cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Sediment Contaminants and Environmental Gradients on Macrobenthic Community Trophic Structure in Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

Macrobenthic communities from estuaries throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico were studied to assess the influence of sediment contaminants and natural environmental factors on macrobenthic community trophic structure. Community trophic data were also used to evaluate whether results from laboratory sediment toxicity tests were effective indicators of site-specific differences in benthic trophic structure. A multiple regression model consisting of five composite factors (principal components) was used to distinguish the effects of sediment contaminants and environmental variables on benthic community trophic structure. This model explained 33.5% of the variation in macrobenthic trophic diversity (p<0.001), a variable derived from the distribution of taxas among nine original trophic categories. A significant negative relatinship was found between principal components reflecting concentrations of sediment contaminants and macrobenthic trophic diversity.
The morphology of oxidation of alumina-forming iron-base alloys containing chromium and aluminum

A series of iron-base alloys containing different amounts of Cr and Al have been oxidized at $$P_{O_{_2 } } = 2 \times 10^{ - 1} $$ atm and at $$P_{O_{_2 } } = 10^{ - 18} $$ atm. The morphologies of the A12O3 scales depend on the heating rate of the specimens, the Cr content of the alloys, and the $$P_{O_{_2 } } $$ of the environment. When the specimens are slowly introduced in the hot zone and oxidized in air, all the alloys form Al2O3 scales with a convoluted morphology. The extent of the convolutions decreases with increase in the Cr content. When the specimens are rapidly heated and oxidized in air, the low Cr-containing alloys form internal oxides and a surface scale of Al2O3 which shows no convolutions. In the higher Cr containing alloys, the internal oxidation is limited. In the low $$P_{O_{_2 } } $$ .
Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and resource utilization in children and adults with eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Background Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare condition where eosinophilic inflammation occurs in the gastrointestinal tract in the absence of secondary causes. Little is known regarding aetiology, pathogenesis, or natural history.
Semi-conservative replication of DNA in a higher plant cell.

Abstract Tobacco cells in suspension culture multiplied exponentially with a generation time of two days. The replication of DNA in these cells was studied. Cells were grown on 15N-nitrate, then transferred to 14N-nitrate medium, and DNA was isolated at daily intervals thereafter. The CsCl density gradient analysis indicated that all the DNA replicated in slightly more than two days, and the mode of replication was semi-conservative.
What are the Factors Influencing Outcome Among Patients Admitted to a Hospital With a Proximal Humeral Fracture

Background Fracture of the proximal humerus is common in older patients during the decline of their physical health.
Factors Related to the Retention of Female Graduate Students over 30

While admissions at the undergraduate level are experiencing a surge of students over thirty years of age (Spaid, 1989), the pool of traditionally aged students is declining. These phenomena may indicate that students over age thirty will also be enrolling in graduate programs in increasing numbers. This study addresses the issue of retention as it pertains to older female graduate students. Utilizing a sample from a large Midwestern research university, results of a logistic regression indicate that the important variables to persistence are being unmarried, maintaining positive student-student and student-faculty interactions, and achieving a high GPA. Although the study is exploratory in nature, several policy implications and interventions are suggested.
A note on interpersonal information system use

Abstract Two major design alternatives for the use of a management information system (MIS) have been advanced in the literature to date. The first calls for the direct interaction of the manager with the computer-based system by means of a remote terminal, i.e., for the personal use of the system. The second calls for the employment of an intermediary, or “chauffeur”, i.e., for a special form of interpersonal use of the system. Results from the case study of one MIS suggests that both of these alternatives may be inadequate as a design basis. An adaptive interpersonal use model is advanced as a new alternative, and the concepts of self-use, other-provision, and other-use are suggested for the description of various usage roles which may be assumed by the individual within the organization.
The Effects of a Target–stimulus Reminder on Performance in a Novel Object Recognition Task

Abstract The effects of original training-stimulus pre-test reminders were examined in a novel object recognition (NOR) task. NOR is a task that examines memory for complex stimuli, and is driven by the rats’ tendency to spend significantly more time exploring novel objects over those previously experienced. In this task, a delay is imposed between a training experience during which the animal is allowed to investigate a set of identical objects, and a later test exposure where the animal encounters one of the original objects and a novel object with which it has had no previous experience. Experiment 1 demonstrated that performance at 24 h is significantly worse than at an immediate delay (1 min). In the second experiment, it was demonstrated that neither a 10-s nor a 30-s reminder treatment, in the absence of training, resulted in a level of preference for novelty, a measure of memory for the original object, that was significantly greater than chance. Experiment 3 illustrated significant performance effects of a 30-s training stimulus reminder administered 15 min prior to test with a 24-h retention interval. The final experiment illustrated that the additional 30-s of object exposure is effective in enhancing performance only if it occurs shortly prior to test. Animals receiving the additional 30-s immediately following training did not experience such beneficial effects. It was concluded, based upon these results, that pre-test training-stimulus reminders in this task produce effects similar to those seen in more traditional tasks of learning and memory.
Work-related violence against educators in Minnesota: rates and risks based on hours exposed.

Abstract Problem Violence is a major occupational problem; yet, rigorous studies focused on educators to address this problem are limited. The objective was to identify educators' potential risks for physical assault (PA) and nonphysical violence (NPV), based on hours exposed. Methods A total of 4,731 licensed kindergarten through grade 12 Minnesota educators, identified from the Minnesota Department of Education database, participated. Specially designed mailed questionnaires (12-month recall) enabled data collection. Calculated PA and NPV rates, per 100,000 working hours, used Poisson regression. Directed acyclic graphs identified confounders for multivariable analysis, adjusted for non-response and unknown eligibility. Results The total PA rate was 5.3; PA risks increased for educators who: were non-married versus married; held master's degrees, or education specialist degrees, versus associate/bachelor's degrees; worked in public alternative and various school types, versus public schools; worked as social workers, in special education or multiple activities, versus standard classroom teaching; worked with Discussion and Impact on Industry Results from this study provided information about factors associated with increased and decreased risks for violence against educators, based on hours worked. In addition, they provided a basis for further investigations to reduce violence against educators in the school environment.
The influence of acid soil factors on the growth of snapbeans in major appalachian soils

Abstract Acid soil limitations to plant growth were assessed In 55 horizons of 14 major Appalachian hill land soils. Aluminum sensitive “Romano” and Al‐tolerant “Dade” snapbeans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown for 5 weeks in limed and unlimed treatments of the 55 horizons. Shoot and root growth was depressed >20% in unlimed relative to limed treatments in approximately 2/3 of the horizons. Dade snapbeans were generally more tolerant of the acid soil conditions and had higher Ca concentrations in the shoots than Romano snapbeans. However, the sensitive‐tolerant snapbean pair could not consistently be used to identify horizons with soil Al problems. Growth of both snapbeans was generally best in A horizons and worst in E horizons. The E horizons in this study were characterized by low Ca saturation (exchangeable Ca x 100/cation exchange capacity) and high Al saturation (exchangeable Al x 100/cation exchange capacity). Exchangeable Ca, soil Ca saturation and total soil solution Ca were positively correlat...
The Many Faces of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a disease that has a multitude of clinical, histologic, and dialogic subtypes, all of which are of significance to the clinician. OBJECTIVE Ten of the most common and clinically significant subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma are presented to emphasize the clinical importance of each and to emphasize and contrast their differences. METHODS The literature of each subtype of squamous cell carcinoma is reviewed and capsulized. RESULTS Appropriate diagnosis, therapy, and postoperative management of all subtypes of squamous cell carcinomas are dependent upon the understanding of their unique characteristics. CONCLUSION The 10 common variants of squamous cell carcinoma presented in this paper: neurotrophic squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, squamous cell carcinoma in transplant patients, keratoacnnthoma-like squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, adenoid squamous cell carcinoma, spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma, radiation-induced squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma, and Marjolin's ulcer, have unique etiologic, histologic, and clinical features that significantly influence their diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent management. It is imperative that physicians responsible for the care of these patients understand the implication of these unique characteristics.
On the Use of Material-Dependent Damping in ANSYS for Mode Superposition Transient Analysis

The mode superposition method is often used for dynamic analysis of complex structures, such as the seismic Category I structures in nuclear power plants, in place of the less efficient full method, which uses the full system matrices for calculation of the transient responses. In such applications, specification of material-dependent damping is usually desirable because complex structures can consist of multiple types of materials that may have different energy dissipation capabilities. A recent review of the ANSYS manual for several releases found that the use of material-dependent damping is not clearly explained for performing a mode superposition transient dynamic analysis. This paper includes several mode superposition transient dynamic analyses using different ways to specify damping in ANSYS, in order to determine how material-dependent damping can be specified conveniently in a mode superposition transient dynamic analysis.
Scanning Microwave Microscopy Characterization of Spin-Spray-Deposited Ferrite/Nonmagnetic Films

In this study, we performed single-grain-boundary characterization of ferrite films at radio and microwave frequencies using scanning microwave microscopy (SMM). The sample consisted of Fe3O4/photoresist/Fe3O4 multilayers deposited on glass substrate at 90°C by spin-spray coating. SMM images were recorded at various resonant frequencies between 2.0 GHz and 8.0 GHz. These images showed higher electrical conductivity at grain boundaries than at the core of grains. This phenomenon can be explained by space-charge accumulation at the grain boundary.
Speaking Rate, Articulatory Speed, and Linguistic Processing in Children and Adolescents With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Two studies were conducted to examine speaking rate following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in childhood and adolescence. Study 1 focused on longitudinal changes in speaking rate in 9 subjects with ...
Effective Preparation of Optically Active 4,4,4-Trifluoro-3-(Indole-3-)Butyric Acid, a Novel Plant Growth Regulator, Using Lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens

Optical resolution of 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acid (TFIBA), a novel plant growth regulator, was achieved by Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (lipase AK)-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of its trifluoroethyl ester. Compared with the reactivity of lipase AK for TFIBA ethyl ester, that for TFIBA trifluoroethyl ester was markedly increased, and the reaction was complete within 1 h at 40°C in phosphate buffer containing 10% tert-amyl alcohol. The reactivity of lipase AK for TFIBA trifluoroethyl ester was similar to that for two other TFIBA esters (fluoroethyl and difluoroethyl), and higher than that for other esters (chloroethyl, trichloroethyl, and tribromoethyl). These results suggest that the introduction of fluorine atom(s) into an alcoholic group is an effective way to increase the rate of hydrolysis by lipase AK.
Spinal cord injury: plasticity, regeneration and the challenge of translational drug development

Over the past three decades, multiple mechanisms limiting central nervous system regeneration have been identified. Here, we address plasticity arising from spared systems as a particularly important and often unrecognized mechanism that potentially contributes to functional recovery in studies of 'regeneration' after spinal cord injury. We then discuss complexities involved in translating findings from animal models to human clinical trials in spinal cord injury; current strategies might be too limited in scope to yield detectable benefits in the complex and variable arena of human injury. Our animal models are imperfect, and the very variability that we attempt to control in the course of conducting rigorous research might, ironically, limit our ability to identify the most promising therapies in the human arena. Therapeutic candidates are most likely to have a detectable effect in human trials if they elicit benefits in severe contusion and larger animal models and pass the test of independent replication.
Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the in vitro uptake of alpha-amino isobutyric acid by term human placental slices.

ABSTRACT: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active component in marijuana smoke, crosses the placenta and is a potential fetotoxic agent. In both human and animal studies, the most consistent fetal effect of THC is intrauterine growth retardation. Since fetal somatic growth is dependent on placental transfer of nutrients, including essential amino acids, we studied the effect of THC upon the in vitro uptake of amino acid by term human placental slices. Uptake of α-amino isobutyric acid was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion, correlating with the log of the dose (1-100 μM THC; r = 0.945; p<0.01). Compared to control tissue, significant impairment of a-amino isobutyric acid uptake began at 20 μM THC. Similar results were found for valine. The time course (30-120 min) for a-amino isobutyric acid uptake showed linearity for both control and THC- (50 μM) treated tissue, but there was a marked reduction in the THC slope. Uptake of a-amino isobutyric acid was significantly reduced at all times. The sustained effect of THC was slightly, but significantly, reversed by removal of THC from the medium after 90 min of 50 nM THC exposure. Only partial reversal may have been due to the 15- to 20-fold accumulation of THC in the placental tissue. Uptake kinetics showed noncompetitive inhibition with decreased Vmax: control Vmax = 51.66 ± 6.26 versus 50 μM THC = 26.96 ± 6.22 (mmol/liter intracellular water per h) (p<0.01); and no change in diffusion constant (Km): control Km = 0.78 ± 0.08 versus 50 μM THC = 0.80 ± 0.09 (mM). In addition, 50 μM THC caused a modest increase in Kd, but the difference was not significant: control Kd = 3.82 ± 0.29 versus 50 μM THC = 5.19 ± 1.03 (h-1). Using actively transported amino acids as an index, the results of these experiments suggest that THC may be placento-toxic.
Hardware-accelerated real-time simulation of arbitrary visual fields

Recent advancements in computer graphics hardware have made it possible to develop hardware-accelerated real-time imaging displays. This poster presents technical details of an OpenGL multitexturing approach for real-time simulation of arbitrary visual fields over a still image. Mipmapping facilitates in-hardware dyadic (power-of-two) degradation of the image to serve as the low-resolution periphery. Multitexture compositing provides a mechanism to combine the image's high-resolution pixels within a window (of arbitrary shape). The poster presents code examples to achieve gaze-contingent movement of the high-resolution window over a smoothly or coarsely degraded version of the image background as shown in Figure 1.To test the display rate of the multitexturing approach, the "runway" image (1024 × 512) of Figure 1 was shown in a 1280 × 1024 display window (sufficient to fill a 17'' flat panel). Image rendering was timed in code as the foveal Region Of Interest (ROI) was made to move continuously over the image (diagonally from the top-right corner to the bottom-left, maintaining the full ROI within the window). Sustained display rates (in frames per second) reported by the timer averaged 120 fps on three different platforms.The multitexturing display was successfully adapted to a gaze-contingent application using the Tobii eye tracker for real-time gaze measurement. The Tobii eye tracker can be configured in several ways, one of which is acting as a server for a (possibly remote) eye tracking client application. Communication between client and server occurs over TCP/IP. A Linux PC, used for most of the eye tracker code testing, was set up with dual monitors, as shown in Figure 1, with the Tobii server running on a Windows 2000 PC.
Phagocytes in Cyberspace

In recent years two things have become clear: first, the fight against malware is essentially unwinnable, and second, there is a way forward. Production and distribution of malware has become a business energized by powerful economic forces. The defenders are at a severe disadvantage and are losing the fight. We should look to new models and new ways of thinking to help organize our work in this area. An attractive domain to look at for new models is the biological one, in which organisms live in dynamic tension with their own malware.
Kinetics of hydrogen peroxide reduction by hydrogen in a microreactor

Abstract An overall rate expression for the formation of hydrogen peroxide by direct combination (DC) of H 2 and O 2 is required for a rational design of a microreactor and for the determination of the optimum operating conditions for this process. Since the formation of H 2 O 2 by the DC process involves four simultaneous reactions (synthesis of H 2 O 2 , synthesis of water, decomposition of H 2 O 2 , and reduction of H 2 O 2 by H 2 ), the overall rate expression must take into account the rate expressions of these reactions. In this work, we investigate the mechanism and the rate expression for reduction of H 2 O 2 by H 2 . Kinetic experiments were carried out to measure the effects of H 2 O 2 concentration and H 2 partial pressure on the rate of reaction. The reaction was shown to be free of mass transfer limitations at the conditions of the kinetic experiments. A Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism for the reduction of H 2 O 2 over Pd/SiO 2 catalyst was adopted since the simple power-law expression could not explain the obtained kinetic data. A rate expression based on this mechanism was shown to accurately correlate experimental data over a wide range of H 2 O 2 concentration, H 2 partial pressure, and temperature.
Glucose Affects in Vitro Maturation of Fetal Rat Islets

Fetal pancreatic islets (21.5 days old) were cultured in RPMI 1640 containing either 2.8 or 11.1 mM glucose for 7 days. After the 7-day culture period, islets cultured in 2.8 mM glucose demonstrated a minimal first phase of insulin secretion in response to acute glucose stimulation, whereas islets cultured in 11.1 mM glucose demonstrated a biphasic insulin secretory pattern. Islets cultured in 11.1 mM glucose initiated insulin secretion at 4.4 +/- 0.1 mM glucose and plateaued at 11.6 mM glucose when exposed to a linear gradient. In addition, culture in 11.1 mM glucose increased DNA content (P less than 0.01) and [3H]thymidine incorporation (P less than 0.05) in fetal islets. However, ultrastructural morphometric analysis indicated that the actual number of beta-cells within islets cultured in either 2.8 or 11.1 mM glucose did not increase. The insulin contents of islets cultured in 2.8 and 11.1 mM glucose were 0.46 +/- 0.06 and 1.14 +/- 0.10 mU/islet, respectively. During subsequent glucose stimulation, islets cultured in 2.8 and 11.1 mM glucose released 3% and 5.6% of their total insulin content, respectively. Ultrastructural morphometric analysis indicated that 11.1 mM glucose stimulated an increase in the volume of individual beta-cells, i.e. hypertrophy. The hypertrophy of beta-cells within islets cultured in 11.1 mM glucose resulted in a concomitant increase in islet volume. Finally, the hypertrophy of beta-cells within islets cultured in 11.1 mM glucose was a result of increased volumes of mitochondria, secretory granules, and, to the greatest extent, endoplasmic reticulum. These findings indicate that glucose is a potent factor in the maturation of cultured fetal rat islets.
Introduction to topical issue on non-impact printing technologies

In this paper, we present an overview of the technologies of importance in computer output printing, providing a background for the succeeding papers in this issue. IBM workers have played a key role in the evolution of computer printer from a few marginally reliable complex mechanisms to an industry which today counts annual sales of over ten billion dollars worldwide. Thus, in this necessarily brief description of the different technologies we mention those in which the IBM role was particularly noteworthy, with specific mention of machines which brought the technologies to the marketplace.
Directed antisense therapy confirms the role of protein kinase C–α in the tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background: The level of expression of the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKC-α) has been shown to correlate inversely with the pathologic differentiation of human pancreatic cancers. Methods: We stably transfected a moderately differentiated pancreatic cell line (HPAC) to overexpress PKCα and examined the survival rates compared with parent HPAC according to an orthotopic model. Next we used a PKC-α antisense oligonucleotide specifically to down-regulate this isoform in vitro and examine the effect of treatment in vivo again according to the orthotopic model. Results: Animals implanted with the overexpressing cell line had a mortality rate almost twice that of those implanted with the parent cell line (P
Accounting Practices and the Market Valuation of Accounting Numbers: Evidence from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand

Abstract This study examines the relation between stock prices and accounting earnings and book values in six Asian countries: Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. The analysis is based on a residual earnings model that expresses the value of the firm in terms of book value and residual income. The model holds for any clean surplus accounting system. However, for finite time horizons, biased accounting may affect model estimates. The six countries examined in this study differ in faithfulness to clean surplus accounting as well as bias (conservatism). The study addresses two questions. First, are there systematic differences across countries in the value relevance of accounting, and are these differences related to accounting differences? Second, are there systematic differences in the incremental and relative information content of book value per share (BVPS) and abnormal (residual) earnings per share (REPS) across the countries, and are such differences related to accounting differences? We find differences across the six countries in the explanatory power of BVPS and REPS for firm values. Explanatory power for Taiwan and Malaysia is relatively low while that for Korea and the Philippines is relatively high. These differences are generally consistent with differences in accounting practice; however, since Korean accounting practice is strongly influenced by tax law, we did not expect the high association for Korea. Second, with respect to the incremental and relative explanatory power of BVPS and REPS, we find BVPS to have high explanatory power in the Philippines and Korea but little in Taiwan. In all six countries REPS has less explanatory power than BVPS in most years. Again, the evidence may be interpreted as suggesting accounting practice affects valuation (with Korea again as the exception). Finally, we provide evidence on the sensitivity of the timing of comparisons of stock prices and accounting values. We find that comparing prices at year-end (even though annual accounting information has not been released at that time), in general, provides the highest correlation between market and accounting numbers.
Vertical handover policies for common radio resource management

The 3G and Beyond 3G wireless networks introduce new technologies, and in many cases, new frequency bands. Integrated hierarchical network architectural studies suggest that by using a Common Radio Resource Manager to engineer traffic across these component networks, operators can achieve increased efficiency and flexibility in supporting changing traffic demands. This study demonstrates how vertical handovers can be used to optimize network performance, by adaptively rearranging traffic across network boundaries. We survey policy implementations that consider which services/sessions shall move, where they shall move, when they shall move, and whether they shall return. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Pilot Study of a Cognitive Restructuring Program for Treating Posttraumatic Disorders in Adolescents

The study explored the feasibility and efficacy of a manualized cognitive restructuring program for treating adolescents suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nine girls and 3 boys (mean age 16 years; range 14–18), with PTSD, were recruited from a community mental health center and a tertiary health care center and enrolled in a pilot study. The adolescents were seen weekly for 12–16 weeks of individual treatment. Variables assessed included: trauma history, PTSD diagnosis and severity, depression, substance abuse, and client satisfaction. Twelve adolescents consented to treatment; 9 completed the program. The number of types of traumas reported averaged 6.5 (range 1–13). Paired t tests were used to test prepost change for PTSD symptoms and depression, in completers. From baseline to posttreatment, there were statistically significant improvements in PTSD and depression. Treatment gains were maintained at 3 month follow-up. Preliminary results suggest the feasibility of implementing a manualized cognitive restructuring program to treat PTSD in adolescents. Completers rated themselves as improved and satisfied at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. Feedback from referring clinicians also indicated high satisfaction.
Modeling the influence of wall roughness on tunnel propagation

At the ultra-high frequencies (UHF) common to portable radios, a mine tunnel is often modeled as a hollow dielectric waveguide. The roughness condition of the tunnel walls has an influence on radio propagation and therefore should be taken into account when accurate power predictions are required. In this paper, we derive a general analytical formula for modeling the influence of the wall roughness. The formula can model practical tunnels formed by four dielectric walls, with each having an independent roughness condition. It is found that different modes are attenuated by the same wall roughness in a different way, with higher order modes being significantly more attenuated compared to the dominant mode. The derivation and findings are verified by numerical results based on both ray tracing and modal methods.
Sleep, Impulse Control, and Sensation-Seeking Predict Delinquent Behavior in Adolescents, Emerging Adults, and Adults

Abstract Purpose The present study examined delinquent behavior from adolescence into adulthood within the dual systems model of adolescent risk-taking, which identifies maturational patterns of socioemotional and cognitive control systems as predictors of risk-taking. The role of sleep was also investigated within the relationship. Methods Hierarchical regression and path analysis examined delinquency at three waves (1996, 2001, and 2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results Impulse control and sensation-seeking predicted concurrent delinquent behavior at all three waves, demonstrating the developmental shift as described within the dual systems model in which the relative contribution of sensation-seeking decreases from adolescence into adulthood, whereas the relative contribution of impulse control improves. Data also revealed that sleep duration and delayed bedtimes had both direct and indirect associations with delinquent behavior during adolescence; sleep duration did not directly predict such activity during later waves. Conclusion The dual systems model of adolescent risk-taking appears to be predictive of delinquent behavior during adolescence and the transition into adulthood. Preliminary findings suggest the importance of considering both adolescent sleep and cognitive and socioemotional development during research and prevention efforts of delinquent behavior.
A correlation of foam stability with surface shear viscosity and area per molecule in mixed surfactant systems

Aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate yield very unstable foam with a very high rate of drainage because they exhibit a relatively low surface shear viscosity. When a solubilizate, such as dodecanol is present in the system, the rate of drainage and thus foam stability prove to be a function of surface shear viscosity. In itself surface shear viscosity appears to be a function of the state of the film as well as the relative amount of the surfactants that is adsorbed at the surface. Systems of fatty acid — fatty alcohol (decanoic acid — decanol, octanoid acid — octanol) exhibit maximum foam stability at molar ratios of 1:3 and 9:1, respectively. At the same molar ratios in these systems, the rate of drainage is minimum and surface shear viscosity is maximum. Studies on mixed monolayers of stearic acid — stearyl alcohol showed minima in the average area per molecule at the 9:1 and 1:3 molar ratios. It is proposed that the molecular interaction which causes the reduction in the average area per molecule in the mixed monolayer also causes the maximum in surface shear viscosity, the minimum in the rate of drainage, and the maximum in foam stability.
Approximate Confidence Intervals for a Robust Scale Parameter.

A recent paper by Wainer and Thissen has renewed the interest in Gini's mean difference,G, by pointing out its robust characteristics. This note presents distribution-free asymptotic confidence intervals for its population value,γ, in the one sample case and for the difference Δ=(γ 1−γ 2) in the two sample situations. Both procedures are based on a technique of jackknifingU-statistics developed by Arvesen.
Exaggerated and Disconnected Insular-Amygdalar Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent Response to Threat-Related Emotional Faces in Women with Intimate-Partner Violence Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Background Intimate-partner violence (IPV) is one of the most common causes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women. PTSD neuroimaging studies have identified functional differences in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)/medial prefrontal cortex during emotion processing. Recent investigations of the limbic sensory system and its associated neural substrate, the insular cortex, have demonstrated its importance for emotional awareness. This study examined the hypothesis that women with IPV-PTSD show a dysregulation of this limbic sensory system while processing threat-related emotional faces. Methods 12 women with IPV-PTSD and 12 nontraumatized comparison women underwent blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging while completing an emotional face-matching task. Results IPV-PTSD subjects relative to comparison subjects displayed increased activation of the anterior insula and amygdala and decreased connectivity among the anterior insula, amygdala, and ACC while matching to fearful versus happy target faces. A similar pattern of activation differences was also observed for angry versus happy target faces. IPV-PTSD subjects relative to comparison subjects also displayed increased dorsal ACC/medial prefrontal cortex activation and decreased ventral ACC activation when matching to a male versus a female target, and the extent of increased dorsal ACC activation correlated positively with hyperarousal symptoms. Conclusions Women with IPV-PTSD display hyperactivity and disconnection among affective and limbic sensory systems while processing threat-related emotion. Furthermore, hyperactivity of cognitive-appraisal networks in IPV-PTSD may promote hypervigilant states of awareness through an exaggerated sensitivity to contextual cues, i.e., male gender, which relate to past trauma.
JERPA: a distance-learning environment for introductory Java programming courses

This paper describes a Java-based distance-education tool, called the Environment for Remote Programming Assignments in Java (JERPA), for use in computer science courses with Java programming assignments. JERPA reduces the demand on the university's computing infrastructure while providing instructors with an easy system to deploy and distribute assignments, and allowing students greater flexibility as they work on the assignments. JERPA yields immediate advantages to traditional on-campus CS courses and provides a key functionality to programming courses offered in a distance-education setting.
Partial rotation-invariant pattern matching and face recognition with a joint transform correlator.

We describe the circular-harmonic (CH) image CHmr, which is based on CH components for rotationally invariant pattern recognition. CH components of the order m, derived from an image in polar coordinates, are used to form a two-dimensional space together with the radial variable r. Filtering the CHmr image leads to a reference image with some rotational invariance. For a narrow-pass filter we have a single CH component with full rotation invariance; for an all-pass filter we have the original image with no rotational invariance; for a low-pass filter we form a reference image containing multiple circular harmonics with partial rotation invariance. Results of numerical simulations and optical experiments with a joint transform correlator are given that illustrate partial-rotation-invariant recognition for human face images.
Thread mapping using system-level throughput prediction model for shared memory multicores

The primary purpose of the current paper is to design a fast and accurate performance model framework for exploring various thread-to-core mapping strategies (MS) and estimating steady state cycles per instruction (CPI). It is directed towards efficiently exploring these performance metrics for large parallel applications for shared memory multicores. This work establishes a hybrid Markov Chain Model (MCM) and Model Tree (MT) based system-level performance prediction model framework. The model is validated with an Electromagnetics application for 12 different mapping strategies. The average performance prediction error is 0.168% with standard deviation of 3.866%. The total run time of model is of the order of minutes, whereas the actual application execution time is in terms of several days.
Caloric restriction reduces age-related and all-cause mortality in rhesus monkeys

Caloric restriction (CR) without malnutrition increases longevity and delays the onset of age-associated disorders in short-lived species, from unicellular organisms to laboratory mice and rats. The value of CR as a tool to understand human ageing relies on translatability of CR's effects in primates. Here we show that CR significantly improves age-related and all-cause survival in monkeys on a long-term ~30% restricted diet since young adulthood. These data contrast with observations in the 2012 NIA intramural study report, where a difference in survival was not detected between control-fed and CR monkeys. A comparison of body weight of control animals from both studies with each other, and against data collected in a multi-centred relational database of primate ageing, suggests that the NIA control monkeys were effectively undergoing CR. Our data indicate that the benefits of CR on ageing are conserved in primates.
Supporting human creative story authoring with asynthetic audience

Human creativity plays an important role in the production of many of the media products that permeate our society. However, non-expert creators are often limited by a lack of technical ability, as opposed to creative ability. This is especially true for story authoring. We present an approach to supporting creativity using synthetic audience - an intelligent agent that acts as (a) a surrogate story recipient and (b) critic capable of providing constructive feedback. We describe initial efforts based on computational modeling of cognitive processes and creativity.
HARD-CORE SLAVE-BOSON DESCRIPTION OF GENERALIZED FLUX PHASES

Through a hard-core slave-boson mean-field approach to the t-J model, which describes the dynamics of holes moving in a quantum antiferromagnet, we investigate its generalized flux phases. We first study the motion of an electron gas for arbitrary fillings and fields and establish the linear proportionality between the filling factor and the optimal flux with high accuracy. Using this result, we show that if the hard-core nature of the hole bosons is taken into account, then the slave-boson mean-field approximation for the t-J Hamiltonian allows for a solution where both the spinons and the holons experience an average flux of one flux quantum per particle. This enables them to achieve the lowest possible energy within the manifold of spatially-uniform flux states. In the case of the continuum model, this is possible only for certain fractional fillings and we suggest that the system may react to this frustration effect by phase separation.
Exploring 3d gesture metaphors for interaction with unmanned aerial vehicles

We present a study exploring upper body 3D spatial interaction metaphors for control and communication with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) such as the Parrot AR Drone. We discuss the design and implementation of five interaction techniques using the Microsoft Kinect, based on metaphors inspired by UAVs, to support a variety of flying operations a UAV can perform. Techniques include a first-person interaction metaphor where a user takes a pose like a winged aircraft, a game controller metaphor, where a user's hands mimic the control movements of console joysticks, "proxy" manipulation, where the user imagines manipulating the UAV as if it were in their grasp, and a pointing metaphor in which the user assumes the identity of a monarch and commands the UAV as such. We examine qualitative metrics such as perceived intuition, usability and satisfaction, among others. Our results indicate that novice users appreciate certain 3D spatial techniques over the smartphone application bundled with the AR Drone. We also discuss the trade-offs in the technique design metrics based on results from our study.
Essential regions of the tRNA primer required for HIV-1 infectivity

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), like all retroviruses, requires a cellular tRNA as a primer for initiation of reverse transcription. In a previous study, we demonstrated that an HIV-1 with a primer binding site complementary to yeast tRNAPhe (psHIV-Phe) was not infectious unless yeast tRNAPhe was supplied in trans. This unique in vivo complementation system has now been used to define the elements of the tRNA required for HIV-1 replication. Mutant tRNAPhe with deletions in TΨC stem–loop, anticodon stem–loop or D stem–loop of the tRNA were generated and assessed for the capacity to rescue psHIV-Phe. Mutant tRNAPhe with disrupted TΨC stem–loop did not rescue psHIV-Phe. In contrast, a mutant tRNAPhe without the D stem–loop was fully functional for the rescue. The tRNA anticodon stem–loop region was found to be important for efficient complementation. The results of our studies demonstrate for the first time the importance of specific structural and sequence elements of the tRNA primer for HIV-1 reverse transcription and define new targets for interruption of HIV-1 replication.
Tuberculosis: trends and the twenty-first century.

The global burden of tuberculosis is enormous, even if estimates are somewhat uncertain. The forces counteracting control measures, namely demographic factors, drug resistance, HIV, migration, poverty and marginalization, are enormous as well. With accelerated reforms in tuberculosis programs important progress can be made towards the control of tuberculosis early in the 21st century. This is confirmed by studying reports from countries where control measures have been implemented and sustained. Well-functioning programs can make good use of technological progress, such as improved tools for diagnosis and treatment, when these become available at an affordable cost. It is important now to use the opportunity of increased resources in order to reform tuberculosis programs. The biggest impact on global tuberculosis control in the 21st century can be made in Asia. Success in this part of the world depends on political commitment. Elsewhere, the main forces counteracting control measures are HIV in Africa and...
Individual and couple intentions for more children: a research note.

The question, “Do you and your husband intend to have a (another) child?” has become standard on fertility surveys. It is almost always asked of the wife, but is treated as the couple’s joint intention. How reasonable is such an assumption? Do husbands’ and wives’ reports of couple intent correspond closely? Do spouses know the fertility wishes of their partners? Do they take these wishes into account when reporting couple intent? Analysis of a sample of fecund, white, urban U.S. couples shows each question answered affirmatively. Reports from either spouse appear to be good, although admittedly imperfect, indicators of couple intent.
In Vivo Pertussis Toxin Administration: Effects on the Function and Levels of Giα Proteins and Their Messenger Ribonucleic Acids

Pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylates and functionally inactivates a number of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), including the inhibitory G-protein, Gi. Once ADPribosylated, the subsequent duration of inactivation and fate of these proteins in cells are unknown. In the present study, therefore, we have attempted to answer some of these questions in an in vivo rat adipocyte model. Our results indicate a rather prolonged (>2 weeks) inactivation of Gi, as evidenced by loss of Rphenylisopropyladenosine- mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in rat adipocyte membranes after administration of the toxin in vivo. This was associated with a complete loss of pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylatable substrates on days 3 and 15, with only partial recovery by day 28 after initiation of treatment. Specific antibodies used to quantitate the levels of αi1- and αi2- subunits of αi-, indicate a 2-fold increase in the levels of these proteins by day 3, followed by a progressive decrease and subsequent recover...
Perinatal choline supplementation improves cognitive functioning and emotion regulation in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome

In addition to mental retardation, individuals with Down syndrome (DS) also develop the neuropathological changes typical of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the majority of these individuals exhibit dementia. The Ts65Dn mouse model of DS exhibits key features of these disorders, including early degeneration of cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) neurons and impairments in functions dependent on the two CBF projection systems; namely, attention and explicit memory. Herein, we demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with excess choline during pregnancy and lactation dramatically improved attentional function of the adult trisomic offspring. Specifically, the adult offspring of choline-supplemented Ts65Dn dams performed significantly better than unsupplemented Ts65Dn mice on a series of 5 visual attention tasks, and in fact, on some tasks did not differ from the normosomic (2N) controls. A second area of dysfunction in the trisomic animals, heightened reactivity to committing an error, was partially normalized by the early choline supplementation. The 2N littermates also benefited from increased maternal choline intake on 1 attention task. These findings collectively suggest that perinatal choline supplementation might significantly lessen cognitive dysfunction in DS and reduce cognitive decline in related neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.
IS THERE A UNIT ROOT IN THE INFLATION RATE? EVIDENCE FROM SEQUENTIAL BREAK AND PANEL DATA MODELS

SUMMARY Using sequential trend break and panel data models, we investigate the unit root hypothesis for the inflation rates of thirteen OECD countries. With individual country tests, we find evidence of stationarity in only four of the thirteen countries. The results are more striking with the panel data model. We can strongly reject the unit root hypothesis both for a panel of all thirteen countries and for a number of smaller panels consisting of as few as three countries. The non-rejection of the unit root hypothesis for inflation is very fragile to even a small amount of cross-section variation. #1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morbidity and mortality after use of iliac conduits for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

Objective Although placement of an open iliac conduit for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is generally felt to result in higher morbidity and mortality, published literature is scarce. Our objective was to assess 30-day outcomes after elective EVAR with an open iliac conduit using a multi-institutional database. Methods Patients who underwent elective EVAR (n = 14,339) for abdominal aortic aneurysm were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005 to 2011 database. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results An open iliac conduit was used in 231 patients (1.6%), and the remainder had femoral exposure or percutaneous EVAR. Women comprised 32% of patients with iliac conduits in contrast to 17% of those without iliac conduits. Patients with iliac conduits were older and had a lower body mass index. Univariable analysis showed patients with open iliac conduits had a higher incidence of postoperative pneumonia (3.0% vs 1.1%), ventilator dependence (4.8% vs 1.0%), renal failure (3.0% vs 0.7%), cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction (5.2% vs 1.1%), return to the operating room (9.1% vs 3.7%), major morbidity (16.0 vs 6.6%), and death (3.0% vs 0.9%). On multivariable analysis, the use of open iliac conduits was associated with higher risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.0) and 30-day major morbidity (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-3.3). Conclusions Patients with open iliac conduits for EVAR are more likely to be female and have higher postoperative morbidity and mortality. For patients with complex iliac artery disease, conduits are a viable alternative after EVAR to be performed, albeit at an increased risk. These data do suggest the need for lower-profile grafts and other alternative strategies for navigating complex iliac artery disease.