cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Describing NMR relaxation by effective phase diffusion equation

Abstract This paper proposes an effective diffusion equation method to analyze nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation. NMR relaxation is a spin system recovery process, where the evolution of the spin system is affected by the random field due to Hamiltonians, such as dipolar couplings. The evolution of magnetization can be treated as a random walk in phase space described either by a normal or fractional phase diffusion equation. Based on these phase diffusion equations, the NMR relaxation rates and equations can be obtained, exemplified in the analysis of relaxations affected by an arbitrary random field, and by dipolar coupling for both like and unlike spins. The obtained theoretical results are consistent with the reported results in the literature. Additionally, the anomalous relaxation expression obtained from the Mittag-Leffler function based time correlation function can successfully fit the previously reported 13C T1 NMR experimental data of polyisobutylene (PIB) in the blend of PIB and head-to-head poly(propylene) (hhPP). Furthermore, the proposed phase diffusion approach provides an intuitive way to interpret NMR relaxation, particularly for the fractional NMR relaxation, which is still a challenge to explain by the available theoretical methods. The paper provides additional insights into NMR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxation experiments.
Ultrahigh power and energy density in partially ordered lithium-ion cathode materials

The rapid market growth of rechargeable batteries requires electrode materials that combine high power and energy and are made from earth-abundant elements. Here we show that combining a partial spinel-like cation order and substantial lithium excess enables both dense and fast energy storage. Cation overstoichiometry and the resulting partial order is used to eliminate the phase transitions typical of ordered spinels and enable a larger practical capacity, while lithium excess is synergistically used with fluorine substitution to create a high lithium mobility. With this strategy, we achieved specific energies greater than 1,100 Wh kg–1 and discharge rates up to 20 A g–1. Remarkably, the cathode materials thus obtained from inexpensive manganese present a rare case wherein an excellent rate capability coexists with a reversible oxygen redox activity. Our work shows the potential for designing cathode materials in the vast space between fully ordered and disordered compounds. There is an intensive search for high-performance cathode materials for rechargeable batteries. Here the authors report that oxyfluorides with partial spinel-like cation order, made from earth-abundant elements, display both exceptionally high energy and power.
11 – Kritische Literaturbewertung

The critical literature review is an essential part of the evidence based medicine. It is important to determine the number of countless publications, and to distinguish the quality of good studies from bad studies. This is especially important to avoid future clinical decisions from basing on poor evidence. Therefore, we need to isolate the bad studies. To assess the quality of study, criteria such as reporting quality and methodological quality can be used. This can be analyszed using various tools such as CONSORT, STROBE, Jadad scale or SIGN 50 checklists. For a good methodological quality, the study needs to have a clear question, appropriate epidemiological and biometric standard study design and implementation, a high internal validity, a high external validity and have a clear and transparent presentation of analysis data. It is also important that the research is reported in a transparent manner so that the reader has the ability to track what was planned, performed, found and how the conclusions were drawn.
Comparing national practice versus standard guidelines for the use of adjuvant treatment following robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background Recent historical management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma typically includes radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy. Novel surgical techniques such as robotic surgery have made primary surgery more frequent; however, postoperative radiotherapy may be recommended. We aimed to assess adherence to guidelines for postoperative therapy following robotic surgery. Methods Using the National Cancer Database, we analyzed the frequency of radiotherapy following robotic surgery for cT1-3cN0-2cM0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, specifically in the presence of widely accepted indications for postoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Results Approximately two-thirds of patients received radiotherapy after robotic surgery for early-intermediate stage oropharyngeal cancer. One in five patients with an indication for adjuvant radiotherapy and 1/3 with an indication for adjuvant chemotherapy did not receive recommended adjuvant therapy. Conclusions A high proportion of patients require radiotherapy after robotic surgery for early-intermediate stage oropharyngeal cancer. Patients with an indication for further adjuvant therapy commonly do not receive it.
Beauty is in the eye of the follower: Facial aesthetics in the age of social media.

Abstract Background The advent of social media has influenced the relationship between aesthetic surgeons and their patients, as well as the motivations of such patients to seek cosmetic surgery. Aims & objectives To determine how the cephalometric proportions of modern social media models fit with historical canons of beauty. Materials & methods Frontal and lateral photographs of 20 high-influence female Instagram models were obtained and evaluated for cephalometric measures. The means of these measures were compared with previous reports in the literature. Results Cephalometric measurements of social media models were in agreement with historical ideals of beauty for Nostril axis (120.7°), Goode's ratio (0.6), Nasofacial angle (35.7°), Nasofrontal angle (130.9°), and the horizontal thirds. Results were discrepant from historical ideals for the Nasolabial angle (82.6°) and the vertical facial fifths. Conclusion Cephalometric measurements of social media models in the digital age closely resemble the ideal values proposed by previous authors. Due to a preference for larger or altered lip profiles, nostril axis is a more reliable measure of nasal tip rotation than nasolabial angle.
Pediatric unilobar resection in primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) causes chronic infections and progressive bronchiectasis that can lead to severe lung disease. Because there are no cures or regenerative therapy options for PCD, treatment of severe lung disease in PCD is focused on managing symptoms, including aggressive administration of antibiotics and diligent airway clearance. The Genetic Disorders of Mucociliary Clearance Consortium (GDMCC) does not recommend routine lobectomy, reserving its use for "rare cases of PCD with severe, localized bronchiectasis" and warns that a lobectomy should be treated with caution. However, if aggressive medical management fails, selective surgical removal of severely defective lung may result in maintenance or improvement of pulmonary function. Certainly, the decision to recommend lung resection in the face of chronic bronchiectasis from PCD requires an extensive discussion before it is considered as an alternative treatment. The purpose of this manuscript is to demonstrate that in selected cases of unilobar disease with bronchiectasis that are not responsive to other therapies (antibiotics and airway clearance), removal of localized necrotic areas of the lung along with prophylactic antibiotics can improve the quality of life of children with PCD associated bronchiectasis and improve growth and nutritional status, and pulmonary function.
“There’s a Camera Everywhere”: How Citizen Journalists, Cellphones, and Technology Shape Coverage of Police Shootings

Through the lens of gatekeeping, this study examines how an evolving technological landscape influences the way television news journalists cover the issue of deadly, highly-publicized police shoot...
Background noise suppressed high-throughput mid-infrared photothermal microscopy via pupil engineering

Mid-infrared photothermal microscopy (MIP) has been a promising chemical imaging technique for functionality characterization of biological and pharmaceutical specimens owing to its enhanced resolution and high-specificity. Recently developed wide-field MIP modalities drastically improved the imaging speed and thus enabled high-throughput imaging. However, the sensitivity of the wide-field MIP technique has been limited by shot-noise of background photons. Here, we demonstrate a dark-field MIP modality to allow 4-fold signal-to-noise ratio improvement. Our technique is based on selectively blocking the reflected light. Simulation and experimental results are both provided, and they are consistent with each other.
International Institutions of International Finance

For very long the Bretton Woods institutions provided the architecture of international financial institutions. The post-Bretton Woods era which started in 1973 has altered the mandates of the two key institutions: The IMF was assigned new roles in international monetary system, and the World Bank champions the fight against poverty in order to lift up its member countries in the path of sustainable economic growth. However, the governance of these two institutions has frustrated developing countries (BRICS) to develop parallel institutions: The new Development Bank, and The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which have extended the framework of international financial institutions.
Decreases in daily ambulation forecast post-surgical re-admission.

Abstract Background Surgical readmissions are clinically and financially problematic. Our purpose is to determine if a decrease in postoperative ambulation (steps/day) is associated with hospital readmission. Methods In this prospective cohort study, patients undergoing elective operations wore an accelerometer activity tracker to measure steps/day for 28 consecutive postoperative days. The primary outcome was hospital readmission. The change in steps/day over two consecutive days prior to the day of the readmission were examined. Predetermined thresholds for decreases of consecutive daily ambulation levels were used to calculate sensitivity and specificity for the outcome of hospital readmission. Results 215 patients (aged 63 ± 12 years) were included. Readmission occurred in 10% (n = 21). For each of the first 28-postoperative days, the entire cohort had an average daily step increase of 136 ± 146 steps/day (Spearman correlation rho = 0.990; p 50% from the prior day had a 79% sensitivity and 90% specificity for hospital readmission. Conclusions A decrease of >50% daily ambulation (steps/day) over two consecutive post-discharge days accurately forecasts hospital readmission. The implications of these findings are that monitoring daily ambulation could serve as a form of outpatient telemetry aiding to forecast post-surgical readmissions.
Direct and parasitic polarity item licensing

Dutch has a peculiar polarity item, referred to hereinafteras 'polar-heel' – a hitherto largely undiscussed incarnation of the adjective/quantifier heel 'whole'. This paper will show that polar-heel can be licensed in either of two ways: via direct licensing or via parasitic licensing. The restrictions on the direct licensing of polar-heel reveal that this element is a strictly negative polarity item raising in the overt syntax to establish a Spec-Head agreement relationship with the negative head Neg0. Failing direct licensing, polar-heel can still survive if it can parasitize, via connectedness, on the licensing of another polarity item. Thus, polar-heel is a non-empty analogue to an A′-bound gap, which likewise can be licensed either directly or parasitically.
Historical Theorizing in Management Accounting Research

Abstract This chapter provides a brief introduction to theoretical debates in historical research and their relevance to management accounting studies. It focuses particularly on the role of narrative versus analysis in historical writing and on the interpretation of historical evidence. Using studies of the development of modern management accounting as examples, it shows how standard historical critiques can be applied to diverse explanations of the purposes and effects of management accounting.
A Platinum Nanowires Actuator: Metallic Nano-Muscles

In this paper, we report the fabrication and characterization of electro-chemical actuator using platinum nanowire networks. Reversible strain amplitudes of ~ 0.04% have been observed by controlling the surface electronic charge density of the nanowire network through an applied voltage in an electrolyte solution. Displacement amplitudes of up to 3mm was observed for an applied voltage of only ±3 V, much smaller compared to most commercial piezoceramic materials. These results indicate the potential application of platinum nanowires for construction of artificial muscles and materials with tunable electronic properties.
Ribosome Structure and Shape

The ribosome is a macromolecular machine, composed of RNAs and proteins, that synthesizes proteins by stringing together amino acids according to genetic instructions. Keywords: protein synthesis; transfer RNA; messenger RNA; amino acids; elongation factors; cryoelectron microscopy; three-dimensional reconstruction
Probing the plasma membrane structure of immune cells through the analysis of membrane sheets by electron microscopy.

This chapter describes a method to generate plasma membrane sheets that are large enough to visualize the membrane architecture and perform quantitative analyses of protein distributions. This procedure places the sheets on electron microscopy grids, parallel to the imaging plane of the microscope, where they can be characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The basic principle of the technique is that cells are broken open (“ripped”) through mechanical forces applied by the separation of two opposing surfaces sandwiching the cell, with one of the surfaces coated onto an EM grid. The exposed inner membrane surfaces can then be visualized with electron dense stains and specific proteins can be detected with gold conjugated probes.
Dopaminergic Changes in Corticostriatal Brain Activity and Causal Interactions during Working Memory in Parkinson’s Disease. (P2.008)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dopamine-mediated performance, brain activity, and causal interactions within corticostriatal networks in cognitively normal Parkinson9s disease patients (PD) during working memory (WM). BACKGROUND: WM deficits are common, but poorly understood, in PD. We explored how WM in PD is modulated by dopaminergic changes in corticostriatal circuits. DESIGN/METHODS: FMRI data was acquired in 20 cognitively normal PD (Litvan 2012, Level-II) and 20 age-matched controls (HC) while they performed a Sternberg WM task. Patients were tested OFF (PD_OFF) and ON (PD_ON) dopaminergic medications, counterbalanced. In the WM task, participants encoded either 5 distinct (HighLoad) or identical (LowLoad) numbers and later responded whether a probe matched an item from the memorized set. Accuracy (ACC) and Reaction Time (RT) were recorded. Activation maps were generated for between-Load by between-group differences (height threshold p<0.05, corrected). Multivariate Dynamical Systems (MDS) was used to examine dynamic causal interactions in the corticostriatal network within and between groups. RESULTS: PD_OFF had worse ACC than HC (p=0.002), but similar RT. PD_ON had similar ACC as PD_OFF, but slower RT (p=0.004). During HighLoad, PD_OFF showed increased activation in the bilateral DLPFC and striatum, compared to HC, and decreased activation (normalization) in PD_ON. Higher DLPFC activity correlated with slower RT (r=0.644;p=0.002). There was a trend (r=0.411;p=0.07) suggesting larger dopamine-associated reduction in DLPFC activity (PD_OFF minus PD_ON) correlated with slower RT. MDS identified the caudate as a key outflow node mediating corticostriatal activity during WM. The causal interactions from the caudate were weaker in PD than HC, but not different between PD_OFF and PD_ON. CONCLUSIONS: In cognitively normal PD, dopamine is associated with slower cognitive speed (RT) during WM, which might be driven by dopamine-associated (PD_ON) reductions in PD-associated (PD_OFF) increased compensatory DLPFC activity. By contrast, dynamic causal interactions from the caudate to DLPFC are weakened in PD, but unchanged by dopamine. Study Supported by: NIH/NINDS, MJFF Disclosure: Dr. Poston has nothing to disclose. Dr. YorkWilliams has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cai has nothing to disclose. Dr. Everling has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cruadhlaoich has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fenesy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Menon has nothing to disclose.
The Transition of Experienced Pilots to a Frequency-Separated Aircraft Attitude Display:

Independent groups of eight professional pilots each were given one flight in a Link GAT-2 simulator and one flight in a Beechcraft C-45H using, respectively, the moving horizon, moving airplane, a...
Spectroscopic properties of transparent Y_3Al_5O_12: Eu ceramics

Yttrium aluminum garnet transparent ceramics with divalent or trivalent europium ion doping were prepared by vacuum sintering at 1780 °C. Refined XRD data confirmed the pure phase ceramic with little lattice expansion. The transmittance of the 1.1 mm thick blue color divalent europium doped sample was measured to be 61% at wavelength of 900 nm. The photoluminescence spectrum exhibited the typical broad emission related to divalent europium ions. Furthermore, the photoluminescence spectra of the samples with different europium doping concentration and different annealing temperature were compared.
Heads Or Tails (Success Or Failure)? Using Logit Modeling To Predict Student Retention And Progression

Using a sample of 2,137 university students and applying the logit model, we find that the probability for students to return in fall 2008 is higher with a higher cumulative GPA, a higher grade for SE 101, and a returning status in the previous semester. Several other explanatory variables are tested and have insignificant coefficients. A few variables such as the Board of Regent’s core requirements (CORE) and high school graduating GPA (HSGPA) have the expected signs and z-statistics closer to one, suggesting that the correlation coefficient may rise if the sample size were larger. The findings suggest that the cumulative GPA is a dominant factor and that the large number of failures in SE 101 may need to be examined in order to fulfill its described purpose: “a course designed to ensure first-year student success.”
Topological localization of a segment of the eel voltage-dependent sodium channel primary sequence (AA 927-938) that discriminates between models of tertiary structure.

Antibodies were raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 927–938 of the eel electroplax sodium channel primary sequence. This segment, lying between putative internal repeat domains II and III, is postulated to be exposed on the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane in several recent models of channel tertiary structure and on the external surface in another. The antiserum and affinity-purified IgG derived from it specifically recognize the peptide and the eel sodium channel in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay and bind to a single diffuse band of 260–280 kDa on Western blots of eel electroplax membrane proteins. All reactions are blocked by co-incubation of the antibodies with the synthetic peptide (1 microM). The antibody immunoprecipitates the solubilized channel in a form that retains its characteristic high-affinity binding of saxitoxin. In eel electroplax, the antibodies label only the innervated membrane known to contain sodium channels; at the ultrastructural level, this labeling is exclusively associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane. Sodium channels containing the epitope are not seen in the postsynaptic membrane or in the membrane of the presynaptic nerve terminal. Segment 927–938 of the eel sodium channel is accessible on the surface of the protein in its solubilized form and is exposed in the cytoplasmic face of the innervated membrane of the electroplax in situ. This location is consistent with 3 models of channel structure but not with a fourth.
Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion-guided prostate biopsies obtained from axial and sagittal approaches.

Objective To compare cancer detection rates and concordance between magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion-guided prostate biopsy cores obtained from axial and sagittal approaches. Patients and Methods Institutional records of MRI-US fusion-guided biopsy were reviewed. Detection rates for all cancers, Gleason ≥3 + 4 cancers, and Gleason ≥4 + 3 cancers were computed. Agreement between axial and sagittal cores for cancer detection, and frequency where one was upgraded the other was computed on a per-target and per-patient basis. Results In all, 893 encounters from 791 patients that underwent MRI-US fusion-guided biopsy in 2007–2013 were reviewed, yielding 4688 biopsy cores from 2344 targets for analysis. The mean age and PSA level at each encounter was 61.8 years and 9.7 ng/mL (median 6.45 ng/mL). Detection rates for all cancers, ≥3 + 4 cancers, and ≥4 + 3 cancers were 25.9%, 17.2%, and 8.1% for axial cores, and 26.1%, 17.6%, and 8.6% for sagittal cores. Per-target agreement was 88.6%, 93.0%, and 96.5%, respectively. On a per-target basis, the rates at which one core upgraded or detected a cancer missed on the other were 8.3% and 8.6% for axial and sagittal cores, respectively. Even with the inclusion of systematic biopsies, omission of axial or sagittal cores would have resulted in missed detection or under-characterisation of cancer in 4.7% or 5.2% of patients, respectively. Conclusion Cancer detection rates, Gleason scores, and core involvement from axial and sagittal cores are similar, but significant cancer may be missed if only one core is obtained for each target. Discordance between axial and sagittal cores is greatest in intermediate-risk scenarios, where obtaining multiple cores may improve tissue characterisation.
Fertilization of the mouse oocyte: sequence and timing of nuclear progression to the two-cell stage.

From 88 superovulated, mated CFI (Carworth) females, 2643 eggs were collected at two hourly intervals between 12 and 36 hours after administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin and then fixed, stained and examined as whole-mounts by light microscopy. Mating and ovulation were essentially complete at 10 and 14 hours respectively. Metaphase II oocytes continued to decrease in number until 20 hours. Telophase II, a maximum at 16 hours (22% of all oocytes), was not seen after 20 hours. Pronuclei first appeared at 16 hours and at 24 hours, 87% of the ova were pronuclear. Metaphase of first cleavage, first detected at 28 hours, represented 17% of the ova at 32 hours. The first cleavage division occurred between 30 and 34 hours. The pronuclear chromatin network, which is always visible, is more diffuse in the larger, male pronucleus. During first cleavage prophase, the chromatin strands shorten and distinct chromosomes appear, those of male origin being less condensed. The two chromosome groups then combine to form first cleavage metaphase. Pronuclear fusion was not observed. Twenty-three per cent of the ova had not undergone first cleavage by 36 hours: 6% were at earlier stages and presumably arrested while 14% were fragmented or had degenerated metaphase II chromosomes. Anomalies of oocyte maturation and fertilization accounted for 1.6% of all ova.
Histopathological and Hemodynamic Consequences of Complete versus Incomplete Ischemia in the Rat

The primary objective of this study was to compare the histopathological consequences of complete versus incomplete ischemia under experimental conditions that limit lactate accumulation. Fasted rats underwent 1 h of either complete or incomplete ischemia by a procedure combining bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, halothane-induced systemic hypotension, and CSF pressure elevation. Histopathological outcome was evaluated 4 h later and was graded on a 4-point scale. Incomplete ischemia resulted in ischemic neuronal damage within selectively vulnerable brain regions. In contrast, complete ischemia, in addition to diffuse neuronal damage, resulted in focal sites of parenchymal necrosis with vascular stasis. Perfusion defects were detected by carbon black infusion within cortical and subcortical regions following only 25 min of complete, but not incomplete, ischemia. Ultrastructural abnormalities at the same duration of complete ischemia included a high frequency of endothelial microvilli and compressed lumina with severe perivascular astrocytic swelling. When recirculation was instituted for 1 h following 1 h of complete ischemia, regions of nonperfusion were detected autoradiographically. Thus, when the degree of lactic acidosis is controlled, prolonged periods of complete ischemia result in a more severe pathological outcome compared to incomplete ischemia. Focally impaired postischemic cerebral perfusion appears to be an important factor in infarct formation under the present experimental conditions.
Group choice: the ideal free distribution of human social behavior.

Group choice refers to the distribution of group members between two choice alternatives over time. The ideal free distribution (IFD), an optimal foraging model from behavioral ecology, predicts that the ratio of foragers at two resource sites should equal the ratio of obtained resources, a prediction that is formally analogous to the matching law of individual choice, except that group choice is a social phenomenon. Two experiments investigated the usefulness of IFD analyses of human group choice and individual-based explanations that might account for the group-level events. Instead of nonhuman animals foraging at two sites for resources, a group of humans chose blue and red cards to receive points that could earn cash prizes. The groups chose blue and red cards in ratios in positive relation to the ratios of points associated with the cards. When group choice ratios and point ratios were plotted on logarithmic coordinates and fitted with regression lines, the slopes (i.e., sensitivity measures) approached 1.0 but tended to fall short of it (i.e., undermatching), with little bias and little unaccounted for variance. These experiments demonstrate that an IFD analysis of group choice is possible and useful, and suggest that group choice may be explained by the individual members' tendency to optimize reinforcement.
Effect of self-assembled Ge nanostructures on Si surface electronic properties

Incorporating self-assembled Ge islands on Si surfaces into electronic devices has been suggested as a means of forming small features without fine-scale litho- graphy. For use in electronic devices, the electrical properties of the deposited Ge and their relation to the underlying Si substrate must be known. This report presents the results of a surface photovoltage investigation of the surface energy barrier as increasing amounts of Ge are added to a Si surface by chemical vapor deposition. The results are interpreted in terms of band discontinuities and surface states. The surface barrier increases as a wetting layer is deposited and continues to increase as defect-free islands form. It saturates as the islands grow. As the amount of Ge continues increasing, defects form, and the surface barrier decreases because of the resulting allowed states at the Ge/Si interface. Qualitatively similar behavior is found for Si(001) and Si(111). Covering the Ge with Si reduces the surface-state density and possibly modifies the wetting layer, decreasing the barrier to one more characteristic of Si. Initial hydrogen termination of the surface decreases the active surface-state density. As the H desorbs, the surface barrier increases until it stabilizes as the surface oxidizes. The behavior is briefly correlated with scanning-tunneling spectroscopy data.
Controller design for tracking induced miss-rates in cache memories

Cache systems are on-chip memory elements used to store data that are frequently referenced by programs. The advantage of storing data in cache, as compared to RAM, is that it has faster retrieval times, but it has the disadvantage of on-chip energy consumption. A cache-decay interval is the amount of time a cache element holds unreferenced data before being turned off (cleared). The choice of a cache-decay interval comprises a balance between low energy consumption and low induced miss rates. In certain applications this balance is determined off line by computing the cache-decay interval that would yield a given level of induced miss rates. However, the lack of precise models, coupled with program-dependent behavior of the cache system, result in possibly-drastic fluctuations in the induced miss rates for a given decay interval. This paper presents a control system designed to track a given reference of induced miss rates by recomputing (in real time) the decay interval. Simulation studies indicate that the plant can be approximated adequately by a power function. The controller's design is carried out in the log domain, where the system is linear but subjected to an unknown output disturbance. We propose an integral controller and perform its stability analysis. Simulation studies on Simplescalar, a microprocessor simulator, testify to the efficacy of our proposed approach and appear to yield tighter bounds than those derived to-date by other means.
Insect Populations in Wheat, Corn, and Oats Stored on the Farm

One or more live, stored-product insect species were found in 25.1% of the wheat, 56.4% of the oats, and 79.7% of the corn samples obtained from over 8,000 farm storages across 27 states. The average number of insects per 1,000 g in the infested samples was 26 for com, 39 for oats, and 105 for wheat. Insects of the genus Cryptolestes were the predominant pests in wheat and com, and Oryzaephilus surinamenis (L.) was the principal insect in oats. Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) was found throughout much of the grain-producing areas, including the northern states, but Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) was only rarely detected in farm-stored grain. Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) occurred in 27.6% of the com, but was only an infrequent pest in wheat and was not detected in oats. Insect species that prefer high moisture or feed on molds were found in 28.8% of the corn samples. The incidence of insects generally increased with increased grain moisture, and average test weights per bushel were lower in infested grain than in uninfested grain. The incidence of insects and the composition of insect populations within each commodity did not vary significantly with the length of time the grain had been in storage.
The synthesis of 2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-3-C-methylpentose-containing nucleosides via [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements

[3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of in situ-formed [O,O]-silyl ketene acetals of butenyl fluoroacetates was used as the key step in the synthesis of racemic 2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-3-C-methylpentofuranoses. The product pentofuranoses were transformed further into pyrimidine and purine nucleosides. The conformations of the synthetic carbohydrates were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and indicated that previous structural assignments made by NMR were in error.
How to decide how to decide

This article attempts to characterize the general problem of selecting methods for decision-making. The traditional rational approach to choice is from economics, which offers expected-value maximization. The task environment of decision method selection, however, does not seem to provide the data necessary for carrying out the expected-value calculations. Our approach uses methods from the field of cognitive science. We develop the notion of domain size in fields such as chess, borrowing the concept of a chunk from human memory. We then develop a heuristic rule for choiceamongmethods. We propose this rule as one of many possible rules.
LOW-TEMPERATURE HEAT CAPACITY AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF THE RNIX2 COMPOUNDS (R = LA, CE; X = SI, GE, SN)

Heat-capacity (1.4--80 K) and magnetic-susceptibility (1.5--300 K) measurements were carried out for the series of six ternary intermetallic compounds with RNi${\mathit{X}}_{2}$ composition (R=La, Ce and X=Si, Ge, and Sn). All of the LaNi${\mathit{X}}_{2}$ compounds exhibit normal metallic behavior with an electronic specific-heat coefficient in the range 5.2--5.6 mJ/mol ${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ and Debye temperature decreasing from 451 K (${\mathrm{LaNiSi}}_{2}$) to 258 K (${\mathrm{LaNiSn}}_{2}$). The CeNi${\mathit{X}}_{2}$ compounds display anomalous behaviors. ${\mathrm{CeNiSi}}_{2}$ is an intermediate-valence compound at high temperatures with the cerium valence varying from 3.35+ at room temperature to 3.65+ at T=50 K, and becomes a spin fluctuator at low (around 3.3 K) temperature. The spin fluctuations can be quenched by an external magnetic field of about 5.3 T. Both ${\mathrm{CeNiGe}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{CeNiSn}}_{2}$ undergo two-step antiferromagnetic phase transitions at ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{N}}^{\mathrm{II}}$=3.9 K and ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{N}}^{\mathrm{I}}$=3.2 K, which are accompanied by sharp anomalies for all properties studied. The electronic specific constants (in units of mJ/mol Ce ${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$) of the three Ce compounds were 45.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 for ${\mathrm{CeNiSi}}_{2}$, 97.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9 for CeNiGe, and 60.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7 for ${\mathrm{CeNiSn}}_{2}$.
Rapid separation of phosphoamino acids including the phosphohistidines by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography of the orthophthalaldehyde derivatives

Amino acids were derivatized with orthophthalaldehyde and separated by high-performance liquid chromatography on a polymer-based reverse-phase column (Hamilton PRP-1) at pH 7.2 using isocratic elution with 14.3 mM sodium phosphate, 1.1% tetrahydrofuran, 6.6% acetonitrile. Phosphorylated amino acids were eluted with baseline resolution in the following order: 1-phosphohistidine, phosphoserine, 3-phosphohistidine, phosphotyrosine, phosphothreonine, and phosphoarginine. Each of the phosphoamino acids was separated from its parent amino acid but aspartate and glutamate eluted in the same region as the phosphoamino acids. The sensitivity is in the picomole range and the separation time, injection to injection, is 15 min. The linearity for phosphothreonine extends at least from 30 pmol to 30 nmol. Quantitation by radioactivity is good for each of the phosphoamino acids except in the case of [1-32P]phosphohistidine, which coelutes with inorganic phosphate.
Multi-robot Aggregation Strategies with Limited Communication

The limited power, low radio range, and an ever changing environment make the ability to explicitly communicate between multi-robots decreases in a searching task. When this happens, maintaining the weakened connection will cause robots to cluster during searching, which may be suboptimal with respect to the searching time. In this paper, several integration strategies are proposed to coordinate a team of robots which have limited explicit communication. To speed up the reconnection procedure for the proposed aggregate strategies, implicit communication through vision sensors is proposed in this paper to establish a movement plan to recover the explicit communication. Simulation results are presented and discussed; The real-world experiments with 3 Pioneer robots have been conducted. The proposed strategies can be extended to a large-scale searching environment as well as a combination of humans and robots
Promoter methylation of serotonin transporter gene is associated with obesity measures: a monozygotic twin study

Promoter methylation of serotonin transporter gene is associated with obesity measures: a monozygotic twin study
Shut-off of actin biosynthesis in adenovirus serotype-2-infected cells.

Abstract Adenovirus produces a dramatic shut-off of host protein synthesis after infection of HeLa cells. The level of actin messenger RNAs remained relatively unchanged after viral infection, when assayed by in vitro translation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of the proteins or hybridization of the total cytoplasmic RNAs to the human actin gene. The distribution of actin mRNA in the polyribosomes is altered after adenovirus infection, with small polyribosomes and monoribosomes of the infected cells occupied by actin messages untranslatable in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The large polyribosomes still retain enough functional mRNAs to provide significant levels of actin protein in a rabbit reticulocyte in vitro translation system. In contrast, in homologous infected cell lysates, the translation of exogenous actin mRNA is greatly reduced when compared to uninfected HeLa cell lysates. In nuclease-treated uninfected or infected HeLa cellfree extracts, translation of viral mRNA is equally efficient and higher than that of actin mRNA. Thus, translational regulatory mechanisms which include inactivation of a part of the actin mRNA population accompanied by displacement to small polysomes and/or virus-induced modification of the cellular translational machinery to discriminate against cellular actin mRNA seem to account for the sharp reduction in actin protein synthesis of adenovirus-infected cells.
Vascularization of the crayfish abdominal nerve cord

The anatomy of the vascular supply to the abdominal nerve cord of the crayfishProcambarus clarkii was investigated by filling the arterial supply with ink injected into the heart. The abdominal nerve cord was found to receive all of its blood supply from the ventral artery, which parallels the ventral midline of the nerve cord. Extensive vascularization of the abdominal nerve cord was revealed, with more major arterial inputs entering the ganglia than the connectives (Figs. 2, 3, 6). Both the neuronal somata and the neuropil are heavily vascularized (Figs. 4, 6). The connectives contained little of the fine vascularization found within the ganglia, and the roots were lightly and variably vascularized (Figs. 5, 6). Cannulation of the arterial supply can be used to deliver solutions to synapses within the ganglionic neuropil (Figs. 7, 8). Responses of the lateral giant axon (LG) to root and cord stimuli were used to monitor the effects of ionic substitutions in the bathing medium and arterial perfusate. Polysynaptic pathways containing chemical synapses were unaffected when the bathing medium was high Mg++, low Ca++ saline and the arterial perfusate was normal saline. These same pathways were blocked rapidly by arterial perfusion of high Mg++, low Ca++ saline.
Surfactant effects on protein structure examined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has proven to be a useful tool for examining noncovalent complexes between proteins and a variety of ligands. It has also been used to distinguish between denatured and refolded forms of proteins. Surfactants are frequently employed to enhance solubilization or to modify the tertiary or quaternary structure of proteins, but are usually considered incompatible with mass spectrometry. A broad range of ionic, nonionic, and zwitterionic surfactants was examined to characterize their effects on ESI-MS and on protein structure under ESI-MS conditions. Solution conditions studied include 4% acetic acid/50% acetonitrile/46% H2O and 100% aqueous. Of the surfactants examined, the nonionic saccharides, such as n-dodecyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, at 0.1% to 0.01% (w/v) concentrations, performed best, with limited interference from chemical background and adduct formation. Under the experimental conditions used, ESI-MS performance in the presence of surfactants was found to be unrelated to critical micelle concentration. It is demonstrated that surfactants can affect both the tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins under conditions used for ESI-MS. However, several of the surfactants caused significant shifts in the charge-state distributions, which appeared to be independent of conformational effects. These observations suggest that surfactants, used in conjunction with ESI-MS, can be useful for protein structure studies, if care is used in the interpretation of the results.
Effects of glutathione and thioglycollic acid on acid-production by Lactobacillus arabinosus in presence of atabrine.

SummaryUnder the conditions of these experiments glutathione and thioglycollic acid are capable of reversing the growth inhibiting effect of atabrine on the Lactobacillus arabinosus. Once the concentration of atabrine for complete inhibition had been significantly exceeded, no reversal of bac-teriostasis was attained by increased concentration of glutathione and thioglycollic acid. Several additional compounds were tested under comparable conditions with negative results.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 169

Abstract Experimental data pertaining to all nuclei with mass number A = 169 (Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt) have been evaluated. Level schemes from both radioactive decay and reaction studies are presented, along with associated tables of experimental data and adopted properties for levels and γ rays. These include data from several recent high-precision measurements of intensities for γ rays emitted in 169Yb e decay; these are of special interest because of their use as calibration standards. Excited-state information is newly available for Re, Os, Ir and Pt, and heavy-ion reaction studies have significantly expanded our knowledge of excited states in Lu through Ta. More extensive work on e decay from W is needed and new experimental work will be required to resolve a discrepancy between the Jπ values deduced for a 180-keV level in 169Ta based on extensive band structure from (HI,xnγ) work (Jπ = 1/2–) and TDPAD measurements (J = 5/2). The present evaluation for A = 169, which considers data received by 15 June 2008, supersedes the 1991 evaluation (with a literature cutoff date of March 1990) by V. Shirley, published in Nuclear Data Sheets 64, 505 (1991).
Antimicrobial activity and durability of a novel antimicrobial-impregnated bladder catheter

The main objective of this study was to examine the antimicrobial activity and durability of a novel indwelling bladder catheter impregnated with minocycline and rifampin. Thirty antimicrobial-impregnated bladder catheters were inserted transurethrally in spinal cord-injured patients and removed, in six groups of five catheters each, at 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 or 21 days. Removed catheters had detectable zones of inhibition against two different clinical isolates of each of the 10 tested uropathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter diversus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Candida albicans) for greater than 14 days after catheter insertion. The residual zones of inhibition and levels of antimicrobial agents in removed catheters were both inversely related to the duration of catheter placement. Minocycline and rifampin were undetectable in serum and urine. These results support the ongoing efforts for examining the clinical efficacy of these experimental bladder catheters.
The Asymptotic Solution of Linear Second Order Differential Equations in a Domain Containing a Turning Point and a Regular Singularity

Asymptotic solutions of the differential equation d1 2wjdz2 = {u2z~2(z0—z) pi(z) +z ~2ql(z)} w, for large positive values of u are examined; P 1 (z) AND Q 1 (Z) are regular functions of the complex variable z in a domain in which P 1 (z) does not vanish. The point z = 0 is a regular singularity of the equation and a branch-cut extending from z = 0 is taken through the point Z=Z O which is assumed to lie on the positive real z axis. Asymptotic expansions for the solutions of the equation, valid uniformly with respect to z in domains including Z=0, Z 0+-iO are derived in terms of Bessel functions of large order. Expansions given by previous theory are not valid at all these points. The theory can be applied to the Legendre functions.
Cerium moment collapse in ternary silicides CePd 2-x Mn x Si 2 (0≤x≤2)

Cerium ${\mathit{L}}_{3}$ XANES (x-ray-absorption near-edge-structure) spectra were analyzed to separate Ce moment contributions and mixed valence (MV) in complex magnetic silicides ${\mathrm{CePd}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ (0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}2). The Ce valence mixing does not vary linearly with x, but increases rapidly for x\ensuremath{\ge}1.5. The associated moment collapse correlates with pronounced deviations of the unit-cell volume from Vegard law and the onset of structural instability. Reorientation of [001] Mn 3d antiferromagnetic order for x2 appears to rapidly suppress the weak Ce valence mixing coexisting with antiferromagnetic order in ${\mathrm{CeMn}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$.
EPR of Cu 2 + -doped cadmium ammonium sulfate: Pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect

X-band EPR measurements on both single-crystal and polycrystalline specimens of ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}$-doped cadmium ammonium sulfate, Cd(${\mathrm{NH}}_{4}$B${)}_{2}$(${\mathrm{SO}}_{4}$${)}_{2}$\ensuremath{\cdot}${6\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, have been made over the temperature range 4.2--354 K. Hyperfine ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}$ forbidden transitions were observed at 4.2 K. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters, including the quadrupole-interaction tensor Q\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{} (at 4.2 K only), are estimated by the use of a rigorous least-squares fitting procedure from EPR line positions recorded at 295, 77, and 4.2 K for the single-crystal specimen. The temperature dependence of the g values are explained by taking into account the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect experienced by the Cu(${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O${)}_{6}^{2+}$ complex. The differences in the energies of the three Jahn-Teller configurations of the Cu(${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O${)}_{6}^{2+}$ complex have been estimated.
Comparison of the measured and analytical response profiles of a 3.3- to 15.5-μ imaging system and the effect of detector diffusion

This paper provides an overview of the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) and its mission, as a part of NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS). The design of the re-imaging system and its detectors and the test set-up used to characterize the field of view response will be presented. Measured system Response.optical response profiles will be presented for each of the four infrared spectral bands (3.5-5.3, 5.1-9.1, 8.3-12.2 and 11.1 - 15.4μ ) supported by TES. Specific emphasis will be placed upon the comparison of these measured optical response functions with the results of an analytic model of the response. The model includes a simple yet accurate representation of the detector response function, which includes the photo-generated electron’s diffusion length.
Multiple forms of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in the skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis

Abstract 1. 1. Electrophoretic variations of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) in Katsuwonus pelamis appear to result from allelic differences at a single locus, pgd. 2. 2. The electrophoretic patterns of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) appear to be influenced by both allelic differences at a single locus, gpd, and the consisent occurence of artefact bands. 3. 3. These two enzymes may not be genetically polymorphic.