cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting PAH bioaccumulation and toxicity in earthworms exposed to manufactured gas plant soils with solid-phase microextraction

Soils from former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites are often heavily contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Current risk assessment methods that rely on total PAH concentrations likely overstate adverse effects of such soils since bioavailability is ignored. In this study, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied to estimate bioavailable PAH concentrations and toxicity in earthworms exposed to 15 MGP soils. In addition, PAH sorption to all soils (Koc values) was determined. The results showed a several orders of magnitude variation in Koc values, demonstrating that generic organic carbon-normalized sorption coefficients will typically be overconservative at MGP sites. SPME-predicted bioaccumulation generally was within a factor of 10 of measured bioac cumulation (in earthworm bioassays), in contrast to current risk assessment model estimates that overpredicted bioaccumulation 10−10 000 times. Furthermore, on the basis of estimated total body residues of narcotic PAHs, SPME corr...
Chicken melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) recognizes infectious bursal disease virus infection and triggers MDA5-related innate immunity.

The objective of the present study was to determine if chicken melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) senses infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection to initiate and amplify an innate immune response in the chicken MDA5 (chMDA5) signaling pathway. Chicken embryo fibroblast DF-1 cells were infected with IBDV LP1 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.5 or 10. In addition, knockdown and overexpression of chMDA5 were performed by transfecting DF-1 cells with chMDA5-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) or chMDA5-expressing DNA. The transfected cells were infected with IBDV LP1 at an MOI of 10. Cell culture supernatants and lysates were collected at 2, 8, 16 and 24 hours postinfection (hpi) for IBDV titer determination and RNA extraction, respectively. IBDV RNA loads and mRNA expression levels of chicken MDA5, interferon-β (IFN-β) promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1), interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3), IFN-β, double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), myxovirus resistance gene (Mx), and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) were determined by real-time RT-PCR. The IBDV titer increased up to 1.4 × 107 plaque-forming units (PFU)/mL at 24 hpi, and the IBDV RNA load reached 464 ng/μL at 24 hpi. The mRNA expression levels of chicken MDA5, IRF-3, IFN-β, PKR, OAS, Mx and MHC class I in IBDV-infected DF-1 cells exhibited significant (p < 0.05) upregulation up to 906-, 199-, 26,310-, 12-, 66,144-, 64,039- and 33-fold, respectively. Expressed chMDA5 from transfection and double-stranded RNA from IBDV infection were localized or colocalized in the cytoplasm of DF-1 cells at 16 hpi. When chMDA5 was knocked down in DF-1 cells, IBDV titers and RNA loads were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in DF-1 cells without chMDA5 knockdown at 24 hpi. The expression levels of chicken MDA5, IRF-3, IFN-β and MHC class I in chMDA5-knockdown DF-1 cells were significantly lower (p < 0.05) at 16 and 24 hpi. DF-1 cells overexpressing chMDA5 by transfection with chMDA5 expressing DNA had significantly lower (p < 0.05) IBDV titers and RNA loads at 16 and 24 hpi and showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) expression of chicken MDA5, IRF-3, IFN-β, PKR, OAS, Mx and MHC class I at 2 hpi. The results indicated that chicken MDA5 recognized IBDV infection and that this interaction resulted in the activation of chMDA5-related innate immune genes and upregulation of chicken MHC class I.
Analytical solutions for diatomic Rydberg quasimolecules in a laser field

In our previous works we studied analytically helical Rydberg states and circular Rydberg states of two-Coulomb-center systems consisting of two nuclei of charges Z and Z′, separated by a distance R, and one electron. We obtained energy terms of these Rydberg quasimolecules for a field-free case, as well as under a static electric field or under a static magnetic field. In the present paper we study such systems under a laser field. For the situation where the laser field is linearly-polarized along the internuclear axis, we found an analytical solution for the stable helical motion of the electron valid for wide ranges of the laser field strength and frequency. We also found resonances, corresponding to a laser-induced unstable motion of the electron, that result in the destruction of the helical states. For the situation where such Rydberg quasimolecules are under a circularly-polarized field, polarization plane being perpendicular to the internuclear axis, we found an analytical solution for circular Rydberg states valid for wide ranges of the laser field strength and frequency. We showed that both under the linearly-polarized laser field and under the circularly-polarized laser field, in the electron radiation spectrum in the addition to the primary spectral component at (or near) the unperturbed revolution frequency of the electron, there appear satellites. We found that for the case of the linearly-polarized laser field, the intensities of the satellites are proportional to the squares of the Bessel functions J 2 (s), (q = 1, 2, 3, ...), where s is proportional to the laser field strength. As for the case of the circularly-polarized field, we demonstrated that there is a red shift of the primary spectral component — the shift linearly proportional to the laser field strength. Under a laser field of a known strength, in the case of the linear polarization the observation of the satellites would be the confirmation of the helical electronic motion in the Rydberg quasimolecule, while in the case of the circular polarization the observation of the red shift of the primary spectral component would be the confirmation of the specific type of the phase modulation of the electronic motion. Conversely, if the laser field strength is unknown, both the relative intensities of the satellites and the red shift of the primary spectral component could be used for measuring the laser field strength.
Comparison of DiOC6(3) uptake and annexin V labeling for quantification of apoptosis in leukemia cells and non-malignant T lymphocytes from children

Early during apoptosis, there is a reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) in cell membrane prior to eventual cell death. Flow cytometric detection techniques targeting these changes, reduction of DiOC6(3) uptake upon the collapse of MTP and annexin V binding to PS have been successfully used to detect apoptotic cells. These methods have given comparable results when cell lines were used. We compared the two different techniques, DiOC6(3) uptake and Annexin V-propidium iodide co-labeling in the quantification of cytarabine, vincristine and daunorubicin induced apoptosis on three leukemia cell lines (HL-60, CEM, U937), and bone marrow blasts from 26 children with acute myeloid leukemia, 14 with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in culture-grown peripheral blood T lymphocytes on 18 samples from 9 children with non-malignant conditions were also studied by these techniques. Our results showed that there is a correlation (P < 0.05) between the apoptosis rates measured by these two techniques for drug-induced apoptosis in myeloid and lymphoid blasts, and for anti-Fas mAb-induced apoptosis in T lymphocytes. This data suggests that reduction of the MTP and PS externalization may be common to many apoptotic pathways and techniques targeting either of these changes may be used in quantification of apoptosis in different clinical samples.Cytometry (Comm. Clin. Cytometry) 42:74–78, 2000 © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Novel on-chip high performance slow wave structure using discontinuous microstrip lines and multi-layer ground for compact millimeter wave applications

In this paper, a novel on chip slow wave structure is developed. It is built with discontinuous microstrip steps, the discontinuous line is made by placing a wide and short line and a narrow and short line in turn and the step discontinuity provides with additional inductance and capacitance. The slow wave transmission line structures were achieved through IBM 45 nm technology with multi-layer metals. Simulated and measured results for slow wave transmission line are provided in the paper for design with different characteristics impedances. Results have shown that the inductance per unit length and capacitance per unit length of the line increased about 50% compared with the conventional transmission line structure. In addition, the length effect of the wide and narrow signal sections is thoroughly studied and results have shown that the smaller the pitch, the better the slow wave effect which agrees with [7] very well. A 75 GHz Branchline coupler built with the slow wave transmission lines has also been designed, and the coupler is 70% smaller than the conventional design.
Calculating the need for intensive care beds.

Aim Prompted by high refused admission rates, we sought to model demand for our 20 bed paediatric intensive care unit. Methods We analysed activity (admissions) and demand (admissions plus refused admissions). The recommended method for calculating the required number of intensive care beds assumes a Poisson distribution based upon the size of the local catchment population, the incidence of intensive care admission and the average length of stay. We compared it to the Monte Carlo method which would also include supra-regional referrals not otherwise accounted for but which, due to their complexity, tend to have a longer stay than average. For the new method we assigned data from randomly selected emergency admissions to the refused admissions. We then compared occupancy scenarios obtained by random sampling from the data with replacement. Results There was an increase in demand for intensive care over time. Therefore, in order to provide an up-to-date model, we restricted the final analysis to data from the two most recent years (2327 admissions and 324 refused admissions). The conventional method suggested 27 beds covers 95% of the year. The Monte Carlo method showed 95% compliance with 34 beds, with seasonal variation quantified as 30 beds needed in the summer and 38 in the winter. Conclusion Both approaches suggest that the high refused admission rate is due to insufficient capacity. The Monte Carlo analysis is based upon the total workload (including supra-regional referrals) and predicts a greater bed requirement than the current recommended approach.
Gender difference and lifting technique under light load conditions: a principal component analysis

The majority of lifting research uses male subjects, and thus it is necessary to investigate if gender differences exist in lifting technique that may limit extrapolation of these studies. Three-dimensional kinematics of the ankle, knee, hip and lumbar and thoracic spine were collected for 30 subjects (15 males and 15 females) during lifting trials under two load conditions: 0% and 10% of maximum isometric back strength. Applying a principal component analysis (PCA) to the lifting waveforms, 30 principal components (PCs) were retained using a 90% trace criterion. There was a significant effect of load on PC2 of lumbar spine flexion and PC2 of hip rotation, but no effect of gender on any of the PCs. Therefore, independent of gender, under loaded conditions individuals demonstrated a semi-squat lifting technique. By employing a sophisticated statistical method such as PCA and standardising load to the individual's strength characteristics, there was no significant effect of gender on lifting technique.
Towards an asynchronous dissemination and a safe deployment of lightweight programs in mobile networks

The paper presents the design and the implementation of a platform allowing owners of mobile devices to exchange software application programs using a peer-to-peer scheme in hybrid networks, as well as in pure dynamic networks, such as those composed of volatile communicating devices (e.g., PDA, laptops). This platform provides means to disseminate announcements or discovery requests of application programs in networks, thus permitting owners of mobile devices to announce to their neighbours what applications they can provide, while discovering themselves what applications are available in their neighbourhood.
SOCIAL CLASS AND PARENTAL ATTITUDES TOWARD EDUCATION Resistance and Conformity to Schooling in the Family

This study investigates the impact of social class on parents' attitudes toward their children's education. The results suggest that two concepts—resistance and conformity—are central to understanding parental attitudes toward education and the process by which those attitudes are shaped. The data indicate that the probability parents will conform to or resist the meritocratic ideology of acquiring a college degree to help ensure occupational success tends to depend on parents' social-class background and, concomitantly, on whether they have experienced “hidden injuries of class.” A more inclusive sampling strategy proved useful in documenting the varied attitudes found among working-class and middle-class parents. The attitudes of parents toward higher education have the potential to influence their children's attitudes toward education, their children's chances of obtaining a college degree, and their own chances of returning to school. This research suggests that the family is an important site for cul...
Progress in Language and Literacy Skills Among Children With Disabilities in Inclusive Early Reading First Classrooms

Quality literacy instruction in preschool can be critical to the future academic success for all children, but may be even more so for children with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to e...
Floral morphological changes and reproductive success in deer weed (Lotus scoparius, Fabaceae)

Pollination-related and time-dependent floral morphological changes occur in a diverse set of angiosperm taxa and appear to be particularly common in species occupying resource-limited environments. In deer weed (Lotus scoparius), such floral modifications include a color change from yellow to orange and a folding of the banner petal down over the keel. These changes are rapidly induced by pollination, but will also occur much more slowly without pollination. Orange flowers typically lack nectar and pollen. We examined the reproductive success of these plants to test the hypothesis that retention of orange flowers increases pollinator visitation rate and fruit set while reducing costs to the pollinators. All of the common species of bee pollinators that visited deer weed easily distinguished between yellow and orange flowers at close range and preferentially probed yellow flowers. Retention of orange flowers by these plants resulted in a higher frequency of pollinator visits and a higher fruit set per flower than plants that lacked orange flowers. The number of flowers visited by each pollinator was lower on plants with a mixture of yellow and orange flowers, suggesting that the presence of orange flowers may reduce selfing. The possible selective pressures involved in the evolution of these mechanisms and their relation to stressful environments are also discussed.
Crack Initiation Life of Materials Under Combined Pitting Corrosion and Cyclic Loading

Pitting corrosion triggered damage is responsible for the degradation of many metallic materials affecting structural integrity. As pitting and crack initiation processes govern the overall life of such structures and components, particularly at nominal cyclic stresses, there is a need to develop simple models to estimate crack initiation life of materials. This paper presents a simple deterministic model that considers the effect of cyclic stressing under pitting corrosion conditions. The developed model is validated on an aluminum alloy 2024-T3, and 12% Cr stainless steel used in aircraft and steam turbines, respectively. The predicted critical pit depth values are in fair agreement with the limited experimental data available in the literature. The model indicates that at high stresses, the crack initiation can occur very rapidly even from relatively small pits. The crack initiation life predictions when compared with the available experimental data, suggest a probable stress-level dependency with regard to the form and extent of the influence of cyclic stresses on pit growth and subsequent crack formation.
Neurocutaneous Syndromes and Associated CNS Tumors

In the Greek language, Phakos means spot, mole, or lentil, and phakomatosis suggests the presence of a congenital lesion or birthmark (Berg 1991). Historically, this term was applied to a group of genetic disorders defined by the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS), skin, and one or more body systems. Over time, this group expanded to include over 40 entities, each with its own specific features (Chalhub 1976). This chapter reviews six of the more common neurocutaneous syndromes and the current designation for these disorders, with a particular emphasis on the CNS tumors occurring in each disease: neurofibromatosis types 1 (NF1) and 2 (NF2), tuberous sclerosis (TS), ataxia telangiectasia (AT), von Hippel–Lindau (VHL), and Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS). Other comprehensive reviews discuss each entity in detail (Ranger et al. 2014; Lin and Gutmann 2013; Karajannis and Ferner 2015; Rovira et al. 2014; Chaudhary and Al-Baradie 2014; Vortmeyer et al. 2013; Sudarsanam and Ardern-Holmes 2013). More up-to-date information on current molecular genetics is also available through the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man website (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/).
Influenza virus M2 protein inhibits epithelial sodium channels by increasing reactive oxygen species

The mechanisms by which replicating influenza viruses decrease the expression and function of amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) have not been elucidated. We show that expression of M2, a transmembrane influenza protein, decreases ENaC membrane levels and amiloride-sensitive currents in both Xenopus oocytes, injected with human alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaCs, and human airway cells (H441 and A549), which express native ENaCs. Deletion of a 10-aa region within the M2 C terminus prevented 70% of this effect. The M2 ENaC down-regulation occurred at normal pH and was prevented by MG-132, a proteasome and lysosome inhibitor. M2 had no effect on Liddle ENaCs, which have decreased affinity for Nedd4-2. H441 and A549 cells transfected with M2 showed higher levels of reactive oxygen species, as shown by the activation of redox-sensitive dyes. Pretreatment with glutathione ester, which increases intracellular reduced thiol concentrations, or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors prevented the deleterious effects of M2 on ENaCs. The data suggest that M2 protein increases steady-state concentrations of reactive oxygen intermediates that simulate PKC and decrease ENaCs by enhancing endocytosis and its subsequent destruction by the proteasome. These novel findings suggest a mechanism for the influenza-induced rhinorrhea and life-threatening alveolar edema in humans.
High-resolution X-ray spectrometry of solids using the microcalorimeter X-ray detector

We analyze here the spectrum of the Al Kα and Mg Kα X-ray lines obtained by electron excitation of a multielement glass. The spectrum was obtained in an electron beam probe using a microcalorimeter X-ray detector. With 7 eV resolution, we are able to observe and compare the intensity ratios of the Kα 3,4 satellites to the Kα 1,2 main lines. These satellites are sensitive to the chemistry of the solid. We compare our observed values to the intensity ratios obtained by Klauber and by Krause & Ferreira. The agreement of the relative satellite intensities in our measurement is more consistent with ratios for metals than for oxides. The ability to observe satellites of lines in multielement samples using the microcalorimeter detector opens up new possibilities for the interpretation of atomic core-valence processes in solids.
A comparison of virial coefficients obtained from shock and ultrasonic data for Al and Cu

Abstract It is shown here that ultrasonic virial coefficients a and b , obtained by the method of least squares, are in good agreement with the virial coefficients obtained from shock data (also obtained by least squares analysis). When the same ultrasonic coefficients are obtained from a Taylor series expansion the b coefficient is always too large: For the data analyzed here, it is 27 per cent too large for aluminum and 46 per cent too large for copper. The reason that the Taylor coefficient are inappropriate is described.
Noun Representation in AAC Grid Displays: Visual Attention Patterns of People with Traumatic Brain Injury

Clinicians supporting the communication of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) must determine an efficient message representation method for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Due to the frequency with which visual deficits occur following brain injury, some adults with TBI may have difficulty locating items on AAC displays. The purpose of this study was to identify aspects of graphic supports that increase efficiency of target-specific visual searches. Nine adults with severe TBI and nine individuals without neurological conditions located targets on static grids displaying one of three message representation methods. Data collected through eye tracking technology revealed significantly more efficient target location for icon-only grids than for text-only or icon-plus-text grids for both participant groups; no significant differences emerged between participant groups.
Duration and specificity of sodium cromolyn on allergen inhalation challenges in asthmatics

Abstract In order to elucidate the mechanism of sodium cromolyn (Intal) * 1 > 20 per cent following allergen inhalation challenge were used in this experiment. Twelve patients were given 40 mg. disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and then challenged on different days with allergen aerosol at 30 minutes, 5 hours, and 24 hours post-DSCG inhalation. Ten patients received one allergen 30 minutes post-DSCG and were challenged with the same or a dissimilar allergen 5 hours later. Protection against allergen-induced bronchoconstriction was significant at 30 minutes and 5 hours (p
Comparison of body composition measurement with whole body multifrequency bioelectrical impedance and air displacement plethysmography in healthy middle-aged women.

Our purpose was to evaluate accuracy of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) as the criterion measure. Body composition of 27 women was assessed by ADP followed immediately by MFBIA. There was a strong relationship (p = .01) between ADP and MFBIA in absolute lean mass (r = 0.80), absolute fat mass (r = 0.99), percent lean mass (r = 0.91), and percent fat mass (r = 0.91). Although MFBIA consistently overestimated lean mass and underestimated fat mass compared with ADP, agreement between measurements was within 2%–3% body fat. An accurate assessment tool, MFBIA can be useful in clinical settings.
Knowledge Assisted Expert Pricing System for Durable Products in Electronic Commerce

For durable products pricing, we have to consider not only products cost in every period, but also the effect of customer expectation on price in every period. Customer expectation on price is scientific, which makes pricing harder. To solve this problem, we adopted multi-period two stages pricing. In two stages, we selected cost-plus model and customer-expectation model respectively, and integrated them for one pricing period. The principle to set two stages is maximizing the gross profit of an on-line marketing site. We described the concrete pricing algorithms, and reported on preliminary performance evaluation of experiments we conducted using simulated data. The results of experimentation verify that our methods are practical in terms of computational efficiency and are better than multi-period one stage pricing.
Sphingolipid metabolites modulate dielectric characteristics of cells in a mouse ovarian cancer progression model

Currently, conventional cancer treatment regimens often rely upon highly toxic chemotherapeutics or target oncogenes that are variably expressed within the heterogeneous cell population of tumors. These challenges highlight the need for novel treatment strategies that (1) are non-toxic yet able to at least partially reverse the aggressive phenotype of the disease to a benign or very slow-growing state, and (2) act on the cells independently of variably expressed biomarkers. Using a label-independent rapid microfluidic cell manipulation strategy known as contactless dielectrophoresis (cDEP), we investigated the effect of non-toxic concentrations of two bioactive sphingolipidmetabolites, sphingosine (So), with potential anti-tumor properties, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a tumor-promoting metabolite, on the intrinsic electrical properties of early and late stages of mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cancer cells. Previously, we demonstrated that electrical properties change as cells progress from a benign early stage to late malignant stages. Here, we demonstrate an association between So treatment and a shift in the bioelectrical characteristics of late stage MOSE (MOSE-L) cells towards a profile similar to that of benign MOSE-E cells. Particularly, the specific membrane capacitance of MOSE-L cells shifted toward that of MOSE-E cells, decreasing from 23.94 ± 2.75 to 16.46 ± 0.62 mF m−2 after So treatment, associated with a decrease in membrane protrusions. In contrast, S1P did not reverse the electrical properties of MOSE-L cells. This work is the first to indicate that treatment with non-toxic doses of So correlates with changes in the electrical properties and surface roughness of cells. It also demonstrates the potential of cDEP to be used as a new, rapid technique for drug efficacy studies, and for eventually designing more personalized treatment regimens.
Effect of leaf litter and density on fitness and population performance of the hole mosquito Aedes triseriatus

. 1 We tested the effects of food, in the form of leaf litter, and density on population growth and fitness correlates of the tree hole mosquito Aedes triseriatus. Our field experiment used a 2 x 2 randomized block design, with three holes as blocks. In cages within three holes, we manipulated densities of Aedes triseriatus larvae, and presence of leaf litter. Our laboratory experiment used a 2 x 3 factorial design in which we also manipulated densities of larvae and availability of leaf litter within similar cages (inside, outside, or absent). For both experiments we determined effects on survival, days to and mass at eclosion of both sexes, and a composite index of population performance λ′, that estimates finite rate of increase. 2 In the field experiment, we found significant and large effects of leaf litter and of density on the performance of A. triseriatus. The effect of density did not depend on leaf litter availability. We documented significant variation among tree holes for most correlates of fitness. Often, the effects of treatments varied significantly depending on the tree hole tested. 3 In the laboratory experiment we found significant effects of density and litter, and that direct browsing on leaf litter is necessary for the effect of litter on performance of A. triseriatus. In the laboratory, the negative effect of increased density was dependent on leaf litter availability. 4 Our results demonstrate that leaf litter has important effects on population performance of tree hole mosquitoes in natural tree holes. Direct browsing on the surface of leaf litter is the most likely mechanism by which litter enhances population growth. The impact of litter on populations varies among tree holes.
Scintillating glass fiber-optic neutron sensors

Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) has fabricated cerium-activated lithium silicate scintillating fibers via a hot-downdraw process. These fibers, which, as produced, typically have a transmission length (e{sup {minus}1} length) of greater than 2 meters, are found to undergo aging when subjected to room air. The aging, which is complete in a few weeks, reduces the transmission length to the order of 0.5 meter. Because of the high alkali content of the glass (on the order of 20--30 mole % lithia), we have attributed this aging to aqueous corrosion oat the polymer cladding/glass interface. changes in transmission with chemical treatment of the surface support the corrosion model. Fiber transmission performance has been preserved by modifying the hot-downdraw to a double crucible to produce glass-on-glass waveguides.
A study of homogeneous turbulence using superfluid helium

We generate homogeneous turbulence by means of a moving grid within a stationary channel filled with superfluid helium. The decay in the root mean square vorticity is linked with the quantized line density, which in turn is measured via second sound attenuation. Preliminary results reveal how the time decay of turbulence depends on grid Reynolds number.
Early-period dynamics of an incompressible mixing layer

The evolution of three-dimensional disturbances in an incompressible mixing layer in an inviscid fluid is investigated as an initial-value problem. A Green's function approach is used to obtain a general space–time solution to the problem using a piecewise linear model for the basic flow, thereby making it possible to determine complete and closed-form analytical expressions for the variables with arbitrary input. Structure, kinetic energy, vorticity, and the evolution of material particles can be ascertained in detail. Moreover, these solutions represent the full three-dimensional disturbances that can grow exponentially or algebraically in time. For large time, the behaviour of these disturbances is dominated by the exponentially increasing discrete modes. For the early time, the behaviour is controlled by the algebraic variation due to the continuous spectrum. Contrary to Squire's theorem for normal mode analysis, the early-time behaviour indicates growth at comparable rates for all values of the wavenumbers and the initial growth of these disturbances is shown to rapidly increase. In particular, the disturbance kinetic energy can rise to a level approximately ten times its initial value before the exponentially growing normal mode prevails. As a result, the transient behaviour can trigger the roll-up of the mixing layer and its development into the well-known pattern that has been observed experimentally.
REEXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF MCPG ON HIPPOCAMPAL LTP, LTD, AND DEPOTENTIATION

1. We examined the effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) long-term depression (LTD), and depotentiation in CA1 hippocampal neurons using extracellular recording techniques. 2. MCPG (500 microM) strongly antagonized the presynaptic inhibitory action of the mGluR agonist 1-aminocyclopentane-(1S,3R)-dicarboxylic acid yet failed to block LTP induced with either tetanic stimulation (100 Hz, 1 s) or theta-burst stimulation. 3. To test the possibility that our failure to block LTP was due to prior activation of a "molecular switch" that in its "on" state obviates the need for mGluR activation to generate LTP, we gave repeated periods of prolonged low-frequency stimulation (LFS; 1 Hz, 10 min), a manipulation reported to turn the switch "off." Although this stimulation saturated LTD, subsequent application of MCPG still failed to block LTP. 4. MCPG did not block LFS-induced depotentiation in older slices (4-6 wk) or LFS-induced LTD in older, young (11-18 days), or neonatal (3-7 days) slices. 5. These results demonstrate that MCPG-sensitive mGluRs are not necessary for the induction of LTP, LTD, or depotentiation in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. The possibility remains, however, that their activation may modify the threshold for the induction of these long-term plastic changes.
Increasing Reading Compliance and Metacognitive Strategies in Border Students.

In an effort to increase reading compliance and active reading strategies, quizzes and reading guides were given to 100 participants in four psychology courses. Each participant was given four weeks of reading quizzes and four weeks of reading guides. Participants consisted of students (freshman through senior level) from two colleges along the Texas/Mexico border. Self-reported survey data was collected on reading compliance and metacognitive strategies. There was a statistically significant difference in reading compliance. Students reported reading the most when assigned a reading guide. However, the use of a quiz produced very similar results in reading compliance. Participants reported using more metacognitive reading strategies after completing the reading guides.
Comparative Evaluation of Containers Used as Honey Bee Hives for Disposable Pollination Units

Severa1 types of containers that might be used as temporary hives for package-sized units of Apis mellifera L. for short-term crop pollination were screened for suitability, bee acceptance, and effect on bee foraging activities. Disposable temporary pollination units (DPU’s) also were compared with package colonies of equal population in single 12-frame 6-5/8-in deep hives. Styrofoam containers appeared to be the most suitable and compared favorably with the colonies in respect to frequency of absconding, levels of mortality, and overall development. However, the package colonies had greater flight activity and a greater total percentage of foraging bees compared with the DPU’s. A near absence of pollen collection by bees in the DPU’s resulted in a proportionally greater number of nectar collecting and nonforaging bees compared with the colonies.
Internal Morphology Related to Tube-building in the Meiobenthic Copepod Pseudostenhelia Wellsi

ABSTRACT Pseudostenheliawellsi Coull and Fleeger, a meiobenthic harpacticoid copepod, lives in selfconstructed tubes in muddy, estuarine sediments. Tubes are composed of sediment bound with acid mucopolysaccharide as shown by a positive reaction with alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff reagent. The purpose of this study was to detail structural specializations in P. wellsi as related to secretion and storage of tube-building substances. Cuticular pores are located in the ventral cephalothorax, on the first urosomal segment (just anterior to the fifth leg), the anal segment, and on the caudal rami. Light level histochemistry shows that storage sites of mucin coincide with the pores and are found in the caudal rami, fifth leg area, and ventral cephalothorax. Massive stores of lipid-like material (corresponding to highly visible autofluorescent areas in living specimens) are also associated with pores and mucin. The largest reservoir of the lipid-like material is in the urosome surrounding the gut just anterior to the caudal rami. The function of the lipid-like material is unknown, but it is not incorporated in the matrix of the secreted tube. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the mucin and lipid-like materials are secreted by multicellular and unicellular glands, respectively. The major mucin-secreting cells are found in the upper region of the caudal rami, while the largest gland secreting the lipid-like material is in the mid-urosome.
Rapid Determination of 14 Heavy Metal Elements of Catalysts Residues in Pharmaceutical Ingredients by ICP-OES Method

An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric(ICP-OES) method was developed for the determination of metallic impurities in pharmaceutical ingredients.The samples were directly dissolved with organic mixed solvent(DMSO∶H2O=4∶1).The conditions of instrument were optimized,and the 14 metal elements listed in EMEA guidance could be rapidly analyzed by the method.The detection limits were less than 0.30 mg/kg,and the recoveries of the 14 metal elements ranged from 90% to 115%.The data was compared with those obtained from the different treatment methods.The results showed that the method,with the advantages of simplicity,easy operation and high accuracy,was suitable for the quick determination of multi-elements in large quantities of samples.
Palaeoceanography: Signal from the subsurface

TEX86-based records of sea surface temperature from the Early Eocene suggest polar warmth that is not seen in climate models. A reassessment of the TEX86 proxy adjusts these temperatures, lending confidence to simulations of greenhouse climates.
Introduction: Backwardness, Legitimacy, and Hegemony in Russian and Comparative Perspective

Agricultural cooperatives constituted the largest voluntary movement in late Imperial Russia. In 1914, about 17,000 institutions had a membership of some 8 to 9 million, including between one-quarter and one-third of all peasant households. In cooperatives, members could deposit their savings, take out loans, process and market their output jointly, and purchase equipment and goods needed for production. The immediate attraction of cooperatives lay in the possibility of introducing material improvement for the 80 per cent of the population that was rural.
Sustainability as the quantitative norm for water desalination impacts

Abstract Water desalination continues to evolve exponentially in magnitude and importance to a currently mature stage that, like all large human endeavors, must be planned, designed and operated according to the quantitative holistic sustainability paradigm and criteria that are defined by the interrelated aspects of the environmental, economic and social pillars of the endeavor. This integrates but also transcends the currently separately employed and analyzed methods such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), and Best Available Technology (BAT), for selection, design, economic analysis, social impact analysis, and regulation planning. This paper quantitatively introduces the sustainability paradigm and its application to water desalination. It includes a critical review of the state of sustainability analysis as related to desalination, and proposes a methodology for such evaluation that results in calculation of composite sustainability indices, which is much better as a quantitative measure for the evaluation of desalination processes than the current practice of addressing the economic, environmental, and sometimes social aspects separately without their coherent integration. A method and equations for formulating a composite sustainability index as a function of relevant parameters, which thus allows mathematical analysis in general and sensitivity analysis and optimization in particular, are described.
Brain Hyperglycemia Induced by Heroin: Association with Metabolic Neural Activation.

Glucose enters the brain extracellular space from arterial blood, and its proper delivery is essential for metabolic activity of brain cells. By using enzyme-based biosensors coupled with high-speed amperometry in freely moving rats, we previously showed that glucose levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) display high variability, increasing rapidly following exposure to various arousing stimuli. In this study, the same technology was used to assess NAc glucose fluctuations induced by intravenous heroin. Heroin passively injected at a low dose optimal for maintaining self-administration behavior (100 μg/kg) induces a rapid but moderate glucose rise (∼150–200 μM or ∼15–25% over resting baseline). When the heroin dose was doubled and tripled, the increase became progressively larger in magnitude and longer in duration. Heroin-induced glucose increases also occurred in other brain structures (medial thalamus, lateral striatum, hippocampus), suggesting that brain hyperglycemia is a whole-brain phenomenon but c...
Dissolution kinetic model for metal powders — a case of varying surface area

A kinetic model for leaching particulate metals in a batch system was developed. The leaching mechanism was analyzed by solving a series of ordinary differential equations relating heterogeneous reaction kinetics at the solid/liquid interface to mass transfer of reactant and products. Special emphasis was given to the effects of substrate surface area changes and initial particle distribution on the overall leaching rate. The dissolution of gold powders in acidic solution with bromine as an oxidant was used as a model system. The effects of particle size. particle distribution, chemical reaction order, rate constant and mass transfer coefficient on the overall metal powder dissolution rate are analyzed and discussed.
Cascade high-gain observer for high-dimensional systems

High-gain observers proved to be a useful tool in the design of output feedback control of nonlinear systems. However, the observer faces a numerical challenge when its dimension is high. For an observer of dimension ρ and a high-gain parameter k, the observer gain is of the order of kρ and the observer variables could be of the order of kρ−1 during the transient period. This paper presents a new high-gain observer that is based on cascading lower-dimensional observers with saturation functions in between them. In the new observer, the gains and variables are of the order of k. It is shown that the cascade observer has properties similar to the standard one.
Nominal Size and Taper Analysis of Novel Metallurgy NiTi Files.

Objective The aim of this investigation was to assess the nominal tip diameter, taper and true pilot tip length of three nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files before and after use. Methods Three brands of NiTi files of size 25.08 were evaluated: ProTaper Uni-versal (Dentsply Tulsa Specialties, Tulsa, USA), Channels PT (Insight Endo for Henry Schein, Melville, NY) and ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Tulsa Specialties), with ten files from each brand (total n=30). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the files at 50x magnification were acquired before and after the files were used on endodontic training blocks, and the images were analysed by two independent investigators using ImageJ software. The nominal tip diameter (D0), taper and true pilot tip length (measured as the distance from the advertised diameter size of the file to the tip of the file) were recorded for each file and were analysed for statistical differences using repeated measures of analysis of variance (r-ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test (P Results The marginal means of the nominal size showed statistically significant differences between brands of the same size; statistically significant differences were also observed between the advertised sizes and the actual sizes (P 0.05). The pilot tip lengths varied between brands. Conclusion All nominal tip diameters and most taper sizes of the analysed brands show statistically significant differences from the nominal sizes advertised by the manufacturers. The differences in true pilot tip lengths between brands indicate a current lack of standardization.
Among School Teachers: Bearing Witness as an Orientation in Educational Inquiry

In this writing, David Hansen illuminates the aesthetic, moral, and epistemic meaning of bearing witness to teaching and teachers by drawing upon a recently completed field-based endeavor that included extensive school visits. Hansen shows how bearing witness can bring the inquirer close to the truth of teaching. However, the witness must undertake ethical work to ready her- or himself for the task. Even such readiness, which must be continuously re-won on each occasion, guarantees nothing. The witness in the classroom must work with faith, hope, and a deep sense of the worthwhileness of teaching. Hansen suggests that the witness's practice as well as testimony regarding the work can have a valuable influence on the consciousness, and conscience, of all who concern themselves with teaching and teachers.
Remotely sensed predictors of conifer tree mortality during severe drought

Widespread, drought-induced forest mortality has been documented on every forested continent over the last two decades, yet early pre-mortality indicators of tree death remain poorly understood. Remotely sensed physiological-based measures offer a means for large-scale analysis to understand and predict drought-induced mortality. Here, we use laser-guided imaging spectroscopy from multiple years of aerial surveys to assess the impact of sustained canopy water loss on tree mortality. We analyze both gross canopy mortality in 2016 and the change in mortality between 2015 and 2016 in millions of sampled conifer forest locations throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. On average, sustained water loss and gross mortality are strongly related, and year-to-year water loss within the drought indicates subsequent mortality. Both relationships are consistent after controlling for location and tree community composition, suggesting that these metrics may serve as indicators of mortality during a drought.
Effect of ethylene degreening on flavonoid pathway gene expression and phytochemicals in Rio Red grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf)

Abstract Degreening early season grapefruits using ethylene helps to accelerate peel color change resulting in uniformly colored, attractive and marketable fruits. In current study, phytochemicals and flavonoid-pathway genes were studied in early season grapefruits degreened using 5 ppm and 10 ppm ethylene and stored for 35 days under market-simulated conditions. Ethylene treatment and concentration had significant influence during initial treatment and storage weeks on expression of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, namely phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, and 1,2-rhamnosyltransferase. Ethylene treated fruits showed lower expression of flavonoid-pathway genes during three days of degreening treatment. Lycopene, vitamin C, and 6,7-dihydroxybergamottin were higher in non-degreened and 10 ppm treatment at the end of 35 days of storage. On the other hand, flavonoids and β- carotene were higher in 10 ppm degreened fruits. Significant effect of ethylene concentration was observed in flavonoids and furocoumarins at end of storage. At 7 days of storage after the fruits were removed from the ethylene treatment, flavonoids were significantly lower in degreened fruits. In conclusion, significant effect of ethylene degreening and ethylene concentration was observed on phytochemicals and flavonoid pathway genes in Rio Red grapefruit.
Efficient Bayesian Estimation from Few Samples: Community Detection and Related Problems

We propose an efficient meta-algorithm for Bayesian inference problems based on low-degree polynomials, semidefinite programming, and tensor decomposition. The algorithm is inspired by recent lower bound constructions for sum-of-squares and related to the method of moments. Our focus is on sample complexity bounds that are as tight as possible (up to additive lower-order terms) and often achieve statistical thresholds or conjectured computational thresholds.Our algorithm recovers the best known bounds for partial recovery in the stochastic block model, a widely-studied class of inference problems for community detection in graphs. We obtain the first partial recovery guarantees for the mixed-membership stochastic block model (Airoldi et el.) for constant average degree&#x2014;up to what we conjecture to be the computational threshold for this model. %Our algorithm also captures smooth trade-offs between sample and computational complexity, for example, for tensor principal component analysis. We show that our algorithm exhibits a sharp computational threshold for the stochastic block model with multiple communities beyond the Kesten&#x2013;Stigum bound&#x2014;giving evidence that this task may require exponential time.The basic strategy of our algorithm is strikingly simple: we compute the best-possible low-degree approximation for the moments of the posterior distribution of the parameters and use a robust tensor decomposition algorithm to recover the parameters from these approximate posterior moments.