cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial analysis of ecological factors related to rangeland grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) outbreaks in Wyoming

Spatial analysis was used to test the hypotheses that the frequency of grasshopper outbreaks (≥9.6 grasshoppers per square meter) in Wyoming are dependent on 5 ecological variables: vegetation, precipitation, elevation, evapotranspiration, landform, and soil association. Thirty-one survey maps, compiled annually by government agencies, showing 2 levels of grasshopper densities (< or ≥9.6 grasshoppers per square meter) were digitized (100-ha pixels) and overlaid using a geographic information system. Maps of all the ecological factors were digitized and the areas of geographic overlap with the grasshopper outbreak frequency map were determined. The resulting maps showed that grasshopper outbreaks occur repeatedly in some areas but rarely in others, even though they apparently had suitable vegetation and endemic populations of species capable of reaching high densities. Analyses of distributions of the areas that supported outbreaks 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 yr out of 31 yr with respect to each ecological factor showed that the distributions of outbreak frequencies were not random. Cross-tabulations showed that frequent outbreaks are associated with particular vegetation types (ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa Lawson, savannah, which covers only 5.5% of Wyoming) and soil associations (those on the steep hills of Wyoming's eastern plains). A regression model for describing the susceptibility to grasshopper outbreaks in the study area using slope, soil depth, and soil erodibility was developed (R2 = 0.885).
New Oligocene hyracoids from Egypt

ABSTRACT New specimens of hyracoids collected from the Jebel Qatrani Formation, Fayum, Egypt, provide additional information about the evolutionary radiation of Hyracoidea during the early Oligocene. The genus Pachyhyrax is revised on the basis of well-preserved specimens of the lower dentition, and “Pachyhyrax” pygmaeus is transferred to the genus Thyrohyrax. A new species of Titanohyrax and a new species of Saghatherium are described from the upper part of the Jebel Qatrani Formation. We also describe a new monotypic genus, Selenohyrax, which has more gracile, selenodont teeth than any other Oligocene hyracoid. The Fayum hyracoids represent an unusually diverse radiation of herbivorous mammals that were probably ecologically differentiated from each other by size and dietary specialization. The diverse radiation of hyracoids and their later decimation when ungulate groups arrived from the northern continents are somewhat analogous to the radiation and extermination of litopterns and notoungulates in Sou...
Natural Frequency Response of Intraaortic Balloons

An Intraaortic Balloon (IAB) is a cardiac assist device that consists of a catheter (lumen) and a balloon at the catheter’s distal end. A balloon pump, or IABP, and a transducer are connected to the hub of the catheter that remains outside of the body. Connecting the inner lumen to the balloon pump through the hub of the catheter is typically used to monitor pressures within the human body and can be characterized as a catheter-transducer system. The three main components of this system and their functions are as follows: the IAB gives access to the blood pressure system through the inner lumen; a transducer converts a mechanical impulse of a pressure wave into an electrical signal; the IABP records the electrical signals for the pump operator’s and pump’s interpretation. The pump analyzes the incoming electrical signal and, in turn, triggers the appropriate IAB inflate and deflate times. Catheter-transducer systems can be modeled as underdamped, second-order dynamic systems. Each system has both a characteristic frequency and a damping coefficient, where damping refers to the accuracy of the monitoring set-up to reproduce pressure waveform characteristics. To achieve an accurate pressure reading, optimal damping must be achieved. If the system is underdamped, very little damping in the system, the pressure readings tend to overestimate the systolic blood pressure and underestimate the diastolic blood pressure, and vice versa. The ability for the pressure monitoring system to detect changes quickly is called the frequency response. Catheter-transducer systems are characterized as underdamped because the addition of damping causes the response of the system to decrease. In order to counteract this, the system must have a high natural or undamped frequency — the frequency that would occur in the absence of frictional forces or damping. A high natural frequency will reduce the effects of damping such that underdamped or overdamped waveforms are unlikely to appear. This study compares the natural frequency and damping coefficients of four different IABs: Datascope Fidelity, Arrow Nitinol, Arrow Stainless Steel and Arrow Polyimide. Each of these IABs had a natural frequency greater than the minimum specified value of 20 Hz. The Arrow Polymide inner lumen had the lowest natural frequency response. This is due to the flexibility of the Polyimide, which absorbs some of the pressure wave’s energy, and thus distorts the pressure wave output. Likewise, the Arrow Nitinol, with the stiffest inner lumen, had the highest natural frequency. The damping coefficients for these IABs varied from 0.16 to 0.38. None of the four IABs achieved an average damping coefficient near the optimal range of 0.60 to 0.75 and thus all of them can be characterized as underdamped systems.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Morphology and compartmental location of cells exhibiting DNA damage after quinolinic acid injections into rat striatum.

Although excitotoxic injury is thought to play a role in many pathologic conditions, the type of cell death induced by excitotoxins in vivo and the basis for the differential vulnerability of neurons to excitotoxic injury are still poorly understood. Morphologic alterations and the presence of DNA damage were examined in adult rat striatum after an intrastriatal injection of low doses of quinolinic acid, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist. Rats were killed 6, 8, 10, or 12 hours after quinolinate or vehicle injection. Numerous neurons with necrotic morphologies were detected in the quinolinate-injected striata. In addition, few neurons with apoptotic morphologies were found in the dorsomedial striatum. DNA strand breaks were detected in tissue sections by in situ nick translation with (35)S-radiolabeled nucleotides and emulsion autoradiography. Labeled cells were first detected outside the needle track 10 hours after quinolinate injection and, on average, 20% of neurons exhibited DNA damage by 12 hours after surgery. DNA damage was found in cells with both apoptotic and necrotic morphologies. A marked differential vulnerability to DNA damage at this time was observed in two striatal compartments, the striosomes, identified as regions of dense [(3)H]naloxone binding, and the extrastriosomal matrix: the great majority of labeled cells were found in the extrastriosomal matrix and extremely few were seen in the striosomes. This preferential distribution was not due to premature cell death in the striosomes which contained numerous unlabeled neurons. The results suggest a greater vulnerability of neurons in the matrix, versus the striosomes, to early excitotoxin-induced DNA damage in rat striatum.
Effect of Stearic Acid on Reclaimed Rubber

Abstract 1—Stearic acid does not compare with other softeners in plasticizing efficiency when used in contact with vulcanized rubber scrap during devulcanization. 2—Stearic acid when added as a softener to devulcanized scrap on the mill prior to refining imparts properties which are very desirable. (a) Makes the reclaim batch more plastic, (b) improves tubing and calendering properties, (c) reduces nerve without production of excess tack, (d) improves curing properties (higher tensile strength, higher modulus, and improved molding properties) of reclaimed rubber, (e) when pigments are added it gives better dispersion with improved physical properties. 3—Stearic acid when used in compounds containing reclaimed rubber improves the curing properties of these compounds.
Applications of model β‐hairpin peptides

Abstract In recent years, β‐hairpin peptides have been studied in great detail. Much of the focus has been on the thermodynamic stability of β‐hairpin structure. Structural measurements have been conducted with nuclear magnetic resonance, with additional information obtained from circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared, and molecular dynamic simulation studies. Point mutations, both in the β‐strands and in the turn region, have systematically explored the role of turn sequence, side‐chain–side‐chain interactions, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and β‐strand length on β‐hairpin peptide conformational stability. In addition to studying the elements of structural stability independently, the cooperative nature of the individual components to combine to form the overall structure has also been investigated. Because the β‐hairpin peptides often spontaneously form their conformation, they have begun to serve as models for studying peptide binding and therapeutic agents. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:2881–2894, 2004
Blockade of brain dopamine receptors antagonizes the anti-immobility effect of MIF-1 and Tyr-MIF-1 in rats.

Abstract Previous studies have shown effects of MIF-1 (prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide) and Tyr-MIF-1 (tyrosyl-prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide) in animal models of depression and also effects on dopaminergic function. These observations prompted us to examine whether the effects of the two peptides in the behavioral ‘despair’ test were modulated by dopamine antagonists. MIF-1 and Tyr-MIF-1, at the small dose of 0.01 mg/kg i.p. (24,5 and 1 h before the test), produced a significant anti-immobility effect. This effect was antagonized by a single injection of either haloperidol or sulpiride, two dopamine receptor blockers. The same low dose of the tricylic antidepressant desipramine was without significant effect in this test. The results indicate that Tyr-MIF-1, like MIF-1, is active in the behavioral despair test for antidepressants and that at least some of the CNS actions of these peptides are mediated by dopamine receptors.
Effects of Milking Frequency and Selection for Milk Yield on Productive Efficiency of Holstein Cows

Abstract One hundred primiparous Holstein cows, either daughters of cows randomly bred to noncommercial sires (estimated mean PD milk=–467kg, control cows) or to daughters of commercially available sires (mean PD milk=+398kg, selection cows), were randomly assigned to be milked twice or thrice daily beginning at parturition. Dry matter intake, BW, milk yield, and fat content and measures of reproductive efficiency were recorded for two lactations. Selection group cows yielded approximately 25 and 30% more milk during first and second lactation, respectively, than control cows. Dry matter intake, but not BW or milk fat percentage, was increased by selection for milk yield. Milk yield per unit of DM intake was greater for selection cows than for controls at 30, 90, and 200 d postpartum. Milking three limes daily increased milk yield overall by 14 and 6% during first and second lactation, respectively. Interactions were present whereby control cows experienced greater milk yield response to three times daily milking than did selection cows. Cows milked three times daily had decreased milk fat percentage and tended to weigh less, suggesting more body tissue was catabolized for milk production, since DM intake was not altered from that of cows milked twice daily. Neither selection for milk yield nor increased milking frequency affected conception rates or days open.
Subcolorings and the subchromatic number of a graph

We consider the subchromatic number @g"S(G) of graph G, which is the minimum order of all partitions of V(G) with the property that each class in the partition induces a disjoint union of cliques. Here we establish several bounds on subchromatic number. For example, we consider the maximum subchromatic number of all graphs of order n and in so doing answer a question posed in Jensen and Toft (Graph Coloring Problems, Wiley, New York, 1995). We also consider bounds on @g"S(G) when the size and genus of G are known. We also consider the parameter when applied to planar and outerplanar graphs. It is known that the problem of determining whether @g"S(G)==2. We extend this by showing it is NP-complete for k=2 even when restricted to the class of planar triangle-free graphs with maximum degree four. As a corollary, we see that showing a planar triangle-free graph of maximum degree four has a 1-defective chromatic number of two is NP-complete, answering a question of Cowen et al. (J. Graph Theory 24(3) (1997) 205-219). We show that determining whether @g"S(G)=<3 is NP-complete for planar graphs. We consider the subchromatic number of cartesian products of complete graphs and show a correspondence with a natural covering of matrices. We close by producing bounds on the subchromatic number in terms of chromatic number as well as the product of clique number with chromatic number. Sharpness for graphs with fixed clique size is discussed.
Comments on "New techniques for the design of observers"

This note is to point out that by fully using the freedom of the observer equation rather than the arbitrary choice suggested in the paper, significantly better results can be derived with applications and solutions to many important problems.
Integrating Historical Security Jewels in Information Assurance Education

Information assurance (IA) programs are becoming increasingly viable options for computer science and IT students in universities across the US. Although the sophistication of and number of attacks on the cyber domain increase every year, the foundational principles that IA professionals need to learn to advance security and implement new technology remain stable. This article looks at jewels of security education that remain timeless in terms of their teaching value in IA. Secure communication and protocol analysis are key facets of security education, and previous research provides some foundational tenets thereof. These and other jewels give timeless principles to IA professionals for interpreting current practical applications and theoretic limits found in the larger body of security-related research.
Steady State Analysis of Self-Organization of Light into a Scattering ring due to Induced Reflection Gratings in Photorefractive Materials

We present a steady state theory and derive the eigenmodes for the nonlinear self-organization of light into a scattering ring in photorefractive materials such as potassium niobate, due to the formation of reflection gratings. The configuration we consider comprises solely of a mismatched sample of potassium niobate in air, with no external feedback mirror. This is the first part of the two-step process involved in the self-organization of light into a hexagonal pattern observed in this and other materials. Complete steady state solutions are derived and amplitude and phase variations of the counterpropagating main beam and its spatial sidebands (responsible for ring formation) with propagation are shown. Our computations show the bifurcation diagrams of the amplitudes and phases as a function of the photorefractive gain parameter. Dependence of the results on the amount of linear scattering is also demonstrated. Connections with available experimental results are made, and improvements on the model used are proposed.
Variable waveforms in downbeat nystagmus imply short‐term gain changes

A patient with downbeat nystagmus subsequent to ankylosing spondylitis was studied. His nystagmus was found to exhibit both increasing- and decreasing-velocity exponential slow phases as well as the linear form more often reported. Alternation between waveforms sometimes occurred on a beat-to-beat or even intrabeat basis. Possible expalnations for all three waveforms are presented in terms of short-term gain changes in cerebellar compensation for leaky brainstem neural integrators. A computer model was developed and its results are discussed.
Computationally Efficient Micromechanical Models for Woven Fabric Composite Elastic Moduli

This paper presents two newly developed micromechanical models for the analysis of plain weave fabric composites. Both models utilize the representative volume cell approach. The representative unit volume of the woven lamina is divided into subcells of homogeneous material. Starting with the average strains in the representative volume cell and based on continuity requirements at the subcell interfaces, the strains and stresses in the composite fiber yarns and matrix are determined as well as the average stresses in the lamina. Equivalent homogenized material properties are also determined. In their formulation the developed micromechanical models take into consideration all components of the three-dimensional strain and stress tensors. The performance of both models is assessed through comparison with available results from other numerical, analytical, and experimental approaches for composite laminae homogenization. The very good accuracy together with the simplicity of formulation makes these models attractive for the finite element analysis of composite laminates.
Infrared Monitoring of the Microquasar GRS 1915+105: Detection of Orbital and Superhump Signatures

We present the results of 7 years of K-band monitoring of the low-mass X-ray binary GRS 1915+105. Positive correlations between the infrared flux and the X-ray flux and X-ray hardness are demonstrated. Analysis of the frequency spectrum shows that the orbital period of the system is Porb = 30.8 ± 0.2 days. The phase and amplitude of the orbital modulation suggests that the modulation is due to the heating of the face of the secondary star. We also report another periodic signature between 31.2 and 31.6 days, most likely due to a superhump resonance. From the superhump period we then obtain a range for the mass ratio of the system, 0.05 < q < 0.12.
Role of fibroblast growth factor 21 in biology of glucagon

A new report in this issue of Diabetes provides evidence that at least some metabolic actions of glucagon may be mediated by fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Habegger et al. (1) report that native glucagon raises plasma FGF21 levels in human subjects, confirming the report by Arafat et al. (2). They also find that a synthetic glucagon receptor agonist (IUB288) upregulates FGF21 expression in isolated primary hepatocytes from wild-type, but not glucagon receptor–null, mice. Moreover, the new report shows that IUB288-induced effects to curb diet-induced obesity are absent in mice lacking FGF21. The authors conclude that glucagon controls glucose levels, energy, and lipid metabolism, at least in part, via FGF21-dependent pathways. …
Processing Speed and Memory in Aging and Dementia

We examined the role of processing speed (PS) as a mediator of age-related and dementia-related differences in cued recall and text memory. Consistent with previous research, statistical control of PS significantly attenuated or eliminated age differences on each of the memory measures. However, age-related decline in the ability to benefit from conditions of increased encoding specificity was not mediated by PS. In contrast to the results for age effects, statistical control of PS did not significantly attenuate dementia-related memory differences, suggesting that processing speed is not an important dementia-related memory impairment. The implications of these findings for interpreting residual age effects and the possible influence of preclinical dementia on studies of normal aging are discussed.
Fatigue Prediction Verification of Fiberglass Hulls

The growing use of marine composite materials has led to many technical challenges and one is predicting lifetime durability. This analysis step has a large uncertainty due to the lack of data from in-service composite vessels. Analytical models based on classical lamination theory, finite-element analysis, ship motions, probability and wind and wave mechanics were used in this project to predict hull laminate strains, and fatigue tests were used to determine S-N residual stiffness properties of coupons. These predictions and test data were compared against two cored fiberglass sisterships having significantly different fatigue histories and undamaged laminates representing a new vessel. Strains were measured while underway and good correlation was achieved between predictions and measurements. Fatigue damage indicators were identified which could be used in vessel inspection procedures. Endurance limits were found to be near 25% of static failure load, indicating that a fatigue, design factor of four is required for infinite service with this material. Standard moisture experiments using boiling water were compared with long-term exposure. Results indicated the boiling water test yielded significantly conservative values and was not a reliable means of predicting long-term effects. Panel tests were compared with a combined coupon and finite-element procedure. Results indicated the proposed procedure was a viable substitute, at least for the materials studied. A rational explanation for using thicker outer skin laminates in marine composites was identified through single-sided moisture flex tests. These showed that the reduced strength and stiffness due to moisture of the outer hull skin laminate could be compensated by increased thickness. Although the resulting unbalanced laminate is not ideal from a warping standpoint, the approach leads to consistent tensile failure of the inner skin when subjected to normal loads. Permeability considerations make this desirable for hull laminates.
Effect of scheduling jitter on end-to-end delay in TDMA protocols

We address the problem of guaranteeing end-to-end (ETE) delay of packets in a distributed system where the technique of time division multiple access (TDMA) is adopted, and the application at the destination node requires to process the packets at a regular rate. We present a time slot allocation algorithm to satisfy the transmission rate requirement, and to minimize the scheduling jitter. Each packet of a stream is delivered in an allocated time slot according to one of the two delivery protocols proposed. A worst case ETE delay bound is derived for each protocol. The performance of applying our scheduling algorithm to different delivery protocols is compared and evaluated via simulations.
Transferability of blood lead determinations by furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry and continuum background correction.

We have examined and proved feasible the transfer of a method for blood lead determination, developed and optimized for a Zeeman-corrected instrument, to a continuum-corrected furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Numerous reference materials analyzed with the continuum-corrected instrument gave results within 10 micrograms/L (0.05 mumol/L) at low values and varied by 200 micrograms/L (0.97 mumol/L). Forty-four routine human blood specimens were analyzed by the same method with both continuum- and Zeeman-corrected instrumentation, and gave results that agreed within about the same limits as found with reference materials. The day-to-day precision was about 1/5 the accuracy results. The detection limit was approximately 5 micrograms/L (0.025 mumol/L).
Florida diatom assemblages as indicators of trophic state and pH

Predictive models were developed that relate lake trophic state to diatom assemblages in surface sediments. These models can be used to assess quantitatively the historical impact of cultural activities on lake productivity. One set of models relates trophic state index (TSI) values to a new diatom index based on autecological nutrient categories. A second set uses nutrient categories in multiple regression equations to predict TSI. Both types of models explain -80% of the variance in total phosphorus TSI and averaged TSI values. Diatom-pH transfer functions were also developed to assess the influence of eutrophication on lake pH. Because trophic state and pH are positively correlated in Florida lakes, statistical confounding might result when predictive models for pH and trophic state are calibrated. Long-term changes in pH might lead to errors when inferring historical TSI values, while changes in trophic state could similarly influence historical pH inferences. Partial correlations showed that two multiple regression models were statistically confounded by the nontarget variable, though predictive models based on diatom indices were free from such effects.
The benefits, satisfaction, and perceived value of small business membership in a chamber of commerce

Nonprofit chambers of commerce have a long history in western culture but little if any empirical research has been conducted to explore why a small business would join one. This study focuses on members' evaluation of chamber assistance programs and benefits and how they mediate the impact of satisfaction and the perceived customer value of paid membership for chamber services. A mail census survey of all 2019 members, in a large category-four chamber of commerce, provided valid and reliable representation of existing membership demographics. Factor analysis identified four main benefits, whereas a LISREL model was applied to identify the mediating impact of relational benefits on satisfaction and perceived value. All four dominant benefits significantly correlated with both membership satisfaction and perceived value as did the correlation between satisfaction and perceived value. However, perceived value was found to have higher correlations with relational benefits than that of satisfaction. This study is important as it provides managers with a framework to identify and balance the benefits desired by the membership and adjust the level of expected satisfaction with perceived value in a nonprofit service-oriented assistance organization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomet Microfixation TMJ Replacement System: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study of Patients Treated From 1995 to 2005

Giannakopoulos et al have reported their results after total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroplasty with the Biomet Microfixation TMJ Replacement System in a diagnostically diverse group of 288 patients. They have reported statistically significant improvements in pain, interference with eating, and vertical opening 3 years after joint replacement. Given the controversy and criticism surrounding TMJ replacement, by showing the biomechanical integrity of 1 of a limited number of total joint systems, this report is a valuable contribution to the literature on total TMJ arthroplasty systems. Evidence of the mechanical integrity and safety of a total joint device is critically important and this study establishes this for a 3-year period of clinical service in a heterogeneous cohort. Absent from this report is information about how a particular diagnosis in this diverse group of patients might have affected the observed outcomes. For example, the most common diagnostic group, those with osteoarthritis, presumably was composed of patients with late-stage internal derangement/osteoarthrosis and end-stage arthropathy after multiple arthrotomies. The osteoarthritis group also was likely diverse, if on no other basis than the number of previous arthrotomies before total joint arthroplasty. Further, one cannot assume that in bilateral cases that the diagnosis is the same for the 2 sides. Although the investigators have discussed less favorable outcomes after total joint arthroplasty in the multiply operated joint, the basis for this statement is a previous publication and has not been addressed in the present report. 1 Certainly, efficacy and safety must be considered in the context of the underlying diagnoses, with
Second-site Suppressor Mutations for the Serine 202 to Phenylalanine Substitution within the Interdomain Loop of the Tetracycline Efflux Protein Tet(C)

The serine 202 to phenylalanine substitution within the cytoplasmic interdomain loop of Tet(C) greatly reduces tetracycline resistance and efflux activity (Saraceni-Richards, C. A., and Levy, S. B. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 6101-6106). Second-site suppressor mutations were identified following hydroxylamine and nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. Three mutations, L11F in transmembrane 1 (TM1), A213T in the central interdomain loop, and A270V in cytoplasmic loop 8-9, restored a wild type level of resistance and an active efflux activity in Escherichia coli cells bearing the mutant tet(C) gene. The Tet S202F protein with the additional A270V mutation was expressed in amounts comparable with the original mutant, whereas L11F and A213T Tet(C) protein mutants were overexpressed. Introduction of each single mutation into the wild type tet(C) gene by site-directed mutagenesis did not alter tetracycline resistance or efflux activity. These secondary mutations may restore resistance by promoting a conformational change in the protein to accommodate the S202F mutation. The data demonstrate an interaction of the interdomain loop with other distant regions of the protein and support a role of the interdomain loop in mediating tetracycline resistance.
China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy

China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy. By Peter Hays Gries. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004. 224p. $24.95.Arguments in the West over the existence of a “China threat” frequently atomize and even demonize China, as the author of the book points out at the beginning. Is Chinese nationalism benign or malign? The rise of Chinese nationalism in recent times has become an issue of great interest and importance to the world because of concerns over China's intentions as economic growth propels the country's ascendance onto the world stage. This timely account analyzes the sources and dimensions of the new nationalism, from what Peter Hays Gries calls the “rarely told Chinese side of the story” (p. 4). It is premised on a refreshing perspective that “to understand Chinese nationalism, we must listen to the Chinese” (p. 4). Gries's attempt to introduce Western scholars to the views of these new nationalists is an important contribution in itself, as so often mainstream views of Chinese nationalism in the West construe it as a tool to legitimize Communist Party rule. This book gets it right by taking Chinese nationalism seriously and treats it as a matter of genuine popular base and emotional content.
A Multi-Standard Viterbi Decoder for Mobile Applications Using a Reconfigurable Architecture

Viterbi decoder is used for decoding of convolutional codes in wireless communication protocols. In this paper, implementation of a Viterbi decoder on a dynamically reconfigurable architecture is presented. Performance of this implementation for applications like W-CDMA, WLAN and WiMAX is studied.
A kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of poly(aryl-ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) in nitrogen

The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition of poly(aryl-ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) in a nitrogen atmosphere have been obtained using an isothermal weight-loss method. Several mathematical approaches have been used to obtain the Arrhenius parameters based upon the use of different reaction models. The values obtained for the activation energy (E = 198.4 to 219.7 kJ/mol) and preexponential factor (log A = 11.1 to 12.3 min−1) fall within a narrow range, irrespective of the method of calculation. Although the kinetic data most closely fits an Avrami two-dimensional nucleating model, the data can be just as easily described by a first-order rate law.
Fbxw7 Limits Myelination by Inhibiting mTOR Signaling

UNLABELLED An important characteristic of vertebrate CNS development is the formation of specific amounts of insulating myelin membrane on axons. CNS myelin is produced by oligodendrocytes, glial cells that extend multiple membrane processes to wrap multiple axons. Recent data have shown that signaling mediated by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) serine/threonine kinase promotes myelination, but factors that regulate mTOR activity for myelination remain poorly defined. Through a forward genetic screen in zebrafish, we discovered that mutation of fbxw7, which encodes the substrate recognition subunit of a SCF ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for degradation, causes hypermyelination. Among known Fbxw7 targets is mTOR. Here, we provide evidence that mTOR signaling activity is elevated in oligodendrocyte lineage cells of fbxw7 mutant zebrafish larvae. Both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of mTOR function suppressed the excess myelin gene expression resulting from loss of Fbxw7 function, indicating that mTOR is a functionally relevant target of Fbxw7 in oligodendrocytes. fbxw7 mutant larvae wrapped axons with more myelin membrane than wild-type larvae and oligodendrocyte-specific expression of dominant-negative Fbxw7 produced longer myelin sheaths. Our data indicate that Fbxw7 limits the myelin-promoting activity of mTOR, thereby serving as an important brake on developmental myelination. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Myelin, a specialized, proteolipid-rich membrane that ensheaths and insulates nerve fibers, facilitates the rapid conduction of electrical impulses over long distances. Abnormalities in myelin formation or maintenance result in intellectual and motor disabilities, raising a need for therapeutic strategies designed to promote myelination. The mTOR kinase is a powerful driver of myelination, but the mechanisms that regulate mTOR function in myelination are not well understood. Our studies reveal that Fbxw7, a subunit of a ubiquitin ligase that targets other proteins for degradation, acts as a brake on myelination by limiting mTOR function. These findings suggest that Fbxw7 helps tune the amount of myelin produced during development and raise the possibility that Fbxw7 could be a target of myelin-promoting therapies.
AirTouch: Synchronizing In-air Hand Gesture and On-body Tactile Feedback to Augment Mobile Gesture Interaction

We present the design and evaluation of Air Touch, a wristwatch interface that enables mobile gesture interaction through tactile feedback during limited visual attention conditions. Unlike its predecessor, the Gesture Watch, Air Touch is supported by a push-to-gesture mechanism (PTG) where the user performs a gesture and then confirms it afterward with a trigger gesture. The Gesture Watch, in contrast, requires the user to hold a trigger gesture while performing an interaction, and its PTG method does not allow the user to preview nor reverse the action. The effect of the new PTG mechanism and tactile feedback are evaluated through two experiments. The first experiment compares Air Touch's PTG mechanism to that of the Gesture Watch both with and without visual access to the watch. The second experiment examines mobile gesture interaction with the new PTG mechanism in four conditions (with and without tactile feedback and with and without visual restriction). We found that the new PTG mechanic enabled more accurate and faster interaction in the fully visible condition. Additionally, tactile feedback in the limited visual access condition successfully compensated for the lack of visual feedback, enabling similar performance times and perceived difficulties as in the fully visible condition without tactile feedback.
The Impact of Fallback Foods on Wild Ring-Tailed Lemur Biology: A Comparison of Intact and Anthropogenically Disturbed Habitats

Fallback foods are often viewed as central in shaping primate morphology, and influencing adaptive shifts in hominin and other primate evolution. Here we argue that fruit of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) qualifies as a fallback food of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR), Madagascar. Contrary to predictions that fallback foods may select for dental and masticatory morphologies adapted to processing these foods, consumption of tamarind fruit by these lemurs leaves a distinct pattern of dental pathology among ring-tailed lemurs at BMSR. Specifically, the physical and mechanical properties of tamarind fruit likely result in a high frequency of severe tooth wear, and subsequent antemortem tooth loss, in this lemur population. This pattern of dental pathology is amplified among lemurs living in disturbed areas at Beza Mahafaly, resulting from a disproportionate emphasis on challenging tamarind fruit, due to few other fruits being available. This is in part caused by a reduction in ground cover and other plants due to livestock grazing. As such, tamarind trees remain one of the few food resources in many areas. Dental pathologies are also associated with the use of a nonendemic leaf resource Argemone mexicana, an important food during the latter part of the dry season when overall food availability is reduced. Such dental pathologies at Beza Mahafaly, resulting from the use or overemphasis of fallback foods for which they are not biologically adapted, indicate that anthropogenic factors must be considered when examining fallback foods.
OSA Rochester Section Optics Suitcase: a forty-minute middle school outreach program for the cost of a postage stamp

The Rochester Section of the Optical Society of America offers a middle school outreach program called the Optics Suitcase. Contents include re-usable demos and give-away experiments that illustrate color in white light. Over 40 suitcases have been shipped, free of charge, to groups in the USA, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Australia and South Africa.
Cardiac catheterization during anticoagulant therapy.

Abstract Sixty-three patients receiving anticoagulant therapy with sodium warfarin underwent cardiac catheterization with prothrombin-proconvertin values between 4 and 30 percent. The anticoagulant dose was omitted the day before and resumed the evening of catheterization. Procedures included 43 right heart studies by venous cutdown, 26 transseptal left heart catheterizations, 42 percutaneous retrograde femoral arterial catheterizations, 8 transthoracic cardiac punctures and 55 percutaneous brachial arterial catheterizations. In 1 patient left hemothorax developed after transthoracic cardiac puncture. In a second minor bleeding from the femoral arterial puncture site occurred after premature ambulation. No extensive bleeding or difficulty in obtaining hemostasis occurred. Cardiac catheterization can be performed with reasonable safety during anticoagulant therapy with the prothrombin-proconvertin time in the therapeutic range. Problems in reestablishing anticoagulant control are avoided, and the patient is not exposed to the increased risk of thromboembolic complications incurred with interrupted therapy.
Following natural language route instructions

Following natural language instructions requires transforming language into situated conditional procedures; robustly following instructions, despite the director's natural mistakes and omissions, requires the pragmatic combination of language, action, and domain knowledge. This dissertation demonstrates a software agent that parses, models and executes human-written natural language instructions to accomplish complex navigation tasks. We compare the performance against people following the same instructions. By selectively removing various syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic abilities, this work empirically measures how often these abilities are necessary to correctly navigate along extended routes through unknown, large-scale environments to novel destinations. To study how route instructions are written and followed, this work presents a new corpus of 1520 free-form instructions from 30 directors for 252 routes in three virtual environments. 101 other people followed these instructions and rated them for quality, successfully reaching and identifying the destination on only approximately two-thirds of the trials. Our software agent, M ARCO, followed the same instructions in the same environments with a success rate approaching human levels. Overall, instructions subjectively rated 4 or better of 6 comprise just over half of the corpus; MARCO performs at 88% of human performance on these instructions. M ARCO's performance was a strong predictor of human performance and ratings of individual instructions. Ablation experiments demonstrate that implicit procedures are crucial for following verbal instructions using an approach integrating language, knowledge and action. Other experiments measure the performance impact of linguistic, execution, and spatial abilities in successfully following natural language route instructions.
Young Sexual Minority Males in the United States: Sociodemographic Characteristics And Sexual Attraction, Identity and Behavior

CONTEXT HIV incidence is increasing among 13–24-year-old U.S. men who have sex with men, yet limited research is available to guide HIV prevention efforts for this population. METHODS National Survey of Family Growth data collected in 2002, in 2006–2010 and in 2011–2013 from 8,068 males aged 15–24 were analyzed to describe the population of U.S. young sexual minority males (i.e., males reporting same-sex attraction, identity or behavior). Correlates of sexual minority classification were assessed in logistic regression models. RESULTS An estimated 10% of young males, representing a population of 2.1 million, were sexual minorities. Males had an elevated likelihood of being sexual minorities if they were aged 18–19 or 20–24, rather than 15–17 (prevalence ratio, 1.7 for each); belonged to nonblack, non-Hispanic racial or ethnic minority groups (1.6); had no religious affiliation, rather than considering religion very important (1.9); or lived below the federal poverty level (1.3). They had a reduced likelihood of being sexual minorities if they lived in metropolitan areas outside of central cities (0.7). Among young sexual minority males, 44% were 15–19 years old, 29% were poor and 59% resided outside central cities. Forty-seven percent had engaged in same-sex behavior. Of those with data on all measured dimensions of sexuality, 24% reported same-sex attraction, identity and behavior; 22% considered themselves heterosexual, yet had had a male sex partner. CONCLUSION Future investigations can further explore subpopulations of young sexual minority males and assess sexual trajectories, resilience and HIV risk.
LSUHSC Department of Medicine White Coat Ceremony Address, 2014.

Let me congratulate each of the White Coat recipients on having successfully completed medical school, no small accomplishment, and on having secured a first-rate residency appointment that will allow you to continue the life-long learning process that is a requisite for being a successful physician. The intellectual rigor that medicine demands and the opportunity to continue to learn are two of the chief joys of this, the noblest of professions. Each of us has had outstanding mentors, and hopefully, we will have more. I suspect that you will find, as I have, that mentoring comes not only from professors, but also from your fellow house officers and, most importantly, from your patients.
Social networking sites: An exploration of the effect of national cultural dimensions on country adoption rates

This study investigates the impact of the several dimensions of Hofstede's cultural framework on the adoption rates of social networking sites (SNS) across 30 countries, while controlling for a country's median age, its urban population level and mobile internet penetration. Hierarchical regressions are conducted. Our findings reveal that three cultural dimensions, i.e., masculinity/femininity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation, significantly impact nations' adoption levels of SNS above and beyond the effects of median age and urban population level. While there is a growing body of literature that examines the influence of national culture on the adoption and use of a variety of high-tech innovations and services mediated by these technologies, our study is among the first to specifically relate cultural perspectives to country adoption levels of social networking sites using an array of cultural dimensions. We provide a theoretical framework and supporting empirical evidence to underscore the importance of understanding how culture impacts consumers' SNS adoption behavior across countries. Implications from our findings, limitations and directions for future research are provided.
Child-centered play therapy as a comprehensive school counseling approach: directions for research and practice

The increasing demand for effective interventions and preventative approaches to meet the emotional, social, behavioral, developmental, and academic needs of children in schools is well established...
Design and Use of a Novel Bioreactor for Regeneration of Biaxially Stretched Tissue-Engineered Vessels

Conventional bioreactors are used to enhance extracellular matrix (ECM) production and mechanical strength of tissue-engineered vessels (TEVs) by applying circumferential strain, which is uniaxial stretching. However, the resulting TEVs still suffer from inadequate mechanical properties, where rupture strengths and compliance values are still very different from native arteries. The biomechanical milieu of native arteries consists of both circumferential and axial loading. Therefore, to better simulate the physiological stresses acting on native arteries, we built a novel bioreactor system to enable biaxial stretching of engineered arteries during culture. This new bioreactor system allows for independent control of circumferential and axial stretching parameters, such as displacement and beat rate. The assembly and setup processes for this biaxial bioreactor system are reliable with a success rate greater than 75% for completion of long-term sterile culture. This bioreactor also supports side-by-side ass...
Snow Grain Size Retrieval over the Polar Ice Sheets with the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) Observations.

Snow grain size is an important parameter for cryosphere studies. As a proof of concept, this paper presents an approach to retrieve this parameter over Greenland, East and West Antarctica ice sheets from surface reflectances observed with the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) onboard the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) at 1064 nanometers. Spaceborne lidar observations overcome many of the disadvantages in passive remote sensing, including difficulties in cloud screening and low sun angle limitations; hence tend to provide more accurate and stable retrievals. Results from the GLAS L2A campaign, which began on 25 September and lasted until 19 November, 2003, show that the mode of the grain size distribution over Greenland is the largest (approximately 300 microns) among the three, West Antarctica is the second (220 microns) and East Antarctica is the smallest (190 microns). Snow grain sizes are larger over the coastal regions compared to inland the ice sheets. These results are consistent with previous studies. Applying the broadband snow surface albedo parameterization scheme developed by Garder and Sharp (2010) to the retrieved snow grain size, ice sheet surface albedo is also derived. In the future, more accurate retrievals can be achieved with multiple wavelengths lidar observations.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC PREDICTORS OF IN-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST

Approximately 200,000 in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA) occur annually in the United States, with survival to discharge not exceeding 30%. Continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is routinely used in critically ill patients but there is very limited data on the role of ECG monitoring in