cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selves in Transition: Symbolic Consumption in Personal Rites of Passage and Identity Reconstruction

The consumption of aesthetic plastic surgery is examined within the broader context of daily life in an investigation of the motives and the self-concept dynamics underlying this symbolic consumer behavior. Data were collected in multiple, in-depth, ethnographic interviews, and analyzed by a constant comparative method revealing insights into both a priori and emergent themes. A priori themes regarding body image, impression management, symbolic self-completion, and possible selves are developed through a literature review and discussed briefly in light of the findings. Emergent themes, including role transitions, sexual selves and romantic fantasies, control and efficacy, and identity play are developed and embedded in a discussion of identity reconstruction and personal rites of passage. It is concluded that consumption activities are important to both the maintenance and the development of a stable, harmonious self-concept. Directions for future research are discussed.
Singular Perturbation Margin assessment of Linear Time-Invariant systems via the Bauer-Fike theorems

Singular Perturbation Margin (SPM) is a stability margin for Nonlinear systems established from the view of the singular perturbation (time-scale separation) parameter epsilon. Using the Bauer-Fike, the generalized Bauer-Fike theorems and the corollaries, Theorem 1 in this paper provides an assessment method for the SPM of a Linear Time-Invariant system, with an error on the order of a fractional power p/q of epsilon, where p is the order of truncation and q is the size of the largest Jordan block of the LTI system. As a consequence, Corollary 1 reveals the relationship between the condition number of the modal matrix of the nominal system (when epsilon approaches zero) and the SPM estimate. Through the iterative solution of matrix algebraic Riccati equation, the concepts of the pth-order approximated Chang transformation and the corresponding pth-order approximated slow and fast systems are established, and it is shown that the nominal system is singularly perturbed by way of a multivariate matrix polynomial with the powers of epsilon as the coefficients. The approach developed here will be useful in subsequent investigation on estimate of the SPM for Linear Time-Varying systems and Nonlinear Time-Varying systems, which may serve as a theoretical as well as practical stability metric.
Longitudinal trajectories of behavior problems and social competence in children with new onset epilepsy.

AIM To characterize the prospective trajectory of parent-reported behavior and social competence problems in children with new or recent onset epilepsy from diagnosis to 5 to 6 years after diagnosis compared to healthy control participants.
Temporal Patterns of Agitation in Dementia

Objective This study investigated the temporal pattern of agitated behaviors in nursing home residents with dementia and compared it with temporal patterns of pleasure, interest in the environment, and sleep. Methods Trained research assistants recorded direct observations of agitation and affect by the Agitation Behavior Mapping Instrument and the Lawton's Modified Behavior Stream for 174 participants from 12 nursing homes. Results The temporal pattern found for total agitation showed a gradual increase from the morning until approximately 4 pm with a decrease thereafter. Only 26% of the sample showed a clear increase of their agitation in the later hours in comparison to the morning hours based on our criterion. Pleasure did not show a consistent pattern, whereas levels of interest peaked during lunch and dinner times. Conclusions The results fit with a hypothesis of fatigue of daytime nursing staff members and disruption during shift change and may also be partially accounted for by resident fatigue. Although the literature supports the notion that there is a peak in overall agitation around 4 pm, the term "sundowning" is not supported and should be replaced. The phenomenon of increased levels of agitation during later hours characterizes only a minority of agitated nursing home residents, albeit the most highly agitated.
Modeling the ice age: the finite-element method in glaciology

To comprehend the Earth's climatic system we develop more and more complex models of its atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere (the icy regions), and even biosphere to understand the interactions that control climate. Ice sheet modeling is tied intrinsically to the understanding of past and future climatic change. Many climate models behave well in recreating present conditions, but we must test them against different climates of the past to see if they are predictive. One time period with a reasonably well understood and yet very different climate was the most recent ice age, late in the Pleistocene Epoch, climaxing approximately 18000 years ago. How do we recognize a good theoretical framework, or model, within which to interpret experimental data? In glaciology, the model must describe as completely as possible the physical processes connecting different aspects of the data. Computers have allowed scientists to apply numerical methods to equations that were not amenable to analytic evaluation, and thus obtain approximate solutions without restrictive assumptions or simplified domains. One such numerical technique, the finite element method, can be used to solve differential equations that arise when we deal (as we do in glaciology) with conserved quantities, that is, mass, momentum, and energy. Having applied this technique to model glaciers and ice sheets, this approach is a robust alternative to traditional numerical techniques. >
Fourier Transform Analysis of Rabbit Detrusor Autonomous Contractions Reveals Length Dependent Increases in Tone and Slow Wave Development at Long Lengths

Purpose: Bladder wall muscle (detrusor) develops low amplitude rhythmic contractions. Low amplitude rhythmic contraction activity is increased in detrusor from patients with overactive bladder. In this in vitro study we used fast Fourier transforms to assess the length dependence of low amplitude rhythmic contraction components.Materials and Methods: Rabbit detrusor strips were placed in a muscle bath between 2 clips to adjust length and record isometric tension. Tissues stretched from 70% to 130% of a reference muscle length at 10% increments were allowed to develop low amplitude rhythmic contractions at each length for 20 minutes. Low amplitude rhythmic contraction data were analyzed using fast Fourier transforms and represented by a frequency rather than a time spectrum.Results: Based on fast Fourier transform analysis summarized by signal peaks within specific frequency ranges, rabbit low amplitude rhythmic contraction waveforms were divided into 1 tonic and 2 phasic components, defined as A0 + A1F1 +...
General strategies for prevention of atopic disease: A review of the current state of knowledge

Abstract Prevention of disease, whether it be allergy, infection or emotional disease, is a primary goal of paediatrics. The strategies employed in the prevention of allergic disease have been studied in numerous sites, resulting in conflicting results and confusion among practitioners. This review of our work and of the current literature concludes that exclusive breast feeding of the newborn human infant combined with a hypoallergenic diet for both the nursing mother and her infant, is the single most valuable action to be taken. In addition, providing a hypoallergenic environment (dust, mold and animal dander elimination) as well as elimination of smoking in the home will contribute to the success of preventive efforts in the newborn period. In vitro measurement of total IgE, combined with a careful family history, provides predictive data to measure the likely value of employing the rather arduous preventive measures necessary to eliminate or ameliorate future allergic disease. Studies of compliance with rigorous prophylactic measures, provides understanding of some of the conflicting data in the literature on the success rate of preventive regimens.
Valence band X-ray photoemission and soft X-ray emission studies of Pt

Abstract The soft X-ray N 6,7 (5d to 4f transition) emission spectrum and the X-ray photoemission spectrum of Pt (the latter under two conditions of surface cleanliness) have been obtained, and are compared with the results of photoemission and band theoretical studies.
282 NEUROGENIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS IN NEWBORN INFANTS ASSOCIATED WITH CNS ABNORMALITIES

The clinical syndrome of neurogenic diabetes insipidus (DI) has recently been observed in three neonates. All cases were the products of complicated labors and deliveries and manifested symptoms of DI in the first 72 hours of life. Associated CNS abnormalities included metabolic encephalopathy, hemorrhage and cerebral hypoxia. Multiple quantitative measurements of serum antidiuretic hormone (ADH), during water deprivation with simultaneous urine and serum osmolalities and measurements of serum sodium, support the neurogenic form of DI. Normal anterior pituitary function has been demonstrated in all cases by measurements of other trophic hormones and their products. These include serum TSH, T4, cortisols and growth hormone. Hypothalamic dysfunction is strongly suggested by abnormal patterns of growth hormone release to L-Dopa, elevated basal serum prolactin levels and abnormal prolactin response with normal TSH response to intravenous thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). This syndrome has been transient in one neonate, with clinical resolution of the DI and accompanying normal serum ADH levels. The DI has responded to treatment with parental pitressin as well as intranasal 1-Desamino-8-D-Arginine vasopressin (DD-AVP). We believe the syndrome of neurogenic DI may be considerably more common in neonates with CNS abnormalities than has previously been reported.
Measurement of the charge state distribution of field evaporated ions: Evidence for post-ionization☆

Abstract Charge state distributions of field evaporated Si, Ni, Mo, Rh, W, Re, Ir and Pt ions have been measured as a function of electric field strength using the pulsed laser atom-probe. The results are compared to previously published theoretical calculations based on the post-ionization model of field evaporation. The agreement between theory and experiment is sufficient to establish the general validity of the post-ionization model. Measurements of the charge state distributions as a function of evaporation rate at constant temperature (increasing field) and constant field (increasing temperature) are also presented for W, Mo and Si. The observation that the fractional abundances of different charge states for the same material do not change with changing temperature indicates that the activation energies of desorption are the same for the different charge states and provides further support for the post-ionization model. The anomalous field evaporation behavior observed at high temperatures (e.g., desorption from localized areas on the surface and the occurrence of ionic clusters) is also discussed.
Neogene Carbonate Burial in the Pacific Ocean

[1] I have compiled CaCO3 mass accumulation rates (MARs) for the period 0–25 Ma for 144 Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program drill sites in the Pacific in order to investigate the history of CaCO3 burial in the world's largest ocean basin. This is the first synthesis of data since the beginning of the Ocean Drilling Program. Sedimentation rates, CaCO3 contents, and bulk density were estimated for 0.5 Myr time intervals from 0 to 14 Ma and for 1 Myr time intervals from 14 to 25 Ma using mostly data from Initial Reports volumes. There is surprisingly little coherence between CaCO3 MAR time series from different Pacific regions, although regional patterns exist. A transition from high to low CaCO3 MAR from 23–20 Ma is the only event common to the entire Pacific Ocean. This event is found worldwide. The most likely cause of lowered pelagic carbonate burial is a rising sea-level trend in the early Miocene. The central and eastern equatorial Pacific is the only region with adequate drill site coverage to study carbonate compensation depth (CCD) changes in detail for the entire Neogene. The latitude-dependent decrease in CaCO3 production away from the equator is an important defining factor of the regional CCD, which shallows away from the equatorial region. Examination of latitudinal transects across the equatorial region is a useful way to separate the effects of changes in carbonate production (“productivity”) from changes in bottom water chemistry (“dissolution”) upon carbonate burial.
Automated Knowledge Acquisition for Strategic Knowledge

Strategic knowledge is used by an agent to decide what action to perform next, where actions have consequences external to the agent. This article presents a computer-mediated method for acquiring strategic knowledge. The general knowledge acquisition problem and the special difficulties of acquiring strategic knowledge are analyzed in terms of representation mismatch: the difference between the form in which knowledge is available from the world and the form required for knowledge systems. ASK is an interactive knowledge acquisition tool that elicits strategic knowledge from people in the form of justifications for action choices and generates strategy rules that operationalize and generalize the expert's advice. The basic approach is demonstrated with a human–computer dialog in which ASK acquires strategic knowledge for medical diagnosis and treatment. The rationale for and consequences of specific design decisions in ASK are analyzed, and the scope of applicability and limitations of the approach are assessed. The paper concludes by discussing the contribution of knowledge representation to automated knowledge acquisition.
Quadratic electro-optic effect in the nonconjugated conductive polymer iodine-doped poly( β-pinene) measured at longer wavelengths including 1.55 μm

Abstract The quadratic electro-optic effect in the nonconjugated conductive polymer iodine-doped poly( β -pinene), measured at longer wavelengths including 1.55 μm, is reported. The field-induced birefringence technique was used. A modulation depth of 0.1% was observed in a 1 μm thick sample for an applied field of 1 V/μm at 1.55 μm. The corresponding Kerr coefficient obtained is 1.6×10 −10 m/V 2 . The Kerr coefficients measured at 790–810 nm are also very large. This exceptionally large (largest known) optical nonlinearity has been attributed to the subnanometer size metallic quantum dots formed in this polymer upon doping with iodine and the optimized film quality recently achieved.
Epidemiologic assessment of angina before and after myocardial infarction: The Framingham Study

Angina pectoris before and after MI was evaluated in a sample of 729 men and women from a general population in whom MI developed during a 36-year period of follow-up. Relations of AP to subsequent CHD events and mortality after initial MI were analyzed by proportional hazards regression models and were adjusted for covariates (age, sex, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, body mass index, glucose intolerance, cigarette smoking, and antihypertensive medications) obtained from routine biennial examinations preceding the initial MI. Comparisons of the influence of angina were made between pre-MI angina, post-MI angina, and absence of AP. The sample had 484 men and 245 women (mean ages, 63 and 69, respectively) who survived greater than / equal to 30 days after MI. The initial MI was clinically unrecognized in 165 (34%) men and 115 (47%) women. Data on covariates were complete for 622 subjects, among whom 30% had pre-Ml angina, 18% had post-MI angina, and 52% did not have AP. Angina was half as common in persons with unrecognized MIs as in those with clinically recognized MIs. During an average of 8.7 years of follow-up, 57% of subjects developed subsequent CHD events, including recognized and unrecognized MI, coronary insufficiency, and CHD death, and 74% died. Both pre-MI angina (hazard ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.91) and post-MI angina (hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.94) adjusted for accompanying risk factors were associated with increased risk for subsequent CHD events compared with those without AP. Neither pre-MI nor post-MI angina was associated with excess overall mortality.
Fluorometric Determination of Epinephrine in Low Dosage Injections and in Lidocaine Hydrochloride—Epinephrine Combinations

A procedure is reported for determining epinephrine in low dosage injections and in combination with lidocaine hydrochloride. Epinephrine is eluted from a buffer column as its ion-pair with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid in ether, extracted into hydrochloric acid, and determined fluorometrically. The method determines unchanged epinephrine by isolating it from its sulfonic acid and other decomposition products; it is a measure of the stability of epinephrine in solution and can be modified to include an assay for lidocaine hydrochloride. When synthetic mixtures of epinephrine and epinephrine-lidocaine hydrochloride were analyzed by the proposed procedures, recoveries for epinephrine ranged from 98.5 to 101.3%, and recoveries for lidocaine hydrochloride ranged from 98.6 to 101.7%. Assay results on 23 different commercial samples of varying potencies and combinations are also reported.
Venous Reactivity and Pregnancy Abnormalities

An impedance plethysmograph recording was obtained on at least two occasions from 162 women between their 24 and 36th week of pregnancy; 29 while in labor and 21 at the time of their 6-week postpartum visit. There was a significant increase in venous capacitance and a decline in venous capacitance index during apparently normal pregnancy. Those with pregnancy complications (hypertension, premature labor and fetal growth retardation) appeared to have significantly abnormal venous reactivity. It is proposed that equal consideration be given to abnormal venous activity in the mechanisms and therapy of pregnancy-related cardiovascular abnormalities.
ORAI1 Calcium Signaling Regulates the Release of the Atopic Dermatitis Cytokine TSLP

The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is highly expressed in human epithelial keratinocytes in atopic dermatitis, and bronchial epithelial cells in asthma. Numerous studies suggest that TSLP acts as a master switch that triggers both the initiation and maintenance of atopic dermatitis, as well as the progression from atopic dermatitis to asthma. While many of the inflammatory actions of TSLP have been described, little is known about the molecular pathways that trigger TSLP expression by epithelial cells and how this leads to itch. Here we probe the signaling mechanisms that lead to TSLP production in human epithelial cells and identify the ion channel ORAI1 as a novel regulator of TSLP secretion. Using pharmacology and siRNA-mediated knockdown, combined with electrophysiological, biochemical and imaging techniques, we show that a variety of itch-causing compounds trigger ORAI1-dependent calcium signaling in human epithelial cells and that ORAI1 is required for the resulting expression and secretion of TSLP. With a combination of cellular and behavioral experiments, we determine that TSLP directly activates sensory neurons to cause itch-evoked scratching in a TRPA1-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate that ORAI1 is an essential regulator of the atopic dermatitis cytokine and itch-causing compound, TSLP.
Trp fluorescence reveals an activation‐dependent cation‐π interaction in the Switch II region of Gαi proteins

Crystal structures of Gαi (and closely related family member Gαt) reveal much of what we currently know about G protein structure, including changes which occur in Switch regions. Gαt exhibits a low rate of basal (uncatalyzed) nucleotide exchange and an ordered Switch II region in the GDP-bound state, unlike Gαi, which exhibits higher basal exchange and a disordered Switch II region in GαiGDP structures. Using purified Gαi and Gαt, we examined the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of these proteins, which reports conformational changes associated with activation and deactivation of Gα proteins. In addition to the expected enhancement in tryptophan fluorescence intensity, activation of GαGDP proteins was accompanied by a modest but notable red shift in tryptophan emission maxima. We identified a cation-π interaction between tryptophan and arginine residues in the Switch II of Gαi family proteins that mediates the observed red shift in emission maxima. Furthermore, amino-terminal myristoylation of Gαi resulted in a less polar environment for tryptophan residues in the GTPase domain, consistent with an interaction between the myristoylated amino terminus and the GTPase domain of Gα proteins. These results reveal unique insights into conformational changes which occur upon activation and deactivation of G proteins in solution.
Seasonal variations in natural abundance of 15N in particles sinking to the deep Sargasso Sea

Temporal variations in 15N natural abundance have been used to study both nitrogen cycling and particle dynamics in the ocean1. Changes in the δ15N (1,000×[(15N/14N)sample/(15N/14N)atmospheric N2−1]) of particulate matter are related, in part, to variations in the input of nitrogen to the euphotic zone that have been observed to regulate the downward transport of particles2. Here we report the first long-term data set for seasonal variations in the δ15 N of sinking particulate matter sampled using a sediment trap. These variations co-vary with the magnitude of the particle flux. We propose that the δ15N of sinking particles is a monitor for NO−3 flux into the euphotic zone during the formation of these particles on a timescale directly related to the magnitude of the particle flux.
Developing experimental design and troubleshooting skills in an advanced biochemistry lab

Abstract Two skills critically important to all scientists are the ability to design good experiments and to troubleshoot experiments that do not yield the expected results. In spite of their importance, however, these skills are rarely taught as a part of the undergraduate science curriculum. This deficiency was addressed by creating an advanced biochemistry laboratory course that focuses on the development of experimental design and troubleshooting skills. The course provides students with the opportunity to design and evaluate their own experiments through semester-long independent projects that have a common theme (in this case, protein purification, but any theme could be used). Students plan their projects and carry through the experiments by consulting the primary research literature. The instructor provides minimal input in troubleshooting situations, instead allowing the student to think through and implement alternative solutions. A 2-year survey of the course revealed that students were often frustrated but felt the course significantly improved their experimental laboratory skills as well as introducing them to “real-world” laboratory experience. They further indicated that they preferred the approach used in this course to directed “cook-book” laboratory experiences.
Carcinogenicity tests of acetoxymethylphenylnitrosamine and benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate in Syrian hamsters.

The metabolic activation of the esophageal carcinogen methylphenylnitrosamine (MPhN) via alpha-hydroxylation to hydroxymethylphenylnitrosamine (HO-MPhN) should afford benzenediazonium ion (BDI) as the ultimate electrophilic metabolite. To determine if this proposed activation pathway is accurate, BDI, as its tetrafluoroborate (BF4) salt, was tested by chronic subcutaneous injection and gavage in Syrian golden hamsters. Acetoxymethylphenylnitrosamine (AMPhN), which is rapidly hydrolyzed to HO-MPhN in vivo, was similarly tested by s.c. injection. AMPhN was weakly carcinogenic, while BDI-BF4 did not induce a significant tumor incidence by subcutaneous administration. When orally administered, BDI was inactive. Both AMPhN and BDI-BF4 were mutagenic only in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1537 without enzymic activation. The parent nitrosamine, MPhN was also mutagenic in TA1537, but only with enzymic activation. The mechanistic and environmental significance of these results are discussed.
Template switching between PNA and RNA oligonucleotides

The origin of the RNA world is not easily understood, as effective prebiotic syntheses of the components of RNA, the beta-ribofuranoside-5'-phosphates, are hard to envisage. Recognition of this difficulty has led to the proposal that other genetic systems, the components of which are more easily formed, may have preceded RNA. This raises the question of how transitions between one genetic system and another could occur. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) resembles RNA in its ability to form double-helical complexes stabilized by Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding between adenine and thymine and between cytosine and guanine, but has a backbone that is held together by amide rather than by phosphodiester bonds. Oligonucleotides bases on RNA are known to act as templates that catalyse the non-enzymatic synthesis of their complements from activated mononucleotides, we now show that RNA oligonucleotides facilitate the synthesis of complementary PNA strands and vice versa. This suggests that a transition between different genetic systems can occur without loss of information.
Issues of recruitment, retention, and compliance in community-based clinical trials with traditionally underserved populations

Site-specific sociodemographic recruitment, retention, and compliance (RRC) data were solicited at two points in time from the 18 National Institutes of Health—funded Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA). Based on their experiences delivering primary care to human immunodeficiency virus—infected individuals, nurses at each site identified organizational and client-centered factors functioning as barriers to protocol participation. In addition, the clinicians described the nature, frequency, and relative success of strategies used to enhance recruitment, retention, and protocol compliance. CPCRA units where nurses had clearly identified RRC barriers related to protocol design also were the sites that had accrued the most research participants. This study suggests that as the CPCRA units evolve, the most successful programs will be those in which the clinical and research staff can identify and develop innovative strategies that will successfully overcome RRC barriers.
The evidence of bidders' overpayment in takeovers: the valuation ratios approach

Empirically, bidder returns at the time of takeover announcements are negative. This paper investigates the relation between bidder returns and overpayment in mergers and tender offers while controlling for other potentially important factors. Unlike other studies, the paper measures overpayment using two valuation ratios: earnings-price ratio and book-to-market ratio. Results show these ratios are important in explaining negative bidder returns. The paper also finds that the payment method in mergers and tender offers produces an information effect.
Neogene sedimentation on the outer continental margin, southern Bering Sea

Abstract Neogene sedimentary rocks and sediments from sites on the outer continental margin in the southern Bering Sea and on the Alaska Peninsula are dominated by volcanic components that probably were eroded from an emergent Aleutian Ridge. A mainland continental source is subordinate. Most sediment in the marine environment was transported to the depositional sites by longshore currents, debris flows, and turbidity currents during times when sea level was near the outermost continental shelf. Fluctuations of sea level are ascribed both to worldwide glacio-eustatic effects and to regional vertical tectonics. Large drainage systems, such as the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers, had little direct influence on sedimentation along the continental slope and Unmak Plateau in the southern Bering Sea. Sediments from those drainage systems probably were transported to the floor of the Aleutian Basin, to the numerous shelf basins that underlie the outer continental shelf, and to the Arctic Ocean after passing through the Bering Strait. Environments of deposition at the sites along the outer continental margin have not changed significantly since the middle Miocene. The site on the Alaska Peninsula, however, is now emergent following shallow-marine and transitional sedimentation during the Neogene.
Recent advances in nonlinear passive vibration isolators

Abstract The theory of nonlinear vibration isolation has witnessed significant developments due to pressing demands for the protection of structural installations, nuclear reactors, mechanical components, and sensitive instruments from earthquake ground motion, shocks, and impact loads. In view of these demands, engineers and physicists have developed different types of nonlinear vibration isolators. This article presents a comprehensive assessment of recent developments of nonlinear isolators in the absence of active control means. It does not deal with other means of linear or nonlinear vibration absorbers. It begins with the basic concept and features of nonlinear isolators and inherent nonlinear phenomena. Specific types of nonlinear isolators are then discussed, including ultra-low-frequency isolators. For vertical vibration isolation, the treatment of the Euler spring isolator is based on the post-buckling dynamic characteristics of the column elastica and axial stiffness. Exact and approximate analyses of axial stiffness of the post-buckled Euler beam are outlined. Different techniques of reducing the resonant frequency of the isolator are described. Another group is based on the Gospodnetic–Frisch-Fay beam, which is free to slide on two supports. The restoring force of this beam resembles to a great extent the restoring roll moment of biased ships. The base isolation of buildings, bridges, and liquid storage tanks subjected to earthquake ground motion is then described. Base isolation utilizes friction elements, laminated-rubber bearings, and the friction pendulum. Nonlinear viscoelastic and composite material springs, and smart material elements are described in terms of material mechanical characteristics and the dependence of their transmissibility on temperature and excitation amplitude. The article is closed by conclusions, which highlight resolved and unresolved problems and recommendations for future research directions.
Eukaryotic inhibitors or activators elicit responses to chemosensory compounds by ruminal isotrichid and entodiniomorphid protozoa.

Abstract Our objectives were to evaluate potential signaling pathways regulating rumen protozoal chemotaxis using eukaryotic inhibitors potentially coordinated with phagocytosis as assessed by fluorescent bead uptake kinetics. Wortmannin (inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase), insulin, genistein (purported inhibitor of a receptor tyrosine kinase), U73122 (inhibitor of phospholipase C), and sodium nitroprusside (Snp, nitric oxide generator, activating protein kinase G) were preincubated with mixed ruminal protozoa for 3h before assessing uptake of fluorescent beads and chemosensory behavior to glucose, peptides, and their combination; peptides were also combined with guanosine triphosphate (GTP; a chemorepellent). Entodiniomorphids were chemoattracted to both glucose and peptides, but chemoattraction to glucose was increased by Snp and wortmannin without effect on chemoattraction to peptides. Rate of fluorescent bead uptake by an Entodinium caudatum culture decreased when beads were added simultaneously with feeding and incubated with wortmannin (statistical interaction). Wortmannin also decreased the proportion of mixed entodiniomorphids consuming beads. Isotrichid protozoa exhibited greater chemotaxis to glucose but, compared with entodiniomorphids, were chemorepelled to peptides. Wortmannin increased chemotaxis by entodiniomorphids but decreased chemotaxis to glucose by isotrichids. Motility assays documented that Snp and wortmannin decreased net swimming speed (distance among 2 points per second) but not total swimming speed (including turns) by entodiniomorphids. Wortmannin decreased both net and total swimming behavior in isotrichids. Results mechanistically explain the isotrichid migratory ecology to rapidly take up newly ingested sugars and subsequent sedimentation back to the ventral reticulorumen. In contrast, entodiniomorphids apparently integrate cellular motility with feeding behavior to consume small particulates and thereby stay associated and pass with the degradable fraction of rumen particulates. These results extend findings from aerobic ciliate models to explain how rumen protozoa have adapted physiology for their specific ecological niches.
Evolutionary Biology of Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones)

Opiliones are one of the largest arachnid orders, with more than 6,500 species in 50 families. Many of these families have been erected or reorganized in the last few years since the publication of The Biology of Opiliones. Recent years have also seen an explosion in phylogenetic work on Opiliones, as well as in studies using Opiliones as test cases to address biogeographic and evolutionary questions more broadly. Accelerated activity in the study of Opiliones evolution has been facilitated by the discovery of several key fossils, including the oldest known Opiliones fossil, which represents a new, extinct suborder. Study of the group's biology has also benefited from rapid accrual of genomic resources, particularly with respect to transcriptomes and functional genetic tools. The rapid emergence and utility of Phalangium opilio as a model for evolutionary developmental biology of arthropods serve as demonstrative evidence of a new area of study in Opiliones biology, made possible through transcriptomic data.
Chemical Reaction Engineering in the Chemical Processing of Metals and Inorganic Materials Part II. Chemical Process Modeling and Simulation

In traditional chemical reaction engineering, it is possible to incorporate only the simplified aspects of fluid flow, mixing, and mass/heat transfer into the analysis of chemical reaction rates and reactor design. As a consequence of the advent of high-speed, high-capacity computing capacity, complex processes involving chemical reactions have become amenable to analysis and modeling. This has also resulted in the merging of various disciplines of chemical engineering in formulating detailed descriptions of complex processes. Developments that exemplify this trend over the years are discussed in this review. Several examples from the author’s previous work are used to illustrate the application of chemical reaction engineering principles to the modeling and analysis of complex systems involving the chemical processing of metals and other inorganic materials.
Can Laue catch Maxwell?: observation of short-lived species by Laue X-ray crystallography

Now that the Laue method has been established as a tool for protein crystallography, the main problem involved in any prospective time-resolved X-ray diffraction study is one of chemistry. The reaction or process in question must be initiated on a timescale that is fast compared with its kinetics. For most biochemical events photochemistry is the most suitable trigger, but not all substrates can be caged for photochemical release. This problem can be solved by the novel strategy of caging the enzyme with a photoreversible covalent inhibitor. The logic of this method will be discussed and its application to a time-resolved study of the reaction of a suicide substrate with the protease gamma chymotrypsin shown. The question of real-time crystallographic `movies' of enzymatic reactions can now be considered. It seems likely that following a reaction in real time in a single experiment will be very difficult if not impossible in most cases, in part because even a synchronized process will rapidly become asynchronous in a protein crystal, and also because it will be very difficult to know exactly what species one is observing at any instant unless one has extremely high resolution. It seems that the best use of the Laue technique will be to study unstable species that can be accumulated in the crystal under defined conditions for short periods of time. An entire reaction sequence can then be obtained as a series of individual steps, each of which is obtained from a separate experiment.
International Security Strategy and Global Population Aging

To be successful, grand strategy requires objectives, concepts, and resources to be balanced appropriately with a view to defeating one’s enemy. The trouble is, of course, that Generals are always well prepared to fight the last war. In the words of Yogi Berra, predictions are always difficult, especially when they involve the future. Yet, grand strategy is all about the future. But how is one to strategize about a future that is inherently difficult to predict? One way to overcome this conundrum is to rely on independent variables that can be projected into the future with reasonable accuracy. Aside from environmental indicators, the most consistent of those is demography, specifically demographic change and difference. The demographic approach to international security leads to strategic conclusions about the integration of military, political, and economic means in pursuit of states’ ultimate objectives in the international system. This article is available in Journal of Strategic Security: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol3/iss4/7 Journal of Strategic Security Volume III Issue 4 2010, pp. 27-48 DOI: 10.5038/1944-0472.3.4.2 Journal of Strategic Security (c) 2010 ISSN: 1944-0464 eISSN: 1944-0472 27 International Security Strategy and Global Population Aging Christian Leuprecht Royal Military College of Canada christian.leuprecht@rmc.ca
Evaluation of spatio-temporal predicates on moving objects

Moving objects databases managing spatial objects with continuously changing position and extent over time have recently found large interest in the database community. Queries about moving objects become particularly interesting when they ask for temporal changes in the topological relationships between evolving spatial objects. A concept of spatio-temporal predicates has been proposed to describe these relationships. The goal of this paper is to design efficient algorithms for them so that they can be used in spatio-temporal joins and selections. This paper proposes not to design an algorithm for each new predicate individually but to employ a generic algorithmic scheme, which is able to cover present and future predicate definitions.
Buckling of a Weakened Infinite Beam on an Elastic Foundation

An infinite beam attached to an elastic foundation is buckled by an axial force. The beam is weakened by one or more joints or partial cracks. The governing equations are solved analytically and an exact nonlinear characteristic equation gives the buckling criterion. It is found that the buckling force depends on the foundation stiffness and the rotational resistance of the joints. The buckling modes are complex, and may be either antisymmetric or symmetric.
Heuristic algorithms for multi-constrained quality of service routing

Multi-constrained quality of service (QoS) routing finds a route in the network that satisfies multiple independent quality of service constraints. This problem is NP-hard and a number of heuristic algorithms have been proposed to solve the problem. This paper studies two heuristics, the limited granularity heuristic and the limited path heuristic, for solving general k-constrained problems. Analytical and simulation studies are conducted to compare the time/space requirements of the heuristics and the effectiveness of the heuristics in finding the paths that satisfy the QoS constraints. We prove analytically that for an N nodes and E edges network with k (a small constant) independent QoS constraints, the limited granularity heuristic must maintain a table of size O(|N|/sup k-1/) in each node to be effective, which results in a time complexity of O(|N|/sup k/|E|). We also prove that the limited path heuristic can achieve very high performance by maintaining O(|N|/sup 2/lg(|N|)) entries in each node, which indicates that the performance of the limited path heuristic is not sensitive to the number of constraints. We conclude that although both the limited granularity heuristic and the limited path heuristic can efficiently solve 2-constrained QoS routing problems, the limited path heuristic is superior to the limited granularity heuristic in solving k-constrained QoS routing problems when k>3. Our simulation study further confirms this conclusion.
The Long Way From Government Open Data to Mobile Health Apps: Overcoming Institutional Barriers in the US Federal Government

Background: Government agencies in the United States are creating mobile health (mHealth) apps as part of recent policy changes initiated by the White House’s Digital Government Strategy. Objective: The objective of the study was to understand the institutional and managerial barriers for the implementation of mHealth, as well as the resulting adoption pathways of mHealth. Methods: This article is based on insights derived from qualitative interview data with 35 public managers in charge of promoting the reuse of open data through Challenge.gov, the platform created to run prizes, challenges, and the vetting and implementation of the winning and vendor-created apps. Results: The process of designing apps follows three different pathways: (1) entrepreneurs start to see opportunities for mobile apps, and develop either in-house or contract out to already vetted Web design vendors; (2) a top-down policy mandates agencies to adopt at least two customer-facing mobile apps; and (3) the federal government uses a policy instrument called “Prizes and Challenges”, encouraging civic hackers to design health-related mobile apps using open government data from HealthData.gov, in combination with citizen needs. All pathways of the development process incur a set of major obstacles that have to be actively managed before agencies can promote mobile apps on their websites and app stores. Conclusions: Beyond the cultural paradigm shift to design interactive apps and to open health-related data to the public, the managerial challenges include accessibility, interoperability, security, privacy, and legal concerns using interactive apps tracking citizen. [JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2014;2(4):e58]
Overview of Technology for Low Vision

This article provides an overview of technology resources and services to assist persons with low vision in maintaining independent function in the home, community, and educational and vocational settings. Case studies are provided to demonstrate the integration of technology into the lives of persons with low vision.
Combined retrievals of boreal forest fire aerosol properties with a polarimeter and lidar

Abstract. Absorbing aerosols play an important, but uncertain, role in the global climate. Much of this uncertainty is due to a lack of adequate aerosol measurements. While great strides have been made in observational capability in the previous years and decades, it has become increasingly apparent that this development must continue. Scanning polarimeters have been designed to help resolve this issue by making accurate, multi-spectral, multi-angle polarized observations. This work involves the use of the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP). The RSP was designed as the airborne prototype for the Aerosol Polarimetery Sensor (APS), which was due to be launched as part of the (ultimately failed) NASA Glory mission. Field observations with the RSP, however, have established that simultaneous retrievals of aerosol absorption and vertical distribution over bright land surfaces are quite uncertain. We test a merger of RSP and High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) data with observations of boreal forest fire smoke, collected during the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS). During ARCTAS, the RSP and HSRL instruments were mounted on the same aircraft, and validation data were provided by instruments on an aircraft flying a coordinated flight pattern. We found that the lidar data did indeed improve aerosol retrievals using an optimal estimation method, although not primarily because of the contraints imposed on the aerosol vertical distribution. The more useful piece of information from the HSRL was the total column aerosol optical depth, which was used to select the initial value (optimization starting point) of the aerosol number concentration. When ground based sun photometer network climatologies of number concentration were used as an initial value, we found that roughly half of the retrievals had unrealistic sizes and imaginary indices, even though the retrieved spectral optical depths agreed within uncertainties to independent observations. The convergence to an unrealistic local minimum by the optimal estimator is related to the relatively low sensitivity to particles smaller than 0.1 (μm) at large optical thicknesses. Thus, optimization algorithms used for operational aerosol retrievals of the fine mode size distribution, when the total optical depth is large, will require initial values generated from table look-ups that exclude unrealistic size/complex index mixtures. External constraints from lidar on initial values used in the optimal estimation methods will also be valuable in reducing the likelihood of obtaining spurious retrievals.
Value Changes in Four Cohorts at the U.S. Military Academy

This article deals with values and value changes at three levels: (1) What values do cadets at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) hold at entrance, and do they hold the same values as other college students? (2) How do USMA cadet values change during their four years at West Point? (3) How consistent is the pattern of change from cohort to cohort? Using the Scott Values Inventory (SVI) and the Army Year of Values Survey (AYVS), cadets entering the United States Military Academy were found to have higher scores than students entering a nonmilitary four-year public university. Using the SVI, four cohorts of cadets at the Academy provided repeated measures of their values from entrance to graduation. The pattern of changes in values for all four classes was similar; the similarities of how each class changed were remarkable in view of changes in the curriculum and student body during the seventeen years of this study. Using the AYVS, two cohorts of cadets showed that values recognized as appropriate for Army l...