cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient response analysis of an electronic nose using multi-exponential models

Abstract The purpose of this study is to model the transient response of conductivity-based gas sensors in the context of odor recognition with an electronic nose. Commonly, only the steady-state response of the sensor is used for pattern recognition, ignoring the transient response, which conveys useful discriminatory information. The transient response is modeled as a sum of real exponential functions that represent the different decay processes that occur during sampling of the gas into the sensor chamber and adsorption of the odor compounds onto the sensing element. Four multi-exponential models are reviewed: Gardner transform, multi-exponential transient spectroscopy, Pade-Laplace and Pade-Z transforms. Validation on experimental data from an array of conducting-polymer gas sensors shows that the Pade-Laplace and Pade-Z models have better resolution capabilities than the two spectral transforms.
Complement activation from protamine sulfate administration after coronary angiography

The cause of hypotension after reversal of heparin by protamine has not been well defined. In this study we evaluated complement activation (C3a and C4a) by the heparin-protamine complex in 46 consecutive patients (40 received protamine sulfate to reverse heparin, and six did not) during and after coronary angiography. In patients receiving protamine sulfate, there was a significant increase in C3a over the value before protamine sulfate administration (P less than .001) or in patients who did not receive protamine sulfate (P less than .05): 807 +/- 100 ng/ml vs. 274 +/- 75 ng/ml. There were no significant changes in C4a after protamine sulfate administration. These results indicate that the alternate complement pathway is activated when protamine sulfate is administered after coronary angiography. This may induce hypotension as well as platelet aggregation and thrombus formation and may contribute to coronary instability. Therefore, in unstable patients, heparin reversal by protamine should not be done routinely.
Far infrared studies of hydrogen bonding in carboxylic acids—I formic and acetic acids

Abstract The three infrared active hydrogen bond vibrations of the cyclic dimer of formic acid have been reassigned, with the modes of vibration verified by normal coordinate analysis of the deuterated species. For acetic acid, two of the three predicted vibrations have been observed and assigned and the third vibration established by normal coordinate analysis. Another observed frequency was shown to be a combination band in Fermi resonance with a hydrogen bond fundamental. Assignments have been made for the observed frequencies of the solid polymeric forms of formic and acetic acids. Two separate polymorphic forms have been isolated for formic acid crystals and two polymorphic forms have been detected but not isolated for acetic acid. Liquid formic acid has been shown to consist of hydrogen bonded polymers and liquid acetic acid, mainly of hydrogen bonded cyclic dimers.
Thermochemistry of the Extraction of Bismuth(III) with Bis(2‐ethylhexyl) Phosphoric and 2‐Ethyhexyl‐phenylphosphonic Acids

Abstract The extraction of bismuth(III) from perchloric acid medium by bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphoric (HDEHP) and 2‐ethylhexyl‐phenylphosphonic (HEH[Ph]P) acids dissolved in o‐xylene was studied in the temperature range 25–60°C. The extractions were investigated as a function of the aqueous perchloric acid concentration and organic phase extractant concentration. The slopes of the average extractant dependencies and acid dependencies were 2.8 and −2.9, respectively, for both extraction systems, and the extraction stoichiometries did not change with temperature. Enthalpy, entropy and free energy changes of the extraction process were derived from the measured extraction coefficients across this temperature range. The enthalpy change for the extraction with HDEHP was also studied directly by calorimetric measurement at 25°C. The extractability of bismuth by both extractants is enthalpy controlled. The enthalpy change for extraction from 1 M (Na/H)ClO4 calculated from calorimetric data at low metal loading, −1...
Ketone excited state lifetimes measured by deep UV ultrafast photoionization spectroscopy

Abstract Ultrafast photoionization spectroscopy has been used to measure excited state lifetimes for several ketones excited near 193 nm. The decay times for aliphatic ketones are between 2 and 9 ps, which are consistent with 3s Rydberg state predissociation and are similar to previously reported results for acetone. The lifetimes of cyclic ketones are somewhat longer than for acyclic ones, which is attributed to predissociation promoted by internal rotation for the latter. The aromatic ketone acetophenone dissociates more quickly, probably because of rapid intersystem crossing and/or interaction with a valence state that lies in this spectral region as a result of delocalization.
Stokes Layers in Horizontal-Wave Outer Flows

Results are reported of a computational study investigating the responses of flat plate boundary layers and wakes to horizontal wave outer flows. Solutions are obtained for temporal, spatial, and traveling waves using Navier Stokes, boundary layer, and perturbation expansion equations. A wide range of parameters are considered for all the three waves. The results are presented in terms of Stokes-layer overshoots, phase leads (lags), and streaming. The response to the temporal wave showed all the previously reported features. The magnitude and nature of the response are small and simple such that it is essentially a small disturbance on the steady solution. Results are explainable in terms of one parameter {zeta} (the frequency of oscillation). For the spatial wave, the magnitude and the nature of the response are significantly increased and complex such that it cannot be considered simply a small disturbance on the without-wave solution. The results are explainable in terms of the two parameters {lambda}{sup {minus}1} and x/{lambda} (where {lambda} is the wavelength). A clear asymmetry is observed in the wake response for the spatial wave. An examination of components of the perturbation expansion equations indicates that the asymmetry is a first-order effect due to nonlinear interaction between themore » steady and first-harmonic velocity components. For the traveling wave, the responses are more complex and an additional parameter, c (the wave speed), is required to explain the results. In general, for small wave speeds the results are similar to a spatial wave, whereas for higher wave speeds the response approaches the temporal wave response. The boundary layer and perturbation expansion solutions compares well with the Navier Stokes solution in their range of validity.« less
Radioimmunoassay for substance P.

IN 1931, Von Euler and Gaddum demonstrated the presence of a substance in extracts of brain and of intestine that causes contraction of isolated intestinal muscle in vitro and vasodilatation and hypotension in vivo1. These effects occur in the presence of atropine and hence are independent of acetylcholine. The active principle became known as substance P (P for preparation). Chang and Leeman recently isolated an un-decapeptide from bovine hypothalami and showed that it was substance P by multiple criteria2. The amino-acid sequence was determined3 and the peptide was synthesized by the solid-phase procedure4. The synthetic product was found to possess equipotent activity in multiple bioassays when compared to natural bovine substance P4. We now describe the development and application of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for substance P.
Boreal tree pollen sensed by polarization lidar: Depolarizing biogenic chaff

[1] Polarization (0.694 μm) lidar measurements show that tree pollen can generate strong laser depolarization in the backscatter from the lower atmosphere. Examples are given illustrating that linear depolarization ratios up to 0.3 are measured in plumes of paper birch pollen at the onset of boreal forest green-out. These pollen are ∼25 μm in diameter and near-spherical in shape, but with lobes protruding from a surface membrane, which appears to produce the depolarization. Similar lidar findings are frequently observed during the summer at Fairbanks, Alaska, indicating that various types of seasonal pollen releases may be identified by polarization lidar. This scattering behavior is likely a general attribute of pollen and other suspended biogenic debris, which has implications for benefiting human health. This source of laser depolarization should not be confused with the presence of airborne dust or certain pollution particles, but is a natural background aerosol component caused by plant reproduction, as should be recognized in current global polarization lidar aerosol research using the CALIPSO satellite.
3-D integrated heterogeneous intra-chip free-space optical interconnect

This paper presents the first chip-scale demonstration of an intra-chip free-space optical interconnect (FSOI) we recently proposed. This interconnect system provides point-to-point free-space optical links between any two communication nodes, and hence constructs an all-to-all intra-chip communication fabric, which can be extended for inter-chip communications as well. Unlike electrical and other waveguide-based optical interconnects, FSOI exhibits low latency, high energy efficiency, and large bandwidth density, and hence can significantly improve the performance of future many-core chips. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the proposed FSOI interconnect, and compare it to a waveguide-based optical interconnect with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). It shows that the FSOI system can achieve significantly lower loss and higher energy efficiency than the WDM system, even with optimistic assumptions for the latter. A 1×1-cm2 chip prototype is fabricated on a germanium substrate with integrated photodetectors. Commercial 850-nm GaAs vertical-cavity-surface-emitting-lasers (VCSELs) and fabricated fused silica microlenses are 3-D integrated on top of the substrate. At 1.4-cm distance, the measured optical transmission loss is 5 dB, the crosstalk is less than −20 dB, and the electrical-to-electrical bandwidth is 3.3 GHz. The latter is mainly limited by the 5-GHz VCSEL.
Tests of bivariate symmetry with a one-sided alternative in the analysis of variance

We consider a two-factor experiment in which the factors have the same number of levels with a natural ordering among levels. We test the hypothesis that the effects of the two treatments are symmetric against a one-sided alternative using the likelihood ratio criteria. Test of the one-sided alternative as a null hypothesis against no restriction has also been studied. Exact distribution theory under the null hypothesis is derived and is shown to be a weighted mixture of chi-square distributions. An example is used to illustrate the procedure.
American Dental Association Specification No. 12 for Denture Base Resin: Second Revision

For the past 15 years the polyesters of acrylic acid, substituted acrylic acids and copolymers of these resins with the vinyl esters have predominated in plastics used for denture bases. The most widely used of these resins is polymethyl methacrylate of both the heat-curing and the self­ curing types. Because the important new self-curing resins have been introduced, the current American Dental Association Specification No. 12 for Denture Resin1 has been changed to include this type of resin.
Proximal tubule-dominant transfer of AT1a receptors induces blood pressure responses to intracellular angiotensin II in AT1a receptor-deficient mice

The role of intracellular ANG II in proximal tubules of the kidney remains poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that proximal tubule-dominant transfer of AT(1a) receptors in the cortex mediates intracellular ANG II-induced blood pressure responses in AT(1a) receptor-deficient (Agtr1a-/-) mice. A GFP-tagged AT(1a) receptor, AT(1a)R/GFP, and an enhanced cyan fluorescent intracellular ANG II fusion protein, ECFP/ANG II, were expressed in proximal tubules of Agtr1a-/- mouse kidneys via the adenoviral transfer using a sodium and glucose cotransporter 2 promoter. Transfer of AT(1a)R/GFP alone or with ECFP/ANG II induced proximal tubule-dominant expression of AT(1a)R/GFP and/or ECFP/ANG II with a peak response at 2 wk. No significant AT(1a)R/GFP and/or ECFP/ANG II expression was observed in the glomeruli, medulla, or extrarenal tissues. Transfer of AT(1a)R/GFP alone, but not ECFP/ANG II, increased systolic blood pressure by 12 ± 2 mmHg by day 14 (n = 9, P < 0.01). However, cotransfer of AT(1a)R/GFP with ECFP/ANG II increased blood pressure by 18 ± 2 mmHg (n = 12, P < 0.01). Twenty-four hour urinary sodium excretion was decreased by day 7 with proximal tubule-dominant transfer of AT(1a)R/GFP alone (P < 0.01) or with AT(1a)R/GFP and ECFP/ANG II cotransfer (P < 0.01). These responses were associated with twofold increases in phosphorylated ERK1/2, lysate, and membrane NHE-3 proteins in freshly isolated proximal tubules (P < 0.01). By contrast, transfer of control CMV-GFP (a recombinant human adenovirus type 5 expresses enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter), ECFP/ANG II, or a scrambled control ECFP/ANG IIc alone in proximal tubules had no effect on all indices. These results suggest that AT(1a) receptors and intracellular ANG II in proximal tubules of the kidney play an important physiological role in blood pressure regulation.
Factors Influencing Sedimentation in the Shallow Neritic Environment: ABSTRACT

Sedimentation in the shallow neritic environment is influenced by the interplay of numerous factors. Both type and thickness of the sediment differ depending upon the relative significance of these factors. The chief factors to be considered are tectonics, physiography, climate, biological activity, and associated energy relationships. The tectonic intensity of the source area and depositional site of the sediments, although primary factors, may be surpassed in significance by the factors of climate and biological activity. Variation of intensity of uplift and deformation of the source area provide primary control on the composition of the source area and the sediment derived therefrom. Sediments range from mature to immature, and from fine to coarse terrigenous clastics. The same variation of tectonic activity provides variations in physiography of the source area and accompanying energy relationships. Physiographic variations may produce both local and regional climatic variations as a third order factor. Climate and its influence on and control of vegetation will control weathering, resulting soils, and erosion. Thus climate may be the primary factor in the type and amount of sediment derived from the source area. Tectonic intensity of the depositional site controls the thickness of the sedimentary sequence, with climate and biological activity providing the influence modifying the type and character of the sediment deposited. Wave and current energy related to storms modify the sediment type and distribution. End_of_Article - Last_Page 340------------
An initial test of a theory of individual performance

This study provided an initial test of a comprehensive model of individual performance. The extent to which one's opportunity, capacity, and willingness to perform predict one's actual performance ...
Pitfalls in retrospective analyses of biomarkers: A case study with metastatic melanoma patients

Background Reliable prognostic biomarkers of survival and response to treatment are clearly important in oncology, and many studies have been carried out with the objective of identifying new prognostic biomarkers. Retrospective analysis of blood banked from patients is a frequently used paradigm for these studies. We describe a new study of the association of serum biomarker level with overall survival in melanoma patients, and the problems encountered in carrying it out.
Microbial Production of Citric Acid by Solid State Fermentation of Kiwifruit Peel

A solid-state fermentation method was developed for the production of citric acid from kiwifruit peel by Aspergillus niger NRRL 567. This method produced about 100g citric acid per kg of kiwifruit peel fermented in the presence of 2% methanol at 30°C in 4 days. The yield was more than 60% based on the amount of fermentable sugar consumed.
Sol−Gel Processing of Ordered Multilayers To Produce Composite Films of Controlled Thickness

Sol−gel processing of a multilayered film formed by the alternate adsorption of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and a synthetic silicate sheet mineral, Laponite RD, resulted in an interpenetrating composite network. Kinetic data indicate that the amount of material added due to sorption and gelation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) reached a steady-state value within a day. Sol−gel growth occurred within the multilayer, with very little silicate being deposited at the surface. The resulting composite film showed the same order as an untreated multilayer, indicating that sorption and gelation did not disrupt the structural order of the multilayer. Curing the TEOS-treated films at 175 °C for 24 h to drive off excess water and complete the gelation process again resulted in an ordered composite structure. Cured films exposed to various levels of relative humidity demonstrated a dramatic decrease in swellability compared to an untreated multilayer.
The impact of race/ethnicity, neighborhood context, and police/citizen interaction on residents' attitudes toward the police

Abstract The purpose of this study was to extend the current knowledge of public attitudes toward the police. Independent variables derived from three models, the demographic, the neighborhood context, and the police/citizen interaction models, were used to explain public perceptions of the police. More specifically, public attitudes toward the police was measured in two dimensions— General Attitudes toward the police and Specific Trust in the police. The data was obtained by a telephone survey of 756 respondents in Houston, TX in 2008. The primary findings suggested that race, gender, age, victimization, and satisfaction with police work were significant predictors. Hispanic respondents reported lower levels of General Attitudes toward the police than their White counterparts. In addition, there was no significant difference between Whites and Hispanics in terms of Specific Trust in police such as the use of Taser guns. These results and their practical implications for police agencies were addressed in discussion.
An Hermitian method for the solution of radiative transfer problems

Abstract A new method for the solution of the radiative transfer equation is developed. The resulting system, like the ordinary difference equations is tridiagonal in form and easy to use. Numerical examples are given which show the superiority of the new technique to previous differential and integral equation methods.
Reduced Hyaluronan in Keloid Tissue and Cultured Keloid Fibroblasts

Extracellular matrix hyaluronan is prominent during wound healing, appearing at elevated levels early in the repair process. It is prevalent throughout the course of fetal wound healing, which is scar-free, but decreases late in adult wound repair, that is often marked by scarring. To determine whether aberrant hyaluronan metabolism is associated with the excessive scarring that characterizes keloids, cultured fibroblasts derived from keloids and from the dermis of normal human skin and scar were compared. Levels of hyaluronan in 48 h conditioned media of keloid-derived cultures were significantly lower than in cultures of normal skin and scar fibroblasts. Profiles of hyaluronan polymer size were comparable in these two cell types, suggesting that excessive hyaluronan degradation was not involved. Hydrocortisone decreased hyaluronan levels approximately 70% in the conditioned media of both keloid and normal fibroblasts. Diminished hyaluronan accumulation in keloid-derived cells compared with normal fibroblasts was also observed in an in vitro wound healing model. Histolocalization of hyaluronan in keloids, normal skin, and scar samples confirmed the biochemical observations that the dermis of keloids, which comprises most of the scar tissue, contained markedly diminished levels of hyaluronan. Alterations in hyaluronan in the epidermis overlying keloids, however, were also observed. A modest increase in hyaluronan staining intensity was observed in the epidermis of keloids, as well as changes in the patterns of distribution within the epidermis, compared with that in normal skin and scar. Increased hyaluronan was present in the granular and spinous layers of the keloid epidermis Abnormalities are present apparently in both the overlying epidermis as well as in the dermis of keloids. Aberrations in signaling between keloid stroma and keloid epidermis may underlie abnormalities that contribute to the excessive fibrosis characteristic of these lesions.
Carbon-nanotube-modified electrodes for the direct bioelectrochemistry of pseudoazurin

The bioelectrochemistry of the blue copper protein, pseudoazurin, at glassy carbon and platinum electrodes that were modified with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was investigated by multiple scan rate cyclic voltammetry. The protein showed reversible electrochemical behavior at both bare glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) and SWNT-modified GCEs (SWNT|GCEs); however, direct electrochemistry was not observed at any of the platinum electrodes. The effect of the carbon nanotubes at the GCE was to amplify the current response 1000-fold (nA at bare GCE to µA at SWNT|GCE), increase the apparent diffusion coefficient D app of the solution-borne protein by three orders of magnitude, from 1.35 × 10−11 at bare GCE to 7.06 × 10−8 cm2 s-1 at SWNT|GCE, and increase the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant k s threefold, from 1.7 × 10−2 cm s−1 at bare GCE to 5.3 × 10−2 cm s−1 at SWNT|GCE. Pseudoazurin was also found to spontaneously adsorb onto the nanotube-modified GCE surface. Well-resolved voltammograms indicating quasi-reversible faradaic responses were obtained for the adsorbed protein in phosphate buffer, with I pc and I pa values now greater than corresponding values for solution-borne pseudoazurin at SWNT|GCEs and with significantly reduced ΔE p values. The largest electron transfer rate constant of 1.7 × 10−1 cm s−1 was achieved with adsorbed pseudoazurin at the SWNT|GCE surface in deaerated buffer solution consistent with its presumed role in anaerobic respiration of some bacteria.
Carboxydismutase Activity in Shade‐adapted and Sun‐adapted Species of Higher Plants

The activity of the photosynthetic enzyme carboxydismutase (ribulose-l,5-diphosphate carboxylase) was measured in leaf extracts of a number of higher plant species from habitats with greatly contrasting light intensities. Plants occupying sunny habitats and capable of light saturated rates of photosynthesis several times higher than those growing in the deep shade of redwood forests also have a considerably higher carboxydismutase activity. Thus, when expressed on the basis of total chlorophyll or even fresh weight, the enzyme activity is several times greater among the sun than among the shade species. The comparatively low content of soluble protein in the shade plants indicates that their content of enzymes other than carboxydismutase also is low. Nevertheless, the activity of carboxydismutase even on the basis of soluble protein appears to be significantly higher in the sun than in the shade species. It is concluded that low carboxydismutase activity probably is one of the factors that limit the capacity for light saturated photosynthesis in the shade plants.
A Community of Interest—Victorian Scholars and Literary Societies

Single-author literary societies were formed in the late 1800's by enthusiasts who sought to promote the work and preserve the effects of contemporary or near-contemporary British authors. Though often mocked for their cult-like devotion, these societies filled a gap in the academic study of modern authors when the ancient universities were still debating whether English studies constituted a legitimate discipline. Unfazed by established canons of literary value, society members presented papers, compiled and published bibliographies, produced scholarly editions, and acquired manuscripts and literary relics which might otherwise have gone into private collections. This article briefly rehearses the history of these societies and their continued development with an emphasis on the sometimes awkward, sometimes productive relations between the professional and the general reader.
Making IT happen - at Indiana University

Opportunities to enhance students' educations through use of information technology are often missed because students are unaware that the services and resources exist.At Indiana University a unified and rich array of technology is available to our over 100,000 students on our eight campuses. Even so, the annual technology user survey, distributed randomly to a subset of the University community, demonstrates that we need to do much more to increase awareness about information technology tools available."Making IT Happen," an annual campaign to enhance information technology awareness was initiated to address this need. The event takes place across all Indiana University campuses. The design and planning of the event is done by the Communications and Planning Office which is affiliated with the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology. Staff based in both Bloomington and Indianapolis teamed up to brainstorm a blueprint for the event. This effort has resulted in a unified execution and in minimized planning time on the part of the regional campuses.This paper describes the processes we went through to arrive at our current model which is both flexible enough to leverage unique strengths yet unified to work on all of the Indiana University campuses.
A comparative study on two samples of neurokeratin.

Abstract 1. 1. Samples of neurokeratin of human and porcine origin, prepared approximately 60 and 20 years ago, respectively, have been compared with respect to their amino acid pattern. These two preparations appear to have approximately the same general distribution of amino acids. 2. 2. Neurokeratin yields approximately 4.2 g. arginine, 2.9 g. histidine, 6.3 g. lysine, 7.2 g. tyrosine, 1.3 g. tryptophan, 13–15 g. phenylalanine, 4.3 g. cystine, 2 g. methionine, 3.3 g. serine, 9.2 g. threonine, 15 g. leucine, 11 g. isoleucine, 5.7 g. valine, 5.0 g. glycine, 9.1 g. alanine, 11.9 g. glutamic acid, 3.7 g. aspartic acid, and 3.4 g. proline/16.0 g. nitrogen in the original protein. Hydroxyproline was not found.
Absence of photo and nutritional regulation of two glycolate pathway enzymes in Euglena

Abstract Exposure of dark grown resting Euglena to light or ethanol did not alter the specific activity of serine hydroxymethyltransferase or hydropyruvate reductase, two enzymes of the reversible portion of the glycolate pathway. Studies of the subcellular distribution of serine hydroxymethyltransferase indicated that this enzyme is found in both the mitochondria and cytoplasm of Euglena.
Measuring Health Status and Quality of Life for US Children: Relationship to Race, Ethnicity, and Income Status

Objective.—Accurately measuring the health of the increasingly diverse population of US children requires instruments that are comparable and valid across cultures, economic background, and language. This paper asks: Has the field of pediatric health status measures reached this level of comprehensiveness? Methods.—Children's health status and quality of life measures commonly used in the United States were reviewed to assess how they have included racial/ethnic minority and low-income groups. Four generic and 2 condition-specific instruments (asthma) were examined for total sample size, percent of sample from racial/ethnic and low-income groups, language availability, translation methods for US-Spanish, reading level, and separately reported psychometric findings and outcomes/scores. Results.—Most measures have included minority groups, usually African American or Hispanic children, although with little information by Hispanic subgroup. Children's measures have generally been tested on relatively small samples, without separate analyses by subgroups. When done, tests of reliability and validity find few differences from the general population. Some studies report information on health by racial or ethnic group, but the findings are inconclusive. Economic status is usually measured in some way, but rarely are psychometric findings examined separately by income. When differences in health outcome are reported by income, lower income children usually have poorer health. Conclusions.—Much has been accomplished in advancing health status measures for children. Next-generation issues include the influence of race, ethnicity, and income on health and health reports.
Evaluation of thermochemical models for particle and continuum simulations of hypersonic flow

Computations are presented for one-dimensional, strong shock waves that are typical of those that form in front of a reentering spacecraft. The fluid mechanics and thermochemistry are modeled using two different approaches. The first employs traditional continuum techniques in solving the Navier-Stokes equations. The second approach employs a particle simulation technique (the direct simulation Monte Carlo method, DSMC). The thermochemical models employed in these two techniques are quite different. The present investigation presents an evaluation of thermochemical models for nitrogen under hypersonic flow conditions. Four separate cases are considered that are dominated in turn by vibrational relaxation, weak dissociation, strong dissociation and weak ionization. In near-continuum, hypersonic flow, the nonequilibrium thermochemical models employed in continuum and particle simulations produce nearly identical solutions. Further, the two approaches are evaluated successfully against available experimental data for weakly and strongly dissociating flows.
The Effects of Snake Predation on Metamorphosis of Western Toads, Bufo boreas (Amphibia, Bufonidae)

For some anuran species, synchronous metamorphosis may function as an antipredator adaptation by swamping predators during the period of transformation. We examined the levels of synchrony of emergence from the water of metamorphosing western toads (Bufo boreas) in the presence and absence of a live snake predator, the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) in a laboratory experiment. To compare between the treatments, we measured the time to emergence from the water, the number of metamorphs emerging together, and the level of aggregation (before and during emergence) of the toads in each treatment. There was a difference between the treatments when all three factors were considered. We attributed these differences to a behavioral response in which B. boreas emerged sooner in the presence of the predator, regardless of whether individual toads had reached the point at which they were physically better suited to the terrestrial environment than the larval environment.
Comparing Stewardship Across Faith-Based Organizations:

Nonprofits theory on the role of organizational context focuses on generalizing principles such as neoinstitutionalism and institutional isomorphism. Organizational culture theory focuses on internal organizational culture, ignoring the larger community culture that influences nonprofit behavior. Relying on anthropological understandings of culture as comprising both the values and symbols of a community and its structures and practices, this article describes three support systems for faith-based nonprofits that come out of founding religious traditions. Using comparative case studies across 81 faith communities and FBOs in the United States, research suggests that systems are generalizable across religions and localities, but they come out of specific religious cultures adapted to fit the U.S. system.
Arab-American adolescent tobacco use: four pilot studies

Abstract Objectives Four pilot studies were conducted to determine the (1) current tobacco use patterns and predictors among 14- to 18-year-old Arab-American youths; (2) psychometric properties of study measures (English and Arabic); (3) cultural appropriateness of Project Toward No Tobacco (TNT) for intervention; (4) accessible population for a longitudinal study. Methods Three studies were descriptive and one used a pretest–posttest design. From four Pilot Focus groups (N = 28 smokers) key tobacco use themes emerged along with information on study measures and the Project TNT intervention; Pilot Intervention tested the tailored Project TNT intervention with 9 Arab-American teens; Pilot Clinic (N = 44) determined the characteristics of the accessible teen health clinic population; and Pilot School (N = 119) obtained tobacco use data only. Results From Pilot Focus seven themes (being cool, “nshar ma'a al shabab” [hanging out with the guys], present [time] orientation, smoking feels and tastes good, keeps your mind off trouble, easy to get, and (many) “barriers to quitting”) emerged from the data. In the Pilot Intervention a 37.5% cessation rate was found. In the Pilot Clinic study, 24% males and 17% females smoked. The current smoking rate in the Pilot School (N = 119) sample was 17%; 34% admitted to having ever smoked (even a puff). Significant predictors for current tobacco use included poor grades, stress, having many family members and peers who smoke, being exposed to many hours of smoking each day, receiving offers of tobacco products, advertising and mail, and believing that tobacco can help one to make friends. Conclusion The four pilots contributed unique and essential knowledge for designing a longitudinal clinical trial on tobacco use by Arab-American adolescents.
Multilayer Architectures for Facial Action Unit Recognition

In expression recognition and many other computer vision applications, the recognition performance is greatly improved by adding a layer of nonlinear texture filters between the raw input pixels and the classifier. The function of this layer is typically known as feature extraction. Popular filter types for this layer are Gabor energy filters (GEFs) and local binary patterns (LBPs). Recent work [1] suggests that adding a second layer of nonlinear filters on top of the first layer may be beneficial. However, it is unclear what is the best architecture of layers and selection of filters. In this paper, we present a thorough empirical analysis of the performance of single-layer and dual-layer texture-based approaches for action unit recognition. For the single hidden layer case, GEFs perform consistently better than LBPs, which may be due to their robustness to jitter and illumination noise as well as to their ability to encode texture at multiple resolutions. For dual-layer case, we confirm that, while small, the benefit of adding this second layer is reliable and consistent across data sets. Interestingly for this second layer, LBPs appear to perform better than GEFs.
The effect of methylmercuric chloride, cadmium chloride, and lead nitrate on six biochemical factors of the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Brook trout were exposed to experimental water concentrations of methylmercuric chloride at concentrations from 0.01 to 2.93 μ g of Hg/liter, to cadmium chloride from 0.06 to 6.35 μ g of Cd/liter, and to lead nitrate from 0.90 to 474 μ g of Pb/liter. Exposures were for 2- and 8-week periods. Fish weight and length, hemoglobin, and blood plasma sodium, chloride, glucose, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were measured. The following observed changes were statistically significant: increases in plasma sodium and chloride and decreases in hemoglobin and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity caused by lead; increases in plasma chloride and lactic dehydrogenase activity and a decrease in plasma glucose caused by cadmium; and increases in hemoglobin and plasma sodium and chloride caused by methylmercury. Comparisons were made between these biochemical findings and published data from bioassay and tissue-residue studies regarding the determination of threshold indices of toxicity.
Stereoselective formation of bromobenzene glutathione conjugates

Abstract Two bromobenzene-glutathione conjugates have been detected as both in vivo and in vitro metabolites of bromobenzene. Separation and purification by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analysis by 13 C and 1 H-NMR spectroscopy indicated that the metabolites are trans -3-bromo-6-(glutathion-S-yl)-cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol and trans -4-bromo-6-(glutathion-S-yl)-cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol. The two conjugates are formed in unequal amounts; over a dose range of 25–500 mg/kg the ratio of the two conjugates excreted into bile in 6 h was 1.6 ± 0.1 (mean ± S.E.). Pretreatment of rats with either phenobarbital or 3-methyl-cholanthrene did not significantly alter the ratio of the two conjugates excreted into bile. When bromobenzene was incubated with rat liver microsomes and glutathione, the same two conjugates were formed in the presence but not in the absence of 100 000 × g supernatant. Furthermore, in the presence of 100 000 × g supernatant from control animals, microsomes from rats treated with phenobarbital formed both conjugates 6 times more rapidly than did microsomes from control rats, whereas microsomes from rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene formed both conjugates less rapidly than did those from control rats. Thus, the data suggest that both conjugates are formed via bromobenzene 3,4-oxide and that their formation requires enzymes in liver cytosol.
Hyperechoic caudate nuclei : a potential mimic of germinal matrix hemorrhage

Background. We have encountered bilateral hyperechoic foci in the region of the germinal matrix on cranial sonograms in neonates that have an appearance similar to germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH), but are unusual either due to the age of the patient at presentation or to the evolution of the foci on follow-up. We believe that these findings represent hyperechoic caudate nuclei (HCN) rather than GMH. Objective. To demonstrate that bilateral HCN can be seen on cranial sonography in neonates and can mimic bilateral GMH. Materials and methods. The cranial sonograms were reviewed in nine neonates (three term and six premature) who had HCN identified on at least one sonographic examination. CT (two patients) and MR (one patient) studies were also reviewed, as well as the neuropathological examination in one patient who died and had an autopsy. The patients' medical records were reviewed to identify any clinical markers for significant risk of perinatal ischemia. Results. There was clinical evidence for risk of ischemia in five of the nine neonates. All nine patients had bilateral HCN on the initial or follow-up studies. Small cysts were seen sonographically in two patients. CT was normal in one patient and revealed a small unilateral focus of increased attenuation in one infant (very small compared to the bilateral HCN). MR was normal in one patient. Histopathological examination of the brain was normal in the one patient who died and had an autopsy. Conclusion. Hyperechoic caudate nuclei can occur in neonates either as a normal finding, or possibly related to ischemia, and should not always be attributed to GMH.
Independent yields of 148mPm, 148gPm and 150Pm from fission of 235U and 238U with 14.8 MeV neutrons

Abstract We measured the independent fractional chain yields of 148m Pm, 148g Pm, and 150 Pm from fission of 235 U and 238 U irradiated with 14.8-MeV neutrons. The results for 235 U are: 148 Pm, (8.0 ± 0.6) × 10 −6 ; 148g Pm, (1.05 ± 0.13) × 10 −6 ; and 150 Pm, (1.79 ± 0.15) × 10 −3 . Those for 238 U are: 148m Pm, ≤ 1.6 × 10 −7 ; 148g Pm, ≤ 1.3 × 10 −7 ; and 150 Pm, (2.3 ± 0.7) × 10 −5 . We found that the yields are generally smaller than those predicted on the basis of the independent-yield systematics of Nethaway, although they are near the lower end of the predicted range. Values of Z p inferred from the measured yields average about 0.12 charge unit smaller than the predicted values. The difficulty in estimating yields such as these may be because the actual charge dispersion curve is narrower than assumed, the neutron emission associated with energetically unfavored charge splits is uncertain, or the reference Z p function is uncertain in this mass region.
The impact of body mass index on heterotopic ossification.

Purpose To analyze the impact of different body mass index (BMI) as a surrogate marker for heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients who underwent surgical repair (SR) for displaced acetabular fractures (DAF) followed by radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials This is a single-institution retrospective study of 395 patients. All patients underwent SR for DAF followed by RT ± indomethacin. All patients received postoperative RT, 7 Gy, within 72 h. The patients were separated into four groups based on their BMI: 30. The end point of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of RT ± indomethacin in preventing HO in patients with different BMI. Results Analysis of BMI showed an increasing incidence of HO with increasing BMI: 30 (31%), 51 of 167. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the correlation between odds of HO and BMI is significant, p e.g. , indomethacin, race, gender). Conclusions Despite similar surgical treatment and prophylactic measures (RT ± indomethacin), the risk of HO appears to significantly increase in patients with higher BMI after DAF. Higher single-fraction doses or multiple fractions and/or combination therapy with nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs may be of greater benefit to these patients.
In Vitro Replication and Repair Studies of Tandem Lesions Containing Neighboring Thymidine Glycol and 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine

Reactive oxygen species can induce the formation of tandem DNA lesions. We recently showed that the treatment of calf thymus DNA with Cu2+/H2O2/ascorbate could result in the efficient formation of a tandem lesion where a 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymidine (or thymidine glycol) is situated on the 5′ side of an 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). In the present study, we assessed how the 5′-Tg-(8-oxodG)-3′ and 5′-(8-oxodG)-Tg-3′ tandem lesions are replicated by purified DNA polymerases and how they are recognized by base excision repair enzymes. Our results revealed that the tandem lesions blocked primer extension mediated by the Klenow fragment and yeast polymerase η more readily than when the Tg or 8-oxodG was present alone. The mutagenic properties of Tg or 8-oxodG differed while they were present alone or in tandem. Moreover, the human 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (hOGG1)-mediated cleavage of 8-oxodG was compromised considerably by the presence of a neighboring 5′ Tg, whereas the presence of ...
Do people with schizophrenia who have objective cognitive impairment identify cognitive deficits on a self report measure

Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have significant neuropsychological deficits that have been linked to poor functional outcome. As more treatments are developed and implemented for cognitive impairments, it will be important to consider whether people with schizophrenia have insight into the neuropsychological symptoms of their illness. Just as insight into psychotic symptoms plays a significant role in treatment compliance, it is likely that insight into neuro-cognitive dysfunction will be associated with compliance with cognitive remediation or cognitive enhancing medications. The objective of this study was to evaluate self reported awareness of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia using the MIC-SR, a new scale, and to compare self report of cognitive deficit with actual neuropsychological performance, and with the MIC-SR performance of Healthy Controls. Patients with schizophrenia reported significantly more cognitive problems as occurring "Almost Daily" than did Healthy Controls. However, Patients were most likely to respond that a cognitive problem "Never" occurred, whereas Healthy Controls most often responded "Once a Week or Less". The Total Score on the MIC-SR did not prove useful in differentiating Healthy Controls from Patients. About one quarter of the cognitively impaired patients with schizophrenia showed no awareness of cognitive deficit on the MIC-SR. This suggests that clinicians must use self report judiciously as an indicator of actual cognitive impairment. The MIC-SR captures a range of awareness of cognitive difficulty. The data indicates that there are many patients who would benefit from psycho-education about the impact of schizophrenia on neuro-cognition.
A comparison of the concurrent and predictive validity of three measures of readiness to change alcohol use in a clinical sample of adolescents

The authors compared 3 measures of readiness to change alcohol use commonly used in clinical research and practice with adolescents: the Readiness Ruler, the SOCRATES (subscales of Recognition and Taking Steps), and a Staging Algorithm. The analysis sample consisted of 161 male and female adolescents presenting for intensive outpatient alcohol-abuse treatment who reported current alcohol use at the initial assessment. Evidence for concurrent validity was assessed by computing simple correlations of each readiness measure with the other 3 and of each readiness measure with drinking behavior (percentage of days abstinent [PDA] and drinks per drinking day [DDD], respectively, in the last 30 days) at the start of treatment and at the 6-month follow-up assessment. Evidence for predictive validity was based on percentage of independent variance accounted for by each of the readiness measures in predicting drinking behavior at 6 months from the start of treatment, and then in predicting drinking behavior at 12 months from the readiness assessment at 6 months. The results showed that all but Recognition had good concurrent validity, the Readiness Ruler score showed consistent evidence for predictive validity, and the Staging Algorithm showed good predictive validity for DDD at 6 and 12 months. For the 82 participants with an alcohol-use disorder diagnosis, the findings for the Ruler and Recognition were similar, but the Staging Algorithm had poorer prediction of DDD at 12 months, and Taking Steps was a better predictor of 6- and 12-month PDA and DDD. Research and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.