cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) captured in the web of a golden silk orb-weaver (Trichonephila clavipes)

During migration, transient birds usually find themselves stopping in unfamiliar habitats in order to rest and refuel before resuming migratory flight. Here we document the first case, to our knowledge, of a Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) entrapped in a spiderweb. The warbler's tarsus became caught in the mooring thread of a golden silk orb-weaver (Trichonephila clavipes) web and the bird was unable to free itself, resulting in death. While the role of spiderweb-related mortalities is likely minimal, they may represent a type of additive mortality that has been largely unconsidered during migration. Given the spatiotemporal overlap in the prevalence of spiderwebs and movement of migratory birds, researchers should document and report such anecdotal observations to determine the role spiders may play in mortality events during migration.
Geometrical models of interface evolution. III. Theory of dendritic growth

We construct a theory of velocity selection and tip stability for dendritic growth in the local evolution model. We show that the growth rate of dendritic patterns is determined by a nonlinear solvability condition for a translating finger. The sidebranching instability is related to a single discrete oscillatory mode about the selected velocity solution, and the existence of a critical anisotropy is shown to be due to the zero crossing of its growth rate. The marginal-stability hypothesis cannot predict the correct dynamics of this model system. We give heuristic arguments that the same ideas will apply to dendritic growth in the full diffusion system.
Lexical Color Categories.

Color is a continuous variable, and humans can distinguish more than a million colors, yet world color lexicons contain no more than a dozen basic color terms. It has been understood for 160 years ...
Left and right ventricular kinetic energy using time-resolved versus time-average ventricular volumes

Background Four-dimensional flow-sensitive (4D flow) MRI opens the possibility for finding new, non-invasive measures of cardiac function, including KE. Studies using 4D flow MRI have reported correlations between disease states and altered KE profiles. However, the majority of these studies have relied on time-averaged (TA) segmentation rather than time-resolved (TR) segmentation largely because segmenting throughout the cardiac cycle (TR) is time-consuming and labor intensive. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are significant differences between KE profiles calculated using TR and TA segmentation of the right and left ventricles (RV, LV).
Throat Station Concept in Transonic Flow over Two-Dimensional Wedges

3 Gardner, K. A., Efficiency of Extended Surface, Trans. ASME, Vol. 67, p . 621, Nov., 1945. 4 Crocco, L., Lo Strato Li mite Laminar e nei Gas, Monografie Scientifiche di Aeronautica, No. 3, Ministero della Difesa-Aeronautica, Roma, Dec , 1946. (Trans, in North American Aviation Aerophysics Lab., Rep. AL-684, July 15, 1948.) 5 Watson, G. N., A Treatise on the Theory of Bessel Functions, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 1952.
Chapter 8 Brunswikian Research in Accounting and Auditing

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews Brunswikian research in accounting and auditing. It also describes accounting research and behavioral accounting research. Brunswikian research in internal accounting, external accounting, and auditing is also discussed. The objective of accounting is to provide useful information to decision makers whose actions determine the allocation of scarce resources in organizations and markets. A primary concern of accounting researchers and policymakers involves the direct and indirect effects of alternative accounting information systems on decision maker's actions and related outcomes. Internal accounting (or managerial accounting) is concerned with providing quantitative, usually financial information to decision makers within an organization. However, external accounting (or financial accounting) is concerned with providing financial information to decision makers outside the reporting organization. Auditing is concerned with providing independent assurance to decision makers who use accounting reports that prescribed information systems have been employed in report preparation. It restrains both careless and creative accounting. The theoretical and methodological tools used by researchers to examine aspects of accounting and auditing have largely been imported from other disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences, especially economics and psychology.
Adjacent Swaps on Strings

Transforming strings by exchanging elements at bounded distance is applicable in fields like molecular biology, pattern recognition and music theory. A reversal of length two at position iis denoted by (i i+1). When it is applied to i¾?, where i¾?= i¾? 1 ,i¾? 2 , i¾? 3 ,..., i¾? i ,i¾? i+ 1 , i¾? n , it transforms i¾?to i¾?i¾?, where i¾?i¾? = i¾? 1 ,i¾? 2 , i¾? 3 ,..., i¾? ii¾? 1 ,i¾? i+ 1 , i¾? i , i¾? i+ 1 , ..., i¾? n . We call this operation an adjacent swap. We study the problem of computing the minimum number of adjacent swaps needed to transform one string of size ninto another compatible string over an alphabet i¾?of size k, i.e.adjacent swap distance problem. O(nlog 2 n) time complexity algorithms are known for adjacent swap distance. We give an algorithm with O(nk) time for both signed and unsigned versions of this problem where kis the number of symbols. We also give an algorithm with O(nk) time for transforming signed strings with reversals of length up to 2, i.e.reversals of length 1 or 2.
IRON-CONTAINING PROTEINS IN EUGLENA. I. DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION.

Abstract Iron-containing proteins present in Euglena have been examined. The properties of pure samples of two of these—cytochrome c (552, Euglena) and cytochrome c-type (558, Euglena)-have been determined in some detail. These include spectrochemical characteristics, reactivity, stability, amino acid composition, isoelectric point, midpoint potential and nature of haem prosthetic group, in addition to molecular weight and haem content. A third haem protein, particle bound, and associated with the chloroplast fraction, is characterized as a cytochrome b6. Evidence for the existence of an a-type cytochrome and ferrodoxin is also presented.
On Bounding the Effective Conductivity of Anisotropic Composites

There has recently been a renewal of interest in bounding the effective moduli of composite materials. Several factors are responsible, including attention to applications in structural optimization [1,18,20,28]. The developments of the past several years include new ways of applying old variational principles such as those of Hashin and Shtrikman. They also include two entirely new methods for proving bounds: one based on compensated compactness, and the other on explicit representation formulas.
Effect of simultaneous administration of cold-adapted and wild-type influenza A viruses on experimental wild-type influenza infection in humans.

On the basis of the ability of the attenuated cold-adapted strain of influenza A virus to suppress disease production in ferrets simultaneously infected with epidemic influenza virus (P. Whitaker-Dowling, H.F. Maassab, and J.S. Youngner, J. Infect. Dis. 164:1200-1202, 1991), an evaluation of the ability of the cold-adapted virus to modify clinical disease in humans was made. Adult volunteers with prechallenge serum hemagglutination-inhibition titers to the influenza A/Kawasaki/86 (H1N1) virus of
Normal accident theory validated: interactive complexity and resource availability as predictors of reliability

This paper identifies resource availability as an important organizational factor associated with coupling, one of the two variables associated with system risk, according to Perrow's Normal Accident Theory. By investigating a sample (n=70) of petroleum refineries located in the United States during the five-year period, 1993-97, a statistically significant (p=.01) relationship between resource availability and reliability as indicated by the incidence of accidental hazardous substance releases (RQs) was identified. Tight coupling may not be just a requirement of a manufacturing process, but may result from managerial decisions based upon budgetary factors and stresses.
Pain Outcomes in Patients Undergoing CT-Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Intractable Abdominal Visceral Pain

The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes in patients who have undergone celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) as treatment for refractory abdominal visceral pain at a tertiary care medical center. This study involved retrospective analysis of all patients who had undergone computed tomography (CT)-guided CPN over a 7-year period, as identified in the medical record. Cases were categorized into 1 of 3 groups-group 1: patients getting at least moderate improvement in pain but with improvements subsiding within 2 days; group 2: patients with some sustained pain relief but still requiring heavy doses of narcotics; group 3: patients with major or complete sustained reduction in pain where the narcotic dose was able to be reduced. One hundred thirty-eight cases were identified, 51 of which had no or insufficient follow-up, leaving 87 cases for analysis. Of the 87 cases, 31 (36%) were categorized as group 1, 21 (24%) as group 2, and 35 (40%) as group 3. There were no statistical differences in outcomes based on patient age, gender, time since diagnosis, or type of cancer. Documented postoperative complications were diarrhea (11 cases) and 1 case each of obtundation, hypotension, and presyncopal event. We conclude that patients undergoing CT-guided CPN for abdominal visceral pain achieve moderate or major short-term pain relief in a majority of cases. The procedure is safe with minimal complications.
Nephritis and Hemolytic Anemia in Owl Monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus)

The two most common diseases of captive owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) are hemolytic anemia and glomerulonephritis. The anemia is characterized by total red blood cell counts between 0.45 and 3.44 × 106/μl, hemoglobin values as low as 1.0 g/dl, and many circulating nucleated red blood cells. Centrilobular necrosis in the liver, extramedullary hematopoiesis in liver and spleen, and hemoglobin casts in kidney tubules are prominent histologic features. Hemosiderin and lipofuscin often are found in liver, spleen, kidney and lymph nodes. Microthrombi and microinfarcts sometimes are scattered throughout the brain. Glomerular lesions in Aotus have been described previously and are characterized by increased numbers of mesangial cells and matrix, glomerulosclerosis and electron dense deposits in basement membranes. Lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils frequently are present in the interstitium. In the early stages the cellular infiltrate is periglomerular. The foci then grow to encompass adjacent glomeruli ...
Electronic structure investigation of atomic layer deposition ruthenium(oxide) thin films using photoemission spectroscopy

Analyzing and manipulating the electronic band line-up of interfaces in novel micro- and nanoelectronic devices is important to achieve further advancement in this field. Such band alignment modifications can be achieved by introducing thin conformal interfacial dipole layers. Atomic layer deposition (ALD), enabling angstrom-precise control over thin film thickness, is an ideal technique for this challenge. Ruthenium (Ru0) and its oxide (RuO2) have gained interest in the past decade as interfacial dipole layers because of their favorable properties like metal-equivalent work functions, conductivity, etc. In this study, initial results of the electronic structure investigation of ALD Ru0 and RuO2 films via photoemission spectroscopy are presented. These experiments give insight into the band alignment, growth behavior, surface structure termination, and dipole formation. The experiments were performed in an integrated vacuum system attached to a home-built, stop-flow type ALD reactor without exposing the s...
Quantitative infrared spectra of vapor phase chemical agents

Quantitative, high resolution (0.1 cm -1 ) infrared spectra have been acquired for a number of pressure broadened (101.3 KPa N 2 ), vapor phase chemicals including: Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), Tabun (GA), Cyclosarin (GF), VX, nitrogen mustard (HN3), sulfur mustard (HD) and Lewisite (L). The spectra are acquired using a heated, flow-through White cell of 5.6 m optical path length. Each reported spectrum represents a statistical fit to Beer's law, which allows for a rigorous calculation of uncertainty in the absorption coefficients. As part of an ongoing collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cross-laboratory validation is a critical aspect of this work. In order to identify possible errors in the Dugway flow-through system, quantitative spectra of isopropyl alcohol from both NIST and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are compared to similar data taken at the Dugway Proving Ground (DPG).
A Note on the Spectral Collocation Approximation of Some Differential Equations with Singular Source Terms

The solution of differential equations with singular source terms contains the local jump discontinuity in general and its spectral approximation is oscillatory due to the Gibbs phenomenon. To minimize the Gibbs oscillations near the local jump discontinuity and improve convergence, the regularization of the approximation is needed. In this note, a simple derivative of the discrete Heaviside function H c (x) on the collocation points is used for the approximation of singular source terms δ(x-c) or δ (n)(x-c) without any regularization. The direct projection of H c (x) yields highly oscillatory approximations of δ(x-c) and δ (n)(x-c). In this note, however, it is shown that the direct projection approach can yield a non-oscillatory approximation of the solution and the error can also decay uniformly for certain types of differential equations. For some differential equations, spectral accuracy is also recovered. This method is limited to certain types of equations but can be applied when the given equation has some nice properties. Numerical examples for elliptic and hyperbolic equations are provided.
Changes in intracellular sodium during the hydroosmotic response to vasopressin.

Changes in intracellular sodium during the hydroosmotic response to vasopressin. During vasopressin (VP)-induced water movement, toad urinary bladder epithelial cells undergo unique morphological changes. The osmolality within these responding cells remains relatively stable despite the large transcellular transport of water. We hypothesized that the hydroosmotic response to VP may be associated with a net increase in sodium either as an aid in maintaining the intracellular osmolality or as part of a Na-Ca exchange process. Changes in intracellular sodium (Na i ) were monitored over time in individual hemibladders using 23 Na NMR. Hemibladders were mounted as bags on glass pipets and filled with deionized water. During NMR studies, the serosal bath consisted of aerated 2.4 mM HCO 3 amphibian Ringer's (pH 8.1) made up with 15% D 2 O containing the shift reagent, dysprosium tripolyphosphate (1 mM). This reagent allowed for visualization of Na i by shifting the extracellular Na signal; it did not affect basal or VP stimulated water flow, short-circuit current, or high energy phosphate metabolism as seen by 31 P NMR. Changes in Na i were determined by integrating the area under the unshifted Na peak at each measurement and expressing differences as a ratio relative to baseline. The initial Naj signal from unstimulated hemibladders remained stable in these tissues over at least 180 minutes. Within 30 minutes of VP (20 mU/ml) exposure, however, the Nai Prak increased 2.47 times above pretreatment baseline (N = 16, P
Unchecked thrombin is bad news for troubled arteries

Thrombin is clearly a key trigger of thrombosis, the proximal cause of most morbidity and mortality in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Might thrombin also contribute to longer-term, structural changes in the arterial wall that promote narrowing and clotting? A study in this issue of the JCI argues that it can. Aihara et al. report that haploinsufficiency of heparin cofactor II, a glycosaminoglycan-dependent thrombin inhibitor, exacerbates injury- or hyperlipidemia-induced arterial lesion formation in mice, possibly by excessive thrombin signaling through protease-activated receptors (see the related article beginning on page 1514).
Ammonia variation in sediments : spatial, temporal and method-related effects

In aquatic systems, ammonia is a common nutrient and pollutant that originates from both natural and anthropo-genic sources. The effects of sediment and pore-water collection methods, and sediment spatial and temporal variability on ammonia concentrations, were evaluated. Sediment and pore-water collection methods included grab sampling with an Ekman dredge and hand corer followed by centrifugation, in situ suction, and in situ peeper methods. Samples were collected from three sites over a period of several months, with site replicates spaced from 30 to 60 cm and from 6 to 9 m apart. Pore-water ammonia concentrations differed significantly between the collection methods on most occasions. Ammonia concentrations were highest in the Ekman and corer pore-water samples as compared to the in situ pore waters collected from the peepers and by suction. Spatial heterogeneity in sediment ammonia concentrations was significant and generally increased with distance. Seasonal fluctuations in ammonia concentrations were evident, with high values in warmer months. Storage effects were observed with pore-water ammonia over a 1- to 4-week period. Results show that collection methods and natural variability contribute significantly to measured ammonia concentrations and are important considerations in aquatic ecosystem assessments.
NEUTRINO OBSERVATIONS OF THE 1987 SUPERNOVA:. A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Away

A summary and comparison of neutrino observations of the 1987 supernova is presented. Attention is paid to comparing and contrasting the different observations and capabilities of the different detectors. Details of the timing, energy and angular distributions are discussed. Considerations for future detections are mentioned.
Spatial and tactile discrimination learning in infant rats motivated by homing

Rats 6, 10, and 15 days of age were tested on acquisition and reversal of position and tactile discrimination tasks in a 2-choice situation using access to the home cage as reinforcement. In the early trials the 6-day group often failed to respond due to locomotor immaturity. But, despite the missed opportunities, they mastered the position habit in about the same number of choice trials as the 10-day group. However, the 15-day group was superior to the 2 younger groups. In tactile discrimination these subgroups differed significantly in learning to select the rough or smooth surfaces both in acquisition and reversal. On both the spatial and the tactile discrimination tasks the animals older than 2 weeks showed improvement in learning ability.
Virtualization's next frontier: security

Server virtualization improves sharing and utilization, reduces server sprawl, saves power, cuts maintenance costs, and reduces the quantity of hardware to acquire. While these benefits have traditionally been considered valuable and compelling reasons for server virtualization, there is a paradigm shift in the foundation in which higher education institutions are interested in virtualization technology. Server virtualization can improve overall system security and reliability by isolating multiple software stacks in their own virtual environments. Security is improved because intrusions can be confined to the virtual environment in which they occur, while reliability can be enhanced because software failures in one virtual environment do not affect the other virtual environments. In addition, server virtualization simplifies an array of security related tasks from disaster recovery, forensic analysis, to intrusion detection and prevention. At Ringling College of Art and Design we are approaching security by virtualization and achieved noticeable results. In this report we plan to discuss our approach, framework, implementation details, lessons learned, and next steps.
Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Recovery of Bush Beans from Flooding

ABSTRACT Nitrogen loss can be a serious problem to vegetable growers in flood-prone areas. In south Florida, waterlogged soil can cause plant N stress through nitrate leaching, denitrification, and reduced N uptake and assimilation. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project will increase water flow into Everglades National Park, resulting in frequent flooding on adjacent agricultural lands. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine effects of nitrogen application method on recovery from flood damage in bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). There were three fertilizer treatments: 1) normal: ½ N applied preplant, ½ applied at flowering; 2) liquid: daily liquid applications with irrigation water; and 3) foliar: normal fertility treatment plus two foliar spray treatments applied after flooding. Plants were flooded to 1 cm above the soil surface for 2 or 4 days, drained, and allowed to continue to grow under normal greenhouse conditions. At harvest, plants receiving the liquid treatment had a greater ...
Molecular Basis for Asymmetrical Growth in Two-Dimensional Streptavidin Crystals

The two-dimensional crystallization of the protein streptavidin under biotinylated lipids has provided a convenient model system for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying protein crystallization. At neutral pH, streptavidin forms crystals with C222 symmetry and an X-shaped morphology that arises from asymmetric growth rates along perpendicular axes. The presence or absence of biotin association in the subunits has been connected to the growth asymmetry, but the molecular mechanism coupling biotin binding and growth kinetics has remained uncertain. Here we show evidence that a cooperative interaction between the Asn 23 hydrogen bond to biotin and a protein-protein hydrogen-bonding interaction at Tyr 22-Thr 20 across the crystal contact interface is acting as the structural/energetic connection between biotin binding and the asymmetric crystal growth kinetics. Brewster's angle microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies of a Thr20Ala site-directed mutant revealed that it crystallizes as symmetric squares, while maintaining the molecular C222 arrangement of wild-type protein crystals. These results suggest that the T20-Y22 hydrogen-bond interaction across the protein-protein contact interface is the crystallization contact that is altered by biotin binding to give growth asymmetry in wild-type crystals.
Does removal of the Harderian gland affect the physiology of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The Harderian gland is a trilobular gland located in the orbit of the eye in most vertebrates. Harderian gland products, lipids and porphyrins, released and spread throughout the pelage during bouts of grooming have been shown to have thermoregulatory consequences for the gerbil by insulating the body from cold and wetness (Thiessen & Kittrell, 1980). The question arises as to whether or not the Harderian gland also affects physiological processes of relevance to behavior. In these studies, the effects of Harderian gland removal in the gerbil are assessed on a variety of physiological measures. In Experiment 1, blood testosterone levels in intact, sham-operated, and Harderianectomized male gerbils were measured. No significant differences were found between these three groups. In Experiment 2, food and water intake, body weight, furlipid levels, and a variety of organ weights were measured in sham-operated and Harderianectomized male gerbils. Separate groups lived for 10 days under three different temperature conditions, 5°, 23°, and 34°C. Again, no significant group differences were found for any of these measures. Experiment 3 measured O2-consumption, evaporative water loss, and body temperature in Harderianectomized and sham-operated male gerbils during 1-h exposures to 26°, 28°, 30°, 32°, and 34°C. No significant group differences were found in these three measures either. Thus, it appears that the major effects on thermoregulation are due to the peripheral insulating effects of Harderian material, and do not involve general physiological processes.
Polyaza Cavity-shaped Molecules. VIII. Ruthenium(II) complexes with 3,3′-annelated derivatives of 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline and 2-(2′-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine

Abstract Mixed ligand complexes of the type Ru(bpy) 2 L 2+ have been prepared where L is a 3,3′-polymethylene bridged derivative of 2-(2′-pyridyl)-quinoline or 2- (2′-pyridyl)-l,8-naphthyridine. In the electronic absorption spectra for these species the long wavelength band associated with the MLCT stare shows two components whose separation increases with increasing delocalizing ability of the ligand L. This same interpretation may be invoked to explain a shift of the first reduction wave to more positive potential. Both of these features do not vary appreciably as a function of the polymethylene bridge length.
LATTICE VIBRATIONS OF THE ICOSAHEDRAL SOLID BORON ARSENIDE, B12AS2

Abstract B12As2 is one of a group of boride crystals of R 3 m (space group 166) symmetry. We use a classical valence-force-field (VFF) analysis to account for observed Raman and IR spectra; we fit 20 calculated to 19 observed frequencies with an rms error of 25 cm−1. VFF calculated modes for B12As2 are correlated with α-boron modes through eigenvector expansions. This permits identification of modes that remain primarily B12 cluster modes and helps clarify the effects of crystal forces and of arsenic atom interactions and movements. We attempt to account for IR intensities using displacements of atoms. The agreement between predicted and observed intensities is qualitatively good. Dispersion curves are plotted from Brillouin zone center to edge along two distinct symmetry axes. Acoustic branch speeds are determined to be in the range 0.6–0.9×106 cm s−1 for LA and close to 0.4×106 cm s−1 for TA modes.
Notes on a (sex crime) scandal: The impact of media coverage of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church on public opinion

Abstract Purpose Public opinion scholarship has identified the media as a driving force behind decidedly negative public sentiment about crime and justice. We draw on this media cultivation framework to examine whether the highly publicized sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church impacted public opinion. Methods Using data from a 2010 CBS/ New York Times national poll we investigate how exposure to news coverage detailing the abuse affected levels of public confidence in the Church’s ability to protect children. Results Contrasting with prior research, we uncovered a positive impact of media exposure. Catholics with greater media consumption about the scandal were significantly more confident in the Church’s ability to prevent sexual abuse. In addition, indicating a “boomerang” effect of coverage, Catholics who felt the media coverage unfairly targeted the Church held more optimistic views. Supporting the substitution thesis, religiosity mediated these effects among this group. This positive impact was not just limited to Catholics, however. Non-Catholics who perceived the media coverage to be biased felt more positively about the Church’s ability to address sex crime in the future. Conclusion Media consumption of the sexual abuse scandal does not exert a negative influence on public confidence in the Church.
Congenital metatarsus varus in four generations

Congenital metatarsus varus is a malformation of the anterior foot which results in inward angulation. Three clinical types of the anomaly have previously been described; this report concerns type one, the most common, which shows adduction of the anterior foot, increased elevation of the longitudinal arch, concavity of the medical border and convexity of the lateral border, and neutral position of the heel. We report a family in which this type occurred in nine members of four generations; five aflected persons had other minor abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system. Earlier studies have shown metatarsus varus to be one of the polygenically determined forms of the club foot anomaly. In this family the defect appears to be due to a single gene, autosomal dominant, with full penetrance, but with variable expressivity.
Calcium-regulating hormones across the menstrual cycle: evidence of a secondary hyperparathyroidism in women with PMS

Calcium metabolism across one menstrual cycle was studied in 12 healthy, premenopausal women. Seven women had documented premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and five were asymptomatic controls. Fasting blood samples were drawn at six points throughout the ovulatory cycle. In both the asymptomatic and the PMS groups, total and ionized calcium declined significantly at midcycle with the increase of estradiol. In the PMS group only, peak midcycle intact PTH was significantly elevated by approximately 30% compared with early follicular levels (49 +/- 25 vs. 37 +/- 22 ng/L, t = 3.79, P = 0.009). In the asymptomatic group, iPTH did not vary during the menstrual cycle. Midcycle iPTH was significantly higher in the PMS group compared with that of the control group (49 +/- 25 vs. 26 +/- 7 ng/L, Wilcoxon Z = 2.28, P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed that total and ionized calcium both varied significantly across the menstrual cycle. Significant differences between groups were found for total calcium, 25OHD, and 1,25-(OH)2D. One woman with PMS was treated with oral elemental calcium and cholecalciferol daily for 3 months, with amelioration of her symptoms. Midcycle iPTH and 1,25-(OH)2D declined after repletion of 25OHD. In conclusion, we found that concentrations of total and ionized calcium significantly fluctuate during the menstrual cycle both in symptomatic and in asymptomatic women. We also found that concentrations of iPTH, 25OHD, and 1,25-(OH)2D differed between groups during specific phases of the menstrual cycle. Our data suggest that women with PMS have midcycle elevations of iPTH with a transient, secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Genotype differences in cognitive functioning in Noonan syndrome

Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with highly variable features, including heart disease, short stature, minor facial anomalies and learning disabilities. Recent gene discoveries have laid the groundwork for exploring whether variability in the NS phenotype is related to differences at the genetic level. Here we examine the influence of both genotype and non-genotypic factors on cognitive functioning. Data are presented from 65 individuals with Noonan syndrome (ages 4 to 18) who were evaluated using standardized measures of intellectual functioning. The cohort included 33 individuals with PTPN11 mutations, 6 individuals with SOS1 mutations, 1 individual with a BRAF mutation, and 25 participants with negative, incomplete or no genetic testing. Results indicate that genotype differences may account for some of the variation in cognitive ability in NS. Whereas cognitive impairments were common among individuals with PTPN11 mutations and those with unknown mutations, all of the individuals with SOS1 mutations exhibited verbal and nonverbal cognitive skills in the average range or higher. Participants with N308D and N308S mutations in PTPN11 also demonstrated no (or mild) cognitive delays. Additional influences such as hearing loss, motor dexterity and parental education levels accounted for significant variability in cognitive outcomes. Severity of cardiac disease was not related to cognitive functioning. Our results suggest that some NS-causing mutations have a more marked impact on cognitive skills than others.
CARBORANE COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM : SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF DI-AND TRIRUTHENIUM CARBONYL SPECIES

The compounds [Ru3(CO)12] and nido-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H11 react in CH2Cl2 to yield a mixture of [Ru(CO)3(η5-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H9)] (1b) and [Ru3(CO)8(η5-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H9)] (2) in a ratio of ca. 1:2. The tri- and dinuclear ruthenium complexes [Ru3(μ-H)(μ-σ:η5-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H8)(CO)7(PR3)] (PR3 = PPh3 (3), PCy3 (6)), [Ru3(μ-H)(μ-σ:η5-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H8)(CO)6(PR3)2] (PR3 = PPh3 (4), PMe2Ph (5)), [Ru2(CO)4(PMe3)2(η5-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H9)] (7), and [Ru3(μ-dppm)(CO)6(η5-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H9)] (8) have been prepared by treating 2 with tertiary phosphines. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study on 5 revealed the structure as one in which a triangular array of ruthenium atoms is bridged by a nido-7,8-Me2-7,8-C2B9H8 group. The latter is pentahapto coordinated to one Ru atom, which carries two CO ligands, and is linked to the other metal atoms by a Ru−B and a B−H⇀Ru bond, respectively. These two ruthenium atoms are each coordinated by two CO groups and one PMe2Ph group. Treatment of 2 with Me2NCH2NMe2 in CH2Cl2 affords ...
Kinematic and dynamic parameters of a liquid-solid pipe flow using DPIV/accelerometry

An experimental investigation of a two-phase pipe flow was undertaken to study kinematic and dynamic parameters of the fluid and solid phases. To accomplish this, a two-color digital particle image velocimetry and accelerometry (DPIV/DPIA) methodology was used to measure velocity and acceleration fields of the fluid phase and solid phase simultaneously. The simultaneous, two-color DPIV/DPIA measurements provided information on the changing characteristics of two-phase flow kinematic and dynamic quantities. Analysis of kinematic terms indicated that turbulence was suppressed due to the presence of the solid phase. Dynamic considerations focused on the second and third central moments of temporal acceleration for both phases. For the condition studied, the distribution across the tube of the second central moment of acceleration indicated a higher value for the solid phase than the fluid phase; both phases had increased values near the wall. The third central moment statistic of acceleration showed a variation between the two phases with the fluid phase having an oscillatory-type profile across the tube and the solid phase having a fairly flat profile. The differences in second and third central moment profiles between the two phases are attributed to the inertia of each particle type and its response to turbulence structures. Analysis of acceleration statistics provides another approach to characterize flow fields and gives some insight into the flow structures, even for steady flows.
Evaluating the Link Between Perceived Income Adequacy and Financial Satisfaction: A Resource Deficit Hypothesis Approach

Data from an economically and racially diverse sample (N = 258) was used to determine (a) if an association between objectively measured income and perceived income adequacy exists, (b) how well individuals assess the adequacy of their income, and (c) if a bias exists, can these estimates be used to describe a person’s overall level of financial satisfaction? Duesenberry’s (Income, saving, and the theory of consumer behavior. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1949) relative income hypothesis and Kyrk’s (The family in the American economy. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1953) resource deficit hypothesis were adopted for use as the conceptual framework for this study. A positive but modest association between objective and perceived income adequacy was noted. It was also found that individuals do not do a particularly good job of accurately assessing their income adequacy. Finally, perceived income adequacy estimation bias was found to be associated with financial satisfaction. Those who perceived their income to be deficient were less satisfied financially. Policy and practitioner implications from the study are discussed as a means for improving financial satisfaction at the individual and household level.
Addiction Liability of Albino Rats: Breeding for Quantitative Differences in Morphine Drinking

Selective breeding produced two strains of rats that differ in their susceptibility to morphine addiction. Inbreeding the more susceptible rats in an unselected population produced susceptible offspring; inbreeding resistant rats produced resistant offspring. Further selection and inbreeding increased the strain difference in the F(2) and F(3) generations. The F(3) generation also differed in their susceptibility to alcohol addiction.
A note on the relativistic Boltzmann equation and some applications

Abstract Starting from the Boltzmann equation in the proper frame, the relativistic version of the Boltzmann equation in the absence of collisions is derived. As an application, a simple example of a velocity modulated drifting relativistic electron beam in the presence of a velocity distribution is treated.
Inhibitor screen for limited-transpiration trait among maize hybrids

A plant trait to minimize the impact of drought on crop yield is limited-transpiration rate (TR) under high ambient vapor pressure deficit (VPD) so that soil water is conserved to sustain grain fill. Variation among maize (Zea mays L) hybrids has been identified for the existence of the limited-TR trait at high atmospheric VPD, and the VPD at which TR becomes limited. Further, it has been shown that the TR limitation at high VPD is related to plant hydraulic conductance, which may be due to differences in aquaporin expression. This paper reports studies to relate the TR response of 21 maize hybrids to treatment of leaves and intact plants with cycloheximide (CHX) and four aquaporin inhibitors: silver (AgNO3), gold (HAuCl4), zinc (ZnCl2), and mercury (HgCl2). There was no discrimination among hybrids based on treatment with Hg or CHX. Segregation between hybrids for response to increasing VPD corresponded with differences in leaf response to Ag and Au treatment and intact plant response to Zn. The highest correlation (r = 0.90) between VPD breakpoint and TR response to inhibitor was with Ag treatment of leaves. These results indicate that Ag may be an effective initial screen for expression of the limited-TR trait under high VPD. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Comparison of fatigue failure criterion in flexural fatigue test

Abstract This study compares traditional stiffness and energy based fatigue failure criteria with the fatigue failure criterion based on the viscoelastic continuum damage (VECD) approach. In traditional approach, fatigue failure is defined as the number of cycles at which the stiffness of a material reduces by 50% (Nf50). In energy based approach, fatigue failure is defined by the number of cycles at the maximum energy ratio or Rowe’s maximum stiffness defined by stiffness multiplied by the corresponding number of the cycle (E * N). In VECD approach, fatigue failure is defined by the number of loading cycles at the inflection point of the normalized pseudostiffness (C) versus damage variable (S) curve. It is shown that a correlation exits between traditional criteria and VECD criteria. It is shown that maximum energy ratio or Rowe’s maximum stiffness based fatigue life is higher than the traditional fatigue life (Nf50). This indicates the traditional approach is conservative. A strong correlation of fatigue was observed between the VECD fatigue criterion and energy ratio based fatigue criteria. However, the fatigue life by VECD approach is always less than the fatigue life by energy ratio or Rowe’s maximum stiffness.
Continuous monitoring of micturition pattern in nonhuman primates: Technique

A complete system for continuous monitoring of micturition pattern in nonhuman primates is described and was tested using female rhesus monkeys. The system consists of modified standard animal cages, load cell transducers continuously activated and linked to a Grass polygraph. Potential problems or sources of error are described and overcome. The limitations are described; however, the system is proven to be reliable, durable, and accurate. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optical Absorption of Poly(thienylene vinylene)-Conjugated Polymers: Experiment and First Principle Theory†

Optical absorption spectra of poly(thienylene vinylene) (PTV)-conjugated polymers have been studied at room temperature in the spectral range of 450−800 nm. A dominant peak located at 577 nm and a prominent shoulder at 619 nm are observed. Another shoulder located at 685 nm is observed at high concentration and after additional treatment (heat, sonification) only. Equilibrium atomic geometries and optical absorption of PTV conjugated polymers have also been studied by first principles density functional theory. For PTV in solvent, the theoretical calculations predict two equilibrium geometries with different interchain distances. By comparative analysis of the experimental and theoretical data, it is demonstrated that the new measured long-wavelength optical absorption shoulder is consistent with new optical absorption peak predicted for most energetically favorable PTV phase in the solvent. This shoulder is interpreted as a direct indication of increased interchain interaction in the solvent which has ca...
EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL SEQUELAE OF INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE |[lpar]|IVH|[rpar]| IN PRETERM INFANTS

The effect of IVH on a preterm infant's development is unclear. The purpose of this study was to document developmental outcome of infants with IVH. From a cohort of 154 infants with BW<1750 g, we analyzed 62 survivors who had both ultrasound (US) and 12 mos. developmental (dev) data and 24 children with US data who expired. 59 children missing either US or dev. data were omitted. US were graded from 0-4. Bayley scales were used to assess development. Overall, there were major mental delays (MDI<69) in 5%, minor delays (MDI<85) in 11% and normal devel. in 84%. There were major motor delays (PDI < 69) in 16%, minor delays (PDI < 85) in 19% and normal devel. in 65%. Infants were grouped according to their worst grade of IVH. 100% of those with major mental delays had greater than Gr 2 IVH. Of the children with minor mental delays, 29% had Gr I, 57% had Gr 3, & 14% had Gr 4. Of those with major motor delays 40% had Gr 0, 10% Gr 2, 40% Gr 3 & 10% Gr 4. Of those with minor motor delays, 25% were Gr 0, 17% Gr 1, 8% Gr 2, 25% Gr 3 & 25% Gr 4. The table demonstrates the mean developmental scores for each IVH grade.
Minimizing Uncertainty in Vapour Cloud Explosion Modelling

There have been significant advances in consequence modelling of releases of hazardous materials in the last decade, but the use of simple models for predicting overpressures from vapour cloud explosions (VCEs) continues to elude safety practitioners. The TNO multi-energy model has generally been regarded as the best model available to date, for a rapid assessment of explosion overpressures and positive phase durations. This model requires two major assumptions to be made—the level of congestion in the plant that provides obstacles for flame front acceleration, and the explosion efficiency. The former enables the selection of an appropriate charge strength from the family of parametric curves in the model. While there has been some guidance available for making relevant assumptions, there is still a high level of uncertainty in the model results, and the drag load obtained cannot be confidently applied as the basis for structural design. Flame acceleration models based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have been developed for gas explosion modelling in offshore oil and gas facilities. Sensitivity analysis is conducted on these models, using various cloud sizes and ignition point locations, and the results are processed into an exceedence curve based on event frequencies, in order to obtain the best estimate of peak overpressures and drag loads for design purposes. In this paper, the TNO multi-energy model has been applied to two different configurations of topsides of offshore installations. In these applications the assumptions regarding explosion efficiency and charge strength selections have been calibrated against the results obtained through the CFD modelling, by obtaining a match of the explosion over-pressures. The paper comments on the findings from this exercise in order to give guidance on the application of the TNO multi-energy method and on the selection of model parameters with relation to the equipment lay-out and level of equipment congestion.
Paying at the pump.

Long before my daughter was born, I acquired a top-of-the-line breast pump. My maternity leave was over when Jolie was 11 weeks old, and it was time to bring my pumping to work. I had to plunge rig...
Boundary layer humidity reconstruction for a semiarid location from tree ring cellulose δ18O

[1] July–September boundary layer humidity has been reconstructed from the δ18O of cellulose in tree rings of Pinus arizonica growing at an elevation of 2300 m in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. The annual occurrence of morphological features in the tree rings, often called false rings, allowed accurate subdivision of the tree rings into premonsoon and monsoon growth. Highly significant correlations were found among the stable oxygen isotope time series of the wood produced during the North American Monsoon and 1953–2000 July–September average specific humidity (P < 0.0001) and relative humidity (P < 0.0001) derived from radiosonde data. The correlation coefficients were significant against data from both the Tucson surface (788 m; approximately 922 hPa) and 850 hPa pressure levels, suggesting that the δ18O time series can be interpreted as a proxy for mean seasonal boundary layer humidity. Twentieth century July–September reconstructions of specific humidity and relative humidity are presented. There are no long-term trends in the twentieth century reconstructions of boundary layer humidity at this site.
Protection of mice against the Lyme disease agent by immunizing with recombinant OspA

Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The gene for outer surface protein A (OspA) from B. burgdorferi strain N40 was cloned into an expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. C3H/HeJ mice actively immunized with live transformed E. coli or purified recombinant OspA protein produced antibodies to OspA and were protected from challenge with several strains of B. burgdorferi. Recombinant OspA is a candidate for a vaccine for Lyme borreliosis.
Why H does not measure information: the role of the “special case” legerdemain solution in the maintenance of anomalies in normal science

Anomalies or contradictions threaten a paradigm, and if they cannot be ignored, they must be either shown to be false, or must be resolved. Two common anomalies in the systems literature are examined: the contention that H measures information; and the contention that heat increase leads to entropy increase. It is shown that when faced with such anomalies, paradigm adherents often resort to legerdemain solutions, which appear to resolve the anomaly, either verbally or mathematically. Legerdemain solutions generally utilize special cases such as maximum or minimum values or equilibrium conditions, and will not hold for the general case. Thus they do not resolve the anomaly, but only appear to (hence the name “legerdemain”). It is shown further that legerdemain solutions are often responses to anomalies which are not major contradictions, but are rather the result of confusion in second-order or meta-paradigms. The satisfactory solution lies not in an appeal to a legerdemain solution, but in adherence to the consistent general principles of the primary paradigm, even if this necessitates some revision of terminology or principles in the secondary paradigm.