cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early response assessment to guide management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections with vancomycin therapy.

Abstract Background A subset of vancomycin-treated patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infection (BSI) developed persistent positive blood cultures. Treatment eventually failed. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to determine whether early response on day 3 after initiation of vancomycin therapy for MRSA BSI was associated with reduced rates of persistent bacteremia, end-of-treatment failure, and infection-related mortality. Patients' medical charts were reviewed. Susceptibility testing and molecular characterization of bacterial isolates were performed. Results In this elderly cohort (n = 111; median age 70 years, interquartile range: 57–80 years), early response was observed in 62% of patients and was significantly ( P P = 0.23). Nearly half (46%; 46 of 100 patients) remained on vancomycin therapy for the entire treatment course; those who continued despite lack of early response had a trend toward a higher risk of death than those who were switched to alternative therapy (38% vs 10%, P = NS). Most (68%) isolates had vancomycin MIC of >1 µg/mL, whereas 10% showed heterogeneous glycopeptide-intermediate Staph aureus (hGISA) phenotype. Nearly half (47%) were typed with staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec IV or V. In a multivariate logistic regression model, lack of response at day 3 was the strongest predictor for end-of-treatment failure, after adjustment for confounders such as age, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II score, intensive care unit admission, vancomycin MIC >1 µg/mL, unbound trough concentration Conclusions Early response assessment after initiation of vancomycin therapy appeared to be useful for considering further diagnostic workup or a switch to alternative therapy to affect a positive outcome in patients with MRSA BSI.
Cattle Biting Louse: Evaluation of Compounds for Juvenile Hormone Activity. 2. Hormonal and Toxic Effects

Of 70 compounds related to the cecropia juvenile hormone that previously showed juvenile hormone activity against 1 or more species of insects, 4 (and also the standard) caused Bovicola bovis (L.) to retain nymphal characteristics in the 4th (normally adult) stage. These hormonally active compounds were 7, 8-epoxy-4, 8-dimethyl-1-m-tolylnonane; 8, 9-epoxy-5, 9-dimethyl-l-phenyl-2-decene; 5, 9, 13-trimethyl-4, 8, 12-tetradecatrien-3-onej 12, 13-epoxy-5, 9, 13-trimethyl-4, 8-tetradecadien-3-onej and the standard, methyl 10,11-epoxy-7-ethyl-3,11-dimethyl-2, 6-tridecadienoate mixed cis/trans isomers (a synthetic sample chemically equivalent to the male cecropia juvenile hormone). No exact relationship between hormonal activity and chemical structure could be established except that all active compounds had a chain of 9-14 carbons and that 3 of the 5 active compounds had 13 or 14 carbon atoms in the chain. Thirty-two compounds were toxic to B. bovis but did not show juvenile hormone activity.
Large area single-mode PT-symmetric laser amplifiers

We propose a new method in realizing single-mode large area laser amplifiers that is based on the recently developed notion of parity-time symmetry in optics.
Clay Alteration in Copper Deposits Associated with Granodiorites

Recent development at deep levels in the Mt. Con Mine at Butte, Montana, has revealed a structurally early alteration type characterized by K-rich alkali feldspar, brown and green biotite, and 2M muscovite (sericite). This is similar to the K-rich biotite assemblage in numerous porphyry coppers as emphasized by Anderson, Gilluly, Creasey, and Rose. In Butte, and in some of the porphyry coppers, the assemblage is demonstrably earlier than the common feldspar-free, muscovite-quartz-pyrite assemblage which envelops pyrite-rich veinlets. On the other hand, few consistent mineral assemblages or detailed distribution patterns have yet emerged for argillic alteration, where illite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, and locally allophane and pyrophyllite are prominent phases. Probably much of the confusion results from extensive supergene alteration, though even this cannot be proved at present. In supergene and in hypogene alteration at least below 300°C, supersaturation of SiO2 in the aqueous phase may play an important role in determining alteration assemblages. Some reactions affected ar. (1) the hydrolysis of K-spar to K-mica. (2) albite to montmorillonite. (3) silica-rich illite or montmorillonite to kaolinite, an. (4) pyrophyllite to kaolinite. The encroachment of the sericitic zone on the argillic zone at Butte may be controlled by changes in ionic species of the veinward migrating SiO2 liberated by argillization of plagioclase. Within the sericitic zone and the veins, silica in solution is probably in equilibrium with quartz.
MEASUREMENT OF ATTENTIVE MOTOR PERFORMANCE AFTER ALCOHOL.

Tracking apparatus is described in which attention and motor manipulation are required. Twenty-three Ss were tested prior to and after receiving alcohol. A mean decrease in performance, i.e., increase in error score, was noted in four tests, two of which reached statistically significant levels with blood alcohol concentrations measured at less than 50 mgm. per 100 ml. of blood.
Magnetic-grating free-induction decay and magnetic-grating echo using ultrafast excitation pulses

The interaction of atoms with ultrafast, counterpropagating optical fields is considered. The magnetic degeneracy and hyperfine splitting of the atomic levels are included in the calculations, which are carried out for arbitrary polarizations of the incident fields. The counterpropagating fields produce spatial harmonics in the ground state density matrix (gratings) which can be monitored by backscattering of a traveling wave probe pulse. Two types of excitation schemes are analyzed. The Magnetic-Grating Free-Induction Decay (MGFID) consists of excitation with a single counterpropagating wave field, while the Magnetic-Grating Echo (MGE) involves excitation by two counterpropagating wave fields, separated in time by T. The atomic response to the probe pulse is calculated in lowest-order perturbation theory for atoms cooled below the Doppler limit of laser cooling. Both the MGFID and MGE signals consist of pulses having a duration of order of the excited state lifetime, modulated at frequencies corresponding to the various hyperfine transitions. As a function of the delay between pulses, the signals oscillate at frequencies determined by the ground state hyperfine splittings. General expressions for the MGFID and MGE signals are derived and specific results are presented for the D2 line in Na.
VLSI Performance Comparison of Banyan and Crossbar Communications Networks

The performance characteristics of banyan and crossbar communications networks are compared in a VLSI environment, where it is assumed that the entire network resides on a single VLSI chip and operates in a circuit switched mode. A high-level model of the space (area) and time (delay) requirements for these networks is developed and relative performance comparisons are made based on a space-time product measure. The results differ significantly from those obtained with more traditional analyses which are usually based on switch aggregate comparisons and SSI-based delay calculations. The analysis presented shows that the area required by both networks grows as 0(N2). Time delay grows as 0(N) for the crossbar, and approximately 0[ Na(log2N)2] for the banyan where 0 < a < 1. This contrasts with traditional results which yield 0(N log N) and 0(log N) switch and delay growth for banyan networks.
Antagonistic effect of insulin on glucagon-evoked hyperpolarization. A correlation between changes in membrane potential and gluconeogenesis

In the perfused rat liver, administration of glucagon causes a hyperpolarization of the liver cell membrane and increases gluconeogenesis. Insulin, a hormone which is known to antagonize the effect of glucagon on gluconeogenesis also blocks the hyperpolarizing effect of glucagon. Because of this inhibitory effect of insulin of the glucagon-evoked hyperpolarization, a systematic study of possible correlation between changes in membrane potential and gluconeogenesis was undertaken. The membrane potential was changed by valinomycin, tetracaine, or by varying the ionic composition of the perfusate. A highly significant correlation between changes in membrane potential and the rate of gluconeogenesis was noticed. The possibility was raised that changes in membrane potential might exert an influence on metabolic process by a yet unknown mechanism.
Acute effects of aldosterone on the epithelial Na channel in rat kidney.

The acute effects of aldosterone administration on epithelial Na channels (ENaC) in rat kidney were examined using electrophysiology and immunodetection. Animals received a single injection of aldo...
Bromodeoxyuridine and light treatment deletes effector but not suppressor cells of autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Spleen cells (SpC) from Lewis rats that have recovered from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) confer protection against EAE to naive syngeneic recipients if transferred directly (without culture), but transfer EAE if first activated in culture in the presence of myelin basic protein (MBP) antigen. In order to test the hypothesis that both effector (Te) and suppressor (Ts) cells of EAE coexist in recovered rats, but only the Te proliferate in culture in response to MBP, bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) was added to the culture and dividing cells were killed by exposure to light prior to adoptive transfer. Recipients of BUdR+light-treated cells did not develop EAE, showing that Te were deleted by the treatment. In contrast, Ts activity persisted because these recipients were protected against EAE when challenged with an encephalitogenic dose of MBP.
Tribological performance and tribochemistry of nanocrystalline WC/amorphous diamond-like carbon composites

Abstract The tribological performance and tribochemistry of vacuum deposited nanocrystalline WC/amorphous diamond-like carbon (DLC) composite coatings were investigated. Coating chemistry was varied by regulation of carbon content between 30 and 90 at.%. Deposition temperature was used to adjust the degree of β-WC crystallinity from near amorphous with 1–3 nm sized grains to nanocrystalline with 5–10 nm sized grains, which were embedded in unhydrogenated DLC matrix. The microstructure critically influenced both the hardness and tribological properties of WC/DLC composites. Coatings with poorly crystallized WC were softer (15 GPa) and exhibited lower friction and higher wear rates in comparison to harder (26 GPa) composites with larger WC nanocrystals. The hardness of WC/DLC composites was at least twice as high as the hardness of metal doped DLC coatings reported in the literature. Micro Raman and X-ray photoelectron analysis was performed on transfer films formed on the surface of steel balls in sliding against WC/DLC composites in humid air and dry nitrogen, which found both oxides and graphite carbon, providing self-lubrication. The high hardness and self-lubricating properties of WC composites resulted in low wear rates and friction coefficients of about 0.2. Relationships among coating chemistry, structure, hardness, friction, wear rates, as well as, tribofilm composition and structure are discussed.
In hereditary nephritis angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition decreases proteinuria and may slow the rate of progression.

Abstract The hereditary nephritides are often progressive, resulting in kidney failure and the need for renal replacement therapy. There is no currently known beneficial treatment for these disorders. We observed three patients with hereditary glomerulonephritis with plasma creatinine concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 2.0 mg/dL who were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) for 3.5 to 6 years. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy was accompanied by a decrease in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 115 ± 10 mm Hg to 93 ± 2 mm Hg (±SD), a decrease in the mean urinary protein/creatinine ratio from 2,910 ± 1,720 mg/g to 391 ± 355 mg/g, and stabilization of the decline of creatinine clearance with time in two of the three patients. Based on this apparent benefit of ACEIs in hereditary nephritis, we suggest that a prospective controlled trial of ACEIs should be undertaken among a large group of such patients. Pending the results of such a study, ACEIs should be considered for the treatment of patients with proteinuric and progressive hereditary nephritis.
Studies on the binding of small ions in protein solutions with the use of membrane electrodes. VII. The binding of the alkali-metal ions in solutions of phosphoproteins

Abstract The binding of the alkali ions with phosvitin, casein, and a phosphopeptide of casein has been studied as a function of pH and cation concentration. The maximum binding of sodium at pH 7.5 is 175 moles/ 10 5 g., 18 moles/10 5 g., and 100 moles/10 5 g. for phosvitin, casein, and the phosphopeptide, respectively; lithium binding is slightly stronger, and potassium binding is slightly weaker. It is suggested that the localization of negatively charged groups within the casein molecule is responsible for its binding of the alkali ions.
Flutter of flat plates with partially clamped edges in the low supersonic region

A supersonic flutter analysis of an infinite span plate, which is separated into an array of rectangular panels, is presented. The region between Mach 1 and 2/ is of specific interest, and linearized three-dimensional aerodynamic theory is applied. The elastic behavior of the configuration is described by small deflection theory. The partially clamped edge condition is obtained by introducing a torsional restraint proportional to the first derivative of the transverse deflection along the normal to the edge. Numerical results are given in terms of characteristic panel flutter parameters. The effects of Mach number, aspect ratio, number of panels in the chordwise direction, panel material, and altitude are examined.
Reduced thermal sensitivity in the rabbit by β-endorphin injection into the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus

Male New Zealand White rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, were stereotaxically implanted with a guide tube above the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus (PO/AH) for the injection of beta-endorphin (beta-E) or saline at ambient temperatures of 20 and 25 degrees C. Ear skin and PO/AH temperatures were recorded in loosely restrained control and beta-E-pretreated rabbits while radiant heat was applied to the dorsal skin. Without beta-E administration the ear skin temperature (Tear) underwent a rapid increase during back heating. Following beta-E administration there was a marked vasoconstriction along with a large reduction in responsiveness of ear skin temperature to radiant heat. The time to respond to radiant heat for beta-E-pretreated rabbits was significantly longer than that for control rabbits. In control animals, the increase in Tear in response to radiant heat exposure depended upon the initial ear temperatures. However, in beta-E-pretreated rabbits vasodilatation response to radiant heat exposure was nearly the same regardless of the initial Tear. These data suggest that there is a significant reduction in passage of temperature information from cutaneous thermal receptors to the PO/AH in beta-E-pretreated animals and that beta-E-induced reduction in sensitivity of the vasomotor system to radiant heat may account for the effectiveness of this opioid peptide to promote hyperthermia in the rabbit.
An Investigation of Muscle Stresses in Swimming Hydromedusae

We investigate several preliminary models for the muscle stress produced during the swimming of a hydromedusa, Sarsia tubulosa , which relate the pressure on the hydromedusa to the stress in the musculature. Our calculations are based on the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for the flow around a swimming hydromedusa. This numerical model allows us to obtain detailed pressure information in any area of interest on or near the hydromedusa. Initially, we investigate the pressure distribution on the surface of the hydromedusa and find that it is quite uniform in space. We present an original model based on a force balance created using the actual hydromedusa’s geometry and compare the results we obtain to the stress in a pressurized thin walled cylinder or sphere of equal radius. Our model allows us to calculate and estimated muscle stress at any point along the hydromedusa. By doing so, we are able to validate the assumptions made by modeling the subumbrellar cavity as a pressurized cylinder or sphere.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A semi-automatic system for operation of electrical detection for a spark-source mass-spectrometer

A semi-automatic control system has been developed for a spark-source mass-spectrometer, which permits close interaction between the operator, the instrument via electrical ion-detection and a computer via time-sharing (remote terminal) facilities.
A sea of trade and a sea of fish: piracy and protection in the Western Indian Ocean

Abstract Based on an ethnographic engagement with the Somali coast, this article reframes maritime piracy as an economy of protection linked to longer histories and contestations over trade, plunder, and profit in this region. Through the lens of protection, the article brings into view an emergent moral economy of piracy and ethical debates over the nature of work and trade, including the work of piracy in this oceanic space. Specifically, it brings to the forefront and argues for the analytical separation of two distinct processes and practices of Somali engagements with the sea. The first part locates the development of a “sea of trade” and the centrality of economies of protection within this maritime world. The second part of the argument emphasizes a “sea of fish” and the development of a licensing and rent-seeking regime off the coast of Somalia, from the 1970s onwards. The emergence of maritime piracy is located within these shifting currents and visions of the sea.
Integrating Sensory Data for Object Recognition Tasks

Object recognition is a difficult task for single sensor systems (e.g. machine vision) in unconstrained environments. A useful approach is to combine sensory data from more than one source to overcome these problems. However, using multiple sensors poses new problems with respect to coordination of the sensors, strategies for their use and integration of their data. In this paper, these problems are explored and solutions posed for the task of object recognition using passive stereo vision and active tactile sensing.
Estimating phylogenetic relationships despite discordant gene trees across loci: The species tree of a diverse species group of feather mites (Acari: Proctophyllodidae)

With the increased availability of multilocus sequence data, the lack of concordance of gene trees estimated for independent loci has focused attention on both the biological processes producing the discord and the methodologies used to estimate phylogenetic relationships. What has emerged is a suite of new analytical tools for phylogenetic inference – species tree approaches. In contrast to traditional phylogenetic methods that are stymied by the idiosyncrasies of gene trees, approaches for estimating species trees explicitly take into account the cause of discord among loci and, in the process, provides a direct estimate of phylogenetic history (i.e. the history of species divergence, not divergence of specific loci). We illustrate the utility of species tree estimates with an analysis of a diverse group of feather mites, the pinnatus species group (genus Proctophyllodes). Discord among four sequenced nuclear loci is consistent with theoretical expectations, given the short time separating speciation events (as evident by short internodes relative to terminal branch lengths in the trees). Nevertheless, many of the relationships are well resolved in a Bayesian estimate of the species tree; the analysis also highlights ambiguous aspects of the phylogeny that require additional loci. The broad utility of species tree approaches is discussed, and specifically, their application to groups with high speciation rates – a history of diversification with particular prevalence in host/parasite systems where species interactions can drive rapid diversification.
Mass effects in the theoretical determination of nuclear-spin relaxation rates for atomic hydrogen and deuterium.

The normal method for calculating very precise eigenvalues for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and its isotopes is to solve the Schr\"odinger equation using a reduced mass calculated from the bare nuclear mass with the mass-independent Born-Oppenheimer potentials and with mass-dependent adiabatic and nonadiabatic correction terms that account for the finite mass of the nuclei. On the other hand, scattering calculations have used reduced masses calculated from the masses of the separated atoms to solve the Schr\"odinger equation with mass-dependent adiabatic potentials, but with no explicit treatment of electronically off-diagonal nonadiabatic corrections. We have extended the conventional bound-state methods based on bare nuclear masses into the continuum by introducing an effective local potential to account for the electronically off-diagonal nonadiabatic mass-dependent corrections. Good agreement is found with previously calculated eigenvalues of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$. The scattering length for the ground state $^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}$ of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ is very sensitive to the nonadiabatic corrections, but is in good agreement with that previously calculated using a reduced mass based on the separated atomic masses. Using quantum close-coupling methods, we also find good agreement with previously calculated collision-rate coefficients in the T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 limit for collisions of H with H and D with D.
A concurrent spectral-screening PCT algorithm for remote sensing applications

Abstract The paper presents a concurrent algorithm for remote sensing applications that provides significant performance and image quality enhancements over conventional uniprocessor principal component transform (PCT) techniques. The algorithm combines spectral angle classification, principal component transform, and human centered color mapping. It is evaluated from an image quality perspective using images collected with the hyper-spectral digital imagery collection experiment (HYDICE) sensor, an airborne imaging spectrometer. These images correspond to foliated scenes taken from an altitude of 2000–7500 m at wavelengths between 400 nm and 2.5 μm. The scenes contain mechanized vehicles sitting in open fields as well as under camouflage. The algorithm operates with close to linear speedup on shared memory multiprocessors and can be readily extended to operate on multiple, low-cost PC-style servers connected with high-performance networking. A simple analytical model is outlined that allows the impact on performance of practical, application-specific properties to be assessed. These properties include image resolution, number of spectral bands, increases in the number of processors, changes in processor technology, networking speeds and system clock rates.
So Many Theories, So Little Time: An Examination of Theories on the Intergenerational Transmission of Relationship Instability

To examine theoretical perspectives on the intergenerational transmission of relationship instability 945 college students from intact and divorced homes participated. Participants were examined simultaneously and separately based on racial and ethnic background. Regression analyses tested evolutionary, social learning, life-course adversity, and father-absent theory. Evolutionary theory proved to be the best explanation as it was able to explain relationship behaviors when examining all participants simultaneously, and some behaviors when examining participants separately. Life-course adversity and father-absent theory were able to explain early reproductive behaviors among White participants. For Black participants, age at first boy/girlfriend could be explained by social-learning, life-course adversity, and father-absent theory. None of the remaining theories were able to explain the relationship behaviors of Hispanic participants.
Stress-Constrained Thermo-Elastic Topology Optimization: A Topological Sensitivity Approach

The focus of this paper is on thermo-elastic topology optimization where the structure is subject to both mechanical and thermal loads. Such problems are of significant importance, for example, in the aircraft industry where structures subject to aerodynamic forces and thermal-gradients must be optimized.A popular strategy for solving such problems is Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) where pseudo-densities serve as optimization parameters. Yet another strategy is the Rational Approximation of Material Properties (RAMP) that overcomes some of the deficiencies of SIMP. Both methods fundamentally rely on parameterization of the material properties as a function of the pseudo-densities.Here we consider an alternate level-set approach that relies on the concept of topological sensitivity. The advantages of the proposed method over SIMP and RAMP are: (1) ad hoc material parameterization is not required (2) the stresses are well-defined at all points within the evolving topology and (3) the underlying stiffness matrices are always well-conditioned. The proposed method is illustrated through numerical experiments.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Aesthetic preference in dextrals and sinistrals.

Abstract In one study, dextrals preferred pictures with a rightward-balance and sinistrals preferred leftward-balance (LB) pictures. In a second study, sinistrals again preferred LB pictures and were different from dextrals who showed no preference. Aesthetic preferences for asymmetric pictures seem determined by the direction of cerebral asymmetry.
Alteration of calcium transport by tumor promoters, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, in the Chinese hamster V79 fibroblast cell line.

Abstract Effects of two tumor promoters, 12- O -tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and p,p′ -dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), on cellular calcium regulatory mechanisms were studied by using the Chinese hamster V79 fibroblast cell line. Both compounds at concentrations known to inhibit cell-cell communication, increased the cellular 45 Ca 2+ uptake and inhibited its efflux. DDT inhibited Ca,Mg-ATPase of the plasma membrane, while TPA stimulated cellular uptake of Ca 2+ . A working hypothesis has been proposed that the increase in intracellular concentration of Ca 2+ by the action of these chemicals directly results in the closure of the central opening of the gap junction, and thereby causing a cessation of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication.
The UV spectrum of acetyl and the kinetics of the chain reaction between acetldehyde and chlorine

Abstract Time resolved UV spectroscopy has been used to investigate the role of acetyl radical in the photolytically initiated chain reaction of acetaldehyde with chlorine. At a resolution of 2 nm, acetyl has a broad, unstructured, absorption in the 200–280 nm range, with a peak cross section of (1.07 ± 0.11) × 10 −17 cm 2 at 217 nm. The chain propagation reaction between acetyl and molecular chlorine has a measured rate constant of k 2 = 2.8 −0.8 +1.1 ×10 −11 e (−47±91)/ T cm 3 s −1 while the chain terminating self reaction proceeds with a rate constant of k 3 = 3.9 −1.4 +2.3 ×10 −12 e (450±120)/ T cm 3 s −1 .
Mesozoic-Cenozoic climates of Northern Asia and glacial-marine deposits

(1978). Mesozoic-Cenozoic climates of Northern Asia and glacial-marine deposits. International Geology Review: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 49-58.
Direct inhibition of Leydig cell function by estradiol.

Suppression of plasma testosterone levels from a mean of 760 ng/dl to a mean of 295 ng/dl could be induced in normal young adult men 24 h after a single injection of 2 mg aqueous 17β-estradiol. Maximum suppression to 123 ng/dl was noted 36 h after estradiol administration. Neither LH nor FSH levels were similarly affected. After administration of 5000 IU hCG to a similar group of subjects, daily blood samples were obtained for testosterone and estrogen. Maximum testosterone levelsof 2060 ng/dl (basal, 784 ng/dl) were seen 96 h after hCG administration. Maximum estrogen levels of 163 pg/ml (basal, 73 pg/ml) were seen 36 h after hCG administration. The testosterone response to hCG could be attenuated by preceding hCG administration with an injection of 17β-estradiol. These results can be explained by the concept of enzyme inhibition; estrogen acts directly on the Leydig cell to effect changes in the activities of certain enzymes important for testosterone synthesis. Whether endogenous estrogen production by...
Overall Type I Error Rate and Power of Multiple Dunnett's Tests on Rodent Body Weights in Toxicology Studies

Body weight data are routinely collected in in vivo general toxicology studies, including 2-year carcinogenicity studies, to help assess the overall health of animals. The effect of the compound on body weight is statistically evaluated for each sex separately using a linear trend test or a many-to-one test by Dunnett. These tests are performed either in the framework of a one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) or a repeated measures ANOVA. The one-factor ANOVA with Dunnett's test at each time point is a common practice in industry. Although each individual test is conducted at the 0.05 significance level, one wonders about the overall type I error rate and power for performing many individual Dunnett's tests. A simulation study is conducted to answer this question for general toxicology studies of durations 1 month, 3 months, and 2 years. These results provide guidance to managing multiplicity of body weight analysis of general toxicology studies.
Curricular Treatments of Length Measurement in the United States: Do They Address Known Learning Challenges?

Extensive research has shown that elementary students struggle to learn the basic principles of length measurement. However, where patterns of errors have been documented, the origins of students’ difficulties have not been identified. This study investigated the hypothesis that written elementary mathematics curricula contribute to the problem of learning length measurement. We analyzed all instances of length measurement in three mathematics curricula (grades K–3) and found a shared focus on procedures. Attention to conceptual principles was limited overall and particularly for central ideas; conceptual principles were often presented after students were asked to use procedures that depended on them; and students often did not have direct access to conceptual principles. We also report five groupings of procedures that appeared sequentially in all three curricula, the conceptual principles that underlie those procedures, and the conventional knowledge that receives substantial attention by grade 3.
Relationship of morphology and other language skills to literacy skills in at-risk second-grade readers and at-risk fourth-grade writers

Structural equation modeling evaluated the contribution of phonological, orthographic, morphological, and oral vocabulary factors to word reading, spelling, and reading comprehension outcomes in 98 2nd graders at risk for passing state standards in reading and to those same outcomes plus composing in 97 4th graders at risk for passing state standards in writing. For 2nd-grade children, morphology contributed uniquely to reading comprehension, and oral vocabulary and orthography contributed uniquely to word reading. For 4th-grade children, morphology and oral vocabulary did not contribute uniquely to any outcomes, but morphology and word reading were correlated, and orthography and phonology contributed uniquely to decoding words with affixes. Fourth graders are still learning to coordinate orthographic, phonological, and morphological cues in written words. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Electron spin transition solution applicable to an ensemble of isolated electrons.

An electron spin aligned with a static magnetic field changes its orientation when subjected to a time-varying magnetic field which is directed perpendicular to the static magnetic field. This well-known phenomenon is readily calculated when the time-varying magnetic field is circularly polarized; however, the evolution of the spin-state wavefunctions becomes much more difficult to calculate when the time-varying magnetic field is linearly polarized. For linear polarization and isolated spins, an analytic solution has been derived for the dynamical spin-state wavefunctions. Part of the solution procedure relies on an expansion using a small parameter, which is the ratio of the amplitude of the time-varying magnetic field to the static magnetic field. To verify the validity of the expansion technique, a numerical solution of the basic equations is compared to the analytic solution. Results are found to agree to better than 10% for exact resonance and better than 5% in general.
Geospatial Video Monitoring of Benthic Habitats Using the Shallow-Water Positioning System (SWaPS)

In this project, we describe the application of a geospatial video-based survey technique, the Shallow-Water Positioning System (SWaPS), develop by scientists from NOAA's National Geodetic Survey, to document the abundance, distribution, and damage patterns of benthic organisms in shallow marine habitats that have been historically under-represented in monitoring programs due to the difficulties associated with boat access. SWaPS uses a GPS receiver attached to a video camera. The GPS receiver is centered over the digital video camera that is suspended over a glass enclosure that provides a down-looking view of the bottom. SWaPS is presently available in three platforms used for distinct survey requirements: (a) a boat-based system; (b) a remotely-operated system; and (c) a diver-based system. During the surveys, each video frame recorded is stamped with position information, date, depth, heading, and pitch and roll, and the georeferenced digital frames obtained in these surveys can be easily analyzed to document patterns of abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and other benthic organisms, as well as damage patterns caused by ship groundings and boat propellers in shallow coastal habitats. The SWaPS methodology provides a fast, spatially precise alternative to diver-based surveys that can be especially useful when: (1) a large number of closely spaced sites need to be surveyed rapidly; (2) field time is limited, as is often the case prior to the onset of an acute disturbance (e.g., hurricane, dredging project); (3) the availability of trained field personnel is limited; (4) resources need to be precisely mapped; (5) a permanent visual archive of the extent and condition of benthic resources is needed; and (6) the same locations need to be surveyed repeatedly without establishing permanent markers. Field surveys using SWaPS can be easily conducted by operators without scientific training, thereby removing the need for specialized field personnel and reducing the cost of field operations.
A note on an inverse problem for lattice points

Abstract Let K ⊆ R 2 be a compact set such that K + Z 2 = R 2 and let K − K = { a − b | a , b ∈ K } . We prove, via Algebraic Topology, that the integer points of the difference set of K, ( K − K ) ∩ Z 2 , is not contained on the coordinate axes, Z × { 0 } ∪ { 0 } × Z . This result implies the negative answer to the inverse problem posed by M.B. Nathanson (2010) [5] .
Physical and mental health status and health behaviors of childhood cancer survivors: findings from the 2009 BRFSS survey.

Background The growing number of childhood cancer survivors makes examination of their current physical and mental health status and health behaviors an important concern. Much of what is known about the long-term outcomes of childhood cancer survivors comes from the Childhood Cancer Cohort Study (CCSS) which uses sibling controls.
Alternative complement pathway component Factor D contributes to efficient clearance of tissue debris following acute CCl4-induced injury

Complement, part of the innate immune system, is involved with immune protection against invading pathogens as well as cell survival and tissue regeneration. It is known that complement activation is required for timely hepatocyte recovery following an acute toxic injury, but which pathway of complement activation is involved in response to hepatocyte injury has not been identified. In these studies we utilize mice deficient in C1qa, C4 and Factor D, lacking the classical, classical/MBL, and alternative pathways of complement activation, respectively, to identify an essential role for Factor D in the ability of the liver to recover from acute toxic injury. Here we demonstrate that following an acute CCl4-induced injury, the involvement of the alternative complement pathway is essential for efficient liver recovery.
Adaptations for spatial vision in sharks

The revelation that sharks as a group are not simply all-rod, nocturnal vertebrates has called for a new perspective on their spatial visual capabilities. Using the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) as a model species, selected components of spatial vision in sharks have been investigated. The physiological optics of the eye have been modeled with a schematic eye for the lemon shark, the first such model for an elasmobranch species. Retinal cone and ganglion cell topography and retinotectal projection pattern have been mapped completely for the first time in an elasmobranch. These topographic maps reveal a prominent visual streak, a functional specialization that is correlated with the lemon shark's visual behavior and habitat. Evidence in the literature of similar specializations for spatial vision in other elasmobranchs signifies that the lemon shark is not a special case. Assessments of the quality of shark vision should consider the sensory niches of these animals in their specific marine environments, as well as the phylogenetic and ontogenetic diversity within the group.
Expansion, folding, and abnormal lamination of the chick optic tectum after intraventricular injections of FGF2

Comparative research has shown that evolutionary increases in brain region volumes often involve delays in neurogenesis. However, little is known about the influence of such changes on subsequent development. To get at this question, we injected FGF2—which delays cell cycle exit in mammalian neocortex—into the cerebral ventricles of chicks at embryonic day (ED) 4. This manipulation alters the development of the optic tectum dramatically. By ED7, the tectum of FGF2-treated birds is abnormally thin and has a reduced postmitotic layer, consistent with a delay in neurogenesis. FGF2 treatment also increases tectal volume and ventricular surface area, disturbs tectal lamination, and creates small discontinuities in the pia mater overlying the tectum. On ED12, the tectum is still larger in FGF2-treated embryos than in controls. However, lateral portions of the FGF2-treated tectum now exhibit volcano-like laminar disturbances that coincide with holes in the pia, and the caudomedial tectum exhibits prominent folds. To explain these observations, we propose that the tangential expansion of the ventricular surface in FGF2-treated tecta outpaces the expansion of the pial surface, creating abnormal mechanical stresses. Two alternative means of alleviating these stresses are tectal foliation and the formation of pial holes. The latter probably alter signaling gradients required for normal cell migration and may generate abnormal patterns of cerebrospinal fluid flow; both abnormalities would generate disturbances in tectal lamination. Overall, our findings suggest that evolutionary expansion of sheet-like, laminated brain regions requires a concomitant expansion of the pia mater.
Alternative procedure for detecting stationary targets with ultrawideband foliage-penetration radar

The Army Research Laboratory has investigated various phenomenology-based approaches for improving the detection of targets in wide-angle, ultra-wideband foliage penetration synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The approach presented here exploits the aspect-dependent reflectivity of vehicles, by filtering the SAR image data to obtain sub-aperture images from the original full-aperture radar image. These images represent the images of the target as seen by the sub-aperture SAR from two different locations (squint angles). We present a straightforward approach to extending an existing collection of features for a quadratic polynomial discriminator with features calculated from these two, lower-resolution sub-aperture SAR data images. We describe a method for generating the modified features and assess their potential contribution to improved probability of detection.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Lost Book: A Biographical Gap

(2001). Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Lost Book: A Biographical Gap. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 26-31.
A two-filter model for frequency discrimination

In this paper, we explore a two-filter model, the simplest version of multi-channel models for frequency discrimination of simple tones. According to this model, frequency discrimination is based on a change in the relative output levels of two auditory filters, one centered below and the other above the frequency of the tone. This idea can explain the experimental results that frequency discrimination is relatively unaffected by randomization of stimulus level. Moreover, it suggests a close relationship between the ability of listeners to perform frequency discrimination of simple tones and spectral-shape discrimination of two-tone complexes. The ability of three listeners to perform these two tasks was measured at six frequencies (from 0.25 to 8 kHz). The results from the spectral-shape-discrimination task were used to predict frequency-difference limens. There was a high correlation between obtained and predicted values.
Cognitive activities in OO development

The cognitive activities performed by systems designers during systems development include problem understanding, problem decomposition and solution specification. One aspect of object-oriented (OO) approaches to system design that appeals to many adopting organizations is the purported naturalness, i.e. the consistency of OO approaches with these cognitive activities of problem solving. Essentially, OO aims to abstract components of the problem of system development to a high level that parallels problem solving in the world the system represents. In other words, knowing how a problem is solved in the real world informs one about how the OO system solves the problem. Thus, the OO development process and the resulting OO model are believed to be consistent with innate cognitive activities and consistent with the problem/real world, respectively. A cognitive mapping method was used to ask graduate students experienced with OO techniques about their perceptions of what is complex (difficult to understand) about OO systems. Their responses include a set of concepts, categories of similar concepts and cognitive maps that reveal what they believe is difficult about using OO techniques. Evaluating these perceptions in terms of the cognitive activities of system design reveals problem decomposition was perceived as the activity that caused the most difficulties related to learning OO techniques. Problem understanding was the goal of the participants, while the solution activity ranked lower in importance but contained many issues essential to systems development and influenced problem understanding.
DADO: enhancing middleware to support crosscutting features in distributed, heterogeneous systems

Some "non-" or "extra-functional" features, such as reliability, security, and tracing, defy modularization mechanisms in programming languages. This makes such features hard to design, implement, and maintain. Implementing such features within a single platform, using a single language, is hard enough With distributed, heterogeneous (DH) systems, these features induce complex implementations which cross-cut different languages, OSs, and hardware platforms, while still needing to share data and events. Worse still, the precise requirements for such features are often locality-dependent and discovered late (e.g., security policies). The DADO/sup 1/ approach helps program cross-cutting features by improving DH middleware. A DADO service comprises pairs of adaplets which are explicitly modeled in IDL. Adaplets may be implemented in any language compatible with the target application, and attached to stubs and skeletons of application objects in a variety of ways. DADO supports flexible and type-checked interactions (using generated stubs and skeletons) between adaplets and between objects and adaplets. Adaplets can be attached at run-time to an application object. We describe the approach and illustrate its use for several cross-cutting features, including performance monitoring, caching, and security. We also discuss software engineering process, as well as run-time performance implications.
Preferred heteroepitaxial orientations of ZnO nanorods on Ag

Wurtzite ZnO nanorods were grown from solution onto coarse-grain bulk polycrystallineAg substrates to explore the nature of preferred heteroepitaxial orientations. ZnOnanorods grow copiously on grains with and surface normals. Twoepitaxial orientations were observed: {0001} ZnOjj{111} Ag with ZnOjj Ag and {0001} ZnOjj{001} Ag with ZnOjj Ag. Bothfeature ZnO basal plane growth, and the specific in-plane orientation relationships bothfeature alignment of close-packed directions in the interface. Nanorod growth wasstrongly suppressed on Ag grains in most other orientations. Although strain energyminimization is often invoked to explain the {0001} ZnOjj{111} Ag with ZnOjj Ag orientation, associated with an almost ideal near-coincidence sitelattice matching, our data suggests that strain may not be the sole, or even the mostimportant, determinant of the preferred orientations during solution-based epitaxialgrowth in this system.I. INTRODUCTIONZnO is a wide band gap semiconductor whose relevantproperties make it an outstanding candidate for a varietyof potential applications in optoelectronics, solar energyharvesting, and sensing.
Bill Clinton's Approval Ratings: The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same:

Over the past three decades, political scientists have been developing general models of presidential approval ratings, seeking to determine the structure of aggregate approval. This endeavor has c...
To Match or Not to Match: Effects of Behavioral Congruence on Interpersonal Connectedness

Abstract This study examined interactions among 96 American college students and tested the prediction that adaptation patterns influence perceptions of interpersonal connectedness. It was proposed that matching positive behavior and not matching negative behavior is interpreted as communicating the most connectedness. Matching negative behavior and not matching positive behavior carries the opposite connotative meaning. These predictions were partially supported. Although the interaction of adaptation and the valence of the stimulus behavior affected the students' encoded meanings of connectedness, it did not influence the extent to which receivers actually felt more connected to senders. This finding suggests the importance of examining multiple perspectives in interaction research rather than presuming that any 1 perspective accurately characterizes the dyad or group.