cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mullite Transformation Kinetics in P2O5-, TiO2-, and B2O3-Doped Aluminosilicate Gels

Mullite transformation kinetics of sol-gel-derived diphasic mullite gels doped with P 2 O 5 , TiO 2 , and B 2 O 3 were studied using quantitative X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The mullite transformation temperature initially increased with P 2 O 5 doping because of phase separation and formation of α-alumina and cristobalite. In TiO 2 -doped samples, the mullite transformation temperature decreased with TiO 2 doping, and the transformation rate increased with decreasing TiO 2 particle size. Kinetic studies showed that titania reduced the activation energy for both nucleation and growth relative to pure diphasic mullite gels by lowering the glass viscosity and/or enhancing the solid-state mass transport through lattice defects. B 2 O 3 doping decreased the mullite transformation temperature and lowered the activation energy for both nucleation and growth but especially affected the mullite nucleation process, as indicated by the much smaller grain size.
Nickel, Copper, Zinc and Cadmium Cycling with Manganese in Lake Vanda (Wright Valley, Antarctica)

Lake Vanda is a closed-basin, permanently ice-covered lake located in the Wright Valley of Antarctica. The lake’s more important geochemical features include the fact that it is fed by a single glacial melt water stream for only 6–8 weeks out of the year; that it has remained stratified for more than a millennium; and that, like other lakes in the region, it is remote from anthropogenic influence. These, together with the fact that it is among the least biologically productive lakes in the world, make it an ideal system for examining the transport, cycling and fate of trace metals in the aquatic environment. Like others before us, we view this lake as a natural geochemical laboratory, a flask in the desert. This paper presents the first set of closely spaced, vertical, profiles for dissolved and particulate Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd in the water column. Despite the absence of an outflow, metals in the fresh upper waters of the lake have extremely low concentrations, in the pico-molar to nano-molar range, and are partitioned largely into dissolved rather than particulate phases. Efficient metal scavenging by particles from these oxygen-rich waters is indicated. Significant increases in metal concentrations begin to appear at depth, between 57 and 60 m, and these increases coincide with the onset of manganese oxide dissolution in oxic, but lower pH waters. Vertical profiles suggest that the entire suite of trace metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd) is being released from manganese oxide carrier phases. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that Mn 3 O 4 (i.e., the mineral hausmannite) may be important in metal sequestration and recycling in the deeper waters of Lake Vanda. Manganese-reducing organisms reported by Bratina et al. (1998) are active in the zone of metal release and these could also contribute to the observed cycling.
Fitness components and ecological risk of transgenic release: a model using Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Abstract: Any release of transgenic organisms into nature is a concern because ecological relationships between genetically engineered organisms and other organisms (including their wild‐type conspecifics) are unknown. To address this concern, we developed a method to evaluate risk in which we input estimates of fitness parameters from a founder population into a recurrence model to predict changes in transgene frequency after a simulated transgenic release. With this method, we grouped various aspects of an organism’s life cycle into six net fitness components: juvenile viability, adult viability, age at sexual maturity, female fecundity, male fertility, and mating advantage. We estimated these components for wild‐type and transgenic individuals using the fish, Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). We generalized our model’s predictions using various combinations of fitness component values in addition to our experimentally derived estimates. Our model predicted that, for a wide range of parameter values, t...
Spectroscopy of the Superconducting Gap in Individual Nanometer-Scale Aluminum Particles

We use electron tunneling to measure electronic energy levels in individual nm-scale Al particles. For sufficiently large particles ( $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}5$ nm in radius), the eigenstate energies reveal the existence of a superconducting excitation gap $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ which is driven continuously to zero by an applied magnetic field. The presence of $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ increases the voltage threshold for tunneling in a particle with an even number of electrons in its ground state, but decreases the tunneling threshold for an odd-electron particle. We discuss the roles of spin and orbital pair breaking in the magnetic-field transition.
The IGF-II-deficient placenta: aspects of its function

Abstract Gene ablation in mice has provided compelling evidence of the role that insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their receptors play in fetal and placental development. The recent deletion of the P0 transcript encoding IGF-II specifically within the labyrinthine trophoblast, resulted in placental and fetal growth restriction. This restriction was associated with reduced placental permeability and increased system A amino acid transporter activity. Whilst this report provides important new data on the role of placental IGF-II, they might not recapitulate the changes that occur in human placental insufficiency leading to intrauterine growth restriction.
Lobster-eye x-ray optics: a rapid evaluation of the image distribution

A method for calculating the image distribution for one-dimensional lobster-eye optics is presented. This method gives the image distribution exactly for certain cases and offers improved speed over the method of ray tracing. Examples of the use of the algorithm are given. We show that the algorithm gives the same results as detailed ray-tracing codes. Extension of the method to the two-dimensional case is discussed.
On being cybernetic

Purpose – To provide personal memories of the work of Heinz von Foerster.Design/methodology/approach – The approach is one of personal reflection.Findings – How the philosophy and science of cybernetic and cybernetics of cybernetics Heinz von Forester helped create was visible in his behavior with others is described. The relationship between von Forester and research associates of the Mental Research Institute is outlined.Originality/value – Provides an insight to the importance of the work of von Foerster.
A Method to Determine the Potential Toxicity of Smoke from Burning Polymers: I. Experiments with Douglas Fir:

A small scale apparatus has been developed using a radiant source to burn Douglas fir specimens. Three irradiance levels were selected: 21, 35 and 50 kW/m2. Burning took place within an enclosure w...
The locally extrapolated exponential time differencing LOD scheme for multidimensional reaction-diffusion systems

This paper introduces the local extrapolation of first order locally one-dimensional exponential time differencing scheme for numerical solution of multidimensional nonlinear reaction-diffusion systems. This novel scheme has the benefit of solving multidimensional problems in locally one dimensional fashion by implementing sequences of tridiagonal matrix solvers instead of solving a banded system. The storage size needed for solving systems in higher dimensions with this scheme is similar to that needed for one spatial dimension systems. The stability, monotonicity, and convergence of the locally extrapolated exponential time differencing scheme have been examined. Stability analysis shows that the scheme is strongly stable ( L -stable) and is particularly beneficial to nonlinear partial differential equations with irregular initial data or discontinuity involving initial and boundary conditions due to its ability to damp spurious oscillations caused by high frequency components in the solution. The performance of the novel scheme has been investigated by testing it on a two-dimensional Schnakenberg model, two and three-dimensional Brusselator models, and a three-dimensional enzyme kinetics of Michaelis-Menten type reaction-diffusion model. Numerical experiments demonstrate the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of the scheme. Locally extrapolated LOD exponential time differencing scheme is developed.Multidimensional nonlinear reaction-diffusion systems are considered.Monotonicity and stability are analyzed.The order of convergence is examined.
Digital interface for high-resolution displays

Commercial display interfaces are currently transitioning from analog to digital. Although this transition is in the very early stages, the military needs to begin planning their own transition to digital. There are many problems with the analog interface in high-resolution display systems that are solved by changing to a digital interface. Also, display system cost can be lower with a digital interface to a high resolution display. Battelle is under contract with DARPA to develop an advanced Display Interface (ADI) to replace the analog RGB interfaces currently used in high definition workstation displays. The goal is to create a standard digital display interface for military applications that is based on emerging commercial standards. Support for military application- specific functionality is addressed, including display test and control. The main challenges to implementing a digital display interface are described, along with approaches to address the problems. Conceptual ADI architectures are described and contrasted. The current and emerging commercial standards for digital display interfaces are reviewed in detail. Finally, the tasks required to complete the ADI effort are outlined and described.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
IS SELF-EFFICACY FOR SMOKING ABSTINENCE A CAUSE OF, OR A REFLECTION ON, SMOKING BEHAVIOR CHANGE?

Social learning theory considers self-efficacy as a causal factor in behavior change. However, in line with behavioral theory, recent clinical research suggests self-efficacy ratings may reflect, rather than cause, behavior change. To test these two disparate views, self-efficacy was related to actual smoking abstinence on the next day (i.e., self-efficacy causes change), and abstinence status over 1 day was tested as a predictor of rated self-efficacy for quitting the next day (i.e., reflects change). All data were from two similar crossover studies evaluating the short-term effects of both placebo versus medication, nicotine patch (n = 209) or varenicline (n = 123), on smoking abstinence during week-long practice quit attempts. Placebo and active medication periods were separated by an ad lib smoking washout, and analyses were controlled for prior-day's abstinence or self-efficacy values. Results were very consistent between studies in showing essentially bidirectional associations: daily self-efficacy predicted next-day's abstinence, and current-day's abstinence status predicted self-efficacy for abstinence the next day. However, secondary factors differentially predicted abstinence and, to a lesser extent, self-efficacy, between these two medication studies. These data provide some support for both social learning and behavioral theories of smoking behavior change, although self-efficacy may only briefly predict subsequent short periods of abstinence as assessed in these studies. Nonetheless, because self-efficacy has long been assumed to cause behavior change, including smoking cessation, the notion of self-efficacy as a reflection of recent smoking behavior change in these studies warrants greater attention in clinical research on smoking cessation treatment.
Application of the parallel Avrami model to crystallization of poly(etheretherketone)

We have reexamined the parallel Avrami model recently proposed by Velisaris and Seferis (1) to describe the non-Isothermal crystallization of poly(etheretherketone), PEEK. We show that, based on considerations of morphology development, the crystallization process with the larger Avrami exponent has the higher melting point, whereas the process with the smaller Avrami exponent has the lower melting point. This assignment differs from that of Velisaris and Seferis. In addition, we have used the infinite crystal melting point, as required by crystallization theory, to determine the Avrami rate parameters for the two processes. With this revision of the parallel Avrami model, we have applied the model to non-isothermal crystallization of APC-2 PEEK composite. Under the assumption that the linear growth rate determines the Avrami rate parameter, both the transport activation energy, U, and the kinetic parameter, Kg, are found to compare favorably with the values previously determined from isothermal crystallization of neat resin PEEK.
A differential molecualr topography of the Pr and Pfr forms of native oat phytochrome as probed by fluoresence quenching.

Tryptophan (Trp) surface topography of the red- and far-red-absorbing forms of phytochrome (Pr, Pfr) ofAvena sativa L. has been investigated by analyzing quenching of the two components of Trp fluorescence decay, in order to understand the differences in the two forms at the molecular level. Stern-Volmer kinetic analysis of the quenching data for two cationic surface quenchers, Cs(+) and Tl(+), showed strong quenching of the short component of the Pr fluorescence (Stern-Volmer constants,K sv , 27.2 and 21.4 M(-1), respectively) relative to that of Pfr fluorescenceK sv , 10.4 and 12.3 M(-1), respectively). The long component of the Trp fluorescence was quenched differentially by Cs(+) and Tl(+), withK sv of 9.0 and 19.8 M(-1), respectively, for the Pr fluorescence andK sv of 13.7 and 8.7 M(-1), respectively, for the Pfr fluorescence. The results indicate that the phytochrome Trp residues with short fluorescence lifetime are more accessible to the cationic surface quenchers than those with long fluorescence lifetime. The data, taken together with our earlier study (Singh et al. 1988, Biochim, Biophys. Acta936, 395-405), indicate that most, if not all the ten Trp residues of phytochrome, are fluorescent and exist in distinct groups differing in their topography and microenvironment, and the peptide segment containing Trp-774 and Trp-778 within the 55-kilodalton C-terminal domain of phytochrome also undergoes a subtle alteration in its surface topography during Pr→Pfr phototransformation.
Diagnostic and Clinical Relevance of HBV Mutations

Despite vaccinations, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are still very common worldwide. The virus replicates by reverse transcription using a viral polymerase lacking proof-reading ability. This results in the emergence of mutant viruses that can be selected out by host immunity or viral therapeutic agents. Several wellcharacterized HBV variants have been identified that challenge the effectiveness of the current vaccines. Other mutations result in a change within the HBV surface antigen, resulting in a loss of detection by some diagnostic assays. Additionally, a number of mutations have evolved in response to antiviral therapy. This report is an overview of the HBV mutations leading to vaccine failure, loss of HBV detection by diagnostic assays, increased viral replication, and resistance to antiviral agents.
Expanded use of Pyramided Transgenic Maize Hybrids Expressing Novel Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins in the Southern U.S.: Potential for Areawide Suppression of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Mississippi Delta

Abstract. The corn earworm or cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is an economically important pest throughout much of North America, but particularly in the southern U.S., where many crops are vulnerable to damage. Although transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., expressing selected insecticidal toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) has been available since 1996 in the southern states, the Cry1Ac toxin in cotton and Cry1Ab in maize, Zea meys L., are not known to cause consistent mortality in H. zea. Consequently, long-term areawide suppression would not be expected. However, with the advent of pyramided Bt events for cotton and field corn, and in the absence of the evolution of field-level resistance to Bt toxins, the potential exists for these crops to suppress H. zea. Simulation modeling predicted the initial decrease in abundance to be rapid, illustrating the impact of an immediate adoption of the two Bt crops, with high efficacy. Abundance of H. zea remained low and approximated an ...
New materials for semiconductor spin-electronics

The success of an all-electronic semiconducting spintronic device rests on three elements, i.e., spin injection, spin manipulation, and spin detection. This paper focuses on various materials and their properties necessary to achieve these goals. Most of the focus will be on spin injection with lesser emphasis on manipulation and detection.
Phanerozoic diversity and neutral theory

Abstract Although Phanerozoic increases in the global richness, local richness, and evenness of marine invertebrates are well documented, a common explanation for these patterns has been difficult to identify. Evidence is presented here from marine invertebrate communities that there is a Phanerozoic increase in the fundamental biodiversity number (θ), which describes diversity and relative abundance distributions in neutral ecological theory. If marine ecosystems behave according to the rules of Hubbell's Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, the Phanerozoic increase in θ suggests three possible mechanisms for the parallel increases in global richness, local richness, and evenness: (1) an increase in the per-individual probability of speciation, (2) an increase in the area occupied by marine metacommunities, and (3) an increase in the density (per-area abundance) of marine organisms. Because speciation rates have declined over time and because there is no clear evidence for an increase in meta...
Experiences in the logical specification of the HIPAA and GLBA privacy laws

Despite the wide array of frameworks proposed for the formal specification and analysis of privacy laws, there has been comparatively little work on expressing large fragments of actual privacy laws in these frameworks. We attempt to bridge this gap by giving complete logical formalizations of the transmission-related portions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). To this end, we develop the PrivacyLFP logic, whose features include support for disclosure purposes, real-time constructs, and self-reference via fixed points. To illustrate these features and demonstrate PrivacyLFP's utility, we present formalizations of a collection of clauses from these laws. Due to their size, our full formalizations of HIPAA and GLBA appear in a companion technical report. We discuss ambiguities in the laws that our formalizations revealed and sketch preliminary ideas for computer-assisted enforcement of such privacy policies.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Reduces Transmission of Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 among Marine Recruits

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pulsed-field type (PFT) USA300 causes skin and soft tissue infections in military recruits and invasive disease in hospitals. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is used to reduce MRSA colonization and infection. The impact of CHG on the molecular epidemiology of MRSA is not known.Objective. To evaluate the impact of 2% CHG–impregnated cloths on the molecular epidemiology of MRSA colonization.Design. Cluster-randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.Setting. Marine Officer Candidate School, Quantico, Virginia, in 2007.Participants. Military recruits.Intervention. Thrice-weekly application of CHG-impregnated or control (Comfort Bath; Sage) cloths over the entire body.Measurements. Baseline and serial (every 2 weeks) nasal and/or axillary swab samples were assessed for MRSA colonization. Molecular analysis was performed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results. During training, 77 subjects (4.9%) acquired MRSA, 26 (3.3%) in the CHG group and 51 ...
Combining mixture weight pruning and quantization for small-footprint speech recognition

Semi-continuous acoustic models, where the output distributions for all Hidden Markov Model states share a common codebook of Gaussian density functions, are a well-known and proven technique for reducing computation in automatic speech recognition. However, the size of the parameter files, and thus their memory footprint at runtime, can be very large. We demonstrate how non-linear quantization can be combined with a mixture weight distribution pruning technique to halve the size of the models with minimal performance overhead and no increase in error rate.
Tourmaline: A Giant of a “Mineral”

10.1080/00357529.2013.796751-F0001 Figure 1. The famous 32-cm (13-inch) elbaite crystal known as the “Rose of Asia.” This Paprok, Afghanistan, specimen resides in the Federico Barlocher collection ...
Recent Evidence for Pharmacological Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objective: To describe emerging evidence for the pharmacological treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Data Sources: A search of PubMed (1966 to July 2014) was performed using the terms idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and treatment. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Review of articles was restricted to articles in English and relating to placebo-controlled or comparative clinical trial data of recent significance. Evidence statements from the most recent international guidelines and some historical trial data were also included for context. Data Synthesis: Numerous treatment options have been evaluated for IPF. Therapies evaluated in large trials have either resulted in increased mortality (anticoagulation, triple-therapy with N-acetylcysteine [NAC], azathioprine, and prednisone) or demonstrated a lack of efficacy (endothelin receptor antagonists, single-agent NAC). Pirfenidone, a novel antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory agent, has demonstrated efficacy in several recent analyses and is the o...
Experiments in Attracting Queen Bumblebees to Artificial Domicles

The securing of the nests of bumblebees for study and experimentation by attracting and inducing the queens to nest in artificial domiciles is a great improvement over the chance locating of their nests. Mr. F. W. L. Sladen first experimented with this method in England in 1912. Experiments with a similar purpose hut using domiciles of a new design were undertaken in the vicinity of Urbana, Illinois, by the writer during the years 1915-1917 and 1919. Seventeen of a total of thirty-six domiciles or about forty-eight per cent, were selected by queen bumblebees for nesting quarters. These results compare favorably with those obtained in England by Sladen.
Behavior and Activity Budgets of Sonoran Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis)

Abstract Sonoran pronghorns (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) have been listed as endangered since 1967, yet relatively little is known about their behavior. Knowledge of behavior is essential to understanding their ecology, but these data are difficult to obtain for Sonoran pronghorns due to land-use restrictions and large, inaccessible range. However, with establishment of a semi-captive breeding facility (260 ha) for Sonoran pronghorns in southern Arizona, behavioral studies are feasible. We studied diurnal activity budgets of six adult female Sonoran pronghorns during January–December 2005 by recording behavior (i.e., foraging, bedding, standing, traveling, other) with instantaneous sampling at 2-min intervals. We observed pronghorns on 148 days during the year for a total of 49,035 observations. Pronghorns exhibited seasonal and diurnal differences in activity budgets. Behavior was constrained by temperature in spring and summer, and by availability of forage in autumn. These data are the first reg...
The elastic phrase: modeling the dynamics of boundary-adjacent lengthening

This work examines the relation between phrasal structure and the control and coordination of articulation within a dynamical systems model of speech production. In this context, we review how speakers modulate the spatiotemporal organization of articulatorygestures as a function of their phrasal position. We present computational simulations that capture several important qualitative properties of these phrase boundaryeffects, such as prosodically -induced local slowing. This slowing is generated by dynamical effects on the activation timecourse of articulatory gestures and is controlled by prosodic gestures or p-gestures, which share much with the familiar dynamical description of constriction gestures. Prosodic gestures, however, function at boundaries purelyto temporallystretch or shrink gestural activation trajectories. This modulation of the ‘‘clock-rate’’ that controls the temporal unfolding of an utterance near junctures is such that the clock slows increasinglyas the boundaryis approached and speeds up again as the boundaryrecedes. Viewing phrase boundaries as warping the temporal fabric of an utterance represents a promising confluence of the fields of prosodyand of speech dy namics. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Complex span and n-back measures of working memory: A meta-analysis

Working memory is a construct of primary relevance to many areas of psychology. Two types of tasks have been used to measure working memory, primarily in different research areas: Complex span tasks are commonly used in behavioral studies in the cognitive and individual-differences literature, whereas n-back tasks have been used more frequently in cognitive neuroscience studies investigating the neural underpinnings of working memory. Despite both categories of tasks being labeled as “working memory” measures, previous empirical studies have provided mixed evidence regarding the shared amount of overlapping processes between complex span and n-back tasks. The present meta-analysis showed that the complex span and n-back tasks are weakly correlated, although significant heterogeneity across studies was observed. A follow-up analysis of unpublished data indicated that the sample composition affects the relationship between the complex span and n-back tasks, following the law of diminishing returns. Finally, a separate meta-analysis indicated that the simple span and n-back tasks are correlated to the same extent as are the complex span and n-back tasks. The present findings indicate that the complex span and n-back tasks cannot be used interchangeably as working memory measures in research applications.
Mechanisms for age-related changes of fingertip forces during precision gripping and lifting in adults.

We investigated changes across the adult life span of the fingertip forces used to grip and lift objects and their possible causes. Grip force, relative safety margin (grip force exceeding the minimum to avoid slip, as a fraction of slip force), and skin slipperiness increased beginning at age 50 years. Skin slipperiness explained relative safety margin increases until age 60 years. Hence, after age 60 years, additional factors must elevate grip force. We argue that one factor is impaired cutaneous afferent encoding of skin–object frictional properties on the basis of three findings. First, only subjects 60 years and older increased their relative safety margins when the friction of the gripped surfaces was varied randomly versus experiments that varied only object weight. Skin slipperiness did not account for this behavior. Second, these older subjects scaled the initial portion of their force trajectories for the slippery surface during experiments when friction was varied. Third, their grip force adjustments to new surfaces were delayed ∼100 msec as compared with young subjects. Previous research has demonstrated that friction is signaled locally by fast-adapting afferents (FA I afferents), which decrease in number during old age. By contrast, adjustments triggered by object set-down, an event encoded by FA II afferents throughout the hand and wrist, were not delayed in our old subjects. Other findings included that anticipatory control of fingertip forces using memory of object weight was unimpaired in old age. Finally, old and young adults modulated their fingertip forces with equal smoothness and with similar relative intertrial variability.
Comfort, cliques, and clashes Family readiness groups as dilemmatic sites of relating during wartime

One important but understudied source of support for Army families is the family readiness group (FRG). The current analysis of relationships with/in FRGs emerged from qualitative interviews conducted with 50 active-duty Army or Army National Guard wives whose husbands were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom between 2003 and 2005. Through our in-depth reflection and analysis of the transcripts, we recognized how these women’s lived experiences reflected complex relationships with/in their FRGs, which in some cases supported but in other cases marginalized spouses, thus constructing them as dilemmatic sites for their members. We identified two sets of contrasting constructions: FRGs as coping resources versus sources of stress and FRGs as confirming versus disconfirming environments. We conclude with practical advice for military communities and suggestions for future research.
Blind channel estimation for audio signals

This research presents a new approach for blind channel estimation for audio signals. For most speech processing techniques such as speech recognition or speaker identification, the performance can drop significantly when the statistics of the training data such as the channel shape, noise, and distortion differ from the statistics of the testing data. Aside from the standard technique of cepstral mean normalization, few techniques are available for reducing channel mismatch conditions. Experimental results will be presented for both channel estimation and for channel normalization via inverse filtering where the inverse filter is derived from the channel estimate.
Reply to Letter to the Editor: Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Long Head of the Biceps Tenotomy:

The recent publication by Aly et al. [1] further confirms our conclusion that ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy of the long head of the biceps tendon is feasible. Our paper was accepted for publication in April 2014 [2], and the Aly et al. paper was accepted for publication in June 2014. Since we had no previous knowledge of their study, we could not reference it in our paper. However, they describe a similar technique and results to ours using an arthroscopic hook blade, with a deep to superficial approach in the cadavers, which successfully resulted in complete tendon transection and no evidence of iatrogenic injury. We are the first to describe this procedure successfully performed on a live subject. Both the Aly et al. and the Levy et al. [3] studies show that the use of size 11 blade scalpels, banana blades, and retractable serrated blades results in incomplete transections of the tendons, as well as iatrogenic lesions of the cartilage, supraspinatus tendon, and subscapularis tendon. This further supports our conclusion that hook blades are the ideal instruments to obtain successful results of complete tendon transection, without iatrogenic injury. We concur that future long-term comparative studies of US-guided percutaneous tenotomy procedures are necessary to determine the efficacy of the procedure.
Multiple-level defoliation assessment with hyperspectral data: integration of continuum-removed absorptions and red edges

Hyperspectral data were collected from 40 canopies of saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima): 10 healthy canopies and 30 canopies defoliated by an introduced biological control agent, the saltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda carinata). These data assessed multiple-level defoliations in response to the process of biological control. Two important characteristics of the hyperspectral data – red edges and continuum-removed absorptions – were used to discriminate four defoliation categories of saltcedar (healthy plants, newly defoliated plants, completely defoliated plants and refoliating plants) at the canopy level. The red edge positions were located at ranges of 711–716 nm, 706–712 nm, 694–698 nm and 715–719 nm for the four defoliation stages described above, respectively. These red edge positions alone could not clearly judge the four defoliation categories associated with feeding by the beetles. Only the completely defoliated canopies had distinct red edge positions that could be differentiated from the other three...
Patterns of reproductive effort with time since last fire in Florida scrub plants

In periodically burned ecosystems, fire frequency may be an important selective pressure for the evolution of plant reproductive allocation patterns. We evaluated this hy- pothesis for Florida (USA) scrub plants by developing three models of reproductive effort with time since last fire given assumptions concerning seed dormancy and seedling estab- lishment. We then examined reproductive effort of five woody, resprouting shrubs at sites representing nine times since last fire (ranging from 0-64 yr). All species showed significant patterns with time since fire in percentage of stems reproduc- tive and fruit production. Stems of all species needed to attain a minimum size before flowering. Four species had the great- est level of reproductive effort (fruit biomass/above-ground biomass) within 5 yr post-fire and best fit the Early Peak Model of reproductive effort (i.e. between-fire seedling re- cruitment or seed dormancy). A fifth species best fit the Broad Peak Model (i.e. immediate post-fire seedling establishment), peaking in reproductive effort at 7 yr post-fire. Both of these models are based on somewhat variable fire-return intervals, suggesting that the frequency of scrub fires may have been too unpredictable to select for reproductive allocation patterns precisely reflecting particular fire-return intervals. Early peaks in post-fire reproductive effort may be a bet-hedging strategy to allow for greater chances of seedling establishment and survival.
The ‘distressed’ personality, coping and cardiovascular risk

Type D (or ‘distressed’) personality has shown success in predicting hard medical outcomes (e.g. morbidity and mortality) in cardiac patients. Little is known about the relationship between Type D individuals prior to disease, or the role that coping may play in individuals with the distressed personality. The present study examined the relationships among Type D Personality, coping strategies, and heart rate variability (HRV) in a non-medical sample of young adults. Social supportive coping was found to moderate the relationship between Type D personality and HRV. Additionally, as compared to non-Type Ds, Type D individuals more often relied on avoidant forms of coping, and they less often relied on positive/problem focused strategies or social support to cope. Implications for primary prevention and future research were discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced Slow Pressor Effect of Angiotensin II in Two-Kidney, One Clip Rats

Phase II of two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) Goldblatt hypertension in the rat is characterized by elevated blood pressure and near-normal plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II) but is reversed by inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system. We hypothesized that this angiotensin dependence is due to enhanced responsiveness to the slow pressor effect of Ang II caused by renal artery stenosis. To test this idea, we submitted rats to either renal artery clipping or sham operation. These groups were immediately subdivided; some animals received enalapril in their drinking water (508 mumol/L), and the rest drank distilled water only. After 10 to 14 days, catheters were inserted into the aorta and vena cava, and the rats were housed in metabolism cages. After 3 control days of measurement of mean arterial pressure and other variables, the enalapril-treated groups received an intravenous infusion of Ang II at a dose of 3.8 pmol/min (4 ng/min) for 14 days. Rats not drinking enalapril received only saline vehicle (2 mmol Na+ per day). After 3 days of Ang II infusion, the enalapril-treated 2K1C rats had attained a significantly higher level of mean arterial pressure than the enalapril-treated sham rats. At the end of the Ang II infusion, mean arterial pressure in enalapril-treated 2K1C rats was 151 +/- 6 mm Hg versus 107 +/- 7 mm Hg in enalapril-treated sham rats. Mean arterial pressure in the enalapril-treated sham rats after Ang II infusion was not significantly different from that of untreated sham rats (109 +/- 2 mm Hg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparison of the Suppressive Effects of Water Immersion and Saline Administrationon Renin-Aldosterone in Normal Man*

Although previous studies have demonstrated that water immersion to the neck (NI) results in a relative central hypervolemia and a profound suppression of PRA and plasma aldosterone(PA), it is unclear whether the magnitude of suppression of the renin-aldosterone axis is comparable to that induced by extracellular fluid volume expansion associated with acute saline administration. The present study was undertaken, therefore, to compare the relative suppressive effectsof NI and saline administration on the renin-aldosterone axis. Nine normal subjects were studied on three occasions while in balance on a 10-meq Na, 100-meq K diet: control, NI, and saline. Blood for PRA and PA was obtained at 30-min intervals for 6 h. The conditions of seated posture and time of day were identical. NI produced a profound suppression of PRA (54 ° 10%) and a 59% suppression of PA which were similar both in magnitude and temporal profile to those observed during saline. The present study characterizes the dynamics of PRA and PA ...
Transit-oriented development and the frequency of modal use

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is assumed to be effective at changing the travel behavior of individuals, particularly in increasing the use of public transit, but also by increasing walking activity while decreasing driving. The analysis presented here examines the frequency of using these modes of travel for those living in TODs and proximate to a train station versus those living more distantly. Household survey data was collected for the area surrounding eight rail stations in the state of New Jersey in the United States. The models developed include factors that control for attitudes about the neighborhood where respond-ents reside and how long they have lived at their current residence. Other control variables to represent the urban design of the neighborhood are also included. A factor analysis of the attitudinal variables produces five factors that are used as controls in an ordered structural equation model of frequency of using public transit, walking, and driving. Results suggest that those living in TODs and closer to the train station use public transit and walk more frequently than those living farther out; they also drive less frequently than those living farther out.
Distribution of Chaetodactylus krombeini (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) within Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) nests: implications for population management

Chaetodactylus krombeini (Baker) (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) is a cleptoparasitic mite that negatively affects propagation of Osmia spp. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) for orchard pollination in the USA. This study was conducted to determine the effect of C. krombeini on mortality of male and female Osmia cornifrons, the Japanese hornfaced bee. A total of 107 O. cornifrons nests were examined to determine within-nest distribution of C. krombeini with regression analyses. A total of 30 mite-free O. cornifrons nests were observed and within-nest distribution of male and female O. cornifrons was determined with non-linear regression analyses. In addition, cocoons from 20 mite-infested O. cornifrons cells were examined to determine whether C. krombeini could be found inside cocoons of O. cornifrons. The results of this study showed that female O. cornifrons and C. krombeini were found more frequently in the inner part of the nest, and male O. cornifrons were found mostly in the center of the nest. No C. krombeini were found inside O. cornifrons cocoons. These results indicate that C. krombeini have a greater negative impact on mortality in the egg and larval stages of female O. cornifrons than in male O. cornifrons. Implications for management of C. krombeini and O. cornifrons populations for orchard pollination are discussed in this article.
The Power of Sophisticated Phenotypic Screening and Modern Mechanism-of-Action Methods

The enthusiasm for phenotypic screening as an approach for small-molecule discovery has increased dramatically over the last several years. The recent increase in phenotype-based discoveries is in part due to advancements in phenotypic readouts in improved disease models that recapitulate clinically relevant biology in cell culture. Of course, a major historical barrier to using phenotypic assays in chemical biology has been the challenge in determining the mechanism of action (MoA) for compounds of interest. With the combination of medically inspired phenotypic screening and the development of modern MoA methods, we can now start implementing this approach in chemical probe and drug discovery. In this Perspective, we highlight recent advances in phenotypic readouts and MoA determination by discussing several case studies in which both activities were required for understanding the chemical biology involved and, in some cases, advancing toward clinical development.
Steering International NGOs through Time: The Influence of Temporal Structuring in Government Accountability Requirements

Relying on qualitative interview data from three U.S.-based government-funded international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), this article explores the temporal structuring, that is, the timing of governmental accountability requirements and their impact on nonprofit organizations. The article reports that, entrenched within government accountability requirements and expectations are temporal structures that serve as powerful levers for influencing, ensuring, and verifying INGOs’ financial integrity and stewardship of the federal dollars awarded to them. The article draws the following conclusion: that government’s accountability practices are operationalized through ex ante, mid-course, and ex post temporal structures, all of which, combined with verification and explanatory accountability processes, effectively serve to steer, direct, and control the managerial and operational decisions of INGOs.
Javelina: An Environment for Digital Signal Processing Software Development

Javelina is a software environment for the development of discrete-time signal processing systems. It is written in the Smalltalk-80 programming environment and includes notation editors and tools for digital filter design, mathematical optimization of state variable systems, and the generation of optimized machine language programs for a variety of digital signal processors. Prior to the introduction of general-purpose digital signal processors (DSPs), the design of special hardware was required in order to get many signal processing algorithms to execute in real time. The new, general-purpose DSP hardware need only be designed once, but a new program must be written for each algorithm, typically in microcode or assembly language. The time spent in software design now exceeds the time spent in hardware design. This paper describes Javelina, an environment for the development of software for digital signal processors. This environment translates discrete-time systems into the machine language of any of several digital signal processors. Javelina includes facilities for manipulating, evaluating, and measuring the discrete-time system throughout the development process.
Factors Delaying Stroke Team Notification in the Emergency Department in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombolytic Treatment (P6.085)

Objective: To determine factors contributing to delay in stroke-code activation in the emergency department (ED) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Background: AIS is a time sensitive treatable condition demanding a comprehensive team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and ancillary staff working to deliver safe, timely care while meeting AHA standards for “door-to-needle” treatment times. Every 15 minutes saved in treatment results in 1 additional month of disability-free life. Previous studies have focused on cumulative “door-to-needle” time and factors delaying care. Little data on factors affecting the component performance measures such as door to stroke team notification exist (AHA guideline ≤ 15 minutes). Methods: A retrospective review of all stroke patients reported in our database arriving through the ED without pre-notification and treated with intravenous thrombolysis from 2007-2015. Time to stroke-code activation, arrival mode (EMS, non-EMS), NIHSS and age were collected and charts reviewed for stroke territory (anterior, posterior circulation) and presenting symptoms on NIHSS categorized within the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) criteria and dichotomized into 0-1 or 2-3 FAST criteria. Door to stroke-code activation was assessed against all variables in 99 patients using log-rank statistics to compare time to activation distributions followed by Cox-PH modeling. Results: Median stroke code activation was 9.5 minutes longer in patients with 0-1 FAST criteria vs 2-3 FAST criteria (16 vs 6.5 minutes; p=0.0066). Age, NIHSS, and arrival mode did not contribute to delay and when assessed as covariates the presence of at least 2 FAST criteria remained significant (p=0.028). Conclusions: Clinical presentation with 2-3 FAST criteria results in shorter stroke-code activation times compared to 0-1. Improved recognition of common stroke syndromes not accounted for in the FAST criteria by ED personnel is a performance improvement opportunity through expedited stroke team notification and faster door-to-needle treatment times. Disclosure: Dr. Gill has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ray has nothing to disclose. Dr. Eriksson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Durazo-Arvizu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ruland has received personal compensation for activities with Aztra Zeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim as a consultant and/or speaker.
Distally Based Iliotibial Band Flap: Anatomic Study with Surgical Considerations

Background Reconstruction of high-risk fascia, tendon, or ligament defects may benefit from vascularized tissue. The iliotibial band (ITB), a thick fibrous tract of connective tissue, serves as a potential donor site for free tissue transfer but its blood supply has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this anatomical study was to investigate the vascular supply to the distal ITB and its role as a free fascial flap. Methods We dissected 16 fresh-frozen cadaveric legs and injected latex into the superolateral geniculate artery (SLGA). A distal ITB fascial flap was designed and measurements were taken for flap dimensions, pedicle length and size, and SLGA perfusion territory. Results The SLGA perfused 11.5 ± 2.3 cm of distal ITB (proximal to the lateral femoral epicondyle) and provided 6.4 ± 0.7cm of pedicle length to the ITB flap. Conclusions Chimeric options to include bone (from the lateral femoral condyle), cartilage (from the lateral femoral trochlea), muscle (from vastus lateralis or biceps femoris), and skin are possible. Surgical harvest techniques are proposed, including preservation of ITB insertions to minimize lateral knee instability. Clinical validation is needed to determine the role of the distal ITB free fascial flap in reconstructive microsurgery.