cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The rate of passive metal dissolution in relation to the presence of transitional halide complexes in halide solutions

Abstract A rate equation for passive metal dissolution in aggressive media was derived based on the concept of a transitional halide complex which forms before the lattice cation dissolution. Following a statistical mechanical treatment, the possibility of the absorption of the transitional halide complex on the surface of the passive film was calculated as a function of the chemical potential of halide ions. The non-stationary ‘noise’ during the incubation stage of pit initiation was predicted using the phase transition model in which competitive adsorption occurs between the halide and hydroxide ions around the lattice cation on the passive film surface.
Body mass index, disordered eating behavior, and acquisition of health information: examining ethnicity and weight-related issues in a college population.

Objective and Participants: To investigate ethnic differences related to weight, the authors assessed body mass index, dysfunctional eating, receipt of health information, and perceived obstacles to healthy lifestyles of 210 ethnically diverse college women. Methods: The authors used the Eating Attitudes Test to assess dieting, food preoccupation, and bulimic behaviors. Results: The authors found no ethnic differences in body mass index or disordered eating, but African Americans were more likely than were European Americans and Latina Americans to receive nutrition information from professionals and less likely than European Americans to perceive time as an obstacle. Overall, receipt of health information from a professional was related to fewer disordered eating behaviors; however, the specific eating behavior that was reduced varied by ethnicity. Conclusions: Health professionals should reconsider traditional assumptions of disordered eating behavior as a European American problem and consider cultural...
On the mechanism of production of tandem genetic duplications in phage lambda.

Abstract We have asked whether the mechanism by which tandem genetic duplications arise in the chromosome of phage lambda is inter- or intramolecular. Two parental phages carrying genetic markers at opposite ends of the phage chromosome have been grown in mixed infection, and progeny phages carrying newly-arising tandem duplications have been analysed to determine whether they carry the markers in parental or recombinant configuration. Ordinary genetic recombination of the markers has been prevented by mutations in the phage and host. Phages carrying tandem duplications are isolated by use of CsCl density gradients and an Escherichia coli strain that does not plate deletion phages. Of the duplication mutants isolated under these conditions, 13% carry the input markers in recombinant configuration. This suggests that tandem duplications can be produced via an intermolecular route which joins sequences originally present on different DNA molecules.
Hepatic and renal Bcrp transporter expression in mice treated with perfluorooctanoic acid

The breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) is an efflux transporter that participates in the biliary and renal excretion of drugs and environmental chemicals. Recent evidence suggests that pharmacological activation of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) can up-regulate the hepatic expression of Bcrp. The current study investigated the regulation of hepatic and renal Bcrp mRNA and protein in mice treated with the PPARα agonist perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and the ability of PFOA to alter human BCRP function in vitro. Bcrp mRNA and protein expression were quantified in the livers and kidneys of male C57BL/6 mice treated with vehicle or PFOA (1 or 3mg/kg/day oral gavage) for 7 days. PFOA treatment increased liver weights as well as the hepatic mRNA and protein expression of the PPARα target gene, cytochrome P450 4a14. Compared to vehicle-treated control mice, PFOA increased hepatic Bcrp mRNA and protein between 1.5- and 3-fold. Immunofluorescent staining confirmed enhanced canalicular Bcrp staining in liver sections from PFOA-treated mice. The kidney expression of cytochrome P450 4a14 mRNA, but not Bcrp, was increased in mice treated with PFOA. Micromolar concentrations of PFOA decreased human BCRP ATPase activity and inhibited BCRP-mediated transport in inverted membrane vesicles. Together, these studies demonstrate that PFOA induces hepatic Bcrp expression in mice and may inhibit human BCRP transporter function at concentrations that exceed levels observed in humans.
Evidence that fusidic acid inhibits the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the donor as well as the acceptor site of the ribosomes.

A relatively high concentration of fusidic acid (3 mM) inhibits the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the donor as well as the acceptor site of ribosomes in the absence of elongation factor G (EF-G). In the presence of EF-G a low concentration of fusidic acid (1 mM) inhibited the nonenzymatic binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the donor and the acceptor site approximately 30% and 80%, respectively. On the other hand, binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the acceptor site which is dependent on elongation factor T, was specifically inhibited by, EF-G, GTP and fusidic acid. From these observations, it is suggested that the binding site of fusidic acid, GDP and EF-G may not be strictly located at the acceptor site.
EDUCATIONAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Significant acceleration of infant performance was previously reported on educational intervention program delivered to matched sample of 36 socially disadvantaged mother-infant pairs during first year of life. Testing of infants at 2 and 3 years of age suggests that positive results of earlier treatment were evanescent in absence of continued intervention. In the retrospective analysis of 15 social variables describing multi-problem families, mother's age, education, plans for returning to school, living arrangement, geographic living area, and any reported socially deviant behavior were most predictive of social risk status. Interaction between social risk scores of mothers and performance of their infants was analyzed. There was a negative correlation between risk scores of mothers and performance of their infants at year one (r=-.388; p<.02); at year two (r=-.488; p<.008); and at year three (verbal, r=-.340; p<.049 and cognitive, r=-.288; p<.099). Collection and analysis of follow-up data argue for continuous educational intervention for socially at risk mother-infant pairs during pre-school years.
Factors that inhibit economic development in the information and communications technology industry at the regional level

Purpose – Exploratory research to extend and refine a computer‐based interview tool to help determine the factors that companies in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry consider obstacles in regards to their economic development environment within a localized region.Design/methodology/approach – A computer‐based process was employed in telephone interviews to solicit and record responses from executives in ICT‐related companies for the 210 cases that are included in this study.Findings – Several obstacles to economic development were identified, and factor analysis was employed to refine the data into a few broad areas of concern.Research limitations/implications – This is a snapshot of attitudes within the ICT industry at this point in time. Another study in the future will try to determine if there is a correlation between the presence of obstacles identified in this study and the rate of growth of the ICT industry. Additional research will be required to determine if the factors...
The effects of race on norepinephrine clearance.

Eighteen normotensive and 19 unmedicated hypertensive black and white male subjects were studied twice, during a 10 meq sodium diet for 5 days and a 200 meq sodium diet for 4 days. The subjects received an infusion of 3H-norepinephrine (3H-NE) during both low and high sodium diets to measure NE clearance. Dietary sodium and blood pressure classification had no effect on 3H-NE clearance. Infusion of pressor doses of NE also failed to alter 3H-NE clearance. Both normotensive and hypertensive blacks had increased 3H-NE clearance rates (p less than .001). The increased rate of 3H-NE clearance among blacks was not affected by alterations in dietary sodium or by pressor doses of NE. Increased NE clearance by blacks may help explain observations that white hypertensives in the age range we studied (25-46 years) have elevated plasma NE levels, while blacks have normal NE levels.
A Comprehensive Model for Developing and Evaluating Study Abroad Programs in Counselor Education.

This paper introduces a model to guide the process of designing and evaluating study abroad programs, addressing particular stages and influential factors. The main purpose of the model is to serve as a basic structure for those who want to develop their own program or evaluate previous cultural immersion experiences. The model is based on the existing literature, actual experience in designing short-term programs, and on the theoretical evaluation principles of Appreciative Inquiry (Dunlap 2008) and Logic Models (Renger and Titcomb 2002).
Admission control in Peer-to-Peer: design and performance evaluation

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) applications and services are very common in today's computing. The popularity of the P2P paradigm prompts the need for specialized security services which makes P2P security an important and challenging research topic. Most prior work in P2P security focused on authentication, key management and secure communication. However, an important pre-requisite for many P2P security services is secure admission, or how one becomes a peer in a P2P setting. This issue has been heretofore largely untouched.This paper builds upon some recent work [11] which constructed a peer group admission control framework based on different policies and corresponding cryptographic techniques. Our central goal is to assess the practicality of these techniques. To this end, we construct and evaluate concrete P2P admission mechanisms based on various cryptographic techniques. Although our analysis focuses primarily on performance, we also consider other important features, such as: anonymity, unlinkability and accountability. Among other things, our experimental results demonstrate that, unfortunately, advanced cryptographic constructs (such as verifiable threshold signatures) are not yet ready for prime time.
Expression of Ia Antigens on Langerhans Cells in Mice, Guinea Pigs, and Man

In all mammalian species so far examined, Langerhans cells or their precursors are the only epidermal cells expressing Ia antigens or their equivalents. In man, xenoantisera raised in rabbits against purified B lymphocyte cell membrane antigens were utilized to stain the Langerhans cells, by either fluorescence or immunoferritin methods. A high proportion of the indeterminate cells in the epidermis also expressed HLA-DR antigens, and a relationship to Langerhans cells is suggested. Confirmation of these results was obtained in mouse. Alloantisera raised against I-A and I-EC subregion products again stained only Langerhans cells. Fluorescence, immunoperoxidase, and immunoferritin methods were used, and confirmation of the specificity of the reaction was achieved at the electron microscope level. Langerhans cells were shown, by ATPase staining, to be absent from the epithelium of the central cornea, but were present in the limbus. Population of the entire corneal epithelium surface was induced by application or irritants or contact sensitizing agents such as dinitrochlorobenzene. Grafting of corneas either deficient or populated with Langerhans cells, to skin beds, may answer the question of the influence of such cells on allograft rejection.
The neuropathology of autism.

Most researchers agree that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a group of developmental conditions whose pathological substratum resides in the brain. Despite the significance of neuropathological research in ASD, relatively few studies have been performed on the subject. The limited number of studies may be accounted, in part, by the scarcity of available tissues in different brain banks. Furthermore, variability within each patient population in regards to pre-agonal/agonal conditions, medications, comorbidity (e.g., seizures), and postmortem interval may all account for dissimilar findings among the limited number of reported studies. Only recently has a clear picture begun to emerge as to the neuropathological underpinnings of ASD. The presence of heterotopias, laminar effacement, and minicolumnopathy suggest that heterochronic divisions of periventricular germinal cells may provide for the asynchronous development of pyramidal cells and interneurons within the cerebral cortex. A similar defect within the rhombic lip may help explain brainstem and cerebellar malformations. Autism spectrum disorders are multifactorial conditions wherein a genetic proclivity and environmental stressors act at particular times during brain development to provide an autistic phenotype.
SPECTROELECTROCHEMISTRY AND DIMERIZATION EQUILIBRIA OF CHLORO(TERPYRIDINE)PLATINUM(II). NATURE OF THE REDUCED COMPLEXES

[Pt(tpy)Cl]^+ (tpy is 2,2‘:6‘,2‘‘-terpyridine) undergoes reversible one-electron reductions in 0.1 M TBAH/DMF (TBAH is tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate) at E° ‘_(+/0) = −0.74 V and E° ‘_(0/-) = −1.30 V (vs AgCl (1.0 M KCl)/Ag). The first reduction couple is substantially positive of those observed for other M(II)−tpy complexes (for example, E° ‘_(0/-) = −1.36 V for [Zn(tpy)Cl_2]), a finding that suggests there is coupling between the empty 6p_z orbital of square planar Pt(II) and the π* orbital of tpy, stabilizing the (π*)^1 radical state. The dimerization constants of both [Pt(tpy)Cl]^+ and [Pt(tpy)Cl] in 0.1 M TBAH/DMF were determined spectroelectrochemically and found to be 8(1) × 10 and 10(4) × 10 M^(-1), respectively. On the basis of variable-concentration studies, a species observed at an intermediate level of reduction is formulated as the mixed-valence dimer [(Pt(tpy)Cl)_2]^+, with K_(mix) = [(Pt(tpy)Cl)_2^+]/([Pt(tpy)Cl^+][Pt(tpy)Cl]) = 18(4) × 10 M^(-1). Analysis of variable-temperature EPR spectra indicates that the first reduction is ligand-centered (^2B_2) with substantial contributions from Pt(II) 5d_(yz) (4−6%) and 6p_z (3−4%). The second reduction is tentatively assigned as metal-centered; 5d_(x^2 - y^2) is the likely acceptor orbital.
Reduced derivatives of the Mn cluster in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II: An EXAFS study

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to characterize the local structural environment of the Mn in the resting (S{sub 1}) state and two different reduced derivatives of the photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). Short-term incubation with NH{sub 2}OH gives a state with minimal structural rearrangement relative to the S{sub 1} state, consistent with the small shift in X-ray absorption edge energy for the NH{sub 2}OH reduced sample. In contrast, hydroquinone reduced samples show significant structural rearrangements, including the appearance of a new Mn-O shell at 2.17 A and a decrease in the amplitude of the 2.7 A Mn...Mn interaction. The effects of both NH{sub 2}OH and hydroquinone are reversed by illumination and dark adaptation, indicating that the reductant induced changes are not the result of sample decomposition. Long-term incubation with NH{sub 2}OH and short-term incubation with higher concentrations of NH{sub 2}OH both result in greater reduction, more extensive structural change, and loss of activity. There is a linear correlation between the activity of these highly reduced samples and the Mn content of the samples. However, the activity per Mn atom remains constant, demonstrating that all of the Mn detected by XAS is present in active OEC centers. This demonstrates thatmore » highly reduced centers can be produced not only by hydroquinone but also by NH{sub 2}OH. A refined mechanism for reduction of Mn in the OEC is proposed. 111 refs., 10 figs., 6 tabs.« less
Nonparametric maximum-likelihood estimation of within-set ranking errors in ranked set sampling

A distribution-free statistical inference for the quality of within-set judgement ranking information is developed for ranked set samples. The judgement ranking information is modelled through Bohn–Wolfe (BW) model. The cumulative distribution function and the parameters of BW model are estimated by maximising nonparametric likelihood functions. A missing data model is introduced to construct an efficient computational algorithm. The advantages of the new estimators are that they require essentially no assumption on the underlying distribution function, which provides an estimate of the quality of within-set ranking information, and that they lead to a valid statistical inference even under imperfect ranking. The proposed estimators are applied to a water flow data set to estimate judgement ranking information and underlying distribution function.
Mnemonic convergence in a social network: Collective memory and extended influence

Abstract Research on the social influences on remembering has focused on how people influence one another's memory through direct conversation. This project examined indirect influence, that is, the influence of those to whom one may be connected through a social network. We extend Christakis and Fowler's (2007. The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. The New England Journal of Medicine, 357(4), 370–379) discovery that factors may propagate across several degrees of influence; influences of social remembering may also propagate. In a naturalistic study, we tracked weekly recollections of a narrative in a small social network. Two individuals’ mnemonic convergence could be predicted by their degree of separation. Directly and indirectly connected pairs show more convergent remembering than unconnected pairs, indicating that conversation is not the only route by which two individuals may come to hold a shared representation of the past. This propagation of memories across the links of a social network is an important means by which a group converges on a collective memory.
Axial muscle EMG responses evoked by cutaneous flank nerves in the female rat: effects of spinal transection, steroid hormones, and anesthesia.

In the lateral longissimus muscle (LL) of ovariectomized, female rats anesthetized with low surgical doses of urethane (1.0 g/kg), cutaneous reflexes with similar EMG and response patterns could be elicited from CNS-intact rats and from rats 24 h after complete thoracic spinal cord transection. The probability of eliciting a response to contralateral cutaneous nerve stimulation alone is much lower in rats with complete spinal transections compared to CNS-intact rats. For both CNS-intact and spinal-transected rats, responses to ipsilateral cutaneous nerve stimulation had a shorter latency and required significantly less current on average than responses to contralateral stimulation. The respective currents for eliciting threshold responses to ipsi- and contralateral stimulation are less for CNS-intact than spinal-transected rats. For both CNS-intact and spinal-transected rats, responses to bilateral cutaneous nerve stimulation were inconsistent in the same animal from run to run. With the variability of response at this anesthetic level, no consistent effects of progesterone (acute, i.v.) or estrogen (acute, i.v. and pretreatment, s.c.) were observed in spinal-transected rats. Intravenous progesterone reduced early, unilateral responses in CNS-intact rats anesthetized with 1.0 g of urethane/kg. For both CNS-intact and spinal-transected rats, additional anesthesia during EMG recording produced a gradual decline in response magnitude which could be recovered with a modest increase in stimulus intensity. However, spinal-transected rats appear to require less anesthesia to reduce comparable responses. The results suggest that supraspinal input is especially effective for facilitating contralateral cutaneous reflexes in back muscles, whereas it contributes more equally with afferent input and segmental circuitry to the efficacy of ipsilateral cutaneous reflexes.
Three-dimensional adaptive Cartesian grid method with conservative interface restructuring and reconstruction

Multiphase flows associated with interfacial dynamics, steep jumps in fluid properties and moving boundaries between different phases pose substantial computational challenges in terms of both modeling as well as computational efficiency. The present work extends a marker-based immersed boundary, or front tracking, technique to model the three-dimensional interfacial dynamics. It tracks the moving boundary using triangulated surface grids and solves the flow governing equations on a stationary Cartesian grid. A locally adaptive grid is employed to help meet the resolution requirements based on the interface location and solution features. The interface resolution is controlled via a conservative restructuring technique satisfying mass continuity. An improved level contour reconstruction algorithm for topology change, preserving the interface connectivity information, is presented highlighting various algorithmic difficulties and implemented remedies. The outlines of a finite-volume, staggered grid Navier-Stokes solution using the projection method are discussed. The impact of conservative interface restructuring and reconstruction has been assessed against mass-conservation and spurious velocity errors. The overall capabilities of the developed algorithms have been demonstrated for large density ratios, O(1000), interfacial flows using various rising bubbles and drop collision/coalescence computations involving coalescence and break-up dynamics.
The effect of density-gradient terms in the free energy on density fluctuations near the critical point

Abstract Density-gradient terms may play a role in controlling density fluctuations in a fluid. It is shown that if these terms depend on the square of the density gradient they diminish in importance as the critical point is approached, in ordinary fluids and in the two-dimensional Ising lattice, but not in the three-dimensional Ising lattice or in four-dimensional systems. However, with a slight deviation from the square-gradient law, the gradient term may parallel the compressibility term, and it seems probable that this does occur, in conformity with Widom's hypothesis that the correlation length parallels the thickness of an interface between two phases. Critical-exponent relationships involved are discussed, and possible effects on the correlation length are considered. The introduction of a new critical singularity is discussed.
The use of cyclosporine for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplant: a randomized pilot study.

Cyclosporine has antiviral activity in vitro against hepatitis C (HCV). We performed a pilot study to prospectively determine the antiviral effect of cyclosporine during therapy with PEGalfa-2a and ribavirin in liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV infection. Patients with HCV recurrence (Ishak Fibrosis Stage ≥ 2) were enrolled for 2 years at the University of Florida. Thirty-eight patients were randomized to continued tacrolimus or switched to cyclosporine. Both groups received PEGalfa-2a and ribavirin. Twenty patients received tacrolimus and 18 cyclosporine, with a mean age of 53. Eighty-two percent were men, 84% Caucasian, and 90% genotype 1. In patients switched from tacrolimus to cyclosporine, HCV-RNA levels decreased by a mean of 0.39 million IU/ml during the 1 month prior to initiating PEG/RBV. Sustained viral response for cyclosporine was higher than in patients on tacrolimus receiving PEG/RBV therapy. This randomized controlled pilot study is the first in vivo study evaluating cyclosporine versus tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients undergoing antiviral therapy. Change from tacrolimus to cyclosporine led to a modest HCV RNA drop and appeared to enhance the antiviral response of PEG/RBV. A larger randomized study is necessary to see if cyclosporine offers any advantage over tacrolimus.
ESTIMATION OF GENE FLOW FROM F-STATISTICS.

We present theory clarifying the general behavior of FST-based and GST-based estimators of gene flow, and confirm these predictions with simulations. In particular, we use the correlation of genes within groups within populations to define an estimator. The theoretical value of the correlation doe not depend on the number of groups in a population, and properties of the estimated correlation do not depend on the number of groups sampled or the number of individuals sampled per group. This invariance is in contrast to properties of GST. For a complete census of a population, bias and variance considerations would suggest the use of the GST-based estimator of gene flow, but lack of knowledge of population size or group number in practice suggests preference be given to the correlation-based estimator. We acknowledge that these estimators require that several conditions of a population-genetic model be met, since they do not make use of direct observations on the flow of genes. Our results differ from some of those based on simulation in a series of recent papers by M. Slatkin.
Electronic Structures and Spectra of Hexakisphenylisocyanide Complexes of Cr(0), Mo(0), W(0), Mn(I), and Mn(II)

Abstract Electronic absorption spectra of M(CNPh) 6 [M = Cr(0), Mo(0), W(0)], [Mn(CNPh) 6 ]Cl, and [Mn (CNPh) 6 ](PF 6 ) 2 are reported. Each of the M(CNPh) 6 complexes exhibits three intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands between 20.8 and 32.7 kK. The lowest MLCT bands are observed at 29.9 and 31.1 kK in the electronic spectrum of Mn (CNPh) 6 + . Low energy bands at 18.2 and 20.4 kK in [Mn(CNPh) 6 ] 2+ are assigned to vibronic components of a σ(CNPh) → dπ charge transfer transition. The unique electronic structural properties of arylisocyanide complexes are apparently related to the π conjugation of aromatic ring orbitals with the out-of-plane π*(CN) function.
Sterol carrier protein2 (SCP2)-mediated transfer of cholesterol to mitochondrial inner membranes.

Rats treated with cycloheximide accumulate cholesterol in the adrenal mitochondria. This cholesterol is largely associated with the mitochondrial outer membrane. The addition of homogeneous sterol carrier protein2 (SCP2) to these mitochondria stimulated pregnenolone production to a greater extent than with mitochondria from untreated rats. Adrenal mitochondria from cycloheximide-created rats were incubated in the presence of aminoglutethimide and cycloheximide to prevent further utilization of cholesterol for pregnenolone synthesis. Outer and inner membrane fractions of these mitochondria incubated with and without 0.75 μM SCP2, were prepared following hypotonic disruption. Incubations of mitochondria in the presence of SCP2 caused a marked shift in cholesterol from outer to inner membrane fractions. The findings provide direct evidence for a role of SCP2 or a similar peptide in modulating transfer of cholesterol to the inner membrane site of cholesterol side chain cleavage.
MIMIC from the Department of Defense perspective

The microwave and millimeter wave monolithic integrated circuits (MIMIC) program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency initiative to provide affordable, reliable, and reproducible microwave and millimeter-wave circuits in monolithic format for use in US Department of Defense (DoD) systems. The objectives of the program, progress being made toward meeting those objectives, and some planned future work are described. The overall program object is to provide the needed microwave and millimeter-wave products at a price that will allow their use in fielded DoD systems, that meet all required electrical, mechanical, and environmental parameters, and that continue to operate reliably for the time necessary to fulfil their intended application. Programs in progress include work on gallium arsenide epitaxial growth techniques; multiple chip ceramic packages, process, device, and circuit modeling; on-wafer testing techniques; and advanced fabrication techniques. >
Relationships between Social Information Processing and Aggression among Adolescent Girls with and without ADHD

This study investigated the relationship between social information processing (SIP) and both relational and overt, physical aggression in a longitudinally-followed sample of 228 adolescent girls (ages 11–18; 140 with ADHD and 88 comparison girls). During childhood, girls participated in naturalistic summer camps where peer rejection, overt physical aggression, and relational aggression were assessed via multiple informants and methods. Approximately 4.5 years later, these girls participated in follow-up assessments during which they completed a commonly-used vignette procedure to assess SIP; overt and relational aggression were again assessed through multiple informants. Correlations between (a) overt and relational aggression and (b) maladaptive SIP were modest in this female adolescent sample. However, relationships between aggression and SIP were stronger for the comparison girls than for the girls with ADHD. The relevance of SIP models for adolescent girls and clinical implications of findings are discussed.
Micro-robotic actuation units based on thin-film piezoelectric and high-aspect ratio polymer structures

A fabrication procedure is presented for creating microactuation elements that link piezoelectric thin-films with high-aspect ratio parylene microstructures. Resulting actuators permit relatively large rotational motions for low voltage operation, while maintaining large weight-bearing capacity. Actuator fabrication is performed on a silicon wafer though a combination of metal and thin-film lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) deposition and patterning, parylene refill of high-aspect ratio trenches, and dry release of moving parts from the silicon substrate. Static and dynamic responses of various test structures are measured, to estimate material properties of the integrated PZT-polymer structures, for use in future actuator modeling and optimization.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
[D72] Control of a virtual robot with fingertip contact, pressure, vibrotactile, and grip force feedback

This demonstration will showcase the capabilities of a wearable haptic device for controlling a robot gripper. Participants will wear the haptic device on their right hand and use natural arm and hand motions to control the gripper of a virtual PR2 robot. As the virtual robot hand interacts with simulated objects, the device will display fingertip contact, pressure, vibrotactile, and grip force feedback to the user. The user will be able to independently turn on and off each of the device's haptic feedback modalities to understand the benefits of each type of feedback. Additionally, participants will be able to select between different bilateral control schemes, including a position-position controller, a position-position controller with gain switching, and a position-force controller, to demonstrate how each control scheme affects the kinesthetic grip force feedback.
Efficacy of Grid and Zone Soil Sampling Approaches for Site-Specific Assessment of Phosphorus, Potassium, pH, and Organic Matter

Within-field variability of plant-available nutrients often results in different fertilizer requirements across a field. There is uncertainty concerning the efficacy of alternative sampling strategies suitable for site-specific management. This study compared various soil sampling approaches for P, K, pH, and organic matter (OM) in eight agricultural fields. Soil samples were collected using an intensive 0.2-ha grid-point procedure, and were used to compare less intensive sampling approaches. The approaches were based on 1.2–1.6-ha grid cells (Grid), soil series of digitized soil survey maps (SSM), soil series of detailed soil survey (1:12,000 scale) maps, elevation zones, and management zones based on various information layers (ZS). The approaches varied in reducing the within-unit soil-test variability and maximizing mean soil-test values across sampling units, but none was superior across all fields and nutrients. All approaches were less efficient for P and K than for pH or OM. The Grid and ZS approach were the most effective across all nutrients and fields. However, the Grid approach was more effective for P, the Grid and ZS approaches were better for K and pH, and the SSM and ZS approaches were better for OM. The ZS approach often resulted in fewer sampling zones than the Grid approach, which implies lower soil testing costs for producers, but required more knowledge and subjective judgement than a Grid approach to adapt it to field-specific conditions.
A Catheter Based Method to Activate Urethral Sensory Nerve Fibers

ABSTRACTPurpose: The ability to control bladder activity would provide a valuable tool to assist individuals with neurological disorders or spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent studies in animal models have shown that bladder contractions can be evoked by electrical stimulation of urethral afferent nerves. We developed and validated in cats a minimally invasive method to stimulate electrically the sensory nerve fibers that innervate the urethra.Materials and Methods: The urethra was stimulated electrically along its length via a catheter mounted circumferential electrode in 6 cats. The urethra was similarly stimulated in a male individual with complete SCI.Results: Robust bladder contractions were generated via intraurethral electrical stimulation in all cat experiments. Peak responses were obtained in the proximal and prostatic urethra. In the individual with SCI bladder contractions were generated via intraurethral stimulation at a position 4 cm distal to the bladder. Responses in cats and the human depende...
A model for transport of membrane-associated phototransduction polypeptides in rod and cone photoreceptor inner segments

We discuss putative mechanisms of membrane protein transport in photoreceptors based on Pde6d and Gucy2e/Gucy2f knockout mice. Knockout of the Pde6d gene encoding PrBP/delta, a prenyl binding protein present in the retina at relatively high levels, was shown to impair transport of G-protein coupled receptor kinase 1 (GRK1) and cone phosphodiesterase alpha' subunit (PDE6alpha') to the rod and cone outer segments. Other prenylated proteins are minimally affected, suggesting some specificity of interaction. Knockout of the Gucy2e gene encoding guanylate cyclase 1 (GC1) disrupted transport of G-protein coupled receptor kinase 1 (GRK1), cone PDE6alpha', cone transducin alpha and gamma subunits (cTalpha and cTgamma) to the cone outer segments, while a GC1/GC2 double knockout prevented transport of rod PDE6, but not transducin, GRK1, or rhodopsin, to the rod outer segments. These knockout phenotypes suggest that PrBP/delta functions in extracting prenylated proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where they dock after prenylation, and that GC-bearing membranes may co-transport peripheral membrane proteins in vesicles. We conclude that distinct pathways have evolved in rods and cones for transport of integral and peripherally membrane-associated proteins.
Mg and Si isotopic fractionation patterns in types B1 and B2 CAIs: Implications for formation under different nebular conditions

Magnesium and silicon isotopic profiles across melilite grains in two type B1 and two type B2 calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) reveal differing but constant enrichments in heavy isotopes everywhere except ≤1000 lm from the CAI margins. There is no close correlation in the B1s or the B2s between isotopic composition and akermanite content of the melilite, a measure of progressive igneous crystallization, yet such a correlation might be expected in a type B2: without a melilite mantle (as in B1s) to seal the interior off and prevent further evaporation, the melt would have maintained communication with the external gas. These observations indicate a model in which B1s and B2s solidified under differing conditions. The B2s solidified under lower hydrogen pressures (PH2 ≤ 10 � 4 - 10 � 5 bars) than did B1s (PH2 > 10 � 4 bars), so surface volatilization was slower in the B2s and internal chemical and isotopic equilibrium was maintained over the interval of melilite crystallization. The outermost zones of the CAIs (≤1000 lm from the edge) are not consistently enriched in heavy isotopes relative to the interiors, as might be expected from diffusion-limited surface evaporation of the melt. In all cases, the magnesium in the CAI margins is lighter than in the interiors. In one case, silicon in the margin also is lighter, but locally in some CAIs, it is isotopically heavier near the surface. If melt evaporation played a role in the formation of these outer zones, a later event in many cases caused isotopic re-equilibration with an external and isotopically near-normal reservoir.
Subordination, Extreme points and support points

Let s(F) denote the set of functions subordinate to a function F analytic in the open unit disk Δ. Let be the set of functions f analytic in Δ such that where ∞s(f)denotes the closed convex hull of s(f). Let denote those functions analytic in Δ such that the set of support points of s( f) is . In this paper we investigate the problems of describing functions in and Recently, Abu-Muhanna showed that univalent functions, with convex and satisfying a smoothness condition at ∞ must be in . We show that : is closed in the space of analytic functions. Consequently any F univalent with convex is in Moreover if such an F is not a half-plane mapping it belongs to
New Light on White Matter

Injury of central white matter is a major cause of functional disability in cerebrovascular disease. White matter is a target of hypoxic-ischemic injury throughout life, in clinical settings ranging from periventricular leukomalacia in the neonatal period, stroke and cardiac arrest in adults, to vascular dementia in the aging brain. The traditional view from animal studies is that gray matter is more vulnerable than white matter to ischemia.1 In part, this view may be an artifact of how ischemic brain injury has been studied. Most experimental work has used rodents, in which white matter constitutes only about 14% of total brain volume; in man, white matter is about 50% of brain volume.2 In fact, the metabolic rate of white matter is only modestly lower than that of gray matter,3 and recent animal studies suggest that white matter can be damaged even by brief ischemia.4 Moreover, clinical experience teaches that human ischemic stroke is almost never confined to gray matter. White matter is damaged by infarction in the territory of small vessels which perfuse centrum semiovale and deeper fiber pathways, and it is also damaged by occlusion of the large intracranial arteries which supply superficial gray and white matter together. Disruption of central conduction pathways may cause disruption of motor and sensory function, neurobehavioral syndromes,5 and cognitive impairment.6,7 Lacking neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, or synapses, white matter is unlikely to be injured by many of the mechanisms defined specifically in gray matter. Along with growing recognition of the importance of white matter ischemia in clinical disease, …
SCAN: a decision support system for railroad scheduling

The authors present an overview of a decision-support model for the tactical scheduling of railroad traffic which is meant to support the medium-term issues facing a railroad. This initial version of the schedule analysis (SCAN) system is based on notions from both simulation and combinatorial optimization, and is designed to provide schedulers with a tool for scheduling which provides real-time response. After describing the conceptual and algorithmic underpinnings of the SCAN system and its associated user interface, the authors use examples taken from a major railroad to illustrate the capabilities and limitations of the current system. Preliminary results from the use of this system at a major railroad are also discussed. >
Women's Preferences for Male Behavioral Displays Change Across the Menstrual Cycle

Women prefer both the scent of symmetrical men and masculine male faces more during the fertile (late follicular and ovulatory) phases of their menstrual cycles than during their infertile (e.g., luteal) phases. Men's behavioral displays in social settings may convey signals that affect women's attraction to men even more strongly. This study examined shifts in women's preferences for these behavioral displays. A sample of 237 normally ovulating women viewed 36 or 40 videotaped men who were competing for a potential lunch date and then rated each man's attractiveness as a short-term and a long-term mate. As predicted, women's preference for men who displayed social presence and direct intrasexual competitiveness increased on high-fertility days relative to low-fertility days, but only in a short-term, not a long-term, mating context. These findings add to the growing literature indicating that women's mate pref- erences systematically vary across the reproductive cycle.
Detection of a luminance increment: effect of temporal uncertainty

The theory of signal detectability predicts that uncertainty about signal parameters depresses sensitivity to visual signals and to the slope of the receiver operating characteristic. These predictions were tested and confirmed by depriving the observer of knowledge of the temporal location of a signal.
A statistical model for burst duration and time between bursts for WBHF atmospheric noise

A statistical analysis of wideband (1 MHz) HF burst noise was carried out after excision of narrowband interference. For a majority of the time the noise typically consists of a stationary noise background on which noise bursts of varying intensity and duration are superimposed. These characteristics are consistent with the known effects of lightning and are hypothesized to be due to over-the-horizon lightning discharges. A three-parameter renewal process model was found to provide a good statistical fit for both burst durations and time between bursts. This model is shown to correlate well with the known physics of lightning. >
Iso-lines and inbred-lines confirmed loci that underlie resistance from cultivar ‘Hartwig’ to three soybean cyst nematode populations

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars varied in their resistance to different populations of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, called HG Types. The rhg1 locus on linkage group G was necessary for resistance to all HG types. However, the loci for resistance to H. glycines HG Type 1.3- (race 14) and HG Type 1.2.5- (race 2) of the soybean cyst nematode have varied in their reported locations. The aims were to compare the inheritance of resistance to three nematode HG Types in a population segregating for resistance to SCN and to identify the underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL). 'Hartwig', a soybean cultivar resistant to most SCN HG Types, was crossed with the susceptible cultivar 'Flyer'. A total of 92 F5-derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs; or inbred lines) and 144 molecular markers were used for map development. The rhg1 associated QTL found in earlier studies were confirmed and shown to underlie resistance to all three HG Types in RILs (Satt309; HG Type 0, P = 0.0001 R (2) = 22%; Satt275; HG Type 1.3, P = 0.001, R (2) = 14%) and near isogeneic lines (NILs; or iso-lines; Satt309; HG Type 1.2.5-, P = 0.001 R (2) = 24%). A new QTL underlying resistance to HG Type 1.2.5- was detected on LG D2 (Satt574; P = 0.001, R (2) = 11%) among 14 RILs resistant to the other HG types. The locus was confirmed in a small NIL population consisting of 60 plants of ten genotypes (P = 0.04). This QTL (cqSCN-005) is located in an interval previously associated with resistance to both SDS leaf scorch from 'Pyramid' and 'Ripley' (cqSDS-001) and SCN HG Type 1.3- from Hartwig and Pyramid. The QTL detected will allow marker assisted selection for multigenic resistance to complex nematode populations in combination with sudden death syndrome resistance (SDS) and other agronomic traits.
Low-flow active and passive sampling of VOCs using thermal desorption tubes: theory and application at an offset printing facility

While air sampling techniques using adsorbent-based collection, thermal desorption and chromatographic analysis have found a niche in ambient air sampling, occupational applications have been more limited. This paper evaluates the use of thermal desorption techniques for low flow active and passive sampling configurations which allow conveniently long duration sampling in occupational settings and other high concentration environments. The use of an orifice enables flows as low as 0.5 ml min−1 and sampling periods up to several days without significant biases. A model is used to predict sampling rates of a passive sampler encompassing an orifice, a void space, glass wool, and the adsorbent. Laboratory and field tests conducted at a commercial offset printing facility, which contained a variety of volatile organic compounds (primarily aromatic but also a few chlorinated and terpene compounds at levels from 1 to 67,000 µg m−3), are used to evaluate the approach. Tenax GR and Carbosieve SIII, both singly and together, were employed as adsorbents. Side-by-side tests comparing high flow, low flow and passive samplers show excellent agreement and high linearity (r = 0.95) for concentrations spanning nearly five orders of magnitude. Active samplers were tested at flows as low as 0.5 ml min−1, compared to typical flows up to 40 ml min−1. Passive samplers demonstrated a linear range and agreement with predictions for adsorbate loadings from ∼1 ng to nearly 10 µg. Using a chemical mass balance receptor model, concentrations in the facility were apportioned to solvents, inks and other indoor and outdoor sources. Overall, the use of low flow active and passive sampling approaches employing thermal desorption techniques provides good performance and tremendous flexibility that facilitates use in many applications, including workplace settings.
Synthesis and microstructural characterization of unsupported nanocrystalline zirconia thin films

A polymeric precursor spin-coating technique is illustrated in which yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films are produced on Si, Al 2 O 3 , and NaCl at temperatures less than 350°C. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) examinations show that the YSZ films are nanocrystalline (grain size of less than 5 nm), fully dense, and have a stabilized cubic fluorite structure. Using the polymeric precursor spin coating method, unsupported nanocrystalline thin films of YSZ with thicknesses ranging from 30 to 1000 nm are prepared by transferring the films from a host substrate to metallic TEM grids with unsupported areas exceeding 1 mm 2 .
Matrix pairs over discrete valuation rings determine Littlewood-Richardson fillings

Let M and N be two r x r matrices over a discrete valuation ring of characteristic zero. The orders (with respect to a uniformizing parameter) of the invariant factors of M form a partition of non-negative integers, called the invariant partition of M. Let the invariant partition of M be mu, of N be nu, and of the product MN be lambda. In this paper we construct a Littlewood-Richardson filling of the skew shape lambda/mu with content nu, and show that this filling is an invariant of the orbit of the pair (M,N) with respect to a natural group action on the pair. We relate the algebraic combinatorics of Littlewood-Richardson fillings to a special semicanonical matrix in the orbit of (M,N), from which the Littlewood-Richardson filling, and other combinatorial invariants may be obtained.