cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Impact of a Pilot Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program for the Department of Labor.

The Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program (GTAP) pilot was designed as a replicable and sustainable program to enhance workforce skills in geospatial technologies to best leverage a $30 billion market potential. The purpose of evaluating GTAP was to ensure that investment in this high-growth industry was adding value. Findings from this evaluation showed that investments in geospatial technology competency development have the potential for high-systemic payoffs and sustained economic growth.
Crystal structures of (η6-C7H8)M(CO)3 (M Cr, W). Comparisons among a homologous series of cycloheptatriene complexes and experimental evidence for a boat conformation of the coordinated ring

Abstract Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the η 6-cycloheptatriene complexes (η6-C7H8)M(CO)3 (M  Cr, 1; M  W, 3) are described. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n, a = 12.189(9) A, b = 6.946(2) A, c = 12.355(3) A, β = 114.10(7)°, Z = 4. Data were collected in the ω-2θ mode and refined to R = 0.032 and Rw = 0.043. Complex 3 is isostructural, with a = 12.223(9) A, b = 7.079(3) A, c = 12.390(9) A, β = 113.90(8)°, Z = 4, R = 0.042 and Rw = 0.056. The bond distance and angle data indicate that both molecules adopt the “staggered” structure with the unique carbonyl ligand centered under the open side of the polyene ring, and that in both cases the ring adopts a cycloheptatriene structure rather than a norcaradiene one. The cycloheptatriene ligand is slightly non-planar, the metal is shifted toward the “closed” end of the ring, and the six-membered pseudo-ring carbon-carbon bonds exhibit three different sets of values rather than two.
Helping New Braille Readers: Effects of Spacing, Finger Locus, and Gloves

Braille words (Exp. 1) and individual braille characters (Exp. 2) were touched by 60 naive sighted observers while vision of the tangible patterns was excluded. The embossed code had to be matched against a visible representation of braille and letter equivalents. The reading of braille was aided by the use of large braille or standard braille with extra space inserted between characters. Reading was impaired when subjects were limited to the use of the fingerpad and were prohibited from employing the fingertip. Recognition was not altered by covering the hand with vinyl examination gloves. It was suggested that beginning braille readers might profit from extra space between the braille characters comprising words. Furthermore, the use of the more sensitive fingertip to explore braille patterns helped, perhaps by encouraging sequential identification of spatial information.
Volume-conducted potentials in response to auditory stimuli as detected by averaging in the cat.

Abstract With the tongue as a reference point in the deeply anesthetized cat, recordings from the scalp or rostral brain locations obtained by repeated averaging, time-locked to an auditory click, showed four positive waves which were labeled P 1 , P 2 , P 3 and P 4 . P 1 occurs simultaneously with N 1 recorded at the round window and is probably generated by the VIIIth nerve. The other waves are likely to be composites of both slow and fast wave activity, but each shows increased amplitude or inversion of polarity or both in the vicinity of classical auditory structures: P 2 near the cochlear nucleus, P 3 near the superior olive and P 4 in and on either side of the inferior colliculus. A P 5 wave was observed in the inferior colliculus or slightly rostral to it. The medial geniculate and auditory cortex showed no evoked potentials in these animals. The results indicate that widely spaced electrodes can detect potentials, by means of averaging, at considerable distances from the generator of the potentials, so that additional evidence about the location of the generator must be provided when using this recording arrangement. The technique can be used to record a sensory system from a single electrode outside the system.
Differentiating Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia: Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve Analysis of Four Rating Scales

Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia are two of the most common types of degenerative dementia. In conjunction with a complete neuropsychiatric examination, the Executive Interview©, Mini-Mental State Exam, Alzheimer’s Disease Scale, Pick’s Disease Scale and the Informant-Based Questionnaire have been used to distinguish between these two disorders on clinical grounds. In a review of two studies, scores from these rating scales are subjected to receiver operator characteristic curve analysis to determine the cut-off value for each scale which yields the highest sensitivity and specificity with regard to differentiating between Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Finally, the Informant-Based Questionnaire is discussed and compared to each rating scale to demonstrate the important features and limitations of each.
Generation of pulsed squeezed light in a mode-locked optical parametric oscillator

The generation of pulsed squeezed light using an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is discussed. This mode-locked optical parametric oscillator consists of a nonlinear crystal in a cavity which is resonant for both signal and idler waves and which is synchronously pumped by the second-harmonic of an acousto-optically mode-locked cw Nd: YAG laser. The fundamental wavelength of the pump laser provides local oscillator pulses for balanced homodyne detection of squeezed vacuum pulses emitted by the oscillator when operated below oscillation threshold. Photocurrent noise reduction to 30% below the classical shot-noise limit is observed, corresponding to squeezing of the field to a level approximately a factor of two below the mean square vacuum noise.
Micrografting and ex vitro grafting for somatic embryo rescue and plant recovery in avocado (Persea americana)

The efficient recovery of plants from avocado somatic embryos has been difficult to achieve by manipulating maturation and conversion conditions in vitro. The production of morphologically normal, bipolar somatic embryos occurs at low frequency, usually < 2, and conversion is sporadic. In order to utilize the embryogenic system for improving avocado by genetic transformation and in vitro mutagenesis, different protocols for rescuing the shoots that develop from somatic embryos were evaluated. Shoots derived either from somatic embryos or from shoot tip and nodal cultures were either micrografted or grafted ex vitro onto seedling rootstocks. Depending on scion type, micrografting was 59–100 successful. For ex vitro grafting, several genotypes derived from shoot tip/nodal cultures were used as scions with either top slit or side grafting. Plant recovery after ex vitro grafting was 52–76, and flushing generally occurred 20–25 days after grafting. Top slit and side grafting were equally successful (68–72); however, the former resulted in earlier flushing (21 versus 29 days). These grafting procedures have been adopted for routine rescue of avocado regenerants from somatic embryos.
Multiple Speed Clutch Applied to Automatic Washers

Proliferation of fabric types in the household garment inventory has created a need for preferential treatment in the process of cleaning these garments. In top-loading washers, changing of the basket and agitator speed has become the more general means of limiting garment wrinkling commensurate with maximum water extraction and achieving maximum soil removal with minimum garment damage.
BENZOPHENONE‐SENSITIZED LIPID PEROXIDATION IN LINOLEATE MICELLES

— Benzophenone-photosensitized peroxidation in linoleic acid micelles (Type I reaction) has been investigated and quantum yields of both sensitizer photolysis and lipid peroxidation have been obtained. Benzophenone as well as its derivative, benzophenone-4′-heptyl-4-pentanoic acid (BHPA) have been utilized as sensitizers in this study. A quantum yield of 1.2 for hydroperoxide formation, compared with a benzophenone disappearance quantum yield of 0.41 (in the same linoleate micellar solution) was obtained; yields of 1.3 and 0.6 were found for comparable systems in which BHPA was the sensitizer. Although such data are consistent with the peroxidation mechanism of chain reaction, it is necessary to know the yields of initiating species to arrive at chain reaction lengths in these systems. Such yields have been determined by flash photolysis. The dependencies of sensitizer photolysis and hydroperoxide yields on linoleate concentration have also been determined in order to elucidate the effects of micelle formation or molecular organization on the peroxidative process. Additionally, for comparison in a saturated surfactant (lipid) system hydrogen abstraction was investigated by photolysis techniques in sodium dodecyl sulfate alone using these two sensitizers.
Resonant tunneling in high-Tc superconductors (review)

Abstract Papers are reviewed on the resonant tunneling mechanism of the c -axis transport in high-temperature superconducting layered cuprates, proposed by the present author. After an introduction, where the problem is stated and the qualitative principles of the mechanism are described, real physical properties are calculated and compared with experimental data. These include the temperature dependence of the static c -axis conductivity in the normal state, frequency dependence of the optical conductivity and stationary supercurrent along the c -axis. It is demonstrated that for the latter the coherence of resonant tunneling through different centers is of primary importance. In the last section an explanation is proposed of the drastic decrease of T c and increase of the BCS ratio 2 Δ (0)/ T c with underdoping, based on the disruption of interlayer connection and appearance of vortex fluctuations. Two appendices are added illustrating some important features of resonant tunneling on simple models.
Selective angiotensin II receptor antagonism enhances whole-body insulin sensitivity and muscle glucose transport in hypertensive TG(mREN2)27 rats

Abstract Essential hypertension is frequently associated with insulin resistance of skeletal muscle glucose transport, and angiotensin II (ANGII) can contribute to the pathogenesis of both conditions. The male heterozygous TG(mREN2)27 rat (TGR) harbors the mouse transgene for renin, exhibits local tissue elevations in ANGII and is an excellent model of both hypertension and insulin resistance associated with defective insulin signaling. The present study was designed to assess the specific role of ANGII in the insulin resistance of the male heterozygous TGR. TGRs were treated with either vehicle or the ANGII (AT 1 -specific) receptor antagonist, irbesartan (50 mg/kg body weight), for 21 consecutive days. Compared with vehicle-treated TGRs, whole-body insulin sensitivity was increased 35% ( P P P P
Universities and the Teaching of Science

In their Policy Forum “scientific teaching” (23 Apr., p. [521][1]), J. Handelsman et al. call for reform of science teaching at research universities. It is ironic to find that the best practices for science teaching described in the article are considered innovative and noteworthy. At
On Ertel's vorticity theorem

Eine kinematische Verallgemeinerung vonErtels Wirbelsatz wird abgeleitet. Die allgemeine Formel wird fur ein zahigkeitsbehaftetes kompressibles Medium spezialisiert; ebenso werden weitere Spezialfalle behandelt. Es wird gezeigt, dasErtels Satz in einem reibenden kompressiblen Medium im raumlichen Mittel, im allgemeinen aber nicht lokal gilt.
Winning and ticket allotments in college football

Abstract This study focuses on a unique type of political and economic “contest” among various constituents in the state of Alabama. We examine the political and economic battle between Auburn University supporters and their athletic arch-rival, the University of Alabama. We provide a simple statistical analysis that supports the traditional view of “the home field advantage” in athletic contests by applied psychologists in previous studies (Greer, 1983 and Varca, 1980). However, our unique example offers a political arena, which the economic and political “agents” involved used to maintain their homefield advantages. The first solution is a so-called perpetual contract to maintain the game-site in Birmingham, Alabama; the final solutions have brought about a race to increase home stadium capacities by the various institutions. The article offers a unique story which the educator can employ as a pedagogical tool for elementary statistical analysis.
Radioactive drugs in drug development research: quality assurance issues

Increasing number of new drugs, drug formulations and drug delivery systems is evaluated using noninvasive imaging methods. A successful use of new drugs and radiopharmaceuticals depends on their proven quality. This review provides a brief outline of the quality control procedures required for radiolabeled drugs within the context of the existing regulations.
TGF-beta signaling in pancreatic cell differentiation

Abstract Introduction: TGF-beta signaling has been implicated in pancreatic cancer due to the prevalence of smad4 mutations. An established model for pancreatic endocrine differentiation is exendin-4 (glucagon-like peptide-1 analog) treatment of AR42J cells (rat pancreatic carcinoma cell line). We studied TGF-beta superfamily signaling and downstream intracellular effectors (smad proteins) implicated in many developmental processes. Here, we found a novel interdependence between GLP-1 and TGF-beta signaling essential for endocrine differentiation. Methods: AR42J cells were cultured with exendin-4 at serial doses for three days. For inhibitory studies, morpholino antisense and missense controls were added to culture media. Other bioactivity studies were performed using either TGF-beta ligands or else a pan-specific TGF-beta neutralizing antibody. Cell differentiation was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR, as well as immunocytochemistry (IFCC). Results: Smad2 and smad3 mRNA levels were respectively decreased and increased in response to exendin-4 treatment. Further, smad2 antisense or smad2/smad3 double antisense prevented AR42J cells from becoming insulin-positive. Surprisingly, smad3 antisense alone led to a 6.5-fold enhancement of insulin mRNA levels and a doubling of insulin-positive cells by IFCC. The addition of TGF-beta1 ligand greatly upregulated smad3 mRNA and led to a dramatic elevation in insulin expression. Interestingly, TGF-beta smads and insulin-positive differentiation were completely blocked by TGF-beta antibodies, or TGF-beta receptor type I antisense (Alk-1 and Alk-5). Conclusions: TGF-Beta isoform signaling represents a key control point in regulating the level of differentiation of pancreatic AR42J cancer cells.
High self-esteem, hardiness and affective stability are associated with higher basal pituitary-adrenal hormone levels

Abstract Whereas much is known about the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during environmental stress and in psychiatric disorders, little is known about the relation of individual differences in basal HPA-functioning to individual differences in healthy psychological functioning. In the present study, we recruited 37 healthy young men and examined the relations of hardiness, self-esteem and hypomanic personality—dispositions that moderate the effects of psychooocial stress on depressive reactions and health-to circulating levels of cortisol and β-endorphin at rest. High self-esteem, hardiness and affective stability were associated with higher plasma cortisol levels and less psychological distress. Additionally, affective stability was associated with higher levels of β-endorphin. The present findings suggest that individual differences in basal HPA-function are associated with individual differences in psychological functioning following stress.
Enhanced Model for Resilient Response of Soils Resulting from Seasonal Changes as Implemented in "Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide"

The present study deals with the revision of the current model in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) used to predict the environmental factor for unfrozen unbound materials (FU), which is used to adjust the resilient response of soils resulting from seasonal changes. A large database with data from the existing literature and studies at Arizona State University was developed to evaluate the model. The results suggest that the environmental factor is underestimated for fine-grained materials with high plasticity under dry (arid) conditions. However, insufficient data were available to enhance the FU models for wetter conditions. Three fundamental factors that may have impacts on the FU values were evaluated in this study: stress state, compaction energy (soil density), and soil type. The stress state was found to have little to no impact on the predictions of FU. But density changes and soil type were found to be important. The potential for soil index properties to be predictive varia...
Evaluating the cardiovascular tolerance for sex.

Abstract The cardiovascular tolerance for sex has largely been equated with physical activity, yet sexual arousal plays a major role. Exercise testing is useful, primarily for evaluating functional capacity, which reflects the extent of physical conditioning and the limitation imposed by symptoms of angina, dyspnea, and fatigue. Exercise testing, which is useful for evaluating functional capacity in sedentary patients, is generally unnecessary in physically active patients. Exercise testing, with or without radionuclide imaging, is of limited value in assessing the risk of future cardiovascular events—a limitation shared by all diagnostic tests, including coronary angiography. The absolute risks of coition-induced myocardial infarction (MI) or death are extremely low—on the order of 2 chances per million per hour in healthy middle-aged individuals or 20 chances per million per hour in “high-risk” patients with ischemic heart disease. This is equivalent to an annual risk of 1.01% and 1.2%, respectively. Sex is a comparatively weak precipitant of acute coronary events, accounting for only 0.5–1.0% of all such events. The cardiovascular tolerance for sex in an individual can be characterized by the “functional reserve,” that is, the extent to which the cardiovascular response to sex—measured by the heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption—encroaches on the peak response to exercise. Cardiovascular symptoms during sex rarely occur in patients who do not experience similar symptoms during exercise testing at a level equivalent to 6 METS.
Correlation-Based Clustering of Traffic Data for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide

Development of traffic data clusters is crucial for use of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) when site-specific traffic data are not available and statewide data are too general. However, a preferred approach to traffic data clustering is not specified in the MEPDG. In current clustering practice, subjective decisions are made about issues such as determination of the number of clusters. This paper presents a new clustering combination method, correlation-based clustering, that considers the effects of traffic inputs on pavement design thicknesses, so that determination of the number of clusters is made objectively. For each traffic input required in the MEPDG, the similarity between two sites is evaluated with Pearson's correlation coefficient. Then, this approach evaluates the sensitivity of pavement design thickness to each traffic input to quantify locations to cut the hierarchical clustering trees, which objectively determines the number of clusters. The MEPDG requires many traf...
Metabolism of Levan by Oral Samples

Levan sucrase and hydrolase were present consistently in samples of dental plaque, but only the hydrolase was extractable with water. When plaque was incubated with sucrose, the levan content of the suspension reached a steady state that depended on the duration of incubation, sucrose concentration, and pH of the medium.
A broadband printed bow-tie antenna with a simplified balanced feed

A broadband printed bow-tie antenna with a simplified balanced feeding network and modified tapering is presented. Microstrip and parallel-strip transmission lines printed on the substrate with high dielectric permittivity realize the proposed feeding network. The ground-plane transition between the microstrip line and the parallel-strip line is exponentially tapered so as to reduce the reflection losses and produce a balanced feed for the antenna. This printed bow-tie antenna achieves a 68% measured bandwidth and a stable radiation pattern within the X-band. Commercial FEM software is used for optimization of the bow-tie antenna and the simulation results agree very well with the experiment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 47: 534–536, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21221
The future of prenatal HIV testing.

The use of zidovudine for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, as well as continuing advances in our understanding of the determinants of that transmission, and of potential new avenues of intervention augur ever more efficient perinatal prevention strategies in the near future. In this paper the evolving role of prenatal testing in an era of ever more successful interventions will be discussed. At least four factors will be critical in determining what that role will be: clinical, legal, ethical and economic. Each of these are parochial, i.e. they will feature in eradication strategies in different ways in different geographical, economic and cultural settings. An understanding of these factors will help to suggest what course testing policy should take and to determine the role clinicians must play if any testing policy is to succeed in contributing to the end of pediatric HIV disease.
The Effects of Active Peripheral Skin Warming on Perioperative Hypothermia in Dogs

Objective This study evaluates the efficacy of three perioperative warming protocols to improve control of body temperature in anesthetized dogs. Study design A randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals or sample population Thirty-two client-owned dogs. Methods We prospectively studied dogs entering the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Teaching Hospital for orthopedic or dental procedures and assigned them to one of three perianesthetic warming protocols. Group 1 (n = 10) had a single circulating warm water mattress applied over the trunk (single-trunk warming). Group 2 (n = 12) had two circulating warm water mattresses, one placed over and one under the trunk (double-trunk warming). Group 3 (n = 10) had warm circulating mattresses applied only around the feet and legs of all available limbs (peripheral warming). The warm water mattresses were prewarmed and maintained at 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) and applied immediately after induction of general anesthesia. All dogs had a layer of thick terry cloth toweling beneath and above the trunk. Body temperature measurements were recorded every 15 minutes for the first 2.5 hours of anesthesia. Results The lowest mean temperature for dogs in group 3 was 37.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C (99.5 degrees F), compared with 36.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C (97.4 degrees F) and 36.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C (98.0 degrees F) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions Dogs in the peripheral warming group maintained significantly higher core body temperatures than dogs in either trunk warming groups throughout the 2.5-hour study period. Clinical relevance To maintain body heat in dogs during anesthesia, it is more effective to warm the feet and legs than to warm the trunk.
Interaction of a uniform wind stress with a geostrophic vortex

Abstract We consider the weak (small Rossby numbers) non-linear interaction between a quasi-geostrophic vortex and the Ekman flow which is produced by a uniform wind stress acting at the top of the mixed layer. The differential advection of geostrophic vorticity by the undisturbed Ekman components tends to tilt the axis of the vortex away from the vertical but, because of the strong rotational constraint, the vortex maintians vertical ‘rigidity’ by developing vertical velocities which balance the advective tendency (and frictional rotation). In this approximate vorticity balance for a ‘frictional’ component of the total motion, the vertical integral implies a net vertical velocity (‘Ekman suction’) at the free surface. To maintain the proper boundary condition an equal and opposite velocity must be applied to a second (geostrophic) component of the motion. This coupling condition has been determined as a function of the surface wind stress, the gradient of geostrophic vorticity, and the depth of the homogeneous mixed layer. If the base of the mixed layer were rigid the vortex would move as a unit with the velocity of the mean Ekman drift. The suction velocity formula is then generalized to include the special case ( Charney 1955) of a global wind variation and variable Coriolis parameter ( Sverdrup 1947). The effect of the local wind in supplying kinetic energy to the deeper ocean is also discussed, and suggestions are made for including the baroclinicity of the friction layer into the geostrophic dynamics.
The effect of anomeric head groups, surfactant hydrophilicity, and electrolytes on n-alkyl monoglucoside microemulsions

The effects of the variables of head group structure and salt concentration on microemulsions formed in mixtures of water, alkyl ethylene glycol ethers (CkOC2OCk), andn-alkyl β-d-glucopyranosides (CmβG1) are explored. Phase behavior of mixtures containing an anomer of the surfactant (n-alkyl α-d-glucopyranoside, CmαG1), or surfactants with long head groups (n-alkyl maltopyranosides, CmG2), or NaCl or NaClO4as electrolyte are systematically reported as a function of temperature and composition. The substitution ofn-alkyl α-d-glucopyranosides forn-alkyl β-d-glucopyranosides causes precipitation under some conditions in all mixtures studied. These solubility boundaries begin in the water–surfactant binary mixture at the Krafft boundary, then extend to high concentrations of both surfactant and oil. Increasing the effective length of the surfactant head group by adding CmG2to water–CkOC2OCk–CmβG1mixtures moves the phase behavior dramatically up in temperature when even small amounts of CmG2are used. Adding a lyotropic electrolyte, NaCl, to water–CkOC2OCk–CmβG1mixtures moves the phase behavior down in temperature, while the hydrotropic electrolyte NaClO4moves the phase behavior up in temperature.
Rituximab inhibits p38 MAPK activity in 2F7 B NHL and decreases IL-10 transcription: Pivotal role of p38 MAPK in drug resistance

We have recently reported that Rituximab (anti-CD20) sensitizes drug-resistant 2F7 and 10C9 B Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cell lines to the apoptotic effects of various chemotherapeutic drugs by downregulation of IL-10 and Bcl-2 expression. The mechanism by which Rituximab induces downregulation of IL-10 was examined. We hypothesized that Rituximab may inhibit p38 MAPK activity that regulates IL-10 expression via Sp1. Treatment of 2F7 cells with Rituximab or the p38 inhibitor SB203580 inhibited the constitutive p38 MAPK activity and resulted in the inhibition of Sp1, IL-10, STAT3, and Bcl-2. Inhibition of the Src-family PTKs, Lyn, and Src-family PTKs upstream signaling molecules of the p38MAPK pathway, by PP2, a specific Src-family kinase inhibitor, resulted in the inhibition of p38MAPK and IL-10 expression. In addition to p38 MAPK, Rituximab also inhibited NF-kappaB activity. Inhibition of the Src PTKs, MAPK, and NF-kappaB activities by Rituximab or by specific chemical inhibitors sensitized the cells to CDDP-mediated apoptosis. The above signaling-mediated effects by Rituximab were observed with similar kinetics beginning at 1 h following treatment. Thus, altogether, these results demonstrate that signaling by Rituximab results in the inhibition of the p38MAPK pathway, which in turn inhibits the transcription of IL-10 via Sp1. Inhibition of the IL-10 autocrine/paracrine loop results in the inhibition of STAT3 activity and, consequently, inhibition of Bcl-2 expression and sensitization to drugs-apoptosis. Further, Rituximab-mediated signaling identifies several new intracellular targets in NHL that may be of potential therapeutic interest for the development of new drugs in the treatment of drug-refractory NHL tumor cells.
Urban Influences on Surface Temperatures in the Southwestern United States during Recent Decades

Abstract Trends of surface temperature at rapidly growing urban sites during the last three to five decades are compared to those at non-urban sites, temperatures at 70 kPa, and sea surface temperature at a coastal Pacific station. Significant urban heat island effects have apparently taken hold, with urban-affected temperature increases of 1 to 2°C common over this period. In contrast, the trend of the non-urban records has been distinctly smaller over this period. The urban warming appears to be predominantly a nighttime phenomenon, with minimum temperatures displaying considerably more increase than maximum temperatures. No uniform seasonal preference for this increase emerged from these stations. Because of this increase, the distribution of observed temperatures shows a marked warm bias at several of the urban sites during recent years.
Pneumoperitoneum Without Ruptured Viscus in the Neonate: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A premature infant with severe respiratory distress developed the clinical and radiologic signs of pneumoperitoneum. At operation, free intraperitoneal air without visceral perforation was found. This case is unique in that pneumothorax was never observed and that interstitial emphysema or ischemic gastrointestinal lesions were not present at autopsy. The patient, however, was on a positive pressure ventilator for some time because of hyaline membrane disease and early pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Reduced parenchymal compliance could predispose to alveolar rupture. Although there was no clinical or anatomic evidence to point to a source of the intraperitoneal air, an undetectable pulmonary rupture with prompt dissection into the peritoneal cavity is the most likely explanation for the pneumoperitoneum.
Effect of levels of acetate on the mevalonate pathway of Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, is a spirochetal pathogen with limited metabolic capabilities that survives under highly disparate host-specific conditions. However, the borrelial genome encodes several proteins of the mevalonate pathway (MP) that utilizes acetyl-CoA as a substrate leading to intermediate metabolites critical for biogenesis of peptidoglycan and post-translational modifications of proteins. In this study, we analyzed the MP and contributions of acetate in modulation of adaptive responses in B. burgdorferi. Reverse-transcription PCR revealed that components of the MP are transcribed as individual open reading frames. Immunoblot analysis using monospecific sera confirmed synthesis of members of the MP in B. burgdorferi. The rate-limiting step of the MP is mediated by HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) via conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate. Recombinant borrelial HMGR exhibited a Km value of 132 µM with a Vmax of 1.94 µmol NADPH oxidized minute−1 (mg protein)−1 and was inhibited by statins. Total protein lysates from two different infectious, clonal isolates of B. burgdorferi grown under conditions that mimicked fed-ticks (pH 6.8/37°C) exhibited increased levels of HMGR while other members of the MP were elevated under unfed-tick (pH 7.6/23°C) conditions. Increased extra-cellular acetate gave rise to elevated levels of MP proteins along with RpoS, CsrABb and their respective regulons responsible for mediating vertebrate host-specific adaptation. Both lactone and acid forms of two different statins inhibited growth of B. burgdorferi strain B31, while overexpression of HMGR was able to partially overcome that inhibition. In summary, these studies on MP and contributions of acetate to host-specific adaptation have helped identify potential metabolic targets that can be manipulated to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease.
Urinary incontinence: historical, global, and epidemiologic perspectives.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a devastating worldwide problem in older adults. Establishing the true prevalence and incidence of UI remains a challenge as different societies define and approach UI differently. Nevertheless, most societies share the common practice of stigmatizing elders with incontinence. Enhanced awareness of global perspectives and epidemiological trends of incontinence is a necessary pre-requisite to improving management of this distressing geriatric syndrome.
Simulating disabilities as a tool for altering individual perceptions of working with children with special needs

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of disability simulations on the attitudes of individuals who will be working with children with special needs in music settings and to compare t...
Protective effects of 2-[(aminopropyl)amino] ethanethiol against bleomycin and nitrogen mustard-induced mutagenicity in V79 cells.

Abstract This study examines the effects of the radioprotector 2-[(aminopropyl)amino] ethanethiol (WR1065) on bleomycin (BLM) and nitrogen mustard- (HNZ) induced cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and mutagenesis at the hypoxanthineguanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) locus in V79 Chinese hamster cells. The anti-mutagenic effect of WR1065 on cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cis-DDP) and radiation- (XRT) induced HGPRT mutations was also evaluated for comparative purposes. WR1065 (4 mM) was added prior to exposure of cells to therapy agents. All exposure times were 30 min. and both cell survival and mutagenesis were assayed. WR1065 was effective in protecting against both effects. The induction of mutants corrected for background by BLM, HN 2 , cis-DDP, or XRT was linear in all cases. Mutation frequencies without WR1065 were 78 X 10 −6 per unit BLM, 66 X 10 −7 per μg HN 2 , 25 X 10 −7 per μg cis-DDP; and 87 X 10 −7 per Gy of XRT. With WR1065, these were reduced to 37 × 10 −6 per unit BLM, 40 X 10 −7 per μg cis-DDP, and 44 × 10 −7 per Gy of XRT. Mutation protection factors (MPF), a ratio of the corresponding slopes of the mutation induction curves, with and without WR1065 were: BLM, MPF=2.8; HN 2 , MPF=3.4; cis-DDP, MPF=7.1; and XRT, MPF=5.1. Single-strandbreak (SSB) formation in DNA by BLM or HN 2 , assayed by alkaline elution, was protected against by WR1065. WR1065 did not induce SSB in control cells. The reduction of the mutagenic effects of agents used in radiation and chemotherapy by radioprotectors may be an important additional benefit for consideration in their use in cancer treatment.
Goals, inferential comprehension, and recall of stories by children

Inferential comprehension and recall of stories by children, 5 and 8 years of age, were studied where the story protagonist's motivation and other referential information crucial to understanding the story were varied. The inclusion of negative or positive protagonist's goals versus a “neutral” goal led to qualitatively different and better inferential comprehension as measured by probe questions. However, these manipulations did not affect how well the children recalled the stories. In addition, when the children in the two age groups were matched for retrieval of propositions crucial to the inferences, the older children made more inferences. These data suggest that inferential comprehension may be independent of surface recall of text and that inference probes are better measures of comprehension than free recall measures.
Personal Denial of Service Attacks (PDOS) and Online Misbehavior:The Need for Cyber Ethics and Information Security Education on University Campuses

The authors examine the need to provide basic information security and cyber ethics training for all university students, not just those pursuing an information security-related degree. The authors also discuss the need to include ethical hacking, as part of an emphasis on cyber ethics, into information securitydegreeprograms.Bothofthesetopicsarediscussedwithinthecontext of a new category of cyber crime, a Personal Denial of ServiceAttack (PDOS) that the authors have identified, along with other types of cyber crime, that are endemic to university campuses.
Electronic Structure of Metal-Ceramic Interfaces

Increasing technological applications of metal-ceramic systems have demanded a fundamental understanding of the properties of interfaces. In this paper, we describe our approach to the study of electronic structure of metal-ceramic interfaces. Electron spectroscopies have been used as primary techniques to investigate the interaction between metal overlayers and ceramic substrates under various experimental conditions. These data are further elucidated by theoretical calculations, from which the electronic structures of the interface have been deduced. A temperature dependence of the band structures of Al2O3 is first discussed, then the evolution of the electronic structure and bonding of Cu and Ni to Al2O3 is studied. The relationship between electronic structures and interfacial properties are also addressed.
Thin-film differential scanning nanocalorimetry: heat capacity analysis

Abstract This paper analyses the electrical response of a quasi-adiabatic, thin-film nanocalorimeter system for the purpose of obtaining values of the heat capacity of ultra-thin samples. The pulse-heating method of heat capacity measurement is based on the observation of the temperature rise during the heating of the sample by a pulse of current. By measuring the voltage and current (in differential mode) of both reference and sample cells of the calorimeter during the pulse, the heat capacity is obtained. Also described are different methods to derive corrections for the baseline to account for the non-ideal differences between the reference and sample cells characteristics, including differences in addendum and resistance–temperature response. Further analysis accounts for the actual heat loss during the measurement, shunting effects of current through the substrate, and heat capacity of the blank calorimeter. Examples of the effects of each of the non-ideal conditions are given.
Ungulate carcasses perforate ecological filters and create biogeochemical hotspots in forest herbaceous layers allowing trees a competitive advantage.

Ecological filters and nutrient heterogeneity are important in the function of ecosystems. Herbaceous layers alter forest ecosystems by filtering tree species during early stages of tree reproduction and influencing nutrient cycling. Important aspects about how tree species successfully establish below and extend above this ecological filter are unanswered in forest ecology. We experimentally tested the effects of large ungulate carcasses on the filtering function of herbaceous layers. Even well-utilized carcasses created unexpected disturbances that reduced herbaceous cover, which effectively perforated the herbaceous layer filter that can differentially influence tree reproduction. Carcasses also created lasting biogeochemical “hotspots” in forest soils that may help maintain plant biodiversity by creating resource heterogeneity and shifting competitive relationships. Because the spatial distribution of carcasses is influenced by predators, these data establish an unrecognized link between large carnivores, prey carcasses, and ecosystem processes. This link supports a novel understanding of disturbance by large herbivores in forest ecosystems by demonstrating an important interaction between predator–prey functional traits and tree seedling dynamics on either side of a major ecological filter.
Potential function control for multiple high-speed nonholonomic robots

Many approaches to the formation control problem for multi-robot systems have been proposed. In distributed consensus algorithm methods, and leader-follower structures the robots are explicitly assigned positions within the desired formation. By contrast, artificial potential function (APF) control generally does not specify a formation explicitly but rather drives the robots down the negative gradient of a potential field such that a formation emerges at a global or local minimum. The ad hoc emergence of the formation has several benefits, especially for a fleet of homogeneous vehicles: It allows for spontaneous adaptation of the formation to addition and removal of vehicles, and it allows for truly homogeneous control for each agent since no hierarchy or unique assignment in a constraint graph is needed. APF methods, however, are generally designed for and tested on robots that approximate fully holonomic double integrator point masses. APF methods designed for nonholonomic robots have been limited to robots with single integrator dynamics or to a single robot traveling at low speed. This video presents the results of an effort to adopt APF methods for high-speed, dynamic, nonholonomic robots. This paper describes the experimental testbed: a fleet of inexpensive 4-wheel drive skid-steered robots called Dynabots capable of speeds up to 10 m/s and accelerations of at least 4 m/s2.
In utero transfer and expression of exogenous genes in sheep.

Abstract Objective We have previously reported that directly injecting low-titer retroviral vector supernatant into pre-immune sheep fetuses resulted in the transfer and long-term expression of the bacterial Neo R gene within the hematopoietic system of these animals for over 5 years. In the present studies, we investigated whether using a higher titer vector would enable more efficient transduction and expression of the transgenes within the hematopoetic cells in sheep injected in utero. Materials and Methods Sixteen pre-immune sheep fetuses were injected intraperitoneally with the G1nBgSvNa8.1 helper-free retroviral vector supernatant encoding the bacterial Neo R and LacZ genes (titer: 1 × 10 7 cfu/mL). Results Over the 2-year time course of these studies, the presence and expression of the Neo R and LacZ genes were demonstrated in 12 of the 14 animals evaluated by several immunological and biochemical methods. Seven of the 12 sheep examined by flow cytometric analysis contained ≥ 6% transduced peripheral blood lymphocytes. Vector distribution was widespread without any detectable pathology. Importantly, PCR analyses and breeding experiments demonstrated that the germ line was not altered. Conclusions These studies confirmed that direct injection of an engineered retrovirus is a feasible means of safely delivering foreign genes into a developing fetus and thus achieving long-term expression of the transgenes within the recipient's hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, expression of the Neo R gene from these studies was higher than that reported in our previous study in which a lower titer vector was used.
Tail Kinematics of Juvenile Common Snapping Turtles during Aquatic Walking

Abstract Chelydrids (including snapping and big-headed turtles) are unusual among extant turtles in possessing long, robust tails. In other lineages of quadrupedal reptiles, long tails perform critical functions during both terrestrial and aquatic locomotion, and the tails of Common Snapping Turtles have been shown to help stabilize juveniles as they ascend terrestrial slopes. However, Common Snapping Turtles live primarily in aquatic habitats, and the function of the tail in these environments has not been examined. The first step to evaluating the role of the chelydrid tail in water is to evaluate its pattern of motion; therefore, we collected high-speed digital video of tail kinematics from juvenile Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) during aquatic walking. Common Snapping Turtles hold the tail off the substrate and move it as a nearly rigid strut during aquatic walking, cyclically flexing it side to side by 11–12° from the body midline. These motions occur one-quarter cycle out of phase wit...
Olfactory Effects on Attention Allocation and Perception of Exertion

The aim of the current study was to test the effectiveness of pleasant odors on perception of exertion and attention allocation. A secondary purpose was to employ a placebo-control design and measure perceived smell intensity during task performance; methods that have been overlooked in previous olfaction studies in the sport and exercise domain. Seventy-six college students (35 females, 41 males) were recruited to perform a handgrip task. They were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: control, placebo, lavender odor, and peppermint odor. Adhesive strips were placed under the noses of those in the latter three groups. The placebo group had a strip with no odor. The lavender and peppermint odor groups had a drop of concentration on the strip. After establishing a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) level, participants performed at 30% of their MVC level for as long as they could tolerate, during which they provided ratings of perceived exertion (or effort; RPE), attention, and smell intensity at 30s intervals, and affect every 60s. MANOVA procedures failed to reveal significant differences among the treatment and nontreatment groups on rate of perceived exertion, attention allocation, and total time duration on the task. However, statistical differences were found between both odor groups and the placebo group on perceived attention diversion. The lavender group reported that the odor diverted attention to a higher degree than both the peppermint and placebo groups. Although nonsignificant, findings revealed a trend suggesting that odors may have an effect on cognitive processes, and on performance. There is a need for additional research to better capture these effects. Directions for further research, with an emphasis on methodological issues are outlined. Human contact with the external world occurs via sensory channels that enable perception of the environment (Le Magnen, 1998). The senses allow interpretation of events and are often at the crux of an individual’s emotional, psychological, and physiological states. Surprisingly, the effects of manipulating sensory stimuli have only recently been investigated within the sport and exercise psychology domain. Much of this research has been centered on the facilitative
A wired-wireless testbed architecture for network layer experimentation based on ORBIT and VINI

Renewed interest has emerged in novel internet architectures that among other aspects can better address the specific requirements of wireless networks, such as increased host mobility, router mobility, or flow control over fast-changing links. Most existing testbeds, however, focus either on wired or wireless networks and provide inadequate support for experimentation with novel network architectures spanning the wired and wireless domain.This paper presents an initial design of a global-scale wired-wireless testbed and its prototyping based on the existing ORBIT and VINI testbeds. It allows researchers to define custom network topologies comprising both wired and wireless nodes and experimenting with new network and transport layer protocols in these networks. The testbed relies on virtualization on wired nodes, trading a slight performance penalty for the ability to allow simultaneous usage for multiple long-running experiments.