cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A micro-reactor array for fluorescence markers-based bioaffinity assays

Abstract This work reports the design, fabrication and optical characterization of a micro-reactor array (MRA), consisting of a matrix of transparent wells realized on a opaque silicon substrate, coupled with a CMOS Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array, for bioaffinity assays based on fluorescence markers. The MRA is designed to provide a number of reaction sites in the same chip that can be independently functionalized and monitored, allowing for a fast and all-on chip analysis.
Computer simulation of phase transitions in classical and quantum systems

The melting transition of classical hard disks is reviewed, emphasizing evidence from computer simulation for the order of the transition, mechanism of melting, and convergence of the virial expansion. Next, the graph theoretical treatment of a dilute mixture of electrolytes consisting of stripped iron ions in a hydrogen plasma is examined for fluid phase separation at the center of the sun. For quantum many-body systems a stochastic numerical scheme is outlined and applied to the Fermi electron gas at 0 K to locate the melting transition and the region of stability of the ferromagnetic fluid phase. Finite temperature results for the electron gas are used to estimate the region of convergence of the expansion away from the classical limit. Results for the superfluid transition of helium are compared to those of the ideal gas. Preliminary results leading to a prediction for the molecular to metal transition in hydrogen are also presented.
Prosaic Organizational Failure

We use the case of the now-dead Shoreham Nuclear Power Station to pose some questions, and a few answers, about organizational failure. The analysis centers on the symbolism of organizational plans, specifically how organizations use plans to justify increasingly complex systems to themselves and to others. That such plans are based on sparse or nonexistent experience, and that they are often wildly unrealistic, suggests some reasons why high-technology, high-risk systems do not foster organizational learning.
Effects of methyl eugenol and raspberry ketone/cue lure on the sexual behavior of Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Bactrocera is a speciose genus of tephritid fruit fly that includes several important pests of fruits and vegetables. Detection and control of these pestiferous species rely heavily upon male attractants or lures, with different Bactrocera species responding to either methyl eugenol (ME) or raspberry ketone (RK; or its man-made analogue cue lure, CL). Despite their usage worldwide, the function of ME and RK/CL in the natural history of Bactrocera flies is poorly known. The purpose of this review is to summarize research on the potential role of ME and RK/CL—as pheromone precursors or components—in the sexual communication of Bactrocera species. The topics covered include i) male feeding behavior on ME or RK/CL, ii) the fate of ingested lures, iii) female and male attraction to lure-fed males, and iv) mating success of lure-fed males. Data are available for only a few species, but they provide solid evidence for a role of male lures in mating behavior. For several ME-responding species, research has shown that i) ME metabolites are incorporated and emitted along with endogenously produced components of the male sex pheromone, ii) females show preferential attraction to pheromone containing these metabolites, and iii) males fed ME (or plants containing ME) enjoy increased mating success over non-fed males. Fewer studies have been conducted on RK/CL-responding species, and these reveal i) the lure is not broken down or metabolized but is sequestered (and presumably emitted) as RK, ii) females show preferential attraction to pheromone produced by males that fed upon RK/CL, and iii) RK/CL ingestion produces a significant, but short-lived (1 d), boost in male mating success. Potentially productive avenues of future research are discussed.
Acute therapeutic modalities for experimental vasogenic edema

Experimental vasogenic cerebral edema was created in rabbits with a cold-induced left occipital cortical lesions. Intracranial pressure (ICP), intracranial elastance (Em), water content, hemispheric brain tissue volume, electrolytes, electroencephalograms, behavior, and gross pathology were studied. Various therapeutic modalities were employed alone or in combination to reduce ICP acutely: acetazolamide, furosemide, mannitol, pentobarbital, lorazepam, and dexamethasone. All therapies except dexamethasone were effective in reducing ICP. Peak ICP reduction occurred at 27 +/- 9.8 (SD) minutes with mannitol and at 71.4 +/- 15.5 minutes with acetazolamide, with the remaining agents and combinations falling between these two extreme values. Em improved by 31.7 +/- 17.02% in all therapuetic trials except those employing acetazolamide and lorazepam. With therapy, there was a reduction in the water content of the hemispheres, but the difference from that in the untreated, lesioned animals was not statistically significant. In the lesioned left hemisphere, sodium content was increased by acetazolamide (p less than 0.005), furosemide (p less than 0.025), pentobarbital (p less than 0.05), and the combination of dexamethasone, pentobarbital, and mannitol (p less than 0.005). Significant reduction was noted in the lesioned group for the potassium content of the left hemisphere in the dexamethasone (p less than 0.05), pentobarbital (p less than 0.025), and combination groups containing these agents (p less than 0.005 to 0.025). (Neurosurgery, 5: 656--665, 1979).
In vitro antioxidant activity of Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss.

The relationship between the antioxidant activity and the phenolic contents (total polyphenol, flavonoid and condensed tannin) of Retama monosperma (Fabaceae), used commonly in the traditional medicine of Mediterranean regions, was investigated. The antioxidant activities of the various fractions (toluene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol) of the hydromethanolic extract of the seeds, stems and flowers have been evaluated using in vitro 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical scavenging activities and Phosphomolybdic acid assays and were compared to ascorbic acid. A significant high Pearson's correlations between flavonoid content and antioxidant activities (r = 0.91) with Phosphomolybdic acid assays and (r = − 0.79) with IC50 DPPH radical scavenging activities. However, there was no correlation between condensed tannin and antioxidant activities. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction of seeds is a potential source of natural antioxidant for R....
A Selected Bibliography on Infrared Techniques and Applications

This bibliography on infrared techniques and applications is divided into a section entitled "Textbooks" and into several sections which are somewhat representative of the disciplines comprising infrared technology. The former contains references to many of the elementary physics and engineering texts which are particularly applicable to problems of radiative heat transfer, of optics, and of solid-state physics. The other sectionis generally include references to the monographs and articles which might be particularly useful in the specialized areas which are indicated. it is noted that the US Library of Congress, under the sponsorship of the US Office of Naval Research, has compiled several bibliographies on infrared. The work cited here includes unclassified literature up to, and including, 1953.
Self-enforcing stochastic monitoring and the separation of claims

Abstract A model of self-enforcing stochastic monitoring with investment and production is developed. The optimal contract leads to debt-like and equity-like claims on the firm that are held by symmetrically informed outside investors and rationalizes the separation of these claims in order to efficiently generate the correct monitoring incentives. Self-enforcing monitoring leads to misreporting in equilibrium. While stochastic monitoring means that the failure to repay the face value of the debt can lead to either monitoring and “bankruptcy,” or the acceptance of a reduced payment, which corresponds to a settlement agreement.
Pseudopotential for the High-Energy Electron States in Solids

A pseudopotential appropriate to the calculation of the conduction and higher-energy electron states is presented. An explicit relation is derived between this potential and the pseudopotentials commonly used in the calculation of the valence states, and it is shown that the potential is cancelednot only in the cores but also in the region between the cores.
Identification of Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex Polymorphisms Predicted to be Important in Peptide Antigen Presentation

Abstract Chickens of the B2, B5B15B19 and B21B-congenic haplotypes differ in disease resistance. Complementary DNA from B-congenic chicken strains have been analyzed for allelic diversity of expressed Class II MHC genes. The predicted amino acid sequences of eight genes from five haplotypes were subjected to Wu-Kabat variability analysis. The B-L gene polymorphic regions and conserved regions are highly similar to the human leukocyte antigen Class II genes. Therefore, the present analysis reveals candidate polymorphisms important in determining the spectrum of antigenic peptides presented to T helper cells, and allelic differences possibly important in resistance to avian disease.
Lung transplantation 1977.

Many problems in the areas of donor lung procurement, bronchial anastomotic complications, and allograft rejection must be solved before widespread success in therapeutic lung transplantation becomes a reality. However, none of these problems is insurmountable. Considerable progress has already been made toward solving many of them, and the existence of promising new avenues of investigation appears to bode well for the solution of others. Thus, despite the disappointing human experience to date and despite the large number of complex problems that must be overcome, the prospects are good that increasing success with human lung transplantation will be achieved in the future.
Simulated microgravity-induced epigenetic changes in human lymphocytes†

Real space flight and modeled microgravity conditions result in changes in the expression of genes that control important cellular functions. However, the mechanisms for microgravity-induced gene expression changes are not clear. The epigenetic changes of DNA methylation and chromatin histones modifications are known to regulate gene expression. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether simulated microgravity alters (a) the DNA methylation and histone acetylation, and (b) the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, and HDAC1 genes that regulate epigenetic events. To achieve these objectives, human T-lymphocyte cells were grown in a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) that simulates microgravity, and in parallel under normal gravitational conditions as control. The microgravity-induced DNA methylation changes were detected by methylation sensitive-random amplified polymorphic DNA (MS-RAPD) analysis of genomic DNA. The gene expression was measured by Quantitative Real-time PCR. The expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b was found to be increased at 72 h, and decreased at 7 days in microgravity exposed cells. The MS-RAPD analysis revealed that simulated microgravity exposure results in DNA hypomethylation and mutational changes. Gene expression analysis revealed microgravity exposure time-dependent decreased expression of HDAC1. Decreased expression of HDAC1 should result in increased level of acetylated histone H3, however a decreased level of acetylated H3 was observed in microgravity condition, indicating thereby that other HDACs may be involved in regulation of H3 deacetylation. The findings of this study suggest that epigenetic events could be one of the mechanistic bases for microgravity-induced gene expression changes and associated adverse health effects.
Emission operational strategy for combined cooling, heating, and power systems

Abstract Integrated Energy Systems (IES), as technology that use thermal activated components to recover waste heat, are energy systems that offer key solution to global warming and energy security through high overall energy efficiency and better fuel use. Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) Systems are IES that use recovered thermal energy from the prime mover to produce heating and cooling for the building. The CCHP operational strategy is critical and it has to be considered in a well designed system since it defines the ultimate goal for the benefits expected from the system. One of the most common operational strategies is the cost-oriented strategy, which allows the system to operate at the lowest cost. A primary energy strategy (PES) optimizes energy consumption instead of cost. However, as a result of the worldwide concern about global warming, projects that target reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have gained a lot of interest. Therefore, for a CCHP system, an emission strategy (ES) would be an operational strategy oriented to minimize emission of pollutants. In this study, the use of an ES is proposed for CCHP systems targeted to reduce emission of pollutants. The primary energy consumption (PEC) reduction and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction obtained using the proposed ES are compared with results obtained from the use of a PES. Results show that lower emission of CO2 is achieved with the ES when compared with the PES, which prove the advantage of the ES for the design of CCHP systems targeted to emissions reduction.
Wear Mechanisms of Multi-Layer Coated Cemented Carbide Cutting Tools

Turning experiments were performed with cemented WC-Co cutting tools coated with two-layer and three-layer overcoats of TiC/Al 2 O 3 and TiC/Al 2 O 3 /TiN, respectively. For comparison, uncoated WC-Co tools were also tested under similar cutting conditions. The predominant wear mechanisms of the various ceramic overcoats and cemented WC-Co were investigated using surface profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Representative results of the tool wear behavior are presented, and the significance of each ceramic layer on the overall tool wear resistance is interpreted in light of the identified dominant wear mechanisms. Delamination wear characterized by the propagation and linkage of surface, subsurface, and interfacial cracks, abrasion, surface plastic shearing, plucking of carbide grains, and dissolution/diffusion are shown to occur depending on the tool material. These wear processes are not mutually exclusive; they may occur simultaneously at different positions on the same tool surface. Based on nose wear data, correlations between wear lives of coated and uncoated tools and feedrate are established.
Simulation of Schottky barrier MOSFETs with a coupled quantum injection/Monte Carlo technique

A full-band Monte Carlo device simulator has been used to analyze the performance of sub-0.1 /spl mu/m Schottky barrier MOSFETs. In these devices, the source and drain contacts are realized with metal silicide, and the injection of carriers is controlled by gate voltage modulation of tunneling through the source barrier. A simple model treating the silicide regions as metals, coupled with an Airy function approach for tunneling through the barrier, provides injecting boundary conditions for the Monte Carlo procedure. Simulations were carried out considering a p-channel device with 270 /spl Aring/ gate length for which measurements are available. Our results show that in these structures there is not a strong interaction with the oxide interface as in conventional MOS devices and carriers are injected at fairly wide angles from the source into the bulk of the device. The Monte Carlo simulations not only give good agreement with current-voltage (I-V) curves, but also easily reproduce the subthreshold behavior since all the computational power is devoted to simulation of channel particles. The simulations also clarify why these structures exhibit a large amount of leakage in subthreshold regime, due to both thermionic and tunneling emission. Computational experiments suggest ways to modify the doping profile to reduce to some extent the leakage.
Build great web search applications quickly with Solr and Blacklight

The NRAO faced performance and usability issues after releasing a single-search-box ("Google-like") web application to query data across all NRAO telescope archives. Running queries with several relations across multiple databases proved to be very expensive in compute resources. An investigation for a better platform led to Solr and Blacklight, a solution stack which allows in-house development to focus on in-house problems. Solr is an Apache project built on Lucene to provide a modern search server with a rich set of features and impressive performance. Blacklight is a web user interface (UI) for Solr primarily developed by libraries at the University of Virginia and Stanford University. Though Blacklight targets libraries, it is highly adaptable for many types of search applications which benefit from the faceted searching and browsing, minimal configuration, and flexible query parsing of Solr and Lucene. The result: one highly reused codebase provides for millisecond response times and a flexible UI. Not just for observational data, NRAO is rolling out Solr and Blacklight across domains of library databases, telescope proposals, and more -- in addition to telescope data products, where integration with the Virtual Observatory is on-going.
The initial worcester experience with laparoscopic hysterectomy

Abstract Study Objective . To examine three community hospitals' experience with the first 108 attempted laparoscopic hysterectomies. Design . Retrospective analysis of hospital and office charts using a standardized data-collection sheet. Setting . All procedures were performed at the Medical Center of Central Massachusetts, St. Vincent's Hospital, or the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts. Patients . The first 108 patients to have a laparoscopic hysterectomy attempted. Ninety procedures were completed successfully. Measurements and Main Results . Areas that were analyzed were indications for surgery, type of laparoscopic hysterectomy, surgeons' instrument preference, failure to complete the operation, complications, and relative cost. Surgical indications, patient demographics, and complications rates were comparable with those in published papers. However, our data showed no improvement in estimated blood loss or operating room time with increased operator experience. Review of pathology reports indicated no cases in which an unsuspected malignancy was encountered. Conclusions . Laparoscopic hysterectomy can be performed safely and successfully by generalists in obstetrics and gynecology. Additional study is required to know whether variables such as operating room time and expense will improve as this procedure is increasingly performed by generalists rather than specialists.
Do Online Advertisements Increase Political Candidates’ Name Recognition or Favorability? Evidence from Randomized Field Experiments

Internet advertisements are an increasingly common form of mass communication and present fresh opportunities for understanding enduring questions about political persuasion. However, the effects of online ads on electoral choice have received little scholarly attention. We develop a new field experimental approach for assessing the effects of online advertisements and deploy it in two studies. In each study, candidates for legislative office targeted randomly selected segments of their constituencies for a high volume of Facebook advertising. Recall of the ads, candidate name recognition, and candidate evaluations were measured with ostensibly unrelated telephone surveys after weeklong advertising campaigns. Voters randomly exposed to the ads were in some cases more likely to recall them but no more likely to recognize or positively evaluate the candidates they depicted. From a theoretical standpoint, these findings suggest that even frequent exposure to advertising messages may be insufficient to impart new information or change attitudes.
First Report of Powdery Mildew on Potato Caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum in California

In October 2003, potato plants in three fields (cv. Desiree, Satina, Midas, and Mondial) in Lancaster, California exhibited symptoms and signs of powdery mildew. Disease symptoms were most severe on cvs. Desiree and Santina. Disease expression was greater along sprinkler lines and in localized areas from which the disease spread to surrounding plants. Severely affected plants began collapsing just prior to water cutoff. Early symptoms comprise small dark areas on the adaxial surface of leaves, along the veins, and at the petioles. Dark lesions consisting of mycelia and conidiophores were also visible on the main stems of affected plants. As the disease progressed, leaves were covered by a gray powdery fungal mass, and older leaves became necrotic. Conidial chains arising from the hyaline, epiphytic mycelia consisted of two to eight conidia. The cylindric to doliform conidia measured 16.8 to 22.8 μm wide (mean = 19.2, standard error = 0.36, N = 30) × 28.8 to 45.6 μm long (mean = 32.4, standard error = 0.75, N = 30). No cleistothecia were observed. Identification of the causal agent as Golovinomyces cichoracearum (synonyms G. orontii and Erysiphe cichoracearum) based on morphology was confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Conidia were washed off the affected leaves, concentrated by filtration and centrifugation, and sonicated to release genomic DNA. PCR was performed on the sonicated conidia with primers ITS4 and ITS5 (2), and the resulting amplicon was purified and sequenced. BLAST analysis of the ITS sequence revealed a 99% homology to E. cichoracearum from an Ambrosia sp. (GenBank Accession No. AF011292). Pathogenicity was confirmed on potato seedlings cv. Red La Soda. Inoculations were performed twice on six plants (three pots) each time. A sterile brush was used to transfer conidia from the affected leaves to seedlings consisting of two to three fully expanded leaves. A plastic bag was placed around each pot containing two seedlings for 1 to 2 days and then removed. Noninoculated controls were stroked with a sterile brush, placed in a plastic bag for 1 to 2 days, and kept in the greenhouse on a separate bench. Two control plants were included for each inoculation. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at approximately 25 to 28°C and 40 to 60% relative humidity. After 7 days, dark spots were visible on the leaves of all inoculated plants, and conidiophores with conidia identical to those of the isolate used as the inoculum source were apparent after 10 days. The controls showed no disease symptoms or signs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by G. cichoracearum on potato in California. The first field report of the disease was from Washington in 1950 (1), with subsequent reports from Utah and Ohio. References: (1) J. D. Menzies. Plant Dis. Rep. 34:140, 1950. (2) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols. Academic Press, New York, 1990.
Detection of Cryptosporidium antibodies in sera and oral fluids using multiplex bead assay

For the first time, a multiplex bead assay (MBA) was used to assay oral fluid and serum specimens for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to specific Cryptosporidium parvum antigens that were coupled to polystyrene beads. Recombinant C. parvum 17- and 27-kDa antigens (r17 and r27, respectively) both linked with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins, native 17-kDa antigen, and GST alone were each coupled to microspheres that could be differentiated based on variable amounts of internally incorporated red fluorescent dye. Initial and follow-up serum and oral fluid specimens from a 1997 cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Spokane, Washington, were incubated with the coupled beads. Antibodies bound to the coupled beads were detected using biotinylated monoclonal anti-human IgG antibody and streptavidin-labeled r-phycoerythrin. Fluorescence intensity was measured by flow cytometry. For the 3 C. parvum antigens, the median of the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was significantly higher (P 0.673). For the recombinant antigens used in the MBA, the MFI correlated with the response as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that used r17 and r27 expressed without the GST fusion partner (P 0.854). MBA using sera or more conveniently collected oral fluids, especially from children, may be an option for immunodiagnosis of C. parvum infection and for prospective epidemiological studies designed to monitor infection risk.
174 AGE RELATED CHANGES IN CHEST GEOMETRY DURING CONVENTIONAL, CARDIOPUIMONARY RESUSCITATION IN PIGLETS

Conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CON-CPR) generates little cardiac output in adult animals, but changes of chest geometry during CPR have not been studied. In infants and children, chest distortion occurs during CPR. We studied changes in chest geometry during CON-CPR in infant, 1-month, and 3-month old piglets. 17 piglets (7 infant, 6 one month, 4 three month old) were anesthetized and catheters were placed in the thoracic aorta, left ventricle, and right atrium. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (IAT) chest diameters were recorded, and ventricular fibrillation was induced. CPR was performed with a Michigan Instruments thumper, with 60% duty cycle, 1:5 compression to ventilation ratio, low airway pressure (20–30 mmHg), at rates of 100 (infants) or 60 (others) per minute. Compression force was varied to increment thumper piston displacement by 0.5 cm steps, and measurements recorded. In all ages, the AP/IAT ratio was greater than unity. 3-month piglets had less compliant chests, and despite thumper forces in excess of 700 newtons (Nt), only 20% total chest displacement could be generated. This was insufficient to produce adequate vascular pressures, and thoracic ejection fraction was negligible. Permanent chest deformation occurred in infants and 1-month old animals, which permitted adequate ejection from the thoracic cavity to generate high vascular pressure. The crossection of the chest is an ellipse, and no ejection occurs until the AP/IAT ratio is less than 1. In 3-month animals, this threshold was barely reached, and negligible vascular pressures were generated. In infants, the AP/IAT ratio is less than 1, and no threshold would be expected. This may explain why CON-CPR is successful in clinical experience and suggests that CON-CPR may be the appropriate mode of CPR in infants.
1048. Gene-Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Tendinitis

Top of pageAbstract INTRODUCTION IGF-I improves tendon healing in vitro.1 Exogenous IGF-I improves healing of tendinitis lesions.2 Autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a pool of pluripotent cells to enhance tendinitis repair. This study combined these two modalities by examining the therapeutic use of MSCs overexpressing IGF-I ligand. METHODS An adenoviral vector containing IGF-I (AdIGF-I) was assessed in MSCs to determine the optimal dose. MSC monolayers were transduced with AdIGF-I: 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 MOI. Monolayers were harvested on day 6 for analysis of IGF-I, collagen type I, and 18s mRNA. Two optimal viral doses were then assessed over time. Monolayers were harvested 2, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days following transduction to determine gene expression of IGF-I, collagen type I, and 18S mRNA. Medium samples were utilized to determine IGF-I ligand levels. RESULTS MSCs transduced with adenoviral IGF-I expressed ligand at all experimental viral doses (Fig. 1). The optimal viral dose for enhanced IGF-I ligand production and minimal cytotoxic effects was 750 to 1000 MOI (Table 1). From the initial experiment, these two doses were examined over time. MSC expression of IGF-I message and ligand was significantly elevated in both viral doses, and remained significantly elevated throughout the course of 28 days in culture (Fig. 2). Medium IGF-I analysis confirmed therapeutic ligand levels. Collagen type I message was significantly elevated in the MSC cultures with AdIGF-I 48 hours post transduction. DISCUSSION MSCs produced therapeutic levels of ligand for 14 days following transduction. IGF-I tissue levels lag for 2 weeks following tendinitis injury.3 Utilizing MSCs as a vehicle for gene transfer and lesion healing is a logical therapeutic option; autogenous cell populations reduce immunoreactivity and extend ligand production. Adenoviral gene therapy in vivo avoids exogenous re-supplementation with recombinant IGF-I. Additionally, AdIGF-I transduced MSCs released IGF-I for 2 weeks, correlating to the initial phases of tendon healing. This study indicates AdIGF-I transduced mesenchymal stem cells may improve tendon healing.
Crack healing in cross-ply composites observed by dynamic mechanical analysis

Cross-ply composites with healable polymer matrices are characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The [90,0]s samples are prepared by embedding layers of unidirectional glass or carbon fibers in 2MEP4FS, a polymer with thermally reversible covalent cross-links, which has been shown to be capable of healing internal cracks and fully recovering fracture toughness when the crack surfaces are kept in contact. After fabrication, cracks in the composites' transverse plies are observed due to residual thermal stresses introduced during processing. Single cantilever bending DMA measurements show the samples exhibit periods of increasing storage moduli with increasing temperature. These results are accurately modeled as a one-dimensional composite, which captures the underlying physics of the phenomenon. The effect of cracks on the stiffness is accounted for by a shear-lag model. The predicted crack density of the glass fiber composite is shown to fall within a range observed from microscopy images. Crack healing occurs as a function of temperature, with chemistry and mechanics-based rationales given for the onset and conclusion of healing. The model captures the essential physics of the phenomenon and yields results in accord with experimental observations.
Effects of Gonadal Steroids on Gonadotropin Secretion in Males: Studies with Perifused Rat Pituitary Cells

The feedback effects of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) on FSH and LH secretion were compared in dispersed pituitary cells from adult male rats perifused with pulses of GnRH. Cells were stimulated with 10 nM GnRH for 2 min every 1 h. T (10 nM) pretreatment for 24 h reduced the amplitude of FSH and LH pulses to 77 ± 4% (mean ± SE) and 47 ± 3% of control values, respectively (P < 0.01), whereas 6-h T treatment was without effect. By contrast, interpulse secretion of FSH was increased after 24 h T to 184 ± 1% of the control value (P < 0.01), but interpulse LH release was unchanged (104 ± 5%). E2 (0.075 nM) treatment of pituitary cells reduced GnRHstimulated FSH and LH release within 2 h to 75 ± 2% and 73 ± 3% of control values, respectively (P < 0.01). E2 pretreatment for 24 h stimulated (P < 0.025) GnRH-induced FSH (136 ± 10%) and LH (145 ± 8%) release and also increased (P < 0.01) interpulse FSH (127 ± 5%) and LH (145 ± 8%) secretion. These data indicate that the suppression of FSH and LH secretion by ...
Automatic accurate cost-bound analysis for high-level languages

This paper describes a language-based approach for automatic and accurate cost-bound analysis. The approach consists of transformations for building cost-bound functions in the presence of partially known input structures, symbolic evaluation of the cost-bound function based on input size parameters, and optimizations to make the overall analysis efficient as well as accurate, all at the source-language level. The calculated cost bounds are expressed in terms of primitive cost parameters. These parameters can be obtained based on the language implementation or can be measured conservatively or approximately, yielding accurate, conservative, or approximate time or space bounds. We have implemented this approach and performed a number of experiments for analyzing Scheme programs. The results helped confirm the accuracy of the analysis.
SEMANTIC DISCRIMINATION OF SELF-MODE-RELATED WORDS

-59 undergraduates at Ohio University rated 44 words, presumed related to three hypothesized experiential referents of sense of self (body awareness, social role, and value), on the semantic differential. Factor analysis yielded five factors as opposed to the three predicted. Words related to the bodily referent clustered as did value referent words. A third set of words, thought related to the social role referent, however, showed no clear clustering patterns. Results are seen as offering but tentative support for Waterbor's "tripartite sense of self." An alternate "bipartite sense of self" is suggested.
Principle and application of adaptive noise equalizer

This paper presents the principle and application of an adaptive noise equalizer (ANE) with adjustable gain or attenuation capabilities. The residual error of the ANE system contains the narrow-band noise components whose amplitude can be linearly and arbitrarily controlled by adjusting the gain parameter of the equalizer. Each ANE consists of a sinusoidal reference input and two adaptive weights. A pseudo error minimum method is developed to effectively utilize the well-understood least-mean-square algorithm. By partially separating the system output from the cost function to be minimized, the ANE can perform either a harmonic noise attenuator or amplifier by a predetermined amount. The application to active noise control is presented, and computer simulation results demonstrate the desired noise shaping capability. >
FINANCIALLY OPTIMAL INVENTORY POLICIES WITH NON-LINEAR REPLENISHMENT COSTS

We model the inventory decisions of a firm that maximizes its market value, namely, the expected present value of the time stream of dividends issued to its shareholders. The firm is single-product and equity-owned, it orders products from an outside supplier, its only short-term borrowing is for solvency if necessary, and it issues dividends to its shareholders while facing financial and market risks (uncertain demand). The distinguishing features of the model are the financial criterion, hence joint selection of operational and financial decisions, and non-linear replenishment costs. If the non-linearity is due to a setup cost, we show that an (s, S) replenishment policy is optimal. The analysis is not a straightforward variant of Scarf's argument. If the non-linearity is due to bilinear smoothing costs, we show that the optimal replenishment policy has the same form as in the traditional smoothing cost model. These seem to be the first instances in which the optimization of a model with a financial criterion and non-linear replenishment costs yields policies having the same forms as in the corresponding cost minimization problems.
Biomechanics and Control of Landing in Toads

Anything that jumps must land, but unlike during jumping when muscles produce energy to accelerate the body into the air, controlled landing requires muscles to dissipate energy and decelerate the body. Among anurans, toads (genus Bufo) exhibit highly coordinated landing behaviors, using their forelimbs to stabilize the body after touch-down as they lower their hindlimbs to the ground. Moreover, toads land frequently, as they cover distances by stringing together long series of relatively short hops. We have been using toads as a model to understand the biomechanics and motor control strategies of coordinated landing. Our results show that toads prepare for landing differently depending on how far they hop. For example, the forelimbs are extended farther prior to impact after long hops than after short ones. Such kinematic alterations are mirrored by predictable modulation of the recruitment intensity of forelimb muscles before impact, such that longer hops lead to higher levels of pre-landing recruitment of muscles. These differences in kinematics and muscular activity help to control the most flexed configuration of the elbow that is achieved after impact, which in turn constrains the extent to which muscles involved in dissipating energy are stretched. Indeed, a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments has shown that the elbow-extending anconeus muscle, which is stretched during landing as the elbow flexes, rarely reaches lengths longer than those on the plateau of the muscle's length-tension curve (where damage becomes more likely). We have also been studying how movements of the hindlimbs after take-off help to stabilize animals during landing. In particular, the immediate and rapid flexion of a toad's knees after take-off leads to a repositioning of the animal's center of mass (COM) that better aligns it with ground-reaction forces (GRFs) at impact and reduces torques that would destabilize the animal. Finally, recent work on sensory feedback involved in preparation for landing demonstrates that vision is not required for coordinated landing. Toads can effectively utilize proprioceptive and/or vestibular information during take-off to help inform themselves about landing conditions, but may also use other sensory modalities after take-off to modulate landing behavior.
A deformable wavelet descriptor and its application to curve extraction from noisy images

We developed a hierarchical planar curve descriptor which decomposes a curve into components of different scales by using the wavelet transform in our previous work. We interpret the wavelet coefficients as random variables and call it the deformable wavelet descriptor. The application of the deformable wavelet descriptor to boundary curve extraction from noisy images is examined. Due to the multiscale and local support properties of the wavelet basis, the deformable wavelet approach performs better than the traditional Fourier approach. Experimental results are given to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method in extracting the boundary curve of an object from low SNR images. >
Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid on skate retinal horizontal cells: evidence for an electrogenic uptake mechanism.

Abstract In the retinae of many vertebrates, there are classes of horizontal cell that probably utilize gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter. As with other amino acid transmitter agents, the postsynaptic action of GABA is thought to be terminated by uptake into neurons and glia surrounding the release site. The present study examined whether an uptake system for GABA could be detected in isolated skate horizontal cells by means of electrophysiological methods. Pressure ejection of GABA onto voltage-clamped horizontal cells produced an inward current that showed no sign of desensitization regardless of the GABA concentration. The dose-response relationship followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a half-maximal response elicited at approximately 110 microM. Nipecotic acid produced a similar current and reduced the responses to GABA when introduced in the bath solution prior to the GABA pulse. On the other hand, application of 500 microM muscimol or 1 mM baclofen, GABAA and GABAB receptor agonists, respectively, were completely without effect. The GABA-induced current was not blocked by superfusion with 500 microM bicuculline, 500 microM picrotoxin, or 500 microM phaclofen. However, the responses to GABA were abolished when the cells were superfused in Ringer's solution in which choline or lithium had been substituted for sodium, and were reduced when the extracellular chloride concentration was decreased from 266 mM to 16 mM. Current-voltage data showed a maximal response to GABA when the cells were held at or below their resting potential. At more depolarized levels, the inward current became progressively smaller until, near +50 mV, it could no longer be detected; over the range tested (-90 to +50 mV), the response never reversed into an outward current. These findings suggest that the GABA-induced currents in skate horizontal cells are mediated by an electrogenic uptake mechanism.
What McDonald Means for Unenumerated Rights

In June a splintered Supreme Court held in McDonald v. City of Chicago that the Second Amendment applied to state and local governments. But the case was about much more than handguns. It presented the Court with an unprecedented opportunity to correct its own erroneous precedent and revive the Fourteenth Amendment’s Privileges or Immunities Clause. The plurality declined the offer not, as Justice Alito’s opinion suggested, out of a profound respect for stare decisis, but rather because at least four Justices like the consequences of that ancient error, especially insofar as unenumerated rights are concerned. This observation in turn raises questions about interpretative method and the Court’s fidelity to the written Constitution.
Inorganic Nanomaterials Synthesis Using Alkalide Reduction

Chemical (solution) methods of nanomaterial synthesis offer the advantages of simplicity, stoichiometric control, ease of scale-up, and the possibilities of size control and narrow size distributions. Of the many solution methods of making nanoparticles, the reduction of metal salts by alkalides or electrides, generally referred to as alkalide reduction, is particularly promising due to its ability to protect highly oxyphilic elements and its use of the most power reductants possible in any given solvent. This makes it general across the periodic table including the early transition metals and rare earth elements. In fact, to date, it is the only solution method shown to be capable of synthesizing lanthanide metal nanoparticles. Binary and higher order phase nanomaterials are also possible by the simultaneous alkalide reduction of multiple elements. Nanoscale oxides and nitrides can be formed by reacting nanomaterials made by alkalide reduction with the appropriate gas. Spheroidal nanoparticles as small as ∼1 nm in diameter can be synthesized by this method as can rods up to ∼1 µm in length. The current practice and capabilities of highly versatile synthetic routes to nanomaterials are outlined in this article. Keywords: alkalide; electride; nano; magnetic; phosphor; alloy; carbide; oxide; nitride; rod
John F. Kennedy's civil rights discourse: The evolution from “principled bystander” to public advocate

This essay argues that President John F. Kennedy's civil rights discourse evidences an important evolutionary pattern marking a transition from legal argument to moral argument, and highlights two speeches as exemplars of this change. Three rhetorical constraints are identified which help account for and explain this shift in the president's public rhetoric. Finally, we offer implications of this essay for the study of contemporary presidential discourse during times of domestic crisis.
Sexual dysfunction in the older man

Age is strongly associated with risk of sexual dysfunction in both men and women. For many years it was assumed that such a loss of sexuality was natural and inevitable, and therefore little attention was given to sexual behaviour and treatment in this population. However, more recent data have suggested that sexuality remains important into later life for many individuals. Although appreciation of sexuality persists, a decline in sexual activity is typical with advancing age, which is in part attributable to both general health problems and specific sexual dysfunctions, both becoming more prevalent with ageing. The principle sexual health issues in older men include erectile dysfunction and late onset hypogonadism. Although premature ejaculation is prevalent in older men, the bother from this disorder is generally lower in older men. This manuscript consists of a review of the contemporary peer-reviewed literature and attempts to provide insights for the physician treating the geriatric population. We discuss sexual behaviour at older age, and address erectile and androgen biology in older men and the prevalence and aetiology of sexual dysfunction in this population. Furthermore, an overview of contemporary pharmacological treatments for older men's sexual problems is provided.
Nanoscale Solute Partitioning in Bulk Metallic Glasses

challenge to determine the fine structure of these precipitates, and no one technique can provide all the answers. In this paper, we report the experimental study of a multicomponent BMG alloy, Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5, utilizing several state-of-the-art characterization techniques. Nanoscale solute partitioning due to strong chemical order is revealed at unprecedented detail by a new wide-field atom probe. This level of details is crucial for understanding the interference peaks observed in small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering experiments, an unsolved mystery for over a decade. A core/shell structure is formed as a result of nanoscale solute partitioning, which poisons the growth and helps stabilize the nanocrystalline particles. Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 is a widely studied BMG with excellent glass forming ability. [5‐11] Upon devitrification, crystalline precipitates of 10‐20nm diameter emerge, as evidenced by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. [9] Moreover,
Superconducting fluctuations in one dimension

Abstract We review recent experimental studies of superconductivity in one dimension; i.e., in very narrow metal strips and wires. Such systems were first studied many years ago, and it was found that thermally activated phase slip leads to a nonzero resistance even below T c . In the past several years, experiments by several groups have provided evidence for another phase slip mechanism. These new experiments are described and shown to be consistent with a model based on quantum phase slip, i.e., tunneling through the energy barrier for phase slip. Unresolved issues associated with the model are also discussed.
Seasonal changes in composition and intake of chaparral by Spanish goats

Abstract Seasonal changes in utilization of one-year regrowth of chaparral vegetation by Spanish goats were investigated. The dominant shrub species were: oak ( Quercus dumosa and Q. wislizenii ), chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ), manzanita ( Arctostaphylos glandulosa ) and ceanothus ( Ceanothus cuneatus , and C. foliosus ). Oesophageal and faecal samples were obtained during the spring, summer and autumn seasons of 1979. Mean daily temperatures for the three seasons were 19, 18 and 12° C, respectively. Winter sampling was restricted by cold weather at the 985-m elevation site. Cover was measured from ten permanent transects. Preference of Spanish goats was highly directed towards oak (> 50%) and chamise (> 30%) in all seasons. Correlation of selectivity (percentage botanical composition in the diet) and availability data indicated that goats may be generalist in their feeding strategies, but display some sort of specialized behaviour in selecting between the most dominant species. The observation that selection of herbaceous vegetation was restricted by availability conforms with the recent classification of goats as adaptive mixed feeders rather than browsers. Daily feed intake (g DM/kg BW 0.75 ) was calculated by dividing faecal residue by (100—digestibility in vitro). Intake values were equivalent to maintenance requirements during spring (60 g) and summer (57 g). However, autumn chaparral provided sub-maintenance intake levels (36 g). Condensed tannins (ADF—NAD), estimated as the difference between acid detergent fibre (ADF) and sequential acid detergent residue of neutral detergent residue (NAD), were variable in the clipped shrub samples but low in all dietary samples (2.1 ± 1.8%). The low levels of tannins did not appear to be affecting utilization of this browse. Predictive equations for intake (DMI) and digestibility in vitro (IVOMD) were derived from step-wise regression analysis using the following independent variables: cell wall content (CWC), NAD, cellulose (NADC), NAD sulphuric acid insoluble lignin (NADL s ), hemicellulose (NADHC), lignin: ADF—NAD tannins, ash and nitrogen (N) The equation for intake was: DMI (g DM/kg BW 0.75 ) = −25.67 + 1.80 OMD ( n = 56, Syx = 17.72, r = 0.59, P s + 0.65 N + 0.09 DMI ( n = 56, Syx = 2.77, r = 0.88, P It is concluded that recently-burnt chaparral vegetation would provide a maintenance browse for Spanish goats during the spring and summer seasons only.