cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copy number variations in individuals with conotruncal heart defects reveal some shared developmental pathways irrespective of 22q11.2 deletion status

Over 50% of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS) have a conotruncal or related cardiac defect (CTRD). We hypothesized that similar genetic variants, developmental pathways and biological functions, contribute to disease risk for CTRD in patients without a 22q11.2 deletion (ND-CTRD) and with a 22q11.2 deletion (DS-CTRD). To test this hypothesis, we performed rare CNV (rCNV)-based analyses on 630 ND-CTRD cases and 602 DS-CTRD cases with comparable cardiac lesions separately and jointly. First, we detected a collection of heart development related pathways from Gene Ontology and Mammalian Phenotype Ontology analysis. We then constructed gene regulation networks using unique genes collected from the rCNVs found in the ND-CTRD and DS-CTRD cohorts. These gene networks were clustered and their predicted functions were examined. We further investigated expression patterns of those unique genes using publicly available mouse embryo microarray expression data from single-cell embryos to fully developed hearts. By these bioinformatics approaches, we identified a commonly shared gene expression pattern in both the ND-CTRD and DS-CTRD cohorts. Computational analysis of gene functions characterized with this expression pattern revealed a collection of significantly enriched terms related to cardiovascular development. By our combined analysis of rCNVs in the ND-CTRD and DS-CTRD cohorts, a group of statistically significant shared pathways, biological functions, and gene expression patterns were identified that can be tested in future studies for their biological relevance.
Test Order Does Not Affect Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening Item Scores in High School Athletes.

Objective To compare VOMS item scores between a fixed and randomized administration order in a sample of nonconcussed high school athletes. Design Post-test only, quasi-experimental design. Setting Local high schools in a mid-west region of the United States. Patients Fifty nonconcussed high school athletes (M = 15.64; SD = 1.12 years) completed the VOMS in a randomized testing order (RANDOM), and 49 (M = 15.64; SD = 1.12 years) completed the VOMS in the fixed testing order (FIXED). The groups were matched on age, sex, learning disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, concussion history, and baseline concussion symptoms. Interventions The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool comprises pretest symptoms, smooth pursuit (SP), horizontal/vertical saccade (HSAC/VSAC), average near-point of convergence (NPC) distance, convergence symptoms, horizontal/vertical vestibular ocular reflex (HVOR/VVOR), and visual motion sensitivity (VMS). Main outcome measures Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to examine differences between FIXED and RANDOM groups on VOMS items. RANDOM scores were rearranged in order of administration and combined with the FIXED group scores, and a Freidman test was performed for repeated measures. Results There were no significant differences between FIXED and RANDOM groups on VOMS pretest symptoms (U = 1171, P = 0.57), SP (U = 1122.5, P = 0.35), HSAC (U = 1128.5, P = 0.44), VSAC (U = 1055.5, P = 0.16), convergence symptoms (U = 1129.0, P = 0.41), average NPC distance (U = 979.0, P = 0.06), HVOR (U = 1085.0, P = 0.25), VVOR (U = 1126.0, P = 0.41), and VMS scores (U = 1101.0, P = 0.32). When VOMS items were rearranged and the sample was combined, there were no differences for repeated measures [χ (6) = 9.92, P = 0.13]. Conclusions There were no significant differences on VOMS items between FIXED and RANDOM groups for repeated measures. The testing order of VOMS items does not affect VOMS scores in nonconcussed high school athletes.
Poverty, Inequality, and Suicide Rates: A Cross-National Assessment of the Durkheim Theory and the Stream Analogy of Lethal Violence

This study draws on the theories of Emile Durkheim and the Stream Analogy of Lethal Violence to examine the effect of poverty on suicide rates across 15 Western European nations and the United Stat...
Improving Research Practice for Studying Borderline Personality Disorder: Lessons From the Clinic.

Borderline personality disorder is an often misunderstood and underdiagnosed mental illness characterized in part by affective lability. Clinicians’ unique understanding of the disorder has allowed...
Practical Reason and Teleology: MacIntyre’s Critique of Modern Moral Philosophy

Alasdair MacIntyre (no relation) is best known for his critique of modern rationalist moral philosophy and his attempted resuscitation of the Aristotelian tradition of virtue ethics. Of course, he is not alone in promoting a revitalization of Aristotle (and St. Thomas Aquinas), but he has offered the most well-known critique of the shallowness and ultimate vacuity of the two most prevalent forms of modern moral philosophy: utilitarianism and deontology. I propose to offer a sympathetic account of his critique of modern moral rationalism, while also suggesting that his critique owes as much to other modern critics of moral rationalism, like Hegel and Collingwood, as it does to Aristotle and Aquinas. I will also suggest that the primary weakness of MacIntyre’s version of virtue ethics is that it does not adequately answer the challenges posed by modern moral pluralism to a unified conception of the human telos. I will focus the essay, for the most part, on After Virtue, but will also address A Short History of Ethics, Whose Justice? Which Rationality?, and Three Rival Versions of Moral Inquiry.
Early changes in bone turnover predict longer-term changes in bone mineral density but not trabecular bone score in frail older women.

Clinicians and patients want to know if therapy is working early in their course of treatment. We found that early changes in bone turnover markers at 6 months were associated with long-term changes in bone mineral density but not trabecular bone score at 12 and 24 months. We sought to examine the association between shorter-term changes in markers of bone turnover and longer-term changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure in a cohort of frail elderly women with multiple comorbid conditions including osteoporosis. We performed a secondary analysis of a 2-year zoledronic acid trial for osteoporosis in 155 women residents of long-term care communities (mean age 86.9 years). We examined the association of the 6-month change in serum C-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and serum intact procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP) with the 12- and 24-month changes in BMD at the spine and hip and the trabecular bone score (TBS), an indirect measure of bone microstructure. For every 0.2-ng/ml 6-month CTX decrease, the corresponding increase in spine BMD at 12 and 24 months was 0.2% (p = 0.7210) and 1.1% (p = 0.0396), respectively; total hip BMD 1.1% (p = 0.0279) and 0.9% (p = 0.0716); and femoral neck BMD 1.7% (p = 0.0079) and 0.9% (p = 0.1698). Similarly, for every 20-ng/ml 6-month PINP decrease, the corresponding increase in spine BMD at 12 and 24 months was 0.9% (p = 0.0286) and 1.4% (p = 0.0012), respectively; total hip BMD 1.4% (p = 0.0005) and 1.4% (p = 0.0006); and femoral neck BMD 2.3% (p < 0.0001) and 2.0% (p < 0.0001). Bone marker changes were not consistently associated with TBS changes. Shorter-term 6-month changes in bone turnover markers are associated with the long-term changes in BMD over 1–2 years in the spine and hip but not with TBS.
Palpitations After Pacemaker Implant

A 63-year-old woman with documented bradycardia–tachycardia syndrome but no structural heart disease was implanted with a dual chamber pacing system. The patient did well over the ensuing several months, but then began to have recurrent palpitations associated with breathlessness and chest discomfort. Diagnosis and solutions are discussed.
Consistency among social groups in judging emotions across time.

We measured judgments about emotions across time. In Study 1 (N = 254) and Study 2 (N = 162), LGBTQ-Latinx, straight-Latinx, LGBTQ-White, and straight-White emerging adults rated how they would feel if a perpetrator acted positively (P) or negatively (N) toward them in single, isolated events. In Study 2, participants also responded to a new emotions across time task where they judged how they would feel interacting with a hypothetical perpetrator across three timepoints: (1) an initial past event, (2) a recent past event, and (3) an uncertain future-oriented event (e.g., seeing the perpetrator again). Participants further predicted their thoughts and decisions in the uncertain future-oriented event. The past emotional events appeared in various sequences (PP, NN, NP, PN). Results indicated that participants judged events as emotionally unambiguous when occurring first in a sequence or in isolation (positive events feel better than negative events). In contrast, initial events shaped emotional reactions to subsequent events: Participants responded more intensely to episodes that were preceded by events of the same valence. In addition to this augmenting effect, initial negative events were especially sticky: Participants rated a positive event following a negative event as feeling less good than when a positive event appeared first or in isolation, but they judged negative events to feel equivalently bad regardless of order. When evaluating future-oriented affective states, participants drew from the prior experiences and prioritized the recent past (more positive emotions, thoughts, and decisions for PP > NP > PN > NN). Effects replicated across all social groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Estimation of breeding value for bodyweight of grasscutters

Animal breeders are interested in the genetic worth or total genetic merit of an animal for a given trait. The value of an animal in a breeding program for a particular trait is called the breeding value. The aim of this study was to predict the breeding values for bodyweight of grasscutters at 4, 6 and 8 months of age using univariate animal model. Four families of grasscutters with five grasscutters per family were used for the study. Families 3 and 4 had higher bodyweight at 4 and 6 months compared with families 1 and 2. Family 4 had the highest bodyweight at 8 month and family 2 had the least. The estimated breeding values (EBV) for bodyweight of grasscutters ranged from -0.06kg to 0.45kg at 4 month, -0.05kg to 0.45 kg at 6 month and -0.04kg to 0.55kg at 8 month. The reliability of the EBV (%) ranged from 51.00 to 62.50, 22.25 to 43.81 and 25.84 to 49.00 at 4, 6 and 8 months of age respectively. This implies that the correlations between estimated breeding value and true genetic merit were medium to high in magnitude. The reliability of the EBV could be improved further through collecting more phenotypic information on the animal and its relatives and by improving the heritability of the trait. Les eleveurs s'interessent a la valeur genetique ou au merite genetique total d'un animal pour un trait donne. La valeur d'un animal dans un programme d'elevage pour un trait particulier est appelee valeur de reproduction. Le but de cette etude etait de predire les valeurs de reproduction du poids corporel des coupe-herbes a l'âge de 4, 6 et 8 mois a l'aide d'un modele animal univarie. Quatre familles de coupe-herbes avec cinq coupes-herbes par famille ont ete utilisees pour l'etude. Les familles 3 et 4 avaient un poids corporel plus eleve a 4 et 6 mois comparativement aux familles 1 et 2. Famille 4 avait le poids corporel le plus eleve a 8 mois et la famille 2 avait le moins. Les valeurs de reproduction estimees (le 'EBV') pour le poids corporel des coupe-herbes allaient de -0.06 kg a 0,45 kg a 4 mois, -0.05 kg a 0.45 kg a 6 mois et -0.04 kg a 0.55 kg a 8 mois. La fiabilite de l'EBV (%) 51.00 a 62.50, 22.25 a 43.81 et 25.84 a 49.00 a 4, 6 et 8 mois respectivement. Cela implique que les correlations entre la valeur de reproduction estimee et le veritable merite genetique etaient de taille moyenne a elevee. La fiabilite de l'EBV pourrait etre encore amelioree en recueillant plus d'informations phenotypique sur l'animal et ses parents et en ameliorant l'herabilite du trait.
Non-Abelian gauge lepton symmetry as the gateway to dark matter

Abstract Following a previous proposal, lepton number is considered as the result of a spontaneously broken non-Abelian gauge S U ( 2 ) N symmetry. New fermions are added to support this new symmetry, the spontaneous breaking of which allows these new fermions to be part of the dark sector, together with the vector gauge boson which communicates between them and the usual leptons. A byproduct is a potential significant contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment.
Comparing Distance Judgments in Real and Augmented Reality

There is a growing interest in using augmented reality for simulation and training across fields such as medicine, military, and others. An important question to address is whether distances to virtual objects displayed in augmented reality are perceived accurately and similarly to the real world. Current augmented reality (AR) devices, such as the HoloLens, provide an advantage over virtual reality with regard to depth perception because they display virtual objects in a real world context that preserves depth cues of the real world. However, these AR devices limit real world experience because they restrict the field of view (FOV), add weight, and may be cumbersome to wear over time. In the current study, we investigated whether distance judgments were similar when objects were presented in the real world or in augmented reality (via the HoloLens version 1). All participants wore the device to control for the effect of weight on distance judgments. We also tested whether reducing cues to depth by asking participants to view the targets both monocularly and binocularly affected judgments. Participants blind walked to a cube placed at varying distances in both a condition where the cube was viewed monocularly and binocularly. There was no main effect for viewing in augmented reality vs. the real world. But, viewing condition (either monocular or binocular) did interact with group such that viewing monocularly resulted in greater underestimation of farther distances for AR targets compared to real world targets. These findings provide support for the notion that distance estimations to real and augmented reality objects can be similar, given binocular viewing conditions. Our study suggests that AR may be well suited for training and simulation applications that utilize the range of distances tested herein.
Post-KR delay intervals and mental practice: a test of Adams' closed loop theory.

Abstract Two hypotheses generated by Adams' closed loop theory of motor learning were the subject of this investigation. There is a time interval between successive trials on a learning task that is divided into a KR delay interval and a post-KR interval. Adams hypothesized that increasing the post-KR delay interval up to a point would be beneficial to learning and that the type of activity in the interval has no effect on learning. This study used five groups in which the time interval and interval activity were variables. A repeated measures ANOVA design was used to analyze data from 50 undergraduate subjects. Significant learning took place on the task but no treatment effects were significant. This lent partial support to Adams' theory about activity in the interval but did not support the idea of increasing the time interval to facilitate learning.
Local complete intersections in ℙ² and Koszul syzygies

We study the syzygies of a codimension two ideal I = h f1, f2, f3i ⊆ k(x, y, z). Our main result is that the module of syzygies vanishing (scheme- theoretically) at the zero locus Z = V(I) is generated by the Koszul syzygies iff Z is a local complete intersection. The proof uses a characterization of complete intersections due to Herzog (4). When I is saturated, we relate our theorem to results of Weyman (7) and Simis and Vasconcelos (6). We conclude with an example of how our theorem fails for four generated local complete intersections in k(x, y, z) and we discuss generalizations to higher dimensions.
Effects of critical source area on sediment yield and streamflow

The spatial discretization scale determines the degree to which the spatial heterogeneity of the surface condition and the stream network can be represented. Discretization scale can have a significant impact on watershed model results, with respect to both hydrology and water quality. The impact of critical source area (CSA) on simulated water yield for each cell can be assessed for streamflow and run-off using the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source (AnnAGNPS) model. The total number of cells simulated for the six watersheds ranged from 8 to 352 for various CSA combinations. Increasing the number of subwatersheds increased water and sediment yield in many watersheds. Increasing the number of cells influences the depiction of land use and soil type accordingly and therefore influences run-off. The applied CSAs were also compared with topographic parameters such as average cell slope, average channel slope and length to width ratio of each watershed.
WORMEROS: A New Framework for Defending against Wormhole Attacks on Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Wormhole attack is a type of replay attack in wireless networks that has serious consequences and is hard to defend against. This is because the attacker does not need to modify packets or compromise wireless nodes. This paper introduces Wormeros, a new framework to detect wormhole attacks in wireless networks. The framework contains two phases namely suspicion and confirmation. Our solution does not require any special hardware (such as GPS) or expensive mechanisms (such as time synchronization) added to the wireless nodes. Using analysis and simulation, we show that our solution is effective in detecting and defending against wormhole attacks.
Estimating business and residential water supply interruption losses from catastrophic events

[1] Following man-made or natural catastrophes, widespread and long-lasting disruption of lifelines can lead to economic impacts for both business and residential lifeline users. As a result, the total economic losses caused by infrastructure damage may be much higher than the value of damage to infrastructure itself. In this paper, we consider the estimation of economic impacts on businesses and residential consumers resulting from water supply disruption. The methodology we present for estimating business interruption losses assumes that marginal losses are increasing in the severity of disruption and that there may be a critical water availability cutoff below which business activity ceases. To estimate residential losses from water supply interruption, we integrate consumers' demand curves, calibrated to water agency price and quantity data. Our methodologies are spatially disaggregated and explicitly account for the time profile of infrastructure repair and restoration. As an illustration, we estimate the economic losses to business and residential water users of one of the major water supply systems of the San Francisco Bay Area of California resulting from two potential earthquake scenarios, a magnitude 7.9 event on the San Andreas Fault and a magnitude 7.1 event on the Hayward Fault. For the business loss estimation, our modeling framework is general enough to calculate and compare losses using loss functions from several previous studies. Estimated business and residential losses for the San Andreas event are $14.4 billion and $279 million, respectively. For the Hayward event, estimated business and residential losses are $9.3 billion and $37 million, respectively.
The clonal selection theory challenged: the “immunological self”

Burnet's concepts have taken different forms; some have proposed only subtle variations to the underpinnings of clonal selection theory proper, while others have boldly asserted a challenge to the central concept itself, suggesting that “the ruling paradigm” of modern immunology is no longer valid. A critical examination of Macfarlane Burnet's clonal selection theory highlights the difference between its core hypotheses and the ancillary hypotheses advanced to address the many secondary implications of the theory. It seems safe to conclude that the two major tenets that comprise the theory remain unchallenged: that antigen selects (more-or-less specifically) from among a population of spontaneously formed receptor-bearing cells, to stimulate those bearing the homologous receptors; and that this interaction results in the clonal proliferation and differentiation of these cells. There are two reasons why modern immunologists concentrate on “the immunological self.” With the discovery of T cell functions and of T cell receptors, it was found by Zinkernagel and Doherty that these receptors react with a polypeptide attached to a native MHC molecule. Here was “recognition in the context of self,” appearing to reinforce the notion of the sharp divide between the self and the other. The second reason for the prevailing interest in self–nonself discrimination is perhaps more important; for many, the phrase self–nonself discrimination has come to epitomize one of the major unsolved problems facing the discipline today.
The Time Spread of Star Formation in the Pleiades

It is at least reasonable to believe that the time spread of star formation in a cluster could influence the resultant (averaged) IMF. If so, then we would expect a "universal" IMF within clusters only if the time spread of star formation was sensibly the same for all clusters. Alternatively, if the time spread of star formation is highly variable in clusters, it would seem likely that their IMF’s should also be fairly variable. In fact, there have been a number of claims for large time spreads of star formation in open clusters, most notably the Pleiades. I will review the various claims of an age spread in the Pleiades and attempt to reconcile them.
INTRODUCTION Critical Interventions and Lingering Concerns: Critical Cartography/GISci, Social Theory, and Alternative Possible Futures

Welcome to this special issue on Critical Cartographies and GIScience. The call for papers for this issue emphasized three major themes. First, we encouraged authors to focus on socio-political relations inscribed in mapping products and practice, including exploration of the potential for increased democratization of mapping technologies. Second, given the rapidity and intensity of technological innovation and change in the last few years, we were interested in papers that considered the particularities of this current moment with respect to cartographic and digital technology and diffusion, including how these changes force
Impact of population growth on food supplies and environment.

This article presents a discussion of the impact of world population growth on available natural resources and the demands for food and water. Currently 1-2 billion people are already malnourished due to insufficient food low incomes and inadequate food distribution. A doubling of population in under 50 years to 12 billion will result in increasingly severe food problems and an estimated 3 billion malnourished. The US National Academy of Sciences and the scientists of the Royal Society issued a joint statement about the growing imbalance between people and food. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that the 80% of the available world food supply that is devoted to world grains per capita declined over the past 15 years. With projected population increases the declines and additional grains needed for the addition of more people will greatly increase the pressure on land and water resources. An ample food supply is dependent upon ample fertile land fresh water energy and biodiversity. Almost 33% or 1.5 billion hectares of the worlds cropland was abandoned due to soil erosion and unproductivity. Replacement of eroded land is coming from marginal and forest land. 60-80% of deforestation is attributed to land acquisition for agricultural purposes. Available cropland per capita is now only 0.27 hectares per capita in the world. US or European diet requires 0.50 hectares per capita. Food shortages are related to lower land productivity and shortages of productive cropland. Agricultural production requires about 87% of the worlds freshwater and a significant amount of the worlds supply of fossil fuel. About 40% of world population competes for shared water resources. Food importation may not be viable at some point in the future. Today about 183 nations are dependent on food imports. A high standard of living is possible with 200 million fewer people in the US and 2 billion fewer people in the world.
Physics of Laser-Induced Hyperthermia

The rationale for the use of a new modality such as laser-induced hyperthermia in the treatment of human neoplasm is based on a broad spectrum of research. The general research on hyperthermia has been conducted over a centennial, whereas the work on laser-induced hyperthermia has been carried out over the last decade.
A hybrid fiber amplifier with 36.9-dBm output power and 70-dB gain

Abstract A high-power and extremely high-gain hybrid fiber amplifier with the good noise figure (NF) performance is developed and investigated. It comprises a two-stage erbium-doped fiber amplifier as a pre-amplifier and an erbium/ytterbium co-doped double-cladding fiber amplifier as a post-amplifier. At the signal wavelength of 1550 nm, the signal gains of up to 70 dB and the maximum output power of 36.9 dBm or 4.90 W have been demonstrated when the total pump power is 12.5 W. We have obtained that the NFs of the hybrid fiber amplifier is varying from 6.12 to 7.72 dB for the 1550-nm signal wavelength with the input power range from −21 to +6 dBm.
Measurement of thermal conductivity of polymer melts by the line‐source method

An apparatus has been developed for the measurement of thermal conductivity of polymer melts. Based on the transient “line source method,” it is ideally suited to these materials because measurements can be made quickly, before the onset of thermal degradation. Also, little or no sample preparation is required. A number of commercial polymers have been tested, including some glass-fiber filled composites.
MADD/DENN Splice Variant of the IG20 Gene Is a Negative Regulator of Caspase-8 Activation KNOCKDOWN ENHANCES TRAIL-INDUCED APOPTOSIS OF CANCER CELLS

The MADD variant of the IG20 gene is necessary and sufficient for cancer cell survival. Abrogation of MADD, but not the other IG20 splice variants, can render cancer cells more susceptible to spontaneous as well as TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)-induced apoptosis. Both types of apoptosis in cells devoid of MADD can be inhibited by expression of CrmA or dominant-negative FADD, thereby suggesting that endogenous MADD may be targeting caspase-8 activation. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that MADD down-modulation could lead to caspase-8 activation at the death receptors without an apparent increase in the recruitment of death-inducing signaling complex components such as FADD. Further, we found that MADD can directly interact with death receptors, but not with either caspase-8 or FADD, and can inhibit caspase-8 activation. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of MADD in the control of cancer cell survival/death and in conferring significant resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In addition, our results indicate the therapeutic potential of MADD abrogation in enhancing TRAIL-induced selective apoptosis of cancer cells.
Techniques and real world experiences in mobile device security

Mobile devices have become ubiquitous in today's technology-enabled organization. Not only have they become commonplace, many business practices have not only matured to support mobile interaction, but embraced it at all levels, culminating in a rising “mobile first” philosophy throughout the organization. With this rise in mobile presence, however, comes significant challenges. The rise of “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) brings new requirements on organizations, including new approaches to security, data protection and information flows. It no longer suffices to craft organizational policies and procedures around wholly-owned corporate devices; today's security policy makers must craft more flexible and dynamic systems that can support privately- owned devices. Here in this paper, we discuss the many different factors and considerations that go into approaching security for mobile devices in an organization, not just from existing technologies, but to our experience in putting these models to use in the enterprise. We talk about not only high-level techniques, such as encryption and identity/authorization, but also of new and developing security approaches surrounding the mobile ecosystem. We will show examples of our own experiments in novel security approaches, and discuss our successes and failures in the course of bringing our organizational security.
Self-Organized Cognitive Maps

This paper argues cognitive mapping is a learning process that can be simulated by a self-organizing neural network. The learning of city locations was considered in two studies. One study focused on the learning of city locations on four continents. Results indicated the neural network aligned the cities producing systematic errors similar to those in human cognitive maps. A second study had a neural network learn a biased sample of city locations in the United States. Results indicated a non-linear relationship between cognitive and physical distances. Self-organized cognitive maps naturally produce this non-linear relationship when information from more than one scale is mapped into one space.
Space radiation testing of thin film and multilayer optical coatings

With the increasing complexity of optical designs flown on satellites, specialty thin film and multilayer filter coatings are being implemented more often. Unfortunately, very little ionizing radiation testing has actually been performed on such coatings, and certainly not completed to very high doses as might be experienced by an unshielded space optic in orbit for many years. In this paper we present results of gamma irradiation testing on the transmission properties of selected multilayer filters and optical coatings performed in an inert argon environment.
A self-configurable large-scale virtual manufacturing environment for collaborative designers

As manufacturing environments are getting distributed and increasing in size, the related virtual environments are getting larger and more closely networked together. This trend has led to a new paradigm—large-scale virtual manufacturing environment (LSVME). It supports networked and distributed virtual manufacturing to meet manufacturing system requirements. Since it contains a large number of virtual components, an effective data structure and collaborative construction methodology are needed. A metaearth architecture is proposed as the data structure for representing LSVME. This architecture consists of virtual space layer, mapping layer, library layer and ontology layers, which describe interaction among virtual components and has the ability to analyze the characteristics of virtual environment. In addition, it increases reusability of virtual components and supports self-reconfiguration for manufacturing simulation. A heuristic construction method based on graph theory is proposed using this architecture. It prevents redundant design of virtual components and contributes to an effective construction scheduling technique for collaborative designers.
IONIZING IRRADIATION: EFFECTS OF REPEATED LOW-DOSE EXPOSURE.

Abstract Thirteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a total dosage of 1544 r of X-irradiation administered in low daily dosages five days a week for approximately nine months. Twelve control animals were sharm irradiated for a like period of time. Both groups were required to learn increasingly complex escape patterns in a water maze. The experimental and control groups did not differ in mean number of errors. In addition, the groups did not differ in weight gain for the period of the experiment nor in the time they could stay afloat.
The absorption effect of US Treasury auctions

An event study methodology shows that the relative yields of off-the-run Treasury securities are not insulated from the effects related to the auction calendar. A statistically significant but short-lived increase in relative yields is associated with the introduction of additional cashflows at corresponding and neighboring horizons. This absorption effect, where the additional supply of cashflows is associated with lower prices, is identified separately from the liquidity effect, where newly auctioned issues obtain higher prices. While sensitive to the specification of event window, an analogous methodology employed for on-the-run bonds, finds a 1-day negative effect at the benchmark 5-, 10-, and 30-year horizons.
INITIATION VIA HALOBORATION IN LIVING CATIONIC POLYMERIZATION. 6. A NOVEL METHOD FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF PRIMARY AMINE FUNCTIONAL POLYISOBUTYLENES

Polyisobutylene (PIB) benzyl amine was synthesized by reacting benzyl azide with the dichloroboron head group of PIB obtained by polymerization of isobutylene (IB) via haloboration-initia-tion with boron trichloride. The facile, one-pot reaction at room temperature resulted in quantitative conversion of the PIB dichloroboron head groups into benzyl amine functionality, determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and titration with per-chloric acid. The hydrogenation of the secondary amine was attempted with various hydrogenation catalysts, of which only palladium yielded primary amine functional PIB. Pt and PtO hydrogenated the benzene ring resulting in PIB cyclohexyl methylene amine. With Pd only about 80% of the chain ends carried the primary amine functional group, apparently due to a side reaction. The side reaction was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy using PIB benzyl amine prepared from deuterated IB. Although direct evidence was not obtained, the 1H NMR spectrum of the debenzylated product indicates that elimi...
Flow properties at elevated temperatures and clarity of HSPAN gel–water dispersions

Dispersions of hydrolyzed-starch–polyacrylonitrile (HSPAN) gel and distilled water underwent permanent diminuntion of room-temperature viscosity after maintenance above a threshold temperature of 75°C for periods of several weeks. Below the threshold temperature, viscosity measured at room temperature was unaffected. Above the threshold temperature, the final room-temperature viscosity exponentially varied as the inverse absolute temperature, and the viscosity decreased with increasing temperature. The HSPAN gel–distilled water dispersions exhibited both yield stress and velocity slip at a solid boundary, but the latter was not present at low shearing stresses. The former inhibited natural convection in a vertical slot with an imposed horizontal temperature difference. Clarity of the dispersions was demonstrated by a character-visibility test. Deaerating the distilled water by boiling before mixing with HSPAN gel improved the clarity of the resulting dispersion by eliminating the formation of bubbles at elevated temperature. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alcohol, aging, and cognitive performance: a cross-cultural comparison.

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive performance in two culturally diverse community-based populations. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was used including Japanese Americans (n = 1,836) and Caucasians (n = 2,581) aged 65 and older. Cognitive performance was measured using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) (0 to 100 point scale) and reaction time. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed significant cultural and gender differences with cognitive performance. Compared to abstainers, Caucasian drinkers scored higher than Japanese American drinkers on the CASI (adjusted means = 93.4 versus 91.6). In contrast, Japanese American drinkers scored faster than Caucasian drinkers on choice reaction time (adjusted means = 505 versus 579 milli-seconds). Discussion: Results showed that current drinking was associated with better cognition in both the Caucasian and Japanese American groups. Longitudinal studies are needed to support the possi...
Target-thickness dependence of K-shell vacancy fractions in foil-excited ion beams

$K$-shell vacancy fractions have been measured for 2.7- and 0.4-MeV nitrogen ions exiting from thin carbon foils as a function of foil thickness. The vacancy fractions per projectile ion were deduced from measuring the yields of $K$-Auger electrons emitted by the foil-excited nitrogen ions. It is found that the vacancy fractions for these ions reach equilibrium only for foils thicker than \ensuremath{\sim}20 \ensuremath{\mu}g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The variation of vacancy fractions in foils with thicknesses below 20 \ensuremath{\mu}g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ is a strong function of the projectile energy.
The Vibrio cholerae biofilm: A target for novel therapies to prevent and treat cholera

Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative halophilic bacterium, is the perpetrator of hundreds of thousands of deaths in the developing world each year due to severe diarrheal disease. Currently, rehydration and antibiotics remain the mainstay of therapy. Adhesion of the bacterium to the intestinal epithelium, a complex process required for disease, presents a multitude of promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Here we present the current state of knowledge regarding surface adhesion or biofilm formation by V. cholerae both in the aquatic environment and in the host intestine and discuss the first forays into this exciting new area of drug discovery.
AN EXPANDED SURVEY OF THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF RED ALGAL PIT PLUGS1

The fine structure of pit plugs in 90 species of red algae was examined, bringing the total number of species in the continuing survey to 153. The organization of plug caps was confirmed to be a stable, predictable trait within thalli, between generations in heteromorphic life histories, and within the presently recognized orders, with one exception—the Acrochaetiales. Two forms of the outer cap were found in this group, a thin plate, as in the Nemaliales and Palmariales, and a dome, as in Batrachospermales and Corallinales. Variation of pit plug structure indicates that the Acrochaetiales are a heterogeneous assemblage and that pit plugs will be useful in reappraising their systematics. The systematic affinities of several species of uncertain affinities are clarified. Schmitziella endophloea Bornet et Batters is excluded from both orders, Corallinales and Acrochaetiales, with which it previously was allied. Although other ordinal attributions are not precluded by pit plug structure alone, pit plug structure is consistent with placement of Apophlaea sinclairii Harvey and Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebman) J. Agardh in the Hildenbrandiales, Plagiospora gracilis Kuckuck, Schmitziella endophloea, and Wurdemannia miniata (Duby) J. Feldmann et Hamel in the Gigartinales, and Pseudorhododiscus nipponicus Masuda in the Palmariales.
The Requirement of Breeding Hens for Sodium Chloride

Abstract THE minimum requirement for sodium chloride for optimum performance by breeding hens fed purified diets has been investigated. In previous work (Barlow et al., 1943; Halpin et al., 1934; 1936; Prentice, 1933; Sjollema, 1935) with sodium chloride in the nutrition of poultry, optimum rather than minimum requirements were sought, and levels from 0.5 to 1.0% were accepted as adequate. In the present investigation, the actual need with purified diets was found to be considerably lower. The data on the effect of sodium chloride deficient diets on the performance of breeding hens are also presented. EXPERIMENTAL Single-Comb White Leghorn pullets which had been reared to maturity on range and fed practical diets were placed in individual cages with raised screen bottoms and throughout the experiments were given water, oyster shell, and ration ad libitum. The purified basal ration used was complete in all known nutrients except the minerals; its composition in . . .
Taxonomic assessment of a toxic cyanobacteria shift in hypereutrophic Grand Lake St. Marys (Ohio, USA).

Abstract Grand Lake St. Marys (Ohio, USA) is a hypereutrophic reservoir prone to persistent toxic cyanobacterial blooms fueled by agricultural nutrient runoff. The pervasive and highly toxic 2010 bloom led to the collapse of the local tourism industry, with microcystin concentrations exceeding 2000 μg mL −1 at some locations during the peak of the bloom. Sampling from a location adjacent to the intake to the Celina Water Treatment Plant, chlorophyll a levels remained above 25 μg L −1 from June to September, reaching a maximum in excess of 100 μg L −1 in July. Molar ratios of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) to dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) declined below 16 in July and August, suggesting the cyanobacterial population became N-limited during the bloom peak. Cyanobacterial biomass was dominated by Planktothrix spp. throughout late summer 2010, but phylogenetic analysis of mcyA sequences revealed the presence of toxic Microcystis spp. during July that coincided with the highest toxin measurements. August and September samples indicated the community shifted to yield Planktothrix spp. as the major toxic genus. Community shifts of this nature may impede targeted remediation efforts, and therefore a thorough understanding of the taxa involved is necessary prior to implementing strategies to limit bloom formation.
Evidence for photoenzymatically repairable, lethal “non-dimer” photoproducts, formed in E. coli cells by 365-nm radiation or by sunlight > 360 nm

Three pairs of E. coli strains with different dark-repair potentials, viz. H/r30 and H/r30-R, H s 30 H s 30-R, CSR 603 and AB 2480, have been investigated for their survival after exposure to 254-nm and 365-nm radiation. Each pair consists of a non-photorepairable ( phr − ) and a photorepairable ( phr + ) strain of otherwise identical or similar genotype. At 254 nm, the mean inactivation fluence ( F 0.37 ) is for the dark-repair proficient phr − strain (H/r30) 300–750 times greater than for the completely dark-repair deficient phr tt- strain (CSR 603), but at 365 nm the F 0.37 's differ by a factor of only 5–10. Comparison of survival curves of phr − and phr + strains indicates that, at all three levels of dark-repair potential, lethal damage resulting from 365-nm exposure is extensively photorepaired by the same wavelength. Qualitatively similar effects were observed with sunlight from which all wavelengths < 360 nm were filtered out. Furthermore, we have shown that fluences of 365-nm radiation used in our experiments do not damage the enzymatic dark-repair systems themselves. These results seem compatible with one another only if one assumes that photoenzymatic repair is capable of abolishing lethal DNA damage other than the common types of cyclobutane dipyrimidines occurring after 254-nm irradiation.
Earth-viewing satellite perspectives on the Chelyabinsk meteor event

Large meteors (or superbolides [Ceplecha Z, et al. (1999) Meteoroids 1998:37–54]), although rare in recorded history, give sobering testimony to civilization’s inherent vulnerability. A not-so-subtle reminder came on the morning of February 15, 2013, when a large meteoroid hurtled into the Earth’s atmosphere, forming a superbolide near the city of Chelyabinsnk, Russia, ∼1,500 km east of Moscow, Russia [Ivanova MA, et al. (2013) Abstracts of the 76th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, 5366]. The object exploded in the stratosphere, and the ensuing shock wave blasted the city of Chelyabinsk, damaging structures and injuring hundreds. Details of trajectory are important for determining its specific source, the likelihood of future events, and potential mitigation measures. Earth-viewing environmental satellites can assist in these assessments. Here we examine satellite observations of the Chelyabinsk superbolide debris trail, collected within minutes of its entry. Estimates of trajectory are derived from differential views of the significantly parallax-displaced [e.g., Hasler AF (1981) Bull Am Meteor Soc 52:194–212] debris trail. The 282.7 ± 2.3° azimuth of trajectory, 18.5 ± 3.8° slope to the horizontal, and 17.7 ± 0.5 km/s velocity derived from these satellites agree well with parameters inferred from the wealth of surface-based photographs and amateur videos. More importantly, the results demonstrate the general ability of Earth-viewing satellites to provide valuable insight on trajectory reconstruction in the more likely scenario of sparse or nonexistent surface observations.
Association of obesity and sleep problems among breast cancer survivors: results from a registry-based survey study

Purpose Sleep-related complaints are common among breast cancer survivors. However, the risk factors underlying sleep disturbances in this population are not completely understood. Some studies have shown that maintaining normal weight can result in a reduced risk of cancer-related symptoms, including sleep problems; however, data from published studies are not consistent. This study examined the associations between body mass index (BMI) and sleep-related complaints in breast cancer survivors.
Case study of strategic leveraging of green practices at large manufacturing and service-orientated firms

The acceptance of eco-friendly strategic practices is often based on lean operational strategies. Based on a stakeholder perspective, going green seems to be moving in unique and interesting ways, especially when eco-friendly initiative actually benefits stakeholders and the effect it had on the triple-bottom line. Using a case-study method, as well as stakeholder theory, the present study explored the importance of eco-friendly and socially responsible practices with a major manufacturer and service provider in the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area, with global as well as local significance. Through much research has identified that the problem of organisations facing a financial disadvantage for going green, it was found that the complete opposite was true. This conclusion is based on the observation that the cost of implementing green strategies were rather minimal or incremental, and the benefits of boosting stakeholder confidence and productivity earned in the long run out-weighed the initial start-up costs that the organisation may incur in the short-run.