slow to inform interventions taken during the crisis. Rapid automatic recognition of the recurrence of a problem can lead to cause diagnosis and informed intervention. We frame this as an online clustering problem, where the labels (causes) of some of the previous crises may be known. We give a fast and accurate solution using model-based clustering based on a Dirichlet process mixture; the evolution of each crisis is modeled as a multivariate time series. In the periods between crises we perform full Bayesian inference for the past crises, and as a new crisis occurs we apply fast approximate Bayesian updating. These inferences allow real-time expected-cost-minimizing decision making that fully accounts for uncertainty in the crisis labels and other parameters. We apply and validate our methods using simulated...
Relatedness of acyl carrier proteins shown by amino acid compositions

Abstract 1. 1. Relatedness among the following carrier proteins was assessed on the basis of amino acid compositions: eight acyl carrier proteins (ACP's) associated with fatty acid synthesis, ACP's associated with citrate lyase and citramalate lyase, a biotin carboxyl carrier protein and cytochrome 552. Two independent indices of amino acid composition were used. 2. 2. The fatty acid synthesis-associated ACP's of many organisms and the lyase-associated ACP's show a high degree of relatedness among one another. 3. 3. The ACP's show no relatedness to biotin carboxyl carrier protein or cytochrome 552.
Manufacturing and processing of NiTi implants: A review

NiTi is categorized as a shape memory alloy that found interesting applications in vast areas of engineering from aerospace to biomedical; the latter applications are due to its biocompatibility in addition to its unique properties. The unique properties such as shape memory and pseudoelasticity make NiTi an excellent candidate in many functional designs. However, the manufacturing and processing complications of this alloy pose impediments to widespread applications. This paper discusses challenges and opportunities in making NiTi parts for biomedical applications such as implants. To this end, common manufacturing processes for NiTi from casting and powder metallurgy to machining are discussed. Also, new opportunities in additive manufacturing processes such as laser and electron beam techniques towards making 3D components from NiTi are described. Finally, the challenges in heat treatment and shape-setting of NiTi parts in order to attain desired shape memory properties are reviewed.
Collision and Fade Localization within Packets for Wireless LANs

In this paper, we derive an algorithm for estimating the location of events which cause burst errors, such as packet collisions and multipath fades in wireless packets. Effective localization algorithms have a range of applications, and could lead to network performance improvements through techniques such as error control coding and cross-layer design between the physical and medium access control layers. Given that a collision or fade occurs in a packet, the algorithm finds the maximum-likelihood estimate of the start time and duration of the collision or fade. Due to the computational complexity of this optimal estimate, we also derive an efficient sub-optimal algorithm which decouples the estimation of the collision or fade duration from the estimation of its starting position within the packet of interest. Both algorithms are able to isolate collision locations within the packet when the signal-to-noise ratio is high enough for the link to operate at a BER of ~10?6 in the absence of collision. An extension to M-QAM demonstrates similar effectiveness for constellation sizes up to 128.
Intracellularly recorded early receptor potential of the vertebrate photoreceptors.

Abstract The early receptor potential was recorded intracellularly from single photoreceptors ofGekko gekko, Necturus maculosus andSiredon mexicanum. In the case of the gecko both the early and late receptor potentials have been recorded from both the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptor. The early receptor potential appears to be generated across the plasma membrane or a structure or structures electrically coupled to the plasma membrane. Moreover the membrane current associated with the ERP appears to be almost entirely capacitive. In the case of gecko the ERP decays with a time constant of10.4 ± 0.4 msec. If this corresponds to the membrane time constant, the effective capacitance of the gecko photoreceptor is about 10−9F.
A Rangwapithecus gordoni mandible from the early Miocene site of Songhor, Kenya

A mandible of Rangwapithecus gordoni from the early Miocene site of Songhor, Kenya, provides additional information about this relatively poorly known taxon. The R. gordoni sample is small, being composed of dental and a few gnathic parts. The fossil described here provides examples of previously unknown dental and mandibular anatomy, and confirms former reassignments of isolated anterior teeth based on less certain evidence. The phylogenetic status of Rangwapithecus, its distribution, and paleobiology are briefly reviewed. Rangwapithecus shows a suite of dental and gnathic features that warrants its generic distinction from Proconsul. Derived features shared with Nyanzapithecus and Turkanapithecus indicate that it is an early member of the subfamily Nyanzapithecinae. Its molar morphology suggests a considerable component of folivory in its diet. A review of the hypodigm shows Rangwapithecus to be restricted to Songhor. This distribution parallels that of Limnopithecus evansi, and is mirrored by Limnopithecus legetet and Micropithecus clarki suggesting that Songhor may have differed ecologically from other more or less contemporary sites in the region.
Quantum-kinetic theory of free-electron lasing in a longitudinal electric wiggler

The quantum-kinetic equation for free-electron lasing in a longitudinal electric wiggler is expressed by two methods: a method expanding the momentum distribution function up to the second order and the transition probability up to the next order in h/2pi in the Taylor series forms and a method utilizing only the first-order derivative of the momentum distribution function and the lowest order in 'h' of the transition probability by means of the corresponding principle, the momentum and energy-conservation laws, and the time-reversal invariance of the transition probability. The gain of a free-electron laser using a longitudinal electric wiggler is determined, and emphasis is placed on the single-pass gain with consideration of the increase in the momentum spread.
Facebook marketing in contemporary orthodontic practice: A consumer report

Background: The introduction of Facebook has brought additional marketing opportunities to orthodontic practice. Social mediaebased marketing is different from traditional marketing strategies due to its interactive nature. The aims of this study were to determine consumers’ perceptions of Facebook marketing and to determine which features of orthodontists’ Facebook pages are the most effective in attracting patients. Methods: This survey-based study contained 35 questions and was administered to 140 individuals. The respondents were aged 18 years or older and represented various ethnicities. This study determined which types of marketing activity are most effective in attracting patients through the social media venue Facebook. The majority of the survey items were formatted based on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Results: Eighty-two percent of the respondents considered themselves to be active Facebook users. Forty percent indicated a likelihood of visiting an orthodontist’s Facebook page before receiving treatment at his or her practice, with approximately 35% indicating that the Facebook page would be an important factor in their decision. The respondents indicated that there were key elements of Facebook that would attract their attention and help them to make their decision about where to receive treatment. Consumers indicated that the most important Facebook marketing components (in order of importance) are: 1) an orthodontist’s credentials; 2) before-and-after photographs; 3) consumer-focused content; and 4) the orthodontist’s photograph. Additional components that are effective include a link to the practice’s Web site, links to oral healtherelated educational articles, and the presence of Facebook “likes” and “recommendations.” Conclusion: A Facebook page may be a useful marketing tool and a valuable addition to other marketing approaches. 2014 World Federation of Orthodontists.
Reproductive aging: theoretical perspectives, mechanisms, nonhuman models, and health correlates

Every 365.2421999 days—more or less—the earth rotates, revolves, wobbles, and precesses along an elliptical path around the sun. Those of us who survive the journey are a year older: we have aged one solar year. Some years we seem to age faster than other years; some people seem to age faster than other people; some systems seem to age faster than other systems. As we begin to mature, reach our middle years, and become elderly, reproductive changes are among the markers of aging that are most notable, particularly among women. What—if anything—can we learn about more general processes of aging from reproductive aging? Does our postreproductive survival contribute to our fitness, or is it just a chance event, a result of selection on other characteristics? Can our insights and research be translated into improved clinical practice? We explore reproductive aging with a wide-angle multidisciplinary lens that we use to focus on four articulating areas: theoretical perspectives, mechanisms, nonhuman models, and health correlates. We propose directions for future work. a .