cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assumption Validity in Human Optimal Foraging: The Bari Hunters of Venezuela as a Test Case

Optimal foraging theory is being used increasingly as a means of understanding human foraging behavior. One of the central assumptions of optimal foraging theory is that prey items or patches are encountered sequentially and as a Poisson process. Using empirical data gathered on the Bari hunters of Venezuela, we assess the validity of this central assumption. We compare our observed distribution of encounter frequencies with an expected Poisson distribution, utilizing chisquare tests and graphic representations. The results are strikingly consonant with the expected Poisson distribution and lend support to the applicability of optimal foraging models to human hunting behavior.
Inhibitor(s) of prostaglandin biosynthesis and epidermal injury.

Abstract Inhibition of the activity of sheep vesicular gland prostaglandin synthetase (a rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins) was demonstrated in the presence of homogenates prepared from skin lesions characterized histologically by epidermal disruption. These inhibitory effects were not observed in homogenates of skin lesions characterized by a lack of epidermal disruption.
Instability and bifurcation analysis for an exothermic surface reaction with diffusive heat and mass transfer

The steady distributions of temperature and concentration in a reactive fluid adjacent to a catalytic wall are investigated. It is shown that for the mass action kinetics considered, the number of steady solutions is either one or three. Several simple sufficient criteria, as well as a slightly more complicated necessary and sufficient criterion, are given for the uniqueness of the steady solution. If the Lewis number Le (ratio of molecular and thermal diffusivities) is at least one, then a steady state that is unique is always stable with respect to small disturbances. For Le≥1, the high and low temperature steady states are stable when the number of steady states is three. When Le<1, even a unique steady state can be unstable, and when there are three steady states, one, two, or three of them can be unstable. The Le≥1 and Le<1 cases are further distinguished by the fact that oscillatory instability can occur for Le<1 but not for Le≥1.
Rupture of the stomach in newborn infants

Summary Rupture of the stomach in newborn infants is a rare condition, the etiology of which is obscure. The diagnosis of rupture or of the lesions which lead to it is difficult, but, in the presence of persistent vomiting and abdominal distention, a roentgenogram of the abdomen should always be taken without administration of barium. By this means the presence of free air in the peritoneal cavity—evidence that rupture has already taken place—may be determined. If there is no evidence of free air and the severity of symptoms justifies it, a barium meal may be given or an exploratory operation performed with the hope of determining the cause of the symptoms and of preventing rupture of the stomach.
Hardware-efficient stereo estimation using a residual-based approach

Many promising embedded computer vision applications, such as stereo estimation, rely on inference computation on Markov Random Fields (MRFs). Sequential Tree-Reweighted Message passing (TRW-S) is a superior MRF solving method, which provides better convergence and energy than others (e.g., belief propagation). Since software TRW-S solvers are slow, custom TRW-S hardware has been proposed to improve execution efficiency. This paper proposes hardware mechanisms to further optimize TRW-S hardware efficiency, by tracking differences in input message values (residues) and skipping computation when values no longer change (residue is zero). Evaluations of our hardware mechanisms using Middlebury benchmark show 1.6x to 6x potential reduction in computation (depending on design parameters) while increasing energy by only 0.4% to 4.8%.
Retrovirally Mediated Complementation of the glyBPhenotype: CLONING OF A HUMAN GENE ENCODING THE CARRIER FOR ENTRY OF FOLATES INTO MITOCHONDRIA

The transduction of a human placental cDNA retroviral library into glyB cells, a Chinese hamster ovary K1 subline that is deficient in the transport of folates into mitochondria, resulted in the complementation of glycine auxotrophy of these cells. A 2.6-kilobase pair cDNA insert flanked by retroviral sequences had integrated into genomic DNA in rescued cells. An open reading frame in this cDNA encoded a 35-kDa protein homologous to several inner mitochondrial wall transporters for intermediate metabolites. The subcloned cDNA complemented the glycine auxotrophy of glyB cells and reinstated folate accumulation in the mitochondria of transfected cells. The human origin, chromosomal location, and intron-exon organization of the isolated mitochondrial folate transporter gene were deduced from the expressed sequence tag database and human genome project data.
Genetic evidence for cohort splitting in the merovoltine stonefly Pteronarcys californica (Newport) in Blacksmith Fork, Utah

The life cycles of many stream insects results in the simultaneous existence of multiple cohorts within populations. If larval development is fixed in these long-lived species, successive cohorts may be reproductively isolated and genetically distinct. We examined levels of genetic differentiation in a 333 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene among cohorts of the stonefly Pteronarcys californica (Newport) (Plecoptera, Pteronarcyidae) at two sites along Blacksmith Fork, Utah. Body measurements were collected from 224 specimens. The frequency distribution of (head width) X (head + thorax length) suggests four (Low site) and five year (High site) life cycles comprising an ∼one year embryonic diapause followed by either three or four years of larval development. Seventy-seven individuals were sequenced, from which we detected five unique mtDNA haplotypes. The overall AMOVA suggested moderate genetic differentiation among cohorts (F ST = 0.11, p = 0.01; ΦST = 0.11, p = 0.007). However, pairwise ana...
Mixed function oxidases from germinating castor bean endosperm

Abstract Homogenates from germinating castor bean endosperm were fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and examined for mixed function oxidase activity. Activity of cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase and p -chloro- N -methylaniline N -demethylase was highest in the endoplasmic reticulum fraction. Activity of both enzymes is dependent on NADPH and on molecular oxygen; both activities are inhibited by carbon monoxide. When challenged with a number of potential inhibitors the enzymes responded in ways fairly typical of mixed function oxidases from other plants and animals. The N -demethylase appears to be specific for N -methylarylamines. In the absence of NADPH, cumene hydroperoxide is able to support N -demethylation. The mechanistic significance of this activity is discussed.
Laparoscopy for metastatic colorectal cancer

Patients with metastatic disease from colorectal cancer are now living twice as long as they were one decade ago. With this increasing life expectancy, we are beginning to see these patients strive for an acceptable and improved quality of life. Medical advances have led to unanswered questions regarding the role of surgery in metastatic colorectal cancer. Despite the increasing application of laparoscopy for primary treatment of colorectal cancer, the appropriate role for laparoscopy in patients with stage IV disease has yet to be defined. This review addresses this topic and suggests treatment algorithms for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. While unresectable, metastatic colorectal cancer remains incurable at the current time, continued advances will inevitably challenge this presumption and it is crucial to outline the role of laparoscopy in this patient population.
Effects of commonly used excipients on the expression of CYP3A4 in colon and liver cells.

Purpose The objective of this investigation was to assess whether common pharmaceutical excipients regulate the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes in human colon and liver cells.
Trigonelline and promotion of cell arrest in G2 of various legumes

Abstract Trigonelline, present in dry seeds of Pisum sativum , is transported to enlarging roots and shoots during early seedling ontogeny and promotes cell arrest in G2 in 40% of all root cells. In the absence of trigonelline, this cell population arrests in G1. Results presented herein show that trigonelline also promotes cell arrest in G2 in roots of Glycine max and Phaseolus vulgaris and that the percentage of cells that arrest in G2 in roots of G. max decreases during seedling ontogeny, as it does in P. sativum . During development, trigonelline is synthesized in leaves and is translocated to pods and eventually to seeds during fruit maturation in P. sativum and G. max . Seeds of most legumes have high concentrations of trigonelline and those of some non-legumes have low concentrations.
A rare cause of superior vena cava syndrome.

A 67-year-old African-American woman presented to the hospital with a several months' history of bilateral breast swelling, shortness of breath, voice hoarseness, head fullness and facial swelling. On physical examination, the patient was found to have engorged chest wall veins, bilateral arm and breast oedema and fullness of supraclavicular areas. Vital signs were normal and initial blood tests including complete blood account, complete metabolic profile did not reveal any abnormality. Her medical history was significant for hepatitis C virus infection, stroke and hypertension. Chest x-ray was normal and CT of the chest with contrast showed chronic superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction with multiple chest wall lateral vessels consistent with chronic thrombus/fibrosis (figures 1 and 2, respectively). There were no lymphadenopathy and lung was free of infiltrate and consolidation. Figure 1 CT …
Does “idiopathic” preterm labor resulting in preterm birth exist?

OBJECTIVE: In an effort to elucidate possible causes of preterm labor, we undertook a prospective study of 50 patients consecutively admitted with intact membranes and preterm labor who eventually had a preterm delivery despite the use of tocolysis. STUDY DESIGN: A comprehensive evaluation plan was instituted. This included a detailed history and physical examination, targeted ultrasonography, amniocentesis for Gram stain, culture, and glucose determination, laboratory analysis for infection (complete blood cell count, urinalysis, and cervical and urine cultures) and for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (antinuclear antibody, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibody), pathologic examination of the placenta, and a urine toxicology screen. RESULTS: The following groups of possible causes of preterm labor were identified: (1) faulty placentation, 50% (25/50); (2) intrauterine infection 38% (19/50); (3) immunologic factors, 30% (15/50); (4) cervical incompetence, 16% (8/50); (5) uterine factors, 14% (7/50); (6) maternal factors 10% (5/50); (7) trauma and surgery, 8% (4/50); (8) fetal anomalies, 6% (3/50); and (9) idiopathic conditions, 4% (2/50). Among the 50 patients two or more possible causes were identified in 58% (29/50). CONCLUSION: We suggest that an exhaustive evaluation plan can identify possible causes in the majority (96%) of cases of "idiopathic" preterm labor that result in preterm delivery.
The flux within a shielded right-circular cylinder exposed to protons in space

Abstract An analytic expression has been found for the unidirectional integral flux density on the axis of a long, thin, cylindrical shell shield exposed to space protons. An analytic expression has also been obtained for the flux of protons at a point within a right-circular cylinder of radius r and height h that is shielded from an isotropic flux density of protons by a long, thin, cylindrical-shell shield.
Cancellation in cyclic consecutive systems

We consider the structure and number of non-zero terms in the reliability polynomials for cyclic consecutive systems. We explain the large amount of cancellation, the fact that all but one of the coefficients are 0, 1 or -1, and show that the number of non-zero coefficients is asymptotic to αk, where α is the largest root of 2 + xr - xr-1 = 0.
Role of 4-diazoimidazole-5-carboxamide in the action of the antitumor agent 5(4)-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno) imidazole-4-(5)carboxa-mide in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The inhibitory activity of 5(4)-(3,3-dimethyl-l-triazeno)irnidazole-4(5)-carboxamide (DIC) in Bacillus subtilis has been shown to be dependent on the presence of light during incubation. 4-Diazoimidazole-5-carboxamide, the immediate photo-decomposition product of DIC, was subsequently tested and found to be highly inhibitory. Uptake experiments with DIC-2- 14 C indicate that the diazo compound rather than DIC itself enters the cells. The presence of reduced glutathione in the growth medium retards the uptake of isotope. DIC is lethal to both proliferating and non-proliferating cells. Experiments in vitro have been carried out indicating a light-catalyzed association of DIC-2- 14 C with certain purified enzymes.
High-temperature shock tube study of the reactions CH3 + OH products and CH3OH + Ar products

The reaction between methyl and hydroxyl radicals has been studied in reflected shock wave experiments using narrow-linewidth OH laser absorption. OH radicals were generated by the rapid thermal decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Two different species were used as CH3 radical precursors, azomethane and methyl iodide. The overall rate coefficient of the CH3 + OH reaction was determined in the temperature range 1081–1426 K under conditions of chemical isolation. The experimental data are in good agreement with a recent theoretical study of the reaction. The decomposition of methanol to methyl and OH radicals was also investigated behind reflected shock waves. The current measurements are in good agreement with a recent experimental study and a master equation simulation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 488–495, 2008
Catalytic hydroxylation using chloroplatinum compounds

Abstract Using “PtCl4” as the Pt(IV) component in the mixture of aqueous chloroPt(II)/chloroPt(IV) compounds makes the “Shilov” functionalization of alkyl groups considerably faster and more chemoselective to alcohols, and adding hydrogen peroxide re-oxidizes the Pt(II) reduction product to Pt(IV). Run in this manner, the reaction system is long-lived and catalytic in platinum.
The incidence of tissue coring during the performance of caudal injection in children.

Background and Objectives. The performance of caudal injection (CI) has become a routine part of pediatric anesthesia. The intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications of CIs have been reported extensively. Although the long-term consequences of CI are unknown, they may include the development of epidermoid tumors in the spinal canal. Such tumors have been attributed to tissue coring (the process by which pieces of tissue are removed by a needle as it passes through the tissue) and the subdural deposition of such tissue. Methods. In this study, we examine the internal needle of 20-gauge i.v. cannulae from 50 CIs for evidence of tissue coring. Results. We found a total coring incidence of 54% (95% confidence interval = 40-68%). Epidermal tissue was present in 33% of the positive samples. Fat was present in 67% of the positive samples and bloody material in 26%. This study provides an estimate (with a 95% confidence interval) of the rate of coring during CI performed with hollow point needles. Conclusions. These findings suggest that technical modifications may improve patient safety. The results also have implications for long-term follow-up of caudal anesthetics. Techniques for reducing the incidence of tissue coring during the performance of CI are discussed.
Application of spectral methods to the solution of Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract In this paper a number of topics that arise in application of Chebyshev expansion methods to the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations are addressed. These include the equivalence of finite differences and finite elements approaches, a new velocity-pressure formulation that permits easy extension to three dimensions, evaluation of the importance of pressure boundary conditions and the virtues of collocation over the tau method for satisfying boundary conditions. Example results from the velocity-pressure formulation which eliminate a non-linear momentum equation in favor of the linear continuity equation are presented. The results are for a 2-D unsteady flow on a flat plate at large Reynolds numbers. The behavior of an unsteady disturbance in such a flow is examined and compared with previous stream-function vorticity results of Murdock.
Reply: Cognition and olfaction in Parkinson's disease

Sir, We thank Drs Postuma and Gagnon for their interest in our study and for providing additional information regarding the association between cognition and performance on an odour identification task in Parkinson’s disease. We are pleased to see our findings of an association between memory and olfactory performance replicated. The findings of Postuma and Gagnon agree also with our results that scores on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test correlate best with measures of verbal learning but not significantly with …
Modification of Electrostatic Interaction by Rhodamine 6G Adsorption on Polystyrene Latex as Assessed by Frequency Domain Photon Migration

To demonstrate assessment of electrostatic interactions using first principles models, the isotropic scattering coefficients of negatively charged polystyrene latex were measured with frequency domain photon migration (FDPM) as the effective surface charge was changed by adsorbing positively charged surfactant, Rhodamine 6G (R6G). Measurements were conducted on dense suspensions (volume fraction = 0.186) at an ionic strength of 5 mM NaCl equivalent with varying amounts of positively charged R6G adsorbed on the particle surface. The FDPM measurements of isotropic scattering were then fitted to a model prediction obtained by solving the Ornstein−Zernike integral equation using the hard sphere Yukawa interaction model with mean spherical approximation as closure. The results show that the parameter estimate of surface charge decreased with adsorbed R6G showing the ability to use multiply scattered light to characterize electrostatic interaction in dense suspensions.
The Carboxyl-terminal Segment of the Adaptor Protein ALX Directs Its Nuclear Export during T Cell Activation

The adaptor protein ALX acts downstream of CD28 to regulate the interleukin-2 (IL-2) promoter during T cell activation. Whereas ALX is predominantly localized to the cytoplasm, ALX partially resides in the nucleus, and the nuclear pool is rapidly depleted in response to T cell receptor (TCR)/CD28 signaling. Here it is shown that this depletion occurs via nuclear export of ALX, which depends on a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) in its carboxyl segment and on the CRM-1 transport protein. Nuclear import of ALX also depends on its carboxyl-terminal segment. Blocking nuclear export of ALX, either pharmacologically, by leptomycin B, or by site-directed mutation of the ALX NES, impairs CD28-mediated phosphorylation of ALX. Additionally, upon overexpression, the ALX NES mutant was found to be impaired in inhibiting TCR/CD28-induced transcriptional up-regulation of the RE/AP composite element from the IL-2 promoter, whereas a truncated form of ALX that is a potent inhibitor of RE/AP activation was found to reside entirely in the cytoplasm. Together, these results show that ALX exerts its effect on IL-2 up-regulation in the cytoplasm and suggest an intricate relationship between the nuclear localization/export, phosphorylation, and activity of ALX in response to TCR and CD28 signaling.
Brightness Analysis of Nuclear Receptor Interactions in a Cell-Free Expression System

Brightness analysis with fluorescent fluctuation spectroscopy examines protein interactions in real time. The analysis is based on the principle that the brightness of an oligomer is proportional to the number of fluorophores in the protein complex. We previously applied brightness analysis inside living cells to decipher both homo- and hetero-interactions between proteins. While experiments in cells probe protein interactions in the natural environment, solution studies probe interactions between isolated proteins. In some cases we observed different results in cells than expected from solution studies. In order to identify the origin of such differences, we adapt brightness analysis to solution studies by utilizing a cell-free expression system. Cell-free expression takes advantage of genetic tags for labeling proteins while providing a much more controllable environment than the living cell. We first characterize the behavior of mCherry and EGFP in a cell-free expression system to optimize it for brightness analysis. The samples are measured in microfluidic devices using two-photon excitation. Using this system, we study the oligomerization states and interaction of nuclear receptor proteins RXR and RAR by means of brightness analysis. We determine the binding affinity of these receptor proteins for comparison with measurements made in living cells and on purified protein systems. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (PHY-0346782) and NIH grant R01GM064589.
Suppression of CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL5/RANTES expression by nociceptin in human monocytes.

The receptor designated Opioid Receptor-Like 1 (ORL1) is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as by cells of the immune system. While much is known about the function of ORL1 in the CNS, there is little information in the literature about the role of ORL1 in the immune response. There have been numerous reports documenting the effects of GPCR activation on the expression of chemokines crucial in mediating inflammatory events in biological systems. The aim of the present work was to examine the effect of nociceptin administration on the pro-inflammatory chemokine expression of human monocytes. We report here that human CD14+ monocytes expresses the mRNA for ORL1. Our results also demonstrate that nociceptin can suppress the production of CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL5/RANTES chemokine protein in both primary CD14+ human monocytes and monocyte-like cell lines. However, nociceptin does not appear to regulate the expression of these chemokines at the level of transcription, as CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL5/RANTES mRNA levels following nociceptin treatment of monocytes were essentially normal. Although the mechanism of chemokine regulation by nociceptin is as yet unknown, it is evident that the ORL1/nociceptin system plays a role in regulating chemotactic responses of leukocytes through chemokine suppression. Finally, these data may provide the initial basis for the development of ORL1 agonists and antagonists for therapeutic treatment of inflammatory disease.
Plant growth and metal distribution in tissues of Prosopis Juliflora-velutina grown on chromium contaminated soil in the presence of Glomus deserticola

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have been known to increase metal uptake in plants. In this study, mesquite (Prosopis juliflora-velutina) inoculated with Glomus deserticola or amended with EDTA were grown for 30 days in soil containing Cr(III) or Cr(VI) at 0, 40, 80, and 160 mg kg−1. Total amylase activity (TAA) was monitored as a stress indicator. Element concentrations and distribution in tissue were determined using ICP-OES, electron scanning microprobe, and TEM. Inoculated Cr(VI) treated plants had 21% and 30% more Cr than uninoculated and EDTA treated roots, respectively, at 80 mg Cr kg−1 treatment. In the case of Cr(III), EDTA produced the highest Cr accumulation in roots. TAA was higher in inoculated plants grown with Cr(III) at 80 and 160 mg kg−1 and Cr(VI) at 40 and 160 mg kg−1. The X-ray mapping showed higher metal concentrations in the vascular system of inoculated plants and the TEM micrographs demonstrated the presence of G. deserticola in roots.
The phylogeny of the hominoid primates, as indicated by DNA-DNA hybridization

The living hominoid primates are Man, the chimpanzees, the Gorilla, the Orangutan, and the gibbons. The cercopithecoids (Old World monkeys) are the sister group of the hominoids. The composition of the Hominoidea is not in dispute, but a consensus has not yet been reached concerning the phylogenetic branching pattern and the dating of divergence nodes. We have compared the single-copy nuclear DNA sequences of the hominoid genera using DNA-DNA hybridization to produce a complete matrix of delta T50H values. The data show that the branching sequence of the lineages, from oldest to most recent, was: Old World monkeys, gibbons, Orangutan, Gorilla, chimpanzees, and Man. The calibration of the delta T50H scale in absolute time needs further refinement, but the ranges of our estimates of the datings of the divergence nodes are: Cercopithecoidea, 27-33 million years ago (MYA); gibbons, 18-22 MYA; Orangutan, 13-16 MYA; Gorilla, 8-10 MYA; and chimpanzees-Man, 6.3-7.7 MYA.
T/t somite mesoderm is able to differentiate into cartilage in vitro.

Abstract Abnormal somites from T / T embryos were grown in an organ culture system to determine if they could form a differentiated tissue, cartilage, which first appears in mouse embryos about 14 days of gestation; T / T embryos are dead in utero by 10 1 2 to 10 3 4 days of gestation. Cartilage was produced by T / T somites. T / T somite mesoderm has an intact and functioning genetic program for expression of cartilage in the simple organ culture system used here.
Rechargeable antimicrobial coatings for poly(lactic acid) nonwoven fabrics

Abstract A novel heterocyclic N-halamine acetate homopolymer was synthesized and characterized by ATR-IR, NMR and MALDI-TOF spectroscopy and TGA and DSC analysis. The homopolymer was coated onto poly(lactic acid) (PLA) meltblown nonwoven fabric, and the surfaces were rendered biocidal upon exposure to dilute sodium hypochlorite solution. The coatings were quite stable versus UVA and florescent light exposure. Moreover, they exhibited long-term shelf-life stability, and they were rechargeable when oxidative chlorine on the surfaces was partially exhausted after three months storage. It was found that the chlorinated fabrics exhibited effective antimicrobial activity with about six logs inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 within 30 min of contact time. The coated PLA possesses potential for use in antimicrobial food packaging, filters, and hygiene products.
If a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words, Shouldn't We Address Our Image Scanning Standards?

After receiving complaints from patrons about the quality of images within articles received via interlibrary loan, the authors reviewed the current practices endorsed by ALA, Rapid, and GWLA. This article reviews the current literature on best practices, but the authors believe turnaround time should not be the sole measure of success in resource sharing. The authors examine how much additional time is needed to scan articles in a way that preserves all of the data embedded in graphics and figures. The goal is to begin a discussion of industry standards for scanning journal articles with grayscale and color plates and figures.
Coupling mechanisms and transfer functions of optical fiber devices

Modal-power transfer functions for two basic coupling mechanisms, i.e., scattering coupling and overlap coupling, are derived. Optical fiber devices such as fibers or cables, connectors, splices, and power splitters can be characterized by modal-power transfer relations based on these transfer functions. Experimental results show that the transfer functions are independent of launch conditions.
Investigation of fracture properties of California asphalt mixtures using semicircular bending and beam fatigue tests

Fatigue cracking is a primary distress in asphalt concrete (AC) due to repetitive stresses and strains caused by both traffic loading and environmental factors. The fatigue resistance of AC is investigated by a number of fatigue tests. The main objective of this study is to investigate the use of the semi-circular bending (SCB) test as a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measure for field construction. The comparison of fracture properties of seven AC mixtures from the SCB and beam fatigue test (BFT) is conducted. The J c and K 1c values for the seven mixtures were determined. The BFT was performed on the same mixtures and the initial stiffness, N f and plateau value (PV) were determined. The coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 0% to 38% for J c and from 0% to 35% for K 1c. The CV ranged from 10% to 93% for the initial stiffness, 2% to 83% for N f and 8% to 167% for PV. The SCB J c and BFT N f and PV indicated lower fracture properties for PG64-10RAP (LIME), AN-HMA and WMA-ADVERA mixtures th...
Solid-State Reactions in Multilayer Ni/Ti Thin Film Composites

Multilayer films, consisting of alternating layers of crystalline Ni and Ti, have been prepared by RF sputter deposition over a range of modulation wavelengths corresponding to an overall composition of Ni 50 Ti 50 . These films have been characterized by xray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering measurements. The solid-state transformation by interdiffusional mixing of the individual layers has been directly studied by differential scanning calorimetry and correlated with structural measurements. These measurements indicate that the solid-state reaction of Ni and Ti multilayers proceeds through the formation of a metastable solid solution of Ti in Ni followed by the formation of intermetallic equilibrium compounds. No direct calorimetric or structural evidence for the formation of an amorphous Ni-Ti phase has been found in these samples.
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services (2nd ed.), by Frederic G. Reamer

Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services (2nd ed.) by Fredericic G. Reamer belongs on every practitioner's library shelf. In a clear and cogent way, Reamer defines what constitu...
Efficacy of chlorine and heat treatment in killing Salmonella stanley inoculated onto alfalfa seeds and growth and survival of the pathogen during sprouting and storage.

The efficacy of chlorine and hot water treatments in killing Salmonella stanley inoculated onto alfalfa seeds was determined. Treatment of seeds containing 10(2) to 10(3) CFU/g in 100-micrograms/ml active chlorine solution for 5 or 10 min caused a significant (P or = 57 degrees C reduced populations to or = 54 degrees C for 10 min caused a substantial reduction in viability of the seeds. Treatment at 57 or 60 degrees C for 5 min appears to be effective in killing S. stanley without substantially decreasing germinability of seeds. Storage of seeds for 8 to 9 weeks at 8 and 21 degrees C resulted in reductions in populations of S. stanley of about 1 log10 and 2 log10 CFU/g, respectively. The behavior of S. stanley on seeds during soaking germination, sprouting, and refrigerated storage of sprouts was determined. An initial population of 3.29 log10 CFU/g increased slightly during 6 h of soaking, by about 10(3) CFU/g during a 24-h germination period, and by an additional 10 CFU/g during a 72-h sprouting stage. A population of 10(7) CFU/g of mature alfalfa sprouts was detected throughout a subsequent 10-day storage period at 5 degrees C. These studies indicate that while populations of S. stanley can be greatly reduced, elimination of this organism from alfalfa seeds may not be reliably achieved with traditional disinfection procedures. If S. stanley is present on seeds at the initiation of the sprout production process, populations exceeding 10(7) CFU/g can develop and survive on mature sprouts exposed to handling practices used in commercial production and marketing.
Variation and Heritability in Immune Gene Expression by Diseased Honeybees

Social insects are frequent targets for pathogens and have consequently evolved diverse ways to minimize disease impacts, one of which is the innate immune response. Here, a 4-generation mating scheme was carried out to assess heritability and variation in a honeybee (Apis mellifera) immune trait, the production of the key antimicrobial peptide abaecin. Larval offspring from controlled crosses (n = 576 offspring from 36 singly inseminated queens) as well as offspring of field colonies (896 individuals in 53 colonies) were challenged individually with a widespread bee pathogen, the gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. After bacterial challenge, transcript levels for the gene encoding abaecin were quantified and then compared using known pedigrees and colony environments. Considerable variation among highly related siblings (r = 0.75) indicates that subtle allelic differences in immune pathway genes can have large effects on transcriptional profiles. Abaecin levels were moderately heritable (h(2) = approximately 0.3-0.4), reflecting high amounts of standing genetic variation, and suggesting that this and other immune traits are amenable to selective programs aimed at improving honeybee health. The results help efforts to determine the relative effectiveness of social versus individual defenses by social insects toward their pathogens.
Hierarchical abstraction of weakly coupled synchronized oscillator networks

Summary We provide a constructive and numerically implementable proof that synchronized groups of coupled, self-sustaining oscillators can be represented as a single effective Perturbation Projection Vector (PPV) (or Phase Response Curve) phase macromodel – in other words, that a group of synchronized oscillators behaves as a single effective oscillator with respect to external influences. This result constitutes a foundation for understanding and predicting synchronization/timing hierarchically in large, complex systems that arise in nature and engineering. We apply this result hierarchically to networks of synchronized oscillators, thereby enabling their efficient and scalable analysis. We illustrate our theory and numerical methods with examples from electronics (networks of three-stage ring oscillators), biology (Fitzhugh–Nagumo neurons) and mechanics (pendulum clocks). Our experiments demonstrate that effective PPVs extracted hierarchically can capture emergent phenomena, such as pattern formation, in coupled oscillator networks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
I. RENAL FUNCTION INFLUENCED BY INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

Associated with the intoxication of intestinal obstruction there exists a definite impairment of the excretory function of the kidneys. The degree of functional depression corresponds roughly with the intensity of the clinical intoxication. The decrease in the urea ratio and in the capacity of the kidneys to excrete sodium chloride is more marked than is the percentage decrease of phenolsulfonephthalein elimination. The great increase in the non-protein nitrogen of the blood usually observed in acute intestinal obstruction, which has hitherto been explained as being due entirely to an increased rate of protein catabolism, is due in part to retention of the products released from the injured cell protein. It is probable that the impaired renal function is due to direct action of the toxic substances upon the renal epithelium. The actual demonstration of this renal injury is perhaps the strongest evidence so far obtained to prove the presence of an actual toxic substance in the blood during intestinal obstruction. This obscure disability of the kidneys during the height of the intoxication of acute ileus should always be considered in the clinical management of this condition. It may also serve as a guide to indicate the degree of intoxication.
A high level language implementation of a general purpose telemetry system for biomedical applications

This paper describes a general purpose biomedical telemetry system consisting of an implantable VLSI chip and an RS232 compatible remote telemetry receiver. The implant supports a variety of programmable options to provide compatibility with a number of commercially available sensors. Additional hardware is included for the variation of sample rates and their occurrence to allow support for sensors of various speed. Also included is the capability to store samples in an internal static RAM, allowing the biological host to operate in its own environment without the need for an external monitor. Covered is the architecture of the proposed telemetry system, methods of implementation through HDL and comparative results obtained from these implementations.
Fixed set theory for closed correspondences with applications to self-similarity and games☆

This paper sketches a highly elementary order-theoretic approach which allows one to derive general existence theorems concerning the largest and minimal fixed and almost-fixed sets of closed (and condensing) families of commuting set-valued self-maps defined on a compact topological (complete and bounded metric, resp.) space. Certain converses of these results are also established, thereby providing new characterizations of compact (complete, resp.) spaces. We also study the asymptotic behavior of fixed sets sequences associated with a uniformly convergent sequence of closed correspondences, and give two applications. The first application provides two theorems on the existence of a compact self-similar set with respect to infinite families of continuous functions. The second application uses the present fixed set theory to derive a result on the existence of rationalizable outcomes in normal-form games with possibly discontinuous payoff functions.
Effective Elastic Moduli of Porous Ceramic Materials

This paper compares the applicability of a few theoretical models for determining effective elastic moduli, using published experimental data on ceramic materials in a porosity range of 0–40% and on a cellular material with a porosity of about 90%. As the experimental data for the effective Poisson's ratio involve a large scatter, a set of numerical experiments using the finite element method was carried out to obtain the variation of the effective Poisson's ratio with porosity. These variations show that the effective Poisson's ratio approaches 0.25 with increasing porosity, irrespective of the material Poisson's ratio. The effect of pore shapes on the effective elastic moduli and the Poisson's ratio has also been analyzed using FEM.
Fast electron generation and transport study with cone-wire target at omega EP laser facility

Summary form only given. Fast electron generation and transport in reentrant cone is important for cone-guided fast ignition (FI). The OMEGA EP laser facility has enabled experimental research using FI-relevant laser pulses (kilo-joule level energy in 10 ps duration). We have injected 260 to 810 J laser pulses with 100 to 300 mJ amplified stimulated emission (ASE) into cone-wire targets and characterized the fast electrons escaping through the Au cone tip into the Cu wire (40 um diameter, 1 mm long) with measurement of Cu Ka x-ray emission. These were compared to similar experiments on the Titan laser (150 J, 0.7 ps) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where its <; 10 mJ intrinsic prepulse was supplemented by injecting an artificial prepulse of up to 1 J, and its pulse length was stretched up to 7 ps.Results show that the Kα X-ray yield linearly increases with the energy of OMEGA EP short pulse. Its lower Kα production efficiency, 3-4x smaller than the Titan intrinsic prepulse results, is as expected from the prepulse energy dependence seen at Titan. The efficiency is insensitive to the pulse duration. Radiation-hydrodynamic modeling of the prepulse shows that 300 mJ ASE produces a large preplasma with critical density 100 μm away from tip of the cone, thus, reducing the Kα production efficiency. The vacuum fast electron spectra measured on OMEGA EP show slope temperatures of 1.6-3.1 MeV, which are higher than the Ponderomotive scaling, as is seen with a large preplasma [3]. The PIC and hybrid PIC codes have been used to model the experiment. Details of the experiment and simulation results will be presented and discussed.
Clinical Profile and Outcome among Infants of Diabetic Mothers Delivered At the Brooklyn Hospital Center

Background : Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the commonest complication of pregnancy, negatively impacting mothers and fetuses. Few studies suggest amelioration of negative outcomes of DM-associated pregnancies in recent years, due in part to improved care. But increasing prevalence of overweight in developed countries is also affecting many women of childbearing age with concomitant poor glycemic control especially in pregnancy. Hyperglycemia, even at sub-diabetic levels, is associated with increased risk of macrosomia and Cesarean section. There is evidence demonstrating that outcomes of DM-associated pregnancies are similar with those characterized by hyperglycemia of sub-diabetic levels. Perhaps, improvement of care for DM-associated pregnancies on one hand, and the impact of obesity epidemic may have changed the relative frequencies of negative outcomes typically reported for infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) compared with controls. Aims/Objective : We re-evaluated the relative frequencies of negative outcomes of pregnancies complicated by DM compared with non-diabetic pregnancies. Method/Design : A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted. Result : There were 50 diabetic and 83 non-diabetic mother-infant pairs. Mothers with DM-associated pregnancies had increased risk of delivery by C/Sxn, macrosomic babies, admission to NICU and prolonged hospitalization. Only IDMs had documented birth defects. Notable improvements over previous studies for IDMs include similar gestational ages at delivery and excellent APGAR scores in both groups. Conclusion : IDMs still have higher frequencies of negative outcomes compared with controls but some improvements are noteworthy and should provide impetus for efforts at reducing prevalence of obesity while improving care for DM-associated pregnancies.
Synthesis and Characterization of a SiAION Glass

Homogeneous SiAION glasses containing up to 1 wt% nitrogen were synthesized via a pressureless method with a controlled quench rate and structurally investigated using 27Al and 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), Raman, and infrared (IR) spectroscopies. Minor changes occur with the incorporation of nitrogen into the aluminosilicate glass structure as evidenced by modifications to spectra of a nitrogen-free aluminosilicate glass. The 27Al MAS NMR spectrum of the SiAION glass shows the existence of aluminum in 4-,5-, and 6-coordination to oxygen. The 29Si MAS NMR spectra show a distribution of silicon sites in 4-coordination to oxygen. Raman and IR spectra of the SiAION glass show additional features due to incorporation of nitrogen in the structure compared with spectra of nitrogen-free aluminosilicate glasses.
Differences in Substance Abuse Counselors' Knowledge of Tobacco Cessation Medication Effectiveness: 2002–2008

Counselors play a supportive role in patients' substance abuse treatment, including tobacco cessation. Thus, counselors should be knowledgeable about tobacco cessation medications (TCMs). This study examined differences in counselors' knowledge of and familiarity with (i.e., diffusion) bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) between 2002 and 2008 and identified predictors of diffusion. Repeated cross-sectional questionnaire data were obtained in 2002/04 from 992 counselors and in 2007/08 from 1,226 counselors working in private treatment programs. Results indicated that more counselors in 2007/08 did not know about bupropion to rate its effectiveness than in 2002/04; no differences were found for NRT. Among both samples of counselors who were familiar with TCMs, effectiveness was rated higher in 2007/08 than in 2002/04. Findings suggest that educated and trained counselors are important in diffusing TCMs. Knowledgeable counselors may be able to educate patients interested in tobacco cessation about available treatments and encourage compliance with TCMs.
Modal Markov logic for multiple agents

Modal Markov Logic for a single agent has previously been proposed as an extension to propositional Markov logic. While the framework allowed reasoning under the principle of maximum entropy for various modal logics, it is not feasible to apply its counting based inference to reason about the beliefs and knowledge of multiple agents due to magnitude of the numbers involved. We propose a modal extension of propositional Markov logic that avoids this problem by coarsening the state space. The problem stems from the fact that in the single-agent setting, the state space is only doubly exponential in the number of propositions in the domain, but the state space can potentially become infinite in the multi-agent setting. In addition, the proposed framework adds only the overhead of deciding satisfiability for the chosen modal logic on the top of the complexity of exact inference in propositional Markov logic. The proposed framework allows one to find a distribution that matches probabilities of formulas obtained from training data (or provided by an expert). Finally, we show how one can compute lower and upper bounds on probabilities of arbitrary formulas.
Confocal microscopy of intracellular calcium dynamics during fertilization.

During fertilization in all animals investigated, fully developed eggs or meiotically immature oocytes must generate a proper change in their intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca]i) to develop normally (31). The first images of a fertilization-induced calcium response were obtained in fish oocytes that had been microinjected with the calcium-sensitive photoprotein, aequorin (4). Since then, aequorin has been used to monitor calcium dynamics in several other species (13). However, with the introduction of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and a wide collection of calciumbinding fluorescent probes, there has been a rapid growth in the number of investigations that use CLSM to track changes in [Ca]i during fertilization (24). This column specifically addresses changes in [Ca2+]i that occur within fertilized eggs imaged by commonly available confocal laser scanning microscopes (i.e., those employing single-photon excitations provided by a low-power laser). It serves as an adjunct to more broadly based reviews covering confocal microscopy and calcium dynamics in eukaryotic cells subjected to diverse stimuli (15,27). Several advantages and potential drawbacks to consider when conducting CLSM studies of fertilization-induced calcium dynamics are discussed. In addition, a few of the major findings of such investigations are described, and some possible future directions for CLSM analyses are explored.
The Effect of Contradictory Information on Recently Acquired Knowledge

When individuals encounter information contradicting their beliefs, they may briefly retain the contradiction, but are likely to revert to their original beliefs over time. Past research has focused on the effects of prior knowledge and consistency of information when prior knowledge was well-established. This study investigated the effects of prior knowledge and information consistency for recently acquired knowledge. By learning whether the same reverting effect holds for recently acquired information, interventions can be sought to enhance recall of important information. Participants in this study were given two information packages about a fictional animal and their recall on various facts tested. Although a large proportion of participants recalled the updated information, overall recall of contradicted information after two weeks was reduced compared to when information was consistent. Recall of the original information was shown to resurface.