cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ELL preschoolers’ English vocabulary acquisition from storybook reading.

Abstract This study investigates the effects of rich explanation, baseline vocabulary, and home reading practices on English language learning (ELL) preschoolers’ sophisticated vocabulary learning from storybook reading. Eighty typically developing preschoolers were pretested in L1 (Portuguese) and L2 (English) receptive vocabulary and were assigned to experimental or control groups. Eight books were selected and paired. Experimental participants heard books read three times over a 3-week period with rich explanations of target vocabulary. Controls heard stories read without explanations. Parents completed questionnaires about the frequency, content, and language of home reading practices. Rich explanation, initial L2 vocabulary, and frequency of home reading make significant contributions to sophisticated word learning from storyreading. Findings have important implications for L2 vocabulary acquisition in ELL preschoolers.
Force control of high-speed, lightweight robotic manipulators

Force control of a two-link planar manipulator with one flexible link is considered in this study. The equations of motion of the planar manipulator are derived using the extended Hamilton's principle with only structurally flexibility effects included in the dynamic model. A control algorithm for constrained maneuvers (manipulator end-effector is required to exert a specified force on the environment as it moves along a specified path) is presented. The approach to solving the control problem is to use feedforward and feedback control torques. The feedforward torques maneuver the flexible manipulator along a nominal trajectory and the feedback torques (obtained using LQR theory) minimize the deviation from the nominal trajectory. Simulated results are presented for a numerical example.
Tripod Self-Assembled Monolayer on Au(111) Prepared by Reaction of Hydroxyl-Terminated Alkylthiols with SiCl4

Infrared reflection spectroscopy (IRS), single wavelength ellipsometry, and density functional theory were used to elucidate the structure of a molecular tripod self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on polycrystalline gold{111} substrates. The tripod SAM was formed by the reaction of SiCl4 with a densely packed monolayer of 2-mercaptoethanol, 6-mercaptohexanol, and 16-mercaptohexadecanol under inert atmosphere. After reaction with SiCl4, IRS spectra show an intense absorption at approximately 1112 cm(-1) that is attributed to Si-O-C asymmetric stretching vibration of a molecular tripod structure. Harmonic vibrational frequencies computed at the B3LYP/6-311+g** level of theory for the mercaptoethanol tripod SAM closely match the experimental IRS spectra, giving further support for the tripod structure. When rinsed with methanol or water, the Si-Cl-terminated SAM becomes capped with Si-OMe or Si-OH. The silanol-terminated tripod SAM is expected to find use in the preparation of thin zeolite and silica films on gold substrates.
Actions of cholecystokinin-related peptides on the gallbladder of bony fishes in vitro

1. Cholecystokinin (CCK) family peptides elicited dose-related gallbladder contractions in vitro for bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus), and bowfin (Amia calva). 2. Effects measured by increases in isometric contractions indicated equipotency for nonsulfated forms of CCK and caerulein (CRL; bluegill) and for sulfated CCK and CRL (bluegill, fundulus). Sulfation increased potency. 3. Responses to CCK-related peptides were insensitive to atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, which blocked acetylcholine-induced contractions, used for calibration of preparations. 4. Activity of sulfated CCK8 in bowfin, a holostean fish, suggests sensitivity of gallbladder to CCK-related intestinal hormones may be a general feature of osteichthyeans.
A Study of Direct-Current Corona in Various Gases

1. The critical corona intensities have been determined for helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, air, and carbon dioxide for pressures ranging from 2 to 760 mm. 2. In each case the relattion E/P = A + B/?/P was found to hold approximately for pressures above 4 cm. 3. The values found for air agree well with those found by Whitehead and Isshiki from their investigation of alternating-current corona. 4. No simple relation could be found giving the connection between E/P and 1/?P over the whole range of pressure. 5. The influence of temperature on critical corona intensity was investigated for hydrogen, and found to consist merely of a change in ?, as was expected. 6. It is shown that the data obtained do not permit the explanation of corona as a process of ionization by collision, unless we make further assumptions. The nature of the assumptions necessary is not evident.
Impact of Initiator Spacer Length on Grafting Polystyrene from Silica Nanoparticles

Using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), we synthesized hybrid organic/inorganic nanoparticles consisting of a silica core and a polystyrene brush. The brushes were grafted from the nanop...
Humoral-Targeted Immunotherapies in Multiple Sclerosis

The continuous improvements of our understanding of the pathophysiological changes that occur in multiple sclerosis (MS) have translated into many novel therapeutic agents at different stages of development. These agents target more specifically the innate or the adaptive immune response. We will review agents available or under development that target the humoral pathways of the adaptive immune response. As such, humoral targeted immunotherapies that are being developed for MS are discussed herein: rituximab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab show promise as B-cell depleting agents. Other agents, such as atacicept were suspended during development in MS due to increased inflammatory activity versus the placebo. Although most agents were tested in relapsing-remitting forms of MS, rituximab and ocrelizumab have both been studied in progressive MS, whereas ocrelizumab only is currently moving forward in primary progressive MS trials. We provide an overview of agents available and under development that target the humoral response and include their mechanisms of action, safety profiles, and results of clinical trials.
Pattern of intentional burns to children in Ghana

Intentional (inflicted) injury to children through burns has been studied and mentioned extensively in the literature, although much less so in developing countries. A community-based survey of children aged 0-5 years in the Ashanti Region of Ghana found that of 650 childhood burns, 35 (5.4%) were purposefully inflicted. The perpetrators were mostly friends (43%) and siblings (37%) of the victims, and traditional healers (6%) who inflicted these burns to children who were comatose after convulsions. Intentional burns were more likely to be inflicted by flame (OR = 3.87, 95% CI = 1.52-10.0), and contact with a hot object (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = .62-4.44) than through scalding, the most common cause of burns in this region. Other patterns of intentional burns included the absence of any adult, burns covering Language: en
INVESTIGATING ASPECTS OF THE LANGUAGE LEARNER'S CONFIDENCE: AN APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF SIGNAL DETECTION

In this study of the performance of a group of adult Japanese ESI learners on a listening test, an attempt is made to discover the relationship between correctness in answering and accuracy in judging the correctness incorrectness of answers chosen. Each time the learners chose an answer, they had to indicate on a 5-point scale how confident they were of the correctness of the answer. While average ratings for correct answers were higher than for wrong answers, two other patterns of “nonconfident correct answering” and “very confident wrong answering” were found. In order to investigate these phenomena in terms of the individual learner's performance, some analytic procedures from the Theory of Signal Detection were applied. An explanation and exemplification of those procedures are presented. The results show that there can be substantial differences in individual performances, despite identical test scores. These differences in terms of self-monitoring ability and confidence arc demonstrated and discussed. The study shows that the analytic procedures described can yield a number of important insights into learner performance and that the assumption of a straightforward relationship between accuracy and confidence in answering test items is mistaken.
Frailty and Respiratory Impairment in Older Persons

Abstract Background Among older persons, the association between frailty and spirometry-confirmed respiratory impairment has not been evaluated yet. Methods By using data on white participants aged 65 to 80 years (Cardiovascular Health Study, N=3578), we evaluated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between frailty and respiratory impairment, including their combined effect on mortality. Baseline assessments included frailty status (Fried phenotype: non-frail, pre-frail, and frail) and spirometry. Outcomes included development of frailty features (pre-frail or frail) at year 3 and respiratory impairment (airflow limitation or restrictive pattern) at year 4, and death (median follow-up, 13.2 years). Results At baseline, 48.3% of participants were pre-frail, 5.8% of participants were frail, 13.8% of participants had airflow limitation, and 9.3% of participants had restrictive pattern; 46.1% of participants subsequently died. At baseline, pre-frail and frail were cross-sectionally associated with airflow limitation (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-2.04 and adjusted OR 1.88; 95% CI, 1.15-3.09) and restrictive pattern (adjusted OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.37-2.36 and adjusted OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.91-4.88), respectively. Longitudinally, participants with baseline frailty features had an increased likelihood of developing respiratory impairment (adjusted OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.11-1.82). Conversely, participants with baseline respiratory impairment had an increased likelihood of developing frailty features (adjusted OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.17-2.13). Mortality was highest among participants who were frail and had respiratory impairment (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.91; 95% CI, 2.93-5.22), compared with those who were non-frail and had no respiratory impairment. Conclusion Frailty and respiratory impairment are strongly associated with one another and substantially increase the risk of death when both are present. Establishing these associations may inform interventions designed to reverse or prevent the progression of either condition and to reduce adverse outcomes.
Reactions of vanadium(IV) and (V) with s2 metal-ion reducing centers

The s2 centers, Sn(II), Ge(II), and In(I) reduce VO2+ rapidly and quantitatively to VO2+, and In(I) converts VO2+ (much more slowly) to V3+. Sn(II) and Ge(II) react measurably with VO2+ only in chloride media in the presence of added Cu(II). Arguments are presented that the V(V) reductions are initiated by a two-unit reduction to V(III) (via a hydroxo bridge), followed by a rapid comproportionation (VIII + VV → 2 VIV). The Cu(II)-catalyzed V(IV)–Sn(II) and V(IV)–Ge(II) reactions at high [Cl−] involve preliminary conversion of the catalyst to Cu(I), which then reduces V(IV), and kinetic profiles of the Ge(II) system point to participation of chloride-bound Ge(III) as well.
A genetic male infant with female phenotype in compatomelic syndrome: A possible relationship to exposure to oral contraceptives during pregnancy

Abstract This is the second reported case of a sex-reversed female infant with camptomelic syndrome who was exposed to oral contraceptives during the major portion of gestation.
Stacked inverted top-emitting green electrophosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes on glass and flexible glass substrates

Abstract Stacked inverted top-emitting green electrophosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are demonstrated on glass and flexible glass substrates. A single-unit OLED is shown to have a current efficacy of 46.8 cd/A at a luminance of 1215 cd/m 2 . When two of these OLEDs are stacked, the double-unit OLED exhibits a current efficacy more than twice that of the single-unit OLED, with a current efficacy of 97.8 cd/A at a luminance of 1119 cd/m 2 . With the addition of an optical outcoupling layer of N , N ′-Di-[(1-naphthyl)- N , N ′-diphenyl]-1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD) on top of the semitransparent gold anode, the double-unit stacked OLED achieves a maximum current efficacy of 205 cd/A at a luminance of 103 cd/m 2 , maintaining a high current efficacy of 200 cd/A at a luminance of 1011 cd/m 2 . These stacked inverted OLED combine the advantages of inverted OLEDs with the benefits of having a stacked architecture.
Three-dimensional Interactive Data Language pole figure visualization

The Interactive Data Language has been used to produce a software program capable of advanced three-dimensional visualizations of pole figure and θ-2θ data. The data can also be used to calculate quantitative properties such as strain level and to minimize the peak-height texture effects in individual θ-2θ scans. The collection of the large data sets necessary for the analyses is facilitated by use of a position sensitive detector or area detector.
Transmission-Line Electric Loadings

THE loading of transmission lines depends upon many factors worthy of review at this time. With the removal of restrictions on critical materials, system engineers will give renewed consideration to their fundamental system design, and their effort may be expected to result in careful study to lower costs. This endeavor ultimately will result in standardization of apparatus and of system arrangements of proved designs. It is desirable to take a look into the future at this time, therefore, to determine what the transmission-line design loadings should be in order to make best use of the developments and experience of the past decade. This paper is devoted to an analysis and discussion of some of the important factors determining transmission-line electric loadings.
Cardiac rehabilitation 1992.

The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to optimize function through attention to the patient's medical needs, risk factors for recurrent events, physical reconditioning, and psycho-social needs. Medical needs include beta-adrenergic blocking agents and aspirin unless contraindicated, angiotensin converting inhibitors for left ventricular dysfunction, and relief of residual ischemia. Smoking, lipid abnormalities, physical inactivity, and hypertension remain important predictors of reinfarction and death and must be controlled. Obesity must be addressed because it exacerbates these problems. Therefore, the principles of behavior change should be applied to help patients control their risk factors and adopt healthy lifestyles. Smoking cessation and appropriate dietary behaviors canbe adopted by the patient while in the hospital. Physical reconditioning can also begin with twice-daily exercises. After discharge from hospital and after an initial submaximal exercise evaluation, the patient will benefit from three sessions per week of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation for six to eight weeks. These sessions should last about an hour and raise the patient's heart rate as much as30 beats per minute. Along with physical reconditioning, the cardiac rehabilitation program provides an opportunity to address risk factor modification, return to work, return to sexual activity, management of depression and anxiety, and the presence of risk factors in the patient's family. The patient should attend reinforcing sessions every three months for the first year and as necessary after that to control risk factors and reinforce the necessity for physical fitness.
Lung Cancer: Value of Various Imaging Modalities

Bronchogenic carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer death, and the overall prognosis remains poor. Imaging plays a critical role in the initial staging and follow-up of the disease. Bronchogenic carcinoma is typically detected first on chest radiography but computed tomography (CT) scan is the most important imaging technique, providing both staging information and assessment of recurrence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is most useful as a problem-solving tool. The increasing role of positron emission tomography (PET) scan in the evaluation is reviewed, and imaging guidelines of two national organizations are presented.
DISTRIBUTED LOAD BALANCING IN THE PRESENCE OF NODE FAILURE AND NETWORK DELAYS

Abstract In this paper, we present a new dynamic, and adaptive distributed load balancing algorithm. This algorithm is able to handle the loss of some computational nodes, the connectivity of the network, and the variations in tasks and transfer delays. An experimental verification of the algorithm is presented using PlanetLab.
Genome fingerprint scanning for protein identification and gene finding

Abstract The genome fingerprint scanning (GFS) system was developed to link proteomic data, consisting of peptide mass fingerprints and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data, to the genome sequence of an organism. It maps MS data directly to the genomic locus responsible for expression of a protein, without relying on prior genome annotation. The GFS approach provides the intriguing possibility of identifying novel genes straight from protein data, thereby potentially enhancing ongoing efforts to annotate the genomes.
On the viscosity of a fluidized system

By considering a fluidized state to be similar to a ‘fluid’ with a given density, which depends on the voidage, a rough order of magnitude for the apparent shear viscosity of the ‘fluid’ was found from a simple study of bubble motion in the fluidized state. A value for the viscosity of about 10 poise, or less, was found, which is in line with more recent suggested values. Using an expression for the continuum shear viscosity and bubble rise velocity given by the author previously a dependence of the bubble velocity on the voidage was indicated which showed that in fluidized states the velocity of rise increased with increasing voidage. This is in keeping with experimental observation. It should be noted both from the above and previous work in this area that the concept of a fluidized state as a simpleNewtonian fluid is limiting. With aNewtonian concept, however, considerable quantitative information has been found. This, not unexpectedly, has been in the area which might be described as the ‘inviscid’ fluidized state.
An empirical assessment of the influence of quality dimensions on organizational performance

While there are several conceptual models to suggest that there exists an association between quality dimensions (customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, employee service quality) and organizational performance, no empirical study to date has verified such claims. This paper extends the literature by collecting hard data from 165 practising managers and testing their perceptions of the association among various quality dimensions and several organizational performance measures. The relationships between these quality dimensions and the nine component items that make up organizational performance were also investigated for both manufacturing and service firms. The data were grouped into four typologies to include type of firm, size, age, and presence of formal quality department. Multiple discriminant analysis was conducted to differentiate the typology of firms in a multivariate setting. Our results indicate that practising managers in manufacturing firms tend to perceive more widely a positive corr...
A field-programmable mixed-signal array architecture using antifuse interconnects

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have been a great boon to the electronics industry, facilitating rapid and reliable prototyping of digital systems at low cost. Radiation-tolerant versions have had a major impact on space industries where low volume and the requirement of flight qualification makes custom ASIC design an expensive option, with slow development cycles. Presently, custom ASIC or discrete component design are the usual options for analog and mixed-signal circuit design, FPAA (Field-Programmable Analog Array) and FPMA (Field-Programmable Mixed-signal Array) parts exist but tend to be rather specialized in function, and none exist in radiation-tolerant form for use in aerospace applications. This paper outlines an architecture proposed for an FPAA fabricated in an existing commercial digital CMOS process used to make radiation-tolerant antifuse-based FPGA devices. The primary concerns are the impact of the technology and the overall array architecture on the flexibility of programming, the bandwidth available for high-speed analog circuits, and the accuracy of the components for high-performance applications.
Taste reactivity and Fos expression in GAD1-EGFP transgenic mice.

The central distribution of QHCl-elicited Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) suggests the location of a brain stem circuit that controls the oral rejection response. Although many species display an oral rejection response to bitter stimuli, the distribution of FLI associated with this response has been investigated only in rats. Fos data are minimal for the mouse, a species of increasing importance, due to its use in molecular and transgenic studies and taste-evoked oromotor responses are also only incompletely described in these rodents. We investigated these questions in FVB/NJ mice and a related transgenic strain (FVBTg(GadGFP)4507) that expresses green fluorescent protein in a subset of GAD1-containing neurons. QHCl, sucrose, or water delivered through intraoral cannulae yielded behavioral profiles that clearly differentiated QHCl from sucrose. Similar to rat, the number of neurons expressing FLI in the medial third of the solitary nucleus was elevated following QHCl compared with the other stimuli. In mice expressing green fluorescent protein, there was a pronounced distribution of GABAergic neurons in the ventral half of the solitary nucleus. Approximately 15% of solitary neurons expressing Fos were GABAergic, but this proportion did not differ according to stimulus.
The Ultra Long Duration Balloon Project

Abstract The USA NASA Balloon Program research and development (R&D) efforts have focused on the development of technologies to support increased capability balloon missions. Advances made in analytical structural/performance modeling and lightweight composite materials offered the promise of superpressure balloons capable of extended flight duration. In 1997 a project was approved to develop and demonstrate a new capability to support balloon missions lasting up to 100 days above 33.5 kms. The development project, called the Ultra Long Duration Balloon Project (ULDB), will conclude with a demonstration flight in the year 2000. The ULDB Project consists of four major systems: Vehicle and Recovery, Ballooncraft, Mission and Operations, and the Science Instrument. Major challenges include the balloon material, balloon fabrication, power, cryogenic refrigeration, thermal control, attitude control, telecommunications and data storage, and international overflight. An overview of ULDB Project (Smith, et al, 1998) will be presented.
Terrestrial aurora: astrophysical laboratory for anomalous abundances in stellar systems

Abstract. The unique magnetic structure of the terrestrial aurora as a conduit of information between the ionosphere and magnetosphere can be utilized as a laboratory for physical processes at similar magnetic configurations and applied to various evolutionary phases of the solar (stellar) system. The most spectacular heliospheric abundance enhancement involves the 3 He isotope and selective heavy elements in impulsive solar flares. In situ observations of electromagnetic waves on active aurora are extrapolated to flaring corona in an analysis of solar acceleration processes of 3 He, the only element that may resonate strongly with the waves, as well as heavy ions with specific charge-to-mass ratios, which may resonate weaker via their higher gyroharmonics. These results are applied to two observed anomalous astrophysical abundances: (1) enhanced abundance of 3 He and possibly 13 C in the late stellar evolutionary stages of planetary nebulae; and (2) enhanced abundance of the observed fossil element 26 Mg in meteorites as a decay product of radioactive 26 Al isotope due to interaction with the flare-energized 3 He in the early solar system.
Relation Between Hydraulic Conductivity and Texture in a Carbonate Aquifer: Regional Continuity

In the dolomite aquifer of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, stratigraphic units deposited as mudstones have little or no visible macroporosity and, based on injection-pressure tests, have average horizontal hydraulic conductivities of approximately 10−6 cm/sec, controlled by jointing. Coarse-grained units (packstones and grainstones), however, have horizontal hydraulic conductivities of 10−4 cm/sec and greater, argued to be controlled by granularity, not jointing. Using this relationship between texture and hydraulic conductivity in Milwaukee County and a sedimentary facies analysis, trends in hydraulic conductivity values are predicted for five stratigraphic units over an area of approximately 3500 km2. The predictions are tested qualitatively with sets of specific capacity values within the various stratigraphic units, and quantitatively with injection-pressure test values from five additional locations. Seven of eight qualitative and four of six quantitative predictions are judged to be successful. Therefore, trends in hydraulic conductivity, and to some extent local values, in this carbonate aquifer are predictable over areas of thousands of square kilometers without any site-specific data on jointing. The success rate could not have been this high if hydraulic conductivity were not controlled by the granularity of the lithologic units. It is argued, therefore, that the local bulk hydraulic conductivity of this carbonate aquifer is controlled by the granular porosity, and the aquifer will generally behave as a porous medium, even at the small scale of a typical pumping test.
Special Topics in Milling

Chapter 6 adds to the Chaps. 4 and 5 analyses by exploring the frequency content of stable and unstable milling signals and enhancing the previous time domain simulations to include runout of the cutter teeth and variable teeth spacing. It is shown that stable and unstable milling signals can be differentiated by their frequency content. Stable cuts exhibit content at the tooth passing frequency and its multiples (harmonics). Unstable cuts, on the other hand, display a significant peak at the chatter frequency, which occurs near one of the natural frequencies from the system’s frequency response function. Next, the contributions of runout to both the milling signal frequency content and the simulated process behavior are described. The effect of runout on the chip thickness calculation in the time domain simulation is shown. The simulation is updated with this modification; variable teeth spacing is also included to provide a generic predictive capability. The chapter concludes with a discussion of period-n bifurcations, or the sudden appearance of a qualitatively different solution with small changes in the operating parameters. To identify the bifurcation types, analysis tools are presented which include the Poincare map and bifurcation diagram.
Iridium-catalysed direct C–C coupling of methanol and allenes

Methanol is an abundant (35 million metric tons per year), renewable chemical feedstock, yet its use as a one-carbon building block in fine chemical synthesis is highly underdeveloped. Using a homogeneous iridium catalyst developed in our laboratory, methanol engages in a direct C-C coupling with allenes to furnish higher alcohols that incorporate all-carbon quaternary centres, free of stoichiometric by-products. A catalytic mechanism that involves turnover-limiting methanol oxidation, a consequence of the high energetic demand of methanol dehydrogenation, is corroborated through a series of competition kinetics experiments. This process represents the first catalytic C-C coupling of methanol to provide discrete products of hydroxymethylation.
Purification of Allantoinase from Soybean Seeds and Production and Characterization of Anti-Allantoinase Antibodies

Allantoinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of allantoin to allantoic acid, a reaction important in both biogenesis and degradation of ureides. Ureide production in cotyledons of germinating soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds has not been studied extensively but may be important in mobilizing nitrogen reserves. Allantoinase was purified approximately 2500-fold from a crude extract of soybean seeds by differential centrifugation, heat treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ethanol fractionation, and fast protein liquid chromatography (Pharmacia) with Mono-Q and Superose columns. The purified enzyme had a subunit size of 30 kD. Polyclonal antibodies produced against the purified protein titrated allantoinase activity in a crude extract of seed proteins. Antibodies recognized the 30-kD band in western blot analysis of crude seed extracts, indicating that they were specific for allantoinase.
Effect of Type of Concentrated Sweet Cream Buttermilk on the Manufacture, Yield, and Functionality of Pizza Cheese

Sweet cream buttermilk (SCB) is a rich source of phospholipids (PL). Most SCB is sold in a concentrated form. This study was conducted to determine if different concentration processes could affect the behavior of SCB as an ingredient in cheese. Sweet cream buttermilk was concentrated by 3 methods: cold ( 40 degrees C increased as cheese aged up to a month and were significantly lower in SCB cheeses than the control, indicating lower meltability. Degree of flow in all the cheeses was similar regardless of the treatment used, and as cheese ripened, it increased for all cheeses. Trichloroacetic acid-soluble N levels were similar in the control and SCB-fortified cheese. On baked pizza, cheese made from milk fortified with UF-SCB tended to have the lowest amount of free oil, but flavor attributes of all cheeses were similar. Addition of concentrated SCB to standardize cheesemilk for pizza cheese did not adversely affect functional properties of cheese but increased cheese moisture without changes in manufacturing procedure.
U and Th zonation in apatite observed by laser ablation ICPMS, and implications for the (U-Th)/He system

A laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique was developed to measure U, Th, and Ce zonation in polished sections of apatite for assessing the consequences of parent zonation for (U–Th)/He thermochronometry. The technique produces concentration maps with an averaging length-scale of ~20 μm, comparable to the α-stopping distance, and a precision of ~5% down to few ppm concentration levels. A model was developed to transform the measured concentration distribution into a simplified representation for use in spherical-geometry He production–diffusion models. To illustrate these methods, 30 sections of apatite from a single granite (GC863) were mapped. Every analyzed apatite from GC863 is zoned, with most grains having variable thickness rims and terminations that are enriched in U and Th by about a factor of three over the grain cores. Parent zonation has three independent effects on (U–Th)/He He ages: it influences the α ejection correction, the ^(4)He concentration profile which governs diffusive loss, and, via radiation damage trap accumulation, spatial variability of diffusivity within the crystal. If the observed zonation is typical of the apatite population in GC863, use of the standard homogenous α ejection correction would cause He ages to be on average 3% too young, and with a large amount of grain-to-grain variability (9% too young in the most rim-enriched case to 6% too old in a core-enriched case). Independent of the ejection correction, the concentration profile modifies the effective closure temperature of the apatites by placing more (or less) ^(4)He near the grain edge. The parent zonation in GC863 apatites causes closure temperatures to range from four degrees lower (rim-enriched case) to two degrees higher (core-enriched case) than applies in the homogenous case. Alpha ejection and concentration profile effects on He age are additive and of the same sense. In the case of typical grains in GC863 cooled between 1 and 10 °C/Ma, the two effects are roughly equal in magnitude. The effects of intracrystalline variations in radiation damage trap accumulation become apparent at slow cooling rates (1 °C/Ma). For example, in rim-enriched GC863 grains cooled at 1 °C/Ma, preferential accumulation of radiation damage traps near the grain rim almost compensates for the higher loss rate expected of 4He also located preferentially near the rim. Under some circumstances strong rim-enrichment may actually increase the effective closure temperature of an apatite. Zonation at the level observed in GC863 modifies the ^(4)He/^(3)He spectra substantially from that expected from a uniform distribution. Measured ^(4)He/^(3)He spectra are strikingly similar to predictions based on the mapped eU distributions of the very same crystals, supporting the overall validity of the analytical and interpretive approach presented here. The magnitude and style of U, Th zonation documented in GC863 is one possible source of frequently observed over-dispersion of apatite (U–Th)/He ages as well as anomalous ^(4)He/^(3)He spectra.
Experimental Infections of Bluegill with the Trematode Ribeiroia ondatrae (Digenea: Cathaemasiidae): Histopathology and Hematological Response

AbstractInfections by the digenetic trematode, Ribeiroia ondatrae, cause severe limb malformations in many North American amphibians. Ribeiroia ondatrae also infects fishes as second intermediate hosts, but less is known about the pathology and immune responses initiated in infected fish, even though reports of infected fish date back to early 1900s. To this end, we experimentally exposed juvenile Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus to three doses of R. ondatrae cercariae and monitored the pathology, parasite infection success, and humoral responses over 648 h. All exposed fish became infected with metacercariae, and the average infection load increased with exposure dose. Histologically, infection was associated with acute hemorrhages in the lateral line and local dermis at 36 h, followed by progressive granulomatous inflammation that led to the destruction of encysted metacercariae. Correspondingly, over the course of 648 h we observed an 85% decline in average infection load among hosts, reflecting the host'...
Methyl Bromide Fumigation for Quarantine Control of Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on Nectarines

A methyl bromide (MB) fumigation of 48 g/m3 for 2 h at 21°C or above was developed for control of codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), on six early to midseason nectarine, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica Schneid, cultivars, including ‘May Grand’, ‘Firebrite’, ‘Red Diamond’, ‘Spring Red’, ‘Summer Grand’, and ‘Fantasia’. The fumigation treatment was based on mortality data from 24-h-old eggs, the CM life stage least susceptible to MB that may infest early to midseason fresh, packed nectarines. No differences in egg susceptibility to MB were found among five infested nectarine cultivars. MB was more toxic to CM eggs on ‘Summer Grand’. Doses (30.0–40.0 g/m3) and concentration times time (CT) products required to cause 100% CM egg mortality were determined. Large-scale tests of the proposed MB fumigation quarantine treatment caused 100% mortality of 6,187 CM eggs.
Adapting observationally based metrics of biogeophysical feedbacks from land cover/land use change to climate modeling

To assess the biogeophysical impacts of land cover/land use change (LCLUC) on surface temperature, two observation-based metrics and their applicability in climate modeling were explored in this study. Both metrics were developed based on the surface energy balance, and provided insight into the contribution of different aspects of land surface change (such as albedo, surface roughness, net radiation and surface heat fluxes) to changing climate. A revision of the first metric, the intrinsic biophysical mechanism, can be used to distinguish the direct and indirect effects of LCLUC on surface temperature. The other, a decomposed temperature metric, gives a straightforward depiction of separate contributions of all components of the surface energy balance. These two metrics well capture observed and model simulated surface temperature changes in response to LCLUC. Results from paired FLUXNET sites and land surface model sensitivity experiments indicate that surface roughness effects usually dominate the direct biogeophysical feedback of LCLUC, while other effects play a secondary role. However, coupled climate model experiments show that these direct effects can be attenuated by large scale atmospheric changes (indirect feedbacks). When applied to real-time transient LCLUC experiments, the metrics also demonstrate usefulness for assessing the performance of climate models and quantifying land–atmosphere interactions in response to LCLUC.
RbdB, a Rhomboid Protease Critical for SREBP Activation and Virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus.

ABSTRACT SREBP transcription factors play a critical role in fungal virulence; however, the mechanisms of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) activation in pathogenic fungi remains ill-defined. Screening of the Neurospora crassa whole-genome deletion collection for genes involved in hypoxia responses identified a gene for an uncharacterized rhomboid protease homolog, rbdB, required for growth under hypoxic conditions. Loss of rbdB in Aspergillus fumigatus also inhibited growth under hypoxic conditions. In addition, the A. fumigatus ΔrbdB strain also displayed phenotypes consistent with defective SREBP activity, including increased azole drug susceptibility, reduced siderophore production, and full loss of virulence. Expression of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA binding domain of the SREBP SrbA in ΔrbdB restored all of the phenotypes linking RdbB activity with SrbA function. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain of SrbA containing the bHLH DNA binding region was absent from ΔrbdB under inducing conditions, suggesting that RbdB regulates the protein levels of this important transcription factor. As SrbA controls clinically relevant aspects of fungal pathobiology in A. fumigatus, understanding the mechanisms of SrbA activation provides opportunities to target this pathway for therapeutic development. IMPORTANCEAspergillus fumigatus causes life-threatening infections, and treatment options remain limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutic targets to treat this deadly disease. Previously, we have shown that SREBP transcription factors and their regulatory components are critical for the pathobiology of A. fumigatus. Here we identify a role for RbdB, a rhomboid protease, as an essential component of SREBP activity. Our results indicate that mutants lacking rbdB have growth defects under hypoxic conditions, are hypersusceptible to voriconazole, lack extracellular siderophore production, and fail to cause disease in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. This study increases our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in SREBP activation in pathogenic fungi and provides a novel therapeutic target for future development.
Müllerian adenosarcoma of the uterus. Ultrastructure before and after radiation therapy.

A case of mullerian adenosarcoma arising in the endometrium was studied by light and electron microscopy before and after radiation treatment. The tumor was composed of malignant stroma containing undifferentiated mesenchymal cells admixed with mature fibroblasts and other cells that contained crystalloids. The surface epithelium was lined by epithelial cells with and without cilia, similar to the normal surface epithelium cells of the uterus. High-dose therapeutic irradiation eliminated the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells from the tumor but did not alter the morphology of other epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The immaturity of mesenchymal cells and their radiosensitivity coupled with the ultrasonographic evidence of growth of the tumor point to the probable malignant nature of this neoplasm.
Fabrication and testing of antimony doped bismuth tri-iodide semiconductor gamma-ray detectors

Abstract Antimony (Sb) doped bismuth tri-iodide (BiI 3 ) radiation detectors were fabricated from large single crystals that were grown using the modified vertical Bridgman technique. Detectors were prepared by subjecting the crystal surfaces to different mechanical and chemical treatments. Surface quality of the detectors was evaluated using optical microscopy. The influence of surface quality on detector performance was analyzed by measuring the leakage current for each of the detectors. The radiation response of the detectors was measured using an Americium ( 241 Am) gamma-ray source at room temperature. The first successful use of BiI 3 detectors for gamma-ray spectroscopy is reported here with energy resolution of 7.5% at 59.5 keV. The mobility-lifetime product for electrons was also estimated to be about 5.2 × 10 −4 cm 2 /V.
An existential-phenomenological investigation of the experience of gay men acknowledging to themselves that they are attracted to other men

AbstractThere are an abundance of studies regarding the development of sexual identity and sexual orientation that have served as the foundational underpinnings for exploring sexual orientation development. To date, however, findings from these studies have failed to constitute a significant resource for understanding the gay man’s experience of acknowledging to himself that he is attracted to other men. By identifying the essential constituents of this experience, this existential-phenomenological study provides a starting point for further exploration. Written narrative accounts were obtained from seven men who identified sexually as gay and a method of existential-phenomenological analysis was applied to reveal the prereflective constituents of the experience described. The analysis yielded a new perspective on the experience of gay men and their attraction to other men that has the capacity to change the way practising clinicians, educators, counsellors and future researchers treat and understand the ...
Thermal and mechanical properties of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotube polycarbonate polyurethane composites with a focus on self-healing

Single walled and multi walled carbon nanotubes were incorporated into a high molar mass polycarbonate polyurethane via ultrasonication. The polycarbonate polyurethane which is free of any healing additives has the capacity to partially re-heal after rupture. The formation of the polyurethane/carbon nanotube composites has been shown to greatly improve the self-healing characteristics. Moreover, there is an increase in the thermal and mechanical properties of the thermoplastic composites. Herein we investigate the thermal and mechanical properties of the elastomeric material with a focus of the interface of the carbon nanotubes. Additionally, the self-healing polymer is probed using Raman techniques in order to provide an insight into how the self-healing actions are improved upon addition of carbon nanotubes.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Bone Marrow–Derived Mononuclear Cells in Animal Models of Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) offer the promise of augmenting poststroke recovery. There is mounting evidence of safety and efficacy of BMMNCs from preclinical studies of ischemic stroke; however, their pooled effects have not been described. Methods— Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of preclinical literature for intravenous use of BMMNCs followed by meta-analyses of histological and behavioral outcomes. Studies were selected based on predefined criteria. Data were abstracted by 2 independent investigators. After quality assessment, the pooled effects were generated using mixed-effect models. Impact of possible biases on estimated effect size was evaluated. Results— Standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval for reduction in lesion volume was significantly beneficial for BMMNC treatment (standardized mean difference: −3.3; 95% confidence interval, −4.3 to −2.3). n=113 each for BMMNC and controls. BMMNC-treated animals (n=161) also had improved function measured by cylinder test (standardized mean difference: −2.4; 95% confidence interval, −3.1 to −1.6), as compared with controls (n=205). A trend for benefit was observed for adhesive removal test and neurological deficit score. Study quality score (median: 6; Q1–Q3: 5–7) was correlated with year of publication. There was funnel plot asymmetry; however, the pooled effects were robust to the correction of this bias and remained significant in favor of BMMNC treatment. Conclusions— BMMNCs demonstrate beneficial effects across histological and behavioral outcomes in animal ischemic stroke models. Although study quality has improved over time, considerable degree of heterogeneity calls for standardization in the conduct and reporting of experimentation.
Chronic pericardial effusion requiring pericardiectomy in the postpericardiotomy syndrome.

The postpericardiotomy syndrome is not an uncommon complication of cardiac surgery. The condition usually resolves spontaneously, although minimal drug therapy may be required in some instances. No cases of chronic pericardial effusion after pericardiotomy have been reported previously in the literature. However, we have recently treated a patient who developed chronic effusion with cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis and drug therapy were ineffective in eradicatiing the condition permanently. As a consequence, pericardiectomy was necessary. The patient has remained asymptomatic since removal of the pericardium.
An early marker of axial pattern in the chick embryo and its respecification by retinoic acid

Chick Ghox 2.9 protein, a homeodomain-containing polypeptide, is first detected in the mid-gastrula stage embryo and its levels increase rapidly in the late gastrula. At this time, the initially narrow band of expression along the primitive streak expands laterally to form a shield-like domain that encompasses almost the entire posterior region of the embryo and extends anteriorly as far as Hensen9s node. We have found that this expression domain co-localizes with a morphological feature that consists of a stratum of refractile, thickened mesoderm. Antibody-staining indicates that Ghox 2.9 protein is present in all cells of this mesodermal region. In contrast, expression within the ectoderm overlying the region of refractile mesoderm varies considerably. The highest levels of expression are found in ectoderm near the streak and surrounding Hensen9s node, regions that recent fate mapping studies suggest that primarily destined to give rise to neurectoderm. At the definitive streak stage (Hamburger and Hamilton stage 4) the chick embryo is especially sensitive to the induction of axial malformations by retinoic acid. Four hours after the treatment of definitive streak embryos with a pulse of retinoic acid the expression of Ghox 2.9 protein is greatly elevated. This ectopic expression occurs in tissues anterior to Hensen9s node, including floor plate, notochord, presumptive neural plate and lateral plate mesoderm, but does not occur in the anteriormost region of the embryo. The ectopic induction of Ghox 2.9 is strongest in ectoderm, and weaker in the underlying mesoderm. Endoderm throughout the embryo is unresponsive. At stage 11, Ghox 2.9 is normally expressed at high levels within rhombomere 4 of the developing hindbrain. In retinoic-acid-treated embryos which have developed to this stage, typical rhombomere boundaries are largely absent. Nevertheless, Ghox 2.9 is still expressed as a discrete band, but one that is widened and displaced to a more anterior position.