cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkali Cation Extraction by 18-Crown-6 and Its Derivatives: A Free Energy Perturbation Study

Alkali cation extraction by 18-crown-6 derivatives (Li, G.; Still, W. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 3804−3805) has been studied by means of free energy perturbation (FEP) methods. The FEP simulations of the cation extraction in homogeneous solutions such as in aqueous solution or in chloroform did not yield consistent results with the corresponding experimental data. Thus, a mixed solvent system is proposed to play an important role in determining the extraction properties of the ionophores in the study. The FEP simulations in such a model system suggest that the cation extraction process occurs in organic solvent mixed with water molecules. The involvement of water in the process is determined by two factors: (1) the ability of an ionophore to form a hydrogen bond with water near its binding pocket and (2) the conformational rigidity of the host. Our calculations suggest that remote substitution can enhance the extraction property of a conformational rigid ionophore by attracting water near its bindin...
Inhibition of platelet ADP and serotonin release by carbon monoxide and in cigarette smokers

The release of14C-serotonin by ADP, epinephrine and arachidonic acid and the release of ADP by kaolin were measured in normal platelets in the presence and absence of carbon monoxide and in smokers' platelets. It is shown that carbon monoxide inhibits significantly the platelet release reaction. This function is also decreased in platelets obtained from heavy cigarette smokers.
Infrared spectra of dioxygen adducts of iron(II)(salen): observation of two OO stretching bands

Abstract The infrared (IR) spectra of Fe(salen) cocondensed with O 2 and O 2 /Ar at 25 K exhibit two ν(OO) bands at 1104 and 1001 cm −1 which are shifted to 1041 and 943 cm −1 , respectively, by 16 O 2  18 O 2 substitution. Previously, the band at 1104 cm −1 has been assigned to the ‘side-on’ dioxygen adduct, Fe(salen)O 2 . We assign the newly observed band at 1001 cm −1 to the ν(OO) of the dimeric complex [Fe(salen)] 2 O 2 based on the following observations. (1) This band becomes stronger as the concentration of Fe(salen) relative to dioxygen is increased. (2) Fe(salen) film exposed to O 2 at 15 K exhibits one ν(OO) at 1102 cm −1 but an additional ν(OO) at ∼1000 cm −1 when the film is warmed to 40 K. Apparently, increased diffusion of dioxygen into Fe(salen) layers promotes the formation of the dimeric complex at 40 K. In both matrix and film states, the infrared intensity of the ν(OO) near 1000 cm −1 is low, suggesting that the FeOOFe bridge is approximately centrosymmetric.
Conceptualizing the world: lessons from history

Throughout history, philosophers, scientists, and other scholars have named and organized the salient elements of the world. These efforts have led to conceptualizations that differ widely in both content and form. This paper argues that all conceptualizations are biased, both because they depend on the purposes for which they have been created, and because they are closely tied to the world view of their designers. This bias needs to be recognized, and its consequences need to be addressed if the conceptualizations are to be used for purposes other than those for which they were designed. The paper begins with a brief overview of the disciplines that have been concerned with conceptualizing particular domains. This is followed by a non-exhaustive, illustrative, historical perspective, and the paper concludes with the interesting case study of biological taxonomy.
Bovine parathymosin: Amino acid sequence and comparison with rat parathymosin

Summary Parathymosin has been purified from calf liver and its primary sequence established, except for a segment containing approximately 11 amino acid residues in the central part of the polypeptide chain. Bovine parathymosin contains approximately 101 amino acid residues and shows 90% identity with rat parathymosin, with substitution of Glu for Asp at positions 21, 57, and 58, Asp for Glu at positions 60 and 63, and Ala for Val at position 77. Three nonconservative substitutions were Ala for Thr at position 81, Leu for Arg at position 78, and Val for Lys at position 79. The replacement at the last two positions of a pair of basic by hydrophobic amino acid residues may account for differences in chromatographic behavior observed for the bovine and rat polypeptides. Analysis of the NH 2 -terminus employed a new deblocking procedure which was also employed to analyze rat parathymosin, requiring correction of the previously published NH 2 -terminal sequence for that polypeptide.
STUDIES ON THE INDUCTION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL UNRESPONSIVENESS TO PNEUMOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE IN MICE

1. Comparison of dose-response curves indicated that preimmunized animals were slightly more susceptible to the induction of immunological paralysis with pneumococcal polysaccharide than were normal mice. The results also indicated that the paralysis threshold was unaltered by preimmunization. 2. Transient desensitization of immunized mice could be achieved by an amount of polysaccharide far less than that required to induce paralysis. 3. A transient phase of weak immunity was detected prior to the onset of paralysis when induced by relatively low paralyzing doses of polysaccharide. 4. No "low dose" zone of paralysis (analogous to that obtainable with certain protein antigens) could be elicited with pneumococcal polysaccharide. 5. Massive proliferation of lymphoreticular tissues induced by Corynebacterium parvum failed to raise the threshold for paralysis induction, but amplified the immune response over the entire dose-response curve. Similarly, C. parvum failed to abrogate an established state of paralysis. The results suggest that the induction of polysaccharide paralysis is related to the concentration of antigen in the animal and is not modified by the number of immunologically competent cells.
Improving judgement with prepaid expert advice

Decision makers (“Judges”) often make decisions after obtaining advice from an Advisor. The two parties often share a psychological “contract” about what each contributes in expertise to the decision and receives in monetary outcomes from it. In a laboratory experiment, we varied Advisor Experitise and the opportunity for monetary rewards. As expected, these manipulations influenced advice quality, advice taking, and Judge post-advice decision quality. The main contribution of the study, however, was the manipulation of the timing of monetary rewards (before or after the advising interaction). We found, as predicted, that committing money for expert—but not novice—advice increases Judges' use of advice and their subsequent estimation accuracy. Implications for advice giving and taking are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noise reduction in speckle photography Young's fringes by an unique averaging method

We present and experimentally verify an averaging method to reduce significantly the speckle noise in the pattern of Young's fringes in speckle photography. With a rigid-body in-plane surface motion and a common photographic film, we observed a significantly noisy fringe pattern. Upon averaging several patterns taken from different parts of the transparency, the contrast and effect of the speckle noise are progressively averaged out to yield virtually a noise-free fringe pattern.
Real-time freehand 3D ultrasound system for clinical applications

ABSTRACT The goal of the Image Guidance Laboratories (IGL) is to provide the highest quality, real-time visualization of 3D ultrasound images in a manner that is most acceptable and suited for adoption by surgeons. To this end, IGL has developed an optically tracked, freehand, 3D volume-rendering ultrasound system for image-guided surgery. Other systems temporally separate frame acquisition from volume construction and display; the data must be stored before being loaded into the volume construction engine for visualization. By incorporating novel methods to reduce the computational expense associated with frame insertion, volume maintenance, and 2D texture-based rendering, the IGL system is able to simultaneously acquire and display 3D ultrasound data. This work presented here focuses on methods unique to achieving near real-time 3D visualization using 2D ultrasound images and discusses the potential of this system to address clinical situations such as live r resection, tumor ablation, and breast biopsy.
Blind Wiener filtering: estimation of a random signal in noise using little prior knowledge

The authors present a method for estimating a random signal component from a data vector consisting of a piece of a narrowband random sequence corrupted with additive noise. The correlation structure of the sequence is unknown. The method is based on rank reduction principles presented by Scharf and Tufts (1987). It achieves a lower mean squared estimation error than an unbiased minimum variance estimator at the expense of introducing bias into the estimate. Its superior performance over short data records makes it useful in rapidly changing signal environments. The performance of the method is analyzed and simulations to demonstrate its effectiveness are presented. >
Nicotine and ethanol cooperate to enhance ventral tegmental area AMPA receptor function via α6-containing nicotinic receptors

Nicotine + ethanol co-exposure results in additive and/or synergistic effects in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine (DA) pathway, but the mechanisms supporting this are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that nAChRs containing α6 subunits (α6* nAChRs) are involved in the response to nicotine + ethanol co-exposure. Exposing VTA slices from C57BL/6 WT animals to drinking-relevant concentrations of ethanol causes a marked enhancement of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAR) function in VTA neurons. This effect was sensitive to α-conotoxin MII (an α6β2* nAChR antagonist), suggesting that α6* nAChR function is required. In mice expressing hypersensitive α6* nAChRs (α6L9S mice), we found that lower concentrations (relative to C57BL/6 WT) of ethanol were sufficient to enhance AMPAR function in VTA neurons. Exposure of live C57BL/6 WT mice to ethanol also produced AMPAR functional enhancement in VTA neurons, and studies in α6L9S mice strongly suggest a role for α6* nAChRs in this response. We then asked whether nicotine and ethanol cooperate to enhance VTA AMPAR function. We identified low concentrations of nicotine and ethanol that were capable of strongly enhancing VTA AMPAR function when co-applied to slices, but that did not enhance AMPAR function when applied alone. This effect was sensitive to both varenicline (an α4β2* and α6β2* nAChR partial agonist) and α-conotoxin MII. Finally, nicotine + ethanol co-exposure also enhanced AMPAR function in VTA neurons from α6L9S mice. Together, these data identify α6* nAChRs as important players in the response to nicotine + ethanol co-exposure in VTA neurons.
Augmentation of specific tumor immunity against a syngeneic sv40-induced sarcoma in mice by retinoic acid.

Abstract The effects of retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivative, which has been shown to have immune adjuvant properties, were studied in vivo in a syngeneic tumor system by the use of the tumor-cell neutralization assay. The effector activity of spleen cells of BALB/c mice immune against a syngeneic SV40-induced sarcoma, mKSA, was specifically augmented by low doses of retinoic acid, whereas high doses had a suppressive effect. In addition, the time required for generation of the effector activity was shortened and the immune activity lasted longer in the retinoic acid-treated mice. With the use of cell-depletion techniques it was demonstrated that thymus-derived lymphocytes were affected by retinoic acid.
Motor and cognitive function evaluation following experimental traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans may cause extensive sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunction. As a result, many TBI researchers are beginning to assess behavioral correlates of histologically determined damage in animal models. Although this is an important step in TBI research, there is a need for standardization between laboratories. The ability to reliably test treatments across laboratories and multiple injury models will close the gap between treatment success in the lab and success in the clinic. The goal of this review is to describe and evaluate the tests employed to assess functional outcome after TBI and to overview aspects of cognitive, sensory, and motor function that may be suitable targets for therapeutic intervention.
Metals and PCB concentrations in mussels from Long Island Sound

Metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are contaminants of concern in Long Island Sound. To gain an understanding of contaminant inputs from the major rivers of Connecticut into the Sound, a continuous measurement over time should be made of the concentrations of contaminants in the river water. Analyses of water for contaminants are quite complex and often ambiguous because of the dynamic nature of river water. To alleviate this problem, the mussel, Mytilus edulis, has been proposed by various researchers to be a good subject for monitoring contaminants present in the water column. For this study, mussels were collected from the mouths of various rivers and inshore areas along the Connecticut shoreline and analyzed for cadmium, copper, and PCBs.
Flexible multibody dynamic simulation using optimal lumped inertia matrices

A method for dynamic simulation of multibody systems that include large-scale finite element models of flexible bodies is presented. By lumping inertia at a subset of finite element nodes, using an optimal inertia lumping technique, multibody dynamic simulation is performed efficiently and with adequate accuracy. Two numerical examples involving medium and large scale flexible vehicle chassis models are presented to validate the method.
Optimal Hemodialysis Access

Summary The optimal provision of vascular access for the ESRD patient involves the following: early identification of such patients so that either a primary a/v fistula or a PTFE graft may be created; prospective monitoring of VDP and urea recirculation to detect venous stenoses; intervention with either angio-plasty or surgical revision in cases found to have venous stenosis; and development of a quality assurance plan that monitors thrombosis and fistula replacement rates and seeks causes of fistula thrombosis in patients without an anatomic basis for the clotting.
Five pitfalls of work redesign in acute care

During work redesign in nursing units, five common pitfalls can emerge: moving too fast, failing to involve major stakeholders, discounting bargaining unit contracts, separating training classes and not defining desired outcomes. Suggestions on how to avoid these problems are given.
The pattern of T lymphocyte differentiation is altered during thymic involution

Thymic involution is likely to be a significant factor in the alteration of peripheral T lymphocyte function with age. The process of thymic involution involves the progressive loss of normal organ architecture and cellular composition, and a significant reduction in the output of mature T lymphocytes. The present study assesses the impact of thymic involution on the T cell differentiation process by quantitating the number and percent representation of various phenotypically distinguishable T cell developmental intermediates in C57BL/6 mice of various ages. The results suggest that several distinct sites in the developmental sequence are impacted by aging. By middle-age (14-17 months), significant perturbations in the frequencies of several CD4-CD8- (DN) subpopulations have occurred. These include a shift towards an increased percentage of Pgp-1+ IL-2R- DN cells, the earliest thymic progenitors, and a decreased percentage and total number of Pgp-1- IL-2R+ DN cells. Furthermore there is a threefold increase in the percentage of DN cells which express CD3 (from 16.6% to 45.5%) which occurs between 4 and 14 months of age. By 24-27 months of age, the percentage of the total DN population increases two- to threefold over that of young (2-3 months) animals, while the fraction of CD4+CD8+ (DP) is significantly reduced. These alterations are consistent with the possibility that thymic involution results in one or more 'developmental' blocks which limit key differentiative transitions within the DN population, and furthermore, the marked increase in the frequency of DN cells displaying CD3 argues that an alternative T cell differentiation pathway plays an increasingly significant role with advancing age.
Conflation of Vector Buildings With Imagery

This letter presents a system to solve the vector-to-imagery building conflation problem. To drive the system, structure outlines in high-resolution images are extracted via a shape-driven level set scheme. Shape and relative position features are then computed for the image-extracted buildings and for vector graphics buildings from a geospatial information system (GIS). These two features are used by a graph-matching procedure that finds correspondences between the image-extracted buildings and those from a GIS. Extensions of our system to vector-to-vector building conflation, generic polygonal object conflation, and image-to-image registration are also possible.
A study of rough surface thermal emission and reflection using Voronovich's small slope approximation

Monte Carlo simulations are used to compute average direct surface thermal emission and reflected atmospheric radiation using the "active" small slope approximation of Voronovich. The surface used are realizations of an ocean-like spectrum, and contain features ranging from 64 to 0.5 electromagnetic wavelengths. The parallel computing approach used in these simulations is described, and results are compared with predictions from the commonly applied "two-scale" theory of sea emission. Results show a reasonable level of agreement in a small height surface case, which degrades as the surface height is increased
Organizational ethics programs and the law.

Max Weber, the grandfather of organizational theory, recognized the close association between health care organizations and law. When he introduced the concept of a legal–rational bureaucracy, he used hospitals and clinics to illustrate it. Today, there is little doubt that healthcare organizations are “law-saturated,” if not always fully compliant with the law. Like Weber's legal–rational bureaucracies, healthcare organizations have highly formalized rules and procedures. They pay a great deal of attention to legal criteria in decisionmaking, and some have entire departments devoted to legal risk management.
Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Time to Identify Cardiac Arrest and Deliver Chest Compression Instructions

Background— Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR), in which 9-1-1 dispatchers provide CPR instructions over the telephone, has been shown to nearly double the rate of bystander CPR. We sought to identify factors that hampered the identification of cardiac arrest by 9-1-1 dispatchers and prevented or delayed the provision of dispatcher-assisted CPR chest compressions. Methods and Results— We reviewed dispatch recordings for 476 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. We found that the dispatcher correctly identified cardiac arrest in 80% of reviewed cases and 92% of cases in which they were able to assess patient consciousness and breathing. The median time to recognition of the arrest was 75 seconds. Chest compressions following dispatcher-assisted CPR instructions occurred in 62% of cases when the dispatcher had the opportunity to asses for consciousness and breathing and bystander CPR was not already started. The median time to first dispatcher-assisted CPR chest compression was 176 seconds. Conclusions— Dispatchers are able to accurately diagnose cardiac arrest over the telephone, but recognition is likely not possible in all circumstances. In some cases, recognition of cardiac arrest may be improved through training in the detection of agonal respirations. Delays in the delivery of dispatcher-assisted CPR chest compressions are common and are attributable to a mixture of dispatcher behavior and factors beyond the control of the dispatcher. Performance standards for the successful and quick recognition of cardiac arrest and delivery of first chest compressions should be adopted as metrics against which emergency medical services systems can measure their performance. # Clinical Perspective {#article-title-28}
Risk Management Strategies to Reduce Net Income Variability for Farmers

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE The most useful and practical strategy The purpose of this analysis is to identify available for reducing variability of net farm the most effective strategy or strategies availincome is ascertained. Of the many risk man- able to agricultural producers for minimizing agement tools presently available, five of the the variability of net farm income. Though most commonly used are simultaneously in- many risk management tools are available to corporated in an empirically tested model. farmers, this study simultaneously examines Quadratic programming provides the basis only the five most widely used alternatives: for decisionmaking in risk management crop diversification, futures markets, forward wherein expected utility is assumed to be a pricing markets, cotton seller's call option, function of the mean and variance of net and the Federal Crop Insurance Program income. Results demonstrate that farmers can (FCIP). Empirically, these simultaneous reduce production and price risks when a choices can cause a large difference in both combination strategy including a diversified the optimal hedge and the location of the crop production plan and participation in mean-variance frontier. Also, since FCIP is the futures market and the Federal Crop In- introduced into the model, ex ante costsurance Program (FCIP) is implemented. benefit analysis is used to show whether
Airport Runway Capacity and Economic Development A Panel Data Analysis of Metropolitan Statistical Areas

Using an aggregate production function, the impact of runways at commercial airports on several measures of metropolitan statistical areas’ economic welfare in combination with labor, private capit...
Standing Genetic Variation in Contingency Loci Drives the Rapid Adaptation of Campylobacter jejuni to a Novel Host

The genome of the food-borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni contains multiple highly mutable sites, or contingency loci. It has been suggested that standing variation at these loci is a mechanism for rapid adaptation to a novel environment, but this phenomenon has not been shown experimentally. In previous work we showed that the virulence of C. jejuni NCTC11168 increased after serial passage through a C57BL/6 IL-10-/- mouse model of campylobacteriosis. Here we sought to determine the genetic basis of this adaptation during passage. Re-sequencing of the 1.64Mb genome to 200-500X coverage allowed us to define variation in 23 contingency loci to an unprecedented depth both before and after in vivo adaptation. Mutations in the mouse-adapted C. jejuni were largely restricted to the homopolymeric tracts of thirteen contingency loci. These changes cause significant alterations in open reading frames of genes in surface structure biosynthesis loci and in genes with only putative functions. Several loci with open reading frame changes also had altered transcript abundance. The increase in specific phases of contingency loci during in vivo passage of C. jejuni, coupled with the observed virulence increase and the lack of other types of genetic changes, is the first experimental evidence that these variable regions play a significant role in C. jejuni adaptation and virulence in a novel host.
A critical role for Pin1 in allergic pulmonary eosinophilia in rats

Background Infiltration, accumulation, and degranulation of eosinophils in the lung are hallmarks of active allergic asthma. The pulmonary response to inhaled allergen triggers the secretion of eosinophil chemoattractants and antiapoptotic cytokines, including GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, and eotaxin, among others. We recently showed that in vitro Pin1 regulated eosinophil production of and response to GM-CSF. Objective We sought to determine the effect of Pin1 inhibition on pulmonary eosinophilia after allergen challenge. Methods The Pin1 inhibitor juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) was administered to allergen-sensitized and allergen-challenged Brown Norway rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lungs were assessed for inflammation, cytokine expression, and Pin1 activity. Results Juglone-treated rats showed a dramatic reduction (approximately 75%) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and pulmonary eosinophilia but no change in lymphocyte, monocyte/macrophage, or neutrophil numbers. GM-CSF and IL-5 expression were also significantly reduced, whereas Pin1-independent cytokines, such as eotaxin or IL-4, as well as housekeeping mRNAs and proteins, including actin, were unaffected by juglone. The eosinophils present in the lung in juglone-treated rats showed significantly greater apoptosis. Conclusion These data suggest that in vivo Pin1 blockade attenuates GM-CSF and IL-5 production and can selectively reduce eosinophilic allergic inflammation. Clinical implications Eosinophils can be selectively reduced by Pin1 blockade, despite allergen challenge.
Speciation of Cr(iii) in intermediate phases during the sol–gel processing of Cr-doped SrTiO3powders

The local environment of Cr3+ during the sol–gel synthesis of 1% and 5% Cr3+-doped SrTiO3 (Cr3+:SrTiO3) bulk powders was systematically studied by structural characterization techniques and dopant-specific spectroscopies. After calcination at 800 °C, the precursors were annealed between 850 °C and 1050 °C for up to 6 h. We observe the formation of numerous phases in addition to the final product of SrTiO3. One of these is a metastable Ruddelsden–Popper phase (Sr2TiO4) that forms when the precursor is annealed at 1050 °C for less than 2 h. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy reveals a new signal that correlates with appearance of the Sr2TiO4 phase and is consistent with Cr3+ substitution into the axially-compressed Ti4+ site in Sr2TiO4. The best agreement between experiment and the simulated EPR spectra of Cr3+:Sr2TiO4 is when |D| = 0.0207 cm−1, g∥ = 1.9803 and g⊥ = 1.9793. The majority of the sample is converted to Cr3+:SrTiO3 with increasing annealing times at 1050 °C as detected by low-temperature emission and EPR spectroscopies, and powder X-ray diffraction.
Multielectrode microprobes for deep-brain stimulation fabricated with a customizable 3-D electroplating process

Although deep-brain stimulation (DBS) can be used to improve some of the severe symptoms of Parkinson's disease (e.g., Bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremors), the mechanisms by which the symptoms are eliminated are not well understood. Moreover, DBS does not prevent neurodegeneration that leads to dementia or death. In order to fully investigate DBS and to optimize its use, a comprehensive long-term stimulation study in an animal model is needed. However, since the brain region that must be stimulated, known as the subthalamic nucleus (STN), is extremely small (500 /spl mu/m/spl times/500 /spl mu/m/spl times/1 mm) and deep within the rat brain (10 mm), the stimulating probe must have geometric and mechanical properties that allow accurate positioning in the brain, while minimizing tissue damage. We have designed, fabricated, and tested a novel micromachined probe that is able to accurately stimulate the STN. The probe is designed to minimize damage to the surrounding tissue. The probe shank is coated with gold and the electrode interconnects are insulated with silicon nitride for biocompatibility. The probe has four platinum electrodes to provide a variety of spatially distributed stimuli, and is formed in a novel 3-D plating process that results in a microwire like geometry (i.e., smoothly tapering diameter) with a corresponding mechanically stable shank.
Public Works Service Arrangements in the 21st Century The Multiple-Sector Partnership as an Alternative to Privatization

In an era in which infrastructure needs are increasing while public resources for infrastructure have decreased, debate has arisen on how to best provide quality services with limited resources. The authors of this paper argue that traditional definitions of "privatization" and "public-private partnerships" limit thinking about the options available to infrastructure policy makers. A broader definition of potential arrangements that better captures the nature of the relationships between the public, private, and nonprofit sectors will lead to a more productive conversation about how best to meet infrastructure needs. This article also serves as an introduction to other papers that are included in this journal issue from a recent symposium on public works service arrangements.
Interpretation of parallel pumping experiments near the magnetoelastic interaction region

A general method for the calculation of parallel pump instability thresholds of magnetoelastic waves is presented. The analysis takes into account variation in direction of applied field and propagation vector in the crystal lattice, and the effects of magnetoelastic anisotropy are included. It is found that variation in the direction of propagation is expected to modify the shape of experimentally observed phonon pips, and experimental results are presented in accordance with this view. The values obtained for elastic Q factors using this interpretation of the data are considerably lower than those obtained under the usual assumption of propagation in the plane normal to the steady field. An estimate is made of the influence of small elastic anisotropy on the observed line shape.
Resistance to Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Tunisian Wheats

Accessions of Tunisian wheats, comprising 203 durum wheats, Triticum Turgidum L. var. durum (2 n = 4 x = 28), and 10bread wheats, Triticum aestivum L. (2 n = 6 x = 42), were evaluated in a greenhouse for resistance to the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). Quantitative damage ratings based on the amount of leaf rolling and chlorosis showed that 18 of the accessions had the highest levels of resistance to the aphid. Additional tests of seven resistant accessions showed that antixenosis, antibiosis, and tolerance were involved in various combinations.
Optics of Floquet-Bloch waves in dielectric gratings

The behavior of light in dielectric gratings is discussed in terms of the optical Floquet-Bloch waves (or modes). The emphasis is on the development of a good physical understanding of the nature of these waves, using the wavevector diagram to summarize their spatial dispersion and spectra. It is shown that Floquet-Bloch theory offers some advantages conceptually over the commonly used coupled-wave theory, because the rays of the Floquet-Bloch waves (given by their group velocities) play the same role in a periodic medium as do those of plane waves in isotropic or graded-index media. The effect on power conservation of truncating the Floquet expansions for the Floquet-Bloch waves is considered in detail. Using the greater intuitive power of Floquet-Bloch theory, it is shown (in contrast to recent claims to the contrary) how rigorous coupled-wave theory can be applied to symmetrical reflection gratings, and secondly how the light in these gratings can be viewed in terms of the multiple-beam interference of Floquet-Bloch waves, leading to behavior reminiscent of a low-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity.
Marriage and Family Therapists' Endorsement of Myths About Marriage

Marriage and family therapy training programs aim to provide students with research-based knowledge about marriage and divorce. A group of 223 California-based clinical members of the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT) was surveyed on their endorsement of 21 myths about marriage. Therapists provided correct responses to an average of 9.4 of these items. Endorsement of specific myths correlated with varying demographic, professional and family of origin variables. Implications for therapist training, practice, and future research are discussed.
A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln, and the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico. By Amy S. Greenberg. New York: Knopf, 2012. 368 pp.

A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln, and the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico. By Amy S. Greenberg. New York: Knopf, 2012. 368 pp. It has long been conventional wisdom among historians of the nineteenth century that James K. Polk is the most important president about whom Americans know nothing. Nonetheless, "Young Hickory" has enjoyed something of a resurgence of late, due in large part to the efforts of nonacademic authors, who have praised Polk for his role in the creation of an American empire (see, for example, Robert W. Merry's A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, The Mexican War and the American Continent [New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009] and Walter R. Borneman's Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America [New York: Random House, 2008]). In the narrative that emerges from these and other recent works, Polk should be regarded as a man of vision, while his critics appear, at least by implication, as querulous naysayers, whose scrupulous regard for moral niceties failed to consider the larger national interest. Amy S. Greenberg does not share this view. On the contrary, Greenberg argues in A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln and the 1846 Invasion of Mexico that the eleventh president thoroughly deserved the sobriquet "Polk the Mendacious," bestowed upon him by his political enemies. In Greenberg's telling of events leading up to the clash of arms in the spring of 1846, Polk never really sought a peaceful settlement with Mexico. Rather, she argues, the decision to send diplomat John Slidell to negotiate with Mexican leaders was little more than a "charade" by the administration to provoke them into hostilities (p. 96). Polk then proceeded to use the attack on the Rio Grande as a pretext to demand satisfaction in the form of territorial concessions. Unlike many biographers of the eleventh president, Greenberg gives considerable attention to Sarah Polk, his most trusted advisor, going so far as to name one chapter "Mr. and Mrs. Polk's War." But this is more a book about those who opposed the war than it is about those responsible for it. Greenberg's title comes from a quote from Ulysses S. Grant, who in 1879 wrote that there had never been "a more wicked war" waged by the United States. A junior officer in his twenties at the time of the conflict, Grant regretted that he had lacked "the moral courage to resign." Greenberg focuses on a small group of men who did have the courage to speak out during the war years. …
Large‐scale parentage analysis reveals reproductive patterns and heritability of spawn timing in a hatchery population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Understanding life history traits is an important first step in formulating effective conservation and management strategies. The use of artificial propagation and supplementation as such a strategy can have numerous effects on the supplemented natural populations and minimizing life history divergence is crucial in minimizing these effects. Here, we use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for large-scale parentage analysis and pedigree reconstruction in a hatchery population of steelhead, the anadromous form of rainbow trout. Nearly complete sampling of the broodstock for several consecutive years in two hatchery programmes allowed inference about multiple aspects of life history. Reconstruction of cohort age distribution revealed a strong component of fish that spawn at 2 years of age, in contrast to programme goals and distinct from naturally spawning steelhead in the region, which raises a significant conservation concern. The first estimates of variance in family size for steelhead in this region can be used to calculate effective population size and probabilities of inbreeding, and estimation of iteroparity rate indicates that it is reduced by hatchery production. Finally, correlations between family members in the day of spawning revealed for the first time a strongly heritable component to this important life history trait in steelhead and demonstrated the potential for selection to alter life history traits rapidly in response to changes in environmental conditions. Taken together, these results demonstrate the extraordinary promise of SNP-based pedigree reconstruction for providing biological inference in high-fecundity organisms that is not easily achievable with traditional physical tags.
Differences in lower-extremity muscular activation during walking between healthy older and young adults

Previous studies have identified differences in gait kinetics between healthy older and young adults. However, the underlying factors that cause these changes are not well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of age and speed on the activation of lower-extremity muscles during human walking. We recorded electromyography (EMG) signals of the soleus, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, medial hamstrings, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris as healthy young and older adults walked over ground at slow, preferred and fast walking speeds. Nineteen healthy older adults (age, 73+/-5 years) and 18 healthy young adults (age, 26+/-3 years) participated. Rectified EMG signals were normalized to mean activities over a gait cycle at the preferred speed, allowing for an assessment of how the activity was distributed over the gait cycle and modulated with speed. Compared to the young adults, the older adults exhibited greater activation of the tibialis anterior and soleus during mid-stance at all walking speeds and greater activation of the vastus lateralis and medial hamstrings during loading and mid-stance at the fast walking speed, suggesting increased coactivation across the ankle and knee. In addition, older adults depend less on soleus muscle activation to push off at faster walking speeds. We conclude that age-related changes in neuromuscular activity reflect a strategy of stiffening the limb during single support and likely contribute to reduced push off power at fast walking speeds.
A Petri net model for temporal knowledge representation and reasoning

This paper presents a general model based on timed Petri net, capable of handling both qualitative and quantitative temporal information. Both metric relations between time points and qualitative relations between time interval can be encoded in a model. This model also allows the representation of higher-order expression and repeated activities which constitute a large part of the normal schedule. In addition, graphical representation of a timed Petri net gives a straightforward view of relations between temporal objects. >
Disorders of Water Balance: Physiology

In this chapter, we will discuss how plasma osmolality and water balance are maintained. Like Na+ balance, water balance is determined by the amount of water that is ingested and excreted. Therefore, water intake equals water loss. In a normal individual, the major source of water intake is oral fluids. Water is also derived from other sources such as solid foods and intermediary metabolism. Intravenous fluids form the principal source of water intake in hospitalized patients. Dialysis patients may also gain water during treatments.
Mobile data collection using multi-channel network coding in wireless sensor networks

By reducing the need to perform multi-hop routing over long communication paths, the use of mobile data gathering devices in highly distributed wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can both save energy and cut down on the number of nodes that need to be deployed. However, reliable data deliver to mobile devices remains a challenging problem, especially in WSN environments that have a high bit error rate. This paper presents Multi-channel network Coding Clustering (MuCC) for mobile data gathering within challenging wireless environments. MuCC is novel in its usage of both multi-channel and network coding techniques to improve both throughput and reliability. We have evaluated MuCC against a similar cluster-based protocol for mobile data gathering, and found that it delivers superior performance in terms of latency, reliability and energy saving.
Gastrointestinal Helminths of Two Gekkonid Species, Cyrtodactylus philippinicus and Gekko mindorensis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Philippines

ABSTRACT: Twenty-six gekkonid lizards from the Philippines consisting of Cyrtodactylus philippinicus (n = 12) and Gekko mindorensis (n = 14) were examined for helminths. One species of Cestoda as cycticercoids and 6 species of Nematoda: Bakeria schadi, Meteterakis longispiculata, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physalopteroides sp., Pharyngodonidae gen. sp., and Physalopteridae larva, were found. Both gekkonid species harbored Parapharyngodon maplestoni and Physalopteroides sp. Parapharyngodon maplestoni had the highest prevalence (50%) in C. philippinicus. The 2 gekkonid species were parasitized by a helminth community composed of Oriental helminths. Nine new host records are reported.
Psychosocial predictors of decay in healthy eating and physical activity improvements in obese women regaining lost weight: translation of behavioral theory into treatment suggestions.

Regain of lost weight is a universal problem for behavioral treatments. An increased understanding of theory-based psychosocial predictors of decay in behavioral correlates of weight loss might improve treatments. Data were derived from a previous weight loss investigation of 110 women with obesity. A subsample from the experimental treatment who lost ≥3 % body weight and regained at least one third of that over 24 months (N = 36) was assessed. During months 6 through 24, there were unfavorable changes in behavioral (fruit/vegetable and sweet intake; physical activity) and psychosocial variables. Mood change predicted change in fruit/vegetable and sweet intake, with emotional eating change mediating the latter relationship. Change in self-regulation predicted changes in sweet and fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity, with self-efficacy mediating the self-regulation–fruit/vegetable intake and self-regulation–physical activity relationships. Findings suggest that after treatment-induced weight loss, addressing indicated theory-based psychosocial variables might mitigate decay in behavioral predictors of healthier weight.
Real-time Simulation System for Governor of Pumped Storage Power Unit Based on MATLAB_xPC Target

Real-time simulation model for governor of pumped storage power unit(PSPU) is established by using toolbox of MATLAB,such as Simulink,RTW and xPC Target,etc.The real-time simulation model and a governor of PSPU are connected with input-output interface circuits to constitute a semi-physical real-time simulation system.Tests are carried out for verification with the parameters of a real PSPU.Test results show that the real-time simulation system has advantages such as: conveniently modeling,automatically generating effective simulation program,flexibly adjusting parameters,and test curves greatly coincide with these of prototype test.This simulation system can be served as a test platform in the design stage of governors,and as a test system of PSPU dynamic characteristics in acceptance test stage.
Modification for Computerized Tomographic Staging of Infiltrative Bladder Carcinoma

AbstractTechnique modifications for computed tomographic staging of infiltrative bladder carcinoma are aimed at maximizing image quality and reducing artifactual problems, particularly those associated with the effects of motion owing to poor patient cooperation. Patients unable to tolerate a lengthy procedure or the prone position have been studied using a low density contrast technique with controlled bladder distension. Although the intravesical tumor component often is not as dramatically demonstrated as with the gas insufflation technique the accuracy of both staging procedures appears to be high. The tendency towards overstaging is common to bladder opacification and gas insufflation techniques but this may be reduced considerably by bowel opacification when necessary and the use of intravenous contrast enhancement techniques.
Stay-at-Home Mothers

Stay-at-home mothers care for children in the home, generally without working for pay outside the home. Sociologists view stay-at-home motherhood, and motherhood in general, as a social construction, rather than as a biological or deterministic role. The number of stay-at-home mothers has fluctuated throughout the decades, reflecting changes in the economy, women's rights, women's educational attainment, and cultural attitudes. Keywords: children; family; family structure; female roles; gender roles; marriage; motherhood; parenting; sociology of family; women and families
William Cory, [‘What Charlotte Brontë Meant to an Eton Schoolboy’] (1867), in Extracts from the Letters and Journals of William Cory, edited by Francis Warre Cornish (Oxford: Printed for the Subscribers, 1897), pp. 186, 187–8

I bought my Charlotte Bronte’s life at a civil shop, Crossley’s at Rugby, where I saw three schoolboys leave the shop arm-in-arm: nearly all the Rugby boys go arm-in-arm, and just as often threes as twos. I saw one fingering the new books: how kind booksellers are to let schoolboys do so: I should have liked to give him gold to buy some books; if I were a little more venerable in appearance I could do it and no one would stare….
Preventing kernel code-reuse attacks through disclosure resistant code diversification

Software diversity has been applied to operating system kernels to protect against code-reuse attacks. However, the security of fine-grained software diversification relies on ensuring that the code layout remains secret. Unfortunately, memory disclosure vulnerabilities assist adversaries in bypassing software diversity protections by leaking the code layout. In this paper, we propose KHide, a system that thwarts kernel code-reuse attacks by combining fine-grained software diversity techniques and memory disclosure protection. First, we apply multiple fine-grained software diversity techniques to kernel code at compile time. Next, we propose a technique to protect diversified kernel code against memory disclosure at runtime. As a result, an attacker cannot predict or identify gadgets in memory to launch code-reuse attacks. We implement KHide for the Linux kernel. Our evaluation shows that KHide disclosure protection has negligible performance impact in comparison to fine-grained software diversity. We provide a security analysis of KHide calculating the survivability of gadgets across diversified versions. Our results show that KHide provides comprehensive protection against the threat of kernel code-reuse with acceptable performance impact.