cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association between forage particle size at initial feeding and the weigh-back and chewing activity in dairy cattle

A field trial was conducted at the University of Florida Dairy Research Unit (USA) to determine the relationship between initial coarse portion (ICP) particle size of a total mixed ration (TMR) and orts (weigh-back coarse portion, WBCP) of the same TMR. Additionally, the relationship between the ICP of a TMR and the proportion of cows chewing their cud 2.0 hours after feeding was determined. A random representative sample of TMR was taken from the feed bunk at initial feeding and 8 h later (weigh-back) every day from the same barn for 75 days. Samples were analysed for particle size content using a particle size evaluator. Proportion of the largest particles of the TMR was recorded. Additionally, the proportion of cows ruminating 2.0 hours after the morning feeding was recorded each day. Correlation and regression models between ICP and WBCP, and between ICP and the proportion of ruminating cows were calculated. The mean and standard deviation for ICP, WBCP and proportion of cows cud chewing were 14.2n6.6, 29.9n13.2 and 18.4n5.0%, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between ICP and WBCP was 0.53, and the correlation coefficient between the proportion of cows chewing their cud and ICP in the TMR was 0.19. Initial coarse proportion was a predictor for WBCP (p 0.05). These findings are suggestive of sorting of the TMR by the cows. Sorting was significantly higher (p<0.01) as the coarse proportion at the initial feeding increased, but this difference was likely of little biological significance.
Application of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Bridge Inspection

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are experiencing tremendous growth in both the technological advancement of the systems themselves and the expansion of practical uses for the systems. One application...
Reaction mechanisms in Si 28 + 24 Mg→α + 24 Mg + 24 Mg and α + 20 Ne + 28 Si

We have studied the $^{28}$Si${+}^{24}$Mg system leading to the three-body final states \ensuremath{\alpha}${+}^{24}$Mg${+}^{24}$Mg and \ensuremath{\alpha}${+}^{20}$Ne${+}^{28}$Si. Full momentum reconstruction on an event by event basis allows us to obtain all kinematic quantities, and perform a comparison of competing reaction mechanisms. A search reveals very little evidence for the population of high-spin states in $^{48}\mathrm{Cr}$ corresponding to resonances observed in the $^{24}$Mg${+}^{24}$Mg system, via the $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$${(}^{28}$Si,\ensuremath{\alpha}${)}^{48}$${\mathrm{Cr}}^{\mathrm{*}}$${(}^{24}$Mg) and $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$${(}^{28}$Si,\ensuremath{\alpha}${)}^{48}$Cr*${(}^{20}$Ne) reactions. Instead, we find that the dominant processes that occur involve inelastic heavy-ion scattering to \ensuremath{\alpha}-particle unbound states in $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ and $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$.
SDR for Metrology and Communications at Submillimeter Wavelengths

Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology has been driven by advances in RF integrated circuits and is generally available up to 40 GHz. State-of-the-art SDRs used with open software frameworks and interfaced to commercially available up/down-converter hardware provide a means for accessing the submm-THz spectrum. This makes it possible to realize measurement systems and communications channels that exploit the flexibility and processing capabilities of SDR backends. This work demonstrates the first use of SDR to implement a 1 THz FM communications channel using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) SDRs, general RF components, and submillimeter-wave frequency extenders.
Diagnostic Classification Using a Polytomous Measure of Korean Organizational Commitment

This study applied the newly developed Modified Ordinal Response Diagnostic Model (MORDM) to data reflecting organizational commitment in Korean bank employees. Using Bayesian estimation, the model converged and reasonably estimated the attribute profile distribution. However, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) item fit indices and posterior prediction model checks showed unacceptable model-data fit. These findings call for further research into the development of more stable and comprehensive polytomous diagnostic classification models (DCMs) for ordinal data, and further evaluation of the adequacy of fit indices for polytomous DCMs.
A Multitasking System for Robotics

In this paper, we describe two aspects of a research project in robotics. We propose a high-level task-oriented robot programming language which allows for a dynamically adjustable plan of action to be expressed for the accomplishment of the robot's goal. However, because of the high run-time dynamics created by this language's implementation, a multi-tasking architecture was created in conjunction with the language. The utility of the proposed architecture for the run-time support of intelligent robot control is also presented in this paper.
Flow in the piston-cylinder-ring crevices of a spark-ignition engine: effect on hydrocarbon emissions, efficiency and power

Ecoulement dans la zone piston-cylindre-segments d'un moteur a allumage par etincelle. Influence sur les emissions d'hydrocarbures, le rendement et la puissance
Using a Similarity Measurement to Partition a Vocabulary of Medical Concepts

Controlled medical vocabularies have become increasingly important in a range of medical informatics applications. However, the extensive size of most vocabularies often makes it diffcult for users to gain an understanding of their contents. In previous work, we have investigated the partitioning of a large semantic-network based medical vocabulary into smaller units, for the purpose of easier graphical display and comprehension. The partitioning process relied heavily on a domain expert. In this paper, we propose a structural method for automating the partitioning of a vocabulary. The structural method is based on a definition of the similarity of a pair consisting of a child concept and its parent concept in the semantic network. A distribution over these similarities for all pairs in the semantic network is then computed. Based on this distribution, the semantic network can be partitioned into more manageable pieces. The approach has been applied to the InterMED and a complex portion of the MED, two large medical vocabularies.
On factorization of multiparticle pentagons

Abstract We address the near-collinear expansion of multiparticle NMHV amplitudes, namely, the heptagon and octagons in the dual language of null polygonal super Wilson loops. In particular, we verify multiparticle factorization of charged pentagon transitions in terms of pentagons for single flux-tube excitations within the framework of refined operator product expansion. We find a perfect agreement with available tree and one-loop data.
Reinforcement Learning of Complex Behavior Through Shaping

ABSTRACT This chapter describes the utility of shaping, a procedure used in experimental psychology for the reinforcement learning of complex behavior. The principle underlying shaping is that complex behavior can be acquired by first learning related simpler behavior. Simulation results illustrating this approach are presented for a control task in which a neural network is trained using reinforcement learning for a five-degree-of-freedom robot hand.
Fiduciary Duties and Fiduciary Outs

Fiduciary outs are virtually ubiquitous in acquisition agreements, but almost unheard of in other contexts. This is because the fiduciary out is an inherently problematic device. Although it is not intended to do so, it almost necessarily transforms an agreement into an option in the hands of one party. Nevertheless, fiduciary outs make sense in the context of acquisition agreements. This is because fiduciary outs are essentially contractual proxies for fiduciary duties. As such, they have the same purpose: to protect shareholders from abuse at the hands of directors. Fiduciary outs do this in the context of acquisition agreements by protecting the right of the shareholders to vote against the transaction in question against interference by the directors. However, this rationale does not extend beyond the context of acquisition agreements. Thus, although fiduciary outs should remain permissible in that context, they should not be extended to any other context.
Chapter 6 Silica as an Agent in Diagenesis

Summary In this chapter the precipitation of silica is examined from the viewpoint of solubility values obtained in the laboratory, and its occurrence as a deposit in rocks. Approximate ranges of solubility in natural waters are compared with similar data gathered in the laboratory which show solubility in significant amounts to be directly proportional to temperature. Precipitation of chert in cratonic carbonates is shown to post-date accumulation of the sediments, and is presumed to be part of the lithification process. Eugeosynclinal deposits such as siliceous shales and porcellanites indicate early replacement by silica of clay minerals and carbonates, and this is considered to be the mechanism of chertification. In some carbonates the time of precipitation and replacement follows dolomitization, whereas in many stable cratonic occurrences deposition of chert and quartz precedes widespread dolomitization.
Do Dogs Know the Trammel of Archimedes

SummaryThe refraction problem, well-known in calculus and physics, continues to reveal new insights. This paper presents a geometric solution in which the trammel of Archimedes plays the prominent role. When properly configured, the trammel generates an ellipse and its family of normal lines. One normal line in particular intersects the boundary separating the media, the intersection point being the solution. The trammel, implemented as a rolling circle mechanism, can be constructed physically and/or programmed as a computer animation.
The Caulobacter crescentus GTPase CgtAC is required for progression through the cell cycle and for maintaining 50S ribosomal subunit levels.

Summary The Obg subfamily of bacterial GTP-binding pro- teins are biochemically distinct from Ras-like proteins raising the possibility that they are not controlled by conventional guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and/or guanine nucleotide activating proteins (GAPs). To test this hypothesis, we generated mutations in the Caulobacter crescen- tus obg gene ( cgtA C ) which, in Ras-like proteins, would result in either activating or dominant nega- tive phenotypes. In C. crescentus , a P168V mutant is not activating in vivo , although in vitro , the P168V protein showed a modest reduction in the affinity for GDP. Neither the S173N nor N280Y mutations resulted in a dominant negative phenotype. Further- more, the S173N was significantly impaired for GTP binding, consistent with a critical role of this resi- due in GTP binding. In general, conserved amino acids in the GTP-binding pocket were, however, important for function. To examine the in vivo con- sequences of depleting CgtA C , we generated a tem- perature-sensitive mutant, G80E. At the permissive temperature, G80E cells grow slowly and have reduced levels of 50S ribosomal subunits, indicating that CgtA C is important for 50S assembly and/or sta- bility. Surprisingly, at the non-permissive tempera- ture, G80E cells rapidly lose viability and yet do not display an additional ribosome defect. Thus, the essential nature of the cgtA C gene does not appear to result from its ribosome function. G80E cells arrest as predivisional cells and stalkless cells. Flow cytometry on synchronized cells reveals a G1- S arrest. Therefore, CgtA C is necessary for DNA rep- lication and progression through the cell cycle.
The “tail” of Connexin43: An unexpected journey from alternative translation to trafficking☆

With each heartbeat, Connexin43 (Cx43) cell-cell communication gap junctions are needed to rapidly spread and coordinate excitation signals for an effective heart contraction. The correct formation and delivery of channels to their respective membrane subdomain is referred to as protein trafficking. Altered Cx43 trafficking is a dangerous complication of diseased myocardium which contributes to the arrhythmias of sudden cardiac death. Cx43 has also been found to regulate many other cellular processes that cannot be explained by cell-cell communication. We recently identified the existence of up to six endogenous internally translated Cx43 N-terminal truncated isoforms from the same full-length mRNA molecule. This is the first evidence that alternative translation is possible for human ion channels and in human heart. Interestingly, we found that these internally translated isoforms, more specifically the 20 kDa isoform (GJA1-20k), is important for delivery of Cx43 to its respective membrane subdomain. This review covers recent advances in Cx43 trafficking and potential importance of alternatively translated Cx43 truncated isoforms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cardiomyocyte Biology: Integration of Developmental and Environmental Cues in the Heart edited by Marcus Schaub and Hughes Abriel.
The reaction of propene with oxygen-covered Pd(1 0 0)

Abstract The effect of oxygen coverage and surface structure on the total oxidation of propene over Pd(1 0 0) was studied using temperature-programmed reaction (TPR), isothermal kinetic measurements, low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). TPR revealed CO2 production peaks at 430 and 550 K. When the surface was covered by chemisorbed oxygen in (2 × 2) structures the 550 K peak dominated, while only the 430 K peak was seen at low propene doses and high oxygen coverages (∼0.8 ML) where a ( 5 × 5 )R27° reconstruction covered the surface. Regardless of the oxygen coverage, water desorbed at 430 K indicating that the 550 K CO2 peak was due to oxidation of C deposited by propene dissociation. The initial propene sticking coefficient at 330 K was a factor of five greater for (2 × 2)-O surfaces than for the ( 5 × 5 )R27°-O surface, thus the lower activation energy pathway favored at high oxygen coverages did not necessarily translate into higher reaction rates. Above 450 K, the isothermal kinetic measurements showed that the reaction rate increases with decreasing oxygen coverage until the reaction becomes starved for oxygen. LEED measurements showed that the rate increases as the ( 5 × 5 )R27° structure is replaced by the (2 × 2) structures. At lower temperatures, however, the oxidation rate of C deposited on the surface by propene dissociation at low oxygen coverages is slow and so higher rates were seen at high oxygen coverages. At room temperature, STM images showed that propene initially slowly randomly adsorbs atop the ( 5 × 5 )R27° surface. As the propene coverage increased, however, adsorbates tended to cluster together forming disordered regions; as the surface disordered the adsorption rate increased. At 550 K, STM movies recorded during propene exposure to oxygen-covered surfaces showed the slow removal of ( 5 × 5 )R27° domains followed by rapid dissolution of islands formed during oxygen adsorption. The results indicate that oxidizing the Pd surface affects hydrocarbon oxidation in two opposing ways: it decreases the hydrocarbon adsorption probability but also favors an easier oxidation pathway once the molecules adsorb.
Burden of Clostridium difficile infection on hospital readmissions and its potential impact under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program

Background Both Clostidium difficile infection (CDI) rates in hospitals and interest in reducing 30-day readmission rates have increased dramatically in the United States. The objective of this study was to characterize the burden of CDI on 30-day hospital readmissions at a tertiary care health-system. Methods A patient discharge database was used to identify patients with a CDI diagnosis (ICD-9 code 008.45) during their stay in 2012. Patients were classified as index admissions (CDI discharges) or 30-day readmissions (CDI readmissions). Readmission rates, length of stay (LOS), and time to readmission were assessed among CDI readmissions. Results Among discharges from the health system (n = 51,353), 615 were diagnosed with CDI (1%). Thirty-day readmissions were more common among CDI discharges (30.1%) than non-CDI discharges (14.4%). Average LOS for CDI readmissions was 5-6 days longer than non-CDI readmissions. Time to readmission was shorter among CDI discharges diagnosed on admission than CDI discharges diagnosed later during their hospital stay (median, 7 days). Conclusion Reductions in hospital-onset CDI and readmission of patients with an index CDI can provide tremendous cost savings to hospitals. This calls for better infection control and antibiotic stewardship measures toward CDI management in the hospital and as patients transition to the next level of care.
Regulation of JAK–STAT signalling in the immune system

The cytokine-activated Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway has an important role in the control of immune responses. Dysregulation of JAK–STAT signalling is associated with various immune disorders. The signalling strength, kinetics and specificity of the JAK–STAT pathway are modulated at many levels by distinct regulatory proteins. Here, we review recent studies on the regulation of the JAK–STAT pathway that will enhance our ability to design rational therapeutic strategies for immune diseases.
Synthesis of a novel radical trapping and carbonyl group trapping anti-AGE agent: a pyridoxamine analogue for inhibiting advanced glycation (AGE) and lipoxidation (ALE) end products.

Pyridoxamine is known to be an effective inhibitor of both advanced glycation (AGE) and advanced lipoxidation (ALE) end products. The synthesis of a novel multifunctional AGE and ALE inhibitor, 6-dimethylaminopyridoxamine (dmaPM, 11) is described. The 6-dimethylamino substituent increases the radical trapping ability of pyridoxamine's phenolic group. Results obtained during ribose glycations show that both the new dmaPM and a known strong radical trapping agent, 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), prevent intermolecular protein cross-linking more effectively than pyridoxamine (PM).
Volume Sizing for Thermal Storage With Phase Change Material for Concentrated Solar Power Plant

With a large capacity thermal storage system using phase change material (PCM), Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is a promising technology for high efficiency of solar energy utilization. In a thermal storage system, a dual-media thermal storage tank is typically adopted in industry for the purpose of reducing the use of the heat transfer fluid (HTF). While the dual-media sensible heat storage system has been well studied, a dual-media latent heat storage system (LHSS) still needs more attention and study; particularly, the sizing of volumes of storage tanks considering actual operation conditions is of significance. In this paper, a strategy for LHSS volume sizing is proposed, which is based on computations using an enthalpy-based 1D model. One example of 60MW solar thermal power plant with 35% thermal efficiency is presented. In the study, potassium hydroxide (KOH) is adopted as PCM and Therminol VP-1 is used as HTF. The operational temperatures of the storage system are 390°C and 310°C, respectively for the high and low temperatures. The system is assumed to operate for 100 days with 6 hours charge and 6 hours discharge every day. From the study, the needed height of the thermal storage tank is calculated from using the strategy of tank sizing. The method for tank volume sizing is of significance to engineering application.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The use of ground‐penetrating radar to map the buried structures and landscape of the ceren site, el salvador

More than 7800 m of digital ground-penetrating radar data were acquired at the buried 6th century archaeological site of Ceren in El Salvador. The data were used to explore for buried structures and map the paleotopography through more than 5 m of volcanic overburden. The archaeological site consists of an agricultural village that was rapidly buried by pyroclastic debris erupted from a nearby volcano, preserving structures, plants, agricultural fields, and much of the surrounding landscape. Ground-penetrating radar profiles were computer-processed to remove system and background noise and time-depth corrected to identify the reflection which represents the ancient ground surface. This buried surface, and the structures built on it, were computer-modeled in two dimensions to aid in anomaly identification and interpretation. Twenty-six buried structures were identified on GPR profiles and an accurate representation of the landscape and environment, as it existed just prior to the eruption, was reconstructed. Ground-penetrating radar is an excellent geophysical tool with which to reconstruct buried landscapes and map cultural features due to its ability to accurately resolve underground features in three dimensions.
New Ananlytical Approach For Long-Term Generation Expansion Planning Based on Maximum Principle And Gaussian distribution Function

This paper presents a new approach for the optimal long-range generation planning. A completely new analytical approach for the production costing model and reliability measure is developed under the assumption of Gaussian probabilistic distribution of random load fluctuations and plant outages. The long-range generation investment problem is formulated as an optimal control problem to determine optimally the annual investment in new generation capacity. The Hamiltonian minimization is performed by using a version of the gradient projection method.
Error minimization algorithm for comparative quantitative PCR analysis: Q-Anal

Current methods for comparative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, the threshold and extrapolation methods, either make assumptions about PCR efficiency that require an arbitrary threshold selection process or extrapolate to estimate relative levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts. Here we describe an algorithm, Q-Anal, that blends elements from current methods to by-pass assumptions regarding PCR efficiency and improve the threshold selection process to minimize error in comparative qPCR analysis. This algorithm uses iterative linear regression to identify the exponential phase for both target and reference amplicons and then selects, by minimizing linear regression error, a fluorescence threshold where efficiencies for both amplicons have been defined. From this defined fluorescence threshold, cycle time (Ct) and the error for both amplicons are calculated and used to determine the expression ratio. Ratios in complementary DNA (cDNA) dilution assays from qPCR data were analyzed by the Q-Anal method and compared with the threshold method and an extrapolation method. Dilution ratios determined by the Q-Anal and threshold methods were 86 to 118% of the expected cDNA ratios, but relative errors for the Q-Anal method were 4 to 10% in comparison with 4 to 34% for the threshold method. In contrast, ratios determined by an extrapolation method were 32 to 242% of the expected cDNA ratios, with relative errors of 67 to 193%. Q-Anal will be a valuable and quick method for minimizing error in comparative qPCR analysis.
Association Between Disruption of Fibrin Sheaths Using Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty Balloons and Late Onset of Central Venous Stenosis

To compare the rates of central venous stenosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis who underwent disruption of fibrin sheath with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloons and those who underwent over-the-wire catheter exchange. This study is a retrospective review of 209 percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon disruption and 1304 over-the-wire catheter exchange procedures performed in 753 patients. Approval from the Human Investigations Committee was obtained for this study. Up to 10-year follow-up was performed. A χ2 test was used to compare the rates of central venous stenosis after balloon disruption versus catheter exchange. A t-test was used to compare time to central venous stenosis development. Of the 753 patients in the study, 127 patients underwent balloon disruption of fibrin sheath and 626 had catheter exchange. Within the balloon disruption group, 18 (14.2%) of 127 patients subsequently developed central venous stenosis, compared with 44 (7.0%) of 626 in the catheter exchange group (P < 0.01, χ2 test). Time to central venous stenosis development was approximately 3 years in both groups and not significantly different (1371 and 1010 days, P = 0.20). A total of 25.2% of patients in the balloon disruption group had four or more subsequent catheter exchanges, versus 12.6% in the catheter exchange group (P < 0.01, χ2 test). In conclusions, there is a possible association between percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon disruption of fibrin sheath and late-onset central venous stenosis. Because venography was not routinely performed in catheter exchange patients, future randomized studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
Don’t forget to measure Δ s

This talk explores our lack of knowledge of the strange quark contribution to the nucleon spin, Δs. Data on Δs from inclusive and semi-inclusive polarized deep-inelastic scattering will be reviewed, followed by a discussion of how the ongoing program of parity-violating elastic electron-nucleon scattering experiments, that seek out the strange electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon, need to have an estimate for the strange axial form factor to carry out that program, and how the value of Δs extracted from the DIS experiments has filled that role. It is shown that elastic vp, vp, and parity-violating ep data can be combined to extract the strange electric, magnetic and axial form factors simultaneously. A proposed experiment that could address this important issue if briefly previewed.
Sensitivity of Over-the-Counter Pregnancy Tests: Comparison of Utility and Marketing Messages

Objective: To determine the sensitivity of seven over-the-counter pregnancy tests (OTC-PTs) using urine containing a mixture of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-related molecules as found on the first day of missed menstrual period. Design: Blinded in vitro sensitivity analysis. Setting: Medical school laboratory. Participants: None. Interventions: Urine was tested with OTC-PT devices at titers of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.3, and 0 mIU/mL hCG immunoreactivity, and laboratory workers rated their confidence in the test result based on whether the test result was a clear, sharp, and unquestionable band in the test window. Main Outcome Measures: Analytical sensitivity, defined as the urine concentration at which all OTC-PTs tested gave a positive result regardless of operator confidence score; clinical sensitivity of OTC-PTs, defined as the proportion of pregnancies likely to be detected on the first day of a missed period and calculated from the analytical sensitivity and a recently published regression curve for total urine hCG immunoreactivity in 25 urine samples from this period of gestation; percentage of tested devices showing a band in the test window at a specific hCG concentration measured devices positive; percentage faulty devices, defined as the proportion of tested devices failing to yield a band in the control window; and confidence score, determined from operator ratings for each device at each concentration of hCG. Results: First Response Early Result had an analytical sensitivity of 6.3 mIU/mL, which was estimated to detect greater than 95% of pregnancies on the day of missed period. The sensitivity of Clearblue Easy Earliest Results was 25 mIU/mL, which indicated detection of 80% of pregnancies. The sensitivity of the five other products was 100 mIU/mL or greater, indicating detection of 16% or less of pregnancies. Three of these last products included faulty devices. Conclusion: Universal claims for OTC-PTs of more than 99% laboratory accuracy and use as early as the first day of missed period, while cleared for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are ambiguous and inappropriate for many products, according to these data. The majority of products tested were found to detect only a small percentage of pregnancies on the first day of a missed menstrual period. Until more data become available on the actual clinical sensitivity of these products, pharmacists should advise consumers to be cautious in interpreting test results.
The Mechanics of Bearing Supports

The general problem of flexibility of supports is investigated analytically. It is shown that geometrically symmetric supports are also elastically symmetric, leading to reduced rotor vibration problems. The 90-deg, two-armed support also is shown to be elastically symmetric. Small departures from the 90-deg spacing, however, are shown to lead to serious lack of elastic symmetry. The simple pedestal is shown to be incapable of being designed with elastic symmetry. The symmetric support is shown to induce fewer blade-excitation frequencies in turbomachines.Copyright © 1964 by ASME
Blockade of NMDA receptor-channels by MK-801 alters breathing in adult rats.

Abstract The role of N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel activation in the production of respiratory pattern was studied by administration of the NMDA receptor-channel blocker (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK-801, 1–3 mg/kg, i.v.) to anesthetized adult rats. This dose of MK-801 blocked the excitatory effects of NMDA (applied iontophoretically) ob brainstem respiratory neurons. The predominant respiratory response to systemic MK-801 administration was an increase in inspiratory duration and a decrease in amplitude of diaphragm electromyogram and phrenic nerve discharge. Effects on inspiratory timing and amplitude were most pronounced when the rats were vagotomized. Significant changes in arterial blood gases and pH after systemic MK-801 administration in spontaneously breathing rats (vagi intact or cut) indicated that ventilation was depressed by NMDA receptor-channel antagonism. Respiratory timing changes in response to systemic MK-801 administration differed between two rat strains studied. Breathing patterns resembling apneusis, i.e., with irregular inspiratory durations prolonged 2- to 30-fold, occurred in 60% of the vagotomized, spontaneously breathing Sprague-Dawley rats and none of the Wistar rats. Thus, the breathing pattern in Sprague-Dawley rats is more sensitive to interference with NMDA-mediated mechanisms. We propose that respiratory pattern generation and transmission of rhythmic respiratory drive are mediated by synergistic activation of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors at brainstem and spinal cord sites.
On the analysis of straight line data in pharmacology and biochemistry.

Abstract The determination of drug potency, efficacy and receptor affinity constants, common calculations in pharmacology and biochemistry, require estimates of the slope and intercept of a linear regression line obtained from measured points (xi, yi). Three questions not explicitly covered in the basic statistical literature and, consequently, answered differently by scientists, arise often. (1) When there exist several y's corresponding to each value of the controlled parameter x, should all of these be used as points or only their average value at that x in constructing the line? (2) What are precise confidence limits of an abscissa corresponding to a specified ordinale? (3) What are confidence limits for the intercepts of a regression line whose slope is constrained to +1 or -1? In this paper we show that all the data should be used (question 1) and provide derivations for the formulas used to get the confidence limits mentioned in questions (2) and (3).
On the Long-Run Output-Price Relationship

Since Lucas's [AER, 1973] finding that there is a natural rate of output and that average real output is not affected by the variations of average inflation rate, a number of studies [Froyen and Waud, AER, 1980; Kormendi and Meguire, JPE, 1984; Jung, JM, 1985; Cover, JM, 1989] have attempted to investigate the Lucas model with different sets of data and statistical techniques. These studies concentrated on the effect of unexpected changes in prices on the short-term output level. For example, Jung [JM, 1985] found that for developing countries the Lucas model only had weak support. Cover [JM, 1989] also indicated that in 15 out of 25 countries under study, output was affected by unexpected changes in prices. This paper examines the real output-price relationship based on the long-run behavior of a sample of 20 OECD countries. Assume that the aggregate supply curve is nonlinear and that the price level may have a greater effect on output when the former is relatively low and vice versa. First, the growth rate of real output (GQ) and the growth rate of the price level (GP) over the period 1960-1986 were calculated. Applying the BoxCox transformation of variables, regress GQ~ < on GP~. The estimated regression and t-statistics in parentheses are presented below:
Evaluating the Efficiency of Top Liberal Arts Colleges

This study applies a data envelopment analysis model developed for national universities to 93 national liberal arts colleges. Such models can be used by individual institutions for benchmarking purposes or by researchers seeking to compare the practices of highly efficient liberal arts colleges with the practices of relatively inefficient colleges. Six-year graduation rate is used as the output variable. Particular attention is paid to the construction of cost per undergraduate as an input variable. In addition to a ranking of the institutions according to their efficiency, between one and five of the 18 technically efficient peer institutions were identified as peers for each of the remaining 75 technically inefficient institutions.
Nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery

Abstract Nanotechnology could be defined as the technology that has allowed for the control, manipulation, study, and manufacture of structures and devices in the “nanometer” size range. These nano-sized objects, e.g., “nanoparticles”, take on novel properties and functions that differ markedly from those seen from items made of identical materials. The small size, customized surface, improved solubility, and multi-functionality of nanoparticles will continue to open many doors and create new biomedical applications. Indeed, the novel properties of nanoparticles offer the ability to interact with complex cellular functions in new ways. This rapidly growing field requires cross-disciplinary research and provides opportunities to design and develop multifunctional devices that can target, diagnose, and treat devastating diseases such as cancer. This article presents an overview of nanotechnology for the biologist and discusses the attributes of our novel XPclad © nanoparticle formulation that has shown efficacy in treating solid tumors, single dose vaccination, and oral delivery of therapeutic proteins.
Reliability of qPCR for quantitative gut content estimation in the circumglobally abundant pelagic tunicate Dolioletta gegenbauri (Tunicata, Thaliacea)

Abstract Gelatinous metazooplankton play a crucial role in marine planktonic food webs. Because of methodological difficulties encountered while studying them in situ relatively little is known about their ecology, including their diet or in situ rates of feeding. In this study we report the development of a differential length amplification quantitative PCR (dla-qPCR) assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene to validate the use of qPCR-based approach to quantify consumption of specific plankton prey by the doliolid Dolioletta gegenbauri. We also present an initial application of a qPCR-assay to estimate consumption of the centric diatom Thalassiosira spp. on the southeastern continental shelf of the United States where doliolids stochastically bloom in response to upwelling events. Results indicate that prey DNA was not significantly digested during passage through the gut of D. gegenbauri. Molecularly estimated feeding rates were in the same range as those estimated from clearance rates in laboratory feeding studies. In the field, the centric diatom Thalassiosira spp. was detected in the gut of wild caught D. gegenbauri at very low abundance that was consistent with its relative rarity in the water column at the time of collection. Thus, both experimental and field investigations support the hypothesis that a qPCR approach will be useful for the quantitative investigation of the in situ diet of D. gegenbauri without introduced biases associated with cultivation.
Light matters: Integrated opto-electronics from consumer to communications

Integrated opto-electronics is expected to play an important role across many application areas. Its application to high speed communication has been discussed extensively in last decade especially in context of silicon photonic integrated circuits. But the impact of optoelectronics will be felt in areas as diverse as autonomous vehicles to better user interface for mobile computing. These new and emerging applications provide exciting new opportunity to bring new class of products to the market.
Crater function approach to ion-induced nanoscale pattern formation: Craters for flat surfaces are insufficient

In the crater function approach to the erosion of a solid surface by a broad ion beam, the average crater produced by the impact of an ion is used to compute the constant coefficients in the continuum equation of motion for the surface. We extend the crater function formalism so that it includes the dependence of the crater on the curvature of the surface at the point of impact. We then demonstrate that our formalism yields the correct coefficients for the Sigmund model of ion sputtering if terms up to second order in the spatial derivatives are retained. In contrast, if the curvature dependence of the crater is neglected, the coefficients can deviate substantially from their exact values. Our results show that accurately estimating the coefficients using craters obtained from molecular dynamics simulations will require significantly more computational power than was previously thought.
Distal goal and proximal goal transfer of training interventions in an executive education program

This study assessed transfer from a customized executive training program involving 89 public sector employees. Participants who set a distal goal had higher self-efficacy than those in both the “do your best” (DYB) and the proximal plus distal goal conditions. Participants who set proximal plus distal goals had higher maintenance than those who set distal outcome goals, and those who were urged to DYB. The distal goal participants had a higher level of applied generalization than their DYB counterparts. Maintenance did not differ between DYB and distal goal conditions.
Selective Cell Death by Photochemically Induced pH Imbalance in Cancer Cells

Singlet oxygen sensitized photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on the concentration of oxygen in the tissue to be treated. Most cancer lesions, however, have poor vasculature and, as a result, are hypoxic, significantly hindering PDT efficacies. An oxygen-independent PDT method may circumvent this limitation. To address this, we prepared sulfonium salts that produced a pH drop within HCT 116 cells via the generation of a photoacid within the cytosol. This process was driven by one- or two-photon absorption (1PA or 2PA) of the endocytosed photoacid generators (PAGs). One of these PAGs, which had a significantly lower dark cytotoxicity and was more efficient in generating a photoacid, effectively induced necrotic cell death in the HCT 116 cells. The data suggest that PAGs may be an attractive alternative PDT modality to selectively induce cell death in oxygen-deprived tissue such as tumors.
Catastrophes and Earth History: The New Uniformitarianism

This book is a blend of papers from two separate symposia, one held at Woods Hole, Mass., in June 1977 and the other at the North American Paleontological Convention in Lawrence, Kan., in August of the same year. The latter concerned problems of the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary event, whereas the theme of the Woods Hole symposium was the current state of uniformitarianism. The combining of papers from the two symposia makes for a curious mixture that does not always address the subject of catastrophes.
Impact of chronic illness: Differing perspectives of younger and older women

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the life experiences of six women with chronic illness who represent three differing life stages. The participants included two women who were in young adulthood, two who were between the ages of 40 and 60, and two women in their late 70s. The women were all diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, or a combination of these disorders. They were interviewed concerning the impact illness has had on their lives, the manner in which chronic illness has altered their self-perceptions, and the ways in which they have come to make meaning from the event. While the women had achieved varying levels of acceptance of their illness, it appeared that the ability to cope was dependent on numerous factors across several life circumstances. Distinctions were made regarding ability to either adjust to the illness or use the experience as a catalyst for personal growth.
Declining rate of substance abuse throughout the month.

Abstract PURPOSE: The timing of federal disbursements of welfare, disability, and military benefits may be associated with monthly patterns of substance abuse. We assessed whether this association was reflected in the pattern of psychiatric presentations to an emergency room. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, case-control study of 12,904 patient presentations to an urban emergency department for psychiatric reasons during a 7-year period. Cases were defined as patients (n = 2,403) given a primary diagnosis of substance abuse. Controls included patients (n = 10,501) with a primary diagnosis of another psychiatric illness. We calculated the "boundary effect" (R = 100 times the number of presentations during the first week of the month divided by number of presentations during the last week of the preceding month) for each month, and averaged these values across months to determine overall effects. RESULTS: The boundary effect was stronger for patients with primary substance abuse disorders (R = 134, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 118 to 151) than for patients with other psychiatric disorders (R = 106, 95% CI=100 to 112; P P = 0.01), and declined significantly more than the incidence of other psychiatric presentations ( P = 0.005). These effects remained, after adjusting for fluctuations in presentations around holidays and the new year. The lunar cycle did not influence the incidence of presentations. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that substance-related morbidity is highest at the beginning of the month and declines thereafter, corresponding to the availability of disposable income from monthly checks.
On-Line Adaptive Optimal Control

The development of algorithms which will optimize the performance of a process in real time has been receiving considerable interest. The most robust of these algorithms use process identification techniques developed for adaptive control technology. The steady state portion of the model is then used to determine changes which should be made in the system inputs in order to drive the process toward the point at which it operates at its optimum. Currently these algorithms use only the steady-state portion of an identified dynamic model. This paper involves the use of optimal control and the identified dynamic model to shorten the time required for optimization. The optimal trajectory is recalculated and the process model is updated every sampling period.
Resistance curves for crack growth under plane-stress conditions in an elastic perfectly-plastic material

Abstract A recently developed solution for the plastic strain, ϵ P y (x, t) , on the crack line is used in conjunction with a critical strain criterion to construct curves for k R (a) versus a , where a is the increase in crack length. Resistance curves have been computed for various values of the critical plastic strain. They show a monotonic increase of K R (a) with increase in crack length, to a constant steady-state value.
Results from a hydrodynamical mathematical model of the Irish Sea

Abstract Results are recorded from an integrated hydrodynamical numerical model of the Irish Sea using, as boundary conditions, first current meter data and secondly sea elevations from the 1971 BISOP exercise. These data are utilised at time intervals of less than a tidal cycle. When current meter data were used as boundary conditions the comparison between the calculated results and observed current meter vectors, averaged over a tidal period, showed discrepancies in both magnitude and direction. This comparison was much improved when the northern open boundary conditions were replaced by sea elevations. The significance of these results to the process of modelling marine ecosystems is discussed.
ENURESIS: THE CLINICAL APPLICATION OF AN ETIOLOGICALLY BASED CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Enuresis is a common problem of childhood, but both a theoretical understanding and an etiologically based clinical approach to the symptom are lacking. The present descriptive study was undertaken to delineate subgroups within large, heterogeneous populations of enuretic children between the ages of four and 14. A number of variables were assessed through a detailed parental history for 116 enuretic children. Several relevant and significant correlations were identified, but overall no clinically useful patterns involving sleep stages, psychopathology, environmental events, or medical or family history were discovered. The results of this study confirm recent work in the field of enuresis and emphasize the need for new research directions.
Conditioning trial duration affects ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in mice

The present experiments were designed to determine the effect of conditioning trial duration on strength of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in mice. In a counterbalanced, differential conditioning procedure, DBAI2J mice received four pairings of a distinctive tactile (floor) stimulus with injection of ethanol (2 g/kg); a different floor stimulus was paired with saline. Different groups were exposed to the floor stimuli for 5, 15, or 30 min after injection. Conditioned place preference was inversely related to trial duration, with mice in the 5-, 15-, and 30-mmn groups, spending 83%, 74%, and 66% of their time, respectively, on the ethanol-paired floor during a choice test. This outcome was replicated in a second experiment, which also showed that context familiarity can influence conditioned place preference. In general, these findings suggest that ethanol’s rewarding effect is greatest shortly after injection.
In situ composite fibers: Blends of liquid crystalline polymer and poly (ethylene terephthalate)

To augment the concept of in situ composites as alternatives to fiber-reinforced composites, polyblends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared. Fiber-spinning of the blends was performed on a piston-driven plastorneter. Blends of LCP and a low-intrinsic-viscosity PET resin showed poor mechanical performance, which was attributed to their processing behavior. Blends of LCP and a high intrinsicviscosity PET manifested an almost additive behavior with regard to tensile modulus and strength. Elongation of the blends, however, displayed a radical decline, which is reminiscent of fiber-reinforced composites. Heat treatment of the blend fibers modestly increased the tensile properties of the LCP-rich compositions. Blend fibers from PET-rich compositions exhibit a moderate decline in tensile properties owing to thermal relaxation of PET. The data demonstrate that in situ composites or blends of thermotropic LCPs and isotropic polymers present challenging alternatives to fiber-reinforced composite systems because of their ease of processing.