cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The interleukin-13 receptor α2 chain: an essential component for binding and internalization but not for interleukin-13–induced signal transduction through the STAT6 pathway

The interleukin-13 receptor (IL-13R) complex is composed of 2 different chains, IL-13Ralpha1 (also known as IL-13Ralpha') and IL-13Ralpha2 (also known as IL-13Ralpha). For a functional IL-13 receptor, the IL-13Ralpha1 chain forms a productive complex with the primary IL-4 binding protein (IL-4Ralpha also known as IL-4Rbeta). However, the function of the IL-13Ralpha2 chain is not clear even though this chain binds IL-13 with high affinity. This study demonstrates that IL-13Ralpha2 can undergo internalization after binding to ligand without causing activation of its signaling pathways. These conclusions were drawn on the basis of (1) internalization of (125)I-IL-13 in Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO-K1) and T98G glioblastoma cells transiently transfected with the IL-13Ralpha2 chain; (2) a recombinant chimeric fusion protein comprising IL-13 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin (termed IL13-PE38QQR or IL-13 toxin) is specifically cytotoxic to IL-13Ralpha2-transfected CHO-K1 cells in a gene dose-dependent manner, whereas cells transfected with vector alone were not sensitive; and (3) IL-13 did not cause activation of signal transduction and activation of transcription 6 (STAT6) in IL-13Ralpha2-transfected cells. IL-13 efficiently caused activation of STAT6 protein in cells transfected with the IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-4Ralpha chains, and IL-13Ralpha2 inhibited this activation. Taken together, these observations indicate that internalization of IL-13Ralpha2 is signal independent and that this property of IL-13Ralpha2 can be exploited for receptor-directed cancer therapy.
Rethinking Responsible Literature Searching Using LibGuides

Drawing from the Responsible Literature Searching project developed by the Health Sciences Library System-University of Pittsburgh, the Mayo Clinic Libraries utilized Springshare's LibGuides software to create an Effective Database Searching Guide for its diverse set of users. Library databases are organized under broad subject categories with overview information, links to help materials, and news on system updates. Additionally, the guide features a visual site map, searching best practices, a database comparison chart, responsible literature searching guidelines, classic evidence-based practice articles, and recommendations on when to contact a librarian for assistance. The self-guided tool is both easy to use and maintain.
More on mutants with altered DNA's

Abstract A “DNA-base composition mutant” (No. 170) of Bacterium paracoli 5099 is identified as a member of the genes Bacillus. This suggests that the “mutant” is in reality a contaminant.
Multiple excitation and the shell model description of the 90Zr (p, p′) reaction

It is shown that multiple excitation effects are small for the inelastic scattering of 10 to 20 MeV protons from 90Zr when a microscopic description of the reaction with shell model wavefunctions is used.
Us Advanced Manufacturing Skills Gap: Innovative Education Solutions

Abstract US Manufacturing's future lies in educating new generations for skill-intensive manufacturing jobs involving STEM and computing. The paper covers manufacturing from workforce perspectives; educational and other causes for decline, and two educational innovations, chosen for their potential to facilitate US Manufacturing's growth, and with it the US economy: Massive Open Online Courses (“MOOCs”) and Stackable Credentials/Credits. Separately and together each could hold a key to lifelong employability at acceptable wage levels for professionals who fill the US manufacturing workforce gap, revealing the gap, at its heart, to be one in education, which the innovations discussed here, could help alleviate.
TH‐C‐110‐04: Dual Energy CT Imaging for Density Measurements

Purpose: Diagnostic CT scanners use polychromatic x‐ray beams, which introduces errors from beam hardening. If the object is composed of a single material corrections for beam hardening can be exact but if the object is heterogenous some errors would remain. Dual energy CT can avoid these errors and can also provide atomic number information. Methods: If transmission measurements at two or more energies are obtained, even with polychromatic beams, more specific information about the object can be obtained. In the diagnostic energy range and if there are no materials with k‐edges in the spectrum, the x‐ray attenuation can be described by a linear combination of two processes (photoelectric absorption and Compton scattering) or, equivalently, two basis materials. The process of calculating the amount of the two basis functions implicitly corrects for beam hardening and therefore can lead to improvements in quantitative accuracy. Implementations of dual energy include dual‐source, rapidly switching kVp sources, dual layer detectors and energy discriminating detectors. Results: Dual energy CT can correct for beam hardening. It can quantify effective atomic number and electron density in each voxel. It can also quantify the amounts of specific materials even in heterogenous voxels. The precision of the dual energy information is limited by statistics and the accuracy can be compromised by scatter. Conclusion: Dual energy CT can provide additional information for quantitative measurements with CT but its limitations need to be appreciated as well. Research sponsored by GE Healthcare. The learning objectives are to familiarize the audience with 1. basic principles of dual energy CT 2. implementations of dual energy CT 3. basis material decomposition 4. dual energy CT can characterize materials and correct for nonlinearity (e.g., beam hardening) 5. limitations of dual energy CT
Effect of gamma irradiation and irradiation temperature on hydrolytic degradation of synthetic absorbable sutures

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of γ irradiation and the relative magnitude of Tirr to Tg on the physical, mechanical, thermal, morphological, and hydrolytic properties of two types of synthetic absorbable polymers. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) and glycolide-trimethylene carbonate block copolymer fibers in the form of 2/0 size Dexon and Maxon sutures from Davis/Geck were used in this study. In addition, injection-molded PGA disks were also used for determining how different polymer morphology affected the outcomes of γ irradiation and irradiation temperature. These two types of biomaterials were 60Co γ irradiated at two irradiation temperatures (55 and −78°C in dry ice). Both γ-irradiated and control speciments were immersed in a phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.44 at 37°C for various durations of hydrolysis. After each predetermined duration, the specimens were removed for subsequent testing which included determinations of tensile strength, weight loss, level of crystallinity, melting temperature, intrinsic viscosity, surface morphology, and infrared spectroscopic characteristics. γ irradiation at both irradiation temperature resulted in a faster hydrolytic degradation of these two biodegradable polymers. There was no apparent irradiation temperature effect in terms of mass loss, intrinsic viscosity, level of crystallinity, and melting temperature. However, irradiation temperature effect was evident in those properties that depended on the tie-chain segments located in the noncrystalline domains, such as tensile strength. The observed seffect of irradiation temperature was attributed to chain mobility which could facilitate cage recombination of macromolecular radical pairs at the irradiation temperature lower than the glass transition temperature of the irradiated polymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Metal Complexes of a Salen Ligand Containing a Quinoline Base

Metal salen complexes containing intramolecular bases have been designed for use as bifunctional catalysts. A ligand containing a quinoline base and the salen core has been synthesized for this purpose. Ruthenium, chromium, titanium, and zinc complexes of the salen have been formed and characterized. A crystal structure of a μ-oxo−titanium dimer incorporating the bifunctional ligand shows a typical salen coordination pattern and illustrates that the nitrogens of the quinoline groups participate in neither intra- nor intermolecular coordination. In addition, the quinoline groups orient in an appropriate manner to act as bases toward substrates coordinated at the apical positions of these complexes. As an indication that the quinoline bases can alter the activity of salen metal complexes, the addition of dialkylzincs to aldehydes was shown to be accelerated by the quinoline salen ligand relative to a salen lacking the quinoline groups.
Reactive polymer processing

This paper addresses some of the general engineering problems in reactive polymer processing: thermal effects on reactor stability and polymer properties due to rapid exothermic polymerization, the formulation of reaction viscosity relationships required in simulations, and the generation of flow and mixing via technology available from both ends of the viscosity spectrum, which is spanned in its entirety when going from monomer to molded polymer. Methods of analysis are discussed and general design concepts are suggested, which can be applied to the construction of innovative future processing equipment.
Effects of dopamine on left ventricular afterload and contractile state in heart failure: relation to the activation of beta1-adrenoceptors and dopamine receptors

Although long-term therapy with oral beta-adrenoceptor agonists in patients with heart failure is generally associated with the development of diminished pharmacologic efficacy, the ingestion of levodopa, which is decarboxylated endogenously to dopamine, is associated with a sustained improvement in cardiac function. The beneficial hemodynamic actions of dopamine in patients with heart failure have been attributed to a positive inotropic effect that is mediated through activation of beta 1-adrenoceptors. However, a reduction in left ventricular afterload resulting from the activation of dopamine receptors may also lead to an improvement in the performance of the failing heart. To ascertain the relative importance of the positive inotropic and afterload-reducing effects of dopamine in patients with heart failure, dopamine (2, 4, 6 micrograms/kg per min), dobutamine (2, 6, 10 micrograms/kg per min) and nitroprusside (0.125 to 2.0 micrograms/kg per min) were administered to 13 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy while monitoring left ventricular wall thickness and dimensions by echocardiography and left ventricular and aortic pressures with a micromanometer-tipped catheter. Altering left ventricular afterload, quantified as end-systolic circumferential wall stress, with nitroprusside allowed generation of the left ventricular end-systolic circumferential wall stress-velocity of fiber shortening relation that represented the baseline contractile state of the myocardium. Left ventricular velocity of fiber shortening was elevated during the administration of dobutamine and dopamine when compared with measurements obtained with nitroprusside at the same left ventricular end-systolic circumferential wall stress. Furthermore, left ventricular end-systolic wall stress decreased with dopamine but not with dobutamine. Thus, the beta 1-adrenoceptor activity of dopamine and dobutamine augmented the contractile state of the myocardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of adrenaline on the response of erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in rabbits in vivo☆

1. 1. A 6 hr time-course response of erythrocyte 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate was studied in rabbits following adrenaline administration. 2. 2. Eight female New Zealand white rabbits weighing about 3.6 Kg each were injected intra-peritoneally with a total of 0.97 mg/kg of adrenaline (0.56 mg/kg at time 0 min and 0.41 mg/kg at time 0.5 hr), and the venous level of red blood cell (RBC) 2,3-DPG was monitored at 0 hr, 1 hr, 3 hr, and 6 hr, respectively. As controls, the level of 2,3-DPG was also monitored in these rabbits weeks prior to the experiment. 3. 3. A significant (p<0.05) rise in the mean level of 2.3-DPG (μmol-ml−1 RBC) was reached 3 hr after the initial injection of adrenaline, and the level returned to the preexposure level by the end of 6 hr. 4. 4. It is speculated that adrenaline may be one of the contributors that increases the level of 2,3-DPG during the resting period following exhaustive exercise because this catecholamine has been reported to increase following this type of hypoxia.
Nonlinear fluorescence spectra unmixing

We have developed a nonlinear spectral unmixing algorithm that separates fluorescence excitation-emission matrix of multiple fluorophores affected by the inner filter effect. We evaluate this technique on simulated data and demonstrate its superior performance experimentally.
The Dance of Molecules: New Dynamical Perspectives on Highly Excited Molecular Vibrations

At low energies, molecular vibrational motion is described by the normal modes model. This model breaks down at higher energy, with strong coupling between normal modes and onset of chaotic dynamics. New anharmonic modes are born in bifurcations, or branchings of the normal modes. Knowledge of these new modes is obtained through the window of frequency-domain spectroscopy, using techniques of nonlinear classical dynamics. It may soon be possible to "watch" molecular rearrangement reactions spectroscopically. Connections are being made with reaction rate theories, condensed phase systems, and motions of electrons in quantum dots.
Abstract 2154: Notoginseng suppresses azoxymethane/dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers and a leading cause of cancer related death in the US. Many currently used chemotherapeutic agents are derived from botanicals. Identifying the herbal sources, including those from ginseng family, to develop better preventive or therapeutic agents remains an essential step in advancing the management of the cancer. Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease are at a high risk of developing colorectal cancer. To evaluate the anti-cancer potential of botanicals, we evaluated the effects of notoginseng on azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. One week after A/J mice received AOM, the animals received DSS for 8 days, or were supplemented with notoginseng extract, at 30 or 90 mg/kg. DSS-induced colitis was scored with the disease activity index (DAI). The severity of the inflammatory lesions was evaluated by a colon tissue histological assessment. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were also investigated. We observed that the effects of notoginseng on the reduction of colon inflammation, expressed in the DAI score, were in a dose-related manner (p Citation Format: Chong-Zhi Wang, Chun-Su Yuan. Notoginseng suppresses azoxymethane/dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2154. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2154
Further studies on methods of desensitization of tuberculous guinea-pigs

Summary This paper records four experiments in an attempt to find a suitable antigen for the desensitization of tuberculous guinea-pigs. The antigens tested were: ether-chloroform-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis , H 37 ; nitrous acid-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis , H 37 ; glycerol-extract of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , H 37 ; ‘sensitized’ tuberculin (SMT); Old Tuberculin (OT); and Trichloracetic acid Precipitated Tuberculin (TPT). Bacillary antigens killed by chemical means are unsatisfactory desensitizing agents. An antigen prepared by extracting tubercle bacilli with glycerol is apparently as specific as SMT and produces satisfactory desensitization. Immunological and chemical methods which diminish the toxicity of tuberculoprotein for tuberculous guinea-pigs reduce its value as a desensitizing antigen. Old Tuberculin is not as efficient as TPT in the desensitization of tuberculous guinea-pigs.
Anchor research: evidence for an increase in the perceived similarity of stimuli obtained with a speeded-response paradigm

A set of tiny (T) and huge (H) anchor circles and a set of small (S) and large (L) intermediate circles were used. Trials with TT, HH, TH, and HT pairs were immediately and unexpectedly followed by single trials with SS, LL, SL, or LS pairs. In addition, the anchor and intermediate sets were interchanged. Subjects took longer to decide that unexpected SL and LS pairs were different, and they made no errors to unexpected SS and LL pairs. In contrast, subjects took less time to decide that unexpected SS and LL pairs were the same, and they frequently made errors to unexpected SL and LS pairs. Nonetheless, subjects' responses to the unexpected pairs of anchor circles were not similarly affected. Decision-criterion explanations can probably be discounted. Instead, the findings accord with earlier research suggesting that memory involving anchor stimuli increases the perceived similarity of intermediate and/or relatively similar stimuli. However, the present findings strongly suggest that memory altered the quality of sensory information at a perceptual level. This memorial influence seemingly occurred within about 400 msec. In one study, a set of large and huge circles replaced the small and large set, and similar results were found. This study relates to theories of anchor effects. Language: en
The effect of glucose on insulin and proinsulin synthesis in the streptozotocin-nicotinamide--induced rat islet adenoma.

Abstract Studies were conducted to examine the insulin and proinsulin synthetic response to glucose in the streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced rat islet adenoma. Tumors responded to an increase from 3.8 mmol/L to 16.6 mmol/L glucose by increasing incorporation of [ 3 H]-L-leucine into both proinsulin and insulin. Though this response was statistically significant, the stimulation was less than that noted in rat islets, and the variability of incorporation was greater. In addition, the conversion of proinsulin to insulin was generally slow, again with substantial intertumor variation. The recovery of insulin, as well as proinsulin, was significantly higher at the end of four hours of incubation in tumors incubated in 16.6 mmol/L glucose, implicating an insulin-degradative pathway modulated by glucose. Therefore, while the tumor will not replace conventional sources of tissue for insulin biosynthetic experiments, systems utilizing the tumor can serve as an addition to the methodology for studying previously unrecognized or poorly understood intracellular processes within the beta cell.
On the derivation of memberships for fuzzy sets in expert systems

Abstract The membership function of a fuzzy set is the cornerstone upon which fuzzy set theory has evolved. The question of where these membership functions come from or how they are derived must be answered. Expert systems commonly deal with fuzzy sets and must use valid membership functions. This paper puts forth a method for constructing a membership function for the fuzzy sets that expert systems deal with. The function may be found by querying the appropriate group and using fuzzy statistics. The concept of a group is defined in this context, as well as a measure of goodness for a membership function. The commonality and differences between membership function for a fuzzy set and probabilistic functions are shown. The systematic methodology presented will facilitate effective use of expert systems.
Dark Matter in the Higgs Triplet Model

The inability to predict neutrino masses and the existence of dark matter are two essential shortcomings of the Standard Model. The Higgs triplet model provides an elegant resolution of neutrino masses via the seesaw mechanism. We show here that introducing vectorlike leptons in the model also provides a resolution to the problem of dark matter. We investigate constraints, including the invisible decay width of the Higgs boson and the electroweak precision variables, and impose restrictions on model parameters. We analyze the effect of the relic density constraint on the mass and Yukawa coupling of dark matter. We also calculate the cross sections for indirect and direct dark matter detection and show our model predictions for the neutrino and muon fluxes from the Sun, and the restrictions they impose on the parameter space. With the addition of vectorlike leptons, the model is completely consistent with dark matter constraints, in addition to improving electroweak precision and doubly charged mass restrictions, which are rendered consistent with present experimental data.
THE REPORTING OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Surveillance of communicable diseases in the United States depends on the reporting of cases by primary physicians. It is widely recognized, however, that significant numbers of such cases are not reported. Reporting rates for many communicable diseases have never been determined. In this study, discharge records of 11 hospitals in Washington, DC were searched for cases of selected communicable diseases, and the percentage of these cases reported was determined. Five hundred and seventy of 93,563 (0.61%) patients hospitalized over the study period had one of these communicable diseases. Reporting rates for each were as follows: viral hepatitis, 11%; H. influenzae meningitis, 32%; salmonellosis, 42%; meningococcal meningitis, 50%; shigellosis, 62%; tuberculosis, 63%; total cases, 35%. There is indirect evidence that low reporting rates are not restricted to the area studied. Supplemental reporting by medical laboratories, hospital infection control, and record room personnel were suggested as additional soruces of case reports.
RECENT STUDIES IN SIR JOHN DAVIES

THE only comprehensive edition of Davies' works is A. B. Grosart's The Works in Verse and Prose of Sir John Davies, 3 vols. (1869–76; rpt. 1971). In 1876 Grosart published the verse alone in The Complete Poems of Sir John Davies, 2 vols.
Socioeconomic Gradients in Immune Response to Latent Infection

There is a strong relation between socioeconomic position and health outcomes, although the mechanisms are poorly understood. The authors used data from 1,503 California participants in the 1998-1999 Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging aged 60-100 years to ask whether socioeconomic position is related to immune function as measured by the body's ability to keep latent herpesvirus antibody levels in a quiescent state. Individuals with lower educational levels had significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies to cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1. The odds ratio for being in a higher tertile of cytomegalovirus antibodies was 1.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.18, 2.01) for those in the lowest educational group, and the odds ratio for being in a higher tertile of herpes simplex virus type 1 was 1.63 (95% confidence interval: 1.25, 2.13). The relation between education and cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1 antibody levels remained strong after controlling for baseline health conditions, smoking status, and body mass index. This is the first study known to show a relation between socioeconomic position and immune response to latent infection. It provides suggestive evidence that modulation of the immune system via latent infections may play a role in the observed associations between socioeconomic position and disease.
New material of Mongolemys elegans Khosatzky and Mlynarski, 1971 (Testudines: Lindholmemydidae), from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia with Comments on Bone Histology and Phylogeny

Mongolemys elegans Khosatzky and Mlynarski, 1971, is a freshwater lindholmemydid turtle that is very abundant in Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) pond deposits from the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Here, we present new data on the morphology, bone histology, and phylogenetic position of M. elegans based on hatchlings, juveniles, and adults collected by American Museum of Natural History and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences joint field expeditions at the Bugin Tsav locality. Phylogenetic analysis using a morphological dataset supports the placement of M. elegans as a stem testudinoid. Bone histology of M. elegans shows similar patterns of thickness and bone tissue type for the internal and external cortexes as in other freshwater turtles. Microstructural samples of fossil bone from M. elegans show exceptional preservation of osteocyte lacuno-canicular networks, and higher values of osteocyte density at the external cortex in contrast to cancellous bone and the internal cortex.
A health and safety survey of Irish funeral industry workers.

BACKGROUND: Those handling deceased individuals, including the funeral industry, face a variety of health and safety hazards including occupationally acquired infectious disease. AIMS: To identify the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Irish funeral industry workers towards occupational hazards and infectious disease in 2009. METHODS: The sample analysed consisted of all listed member premises of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors as at 1 July 2009. A postal survey was sent to each premises in July 2009, with two rounds of follow-up reviews sent to non-responders. Four main areas were covered-occupational hazards, embalming, industry expertise and demographics. The quantitative and qualitative results were analysed to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Data collection was completed on 31 December 2009. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty listed member premises were contacted. Twenty-two were unsuitable for the survey. One hundred and thirty-eight valid replies were received from 130 premises, representing a premises response rate of 63% (130/208). Seventy-three premises (56%) identified themselves as embalmers. Embalmers had variable vaccine uptake and variable knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards embalming those with blood-borne viruses. Fifteen per cent of respondents reported a work-related injury, back injury being the most common. Splash and sharps injuries were reported as a work-related injury, and infections believed to be work related were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates widespread occupational health concerns among this professional group. It confirms the need for occupational health advice and services. There is also a strong desire for regulation of this profession in Ireland. Language: en
VIOLENCE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Violence in the emergency department (ED) is a problem that is poorly documented, inadequately researched, and often not managed optimally. Although well-compiled data on the overall incidence of ED violence are lacking, it is obvious from a variety of reports that violent behavior is neither uncommon nor decreasing in frequency.12,17,16,21,24,25,27,28 This trend reflects both a 10% annual rise in the number of psychiatric emergencies as well as an increase in violence in society in general, with a doubling of the murder rate in the United States in the last 20 years.4,17 Despite this trend, many hospitals do not have 24-hour ED security, and most provide inadequate staff education.
Intermittent presentations of ethanol sipper tube induce ethanol drinking in rats.

Aims: Intermittent presentations of the ethanol sipper have been reported to induce more ethanol drinking in rats than when the ethanol sipper was continuously available during the session. This intermittent sipper effect was observed in a social drinking situation, in which subjects experienced intermittent opportunities to interact briefly with a conspecific rat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the intermittent sipper procedure in situations providing for intermittent presentations of food, and, in addition, in situations that do not provide for intermittent presentations of another rewarding event. Methods: Four groups of male Long-Evans hooded rats, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two levels of Sipper Procedure (Intermittent vs Continuous) and two levels of Food procedure (Food vs No Food), were trained in drinking chambers. During each daily session, Intermittent Sipper groups received access to the ethanol sipper during each of 25 trials of 10 s each, while Continuous Sipper groups had access to the ethanol sipper during the entire session (∼30 min). During each session, Food groups received 25 presentations of food pellets while No Food groups received no food pellets. Ethanol concentrations in the sipper [3, 4, 6, 8, and 10% (vol./vol.)] increased across sessions. Results: More rapid escalation of ethanol intake was observed in the Intermittent Sipper groups than in the Continuous Sipper groups, and this effect was observed in both the Food and No Food conditions ( P 's < 0.05), which did not differ from one another. Conclusions: Intermittent Sipper procedures provide less access to the ethanol sipper, yet induced more ethanol drinking than Continuous Sipper procedures. The intermittent sipper effect is not dependent on presentations of food. Implications for schedule-induced polydipsia and Pavlovian autoshaping are discussed. ( Received 19 August 2005; first review notified 31 October 2005; in revised form 31 December 2006; accepted 6 January 2006)
Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Martensitic Transformation in β1-Copper-Zinc

Resistivity measurements were used to determine the characteristic properties of the martensitic transformation in β1-brass (39.4 wt% Zn) before and after neutron irradiation. The doses (Φ t) varied between 5 × 1016 and 5 × 1018 neutrons/cm2 (E > 1 MeV). Neutron irradiation decreased the martensitic-start temperature (Ms) up to 8 °C and increased the maximum rate of trasformation. Ms was further decreased when β1-brass was annealed at 150 °C after irradiation. A small decrease in Ms was observed when unirradiated, quenched β1-brass was annealed at 150 °C. Possible mechanisms which give rise to the inhibition of the martensitic transformation, such as dislocation pinning, are discussed. Die charakteristischen Eigenschaften der martensitischen Umwandlung von β1-Messing (39,4 Gew% Zn) vor und nach Neutronenbestrahlung werden mittels Widerstandsmessungen bestimmt. Die angewandten Dosen (Φ t) lagen zwischen 5 × 1016 und 5 × 1018 Neutronen/cm2 (E > 1 MeV). Neutronenbestrahlung vermindert die Einsatztemperatur der martensitischen Umwandlung (Ms) bis zu maximal 8 °C und vergrosert die maximale Umwandlungsgeschwindigkeit. Ms wurde zusatzlich vermindert, wenn β1-Messing nach der Bestrahlung bei 150 °C angelassen wurde. Eine kleine Abnahme der Umwandlungstemperatur Ms wurde auch an unbestrahltem, aber abgeschrecktem β1-Messing beobachtet, das bei 150 °C angelassen wurde. Mogliche Mechanismen, welche die Verzogerung der martensitischen Umwandlung hervorrufen, wie zum Beispiel Versetzungsverankerungen, werden diskutiert.
Biomechanics of Milking: Teat - Liner Interactions

This purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of liner compression and to show the practical importance of understanding and controlling its effects. The degree of compression applied to the teat by the teatcup liner in the d-phase of pulsation has a marked influence on teat condition, cow comfort and peak milk flow-rate. The influence of liner compression on these three characteristics is at least as great as the effects of pulsator ratio, pulsation rate, and the rates of change in air pressure in the teatcup pulsation chamber. Liner Compression (LC) is defined here as the mean compressive pressure which is applied to the inner tissues of the teat apex by the liner during the d-phase of pulsation. Over-pressure (OP) is defined as the mean compressive pressure, above that required to stop milk flowing from the teat, which is applied to the inner tissues of the teat apex by the liner during the d-phase. Thus, OP is a major component of LC. Liner OP values within the range 8-12 kPa appear to achieve the main purposes of pulsation and to maintain good teat condition and cow comfort. OP values < 8 kPa may be too low to fully relieve teat wall congestion induced by the milking vacuum during the b-phase of pulsation. Peak milking rate continues to increase up to liner OP values of 14 kPa. However, the proportion of cows with poorer teat-end condition (hyperkeratosis) appears to be greater at OP values of 14 kPa or more.
I Found Work! Forty Years of Research on Work in Rural Mexico

In 1974 when I went to San Cosme Mazatecochco to do my dissertation research, I did not expect to study work, especially not the factory work of men in a rural Mexican community. Over the years, however, I have found that what I thought I would study is not what is important to the people of Mazatecochco. However, work has been the lens that has consistently led me to new and significant studies including globalization, migration and, most recently, even play.
Bone Blood Flow and Spaceflight Osteopenia

Spaceflight osteopenia remains one of the most serious impediments to long term exposure to microgavity. Much of the research on its cause has been focused on the absence of weigthbearing in the bones of the lower extremities.
Evaluation of arterial stiffness in children with Williams syndrome: Does it play a role in evolving hypertension?

Abstract Background Pathologic studies and surgical observations of thickened aortic walls have suggested an increase in aortic stiffness in patients with Williams syndrome. However, in vivo objective evaluation of aortic and arterial stiffness in Williams syndrome are lacking. Moreover, systemic hypertension, although prevalent in Williams syndrome, does not have a well-defined mechanism in this syndrome. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantitate aortic stiffness and arterial compliance in an objective manner, as well as to determine their roles in development of hypertension, in children with Williams syndrome. Methods We studied 13 patients with Williams syndrome (aged 3-12 years) and 16 age-matched control subjects. Aortic stiffness was calculated from the β index as follows: β = (ln[P s /P d ])÷ ([D s – D d ]/D d ), where P s and P d are systolic and diastolic blood pressures and D s and D d are systolic and diastolic aortic dimensions, respectively. Arterial compliance (C) was calculated by the area method: C= (A d × CO × CL) ÷ (A t × [P es – P d ]), where A t is the total area and A d is the area under the diastolic portion of the arterial pulse tracing, CO is the cardiac output, CL is the cycle length, and P es is aortic end-systolic pressure. Results In patients with Williams syndrome, the β index was 2-fold higher than in control patients (9.02 ± 3.15 vs 4.43 ± 0.96, P r = 0.8 and P P Conclusions Our study indicates that in vivo arterial stiffness is increased in patients with Williams syndrome. We speculate that increased arterial stiffness may be the predisposing cause of systemic hypertension in Williams syndrome. (Am Heart J 2001;142:549-55.)
People detection and tracking in high resolution panoramic video mosaic

We have designed a physical awareness system called CAMEO, the camera assisted meeting event observer, which consists of a multi-camera omnidirectional vision system designed to be used in meeting environments. CAMEO is designed to monitor the activities of people in meetings so that it can generate a semantically-indexed summary of what occurred in the meeting. In this paper, we describe CAMEO's fast people detection and tracking module. This module makes use of a combination of frame differencing, face detection, and adaptive color blob tracking based on mean shift analysis to detect and track people in the panoramic image. We describe this algorithm and present experimental results from captured meeting logs.
A Comparison of Amplitude and Angle Modulation for Narrow-Band Communication of Binary-Coded Messages in Fluctuation Noise

Frequency-shift, phase-shift, and on-off amplitude modulation are examined as mechanisms. Curves of fractional error as a function of average carrier-to-noise ratio are derived for fading and non-fading carriers. The results are applicable to telegraph, teletype, and other binary-coded signals.
The system-wide economics of a carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage network: Texas Gulf Coast with pure CO2-EOR flood

This letter compares several bounding cases for understanding the economic viability of capturing large quantities of anthropogenic CO2 from coal-fired power generators within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas electric grid and using it for pure CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the onshore coastal region of Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. All captured CO2 in excess of that needed for EOR is sequestered in saline formations at the same geographic locations as the oil reservoirs but at a different depth. We analyze the extraction of oil from the same set of ten reservoirs within 20- and five-year time frames to describe how the scale of the carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) network changes to meet the rate of CO2 demand for oil recovery. Our analysis shows that there is a negative system-wide net present value (NPV) for all modeled scenarios. The system comes close to breakeven economics when capturing CO2 from three coal-fired power plants to produce oil via CO2-EOR over 20 years and assuming no CO2 emissions penalty. The NPV drops when we consider a larger network to produce oil more quickly (21 coal-fired generators with CO2 capture to produce 80% of the oil within five years). Upon applying a CO2 emissions penalty of 60$2009/tCO2 to fossil fuel emissions to ensure that coal-fired power plants with CO2 capture remain in baseload operation, the system economics drop significantly. We show near profitability for the cash flow of the EOR operations only; however, this situation requires relatively cheap electricity prices during operation.
Influence of Tylenchorhynchus ewingi on growth of loblolly pine seedlings, and host suitability of legumes and small grains

Tylenchorhynchus ewingi, a stunt nematode, causes severe injury to slash pine seedlings and has been recently associated with stunting and chlorosis of loblolly pine seedlings at some forest tree nurseries in southern USA. Experiments confirmed that loblolly pine is a host for T. ewingi, and that the nematode is capable of causing severe damage to root systems. Initial population densities as low as 60 nematodes (100 cm3 soil)−1 were sufficient to damage the root systems of loblolly pine seedlings. Populations of T. ewingi increased on pine from two- to 16-fold, depending on the initial population density. Evaluations of various cover crops used in southern forest tree nurseries indicated that legumes, rye and several varieties of sorghum were excellent hosts for T. ewingi. Other small grains such as ryegrass, oats and wheat were poorer hosts. A cultivar of pearl millet was a non-host for T. ewingi, and a cultivar of brown top millet appeared to be either a very poor host or a non-host. Nurseries that have seedling production losses caused by T. ewingi should consider rotating with non-host cover crops such as pearl millet or leaving fields fallow as part of their pest management programme.
Charge and size effects in the capillary zone electrophoresis of nuclease A and its variants

The migration behavior of nuclease A from Staphylococcus aureus and 11 of its variants in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was investigated in the light of their three-dimensional structure known from X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Nuclease A (molecular mass 16.8 kDa, pKa 10.3) and the variants differ only in a single amino acid residue and have a very similar crystal structure. With the use of coated quartz capillaries and suitable buffers, the protein migration was investigated at pH from 2.8 to 9.5 without interference by wall adsorption. Although the selectivity of the electrophoretic system for the proteins was mainly determined by their charge differences, certain variants having the same net charge could also be readily separated under nondenaturing conditions. For instance, the mobility of variant K116A was sufficiently higher than that of K116G so that they could be separated by CZE. The structures of both variants are the same except for the solvent-exposed loop containing residue 116. For this reason, the difference in electrophoretic mobilities can be attributed to the fact that in K116G the backbone of the 112 to 117 amino acids protrudes slightly from the protein, with a concomitant increase in the hydrodynamic radius with respect to that of K116A. Consequently, K116G shows a smaller mobility than K116A due to its larger hydrodynamic radius despite its smaller molecular mass. The interpretation of the experimentally measured mobilities of such closely related proteins therefore requires not only consideration of their electrostatic charge but also the fine details of their molecular structures.
EFFECTS OF ALEWIVES (ALOSA PSEUDOHARENGUS) ON THE ZOOPLANKTON OF LAKE WONONSKOPOMUC, CONNECTICUT1

The effects of predation by alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) on the limnetic zooplankton of Lake Wononskopomuc, Connecticut, were examined over several years. Shifts in zooplankton composition and size distribution toward small forms were apparent 8 years after alewife introduction. A partial reversal of these effects, including an increase in the abundance of large species and a size increase in at least one species, Daphnia galeata mendotae, followed an alewife die-off.
Comparison of the PPVT and PPVT‐R for preschool children: Implications for the practitioner

The aim of this study was to compare the standard scores and age scores obtained from the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (1965) and the Revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (1981). The sample included 88 preschool children who ranged in age from 2–6 to 5–11. The mean PPVT IQ score was 98.9 (SD = 16.9) and Mental Age was 55.2 months (SD = 20.1 mo.); the mean PPVT-R Standard Score Equivalent was 95.4 (SD = 13.4) and Age Equivalent was 48.5 months (SD = 14.6 mo.). The mean PPVT IQ and Mental Age scores were significantly higher (p < .01) than the respective Standard Scores and Age Equivalents. Implications for the use of the Revised PPVT are discussed.
Using data envelopment analysis to evaluate the performance of post-hurricane electric power restoration activities

Abstract Post-hurricane restoration of electric power is attracting increasing scrutiny as customers’ tolerance for even short power interruptions decreases. At the peak, 8.5 million customers were without power after Hurricane Sandy and over 1 million customers were without power more than a week after the storm made landfall. Currently, restoration processes are typically evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a regional public service commission or similar body and lack systematic comparisons to other restoration experiences. This paper introduces a framework using data envelopment analysis to help evaluate post-hurricane restorations through comparison with the experiences of other companies in similar storms. The method accounts for the variable severity of the hurricanes themselves, so that companies are not penalized for outages that are long only because the hurricane that caused them was particularly severe. The analysis is illustrated through an application comparing 27 recent post-hurricane restoration experiences across 13 different electric power companies in the United States. The results of the study show some consistency in performance among individual utilities after the hurricanes they experience. The method could be applied to other types of infrastructure systems and other extreme events as well.
Ionization gating for tunable isolated attosecond pulse generation

Ionization gating confines high-harmonic generation to the leading edge of the driver pulse. Experimentally produced soft-X-ray continuous radiation is spectrally broad and tunable. The method suggests isolated attosecond-pulse production with long driver pulses.
Periodontal disease and weight loss in older adults.

Objectives: To determine the association between periodontal disease and weight loss in an elderly cohort. Design: A longitudinal design was used with participants from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) cohort study to determine the association between periodontal disease status and weight loss of at least 5% of baseline body weight over a period of 2 years. Setting: Participants were examined in research clinics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee. Participants: A randomly selected subset of 1,053 individuals from the Health ABC examination, aged 65 and older, ambulatory and community-dwelling at baseline. Measurements: Periodontal disease was measured as mean pocket depth and attachment loss, extent (percentage) of pockets with at least 6 mm probing depth, extent of bleeding on probing, and tissue inflammation. Results: In logistic regression models adjusting for variables that may explain weight loss, extent of periodontal pockets with at least 6 mm probing depth showed a significant association with weight loss (odds ratio=1.53, 95% confidence interval=1.32–1.77). Conclusion: Periodontal disease may be causally related to weight loss in the elderly and thus may increase risk of morbidity and mortality.
New treatment of the theory for small‐angle x‐ray scattering with applications to polystyrene crazes

The phenomenon of surface scattering of electromagnetic waves by single or multiple layers of films is reviewed and a special treatment for the total reflection of x rays is developed. This theory is applied to the analysis of the surface scattering observed in small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of two-phase matter in polymers having lamella stacks or a flat interfacial boundary structure. Important features of this vector theory are the ability to calculate the surface scattering invariant, the absolute scattering intensity, and the surface roughness, which gives rise to dispersion of specular reflection from perfectly smooth surfaces. By considering the interfacial surface roughness of polystyrene crazes, the surface scattering spectrum is calculated theoretically and compared with some experimental results. Also the theory is presented in such a way as to compare surface scattering with volume scattering; i.e., both two- and three-dimensional scattering events can be simultaneously treated. This provides a new basis for quantitative analysis of crazes in polystyrene.
Ultrasensitive isolation, identification and quantification of DNA–protein adducts by ELISA-based RADAR assay

Enzymes that form transient DNA-protein covalent complexes are targets for several potent classes of drugs used to treat infectious disease and cancer, making it important to establish robust and rapid procedures for analysis of these complexes. We report a method for isolation of DNA-protein adducts and their identification and quantification, using techniques compatible with high-throughput screening. This method is based on the RADAR assay for DNA adducts that we previously developed (Kiianitsa and Maizels (2013) A rapid and sensitive assay for DNA-protein covalent complexes in living cells. Nucleic Acids Res., 41:e104), but incorporates three key new steps of broad applicability. (i) Silica-assisted ethanol/isopropanol precipitation ensures reproducible and efficient recovery of DNA and DNA-protein adducts at low centrifugal forces, enabling cell culture and DNA precipitation to be carried out in a single microtiter plate. (ii) Rigorous purification of DNA-protein adducts by a procedure that eliminates free proteins and free nucleic acids, generating samples suitable for detection of novel protein adducts (e.g. by mass spectroscopy). (iii) Identification and quantification of DNA-protein adducts by direct ELISA assay. The ELISA-based RADAR assay can detect Top1-DNA and Top2a-DNA adducts in human cells, and gyrase-DNA adducts in Escherichia coli. This approach will be useful for discovery and characterization of new drugs to treat infectious disease and cancer, and for development of companion diagnostics assays for individualized medicine.