cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A general thermal explosion criterion application to initiation by imbedded wires

Abstract A thermal explosion criterion recently published by the author is used to obtain general solutions for the explosion ignition delay of an exothermic material surrounding a heated wire which is long and a good thermal conductor. The case of d.c. heating is treated first and in greatest detail. Equations for explosion delay and explosion temperature are derived, which show how these variables depend on the initial conditions, the properties of the wire and the explosive, wire size and the heating rate. Predicted explosion times are shown to agree well with those obtained by numerical integration of the complete set of differential equations which define the d.c. wire problem. The analysis is used to support a critical review of the ‘ignition temperature’ concept and to analyse earlier experimental parametric studies of ignition energy. The partition of energy between the wire and the explosive, at explosion, is also examined. A Laplace transform technique is used to derive an explicit approximation to the wire temperature when the heating rate varies with time. The use of this approximation is illustrated for a heating function proportional to τ exp (−2 τ) where τ is non-dimensional time. When the explosion time is small, little heat is transferred to the explosive and the interface temperature may sometimes be estimated to good accuracy by assuming the wire to be adiabatic. The use of the ‘adiabatic wire solution’ to predict short explosion delays is illustrated for a simplified exploding bridgewire heating function.
Beam damage detection using computer vision technology

In this paper, a new approach for efficient damage detection in engineering structures is introduced. The key concept is to use the mature computer vision technology to capture the static deformation profile of a structure, and then employ profile analysis methods to detect the locations of the damages. By combining with wireless communication techniques, the proposed approach can provide an effective and economical solution for remote monitoring of structure health. Moreover, a preliminary experiment is conducted to verify the proposed concept. A commercial computer vision camera is used to capture the static deformation profiles of cracked cantilever beams under loading. The profiles are then processed to reveal the existence and location of the irregularities on the deformation profiles by applying fractal dimension, wavelet transform and roughness methods, respectively. The proposed concept is validated on both one-crack and two-crack cantilever beam-type specimens. It is also shown that all three met...
Upper and lower estimates of the positive solutions of a higher order boundary value problem

The authors consider a higher order boundary value problem that originates from the study of boundary value problems for the beam equation. Upper and lower estimates for positive solutions of the problem are obtained.
Characterization of four Toll related genes during development and immune responses in Anopheles gambiae

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of evolutionary conserved proteins with diverse biological functions. In Drosophila melanogaster, Toll protein plays an important role in pattern formation in embryogenesis and in antimicrobial immunity in larvae and adults. In insects, Toll and two other related proteins, Tehao and 18-wheeler have been shown to participate in the activation of the innate immune responses to fungal and bacterial pathogens. In this paper we report the cloning and characterization of four TLR gene from malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae, AgToll, AgToll6, AgTrex, and AgToll9, orthologues of DmToll, DmToll6, DmTollo (Toll8) and DmToll9 (CG5528) in Drosophila melanogaster. The expression profiles of these genes during development, in different adult tissues and after immune challenge were examined. As expected for the orthologue of Drosophila Toll, AgToll was found to be expressed highly in the ovary and may play a role in pattern formation during embryogenesis. AgToll9, surprisingly, was found to be highly expressed in the adult gut. The potential roles of these genes in development and immunity were discussed.
Performance of Ingredients in a Soybean Whipped Topping: A Response Surface Analysis

The performance of Illinois Soybean Beverage in a whipped topping model system was demonstrated by using Response Surface Methodology. The desired foam characteristics were obtained with numerous ingredient combinations. The soybean cell wall materials were functionally similar to CMC-coated microcrystalline cellulose and significantly improved whipped topping stability. Partial removal of the cell wall particles to 0.3% improved overrun and stiffness, yet maintained satisfactory stability. These particles were compared with Avicel and soy fiber concentrate; the results indicated that the larger the particles, the less their effect on overrun and stiffness.
Effect of 1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis (2-(2-hydroxyethylamino) ethyl amino)-9,10-anthracenedione(dihydroxyanthraquinone) on the replication of simian virus 40 chromosome

Abstract The effect of dihydroxyanthraquinone on mammalian chromosome structure and replication was investigated using simian virus 40 chromosome as a model system. Viral DNA synthesis in African green monkey kidney cells was approximately 90% inhibited by the drug at 0.4 μM. RNA or protein synthesis was inhibited only 50% under the same conditions. Both single-stranded and double-stranded breakage of viral DNA were found on viral chromosomes isolated from infected cells treated with the drug. Four distinct viral chromosomal templates were found in nuclear extract prepared from cells treated with the drug as determined by the cell-free system for viral DNA synthesis. The results suggested that dihydroxyanthraquinone acts at the level of chromosome replication.
Ground state of a general electron-phonon Hamiltonian is a spin singlet

The many-body ground state of a very general class of electron-phonon Hamiltonians is proven to contain a spin singlet (for an even number of electrons on a finite lattice). The phonons interact with the electronic system in two different ways; there is an interaction with the local electronic charge and there is a functional dependence of the electronic hopping Hamiltonian on the phonon coordinates. The phonon potential energy may include anharmonic terms, and the electron-phonon couplings and the hopping matrix elements may be nonlinear functions of the phonon coordinates. An attractive Hubbard-type on-site interaction may also be added. If the hopping Hamiltonian is assumed to have no phonon-coordinate dependence, then the ground state of a finite system is also shown to be unique, implying that there are no ground-state level crossings, and that the ground-state energy is an analytic function of the parameters in the Hamiltonian. In particular, in a finite system any self-trapping transition is a smooth crossover not accompanied by a nonanalytical change in the ground state. The spin-singlet theorem applies to the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model and both the spin-singlet and uniqueness theorems apply to the Holstein and attractive Hubbard models as special cases. These results hold in all dimensions---even on a general graph without periodic lattice structure.
As sure as shooting.

A novel situation may face us with a novel moral dilemma, or it may face us with dilemmas which were there all along in the events around us. So we should try to sort out the issues presented by John Harris's survival lottery.1 He asks us to suppose that transplant techniques have become far more effective than at present (as they are likely to do). It would then be possible to save many lives now doomed, provided the needed organs were available. But if not enough are available from donations contingent upon the donor otherwise dying, then the only source is from the living. Why not institute a computerized lottery, which would choose the appropriate donor when the need arose? And if such a policy prevented more deaths than it caused, on what grounds could we morally object? Harris initially particularizes the discussion, by developing a debate between Y and Z who are dying from want of, respectively, a heart and lungs, and A, the compulsory donor, and the 'friends of A,' who would include, Harris presumes, most of us (at least initially). Only the original article can convey the challenging ingenuity with which Y and Z counter most of the standard objections, utilitarian and non-utilitarian, which could be made to the lottery. Several times, however, the debate turns on this kind of point. Does this proposal involve killing the innocent A? But the refusal to institute the plan involves the killing of more of the innocent, Y and Z. '. . . if the doctors refuse Y and Z the transplants that they need, then their refusal will kill Y and Z, . . . as sure as shooting' (p. 8z). Any counter-argument which would appeal to 'the alleged moral difference between killing and letting die' will 'just beg the question as to whether the failure to save as many people as possible might not also amount to killing' (p. 84). The general point is that 'if we are able to change things, then to elect not to do so is also to determine what will happen in the world' (p. 84). We cannot postpone the problem by saying that the Harris case is predicated on medical advances yet to be made, and that with all the actual problems we already have we should cross that moral bridge when we come to it. For we are, of course, already on the bridge. Harris's case is specific in factual assumptions, but it has a general moral outline. What
An Overview of Livestock-Associated MRSA in Agriculture

Researchers, veterinary and health care practitioners, and agricultural producers gathered in Johnston, Iowa, to attend the eighth annual Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum (MRASH), November 2009. Among several focus areas, four plenary talks were given on the current research being conducted examining methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on swine farms in the United States. These focused on prevalence of MRSA on farms, both in swine and in human workers; the presence of MRSA in air samples and in swine barn shower facilities; and the presence of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus in retail meats. These findings begin to elucidate the overall picture of livestock-associated MRSA in the Midwestern United States.
N-cadherin mediates nitric oxide-induced neurogenesis in young and retired breeder neurospheres

Neurogenesis may contribute to functional recovery after neural injury. Nitric oxide donors such as DETA-NONOate promote functional recovery after stroke. However, the mechanisms underlying functional improvement have not been ascertained. We therefore investigated the effects of DETA-NONOate on neural progenitor/stem cell neurospheres derived from the subventricular zone from young and retired breeder rat brain. Subventricular zone cells were dissociated from normal young adult male Wistar rats (2–3 months old) and retired breeder rats (14 months old), treated with or without DETA-NONOate. Subventricular zone neurosphere formation, proliferation, telomerase activity, and Neurogenin 1 mRNA expression were significantly decreased and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression was significantly increased in subventricular zone neurospheres from retired breeder rats compared with young rats. Treatment of neurospheres with DETA-NONOate significantly decreased neurosphere formation and telomerase activity, and promoted neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth concomitantly with increased N-cadherin and β-catenin mRNA expression in both young and old neurospheres. DETA-NONOate selectively increased Neurogenin 1 and decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression in retired breeder neurospheres. N-cadherin significantly increased Neurogenin 1 mRNA expression in young and old neurospheres. Anti-N-cadherin reversed DETA-NONOate-induced neurosphere adhesion, neuronal differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and β-catenin mRNA expression. Our data indicate that age has a potent effect on the characteristics of subventricular zone neurospheres; neurospheres from young rats show significantly higher formation, proliferation and telomerase activity than older neurospheres. In contrast, older neurospheres exhibit significantly increased glial differentiation than young neurospheres. DETA-NONOate promotes neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth in both young and older neurospheres. The molecular mechanisms associated with the DETA-NONOate modulation of neurospheres from young and older animals as well age dependent effects of neurospheres appear to be controlled by N-cadherin and β-catenin gene expression, which subsequently regulates the neuronal differentiating factor Neurogenin expression in both young and old neural progenitor cells.
Discordant radiologic and histological dimensions of the zone of provisional calcification in fetal piglets

Background Studies have shown that the fracture plane of the classic metaphyseal lesion (CML) of infant abuse occurs in the region of the primary spongiosa, encompassing a radiodense fracture fragment customarily referred to as the “zone of provisional calcification” or ZPC. However, the zone of provisional calcification is defined differently in the pathology and the imaging literature, potentially impeding efforts to understand the fundamental morphological features of the classic metaphyseal lesion.
Visual hallucinations in sensory deprivation. A review of the literature, a case report and a discussion of the mechanism.

The case of a 72-year-old blind woman with visual hallucinations of unusually long duration was reported. The related literature was reviewed, and the mechanism, or pathogenesis, was discussed in the light of the psychoanalytic theory of hallucinations.
Glucocorticoids potentiate the prostaglandin E1-mediated cyclic AMP formation by a cultured murine neuroblastoma clone

The effect of steroid hormones on the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-mediated cyclic AMP formation by murine neuroblastoma clone N1E-115 was studied. Dexamethasone at submicromolar concentrations and corticosterone at micromolar concentrations (steroids with glucocorticoid activity) were able to modify the PGE1-mediated response whereas testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol each at 10 microM had no effect. Glucocorticoids added to the culture medium of N1E-115 cells produced an increase in the maximal response to PGE1 only after long-term (greater than or equal to 4 h) incubation with the hormone. Inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis blocked this effect of glucocorticoids. Basal activity of adenylate cyclase in treated cells was twofold higher than that in control cells, and this enzyme seemed to be the primary target for the hormone action, since the activity of 3':5'-cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and the binding of [3H]PGE1 to its receptors were not altered by glucocorticoid treatment. Our results indicate that glucocorticoids modulate receptor-mediated responses in cells of neural origin through a mechanism that involves induction of protein synthesis.
Dorsal striatum mediation of cocaine-seeking after withdrawal from short or long daily access cocaine self-administration in rats

Accumulating evidence has suggested that prolonged use of cocaine may lead to progressive neuroadaptations proceeding from ventral to more dorsal areas of the corpus striatum. We have previously found that reversible inactivation of the dorsolateral caudate/putamen (dlCPu) significantly attenuated cocaine-seeking in rats following chronic cocaine self-administration and withdrawal. Since the cumulative amount of cocaine intake and the time course of withdrawal emergent patterns have been previously shown to alter subsequent cocaine-seeking, the current study investigated the role of the dlCPu in cocaine-seeking after differing access periods of cocaine self-administration and abstinence time points. Rats were catheterized and implanted with infusion cannulae in the dlCPu, trained on cocaine self-administration (0.2 mg/50 μl/infusion), and then allowed to self-administer cocaine for 1 or 6 h daily sessions. After the final session, animals underwent three separate tests of cocaine-seeking in the self-administration context at days 1, 14, and 60 of abstinence immediately following bilateral infusion of baclofen-muscimol or vehicle into the dlCPu. While inactivation of the dlCPu by baclofen-muscimol resulted in reduced cocaine-seeking in both groups, the degree of inhibited responding varied with access history and withdrawal time point. While these data support a role for dorsal striatal regions in cocaine-seeking, greater previous cocaine intake did not lead to a greater dependence on intact dlCPu function for cocaine-seeking after abstinence.
Hegemonic Complicity, Friendship, and Comradeship: Validation and Causal Processes among White, Middle-Class, Middle-Aged Men:

Working within a gender relations paradigm, the voluntary same-sex relationships of white, middle-class, middle-aged men are theorized to conform to two separate and distinct patterns; friendship and comradeship. Complicity with both the current manifestation of dominant masculinity as well as the underlying epistemological structure is seen to determine the interactional choices, friendship or comradeship, of men. A Web-based survey is used to gather data from a sample of the target population. Data are analyzed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling. Statistical findings support the hypothesis that complicity with hegemonic masculinity tends to predict comradeship while resistance to hegemonic complicity predicts the practice of friendship.
Attitudes of research and development management toward management training

This study was undertaken for the purpose of evaluating the attitudes of research and development managers toward management training. The investigation had as specific purposes 1) to determine the attitudes of a selected group of research and development managers toward increasing the management training available at both the academic degree level and the in-plant training level; 2) to determine at which of these levels these same individuals prefer to have management training occur; and, 3) to identify those experiences and associations which may have influenced their attitudes toward management training. The findings of this study showed that research and development managers seem to feel that increased management training is needed at both the academic degree and the in-plant training levels. Management training at the in-plant level seems to be preferred to training at the academic degree level by the individuals surveyed. Also the attitudes of research and development managers appear to be functions of their own management training, experience, and responsibilities.
Metabolism of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine by horseradish peroxidase

1. The peroxidatic oxidation of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine by horseradish peroxidase in the presence of H2O2 was examined spectrophotometrically and the reactivity of the spectral species were compared to those formed from the peroxidative oxidation of benzidine. 2. The horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine yielded two transient and one stable spectral species with absorption maxima at 630 nm, 370 nm and 410 nm, respectively, whereas that of benzidine yielded three stable spectral species with absorption maxima at 610 nm, 425 nm and 370 nm, respectively. 3. The 425 nm species from benzidine, but not the 410 nm species from 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine was scavenged by butylated hydroxyanisole, glutathione, N-acetylcysteine or 2-deoxyguanosine. 4. H.p.l.c. mass spectrometric analysis, and comparative studies with potassium dichromate oxidation of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, indicated that the major product from the horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine is azo-3,3'-dichlorobenzidine. 5. None of the products from enzymic or chemical oxidation of either 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine or benzidine was directly mutagenic to S. typhimurium TA98 in the Ames test; however the chemically oxidized and enzymic products from 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine were mutagenic in the presence of H2O2. 6. The data indicate that despite apparent structural similarities between the intermediates formed during the peroxidatic oxidation of all benzidines, the intermediates and products of peroxidatic oxidation of dichlorobenzidine have reactivities and stabilities different from those of other benzidines.
Peptide hydrolysis promoted by polynuclear and organometallic complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

Abstract Several metal complexes promote selective hydrolytic cleavage of the methionine-alanine amide bond in the dipeptide AcMet-Ala; the amide bond in the N-acetylmethionyl moiety is not cleaved. The thioether group in the methionine side chain of the dipeptide cannot displace the stable 2-aminoethanethilate ligand in the hexanuclear complex [Pd2{pd(aet)2}4]4+, and the dipeptide unatt to the complex does not hydrolyze. The thioether group in the side chain of the dipeptide displaces an ethylenediamine ligand in the tetranuclear complex [Pd4(en)4(μ2-4,4′-bpy)4]8+, and cleavage in D2O occurs with the half-life of 2.0–3.5 h in the pH∗ range of 4.0–1.4. The thioether group in the dipeptide displaces an aqua ligand in the cyclooca-1,5-diene complexes cis-[Pt(cod)(D2O)2]2+ and cis-[Pd(cod)(D2O)2]2+, and cleavage in acetone-d6 containing a small amount of D2O occurs with the half-lives of 0.20 – 20 h, depending on the peptide/complex mole ration. This study shows that both coordination complexes and organometallic complexes can promote selective hydrolysis of peptide bonds and can do so even in solvents containing little water. This study is a step towards our ultimate goal-design of artificial metallopeptidases.
FARMACOGENÉTICA APLICADA AO CÂNCER. QUIMIOTERAPIA INDIVIDUALIZADA E ESPECIFICIDADE MOLECULAR

A farmacogenetica estuda a correlacao entre variacoes geneticas e a resposta aos farmacos. Essa abordagem tem apelo especial para a oncologia visto que a quimioterapia do câncer e certamente a modalidade terapeutica em que mais se convive com uma elevada incidencia de toxicidade, que com indesejavel frequencia leva a severa morbidade ou mesmo obito. Sao inumeros os exemplos em que a farmacogenetica pode contribuir significativamente para o aprimoramento da terapia do câncer. Nessa revisao sao apresentados alguns desses exemplos, que fornecem uma clara compreensao dos conceitos envolvidos nessa disciplina que conjuga farmacologia e genetica afim de otimizar a terapia do câncer levando em conta condicoes especificas que podem estar presentes tanto no paciente quanto no tumor.
Direct Huffman coding and decoding using the table of code-lengths

A new Huffman coding and decoding technique is presented. There is no need to construct a full size Huffman table in this technique; instead, the symbols are encoded directly from the table of code-lengths. For decoding purposes a new Condensed Huffman Table (CHT) is also introduced. It is shown that by employing this technique both encoding and decoding operations become significantly faster, and the memory consumption also becomes much smaller compared to the normal Huffman coding/decoding.
Estimating down deadwood from FIA forest inventory variables in Maine

Down deadwood (DDW) is a carbon component important in the function and structure of forest ecosystems, but estimating DDW is problematic because these data are not widely available in forest inventory databases. However, DDW data were collected on USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots during Maine's 1995 inventory. This study examines ways to predict DDW biomass from other FIA variables so that DDW could be estimated without tedious measurement. Our results include a regression model that predicts DDW as a function of stand size class, basal area of dead and cut trees, and dummy variables for forest type and forest industry ownership. We also found DDW similar to FIA's standing-tree mortality at a statewide scale.
Power of linkage analysis using traits generated from simulated longitudinal data of the Framingham Heart Study

The Framingham Heart Study is a very successful longitudinal research for cardiovascular diseases. The completion of a 10-cM genome scan in Framingham families provided an opportunity to evaluate linkage using longitudinal data. Several descriptive traits based on simulated longitudinal data from the Genetic Analysis Workshop 13 (GAW13) were generated, and linkage analyses were performed for these traits. We compared the power of detecting linkage for baseline and slope genes in the simulated data of GAW13 using these traits. We found that using longitudinal traits based on multiple follow-ups may not be more powerful than using cross-sectional traits for genetic linkage analysis.
Structural and Dielectric Properties in (1−x)BaTiO3–xBi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3 Ceramics (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and Potential for High‐Voltage Multilayer Capacitors

Structural and dielectric properties of (1−x)BaTiO3–xBi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3 (x = 0.1–0.5) were investigated to understand the binary system and utilize it for high-voltage, high energy density capacitors. The solubility limit for Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3 in a BaTiO3 perovskite was between x = 0.4 and x = 0.5. A phase with pseudocubic symmetry was formed for x = 0.1–0.4; a secondary phase developed at x = 0.5. Dielectric measurements showed highly diffusive and dispersive relaxor-like characteristics from 10 to 40 mol% of Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3. These compositions also showed high relative permittivity with low-temperature coefficients of permittivity over a wide range of temperatures −100°C–600°C. Relaxation behavior was quantitatively investigated using the Vogel–Fulcher model, which revealed the activation energy of 0.17–0.22 eV. Prototyped multilayer capacitors of 18 mm × 17 mm × 4 mm dimensions with a capacitance of 12.5 nF at 1 kHz were successfully constructed and demonstrated multiple charge–discharge characteristics up to 10 kV.
A circular trans-acting hepatitis delta virus ribozyme

A circular trans-acting ribozyme designed to adopt the motif of the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) trans-acting ribozyme was produced. The circular form was generated in vitro by splicing a modified group I intron precursor RNA in which the relative order of the 5' and 3' splice sites, flanking the single HDV-like ribozyme sequence-containing exon, is reversed. Trans-cleavage activity of the circular HDV-like ribozyme was comparable to linear permutations of HDV ribozymes containing the same core sequence, and was shown not to be due to linear contaminants in the circular ribozyme preparation. In nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts from HeLa cells, the circular ribozyme had enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation relative to a linear form of the ribozyme, suggesting that circularization may be a viable alternative to chemical modification as a means of stabilizing ribozymes against nuclease degradation.
An adaptive RAM-DFE for storage channels

A modification of the decision feedback equalizer (DFE), RAM-DFE, is presented and analyzed for use in channels with trailing nonlinear intersymbol interference, especially binary saturation-recording channels. In the RAM-DFE, a look-up table, which can be easily implemented with random access memory, (RAM), replaces the transversal filter feedback section of the DFE. The feedforward section of the equalizer remains linear. A general nonlinear Markov (or finite-state machine) model is used to model the nonlinear intersymbol interference (ISI) channel. With this Markov model, a method is introduced for computing the minimum-mean-squared-error settings of the feedforward filter coefficients and the feedback filter and look-up table contents for the linear DFE and the RAM-DFE, respectively. RAM-DFE with these settings can be significantly better than the linear DFE for channels with trailing nonlinear ISI. Globally convergent gradient-type algorithms for updating the feedforward section coefficients and the contents of the feedback table are introduced and analyzed. Results based on data taken from disk storage units are discussed. >
Reliability evaluation of a conceptual all-digital special protection system architecture for the future smart grid

The smart grid is emerging with the penetration of information-age technologies and the development of the special protection system (SPS) will be greatly influenced. This paper proposes a conceptual all-digital SPS architecture for the future smart grid. The focus of the paper is how to apply reliability analysis approaches to the new all-digital SPS schemes. Calculation of important reliability indices by the network reduction method and the Markov modeling method is illustrated in detail.
Sleep apnea syndrome in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a condition of repeated episodes of apnea and hypopnea during sleep. It can cause life-threatening morbidities, including cardiac arrhythmia and ischemia, hypertension, and respiratory arrest, and even death. In a retrospective study at our institution of patients who underwent hip or knee total joint arthroplasty (TJA) with a diagnosis of SAS, we hypothesized that avoiding factors that exacerbate SAS in the perioperative period would minimize adverse outcomes. There were 19 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of moderate or severe SAS; 15 patients received continuous positive airway pressure or bilevel positive airway pressure noninvasive ventilation, 1 patient experienced respiratory arrest secondary to intraoperative propafol, and 2 patients developed postoperative respiratory depression. Avoidance of opioids and sedative drugs, awareness of the possibility of acute airway obstruction, and close monitoring during and after surgery are vital in patients with SAS.
The influence of natural radiation damage on helium diffusion kinetics in apatite

Abstract Stepwise degassing diffusion experiments on 39 different apatite samples using radiogenic 4He and proton-induced 3He reveal a range in closure temperature (Tc) from ∼ 50 to 115 °C, for a cooling rate of 10 °C/Myr. There is no correlation between helium diffusion and apatite chemistry including F/Cl ratio, but the closure temperature is positively correlated with the radiogenic 4He concentration ([4He]) in each sample. We argue that [4He] is a proxy for a sample's natural exposure to actinide radioactivity below the closure temperature, and that helium diffusion in apatite is impeded by radiation-induced damage to the apatite structure. The kinetics must therefore be an evolving function of time; measured diffusivities thus reflect a snapshot in time and cannot alone be applied to the thermochronometric interpretation of a given sample. The effect of radiation damage on helium diffusion appears to far exceed other known controls on helium diffusivity, including grain size. Our diffusion data are well described by a previously proposed, quantitative model that consists of two Arrhenius relations, one for volume diffusion through undamaged mineral structure and one for release of helium from radiation damage “traps.” The unknown parameters in this “trapping model” were determined from the diffusion experiments, and allow us to develop a tentative mathematical function that relates diffusivity to temperature and [4He]. By inserting this function into a 4He production-diffusion model we have explored how these results affect the interpretation of apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronometry. The model predicts that the effective 4He closure temperature of apatite will vary with cooling rate and effective U concentration (eU) and may differ from the commonly assumed Tc of 70 °C by up to ± 15 °C. The 4He partial retention zone will look similar to previous expectations, but its depth will depend on accumulation time and on eU. Most notably, samples subjected to reheating after accumulation of substantial radiation damage will be more retentive than previously expected. These predictions are consistent with recent observations of unexpected apatite (U–Th)/He ages in some settings.
DAST: A QoS-Aware Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a challenging problem is how to advance network QoS. Energy-efficiency, network communication traffic and failure-tolerance, these important factors of QoS are closely related with the applied performance of WSNs. Hence a QoS-aware routing protocol called directed alternative spanning tree (DAST) is proposed to balance the above three factors of QoS. A directed tree-based model is constructed to bring data transmission more motivated and efficient. Based on Markov, a communication state predicted mechanism is proposed to choose reasonable parent, and packet transmission to double-parent is submitted with alternative algorithm. For enhancing network failure-tolerance, routing reconstruction is studied on. With the simulations, the proposed protocol is evaluated in comparison with the existing protocols from energy efficiency to the failure-tolerance. The performance of DAST is verified to be efficient and available, and it is competent for satisfying QoS of WSNs.
Stream Temperature Dynamics in Upland Agricultural Watersheds

A numerical model to compute the free-surface flow hydrodynamics and stream temperature dy- namics by solving the depth-averaged, 1D unsteady flow and heat transport equations is presented. The hydro- dynamics model considers the effects of arbitrary stream geometry, variable slopes, variable flow regimes, and unsteady boundary conditions. The thermal transport model accounts for the effects of solar radiation, air tem- perature, relative humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, heat conduction between water and streambed, subsurface flow, and shading by riparian vegetation. The model is verified with measurements in a stream in an upland agricultural watershed located in Indiana. Diurnal variations in the streamflow and stream temperatures are highly transient. The proposed model predicted well the streamflow and stream temperatures that were measured every 15 min over 25 days. The results of this study demonstrate that the solar (shortwave) radiation and subsurface inflow are the most significant contributors to the stream heat budget. model was successfully applied in a steep channel where tem- poral change in flow is not abrupt. The solution of the com- plete hydrodynamics equation is necessary to incorporate the inertial terms, variety of channel slopes, and abrupt boundary conditions in small streams. In this paper, fully hydrodynamic and heat transport models are developed and coupled for water temperature and stream- flow prediction in streams. The model considers air-water heat exchange, sediment-water heat exchange, lateral heat inflow/ outflow, subsurface inflow/outflow, and the interaction be- tween solar radiation and riparian vegetation. The proposed model is verified with measurements in Little Pine Creek, Tip- pecanoe County, Ind. Good agreement between field measure- ments and model prediction is reported.
Modulation of Xenopus embryo mesoderm-specific gene expression and dorsoanterior patterning by receptors that activate the phosphatidylinositol cycle signal transduction pathway

A role for the phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle signal transduction pathway in Xenopus mesoderm induction has been revealed by observations of PI cycle activation coincident with this process, combined with the demonstration that Li+ (a PI cycle inhibitor) blocks this response and hyperdorsalizes mesoderm induction in intact embryos or augments growth factor-mediated induction in animal caps. It has been suggested that spatially restricted PI cycle activity in the marginal zone might modulate (but not, itself, activate) mesoderm induction. To better characterize the ability of PI cycle activity to modulate the pattern of mesoderm-specific gene expression elicited by mesoderm-inducing growth factors we have expressed in the embryo exogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors that activate the PI cycle. In embryos, ventral expression and activation of these receptors during mesoderm induction are without obvious effect, whereas dorsal expression and activation yield dorsoanterior-deficient tadpoles. In animal caps induced with activin, simultaneous activation of exogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors inhibits both convergent extension movements associated with dorsal mesoderm induction and the expression of goosecoid, a dorsal-specific gene, but is without effect on expression of a 149 generic mesodermal marker, Xbra. All of these effects of a 149 PI cycle-stimulating receptor are the opposites of those previously reported for the PI cycle inhibitor, Li+. PI cycle activity thus proves able to modulate the dorsal/ventral character of early mesodermal gene expression elicited by growth factor, suggesting a model for mesodermal patterning.
Cholinergic modulation of frequency receptive fields in auditory cortex: I. Frequency‐specific effects of muscarinic agonists

Previously we reported that acetylcholine (ACh) and acetyl-beta-meth- acholine (MCh) modify responses of neurons in auditory cortex to individual frequencies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether muscarinic agorists produce frequency-specific alterations or general changes in cellular responses. Frequency- specific modifications would be evident in alterations of frequency receptive fields (FRF) that differed across frequencies while general effects would be seen as changes that were more or less the same over frequencies. Responses of single neurons to designated sets of tones were recorded in the auditory cortex of chronically prepared awake cats before, during, and following ejection of ACh or MCh by iontophoresis or micropi.essure using multibarrel micropipettes. Frequency receptive fields were determined tiy presenting isointensity tones across a range of frequencies including the cell's best frequency (BF) to tone onset. FRF for "off" and "sustained (through)" responses were also determined quantitatively. The effects of ACh and MCh were predominantly frequency-specific (77%, 39/51 cells); general changes (19%, 10/51) and no effects (4%, 2/51) were less likely. Frequency-specific effects involved both facilitation and reduction of the same response component to different frequencies within the same neuron. For responses to tone onset (but not "through and "off responses), agonists were more likely to produce a decrease at the BF while simultaneously increasing responses to other frequencies. Agonists could increase or decrease frequency selectivity. Effects of agonists could be blocked by atropine, suggesting involvement of muscarinic receptors.
Valuation ratios and long-horizon stock price predictability

Using annual data for 1872-1997, this paper re-examines the predictability of real stock prices based on price-dividend and price-earnings ratios. In line with the extant literature, we find significant evidence of increased long-horizon predictability; that is, the hypothesis that the current value of a valuation ratio is uncorrelated with future stock price changes cannot be rejected at short horizons but can be rejected at longer horizons based on bootstrapped critical values constructed from linear representations of the data. While increased statistical power at long horizons in finite samples provides a possible explanation for the pattern of predictability in the data, we find via Monte Carlo simulations that the power to detect predictability in finite samples does not increase at long horizons in a linear framework. An alternative explanation for the pattern of predictability in the data is nonlinearities in the underlying data-generating process. We consider exponential smooth-transition autoregressive models of the price-dividend and priceearnings ratios and their ability to explain the pattern of stock price predictability in the data.
T-bet is induced by interferon-γ to mediate chemokine secretion and migration in human airway smooth muscle cells

An inappropriate balance between T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokine production underlies inflammatory changes that result in airway disease. Expression of the T-box transcription factor T-bet regulates differentiation of Th cells and production of Th1 cytokines, particularly IFNγ. T-bet-deficient mice develop airway hyperreactivity, undergo airway remodeling, and exhibit defects in IFNγ production while overproducing Th2 cytokines. T-bet is also reduced in the airways of asthmatic patients, suggesting loss of T-bet expression or activity promotes development of inflammatory airway disease. We present novel data demonstrating T-bet expression is induced in human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) by IFNγ. This IFNγ-stimulated expression of T-bet is dependent on signaling through JAK2 and signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) and activates T-bet-dependent DNA binding activity. Expression of T-bet stimulates IFNγ-stimulated IFNγ expression, secretion, and promoter activity, while inhibiting IFNγ-stimulated release of chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2, regulated on activation normal T-expressed and secreted (RANTES)/CCL5, and eotaxin/CCL11. This is accompanied by changes in expression of the chemokine receptors CCR3 and IL12Rβ2 and TNFα. T-bet expression also reduces chemotactic migration of ASMC in response to serum and PDGF, which contributes to airway hyperplasia. These results are the first to identify T-bet expression and activity in a structural cell of the lung and may provide new insights into therapeutic targets for inflammatory airway disease.
Boron Carbide-Based Ceramics Via Polymer Route Synthesis

Boron carbide is a ceramic material with excellent high temperature physical properties. As compared to conventional techniques, the preparation of boron carbide from polymeric precursors is attractive as this technique offers a number of unique advantages. In this paper, the screening of polymeric precursors to boron carbide will be discussed. Two promising boron carbide, carborane containing polymeric precursors have resulted in 60-70 wt.% ceramic yields. The chemistry of polymer synthesis and the transformations from the polymer to amorphous and crystalline boron carbide were investigated with infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and x ray diffraction.
Amino acid transport and metabolism in mycobacteria: cloning, interruption, and characterization of an L-Arginine/gamma-aminobutyric acid permease in Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

Genes encoding l-arginine biosynthetic and transport proteins have been shown in a number of pathogenic organisms to be important for metabolism within the host. In this study we describe the cloning of a gene (Rv0522) encoding an amino acid transporter from Mycobacterium bovis BCG and the effects of its deletion on l-arginine transport and metabolism. The Rv0522 gene of BCG was cloned from a cosmid library by using primers homologous to the rocE gene of Bacillus subtilis, a putative arginine transporter. A deletion mutant strain was constructed by homologous recombination with the Rv0522 gene interrupted by a selectable marker. The mutant strain was complemented with the wild-type gene in single copy. Transport analysis of these strains was conducted using 14C-labeled substrates. Greatly reduced uptake of l-arginine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) but not of lysine, ornithine, proline, or alanine was observed in the mutant strain compared to the wild type, grown in Middlebrook 7H9 medium. However, when the strains were starved for 24 h or incubated in a minimal salts medium containing 20 mM arginine (in which even the parent strain does not grow), l-[14C]arginine uptake by the mutant but not the wild-type strain increased strongly. Exogenous l-arginine but not GABA, lysine, ornithine, or alanine was shown to be toxic at concentrations of 20 mM and above to wild-type cells growing in optimal carbon and nitrogen sources such as glycerol and ammonium. l-Arginine supplied in the form of dipeptides showed no toxicity at concentrations as high as 30 mM. Finally, the permease mutant strain showed no defect in survival in unactivated cultured murine macrophages compared with wild-type BCG.
Human computation tasks with global constraints

An important class of tasks that are underexplored in current human computation systems are complex tasks with global constraints. One example of such a task is itinerary planning, where solutions consist of a sequence of activities that meet requirements specified by the requester. In this paper, we focus on the crowdsourcing of such plans as a case study of constraint-based human computation tasks and introduce a collaborative planning system called Mobi that illustrates a novel crowdware paradigm. Mobi presents a single interface that enables crowd participants to view the current solution context and make appropriate contributions based on current needs. We conduct experiments that explain how Mobi enables a crowd to effectively and collaboratively resolve global constraints, and discuss how the design principles behind Mobi can more generally facilitate a crowd to tackle problems involving global constraints.
Modeling the mental health effects of victimization among homeless persons

Homeless persons are victims of violent and non-violent crime at higher rates than housed populations. While studies have suggested that victimization can induce or exacerbate mental health problems, there is very little known about factors that may buffer the effects of victimization. This cross-sectional study examined the influence of victimization on depressive symptoms in over 9600 homeless and mentally ill adults participating in the Access to Community Care and Effective Services and Supports study (ACCESS) conducted in multiple cities across the USA relationships between victimization, depressive symptoms, and perceived safety were tested within a structural equation modeling framework using data collected at the baseline interview. The overall model exhibited a good fit with the data. Non-physical victimization was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and physical victimization was associated with lower levels of perceived safety. As hypothesized, perceived safety was a significant partial mediator of depressive symptoms. These results underscore the complexity of the relationships between victimization and depression in homeless adults and the importance of addressing different types of victimization in homeless and mentally ill adults.
Two Mechanisms for Simulating Other Minds Dissociations Between Mirroring and Self-Projection

People often attempt to understand other minds by using their own thoughts and experiences as a proxy for those of others, a process known broadly as simulation. Recent research in cognitive neuroscience has identified the neural bases of two forms of simulation: mirroring and self-projection. Mirroring involves a vicarious response in which a perceiver experiences the same current mental state as that of another person, and has been linked recently to brain regions that “mirror” the experiential states of others. In contrast, self-projection involves imagining oneself in the same situation as another person, predicting one’s thoughts and feelings in that hypothetical scenario and assuming that the other would think and feel the same way. This form of simulation has been linked to a set of regions known collectively as the default network and includes the medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus and posterior cingulate, and lateral parietal cortex. Although most discussions of simulation have conflated these t...