cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observations on the Elastic Behavior of a Synthetic Orthodontic Elastomer

The study focused on changes in elasticity that accompany water storage of a synthetic orthodontic elastomer. We plotted loading and unloading curves to permit the direct measurement of instantaneous elastic recovery (IER) and permanent set (PS) and the calculation of delayed recovery (DR). We obtained baseline data by testing dry as received material. Comparable tests were performed on material that had been stored in water at 37 degrees C for one, seven, 14, 42, and 70 days. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for analysis of organic substances leached from the elastomer by water. A two-way ANOVA revealed that extension distance and water storage duration affected load requirement, IER, PS, and DR. The presence of leachable organic substances in 14-, 42-, and 70-day storage water was evidence of time-dependent matrix decomposition. Findings from tests of elastic performance and analysis of specimen storage water indicate that exposure of the elastomer to water leads first to weakening of noncovalent forces and subsequently to degradation.
An in situ infrared spectroscopic study of imidazole films on copper electrodes

Abstract Organic films electrodeposited on a copper electrode from basic solutions containing imidazole were investigated by two different in situ infrared spectroscopic techniques: real-time polarization modulation and static linear polarization reflection absorption spectroscopy. The spectra indicate that as the electrode potential is made more positive, the amount of imidazole bound to the electrode surface increases. The coating on the electrode is found to consist mainly of copper(I) imidazolate with either a random or perpendicular orientation to the polycrystalline surface. No change in orientation of the imidazole ring is seen with the variation in potential. The infrared data from both reflection techniques indicates that before the Cu(0)/Cu(I) onset the film is formed at the solution metal oxide/hydroxide interface and at potentials above this, ≥−0.54 V, a more compact film forms closer to the metal surface.
Experimental validation of computational fluid dynamic codes (CFD) for liquid-solid risers in clean alkylation processes

This manuscript, based on the presentation given by one of the authors (M.P. Dudukovic) at the Technological and Engineering Forum in Pancevo, May 21 2002, summarizes the use of the computer automated radioactive particle tracking (CARPT) and gamma computed tomography (CT) in obtaining the data needed to validate the Euler-Euler based CFD simulations for solids distribution, flow pattern and mixing in a liquid-solid riser. The riser is one of the reactors considered for acid solid catalyst promoted alkylation. It is shown that CFD calculations, validated by CARPT-CT data, show promise for scale-up and design of this novel reactor type.
Computer algebra systems: Maple and Mathematica

Craig, J. R., and Reese, S. C. (1974), "Retention of Raw Data: A Problem Revisited," American Psychologist, 28, 723. Crow, J. A. (1994a), "Maple & Macsyma: Part I. Maple," Notices of the Amer-ican Mathematical Society, 41, 195-200. (1994b), "Maple & Macsyma: Part II. Macsyma," Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 41, 299-303. Dewald, W. G., Thursby, J. G., and Anderson, R. G. (1986), "Replication in Empirical Economics: The Journal of Money, Credit and Banking Project," The American Economic Review, 76, 587-603. Sawitzki, G. (1994a), "Numerical Reliability of Data Analysis Systems," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 18, 269-286. (1994b), "Report on the Numerical Reliability of Data Analysis Systems," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 18, 289-301. Shapiro, M. F., and Charrow, R. P. (1989), "The Role of Data Audits in Detecting Scientific Misconduct," Journal of the American Medical Association, 261, 2505-2511. Wolins, L. (1962), "Responsibility for Raw Data," American Psychologist, 17, 657-658.
Quantitative Analysis of Cellulose-Reducing Ends

Methods for the quantification of total and accessible reducing ends on traditional cellulose substrates have been evaluated because of their relevance to enzyme-catalyzed cellulose saccharification. For example, quantification of accessible reducing ends is likely to be the most direct measure of substrate concentration for the exo-acting, reducing end-preferring cellobiohydrolases. Two colorimetric assays (dinitrosalicylic acid [DNS] and bicinchoninic acid [BCA] assay) and a radioisotope approach (NaB3H4 labeling) were evaluated for this application. Cellulose substrates included microcrystalline celluloses, bacterial celluloses, and filter paper. Estimates of the number of reducing ends per unit mass cellulose were found to be dependent on the assay system (i.e. the DNS and BCA assays gave strikingly different results). DNS-based values were several-fold higher than those obtained using the BCA assay, with fold-differences being substrate specific. Sodium borohydride reduction of celluloses, using cold or radiolabeled reagent under relatively mild conditions, was used to assess the number of surface (solvent-accessible) reducing ends. The results indicate that 30–40% of the reducing ends on traditional cellulose substrates are not solvent accessible; that is, they are buried in the interior of cellulose structures and thus not available to exo-acting enzymes.
Exchange-coupled nanoscale SmCo/NdFeB hybrid magnets

Abstract Nanoscale hybrid magnets containing SmCo5 and Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phases have been produced via a novel “in-one-pot” processing route. The grain size of the processed bulk composite materials is controlled below 20 nm. The refinement of the nanoscale morphology leads to effective inter-phase exchange coupling that results in single-phase like magnetic properties. Energy product of 14 MGOe was obtained in the isotropic nanocomposite magnets at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, the hybrid magnets have greatly improved thermal stability compared to the Nd2Fe14B single-phase counterpart and have substantially increased magnetization and energy products compared to the single-phase SmCo5 counterpart.
We are All Winners: Training Silents to Millennials to Work as a Team

ABSTRACT In today's rapidly changing environment, technical services managers and supervisors are challenged to keep up with the latest advances in technology and standards. The serials department is always in a constant state of change, but often the personnel within the department either remains the same or decreases in number due to downsizing. As many department heads know, daily duties can change dramatically from year to year as we are asked to do more with less while embracing new technology and standards. This leads us to the question, what is the best method of teaching personnel how to use the upgraded and new software? How do you prepare your staff if the library purchases a new ILS (integrated library system) or they have to learn a new standard such as RDA (Resource Description and Access) that will affect cataloging? How do you get everyone to understand the new ERM (electronic resource management) system or an upgraded version of the library-integrated system with a new interface? In our wo...
CHEMICAL REACTIVITY OF MODELS RELATED TO A PROPOSED CO2-BIOTIN ENZYME COMPLEX. II.

In order to gain more information about the mechanism by which biotin may function in biochemical carboxylations, a study of model compounds which are related to a proposed CO 2 ~biotin-enzyme complex was undertaken. The model compounds which were employed were the N-arylcarbamyl-2-imidazolidones and the N-alkyloxycarbonyl-2-imidazolidones. It has been shown that the carbonyl group of the model compounds is transferred to an attacking nucleophilic reagent. The significance of these reactions is discussed.
Structural dissociation of attentional control and memory in adults with and without mild traumatic brain injury.

Memory and attentional control impairments are the two most common forms of dysfunction following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and lead to significant morbidity in patients, yet these functions are thought to be supported by different brain networks. This 3 T magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study investigates whether microstructural integrity of white matter, as measured by fractional anisotropy (FA) within a small set of individually localized regions of interest (ROIs), is associated with these cognitive domains in normal adults and adults with mild TBI. Results in a sample of 23 normal controls reveal a significant correlation between attentional control and FA within a ROI in the left hemisphere anterior corona radiata. Furthermore, the controls demonstrate a correlation between memory performance and FA in a ROI placed in the uncinate fasciculus. Next, to examine whether these relationships are found in the pathological ranges of attention, memory and microstructural white matter integrity associated with mild TBI, these analyses were applied to a group of 43 mild TBI patients. Results, which generally demonstrated a wider range of attention, memory and FA scores, replicated the correlation between attentional control and FA in left hemisphere anterior corona radiata, as well as the correlation between memory performance and FA in the uncinate fasciculus. These two sets of brain-behaviour relationships were highly specific, as shown by a lack of correlation between attention and uncinate fasciculus FA and the lack of correlation between memory performance and anterior corona radiata FA. Furthermore, a ‘correlational double dissociation’ was demonstrated to exist between two distinct frontal structures independently associated with attention and memory, respectively, via a series of multiple regression analyses in both normal controls and adults with mild TBI. The results of the multiple regression analyses provide direct evidence that tract-specific variation in microstructural white matter integrity among normal controls and among mild TBI patients can account for much of the variation in performance in specific cognitive domains. More generally, such findings suggest that diffusion anisotropy measurement can be used as a quantitative biomarker for neurocognitive function and dysfunction.
Tolerogenic immunosuppression for organ transplantation.

Summary Background Insight into the mechanisms of organ engraftment and acquired tolerance has made it possible to facilitate these mechanisms, by tailoring the timing and dosage of immunosuppression in accordance with two therapeutic principles: recipient pretreatment, and minimum use of post-transplant immunosuppression. We aimed to apply these principles in recipients of renal and extrarenal organ transplants. Methods 82 patients awaiting kidney, liver, pancreas, or intestinal transplantation were pretreated with about 5 mg/kg of a broadly reacting rabbit antithymocyte globulin during several hours. Post-transplant immunosuppression was restricted to tacrolimus unless additional drugs were needed to treat breakthrough rejection. After 4 months, patients on tacrolimus monotherapy were considered for dose-spacing to every other day or longer intervals. Findings We frequently saw evidence of immune activation in graft biopsy samples, but unless this was associated with graft dysfunction or serious immune destruction, treatment usually was not intensified. Immunosuppression-related morbidity was virtually eliminated. 78 (95%) of 82 patients survived at 1 year and at 13–18 months. Graft survival was 73 (89%) of 82 at 1 year and 72 (88%) of 82 at 13–18 months. Of the 72 recipients with surviving grafts, 43 are on spaced doses of tacrolimus monotherapy: every other day (n=6), three times per week (11), twice per week (15), or once per week (11). Interpretation The striking ability to wean immunosuppression in these recipients indicates variable induction of tolerance. The simple therapeutic principles are neither drug-specific nor organ-specific. Systematic application of these principles should allow improvements in quality of life and long-term survival after organ transplantation.
Critical Period Hypothesis Revisited: The Impact of Age on Ultimate Attainment in the Pronunciation of a Foreign Language edited by JEDYNAK, MALGORZATA

A review of the book "Critical Period Hypothesis Revisited: The Impact of Age on Ultimate Attainment in the Pronunciation of a Foreign Language," by Malgorzata Jedynak is presented.
The cellular and molecular biology of conifer embryogenesis

Gymnosperms and angiosperms are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor c. 300 million yr ago. The manner in which gymnosperms and angiosperms form seeds has diverged and, although broad similarities are evident, the anatomy and cell and molecular biology of embryogenesis in gymnosperms, such as the coniferous trees pine, spruce and fir, differ significantly from those in the most widely studied model angiosperm Arabidopsis thaliana. Molecular analysis of signaling pathways and processes such as programmed cell death and embryo maturation indicates that many developmental pathways are conserved between angiosperms and gymnosperms. Recent genomics research reveals that almost 30% of mRNAs found in developing pine embryos are absent from other conifer expressed sequence tag (EST) collections. These data show that the conifer embryo differs markedly from other gymnosperm tissues studied to date in terms of the range of genes transcribed. Approximately 72% of conifer embryo-expressed genes are found in the Arabidopsis proteome and conifer embryos contain mRNAs of very similar sequence to key genes that regulate seed development in Arabidopsis. However, 1388 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) embryo ESTs (11.4% of the collection) are novel and, to date, have been found in no other plant. The data imply that, in gymnosperm embryogenesis, differences in structure and development are achieved by subtle molecular interactions, control of spatial and temporal gene expression and the regulating agency of a few unique proteins.
Fuzzy modelling to enhance cooperative management

Efficient management of any complex system, such as modern enterprise networks, depends on understanding the roles of its constituents and their interactions with one another. As such, awareness modelling and levels can play significant roles in improving the management efficiency. The awareness levels in human beings and managers have a fuzzy nature with linguistic variables extensively used in their definitions and communications. This paper explores the notion of fuzzy logic and soft computing to improve awareness modelling to achieve more effective cooperative management. This is further demonstrated through its application to an illustrative example.
Theories and Techniques of Individual Counseling

Counseling is effective! Study after study has arrived at conclusions similar to that of Sexton and Whiston (1991, p. 345): “...while some clients do improve on their own, in comparison, those in counseling improved more and at a faster rate....” By 1980, clinicians had clearly established that their work was effective. They then turned their attention to determining why it worked, when it worked, and what they could do to make it work better.
Direct observation of bacterial deposition onto clean and organic-fouled polyamide membranes

Nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are commonly applied to produce highly purified water from municipal wastewater effluents. In these applications, biofouling limits overall process performance and increases the cost of operation. Initial bacteria adhesion onto a membrane surface is a critical early step in the overall process of membrane biofouling. However, adsorption of effluent organic matter onto the membrane may precede bacterial deposition and change membrane surface properties. Herein we employed direct microscopic observation to elucidate mechanisms governing bacterial cell deposition onto clean and organic-fouled NF and RO membranes. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and alginic acid (AA) were used as models for protein and polysaccharide rich organic matter in secondary wastewater effluents. In all experiments, organic fouling increased membrane hydraulic resistance and salt rejection, in addition to interfacial hydrophilicity and roughness. Even though surface hydrophilicity increased, the rougher surfaces presented by organic-fouled membranes produced nano-scale features that promoted localized bacterial deposition. An extended DLVO analysis of bacterial cells and membrane surface properties suggested that bacterial deposition correlated most strongly with the Lewis acid-base free energy of adhesion and root mean square (RMS) roughness, whereas van der Waals and electrostatic free energies were weakly correlated. This was true for both clean and organic-fouled membranes. Bacterial deposition rates were clearly influenced by an antagonistic interplay between macroscopic surface hydrophilicity and nano-scale surface roughness.
EFFECTS OF MOLASSES/UREA AND BACTERIAL INOCULANT ADDITIVES ON SILAGE QUALITY, DRY MATTER RECOVERY, AND FEEDING VALUE FOR CATTLE

Abstract Eight forage sorghum silages were direct-cut in the mid- to hard-dough stages and ensiled in concrete stave silos in a total of three experiments. Treatments were: control (C), no additive; molasses—urea—mineral mixture (NPN), applied at a rate of 17–20 g kg−1 of fresh crop; and bacterial inoculant (INOC), applied at a rate of 5 g kg−1 of fresh crop (INOC not included in Experiment 2). The average recovery of NPN added nitrogen (N) was 90.8% for the three experiments. NPN silage had higher pH, total N, ammonia-N, and dry matter (DM) loss from the stave silos. INOC silage, when compared to the control, had higher lactic acid and lower acetic acid contents, which gave higher lactic to acetic ratios (L:A). The higher L:A and lower also DM loss suggests that the INOC silages underwent a more efficient fermentation than C silages. In Experiments 1 and 2 there were no significant differences between treatments in respect of daily gain, DM intake, or DM conversion. In Experiment 3, the NPN silage produced faster (P 0.05) gains as the control silage. NPN silage had the highest (P 0.05). Dry matter conversion was numerically improved by the silage treatments, but similar (P > 0.05) to the control. When the cattle performance data were pooled over the three experiments by pen, average daily gain and DM conversion were similar (P 0.05) to the control silage.
Power electronics inverter control with neural networks

Current-controlled voltage source inverters offer substantial advantages in improving motor system dynamics in high-performance AC drive systems. The controller switches follow a set of reference current waveforms. Fixed-band hysteresis and sinusoidal-band hysteresis controllers are studied. A neural-network-based current-controlled voltage source inverter is developed. The modes and learning techniques are investigated by simulation. The implementation of neural networks is described, and simulation results are presented. >
Characterization of a phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module in mouse P450 Cyp2b10 gene.

Induction of drug- and carcinogen-metabolizing cytochrome P450s by xenobiotic chemicals is a common cellular defense mechanism, usually leading to increased detoxification of xenobiotics but sometimes, paradoxically, to formation of more toxic and carcinogenic metabolites. Phenobarbital (PB) is an archetypal representative for chemicals including industrial solvents, pesticides, plant products, and clinically used drugs that induce several genes within CYP subfamilies 2B, 2A, 2C, and 3A in rodents and humans. Although the transcription of these CYP genes is activated by PB, the associated molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Here we have analyzed, in detail, enhancer activity of a far upstream region of mouse Cyp2b10 gene and report a 132-base pair PB-responsiveenhancer module (PBREM) with a 33-base pair core element containing binding sites for nuclear factor I- and nuclear receptor-like factors. Mutations of these binding sites abolish the ability of PBREM to respond to inducers in mouse primary hepatocytes.
Age mapping and dating of monazite on the electron microprobe: Deconvoluting multistage tectonic histories

High-resolution X-ray mapping and dating of monazite on the electron microprobe are powerful geochronological tools for structural, metamorphic, and tectonic analysis. X-ray maps commonly show complex Th, U, and Pb zoning that reflects monazite growth and overgrowth events. Age maps constructed from the X-ray maps simplify the zoning and highlight age domains. Microprobe dating offers a rapid, in situ method for estimating ages of mapped domains. Application of these techniques has placed new constraints on the tectonic history of three areas. In western Canada, age mapping has revealed multiphase monazite, with older cores and younger rims, included in syntectonic garnet. Microprobe ages show that tectonism occurred ca. 1.9 Ga, 700 m.y. later than mylonitization in the adjacent Snowbird tectonic zone. In New Mexico, age mapping and dating show that the dominant fabric and triple-point metamorphism occurred during a 1.4 Ga reactivation, not during the 1.7 Ga Yavapai-Mazatzal orogeny. In Norway, monazite inclusions in garnet constrain high-pressure metamorphism to ca. 405 Ma, and older cores indicate a previously unrecognized component of ca. 1.0 Ga monazite. In all three areas, microprobe dating and age mapping have provided a critical textural context for geochronologic data and a better understanding of the complex age spectra of these multistage orogenic belts.
Fixed/variable Power Multicast over Heterogeneous Fading Channels in Cellular Networks

In mobile multicast over cellular networks, the wireless fading channels for different multicast receivers are usually heterogeneous, from both instantaneous and statistical perspectives. This feature imposes significant challenges in designing efficient multicast schemes to adapt to the channel variations. We investigate the adaptive rate and power control for multicast over generally distributed broadcast fading channels in cellular networks, with the focus on the two-receiver case. Specifically, we aim at optimizing the minimum achievable average good put over all receivers through time-sharing based rate adaptation under the fixed/variable power strategies. By developing an SNR-plane partition based method, we derive the optimal rate adaptation policy for the constant (fixed) power strategy. Moreover, we obtain the optimal power-rate adaptation policy for the variable power strategy by using the Lagrangian duality theory. Simulation results are also presented to show the performance gain obtained from our derived optimal policies.
Role of Asp104 in the SHV β-Lactamase

Among the TEM-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), an amino acid change at Ambler position 104 (Glu to Lys) results in increased resistance to ceftazidime and cefotaxime when found with other substitutions (e.g., Gly238Ser and Arg164Ser). To examine the role of Asp104 in SHV β-lactamases, site saturation mutagenesis was performed. Our goal was to investigate the properties of amino acid residues at this position that affect resistance to penicillins and oxyimino-cephalosporins. Unexpectedly, 58% of amino acid variants at position 104 in SHV expressed in Escherichia coli DH10B resulted in β-lactamases with lowered resistance to ampicillin. In contrast, increased resistance to cefotaxime was demonstrated only for the Asp104Arg and Asp104Lys β-lactamases. When all 19 substitutions were introduced into the SHV-2 (Gly238Ser) ESBL, the most significant increases in cefotaxime and ceftazidime resistance were noted for both the doubly substituted Asp104Lys Gly238Ser and the doubly substituted Asp104Arg Gly238Ser β-lactamases. Correspondingly, the overall catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of hydrolysis for cefotaxime was increased from 0.60 ± 0.07 μM−1 s−1 (mean ± standard deviation) for Gly238Ser to 1.70 ± 0.01 μM−1 s−1 for the Asp104Lys and Gly238Ser β-lactamase (threefold increase). We also showed that (i) k3 was the rate-limiting step for the hydrolysis of cefotaxime by Asp104Lys, (ii) the Km for cefotaxime of the doubly substituted Asp104Lys Gly238Ser variant approached that of the Gly238Ser β-lactamase as pH increased, and (iii) Lys at position 104 functions in an energetically additive manner with the Gly238Ser substitution to enhance catalysis of cephalothin. Based on this analysis, we propose that the amino acid at Ambler position 104 in SHV-1 β-lactamase plays a major role in substrate binding and recognition of oxyimino-cephalosporins and influences the interactions of Tyr105 with penicillins.
Timings of an Unstructured-Grid CFD Code on Common Hardware Platforms and Compilers

Timings have been conducted for several benchmark testcases using the same code on a variety of common hardware platforms and compilers. The results indicate surprisingly little variation in the performance given the considerable number of vendors, architectures and compilers. The largest differences amounted to less than 30% of run-times. For the single processor runs, an increase in cache size reduced run-times, though not dramatically (approximately 10%). Going from 32 bits to 64 bits (with the same clockspeed, cache size, memory and compiler) in most cases produced a gain of 10%, although in some cases no gain was recorded. Overall, the chip with the slowest clocktime (Intel It II at 1.50 GHz) achieved the best performance. In some cases, it beat the 64-bit, 3.40 GHz P4/Xeon machines by a considerable margin. For shared memory parallelism, the best scaling was achieved by the SGI Altix. This should not come as a surprise, as SGI’s CCNUMA technology has matured over the last decade. For the AMD Opteron, the SUN compiler exhibited the best scaling.
Modeling of gaseous methylamines in the global atmosphere: impacts of oxidation and aerosol uptake

Abstract. Gaseous amines have attracted increasing attention due to their potential role in enhancing particle nucleation and growth and affecting secondary organic aerosol formation. Here we study with a chemistry transport model the global distributions of the most common and abundant amines in the air: monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA), and trimethylamine (TMA). We show that gas phase oxidation and aerosol uptakes are dominant sinks for these methylamines. The oxidation alone (i.e., no aerosol uptake) leads to methylamine lifetimes of 5–10 h in most parts of low and middle latitude regions. The uptake by secondary species with uptake coefficient (γ) of 0.03 (corresponding to the uptake by sulfuric acid particles) reduces the lifetime by ~30% over oceans and much more over the major continents, resulting in a methylamine lifetime of less than 1–2 h over central Europe, eastern Asia, and eastern US. With the estimated global emission flux, from the literature, our simulations indicate that [DMA] in the model surface layer over major continents is generally in the range of 0.1–2 ppt (parts per trillion) when γ = 0.03 and 0.2–10 ppt when γ = 0, and decreases quickly with altitude. [DMA] over oceans is below 0.05 ppt and over polar regions it is below 0.01 ppt. The simulated [MMA] is about a factor of ~2.5 higher while [TMA] is a factor of ~8 higher than [DMA]. The modeled concentrations of methylamines are substantially lower than the limited observed values available, with normalized mean bias ranging from −57 (γ = 0) to −88% (γ = 0.03) for MMA and TMA, and from −78 (γ = 0) to −93% (γ = 0.03) for DMA.
Radio control of insects for biobotic domestication

In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time radio controlled stimulation of the neuromuscular system of the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta to direct its flight. Silver and gold wire electrodes were implanted in the insect brain and thorax through Early Metamorphosis Insertion Technology, where a reliable mechanical attachment and electrical coupling was obtained with the insect tissue as a result of metamorphic growth. Super-regenerative receiver based architecture was used to receive transmitted signals from a remote controller to stimulate the insect, where the overall circuitry weighed only 650 milligrams and consumed 750 microwatts. Helium balloons were also used to assist the insect to lift an introduced weight. Flight initiation, stopping and controlled yaw were demonstrated on insects with remotely transmitted radio signals.
Stability of Uranium Silicides During High Energy Ion Irradiation

Changes induced by 1.5 MeV Kr ion irradiation of both U3Si and U3Si2 have been followed by in situ transmission electron microcopy. When irradiated at sufficiently low temperatures, both alloys transform from the crystalline to the amorphous state. When irradiated at temperatures above the temperature limit for ion-beam amorphization, both compounds disorder, with the Martensite twin structure in U3Si disappearing from view in TEM. Prolonged irradiation of the disordered crystalline phases results in nucleation of small crystallites within the initially large crystal grains. The new crystallites increase in number during continued irradiation until a fine grain structure is formed. Electron diffraction yields a powder-like diffraction pattern that indicates a random alignment of the small crystallites. During a second irradiation at lower temperatures, the small crystallizes retard amorphization. After 2 dpa at high temperatures, the amorphization dose is increased by over twenty times compared to that of initially unirradiated material.
Perceptions and Performance as Indicators of Universal Design's Claimed Benefits:

This field research project examined the claim that universally designed environments are significantly more usable by all consumers than equivalent non-universally designed environments. To test that claim, the project developed and tested two universal design outcome measures that examined subjective and objective indicators of environments' usability. These measures were then applied in case studies of buildings currently in use that varied in their design features' acknowledgment of the seven Principles of Universal Design.
Rapid Communication Chronic Ingestion of Ethanol Up-Regulates NMDAR1 Receptor Subunit Immunoreactivity in Rat Hippocampus

We examined the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on the levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) protein, an essential component of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors, in rat brain. By immunoblotting procedures using a specific antibody for the NMDAR1 subunit, we found that ethanol dramatically up-regulated (by 65%) NMDAR1 immunoreactivity in the hippocampus but not in the nucleus accumbens, cerebral cortex, or striatum. In contrast, ethanol did not alter the levels of glutamate receptor subunit (GLUR) 1 or GLUR2 protein, subunits that make up the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid glutamate receptor, in the hippocampus. Because ethanol can potentially influence many different neurotransmitter systems, we examined whether chronic treatment with several psychotropic drugs with different pharmacological profiles (cocaine, haloperidol, SCH 23390, imipramine, and morphine) could mimic the effect of ethanol. None of these agents increased hippocampal NMDAR1 subunit immunoreactivity after chronic administration. Increased NMDAR1 subunit levels in the hippocampus after chronic ethanol exposure may represent an important neurochemical substrate for some of the features associated with ethanol dependence and withdrawal.
The tide, not the waves

When the idea to write about the next fifty years of computing first entered my head, I wrote it off as utterly preposterous: what sane scientist purports to be able to see so far into the future? But then I realized that in a way that is precisely what educators do all the time: when designing our courses, we do dare to decide what to teach and what to ignore, and we do this for the benefit of students, many of whom will still be active forty to fifty years from now. Clearly, some vision of the next half century of computing science is operational. To this I should add that it is all right if the crystal ball is too foggy to show much detail. Thirty-five years ago, for instance, I had no inkling of how closely program design and proof design would come together, and in such a detailed sense my life has been full of surprises. At the same time, these surprises were developments I had been waiting for, because I knew that programming had to be made amenable to some sort of mathematical treatment long before I knew what type of mathematics that would turn out to be. In other words, when building sand castles on the beach, we can ignore the waves but should watch the tide.
An analysis of data distribution methods for Gaussian elimination in distributed-memory multicomputers

In multicomputers, an appropriate data distribution is crucial for reducing communication overhead and therefore the overall performance. For this reason, data parallel languages provide programmers with primitives, such as BLOCK and CYCLIC that can be used to distribute data across the distributed memory. However, the languages do not aid the programmer as to how the distribution should be performed to maximize the performance. Therefore, this paper presents an analysis of data distribution methods for overlapping computation and communication in the Gaussian elimination algorithm. The analysis indicates that both BLOCK and CYCLIC distributions have their own merit; however, BLOCK-CYCLIC with its hybrid characteristic consistently out performs its counterparts. >
Reading Stories to Young Children: Effects of Story Structure and Traditional Questioning Strategies on Comprehension

The purpose of the study was to determine if the pre- and postquestioning and discussion portions of the directed reading activity (DRA) could improve comprehension when stories were read to kindergarten children. Questioning and discussion focused on the structure of stories as well as traditional (literal, inferential, and critical) questioning and discussion were investigated. The stories were read to children using the DRA format of pre- and postquestioning and discussion. Story structure treatment groups (N = 73) received structural questions and discussion; traditional treatment groups (N = 64) received traditional comprehension questions and discussion; and the combined treatment groups (N = 57) received a combination of both. The control groups (N = 60) heard stories with no pre- or postquestions or discussion. The results indicated that the use of the DRA when reading stories to children significantly improved comprehension. Traditional and structural treatment groups each significantly improved performance on traditional and structural questions, respectively. Each treatment also had a small positive effect on children's ability to answer the other type of question. The combined treatment group made the greatest gains. When differences occurred between achievement levels within the treatment groups, it was the high and middle achievers whose scores increased. None of the treatments significantly increased performance of the low achievers.
Epidemiology of nosocomial fungal infections.

This paper briefly reviews the current knowledge of the epidemiology and modes of transmission of nosocomial fungal infections and some of the therapeutic options for treating these diseases. In the mid-1980s, many institutions reported that fungi were common pathogens in nosocomial infections. Most, if not all, hospitals care for patients at risk for nosocomial fungal infections. The proportion in all nosocomial infections reportedly caused by Candida spp. increased from 2% in 1980 to 5% in 1986 to 1989. Numerous studies have identified common risk factors for acquiring these infections, most of which are very common among hospitalized patients; some factors act primarily by inducing immunosuppression (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapy, malnutrition, malignancy, and neutropenia), while others primarily provide a route of infection (e.g., extensive burns, indwelling catheter), and some act in combination. Non-albicans Candida spp., including fluconazole-resistant C. krusei and Torulopsis (C.) glabrata, have become more common pathogens. Newer molecular typing techniques can assist in the determination of a common source of infection caused by several fungal pathogens. Continued epidemiologic and laboratory research is needed to better characterize these pathogens and allow for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The bridging of bone defects.

Bone-grafting operations, for defects and non-union of the bones of the extremities, were performed on 105 patients at Deer Lodge Hospital between April 15, 1944, and April 15, 1946. Union has occurred in ninety-three cases. Penicillin was used routinely after every operation, and no graft was lost or failed to unite because of primary wound infection. In eighty-four cases, or 80 per cent., the first graft was successful. The cortical onlay graft was use twenty-nine times for twenty-seven patients, and resulted in union in twenty-three, or 79 per cent, of the cases. The cortical inlay graft was used twenty-seven times for twenty-five patients, and was successful in twenty-two, or 81 per cent. Cancellous bone alone was used to fill gaps, or to promote union in ununited fractures, twenty-three times for twenty-three cases; union occurred in twenty, or 87 per cent. Combined with a metal plate, it was used thirteen times on thirteen patients, with union in nine, or 69 per cent. It was used nine times in incomplete defects of the shaft of the long bones, and fused with the shaft in seven, or 78 per cent. Cancellous bone alone was used to fill infected bone cavities, with discharging sinuses, in twelve cases. Wound healing occurred in nine cases.
Three-dimensional stiffness of the carpal arch

The carpal arch of the wrist is formed by irregularly shaped carpal bones interconnected by numerous ligaments, resulting in complex structural mechanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the three-dimensional stiffness characteristics of the carpal arch using displacement perturbations. It was hypothesized that the carpal arch would exhibit an anisotropic stiffness behavior with principal directions that are oblique to the conventional anatomical axes. Eight (n=8) cadavers were used in this study. For each specimen, the hamate was fixed to a custom stationary apparatus. An instrumented robot arm applied three-dimensional displacement perturbations to the ridge of trapezium and corresponding reaction forces were collected. The displacement-force data were used to determine a three-dimensional stiffness matrix using least squares fitting. Eigendecomposition of the stiffness matrix was used to identify the magnitudes and directions of the principal stiffness components. The carpal arch structure exhibited anisotropic stiffness behaviors with a maximum principal stiffness of 16.4±4.6N/mm that was significantly larger than the other principal components of 3.1±0.9 and 2.6±0.5N/mm (p<0.001). The principal direction of the maximum stiffness was pronated within the cross section of the carpal tunnel which is accounted for by the stiff transverse ligaments that tightly bind distal carpal arch. The minimal principal stiffness is attributed to the less constraining articulation between the trapezium and scaphoid. This study provides advanced characterization of the wrist׳s three-dimensional structural stiffness for improved insight into wrist biomechanics, stability, and function.
Natriuretic peptide-guided therapy for heart failure: ready for "battle" or too "scarred" by the challenges of trial design?

While natriuretic peptide (NP) testing has gained widespread acceptance for the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure (HF), as well as risk stratification across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease, a major unanswered question is whether titration of NP levels can be used to “personalize”
A Design Theory for Vigilant Online Learning Systems

There is now a preponderance of evidence suggesting that the types of online course management software OCMS used in purely online undergraduate college courses, do not meet the needs of younger immature students. These students often lack the learning skills necessary to succeed in such courses, nor do the popular OCMS include the vigilance mechanisms to guide such students to successful course completion in the absence of face-to-face human instruction. This paper explores the literature relevant to design theory, learning theory, decision support, and vigilance, to extend information systems design theory to a design theory of vigilant online learning systems. It is hoped that this research note will help guide software developers and academics studying how to design future online learning systems for the immature student.
Mismatch Repair in Mammalian Cells: Approaches to the in Vitro Study of DNA Mismatch Correction Reactions

Mismatches in duplex DNA can occur as the result of replication infidelity, damage to individual bases in DNA, and the formation of joint molecules in the process of genetic recombination. In one sense, the correction of mismatches can be considered as a subclass of the general repair reactions that exist to restore DNA to its intact duplex state. Several reactions which repair mismatched DNA are known to exist in mammalian cells: the editing by DNA polymerases is a specific reaction to detect and remove terminal mismatches; excision repair of damaged bases is another reaction which detects some types of base mismatches.
Inheritance of Altered Palmitic Acid Percentage in Two Soybean Mutants

Palmitic acid is the major saturated fatty acid in soybean seed oil. Two mutant soybean lines with altered levels of palmitic acid in their oil were crossed and studied in F19, F21, and F31, generations and in the F2, generation of crosses to the cultivar "Century," which was the source of the mutations. Frequency distributions for palmitic acid percentage displayed five peaks among F2, seeds from F1, plants and one, three, or five peaks among F2, seeds from individual F2, plants. Three peaks were observed in the F, generation of crosses between the mutants and "Century." Chisquare analysis of these distributions indicated that aileles from two independent loci segregated for palmitic acid percentage and that the alleles were additive in gene action. We propose gene symbols for the mutant alleles at these loci: fap2 for the allele in C1726 that acts to lower the palmitic acid percentage and fap2 for the allele in C1727 that acts to increase the palmitic acid percentage in soybean seed oil.
Significance of Adult Nutrition and Oviposition Experience on Longevity and Attainment of Full Fecundity of Catolaccus grandis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

The effect of different concentrations of fructose and glucose on the longevity of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, ectoparasitoid Catolaccus grandis (Burks) was tested. Parasitoid females feeding sugar concentrations of 30% had a significantly increased longevity compared with females feeding 50 and 70% sugar solutions. Host-feeding on boll weevil larvae did not significantly increase longevity. In the absence of a carbohydrate source, host-feeding was ineffective maintaining C. grandis alive for >2.5 d. Dissections showed that C. grandis is a synovigenic and autogenous parasitoid, but providing C. grandis females with diets supplemented with amino acids and boll weevil haemolymph did not increase oogenesis. Females with oviposition experience, on the other hand, produced 4 times as many eggs as did inexperienced females regardless of the quality of the adult diet provided. However, adult nutrition was important for egg production after host contact. Catolaccus grandis females experienced in oviposition produced significantly more eggs when a supplemental diet was provided in the absence of host-feeding opportunities. Exposure of the parasitoids to encapsulated weevil larvae for at least 2 d before the field release is recommended.
MRI quantification of human spine cartilage endplate geometry: Comparison with age, degeneration, level, and disc geometry.

Geometry is an important indicator of disc mechanical function and degeneration. While the geometry and associated degenerative changes in the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus are well-defined, the geometry of the cartilage endplate (CEP) and its relationship to disc degeneration are unknown. The objectives of this study were to quantify CEP geometry in three dimensions using an MRI FLASH imaging sequence and evaluate relationships between CEP geometry and age, degeneration, spinal level, and overall disc geometry. To do so, we assessed the MRI-based measurements for accuracy and repeatability. Next, we measured CEP geometry across a larger sample set and correlated CEP geometric parameters to age, disc degeneration, level, and disc geometry. The MRI-based measures resulted in thicknesses (0.3-1 mm) that are comparable to prior measurements of CEP thickness. CEP thickness was greatest at the anterior/posterior (A/P) margins and smallest in the center. The CEP A/P thickness, axial area, and lateral width decreased with age but were not related to disc degeneration. Age-related, but not degeneration-related, changes in geometry suggest that the CEP may not follow the progression of disc degeneration. Ultimately, if the CEP undergoes significant geometric changes with aging and if these can be related to low back pain, a clinically feasible translation of the FLASH MRI-based measurement of CEP geometry presented in this study may prove a useful diagnostic tool. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1410-1417, 2016.
Soft capacitive tactile sensing arrays fabricated via direct filament casting

Advances in soft electronics are enabling the development of mechanical sensors that can conform to curved surfaces or soft objects, allowing them to interface seamlessly with the human body. In this paper, we report on intrinsically deformable tactile sensing arrays that achieve a unique combination of high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and mechanical stretchability. The devices are fabricated via a casting process that yields arrays of microfluidic channels in low modulus polymer membranes with thickness as small as one millimeter. Using liquid metal alloy as a conductor, we apply matrix-addressed capacitive sensing in order to resolve spatially distributed strain with millimeter precision over areas of several square centimeters. Due to the use of low-modulus polymers, the devices readily achieve stretchability greater than 500%, making them well suited for novel applications in wearable tactile sensing for biomedical applications.
Surgical management of renal lesions using in situ hypothermia and ischemia.

AbstractMany renal lesions that were once treated by nephrectomy now lend themselves to surgical correction. The value of in situ hypothermia and ischemia produced by occlusion of the renal artery is detailed. This technique has proved to be a simple, safe and effective surgical approach to the management of most difficult renal lesions.
Nematode parasites, pathogens and associates of insects and invertebrates of economic importance

Nematodes are an ubiquitous group of invertebrates that occupy numerous niches and exist in nearly every available habitat on every continent. They also utilize many trophic strategies and lifestyles. Many species are associated with invertebrates, and these relationships may span from fortuitous to antagonistic. In this chapter we focus on the techniques used for identifying, isolating, propagating, bioassaying, and preserving nematodes that are parasitic in or pathogenic to insects and invertebrates of economic importance. Particular emphasis is placed on entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts, because they are the most widely studied group at this time and have the most relevance in insect pest management. Moreover, this nematode–bacterium complex represents a model system for the study of eukaryote–prokaryote interactions.