cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic advantage and achievement motivation: Important mediators of academic performance in minority children in urban schools

A correlational study examined relationships between socioeconomic advantage, achievement motivation, and academic performance in an urban elementary school population of 130 minority students (African-American, Hispanic). Level of socioeconomic advantage (more/less) was determined by school records and eligibility for participation in a compensatory school-lunch program for low-income children. A self-report measure of students' self-efficacy, intrinsic value, and self-regulatory learning orientation was used to determine level of achievement motivation (high/low). Performance data in reading and mathematics were obtained from an individually administered achievement test. Multivariate analyses revealed that socioeconomic advantage and achievement motivation are significant mediators of academic performance in minority children, independent of intellectual ability. The classroom implications of socioeconomic advantage and achievement motivation on individual differences in academic performance of minority children in urban elementary schools are discussed.
Zero-Altered and other Regression Models for Count Data with Added Zeros

On occasion, generalized linear models for counts based on Poisson or overdispersed count distributions may encounter lack of fit due to disproportionately large frequencies of zeros. Three alternative types of regression models that utilize all the information and explicitly account for excess zeros are examined and given general formulations. A simple mechanism for added zeros is assumed that directly motivates one type of model, here called the added-zero type, particular forms of which have been proposed independently by D. LAMBERT (1992) and in unpublished work by the author. An original regression formulation (the zero-altered model) is presented as a reduced form of the two-part model for count data, which is also discussed. It is suggested that two-part models be used to aid in development of an added-zero model when the latter is thought to be appropriate.
Sensorimotor cortical projections to the primate cuneate nucleus

The organization of the corticocuneate pathway was investigated in monkeys by using the anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of either horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Injection of either tracer into the precentral cortex (centered on area 4) results in heavy anterograde labeling in the tegmental region, which lies immediately ventrolateral to the cuneate nucleus, particularly at levels caudal to the obex. On the other hand, injections of the same tracers involving areas 3b, 1, and 2 cause anterograde labeling mainly within the core (pars rotunda of Ferraro and Barrera, '35, Arch. Neurol. Psychol. 33:262–75) of the cuneate nucleus. Anterograde labeling is also evident in the rostral parts of the cuneate nucleus, especially after injections involving areas 1 and 2. Injections restricted largely to area 3b cause anterograde labeling preferentially in the core of the cuneate nucleus. After injection of HRP or WGA-HRP into the dorsal medulla, retrogradely labeled neurons are present both in the pre- and postcentral gyrus, but their location depends upon the sites and extent of the injection site. When the tracer diffuses into the underlying tegmental area, many retrogradely labeled neurons appear in the precentral motor cortex, principally in area 4 although some of them also occur in area 6. With smaller injections, largely restricted within the cuneate nucleus, most labeled neurons are present in the postcentral gyrus, with the largest population in areas 1 and 2; a smaller number of small neurons in area 3b are best demonstrated with WGA-HRP; and area 3a contains the smallest complement of retrogradely labeled neurons. The data from these studies suggest a segregation of pre- and postcentral afferents in the ventral tegmental region and the cuneate nucleus, respectively. These findings pertaining to the corticocuneate projection in the monkey are discussed in relation to (1) the parallelism between monkeys and cats (2) possible physiological implications of the anatomical organization described, and (3) conflicting evidence in the neurophysiological observations obtained, by earlier investigators, by antidromic and orthodromic activation of this pathway.
Rotation independent hierarchical representation for Open and Closed Curves and its Applications

The algorithm used for the segmentation of an image, and scheme used for the representation of the segmentation result are mostly selected based on the final image analysis or interpretation objective. The boundary based image segmentation and representation system developed by Nabors segments and stores the result as a graph-tree hierarchical structure that is capable of supporting diverse applications. This paper shows that Nabors’ hierarchical representation of curves is not invariant to rotation, and proposes an enhanced representation which retains its structure and remains invariant under rotation. The curve matching algorithm which matches two curves based on their hierarchical representation makes it easy to determine if a curve is a section of a larger curve. The potential of the representation is illustrated by developing image registration and image stitching methods based on the new representation.
Real‐time monitoring of influenza virus production kinetics in HEK293 cell cultures

There is an increased interest from the vaccine industry to use mammalian cell cultures for influenza vaccine manufacturing. Therefore, it became important to study the influenza infection mechanism, the viral-host interaction, and the replication kinetics from a bioprocessing stand point to maximize the influenza viral production yield in cell culture. In the present work, influenza replication kinetics was studied in HEK293 cells. Two infection conditions were evaluated, a low (0.01) and a high multiplicity of infection (1.0). Critical time points of the viral production cycle (infection, protein synthesis, viral assembly and budding, viral release, and host-cell death) were identified in small-scale cell cultures. Additionally, cell growth, viability, and viral titers were monitored in the viral production process. The infection state of the cultivated cell population was assessed by influenza immunolabeling throughout the culture period. Influenza virus production kinetics were also on-line monitored by dielectric spectroscopy and successfully correlated to real-time capacitance measures. Overall, this work provided insights into the mechanisms associated with the infection of human HEK293 cell line by the influenza virus and demonstrated, once again, the usefulness of multifrequency scanning permittivity for in-line monitoring and supervision of cell-based viral production processes.
Object-oriented graphics knowledge bases

Abstract An object-oriented knowledge base is a database that is constructed on object data model. Using mathematical logic as formal representation, an object-oriented knowledge base can be constructed to support classification, aggregation, generalization, and association. It further extends the existing databases with procedural semantics. In this paper we describe the application of object-oriented knowledge bases as the basis for computer graphics systems. In particular, we discuss how solid objects, graphical features, and geometric constraints can be represented in logic. Furthermore, we describe the approaches to process declarative transactions, side effects, windows, and incremental interpretation taking advantages of knowledge.
Upregulation of keratinocyte growth factor in the tracheal ligation lamb model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) carries a high mortality rate of 60% because of associated anomalies, pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension, and type II cell dysfunction. Prenatal tracheal ligation has been shown to improve lung growth in experimental models. This could be caused by a direct effect of increased endothoracic pressure in utero, secondary to the induction of specific growth factors, or both. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is involved in normal lung organogenesis and is a potent mitogen of alveolar type II cells. The authors have therefore investigated the protein and mRNA levels of keratinocyte growth factor in the lung tissue of control, CDH, and CDH tracheal ligation lambs. Methods: Eight lambs had left-sided diaphragmatic hernias surgically created at 80 days' gestation. Tracheal ligation was performed at 110 days in 4 lambs, and they were delivered by cesarean section at 140 to 145 days. Twin littermates served as controls. The lungs were dissected en bloc and snap frozen. KGF protein levels were determined by ELISA. Total RNA was isolated, and a RNase protection assay was performed using an ovine cDNA probe for KGF, and a human cDNA probe for GAPDH (house keeping control). Densitometric analysis was used to quantify the relative amounts of mRNA in each sample. Results: There was a significant decrease in the KGF protein levels of the CDH samples (110 v 73.2 pg/mg protein, P =.02). This decrease was mirrored by a significant fall in the level of mRNA expression for KGF (0.694 v 0.235, P =.02). Tracheal ligation normalized the KGF protein levels (96.1 pg/mg protein). This elevation of KGF protein was accompanied by an upregulation of KGF gene expression to control levels (0.56). Conclusions: Tracheal ligation clearly is accompanied by an upregulation of keratinocyte growth factor protein and gene expression. It is not yet clear whether keratinocyte growth factor is solely responsible for the growth observed in these tracheal ligation preparations. Further growth factor blocking experiments are required. J Pediatr Surg 36:128-132. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Effects of sex and chronic neonatal nicotine treatment on Na2+/K+/Cl− co-transporter 1, K+/Cl− co-transporter 2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, NMDA receptor subunit 2A and NMDA receptor subunit 2B mRNA expression in the postnatal rat hippocampus

Abstract Chronic exposure to nicotine during the first postnatal week in rats, a developmental period that corresponds to the third trimester of human gestation, results in sexually dimorphic long-term functional defects in the adult hippocampus. One potential cause could be the sex-specific differences in the maturation of GABA A receptor-mediated responses from excitatory to inhibitory, which depends on the expression of the Na 2+ /K + /Cl − co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) and the K + /Cl − co-transporter 2 (KCC2). In the rat hippocampus, this switch occurs during the first and second postnatal week in females and males, respectively, and is regulated by nicotinic receptor activation. Excitatory GABAergic signaling can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, which might exacerbate sex differences by impacting synaptogenesis. We hypothesized that chronic neonatal nicotine (CNN) exposure differentially regulates the expression of these co-transporters and BDNF in males and females. We use quantitative isotopic in situ hybridization to examine the expression of mRNAs for NKCC1, KCC2, BDNF, and NMDA receptor subunit 2A (NR2A) and NMDA receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) in the postnatal day (P) 5 and 8 rat hippocampi in both sexes that were either control-treated or with 6 mg/kg/day nicotine in milk formula (CNN) via gastric intubation starting at P1. In line with prolonged GABAergic excitation, we found that at P5 males had significantly higher mRNA expression of NKCC1 and BDNF than females. CNN treatment resulted in a significant increase in KCC2 and BDNF mRNA expression in male but not female hippocampus ( p p A R-mediated responses result in sex-specific sensitivity to nicotine during early postnatal development, potentially explaining the differential long-term effects of CNN on hippocampal function.
Eportfolios Proving Competency and Building a Network

Use of eportfolios for business communication students in an advanced two-quarter capstone brought an unexpected networking opportunity, in addition to their conventional use as a showcase for student writing and research. This article discusses how students developed their eportfolios. Then, through use of a course website providing an optional link to those eportfolios, students were able to use portfolios to jumpstart conversations among other students and business communication alumni. The instructor has required both print and digital portfolios since 2006 and explains why both types of portfolios are useful, especially to enhance professional networking.
Preparation and structural characterization of a hexanuclear molybdenum (II) cluster containing carboxylate ligands (Bu4N)2[Mo6(μ3-Cl)8(O2CMe)6]

The hexamolybdenum cluster complex [Mo6(μ3-Cl)8(O2CMe)6]2−, 1 was isolated as the Bu4N+ salt in 71% yield from the reaction of (Bu4N)2[Mo6(μ3-Cl)8Cl6] with AgO2CMe in CH2Cl2 solvent. The compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The cluster contains an octahedral arrangement of six molybdenum atoms with eight chloride ligands bridging the eight trianglar faces and six carboxylate ligands terminally coordinated through one oxygen atom to each of the six molybdenum atoms. Crystal data: space group =P21/n,a=10.713(3)A,b=14.43(1)A,c=21.919(4)A, β=94.37(2)°,Z=2, 1965 reflections,R=0.036.
Thermal Analysis of Magnesite at CO2 Pressures up to Six Atmospheres

The literature contains contradictory statements that the decomposition of magnesite is and is not affected by the pressure of CO2 during the decomposition reaction. By means of the new variable-pressure differential thermal analysis technique, samples of Washington and Nevada magnesites were run at CO2 pressures over the range 0.001 to 5000 mm. Hg. At 0.001 mm. Hg the endothermic loop starts at approximately 350°C., at 500° C. for 1 atmosphere of CO2, and at 612°C. under 5000 mm. Hg pressure of CO2. The results permit straightforward analysis of the mechanics of decomposition and comply with the Clausius-Clapeyron and Van't Hoff equations at CO2 pressures above 250 mm. Hg.
Carbonaceous deposits in direct utilization hydrocarbon SOFC anode

Abstract Carbonaceous deposits formed in Cu-based SOFC anode compartment by exposing porous YSZ anodes to n -butane at elevated temperatures were studied using a combination of V – I curves, impedance spectroscopy, SEM, and TPO measurements. While short-term exposure of a porous YSZ matrix to n -butane at 973 K resulted in the deposition of electronically conducting carbonaceous film and therefore to enhance the fuel cell performance, the power density decays quickly in n -butane at temperature 1073 K or higher for long-term operation. SEM results indicate that the carbonaceous deposits arising from gas phase reaction have different morphology, and a dense layer composed of poly-aromatic rings has been formed on the porous anode surface. The dense layer could block the penetration of fuels to the anode and ions transfer to the three-phase boundaries where electrochemical reactions occur, resulting in the drop of the power density. TPO measurements revealed that the amount of carbonaceous deposits increased and the type of deposits changed with exposure time to n -butane. The stability of deposits increased with extending the exposure time according to the increased oxidation temperature. Steam can remove the carbonaceous deposits from the porous YSZ anode, but the reaction temperature was severely elevated compared to that of oxygen. The carbonaceous deposits can also be removed at 973 K by steam but the deposition of carbon will be controlled by the speed of removal and formation from the gas phase reaction.
Muscle disorders and rehabilitation in canine athletes.

Human athletes can communicate information about muscle pain, but dogs cannot. Various degrees of muscle injury could go undetected in dogs. Muscle disorders associated with physical exertion in human athletes include delayed-onset muscle soreness, muscle strain, muscle tears, rhabdomyolysis, and acute and chronic compartment syndromes. Given that the structure of muscle is similar among different species, it is reasonable to expect that dogs experience the same phenomena. At times, sports medicine veterinarians need to function as athletic trainers and physical therapists to advise clients on physical conditioning, injury prevention, and rehabilitation as well as on diagnosis and treatment. It is advantageous if veterinarians who treat canine athletes are familiar with the activities that the dogs are required to perform. Canine athletes participate in many different sports. This article focuses on several of the muscle disorders of bird dogs, namely, coccygeal muscle injury and infraspinatus muscle contracture, and on those of dogs involved in tracking-obedience-protection training, namely, fibrotic myopathy, with an additional discussion of muscle strain. Obviously, sporting dogs are also susceptible to the myopathies seen in all breeds of dog such as metabolic, infectious, and inherited myopathies, which are described elsewhere in this issue.
Model and Simulation of a Tunable Birefringent Fiber Using Capillaries Filled with Liquid Ethanol for Magnetic Quasiphase Matching In-Fiber Isolator

A technique to tune a magnetic quasi-phase matching in-fiber isolator through the application of stress induced by two mutually orthogonal capillary tubes filled with liquid ethanol is investigated numerically. The results show that it is possible to “tune” the birefringence in these fibers over a limited range depending on the temperature at which the ethanol is loaded into the capillaries. Over this tuning range, the thermal sensitivity of the birefringence is an order-of-magnitude lower than conventional fibers, making this technique well suited for magnetic quasi-phase matching.
On limitations in H∞ suboptimal decentralized control derived from the generalized structured singular value

Abstract We study how the maximum/minimum gain of a decentralized or sparse controller over a frequency interval influences the maximum/minimum gain of the corresponding closed-loop transfer function over that interval. In doing so, we derive lower bounds on the best closed-loop performance achievable by decentralized and sparse controllers satisfying additional frequency domain restrictions, and sufficient conditions for a structured controller to guarantee a desired level of closed-loop performance. This results in graphical tests for the controller’s singular value plots. These bounds are obtained by using tools inspired by generalizations of the structured singular value, and can be computed by solving Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI). We close by applying our results to an active sound control problem.
Neostriatal projections from individual cortical fields conform to histochemically distinct striatal compartments in the rat

A number of recent studies have demonstrated two chemically distinct compartments in the neostriatum: opiate receptor-richpatches and a surroundingmatrix. Using axonal transport and receptor localization techniques in the rat brain, we have found that striatal projections from architectonically distinct cortical fields conform to this compartmentalized plan. The prelimbic cortex has bilateral projections that concentrate within the striatal patches. In contrast, the agranular motor cortex and cingulate cortex have bilateral projections to the matrix, while the somatic sensory cortex and visual cortex have ipsilateral matrix projections. Each matrix input occupies a characteristics striatal district. The projection to the patches distributes prelimbic input throughout the striatum, which may allow for prelimbic interactions with input from all other cortical areas.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Tripodal Complexes Containing Pendant Bases

The synthesis of a new tripodal ligand family that contains tertiary amine groups in the second-coordination sphere is reported. The ligands are tris(amido)amine derivatives, with the pendant amines attached via a peptide coupling strategy. They were designed to function as new molecular catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), in which the pendant acid/base group could improve the catalyst performance. Two members of the ligand family were each metalated with cobalt(II) and zinc(II) to afford trigonal-monopyramidal complexes. The reaction of the cobalt complexes [Co(L)]– with dioxygen reversibly generates a small amount of a cobalt(III) superoxo species, which was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Protonation of the zinc complex Zn[N{CH2CH2NC(O)CH2N(CH2Ph)2}3)]− ([Zn(TNBn)]–) with 1 equiv of acid occurs at a primary-coordination-sphere amide moiety rather than at a pendant basic site. The addition of excess acid to any of the complexes [M(L)]– results in compl...
The phylogeny and chemical diversity of quinone-tanned glues and varnishes.

Abstract 1. 1. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl- l -alanine (DOPA)-containing proteins are widely distributed throughout the animal kingdom and appear to serve chiefly as waterproof adhesives and varnishes. 2. 2. The unique chemical and physical stability of these adhesives and varnishes is imparted by quinone-tanning, an oxidative process that leads to the polymerization of DOPA-containing and other proteins. 3. 3. Recent advances in the biochemistry of DOPA-containing proteins suggest that most consist of tandemly repeated sequence motifs. Each motif contains DOPA, a basic amino acid (usually lysine), and abundant glycine or proline. 4. 4. The DOPA residues undergo catechol oxidase-catalyzed conversion to o- quinones at the onset of quinone-tanning. 5. 5. The complexity of quinone chemistry is discussed with regard to quinone-tanning.
Proposed definition of a smokeless tobacco user based on “potential” nicotine consumption

This study examined and operationally defined "light," "moderate," and "heavy" users of smokeless tobacco according to the potential amounts of nicotine consumed per week from chewing tobacco and/or snuff products. Fifty adult male smokeless tobacco users ranging in ages from 18-85 were tested to determine nicotine content of smokeless tobacco products consumed. The smokeless tobacco products were blindly analyzed by gas chromatography to determine nicotine content. Mean nicotine yield per week was calculated by multiplying the number of cans and/or pouches used per week and placed on a normal probability distribution. The mean nicotine yielded 238 mg/wk and the categories emerged as "light" less than or equal to 87 mg/wk, "moderate" 88-388 mg/wk and "heavy" users greater than or equal to 389 mg/wk. Differences regarding type of user (light, moderate, heavy) were crossed tabbed with educational levels, years of smokeless tobacco use, age the habit was initiated, perception of harm and whether habit forming, and reason for using smokeless tobacco.
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION OF THE APPROACH AND WITHDRAWAL OF A MODEL CRYSTALLINE METAL TO A SILICA GLASS SURFACE

Room temperature interfacial atomistic behavior between a model Lennard‐Jones Pt (111) crystalline surface and a silica glass surface was investigated using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The approach and pulloff of the crystalline surface to two silica glass surfaces was simulated. During approach, both simulated interfaces evolved from a state of tensile to compressive stress parallel to the direction of approach. Compression of both glass surfaces occurred with accompanying structural shifts that created coordination defects and small rings with strained siloxane bonds in the glasses. Upon pulloff, the system stress again went through a tensile region and, for both interfaces, the maximum tensile stress on pulloff exceeded that of the approach. In both glass surfaces, the relaxation accompanying pulloff of the crystal did not result in complete removal of the defects created during the cycle. The results have important implications with respect to the reactivity of glass surfaces during and after compressive contact with a crystalline phase.
Rumination in Clinical Depression: A Type of Emotional Suppression?

This study examined the relationship between rumination and the use of other emotion-regulation strategies in a depressed sample. Sixty outpatients diagnosed with unipolar depression completed questionnaires and participated in a sad mood induction. The mood induction was used to investigate the relationship between the use of rumination and each of two theoretically relevant emotion-regulation strategies—suppression and acceptance. Findings demonstrated that rumination was positively associated with other types of suppression and negatively related to acceptance. Results offer tentative support for the conceptualization of rumination as a maladaptive, cognitive emotion-regulation strategy utilized by depressed individuals in an attempt to suppress their experience of negative emotion. Findings also suggest a potential mechanism of action for efficacious mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments for depression.
Mitochondrial COII Introgression into the Nuclear Genome of Gorilla gorilla

Numts are nonfunctional mitochondrial sequences that have translocated into nuclear DNA, where they evolve independently from the original mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence. Numts can be unintentionally amplified in addition to authentic mtDNA, complicating both the analysis and interpretation of mtDNA-based studies. Amplification of numts creates particular issues for studies on the noncoding, hypervariable 1 mtDNA region of gorillas. We provide data on putative numt sequences of the coding mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII). Via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloning, we obtained COII sequences for gorilla, orangutan, and human high-quality DNA and also from a gorilla fecal DNA sample. Both gorilla and orangutan samples yielded putative numt sequences. Phylogenetically more anciently transferred numts were amplified with a greater incidence from the gorilla fecal DNA sample than from the high-quality gorilla sample. Data on phylogenetically more recently transferred numts are equivocal. We further demonstrate the need for additional investigations into the use of mtDNA markers for noninvasively collected samples from gorillas and other primates.
Intraarterial Doppler Flow Measurements During Renal Artery Endovascular Stent Deployment: Abolition of Resting Impedance to Blood Flow

This communication details the first reported case of renal artery intraarterial pulse wave Doppler obtained prior to, and following primary stenting of a renal artery stenosis. Doppler wave forms were recorded proximal, within, and distal to the lesion and reported with the angiographic and hemodynamic results. The changes in average and maximal peak velocities following stent deployment continued the abolition of the resting transstenotic gradient and renal artery stenosis. Intraarterial pulsed wave Doppler complements angiography and translesional gradient measurements as a physiological marker of a successful procedure.
Social-Behavioral Assessment of At-Risk Early Adolescent Students: Psychometric Characteristics and Validity of a Parent Report Form of the School Social Behavior Scales:

The purposes of this investigation were to examine the validity of the Home and Community Social Behavior Scales (HCSBS) for differentiating at-risk and non-at-risk stu dents in grades 6 through 9 and to evaluate psychometric characteristics of this instru ment. Parent ratings of social competence and antisocial behavior on the HCSBS for a group of 160 students who were part of an at-risk pre vention project were compared with those of 107 typical non-at-risk students. These students were all in grades 6 through 9, and the groups were relatively similar in terms of demographic characteristics. The at-risk group was rated as having significantly lower social competence and significantly higher rates of antisocial behavior than the non-at-risk group (p < .0001). Power analyses indicated that these group differences ranged from approximately 1½ to 1 3/4 standard deviations. Item level HCSBS scores were also shown to correctly clas sify the students into their respective groups with a great deal of accuracy (...
Analytical and spectroscopic investigation of the interaction of CO2 with amine functional silane coupling agents on glass fibers

Abstract An analytical combustion technique and FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize the reaction between three aminosilane coupling agents and carbon dioxide. The coupling agent/carbon dioxide reaction was studied as a function of pH, drying environment, organofunctionality, and temperature. The amount of carbon dioxide reacting with γ-APS(γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) varied with the pH of the treating solution. The greatest uptake of carbon dioxide was found to occur at natural pH (10.6). The aminebicarbonate salt which forms is unstable to heat. Heating for 2 min at 100°C removed the carbon dioxide from the fiber surface. These results suggest that the aminebicarbonate salt can be removed and does not have any effect on the final mechanical properties of the composite.
Dexmedetomidine--does it have a role in the perioperative setting?

U P 7 DEXMEDETOMIDINE (Precedex®, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL) is a potent 2 adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for short-term sedation of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care setting. Alpha2 adrenergic receptors are located peripherally and centrally in the nervous system and the cardiovascular system particularly in tissues innervated by the sympathetic nervous system. The clinical effects of dexmedetomidine include sedation, analgesia, inhibition of sympathetic activity, and decreased blood pressure and heart rate.
Observational implications of cosmological event horizons

Abstract In a universe dominated by a small cosmological constant or by eternal dark energy with equation of state w − 1 / 3 , observers are surrounded by event horizons. The horizons limit how much of the universe the observers can ever access. We argue that this implies a bound N ∼ 60 on the number of e-folds of inflation that will ever be observable in our universe if the scale of the dark energy today is ∼ ( 10 − 3 eV ) 4 . This bound is independent of how long inflation lasted, or for how long we continue to observe the sky. The bound arises because the imprints of the inflationary perturbations thermalize during the late acceleration of the universe. They “inflate away” just like the initial inhomogeneities during ordinary inflation. Thus the current CMB data may be looking as far back in the history of the universe as will ever be possible, making our era a most opportune time to study cosmology.
Bayesian inference in probabilistic risk assessment - The current state of the art

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approaches to sampling directly from the joint posterior distribution of aleatory model parameters have led to tremendous advances in Bayesian inference capability in a wide variety of fields, including probabilistic risk analysis. The advent of freely available software coupled with inexpensive computing power has catalyzed this advance. This paper examines where the risk assessment community is with respect to implementing modern computational-based Bayesian approaches to inference. Through a series of examples in different topical areas, it introduces salient concepts and illustrates the practical application of Bayesian inference via MCMC sampling to a variety of important problems.
Comparative Effects of Stereoisomers of Hallucinogenic Amphetamines

Snyder1 has suggested that psychotomimetic potency may depend on how closely a molecule approximates the structure of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This hypothesis indicates that a common receptor mechanism may be invoked to explain the unique properties of the hallucinogens. There are various types of evidence which support such a theory. For example, the D ring of LSD, namely 1-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-3-(N,N-diethylcarboxamide) (THPC) was tested by Smythies et al.2 and was found to antagonize the behavioural effects of LSD in the rat and increase the effects of mescaline. As mescaline would approximate the A and B rings of LSD then the combination of mescaline plus THPC would tend to mimic the action of LSD. THPC alone had no behavioural effects. Additionally a similarity of action across the hallucinogenic drugs is suggested by evidence of cross-tolerance3. Indeed, LSD and mescaline show cross-tolerance to at least some of their effects both in man4 and in the rat5.
Rapid processing of the meaning of sentences

It has been shown (Fischler & Bloom, 1979) that sentence contexts facilitate a lexical decision task for words that are highly likely sentence completions and inhibit the decision for words that are semantically anomalous sentence completions. In the present experiment, the sentence contexts were presented 1 word at a time, at rates from 4 to 28 words/sec. The facilitation for words that were likely sentence completions was marginal at the slower rates and absent at higher rates. In contrast, the inhibitory effects of semantic anomaly were apparent at all presentation rates. Several analyses suggested that the sentence contexts were becoming ineffective at the very highest presentation rates, but the high rates at which the sentence contexts still affected word recognition were taken as evidence that semantic information accrues at an early stage of sentence processing. Implications for Posner and Snyder’s (1975) theory of attention and for models of reading were discussed.
Performance of Submerged Prefabricated Structures to Improve Sand Retention at Beach Nourishment Projects

ABSTRACT Morang, A.; Waters, J.P., and Stauble, D.K., 2014. Performance of submerged prefabricated structures to improve sand retention at beach nourishment projects. Submerged breakwaters were examined to evaluate their performance in maintaining the natural beach and retaining beach fill. These included sites where prefabricated concrete reefs, sills, and ball-like reef structures had been deployed. Most of these innovative structures have not performed well in exposed, open-coast, settings unless they were mounted on hard bottom. The Cape May Point, New Jersey, Section 227 demonstration site was used to develop a conceptual analysis model. The project monitored the functional, structural, and economic performance of two innovative prefabricated concrete structures placed at the seaward end of a groin compartment to form an enclosed sill. The project was conducted in conjunction with an ecosystem restoration beach fill to assess if a Beachsaver Reef™ and a Double-T sill could help to hold fill sediment ...
Built-in Self Test of RF Subsystems with Integrated Detectors

This paper describes a built-in self test technique for RF subsystems, using low-overhead on-chip detectors to calculate circuit specifications. A novel on-chip amplitude detector has been designed and optimized for RF circuit specification test. The detector has small area overhead with a low-frequency output. A test chip was fabricated in a commercial 0.18 μm CMOS process. By using on-chip detectors in a loopback setup, both the system performance and specifications of the individual components can be accurately measured. Measurements show accurate prediction of system and component specifications.
Hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus of the conjunctiva

Abstract PURPOSE: To report the ophthalmic manifestations of hypertrophic discoid lupus erythematosus of the conjunctiva. METHOD: Case report and review of biopsy results. RESULTS: A 58-year-old woman with a history of chronic blepharoconjunctivitis presented with an unusual raised conjunctival lesion. Previous biopsy slides were reviewed and interpreted as diagnostic of discoid lupus erythematosus, hypertrophic or verrucous type. Both blepharoconjunctivitis and the raised conjunctival lesion resolved with hydroxychloroquine therapy. CONCLUSIONS: A raised conjunctival mass in the context of refractory blepharoconjunctivitis should elicit suspicion for discoid lupus erythematosus. The hypertrophic variant of this disease can affect the conjunctiva.
Partial conjugations suffice

Abstract In their 1990 classification of links up to link homotopy, Habegger and Lin prove a Markov-type theorem saying that two string links have link homotopic closures if and only if they are related by a sequence of conjugations and partial conjugations. In this paper we show that one can dispense with conjugations, in the sense that any change produced by conjugation can also be produced by an appropriately-chosen sequence of partial conjugations. We also give an interpretation of this result in terms of the action of 2n-component string links on n-component string links used by Habegger and Lin to prove their theorem. This interpretation suggests a canonical form for sequences of partial conjugations. These results simplify the Habegger–Lin classification scheme, as well as the still-open problem of classifying links up to link homotopy by means of a complete set of invariants.
Sham surgery controls in Parkinson's disease clinical trials: Views of participants

Background: Sham surgery controls are increasingly used in neurosurgical clinical trials in Parkinson’s disease (PD) but remain controversial. We interviewed participants of such trials, specifically examining their understanding and attitudes regarding sham surgery.
ARTIFICIAL PLASMA VOLUME EXPANSION IN DAMS. EFFECT ON FETAL GROWTH

Although inadequate plasma volume expansion (PVE) and decreased fetal weight have been shown to occur following maternal malnutrition in rats, whether this association is one of cause and effect is unknown. By artificially expanding blood volume in malnourished animals on the 14th or 17th day of gestation with a single IV injection of whole rat blood we have been able to examine this relationship. Results demonstrate that when pregnant rats are restricted to a 5.5% protein diet throughout pregnancy but injected with 5 ml of virgin rat blood on day 14, plasma volume expands to levels seen in nonrestricted animals and the pups are of normal weight at term. By contrast if the PVE is performed at 17 days gestation growth failure will occur. Thus the growth failure attendant to maternal protein restriction can be prevented by artificially expanding blood volume early in pregnancy. These data suggest that a causal relationship exists between lack of maternal plasma volume expansion and fetal growth failure in dams subjected to protein malnutrition.
Determination of Carbide, Carbyne, and Carbene Bond Energies by Gas‐Phase Photodissociation of RhCH+ 2, NbCH+ 2, and LaCH+ 2.

Three photoproducts, MCH+, MC+, and M+, are observed in the photodissociation of MCH2+ (M: Rh, Nb, and La).
Differential Correlates of Positive-Based and Negative-Based Incentives in Motivation

ABSTRACT We studied the distinction between two contrasting types of positive incentive value, one type based on approaching positive affect (positive-based value or PBV), the other on avoiding negative affect (negative-based value or NBV). Indices of the two types were highly correlated with each other, but structural equations modeling also suggested different patterns of relationships for the two. NBV increased and PBV decreased when goals were perceived as necessary rather than freely chosen. Frequent prior attainment of a goal was associated with reduced PBV but had no clear relation to NBV. Results were qualified by interactions with motivational orientation of raters, but the NBV—PBV contrast may be functional and may overlap with other theoretical distinctions in the literature.
A High Energy and Power Novel Aluminum/Nickel Battery

Recent advancements in aluminum materials and aluminum electrochemistry open a current density compatibility domain in which aluminum anodes and nickel oxide cathodes can simultaneously discharge at high faradaic efficiency. The resultant overlapping comparability region permits demonstration of an aluminum/nickel battery capable of unusually high specific power density and high specific energy density: Al+3NiOOH+NaOH+3H{sub 2}O {yields} NaAl(OH){sub 4}+3Ni(OH){sub 2}. The operational cell maintains a steady-state discharge voltage in excess of 2.3 V. Aluminum/nickel battery discharges are presented which yield a power density of 915 W/kg, and a specific energy density of up to 140 Wh/kg.
A reassessment of the role of steroidal alkaloids in the physiology of Phytophthora

Abstract Phytophthora cactorum was incubated in vitro with solasodine, [ 3 H] solanidine, and [ 3 H] solanine in the presence and absence of an equal weight of [ 14 C] cholesterol. The extent to which the two genins and the glycoalkaloid inhibited sterol-induced sexual reproduction was dependent primarily on the extent to which the fungus assimilated the steroidal alkaloids. Cholesterol increased the uptake of solasodine and [ 3 H] solanidine by the mycelium, but the genins affected neither cholesterol-induced growth responses, measured as radial diameter or dry wt, nor the accumulation of [ 14 C] cholesterol, nor its conversion to esters and glycosides. The genins were not converted to esters or glycosides, but [ 3 H] solanine was hydrolysed to solanidine. Solanine was not significantly assimilated by the fungus.
A gradient anion exchange chromatographic method for the speciation of arsenic in lobster tissue extracts.

Abstract A gradient anion exchange chromatographic technique was developed for the separation of arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenocholine (AsC), arsenite (AsIII), arsenate (AsV), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) in one chromatographic run. This technique used low residue ammonium carbonate buffer and the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) chromatograms showed little baseline drift. Gradient elution improved peak shape and peak separation. The separation was completed in approximately 27 min with low detection limits (0.017–0.029 μg As kg−1). Baseline resolution of all the arsenic species evaluated was achieved when the concentration of AsC was less than approximately 12.5 μg As kg−1. This technique was successfully applied to different extracts of a standard reference material, TORT-2, and lobster tissue. AsB was found to be the major arsenic species present. AsC, DMAA, MMAA and AsV were also found, although MMAA was not detected in all of the TORT-2 extracts. Two unknown peaks found may be due to the presence of arsenosugars or other arsenic species. Discrepancy between extraction recoveries previously determined using flow injection–ICP-MS and the high-performance liquid chromatography–ICP-MS was observed in some cases. The differences may be due to the extraction technique and/or conditions at which the extractions were performed.
The iPhone Effect: The Quality of In-Person Social Interactions in the Presence of Mobile Devices

This study examined the relationship between the presence of mobile devices and the quality of real-life in-person social interactions. In a naturalistic field experiment, 100 dyads were randomly assigned to discuss either a casual or meaningful topic together. A trained research assistant observed the participants unobtrusively from a distance during the course of a 10-min conversation noting whether either participant placed a mobile device on the table or held it in his or her hand. Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling, it was found that conversations in the absence of mobile communication technologies were rated as significantly superior compared with those in the presence of a mobile device, above and beyond the effects of age, gender, ethnicity, and mood. People who had conversations in the absence of mobile devices reported higher levels of empathetic concern. Participants conversing in the presence of a mobile device who also had a close relationship with each other reported lower levels of empathy compared with dyads who
Nature and Cause of Yellow Film Occurring on Dairy Equipment

Abstract A yellow film of milkstone developed on a laboratory system that simulated unclean stainless steel surfaces. Cursory washing or presoiling with phospholipids and subsequent growth of Pseudomonas sp. in a milk film produced the yellow color in 1 to 2 days. Sequence of treatments, microenvironmental conditions, and microbial growth contributing to the formation of the yellow film were determined. Pseudomonas sp. was isolated from laboratory developed yellow films and from milk soil deposits on farm equipment. The overall requirements for the production of yellow films were: a) inadequate cleaning or a presoil of phospholipids, b) growth of Pseudomonas sp., c) high bacterial population, and d) available water.
Site and Mode of Action of Platonizers in Double Base Propellants

Certain metal organic salts (e.g., lead or copper salicylate) when used in double-base propellants induce desirable insensitivities of burning rate to pressure and initial temperature. To understand this, the combustion wave zones (luminous flame, dark, fizz, and surface reaction zones) were examined by means of photography and fine thermocouples (4fi bead). The metal salts significantly alter the surface and fizz zones. The surface zone accumulates carbonaceous material coincident with the appearance of an accelerated burning rate in the catalyzed case. No attendant change in surface heat release is detected. Coinciding with this carbonaceous layer occurrence are substantial (50-100%) increases in conductive feedback from the fizz zone. This latter effect is believed directly responsible for the altered burning behavior though its origin may lie in the altered surface chemistry.
Ultra-wideband silicon through-wafer transmission lines

Wideband vertical interconnects are needed for high density packaging of 3-dimensional designs in electronic and optoelectronic applications. A DC-50 GHz through-wafer transmission line based on a coplanar waveguide configuration is presented. Wideband operation is achieved by printing a CPW on the sidewall of a wet etched cavity. Simulated and measured results are given for several vertical interconnects. The best design exhibits a 0.1 dB loss per vertical interconnect at 40 GHz and a return loss greater than 19 dB from 0.45-50 GHz.