cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antioxidants, metabolic rate and aging in Drosophila

The metabolic rate-of-living theory of aging was investigated by determining the effect of several life-prolonging antioxidants on the metabolic rate and life span of Drosophila. The respiration rate of groups of continuously agitated flies was determined in a Gilson respirometer. Vitamin E, 2,4-dinitrophenol, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and thiazolidine carboxylic acid were employed as antioxidants. Results show that all of these antioxidants reduced the oxygen consumption rate and increased the mean life span, and a significant negative linear correlation was found between the mean life span and the metabolic rate. It is concluded that these findings indicate that some antioxidants may inhibit respiration rate in addition to their protective effect against free radical-induced cellular damage.
Study of the rise time in electroosmotic flow within a microcapillary.

For the first time with a temporal resolution higher than 100 μs, we have successfully measured the risetime of electroosmotic flow (EOF) in a microcapillary using recently developed laser induced fluorescence photobleaching anemometer (LIFPA). Although there are some theoretical estimations in literature about the risetime in microcapillaries, to the best of our knowledge, this has never been experimentally validated in a microcapillary with inner diameter less than 100 μm. The LIFPA with high temporal and spatial resolution described in this paper is capable of measuring risetime distribution radially in a cylindrical microcapillary tube. The experimental results show that the risetime under a pulsed electric field decreases with the reduction of the inner diameter of a microcapillary, and the risetime also increases from the wall to the axis for a given microcapillary. These are qualitatively similar to the theoretical prediction. In addition, the initial pressure driven flow does not appear to affect ...
A rapid method for permanent implantation of an intraoral fistula in rats

By using polyethylene tubing instead of metal tubing, a permanent intraoral fistula can be implanted in rats without drilling through bone or shaping the tubing. A detailed description of the procedure is given, which has been found to be rapid and reliable.
Reduced Criteria for Degree Sequences

Abstract For many types of graphs, criteria have been discovered that give necessary and sufficient conditions for an integer sequence to be the degree sequence of such a graph. These criteria tend to take the form of a set of inequalities, and in the case of the Erdős–Gallai criterion (for simple undirected graphs) and the Gale–Ryser criterion (for bipartite graphs), it has been shown that the number of inequalities that must be checked can be reduced significantly. We show that similar reductions hold for the corresponding criteria for many other types of graphs, including bipartite r -multigraphs, bipartite graphs with structural edges, directed graphs, r -multigraphs, and tournaments. We also prove a reduction for imbalance sequences.
Multivariate analysis of reasons for death penalty support between male and female college students: empirical support for Gilligan’s ‘ethic of care’

Among a convenience sample of college students, the authors found an unexpectedly large difference in death penalty support between men and women, with only 45% of women supporting capital punishment in contrast to 71% of men. Reasons for supporting or opposing capital punishment varied by gender as well, with men holding more retributive and utilitarian views. Of the measures used in this study, women appeared to respond more to issues of compassion, caring, and mercy, thus providing inferential support for Gilligan’s ‘ethic of care’ hypothesis (1982).
Health Literacy and Antidepressant Medication Adherence Among Adults with Diabetes: The Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE)

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported that health literacy limitations are associated with poorer disease control for chronic conditions, but have not evaluated potential associations with medication adherence.
Development of a Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game-based Learning System for Multiple Curriculums

Integrating games into learning process can be summarized into three approaches: (1) Using multimedia technologies to content presentation for edutainment purpose, (2) repurposing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) games to assisting in learning for educational purpose, and (3) a hybrid way to design specific games that seeks a balance between fun and educational content. In this paper, we propose a compromised platform which enables instructors to create a learning game by an authoring tool. The reason is that many learning games developed for specific curriculums are time-consuming and high-cost. Additionally, instructors may be unfamiliar or have no experience with game design and programming. Therefore, the developed system, Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game-based Learning System, consists of three major components: game editor, learning content management component and game rendering engine, which can provide instructors to create different games for multiple curriculums.
« Dynamical » lagrangian for the many body problem

A « dynamical » Lagrangian approach to the many body problem in the collective co-ordinate formulation is made possible with the aid of the two-body correlation function. As a consequence, the values of the flctitious masses and frequencies for the collective co-ordinate harmonic oscillators, which represent the physical problem, are dependent on the average motion of the system. Moreover, the introduction of the center of mass and relative co-ordinates for theqk occasions no difficulty in the present approach. In Part B of the paper, preliminary considerations are presented on the physical extent of the domain of action ofq-space; various techniques are utilized to probe its structure. It is found in this way that the « diameter » ofq-space is of the order ofN1/2. Application is made to the speed of sound in a fluid.
EXPERIMENTS WITH LEARNING OPENING STRATEGY IN THE GAME OF GO

We present an experimental methodology and results for a machine learning approach to learning opening strategy in the game of Go, a game for which the best computer programs play only at the level...
General backwards Markov models

In this note general backward Markovian models for second. order stochastic processes are derived by simple backward differentiation of the "partitioned" algorithms. These backward models are equivalent to the forward process models in the sense that when solved in the backward direction they yield the same state covariance as the forward model. The general backward models are of theoretical interest as well as of computational importance in several applications.
Cone-beam CT with megavoltage beams and an amorphous silicon electronic portal imaging device: Potential for verification of radiotherapy of lung cancer

We investigate the potential of megavoltage (MV) cone-beam CT with an amorphous siliconelectronic portal imaging device(EPID) as a tool for patient position verification and tumor/organ motion studies in radiation treatment of lungtumors. We acquire 25 to 200 projection images using a 22×29 cm EPID. The acquisition is automatic and requires 7 minutes for 100 projections; it can be synchronized with respiratory gating. From these images, volumetric reconstruction is accomplished with a filtered backprojection in the cone-beam geometry. Several important pre-reconstruction image corrections, such as detector sag, must be applied. Tests with a contrast phantom indicate that differences in electron density of 2% can be detected with 100 projections, 200 cGy total dose. The contrast-to-noise ratio improves as the number of projections is increased. With 50 projections (100 cGy), high contrast objects are visible, and as few as 25 projections yield images with discernible features. We identify a technique of acquiring projection images with conformal beam apertures, shaped by a multileaf collimator, to reduce the dose to surrounding normal tissue. Tests of this technique on an anthropomorphic phantom demonstrate that a gross tumor volume in the lung can be accurately localized in three dimensions with scans using 88 monitor units. As such, conformal megavoltage cone-beam CT can provide three-dimensional imaging of lungtumors and may be used, for example, in verifying respiratory gated treatments.
Sensitization of rat sensory neurons by chronic exposure to forskolin or 'inflammatory cocktail' does not downregulate and requires continuous exposure.

Abstract Sensitization of sensory neurons is a critical component of hypersensitivity that occurs during chronic pain and inflammation. Questions remain, however, whether this sensitization depends on the continuous activation of signal transduction pathways in sensory neurons, whether the sensitization persists once the agent causing sensitization is removed, and whether downregulation occurs in the ability of these neurons to be sensitized. Because activation of the cAMP transduction cascade produces acute sensitization in rat sensory neurons, we examined whether continuous activation of the cAMP pathway augments bradykinin-stimulated release of immunoreactive substance P and immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide from embryonic rat sensory neurons grown in culture. A 20 min exposure to 1 μM forskolin enhances bradykinin-stimulated release of both peptides. This ability of forskolin to sensitize sensory neurons persists even when the neurons are exposed to forskolin for 24 h or 7 days suggesting that there is no downregulation of the response. One hour after the removal of forskolin, however, the bradykinin-evoked release returned to control values. In a similar manner, the content of immunoreactive cAMP in the cultures is elevated in cells exposed to forskolin for 20 min, even after 24 h or 7 days of forskolin treatment, but returns to control levels after forskolin removal. When sensory neurons are treated with an inflammatory cocktail for 20 min, potassium-stimulated peptide release is significantly elevated, independent of whether the cells were pre-exposed to inflammatory mediators for 24 h. Potassium-stimulated release was not elevated 1 h after removal of the inflammatory cocktail. These data suggest that rat sensory neurons are capable of undergoing a long-term sensitization that does not downregulate, but requires the continual presence of a sensitizing agent.
Axion response in gapless systems.

The strong topological insulator in 3D is expected to realize a quantized magnetoelectric response, the so-called axion response. However, many of the materials predicted to be topological insulators have turned out to be metallic, with bulk Fermi surfaces. Following the result of Bergman and Refael [Phys. Rev. B 82 195417 (2010)] that the surface states of the topological insulator persist even when the band structure gap is closed, we explore the fate of the magnetoelectric response in such systems. We find that a nonquantized magnetoelectric coupling remains once a bulk Fermi surface opens. More generally, we find higher-dimensional analogs of the intrinsic anomalous Hall effect for all Chern forms—quantized transport coefficients in the gapped case become nonquantized when the gap is closed. In particular, the nonquantized magnetoelectric response in 3D descends from the intrinsic anomalous Hall effect analog in 4D.
Retinol-induced modification of the extracellular matrix of endothelial cells: its role in growth control.

The growth of the endothelial cell (EC) is tightly regulated throughout the body. Many factors have been implicated in modulating EC growth including diffusible compounds, cell-to-cell interactions, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Retinol, or vitamin A alcohol, has recently been shown to inhibit the growth of bovine capillary ECs, in vitro. Retinoids are known to modify ECM in other cell systems, and pure ECM components have been shown to effect EC growth rates. We, therefore, examined the role of the matrix in the retinol-induced inhibition of ECs. Cell-free matrices from control and vitamin A-treated ECs were prepared by removing cells with EGTA treatment after 7 d of culture. Matrix proteins were analyzed by solubilizing the matrices in 5M quanidine-HCl and performing Western blot analysis using specific antibodies to matrix proteins. In isolating the ECM, we observed that retinol-treated cultures of ECs were resistant to EGTA removal; retinol-treated ECs required twice the exposure time to EGTA to detach from their matrix than did controls cells. Western blot analysis of matrix proteins derived from control and retinol-treated EC cultures demonstrated a 1.6-fold increase in lamininβ chains and a 2.5-fold increase in fibronectin in the ECM of retinol-treated EC compared to control cell matrix. Functional properties of these matrices were assessed by plating control and Day 6 retinol-treated ECs onto the matrices and measuring attachment and growth by determining cell numbers at 24, 72, and 144 h. These studies revealed that control cells attached in greatest numbers to a control matrix whereas retinol-treated ECs preferentially attached to a matrix derived from retinol-treated cells. Furthermore, control ECs which grew rapidly on a control matrix were growth inhibited on a retinol-derived matrix. These data indicate that vitamin A treatment of ECs effects both their phenotype and influences the composition and the functional properties of their underlying ECM. These studies also demonstrate that alterations of the matrix are at least in part responsible for the growth inhibition of EC by retinol.
Dynamic service composition using semantic information

Dynamic composition of complex services from primitive components brings flexibility and adaptability to future applications. By properly selecting and combining components on dand, applications would adapt to individual user preference and would consider available context information. Existing service composition systs often require users to request services in strict syntax formats, such as data types, service tplates or logic formulas. This requirent may become an obstacle for end-users to use such systs. Instead, service composition should be santics-based so that a service is requested and composed not by its syntax but by its santics. 0In order to enable santics-based dynamic service composition, both the modeling of components as well as the service composition mechanism must support santics. To satisfy the requirent of santic support in the component modeling, we have designed a new model named Component Service Model with Santics (CoSMoS). CoSMoS integrates the santic information of a component and the functional information of a component into a single santic graph representation. A unified interface named Component Runtime Environment (CoRE) is developed to convert different component implentations onto the CoSMoS representation. Using the santic support of CoSMoS, we have developed a santics-based service composition mechanism named Santic Graph based Service Composition (SeGSeC). SeGSeC generates the execution path of the requested service, and checks the santics of the path against the request. We have implented a service composition syst using the above techniques, and donstrated that our syst supports santics-based dynamic service composition.
The application of spectral analysis in monitoring extraction column behavior

Correlation and spectral functions resulting from the analysis of organic phase volume fraction measurements on a pulsed, sieve-plate solvent extraction column are presented, and some of the changes that occur as the flow characteristics of the column change are shown. Spectral functions reveal the shifts in operation more directly than do the correlation functions. General trends of both correlation and spectral functions with changing flow characteristics are discussed. Spectral density ratios which reflect the power density in the low frequency bandwidth from 0 to 0.1 Hz relative to that at the pulsing frequency are defined. These ratios are shown to correlate directly with the mode of column operation and are especially sensitive to incipient flooding. Hard limiting of the data prior to spectral analysis is shown to have little detrimental effect on the calculated functions of interest. On presente les fonctions de la correlation et du spectre, qui proviennent de l'analyse des mesures de la fraction en volume de la phase organique, lesquelles sont faites dans une colonne d'extraction de solvant a plateau perfore; on decrit egalement quelquesuns des changements qui se produisent lorsque les caracteristiques de l'ecoulement dans la colonne changent. Les fonctions spectrales revelent les deplacements operationnels plus directement que ne le font celles de la correlation. On discute les tendances generales que presentent les fonctions de la correlation et du spectre lorsque les caracteristiques de l'ecoulement changent. On definit les rapports des densites spectrales qui refletent la puissance volumique dans la largeur de la bande a faible frequence qui varie de 0 a 0.1 Hz, par rapport a celle qui existe a la frequence pulsante. On demontre que lesdits rapports sont en correlation directe avec le monde d'operation de la colonne et qu'ils sont particulierement sensibles a l'inondation qui commence. On voit qu'un depouillement grossier des donnees fait avant l'analyse spectrale n'exerce que pen d'effet nuisible sur les fonctions calculees qui sont d'interět.
A Markov model of the natural history of prostate cancer

Abstract The objective of this study was to lay a foundation for future cost-benefit analyses evaluating the public health impact of treatment and screening protocols for prostate cancer. Specifically we wanted to define the relative impact on cancer-specific mortality rates of the individual epidemiological components: pathological incidences by age groups, cancer progression rates, and the effect of competing causes of death, assuming expectant management (i.e. no definitive treatment). A biological model of prostate cancer incidence and progression was converted into a standard Markov tree where competing causes of death could occur. Weighted averages of progression rates were obtained from clinical studies. Separate cohorts of 30 year old black and white men were followed for 50 years. The model yielded cancer-specific mortality rates, overall mortality rates, and pathologic prevalences for both white and black males, consistent with the literature. Sensitivity analyses showed that of all the parameters studied, the pathological incidence of cancer in men under 50 years of age had the greatest impact on the cancer-specific mortality rates. Also important was the annual probability of progression of Al lesions. However the other parameters including pathological incidence in older males, and progression from locally-extensive to metastatic lesions had much smaller effects. In summary, this model correlates the clinical literature with the epidemiology of prostate cancer and can be used for further decision analyses. We recommend that future research be done to more precisely quantify the pathological incidence of prostate cancer in men under 50–60 years of age. More certainty is also needed before generalizing the results of relatively small Al series to millions of men, since A1 progression rates critically affect the eventual cancer-specific mortality. Enough uncertainty remains at this point however, that we cannot advocate widespread screening for prostate cancer until its merit be demonstrated either by the definitive long term study, or by examination of costs and quality-of-life-adjusted benefits.
Growth-stimulating action of alpha tocopherol

SummaryAlpha tocopherol potent as vitamin E in a single dose of 1-3 mg. stimulated growth in rats that had plateaued in weight on a vitamin E-low diet.
Faster Dynamic Process Simulation using In Situ Adaptive Tabulation

In situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) is applied to dynamic process simulators for reducing computational run-time. Several enhancements of previous approaches are presented here, including a method for estimating the sensitivities using input−output data, along with different strategies for record distribution. A modified version of the original algorithm (mISAT) to improve performance of ISAT is also suggested. Case studies for first-principles and data-driven models using ISAT are performed to generate accurate trajectories, which are essentially the same as those obtained by direct integration. Computational speed-up using ISAT is also shown for these studies.
Forms of creativity in translation

This paper explores the creative constructs utilized by translators in the reformulation of texts. As translation studies realigns the definition of translation vis-a-vis the original, a number of factors inform translations: the agency and subjectivity of the translator, as well as questions of form, and the more obvious social factors. This discussion addresses the articulation of creativity as a response to specific cases and repositions translation as part of a greater creative project.
Field Theory: Commentary on Paper by Donnel B. Stern

Stern offers a compelling introduction to a comparative theory of the field in his examination of its origins in the work of Harry Stack Sullivan and of Madeleine and Willy Baranger. Although he notes that Sullivan and the Barangers developed their field concepts separately, I suggest that there is a common context, and I detail this in regard to the early history of the concept, particularly in regard to Merleau-Ponty. Stern describes well the points of common use of the field concept and highlights differences that are the defining line between relational thinking and other orientations. In his view, the Barangers do not adequately take into account the analyst's inevitable participation and do not in the end step out of framing the unconscious as an internal process. I question this reading and ask how we might benefit from an “epistemological pluralism” that would invite working from diverse perspectives.
Multifunctional plasmonic film for recording near-field optical intensity.

We demonstrate the plasmonic equivalent of photographic film for recording optical intensity in the near field. The plasmonic structure is based on gold bowtie nanoantenna arrays fabricated on SiO2 pillars. We show that it can be employed for direct laser writing of image data or recording the polarization structure of optical vector beams. Scanning electron micrographs reveal a careful sculpting of the radius of curvature and height of the triangles composing the illuminated nanoantennas, as a result of plasmonic heating, that permits spatial tunability of the resonance response of the nanoantennas without sacrificing their geometric integrity. In contrast to other memory-dedicated approaches using Au nanorods embedded in a matrix medium, plasmonic film can be used in multiple application domains. To demonstrate this functionality, we utilize the structures as plasmonic optical tweezers and show sequestering of SiO2 microparticles into optically written channels formed between exposed sections of the fil...
Episodic Holocene loess deposition in central Nebraska

Abstract The Mirdan Canal section in central Nebraska, USA, provides evidence for multiple episodes of Holocene loess deposition in the central Great Plains. This irrigation canal cut exposes more than 4 m of Holocene sediment that overlies the late Wisconsinan Peoria Loess. The oldest Holocene sediment is local slopewash that fills gullies, but overlying beds are interpreted as Holocene loess (Bignell Loess). Three buried soil profiles occur within the Holocene sediment, and have yielded uncalibrated 14 C ages of 3010 yr BP (uppermost buried soil) and 8790 yr BP (third buried soil from top). A fourth buried soil yielded an age of 9330 yr BP, and is correlated with the Brady Soil. The Bignell Loess has a darker color, slightly more organic matter, more clay, more coarse silt and sand, less smectite, and less volcanic glass than the underlying Peoria Loess. The Bignell Loess is most plausibly interpreted as dust from local flood plains, containing a mixture of reworked Peoria Loess and older silts with contrasting mineralogy. Episodes of loess deposition occurred in the early, middle and late Holocene, probably during periods of dry climate but possibly also as a consequence of large erosive floods that made wind-erodible sediment available on nearby flood plains.
Fostering quality spine care for patients.

I recently attended my son Jared’s college graduation. The commencement speaker, 2001 US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, began by telling the audience exactly how long he intended to speak. I quote, ‘‘I think an audience deserves to know that this will be a finite experience. It is well known in the world of public speaking that there is no pleasure you can give an audience that compares with the pleasure they get when it is over.’’ This morning I intend to speak for exactly 12 min. Hopefully, before the 13th, I’ll have provided you with at least some measure of pleasure. Perhaps you recently attended a graduation as well. Few things can be as gratifying as witnessing your son or daughter face the challenging and sometimes treacherous landscape of adolescence and emerge stronger, more focused and poised for success. The North American Spine Society (NASS) is now in its 23rd year and it too is also coming of age. The health-care landscape in which NASS seeks to succeed is also challenging, sometimes treacherous and, regrettably, sometimes toxic. We face daily challenges from the insurance industry (both Medicare and private carriers), the drug and device industry, hospitals, government regulatory agencies and our own legal system. We do so mindful of the untenable costs of health care, the growing number of the uninsured and the vexing issues of tort reform. We seek to succeed in spite of ever-increasing administrative costs, declining reimbursement, increasing regulatory oversight and increasing scrutiny of health-care outcomes. It is this landscape in which our identities as physicians and surgeons, allied health-care providers and scientists are forged, and assaulted, and it is this landscape that threatens to deflect the focus of our attention from what inspires us most; our patients. Demonstrating that the services we provide for our patients have measurable value is critically important. I cannot overemphasize that point. Not only surgical or medical services, but services throughout the continuum of spine care. New treatments, technologies, and innovations will be increasingly scrutinized by insurance companies, CMS, and state workers compensation boards for effectiveness and value. Even ‘‘gold standard’’ treatments, such as fusion, epidural steroid, and facet joint injections, will be targets of this scrutiny. Demonstrating safety and
Some optical and electrical switching characteristics of a lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramic

The optical and electrical switching characteristics of a lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramic 'with Bi or La doping were studied for possible application in a high speed light valve array. Of particular interest were the requirements for coincident voltage selection and stable operation for at least 1010 switching cycles. Excitation aging was found to decrease the contrast achievable when the ceramic is used as an electrically controlled retarder. A more pronounced result of aging is a large increase in the degree of partial switching caused by half-select pulses. Such effects could be temporarily reversed by appropriate cycling to higher temperatures. Little variation in aging with different electrode materials was observed.
Exploring the dominant role of Cav1 channels in signalling to the nucleus.

Calcium is important in controlling nuclear gene expression through the activation of multiple signal-transduction pathways in neurons. Compared with other voltage-gated calcium channels, CaV1 channels demonstrate a considerable advantage in signalling to the nucleus. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in elucidating the mechanisms involved. CaV1 channels, already advantaged in their responsiveness to depolarization, trigger communication with the nucleus by attracting colocalized clusters of activated CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II). CaV2 channels lack this ability, but must work at a distance of >1 μm from the CaV1-CaMKII co-clusters, which hampers their relative efficiency for a given rise in bulk [Ca2+]i (intracellular [Ca2+]). Moreover, Ca2+ influx from CaV2 channels is preferentially buffered by the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) and mitochondria, further attenuating their effectiveness in signalling to the nucleus.
Factors related to grade retention in children with short stature.

Summary A recent study by Holmes et al. (1982) revealed a high degree (23%) of grade retention in a group of children with significant short stature secondary to growth hormone deficiency (GHD), constitutional delay (CD); or Turner's Syndrome (TS). Parents indicated in a free response format that ‘immaturity’ and ‘small size’ were the reasons for retention. The present follow-up study obtained academic achievement data on 47 of the 56 short children from the Holmes et al. (1982) study to assess what role academic factors, not spontaneously mentioned by parents, may have had in the retention decision. Results indicated that despite repeating a year in the primary grades, the group of retained children were still functioning 6 months below grade expectation, compared to grade appropriate achievement in the never-retained group. Parents and teachers were both accurate in their perceptions of children's academic achievement. Behavioural ratings by teachers indicated more adjustment difficulties for retained children, while parent ratings of behaviour showed a similar high level of problems for short children regardless of retention status. Although both groups of children possessed average intellectual abilities, the retained children obtained lower IQ scores than the never retained children. In summary, a majority of short children were achieving appropriate grade levels, but a substantial minority were experiencing under-achievement, behaviour problems, and grade retention, despite average intelligence.
Effect of Palladium Coatings on the Corrosion Potential of Stainless Steel in High-Temperature Water Containing Dissolved Hydrogen and Oxygen

Abstract The electrochemical behavior of untreated 316 (UNS S31600) stainless steel and similar samples with thin coatings of palladium are compared in high-temperature water containing varying concentrations of hydrogen and oxygen. The differences in potentials are consistent with the hypothesis that the electrochemical recombination of hydrogen and oxygen on the surface controls the corrosion potential (mixed potential) of the sample. Palladium coatings as thin as 0.03 µm result in marked improvement in the response to hydrogen water chemistry (HWC) in lowering the corrosion potential below the critical value for protection against stress corrosion cracking (SCC) even at relatively low hydrogen injection rates and high residual oxygen concentrations. Because the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen is greater than that of oxygen, the protection potential can be achieved with hydrogen: oxygen ratios in the bulk water below the stoichiometric ratio of 2.0 required to form water. Constant extension rate tests...
Economic Risk and Profitability of Soybean Fungicide and Insecticide Seed Treatments at Reduced Seeding Rates

Earlier soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] planting, increased seed costs, and higher commodity prices have led to a surge in the use of soybean fungicide and insecticide seed treatments, while recent studies have suggested that growers should consider lowering seeding rates to increase their return on investment. Ultimately, growers would like to know the value proposition of combining seed treatments with lowered seeding rates. Therefore, three seed treatments (untreated, ApronMaxx, and CruiserMaxx) and six seeding rates (98,800, 148,200, 197,600, 247,000, 296,400, and 345,800 seeds ha -1 ) were evaluated to determine seed yield, profitability, and economic risk of various seed treatments and seeding rates, including the economically optimal seeding rate (EOSR) for each seed treatment. Trials were conducted at nine locations throughout Wisconsin during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons, totaling 18 site-years. Across a wide range of seeding rates, ApronMaxx provided no yield or profitability gains and only slight risk benefits (<0.54 break-even probability) at grain sale prices between $0.33 and $0.55 kg -1 . CruiserMaxx increased yield by 12% at 98,800 seeds ha -1 and by 4% at 345,800 seeds ha -1 . In addition, CruiserMaxx was able to substantially lower risk and increase profit at both reduced and recommended (197,000–345,800 seeds ha -1 ) seeding rates across a wide range of environments and grain sale prices. The lowest risk and largest average profit increase was always at the EOSR, which decreased as the grain sale price declined. At current seed costs, the EOSR for CruiserMaxx treated seed ranged from 232,000 to 261,000 seeds ha -1 depending on the grain sale price. These data indicate that producers should account for their expected grain sale price and seed treatment choice when determining seeding rates to reduce economic risk and increase profitability.
Model-supported positioning

We discuss Texas Instrument's approach to the Model Supported Positioning (MSP) Project. There are two main goals of the MSP project. The first is to meet the model-to-image registration needs of the Research and Development for Image Understanding Systems (RADIUS) Project. The second goal is to provide an automated capability for deriving more accurate absolute image position information using a scene model with accurate ground control positions. The approach is to use model-to-image registration to locate features in the image whose absolute 3 - 4 positions are precisely known from the model. Rigorous photogrammetry is used to refine the image acquisition parameters by minimizing the error between the known 3D positions and the image derived positions. While we briefly discuss the parameter refinement step, the emphasis of this paper is on the registration algorithm. We first estimate a coarse offset error vector between the image and the model. This estimate is from a vector registration algorithm which matches straight lines extracted from a reduced resolution image to lines from the site model. The image location of each 3D control feature is then determined using oriented line and vertex operators in the full-resolution image. A least-squares approach is used to refine the image acquisition parameters to match the known control feature positions.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Classical Traditions of Odissi and Manipuri

Odissi: Indian Classical Dance Art By Sunil Kothari. Illustrated. 132 pp. Bombay: Marg Publications, 1990. Rs. 595. U.S. $50.00. Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition Edited by Saryu Doshi. Illustrated. 128 pp. Bombay: Marg Publications, 1989. Rs. 575. U.S. $48.00.
Enabling development of OpenCL applications on FPGA platforms

High-level FPGA synthesis tools aim to increase the productivity of FPGAs and to adopt them among software developers and domain experts. OpenCL is a specification introduced for parallel programming across heterogeneous platforms. In this paper, an automated compilation flow to generate customized application-specific hardware descriptions from OpenCL computation kernels is reported. The flow uses Xilinx AutoESL tool to obtain the design specification for OpenCL kernel cores. The provided architecture integrates generated cores with memory and OpenCL host application interfaces. The host program in the OpenCL application is compiled and executed to demonstrate a proof-of-concept implementation towards achieving an end-to-end flow that provides abstraction of hardware at the front-end.
Monoclonal antibodies block the bromelain-mediated release of human placental alkaline phosphatase from cultured cancer cells

Certain monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) block bromelain cleavage of a 2-kDa segment from each of the two polypeptide chains of PLAP. These mAbs also prevent the release of PLAP from cultured cancer cell surfaces by bromelain. Such proteolysis-blocking mAbs serve as tools to specifically modify the molecular topography of cell surfaces by protease treatment.
Answer to December 2014 Photo Quiz

Answer: Neisseria meningitidis. The intracellular and extracellular Gram-negative diplococci were identified as beta-lactamase-negative Neisseria meningitidis by the API NH system (bioMerieux, Durham, NC) and further serotyped as group Y at the Illinois Department of Public Health. No organisms
Chemistry of growth medium and leachate from green roof systems in south-central Texas

Installation of intensive and extensive green roofs is becoming popular for reducing runoff from impervious surfaces in many cities around the world. Most studies on runoff quality from green roofs have been conducted in cooler northern climates. We examined the losses and gains of nutrients, cations and selected anions in planted and unplanted growth medium and compared these to initial growth medium (IGM) typically used for green roof modules in south-central Texas. Water extracts of growth medium and leachate from three replicates of unplanted growth medium and three planted species (Sedum kamtschaticum, Delosperma cooperi and Talinum calycinum) were examined. During the first 6 months after establishment we observed high losses of nitrate (25 to 44 mg kg−1), dissolved organic carbon (DOC: 155 to 190 mg kg−1) and nitrogen (DON: 9.0 to 11.2 mg kg−1) and orthophosphate-P (1 to 2 mg kg−1). Average leachate concentrations based on four rain events 6 months after establishment ranged from 0.3 to 6.6 mg L−1 in planted modules and 6.3 mg L−1 in unplanted modules for nitrate-N, 38 to 42 mg L−1 in planted modules and 32 mg L−1 in unplanted modules for DOC, 2.1 to 3.1 mg L−1 in planted modules and 2.1 mg L−1 in unplanted modules for DON and 0.27 to 0.37 mg L−1 in planted modules and 0.40 mg L−1 in unplanted modules for orthophosphate-P. We suggest that after the establishment of green roofs, leachate losses may contribute some runoff concentrations of nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous in urban areas.
Characterizing Male–Female Interactions Using Natural Genetic Variation in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster females commonly mate with multiple males establishing the opportunity for pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection. Traits impacting sexual selection can be affected by a complex interplay of the genotypes of the competing males, the genotype of the female, and compatibilities between the males and females. We scored males from 96 2nd and 94 3rd chromosome substitution lines for traits affecting reproductive success when mated with females from 3 different genetic backgrounds. The traits included male-induced female refractoriness, male remating ability, the proportion of offspring sired under competitive conditions and male-induced female fecundity. We observed significant effects of male line, female genetic background, and strong male by female interactions. Some males appeared to be "generalists" and performed consistently across the different females; other males appeared to be "specialists" and performed very well with a particular female and poorly with others. "Specialist" males did not, however, prefer to court those females with whom they had the highest reproductive fitness. Using 143 polymorphisms in male reproductive genes, we mapped several genes that had consistent effects across the different females including a derived, high fitness allele in Acp26Aa that may be the target of adaptive evolution. We also identified a polymorphism upstream of PebII that may interact with the female genetic background to affect male-induced refractoriness to remating. These results suggest that natural variation in PebII might contribute to the observed male-female interactions.
Low voltage swing logic circuits for a Pentium 4 processor integer core

The Pentium® 4 processor architecture uses a 2x frequency core clock[1] to implement low latency integer ops. Low Voltage Swing logic circuits implemented in 90nm technology[2] meet the frequency demands of a third generation integer-core design.
Real-time myocardial segmentation using coupled active geometric functions

Myocardial segmentation is essential for quantitative evaluation of cardiac functional images. As imaging techniques advance, 3D and 4D image data have become available. These data can provide clinically important cardiac dynamic information at high spatial or temporal resolution. However, the enormous amount of information contained in these data has also raised a challenge for traditional image analysis algorithms in terms of efficiency and clinical workflow. In this context, an automated real-time myocardial segmentation framework based on coupled Active Geometric Functions was proposed and tested on 414 frames of Phase Train Imaging data, a real-time cardiac MR imaging technique, with an average temporal resolution of 2 ms. The performance of myocardial segmentation was visually and quantitatively validated. Implemented in Matlab©, the current method takes less than 1.2 ms per cardiac phase, allowing realization of true real-time online segmentation.
Artificial recognition system for defective types of transformers by acoustic emission

An artificial recognition system of defective types for epoxy-resin transformers through acoustic emission (AE) from partial discharge (PD) experiment is proposed. PD detection is an efficient diagnosis method to prevent the failure of electric equipments arising from degrading insulation. However, most of the PD detection methods could be performed only at the shutdown period of equipments. By using AE, the online and real-time detection with defective types could be easily reached. Therefore, in this paper a series of high voltage tests were conducted on pre-faulty transformers to collect the AE signals for recognition system needed. The selected AE features instead of waveform are then extracted from these experimental AE signals for the input characteristic of recognition system. According to these features, effective identification of their defective types can be done using the proposed recognition system that combined particle swarm optimization with an artificial neural network. To demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach, the artificial recognition system is applied on both noisy and noiseless circumstances. The experiment showed encouraging results that even with 30% noise per discharge count, an 80% successful recognition rate can still be achieved.
Antiretroviral Drug Resistance in HIV-1–Infected Patients Experiencing Persistent Low-Level Viremia During First-Line Therapy

Population sequencing was performed for persons identified with persistent low-level viremia in 2 clinical trials. Persistent low-level viremia (defined as plasma HIV-1 RNA level >50 and <1000 copies/mL in at least 2 determinations over a 24-week period, after at least 24 weeks of antiretroviral therapy) was observed in 65 (5.6%) of 1158 patients at risk. New resistance mutations were detected during persistent low-level viremia in 37% of the 54 evaluable cases. The most common mutations were M184I/V (14 cases), K103N (9), and M230L (3). Detection of new mutations was associated with higher HIV-1 RNA levels during persistent low-level viremia.
An opportunistic energy-efficient medium access scheme for wireless sensor networks

This paper introduces an opportunistic medium-access control (MAC) scheme for controlling the uplink message transfer from sensor nodes to a central controller in wireless sensor networks (WSN). By equipping the controller with multiple antennas to communicate with single-antenna sensors, we propose a scheme that benefits from diversity reception at the controller and leads to a considerable reduction of battery energy consumption in sensor nodes. The performance of the scheme is illustrated using a Rayleigh fading channel model.
Papillomavirus-like particle based vaccines: cervical cancer and beyond.

Non-infectious human papillomavirus-like particles (VLP), composed of the L1 major capsid protein, are under active development as vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. They would presumably function primarily by generating virion-neutralising antibodies against the genital human papillomavirus (HPV) types that are the principal cause of most cervical cancers. Early phase clinical studies indicate that the VLP vaccines are well tolerated and able to consistently induce high titres of virus type-specific neutralising antibodies. Two types of second-generation VLP-based subunit vaccines with therapeutic implications, both related and unrelated to papillomavirus infection, are in preclinical development. One type seeks to induce cell-mediated immune responses, especially cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL), against non-structural papillomavirus proteins, proteins of other viruses, or tumour associated antigens. The target antigen is incorporated into the VLPs as a fusion protein of L1 or the L2 minor capsid protein. ...
INDUCING RESIDUAL STRESS IN BONE USING ABRASIVE AIR-JET SURFACE TREATMENT

Based on past research, the growth and repair of bone is a function of physical activity (i.e. stresses) and bone chemistry. As such, the rate of recovery of an individual that has undergone total joint arthroplasty could be influenced by the introduction of changes in bone chemistry and “apparent” stress state in the bone that results from the surgical procedures and/or treatments. This preliminary study explored the opportunity for introducing residual stresses in hard tissues using an air-jet surface treatment. Cortical bone was obtained from bovine femurs and treated with an abrasive jet process. The radius of curvature of the bone specimens was estimated before and after treatment and used in estimating the magnitude of surface residual stress. An SEM analysis was also performed to examine structural changes in the bone caused by the surface treatment. Results showed that it is possible to impart residual stress within bone using an air-jet surface treatment. The magnitude of surface residual stress was 16 ± 0.8 MPa. Residual stresses appeared to result from a combination of near-surface deformation and embedded particles.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Moderate obesity and endothelial dysfunction in humans: influence of gender and systemic inflammation

Our objective was to determine whether moderate obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) is associated with impaired conduit and microvascular endothelial function, and whether men or women are more susceptible to impairment of endothelial function related to moderate obesity. Forty-one middle aged, nondiabetic moderately obese (BMI 34.7 4.0 kg/m 2 ) and nonobese (BMI 24.3 2.6 kg/m 2 ) subjects of both sexes underwent noninvasive studies of endothelial function (brachial reactivity) and measurements of endothelial-dependent vasodilation of gluteal subcutaneous arterioles to acetylcholine (Ach). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to Ach was decreased in the moderately obese compared with the nonobese (P < 0.001). Stratified analysis based on sex showed impairment of arteriolar endothelial function in women BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (P = 0.02), but not men. There was no difference between in vivo endothelial function flow-mediated dilation (FMD%) by BMI category. Sex-specific analysis showed FMD% was lower in women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 compared to those with BMI < 30 kg/m 2 (P = 0.02). No differences were seen in men based on BMI category (P = 0.18). In women, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) correlated with BMI (q = 0.68, P = 0.006). Moderate obesity is associated with impaired resistance arteriolar endothelial function. This is more prominent in women than men and is associated with systemic inflammation.