cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The developmental toxicity of diethylene glycol dimethyl ether in mice

Abstract Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diEGdiME) is structurally related to several compounds which produce reproductive and developmental toxicity, including teratogenicity inlaboratory animals. In the present study, diEGdiME (0, 62.5, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg/day) was administered by gavage in distilled water to timed-pregnant CD-1 mice during major organogenesis (gestational days (gd) 6–15]. Clinical status of treated females was monitored daily during treatment and on gd 17. At sacrifice (gd 17), pregnancy was confirmed by uterine examination for 20–24 dams per group; each live fetus was examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. No maternal deaths, morbidity, or treatment-related clinical signs were observed. Reduced maternal weight gain during treatment at ≥ 250 mg/kg/day was primarily attributed to compromised pregnancy status resulting in reduced gravid uterine weight. Maternal weight gain during gestation corrected for gravid uterine weight, and relative liver weight (% body weight) were not affected. Average fetal body weight/litter was significantly reduced at ≥ 125 mg/kg/day. The percentage of postimplantation loss/litter (5, 8, 7, 12, and 50% for control through high dose) and the percentage of malformed live fetuses/litter (0.4, 0, 2, 24, and 96%) were significantly increased at ≥ 250 mg/kg/day. Developmental defects involved primarily the neural tube, limbs and digits, craniofacial structures, abdominal wall, cardiovascular system, urogenital organs, and both the axial and appendicular skeleton. In summary, oral administration of diEGdiME during major organogenesis did not produce any distinctive signs of maternal toxicity, but did produce selective and profound adverse effects upon fetal growth, viability, and morphological development at ≥ 125 mg/kg/day.
The effects of crystallinity and catalyst dynamics on boron carbide nanospring formation (Invited Paper)

The formation of helical nanowires -- nanosprings -- of boron carbide have been observed and a growth mechanism, based on the work of adhesion of the metal catalyst and the tip of the nanowire, developed. The model demonstrates that the asymmetry necessary for helical growth is introduced when the following conditions are met: (1) The radius of the droplet is larger than the radius of the nanowire, and (2) The center of mass of the metal droplet is displaced laterally from the central axis of the nanowire. Furthermore, this model indicates that only amorphous nanowires will exhibit this unique form of growth and that in monocrystalline nanowires it is the crystal structure that inhibits helical growth. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction has been used to compare the structure of both amorphous and crystalline nanowires.
Observations on the Size of Bovine Ova

Abstract The average outside diameter (including the zona pellucida) of 29 unfertilized cow ova was 171.5±13.8 μ (SD). The zona was 13.4±1.4 μ thick and the diameter of the vitellus averaged 120.2±6.9 μ . The average ouside diameter of 46 fertilized ova was 166.4±16.1 μ . The vitelli of unfertilized ova were responsive to osmotic pressure changes.
Fluorescence detection of photoacid in chemically amplified resists

An analytical technique for measuring photoacid in chemically amplified resist using fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed. The range of detection from picograms to micrograms, offers a versatile alternative to standard practices of acid detection such as photometric bleaching by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. Quantum yields of photoacid generation were measured for films of poly 4-t- butoxycarbonyloxystyrene, PBOCST, and poly hydroxystyrene, PHS, containing the i-line photosensitizer anthracene. Four distinct photoacid generators, PAGs, were compared, two triphenyl sulfonium salts with triflic acid and trifluoromethyl phenyl sulfonic acid, and two sulfonate esters of an n-hydroxyimide that generate triflic acid and trifluoromethyl phenyl sulfonic acid. The ionic PAGs have a quantum yield of approximately 6 - 8 multiplied by 10-4 and the covalent PAGs range from 2 multiplied by 10-5 to 6 multiplied by 10-4. The inadequate amount of acid produced at a nominal dose of 100 mJ/cm2 requires a catalytic chain length that is impractical in standard amplified systems.
The FIS protein fails to block the binding of DnaA protein to oriC, the Escherichia coli chromosomal origin

The Escherichia coli chromosomal origin contains several bindings sites for factor for inversion stimulation (FIS), a protein originally identified to be required for DNA inversion by the Hin and Gin recombinases. The primary FIS binding site is close to two central DnaA boxes that are bound by DnaA protein to initiate chromosomal replication. Because of the close proximity of this FIS site to the two DnaA boxes, we performed in situ footprinting with 1, 10-phenanthroline-copper of complexes formed with FIS and DnaA protein that were separated by native gel electrophoresis. These studies show that the binding of FIS to the primary FIS site did not block the binding of DnaA protein to DnaA boxes R2 and R3. Also, FIS appeared to be bound more stably to oriC than DnaA protein, as deduced by its reduced rate of dissociation from a restriction fragment containing oriC . Under conditions in which FIS was stably bound to the primary FIS site, it did not inhibit oriC plasmid replication in reconstituted replication systems. Inhibition, observed only at high levels of FIS, was due to absorption by FIS binding of the negative superhelicity of the oriC plasmid that is essential for the initiation process.
Achieving a safety culture in obstetrics.

Preventable maternal and neonatal mortalities still occur, despite the wonders of today's technologically advanced healthcare system. Delivering high-quality, consistent care is the goal of every provider. Yet, obstetrical practice, in which unpredictable events and high-risk situations are the norm, is particularly vulnerable to medical errors. Obstetrics departments should be striving for a climate of patient safety, one that includes a just, reporting, and learning culture. This article discusses the various components of a safety culture as well as some of the advances that are being made in the field to improve the quality of care in obstetrics. Mt Sinai J Med 76:529-538, 2009. © 2009 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Use of Social Media and College Student Organizations to Increase Support for Organ Donation and Advocacy: A Case Report:

This report focuses on the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics organ procurement organization's efforts to increase deceased organ and tissue donation by using social media and personalized messages targeting members of university student organizations, their families, and their friends. A grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services funded a 2-year study to (1) identify barriers/opportunities for increasing awareness, attitudes, and behaviors related to organ and tissue donation; (2) implement an intervention using social media and personalized message to increase knowledge, support, and donor registrations; (3) measure impact on awareness and attitudinal and behavioral changes within the organization; and (4) assess behavioral measures across a host of social media analytics and organ donor registrations. The results show increases in knowledge about and support for organ donation, including a 20% increase in donor registration. As a result, funding was secured to continue the proj...
Formation of new quasi-crystalline ordered aggregates by gizzard myosin.

Turkey gizzard myosin was found to self-assemble into new polymorphic forms as detected by thin-section electron microscopy. In high ionic strength buffers (0.3 ihm KCl, pH 6.0), aggregates of sidepolar filaments were produced. Electron microscopy of thin sections revealed individual filaments with a 13.5 nm axial repeat. Under a number of conditions, with varying ionic strength, pH, MgCl2 and ATP, the filaments assembled through the head region with the tail portion projecting out radially from the aggregate. The regions corresponding to heads and tails within the aggregates were established by immunoelectron microscopy using anti-Si and anti-LMM antibodies coupled to gold. These filaments often interacted to produce bilayer sheets, which, when cut perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, appeared as ladders. A hitherto unreported structure was obtained at 0.2m KCl (pH 8.0): myosin aggregated to generate a three-dimensional quasi-crystalline lattice with a 270 nm period. In these aggregates, myosin was arranged in an antiparallel fashion, stacked on one another, producing ribbon-like strips stabilized through non-covalent interactions between heads, thereby producing a crystalline lattice. Neither Mg2+ nor ATP were required for this form. Phosphorylation of the regulatory light chains or the cleavage of the heavy chains at a single site in the head region prevented myosin from assembling in the 3-D lattice form. Generally, unphosphorylated myosin produced periodic paracrystals at low ionic strength in the presence of 10 him MgCl2, but as the ionic strength was increased the regular 3-D lattice became the predominant form. Some paracrystalline forms could be obtained at high ionic strength without magnesium with phosphorylated myosin.
Trends in research on the Rorschach: Review and recommendations

Abstract Meta-analyses have shown that the Rorschach and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) have roughly equivalent psychometric properties. Assessment continues to be stressed in psychological training, and the Rorschach continues to be emphasized in courses on assessment. The most frequently used test battery includes the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, the MMPI, and projective devices such as the Rorschach or Thematic Apperception Test. A survey of the literature from 1983 to 1991 showed that research on the Rorschach concerns mainly issues of formal diagnosis and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument. Such research does not evaluate the Rorschach as it is usually employed to arrive at decision about individuals. More appropriate research models are recommended, in which Rorschach data are added to or deleted from other assessment information in order to evaluate the influence of the inclusion of the Rorschach on judgments made by competent clinicians about relevant issues in individual cases.
Cross-layer QoS control for video communications over wireless ad hoc networks

Assuming a wireless ad hoc network consisting of n homogeneous video users with each of them also serving as a possible relay node for other users, we propose a cross-layer rate-control scheme based on an analytical study of how the effective video transmission rate is affected by the prevailing operating parameters, such as the interference environment, the number of transmission hops to a destination, and the packet loss rate. Furthermore, in order to provide error-resilient video delivery over such wireless ad hoc networks, a cross-layer joint source-channel coding (JSCC) approach, to be used in conjunction with rate-control, is proposed and investigated. This approach attempts to optimally apply the appropriate channel coding rate given the constraints imposed by the effective transmission rate obtained from the proposed rate-control scheme, the allowable real-time video play-out delay, and the prevailing channel conditions. Simulation results are provided which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed cross-layer combined rate-control and JSCC approach.
LUCA-15/RBM5, a putative tumour suppressor, enhances multiple receptor-initiated death signals.

LUCA-15/RBM5 is a putative tumour suppressor. The gene encodes a number of alternative RNA splice variants with differing abilities to either enhance or suppress apoptosis, and it is likely that this ability to modulate apoptosis is central to the putative tumour suppressor activity of LUCA-15. This report demonstrates for the first time that expression from the LUCA-15 locus modulates apoptosis triggered by the death-inducing ligand TRAIL. Using Jurkat T lymphoblastic leukemia cells, LUCA-15 expression was shown to enhance not only TRAIL but TNF-α- and Fas-mediated apoptosis. LUCA-15, therefore, has the ability to lower the apoptotic threshold of multiple receptor-initiated death-inducing signals. Of note, sensitisation of the Jurkat cells to TRAIL was shown to depend on new protein synthesis, since no enhancement of apoptosis was observed when cells were exposed to both TRAIL and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. This result suggests that LUCA-15 does not act independently to regulate apoptosis, but modulates a process that requires additional, newly synthesized protein. These results may explain the putative role of LUCA-15 as a tumour suppressor, suggesting that lack of functional LUCA-15 could provide the means by which malignant T cells escape receptor-initiated apoptotic signals.
Traps Reduce an Isolated Infestation of Japanese Beetle

Populations of adult Popillia japonica Newman were reduced at least 50% at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by 3 years of mass trapping. Twenty-eight species of Scarabaeidae other than Japanese beetles were taken. Arthropods other than Japanese beetles and bumble bees captured in 1965 are listed by order.
Site-Dependent Intra-Atrial Conduction Delay Relationship to Initiation of Atrial Fibrillation

Background Atrial dysrhythmia patients have exaggerated intra-atrial conduction delays and prolonged relative refractoriness in response to atrial premature depolarizations (APDs). Furthermore, atrial fibrillation (AF) is more readily inducible by APDs from the high right atrium (HRA) than the coronary sinus (CS). In this study, we postulated that site-specific intra-atrial conduction delays can explain why AF is initiated more from the HRA than from the CS. Methods and Results We examined 17 patients (age, 49±22 years) without a history of atrial flutter, AF, or structural heart disease. Programmed stimulation was carried out from the HRA and distal CS, and bipolar recordings were made at the HRA, His bundle, posterior triangle of Koch, and CS. More prolongations in conduction and relative refractoriness in all intra-atrial sites were observed during HRA than CS APDs. AF was induced in 8 patients after HRA and not CS stimulation. During HRA stimulation, patients with AF inducibility exhibited significant...
Analysis of digital controllers using frequency-dependent describing functions

Once a digital control system has been coded and implemented on a computer, simulation must usually be relied on for testing the controller. Proving that a controller is stable requires exhaustive testing. This note discusses the computation and application of frequency-dependent describing functions to nonlinear digital controllers once the controller has been implemented on a computer.
Arterialization of human vein grafts is associated with tenascin-C expression.

Abstract OBJECTIVES This study was performed to test the hypothesis that tenascin-C (TN-C), an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein with counteradhesive chemotactic and vascular growth-promoting effects, is expressed in “arterialized” human saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). BACKGROUND Tenascin-C is expressed in the vessel wall after vascular injury in the experimental model, where it has been implicated in the formation of neointima. Overexpression of TN-C has also been implicated in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension. Saphenous vein grafts are exposed to hemodynamic stress when interposed in the arterial circulation and mechanical stress upregulates expression of TN-C, whereas stress-relaxation suppresses its synthesis. We hypothesized that the hemodynamic stress of increased arterial pressure could also induce TN-C expression in SVG. METHODS We examined the expression of TN-C protein and mRNA in normal vein and “arterialized” human SVG using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. RESULTS TN-C protein was not detected in control human saphenous veins; however, it was uniformly and strongly expressed in the adventitia and media of patent human vein grafts, with minimal or no expression in the neointima (n = 27, 100%). In situ hybridization showed that TN-C mRNA was not detected in the neointima, but was strongly upregulated in the adventitia and media, corroborating immunostaining data (n = 10, 100%). Unlike patent SVG, TN-C was not expressed in the adventitia of occluded grafts, except for a low level of expression around the newly formed vessels in neointima (n = 5, 100%). Smooth muscle cell-specific staining demonstrated that the lack of expression of TN-C in occluded vein grafts is not due to the lack of presence of smooth muscle cells in the graft. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that placement of a venous graft in the arterial system leads to expression of TN-C, which may in turn facilitate graft remodeling. Conversely, loss of flow and intravascular pressure, associated with vein graft occlusion, is accompanied by disappearance of TN-C expression.
Hyponatremia associated with 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine ("Ecstasy") abuse.

ABSTRACT We present a case of acute, symptomatic hyponatremia in a young woman that developed after use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), more commonly known as “ecstasy.” The patient was treated with 5% saline and had complete recovery. The pathogenesis of MDMA-associated hyponatremia involves excessive water intake and inappropriately elevated antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels. It seems that young, premenopausal women are at particularly high risk for the development of severe, symptomatic hyponatremia after use of this drug. Review of the literature revealed 4 fatal outcomes from MDMA-associated hyponatremia. All were women and all died from cerebellar tonsillar herniation. We suggest that acute hyponatremia that develops after MDMA use may be a life-threatening condition. Recent recommendation that MDMA users should drink large volumes of water may not be appropriate.
Analysis of the roles of amino acid residues in the flavoprotein tryptophan 2-monooxygenase modified by 2-oxo-3-pentynoate: characterization of His338, Cys339, and Cys511 mutant enzymes

The flavoprotein tryptophan 2-monooxygenase catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of tryptophan to indoleacetamide. His338, Cys339, and Cys511 of the Pseudomonas savastanoi enzyme were previously identified as possible active-site residues by modification with 2-oxo-3-pentynoate ([G. Gadda, L.J. Dangott, W.H. Johnson Jr., C.P. Whitman, P.F. Fitzpatrick, Biochemistry 38 (1999) 5822-5828]). The H338N, C339A, and C511S enzymes have been characterized to determine the roles of these residues in catalysis. The steady-state kinetic parameters with both tryptophan and methionine decrease only slightly in the case of the H338N and C339A enzymes; the decrease in activity is greater for the C511S enzyme. Only in the case of the C511S enzyme do deuterium kinetic isotope effects on kinetic parameters indicate a significant change in catalytic rates. The structural bases for the effects of the mutations can be interpreted by identification of L-amino acid oxidase and tryptophan monooxygenase as homologous proteins.
Demonstration of tunable optical delay lines based on apodized grating waveguides

High-speed and tunable integrated optical delay lines are demonstrated based on silicon grating waveguides apodized by the super-Gaussian function. The submicron channel waveguides with inward-apodized gratings are fabricated by deep-ultraviolet optical lithography. Characterization of the compact delay lines shows that they offer true-time delays as long as 132 ps, tuning range of ~86 ps, and a minimum bit rate of ~13 Gb/s. For lower bit rates, delays as high as 220 ps and tuning range of 174 ps are feasible.
Color measurement and discrimination

Theories of color measurement attempt to provide a quantative means for predicting whether two lights will be discriminable to an average observer. All color measurement theories can be characterized as follows: suppose lights a and b evoke responses from three color channels characterized as vectors, v(a) and v(b); the vector difference v(a) - v(b) corresponds to a set of channel responses that would be generated by some real light, call it *. According to theory a and b will be discriminable when * is detectable. A detailed development and test of the classic color measurement approach are reported. In the absence of a luminance component in the test stimuli, a and b, the theory holds well. In the presence of a luminance component, the theory is clearly false. When a luminance component is present discrimination judgements depend largely on whether the lights being discriminated fall in separate, categorical regions of color space. The results suggest that sensory estimation of surface color uses different methods, and the choice of method depends upon properties of the image. When there is significant luminance variation a categorical method is used, while in the absence of significant luminance variation judgments are continuous and consistant with the measurement approach.
Transgenic MUC1 interacts with epidermal growth factor receptor and correlates with mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in the mouse mammary gland.

MUC1 is a large (>400 kDa), heavily glycosylated transmembrane protein that is aberrantly expressed on greater than 90% of human breast carcinomas and subsequent metastases. The precise function of MUC1 overexpression in tumorigenesis is unknown, although various domains of MUC1 have been implicated in cell adhesion, cell signaling, and immunoregulation. Stimulation of the MDA-MB-468 breast cancer line as well as mouse mammary glands with epidermal growth factor results in the co-immunoprecipitation of MUC1 with a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein of ∼180 kDa. We have generated transgenic lines overexpressing full-length (MMF), cytoplasmic tail deleted (ΔCT), or tandem repeat deleted (ΔTR)-human MUC1 under the control of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter to further examine the role of MUC1 in signaling and tumorigenesis. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that full-length transgenic MUC1 physically associates with all four erbB receptors, and co-localizes with erbB1 in the lactating gland. Furthermore, we detected a sharp increase in ERK1/2 activation in MUC1 transgenic mammary glands compared with Muc1 null and wild-type animals. These results point to a novel function of increased MUC1 expression, potentiation of erbB signaling through the activation of mitogenic MAP kinase pathways.
Non-invasive detection of acute allograft rejection in children by tissue Doppler imaging: myocardial velocities and myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction.

Background In adults, an acute decrease of regional myocardial velocities is a sensitive marker of rejection. In children, velocities are more variable. A new marker, myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction (IVA), appears to be less age-dependent than myocardial velocities. This study therefore compared tissue Doppler (TDI)-derived velocities and IVA as potential rejection markers for children. Methods TDI was performed in 15 pediatric heart transplant recipients (age 8.0 ± 3.6 years) during acute rejection and at baseline without rejection, 50 additional transplant children without rejection (7.8 ± 5.9 years) and 30 age-matched healthy children (7.5 ± 5.2 years). Color Doppler cine-loops of 3 cardiac cycles were stored as echocardiographic raw data. Using off-line post-processing, systolic (S) and diastolic (E) myocardial velocities and IVA were measured in 5 basal left ventricular segments. IVA is the peak isovolumic contraction wave velocity divided by acceleration time. Results Without rejection, transplant children had significantly lower diastolic velocities (basal lateral E 10.4 ± 2.9 vs 11.9 ± 2.6 cm/s; p p 2 ). During rejection, all markers decreased significantly compared with age-matched normal control, the non-rejecting transplant group and individual baseline values. Conclusions Regional myocardial velocities change significantly during acute allograft rejection in children. However, many children already have wall motion abnormalities at baseline, so results are often difficult to interpret. In contrast, isovolumic acceleration was normal without rejection and selectively decreased during the event. IVA is a promising non-invasive rejection marker for pediatric patients.
Negotiating the Nature of Mystical Experience, Guided by James and Tillich

The nature of mystical experience has been hotly debated. Essentialists divide into two camps: 1) immediate identity beyond any subject-object structure 2) the mystical object maintaining some distinctness at the point of contact. Paul Tillich’s mystical a priori has some affinities with the former, while William James’ model of religious experience coheres only with the latter. Opposing the essentialists are constructivists. After noting some ironies of the constructivist position, this article elaborates difficulties with 1) the traditional model of pure identity with the divine by certain mystics, 2) the Tillichian universal mystical awareness, and 3) the Jamesian direct perceptual model. Finally, it proposes that the human body and brain mediate mystical experience, which consists of a distinctive sense of bodily harmony conjoined with openness to the potentialities of an integrated environment, involving distinctive neurological processes.
Implementing benchmark testing for formative purposes: teacher voices about what works

In response to US accountability policies and yearly performance targets, school districts are implementing periodic or benchmark assessments to provide teachers with data to improve instruction and student achievement. The tests are typically given quarterly to track student progress toward yearly accountability goals, as well as to inform teaching and identify individualized instructional enhancements to foster student achievement. Fifteen focus group sessions were conducted with 67 elementary and middle school teachers from several school districts surrounding an urban metropolitan area in Virginia to explore and better understand the ways in which benchmark testing can be used effectively as formative assessment. Participants had a range of experience from 1 to 3 to over 20 years in the classroom. The perceived quality of test items, timeliness in receiving results, accessibility of the data, and opportunities to review and discuss the results with others clearly influenced how teachers’ used the assessment results. Teachers described using benchmark test results formatively to make a variety of instructional adjustments, including modifications to whole class instruction, working with students in small groups, and providing individualized support, though important factors influenced the extent of use. The findings of this study suggest that under appropriate conditions, including having valid and transparent test items, support, immediacy of results, and time to discuss with others, benchmark testing programs have the potential of providing meaningful formative assessment.
Delay discounting in rhesus monkeys: Equivalent discounting of more and less preferred sucrose concentrations

Humans discount larger amounts of a delayed reinforcer less steeply than smaller amounts, but studies with pigeons and rats have yet to reveal such a magnitude effect, suggesting that the effect may be unique to humans. The present study examined whether the magnitude effect is observed in a species phylogenetically closer to humans, by comparing the rates at which rhesus monkeys discounted 10% and 20% concentrations of sucrose. There were no systematic differences in the rates at which the monkeys discounted the two sucrose concentrations, despite the fact that they strongly preferred the 20% concentration. Interestingly, the monkeys discounted delayed sucrose at a rate higher than was observed with delayed cocaine, and lower than was observed with delayed saccharin in previous studies (Freeman et al. Behavioural Processes, 82, 214-218, 2009; Woolverton et al. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 15, 238-244, 2007). Taken together, these findings suggest that although both quantitative and qualitative differences can affect monkeys' preferences between immediate reinforcers, qualitative differences between types of reinforcers (e.g., sucrose vs. cocaine) can affect monkeys' discounting rates in a way that quantitative differences within a reinforcer (e.g., 10% vs. 20% sucrose) do not.
Endogenous mGluR activity suppresses GABAergic transmission in avian cochlear nucleus magnocellularis neurons.

GABAergic transmission in the avian cochlear nucleus magnocellularis (NM) of the chick is subject to modulation by γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) autoreceptors. Here, I investigated modulation ...
Enhancing ASSERT: making an accurate testbed friendly

This article discusses lessons learned from use of our publicly available wireless networking testbed, assert[1]. In [1] we discussed the design and implementation phase of a testbed based on a set of propositions. By opening the testbed to users not familiar with underlying architecture of assert, we put these propositions to the test. While fidelity of the testbed is a major challenge for developers, users assume the fidelity as a given and look for ease of use comparable with a simulator. We list the main demands by users of our testbed and the way we addressed these demands during an enhancement phase.
Absorption of carbon dioxide into aqueous methyldiethanolamine

Abstract Gas absorption rates in a laminar liquid jet were measured for carbon dioxide in methyl- diethanolamine (MDEA) solutions. It was found that for the short contact times (
Vibrations of Micro-eV Energies in Nanocrystalline Microstructures

The phonon density of states of nanocrystalline bcc Fe and nanocrystalline fcc Ni3Fe were measured by inelastic neutron scattering in two different ranges of energy. As has been reported previously, the nanocrystalline materials showed enhancements in their phonon density of states at energies from 2 to 15 meV, compared to control samples composed of large crystals. The present measurements were extended to energies in the micro-eV range, and showed significant, but smaller, enhancements in the number of modes in the energy range from 5 to 18 mueV. These modes of micro-eV energies provide a long-wavelength limit that bounds the fraction of modes at milli-eV energies originating with the cooperative dynamics of the nanocrystalline microstructure.
Expression of the yeast galactokinase gene in Escherichia coli.

Abstract In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the genes for three of the enzymes involved in galactose metabolism are tightly linked near the centromere of chromosome II (Douglas and Hawthorne, 1964). However, the molecular mechanisms which control the expression of these genes are not understood. A DNA fragment containing at least one of these yeast genes, the galactokinase gene ( gal1 ), has been joined to the bacterial plasmid pBR322 and maintained in an Escherichia coli strain that carries a deletion in its own galactokinase gene, galK . The presence of the yeast gene was demonstrated by (i) complementation of the E. coli galactokinase deletion, (ii) by hybridization of the cloned DNA fragment to restriction enzyme digests of total yeast DNA and (iii) by assaying for yeast galactokinase activity in bacterial cell extraxts. The yeast DNA fragment is 4700 base pairs long, and enables the host E. coli K-12 strain to grow in minimal medium containing galactose as the sole carbon source with a generation time of 14.3 h. The yeast galactokinase activity in the bacterial extracts is 0.7% of the bacterial galactokinase activity found in wild-type E. coli fully induced with fucose.
Variation and variability in carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity

Abstract Background There are very limited data on the day-to-day variability and virtually no data on within-subject measurement variation of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-fPWV). Therefore, we conducted this study in healthy volunteers to measure both day-to-day variability and day-to-day within-subject measurement variation. Methods C-fPWV values were measured in ten adult volunteers resting in supine position for at least 10 min using the SphygmoCor system {AtCor Medical Pty Ltd, West Ryde (Sydney), Australia} on two consecutive days. The data were captured for ten seconds from the right carotid and then right femoral arteries. Results The average c-fPWV readings and the between-subject standard deviations (SD) was 7.43 ± 1.9 m/sec for day 1 and 6.93 ± 1.36 m/sec for day 2, which are statistically insignificant with a paired t -test ( p = 0.197). However, the Pearson's correlation showed a coefficient of 0.8 ( p value = 0.005). There was a statistically significant difference ( p = 0.01) in the within-subject c-fPWV measurement variation, calculated as the mean of the SD comparing day 1 (0.74 ± 0.09 m/sec) and day 2 (0.53 ± 0.07 m/sec). The average MAP was 93.9 ± 2.3 mmHg for day 1 and 90.5 ± 1.7 mmHg for day 2, which were not statistically different ( p = 0.1). Conclusions The c-fPWV readings were highly reproducible between the two days and the measurement variation in the within-subject c-fPWV is significantly lower on the second day. Our study highlights that day-to-day variability and within-subject measurement variation of c-fPWV, although present is not significant enough to influence the assessment of outcome measures of interventions that alter the arterial stiffness.
Multielement phased arrays for phase modulation imaging

This paper describes in-phase and anti-phase interferences effects that can exhibit deep amplitude nulls and sharp phase transitions. In order to broaden the range of the amplitude null and phase transition, a series of light sources are arrayed in one, two, or three dimensions with an appropriate detection system located in the null plane of each array. The system is expected to be ideal for locating a small absorption/scattering discontinuities in a relatively homogenous scatterer such as human breast. The techniques of scanning are mechanical and electrical, or by as yet untested optical elements.
Revealing moments: formulating understandings of adverse experiences in a health appraisal interview.

Analysis of a health appraisal interview reveals how an interviewer employs formulations to organize talk about a patient's medical history. When selected reportings by patient are paraphrased, a three-part formulations cycle is initiated: (1) interviewer's formulated understandings, (2) patient's confirmation, and (3) topic shift by interviewer. The reenactment of this interactional pattern promotes increasing attention to patient's adverse experiences as "root problems" underlying adult health status (e.g. molestation, obesity, depression). Creating an environment for patient's emergent disclosures is facilitated by displaying non-judgmental sensitivity to patient's stated concerns, soliciting alignment to particular reconstructions and avoidance of moving the interview forward prematurely and to issues not grounded in patient's illness circumstances. The identification and utilization of communication techniques for attending to patient's bio-psycho-social history is critical for refining understandings of empathic interviewing, enhancing diagnosis and treatment (e.g. referrals), decreasing patients' utilization of health care systems, and ultimately reducing costs for quality medical care.
Structure, morphology and electronic properties of Trans-(CH)x

Abstract The structure and morphology of trans -(CH) x films prepared by the Shirakawa technique are established. It is shown that the trans -(CH) x chains lie parallel to the fibril axes. The results rule out the proposed lamellar morphology and chain folding as principal structural features. Electrical and optical properties indicate that the principal π-electron transport is along the trans -(CH) x chains. The effects of dopant uniformity on the semiconductor-metal transition are reviewed. It is shown that the data for doped trans -(CH) x are not consistent with the percolation model.
Opportunistic resource utilization networks-A new paradigm for specialized ad hoc networks

We present opportunistic resource utilization networks or oppnets, a novel paradigm of specialized ad hoc networks. We believe that applications can benefit from using specialized ad hoc networks that provide a natural basis for them, the basis more efficient and effective than what general-purpose ad hoc networks can offer. Oppnets constitute the subcategory of ad hoc networks where diverse systems, not employed originally as nodes of an oppnet, join it dynamically in order to perform certain tasks they have been called to participate in. Oppnets have a significant potential to improve a variety of applications, and to create new application niches. We categorize opportunistic networks currently known in the literature as class 1opportunistic networks that use opportunistically only communication resources, and class 2opportunistic networks or oppnets that use opportunistically all kinds of resources, including not only communication but also computation, sensing, actuation, storage, etc. After describing the oppnets and the basics of their operation, we discuss the Oppnet Virtual Machine (OVM)-a proposed standard implementation framework for oppnet applications. It is followed by a discussion of an example application scenario using the OVM primitives. Next, we discuss the design and operations of a small-scale oppnet, named MicroOppnet, originally developed as a proof of concept. MicroOppnet is now being extended to serve as a testbed for experimentation and pilot implementations of oppnet architectures and their components. We conclude with a summary and a list of some open issues for oppnets.
The Impact of Preceptor and Student Learning Styles on Experiential Performance Measures

Objectives. To identify preceptors’ and students’ learning styles to determine how these impact students’ performance on pharmacy practice experience assessments. Methods. Students and preceptors were asked to complete a validated Pharmacist’s Inventory of Learning Styles (PILS) questionnaire to identify dominant and secondary learning styles. The significance of “matched” and “unmatched” learning styles between students and preceptors was evaluated based on performance on both subjective and objective practice experience assessments. Results. Sixty-one percent of 67 preceptors and 57% of 72 students who participated reported “assimilator” as their dominant learning style. No differences were found between student and preceptor performance on evaluations, regardless of learning style match. Conclusion. Determination of learning styles may encourage preceptors to use teaching methods to challenge students during pharmacy practice experiences; however, this does not appear to impact student or preceptor performance.
BASE: using abstraction to improve fault tolerance

Software errors are a major cause of outages and they are increasingly exploited in malicious attacks. Byzantine fault tolerance allows replicated systems to mask some software errors but it is expensive to deploy. This paper describes a replication technique, BASE, which uses abstraction to reduce the cost of Byzantine fault tolerance and to improve its ability to mask software errors. BASE reduces cost because it enables reuse of off-the-shelf service implementations. It improves availability because each replica can be repaired periodically using an abstract view of the state stored by correct replicas, and because each replica can run distinct or non-deterministic service implementations, which reduces the probability of common mode failures. We built an NFS service where each replica can run a different off-the-shelf file system implementation, and an object-oriented database where the replicas ran the same, non-deterministic implementation. These examples suggest that our technique can be used in practice --- in both cases, the implementation required only a modest amount of new code, and our performance results indicate that the replicated services perform comparably to the implementations that they reuse.
Seasonal and Distributional Abundance and Parasites of Leaf Miners of Alfalfa in California

Moderate to heavy infestations of the leaf miners Liriomyza munda Frick and L. pictella (Thomson) are sustained in alfalfa during the hot summer months (late July to early October) in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys of California. L. pictella is more numerous during the early part of the growing season, while L. munda is predominant during the hotter months. Parasites destroy most of the immature leaf miners from April through June. Parasitization drops to less than 50% from July to September and increases slightly in autumn. Although 6 species of parasites attack the leaf miners in California, only 2 are found in large numbers. Chrysocharis Ainsliei Crawford, a eulophid, is the most important parasite from May through early July, but a pteromalid, Halticoptera patellana (Dalman), becomes dominant from July through November. Diglyphus begini (Ashmead), another eulophid, is present in moderate numbers throughout the season, while a third eulophid, C. parksi Crawford and 2 bra conids, Opius suturalis Gahan and O. aridis Gahan, occur in moderate numbers during the early part of the alfalfa-growing season but decline to low numbers by the end of the season.
Magnetic evaluation of machining induced deformation transformation in austentic stainless steels

Abstract Austenitic stainless steel alloys, particularly those with high M d temperatures are prone to transform to ferromagnetic martensite during deformation. Prior to studying their magnetic properties, therefore, care must be taken to limit sample-preparation-induced damage to the surface layers, and then to remove these by severe etching before making the measurements. A magnetic technique for evaluating deformation-induced transformation is described and some experimental results are discussed.
A Cytokine-Dependent Switch for Glial-Neuron Interactions

Though transmitters can be released from astrocytes, the conditions that permit their modulation of synaptic transmission are under debate. Santello et al. in this issue of Neuron now show that TNFα promotes a burst mode of glial transmitter release that escapes reuptake processes allowing access to neuronal NMDA receptors.
Invariance, model matching and probability matching

For an invariant statistical model we consider the induced right Haar prior distribution and the resulting right Haar posterior. Using this posterior distribution, HPD (highest posterior density) regions of constant posterior probability are constructed and shown to exhibit probability matching. Further, HPD regions for equivariant functions of the parameter are also shown to exhibit probability matching. A number of examples are considered.
CANOPNR: CAN-OBD programmable-expandable network-enabled reader for real-time tracking of slippery road conditions using vehicular parameters

We describe the design and implementation of a programmable and expandable OBD-device that is capable of not only reading the various vehicular parameters from the ECU, but also detecting whether or not the vehicle slippage has occurred in real-time. The information is transmitted to a central server via a cellular network along with GPS information to allow real-time monitoring of both the vehicle and the road conditions. Commercially available tools are limited to specific functionalities and do not allow customization by the end-users. Furthermore, the ABS data (which can be used to detect vehicle slippage without the need for adding special sensors), available through the ECU, is tightly guarded by the vehicle manufacturers and is not readily accessible. Our device allows for customization by the user and is capable of reading the ABS information. We also present a solution that allows the end-user to obtain the ABS equivalent information using a combination of other readily available parameters for vehicles that are not equipped with ABS. Our goal is to provide an open-source tool for the research community, such that anyone can build the device and tailor it to the needs of his or her application(s). Our software is tuned and optimized to allow low power consumption, error-checking, and transmission of data at a settable time interval. Our experiments show that the vehicle slippage information obtained through the CANOPNR is accurate and reliable.
Optimal quantum measurements of expectation values of observables

Experimental characterizations of a quantum system involve the measurement of expectation values of observables for a preparable state $\ensuremath{\mid}\ensuremath{\psi}⟩$ of the quantum system. Such expectation values can be measured by repeatedly preparing $\ensuremath{\mid}\ensuremath{\psi}⟩$ and coupling the system to an apparatus. For this method, the precision of the measured value scales as $\frac{1}{\sqrt{N}}$ for $N$ repetitions of the experiment. For the problem of estimating the parameter $\ensuremath{\phi}$ in an evolution ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}i\ensuremath{\phi}H}$, it is possible to achieve precision $\frac{1}{N}$ [the quantum metrology limit; see Giovannetti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 010401 (2006)] provided that sufficient information about $H$ and its spectrum is available. We consider the more general problem of estimating expectations of operators $A$ with minimal prior knowledge of $A$. We give explicit algorithms that approach precision $\frac{1}{N}$ given a bound on the eigenvalues of $A$ or on their tail distribution. These algorithms are particularly useful for simulating quantum systems on quantum computers because they enable efficient measurement of observables and correlation functions. Our algorithms are based on a method for efficiently measuring the complex overlap of $\ensuremath{\mid}\ensuremath{\psi}⟩$ and $U\ensuremath{\mid}\ensuremath{\psi}⟩$, where $U$ is an implementable unitary operator. We explicitly consider the issue of confidence levels in measuring observables and overlaps and show that, as expected, confidence levels can be improved exponentially with linear overhead. We further show that the algorithms given here can typically be parallelized with minimal increase in resource usage.
Traces of History in St. Anselm

This paper is a schematic consideration of the relationship between reason and history through the figure of St. Anselm of Canterbury, the very exemplar, one might suppose, of the pre-modern absence of historical consciousness. I argue that while Anselm may offend a maximal number of contemporary scholarly habits of mind, whether historicist, secular, or simply argumentative, he is at the front lines of a classic question recently posed by Alain Badiou, namely how much can one think outside of one's time? This question expresses an anxiety concerning both what it is possible and/or permissible to think at any given time and what time or history have to do with thinking as such—an anxiety neatly symbolized, I claim, by the leaden specter of the ontological argument. What, it might rightly be asked, is Anselm's argument to us? A provocation, certainly; a theory, possibly.