cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of pectinesterase and polygalacturonase from salivary secretions of living greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract Pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) and polygalacturonase (EC 3.1.1.15) were successfully detected in induced salivary secretions of living greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani). The method involved the construction of agarose-pectin gel plates on which the aphids were allowed to feed through Parafilm, followed by staining of the gels with ruthenium red. The specific activities of pectinesterase and polygalacturonase were detected by formation of dark red circular and clear halos, respectively, around the site of stylet sheaths left by the aphids. The assay indicates the saliva of biotypes E and C contains both enzymes. The method combines a living, feeding organism with an enzyme assay system in a unique and simple way and provides conclusive evidence for the nature of secreted materials. It also provides an opportunity to investigate the formation of stylet sheaths by this and other aphid species. The toxicity of the enzymes to host plants and the importance of the enzymes to greenbug feeding are discussed.
Uncertainty in developing supervisory demand-side controls in buildings: A framework and guidance

Abstract Successful demand-side control depends on the accuracy of the prediction of the power demand. This prediction should express margins of expected ranges of the power demand. Therefore, uncertainty is an unavoidable ingredient that has to be explicitly considered when evaluating performance of demand-side control. However, there is at present neither serious attention to system uncertainty nor to human-introduced uncertainty in developing the supervisory controls of building and HVACR it is a crucial step for gathering more adequate identification and for proper treatment of uncertainty before developing a significant model. The a priori uncertainty assessment identified that heuristic uncertainty and scenario uncertainty tend to introduce higher risks for the demand-side control in meeting its objectives. Upon this assessment, this study suggests a theoretical guide to manage and reduce risks due to uncertainty: heuristic uncertainty can be preventable if models are constructed through the formal modeling framework; physical uncertainty including both scenario uncertainty and statistical uncertainty can be compiled into model in order to render the model immune to uncertainty.
The oceanographic structure of the eastern Scotia sea—IV. Distribution of copepod species in relation to hydrography in 1981

Abstract The boundary region where the Antarctic Circumpolar Current contacts the Weddell Sea Water represents an ecological barrier that affects the absolute abundances and developmental stage structure of the population of copepods in the area. This boundary is suggested as the southern limit of Calanus simillimus and Clausocalanus laticeps. However, it does not separate two distinct communities since the order of abundance of species does not differ significantly. between sides of the boundary.
Functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanodiamonds for engineering and biomedical applications

Abstract Chemical “toolbox” methods for the covalent functionalization of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and nanosize (∼2–10 nm) diamond powders have been developed. These methods involve direct fluorination, organic free radical additions, fluorine displacement reactions in fluoronanotubes, and fluoronanodiamond producing amino, hydroxyl, and carboxyl group-terminated derivatives. By using this chemistry, a variety of biologically active molecules can be covalently attached to carbon nanostructures, including a shortened nanotubes. The incorporation of amino-terminated SWNTs into epoxy polymer matrices has been achieved and substantial mechanical reinforcement demonstrated. The overview of these recent results is presented.
Optimal Wireless Communications With Imperfect Channel State Information

This paper studies optimal transmission over wireless channels with imperfect channel state information available at the transmitter side in the context of point-to-point channels, multiuser orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and random access. Terminals adapt transmitted power and coding mode to channel estimates in order to maximize expected throughput subject to average power constraints. To reduce the likelihood of packet losses due to the mismatch between channel estimates and actual channel values, a backoff function is further introduced to enforce the selection of more conservative coding modes. Joint determination of optimal power allocations and backoff functions is a nonconvex stochastic optimization problem with infinitely many variables that despite its lack of convexity is part of a class of problems with null duality gap. Exploiting the resulting equivalence between primal and dual problems, we show that optimal power allocations and channel backoff functions are uniquely determined by optimal dual variables. This affords considerable simplification because the dual problem is convex and finite dimensional. We further exploit this reduction in computational complexity to develop iterative algorithms to find optimal operating points. These algorithms implement stochastic subgradient descent in the dual domain and operate without knowledge of the probability distribution of the fading channels. Numerical results corroborate theoretical findings.
4‐phenyl‐4H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐c] furazans. The reactions of 3,4‐dacylfuroxans with phenylhydrazine and with aniline

Three different 3,4-diaeylfuroxans (1) are shown to give 3-substituted-l-phenyl-4,5-dioximino-2-pyrazolines (2) upon reaction with phenylhydrazine. The compounds 2 were dehydrated to 6-sul)stituted-4-phenyl-4H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]furazans. (3) and thermally converted to 3-substituted 5-imino-4-oximino-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolines (6). The compounds 1 react with aniline to give 3-anilino-4-acylfurazans (10).
Kepler's First Law¿A Remark

The usual argument giving the motion of a particle under an inverse square central attractive force is a bit involved. Here's a quick derivation from Newton's laws that should appeal to an elementary differential equations class-the key idea is the use of the theory of second order linear equations. Consider the line that passes through the particle at time 0 and whose direction is the initial direction of the particle. The motion stays in a plane containing this line and the central force. So the problem is a planar one, and one may assume the force is located at (0, 0). Newton's equations give
Characterisation of Memory Effects and Development of an Effective Wash Protocol for the Measurement of Petrogenetically Critical Trace Elements in Geological Samples by ICP-MS

High sensitivity and low detection limits would seem to make inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) an ideal analytical tool for determining low (sub-μg g-1) concentrations of the rare earth elements (REE), Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Sn, W, Mo, Th, and U in most mafic materials (e.g. Hall and Plant 1992). However, the generally “sticky” nature exhibited by most of the high field strength elements (HFSEs: Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Th and U) as well as Sn, W and Mo can result in spurious results due to memory effects transmitted between unknowns and calibration samples. This, in turn, can seriously compromise the sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of ICP-MS analyses for these elements in geological materials. Data resulting from analyses with poor accuracy and precision can lead to erroneous interpretation and misleading petrogenetic modelling. To resolve this problem, we propose an effective wash protocol for these critical trace elements. Sa grande sensibilite et ses limites de detection tres basses semblent faire de l'ICP-MS un outil ideal pour l'analyse de faibles concentrations (autour du μg g-1) des terres rares, de Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Sn, W, Mo, Th et U dans la plupart des roches basiques. Neanmoins, le comportement “adhesif” adopte par la plupart des elements a fort champ ionique (HFSE: Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Th, et U) et par Sn, W et Mo donne parfois d'etranges resultats dus en fait a des effets de memoire transmis entre echantillons inconnus et echantillons de calibration. Ce phenomene peut donc affecter gravement la sensibilite et la justesse des analyses de ces elements par ICP-MS dans les materiaux geologiques. En effet, des donnees imprecises et fausses ne peuvent que conduire a des interpretations fausses et des modeles petrogenetiques errones. Pour resoudre ce probleme, nous proposons un protocole de lixiviation efficace de ces elements critiques.
Some inequalities for the generalized parton distribution E(x,0,t)

Abstract We discuss some constraints on the x and t-dependence of E(x,0,t) that arise from positivity bounds in the impact parameter representation. In addition, we show that E(x,0,0) for the nucleon vanishes for x→1 at least as rapidly as (1−x)4. Finally we provide an inequality that limits the contribution from E to the angular momentum sum rule.
Exposure-Dependent Control of Malaria-Induced Inflammation in Children

In malaria-naive individuals, Plasmodium falciparum infection results in high levels of parasite-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) that trigger systemic inflammation and fever. Conversely, individuals in endemic areas who are repeatedly infected are often asymptomatic and have low levels of iRBCs, even young children. We hypothesized that febrile malaria alters the immune system such that P. falciparum re-exposure results in reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and enhanced anti-parasite effector responses compared to responses induced before malaria. To test this hypothesis we used a systems biology approach to analyze PBMCs sampled from healthy children before the six-month malaria season and the same children seven days after treatment of their first febrile malaria episode of the ensuing season. PBMCs were stimulated with iRBC in vitro and various immune parameters were measured. Before the malaria season, children's immune cells responded to iRBCs by producing pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. Following malaria there was a marked shift in the response to iRBCs with the same children's immune cells producing lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β). In addition, molecules involved in phagocytosis and activation of adaptive immunity were upregulated after malaria as compared to before. This shift was accompanied by an increase in P. falciparum-specific CD4+Foxp3− T cells that co-produce IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF; however, after the subsequent six-month dry season, a period of markedly reduced malaria transmission, P. falciparum–inducible IL-10 production remained partially upregulated only in children with persistent asymptomatic infections. These findings suggest that in the face of P. falciparum re-exposure, children acquire exposure-dependent P. falciparum–specific immunoregulatory responses that dampen pathogenic inflammation while enhancing anti-parasite effector mechanisms. These data provide mechanistic insight into the observation that P. falciparum–infected children in endemic areas are often afebrile and tend to control parasite replication.
Focusing properties of small lenses

The potential use of small substrate lenses for coupling to antennas at millimeter wave frequencies is investigated by analyzing the focusing properties of dielectric spheres with quarter-wave matching layers. The fields and the power density are calculated at various points within the sphere to learn how the focusing deteriorates as the lens is made smaller. The absorption loss of the lens is also calculated. The calculations show that quartz spheres with quarter-wave matching layers, can exhibit good focusing properties down to a radius of about half a free space wavelength. This minimum radius was found to increase almost linearly with the refractive index of the lens. The calculations also indicate that at 94GHz the absorption losses of fused quartz, silicon and gallium arsenide lenses, with radii of one free space wavelength or less, are less than 0.2 dB. As the minimum diameter of a quartz lens is comparable with the spot size in free space, it should be possible to build an imaging lens array in which each lens will act as a separate imaging element.
Discrete time convolution control systems

In this paper, we study a general class of linear time invariant discrete time distributed systems. We consider both single-input-single-output (SISO) and multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) systems, and study design procedures. We develop a commutative algebra of transfer function, b(p0), for a general class of SISO discrete time convolution systems, which covers sampled distributed systems and, of course, lumped systems as a special case. Each element of b(p0) is formulated as a ratio of two elements in an algebra l1−(p0) of causal p0-stable transfer functions. We demonstrate that l1−(p0) indeed a euclidean ring, give necessary and sufficient conditions for coprimeness between elements in l1−(p0) and characterize poles and zeros for elements in b(p0). In contrast to the algebra l1 the algebra b(p0) includes both stable and unstable systems; furthermore since p0<1 this formulation allows us to study the dominant poles inside the unit disc of the complex plane. We study next MIMO systems whose transfer functi...
Towards A Large-Scale Cognitive Radio Network Testbed: Spectrum Sensing, System Architecture, and Distributed Sensing

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the cognitive radio network (CRN) testbed built at TTU. Our goals are (1) to use our CRN testbed as a data acquisition tool; (2) to use random matrix theory to model the collect data and apply the new models in the context of quantum information. We attempt to achieve a balance between experimental work and theoretical work. We first spell out the vision and concrete tasks for our research in the near future. Second, we review our latest results in an more accessible manner than the conference version.
Dynamic afferent synapses to decision-making networks improve performance in tasks requiring stimulus associations and discriminations

Animals must often make opposing responses to similar complex stimuli. Multiple sensory inputs from such stimuli combine to produce stimulus-specific patterns of neural activity. It is the differences between these activity patterns, even when small, that provide the basis for any differences in behavioral response. In the present study, we investigate three tasks with differing degrees of overlap in the inputs, each with just two response possibilities. We simulate behavioral output via winner-takes-all activity in one of two pools of neurons forming a biologically based decision-making layer. The decision-making layer receives inputs either in a direct stimulus-dependent manner or via an intervening recurrent network of neurons that form the associative layer, whose activity helps distinguish the stimuli of each task. We show that synaptic facilitation of synapses to the decision-making layer improves performance in these tasks, robustly increasing accuracy and speed of responses across multiple configurations of network inputs. Conversely, we find that synaptic depression worsens performance. In a linearly nonseparable task with exclusive-or logic, the benefit of synaptic facilitation lies in its superlinear transmission: effective synaptic strength increases with presynaptic firing rate, which enhances the already present superlinearity of presynaptic firing rate as a function of stimulus-dependent input. In linearly separable single-stimulus discrimination tasks, we find that facilitating synapses are always beneficial because synaptic facilitation always enhances any differences between inputs. Thus we predict that for optimal decision-making accuracy and speed, synapses from sensory or associative areas to decision-making or premotor areas should be facilitating.
Molecular desorption induced by heavy particle bombardment of solids

Abstract A classical dynamics model is used to investigate nuclear motion in solids due to bombardment by energetic atoms and ions. Of interest are the mechanisms of ejection and cluster formation both of elemental species such as Ni n and Ar n and molecular species where we have predicted intact ejection of benzene-C 6 H 6 , pyridine-C 5 H 5 N, napthalene-C 10 H 8 , biphenyl-C 12 H 10 and coronene-C 24 H 12 . The results presented here show that the energy distributions of the parent molecular species, e.g. benzene, are narrower than those of atomic species, even though the ejection processes in both cases arise from energetic nuclear collisions. The bonding geometry also influences the ejection yield and angular distribution. The specific case of π-bonded and σ-bonded pyridine on a metal surface is discussed with comparisons between the calculated results and experimental data. These calculations provide a means of interpreting SIMS, FABMS and possibly even PDMS experimental data.
Bone-Conduction Threshold Sensitivity in Relation to Mastoid Sclerosis

The effect of mastoid sclerosis on bone-conduction threshold sensitivity was assessed by retrospective comparison of audiologic data from 14 persons with unilateral mastoid sclerosis and 13 persons...
Biquadratic exchange interactions in DySb

Abstract From a comparison of magnetization data on a DySb crystal above its Neel point with magnetization calculations based on its crystal-field states, it is shown that the exchange interactions have a substantial biquadratic component, as suggested by the field-induced state with orthogonal sublattice moments.
Factor IX: Insights from knock-out and genetically engineered mice

The study of coagulation factors has been rapidly advanced by studies performed in genetically engineered mouse strains. Investigation of factor IX (FIX) has benefited from excellent gene-deleted mouse models that recapitulate many of the features of human haemophilia B. Moreover, advanced positional cloning techniques and availability of technology to allow not only knock-out mice, but also knock-in and knock-down mice, provide new opportunities to observe genotype-phenotype and structure-function correlations regarding FIX, as well as the interaction of FIX with inflammatory, immune, and tissue repair systems. In this paper, available FIX knock-out mice and additional haemophilia B mouse models are reviewed specifically in regards to observations these models have facilitated concerning:factor IX gene expression and factor IX protein pharmacokinetics; the role of FIX in haemostasis, thrombosis and wound healing; insights into coagulation FIX arising out of gene therapy applications in haemophilia mouse models; immunology of tolerance or loss of tolerance of FIX and inhibitor antibody formation.
Partial Characterization of the Action of An A. niger Lipase on Butteroil Emulsions

A commercially available lipase (A. niger, APF-12) was employed to hydrolyze an emulsified butteroil substrate. HPLC analyses of the reaction products indicated that short chain fatty acid residues (e.g., butyric acid) were preferably hydrolyzed at pH 5 whereas the overall rate of hydrolysis for all major fatty acids showed a pH optimum between 6 and 7. This indicated the possibility of directing the selectivity of lipolysis in butteroil to enhance production of short-chain fatty acids associated with flavor development. The optimal temperature was ca. 35°C. Different cations also affected rate of hydrolysis.
Robust Rocket Engine Concept

The potential for a revolutionary step in the durability of reusable rocket engines is made possible by the combination of several emerging technologies. The recent creation and analytical demonstration of life extending (or damage mitigating) control technology enables rapid rocket engine transients with minimum fatigue and creep damage. This technology has been further enhanced by the formulation of very simple but conservative continuum damage models. These new ideas when combined with recent advances in multidisciplinary optimization provide the potential for a large (revolutionary) step in reusable rocket engine durability. This concept has been named the robust rocket engine concept (RREC) and is the basic contribution of this paper. The concept also includes consideration of design innovations to minimize critical point damage.
TH-C-103-09: Potential Gains of Incorporating Iterative Reconstruction Into 4DCT

Purpose: IGART requires high quality, volumetric imaging for routine feedback and cumulative dose analysis. We propose to incorporate iterative reconstruction (IR) into 4DCT to reduce imaging dose while maintaining image quality, to facilitate routine 4DCT for IGART. Methods: Static thorax phantom CTs (100–500 mAs) and 4DCTs (200–800 mAs) of an in‐house deformable lung phantom undergoing respiration were acquired. IR was applied to phantom data at Levels 1–6 (L1–L6), corresponding to noise reduction factors of 0.89−0.55, with respect to filtered backprojection (FBP). Mean and standard deviation (μ and σ (image noise), respectively) were calculated via region of interest (ROI) analysis. Contours were assessed via Dice Similarity Coefficients (DSCs). Profile analysis evaluated boundary preservation between IR levels. Contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and dose savings were quantified. Raw 4DCT projections for 10 patient datasets (5 lung, 5 liver, 120–140 kVp, ∼800 mAs) were retrospectively reconstructed with FBP and IR levels L1–L6. ROI analyses (tumor and nearby lung/liver) were conducted. Results: For the thorax phantom, comparable noise was obtained between L6 IR at 100 mAs and FBP at 600 mAs at 6‐fold dose savings. In the deformable phantom, maximum CT number discrepancy occurred between FBP and L6 (4 HU, 300 mAs). Profile analysis revealed negligible boundary differences between FBP and IR. CNR increased with increased IR level across mAs settings (0.7–2.2% for L3 and 1.4–3.5% for L6 with respect to FBP). Near perfect DSC was calculated at all IR levels. Substantial noise reduction was observed for all liver cases (L3 and L6 reduced ∼24 ± 2.8% and 45.2 ± 2.9%, respectively), although not for lung (∼2–4%). Conclusion: IR reduced noise while improving CNR and preserving boundary information. ∼6‐fold dose reduction was possible while maintaining similar noise characteristics. A prospective trial is warranted to optimize mAs and IR, and further integrate IR‐4DCT into IGART. The submitting institution holds research agreement with Philips Healthcare.
Effect of bile duct obstruction on pancreatic enzyme secretion and intestinal proteolytic enzyme activity in the rat.

The role of bile in regulation of intestinal proteolytic activity in rats was investigated by studying the effects of bile diversion and bile duct obstruction on pancreatic protease secretion and on recovery of protease from the intestine. Diversion of bile and pancreatic juice from the intestine caused a large increase in pancreatic enzyme secretion; replacement of bile partially suppressed this response. Bile duct obstruction resulted (3–4 days postobstruction) in a threefold increase in pancreatic juice chymotrypsin but caused large decreases inintestinal trypsin and chymotrypsin activities and total proteolytic activity. Recovery of pancreatic juice protein (labeled with14C) from intestinal contents was markedly decreased in bile duct obstruction, indicating a more rapid rate of degradation and absorption of pancreatic juice protein. The evidence suggests that interruption of bile flow results in an accelerated rate of degradation of pancreatic proteolytic enzymes, and that the increase in pancreatic enzyme secretion is an adaptation to decreased intestinal proteolytic activity.
High Roads and Low Roads: Learning Disabilities in California, 1976–1998

This study examines the historical relationships among privilege, race, and learning disability (LD) diagnosis. Whereas recent research links disability diagnosis primarily with racial and socioeconomic disadvantage (assuming a “low road” to disability), it is argued that in the case of LD, privileged children initially received the most diagnoses (suggesting a “high road” to disability). Using California data from 1976, 1986, and 1998, this study explores causes of LD diagnosis by examining the effects of students' individual race and district-level minority proportion. Initially, LD diagnosis appears at markedly higher rates in low-minority districts. Over time, this effect diminishes, while the effect of individual race increases, with black and Hispanic students becoming increasingly likely to receive an LD diagnosis as compared to white students. This article then discusses the critical implications of these findings for disability studies, and the relationship of social privilege to parents' role in...
Crystal-field splitting in Pr dideuteride

From inelastic neutron scattering experiments, it is concluded that the crystal-field splitting in PrD 1.95 is 41 meV. Because of this high value, the antiferromagnetic ordering below TN = 2.3 K is ascribed to a magnetic ground state, probably F5, of the Pr3+ ions.
Official Islam and the Limits of Communicative Action: the paradox of the Amman Message

Abstract After 11 September 2001 many analysts, declaring a ‘crisis of authority’ in Islam, bemoaned the dearth or absence of Islamic moderates who could rise up and lead the way beyond what many worried was an impending ‘clash of civilisations’. The 2004 ‘Amman Message’—which seeks to clarify who and what does and does not constitute ‘true Islam’—was put forth precisely as a response to that challenge. At the same time critical examination of the construction of this declaration, and of the uses to which it has been put, reveals that, as much as this document may seem to provide an example of communicative action, in practice it has all too often served strategic actions. I argue that the embeddedness of the Message in domestic, regional and international political interests undermines the document's authority as the basis for dialogue or action aimed at civility and mutual understanding.
Resistance in sweetpotatoes to damage by soil insects.

Sweetpotato varieties and breeding lines varied widely in susceptibility to root damage by soil insects in the field. Sources of resistance to most major pests of sweetpotato roots were found. Some commercial lines proved to have useful levels of resistance to some insects, but lines selected specifically for resistance were generally most resistant. Resistance to some of the insects appeared to be controlled by common factors.
A Test Pattern for Quality Control of Laser Scanner and Charge-Coupled Device Film Digitizers

Although clinical images provide the ultimate test of diagnostic performance for a film digitizer, such images are not generally suitable for daily quality control (QC) purposes. However, a well-designed test pattern will provide a rapid, comprehensive, objective and reproducible assessment of image quality. This pattern should evaluate various parameters of image quality, including high contrast resolution, low contrast discrimination, linearity of gray scale, geometric distortion, and noise. Furthermore, the pattern should detect light leak and film slippage, two problems commonly associated with film digitizers. The test pattern described in this manuscript was designed to provide quantitative measures of performance for a film digitizer. As part of a regular QC routine for a laser scanner or charge-coupled device digitizer, this pattern provides a simple method to identify and quantify changes in digital image quality.
Stability of the MSU-Derived Atmospheric Temperature Trend

Abstract Warm target effect and diurnal drift errors are the main sources of uncertainties in the trend determination from the NOAA Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) observations. Currently, there are two methods to correct the warm target effect: 1) finding a best root-level (level-1c) calibration nonlinearity using simultaneous nadir overpass (SNO) matchups to minimize this effect for each scene radiance, and 2) finding a best-fit empirical relationship between the correction term of the end-level gridded brightness temperature and warm target temperature and then removing the best fit from the unadjusted time series. The former corrects the warm target effect before the diurnal drift adjustment and provides more accurate, warm target effect–minimized, level-1c scene radiances for reanalysis applications. The latter corrects the warm target effect at the end-level merging step, which depend on the diurnal drift correction that occurred at a previous step. Although minimized, the first method still leaves sm...
Evidence and Long-Term Feasibility of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal in Oxidation-Ditch Type of Aerated-Anoxic Activated Sludge Systems

This study investigated the potential of four full-scale oxidation ditches to accomplish enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). Despite the fact that none of the tested oxidation ditches were designed to perform EBPR, mixed liquors from all four ditches showed good specific phosphorus release and uptake rates, a typical characteristic of a typical EBPR biomass. The specific phosphorus release rates ranged from 0.042- to 0.254-mg P/mg VSS-d and the specific phosphorus uptake rates ranged from 0.023- to 0.125-mg P/mg VSS-d for the tested full-scale plants. The EBPR potential of one of the full-scale plants (Central Davis Sewer District) was further studied by changing the aeration patterns in the ditch. The mixed liquor in this full-scale plant exhibited good phosphorus release and uptake trends and dissolved phosphorus, as low as 1.26 mg/L, could be accomplished in the final effluent of this plant as a result of this optimization. The long-term feasibility of the EBPR in this full-scale was tested ...
Immediate and Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions to Restylane

We report two cases of hypersensitivity reactions to Restylane. In the first case, edema developed in a 57-year-old Hispanic woman 10 minutes after injection of 0.7 mL of Perlane around her upper commissures and Botox in her upper face. The patient had been skin tested for Restylane several months earlier and showed no positive reaction. In the second case, intermittent swelling and induration developed in a 77-year-old Caucasian woman 3 weeks after she received Restylane injections limited to the nasolabial folds. Currently, skin testing prior to hyaluronic acid treatment is not required. Our experience and reports in the literature suggest that while skin testing is unlikely to predict acute reactions to HA, it would be helpful in identifying patients at risk for delayed, long-term reactions.
An estimate of kinematic vorticity from rotated elongate porphyroblasts

Internal fabric in strain shadows around elongate rutile porphyroblasts indicates rotation of porphyroblasts relative to the incremental stretching direction during deformation within a regional-scale shear-zone in south-central Alaska. For porphyroblasts of various aspect ratios and initial orientations, this fabric is used to assess the sense of rotation relative to the direction of maximum incremental stretching, the total rotation, and the vorticity. The total rotation of porphyroblasts relative to the external fabric based on these parameters varies as a function of porphyroblast orientation. All 111 porphyroblasts, regardless of orientation, have rotated in a clockwise sense relative to the external fabric. Comparison of these results with previous models suggests that the deformation which affected the porphyroblasts took place in the field of continuous forward rotation with a maximum ratio of the rate of pure shearing to the rate of simple shearing (sr) of 0.21 or a kinematic vorticity number Wk>0.92. The model curves showing rotation vs final orientation do not vary significantly over the range of sr and R that is relevant to this study. The data have significant scatter, yet there is remarkable agreement between the data and the model for a γ of 1.5. These results illustrate how strain shadows around porphyroblasts with large aspect ratios and variable initial orientations provide a more complete assessment of kinematics than inclusion trails within more equant porphyroblasts.
Celebrating Ourselves: The Family Reunion Rituals of African-Caribbean Transnational Families

In the past decade, family reunions have become an important ritualized event among Afro-Caribbean transnational migrants. Dispersed across a large number of North Atlantic countries, Afro-Caribbeans have turned to organizing events specifically designed to reunite kinfolk. The rituals constitute a celebration of family as a distinct social group with a kin-based, lineage-like identity. Re-creating kin ties among those spread across different nations and transmitting kin-based connections to their offspring are the main incentives for holding these rituals. In this article I describe three different recent family reunions, one held in Barbados, one in Grenada, and one in Trinidad and Barbados. I analyse the specific forms these rituals take, relate their differences from the social positioning of the core members of the kin groups and discuss the signifying practices of the reunions for maintaining Caribbean family connections in the diaspora. Finally, I raise questions about how the kin-based identities constructed in the reunion rituals intersect with race/class, ethnic and national identities.
Biomass-gasifier steam-injected gas turbine cogeneration

Steam injection for power and efficiency augmentation in aeroderivative gas turbines is now commercially established for natural gas-fired cogeneration. Steam-injected gas turbines fired with coal and biomass are being developed. In terms of efficiency, capital cost, and commercial viability, the most promising was to fuel steam-injected gas turbines with biomass is via the biomass-integrated gasifier/steam-injected gas turbine (BIG/STIG). The R and D effort required to commercialize the Big/STIG is modest because it can build on extensive previous coal-integrated gasifier/gas turbine development efforts. An economic analysis of BIG/STIG cogeneration is presented for cane sugar factories, where sugar cane residues would be the fuel. A BIG/STIG investment would be attractive for sugar producers, who could sell large quantities of electricity, or for the local electric utility, as a low-cost generating option. Worldwide, the cane sugar industry could support some 50,000 MW of BIG/STIG capacity, and there are many potential applications in the forest products and other biomass-based industries.
High accuracy, high energy He-ERD analysis of H, D and T

Abstract A new analysis technique using high-energy helium ions for the simultaneous elastic recoil detection of all three hydrogen isotopes in metal hydride systems extending to depths of several μm's is presented. Analysis shows that it is possible to separate each hydrogen isotope in a heavy matrix such as erbium to depths of 5 μm using incident 11.48 MeV 4He ions with a detection system composed of a range foil and ΔE − E telescope detector. Newly measured cross-sections for the elastic recoil scattering of 4He ions from protons and deuterons are presented in the energy range 10–11.75 MeV for the laboratory recoil angle of 30°.
Luminescence-based sensors: microheterogeneous and temperature effects☆

Abstract Many recent advances in remote optical sensors of O2, pH, and pCO2 are based on luminescence-type sensors. Both organic probes and transition-metal complexes are used on inorganic or organic polymer supports. Polymer systems are generally highly microheterogeneous and substantially affect the luminescence, quenching, and photochemistry. This complexity causes considerable difficulty in properly interpreting and correcting sensor behavior. Intimate understanding of the sensor-environment interactions and, especially, the role of microheterogeneity is critical for the rational design of new high-performance sensors/probes. We discuss different models for heterogeneity and demonstrate the surprising difficulty in establishing unique accurate models. The different models, their differences in sensor response, the magnitude of the uniqueness problem, and how to differentiate between models are discussed. In addition, for the new clases of inorganic sensors, temperature effects can adversely affect performance. The origins of these effects and the necessary parameters that must be controlled to best exploit them as sensors are explored.
A framework for systems analysis for decision support systems

Abstract Comprehensive and elaborate systems analysis techniques have been developed in the past of routine and operational information systems. Developing support systems for organizational decision-making requires new tools and methodologies. We present a new framework for data collection and decision analysis which is useful for developing decision support systems. This task analysis methodology encompasses (1) event analysis, (2) participant analysis, and (3) decision content analysis. With a proper coding manual, it provides a framework for collecting relevant and detailed information required for decision support design and implementation. Further research is suggested for application and evaluation of the methodology in real-life DSS environments.
The rate of convergence of continuous fictitious play

The rate of convergence to Nash equilibrium of continuous fictitious play is determined for a generic set of utilities and initial beliefs in 2 × 2 games. In addition, an example is provided comparing the rate of convergence of discrete fictitious play to the rate for continuous fictitious play. Finally, the convergent dynamic of fictitious play is related to the nonconvergent gradient process dynamic in 2 × 2 games.
THE IN-VIVO EFFECT OF THEOPHYLLINE ON HISTAMINE RELEASE FROM HUMAN LEUKOCYTES

The antigen-induced release of mediators from sensitized cells is an active secretory process, inhibited by drugs such as theophylline, which increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration. This inhibition has been demonstrated in several in-vitro systems, but at concentrations (≥ 18μg/ml) which might not be achieved in vivo with the dosage commonly employed in treatment of asthma. This study investigated the possibility that theophylline, as commonly used for asthma therapy, might also inhibit mediator release. 7 atopic subjects (6 asthmatic children and an adult with hayfever) had leukocyte histamine release determined with an tigens to which they were sensitive. Release was measured at 8 a.m. and 12 noon on 2 control days and on a drug day, on which theophylline 6mg/kg was given orally at 8 a.m. Plasma theophylline levels were determined on each specimen of blood drawn for histamine release. 3 subjects had up to 38% inhibition of histamine release by theophylline; the other 4 patients showed no effect. 2 of the 3 subjects who showed inhibition had plasma theophylline levels in excess of 10μg/ml; all of the unresponsive subjects had levels less than 10μg/ml. The plasma level achieved by a given dose of theophylline is extremely variable among patients, but in some patients levels are achieved which will inhibit mediator release. This suggests that in some asthmatic children theophylline may have beneficial effects other than bronchodilatation.
dc Conductivity in an Isostructural Family of Organic Metals

The tetracyano-$p$-quinodimethane salts of tetrathiafulvalene and its newly synthesized selenium analogs tetraselenafulvalene and cis/trans-diselenadithiafulvalene form an "isostructural" series of highly conducting organic salts. The electrical conductivity is remarkably similar and peaks at 59, 40, and 64\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, respectively. It is concluded that the conduction mechanism is of the same origin in spite of their varying molecular properties.
Psychometric evaluation of the social phobia and anxiety inventory in college students

The present study reports on the psychometric properties of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI; Turner et al., 1989a) in two nonclinical samples of college undergraduates. Exploratory principal-components analysis with varimax rotation replicated the five-factor solutions reported for the 32-item Social Phobia subscale (SP) in sample 1 (N = 200). Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the five-factor structure of the SP and the two-factor structure of the SPAI were appropriate for the second sample (N = 210) data. Coefficient alpha values were high for all the SP and the SPAI subscales. Furthermore, we examined the relations between the SPAI subscales and measures of social fear and anxiety, social desirability, and general psychopathology. Results support the research use of the SPAI in our undergraduate samples.
A growth factor in romaine lettuce for the grasshoppers Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.) and M. bivittatus (Say)

Abstract A water-soluble factor in romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Romana’) was shown to be required for larval growth in the migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.)) and the two-striped grasshopper (M. bivittatus (Say)). Manipulation of water extracts of dried lettuce revealed that the active factor was organic, heat stable, acid stable, dialysable, adsorbed on charcoal, and cationic. The failure of the acid-soluble nucleotides of lettuce and nucleic acid derivatives to satisfy the need for the growth factor suggests that the active substance does not belong to this group of compounds. Some ninhydrin-positive components of a fractionated, aqueous lettuce extract also failed to promote larval growth.
2D vs 3D gamma analysis: Establishment of comparable clinical action limits

Purpose: As clinics begin to use 3D metrics for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance; these metrics will often produce results different from those produced by their 2D counterparts. 3D and 2D gamma analyses would be expected to produce different values, because of the different search space available. We compared the results of 2D and 3D gamma analysis (where both datasets were generated the same way) for clinical treatment plans. Methods : 50 IMRT plans were selected from our database and recalculated using Monte Carlo. Treatment planning system-calculated (“evaluated”) and Monte Carlo-recalculated (“reference”) dose distributions were compared using 2D and 3D gamma analysis. This analysis was performed using a variety of dose-difference (5%, 3%, 2%, and 1%) and distance-to-agreement (5, 3, 2, and 1 mm) acceptance criteria, low-dose thresholds (5%, 10%, and 15% of the prescription dose), and data grid sizes (1.0, 1.5, and 3.0 mm). Each comparison was evaluated to determine the average 2D and 3D gamma and percentage of pixels passing gamma. Results: Average gamma and percentage of passing pixels for each acceptance criterion demonstrated better agreement for 3D than for 2D analysis for every plan comparison. Average difference in the percentage of passing pixels between the 2D and 3D analyses with no low-dose threshold ranged from 0.9% to 2.1%. Similarly, using a low-dose threshold resulted in a differences ranging from 0.8% to 1.5%. No appreciable differences in gamma with changes in the data density (constant difference: 0.8% for 2D vs. 3D) were observed. Conclusion : We found that 3D gamma analysis resulted in up to 2.9% more pixels passing than 2D analysis. Factors such as inherent dosimeter differences may be an important additional consideration to the extra dimension of available data that was evaluated in this study. ------------------------------------ Cite this article as: Pulliam KB, Huang JY, Bosca R, Followill D, Kry SF. 2D vs. 3D gamma analysis: Establishment of comparable clinical action limits. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020231. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.31
The poly(A)-dependent transcriptional pause is mediated by CPSF acting on the body of the polymerase

Eukaryotic poly(A) signals direct mRNA 3'-end processing and also pausing and termination of transcription. We show that pausing and termination require the processing factor CPSF, which binds the AAUAAA hexamer of the mammalian poly(A) signal. Pausing does not require the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain (CTD) or the cleavage stimulation factor, CstF, that binds the CTD. Pull-down experiments show that CPSF binds, principally through its 30-kDa subunit, to the body of the polymerase. CPSF can also bind CstF, but this seems to be mutually exclusive with polymerase binding. We suggest that CPSF, while binding the body of the polymerase, scans for hexamers in the extruding RNA. Any encounter with a hexamer triggers pausing. If the hexamer is part of a functional poly(A) signal, CstF is recruited and binds CPSF, causing it to release the polymerase body and move (with CstF) to the CTD.
Real-time video-based iris image processing

Iris recognition is an important method for identifying a person. Currently, most iris recognition methods are based on individual images. For non-cooperative user identification, video image based methods can provide more information. However, the iris image quality may vary from frame to frame. In this paper, we propose a real-time video based iris image processing method to eliminate the bad quality video image frames. It takes advantage of the correlations among video frames.
Asymmetric minor loop and transient open loop computations for ferroelectrics

It is shown that a simple model of a ferroelectric during switching allows description of asymmetric minor loops as well as transient open loops. These cases are illustrated with numerical examples.
Exposure to the carcinogen 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK) in smokers from 3 populations with different risks of lung cancer

Native Hawaiian smokers are at higher risk and Japanese-American smokers at lower risk of lung cancer (LC), compared with white smokers, even after accounting for smoking history. Because variation in carcinogen exposure/metabolism may occur separately of smoking amount, we compared urinary biomarkers of uptake and detoxification of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-a potent lung carcinogen-among 578 smokers in these ethnic/racial groups in Hawaii. We measured the NNK metabolite 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and its glucuronide (NNAL-Gluc) and examined total NNAL (NNAL + NNAL-Gluc) and the NNAL detoxification ratio (NNAL-Gluc:NNAL). Native Hawaiians and Japanese-Americans had lower age- and sex-adjusted mean total NNAL, compared with whites. When further adjusting for urinary nicotine equivalents (the sum of nicotine, cotinine, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine and their respective glucuronides), only the difference between Japanese-Americans and whites was eliminated. Therefore, consistent with their lower LC risk, a lower cigarette smoke exposure explains the lower NNK dose of Japanese-Americans, but it does not explain that of Native Hawaiians. The mean detoxification ratio was also lower in Native Hawaiians and Japanese-Americans, compared with whites, even after adjusting for nicotine equivalents (p < 0.0001). Lower NNAL glucuronidation in Native Hawaiians might contribute to their increased LC risk; however, this is inconsistent with the low glucuronidation ratio similarly observed in the low-risk Japanese-American group and because Native Hawaiians had lower total NNAL levels. Thus, exposure and detoxification of NNK are unlikely to explain, by themselves, the differences in LC risk among the 3 populations studied.
Folylpolyglutamates in Leishmania major

The intracellular folates of the protozoan parasite Leishmania major have been examined. About 95% of the exogenous [3H]folate accumulated by the protozoan is metabolized to polyglutamate conjugates within 65 hr, and the intracellular folates are about forty-fold concentrated over the folate in the medium. The predominant metabolite of folic acid is the pentaglutamate conjugate (85%), with lessor amounts of the tetraglutamate (∼9%) and hexaglutamate (∼3%) and trace (<2.5%) amounts of di-, tri- and hepta-glutamate conjugates. Chromatographic properties of the products indicate that the conjugates are linked through the γ-carboxyl groups. The folylpolyglutamate distribution in Leishmania is similar to that found in mammalian tissues.