cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient source and tillage influences on nitrogen availability in a Southern Piedmont corn cropping system

Poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) litter (PL) is a readily available nutrient source for crop production in the Southeast USA. Long-term PL application may alter availability of N and the effect may be dependent on tillage practice. Tillage [no till (NT) vs. conventional (CT)] and N source (PL vs. commercial fertilizer CF) effects on N availability and plant uptake were evaluated in years 9, 10, and 11 of a long-term cropping systems study at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center, Watkinsville, GA, USA. Mineral N in the top 10 cm, measured in situ, varied each year and was influenced by time, tillage, and N source. In 2003 (year 9), soil mineral N content was greater in CT–CF (100 kg ha−1) than in NT–PL (95 kg ha−1) but in 2004 (year 10) and 2005 (year 11) it was lower in CT–CF (93 and 60 kg ha−1) compared to NT–PL (140 and 71 kg ha−1). Nitrogen mineralization rates were generally greater for PL than for CF treatments with the difference being almost 1 kg ha−1 day−1 in 2003. Mineralization rates were greater for NT–PL compared to CT–CF in 2004 and 2005. Across the three growing seasons, corn (Zea mays L.) aboveground biomass was consistently greater in the NT–PL treatment than in the NT–CF and CT–CF treatments. Correlation between aboveground biomass and N mineralization was greater for PL than for CF (0.75 vs. 0.48). Patterns of N mineralization and total soil mineral N indicated that the distribution of N through the growing season more closely matched corn N demand in PL treatments. Results indicate that improved N availability through the growing season, by combining NT and PL, can result in more profitable corn production in the southeast.
Formation damage and filter cake buildup in laboratory core tests: Modeling and model-assisted analysis

A mathematical model for the analysis of formation damage in laboratory core tests is presented. The model considers filter cake buildup on sand face, invasion of external particles, release of formation fines, migration and retention of external particles and formation fines, interphase transfer of particles, and alteration of porosity and permeability. The effects of wettabilities of fine particles and pore surfaces, relative permeabilities and capillary pressure on formation damage in two-phase flow conditions are also included. Simulation results from the model are in good agreement with experimental results from core tests. This model can be used for the analysis of formation damage due to particulate processes in laboratory core tests.
A note on a non-stationary point source spatial model

A point source, non-stationary covariance structure model is proposed, having only one additional parameter over a standard, stationary covariance structure, spatial model. Additionally, the proposed model is demonstrated to fit better than the three extra parameter, point source, non-stationary spatial model proposed by Ecker and De Oliveira (Commun Stat Theory Methods 37:2066–2078, 2008). The proposed model is fit from a Bayesian perspective and illustrated using a house sales dataset from Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The transferability of molecular fragment canonical orbitals

The ability of certain canonical orbitals of isolated molecular fragments to transfer largely unchanged to the molecular environment is examined. The separation of fragment canonical orbitals from the total molecular electronic problem is compared with the more familiar separations of atomic core orbitals and fragment localized orbitals. The specific example of the carbonyl functional group in formaldehyde is examined in detail. These studies lead to a new concept of valence electron only calculations in which the molecular valence electrons are assumed to move in an effective field provided by frozen molecular fragment canonical cores. In addition, for the case of assumed fragment canonical orbital transfer, perturbation theory analysis is found to be an efficient method of assessing the quality of the approximate wavefunction, thus eliminating much of the uncertainty as new systems are studied. The methods developed in the course of these studies offer certain practical advantages for the construction of approximate wavefunctions for large molecules. The details of application of these concepts to existing molecular orbtial methods are also presented.
The effect of a meditation training in stress levels in secondary school teachers

Teachers experience a high level of stress and burnout. Meditation training, which has previously been found to help individuals manage stress, may be an ideal low-cost stress management technique for teachers. A pilot study was run to test the effectiveness of meditation training for student teachers. Subjects were recruited from a university teaching credential program and assigned to either a meditation training or control group. Subjects in the meditation training were taught the RISE response, which includes a simple meditation technique using sound as a focusing device and three corollary techniques. The program prescribed a formal meditation practice period while the three corollary practices were to be used at any time to remind subjects to focus attention. Subjects assigned to the meditation group attended four 45-minute meditation training sessions. The meditation group subjects were found to significantly reduce their stress symptoms in the post-test measurements when compared to the control group in the domains of emotional manifestations, gastronomic distress and behavioral manifestations. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunoaffinity-isolated antigens induce protective immunity against larval Strongyloides stercoralis in mice.

The objective of this study was to identify soluble protein antigens that would induce protective immunity against infective-stage larvae (L-3) of Strongyloides stercoralis in mice. Deoxycholate (DOC)-soluble proteins derived from L-3, adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide, induced protective immunity in BALB/c mice. The immunized mice generated parasite-specific IgG that could transfer passive immunity to naive animals. The protective antibodies bound to parasite antigens found in the muscles and nerve cords of the L-3. An IgG affinity chromatography column generated with IgG from the sera of DOC-immunized mice was used to purify specific larval antigens. Proteins were eluted from the affinity column with sizes of 80, 75, 61, 57, 43, and 32 kDa. This antigen pool stimulated both proliferation and IL-5 production by splenocytes recovered from mice immunized with live L-3. Vaccination of mice with the immunoaffinity-isolated antigens led to significant protective immunity, with 83% of challenge larvae killed. This study demonstrates that IgG-isolated proteins are candidate antigens for a vaccine against larval S. stercoralis.
Body weight and composition changes in ovarian cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract Objective. To prospectively examine body weight changes in women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer receiving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Body composition was examined in a subset of these women. Methods. Body weight (BW) and body composition, using bioelectrical impedance (RJL Systems Inc.), were prospectively measured pre- and post-operatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results. Mean age of 42 women was 59 years and did not differ by stage of disease. Nine women with early stage disease did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Mean BW of 33 patients receiving chemotherapy decreased from the pre- to post-operative visit and then returned to baseline levels by 12 months ( F = 8.70, P = 0.003). Nine patients who did not receive chemotherapy demonstrated a similar pattern ( F = 7.0, P = 0.002). Women receiving chemotherapy with stage I/II cancer had a 2.8 ± 2.0 kg weight gain over the year, and women with stage III/IV cancer had a 1.5 ± 1.5 kg weight loss ( t = 1.72, P = 0.096). A subset of women with stage I/II ( n = 6) and stage III/IV ( n = 6) ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy had body composition measured at three time points. Absolute body fat changes paralleled changes in BW ( F = 9.95, P = 0.002). Conclusions. Our study is the first prospective evaluation of body weight and composition in women undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. These results demonstrate that women undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer lost weight following surgery and regained it slowly over the following year. Further investigations of weight changes during adjuvant chemotherapy are indicated to assess potential changes in different stages of disease.
Learning the preferences of governments and voters from proposed spending and aggregated votes

Abstract Remarkably little is known about how to analyze the proposals and voting results from spending referenda when the votes are aggregated by jurisdiction and the proposals are different across jurisdictions. This paper presents a framework in which we can derive the voting equation, comparative statics, and links between reduced form and structural parameters that are implied by different models of the proposal-maker. It is then possible to use interjurisdictional proposal and voting information to test hypotheses about the proposal-maker and the voters. Our empirical work finds support for a modified budget-maximization model over simpler maximization models and various non-maximization models.
Effect of fasting on production from exogenous arachidonic acid of thromboxane and 12-hydroxy 5, 8, 10, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-hete) by washed platelets of normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice

Washed mouse platelets produced thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 12-hydroxy 5, 8, 10, 14-Eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) in vitro from tritiated arachidonic acid. When diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin i.p 200 mg/kg the TXB2 production fell significantly and 12-HETE production significantly increased compared with that of control animals. Eighteen hours of food deprivation caused significant reductions in TXB2 and 12-HETE production in both the control and diabetic groups.
The trend of deep states in organometallic vapor‐phase epitaxial GaAs with varying As/Ga ratios

Traps in organometallic vapor‐phase GaAs have been characterized. The dominant electron trap present in conventional vapor‐phase epitaxial GaAs is also present in organometallic GaAs with an activation energy ΔE0T +ΔEB=0.820.02 eV and a capture cross section σ∞= (1.71.0) ×10−14 cm2. A linear dependence of the trap concentration on As/Ga ratio in the material indicates the involvement of a Ga vacancy in the formation of the center. A second electron trap with an activation energy of 0.360.02 eV and hole traps with activation energies of 0.30 and 0.35 eV have been identified and their capture cross section and density determined.
Apratoxin D, a potent cytotoxic cyclodepsipeptide from papua new guinea collections of the marine cyanobacteria Lyngbya majuscula and Lyngbya sordida.

Cancer cell toxicity-guided fractionation of extracts of the Papua New Guinea marine cyanobacteria Lyngbya majuscula and Lyngbya sordida led to the isolation of apratoxin D (1). Compound 1 contains the same macrocycle as apratoxins A and C but possesses the novel 3,7-dihydroxy-2,5,8,10,10-pentamethylundecanoic acid as the polyketide moiety. The planar structures and stereostructures of compound 1 were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR and MS data analyses and by comparison with the spectroscopic data of apratoxins A and C. Apratoxin D (1) showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity against H-460 human lung cancer cells with an IC50 value of 2.6 nM.
Is Science Biased Toward Natural

Interpreting Naturalness in Science and Policy Naturalness in biology and natural resources can be defined in different ways—entire courses are taught on the topic, and entire books are devoted to it. This is not an esoteric issue when it comes to managing terrestrial and aquatic resources, because of implications for both biotic and human systems. Value judgments inevitably enter into decision making and policy, ultimately affecting how effort and resources are expended to produce goods and services that meet administrative, social, cultural, and economic goals. This occurs across all spatial and temporal scales. In this Forum, Robert Lackey cautions that a scientific focus on “natural” constructs can lead to biases that negatively affect decision making and policy about natural resources. James Karr counters that a focus on “natural” can provide an important scientific context that leads to appropriate inferences for environmental protection and policy. Whether or not these articles help you make up you...
Nonverbal communication, affective sharing, and intersubjectivity

A critical difference between nonverbal joint attention and requesting skills may lie in their conveyance of affect as part of the communicative act. This study of 32 infants (mean age = 20.2 months) indicated that more positive affect was displayed in association with joint attention rather than requesting acts. Thus, joint attention behaviors not only involve the coordination of attention to objects and events, but also the capacity to share affective experience vis-a-vis objects and events. Therefore, measures of joint attention behaviors may provide an operationalization of one aspect of intersubjectivity in infancy.
Delamination resistance of thermal barrier coatings containing embedded ductile layers

Abstract Micromechanical models are developed to explore the effect of embedded metal layers upon thermal cycling delamination failure of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) driven by thickening of a thermally grown oxide (TGO). The effects of reductions in the steady-state (i.e. maximum) energy release rate (ERR) controlling debonding from large interface flaws and decreases in the thickening kinetics of TGO are investigated. The models are used to quantify the dependence of the ERR and delamination lifetime upon the geometry and constitutive properties of metal/TBC/TGO multilayers. Combinations of multilayer properties are identified which maximize the increase in delamination lifetime. It is found that even in the absence of TGO growth rate effects, the delamination lifetime of TBC systems with weak TGO/bond coat interfaces can be more than doubled by replacing 10–20% of the ceramic TBC layer with a metal whose ambient temperature yield stress is in the ∼100–200 MPa range.
Morphological and phase dependence of nanotitania materials generated under extreme pH conditions for large scale production of TiO2 nanowires (basic) and nanosquares or nanrods (acidic)

The effect that the phase of the starting nanoseed titania (TiO2), the pH of the solvent solution, and the processing methodology employed have on the properties of the resultant TiO2 nanomaterials were explored. This led to the development of a new process to produce large-scale, phase pure, thin nanowires of TiO2 at high pH and nanosquares at low pH. Anatase, rutile, and Degussa P25TM TiO2 nanoparticle starting materials (or nanoseeds) were processed in strongly basic (10 M KOH) and strongly acidic (conc. HX, where X = Cl, Br, I) solutions using solvothermal (SOLVO) and solution precipitation (SPPT) methodologies. Under basic SOLVO conditions, the nanoseeds were converted to H2Ti2O5·H2O nanowires. The SPPT basic conditions also produced the same phased nanowires for the rutile and anatase nanoseeds, while the Degussa nanomaterial yielded mixed phased [anatase:rutile (9:1)] nanowires. The SPPT method was found to produce substantially thinner nanowires in comparison to the SOLVO route, with comparable surface areas but the strong basic media led to etching of the glassware yielding HK3Ti4O4(SiO4)3·4H2O nanorods. Hybridization of these two processing routes led to the use of NalgeneTM bottle as the reaction flask termed the hybrid (HYBR) route, yielding even thinner H2Ti2O5·H2O nanowires on a large-scale. Switching to a concentrated halide acid (HX, where X = Cl, Br, I) system, SOLVO, SPPT, and HYBR routes were investigated. The resultant TEM images revealed that the rutile starting material yielded short rods, whereas the anatase seeds formed square or faceted materials.
Centennial-scale variability of the Southern Hemisphere westerly wind belt in the eastern Pacific over the past two millennia

Abstract. We present the first high-resolution (sub-annual) dust particle data set from West Antarctica, developed from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide deep ice core (79.468° S, 112.086° W), and use it to reconstruct changes in atmospheric circulation over the past 2400 years. We find a background dust flux of ~4 mg m−2 year−1 and a mode particle size of 5–8 μm diameter. Through comparing the WAIS Divide record with other Antarctic ice core particle records, we observe that coastal and lower-elevation sites have higher dust fluxes and coarser particle size distributions (PSDs) than sites on the East Antarctic plateau, suggesting input from local dust sources at these lower-elevation sites. In order to explore the use of the WAIS Divide dust PSD as a proxy for past atmospheric circulation, we make quantitative comparisons between both mid-latitude zonal wind speed and West Antarctic meridional wind speed and the dust size record, finding significant positive interannual relationships. We find that the dust PSD is related to mid-latitude zonal wind speed via cyclonic activity in the Amundsen Sea region. Using our PSD record, and through comparison with spatially distributed climate reconstructions from the Southern Hemisphere (SH) middle and high latitudes, we infer that the SH westerlies occupied a more southerly position from circa 1050 to 1400 CE (Common Era), coinciding with the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA). Subsequently, at ca. 1430 CE, the wind belt shifted equatorward, where it remained until the mid-to-late twentieth century. We find covariability between reconstructions of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the mid-latitude westerly winds in the eastern Pacific, suggesting that centennial-scale circulation changes in this region are strongly influenced by the tropical Pacific. Further, we observe increased coarse particle deposition over the past 50 years, consistent with observations that the SH westerlies have been shifting southward and intensifying in recent decades.
Urban lakes and waterbirds: effects of shoreline development on avian distribution

The need to understand how wildlife responds to the broad-ranging impacts of development is becoming increasingly important as human populations around the globe continue to increase and urbanize. We examined waterbird distributional associations with shoreline development, and with littoral and onshore habitat elements on four partially developed urban lakes in central Florida. A total of 34 waterbird species were observed over the summer and winter seasons. Wading bird, marsh bird, and duck abundance was significantly greater than expected along developed shoreline in both seasons on all lakes. Diving bird abundance was significantly greater along developed shoreline in the winter. Species richness was not associated with shoreline development, while species evenness varied by season, being greater along undeveloped shoreline in the summer and along developed shoreline in the winter. Tall-emergent vegetation, open shore, lawn, and canopy appeared to be the primary habitat elements determining waterbird distribution. All guilds were negatively associated with tall-emergent vegetation on two or more lakes over both seasons, whereas wading birds, marsh birds, and ducks were positively associated with open shore in the summer, and wading birds, marsh birds, and diving birds were positively associated with lawn and canopy in the winter. Results showed that a wide range of waterbirds can use urban lakes during the summer and winter seasons, and many individuals can utilize developed shoreline in particular. However, the lack of birds observed along undeveloped shoreline may be explained by the abundance of dense tall-emergent vegetation found along this shoreline. Both littoral and onshore habitat elements should be managed to improve waterbird habitat on urban lakes.
High Q-factor Ku band inductor using Cylindrical Radial Superlattice conductor and air-lifted architecture

Microwave air-lifted inductors with high quality factor are presented with the Cylindrical Radial Superlattice (CRS) structure utilized as the low-loss conductor. The superlattice structure composed of alternating nonmagnetic/magnetic layers is used to fabricate low radio frequency ohmic-loss inductors. A gold wire bond is used as the structural core while electroplated copper/permalloy (Ni 80 Fe 20 ) with 400nm/160nm thickness, respectively, is used to realize the superlattice structure. Also, an ultra-wide band high Q-factor inductor and its implementation is demonstrated. The simulation and measurement results prove the effectiveness of employing CRS structure to get high performance low loss passive devices.
A strategy for phage display selection of functional domain-exchanged immunoglobulin scaffolds with high affinity for glycan targets

Monoclonal antibodies are essential reagents for deciphering gene or protein function and have been a fruitful source of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. However, the use of anticarbohydrate antibodies to target glycans for these purposes has been less successful. Glycans contain less hydrophobic functionality than do proteins or nucleic acids, thus individual glycan-antibody interactions are relatively weak. Information encoded by glycans often involves subtle variations of branched oligosaccharides that cannot be detected with conventional antibodies. Here we describe a new phage display selection strategy for identification of high-affinity and specific glycan antibodies. We designed and characterized a phage clone that functionally displays the unique architectural scaffold of 2G12, an antibody that targets oligomannoses on the HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120. The two heavy chain variable domains of 2G12 exchange positions to create an extended recognition surface containing four oligomannose binding sites per IgG molecule. We designed and characterized a phage clone in which this domain exchange architecture was recapitulated as an antigen binding fragment dimer [(Fab)(2)]on the phage surface by protein engineering. The functional display of the 2G12 (Fab)(2) fragment was validated by Western blot and phage enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this 2G12 (Fab)(2) display system is amenable to selection of functional clones using a mock selection. These results provide proof-of-concept that the privileged 2G12 domain-exchanged scaffold can be used for design of novel antibody libraries that are biased toward glycan recognition.
Heuristic Priority Ranking of Emergency Evacuation Staging to Reduce Clearance Time

Hazardous events, both natural and human-made, present tremendous risks to communities throughout the world. These events typically necessitate the evacuation of local or regional populations to safe destinations or shelters and have warning times ranging from minutes to hours or even days. The size and scope of these events present a challenge to the emergency management or agency personnel who must see to the health and safety of those living or working in their jurisdiction. This study evaluated various heuristic strategies to improve evacuation of an at-risk region by using a representative traffic roadway network. Finding evacuation strategies that reduce clearance time would lead to saving lives, time, and money. For the given test network, population density, or total number of trips, has an effect on overall clearance times; as densities (trips) increase, a greater potential for improved clearance time is indicated. Six different shift strategies were evaluated, each strategy based on origin-to-de...
Recent ATLAS results in the field of meson physics

Recent results on flavor physics are presented, using data from the ATLAS detector. The ϓ(nS ) and charmonium inclusive production cross sections are discussed. J/ψ production associated with a W vector boson is presented. An inclusive analysis of B + meson production is shown. Results on the production of heavy quarkonia are complemented by the measurement of inclusive φ meson production. The latest information on heavy flavor spectroscopy and searches for new physics using B -meson rare decays is also covered. These results are based on data samples collected during the 2011 and 2012 LHC running periods.
Understanding Stakeholder Behavior in Nationwide Electronic Health Infrastructure Implementation

With governments worldwide striving to digitize the healthcare sector beyond the institutional level of individual hospitals, many countries have developed national programs to implement eHealth technologies that increase treatment efficiency and effectiveness. However, it cannot be neglected that these programs have often been longsome, costly and have been met with considerable resistance from various stakeholders. Two questions arise: why do national eHealth programs often fall behind plan long before users are reaping their benefits? And, what motivates stakeholders involved in the process to resist to the implementation of a potentially beneficial technology? We theorize that complex stakeholder structures across organizational levels offer an explanation for such failure. Using a wealth of data to form a case study on the German Electronic Health Card (`eGK'), we propose that asymmetries amongst stakeholders' objectives can posit a cause for implementation failure. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
A description of competing fusion systems

A mathematical description of fusion is presented using category theory. A category of fusion rules is developed. The category definition is derived for a model of a classification system beginning with an event set and leading to the final labeling of the event. Functionals on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are developed to form a partial ordering of families of classification systems. The arguments of these functionals point to specific ROCs and, under various choices of input data, correspond to the Bayes optimal threshold (BOT) and the Neyman-Pearson threshold of the families of classification systems. The functionals are extended for use over ROC curves and ROC manifolds where the number of classes of interest in the fusion system exceeds two and the parameters used are multi-dimensional. Choosing a particular functional, therefore, provides the qualitative requirements to define a fusor and choose the best competing classification system.
Coding Nucleotide Sequence of rat Malic Enzyme mRNA and Tissue Specific Regulation by Thyroid Hormone

A nearly full length ME cDNA has been obtained and sequenced. The identity has been established by comparison of the translated nucleotide sequence with the amino acid sequence of 7 tryptic peptides from purified ME. Northern analysis with this cDNA shows that ME mRNA consists of two different messages of about 27S and 21S. The size difference between two ME mRNAs (approximately equal to 27S and 21S) is attributed to the differences in the 3' noncoding regions. The relative ratios of the two ME mRNAs differ in various tissues examined (liver, heart, kidney, brain, lung, spleen, and testis). Their regulation by T3 is tissue specific with coordinate stimulation of both mRNAs in liver, heart and kidney, suggesting a single promoter for both mRNAs and no stimulation of either in the other tissues. T3 regulates ME mRNA synthesis via a dual-tissue specific mechanism by increasing the rate of transcription in liver and heart and stabilizing nuclear ME RNA sequences only in liver.
Polarization and assignment of the two-photon excitation spectrum of benzene vapor

Abstract The two-photon excitation (TPE) of benzene fluorescence in the vapor phase at 60 torr is reported for the total-energy region from 38 086 cm −1 to 42 441 cm −1 using both circular and linear polarized light from a nitrogen-pumped dye-laser. The theory of the polarization dependence of the vibronic transitions in benzene is briefly reviewed, and it is seen how transitions involving vibrations of b 1u symmetry are expressly forbidden for this type of TPE experiment in which the two photons are identical. Five vibronic origins with distinctive rotational contours and polarization dependence are identified in the TPE spectrum. The υ 14 (b 2u ) vibronic origin at 1570 cm −1 (above the electronic origin of the I B 2u state) stands out very prominently in the linear polarized spectrum, but nearly disappears in the circular polarized spectrum. This striking polarization dependence indicates a significant contribution of A 2u electronic states to the intermediate states of this TPE vibronic transition. The relatively great strength of the υ 14 band may be due to vibronic borrowing by the b 2u mode from the ground electronic state (A 1g ).
Organic acids obtained by alkaline permanganate oxidation of kerogen from the Green River (Colorado) shale

Abstract Kerogen from the Green River shale was degraded by stepwise oxidation with alkaline potassium permanganate. Carboxylic acids were produced in high yield (70% based on original organic matter). These were converted to their methyl esters and analyzed using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer-computer system. The main products were unbranched aliphatic acids (C 8 -C 29 ), saturated dibasic acids (C 4 -C 17 ) and isoprenoid acids (C 9 , C 12 , C 14 -C 17 , C 19 -C 22 ); keto and aromatic acids were present in very small quantities. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that this kerogen consists of a “nucleus” of interconnected, long aliphatic methylene bridges to which unbranched and isoprenoid chains are attached. The branching points must be of a type that is susceptible to oxidative attack, alkaline hydrolysis, or both.
Electrophysiological markers of cognitive aging: Region specificity and computational consequences

Abstract A major challenge facing those interested in understanding age-related changes in cognition, is the elucidation of which neurobiological changes contribute significantly to functional loss, and how individual changes make a specific impact on behavior. Functional compensation, preservation and deterioration of cell function have all been observed to occur in senescent hippocampus of memory deficient old animals. The suggestion is made that interpretation of these patterns of brain aging may be greatly facilitated by the use of computational simulation methods directed at the neural networks of interest.
The c-region of coliphage 21.

Abstract Clear-plaque mutants of a 21-λ hybrid have been isolated. The mutants fall into 4 morphological classes and 3 of the classes behave as single complementation groups, cI, cII, and cIII. The map order, based on 3 point tests, is cIII, cI, cII … mi. Mutations in the cIII cistron of 21hy can be transferred to a phage with λ immunity where they are equivalent in function and position to cIII mutants of λ. Although mutations in the cI and cII cistrons cannot be transferred to λ their plaque morphology and map positions correspond to the cI and cII cistrons of λ. Thus the c-regions of phages 21 and λ, although they govern different specificities of immunity, have similar genetic structures.
Stability and migration of charged oxygen interstitials in ThO2 and CeO2

Abstract Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to study the stability and migration of charged oxygen interstitials in ThO2 and CeO2. The calculations demonstrate that the oxygen interstitial is likely to lose electrons under p-type conditions and gain electrons under n-type conditions. Neutral O split 0 and singly positive O split + O–O〈1 1 0〉 split interstitials, and doubly negative octahedral ( O octa. 2 - ) oxygen interstitial are found to be the lowest-energy configurations within a certain Fermi energy range. In both oxides, the O split 0 is the most mobile, and the migration energies of the split oxygen interstitials in ThO2 are lower than in CeO2, indicating higher oxygen interstitial mobility in ThO2 than in CeO2.
Prolapse of the vagina in association with rectal procidentia.

A case of concomitant vaginal prolapse and rectal procidentia has been presented. We believe this is only the second reported instance of this combination.
The relation of household income to mammography utilization in a prepaid health care system

Managed care organizations should be expected to provide equivalent access to preventive and screening services to all members. We studied mammography in 1,667 women members of one HMO who had an overall utilization rate of 84.9%. Significant correlates of mammography utilization included age, estimated household income, and division of the managed care organization in which the member was enrolled. Each $10,000 increment of income increased mammography rates by 2.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4% to 3.6%), independent of age and division. Our findings suggest that coverage for mammography services is not sufficient to ensure equivalent use of screening across income groups.
Valence-shell photoabsorption by CO2 and its connections with electron-CO2 scattering

Abstract Photoabsorption cross sections and photoelectron asymmetry parameters, calculated with the multiple-scattering model (MSM), are reported for the 4σg, 3σu, 1πu and 1πg valence levels of CO2. The results are discussed in the context of photoabsorption and electron energy-loss measurements and other theoretical calculations. Further comparisons are made with previously reported MSM calculations of elastic electron-CO2 scattering. The close connection between the sets of shape resonances in the electron-scattering and photoabsorption by CO2 is emphasized with plots of continuum eigenchannel wavefunctions for shape-resonant and non-resonant eigenchannels of σu symmetry.
Fractional effective dose model for post-crash aircraft survivability.

Abstract The development of a survival model for post-crash aircraft cabin fires is described in this paper. Its development is based on an extensive review of the literature on the toxicity of combustion gases and on thermal hazards. This model is to be used as a predictive tool to gauge human survivability in full scale aircraft cabin fire tests. The extensive literature search was conducted for carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), low oxygen, hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen bromide (HBr), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), acrolein (CH 2 CHCHO), and heat exposures. Those studies by various investigators of exposures to single and mixed gases on humans, primates, rats, and mice at different physical activity levels were compared. Regression equations were derived from those studies to give the best fit to the gas exposure concentration and duration data. The equation judged to best model the human escaping from an aircraft cabin was selected for each gas. This survival model uses incapacitation data to obtain a fractional effective dose (FED) for incapacitation ( FED I ) and lethality data, inclusive of post exposure deaths, to obtain a FED for lethality ( FED L ). The exposure time required for either FED I or FED L to reach unity, using a projected set of gas concentrations, represents the exposure time available to escape from the specified fire environment or to survive post exposure, respectively. The effect of CO 2 in increasing the uptake of other gases was factored into the concentration term in the FED equation for all gases with the exception of CO 2 and oxygen. Higher respiratory minute volumes due to CO 2 exposure were found to be an important factor in predicting the time available to escape. This FED-based model can be applied to the evaluation of the toxicity of smoke in computer modeling of aircraft fire situations.
ACE inhibitor bulks up muscle.

A drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure shows promise as a treatment in mouse models of Marfan syndrome and muscular dystrophy ( pages 204–210 ).
NQO1 and NQO2 regulation of humoral immunity and autoimmunity.

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) are cytosolic enzymes that catalyze metabolic reduction of quinones and derivatives. NQO1-null and NQO2-null mice were generated that showed decreased lymphocytes in peripheral blood, myeloid hyperplasia, and increased sensitivity to skin carcinogenesis. In this report, we investigated the in vivo role of NQO1 and NQO2 in immune response and autoimmunity. Both NQO1-null and NQO2-null mice showed decreased B-cells in blood, lower germinal center response, altered B cell homing, and impaired primary and secondary immune responses. NQO1-null and NQO2-null mice also showed susceptibility to autoimmune disease as revealed by decreased apoptosis in thymocytes and pre-disposition to collagen-induced arthritis. Further experiments showed accumulation of NADH and NRH, cofactors for NQO1 and NQO2, indicating altered intracellular redox status. The studies also demonstrated decreased expression and lack of activation of immune-related factor NF-κB. Microarray analysis showed altered chemokines and chemokine receptors. These results suggest that the loss of NQO1 and NQO2 leads to altered intracellular redox status, decreased expression and activation of NF-κB, and altered chemokines. The results led to the conclusion that NQO1 and NQO2 are endogenous factors in the regulation of immune response and autoimmunity.
Fetal seizures: A case study

Background A review of the literature and an extensive Medline search revealed that this is the first case report of fetal seizures diagnosed by ultrasound. Case A 23-year-old woman was found to have a fetus with bilateral choroid plexus cysts during a second-trimester ultrasound examination. Karyotype and alpha-fetoprotein level were normal. The cysts resolved, but idiopathic polyhydramnios was noted. Fetal testing beginning at 32 weeks revealed abnormal fetal behavior patterns on ultrasound and documented fetal seizures with rapid, repetitive limb movements noted on several occasions and lasting 30–60 seconds. Similar movements continued after birth as tonic-clonic seizure activity. Conclusion Qualitative changes in movement patterns are common in neurologically impaired fetuses. Ultrasound may be used to diagnose these neurologic abnormalities that can be connected with clinical outcomes. This will better prepare the parents and hospital staff members for delivery and may also decrease medicolegal risk for the obstetrician because the abnormal behavior predates the birth process.
Zircon (U-Th)/He Thermochronometry

A number of features of zircon (ZrSiO4), including high U-Th concentrations, high abundance in a wide range of lithologies, refractory nature under metamorphic and some magmatic conditions, and resistance to physical and chemical weathering, make it highly suitable for geochronology and thermochronology and thus a versatile tool for examining a wide range of earth processes. Like apatite and many other minerals, radioisotopic dating of zircon was first performed using the (U-Th)/He system, but the thermochronologic significance of zircon He ages has emerged only in the last few years. In this chapter, I review the current status of zircon He dating in the earth sciences, primarily as applied to thermochronology, including the controls on He diffusivity, the role of radiation damage, analytical techniques for measuring zircon He ages, special considerations unique to zircon He dating, and a series of case studies. Several examples from the literature are briefly summarized to illustrate the diversity of geologic problems accessible by zircon He dating and highlight the future potential of the system and outstanding unresolved issues. Exemplary applications include determining the timing and rates of orogenic exhumation and constraining provenance, depositional ages, and source terrain histories using He-Pb double dating of detrital zircons. ### Historical perspective Previous geo- and thermochronometric studies of zircon have utilized a wide range of decay schemes, including Pb-α (e.g., Webber et al. 1956), U/Pb, Pb/Pb, Th/Pb (Larsen et al. 1952; Vinogradov et al. 1952; Tilton et al. 1955; Wetherill 1955; Silver and Deutsch 1963; Parrish and Noble 2003; Ireland and Williams 2003; Bowring and Schmitz 2003), U-series (Scharer 1984; Reid et al. 1997), fission-track (Naeser et al. 1981; Brandon and Vance 1992; Bernet and Garver 2005; Tagami 2005), Lu/Hf (in concert with other phases; e.g., Pettingill and Patchett 1981), Sm/Nd …
A Weyl-invariant rigid string

Abstract We present a new Weyl-invariant string with a rigidity term. We give the first-order action and compute the critical dimension to be D = 14, using a particular background.
Dynamics of Open-Shell Species at Metal Surfaces†

A large and fascinating array of possible pathways for energy transfer and chemical reaction are exhibited when open-shell atoms, molecules, or reaction intermediates interact with metal surfaces. The interplay that can occur among phonon excitations, excitation of metallic conduction electrons, electron transfer, spin transitions, and localized molecular electronic transitions is just beginning to be recognized. We outline the challenges to constructing a predictive theoretical understanding of the dynamics of open-shell species at metal surfaces and review recent progress in this area. We emphasize our recent efforts toward including both localized electronic transitions and delocalized electronic friction effects in a consistent computational framework.
PATIENT PERCEPTION OF VIDEOURODYNAMIC TESTING: A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We determined the degree of anxiety, embarrassment and discomfort anticipated by patients before undergoing videourodynamics and compared the results to the actual degrees experienced by patients. In addition, we compared these variables between men and women, and younger and older patients.Materials and Methods:: All patients undergoing urodynamics for the first time were given a 2 part questionnaire. Patients with neurological disease or those requiring an indwelling or intermittent catheter were excluded. Part 1 given immediately prior to the test contained 5 questions regarding expected anxiety, pain, embarrassment, apprehension regarding x-ray exposure and preparedness. Part 2 given immediately after testing contained 5 questions comparing anticipated to actual overall experience, pain and embarrassment, preparation and whether the patient would undergo testing again. Each question had a 5 point scale.Results:: A total of 78 men and 88 women respondents completed the questionnaires....
The Expansion of the Zonal Cavity Method of Interior Lighting Design to Include Skylights

(1988). The Expansion of the Zonal Cavity Method of Interior Lighting Design to Include Skylights. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 141-173.
Reproductive development in male deer mice exposed to aggressive behavior

Male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) were reared in a long photoperiod and housed individually from 3 weeks of age until they were killed 2, 4, or 6 weeks later. Males that were exposed to aggressive females for 2 min, three times per week, were of normal body weight and healthy, but had smaller reproductive organs than did males exposed to a control treatment. Reproductive development in male deer mice is responsive to at least two classes of social stimuli: pheromones and aggressive behavior.
The use of intermittent human parathyroid hormone as a treatment for osteoporosis.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), given intermittently, is an anabolic agent. PTH has been demonstrated to increase bone mass and reduce vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, and has been approved for use in the US and Europe. PTH is a genetically engineered 34 amino acid protein with the designation teriparatide (recombinant DNA origin) or recombinant human PTH 1-34. A recombinant DNA preparation with all 84 amino acids of the native PTH molecule is in clinical trials. These PTH preparations are selfadministered daily injections, and it is approved for women and men at high risk for fractures, including patients with prevalent fractures, low bone mass, and multiple risk factors. PTH is likely to be used most frequently in patients who fracture on therapy, but can be used in high-risk treatment-naive patients. Previous treatment with alendronate appears to impair the anabolic response of PTH preparations. Patients who have Paget’s disease, prior radiation therapy to the skeleton, as well as children and young adults with open epiphyses, are at higher risk for osteosarcoma and should not be given PTH. Patients with hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism also should not receive the drug.
A Review of Available Computer Software Packages for Use in an Undergraduate Heat Transfer Course

Available computer software packages for use in an undergraduate or introductory graduate heat transfer course are reviewed. Brief introductions for using each of the software are provided. A comparison of these software packages highlighting the strengths and limitations of each software is also discussed. A few examples are included to demonstrate the application of the available software in analysis of heat transfer problems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Actual Versus Perceived Generational Differences at Work: An Empirical Examination

As the amount of generational diversity increases among today’s workforce, a common topic of conversation is how to handle differences between generational cohorts. But to what extent do generations believe they are different and to what extent are generations actually different? This study examines this question. Using generational cohort theory as a theoretical underpinning, this study considers 15 work-related concepts and the degree to which workers personally value them. Subjects also provide their perceptions of how much they believe Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y value these items. Results reveal the differences subjects perceive among the generations significantly outnumber the actual value differences individuals reported. The authors discuss both actual and perceptual differences in detail and theorize why the nature of these actual differences may lead to generational misconceptions. By doing so, this study provides a meaningful contribution to the discussion of generational diversity ...