cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Search for Cosmic Strings in Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropies

We have searched the first-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) W-band CMB anisotropy map for evidence of cosmic strings. We set a limit on the dimensionless string parameter δ of δ = 8πGμγβ < 2.9 × 10-5 for the statistical search for a significant number of strings in the map. We also set a limit using the uniform-distribution-of-strings model in the WMAP data with δ = 8πGμγβ < 7.3 × 10-5 at the 95% confidence level (CL). The pattern search technique we developed in this paper set a limit δ = 8πGμγβ < 1.5 × 10-5 at the 95% CL, which corresponds to a limit on the symmetry-breaking energy scale of 1016 GeV/γβ.
The effect of D-glutamic acid upon spheroplast formation in Escherichia coli B.

Abstract High concentration of d -methionine or d -alanine will induce the conversion of cells of Escherichia coli B into spheroplasts if the cells are in their growth medium. This conversion will also occur if the cells are removed from the growth medium but only if the cells are unwashed; however, conversion into spheroplasts proceeds more slowly under these conditions. Relatively low concentration of d -glutamic acid will interfere with this activity of d -methionine or d -alanine. d -glutamic acid will not induce spheroplast formation of unwashed cells. However, it will demonstrate spheroplasting activity up on washed cells.
Employee Monitoring and Ethics: Can They Co-Exist?

More advanced technologies that make it possible to monitor employees in the workplace have led to controversies on both legal and ethical grounds. Employers can now easily monitor emails, Internet usage and sites visited, and keystrokes, as well as use GPS systems to track employeesâ€™ movements throughout the day. At one end of the spectrum is the employer who claims that monitoring not only improves productivity but is a legal necessity that assists in keeping the company from becoming legally liable for employeesâ€™ misuse of technology. Employees, on the other hand, want their privacy protected, and many believe that it is more a matter of them not being trusted. In this paper, an examination is presented that describes various forms of workplace surveillance and monitoring, viewpoints of both employers and employees, policies that companies have implemented, and the ethical and legal implications of such policies.
Measurement of arterial input function of 17O water tracer in rat carotid artery by using a region-defined (REDE) implanted vascular RF coil

A method of determining arterial input function (AIF) by continuously detecting the 17O MR signal changes of 17O-labeled water tracer in the rat carotid artery using a region-defined (REDE) implanted vascular RF coil at 9.4 Tesla is reported. This coil has a compact physical size of 1 mm inner diameter, 3 mm outer diameter and 11 mm in length. It can be readily implanted into the rat neck and wrapped around the rat carotid artery for achieving adequate MR detection sensitivity for determining AIF with minimal surgical trauma. Water phantom and in vivo MR experiments were conducted for validating the coil's performance. A signal-to-noise ratio of ~20:1 was achieved for the 17O signal acquired from naturally abundant H2 17O in a small amount of blood (~7 μl) inside the rat carotid artery with an acquisition time of 11 s. The REDE RF coil design electromagnetically isolates the rat carotid artery from surrounding tissues and ensures that the MR signal detected by the RF coil is only attributable to the artery blood. It also minimizes the electromagnetic coupling between the implanted RF coil and a head surface coil tuned at the same operating frequency (two-coil configuration). This configuration allowed simultaneous measurements of dynamic changes of 17O MR signal of the H2 17O tracer in both rat carotid artery and brain. Compared to most contemporary MR approaches, the REDE implanted RF provides a simple, accurate, and promising solution for determination of AIF in small experimental animals.
1 GBIT/S INJECTION-LOCKED DPSK COMMUNICATION EXPERIMENTS FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS

An experimental 1 Gbit/s, 120mW, differential phase shift keying (DPSK) communications system has been demonstrated at 830 nm with an external phase modulator and an injection-locked diode array. A comparison of the bit error rate with and without the injection-locked array showed no degradation. This is the highest power DPSK result reported to date.
Effects of roughage concentration in steam-flaked corn-based diets containing wet distillers grains with solubles on feedlot cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and in vitro fermentation.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate effects of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDG) and dietary concentration of alfalfa hay (AH) on performance of finishing beef cattle and in vitro fermentation. In both studies, 7 treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial; factors were dietary concentrations (DM basis) of WDG (15 or 30%) and AH (7.5, 10, or 12.5%) plus a non-WDG control diet that contained 10% AH. In Exp. 1, 224 beef steers were used in a randomized complete block (initial BW 342 kg ± 9.03) finishing trial. No WDG × AH interactions were observed (P > 0.12). There were no differences among treatments in final shrunk BW or ADG (P > 0.15), and DMI did not differ with WDG concentration for the overall feeding period (P = 0.38). Increasing dietary AH concentration tended (P 0.15) in HCW, dressing percent, LM area, KPH, proportions of cattle grading USDA Choice, and incidence of liver abscesses. In Exp. 2, ruminal fluid was collected from 2 ruminally cannulated Jersey steers adapted to a 60% concentrate diet to evaluate in vitro gas production kinetics, H(2)S production, IVDMD, and VFA. Relative to the control substrate, including WDG in substrates increased (P 0.09) molar proportions or total concentration of VFA. Results indicate that including 15 or 30% WDG in steam-flaked corn-based diets did not result in major changes in feedlot performance or carcass characteristics, but increasing AH concentration from 7.5 to 12.5% in diets containing WDG decreased G:F. Including WDG in substrates decreased rate and extent of gas production and increased H(2)S production. Changes in various measures of in vitro fermentation associated with AH concentrations were not large.
Flavin mononucleotide for indirect laser-induced fluorescence detection of anions separated by capillary electrophoresis

Abstract Flavin mononucleotide (FMN), also known as riboflavin-5′-phosphate, has been characterized as an indirect laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection reagent for inorganic anions, organic acids, anionic surfactants and polyphosphates after separation by capillary electrophoresis (CE). FMN provides a good wavelength match for laser excitation at 488 nm, is readily soluble in aqueous or aqueous/organic solutions, and unlike fluorescein provides strong fluorescence at both acidic and basic pH values. Analyte peaks due to a loss in FMN fluorescence are generated at weakly alkaline pH values as expected, but peak direction is switched at more alkaline pH values such as 8.6 or 9.0. A separation of 21 inorganic anions and organic acids is possible in about 20 min using the indirect LIF mode using 10 μ M FMN with 2 m M diethylenetriamine as the electroosmotic flow suppressor. Detection limits for these analytes are in the 10–20-μg/l range without any required preconcentration. The use of methanol improves resolution and facilitates the simultaneous separation of aliphatic/aromatic surfactant standard mixtures or commercial shampoos in less than 20 min.
Geographic patterns of coral bioerosion: A productivity hypothesis

Abstract The numbers of boring bivalves in corals in large museum collections were used to indicate relative bioerosional damage to the corals. The proportion of corals from different locations that contain boring bivalves is highly correlated with global patterns of plankton primary productivity. The densities of five other, non-boring, groups of plantivores associated with the same corals are similarly correlated with productivity. The proportion of corals containing boring bivalves and the number of boring bivalves per coral head can be ranked by region as follows: eastern Pacific > western Atlantic > Indian Ocean > western Pacific. This ranking also corresponds to primary productivity differences. Measurements of the basal, margin of live tissue, and maximum circumstances of the coral heads indicate that western Atlantic massive corals have more of their skeletal surface exposed to borers, i.e. not covered by live tissue, than do Indo-Pacific corals. Consequently, the former also have weaker basal attachments which suggests that they are more likely to be dislodged during storms. The reason why massive corals in the western Atlantic tend to have less of their skeleton covered by live tissue than corals in the rest of the world is unknown.
One tissue, two fates: molecular genetic events that underlie testis versus ovary development.

The pivotal point of vertebrate sex determination is the development of the gonad into a testis or ovary, which governs phenotypic sex through the production of hormones. The identification of Sry, the genetic switch that controls testis development in mammals, fuelled the race for the discovery of downstream pathways. Comparative analyses of XY versus XX gonadogenesis in both mouse and human genetic mutants have uncovered a burgeoning network of intra- and extra-cellular pathways. Here, we review the old and new players that are involved in the initial steps of testis and ovary development.
Carcinoid heart disease associated with primary ovarian carcinoid tumor

Because the venous drainage of the ovary bypasses the portal circulation, carcinoid heart disease in patients with primary ovarian carcinoid tumors may develop in the absence of liver metastasis. We describe 4 patients who presented with symptomatic carcinoid heart disease in association with primary ovarian carcinoid tumor.
Perimortem Cesarean Section in the Helicopter EMS Setting: A Case Report

Perimortem cesarean section in the out-of-hospital setting is a rare and emotionally taxing occurrence. As a leading cause of maternal death, trauma occurs in 5% of all pregnancies, over half of which are attributable to motor vehicle crashes.1,2 The decision to perform perimortem cesarean section by emergency care providers can be difficult, especially in the limited out-of-hospital environment, given the time constraints, personnel training, comfort level, and available resources. This technique has only been reported twice in the medical literature, with relatively poor outcomes.3,4 We report a case of perimortem cesarean section performed in the emergency department by a helicopter emergency medical services (EMS) crew on a motor vehicle crash victim after maternal assessment by emergency abdominal ultrasonography.
Treatment of high-sulfur coal using selective flocculation and microbial desulfurization in a draft-tube slurry bubble column

Abstract Experiments are performed to study a novel precombustion coal cleaning process for deashing and desulfurization of high-sulfur coals. The process is based on the integration of selective flocculation and microbial desulfurization in a draft-tube slurry bubble column bioreactor (DTSB). In the process, the unique features of the selective flocculation in ash reduction is preserved. Desulfurization of the pyrite particles is subsequently achieved through oxidation of pyrite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in a DTSB bioreactor. Samples of Pittsburgh No. 8 seam are used to test this multistage process. In this study, the effect of bacterial adaptation on the oxidation rate of pyrite is examined. Based on the kinetic data, a reactor model for the bio-oxidation rate of pyrite is developed. This model considers the bacterial adhesion and the kinetics of direct and indirect pyrite oxidation by T. ferrooxidans.
Sexual Minority Status, Abuse, and Self-Harming Behaviors among Incarcerated Girls

This self-report study of 404 incarcerated youth found extraordinarily high rates of sexual minority status (SMS; i.e., lesbian/gay or bisexual) among the girls, particularly girls of color. Further analyses of the 107 girls 16 and older found that SMS girls reported being the victims of abuse and engaging in self-harming behaviors more than non-SMS (straight) girls. Structural equation models indicated that regardless of sexual identity, abuse was a risk factor for self-harming. This relationship held for physical or sexual abuse and for abuse by family members or people outside the family. Relative to non-SMS girls, SMS girls demonstrated higher rates of sexual abuse, primarily family sexual abuse, which mediated the relationship between SMS and self-harming.
Diversification and concentration of LDC exports: Victorian trends

Abstract In this paper, new data are presented on the commodity composition of exports from today's less developed countries (LDCs) during the Victorian era, these data are linked with similar work for the 20th century done by others, and the results are used to speculate about whether these countries obtained significant dynamic gains from trade after entering the international economy in the mid-19th century. Estimates of the value of aggregate LDC exports of 22 commodities are presented for five benchmark dates (1840, 1860, 1900, and 1913) and are used to trace the main changes in the commodity composition of LDC exports before World War I. Also, the question of how dependent the “typical” LDC was on a few products for the bulk of export earnings during the Victorian era is investigated for the first time. Since perceptions of the 19th century pattern of trade are used to justify the current economic and diplomatic postures of Third World nations, these data are of more than historical interest.
Severe Preeclampsia: Implications for Critical‐Care Obstetric Nursing

Severe preeclampsia can have a catastrophic effect on maternal‐fetal outcome; therefore, perinatal nurses must have a working knowledge of related pathophysiologic processes to perform advanced assessment and interpret data. Technologic adjuncts developed over the past decade, such as the fiberoptic pulmonary artery catheter, allow more precise assessment of maternal hemodynamic status and oxygenation for some patients. With such information, the health‐care team can guide therapy to promote optimal outcomes.
SU‐FF‐T‐288: Initial Experience with a Commercial Monte Carlo Electron Treatment Planning System

Introduction:Monte Carlo modeling of clinical electron beams has the potential to substantially improve accuracy and quality of treatment planning, as excessive compute time and lack of commercial availability has hindered its application. Here we present a preliminary evaluation of a commercial electron Monte Carlo algorithm.Methods and Materials: Percent depth dose and profiles of 6‐20 MeV electrons and 6×6 – 25×25 cm cones were measured in a water tank at 100 cm SSD using a Farmer chamber for electrons. Absolute output was measured at 110 and 100 cm SSDs. Outputs and distributions of two extreme test cases were measured: a 2.1 cm × 3 cm insert in a 6×6 cone and a 2.8 cm × 15.7 cm long slit on a 25×25 cone. The algorithm's ability to accurately model relative and absolute dose of an obliquely (30°) oriented beam was evaluated ionization chamber measurements. Clinical cases with were checked using Mosfet dosimeters in vivo. Monte Carlo calculations were performed with a 2 mm grid, and smoothing filters provided with the algorithm were applied to minimize noise in the data. Results: Agreement of 2% of measured and modeled doses was found over the evaluated range of energies, cones, obliquities and SSDs. Compute times of 1–5 minutes were a function of increasing field size. Visual comparison of the shapes of the profiles was in agreement with measurement. Profiles of the eccentric geometry test cases appeared to be to be physically unrealistic (e.g. an inverted V) in the smaller dimension suggesting that the beam model was not valid. Conclusions: The Monte Carlo electron algorithm provides accurate distributions for most clinical cases. For extreme cases, measurements should be made to test the accuracy of the system, and further development of the algorithm is recommended.
Memory Function in Focal Epilepsy: A Comparison of Non-Surgical, Unilateral Temporal Lobe and Frontal Lobe Samples

Three well-matched groups of non-surgical, pharmacologically controlled epileptic patients with unilateral seizure foci in either the left temporal lobe, the right temporal lobe or a frontal lobe, and a normal control group were compared on several verbal and non-verbal memory tasks. Results revealed significant impairment of verbal memory in left temporal epileptic subjects, and significant impairment of non-verbal, visual memory in right temporal epileptic subjects. Seizure patients with unilateral frontal lobe foci did not differ from the control sample on any measure. Results support previous research which emphasizes the importance of temporal lobe systems in memory function. The findings are discussed with regard to the nature and specificity of the observed deficits.
Flooding characteristics of a pulse extraction column

An investigation using the hexone-water system was made of flooding in a 1-in.-diam. ten-plate pulse column. An analysis of column operation led to the derivation of an equation for predicting conditions of inadequate pulsation and for establishing the amount of liquid recycled under any operating conditions.
Changes in oxygen and primary production of the Patuxent estuary, Maryland, 1963 through 1969

From 1963 through 1969, the U.S. Geological Survey operated a water-quality monitor system in the upper-middle Patuxent estuary, near Benedict, Maryland. Over the period of record, a pronounced change occurred in the diel (24 hr.) oxygen measurement, particularly during the months of July, August, and September. Annual variations of dissolved oxygen ranged from 3.6 to 15.0 mg liter−1 in 1964 and from 2.3 to 16.5 mg liter−1 in 1969 with percentage saturation varying from 60 to 130 percent in 1964 and from 30 to 184 percent in 1969. The magnitude of diel summer oxygen variation changed from about 3 to 7 mg liter−1 day−1 over the same period.
Auction Design for the Efficient Allocation of Service Capacity Under Congestion

We consider the problem of efficiently allocating the capacity of a number of service facilities prone to congestion to a set of users with private information regarding their willingness to pay for different combinations of throughput versus latency. Auction mechanisms can be used to schedule the service capacity of available facilities. However, the interdependency of users' valuations implies that simple uniform price adjustment processes e.g., tatonnement either fail to effectively clear or are subject to strategic manipulation. In this paper, we propose an iterative auction design and show that i it is efficient i.e., the auction closes with the allocation of service that maximizes the social welfare and ii it is strategy-proof, that is, it is a dominant strategy for users to truthfully reveal their demand for service capacity throughout the auction.
Adenomatous polyposis coli protein deletion leads to cognitive and autism-like disabilities

Intellectual disabilities (IDs) and autism spectrum disorders link to human APC inactivating gene mutations. However, little is known about adenomatous polyposis coli’s (APC’s) role in the mammalian brain. This study is the first direct test of the impact of APC loss on central synapses, cognition and behavior. Using our newly generated APC conditional knock-out (cKO) mouse, we show that deletion of this single gene in forebrain neurons leads to a multisyndromic neurodevelopmental disorder. APC cKO mice, compared with wild-type littermates, exhibit learning and memory impairments, and autistic-like behaviors (increased repetitive behaviors, reduced social interest). To begin to elucidate neuronal changes caused by APC loss, we focused on the hippocampus, a key brain region for cognitive function. APC cKO mice display increased synaptic spine density, and altered synaptic function (increased frequency of miniature excitatory synaptic currents, modestly enhanced long-term potentiation). In addition, we found excessive β-catenin levels and associated changes in canonical Wnt target gene expression and N-cadherin synaptic adhesion complexes, including reduced levels of presenilin1. Our findings identify some novel functional and molecular changes not observed previously in other genetic mutant mouse models of co-morbid cognitive and autistic-like disabilities. This work thereby has important implications for potential therapeutic targets and the impact of their modulation. We provide new insights into molecular perturbations and cell types that are relevant to human ID and autism. In addition, our data elucidate a novel role for APC in the mammalian brain as a hub that links to and regulates synaptic adhesion and signal transduction pathways critical for normal cognition and behavior.
Aldolase Reaction with Sugar Diphosphates

Xylulose-, fructose-, and octulose-diphosphates are substrates for rabbit muscle aldolase with essentially identical K(m) values, but they are cleaved at different rates. After treatment with carboxypeptidase, chymotrypsin, or subtilisin, aldolase cleaves all of these substrates at the same (deceased) rate; the modified aldolase preparations are also equally impaired in their ability to catalyze the detritiation of specifically labeled dihydroxyacetone phosphate. These results suggest that aldolase exhibits "induced fit," in which the rate of cleavage is determined by the distance between the sites on the protein to which the two phosphate groups of a substrate are bound. The activity of the modified aldolases is limited by a step involving making or breaking a carbon-hydrogen bond.
Asymmetric Loss Functions for Forecasting in Criminal Justice Settings

The statistical procedures typically used for forecasting in criminal justice settings rest on symmetric loss functions. For quantitative response variables, overestimates are treated the same as underestimates. For categorical response variables, it does not matter in which class a case is inaccurately placed. In many criminal justice settings, symmetric costs are not responsive to the needs of stakeholders. It can follow that the forecasts are not responsive either. In this paper, we consider asymmetric loss functions that can lead to forecasting procedures far more sensitive to the real consequences of forecasting errors. Theoretical points are illustrated with examples using criminal justice data of the kind that might be used for “predictive policing.”
Science optimal spacecraft attitude maneuvering while accounting for failure mode

Abstract We present a framework to generate optimal sequence of actions for spacecraft missions. Our framework is based on an application of the theory of Markov decision processes and stochastic dynamic programming. While this framework is general, we present our approach in the context of a specific spacecraft mission, requiring spacecraft attitude control for pointing to collect science data from a number of celestial objects. Our generated sequences are optimal in a sense that the expected reward of science data collected in the presence of the possible failures is maximized.
The emancipation of Angelina Grimké

Although Angelina and Sarah Grimke have been regarded as equally gifted and involved abolitionists and nineteenth-century women's rights advocates, this first biography of Angelina clearly shows that she, indeed, was the outstanding leader, as her contemporaries recognized. Through the use of unpublished documentary sources and impressive psychological insights, Lumpkin provides new perspectives on Angelina, her husband Theodore Weld, and her sister Sarah.Originally published 1974.A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
A Refinement of the Akabayashi-Saito-Kato Modification of the Enzymatic Methods for 2-Deoxyglucose and 2-Deoxyglucose 6-Phosphate

Akabayashi et al. made a valuable modification of the enzymatic methods from our laboratory for measuring 2-deoxyglucose and 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate. Their modified procedure eliminates glucose and glucose 6-phosphate by conversion to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, thereby saving two analytical steps. However, the present report describes a limitation of this new elimination procedure which is due to its unexpected reversibility, and provides an easy way to circumvent this limitation, namely heating to destroy the reagent enzymes before proceeding. The final result is a more flexible analytical scheme that is capable of measuring 2-deoxyglucose and its phosphate down to extremely low levels in the presence of up to thousandfold higher glucose concentrations. The completeness of glucose elimination eliminates both the problem of contamination of available glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases with 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and also the effect of the presence in this same enzyme of a trace of glucose dehydrogenase activity, which is an apparent side reaction.
Integration of Sustainability Into Early Design Through Working Knowledge Model and Visual Tools

The issue of environmental sustainability, which is unprecedented in both magnitude and complexity, presents one of the biggest challenges faced by modern society. Engineers, including mechanical engineers, can make significant contribution to the development of solutions to this problem by designing products and processes that are more environmentally sustainable. It is critical that engineers take a paradigm shift of product design i.e. from cost and performance centered to balance of economic, environmental, and societal consideration. Although there have been quite a few design for environment (DfE, or ecodesign) tools developed, so far these tools have only achieved limited industrial penetration: they are either too qualitative/subjective to be used by designers with limited experiences, or too quantitative, costly and time consuming and thus cannot be used during the design process specially during the early design stage. This paper develops a novel, semi-quantitative ecodesign tool that targets specially on early design process. The new tool is a combination of environmental life cycle assessment, working knowledge model, and visual tools such as QFD, functional-component matrix, and Pugh chart. Redesign of staplers is selected as a case study to demonstrate the use of the proposed tool. Efforts are on going to confirm that the new design generated using this new tool does have improved environmental performance.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Fair drug prices and the patent system.

This paper uses John Rawls' theory of justice to defend the patent system against charges that it has an unfair effect on access to medications, from the perspective of national and international justice. The paper argues that the patent system is fair in a national context because it respects intellectual property rights and it benefits the least advantaged members of society by providing incentives for inventors, investors, and entrepreneurs. The paper also argues that the patent system is fair in an international context, provided that developed nations take steps to help disease-stricken countries secure internal justice. Fairness in a national or international context also requires that the patent system should include emergency exceptions to deal with short-term inequities.
Diesel Technology in Aviation… Again: Exploring Line Maintenance of the Diesel Engine

Diesel engine technology has arrived into the general aviation market and its benefits and advancements are changing the way aviation technicians must look at Line Maintenance and troubleshooting. Computer controlled engines need computers for diagnostics and maintenance.
A New Subspecies of the Long-Nosed Bat, Hylonycteris underwoodi, from Mexico

A new subspecies of the previously monotypic Hylonycteris underwoodi is described from Mexico. As currently understood, the new race is distributed from Jalisco to southern Oaxaca, whereas the nominate subspecies occurs from Veracruz and northern Oaxaca southeastward to western Panama.
Aortoiliac Thrombi in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Isolated arterial thrombi complicating inflammatory bowel disease occurs rarely. We encountered a case of a 28-year-old man with Crohn disease who presented with abdominal pain and severe claudication and was found to have an isolated aortoiliac thrombus. Bilateral aortoiliac thromboembolectomies were performed with successful restoration of femoral blood flow. Long-term anticoagulation therapy was instituted after an extensive hypercoagulable workup, which failed to reveal an etiology for the patient’s coagulopathy. We present our case and perform an extensive literature review on this topic.
Treating ram sperm with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins improves cryosurvival.

Acceptable fertility using cryopreserved ram sperm is currently only achieved using laparoscopic intrauterine insemination. Improving the cryosurvival of ram sperm may permit greater fertility rates using more practical techniques. This study was conducted to determine if treating ram sperm with six different cyclodextrins pre-loaded with cholesterol (CLC), prior to cryopreservation increases sperm cryosurvival and if this technology can be used with neat semen. Subsequent experiments evaluated how adding CLC to sperm affected sperm cholesterol content, sperm osmotic tolerance limits, sperm post-thaw survival after incubation and the capacity of sperm to bind to zona pellucidae of cattle and sheep oocytes. Sperm treated with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin prior to cryopreservation exhibited greater percentages of motile sperm (62%) compared to the control (no CLC treatment) samples (43%, P 1.9-fold and although some cholesterol was lost from the sperm during cooling and cryopreservation, the cholesterol content remained greater in CLC-treated sperm after cooling and after thawing than in control sperm (P 0.05). In conclusion, treating ram sperm with CLC increases sperm cryosurvival rates and sperm longevity after thawing. It also increases the cholesterol content, osmotic tolerance, and zona-binding capabilities of sperm. Finally, CLCs can be added to neat semen, making this technology feasible for practical application using current cryopreservation techniques for ram semen.
Cyclic Voltammetry of Aquocobalamin on Clay-Modified Electrodes

Halogenated synthetic compounds are widespread contaminants of the environment. Although corrinoids reductively dehalogenate synthetic contaminants in solution, the redox behavior of sorbed tetrapy...
D-space and Deform Closure Grasps of Deformable Parts

Building on the well-established form closure framework for holding rigid parts, in this paper we propose a new framework for holding deformable parts. We consider the class of deformable parts that can be modeled as linearly elastic polygons with a triangular finite element mesh and given stiffness matrix. We define the D-space (deformation-space) of a part as the C-space of all its mesh nodes. Free space is the intersection of the set of topology-preserving mesh configurations with the complement of the union of all D-obstacles that represent collisions of the part with finger bodies. Consider a given set of finger bodies in frictionless contact with a part. When positive work is needed to release the part, we say that it is in deform closure. We present numerical examples and prove two results: (1) if a contact set holds a rigid part in form closure, it will hold the equivalent deformable part in deform closure and (2) deform closure is frame invariant.We then consider frictionless deform closure grasp...
Multicultural perspectives on suicide

Cultural differences exist as to suicide rates, suicide attempts, suicide attitudes such as acceptability, and appropriate treatment of suicide. Although suicide has been studied cross-nationally to highlight cross-cultural differences, the nuances of suicide among racioethnic groups within the United States have been at times been overlooked. The present article discusses suicide among the four (African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American) most populous minority sociopolitical groups in the United States, and makes culture-specific recommendations for treatment and research.
A dual-conversion tuner for multi-standard terrestrial and cable reception

A multipurpose TV tuner front-end implemented in 0.35/spl mu/m BiCMOS technology is presented. It employs a dual-conversion topology and a fully integrated RF automatic gain control loop. The tuner front-end achieves -68dB composite-triple beat (CTB) distortion and a noise figure of 6.8-7.4dB in a 50-870Mhz input frequency range. In addition, the front-end is interfaced with a companion chip, which contains a high dynamic range ADC combined with programmable digital filters to accommodate multi-standard operation.
Writing to Learn: An Evaluation of the Calibrated Peer Review™ Program in Two Neuroscience Courses

Although the majority of scientific information is communicated in written form, and peer review is the primary process by which it is validated, undergraduate students may receive little direct training in science writing or peer review. Here, I describe the use of Calibrated Peer Review™ (CPR), a free, web-based writing and peer review program designed to alleviate instructor workload, in two undergraduate neuroscience courses: an upper- level sensation and perception course (41 students, three assignments) and an introductory neuroscience course (50 students; two assignments). Using CPR online, students reviewed primary research articles on assigned ‘hot’ topics, wrote short essays in response to specific guiding questions, reviewed standard ‘calibration’ essays, and provided anonymous quantitative and qualitative peer reviews. An automated grading system calculated the final scores based on a student’s essay quality (as determined by the average of three peer reviews) and his or her accuracy in evaluating 1) three standard calibration essays, 2) three anonymous peer reviews, and 3) his or her self review. Thus, students were assessed not only on their skill at constructing logical, evidence-based arguments, but also on their ability to accurately evaluate their peers’ writing. According to both student self-reports and instructor observation, students’ writing and peer review skills improved over the course of the semester. Student evaluation of the CPR program was mixed; while some students felt like the peer review process enhanced their understanding of the material and improved their writing, others felt as though the process was biased and required too much time. Despite student critiques of the program, I still recommend the CPR program as an excellent and free resource for incorporating more writing, peer review, and critical thinking into an undergraduate neuroscience curriculum.
Decreased carbon shunting from glucose toward oxidative metabolism in diet-induced ketotic rat brain

The mechanistic link of ketosis to neuroprotection under certain pathological conditions continues to be explored. We investigated whether chronic ketosis induced by ketogenic diet results in the partitioning of ketone bodies toward oxidative metabolism in brain. We hypothesized that diet-induced ketosis results in increased shunting of ketone bodies toward citric acid cycle and amino acids with decreased carbon shunting from glucose. Rats were fed standard (STD) or ketogenic (KG) diets for 3.5 weeks and then infused with [U-(13) C]glucose or [U-(13) C]acetoacetate tracers. Concentrations and (13) C-labeling pattern of citric acid cycle intermediates and amino acids were analyzed from brain homogenates using stable isotopomer mass spectrometry analysis. The contribution of [U-(13) C]glucose to acetyl-CoA and amino acids decreased by ~ 30% in the KG group versus STD, whereas [U-(13) C]acetoacetate contributions were more than two-fold higher. The concentration of GABA remained constant across groups; however, the (13) C labeling of GABA was markedly increased in the KG group infused with [U-(13) C]acetoacetate compared to STD. This study reveals that there is a significant contribution of ketone bodies to oxidative metabolism and GABA in diet-induced ketosis. We propose that this represents a fundamental mechanism of neuroprotection under pathological conditions.
Event-based framework for noncompliant driver behavior at single-lane roundabouts

Roundabouts are an emerging form of intersection control in the United States. The nature of roundabouts, requiring drivers to yield at entry, promotes a level of road user responsibility higher than that at intersections with other types of control. This research addresses current roundabout modeling and analysis methods by focusing on the types of driver behavior that are not gap acceptance-based, do not follow the offside priority rule, are interactive between traffic streams, and have unique effects on roundabout performance. A new framework for describing priority-taking, priority-abstaining, and priority-surrendering behavior at roundabouts is presented; a reduction methodology for the extraction of these types of behavior from video is described. The findings suggest that these noncompliant driver behaviors are, prevalent, may significantly affect roundabout performance, and remain unaccounted for in current modeling approaches. Furthermore, the results indicate that frequency of priority-taking be...
Source code transformation based on software cost analysis

This paper presents a model and a strategy for source-code transformation applied to software application programs to reduce their energy cost. We propose a flexible performance and energy model for a processor-memory system. The benefit of the model is generality (it is not tied to a single memory and processor architecture) and effectiveness of evaluation. With this model, we first estimate the effects of source-code transformations (called transformation cost), representing the improvement ratios of processor cycles, I-cache misses, and D-cache misses. Next, we combine the transformation cost model with hardware parameters to estimate the actual effect of a transformation on performance and energy. The model can be used to guide software transformation selection for power and performance. The experimental results show that the proposed approach finds the optimal transformation in 95% of the cases, and that the penalty when the non-optimal transformation is selected is within 5%.
Hepatocyte growth factor mediates mesenchymal stem cell–induced recovery in multiple sclerosis models

The authors show that conditioned medium from human mesenchymal stem cells reduces functional deficits in an animal model of multiple sclerosis and promotes the development of oligodendrocytes and neurons. They identify hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor cMet as critical for this effect.
Photo-fries rearrangement of [2-(2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-t-octylphenyl benzene sulfonate]

Etude par MS du mecanisme de la photolyse en solution et a l'etat solide du sulfonate precurseur de photoabsorbant UV utilise dans les resines photodurcissable
Sulfadiazine-induced crystalluria and renal failure in a patient with AIDS.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is one of the most treatable opportunistic infections of the central nervous system in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).l,2 A combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine is the therapy of choice, producing a favorable clinical response in 68 to 95 percent of patients receiving this regimen.3,4 Reports of sulfadiazine-induced crystalluria and renal failure were common during the 1940s and 1950s, before more soluble sulfonamides, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) , became available. Recently, case reports of sulfadiazine nephrotoxicity have reappeared as widespread use of this regimen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related cerebral toxoplasmosis increased.5-17 We report a patient with AIDS and central nervous system toxoplasmosis who developed nonoliguric renal failure caused by sulfadiazine-induced crystalluria.
Dynamic behavior of thick magnetorheological elastomers

Experimental studies are conducted to investigate the dynamic shear properties of thick magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) which are affected by increasing the thickness, as well as the percentage of iron particles contained in these materials. MREs with thicknesses of 25.4mm, 19.05mm, 12.7mm, 6.25mm and 3.05mm and with various iron particle percentages are studied. A dynamic double-lap shear test setup is designed and built to conduct the experimental study. The results demonstrate that the thickness of MREs significantly affect the material properties in the "off" state, that is, when no magnetic field is applied. However, in the "on" state, when the material is activated by a magnetic field, the thickness of the sample does not show a significant effect on the change in storage modulus induced by a magnetic field. This change remains constant for all samples with different thicknesses under the same magnetic field.
Oxygen Ion Conductivities of Rhombohedral Phases in the Ba-Sr-Bi Oxide System

The rhombohedral phase of the Ba-Bi-O system is known to be a good oxygen ion conductor. Previous studies on conductivity of that system have shown that there is a sudden increase in conductivity at the β2-β1 polymorphic transition. Therefore, the high temperature β2 phase is a very good anionic conductor with values up to 10−1-100 S/cm. In the Ba-Sr-Bi-O system, the rhombohedral phase that contains Ba and Sr coexists with BaBiO3. Several specimens of the rhombohedral phase with different [Ba]-[Sr] ratios were synthesized. Electron microprobe analysis was used to determine the chemical composition of each specimen and to ensure that it consisted of a monophasic assemblage. Results of X-ray powder diffraction experiments confirmed that each sample has a rhombohedral unit cell. Oxygen ion conductivities of these materials were measured using the 2-probe AC Impedance technique over the 320-730°C temperature range. In each case, a sudden increase in conductivity indicates temperature range of the polymorphic transition. Exchange of the smaller cation Sr for Ba makes the transition temperature increase almost in a linear manner. Conductivities of all β2 polymorphs at a given temperature are very similar to conductivities of Ba-Bi-O and Sr-Bi-O β2 polymorphs. Conductivities of all β1 polymorphs are also similar. Apparently, the nature of the alkaline earth present has only slight influence on conductivities of these phases.
Chronic kidney disease prevalence and rate of diagnosis.

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease is a major public health problem. However, no study to date has estimated the prevalence of chronic kidney disease based on the clinical guidelines established by the National Kidney Foundation and few studies have explored the rate of diagnoses by primary care providers. Subjects and Methods Cross-sectional study of ambulatory patients in Rochester, NY. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and the rate of primary caregiver diagnosis in ambulatory patients with chronic kidney disease. Results Among the 24,492 outpatients that had at least 2 glomerular filtration rate estimates ≥3 months apart, 6895 had an estimated glomerular filtration rate 2 , indicating a 28.2% period prevalence of chronic kidney disease. The rate of clinical diagnosis among those with chronic kidney disease was 26.5% (95% confidence interval, 17.9 to 35.1), suggesting that 74% of patients with chronic kidney disease are undiagnosed. Conclusions We demonstrate that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease is substantially higher in health-seeking individuals than in the general population. Moreover, we demonstrate that laboratory reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation alone does not result in an optimal rate of clinical diagnosis.
Assessment of Higher-Order RANS Closures in a Decelerated Planar Wall-Bounded Turbulent Flow

A reference DNS database is presented, which includes third- and fourth-order moment budgets for unstrained and strained planar channel flow. Existing RANS closure models for third- and fourth-order terms are surveyed, and new model ideas are introduced. The various models are then compared with the DNS data term by term using a priori testing of the higher-order budgets of turbulence transport, velocity-pressure-gradient, and dissipation for both the unstrained and strained databases. Generally, the models for the velocity-pressure-gradient terms are most in need of improvement.
Intention to adhere to HIV treatment: a patient-centred predictor of antiretroviral adherence.

Objectives Despite the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV remains a major cause of mortality in the USA, largely as a result of poor HIV treatment adherence. In this study we assessed the association between five patient-centred factors and adherence to HIV treatment. Methods We surveyed 244 adults at two HIV clinics in Houston, Texas between October 2009 and April 2010. Participants were given a questionnaire and their charts were reviewed for clinical data. Survey items assessed the following factors: self-assessed HIV knowledge, awareness of disease biomarkers, intention to adhere to HIV treatment, health literacy and decision-making style. The primary outcome measure was HAART adherence during the previous month. Logistic regressions were performed to calculate the effect of each factor on adherence. Results All participants had HIV/AIDS and were on HAART at enrolment. Eight per cent of participants were female, 57% were African-American and 16% were Hispanic. Mean age was 58.1 years. Sixty-eight per cent were adherent to HAART during the last month. On univariate analysis, a preference for wanting choices, correct knowledge of recent HIV viral load level, and intention to adhere to HIV treatment were significantly associated with adherence. On multivariate analysis, only intention to adhere to HIV treatment remained statistically significant after adjusting for other factors (odds ratio 2.2; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 4.3). Conclusions Intention to adhere to HIV treatment was significantly associated with self-reported adherence to HAART. Interventions that bolster patients' intentions to adhere to HIV treatment during clinical encounters may improve adherence to HAART and HIV control.
β-Elimination for Release of O-Linked Glycosaminoglycans from Proteoglycans

O-linked glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains in proteoglycans are readily released from their core proteins by treatment with alkali at room temperature. This beta-elimination is the same type of reaction as that for releasing O-linked oligosaccharides from their core proteins. Under the reaction conditions described here, N-linked oligosaccharides remain attached to the core protein, but any O-linked oligosaccharides will be released along with the GAG chains. The procedure can be used to isolate the free GAG chains, the free O-linked oligosaccharides, and the core protein (which will still have any N-linked oligosaccharides that were originally present).
Connectionist Music Composition Based on Melodic and Stylistic Constraints

We describe a recurrent connectionist network, called CONCERT, that uses a set of melodies written in a given style to compose new melodies in that style. CONCERT is an extension of a traditional algorithmic composition technique in which transition tables specify the probability of the next note as a function of previous context. A central ingredient of CONCERT is the use of a psychologically-grounded representation of pitch.