cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Genes involved in Cardiac Development • 120

Objective: Cardiac morphogenesis in the mouse embryo occurs over a short period of time. More specifically, cardiac outflow tract and aortopulmonary septum formation occur between E9.5 and E13.5, concurrent with cardiac neural crest migration, which is required for conotruncal septation. The purpose of this study is to identify known and novel genes that participate in cardiac development either directly or indirectly through regulation of cardiac neural crest migration.
Acute Hyperoxia Decreases Neutrophil Chemokine Receptor CXCR2 mRNA Accumulation in Newborn Rat Lung Neutrophils

Acute Hyperoxia Decreases Neutrophil Chemokine Receptor CXCR2 mRNA Accumulation in Newborn Rat Lung Neutrophils
Space Environment Effects on Damping of Polymer Matrix Carbon Fiber Composites

Theeffectsof thelow-Earth-orbitenvironmentonthemechanical propertiesof somecarbon-reinforcedpolymer matrix composites are reported. Material damping loss factors and glass transition temperatures of control and e ightspecimensweremeasured. Flight specimenswereattached totheleading edgeoftheLongDurationExposure Facility, and control specimens were maintained at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Changes in the glass transition temperatures and damping were due to combined exposure to 1 )atomic oxygen, 2 )UV radiation, and 3 ) thermal cycling. High atomic oxygen exposure during the e nal year of the Long Duration Exposure Facility e ight, however, eroded away much of the material that would have been affected by UV radiation. The glass transition temperatures of the e ight samples were slightly greater than those of the controls, whereas the material loss factors were nearly the same. From a practical point of view, these changes were not very signie cant. However, the relaxation data presented herein may beuseful forunderstandingthedetailsoftheeffectsofthespaceenvironment on composite materials and may aid researchers in developing composites that maintain their properties for extended periods in the harsh environment of low Earth orbit.
The role of cytoreductive surgery for newly diagnosed advanced-stage uterine carcinosarcoma

Abstract Objectives Uterine carcinosarcoma (CS) is a rare but aggressive malignancy frequently associated with extrauterine metastasis at the time of diagnosis. The objective of this study was to assess the role of cytoreductive surgery in patients with stage IIIC–IVB uterine CS. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with uterine CS treated at our institution from 1990 to 2009. Clinicopathologic factors, surgical procedures, adjuvant therapy, and survival outcomes were collected for all patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Factors predictive of survival outcomes were compared using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. Results An analysis of 44 patients was performed (stage IIIC, n =14; stage IVB, n =30). Complete gross resection was achieved in 57% of patients. PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 8.6months and 18.5months, respectively. Complete gross resection was associated with a median OS of 52.3months versus 8.6months in patients with gross residual disease ( P P Conclusions Cytoreductive surgery, with a goal of achieving a complete gross resection, is associated with an improvement in OS among patients with advanced uterine CS.
Model parameters for the analysis of skew conformations of carbohydrates by p.m.r. spectroscopy

Abstract The p.m.r. spectrum of 3- O -benzoyl-1,2,4- O -benzylidyne-α- d -ribopyranose 1 ( 1 ) at 100 MHz has been analyzed by an iterative, least-squares method. The resulting geminal, vicinal, and long-range coupling-constants have been correlated with the stereochemistry of the locked, skew conformation of 1 , and used to test applicability of equations that relate coupling constant to dihedral angle. The mean deviation of the approximate proton-proton dihedral angles as calculated from a Karplus equation from those measured from a molecular model was 11°.
NONLINEAR MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL SOLUTION FOR A HYBRID LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract We consider the control problem of a Variable Configuration CO 2 Removal system, which exhibits a hybrid dynamical character due to various operating modes of the system. The objective of the control problem is to track a desired concentration profile of CO 2 and O 2 in a crew cabin while keeping their concentrations within permissible bounds. We present a novel adaptation of the model predictive control technique for a nonlinear hybrid dynamic system. We exploit the problem structure and map the hybrid optimization problem onto a continuous nonlinear program. We also discuss case studies showing controller performance during off-nominal conditions.
In vivo BUdR labeling of mammalian chromosomes

A technique is described for labeling mammalian chromosomes in vivo with BUdR. Rats and mice are given BUdR by tail vein infusion over a 24-h period at a concentration of 25 μg/g wt/h. Metaphase cells that have gone through two or three cycles of DNA synthesis reveal characteristic differential chromatid fluorescence after staining with Hoechst dye. Sister chromatid exchanges can then be easily detected in these cells.
Factors limiting microbial activities in soil

The only nutrient element other than nitrogen and phosphorus which limited microbial activity in a sandy soil was sulfur. The addition of extremely small quantities of MgSO4, ranging from 0.32 to 1.6 mg sulfur/100 g soil, markedly increased the rate of oxidation of glucose. The optimum concentration of sulfur was correlated with the levels of glucose added, and a C/S ratio of 900 or less was required for maximum respiration. A number of compounds containing sulfur at different oxidation stages and in various structural configurations readily satisfied the sulfur requirement, indicating that the response was to sulfur as a nutrient and not to sulfate as an electron acceptor. Thiourea and elemental sulfur were utilized only slightly. The differential utilization of the various sulfur-containing compounds and the implications of sulfur as a limiting factor of microbial activities in soil were discussed.
Acute variegate porphyria following a Scarsdale Gourmet Diet

Symptoms of porphyria developed in a 34-year-old woman following 3 weeks of a low carbohydrate diet. Reversal of a comatose state was obtained following multiple infusions of hematin. The diagnosis of variegate porphyria was made from the pattern of quantitative urine and stool porphyrins and a plasma fluorescence that was maximal at 626 nm. This fluorescence wavelength maxima also was found in the plasma of two family members screened for latent porphyria.
Design of Single-Product Campaign Batch Plants under Demand Uncertainty

A new method is introduced for optimally designing multiproduct batch plants under the single-product campaign (SPC) production mode. Uncertain future product demands are described with normal probability distributions, and more than one processing unit of equal size are allowed per stage. At the expense of imposing the normality assumption for product demand uncertainty and the SPC production mode, the original two-stage stochastic optimization problem is transformed into a deterministic mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem without relying on implicit or explicit discretization of the uncertain variables. This is accomplished through the explicit solution of the inner problem and the analytical integration overall product demand realizations. This problem representation and solution strategy result in savings of orders of magnitude over existing methods in computational requirements.
A Nondenaturing Purification Scheme for the DNA-Binding Domain of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase, a Structure-Specific DNA-Binding Protein

Abstract Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is thought to be involved in DNA repair given its ability to recognize and bind to DNA strand breaks. During apoptosis, PARP is proteolytically cleaved into two stable fragments, the N-terminal 25-kDa DNA-binding domain (DBD) and the 85-kDa fragment containing the automodification and catalytic domains. To understand the DNA-binding properties of PARP, we expressed a recombinant hexahistidine tagged protein (His-DBD) in Escherichia coli. We modified expression to facilitate protein folding by including zinc and reducing the induction temperature. Properly folded, the DNA-binding domain of PARP binds to single- and double-stranded DNA in a structure-specific manner. To eliminate contamination with bacterial DNA that occurred during the purification process, a purification procedure was developed to produce DNA-free protein. In addition, to remove the hexahistidine tag from the recombinant protein, thrombin cleavage was carried out while the recombinant protein was bound to a DNA column. This procedure stabilized the recombinant protein and resulted in nearly 100% cleavage with no appreciable loss to unwanted proteolytic degradation. This nondenaturing purification scheme results in high-quality, native PARP–DBD for use in structural and biochemical studies.
Accelerated 4D flow imaging using randomly undersampled echo planer imaging with compressed-sensing reconstruction

Background 4D flow imaging using phase contrast CMR (PC CMR) allows visualization and quantification of blood flow. One of the major limitations of 4D flow imaging is its long scan time (in the order of 10-20 min). In this study, we sought to investigate an accelerate 4D flow imaging sequence that combines an efficient data sampling strategy using echo planar imaging (EPI) with randomly undersampled 3D k-space sampling pattern. The randomly undersampled k-space data are then reconstructed using compressed sensing (CS). Methods Figure 1 shows the k-space acquisition strategy. Similar to regular EPI acquisition, the k-space data are divided into multiple segments. For each segment, the profiles are undersampled with the CS rate such that all EPI segments have the same undersampling pattern. The proposed EPI random sampling strategy was implemented. Seven subjects were recruited (26 ± 12 years; 3 males) for 4D flow CMR on a 1.5T Philips Achieva magnet. Images were acquired axially using a GRE sequence (FOV =3 40 ×2 80 ×6 0 mm 3 ,r esolution =2× 2×3m m 3 ,T R/TE/a = 7.4/3.8 ms/20°, EPI factor = 3, Turbo Factor =2 , CS rate =3 ) in av olume covering the ascending and descending aorta, and the aortic bifurcation. Only foot-head flow encoding was used to provide an adequate temporal resolution of 30 ms for the measurements. A single beam navigator placed on the right hemi-diaphragm was used to gate the acquisition with the respiratory cycle. The nominal scan time for this scan was 3:30 minutes at 70 bpm assuming 100% gating efficiency (vs. 8:40 minutes if standard parallel imaging with rate 4 was used). For each subject, the 4D-PC scan was followed by a standard breath-hold 2D-PC scan with the same flow encoding direction (FOV = 340 × 280 mm2, resolution = 2 × 2 mm 2 , slice thickness = 5 mm 3 , SENSE rate = 2.5). The acquired 2D slice is selected from the previously obtained 4D scan and approximately at the aortic bifurcation. Data are then transferred to a separate station where the CS reconstruction was performed using a total variation minimization algorithm. Next, flow quantifications were performed on both the ascending and the descending aorta for all acquisitions and then compared between the 2D scans and the corresponding slices in the 4D scans.
Comparison of three techniques to determine al content in micro‐samples of plant material

Abstract Comparisons are made of three methods of Al analysis in micro‐samples (≤ 100 mg) of plant material. Direct current plasma emission spectrometry (DCP), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), and pyrocatechol violet (PCV) all gave comparable results for the plant materials analyzed. The importance of adequate sample dissolution of digested samples prior to analysis by PCV was strikingly apparent. Our results indicate that to insure complete formation of reactive Al species to complex with the dye that a combination of 12 N HCl and a 1 hr heat treatment at 70°C in a steam bath is necessary. Residue decomposition of materials with HF acid resulted in more apparent Al only by DCP analysis. Contribution of the residue to the total Al content varied between 7 and 14%.
Fractionation of dG homooligonucleotides using RPC-5 column chromatography at high pH.

Abstract dG oligomers, prepared by partial acid hydrolysis of dG n , were fractionated in large quantity according to chain length by RPC-5 column chromatography at high pH (0.1 m NaOH). Resolution of oligonucleotides up to approximately the 30-mer was achieved. The oligomers were characterized by partial chemical digestion and analysis on 20% polyacrylamide-urea gels.
Symmetric loading of a Griffith crack by transient concentrated forces in an orthotropic material

Body forces are used to model the effect of fasteners and stiffeners. This paper contains results of a study that was undertaken to examine the effect of symmetric impact loading by concentrated body forces on a Griffith crack located in an orthotropic material. The integral transform method along with certain potential functions was used to obtain expressions for the stress intensity factor (SIF). Four different loading cases were considered. Numerical calculations show the typical overshoot in the dynamic SIF reaching values as much as 22% of the corresponding static SIF. The magnitude of the overshoot is affected by the material properties as well as the relative position between the crack and the body forces. In fact as the distance between the application of the body force and the crack increases, the magnitude of the peak value decreases. In addition, as the relative distance increases, the time at which the peak value of the overshoot occurs increases. Furthermore, the time interval over which the overshoot is maintained increases as the relative position increases. The results of the study imply that for stiffened or fastened orthotropic materials, the location of the fasteners or stiffeners may significantly affect the stress intensity factors.
Vector-Virus Interactions and Transmission Dynamics of West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV; Flavivirus; Flaviviridae) is the cause of the most widespread arthropod-borne viral disease in the world and the largest outbreak of neuroinvasive disease ever observed. Mosquito-borne outbreaks are influenced by intrinsic (e.g., vector and viral genetics, vector and host competence, vector life-history traits) and extrinsic (e.g., temperature, rainfall, human land use) factors that affect virus activity and mosquito biology in complex ways. The concept of vectorial capacity integrates these factors to address interactions of the virus with the arthropod host, leading to a clearer understanding of their complex interrelationships, how they affect transmission of vector-borne disease, and how they impact human health. Vertebrate factors including host competence, population dynamics, and immune status also affect transmission dynamics. The complexity of these interactions are further exacerbated by the fact that not only can divergent hosts differentially alter the virus, but the virus also can affect both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts in ways that significantly alter patterns of virus transmission. This chapter concentrates on selected components of the virus-vector-vertebrate interrelationship, focusing specifically on how interactions between vector, virus, and environment shape the patterns and intensity of WNV transmission.
On possible reversible changes between arational and rational behavior of society.

In our recent book,Looking at History Through Mathematics (MIT Press, 1968), we discussed two possible mechanisms of a transition of a society from an “arational” behavior, in which most things are accepted uncritically on faith, to a rational behavior, characterized by a critical appraisal of everything. Both mechanisms lead to irreversible changes, which eventually result asymptotically in a complete rationalization of society. In the present paper it is shown that a generalization of the second mechanism may lead to alternations between rational and arational behavior of a society. The reversal from rational to arational behavior is due to the circumstance that for some people hard thinking is either impossible or at least highly unpleasant. It appears, on the basis of the model discussed here, that acomplete rationalization of any society is unattainable.
Thermal stability of Nb/a-Nb x Si 1-x /Nb Josephson junctions

As a high-resistivity normal-metal barrier for superconducting Josephson junctions, metal-silicon alloys appear to be a good replacement for noble metals and have been applied to the development of quantum voltage standard circuits. We observed that the electrical properties of Nb-based junctions made with amorphous ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{x}{\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ barriers were slowly evolving over time when stored at room temperature. After systematically investigating both junctions and thin films, we have concluded that the changes in junction electrical parameters are due to changes in the amorphous ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{x}{\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ and not due to barrier-electrode interface effects. The resistivity of amorphous ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{x}{\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ increases after heat treatment at temperatures as low as $80\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C}$ when the Nb concentration is less than 33%, that of $\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$. Furthermore, we found that annealed barriers behave similarly to barriers with the Nb concentration intentionally reduced to obtain smaller critical current and larger normal resistance with the same barrier thickness, as explained by our ${I}_{c}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{R}_{n}$ relation developed based on the dirty-limit superconductor--normal-metal--superconductor Josephson junction theory. To explain these effects, we adopt and corroborate a microscopic picture based on alloy phase stability that was previously demonstrated by others. We also successfully demonstrate a method to stabilize junctions made with ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{x}{\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ barriers by intentionally annealing wafers during fabrication.
TANF coverage, state TANF requirement stringencies, and child well-being

Abstract Aim After almost two decades since welfare reform, it is crucial to understand how Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), a US cash safety net program, has affected child well-being. This study investigated the potential effect of TANF coverage on child well-being, how different stringencies in state TANF policies on time limit and work requirements affect child well-being, and whether income or employment effects explain observed relationships. Data and methods Data from the nationally-representative Survey on Income and Program Participation, 2004 and 2008 panels, provide a unique opportunity to observe child well-being at two time points. This study includes children who are not covered by TANF 12 months before the first time point and observe how TANF coverage between two time points affect child well-being. In order to rule out pre-existing difference between TANF-covered and non-covered groups, I use difference-in-difference and propensity score matching to compare individual-level changes over time. Results TANF coverage may improve a family's daily routine, increase parents' educational expectations of their children, and decrease children's likelihood to repeat a grade, but TANF is not able to enhance child well-being in areas of cognitive stimulation, family interactions, and parenting stress reduction. Neither state TANF policy stringencies nor income and employment changes show significant differential influence on TANF's impact on child well-being. Recommendation To improve the well-being of children in low-income families, social assistance programs need to go beyond financial assistance and workfare approaches and consider services that could better help parents cope with stress and provide a healthy, encouraging, and stimulating environment for their children.
Unusual substrates for adenosine deaminase from calf intestinal mucosa

Abstract A number of adenine nucleosides with exocyclic double bonds either at the 4′,5′ position in pentofuranosyl nucleosides or at the 5′,6′ position of hexofuranosyl nucleosides have been found to act as substrates for adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4) from calf intestinal mucosa. Most of the results obtained are contrary to the accepted minimal structural requirements for substrate activity. These nucleosides had either incorrect anomeric configurations or no hydroxyl group at C-5′ or C-3′ in the proper configuration; some compounds in corporated both structural changes. There is a possibility that the unsaturated group has a special role in binding to the enzyme.
Rotational excitation in collisions between two rigid rotors - Alternate angular momentum coupling and pressure broadening of HCl by H2

In order to compute relaxation 'cross sections' for molecule-molecule collisions, it is convenient to employ a coupled angular-momentum representation which differs from that generally used. An explicit expression for collision-induced spectral pressure broadening in this representation is given, and this is used to examine the difference between para- and ortho-H2 for broadening of HCl.
Nonstandard pancreatic resections for unusual lesions

Abstract Background Pancreatic resections including pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy are the standard of care for patients with malignant tumors of the pancreas. Patients with benign disease or unusual tumors may benefit from other nonstandard resections. Methods A review of the literature and the author’s experiences were undertaken. Results Parenchymal-sparing surgeries including pancreatic enucleation, central pancreatectomy, splenic-preserving distal pancreatectomy, and duodenal-preserving pancreatic head resection are described. The utility of each procedure is reviewed. Outcome results from published series are included. Conclusions Nonstandard pancreatic resections should be considered in select patients with unusual lesions. Such procedures are safe and effective and may be associated with a reduced incidence of exocrine insufficiency.
Cataclasis and the Generation of Fault Gouge

Cataclasis, a friction-dependent mechanism of deformation involving fracture and rigid-body rotation, occurs during faulting of sandstone in the upper crust. Two stages of cataclasis of a sandstone are represented by (1) mildly deformed cataclastic sandstone that is shattered but contains many original grains that have not been fragmented and (2) gouge so severely deformed that the few surviving grains are almost surrounded by a fine-grained matrix of crushed grains. Gouge is restricted to shear fractures and larger slip planes within the natural fault zones, whereas cataclastic sandstone usually pervades the fault zone. Grain size and sorting of gouge decrease as a function of increasing confining pressure and increasing displacement along a shear fracture. In cataclastic sandstone associated with gouge, microfractures ate strongly oriented parallel to the maximum principal compressive stress. These microfractures, which are extension fractures, may be used to determine the orientation of the stress field during faulting. Rigid-body rotation is important during Cataclasis, and grains rotate in a manner that agrees with the sense of shear on the fault plane.
A Brief Introduction to Tunneling Theory

In this set of two lectures the emphasis is on the tunneling of electrons between two semi-infinite electrodes with parallel, planar surfaces. Although directly relevant to scanning tunneling microscopy only in the “blunt tip” regime, it is hoped that they will provide a useful background for the other lectures. The topics include the stationary-state scattering and transfer Hamiltonian approaches to elastic and inelastic tunneling, resonant tunneling in semiconductor heterostructures, electron tunneling spectroscopy of single-particle electronic excitations and electron-phonon interactions in (conventional) superconductors and of the electron-phonon interaction in normal metals, inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy of molecular vibrations, and single-electron charging effects. A third lecture is devoted to tunneling times.
Structural and functional imaging of microfluidic BioMEMS using an integrated optical coherence tomography and multi-photon microscope

Summary from only given. The advancement of microfabrication techniques has led to increasingly complex microfluidic and bioMEM (biological micro electromechanical) systems. Three-dimensional microstructures such as microfluidic mixing systems, valves, and separation channels have been developed for biological and medical applications including low-level environmental microbial detection, high throughput drug screening, and point-of-care bedside monitoring of bacterial and viral infections.
Simultaneous decisions at study: time allocation, ordering, and spacing

Learners of all ages face complex decisions about how to study effectively. Here we investigated three such decisions made in concert—time allocation, ordering, and spacing. First, college students were presented with, and made judgments of learning about, 16 word-synonym pairs. Then, when presented with all 16 pairs, they created their own study schedule by choosing when and how long to study each item. The results indicated that (a) the most study time was allocated to difficult items, (b) relatively easy items tended to be studied first, and (c) participants spaced their study at a rate significantly greater than chance. The spacing data, which are of particular interest, differ from previous findings that have suggested that people, including adults, believe massing is more effective than spacing.
Designing and building healthy places for children

The design and construction of the built environment have broad implications for the health of children. Healthy places should protect children from injury, pollutants and disease, provide children with a place to be physically active, play and experience nature, and promote a sustainable future. Health promotion can occur at all scales of the built environment, including buildings, communities and global infrastructure. The disabled, poor and other disadvantaged groups may benefit from built environment improvements. These improvements require partnerships among urban planners, engineers, architects, developers, public health practitioners and communities.
Modeling of nucleic acid complexes with cationic ligands: a specialized molecular mechanics force field and its application.

A potential energy force field designed for modeling nucleic acids and particularly their complexes with cationic ligands is presented. The force field is a modified version of that developed by We...
Dependence analysis for pointer variables

Our concern is how to determine data dependencies between program constructs in programming languages with pointer variables. We are particularly interested in computing data dependencies for languages that manipulate heap-allocated storage, such as Lisp and Pascal. We have defined a family of algorithms that compute safe approximations to the flow, output, and anti-dependencies of a program written in such a language. Our algorithms account for destructive updates to fields of a structure and thus are not limited to the cases where all structures are trees or acyclic graphs; they are applicable to programs that build cyclic structures.Our technique extends an analysis method described by Jones and Muchnick that determines an approximation to the actual layouts of memory that can arise at each program point during execution. We extend the domain used in their abstract interpretation so that the (abstract) memory locations are labeled by the program points that set their contents. Data dependencies are then determined from these memory layouts according to the component labels found along the access paths that must be traversed during execution to evaluate the program's statements and predicates.For structured programming constructs, the technique can be extended to distinguish between loop-carried and loop-independent dependencies, as well as to determine lower bounds on minimum distances for loop-carried dependencies.
A Duplex Theory of Spike Coding in the Early Stages of the Auditory System

We propose a duplex theory of spike coding in the early stages of the auditory system based on the intensity and noise levels of the acoustic stimuli. According to this concept, at low intensity levels, where auditory nerve firings cannot generate a high enough synchrony among neuron ensembles, rate coding is more likely favored against phase-locking via synchrony coding. To the contrary, at conversational intensity levels, phase synchrony coding is preferred due to its superior and highly noise robust performance. The theory is supported by both evidence from biology, as well as from experimental simulations using biologically plausible models of the entire processing chain from spike generation to recognition
Functions of Height and Width Dimensions in the Intertidal Mussel, Mytilus californianus

A mussel's shell records its history of growth. We investigated variability in the size and shape of mussel shells of Mytilus californianus Conrad (1837) to test the hypothesis that the mussel shell provides information on the contemporary condition of the mussel. Two factors were associated with shape: an epithelial discoloration and the Sr/Ca in the shell nacre. Sr/Ca data distinguished the mussel populations as did a discriminate analysis that included the trace metal ratios; Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, Mn/ Ca, Ag/Ca, Cd/Ca, Ba/Ca, and Pb/Ca. Size varied independently of shape and was not associated with the two factors. However, a null model that describes the morphological variability in height and width suggests that mussel size also plays a central role in partitioning phenotypic variability. These analyses of contemporary factors coupled with analyses of morphological variability holds promise for addressing the functional roles of mussel height and width and what proportion of phenotypic variability can be attributed to environmental factors.
Comparative Analysis of Competitive Strategy Implementation

This paper presents research findings on Competitive Strategy Implementation which compared the levels of strategy implementation achieved by different generic strategy groups, comprising firms inclined towards low cost leadership, differentiation or dual strategic advantage. The study sought to determine the preferences for use of implementation armaments and compared how such armaments related to the level of implementation achieved. Respondents comprised 71 top executives from 59 companies among the top 300 private sector firms in Kenya. SPSS software was used to conduct t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis, to within 95% confidence interval or 5% statistical significance. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the levels of strategy implementation achieved by any pair set of the three strategic groups. The study revealed that the predictors of strategy implementation include the firm’s capacity to overcome resistance to change, having incentives based on meeting strictly quantitative targets, adopting a win-lose competitive posture, its effectiveness in strategy implementation, and the environmental rate of change. The results also indicated that there was no significant difference between the preferences for use of either win-lose or win-win competition by any pair set of the strategic groups.
Can Elvis Pretzley and the Fitwits improve knowledge of obesity, nutrition, exercise, and portions in fifth graders?

Can Elvis Pretzley and the Fitwits improve knowledge of obesity, nutrition, exercise, and portions in fifth graders?
Maternal psychological functioning and children's school readiness: The mediating role of home environments for African American children

Abstract Decades of educational research has documented an achievement gap in kindergarten reading and math achievement between African American children and their European American counterparts. Research has also shown that specific parenting practices (e.g., home literacy involvement) have the potential to narrow school readiness gaps by at least half. The current study examined whether and how maternal depression and parenting stress may influence specific parenting practices, as well as whether maternal warmth, home learning stimulation and cultural socialization mediated the relation between maternal depression, parenting stress, and children's kindergarten reading and math achievement. Path analyses revealed a direct negative effect of maternal depression and parenting stress on maternal warmth, home learning stimulation, and cultural socialization. Home learning stimulation emerged as an important mediator between maternal parenting stress and math achievement. Further, maternal warmth mediated the relation between maternal depression and reading achievement. Implications for early childhood research, practice and policy are discussed.
Nanoparticles for cell labeling

Cell based therapeutics are emerging as powerful regimens. To better understand the migration and proliferation mechanisms of implanted cells, a means to track cells in living subjects is essential, and to achieve that, a number of cell labeling techniques have been developed. Nanoparticles, with their superior physical properties, have become the materials of choice in many investigations along this line. Owing to inherent magnetic, optical or acoustic attributes, these nanoparticles can be detected by corresponding imaging modalities in living subjects at a high spatial and temporal resolution. These features allow implanted cells to be separated from host cells; and have advantages over traditional histological methods, as they permit non-invasive, real-time tracking in vivo. This review attempts to give a summary of progress in using nanotechnology to monitor cell trafficking. We will focus on direct cell labeling techniques, in which cells ingest nanoparticles that bear traceable signals, such as iron oxide or quantum dots. Ferritin and MagA reporter genes that can package endogenous iron or iron supplement into iron oxide nanoparticles will also be discussed.
Effective aperture of a large pseudorandom low-frequency dipole array

The long wavelength array (LWA) is a new aperture synthesis radio telescope, now in the design phase, that will operate at frequencies from about 20 MHz to about 80 MHz.This paper describes some preliminary estimates of Ae for such an array. This is a non-trivial problem because the antennas are strongly coupled and interact strongly with the ground. To bound the scope of this preliminary investigation, the antennas are modeled as thin straight half-wave (nearly resonant) dipoles, and we restrict our attention to the co-polarized fields in the principal planes. First, we consider results for a single element in isolation. Next, we consider the results for the entire array, which are compared to the results for the single element and also to the physical aperture of the station.
Oculoglandular Syndrome Caused by Francisella tularensis

Oculoglandular syndrome developed in a 9-year-old boy with a recent history of tick bites and minor eye trauma. Francisella tularensis was isolated on chemically supplemented chocolate agar from a swab of a conjunctival ulcer and an aspirate of a preauricular lymph node, confirming the diagnosis of tularemia. In addition, a rise in agglutination titer to the pathogen was detected in paired sera. The differential diagnosis of oculoglandular syndrome is discussed, with emphasis on the clinical characteristics which led to the diagnosis of tularemia.
Broadband Integrated Optical Isolators

An integrated waveguide isolator design in InGaAsP/lnP is proposed which achieves a maximum isolation greater than 40 dB and maintains 25 dB of isolation over the C-band.
HIV and Alcohol Research Priorities of City, State, and Federal Policymakers: Results of a Delphi Study

We identified the research areas related to HIV and alcohol consumption that were of highest priority to city, state, and federal policymakers. From June to July 2014, we conducted a 3-round Delphi study to elicit from experts a list of alcohol- and HIV-related clinical trial research questions that were important to fund and rank order the list to identify questions of highest priority. Translating evidence into practice must be improved because some questions that have been extensively studied with results published in peer-reviewed journals were identified by the panel as areas needing additional research.
Interactions between Larval White Crappie and Gizzard Shad: Quantifying Mechanisms in Small Ponds

Abstract To test potential competitive interactions between larvae of white crappie Pomoxis annularis and of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, we added adult gizzard shad to eight of twelve 0.1-ha ponds that had been stocked with adult white crappies. Larval white crappies and larval gizzard shad appeared within 1 week of one another and larval white crappie density did not differ between treatments. Zooplankton density declined similarly between treatments, and zooplankton species composition and size did not differ. Although larval white crappie and larval gizzard shad had moderate diet overlap, prey selection by white crappie did not differ between treatments. During April, more than 70% of larval gizzard shad had empty stomachs, compared with less than 20% of larval white crappies. Age-0 gizzard shad recovery was extremely low (< 10 kg/ha) in five of eight ponds. Daily ring counts from otoliths indicated that late-spawned gizzard shad had higher growth rates than early-spawned gizzard shad, whereas no...
Determining accurate temperature–time paths from U–Pb thermochronology: An example from the Kaapvaal craton, southern Africa

Thermochronology has revolutionized our understanding of the establishment and evolution of lithospheric thermal structure. However, many potential benefits provided by the application of diffusion theory to thermochronology have yet to be fully exploited. This study uses apatite (Tc = 450–550 � C) and titanite (Tc = 550–650 � C) U–Pb ID-TIMS thermochronology at the single- to sub-grain scale to separate the variable effects of volume diffusion of Pb from metamorphic (over)growth above and below the Tc of a mineral. Data are presented from two ca. 3227 Ma tonalite samples from north and south of the Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB), southern Africa. Two distinct populations of apatite from a sample north of the BGB record fast cooling followed by metamorphic growth � 10 Myr later. Both apatite and titanite dates from south of the BGB show a strong correlation with the grain size and record 100 Myr of post-emplacement cooling. Complex core–rim zoning observed in cathodoluminescence images of apatite is interpreted to reflect metamorphic overgrowth above the Tc. The age and topology of grain size versus date curves from titanite and apatite are used in combination with a finite-difference numerical model to show that slow, non-linear, cooling and not thermal resetting is responsible for the observed distribution. The thermal histories from either side of the BGB are very different and provide unique insight into the BGB’s tectonic evolution: a � 70 Myr period of apparent stability after ca. 3.2 Ga terrane assembly was followed by fast exhumation south of the BGB that led to lower-crustal melting and intrusion of granitic batholiths ca. 3.14–3.10 Ga.
A relevance-based topic model for news event tracking

Event tracking is the task of discovering temporal patterns of popular events from text streams. Existing approaches for event tracking have two limitations: scalability and inability to rule out non-relevant portions in text streams. In this study, we propose a novel approach to tackle these limitations. To demonstrate the approach, we track news events across a collection of weblogs spanning a two-month time period.
Inflation of the esophagus and vocal tract filtering in ring doves.

SUMMARY Ring doves vocalize with their beaks and nostrils closed, exhaling into inflatable chambers in the head and neck region. The source sound produced at the syrinx contains a fundamental frequency with prominent second and third harmonic overtones, but these harmonics are filtered out of the emitted signal. We show by cineradiography that the upper esophagus, oral and nasal cavities collect the expired air during vocalization and that the inflated esophagus becomes part of the suprasyringeal vocal tract. The level of the second and third harmonics, relative to the fundamental frequency ( f 0 ), is reduced in the esophagus and emitted vocalization compared with in the trachea, although these harmonics are still considerably higher in the esophagus than in the emitted signal. When the esophagus is prevented from fully inflating, there is a pronounced increase in the level of higher harmonics in the emitted vocalization. Our data suggest that the trachea and esophagus act in series as acoustically separate compartments attenuating harmonics by different mechanisms. We hypothesize that the trachea behaves as a tube closed at the syringeal end and with a variable, restricted opening at the glottal end that lowers the tracheal first resonance to match the f 0 of the coo. The inflated esophagus may function as a Helmholtz resonator in which the elastic walls form the vibrating mass. Such a resonator could support the f 0 over a range of inflated volumes.
Relation between vasa recta blood flow and renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure during pressure natriuresis.

Pressure natriuresis may be mediated through increases in inner medullary vasa recta blood flow (QVR). By means of acute renal decapsulation to prevent increases in renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP), the effect of increases in QVR in the presence and absence of changes in RIHP in the natriuretic and diuretic responses to increases in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) was evaluated. Blood flow in descending (QDVR) and ascending (QAVR) vasa recta was determined in the exposed papilla by fluorescence videomicroscopy in anesthetized euvolemic Munich Wistar rats. In rats with intact renal capsules (n = 12), increases in RPP from 101 +/- 0.5 to 132 +/- 2.9 mm Hg caused significant increases in QDVR (from 4.7 +/- 0.9 to 5.5 +/- 0.9 nl/min, p < 0.001) and QAVR (from 2.8 +/- 0.2 to 3.5 +/- 0.2 nl/min, p < 0.001) in association with increases in RIHP (from 4.6 +/- 1.3 to 7.6 +/- 1.3 mm Hg, p < 0.001), urine flow (from 16.2 +/- 2.6 to 20.2 +/- 3.2 microliters.min-1 x g kidney wt-1, p < 0.01), and urinary sodium excretion (from 2.10 +/- 0.38 to 3.36 +/- 0.62 mu eq.min-1 x g kidney wt-1, p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Spirituality and Religion in Epilepsy

Abstract Revered in some cultures but persecuted by most others, epilepsy patients have, throughout history, been linked with the divine, demonic, and supernatural. Clinical observations during the past 150 years support an association between religious experiences during (ictal), after (postictal), and in between (interictal) seizures. In addition, epileptic seizures may increase, alter, or decrease religious experience especially in a small group of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Literature surveys have revealed that between .4% and 3.1% of partial epilepsy patients had ictal religious experiences; higher frequencies are found in systematic questionnaires versus spontaneous patient reports. Religious premonitory symptoms or auras were reported by 3.9% of epilepsy patients. Among patients with ictal religious experiences, there is a predominance of patients with right TLE. Postictal and interictal religious experiences occur most often in TLE patients with bilateral seizure foci. Postictal religious experiences occurred in 1.3% of all epilepsy patients and 2.2% of TLE patients. Many of the epilepsy-related religious conversion experiences occurred postictally. Interictal religiosity is more controversial with less consensus among studies. Patients with postictal psychosis may also experience interictal hyper-religiosity, supporting a “pathological” increase in interictal religiosity in some patients. Although psychologic and social factors such as stigma may contribute to religious experiences with epilepsy, a neurologic mechanism most likely plays a large role. The limbic system is also often suggested as the critical site of religious experience due to the association with temporal lobe epilepsy and the emotional nature of the experiences. Neocortical areas also may be involved, suggested by the presence of visual and auditory hallucinations, complex ideation during many religious experiences, and the large expanse of temporal neocortex. In contrast to the role of the temporal lobe in evoking religious experiences, alterations in frontal functions may contribute to increased religious interests as a personality trait. The two main forms of religious experience, the ongoing belief pattern and set of convictions (the religion of the everyday man) versus the ecstatic religious experience, may be predominantly localized to the frontal and temporal regions, respectively, of the right hemisphere.
WSD/barometric test buoys deployed in the Gulf of Mexico

Two drifting buoys were configured to accept, process, and transmit barometric pressure signals from three independent low-cost pressure transducers. The "smart barometer" concept is based upon the use of an inexpensive, but stable pressure sensor in conjunction with a microprocessor. The pressure transducers were calibrated to remove their temperature biases with a data correction algorithm, thus establishing the basis for a reliable, accurate, and inexpensive electronic barometer. >
Decoupling the influence of leaf and root hydraulic conductances on stomatal conductance and its sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit as soil dries in a drained loblolly pine plantation

The study examined the relationships between whole tree hydraulic conductance (Ktree) and the conductance in roots (Kroot) and leaves (Kleaf) in loblolly pine trees. In addition, the role of seasonal variations in Kroot and Kleaf in mediating stomatal control of transpiration and its response to vapour pressure deficit (D) as soil-dried was studied. Compared to trunk and branches, roots and leaves had the highest loss of conductivity and contributed to more than 75% of the total tree hydraulic resistance. Drought altered the partitioning of the resistance between roots and leaves.As soil moisture dropped below 50%, relative extractable water (REW), Kroot declined faster than Kleaf. Although Ktree depended on soil moisture, its dynamics was tempered by the elongation of current-year needles that significantly increased Kleaf when REW was below 50%.After accounting for the effect of D on gs, the seasonal decline in Ktree caused a 35% decrease in gs and in its sensitivity to D,responses that were mainly driven by Kleaf under high REW and by Kroot under low REW. We conclude that not only water stress but also leaf phenology affects the coordination between Ktree and gs and the acclimation of trees to changing environmental conditions.