cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of variations in daily feeding frequency and ration size on growth of shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), in zero-water exchange culture tanks

It is generally believed that increasing feeding frequency has immediate benefits, including reduced nutrient leaching and increased shrimp growth. In this study, static-water ecoassays were conducted to determine the effect of feeding frequency and percentage of daily ration on growth of Litopenaeus vannamei and accumulation of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the culture water. Shrimp were fed a semi-purified diet containing 19.5% crude protein. Experiment 1 tested five feeding frequencies (3, 5, 8, 11 and 15 feedings day -1 ) evenly spaced in time during 24 h. Daily ration was divided in similar amounts for each feeding frequency. Mean shrimp survival was 98.6% for all treatments. No significant differences were found either on shrimp growth or accumulation of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) or total reactive phosphorus (TRP) regardless of feeding frequency. In experiment 2 daily rations were offered manually 1 (100% at 0800 h), 2 (50% each at 0800 and 2000 h), 3 (33% each at 0800, 1400 and 2000 h), 3 + (45, 20 and 35% at 0800, 1400 and 2000 h, respectively), 4 (25% each at 0800, 1200, 1600 and 2000 h), 4 + (40, 15, 15 and 30% at 0800, 1200, 1600 and 2000 h, respectively) and 6 (16.6% each at 0800, 1030, 1300, 1600, 1800 and 2000 h) times day -1 ; and with automatic feeders 15 times day 1 (every 96 min). Shrimp survival was 100% for all treatments. Although mean shrimp growth was highest at 2 feedings day no significant differences were found among feeding treatments. Accumulation of TIN in the culture water was significantly lower for tanks receiving feed 2 times day -1 compared to I and 3 times day -1 . Levels of TIN were not significantly different among the other feeding treatments. Accumulation of TRP was not significantly different regardless of feeding treatment. These data indicated that under these culture conditions increasing feeding frequency or manipulating ration size did not significantly improve shrimp survival or growth. The only significant environmental effect detected in the culture water was a reduction of TIN at a feeding frequency of 2 compared to 1 and 3 times day -1 in experiment 2. The authors suggest that multiple feedings may not be advantageous for some static culture systems, and that the cost-effectiveness of multiple feedings be evaluated for different feeds and culture systems.
A theoretical and experimental study of water complexes of m-aminobenzoic acid MABA.(H2O)n (n = 1 and 2).

We report studies of supersonically cooled water complexes of m-aminobenzoic acid MABA·(H2O)n (n = 1 and 2) using two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and UV−UV hole-burning spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations are also carried out to identify structural minima of water complexes in the ground state. For the most stable isomers of both complexes, water molecules bind to the pocket of the carboxyl group in a cyclic hydrogen bond network. Vibrational frequency calculations for the first electronically excited state (S1) of these isomers agree well with the experimental observation. The addition of water molecules has a major impact on the normal mode that involves local motion of the carboxyl group, while negligible effects are observed for other normal modes. On the basis of the hole-burning experiment, two major isomers for each complex are identified, corresponding to the two conformers of the bare compound. Compared with the other two isomers of aminobenzoic acid,...
Characterizing forbidden pairs for hamiltonian properties

Abstract In this paper we characterize those pairs of forbidden subgraphs sufficient to imply various hamiltonian type properties in graphs. In particular, we find all forbidden pairs sufficient, along with a minor connectivity condition, to imply a graph is traceable, hamiltonian, pancyclic, panconnected or cycle extendable. We also consider the case of hamiltonian-connected graphs and present a result concerning the pairs for such graphs.
Stratospheric Radiance Variations As Seen By Horizon Sensors

Current earth radiance models in the 14-16 micrometer band assume that the temperature of stratospheric CO2 alone controls horizon sensor output and that radiance decreases monotonically from the hot pole to the cold pole. Data are presented which demonstrate the existence of unpredicted variable output from horizon sensors as the sensor traverses the earth from pole to pole. It is concluded that horizon sensor output is influenced by phenomena not included in current models. The primary contributors to variable output are believed to be high-altitude clouds and/or high-altitude jet streams. It is hypothesized that a systematic study of actual horizon sensor output could ultimately lead to improved understanding of the lower stratosphere. Such an understanding might provide an early warning system for active weather fronts as well as an improved interpretation of horizon sensor output with resultant reduction in attitude uncertainty for satellites dependent on horizon sensor output.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Finite element simulation of localization in granular materials by micropolar continuum approach

Abstract There are two different approaches in continuum mechanics: a continuum considered as solid state – classical continuum mechanics – or a continuum with the microstructure. In order to explain the influences of microstructures on the behavior of materials, higher order effects such as moments that reflect the grain geometry and kinematics (e.g. rotations) must be incorporated, which in turn lead to a basic asymmetry of shear stress and micropolar (or Cosserat) effects. Cosserat continuum incorporates the characteristic length that relates the couple stresses and micro-curvatures at the constitutive model. Finite Element solutions of localization analysis have been carried out in Cosserat continuum to investigate length scale-size effect on the overall behavior of granular materials. The formulations of Cosserat elastoplasticity have been implemented into the nonlinear commercial finite element code using the user defined element utility. The mesh dependency effect in FE solution is reduced. The numerical model was used to predict the load–displacement behavior of a shallow footing and failure behavior of a slope. A proper treatment of the localization phenomenon in granular materials has been observed and simulated in Finite Element analysis.
An accurate calculation of spreading resistance

The spreading resistance of a round ohmic contact was calculated by solving the Laplace equation using analytical, numerical and finite element methods. From this, formulae were found to calculate accurate values (better than 0.1%) of the spreading resistance over the entire range of contact size to substrate thickness ratio.
Impact of Insect Salivary Proteins in Blood Feeding, Host Immunity, Disease, and in the Development of Biomarkers for Vector Exposure

Functional genomic approaches based on expression of recombinant proteins linked to biochemical and disease model approaches resulted in the discovery of novel biological activities and the role some of these proteins play in disease transmission. Importantly, the expression of salivary proteins was recently shown to be affected by environmental factors and by the presence of the pathogen in the salivary gland. A practical application resulting from insect saliva research is the use of insect antigenic salivary protein as biomarkers of vector exposure in humans and animal reservoirs, an approach that is yielding interesting results in the field.
Fate of Chlorine During Flour Chlorination

Unbleached flour (pH 5.8) was treated with 36Cl2 (g) in a closed-system flour chlorinator to pH levels of 5.25, 4.41, and 4.01. Of the total active Cl2 generated (12.38, 20.71 and 28.17 mg, respectively), 98.6–99.6% was shown to react with the flour. Only 0.35–1.37% was recovered in NaOH traps. Extraction of the treated flour with chloroform showed that 27.0–33.7% of the total 36Cl was incorporated into flour lipids, of which 31.2–39.1% of the radioactivity went to nonpolar lipids and 60.9–68.8% to polar lipids. The water-insoluble and water-soluble fractions of defatted flour contained 17.9–21.4% and 2.1–4.7% of the total 36Cl, respectively. The remaining 36Cl (40.3–49.1%) was present as 36Cl-.
Sex, race and ethnicity: providing quality care for elderly patients hospitalized with heart failure

Heart failure continues to be a major and growing public health problem. Guidelines for heart failure management have been primarily based on clinical trials, in which the elderly, women and minority groups were under-represented. There are major differences between patients enrolled in clinical trials and patients with heart failure at large in the community. Clinicians are faced with the challenge of deciding the best treatment for heart failure patients, in whom clinical guidelines may not fully apply. Much wider representation of minority groups, women and the elderly as well as efforts to include community heart failure patients in future clinical trials will close the gap in our knowledge, with regard to the effects of various management strategies in these patients, and will hopefully contribute to better outcome.
N-point spatial phase-measurement techniques for non-destructive testing

Abstract Spatial phase-measurement interferometry techniques commonly used in non-destructive testing are affected by a number of fundamental error sources. This paper focuses on the major limitations for phase calculations using standard N -point algorithms. These limitations include: the wrong carrier frequency, unequally spaced fringes, detector non-linearities and variations in the dc fringe intensity. The character and magnitude of these errors are quantified by using computer simulations. A displacement measurement of a bent plate using different algorithms on the same data shows that practical limitations are unequally-spaced fringes and variations in dc intensity and fringe visibility. These errors limit the resolution of this type of measurement to about a tenth of a wave r.m.s.
Motion Planning: A Journey of Robots, Molecules, Digital Actors, and Other Artifacts

During the past three decades, motion planning has emerged as a crucial and productive research area in robotics. In the mid-1980s, the most advanced planners were barely able to compute collision-free paths for objects crawling in planar workspaces. Today, planners efficiently deal with robots with many degrees of freedom in complex environments. Techniques also exist to generate quasioptimal trajectories, coordinate multiple robots, deal with dynamic and kinematic constraints, and handle dynamic environments. This paper describes some of these achievements, presents new problems that have recently emerged, discusses applications likely to motivate future research, and finally gives expectations for the coming years. It stresses the fact that nonrobotics applications (e.g., graphic animation, surgical planning, computational biology) are growing in importance and are likely to shape future motion-planning research more than robotics itself.
Abstract 4596: An integrated genomic characterization of the target of a small molecule identifies a novel cancer dependency

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Recent large sequencing and cancer dependency studies have accelerated the identification of candidate targets for precision medicine. However, the current drug development paradigm starting with target identification and validation can be slow and has thus far yielded a limited variety of successful targets. We sought to return to an empirical approach to drug discovery and performed a high throughput screen to identify small molecules that were both potent and selective. In a primary screen of 2000 compounds in two cell-lines: A549 and H1734, three compounds only affected H1734 viability. One of which validated in a dose-response experiment with great potency and specificity, we called this small molecule ‘Compound 1B’. In an effort to identify the target of Compound 1B, we profiled 766 genomically-characterized cancer cell lines and found that approximately 4% were sensitive to our compound. Sensitivity was not restricted to a particular tissue of origin. Interestingly, expression of Phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) correlated with cytotoxicity. We further showed that Compound 1B specifically inhibited the enzymatic activity of PDE3A and PDE3B in a panel of 11 different phosphodiesterase family members. However, only a subset of other PDE3 inhibitors shared the same cytotoxic phenotype of Compound 1B. In a rescue screen of 1600 bioactive compounds, we identified the non-lethal PDE3 inhibitors as compounds that were able to rescue cell death induced by Compound 1B. Biochemical assays showed that both Compound 1B, cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic PDE3 inhibitors compete for binding to PDE3A. Knockdown of PDE3A did not affect cell viability and inhibited response of sensitive cell lines to Compound 1B. Thus we have identified a potent and selective small molecule that likely acts through PDE3A to induce cancer cell-line cytotoxicity. Our data suggest a hyper- or neomorphic function of PDE3A induced upon binding of Compound 1B. By cross-referencing integrative datasets with compound-sensitivity data, we show that reversal of the current drug-development paradigm can elucidate novel cancer targets, which are not yet identifiable by analysis of large next-generation sequencing datasets. Citation Format: Luc M. de Waal, Tim A. Lewis, Lara Gechijian, Aviad Tsherniak, Willmen Youngsaye, Matthew Rees, Oliver Mikse, Mark Hickey, Patrick Faloon, Nicola Tolliday, Angela Koehler, Monica Schenone, Kwok Wong, Alykhan Shamji, Benito Munoz, Stuart L. Schreiber, Heidi Greulich, Matthew L. Meyerson. An integrated genomic characterization of the target of a small molecule identifies a novel cancer dependency. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4596. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4596
SU-E-T-353: Feasibility of 3D Dosimetry for Prostate LDR: Monte Carlo Simulations of Pd-103,I-125, and Cs-131 Seeds in Deformable PRESAGE

Purpose: Recent innovations in 3D dosimetry include deformable polyurethane dosimeters (PRESAGE) and high resolution optical CT (∼50 microns). These developments enable 3D dosimetry in deformation conditions present during prostate LDR brachytherapy. However, water equivalence for the deformable dosimeter formulations has not been quantified. The purpose of this study was to characterize the dose distributions of Pd‐103, I‐125, and Cs‐131 in different PRESAGE using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Methods: Dose distributions from models 200(Pd‐103), 6711(I‐125), and CS‐1 Rev2(Cs‐131) seeds were simulated using the MCNP5 radiation transport. Geometric function g(r) and anisotropy function Φ(r) from TG43 were calculated from MC results in water and compared to published results to verify the MC technique. Dose distributions were then simulated in 5×5×10 cm^3 cylindrical PRESAGE with (0.1cm)^3 resolution. Current formulations of both conventional (rigid, 1.065 g/cm^3) and deformable (1.02 g/cm^3) PRESAGE with effective Z of 7.61 and 7.48 were simulated and g(r) and Φ(r) were calculated in X‐Y and X‐Z planes respectively. The 2×10^9 histories gave a typical statistical uncertainty (k=1) of ∼3% at 6 cm on the transverse plane. Results: Conventional PRESAGE over‐attenuated all three sources. Relative to water, g(r) in conventional PRESAGE decreased linearly ∼2.5%/cm within a radius of 1–6 cm for Pd‐103, and 1–10 cm for I‐125 and Cs‐131. Deformable PRESAGE under‐attenuated Pd‐103 but was water equivalent for I‐125 and Cs‐131, with g(r) within 5% and 1% of water within a radius of 0–10 cm, respectively. Differences for Φ(r) were 10% at dosimeter surface, while <2% with 2 cm backscatter. Conclusion: Dose distributions for Pd‐103, I‐125, and Cs‐131 have been characterized in PRESAGE and show great potential for water equivalent 3D dosimetry and further deformable formulations optimization. Research efforts at Duke University and Rider University were partially supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant No. R01 CA100835‐01. Dr. John Adamovics is the owner of Heuris Inc.
Hyperammonemia secondary to asparaginase: A case series.

ObjectiveTo report on hyperammonemia noted in a series of patients receiving asparaginase products at our institution.Summary of casesWe present four patients who experienced symptomatic hyperammon...
Process-independent force characterization for metal-cutting simulation

Obtaining accurate baseline force data is often the critical step in applying machining simulation codes. The accuracy of the baseline cutting data determines the accuracy of simulated results. Moreover, the testing effort required to generate suitable data for new materials determines whether simulation provides a cost or time advantage over trial-and-error testing. The efficiency with which baseline data can be collected is limited by the fact that simulation programs do not use standard force or pressure equations, so that multiple sets of tests must be performed to simulate different machining processes for the same tool-workpiece material combination. Furthermore, many force and pressure equations do not include rake angle effects, so that separate tests are also required for different cutter geometries. This paper describes a unified method for simulating cutting forces in different machining processes from a common set of baseline data. In this method, empirical equations for cutting pressures or forces as a function of the cutting speed, uncut chip thickness, and tool normal rake angle are fit to baseline data from end turning, bar turning, or fly milling tests. Forces in specific processes are then calculated from the empirical equations using geometric transformations. This approach is shown to accuratelymore » predict forces in end turning, bar turning, or fly milling tests on five common tool-work material combinations. As an example application, bar turning force data is used to simulate the torque and thrust force in a combined drilling and reaming process. Extrapolation errors and corrections for workpiece hardness variations are also discussed.« less
Biomechanical Comparison of Double Grasping Repair versus Cross-Locked Cruciate Flexor Tendon Repair:

Purpose This study was conducted to compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of tensile strength and gap resistance of a double grasping loop (DGL) flexor tendon repair with the established four-strand cross-locked cruciate (CLC) flexor tendon repair, both with an interlocking horizontal mattress (IHM) epitendinous suture. The hypothesis is that the DGL-IHM method which utilizes two looped core sutures, grasping and locking loops, and a single intralesional knot will have greater strength and increased gap resistance than the CLC-IHM method.
Error analysis of circular polarizer-analyzer systems for phase retardation measurements.

The accuracy and the related advantages of circular polarizer–sample–circular analyzer systems used for measuring optical phase retardations are considered, particularly in relation to their property of having (ideally) a transmission independent of the azimuths of their components. An analysis is presented of errors resulting from retardation imperfections and azimuthal misalignments in practical systems. Important precision benefits are obtained with circular polarization systems having parallel polarizer and analyzer axes when compared with results obtained with conventional linear polarizer–sample–linear analyzer or Senarmont-type polarizer–sample–compensator–analyzer systems. The effects of temperature and wavelength variations are additionally examined and found to be comparatively weak. A discussion on the virtues and drawbacks of the above systems concludes the paper.
Hemodynamically-directed atenolol therapy is associated with a blunted rise in maternal sFLT-1 levels during pregnancy.

Objective: Cardiac output and sFlt-1 are elevated prior to clinical evidence of preeclampsia. Early treatment of high cardiac output with atenolol decreases the risk for preeclampsia. We hypothesized that atenolol would impact circulating sFlt-1. Methods: Cardiac output and plasma sFlt-1 were measured ≤24 weeks' gestation and every 6 to 8 weeks in a longitudinal pilot study of: 1) women with risk factors for preeeclampsia (high-risk group; n = 46) who were treated with atenolol, and 2) low-risk group (control, n = 25) who were not treated. Results: The groups were similar in maternal age (mean±SD: high-risk 28.3 ± 5.4 versus control 30.3 ± 5.5 years) and enrollment gestational age (17.3 ± 4.3 versus 16.1 ± 4.2 weeks). The high-risk group had higher cardiac output (9.7 ± 1.7 versus 7.3 ± 1.7 L/min; p < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (91.8 ± 10.6 versus 79.6 ± 7.3 mm Hg; p < 0.001). Cardiac output and mean arterial pressure decreased while sFlt-1 levels rose less in the high-risk group compared with cont...
College course in international food development.

Abstract Solution of the problem of predicted world food shortages will not be accomplished by natural forces or by wars, unless the latter are nuclear. Traditional war does not reduce populations enough to match future food supplies for, as Sir Charles Darwin stated in Humanity and Subsistence (3), one has only to note that it required four years of World War II to kill ten million people, a number now replaced in three months. The avoidance of starvation only can be accomplished by early careful planning and the contributions of sufficiently trained and dedicated individuals. A few well placed millions of dollars to create centers of excellence, inspire fine teaching, and develop spirit in International Agriculture and Food Development and organize training leading to genuine field experience will do much to aid world food development, perhaps as much as any single program which can be conceived. More students must be properly trained or oriented for this challenge. Strictly technical and scientific training is not enough for food developers of the future. The new type of student must learn something of the history and the cultures of peoples involved in food production throughout the world, of the philosophies behind food habits and taboos, of the need and mechanisms for population control, of the means for producing new types of foods and conserving old and of the financial skills required to bring forth investment capital. This should be the major responsibility of Food Science centers, for no other group is in a position to handle it quite so well. If the present course in International Food Development at Cornell is a start in this direction, or in any way acts as a catalyst, then its objective will have been achieved.
Chronic Congestive Heart Failure Elicits Adaptations of Endurance Exercise in Diaphragmatic Muscle

Background During rest and exercise, patients with heart failure hyperventilate; therefore, the diaphragm can be viewed as undergoing constant moderate-intensity exercise. Accordingly, we hypothesi...
Accelerated weathering of polyaramid and polybenzimidazole firefighter protective clothing fabrics

Exposure to simulated ultraviolet sunlight at 50 °C and 50% relative humidity caused a significant deterioration in the mechanical performance of polyaramid and polyaramid/polybenzimidazole based outer shell fabrics used in firefighter jacket and pants. After 13 days of exposure to these conditions the tear resistance and tensile strength of both fabrics decreased by more than 40%. The polybenzimidazole containing fabric was less impacted by these conditions as it maintained approximately 20% more of its mechanical properties. These conditions also significantly degraded a water repellant coating on the fabric, which is critical to the water absorption performance of the outer shell fabrics. However, these conditions had little impact on the ultraviolet light protection of the outer shell as both fabrics still blocked 94% of ultraviolet light after 13 days of exposure. Confocal microscopy showed these conditions caused significant surface decomposition of and the switch from ductile to brittle failure of the polyaramid fibers. Cleavage of the amide linkages and the formation of oxidation species (as observed by Infrared spectroscopy) suggested these conditions caused photo-oxidation of the polyaramid fibers. There was little evidence of polybenzimidazole fiber degradation.
Effects of Deprenyl on Monoamine Oxidase and Neurotransmitters in the Brains of MPTP-Treated Aging Mice

Deprenyl is a selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor and has been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, it is not known whether deprenyl effects are symptomatic or pharmacological. Aging mice were partially lesioned with MPTP. Control and MPTP-treated mice were given deprenyl in drinking water for 14 days. Brain tissue (including the striatum, olfactory tubercle and cerebral cortex) was assayed for MAO-B and neurotransmitter levels. The results show that deprenyl treatment, given alone or after MPTP, reduced MAO-B activity in all the three regions. No change was seen in dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DO-PAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) content in any of the three areas. Cortical norepinephrine (NE) levels were also unaltered. However, striatal serotonin (5-HT) levels were decreased while its metabolite, 5-HIAA levels were significantly increased in the olfactory tubercle in animals receiving deprenyl alone. These data suggest that deprenyl treatment reduces MAO-B activity in regions in addition to the striatum without affecting norepinephrine, dopamine (DA) and its metabolites.
The scientific specialisation of the Italian regions

The possible existence of specialisation patterns by research fields of the Italian regions is investigated. Accordingly, bibliometric data on papers published in international scientific journals have been processed and tailored for regional comparative analysis. The results show that the trends in scientific regional specialisation are related to the research activities performed by each scientific system, but also the regional industrial skill is very often reflected in the corresponding scientific profile. The empirical evidences show also that each Italian region works as a well identifiable scientific system providing for its own specific contribution to the national performance.
Progressive ion exchange of lithium and cobalt(II) in sodium mordenite and its effect on the enthalpy of sorption of O2 and N2

Abstract The effects of progressive replacement of sodium ions in mordenite with lithium and cobalt(II) ions on the initial enthalpies of sorption of O2 and N2 have been studied. Zeolites, like mordenite, demonstrate higher enthalpies of sorption of N2 than of O2 and consequently are employed as selective sorbents in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems to separate O2 and N2 from air. Lithium exchange produced little effect on the enthalpy of sorption of N2 up to an exchange level of 41% on an equivalent basis. As the level of lithium exchange increased from 41% to 49%, a sharp increase (from 5.7 to 6.2 kcal/mole, i.e., 23.8 to 25.9 kJ/mole) in the enthalpy of sorption of N2 was exhibited. Cobalt(II) exchange produced a significant increase in the enthalpy of sorption of N2 even at low levels of exchange. At an exchange level of 15% cobalt(II), the enthalpy of sorption of N2 increased from 5.6 kcal/mole (23.4 kJ/mole) for sodium mordenite to 6.6 kcal/mole (27.6 kJ/mole). Cobalt(II) exchange also produced the same type of effect on the enthalpy of sorption of O2 increasing that value from 4.3 to 4.9 kcal/mole (18.0 to 20.5 kJ/mole) at a 15% exchange level. However, lithium exchange little affected the enthalpy of sorption of O2 regardless of the extent of exchange. The different effects of progressive lithium and cobalt(II) ion exchange on the enthalpies of sorption of O2 and N2 are explained in terms of the position the respective cations occupy in the outgassed mordenite structure.
A Photographic Apparatus for Angular-Distribution Measurements

A scattering camera was designed and constructed to measure the angular distribution of heavy charged particles emitted from nuclear reactions by means of the tracks which they produce in a photographic emulsion. It uses a single 2-in\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4-in. plate to detect particles emitted in the angular range of 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 160\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the direction of the incident beam of bombarding particles. The camera has been used to investigate the angular distribution of the alpha-particles from the reaction ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})\ensuremath{\alpha}$, the long-range alpha-particles from ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, and the resonance scattering of protons in ${\mathrm{Be}}^{9}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{B}}^{10}$. These reactions have been investigated over bombarding proton energies covering the range of interest in each reaction. This apparatus has been found to be effective for detailed measurements of angular distributions, with very high resolution of energy and of angle, even for reactions with very low yield, using thin solid targets. Fogging of the plates by soft x-rays from the target has been reduced by suitable target supports. Some results and conclusions concerning the above reactions are reported.
Pertussis toxin blocks the somatostatin-induced inhibition of growth hormone release and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate accumulation.

A protein toxin synthesized by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis has the unique property of blocking a number of receptor-mediated inhibitory systems which are linked to adenylate cyclase. We found that pertussis toxin (PT) eliminates the ability of somatostatin to reduce both basal and GH-releasing factor-stimulated GH release in primary cultures of rat pituitary cells. Furthermore, the ability of somatostatin to reduce GH-releasing factor-induced cAMP accumulation in the cells is significantly attenuated after PT treatment. The PT effect, which is dose dependent and prevented by pretreatment with anti-PT antibodies, represents an alteration in somatostatin efficacy rather than potency. The modification of somatostatin responsiveness persists for at least 5 days after toxin removal. The PT actions on the somatotroph are similar to the effects on other eukaryotic cell types. The combination of available data indicates that the toxin acts on a highly conserved component(s) that is obligatory for transduci...
Heat capacity of crystalline polyethylene from 1.8°K tO 5.3°K

Abstract The heat capacity of Marlex, a highly crystalline linear polyethylene, has been measured between 1.8°K and 5.3°K. The data over this entire range can be represented by C p = 1.13 × 10 −2 T 3 mJ deg −1 gm −1 . This result is discussed qualitatively in terms of a simplified model that treats the solid polymer as a set of weakly coupled one-dimensional chains.
Sexting: A New, Digital Vehicle for Intimate Partner Aggression?

Abstract In this study, we examined the relationships between sexting coercion, physical sex coercion, intimate partner violence, and mental health and trauma symptoms within a sample of 480 young adult undergraduates (160 men and 320 women). Approximately one fifth of the sample indicated that they had engaged in sexting when they did not want to. Those who had been coerced into sexting had usually been coerced by subtler tactics (e.g., repeated asking and being made to feel obligated) than more severe forms of coercion (e.g., physical threats). Nevertheless, the trauma related to these acts of coercion both at the time they occurred and now (looking back) were greater for sexting coercion than for physical sex coercion. Moreover, women noted significantly more trauma now (looking back) than at the time the events occurred for sexting coercion. Additionally, those who experienced more instances of sexting coercion also endorsed more symptoms of anxiety, depression, and generalized trauma. Finally, sexting coercion was related to both physical sex coercion and intimate partner violence, which suggests that sexting coercion may be a form of intimate partner violence, providing perpetrators with a new, digital route for physical and sexual covictimization.
Oral baclofen administration in persons with chronic spinal cord injury does not prevent the protective effects of spasticity on body composition and glucose homeostasis

Oral baclofen administration in persons with chronic spinal cord injury does not prevent the protective effects of spasticity on body composition and glucose homeostasis
Homo- and Heterodimerization of Synapsins

In vertebrates, synapsins constitute a family of synaptic vesicle proteins encoded by three genes. Synapsins contain a central ATP-binding domain, the C-domain, that is highly homologous between synapsins and evolutionarily conserved in invertebrates. The crystal structure of the C-domain from synapsin I revealed that it constitutes a large (>300 amino acids), independently folded domain that forms a tight dimer with or without bound ATP. We now show that the C-domains of all synapsins form homodimers, and that in addition, C-domains from different synapsins associate into heterodimers. This conclusion is based on four findings: 1) in yeast two-hybrid screens with full-length synapsin IIa as a bait, the most frequently isolated prey cDNAs encoded the C-domain of synapsins; 2) quantitative yeast two-hybrid protein-protein binding assays demonstrated pairwise strong interactions between all synapsins; 3) immunoprecipitations from transfected COS cells confirmed that synapsin II heteromultimerizes with synapsins I and III in intact cells, and similar results were obtained with bacterial expression systems; and 4) quantification of the synapsin III level in synapsin I/II double knockout mice showed that the level of synapsin III is decreased by 50%, indicating that heteromultimerization of synapsin III with synapsins I or II occursin vivo and is required for protein stabilization. These data suggest that synapsins coat the surface of synaptic vesicles as homo- and heterodimers in which the C-domains of the various subunits have distinct regulatory properties and are flanked by variable C-terminal sequences. The data also imply that synapsin III does not compensate for the loss of synapsins I and II in the double knockout mice.
Comparison of the neuroendocrine control of pubertal maturation in girls and boys with spontaneous puberty and in hypogonadal girls.

Puberty in boys is characterized by a nocturnal increase in mean LH concentration and LH pulse frequency. To determine whether similar mechanisms exist in girls, nocturnal serum LH concentrations were determined in 16 girls with constitutional delay of adolescence or idiopathic short stature who had or have subsequently been shown to have spontaneous puberty. Mean LH and LH pulse frequency and amplitude were analyzed in 3-h blocks and compared to those in 20 pubertal boys. Girls had an increase in mean LH concentration from 3.6 +/- 0.7 IU/L at 2000-2250 h to 4.8 +/- 0.9 IU/L at 0200-0450 h. LH pulse frequency increased from 0.27 +/- 0.11 pulses/girl.h at 2000-2250 h to 0.54 +/- 0.10 pulses/girl.h at 0200-0450 h. The increase in LH pulse amplitude, from 2.0 +/- 0.8 IU/L at 2000-2250 h to 4.1 +/- 1.1 IU/L at 2300-0150 h, did not achieve statistical significance because many girls had no pulses from 2000-2250 h. With advancing age, the day/night differences in LH concentration and LH pulse frequency disappeared in girls, but were preserved in boys of same pubertal stage. The effect of lack of estrogen on LH pulse characteristics was inferred by analyzing the LH profiles of 15 girls with gonadal dysgenesis who were age-matched to girls with spontaneous puberty. The girls with gonadal dysgenesis had an increase in mean LH concentration after 0200 h, but LH pulse frequency was rapid in all time blocks; the nocturnal increase in LH concentration was secondary to a significant increase in LH pulse amplitude. Older girls with gonadal dysgenesis had a loss of nighttime augmentation of LH secretion similar to that seen in girls with spontaneous puberty. These data suggest that the apparent slower LH pulse frequency encountered in girls with spontaneous puberty during waking hours may be related to estrogen suppression of LH pulse amplitude, which masks the true daytime LH pulse frequency. With or without pubertal estrogen exposure, developmental progression of LH secretion occurs more rapidly in girls than in boys. Thus, intrinsic sex differences exist in the timing and tempo of endocrine control of pubertal maturation between boys and girls.
Unidirectionality Between Borderline Personality Disorder Traits and Psychopathology in a Residential Addictions Sample: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a barrier to treatment, yet the relationship between BPD features and other psychopathology symptoms in residential addictions treatment samples is understudied. Using a sample of adults enrolled in a residential drug treatment facility measured at baseline and 2–3 month follow-up, the authors examined the prospective relationship between BPD features and five indices of psychopathology: depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and psychoticism, as well as psychopathology global severity. There was no effect of time on any of the forms of psychopathology, but females reported higher levels of BPD features, anxiety symptoms, and interpersonal sensitivity than males. A series of latent change score models indicated that BPD features predicted increases in all psychopathology scales at follow-up, while the reverse was not true. These results suggest that targeting BPD features in residents of drug treatment facilities may reduce the emergence of new ...
Henry's law constants of chlorinated solvents at elevated temperatures

Henry's law constants for 12 chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) were measured as a function of temperature ranging from 8 to 93°C, using the modified equilibrium partitioning in closed system (EPICS) method. The chlorinated compounds include tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, dichloromethane, and chloromethane. The variation in Henry's constants for these compounds as a function of temperature ranged from around 3-fold (chloroethane) to 30-fold (1,2-dichloroethane). Aqueous solubilities of the pure compounds were measured over the temperature range of 8-75°C. The temperature dependence of Henry's constant was predicted using the ratio of pure vapor pressure to aqueous solubility, both of which are functions of temperature. The calculated Henry's constants are in a reasonable agreement with the measured results. With the improved data on Henry's law constants at high temperatures measured in this study, it will be possible to more accurately model subsurface remediation processes that operate near the boiling point of water.
High definition video broadcast over core IP networks

This paper presents the concepts and results of high definition (HD) video transport over core IP networks. It discusses the challenges and benefits of broadcasting HD video over core IP network as opposed to traditional methods. The key video codec and network performance parameters, such as packet loss, jitter, latency, and network outages are analyzed. HD MPEG video FEC performance is assessed against certain network conditions. An objective video quality methodology for HD video transport performance is proposed.
Unirradiated, in-pile and post-irradiation low strain rate tensile properties of zircaloy-4

Abstract Zircaloy, used both as a structural material and as a fuel and poison element cladding in water-cooled reactor cores, is subject to a strain-controlled deformation, with strains in many instances, going into the plastic range. Equipment has been designed and constructed for in-reactor tensile tests in a 282 °C (540 °F) water loop at strain rates ranging from 5 × 10−6 to 10 −3 h . Tensile tests of material in the unirradiated and post-irradiated conditions were made at 282 °C and 315 °C and strain rates from 3 × 10° to 5 × 10 −6 h . Specimens were of longitudinal and transverse orientation to the rolling direction of a Zircaloy-4 plate. A total of seven in-reactor tests at 282 °C were conducted; two longitudinal specimens at strain rates of 10−5 and 5 × 10 −6 h and five transverse specimens at strain rates from 1 × 10−4 to 5 × 10 −6 h . Most specimens were tested to between 1 and 3 percent total strain. The results of the in-reactor tests to date indicate that in a neutron environment in the range of strain rates investigated, Zircaloy-4 has an apparent strain rate sensitivity index, m = 0,23, compared to unirradiated and post-irradiated Zircaloy-4 with m ≈ 0.03. As with unirradiated Zircaloy-4, the in-reactor 0.2% yield strength in the transverse direction was higher than in the longitudinal direction. The in-reactor 0.2% yield strength at 5 × 10 −6 h was significantly lower than for a comparable post-irradiated test.
Advanced flexible electronics: challenges and opportunities

Thin, lightweight and flexible electronics are being regarded as an important evolutionary step in the development of novel technological products. Interestingly, this trend has emerged in a wide range of industries; from microelectronics to photovoltaics and even solid state lighting. Historically, most attempts to enable flexibility have focused on the introduction of new material systems that, so far, severely compromise the performance compared to state-of-the-art products. The few approaches that do attempt to render contemporary high-performance materials flexible rely on layer transfer techniques that are complicated, expensive and material-specific. In this paper, we review a method of removing surface layers from brittle substrates called Controlled Spalling Technology that allows one to simple peel material or device layers from their host substrate after they have been fabricated. This allows one to fabricate high-performance electronic products in a manner of their choosing, and make them flexible afterwards. This technique is simple, inexpensive and largely independent of substrate material or size. We demonstrate the power and generality of Controlled Spalling by application to a number of disparate applications including high-performance integrated circuits, high-efficiency photovoltaics and GaN-based solid state lighting.
A PARTITIONING TECHNIQUE FOR DEFINING INSTRUCTIONAL GROUPS

A technique is presented for partitioning N students into K groups of fixed sizes using a given measure of proximity for all student pairs. The measure of proximity is typically calculated from a set of variables, such as completed curriculum units or learning style, and constitutes the data needed for a criterion of partition “fit”. This latter index is explicitly defined by the sum of within-group proximities and when used in conjunction with the optimization procedure discussed, homogeneous groups can be obtained that satisfy externally imposed size requirements. Finally, a simple generalization is suggested for the related task of grouping students to meet upper limit size constraints only.
Hyperactivation of protein phosphatase 2A in models of glucolipotoxicity and diabetes: potential mechanisms and functional consequences.

Abstract The protein phosphatase 2A [PP2A] family of enzymes has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions including hormone secretion, growth, survival and apoptosis. PP2A accounts for ∼1% of total cellular protein and ∼ 80% of total serine/threonine phosphatases, thus representing a major class of protein phosphatases in mammalian cells. Despite significant advances in our current understanding of regulation of cellular function by PP2A under physiological conditions, little is understood with regard to its regulation under various pathological conditions, such as diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests hyperactivation of PP2A in liver, muscle, retina and the pancreatic islet under the duress of glucolipotoxicity and diabetes. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of PP2A or siRNA-mediated depletion of the catalytic subunit of PP2A [PP2Ac] levels largely restored PP2A activity to near normal levels under these conditions. Herein, we provide an overview of PP2A subunit expression and activity in in vitro and in vivo models of glucolipotoxicity and diabetes, and revisit the existing data, which are suggestive of alterations in post-translational methylation, phosphorylation and nitration of PP2Ac under these conditions. Potential significance of hyperactive PP2A in the context of cell function, survival and apoptosis is also highlighted. It is hoped that this commentary will provide a basis for future studies to explore the potential for PP2Ac as a therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Why Public Policy on Embryo Research Should Not Be Based on Religion

The Dickey–Wicker Amendment (DWA) prohibits using federal funds for “the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or … research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed,...
Reduced estrogen in menopause may predispose women to takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (apical ballooning syndrome) has been reported with increased frequency, most commonly in postmenopausal women. Despite the gender disparity, no clear link between estrogen and its possible cardioprotective effects has been shown. Objectives: We present a case series of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in women and examine the prevalence of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), in addition to conducting a systematic literature review on this topic. Methods: Consecutive cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy were identified at our institution, Cleveland Clinic Florida, from January 2006 to December 2008, and patient-level data were extracted for analysis. For the literature review, we searched the MEDLINE database from January 1990 to March 2008 for English-language publications, using the terms apical ballooning syndrome, takotsubo, and stress cardiomyopathy, and identified case reports and series of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Articles describing female patients and their medication use at time of presentation were included in the study. Results: Eighteen cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy were identified at our institution, all in postmenopausal women except for 2 who were still menstruating. Of the 16 postmenopausal cases, none were taking ERT at time of presentation. From the literature review, >400 publications were queried, of which 296 were recognized as case reports or series, with 7 articles meeting all of our inclusion criteria. From these reports, 13 women were identified, none of whom were taking ERT at time of presentation. Conclusions: Lack of estrogen replacement in the postmenopausal state may predispose women to takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Further studies are needed to establish the link more firmly.