cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Thyroid Hormone in Postnatal Circulatory and Metabolic Adjustments

Abstract To assess the role of the early postnatal surge in plasma thyroid hormone concentrations on cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations, we measured cardiac output, total oxygen consumption, and plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations in three groups of lambs in the first 6 h after delivery. 15 fetal lambs were prepared at gestational ages of 128-129 d by placing catheters in the brachiocephalic artery, descending aorta, distal inferior vena cava, left atrium, and pulmonary artery so that measurements could be made soon after delivery. They were divided into three groups: Group I comprised five control animals; Group II consisted of five fetuses in which thyroidectomy was performed at surgery at 129 d gestation; and Group III consisted of five animals in which thyroidectomy was performed at term gestation during delivery by caesarian section, prior to severing the umbilical cord. The lambs in Group I exhibited a rapid postnatal rise in T3 concentrations, similar to that described previously, reaching a peak value of about 5 ng/ml. Although the postnatal surge in T3 concentration was arrested in Group II and III animals, Group II had no detectable plasma T3, while the Group III animals had T3 concentrations of about 0.8 ng/ml, which were within the range previously reported for term lamb fetuses. The lambs in group II showed 40-50% lower left ventricular outputs (190 vs. 297 ml/kg per min), systemic blood flows (155 vs. 286 ml/kg per min), and oxygen consumptions (9.8 vs. 20.2 ml/kg per min) as compared with Group I animals over the entire 6-h period. The lambs in Group II also had significantly lower heart rates (131 vs. 192 beats/min) and mean systemic arterial pressures (56 vs. 72 torr). However, there were no significant differences for any of these measurements between the Group III and Group I lambs. The reduction in cardiac output in the Group II animals were reflected in a significantly lower blood flow to the peripheral circulation, but there were no significant differences in blood flow to other organs in the three groups. These studies indicate that plasma thyroid concentrations in the 2-3 wk prior to delivery and not the increase in thyroid hormone concentrations which occur after birth are important for postnatal cardiovascular and metabolic adjustments. We speculate that lack of circulating triiodothyronine in late gestation may affect postnatal cardiovascular adaptation by modifying normal beta adrenergic receptor development.
PREDICTION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AGED ASPHALTS FROM THE FLOW DATA OF THE ORIGINAL UNAGED SAMPLES

Abstract Aging of asphalt has implications during the construction of pavements and their long-term performance. The asphalt binder is known to stiffen during the mixing and lay down operations as well as during the service life of the pavement. Laboratory aging procedures have been set up to simulate the aging process in the field through the use of accelerated tests. Rheological characterization of the aged asphalts is carried out to get a measure of the extent of stiffening due to aging. However, the laboratory aging procedures along with the rheological characterization of the aged samples is a time-consuming process. Researchers have been looking for methods of shortening the time involved in generating this information. The present work outlines a procedure for generating rheological data on aged asphalts from the flow data information on the original unaged samples. The method involves the use of the unified curves for each rheological function. Each unified curve has been shown to be unique for all unmodified asphalts, whether they are in their original unaged form or Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT) and Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV)-aged forms. Through a correlating equation for the rheological property, it is shown that estimates of the high temperature dynamic rheological properties of the aged asphalt can be obtained without actually aging the binder in the laboratory. By eliminating the laboratory aging procedures, there is a great deal of savings in time. To add to these savings, the present method relies on the material's volumetric-flow rate (MVR) that is easy, efficient and rapid to generate the necessary rheological information from the unified curves.
Development of a perillyl alcohol topical cream formulation

Abstract Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a relatively non-toxic agent that has been shown to be a promising anticancer monoterpene in preclinical models. Studies have indicated that topical application of POH may prove to be effective as a skin cancer chemoprevention therapy. The main aim of this study was to determine the influence of several factors on the stability of POH in solution and develop a topical formulation of POH. During preformulation, the influence of pH, temperature, ionic strength, and organic solvents, on the stability of POH was evaluated at four different temperatures: 4, 25, 37, and 48 °C. POH was found to degrade under acidic conditions with degradation following apparent first-order kinetics. A hydrophilic topical cream formulation of POH was developed and prepared for toxicology and clinical studies. A reverse phase gradient HPLC method was developed to quantitate POH in the complex formulation. Stability studies of the formulation and a placebo were performed and the formulation was found to be physically and chemically stable over a period of 1 year at 4 and 25 °C.
Pediatric laryngeal tuberculosis: A case with significant diagnostic challenges

Abstract We describe a 10year-old girl with Trisomy 21 from Napa, California. At initial presentation, the parents described a 1-month history of progressive hoarseness and stridor later found to be caused by laryngeal lesions. The lesions were eventually discovered to be growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). Many rounds of skin testing and pathologic specimens of the laryngeal lesions were negative for TB. Presumed sarcoidosis was treated with oral prednisone, blunting the immune system and allowing fulminate TB to manifest. This case serves to reinforce the difficulty inherent in making the diagnosis of laryngeal tuberculosis, and the need to maintain a high level of clinical suspicion for uncommon presentations of the disease.
Direct evaluation of refractive-index structure functions from large-eddy simulation output for atmospheric convective boundary layers

Fluctuations of the refractive index associated with atmospheric turbulence affect the propagation of electromagnetic and acoustic waves in the atmosphere. In the reported study, the effects of turbulence on wave propagation in the atmospheric convective boundary layer (CBL) are considered in terms of the second-order refractive index structure function and related to its structure-function parameter Cn2. Two structure-function evaluation methods are compared. The direct evaluation method involves calculating the refractive index at each point in the simulation domain with subsequent calculation of the structure function. The second method is based on a parameterized linear relationship between the refractive-index structure function and temperature/humidity structure functions. For each evaluation method, vertical profiles of Cn2 computed for separations along the three coordinate directions collapse together over a significant portion of the CBL. Near-surface divergence of Cn2 values along the horizontal directions was noted and attributed to the influence of surface wind shear on the turbulent fluctuations of temperature and humidity. The behavior of Cn2 near the surface was shown to agree favorably with similarity-theory predictions.
Effects of Environmental Complexity and Deprivation On Brain Chemistry and Physiology: A Review

Within the last two decades it has become evident that the brain exhibits a wide range of chemical and physiological responses to its sensory environment. Comparison of the brains of animals reared in relatively complex as opposed to deprived sensory environments has yielded significant insight into the nature of these effects, which are reviewed in this paper. Greater complexity of the sensory environment results in increased total cholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, while other neurotransmitter related substances, the catecholamines, show more variable responses. RNA concentration is slightly greater as is DNA transcriptional activity, while protein precursor uptake shows a variety of regional and temporal patterns. In general, responses for most substances tend to show regional and temporal specificity with the largest effects most often in the occipital cortex. Electrophysiological measures have revealed shorter visual cortex evoked potential latencies and greater amounts of sleep...
Zur Bestimmung der Mutterkornalkaloide mit p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyd

Die unterschiedliche Zusammensetzung der gebrauchlichen p-Di-methylaminobenzaldehydreagenslosungen zum Nachweis und zur Bestimmung der Mutterkornalkaloide gewahrleistet nicht immer einen quantitativen Verlauf der Farbreaktion. Die Abhangigkeit der Reaktion vom Alkaloidgehalt der zu messenden Losungen, von der Saurekonzentration des Reagens und von der Menge des als Oxydationsmittel zugesetzten Eisen(III)-chlorids wurde uberpruft, sowie der Einflus von Licht, insbesondere von UV-Strahlung auf die Erzielung maximaler Extinktionswerte studiert. Eine eigens hierfur angegebene Reagenslosung ist fur photometrische Bestimmungen von Mutterkornalkaloiden geeignet. Die allgemein ubliche Markierung der im gefilterten UV-Licht der Quecksilberdampflampe fluoreszierenden Alkaloidflecke beim papierchromatographischen Nachweis ist ohne Einflus auf die photometrisch zu ermittelnden Mesergebnisse.
Computers—tourism applications

Abstract A survey of State Tourism Offices (STOs) in the USA and Canada reveals that 84% are currently using in-house computers, with microcomputers the most popular. Pauline Sheldon, Assistant Professor in the School of Travel Industry Management, University of Hawaii, describes how new software is most needed for information retrieval for visitors. Research activities such as forecasting, market analysis, and visitor expenditure analysis lend themselves easily to computerization. Information specialists who can adapt generic software to the needs of STOs are found to be most useful. Service bureaux are used mostly for economic and social impact studies and visitor motivation studies.
Instrumental Collaboration: Why Autonomous Professionals Collaborate and How They Benefit

Firms benefit when their professional knowledge workers collaborate. Yet these knowledge workers are selected, socialized, trained, and rewarded based on individual achievement, and they consequent...
Amygdala kindling effects on sleep and memory in rats.

Abstract Sleep disturbances accompany the development of amygdaloid-kindled seizures in cats. Some of these sleep deficits resemble those seen in aged rats; these latter changes in sleep patterns are correlated with memory impairments in the aged animals. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that sleep deficits after kindling may be related to memory impairments. Rats were kindled for 4 weeks (2–2.5 weeks after stage 5 seizures) and were then allowed a one week recovery period. Sleep patterns were assessed throughout the kindling and recovery periods. The animals were then trained on an inhibitory avoidance apparatus and tested for retention 24 h later. Only transient sleep changes occurred during the development of kindling (to stage 5 seizures). However, continued kindling resulted in significant reductions in several sleep measures which remained depressed for at least one week after the termination of the kindling trials. As a group, kindled rats were impaired in retention of the inhibitory avoidance learned response. In kindled animals, retention performance was significantly correlated with total paradoxical sleep, the ratio of paradoxical/total sleep, and paradoxical sleep bout duration. These correlations are consistent with the view that deficits in paradoxical sleep may be related to deficits in some forms of memory.
Public and Private Occasion in 1820s Radical Poetry: Paine Commemorations and Davenport’s Muse’s Wreath

In its commitment to occasional verse forms, the poetry of nineteenth‐century English popular radicalism stands apart from the canonical history of modern poetry. As scholars such as Joshua Scodel ...
Methodological review and meta-analysis of sexuality and menopause research.

Abstract A selection of empirical studies from 1972–1992 that assessed sexuality and the peri/post menopausal woman were collected and reviewed. Using a blind procedure, two Ph. D. experimental psychologists rated methodology sections of all studies. For comparison, variables that were related to peri/postmenopausal sexuality were converted to a standard effect size and correlation. Significantly higher effects sizes were found in studies that were rated as having an adequate measure of hormone status or adequate hormone manipulation, included appropriate controls, and had less confounding variables. Larger effect sizes tended to be found for studies that had an adequate measure of sexuality. Ratings of representativeness of the population, number of subjects, age of the subjects, adequacy of the menopause measure or statistical analysis were not related to effect sizes. Multiple regression analysis showed that overall ratings accounted for 31% of the variance of effect sizes. For studies in which an effect size could be calculated a mean D of 0.67 ± 1.23 (SD) was found indicating that hormones, both exogenous and endogenous, have some importance to peri/postmenopausal sexuality. Difficulties encountered in attempting a meta-analysis in this area and the meaning of the findings are discussed, as is the importance of such an analysis to the area of sexuality and menopause research.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ION SOURCE FOR THE BERKELEY 88-INCH CYCLOTRON

The ion source enters the cyclotron through the upper pole tip. A large first-harmonic perturbation of the magnetic field, which would result from the presence of the entrance hole through the pole tip, has been avoided by incorporating iron within the source structure. The ion source utilizes the hot-filament Penning type of discharge, and has been designed to operate with a variety of gases; including such heavier gases as nitrogen and oxygen. By operating a test source in a mass-spectrometer arrangement, spectra of the extracted ion output have been obtained. The design and operating characteristics of the ion source are discussed.
INFLUENCES ON THEf INCLUSION OF CHILDREN IN FAMILY THERAPY BRIEF REPORT

This study examined factors that influence family therapists to include children in or exclude them from therapy sessions. We hypothesized that therapist comfort, child problem type (internalizing vs. externalizing), family composition (one- vs two-parent families), and presenting problem (child-oriented problem vs. adult-oriented problem) affect therapists' inclusion of children. A survey of clinical members of AAMFT found that half of the therapists excluded children on the basis of their comfort and that those who felt more comfortable were more likely to include children in sessions. Therapists included children more frequently in cases of an internalizing vs. an externalizing child, more with single-parent than two- parent families, and more often when the presenting problem focused on a child than on an adult. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Interpersonal Stress Generation as a Mechanism Linking Rumination to Internalizing Symptoms in Early Adolescents

Rumination is a risk factor for depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. Previous investigations of the mechanisms linking rumination to internalizing problems have focused primarily on cognitive factors. We investigated whether interpersonal stress generation plays a role in the longitudinal relationship between rumination and internalizing symptoms in young adolescents. Adolescents (Grades 6–8, N = 1,065) from an ethnically diverse community completed measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived friendship quality, and peer victimization at two assessments, 7 months apart. We determined whether rumination predicted increased exposure to peer victimization and whether changes in perceived friendship quality mediated this relationship. We also evaluated whether peer victimization mediated the association between rumination and internalizing symptoms. Adolescents who engaged in high levels of rumination at baseline were more likely to experience overt, relational, and reputational victimiz...
Electron microscopy of chick embryo membrane infected with PR-8 influenza.

PREVIOUS studies1 of tissue sections with the electron microscope have shown masses of particles having the dimensions of the elementary bodies of influenza virus associated with infected cells. These particles have been the expected mixture of spheres and rods with diameters of c. 100 mµ As seen in the sections, they have seemed to be developing out from, rather than within, cells. This manner of growth and the ease with which it can be observed make influenza-diseased tissues one of the more fruitful objects for the study of how viruses grow.
Restriction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by TRIM-CypA occurs with rapid kinetics and independently of cytoplasmic bodies, ubiquitin, and proteasome activity.

TRIM-CypA is an owl monkey-specific variant of the retrovirus restriction factor TRIM5α. Here, we exploit its modular domain organization and cyclosporine sensitivity to probe the kinetics and mechanism of TRIM5-mediated restriction. Time of addition/withdrawal experiments reveal that inhibition of incoming human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsids by TRIM-CypA occurs within minutes of their delivery to the target cell cytoplasm. However, while TRIM-CypA restriction is partly dependent on a RING domain, restriction occurs independently of the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Moreover, tagged TRIM-CypA proteins can be fully active as restriction factors without forming cytoplasmic bodies.
Complex partial seizures associated with unruptured thrombosed basilar artery apex aneurysm.

Abstract Complex partial seizures, an unusual presentation of a thrombosed basilar artery apex aneurysm, are described. The possible etiologies causing this presentation are reviewed.
Hydrodynamics of charge fluctuations and balance functions

Hydrodynamic fluctuations are used to study correlations between electrically charged particles produced in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC. Comparing to STAR data the authors infer an electric charge diffusion coefficient of $D\ensuremath{\approx}1/(2\ensuremath{\pi}\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}T)$ with a temperature $T$ in the range of 150 to 200 MeV, consistent with a strongly coupled medium.
In vivo fluorescence microscopy of neuronal activity in three dimensions by use of voltage-sensitive dyes

We report in vivo imaging of neuronal electrical activity from superficial layers of the mouse barrel cortex. The measurements have ∼16‐µm spatial and 3-ms temporal resolution and reach depths of 150 µm below the cortical surface. The depth-dependent differential-fluorescence optical sections of activity are consistent with known cortical architecture and represent an important step toward in vivo measurement of functioning complex neural networks. Our observations employ a custom gradient-index lens probe and voltage-sensitive dye fluorescence; the use of epi-illumination rather than dark-field illumination provides the dramatic signal-to-noise improvement necessary for fast three-dimensional imaging.
Nash equilibrium and generalized integration for infinite normal form games

Abstract Infinite normal form games that are mathematically simple have been treated [ Harris, C.J., Stinchcombe, M.B., Zame, W.R., in press. Nearly compact and continuous normal form games: characterizations and equilibrium existence. Games Econ. Behav.]. Under study in this paper are the other infinite normal form games, a class that includes the normal forms of most extensive form games with infinite choice sets. Finitistic equilibria are the limits of approximate equilibria taken along generalized sequences of finite subsets of the strategy spaces. Points must be added to the strategy spaces to represent these limits. There are direct, nonstandard analysis, and indirect, compactification and selection, representations of these points. The compactification and selection approach was introduced [Simon, L.K., Zame, W.R., 1990. Discontinuous games and endogenous sharing rules. Econometrica 58, 861–872]. It allows for profitable deviations and introduces spurious correlation between players' choices. Finitistic equilibria are selection equilibria without these drawbacks. Selection equilibria have drawbacks, but contain a set-valued theory of integration for non-measurable functions tightly linked to, and illuminated by, the integration of correspondences.
Determination of optical properties using improved frequency-resolved spectroscopy

Recently, much efforts and progress have been made in using steady state, time-domain and frequency-domain NIR technique to obtain tissue optical properties. We have developed a novel PMS system which can efficiently eliminate the phase-amplitude cross-talk along with a new algorithm to calculate (mu) a and (mu) s' of strong scattering media we measured. The PMS system consists of two master oscillators separated by a frequency at 25 khz. The two laser diodes (780 and 816 nm) are time shared by a small mirror excited by a 60 Hz chopper so that the phase detector can alternatively detects the response of the object in two wavelength. The output from phase meter is selected by an electronic switch, then filtered, amplified and sent to a computer. In order to eliminate phase-amplitude cross-talk, we designed a dynode feedback control circuit. Its purpose is to keep the amplitude signal from PMT to be constant so that the amplitude has less contribute to the phase shift. At the same time, phase output is corrected using a linear compensation circuit to eliminate the phase shift caused by the high voltage change. The optical bench tests showed the phase-amplitude cross-talk has been reduced to be very small. We did a series model experiments including ink, Introlipid and blood model to test the system. The results show very reasonable (mu) a and (mu) s' based on photon diffusion equations and algorithm. Next work is to apply it in clinic and measure the hemoglobin saturation change in tissues.
Recent admixture generates heterozygosity–fitness correlations during the range expansion of an invading species

Admixture, the mixing of historically isolated gene pools, can have immediate consequences for the genetic architecture of fitness traits. Admixture may be especially important for newly colonized populations, such as during range expansion and species invasions, by generating heterozygosity that can boost fitness through heterosis. Despite widespread evidence for admixture during species invasions, few studies have examined the demographic history leading to admixture, how admixture affects the heterozygosity and fitness of invasive genotypes, and whether such fitness effects are maintained through time. We address these questions using the invasive plant Silene vulgaris, which shows evidence of admixture in both its native Europe and in North America where it has invaded. Using multilocus genotype data in conjunction with approximate Bayesian computation analysis of demographic history, we showed that admixture during the invasion of North America was independent from and much younger than admixture in the native range of Europe. We tested for fitness consequences of admixture in each range and detected a significant positive heterozygosity-fitness correlation (HFC) in North America; in contrast, no HFC was present in Europe. The lack of HFC in Europe may reflect the longer time since admixture in the native range, dissipating associations between heterozygosity at markers and fitness loci. Our results support a key short-term role for admixture during the early stages of invasion by generating HFCs that carry populations past the threat of extinction from inbreeding and demographic stochasticity.
A framework for high level synthesis of digital architectures from u-recursive algorithms

The major drawback of reported high level synthesis techniques is their limited applicability to a specific class of algorithms without extendibility to general algorithms and the lack of a formal approach to prove the correctness of the such techniques. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for high level synthesis from m-recursive algorithms. Two features are provided by the approach: completeness and correctness. Completeness means the ability to use the approach for any general algorithm. Correctness is achieved by using a set of transformations that are proved to be correct. A formal framework for the synthesis procedure has been developed which can be easily automated. A given algorithm will be represented in a new developed language termed Algorithm Specification Language (ASL). ASL has the ability to describe any general algorithm. An automatic procedure is used to transform an ASL representation into a specific realization specification using a correctness preserving set of transformations. The realization format is based on representing the digital architectures by a Realization Specification Language(RSL).
PRB1 is required for clipping of the histone H3 N terminal tail in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cathepsin L, a lysosomal protein in mouse embryonic stem cells has been shown to clip the histone H3 N- terminus, an activity associated with gene activity during mouse cell development. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was also identified as histone H3 specific protease in chicken liver, which has been connected to gene expression during aging. In baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, clipping the histone H3 N-terminus has been associated with gene activation in stationary phase but the protease responsible for the yeast histone H3 endopeptidase activity had not been identified. In searching for a yeast histone H3 endopeptidase, we found that yeast vacuolar protein Prb1 is present in the cellular fraction enriched for the H3 N-terminus endopeptidase activity and this endopeptidase activity is lost in the PRB1 deletion mutant (prb1Δ). In addition, like Cathepsin L and GDH, purified Prb1 from yeast cleaves H3 between Lys23 and Ala24 in the N-terminus in vitro as shown by Edman degradation. In conclusion, our data argue that PRB1 is required for clipping of the histone H3 N-terminal tail in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Size characterization of magnetic cell sorting microbeads using flow field-flow fractionation and photon correlation spectroscopy

Flow field-flow fractionation (FFF) and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) were used to determine the size distribution of magnetic cell sorting (MACS) microbeads. The nominal 50 nm microbeads, when coupled to monoclonal Anti-Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), have an average diameter of 125 nm. FFF results showed that two different batches of microbeads had similar average diameters.
Testing the interaction between parent-child relationship factors and parent smoking to predict youth smoking.

Abstract Purpose To examine if parental smoking modifies the association between parent–child connectedness and parental disapproval of youth smoking with smoking behavior among minority youth. Methods Baseline data from an urban Seattle, Washington neighborhood-based intervention trial to reduce risk behaviors among minority males and females aged 11–15 years were used to identify 428 minority youth-parent/guardian pairs. Parental smoking status, assessed by telephone interview, and youth reports of connectedness and parental disapproval, assessed by questionnaire, were tested in Chi-squared stratified analysis and logistic regression to predict youth smoking. Results The majority (86%) of the parents/guardians were the natural parent of the surveyed child (67% mother; 19% father). Parental mean age was 41 years, 54% reported household incomes less than $30K, and 26% were current smokers. Youth had a mean age of 13 years, 28% self-identified as African-American, 37% as Asian, and 35% as “Multiethnic”; 41% reported ever smoking, and 9% reported smoking within the past 30 days. Perceived parental disapproval of smoking was not associated with youth smoking behavior. Among youth whose parent did not smoke, those who reported low level of parent–child connectedness were two times more likely to report ever having smoked than those who reported high levels of connectedness. Among youth whose parent smoked, connectedness was not associated with youth smoking. The interaction between connectedness and parental smoking status and its relationship to youth smoking remained significant after controlling for covariates. Conclusion Overall, high levels of parent–child connectedness are protective against youth smoking. However, family connectedness may not protect children from becoming smokers when parents smoke.
Grant Applications With a Result-Based Orientation

Outcomes research is focused on results that matter.1–4 An outcomes research approach to research grants would ask what we have accomplished with the resources that were invested. In a previous Editor’s Perspective, I questioned how we might assess the value of our clinical research and determine whether it was worth its cost.5 The focus was on research that is intended to influence clinical practice, healthcare delivery, or healthcare policy. I asked whether funders would pay as much (or even more) for the end result of the research as they actually did when the project was initially funded. In essence, are the research products worth what they cost? The question is important because the resources invested in research have opportunity costs. If the end results of the research are, on average, worth less than the research cost, then we are not optimally deploying those resources. We cannot expect every project to yield benefits beyond costs because that could be achieved only if low-risk projects were funded. However, if the value does not exceed the investment during the course of a large number of investments, there is a problem. In a thought experiment, I had suggested that we could assess the value of research by paying for it after completion. In this scenario, researchers would find investors willing to pay the highest price for the completed products of the research. The market would …
Computer-controlled microwave heating to in-package pasteurize beef frankfurters for elimination of Listeria monocytogenes

The objective of this study was to develop an in-package pasteurization technology to kill Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meats using microwave heating. This technology utilized an infrared sensor to monitor the surface temperature of beef frankfurters during microwave heating. The aim was to increase the surface temperature of frankfurters to a set point lethal to L. monocytogenes. A feedback control mechanism was used to control the power to the microwave oven. Results indicated that the simple on-off control mechanism was able to maintain the surface temperature of beef frankfurters near the respective set points of 75, 80 or 85C used in this study. This pasteurization process was able to achieve a 7-log reduction of L. monocytogenes in inoculated beef frankfurters using a 600-W nominally rated microwave oven within 12-15 min. If optimized, this system may provide the food industry with a terminal, postlethality pasteurization technology to kill L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meats within the final packages.
Estimating a search parameter from FROC data

In clinical interpretations radiologists do not know the location of lesions that may be present in the images, and they differ in their abilities to search images and find lesions. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) model does not directly model the search ability of the observer. The aims of this work were (a) to present a simplified model that includes a search parameter, and (b) describe an algorithm for estimating the parameters of the model from free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) data. The model consists of two unit-variance normal distributions, noise and signal, separated by mu. The lesion decision variable (DV) samples are generated by sampling the signal distribution s times, where s is the known number of lesions in the image. The noise DV samples are generated by sampling the noise distribution n times, where n is the unknown number of noise sites in the image. The model regards n as an integer random variable that is realized by sampling a Poisson distribution with intensity parameter lambda. Under the assumption that all DV samples are independent, a maximum likelihood method succeeded in estimating the population values of the parameters from simulated FROC data. The ROC curves predicted by the model are "proper", i.e., they do not cross the chance diagonal. The model also predicts the widely observed result in ROC studies that the noise distribution is narrower than the signal distribution, corresponding to b < 1 in the familiar ROC model.
SOME SEROLOGIC ASPECTS OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THE ATLANTIC BOTTLE-NOSED PORPOISE

An investigation of the immunologic responsiveness of Tursiops truncatus to Erysipelothrix insidiosa and Clostridium perfringens Type D antigens was reported. Serum protein changes were recorded by electrophoresis, and the induction time, degree and duration of the immune response were determined by immunofluorescence. Passive protection studies were conducted in mice using porpoise serum dilutions and an LD50 of E. insidiosa and a TD50 of the epsilon toxin of Cl. perfringens Type D. Statistically significant quantitative changes in beta-2 globulins were observed in T. truncatus following inoculation with either E. insidiosa bacterin or Cl. perfringens Type D bacterin-toxoid. Newly captured T. truncatus possessed circulating antibodies to E. insidiosa and Cl. perfringens Type D; these antibodies were demonstrated using indirect immunofluorescence. Serum from T. truncatus having a 1:1024 titer to E. insidiosa prevented the development of clinical signs of disease and bacteremia produced by an LD50 of E. in...
Interindividual differences in neonatal imitation and the development of action chains in rhesus macaques.

The capacity to imitate facial gestures is highly variable in rhesus macaques and this variability may be related to differences in specific neurobehavioral patterns of development. This study evaluated the differential neonatal imitative response of 41 macaques in relation to the development of sensory, motor, and cognitive skills throughout the 1st month of life. The results show that infants who imitate facial gestures display more developed skills in goal-directed movements (reaching–grasping and fine hand motor control) than nonimitators. These differences might reflect, at least in part, the differential maturation of motor chains in the parietal and motor cortices, which partly overlap with those of the mirror neuron system. Thus, neonatal imitation appears to be a predictor of future neurobehavioral development.
Performance evaluation of RF MEMS packages

An RF switch made using MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) technology shows attractive electrical characteristics that are critically needed in the next generation low power consumption, high data rate RF wireless systems. In order to provide environmental protection and at the same time preserve electrical performance of the MEMS switch, an RF package must be carefully designed. For example, it is important for the RF package to maintain low insertion loss, low return loss, and high isolation between ports of the MEMS switches. In this paper, a methodology used to analyze: the electrical performance of packaged switches is described. Simulation results of two Kyocera ceramic packages are shown. Ansoft HFSS fullwave simulator was used to obtain the package and wire bond interconnect characteristics, and combined with either measured or simulated device characteristics. The results were compared with general system specifications. Wire bond profiles, which resemble those actually were used in the packages, were created in the simulation. The three-dimensional grounding system of the packages was also implemented in the simulation. Experimental validation using TRL on-board calibration and direct SOLT package probing were also completed.
The nuclease activity of Mre11 is required for meiosis but not for mating type switching, end joining, or telomere maintenance.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MRE11 gene is required for the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage and for the initiation of meiotic recombination. Sequence analysis has revealed homology between Mre11 and SbcD, the catalytic subunit of an Escherichia coli enzyme with endo- and exonuclease activity, SbcCD. In this study, the purified Mre11 protein was found to have single-stranded endonuclease activity. This activity was absent from mutant proteins containing single amino acid substitutions in either one of two sequence motifs that are shared by Mre11 and SbcD. Mutants with allele mre11-D56N or mre11-H125N were partially sensitive to ionizing radiation but lacked the other mitotic phenotypes of poor vegetative growth, hyperrecombination, defective nonhomologous end joining, and shortened telomeres that are characteristic of the mre11 null mutant. Diploids homozygous for the mre11-H125N mutation failed to sporulate and accumulated unresected double-strand breaks (DSB) during meiosis. We propose that in mitotic cells DSBs can be processed by other nucleases that are partially redundant with Mre11, but these activities are unable to process Spo11-bound DSBs in meiotic cells. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are potentially lethal lesions that occur spontaneously during normal cellular processes, such as replication, or by treatment of cells with DNAdamaging agents. DSBs are potent stimulators of recombination and serve to initiate a variety of recombination events including meiotic recombination (9, 57), Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating type switching (55), and rearrangement of the T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin loci (48). Eukaryotic cells use two pathways for the repair of DSBs, homologous recombination and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Repair of DSBs by homologous recombination requires the presence of homologous duplex DNA elsewhere in the genome and generally occurs with high fidelity. In contrast, the NHEJ pathway requires little, if any, sequence homology and is potentially mutagenic. Although yeast cells are capable of repairing breaks by either pathway, homologous recombination is favored. In birds and mammals, both pathways appear to contribute to ionizing radiation resistance of somatic cells (5, 12, 17). Analysis of the severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mouse has provided important clues about the mechanism of end joining. The scid mouse lacks mature T and B cells due to a defect in joining coding ends created by RAG1 and RAG2 during V(D)J recombination. The fact that cell lines derived from the scid mouse show sensitivity to ionizing radiation implies that the end-joining step of V(D)J recombination occurs by a general cellular pathway for DSB repair (6). Analysis of other X-ray-sensitive rodent cell lines identified three complementation groups that were defective in V(D)J recombination. XRCC5 mutant cells lack the 86-kDa subunit of the heterodimeric DNA-binding protein Ku, which is the regulatory subunit for the DNA-dependent protein kinase DNA-PK (46,
A flexible all-inorganic fuel cell membrane with conductivity above Nafion, and durable operation at 150 °C

Abstract The search for fuel cell membranes has focused on carbon backbone polymers, among which Nafion seems to best survive the most severe of the degradation mechanisms – attack by peroxide radicals. Less attention has been given to inorganic membranes because of their generally inflexible nature and lower conductivity, though some SiO 2 -Nafion composites have shown improved properties. Nafion dominates, despite needing hydration, which then restricts operation to below 100 °C (so CO poisoning problems persist). Described herein is a low cost, flexible, and all-inorganic fiberglass reinforced gel membrane with conductivity exceeding that of Nafion at any temperature above 60 °C. Using Teflon fuel cells, maximum currents > 1 Acm −2 and OCV of 1.03 V at 150 °C are demonstrated. No detectable loss of cell potential was observed over 24 h during 50 mAcm −2 constant current operation at 120 °C while, at 150 °C and maximum power, the degradation rate is intermediate among other high conductivity H 3 PO 4 -PBI type membranes. The structure of the membrane is deduced, mainly from 29 Si solid state-NMR. The −115 ppm resonance, which is extreme for Q 4 Si(O) structures, identifies a zeolite-like SiO 2 network, which is “floppy”. 31 P and 1 H NMR establish nano-permeating H 3 PO 4 as the source of the exceptional conductivity.
Feedback control of vortex shedding from an inclined flat plate

Open- and closed-loop control of vortex shedding in two-dimensional flow over a flat plate at high angle of attack is numerically investigated at a Reynolds number of 300. Unsteady actuation is modeled as a body force near the leading or trailing edge and is directed either upstream or downstream. For moderate angles of attack, sinusoidal forcing at the natural shedding frequency results in phase locking, with a periodic variation of lift at the same frequency, leading to higher unsteady lift than the natural shedding. However, at sufficiently high angles of attack, a subharmonic of the forcing frequency is also excited and the average lift over the forcing period varies from cycle-to-cycle in a complex manner. It is observed that the periods with the highest averaged lift are associated with particular phase differences between the forcing and the lift, but that this highest-lift shedding cycle is not always stably maintained with open-loop forcing. We design a feedback algorithm to lock the forcing with the phase shift associated with the highest period-averaged lift. It is shown that the compensator results in a stable phase-locked limit cycle for a broader range of forcing frequencies than the open-loop control, and that it is able to stabilize otherwise unstable high-lift limit cycles that cannot be obtained with open-loop control. For example, at an angle of attack of 40°, the feedback controller can increase the averaged magnitude of force on the plate by 76% and increase the averaged lift coefficient from 1.33 to 2.43.
A highly available replication control protocol using volatile witnesses

We propose a highly available replication control protocol tailored to environments where network partitions are always the result of a gateway failure. Our protocol divides nodes holding replicas into local nodes that can communicate directly with each other and non-local nodes that communicate with other nodes through one or more gateways. While local nodes are assumed to remain up to date as long as they don't crash, non-local nodes are required to maintain a volatile witness on the same network segment as the local nodes and must poll this witness before answering any user request. To speed up recovery from a total failure, each site maintains a list of replicas that were available the last time the data were updated or a replica recovered from a crash. Markov models are used to compare the performance of our protocol with that of the dynamic-linear voting protocol (DLV), which is the best replication control protocol tolerating communication failures. We also observe that volatile witness placement has a strong impact on data availability and gateway nodes are the best location for them. >
Nausea and vomiting after outpatient ACL reconstruction with regional anesthesia: are lumbar plexus blocks a risk factor?

Abstract Study objective To track the incidence of in-hospital postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) requiring postoperative parenteral nursing interventions after outpatient reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with one of two types of regional anesthesia to determine the extent to which various anesthetic techniques, preemptive antiemetics, and other factors were associated with the lowest probability of PONV. Design Retrospective chart (database) review of all ACL procedures at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from August 1997 through June 1999. Setting University medical center. Measurements We reviewed our institutional database of 347 consecutive patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with either spinal with femoral nerve block (SPI-FNB) or lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve block (LUM-SCI). Recorded variables and outcomes included gender, history of PONV, intravenous (IV) fentanyl before and during surgery, preemptive antiemetics given, and parenteral nursing interventions for PONV performed. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with PONV. Main results For SPI-FNB, PONV incidence was 13% (26/208), but it was higher for LUM-SCI [25%, 34/139, p=0.002; odds ratio (OR) = 2.2]. Regression modeling demonstrated that women (OR = 2.8, p=0.003) and LUM-SCI patients (OR = 3.0, p=0.005) were at greater risk for PONV. The combination of dexamethasone (4 to 10 mg IV) and perphenazine (1.2 to 2.0 mg IV) was associated with less PONV (OR = 0.3, p=0.005). Type of local anesthetic used for lumbar plexus block was not associated with PONV incidence. Conclusions For ACL reconstruction with regional anesthesia, use of LUM-SCI was associated with a higher rate of PONV, whereas combination antiemetic prophylaxis with perphenazine and dexamethasone was associated with less PONV.
Automatic extraction of grammars from annotated text

The primary objective of this project is to develop a robust, high-performance parser for English by automatically extracting a grammar from an annotated corpus of bracketed sentences, called the Treebank. The project is a collaboration between the IBM Continuous Speech Recognition Group and the University of Pennsylvania Department of Computer Sciences. Our initial focus is the domain of computer manuals with a vocabulary of 3000 words. We use a Treebank that was developed jointly by IBM and the University of Lancaster, England, during the past three years.
Seasonal flight patterns of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) monitored with pear ester and codlemone-baited traps in sex pheromone-treated apple orchards

Abstract Traps baited with ethyl (E, Z)-2, 4-decadienoate (pear ester) or (E, E)-8,10-dodecadienol (codlemone) were used to monitor codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in 102 apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen, orchards. All orchards were treated with 500–1,000 Isomate-C PLUS dispensers/ha during 2000–2002. Traps baited with pear ester caught their first moth significantly later on average than the paired codlemone-baited traps, but timing of peak moth catch during each moth flight coincided with both types of lures. The timing of first male moth capture in pear ester–baited traps was significantly earlier than the first female moth; and the percentage of male moths in the total numbers of moths captured ranged from 55 to 60% over the three seasons. The percentage of female moths caught by pear ester–baited traps that were mated exceeded 80% each year. Pear ester–baited traps caught similar numbers of moths as codlemone-baited traps during 2000. However, the density of sex pheromon...