cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure of mice to concentrated ambient particulate matter results in platelet and systemic cytokine activation

Increasingly, evidence suggests a role for a systemic procoagulant state in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction subsequent to inhalation of airborne particulate matter. The authors evaluated blood cell parameters and markers of platelet activation in mice exposed to concentrated ambient particulate matter (CAPs) from the San Joaquin Valley of California, a region with severe particulate matter (PM) pollution episodes. The authors exposed mice to an average of 88.5 microg/m(3) of CAPs in a size range less than 2.5 microm for 6 h/day for 5 days per week for 2 weeks. Platelets were analyzed by flow cytometry for relative size, shape, aggregation, fibrinogen binding, P-selectin, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) expression. Serum cytokines were analyzed by bead-based immunologic assays. CAPs-exposed mice had elevations in macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-bb, and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normally T-expressed, and presumably secreted). Platelets were the only peripheral blood cells that were significantly elevated in number in CAPs-exposed mice. Flow cytometric analysis of unstimulated platelets from CAPs-exposed mice indicated size and shape changes, and platelets from CAPs-exposed animals had a 54% increase in fibrinogen binding indicative of platelet priming. Stimulation of platelets by thrombin resulted in up-regulation of LAMP-1 expression in CAPs-exposed animals and an increased microparticle population relative to control animals. These findings demonstrate a systemic proinflammatory and procoagulant response to inhalation of environmentally derived fine and ultrafine PM and suggests a role for platelet activation in the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of particulate air pollution.
New or little‐known species of exotic Tipulidae (Diptera). XI

Synopsis A new species of Malaisemyia is described from material from Manipur. One species of Dicranota (Rhaphidolabina) from Assam and two species of the same subgenus from Sikkim are described as new. Four new species of Dicranota (Rhaphidolabis) are described from material from Sikkim.
Out-of-hospital succinylcholine-assisted endotracheal intubation by paramedics ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Study Objective: To describe the effectiveness and safety of succinylcholine administration by paramedics to out-of-hospital patients requiring endotracheal intubation. Methods: A consecutive case series was collected by retrospective review of patient care records from a large, private ambulance agency serving an urban and rural county of 600,000 residents over a 40-month period. All patients for whom endotracheal intubation was facilitated by succinylcholine use were identified. Data were systematically collected on demographics, paramedic diagnosis, intubation attempts, and complications. Results: Succinylcholine was used in 150 patients with a mean age (±SD) of 50±23 years. Paramedic diagnosis was coma in 43% (64/150; 95% confidence interval [CI] 35% to 51%), trauma in 26% (39/150; 95% CI 19% to 33%), and respiratory failure in 31% (47/150; 95% CI 23% to 39%). No patient was in cardiac arrest at the time of succinylcholine use. The intubation success rate was 92% (138/150; 95% CI 88% to 96%), with success achieved on the first attempt in 82% of patients (123/150; 95% CI 76% to 88%). Four patients who received succinylcholine developed cardiac arrest, and 3 others had symptomatic bradycardia. Conclusion: The use of succinylcholine by paramedics to assist intubation appears to aid in intubation of patients who are not in cardiac arrest. However, significant cardiac complications can occur. [Pace SA, Fuller FP. Out-of-hospital succinylcholine-assisted endotracheal intubation by paramedics. Ann Emerg Med . June 2000;35:568-572.]
Evidence from thermodynamics that DNA photolyase recognizes a solvent-exposed CPD lesion.

Binding of a cis,syn-cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) to Escherichia coli DNA photolyase was examined as a function of temperature, enzyme oxidation state, salt, and substrate conformation using isothermal titration calorimetry. While the overall ΔG° of binding was relatively insensitive to most of the conditions examined, the enthalpic and entropic terms that make up the free energy of binding are sensitive to the conditions of the experiment. Substrate binding to DNA photolyase is generally driven by a negative change in enthalpy. Electrostatic interactions and protonation are affected by the oxidation state of the required FAD cofactor and substrate conformation. The fully reduced enzyme appears to bind approximately two additional water molecules as part of substrate binding. More significantly, the experimental change in heat capacity strongly suggests that the CPD lesion must be flipped out of the intrahelical base stacking prior to binding to the protein; the DNA repair enzyme appears to recogniz...
Effects of number and type of verbal conditioned stimuli upon differential eyelid conditioning

Effects of the number and type of relatedness of visually presented stimulus words upon differential eyelid conditioning were investigated. Conditioning with one reinforced and one nonreinforced word was compared with conditioned discrimination in which two or four words constituted the reinforced and nonreinforced sets. In the two and four word sets the words were unrelated, synonyms, homophones, or designated members of a common taxonomic class, or conveyed a common sensory impression (U-R words). Increasing set size of unrelated words decreased terminal discrimination. Increasing set size of taxonomically related words improved terminal discrimination of V-form responders but not that of C-form responders. Discrimination of Vs was unchanged but that of Cs was improved by increasing the size of the other word sets.
Field Metabolic Rate and Food Consumption of Two Sympatric Hummingbird Species in Southeastern Arizona

We compared the field metabolic rate (FMR) and behavior around sugar-water feeders of sympatric territorial and non-territorial hummingbirds in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona during July 1987 and 1989. The territorial species was the Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lumpornis clemenciae; mean mass 8.77 g) and the non-territorial species the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexundri; mean mass 3.67 g). FMR (CO, production) and water turnover were measured using the doubly labeled water technique. FMR averaged 8 1.7 Id/day (n = 4) in L. clemenciae and 29.1 Id/day (n = 4) in A. ulexundri. Mean mass-specific FMR was higher in L. clemenciae (18.36 ml CO, g-l hrm’) than in A. alexundri (15.58 ml CO, g I hr I). This might be due to higher activity costs associated with the aggressive territorial behavior of L. clemenciae. Water influx averaged 1,734 ml kg-’ day-l in L. clemenciue (n = 5) and 1,728 ml kg-’ day-’ in A. alexandri (n = 6). These values represent turnover rates equivalent to 185% and 245% of body mass per day respectively and are consistent with measurements made on other hummingbird species. Where these species coexist in the Chiricahua Mountains, L. clemenciae is a dominant territorial species whereas A. ulexundri appears to be non-territorial, acquiring energy by robbing nectar from L. clemenciae territories. Lampornis clemenciue is highly aggressive against conspecifics, but appears to ignore intruding A. alexandri. Lack of territorial defense behavior in A. alexandri might reduce field energy expenditures and contribute to a lower FMR than L. clemenciae. We hypothesize that the lack of territorial aggression by L. clemenciae against A. alexandri is due to the high quality, abundance, and predictability of their food source which eliminates the profitability of such aggression. We also suggest hat the intense aggression exhibited by L. clemenciue towards conspecifics might be motivated by factors relating to fitness other than defense of a food source.
Recent advances in peptide separation by countercurrent chromatography

Abstract In recent years, countercurrent chromatography (CCC) for the peptide separation has been substantially improved in terms of partition efficiency and separation time. The solvent system composed of tert -butyl methyl ether, acetonitrile and water at various volume ratios provides almost universal application for peptide separation by high-speed CCC. Recently developed pH-zone-refining CCC also provides efficient separations on a preparative scale, and if used with an ion-pairing ligand it can also separate natural and synthetic peptides.
Sagittal fresh blood imaging with interleaved acquisition of systolic and diastolic data for improved robustness to motion.

Purpose: To improve robustness to patient motion of “fresh blood imaging” (FBI) for lower extremity noncontrast MR angiography. Methods: In FBI, two sets of three-dimensional fast spin echo images are acquired at different cardiac phases and subtracted to generate bright-blood angiograms. Routinely performed with a single coronal slab and sequential acquisition of systolic and diastolic data, FBI is prone to subtraction errors due to patient motion. In this preliminary feasibility study, FBI was implemented with two sagittal imaging slabs, and the systolic and diastolic acquisitions were interleaved to minimize sensitivity to motion. The proposed technique was evaluated in volunteers and patients. Results: In 10 volunteers, imaged while performing controlled movements, interleaved FBI demonstrated better tolerance to subject motion than sequential FBI. In one patient with peripheral arterial disease, interleaved FBI offered better depiction of collateral flow by reducing sensitivity to inadvertent motion. Conclusions: FBI with interleaved acquisition of diastolic and systolic data in two sagittal imaging slabs offers improved tolerance to patient motion. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TRPA1 is required for histamine-independent, Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-mediated itch

Itch, the unpleasant sensation that evokes a desire to scratch, accompanies numerous skin and nervous system disorders. In many cases, pathological itch is insensitive to antihistamine treatment. Recent studies have identified members of the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor (Mrgpr) family that are activated by mast cell mediators and promote histamine-independent itch. MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 act as receptors for the pruritogens chloroquine and BAM8-22, respectively. However, the signaling pathways and transduction channels activated downstream of these pruritogens are largely unknown. We found that TRPA1 is the downstream target of both MrgprA3 and MrgprC11 in cultured sensory neurons and heterologous cells. TRPA1 is required for Mrgpr-mediated signaling, as sensory neurons from TRPA1-deficient mice exhibited markedly diminished responses to chloroquine and BAM8-22. Similarly, TRPA1-deficient mice displayed little to no scratching in response to these pruritogens. Our findings indicate that TRPA1 is an essential component of the signaling pathways that promote histamine-independent itch.
SUPERVISORS' INFLUENCE TACTICS FOR HANDLING MANAGERS' RESISTANCE

Summary.-This study examined perceptions of superiors' upward-influence tactics in response to managers' resistance attempts described in 1980 by McLaughlin, Cody, and Robey. Based on influence tactics identified by several researchers, a questionnaire was developed to investigate supervisors' use of "hard" and "soft" upwardinfluence tactics in response to descriptions of perceived resistance from target managen. Responses were obtained from 167 supervisors involved in the management of technical and support staff personnel of four health-care organizations and submitted to stepwise regression. Soft upward-influence tactics were positively associated with attempts to justify resistance. Hard upward-influence tactics were negatively related to resistant negotiation. In recent years considerable literature has been devoted to factors that affect influence attempts specifically tied to the manager-subordnate relationship. For the most part, research efforts to date have been directed toward identifying tactics available to a influencer and identifying whch of these are associated with a variety of personal and situational factors such as Type-A behavior and direction and objectives of influence (4, 5, 10). Researchers also have examined the different outcomes of influence, including targets' satisfaction, compliance, and resistance (10); however, research on superiors' successful tactics of influence in handling their managers' resistance to upward influence has garnered little attention. The purpose of this paper was to extend previous research by identifying the relations of superiors' reported successful influence tactics with managers' resistance. Although interpersonal resistance to influence has not generally been studied in work settings, researchers have identified techniques that can be classified by categories representing the general aims of resisting behavior. The techniques most frequently identified in the exercise of interpersonal influence are justification, nonnegotiation, negotiation, management of identity, and emotional appeal (8). Justification techniques focus on a target's unwillingness to comply and are based on potential positive or negative outcomes of compliance. Negotiation techniques focus on open discussion of participants' respective positions in the hopes of achieving mutual accommodation and empathetic understanding. Nonnegotiation techniques are refusals to discuss the situation, dogmatic assertions, and challenges to the potential
Rifaximin: New Therapeutic Indication and Future Directions

Abstract Background Rifaximin is a nonabsorbable oral antibiotic that acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract with minimal systemic adverse effects. Rifaximin received new labeling for reduction in the risk of the recurrence of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with advanced liver disease in March of 2010. Objective This article reviews the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of rifaximin. The efficacy and safety of rifaximin in reducing the risk of the recurrence of overt HE in patients with advanced liver disease, the new US Food and Drug Administration–approved indication, is the focus of this review. Emerging data on the use of rifaximin in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are also evaluated. Methods MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from 1983 to January 31, 2011, were searched using the key terms rifaximin, L/105, secondary hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and Clostridium difficile . Ongoing trials were identified using the clinicaltrials.gov Web site. Abstracts from the annual meetings of the American College of Gastroenterology and Digestive Disease Week from 2004 to 2010 and references from relevant articles were reviewed. Only trials examining use of rifaximin in secondary prophylaxis of HE were included. Studies on the efficacy and safety of rifaximin in the treatment of acute episodes of HE have been recently summarized elsewhere and are not reviewed here. Results Literature search identified one trial on rifaximin use in secondary prevention of HE, six trials in patients with IBS, and six small studies and case reports in patients with CDI. In a trial of 299 patients, use of rifaximin 550 mg by mouth twice daily for 6 months for prevention of recurrent HE was associated with significantly fewer breakthrough HE episodes compared with placebo (rifaximin 22%, placebo 46%; P P = 0.01), with a hazard ratio of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.29–0.87). Rifaximin improved IBS symptom management in ∼9% more patients than placebo in 2 prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 1260 patients (in the rifaximin group, 40.8% patients reported IBS symptom improvement compared with 31.7% in the placebo group; P Conclusions Rifaximin can be an effective option for reduction in the risk of the recurrence of HE in patients with advanced liver disease. Studies suggest that rifaximin provides relief of global symptoms of diarrhea-predominant IBS and bloating. Use of rifaximin in CDI requires further study.
Learning Preferences and Skill Patterns among Underachieving Gifted Adolescents

The performance of achieving and underachieving gifted adolescents was compared on achievement subtests requiring either analytic/convergent or holistic / divergent cognitive processing Underachievers ex hibited a significant performance discrepancy between these two types of subtests that favored those requiring holistic rather than analytic information processing. The achievers showed no such discrepancy. Under achievers then, perform as well as as achievers on tasks which require holistic processing but do not perform as well on detailed or computational tasks which require precision, attention to detail, and/or convergent problem solving.
Genetically Determined Polymorphisms in Drug Metabolism

Many factors can influence the metabolism and disposition of drugs. Genetically determined differences in an individual's capacity to metabolize drugs are known causes of interindividual and interethnic variabilities in drug disposition and response. In general, a poor metabolizer for a specific metabolic pathway would likely develop adverse effects, and an extensive metabolizer for the same metabolic pathway might have less than optimal response. Although there are different types of polymorphism in drug metabolism, polymorphisms in debrisoquine-type oxidation, S-mephenytoin oxidation, and N-acetylation have been the most extensively studied. This article will present the basic concepts of pharmacogenetics, review the major types of metabolic polymorphisms, outline ways to determine phenotyping and genotyping differences in metabolizing enzyme activities, and discuss how these differences relate to drug metabolism, response, and toxicity. When evaluating drug response and adverse reactions in individual ...
The Concept of Intergroup Mirroring: Reality or Illusion?

The purpose of this research was to investigate the viability of intergroup mirroring as a theoretical construct. Mirroring is said to occur when two or more groups operating within the same social system act in similar ways. The Institutional Event of a Group Relations Conference was the focus of study. The staff group and two member groups were audiotaped. Each group met five times and each session was 11/2 hours in length. A content analysis method was used to determine the conversational themes in each group. Seven major themes were identified in this manner. The findings suggested that mirroring occurred among the groups in both the total amount of minutes and the percentage of actual group time spent in discussion of the various themes. Mirroring was also noted during simultaneously occurring sessions but infrequently. In addition, the groups became more aligned over time with regard to developmental processes and their responses to focal issues. Intergroup mirroring was evident in the overall discu...
The role of a novel VH sequence (V11) in the formation of anti-phosphocholine antibodies

The immune response to phosphocholine (PC) in mice is highly restricted. Most anti-PC antibodies use heavy-chain variable-region (VH) sequences derived from single VH gene segment, V1. In order to investigate whether a highly homologous VH gene segment, V11, could contribute to the formation of PC-binding antibodies, we carried out chain recombination experiments with M47A, a non-PC binding myeloma protein whose H-chain is encoded by the V11 gene segment, and two PC-binding antibodies, HP101.6G6 (HP6G6) and M511. The H-chains from the non-PC-binding myeloma protein, M47A, formed a functional PC-binding site when paired with L-chains from both PC-binding antibodies. These results suggest that a second VH gene segment, V11, could theoretically be used to form PC-binding antibodies. In addition, these results provide direct evidence that a single H-chain can be used in combinatorial association with different L-chains to form antibodies of differing specificities.
Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast-Enhanced Perfusion and Conventional MR Imaging Findings for Adult Patients with Cerebral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Preoperative differentiation of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) from other tumors is important for presurgical staging, intraoperative management, and postoperative treatment. Dynamic, susceptibility-weighted, contrast-enhanced MR imaging can provide in vivo assessment of the microvasculature in intracranial mass lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the perfusion characteristics of adult cerebral PNETs and to compare those values with low and high grade gliomas. METHODS: Conventional MR images of 12 adult patients with pathologically proved cerebral PNETs were analyzed and provided a preoperative diagnosis. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measurements and estimates of the vascular permeability transfer constant, K trans , derived by a pharmacokinetic modeling algorithm, were also obtained. These results were compared with rCBV and K trans values obtained in a group of low grade gliomas (n 30) and a group of high grade gliomas (n 55) by using a Student t test. RESULTS: On conventional MR images, PNETs were generally well-defined contrast-enhancing masses with solid and cystic components, little or no surrounding edema, and occasional regions of susceptibility. The rCBV of cerebral PNETs was 4.76 1.99 SD, and the K trans was 0.0033 0.0035. A comparative group of patients with low grade gliomas (n 30) had significantly lower rCBV (P < .0005) and lower K trans (P < .05). Comparison with a group of high grade gliomas showed no statistical significance in the rCBV and K trans (P .53 and .19, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dynamic, susceptibility-weighted, contrast-enhanced MR imaging shows areas of increased cerebral blood volume and vascular permeability in PNETs. These results may be helpful in the diagnosis and preoperative differentiation between PNETs and other intracranial mass lesions (such as low grade gliomas), which have decreased perfusion but may sometimes have a similar conventional MR imaging appearance.
Terrorism as a Context of Coverage before the Iraq War

This article examines terrorism as a context in the major newsmagazines’ coverage of Iraq in the prewar period. Contexts and associated issues help create news frames, which can affect judgments of...
Feature and pose constrained visual Aided Inertial Navigation for computationally constrained aerial vehicles

A Feature and Pose Constrained Extended Kalman Filter (FPC-EKF) is developed for highly dynamic computationally constrained micro aerial vehicles. Vehicle localization is achieved using only a low performance inertial measurement unit and a single camera. The FPC-EKF framework augments the vehicle's state with both previous vehicle poses and critical environmental features, including vertical edges. This filter framework efficiently incorporates measurements from hundreds of opportunistic visual features to constrain the motion estimate, while allowing navigating and sustained tracking with respect to a few persistent features. In addition, vertical features in the environment are opportunistically used to provide global attitude references. Accurate pose estimation is demonstrated on a sequence including fast traversing, where visual features enter and exit the field-of-view quickly, as well as hover and ingress maneuvers where drift free navigation is achieved with respect to the environment.
Trapping of water waves above a round sill

The three-dimensional problem of wave trapping above a submerged round sill was first analysed by Longuet-Higgins on the basis of a linear shallow-water theory. The large responses predicted by the theory were, however, not well borne out by the experiments of Barnard, Pritchard & Provis, and this has motivated a more detailed study of the problem. A full linear theory for both inviscid and weakly viscous fluid, without any shallow-water assumptions, is presented here. It reveals important limitations on the use of shallow-water theory and the reasons for them. In particular, while the qualitative features of wave trapping are similar to those of shallow-water theory, the nearly resonant frequencies differ significantly, and, since the resonances are narrow, the observed amplitudes at a given frequency differ greatly. The geometry is strongly indicative of long waves, and the dispersion relation appears quite consistent with that, but the part of the motion at wavenumbers that are not small has, despite the small amplitude, a substantial effect on the response to excitation. A theoretical study of the trapping that results when a train of small-amplitude plane waves of a fixed frequency is incident on a submerged steep-sided round sill (figure 1) was made by Longuet-Higgins (hereinafter referred to as LH) in 1967. His investigation was motivated by wave records taken at Macquarie Island showing the occurrence of regular oscillations of unusually large amplitudes. In view of these observations, LH considered a simplified geometry in which the island shelf was represented by a round sill, with a circumference of 80 km, submerged to a depth of 100 m. He based his calculation on linear inviscid shallow-water theory, and used separation of variables in cylindrical coordinates to determine the expressions for the surface displacements for each of the two regions of constant depths. Because of the depth independence of the velocity field in shallow-water theory, the velocity components could not be made continuous at the sill edge, and two approximate matching conditions were used : the continuity of surface elevation and the continuity of the horizontal component of the mass flux. LH’s analysis showed the existence of eigenfrequencies with very small imaginary parts. A train of plane waves with a frequency near such an eigenfrequency could theoretically excite ‘ nearly trapped ’ modes over the sill, and the response at such modes was determined. The largest responses were found to occur at the higher angular modes and at smaller ratios of the depths. These calculations have been confirmed and extended by Summerfield (1969), who applied shallow-water theory to a ‘shelf-island’ model consisting of a steep-sided round island rising from the top of a round sill of larger radius. He showed the eigenfrequencies for his system to be closely related to those of LH’s sill geometry.
Evidence-informed assessment and treatment of depression in HCV and interferon-treated patients.

More than 4 million people are currently infected with Hepatitis C an RNA virus that may ultimately result in complete hepatic failure and is often a silent infection until late in the course of disease. Hepatitis C patients have increased rates of major depression (as well as substance abuse) and treatment of hepatitis with interferon, the current standard treatment, provokes episodes of depression in as many as a third of patients treated. Immune-dysfunction mediated mechanisms for the depression in these patients have been proposed and have increasing experimental support. The resulting depression has interfered with treatment for many patients, but several standard treatments for depression have been shown to be effective in patients with interferon-associated depression, suggesting that this should not be a barrier to effective treatment. In this paper, we review the evidence for associations between depression and Hepatitis C and interferon treatment, as well as the evidence supporting an immune mec...
Mental Health, Self-Stigma, and Help-Seeking Intentions Among Emerging Adults An Attachment Perspective

Many college students experience common mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression, but do not seek psychological help. The present study proposed an attachment theory–driven model interrelating adult attachment, mental health concerns, and self-stigma in predicting intentions to seek counseling with a college student sample (N = 1,682). Structural equation modeling revealed that attachment anxiety, but not attachment avoidance, directly and positively predicted intentions to seek counseling. However, mediation analyses indicated that attachment anxiety was also indirectly and negatively linked to help-seeking intentions through self-stigma. Specifically, higher levels of attachment anxiety, or the combination of attachment anxiety and mental health concerns, predicted greater levels of self-stigma, which in turn predicted weaker intentions to seek counseling. The findings point to the importance of considering the combined contributions of individual differences in attachment dimensions, leve...
Economic-Based Optimization of Panama Canal System Operations

A network flow optimization model is developed to study the operations of the Panama Canal system. The prescriptive model chooses monthly reservoir releases and storage levels that maximize the overall benefit of the system. Solution of the model relies on penalty functions that relate value (either economic or noneconomic) to storage levels, releases, and flows in the system. Penalty functions are developed for the multiple purposes of the system, including water supply, navigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. Patterns observed in the model results can serve as starting points to develop improved operating rules for the existing system, and the model can also help evaluate the potential benefits of structural changes to the system. The primary operational trade-off evaluated herein is between maximizing hydroelectric power generation and meeting navigation requirements with a high degree of reliability. Model results also provide some insights into the capacity expansion decisions faced by the Panama Canal Authority.
Hydrodynamic stability of the boundary layer on a continuous moving surface

The characteristics of the laminar boundary layer on a continuous moving surface are described and an experiment is performed to demonstrate that such a flow is physically realizable. The hydrodynamic stability of the flow is analysed within the framework of small-perturbation stability theory. A complete stability diagram is mapped out. The critical Reynolds number is found to be substantially higher than that for the Blasius flow and, correspondingly, the critical layer lies closer to the wall. The disturbance amplitude function and its derivative are numerically evaluated, from which are derived the vector flow field of the disturbance, the resultant flow field (main flow plus disturbances), the root-mean-square distributions of the disturbance velocity components, and the distributions of the kinetic energy and the Reynolds stress. The energy criterion for stability is also investigated and is found to be consistent with the solutions of the eigenvalue problem.
Time Series Smoothing and OWA Aggregation

In this paper, an overview of the time series smoothing problem is provided and the role of data aggregation is described using a weighted average of the past observations. Two important features associated with this smoothing process are introduced. One is the average age of the data and other is the expected variance. It is noted how both of these are defined in terms of the associated weights. We show the fundamental conflict between trying to keep the variance small while simultaneously using the freshest data. We study the moving average and exponential smoothing methods. Focusing on the aggregation aspect of the data smoothing problem allows us to draw upon the work done with the ordered weighted averaging aggregation operators to suggest new methods for developing smoothing techniques. A new class of smoothing operators based on the use of linearly decaying weights is introduced and is shown to have some better features than either exponential smoothing or the moving average. Other classes of smoothing operators are introduced. We introduce the idea of an operational estimate that involves adjusting a smoothed value by other considerations.
Numerical simulations of Yb 3+ -doped, pulsed fiber amplifiers: Comparison with experiment

We have developed a numerical simulation of cw-pumped Yb3+-doped fiber amplifiers seeded by pulses at 1064 nm. Results compare well to measurements of longitudinal upper-level ion populations and of output pulse energy versus pump power.
Connexin36 Is Essential for Transmission of Rod-Mediated Visual Signals in the Mammalian Retina

To examine the functions of electrical synapses in the transmission of signals from rod photoreceptors to ganglion cells, we generated connexin36 knockout mice. Reporter expression indicated that connexin36 was present in multiple retinal neurons including rod photoreceptors, cone bipolar cells, and AII amacrine cells. Disruption of electrical synapses between adjacent AIIs and between AIIs and ON cone bipolars was demonstrated by intracellular injection of Neurobiotin. In addition, extracellular recording in the knockout revealed the complete elimination of rod-mediated, on-center responses at the ganglion cell level. These data represent direct proof that electrical synapses are critical for the propagation of rod signals across the mammalian retina, and they demonstrate the existence of multiple rod pathways, each of which is dependent on electrical synapses.
The Astronomical Unit now

The Astronomical Unit is one of the most basic units of astronomy: the scale of the solar system. Yet its long and colorful history is sprinkled liberally with incorrect descriptions and mis-quoted definitions – today as much as ever. Over the last half century, the accuracy of the au determinations has improved dramatically: optical (triangulation) methods have given way to modern electronic observations, high-speed computers, and dedicated efforts to improve planetary ephemerides. Typical uncertainties in the value of the au have decreased from many tens of thousands of kilometers to the present level of only a few meters. With the solar system providing a very clean, undisturbed dynamical model, the ephemerides have been used for a variety of exotic physical tests: alternative theories of gravitation, , etc. In the beginning of this modern era, the author happened to be a witness to a couple of rather key events; more lately, a participant. A couple of these personal experiences are related.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html
rep-PCR-Mediated Genomic Fingerprinting: A Rapid and Effective Method to Identify Clavibacter michiganensis.

ABSTRACT The genomic DNA fingerprinting technique known as repetitive-sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) was evaluated as a tool to differentiate subspecies of Clavibacter michiganensis, with special emphasis on C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, the pathogen responsible for bacterial canker of tomato. DNA primers (REP, ERIC, and BOX), corresponding to conserved repetitive element motifs in the genomes of diverse bacterial species, were used to generate genomic fingerprints of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius, and C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosum. The rep-PCR-generated patterns of DNA fragments observed after agarose gel electrophoresis support the current division of C. michiganensis into five subspecies. In addition, the rep-PCR fingerprints identified at least four types (A, B, C, and D) within C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis based on limited DNA polymorphism...
Carbamazepine increases extracellular serotonin concentration: lack of antagonism by tetrodotoxin or zero Ca2+

Carbamazepine administration causes large increases in extracellular serotonin concentration and dose-related anticonvulsant effects in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs). In order to determine the generality of the effect on serotonin, we determined the anticonvulsant ED50 for carbamazepine against maximal electroshock seizures in outbred, non-epileptic Sprague-Dawley rats. We then administered anticonvulsant carbamazepine doses to Sprague-Dawley rats and observed extracellular serotonin concentration in hippocampi by way of microdialysis. We found that administration of carbamazepine, either systemically or through the dialysis probe, resulted in significant and dose-related increases in extracellular serotonin concentration. Basal serotonin release was decreased by tetrodotoxin administration through the dialysis probe. Tetrodotoxin administration through the dialysis probe did not decrease the effect of systemically or focally administered carbamazepine on extracellular serotonin concentration. Similarly, elimination of Ca2+ from the dialysate did not alter the release of serotonin caused by carbamazepine. These findings suggest that the serotonin releasing effect of carbamazepine does not take place by exocytosis and does not require action potentials in the brain area in which the release takes place. Further they suggest that the effect is mediated by an action of carbamazepine directly on serotonergic nerve terminals.
Asymptotically optimal bandwidth selection Of the kernel density estimator under The proportional hazards model

Let fn(x) denote a kernel density estimator of the density f(x) based on the m.l.e. of the distribution function F associated with the density f(x). Let Ŝ x(x) be the m.l.e. of the survival function S x based on the right censored data and the proportional hazards model of random censorship. The estimate fn(x) depends on the window size,h In this paper it is shown that the least-squares cross-validation method of bandwidth selection is asymptotically optimal under the proportional hazards model of random censorship. This extends the results of Stone (1984) to the proportional hazards model of random censorship.
Factorial Invariance of Child Self-Report across Age Subgroups: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Ages 5 to 16 Years Utilizing the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales

Background: The utilization of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurement in an effort to improve pediatric health and well-being and determine the value of health care services has grown dramatically over the past decade. The paradigm shift toward patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials has provided the opportunity to emphasize the value and essential need for pediatric patient self-report. In order for HRQOL/PRO comparisons to be meaningful for subgroup analyses, it is essential to demonstrate factorial invariance. This study examined age subgroup factorial invariance of child self-report for ages 5 to 16 years on more than 8500 children utilizing the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Method: Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) was performed specifying a five-factor model. Two multigroup structural equation models, one with constrained parameters and the other with unconstrained parameters, were proposed to compare the factor loadings across the age subgroups. Results: Metric invariance (i.e., equal factor loadings) across the age subgroups was demonstrated based on stability of the Comparative Fit Index between the two models, and several additional indices of practical fit including the Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation, the Non-Normed Fit Index, and the Parsimony Normed Fit Index. Conclusion: The findings support an equivalent five-factor structure across the age subgroups. Based on these data, it can be concluded that children across the age subgroups in this study interpreted items on the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales in a similar manner regardless of their age.
Organ specificity of the dopamine1 receptor/adenylyl cyclase coupling defect in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The coupling between the dopamine1 (DA1) receptor and the G protein/adenylyl cyclase (AC) enzyme complex is defective in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of 20-wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Because this coupling defect could have been due to desensitization secondary to elevated renal dopamine levels in the adult animal, we studied the interaction between DA1 receptors and AC in PCT of rats as early as 3 wk of age, a time when renal dopamine levels are similar in SHRs and their normotensive controls (Wistar-Kyoto rats, WKYs). Maximum receptor density did not change with age and was similar in WKYs and SHRs in all the age groups studied (3, 8, and 20 wk). Basal-, forskolin-, and guanyl nucleotide-stimulated AC activities were also similar in WKYs and SHRs and did not change with age. However, the DA1 agonist-stimulated AC activity was greater in WKYs than in SHRs and increased with age in WKYs but not in SHRs. Moreover, the ability of a nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, Gpp(NH)p, to enhance DA1 agonist (SND-919-C12, 1 microM)-stimulated AC activity increased with age in WKY but not in SHRs. To determine if the defect noted in the PCT of SHRs is due to a defective D1A receptor gene, parallel studies were performed in the striatum, since this receptor is expressed predominantly in the latter tissue. In contrast to the results in PCT, radioligand binding and AC studies in striatum revealed no differences between WKYs and SHRs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Three-dimensional model of identifying barriers to knowledge management

This article is a continuation of the author’s discussion concerning the identification and classification of barriers to knowledge management, which appeared in 2012 (see References). The author divides these barriers into three interrelated dimensions: a) the prevalence of these barriers (exceeding the classical triad of: individual, organizational, and inter‐organizational levels), b) the stages of knowledge management processes, and c) the types of barriers. The three‐dimensional model presented is based on the field of morphology utilized in the theory of combinations. This paper is conceptual in nature, and is aimed at identifying barriers to knowledge management, and new areas of research. Intrinsically related to knowledge management are numerous barriers influencing the process of managing this intangible resource both on an epistemological and ontological level. Researchers present different points of view in terms of performance, or causes of failure in projects and initiatives related to knowledge management. However, one fact remains indisputable. The causes and reasons for failure must be taken into account when considering potential limitations. The very awareness of their existence allows companies and individuals involved the opportunity to undertake appropriate steps in reducing their negative impact in the future. The approach presented in this article may lead to the recognition of areas considered as barriers relevant to the functioning of an organization, and with an analysis of the impact exerted by the external environment.
Factors Affecting Oviposition of Pieris rapae on Cabbage

The effects of varietal characteristics, leaf-feeding damage, plant age and plant size on oviposition by the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.) on cabbage were investigated during a 3-yr period in Chesterfield Co., VA. Varietal characteristics as manifest in cultivars of savoy, smooth green and red cabbage significantly affected egg-laying ( P 0.05). These findings are discussed in relation to P. rapae 's oviposition behavior.
The effect of asymmetric stimulation on the apparent median plane

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an asymmetrical, distractor stimulus placed at varied distances from the objective median plane on the amount of shift of the apparent median plane. A non-monotonic relationship was found between degree of asymmetry and amount of shift. Although all degrees of asymmetry effected a shift in apparent median plane, the largest shift occurred when the distractor stimulus was asymmetrical by 40 degrees.
Delayed Sedimentation in Antihemocyanin-Systems

SummaryAn unusual zone of greatly delayed sedimentation was observed in titrations of the hemocyanins of Limulus polyphemus and Fulgur carica with their precipitins. The extent of the zone was influenced by both the relative and the absolute concentration of the two specific reactants.
An Empirical Reduced Order Model of the Mach 0.6 Turbulent Axisymmetric Jet

A database of the Eulerian acceleration field of the sound producing region in a Mach 0.6 jet is created using dual-time stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (DT-PIV). Using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) in conjunction with a Galerkin-inspired model of the Navier-Stokes equations, the dynamics of the flow are reconstructed through the empirical development of a low order dynamical system (LODS) at one fixed downstream position in the jet. Given an initial condition, the trained reduced order model (ROM) is able to predict the state of the turbulent flow at near-future times. A description of the ROM development method is followed by results from the predicteddynamics. Finallya descriptionof its potential applicationto closed-loop flow control of the high-speed jets is given. in an incompressible cavity flow. This non-intrusive technique enables knowledge of the instantaneous pressure field with the assumptions of incompressible flow and negligible viscous effects. The latter assumption is indeed valid in high speed flows far from solid boundaries. The knowledge of the instantaneous pressure could be of great interest in the high-speed jet flow to understand the relationship between the pressure field inside the flow and the near-field pressure around it where actual measurements are experimentally feasible. A physical explanation is still lacking as to why such a high-dimensional flow translates to such a low-dimensional near-field pressure. The present database will make possible the estimation of the material acceleration in this high-speed flow and eventually enable access to the instantaneous pressure field. In this aim, a joint experiment has been carried out at a lower Mach number (to more closely satisfy the incompressibility assumption) with sampling of the near-field pressure around the jet flow simultaneously with the DT-PIV measurement for future investigation of the instantaneous relationship between the pressure inside the jet and the pressure field around it. Moreover, the acceleration field is of great interest from an aeroacoustics perspective since far field noise is be- lieved to be associated with short time and large strain events in the flow which would be accompanied by large outward radial bursts, 2 often referred to as the "volcano" event, as found experimentally by Citriniti & George 3 using a rake of 138 hotwires. Consequently, in the present experiment, the far-field acoustics were sampled simultaneously with the DT-PIV to correlate the far field sound with the jet acceleration field and investigate the possibility of such a mechanism contributing to the overall far-field sound. The third and main interest to this study is tied to flow control applications. Simple closed-loop control algorithms based on the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) have been implemented and have shown successful results. 4 In order to develop more sophisticated control algorithms, a low-order model of the jet flow is needed. In this aim,