cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between chlorine dioxide and phenol in acidic aqueous solution

Abstract Chlorine dioxide reacts with phenol in aqueous solution below pH 2 appropriate to the rate law − d[C1O 2 ] d t ={k 1 +k 2 /H + }[ C1O 2 ][φOH] where k1 = 0·47 ± 0·01 M−1 sec−1 and k2 = 0·0110 ± 0·0002 sec−1 at 25°C and unit ionic strength. The corresponding activation parameters in the 5–35°C range are ΔH1‡ = 11·6 ± 0·3 kcal mole−1, ΔH2‡ = 13·5 ± 0·3 kcal mole−1, ΔS1‡ = −21 ± 0·5 eu and ΔS2‡ = −22 ± 1 eu. Additional evidence for a term in the rate law also containing ClO2− and suggesting Cl2O4− as an oxidizing species was obtained. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed in terms of the observed rate law and a one-electron transfer process.
Controlled trial of laparoscopic-assisted vs open colon resection in a porcine model

Background: Several series of laparoscopic colon resection have been reported in the literature with varied results; however, no controlled series of laparoscopic vs open colon resection has been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative safety and adequacy of laparoscopic colon resection in a controlled trial using a porcine model.
Thin layer chromatography and image analysis to detect glycerol in biodiesel

Abstract Glycerol is a by-product of biodiesel production and is also considered a contaminant in the final product. Current US and EU standards place limits on the permissible levels of free glycerol and bound (unconverted) mono, di and triglycerides in biodiesel, which can be quantified using gas or high pressure liquid chromatography. We report a method based on thin layer chromatography that can be effectively used to determine the presence of glycerol in biodiesel. Visual and machine (image analysis) detection limits of 0.1% and 0.2% v/v of free glycerol, respectively, were established using this procedure. In conjunction with a suitable sample enrichment procedure, this procedure could provide a cost effective alternative to glycerol detection.
Predictors of Hand Hygiene Compliance Opportunities: A Retrospective Analysis of the Literature

Abstract BACKGROUND: Historically, observational studies of hand hygiene compliance using trained observers have defined a hand hygiene “opportunity” as any event with a high risk of microbial transmission. As the definition of “opportunity” appears relatively standardized, one may expect a high degree of agreement across studies and subsequently analyze other study-reported variables as predictors of observed opportunities across studies. OBJECTIVE: The analysis objective was to determine the extent to which study-reported variables predict hand hygiene compliance opportunities in the healthcare setting. METHODS: Non-redundant predictors of observed opportunities across studies were theorized to be number of beds on each unit observed and number of hours observed. A literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE database from 1983 to 2003 in order to identify studies that reported these variables. Studies involving 17 units met inclusion criteria. Multiple regression was employed for analysis. RESULTS: Bed-size and hours observed accounted for 84.1% of the variance in observed opportunities (F2,16 = 43.38, p CONCLUSIONS: Statistically, bed size predicts the number of trainee-observed opportunities for given hours observed. For the researcher, these results will assist in study planning in order to maximize power. Furthermore, these results indicate the feasibility of a statistically based, non-observational indexing method that may ultimately provide a means of addressing monitoring/feedback per the 2002 CDC guidelines.
Behaviour of ORC low-temperature power generation with different refrigerants

This article presents and discusses the behaviour of low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle for power generation using waste heat. The performance has been compared at low- and medium waste heat temperatures to organic and non-organic fluids. In this article, energy and exergy analysis have also been presented and compared for the behaviour of the different refrigerants. Results showed that the use of refrigerant mixtures maximises the waste heat recovery and produces power from low- and medium waste heat with less exergy destruction compared to other working fluids.
Transbilayer Complementarity of Phospholipids. A Look beyond the Fluid Mosaic Model

Lipid−lipid interactions across a phospholipid bilayer were probed by measuring the nearest-neighbor preferences of exchangeable phospholipid monomers derived from 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE) in the presence of nonexchangeable DMPE- or DSPE-based dimers. Each of these permanent dimers promoted homophospholipid association to the same extent, whereas the corresponding nonexchangeable monomers were without effect. These results support a model in which the longer phospholipids in one monolayer leaflet preferentially associate with shorter ones in the adjoining monolayer. Such transbilayer complementarity is likely to play an important role in stabilizing biological membranes and also in promoting a compositional interdependence of their two lipid leaflets.
Approximate separation of the hyperradius in the many‐particle Schrödinger equation

For large values of d = 3N, the radial distribution function of an N-particle system is sharply peaked near the hyperradius rm = (d − 2)/2k0, where k0≡(2/E/)1/2. This fact allows an approximate separation of the hyperradius, leading to many-dimensional hydrogenlike radial solutions. Kindred applications to dimensional scaling are also discussed, where d = DN, with D the spatial dimension. For the large D regime, illustrative analytic formulas are obtained giving the energy and effective nuclear charge for the lowest few S states of the helium atom.
Serial Analyses of Serum Vitamin D-Binding Protein in Preterm Infants from Birth to Postconceptual Maturity

Serial measurements of vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) were made in 28 infants of 29.7 +/- 2 weeks gestation and 1162 +/- 344 g birthweight. Mean (+/- SD) values (micrograms per ml) were: cord, 375 +/- 97; 1 week, 396 +/- 82; 3 weeks, 382 +/- 67; 6 weeks, 393 +/- 78; 9 weeks, 372 +/- 120; and 12 weeks, 490 +/- 130. At 12 weeks of age (40-42 weeks postconceptual age), DBP, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), calcium, phosphorus, copper, and albumin were all significantly increased (by paired t test). At this point, but not earlier, DBP was correlated with 25OHD (r = 0.69; P less than 0.01) and phosphorus (r = 0.49; P less than 0.05), and 25OHD was correlated with phosphorus (r = 0.48; P less than 0.05) and calcium (r = 0.44; P less than 0.05). This may represent a concomitant maturation of the liver's protein synthetic abilities and the absorption and/or 25-hydroxylation in the liver of the parent vitamin D.
On Giving Legal Form Its Due. A Study in Legal Theory

. The four theses of this paper are: (1) that an appropriate organizational form is used to design, define, and organize a functional unit of a legal system, (2) that the functional units of a legal system, contrary to the emphasis in Hart and Kelsen, consist of far more than rules, and include institutions, interpretive and other methodologies, sanctions and remedies, and more, (3) that frontal and systematic study of the forms of these units is a major avenue for advancing understanding of them as duly organized wholes, and, (4) that such study reveals that much credit is due these forms, along with complementary material or other components of the units, for values realized through law.
CHANNELED ION ASSISTED EPITAXIAL GROWTH OF GE ON THIN SI SUBSTRATES

Abstract Germanium films were vapour-deposited on thin self-supporting Si substrates of about 1 μm in thickness. During deposition, the substrates were irradiated on the backsurface by a C+ beam with energies between 0.6 and 1.8 MeV in a 〈100〉 channeling condition. The substrate was heated up to about 400°C only by the beam of intensity lower than 2 μA/cm2. Both backward and forward scattering spectrometries combined with the channeling technique were used as a monitor for alignment of the substrate to the 〈100〉 axial channeling condition and characterization of epitaxial Ge films. Heteroepitaxial growth of Ge films was observed for substrate temperature of about 350°C and incident energies of 0.6–1.8 MeV. The results showed that the energy of the assist beam remarkably affects the crystalline quality of Ge film and Si substrate, as well as the morphology of grown Ge.
Electrode Refraction and Ion Beam Collimation

Efficient electrode structures for acceleration of ions in electrical propulsion systems are commonly designed so as to establish a potential function at the beam edge identical with that characteristic of space charge limited flow. Since the accelerated beam is intended to generate thrust, it must emerge from an aperture in the accelerator with a high degree of collimation. Consideration must therefore be given also to refraction by the transverse fields unavoidably associated with electrode apertures. In general, an aperture separating a region in which ions undergo acceleration from a region of lower or negative acceleration acts as a divergent lens; if the final stage is decelerating, the exit aperture acts as a convergent lens of greater strength than the aperture preceding it. It can be shown that plane parallel flow in the acceleration region is incompatible with full collimation of the ejected ion beam. The radius of curvature of the beam as it enters the final electrode aperture, the degree of final beam collimation, and the current density that can flow at a given exit voltage are therefore interrelated. This forces a compromise between degree of collimation and perveance, and determines the maximum thrust attainable at a given specific impulsemore » from an emitter of given radius. These considerations apply not only to single stage ion guns but also to multistage (including "accelerate-decelerate") systems. Application of these considerations to the design of a particular accelerate-decelerate electrode configuration is described. (auth)« less
A determination of the KS−KL mass difference via the strangeness oscillation technique

The time dependence of K° interactions coming from a pure K° beam at t = 0 is analyzed for the KS−KL mass difference, Δm. The result is in good agreement with recent lessaccurate measurements using the same technique, as well as more accurate measurements using different techniques.
Comparison of fatty acid patterns of polar and neutral lipid classes and cyclo-oxygenase activity in taste and non-taste epithelium of steer tongues.

Abstract 1. 1. Epithelial tissues and papilla from several regions of the steer tongue were isolated and the fatty acids from each lipid class in the polar and neutral fractions were assayed. The observed profiles indicated regional differences. 2. 2. Arachidonic acid and other fatty acids containing long carbon chains (>22) were found in all tissues sampled, particularly in the phosphatidyls of the inositols, ethanolamines, cholines, and in the cholesterylesters. 3. 3. Production of prostaglandin E 2 was measured through cyclo-oxygenase activity and the presence of plasmalogens was observed in the phosphatidylethanolamine and choline fractions. 4. 4. Higher rates of PGE 2 synthesis and greater amounts of plasmologens were found in taste-related epithelial samples compared to lingual epithelial control samples not containing taste buds. 5. 5. The heterogeneity of patterns of lipids and fatty acids found in the epithelium of the tongue suggests possible zonal specialization to satisfy regional physiological needs.
Meditation—Psychologically and theologically considered

Considerable recent research on the psychology of meditation provides valuable guidance to religious meditators and pastoral counselors. The present paper summarizes this research under six topic headings, moving from the most common effects of regular meditation to the most subtle and rare: inducement of relaxation, gradual alleviation of anxieties, release of repressed psychic material, spontaneous physical adjustments, dissolution of habitual patterns of perception and cognition, and the attainment of an abiding state of altered consciousness. Contemporary research confirms traditional wisdom and suggests that meditation is recommended under ordinary circumstances only for those who have a stable personality and a supportive social environment. Such psychological material represents an initial, viable understanding of mysticism. Theological considerations do not invalidate psychological conclusions. Rather, the faith-filled appropriation of scientific findings draws them into a broader context that highlights their full significance.
Long-term fluctuation of the visual field in glaucoma

We examined 756 automated threshold visual fields of 167 eyes of patients with glaucoma to determine the magnitude of the long-term fluctuation at individual test locations. Eyes were grouped into clinically stable or nonstable groups according to predefined clinical criteria. At individual test locations with initial sensitivities of 25 to 30 dB in clinically stable eyes, the 5th to 95th percentile value for subsequent measurements was ± 4 dB. For initial sensitivities of 20 dB, this 90% range was ± 6 dB, and for sensitivities 15 dB or less, the 90% range of subsequent values spanned sensitivities from almost zero to normal values. Long-term fluctuation correlated with short-term fluctuation (r = .363, P
Moving beyond the framebuffer

This paper explores a new abstraction to replace the framebuffer as the metaphor for a new display interface. Our novel approach aims to provide backward compatibility with applications that require a simple framebuffer, while also providing tremendous channel capacity savings to applications that exploit application level semantics to use the display interface in a more sophisticated way. The goal is to develop a versatile interface that scales from very large displays to small, low-power displays connected over wireless links.
Multiple health behavior change: a synopsis and comment on “A review of multiple health behavior change interventions for primary prevention”

The ninth column on Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine is a synthesis of a recent systematic meta-review of multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions published by Prochaska and Prochaska in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (Am J Life Med 5:208–221, 2011). Health risk behaviors are highly prevalent and increase the risk of developing and exacerbating chronic disease. The purpose of the meta-review was to examine the efficacy of MHBC interventions in a variety of populations and settings. The available literature was synthesized into three health behavior domains including energy-balance behaviors (physical activity and nutrition), addictive behaviors, and disease-related prevention. Twelve systematic reviews were identified that summarized more than 150 randomized clinical trials. Findings suggest that: (1) Physical activity and nutrition interventions are effective in producing weight loss among adults and female youth, (2) treating two addictive behaviors produces a higher long-term abstinence rate than treating a single behavior, and (3) although preventive interventions for cardiovascular disease and cancer significantly reduce health risk behaviors, reductions in disease incidence are yet to be demonstrated.
Subscriptions Are Us: Content, Access, & Collections

In a time of increasingly digital distribution, challenging questions arise regarding what we own, what we want to access to, and how we develop and maintain collections. What considerations influe...
Neural Network Models of Potential Energy Surfaces: Prototypical Examples

Neural networks can be used generate potential energy hypersurfaces by fitting to a data set of energies at discrete geometries, as might be obtained from ab initio calculations. Prior work has shown that this method can generate accurate fits in complex systems of several dimensions. The present paper explores fundamental properties of neural network potential representations in some simple prototypes of one, two, and three dimensions. Optimal fits to the data are achieved by adjusting the network parameters using an extended Kalman filtering algorithm, which is described in detail. The examples provide insight into the relationships between the form of the function being fit, the amount of data needed for an adequate fit, and the optimal network configuration and number of neurons needed. The quality of the network interpolation is substantially improved if gradients as well as the energy are available for fitting. The fitting algorithm is effective in providing an accurate interpolation of the underlyi...
The role of the exchange-correlation response kernel and scaling corrections in relativistic density functional nuclear magnetic shielding calculations with the zeroth-order regular approximation

The relativistic NMR module of the Amsterdam Density Functional (ADF) package, which is frequently utilised in studies of heavy atom NMR chemical shifts, is extended to calculate a hitherto neglected term from the response of the exchange-correlation (XC) potential. The term vanishes in the absence of spin-orbit coupling. Further, corrections to the shielding arising from scaling factors in the zeroth-order regular approximation (zora) relativistic framework are investigated. The XC response markedly improves calculated proton chemical shifts for hydrogen halides. Mercury chemical shifts for mercury dihalides are also noticeably altered. Contributions from density-gradient dependent terms in the response kernel contribute about 30–40%. New fully relativistic density functional theory (DFT) benchmark data are compared with zora and literature reference values. In line with previous work, it is found that absolute shielding constants for Hg are not accurately predicted with zora. However, chemical shifts ag...
Electron attachment step in electron capture dissociation (ECD) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD).

We have made use of classical dynamics trajectory simultions and ab initio electronic structure calculations to estimate the cross sections with which electrons are attached (in electron capture dissociation (ECD)) or transferred (in electron transfer dissociation (ETD)) to a model system that contained both an S−S bond that is cleaved and a −NH3+ positively charged site. We used a Landau−Zener−Stueckelberg curve-crossing approximation to estimate the ETD rates for electron transfer from a CH3- anion to the −NH3+ Rydberg orbital or the S−S σ* orbital. We draw conclusions about ECD from our ETD results and from known experimental electron-attachment cross sections for cations and σ-bonds. We predict the cross section for ETD at the positive site of our model compound to be an order of magnitude larger than that for transfer to the Coulomb-stabilized S−S bond site. We also predict that, in ECD, the cross section for electron capture at the positive site will be up to 3 orders of magnitude larger than that f...
Reconstruction of Complex Nasal Dorsal and Sidewall Defects: Is the Nasal Sidewall Subunit Necessary?

Objective To demonstrate that by the extended use of cheek advancement flaps, the need to maintain the nasal dorsal side unit is obviated. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary care clinic and hospital. Patients Twelve patients aged 48 to 88 years who underwent Mohs micrographic surgery for nasal skin neoplasms, presenting with dorsal sidewall and nasal dorsal cutaneous defects. Intervention All patients underwent nasal reconstruction with adjacent tissue cheek advancement flaps with or without contralateral nasal dorsal and sidewall advancement flaps. Main Outcome Measures Avoidance of ipsilateral nasal sidewall scars to allow a natural-appearing transition between the cheek and nose and avoidance of forehead flap morbidity. Results Satisfactory results were achieved in all but 1 patient who had partial flap necrosis. Conclusions To maintain the nasal dorsal sidewall unit, superior, central dorsal, and nasal sidewall defects have traditionally been reconstructed using a variety of techniques, including skin grafts and regional flaps, such as glabellar flaps and frontal flaps. We demonstrate that creation of the nasal dorsal sidewall unit is often not necessary, and excellent results can be achieved through the expanded use of cheek advancement flaps.
Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Genes linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) susceptibility are being identified at an increasing rate owing to advances in molecular genetic technology. Genetic mechanisms in ALS pathogenesis seem to exert major effects in about 10% of patients, but genetic factors at some level may be important components of disease risk in most patients with ALS. Identification of gene variants associated with ALS has informed concepts of the pathogenesis of ALS, aided the identification of therapeutic targets, facilitated research to develop new ALS biomarkers, and supported the establishment of clinical diagnostic tests for ALS-linked genes.
Working Models of Attachment and Reactions to Different Forms of Caregiving From Romantic Partners

We tested a series of theoretically-derived predictions about connections between attachment working models (attachment to one's parents assessed by the Adult Attachment Interview; AAI) and the effectiveness of specific types of caregiving spontaneously displayed by dating partners during a stressful conflict resolution discussion. Each partner first completed the AAI. One week later, each couple was videotaped while they tried to resolve a current problem in their relationship. Trained observers then rated each interaction for the degree to which: (a) emotional, instrumental, and physical caregiving behaviours were displayed, (b) care recipients appeared calmed by their partners' caregiving attempts, and (c) each partner appeared distressed during the discussion. Individuals who had more secure representations of their parents were rated as being more calmed if/when their partners provided greater emotional care, especially if they were rated as more distressed. Conversely, individuals who had more insecure (dismissive) representations of their parents reacted more favorably to instrumental caregiving behaviours from their partners, especially if they were more distressed. The broader theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Two Cloud-Based Cues for Estimating Scene Structure and Camera Calibration

We describe algorithms that use cloud shadows as a form of stochastically structured light to support 3D scene geometry estimation. Taking video captured from a static outdoor camera as input, we use the relationship of the time series of intensity values between pairs of pixels as the primary input to our algorithms. We describe two cues that relate the 3D distance between a pair of points to the pair of intensity time series. The first cue results from the fact that two pixels that are nearby in the world are more likely to be under a cloud at the same time than two distant points. We describe methods for using this cue to estimate focal length and scene structure. The second cue is based on the motion of cloud shadows across the scene; this cue results in a set of linear constraints on scene structure. These constraints have an inherent ambiguity, which we show how to overcome by combining the cloud motion cue with the spatial cue. We evaluate our method on several time lapses of real outdoor scenes.
Influence of sulfur amino acids on copper toxicity in chicks.

These experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of level of sulfur amino acids in the diet on response of chicks to high di etary copper. Adding 500 or 750 ppm copper to a diet deficient or just adequate in sulfur amino acids for chicks significantly reduced growth rate and efficiency of food utilization. Adding 0.4% D,L-methionine to the diet prevented both the reduced growth rate and efficiency of food utilization resulting from 500 ppm added copper. Reduction in food efficiency but not growth caused by 750 ppm copper also was prevented by 0.4% methionine. Hepatic copper levels were significantly elevated in chicks fed copper levels of 500 and 750 ppm but 0.4% added methionine significantly reduced the increase. In a second experiment, adding 0.4% D,L-methionine or 0.332% L-cystine to a diet adequate in sulfur amino acids significantly counteracted the growth depression caused by 500 ppm copper. Significant elevation in copper levels of blood plasma and spleen were completely counteracted and elevation of copper levels in liver and bile were signifi cantly reduced by extra dietary sulfur amino acids. Copper levels in the kidney were not significantly affected by any dietary treatment. Sodium sulfate partially counteracted the copper toxicity. The results demonstrate a protective effect of sulfur amino acids against copper toxicity in chicks. J. Nutr. 109.-91-97, 1979.
TCP behavior of a busy Internet server: analysis and improvements

We analyze the way in which Web browsers use TCP connections based on extensive traffic traces obtained from a busy Web server (the official Web server of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games). At the time of operation, this Web server was one of the busiest on the Internet. We first describe the techniques used to gather these traces and reconstruct the behavior of the TCP on the server. We then present a detailed analysis of the TCP's loss recovery and congestion control behavior from the recorded transfers. Our two most important results are: (1) short Web transfers lead to poor loss recovery performance for TCPs, and (2) concurrent connections are overly aggressive users of the network. We then discuss techniques designed to solve these problems. To improve the data-driven loss recovery performance of short transfers, we present a new enhancement to the TCP's loss recovery. To improve the congestion control and loss recovery performance of parallel TCP connections, we present a new integrated approach to congestion control and loss recovery that works across the set of concurrent connections. Simulations and trace analysis show that our enhanced loss recovery scheme could have eliminated 25% of all timeout events, and that our integrated approach provides greater fairness and improved startup performance for concurrent connections.
Antinociceptive effects of nociceptin/orphanin FQ administered intrathecally in monkeys.

Abstract Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous peptide for the NOP receptors. Depending on the doses, intrathecal administration of N/OFQ has dual actions (ie, hyperalgesia and antinociception) in rodents. However, the pharmacological profile of intrathecal N/OFQ is not fully known in primates. The aim of this study was to investigate behavioral effects of intrathecal N/OFQ over a wide dose range and to compare its effects with ligands known to produce hyperalgesia or antinociception in monkeys. Intrathecal N/OFQ from 1 fmol to 1 nmol did not produce any hyperalgesic or scratching responses. In contrast, intrathecal substance P 100 nmol produced hyperalgesia, and intrathecal DAMGO 10 nmol produced antinociception. At the dose range between 10 nmol and 1 μmol, intrathecal N/OFQ dose-dependently produced thermal antinociception against a noxious stimulus in 2 intensities. More importantly, N/OFQ in combined with intrathecal morphine dose-dependently potentiated morphine-induced antinociception without inhibiting morphine-induced itch/scratching. Taken together, this study is the first to provide a unique functional profile of intrathecal N/OFQ over a wide dose range in primates. Intrathecal N/OFQ produces thermal antinociception without anti-morphine actions or scratching responses, indicating that N/OFQ or NOP receptor agonists represent a promising target as spinal analgesics. Perspective Intrathecal administration of N/OFQ only produced thermal antinociception, not hyperalgesia, in monkeys. In addition, intrathecal N/OFQ does not have anti-morphine actions or itch/scratching responses. This study strongly supports the therapeutic potential of N/OFQ or NOP receptor agonists as spinal analgesics for clinical trials.
Glycine receptors in adult guinea pig brain stem auditory nuclei: regulation after unilateral cochlear ablation.

In young adult guinea pigs, the effects of unilateral cochlear ablation were determined on the specific binding of [3H]strychnine measured in subdivisions of the cochlear nucleus (CN), the superior olivary complex, and the auditory midbrain, after 2, 7, 31, 60, and 147 postlesion days. Changes in binding relative to that in age-matched controls were interpreted as altered activity and/or expression of synaptic glycine receptors. Postlesion binding declined ipsilaterally in most of the ventral CN and in the lateral superior olive (LSO). Binding was modestly deficient in the ipsilateral dorsal CN and in the anterior part of the contralateral anteroventral CN. Binding was elevated in the contralateral LSO. Transient changes also occurred. Binding was elevated transiently, between 2 and 31 days, contralaterally in parts of the anteroventral CN, bilaterally in the medial superior olive (MSO), and bilaterally in most of the midbrain nuclei. Binding was deficient transiently, at 60 days, in most of the contralateral CN and bilaterally in the midbrain nuclei. The present findings, together with previously reported postlesion changes in glycine release, were consistent with persistently weakened glycinergic inhibitory transmission ipsilaterally in the ventral CN and the LSO and bilaterally in the dorsal CN. Glycinergic inhibitory transmission was strengthened in the contralateral LSO and transiently strengthened in the MSO bilaterally. A hypothetical model of the findings suggested that glycine receptor regulation may depend on excitatory and glycinergic input to auditory neurons. The present changes in glycine receptor activity may contribute to altered auditory functions, which often accompany hearing loss.
NEW DYNAMICS IN OLD AGE: INDIVIDUAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVES By Hans-Werner Wahl, Clemens Tesch-Romer, and Andreas Hoff

The editors state that the master hypothesis on which New Dynamics is based, “maintains that the new dynamics of old age and aging can best be observed in a range of everyday life-aging contexts th...
Free software tools for atlas-based volumetric neuroimage analysis

We describe new and freely available software tools for measuring volumes in subregions of the brain. The method is fast, flexible, and employs well-studied techniques based on the Talairach-Tournoux atlas. The software tools are released as plug-ins for MIPAV, a freely available and user-friendly image analysis software package developed by the National Institutes of Health. Our software tools include a digital Talairach atlas that consists of labels for 148 different substructures of the brain at various scales.
Code Sepsis: Rapid Methods To Diagnose Sepsis and Detect Hematopathogens: Part II: Challenges to the Laboratory Diagnosis of Sepsis

Abstract Bloodstream infections and sepsis are among the top causes of mortality in the United States, killing nearly 600 people per day. Many septic patients are treated in emergency medicine departments or critical care units, settings in which rapid administration of targeted antibiotic therapy drastically reduces mortality. Unfortunately, current microbiology laboratory methods are too slow to support rapid interventions, typically requiring >24 hours to detect the presence of bloodstream pathogens (hematopathogens) and at least 3 to 5 days to confirm the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Moreover, cultures from septic patients are often falsely negative due to pre-emptive therapy, the presence of fastidious organisms, or microbes that are present in low density. As a result, empiric, broad-spectrum treatment is common, a costly approach that may fail to effectively target the correct microbe, may inadvertently harm patients via antimicrobial toxicity, and may contribute to the evolution of drug-resistant microbes. Clearly, new rapid laboratory methods, which enhance laboratory capabilities to diagnose bloodstream infections, will be a useful and welcome addition to clinical microbiology laboratories.
Interaction Between Zinc Deprivation and Acute Ethanol Intoxication During Pregnancy in Rats

A single intraperitoneal injection of ethanol given at gestational day 10 to pregnant rats undergoing transient zinc deprivation increases the prob ability of complications in the pregnancy, compared to either intoxication in well-fed dams or to zinc deprivation alone. The results suggest that dietary factors may contribute to ethanol-induced terata and that non-abusive or infre quent maternal use of ethanol can be particularly dangerous to the fetus during a dietary deficiency. J. Nutr. 111: 2034-2038, 1981.
Flow and Storage in Groundwater Systems

The dynamic nature of groundwater is not readily apparent, except where discharge is focused at springs or where recharge enters sinkholes. Yet groundwater flow and storage are continually changing in response to human and climatic stresses. Wise development of groundwater resources requires a more complete understanding of these changes in flow and storage and of their effects on the terrestrial environment and on numerous surface-water features and their biota.
Estimation of error in observables of coarse-grained models of atomic systems

The use of coarse-grained approximations of atomic systems is the most common methods of constructing reduced-order models in computational science. However, the issue of central importance in developing these models is the accuracy with which they approximate key features of the atomistic system. Many methods have been proposed to calibrate coarse-grained models so that they qualitatively mimic the atomic systems, but these are often based on heuristic arguments. A general framework for deriving a posteriori estimates of modeling error in coarse–grained models of key observables in atomistic systems is presented. Such estimates provide a new tool for model validation analysis. The connection of error estimates with relative information entropy of observables and model predictions is explained for so-called misspecified models. The relationship between model plausibilities and Kullback-Leibler divergence between the true parameters and model predictions is summed up in several theorems. Numerical examples are presented in this paper involving a family of coarse-grained models of a polyethylene chain of united atom monomers. Numerical results suggest that the proposed methods of error estimation can be very good indications of the error inherent in coarse-grained models of observables in the atomistic systems. Also, new theorems relating the Kullback-Leibler divergence between model predictions and observations to measures of model plausibility are presented. A formal structure for estimating errors produced by coarse-graining atomistic models is presented. Numerical examples confirm that the estimates are in agreement with exact errors for a simple class of materials. Errors measured in the D KL -divergence can be related to computable model plausibilities. The results should provide a powerful framework for assessing the validity and accuracy of coarse-grained models.
Learning in an inquiry-driven plant physiology laboratory.

Plant physiology is best explored through participatory activities, where students are closely engaged in the process of discovery. A two-stage approach to instruction was implemented to enrich the learning in an undergraduate plant physiology laboratory. First, a core of 10 experiments was developed to provide structured, hands-on experience and to teach the principles and skills of modern physiological analyses. During Week 11 of a 15wk semester, students observe a demonstration of a plant response, where the underlying cause of the phenomenon is not evident. Working together in small groups, students hypothesize on the mechanisms that may be involved. They choose among alternative lines of inquiry and decide which variables will be most informative in revealing the underlying nature of the problem. Each research team presents a study plan, and hypotheses and experimental approaches are defended. Results of team experiments are presented during Week 15. To date, inquiry-based projects have focused on the roles of (i) ethylene in seedling development in mouse-ear cress [Arabidopsis thaliana L. (Heynh.)] and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), (ii) glycinebetaine in drought tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.), (iii) catalase in chilling sensitivity of tomato, and (iv) ascorbic acid in oxidative stress in tomato. The Chilling-Injury Problem utilized in 1996 and 1997 is described, and pedagogical advantages as well as challenges to implementation are discussed. The approach appears to foster a capacity for connective, integrative thinking. Students develop competency in judging the reliability and significance of experimental results, and in evaluating whether their conclusions are justified by the data.
Risk Behaviors and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults With Asthma: The Role of Mental Health Status

Background: Previous research indicates that asthma is strongly associated with depressive disorders. Depression among persons with asthma is associated with poor adherence to medication regimens, more severe asthma, and poorer disease outcomes. The objective of our study was to examine the association of frequent mental distress (FMD) [ie, > 14 days in the past 30 days in which respondents reported that their mental health was not good] with modifiable risk behaviors (ie, smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity) and health-related quality of life among adults with asthma. Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is an ongoing, state-based survey that is conducted by random-digit dialing of noninstitutionalized US adults aged > 18 years. In 2001, all 50 states administered the asthma and risk behavior questionnaires (15,080 questionnaires). A total of 12 states administered the health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (3,226 questionnaires). We estimated prevalences, 95% confidence intervals, odds ratios, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) using a statistical software program to account for the complex survey design. Results: The prevalence of FMD among adults with asthma was 18.8%. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, the overall associations between smoking and FMD (AOR, 1.9), and between physical inactivity and FMD (AOR, 1.7) were statistically significant. In addition, among those with asthma, persons with FMD were significantly more likely than those without FMD to report fair/poor general health, frequent physical distress, frequent activity limitations, frequent anxiety, and frequent sleeplessness. Conclusions: FMD is highly prevalent among persons with asthma, suggesting an apparent synergistic effect of these two conditions. The assessment of the mental health status of persons with asthma by health-care providers appears to be warranted and may prevent the emergence of risk behaviors yielding deleterious effects on the management of this disease. (CHEST 2004; 126:1849–1854)
Assessing risk and managing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and disease in patients due to start anti-TNFα treatment

This short paper describes the rationale being applied in the United Kingdom to the problem of treating latent TB infection in persons requiring anti-TNF-alpha treatment. This will largely have to be done by an individual risk/benefit analysis based on the risks of developing disease from national epidemiology compared with the risks of significant hepatotoxicity from treatment of latent infection.
High-Resolution Opto-Electronic Retinal Prosthesis: Physical Limitations and Design

Electrical stimulation of the retina can produce visual percepts in blind patients suffering from macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). However, current retinal implants provide very low resolution (just a few electrodes), whereas many more pixels would be required for a functional restoration of sight.
Process-oriented assessment of development in app inventor

Users, especially students, go on a journey with each new programming project they create, and until recently assessments could not access that journey, having to depend entirely on the final project artifact. New technologies allow the development environment itself to be instrumented to collect all of the intermediary steps of that journey. Learning analytics, powerd by data mining and machine learning, can be used to extract patterns of the numerous code snapshots collected. This abstract describes new work that applied these ideas in a new way, in a blocks-based, mobile-targeted, live-development environment, MIT App Inventor.
From Descartes to Pavlov to Anokhin: The Evolution of General Systems Concepts in Biomedical Sciences in Eastern Europe

Rene Descartes developed a mechanistic notion of reflex action in an attempt to describe automatic acts of “soulless” machine-like “unfeeling” animals, in contrast to rational voluntary behavior of humans directed by a “soul” via the pineal gland. In contradistinction to Cartesian dualism, Pavlov introduced the monistic concept of an integrated organism (theory of nervism) and of conditional reflexes enabling all animals to modify their behavior in response to changing environmental situations. This presentation will discuss the expansion of Pavlovian psychobiology by P.K. Anokhin to include the application of systems concepts to psychophysiologic adaptation and the notion of the functional system as the basic unit of neurophysiology integration.
“Bridged” n→π* Interactions Can Stabilize Peptoid Helices

Peptoids are an increasingly important class of peptidomimetic foldamers comprised of N-alkylglycine units that have been successfully developed as antimicrobial agents, lung surfactant replacements, enzyme inhibitors, and catalysts, among many other applications. Since peptoid secondary structures can be crucial to their desired functions, significant efforts have been devoted to developing means of modularly controlling peptoid backbone amide cis–trans isomerism using side chains. Strategic engineering of interactions between side chain aromatic rings and backbone cis-amides (n→π*Ar interactions) is an attractive strategy for stabilizing helical structures in N-a-chiral aromatic peptoids, which are among the most utilized classes of structured peptoids. Herein, we report the first detailed computational and experimental study of n→π*Ar interactions in models of peptoids containing backbone thioamides, which we term “thiopeptoids”. Our work has revealed that these interactions significantly affect amide ...
Abnormalities of the Pelvic Girdle and Limbs of a Broiler Chick

Abstract During processing of commercial 8-week old broilers, a bird was discovered with a third leg located within the body cavity. This bird was submitted to the Department of Poultry Science of the University of Florida for examination. After the flesh was removed by cooking in boiling water and manual dissection, a duplicate acetabulum (hip joint) was located on the inner surface of the right half of the pelvic girdle in juxtaposition to the normal acetabulum and was the origin of attachment (Figure 1). This duplicated joint was structurally functional in that the leg was movable. It was somewhat smaller than the normal acetabulum on the exterior surface of the pelvic girdle. The third leg was composed primarily of two large bones. One resembled a normal femur and the other a malformed tibiotarsus. The femur of the abnormal leg was eight centimeters long and one-half to one centimeters in diameter compared…
Analysis on mental health of locomotive drivers and its related factors

With the global development of railway modernization,the effect of mental health of locomotive drivers on the safety of rail transport gradually attracts people's attention.This is a comprehensive review on the papers related mental health of locomotive drivers during 1994—2009,the work feature of locomotive drivers,the effect of mental health on traffic safety and their influencing factors were summarized in this paper,meanwhile,some psychological and physiological health control measures were also proposed for further research.
Juggling the Gadgets: Binary-level Code Randomization using Instruction Displacement

Code diversification is an effective mitigation against return-oriented programming attacks, which breaks the assumptions of attackers about the location and structure of useful instruction sequences, known as "gadgets". Although a wide range of code diversification techniques of varying levels of granularity exist, most of them rely on the availability of source code, debug symbols, or the assumption of fully precise code disassembly, limiting their practical applicability for the protection of closed-source third-party applications. In-place code randomization has been proposed as an alternative binary-compatible diversification technique that is tolerant of partial disassembly coverage, in the expense though of leaving some gadgets intact, at the disposal of attackers. Consequently, the possibility of constructing robust ROP payloads using only the remaining non-randomized gadgets is still open. In this paper we present instruction displacement, a code diversification technique based on static binary instrumentation that does not rely on complete code disassembly coverage. Instruction displacement aims to improve the randomization coverage and entropy of existing binary-level code diversification techniques by displacing any remaining non-randomized gadgets to random locations. The results of our experimental evaluation demonstrate that instruction displacement reduces the number of non-randomized gadgets in the extracted code regions from 15.04% for standalone in-place code randomization, to 2.77% for the combination of both techniques. At the same time, the additional indirection introduced due to displacement incurs a negligible runtime overhead of 0.36% on average for the SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks.
The rigid-plate and shrinking-plate hypotheses: Implications for the azimuths of transform faults

The rigid-plate hypothesis implies that oceanic lithosphere does not contract horizontally as it cools (hereinafter “rigid plate”). An alternative hypothesis, that vertically averaged tensional thermal stress in the competent lithosphere is fully relieved by horizontal thermal contraction (hereinafter “shrinking plate”), predicts subtly different azimuths for transform faults. The size of the predicted difference is as large as 2.44° with a mean and median of 0.46° and 0.31°, respectively, and changes sign between right-lateral (RL)-slipping and left-lateral (LL)-slipping faults. For the MORVEL transform-fault data set, all six plate pairs with both RL- and LL-slipping faults differ in the predicted sense, with the observed difference averaging 1.4° ± 0.9° (95% confidence limits), which is consistent with the predicted difference of 0.9°. The sum-squared normalized misfit, r, to global transform-fault azimuths is minimized for γ = 0.8 ± 0.4 (95% confidence limits), where γ is the fractional multiple of the predicted difference in azimuth between the shrinking-plate (γ = 1) and rigid-plate (γ = 0) hypotheses. Thus, observed transform azimuths differ significantly between RL-slipping and LL-slipping faults, which is inconsistent with the rigid-plate hypothesis but consistent with the shrinking-plate hypothesis, which indicates horizontal shrinking rates of 2% Ma−1 for newly created lithosphere, 1% Ma−1 for 0.1 Ma old lithosphere, 0.2% Ma−1 for 1 Ma old lithosphere, and 0.02% Ma−1 for 10 Ma old lithosphere, which are orders of magnitude higher than the mean intraplate seismic strain rate of ~10−6 Ma−1 (5 × 10−19 s−1).