cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seller Reputation, Information Signals, and Prices for Heterogeneous Coins on eBay

In online commerce, a buyer cannot directly examine the product and has to trust the seller for the product description and delivery. The reputation of the seller (and other information signals on the quality of the product) can therefore affect the buyer's willingness to pay. However, while the impact of reputation on willingness to pay for homogeneous goods has been examined, its impact on heterogeneous goods (where there is more uncertainty about product quality) is largely unknown. This paper examines the effects of reputation in online auctions, using U.S. silver Morgan dollar coins in "Almost Uncirculated" condition that are sold on eBay. Empirical results indicate that a seller's overall reputation has a positive impact on a buyer's willingness to pay, that negative comments about a seller often have a negative impact, and that these reputational effects increase in importance when there is more uncertainty about the quality of the coin.
Effects of chloroquine on antigen-presenting functions of epidermal cells from normal and psoriatic skin.

Abstract The lysosomotropic drug chloroquine has been added to cultures containing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and allogeneic antigen-presenting cells obtained from the epidermis of normal human skin or from skin of patients with psoriasis. We found that in the presence of chloroquine, the allostimulatory properties of freshly obtained, normal epidermal antigen-presenting cells (EAPC) were profoundly impaired. By contrast, normal EAPC (cultured for 72 h prior to exposure to alloreactive T cells), as well as fresh EAPC from psoriatic skin were not impaired by chloroquine. In fact, in some experiments, cultured EAPC and psoriatic EAPC in the presence of chloroquine displayed significantly enhanced abilities to activate allogeneic T cells. Moreover, chloroquine partially reversed the inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) on T-cell activation induced by cultured normal EAPC. Fresh normal EAPC, which are normally impervious to the effects of TGFβ, were not protected by TGFβ from chloroquine inhibition. We conclude that the addition of chloroquine to tissue culture medium unmasks important differences in antigen processing and presenting properties of fresh, normal EAPC, on the one hand, and cultured normal EAPC and psoriatic EAPC on the other. The ability of chloroquine to exaggerate the accessory cell function of the latter cells may relate to the capacity of this drug to cause the secretion of acid hydrolases into their immediate microenvironment. Moreover, the capacity of chloroquine to enhance the accessory cell functions of freshly obtained psoriatic EAPC emphasizes an abnormality that psoriatic cells in the epidermis constitutively express. We postulate that this abnormality may be related to the clinical observations that psoriatic skin lesions may be induced or aggravated by chloroquine therapy.
The role of life events in depression in primary medical care versus psychiatric settings

Abstract Background The relationship between negative life events and depression is inconsistent. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the hypothesis that depression in the community may be related more to major life events than is depression in psychiatric settings. Methods This hypothesis was tested using depressed primary medical care (PC; n =70) and psychiatric patients ( n =62). Nondistressed ( n =109) and distressed/nondepressed PC patients ( n =43) served as comparison-control groups. Life events were rated using the contextual method of Brown and Harris (Brown, G.W., Harris, T.O., 1978. Social origins of depression. Tavistock, London). Results Depressed PC patients, but not depressed psychiatric patients, were significantly more likely to have recent severe events than the comparison-control groups. Self-reported distress in the absence of depression was not associated with severe life events. Limitations History of depression was assessed using a simple count of number of previous episodes, and the assessment of depression history may require more sophisticated assessment. The measure of endogenous depression used in this study was created post-hoc and needs replication. Conclusions Diathesis-stress models need to accommodate a lack of universality for severe stress prior to the onset of depression. Clinical strategies may need to reflect patient treatment preferences associated with differences across settings with respect to the perceived role of stress in their depression.
To fear or not to fear: what was the question? A potential role for Ras‐GRF in memory

Learning, making memories, and forgetting are thought to require changes in the strengths of connections between neurons. Such changes in synaptic strength occur in two phases: an early phase that is likely mediated by covalent modifications to existing proteins, and a delayed phase that depends on new gene expression and protein synthesis. However, the biochemical mechanisms by which neuronal activity leads to changes in synaptic strength are poorly understood. Recently, it has been shown that animals that lack Ras guanine nucleotide releasing factor (Ras-GRF), a Ca(2+)-dependent activator of the small GTP-binding protein, Ras, do not learn fear responses normally, although other types of learning appear normal. These animals show defects in the delayed phase of memory formation within the neuronal circuit that mediates fear conditioning. This paper suggests that Ras-GRF couples synaptic activity to the molecular mechanisms that consolidate changes in synaptic strength within specific neuronal circuits.
Enalapril and low protein reverse chronic puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy.

Enalapril and low protein reverse chronic puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy. The effects of dietary protein and converting enzyme inhibition (CEI) on chronic puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy (PAN) were studied. PAN was induced with seven SQ injections of puromycin aminonucleoside 20 mg/kg over 10 weeks in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into a 22.5% protein diet group (Gr 1), a 6% protein diet group (Gr 2), and an enalapril-treated group on 22.5% protein diet (Gr 3). Group 4 animals served as age-matched controls. Both diets were isocaloric and had the same phosphorus content. Rats from groups 1, 2, and 4 were sacrificed at 12, 18 and 24 weeks. Five rats of group 3 were sacrificed at 12 weeks, and the others were divided in subgroups 3A (diet changed to 6% protein) and 3B (no changes); half of each subgroup was sacrificed at 18 and 24 weeks, respectively. Group 2 had significantly less proteinuria than group 1 at all times. Group 3 had the same proteinuria as group 1 until 12 weeks and then began to decrease. In group 3A proteinuria decreased to group 2 levels, while in group 3B the decrease was slower but still prominent. Early lesions of focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis/hyalinosis (FSH) were present in groups 1, 2, 3 at 12 weeks (16 ± 1.2%, 15 ± 1.3%, 7 ± 1.3%, respectively, versus 1.3 ± 0.4% in controls), but by 18 weeks a reversal in FSH was seen in groups 2 and 3A/B (3 ± 1.6%, 2 ± 0.4%, and 3 ± 0.9%, respectively, vs. 14 ± 1.5% in group 1). This reversal persisted at 24 weeks (5 ± 2.5%, 3 ± 0.8%, 4 ± 0.8% vs. 18 ± 2.6%). At 24 weeks mean glomerular diameter was significantly less in group 2 compared to group 1, 100.7 ± 2.0 µ versus 112.2 ± 2.7 µ, P=0.009. In summary, both low protein diet and CEI for 24 weeks reversed both proteinuria and early FSH lesions in chronic PAN after cessation of PA injections.
Rate of production and loss of earthworm biomass in relation to species and size

Abstract The rate of loss in weight during 4 weeks for 9 earthworm species was linear with time. Milligrams live wt lost mg−1 initial wt day−1 (QWL) for single species did not conform to the surface principle of metabolism for most species examined, but conformed for the species collectively in a plot of × QWL for species vs × initial wt of species. The points for Lumbricus rubellus and Allolobophora longa at both 15° and 25°C departed significantly from the regression lines, suggesting that these species are less and more capable of retaining weight, respectively, than the other species tested. qwl for Eisenia foetida was significantly different at temperatures of 15, 18, 20, 25 and 30°C, but a significantly reduced slope between 20 and 25°C in a plot of QWL vs temperature corroborated previous workers' findings of a metabolic zone of thermal compensation in this interval. Milligrams live wt gained mg−1 initial wt day−1 (QWG) for single species, in contrast to QWL, conformed to the surface principle for all species. A plot of × QWG vs × initial wt for 7 species showed that Amynthas spp gained significantly more slowly and L. terrestris significantly more rapidly than predicted by the regression equation. A comparison of rates of WL to WG showed that small species generally recover weight more efficiently than large ones. A study of rate of WL on cellulose vs ashed loam showed that earthworms derive a nutritional benefit from cellulose.
Handover planning for every occasion

In this paper we explore shared manipulation tasks involving collaboration between two agents: a bimanual manipulator and a movable humanoid. We propose a deterministic planner that outputs a handover pose for the object manipulated, the grasps to be used for both agents, and arm trajectories that allow the agents to reach, grasp, interchange and place the object at its final goal pose. Most existing approaches to shared manipulation assume that both participating agents are (or can be) positioned face-to-face. In this paper, we consider a more general set of scenarios in which the relative pose between agents is not tightly constrained to facing each other. To accomplish a successful interaction between the agents, careful planning must be done in order to select the best possible handover pose such that the movable agent should not need to move its torso, only its arm, to interact with the object. We present 3 simulation experiments with manipulation tasks performed by a bimanual fixed manipulator and a humanoid robot.
On the use of linear programming for unsupervised text classification

We propose a new algorithm for dimensionality reduction and unsupervised text classification. We use mixture models as underlying process of generating corpus and utilize a novel, L1-norm based approach introduced by Kleinberg and Sandler [19]. We show that our algorithm performs extremely well on large datasets, with peak accuracy approaching that of supervised learning based on Support Vector Machines (SVMs) with large training sets. The method is based on the same idea that underlies Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI). We find a good low-dimensional subspace of a feature space and project all documents into it. However our projection minimizes different error, and unlike LSI we build a basis, that in many cases corresponds to the actual topics. We present results of testing of our algorithm on the abstracts of arXiv - an electronic repository of scientific papers, and the 20 Newsgroup dataset - a small snapshot of 20 specific newsgroups.
DYNAMIC FRACTURE USING ELEMENT-FREE GALERKIN METHODS

The element-free Galerkin method for dynamic crack propagation is described and applied to several problems. This method is a gridless method, which facilitates the modelling of growing crack problems because it does not require remeshing; the growth of the crack is modelled by extending its surfaces. The essential feature of the method is the use of moving least-squares interpolants for the trial-and-test functions. In these interpolants, the dependent variable is obtained at any point by minimizing a weighted quadratic form involving the nodal variables within a small domain surrounding the point. The discrete equations are obtained by a Galerkin method. The procedures for modelling dynamic crack propagation based on dynamic stress intensity factors are also described.
Morbidity and Mortality Conference in Emergency Medicine

Abstract Background: Morbidity and Mortality conferences (M&M) are used to meet many of the Core Competencies required by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education for residency training programs. This study seeks to describe and quantify different types of M&M conferences among Emergency Medicine (EM) training programs. Methods: A confidential survey was e-mailed to the Program Directors (PD) or Assistant PD of all United States (US) Emergency Medicine residency training programs with functional e-mail addresses listed in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine residency catalog. Descriptive statistics and 95% confidence (CI) intervals are reported. Results: Of 124 surveys sent out, 89 (72%) completed surveys were returned. There were 88 programs (99%, CI 93–100%) that reported having an M&M. Conferences are held monthly at 67% (CI 57–76%) of programs. Cases for discussion are identified by an EM attending, quality assurance committee, or resident (70%, 57%, and 48%, respectively). Half of programs reported that > 40% of the cases involve systems errors. Twenty percent of programs report that > 40% of the cases involve deaths. Consultants are invited at 44% of programs, and 20% of programs specifically invite radiologists. If a medical error is identified in the M&M, 79% (70–86%) of programs have a protocol for addressing the error. Conclusion: EM training programs almost uniformly have an M&M, but these conferences vary in frequency, content, and attendance. Future studies are needed to investigate resident and faculty perceptions of M&M, its educational impact, and ways to improve the conference.
Survival strategies for microorganisms in hypersaline environments and their relevance to life on early Mars

There are two groups of microorganisms that live and grow in hypersaline (>10-15% NaCl) environments: the halophilic Archaea and the halotolerant Bacteria and algae. In order to grow and reproduce in such high-salt, low-water activity environments, these organisms have made basic biochemical adaptations in their proteins, osmoregulation mechanisms, nucleic acids, and lipids. The environment of the halophiles and especially how the halophilic Archaea have adapted to that environment are reviewed in this paper. Along with this review is a brief description of how these adaptations could be important in the detection of life on early Mars assuming similar types of salts and a carbon-based life.
Can general strain theory be used to explain recidivism among registered sex offenders

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the current study was to assess sex offender recidivism in the context of General Strain Theory (GST). Methods Surveys were mailed to 3,506 sex offenders with (N = 939) in Nebraska, (N = 1,850) in Kansas and (N = 717) in Montana. Questions related to strain associated with registration and community notification, anger, depression, and criminal behavior were asked. OLS Regression was utilized to predict overall recidivism, as well as sex, violent, drug, and property recidivism. Results Findings suggest that GST is supported when analyzing recidivism. Conclusions In the context of these findings, policymakers would do well to reexamine the broad use of registration and community notification laws.
Composite particle cross sections from the density operator

The general formula connecting composite particle cross sections to solutions of the time-dependent density is obtained. An overcounting problem is pointed out and solved. Formulae for composite particles, as approximated by both mean field and cascade theories, are derived.
The NASA software research infusion initiative: successful technology transfer for software assurance

New processes, methods and tools are constantly appearing in the field of software engineering. Many of these augur great potential in improving software development processes, resulting in higher quality software with greater levels of assurance. However, there are a number of obstacles that impede their infusion into software development practices. These are the recurring obstacles common to many forms of research. Practitioners cannot readily identify the emerging techniques that may most benefit them, and cannot afford to risk time and effort in evaluating and experimenting with them while there is still uncertainty about whether they will have payoff in this particular context. Similarly, researchers cannot readily identify those practitioners whose problems would be amenable to their techniques and lack the feedback from practical applications necessary to help them to evolve their techniques to make them more likely to be successful. This paper describes an ongoing effort conducted by a software engineering research infusion team, and the NASA Research Infusion Initiative, established by NASA's Software Engineering Initiative, to overcome these obstacles.
Granular solids, liquids, and gases

Granular materials are ubiquitous in the world around us. They have properties that are different from those commonly associated with either solids, liquids, or gases. In this review the authors select some of the special properties of granular materials and describe recent research developments.[S0034-6861(96)00204-8]
Refinements to Heavy Traffic Limit Theorems in Queueing Theory

We consider single server M/G/1 and GI/G/1 queues in the limit of heavy traffic. We develop a procedure for obtaining the full asymptotic series of the stationary distribution of unfinished work in powers of one minus the traffic intensity. The leading term in this series is the exponential density obtained from the heavy traffic limit theorem. We show that the correction terms have different forms in different regions of the state space. These corrections are constructed using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. We assume that the method of matched asymptotic expansions is valid.
Zur Photoleitfähigkeit von Cadmiumsulfid‐Einkristallen bei tiefen Temperaturen

An synthetisch hergestellten CdS-Einkristallen wurde der Photostrom (bei Anregung im Gebiet der Grundgitter- und Auslauferabsorption), sowie Lage und Form des „selektiven Maximums” der Leitfahigkeit in Abhangigkeit von der Temperatur zwischen Zimmertemperatur und der Temperatur der flussigen Luft gemessen. Mit der Annahme zweier sich in ihrer Temperaturabhangigkeit verschieden verhaltender Rekombinationsprozesse, eines strahlungslosen monomolekularen und eines strahlenden bimolekularen, wie sie im Rahmen des Riehl-Schonschen Energiebandermodells zur Erklarung von Lumineszenzeigenschaften ahnlicher Kristallphosphore (ZnS, ZnCdS) fruher vorgeschlagen worden sind, last sich, ohne weitere Rucksichtnahme auf die Funktion der in der verbotenen Zone liegenden Zwischenterme im einzelnen, der experimentelle Befund in mancher Hinsicht deuten.
A clinical evaluation of fentanyl for outpatient sedation in dentistry.

Abstract The results of a clinical study conducted to evaluate the efficacy of fentanyl citrate (Sublimaze) for preoperative sedation in dentistry are presented. Fentanyl in combination with diazepam and methohexital produced an excellent sedative-analgesic-amnesic effect. Aspects of the study included patient and operator acceptance, and evaluation of changes in vital signs and complications.
Progress on the design and fabrication of the mice spectrometer solenoids

The Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE) will demonstrate ionization cooling in a short section of a realistic cooling channel using a muon beam at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in the UK. A five-coil, superconducting spectrometer solenoid magnet at each end of the cooling channel will provide a 4 T uniform field region for the scintillating fiber tracker within the magnet bore tubes. The tracker modules are used to measure the muon beam emittance as it enters and exits the cooling channel. The cold mass for the 400 mm warm bore magnet consists of two sections: a three-coil spectrometer magnet and a two-coil matching section that matches the uniform field of the solenoid into the MICE cooling channel. The spectrometer solenoid detailed design and analysis has been completed, and the fabrication of the magnets is well under way. The primary features of the spectrometer solenoid magnet and mechanical designs are presented along with a summary of key fabrication issues and photos of the construction.
Microanatomy of the placenta of Lycopodium obscurum: novel design in an underground embryo

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Long-lived underground populations of mycoheterotrophic gametophytes and attached sporophytes at various developmental stages occur in lycophytes. Young underground sporophytes obtain carbon solely from the gametophyte and establish nutritional independence only after reaching the soil surface, which may take several years. This prolonged period of matrotrophy exceeds that of bryophytes. The foot is massive and provides the lifeline for sporophyte establishment, yet the fine structure of the placental region is unexplored in lycophytes with underground gametophytes. METHODS Gametophytes with attached embryos/young sporophytes of Lycopodium obscurum were collected in nature, processed and examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS Three ultrastructurally distinct regions were identified within a single foot of a sporophyte emerging from the soil. Young foot regions actively divide, and have direct contact with and show little differentiation from gametophyte cells. In unlobed foot areas, cells in both generations exhibit polarity in content and indicate unidirectional transport of carbon reserves into the foot toward the developing shoot and root. The foot has inconspicuous wall ingrowths. Highly lobed foot regions contain peripheral transfer cells with prominent wall ingrowths that absorb nutrients from degenerating gametophyte cells. CONCLUSIONS Variability within a single placenta is consistent with an invasive and long-lived foot. The late appearance of wall ingrowths in transfer cells reflects this dynamic ever-growing embryo. Placental features in lycophytes are related to the unique reorientation of all embryonic regions during development. Small placentas with wall ingrowths in both generations characterize ephemeral embryos in green gametophytes, while short-lived and repositioning embryos of heterosporous taxa are devoid of transfer cells. Transfer cell evolution across embryophytes is riddled with homoplasy and reflects diverse patterns of embryology. Scrutiny of placental evolution must include consideration of nutritional status and life history strategies of the gametophyte and young sporophyte.
Maternal IL-10 and IL-6 are elevated in response to localized intrauterine inflammation

INTRAUTERINE INFLAMMATION MICHAL ELOVITZ, CONJEEVARAM MRINALINI, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania OBJECTIVE: Preterm birth is associated with a pro-inflammatory response in maternal tissues. Using a mouse model of localized intrauterine inflammation, we have demonstrated that, just prior to parturition, there is a potent TH1/TH2 response in the uterus and cervix. These studies were performed to elucidate which of these cytokines may play a primary role in activating an inflammatory response in the uterus and whether cytokine levels in the mother could predict the presence of a localized inflammatory state. STUDY DESIGN: On day 15 of gestation, CD-1 mice were randomized to intrauterine LPS or saline. At 1, 3, and 6 hours after intrauterine infusion, maternal serum, uterine and cervical tissues were collected. Real-time PCR was performed to determine message expression of IL-1b, TNF-a, IL-6, L-10, and IL-13 in the uterus and cervix. ELISAs were performed to correlate uterine mRNA and protein expression as well as determine cytokine levels in maternal serum. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and pairwise comparison was performed. RESULTS: TH1 and TH2 cytokine mRNA expression was significantly increased in the uterus and cervix rapidly after intrauterine infusion of LPS. Increased protein expression of IL-1, TNF, and IL-10 in the uterus was evident at 3 hrs. TNF and IL-1b levels in maternal serumwere not significantly elevated. In contrast, 3 hrs after intrauterine LPS, IL-10 and IL-6 were increased 18 and 6-fold respectively over controls. By 6 hrs, systemic IL-10 levels were still significantly elevated from controls but on a decreased compared to the 3 hr levels while IL-6 levels continued to increase and were O100-fold elevated compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Despite a potent proinflammatory response in the uterus and cervix in response to localized intrauterine inflammation, systemic levels of IL-1b and TNF-a are not reliable predictors of this inflammatory state. In contrast, elevated maternal IL-10 levels may be an early indicator of intrauterine inflammation and serial systemic IL-6 levels may predict localized inflammatory response in the uterus.
Molecular modeling of averaged rigor crossbridges from tomograms of insect flight muscle

Electron tomography, correspondence analysis, molecular model building, and real-space refinement provide detailed 3-D structures for in situ myosin crossbridges in the nucleotide-free state (rigor), thought to represent the end of the power stroke. Unaveraged tomograms from a 25-nm longitudinal section of insect flight muscle preserved native structural variation. Recurring crossbridge motifs that repeat every 38.7 nm along the actin filament were extracted from the tomogram and classified by correspondence analysis into 25 class averages, which improved the signal to noise ratio. Models based on the atomic structures of actin and of myosin subfragment 1 were rebuilt to fit 11 class averages. A real-space refinement procedure was applied to quantitatively fit the reconstructions and to minimize steric clashes between domains introduced during the fitting. These combined procedures show that no single myosin head structure can fit all the in situ crossbridges. The validity of the approach is supported by agreement of these atomic models with fluorescent probe data from vertebrate muscle as well as with data from regulatory light chain crosslinking between heads of smooth muscle heavy meromyosin when bound to actin.
Stratigraphic implications of palaeomagnetic data from Honduras

SUMMARY Palaeomagnetic results from mainly Cretaceous rocks in Honduras delineate a distinctive apparent polar wander path (APWP) which is well suited for magnetostratigraphy. The APWP is based on palaeomagnetic data from palaeontologically dated units in the established stratigraphic column and three radiometrically dated intrusions. The ages and stratigraphic positions of sedimentary units whose stratigraphic assignments have been debated, can be inferred by comparing their palaeornagnetic pole postion with the known APWP. The results demonstrate the usefulness of magnetostratigraphy for resolving stratigraphic problems in the absence of fossils or marker beds, and for areas of discontinuous exposures. For regional interpretations, the most important conclusion is that strata in Honduras that have been assigned to the Todos Santos Formation were not deposited on the same tectonic plate as the Todos Santos Formation of Guatemala and southern Mexico. There is no evidence that the Honduran ‘Todos Santos’ strata are depositionally related to the true Todos Santos Formation. The name ‘Todos Santos Formation’ should be abandoned in Honduras and for the entire Chortis Block.
Sir Robert Stawell Ball and methodologies of modern screw theory

AbstractThe theory of screws was largely developed by Sir Robert Stawell Ball over 100 years ago to investigate general problems in rigid body mechanics. Nowadays, screw theory is applied in many d...
Will Democracy Engender Equality

Many suppose that democracy is an ethos which requires, inter alia, a degree of economic equality among citizens. In contrast, we conceive of democracy as ruthless electoral competition between groups of citizens with different interests, who are organized into parties. We inquire whether such competition, which we assume to be concerned with distributive matters, will engender economic equality in the long run. Society is modeled as OLG, and each generation competes politically over educational finance and tax policy; the policy space is infinite dimensional. A political equilibrium concept is proposed which determines the membership of two parties endogenously, and their proposed policies in political competition. One party wins the election (stochastically). This process determines the evolution of the distribution of human capital. We show that, whether the limit distribution of human capital is an equal one depends upon the nature of intra-party bargaining and the degree of inequality in the original distribution.
The effects of altering diet formulation and manufacturing technique on pellet quality

SUMMARY Least-cost diet formulations and pellet mill operating techniques vary widely. As a result, pellet quality is often inconsistent. Past research has associated pellet quality changes with feed formulation and manufacturing techniques. However, the interaction between the 2 factors has rarely been explored. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of altering a least-cost diet (LC) formulation and altering manufacturing techniques on pellet processing variables and quality. Generally, pellet quality improves with higher levels of protein and moisture. Therefore, increased levels of CP and moisture were added to LC broiler starter and grower formulations to compose a research-based (RB) formulation. The LC and RB formulations were pelleted using 2 manufacturing techniques, a thin die with a fast production rate (TF) or a thick die with a slow production rate (TS). During manufacture of the starter diets, the RB formulation improved the pellet durability index (PDI) and modified PDI (MPDI) while decreasing pellet mill relative electrical energy usage (P ≤ 0.05) compared with the LC formulation. The TS technique increased PDI and MPDI while decreasing production of fines (P ≤ 0.05) compared with the TF technique. During manufacture of the grower diets, the RB formulation and TS technique resulted in decreased production of fines (P ≤ 0.05) compared with the LC formulation and TF technique. A significant interaction observed for PDI and MPDI of the grower diets indicated that the RB formulation improved pellet quality and would be even more beneficial if a mill used a TF technique (P ≤ 0.05). We conclude that diet formulation and manufacturing technique are, in fact, linked and must be considered when attempting to optimize pellet quality.
Gene body methylation is conserved between plant orthologs and is of evolutionary consequence

DNA methylation is a common feature of eukaryotic genomes and is especially common in noncoding regions of plants. Protein coding regions of plants are often methylated also, but the extent, function, and evolutionary consequences of gene body methylation remain unclear. Here we investigate gene body methylation using an explicit comparative evolutionary approach. We generated bisulfite sequencing data from two tissues of Brachypodium distachyon and compared genic methylation patterns to those of rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica). Gene body methylation was strongly conserved between orthologs of the two species and affected a biased subset of long, slowly evolving genes. Because gene body methylation is conserved over evolutionary time, it shapes important features of plant genome evolution, such as the bimodality of G+C content among grass genes. Our results superficially contradict previous observations of high cytosine methylation polymorphism within Arabidopsis thaliana genes, but reanalyses of these data are consistent with conservation of methylation within gene regions. Overall, our results indicate that the methylation level is a long-term property of individual genes and therefore of evolutionary consequence.
Optical Method for Articulator Comparison and Study of Occlusal Determinants

A method of articulator comparison and a technique demonstrating the effects of three occlusal determinants were demonstrated and proved successful. The techniques used could be used in dental research circumstances and in dental schools as a means to study the determinants of occlusion.
Comparison of dietary conjugated linoleic acid with safflower oil on body composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Weight loss may improve glucose control in persons with type 2 diabetes. The effects of fat quality, as opposed to quantity, on weight loss are not well understood. Objective: We compared the effects of 2 dietary oils, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and safflower oil (SAF), on body weight and composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Design: This was a 36-wk randomized, double-masked, crossover study. Fifty-five obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes received SAF or CLA (8 g oil/d) during two 16-wk diet periods separated by a 4-wk washout period. Subjects met monthly with the study coordinator to receive new supplements and for assessment of energy balance, biochemical endpoints, or anthropometric variables. Results: Thirty-five women completed the 36-wk intervention. Supplementation with CLA reduced body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.0022) and total adipose mass (P = 0.0187) without altering lean mass. The effect of CLA in lowering BMI was detected during the last 8 wk of each 16-wk diet period. In contrast, SAF had no effect on BMI or total adipose mass but reduced trunk adipose mass (P = 0.0422) and increased lean mass (P = 0.0432). SAF also significantly lowered fasting glucose (P = 0.0343) and increased adiponectin (P = 0.0051). No differences were observed in dietary energy intake, total fat intake, and fat quality in either diet period for either intervention. Conclusions: Supplementation with CLA and SAF exerted different effects on BMI, total and trunk adipose mass, and lean tissue mass in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Supplementation with these dietary oils may be beneficial for weight loss, glycemic control, or both.
Does "time is brain" also mean "time is clot"? Time dependency of tissue-type plasminogen activator-induced recanalization in acute ischemic stroke.

See related article, p 2734. Pooled analyses of major randomized controlled trials of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS)1–3 have established the clinical dictum of “Time is Brain”4 because longer times from stroke symptom onset to the initiation of IVT are associated with a lower likelihood of good clinical outcomes at 3 months. Recanalization could be the main mechanism why this time dependency is seen, and the so-called recanalization hypothesis is supported by evidence from a meta-analysis of clinical studies that documented recanalization.5 However, no prospective study to date has demonstrated that indeed shorter onset-to-treatment times (OTTs) result in shorter time to recanalization of an intracranial occlusion, in turn proving it to be the key link to better long-term functional outcomes. Conversely, could this also mean that longer times to treatment produce less recanalization attributable to clot maturation and progression of ischemic injury to brain tissues? Could “Time is Brain” also mean “Time is Clot”? As time is lost, clot wins. In several pilot single-center studies of real-time monitoring of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion by transcranial Doppler (TCD), both the elapsed time from symptom onset to recanalization6 and the speed of clot lysis7 with IVT thrombolysis were associated with early clinical recovery from AIS as determined by serial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assessments. Nevertheless, the effect of the temporal profile of recanalization on 3-month functional outcome after adjusting for potential prognostic factors remains unknown. In this issue of Stroke …
Grid workflow: a flexible failure handling framework for the grid

The generic, heterogeneous, and dynamic nature of the grid requires a new from of failure recovery mechanism to address its unique requirements such as support for diverse failure handling strategies, separation of failure handling strategies from application codes, and user-defined exception handling. We here propose a grid workflow system (grid-WFS), a flexible failure handling framework for the grid, which addresses these grid-unique failure recovery requirements. Central to the framework is flexibility by the use of workflow structure as a high-level recovery policy specification. We show how this use of high-level workflow structure allows users to achieve failure recovery in a variety of ways depending on the requirements and constraints of their applications. We also demonstrate that this use of workflow structure enables users to not only rapidly prototype and investigate failure handling strategies, but also easily change them by simply modifying the encompassing workflow structure, while the application code remains intact. Finally, we present an experimental evaluation of our framework using a simulation, demonstrating the value of supporting multiple failure recovery techniques in grid systems to achieve high performance in the presence of failures.
An essay on synthetic chemistry of colloidal nanocrystals

The central goal of synthetic chemistry of colloidal nanocrystals at present is to discover functional materials. Such functional materials should help mankind to meet the tough challenges brought by the rapid depletion of natural resources and the significant increase of population with higher and higher living standards. With this thought in mind, this essay discusses the basic guidelines for developing this new branch of synthetic chemistry, including rational synthetic strategies, functional performance, and green chemistry principles.
Meeting summary: possibilities for active and passive vaccination against opportunistic infections.

Opportunistic pathogens present an ever-growing threat to mankind in spite of numerous medical advances. This event is a consequence of an increase in bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics all over the world as well as a greater survival of individuals immunocompromised by chronic and acute diseases or injuries. To meet this challenge, the International Study Group for New Antimicrobial Strategies (ISGNAS) took a fresh look at the possibilities for vaccination against opportunistic infections. Although this approach to control these infections has been a goal for many years, to date there are no licensed products available for this purpose. Based on the results presented at an ISGNAS-sponsored meeting in Herborn, Germany, June 23-25, 2003, there is now reason to hope that this situation could change. This volume of the Old Herborn University Seminar Monographs constitutes the report of that meeting. The meeting consisted of one day of formal reports followed by discussion among the conference faculty. The major points presented during this meeting are summarised below.
Pathophysiology of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases

In immunobullous disease, the host immune system disrupts adhesive interactions in the skin, typically leading to clinical blister formation. The pathophysiology of these diseases has been an active area of investigation. The mechanisms by which these disorders lead to loss of adhesion are variable and disease dependent; however, general principles have been described. The term ‘‘subepidermal blistering disease’’ applies to several disorders that share the clinical appearance of vesicles and bulla, the histologic finding of subepidermal blistering, and in situ deposition of autoantibodies at the dermal–epidermal junction. This group of diseases includes bullous pemphigoid (BP), cicatricial pemphigoid, herpes gestationis, dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA disease, lichen planus pemphigoides, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), and bullous systemic lupus erythematosus. Intraepidermal blistering diseases are characterized by acantholysis, loss of adhesion between adjacent epidermal keratinocytes, and deposition of immunoreactants at the keratinocyte cell membrane. The protypical intraepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases are pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). The autoimmune nature of these disorders began to be appreciated in the late 1960s when Jordon and Beutner used immunofluorescent techniques to demonstrate that BP patients have circulating and tissue-bound autoantibodies directed against antigens of the basement membrane zone. Use of these autoantibodies as a screening tool facilitated the identification of the target autoantigens. Using such an approach, Stanley et al. (1981, 1988) first characterized BP antigens at the molecular level and cloned the BP230 cDNA. Subsequently, cDNAs encoding BP180 (the autoantigen for BP, cicatricial pemphigoid, herpes gestationis, lichen planus pemphigoides, and linear IgA disease), laminin 5 (the autoantigen for cicatricial pemphigoid), and type VII collagen (the autoantigen for EBA and bullous systemic lupus erythematosus) were also cloned and characterized.
Unsung Hero: The Story Of Colonel Young Oak Kim. By Woo Sung Han and Translated by Edward T. Chang

Riverside, California: The Young Oak Kim Center for Korean American Studies at UC Riverside, 2011. 419 pp. softcover, $25
A new species and new records of Pseudocephennium Reitter in Venezuela, with notes on movable endophallic structures (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae).

Pseudocephennium auriculatum sp. n. is described, based on a male specimen collected in north-western Venezuela. New findings of Pseudocephennium maximum Jaloszynski and P. araguanum Jaloszynski, so far known only from holotypes, are reported. The aedeagi of newly found specimens have the endophallic structures extruded to various extent which makes it possible to identify movable components of the internal aedeagal armature.
The manifestation of chromosome rearrangements in unordered asci of Neurospora.

Rapid, effective techniques have been developed for detecting and characterizing chromosome aberrations in Neurospora by visual inspection of ascospores and asci. Rearrangements that are detectable by the presence of deficient, nonblack ascospores in test crosses make up 5 to 10% of survivors after UV doses giving 10-55% survival. Over 135 rearrangements have been diagnosed by classifying unordered asci according to numbers of defective spores. (These include 15 originally identified or analyzed by other workers.) About 100 reciprocal translocations (RT's) have been confirmed and mapped genetically, involving all combinations of the seven chromosomes. Thirty-three other rearrangements generate viable nontandem duplications in meiosis. These consist of insertional translocations (IT's) (15 confirmed), and of rearrangements that involve a chromosome tip (10 translocations and 3 pericentric inversions). No inversion has been found that does not include the centromere. A reciprocal translocation was found within one population in nature. When pairs of RT's that involve the same two chromosome arms were intercrossed, viable duplications were produced if the breakpoints overlapped in such a way that pairing resembled that of insertional translocations (27 combinations).—The rapid analytical technique depends on the following. Deficiency ascospores are usually nonblack (W: "white") and inviable, while nondeficient ascospores, even those that include duplications, are black (B) and viable. Thus RT's typically produce 50% black spores, and IT's 75% black. Asci are shot spontaneously from ripe perithecia, and can be collected in large numbers as groups of eight ascospores representing unordered tetrads, which fall into five classes: 8B:0W; 6B:2W, 4B:4W, 2B:6B, 0B:8W. In isosequential crosses, 90-95% of tetrads are 8:0. When a rearrangement is heterozygous, the frequencies of tetrad classes are diagnostic of the type of rearrangement, and provide information also on the positions of break points. With RT's, 8:0 (alternate centromere segregation) = 0:8 (adjacent-1), 4:4's require interstitial crossing over in a centromere-break point interval, and no 6:2's or 2:6's are expected. With IT's, duplications are viable, 8:0 = 4:4, 6:2's are from interstitial crossing over, 0:8's or 2:6's are rare. Tetrads from RT's that involve a chromosome tip resemble those from IT's, as do tetrads from intercrosses between partially overlapping RT's that involve identical chromosome arms.—Because viable duplications and other aneuploid derivatives regularly occur among the offspring of rearrangements such as insertional translocations, care must be taken in selecting stocks, and original strains should be kept for reference.
CFD Analysis of Blast Furnace Operating Condition Impacts on Operational Efficiency

Blast furnaces are counter-current chemical reactors used to reduce iron ore into liquid iron. Hot reduction gases are blasted through a burden consisting of iron ore pellets, slag, flux, and coke. The chemical reactions that occur through the furnace reduce the iron ore pellets into liquid iron as they descend through the furnace. Experimental studies and live operation measurements can be extremely difficult to perform on a blast furnace due to the extremely harsh environment generated by the operational process. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling has been developed and applied to simulate the complex multiphase reacting flow inside a blast furnace shaft. The model is able to predict the burden distribution pattern, Cohesive Zone (CZ) shape, gas reduction utilization, coke rate, and other operational conditions. This paper details the application of this model to investigate the effects of coke size and porosity, iron ore pellet size, and burden descent speed on blast furnace efficiency.
A Novel Preclinical Method to Quantitatively Evaluate Early-Stage Metastatic Events at the Murine Blood–Brain Barrier

The observation that approximately 15% of women with disseminated breast cancer will develop symptomatic brain metastases combined with treatment guidelines discouraging single-agent chemotherapeutic strategies facilitates the desire for novel strategies aimed at outright brain metastasis prevention. Effective and robust preclinical methods to evaluate early-stage metastatic processes, brain metastases burden, and overall mean survival are lacking. Here, we develop a novel method to quantitate early metastatic events (arresting and extravasation) in addition to traditional end time-point parameters such as tumor burden and survival in an experimental mouse model of brain metastases of breast cancer. Using this method, a reduced number of viable brain-seeking metastatic cells (from 3,331 ± 263 cells/brain to 1,079 ± 495 cells/brain) were arrested in brain one week postinjection after TGFβ knockdown. Treatment with a TGFβ receptor inhibitor, galunisertib, reduced the number of arrested cells in brain to 808 ± 82 cells/brain. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in the percentage of extravasated cells (from 63% to 30%) compared with cells remaining intralumenal when TGFβ is knocked down or inhibited with galunisertib (40%). The observed reduction of extravasated metastatic cells in brain translated to smaller and fewer brain metastases and resulted in prolonged mean survival (from 36 days to 62 days). This method opens up potentially new avenues of metastases prevention research by providing critical data important to early brain metastasis of breast cancer events.