cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and surface coagulation: I. Surface coagulation of α-FeOOH sols

Abstract A quantitative theory is developed for the kinetics of a coagulation at surfaces or interfaces. It is tested on aqueous colloidal solutions of hydrophobic particles coagulated by bubbling N2 through them. The theory is found to satisfy the experimental data quantitatively. An additional successful test is carried out on the same sols coagulating, in almost complete absence of turbulence, in rotating circular tubes under maintenance of a quasi stationary twin liquid meniseus against air. The sols used exhibited, if left standing quietly, a “shelflife”, without noticeable coagulum formation, in excess of several years.
Computations and Connectivity Underlying Aversive Counterfactuals.

Background: Mentally simulating counterfactuals (scenarios that have not actually occurred) is a sophisticated human cognitive function underlying creativity, planning, and daydreaming. One example is the "would you rather" game, in which forced choices are made between outlandish negative counterfactuals. Materials and Methods: We measured behavioral and neural correlates while participants made "would you rather" choices framed as approaching or avoiding aversive counterfactual scenarios (e.g., illnesses, car accidents). Results: We found in two independent cohorts that participants were highly susceptible to framing effects when making these decisions, taking significantly longer to respond to approach frames compared with avoidance. Brain imaging showed that choices to approach and avoid resulted in a pattern of activation consistent with a network associated with responding to aversive stimuli, identified via a coordinate-based meta-analysis of 238 studies. Bayesian graph connectivity analysis showed that network connectivity differed by choice frame, with significantly stronger connectivity for approach choices compared with avoidance choices among primarily limbic nodes (putamen, insula, caudate, and amygdala). Computational modeling of behavior revealed that approach frames led to significantly longer nondecision times, increased evidence required to make decisions, and faster evidence accumulation than avoidance frames. Stronger network connectivity between corticostriatal and limbic regions was associated with rate of evidence accumulation and length of nondecision time during approach choices. For avoidance choices, prefrontal connectivity was related to nondecision time. Conclusions: These results suggest that "would you rather" decisions about aversive counterfactuals differentially recruit limbic circuit connectivity based on choice frame. Impact statement We measured brain connectivity and latent cognitive variables underlying aversive counterfactual choices. We found a replicable reaction time effect whereby approach decisions were slower than avoidance decisions. Computational modeling identified that the latent cognitive variable of evidence accumulation was related to strength of connectivity between corticostriatal and limbic nodes during approach decisions. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) and clustering revealed a three-dimensional choice structure that differed between individuals, and between approach and avoidance choices within individuals. Our results suggest that cognitive evaluations of aversive counterfactuals involve flexible representations that can be altered by choice framing. These findings have broad implications for prospective decision making.
Comparison of Marek's Disease Virus Challenge Strains and Bird Types for Vaccine Licensing

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is an important poultry pathogen that is controlled through widespread vaccination with avirulent and attenuated strains. However, continued evolution of field viruses to higher virulence has required ongoing improvement of available vaccine strains, and these vaccine strains offer an attractive platform for designing recombinant vector vaccines with cross-protection against MDV and additional pathogens. Recent reports of failures in vaccine licensing trials of positive controls to reach appropriately high levels of Marek's disease incidence prompted us to evaluate possible combinations of outbred specific-pathogen-free layer lines and alternative virulent challenge strains that could provide more consistent models for serotype 3 vectored vaccine development. Choice of layer line and virulent MDV challenge strain each contributed to the ability of a challenge model to reach 80% virulence in unvaccinated positive control groups in the majority of trials, without overwhelming serotype 3 vectored vaccine protection in vaccinated groups. Conversely, reducing challenge virus dose by a factor of four, or vaccine dose by half, had no consistent effect across these models. Although MDV strain 617A had the most potential as an alternative to strains that are currently approved for licensing trials, no combination of layer line and challenge virus consistently met the goals for a successful challenge model in all study replicates, indicating that high variability is an inherent difficulty in MDV challenge studies, at least when outbred birds are used.
Types of Issues

In this chapter, we begin specific discussion of the types of issues that PI programs encounter. We further discuss how to gather information on these issues and begin the analysis and corrective action processes. Presentation of specific types of issues and how they are evaluated will be helpful to the reader. Each vignette will include a description of a fictional case, a recitation of the PI process appropriate to the case, and a discussion of the problems that can be encountered with certain opportunities for improvement. Issues involving physician practice can often be the most difficult to correct and various strategies to deal with these events will be described.
Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Surgery Alone: Outcomes and Predictors of Failure.

Objective:To analyze the oncologic outcomes and risk factors for recurrence in patients who underwent surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), and in whom adjuvant therapy was not...
Toughening of interface networks through the introduction of weak links

Abstract The resistance of polycrystalline materials to intergranular fracture depends on the toughness of the interfaces between neighboring grains. Using finite element simulations on model, two-dimensional microstructures, we demonstrate that the steady-state crack growth resistance of a polycrystal that contains exclusively high toughness interfaces is suboptimal: its crack growth resistance may be increased by introducing a minority fraction of weak interfaces at random locations within the interface network. Furthermore, the weaker are these interfaces, the greater is their toughening effect. These weak interfaces toughen the material through crack deflection and branching, nucleation of secondary cracks, and inelastic dissipation within intact interfaces. Our findings suggest that fracture resistance-oriented material development should not aim to eliminate all weak interfaces, but rather judiciously incorporate a low fraction of them.
Optimization of intracellular macromolecule delivery by nanoparticle-mediated photoporation.

Abstract Nanoparticle-mediated photoporation is a novel delivery platform for intracellular molecule delivery. We studied the dependence of macromolecular delivery on molecular weight and sought to enhance delivery efficiency. DU145 prostate cancer cells were exposed to pulsed laser beam in the presence of carbon-black nanoparticles. Intracellular uptake of molecules decreased with increasing molecular weight. Attributing this dependence to molecular diffusivity, we hypothesized that macromolecular delivery efficiency could be enhanced by increasing either laser fluence or laser exposure duration at low fluence. We observed increased percentages of macromolecule uptake by cells in both cases. However, trade-off between cell uptake and viability loss was most favorable at low laser fluence (25-29 mJ/cm2) and longer exposure durations (4-5 min). We conclude that long exposure at low laser fluence optimizes intracellular macromolecule delivery by nanoparticle-mediated photoporation, which may be explained by longer time for macromolecules to diffuse into cells, during and between laser pulses.
The cost of supporting references in collaborative augmented reality

For successful collaboration to occur, a fundamental requirement is the ability for participants to refer to artifacts within the shared environment. This task is often straightforward in traditional collaborative desktop applications, yet the spatial properties found in mixed reality environments greatly impact the complexity of generating and interpreting meaningful reference cues. Although awareness is a very active area of research, little focus has been given to the environmental and contextual factors that influence referencing or the costs associated with supporting it in mixed reality environments. The work presented here consists of a compilation of understanding we have gained through user observation, participant feedback and system development. We begin by summarizing our findings from several user studies in collaborative augmented reality (AR). To organize the complexity associated with referencing in AR, we enumerate contextual and environmental factors that influence referential awareness - integrating discussion about user preferences and the impact they have on the underlying technological requirements. Finally, we discuss how these factors can impact the design space of collaborative systems and describe the cost associated with supporting references in collaborative AR.
Focusing homologous recombination: pilin antigenic variation in the pathogenic Neisseria

Some pathogenic microbes utilize homologous recombination to generate antigenic variability in targets of immune surveillance. These specialized systems rely on the cellular recombination machinery to catalyse dedicated, high-frequency reactions that provide extensive diversity in the genes encoding surface antigens. A description of the specific mechanisms that allow unusually high rates of recombination without deleterious effects on the genome in the well-characterized pilin antigenic variation systems of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis is presented. We will also draw parallels to selected bacterial and eukaryotic antigenic variation systems, and suggest the most pressing unanswered questions related to understanding these important processes.
Multiple description video multicast in wireless ad hoc networks

We consider the problem of multicasting multiple description (MD) video in wireless ad hoc networks. We follow an application-centric, cross-layer approach with the objective of minimizing video distortion. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, we propose a practical MD video multicast scheme that uses multiple trees to achieve an improved error resilience performance. The proposed scheme also takes into account highly diverse wireless link bandwidths by using scalable coding for each description, thus further improving the overall video quality. Second, we formulate the optimized multicast routing as a combinatorial optimization problem and propose an efficient genetic algorithm (GA)-based metaheuristic solution procedure. Performance comparison with existing approaches show significant gains for a wide range of network operating conditions.
An energy‐based critical fatigue life prediction method for AL6061‐T6

An energy-based critical fatigue life prediction method is developed and analysed. The original energy-based fatigue life prediction theory states that the number of cycles to failure is estimated by dividing the total energy accumulated during a monotonic fracture by the strain energy per cycle. Because the accuracy of this concept is heavily dependent on the cyclic behaviour of the material, a precise understanding of the strain energy behaviour throughout each failure process is necessary. Examination of the stress and strain during fatigue tests shows that the cyclic strain energy behaviour is not perfectly stable as initially presumed. It was discovered that fatigue hysteresis energy always accumulates to the same amount of energy by the end of the stable energy region, which has led to a new ‘critical energy’ material property. Characterization of strain energy throughout the fatigue process has thus improved the understanding of an energy-based fatigue life prediction method.
A computer program that generates an RF electrical model of the parasitics of QFP packages

The Package Parasitic Model Program is a computer program, that can generate an RF model of the electrical parasitics for quad flat pack IC packages. The program, written in C, constructs the proposed package layout by employing user entered dimensions to generate approximate lengths and positions of the package's internal routing. It then determines the parasitics for a package layout by solving equations that compute its resistance, inductance and capacitance. A 64 Thin Quad Flat Pack was used (employed in most cellular phones) as a test vehicle to verify the program's capability of generating an accurate RF model. 50 ohm resistors were conductive epoxied to the lead frame die paddle and wire bonded to various leads. The lead frames were then molded into packages, X-rayed and tested. A series of calibration and test fixtures was designed so that the packages could be measured by an HP-8510 Network Analyzer. Electrical models of the sample packages were generated by the program and Celerity simulations to 6 GHz were performed on the package models. Agreement between measurements and simulations was observed, across 4 GHz of bandwidth, to be within 1 dB for return loss and 2 dB for crosstalk.
Effects of applied currents on spontaneous epileptiform activity induced by low calcium in the rat hippocampus.

It is known that both applied and endogenous electrical fields can modulate neuronal activity. In this study, we have demonstrated that anodic current injections can inhibit spontaneous epileptiform events in the absence of synaptic transmission. Activity was induced with low-Ca2+ (0.2 mM) artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) and detected with a voltage threshold detector. At the onset of an event, a current was injected into the stratum pyramidale via a tungsten electrode positioned within 150 μm of the recording site. Data was recorded with a glass pipette electrode. The results show that spontaneous epileptiform activity can be fully suppressed by subthreshold anodic currents with an average amplitude of 3.9 μA and a minimum amplitude of 1 μA. In addition, we observed that some events could be blocked by current pulses with shorter durations than the duration of the event itself. The possibility that increased tissue resistance could contribute to the efficacy of the currents was tested by measuring the step-potential increase evoked by anodic current injections. The data show a significant increase in the amplitude of the evoked potential after introduction of a low-Ca2+ medium, suggesting that tissue resistance is increasing. These results indicate that low-amplitude, subthreshold current pulses are sufficient to block epileptiform activity in a low-Ca2+ environment. The increased tissue resistance induced by sustained exposure to a low-Ca2+ medium could contribute to the low current amplitudes required to block the epileptiform events.
Betting on Memory Leads to Metacognitive Improvement by Younger and Older Adults

The present study examined how younger and older adults choose to selectively remember important information. Participants studied words paired with point values, and "bet" on whether they could later recall each word. If they bet on and recalled the word, they received the points, but if they failed to recall it, they lost those points. Participants (especially older adults) initially bet on more words than they later recalled, but greatly improved with task experience. The incorporation of rewards and penalties associated with metacognitive predictions, and multiple study-test trials, revealed that both younger and older adults can learn to maximize performance.
SD&C Technical phosphates as energy savers in machine dishwash performance

A savings of 20% in the energy consumption of machine dishwashers to meet government guidelines requires a significant reduction in the amount of water used or in the temperature of the wash. Performance testing has shown that a reduction in wash temperature from 140 F to 100 F results in a significant increase in the spotting and filming of glassware. This performance loss to conserve energy can be reduced by increasing the sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) content of the machine dishwash formulation. A reduction in the STP content of the formulation from the typical 40–45% level that would be required to comply with restrictive phosphate (8.7% P) legislation coupled with a decrease in wash temperature for energy conservation results in extremely poor washing performance.
On the rumpling mechanism in nickel-aluminide coatings: Part I: an experimental assessment

Progressive roughening (rumpling) of the surface of platinum-modified nickel aluminide bond coats during cyclic oxidation at 1150 °C is studied. A series of microstructural observations and quantitative results, for different experimental conditions, are used to describe the surface evolution of the bond coats and a bulk aluminide alloy of similar composition. Possible rumpling mechanisms, discussed in the literature, are examined and compared to the actual characteristics of the observed rumpling. The effects of various factors, specifically oxidation conditions, cycle length, surface roughness, thermal expansion mismatch, and phase transformation in the bond coat are explored and briefly discussed. Analysis of the experimental data suggests that the underlying mechanism of surface rumpling of the aluminide bond coats still remains to be established.
A long-run cost allocation problem in the political economy of electric utility power pools

Discussants of the electric power industry point to three principal reasons for corporately unaffiliated electric utility companies to establish formal interorganizational relations: optimal short-run dispatching of production facilities, the “scale economies” (more precisely, the subadditivity) of long-run costs, and the advantage of pooling the risk of equipment failure. This paper has analyzed the organizational properties of power pools established to realize the advantages of subadditive long-run costs. A formal organizational model of a power pool was presented, recognizing the economic and normative structure of a pool. The normative structure chosen was the “subsidy freedom” equity concept familiar in the literature on natural monopoly and in game theory. The principal result of the paper is the construction of a subsidy-free cost allocation rule for the deterministic multiple-technology long-run system planning problem.
Reversed and anomalous Doppler shifts in periodic media

We have predicted that reversed and anomalous non-relativisitic Doppler shifts can be observed under some circumstances when light reflects from a shock wave front propagating through a photonic crystal. This theoretical prediction is generalizable and applies to wave-like excitations in a variety of periodic media. The first experimental observation of a non-relativistic reversed Doppler effect has recently been made by Seddon and Bearpark in a creative experiment involving the propagation of an electromagnetic shock through a periodic electrical transmission line. We show how our theory quantitatively describes this experiment and how the theory is fundamentally different from the theoretical description proposed by Seddon and Bearpark.
Antibody formation. Stimulation by polyadenylic and polycytidylic acids.

Complexes of polyadenylic and polyuridylic acids, or of polycytidylic acid and methylated bovine serum albumin, enhance the early rate of increase in numbers of antibody-forming spleen cells in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells or other particulate antigens. Polyadenylic and polycytidylic acids, respectively, appear to be the source of the critical stimulators which, as demonstrated by others in bacteria, may act by influencing nucleotide kinase activity. The stimulated antibody response, but not the normal response, is antagonized by kinetin riboside and by an adenosine derivative occurring in sRNA.
Directional Solidification of an Off-Eutectic Aluminum-Beryllium Alloy

Abstract : Aligned fibers of beryllium in aluminum were obtained by zone melting of an aluminum 20 wt% beryllium alloy. Unfortunately, the fiber length was limited by periodic banding caused by freezing rate fluctuations. Thus, the ultimate strength was only about 11,000 psi and the elastic modulus 15,000,000 psi. Analytical expressions were found for the concentration perturbation caused by changes in freezing rate, both for progressive freezing with no convection and for zone melting with considerable liquid mixing. (Author)
Variation of the Rate of Decay of Mesotrons with Momentum

In order to determine the dependence of the probability of decay on momentum, mesotrons with range between 196 and 311 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ of lead and mesotrons with range larger than 311 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ of lead were investigated separately. The softer group of mesotrons was found to disintegrate at a rate about three times faster than the more penetrating group, in agreement with the theoretical predictions based on the relativity change in rate of a moving clock. A new value of the proper lifetime of mesotrons of (2.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ sec. is determined, based upon measurements with particles with momentum of approximately 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ ev/c.
Simulation of fluid flow in granular microstructure using a non-staggered grid scheme

Abstract A finite difference numerical scheme has been utilized to simulate fluid flow in granular microstructures. The pixels of their digital images represent the granular microstructure in the finite difference grid. The scheme utilizes a non-staggered grid arrangement, which requires only one finite difference mesh to solve the governing fluid flow equations. As such, the scheme is more efficient when it comes to dealing with non-orthogonal coordinates and complex geometry of boundary conditions such as that of granular microstructure. The numerical scheme is verified by comparing the permeability values of a medium of packed columns to a closed form solution. It is then used to evaluate the permeability coefficients of idealized and natural granular microstructures. It has been found that as the directional aspect ratio increases, the resistance of a particle to fluid flow increases, which results in a decrease in the permeability coefficient. A medium of elliptical particles has higher permeability coefficient than a medium of rectangular particles for the same porosity because of its lower surface area. The permeability anisotropy has been found to increase with an increase in the aspect ratio or a decrease in porosity. Spherical glass beads have been found to have higher permeability coefficients than Ottawa sand and Silica.
The NBC Advisory Council and Radio Programming, 1926–1945

Benjamin, L. M. (2009). The NBC Advisory Council and radio programming, 1926–1945. Carbondale, IL: University of Southern Illinois University Press. $45.00. 156 pages. This review was solicited and...
RESIDUAL STRESSES IN URANIUM AND URANIUM ALLOYS

Residual stresses are generated in uranium alloys primarily by metal working operations and heat treatments. These stresses can be large enough to seriously degrade material manufacturability and integrity. they have been observed to cause centerline bursting in bars, stress corrosion cracking in components of various geometries subjected to a variety of environments, and distortion during machining. The magnitudes and consequences of these stresses can be minimized by mechanical or thermal stress relieving. Residual stresses in uranium alloy components have been measured mostly by destructive relaxation methods, but recently a non-destructive neutron diffraction method has been developed.
HYPERFINE STRUCTURE OF THE STABLE LITHIUM ISOTOPES. II

The atomic-beam magnetic-resonance technique was used to determine the hyperfine-structure separations and the hyperfine-structure anomaly between the isotopes ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$ and ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ in the $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}$ ground state. The separated-oscillatory-field method of Ramsey was used to determine the hyperfine-structure separations. The hfs of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$ is $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{6}=228.20528(8)$ Mc/sec, and of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ is $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{7}=803.50404(48)$ Mc/sec. By means of these values and the value for the ratio of the ${g}_{I}'\mathrm{s}$ obtained by Klein, the hyperfine-structure anomaly was determined to be ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{67}=+1.065(6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$. The errors quoted are four times the statistical errors.
The Effects of Illegal Hunting and Habitat on Two Sympatric Endangered Primates

Threats to primates result from the complex relationship between ecological processes and the direct and the indirect impacts of humans. Yet we know little about the proportional impacts of hunting and changes to habitat on individual primate species. This knowledge is critical to effective conservation. I used primate surveys, habitat analysis, interviews, and one year of direct observation of hunter behavior and catch to compare the relative impacts of altered habitat and snare trapping on two sympatric lemur species: the two largest-bodied and most endangered lemurs on the Masoala peninsula of Madagascar, Varecia rubra (the red ruffed lemur; Critically Endangered) and Eulemur albifrons (the white-fronted brown lemur; Endangered). Results indicate that alteration of habitat and hunting shape local faunal communities in species-specific ways. While alteration of habitat had a greater effect than snare trapping on the populations of V. rubra, snare trapping had a greater effect than habitat on the populations of E. albifrons. Therefore conservation action plans for V. rubra and E. albifrons may benefit from individual tailoring. These findings illustrate the need to consider the different manners in which habitat change and hunting affect sympatric primate species when designing conservation policy.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Multifaceted Intervention Including Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer and Hand-Hygiene Education to Reduce Illness Transmission in the Home

Objective.Good hand hygiene may reduce the spread of infections in families with children who are in out-of-home child care. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers rapidly kill viruses that are commonly associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) infections. The objective of this study was to determine whether a multifactorial campaign centered on increasing alcohol-based hand sanitizer use and hand-hygiene education reduces illness transmission in the home. Methods.A cluster randomized, controlled trial was conducted of homes of 292 families with children who were enrolled in out-of-home child care in 26 child care centers. Eligible families had ≥1 child who was 6 months to 5 years of age and in child care for ≥10 hours/week. Intervention families received a supply of hand sanitizer and biweekly hand-hygiene educational materials for 5 months; control families received only materials promoting good nutrition. Primary caregivers were phoned biweekly and reported respiratory and GI illnesses in family members. Respiratory and GI-illness–transmission rates (measured as secondary illnesses per susceptible person-month) were compared between groups, adjusting for demographic variables, hand-hygiene practices, and previous experience using hand sanitizers. Results.Baseline demographics were similar in the 2 groups. A total of 1802 respiratory illnesses occurred during the study; 443 (25%) were secondary illnesses. A total of 252 GI illnesses occurred during the study; 28 (11%) were secondary illnesses. The secondary GI-illness rate was significantly lower in intervention families compared with control families (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19–0.90). The overall rate of secondary respiratory illness was not significantly different between groups (IRR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.72-1.30). However, families with higher sanitizer usage had a marginally lower secondary respiratory illness rate than those with less usage (IRR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.65-1.09). Conclusions.A multifactorial intervention emphasizing alcohol-based hand sanitizer use in the home reduced transmission of GI illnesses within families with children in child care. Hand sanitizers and multifaceted educational messages may have a role in improving hand-hygiene practices within the home setting.
Assessing the validity of one-part software reliability models using likelihood ratio and early detection tests

To achieve higher accuracy in software failure rate estimates in a field environment, software reliability models that were fit from failure data collected during the test interval are often refit using the combined test interval and field interval data. The validity of this analysis depends on the test and field environments being compatible with respect to the manner in which the software is used. In this paper, we formulate the hypothesis of compatible test and field environments in terms of a statistical hypothesis and develop an appropriate test procedure. The test procedure is illustrated by applying it to a real-life software project.
An implicit flux-difference splitting scheme for three-dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes solutions to leading edge vortex flows

A new, implicit finite-difference scheme designed to solve the conservative, flux-difference split Navier-Stokes equations is used to compute incompressible vortex flows around delta wings. The completely vectorizable hybrid algorithm is constructed in delta form for steady state solutions independent of the time-step sizes. The scheme combines approximate factorization in crossflow planes with a symmetric planar Gauss-Seidel relaxation in the remaining spatial direction. The governing equations are solved in curvilinear, body-fitted coordinates for treating complex geometries. The computed flow field results are compared with other theoretical and experimental data.
Simulation and measurement of supply and substrate noise in mixed-signal ICs

Digital noise in mixed-signal circuits is characterized using a scalable macromodel for substrate noise coupling. The noise coupling obtained through simulations is verified with measured data from a digital noise generator and noise sensitive analog circuits fabricated in the 0.35-/spl mu/m heavily doped CMOS process. The simulations and measurements also demonstrate the effectiveness of including grounded guard rings and separating bulk and supply pins in digital circuits to reduce substrate coupling.
Distribution and Relative Abundance of Trogoderma spp. In Relation to Climate Zones of California

A sheltered food-packet technique of obtaining sample populations of stored-product insects was used to assess the distribution and relative abundance of 7 species of Trogoderma in 18 climate zones of California. Populations of Trogoderma obtained in food packets developed from infestations occurring at the site of exposure and were influenced directly by the climate of the area. Climatic conditions included climates found in coastal areas with direct ocean influence, coastal valleys, intermediate valleys, the central valley, foothills and low mountains, the Mojave Desert, the low desert with the hottest climate, and high mountainous areas with the coldest winters, Although Trogoderma were obtained from 18 climate zones, the warm inland climates in desert areas and the central valley were more favorable to the genus than the colder climates of the high mountains or northern and central coastal areas. However, climate preferences varied among the 7 species. T. glabrum (Herbst) was found most often in the central valley, while T. grassmani Beal was collected primarily in the Mojave Desert and in areas of other climate zones closest to this region. T. inclusun LeConte was the most abundant species found in the central valley. Although its distribution was limited to the middle region of the valley, the density of populations was high. T. ornatum (Say) was most widely distributed and abundant in coastal areas, but it was collected also from inland areas influenced by marine air. T. sinzplex Jayne was the most diversified species found in California, being collected from 17 climate zones. Its distribution, abundance, and density of populations was greatest in the low desert, followed by those of the Mojave Desert. Climates with intermediate temperature ranges and minimal marine influence appeared to be the most favorable for T. sternale Jayne. Small populations of this species were obtained from the coldest climates and distribution was limited in the hot, low-desert region. T. variabile Ballion (= T. parabile Beal) was obtained from Il inland climate zones, but its largest and most widely distributed populations were in the warmer climates.
The need for educational reform in teaching about alternative therapies.

ABSTRACTAdvocacy and non-critical assessment are the approaches currently taken by most U.S. medical schools in their courses covering what is commonly called “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM). CAM therapies are anomalous practices for which claims of efficacy are either unproved or dis
Evidence indicating the existence of a novel family of serine protease inhibitors that may be involved in marine invertebrate immunity

A new serine protease inhibitor, designated cvSI-2, was purified and characterized from the plasma of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. CvSI-2 inhibited the serine protease subtilisin A in a slow-tight binding manner, with an overall dissociation constant Ki* of 0.18 nM. It also inhibited perkinsin, the major extracellular protease of the oyster protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus. Sequencing of cvSI-2 cloned cDNA revealed an open reading frame of 258 bp encoding a polypeptide of 85 amino acids, with the 18 N-terminal amino acids forming a signal peptide. The mature cvSI-2 molecule predicted consisted of 67 amino acids with 12 cysteine residues and a calculated molecular mass of 7202.96 Da. Overall 91% of the cvSI-2 amino acid sequence predicted from cDNA was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry sequencing of purified cvSI-2. In addition, serine 43 and a threonine substitution at this position were observed. CvSI-2 amino acid sequence showed a 38% identity and 54% similarity with that of cvSI-1, the first protease inhibitor purified and characterized from a bivalve mollusc. Like cvSI-1, cvSI-2 gene was expressed in the basophil cells of digestive tubules. BLAST search found multiple ESTs from the eastern oyster, Pacific oyster, Mediterranean mussel, and sea vase, a tunicate, which could encode proteins with sequences similar to cvSI-1 and cvSI-2. Our findings indicate that cvSI-1 and cvSI-2 are members of a novel family of serine protease inhibitors in bivalve molluscs and perhaps other marine invertebrates, which share the characteristic cysteine array C-X(4-9)-C-X(4-6)-C-X(7)-C-X(4)-C-T-C-X(6-9)-C-X(5)-C-X(3-7)-C-X(6-10)-C-X(4)-C-X-C.
Stability of User-Friendly Blood Typing Kits Stored Under Typical Military Field Conditions

ABSTRACTTo help preserve in-theater strength within deployed military units, commercially available, rapid, user-friendly ABO-Rh blood typing kits were evaluated to determine their stability in storage conditions commonly encountered by the warfighter. Methods for environmental exposure testing were based on MIL-STD-810F. When Eldon Home Kits 2511 were exposed to various temperature/relative humidity conditions, the results were comparable to those obtained with the control group and those obtained with industry-standard methods. For the ABO-Rh Combination Blood Typing Experiment Kits, 2 of the exposure treatments rendered them unusable. In addition, a third set of exposure treatments adversely affected the kits, resulting in ~30% blood type misclassifications. Collectively, this evaluation of commercial blood typing kits revealed that diagnostic performance can vary between products, lots, and environmental storage conditions.
Delocalized carbanions: synthesis and polymerization of 2,3-disubstituted-1,3-butadienes

The 2,3-dimethylene-1,3-butadiene dianion (2) was prepared from 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (1) using Lochmann's base (n-BuLi/potassium-t-butoxide in pentane). The dianion was reacted with primary halides to yield 2,3-disubstituted-1,3-butadiene monomers. These monomers were polymerized free radically with AIBN and with Ziegler/Natta coordination catalysts. The resulting polymers were examined by DSC for crystallization of the polymer backbone and alkyl side chains.
A quasi-static model of wheel–tissue interaction for surgical robotics

Abstract Wheel-driven mobile in vivo robotic devices can provide an unconstrained platform for visualization and task performance. Careful understanding of the wheel–tissue interaction is necessary to predict in vivo performance of medical mobility systems. Here, an analytical study of the friction involving rolling contact of a surgical wheel, moving at constant velocities over soft tissue, is presented and verified. A quasi-static frictionless solution is first derived from existing theory, and newly developed theory considering frictional effects is later introduced. In this analysis, the effect of friction on wheel mobility over a viscoelastic substrate is analyzed with wheel velocity as the only changing variable. The analytical model is later verified by experiments and Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations. A simple application of this model to help design a surgical robot is also presented. Additional results indicate that the resistance force, which arises from the tissue viscosity, approaches zero for small and very large wheel velocities.
Working with the institutional review board.

Purpose. Working with an institutional review board (IRB) to ensure compliance and ethical conduct of research involving human subjects is discussed. Summary. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Food and Drug Administration regulations for the conduct of human research are grounded in the principles of the Belmont Report. By establishing the requirements for the function and operation of the IRB, the criteria needed for the review and approval of research, and the requirements for obtaining and documenting informed consent, the federal regulations help ensure the safety, rights and welfare of subjects. In developing research protocols and submissions to the IRB, the investigator should include clear, detailed information that addresses the regulatory requirements for the review and approval of research. Before starting a research study, review and approval by the IRB is required unless the study is determined to be minimal risk and fits one of the defined categories. Some research projects involving observation of public behavior, collection of anonymous surveys of nonvulnerable individuals in which the information is not considered sensitive, and evaluation of standard education practices may be exempt from DHHS regulations. Informed consent is central to the protection of human subjects and is required unless the IRB allows a waiver or alteration of informed consent. Once the study is approved, the investigator must conduct the study as approved by the IRB and continue to meet the regulatory requirements related to modifications, reporting unanticipated events, and continuing review. Conclusion. IRB review is integral to ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical conduct of research involving human subjects. Working closely with the IRB or colleagues who have had experience with the IRB will help junior investigators better understand the IRB submission and review process.
Differential predation drives overyielding of prey species in a patchy environment

In environments characterized by regional heterogeneity among patches, competitor diversity can enhance ecosystem functions such as biomass production. Studies that have addressed the strength of diversity effects in heterogeneous environments have primarily considered a patchy distribution of resources. However, in many systems, top–down effects influence competitor productivity and composition. We use a three-trophic level consumer–resource model to ask how differential responses to predation influence consumer diversity effects at two scales; 1) in patches with and without predator populations, and 2) at a ‘regional’ scale, consisting of one patch with- and one patch without a predator population. At the local scale, the strength and direction of consumer diversity effects depended on the strength of the differential response to predation. Positive or negative influences of consumer richness on equilibrium consumer biomass were the result of a selection effect of diversity. At the regional scale, we observed transgressive overyielding driven by a positive complementarity effect for parameters that define a strong differential response to predation. Given the prevalence of spatially and temporally heterogeneous top–down effects on competitor composition in many ecosystems and trophic levels, we advocate consideration of differential predation as an important step towards incorporating realistic trophic complexity into diversity–function studies.
A combination dual-sized microparticle system modulates dendritic cells and prevents type 1 diabetes in prediabetic NOD mice

We developed a novel poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based, microparticle (MP) system providing concurrent delivery of multiple encapsulated immuno-suppressive factors and antigen, for in vivo conditioning of dendritic cells (DCs) toward a tolerance promoting pathway. Subcutaneous administration prevents onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in NOD mice. Two MP sizes were made: phagocytosable MPs were fabricated encapsulating vitamin D3 or insulin B(9-23) peptide, while unphagocytosable MPs were fabricated encapsulating TGF-β1 or GM-CSF. The combination of Vit D3/TGF-β1 MPs confers an immature and LPS activation-resistant phenotype to DCs, and MP-delivered antigen is efficiently and functionally presented. Notably, two subcutaneous injections into 4week old NOD mice using the combination of MPs encapsulating Vit D3, Ins B, TGF-β1 and GM-CSF protected 40% of mice from T1D development, significant in comparison to the control. This work represents one of the first applications of a biomaterial-based, MP vaccine system to successfully prevent autoimmune diabetes.
A Real-Time Vehicle Exhaust Gas Monitoring Enabled Optimization Approach for Air Pollution Control

This research described in the paper proposed a device combining wireless sensor technique, GPS and wireless charge technique. This device can be installed nearby the vehicle tailpipe and transmit measurement data of exhaust gas to the backend system in real-time. It facilitates knowledge of exhaust gas the vehicle generated on the route it passed. With this information, a reference system is developed to estimate gas pollution that will be generated by the vehicle on each route. An artificial intelligent method, case-based reasoning is applied in the system design. Meanwhile, a new mathematical model can be built with additional consideration for gas pollution in route planning and optimization of vehicles. Some optimization approaches, including genetic algorithm, and some other combination algorithm can be applied to get solution of this model with new additional constraints.
Ionic transport in sodium aluminogermanate glasses

Abstract Measurements of the electrical conductivity and tracer diffusion coefficient have been made in a series of X Na 2 O : Y Al 2 O 3 : (1− X − Y ) GeO 2 glasses where X ≈ 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.19 and 0.29 and Y / X ≈ 0, 0.33 and 1.0. The dc conductivities of the sodium germanate glasses show a minimum in sodium ion mobility at X ∼ 0.09, that is a result of a maximum in the activation enthalpy for ion migration. The maximum in the activation enthalpy appears to be directly related to the packing density of the glass network forming ions. Measurements of the activation enthalpy for the sodium aluminogermanate glasses confirm this relationship between enthalpy and the packing density of the network forming ions. Examination of the pre-exponential factors for the present glasses (with or without alumina) show a strong dependence on sodium content. This dependence appears to be a direct result of the changes in the physical correlation factor, ƒ I , that ensue when the spacing between the sodium ions is changed. At low X the sodium ions are far apart and ƒ I is close to unity but as X increases and sodium ion separation decreases, ordering sets in and ƒ I is reduced.
FLUORESCENCE SPECTRA OF CHLOROPHYLL-a AND CHLOROPHYLL-b FROM SITE SELECTION SPECTROSCOPY

— …Highly resolved fluorescence spectra of chlorophyll-a and -b have been measured in ethanol and methyltetrahydrofuran glasses at ˜4K. The vibrational frequencies measured are independent of solvent and were highly reproducible, ±1cm-1 or less. A possible use of this experimental technique as an analytical tool is discussed.
The problem of naming and function replacement

This article is the twenty-eighth of a series of articles discussing various open research problems in automated reasoning. The problem proposed for research asks one to find criteria that an automated reasoning program can profitably use to remove functions present in the representation and replace them with appropriate predicates or constants thatname the entities that werenamed by the functions. The notation used to present a problem to a reasoning program can have a profound effect on the likelihood of the program's success.
The iso-competition point for counterion competition binding to DNA: calculated multivalent versus monovalent cation binding equivalence.

Abstract In this paper we introduce an important parameter called the iso-competition point (ICP), to characterize the competition binding to DNA in a two-cation-species system. By imposing the condition of charge neutralization fraction equivalence θ 1 = Zθ Z upon the two simultaneous equations in Manning's counterion condensation theory, the ICPs can be calculated. Each ICP, which refers to a particular multivalent concentration where the charge fraction on DNA neutralized from monovalent cations equals that from the multivalent cations, corresponds to a specific ionic strength condition. At fixed ionic strength, the total DNA charge neutralization fractions θ ICP are equal, no matter whether the higher valence cation is divalent, trivalent, or tetravalent. The ionic strength effect on ICP can be expressed by a semiquantitative equation as ICP Za /ICP Zb =( I a / I b ) Z , where I a , I b refers to the instance of ionic strengths and Z indicates the valence. The ICP can be used to interpret and characterize the ionic strength, valence, and DNA length effects on the counterion competition binding in a two-species system. Data from our previous investigations involving binding of Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , and Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ to λ -DNA- Hind III fragments ranging from 2.0 to 23.1 kbp was used to investigate the applicability of ICP to describe counterion binding. It will be shown that the ICP parameter presents a prospective picture of the counterion competition binding to polyelectrolyte DNA under a specific ion environment condition.