cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central projections of cochlear nerve fibers in the alligator lizard.

The auditory (cochlear) ganglion cells of the alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus rnulticarinatus) give rise to two types of peripheral fibers: tectorial fibers, which contact hair cells covered by a tectorial membrane, and free-standing fibers, which contact hair cells without a tectorial membrane. To determine the central projections of these fibers, we applied intracellular and extracellular injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to the peripheral component of the cochlear nerve. After histological processing with diaminobenzidine, individual cochlear nerve fibers could be traced through serial sections with the aid of a light microscope and drawing tube. The projection patterns formed two morphologically distinct groups. Neurons whose peripheral processes contacted tectorial hair cells in the cochlea projected to three divisions of the cochlear nucleus: nucleus magnocellularis lateralis (NML), nucleus magnocellularis medialis (NMM), and nucleus angularis lateralis (NAL). Neurons whose peripheral processes contacted freestanding hair cells projected primarily to the nucleus angularis medialis (NAM), although some also sent a single, thin branch to the NML; these neurons never projected to NAL or NMM. Morphometric comparisons of tectorial and free-standing fibers demonstrate that tectorial fibers have a larger axonal diameter, form a greater number of terminal swellings, and make proportionally more somatic contacts. By correlating the morphologically defined groups with previously reported physiologically defined groups, we conclude that different divisions of the cochlear nucleus are associated with separate frequency ranges and that stimuli in the different frequency ranges may be processed separately in the brain.
Transmission and the determinants of transmission efficiency.

Bacteria within the order Rickettsiales would have little impact on human and veterinary medicine in the absence of the arthropod vector. Interestingly, the influence of primary infections with one Rickettsia sp. can influence the success of transovarial transmission of a second. This chapter details some fascinating trends observed regarding vertical and horizontal transmission. Biotic and abiotic factors determine the stability of any sylvatic or zoonotic transmission cycle. The chapter centers on a discussion of the attributes of successful pathogen transmission in the context of the vector's ability to modulate (i) the mammalian host's response during acquisition and transmission and (ii) microbial growth within the vector during the maintenance phase. The discussion in these two sections essentially defines the environment and competency of both the vector and mammalian host as determinants of transmission and transmission efficiency. The chapter ends with a survey of fluctuating ecological trends that can enhance or diminish the potency of vector-borne rickettsial zoonotic cycles. Even though acquisition rates were similar for each transmission experiment, intergenera transmission required cofeeding of multiple infected mites with uninfected mites. Rickettsial diseases have the potential to change the outcomes of war and prey on the unfortunate circumstances that arise from disaster.
Measurement of rotational dynamics by the simultaneous nonlinear analysis of optical and EPR data

In the preceding companion article in this issue, an optical dye and a nitroxide radical were combined in a new dual function probe, 5-SLE. In this report, it is demonstrated that time-resolved optical anisotropy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data can be combined in a single analysis to measure rotational dynamics. Rigid-limit and rotational diffusion models for simulating nitroxide EPR data have been incorporated into a general non-linear least-squares procedure based on the Marquardt-Levenberg algorithm. Simultaneous fits to simulated time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and linear EPR data, together with simultaneous fits to experimental time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy decays and saturation transfer EPR (ST-EPR) spectra of 5-SLE noncovalently bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been performed. These results demonstrate that data from optical and EPR experiments can be combined and globally fit to a single dynamic model.
Combined Oral Contraceptive Treatment of Adolescent Girls with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Lipid Profile

The clinical signs and neuroendocrine features of adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) resemble those found in adult women with PCOS. These adolescent patients are candidates for long-term treatment by one of the different therapeutic approaches that have been proposed. It is therefore essential that the treatment does not induce unfavorable metabolic effects. We investigated and compared the effects of cyproterone acetate (CA) and desogestrel (D), as part of combined oral contraceptives (COC), on lipid metabolism and hirsutism in adolescents with PCOS. Twenty-four girls with clinical signs of PCOS were recruited. They were all hyperandrogenic and euthyroid and had normal prolactin plasma levels. Non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia was ruled out by the ACTH stimulation test. Blood samples were obtained for sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) measurements. After the initial examination, therapy was initiated in a randomly selected order (12 and 12 patients were treated daily by 2 mg CA and 0.150 mg D, respectively, plus 0.035 and 0.030 mg ethinylestradiol, respectively). The degree of hirsutism and the lipid profile were reevaluated every 3 months after initiation of therapy for 1 year. Our data show that after 12 months of treatment with the D or CA COC, the Ferriman-Gallway hirsutism score decreased and TC and LDL-C increased. TGs and HDL-C were raised significantly in the CA COC group, whereas apolipoprotein A1 increased during D COC treatment. The atheromatic indices did not change. These data suggest that treatment of adolescent girls with PCOS is comparably effective with the two contraceptive formulations and that the desogestrel COC could be considered in the treatment of adolescent PCOS patients because it does not have side effects on lipid metabolism.
Nanofiber Near-Field Light–Matter Interactions for Enhanced Detection of Molecular Level Displacements and Dynamics

We experimentally demonstrate that plasmonic nanoparticles embedded in the evanescent field of subwavelength optical waveguides (WGs) are highly sensitive to distances normal to the propagation of light, showing an ∼10× increase in spatial resolution compared to the optical field decay of the WG. The scattering cross-section of the Au nanoparticle is increased by the plasmon–dielectric coupling interaction when the nanoparticle is placed near the dielectric surface of the WG, and the decay of the scattering signal is enhanced, showing angstrom level distance sensitivity within 10 nm from the WG. Numerical studies with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method correlate well with the experimental results. To demonstrate real-time monitoring of a single molecule stretching in the evanescent field, we linked individual single-stranded DNA molecules between the WG and plasmonic nanoparticles and pushed on the nanoparticles with fluidic forces. The simple design and ease of obtaining optical feedback on ...
Parameter Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis for Disturbed State Constitutive Model

Constitutive models for geologic materials and interfaces involve a number of parameters that need to be determined from appropriate laboratory tests. Because the test behavior is influenced by a number of factors such as material variability in test specimens, initial density, mean pressure, and stress paths, the parameters determined from such tests need to be averaged or optimized. The averaging procedure is often used. However, in view of the importance of the parameters in analysis and design, it is desirable and necessary to use advanced procedures such as optimization methods so as to find their improved and realistic values. This paper presents an optimization procedure for the determination of parameters in the unified disturbed state concept constitutive models. A series of multiaxial laboratory tests on a sand under different initial mean pressures, density, and stress paths are used to evaluate the optimized parameters. The stress-strain and volume change behavior is then back-predicted using ...
Control of light by electromagnetic forces on conductive liquids

Abstract An electrical current passed through a conducting liquid located in a magnetic field causes a relatively large movement of the liquid. By choosing a liquid with either suitable absorptive, reflective, refractive, optical rotation or light scattering properties, the electromagnetically induced movement can be used as the basis of many electrically controlled light devices. These include light valves, deflectors and variable f mirrors. While limited to msec speed, the electromagnetic light control device has the important advantages of simplicity, reliability, high light transmission and contrast ratio.
The impact of sloshing on the intragroup medium and old radio lobe of NGC 5044

We present temperature and abundance maps of the central 125 kpc of the NGC 5044 galaxy group, based an a deep XMM-Newton observation. The abundance map reveals an asymmetrical abundance structure, with the centroid of the highest abundance gas offset ~22 kpc northwest of the galaxy centre, and moderate abundances extending almost twice as far to the southeast than in any other direction. The abundance distribution is closely correlated with two previously-identified cold fronts and an arc--shaped region of surface brightness excess, and it appears that sloshing, induced by a previous tidal encounter, has produced both the abundance and surface brightness features. Sloshing dominates the uplift of heavy elements from the group core on large scales, and we estimate that the southeast extension (the tail of the sloshing spiral) contains at least 1.2x10^5 solar masses more iron than would be expected of gas at its radius. Placing limits on the age of the encounter we find that if, as previously suggested, the disturbed spiral galaxy NGC 5054 was the perturber, it must have been moving supersonically when it transited the group core. We also examine the spectral properties of emission from the old, detached radio lobe southeast of NGC 5044, and find that they are consistent with a purely thermal origin, ruling out this structure as a significant source of spectrally hard inverse-Compton emission.
Phylogeny, systematics, and practical entomology: the Heteroptera (Hemiptera)

A aplicacao do trabalho em sistematica e filogenetica pode ter muitos efeitos praticos na entomologia aplicada. A filogenia e o estudo das relacoes evolucionarias dos organismos; a sistematica usa os resultados da filogenia para contrair sistemas de classificacao. Se alguem sabe algo sobre as relacoes filogeneticas e sistematicas de uma praga de uma cultura, entao ele sabe os parentes da praga ou cultura, e pode predizer o que poderao fazer no futuro. Tal conhecimento e predicoes sao especialmente importantes em paises em desenvolvimento, os quais estao diversificando sua agricultura. Insetos que se alimentam de plantas selvagens podem se tornar pragas quando os parentes destas plantas sao introduzidas como culturas. Similarmente, nesses paises, parentes selvagens de pragas de outros locais, podem eles tornarem-se pragas quando a mesma cultura e introduzida. Habilidade de fazer tais predicoes permite aos paises estarem preparados para combater pragas antes que elas tomem este status. Exemplos de tais predicoes de heteropteros para as culturas no Brasil incluem: certos Blissidae (pragas do arroz e da cana de acucar na Asia), certos Alydidae (pragas de legumes na Asia e agora da soja no Brasil); tambem alguns triatomineos Reduviidae (vetores da doenca de Chagas na Regiao Neotropical, potencialmente transmissores da doenca de Chagas na India). Em adicao, o conhecimento da filogenia e da sistematica pode permitir o controle de percevejos do generos Lygus, um grupo de pragas da Regiao Holartica (Miridae).
Recent results on nonlinear filtering: new class of finite dimensional filters

The author reports some of his recent results on nonlinear filtering. A new class of finite-dimensional filters is constructed which includes both Kalman-Bucy filters and Benes filters as special cases. >
Analysis of cooking spices in natural waters

An isolation and quantification technique is presented for the analysis of semi-volatile spices and scents in aquatic waters including thymol, eugenol, limonene, carvacrol, vanillin, and cinnamaldehyde. Compounds are isolated from natural waters by solid phase extraction onto Waters Oasis HLB columns and eluted into ethyl acetate. Recovery efficiencies are >70% for most target compounds. Comparison with liquid-liquid extraction and C-18 solid phase extraction indicates that HLB cartridges are more robust and provide equal or better recoveries for target compounds relative to other approaches. Because the compounds are semi-volatile and prone to losses during solvent evaporation, we do not dry the samples completely before quantification by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Compounds are analyzed using selected ion monitoring with a sensitivity ~1 pg compound per injection. This equates to a sensitivity of about 2–200 ng L−1 in natural waters, or part-per-billion levels. Column loading and matrix effects are minimal and are accounted for by careful monitoring of volumes and by standard additions during GC analysis. Environmental samples (treated sewage, lake, stream, and fjord samples) show a wide range of compounds and quantities, most in the 10–10,000 ng L−1 range. The artificial spice ethylvanillin, which is commonly used as an internal standard in analysis of woody lignin samples, is found in some natural waters. This is likely a result of the industrial-scale production of this compound for culinary and pharmaceutical use.
Optimizing Retail Assortments for Diverse Customer Preferences

This chapter develops a modeling structure for optimizing a retailer’s assortment, based on a sequential choice of retailer and product by heterogeneous customers. The resulting optimization problem is reduced to a mixed integer LP through the use of a newsvendor approximation. The sensitivity of the retailer’s optimal assortment to its market share relative to competing retailers is also analyzed. A commercial data base of customer utilities for DVD players obtained through conjoint analysis is used to illustrate the results.
Self-division of macroscopic droplets: partitioning of nanosized cargo into nanoscale micelles.

An interfacial reaction drives the spontaneous and sequential division of macroscopic droplets all the way into nanoscopic emulsions. The sizes of the divided droplets depend on the pH of the solution and the division process is governed by the interplay between surface tension and electrostatic effects. When the dividing droplets contain nanoscopic cargo (e.g., nanorods), they partition it equally into progeny micelles.
Histone chaperones, histone acetylation, and the fluidity of the chromogenome

The "chromogenome" is defined as the structural and functional status of the genome at any given moment within a eukaryotic cell. This article focuses on recently uncovered relationships between histone chaperones, post-translational acetylation of histones, and modulation of the chromogenome. We emphasize those chaperones that function in a replication-independent manner, and for which three-dimensional structural information has been obtained. The emerging links between histone acetylation and chaperone function in both yeast and higher metazoans are discussed, including the importance of nucleosome-free regions. We close by posing many questions pertaining to how the coupled action of histone chaperones and acetylation influences chromogenome structure and function.
Ultrastructure of the pulvinar of the squirrel monkey.

Three divisions of the squirrel monkey pulvinar, p. inferior (PI), p. lateralis (PL), and p. medialis (PM), have been studied with light- and electron-microscopic techniques. Two populations of neurons exist. The first neuron is a thalamocortical relay cell (TCR), averaging about 26 μ in diameter, with radial dendritic pattern and thin dendritic appendages. The second is a Golgi type II neuron, about 16 μ average diameter, with more complex dendritic appendages and an axon ramifying in the vicinity of the soma. The TCR: Golgi type II ratio is about 7:3 in PL and PI, and 9:2 in PM. Three types of synaptic terminals are observed: the RS, comprising about 80% of the total population; the RL, comprising about 10%; and the F, comprising about 10%. The first two contain round vesicles and make asymmetrical synaptic contacts, while the third contains both round and flat vesicles and makes symmetrical synaptic contacts. Characteristic groupings of synaptic terminals and dendrites, called “glomeruli”, appear to be organized for structured and efficient interactions. Adhesive contacts are observed between synaptic and non-synaptic and non-synaptic structures. Comparisons with other thalamic nuclei are made, and the ultrastructural resemblance among all thalamic nuclei studied thus far is noted. The presence of glomeruli in all is discussed.
Lattice Deformation and Domain Distortion in the Self- Assembly of Block Copolymer Thin Films on Chemical Patterns

The self-assembly of cylinder-forming block copolymer (BCP) microdomains confined within chemical stripe patterns of widths incommensurate with the natural period of the copolymers, L0 , is studied. It is shown that this incommensurability causes changes in both the shapes of the microdomains and their spatial period. Specifically, a transition from n to n + 1 rows of microdomains is observed when the stripe width is about n ± 1/2 L0 . When the stripe's width is comparable to L0 , ellipticity of microdomains can be induced with an aspect ratio up to 2.2. Free energy models are applied to describe the energetic origin of such behavior. Although our observations qualitatively resemble results in sphere-forming BCPs confined in topographical trenches, the quantitative difference is noteworthy and technologically important for the design of nanostructures with programmable shapes.
Potential effects of global warming on the Sacramento/San Joaquin watershed and the San Francisco estuary

[1] California's primary hydrologic system, the San Francisco estuary and its upstream watershed, is vulnerable to the regional hydrologic consequences of projected global climate change. Projected temperature anomalies from a global climate model are used to drive a combined model of watershed hydrology and estuarine dynamics. By 2090, a projected temperature increase of 2.1°C results in a loss of about half of the average April snowpack storage, with greatest losses in the northern headwaters. Consequently, spring runoff is reduced by 5.6 km3 (∼20% of historical annual runoff), with associated increases in winter flood peaks. The smaller spring flows yield spring/summer salinity increases of up to 9 psu, with larger increases in wet years.
A dimeric viral SET domain methyltransferase specific to Lys27 of histone H3

Site-specific lysine methylation of histones by SET domains is a hallmark for epigenetic control of gene transcription in eukaryotic organisms. Here we report that a SET domain protein from Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus can specifically di-methylate Lys27 in histone H3, a modification implicated in gene silencing. The solution structure of the viral SET domain reveals a butterfly-shaped head-to-head symmetric dimer different from other known protein methyltransferases. Each subunit consists of a Greek-key antiparallel beta-barrel and a three-stranded open-faced sandwich that mediates the dimer interface. Cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) binds at the opening of the beta-barrel, and amino acids C-terminal to Lys27 in H3 and in the flexible C-terminal tail of the enzyme confer the specificity of this viral histone methyltransferase.
Identifying Trends in Land Use/Land Cover Changes in the Context of Post-Socialist Transformation in Central Europe: A Case Study of the Greater Olomouc Region, Czech Republic

Many countries in Central and Eastern Europe have been undergoing marked economic changes following the collapse of the former "Eastern Bloc" and totalitarian regimes. In the Czech Republic, this transition has had a profound effect on land use management that subsequently results in widespread land cover changes. This study analyzes trends in land use/land cover changes (LULCC) in the context of political and economic transformation of the Czech Republic, using the greater Olomouc region in the period between 1991 and 2001 as a case study. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images from 1991 and 2001 were acquired and processed for maximum likelihood classification to produce land use/land cover maps for both times with overall map accuracies between 0.8 and 0.84. Major land changes were identified using post-classification comparison and trend surface analysis. Results showed significant marginalization of intensive agricultural activities (12%), a shift in forest compo...
Self-adaptive scheduler parameterization via online simulation

Although thoroughly investigated, job scheduling for high-end parallel systems remains an inexact science, requiring significant experience and intuition from system administrators to properly configure batch schedulers. Production schedulers provide many parameters for their configuration, but tuning these parameters appropriately can be very difficult - their effects and interactions are often nonintuitive. In this paper, we introduce a methodology for automating the difficult process of job scheduler parameterization. Our proposed methodology is based on using past workload behavior to predict future workload, and on online simulations of a model of the actual system to provide on-the-fly suggestions to the scheduler for automated parameter adjustment. Detailed performance comparisons via simulation using actual supercomputing traces indicate that out methodology consistently outperforms other workload-aware methods for scheduler parameterization.
September 1996 — New Onset Hemiparesis

A 44 year old woman developed left hemiparesis. CT scan showed a contrast enhancing lesion in the right periventricular area. A stereotactic biopsy was performed. The initial impression was that of an astrocytic neoplasm, however the presence of perivascular lymphocytes and numerous foamy macrophages led to consultation. Special studies demonstrated demyelination and lymphocytic infiltrate with relative axonal preservation consistent with multiple sclerosis. Additional history from the patient revealed a flu-like illness one week prior to the hemiparesis and a history of transitory visual problems, possibly early manifestations of her multiple sclerosis.
The role of habitat connectivity and landscape geometry in experimental zooplankton metacommunities

Theory predicts that inter-patch dispersal rates and patterns of patch heterogeneity both have the potential to alter patterns of local and regional species diversity. To test this, we manipulated both rates of habitat connectivity and the geometric arrangement of habitat heterogeneity within regions of experimental zooplankton communities. We found no effects of habitat geometry on any metric of species diversity or composition. Additionally, we found no effect of habitat connectivity rate on local species diversity. We did, however, find that increasing connectivity led to a decrease in regional diversity, as well as an increase in the percent similarity of local communities within regions. Of all of the species in these communities, the relatively large cladoceran Ceriodaphnia reticulata significantly responded to the treatments, and had a higher probability of achieving high densities when connectance was high. As such, we suggest that this species played a large role in driving the increased local community similarity and decreased regional species richness as connectivity increased. These findings are in opposition to previous experimental studies of metacommunities, but support the notion that increased connectance among local patches may decrease regional diversity when patches are heterogeneous.
Spatial contexts for temporal variability in alpine vegetation under ongoing climate change

A framework to monitor mountain summit vegetation (The Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments, GLORIA) was initiated in 1997. GLORIA results should be taken within a regional context of the spatial variability of alpine tundra. Changes observed at GLORIA sites in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA are quantified within the context of the range of variability observed in alpine tundra across much of western North America. Dissimilarity is calculated and used in nonmetric multidimensional scaling for repeated measures of vascular species cover at 14 GLORIA sites with 525 nearby sites and with 436 sites in western North America. The lengths of the trajectories of the GLORIA sites in ordination space are compared to the dimensions of the space created by the larger datasets. The absolute amount of change on the GLORIA summits over 5 years is high, but the degree of change is small relative to the geographical context. The GLORIA sites are on the margin of the ordination volumes with the large datasets. The GLORIA summit vegetation appears to be specialized, arguing for the intrinsic value of early observed change in limited niche space.
Multi-Channel Coherent Detection for Delay-Insensitive Model-Free Adaptive Control

A mixed-signal architecture for continuous-time multidimensional model-free optimization is presented. It is based on multi-channel coherent modulation and detection that reliably estimates the objective function's gradient, with respect to the system parameters, in the presence of time delays. The narrowband nature of the excitation signals reduces the unknown dynamics of the objective function to a single parameter per control channel, the phase delay. An efficient implementation of the adaptive control architecture is presented; it incorporates parallel control channels with individually selectable 6-level phase delay adjustment. Initial experimental results indicate wide operating range covering almost 7 decades of excitation frequencies.
Contributions of particle absorption to mass extinction coefficients (0.55-14microm) of soil-derived atmospheric dusts: erratum.

Mass extinction coefficients of soil-derived atmospheric dusts often are determined largely by the absorption (rather than scattering) by individual particles, especially at longer IR wavelengths. Under many conditions, reasonable estimates of mass extinction coefficients of dusts can be made from absorption coefficients without the need for detailed knowledge of particle optical constants to perform, e.g., Mie calculations. This paper discusses absorption coefficients of dusts in the visible and IR wavelengths and the physical mechanisms of dust aerosol generation determining that portion of extinction attributable to absorption in a given dust cloud. Some soils, especially clays, can produce dust clouds that are almost pure absorbers at longer IR wavelengths.
Systematic Functional Assessment of Nasal Dyspnea: Surgical Outcomes and Predictive Ability

Objective. Evaluate the ability of a systematic preoperative evaluation to determine the most appropriate procedures for patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty and to accurately predict postoperative outcomes.Study Design. Case series with chart review.Setting. Tertiary care military hospital.Subjects and Methods. Fifty-nine consecutive patients from a quality control database who underwent functional rhinoplasties for nasal dyspnea were evaluated. All patients underwent a full preoperative assessment using intranasal manipulation to determine the area(s) contributing to their nasal dyspnea. Rates of success for the predictive ability and for the functional outcome were determined for each side of the nose by comparing preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores (1-10) to postoperative scores.Results. Overall there was a 91% success rate in predicting the outcome of surgery and a 95% success rate in improving nasal dyspnea at 1 year. There was no statistically significant difference in improvem...
Exploring Differences in Work's Meaning: An Investigation of Individual Attributes Associated with Work Orientations

To understand better the meanings of work for individuals, we explored work orientation and examined empirically individual attributes of proactive personality, concern for others, concern for self, preference for challenging work, and work enjoyment as related to job, career and calling work orientations. Age, income, and employment security were identified as control variables. Our data derived from an online survey of full-time blue-collar and corporate employees in the auto industry (n = 251). Our study findings suggest preference for challenging work differentiates job, career, and calling orientations. We discuss the implications of our findings and suggest areas for future research.
Morphology and Physiology of Gamete Mating and Gamete Fusion in the Fungus Allomyces

SUMMARY New structural features of gametes are presented and several physiological aspects of mating and gamete fusion in the fungus Allomyces macrogynus are described. In the posterior region of the male gametes, where fusion is thought to occur, thin-section electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of microfijaments that were associated with a ruffling of the otherwise smooth plasma membrane. When the cells were treated with the microfilament-disruptive drug cytochalasin B, fusion was inhibited due to the interaction of the drug with the female gamete. Freeze-fracture replica analysis of the posterior region of the gamete plasma membrane showed an area devoid of membrane particles (termed the flagellar collar) at the basal end of the flagellum. Physiological analysis of gamete mating and fusion showed a requirement for divalent cations, and the time required for gamete mating could be lengthened or shortened by decreasing or increasing, respectively, the divalent cation concentration. Diphenhydramine and chloroquine also increased the time required for mating or completely prevented fusion. Tertiary amine local anaesthetics produced the same type of results, as did trypsin and Pronase. Phospholipases were without an inhibitory effect. When the gametes were washed free of the drugs prior to mating, it was seen that the female gametes were more sensitive to cell surface changes than the males. In addition, 2-h-old female gametes showed a 70 % loss of fusion ability with young male gametes while the reverse experiment showed only a 20 % decrease. These observations support the concept that gamete mating and fusion may occur at the flagellar collar area and that mating in A. macrogynus is governed, at least in part, by cation and protein interactions.
Thermoresponsive and Mechanical Properties of Poly(L-proline) Gels.

Gelation of the left helical N-substituted homopolypeptide poly(l-proline) (PLP) in water was explored, employing rheological and small-angle scattering studies at different temperatures and concentrations in order to investigate the network structure and its mechanical properties. Stiff gels were obtained at 10 wt % or higher at 5 °C, the first time gelation has been observed for homopolypeptides. The secondary structure and helical rigidity of PLP has large structural similarities to gelatin but as gels the two materials show contrasting trends with temperature. With increasing temperature in D2O, the network stiffens, with broad scattering features of similar correlation length for all concentrations and molar masses of PLP. A thermoresponsive transition was also achieved between 5 and 35 °C, with moduli at 35 °C higher than gelatin at 5 °C. The brittle gels could tolerate strains of 1% before yielding with a frequency-independent modulus over the observed range, similar to natural proline-rich protein...
Dissociations between word priming effects in normal subjects and patients with memory disorders: Multiple memory systems or retrieval?

Repetition priming was measured in two different tasks within a single experiment–-one in which subjects named briefly (tachistoscopically) presented words, and one requiring naming of visually fragmented/degraded words. Thirteen amnesic patients, 12 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 15 normal control subjects were tested under 4 experimental conditions involving the factorial combination of two variables: delay of test (10 minutes and 24 hours), and number of prior occurrences of the primed items (1 and 4). The two tasks produced very different patterns of priming effects, despite the fact that common study phases were employed. In one task the priming effect showed no decay and virtually no effect of the number of prior occurrences of the primed items, whereas both these variables affected priming in the other task. The AD patients evidenced impaired priming in both tasks. However, in the degraded-word-naming task the deficit was only apparent under some experimental conditions. The amnesics p...
Compliance with dental treatment recommendations by rural paediatric patients after a live-video teledentistry consultation: A preliminary report

ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to assess the compliance rate with recommended dental treatment by rural paediatric dental patients after a live-video teledentistry consultation.MethodsA ...
The Application of Pre-Cured Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Pultrusions as Reinforcement in Composite Wind Turbine Blades

As wind turbine blade structures get larger, carbon fiber reinforcement is an enabling technology for improved performance, and lower cost through system weight reductions. Unfortunately, carbon fiber reinforced plastics are much more susceptible to manufacturing flaws, such as waviness induced in the manufacturing process, compared to typical fiberglass reinforced plastics. Pre-cured, pultruded composite rods and slabs are a possible solution to this problem. In this study, load transfer is enhanced through a series of surface preparations of the pultruded reinforcement. The load transfer was determined and improved in a series of techniques including surface abrasion, erosion, and wet chemical oxidation. Mechanical properties are presented as a comparison to conventional hand layup or infusion processes.
Wind Energy and Compressed Air Energy Storage Potential for New York City

The energy potential from wind is significant in many locations in the U.S., including in some areas of New York State. The intermittent availability of wind — specifically, higher wind potential at night and in the winter in New York — would require extensive storage to make use of that energy during times of peak electricity demand — during the day and in the summer. Although the total energy available from wind may be sufficient and available at a low cost, the cost of implementing traditional storage techniques (e.g. batteries) would be expensive and require large amounts of space to address the offset supply and demand profiles. As such, base electricity loads are likely to continue to be served by a combination of less expensive energy conversion technologies, particularly given the current low cost of wholesale natural gas for gas-fueled power plants. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) has been evaluated — and implemented or proposed at a small number of facilities — as a potential energy storage technology that could be used to reduce the amount natural gas required to operate compressors at natural gas-fueled power plants serving base electricity demands. The result of this strategy is, effectively, an increase in thermal efficiency of the power plant.This paper presents an evaluation of wind energy available at a site in New York State, its potential to meet the electricity demand in New York City, the expected capital and recurring costs of the overall system, and a comparison to electricity provided by natural gas, a likely alternative large-scale fuel source. Annual wind data for the site and annual New York City electricity usage were analyzed. Available wind energy was first assumed to serve any electricity demand above the New York City base load. Additional available wind energy operates compressors, storing compressed air in underground caverns. The cavern sizes required and associated capital costs was calculated. The expected reduction in natural gas requirements were calculated for gas-fuelled power plants designed to accept compressed air from the caverns, with additional electricity demand met by gas turbine power plants. The recurrent cost reductions associated with reduced natural gas volumes were calculated based on a range of natural gas prices to evaluate the feasibility of the system described above under different market conditions. The potential usage of CAES systems for peak electricity demands was also evaluated.© 2012 ASME
Management of co-existing lung cancer and endobronchal hamartomas

The coexistence of lung cancer with another endobronchial malignant lesion is well known, although lung cancer with endobronchial hamartoma is infrequent, and requires accurate oncologic evaluation of the endobronchial lesion prior to potential surgical treatment of the lung cancer. These entities can lead to significant diagnostic confusion when encountered together and lead to inappropriate patient staging and treatment. We describe a patient with an undiagnosed endobronchial mass and a biopsy-proven lung cancer. She presented at another institution and was considered unresectable. She was then successfully managed by a staged approach using initial complete bronchoscopic resection of the endobronchial mass, which was found to be benign but completely obstructing the airway, and subsequent right upper lobectomy and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. The right upper lobe mass was squamous carcinoma and was ultimately stage 1A disease.
Numerical study on the pollutant diffusion around architecture groups influenced by different inlet boundary

A reasonable inlet boundary condition is the premise of correct simulation on the pollutant concentrations in architecture groups. Its accuracy determines the validity of simulation results. In order to analyze the effect on pollutant diffusion of different inflows,this paper analyzed the pollutant concentrations in different wind velocity inflow by using species transport model and large eddy simulation method. Thus,the distribution rule of pollutant concentrations influenced by different inflows around architecture groups has been obtained. In addition,the influence of wind velocity of the inflow on the pollutant concentration has also been summarized. The simulation results are compared with the wind tunnel experimental results. There results are in good agreements,which indicates the validity of the simulation method in this paper.
Status of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among 3 Kinds of Key Population in Baoshan District of Shanghai City

[Objective]To understand the hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection among 3 kinds of key population in Baoshan District of Shanghai City,so as to strengthen the monitoring and management.[Methods] During September to December 2007,drug addicts in addiction treatment center,prostitutes in penitentiary,female sexual workers in entertainment venues were selected,and their venous blood samples of 3ml were collected and detected HBV by ELISA serologically.[Results] Totally 757 blood samples were detected;86(11.36%)were HBsAg positive;181 were negative for all 5 testing items.17(2.25%)were HBsAg,HBeAg and HBcAb positive;49(6.47%)were HBsAg,HBeAb and HBcAb positive.[Conclusion]A serious HBV infection hazard exists in this population which is also the dangerous source of infection.The HBV monitoring and surveillance should be enhanced on this population.It is necessary to take a positive and effective means of HBV immunization to prevent the prevalence of hepatitis B.
Comparison of Roundworm Infection Status in Rural Residents of Ningxia Province between 2002 and 2011

Objective This study aimed to compare roundworm infection status in rural residents of Ningxia province between 2002 and 2011 in order to provide a scientific basis for future prevention and treatments. Methods The roundworm infection status was surveyed in 7 counties of Ningxia province in 2002 and 2011 according to the national parasite survey scheme. The results were analyzed and comparison was made between 2002 and 2011. Results Roundworm infection rate was 5.79% in rural residents of Ningxia province in 2002 and it dropped to 3.77% in 2011, representing a statistically significant decrease(χ240.31, P0.05). In2002, there were five counties with an infection rate over 5%, while there was only one county with an infection rate over 5% in2011. Results Both surveys showed that roundworm infection rate was higher in mountain residents than residents elsewhere. The highest infection rate of roundworm occurred in students and preschool children. No significant difference was found between genders and between races. Conclusion Within the 10 years from 2002 to 2011, roundworm infection rate dropped significantly in rural residents of Ningxia province. However, the economically underdeveloped areas, areas with poor sanitation, preschools and primary schools remained to carry high risks for roundworm infection and should be the focus of prevention priority.
Study on the Assessment of Performance of the Wave Energy Conversion Systems

Assessment of performance of the wave energy conversion systems(WECS) is critical for the evaluation of the system and the promotion of the industrialization process.It is imperative for the assessment of performance of the WECS to establish the operational assessment method.The quantitative assessment indices with regard to electric power,efficiency and economy of the WECS were presented.Based on the measured incident wave record and output power record,the calculation of all the assessment indices was discussed in order to provide reference for the practical assessment of performance of WECS.
Investigation and modeling of CPL mask profiles using OCD

Mask profile of chromeless phase-shifting lithography (CPL) defined by OCD has been investigated. In CPL masks, unbalanced bombardments caused by different ion accelerations lead to the formation of micro-notch structures. A better understanding of micro-notch structures is essential for quality gating of mask processes to improve of CPL mask profiles. By measuring 12 of 16 elements of Mueller matrix, we are able to set up a model to simulate the depth of micro-notch structure profile which shows good correlation with TEM images. Moreover, values of CD, quartz etching depth and side wall angle acquired by OCD are presented and compared with those obtained by SEM, TEM and AFM, respectively.
Franchising and Global Services Marketing

In the past decade, the field of services marketing has been attracting considerable academic attention. This is consistent with the growing services orientation of the U.S. economy and the marketing challenges created by the changing environmental conditions, such as deregulation, in service industries.
The Atlantic Slave Trade and the Holocaust: A Comparative Analysis (1996)

The vastness of some historical events and processes attracts scholars into postulates marked by singularity. Like the Holocaust, modern slavery intuitively appeals to the historical imagination as a candidate for uniqueness: ‘There was nothing quite like black slavery, in scale, importance or consequence’, writes one of slavery’s recent chroniclers.’ Beyond slavery’s challenge to scholarly understanding, recently, considerable popular pressure has generated a demand that greater attention be paid to the story of slaves and their descendants in the world at large. The enormous increase in scholarly discussion and in the public visibility of the Holocaust in the United States has contributed to corresponding reflections on the place of slavery in American and world history. In April 1995, a New York Times front-page story on the commemoration of slavery reported that ‘some scholars compare this widespread reflection to that of Jews who have vigilantly preserved memories of the Holocaust’.2 Because both phenomena are so intimately tied to stories of mass degradation, dispersion and death, they elicit not only scholarly analysis but tempt philosophers, theologians, and politicians into competitions over comparative victimization.
Physician opinions concerning legal abortion in Bogotá, Colombia.

Since the decriminalisation of abortion in 2006, women in Colombia have continued to seek clandestine abortions, endangering their health and contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity. The goal of this study was to explore physicians' opinions towards and knowledge about legal abortion in Bogota, Colombia, and key barriers to the legal abortion access. We conducted 13 key informant interviews followed by a survey with a probability sample of 49 doctors working in public hospitals in Bogota. Interview and survey data showed lack of technical experience in the provision of abortion and nuanced opinions towards its practice. Key informants described ignorance and lack of abortion training in medical schools as key barriers to provision. In the survey, 16/49 respondents had performed an abortion, 24/49 had referred a woman for an abortion and only 33/49 showed correct knowledge of the law.
Wavelet-Based Time-Frequency Control of a Flywheel Energy Storage System

The objective of this paper was to implement a novel controller called “wavelet-based time-frequency control” (WFXLMS) in a computer simulation of a FES system with six degrees-of-freedom and compare its dynamic stability and active power consumption with the following conventional controllers: PID and fuzzy-logic. Specifically, all three controllers were applied to a FES system operating at 100,000 rpm, and the amplitude of vibration, rate of convergence, and current draw were compared. As of writing this paper, the PID and fuzzy-logic controllers have converged but the WFXLMS controller has not. The parameter values for the WFXLMS controller need further tweaking for a more comprehensive analysis. Despite this setback, both the fuzzy-logic and PID controllers did demonstrate convergence at 100,000 rpm. The fuzzy-logic converged immediately and the PID converged around 0.8 seconds. The PID demonstrated a periodic motion about the z axis while the fuzzy-logic settled at a constant displacement. Finally, the PID controller had a smaller maximum and average current draw over the fuzzy-logic. In conclusion, the PID controller provided sufficient control of the system with the least amount of current draw, but the fuzzy-logic controller provided the steadiest response.Copyright © 2016 by ASME