cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship of Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines With Health-Related Utility

Objective Health-related utility measures overall health status and quality of life and is commonly incorporated into cost-effectiveness analyses. This study investigates whether attainment of federal physical activity guidelines translates into better health-related utility in adults with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Cross-sectional data from 1,908 adults with or at risk for knee OA participating in the accelerometer ancillary study of the Osteoarthritis Initiative were assessed. Physical activity was measured using 7 days of accelerometer monitoring and was classified as 1) meeting guidelines (≥150 bouted moderate-to-vigorous [MV] minutes per week); 2) insufficiently active (≥1 MV bout[s] per week but below guidelines); or 3) inactive (zero MV bouts per week). A Short Form 6D health-related utility score was derived from patient-reported health status. Relationship of physical activity levels to median health-related utility adjusted for socioeconomic and health factors was tested using quantile regression. Results Only 13% of participants met physical activity guidelines, and 45% were inactive. Relative to the inactive group, median health-related utility scores were significantly greater for the meeting guidelines group (0.063; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.055, 0.071) and the insufficiently active group (0.059; 95% CI 0.054, 0.064). These differences showed a statistically significant linear trend and strong cross-sectional relationship with physical activity level even after adjusting for socioeconomic and health factors. Conclusion We found a significant positive relationship between physical activity level and health-related utility. Interventions that encourage adults, including persons with knee OA, to increase physical activity even if recommended levels are not attained may improve their quality of life.
Methyl Anthranilate, an Inhibitor for the Germination of Spores of Aerobic Bacilli

Methylanthranilate inhibited the germination of spores of aerobic bacilli without affecting growth and sporulation. The inhibition of germination could not be reversed by removal of methylanthranilate.
Innate Antifungal Immunity of Human Eosinophils Mediated by a β2 Integrin, CD11b

Eosinophils produce and release various proinflammatory mediators and also show immunomodulatory and tissue remodeling functions; thus, eosinophils may be involved in the pathophysiology of asthma and other eosinophilic disorders as well as host defense. Several major questions still remain. For example, how do human eosinophils become activated in diseased tissues or at the site of an immune response? What types of host immunity might potentially involve eosinophils? Herein, we found that human eosinophils react vigorously to a common environmental fungus, Alternaria alternata, which is implicated in the development and/or exacerbation of human asthma. Eosinophils release their cytotoxic granule proteins, such as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and major basic protein, into the extracellular milieu and onto the surface of fungal organisms and kill the fungus in a contact-dependent manner. Eosinophils use their versatile beta(2) integrin molecule, CD11b, to adhere to a major cell wall component, beta-glucan, but eosinophils do not express other common fungal receptors, such as dectin-1 and lactosylceramide. The I-domain of CD11b is distinctively involved in the eosinophils' interaction with beta-glucan. Eosinophils do not react with another fungal cell wall component, chitin. Because human eosinophils respond to and kill certain fungal organisms, our findings identify a previously unrecognized innate immune function for eosinophils. This immune response by eosinophils may benefit the host, but, in turn, it may also play a role in the development and/or exacerbation of eosinophil-related allergic human diseases, such as asthma.
Systematic Technology Transfer: A Case Study in Assistive Technology

This paper presents the methodology and findings of a study currently underway at the Rehabilita-tion Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T2 RERC). The program is federally funded to transfer needed technologies and products into the marketplace for persons with disabilities or Assistive Technology (A/T) marketplace. The study is a research effort to validate an innovative approach to technology transfer through its application to the field of A/T. It focuses on the feasibility, effectiveness and efficiency of the model processes as well as a description of how they work. Stakeholder involvement is fundamental to the model. The operating model is judged against the proposed model, rather than against an external model. Design validity is improved by providing a causal chain of Carriers that link intermediate outcomes to final outcome. Quantitative and qualitative data generate case studies that report on the validated model version. Findings include outcomes (transferred technologies and devices), their time to success/failure and effort expended in the transfer at the current stage of the program. We also include examples of the Carriers used, the Barriers encountered and the Best Practices established.
On Effective Procedures

Since the mid-twentieth century, the concept of the Turing machine has dominated thought about effective procedures. This paper presents an alternative to Turing's analysis; it unifies, refines, and extends my earlier work on this topic. I show that Turing machines cannot live up to their billing as paragons of effective procedure; at best, they may be said to provide us with mere procedure schemas. I argue that the concept of an effective procedure crucially depends upon distinguishing procedures as definite courses of action(- types) from the particular courses of action(-tokens) that actually instantiate them and the causal processes and/or interpretations that ultimately make them effective. On my analysis, effectiveness is not just a matter of logical form; `content' matters. The analysis I provide has the advantage of applying to ordinary, everyday procedures such as recipes and methods, as well as the more refined procedures of mathematics and computer science. It also has the virtue of making better sense of the physical possibilities for hypercomputation than the received view and its extensions, e.g. Turing's o-machines, accelerating machines.
Implicit-explicit schemes for nonlinear consolidation

Abstract A general analytical procedure capable of performing linear and nonlinear consolidation analysis of saturated porous media is proposed. A brief review of the coupled field equations is included and the constitutive assumptions are stated explicitly. Time integration of the resulting nonlinear semidiscrete finite element equations is performed by using an implicit/explicit predictor/multicorrector scheme developed by Hughes and co-workers. It is shown that the algorithm can be simply and concisely implemented. The technique allows for a convenient selection of implicit and explicit elements, and for a convenient implicit-explicit split of the various operators appearing in the equations. The procedure proves to be extremely effective in dealing with consolidation problems. Numerical results which demonstrate the versatility and accuracy of the proposed procedures are presented.
The association of nocturia with incident falls in an elderly community‐dwelling cohort

Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association of nocturia with incident falls in a population-based sample of community-dwelling elderly persons. Methods: The University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging is a prospective cohort study of 1000 community-dwelling older adults in the USA designed to examine factors associated with impaired mobility. Subjects were recruited from a stratified, random sample of Medicare beneficiaries to include equal numbers of black women, black men, white women and white men. Nocturia was assessed at baseline and falls were assessed at baseline and every 6 months for a total of 36 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 692 individuals (mean age 74.5 ± 6.2, 48% female, 52% black) did not fall in the 12 months prior to baseline. Of these 692, 214 (30.9%) reported falling at least once during the subsequent 3 years. In unadjusted analysis, three or more nightly episodes of nocturia were associated with an incident fall [RR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.01–1.60)]. After multivariable logistic regression, three or more episodes of nocturia were associated with an increased risk of falling [RR = 1.28, (1.02–1.59)]. Discussion: In a racially diverse, community-based sample of older men and women who had not fallen in the previous year, nocturia three or more times a night was associated in multivariable analysis with a 28% increased risk of an incident fall within 3 years. While this study has several advantages over previous reports (longitudinal follow-up, performance-based measures of function, population-based sampling), causality cannot be ascertained. Further research is needed to ascertain the impact of treatments to reduce nocturia as part of a multi-component programme to reduce fall risk.
Mismatch repair in human nuclear extracts. Time courses and ATP requirements for kinetically distinguishable steps leading to tightly controlled 5' to 3' and aphidicolin-sensitive 3' to 5' mispair-provoked excision.

Abstract Mismatch repair (MMR) systems enhance genomic stability by correcting DNA replication errors. The events in mammalian MMR pathways remain poorly understood. Using HeLa cell nuclear extracts, we analyzed correction of mispairs in circular DNA substrates with single defined nicks and measured excision in the absence of exogenous dNTPs by annealing specific oligonucleotide probes. In reactions initiated by concomitant temperature shift and addition of ATP or Mg2+ to otherwise complete mixtures on ice, ATP-initiated excision and final error correction lagged behind Mg2+-initiated reactions, suggesting a very early requirement for ATP but not its hydrolysis. Subsequent stable commitment (resistance to added excess competitor substrate) began within 30 s, required hydrolyzable ATP, and plateaued after 60–70 s. This may reflect formation of hydrolysis-dependent translocating and/or pre-excision complexes. Excision along shorter nick-mispair paths began 15 s later than commitment. Both 3′ to 5′ and 5′ to 3′ excision gaps appeared at rates of ∼0.0055 of final yields per second, respectively, 30 or 2.5 times the nonspecific excision rates. The lag between 3′ to 5′ excision gaps at two different positions yielded an excision progress rate of 5.2 nucleotides/s. In both substrates, corrected products appeared at fractional rates of 0.0027 of final yield per second. Aphidicolin, known to inhibit both the DNA synthesis and 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activities of polymerases δ and e, reduced appearance of 3′ to 5′ excision tracts roughly 4-fold at 90 μm but had no effect on 5′ to 3′ excision.
Dynamic information-theoretic measures for security informatics

Many important security informatics problems require consideration of dynamical phenomena for their solution; examples include predicting the behavior of individuals in social networks and distinguishing malicious and innocent computer network activities based on activity traces. While information theory offers powerful tools for analyzing dynamical processes, to date the application of information-theoretic methods in security domains has focused on static analyses (e.g., cryptography, natural language processing). This paper leverages information-theoretic concepts and measures to quantify the similarity of pairs of stochastic dynamical systems, and shows that this capability can be used to solve important problems which arise in security applications. We begin by presenting a concise review of the information theory required for our development, and then address two challenging tasks: 1.) characterizing the way influence propagates through social networks, and 2.) distinguishing malware from legitimate software based on the instruction sequences of the disassembled programs. In each application, case studies involving real-world datasets demonstrate that the proposed techniques outperform standard methods.
Remediation of a naming deficit following left temporal lobe epilepsy surgery.

Dysnomia is associated with temporal lobe epilepsy and may include a deficit in recalling the names of familiar people. The deficit can worsen following surgery to relieve refractory seizures. The following is a case report comparing implicit (errorless learning) and explicit (rote rehearsal) approaches to retraining face–name associations in a 52-year-old woman who was status post–amygdalo-hippocampectomy for refractory complex partial seizures. Although both approaches initially improved performance above baseline, only errorless learning resulted in stable gains during a 10-min delay and at 1-week follow-up. Initial improvements in naming with rote rehearsal were not maintained even during the 10-min delay. In patients with severe memory impairment and dysnomia, errorless learning may offer a viable rehabilitation strategy for improving naming performance.
A Simple Incomplete Extension of T which is the Union of Two Complete Modal Logics with f.m.p.

I present here a modal extension of T called KTLM which is, by several measures, the simplest modal extension of T yet presented. Its axiom uses only one sentence letter and has a modal depth of 2. Furthermore, KTLM can be realized as the logical union of two logics KM and KTL which each have the finite model property (f.m.p.), and so themselves are complete. Each of these two component logics has independent interest as well.
High-Power RF MEMS Switched Capacitors Using a Thick Metal Process

This paper presents the design and characterization of a high-power RF microelectromechanical systems switched capacitor. The switch is based on a 4-μm-thick metal plate and four symmetrical springs. The design has low sensitivity to residual stress and stress gradients. -parameter measurements result in Cu = 0.01 pF, Cd = 0.63 pF (Cr = 6.3), a power handling >;10 W using hot switching conditions, and a switching time of ~20 μs. The pull-down voltage ( -55 V) and release voltage (Vr = 25-30 V) are stable to +/-4 V over 25°C-125°C. The design can be arrayed for -bit switched-capacitor networks. Applications areas are in high-power phase shifters and tunable filters.
Distributed Link-State Measurement for Accurate QoS Routing

Quality-of-Service (QoS) routing has the objective to find end-to-end paths that satisfy the service requirements of QoS flows. Efficient QoS routing requires accurate information about the QoS state of each router or link in a complete path. However, most currently deployed networks do not use accurate state information, or else, networks perform limited link-state measurements. In this paper, we propose a general measurement system, executed by routers, to accurately measure local link states. We select some existing measurement tools, designed for end-hosts, as possible choices for the implementation of our measurement system, and compare them through experimental evaluations. Also, we study the scheduling of measuring processes to reduce contention for network resources that may arise during the measurement time.
An age-dependent epidemic model with application to measles

Abstract A combined epidemic-demographic model is developed which models the spread of an infectious disease throughout a population of constant size. The model allows for births, deaths, temporary or permanent immunity, and immunization. The relationship of this model to previously studied epidemic and demographic models is illustrated. An advantage of this model is that all epidemic and demographic parameters may be estimated. The stability of the equilibrium point corresponding to the elimination of the disease is studied and a threshold value is found which indicates whether the disease will die out or remain endemic in the population. The application of the model to measles indicates that immunization levels needed to reduce the incidence to near zero may not be as high as previously predicted.
Risk of spinal cord ischemia after endograft repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms

Abstract Background: Surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms may be associated with a significant risk of perioperative morbidity including spinal cord ischemia, which occurs at a rate of between 5% and 21%. Spinal cord ischemia after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) has also been reported. This investigation reviews the occurrence of spinal cord ischemia after endovascular repair of descending TAAs at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Patients and Methods: Between May 1997 and April 2001, 53 patients underwent endovascular exclusion of their TAA. Preprocedure computed tomography scanning and angiography were performed on all patients. All were performed in the operating room using C-arm fluoroscopy. Physical examinations and computed tomography scans were performed at discharge and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and then annually thereafter. Spinal cord ischemia developed in three of the 53 patients (5.7%) postoperatively. In one patient, cord ischemia developed that manifested as early postoperative left leg weakness occurring after concomitant open infrarenal abdominal and endovascular TAA repair. The neurologic deficit resolved 12 hours after spinal drainage, steroid bolus, and the maintenance of hemodynamic stability. The remaining two patients developed delayed onset paralysis, one patient on the second postoperative day and the other patient 1 month postrepair. Both of these patients had previous abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and both required long grafts to exclude an extensive area of their thoracic aortas. Irreversible cord ischemia and paralysis occurred in both of these patients. Conclusions: Endovascular repair of TAA has shown a promising reduction in operative morbidity; however, the risk of spinal cord ischemia remains. Concomitant or previous abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and long segment thoracic aortic exclusion appear to be important risk factors. Spinal cord protective measures (ie, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, steroids, prevention of hypotension) should be used for patients with the aforementioned risk factors undergoing endovascular TAA repair. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:997-1003.)
Determination of particle sedimentation rate by ultrasonic interferometry: role of particle size, density and volume fraction.

Abstract The sedimentation rate (SR) of non-aggregated spherical particles in suspension was determined using an ultrasonic interferometry technique (Echo-Cell); this method is based on A-mode echography and measures the rate of formation of a sediment on a solid plate during settling. The particle accumulation rate, which is related to SR, is obtained from the interference of two waves reflected by two interfaces: one between the plate and the sediment and the other between the sediment and the suspension. Studies were carried out at 25°C using latex spheres of different diameters (7 to 20 μm) and densities (1.062 to 1.190 g/cm 3 ) suspended in distilled water at various volume fractions (1% to 5%). As anticipated by the Stokes model, linear relations were found between SR and both particle density and the square of particle radius. Experimental SR values decreased with increasing suspension particle concentration; these concentration effects were in good agreement with those predicted by the Steinour model. Our results thus serve to validate the theoretical aspects of the Echo-Cell method and suggest its usefulness as a tool for studies of RBC interaction and RBC aggregation.
Natural killer cell function in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is currently defined by clinical signs and symptoms including debilitating fatigue that is not attributable to other known clinical conditions, by flu-like symptoms (e.g., pharyngitis, adenopathy, low-grade fever, myalgia, arthralgia, headache) and by neuropsychological manifestations (e.g., difficulty concentrating, exercise intolerance, and sleep disturbances). CFS is frequently of sudden onset. Its etiology is unknown. Although immunologic abnormalities are frequently described in the literature of CFS, there is a lack of consensus, and, as of yet, no immunological dysfunctions are part of the existing case definition. This review examines one aspect of the literature, that dealing with natural killer (NK) cell function. A surprising amount of concurrence is found supporting the view that NK cell activity is depressed in CFS patients. Data are presented that suggest a methodology consisting of a whole blood cytotoxicity assay, combined with flow cytometric enumeration of NK cell numbers, would allow interlaboratory comparisons to be made and would be useful in research studies on this perplexing syndrome.
Electron Correlation and Kellman-Herrick Quantization in Doubly Excited Helium

Conditional probability distributions based on accurate wave functions for ${\mathrm{He}}^{**}$ confirm the proposal that electron correlation in doubly excited atoms leads to quantization like that of a linear triatomic molecule.
Histopathology of repeated, intermittent exposure of chloramine-T to walleye (Sander vitreum) and (Ictalurus punctalus) channel catfish

Abstract Chloramine-T (Cl-T) has been used safely and effectively to control bacterial gill disease in salmonids at a maximum exposure regimen of up to four consecutive, once-daily exposures administered for 60 min at 20 mg/L. However, data to document safe treatment concentrations of Cl-T are lacking for freshwater-reared fish other than salmonids. We report the histopathology resultant from the administration of 12 consecutive, once-daily, 180-min static immersion baths of 0, 20, 50, or 80 mg Cl-T/L to walleye (20 °C) and channel catfish (27 °C). Twelve fish of each species were euthanized immediately before the first exposure (initial controls) and then after the twelfth exposure and 7 and 14 days after the twelfth exposure. Only initial controls and fish euthanized immediately after the twelfth exposure were processed for histological review because of the general lack of exposure-related lesions in exposed fish. The only exposure-related histological changes were in the spleen where significantly greater erythrocyte swelling and necrosis was observed in channel catfish exposed at 80 mg/L relative to exposure at 0 mg/L; similar histological changes were insignificant for walleye, though there appeared to be a shift in the general category of histological change with degenerative changes (necrosis, etc.) observed following exposure at 50 or 80 mg/L compared to the inflammatory and hemodynamic changes (congestion, leukocyte infiltrate, etc.) observed in walleye exposed at 0 or 20 mg/L. The only significant change in peripheral blood cytology was that walleye fingerlings exposed at 80 mg/L had significantly fewer mature red blood cells and significantly more immature red blood cells per oil-immersion field than controls. The histopathological changes observed following exposure to Cl-T under an exaggerated exposure regimen suggest that walleye or channel catfish therapeutically exposed to Cl-T will not have treatment-related histological changes.
Exergy-Based Optimization of Sub- and Supercritical Thermal Energy Storage Systems

In this work, energy and exergy analyses are applied to a thermal energy storage system employing a storage medium in the two-phase or supercritical regime. First, a numerical model is developed to investigate the transient thermodynamic and heat transfer characteristics of the storage system by coupling conservation of energy with an equation of state to model the spatial and temporal variations in fluid properties during the entire working cycle of the TES tank. Second, parametric studies are conducted to determine the impact of key variables (such as heat transfer fluid mass flow rate and maximum storage temperature) on both energy and exergy efficiencies. The optimum heat transfer fluid mass flow rate during charging must balance exergy destroyed due to heat transfer and exergy destroyed due to pressure losses, which have competing effects. Similarly, the optimum maximum storage fluid temperature is evaluated to optimize exergetic efficiency. By incorporating exergy-based optimization alongside traditional energy analyses, the results of this study evaluate the optimal values for key parameters in the design and operation of TES systems, as well as highlight opportunities to minimize thermodynamic losses.© 2014 ASME
Prospects for Silicon Mid-IR Raman Lasers

This paper presents the case for the silicon Raman laser as a potential source for the technologically important midwave infrared (MWIR) region of the optical spectrum. The mid-IR application space is summarized, and the current practice based on the optical parametric oscillators and solid state Raman lasers is discussed. Relevant properties of silicon are compared with popular Raman crystals, and linear and nonlinear transmission measurements of silicon in the mid-IR are presented. It is shown that the absence of the nonlinear losses, which severely limit the performance of the recently demonstrated silicon lasers in the near IR, combined with unsurpassed crystal quality, high thermal conductivity and excellent optical damage threshold render silicon a very attractive Raman medium, even when compared to the very best Raman crystals. In addition, silicon photonic technology, offering integrated low-loss waveguides and microcavities, offers additional advantages over today's bulk crystal Raman laser technology. Using photonic crystal structures or microring resonators, the integrated cascaded microcavities can be employed to realize higher order Stokes emission, and hence to extend the wavelength coverage of the existing pump lasers. Exploiting these facts, the proposed technology can extend the utility of silicon photonics beyond data communication and into equally important applications in biochemical sensing and laser medicine
Documented homicides and excess deaths: new insights into the scale of killing in the USSR during the 1930s.

Abstract Getty, Rittersporn and Zemskov recently claimed that no more than 2 million people could have perished from collectivization, famine, execution, terror, and forced labor in the USSR during the 1930s. Prior demographic confirmation of this estimate was provided by Anderson and Silver who contended that killings were unlikely to exceed a few million and could not be more than 4.8 million victims. This essay disproves both these contentions by introducing new demographic evidence proving that Stalin killed at least 5.2 million Soviet citizens 1927–1938, with a best estimate in the vicinity of 10 million.
Adoption analysis: an additional tool for instructional developers

Summary Instructional developers employing a systematic approach typically use various types of analysis tools such as a needs analysis or a task analysis. While instructional developers have shown that the careful application of analysis tools can result in effective instruction, they often fail to examine additional key factors which affect the eventual implementation of the instructional product. An analysis of the major factors with the potential to inhibit the adoption of an innovation can lead to the development of instructional products that are both effective and desirable to potential adopters. This paper considers the importance of an adoption analysis in the development of instruction, and outlines its systematic application. The intent is to provide designers with an additional tool for the development of successful instructional products.
Short-term Exercise Training Enhances Reflex Cholinergic Nitric Oxide–Dependent Coronary Vasodilation in Conscious Dogs

Abstract The effects of exercise training on the coronary vasodilation following activation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex were examined in conscious dogs. Mongrel dogs were chronically instrumented using sterile techniques for measurements of systemic hemodynamics and left circumflex coronary blood flow (CBF). With the heart rate controlled (150 bpm), veratrine (0.5 to 20 μg/kg) caused dose-dependent increases in CBF; eg, 5 μg/kg of veratrine increased CBF by 61±6% from 31±1.3 mL/min ( P <.05). After exercise training, the dose-response curve of CBF in response to veratrine was shifted to the left; eg, 5 μg/kg of veratrine increased CBF by 101±12% ( P <.05 compared with control) from 34±2.3 mL/min. The enhanced coronary vasodilation was blunted by nitro-l-arginine (NLA, 35 mg/kg). In anesthetized dogs after exercise training, electrical stimulation of the left vagus nerve caused greater increases in CBF, and NLA inhibited increases in CBF. Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, angiotensin II, and bradykinin caused greater increases in NO2− production in coronary microvessels from exercise-trained dogs compared with those from normal dogs. Our results indicate that the coronary vasodilation following activation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex is enhanced in conscious dogs after exercise training. Since electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve caused greater coronary vasodilation and since the agonists resulted in greater increases in NO production in coronary microvessels from exercise-trained dogs, the mechanism responsible for the enhanced coronary vasodilation following activation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex is most likely due to the increased release of NO from the endothelial cells.
Pharmacological characterization of AM1710, a putative cannabinoid CB2 agonist from the cannabilactone class: antinociception without central nervous system side-effects.

Cannabinoid CB2 agonists produce antinociception without central nervous system (CNS) side-effects. This study was designed to characterize the pharmacological and antinociceptive profile of AM1710, a CB2 agonist from the cannabilactone class of cannabinoids. AM1710 did not exhibit off-target activity at 63 sites evaluated. AM1710 also exhibited limited blood brain barrier penetration. AM1710 was evaluated in tests of antinociception and CNS activity. CNS side-effects were evaluated in a modified tetrad (tail flick, rectal temperature, locomotor activity and rota-rod). Pharmacological specificity was established using CB1 (SR141716) and CB2 (SR144528) antagonists. AM1710 (0.1–10 mg/kg i.p.) produced antinociception to thermal but not mechanical stimulation of the hindpaw. AM1710 (5 mg/kg i.p.) produced a longer duration of antinociceptive action than the aminoalkylindole CB2 agonist (R,S)-AM1241 (1 mg/kg i.p.) at maximally antinociceptive doses. Antinociception produced by the low (0.1 mg/kg i.p.) dose of AM1710 was blocked selectively by the CB2 antagonist SR144528 (6 mg/kg i.p.), whereas antinociception produced by the high dose of AM1710 (5 mg/kg i.p.) was blocked by either SR144528 (6 mg/kg i.p.) or SR141716 (6 mg/kg i.p.). AM1710 did not produce hypoactivity, hypothermia, tail flick antinociception, or motor ataxia when evaluated in the tetrad at any dose. In conclusion, AM1710, a CB2-preferring cannabilactone, produced antinociception in the absence of CNS side-effects. Thus, any CB1-mediated antinociceptive effects of this compound may be attributable to peripheral CB1 activity. The observed pattern of pharmacological specificity produced by AM1710 is consistent with limited blood brain barrier penetration of this compound and absence of CNS side-effects.
Isoscalar compression modes within fluid dynamic approach

We study the nuclear isoscalar monopole and dipole compression modes in nuclei within the fluid dynamic approach (FDA) with and without the effect of relaxation. For a wide region of the medium and heavy nuclei, the FDA predicts that the isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR) and the isoscalar giant dipole resonance (ISGDR) exhaust about 90% of the corresponding model-independent sum rules. In the case of neglecting the effect of relaxation, the FDA, when adjusted to reproduce the centroid energy $E0$ of the ISGMR, results with centroid energy $E1$ of the ISGDR which is in agreement with the predictions of the self-consistent Hartree-Fock random-phase approximation calculations and the scaling model but significantly larger than the experimental value. We also show that the FDA leads to the correct hydrodynamic limit for the ratio ${(E1/E0)}_{\mathrm{FDA}}.$ We find that the ratio ${(E1/E0)}_{\mathrm{FDA}}$ depends on the relaxation time and approaches the preliminary experimental value ${(E1/E0)}_{\mathrm{exp}}=1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ in a short relaxation time limit.
A Bartlett-type correction for the subject-years method in comparing survival data to a standard population

Abstract A Bartlett correction is derived to improve the accuracy of the subject years method, which is used to compare the mortality experience of the population being studied to that of a known population in medical follow up studies. The actual type 1 errors and powers of the Bartlett corrected test are compared with that of the original test by Monte-Carlo simulations.
Nature of the pseudogap in the optical conductivity of oxygen-deficient YBa2Cu3Ox.

The pseudogap in the {ital c}-axis optical conductivity of oxygen-deficient YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub {ital x}} is explained on the basis of the resonant tunneling through the barrier between the CuO{sub 2} planes with the use of localized centers formed on place of the CuO chains. The conductivity as a function of frequency has a maximum, and its location and magnitude depend only on the spectrum of resonant levels, and hence do not depend on temperature. In the case of a fully oxygenated substance the chains are complete, and no resonance centers are formed. These features were observed in experiment. Comparison is done with existing data. Other possible mechanisms of the pseudogap formation are briefly discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Binary-induced gravitational collapse: A trivial example

We present a simple model illustrating how a highly relativistic, compact object which is stable in isolation can be driven dynamically unstable by the tidal field of a binary companion. Our compact object consists of a test-particle in a relativistic orbit about a black hole; the binary companion is a distant point mass. Our example is presented in light of mounting theoretical opposition to the possibility that sufficiently massive, binary neutron stars inspiraling from large distance can collapse to form black holes prior to merger. Our strong-field model suggests that first order post-Newtonian treatments of binaries, and stability analyses of binary equilibria based on orbit-averaged, mean gravitational fields, may not be adequate to rule out this possibility.
Electrically stable nanocomposite thin films formed by oxidation of Pt-ZrB2 nanolaminate templates

Platinum films of thickness <100 nm undergo agglomeration at temperatures exceeding 700 °C and lose electrically conductive pathways, making them unsuitable as stable films in high temperature electronic devices. To prevent agglomeration and create films that remain conductive above 1000 °C, a series of nanolaminate Pt-ZrB2 films comprised of Pt and ZrB2 were deposited to a total thickness of 200 nm at ambient temperature onto sapphire substrates using e-beam coevaporation. Annealing the nanolaminate films above 700 °C in air causes the ZrB2 and Pt layers to intermix, resulting in a nanocomposite Pt-ZrB2 film architecture. At temperatures between 1000 and 1300 °C in air, both monoclinic and tetragonal ZrO2 nanocrystallites are formed as indicated by x-ray diffraction, and they serve to hinder agglomeration of the Pt phase and allow for a stable network of conductive Pt-rich grains. Film electrical conductivity measurements acquired with a four-point probe indicate that the Pt-ZrB2 nanocomposite films reta...
Crows and pigeons differ under autoshaping

Common crows and pigeons were studied under a conventional autoshaping procedure. In addition to measures of keypecking behavior, each subject was directly observed during the experimental sessions. The pigeons showed somewhat greater keypecking than crows did, but only one bird developed consistent responding. All of the pigeons oriented toward the response key when it was illuminated, and they all made pecking motions toward the illuminated key. None of the crows oriented toward the response key, but instead generally oriented toward the food hopper. The crows displayed little pecking behavior. The behavioral differences between species observed here seem to derive from the very substantial ecological differences between crows and pigeons.
Vector Transmission Efficiency of Liberibacter by Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in Zebra Chip Potato Disease: Effects of Psyllid Life Stage and Inoculation Access Period

ABSTRACT Successful transmission of plant pathogens by insects depends on the vector inoculation efficiency and how rapidly the insect can effectively transmit the pathogen to the host plant. The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc), has recently been found to transmit “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum,” a bacterium associated with zebra chip (ZC), an emerging and economically important disease of potato in several parts of the world. Currently, little is known about the epidemiology of ZC and its vector's inoculation capabilities. Studies were conducted in the field and laboratory to 1) assess transmission efficiency of potato psyllid nymphs and adults; 2) determine whether psyllid inoculation access period affects ZC incidence, severity, and potato yield; and 3) determine how fast the psyllid can transmit liberibacter to potato, leading to ZC development. Results showed that adult potato psyllids were highly efficient vectors of liberibacter that causes ZC and that nymphs were less efficien...
Tuning Schottky diodes at the many-layer-graphene/ semiconductor interface by doping

We report on the use of bromine intercalation of graphite to perform in situ tuning of the Schottky barrier height (SBH) formed at many-layer-graphene (MLG) semiconductor interfaces. The intercalation of Br into MLG simultaneously increases interlayer separation between the graphene planes, while at the same time giving rise to an increase (decrease) in the free hole carrier density (Fermi energy) because of the transfer of electrons from carbon to bromine. The associated increase in the graphite work function results in an increase of the SBH, as manifested by lower forward/reverse current densities and higher depletion capacitances. These results are quantitatively understood within the context of the Schottky–Mott model and thermionic emission theory. The presented results have important implications for sensing and high power applications as well as the integration of carbon into semiconductors and carbon/graphene electronics.
Connecting Neuroscience, Cognitive, and Educational Theories and Research to Practice: A Review of Mathematics Intervention Programs

Research Findings: This article describes major theories and research on math cognition across the fields of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and education and connects these literatures to intervention practices. Commercially available math intervention programs were identified and evaluated using the following questions: (a) Did neuroscience research inform the development of the program? or Is the program consistent with neuroscience theory and research? (b) Which cognitive processes are targeted by the program? and (c) What kinds of research support the program? A detailed review is provided for each program supported by empirical, peer-reviewed research. Practice or Policy: Twenty commercially available math intervention programs designed for pre-kindergarten through 3rd-grade students were identified. Three programs had publisher-reported use of neuroscience research in their development: Fluency and Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with Technology (FASTT Math), Number Worlds, and The Num...
The theory of algebraic numbers

The MAA is pleased to re-issue the early Carus Mathematical Monographs in ebook and print-on-demand formats. Readers with an interest in the history of the undergraduate curriculum or the history of a particular field will be rewarded by study of these very clear and approachable little volumes. This monograph makes available in English the elementary parts of classical algebraic number theory. This second edition follows closely the plan and style of the first edition. The principal changes are the correction of misprints, the expansion or simplification of some arguments, and the omission of the final chapter on units in order to make way for the introduction of some two hundred problems.
Ab initio study of the structural properties of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Geometries of the neutral and ionic tautomeric species of ascorbic acid were optimized at the density functional theory (DFT) level using the B3LYP functional. The radical species were evaluated using the unrestricted B3LYP method. Single-point energy calculations were also performed using the Moller–Plesset (MP2) and unrestricted MP2 (UMP2) methods for the closed-shell and open-shell systems, respectively. The effects of aqueous solution were evaluated using the conducting polarized continuum model (CPCM) and polarized continuum model (PCM). The geometries of most stable radicals in the respective groups were also optimized in the water solution using the CPCM model at the UB3LYP level. All calculation were performed using the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The nature of stationary points on the gas phase potential energy surfaces (PESs) was evaluated using vibrational frequency calculations; all geometries characterize local minima. The species obtained by the deprotonation of the O3 site is the most stable monoanion of ascorbic acid. For the radical species, the structure obtained by the dehydrogenation of the O3 site is the most stable monoradical. Among the radical anions, the species obtained by the deprotonation of the O3 site and subsequent dehydrogenation of the O2 site is the most stable in the gas phase and in an aqueous medium. The computed isotropic hyperfine coupling constants of this species were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. Our investigation also supports the earlier findings that the oxidized species of ascorbic acid in water solution by the OH• radical is radical anion of the AAOO form. The spin densities and molecular electrostatic potentials are also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Studies of selective modulation in atomic absorption

Abstract The selective modulation technique was used on 29 common standard hollow cathode lamps. The results found using standard hollow cathode lamps are compared to the results found using separate ring modulators in the same or in a separate envelope. The advantage of gating the signal twice each cycle compared to single gating is shown experimentally and theoretically. The length of the gating time depends mainly upon an “after glow” effect. Some of the resulting calibration curves were linear within a dynamic range of 500–1000 when a monochromator was used, and some curves were somewhat non-linear when the 1P28A photo-multiplier with broadband filters (Δλ = 2000 A) or a solar blind photomultiplier (R166) were used.
"Explícame tu Respuesta": Supporting the Development of Mathematical Discourse in Emergent Bilingual Kindergarten Students

This study investigated Spanish-speaking kindergarten students' participation in mathematical discourse as they solved and discussed a range of word problems. Specifically, we draw upon sociocultural perspectives on mathematics learning to frame mathematical discourse and to examine specific teacher and student actions that seemed to support the development of mathematical discourse over the course of the kindergarten year. Data sources included pre- and post-task-based clinical interview assessments and weekly (videotaped) observations of problem-solving lessons. Findings demonstrated ways that teachers supported and students appropriated discursive habits such as using more precise mathematical language, explaining solutions in ways that referenced actions on quantities in the problem, and using multiple visual representations to mediate communication. In addition, the findings point to the critical role the teacher plays in supporting the development of students' mathematical discourse.
Modeling and Analyzing Multiport Isolation Transformer Capacitive Components for Onboard Vehicular Power Conditioners

Modern electric-powered vehicles include several sources and loads. This paper extends the idea of introducing multiple sources and loads into an onboard vehicular integrated power system. The proposed power conditioning system is formed around a multiwinding integrated transformer. Both inductive and capacitive elements of this magnetic component affect the power conditioning stages of the system. This paper proposes an experimental transformer modeling procedure that includes the inductive and capacitive parameters. A mathematical procedure is developed, simplifying this more detailed experimental model of the multiwinding transformer into a $\Pi\ RLC$ circuit that can be utilized in the system transient analysis. The modeling method is applied to a three-winding transformer and is verified through simulations and experiments.
Sexual Coloration, Plasma Concentrations of Sex Steroid Hormones, and Responses to Courtship in the Female Keeled Earless Lizard (Holbrookia propinqua)

The reproductive condition, steroid hormone concentrations in the plasma, and behavior of bright and plain female Holbrookia propinqua were examined. Bright females performed significantly more aggressive rejection of courtship than plain females. Bright females were significantly more likely than plain females to have follicles larger than 5.0 mm or oviductal eggs; females with large follicles or oviductal eggs had significantly higher concentrations of progesterone and androgen than those with small follicles and lacking oviductal eggs. Plasma progesterone, androgen, and estradiol levels in the females studied behaviorally were significantly higher for the bright females than for the plain ones. Females undergoing rapid brightening were significantly more likely to be sexually receptive and copulate than were either plain or fully brightened females. The role of sex steroid hormones in coloration and behavior and the adaptive value of chromatic signalling by females are discussed.