cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy Harvesting From Base Excitation of a Biomimetic Fish Tail Hosting Ionic Polymer Metal Composites

In this study, we seek to understand the feasibility of energy harvesting from the tail beating motion of a fish through active compliant materials. Specifically, we analyze energy harvesting from the undulations of a biomimetic fish tail hosting ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs). The design of the biomimetic tail is specifically inspired by the morphology of the heterocercal tail of thresher sharks. We propose a modeling framework for the underwater vibration of the biomimetic tail, wherein the tail is assimilated to a cantilever beam with rectangular cross section. We focus on base excitation in the form of a superimposed rotation about a fixed axis and we consider the regime of moderately large–amplitude vibrations. In this context, the effect of the encompassing fluid is described through a nonlinear hydrodynamic function. The feasibility of harvesting energy from an IPMC attached to the vibrating structure is assessed and modeled via an electromechanical framework. Experiments are performed to validate the theoretical expectations on energy harvesting from the biomimetic tail.© 2013 ASME
The Role of Religion in the Origins and Adaptation of Immigrant Groups in the United States

The classical model of the role of religion in the lives of immigrants to the United States, formulated in the writings of Will Herberg and Oscar Handlin, emphasized cultural continuity and the psychological benefits of religious faith following the trauma of immigration. Although this perspective captures an important reason for the centrality of religion in most immigrant communities (but not for all immigrants), the classical model does not address the equally important socioeconomic role of churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques in American society. The creation of an immigrant church or temple often provided ethnic communities with refuge from the hostility and discrimination from the broader society as well as opportunities for economic mobility and social recognition. In turn, the successive waves of immigrants have probably shaped the character as well as the content of American religious institutions.
Geospatial Technology Curriculum Development

The final project for students enrolled in Geospatial Technologies for the K-12 Classroom GEOG 321 is the development of a lesson for their future classroom. An obstacle to implementing geospatial technologies in public classrooms is lack of relevant curriculum and data. After reviewing the limited existing curriculum, students design age-appropriate lessons for possible publication on the New Hampshire Geographic Alliance website. The objectives for this final project were: 1 students will determine age-appropriate skills that utilize geospatial technologies to support instruction in their intended discipline, 2 students will demonstrate the appropriate skills needed to design feasible lessons for the K-12 classroom, 3 students can integrate geospatial technology skills into a variety of disciplines and age levels, and 4 students can employ the geographic inquiry method in their lessons. Students presented their lessons to peers and outside reviewers to receive feedback. The students had the option to submit their lessons to the New Hampshire Geographic Alliance for pilot testing and dissemination to help fill the need for relevant curriculum and data.
Inhibition of corn acetyl-CoA carboxylase by cyclohexanedione and aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides☆

Abstract Cyclohexanedione (sethoxydim, clethodim) and aryloxyphenoxypropionate (haloxyfop, diclofop, fluazifop, quizalofop) herbicides exhibit selective herbicidal activity on grasses. Dicots are tolerant to these herbicide classes. The effects of haloxyfop and sethoxydim on fatty acid biosynthesis in corn ( Zea may L.) and pea ( Pisum sativum ) seedling chloroplasts were examined. The incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate or [ 14 C]pyruvate into fatty acids in isolated corn seedling chloroplasts was inhibited 90% or greater by 10 μ M sethoxydim or 1 μ M haloxyfop. The incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate into fatty acids in isolated pea chloroplasts was not inhibited by 100 μ M sethoxydim or 10 μ M haloxyfop. The effect of these herbicides on fatty acid synthetase from disrupted corn chloroplasts was assayed using [ 14 C]malonyl-CoA. Sethoxydim (10 μ M ) and haloxyfop (1 μ M ) stimulated incorporation of [ 14 C]malonyl-CoA into fatty acids by approximately 50%. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase from disrupted corn seedling chloroplasts was inhibited by sethoxydim and haloxyfop with I 50 values of 4.7 and 0.5 μ M , respectively. Other aryloxyphenoxypropionate (diclofop, fluazifop, quizalofop) and cyclohexandione (clethodim) herbicides also inhibited this enzyme. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity from pea seedling chloroplasts was not inhibited by 1 m M sethoxydim or 0.1 m M haloxyfop. Thus, cyclohexanedione and aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides are potent inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in corn, a susceptible species; whereas the enzyme from pea, a tolerant species, was tolerant to the herbicides.
Anatomy of cavernous nerves distal to prostate: microdissection study in adult male cadavers

Retrograde and antegrade dissections from the penile hilum to the prostatic area and the glans penis were performed in 4 formalin-preserved adult male cadavers. In addition to the medial branches accompanying the urethra, the lateral branches of the cavernous nerves pierced the urogenital diaphragm 4 to 7 mm from the striated muscles of the external sphincter. At the penile region, multiple communications between the cavernous and dorsal nerves were noted that suggest that either the cavernous nerves use the dorsal nerve as a carrier to the distal portion of the penis or the dorsal nerve may itself contain autonomic fibers. These findings will improve our ability to preserve erectile function during pelvic, urethral, and penile surgery.
Regional concordance and discordance between rest thallium 201 and sestamibi imaging for assessing tissue viability: Comparison with postrevascularization functional recovery

Background Whether the combined analysis of rest 201Tl and sestamibi uptake provides additional information regarding myocardial viability in patients with coronary artery disease is still to be investigated.
Religious Consolation Among Men and Women: Do HealthProblems Spur Seeking?

While most religions provide a meaning system that helps people cope with personal problems, there has been relatively little research on how and why men and women seek religious consolation and comfort. Data from a national longitudinal survey, Americans' Changing Lives, Waves I and II, were used to examine whether physical and mental health problems precipitate seeking religious consolation. The findings indicate that seeking religious consolation is most likely among those who identify with and practice a religion suggesting that religious consolation intensifies among religious persons. Chronic (non-serious) conditions were associated with increased religious seeking over time, and cancer was associated with higher religious seeking, especially among women. Depression was associated with greater seeking of religious consolation among both men and women. The results reveal clearly that women are more likely than men to seek religions consolation, but men seek religious consolation for a wider range of health and situational problems (e.g., unemployment) The findings also demonstrate the importance of considering the role of religious consolation in studies of religion and health.
Abruptio placentae and disseminated intravascular coagulation: use of thrombelastography and sonoclot analysis

We report a case in which thrombelastography (TEG) and Sonoclot analysis were used for diagnosis and treatment decisions in a patient with abruptio placentae and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition to providing enough information for evaluation and treatment of this patient, the TEG and Sonoclot results were obtained more quickly, with smaller blood samples and with less expense to the patient in comparison to the standard coagulation tests in our institution. Although the TEG and Sonoclot results were assessed independently of the other test and each provided similar information in this case, the TEG may be the preferred tool in evaluating coagulopathies, based on computerization and strong literature support.
The high-affinity niacin receptor HM74A is decreased in the anterior cingulate cortex of individuals with schizophrenia

The pathway for de novo synthesis of the suite of niacin congeners, the kynurenine pathway, has been shown to be upregulated in prior studies of postmortem brain tissue from individuals with schizophrenia. The cause of the upregulation is unknown, but one factor may be a defect in feedback regulation via receptors responsive to niacin. A high-affinity and low-affinity receptor for niacin have been identified, HM74A and HM74, respectively. We used RT-QPCR and Western blots to quantify expression of HM74A and HM74 receptors in brain tissue obtained postmortem from patients with schizophrenia (N=12) or bipolar disorder (N=14) and from normal controls (N=14). Although the protein for the HM74 receptor was unchanged, the protein for HM74A was significantly decreased in the schizophrenia group, both when normalized to GAPDH protein or to HM74 as an internal control for degradation and gel-loading error (0.56-fold+/-0.36, p=0.016 and 0.58-fold+/-0.19 the mean control value, p=0.001, respectively). In contrast, the transcript for HM74A was significantly increased, revealing a striking dysregulation between gene transcription and final protein product. No significant differences in HM74A were found for the bipolar group relative to controls. These results are consistent with the blunted niacin flush response reported for individuals with schizophrenia and may be relevant to different rates of comorbid disease.
SHADE SEEKERS USE THEIR PITS

![Figure][1] Most creatures' faces have the same standard arrangement of features; eyes at the top, nose beneath and mouth at the bottom. But pitvipers carry an extra set of facial indentations: facial pits. Staring into the dark hollows of these depressions, an age-old question glares back:
Tight-binding molecular dynamics simulations of fullerene annealing and fragmentation.

We report the first successful molecular dynamics simulations of fullerene annealing and fragmentation. The molecular vibrational dynamics, which we find to play a central role in these processes, is simulated by following constant energy trajectories under specially generated initial conditions. Employing this scheme with a carbon tight-binding potential, we have observed sequential ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$ loss from ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$, as well as the rearrangement of carbon-carbon bonds on the fullerene cage. Our successful approach is a departure from previously employed constant temperature schemes.
Portfolio optimization for wealth-dependent risk preferences

Empirical and theoretical studies of preference structures of investors have long shown that personal and corporate utility is typically multimodal, implying that the same investor can be risk-averse at certain levels of wealth while risk-seeking at others. In this paper, we consider the problem of optimizing the portfolio of an investor with an indefinite quadratic utility function. The convex and concave segments of this utility reflect the investor’s attitude towards risk, which changes based on deviations from a fixed goal. Uncertainty is modeled via a finite set of scenarios for the returns of securities. A global optimization approach is developed to solve the proposed nonconvex optimization problem. We present computational results which investigate the effect of short sales and demonstrate that the proposed approach systematically produces portfolios with higher values of skewness than the classical expectation-variance approach.
Glutamate Uptake into Synaptic Vesicles: Competitive Inhibition by Bromocriptine

: The ATP-dependent uptake of l-glutamate into synaptic vesicles has been well characterized, implicating a key role for synaptic vesicles in glutamatergic neurotransmission. In the present study, we provide evidence that vesicular glutamate uptake is selectively inhibited by the pep-tide-containing halogenated ergot bromocriptine. It is the most potent inhibitor of the agents tested; the IC5o was de-termined to be 22 μM. The uptake was also inhibited by other ergopeptines such as ergotamine and ergocristine, but with less potency. Ergots devoid of the peptide moiety, however, such as ergonovine, lergotrile, and methysergide, had little or no effect. Although bromocriptine is known to elicit dopaminergic and serotonergic effects, its inhibitory effect on vesicular glutamate uptake was not mimicked by agents known to interact with dopamine and serotonin receptors. Kinetic data suggest that bromocriptine competes with glutamate for the glutamate binding site on the glutamate trans-locator. It is proposed that this inhibitor could be useful as a prototype probe in identifying and characterizing the vesicular glutamate translocator, as well as in developing a more specific inhibitor of the transport system.
Uncertainty, Belongingness, and Four Needs for Meaning

The Van den Bos research program is persuasive in demonstrating that when uncertainty arises, people cling to their cultural worldview. That is, uncertainty increases worldview defense. Why? The as...
Symmetry control of radiative decay in linear polyenes: low barriers for isomerization in the S1 state of hexadecaheptaene.

The room temperature absorption and emission spectra of the 4-cis and all-trans isomers of 2,4,6,8,10,12,14-hexadecaheptaene are almost identical, exhibiting the characteristic dual emissions S 1 →S 0 (2 1 Ag- → 1 1 Ag - ) and S 2 -S 0 (1 1 B u + → 1 1 Ag - ) noted in previous studies of intermediate length polyenes and carotenoids. The ratio of the S 1 -S 0 and S 2 -S 0 emission yields for the cis isomer increases by a factor of ∼15 upon cooling to 77 K in n-pentadecane. In contrast, for the trans isomer this ratio shows a 2-fold decrease with decreasing temperature. These results suggest a low barrier for conversion between the 4-cis and all-trans isomers in the S 1 state. At 77 K, the cis isomer cannot convert to the more stable all-trans isomer in the 2 1 Ag - state, resulting in the striking increase in its S 1 -S 0 fluorescence. These experiments imply that the S 1 states of longer polyenes have local energy minima, corresponding to a range of conformations and isomers, separated by relatively low (2-4 kcal) barriers. Steady state and time-resolved optical measurements on the S 1 states in solution thus may sample a distribution of conformers and geometric isomers, even for samples represented by a single, dominant ground state structure. Complex S 1 potential energy surfaces may help explain the complicated S 2 -S 1 relaxation kinetics of many carotenoids. The finding that fluorescence from linear polyenes is so strongly dependent on molecular symmetry requires a reevaluation of the literature on the radiative properties of all-trans polyenes and carotenoids.
Cylindrical-rectangular microstrip antenna

Resonant frequencies f_{r} of a cylindrical-rectangular microstrip antenna are theoretically calculated. Comparison is made to f_{r} for a planar rectangular patch antenna, including the simplest planar patch modes having no field variation normal to the patch surface. The validity of using planar antenna patches to characterize microstrip antennas is examined.
Anti-chemokine autoantibody:chemokine immune complexes activate endothelial cells via IgG receptors.

Our previous studies revealed that the presence in lung fluids of anti–IL-8 autoantibody:IL-8 immune complexes is an important prognostic indicator for the development and outcome of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Anti–IL-8:IL-8 complexes purified from lung edema fluids trigger chemotaxis of neutrophils, induce activation of these cells, and regulate their apoptosis, all via IgG receptor, FcγRIIa. Importantly, increased levels of FcγRIIa are present in lungs of patients with ARDS, where FcγRIIa is partially associated with anti–IL-8:IL-8 complexes. In the current study, we demonstrate the ability of anti–IL-8:IL-8 complexes to promote an inflammatory phenotype of human umbilical vein endothelial cells via interaction with FcγRIIa. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in the presence of the complexes become activated, as shown by increased phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and Akt, and augmented nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Anti–IL-8:IL-8 complexes also up-regu...
GIFTING PAIN: THE PLEASURES OF LIBERAL GUILT IN LONDON, A PILGRIMAGE AND STREET LIFE IN LONDON

In 1872, Blanchard Jerrold and Gustave Dore began publishing their lavish travelogue, London, a Pilgrimage. Much renowned for his illustrations of Divine Comedy, Don Quixote, Paradise Lost, Idylls of the King, and other significant literary texts, Dore's considerable reputation as an artist fetched him a staggering sum of ten thousand pounds as payment for his work in London, a Pilgrimage. Jerrold, responsible for conceptualizing the project, was an established liberal playwright and journalist, often contributing pieces to the Daily News, Illustrated London News, and Athenaeum. Looking for interesting material, Jerrold and Dore traveled all over London; Dore often made notes on the spot and finished the illustrations later. Seeking to situate their work within the field of social exploration, Jerrold and Dore referenced Henry Mayhew's reformist journalistic series, London Labour and the London Poor. Jerrold claimed that their social investigation would reproduce for contemporary readers Mayhew's categories of “those who work, those who cannot, [and] those who won't work” (“Frontmatter”). Volumes of London, a Pilgrimage, however, were reviewed as gift-books in various periodicals; the Examiner, for example, reviewed it in the “Christmas-Books” section, indicating that these volumes, which contained pictures of lower-class shanties and miserable, under-fed people, were being gifted and enjoyed (“Christmas-Books”).
Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with a Second Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Basal Cell Carcinoma in Psoralen + Ultraviolet A Light-treated Psoriasis Patients

Psoralen + ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients are at increased risk for squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas; however, the incidence and risk factors associated with second squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas in this population are not well qualified. Incidence and risk factors for second squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas were studied in a cohort of 1380 psoralen + ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients prospectively followed for over 20 y; 264 had a squamous cell carcinoma and 258 a basal cell carcinoma after beginning psoralen + ultraviolet A therapy. After a first squamous cell carcinoma, the risk of a second squamous cell carcinoma was 26% at 1 y, 62% at 5 y, and 75% at 10 y. Risk increased with high psoralen + ultraviolet A exposure prior to the first squamous cell carcinoma (hazard ratio 3.32, 95% confidence interval 1.53, 7.18). Higher rates of post-first squamous cell carcinoma psoralen + ultraviolet A treatment also were associated with greater risk (hazard ratio 1.56 for every additional 10 treatments per year for patients with low pre-first squamous cell carcinoma psoralen + ultraviolet A exposure, 95% confidence interval 1.35, 1.81). Patients exposed to high levels of tar and/or ultraviolet B before a first squamous cell carcinoma were also at higher risk (hazard ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.14–2.60). Risk of a second basal cell carcinoma was 21% at 1 y, 49% at 5 y, and 61% at 10 y. There was some evidence that high exposure to psoralen + ultraviolet A before a first basal cell carcinoma was associated with increased risk of second basal cell carcinoma (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 0.97–2.17). Higher post-first tumor psoralen + ultraviolet A treatment rates also increased risk (hazard ratio 1.24 for every additional 10 treatments per year, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.47). Psoralen + ultraviolet A-treated psoriasis patients appear to have a greatly increased incidence of second squamous cell carcinoma compared with the general population. Patients who develop a squamous cell carcinoma after starting psoralen + ultraviolet A therapy should be closely monitored for a subsequent squamous cell carcinoma.
Addressing dynamic issues of program model checking

Model checking real programs has recently become an active research area. Programs however exhibit two characteristics that make model checking difficult: the complexity of their state and the dynamic nature of many programs. Here we address both these issues within the context of the Java PathFinder (JPF) model checker. Firstly, we will show how the state of a Java program can be encoded efficiently and how this encoding can be exploited to improve model checking. Next we show how to use symmetry reductions to alleviate some of the problems introduced by the dynamic nature of Java programs. Lastly, we show how distributed model checking of a dynamic program can be achieved, and furthermore, how dynamic partitions of the state space can improve model checking. We support all our findings with results from applying these techniques within the JPF model checker.
INQUERY System Overview

The TIPSTER project in the Information Retrieval Laboratory of the Computer Science Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (which includes MCC as a subcontractor), has focused on the following goals:• Improving the effectiveness of information retrieval techniques for large, full-text databases,• Improving the effectiveness of routing techniques appropriate for long-term information needs, and• Demonstrating the effectiveness of these retrieval and routing techniques for Japanese full text databases [5].
The Role of Geographic Location in the Acquisition Strategies of High-Technology Firms: Evidence from Computer Networking Equipment Industry

The present study focuses on the acquisition strategies of Cisco Systems, a comprehensible representative of high-technology firms. This investigation has depicted a dynamic picture of acquisition behavior when the geographic location of targets varies. Analysis has revealed that high-technology firms are more likely to acquire co-located start-ups. Our findings suggest that high-technology firms are more likely to acquire targets who have received an earlier equity investment and whose technologies have been standardized. We have also found partial evidence that supports the argument that high-technology firms pursue cluster-based acquisitions. Analysis suggests that access to patents does not matter for start-up companies located in industry clusters while their counterparts outside these clusters need patents to become acquisition targets. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simple calibration of AVIRIS data and LAI mapping of forest plantation in southern Argentina

During the 2001 EO-1 campaign in Argentina, two high spectral resolution image scenes of AVIRIS were acquired at two study sites in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina on 15 February 2001. A total of 70 LAI measurements were taken from different forest types in the same areas one month later, and some spectroradiometric measurements were also collected from the nearby highway and different forest stands in the areas. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of the three types of AVIRIS data used for estimating and mapping LAI. The three types of data correspond to AVIRIS original radiance (OR), corrected radiance (CR) and retrieved surface reflectance (SR). We first simulated the total at-sensor radiances using MODTRAN4, then used ground spectroradiometric measurements taken from different targets to improve the reflectances for each pixel on the image. The CR images were obtained by subtracting path radiance from the OR images. A 10-term LAI prediction model for each type of data was construct...
A Universal Vector Controller for Four-Quadrant Three-Phase Power Converters

Power factor corrected (PFC) rectifiers, active power filters (APFs), static VAR compensators (STATCOM), and grid-connected inverters (GCI) are indispensable elements in distributed generation power systems. PFC rectifiers are essential for load side harmonic and reactive power correction, APFs can suppress the harmonics generated by nonlinear loads or sources, STATCOMs can control the power flow in the grid, while GCIs are the key elements bridging the renewable energy sources and the power grid. Previous theory and experiments have demonstrated that one-cycle control is capable of controlling all above mentioned three-phase converters, featuring excellent performance, simple circuitry, and low cost. This paper further unifies the control key equations for the previously mentioned converters, which results in a universal solution that realizes all these functions with a same controller. The concept has been verified by a 1-kVA prototype and supported by a series of experimental results
MicroRNAs as tumor suppressors

Human cancers are characterized by widespread reduction in microRNA gene expression, but what role does this have in the pathobiology of the disease? A new study proves that reduction in microRNA expression does indeed promote tumorigenesis, changing the way we think about cancer.
Effect of sera from lean and obese pigs on the differentiation of porcine adipose stromal-vascular cells in culture.

Primary cultures of stromal-vascular (S-V) cells from adipose tissue of new-born pigs were used to evaluate the characteristics of four sera obtained from male and female genetically lean or obese pigs weighing 50–60 kg. (2) Lean pig sera (LPS) stimulated greater levels of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity in cultured cells than obese sera (OPS). Male LPS tended to promote higher GPDH specific activity than female LPS or male and female OPS. When GPDH was expressed on a per DNA basis, male LPS significantly (P < 0.05) increased GPDH per unit DNA compared with female LPS or male and female OPS.
Phage‐exclusion enzymes: a bonanza of biochemical and cell biology reagents?

Many parasitic DNA elements including prophages and plasmids synthesize proteins that kill the cell after infection by other phages, thereby blocking the multiplication of the infecting phages and their spread to other nearby cells. The only known function of these proteins is to exclude the infecting phage, and therefore to protect their hosts, and thereby the DNA elements themselves, against phage contagion. Many of these exclusions have been studied extensively and some have long been used in molecular genetics, but their molecular basis was unknown. The most famous of the phage exclusions are those caused by the Rex proteins of lambda prophage. The Rex exclusions are still not completely understood, but recent evidence has begun to lead to more specific models for their action. One of the Rex proteins, RexA, may be activated by a DNA-protein complex, perhaps a recombination or replication intermediate, produced after phage infection. In the activated state, RexA may activate RexB, which has been proposed to be a membrane ion channel that allows the passage of monovalent cations, destroying the cellular membrane potential, and killing the cell. We now understand two other phage exclusions at the molecular level which use strategies that are remarkably similar to each other. The parasitic DNA elements responsible for the exclusions both constitutively synthesize enzymes that are inactive as synthesized by the DNA element but are activated after phage infection by a short peptide determinant encoded by the infecting phage. In the activated state, the enzymes cleave evolutionarily conserved components of the translation apparatus, in one case EF-Tu, and in the other case tRNALys.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparison of Multilocus Sequence Typing, Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Typing for Characterization of Salmonella enterica Serotype Newport Isolates

In the United States, multidrug-resistant phenotypes of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport (commonly referred to as MDR-AmpC) have emerged in animals and humans and have become a major public health problem. Although pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is the current "gold standard" typing method for Salmonella, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) may be more relevant to investigations exploring evolutionary and population biology relationships. In this study, 81 Salmonella enterica serotype Newport isolates from humans, food animals, and retail foods were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility and characterized using PFGE and MLST of seven genes, aroC, dnaN, hemD, hisD, purE, sucA, and thrA. Forty-nine percent of the isolates were resistant to nine or more of the tested antimicrobials. Salmonella isolates displayed resistance most often to sulfamethoxazole (57%), streptomycin (56%), tetracycline (56%), ampicillin (52%), and ceftiofur (49%) and, to a lesser extent, to kanamycin (19%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (17%), and gentamicin (11%). A total of 43 PFGE patterns were generated using XbaI, indicating a genetically diverse population. The largest PFGE cluster contained isolates from clinically ill swine, cattle, and humans. MLST resulted in 12 sequence types (STs), with one type encompassing 62% of the strains. Ten new sequence types and one novel allele type were identified. Furthermore, MLST typing showed that strains closely related by PFGE clustered in major STs, whereas more distantly related strains were separated into two clusters by PFGE. The results of this study demonstrated that the MLST scheme employed here clustered S. enterica serovar Newport isolates in distinct molecular populations, and strain discrimination was enhanced by combining PFGE, antimicrobial susceptibility, and MLST results.
Mechanical Studies of Single Ribosome/mRNA Complexes

Methodology was developed for specifically anchoring Escherichia coli 70S ribosomes onto a chemically modified, cysteine-reactive glass surface. Immobilized ribosomes maintain the capability of binding a polyuridylic acid (poly(U)) template, enabling investigation of mechanical properties of individual ribosome-poly(U) complexes using laser tweezers. Streptavidin-coated polystyrene microspheres bound specifically to the biotinylated 3′ end of long (up to 10,000 bases) poly(U) strands. A novel optical method was built to control the position of the laser trap along the microscope optical axis at 2 nm resolution, facilitating measurement of the force-extension relationship for poly(U). Some immobilized ribosome-poly(U) complexes supported 100 pN of force applied at the 3′ end of the mRNA. Binding of N-acetylated Phe-tRNAPhe, an analog of the initiator fMet-tRNAMet, enhanced the population of complexes that could withstand high forces. The persistence length of poly(U) RNA homopolymer, modeled as a worm-like chain, was found to be 0.79 ± 0.05 nm and the backbone elasticity was 900 ± 140 pN, similar to values for single-stranded DNA.
Isotopic features of Emilia-Romagna region (North Italy) groundwaters: Environmental and climatological implications

18O/16O, D/H, tritium and carbon isotopes were analysed together with the main geochemical parameters of selected wells of groundwaters in the Emilia-Romagna region. The isotope data collected in a three-year monitoring program of surface waters allowed a subdivision of the studied region within the main feeding areas of the Po and Apennine Rivers. The isotopic investigation demonstrated the existence of palaeowaters hosted in deep aquifers in the plains and their overexploitation, which induced land subsidence phenomena. Groundwater stable isotopes have been utilized as a proxy for temperature and have shown significant atmospheric temperature variations over the past 30,000 years.
Evaluation of sensitivity in DNA aneuploidy detection using a mathematical model

Detection of DNA aneuploid populations in samples analyzed by flow cytometry generally requires recognition of more than a single G0/G1 peak on the resulting DNA histogram. This assessment is critical in clinical samples if diagnosis or subsequent patient treatment are influenced. In this paper we evaluate three major distribution parameters that contribute to recognition or obscuration of closely spaced peaks on a DNA histogram. These parameters are (1) coefficient of variation (CV), (2) proportion of cells within each peak, and (3) separation of peaks (DNA index, DI). Through the analysis of computer-synthesized DNA histograms, we produced a single chart illustrating the minimum CV required for two peaks (representing DNA diploid and DNA aneuploid cells) in mixtures of various proportions (1:99 to 99:1) and DI values (1.01 to 1.20) to be resolved. This information can be utilized to provide insight into the ability of flow cytometry to resolve a DNA aneuploid population in a histogram.
Quiescent pattern control in linearly constrained adaptive arrays

When an adaptive array operates in the presence of white noise only, the resulting beam pattern is referred to as the quiescent response. Typically, these patterns have mainlobe and sidelobe shapes differing from those designed for use in deterministic, nonadaptive arrays. This paper describes a simple method which allows nearly arbitrary specification of the quiescent response in a linearly constrained power minimization adaptation array. The only restriction on the quiescent is that it must meet the constraints defined for the adaptive array. Since many well-known deterministic designs such as Chebychev are not likely to meet the linear constraint conditions used in adaptive arrays for mainlobe and other pattern control functions, a procedure is presented which modifies the deterministic design to force it to meet the linear constraints in a least-squares manner. Once this has been accomplished, the methods outlined in this paper can be used to cause the modified deterministic design to become the quiescent response of the adaptive array. As a result, the adaptive array can be configured to closely resemble a deterministic array when the noise is white. Under conditions of correlated interference, or jamming, however, the response changes so as to effectively steer nulls in the appropriate directions. The method is based on the use of a generalized side-lobe canceller and requires one additional linear constraint for both narrow-band and broad-band arrays.
Interactions between air pollutants and fungal, bacterial and viral plant pathogens

Abstract It is becoming evident that interactions between air pollutants, plants, and microbial plant pathogens can affect pathogenesis. Pollutants may have direct effects on microbial pathogens during a critical stage of infection or reproduction. Plant susceptibility to microbial pathogens may be altered by air pollutants. Pollutants may also affect the microflora associated with plant surfaces which may, in turn, affect disease development. Heagle (1973) has recently completed a comprehensive review of this area. This paper outlines current knowledge by summarising some observations and experiments that have been reported for interactions between ozone, sulphur dioxide, fluoride, particulates and fungi, bacteria and viruses that cause plant diseases.
The least primitive root mod 2 p 2

In 1918 Polya and Vinogradov established the estimate for Dirichlet character sums that currently carries their names. It was forty years until Burgess gave an improvement of their bound [1], and it is forty years since that improvement.
Far-IR Spectroscopy of Ammonium and Oxonium Complexes of 18-Crown-6

The far-IR spectra for NH4+ and H3O+ complexes with 18-crown-6 have been obtained and the hydrogen-bond vibrational mode vσ has been assigned. These results illustrate the suitability of far-IR spectroscopy for exploring crown ether molecular ion interactions.
An inexpensive reinforcement dispenser

An inexpensive (less than $35) solid food reinforcement dispenser was developed using commercially available parts for commonly found vending machines. This device proved to be reliable and efficient in repeated use with laboratory primates in a video task testing situation.
Psychopathological features during childhood and adolescence among adult bipolar patients: a retrospective study.

Abstract Objective There are still several concerns regarding the inconsistency in the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (BD) in children and adolescents. This study reviews the symptoms of youth admitted to The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center (UT-HCPC) prior to a confirmed diagnosis of BD to elucidate patterns and target symptoms which may facilitate early recognition of BD. Methods This is a retrospective review of charts of adult patients with a discharge diagnosis of BD for three consecutive admissions who were also admitted to UT-HCPC as children or adolescents (N = 26). The Kiddie SADS was completed based on each patient’s first admission as a child and last admission as an adult. Results Most of the symptoms found in adult BD were present in the child/adolescent subjects at equivalent rates, except for mood elevation, which was less common during childhood and adolescence. In spite of the psychopathological similarity, only 6 (23%) of the subjects were diagnosed with BD as youth. Conclusion BD is poorly diagnosed among children and adolescents. Difficulties in the assessment of the youth, as well as particularities in the psychopathology of mood among children and adolescents may account for the low diagnostic rate.
Optical determination of phytoplankton size composition from global SeaWiFS imagery

[1] Phytoplankton cell size is important to biogeochemical and food web processes. The goal of this study is to estimate phytoplankton cell size distribution from satellite imagery of spectral remote sensing reflectance (Rrs(λ)). Previous studies have indicated phytoplankton size classes have distinctive absorption spectra despite the physiological and taxonomic variability within an assemblage. For this study, the chlorophyll specific absorption spectra for phytoplankton size class extremes, pico- and microphytoplankton, are weighted by the percent microplankton (Sfm) and are the basis of phytoplankton size retrieval from SeaWiFS imagery. Satellite retrievals of Sfm are done through implementation of a forward optical model look-up table (LUT) that incorporates the range of absorption and scattering variability due to phytoplankton size, chlorophyll concentration ([Chl]) and dissolved and detrital matter (acdm(443)) in the global ocean from which Rrs(λ) is calculated by the radiative transfer software, Hydrolight. The Hydrolight modeled Rrs(λ) options for a given combination of [Chl] and acdm(443) within the LUT vary only due to Sfm. For a given pixel, the LUT search space was limited by satellite imagery of [Chl] and acdm(443). Within the narrowed search space, SeaWiFS Rrs(λ) was matched with the closest LUT Rrs(λ) option and the associated Sfm was assigned. Thresholds at which changes in Rrs(λ) due to Sfm could be discerned were established in terms of [Chl] and acdm(443). In situ high-precision liquid chromatography–derived estimates of cell size are used in conjunction with matched daily satellite estimates of Sfm for validation and agree well. A single month is displayed as an example of the Sfm retrieval.
Viscoelastic Material Properties of the Hamburger-Hamilton Stage 12 Chick Heart

Mechanical force is believed to play a significant role in regulating the morphogenetic process of cardiac looping. To better understand this process, it is crucial to determine the material properties of the early chick heart. It is well known that biological tissues are viscoelastic, however previous data on early stage embryonic heart tissue shows a hyperelastic behavior only [1] and currently, only late stage heart tissues have been quantified using viscoelastic properties [2]. The objective of this study is to use microindentation and nonlinear finite element method (FEM) to characterize the viscoelastic material properties of stage 12 chick heart during cardiac looping.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF MULTIPLE MRNAS WITH A SINGLE CONTROL BY QUANTITATIVE COMPETITIVE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE-POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION : GLUCOSE TRANSPORTERS GLUT1 AND GLUT4

Theoretical considerations for extending the application of quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (qc-PCR) to include the simultaneous measurement of multiple mRNAs, specifically the mammalian glucose transporters Glut1 and Glut4, are presented with experimental data in which the accuracy and flexibility of the system are examined. This method reliably measures changes in the initial concentration for each of three target DNA sequences. The reaction is not acutely sensitive to variations in either the primer sites or internal sequence, and although the initial concentrations of the target DNAs did affect the relative amplification efficiencies, the effect was limited and did not prohibit quantification. This PCR system was able to reliably detect differences as little as 50% in the initial concentration of the Glut1 target DNA sequence. Therefore, with the appropriate controls, PCR can be extended to include the simultaneous quantification of more than one target DNA with a single internal control.
A tower-shaped prototypic molecule designed as an atomically sharp tip for AFM applications

Abstract The synthesis of macrocycle 1 using a series of Sonogashira coupling reactions is described. This tower-shaped prototypic molecule tapers to a single hydrogen atom and is designed to serve as an atomically sharp molecular tip for atomic force microscopy imaging studies.
Adaptive critic designs for self-learning ship steering control

Addresses the problem of generating autonomously an optimal control action sequence for ship steering control based on adaptive critic designs. The principal objective is to autonomously design an optimal controller that steers the center of the ship through a number of gates in a particular order using a minimum amount of time. In general, the steering of mobile vehicles depends on the interactions between a vehicle and its supporting medium. Nautical ships present particularly long time delays in response to rudder movements (control actions). Planning for the future encounters with gates should be part of the current control decision, since the ship's position and orientation as it moves through one gate greatly affect the ease of navigation through successive gates. The proposed adaptive critic design-based controller learns to guide the ship through a set of gates autonomously. The simulation results show the performance of the proposed approach.
Equine Endometrial Tissue Concentration of Fluconazole Following Oral Administration

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the plasma and endometrial tissue concentrations of orally administered fluconazole and to determine if these tissue levels surpassed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Candida spp . organisms in the reproductive tract of the mare. Mares from study 1 (n = 9) were administered a single oral loading dose of 14 mg/kg fluconazole. Plasma and endometrial tissue samples were collected before fluconazole administration and for 24 hours after the loading dose. Study 2 mares (n = 3), a subset of study 1, were administered the loading dose, followed by maintenance doses of 5 mg/kg every 24 hours for 6 days. Plasma and biopsy samples were collected for 48 hours after the last maintenance dose. High pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of fluconazole in all samples. The mean plasma and endometrial fluconazole levels 24 hours after the loading dose were 9.53 ± 0.824 μg/mL (mean ± standard deviation) and 11.3 ± 2.38 μg/g, respectively. Fluconazole levels in plasma and endometrial tissue 24 hours after the last maintenance dose were 7.82 ± 1.81 μg/mL and 7.23 ± 3.86 μg/g, respectively. Oral fluconazole administered as a 14-mg/kg loading dose and a 5-mg/kg maintenance dose every 24 hours will result in endometrial tissue levels near the accepted MIC values for most Candida spp. and surpass the MIC for Candida albicans in the reproductive tract of the mare. Consequently, this dosage regimen could be considered for the treatment of infectious endometritis caused by susceptible fungal organisms of Candida spp. in the mare.
Evaluation of patients with ocular trauma

When confronted with the ocular trauma patient, the initial evaluation always begins with the assessment of the patient. Once it has been determined that the patient is stable, and other serious nonocular injuries have been addressed, a thorough medical/surgical history is taken followed by a more focused ocular history. Key elements include prior surgery, trauma, and any previously existing eye disease. A full examination is carried out in a methodical and rational fashion, beginning with gross external inspection. Visual acuity is measured in each eye independently. Optic nerve function is assessed by testing for a relative afferent pupillary defect, performing gross confrontational visual field testing, identifying any relative difference in subjective brightness perception, and checking color vision. If appropriate, the IOP is measured and a careful slit lamp examination is performed, combined with dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy. Obvious open globe injury can often be appreciated with a simple penlight examination. Uncooperative patients should be examined under anesthesia in a controlled, monitored setting involving experienced critical care personnel. Additional information may be obtained utilizing ancillary testing (primarily CT and ultrasonography). If the combination of clinical findings and ancillary testing is still not definitive, then formal exploration under anesthesia in the operating room in recommended. Photodocumentation is recommended whenever feasible. Figs. 1-14 provide an overview of many of the points stressed above.
Grass Varieties for Horses

Many horse owners are concerned about sugar and fructosan levels in pastures and hay. While levels of these components have not changed in forages over the last century, the needs of horses have. Significant range in nonstructural carbohydrate contents of all grass species would allow for selection of varieties with lowered levels of these components. However, the grass seed industry must perceive a market for these types of grass before they would invest in the development of varieties and seed production and marketing of such types. Levels of these components currently vary with species, management, and the environment in which the plant is/has grown. Horse owners should be aware of these differences and use them to the benefit of their horses. Significantly lower levels of sugars and fructosans can be obtained by selecting grass species for low water soluble carbohydrate, then pastures can be managed or hay harvested with management practices favoring lowered nonfibrous carbohydrates. Forage can be analyzed for fructan or sugar, starch, and fructan can be estimated from nonfibrous carbohydrate analysis which is commonly determined in forage analysis.