cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nonlinear dynamics perspective of Wolfram's new kind of science, Part XIII: Bernoulli στ-shift rules

More than one third of the 88 globally-independent Cellular Automata rules exhibit robust simple Bernoulli-shift dynamics. Among them we find rule , which we proved to be chaotic in the previous episodes of our chronicle, and rule , the famous global majority rule. Therefore, we cannot overstate the importance of the Bernoulli στ-shift rules which we will present in two parts of our continuing odyssey on the Nonlinear Dynamics Perspective of Cellular Automata. This paper covers the first 15 of the 30 Bernoulli στ-shift rules. In this paper, after recalling the main concepts of Bernoulli rules — such as the role of the three Bernoulli parameters σ, τ and β — we will display the basin tree diagrams of these rules together with a convenient summary of the results extracted from them. Then, we will show that the superstring is an excellent testing signal to find the robust behavior of a given rule. Finally, we will conclude this paper with a discussion about the difference between robust and nonrobust ω-limit orbits of the Bernoulli στ-shift rules.
Relative role of atmosphere and ocean in the global heat budget: Tropical atlantic and eastern Pacific

Calculations of the oceanic heat budget for the tropical Atlantic and eastern Pacific, in conjunction with satellite measurements of net radiation at the top of the atmosphere, permit a partitioning of heat export performed by the oceanic water body v. the atmospheric column. For individual Marsden squares, the divergence of heat transport within the oceanic water body ranges from +82% (export) to −120% (import) of the net radiative input to the system at the top of the atmosphere. Oceanic heat export is particularly conspicuous in the realm of the cold currents off the west coasts and in the cold water tongue immediately to the south of the equator.
The Effects of Social Influence on User Acceptance of Online Social Networks

With the proliferation of online social networks, understanding how and why individuals adopt and use these networks can help managers and marketers to design better methods and approaches toward engaging their users. The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of user acceptance of online social networks, with particular attention given to the effects of social influence. A research model was developed by incorporating two variables of social influence, subjective norm and critical mass, into an enhanced version of the Technology Acceptance Model, specifically to address issues related to online social networks. The model was empirically evaluated using survey data collected from 269 subjects about their perceptions of online social networks. The results reveal that both subjective norm and critical mass significantly affect perceived usefulness, which further affects users' usage intention, and perceived ease of use affects the usage intention indirectly through perceived usefulness. Th...
Preliminary results from an examination of episodic planning in suicidal behavior

Background: Prior research has reported that a substantial portion of suicidal behavior occurs impulsively. These studies, however, have been unable to assess for episodic planning. Aims: To provide preliminary support for the plausibility and utility of assessing episodic, nonlinear planning in suicidal behavior. Method: Fifty undergraduates with a prior history of suicidal behavior responded to a series of questions assessing level of attempt, method, and level of planning during their most recent self-reported suicide attempt. Results: Level of intent was positively associated with planning, and the modal individual whose most recent attempt involved clear intent to die endorsed planning for at least 1 year. Conclusion: These preliminary data support the plausibility and potential utility of assessing episodic planning and indicate that suicide attempts involving a clear intent to die typically require extensive levels of planning and rarely (if ever) emerge without forethought.
THE ARTFUL HUMANISM OF DON BROWNING

Abstract. Don Browning's intellectual artfulness is particularly evident in three areas: as analyst of basic assumptions in intellectual systems, as fundamental ethicist, and as mediating theologian. His work in each area has been extraordinarily fruitful, both theoretically and practically. In each area, however, his skillful handling of complex issues also has subtle limitations. This paper identifies those limitations, analyzes them as facets of an articulate but preemptive defense of a preferred theological outlook, and thus as a limited failure of Browning's otherwise broadly successful implementation of a critical hermeneutical method.
Promoter Regulatory Elements and DNase I-hypersensitive Sites Involved in Serglycin Proteoglycan Gene Expression in Human Erythroleukemia, CHRF 288-11, and HL-60 Cells *

We have compared regulation of the serglycin gene in human erythroleukemia (HEL) and CHRF 288-11 cells, which have megakaryocytic characteristics, with promyelocytic HL-60 cells. Deletion constructs were prepared from the region −1123/+42 to −20/+42, and putative regulatory sites were mutated. In all three cell lines, the two major regulatory elements for constitutive expression were the (−80)ets site and the cyclic AMP response element (CRE) half-site at −70. A protein from HEL and CHRF, but not HL60, nuclear extracts bound to the (-80)ets site. Another protein from all three cell lines bound to the (-70)CRE. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) increased expression of the reporter in HEL cells 2.5–3- and 4.5-fold, respectively, from all constructs except those with (-70)CRE mutations. PMA virtually eliminated expression of serglycin mRNA and promoter constructs, but dbcAMP increased expression in HL-60 cells. The effects of PMA and dbcAMP on promoter expression correlated with mRNA expression. The strengths of two DNase I-hypersensitive sites in the 5′-flanking region and the first intron in all three cells correlated with relative endogenous serglycin mRNA expression. An additional DNase I-hypersensitive site in HL60 DNA in the first intron may be related to the high serglycin expression in HL60 relative to HEL or CHRF cells.
The reaction of a positively-charged N-ethylmaleimide derivative with actin and myosin subfragment-1

Abstract 1. 1. A positively-charged N -ethylmaleimide (NEM) derivative, 4-( N -maleimido)benzyltrimethylammonium iodide (MBTA), bound to Cys-373 of G-actin. 2. 2. The reaction of MBTA with G-actin was much faster than that of NEM or of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). 3. 3. MBTA-labeling to myosin subfragment-1 (S-l) has qualitatively the same effects on S-1 ATPase activity as NEM-labeling. 4. 4. The reaction of MBTA with S-1 was slower and less specific than that of NEM.
A preliminary dynamic view of the circulation of Jupiter's atmosphere

The problem of the gross nature of the Jovian atmospheric circulation is examined from the viewpoint of the following previous findings of the writer and others. 1) The equatorial acceleration cannot be accounted for by axisymmetric motions. 2) The departures from symmetry in a rotating system having an equatorial acceleration must impart angular momentum selectively to those particles moving toward the jet maximum and abstract it from those moving away. 3) These selective (pressure) torques and associated sorting processes arise spontaneously in the presence of a vertical convection mode involving motions not independent of longitude, if the cell sizes and other conditions are right.
Intensive insulin protocol improves glucose control and is associated with a reduction in intensive care unit mortality.

Background Intensive insulin therapy to maintain serum glucose levels between 80 and 110 mg/dL has previously been shown to reduce mortality in the critically ill; recent data, however, have called this benefit into question. In addition, maintaining uniform, tight glucose control is challenging and resource demanding. We hypothesized that, by use of a protocol, tight glucose control could be achieved in the surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU), and that improved glucose control would be beneficial. Study Design During the study period, a progressively more rigorous approach to glucose control was used, culminating in an implemented protocol in 2005. We reviewed STICU patients' blood glucose levels, measured by point-of-care testing, from 2003 to 2006. Mortality was tracked over the course of the study, and patient charts were retrospectively reviewed to measure illness and injury severity. Results Mean blood glucose levels steadily improved (p Conclusions Improvements in glucose control in the ICU can be achieved by using a protocol for intensive insulin therapy. In our ICU, this was temporally associated with a significant reduction in mortality.
Effects of normothermic hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury on the in vivo, isolated perfused liver, and microsomal disposition of chlorzoxazone, a cytochrome P450 2E1 probe, in rats

ABSTRACT In vitro studies have shown that the activities of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes may be altered after hepatic ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury. Here, we investigated the effects of 1 h of partial ischemia, followed by 3 (IR3) or 24 (IR24) h of in vivo reperfusion, on the in vivo , isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL), and microsomal disposition of chlorzoxazone (CZX) and its cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)‐mediated metabolite, 6‐hydroxychlorzoxazone (HCZX), in rats. Although IR3 caused a 30% reduction in the in vivo clearance of CZX, the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve of HCZX was not affected. IPRL experiments showed that IR3, in addition to a 30% reduction in the clearance of CZX, causes a 70% decrease in the biliary clearance of HCZX. Microsomal data revealed a 50% decline in the intrinsic clearance of HCZX formation due to an IR3‐induced significant decline in maximum velocity. Although IR3 did not affect the microsomal CYP2E1 protein, it caused approximately 30% reduction in the cytochrome P450 reductase activity. IR24 did not have any effect on the disposition of CZX or HCZX. In conclusion, metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds that are substrates for CYP2E1, and possibly other P450 isoenzymes, may be reduced shortly after surgical procedures that require transient interruption of the hepatic blood flow.
A capacity planning methodology

Discussed is a capacity planning procedure called USAGE. Various business elements to be individually measured and tracked are presented. Outlined are methods for estimating workload growth. Separate limits of capacity for on-line workload and batch workload demand are discussed. A simple graphic presentation procedure is included to communicate the results of a study to those who need the information for making business decisions.
DETECTION of ENTEROTOXIGENIC CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS IN GROUND BEEF

Clostridium perfringens is widely distributed in foods. This experiment was performed to assess occurrence of C. perfringens cultures and toxigenic strains isolated from ground beef Samples (118) were collected from 20 locations in Northeast Kansas and the number of C. perfringens was enumerated in these samples by Fung's Double-tube method with tryptose sulfite cycloserine agar medium. Out of 118 samples, 54 (46%) were found positive for C. perfringens. Pure isolates of C. perfringens were further grown in cooked meat medium for 24 h at 42C then heat shocked at 75C for 20 min and inoculated into modified Duncan and Strong medium for production of C. perfringens enterotoxin. Presence of enterotoxin was tested by the reverse passive latex agglutination test (Oxoid), which can detect enterotoxin up to a minimum level of 2 ng/mL. the data indicate that 46% of the beef samples harbored C. perfringens, but only 32 (6%) of 525 isolates were found to produce enterotoxin. This study emphasized the importance of continued surveillance of C. perfringens in meats and meat products and assessment of the toxigenesis of isolates.
A note on the stability of the interaction of monetary policies

Abstract This note presents further sufficient conditions for stability of monetary actions interconnected with nations' fixed exchange rates. The conditions enable one to infer qualitative effects on the stability of the degree of integration and of the sterilization coefficients adopted by individual monetary authorities.
Carbon dioxide reactivity and pressure autoregulation of brain tissue oxygen.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the normal relationships between brain tissue oxygen tension (PbrO 2 ) and physiological parameters of systemic blood pressure and CO 2 concentrations. METHODS: Licox Clark-type oxygen probes (GMS mbH, Kiel, Germany) were inserted in the frontal white matter of 12 swine maintained under general anesthesia with a 1.0 fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ). In seven swine, alterations in end-tidal carbon dioxide (ET-CO 2 ) concentration (range, 13-72 mm Hg) were induced via hyperventilation or instillation of CO 2 into the ventilation circuit. In nine swine, mean arterial pressure (MAP) (range, 33-200 mm Hg) was altered; phenylephrine was used to induce hypertension, and a nitroprusside-esmolol combination or systemic hemorrhage was used for hypotension. Quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in two animals by using a thermal diffusion probe. RESULTS: Mean baseline PbrO 2 was 41.9 ± 11.3 mm Hg. PbrO 2 varied linearly with changes in ET-CO 2 , ranging from 20 to 60 mm Hg (r 2 = 0.70). The minimum PbrO 2 with hypocarbia was 5.9 mm Hg, and the maximum PbrO 2 with hypercarbia was 132.4 mm Hg. PbrO 2 varied with MAP in a sigmoid fashion suggestive of pressure autoregulation between 60 and 150 mm Hg (r2 = 0.72). The minimum PbrO 2 with hypotension was 1.4 mm Hg, and the maximum PbrO 2 with hypertension was 97.2 mm Hg. In addition, CBF correlated linearly with PbrO 2 during CO 2 reactivity testing (r 2 = 0.84). CONCLUSION: In the uninjured brain, PbrO 2 exhibits CO 2 reactivity and pressure autoregulation. The relationship of PbrO 2 with ET-CO 2 and MAP appears to be similar to those historically established for CBF with ET-CO 2 and MAP. This suggests that, under normal conditions, PbrO 2 is strongly influenced by factors that regulate CBF.
Influence of flavin addition and removal on the formation of superoxide by NADPH-Cytochrome P-450 reductase: a spin-trap study.

Abstract The spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide was used to measure the formation of superoxide that occurs during the oxidation of NADPH by cytochrome P -450 reductase, a flavoprotein containing one molecule each of FMN and FAD per polypeptide chain. The enzyme's ability to reduce oxygen to superoxide appears to be equally dependent on its content of FMN and FAD. Selective removal of FMN from reductase decreases superoxide formation by an amount equivalent to the difference in total flavin (FMN and FAD) concentration between native and depleted preparations of the protein. In contrast, reductase-bound FMN is necessary for the transfer of electrons to another acceptor cytochrome c , but not to ferricyanide. NADPH oxidation and the concomitant formation of superoxide by native preparations of reductase are stimulated by the addition of riboflavin, FMN, and FAD with riboflavin being the most effective. The results obtained from this study suggest that added flavins are reduced by cytochrome P -450 reductase as electron acceptors and increased superoxide formation results from their autooxidation.
Some effects of particle shape and size upon blinding during sieving

Abstract During the sieving process, the more irregular the particle, the longer the time interval before peak blinding is reached. It is suggested that the effects of particle shape upon the time to reach peak blinding are directly related to the frictional condition in the moving powder mass. The friction in the powder is characterised by the Hausner ratio tap density/apparent density. It is shown that the level of residual blinding is markedly dependent upon mesh aperture below about 100 microns. This is believed to indicate that residual (hard) blinding is due to drag at the mesh-particle interface. For a given size, irregular particles do not hard blind as much as do spherical particles because they are more able to rotate and dislodge from the aperture.
Structural centrality in communications networks

This paper examines the concept of centrality with respect to small-group communication experiments. An index of centrality is presented which is based on the incidence matrix of actual communications rather than on the deviation matrix of possible communications, as in the Bavelas Index of Centrality. The index takes the value of zero for the homogeneous all-channel graph and the value of unity for the homogeneous wheel graph. The index can be computed for individuals as well as groups. Three examples are computed.
Infrared spectra of metallacyclopropane, insertion, and dihydrido complex products in reactions of laser-ablated group 6 metal atoms with ethylene molecules.

Reactions of laser-ablated group 6 metal atoms with ethylene have been investigated. The insertion and dihydrido products (MH−CHCH2 and MH2−C2H2) are identified from reactions of W and Mo with ethylene isotopomers, whereas products in the Cr spectra are assigned to the insertion and metallacyclopropane (M−C2H4) complexes. Our experiments with CH2CD2 show that the dihydrido complex is formed by β-hydrogen transfer in the insertion complex because the MHD−CHCD isotopic product is favored. The present matrix infrared spectra and DFT computational results support the general trend that the higher oxidation-state complexes become more stable on going down the group 6 column. Unlike the cases of group 4 and 5 metals, binary metal hydride (MHx) absorptions are not observed in the infrared spectra, suggesting that the H2-elimination reactions of ethylene by group 6 metals are relatively slow, consistent with previous gas-phase reaction dynamics studies.
Single domain PEMFC model based on agglomerate catalyst geometry

Abstract A steady two-dimensional computational model for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is presented. The model accounts for species transport, electrochemical kinetics, energy transport, current distribution, and water uptake and release in the catalyst layer. The governing differential equations are solved over a single computational domain, which consists of a gas channel, gas diffusion layer, and catalyst layer for both the anode and cathode sides of the cell as well as the solid polymer membrane. The model for the catalyst regions is based on an agglomerate geometry, which requires water species to exist in both dissolved and gaseous forms simultaneously. Data related to catalyst morphology, which was required by the model, was obtained via a microscopic analysis of a commercially available membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The coupled set of differential equations is solved with the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver, CFDesign™, and is readily adaptable with respect to geometry and material property definitions. The results show that fuel cell performance is highly dependent on catalyst structure, specifically the relative volume fractions of gas pores and polymer membrane contained within the active region as well as the geometry of the individual agglomerates.
Adiponectin and insulin cross talk: The microvascular connection

Adiponectin exerts both vasodilatory and insulin-sensitizing actions and its levels are decreased in insulin-resistant humans and animals. The mechanisms underlying adiponectin׳s insulin-sensitizing effect have been extensively investigated but remain largely unclear. Muscle microvasculature critically regulates muscle insulin action by modulating insulin delivery to the microvessels nurturing the muscle cells and the trans-endothelial insulin transport. We have recently reported that adiponectin exerts its insulin-sensitizing effect via recruiting muscle microvasculature, expanding the endothelial surface area, and increasing insulin delivery to and thus action in muscle. The current review focuses on the microvascular connection between the adiponectin and insulin cross talk.
A Microfluidic Manipulator for Enrichment and Alignment of Moving Cells and Particles

Grooved structures have been widely studied in particle separation and fluid mixing in microfluidic channel systems. In this brief report, we demonstrate the use of patterning flows produced by two different sorts of grooved surfaces: single slanted groove series (for enrichment patterns) and V-shaped groove series (for focusing patterns), into a microfluidic device to continuously manipulate the flowing particles, including microbeads with 6 microm, 10 microm, and 20 microm in diameter and mouse dendritic cells of comparable sizes to the depth of the channel. The device with grooved channels was developed and fabricated by soft-lithographic techniques. The particle distributions after passing through the single slanted grooves illustrate the size-dependent enrichment profiles. On the other hand, particles passing through the V-shaped grooves show focusing patterns downstream, for the combination effect from both sides of single slanted grooves setup side-by-side. Compared with devices utilizing sheath flows, the focusing patterns generated in this report are unique without introducing additional flow control. The alignment of the concentrated particles is expected to facilitate the visualization of sizing and counting in cell-based devices. On the other hand, the size-dependent patterns of particle distributions have the potential for the application of size-based separation.
A Group Version of the Stroop Color and Word Test

The uses of the Stroop Color and Word Test have been limited because of the lack of a standardized form, particularly one which could be used for both individual and group administrations as demanded by the requirements of a research project. The present version of the test counted the number of items completed by the subject in a 45-second time period. In the individual version the subject said the words out loud while in the group version he said the words to himself. Results indicated that the two versions were equivalent to each other as well as to forms requiring the subject to read a whole page of items. It was felt that a group form would greatly enhance the research capabilities of the Stroop Test.
The Response of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom System with Quadratic and Cubic Non-Linearities to a Fundamental Parametric Resonance

Abstract The response of a one-degree-of-freedom system with quadratic and cubic non-linearities to a principal parametric resonance is investigated. The method of multiple scales is used to determine the equations that describe to second order the modulation of the amplitude and phase with time about one of the foci. These equations are used to determine the fixed points and their stability. The perturbation results are verified by integrating the governing equation with use of a digital computer and an analogue computer. For small excitation amplitudes, the analytical results are in excellent agreement with the numerical solutions. The large amplitude responses are investigated by using both a digital and an analogue computer. The cases of single- and double-well potentials are investigated. Systems with double-well potentials exhibit complicated dynamic behaviors including period-multiplying and demultiplying bifurcations and chaos. In some cases, a bifurcated response coexists with another periodic attractor, and a chaotic attractor coexists with a periodic attractor. Long-time histories, phase planes, Poincare maps, fractal basin maps, and spectra of the response are presented. A bifurcation diagram of many solutions in the excitation amplitude - excitation frequency plane is also presented.
The Psychology Today “You and Death” Questionnaire Revisited:

In 1970, Psychology Today published the “You and Death” questionnaire, a 75-item instrument designed by Edwin Shneidman of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in consultation with Edwin Parker and G. Ray Funkhouser of Stanford University. This article compares data gathered through the same instrument from death education classes spanning 25 years across 3 decades. The results offer a unique opportunity to compare attitudes toward and beliefs about death with the original responses as well as to note changes across decades within a similar population.
Radiation Use Efficiency among Cotton Cultivars

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars have diverse growth rates and fruiting characteristics that may be due to differences in radiation use efficiency. Potential growth rates were measured to see if differences could be attributed to radiation use efficiency or canopy light transmission coefficients. An irrigated field study was conducted at the Blackland Research Center using three diverse cotton cultivars ; Acala SJ-2, Deltapine 50, and Tamcot CD3H. Plant densities ranged from 10 to 14 plants m −2 (...)
Calcitonin Potentiates Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation-Induced Neuronal Death

Calcitonin is a hormone that decreases plasma calcium through inhibition of osteolysis. It is used in the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone disorders. Salmon calcitonin is typically utilized in individuals for whom use of estrogen is contraindicated, for example, women at high risk for breast cancer. In addition to actions on bone, calcitonin may have effects on the central nervous system. Receptors for calcitonin are present on central neurons, and salmon calcitonin has been shown to alter neuronal activity. Since salmon calcitonin is used clinically, and it can have actions on neurons, the present studies were designed to determine whether salmon calcitonin could alter death of cortical neurons. The effects of salmon calcitonin on neuronal death induced by exposure of murine cortical cultures to serum deprivation, staurosporine, oxygen-glucose deprivation, kainate, and NMDA were tested. Salmon calcitonin had no effect on apoptotic cell death in cortical cultures. However, acute treatment with salmon calcitonin (1-1000 nM) caused significant potentiation of neuronal death induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation. Similarly, salmon calcitonin potentiated cell death induced by exposure to kainate. In contrast, it did not potentiate cell death induced by exposure to NMDA. In fact, addition of a high concentration (1000 nM) of salmon calcitonin attenuated NMDA toxicity. These results indicate that calcitonin is not a survival factor for cortical neurons; however, it can alter excitotoxic cell death. The most interesting, and disturbing, effect is the ability of low concentrations of salmon calcitonin to potentiate oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced cell death.
The philosophical stakes of the Heidegger wars, Part I: Methodologies for the reading of Heidegger

The publication of Victor Farfas's Heidegger and Nazism in 19871 set off the Heidegger wars, which have grown in intensity over the succeeding years. The bitter controversy ignited in France by Farfas's contention that both Heidegger's life and thought were integrally linked to Nazism, has now spread across the Rhine, to Germany, and the Atlantic, to America, where new fronts in the conflict have been opened. Dozens of books and hundreds of articles have been written in an effort to sort out the extent, duration, meaning, and bases, of Martin Heidegger's entanglement with National Socialism. The present essay, and its second part to follow, is concerned with the philosophical stakes arising from the Heidegger wars. Our concern is to indicate which issues, raised by this controversy, are the most significant in terms of their overall philosophical impact, and to point out ways in which the discussion can be fruitfully developed. In surveying the issues raised by the debate over Heidegger's involvement with Nazism, there is no way to avoid taking a position on the questions at hand, no way to avoid becoming a participant in the controversy. An overview of the issues to be discussed can best serve as an orientation to the battle lines in this increasingly acrimonious dispute. In part one, we will focus on Heidegger's stature as a thinker, and on the methodologies of reading Heidegger. In part two, our focus will shift to the ethical and political ramifications of Heidegger's relationship to Nazism. In the light of Heidegger's commitment to some form of National Socialism, at least during the early and mid-1930s, and his indisputable support for Adolf Hitler, however short-lived it may have been, how should we now read Heidegger? Indeed, can we still read him as one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century? Beyond the immediate question of Heidegger's stature as a thinker, at stake is the very shape of philosophy itself as the century draws to a close. Richard Wolin has suggested that in light of Heidegger' s entanglement with Nazism, any philosophy which, like
Polarization-encoded optical shadow casting: Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) design using truth-table partitioning

Abstract A memory-efficient arithmetic logic unit (ALU) consisting only of two cells has been designed using a polarization-encoded optical shadow truth table partitioning scheme. The design algorithm for identifying the source patterns, input encoding, and output decoder with possible parallel implementation are also presented.
Comparisons of culture of Chinese Meishan with Yorkshire pig embryos in vitro: effects of protein supplementation and development.

Abstract White, B.R., Gerfen, R.W., Walters, E.M. and Wheeler, M.B. 2000. Comparisons of culture of Chinese Meishan with Yorkshire pig embryos in vitro: effects of protein supplementation and development. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 17: 169–184. Three experiments were designed to evaluate modifications in a culture system for Chinese Meishan pig embryos. The objective of Experiment I was to compare in vitro development of Meishan embryos recovered at the four and eight-cell (EARLY) and compact morula and blastocyst (LATE) stages in a Whitten's based medium supplemented with either 5.0 per cent fetal bovine serum (W-FBS) or 0.4 per cent bovine serum albumin (W-BSA). Embryos were flushed from reproductive tracts of Meishan females with Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (D-PBS), randomized to treatment and cultured in 50 μl drops under paraffin oil at 39C in a humidified 5.0per cent CO3 in air environment. In addition, EARLY embryos within each treatment were cultured with one or four embryos per drop. Within tr...
Interfacing Metal Nanoparticles with Semiconductor Nanowires

We demonstrate the overgrowth of Au on CdSe nanowires with control over Au crystal morphology upon increasing addition of Au precursor. Extending this overgrowth technique to catalytically active metals and binary metal systems (Pt, PtCo, and PtNi) exemplifies the broader range of these metal−semiconductor hybrid nanomaterials. Structural and compositional characterization was carried out by low- and high-resolution TEM, EDS analysis, and XRD. Magnetic characterization of the PtCo binary metal hybrid systems was conducted using SQUID magnetometry. Changes in the optical properties of the decorated materials compared to the as-made CdSe nanowires confirm the presence of electronic coupling at the metal−semiconductor interface, an important material property for photocatalytic applications.
Quantifying structure-function uncertainty: a graph theoretical exploration into the origins and limitations of protein annotation

Since the advent of investigations into structural genomics, research has focused on correctly identifying domain boundaries, as well as domain similarities and differences in the context of their evolutionary relationships. As the science of structural genomics ramps up adding more and more information into the databanks, questions about the accuracy and completeness of our classification and annotation systems appear on the forefront of this research. A central question of paramount importance is how structural similarity relates to functional similarity. Here, we begin to rigorously and quantitatively answer these questions by first exploring the consensus between the most common protein domain structure annotation databases CATH, SCOP and FSSP. Each of these databases explores the evolutionary relationships between protein domains using a combination of automatic and manual, structural and functional, continuous and discrete similarity measures. In order to examine the issue of consensus thoroughly, we build a generalized graph out of each of these databases and hierarchically cluster these graphs at interval thresholds. We then employ a distance measure to find regions of greatest overlap. Using this procedure we were able not only to enumerate the level of consensus between the different annotation systems, but also to define the graph-theoretical origins behind the annotation schema of class, family and superfamily by observing that the same thresholds that define the best consensus regions between FSSP, SCOP and CATH correspond to distinct, non-random phase-transitions in the structure comparison graph itself. To investigate the correspondence in divergence between structure and function further, we introduce a measure of functional entropy that calculates divergence in function space. First, we use this measure to calculate the general correlation between structural homology and functional proximity. We extend this analysis further by quantitatively calculating the average amount of functional information gained from our understanding of structural distance and the corollary inherent uncertainty that represents the theoretical limit of our ability to infer function from structural similarity. Finally we show how our measure of functional "entropy" translates into a more intuitive concept of functional annotation into similarity EC classes.
Sex allocation in simultaneous hermaphrodites: Trade-offs between sex-specific costs and lifespan

Fitness in self-incompatible simultaneous hermaphrodites incorporates gains and costs from both male and female reproductive function, and evolutionarily stable allocation of gonadal tissue to male or female function depends on these gains and costs. Paradoxically, despite the often equal expected gains but different costs associated with each sex, contributions to expected reproductive success through male and female function must be identical. Whenever allocation costs are unequal and limiting resources are energetically expensive or risky to acquire, these costs must ultimately be paid through reduced survival, resolving the paradox by equally diminishing expected reproductive success as male and as female. Maximizing fitness as lifetime reproductive success – not just reproductive rate alone, as in previous studies – maximizes the product of expected survival time and reproductive rate. The analysis shows how male-biased allocation can thereby arise and generate novel predictions on the relation between intensity of sperm competition and allocation to male function.
Electronic consequences of lateral composition modulation in semiconductor alloys

Lateral composition modulation (CM) is a periodic, position-dependent variation in alloy composition occurring in the substrate plane, perpendicular to the growth direction. It can be induced by growing size-mismatched short-period AC/BC superlattices (SL). Here we study the electronic structure induced by such lateral composition modulation in GaAs/InAs, GaP/InP, and AlP/GaP, in search of optical properties relative to the corresponding random alloys. We investigate in detail the properties of (a) pure CM without any SL, (b) pure SL without any CM, and (c) the combined CM+SL system. The systems are modeled by constructing a large supercell where the cation sublattice sites are randomly occupied in the lateral (vertical) direction according to the composition variation induced by CM (SL). The atomic structure and strain induced by CM and SL are explicitly taken into account using an {ital atomistic} force field. This approach is found to be crucial for an accurate description of the microscopic strain in CM+SL systems. The electronic structure is solved using specially constructed empirical pseudopotentials and plane-wave expansion of the wave functions. We find that (i) CM in GaAs/InAs and GaP/InP systems induces type-I band alignment (electrons and holes localized in the same spatial region), while CM in AlP/GaPmore » is shown as an example exhibiting type-II band alignment. (ii) CM and SL both induce significant contributions (which add up nearly linearly) to band-gap redshift with respect to random alloy. CM in GaP/InP is found to induce larger band-gap redshifts than in GaAs/InAs due to larger band offsets in the former system. (iii) The symmetry of electronic states at the valence band maximum is sensitively affected by CM: the lowest energy optical transitions exhibit strong polarization where transitions polarized perpendicular to the CM are favored, while transitions polarized parallel to the CM are surpressed by being shifted to higher energy. These observations, as well as the magnitude of the predicted band-gap redshift, agree with available experimental data, and suggest that control of composition modulation during growth might be used to tailor band gaps, carrier localization, and transition polarizations relative to random alloys. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Measurement of Liquid Layer Thickness Using Ultrasound Technique

The use of ultrasound technique to obtain the liquid film thickness was investigated. Ultrasound imaging is a technique that uses high frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures. Ultrasound imaging is based on the same principle as SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) during which a transducer capable of generating and receiving high frequency sound waves, sends pulses of sound waves into the interrogation area and the sound reflected back (echo) form any interface (such as water air interface) within the interrogation plane is obtained by the transducer. The time taken for the sound wave to travel from the transducer surface to the water air interface is obtained from the delay of the echo signal with regard to the transmitted signal; this time is used to compute the distance of the interface knowing the velocity of sound in medium. An experiment was set up to measure the depth of water in a container using ultrasound technique. A-mode (amplitude-mode) scanning was used where a pulsed ultrasound wave is directed into the interrogation region and echoes generated at various interfaces are detected. It is observed that levels as low as 0.55 mm were measured.© 2005 ASME
Sensory and Chemical Characteristics of Precooked Mircrowave‐Reheatable Pork Roasts

Boneless pork shoulder pieces were pumped to 10% of original weight with brine to give 1% salt and one of the following at 0.3% in the final product: phosphate, ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate. Sensory evaluation and TBA assay were done on precooked microwave reheated roasts that had been stored for 7, 14, and 28 days at 4°C. Phosphate-treated roasts were scored significantly more tender, juicy, flavorful and palatable than the other treatments and control. TBA numbers were lower for ascorbic acid-treated and sodium ascorbate-treated roasts than for phosphate-treated and control roasts. An acceptably palatable, value-added, precooked, boneless pork shoulder roast designed for microwave cookery was produced.
Beam-size measurements on PEP-II using synchrotron-light interferometry

PEP-II transverse profiles are measured by imaging visible synchrotron light from dipoles in the two rings. The images are broadened by surface errors on the primary extraction mirrors, which have a complex design due to high beam currents. To improve vertical beam-size measurements, we installed a synchrotron-light interferometer, following Mitsuhashi at KEK. In a two-slit interferometer, fine fringes modulate the single-slit pattern from a point source. As the source size increases, the fringe depth decreases, providing a sensitive tool. Because the slits pass light from two stripes along the mirror, we can select the better parts of its surface. By adding a cylindrical lens to image the mirror in the direction perpendicular to the fringes, we can further select short segments of these stripes. In 2000, we put an interferometer on the low-energy ring, at a point 30 m from the BaBar detector, where the beam ellipse is tilted as we compensate for rotation in BaBar's solenoid. Our interferometer turns to measure the beam tilt. More recently we added a second unit for the high-energy ring. All optics are in the PEP tunnel and allow remote adjustment of the focusing, slit width and separation.
The Changing Face of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in the United States: Demographic and Geographic Changes From 2011 to 2050

Purpose To examine how demographic and geographic variations in US populations from 2011 to 2050 will contribute to estimated numbers of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Prevalence rates from selected population-based studies were used to estimate the number of persons aged 40 years and older with POAG in the United States. For calculation, the age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific prevalence rates were multiplied by the US Census estimates and projections from 2011 to 2050. Main outcome measures are estimated numbers of persons with POAG in different age, sex, and racial/ethnic groups and total and per capita POAG rates by state. Results In 2011, 2.71 million persons in the United States have POAG, with the highest estimated number among populations aged 70 to 79 years (31%), women (53%), and non-Hispanic whites (44%). The largest demographic group is non-Hispanic white women. In 2050, an estimated 7.32 million persons will have POAG, with the highest number among populations aged 70 to 79 years (32%), women (50%), and Hispanics (50%). The largest demographic group will shift to Hispanic men. During the next 40 years, the highest per capita POAG rates will double in New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Conclusions Despite the high prevalence of POAG in African Americans and Hispanics, the largest group in the United States is currently among older non-Hispanic white women but is expected to shift to Hispanic men over the next few decades. Given this shift, the greatest yield from screening programs is likely to be in those states with high numbers of non-Hispanic white women and Hispanic men.
Impact of a Stewardship-Initiated Restriction on Empirical Use of Ciprofloxacin on Nonsusceptibility of Escherichia coli Urinary Isolates to Ciprofloxacin

Study Objective To evaluate the impact of a stewardship-initiated restriction on empirical use of ciprofloxacin on the nonsusceptibility of Escherichia coli urinary isolates to ciprofloxacin over time while controlling for the use of other key antibiotics with gram-negative activity. Design Retrospective single-center study. Setting Large tertiary and quaternary care academic medical center. Isolates Of 3714 E. coli urinary isolates. Measurements and Main Results The susceptibilities of the E. coli urinary isolates to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin obtained over a 7-year period (January 1, 2006–December 31, 2012) from adult inpatients were evaluated for potential relationships with antibiotic use over time by using multiple variable regression analysis. After introduction of the restriction on empirical use of ciprofloxacin in the first quarter of 2011, ciprofloxacin use declined from 141.1–39.8 defined daily doses/1000 patient-days, and the percentage of E. coli isolates that were not susceptible to ciprofloxacin decreased from 41.5–32.8%. With all antibiotics evaluated included in the model, no apparent relationships were found between the percentage of E. coli isolates nonsusceptible to ciprofloxacin and antibiotic use. However, when nonsignificant variables were eliminated (p>0.20), ciprofloxacin use was found to be positively associated with the percentage of E. coli isolates nonsusceptible to ciprofloxacin (p=0.037), whereas ceftriaxone use was negatively associated (p=0.045). Conclusion The restriction and subsequent reduction of ciprofloxacin use was found to have a positive effect on the susceptibility of E. coli urinary isolates to ciprofloxacin.
X-ray photoemission study of Gd, Tb and Dy 4f and valence bands

Abstract High-resolution XPS spectra of 4f electrons further support trivalent ion-core assignments for Gd, Tb and Dy, but the valence-band spectra vary considerably.
The mechanical characterization of stacked, multilayer graphene cantilevers and plates

The mechanical properties of stacked graphene sheets with varying number of layers are examined. The stacked sheets are assembled by manually combining single layer CVD-grown graphene monolayers, resulting in a turbostratic multilayer graphene with irregular layer spacings greater than crystalline graphite. Due to the presence of multiple layers, the material is analyzed as a plate rather than a membrane. Bending stiffness is determined via the deflection of micron-scale cantilevers, prepared using focused ion beam milling, while in-plane tensile stiffness is characterized through center-loading of edge-supported circular specimens. Computational modeling and established analytical solutions are used to extract material and structural property information, and benchmark measured properties relative to complementary results from indentation tests. Stacked, few-layer CVD-grown graphene retains an in-plane elastic modulus of 350N/m/layer (corresponding to 1.04 TPa for an inter-layer spacing of 0.335nm), suggesting good load-sharing between stacked layers. Width-normalized bending stiffness was unmeasurable for cantilevers of 1 and 3 layers, while cantilevers of 5 and 10 layers had values of 11,100nN·nm and 1.3×106nN·nm respectively.
Near-infrared (NIR) tomography breast image reconstruction with a priori structural information from MRI: algorithm development for reconstructing heterogeneities

A combined magnetic resonance and near-infrared (MRI-NIR) imaging modality can potentially yield high resolution maps of optical properties from noninvasive simultaneous measurement. The main disadvantage of near-infrared (NIR) tomography lies in the low spatial resolution resulting from the highly scattering nature of tissue for these wavelengths. MRI has achieved high resolution, but suffers from low specificity. In this study, NIR image reconstruction algorithms that incorporate a priori structural information provided by MRI are investigated in an attempt to optimize recovery of a simulated optical property distribution. The effect of high levels of tissue heterogeneity are evaluated to determine the limitations of incorporating prior information into a realistic set of patient breast images. We assume absorption coefficient (/spl mu//sub a/) variations near /spl plusmn/40%, and transport scattering coefficient (/spl mu//sub s//sup //) variations near /spl plusmn/20%, in a coronal breast MRI geometry. Changes in tissue pathology due to tumor growth can be observed with NIR tompgraphy, and so the goal here is to determine how best to quantify these tumor-based contrast regions within the presence of high tissue heterogeneity. By applying knowledge of tissue's layered structure in reconstruction through various constraints in the iterative algorithm, quantitative recovery of the tumor optical properties improves from 69% to 74%, and localization improves as well. However, only when the true heterogeneity of the tissue distribution was included was accurate quantification of the tumor region possible. Using a good initial guess of /spl mu//sub a/ and /spl mu//sub s//sup //, derived from the regional structure of the model, quantification of the region reaches 99% of the true value, and spatial resolution retains a similar value to the original MRI image.
Plasmonic device in Si CMOS

Using Al metal, here for the first time, we demonstrate plasmonic devices fabricated on a commercial complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip, paving the way for plasmonics to become the next wave of chip-scale optoelectronic technology.