cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glaciers show direct linkage between erosion rate and chemical weathering fluxes

Field studies suggest a linkage between high physical erosion rates and rates of chemical denudation. Mechanical erosion by temperate glaciers is commonly an order of magnitude higher than in mountainous fluvial catchments, leading to an expectation that chemical weathering fluxes should also be high from glacierized basins. Yet solute fluxes from glaciers are not found to be higher than non-glacierized catchments. Application of a model of silicate weathering from glaciers based on mineral surface area production and mineralogy shows that solute fluxes are consistent with the low temperatures, dilute water chemistry, and high mineral surface area production in these environments. Low temperatures reduce silicate-weathering rates; this effect explains the difference between silica fluxes from glaciers and from non-glacierized basins. As in laboratory flow-through reactors, glacial solute flux should depend on surface area production and mineral weathering rate constants. The surface area production is significant: a typical glacial erosion rate and grain-size distribution produces on the order of 104 km2 of mineral surface area per square kilometer per year. This new surface area is highly reactive because mineral weathering rates decline with surface age. Application of the “reactor” model yields results largely consistent with measured solute fluxes for the example of Bench Glacier, Alaska. The model underpredicts potassium fluxes, probably due to accelerated initial dissolution of biotite strained by abrasion. The success of the model in predicting other silicate weathering fluxes reflects the far-from-equilibrium conditions in glacial runoff, such that mineral weathering rate constants are not limited by saturation state. In a small data set from glacial catchments, both annual silica fluxes and mean concentrations increase with water discharge. This suggests that mineral surface area increases with water discharge from glaciers, an effect plausibly linked to erosion rates. Those glaciers for which both erosion rate and silica flux data are available support the idea that production of new reactive mineral surface area by glacial erosion drives silicate weathering fluxes.
Enzymatic Quantification of Phytate in Animal Manure

Phytate (inositol hexaphosphate) has been identified as a major organic phosphorus (P) form in soil, animal manure, and other environmental samples. Although a number of methods are available for quantitative isolation and determination of phytate, they are time‐consuming and not amenable to routine analysis. We developed a simple, rapid method for enzymatic determination of phytate in animal manure. Animal manure was extracted by H2O, 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 0.1 M sodium acetate (NaOAc, pH 5.0) with or without 0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and 0.25 M or 0.5 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)–0.05 M EDTA. Extracts were diluted (1/10–1/150) and adjusted to pH 5.0 in sodium acetate buffer. The diluted extracts were then incubated at 37 °C for 1 h in the absence and presence of fungal 3‐phytase (PHY) and potato acid phosphatase (PAP). Enzymatic hydrolyzable organic P was calculated as the difference in inorganic P (Pi) between the mixtures with and without enzymes. Our data indicated that enzymatic ...
Solubility of hydrogen in small particles of palladium

Abstract The solubility of hydrogen in palladium, m , defined as the number of dissolved hydrogen atoms divided by the total number of metal atoms has been measured between 273 and 343 K from 13.3 to 53.3 kPa. At a given temperature and pressure, m was found to decrease linearly as the percentage dispersion D of the metal increased, m being zero at D = 100%. Measurements of m were carried out under conditions such that the surface of the metal particles was covered with almost a monolayer of hydrogen. This chemisorbed hydrogen seems to affect solubility of hydrogen in bulk palladium in a way similar to that of silver in palladium-silver alloys. Values of m are potentially helpful in the characterization of used palladium catalysts.
NMR chemical shift imaging

Chemical shift imaging combines the spatial information provided by a conventional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) image with the chemical shift spectral information provided by NMR spectroscopy. In order to preserve the chemical shift information and provide a spatial map simultaneously, new NMR imaging methods have been developed. In general, these methods have taken two forms: (a) three-dimensional techniques which add an extra axis of information--chemical shift spectral data--to a planar (2-D) image; and (b) two-dimensional techniques which, in certain circumstances, allow one to use techniques only slightly different from conventional ones to obtain high-resolution images of particular chemical shift species. Each of these methods offers unique challenges to the imager, as well as special advantages. In particular, three-dimensional techniques offer the opportunity to visualize the chemical shift spectra explicitly, while two-dimensional techniques allow for rapid imaging times and high spatial resolution. Most of the work in chemical shift imaging to date has focused on 1H, 31P, and 23Na. The high concentration of water and lipids in biological tissue has made the proton especially amenable to study, and the ability to sample other proton-containing compounds (such as lactate) in the face of high concentration lipid and water is now being explored. The potential use of chemical shift imaging techniques in the research and clinical settings is currently under investigation.
The molecular nature of spontaneous mutations at the hprt locus in the radiosensitive CHO mutant xrs-5

The radiosensitive mutant xrs-5, a derivative of the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 cell, is defective in DNA double-strand break rejoining ability and in V(D)J recombination. The radiosensitivity and defective repair phenotype are complemented by the 80-kDa subunit of the Ku protein. We determined the nature of the mutations that develop spontaneously at the hprt locus in this cell line using both multiplex PCR deletion screening and DNA sequencing. Ninety-two independent spontaneous mutants were analyzed and the results were compared to the mutation spectrum of 64 previously analyzed hprt spontaneous mutants isolated from the parental CHO-K1 cell line. More than 50% of the spontaneous xrs-5 mutants had lost one or more exons while less than 25% of spontaneous CHO-K1 mutants had lost one or more exons. Most of the deletions in xrs-5 cells involved the loss of multiple exons while single exon deletions predominated in CHO-K1. There was also a nonrandom distribution of breakpoints in both CHO-K1 and xrs-5. Most of the deletion breakpoints were 3' to exon 9, around exons 4-6, or near exon 1. Although the frequency of base substitutions was lower in xrs-5, the spectrum of base substitutions was qualitatively similar to that of CHO-K1. There was no significant difference in the spontaneous mutant frequency in xrs-5 and CHO-K1. The results suggest that in certain regions of the hprt gene, base alterations can be converted to large deletions, and that alterations in the Ku protein complex can influence this process.
Variation in the carbonate reactivity of deep-sea sediments: determination from flux experiments

Abstract Using a stirred-flow reactor, alkalinity flux from sediment into overlying seawater was measured as a function of dissolved carbonate ion concentration. Synthetic calcite powder and 10 deep-sea sediment samples ranging room 3 to 85% CaCO3 content were used in the experiments. A diffusion-dissolution model analogous to the experimental conditions was developed to interpret the results. The experimental results depend on the total reactive surface areas of calcite and aragonite in the sediment, which are characterized by apparent rate constants kc and ka. The flux is approximately flux ≅ γ∥f c ( CO 3 2− )k c + f a ( CO 3 2− )k a ] 1 2 , where fc and fa symbolize the kinetic dependence of the calcite and aragonite on the dissolved carbonate ion concentration. The relationship of the functions to suspended particle kinetics is discussed. The coefficient, γ, depends on the sediment bulk density and porosity and on the ratio of carbonate ion to total CO2 increase due to CaCO3 dissolution. Variation of kc and ka between sediment samples shows the following: (1) The calcite reactive surface area is correlated with carbonate content between 0 and 60% CaCO3. (2) The aragonite reactive surface area diminishes by an order of magnitude as water depth increases below the aragonite compensation depth (ACD). (3) A remnant aragonite standing crop persists below the ACD in sediment with > 20% CaCO3. This may be due to mixing of the upper few centimeters by bioturbation, which results in the escape of a small fraction of the settling aragonite from dissolution. In the study the measured apparent calcite rate constant for a carbonate-rich sediment is two orders of magnitude lower than that determined from previous kinetic experiments on suspended sediment. Whether this is due to a diffusive boundary layer or other effects cannot be determined with certainty.
Process skills acquisition, cognitive growth, and attitude change of ninth grade students in a scientific literacy course

This is a report of the effects of a scientific literacy course on the skills, cognitive ability, and attitude of students in the first year of high school. Specifically, the research examines (1) whether it is possible to teach scientific skills, (2) whether a literacy curriculum affects attitude and cognitive ability, and (3) whether incoming student characteristics affect the development of attitude and cognitive abilities. Two hundred and fifty (126 male and 124 female) ninth grade students were enrolled in a specially designed literacy course which met for 3 hours and 20 minutes each week for 39 weeks. Students were pretested for logical, spatial, verbal, and mathematical ability, as well as for attitude toward self and science, and psychological type. The course was successful in teaching skills. In addition, there were significant increases in spatial, verbal, and quantitative ability. Increases in cognitive ability were predicted by logical ability, measurement skills, and academic self-concept. Attitudes declined as a result of participation in the course. Self concept and mastery were related to cognitive variables and motivation, mastery, and control were related to psychological type.
Nucleation and growth of zinc electrodeposited from acidic zinc solutions

The nucleation and initial crystal growth kinetics by electrodeposition from acidic zinc solutions was studied in the absence and presence of antimony and glue on a glassy carbon electrode. Zinc exhibits instantaneous nucleation under the experimental conditions employed in the potential region from −1600 to −2000 mV (mercurous sulphate reference). At low overpotentials antimony and glue increase the number of nuclei.
Nanoscale Properties and Matrix−Dopant Interactions in Dye-Doped Organically Modified Silicate Thin Films

The nanoscale properties of organically modified sol−gel-derived silicate thin films are studied in detail by single-molecule spectroscopic methods. For these studies, the solvent-sensitive probe Nile Red is doped into the films at nanomolar concentrations. Spectroscopic data are obtained for films prepared from sols containing different mole fractions of isobutyltrimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane. The data are analyzed using a model based on Marcus theory, providing important new information on static local film properties such as polarity and the extent of specific dopant−matrix interactions. Data on dynamic phenomena related to local matrix rigidity is also obtained. In general, throughout the range of samples studied, the most polar environments are also found to be the most rigid. With regard to their static properties, broad heterogeneous distributions are found in films of predominantly inorganic composition. In several instances, bimodal distributions are also observed, which result from speci...
Hot-ion distribution studies in a mirror-contained plasma

Hot-ion distributions in a mirror-contained plasma are calculated by employing computer simulation of a model which includes the effects of scattering by a background plasma containing electrons, hot and cold ions, and neutrals. Hot-ion depletion due to cooling and scattering into the loss cone is considered but the dominant loss mechanism is charge-exchange with neutrals. Hot-ion buildup to 3*1013 cm-3 resulting from 10 keV ion injection is investigated and the results are compared with experimental plasma calculations.
The Application of Site-Specific Natural Isotope Fractionation-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SNIF-NMR) to the Analysis of Alcoholic Beverages

The relative deuterium concentration and specific deuterium-site locations in a molecule can be determined using Site-Specific Natural Isotope Fractionation-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SNIF-NMR). For a given compound (e.g., ethanol) SNIF-NMR can provide information about the chemical pathway of formation and, in some cases, information about the geographic origin of a sample can also be discerned. SNIF-NMR has been applied to the analysis of wines and other alcoholic beverages. In this work, data were collected on samples of apple brandy, tequila, rum, potato vodka, cognac, and synthetic ethanol. Signal-to-noise considerations limit the samples that can be studied without preconcentration to those with relatively high alcohol contents.
Measurement of real-time digital signals in a silicon bipolar junction transistor using a noninvasive optical probe

We report optical charge sensing of real-time 0.8 V digital signals in a silicon bipolar transistor in a 20 MHz bandwidth using a 1.3 ?m semiconductor laser, and in a 100 MHz bandwidth using a 1.3 ?m Nd:YAG laser. The probe is noninvasive, inducing a transistor base current of less than 10 nA.
Preparation and properties of a carbonate ion-selective membrane electrode

Abstract A liquid membrane ion-selective electrode has been prepared for the measurement of carbonate ion activities in solutions containing high levels of hydrogen carbonate and chloride. The electrode exhibits Nernstian response in the approximate range 1O -2 –1O -7 M carbonate, and has a fast response and low noise level under most conditions. In the physiologically important pH region, hydroxide ion does not interfere. Detailed information is given on the composition and properties of the active membrane phase.
Firewood-gathering impacts in backcountry campsites in Great Smoky Mountains national park

The effects of human trampling and firewood gathering on eight backcountry campsites in the Great Smoky Mountains were surveyed. Sample plots were classified as sitecenter, transition, firewood-gathering area, and control. The canopy in the center of the sites tended to be more open than that of control plots, with the greatest openings occurring at shelter sites in spruce-fir forest. Intensive human trampling in the center of the sites inhibited reproduction of tree species, whereas firewood gathering alone did not. In some cases where canopy opening had occurred, there was an increase in shrub and tree reproduction around the edge of the site. Reduction in the basal area of standing deadwood varied with the type of site; older growth stands were less depleted. Injuries to trees increased tenfold from control areas to the center of the campsites. Smaller fuels were more strongly impacted by trampling and little impacted by firewood gathering. Woody fuels in the 2.5- to 7.6-cm size class were preferred for firewood. A previously constructed carbon cycling model was modified to incorporate removal of firewood and litter on campsites. The model suggested that after extended removal of leaf litter, soil carbon takes 12 to 50 years to recover, but this hypothesis remains to be tested in the field.
Vaginal stenosis and hydrometrocolpos: late complication of inadvertent perivaginal placement of an artificial urinary sphincter in prepubertal girls

Urinary incontinence in pediatric and adolescent patients has been successfully managed with the artificial urinary sphincter for several decades. Placement of the sphincter can be difficult in the preadolescent girl due to poorly developed vaginal tissue that can result in difficulty establishing the surgical plane between the bladder and vagina. We report 2 patients in whom the sphincter was placed around the urethra and vagina, a complication that has been reported in only 1 patient previously. All 3 patients presented with hematometrocolpos and bloody vaginal discharge. All were successfully managed with replacement of the sphincter cuff around the urethra and delayed vaginoplasty.
A Segmentation of Volunteers at the 2013 Austin City Limits Music Festival: Insights and Future Directions

Volunteers at music festivals play a critical role in festival operation and success. As the music festival industry continues to grow, the ability for these large productions to effectively execute a large volunteer program is augmented. Volunteers from the 2013 Austin City Limits Music Festival were surveyed in regards to their self-image congruency, motivation, satisfaction, and intent to return as a volunteer at the festival. Analysis resulted in three distinct segments which has significant practical implications for festival management. Academic implications exist with the addition of self-image congruency and further discovery of volunteers in the festival and event industry.
Measurements of human middle ear forward and reverse acoustics: Implications for otoacoustic emissions

Middle and inner ears from human cadaver temporal bones were stimulated in the forward direction by an ear-canal sound source, and in the reverse direction by an inner-ear sound source. For each stimulus type, three variables were measured: (a) Pec--ear-canal pressure with a probe-tube microphone within 3 mm of the eardrum, (b) Vst--stapes velocity with a laser interferometer, and (c) Pv--vestibule pressure with a hydrophone. From these variables, the forward middle-ear pressure gain (M1), the cochlear input impedance (Zc), the reverse middle-ear pressure gain (M2), and the reverse middle-ear impedance (M3) are directly obtained for the first time from the same preparation. These measurements can be used to fully characterize the middle ear as a two-port system. Presently, the effect of the middle ear on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) is quantified by calculating the roundtrip middle-ear pressure gain Gme(RT) as the product of M1 and M2. In the 2-6.8 kHz region, absolute value(Gme(RT)) decreases with a slope of -22 dB/oct, while OAEs (both click evoked and distortion products) tend to be independent of frequency; this suggests a steep slope in vestibule pressure from 2 kHz to at least 4 kHz for click evoked OAEs and to at least 6.8 kHz for distortion product OAEs. Contrary to common assumptions, measurements indicate that the emission generator mechanism is frequency dependent. Measurements are also used to estimate the reflectance of basally traveling waves at the stapes, and apically generated nonlinear reflections within the vestibule.
Hepatic Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparison of Survival Rates with Different Embolic Agents

PURPOSE The optimal embolic agent for transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been identified. This study reports outcomes of TACE for HCC with Gelfoam powder and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-one patients underwent 152 TACE sessions with Gelfoam powder( n = 41) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Ethiodol ( n = 40) as the embolic agent. Chemotherapeutic drugs were the same for all patients (50 mg cisplatin, 20 mg doxorubicin, 10 mg mitomycin-c). The groups were compared based on number of TACE sessions, maximum tumor size, bilirubin level, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels, Child-Pugh score, Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, and hepatitis B or C virus positivity. The number of cases of each Child class in each group was also evaluated. Survival starting from the first TACE session was calculated according to Kaplan-Meier analysis. Forty-eight patients died during the study period, 19 received transplants, and 14 were alive at the end of the study period. RESULTS The groups were statistically similar in all categories regarding liver function, Child-Pugh score, tumor size, hepatitis status, and percentage of patients with Child class A, B, and C disease. The number of TACE sessions was significantly greater for the Gelfoam powder group (mean, 2.2) versus the PVA group (mean, 1.6; P = .01). Overall survival was similar between groups whether patients who received transplants were included in the analysis (mean, 659 days ± 83 with Gelfoam powder vs 565 days ± 71 with PVA; P = .42) or were excluded (mean, 519 days ± 80 with Gelfoam powder vs 511 days ± 75 with PVA; P = .93). CONCLUSION In similar patient groups, survival after treatment of HCC with TACE with Gelfoam powder or PVA and Ethiodol was similar.
Global Cerebral Blood Flow Increase Reveals Focal Hypoperfusion in Schizophrenia

Recent functional neuroimaging strategies have evaluated cerebral blood flow (CBF) to determine specific sites of action of pharmacologic agents. Since many pharmacologic agents change global CBF, we investigated the effects of global CBF changes on regional perfusion with acetazolamide, which increases global CBF via non-neuronal mechanisms. We used the [15O]PET technique to measure CBF before and after we infused 8 schizophrenic patients and 10 healthy control subjects with acetazolamide. The rostral anterior cingulate cortex demonstrated a greater perfusion increase in the schizophrenic subjects after acetazolamide infusion, relative to other areas of the brain. During the baseline condition, this area showed relative hypoperfusion in our sample of schizophrenic subjects, consistent with previous functional neuroimaging studies. The results demonstrate the need for caution in interpreting CBF changes after pharmacologic challenge, because global CBF changes can confound the assessment of regionally-specific pharmacologic action.
The occurrence of developmental apraxia of speech in a mild articulation disorder: A case study

Although Developmental Apraxia of Speech (DAS) often is considered a severe communication disorder, speech-language pathology literature supports the idea that DAS also can be exhibited in children with mildly disordered articulation. The case study is that of an elementary age client with a seemingly mild "r" articulation problem but who also presented characteristics consistent with DAS. Awareness of the possible presence of DAS when assessing and planning remediation for clients exhibiting mild articulation problems could increase the effectiveness of our professional services to these children.
Does core needle breast biopsy accurately reflect breast pathology

Abstract Background Core needle breast biopsy (CB) has replaced excisional biopsy as the initial diagnostic biopsy procedure for many suspicious breast lesions; however, CB remains a sampling procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of agreement between histology obtained at CB and that obtained at a subsequent excisional procedure (EP). We hypothesized a high degree of agreement. Methods Data were collected prospectively for 3035 CBs performed by breast radiologists using either ultrasound or stereotactic guidance between January 1995 and July 2002, 1410 (46%) of which had a subsequent EP within 1 year. Histologic categories were defined as invasive breast cancer, duct carcinoma in-situ, atypia/lobular carcinoma in-situ, and benign. The principal histology (PH) from CB and EP was identified and compared. Results Overall, there was moderate agreement (κ = 0.669) between CB and EP histology. Complete agreement occurred in 1168 (83%) procedures. For the remaining 242, the PH was identified only at CB for 78 (5%) procedures, and only after EP for 164 (12%) procedures. Conclusions Although the majority (83%) of CB and EP demonstrated exact histologic agreement, CB was diagnostic for 1246 (88%) procedures.
Growth of short fatigue cracks in HY130 steel in 3.5% NaCl solution

Abstract Fatigue crack growth tests of HY130 steel were conducted in air and in 3.5% NaCl solution by using specimens with a short, single edge crack with lengths of 0.4–2.5 mm. A d.c. electrical potential method was developed to continuously monitor the growth of short cracks. The chemically induced effect of crack size on fatigue crack growth was investigated through comparison with the rate vs stress-intensity-range ( ΔK ) relationship for long cracks (usually longer than 10 mm). A crack of length 0.4 mm is regarded as long in the microstructural and mechanical sense, and exhibits a rate - ΔK relation identical to that for long cracks in air. In 3.5% NaCl solution, on the other hand, a crack of that length grows about twice as fast as a long crack. The crack length at which the growth rate merges into the rate - ΔK relation for long cracks is about 1.1 mm, and is essentially unaffected by stress range and stress ratio. An electrochemical crack model is discussed based on the process of the transport of environmental species.
Structural changes in cell membranes after ionizing electromagnetic field exposure

Ionizing radiation damages chemical structures in biological tissues mainly through the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Consequences on the cell's transcriptional mechanisms are widely investigated but cannot account for the rapid lethal effects in victims of accidental high-dose radiation exposure. ROI-mediated structural damage of cell membranes through lipid peroxidation can lead to increased ion permeability followed by the loss of ion-homeostasis and cell death. We monitored radiation-induced changes in the morphology of isolated skeletal muscle cells. During the first two hours after gamma irradiation large blebs were formed on the surface of muscle cells. These blebs are the initiation point for a successive total collapse of the cells over a time period of about 15 min similar to Ca/sup 2+/-influx mediated cell contraction. Acute radiation-induced death as well as possible relations to lipid peroxidation, cell membrane permeability increases, irradiation-induced apoptosis are discussed. Our ongoing research on ionizing electromagnetic field effects on cell membranes and the induced structural phenomena are closely linked to pertinent membrane damage by some nonionizing electromagnetic fields and ionized gases.
Perchlorate Accumulation in Forage and Edible Vegetation

The accumulation of perchlorate in vegetation is becoming a concern, with increasing numbers of sites reporting the presence of perchlorate in groundwater and surface water. This study investigated potential perchlorate uptake and distribution by a variety of forage and edible crops in both the laboratory and the field. Perchlorate concentrations in soybean leaves grown in the greenhouse were significantly higher than perchlorate concentrations in soybean seeds and pods. Perchlorate concentrations in alfalfa grown in sand were significantly lower than those in alfalfa grown in soil. The concentration of perchlorate in tomato was lower in the fruit than the leaves. Commercially grown wheat and alfalfa samples all contained perchlorate, 0.72−8.6 mg/kg of fresh weight (FW) in the wheat stems, 0.71−4.4 mg/kg of FW in the wheat heads, and 2.9 mg/kg of FW in alfalfa. All field garden samples tested (including cucumber, cantaloupe, and tomato) that were irrigated with perchlorate-tainted water contained perchlor...
Wireless Interrupt: Inter-Device Signaling in Next Generation Wireless Networks

Recent advances in wireless technology have led to the proliferation of wireless devices, ranging from wireless LAN to cellular phones. There has been, and will be, an increase in not only the number of wireless services, but also the number of types of wireless services, and greater demand for mobility, portability, and integrated services. For wireless success to continue, technologies must support a high degree of flexibility and interoperability of wireless devices to scale with such demand. Next Generation Wireless will depend highly upon flexible and interoperable devices in constructing a wireless network that consists of heterogeneous devices that can communicate with each other. Our work investigates the technical issues that must be overcome in bringing such flexibility and interoperability, one of which being device discovery. We propose Wireless Interrupt, an inter- device signaling mechanism that can be employed by software defined radios, such that a device can signal its neighbors of its existence or the services it provides without knowing the protocols or channels used by its neighbors a priori.
Opposing roles of STAT4 and Dnmt3a in Th1 gene regulation

The STAT transcription factor STAT4 is a critical regulator of Th1 differentiation and inflammatory disease. Yet, how STAT4 regulates gene expression is still unclear. In this report, we define a STAT4-dependent sequence of events including histone H3 lysine 4 methylation, Jmjd3 association with STAT4 target loci, and a Jmjd3-dependent decrease in histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation and DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) 3a association with STAT4 target loci. Dnmt3a has an obligate role in repressing Th1 gene expression, and in Th1 cultures deficient in both STAT4 and Dnmt3a, there is recovery in the expression of a subset of Th1 genes that is sufficient to increase IFN-γ production. Moreover, although STAT4-deficient mice are protected from the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, mice deficient in STAT4 and conditionally deficient in Dnmt3a in T cells develop paralysis. Th1 genes that are derepressed in the absence of Dnmt3a have greater induction after the ectopic expression of the Th1-associated transcription factors T-bet and Hlx1. Together, these data demonstrate that STAT4 and Dnmt3a play opposing roles in regulating Th1 gene expression, and that one mechanism for STAT4-dependent gene programming is in establishing a derepressed genetic state susceptible to transactivation by additional fate-determining transcription factors.
A high-speed parallel pipelined ADC technique in CMOS

A new architecture consisting of a time-interleaved array of pipelined A/D converters (ADCs) is presented. A prototype has been designed consisting of four switched-capacitor (S/C) multistage pipelined ADCs in parallel. Digital error correction is employed to ease comparator accuracy requirements. A key circuit issue is the design of a high-speed sample-and-hold (S/H) amplifier. A fully differential, mostly NMOS, unfolded cascode operational amplifier topology is used. Results from an experimental chip implemented in 1 mu m CMOS are presented. >
83-year-old man with abdominal swelling and lower extremity edema.

Resident in Internal Medicine, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (G.B.S.); Adviser to Resident and Consultant in General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (C.M.W.). A n 83-year-old man with a medical history of atrial fibrillation, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and multiple varicose vein surgeries presented to the outpatient clinicwith subacuteonset of lower extremity edema, abdominal distention, and a 9-kg weight gain. He noted nausea after meals and a decreased appetite. At baseline, he had intermittent swelling in both legs but never extending above his knees, which he attributed to multiple varicose vein surgeries 20 years previously. He also stated that the swelling now extended to his waist and involved his scrotum. He had used leg elevation, compression stockings, and ice without improvement in the swelling. He reported no chest pain or pressure, dyspnea, or cough and had nohistory of liver disease, coronary artery disease, renal disease, or cancer. He did not smoke or use alcohol or illicit drugs. He had no family history of liver disease. Physical examination revealed normal vital signs except for bradycardia (heart rate, 51 beats/min). The patient appeared cachectic with temporal and periocular wasting. He was not jaundiced and had no jugular venous distention or abdominojugular reflux. His heart rate was irregularly irregular without murmurs, rubs, or gallops. His lungs were clear bilaterally, and percussion was resonant. He had notable pitting edema from feet to waist with particularly severe scrotal edema. His abdomen was visibly distended, and palpation revealed mild tenderness with no rebound or guarding. No other symptoms of chronic liver disease were present.
Probabilistic grounding of situated speech using plan recognition and reference resolution

Situated, spontaneous speech may be ambiguous along acoustic, lexical, grammatical and semantic dimensions. To understand such a seemingly difficult signal, we propose to model the ambiguity inherent in acoustic signals and in lexical and grammatical choices using compact, probabilistic representations of multiple hypotheses. To resolve semantic ambiguities we propose a situation model that captures aspects of the physical context of an utterance as well as the speaker's intentions, in our case represented by recognized plans. In a single, coherent Framework for Understanding Situated Speech (FUSS) we show how these two influences, acting on an ambiguous representation of the speech signal, complement each other to disambiguate form and content of situated speech. This method produces promising results in a game playing environment and leaves room for other types of situation models.
Microbial glucose uptake and growth along a horizontal nutrient gradient in the North Pacific

The quantitative role of carbon-rich compounds for bacterial carbon demand can vary with nutrient availability. This study is the first to investigate the effect of nutrient concentrations on bacterial uptake of a carbon-rich compound (glucose) along a naturally occurring nutrient gradient. Seawater was collected from varying depths at six stations across the nutrient gradient between the nutrient-poor North Pacific gyre and the nutrient-rich subArctic gyre. Ambient concentrations of free glucose, glucose uptake, bacterial production, and nutrient concentrations were determined across the gradient. Incubations were carried out to determine the effect of nutrient additions on glucose uptake and bacterial production. Samples from the northern, nutrient-rich end of the transect had high glucose uptake rates and high bacterial production in surface waters. The northern stations also showed rapid turnover of the glucose pool. At the southern stations, glucose uptake rates, bacterial growth rates, and fractional glucose turnover were lower. At these stations, glucose uptake increased when inorganic nutrients and amino acids were added. The variations in glucose uptake indicate that microbial uptake of nitrogen- and phosphorus-poor organic material depends on the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus from other sources.
Properties of silorane-based dental resins and composites containing a stress-reducing monomer.

Abstract Objective To evaluate properties of silorane-based resins and composites containing a stress reducing monomer. Methods Resin mixtures and composites were formulated containing (a) a developmental stress reducing monomer [TOSU; Midwest Research Institute]; (b) Sil-Mix (3M-ESPE); (c) photo cationic initiator system. Standard BISGMA/TEGDMA resin (B/T) and composite (Filtek Z250) were used as controls. Polymerization volume change was measured using a NIST mercury dilatometer and polymerization stress using an Enduratec mechanical testing machine. Three point bend tests determined flexural elastic modulus, work of fracture, and ultimate strength (ADA 27; ISO 4049). Fracture toughness was measured using ASTM E399-90. Four groups of resins and composites were tested: Sil-Mix, methacrylate standard, and Sil-Mix with two addition levels of TOSU. An ANOVA was used and significant differences ranked using Student–Newman–Keuls test ( α = 0.05). Results Polymerization stress values for resins containing TOSU were significantly less than the other materials. Polymerization shrinkage values for Sil-Mix formulations were significantly less than for B/T, but were not different from each other. TOSU-containing formulations generally had somewhat lower mechanical properties values than Sil-Mix or B/T. Polymerization stress values for Sil-Mix-based composites were significantly less as compared to Z250. The 1 wt.% TOSU composite had the lowest stress. No difference between composite groups was noted for fracture toughness or work of fracture. For ultimate strength, the 5 wt.% TOSU formulation differed significantly from Z250. All Sil-Mix formulations had elastic modulus values significantly different from Z250. Significance The ability of TOSU to reduce polymerization stress without a proportional reduction in mechanical properties provides a basis for improvement of silorane-based composites.
New Concepts in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Despite the severe pain and disability associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the lack of understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms supporting this enigmatic condition prevents the rational design of new therapies, a situation that is frustrating to both the physician and the patient. The review highlights some of the mechanisms thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of CRPS in preclinical models and CRPS patients, with the ultimate goal that understanding these mechanisms will lead to the design of efficacious, mechanism-based treatments available to the clinic.
Prediction of Uniform CO2 Corrosion of Mild Steel Under Inert Solid Deposits

The effect of an inert solid deposit on uniform CO2 corrosion of mild steel is modeled based on a mechanistic electrochemical CO2 corrosion model. Laboratory testing has shown that the dominant factors introduced by the inert solids deposit are related to surface coverage, where both anodic and cathodic reaction rates are decreased because of less active surface area being exposed. The inert solid deposits also create a mass transfer barrier for corrosive species which limits the rate of the cathodic reactions. An existing mechanistic electrochemical model was modified to account for these effects and was capable of capturing the main features of uniform CO2 corrosion of mild steel under inert solid deposits.
PhysSigTK: Enabling engagement experiments with physiological signals for game design

We demonstrate PhysSigTK, a physiological signals toolkit for making low-cost hardware accessible in the Unity3D game development environment so that designers of affective games can experiment with how engagement can be captured in their games. Rather than proposing a context-free way of measuring engagement, we enable designers to test how affordable hardware could fit into the assessment of players' states and progress in their particular game using a range of tools.
Real-Time Optimal Scheduling of a Group of Elevators in a Multi-Story Robotic Fully-Automated Parking Structure

Abstract This study presents a simulation-based feasibility study for development of a real-time scheduling algorithm for a multi-story and fully-automated parking structure with a group of elevators. Each elevator is conceived to carry one vehicle (car, small truck, SUV or minivan) between floors. Elevator count for a specific parking structure with number of floors in the range of 4 to 20, and 400 parking spaces on each floor is derived under an assumed customer arrival rate and mean service rate using the waiting line model of the queuing theory. A scheduling algorithm based on nested partitions and genetic algorithm is evaluated through the simulation study. The simulation environment models the mean arrival time of customers and elevator dynamics during morning rush hours for busy urban commercial multi-storied parking structures. Performance evaluation of the implemented elevator scheduling system was realized using the MATLAB environment. Performance metrics of mean customer waiting and elevator service times, and maximum customer waiting time were monitored. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed design facilitates acceptable customer waiting and service times with good utilization rates for the elevators.
Cherelle Wilt of Cacao: A Physiological Condition

Cacao beans are produced in pods (fruits) of the trees of Theobroma cacao L. Cacao pods are produced after pollination of the small cauliflorous flowers covering the branches and trunk of the tree. Despite abundant flowering, only 0.5–5 % of cacao flowers become pollinated. Pollinated flowers then develop into immature pods, commonly known as cherelles. Despite abundant flowers and pod set of trees, few cherelles develop into mature pods. Up to 75 % of cherelles are lost to a thinning condition known as cherelle wilt. Additionally, cherelles can be lost at an early stage to insect, stramenopile, and fungal pests. This chapter will discuss the physiological changes in young fruit that cause cherelle wilt, as well as the physiological changes induced in pods caused by cherelle wilt. Lastly, the chapter will discuss whether there is a clear link between cherelle wilt and frosty pod rot caused by Moniliophthora roreri.
Patient specific dosimetry versus whole body retention constraints for determination of optimal radioactive iodine therapy in metastatic thyroid cancer

1949 Objectives To examine the utility of patient specific dosimetry as compared to whole body retention constraints in the calculation of the maximum permissible dose (MPD) of radioactive iodine (RAI) for treatment of metastatic thyroid cancer (MTC). Methods A retrospective analysis of 15 patients (9 male, 6 female, ages 13-76) with MTC presenting for RAI therapy was performed. Each patient was evaluated using three different dosimetric methods: standard (patient specific) dosimetry using MIRD methodology with a limit of 2 Gy to the bone marrow; lung specific dosimetry based on the technique derived by Sgouros et al. with a limit of 25 Gy to the lungs; and whole body retention at 48 hours as per the approach originally introduced by Benua et al. with limits of 80 mCi and 120 mCi in the presence or absence of diffuse lung metastases, respectively. Results Using the 80 mCi rule, the calculated MPD exceeded the 25 Gy limit to the lungs by an average of 23% in patients with diffuse lung metastases (n=2). If the 120 mCi rule is utilized, the calculated MPD exceeded the 2 Gy limit to the bone marrow by an average of 48% in all patients without lung disease (n=13). If the 80 mCi rule is applied to patients without lung disease, the calculated MPD still exceeded the 2 Gy limit in half of the patients; however, there was a higher correlation varying by 17% on average. When patient specific dosimetry is applied with limits of 25 Gy to the lungs in the presence of diffuse lung metastases or 2 Gy to the bone marrow in patients without diffuse lung disease, the calculated MPD did not exceed the respective 80 mCi or 120 mCi thresholds. Conclusions Patient specific dosimetry provides a more detailed assessment of the absorbed dose to target organs and may reduce the potential for dose related toxicity.
Editorial: A Commentary on the Assessment and Analysis of “Culture-Content” in Basic Psychology Texts

This commentary focuses on one basic question: “How and to what extent do beginning university students in North America (United States as well as Canada) learn about culture’s influence on behavior via introductory psychology texts that are almost always published in the U.S.?” An overarching question permeates the article: What objective methods have been used to find and evaluate the cultural content of beginning psychology texts? These questions are considered important in the teaching of psychology at the basic level and can influence the authors of texts that are central in psychology curricula in general and teaching cross-cultural psychology in particular. In this unit, the earlier article by Lonner and Murdock (2012) and the recently uploaded article by Scott and Safdar (2016) focus on the cultural content of two types of basic texts in psychology. Respectively, they are the workhorse introductory text (IPT) and those that introduce social psychology (SPT). The main purpose of these two studies and seminal writings (Lonner, 1989; Rumple, 1988) was to assess and analyze the extent to which such texts in these areas contain information on culture and its proxies such as ethnicity and diversity. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. This article is available in Online Readings in Psychology and Culture: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol11/iss1/3
Borges in the Mind's Eye

The article argues that the influential Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges’s declining vision played a central role in his most famous fictions, a fact frequently bypassed by literary critics. Using Borges’s own autobiographical statements and writings, the article focuses on how his oncoming blindness shaped and enriched such memorable works as “Funes, the Memorious” and “The South.” In the process, the article shows how impaired vision, far from detracting from his career, helped give birth to his formidable literary achievement, even if he himself had a deeply ambivalent attitude toward his disability.
Questioning Homeownership as a Public Policy Goal

For decades U.S. housing policy has focused on promoting homeownership. In this study, I show that the set of policies designed to further homeownership has been ineffective and expensive and that homeownership as a public policy goal is not well supported. I document that homeownership rates have remained roughly constant over the past 40 years. I then show why homeownership policies have not boosted homeownership rates. The first policy I consider, the deductibility of mortgage interest from income for tax purposes, is a tax break enjoyed by people earning above-median incomes who should otherwise have no trouble buying a home. The other key policy, the subsidization of the large mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the purposes of reducing the rate of mortgage interest, has been ineffective because Fannie and Freddie marginally affect mortgage interest rates, and mortgage interest rates are essentially uncorrelated with homeownership rates. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests the present value of the cost of these two policies to U.S. taxpayers is a staggering amount, $2.5 trillion. Finally, I show that policymakers fail to make the case for promoting homeownership as an explicit public policy goal. I note that the costs and risks of homeownership are almost never discussed by public agencies and that the benefits of homeownership as widely articulated are either hard to measure or are quickly refutable. I conclude that U.S. housing policies and government institutions designed to promote homeownership are deeply flawed. Serious discussion should occur at the highest levels about eliminating current policies and de-emphasizing homeownership as a policy objective.
A Photoelectron-Photoion Coincidence Study of the ICH2CN Ion Dissociation: Thermochemistry of∙CH2CN,+CH2CN, and ICH2CN

The dissociation energies and dissociation dynamics of iodoacetonitrile (ICH{sub 2}CN) have been investigated by the photoelectron photoion coincidence (PEPICO) spectroscopy technique. The 0 K onsets for the following products were determined: {sup +}CH{sub 2}CN + I{sm{underscore}bullet}(12.188 {+-} 0.005 eV) and {sup {sm{underscore}bullet}}CH{sub 2}CN + I{sup +}(12.345 {+-} 09.010 eV). From the difference between these two values the ionization energy of the {sup {sm{underscore}bullet}}CH{sub 2}CN was found to be 10.294 {+-} 0.010 eV. By using a thermodynamic cycle that involves the gas phase acidity of CH{sub 3}CN, the electron affinity of the {sup {sm{underscore}bullet}}CH{sub 2}CN radical, and an accurate heat of formation of acetonitrile, a {Delta}{sub f}H{sup {degree}}{sub 298}(ICH{sub 2}CN) of 172.5 {+-} 4.0 kJ mol{sup {minus}1} is derived. This latter value is considerably higher than the best theoretical value of 153 kJ mol{sup {minus}1}.