cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antibody response of patients with poliomyelitis to virus recovered from their own alimentary tract.

Of 20 strains of virus recovered from 40 patients with poliomyelitis only 9 possessed a titer of 10–3 or more, permitting significant quantitative neutralization tests in monkeys. Seven of the 9 high titer strains were derived from patients whose illness was ultimately paralytic, and tests with their undiluted sera indicated that the acute phase as well as the 3 month convalescent specimens neutralized maximum amounts of the patient's own virus. However when varying dilutions of the sera were tested against a single dose of virus, it was found that the antibody was present in lowest concentration early after onset and progressively increased in titer over a period of weeks during convalescence. The 2 remaining high titer strains were recovered from patients with a non-paralytic illness, and in both of these the acute phase sera were without significant amounts of antibody for their own virus. Antibody was demonstrable at 14, 28, and 92 days after onset in one of these patients, while the other had none at 1 month and only a minimal amount at 3 and 8 months. Tests with the Lansing virus on the same sera, clearly established the specificity of the antibody response to the strain of virus recovered from each patient under investigation. Five of the 9 patients, whose sera were studied with both viruses, had no antibody for the Lansing virus during the acute phase and none 3 months later. Two had antibody during the acute phase but serum dilution tests showed no increase in titer in the 3 month convalescent specimen. In 2 others, who were without antibody for the Lansing virus during the acute phase but had it at 3 months after onset, it was possible to show that this antibody appeared later than 1 month after the illness and that the virus recovered from these patients during their illness was not antigenically of the Lansing type.
Application of methoxymercuration-demercuration followed by mass spectrometry as a convenient microanalytical technique for double-bond location in insect-derived alkenes

The positions of double bonds in olefins can be readily determined by a sodium borohydride reduction of their methoxymercuration products followed by mass spectrometry. Fragmentation of the methoxy derivative in the mass spectrometer results in cleavage on either side of the methoxy group to give intense fragment ions which are characteristic of each isomer. This simple and convenient microanalytical technique was applied to several synthetic standards and insect derived olefins, including the alkenes from the cuticular lipids of the honeybeeApis mellifera L.
Squeezable tunneling junctions

Squeezable tunneling junctions establish the current state of the art for resistance stability of mechanically adjustable tunneling structures at ΔR/R ≈ 0.1%. This is sufficient for use in connection with spectroscopies as subtle as phonon spectroscopy, but it is marginal and cannot at present be maintained to high enough bias voltage to permit molecular vibrational spectroscopy. Squeezable junctions have been used for characterizing bulk samples and for differential capacitance-voltage analyses of semiconductors.
The Reactivity of Surface Oxygen Phases on Pd(100) Toward Reduction by CO

The reactivities of surface oxygen phases on Pd(100) toward reduction by CO were characterized using temperature-programmed desorption and reaction (TPD, TPR), isothermal kinetic measurements, low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). When CO was exposed to high oxygen coverages where bulk PdO and a (√5 × √5)R27° oxygen-induced reconstruction exist on the surface, a lag was observed before any CO2 was produced. The CO2 formation rate then increased before falling as the oxygen was depleted. LEED showed that the rate increased as (2 × 2) domains replaced the (√5 × √5)R27° structure on the surface indicating that the lag was due to the slow reduction of (√5 × √5)R27° domains. In contrast, LEED showed that a lower oxygen coverage (5 × 5) reconstruction is immediately destroyed by exposure to CO. Therefore, the results indicated that the more oxidized (√5 × √5)R27° surface and PdO are relatively unreactive toward CO. Further, the temperature dependence of the reduction r...
Abnormal Binaural Spectral Integration in Cochlear Implant Users

Bimodal stimulation, or stimulation of a cochlear implant (CI) together with a contralateral hearing aid (HA), can improve speech perception in noise However, this benefit is variable, and some individuals even experience interference with bimodal stimulation. One contributing factor to this variability may be differences in binaural spectral integration (BSI) due to abnormal auditory experience. CI programming introduces interaural pitch mismatches, in which the frequencies allocated to the electrodes (and contralateral HA) differ from the electrically stimulated cochlear frequencies. Previous studies have shown that some, but not all, CI users adapt pitch perception to reduce this mismatch. The purpose of this study was to determine whether broadened BSI may also reduce the perception of mismatch. Interaural pitch mismatches and dichotic pitch fusion ranges were measured in 21 bimodal CI users. Seventeen subjects with wide fusion ranges also conducted a task to pitch match various fused electrode–tone pairs. All subjects showed abnormally wide dichotic fusion frequency ranges of 1–4 octaves. The fusion range size was weakly correlated with the interaural pitch mismatch, suggesting a link between broad binaural pitch fusion and large interaural pitch mismatch. Dichotic pitch averaging was also observed, in which a new binaural pitch resulted from the fusion of the original monaural pitches, even when the pitches differed by as much as 3–4 octaves. These findings suggest that abnormal BSI, indicated by broadened fusion ranges and spectral averaging between ears, may account for speech perception interference and nonoptimal integration observed with bimodal compared with monaural hearing device use.
Glycine uptake by lamprey spinal neurons demonstrated by light microscopic autoradiography

We have mapped the neuronal uptake of 3H-glycine in the spinal cords of large larval sea lampreys: Petromyzon marinus. Spinal cords were incubated in 10(-6) M 3H-glycine for 15 minutes. They were rinsed in lamprey solution, fixed in phosphate-buffered 2% glutaraldehyde, and washed in phosphate buffer. They were then sectioned with a cryostat at 16-m thickness or dehydrated, embedded in Epon, and sectioned at 1-4 micron. Sections were coated with a photographic emulsion and maintained at 4 degrees C for 1-7 days. By sectioning horizontally, it was possible to obtain complete serial reconstructions of up to 1.5-mm lengths of cord in 100-150 sections. The outlines of labelled cells were traced with a Nikon drawing attachment. For one Epon-embedded spinal cord sectioned at 4 micron, tracings were superimposed to form complete maps for 0.6-1.5-mm lengths in three representative regions of cord: rostral (gill region), caudal (dorsal fin region), and midsection. The labelled neurons were small (5-10-micron diameter) cells distributed throughout the central gray columns. They numbered 22 cells per hemisegment in the rostral region, 33 in the midsection, and 43 in the caudal region. None of the previously identified cell types were labelled, including lateral interneurons, edge cells, giant interneurons, dorsalmore » cells, and Mueller and Mauthner axons.« less
An application of delayed detached eddy simulation to tandem cylinder flow field prediction

Abstract We perform delayed detached eddy simulations of flow past tandem cylinders. These simulations contain some of the most important features of landing gear flow fields. The main noise generation mechanism of landing gear is the interaction of the upstream cylinder wake with the downstream cylinder. The purpose of this work is to determine the level of accuracy that is currently achievable for this problem using high-order numerical schemes together with a turbulence model suitable for complex separated flows. The computation is based on the Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model. The two cylinders in tandem are identical and 3.7 cylinder diameters apart. Grid resolution studies involving up to 133 million grid points are carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the predictions to grid resolution. Results are compared with available experimental measurements.
The Structure and Coding Organization of the Genomic Termini of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (Human Herpesvirus 8)

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a novel human herpesvirus closely linked to two AIDS-related neoplasms. We have prepared DNA from KSHV virions produced in cell culture and have examined the structure of the viral genomic termini. As in the related simian herpesvirus H. saimiri (HVS), the central unique region of KSHV DNA is bounded by tandemly repeated units of noncoding, GC-rich DNA. The KSHV repeats are 803 bp in length and are 85% G+C. Each molecule harbors 35-45 such repeats, but the repeats are not arrayed uniformly and symmetrically at each end. Rather, different molecules appear to contain different numbers of repeats at each end, with the sum total of repeated DNA per genome being relatively fixed, since the full genome is uniformly 165-170 kb. Thus, molecules with many repeats at one end will have fewer at the other. Because the unique viral genes bordering the left-hand repeats of the HVS genome play key roles in oncogenesis, we also examined the coding organization of the corresponding region of KSHV. No homologs of the HVS transforming genes were identified in this region of KSHV; rather, this region bears a novel gene encoding a putative transmembrane protein that appears to be upregulated during the early phase of lytic viral replication.
Law of the iterated logarithm for solutions of stochastic differential equations

We prove the law of the iterated logarithm for solutions of Stochastic Differential Equations (SDEs) driven by continuous semiraartingales, under suitable conditions. This extends a result of Kulinich for classical diffusions to solutions of SDEs which are not necessarily Markov
High Current, Low Jitter, Explosive Closing Switches

Isentropic compression experiments (ICE) using a high explosive pulsed power (HEPP) system have been developed to obtain isentropic equation of state data for metals at megabar pressures [1][2]. The HEPP system comprises a magnetic flux compressor, an explosively-driven opening switch and a series of closing switches; fast rising current pulses are produced, with rise times of ~500 ns at current densities exceeding many MA/cm. These currents create continuous magnetic loading of the metals under study. The success of these experiments depends on the precise control of the current profile, and that in turn depends on the precise timing of the closing switches to within 50 ns at currents of the order 10 MA and voltages of ~150 kV. We first used Procyon closing switches [3] but found their timing to be unacceptably imprecise for ICE with a jitter of typically 600 ns. We suspected that the switch timing was sensitive to applied voltage; this was subsequently confirmed by experiment, as we will show. A simple shock model was developed to explain the voltage sensitivity of closure time, dt/dV, and from the model we designed a low jitter switch that uses the shock-induced electrical conduction of polyimide. The predicted dt/dV was exactly equal to the measured value, thus confirming the model. This new switch design proved successful and met the 50 ns criterion; it is now used routinely in HEPP-ICE experiments.
Scintillation Response of Anthracene to Low-Energy Protons and Helium Ions

Photomultiplier pulse amplitudes produced by light from anthracene crystals bombarded by protons and helium ions from 25 to 375 kev were measured. Both response curves (pulse height vs energy) are nonlinear, but that for protons bends away from the energy axis while that for helium ions bends towards it. Both curves extrapolate smoothly to the origin, indicating an absence of any nonscintillating surface layer more than about 10 kev thick. Present knowledge of stopping cross sections ($\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{\mathrm{dx}}$) for anthracene is inadequate to permit an unambiguous determination of the specific fluorescence ($\frac{\mathrm{dL}}{\mathrm{dx}}$) from the observed pulse amplitudes. However, some qualitative conclusions can be drawn concerning Birks' theory of the fluorescent process.
Budget and export of anthropogenic SOx from East Asia during continental outflow conditions

[1] We examine the budget and export of anthropogenic SOx (SO2 and sulfate aerosol) emitted from East Asia during the late winter/early spring when continental outflow conditions dominate. Our study is based on simulations using a modified version of the China-MAP coupled regional climate/chemical transport model of Qian and Giorgi [1999]. The modification involves the addition of algorithms to treat the vertical transport and removal of SOx by convective clouds. Model-calculated anthropogenic SO2 concentrations peaked at values greater than 20 ppbv at the surface in the urban source regions of China and Korea, but averaged only about 5 pbbv in the rural areas. Midtropospheric SO2 concentrations were more than an order of magnitude less, with peak values of around 0.1–0.15 ppbv overlying the urban source regions. The model-calculated sulfate aerosol distribution is more disperse, with peak surface concentrations of 5–10 ppbv in urban source regions, and concentrations of about 3 ppbv or less in rural areas and 1 ppbv or less in the midtroposphere. The model-calculated SOx concentrations are generally within a factor of 2 of the relevant observed concentrations at nonurban sites. The calculations indicate that during the late winter/early spring period, about 50% of the anthropogenic SOx emitted over East Asia is removed from the continental source regions. Roughly 30% is wet and dry deposited onto the neighboring oceans, and the remaining 20% is exported out of the model domain. The vast majority of the exported SOx is in the form of sulfate aerosol and is transported into the midtroposphere overlying the North Pacific Ocean. The rate of SOx export, about 0.2 Tg S per month, is significant when compared to natural S sources to the North Pacific Ocean, suggesting that the export of anthropogenic SOx from East Asia is perturbing sulfate aerosol concentrations over the North Pacific Ocean during the late winter and early spring. On an intraregional basis we find that China is the largest contributor to the emission and export of SOx from East Asia. However, all the nations/continental subregions of East Asia appear to be net exporters of SOx, even those downwind of China.
Progress in Understanding Spatial Coordinate Systems in the Primate Brain

A new study in this issue of Neuron shows that when monkeys reach to a visual target, neurons in the dorsal premotor cortex compare the location of the target, the hand, and the point of visual fixation. The neurons therefore encode space through a combination of eye-centered and hand-centered coordinates.
Adult age differences in reading and rereading processes associated with problem solving

We investigated age differences in reading and rereading processes associated with problem solving and explored the extent to which prior information affects rereading processes. Participants' reading times were recorded as they read short mysteries, twice, at their own pace on a computer, with the goal of providing the solution to the mystery. We varied the amount of information provided prior to rereading the mysteries such that participants received: no new information, a hint (partial information), or the full solution. Reading times for trial 1 and for all three rereading conditions were decomposed to determine resource allocation to specific reading processes including conceptual integration, attention to critical regions, and instantiation of new characters in the narrative. We found that younger and older adults attended to critical regions of the problem similarly on trial 1 as well as when rereading with no information or a hint. Age differences were found, however, in the effects of rereading w...
Aromatization of [1-14C]heptane over “nonacidic” platinum-alumina catalyst

Abstract [1-14C]Heptane was aromatized under 5 atm pressure over a “nonacidic” 3% platinum on alumina catalyst maintained at 500 °C. The reactant was pumped in at a HLSV of 0.88, and the hydrogen-to-heptane mole ratio was 5.1. The samples of product were collected (one during the first 90 min and another during the next 90 min), the toluene was separated from the respective samples, and the radioactivity in each position of the toluene was determined by a degradation sequence. The distribution of radioactivity in sample 1 was as follows: in position 1–2.6%, 2–38.6%; 3–14.5%; 4–4.2%, and in the methyl group—40.1%. Approximately similar distribution of radioactivity was found in sample 2. 1,6-Ring closure is the most important pathway leading to the formation of toluene from [1-14C]heptane; lesser amounts of repetitive, 1,5-ring closure and hydrogenolysis, and bond shift reactions followed by 1,6-ring closure and dehydration can explain the distribution of radioactivity. The participation of 1,7-ring closure in the reaction is also indicated.
Inhibition of replication and differentiation in malignant mouse neuroblasts

Abstract Two specific inhibitors of DNA synthesis, cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate, are shown to induce morphologic differentiation in a malignant murine neuroblastoma line. This differentiation occurs in full serum concentrations and allows the cells to be viably maintained for up to one month. Coincident with differentiation is an arrest in the production of a cytoplasmic virus found in all cells. The relationship of arrest of cell cycling to other means of inducing differentiation in murine neuroblastoma cells is briefly discussed.
The Impact of teacher behavior, teacher sex, and student sex upon student self-disclosure

Abstract The effects of systematically varied teacher verbal and nonverbal evaluative behavior upon student willingness to self-disclose were studied within an experimental microlesson. Subjects were 126 sixth-grade students who were removed from their classrooms to participate in a vocabulary lesson with one of the four experimental teachers (two male and two female). Within each experimental condition, the teacher employed one of four evaluative styles: (1) verbally and nonverbally positive, (2) verbally positive and nonverbally negative, (3) verbally negative and nonverbally positive, or (4) verbally and nonverbally negative. The data analysis indicated that teachers' verbal behavior influenced self-disclosure. The magnitude of student self-disclosure scores was a direct function of the positiveness of teacher verbal behavior. Nonverbal behavior also influenced self-disclosure, interacting with student sex. This effect varied across individual teachers, however, and no consistent pattern was evident.
A sampling procedure and public policy

This paper describes the background of the Office of Management Budget Circular A-21, “Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Grants, Contracts, and Other Agreements with Educational Institutions,” that describes the requirement for effort reporting. A sampling procedure is proposed as an alternative to 100% reporting.
Self-guided/conscious evolution

I start out by mapping the evolutionary journey of our species. I focus on the cultural evolution of the last 50,000 years of our seven million year journey. Studying the journey I have learned how evolution has worked in the evolutionary design space and what its principles and rules are. This led me to attain evolutionary consciousness. Evolutionary consciousness became the springboard to leap into conscious evolution and propose ways and means by which to engage in self-guided evolution. In closing, I introduce an evolutionary design process, metaphorically called the Agora Project: building new agoras in the 21st century. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel fast-learning noniterative neural network in pattern recognition

When the analog-to-digital mapping to be learned by any pattern recognition scheme satisfies a certain PLI condition, a one-layered, hard-limited perceptron (OHP) is enough to be used for recognizing any unlearned patterns with high robustness. Generally, the PLI condition is satisfied for most practical pattern recognition applications. When this condition is satisfied, then an automatic feature extraction scheme can be derived from an N-dimension geometry point of view. This automatic scheme will automatically extract the most distinguished parts of the pattern vectors used in the training. It selects the feature vectors (sub-vectors of the pattern vectors) automatically according to the descending order of the volumes of the parallelepiped spanned by these sub-vectors. Theoretical derivation revealing the physical nature of this process and its effect in optimizing the robustness of this novel pattern recognition system will be reported in detail.
Diamond formation in air by the Fedoseev-Derjaguin laser process

Abstract Diamond and other high-pressure phases of carbon were synthesized in air by exposing fine particles of carbon black to carbon dioxide and Nd-YAG laser radiation. The high-pressure phases were separated from the carbon black by selective oxidation and were characterized by electron and x-ray diffraction. Formation of cubic diamond, chaoite and graphite was confirmed.
Tacit Knowledge: Conceptualizations and Operationalizations

This study reviews the use of the term â€œtacit knowledgeâ€ in the knowledge management and broader management literature and argues that it is frequently used with an inadequate definition as a catch-all phrase for any knowledge that is not formally recorded. A framework of categories of knowledge is developed to clarify different authorsâ€™ conceptualizations of the tacit dimension of knowledge. This framework distinguishes between how different types of knowledge are acquired, manifested, and transferred. These are key distinctions for researchers aiming to investigate aspects of tacit knowledge. Two operationalizations of the tacit knowledge concept that have been applied in the business domain are discussed.
Physical activity and dietary behavior change in Internet-based weight loss interventions: Comparing two multiple-behavior change indices

Objective To investigate the effects of two Internet-based weight loss interventions on physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors using two approaches for computing combined behavior change.
Examining the Relationships Between Multiple Oppressions and Asian American Sexual Minority Persons’ Psychological Distress

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) persons come from diverse cultural groups with diverse racial and ethnic identities. However, research examining correlates of oppression among sexual minority persons has used primarily White samples and has failed to attend to and investigate the complexity of Asian American LGBQ persons’ experiences. This study examined the relations between multiple external and internalized oppressions and Asian American sexual minority persons’ psychological distress. Results indicated that when external and internalized racism and heterosexism/homophobia were examined concomitantly, only racist events and internalized heterosexism/internalized homophobia accounted for unique variance. Research and practice implications are discussed.
Polyphase suprastructure deformation in metasedimentary rocks of the Uncompahgre Group: Remnant of an early Proterozoic fold belt in southwest Colorado

Isolated remnants of supracrustal rocks of the Uncompahgre Group in the Needle Mountains and Uncompahgre Gorge area have been subjected to polyphase deformation and greenschist-facies metamorphism. Phase 1 structures (recognized only in the West Needle Mountains) include bedding-parallel, ductile shear zones, F 1 mesoscopic folds, and cleavage S 1 . Continued crustal shortening during phase 2 resulted in upright macroscopic folding (F 2 ) and cleavage (S 2 ) development. In addition, basement-cover contacts were folded. Further shortening during phase 3 deformation resulted in conjugate shearing of cover rocks with the development of both a macroscopic F 3 fold and an S 3 crenulation cleavage. In addition, basement-cover contact zones were activated as phyllonitic, oblique-slip, reverse faults. Conjugate shearing resulted in lateral offset of stratigraphic units, with loss of section. Conjugate reactivation of phase 1 ductile deformation zones was manifested by oblique dextral and sinistral slip. The structural evolution of the Uncompahgre Group records the transition from a ductile, north-directed, thin-skinned, fold-thrust belt to the formation of a basement-involved "megamullion" structure which was subjected to conjugate strike-slip faulting to accommodate further shortening. The results of this study indicate that the basal unit of the Uncompahgre Group was parautochthonous on basement, a departure from some previous interpretations. This implies that the metasedimentary cover rocks are younger than surrounding ca. 1750 Ma basement gneisses and ca. 1690 Ma granitoids. The over-all style of deformation may be analogous to the deep foreland suprastructure of an orogenic belt that developed between ca. 1690 Ma and 1600 Ma in the southwestern United States.
Synthesis of alkyl sulfonate/alcohol-protected γ -Fe2O3 nanocrystals with narrow size distributions

Highly crystalline γ -Fe2O3 nanoparticles with narrow size distributions that are coated with 1-undecanesulfonic acid were synthesized via two distinct approaches using oxidation and site-exchange reactions. However, similar nanocrystals protected with 1-octanol could only be achieved via the site-exchange method, while the oxidation approach led to Fe2O3 nanoparticles of poor crystallinity and size uniformity. Our magnetization measurements confirmed the superparamagnetic nature of our Fe 2O3 nanoparticle products and the effects of the coating materials on magnetization properties.  2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction with the use of oxymetazoline nasal spray

Oxymetazoline is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist that is commonly used for nasal decongestion and is readily available without a prescription. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman who developed prolonged chest pain associated with elevation of cardiac biomarkers after using oxymetazoline.
100GbE and beyond for warehouse scale computing interconnects

Increasing broadband penetration in the last few years has resulted in a dramatic growth in innovative, bandwidth-intensive applications that have been embraced by the consumers. Coupled with this consumer trend is the migration from local compute/storage model to a cloud computing paradigm. As computation and storage continues to move from desktops to large internet services, computing platforms running such services are transforming into warehouse scale computers. 100 Gigabit Ethernet and beyond will be instrumental in scaling the interconnection within and between these ubiquitous warehouse scale computing infrastructures. In this paper, we describe the drivers for such interfaces and some methods of scaling Ethernet interfaces to speeds beyond 100GbE.
Short-term Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Reduce Drug Misuse and Increase Drug Treatment Utilization Among Adult Emergency Department Patients

Illicit and prescription drug use and misuse is a tremendous problem in the United States, with serious negative economic, financial, health, and social consequences.1,2 People who use or misuse drugs often receive medical care from U.S. emergency departments (EDs),3–9 frequently due to illnesses and injuries linked to their drug use or misuse.10–13 Yet, screening for drug use or misuse and assessment for treatment needs is not standard practice in U.S. EDs.14 Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that many ED patients who need substance abuse treatment do not receive it.14 Linking patients to appropriate treatment services at the time of the ED visits might decrease ongoing and future misuse, and consequentially more expensive health care.15 Some screening, brief intervention (BI), and referral to treatment (SBIRT) models have been shown in some studies to be effective in reducing alcohol misuse, risk-taking behaviors, and negative consequences of alcohol misuse16–21 and marijuana use22,23 among some ED patients. However, it is not yet been demonstrated that SBIRT can be applied successfully in the ED to other illicit or prescription drug misuse. If SBIRT is effective in the ED for drug misuse by decreasing use and increasing access to appropriate treatment resources, it might help reduce the societal and individual burdens of this public health problem. The primary aim of this investigation was to determine if a tailored BI aimed to reduce illicit or prescription drug misuse among adult ED patients requiring brief or more intensive intervention was more efficacious than no BI (study questionnaires only) in the short term (3 months after ED enrollment). The secondary aim was to determine if this BI was more efficacious than no BI in increasing use of drug treatment services in the same time period. The tertiary aim was to determine if there were subgroups of patients (identified by their demographic and clinical factors) more likely to benefit from the BI.
A comparative study of the local anesthetic potencies and toxicities of beta-diethylaminoethyl cumate and procaine.

Beta-diethylaminoethyl cumate was found to be somewhat more toxic than procaine as a local anesthetic. Its acute toxicity in mice was less than that of procaine. It was also more potent than procaine on the basis of effective concentrations as determined in human intradermal tests. Given by subarachnoid injection in rabbits, little, if any, difference in spinal anesthetic potency was observed. The LD by intraperitoneal injection in mice was determined. Procaine hydrochloride was definitely less irritating than the cumate ester as determined by human intradermal tests, application to the rabbit eye, and by the trypan blue skin irritation test of Hoppe, et al .
Mass Extinctions Correlated with Periodic Galactic Events

Periodicity of mass extinctions in Earth history is correlated with the periodicity of the sun's orbit about the galactic center and its movements perpendicular to the galactic plane. Periodically increased doses of cosmic radiation related to the sun's position in the galaxy are suggested as a cause of recorded mass extinctions,
Temperature dependence of the magnetization reversal of thin-film longitudinal magnetic recording media

As longitudinal magnetic recording media approach the superparamagnetic limit, temperature-dependent effects are becoming ever more important. This work reports an unexpected temperature dependence for the Sharrock stability parameter S typically given as K/sub u/V/k/sub B/T, where K/sub u/ is the uniaxial anisotropy, V the switching volume, k/sub B/ is Boltzmann's constant, and T the temperature. Temperature-dependent vibrating sample magnetometer measurements were made of the saturation and remanent magnetization M/sub s/ and M/sub r/, remanent coercivity H/sub cr/, and K/sub u/. The Sharrock equation was used to calculate S, and the time-independent switching field H/sub o/ of representative longitudinal recording media. Instead of the product Sk/sub B/T decreasing proportionally to K/sub u/ or H/sub o/ with increasing temperature as initially expected, we find Sk/sub B/T decreases at approximately half this rate.
Factors influencing STEM researchers' data sharing behaviors

In modern research activities, scientific data sharing is essential in terms of data-intensive science and scholarly communication. Scientific communities are making continuous endeavors to promote scientific data sharing. Currently, however, it is not always well-deployed throughout science and engineering disciplines. The objective of this research is to investigate the factors which influence scientists' data sharing behaviors. Two theoretical perspectives, institutional theory and theory of planned behavior, are employed in developing a conceptual model, which shows the complementary nature of the institutional and individual factors influencing scientists' data sharing behaviors. Institutional theory can explain the context in which individual scientists are acting; whereas the theory of planned behavior can explain the underlying motivations behind scientists' data sharing behaviors in an institutional context. This research will use a survey method to investigate the data sharing factors at individual and institutional levels. The findings from this study have the potential to accelerate both scientific collaborations and further enable data-intensive scientific research. This research can provide useful guidelines for designing data sharing repositories, developing relevant policies for data sharing, and facilitating individual scientists' data sharing within different scientific communities.
Relative impact of spider predation and cover crop on population dynamics of Erythroneura variabilis in a raisin grape vineyard

Experimental and correlative evidence has steadily mounted over the past 30 years implicating spiders in the suppression of insect herbivore pests in crop fields. A large body of evidence has also shown that increasing agroecosystem vegetation diversity often influences the abundance of herbivores and their natural enemies. In previous experiments, the abundance of several species of spiders on grapevines in a raisin grape vineyard was twofold enhanced in vineyard plots vegetationally diversified with a cover crop. A concomitant reduction in the abundance of the leafhopper pest Erythroneura variabilis Beamer was observed on grapevines in the diversified plots, but a causal relationship was not established. In the present study, we simultaneously manipulated spider densities (in open-vine spider exclusion and vine-shoot enclosures) and ground cover to determine their relative impact on E. variabilis population dynamics. Open-vine spider exclusion resulted in an average 35% increase in the density of E. variabilis the greatest effect with occurring during the first and second leafhopper generations. The negative impact of spiders on E. variabilis densities was corroborated with vineshoot enclosure experiments. Under the conditions of the present study, the cover crop per se did not affect the dynamics of E. variabilis populations on grapevines, despite a 1.6-fold increase in spider densities on vines in cover crop plots, compared with vines in bare ground plots, probably due to insufficient spider enhancement and low overall E. variabilis abundance during the summer months. The cover crop had little effect on vine macronutrient status (and presumably vine water status). While this study provided further support for the hypothesis that vegetation diversity can enhance spider abundance, this enhancement does not always lead to lower pest densities, thus underscoring the complexity and variability that exists in interactions involving cover crop, spiders, and crop plants and their herbivore pests.
Automated segmentation and motion estimation of LV/RV motion from MRI

The study of the shape and motion of the heart is important because many heart diseases are thought to be strongly correlated to the shape and motion of the heart. Important examples of such heart diseases include ischemia and right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy. In this paper we present our automated LV/RV segmentation, shape and motion from MRI-SPAMM (spatial modulation of magnetization) data.
Fundamental Study of Clay: XII, A Note on the Effect of the Surface Tension of Water on the Plasticity of Clay

The effect of lowering the surface tension of water on the plasticity of a clay was evaluated from stress-strain diagrams. Lowering the surface tension decreased the yield point, maximum strength, and workability of the plastic clay. A theoretical explanation for these phenomena is presented.
Return to the Cave of Letters, Israel: a GPR archaeological expedition

The interpretation and reconstruction of subsurface environments is an important task continually facing archaeologists. Of the various geophysical techniques employed in such work, GPR is increasingly being used to image and assess archaeological sites in a noninvasive manner. The Cave of Letters located in the Judean Desert of Israel provided the first site to successfully conduct a GPR experiment inside a cave environment. Upon entry to the Cave (Chamber B) a series of experimental grid lines were chosen to test a range of frequencies (100 - 450 MHz). The GPR results, with depths ranging from 2 - 8 m, directed subsurface endoscopic viewing and initial archaeological probing. Even with minimal probing many significant artifacts were located.
Deficiency of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Negatively Affects Progesterone Secretion in Human Granulosa Cells

Our goal was to examine the effect of deficiency of the lipoprotein receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), on progesterone secretion in human granulosa cells (HGL5). Scrambled or SR-BI small interfering RNA [knockdown (KD)] cells were exposed to dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO, vehicle for forskolin (Fo)], Fo, serum, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or Fo plus lipoproteins or serum for 24 h. Progesterone secretion was lower in all of the SR-BI KD cells regardless of treatment. We examined progesterone secretion in SR-BI KD, LDL receptor KD, and double KD cells incubated with DMSO, Fo, LDL, or Fo + LDL for 6-24 h. As compared with scrambled cells, progesterone secretion was lower in SR-BI and double KD cells regardless of treatment; whereas progesterone secretion was only lower in LDL receptor KD cells incubated with LDL and Fo + LDL. We measured phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (pHSL) expression, intracellular total cholesterol (TC) mass, and progesterone secretion in scrambled and SR-BI KD cells incubated with DMSO or Fo for 2-24 h. The expression of pHSL was similar between the cells and conditions. The mean change in TC mass and progesterone secretion was lower in SR-BI KD cells exposed to DMSO and Fo. Incubating SR-BI KD cells with 22-hydroxy cholesterol did not overcome the reduction in progesterone secretion. At different time points, RNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, side-chain cleavage, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was significantly lower in SR-BI KD cells incubated with Fo. In conclusion, SR-BI protein deficiency, in part, might explain progesterone deficiency in some infertile women.
Examining the feasibility of applying principal component analysis to detecting localized changes in mechanical properties

Ultrasound elastography is being increasingly used to diagnose musculoskeletal pathologies. This technique measures strain distributions within the muscle tissue, which can be used to calculate local tissue stiffness. However, inaccuracies in the model assumptions, as well as operator variability during imaging, can cause significant error in the resulting stiffness measurements. Principal component analysis (PCA) offers a means to better account for the physiological differences and inter-operator error between subjects. In this study we explore the feasibility of using PCA to detect contusion injury in skeletal muscle. We used finite element analysis to simulate quasi-static transverse compressions of both healthy and injured biceps brachii muscles. Injuries were modeled as circular regions with dissimilar mechanical properties. The compression magnitude and direction, as well as the muscle material properties, were varied to account for user error and inter-muscle differences, respectively. Image noise was added to the resulting displacement maps to simulate measurement error. PCA was performed on the displacement images of the healthy muscle. The resulting principal components were compared against the displacement maps from injured muscle to identify local changes in mechanical properties. The results indicate that changes in mechanical properties of ±5% can be detected for regions as small as ±5% of the muscle depth. However, detection accuracy was greatly affected by image noise. We show that PCA of displacement images is a feasible tool for detecting and quantifying localized changes in mechanical properties. Additional work is needed before this technique can be applied to images generated using ultrasound elastography.
Quantitative Analysis of Human Keratinocyte Cell Elasticity Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

We present the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize and quantify the dynamics of epithelial cell junction interactions under physiological and pathophysiological conditions at the nanoscale. Desmosomal junctions are critical cellular adhesion components within epithelial tissues and blistering skin diseases such as Pemphigus are the result in the disruption of these components. However, these structures are complex and mechanically inhomogeneous, making them difficult to study. The mechanisms of autoantibody mediated keratinocyte disassembly remain largely unknown. Here, we have used AFM technology to image and measure the mechanical properties of living skin epithelial cells in culture. We demonstrate that force measurement data can distinguish cells cultured with and without autoantibody treatment. Our demonstration of the use of AFM for in situ imaging and elasticity measurements at the local, or tissue level opens potential new avenues for the investigation of disease mechanisms and monitoring of therapeutic strategies in blistering skin diseases.
Ice motion of the Patagonian Icefields of South America: 1984–2014

We present the first comprehensive high-resolution mosaic of ice velocity of the Northern (NPI) and Southern Patagonian Icefields (SPI), from multiple synthetic aperture radar and optical data collected between 1984 and 2014. The results reveal that many of the outlet glaciers extend far into the central ice plateaus, which implies that changes in ice dynamics propagate far inside the accumulation area. We report pronounced seasonal to interannual variability of ice motion on Pio XI and Jorge Montt, a doubling in speed of Jorge Montt, a major slow down of O'Higgins, significant fluctuations of Upsala and a deceleration of San Rafael, which illustrate the need for sustained, continuous time series of ice motion to understand the long-term evolution of the rapidly thinning icefields. The velocity product also resolves major ambiguities in glacier drainage in areas of relatively flat topography illustrating the need to combine topography and flow direction to map drainage basins.
Apparent Survival of Breeding Western Sandpipers on the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta, Alaska

We used 8 years of live recapture data (1998-2005) to estimate apparent annual survival for male (n 5 237) and female (n 5 296) Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) breeding on a 36-ha plot on the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta, western Alaska. Apparent annual survival (W) is the product of true survival and site fidelity, and estimates of W were corrected for the probability of encounter. Overall return rates (individual returned to the study site in a subsequent season) were lower for females (40%) than males (65%), as was W (6 SE, females 5 0.65 6 0.05, males 5 0.78 6 0.03), and encounter rate (females 5 0.51 6 0.07, males 5 0.74 6 0.04). Results differed from previous estimates of W for this species as our estimates of W were higher for both males and females compared to estimates from another breeding site and two nonbreeding locations. Disparity among W estimates from breeding and nonbreeding areas highlights the need to delineate site-specific factors throughout the annual cycle that influence population dynamics of the Western Sandpiper. Received 30 May 2009. Accepted 9 October 2009.
Transmission line model of the interaction of a long metal wire with the ionosphere

An equivalent electric circuit model is used to study the electrodynamic interactions of long orbiting metallic tethers with the ionospheric plasma and, in particular, to derive current and potential profiles along bare metallic tethers. In contrast with other models, this approach is dynamic, enabling both the transient behavior of the wire and its final equilibrium state to be derived. A comparison with the results of other models indicates the advantage of the present approach, especially in those cases where the internal resistance of the tether plays a major role in determining the current and potential distributions.
Sublimation of Intercepted Snow within a Subalpine Forest Canopy at Two Elevations

Abstract To determine how elevation affects the sublimation rate from intercepted snow within a subalpine forest canopy, a cut subalpine fir and an artificial conifer were weighed at each of two elevations (3230 and 2920 m) at a U.S. continental site (39°53′N, 105°54′W) from 1 January to 1 May 2001. Measured stand characteristics included canopy density (67% and 75%) and basal area (43.4 and 24.1 m2 ha−1) for the higher and lower elevations, respectively. Temperature, relative humidity, net radiation, wind speed, and mass of snow on suspended trees provided data to determine whether sublimation rates of intercepted snow are more rapid at higher elevations associated with increased wind speed. Measurements showed the unexpected result that wind speed during sublimation periods was lower at higher elevations, probably because of terrain sheltering. The analysis examined 21 storm-free periods ranging in duration from 9 to 53 h. Sublimation rates per unit mass of intercepted snow were significantly larger at ...
The Non-Pecuniary Value of Equity Crowdfunding

Startups have successfully used crowdfunding to pre-sell products, fund charitable efforts and capitalize artistic endeavors. But securities laws have prevented equity crowdfunding whereby ordinary people can obtain a profit interest in the startups they fund – until now. Now that securities laws are changing, and equity crowdfunding will be legal, some are predicting a flood of new crowdfunding enterprises. Yet equity crowdfunding is fraught with problems, including the fact that it’s about six times more expensive than startup financing by other means. Many critics therefore argue that equity crowdfunding will create a “market for lemons” in which no sane person would invest. This paper takes a different approach by recognizing that while equity crowdfunding doesn’t make economic sense at first blush, it can be effectively used to predict the popularity of a consumer product, which may in turn encourage venture capitalists to invest more money in that enterprise.
The Regeneration of Reduced Glutathione in Normal and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficient Human Red Blood Cells

Reduced glutathione (GSH) was rapidly regenerated in normal human red blood cells treated with the GSH oxidizing agent, methyl phenylazoformate. Erythrocytes of G-6-PD deficient males regenerated little, if any, GSH under the same conditions. The rate of regeneration of GSH in erythrocytes of G-6-PD deficient heterozygote females was similar to that of a mixture of normal red blood cells and erythrocytes of G-6-PD deficient males. It was compatible with the assumption of mosaicism of the erythrocytes in the heterozygote females. The rapid rate at which the normal erythrocyte can regenerate its GSH may render it capable of continuously absorbing free radicals derived from drugs without harmful consequences to the cell. Study of the rate of regeneration of GSH in erythrocytes treated with methyl phenylazoformate may be useful in the detection of deficiencies of G-6-PD, GSSG reductase, and hexokinase.