cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Yellow Bank, Bahamas: A Study of Modern Marine Carbonate Lithification: ABSTRACT

An 1,800-sq-mi area of the New Province platform in the Bahamas was studied in an attempt to evaluate an occurrence of modern marine lithification. Studies of samples collected from the surface and from vertical profiles of modern carbonates have demonstrated the following: (1) facies variations are more pronounced vertically than horizontally; (2) recrystallization cannot be detected in samples as old as 6,700 yr B.P. that are 8 ft below the water-sediment interface; (3) aragonite is the only form of carbonate cement; and (4) lithification appears to be restricted by depth of water between 9 and 16 ft deep, and is absent in water deeper than 19 ft. In all localities where lithification occurs, water-sediment bioherms are present. Although these bioherms do not extend into the overlying water, they are present in the sediments to a depth of 3 ft below the water-sediment interface. For paleoecologic data, bioherms in ancient carbonates should be restudied in an attempt to determine if they actually stood above the water-sediment interface as is so commonly pictured. End_of_Article - Last_Page 551------------
Characterization of Compostability and Mechanical Properties for Linseed Oil Resin Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers

This work characterizes biodegradation behavior and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites made from renewable sources. A linseed oil-based thermoset is used as the polymer matrix. Bamboo, cotton, hemp and fiberglass are used as the reinforcing fibers. Although tensile properties of comparable material systems have been reported in literature, characterization of their compostability has not been studied. Our experimental results show that the natural fibers degrade well under controlled composting conditions, whereas the thermoset polymer matrix did not. Tensile properties of the material are improved significantly with fiberglass reinforcement, whereas the natural fiber reinforcement is able to enhance the material's ductility.
Land Tenure and Women At Mari

"In an economy based on agriculture, questions relating to social stratification cannot be treated separately from those affecting possession and utilization of the soil" (I. J. Gelb) 1). Any assessment of the role and status of one segment of a society must necessarily situate that segment within the social context of that society generally. The original goal of this study was to determine the role and extent of participation of women in the agrarian economy at Mari, particularly in the possession and use of land 2). However, since there is at present no description of the general situation at Mari, it quickly became evident that the scope of this study would have to be expanded to describe first the possession and use of land in general as it is reflected in the Mari documents. Only after this groundwork has been laid (Part I) can we then turn to an analysis of the role of women within this system (Part II). As there does not appear to be any significant difference in this regard between the Assyrian interregnum and the Zimri-Lim period, texts from both periods will be used without discrimination, unless otherwise stated, as evidence of the common and universal practice within the Mari kingdom.
The oxazolidinedione CP-92,768-2 partially protects insulin receptor substrate-1 from dexamethasone down-regulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Oxazolidinediones are a class of oral antidiabetic agents that are closely related structurally and pharmacologically to thiazolidinediones. The thiazolidinediones have been shown to partially reverse the loss in insulin-responsive glucose uptake caused by chronic treatment with dexamethasone. This study was conducted to determine certain aspects of the mechanism of thiazolidinedione and oxazolidinedione action. We selected the oxazolidinedione CP-92,768-2 (5-[2-[(5-methyl2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)methyl]5-benzofuranyl methyl]2,4- oxazolidinedione) to determine whether these agents could reverse the dexamethasone-induced down-regulation of IRS-1, the insulin receptor substrate-1. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, dexamethasone treatment resulted in down-regulation of IRS-1 to 60% of control values. Simultaneous treatment with CP-92,768-2 significantly increased IRS-1 to 78% of the control value (EC50, < 10 nM), although it did not completely reverse the dexamethasone effect at any concentration tested. CP-92,768-2 alone di...
Does increased model complexity improve description of phosphorus dynamics in a large treatment wetland

Abstract As the structure of ecological models grows more complex, it becomes increasingly important to identify the appropriate level of complexity for reliable process description and prediction. Here, a suite of mechanistic biogeochemical models with different levels of complexity for representing phosphorus cycling processes was developed and tested against observations from a large treatment wetland. The study site was the 147-ha Cell 4 of Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, which was designed to help protect the greater Everglades, FL, USA, from nutrient over-enrichment. Six biogeochemical models of differing complexity were coupled with a pre-calibrated two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of Cell 4 and tested against field data. We provide guidance for evaluating a set of models with varying level of complexity using key model attributes that influence the suitability of a model or a set of models. Considerations of model accuracy, complexity, and explanatory depth are combined into a single indicator of model effectiveness. Results revealed that the most complex model structure may not necessarily be the most effective in simulating the dynamics of total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the wetland. The rate of improvement in the model performance decreased as model complexity increased. Although the most complex model reproduced the field observations best, the marginal improvement in model performance compared to simpler models was outweighed by the higher costs of increased complexity. Highly detailed representations of system structures may not be useful to simulate TP dynamics in treatment wetlands if comprehensive data sets are not available to constrain each pathway. It is crucial for model developers and users to evaluate model structures of differing complexity to identify the appropriate level of complexity for given data and questions of interest.
Spinel humidity sensors prepared by thermal spray direct writing

Abstract Ceramic humidity sensors consisting of MgAl2O4 dielectric layer and Ni–5 wt.%Al electrodes were prepared by plasma spray processing and their electrical properties were investigated as a function of the relative humidity. The complex impedance of the sensor was measured at different humidity levels, using impedance spectroscopy. The resistance and the capacitance of the sensor were determined from the impedance plots using equivalent circuit simulations. The resistance of the sensor decreased from 2.4 × 109 to 9 × 105 Ω with increasing the relative humidity from 11 to 98% due to the increase of surface electrical conductivity resulting from water adsorption. The capacitance increased 1–7 nF in the humidity range.
BREATHING 100 PER CENT OXYGEN AS AN AID IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SMALL LEFT TO RIGHT SHUNTS BY OXIMETRY.

Abstract The use of 100 per cent oxygen inhalation in the diagnosis of small left to right shunts was studied in 15 patients, 8 with and 7 without septal defects. With the patients breathing air, serial oximetry during right heart catheterization demonstrated step-ups in oxygen saturation diagnostic of left to right shunts in 4 of 8 patients with septal defects. These step-ups were exaggerated when the patient breathed 100 per cent oxygen. In the other 4 patients with septal defect, serial oximetry done with the patient breathing air was not diagnostic of a left to right shunt, but it was with the patient breathing 100 per cent oxygen. In the 7 patients without septal defect, the oxygen saturations with the patients breathing oxygen paralleled those while they breathed air. Thus, breathing 100 per cent oxygen may significantly enhance the sensitivity of oximetry in diagnosing small left to right shunts.
Staurosporine Inhibits Invasion of Erythrocytes by Malarial Merozoites

Abstract Staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor, inhibits the invasion of rhesus monkey erythrocytes by Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites with an IC50 of 250 nM. The drug exerts its effects primarily on the merozoite, with little or no effect on the erythrocyte. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, can partially abrogate the inhibitory effects of staurosporine. Staurosporine arrests invasion at a step which is ultrastructurally similar to the arrest caused by cytochalasins B and D: the merozoite attaches, apically reorients, and forms a junction with the erythrocyte, but it does not internalize. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation within the merozoite plays an important role in the internalization step of invasion.
Insect digestion: Potential applications in insect management

The papers assembled in this special issue were originally presented by researchers gathered at an informal symposium entitled “Insect Digestion: Potential Applications in Insect Management” at the National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2002. Although symposium participants and attendees clearly came from a diversity of backgrounds, they shared a common goal: to bring together their collective knowledge of insect digestive physiology and promote discussions of control methods that target insect digestion. The manuscripts published in this issue reflect the breadth of that knowledge. They include a structural and functional study of a peptide hormone that modulates digestion in mosquitoes, investigation of responses of Colorado potato beetle to transgenically expressed proteinase inhibitors, demonstration of the importance of phosphorous as a nutritive element of caterpillars, and phylogenetic analysis of insect trypsins and inhibitor resistance. The papers reinforce the notion that approaches to the study of insect digestion are as diverse as the insects we study, and it is our hope that this endeavor will promote new ideas for effective pest management tools. The organizers would like to thank the Entomological Society of America for hosting the informal symposium, and to all who presented and attended. We are especially grateful to the Executive Editor of Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, David Stanley, and his editorial staff for making publication of this special issue possible.
Water permeation through the lipid bilayer membrane. Test of the liquid hydrocarbon model.

Abstract According to the liquid hydrocarbon model, the lipid bilayer is viewed simply as a thin slice of bulk hydrocarbon liquid. This allows the water permeability of the bilayer to be calculated from bulk properties. In this paper the prediction of the liquid hydrocarbon model is compared with the known water permeability coefficient of the glycerol monoolein/n- hexadecane bilayer (Fettiplace, R. (1978) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 513, 1–10). As the alkyl chain of glycerol monoolein is equivalent to 8-heptadecene, the water permeability coefficient of 8- heptadecene /n- hexadecane mixtures was measured for temperatures between 20 and 35°C. The mole fraction of n- hexadecane in the bulk liquid was chosen at each temperature to match the known mole fraction of n- hexadecane in the bilayer (White, S. (1976) Nature 262, 421–422). The predicted water permeability coefficient agrees with the measured value at 32°C but is 40% above the measured value at 20°C. The apparent activation energy predicted by the liquid hydrocarbon model is 9.0 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, while the measured value is 14.2 ± 1.0 kcal/mol. The failure of the liquid hydrocarbon model probably results from a different molecular organization of the hydrocarbon chains in the bilayer and in the bulk liquid.
The effect of parathyroidectomy on haversian remodeling of bone.

The occurrence of haversian remodeling has been measured in control and parathyroidectomized adult dogs given a tracer dose of calcium-45. Autoradiographs, microradiographs and histologic sections were made of samples of diaphyseal and metaphyseal bone and the numbers of resorption cavities and newly formed haversian systems compared for thecontrol and experimental animals. The results indicate that haversian remodeling is reduced in the parathyroidectomized animals. Measurements of the actively calcifying lengths of the systems show that the reduction in the remodeling incidence in the experimental animals is not the result of a shorter length undergoing calcification but of a smaller number of systems being formed. Two of the dogs used in the experiment were females that had born and weaned a litter six weeks previously. In both these animals there is increased bone remodeling compared with the male dogs, however, the parathyroidectomized female shows a reduced incidence of remodeling compared with her ...
Isotope and temperature effects on the lifetime of excited diphenyl ketyl radicals

Abstract The lifetime of excited diphenyl ketyl radicals is lengthened by deuterium substitution. The largest effect is observed by substitution at the hydroxylic position; for example, the lifetimes are 3.9, 4.2, 8.7 and 10.5 ns for (C 6 H 5 ) 2 COH, (C 6 D 5 ) 2 COH, (C 6 H 5 ) 2 COD and (C 6 D 5 ) 2 COD, respectively, in toluene or toluene- d 8 at room temperature. Deuterium substitution in the solvent has no effect other than providing a different atom for the hydroxylic position in the ketyl radical.
SAME: a sampling-based multi-locus epistasis algorithm for quantitative genetic trait prediction

Quantitative genetic trait prediction based on high-density genotyping arrays plays an important role for plant and animal breeding. The prediction can be very helpful to develop breeding strategies. Epistasis, the phenomena where the SNPs interact with each other, has been studied extensively in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) but received relatively less attention for quantitative genetic trait prediction. As the number of possible interactions is in general extremely large, even pairwise interactions is very challenging. To our knowledge, there is no solid solution yet to utilize epistasis to improve genetic trait prediction. In this work, we studied the multi-locus epistasis problem where the interactions with more than two SNPs are considered. We first analyzed the traditional additive epistasis model and we showed that the model has certain limitations, such as it prefers epistasis interactions with more SNPs, and it does not assume a small set of very significant epistasis effects. Then we developed an efficient algorithm SAME to improve the genetic trait prediction with the help of multi-locus epistasis. Our experiments on both simulated and real data showed that SAME is not only efficient but also effective to improve the genetic trait prediction. SAME also achieved very significant improvements on a real plant data set. To our knowledge, this is the first work that is able to achieve such significant improvements with the help of epistasis.
Immunoglobulin Genes, Oncogenes, and Human B-Cell Tumors

In the last several years, a combined investigative approach utilizing techniques of somatic cell genetics, molecular genetics, and cytogenetics has provided exciting preliminary evidence concerning specific genes important in the pathogenesis of human B-cell lymphomas and possible mechanisms by which their function may be altered in neoplastic cells. Burkitt’s lymphoma has provided the most information to date, but other lymphomas and leukemias are now being explored. Overall, the data are still quite limited, but the field is moving very rapidly.
Personal and Institutional Characteristics Affecting Research Productivity of Academic Accountants

Abstract Accounting research and publication have taken on a role far beyond the advancement and dissemination of knowledge. Academics and institutions now focus on publications in major journals for funding, prestige, merit, and tenure decisions. This article attempts to identify institutional and individual variables that correlate with accounting research productivity. The results could benefit new PhDs, current faculty, and institutions wishing to foster more favorable research environments. Authors publishing a main article in The Journal of Accounting Research or The Accounting Review during 1984 through 1988 were surveyed to ascertain factors associated with their success. These factors were compared with the results of a survey of a randomly selected control group of accounting educators. The data reveal significant differences in work profiles for the two groups. Critical factors include hours of teaching per year compared with hours of research, reasons for topic selection, and choices of journa...
Effect of ezetimibe on plasma cholesterol levels, cholesterol absorption and secretion of biliary cholesterol in laboratory opossums with high and low responses to dietary cholesterol

Partially inbred lines of laboratory opossums differ in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and cholesterol absorption on a high-cholesterol diet. The aim of the present studies was to determine whether ezetimibe inhibits cholesterol absorption and eliminates the differences in plasma cholesterol and hepatic cholesterol metabolism between high and low responders on a high-cholesterol diet. Initially, we determined that the optimum dose of ezetimibe was 5 mg/(kg d) and treated 6 high- and 6 low-responding opossums with this dose (with equal numbers of controls) for 3 weeks while the opossums consumed a high-cholesterol and low-fat diet. Plasma and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly (P < .05) in treated but not in untreated high-responding opossums. Plasma cholesterol concentrations increased slightly (P < .05) in untreated low responders but not in treated low responders. The percentage of cholesterol absorption was significantly higher in untreated high responders than in other groups. Livers from high responders with or without treatment were significantly (P < .01) heavier than livers from low responders with or without treatment. Hepatic cholesterol concentrations in untreated high responders were significantly (P < .05) higher than those in low responders with or without treatment (P < .001). The gall bladder bile cholesterol concentrations in untreated high responders were significantly (P < .05) lower than those in other groups. A decrease in biliary cholesterol in low responders treated with ezetimibe was associated with a decrease in hepatic expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8. These studies suggest that ezetimibe decreases plasma cholesterol levels in high responders mainly by decreasing cholesterol absorption and increasing biliary cholesterol concentrations. Because ezetimibe's target is NPC1L1 and NPC1L1 is expressed in the intestine of opossums, its effect on cholesterol absorption may be mediated by inhibiting NPC1L1 function in the intestine.
Is human longevity a consequence of cultural change or modern biology

Increased longevity, expressed as the number of individuals surviving to older adulthood, represents a key way that Upper Paleolithic Europeans differ from earlier European (Neandertal) populations. Here, we address whether longevity increased as a result of cultural/adaptive change in Upper Paleolithic Europe, or whether it was introduced to Europe as a part of modern human biology. We compare the ratio of older to younger adults (OY ratio) in an early modern human sample associated with the Middle Paleolithic from Western Asia with OY ratios of European Upper Paleolithic moderns and penecontemporary Neandertals from the same region. We also compare these Neandertals to European Neandertals. The difference between the OY ratios of modern humans of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic is large and significant, but there is no significant difference between the Neandertals and early modern humans of Western Asia. Longevity for the West Asian Neandertals is significantly more common than for the European Neandertals. We conclude that the increase in adult survivorship associated with the Upper Paleolithic is not a biological attribute of modern humans, but reflects important cultural adaptations promoting the demographic and material representations of modernity.
Characterization of human enzymes specific for damaged DNA: resolution of endonuclease for irradiated DNA from an apparent N-glycosidase active on alkylated DNA

An endonuclease partially purified from human lymphoblasts, and active against ultraviolet-irradiated DNA, was found to act additionally on DNA damaged by either x-radiation or methylmethanesulfonate. To determine if these activities were truly endonucleolytic, the reaction products were analyzed under conditions that prevented conversion of apurinic or apyrimidinic sites to single-strand breaks. With either ultraviolet- or x-irradiated DNA, strand breakage remained maximal, hence confirming the endonucleolytic character of the enzyme. By contrast, with DNA alkylated with methylmethanesulfonate, strand breakage was sharply reduced. Additional experiments indicated that the activity for alkylated DNA induces strand breaks only in concert with a purified endonuclease specific for apurinic sites, suggesting that it is an N-glycosidase that depurinates alkylated bases. This enzyme was separated from the endonuclease specific for irradiated DNA, by chromatography on DNA-agarose.
Hierarchical multisensor analysis for robotic exploration

Robotic vehicles for lunar and Mars exploration will carry an array of complex instruments requiring real-time data interpretation and fusion. The system described here uses hierarchical multiresolution analysis of visible and multispectral images to extract information on mineral composition, texture and object shape. This information is used to characterize the site geology and choose interesting samples for acquisition. Neural networks are employed for many data analysis steps. A decision tree progressively integrates information from multiple instruments and performs goal-driven decision making. The system is designed to incorporate more instruments and data types as they become available.
The depersonalization of violence: Reflections on the future of personal responsibility

"In the realm of Moloch," Martin Buber once remarked, "honest men lie and compassionate men torture. And they really and truly believe that brother-murder will prepare the way for brotherhood! There appears to be no escape from the most evil of all idolatry." 1 Religious connotations aside, it would, of course, be naive to suppose that the attainment of brotherhood is often a management-level motive for what Buber calls "brother-murder." Yet, insofar as there are still many people all over the world who have been taught to justify their killing by an appeal to some higher morality, transcendent cause or futurist vision, Buber's concern is of great interest from the viewpoint of a sociology of knowledge. On the other hand, as human societies and especially their wars become ever more centrally and even automatically controlled, the private and public examinations of conscience of the world's countless dutiful warriors appear to have remarkably little to offer towards the development of a world-oriented theory of value. For, while Buber assumes, the modem world denies or, as far as possible, deems it irrelevant that the individual is responsible for anything mere challenging than a willingness to play the game whenever called "from above" to do so. And even if our systematization of life and death has not yet entirely silenced the so-called voice of conscience, will that voice really make any historically perceptible difference in the long run? Is there, in short, any reason to expect that anything like a sense of personal responsibility can survive in a world that includes among its parameters such complex phenomena as bureaucracy, automation, nationalism and limited resources? On the side of optimism, some such existential commitment to personal responsibility is represented in the thinking of a growing number of people, especially among the educated young, in most quarters of the planet earth. In particular, it is the kind of thinking to which the United States Supreme Court recently gave some national legitimacy when it decided, in effect, that, whether motivated by religious conviction or not, the pacifist conscience should have other socially accepted options besides prison or exile. This can hardly be thought of as marking the end of the age o~ militarism, but it may well be recognized in history as a slight but significant bend in the road. On the side of pessimism, however, few men really believe that a world in which all are at peace with one another is even remotely possible; nor, given their sense of boredom, impotence, anomie, existential vacuum or
Group Treatment for Trichotillomania: Behavior Therapy Versus Supportive Therapy

In this randomized controlled trial, group behavior therapy (BT; n=12) was compared to group supportive therapy (ST; n=12) in the treatment of trichotillomania (TTM). Both treatments were also compared to a naturally occurring waiting period, the time period that participants waited for groups to form. Participants completing group BT experienced significantly greater decreases in self-reported hair-pulling symptoms and clinician-rated hair loss severity than did those in group ST. Decreases were significantly greater after treatment than after the naturalistic waiting period. In addition, a significantly higher percentage of those in the BT than ST condition were rated as much improved or very much improved on the Clinical Global Impression scale at posttreatment. However, despite substantial symptom improvement, TTM severity remained problematic at posttreatment. Specifically, few participants in either treatment met criteria for clinically significant change at posttreatment. In addition, relapse of symptoms occurred over the 6-month follow-up period. Results provided partial support for the short-term efficacy of group BT. However, the group format may not maximize the efficacy of BT for TTM. Thus, it is recommended that future BT research test either individual therapy or a combination of group and individual formats for TTM.
Revisiting a “Study of Moral Development in the South African Context” by Smith and Parekh

Smith and Parekh's 1996 study underscored the importance of studying the influence of racism upon moral development. Alternative interpretations of their findings suggest fruitful directions for research.
Expert systems applications in quality management: An integrative approach

Abstract Quality management is a vital and growing concern of businesses in the global marketplace. Expert system technology is beginning to play an important role in this area and will become much more common in the future. This paper summarizes several current expert systems used in quality management. A framework for choosing appropriate application candidates and a guide to integrating expert system technology into these applications is presented. Following the framework will significantly improve the chances for a successful expert system installation.
Estrogen-induced redox sensitive Id3 signaling controls the growth of vascular cells

In this study, we investigated a mechanism by which estrogen-induced oxidants control endothelial cell differentiation into tubelike structures via redox sensitive signaling molecule Id3. Using a matrigel cell culture, we determined whether superoxide or hydrogen peroxide signaled estrogen-induced tube formation. Overexpression of the superoxide scavenger MnSOD and the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase inhibited tube formation in estrogen treated endothelial cells. Since tube formation on matrigel is not specific for endothelial cells, we verified our results in a co-culture model that better represents tube formation in vivo. Antioxidants ebselen and N-acetylcysteine as well as overexpression of MnSOD and catalase inhibited tube formation in estrogen exposed endothelial cells co-cultured with fibroblasts. We previously showed that estrogen-induced mitochondrial oxidants depended on the cytoskeleton so we tested tube formation dependence on the cytoskeleton. Estrogen-induced tube formation was inhibited by the actin cytoskeleton disruptor cytochalasin D and the microtubule destabilizer colchicine. Estrogen increased Id3 phosphorylation which was reduced by catalase and N-acetylcysteine treatments. We determined the functional role of Id3 in tube formation by RNA intereference and showed Id3 siRNA to inhibit tube formation in estrogen exposed cells. The major novel findings presented here are that: (i) estrogen-induced tube formation requires the presence of Id3, a member of the helix-loop-helix family of transcriptional factors and (ii) estrogen increases Id3 phosphorylation via a redox-dependent process. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate Id3 to be an important signaling molecule in estrogen stimulated vascularization and may serve as a therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of vasculoproliferative disorders.
6-Alkyl-1,4-naphthoquinones from the defensive secretion of the tenebrionid beetle, Argoporis alutacea

Abstract The abdominal defensive glands of the western American tenebrionid beetle, Argoporis alutacea, contain a viscous mixture of 6-methyl, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-1,4-naphthoquinones as well as the usual tenebrionid 1,4-benzoquinones. The naphthoquinones were isolated by preparative gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and their structures determined by GLC, infra-red, mass, and nuclear magnetic spectroscopy of the isolated compounds and several synthetic isomers. Two additional minor components were not identified. The tubular, spirally stiffened gland reservoirs are derived from the seventh intersternal membrane and are homologous to other defensive glands in the subfamily Tenebrioninae. Upon handling, the secretion is released by protracting the sixth and seventh sternites and everting the proximal quarter of the reservoir. With its legs, the beetle wipes the secretion onto itself and the handler. The well-tracheated secretory tissue consists of strands and sheets of cells arranged along and attached by their long effluent ducts which empty along a transverse line near the reservoirs' posterior opening. The surface of the reservoir sacs is covered with a thin epidermis. Electron microscopy of the gland tissue revealed a secretory unit which consists of a long tubular cuticle-lined organelle sequentially ensheathed by three types of cells: (1) a cell with a large microvillusfilled vesicle surrounding the blind distal end of the cuticular organelle, (2) an adjacent second cell into whose central vesicle (which is delimited by small sparse microvilli) the cuticular organelle passes, becoming expanded and diverticulated, and (3) at least one tubule-sheathing cell surrounding each separate cuticular organelle from the point at which it leaves the second cell to its proximal termination at the reservoir.
Friction and wear of TiN-4140 steel couples in methanol

Abstract Titanium nitride (TiN) surface layers have the potential to decrease wear and increase the working life of methanol fuel injector components. A number of studies have been conducted on the wear-resistance of TiN in various lubricants. However, the friction and wear characteristics of TiN coatings in a methanol environment have not been investigated. For this research, TiN coatings were obtained by pressure vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and ion implantation (ION) processes. The friction and wear characteristics of the TiN surfaces, coupled with a nitrided 4140 steel and in a methanol environment, were determined using reciprocating sliding tests. In general, the coatings protected their substrates from wear, but many caused extensive wear on the 4140 steel sample. The ION layer did not provide adequate wear protection during long-term testing. Wear due to the roughest PVD and CVD coatings increased with applied contact force. The two smoothest PVD coatings exhibited the best tribological performance under the conditions investigated.
Rotating-Wave Approximation and Spontaneous Emission

This is an addendum to the author's previous paper [Phys. Rev. A 4, 1778 (1971)], where master equations describing the spontaneous emission from a collection of identical two-level atoms and oscillators were derived without the use of rotating-wave approximation. However, the terms corresponding to the frequency shifts were not adequately included. Here such terms are properly treated and the appropriate master equation is given. Explicit form of the frequency-shift terms is also given.
The Interaction of Bayesian Priors and Sensory Data and Its Neural Circuit Implementation in Visually Guided Movement

Sensory-motor behavior results from a complex interaction of noisy sensory data with priors based on recent experience. By varying the stimulus form and contrast for the initiation of smooth pursuit eye movements in monkeys, we show that visual motion inputs compete with two independent priors: one prior biases eye speed toward zero; the other prior attracts eye direction according to the past several days9 history of target directions. The priors bias the speed and direction of the initiation of pursuit for the weak sensory data provided by the motion of a low-contrast sine wave grating. However, the priors have relatively little effect on pursuit speed and direction when the visual stimulus arises from the coherent motion of a high-contrast patch of dots. For any given stimulus form, the mean and variance of eye speed covary in the initiation of pursuit, as expected for signal-dependent noise. This relationship suggests that pursuit implements a trade-off between movement accuracy and variation, reducing both when the sensory signals are noisy. The tradeoff is implemented as a competition of sensory data and priors that follows the rules of Bayesian estimation. Computer simulations show that the priors can be understood as direction-specific control of the strength of visual-motor transmission, and can be implemented in a neural-network model that makes testable predictions about the population response in the smooth eye movement region of the frontal eye fields.
Compliance properties study of carbon nanofibres (CNFs) array as thermal interface material

Carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibres (CNFs), have the potential, owing to their high thermal conductivity, to be successfully employed in micro- and opto-electronic devices for effective integrated circuits cooling. We address the CNT/CNF compliance properties and their effect on the thermal performance of CNT/CNF based thermal interface materials (TIMs). We synthesized vertically aligned CNT/CNF arrays on a Cu substrate by using the plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique. Cu was used also to fill in the gaps between the CNT/CNF, and electrochemical deposition (ECD) was employed for this purpose. The number and the length of the CNT/CNFs protruding out of the Cu matrix were controlled by controlling the time of the ECD deposition. The thermal properties of CNT/CNF and CNT/CNF–Cu composites were characterized by photothermal method. We found that the CNT/CNF structural compliance with respect to the axial ('through-thickness') loading strongly affects the CNT/CNF array performance as a TIMs.
Manifestations of genetic diseases in the human pulp

Abstract The number of hereditary disorders accompanied by changes in pulp tissue is relatively small. Many metabolic disorders, particularly those in which a product accumulates in tissue, probably involve changes in this organ. As pulp tissue is relatively easy to obtain from deciduous teeth and as many of these diseases commence in childhood, a pulpectomy technique might offer better methods of diagnosis. Further pulp tissue should offer an especially good source of material for cultures. Cultures have been used to detect heterozygotes of some of these conditions and to supply the material necessary for biochemical work, freeing the investigator from depending upon biopsies.
Maternal microinjection of the endoparasitoid Cardiochiles diaphaniae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Maternal microinjection is the injection of DNA into an adult female to deliver DNA to the eggs. Here we report the adaptation of this method to the parasitoid Cardiochiles diaphaniae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Results of preliminary dissections and injections with the plasmid pJKP2, followed by slot blot analysis, suggested that this method could be used to deliver injected DNA to the ovaries of this wasp. Subsequently, 16 adult females were injected and allowed to produce offspring (the G generation). Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the next (G1) generation revealed that several individuals contained the plasmid sequences. In a 2nd experiment, the plasmid phsopd, containing the parathion hydrolase gene ( opd ) of Pseudomonas diminuta , was injected. The plasmid probe hybridized to high molecular weight DNA from 3 of 38 G1 adults. A 4th adult produced a hybridization pattern consistent with integration of plasmid into the nuclear genome. The results indicate maternal microinjection can result in transformation of this parasitoid.
Short communication: Testing for preference using a sum of Wilcoxon signed rank statistics

In certain designed experiments a sum of independent Wilcoxon signed rank statistics can be used to establish preference between two competing resources. The statistic incorporates not only which resource was selected but also the order of selection. The test can be implemented using modern statistical packages.
The projection of occipital cortex to orbital cortex in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

Abstract Near total lesions of occipital cortex were made in rhesus monkeys and the subsequent anterograde degeneration was analyzed using the Fink-Heimer technique. In addition to degenerated terminal endings seen in parietal, temporal and frontal cortices, sparse to moderately dense pericellular and terminal degeneration was seen in posterior portions of ventral orbital cortex and the inferior prefrontal convexity (lateral orbital cortex). These results indicate that activity from the visual cortex may directly influence cells of the frontal orbital cortex.
Homogeneous Nucleation and the Spinodal Line

The limit of homogeneous nucleation in a liquid is shown to lie very close to its liquid spinodal line. It is also argued that the homogeneous nucleation prediction should be based on a comparison of the critical work of nucleation with the “potential well” energy instead of the kinetic molecular energy. The result is a new prediction of the liquid spinodal line for water that is valid to large negative pressures. This prediction compares well with spinodal points obtained by extrapolating liquid and vapor water data with the Himpan equation.
Atomic force microscope imaging of molecular aggregation during self-assembled monolayer growth

Abstract ‘Self-assembled’ monolayers of amphiphilic surfactant molecules form spontaneously on solid surfaces by exposure to dilute solutions of the adsorbate molecules. Using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy, and wettability studies, we find that these monolayers form via a mechanism that includes nucleation, growth, coalescence, etc. of densely packed submonolayer islands of the long-chain organic molecules. AFM experiments permit direct observations of the size and shape of these islands. Molecules that attach to each other covalently and irreversibly (such as alkyltrichlorosilanes) form islands that are fractal with a morphology consistent with 2D diffusion-limited aggregation. Molecules that interact with each other via softer van der Waals interactions form rounded islands, suggesting that the island shapes relax via a continuous process of 2D desorption and re-adsorption. In situ AFM measurements allow a quantitative analysis of island nucleation and growth rates as well as determination of the island size distribution as a function of coverage. In the growth regime, the nucleation and growth rates have a power law behavior consistent with a simple point island model of 2D cluster growth. The exponents are consistent with a critical nucleus of two molecules and the 2D diffusion coefficient corresponds to a ‘hopping time’ of about 1 μs. In the aggregation regime, the island size distributions are shown to scale with a single evolving length scale in accordance with the dynamical scaling approximation.
Vitamin D3: Induction of Calcium-Binding Protein in Embryonic Chick Intestine in vitro

Induction of the synthesis of calcium-binding protein in chick embryonic intestine maintained in vitro was accomplished by simply adding vitamin D3 to the culture medium. Accompanying the induction of this protein, there was enhanced radiocalcium uptake by the intestine. These observations represent the first demonstration of an in vitro physiological effect of vitamin D3 on the calcium absorptive mechanism of the intestine.
Transforming growth factor-β1 reduces expansion of open wounds in the fetal rabbit

Open wounds in the fetal rabbit do not heal by contraction and actually expand between 60% and 90% over a period of 5 days. Experiments were carried out to determine whether transforming growth factor-beta1 can reduce expansion of open wounds in the fetal rabbit. This study was based on the concept that transforming growth factor-beta1 causes differentiation of fibroblasts into contractile fibroblasts or "myofibroblasts." To test this hypothesis, pregnant New Zealand White rabbits underwent laparotomy and hysterotomy on day 24 of gestation. A circular full-thickness cutaneous wound was made on the back of each fetus. After wounding, either vehicle alone or vehicle with transforming growth factor-beta1 was applied topically to the wound site, and each fetus was then returned to the uterus. The hysterotomy and laparotomy were closed in standard fashion. On postoperative day 5, fetuses were harvested by repeat Cesarean section. Wound areas were determined from photographs, calculated as percentage of original wound size, and expressed in square millimeters. In addition, a portion of each wound was fixed and processed for histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. At harvest, the control wounds had expanded by an average of 87% of the original area. In marked contrast, the transforming growth factor-beta1-treated wounds had only expanded an average of 16%. Thus, transforming growth factor-beta1 significantly decreased the area of the open fetal wounds compared with control (p < 0.001). By histologic examination, no significant difference was found between the test group and the control group with regards to inflammation, neovascularization, collagen deposition, elastin content, glycosaminoglycan content, or hyaluronic acid content. Most notably, however, there was an increased density of fibroblasts in the transforming growth factor-beta1-treated group. In addition, immunohistochemical staining with an anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody showed the presence of contractile fibroblasts in the wound margins in the transforming growth factor-beta1-treated group but failed to show any positive-staining fibroblasts in the matrices of the control group. These results indicate that open wounds in the fetal rabbit treated in vivo with transforming growth factor-beta1 were significantly smaller than control wounds. This process appears to result from the recruitment and differentiation of normal dermal fibroblasts into contractile fibroblasts containing alpha-smooth muscle actin.
The concave parabolic mirror

The diffraction of a plane electromagnetic wave axially incident on the concave side of a perfectly conducting parabolic reflector is solved exactly and in closed form in frequency domain. The method of solution follows the technique originally proposed by Horace Lamb in 1906 who, however, was unable to solve the problem addressed herein. The present solution is obtained by matching the left- and right-propagating fields at the focal line of the mirror.
On the steering of automated vehicles: Theory and experiment

Several facets of the automatic lateral control of individual ground vehicles are considered in detail. First, a path-dependent coordinate system for describing vehicle motion is defined, and the availability of motion quantities for control purposes is specified. Second, the lateral dynamics of a typical U.S. passenger sedan are empirically obtained and validated with data from full-scale studies. Third, various designs, in which different types of compensation are employed, are evaluated in terms of specified requirements and attractive candidates are specified. Finally, several controller designs were tested under full-scale conditions wherein a wire-reference configuration and a dual-mode test vehicle were employed. The latter was automatically steered on both straight and curving roads at speeds up to 35.8 m/s (80 mph). In one typical case, the maximum tracking error observed was 0.0635 m and occurred both when a sidewind was present and when the vehicle entered a curving section of roadway. Excellent lateral control-close tracking, good insensitivity to disturbance forces, and a comfortable ride-can be obtained using a relatively simple controller.
Wet dressings used with topical corticosteroids for pruritic dermatoses: A retrospective study.

Background Wet dressings are a mainstay for initial management of pruritic adult dermatoses at Mayo Clinic, yet few recent reports describe their effectiveness for pruritic conditions other than atopic dermatitis in children. Objective To examine the effectiveness of wet dressings for pruritic dermatoses. Methods This is a retrospective study of adult patients admitted to our inpatient dermatology service between January 1, 2004, and August 31, 2007, treated with wet dressings and topical corticosteroids. Improvement was evaluated 1 day after admission and at dismissal. Results Three hundred thirty-one patients with pruritus (54 unique diagnoses) had 391 admissions. Improvement was reported for 146 (94%) of 156 admissions at 1 day after admission and for 351 (98%) of 357 admissions at dismissal. Limitations Retrospective nature of study. Conclusions Wet dressings effectively alleviate recalcitrant pruritic dermatoses in adults. The lack of published reports on this treatment method suggests that wet dressings are underused.
Associations among survivorship care plans, experiences of survivorship care, and functioning in older breast cancer survivors: CALGB/Alliance 369901

Purpose Survivorship care plans (SCP) are recommended for all cancer patients and could be especially useful to survivors 65 years and over (“older”). This study examined receipt of SCPs among older breast cancer survivors and whether SCPs were associated with improved patient-reported outcomes.
A probabilistic model for run-length coding of pictures

A first-order Markoff process representation for pictures is proposed in order to study the picture coding system known as run-length coding (differential-coordinate encoding). A lower bound for the saving in channel capacity is calculated on the basis of this model, and is compared with the results obtained by previous investigators. In addition, this representation is shown to yield an insight into the run-length coding system which might not otherwise be obtained. The application of this probabilistic model to an "elastic" system of run-length coding is also discussed.