cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Use of Heavy Gas for Increased Reynolds Numbers in Transonic Wind Tunnels

The use of a high molecular weight test gas to increase the Reynolds number range of transonic wind tunnels is explored. Modifications to a small transonic wind tunnel are described and the real gas properties of the example heavy gas (sulfur hexafluoride) are discussed. Sulfur hexafluoride is shown to increase the test Reynolds number by a factor of more than 2 over air at the same Mach number. Experimental and computational pressure distributions on an advanced supercritical airfoil configuration at Mach 0.7 in both sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen are presented. Transonic similarity theory is shown to be partially successful in transforming the heavy gas results to equivalent nitrogen (air) results, provided the correct definition of gamma is used.
Antithrombin III treatment improves parameters of acute inflammation in a highly histoincompatible model of rat lung allograft rejection.

Background. Antithrombin III (AT-III) is an antithrombotic agent with known anti-inflammatory properties that is also known to attenuate acute inflammation, prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with sepsis and endotoxemia. Here, we examined the ability of AT-III to modify parameters of acute inflammation in a highly histoincompatible model of rat lung allograft rejection (AR) . Methods. After left single lung transplantations (BN→Lew), recipient animals were treated i.v. with 50 U/kg of human AT-III (low dose group), 500 U/kg of human AT-III (high dose group), or normal saline (control group) on days 2 and 4 posttransplant. All animals were sacrificed on day 6, and several pathological categories of acute inflammation related to AR were scored (0-4). The effect of AT-III on concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated rat spleen cell proliferation was also examined. Results. The stage of AR, and the degrees of edema, hemorrhage, and necrosis were significantly reduced in the high dose group compared with the control group. AT-III significantly inhibited rat spleen cell proliferation in response to Con A, in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition was seen at 15 U/ml in culture. Identical inhibition of Con-A-stimulated cultures occurred in both serum free and serum-containing media, indicating that AT-III inhibition of Con-A-stimulated rat spleen cell proliferation is independent of its actions on thrombin. Conclusions. 1) AT-III treatment significantly improves parameters of acute inflammation seen in a highly histoincompatible model of rat lung AR. 2) AT-III inhibits in vitro T cell proliferation to the potent mitogen Con A, suggesting that protease inhibition may inhibit T cell activation in vitro. 3). The beneficial effects of AT-III on parameters of lung AR relate to the anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, and possibly immunoregulatory actions of AT-III.
Use of low-and high-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry in the identification of an unusual amino acid in a semisynthetic polypeptide

During production of the semisynthetic eicosapeptide Phe-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Asn-Gly-Asp-Phe-Glu-Glu-Ile-Pro-Glu-Glu-Tyr-Leu, two minor impurities were isolated in which Ile-15 had been replaced by other amino acids. The molecular weights of the two peptide minor products were 14 u lower and 14 u higher, respectively, than the major product with the foregoing amino acid sequence. It was determined that the first, lower molecular weight, impurity contained Val instead of Ile at position 15 of the sequence, whereas the second, higher molecular weight, impurity contained an unusual amino acid at the same position. This amino acid, which was characterized from the low-and high-energy collision-induced dissociation product ion tandem mass spectra of the second peptide impurity, is an α-amino acid with an asymmetric side chain branched at the β-carbon.
BURG, IBURG, WBURG, GBURG: so many trees to rewrite, so little time (invited talk)

Tree-rewriting systems represent an excellent rule-based solution for many problems. Code-generator generators that rely on bottom-up tree parsing have automated one of the tasks of producing a retargetable compiler. BURG, IBURG, etc., represent general-purpose bottom-up tree-parsing systems that have been used extensively in compiler development. In this talk, I will give an overview of the algorithms behind these tools and compare their relative strengths. In addition, I will summarize the challenges faced trying to get these tools adopted in production compilers.
Cytophotometric assessment of Feulgen‐DNA and coomassie‐total cell protein in adrenocortical fasciculata cells of noise‐exposed wister rats

The present investigation was undertaken to examine possible noise-induced alterations in adrenal fasciculata cell (AFC) metabolism, and also to determine if the magnitude of these changes differs in male versus female rats. Wistar rats approximately 3 months old were exposed to intense noise for 60 min (100 dB, re 2 x 10(-5) N(m2)-1, 350-20,000 Hz); control rats were housed under identical conditions, at an ambient noise level of 40-60 dB. Adrenal fasciculata cells (AFC) from each animal were examined for noise-induced alterations in Feulgen-DNA reactivity (as an indicator of chromatin template activity) and Coomassie-total cell protein levels using scanning-integrating cytophotometry. The results provide evidence that intense noise elicited a marked AFC metabolic enhancement in both male and female rats; the degree of this enhancement was more pronounced in males. This disparity may be due to pre-existing differences in male versus female AFC enzymatic capability and subsequent responsiveness to noise-induced activation.
Biometric marketing: targeting the online consumer

How biometric technology can bridge the gap between consumers' needs and marketers' perceptions.
Inhaled Nitric Oxide (INO) in Infants with Severe Ventilator Dependent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). • 1462

Inhaled Nitric Oxide (INO) in Infants with Severe Ventilator Dependent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). • 1462
The partial reformulation of a traumatic memory of a dental phobia during trance: A case study

Abstract A dental patient undertook hypnosis for the modification of a dental phobia. While she was in trance, the disturbing memory was replaced by a nontraumatic memory. After 2 sessions, the dental phobia was significantly reduced.
The Importance of a Critical Protonation State and the Fate of the Catalytic Steps in Class A β-Lactamases and Penicillin-binding Proteins

Beta-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins are bacterial enzymes involved in antibiotic resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and biosynthetic assembly of cell wall, respectively. Members of these large families of enzymes all experience acylation by their respective substrates at an active site serine as the first step in their catalytic activities. A Ser-X-X-Lys sequence motif is seen in all these proteins, and crystal structures demonstrate that the side-chain functions of the serine and lysine are in contact with one another. Three independent methods were used in this report to address the question of the protonation state of this important lysine (Lys-73) in the TEM-1 beta-lactamase from Escherichia coli. These techniques included perturbation of the pK(a) of Lys-73 by the study of the gamma-thialysine-73 variant and the attendant kinetic analyses, investigation of the protonation state by titration of specifically labeled proteins by nuclear magnetic resonance, and by computational treatment using the thermodynamic integration method. All three methods indicated that the pK(a) of Lys-73 of this enzyme is attenuated to 8.0-8.5. It is argued herein that the unique ground-state ion pair of Glu-166 and Lys-73 of class A beta-lactamases has actually raised the pK(a) of the active site lysine to 8.0-8.5 from that of the parental penicillin-binding protein. Whereas we cannot rule out that Glu-166 might activate the active site water, which in turn promotes Ser-70 for the acylation event, such as proposed earlier, we would like to propose as a plausible alternative for the acylation step the possibility that the ion pair would reconfigure to the protonated Glu-166 and unprotonated Lys-73. As such, unprotonated Lys-73 could promote serine for acylation, a process that should be shared among all active-site serine beta-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins.
Is there a simpler and more equitable way of using HLA data to allocate deceased donor kidneys

Is there a simpler and more equitable way of using HLA data to allocate deceased donor kidneys?
Synthesis of bisaminoacylated pdCpAs and tandemly activated transfer RNAs.

Described herein is the preparation of new bisacylated tRNAs and their participation in protein synthesis. It has been reported that Thermus thermophilus phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase can introduce two phenylalanine moieties onto the 3′-terminal adenosine of its cognate tRNA. It is also possible to prepare bisactivated tRNAs in vitro; these participate in protein synthesis [Wang, B.; Zhou, J.; Lodder, M.; Anderson, R. D.; Hecht, S. M. J. Biol. Chem.2006, 281, 13865]. Presently, the chemical strategy used for the synthesis of the key intermediate bisacylated pdCpAs is described. Bis-S-alanyl- and bis-S-methionyl-pdCpAs were prepared initially. Further, S-threonine, S-allo-threonine, S-homoserine, and (S)-(+)-2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid were coupled with the dinucleotide to define preparative methods applicable to more complex amino acids bearing additional functionality in the form of an OH group.
Photopolymerization of Thiol-Alkynes: Polysulfide Networks

A series of photoinitiated reactions involving radical chain addition of dithiols across the triple bonds of dialkynes results in quantitative loss of all of the thiol and alkyne groups in 1:1 molar functional group neat mixtures. The reactions proceed rapidly to give uniform networks with relatively narrow differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) glass transition ranges. The glass transitions of the network films are directly related to the network structure and range from below 0 °C to about 40 °C as determined by DMA. The thiol-alkyne based hydrocarbon networks with sulfide linking groups have refractive index values which extend as high as 1.66. There is a linear relationship between the density and the refractive index, both of which increase linearly with weight percent sulfur.
When Persuasion Goes Undetected: The Case of Comparative Advertising:

Why does the weight of current empirical evidence indicate little difference in the persuasiveness of comparative and noncomparative advertising? One explanation explored in this research is that t...
Recovering the Lost: Remeasuring U.S. Religious Affiliation

Over the past several decades, survey research has found a growing percentage of Americans claiming no religious affiliation. In this article, we introduce a modified religious traditions (RELTRAD) typology to measure religious affiliation. The approach benefits from a more detailed data collection and coding scheme of religious tradition based upon religious family, denomination, and congregation. Using new national survey data from the Baylor Religion Survey, we find: (1) improvement to survey design and measurement makes it possible to accurately locate more Americans within established religious traditions; (2) Americans remain connected to congregations, but less so to denominations or more generic religious identity labels; and (3) religious adherents are considerably more evangelical than prior studies have found. Finally, we consider how affiliation as a form of religious belonging relates to religious beliefs and behaviors.
New Ways To Teach Neuroscience: Integrating Two Teaching Styles with Two Instructional Technologies.

This report describes an experiment in teaching neuroscience that integrates two teaching styles and two educational technologies: (1) Two-way digitally compressed televideo, used for lecture/discussion simultaneously with on-site and remote students; (2) Asynchronous computer conferencing, used to complement the class periods with student interactions and teacher feedback; (3) Team (collaborative) learning, conducted in the conferencing environment; (4) Assignment activities, both for individuals and learning teams. Each week, each student in a learning team submitted in the on-line conference two insightful questions (Q), based on the lecture and readings. The student then tried to provide a good answer (A) for each question. Then, each group member critiqued and ranked the Q&As from each other member of the group, with the aim of identifying a candidate 'Best Q&A of the Week', which the group members subsequently refined and submitted for a group grade. Students gave high ratings to the course in gener...
The influence of spectral quality on the internodal response of intact bean plants to brassins

The response of pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants to single application of brassins (10 μg) in the second-internode assay was determined under equal levels (90 μE m−2 s−1) of photosynthetically active radiation in a controlled environment provided by cool-white fluorescent (CWF) lamps, incandescent (INC) lamps, or a combination of the two sources. Treatment of the second internode with brassins produced a characteristic swelling of the treated internode irrespective of the spectral source used. However, the increase in radial growth of the upper portion of brassin-treated internodes from plants grown under INC lamps was more than 50% greater than those of plants grown under CWF lamps for 7 days. Spectral quality also had a marked effect on the rate and extent of internode elongation. Brassin-treated internodes of plants grown for 7 days under CWF lamps were more than twice as long as those of control plants, whereas those from INC or CWF + INC grown plants were significantly shorter than those of control plants. The effect of brassins was largely confined to the treated internode.
WE-G-BRD-08: End-To-End Targeting Accuracy of the Gamma Knife for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Purpose: Current QA procedures verify accuracy of individual equipment parameters, but may not include CT and MRI localizers. This study uses an end-to-end approach to measure the overall targeting errors in individual patients previously treated for trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: The trigeminal nerve is simulated by a 3 mm long, 3.175 mm (1/8 inch) diameter MRI contrast-filled cavity embedded within a PMMA plastic capsule. The capsule is positioned within the head frame such that the cavity position matches the Gamma Knife coordinates of 10 previously treated patients. Gafchromic EBT2 film is placed at the center of the cavity in coronal and sagittal orientations. The films are marked with a pin prick to identify the cavity center. Treatments are planned for delivery with 4 mm collimators using MRI and CT scans acquired with the clinical localizer boxes and acquisition protocols. Coordinates of shots are chosen so that the cavity is centered within the 50% isodose volume. Following irradiation, the films are scanned and analyzed. Targeting errors are defined as the distance between the pin prick and the centroid of the 50% isodose line. Results: Averaged over 10 patient simulations, targeting errors along the x, y and z coordinates (patient left-to-right, posterior-anterior, head-to-foot)more » were, respectively, −0.060 +/− 0.363, −0.350 +/− 0.253, and 0.364 +/− 0.191 mm when MRI was used for treatment planning. Planning according to CT exhibited generally smaller errors, namely 0.109 +/− 0.167, −0.191 +/− 0.144, and 0.211 +/− 0.94 mm. The largest errors in MRI and CT planned treatments were, respectively, y = −0.761 and x = 0.428 mm. Conclusion: Unless patient motion or stronger MRI image distortion in actual treatments caused additional errors, all patients received the prescribed dose, i.e., the targeted section of the trig±eminal nerve was contained within the 50% isodose surface in all cases.« less
Anisotropy beneath California: shear wave splitting measurements using a dense broadband array

We have determined the shear wave splitting parameters for a dense network of broad-band stations in the western United States using high-quality SKS and SKKS waveforms, with particularly high spatial resolution in the southern California region covered by the TriNet seismic network. The alignment of most fast polarization directions can be explained by plate-tectonic, extensional and compressional events. We find that the overall pattern of fast directions agrees well with the Pn anisotropy model by Hearn that images the uppermost mantle. Furthermore, the measured fast directions are generally orthogonal to the maximum horizontal compressive stress directions as determined from shallow crustal stress indicators (World Stress Map). This suggests that the pattern of anisotropy in the western US is predominantly uniform throughout the crust and upper mantle and that a 100–150 km thick layer (as estimated from the SKS delay time, assuming 4 per cent anisotropy) of anisotropic material has experienced coherent strain conditions and has undergone a similar deformation history. A more detailed investigation reveals small-scale lateral variations in anisotropy that are manifested by minor differences in splitting parameters between closely located stations as well as between SKS and SKKS for the same station-event pairs. We also identify a contrast in splitting parameters between central (the greater Bay area) and southern California. In central California, our measurements show evidence for variation of splitting parameters with backazimuth, while in southern California the pattern of measurements can be fit adequately with a single-layer anisotropy model. This contrast dominates any consistent effect of the San Andreas Fault (SAF). We can fit the variation of splitting parameters as a function of polarization azimuth for some stations in the vicinity of the SAF better with a two-layer anisotropy model than a single layer model, with one thin layer having a fast direction parallel to the SAF. However, many alternative models, which could incorporate dipping axes of anisotropy, lateral variation of anisotropy or a more continuous variation of fast direction with depth, would be able to produce a similar fit.
Amiodarone in the treatment of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia: Role of Holter monitoring in predicting long-term clinical efficacy

Forty-two patients with refractory, recurrent life-threatening ventricular tachycardia and spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (≥ beats, heart rate >100 beats/min) on baseline 24 hour Hotter recording were treated with amiodarone. After 1 week of amiodarone therapy and during the follow-up period (22 ± 11 months, mean ± SD), patients had serial 24 hour Holter recordings (10.6 ± 3.8 per patient). Twenty-four hour, 48 hour or 72 hour Hotter monitoring was performed during the second week of therapy. Ventricular tachycardia was suppressed on all follow-up serial Hotter recordings in 17 patients (40%). Ventricular tachycardia was suppressed in 34 (81%) of 42 patients with 24 hour Hotter recordings, 21 (72%) of 29 patients with 48 hour recordings and 20 (69%) of 29 patients with 72 hour recordings during the second week of therapy. At follow-up 24 patients (57%) were free of clinical arrhythmic events (sustained ventricular tachycardia or sudden death). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and predictive accuracy of ventricular tachycardia on 24, 48 and 72 hour Hotter recordings during the second week of therapy for predicting subsequent events were analyzed. The positive and negative predictive values were 100 and 71 % for 24 hour Holter recordings, 88 and 71% for 48 hour recordings and 89 and 75% for 72 hour recordings. Overall predictive accuracy was 76, 76 and 79%, respectively. Although specificity decreased slightly from 100% on 24 hour Hotter recordings to 94% on 48 or 72 hour recordings, sensitivity increased from 44% on 24 hour recordings to 62% on 72 hour recordings. It appears that Hotter monitoring during the second week of amiodarone therapy can be used to help identify patients at low risk or continued high risk for clinical arrhythmic events.
Wave refraction in negative-index media: always positive and very inhomogeneous.

We present the first treatment of the refraction of physical electromagnetic waves in newly developed negative index media (NIM), also known as left-handed media (LHM). The NIM dispersion relation implies that group fronts refract positively even when phase fronts refract negatively. This difference results in rapidly dispersing, very inhomogeneous waves. In fact, causality and finite signal speed always prevent negative wave signal (not phase) refraction. Earlier interpretations of phase refraction as ``negative light refraction'' and ``light focusing by plane slabs'' are therefore incorrect, and published NIM experiments can be explained without invoking negative signal refraction.
Court Curbing via Attempt to Amend the Constitution: An Update of Congressional Attacks on the Supreme Court from 1955-1984

This study investigates the validity of the common practice of differentiating between “high” and “low frequency” periods of congressional attacks on the Supreme Court. In-depth examination of the Congressional Record from 1955–1984 reveals 1,497 previously uncounted constitutional amendment attacks. Rather than starting and stopping, the never-ending court curbing efforts of this era evolved in four phases, differentiated by shifts in an unexamined dimension—leadership of attacks. This suggests that modern attacks may be a way for partisan and regional coalition managers to “signal” others (including those outside the Court) in efforts to maintain, build, or assert their party's dominance. Court curbing may therefore play a greater role than realized in party system development, making congressional attacks an overlooked “mechanism” through which coalitional change may be both opposed and wrought.
Review: Bonk by Mary Roach

In a fun new book about sex research, the author gets down and dirty in the name of science
M2@C79N (M = Y, Tb): isolation and characterization of stable endohedral metallofullerenes exhibiting M-M bonding interactions inside aza[80]fullerene cages.

Y2@C79N and Tb2@C79N have been prepared by conducting the Kratschmer−Huffman electric-arc process under 20 Torr of N2 and 280 Torr of He with metal oxide-doped graphite rods. These new heterofullerenes were separated from the resulting mixture of empty cage fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes by chemical separation and a two-stage chromatographic process. Crystallographic data for Tb2@C79N·Ni(OEP)·2C6H6 demonstrate the presence of an 80-atom cage with idealized Ih symmetry and two, widely separated Tb atoms inside with a Tb−Tb separation of 3.9020(10) A for the major terbium sites. The EPR spectrum of the odd-electron Y2@C79N indicates that the spin density largely resides on the two equivalent yttrium ions. Computational studies on Y2@C79N suggest that the nitrogen atom resides at a 665 ring junction in the equator on the fullerene cage and that the unpaired electron is localized in a bonding orbital between the two yttrium ions of this stable radical. Thus, the Tb−Tb bond length of the single-electron ...
Coastal-trapped waves with finite bottom friction

Abstract Coastal-trapped waves with finite-amplitude bottom friction are explored. “Finite-amplitude” in this context means that the bottom stresses are large enough to change the wave modal structure. The importance of bottom friction is measured by the nondimensional number r /( ωh ) , where r is a bottom resistance coefficient, ω the wave frequency and h the water depth. Increasing bottom drag causes free wave modes to adjust by having their amplitude maxima for alongshore current translate offshore to the point that, with relatively large bottom stress, the alongshore current variance is trapped entirely on the slope, even though pressure variations remain substantial right up to the coast. In conjunction with these adjustments, wave frequency, hence propagation speed, varies and the wave damping is usually less than would be expected based on a weak-friction perturbation calculation. Stronger density stratification increases wave damping, all else being the same. A mean alongshore flow can strongly affect modal structure and wave damping, although general trends are difficult to discern. Results suggest that bottom friction may cause an observed tendency for lower frequency alongshore current fluctuations to become relatively more important with distance offshore.
CASHEW NUT UNSAPONIFIABLE MATTER

Unsaponifiable matter (UNS) of lipids from cashew nuts either roasted, unroasted or unroasted in shell was fractionated on a Florisil column. Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of the hydrocarbons showed that squalene was the major component of the 21 peaks detected. There were three homologous hydrocarbon series: normal, iso and/or anteiso and branched chain. GLC of the alcohol fraction silyl derivatives indicated the presence of three homologous series: normal, iso and/or anteiso and multiple branched chain alcohols. Beta and/or gamma tocopherol was found to be the major tocopherol. This component decreased during nut shell removal and roasting. Cycloartenol, amyrin (alpha-beta) and 24-methylene cycloartanol were the triterpenoids identified. GLC of the sterol fraction silyl derivatives showed beta-sitosterol to be the major sterol followed by campesterol.
Deep Earthquakes Beneath Mount St. Helens: Evidence for Magmatic Gas Transport?

Small-magnitude earthquakes began beneath Mount St. Helens 40 days before the eruption of 20 March 1982. Unlike earlier preeruption seismicity for this volcano, which had been limited to shallow events (less than 3 kilometers), many of these earthquakes were deep (between 5 and 11 kilometers). The location of these preeruptive events at such depth indicates that a larger volume of the volcanic system was affected prior to the 20 March eruption than prior to any of the earlier dome-building eruptions. The depth-time relation between the deep earthquakes and the explosive onset of the eruption is compatible with the upward migration of magmatic gas released from a separate deep reservoir.
Structures of some substituted nitrophenols determined by ab initio computation on the origin of heterocliticity in anti-nitrophenol antibodies

Abstract Nitrophenol and its derivatives are widely used in analytical chemistry and also as haptens in immunology. In C57BL/6 mice the iodo derivative binds the antibody to nitrophenol over ten times more efficiently than the eliciting hapten nitrophenol. The latter result is unusual since it is expected that the eliciting hapten should bind its antibody best and all other haptens bind less well. Our X-ray crystallographic and molecular modelling studies showed that in the structures of the antibody in complex with nitrophenol and iodonitrophenol the haptens bind in a cavity making van der Waals and hydrogen bonding contacts with the antibody. The iodine in the iodonitrophenol-antibody complex points away from the binding site and does not provide additional contacts with the protein. In order to understand how the iodine substitution in the nitrophenyl ring contributes to the binding of the hapten to the antibody we have carried out ab initio molecular orbital studies on nitrophenol, iodonitrophenol and their corresponding anions. We have approached this problem by analyzing the electron distribution, bond and molecular energies. The wavefunction was determined at the Hartree-Fock level using the basis set 3-21G(d,p). Optimized equilibrium geometries were characterized by harmonic vibrational analysis. Atomic charges were obtained from Mulliken's population analysis and by the direct integration of molecular electron densities using Bader's “Atoms In Molecules”. We find that the substitution with iodine changes the charge distribution in the nitrophenyl ring, thus enhancing the electrostatic interaction of the ring with the antibody heavy chain Lysine 59 and Arginine 50. This explains how the iodine increases the binding affinity without directly interacting with the protein.
On the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products

Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites found in foods and feeds. When ruminants eat AFB(1)-feedstuffs, they metabolise the toxin and excrete AFM(1) in milk. To control AFM(1) in foods it is necessary to reduce AFB(1) contamination of feeds for dairy cattle by preventing fungal growth and AFB(1) formation in agricultural commodities intended for animal use. Corn and corn-based products are one of the most contaminated feedstuffs; therefore risk factor analysis of AFB(1) contamination in corn is necessary to evaluate risk of AFM(1) contamination in milk and milk products. During the corn silage production, the aflatoxins production is mostly influenced by: harvest time; fertilization; irrigation; pest control; silage moisture; and storage practices. Due to the lower moisture at harvest and to the conservation methods, the corn grain is mostly exposed to the contamination by Aspergillus species. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the probability of this contaminant through choice of: hybrids; seeding time and density; suitable ploughing and fertirrigation; and chemical or biological control. Grains harvested with the lowest possible moisture and conservation moisture close to or less than 14% are necessary to reduce contamination risks, as is maintaining mass to homogeneous moisture. Kernel mechanical damage, grain cleaning practices and conservation temperature are also factors which need to be carefully controlled.
The effect of maternal exposure to flaxseed on spermatogenesis in F1 generation rats

Abstract Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to a flaxseed (20 or 40%), flaxmeal (13 or 26%) or standard NIH AIN-93 (0% flaxseed control) diet throughout gestation and until their offspring were weaned. After weaning, F1 generation males were placed in the same diet treatment groups as their mothers for 70 days. Statistically significant differences were not observed between either low-dose or high-dose flaxseed and flaxmeal-treated animals and the 0% flaxseed control animals for testis weights, homogenization resistant spermatid counts, daily sperm production rates, epididymal weights, seminal vesicle weights, seminiferous tubule fluid testosterone concentrations and the percentage of sperm abnormalities. The following statistically significant differences were observed when treated groups and the 0% flaxseed control groups were compared: (1) increases in serum LH in the 20% and 40% flaxseed treatment groups and in serum LH and testosterone in the 26% flaxmeal treatment group; (2) increases in the cauda epididymal weight from the 20% and 40% flaxseed groups; (3) increases in cauda epididymal sperm numbers/g epididymis from the 20% and 40% flaxseed and the 13% and 26% flaxmeal treatment groups; (4) a decrease in prostatic weight from the 20% flaxseed and 13% and 26% flaxmeal treatment groups. Prostate weight in the 40% flaxseed treatment group was lower but not statistically significantly different than the 0% flaxseed control group. Histological effects on spermatogenesis were not observed in either the control group, flaxmeal or the flaxseed treated groups.
On the materials basis of modern society

It is indisputable that modern life is enabled by the use of materials in its technologies. Those technologies do many things very well, largely because each material is used for purposes to which it is exquisitely fitted. The result over time has been a steady increase in product performance. We show that this materials complexity has markedly increased in the past half-century and that elemental life cycle analyses characterize rates of recycling and loss. A further concern is that of possible scarcity of some of the elements as their use increases. Should materials availability constraints occur, the use of substitute materials comes to mind. We studied substitution potential by generating a comprehensive summary of potential substitutes for 62 different metals in all their major uses and of the performance of the substitutes in those applications. As we show herein, for a dozen different metals, the potential substitutes for their major uses are either inadequate or appear not to exist at all. Further, for not 1 of the 62 metals are exemplary substitutes available for all major uses. This situation largely decouples materials substitution from price, thereby forcing material design changes to be primarily transformative rather than incremental. As wealth and population increase worldwide in the next few decades, scientists will be increasingly challenged to maintain and improve product utility by designing new and better materials, but doing so under potential constraints in resource availability.
Nickel(II) molybdate (NiMoO4) as methanation catalysts

Abstract Three NiMoO 4 catalysts, on Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 Al 2 O 3 supports, were evaluated for use as methanation catalysts using the DTA technique. All three catalysts were effective for the methanation reaction, although they rapidly developed carbon deposits at the H 2 :CO ratios and flow-rates employed.
The Full Circling Process: Leaping Into the Ethics of History Using Critical Visual Literacy and Arts‐Based Activism

In a time when adolescents are continually inundated by provocative multimedia campaigns that coax them to buy more, think less, and do so in a passive environment that provides little to no opportunities for them to reflect on who they are in the world, the author of this article offers one way to engage adolescents and their teachers with a process she calls full circling. Working with a variety of urban adolescents, university interns, and middle school teachers in urban settings, the author describes her four-part process of connecting critical visual media—historically authentic photographs, paintings, drawings, and other visual documents—with more traditional fiction and non-fiction texts, as she incorporates inquiry, reading, writing, educational drama, and “arts-based activism.” The author explores a variety of ways to change current classroom paradigms as she reframes and repositions student learning using the tenets of her process.
Computing the Karhunen―Loève dimension of an extensively chaotic flow field given a finite amount of data

Abstract The use of Karhunen–Loeve decomposition (KLD) to explore the complex fluid flows that are common in engineering applications is increasing and has yielded new physical insights. However, for most engineering systems the dimension of the dynamics is expected to be very large yet the flow field data is available only for a finite time. In this context, it is important to establish the amount of data required to compute the asymptotic value of the Karhunen–Loeve dimension given a finite amount of data. Using direct numerical simulations of Rayleigh–Benard convection in a finite cylindrical geometry we compute the asymptotic value of the Karhunen–Loeve dimension. The amount of time required for the Karhunen–Loeve dimension to reach a steady value is very slow in comparison with the time scale of the convection rolls. We show that the asymptotic value of the Karhunen–Loeve dimension can be determined using much less data if one uses the azimuthal symmetry of the governing equations prior to performing a KLD. The Karhunen–Loeve dimension is found to be extensive as the system size is increased and for a dimension measurement that captures 90% of the variance in the data the Karhunen–Loeve dimension is approximately 20 times larger than the Lyapunov dimension.
Temperature effects on torque production and efficiency of PM motors using NdFeB magnets

Recent developments in high energy magnets have created widespread interest in the area of permanent magnet (PM) motors. The use of PM synchronous motors or brushless motors to replace conventional DC or induction type motors has not been as speedy as anticipated earlier. This paper deals with the temperature effects of PM motors using neodymium magnets on the torque production capability and on the efficiency of the motor. When PM motors are designed to operate in a wide temperature range, the reversible demagnetization of the neodymium magnets with temperature and the increase in winding resistance with temperature influence the maximum torque capability at rated speed and efficiency of the PM motor. The maximum torque at rated speed is limited due to the fixed DC link voltage of the inverter feeding the motor. In this paper, it is shown that over an operating range of -40/spl deg/C to 150/spl deg/C the maximum torque capability and efficiency of the motor can vary over a wide range. It is also shown that for certain designs, a near flat maximum torque versus temperature characteristic may be obtained. The major factors influencing these variations are identified. The discussion in this paper is concentrated on PM motors with a trapezoidal back EMF waveform. The idea could be extended to sinusoidal back EMF motors and to PM DC motors. >
Magnetic resonance imaging study of glenohumeral relationships between genders

Background During glenohumeral arthroplasty, not only should the dimensions of the prosthesis match the normal anatomy but also the relationship of the humeral head-greater tuberosity and humeral head inclination should be replicated to avoid muscular dysfunction. To date there is no evidence whether fit could be optimized with gender-specific prostheses. Materials and methods Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography imaging was used to evaluate 81 proximal humeral scans for 5 different anatomic parameters. The study group included 41 men and 40 women, aged 20 to 62 years. Anatomic parameters, including the humeral head height, humeral head width, humeral head-greater tuberosity distance, humeral head inclination, and glenoid version were measured using Horizon Rad Station 11.0 to evaluate the MR imaging. Results The humeral head height, width, and distance to the greater tuberosity were significantly different in size between genders. However, none of the anatomic relationships were different. The humeral head–greater tuberosity distance significantly correlated with the humeral head inclination in both men (r = 0.338; P < .05) and women (r = 0.448; P < .005). Conclusion We conclude that there are no significant differences in glenohumeral relationships between genders.
Fine structure recombinational analysis of cloned genes using yeast transformation

We describe a general method for analyzing the genetic fine structure of plasmid-borne genes in yeast. Previously we had reported that a linearized plasmid is efficiently rescued by recombination with a homologous restriction fragment when these are co-introduced by DNA-mediated transformation of yeast. Here, we show that a mutation can be localized to a small DNA interval when members of a deletion series of wild-type restriction fragments are used in the rescue of a linearized mutant plasmid. The resolution of this method is to at least 30 base pairs and is limited by the loss of a wild-type marker with proximity to a free DNA end. As a means for establishing the nonidentity of two mutations, we determined the resolution of two-point crosses with a mutant linearized plasmid and a mutant homologous restriction fragment. Recombination between mutations separated by as little as 100 base pairs was detected. Moreover, the results indicate that exchange within a marked interval results primarily from one of two single crossovers that repair the linearized plasmid. These approaches to mapping the genetic fine structure of plasmids should join existing methods in a robust approach to the mutational analysis of gene structure in yeast.
Proton MR spectroscopy correlates of frontal lobe function in healthy children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuroimaging methods have been used to improve our understanding of the topographic organization of the brain. In our study, proton 1H-MR spectroscopic imaging was used to evaluate frontal lobe function. The goal was to determine the relationship between neuropsychological measures of frontal lobe function and levels of a surrogate neuronal marker, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), in typically developing healthy children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one healthy children (25 girls; 6.2–18.3 years of age; mean age, 12.3 ± 3.6 years) were examined. All children completed a neuropsychological assessment including measures of attention, executive function, memory, language, and visual and motor skills. 1H-MR spectroscopic imaging was performed by using a multisection spin-echo sequence at 1.5T. General linear model analysis of covariance was used to examine the relationship between the neuropsychological test scores and NAA/creatine (Cr) ratios, controlling for age and sex. RESULTS: A positive relationship between frontal lobe white matter NAA/Cr ratio and performance on 2 neuropsychological tests associated with frontal lobe function was detected. The Purdue Pegboard right-hand scores were higher with increasing NAA/Cr in the left frontal white matter (P = .047), and Stanford-Binet-IV “Bead Memory” scores improved with increasing NAA/Cr ratio in the right frontal white matter (P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: An association between frontal white matter NAA/Cr ratios and 1) measures of manual speed and dexterity, and 2) visual working memory was detected. Our data may provide a quantitative basis for assessment of frontal lobe impairments in disease states.
Understanding the implementation of evidence-based care: A structural network approach

Recent study of complex networks has yielded many new insights into phenomenon such as social networks, the internet, and sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the properties of a network created by the 'co-care' of patients within one region of the Veterans Health Affairs. Data were obtained for all outpatient visits from 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2008 within one large Veterans Integrated Service Network. Types of physician within each clinic were nodes connected by shared patients, with a weighted link representing the number of shared patients between each connected pair. Network metrics calculated included edge weights, node degree, node strength, node coreness, and node betweenness. Log-log plots were used to examine the distribution of these metrics. Sizes of k-core networks were also computed under multiple conditions of node removal. There were 4,310,465 encounters by 266,710 shared patients between 722 provider types (nodes) across 41 stations or clinics resulting in 34,390 edges. The number of other nodes to which primary care provider nodes have a connection (172.7) is 42% greater than that of general surgeons and two and one-half times as high as cardiology. The log-log plot of the edge weight distribution appears to be linear in nature, revealing a 'scale-free' characteristic of the network, while the distributions of node degree and node strength are less so. The analysis of the k-core network sizes under increasing removal of primary care nodes shows that about 10 most connected primary care nodes play a critical role in keeping the k-core networks connected, because their removal disintegrates the highest k-core network. Delivery of healthcare in a large healthcare system such as that of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be represented as a complex network. This network consists of highly connected provider nodes that serve as 'hubs' within the network, and demonstrates some 'scale-free' properties. By using currently available tools to explore its topology, we can explore how the underlying connectivity of such a system affects the behavior of providers, and perhaps leverage that understanding to improve quality and outcomes of care.
Two-dimensional continuum map of filamentous random networks

Randomly cross-linked fiber networks are the building blocks of many biological systems such as cytoskeleton and tissue scaffolds. Here, we study the elastic properties of these networks at various length scales by mapping their elasticity into heterogeneous two-dimensional continuum media. The inhomogeneous elastic properties of the continuum domain are obtained from a minimization technique. It is shown that elastic modulus of filamentous networks, similar to the gradients of their deformation field, is long-range correlated and follows a power law scaling over the range of scale with upper and lower bounds proportional to the mean fiber segment length and entire fiber length., respectively.
Intelligent transportation systems: integrating information technology and the surface transportation system

Transportation of people and goods, enhanced by the processing and transmission of information, has a critical affect on our living standards and our quality of life. In the United States in 1992, transportation services accounted for 17% of the total gross domestic product, 12% of personal consumption expenditure, 10% of total employment, 13% of all capital outlays, and 75% of rubber consumption. Several forces are now affecting how the surface transportation system supports the movement of people and goods. These include increasing congestion, the increasing cost of adding lane miles to the existing road system, the reduction in the use of public transit, the need to support best practices in manufacturing such as just-in-time pickup and delivery, and the application of new information technologies. The intent of this plenary is to present an overview of Intelligent Transportation Systems, its promise, and how it is contributing to the efficiency of the surface transportation system. Particular attention will be focused on the trucking service industry due to the enormous role that this industry plays in the movement of freight and hence in the US economy.
Test-retest assessment of cortical activation induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with brain atlas-guided optical topography

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a technology that stimulates neurons with rapidly changing magnetic pulses with demonstrated therapeutic applications for various neuropsychiatric disorders. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a suitable tool to assess rTMS-evoked brain responses without interference from the magnetic or electric fields generated by the TMS coil. We have previously reported a channel-wise study of combined rTMS/fNIRS on the motor and prefrontal cortices, showing a robust decrease of oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (Δ[HbO2]) at the sites of 1-Hz rTMS and the contralateral brain regions. However, the reliability of this putative clinical tool is unknown. In this study, we develop a rapid optical topography approach to spatially characterize the rTMS-evoked hemodynamic responses on a standard brain atlas. A hemispherical approximation of the brain is employed to convert the three-dimensional topography on the complex brain surface to a two-dimensional topography in the spherical coordinate system. The test-retest reliability of the combined rTMS/fNIRS is assessed using repeated measurements performed two to three days apart. The results demonstrate that the Δ[HbO2] amplitudes have moderate-to-high reliability at the group level; and the spatial patterns of the topographic images have high reproducibility in size and a moderate degree of overlap at the individual level.
Binding of N-Substituted Anthracenecarboxamides to Double-Stranded DNA: An Electronic Spectral Study

Abstract The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of two isomeric anthracenecarboxamides substituted with quaternary alkyl-ammonium groups were studied as a function of solvent polarity, solvent rigidity, and state of protonation. These relatively simple environmental perturbations of the electronic spectra were employed to interpret spectral shifts caused by complexation with the bases or base pairs of DNA. The exocyclic side chains of the compounds studied have some freedom of movement when the spectroscopic probes are bound to double-stranded DNA.