cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducible phase transformation in a single Pu–1.9 at.% Ga specimen

Abstract The partial martensitic δ → α ′ transformation in Pu–Ga alloys is sensitive to lattice strains, defects, and dislocations as well as a near–ambient–temperature conditioning treatment. Because the δ → α ′ transformation and reversion inherently induce strains, plastic deformation, and defects, remnants of a previous transformation of a Pu–1.9 at.% Ga alloy can inhibit the phase transformation upon subsequent cooling. On the other hand, a conditioning treatment with isothermal holds as short as 6 h at room temperature can dramatically increase the volumetric amount of transformation. These two factors can prohibit systematic study of the δ → α ′ transformation unless experiments can be performed on multiple identical samples or a single sample can be treated such that these effects are eliminated. The latter approach requires an understanding of the conditions necessary to remove the effects of previous transformation as well as conditioning as they relate to the inhibition or promotion of the δ → α ′ transformation. Herein, we identify and report a thermal procedure, specifically an anneal at 375 °C for 30 min or more, sufficient to remove the effects of conditioning and previous transformation in order to reliably return a sample to an initial state, from which reproducible amounts of δ → α ′ transformation can be achieved with consecutive cycling.
Exploring the Influence of Economic Conditions on Collective Turnover in the Federal Government

This study is a preliminary research to explore how changes in economic conditions impact turnover intention in the U.S. federal bureaucracy during the period from 2006 to 2011. With the main predi...
Broadcast Messaging: Messaging to the Masses: This powerful form of communication has social implications as well as technical challenges.

We have instantaneous access to petabytes of stored data through Web searches. With respect to messaging, we have an unprecedented number of communication tools that provide both synchronous and asynchronous access to people. E-mail, message boards, newsgroups, IRC (Internet relay chat), and IM (instant messaging) are just a few examples. These tools are all particularly significant because they have become essential productivity entitlements. They have caused a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. Many readers can attest to feeling disconnected when a mail server goes down or when access to IM is unavailable. For some of us, network outages are now as inconvenient as a blackout.
Control issues for rigid-in-plane helicopter rotors

This article addresses an adverse control effect that arises in helicopter rotors when the following conditions occur: each blade is attached to the shaft through a single flapping hinge, there is no offset of the flapping hinges, the blades are constrained from leading or lagging, and the shaft maintains a strictly constant rate of rotation. When the rotor disk is tilted from the shaft, a bending moment is induced in the shaft that tends to further misalign the shaft and body from the rotor. The effect, which can amount to a control reversal, also applies to teetering rotors. The effect is derived analytically and corroborated by computer simulation. Two-blade rotors relieve the adverse effect by a two-per-rev fluctuation in the rate of rotation. The lesson for flight simulation is that a variable rate of rotation that responds to engine and rotor torque must be allowed in modeling rotor blade dynamics. In multiblade rotors the adverse effect cannot be relieved without lead/lag hinges. It can be overcome by offset flapping hinges.
Intrathecal serotonin in mice: analgesia and inhibition of a spinal action of substance P.

Abstract Serotonin, administered intrathecally in mice, produced dose-related analgesia in the tail flick test and the subcutaneous hypertonic saline assay. Low doses (2.5–5 ng) of serotonin blocked the biting and scratching response elicited by intrathecal substance P. However, higher doses of serotonin itself elicited a behavioral syndrome characterized by scratching of the torso with the hindlimbs. Both the analgesic response and the scratching response due to serotonin were blocked by specific serotonin antagonists and the analgesia is likely mediated by a postsynaptic action on dorsal horn nociceptive neurons.
Young children's practical reasoning about imagination

In two studies we investigate children's reasoning about the relation between imagination and physical reality. Specifically, we probe young children's understanding that physical objects are not created by the process of imagining. Children aged 3 to 5 years were instructed to imagine objects inside boxes. Children first made verbal judgements about the existence of the imagined objects, and then participated in a behavioural measure. The behavioural measure involved a request from another person for an object of the same type as the one the child had imagined, and children responded by handing this person any of the boxes they believed to contain the requested object. Children's verbal responses indicated some degree of belief in the reality of imagined contents. However, in response to a request for the object, most children did not give the person the box in which they had imagined the object. The presence or absence of a real counterpart to the imagined object seemed to affect this tendency. Results are interpreted in terms of how children's perception of a situation can affect their judgements about imagination.
SEX-RATIO MEIOTIC DRIVE AND INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION

It has long been known that processes occurring within a species may impact the interactions between species. For example, as competitive ability is sensitive to parameters including reproductive rate, carrying capacity and competition efficiency, the outcome of interspecific competition may be influenced by any process that alters these attributes. Although several such scenarios have been discussed, the influence of selfish genetic elements within one species on competition between species has not received theoretical treatment. We show that, with strong competition, sex-ratio meiotic drive systems can result in a significant shift in community composition because the effective birth rate in the population may be increased by a female-biased sex ratio. Using empirical data, we attempt to estimate the magnitude of this effect in several Drosophila species. We infer that meiotic drive elements, selfish genetic elements within species, can provide a substantial competitive advantage to that species within a community.
Self-selection of dietary protein and energy by turkey breeder hens.

Abstract 1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of self‐selection of dietary protein and energy by turkey hens on reproductive performance in a warm environment. 2. Dietary self‐selection had no significant effect on egg production, egg weight, or body weight of turkey hens. 3. Fertility and hatchability of eggs produced by self‐selecting hens were significantly reduced compared to eggs from control hens fed on a complete diet. 4. Protein intake was significantly reduced among self‐selecting hens when compared to control hens fed on a complete diet (P< 0–001). 5. Food and energy intake decreased as the ambient temperature increased. Nevertheless, protein intake of self‐selecting hens increased over the course of egg production despite decreasing food intake. Therefore, self‐selecting hens preferred a diet with a greater protein content (g protein/kg diet) in the last 10 weeks of egg production than during the first 10 weeks of egg production.
Pooled sera for cytotoxicity testing: accurate, time‐and cost‐effective preliminary crossmatches1

To conserve sera, reduce technologist time and facilitate distribution of kidneys to the most likely recipient from groups of highly sensitized patients, we studied the feasibility of using pooled sera in preliminary crossmatches. From 16 chronic renal failure patients, 275 sera were studied against fresh cell panels from 24 to 35 donors. Using the antiglobulin crossmatch technique, sera were studied individually, in consecutive pools of five and in consecutive pools of 10. Reactions of component sera were assessed on a cell-by-cell comparison with their pools of five and 10 sera. Crossmatches performed with pools of five sera and pools of 10 sera detected the same cytotoxic reactions as did their component sera in 97.6% and 97.8% of the reactions, respectively. We conclude that 10 sera can be pooled so that preliminary crossmatch testing of all positive sera of all theoretically potential allograft recipients can be accomplished with accuracy and efficiency, even in the larger regional distribution centers.
Effects of benzylic diamines on Schistosoma mansoni.

Abstract (1) A series of benzylic diamines have marked activity against Schistosoma mansoni in vitro . Secondary amines are more active than tertiary amines. Optimal activity is observed when there are six carbons in the central alkyl chain. (2) Reduction in the rnotility of the worms produced by these compounds is preceded by an inhibition of glucose utilization and by increased glycogenolysis. Since even considerably higher concentrations of these diamines do not affect schistosome enzymes concerned with the carbohydrate metabolism of the worms, it is concluded that the antischistosomal activity of these compounds is brought about by an inhibition of the transport of glucose into the parasite. (3) The onset of paralysis of schistosomes produced by benzylic diamines is delayed by betaine and carnitine. This effect is enhanced by Mg 2+ ions. (4) Low concentrations of a diamine potentiate the anti-schistosomal activity of stibophen in vitro . It is concluded that schistosomes are more vulnerable to simultaneous inhibition of their phosphofructokinase activity (produced by organic antimonials) and of glucose transport than to interference with either of these two mechanisms alone.
Local and pointwise error estimates of the local discontinuous Galerkin method applied to the Stokes problem

We prove local and pointwise error estimates for the local discontinuous Galerkin method applied to the Stokes problem in two and three dimensions. By using techniques originally developed by A. Schatz [Math. Comp., 67 (1998), 877-899] to prove pointwise estimates for the Laplace equation, we prove optimal weighted pointwise estimates for both the velocity and the pressure for domains with smooth boundaries.
Ertapenem: no effect on aerobic gram-negative susceptibilities to imipenem.

Summary Objective To describe any potential effect on in vitro susceptibility to imipenem for aerobic gram-negative bacteria following the addition of ertapenem to the formulary of a large teaching hospital. Methods Changes in imipenem susceptibilities for aerobic gram-negative bacteria were compared among clinical isolates from 2002 to 2007 using a Poisson model. Changes in the susceptibility of imipenem to P. aeruginosa , K. pneumoniae , K. oxytoxa , E. coli , and S. marcescens were compared over time using a chi-squared test for trend. Carbapenem use was measured using a defined daily dose per 1000 patient days. Change in utilization was compared for all years. The prevalence of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae , K. oxytoxa , and E. coli over time was compared. Results Susceptibility to imipenem did not change after the addition of ertapenem and this most notably includes P. aeruginosa ( p =0.43). Additionally, an increase in the incidence of ESBL K. pneumoniae from 2002 (4%) to 2007 (18%) p p Conclusion The continued use of ertapenem over 5years with predominant use of imipenem did not select for P. aeruginosa resistance to imipenem. The rising rate of community and healthcare associated ESBL K. pneumoniae increased total carbapenem use.
Locally (soluble-by-finite) groups with all proper non-nilpotent subgroups of finite rank

Abstract A group G is said to have finite rank r if every finitely generated subgroup of G is at most r-generator. If c is a positive integer we let R c denote the class of nilpotent groups of class at most c, and R c ∗ the class of groups in which every proper non- R c subgroup has finite rank. Our main theorem shows that if G is a locally (soluble-by-finite) group in the class R c ∗ then either G is nilpotent of class at most c or G has finite rank. An analogous result holds for locally soluble ( U 2)∗-groups, where U 2 denotes the class of metabelian groups. We give an example to show that locally finite ( U 2)∗-groups need neither have finite rank nor be metabelian.
On the design of structural vibration control systems for highway bridges

Vibration mitigation has become increasingly vital for the current highway bridge system. Since the main source of bridge vibrations comes from heavy trucks passing by, we propose a control system that can be installed on the trucks to help reduce bridges' vibration. The approach is based on the nonlinear black-box model of the truck-bridge interaction.
Do cyanobacteria dominate in eutrophic lakes because they fix atmospheric nitrogen

Summary 1. The sources of nitrogen for phytoplankton were determined for a bloom-prone lake as a means of assessing the hypothesis that cyanobacteria dominate in eutrophic lakes because of their ability to fix nitrogen when the nitrogen : phosphorous (N : P) supply ratio is low and nitrogen a limiting resource. 2. Nitrogen fixation rates, estimated through acetylene reduction with 15N calibration, were compared with 15N-tracer estimates of ammonium and nitrate uptake monthly during the ice-free season of 1999. In addition, the natural N stable isotope composition of phytoplankton, nitrate and ammonium were measured biweekly and the contribution of N2 to the phytoplankton signature estimated with a mixing model. 3. Although cyanobacteria made up 81–98% of phytoplankton biomass during summer and autumn, both assays suggested minimal N acquisition through fixation (<9% for the in-situ incubations; <2% for stable isotope analysis). Phytoplankton acquired N primarily as ammonium (82–98%), and secondarily as nitrate (15–18% in spring and autumn, but <5% in summer). Heterocyst densities of <3 per 100 fixer cells confirmed low reliance on fixation. 4. The lake showed symptoms of both light and nitrogen limitation. Cyanobacteria may have dominated by monopolizing benthic sources of ammonium, or by forming surface scums that shaded other algae.
Translating Queries into Snippets for Improved Query Expansion

User logs of search engines have recently been applied successfully to improve various aspects of web search quality. In this paper, we will apply pairs of user queries and snippets of clicked results to train a machine translation model to bridge the "lexical gap" between query and document space. We show that the combination of a query-to-snippet translation model with a large n-gram language model trained on queries achieves improved contextual query expansion compared to a system based on term correlations.
Simplification of Linear Amplitude Sweep Test and Specification Parameter

The linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test has recently been approved by AASHTO as a provisional standard and is currently being considered for specification of asphalt binder fatigue resistance. The LAS test is a cyclic torsion test conducted in the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) that uses increasing loading amplitudes to accelerate damage. The LAS test has been proposed as a surrogate to the time sweep (TS) test, which is a conventional fatigue test consisting of repeated cyclic loading at constant amplitude. The TS test is considered unsuitable for specification because of the uncertainty in the test duration required to induce and quantify fatigue. Recent ruggedness testing efforts have shown that the LAS test cannot be conducted by all DSRs. This study evaluates a simpler amplitude ramping procedure that resolved the difficulties encountered with some rheometers. Additionally, a simple specification parameter is introduced to offer a practical approach to define damage tolerance. The definition of failure ...
Use of a noninvasive pulse CO-oximeter to measure blood carboxyhemoglobin levels in bingo players.

BACKGROUND: Though smokers are known to have elevated blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), due to inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) in cigarette smoke, limited data exist regarding COHb levels in nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke. METHODS: COHb was measured using a new noninvasive pulse CO-oximeter (Rad-57, Masimo, Irvine, California) in 38 subjects entering a bingo hall where smoking was allowed, then again as they exited 3 hours later. RESULTS: The mean ± SD baseline COHb for the entire group was 3.3 ± 1.8%, for the 23 nonsmokers it was 2.2 ± 0.7%, and for the 15 smokers it was 4.9 ± 1.9%. The nonsmokers' mean COHb was unchanged, at 2.2 ± 0.8%, whereas the smokers' mean COHb fell to 3.2 ± 1.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The nonsmokers were not significantly exposed to CO from secondhand smoke in the setting we tested. The smokers probably consumed fewer cigarettes while playing bingo than they did prior to arrival. The Rad-57 pulse CO-oximeter is easy to use in the ambulatory setting.
A simulation study for the design of a prototype insert for whole-body PET scanners

We are developing an insert device that will improve image resolution within a smaller field-of-view for clinical whole-body PET scanners. We modified SimSET (Simulation System for Emission Tomography) to simulate the insert and a PET scanner. The system consists of two detector rings. The inner ring represents an insert (r=153 mm) with high-resolution detectors using 10 mm thick LSO. The outer ring represents a PET scanner (R=413 mm) with 25 mm thick LSO. Events were binned into three sets of sinograms assuming a 2.4 and 6.75 mm crystal-pitch for the insert and the PET scanner, respectively. The detectors in the insert are modeled as 1, 2, or 4 layers with different offset configurations to evaluate the corresponding system resolution with the depth-of-interaction (DOI) effect. Results show that image resolution at 1 cm radial offset is improved from 5.6 mm full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the original PET scanner to 2.0 mm with the insert. At 12 cm offset, the resolution of the original system is 5.9 and 5.5 mm for radial and tangential directions, respectively. With the insert, the radial resolution is 5.0 mm FWHM for a single-layer detector design, but improves to 2.7 and 2.2 mm for 2and 4-layer DOI detectors, respectively. Different offsets for multi-layer detectors have negligible effect on resolution. Sensitivity of the device is, assuming the insert has a 2 cm axial extend, estimated to be 3.3%, including coincidence events from the insert-alone and insert-to-scanner sinograms. In contrast, if the insert is used as a stand-alone microPET scanner, its sensitivity is 1.3%.
Meaningful Interpretation of Step‐Drawdown Tests

From a critical review of literature it is concluded that the available methods of analyzing step-drawdown tests produce information which can be misleading, inaccurate, or meaningless. Calculation of the total well loss from step-drawdown tests, on the other hand, provides a meaningful evaluation of well performance but is not explicitly described in literature. Therefore, a method is presented for determining the total well loss as a function of discharge with linear and nonlinear components. The method is restricted to confined aquifers, but an observation well is not required because any reasonable estimate of the storage coefficient is usually adequate. An advantage of the method is that it is valid for any stepped pumping pattern and any observed fluctuations in discharge during a step are simply accommodated as additional steps. Field examples show that the method can be very successful and useful. Other specific conclusions are that well efficiency should not be calculated because it is misleading, and that aquifer transmissivity should be determined in step-drawdown tests from recovery data in the pumped well, not pumping data, to improve accuracy.
A Calcium Signaling Cascade Essential for Myosin Thick Filament Assembly in Xenopus Myocytes

Spontaneous calcium release from intracellular stores occurs during myofibrillogenesis, the process of sarcomeric protein assembly in striated muscle. Preventing these Ca2+ transients disrupts sarcomere formation, but the signal transduction cascade has not been identified. Here we report that specific blockade of Ca2+ release from the ryanodine receptor (RyR) activated Ca2+ store blocks transients and disrupts myosin thick filament (A band) assembly. Inhibition of an embryonic Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) by blocking the ATP-binding site, by allosteric phosphorylation, or by intracellular delivery of a pseudosubstrate peptide, also disrupts sarcomeric organization. The results indicate that both RyRs and MLCK, which have well-described calcium signaling roles in mature muscle contraction, have essential developmental roles during construction of the contractile apparatus.
Is nitric oxide involved in the tonic inhibition of central sympathetic outflow in humans

Recent studies in experimental animals have advanced the concept that neuronal nitric oxide is an important component of the signal transduction pathways that tonically restrain sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow from the brain stem. To determine whether or not this concept can be extended to the control of sympathetic outflow in humans, we recorded muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microelectrodes, peroneal nerve) in healthy human subjects during intravenous infusion of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (3.6 to 6.7 mg/kg). The major new finding is that during intravenous L-NMMA mean arterial pressure increased (10 +/- 2 mm Hg, P < .05), whereas heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity decreased (P < .05) by 10 +/- 2 beats per minute and 61 +/- 5%, respectively. These reflex decreases were indistinguishable from those produced when blood pressure was increased comparably with phenylephrine, an internal vasoconstrictor control. When the L-NMMA-induced increase in blood pressure was attenuated experimentally to minimize baroreflex activation, sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate were unchanged. Furthermore, during infusion of L-arginine (323 to 513 mg/kg IV) to increase nitric oxide synthesis, mean arterial pressure decreased (12 +/- 2 mm Hg, P < .05), but heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity increased (P < .05) by 11 +/- 2 beats per minute and 98 +/- 27%, respectively. Thus, our experiments in humans provide no support for the emerging concept that nitric oxide is involved in the tonic restraint of central sympathetic outflow.
Double-blind evaluation of a lignocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA) in children. Effect on the pain associated with venous cannulation.

The effect of the topical application of a lignocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA) on the pain of venous cannulation was tested in a double-blind manner. Sixty boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 10 yr who were to undergo surgery participated in the study. No analgesic premedic-ation was given and the venous cannulation was performed during the preparation for general anaesthesia. Pain was assessed by the anaesthetist and the patient using a verbal rating scale and two different pictorial scales. The effect of EMLA in the alleviation of the pain of venous cannulation was considered significantly better than placebo by both anaesthetist (P
A “Health Commons” Approach to Oral Health for Low-Income Populations in a Rural State

Oral health needs are urgent in rural states. Creative, broad-based, and collaborative solutions can alleviate these needs. "Health commons" sites are enhanced, community-based, primary care safety net practices that include medical, behavioral, social, public, and oral health services. Successful intervention requires a comprehensive approach, including attention to enhancing dental service capacity, broadening the scope of the dental skills of locally available providers, expanding the pool of dental providers, creating new interdisciplinary teams in enhanced community-based sites, and developing more comprehensive oral health policy. By incorporating oral health services into the health commons primary care model, access for uninsured and underserved populations is increased. A coalition of motivated stakeholders includes community leaders, safety net providers, legislators, insurers, and medical, dental, and public health providers.
Direct detection of null alleles in SNP genotyping data

Pinpointing genetic associations in the human genome relies heavily on the accuracy of the underlying genotype data. Null alleles can generate significant inaccuracies in genotype data and can negatively affect the statistical power of a study. Existing quality control (QC) tests, including tests of Hardy‐ Weinberg equilibrium, are not sensitive enough to detect the presence of even moderately frequent null alleles in the data. We show that direct analysis of raw data from a quantitative genotyping platform can detect up to 75% of null alleles, even at frequencies below the sensitivity of more traditional methods. Detecting unexpected null alleles not only has benefits in QC of genotype data but may also be valuable in detecting rare, functional null alleles that would otherwise be missed.
FUSION: a plan for developing a familiar user-system interface for the IC fabrication industry

The author discusses the concept of developing a set of industry guidelines for a familiar user system interface (USI) IC fabrication equipment called familiar user system interface operation (FUSION). A familiar USI across the industry would allow process engineers, operators, and service technicians to learn only one of a set of interface conventions. Successful standardization would lead to reduced training time and operational errors, faster recipe editing, more rapid fault diagnosis and repair, and reduced personnel specialization. The author addresses the need and potential benefits of FUSION, identifies some of the major technical challenges to developing such an interface, and proposes a developmental approach that would systematically create, test, and validate candidate designs. >
Fatigue versus activity-dependent fatigability in patients with central or peripheral motor impairments.

In the rehabilitation literature, fatigue is a common symptom of patients with any neurological impairment when defined as a subjective lack of physical and mental energy that interferes with usual activities. Some complaints may, however, arise from fatigability , an objective decline in strength as routine use of muscle groups proceeds. By this refined definition of fatigue, exercise or sustained use reduces the ability of muscles to produce force or power, regardless of whether the task can be sustained. Fatigability may be masked clinically because (1) the degree of weakening is not profound, (2) activity-induced weakness rapidly lessens with cessation of exertion, and (3) clinicians rarely test for changes in strength after repetitive movements to objectively entertain the diagnosis. The repetitive movements that induce fatigability during daily activities are an iterative physiological process that depends on changing states induced by activation of spared central and peripheral neurons and axons an...
Volatile components of jute sacks

The vacuum steam volatile oil from jute sacks has been analysed by capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Thirty-four compounds were characterised with some certainty, and some information obtained about an additional 36. The major volatile components were dimethylnaphthalenes. The odour thresholds of the volatile oil and some fractions were determined. These data and calculation of the amount transferred to a food contained in a sack, indicate that the jute sack could contribute an off-flavour to the food.
Sensors: the first stage in the measurement chain

In the first (Fowler and Schmalzel,vol.7,no.1,pp.38-46,Mar. 2004), the context for the tutorial articles was set up by addressing the question of why we measure. Hence many of the common sensor strategies that constitute the first stage in the measurement chain are introduced. While every element of that chain is important, the choice of an appropriate, robust sensor is one of the critical decisions that must be made. This article, the second within the tutorial series, will continue to use examples from test stands for testing rocket engines. Measurements of the weight of liquids, their temperatures, and their flow rates in these rocket engine test stands require sensors and the understanding of how to use them.
Maximum stable drop diameter in stirred dispersions

Transient drop-size distributions of stirred dispersions undergoing breakage were experimentally measured at long stirring times. The results show that drops continue to break the entire duration of the experiment (at least up to 10 h) and force a reevaluation of the widely held concept of a maximum stable drop diameter, d max . Transient distributions show the existence of self-similarity, which is the same as that observed in transient distributions obtained at short times (up to ∼1 h, Sathyagal et al., 1995b) indicating that the nature of breakage does not change with time. The existence of similarity at long stirring times can be used to obtain good estimates of breakage rates of small drops by an inverse problem procedure.
Fifteen-Year Prospective Analysis of Television Viewing and Adiposity in African American and Caucasian Men and Women: The CARDIA Study

There are limited data from long-term prospective studies on the association between television (TV) viewing and obesity. We investigated this association between TV viewing and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WST) over 15 years on 3,269 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. We used cross-lagged panel models at exam Years 5, 10, 15, and 20 over 15 years to assess the association between TV viewing and obesity. The cross-lagged effects of TV viewing on anthropometry were significant from exam Year 5 to Year 10 (B = 0.034 for BMI and 0.036 for WST). However, the cross-lagged effects of TV viewing at Years 10 and 15 on obesity at Years 15 and 20, respectively, were nonsignificant. The findings indicate that higher levels of TV viewing predicted higher BMI and WC in young adulthood, but this association was not observed as individuals aged over the following decade.
Starch gel electrophoresis of the multiple haemoglobins of small and large larval Chironomus--a developmental haemoglobin sequence in an invertebrate.

Two interrelated aspects of haemoglobin differentiation in vertebrates are tissue specificity (muscle haemoglobin and blood haemoglobin) and time specificity (embryonic, larval or foetal haemoglobin, and adult haemoglobin). Tissue specificity of haemoglobin and of other respiratory proteins has been found in invertebrates and has been shown to be the result of differences in gene activity (Man well, 1963 a, 1964; Man well & Baker, 1966), as accounts for the time and tissue specificity of vertebrate haemoglobins (Ingram, 1963; Manwell, 1963b) and of vertebrate lactate dehydrogenases (Markert, 1963; Blanco, Zinkham & Kupscyk, 1964). Besides being the first report of a haemoglobin time-sequence during the development of any invertebrate, the following data on the insect Chironomus plumosus L. are important in view of the use of larval chironomids in studies on changes in chromosomal morphology (‘puffing’) in relation to gene action and to the control of formation and transport of specific proteins (Beerman, 1952; Clever, 1964a, b; Laufer & Nakase, 1965).
Factors influencing long-term results of transluminal dilatation or electrocautery incision with stenting of ureteral or ureteropelvic junction strictures

SummaryThis retrospective study analyses the results of 129 transluminal balloon dilatations, and 38 endopyelotomies and endoureterotomies, of strictures of the ureter and ureteropelvic junction, performed from 1977 to 1989 (a total of 192 patients, 25 lost to follow-up). The results were assessed over a follow-up period of at least 4 and up to 14 years, and stratified according to demographic criteria (location and length of stricture), aetiology (benign versus malignant) and viability, i.e. vascular supply to stricture and adjacent ureter. The success rate for endopyelotomy and endoureterotomy in non-neoplastic lesion was 90%. The success rate of transluminal balloon dilatation was 83% in short strictures with intact vascular supply but only 30% in strictures with compromised vascular supply. For lesions with compromised vascular supply with underlying malignant aetiology, the rate of failure of transluminal balloon dilatation was 92%. Based on this experience: endopyelotomy and endoureterotomy are reco...
The Relative Informativeness of Analysts’ Stock Return Forecasts and Rating Changes for Insurance Companies

Stock return forecasts and financial strength ratings are supposed to represent concise and complete summary measures of the financial prospects of publicly traded insurance companies. The key questions for investors and other parties who may choose to rely on these metrics are whether they help predict actual stock returns and the relative informativeness of each metric. Ours is the first study to provide empirical evidence on these questions for insurers. Our forecasted stock returns are computed from target stock prices, which represent an explicit estimate of a firm’s future market value. We find that the mean 12-month-ahead (forecasted) stock return in our sample is around 20 per cent, while the actual mean annualised stock return is around 10 per cent, suggesting analysts’ optimism, inaccuracy, or some of both. Current period forecasted stock returns are positively correlated with past forecasted stock returns, and negatively correlated with past actual stock returns. Current period forecasted stock returns exhibit a strong positive association with future period actual stock returns, suggesting that forecasted stock returns are useful predictors of future actual stock returns. Furthermore, an increase in actual or forecasted stock returns decreases the likelihood of a rating downgrade, but has little relation to rating upgrades. These results support the usefulness of stock return forecasts to investors and rating agents.
Hereditary Angioedema: Gastrointestinal Features

Hereditary angioedema has a bimodal distribution with peak incidences in the second and fourth decades and is characterized by local swelling in subcutaneous tissues. Diagnosis must generally be made during an acute episode1.
Language, Prejudice, and the Aims of Hermeneutic Phenomenology: Terminological Reflections on “Mania"

Summarypaper I examine the ways in which our language and terminology predetermine how we approach, investigate and conceptualise mental illness. I address this issue from the standpoint of hermeneutic phenomenology, and my primary object of investigation is the phenomenon referred to as “mania”. Drawing on resources from classical phenomenology, I show how phenomenologists attempt to overcome their latent presuppositions and prejudices in order to approach “the matters themselves”. In other words, phenomenologists are committed to the idea that in our everyday, natural attitude, we take for granted a number of prejudices and presuppositions that predetermine how we conceive of and understand what we experience. In order to properly approach the phenomena themselves, we need to find ways of neutralising our presuppositions and prejudices in order to develop new (and hopefully more accurate) accounts of the phenomena under investigation. One of the most popular examples of such an attempt at neutralisation is what Edmund Husserl calls the epoche, which is the practice of bracketing out or suspending presuppositions. However, later phenomenologists developed alternative approaches. Martin Heidegger, for instance, engaged in etymological analyses to discover latent meanings in our language and terminology. Hans-Georg Gadamer also engaged in historical analyses of how our traditions sediment into latent prejudices. After discussing the various ways in which phenomenologists have attempted to neutralise presuppositions and prejudices prior to engaging in their investigations, I apply some of these principles and methods to the domain of psychopathology, and discuss some of the prejudices inherent in contemporary discussions of the phenomenon of mania. I examine recent attempts to link the phenomenon that we today refer to as “mania” with the ancient Greek concept of “μανία” (mania), and argue that the practice of linking contemporary and historical concepts can be detrimental to attempts at reclassifying disorders. In addition, I consider the implications of the shift in terminology from “manic depressive illness” to “bipolar disorder” – especially how conceiving of mania as one of two “poles” predetermines its description by both clinicians and patients. Finally, I address the implications of the headings under which mania and bipolar disorder are discussed within diagnostic manuals. For example, I discuss the removal of the headings of affective and mood disorders in the DSM-5, and the explicit decision by the authors to place bipolar disorder between depressive disorders and schizophrenia. What I aim to accomplish in this paper is not so much a phenomenological investigation of mania as it is a pre-phenomenological investigation. In other words, I offer a preparatory investigation of the phenomenon (or phenomena) referred to as “mania” in contemporary discourse, with the intention of laying the groundwork for further phenomenological and psychological research.
Filament induction in Escherichia coli by ricinoleic acid.

SummarySodium ricinoleate interferes with cell division in E. coli causing the organisms to develop as filaments. The effect appears to be specific and dependent upon the 9:10 unsaturation and the 12-hydroxy group as well as the cis-configuration around the double bond, present in this fatty acid. A variety of metabolites, as well as other organic and inorganic compounds, were tested for an ability to induce cell division in filamentous forms of the organisms. Of the substances evaluated, only inorganic phosphate consistently and rapidly caused such an effect.
Thoughts on Decision Support System for Joint Operations

Decision support system(DSS) is an important part of commanding information system.Firstly,the paper analyzes requirements for DSS in joint operations.Then on the basis of summing up the main problems of military DSS development,the paper puts forward the factors and the principles which should be considered and followed in the building of joint operations DSS in order to give guidance to the development of military DSS.
Crown Position and Light Exposure Classification-An Alternative to Field-Assigned Crown Class

Crown class, an ordinal tree-level mensuration attribute used extensively by foresters, is di#icult to ass ign in thefield because def ini t ions of individual classes are confounded by ambiguous references to the position the tree in the canopy and amount of light received by its crown. When crown class is decomposed into its two elements-crown position and crown light exposure--field assignments are more repeatable, and crown class can be assigned by algorithm with the same degree of accuracy that it can be est imated in thef ie ld . Replacing tradi t ional crown class wi th the twoproposedal ternat ive variables y ie lds more speci f ic in format ion about each tree . Crown posi t ion and crown l ight exposure add in format ion potent ia l ly useful for modeling and other applicat ions. North. J . Appl . For. 20(4):154-160.
The structure and regulation of Cullin 2 based E3 ubiquitin ligases and their biological functions

Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes play a central role in targeting cellular proteins for ubiquitination-dependent protein turnover through 26S proteasome. Cullin-2 is a member of the Cullin family, and it serves as a scaffold protein for Elongin B and C, Rbx1 and various substrate recognition receptors to form E3 ubiquitin ligases. First, the composition, structure and the regulation of Cullin-2 based E3 ubiquitin ligases were introduced. Then the targets, the biological functions of complexes that use VHL, Lrr-1, Fem1b, Prame, Zyg-11, BAF250, Rack1 as substrate targeting subunits were described, and their involvement in diseases was discussed. A small molecule inhibitor of Cullins as a potential anti-cancer drug was introduced. Furthermore, proteins with VHL box that might bind to Cullin-2 were described. Finally, how different viral proteins form E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes with Cullin-2 to counter host viral defense were explained. Cullin-2 based E3 ubiquitin ligases, using many different substrate recognition receptors, recognize a number of substrates and regulate their protein stability. These complexes play critical roles in biological processes and diseases such as cancer, germline differentiation and viral defense. Through the better understanding of their biology, we can devise and develop new therapeutic strategies to treat cancers, inherited diseases and viral infections.
Hyperbolic polynomial chaos expansion (HPCE) and its application to statistical analysis of nonlinear circuits

In this paper a novel improvement to the polynomial chaos (PC) approach for the uncertainty analysis of high speed circuits is presented. The key feature of this work is the development of an alternative hyperbolic truncation scheme to replace the conventional linear truncation scheme used in generation of PC expansions. This hyperbolic truncation scheme results in a sparse PC expansion for marginal loss of accuracy. The computational effort required to evaluate the coefficients of the resultant sparse expansion is only a small fraction of that required for full-blown PC expansions. A greedy adaptive methodology to determine the number of basis terms and evaluate the corresponding coefficients for the sparse expansion is also presented. This approach is validated on a nonlinear radio-frequency (RF) circuit against conventional full-blown PC methods.
An Intervention to Enhance Goals-of-Care Communication Between Heart Failure Patients and Heart Failure Providers

Context Heart failure patients contend with a markedly impaired quality of life, experiencing emotional distress and severe physical discomfort that increases in frequency in the last months of life. Improving communication between patients and providers about goals of care has the potential to improve patient-provider communication and patient outcomes.
Nonlinear spectroscopy of a ZnSe/GaAs[100] buried interface

The intrinsic interface sensitivity of second- order nonlinear optical probes, combined with their long penetration depths, make possible a range of fascinating studies of buried interfaces. Because this problem is of fundamental interest and technological importance, significant theoretical1,2 and, more recently, experimental3 work toward understanding the nature of solid/solid buried interfaces has been undertaken.
Using XFRACAS as a PVROM database tool.

ReliaSofts XFRACAS is a tool chosen by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for the purpose of collecting and organizing photovoltaic (PV) system field data that is to be used in assessing PV system reliability. It is a Web-based, closed-loop, incident (failure) reporting, analysis, and corrective action system software package designed for the acquisition, management and analysis of quality and reliability data from multiple sources. The ability to export PV system times-to-failure and times-to-suspension for ready analysis by ReliaSofts Weibull++ and RGA was a primary consideration in choosing XFRACAS as a reliability data collection tool.
Drosophila Dullard functions as a Mad phosphatase to terminate BMP signaling.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are growth factors that provide essential signals for normal embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. A key step in initiating BMP signaling is ligand induced phosphorylation of receptor Smads (R-Smads) by type I receptor kinases, while linker phosphorylation of R-Smads has been shown to cause BMP signal termination. Here we present data demonstrating that the phosphatase Dullard is involved in dephosphorylating the Drosophila R-Smad, Mad and is integral in controlling BMP signal duration. We show that a hypomorphic Dullard allele or Dullard knockdown leads to increased Mad phosphorylation levels, while Dullard overexpression resulted in reduced Mad phosphorylations. Co-immunoprecipitation binding assays demonstrate phosphorylated Mad and Dullard physically interact, while mutation of Dullard’s phosphatase domain still allowed Mad-Dullard interactions but abolished its ability to regulate Mad phosphorylations. Finally, we demonstrate that linker and C-terminally phosphorylated Mad can be regulated by one of two terminating mechanisms, degradation by proteasomes or dephosphorylation by the phosphatase Dullard.
FIXED POINTS FOR (PSI, PHI)-WEAK CONTRACTIONS

Abstract The aim of this paper is to extend a very recent result proved by Doric (2009) [4] , as well as other theorems given by Rhoades (2001) [2] and Dutta and Choudhury (2008) [3] .
Photoluminescence dynamics in singlet fission chromophore liquid melts

Abstract The effect of high temperature melting on the photophysics of three prototypical singlet fission molecules is investigated. Time-resolved photoluminescence is used to look at the melt phase of the molecules tetracene, diphenylhexatriene and rubrene. Chemical decomposition of tetracene precluded any detailed measurements on this molecule. In the diphenylhexatriene melt, a rapid singlet state nonradiative relaxation process outcompetes singlet fission. In the rubrene melt, singlet fission occurs at a rate similar to that of the crystal, but the decay of the delayed fluorescence is much more rapid. The rapid decay of the delayed fluorescence suggests that either the triplet lifetime is shortened, or the fusion probability decreases, or that both factors are operative at higher temperatures.
Extension of Golay's plate height equation from laminar to turbulent flow I - Theory.

Abstract The reduced plate height (RPH) equation of Golay derived in 1958 for open tubular columns (OTC) is extended from laminar to turbulent-like flow. The mass balance equation is solved under near-equilibrium conditions in the mobile phase for changing shapes of the velocity profile across the OTC diameter. The final expression of the general RPH equation is: (1) h = 2 ν D a ¯ D m + 1 + [ n + 4 ] k + n 2 4 + 5 2 n + 5 k 2 4 ( n + 2 ) ( n + 4 ) ( 1 + k ) 2 D m D r ¯ ν + 2 3 k ( 1 + k ) 2 D m D s d f D 2 ν where ν is the reduced linear velocity, k is the retention factor, Dm is the bulk diffusion coefficient in the mobile phase, D a ¯ is the average axial dispersion coefficient, D r ¯ is the average radial dispersion coefficient, Ds is the diffusion coefficient of the analyte in the stationary film of thickness df, D is the OTC inner diameter, and n ≥ 2 is a positive number controlling the shape of the flow profile (polynomial of degree n). The correctness of the derived RPH equation is verified for Poiseuille (n = 2), turburlent-like (n = 10), and uniformly flat (n → ∞) flow profiles. The derived RPH equation is applied to predict the gain in speed-resolution of a 180 μm i.d. × 20 m OTC (df = 2 μm) from laminar to turbulent flow in supercritical fluid chromatography. Using pure carbon dioxide as the mobile phase at 297 K, k = 1, and increasing the Reynolds number from 2000 (laminar) to 4000 (turbulent), the OTC efficiency is expected to increase from 125 to 670 (×5.4) while the hold-up time decreases from 19 to 9 s (×0.5). Despite the stronger resistance to mass transfer in the stationary phase, the projected improvement of the column performance in turbulent flow is explained by the quasi-elimination of the resistance to mass transfer in the mobile phase while axial dispersion remains negligible.