cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructural characterization of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis/ dynamically compacted and hot-pressed titanium carbides

Titanium-Carbide produced by combustion synthesis followed by rapid densification in a high-speed forging machine was characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The density of the combustion synthesized/dynamically compacted TiC reached values greater than 96 pct of theoretical density, based on TiC0.9, while commercially produced hot-pressed TiC typically exceeded 99 pct of theoretical density. The higher density of the hot-pressed TiC was found to be attributable to a large volume fraction of heavy element containing inclusions. The microstructure of both TiCs consists of equiaxed TiC grains with some porosity located both at grain boundaries and within the grain interiors. In both cases, self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS)/dynamically compacted (DC) and hot-pressed, the TiC is ordered cubic (NaCl-structure,B1; Space Group Fm3m) with a lattice parameter of ≈0.4310 nm, indicative of a slightly carbon deficient structure; stoichiometric TiC has a lattice parameter of 0.4320 nm. For the most part, the grains were free of dislocations, although some dislocation dipoles were found associated with the voids within the grain interiors. In one SHS/DC specimen, a new, complex Ti-Al-O(C) phase was observed. The structure could not be matched with any previously published phases but is believed to be hexagonal, with a c-axis/a-axis ratio of ≈6.6, similar to the AlCTi2 phase which has a point group 6 mmm. In all other SHS/DC TiC samples, the grains and grain boundaries were devoid of any second-phase particles. The hot-pressed TiC exhibited a greater degree of porosity than the SHS/densified specimens and a large concentration of second-phase particles at grain boundaries and within grains. The structure and composition of these second-phase particles were determined by con-vergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) and X-ray microanalysis.
Atomistic simulations of the effects of polyglutamine chain length and solvent quality on conformational equilibria and spontaneous homodimerization.

Abstract Aggregation of expanded polyglutamine tracts is associated with nine different neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease. Experiments and computer simulations have demonstrated that monomeric forms of polyglutamine molecules sample heterogeneous sets of collapsed structures in water. The current work focuses on a mechanistic characterization of polyglutamine homodimerization as a function of chain length and temperature. These studies were carried out using molecular simulations based on a recently developed continuum solvation model that was designed for studying conformational and binding equilibria of intrinsically disordered molecules such as polyglutamine systems. The main results are as follows: Polyglutamine molecules form disordered, collapsed globules in aqueous solution. These molecules spontaneously associate at conditions approaching those of typical in vitro experiments for chains of length N ≥ 15. The spontaneity of these homotypic associations increases with increasing chain length and decreases with increasing temperature. Similar and generic driving forces govern both collapse and spontaneous homodimerization of polyglutamine in aqueous milieus. Collapse and dimerization maximize self-interactions and reduce the interface between polyglutamine molecules and the surrounding solvent. Other than these generic considerations, there do not appear to be any specific structural requirements for either chain collapse or chain dimerization; that is, both collapse and dimerization are nonspecific in that disordered globules form disordered dimers. In fact, it is shown that the driving force for intermolecular associations is governed by spontaneous conformational fluctuations within monomeric polyglutamine. These results suggest that polyglutamine aggregation is unlikely to follow a homogeneous nucleation mechanism with the monomer as the critical nucleus. Instead, the results support the formation of disordered, non-β-sheet-like soluble molten oligomers as early intermediates—a proposal that is congruent with recent experimental data.
Combining Ability for Fiber Length in Near-Long-Staple Upland Cotton

Fiber length is one of the most important properties of cotton fibers, with longer fibers allowing for faster processing speeds and a wider array of end products. Four elite, near-long- staple upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes with diverse programmatic origins, TAM 94L-25, Fibermax 832, TTU 202, and Acala 1517-99, and one short-staple genotype, Tamcot CAMD-E, were crossed and evaluated in a diallel without reciprocals for six fiber-length measurements at College Station, TX, in 2001 and 2002. Genotypic variation (P ≤ 0.05) and significant general combining ability (GCA) were identified for upper-half mean length (UHML), fiber length by weight (FLw), fiber length by number (FLn), and upper-quartile length by weight (UQLw). Significant variation for specific combining ability (SCA) was identified for FLw, FLn, and short-fiber content by weight (SFCw). Fibermax 832 exhibited the longest fibers for all length measurements, but TAM 94L-25 had the highest GCA effects for UHML, FLw, FLn, and UQLw and thus would be the best parent to use in parental combinations to improve fiber length. The highest desirable SCA effects resulted from the Fibermax 832 x Acala 1517-99 combination. Combining-ability data among these genotypes, which represented diverse U.S. germplasm pools, suggest that most U.S. cotton breeding programs could improve fiber length by using TAM 94L-25 in combination with their breeding lines.
Targeting development assistance to meet WSSD goals for large marine ecosystems and small island developing states

Global commitments agreed in the last two years at Doha, Monterrey, and Johannesburg represent the potential for a political turning point in reversing the degradation of coastal and large marine ecosystems (LMEs). International finance institutions, bilateral donor agencies, international organizations, and governments of the North and South all align their policies and programs if progress is to be made. Since 1992, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has supported countries to address Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, and in early 2003 GEF adjusted its strategic priorities to align with World Summit targets. This paper outlines GEF support in targeting development assistance for countries in the biodiversity and international waters focal areas related to oceans, coasts, and islands since 1992 with a focus on large marine ecosystems and small island developing states. Examples of GEF projects are provided that illustrate interventions at different scales for coastal and marine systems. Since 1991, GEF has approved 47 projects in its international waters focal area for $454 million GEF and $1.49 billion in total cost as well as 58 projects in the biodiversity area for $330 million from GEF and $1.22 billion in total cost for some 118 countries supporting coastal and marine ecosystem interventions described in the World Summit's Plan of Implementation. While GEF has become the top source of financial assistance for reversing degradation of oceans, coasts, and islands, the pilot scale activities it is able to fund need to be scaled up to meet global poverty reduction, economic security, and World Summit targets through partnerships for individual LMEs.
THE ROLE OF BALLISTIC ELECTRON EMISSION MICROSCOPY FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN SEMICONDUCTOR ALLOYS AND QUANTUM STRUCTURES

The measurement of the physical properties of individual semiconductor quantum objects at a length scale corresponding to the de Broglie wavelength of electrons in most semiconductors (a few mm) is a difficult challenge. Determination of spectroscopic properties of individual quantum objects buried below the surface is particularly daunting. In this paper we will review briefly recent progress in the use of BEEM (ballistic electron emission microscopy) for the study of semiconductor alloys and novel quantum objects. We will also discuss general aspects of BEEM experiment and theory in true ballistic and quasi-ballistic hot carrier transport. Examples of the use of this technique for studying buried heterojunctions will be presented. Potential modifications of the technique for imaging the optical emission under conditions of ballistic electron injection will also be discussed.
Beyond Production: Learners' Perceptions about Interactional Processes.

The interaction hypothesis of second language acquisition and associated work by Gass (Input, Interaction, and the Second Language Learner, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, Mahwah, NJ, 1997), Long (The role of the linguistic environment in second language acquisition, in: W.C. Ritchie, T.K. Bhatia (Eds.), Handbook of Language Acquisition, Volume 2: Second Language Acquisition, Academic Press, New York, 1996, pp. 413–468), Pica (Language Learning 44 (1994) 493) and Swain (Three functions of output in second language learning, in: G. Cook, B. Seidlhofer (Eds.), Principle and Practice in Applied Linguistics: Studies in Honour of H.G. Widdowson, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995, pp. 125–144) suggest that negotiated interaction facilitates SLA. Researchers have claimed that developmentally beneficial interactional opportunities for learners include obtaining comprehensible input, receiving feedback, being pushed to make targetlike modifications in output, and having opportunities to test linguistic hypotheses. The current study focuses on learners’ roles in relation to these interactional processes, and examines learners’ perspectives in relation to researchers’ claims about interactional benefits. Forty-six learners of ESL from different L1 backgrounds were videotaped while interacting with peers, a teacher, and native speakers in intact classrooms and dyadic settings. The learners later viewed the tapes and introspected about their thoughts at the time of the original interactions. Results suggest that there was substantial overlap between the researchers’ claims and learners’ comments in relation to many of the interactional opportunities. A qualitative exploration of the learners’ perspectives revealed interesting insights into their perceptions about interactional processes. Overall, this study indicates that interaction research could profit from utilizing learners’ perspectives to supplement production data in the ongoing debate about the potentially beneficial processes of interaction.
Developmental and metabolic changes induced by anoxia in diapausing and non-diapausing flesh fly pupae

Anaerobic metabolism was compared in nondiapausing (ND) and diapausing (D) pupae of the flesh fly,Sarcophage crassipalpis using in vivo13C NMR spectroscopy. Anoxia-induced changes in the development of ND and D pupae were correlated with oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial integrity. ND pupae tolerated 1 day of anoxia without any obvious developmental effect, while D pupae tolerated up to 6 days of anoxia. Longer exposure to anoxia (3 days in ND pupae and up to 14 days in D pupae) allowed development to the pharate adult stage but precluded eclosion. Four-day anoxia applied to ND pupae during 4–6 days post-pupariation arrested development in a stage indistinguishable from diapause. This morphological stasis was accompanied by 80% suppression of oxidative metabolism and a 100% increase in glycerol concentration. However, unlike a true diapause, this arrest could not be terminated with 20-hydroxyecdysone or hexane. Four-day anoxia treatment applied to D pupae stimulated development and raised their oxygen consumption. The anoxia-induced changes in oxidative metabolism were not accompanied by mitochondrial changes. Exposure to 95%PO2 atmosphere had no apparent developmental or metabolic effects on ND or D pupae. Major metabolites (lipids, trehalose, glycogen, glycerol, glutamine, and alanine) were detected in the ND and D pupae but their rates of turnover differed. Anoxia induced synthesis of glycerol and alanine in both D and ND pupae. Injected labeled glucose was incorporated primarily into trehalose and glycogen by both D and ND pupae. The rate of incorporation in ND pupae was approximately twice that observed in D pupae. Anoxia resulted in glycerol and alanine synthesis in both groups of pupae, but more glycerol was labeled in ND pupae and more alanine in D pupae. Glycogen and trehalose were depleted in the D pupae under anoxia. Cold acclimation had no effect on the steady-state or rate of synthesis of metabolites.
Imprisoned Apart: The World War II Correspondence of an Issei Couple

List of illustrationsForewordAcknowledgmentsPart One. The American Experience1. Establishing Roots2. Listening to the Sound of Shoes3. Incarceration4. Stone Fever5. Fields under SnowPart Two. Wartime Correspondence6. Censored7. The LettersNotes AppendixBibliographyPhoto CreditsIndex
Effects of shock source and method of contact upon runway escape behavior

Rats performed better in a shock-escape apparatus with L-shaped metal strips as a runway when a constant-current (CC) shock source was used as compared to a matched impedance source. CC source superiority disappeared when the shock surface was wet (saline solution). Several additional demonstrations strongly suggest that the superiority of the CC source was not related to aversiveness per se but to responses peculiar to particular shock sources.
Sum Rules, Structure Factors, and Phonon Dispersion in Liquid He 4 at Long Wavelengths and Low Temperatures

Combining simple sum-rule arguments and a calculation of departures from the Feynman excitation spectrum, we demonstrate the existence of an inflection point in the liquid structure factor ${S}_{q}$, and relate ${S}_{q}$ to the phonon dispersion coeffieient $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and the strength and average frequency of the multiparticle excitation spectrum in liquid ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$. We find in particular $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\cong}0$, a result recently obtained by Woods and Cowley, to be in accord with other parameters determined by x-ray and neutron-scattering measurements.
FTIR studies of metal ligands, networks of hydrogen bonds, and water molecules near the active site Mn4CaO5 cluster in Photosystem II

Abstract The photosynthetic conversion of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the Mn 4 CaO 5 cluster in Photosystem II and provides nearly our entire supply of atmospheric oxygen. The Mn 4 CaO 5 cluster accumulates oxidizing equivalents in response to light-driven photochemical events within Photosystem II and then oxidizes two molecules of water to oxygen. The Mn 4 CaO 5 cluster converts water to oxygen much more efficiently than any synthetic catalyst because its protein environment carefully controls the cluster's reactivity at each step in its catalytic cycle. This control is achieved by precise choreography of the proton and electron transfer reactions associated with water oxidation and by careful management of substrate (water) access and proton egress. This review describes the FTIR studies undertaken over the past two decades to identify the amino acid residues that are responsible for this control and to determine the role of each. In particular, this review describes the FTIR studies undertaken to characterize the influence of the cluster's metal ligands on its activity, to delineate the proton egress pathways that link the Mn 4 CaO 5 cluster with the thylakoid lumen, and to characterize the influence of specific residues on the water molecules that serve as substrate or as participants in the networks of hydrogen bonds that make up the water access and proton egress pathways. This information will improve our understanding of water oxidation by the Mn 4 CaO 5 catalyst in Photosystem II and will provide insight into the design of new generations of synthetic catalysts that convert sunlight into useful forms of storable energy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Vibrational spectroscopies and bioenergetic systems.
Cost-effectiveness of administering 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in addition to 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine to adults with immunocompromising conditions.

Abstract Background In June, 2012 a single dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was added to the recommendation for immunocompromised adults who were previously recommended to receive only 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). PCV13 may be more effective, though it covers fewer disease-causing strains. Objective We examined the incremental cost-effectiveness of adding one dose of PCV13 to the pre-2012 recommendation of PPSV23 for adults with 4 immunocompromising conditions who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease: HIV/AIDS, hematologic cancer, solid organ transplants, and end stage renal disease. Methods We used a probabilistic model following a single cohort of 302,397 immunocompromised adults. We used vaccination coverage and disease incidence data specific to each immunocompromising condition. Assumptions about PPSV23 and PCV13 vaccine effectiveness were based on two randomized controlled trials and several observational studies conducted among HIV-infected adults. Because no such studies have been conducted among other immunocompromised populations, we made further assumptions about the relative vaccine effectiveness in those groups. Cost-effectiveness ratios were determined for each condition and for all 4 groups in total. Results Our model indicated that adding one dose of PCV13 to adults in the United States with 4 immunocompromising conditions would cost $16 million (in 2009$) but provide off-setting savings of $21 million per cohort from the societal perspective. These savings come largely from decreased medical costs among adults with end stage renal disease. This dose of PCV13 would prevent 57 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease, 619 cases of hospitalized all-cause pneumonia, avert 93 deaths, and save 1360 quality adjusted life years per cohort. Conclusion The addition of one dose of PCV13 to the previously recommended PPSV23 doses for adults with selected immunocompromised conditions potentially reduces both disease and costs.
X-ray powder patterns of nucleic acid derivatives

Abstract The x-ray diffraction powder pattern measurements of fourteen natural nucleic acid derivatives are presented, with a brief discussion of the x-ray method of identification.
Rab effector domain peptides stimulate the release of neurotransmitter from cell cultured synapses

Abstract The involvement of the small GTP-binding protein rab3A in synaptic transmission was tested by presynaptic microinjection of guanine nucleotides and peptides corresponding to the effector domain of rab3A. When GTPγS injection was paired with presynaptic action potentials, the frequency of MIPSCs was increased and the evoked synaptic current was reduced in magnitude. To more specifically manipulate rab proteins, peptides were microinjected. Injection of the peptide rab3AL(33-48) or rab3(29-48) stimulated an increase in the frequency of MIPSC with little effect on action potential evoked synaptic transmission supporting a role for rab proteins in regulating synaptic transmission.
Mitochondrial DNA damage and its consequences for mitochondrial gene expression

How mitochondria process DNA damage and whether a change in the steady-state level of mitochondrial DNA damage (mtDNA) contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction are questions that fuel burgeoning areas of research into aging and disease pathogenesis. Over the past decade, researchers have identified and measured various forms of endogenous and environmental mtDNA damage and have elucidated mtDNA repair pathways. Interestingly, mitochondria do not appear to contain the full range of DNA repair mechanisms that operate in the nucleus, although mtDNA contains types of damage that are targets of each nuclear DNA repair pathway. The reduced repair capacity may, in part, explain the high mutation frequency of the mitochondrial chromosome. Since mtDNA replication is dependent on transcription, mtDNA damage may alter mitochondrial gene expression at three levels: by causing DNA polymerase γ nucleotide incorporation errors leading to mutations, by interfering with the priming of mtDNA replication by the mitochondrial RNA polymerase, or by inducing transcriptional mutagenesis or premature transcript termination. This review summarizes our current knowledge of mtDNA damage, its repair, and its effects on mtDNA integrity and gene expression. This article is part of a special issue entitled: Mitochondrial Gene Expression.
Modelling the effects of temperature and loading rate on fatigue properties of hot mixed asphalt

Fatigue cracking is one of the primary distresses of asphalt pavement. Critical strain energy density (CSED) has shown great potential to be a material parameter for fatigue cracking prediction. For the CSED to be used in future fatigue model and pavement design, a model is needed to predict the CSED as a function of the loading rate and the temperature, analogous to dynamic modulus. In this study, indirect tensile (IDT) tests were conducted to determine the properties of hot mixed asphalt at different loading rates and temperatures. It was found that time–temperature superposition principle is valid for IDT strength at both low and intermediate temperatures; and valid for failure strain and for the CSED at intermediate temperatures only. The shift factors for dynamic modulus were close to those of IDT strength and CSED, respectively. However, there was a discrepancy between shift factors of dynamic modulus and those of failure strain.
Risk Reduction Therapy for Adolescents: Targeting Substance Use and HIV/STI-Risk Behaviors.

This paper describes a family-based intervention for addressing both substance use and unprotected sexual behavior in adolescents presenting for outpatient substance use treatment. The intervention combines contingency management (CM) for adolescent substance use, which is a behavioral intervention modeled on the Community Reinforcement Approach, with a sexual risk reduction protocol that mirrors aspects of the CM model. As a family-based intervention, caregivers attend every session and actively collaborate with the therapist to address their youth’s behavior problems. The treatment is criterion-based with treatment duration determined by the youth’s achievement of reduced substance use and unprotected sexual behavior goals. A case study describes the implementation of this treatment with an adolescent presenting a history of polysubstance use and unprotected sexual intercourse. Following the adolescent and caregiver’s participation in weekly sessions, the adolescent demonstrated improvements in substance use, unprotected sexual behavior, and other behavior problems. Clinical summary data from two outpatient clinics reveal similar positive outcomes for youth receiving the intervention. This paper illustrates the potential utility of an integrated treatment approach targeting substance use and unprotected sexual behavior in an adolescent population.
A decision modes for shift scheduling of nurses

Abstract The day-to-day scheduling of nursing staff in an acute care hospital causes many problems for nursing administrators, one of which is the determination of very short-term changes in needs for staff. The difficulty lies not only in determining the number of patients for whom care must be provided, but the level of care that will be required by the patients. In this paper we refer to the level of care required as the acuity of care. We define acuity mathematically, for an individual patient, as the number of nurses in the unit needed by one patient during one shift. We represent the number of nurses needed in the unit during the shift as a multiplicative model of mean patient acuity, number of patients, and the mean rate of change in patient acuities. We show that changes in these factors can interact to cause wide swings in the number of nurses needed to staff the next shift. We derive conditions needed for level staffing under certainty, then introduce changes in those conditions in order to study the effect on the number of nurses required. Finally, a simulation model enables us to study the stochastic interaction between the alternative experimental factors for patient acuity, number of patients, and the rate of changes in acuity.
Isocentratherin, a cytotoxic germacranolide from Centratherum punctatum (compositae)

Abstract A cytotoxic germacranolide, isocentratherin, has been isolated from the aerial parts of Centratherum punctatum (Compositae).
Signal transduction events elicited by cancer prevention compounds

Many chemopreventive agents have been shown to modulate gene expression including induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferases (GST) and quinone reductases (QR). Induction of phase II enzymes in general leads to protection of cells/tissues against exogenous and/or endogenous carcinogenic intermediates. The antioxidant or electrophile response element (ARE/EpRE) found at the 5'-flanking region of these phase II genes may play important role in mediating their induction by xenobiotics including chemopreventive agents. Members of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, Nrf2 which heterodimerizes with Maf G/K, are found to bind to the ARE, and transcriptionally-activated ARE. Recently, we showed that the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) were activated by phase II gene inducers such as phenolic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA) and isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SUL), and involved in the transcription activation of ARE-mediated reporter gene. Transfection studies with wild-type and dominant negative mutants of Nrf2 and MAPK showed synergistic response during co-transfection as well as to phase II gene inducers. However, increasing the concentrations of these compounds such as BHA, the activities of cell death signaling molecules, caspases, were stimulated and resulted in apoptotic cell death. At these concentrations, BHA stimulated loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase 3, 8 and 9 preceding apoptosis. Further increase in concentrations led to rapid cell necrosis. A model is proposed for BHA and SUL, in that at low concentrations, these potential chemopreventive agents may modulate MAPK pathway leading to transcription activation of Nrf2 and ARE with subsequent induction of cellular defensive enzymes including phase II detoxifying enzymes as well as other defensive genes, which may protect the cells against cellular injury, which is a homeostatic response. At higher concentrations, these agents may activate the caspase pathways, leading to apoptosis, a potential beneficial effect if occurs at preneoplastic/neoplastic tissues, but a potential cytotoxic response if occurs in normal tissues. On the other hand, some phenolic compounds such as resveratrol inhibits TPA- or UV-induced AP-1-mediated activity through the inhibition of c-Src non-receptor tyrosine kinase and MAPK pathways. It is possible that in proliferating or stimulated cells, these chemopreventive compounds may block proliferation by inhibiting these signaling kinases, whereas in non-proliferating or quiescent cells, some of these compounds may activate these signaling kinases leading to gene expression of cellular defensive enzymes such as phase II detoxifying enzymes. The studies of these and other signaling pathways may yield insights into the development of potential chemopreventive compounds.
Integrating digital educational content created and stored within disparate software environments: an extensible markup language (XML) solution in real-world use.

Objective: To provide a standardized and scaleable mechanism for exchanging digital radiologic educational content between software systems that use disparate authoring, storage, and presentation technologies.Materials/Methods: Our institution uses two distinct software systems for creating educational content for radiology. Each system is used to create in-house educational content as well as commercial educational products. One system is an authoring and viewing application that facilitates the input and storage of hierarchical knowledge and associated imagery, and is capable of supporting a variety of entity relationships. This system is primarily used for the production and subsequent viewing of educational CD-ROMS. Another software system is primarily used for radiologic education on the world wide web. This system facilitates input and storage of interactive knowledge and associated imagery, delivering this content over the internet in a Socratic manner simulating in-person interaction with an expert. A subset of knowledge entities common to both systems was derived. An additional subset of knowledge entities that could be bidirectionally mapped via algorithmic transforms was also derived. An extensible markup language (XML) object model and associated lexicon were then created to represent these knowledge entities and their interactive behaviors. Forward-looking attention was exercised in the creation of the object model in order to facilitate straightforward future integration of other sources of educational content. XML generators and interpreters were written for both systems.Results: Deriving the XML object model and lexicon was the most critical and time-consuming aspect of the project. The coding of the XML generators and interpreters required only a few hours for each environment. Subsequently, the transfer of hundreds of educational cases and thematic presentations between the systems can now be accomplished in a matter of minutes. The use of of context as well as content, thus providing “presentationready” outcomes.Conclusion: The automation of knowledge exchange between dissimilar digital teaching environments magnifies the efforts of educators and enriches the learning experience for participants. XML is a powerful and useful mechanism for transfering educational content, as well as the context and interactive behaviors of such content, between disparate systems.
Can you experience 'top-down' effects on perception?: The case of race categories and perceived lightness.

A recent surge of research has revived the notion that higher-level cognitive states such as beliefs, desires, and categorical knowledge can directly change what we see. The force of such claims, however, has been undercut by an absence of visually apparent demonstrations of the form so often appealed to in vision science: such effects may be revealed by statistical analyses of observers’ responses, but you cannot literally experience the alleged top-down effects yourself. A singular exception is an influential report that racial categorization alters the perceived lightness of faces, a claim that was bolstered by a striking visual demonstration that Black faces appear darker than White faces, even when matched for mean luminance. Here, we show that this visually compelling difference is explicable in terms of purely low-level factors. Observers who viewed heavily blurred versions of the original Black and White faces still judged the Black face to be darker and the White face to be lighter even when these observers could not perceive the races of the faces, and even when they explicitly judged the faces to be of the same race. We conclude that the best subjectively appreciable evidence for top-down influences on perception does not reflect a genuinely top-down effect after all: instead, such effects arise from more familiar (if subtle) bottom-up factors within visual processing.
Evaluation of outcomes in Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Nursing practice

This report describes and evaluates the current status of outcome analysis in Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Nursing (PCLN) and offers suggestions for future development. The status of outcome evaluation generally in psychiatric nursing is described with attention given to the scope of practice of PCLN and outcomes used by psychiatric consultation-liaison nurses (PCLNs) to evaluate their interventions. An evaluation framework based on Donabedian's paradigm of structure, process, and outcome is presented and its applicability shown to PCLN. This framework is further explicated with regard to a review of published studies of PCLN within the outcome domains of cost reduction, satisfaction with services, changes in clinical status, and perceptions of work environment. Finally, recommendations for further development of outcomes in PCLN are offered, based on the strengths and limitations of the extant literature.
A mental versus a physical response to stress

Abstract Goleman's scale devised to measure the mental and physical response to stress was examined. A factor analysis showed that 12 of the 14 items fitted their assignment to the two scales by Goleman. Females were found to score higher on the mental scale but not on the physical scale. Scores on the mental scale correlated more strongly than scores on the physical scale with measures of depression, anxiety and irritability.
Histone-H1 inhibits translation by reticulocyte lysates with relative mRNA selectivity.

Histone-H1 purified from rat skeletal muscle is a relatively potent inhibitor of peptide chain initiation in a cell free system, the rabbit reticulocyte lysate (50% inhibition at ∼0.4 μM). H1 does not inhibit formation of the ternary complex nor its attachment to 40S ribosomes; the data are compatible with H1 binding to mRNA. The inhibition shows mRNA selectivity: translation of β-globin mRNA is more affected than that of α-globin mRNA and hepatic albumin mRNA more than total hepatic mRNA. Whether or not histone-H1 plays a role in translational regulation in intact cells is conjectural, it may serve as a useful model for protein-mRNA interactions.
Jonathan Widom (1955-2011)

One of the fundamental paradoxes of DNA, life's most iconic molecule, is that nearly a metre of this polymer must be packed into the microscopic nucleus of every human cell while still granting access for the many biochemical and biophysical transactions needed to exploit its genetic information. Jonathan Widom rigorously and creatively applied physical and chemical principles to unravel the mystery of how genomes can at once be tightly packed and yet available for read-out. He did this over a 30-year career that ended unexpectedly and prematurely on 18 July 2011. He was 55.
Vegetable acceptance by infants: Effects of formula flavors

Abstract Individual differences in acceptance patterns are evident as early as the child's first experiences with a particular food. To test hypothesis that the flavor of formula fed to infants modifies their acceptance of some foods, we conducted a within- and between-subjects design study in which two groups of 6- to 11-month-old infants were tested on two separate days. One group was currently feeding a milk-based formula whereas the other was feeding a protein hydrolysate formula, a particularly unpleasant tasting formula to adults that contains similar flavor notes (e.g., sulfur volatiles) with Brasscia vegetables such as broccoli. In counterbalanced order, acceptance of pureed broccoli/cauliflower was determined during one test session and pureed carrots on the other. Although there were no group differences in the amount of carrots consumed, hydrolysate infants consumed significantly less broccoli/cauliflower relative to carrots when compared to those who were currently fed milk based formulas ( F (1, 72 df ) = 4.43; p = 0.04). The mothers of hydrolysate infants were significantly more likely to report that their infants did not enjoy feeding the broccoli/cauliflower (54.2%) when compared to mothers of infants being fed milk-based formulas (28.0%; Chi-Square (1 df ) = 4.79; p = 0.03). Such findings are consistent with prior research that demonstrated a sensory specific satiety following repeated exposure to a particular flavor in milk. We hypothesize that when infants are experiencing a flavor in milk or formula, in the short term, the preference that develops is specific to the context it is experienced in (e.g., milk). Over the longer term, the preference may generalize to other contexts such as solid foods. Hydrolysate infants were also significantly more likely to be judged by their mothers as being more active ( F (1, 69 df ) = 3.95; p = 0.05) and hesitant ( F (1, 69 df ) = 6.55; p = 0.01) when compared to those infants who were feeding milk-based formulas, a finding that further supports the hypothesis that mother–child dynamics surrounding early feeding impacts upon mothers' perception of their children's temperament.
Serial Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Rapidly Progressing Liquefaction Necrosis of Mitral Annulus Calcification Associated With Embolic Stroke

Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is a common finding in the elderly. A rare manifestation of MAC is liquefaction necrosis that can be mistaken for a tumor or an abscess. Because its course is most often benign, a correct diagnosis is imperative to avoid unnecessary workup or treatment. A 76-year-old woman with history of hypertension and dyslipidemia presented with chest pain and elevated cardiac enzymes. A coronary angiogram revealed no significant coronary artery disease. Echocardiogram (Figure 1) revealed a large, solid mass within the atrioventricular groove and the lateral wall of the left ventricle. There was moderate calcification of the mitral valve annulus. Computed tomography scan of the chest (Figure 2) revealed a soft tissue density inseparable from the region of the mitral valve and the left ventricular wall. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) showed a large mass involving the basal lateral wall near the atrioventricular groove, extending into the left atrium (Figure 3A and 3B). The mass was slightly hyperintense on T1 (Figure 4) and hypointense on T2 imaging (Figure 5). The mass was homogenous on delayed enhancement with a bright ring (Figure 6), the characteristics were not changed with fat saturation, and it was avascular by perfusion (Figure 7). The patient was discharged from the hospital with a scheduled outpatient workup to continue. Figure 1. Echocardiography images before and after biopsy. A , 4-chamber view performed on presentation, reveals a soft tissue mass involving the atrio-ventricular groove, the left atrium, and left ventricle. There is moderate calcification of the mitral valve. B , 4-chamber view performed after biopsy. The mass has decreased in size and appears cystic. White arrows indicate the mass. Figure 2. Computed tomography image performed on first admission. This is a 5-chamber …
First results from a 6 m/10 m toroidal grating monochromator for soft x-rays

Abstract A toroidal grating monochromator (TGM) has been tested at the VUV ring of the NSLS at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The instrument combines three 6 m (entrance-to-exit-slit distance) and three 10 m gratings with 10 and 4° angles of incidence, respectively. The optics is designed for high resolution from 5 to 700 eV photon energy, e.g. 7, 25, 80 and 130 meV at 25, 70, 300 and 500 eV according to ray tracings for a grating illumination of 3 rad × 15 mrad (1.5 mrad × 3.75 mrad) for the 6 m (10 m) gratings. The usable photon energy range (limited by stray light) was found to extend up to 1300 eV. Photon fluxes of about 10 11 photons/s in a 1 eV window have been observed for the 10 m TGM. A resolution of better than 0.17 eV has been observed at the C(1s) level.
Combination of oral ketamine and midazolam as a premedication for a severely autistic and combative patient

Patients with impaired ability to understand and communicate can be difficult to manage perioperatively. They frequently require lateral thinking on the part of the anesthesiologists to make the induction process as smooth as possible. We present a case of a severely autistic and violent patient scheduled for dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia. A combination of oral ketamine and midazolam was mixed in the beverage Dr Pepper to mask the taste and the appearance of the drugs. The unique flavor of Dr Pepper is well suited to increase the palatibility and the acceptability of medications in children and patients with developmental delay.
Comparison and calibration of transcriptome data from RNA-Seq and tiling arrays

Tiling arrays have been the tool of choice for probing an organism's transcriptome without prior assumptions about the transcribed regions, but RNA-Seq is becoming a viable alternative as the costs of sequencing continue to decrease. Understanding the relative merits of these technologies will help researchers select the appropriate technology for their needs. Here, we compare these two platforms using a matched sample of poly(A)-enriched RNA isolated from the second larval stage of C. elegans. We find that the raw signals from these two technologies are reasonably well correlated but that RNA-Seq outperforms tiling arrays in several respects, notably in exon boundary detection and dynamic range of expression. By exploring the accuracy of sequencing as a function of depth of coverage, we found that about 4 million reads are required to match the sensitivity of two tiling array replicates. The effects of cross-hybridization were analyzed using a "nearest neighbor" classifier applied to array probes; we describe a method for determining potential "black list" regions whose signals are unreliable. Finally, we propose a strategy for using RNA-Seq data as a gold standard set to calibrate tiling array data. All tiling array and RNA-Seq data sets have been submitted to the modENCODE Data Coordinating Center. Tiling arrays effectively detect transcript expression levels at a low cost for many species while RNA-Seq provides greater accuracy in several regards. Researchers will need to carefully select the technology appropriate to the biological investigations they are undertaking. It will also be important to reconsider a comparison such as ours as sequencing technologies continue to evolve.
Unitized Data System: A new formalism for encoding and presenting data from the scientific research literature

We describe here a unitized data system (UDS) for a scientific database where descriptions of individual experimental steps are stored as separate text based subunits together with appropriate linking signals. The computer uses these links to generate for the end-user self-contained blocks of text each describing a single study. We present the entry into the database of both text and graphics from a scientific paper. We also give the corresponding data output. The system has the flexibility to organize reports from a wide variety of scientific studies. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Utility of FISH in the diagnosis of angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: a series of 18 cases

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma is a mesenchymal neoplasm of intermediate malignancy and uncertain histogenesis/line of differentiation, which occurs most commonly in the extremities of children to young adults. It has a characteristic appearance characterized by a proliferation of histiocytoid cells with a lymphoid cuff and fibrous pseudocapsule, simulating the appearance of a neoplasm occurring within a lymph node. However, these classic histological features are not always present. Given the variable appearance of the neoplastic cells and the lack of consistently positive immunohistochemical markers, diagnosis can be problematic. Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma has been found to harbor three related translocations, a t(12;16)(q13;p11) resulting in a FUS/ATF1 fusion gene, t(12;22)(q13;q12) resulting in a EWSR1/ATF1 fusion, and t(2;22)(q33;q12) resulting in a EWSR1/CREB1 fusion. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes to EWSR1 and FUS, in theory, should detect all three translocations/gene fusions. We evaluated 18 cases of angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma for rearrangements of EWSR1 and FUS by FISH, the largest series to date. We found that 13 of 17 (76%) cases of angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma harbored rearrangements of EWSR1; rearrangements of FUS were not detected in any of the cases. This study affirms that the rearrangement of EWSR1 is a common genetic event in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, and is thus useful diagnostically. This study supports the fact that the rearrangement of FUS is present in only a small minority of angiomatoid fibrous histiocytomas. Interestingly, 24% of the cases were translocation negative, and did not contain rearrangements of EWSR1 or FUS by FISH. Although it is possible that these cases contained cryptic rearrangements of EWSR1 or FUS that were not detectable by our FISH probes, it also raises the possibility that another translocation/gene fusion may be present in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. Finally, we discuss some of the potential pitfalls of this technique, including confusion with other mesenchymal neoplasms containing rearrangement of EWSR1, in particular Ewing's sarcoma/PNET.
Effect of Lameness in Pigs in Terms of “Five Freedoms”

The concept of “five freedoms” is viewed as a tool to evaluate and represent nonhuman animal welfare. These freedoms are not mutually exclusive and differ in their extent of attainment at the farm ...
Purification and characterization of an abscisic acid-inducible anionic peroxidase associated with suberization in potato (Solanum tuberosum).

Abstract An anionic peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), thought to be involved in suberization, was purified 110-fold from wound-healing slices of Solanum tuberosum by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, isoelectric focusing, and phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B chromatography in 24% yield. The purified enzyme was homogeneous as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and horizontal thin-layer polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 47,000 by both Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This peroxidase was found to be a glycoprotein containing about 17% carbohydrate, approximately one-quarter of which was shown to be glucosamine residues. It was found to have an isoelectric point of 3.15. An anionic peroxidase was also isolated from abscisic acid-treated callus tissue culture of S. tuberosum by the above purification procedure. The two enzymes were shown to be immunologically similar, if not identical, based on their crossreactivity with rabbit antibody prepared against the peroxidase from wound-healing slices, whereas the major cationic peroxidase from wound-healing slices did not crossreact with this antibody. The anionic enzyme from both sources showed very similar specific activities when assayed with a range of substrates, whereas the specific activities found for the cationic isozyme isolated from wound-healing slices were quite different.
Self-annealing and self-annihilation: unifying deterministic annealing and relaxation labeling

Abstract Deterministic annealing and relaxation labeling algorithms for classification and matching are presented and discussed. A new approach – self annealing – is introduced to bring deterministic annealing and relaxation labeling into accord. Self-annealing results in an emergent linear schedule for winner-take-all and linear assignment problems. Self-annihilation, a generalization of self-annealing is capable of performing the useful function of symmetry breaking. The original relaxation labeling algorithm is then shown to arise from an approximation to either the self-annealing energy function or the corresponding dynamical system. With this relationship in place, self-annihilation can be introduced into the relaxation labeling framework. Experimental results on synthetic matching and labeling problems clearly demonstrate the three-way relationship between deterministic annealing, relaxation labeling and self-annealing.