cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Adaptive Control of Dynamic Systems Driven by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators

This work describes the development and analysis of nonlinear adaptive based control algorithms for composite structures/systems operated with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators. A mathematical model charactering the motion of the composite systems is established, and by using Lyapunov stability theory, algorithms for linear displacement tracking control are derived. Actuation and control is achieved by adjusting the supply current to the SMA actuators. It is shown that with the proposed strategy for both linear displacement and velocity requires that the desired trajectory is tracked precisely. The novelty of the proposed approach also lies in the fact that it is fairly easy to set up and the computation involved as compared with other strategies. An example is used to verify the validity of the proposed approach. Simulation results using Matlab are presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Transformation of Platinum into a Stable, High-Temperature, Dehydrogenation-Hydrogenation Catalyst by Ensemble Size Reduction with Rhenium and Sulfur

Abstract The effect of the addition of rhenium and sulfur on the catalytic properties of platinum and on its ability to resist deactivation by carbonaceous deposits was studied. The reactions of neopentane (2,2-dimethylpropane), n -hexane, and cyclohexane in excess H 2 were studied on model bimetallic catalysts prepared by the deposition of platinum on a rhenium foil or vice versa. The rates were measured in a batch reactor with a ratio of H 2 to hydrocarbon of 30 or 60, a H 2 pressure of 450 kPa, and a reaction temperature in the range of 570 to 800 K. Rhenium-sulfur is catalytically inactive and acted only as a diluent to platinum. As the platinum ensembles on the surface became smaller by dilution with rhenium-sulfur, the rates of the structure-sensitive reactions decreased rapidly and eventually only hydrogenation-dehydrogenation reactions were observed. Most importantly, as the size of the platinum ensembles decreased, they became more resistant to poisoning than the larger ones.
The neuron saga

Abstract In 1740, the Swedish scientist and philosopher, Emmanuel Swedenborg, described what is the first known anticipation of the neuron (a nerve cell with its processes). One hundred years later, Ehrenberg, Remak and Purkinje recognized the nerve cell as the important element of the nervous system and provided its first accurate description. Vilhelm von Waldeyer in 1891 proposed to call the unit “neuron”, from the Greek word for “sinew”. The “neuron theory” or “neuron doctrine”, which emerged at the end of the 19th century, asserts that nerve tissue is composed of individual cells, which are genetic, anatomic, functional and trophic units. The pioneers of the neuron doctrine included neuroscientists, physicians, a polar explorer and three Nobel Laureates. The classic neuron doctrine has served well as the theoretical basis for the great advances in our current understanding of the cellular basis of nervous system functions.
Disposition and metabolism of [3H]pseudomorphine in the rat

Abstract [ 3 H]pseudomorphine ( 3 H-PM) was prepared by the oxidation of [ 3 H]morphine. A method for the estimation of 3 H-PM in biological materials was developed with a minimal sensitivity of 2.5 ng/ml of biologic material. Following the subcutaneous injection of 3 H-PM (10 mg/kg as free base) in rats, the levels of 3 H-PM in brain and spinal cord over a 2-hr period ranged between 4.6 to 17.9 ng/g and 24 to 76.5 ng/g, respectively. No detectable levels of 3 H-PM were present at 4 hr in the CNS. Peak plasma levels occurred at 30 min (501 ng/ml) and then fell rapidly with no detectable amounts present at 4 hr. About 78.2 per cent of the administered 3 H-PM was accounted for in the urine and feces after 48 hr. Conjugated pseudomorphine was not detected in biological material, and direct chromatography of urine provided evidence for the presence of only free 3 H-PM. The existence of a polar metabolite, however, cannot be precluded. Studies on rat brain extracts following the administration of [ 3 H]morphine (10 mg/kg as free base) provided no evidence for the formation of pseudomorphine as an oxidative metabolite of morphine in vivo .
Thromboembolism in Chronic Atrial Flutter: Is the Risk Underestimated?

Abstract Objectives. We sought to evaluate the risk of thromboembolic events in the presence of chronic atrial flutter and to determine the impact of anticoagulation therapy, if any, on this risk. Background. Thromboembolic events are thought to be rare after cardioversion of atrial flutter. Methods. This study was a retrospective analysis of 110 consecutive patients referred to the electrophysiology laboratory for cardioversion of chronic atrial flutter from 1986 to 1996. Atrial flutter was present for at least 6 months. Of the 110 patients reviewed, 100 had adequate information available regarding the effectiveness of anticoagulation (mean age 64 years, range 27 to 86; 75 men, 25 women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction 42%). Results. Thirteen patients (13%) had a thromboembolic event. Of these, seven were attributable to causes other than atrial flutter. In the remaining six patients (6%), thromboembolic events occurred during a rhythm of atrial flutter or after cardioversion to sinus rhythm. Other causes of thromboembolism were excluded. Effective anticoagulation was associated with a decreased risk of thromboembolism (p = 0.026). Conclusions. Patients with chronic atrial flutter are at an increased risk of thromboembolic events. Effective anticoagulation may decrease this risk.
Pumping and oxygen cunsumption rates of Mytilus edulis L. of different sizes

Abstract Pumping rate (P), oxygen uptake (R), gill area (A), and absorption efficiency (Ab) in Mytilus edulis have been studied. The parameters are expressed as functions of the dry weight of soft parts (W) by a power function Y = a·Wb where Y is the dependent variable. It is found tha P = 3.90·W0.80 l/hr, R = 0.37·W0.75 ml O2/hr, A = 34.34·W0.65 cm2, Ab = 78.16·W−0.02‰ and P/R = 10.47·W−0.16 l water pumped/ml O2 consumed. The gill area increases significantly faster with size than the pumping rate. The P/R ratio shows that the energy available for growth and reproduction decreases with increasing size as the absorption does not change significantly with size. The effect of seasonal changes in P and R on the P/R ratio is discussed.
Horizontal transmission of Parathelohania anophelis to the copepod, Microcyclops varicans, and the mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus

The copepod Microcyclops varicans was infected with Parathelohania anophelis by unincleate meiospores from a field-collected fourth instar Anopheles quadrimaculatus larva. Large numbers of unincleate, pyriform spores developed in the copepod. These spores were fed to early instar A. quadrimaculatus larvae, infecting both males and females, resulting in the production of cylindrical, binucleate spores in the adult. These spores were responsible for vertical transmission, through the eggs, to the larvae. The original spore type collected from the field was found in the male progeny from the infected females. Another P. anophelis-infected mosquito colony was established by feeding spores from a single, field-collected, infected copepod to A. quadrimaculatus larvae. The microsporidium was continuously maintained by vertical transmission in newly established infected colonies.
Models of the reading process

Reading is a complex skill involving the orchestration of a number of components. Researchers often talk about a 'model of reading' when talking about only one aspect of the reading process (e.g., models of word identification are often referred to as 'models of reading'). Here, we review prominent models that are designed to account for (1) word identification, (2) syntactic parsing, (3) discourse representations, and (4) how certain aspects of language processing (e.g., word identification), in conjunction with other constraints (e.g., limited visual acuity, saccadic error) guide readers' eyes. Unfortunately, it is the case that these various models addressing specific aspects of the reading process seldom make contact with models dealing with other aspects of reading. Thus, for example, the models of word identification seldom make contact with models of eye-movement control, and vice versa. Although this may be unfortunate in some ways, it is quite understandable in other ways because reading itself is a very complex process. We discuss prototypical models of aspects of the reading process in the order mentioned above. We do not review all possible models but rather focus on those we view as being representative and most highly recognized. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 787-799 This article is categorized under: Linguistics > Computational Models of Language Psychology > Language.
Utilization and impact of pre-office visit video health maintenance education.

Abstract Objective To determine what percent of patients would prepare for their periodic physical examination by viewing video education about recommended health maintenance procedures and the impact of the video on those who viewed it. Methods 274 patients were invited via US mail and a reminder phone call to view the video. A patient survey immediately followed the visit. Results 167 surveys were completed and 73 (44%) indicated they had viewed the video. Seventy one percent who viewed the video reported it prompted them to ask at least one health maintenance question and 25% were prompted to ask 4 or more questions. Those who viewed the video rated being more prepared to discuss and keep up to date with health maintenance procedures. Conclusions Nearly half of patients were willing to view an educational video from home prior to their office visits and most were prompted to ask specific health maintenance questions. Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and quantify the value of this educational video in activating patients regarding receiving recommended health maintenance procedures. Practice implications Video education from home may active patients to improve their involvement in general health maintenance during their annual examination.
Reconstruction of noncontained distal femoral defects with polymethylmethacrylate and crossed-screw augmentation: a biomechanical study.

Background: Curettage and cementation with polymethylmethacrylate are frequently used in the treatment of aggressive benign bone lesions such as giant-cell tumors, but strength and stiffness of the reconstructed bone have been concerns. This biomechanical study was undertaken to determine whether augmenting the cement with crossed screws would result in a stronger reconstruction. Methods: Large noncontained defects were created in the medial femoral condyles of twenty matched pairs of human cadavera. Four groups were organized to compare three types of reconstruction: (1) polymethylmethacrylate alone, (2) polymethylmethacrylate and intramedullary Steinmann pins, and (3) polymethylmethacrylate with crossed screws engaging the opposite cortex. The specimens were subjected to 2000 compressive cycles and were subsequently monotonically loaded to failure under a controlled displacement rate. Failure load and stiffness were determined for each femur that survived the cycling process. Results: Femora reconstructed with crossed screws and cement failed at higher loads and had greater stiffness than those reconstructed with cement alone (p = 0.025 and p = 0.0007) or cement augmented with intramedullary Steinmann pins (p = 0.019). Failure of femora reconstructed with cement and crossed screws occurred through an extra-articular transverse fracture, while failure in those with cement alone and cement with Steinmann pins occurred through an intra-articular (intercondylar) fracture. Conclusions: In this in vitro cadaver study, augmentation of polymethylmethacrylate cement with crossed screws resulted in a stronger reconstruction of distal femoral tumor defects than that obtained with cement alone or with cement and intramedullary Steinmann pins. Clinical Relevance: The stronger and stiffer construct of cement augmented with crossed screws might allow earlier walking and rehabilitation after tumor resection, with a decreased risk of fracture after reconstruction. Should a fracture occur after reconstruction with polymethylmethacrylate and crossed screws, the results of this study suggest that the fracture is likely to be extra-articular, which can be treated with standard fracture-fixation methods.
Core Set of Primers to Evaluate Genetic Diversity in Soybean

A large number of random primers are available to generate random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers; however, not all primers are equally informative. The focus of this research was to identify a small set of RAPD primers that can adequately describe the relationships among major North American soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] ancestors and selected plant introductions (PIs). Two hundred eighty-one polymorphic RAPD fragments evaluated on 35 ancestors and PIs were screened for reproducibility and levels of diversity. Principal-components analysis (PCA) was employed to identify RAPD fragments associated with the largest sources of variation. Hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analyses were used to depict the relationships among the 35 genotypes. One hundred twenty RAPD fragments from 64 random primers were highly reproducible and had polymorphism information content (PIC) scores ≥0.30. Principal-components analysis revealed that eight components explained 60% of the total variation. Stepwise removal of fragments from individual primers revealed that fragments from only 35 primers were critical to the analysis. The product-moment correlation of pairwise distances estimated from the complete RAPD fragment data set and this core data set was 0.86 (P < 0.0001). Results from cluster analysis confirmed that this set of 35 primers provides an accurate measurement of the relationships among the 35 genotypes. These primers will be useful for estimating relationships between exotic accessions and the current North American genetic base.
The Effect of Next S.T.E.P. Instruction on the Self-Determination Skills of High School Students with Learning Disabilities:

As an outcome of research and demonstration projects on self-determination for individuals with disabilities, a number of self-determination curricula have been developed in the past few years. However, the effect of self-determination instruction on student self-determination skills remains to be investigated. The present study examined the effect of the Next S. T.E.P. curriculum on self-determination skills of high school students with learning disabilities using an untreated control group design with pretest and posttest. Results indicated that the treatment group gained significantly more on measures of self-determination skills than the control group. Future research is needed to examine the long-term effect of self-determination instruction.
Understanding the delayed-keyword effect on metacomprehension accuracy

The typical finding from research on metacomprehension is that accuracy is quite low. However, recent studies have shown robust accuracy improvements when judgments follow certain generation tasks (summarizing or keyword listing) but only when these tasks are performed at a delay rather than immediately after reading (K. W. Thiede & M. C. M. Anderson, 2003; K. W. Thiede, M. C. M. Anderson, & D. Therriault, 2003). The delayed and immediate conditions in these studies confounded the delay between reading and generation tasks with other task lags, including the lag between multiple generation tasks and the lag between generation tasks and judgments. The first 2 experiments disentangle these confounded manipulations and provide clear evidence that the delay between reading and keyword generation is the only lag critical to improving metacomprehension accuracy. The 3rd and 4th experiments show that not all delayed tasks produce improvements and suggest that delayed generative tasks provide necessary diagnostic cues about comprehension for improving metacomprehension accuracy.
Evaluation of Real-Time Freeway End-of-Queue Alerting System to Promote Driver Situational Awareness

This paper presents the final results of a connected-vehicles field experiment conducted under the U.S. Department of Transportation's SafeTrip-21 Initiative. A real-time freeway end-of-queue alerting system was developed and tested at 3,400 locations along San Francisco Bay Area freeways in California. The Networked Traveler Foresighted Driving Advanced Driver Assistance System, which used vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, provided drivers with an auditory alert when they approached slow traffic ahead on a freeway to improve the driver's situational awareness. The system was not a last-second collision warning; rather, it was designed to provide soft safety alerts approximately 60 s before the driver reached the slowed traffic. Twenty-four drivers participated in the experiment, and each was given an instrumented vehicle for 2 weeks. During the first week, the alerting system was active but muted, providing a measure of baseline driving behavior. During the second week, auditory alerts sounded whe...
Aberrant Expression of Critical Genes during Secondary Cell Wall Biogenesis in a Cotton Mutant, Ligon Lintless-1 (Li-1)

Over ninety percent of the value of cotton comes from its fiber; however, the genetic mechanisms governing fiber development are poorly understood. Due to their biochemical and morphological diversity in fiber cells cotton fiber mutants have been useful in examining fiber development; therefore, using the Ligon Lintless ( -1) mutant, a monogenic dominant cotton mutant with very short fibers, we employed the high throughput approaches of microarray technology and real time PCR to gain insights into what genes were critical during the secondary cell wall synthesis stage. Comparative transcriptome analysis of the normal TM-1 genotype and the near isogenic -1 revealed that over 100 transcripts were differentially expressed at least 2-fold during secondary wall biogenesis, although the genetic profile of the expansion phase showed no significant differences in the isolines. Of particular note, we identified three candidate gene families-expansin, sucrose synthase, and tubulin—whose expression in -1 deviates from normal expression patterns of its parent, TM-1. These genes may contribute to retarded growth of fibers in -1 since they are fiber-expressed structural and metabolic genes. This work provides more details into the mechanisms of fiber development, and suggests the gene is active during the later stages of fiber development.
Age associated decrease of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in the lens epithelial cells from C57Bl/6 mice.

Lens epithelial cells were isolated from samples of C57BL/6 and CD-I mice at different ages between 1 and 5 months, and assayed for the level of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and their ability to replicate in-vitro. The lens epithelial cells from C57BL/6 mice had a reduced replicative potential compared to other normal strains. A statistically significant decrease in active enzyme levels was demonstrated to be associated with increased animal age of C57BL/6 mice.
Biography: John Franklin Enders, PhD (1897-1985): Nobel Laureate and pioneer in conquering infectious diseases

Abstract Poliomyelitis is a paralyzing disease that crippled and killed countless numbers of individuals for hundreds of years until the virus was cultured in 1949 and a vaccine was developed. In 1954, the individuals who cultured the virus, Dr John Franklin Enders and his 2 younger colleagues, received the Nobel Prize for their work. Enders also was responsible for culturing the viruses that cause mumps and measles, as well as numerous other breakthroughs in the war against infectious diseases. Remembered as an exceedingly modest individual, Enders left an enormous legacy of scientific discovery and a large store of professional wisdom to those who trained under him. This article provides a brief account of his experience with poliomyelitis and other viruses. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company
Quantum double-well chain: Ground-state phases and applications to hydrogen-bonded materials.

Extrapolating the results of hybrid quantum Monte Carlo simulations to the zero temperature and infinite-chain-length limits, we calculate the ground-state phase diagram of a system of quantum particles on a chain of harmonically coupled, symmetric, quartic double-well potentials. We show that the ground state of this quantum chain depends on two parameters, formed from the ratios of the three natural energy scales in the problem. As a function of these two parameters, the quantum ground state can exhibit either broken symmetry, in which the expectation values of the particle's coordinate are all nonzero (as would be the case for a classical chain), or restored symmetry, in which the expectation values of the particle's coordinate are all zero (as would be the case for a single quantum particle). In addition to the phase diagram as a function of these two parameters, we calculate the ground-state energy, an order parameter related to the average position of the particle, and the susceptibility associated with this order parameter. Further, we present an approximate analytic estimate of the phase diagram and discuss possible physical applications of our results, emphasizing the behavior of hydrogen halides under pressure.
Aminoglycoside Antibiotics Are Able To Specifically Bind the 5‘-Untranslated Region of Thymidylate Synthase Messenger RNA†

The translational initiation codon for thymidylate synthase (TS) mRNA is located in a unique stem−loop structure which contains an internal cytosine-cytosine (CC) bubble. This stem−loop structure is thought to be important in the regulation of TS translation, which is itself an important target for anticancer drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil. Internal bubble or bulge structures are candidate receptors for the aminoglycoside antibiotics. It is shown here that aminoglycosides bind in a specific and saturable fashion with dissociation constants of approximately 1 μM to a TS mRNA site 1 construct and that the binding site for the aminoglycosides is located in the CC bubble region. In fact, the CC bubble, when grafted into other stem−loop structures, confers aminoglycoside binding on them. These studies reveal an additional binding domain for aminoglycosides and also suggest how novel anti-cancer drugs might be designed that affect TS mRNA translation rather than enzyme function.
Unproven (questionable) dietary and nutritional methods in cancer prevention and treatment.

"Unproven" is a euphemism for questionable. The definition of a questionable method is that it has not successfully answered the two basic consumer protection questions of efficacy and safety, to wit: Has it been responsibly, objectively, reproducibly, and reliably demonstrated in humans in the responsible (peer-reviewed) literature accepted for the shelves of the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, to be: More effective than suggestion or doing nothing? and in addition, either As safe as doing nothing? or, in the alternative, If there is any question with respect to safety, to have a reasonably and objectively clear potential for benefit which exceeds its potential for harm? Any proposed cancer prevention or treatment modality which has not successfully answered the above efficacy question plus one of the two safety questions is by definition questionable. It is experimental if it is new, and very probably quackery if it is old. Experimental therapy may be either ethical and responsible or unethical and irresponsible. It is unethical and irresponsible to not tell the patient experiments are being conducted on him, to charge the patient to perform research on him, or to ask the patient to sign an informed consent aimed at exculpating the doctor rather than protecting the patient. Ethical and responsible informed consents clearly delineate that what is being done is experimental, and that efficacy and safety have not been determined. Products promoted for profit to the public without passing peer process are almost without exception ineffective, often harmful, and sometimes lethal. This includes Laetrile, immunoaugmentative therapy, chelation therapy, macrobiotic diets, and other alternative therapies. Anecdotal and testimonial claims of cure, on investigation, almost invariably prove due to coincidence, suggestibility, and/or the natural history of the disorder, and fall into one of the five categories of "cures that are not": The patient never had cancer. The cancer was cured or put in remission by responsible therapy, but the promoted therapy was irrelevantly also given, and is erroneously credited for the cure. The cancer is progressing silently, but erroneously represented as cured. The patient is dead, but represented as cured. The patient had a spontaneous remission, which is publicized as a "cure," while failing to publicize the hundred or more deaths per "success" which followed the same "cure." Quackery involves the consumer fraud of taking money under false pretenses. The false pretense is the promotion and selling of questionable diagnostic tests and therapies advertising them to be safe and effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Management of nerve gaps: autografts, allografts, nerve transfers, and end-to-side neurorrhaphy.

Since its introduction in the late 1870’s, surgical restoration of function following peripheral nerve injury has made significant progress (Naff and Ecklund, 2001). The development of the operating microscope, improved microsurgical techniques, and a greater understanding of the internal topography of perpheral nerves has greatly improved functional outcomes. In addition, advances in basic science and clinical research have furthered our understanding of the pathophysiology of nerve injury, recovery, and repair. There are several factors that influence recovery following a nerve injury: time elapsed, patient age, mechanism, proximity of the lesion to distal targets, and associated soft tissue or vascular injuries (Gilbert, et al., 2006, Hentz and Narakas, 1988, Slutsky, 2006). All these factors must be carefully considered in order to optimize the operative approach used in each unique patient. Prompt repair of nerve injuries leads to improved outcomes by allowing for earlier distal motor end plate and sensory receptor reinnervation. In younger patients, the more robust regenerative capacity typically results in better outcomes compared to the elderly. Mechanism of damage is an important determinant of the longitudinal extent of the injury. More proximal lesions must traverse longer distances to reinnervate the distal target. And finally, concomitant soft tissue or vascular injuries can result in significant distortion and scarring, seriously complicating exploration of the affected area. The ultimate goal of any peripheral nerve reconstruction is the restoration of function as promptly and completely as possible, while minimizing donor site and systemic morbidity. In cases where a tension-free primary end-to-end neurorrhaphy is not possible, several alternatives exist. This review summarizes these options for repair including interpositional nerve grafting, transfers and end-to-side neurorrhaphy (Fig. 1). Open in a separate window Figure 1 Summarizes the various options for nerve repair. Nerve allografts are utilized for large, otherwise irreparable injuries. Nerve transfer use redundant nerve fibers for a proximal nerve injury. The autograft is used to reconstruct a nerve gap. Direct repair is used when there is no intervening nerve gap to create tension. Both end-to-side and nerve conduits are used for noncritical sensory injuries.
Effects of 0.60 PPM nitrogen dioxide on circulating and bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocyte phenotypes in healthy subjects

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a common oxidant air pollutant. Animal studies have suggested that NO2 exposure causes a decrease in the numbers of some splenic lymphocyte subtypes and impairs lymphocyte-dependent immune responses. To investigate whether ambient levels of NO2 alter circulating and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) human lymphocytes, we studied five healthy nonsmoking adult volunteers. In each subject, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained and then, more than 2 weeks later, volunteers were exposured to 0.60 ppm NO2 for 2 hr with intermittent light to moderate exercise on 4 separate days within a 6-day period. We measured standard tests of pulmonary function (airway resistance, thoracic gas volume, maximal expiratory flow) and had the subjects rate the severity of respiratory symptoms before and after each NO2 exposure. Circulating and BALF lymphocytes were labeled with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies to human lymphocyte antigens and a flow cytometer was used to count lymphocyte subtypes. Neither any single day's exposure nor all four exposures caused a change in symptoms or in the results of tests of pulmonary function. The total number of circulating lymphocytes obtained after NO2 exposure was slightly greater than at baseline (1792 +/- 544 vs 1598 +/- 549 cells/mm3 at baseline; P = not significant) but the proportions of lymphocyte subtypes did not differ. In the BALF obtained after NO2 exposure and in the baseline state, the total number of lymphocytes and the percentages of T cells (CD 3), B cells (CD 20), T cytotoxic-suppressor cells (CD 8), T helper-inducer cells (CD 4), and large granular lymphocytes (CD 57) also did not differ after NO2 exposure. A slightly but significantly greater proportion of natural killer cells (CD 16) was found in the BALF obtained after NO2 exposure (7.2 +/- 3.1 vs 4.2 +/- 2.4% of total lymphocytes). We conclude that repeated exposures of healthy nonsmoking adults to 0.60 ppm NO2 are not associated with clinically significant symptoms, changes in airway caliber, or alterations in circulating and BALF lymphocyte subtypes. We suggest that brief, daily exposures to NO2 at levels higher than those achieved in urban atmosphere are unlikely to provoke acute respiratory impairment in healthy, nonsmoking adults.
Strategic landscaping and air-conditioning savings: A literature review

Abstract The careful siting of vegetation around a building has long been recognized as a means of cooling. However, the extent of the airconditioning energy savings has not been widely recognized nor quantified. Several researchers have measured the energy reductions caused by different kinds of vegetation in a variety of locations. Air-conditioning energy savings as high as 80% have been measured, although 25–50% were more common. Large savings were found in both dry and humid locations. The landscaping appears to influence heat gain through several processes, including shading from the sun, shielding from infiltration, and the creation of a cooler micro-climate around the building. These processes are poorly modeled in popular computer simulation models.
Ohmic contacts to p-type InAs

Abstract Low-resistance ohmic contact metallizations were evaluated on p-InAs (Be doped 2 × 1019 cm−3) with the goal of achieving reaction morphologies and thermal stabilities suitable for demanding heterojunction bipolar transistor applications. Each contact consists of three or four layers. The first layer is used to lower the resistance at the metal/semiconductor interface. The middle layer (or pair of layers) acts as a diffusion barrier between the other two layers. The third layer, which is typically gold, is used to lower the metal sheet resistance. Of the first layer metals used (Ti, Pd and Co), Pd showed the lowest specific contact resistance both as-deposited (1.6 × 10−6 Ω cm2) and after aging at 250 °C for 9 h (3.4 × 10−6 Ω cm2). Aging of the Ti/Pt/Au contacts resulted in indium agglomerations or voids at the interface. The Pd/W/Au and Pd/Ti/Pt/Au contacts showed the best morphology, consuming an average of only 6-7 nm of semiconductor after aging at 250 °C for 9 h.
Real-time ultrasound guidance reduces total and major vascular complications in patients undergoing pulmonary vein antral isolation on therapeutic warfarin

Vascular complications are a known risk of catheter-based pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI). Procedure-related thromboembolic events necessitate full-dose anticoagulation, which worsens outcomes in the event of vascular access injury. Real-time ultrasound allows direct visualization of vascular structures. We hypothesized that ultrasound use with venipuncture reduces vascular complications associated with PVAI. Retrospective analysis of all adverse events occurring with PVAI was performed during two periods: 2005–2006 when ultrasound was not used and 2008–2010 when ultrasound was routinely employed. All patients received full-dose IV heparin during PVAI. In the no ultrasound cohort, only 14 % underwent PVAI without stopping warfarin, while 91 % of patients in the ultrasound cohort were on continued warfarin. Only patients deemed at high risk for thromboembolism with a periprocedural international normalized ratio (INR) less than 2 were bridged with subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin. Ultrasound reduced total vascular complications (1.7 vs. 0.5 %, p < 0.01) and decreased the incidence of major vascular complications by sevenfold. Warfarin with INR ≥ 1.2 on the day of PVAI was associated with more vascular complications (4.3 vs. 1.2 %, p < 0.01). Ultrasound guidance overcame the risk associated with warfarin therapy. Vascular complications in anticoagulated patients with INR ≥ 1.2 using ultrasound guidance were two- and ninefold lower than those in patients not using ultrasound with an INR < 1.2 (0.5 vs. 1.2 %, p < 0.05) and INR ≥ 1.2 (0.5 vs. 4.3 %, p < 0.01), respectively. Ultrasound-guided venipuncture improves the safety profile of PVAI, reducing vascular complications in patients on warfarin to levels below those with no ultrasound and off warfarin.
Noninvasive imaging of atherosclerotic plaque in the arch of the aorta with transcutaneous B-mode ultrasonography

Atherosclerotic plaque at the arch of the aorta has been identified as a potential source for atheroembolic stroke. Imaging of aortic arch plaque can be performed with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), but TEE is an invasive procedure. A new noninvasive method has been developed to image aortic arch plaque employing transcutaneous real time B-mode ultrasonography with color flow duplex Doppler. B-mode imaging has an 86% accuracy for identifying complex aortic arch plaques as compared with TEE. Noninvasive imaging of the aortic arch can be employed in diagnosing the etiology of cerebrovascular disease in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack in conjunction with duplex B-mode sonography of the extracranial carotid arteries. It also provides a noninvasive method for studying atherosclerotic plaque in the aortic arch which is applicable for investigational studies of the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and evaluation of pharmacological agents designed to treat atherosclerotic disease.
Acute effects of in vitro mast cell degranulation on human lung muscarinic receptors

Allergic asthmatic patients have baseline airway cholinergic hyperresponsiveness that rapidly increases after antigen inhalation and mediator release. We therefore examined whether anaphylaxis of human lung tissue (exposure to mast cell mediators) acutely modulated the human lung muscarinic receptor system in ways that might account for these increased in vivo cholinergic airway responses. Fresh thoracotomy peripheral lung samples from 24 patients were incubated with (anaphylaxis) or without (control) anti-IgE (1:100) for up to 90 min. The average percentage of histamine released ranged from 20 to 30% in anaphylaxis and 3 to 5% in control samples, with > 80% of total histamine released by 15 to 30 min. Lung fragments were quick frozen at various times after anti-IgE for analyses of muscarinic receptor binding parameters. Antagonist Kd (dissociation constant) and receptor concentration values were determined using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, and agonist IC50 values were determined using carbachol. In comp...
The 24-h time budget of a takh harem stallion (Equus ferus przewalskii) pre- and post-reintroduction

Abstract Focal animal sampling was used to determine the 24-h time budget of a takh harem stallion ( Equus ferus przewalskii ) during the 2 weeks prior to, and the two weeks following, reintroduction into the Hustain Nuruu Steppe Reserve, Mongolia. Both before and after release, the stallion spent approximately 47% of his time grazing, 6% standing, and 5% in recumbent rest. The biggest changes to the time budget after release were a 4-fold increase in the amount of time spent moving, and a 50% decrease in the amount of time spent resting in a standing position. During the middle of the day when the temperatures were hottest, the stallion exhibited less grazing and more standing resting behaviour than in the morning or evening hours. Recumbent rest invariably occurred in the hours before dawn.
Cross-sections for energy loss spectrometry

Abstract The various methods for calculating partial cross-sections for energy loss spectrometry are reviewed. Comparison is made between Hartree-Slater calculations, the efficiency factor method, and the hydrogenic model. A scheme for parameterisation to be used in fast calculations of partial cross-sections is also proposed.
LIPID OXIDATION IN MECHANICALLY DEBONED RED MEAT

Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) from flat bones and neck bones of cattle was tested against ground beef for differences in rate of lipid oxidation. To measure the oxidative changes in MDM and ground beef, the fatty acid disappearance from the polar and nonpolar lipids and the production of monocarbonyls during storage were monitored. The meat was tested under two separate temperatures; 2-3°C and analyzed at intervals on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 13; -35°C and analyzed at intervals on days 0, 30 and 90. Two additional flat bone samples were stored (aged) for 5-6 days and then deboned and analyzed. Differences in the slopes of regression lines for oxidation of each polyunsaturated fatty acid showed no major differences between the disappearance of the fatty acids in MDM when compared to ground beef. Little change occurred in the polar and nonpolar fatty acids during storage at 2-3°C or at -35°C. Monocarbonyls were a better indicator of oxidation rate. than total carbonyls. Increases in monocarbonyls during storage reached a peak on the sixth day of storage at 2- 3° C and then declined. No significant differences were found in monocarbonyl content of MDM when compared to monocarbonyl content of ground beef. Polyunsaturated fatty acid/hemoprotein molar ratios of all samples analyzed were in the area where hemoproteins act as antioxidants. Overall, lipids in MDM from beef bones (aged or fresh) oxidized at about the same rate as lipids in ground beef.
Apparent Resolution of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus after Initiation of Potent Antiretroviral Therapy in a Man from Africa with HIV Infection

We describe a 52-year-old African man with human immunodeficiency virus infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus whose diabetes resolved as viral replication was suppressed with protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy. This case suggests that human immunodeficiency virus infection itself can precipitate overt diabetes mellitus.
Local planning of ongoing activities

An agent that learns about the world while performing its jobs has to plan in a flexible and focused manner: it has to reflect on how to perform its jobs while accomplishing them, focus on critical aspects of important subtasks, and ignore irrelevant aspects of their context. It also has to postpone planning when lacking information, reconsider its course of action when noticing opportunities, risks, or execution failures, and integrate plan revisions smoothly into its ongoing activities. In this paper, we add constructs to RPL (Reactive Plan Language) that allow for local planning of ongoing activities. The additional constructs constitute an interface between RPL and planning processes that is identical to the interface between RPL and continuous control processes like moving or grasping. The uniformity of the two interfaces and the control structures provided by RPL enable a programmer to concisely specify a wide spectrum of interactions between planning and execution.
Multiple paternity and mating patterns in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis

Eggs were sampled from 22 wild American alligator nests from the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in south-west Louisiana, along with the females guarding the nests. Three nests were sampled in 1995 and 19 were sampled in 1997. Females and offspring from all clutches were genotyped using five polymorphic microsatellite loci and the three nests from 1995 were also genotyped using one allozyme locus. Genotypes of the hatchlings were consistent with the guarding females being the mothers of their respective clutches. Multiple paternity was found in seven of the 22 clutches with one being fathered by three males, and the remaining six clutches having genotypes consistent with two males per clutch. Paternal contributions of multiply sired clutches were skewed. Some males sired hatchlings of more than one of the 22 clutches either as one of two sires of a multiple paternity clutch, as the sole sire of two different clutches, or as the sole sire of one clutch and one of two sires of a multiply sired clutch. There was no significant difference between females that had multiple paternity clutches and those that had singly sired clutches with respect to female total length ( P = 0.844) and clutch size ( P = 0.861). Also, there was no significant correlation between genetic relatedness of nesting females and pairwise nest distances ( r 2 = 0.003, F 1,208 = 0.623, P = 0.431), indicating that females in this sample that nested close to one another were no more related than any two nesting females chosen at random. Eleven mutations were detected among hatchlings at the five loci over the 22 clutches. Most of these mutations (eight of 11) occurred at Ami μ -17, the only compound microsatellite locus of the five used in this study, corresponding to a mutation rate of 1.7 〈 10 ‐3 . Finally, most of the mutations (82%) were
Rapid determination of the numbers of Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, on sticky-board collection devices

We collected mites on boards coated with Vaseline; then, Vaseline, mites and debris were removed and solvent processed. Three weights were obtained for each sample: (1) weight after processing (pre-cleaned weight = Wpre); (2) weight after removing most remaining contaminants (partially cleaned weight = Wpar); and (3) weight after removing all remaining contaminants (clean weight = Wcln). The regression of the actual number of mites on W cln was significant (P 0.99. Our method lets us obtain an accurate estimate of the number of mites in 20-30 min, regardless of the number present, and is useful when the number of mites on a board > 4 500. Our method also avoids the loss of precision that occurs with sub-sampling. Varroa destructor / Apis mellifera / population estimation
Growth and Properties of W-Si-N Diffusion Barriers Deposited by Chemical Vapor Deposition

We have used chemical vapor deposition to grow ternary tungsten based diffusion barriers to determine if they exhibit properties similar to those of sputter deposited ternaries. A range of different W-Si-N compositions were produced. The deposition temperature was low, 350°C, and the precursors used are accepted by the industry. Deposition rates are acceptable for a diffusion barrier application. Resistivities range from 350 to 20000 µΩ-cm, depending on composition. Step coverage of films with compositions expected to be of interest for diffusion barrier applications is 100%.
Barriers Encountered by Black Female Athletic Administrators and Coaches

In this article, the authors provide strategies to help black women confront career obstacles while obtaining and remaining in athletic administrative and coaching positions.
Cosmogenic 3He production rates from Holocene lava flows in Iceland

Abstract We measured cosmogenic 3 He production rates in olivine phenocrysts from four radiocarbon-dated postglacial basaltic lava flows in the Western Volcanic Zone of Iceland. These measurements provide important new calibrations of cosmogenic nuclide production rates near sea level at high latitudes. Calibration sites from Lambahraun (4040 ± 250 cal yr BP; n = 4), Leitahraun (5210 ± 110 cal yr BP; n = 5), Burfellshraun (8060 ± 120 cal yr BP; n = 6), and Þingvallahraun (10,330 ± 80 cal yr BP; n = 4) yield a mean production rate of 132 ± 5 atoms 3 He g − 1 yr − 1 (± 1 σ ; normalized to sea level at high latitudes with the standard atmosphere). Mean production rates from the four flows agree within uncertainty, indicating that these calibrations establish a reproducible local 3 He production rate that will significantly increase the accuracy of exposure dating in Iceland. The 3 He production rate in Iceland is ∼ 17% higher than the mean of normalized Holocene values previously determined in the western USA. The high production rates in Iceland are attributed to the influence of persistent low atmospheric pressure over Iceland (the Icelandic Low) through the Holocene, which yielded higher cosmic ray fluxes. The Icelandic calibrations thus support previous suggestions that cosmogenic isotope production rates should be adjusted for regional variations in long-term atmospheric pressure. By extending the latitudinal extent of previous calibration studies, these results are also useful for evaluating scaling models.
Digoxin significantly improves all-cause mortality in atrial fibrillation patients with severely reduced left ventricular systolic function☆☆☆

Digoxin significantly improves all-cause mortality in atrial fibrillation patients with severely reduced left ventricular systolic function☆☆☆ Nileshkumar J. Patel , Michael Hoosien , Abhishek Deshmukh , Apurva O. Badheka , PeeyushM. Grover , Neeraj Shah , Vikas Singh , KathanMehta , Ankit Chothani , Ghanshyambhai T. Savani , Shilpkumar Arora , Vipulkumar Bhalara , Nilay Patel , Dhaval Khalpada , Ankit Rathod , Thomas J. Vazzana , James Lafferty , Juan F. Viles-Gonzalez , Raul D. Mitrani b,⁎
A new Oriental species of Behningia Lestage (Ephemeroptera: Behningiidae)

A new species of primitive tuskless burrowing mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Palpotarsa: Behningiidae), Behningia baei, new species, is described from larvae taken in Thailand. The new species is differentiated from congeners primarily by its labial palps, labrum, and base of the mid legs. It is the first species of the genus Behningia, and only the second species of the family Behningiidae, to be taken from the Oriental biogeographic region. Larvae previously regarded as B. tshernovae Edmunds and Traver are considered to be assignable to B. lestagei Motas and Bacesco.