cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Study of Four Oyster Reefs in Mississippi

A study of four oyster populations in Mississippi over 13 months (May 1978-May 1979) indicates that although oysters are sexually developed during most of the year (10 months), setting was variable in intensity, dependent upon location, and limited in all cases to one or two months. Mortality was variable, dependent upon location and was attributed to high predation at one station and to harvesting and fresh water at the other stations studied. Suggestions for management are discussed. INTRODUCTION The oysters and the oyster industry of Mississippi have been the subjects of numerous investigations dating back to the early part of the century. However, data that are available consist of oyster bottom surveys and studies of setting. The densities of oysters onvarious reefs have been mentioned (Moore 1913, Engle 1948, MacKenzie 1977). An evaluation of different cultch materials (Veal, Brown, and Demoran 1972) conducted during 197 1 and 1972 was invalidated by the lack of a spat set. During seven months of 1972, spat setting was monitored on fouling plates at one station in Bay St. Louis, MS (Haburay 1977). Setting wasmonitored on fouling plates at five stations in Mississippi Sound for one year (October 1976-October 1977) and that same study (McGraw, personal communication) provided information on the growth rates of oysters. However, only one of the five stations was near a commercial reef (Biloxi Bay). With recent interest in managing, developing and exploiting oysters, this lack of basic information has become apparent. This study was conducted to determine condition, setting, growth and mortality of oysters at four reefs in Mississippi. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-cubic-foot samples of reef material were collected monthly for 13 months at four stations: a lagoon at Horn Island, Graveline Bayou, a closed reef in Biloxi Bay, and a tonging reef at Pass Christian. The oysters at Horn Island are harvested publicly for recreation; the reefs at Graveline and Biloxi Bay are dredged for relaying and the reef at Pass Christian is harvested commercially. The Graveline and Pass Christian samples were dredged, while the Horn Island and Biloxi Bay samples were handpicked in shallow water. The number and size of all live oysters were determined and enumerated into four 25-mm-size classes: spat, seed, juvenile, and market sizes (Hofstetter 1977). The number of fresh single valves and boxes was determined and the percent of dead shell material was calculated. The average condition index was calculated according to the procedure of Hopkins (1949) with the shell cavity volume being determined Manuscript received August 31, 1979; accepted September 28, 1979. according to the procedure of Galtsoff (1964). Gonadal development was determined on ten oysters by noting the condition of a gonadal smear. Hydrographic data, including temperature determined to the nearest degree Celsius and salinity determined to the nearest ppt with an American Optical total solids refractometer, were recorded for each station monthly.
Ballistic Disruption of Penicillium chrysogenum Cells

The use of glass beads in a high-speed mixing device to rupture organisms was applied to molds. The use of a mixer in which the propellor shaft enters from the top into a metal mixing chamber made it possible to immerse the whole device in a salt water and ice mixture so that the temperature of the glass-bead slurry could be kept below 5 C without difficulty. Mycelia, glass beads, and buffer in a 1:2:3 (w/w) ratio gave above 95% breakage in 15 min with Penicillium chrysogenum cells and in 4 min with Rhizopus nigricans. Some of the factors influencing breakage are discussed.
Comparing EMG amplitude patterns of responses during dynamic exercise: polynomial vs log-transformed regression.

The purposes of this study were to determine if (a) the log-transformed model can be applied to dynamic exercise and (b) the slope and y-intercept terms can provide additional information above and beyond the polynomial regression analyses. Eleven physically active individuals performed incremental cycle ergometry on a single occasion. Electromyographic electrodes were placed on the three superficial quadriceps muscles to record muscle activation during the exercise test. The patterns of responses for electromyographic amplitude vs power output were analyzed with polynomial and log-transformed regression models. The results of the polynomial regression for the composite data indicated that the best-fit model for the vastus lateralis muscle was linear (R(2) = 0.648, P 0.05) across the three superficial quadriceps muscles for the slope and y-intercept terms. These findings suggest that the log-transformed model may be a more versatile statistical approach to examining neuromuscular responses during dynamic exercise.
Comparing the Effects of Weathering and Microbial Degradation on Gasoline Using Principal Components Analysis

Ignitable liquid residues recovered from a fire scene will often show signs of weathering as a result of exposure to the heat of the fire. In addition, when the substrate is rich in organic matter, both weathering and microbial degradation may be observed. In this study, 20 μL aliquots of fresh gasoline samples were intentionally weathered and also subjected to microbial degradation in potting soil. These samples were then analyzed using a passive adsorption-elution recovery method and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Peak areas from compounds of interest were normalized and autoscaled and then subjected to principal components analysis. This analysis showed that while lower boiling compounds are subject to weathering, a different set of compounds are subject to microbial degradation. Of the compounds studied, heptane, octane, toluene, and ethylbenzene were the most vulnerable to both weathering and microbial degradation. In contrast, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and 2-ethyltoluene were the most resistant to both phenomena.
Hemopoietic regeneration in control and recovered heavily irradiated dogs following severe hemorrhage.

Dogs which had been heavily irradiated one to two years previously were severely bled. Both control and recovered dogs responded to the bleeding in a similar manner, indiciating complete functional recovery of the previously irradiated marrow.
Examination of the Effects of Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on Growth and Stress Tolerance of Juvenile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Tilapia is the second most consumed farmed fish after carp and the most widely grown farmed fish. However, significant price increases in ingredients in recent years threaten profitability of the industry because dietary costs are approximately 60% of production costs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to optimize dietary protein and lipid levels of juvenile tilapia cultured in high-intensity recirculating-water system and assess dietary effects on stress tolerance. To achieve this objective, a factorial treatment design with diets formulated to contain three levels of dietary protein (28, 32, and 36%) and three levels of dietary lipid (3, 6, and 9%) was employed. Juvenile tilapia (34.5 ± 0.4 g initial weight) were randomly assigned to each of 24 tanks and fed one of the nine diets, three feedings per day to apparent satiation, 6 d/wk for 12 wk. Fish were weighed and counted every 3 wk and feed consumed recorded weekly. Tilapia weight gain, feed conversion, feed intake, and proximate composition were significantly affected by diet. Following the feeding trial, tilapia were subjected to a 24 h simulated live haul where fish were stocked into a static water system at 0.24 kg/L of water. Glucose, lactate, and cortisol measurements were taken at time 0, 24, and 72 h after fish were placed into hauling containers. There was significant effects (P < 0.05) of crude lipid and crude protein on blood chemistry parameters. These data indicate that practical diet formulations can be improved to enhance growth rates, production of tilapia, and stress response during live hauls.
Contact‐facilitated drug delivery with Sn2 lipase labile prodrugs optimize targeted lipid nanoparticle drug delivery

Sn2 lipase labile phospholipid prodrugs in conjunction with contact-facilitated drug delivery offer an important advancement in Nanomedicine. Many drugs incorporated into nanosystems, targeted or not, are substantially lost during circulation to the target. However, favorably altering the pharmacokinetics and volume of distribution of systemic drug delivery can offer greater efficacy with lower toxicity, leading to new prolonged-release nanoexcipients. However, the concept of achieving Paul Erhlich's inspired vision of a 'magic bullet' to treat disease has been largely unrealized due to unstable nanomedicines, nanosystems achieving low drug delivery to target cells, poor intracellular bioavailability of endocytosed nanoparticle payloads, and the substantial biological barriers of extravascular particle penetration into pathological sites. As shown here, Sn2 phospholipid prodrugs in conjunction with contact-facilitated drug delivery prevent premature drug diffusional loss during circulation and increase target cell bioavailability. The Sn2 phospholipid prodrug approach applies equally well for vascular constrained lipid-encapsulated particles and micelles the size of proteins that penetrate through naturally fenestrated endothelium in the bone marrow or thin-walled venules of an inflamed microcirculation. At one time Nanomedicine was considered a 'Grail Quest' by its loyal opposition and even many in the field adsorbing the pains of a long-learning curve about human biology and particles. However, Nanomedicine with innovations like Sn2 phospholipid prodrugs has finally made 'made the turn' toward meaningful translational success.
Beating heart surgery via right thoracotomy for reoperative mitral valve surgery: A safe and effective operative alternative

Objective Right thoracotomy using ventricular fibrillation with cooling has been used for redo mitral valve surgery. This approach avoids the complications of redo sternotomy, such as injury to prior grafts and hemorrhage. As a further refinement, we have used a beating heart technique to further minimize complications while simplifying the operation. Methods We reviewed the outcomes of 450 patients who underwent redo mitral valve surgery via a right thoracotomy from 1996 to 2011 at the University of Michigan. Of these, 134 patients underwent redo mitral valve surgery with ventricular fibrillation, and 316 patients underwent beating heart surgery. Although operative eras were consecutive, patients' age, risk factors, New York Heart Association, and preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction were not significantly different. Core temperature on cardiopulmonary bypass for beating heart surgery was 32°C versus 26°C for ventricular fibrillation. Results Patients undergoing beating heart surgery had shorter periods of cardiopulmonary bypass: 81 ± 9 minutes versus 113 ± 36 minutes. Beating heart surgery required less blood products than ventricular fibrillation: 1.65 ± 2 units versus 3.8 ± 5 units packed red blood cells, 0.6 ± 1.2 units versus 1.8 ± 4 units fresh-frozen plasma, and 1.02 ± 4 versus 7.5 ± 17 platelet packs (all P P Conclusions As reoperative cardiac surgery continues to increase, techniques that safely facilitate operation while improving outcome should be adopted. As an operative alternative, redo right thoracotomy mitral valve surgery on the beating heart is associated with shorter bypass time, less transfusion requirements, shorter postoperative ventilation, and lower mortality. This safe and effective approach should be considered for this complex operation.
Exploring the Force-Sensitivity of Acanthamoeba Myosin 1C Function

Myosin motors have the ability to convert the chemical energy associated with ATP hydrolysis into mechanical energy, allowing them to do work within the cell. Each of the various myosin classes performs different tasks, ranging from assisting in locomotion of the cell to trafficking cargo within the cell. It has been hypothesized that class 1 myosins fit into two subclasses: subclass-2 myosins, which are thought to have a force-dependence; and subclass-1, which are thought not to. While a functional response to external forces has been observed for a subclass-2 myosin 1 (rat myosin 1b), a force-sensitivty in subclass-1 myosins has not yet been explored. We examined the force-sensitivity of Acanthamoeba myosin 1c (AM1C) activity, a subclass-1 myosin 1. Here we present the results of single molecule optical trap studies of the activity of AM1C when experiencing forces opposing its direction of motion.
Thermal Shock During Cooling/Rinsing of Optical Glass

We measured thermal shock strength degradation of BK-7 glass versus surface finish, in water and silicone oil. There is little strength degradation prior to fracture. Retained strength depends on surface finish and cooling medium.
Identification of the lipid moiety and further characterization of the novel lipophosphoglycan-like glycoconjugates of Trichomonas vaginalis and Trichomonas foetus.

Abstract The lipid moiety of the lipophosphoglycan (LPG)-like glycoconjugates of Trichomonas vaginalis and Trichomonas foetus, parasites of the urogenital tract of human and cattle, respectively, has been isolated and characterized by a combination of enzymatic and chemical degradation, chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The carbohydrate composition of the glycan inositol lipid core is also reported. The glycan inositol core of trichomonad glycoconjugates is unique in having more than one GlcN and is significantly larger than any other glycan core reported so far. T. vaginalis glycoconjugate binds strongly to the lectin RCA-I, which suggest that the macromolecule possesses terminal β1,4-linked galactosyl residues. The binding of T. foetus glycoconjugate to the lectin UEA-I suggests the presence of terminal α1,2-linked fucose. Acid hydrolysis of deaminated and reduced LPG products yields a [3H] anhydromannitol-containing product, indicating the presence of unacetylated glucosamine in the trichomonad LPGs. Reductive radiomethylation has been applied to label free amino groups in the hexosamine or other free amine-containing residues of the trichomonad glycoconjugates. Treatment of the LPGs with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Bacillus thuringiensis liberates a ceramide substituent. Treatment of LPGs with nitrous acid releases a phospholipid moiety containing myo-inositol and ceramide, implying that the LPGs are anchored in the membrane via an inositol-phosphate-ceramide. Structural characterization of the ceramide by gas-liquid chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry indicated the presence of the major long-chain base sphinganine (d 18: 0 dihydrosphingosine) and a C 16:0 N-acyl group. Lipophosphoglycans from both parasites contain ceramide as their only lipid moiety. These results suggest that T. vaginalis and T. foetus anchor their LPG-like glycoconjugates on the cell surface via inositol-phosphoceramide and also the glycan inositol core of the macromolecule appears to be unique in nature.
"Inners" approach to some problems of system theory

In this paper a formal definition of "inners" of a square matrix is introduced. Also defined are the concepts of positive, negative, null, and nonnull innerwise matrix. Applications of these definitions are shown 1) for the necessary and sufficient conditions for the roots of a real polynomial to be within the unit circle, 2) for the roots of a real polynomial to be distinct and on the real axis, and 3) to be distinct and on the imaginary axis in the complex plane. Conditions on relative stability of linear continuous systems as well as on root distribution within the unit circle are also presented in terms of inners. Furthermore, a theorem establishing the equivalence between positive innerwise matrix and a positive definite symmetric matrix is derived for the case when all the roots of a real polynomial are inside the unit circle. Extension of the inners approach to the general problems of clustering of roots as well as of the root distribution in the complex plane is briefly mentioned. Several examples are presented to elucidate the application of the inners concept to some problems that arise in system theory.
Teaching financial statement analysis: A cooperative learning approach

Abstract This paper demonstrates how cooperative learning can be used to teach financial statement analysis. Cooperative learning is a teaching technique that develops problem solving and critical thinking skills through student team work. Using financial statement analysis as an exercise example, this paper shows how this technique can be applied in the classroom.
Feasibility of photopheresis to reduce the occurrence of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a clinical pilot study.

Abstract Background Photopheresis was evaluated as a means of preventing restenosis on the basis of immune modulation. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial analyzing clinical restenosis at 6 months after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Seventy-eight patients with single-vessel angioplasty were randomly assigned to a control group of 41 patients and a treatment group of 37 patients. At 6 months, there were 72 evaluable patients: 39 control patients and 33 treated. Twenty-nine control patients received balloon PTCA only and 10 patients received stents. Twenty treated patients received PTCA only and 13 patients received stents. Baseline clinical characteristics of both groups were similar. The treatment group received photopheresis for a total of 5 treatments. Primary end points were death from any cause, myocardial infarction, ischemia, and repeat revascularization procedures. Results By intention-to-treat analysis, clinical restenosis occurred in 27% of control patients versus 8% of treated patients ( P =.040, relative risk = 0.30). Conclusions Photopheresis therapy in patients undergoing balloon PTCA with and without stent deployment has been shown to be effective in reducing restenosis. The use of photopheresis in such patients merits further investigation. (Am Heart J 2001;142:461-5.)
The effects of clinical case management on hospital service use among ED frequent users.

This study examined the impact of case management on hospital service use, hospital costs, homelessness, substance abuse, and psychosocial problems in frequent users of a public urban emergency department (ED). Subjects were 53 patients who used the ED five times or more in 12 months. Utilization, cost, and psychosocial variables were compared 12 months before and after the intervention. The median number of ED visits decreased from 15 to 9 (P < .01), median ED costs decreased from $4,124 to $2,195 (P < .01) and median medical inpatient costs decreased from $8,330 to $2,786 (P < .01). Homelessness decreased by -57% (P < .01), alcohol use by -22% (P = .05) and drug use by -26% (P = .05). Linkage to primary care increased 74% (P < .01). Fifty-four percent of medically indigent subjects obtained Medicaid (P < .01). There was a net cost savings, with each dollar invested in the program yielding a $1.44 reduction in hospital costs. Thus, case management appears to be a cost-effective means of decreasing acute hospital service use and psychosocial problems among frequent ED users.
Eleven New Meteorites from Antarctica, 1976-1977

Basic petrographic, mineralogic, and chemical descriptions are given for all eleven meteorites recovered by the U.S.-Japan team in Antarctica during the austral summer 1976-1977. The meteorites are: Mt. Baldr a (H6), Mt. Baldr b (H6), Allan Hills 1 (L6), Allan Hills 2 (coarsest octahedrite, chemical group IA), Allan Hills 3 (L6), Allan Hills 4 (LL3), Allan Hills 5 (eucrite), Allan Hills 6 (H6), Allan Hills 7 (L6), Allan Hills 8 (H6), and Allan Hills 9 (L6).
Attention capture is modulated in dual-task situations.

Because some features affect the efficiency of visual search even when they are irrelevant to the task, they are thought tocapture attention in a stimulus-driven manner. If such attention shifts are stimulus driven, they should be unaffected by reduced resources. We added a concurrent auditory task to a traditional attention capture paradigm and found that capture by an irrelevant, abruptly appearing stimulus (i.e., an onset) was eliminated. In contrast, prioritization of an irrelevant color singleton—a stimulus that at most receives only mild prioritization in this paradigm—was increased under dual-task conditions. These results challenge the hypothesis that attention capture by irrelevant features is stimulus driven. Instead, prioritization depends on and is modulated by the availability of resources.
Magnetization studies on ErCo3-hydride and TmCo3-hydride

Abstract The compounds ErCo 3 and TmCo 3 are ferrimagnetic with Curie temperatures of 401 K and 370 K, respectively. These absorb hydrogen to form ErCo 3 H 4.3 and TmCo 3 H 3.3 . From magnetization studies on these as well as other RCo 3 hydrides in the temperature interval 4.2 to 300 K, it is inferred that hydrogen absorption leads to a reduction in magnetic moment on cobalt and a weakening of the R-Co interaction (R = rare earth). Except in the case of the GdCo 3 -hydride, saturation in magnetization is not achieved at 4.2 K in applied fields up to 21 kOe. This suggests the possibility of fanning of rare earth moments. The RCo 3 -hydrides investigated earlier with R = Gd, Dy and Ho and the ErCo 3 -hydride and TmCo 3 -hydride all appear to be magnetically ordered at room temperature.
Timing is everything? Phenological synchrony and population variability in leaf‐chewing herbivores of Quercus

Specialization on ephemeral resources (e.g. new leaves) should produce large annual variation in herbivore population size when the timing of availability of those resources is unpredictable. Despite considerable evidence for impacts of synchrony with budburst on survival of larval Lepidoptera, previous studies of adult Geometridae and Noctuidae found no correlations between insect phenology and population variability. 2. We surveyed larval Lepidoptera feeding on Quercus alba and Q. velutina in Missouri from 1993 to 2003 and examined population variability, measured as the coefficient of variation of population density (CV), in a subset of abundant species. We compared CV values among species whose larvae feed only in spring, early summer, mid-summer, late summer, or all season. We predicted that univoltine species whose larvae eclose and complete development in spring during leaf expansion would have higher variability than species feeding later in the season, having multiple generations, or having longer development times. 3. As predicted and consistent with hypotheses, spring-feeding species had CV values 32% higher than species feeding in summer months. Coefficients of variation were also 34% higher in leaf-rolling and mining guilds compared with free-feeders, suggesting that mobile species may compensate for asynchrony with budburst by dispersing to higher quality plants or plant parts. Multivoltine species, however, did not differ from univoltine species in population variability. 4. Our results suggest that asynchrony with plant phenology and factors that might exacerbate it, such as climate change, will have the largest impacts on the dynamics of spring-feeding Lepidoptera, particularly species with limited mobility.
High Resolution Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with a Scanning Fabry-Perot Interferometer

A stable, piezoelectric scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer is used in conjunction with a conventional grating monochromator to obtain an over-all spectral bandwidth of 0.013 A with moderate light-gathering power. A multilayer dielectric reflective coating is used for atomic absorption measurements with a continuum source in the 3200 to 3600 A region. Results for Cu and Ag show that sensitivities obtained are the same as those obtained with line sources. Profiles of the 3247 A copper and 3383 A silver resonance lines were obtained, and the half-widths reported.
Vibrational relaxation of NO+(υ) by O2(1Δg) molecules

Abstract The rate constant for NO + (υ) vibrational relaxation by metastable O 2 ( 1 Δ g ) molecules is found to be (3±2)×10 −10 cm 3 s −1 at room temperature, in contrast to the lack of vibrational quenching of NO + (υ) by ground-state O 2 ( 3 Σ) molecules, for which the quenching rate constant −12 cm 3 s −1 . This suggests that NO + ( 1 Σ)+O 2 ( 1 Δ) follows a much more attractive potential curve than NO + ( 1 Σ)+O 2 ( 3 Σ).
Optimizing Promoters for Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Expression in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Using Self-Complementary Vectors

Abstract With the increased use of small self-complementary adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, the design of compact promoters becomes critical for packaging and expressing larger transgenes under ubiquitous or cell-specific control. In a comparative study of commonly used 800-bp cytomegalovirus (CMV) and chicken β-actin (CBA) promoters, we report significant differences in the patterns of cell-specific gene expression in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The CMV promoter provides high initial neural expression that diminishes over time. The CBA promoter displayed mostly ubiquitous and high neural expression, but substantially lower expression in motor neurons (MNs). We report the creation of a novel hybrid form of the CBA promoter (CBh) that provides robust long-term expression in all cells observed with CMV or CBA, including MNs. To develop a short neuronal promoter to package larger transgenes into AAV vectors, we also found that a 229-bp fragment of the mouse methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 ...
Hyper-Heuristics: A Study On Increasing Primitive-Space

Practitioners often need to solve real world problems for which no custom search algorithms exist. In these cases they tend to use general-purpose solvers that have no guarantee to perform well on their specific problem. The relatively new field of hyper-heuristics provides an alternative to the potential pit-falls of general-purpose solvers, by allowing practitioners to generate a custom algorithm optimized for their problem of interest. Hyper-heuristics are meta-heuristics operating on algorithm space employing targeted primitives to compose algorithms. This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of expanding a hyper-heuristic's primitive-space with additional primitives. This should allow for an increase in quality of evolved algorithms. However, increasing the search space of a meta-heuristic almost always results in longer time to convergence and lower quality results for the same amount of computational time, but also all too often lower quality results at convergence, potentially making a problem impractical to solve for a practitioner. This paper explores the scalability of hyper-heuristics as the primitive-space is increased, demonstrating significantly increased quality solutions at convergence with a corresponding increase in convergence time. Additionally, this paper explores the impact that the nature of the added primitives have on the performance of the hyper-heuristic.
Registration of 'Warrior', 'Scout', and 'Chief ' Indiangrass

‘Warrior’ (Reg. No. CV-252, PI 655523), ‘Scout’ (Reg. No. CV-253, PI 655524), and ‘Chief’ (Reg. No. CV-254, PI 655525) indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.)] Nash were developed for improved yield and forage digestibility by USDA-ARS and the University of Nebraska for use in the central Great Plains and the Midwest USA. Warrior was tested as Oto C3 and was developed by means of both half-sib family selection and restricted, recurrent phenotypic selection (RRPS). Scout and Chief which were tested as NE54 C2 and Holt × Oto Early C2, respectively, were developed by RRPS. Warrior is adapted to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone (HZ) 5 and the upper part of HZ 6 in the Great Plains and Midwest. It produces forage with high in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) that results in improved animal gains when utilized by beef cattle in well managed grazing systems in regions where it is adapted. Scout is adapted to HZ 5 in the Great Plains and Midwest, USA. It produces signifi cantly greater forage yields than other adapted indiangrass cultivars when grown for hay in the western part of its adaptation region. Chief is adapted to HZ 4 and the upper half of HZ 5. It produces signifi cantly greater forage yields than the other available HZ 4 cultivars. Warrior, Scout, and Chief represent the second generation of indiangrass cultivars developed for use in production agriculture. In the regions where they are adapted, these cultivars can be used in pure stands or in multispecies mixtures with other grasses.
Mechanical properties and clinical applications of orthodontic wires

This review article describes the mechanical properties and clinical applications of stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, nickel-titanium, beta-titanium, and multistranded wires. The consolidation of this literature will provide the clinician with the basic working knowledge on orthodontic wire characteristics and usage. Mechanical properties of these wires are generally assessed by tensile, bending, and torsional tests. Although wire characteristics determined by these tests do not necessarily reflect the behavior of the wires under clinical conditions, they provide a basis for comparison of these wires. The characteristics desirable in an orthodontic wire are a large springback, low stiffness, good formability, high stored energy, biocompatibility and environmental stability, low surface friction, and the capability to be welded or soldered to auxiliaries. Stainless steel wires have remained popular since their introduction to orthodontics because of their formability, biocompatibility and environmental stability, stiffness, resilience, and low cost. Cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) wires can be manipulated in a softened state and then subjected to heat treatment. Heat treatment of Co-Cr wires results in a wire with properties similar to those of stainless steel. Nitinol wires have a good springback and low stiffness. This alloy, however, has poor formability and joinability. Beta-titanium wires provide a combination of adequate springback, average stiffness, good formability, and can be welded to auxiliaries. Multistranded wires have a high springback and low stiffness when compared with solid stainless steel wires. Optimal use of these orthodontic wires can be made by carefully selecting the appropriate wire type and size to meet the demands of a particular clinical situation.
Existence and instability of spike layer solutions to singular perturbation problems

Abstract An abstract framework is given to establish the existence and compute the Morse index of spike layer solutions of singularly perturbed semilinear elliptic equations. A nonlinear Lyapunov–Schmidt scheme is used to reduce the problem to one on a normally hyperbolic manifold, and the related linearized problem is also analyzed using this reduction. As an application, we show the existence of a multi-peak spike layer solution with peaks on the boundary of the domain, and we also obtain precise estimates of the small eigenvalues of the operator obtained by linearizing at a spike layer solution.
Florida Area Cumulus Experiments 1970–1973 Rainfall Results

Abstract After four summer periods of randomized experimentation with dynamic cumulus seeding in a 1.3 × 104km2 target area in south Florida, 14 seed and 23 control cases are available, with increased documentation of radar measurement accuracy.Seed-control rainfall comparisons are made for “floating” and total target for the 6 h period following the first seeding. On days screened as suitable for the experiments, natural rain volume varied by a factor of 62 for floating target and by a factor of 25 for total target. Area seed-control rainfall differences are not significant with six classical tests, nor is the difference between random and non-random controls.Analysis of isolated experimental clouds obtained on days of multiple cloud seeding produced significant findings. Results were stratified depending on whether the single clouds dissipated in the target area without merger or whether they merged with a neighbor. With the former stratification, the mean seeded rainfall exceeded the mean control rainf...
The Reform Commission

The United States Sentencing Commission has drawn much criticism over the years. Stakeholders have impugned the institutional structure of the Commission and the operation of the Guidelines, and they’ve even attacked the Commissioners themselves. While many of the criticisms are undoubtedly due, the current Commission has advanced a series of noteworthy reform initiatives aimed at reducing sentences. The most visible is the Commission’s recent proposed amendment that would lessen drug trafficking sentences across the board, but there are others. Because of the Commission’s efforts, which have led and capitalized on the reform movement, federal sentencing is on the cusp of becoming less punitive, less costly, and much less flawed than it has been in over a generation. In this essay, I briefly catalog the Commission’s recent efforts to reduce sentences, and explain how it has used nimble strategy to advance reform consistent with the agency’s values but also in a way most likely to succeed. I then offer some insights into why the Commission is now asserting itself more strongly as to sentencing reform than it has in the past, a welcome trend that I hope continues.
Efficient order reduction in vibration analysis of periodic structures with uncertainties

Vibration analysis of structures with uncertainty is challenging for a variety of reasons. In addition to the difficulty in quantifying uncertainties in the finite element model, analyzing a model with known uncertainties is generally computationally costly, especially for a system with large number of degrees of freedom. This paper explores incorporating uncertainty analysis into one typical order-reduction technique, the component mode synthesis (CMS) method. We first provide a derivation of the general approximation formula for the free interface CMS method, followed by a Monte Carlo sampling-based procedure directly utilizing the reduced-order model. Through numerical analysis, this paper demonstrates the feasibility and numerical accuracy of uncertainty analysis of periodic structures using CMS-based reduced order modeling.
Ultra-fast expected time parallel algorithms

It has been shown previously that sorting n items into n locations with a polynomial number of processors requires (log n/log log n) time. We sidestep this lower bound with the idea of Padded Sorting, or sorting n items into n + o(n) locations. Since many problems do not rely on the exact rank of sorted items, a Padded Sort is often just as useful as an unpadded sort. Our algorithm for Padded Sort runs on the Tolerant CRCW PRAM and takes�(log log n/log log log n) expected time using nlog loglog n/loglog n processors, assuming the items are taken from a uniform distribution. Using similar techniques we solve some computational geometry problems, including Voronoi Diagram, with the same processor and time bounds, assuming points are taken from a uniform distribution in the unit square. Further, we present an Arbitrary CRCW PRAM algorithm to solve the Closest Pair problem in constant expected time with n processors regardless of the distribution of points. All of these algor ithms achieve linear speedup in expected time over their optimal serial counterparts.
Energy Transfer within a Spin System

The nature of the transfer, within a single nuclear spin system, of energy absorbed from an external source of radio-frequency magnetic field has been investigated by a double-irradiation technique. Energy from a high-power oscillator running at fixed frequency is absorbed by the nuclear spin system. The frequency of a second, low-level oscillator is then swept through the nuclear resonance, sampling the line shape existing in the presence of the strong rf field from the fixed-frequency oscillator. Particular spin systems investigated were the proton system in single crystalline CaS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}2${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, and the ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$ system in aluminum metal. In aluminum, the technique gives direct experimental verification of a completely homogeneous saturation behavior, a behavior expected from elementary considerations. It also gives further verification of the Redfield saturation theory. In CaS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}2${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, an enhancement effect is observed which allows one to determine the importance of double-flip spin-lattice relaxation processes. The technique could be usefully applied to many spin systems to determine the degree of inhomogeneity in the resonance line broadening.
Skivvies with the Givvies: Vintage American Underwear Ads Feature Sexual Innuendo between “Boys” in the Brands

AbstractAdvertising is designed to convince us to buy a specific product or service, whether for the first time or by switching brands. As always, sex sells. So, in pursuit of customers, manufacturers of menswear undergarments incorporated themes such as vanity, virility and pleasure in their ads. Advertising of men's underwear from the early 1900s was highly suggestive. Explicit or implied, advertisements produced by a number of textile companies had homoerotic overtures, themes and subtexts embedded within their messages.
A universal approach to data center network design

This talk proposes an approach to the design of large-scale general-purpose data center networks based on the notions of volume and area universality introduced by Leiserson in the 1980's in the context of VLSI design. In particular, we suggest that the principle goal of the network designer should be to build a single network that is provably competitive, for any application, with any network that can be built for the same amount of money. We illustrate our approach by walking through the design of a hierarchical data center network using the various networking components available today commercially. Bruce Maggs received the S.B., S.M., and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1985, 1986, and 1989, respectively. His advisor was Charles Leiserson. After spending one year as a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT, he worked as a Research Scientist at NEC Research Institute in Princeton from 1990 to 1993. In 1994, he moved to Carnegie Mellon, where he stayed until joining Duke University in 2009 as a Professor in the Department of Computer Science. While on a two-year leave-of-absence from Carnegie Mellon, Maggs helped to launch Akamai Technologies, serving as its Vice President for Research and Development, before returning to Carnegie Mellon. He retains a part-time role at Akamai as Vice President for Research.
Moderate insulinopenia can cause insulin antagonism

Summary Profound insulin deficiency can cause insulin antagonism. To assess whether more modest insulinopenia can also cause insulin antagonism, male Sprague-Dawley and female obese ( fa/fa ) Zucker rats received streptozotocin injections (20, 30 or 40 mg/kg) or citrate buffer alone. After 1 and 2 weeks, the animals underwent glucose (0.5 g/kg) and insulin (0.2 U/kg)-glucose (0.7 mg/kg) tolerance tests, respectively, after an overnight fast. In the Sprague-Dawley rats: (a) basal glucose concentrations were significantly increased in the 40 mg/kg group; (b) glucose-induced insulin responses were significantly decreased in the 30 and 40 mg/kg groups; (c) glucose disappearance rates after glucose alone were significantly decreased in the 40 mg/kg group; and (d) glucose disappearance rates after insulin and glucose were significantly decreased in both the 30 and 40 mg/kg group. All obese Zucker rats injected with 30 and 40 mg/kg died within the first week with marked hyperglycemia. In the 20 mg/kg groups: (a) basal glucose levels were significantly elevated; (b) glucose disappearance rates and insulin responses were significantly decreased; (c) glucose disappearance rates after insulin and glucose were 20% lower than in the control rats but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, Zucker rats are much more sensitive to streptozotocin than Sprague-Dawley rats. In the Sprague-Dawley strain, a modest insulin deficiency is associated with insulin antagonism. Since these rats treated with low doses of streptozotocin are characterized by decreased glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin antagonism, they may serve as an appropriate model for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Ambiguidades, deterioração e sentido da vida

CONY, Carlos Heitor. A morte e a vida. Rio de Janeiro: MemVavMem, 2007, 157 p. ISBN: 9788576880530
Surgical missions to developing countries: Ethical conflicts

Each year scores of American physicians and nurses travel overseas, usually at their own expense, aiming to improve the lot of desperate patients in developing countries. Our journals are filled with images of smiling children who have benefited from these gifts of care. Still, practicing medicine, and especially surgery, in a sporadic fashion in distant lands can lead to poor outcomes. It does little to improve public health or advance medical education. We address some of the ethical dilemmas intrinsic to international surgical missions and discuss how we might redirect our resources to provide better care to more people.
Dispersion and frequency dependent nonlinearity parameters in a graphite–epoxy composite

Abstract Longitudinal phase velocity and nonlinearity parameter have been measured as a function of frequency in the low megaHertz range in a laminate graphite–fiber–epoxy–resin composite. Amplitudes of both the fundamental and generated second harmonics were measured absolutely with a capacitive receiver. Phase velocity and nonlinearity parameter vary with frequency. The extent of the variance depends on the orientation of the fiber layers. Comparison is made between the nonlinear differential equation appropriate for crystals and a new equation that accounts for frequency dependence of phase velocity and nonlinearity parameter. The newer equation describes the data more accurately than the crystalline model does, but appears to require additional terms.
Comparative prognostic value of automatic quantitative analysis versus semiquantitative visual analysis of exercise myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of automatic quantitative analysis in exercise dual-isotope myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and to compare the prognostic value of quantitative analysis to semiquantitative visual SPECT analysis. Background. Extent, severity and reversibility of exercise myocardial perfusion defects have been shown to correlate with prognosis. However, most studies examining the prognostic value of SPECT in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have been based on visual analysis by experts. Methods. We studied 1,043 consecutive patients with known or suspected CAD who underwent rest Tl-201/exercise Tc-99m sestamibi dual-isotope myocardial perfusion SPECT and were followed up for at least 1 year (mean 20.0 ± 3.7 months). After censoring 59 patients with early coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, <60 days after nuclear testing, the final population consisted of 984 patients (36% women, mean age 63 ± 12 years). Results. During the follow-up period, 28 hard events (14 cardiac deaths, 14 nonfatal myocardial infarctions) occurred. Patients with higher defect extent (>10%), severity (>150) and reversibility (>5%) by quantitative SPECT defect analysis, as well as those with an abnormal scan (>2 abnormal segments, summed stress score >4 and summed difference score >2) by semiquantitative visual SPECT analysis, had a significantly higher hard event rate compared to patients with a normal scan (p 0.05) were observed over the 20-month follow-up period. A Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that chi-square increased similarly with the addition of quantitative defect extent and visual summed stress score variables after considering both clinical and exercise variables (improvement chi-square = 11 for both, p 0.70). Linear regression analysis also indicated that quantitative assessments correlated well with visual semiquantitative assessments. Conclusions. The findings of this study indicate that automatic quantitative analysis of exercise stress myocardial perfusion SPECT is similar to semiquantitative expert visual analysis for prognostic stratification. These findings may be of particular clinical importance in laboratories with less experienced visual interpreters.
The effect of monuron on oxygen liberation in photosynthesis

Abstract Evidence is presented that the herbicidal action of monuron, 3-( p -chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, is due to the build-up of a phytotoxic substance on the oxygen-liberating pathway in photosynthesis. The rate of production of this substance in Chlorrela can be varied by controlling the level of CO 2 in the culture.
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Gene Coding Region Polymorphisms Lack Clinical Incidence in General Population

Two functional polymorphisms within the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene have been reported to lead to increased oxidative stress damage. The MnSOD 58T > C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within exon 3 changes isoleucine to threonine, leading to decreased thermal stability and reduced enzymatic activity in vivo and in vitro. The MnSOD 60C > T polymorphism within exon 3 changes leucine to phenylalanine, rendering the protein sensitive to redox regulation by intracellular thiols. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the 58T > C and 60C > T MnSOD polymorphisms in a large case–control study. Taqman allelic discrimination assays were developed to identify the 58T > C and 60C > T SNPs in exon 3. Two hundred and eight lung cancer cases and 141 controls were evaluated for these two SNPs, and all 349 subjects were of the wild-type homozygous genotype for both 58C and 60T in exon 3. This study suggests that although the 58T > C and 60C > T polymorphisms reduce MnSOD enzymatic activity, these...
Micromethod for demonstrating increased platelet surface immunoglobulin G: findings in acute, chronic, and human immunodeficiency virus-1-related immunologic thrombocytopenias.

A method has been developed for the demonstration of increased platelet surface IgG that uses 1 ml of blood regardless of the platelet count. Platelets are gel filtered to remove plasma and contaminating lymphocytes. They are then reacted with fluorescein-conjugated antihuman IgG and analysed by flow cytometry. Percent positive staining cells vary from 10% to 80% of total cells examined. A platelet antibody index is derived from the product of percent positive staining cells X mean fluorescence intensity of positive staining cells. All patients studied with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (IIP) or human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-related thrombocytopenia had increased platelet surface IgG. Twelve acute children and 11 chronic children had indices averaging 3.5-and 8.9-fold greater than 12 normal children, respectively. Five of 12 children with acute ITP had normal platelet IgG. There was no linear correlation between the platelet antibody index and platelet count. Platelets of patients with acute, chronic, or HIV-1-related ITP displayed autofluorescence. In chronic ITP, the percentage of platelets displaying auto-fluorescence had a significant negative correlation with the platelet count. This technique will be a valuable diagnostic tool in the pediatric population.