cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An intelligent, mobile information system to aid in-store purchase decision making

Mobile consumer decision support is an emerging application domain for decision support systems. This paper describes the development of an intelligent, mobile decision support system that facilitates the task of product research for consumers on the go. It can be used on any mobile device and enables the customer to access valuable facts about a product when needed most - while being in a retail environment struggling with information overload. The software not only has to be able to identify appropriate recommendations and advice for each individual user, it is also used to reason with the huge amount of data found on the Internet, and in doing so must be able to retrieve specifically the information that is considered important to the customer in supporting his or her decision making.
Truck Drivers, a Straw, and Two Glasses of Water.

(2006). Truck Drivers, a Straw, and Two Glasses of Water. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 82-92.
The adaptor molecule TIRAP provides signalling specificity for Toll-like receptors

Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) function as sensors of infection and induce the activation of innate and adaptive immune responses1,2,3. Upon recognizing conserved pathogen-associated molecular products, TLRs activate host defence responses through their intracellular signalling domain, the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain, and the downstream adaptor protein MyD88 (refs 1–3). Although members of the TLR and the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor families all signal through MyD88, the signalling pathways induced by individual receptors differ. TIRAP, an adaptor protein in the TLR signalling pathway, has been identified and shown to function downstream of TLR4 (refs 4, 5). Here we report the generation of mice deficient in the Tirap gene. TIRAP-deficient mice respond normally to the TLR5, TLR7 and TLR9 ligands, as well as to IL-1 and IL-18, but have defects in cytokine production and in activation of the nuclear factor NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases in response to lipopolysaccharide, a ligand for TLR4. In addition, TIRAP-deficient mice are also impaired in their responses to ligands for TLR2, TLR1 and TLR6. Thus, TIRAP is differentially involved in signalling by members of the TLR family and may account for specificity in the downstream signalling of individual TLRs.
Analysis of the Apollo 16 Free-Fluid Electrophoresis Experiment

Abstract The Apollo 16 free-fluid electrophoresis experiment attempted the separation in microgravity of two different-size monodisperse polystyrene latexes under conditions that would give a completely roiled sample on earth because of the thermal convection. The instrument comprised three parallel 0. 63-cm inside diameter 10. 2-cm long Lexan polycarbonate electrophoresis channels, with ted from the channel by semipermeable membranes. The latex samples were contained in cylindrical chambers separated from the electrode by a fixed semipermeable membrane and from the Lexan tube by a movable Kapton polyimide film. Two channels contained 0. 80μm- and 0. 23μ-diameter monodisperse polystyrene latexes and the third, a mixture of the two sizes. The experiment was initiated in microgravity by removing the Kapton films which separated the latex samples from the electrophoresis channels and applying a potential of 300 volts across the electrodes. The results were recorded by photographs taken every 20 seconds.
Laser fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) probe for cone penetrometer pollution analysis

A laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation-emission matrix (EEM) probe has been developed in the laboratory, and installed and tested in a cone penetrometer. The laser excitation system uses the fourth harmonic of a flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser (at 266 nm) to pump a Raman shifter. Up to ten laser beams (in the wavelength region of 257 to 400 nm) from the Raman shifter are launched into optical fibers that are connected to the optical fibers of the cone penetrometer probe through standard connectors. In the probe head, the laser radiation is focused onto the outer surface of sapphire windows that are in contact with the soils. The fluorescence emission is collected by ten collection fibers that take the fluorescence to a detection system consisting of a spectrograph and a CCD detector. This probe allows real- time collection of LIF-EEMs of pollutants adsorbed on solids or dissolved in groundwater. LIF-EEMs provide a substantial amount of spectral information that can be used to determine the composition and quantity of pollutants in soils. This probe can be used to measure POL (petroleum, oil, lubricants), PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and other fluorescent pollutants. The LIF-EEM instrument has been developed in the laboratory, and installed in a cone penetrometer truck for a field test at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The experience of the test is discussed.
Coherent optical characterization of magnetooptical spatial light modulators.

A precision optical system, developed for characterizing the amplitude and phase properties of spatial light modulators, was used to characterize a 48 × 48 pixel magnetooptic spatial light modulator (MOSLM). Considerable variations in the amplitude (±25%) and phase transmittance (±50%) over the area of a given pixel were observed with coherent light illumination. The pixel-to-pixel variations in the average amplitude (±15%) and average phase (±6%) were considerably less. The contrast ratio and the polarization rotation for full frame monochromatic illumination were ~10:1 and 11.25°, respectively. For illumination within a single pixel, the contrast ratio and polarization rotation were ~100:1 and 14.0°, respectively. A theoretical model is presented showing that the reduced values for full frame illumination may be described by the coherent addition of light of unrotated polarization (transmitted between pixels and around the edges) with the polarization rotated light. The amplitude and phase characteristics of the MOSLM were found to be a very stable with repeated switching of the pixel and with switching of neighboring pixels. This stability is a central requirement in coherent optical information processing.
The impact of whole-genome sequencing on the reconstruction of human population history

Examining patterns of molecular genetic variation in both modern-day and ancient humans has proved to be a powerful approach to learn about our origins. Rapid advances in DNA sequencing technology have allowed us to characterize increasing amounts of genomic information. Although this clearly provides unprecedented power for inference, it also introduces more complexity into the way we use and interpret such data. Here, we review ongoing debates that have been influenced by improvements in our ability to sequence DNA and discuss some of the analytical challenges that need to be overcome in order to fully exploit the rich historical information that is contained in the entirety of the human genome.
1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance assignments of polyneuridine, 19-(Z)-akuammidine and 16-epi-voacarpine

The proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of polyneuridine from Rhazya orientalis, 19-(Z)-akuammidine and 16-epi-voacarpine from Gelsemium elegans have been unambiguously assigned through COSY, nOe, AFT, HETCOR, CSCM 1D and selective INEPT spectroscopy.
Transcutaneous Bidirectional Carotid Artery Blood Flow Velocity Monitored Before, During and After Cardiopulmonary Bypass at Open-Heart Surgery

ith the development of the Doppler ultrasonic flow velocity detector by Franklin et al,14 and the description of its use for arterial flow velocity measurement in man by Benchimol et al,5 it became possible to follow the effect of various cardiac disturbances on phasic flow patterns. Subsequent developments reported by Franklin et a1,4 made it possible to obtain flow measurements transcutaneously, using the same Doppler principle, from arteries and veins lying in close proximity to the skin. A limitation of the standard Doppler flow velocity measurement technique has been the inability to discern directional changes in flow. The introduction of a directional Doppler demodulation instrument6 has afforded an opportunity to detect flow direction. ~ranscutaneous recordings have been obtained from the peripheral vessels of human subjects7 and utilizing a catheter, bidirectional
Dynamic occlusion in the perception of rotation in depth.

Occlusion of more distant texture elements by nearer elements can provide relative distance information in parallel projections of rotating objects, according to Braunstein, Andersen, and Riefer (1982). In that study, occlusion was present in static views in the form of contour interruptions or interposition. In the present study, all visible contours were eliminated. Dots were located within implicit pentagonal texture elements on a transparent sphere. The proportion of the sphere’s surface covered by pentagons and dot density within the pentagons was varied. Accuracy of direction of rotation judgments was significantly affected by area, but not by dot density. Accuracy levels with purely kinetic occlusion were as high as in the earlier study, which included static interposition. Judgments of depth and shape were not affected significantly by occlusion, suggesting that occlusion is a specialized source of information for depth order. Levels of texture and the separability of depth and relative distance judgments are discussed.
Hand grip strength: Comparability of measurements obtained with a jamar dynamometer and a modified sphygmomanometer

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare grip-strength measurements obtained with three instruments: a Jamar handgrip dynamometer, a modified sphygomomanometer (MS) inflated to 20 mmHg, and an MS inflated to 30 mmHg. Thirty female subjects gripped each device maximally in a random order. Repeated measurements with each device were comparable. That is, they demonstrated good to high correlations (r = .823−.929), were not significantly different, and had good to high reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients = .822−.928). The measurements obtained with the three devices varied in comparability. Although the measurements obtained with the MS inflated to 20 mmHg demonstrated a good correlation with the measurements obtained with the MS inflated to 30 mmHg (r = .836), the measurements obtained with the Jamar dynamometer demonstrated low correlations (r = .417 and .509) with the measurements obtained with the MS at the two initial inflations. Although any of the three devices might be acceptable for measuring grip strength, they may be measuring different types of grip strength and should not be used interchangeably.
Dietary soy protein effects on disease and IGF-I in male and female Han:SPRD-cy rats.

Dietary soy protein effects on disease and IGF-I in male and female Han:SPRD- cy rats. Background Dietary soy protein compared with casein retards disease progression in a gender-specific manner in the pcy mouse. In this model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD), kidney insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels are elevated. The present study examined the gender-specific effects of soy protein feeding on disease and IGF-I in Han:SPRD- cy rats. Methods Normal (+/+) and affected ( cy /+) weanling male and female Han:SPRD- cy rats were given either casein- or soy protein-based diets for six weeks. Renal size, water content, cyst size and IGF-I, serum creatinine, urea and IGF-I, and creatinine clearance were determined. Results Soy protein-fed cy /+ animals had lower kidney weight, water content and cyst size, lower serum urea and creatinine, and higher creatinine clearance. In cy /+ females, dietary soy protein resulted in normalized serum creatinine and creatinine clearance. Kidney IGF-I levels (ng/kidney) were 32 to 76% higher in cy /+ compared with +/+ groups ( P cy /+ males (1123 vs. 1496 ng/kidney, P cy /+ females (816 vs. 943 ng/kidney, P P cy /+ (1483 vs. 2073 ng/mL, P Conclusions Dietary soy protein compared with casein delays the progression of disease in male and female Han:SPRD- cy rats. Overall, IGF-I was lower in +/+ animals, in females, and in animals consuming the soy protein diet, supporting a role for IGF-I in the pathogenesis of disease in the Han:SPRD- cy rat and an ameliorating role for dietary soy protein.
Connoted Hazard of Voiced Warning Signal Words: An Examination of Auditory Components:

Signal words, such as DANGER and WARNING have been used in print (visual) warnings with the intention of evoking different levels of perceived hazard. However, there is limited research on whether auditory presentation of these words connote different levels of perceived hazard. In the present study, five voiced signal words were used to produce sound clips each composed of the words spoken three times and were manipulated according to the following factors: speaker gender, word unit duration (fast, slow), inter-word interval, (short, long), with the sound level held constant. Results indicate that the sound clips with short word unit duration were given higher carefulness ratings than long word unit duration (ps < .01). The results showed a similar pattern of ratings for the signal words as shown in research using print presentations. Implications for the design of voiced warnings are described.
Injectable macroporous microparticles for soft tissue augmentation

Macroporous polymeric microparticles have been fabricated using a combination of particulate leaching and gas foaming techniques. Controlling the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate particles and the spin speed of the microemulsion in poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL) yields a range of macroporous microparticles with interconnected pores (10–50µm) that may promote cell and tissue ingrowth in vivo when implanted subcutaneously. This fabrication technique introduces a novel template which can be modified to meet a diverse set of material and biological specifications.
The postnatal development of monocular optokinetic nystagmus in infants

Monocular optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was studied in 24 human infants aged 3-35 weeks using electro-oculography and moving vertical gratings. At a constant velocity of 25 deg/sec, infants display direction dependent slow phase asymmetries until approximately 5 months after birth. A comparison was made of the cumulative eye displacement during the slow phases of OKN for nasal and temporal movement.
Probing supersymmetry beyond the reach of LEP2 at the Fermilab Tevatron: Low |M^3| dark matter models

In supersymmetric models where the magnitude of the GUT scale gaugino mass parameter M3 is suppressed relative to M1 and M2, the lightest neutralino can be a mixed higgsino-bino state with a thermal relic abundance in agreement with the WMAP central value for OmegaCDMh2 and consistent with all other phenomenological constraints. In these models, the gluino can be as light as 200 GeV without conflicting with the LEP2 bounds on the chargino mass. Thus, gluino pair production can be accessible at the Fermilab Tevatron at high rates. In this framework, gluinos decay radiatively with a large branching fraction to a gluon plus a neutralino. We find that experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron, with 5 fb-1 of integrated luminosity, will be sensitive to g-tilde g-tilde production in the mg-tilde~200–350 GeV range via the multi-jet+ETmiss and multi-jet+[script-l]+[script-l]-+ETmiss channels at the 5sigma level, while trilepton signatures are expected to be below this level of detectability. Dilepton mass edges from both Z-tilde2 and Z-tilde3 decays may be measurable in the dilepton+multi-jet+ETmiss channel.
A Corresponding States Method for the Prediction of Surface Tension of Molten Carbonate Mixtures

A methodology using the theory of corresponding states has been developed to predict the surface tension of molten alkali carbonate mixtures and alkali-alkaline-earth carbonate mixtures as a function of composition and temperature. To correlate the dimensionless surface tension, the parameters for pure components are determined. The potential parameters of pure salt are defined at the melting point with respect to a standard salt. A size-dependent mixing rule is proposed to predict properties of a mixture based on the heats of mixing of molten salts. Selected experimental data of binary mixtures at 40-60 mol % Li are used to fit key parameters. The correlations developed by this method provide very good accuracy for both binary and ternary alkali carbonate mixtures (within 1.5% deviation for ternary alkali carbonates). In alkali-alkaline-earth carbonate mixtures, a similar accuracy is only achieved in the low alkaline-earth fraction range.
Polychromatic processing technique for color image transparencies.

A technique of spatial encoding color photographic image in a black and white tran-sparency for coherent polychromatic processing is presented. The applications of this technique to color image signal detection, restoration of color blurred images, and color image addition and subtraction are provided. We note that this polychromatic processing technique is capable of processing color images similar to monochromatic coherent pro-cessing technique. Although there is a disadvantage of this technique, it requires an en-coding step for image processing, however this technique may open a new dimension in color image processing. We also note that the application of this technique is not res-tricted only to color images, it may apply to some problems in gray level transparencies.
Serum and urine biochemical indicators of nutritional status in adult female collared peccaries, Tayassu tajacu (tayassuidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Physiological responses of 13 adult female collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) to high quality and low quality diets, fed for 15 weeks, were examined. The low quality diet simulated energy and protein intake of peccaries during poor range conditions resulting from drought. Blood samples were collected after 10 and 15 weeks of dietary treatment; urine samples were collected after 15 weeks of treatment. 2. 2. Females receiving the low quality diet for 15 weeks lost 27.4% of their original body weight, compared to no weight change among high quality-fed females. 3. 3. Red blood cell counts, hematocrits, and hemoglobin concentrations were significantly greater among females fed a high quality diet compared to those receiving a low quality diet. High quality-fed females also had a higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was nearly twice as great among females receiving the low quality diet compared to the high quality group. 4. 4. Consumption of the low quality diet resulted in significantly elevated serum levels of nonesterified fatty acids, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, alpha-2 globulin and alpha globulin: beta globulin ratio. 5. 5. Consumption of the low quality diet resulted in significantly lowered serum levels of urea nitrogen, calcium, zinc, calcium: phosphorus, urea index, beta-1 flobulin, beta globulin: albumin ratio, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. 6. 6. Serum levels ofcreatinine, total bilirubin, glucose, cholesterol, gamma glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, copper, magnesium, sodium chloride, total protein and gamma globulin were unaffected by diet quality. 7. 7. Urine chemistry results suggested pH, osmolarity, albumin, creatinine phosphokinase, calcium and phosphorus concentrations might be useful indices for assessing nutritional status in female peccaries.
The R1275Q Neuroblastoma Mutant and Certain ATP-competitive Inhibitors Stabilize Alternative Activation Loop Conformations of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that, when genetically altered by mutation, amplification, chromosomal translocation or inversion, has been shown to play an oncogenic role in certain cancers. Small molecule inhibitors targeting the kinase activity of ALK have proven to be effective therapies in certain ALK-driven malignancies and one such inhibitor, crizotinib, is now approved for the treatment of EML4-ALK-driven, non-small cell lung cancer. In neuroblastoma, activating point mutations in the ALK kinase domain can drive disease progression, with the two most common mutations being F1174L and R1275Q. We report here crystal structures of the ALK kinase domain containing the F1174L and R1275Q mutations. Also included are crystal structures of ALK in complex with novel small molecule ALK inhibitors, including a classic type II inhibitor, that stabilize previously unobserved conformations of the ALK activation loop. Collectively, these structures illustrate a different series of activation loop conformations than has been observed in previous ALK crystal structures and provide insight into the activating nature of the R1275Q mutation. The novel active site topologies presented here may also aid the structure-based drug design of a new generation of ALK inhibitors.
Sodium sesquicarbonate for early lactation dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium sesquicarbonate on milk production and composition, feed intake, ruminal fermentation, and urine pH and composition in 32 multiparous Holstein cows in early lactation. Cows were fed high energy diets of 50% corn silage:50% concentrate containing 0 or .75% sodium sesquicarbonate (total ration DM basis) for 84 d postpartum. Sodium sesquicarbonate increased milk fat percentage (3.46 vs. 3.27%), milk fat yield (1.39 vs. 1.26 kg), and 4% FCM yield (37.1 vs. 34.7 kg) but did not affect milk yield, milk protein percentage or yield, feed intake, ruminal fluid pH, or ruminal VFA profile. Urine composition was not affected by sodium sesquicarbonate, but urine pH (8.14 vs. 8.04) and total urine output as estimated by creatinine concentration were higher than that of controls. In summary, sodium sesquicarbonate, added as .75% of the ration DM, was effective in improving milk fat percentage, milk fat yield, and 4% FCM yield in early lactation dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets.
Replication of injected DNA templates in Xenopus embryos

We have analysed the replication of both exogenous frog DNAs and heterologous DNAs during development from the first cleavage through the blastula stage, by their microinjection into fertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis. The data show that various plasmids increase to different extents and that the differences cannot be attributed to size alone. Plasmids containing the Xenopus ribosomal gene repeat unit do not replicate efficiently, and they also inhibit the replication of co-injected DNA templates. This inhibitory effect may be due to DNA sequences contained in the intergenic ribosomal gene spacers.
Connecting National Survey Data With DSM- IV Criteria

Abstract Purpose To show how connections can be made among items in a nationally representative survey of adolescents and criteria for “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition” (DSM-IV) diagnoses. Methods Data for this study came from the Wave I in-home interview of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a nationwide study of approximately 90,000 adolescents and their parents. Proxy variables were developed for four DSM-IV diagnoses based on Wave I survey questions: conduct disorder, alcohol abuse, cannabis abuse, and major depressive disorder (single episode). Prevalence rates, comorbidity rates, and detailed item analyses of these four constructs are reported. Results Of the adolescents in the sample under study, 3.4% scored above the threshold for conduct disorder. For the alcohol abuse proxy 4.7% scored above the threshold, compared with 6.3% for the cannabis abuse proxy, and 1% scored above the threshold for major depressive disorder (single episode). Adolescents who scored above the threshold for conduct disorder were three times more likely to receive psychological counseling than adolescents who scored below the threshold for conduct disorder. The rates for alcohol abuse, cannabis abuse, and major depressive disorder (single episode) were 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence rates for the four constructs in the Add Health data set were generally lower or comparable to prevalence rates found in other epidemiological studies in which DSM-IV criteria were applied. The approach described in this study provides a way to identify adolescents who are likely at risk for the development of mental health problems.
Fatigue fracture in polygrystalline molybdenum

Abstract Fatigue crack growth in polycrystalline molybdenum at room temperature has been examined. Crack formation occurred preferentially at grain boundaries with less frequent formation of cracks in the intense slip bands within the grains. The Stage I type of crack growth was not observed and the results indicate that the nucleation of fatigue cracks occupies the predominant part of the fatigue life over the entire life range studied. Fracture always occurred by the slow growth of a crack in a series of steps along grain boundaries approximately perpendicular to the stress axis until the crack was sufficiently large to satisfy the criterion for catastrophic cleavage. One unusual mode of crack growth was observed in which each step is believed to occur in a quasi-brittle manner.
Recognition of contentment call spectral characteristics by mallard ducklings: evidence for a consistent perceptual process

Abstract Abstract. The vocal repertoire of mallard ducklings, Anas platyrhynchos, consists of only two call types, both of which are made up of trains of repeated notes. Recognition of separation-induced distress calls is known to depend on the degree to which a number of acoustic features match species-typical values. The present study extends these findings by examining the importance of spectral characteristics for recognition of contentment calls. Measurements were made of the dominant frequency at the temporal mid-point of contentment notes, created estimates of the population mean and variance for this feature. Synthetic calls were then created that either matched the mean dominant frequency, or differed from it in increments of two standard deviations. Ducklings received repeated computer-controlled playback presentations of one of these sounds, or of a control natural call. Stimuli were timed to occur just as the ducklings began a distress call, and the duration of the vocal inhibition elicited was used as an assay of call recognition. Ducklings were reliably less responsive to synthetic calls that had frequency characteristics that differed from the population mean by more than two standard deviations and were hence improbable in natural calls. Comparisons with song playback experiments suggest that such 'probability-based' recognition of conspecific acoustic signals may be a common perceptual process in birds. The effects of increasing and decreasing dominant frequency were similar, implying that processing of spectral information is based on absolute, rather than relative, frequency characteristics.
Picosecond measurements of exciton migration in tetracene crystals doped with pentacene

Abstract The kinetics of electronic energy transfer from host to guest have been measured for a tetracene crystal doped with pentacene. With single picosecond pulse excitation and streak camera diagnostics, the fluorescence risetime of the guest is measured to be the same as the decay time of the host. For low pentacene concentrations the exponential decay of the host at 170 K is consistent with a diffusion model for singlet migration from host to guest. At high intensities, no evidence was found for guest saturation because of the dominating effect of bimolecular exciton annihilation in the host.
Minimizing Patient Transport Times During Mass Population Evacuations

Emergency evacuation in a health care environment has focused on methods for evacuating a facility, resources for transferring patients, and sufficient capacity at sheltering facilities. What has been overlooked is the interaction between health care facility evacuation and any communitywide evacuation that would result in significant roadway congestion. This paper focuses on how to route hospital vehicles during a hurricane evacuation. To provide an analytical comparison of evacuation time, delay, and routes across various evacuation scenarios, a simulation model is developed that combines hospital and general population traffic. The tailored model incorporates mesoscopic traffic flow concepts to evaluate a region covering several hundred miles with the ability to control speeds and make decisions at the individual vehicle level. With this novel modeling approach, evacuation planners can easily program the routes, test the travel times, and quickly consider different scenarios. It can be a useful tool fo...
Compression-Designs in Artifilcial and Living Systems

A novel practical and theoretical foundation for signal processing, named processor coding, is advanced as the computational time compression dual of source coding. Source coding is concerned with signal source memory space compression while processor coding is with signal processing computational time compression. Since source coding and processor coding solutions are characterized by compression designs, their combined use is given the name compression-designs (referred as Conde in short). A compelling and pedagogically appealing descriptive diagram of Conde is also given which highlights its remarkable successful application to knowledge-aided (KA) airborne moving target indicator (AMTI) radar subjected to severely taxing environmental disturbances.
Effects of Frozen Storage on Chicken Muscle Proteinsa

SUMMARY Quantitative examination of chicken muscle proteins showed that protein extractability in both breast and leg muscle decreased during frozen storage because of loss of solubility of actomyosin fraction. This decrease accompanied a decrease in the sulfhydryl-group content of muscles and loss in myosin-adenosinetriphosphatase activity. The stroma-protein fraction remained unaffected, and the sarcoplasmic-protein fraction decreased only after long storage. In the non-protein-nitrogen fraction, the amount of free amino acids and other protein-breakdown products increased as a result of proteolysis. The rate of these changes depended directly on storage temperature and time. It is suggested that chicken muscles in frozen storage undergo proteolysis and that the myofibrillar-protein fraction is denatured.
Accumulation rates, chemical partitioning, and Q-mode factor analysis of metalliferous sediments from the North Fiji Basin

Abstract In order to assess recent hydrothermal contributions to pelagic sediments from active back-arc spreading, surface samples collected from the north central North Fiji Basin and the vanuatu Archipelagic Apron were chemically and mineralogically analyzed, including phase and size partitioning, and Q -mode factor analysis of the chemical data. Sediment cores were analyzed for accumulation rates by the excess 230 Th method, using alpha-track autoradiography. The north central North Fiji Basin sediments are largely carbonate oozes in which the non-carbonate material is dominated by volcanic detritus in the 2 μ m fraction and by Fe-montmorillonite, amorphous ferromanganese oxides and fine-grained volcanic ash in the μ m fraction. Phase and size partitioning indicate that metal concentrations in the μ m fraction approach those for metalliferous sediments from the Eastern Pacific, and that the metalliferous material in the majority of these sediments is concentrated in the oxide portion of the μ m fraction, suggesting potential widespread colloidal dispersion from the source areas. Iron accumulation rates are similar to those of metalliferous sediments from the East Pacific Rise. The mean Mn accumulation rate is about twice the global authigenic rate, whereas Al is accumulating about ten times faster than in Eastern and Equatorial Pacific pelagic sediments because of volcanic ash contributions from the vanuatu island arc and possible intra-basin volcanism. Q -mode factor analysis of the compositional data produced three major factors—hydrothermal, authigenic and detrital—which together account for 90% of the sample variance in both size fractions of the non-carbonate material. The aerial distribution of the μ m fraction factor components reveals a major hydrothermal source associated with the South Pandora Ridge spreading center, in general agreement with the Mn and As accumulation rate patterns. Two smaller hydrothermal sources were revealed by the factor analysis which are not associated with any known active tectonic features, suggesting that back-arc rifting and associated hydrothermal activity in this portion of the North Fiji Basin may follow both ordered and complex regional modes.
Electrical and magnetic properties of strontium substituted lanthanum manganate perovskite crystals prepared using fused salt electrolysis

Crystals of Sr-doped perovskite lanthanum manganates, containing 7--34 mole percent Sr have been grown by fused salt electrolysis using Cs{sub 2}-MoO{sub 4}-MoO{sub 3} solvents in stabilized zirconia crucibles. The rhombohedral crystals grow with cubic-like habits typically with facial areas 0.25--4 mm{sup 2} on edge with the average facial area decreasing with increasing Sr content. All measured crystals with Sr contents between 11.7 and 33.6 mole percent SR underwent transitions from a paramagnetic-insulator to a ferromagnetic-metallic state with values of {Tc} and T{sub IM} between 325 and > 400 K (for T{sub IM}), the values increasing with Sr content. A magnetoresistance of approximately 45% at 375 K was observed for a crystal of composition Sr{sub 0.336}La{sub 0.661}Mn{sub 0.997}O{sub 3}. The anomalously high {Tc} = 325 K for Sr{sub 0.117}La{sub 0.844}Mn{sub 0.990}O{sub 3} for a sample of such low Sr content is interpreted in terms of a high vacancy level on the A cation site which stabilizes the rhombohedral perovskite structure, which otherwise might have been expected to be orthorhombic type-1. The formation of Sr-doped lanthanum manganate perovskite at the cathode with the orthorhombic type-2 structure is interpreted in terms of an electrostatically assisted air oxidation mechanism. 42 refs., 4 figs., 2more » tabs.« less
Sorafenib: a clinical and pharmacologic review.

Importance of the field: Sorafenib is an oral receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits Raf serine/threonine kinases and receptor tyrosine kinases (vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, 3 and platelet-derived growth factor-β, Flt-3 and c-kit) that are implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Sorafenib is approved for the treatment of advanced inoperable hepatocellular cancer and advanced renal cell cancer.Areas covered in this review: The findings from the major Phase III studies that led to FDA approval of this drug for the above indications are reviewed. Key aspects of sorafenib pharmacology, dosing in the presence of organ dysfunction, toxicities and weaknesses of the research done so far are summarized.What will the reader gain: The reader will have the knowledge of the major studies that form the basis of the clinical use of sorafenib, information on the upcoming Phase III trials that could lead to changes in clinical practice and some insights on aspects of the drugs' m...
Identifying patients with low risk clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular tumors who should be treated by surveillance

We examined the records of 82 patients with clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis who, after radical orchiectomy, were treated by surveillance at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between October, 1981, and March, 1987. Our purpose was to determine whether or not patients with a low risk of relapse can be identified at the time of the initial staging evaluation. In 30 of 82 patients (Group 1), embryonal carcinoma constituted less than 80 percent of the tumor, no vessel invasion was present, and the preorchiectomy serum AFP level was less than 80 ng/dL. No relapses occurred in this group. Fifty-two patients (Group 2) had more than 80 percent embryonal carcinoma or vessel invasion or a serum AFP level higher than 80 ng/dL. Relapse occurred in 24 (46%) of these patients. The difference in the rate of relapse between patients in Group 1 and Group 2 was statistically significant (P < 0.00001). A separate analysis of teratoma as a predictor of nonrelapse showed that the orchiectomy specimens of 30 of the 82 patients contained more than 50 percent teratoma. Only 1 relapse occurred among 25 patients with more than 50 percent teratoma and no vessel invasion. Our data show that there is a subgroup of patients with clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor who have a very low rate of relapse. We believe these patients can be effectively treated by surveillance and should be spared the morbidity of an unnecessary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
On the Evaluation of the ‘‘Most Important’’ Position in Professional Sports:

This article investigates whether general managers in the National Hockey League (NHL) evaluate the playing talent of goalies efficiently. The authors examine both the voting record for the Vezina Award (Best Goalie) and salary data from free agent goalies to ascertain how the goalie position is evaluated by general managers in the NHL. The authors find that general managers evaluate past performance of goalies efficiently. However, the authors also find observed differences in goalie performance are quite small. Furthermore, NHL goalies are quite inconsistent across time. These aspects of goalie performance are not taken into account by decision makers in the NHL, leading us to conclude that inefficiencies in this labor market exist.
Cardiovascular Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Update

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suffer significantly increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, when compared with the general population. Both traditional CV risk factors and high levels of systemic inflammation have been linked to the increased CV risk in RA patients, but significant uncertainty remains regarding the mechanisms through which these factors contribute to CV disease (CVD). In addition, ongoing questions remain regarding how best to identify RA patients at high risk for CVD and what primary and secondary prevention strategies are effective at influencing CV outcome. The present review summarizes recent research in this field.
Resonant neutrino spin-flavor precession and supernova nucleosynthesis and dynamics

We discuss the effects of resonant spin-flavor precession (RSFP) of Majorana neutrinos on heavy element nucleosynthesis in neutrino-heated supernova ejecta and the dynamics of supernovae. In assessing the effects of RSFP, we explicitly include matter-enhanced (MSW) resonant neutrino flavor conversion effects where appropriate. We point out that for plausible ranges of neutrino magnetic moments and protoneutron star magnetic fields, spin-flavor conversion of {nu}{sub {tau}} (or {nu}{sub {mu}}) with a cosmologically significant mass (1{endash}100 eV) into a light {bar {nu}}{sub e} could lead to an enhanced neutron excess in neutrino-heated supernova ejecta. This could be beneficial for models of r-process nucleosynthesis associated with late-time neutrino-heated ejecta from supernovae. Similar spin-flavor conversion of neutrinos at earlier epochs could lead to an increased shock reheating rate and, concomitantly, a larger supernova explosion energy. We show, however, that such increased neutrino heating likely will be accompanied by an enhanced neutron excess which could exacerbate the problem of the overproduction of the neutron number N=50 nuclei in the supernova ejecta from this stage. In all of these scenarios, the average {bar {nu}}{sub e} energy will be increased over those predicted by supernova models with no neutrino mixings. This may allow the SN 1987A data tomore » constrain RSFP-based schemes. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Growth, Trematode Parasitism, and Longevity of a Long-Lived Marine Gastropod (Ilyanassa Obsoleta)

Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say) (Mollusca: Neogastropoda) is a conspicuous biotic element of marine / estuarine habitats along the eastern North American coast. Growth among larger individuals (-18–30 mm shell height) has not been assessed. Trematode infections are common in this group and their effect on growth must be considered. Snails were individually marked, measured, and released on the Cape Henlopen sand-flat at the mouth of Delaware Bay. Shell height change (growth) and trematode parasitism were assessed in recaptured snails. Most or all growth occurred in June and July. Mean growth of uninfected snails was 1–2 mm per season. Snails that started out larger grew more slowly, but there was much individual variability. Mean growth of parasitized snails was 0–2 mm per season and independent of initial size. The maximum age of this snail is currently documented at 7 y, which is too low. Size reflects age only approximately. However, the minimum and maximum age of a snail of given size, based on maximal and minimal growth per season, can be estimated. A mid-range estimate for lifespan of unparasitized and parasitized individuals is 30–40 y.
Surgical quality among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing outpatient urological surgery.

Purpose: The cost efficiency gains achieved from moving procedures to ambulatory surgery centers and offices may be mitigated if the quality of surgical care at these facilities is not comparable to that at the hospital. Motivated by this, we assessed short-term morbidity and mortality for patients by location of care.Materials and Methods: Using a national sample of Medicare claims (1998 to 2006), we identified elderly beneficiaries who underwent one of 22 common outpatient urological procedures. After determining the facility type where each procedure was performed, we measured 30-day mortality, unexpected admissions and postoperative complications. Finally, we fit multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the association between occurrence of an adverse event and the ambulatory setting where surgical care was delivered.Results: During the study period, there was a substantial increase in the frequency of nonhospital based outpatient surgery. Compared to ambulatory surgery centers and offices...
Mössbauer investigation of M-type hexaferrites above their Curie temperatures

Abstract The dynamics of the 2b site in magnetoplumbite-type hexaferrites, MFe 12 O 19 , with M = Ba, Sr, Pb , have been studied by a comparative 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopic investigation on polycrystalline and oriented single-crystal samples above their Curie temperatures. The 2b site spectral components have been found to display substantial differences among the three hexaferrites. Both the relative areas and the temperature dependence of the center shift (δ) for the 2b sites exhibit distinct behaviors. The δ versus T curves obtained between 750 and 980 K have slopes of −6.9 × 10 −4 , −6.8 × 10 −4 , and −9.9 × 10 −4 mm s −1 K −1 , for M = Ba, Sr, Pb , respectively, with the slope for PbFe 12 O 19 being in excess of that expected in the high-temperature classical limit when computed for an effective mass of 57 a.m.u. The investigation of oriented single-crystals also indicates significant anisotropies in the dynamics of non-2b iron sites.
Synthesis of fluorinated biphenyls via aryne reaction

Abstract Synthesis of fluorinated biphenyls via attack of a benzyne by an anion of 3-fluoroanisole.
Forelimb EMG-based trigger to control an electronic spinal bridge to enable hindlimb stepping after a complete spinal cord lesion in rats

A complete spinal cord transection results in loss of all supraspinal motor control below the level of the injury. The neural circuitry in the lumbosacral spinal cord, however, can generate locomotor patterns in the hindlimbs of rats and cats with the aid of motor training, epidural stimulation and/or administration of monoaminergic agonists. We hypothesized that there are patterns of EMG signals from the forelimbs during quadrupedal locomotion that uniquely represent a signal for the “intent” to step with the hindlimbs. These observations led us to determine whether this type of “indirect” volitional control of stepping can be achieved after a complete spinal cord injury. The objective of this study was to develop an electronic bridge across the lesion of the spinal cord to facilitate hindlimb stepping after a complete mid-thoracic spinal cord injury in adult rats. We developed an electronic spinal bridge that can detect specific patterns of EMG activity from the forelimb muscles to initiate electrical-enabling motor control ( eEmc) of the lumbosacral spinal cord to enable quadrupedal stepping after a complete spinal cord transection in rats. A moving window detection algorithm was implemented in a small microprocessor to detect biceps brachii EMG activity bilaterally that then was used to initiate and terminate epidural stimulation in the lumbosacral spinal cord. We found dominant frequencies of 180–220 Hz in the EMG of the forelimb muscles during active periods, whereas these frequencies were between 0–10 Hz when the muscles were inactive. Once the algorithm was validated to represent kinematically appropriate quadrupedal stepping, we observed that the algorithm could reliably detect, initiate, and facilitate stepping under different pharmacological conditions and at various treadmill speeds.
A study of native oxides of β–SiC using Auger electron spectroscopy

Thermal and anodic oxide films of beta silicon carbide are analyzed using Auger electron spectroscopy. Auger depth-composition profiles are obtained in order to determine the chemical composition of the oxide films. The position and shape of silicon spectral peaks are used to estimate the chemical bonding of the oxide constituents. It is found that the wet thermal oxide is almost stoichiometric but contains about 14% carbon. Dry oxide, on the other hand, has less than 3% carbon but is highly nonstoichiometric. The carbon content in the anodic oxide is 12%. Anodic oxide films, like dry-oxide films, are nonstoichiometric. A model of the SiC oxidation process is presented.
Forty Years of Soil Formation in a South Georgia, USA Borrow Pit

This study investigated soil properties in a sand borrow pit in southern Georgia, USA that was used in 1961 and then abandoned with no efforts at reclamation and compares those developing soils to natural soils surrounding the pit. There are distinct vegetative zones within the pit; three are included in this study. Soil samples were collected and described using standard techniques and analyzed for bulk density, C content, texture, pH, and penetration resistance. Piezometers and thermometers were installed to track water levels and soil temperature. Rates of leaf litter accumulation and pit revegetation were determined, and a detailed topographic map of the pit was prepared. Although soil formation over only 41 yr is slight, there are distinct differences in the soils between the vegetative zones that were studied. Soil differences are attributed to differences in topographically controlled access to water and bulk density/penetration resistance, which infl uence vegetative growth and litter accumulation. Study of surrounding developed soils reveals that soils within the pit still have a signifi cant amount of development remaining before they reach equilibrium with the natural environment. Peer Reviewed Papers