cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The inhibitory effect of stilbamidine, curare and related compounds and its relationship to the active groups of acetylcholine esterase. Action of stilbamidine upon nerve impulse conduction

Abstract Stilbamidine like curare contains two cationic nitrogens at a distance of about 14 A. In view of this structural similarity the action of stilbamidine upon neuromuscular transmission and upon the esterase-acetylcholine system has been investigated. 1. 1. Stilbamidine like curare blocks neuromuscular transmission. 2. 2. In contrast to curare stilbamidine also blocks axonal conduction. Since the free base of stilbamidine is present at neutral p H , although in a small fraction, it may penetrate the axonal surface membranes which are impervious to quaternary ammonium salts. 3. 3. The observations add further support for the assumption that the fundamental mechanism underlying axonal conduction and synaptic transmission is the same and that the apparent discrepancies must be attributed to secondary facts as e.g. , the inability of certain compounds to penetrate the axonal surface membranes. 4. 4. Monoquaternary ammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium iodide have an inhibitory effect upon acetylcholine esterase. The effect is 100 to 1000 times greater in the case of the diquaternary salts. 5. 5. The striking increase of inhibitory power of the diquaternary salts have been analyzed. It is interpreted as an indication that two anionic sites may be present in the active surface of acetylcholine esterase. 6. 6. On the basis of this assumption the sharp optimum of the activity-pS curve of acetylcholine esterase caused by the ready formation of an ES 2 -complex has been discussed.
Associations among relational maintenance behaviors, attachment-style categories, and attachment dimensions

Simon and Baxter (1993) demonstrated that secure individuals report using more assurances and romance to maintain their romantic relationships than do dismissive individuals. The present study extends Simon and Baxter's work by investigating a wider range of prosocial maintenance behaviors as well as two key dimensions underlying attachment style—anxiety and avoidance. Results from 189 couples who completed questionnaires showed that secure individuals reported using more assurances, romantic affection, and openness than did dismissive individuals. Fearful avoidant men also reported relatively low levels of prosocial maintenance behaviors, and preoccupied men and women reported relatively high levels of assurances, openness, and comfort/support. Respondents also reported using certain prosocial behaviors less when they had a preoccupied partner. In terms of attachment-style dimensions, respondents reported using less assurances when they were avoidant and their partner was anxious. One's own level of avoi...
Antiretroviral drug development and information on the Internet

The rapid growth of the Internet parallels advances in the treatment of primary HIV infection. Recent breakthroughs in the use of viral load testing have shifted the focus away from monotherapy to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with combination regimens. Currently, three classes of drugs are available for the treatment of primary HIV infection and include the nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and the protease inhibitors. A review of the historical development of these compounds and some Internet resources is presented.
Cognitive-Behavioral Group Treatment for Anxiety Symptoms in Children With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders A Pilot Study

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at increased risk for developing anxiety disorders relative to children without ASD and those with other developmental disabilities. Thirty-three children with high-functioning ASD and their parents participated in an original, manualized cognitive behavioral group treatment aimed at reducing severity of anxiety symptoms. Parent-child dyads entered into either an Active Treatment Condition or Wait List Control Condition. Results indicated significant reductions in parent report of anxiety symptoms after the delivery of the group treatment, compared with the Wait List Control Condition. The findings of this study are promising, particularly in light of the high rates of comorbidity between ASD and anxiety. Limitations and recommendations for future research directions are discussed.
Winds and vertical wavelengths deduced from the ground‐based measurement of the Doppler shifts of the O2(b ¹∑g+ ‐ X ³∑g−), OI(¹D2 ‐ ¹S0), and the X ²Π OH (6–2) Band P1(2)c,d line emissions in the midlatitude upper middle atmosphere

Simultaneous ground-based measurements of the upper middle atmosphere motions, using the OI(¹D2 -¹S0) emission and the O2 (b¹∑g+ - X³∑g−) atmospheric band emission as tracers, indicate that the height separation between the emission layers is small, in comparison with the vertical wavelength oscillations present in that atmospheric region, and in agreement with earlier results obtained with rocket measurements. The finding of a long vertical wavelength is corroborated by simultaneous wind motion measurements obtained with the emissions of O[I] and OH (6–2) as tracers, where a vertical wavelength of about 90 km has been determined. This new optical, ground-based, capability to determine motions and vertical wavelengths in the upper middle atmosphere from simultaneous measurements of multiple emission layers provides a new optical tool to investigate the oscillations present in this region of the upper atmosphere.
Bipedality in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and bonobo (Pan paniscus): testing hypotheses on the evolution of bipedalism.

A host of ecological, anatomical, and physiological selective pressures are hypothesized to have played a role in the evolution of hominid bipedalism. A referential model, based on the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and bonobo (Pan paniscus), was used to test through experimental manipulation four hypotheses on the evolution of hominid bipedalism. The introduction of food piles (Carry hypothesis) increased locomotor bipedality in both species. Neither the introduction of branches (Display hypothesis) nor the construction of visual barriers (Vigilance hypothesis) altered bipedality in either species. Introduction of raised foraging structures (Forage hypothesis) increased postural bipedality in chimpanzees. These experimental manipulations provided support for carrying of portable objects and foraging on elevated food-items as plausible mechanisms that shaped bipedalism in hominids.
A 5th type of hypersensitivity reaction: does incidental recruitment of autoreactive effector memory T-cells in response to minute amounts of PAMPs or DAMPs, underlie inflammatory episodes in the seronegative arthropathies and acute anterior uveitis?

Summary There are many documented associations of the HLA B27-related diseases – the seronegative arthropathies (SNAs) and acute anterior uveitis (AAU). However, to date no single pathogenic mechanism has been proposed which can account for more than a few of these associations. The hypothesis presented in this paper is that individual inflammatory episodes in the SNAs and HLA B27 AAU are initiated locally within the inflamed site, in response to tiny quantities of innately recognised molecules – pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). However, clinically significant responses to such small amounts of PAMPs/DAMPs only occur in those individuals who possess pre-existing tissue-specific autoreactive effector memory T-cells, which once recruited into the tissue where their autoantigen resides, can mediate inflammatory damage. The mechanism put forward here could explain much of the research evidence and distinguishing clinical features of the HLA B27-associated diseases. These include: the well documented involvement of micro-organisms and tissue damage in these diseases; the more frequent involvement of certain organs compared with others; the often local and asymmetrical presentation of the SNAs/AAU, which contrasts with other autoimmune diseases that effect many sites in a more diffuse/symmetrical pattern; the fact that these diseases which are thought to be mediated by T-cells, are nonetheless refractory to treatment with T-cell activation blockers. Finally, if correct, the mechanism would define a 5th type of clinical hypersensitivity reaction, one manifested by an excessive reaction to small pro-inflammatory signals, in individuals who possess tissue-specific autoreactive effector memory T-cells.
A Bond Graph Model of an Electromagnetic Launcher—Part 1: Structure and Details

An electromagnetic launcher (EML) or railgun is a complex dynamically coupled system with interacting electric, magnetic, mechanical, and thermal subsystems. This paper formulates a bond graph systems model of an EML, including capacitor bank power supply; electric and magnetic response of rails; electric, magnetic, and mechanical response of armature; magnetic containment structure for flux; electric contact resistance between sliding armature and rails; generation of forward longitudinal motion; temperatures and heat transfer in the armature and rails; armature melt wear and plasma erosion; transverse contact mechanics of armature sliding on rails; and plasma contact for armature rail separation and transition. In this paper, the bond graph model is constructed, and from the bond graph, state equations are extracted.
NeuFlow: A runtime reconfigurable dataflow processor for vision

In this paper we present a scalable dataflow hardware architecture optimized for the computation of general-purpose vision algorithms — neuFlow — and a dataflow compiler — luaFlow — that transforms high-level flow-graph representations of these algorithms into machine code for neuFlow. This system was designed with the goal of providing real-time detection, categorization and localization of objects in complex scenes, while consuming 10 Watts when implemented on a Xilinx Virtex 6 FPGA platform, or about ten times less than a laptop computer, and producing speedups of up to 100 times in real-world applications. We present an application of the system on street scene analysis, segmenting 20 categories on 500 × 375 frames at 12 frames per second on our custom hardware neuFlow.
Smoking prevalence, attitudes, and perceived smoking prevention and control responsibilities and practices among nurses in Amman, Jordan

This study assesses smoking prevalence, attitudes, and perceived patient counselling responsibilities among practicing nurses in Amman, Jordan. It also identifies whether their smoking status or training in counselling patients about smoking is associated with their smoking-related attitudes and counselling practices. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 266 (n = 266) nurses at four public and private hospitals in Amman. Smoking prevalence was 42% for male nurses and 13% for female nurses. Nurses strongly favoured enforcement of anti-smoking policy, but did not strongly agree that nurses should be involved in counselling patients about smoking. Approximately 41% of nurses indicated that they had received training on counselling patients about smoking. Nurse training with respect to counselling patients about smoking was positively associated with the nurses' belief that their counselling could help patients stop or never start smoking. In addition, nurses with counselling training about smoking felt significantly better prepared to assist patients to quit smoking. Nurses who smoked were significantly less likely to believe their counselling of patients about smoking could be effective. Finally, smoking status was not significantly associated with how well prepared the nurses felt to assist patients to quit smoking. These findings identify a need for more extensive and better-tailored training programmes for nurses on patient counselling about smoking.
Extracting the electron-boson spectral function a 2 FÑvÖ from infrared and photoemission data using inverse theory

We present a method for extracting the electron-boson spectral function a 2 Fsvd from infrared and photoemission data. This procedure is based on inverse theory and will be shown to be superior to previous techniques. Numerical implementation of the algorithm is presented in detail and then used to accurately determine the doping and temperature dependence of the spectral function in several families of high-Tc superconductors. Principal limitations of extracting a 2 Fsvd from experimental data will be pointed out. We directly compare the IR and angular-resolved photoemission spectroscopy a 2 Fsvd and discuss the resonance structure in the spectra in terms of existing theoretical models.
Probability of stimulus detection in a model population of rapidly adapting fibers

The goal of this study is to establish a link between somatosensory physiology and psychophysics at the probabilistic level. The model for a population of monkey rapidly adapting (RA) mechanoreceptive fibers by Guclu and Bolanowski (2002) was used to study the probability of stimulus detection when a 40 Hz sinusoidal stimulation is applied with a constant contactor size (2 mm radius) on the terminal phalanx. In the model, the detection was assumed to be mediated by one or more active fibers. Two hypothetical receptive field organizations (uniformly random and gaussian) with varying average innervation densities were considered. At a given stimulus-contactor location, changing the stimulus amplitude generates sigmoid probability-of-detection curves for both receptive field organizations. The psychophysical results superimposed on these probability curves suggest that 5 to 10 active fibers may be required for detection. The effects of the contactor location on the probability of detection reflect the pattern of innervation in the model. However, the psychophysical data do not match with the predictions from the populations with uniform or gaussian distributed receptive field centers. This result may be due to some unknown mechanical factors along the terminal phalanx, or simply because a different receptive field organization is present. It has been reported that human observers can detect one single spike in an RA fiber. By considering the probability of stimulus detection across subjects and RA populations, this article proves that more than one active fiber is indeed required for detection.
The Total Ankle Arthroplasty Learning Curve With Third-Generation Implants A Single Surgeon’s Experience

Background. Renewed interest in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has developed globally as a result of recent literature supporting new-generation implants as a viable alternative to arthrodesis. The...
An Adaptive Multigrid Barotropic Tropical Cyclone Track Model

Abstract This paper describes the application of adaptive multigrid techniques to the problem of tropical cyclone track prediction. Based on the nondivergent barotropic vorticity equation, the model uses an adaptive multigrid method to refine the mesh around the moving vortex. Like conventional nested-grid models, this model achieves nonuniform resolution by superimposing uniform grids of different mesh sizes. Unlike nested-grid models, multigrid processing uses the interplay between solutions on fine and coarse grids—in regions where they overlap—to 1) solve the implicit problem for the streamfunction with optimum efficiency, 2) automatically achieve two-way interaction at the grid interfaces, and 3) provide accurate truncation error estimates for use in determining where to refine or coarsen the grids. An exchange rate algorithm accomplishes the latter task, approximately optimizing the grid selection based on a user-specified trade-off between accuracy and computational work. Numerical results demonstr...
Three Hundred Years of Glory and Gloom: The Urals Region of Russia in Art and Reality

The Ural Mountains in Russia are recognized for their picturesque scenery, exceptional mineral wealth, and geopolitical significance in Russian history. The Urals are also notoriously known as a site of the Soviet military industrial complex, the birthplace of the Soviet nuclear program, and the most polluted region in Russia. The evolving Urals’ imagery as Russia’s “treasure box” and “Russia’s defender” has been a continual theme through the region’s identity and economic progression over the period of 300 years. At different times and by different powers, the Urals was glorified or ostracized, however, preserving its iconic image. The article explores the origins of the Ural’s identity and the evolution of the Urals’ diverse meanings using the evidence from published scholarly sources and works of art.
A random matrix theory approach to financial cross-correlations

It is common knowledge that any two rms in the economy are correlated. Even rms belonging to dierent sectors of an industry may be correlated because of \indirect" correlations. How can we analyze and understand these correlations? This article reviews recent results regarding cross-correlations between stocks. Specically, we use methods of random matrix theory (RMT), which originated from the need to understand the interactions between the constituent elements of complex interacting systems, to analyze the cross-correlation matrix C of returns. We analyze 30-min returns of the largest 1000 US stocks for the 2-year period 1994{1995. We nd that the statistics of approximately 20 of the largest eigenvalues (2%) show deviations from the predictions of RMT. To test that the rest of the eigenvalues are genuinely random, we test for universal properties such as eigenvalue spacings and eigenvalue correlations, and demonstrate that C shares universal properties with the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble of random matrices. The statistics of the eigenvectors of C conrm the deviations of the largest few eigenvalues from the RMT prediction. We also nd that these deviating eigenvectors are stable in time. In addition, we quantify the number of rms that participate signicantly to an eigenvector using the concept of inverse participation ratio, borrowed from localization theory. c 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Frequency-domain filters for suppression of multiple interferences on array data

An algorithm for processing data collected by an array of sensors in a noisy background is presented. It is assumed that the data consists of a superposition of a desired signal and several undesired coherent interferences whose angles of arrival and relative amplitude gains are assumed to be known or can be accurately estimated. This algorithm proceeds by applying frequency-domain filters to the discrete Fourier transform of the sensor outputs, summing, and inverting back to the time domain. The filters are designed to completely suppress all the interferences while preserving the desired signal. An example which illustrates the effectiveness of the algorithm is presented using synthetic data. >
Deaths Among Railroad Trespassers: The Role of Alcohol in Fatal Injuries

Objective. —To describe the characteristics of persons killed by trains while trespassing (ie, using railroad property for activities unrelated to railroad operations). Design. —Case series obtained from records of the state medical examiner. Setting. —North Carolina, 1990 through 1994. Subjects. —One hundred twenty-eight persons ranging in age from 7 to 84 years who were killed in 125 separate incidents. Results. —Of 224 railroad-related deaths during the study period, 128 cases (57%) involved trespassers. Trespasser fatalities typically involved unmarried male pedestrians 20 to 49 years of age with less than a high school education. Eighty-two percent of incidents occurred in the trespassers' county of residence, indicating that few deaths involved transients. Fatalities among railroad trespassers exhibited both geographic and temporal clustering. Seventy-eight percent of trespassers were killed while intoxicated (median alcohol level, 56 mmol/L [260 mg/dL]). Conclusions. —Deaths among trespassers are the leading cause of railroadrelated mortality in North Carolina. Greater efforts are needed to reduce this type of preventable injury. Prevention of trespasser fatalities is dependent on control of alcohol abuse, enforcement of existing laws, and education of the public regarding the dangers of railroad trespassing.
Between-sex Variation in Running Speed and a Potential Cost of Leg Autotomy in the Wolf Spider Pirata sedentarius

Abstract Leg autotomy in spiders is a relatively common occurrence, usually resulting from agonistic interactions with predators or conspecifics. While autotomy has immediate benefits, due to enhanced survival probability, it also potentially decreases future fitness. One possible cost of losing a leg is a reduction in burst running speed, which may affect prey capture and predator avoidance behaviors in wandering spiders. We examined sprint speed in intact and autotomized males and females of the wolf spider Pirata sedentarius from two stream banks in New York in an effort to determine if the sexes differed in either sprint speed or the potential cost of leg loss. Autotomy was fairly common in the field, with 18–22% of spiders missing at least one leg at our two sites. Males and females did not differ in frequency of leg loss. Females were larger than males (both in terms of mass and structural size) and ran significantly faster both before and after autotomy. Sprint speed was uncorrelated with body size...
Northern Hemisphere Summer Monsoon Singularities and Climatological Intraseasonal Oscillation

Abstract Using climatological pentad mean outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analysis winds, the authors show that the Northern Hemisphere summer monsoon displays statistically significant climatological intraseasonal oscillations (CISOs). The extreme phases of CISO characterize monsoon singularities—monsoon events that occur on a fixed pentad with usual regularity, whereas the transitional phases of CISO represent the largest year-to-year monsoon variations. The CISO results from a phase-locking of transient intraseasonal oscillation to annual cycle. It exhibits a dynamically coherent structure between enhanced convection and low-level convergent (upper-level divergent) cyclonic (anticyclonic) circulation. Its phase propagates primarily northward from the equator to the northern Philippines during early summer (May–July), and westward along 15°N from 170°E to the Bay of Bengal during August and September. The propagation of CISO links monsoon singular...
Effects of increased alloying element content on NiAl-type precipitate formation, loading rate sensitivity, and ductility of Cu- and NiAl-precipitation-strengthened ferritic steels

Abstract Two experimental bcc -Cu- and B2–NiAl-precipitation-strengthened ferritic steels with 6.3 at. % and 12.4 at. % Cu + Mn + Ni + Al, 950 MPa and 1600 MPa yield strength respectively, were studied. Atom probe tomography showed that the volume fraction and number density of NiAl-type precipitates in the heavier alloyed steel (designated as CF-9 ) is ∼60–70 times greater than those in the lighter alloyed steel (designated as CF -2). This is attributed to the smaller lattice misfit between these NiAl-type precipitates and the ferritic matrix in CF- 9 due to more incorporation of Mn atoms on the Al sub-lattice in the B2 NiAl unit cell. Loading rate sensitivity of hardness was measured for CF -2, CF -9 and SAE -1090, which does not have bcc -Cu precipitates. Results show that even though CF -2 and CF -9 have double and triple the strength of SAE -1090 respectively, their hardness shows weaker dependence on loading rate. This is attributed to the presence of bcc -Cu precipitates in CF -2 and CF -9 providing athermal activation of nearby screw dislocation motion. Auger electron spectroscopy studies of CF -9 samples reveal Cu segregation on grain boundaries. The observed Cu segregation is believed to be partly responsible for the lower elongation-to-failure of CF -9 compared with CF -2.
Poly[[tetra­kis­(μ2-pyrazine N,N′-dioxide-κ2O:O′)neodymium(III)] tris­(perchlorate)]

The title three-dimensional coordination network, {[Nd(C4H4N2O2)4](ClO4)3}n, is isostructural to that of other lanthanides. The Nd+3 cation lies on a fourfold roto-inversion axis. It is coordinated in a distorted square-anti­prismatic fashion by eight O atoms from bridging pyrazine N,N′-dioxide ligands. There are two unique pyrazine N,N′-dioxide ligands. One ring is located around an inversion center, and there is a twofold rotation axis at the center of the other ring. There are also two unique perchlorate anions. One is centered on a twofold rotation axis and the other on a fourfold roto-inversion axis. The perchlorate anions are located in channels that run perpendicular to (001) and (110) and inter­act with the coordination network through C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Applying Fitts’ Law to Gesture Based Computer Interactions☆

Abstract As gesture interfaces become more main-stream, it is increasingly important to investigate the behavioral characteristics of these interactions – particularly in three-dimensional (3D) space. In this study, Fitts’ method was extended to such input technologies, and the applicability of Fitts’ law to gesture-based interactions was examined. The experiment included three gesture-based input devices that utilize different techniques to capture user movement, and compared them to conventional input technologies like touchscreen and mouse. Participants completed a target-acquisition test and were instructed to move a cursor from a home location to a spherical target as quickly and accurately as possible. Three distances and three target sizes were tested six times in a randomized order for all input devices. A total of 81 participants completed all tasks. Movement time, error rate, and throughput were calculated for each input technology. Results showed that the mean movement time was highly correlated with the target's index of difficulty for all devices, providing evidence that Fitts’ law can be extended and applied to gesture-based devices. Throughputs were found to be significantly lower for the gesture-based devices compared to mouse and touchscreen, and as the index of difficulty increased, the movement time increased significantly more for these gesture technologies. Error counts were statistically higher for all gesture-based input technologies compared to mouse. In addition, error counts for all inputs were highly correlated with target width, but little impact was shown by movement distance. Overall, the findings suggest that gesture-based devices can be characterized by Fitts’ law in a similar fashion to conventional 1D or 2D devices.
Maximum Biliary Excretion of Bilirubin and Sulfobromophthalein During Anesthesia-Induced Alteration of Rectal Temperature.

SummaryThe influence of temperature on the maximum biliary excretion of bilirubin and sulfobromophthalein was studied in anesthetized rats and mice. Experimental techniques commonly employed in maximum biliary excretion studies were shown to significantly alter normal thermoregulatory mechanisms. A decrease in body temperature significantly decreased the bilirubin transport maximum in both rats and mice. A loss of body temperature in the rat also produced a significant decrease in the BSP transport maximum. In both rats and mice bile flow showed a diminution corresponding with the decrease in rectal temperature. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring body temperature during the course of experiments employing maximum biliary excretion as an endpoint.The authors wish to acknowledge with gratitude the excellent assistance of Mrs. Sharon Shriver.
Insights on Alterations to the Rumen Ecosystem by Nitrate and Nitrocompounds

Nitrate and certain short chain nitrocompounds and nitro-oxy compounds are being investigated as dietary supplements to reduce economic and environmental costs associated with ruminal methane emissions. Thermodynamically, nitrate is a preferred electron acceptor in the rumen that consumes electrons at the expense of methanogenesis during dissimilatory reduction to an intermediate, nitrite, which is primarily reduced to ammonia although small quantities of nitrous oxide may also be produced. Short chain nitrocompounds act as direct inhibitors of methanogenic bacteria although certain of these compounds may also consume electrons at the expense of methanogenesis and are effective inhibitors of important foodborne pathogens. Microbial and nutritional consequences of incorporating nitrate into ruminant diets typically results in increased acetate production. Unlike most other methane-inhibiting supplements, nitrate decreases or has no effect on propionate production. The type of nitrate salt added influences rates of nitrate reduction, rates of nitrite accumulation and efficacy of methane reduction, with sodium and potassium salts being more potent than calcium nitrate salts. Digestive consequences of adding nitrocompounds to ruminant diets are more variable and may in some cases increase propionate production. Concerns about the toxicity of nitrate's intermediate product, nitrite, to ruminants necessitate management, as animal poisoning may occur via methemoglobinemia. Certain of the naturally occurring nitrocompounds, such as 3-nitro-1-propionate or 3-nitro-1-propanol also cause poisoning but via inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase. Typical risk management procedures to avoid nitrite toxicity involve gradually adapting the animals to higher concentrations of nitrate and nitrite, which could possibly be used with the nitrocompounds as well. A number of organisms responsible for nitrate metabolism in the rumen have been characterized. To date a single rumen bacterium is identified as contributing appreciably to nitrocompound metabolism. Appropriate doses of the nitrocompounds and nitrate, singly or in combination with probiotic bacteria selected for nitrite and nitrocompound detoxification activity promise to alleviate risks of toxicity. Further studies are needed to more clearly define benefits and risk of these technologies to make them saleable for livestock producers.
A set of categories for the analysis of small group interaction.

"Because problems are dimly 'felt,' because they are neither related to a general theory of behavior on the one side, nor rigorously connected with the categories and indices to be chosen for observation on the other, the results of the research can very seldom become part of the cumulative movement of truth which constitutes the growth of scientific knowledge. When concrete indices (and classifications) are not clearly related to the variables of a general theory of human behavior in society, they tend to be ad hoc. Under these conditions they are only with difficulty, applicable, i.e., translatable into another concrete situation by an investigator who seeks to confirm, revise, or disconfirm the previously 'established' proposition."1
Revisited Block Copolymer/Nanoparticle Composites: Extension of Interfacial Statistical Associating Fluid Theory

The mean-field intermolecular interaction contribution in interfacial statistical associating fluid theory (iSAFT) is extended to include correlation functions, which could be evaluated from molecular simulation and the density functional theory (DFT) itself. Order–disorder transitions (ODTs) between lamellar and disordered phases for pure block copolymers and copolymer nanoparticle composites are reported, and the extended theory has been shown to give good agreement with molecular simulations and considerable improvement over the previous mean-field dispersion description. The interaction parameters at ODT are also correlated with the length of copolymers. Concentration profiles of different species are then calculated and compared quantitatively with simulation. The scaled microstructures predicted by the theory agree with simulation for all the nanoparticle size and surface chemistry investigated. Improvements over previous DFT reports have also been observed for large selective nanoparticles. iSAFT h...
The combined effects of miticides on the mating health of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) queens

The honey bee, Apis mellifera L., plays a pivotal role in the US economy, contributing an estimated $17 billion annually, primarily through crop pollination. Despite their importance, the number of managed honey bee colonies available for pollination services has dropped dramatically during the last decade, threatening crop yields across the country. One of the main culprits of such declines is the varroa mite, Varroa destructor, a pest of honey bees that, when present in high numbers inside a hive, causes colonies to collapse and die. For almost 20 years, varroa mites have been controlled primarily with two in-hive miticides: the pyrethroid tau-fluvalinate (Apistan) and the organophosphate coumaphos (Checkmite+). Various studies have revealed that the exposure of honey bee colonies to sublethal levels of these chemicals can lead to colony-wide health problems. In this study, we looked at the combined effects of fluvalinate and coumaphos on the reproductive health of honey bee queens. We did so by raising...
Primer release is the rate-limiting event in lagging-strand synthesis mediated by the T7 replisome

DNA replication occurs semidiscontinuously due to the antiparallel DNA strands and polarity of enzymatic DNA synthesis. Although the leading strand is synthesized continuously, the lagging strand is synthesized in small segments designated Okazaki fragments. Lagging-strand synthesis is a complex event requiring repeated cycles of RNA primer synthesis, transfer to the lagging-strand polymerase, and extension effected by cooperation between DNA primase and the lagging-strand polymerase. We examined events controlling Okazaki fragment initiation using the bacteriophage T7 replication system. Primer utilization by T7 DNA polymerase is slower than primer formation. Slow primer release from DNA primase allows the polymerase to engage the complex and is followed by a slow primer handoff step. The T7 single-stranded DNA binding protein increases primer formation and extension efficiency but promotes limited rounds of primer extension. We present a model describing Okazaki fragment initiation, the regulation of fragment length, and their implications for coordinated leading- and lagging-strand DNA synthesis.
On the Continued Education of University Librarians in the 21st Century

The 21st century is a society to learn. It is necessary for university librarians to strengthen learn and update knowledge in library science and info rmation, improve computer application capacity, master network operation skill a nd database development technology through various kinds of continued education so as to become a qualified librarian.
Experimental Analysis of Live Working Safety Distance on 1000kV AC Compact Transmission Line

In order to meet the design requirements of ultra high voltage(UHV) compact transmission line,and to provide parameters for live repair working after the transmission line completed,we tested typical working positions in compact transmission line at 1:1 ratio scale simulated tower,and determined the discharge characteristics of live working safety distance.According to the calculation method of live working safety distance in AC transmission line,to ensure live work risk to be less than 10-5,the live working minimum safety distance of 1000 kV compact transmission line at the altitude of 1000 m and the following areas was calculated.The minimum safety distance of potential operator-top cross arm was 8.4 m,potential operator-side frame was 6.9 m,top wire-operator at lower wire was 11.6 m,operator at tension string was 6.3 m.
Sense of Place Among Hunter-Gatherers:

This research examines sense of place among hunter-gatherers. More specifically, it assesses whether or not hunter-gatherers are focused on social parameters when they form their sense of place. Mo...
Advanced prostate cancer and postoperative radiotherapy.

number of patients each hour. There is limited time available to discuss all of the appropriate preventive health measures such as smoking cessation, weight reduction, cholesterol management, and colon cancer screening. Furthermore, failure to detect cancer (including failure to order a PSA test) has been a source of malpractice litigation. Unfortunately, medical practice is driven not only by medical evidence but by powerful economic forces. If this society wants more rational medical practice, it must align appropriate practice patterns with positive economic incentives.
Electronic effects on a D-π-A organic sensitizer upon heteroatom substitutions in the π-bridge

Abstract Organic donor-pi-acceptor sensitizers are a promising path to achieving cheaper and more efficient dye sensitized solar cells. The π-bridge plays an important part in the photovoltaic properties of the dye, and sulfur systems, like thiophene, have been favorites for this role. We aim to investigate the change in photovoltaic properties for systems that utilize heteroatoms besides sulfur. Using density functional theory, we have investigated the spectroscopic and electronic properties of the D5 organic dye upon heteroatom substitution for sulfur in the π-bridge. We substituted for sulfur with pnictogens, chalcogens, and various other elements in the second row of the periodic table. We find the larger elements reduce the HOMO-LUMO gap, red shift the absorption spectrum, increase the dipole moment and are energetically favorable for electron injection. In particular, π-bridge systems utilizing selenium or phosphorus, instead of the more prevalent sulfur, could prove to be more efficient based on our analysis of photovoltaic properties.
Unicondylar knee arthroplasty: Key concepts

The concept of unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been described as early as 1950s following the introduction of the MacIntosh and McKeever hemiarthroplasty. With improvements in implant design, patient selection, and surgical technique, there has been an increase in utilization of UKA as a less-invasive alternative to total joint arthroplasty for the treatment of localized symptomatic osteoarthritis. The purpose of this review article is to highlight five trending concepts in UKA based on current evidence: bearing design, fixation technique, medial vs. lateral UKA, implant survivorship, and revision surgery.
Properties of revertants of lys2 and lys5 mutants as well as α-aminoadipate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Saccharomycescerevisiae

alpha-Aminoadipate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of alpha-aminoadipate to alpha-aminoadipate-semialdehyde in the biosynthetic pathway of lysine in yeasts and molds. Mutants belonging to lys2 and lys5 loci of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacked the alpha-aminoadipate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity. Complementation in vitro was demonstrated by combining the extracts from different lys2 and lys5 mutants. Some of the revertants of lys2 and lys5 mutants exhibited lower specific activity and higher thermolability of alpha-aminoadipate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase than the enzyme from wild-type cells. The enzyme was partially purified from wild-type cells and the molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated on a Sephacryl S-300 column at 180,000. Results from the revertant analysis and in vitro complementation indicated LYS2 and LYS5 as structural genes, each encoding a subunit of this large enzyme.
Unbiased estimation of cell number using the automatic optical fractionator.

Abstract A novel stereology approach, the automatic optical fractionator, is presented for obtaining unbiased and efficient estimates of the number of cells in tissue sections. Used in combination with existing segmentation algorithms and ordinary immunostaining methods, automatic estimates of cell number are obtainable from extended depth of field images built from three-dimensional volumes of tissue (disector stacks). The automatic optical fractionator is more accurate, 100% objective and 8–10 times faster than the manual optical fractionator. An example of the automatic fractionator is provided for counts of immunostained neurons in neocortex of a genetically modified mouse model of neurodegeneration. Evidence is presented for the often overlooked prerequisite that accurate counting by the optical fractionator requires a thin focal plane generated by a high optical resolution lens.
The Dysphagia Research Society Accelerating A Priority Research Agenda

The DRS was established 25 years ago with the intention of bringing together a variety of disciplines involved with research into mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of swallowing disorders (dysphagia). With a rapidly growing membership and committee structure within the DRS, as well as in other similar societies throughout the world pursuing the same agenda (i.e. sharing research findings and putting it into practice), the global importance of this type of interdisciplinary development of research has become increasingly apparent. The DRS has reached out to other dysphagia societies across the globe, including the Japanese society, European society, and Latin American society. Research is now crossing the globe as well as crossing the age span from pediatrics to geriatrics. Interest in swallowing and swallowing disorders is reaching an all-time high. With this much attention and diversity, variability in the quality and direction of research can occur. Therefore, it is increasingly important to develop an all-inclusive research agenda for the DRS to serve as a guide for developing further work in this field that is well designed, functional, and impactful.
ν μ and ν τ as dark matter

The singlet-Majoron model, with $B\ensuremath{-}L$ broken spontaneously at the GeV scale, allows $\ensuremath{\Omega}=1$ in ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ or ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ with masses in the range of 1 keV to 35 MeV. Neutrino-Majoron scattering leads to an unusual processing of the density perturbation spectrum; the resulting large-scale structure will be very similar to warm or cold dark matter. The Higgs boson may decay predominantly into invisible channels giving signatures with a missing-mass peak.
Biliary Cancer: Radiation Therapy Planning

Radiation therapy, as discussed in the previous chapter, is a critical part of the multidisciplinary care of patients with gallbladder cancers and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Radiation can help augment locoregional control in the adjuvant setting, limit disease progression in the unresectable setting, and provide palliation for metastatic disease. However, there is no high-level evidence for the benefit of radiotherapy in biliary cancers. Thus, the approach to targets and dose must be personalized, with respect to the goals of therapy and limiting treatment toxicities. Here, we will review radiation treatment planning, including simulation, target definition, tolerance of organs at risk, and dose and technique selection.
Flow Boiling Heat Transfer and Two-Phase Flow Instability of Nanofluids in a Minichannel

Recent studies of single-phase convective heat transfer of nanofluids reveal that, unlike the promising hypohesis in the early works, there is no significant improvement in the overall thermal performance of nanofluids over that of the base fluids when both heat transfer and hydrodynamic characteristics are considered. Meanwhile, very few studies have been devoted to investigating two-phase heat transfer of nanofluids, and it remains inconclusive whether the same pessimistic outlook should be expected. In this work, an experimental study of forced convective flow boiling and two-phase flow was conducted for Al2O3-water nanofluids through a minichannel. General flow boiling heat transfer characteristics were measured, and the effects of nanofluids on the onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) were studied. Two-phase flow instabilities were also explored with an emphasis on the transition boundaries of onset of flow instabilities (OFI). It was found that the presence of nanoparticles delays ONB and suppresses OFI, and the extent is correlated to the nanoparticle volume concentration. These effects were attributed to the change of surface wettability and the thinning of thermal boundary layer in the nanofluid flow. Additionally, it was observed that the pressure-drop type flow instability prevails in nanofluid two-phase flow, however, the oscillation amplitudes of the pressure, temperature and mass flux measurements are reduced.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A penalty-based finite element framework for couple stress elasticity

Length scale based continuum mechanics can account for size dependence - a feature absent in classical theory that is becoming increasingly important in analyzing behavior of matter in micro- and nano-technology. Starting from a foundational mechanics and thermodynamics perspective, recent work has provided a self-consistent formulation to resolve certain issues associated with previous couple stress theory. In the current paper, a penalty-based finite element framework is developed to enable solution of general problems for linear elastic isotropic materials under plane strain conditions within this consistent couple stress theory (C-CST). The penalty parameter is incorporated in the formulation to satisfy continuity requirements, while allowing convergence of the method with only C0 elements. The efficacy of the finite element analysis is verified by studying three example problems for which closed form solutions are known. Furthermore, a fourth example problem for which a closed form solution is unknown is solved numerically to bring out nontrivial features of couple stress theory. The main objective of this work is to demonstrate that a simple finite element analysis-based framework can be effective in exploring the interesting features of C-CST. Additionally, detailed finite element analysis results provided in this work can be used to benchmark future computational development for size-dependent mechanics theory. Underlying couple stress theory resolves indeterminacies in previous formulations.Penalty formulation reduces continuity requirements from C1 to C0.Numerical examples demonstrate robustness of formulation for range of length scales.Bending example illustrates Saint-Venant principle for couple stress elasticity.Stress concentration factors may reduce dramatically due to couple stresses.
Discordance of conflict of interest self-disclosure and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Abstract Background The Open Payments Database (OPD) discloses financial transactions between manufacturers and physicians. The concordance of OPD versus self-reported conflicts of interest (COI) is unknown. Materials and methods Our objectives were to compare (1) industry and self-disclosed COI in clinical literature, (2) payments within each disclosure level, and (3) industry- and self-disclosed COI and payments by specialty. This was an observational study. PubMed was searched for clinical studies accepted for publication from January 2014 to June 2016. Author and OPD-disclosed COIs were compared. Articles and authors were divided into full disclosure, incomplete industry disclosure, incomplete self-disclosure, and no COI. Primary outcome (differences in reported COI per article) was assessed using McNemar's test. Payment differences were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test. Results OPD- and self-disclosed COI differed (65.0% discordance rate by article, P Conclusions Significant discordance exists between self- and OPD-reported COI. Additional research is needed to determine reasons for these differences.
Overshadowing And Blocking in a Goldfish (Carassius auratus) Respiratory Conditioning Situation

Goldfish were classically conditioned with a shock-induced (unconditioned stimulus) decrease in respiration as the unconditioned response. The fish showed evidence for overshadowing—i.e., they showed greater evidence for conditioning to the more intense element of a two-element compound stimulus. When fish were trained with a single-element Cs for 1 day, followed by a compound stimulus (including the Cs from the first day) on the second day, they showed evidence for blocking. Thus, training with the first stimulus blocked learning about the second stimulus when it was presented in a compound stimulus.