cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glass transition temperature of thin polycarbonate films measured by flash differential scanning calorimetry

Flash differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the glass transition temperature Tg of polycarbonate ultrathin films. The investigation was made as a function of film thickness from 22 to 350 nm and over a range of cooling rates from 0.1 to 1000 K/s. Polycarbonate spin cast films were floated on a layer of grease on the calorimetric chip. The results show a greatly reduced glass temperature for the thinnest films relative to the macroscopic value. We also observed that the magnitude of the glass temperature reduction decreases as the cooling rate increases with the highest cooling rates showing little thickness dependence of the Tg. Dynamic fragility and activation energy at Tg were found to decrease with decreasing film thickness. The results are discussed in the context of literature reports for supported and freely standing polycarbonate films. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1462–1468
Negative regulation of Pim-1 protein kinase levels by the B56β subunit of PP2A

The Pim protein kinases are serine threonine protein kinases that regulate important cellular signaling pathway molecules, and enhance the ability of c-Myc to induce lymphomas. We demonstrate that a cascade of events controls the cellular levels of Pim. We find that overexpression of the protein phosphatase (PP) 2A catalytic subunit decreases the activity and protein levels of Pim-1. This effect is reversed by the application of okadaic acid, an inhibitor of PP2A, and is blocked by SV40 small T antigen that is known to disrupt B subunit binding to PP2A A and C subunits. Pim-1 can coimmunoprecipitate with the PP2A regulatory B subunit, B56beta, but not B56alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon or B55alpha. Using short hairpin RNA targeted at B56beta, we demonstrate that decreasing the level of B56beta increases the half-life of Pim-1 from 0.7 to 2.8 h, and decreases the ubiquitinylation level of Pim-1. We also find that Pin1, a prolyl-isomerase, is capable of binding Pim-1 and leads to a decrease in the protein level of Pim-1. On the basis of these observations, we hypothesize that phosphorylated Pim-1 binds Pin1 allowing the interaction of PP2A through B56beta. Dephosphorylation of Pim-1 then allows for ubiquitinylation and protein degradation of Pim-1.
Detection of fundamental and harmonic type III radio emission and the associated Langmuir waves at the source region

Type III radio emission generated in the vicinity of the Ulysses spacecraft has been detected at both the fundamental and harmonic of the local plasma frequency. The observations represent the first clear evidence of locally generated type III radio emission. This local emission shows no evidence of frequency drift, exhibits a relatively short rise time, is less intense than the observed remotely generated radio emission, and is temporally correlated with observed in situ Langmuir waves. The observations were made with the unified radio astronomy and wave (URAP) experiment on the Ulysses spacecraft between 1990 November 4 and 1991 April 30, as it traveled from 1 to 3 AU from the sun. During this time period many thousands of bursts were observed. However, only three examples of local emission and associated Langmuir waves were identified. This supports previous suggestions that type III radio emission is generated in localized regions of the interplanetary medium, rather than uniformly along the extent of the electron exciter beam.
Three-dimensional imaging in craniofacial surgery: a review of the role of mirror image production

Mirror image production is an extremely, useful tool for the craniofacial surgeon to visualize, in detail, asymmetry or defects, using data and display from three-dimensional CT scanning. The technique for obtaining the mirror image, its limitations, advantages and disadvantages are discussed and clinical cases are presented to demonstrate the usefulness and validity of mirror image production.
The Nature and Function of Rituals: Fire from Heaven

Preface by Edith Turner The Nature and Function of Rituals: Comparing a Singapore Chinese with a Thai Ritual by Ruth-Inge Heinze Ritualism and Contactism: Popularity of a Hindu Ritual by Anoop Chandola The Ritualization of Conflict by Vladimir I. Ionesov Ritual Practice in a Sinhalese Village: Coping with Uncertainty by Victoria J. Baker Sinhalese Puberty Rites for Girls by Deema de Silva The Philippine Good Friday by Enya P. Flores-Meiser The Tupilaq: Ritual Carvings of the Dorset Inuit in the Eastern Arctic and Greenland by David Kahn Function of Rituals among the Buddhists in Mustang District, Nepal by Tomo Vins'cak Balancing Modernity and Tradition: Ngada Rituals as a Space of Action by Susanne Schroter Fire from Heaven: The Combustible Context of the Easter Ritual at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher by Patrick D. Gaffney The Ritual Core of Shamanism: Observations on an International Gathering of Shamans by William S. Lyon Altered States of Consciousness and Shamanic Healing Rituals by Stanley Krippner Rituals as Prevention: The Case of Post-partum Depression by Laurence Kruckman The Rainbow Horse Dance by Paula Engelhorn The New Song Ceremonial Sun Dance by Sarah Dubin-Vaughn Earth Song by Cedar Barstow Trance, Posture, and Ritual: Access to the Alternate Reality by Felicitas D. Goodman Index
A study of strontium diffusion in apatite using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and ion implantation

Strontium diffusion in Durango fluorapatite has been measured under anhydrous conditions using a combination of techniques. Diffusants were introduced into the apatite by two methods: 1. (1) ion implantation of Sr, and 2. (2) immersion in a strontium oxide reservoir. Resulting diffusion profiles were measured by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and fit to the appropriate solutions of the diffusion equation to obtain diffusion coefficients. Previous determinations of Sr diffusion in apatite obtained under hydrous conditions (Farver and Giletti, 1989) indicate that a decrease in activation energy occurs at approximately 1000°C. In contrast, diffusivities obtained in the present work may be described by a simple Arrhenius relationship: D = 2.7 × 10−3exp (− 65000 ± 2200 cal/molRT)cm2 sec−1 for diffusion perpendicular to c over the temperature range 700–1050°C. Similar results are obtained for transport parallel to c. As in the case of Pb diffusion in apatite (Cherniak et al., 1991), the results of the present study lie on the down-temperature extrapolation of diffusion coefficients determined under dry conditions at higher temperatures (Watson et al., 1985). Radiation damage induced by ion implantation may, in some cases, enhance or otherwise affect diffusion parameters. To assess the significance of such effects in apatite, the Sr results obtained by ion implantation were compared with those from a set of experiments in which Sr was introduced by immersion of the crystals in strontium oxide powder. Excellent agreement of diffusion coefficients from the two data sets indicates that radiation damage does not adversely affect these measurements of Sr diffusion in apatite made under anhydrous conditions. The measured diffusivities suggest that strontium isotope ratios in the cores of apatite crystals entrained in felsic magmas or residual to crustal anatexis may be unaffected by the Strontium isotopic compositions of their surroundings for the temperatures and durations typical of these events.
Volcano fixes nitrogen into plant-available forms

Hawaiian montane ecosystems developing on recent tephra deposits contain more fixed nitrogen than conventional sources can explain. Heath and Huebert (1999) demonstrated that cloud water interception is the mechanism by which this extra nitrogen is deposited, but could not identify its source. We show here that atmospheric dinitrogen is fixed at the surface of active lava flows, producing concentrations of NO which are higher than those found in most urban rush hour air pollution. Over a period of hours this NO is blown away from the island and oxidized to nitrate. Interruptions in the trade wind flow can return this nitrate to the island to be deposited in cloud water. Thus, fixation on active lava flows is able to provide nitrogen to developing ecosystems on flows emplaced earlier.
Mucus trail tracking in a predatory snail: olfactory processing retooled to serve a novel sensory modality

Introduction The rosy wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea), a predatory land snail, finds prey snails and potential mates by following their mucus trails. Euglandina have evolved unique, mobile lip extensions that detect mucus and aid in following trails. Currently, little is known of the neural substrates of the trail-following behavior. Methods To investigate the neural correlates of trail following we used tract-tracing experiments in which nerves were backfilled with either nickel-lysine or Lucifer yellow, extracellular recording of spiking neurons in snail procerebra using a multielectrode array, and behavioral assays of trail following and movement toward the source of a conditioned odor. Results The tract-tracing experiments demonstrate that in Euglandina, the nerves carrying mucus signals innervate the same region of the central ganglia as the olfactory nerves, while the electrophysiology studies show that mucus stimulation of the sensory epithelium on the lip extensions alters the frequency and pattern of neural activity in the procerebrum in a manner similar to odor stimulation of the olfactory epithelium on the optic tentacles of another land snail species, Cantareus aspersa (previously known as Helix aspersa). While Euglandina learn to follow trails of novel chemicals that they contact with their lip extensions in one to three trials, these snails proved remarkably resistant to associative learning in the olfactory modality. Even after seven to nine pairings of odorant molecules with food, they showed no orientation toward the conditioned odor. This is in marked contrast to Cantareus snails, which reliably oriented toward conditioned odors after two to three trials. Conclusions The apparent inability of Euglandina to learn to associate food with odors and use odor cues to drive behavior suggests that the capability for sophisticated neural processing of nonvolatile mucus cues detected by the lip extensions has evolved at the expense of processing of odorant molecules detected by the olfactory system.
Purinergic Activation of Ca2+-Permeable TRPV4 Channels Is Essential for Mechano-Sensitivity in the Aldosterone-Sensitive Distal Nephron

Mechanical forces are known to induce increases of [Ca2+]i in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron (ASDN) cells to regulate epithelial transport. At the same time, mechanical stress stimulates ATP release from ASDN cells. In this study, we combined ratiometric Fura-2 based monitoring of [Ca2+]i in freshly isolated split-opened ASDN with targeted deletion of P2Y2 and TRPV4 in mice to probe a role for purinergic signaling in mediating mechano-sensitive responses in ASDN cells. ATP application causes a reproducible transient Ca2+ peak followed by a sustained plateau. Individual cells of the cortical collecting duct (CCD) and the connecting tubule (CNT) respond to purinergic stimulation with comparative elevations of [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, ATP-induced Ca2+-responses are nearly identical in both principal (AQP2-positive) and intercalated (AQP2-negative) cells as was confirmed using immunohistochemistry in split-opened ASDN. UTP application produces elevations of [Ca2+]i similar to that observed with ATP suggesting a dominant role of P2Y2-like receptors in generation of [Ca2+]i response. Indeed, genetic deletion of P2Y2 receptors decreases the magnitude of ATP-induced and UTP-induced Ca2+ responses by more than 70% and 90%, respectively. Both intracellular and extracellular sources of Ca2+ appeared to contribute to the generation of ATP-induced Ca2+ response in ASDN cells. Importantly, flow- and hypotonic-induced Ca2+ elevations are markedly blunted in P2Y2 −/− mice. We further demonstrated that activation of mechano-sensitive TRPV4 channel plays a major role in the sustained [Ca2+]i elevation during purinergic stimulation. Consistent with this, ATP-induced Ca2+ plateau are dramatically attenuated in TRV4 −/− mice. Inhibition of TRPC channels with 10 µM BTP2 also decreased ATP-induced Ca2+ plateau whilst to a lower degree than that observed with TRPV4 inhibition/genetic deletion. We conclude that stimulation of purinergic signaling by mechanical stimuli leads to activation of TRPV4 and, to a lesser extent, TRPCs channels, and this is an important component of mechano-sensitive response of the ASDN.
Molecular simulation on hydrodesulfurization of thiophenic compounds over MoS2 using ZINDO

In order to develop a fundamental understanding of the HDS mechanism of thiophenic compounds over molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a molecular simulation of the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophenic compounds over MoS2 has been performed using Zerner's Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap (ZINDO) program. On the basis of the calculated edge structure, stoichiometry of MoS2, shape of the crystal, and the size corresponding to real MoS2 particles, a single-slab cluster, Mo27S54, has been proposed for modeling the highly dispersed MoS2. The proposed cluster is a regular hexagon with (1010) and (3030) edge planes only. According to the calculated electronic properties of the surface, the coordinately unsaturated MoIV in the (3030) plane is expected to be the active site for hydrogenation of thiophenic and aromatic compounds. The most stable adsorption configuration of thiophene on the MoIV is a flat adsorption configuration via the η5-bound coordination, whereas the most stable adsorption configuration of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) on the MoIV is a tilted adsorption configuration via the S-bound coordination. HDS mechanism of thiophene through the hydrogenation pathway over the (3030) plane of MoS2 is discussed according to quantum chemical insights in combination with experimental results from the literature.
Electrochemical reduction of halogenated pyrimidines at mercury cathodes in acetonitrile

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis have been employed to investigate the reduction of some mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrahalopyrimidines at mercury cathodes in acetonitrile containing tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate. Two irreversible cyclic voltammetric waves are observed for reduction of 2-bromo-, 5-bromo-, and 2-chloropyrimidine; the first wave is due to cleavage of the carbonhalogen bond, and the second wave is attributable to reduction of pyrimidine. Cyclic voltammograms for 2,4-dichloro- and 4,6-dichloropyrimidine exhibit three cathodic waves, whereas that for 2,4,6-trichloropyrimidine shows four cathodic waves, arising from sequential cleavage of carbonchlorine bonds as well as the reduction of pyrimidine. For the reduction of 2,4,5,6-tetrachloropyrimidine, a cyclic voltammogram exhibits four major irreversible cathodic waves corresponding to the cleavage of carbonchlorine bonds, but the wave for reduction of pyrimidine is poorly defined. Bulk electrolyses of halopyrimidines at potentials for different stages of reduction lead to products that are consistent with expectations based upon cyclic voltammetry. In addition, our findings agree well with theoretical calculations of the relative stabilities of the various reduction intermediates. Mechanistic aspects of the reduction of halopyrimidines are discussed and, using homogeneous redox catalysis, we have determined the lifetimes of the electrogenerated radical-anions of 2-bromo- and 2-chloropyrimidine.
Presynaptic calcium currents evoking quantal transmission from avian ciliary ganglion neurons.

Using whole-cell patch clamp techniques, we simultaneously recorded presynaptic Ca++ current and excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) from avian neuromuscular junctions in culture. Quantal synaptic transmission was proportional to evoked presynaptic Ca++ current except with large stimuli, which evoked brusts of quanta, reflecting a shift to synchronized release. Synaptic delay, measured from the onset of presynaptic depolarization to the appearnce of the first postsynaptic quantal response, was often greater than 100 msec for weak depolarizations but declined as stimulus intensity was increased. Quantal events evoked by Ca++ tail currents had a mean synaptic delay of 1.67 msec. The single type of presynaptic Ca++ current observed displayed an inactivation time constant of > 100 msec and tail currents well fit by a single exponential function.
Continuous and Discontinuous Drawing: High Temporal Variability Exists Only in Discontinuous Circling in Young Children

The authors studied whether the drawing variability in young children is best explicable by (a) demands on the explicit timing system, (b) an underdeveloped ability to control limb dynamics, or (c) both. The explicit timing demands were lower in continuous drawing in comparison with the discontinuous task. The authors manipulated limb dynamics by changing the number of joints involved, with line drawing requiring fewer joints than circle drawing. Results showed that young children had high temporal variability in discontinuous circling but not in other conditions. The authors argue that both explicit timing and dynamic complexity of limb control may be determinants of temporal consistency and may thus play an important role in the development of drawing and writing skills in children.
Expression of green fluorescent protein and its inheritance in transgenic oat plants generated from shoot meristematic cultures.

The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its inheritance were studied in transgenic oat (Avena sativa L.) plants transformed with a synthetic green fluorescent protein gene [sgfp(S65T)] driven by a rice actin promoter. In vitro shoot meristematic cultures (SMCs) induced from shoot apices of germinating mature seeds of a commercial oat cultivar, Garry, were used as a transformation target. Proliferating SMCs were bombarded with a mixture of plasmids containing the sgfp(S65T) gene and one of three selectable marker genes, phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar), hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) and neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII). Cultures were selected with bialaphos, hygromycin B and geneticin (G418), respectively, to identify transgenic tissues. From 289 individual explants bombarded with the sgfp(S65T) gene and one of the three selectable marker genes, 23 independent transgenic events were obtained, giving a 8.0% transformation frequency. All 23 transgenic events were regenerable, and 64% produced fertile plants. Strong GFP expression driven by the rice actin promoter was observed in a variety of tissues of the T0 plants and their progeny in 13 out of 23 independent transgenic lines. Stable GFP expression was observed in T2 progeny from five independent GFP-expressing lines tested, and homozygous plants from two lines were obtained. Transgene silencing was observed in T0 plants and their progeny of some transgenic lines.
Continuous fluorometric assay of phenol sulfotransferase

Phenol sulfotransferases (EC 2.8.2.1) catalyze the sulfation of the acceptor hydroxyl group using 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as the donor substrate. Previous assays of these enzymes, which exhibit varied acceptor substrate specificities, have required termination of the catalysis followed by isolation and quantitation of formed sulfate ester. In this report, the sulfaction of the fluorescent compound, resorufin, is investigated. Reaction of PAPS with resorufin, catalyzed by bovine lung phenol sulfotransferase, bleaches the emission of this acceptor at the pH of the reaction (pH 6.4 optimum). It is thereby possible to continuously record the sulfation reaction. Analysis of single progress curves by integrated replot can be used to determine the initial velocities and also indicates the formation of a product inhibitor, probably resorufin sulfate ester, with Ki less than Km. Sensitivity of the reaction is less than 1 pmol/min. The maximal rate of resorufin sulfation by the bovine lung enzyme is estimated at 57 nmol/mg/min, which is 10% of the rate with an optimal substrate 2-naphthol. This assay may be most sensitive for phenol sulfotransferases with optimal activities at greater than pH 6, due to the acid-base properties of resorufin (pKα 6), which becomes nonfluorescent upon protonation.
An investigation of hot corrosion morphology by color X-ray distribution imaging

The structure of corrosion layers on nickel-base alloys resulting from reaction with sulfur dioxide and sodium sulfate at elevated temperatures (hot corrosion) has been studied by the method of color X-ray distribution imaging. This technique involves the preparation of color composite prints by superimposing primary color images of the individual element X-ray distributions on a single sheet of color film. By a proper choise of primary tints, the distribution of reaction products and other features of the corrosion morphology can be clearly defined as a result of color mixing in the composite micrograph. The distribution of corrosion products in the surface layers of Ni-Cr and Ni-Al alloys and an IN 738 specimen following sulfidation was investigated using this technique.
A method for recording intracellular [Ca2+] transients in cardiac myocytes using calcium green-2.

Calcium green-2 (Ca green) is a non-ratio-metric fluorescent Ca2+ indicator with an affinity for Ca2+ (dissociation constant Kd=3 μM) that is lower than more commonly used indicators such as fura-2 and fluo-3. This low Ca2+ affinity, coupled with a high quantum yield, allows cells to be loaded with low concentrations of Ca green, avoiding problems of cytosolic Ca2+ buffering and a low signal-to-noise ratio. This communication presents a method for monitoring intracellular [Ca2+] changes in isolated rat ventricular myocytes loaded with Ca green and the fluorescent pH indicator carboxy SNARF-1 (SNARF). SNARF provides a Ca2+-insensitive signal with which Ca green fluorescence can be corrected for cell motion and dye-loading artifacts.
Preparation of the E- and Z-heptafluorobutenyl-2-zinc reagent by zinc-induced dehalogenation/metallation of 2,2-dibromo-octafluorobutane

Abstract The AlCl 3 -catalyzed isomerization of CF 3 CFBrCFBrCF 3 afforded CF 3 CF 2 CBr 2 CF 3 , which upon treatment with 2 equiv. zinc in DMF underwent dehalogenation/metallation to afford a 1:1 mixture of E - and Z -CF 3 CFC(ZnX)CF 3 in 96% 19 F NMR yield. The zinc reagent exhibited poor thermal stability in DMF and completely decomposed by a β-elimination route in 24 h at 60 °C. However, the zinc reagent prepared from E - and Z -CF 3 CFCICF 3 in triglyme showed enhanced thermal stability and gave E - and Z-p -NO 2 C 6 H 4 C(CF 3 )CFCF 3 in a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction with p -NO 2 C 6 H 4 I.
Association between hypereosinophilia and alopecia

Abstract Rationale The association between alopecia areata (AA) and hypereosinophilia has not been well described. Herein we report two cases and a review of the literature demonstrating an apparent association. Case 1 An 18-year old male reported diffuse alopecia of his arms, legs, back, and abdomen for 6 years. Physical examination was normal except for the alopecia. Labs revealed a WBC count of 12.2 with 41% eosinophils and an absolute count of 5002. Skin biopsy was consistent with AA. Case 2 A 27-year old female presented with diffuse alopecia of hair on her scalp, arms, and legs, recurrent over 12 years. Physical examination was normal except for the alopecia. Labs demonstrated a WBC count of 11.7 with 53% eosinophils and an absolute count of 6201. Skin biopsy was consistent with AA. Methods We reviewed the literature using PubMed and MEDLINE by searching all citations in English available from 1966 to the present. Search terms included alopecia, hair loss, eosinophilia, and hypereosinophilia syndrome. Results Associations between idiopathic hypereosinophilia and AA were not apparent on literature review. Cases of alopecia associated with an increase in eosinophils and biopsies of lesions of AA with eosinophils have been noted. This is the first evidence that alopecia may be a presenting symptom and or sign in idiopathic hypereosinophilia. Conclusion Although there have been some reports concerning the association of eosinophilia and AA, the cases noted suggest that alopecia may be a presenting symptom in idiopathic hypereosinophilia.
Genetic differences affecting the potency of stereoisomers of isoflurane.

Background : In previous studies, researchers demonstrated the ability of a variety of organisms and in vitro sites of anesthetic action to distinguish between stereoisomers of isoflurane or halothane. However, it was not shown whether organisms with differing sensitivities to stereoisomers of one volatile anesthetic are able to distinguish between stereoisomers of another. In this study, the responses of mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans to stereoisomers of isoflurane were determined for comparison to previous results in halothane. Methods : Mutant strains of C. elegans were isolated and grown by standard techniques. The EC 50 s (the effective concentrations of anesthetia at which 50% of the animals are immobilized for 10 s) of stereoisomers of isoflurane and the racemate were determined in wild type and mutant strains of C. elegans. Results : Wild type C. elegans and strains with high EC 50 s of the racemate were more sensitive to the (+) isomer of isoflurane by approximately 30%. The racemate showed a EC 50 s similar to the less potent isomer, the (-) form. In the strains with low EC 50 s, one strain showed no ability to differentiate between the stereoisomers, whereas two showed a 60% difference between the (+) and (-) forms. Conclusions : The ability to distinguish between stereoisomers of isoflurane is associated with genetic loci separate from those that distinguish between stereoisomers of halothane. These results are consistent with multiple sites of action for these anesthetics.
Cerebral Laterality and Psychopathological Disorders

In a previous report (Serafetinides, 1965), I presented evidence suggesting not only a marked presence of aggressive behavior in, mostly young, male temporal lobe epileptics (TLE), but also a left dominant hemisphere focus for the majority of them. Indeed, looking at the results again, it can be seen that out of 100 TLE cases, 36 were diagnosed as aggressive, 25 of which had a left (L) focus vs. only 11 with a right (R) focus. The 64 non-aggressive TLE cases were evenly split between the two hemispheres (33 R and 31 LTL focus respectively). This difference is significant at the p <.05 level. Discussing the implications, then, I stressed the significance of the dominant hemisphere for learning, linking defect of the latter with frustration in coping, and aggression as a maladjusted form thereof.
THE KINETICS OF EXCYSTMENT IN COLPODA DUODENARIA.

1. Extensive experimental data have been collected on the time required for the excystment process of the small ciliate Colpoda duodenaria throughout a range of temperatures of 8° through 32°C. and a range of concentrations of yeast extract excystment media of 0.08 through 22.4 gm./liter. 2. The excystment process has been separated into two periods, the first inversely proportional to the concentration of the yeast extract and the second independent of its concentration. 3. The first excystment period has been found to depend on the time for diffusion through the protoplasm of a compound from the yeast extract and on the time for a chemical reaction with the extremely high energy of activation of 220,000 calories/mole. 4. The changes in viscosity with temperature for this Colpoda, inferred from diffusion rate changes, have been found to be almost the same as those found by Heilbrunn for Amoeba dubia by the direct method of centrifuging granules. 5. The second excystment period is shown to be controlled by reactions whose apparent activation energies are 44,000 calories/mole below 15°C. and 18,000 calories/mole above 15°C.; above 25°C. this period is independent of temperature. 6. The distribution of the log excystment times of individual organisms about the mean log excystment time is found to be independent of temperature except in the range where the reaction with highest activation energy takes a significant length of time, and to increase rapidly with decreasing temperatures in this range.
Writing Scientific Software: A Guide to Good Style

The core of scientific computing is designing, writing, testing, debugging and modifying numerical software for application to a vast range of areas: from graphics, meteorology and chemistry to engineering, biology and finance. Scientists, engineers and computer scientists need to write good code, for speed, clarity, flexibility and ease of re-use. Oliveira and Stewart's style guide for numerical software points out good practices to follow, and pitfalls to avoid. By following their advice, readers will learn how to write efficient software, and how to test it for bugs, accuracy and performance. Techniques are explained with a variety of programming languages, and illustrated with two extensive design examples, one in Fortran 90 and one in C++: other examples in C, C++, Fortran 90 and Java are scattered throughout the book. This manual of scientific computing style will be an essential addition to the bookshelf and lab of everyone who writes numerical software.
Effects of Simulator Practice and Real-World Experience on Cell-Phone—Related Driver Distraction

OBJECTIVE: Our research examined the effects of practice on cell-phone-related driver distraction. BACKGROUND: The driving literature is ambiguous as to whether practice can reduce driver distraction from concurrent cell phone conversation. METHODS: Drivers reporting either high or low real-world cell phone usage were selected to participate in four 90-min simulated driving sessions on successive days. The research consisted of two phases: a practice phase and a novel transfer phase. RESULTS: Dual-task performance deficits persisted through practice and transfer driving conditions. Moreover, groups reporting high and low real-world experience exhibited similar driving impairments when conversing on a hands-free cell phone. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that practice is unlikely to eliminate the disruptive effects of concurrent cell phone use on driving. APPLICATION: Multiple regulatory agencies have considered, or are currently considering, legislation to restrict in-vehicle cell phone use. Findings reported herein may be useful to inform these public policy decisions. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
Decision feedback detection using modulation constraints for MIMO Rayleigh fading channels

We propose a new technique for designing decision feedback detectors (DFDs) wherein the per-symbol decision rules are obtained by exploiting modulation constraints. We present our results in the context of the multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) Rayleigh fading channel with N receive and K transmit antennas. Three cases are considered to illustrate our technique where all the transmitters employ real-valued pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM), or phase-shift keying (PSK), or complex quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). In each case, the corresponding per-symbol decision rule is obtained by imposing the modulation constraint on a generalized likelihood function maximization problem. For the case when all transmitters employ PAM, we show that the resulting DFD (the PAM-DFD) is equivalent to the decorrelating decision feedback detector (D-DFD) when the latter is used on a modified received statistic. We derive the exact joint and symbol error probability (JEP, SEP) for the PAM-DFD and show that the (possibly fractional) diversity orders of both the JEP and SEP are equal to N-(K-1)/2. This greatly improves on the diversity order of N-K+1 of the conventional D-DFD which does not exploit the real modulation constraint. We also derive the PSK-DFD and the QAM-DFD for the cases when all transmitters employ PSK and QAM, respectively, and show that these detectors result in significant performance improvements over the conventional D-DFD as well.
Chromatic framework for vision in bad weather

Conventional vision systems are designed to perform in clear weather. However, any outdoor vision system is incomplete without mechanisms that guarantee satisfactory performance under poor weather conditions. It is known that the atmosphere can significantly alter light energy reaching an observer. Therefore, atmospheric scattering models must be used to make vision systems robust in bad weather. In this paper, we develop a geometric framework for analyzing the chromatic effects of atmospheric scattering. First, we study a simple color model for atmospheric scattering and verify it for fog and haze. Then, based on the physics of scattering, we derive several geometric constraints on scene color changes, caused by varying atmospheric conditions. Finally, using these constraints we develop algorithms for computing fog or haze color depth segmentation, extracting three dimensional structure, and recovering "true" scene colors, from two or more images taken under different but unknown weather conditions.
Genotypic Variation for Nitrogen Fixation in Soybean

Twenty soybean cultivars from maturity groups IV, V, VI, VII and VIII were screened in the growth chamber study to determine their response to two Rhizobium strains through N-fixation rates. Cultivars Lee 74, Essex and Bay showed high nitrogenase activities of 201.00, 93.75 and 74.86 nM C2H2/pl/hr, respectively. Braxton, Hutton and Bragg showed low nitrogenase activity rates of 4.73, 4.20 and 3.0 nM C2H2/pl/hr, respectively. A range of variation was found among the cultivars in shoot fresh and dry weights, nodule number and nodule weight.
SINTERED COMPOSITE FOR LOW TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT OF PIEZOELECTRIC PROPERTY IN KNN BASED LEAD-FREE CERAMICS

We propose the design and synthesis of a polycrystalline sintered composite microstructure that leads to improved stability of piezoelectric response as a function of temperature in (K, Na)NbO3 (KNN) based ceramics. The microstructure consists of matrix and island both of which have different composition and surface area. The matrix had much larger surface area and smaller orthorhombic to tetragonal transition temperature (TO-T) than island. The composition corresponding to 0.99(K0.48Na0.48Li0.04)(Nb0.98Sb0.02)O3-0.01BaTiO3 (KNLNS-BT, TO-T ~ 33°C) was selected as matrix while (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN, TO-T ~ 206°C) was selected as island. The results show the flat electromechanical coupling factor from room temperature until ~ 300°C.
High performance system-on-package integrated Yagi-Uda antennas for W-band applications and mm-wave ultra-wideband data links

This paper reports two system-on-package (SoP) integration schemes for utilizing the Yagi-Uda antenna in the RF/microwave/millimeter wave applications. A substrate independent W-band vertical Yagi-Uda was fabricated and characterized. It shows a forward gain of 5.3 dBi and a front-to-back ratio of 6 dB and has proven the feasibility of using the surface micromachining technology into SoP integration. A compact mm-wave printed Yagi array is also reported for the first time with a 12.0 dBi gain achieved.
Laryngeal cancer involving a branchial cleft cyst.

Background Benign secondary neck lesions in the setting of laryngeal cancer have been described, but not with branchial cleft cysts. This article describes a branchial cleft cyst in a laryngectomy/neck dissection specimen. Methods and Results A 44-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with an obstructing laryngeal tumor that was staged as a T4N0M0 squamous cell cancer on the basis of clinical and radiographic findings. After laryngectomy with bilateral neck dissections, the neck specimen contained a right-sided branchial cleft cyst, which was directly invaded by tumor. In addition, the location of the cyst relative to the larynx suggested that this was a third branchial cleft cyst. Conclusion This is the first report of a laryngeal carcinoma invading a branchial cleft cyst. Staging discrepancies may result from concurrent head and neck lesions, altering treatment plans, or changing the prognosis for the patient. Lesions such as this are nearly impossible to diagnose preoperatively, and a high index of suspicion for advanced cancer should be maintained. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
A modified running subcuticular suturing technique for the closure of defects after Mohs micrographic surgery.

Background. The running subcuticular suturing technique is useful for the closure of surgical defects with minimal tension. Objective. To determine the safety and efficacy of a modified running subcuticular suturing technique for the closure of facial wounds produced by Mohs micrographic surgery. Methods. Five patients between the ages of 58 and 92 years, each with one Mohs defect on the face, were studied. One half of each defect was repaired with simple interrupted sutures, and the other half was repaired using the modified running subcuticular technique. Results. There were no major differences in cosmetic outcome of the surgical sites at suture removal and at 1-week and 3-month follow-up examinations. No surgical complications occurred in any of the patients studied. Conclusion. We demonstrate that the modified running subcuticular suturing technique may be a safe and effective alternative for the primary, layered closure of defects from Mohs micrographic surgery.
Transformation-Based Library Adaptation for Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are computational environments having restricted capabilities. These restrictions make the incorporation of high-level general purpose libraries, such as Java.lang and java.util, into the embedded systems software development process problematic. This paper describes a general transformation-based approach that can be used to adapt Java libraries making them compatible with the computational restrictions imposed by embedded environments.
Penetrating head injuries in children due to BB and pellet guns: a poorly recognized public health risk

OBJECT Nonpowder guns, defined as spring- or gas-powered BB or pellet guns, can be dangerous weapons that are often marketed to children. In recent decades, advances in compressed-gas technology have led to a significant increase in the power and muzzle velocity of these weapons. The risk of intracranial injury in children due to nonpowder weapons is poorly documented. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted at 3 institutions studying children 16 years or younger who had intracranial injuries secondary to nonpowder guns. RESULTS The authors reviewed 14 cases of intracranial injury in children from 3 institutions. Eleven (79%) of the 14 children were injured by BB guns, while 3 (21%) were injured by pellet guns. In 10 (71%) children, the injury was accidental. There was 1 recognized assault, but there were no suicide attempts; in the remaining 3 patients, the intention was indeterminate. There were no mortalities among the patients in this series. Ten (71%) of the children required operative intervention, and 6 (43%) were left with permanent neurological injuries, including epilepsy, cognitive deficits, hydrocephalus, diplopia, visual field cut, and blindness. CONCLUSIONS Nonpowder guns are weapons with the ability to penetrate a child's skull and brain. Awareness should be raised among parents, children, and policy makers as to the risk posed by these weapons.
Increased blood pressure in transgenic mice expressing both human renin and angiotensinogen in the renal proximal tubule

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological significance of a tissue renin-angiotensin system in the proximal tubule of the kidney. To accomplish this, we produced mice that express human renin (hREN) under the control of the kidney androgen-regulated promoter (KAP), which is androgen responsive. One of the lines expressed the hREN transgene primarily in the kidney. Renal expression of the transgene was undetectable in females but could be induced by testosterone treatment. Because the renin-angiotensin system is species specific, we bred KAP2-hREN mice with the mice expressing human angiotensinogen under the same promoter (KAP-hAGT) to produce offspring that expressed both transgenes. We measured mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in the carotid artery of double-transgenic and control mice using radiotelemetry. Double-transgenic female mice had a normal baseline MAP (116 +/- 4 mmHg, n = 8), which increased by 15 mmHg after 2 wk of testosterone treatment, and returned to baseline after elimination of the testosterone pellet. The change in arterial pressure paralleled the change in plasma testosterone. There was no MAP change in testosterone-treated control littermates. We conclude that dual production of renin and angiotensinogen in the renal proximal tubule can result in a systemic increase in arterial pressure. These data support a role for a tissue-specific renin-angiotensin system in the renal proximal tubule that contributes to the regulation of systemic blood pressure.
Low Infectious Morbidity after Intensive Chemotherapy and Autologous Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Transplantation in the Outpatient Setting for Women with Breast Cancer

Autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation is increasingly employed in the outpatient setting, yet data on early complications following PBPC transplantation are scant. We evaluated 105 women with high-risk primary or metastatic breast cancer who were treated at a single institution during 1996-1997. The mean duration of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count, <500 cells/mm 3 ) was 7.5 days. Twenty-nine percent of women remained afebrile throughout the neutropenic period. Of the remaining 71%, most (64 of 75) had fever of unknown origin. Infections, mostly of mild severity, occurred in 34% of women; these infections included bacteremia due to gram-positive organisms, catheter site infection, cellulitis, pneumonia, oral candidiasis, herpes simplex virus infection, and vaginitis. Fifty percent of PBPC transplant recipients required hospital admission, usually because of persistent fever; the mean duration of hospitalization was 3 days. No deaths or serious adverse events occurred. Such reduced infectious morbidity may be a consequence of minimal oral and/or gastrointestinal mucositis associated with the conditioning regimen and broad-spectrum antimicrobial prophylaxis used for this patient population.
Designing Women: Corporate Discipline and Barbados's Off-Shore Pink-Collar Sector

The bright yellow awning-shaded tables of Chefette are crowded with young Bajan women animated in their lunchtime conversation; their colorful and fashionable dress turns the heads of passersby. Within moments, the fast-food tables empty, and the high-heeled workers of Data Air' escape the midday Caribbean sun, hurrying back to the air-conditioned hum of the "open office." These women represent vast changes in labor patterns and technology in the international arena. Their lives have suddenly become intertwined with service workers in such disparate places as Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mauritius, and the United States, as the information age signals the virtual collapse of national boundaries and as labor and capital become increasingly internationalized. On the data-entry floor of this off-shore information processing facility, more than 100 women sit at clustered computer stations, entering data from some 300,000 ticket stubs from one airline's 2,000 daily flights. One floor below, an equal number of women work as "approvers," entering data from medical claims sent for processing by one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. This expanding company alone hires close to 1,000 Barbadian workers-almost all of whom are young women. Their fingers fly and the frenetic clicking of keys fills a vast and chilly room as walkman-clad women work eight-hour shifts at video display terminals-constantly monitored for productivity and accuracy-typing to the latest dub, calypso, or easy-listening station. The muffled clatter of keys creates a sort of white noise, and the green glow of a sea of computer screens lends a sort of Orwellian aura to the tropical setting outside. Data Air and Multitext Corporation are both foreign-owned off-shore companies, one owned by an American and the other by a British multinational. Both set up shop in Barbados in the mid1980s, and with the exception of the English general manager of Multitext, they are managed almost entirely by Bajans. The move from the American Southwest to Barbados has saved Data Air's parent company roughly
The Islamophobia Scale: Instrument Development and Initial Validation

Opinion poll research suggests that a significant number of Westerners hold negative and fearful perceptions toward Muslims and their religion. Although evidence of Islamophobia has been documented in a number of poll studies, no psychometrically based, multifaceted measure that focuses exclusively on fear related attitudes and is not confounded with a particular group currently exists in the scientific literature. The authors of this study describe the development and psychometric properties of the Islamophobia Scale, which measures cognitive and affective-behavioral facets of fear-related attitudes toward the religion of Islam and Muslims. The results of the study demonstrate a measure of Islamophobia that yielded acceptable psychometric properties of reliability and validity.
Business insights workbench: an interactive insights discovery solution

Today's businesses increasingly rely on vast amount of information. Yet effective use of information is becoming more and more difficult. This paper describes a general purpose analytics solution, "Business Insights Workbench" (BIW), which embeds two major classes of information analytics techniques and a unique set of visualizations to mine the available information and uncover critical business insights and enhance business performance. The two major classes of analytics technologies include the "taxonomy" analysis and the "relationship" analysis to facilitate understanding and detection of hidden concepts and patterns buried in the information respectively. The BIW technologies have been successfully applied in many application domains, e.g., Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for customer satisfaction analysis, Intellectual Property (IP) for patent portfolio analysis and licensee identification, and Healthcare Life-sciences (HCLS) for facilitating drug discovery by identifying the relationships among chemicals, DNA, proteins, drugs, and diseases. We show some BIW sample applications in this paper.
Democracy as a Latent Variable

We apply formal, statistical measurement models to the Polity indicators, used widely in studies of international relations to measure democracy. In so doing, we make explicit the hitherto implicit assumptions underlying scales built using the Polity indicators. Modeling democracy as a latent variable allows us to assess the “noise” (measurement error) in the resulting measure. We show that this measurement error is considerable and has substantive consequences when using a measure of democracy as an independent variable in cross-national statistical analyses. Our analysis suggests that skepticism as to the precision of the Polity democracy scale is well founded and that many researchers have been overly sanguine about the properties of the Polity democracy scale in applied statistical work.