cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The behavior of uranium oxide particles in reducing flames

Abstract An analysis has been made of the experimental data of Bulewicz et al. [1] on the emittance of uranium oxide particles in nitrogen-diluted rich hydrogen-oxygen flames. They interpreted the radiation as gray body in character calculated particle temperatures as significantly greater than the adiabatic flame temperature, and concluded that radical recombination at the surface was responsible. Present results demonstrate that the emission need not necessarily be taken as gray body, particle temperatures are not uniquely determinable without knowledge of the spectral emissivity, and heating of the particles may be attributed more plausibly to gas-solid reaction than to radical recombination.
Building topic models in a federated digital library through selective document exclusion

Building topic models in federated digital collections presents numerous challenges due to metadata inconsistencies. The quality of topical metadata is difficult to ascertain and is interspersed with often irrelevant administrative metadata. In this study, we propose a way to improve topic modeling in large collections by identifying documents that convey only weak topical information. These documents are ignored when training topic models. Their topical associations are instead inferred model training. A method is outlined for identifying weakly topical documents by defining runs of similar documents in a collection. In preliminary evaluation using a corpus from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Digital Collections and Content aggregation, results show an increase in coherence among words in topics. In showing this, we demonstrate that it may be beneficial to induce topic models using less, higher-quality data.
US Foreign Policy and Iran: American–Iranian Relations since the Islamic Revolution

US Foreign Policy and Iran: American–Iranian Relations since the Islamic Revolution, Donette Murray, Contemporary Security Studies, London and New York: Routledge, 2010, ISBN 978-0-415-39406-2, 259...
Application of synthetic aperture focusing to short-lag spatial coherence

It has been demonstrated that short-lag spatial coherence (SLSC) ultrasound imaging can provide improved SNR and CNR compared to conventional B-mode images, especially in the presence of noise and clutter. Application of the van Cittert-Zernike theorem predicts that coherence between the ultrasound echoes received across an array is reduced significantly away from the transmit focal depth, leading to a limited axial depth of eld in SLSC images. Transmit focus throughout the eld of view can be achieved using synthetic aperture methods to combine multiple transmit events into a single nal image. We propose the application of these methods to create synthetically focused channel data to be used to create an SLSC image that will have an extended axial depth of eld comparable to B-mode images. Experimental results in a phantom and in vivo are presented and compared to both B-mode images and dynamic receive focused SLSC images, demonstrating improved SNR and CNR away from the transmit focus and an enlarged axial depth of eld.
Neutral and acidic human tracheobronchial mucin. Isolation and characterization of core protein.

Human bronchial mucin from a patient suffering from chronic bronchitis was solubilized in aqueous solution containing sodium azide and protease inhibitors and purified by Sepharose 4B and 2B column chromatography. The mucin was further purified by cesium bromide density gradient centrifugation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel (7.5%) electrophoresis of this material showed high-molecular-weight mucin component(s) at the top of the gel. Chemical analysis of this preparation indicated a typical mucin profile of amino acids and carbohydrates. Ion-exchange chromatography resulted in resolution of the purified mucin into neutral and acidic fractions. Comparison of the chemical composition of these two fractions showed higher mole percentage of threonine, serine, sialic acid, and sulfate in the acidic fraction. Chemical deglycosylation of the purified mucin preparation with trifluoromethane sulfonic acid was carried out at 20°C for 3 1/2 h. Sialic acid, fucose, galactose, and W-acetylglucosamine were completely removed, whereas traces ofN- acetylgalactosamine were still detected. High-pressure liquid chromatography of the deglycosylated products from native, neutral, and acidic mucin preparations resulted in a principal peptide, P1, with identical amino acid composition. Cyanogen bromide (CNBr) treatment of the peptide P1 from neutral and acidic mucins and subsequent fractionation of the fragments by high-pressure liquid chromatography resulted in similar peptide profiles. The P1 peptide fraction was further subjected to high-pressure liquid chromatography in a second solvent system, which resulted in two peaks, P1a and P1b. Gel filtration of both peptides in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride indicated a single peak with molecular weight of approximately 97 kDa. The amino acid profile of the two peptides was dominated by high levels of threonine, serine, and proline, which combined accounted for nearly 39% of the total residues, and in most respects, the profile resembled that of native mucin. End-group analysis of the peptide P1a indicated a blocked N-terminus, whereas serine was found to be the N-terminal amino acid in the peptide P1b. Rabbit antibodies prepared against the peptide P1 from native tracheal mucin reacted strongly with neutral and acidic mucin as well as the mucin from human colon. Both neutral and acidic human tracheal mucins were immunologically reactive with mouse monoclonal antibody HMPFG-2, which was prepared against human mammary mucin. However, the response of this antibody to human colonic mucin was rather weak.
Is sufentanil removed by blood conservation devices

Abstract To conserve blood during open heart surgery, cell savers and hemoconcentrators are used. Cell savers retrieve and filter shed blood from the operative field and then wash and separate reconcentrated erythrocytes from a supernatant by centrifugation. Hemoconcentrators are extracorporeal devices that extract an ultrafiltrate from the circulating perfusate during cardiopulmonary bypass. Both cell saver supernatant and hemoconcentrator ultrafiltrate are discarded. Twenty patients were anesthetized with a single dose of sufentanil, 30 μg/kg, and the cell saver supernatant and hemoconcentrator ultrafiltrate were analyzed for sufentanil. The supernatant contained only 0.1 % of the total administered dose. Hemoconcentrators from two different manufacturers were tested, and 0.1% of the administered sufentanil was detected in one ultrafiltrate and none was found in the other. Thirty minutes after induction of anesthesia, the plasma sufentanil concentration was 8.5 ng/mL (1.3% of the given dose): 1 hour later, it was 4.9 ng/mL (0.8%). During cardiopulmonary bypass, the plasma level decreased to 2.5 ng/mL (0.6%): after bypass, it fell to 1.5 ng/mL (0.3%). It is concluded that intravenous (IV) sufentanil rapidly leaves the plasma compartment, and little remains available to be extracted by the devices used to process and conserve blood.
Ex Vivo Stretch Reveals Altered Mechanical Properties of Isolated Dystrophin-Deficient Hearts

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive and fatal disease of muscle wasting caused by loss of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. In the heart, DMD results in progressive cardiomyopathy and dilation of the left ventricle through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Previous reports have shown that loss of dystrophin causes sarcolemmal instability and reduced mechanical compliance of isolated cardiac myocytes. To expand upon these findings, here we have subjected the left ventricles of dystrophin-deficient mdx hearts to mechanical stretch. Unexpectedly, isolated mdx hearts showed increased left ventricular (LV) compliance compared to controls during stretch as LV volume was increased above normal end diastolic volume. During LV chamber distention, sarcomere lengths increased similarly in mdx and WT hearts despite greater excursions in volume of mdx hearts. This suggests that the mechanical properties of the intact heart cannot be modeled as a simple extrapolation of findings in single cardiac myocytes. To explain these findings, a model is proposed in which disruption of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex perturbs cell-extracellular matrix contacts and promotes the apparent slippage of myocytes past each other during LV distension. In comparison, similar increases in LV compliance were obtained in isolated hearts from β-sarcoglycan-null and laminin-α(2) mutant mice, but not in dysferlin-null mice, suggesting that increased whole-organ compliance in mdx mice is a specific effect of disrupted cell-extracellular matrix contacts and not a general consequence of cardiomyopathy via membrane defect processes. Collectively, these findings suggest a novel and cell-death independent mechanism for the progressive pathological LV dilation that occurs in DMD.
The role of surface stresses in the deformation of hard elastic polypropylene

Abstract The phenomenon of stress depression (Δσ) observed when hard elastic polypropylene (HEPP) is exposed to certain liquids has been utilized to probe the role of surface stresses in hard elastic behaviour. Stress depressions were measured in non-interacting liquids and vapours as a function of interfacial surface tension, strain and vapour pressure. Results indicate that surface stress on the microfibres is a significant component of the restoring force. At strains up to 10%, surface stresses from a large number of microfibres contribute about 40% to the restoring force. Above 10% strain, there is no change in the magnitude of the surface contribution. A constitutive equation has been developed from which the fibril diameter can be calculated. Calculated average fibril diameters show that stress-induced subfibrillation is the mechanism responsible for the gradual increase in the surface stress up to 10% strain. Subfibrils are stable only under an imposed stress, the smallest fibril diameter obtained with this material is approximately 20 A.
Great American city: Chicago and the enduring neighborhood effect

Sampson, Robert J. 2012. Great American city: Chicago and the enduring neighborhood effect. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN-13: 9780226734569. pp. 552, $27.50 cloth. Robert J. Sampson’s ...
Future directions in structural control

This paper will be confined to the application of active, hybrid, and semi-active structural control systems. Based on what have been accomplished over the last 30 years, an assessment is presented concerning Outlook of structural control technology and pressing issues that must be addressed in order to further advance the concept of structural control as a cornerstone in modern structural engineering. Several research areas deserving further exploration and development are identified. The paper will focus oil one of these areas, namely, integrated design of control/structural systems
Synthesis of constrained helical peptides by thioether ligation: application to analogs of gp41

We present a straightforward and high yielding method to synthesize constrained helical peptides via thioether ligation; this method represents an attractive alternative to the formation of lactam bridge constraints to induce helicity in peptides.
Evolving Beyond Self-Interest? Some Experimental Findings From Simulated International Negotiations:

Negotiation is a process of exchange intellectually, socially, and in terms of the items (tangible or not) that provide the focal point for negotiations. In recent years, the English School has dis...
Differences in the retinohypothalamic tract in albino lewis versus brown norway rat strains

Differences in sleep-wake patterns in response to light-dark stimulation have been observed between albino Lewis and pigmented Brown Norway strains of rats, which may be associated with albinism. Since several anatomical differences have been demonstrated in the visual pathways of albino and pigmented mammals, the present study was undertaken to determine whether additional differences in visual pathways of these rat strains exist that might account for their behavioral differences. Using anterograde tracing techniques and image analysis, we have investigated the retinal projections of Lewis and Brown Norway rats. Our results demonstrate that the distribution of retinal terminals in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus extends over a greater area in Lewis compared to Brown Norway rats. This zone of termination corresponds to a cytoarchitectonically definable ventrolateral subdivision of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is also greater in Lewis than in Brown Norway rats. These results may have implications for behaviors related to the SCN.
Large-Break Loss-of-Coolant Accident Testing and Simulation for 200-MWe Simplified Boiling Water Reactor

The performance of the safety systems of a new design of the 200-MWe simplified boiling water reactor during a large-break, loss-of-coolant accident transient was investigated through code modeling and integral system testing. The accident considered was a break in the main steam line which is the major design basis accident. RELAP5/MOD3 best estimate reactor thermalhydraulic code was used and its applicability to the reactor safety system evaluation was examined. The integral tests were perfomed to assess the safety systems and the response of the emergency core cooling systems to accident conditions in a scaled facility called PUMA. The details of the safety system behavior are presented. The integral test simulations examined code applicability at the scaled facility level as well as prototype key safety system performance.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
A Constitutional Amendment for Deworming

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. The author received no specific funding for this study.
Over half the hair cells in the mouse utricle first appear after birth, with significant numbers originating from early postnatal mitotic production in peripheral and striolar growth zones.

Many non-mammalian vertebrates produce hair cells throughout life and recover from hearing and balance deficits through regeneration. In contrast, embryonic production of hair cells declines sharply in mammals where deficits from hair cell losses are typically permanent. Hair cell density estimates recently suggested that the vestibular organs of mice continue to add hair cells after birth, so we undertook comprehensive counting in murine utricles at different ages. The counts show that 51 % of the hair cells in adults arise during the 2 weeks after birth. Immature hair cells are most common near the neonatal macula’s peripheral edge and striola, where anti-Ki-67 labels cycling nuclei in zones that appear to contain niches for supporting-cell-like stem cells. In vivo lineage tracing in a novel reporter mouse where tamoxifen-inducible supporting cell-specific Cre expression switched tdTomato fluorescence to eGFP fluorescence showed that proteolipid-protein-1-expressing supporting cells are an important source of the new hair cells. To assess the contributions of postnatal cell divisions, we gave mice an injection of BrdU or EdU on the day of birth. The labels were restricted to supporting cells 1 day later, but by 12 days, 31 % of the labeled nuclei were in myosin-VIIA-positive hair cells. Thus, hair cell populations in neonatal mouse utricles grow appreciably through two processes: the progressive differentiation of cells generated before birth and the differentiation of new cells arising from divisions of progenitors that progress through S phase soon after birth. Subsequent declines in these processes coincide with maturational changes that appear unique to mammalian supporting cells.
Localized endophthalmitis: A newly described cause of the so-called toxic lens syndrome

We report five cases of post-extracapsular cataract extraction infection in which subsequent pathologic analyses identified the organisms and found the infection to be localized or confined to the lens capsular sac. The most common offending organisms were gram-positive pleomorphic bacilli. In one case, we were able to identify the bacteria as Propionibacterium acnes. We designate this condition a localized endophthalmitis. It should be considered any time a persistent, smoldering, postoperative inflammation occurs, and in the differential diagnosis of phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis. The condition itself is not new, but undoubtedly many such cases have gone unrecognized or have been misdiagnosed as the so-called toxic lens syndrome. In localized endophthalmitis, a clinically visible inflammatory process may occur even when multiple diagnostic taps are negative, although when the cases first appeared, the surgeons were not aware of the entity and anaerobic cultures were not always obtained. A negative tap may be explained by the fact that metabolic products from the organisms are released from the bag into the anterior segment and vitreous. A synergistic reaction may occur between these organisms and retained lens cortical remnants that may cause or exacerbate a hypersensitivity reaction. The condition may be worsened by Nd:YAG capsulotomy. The pathogenesis of localized endophthalmitis has nothing to do with the type of intraocular lens fixation (lens capsular sac or ciliary sulcus); rather, the simple presence of a capsular sac after extracapsular cataract extraction is the prerequisite for the clinical condition.
A role for nucleotides in support of breast cancer angiogenesis: heterologous receptor signalling

Human breast carcinoma cells secrete an adenosine 5′-diphosphate transphosphorylase (sNDPK) known to induce endothelial cell tubulogenesis in a P2Y receptor-dependent manner. We examined sNDPK secretion and its effects on human endothelial cells. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) secretion was measured by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while transphosphorylase activity was measured using the luciferin-luciferase ATP assay. Activation of MAPK was determined by western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and endothelial cell proliferation and migration. A panel of breast cancer cell lines with origin as ductal carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or medullary carcinoma, secrete sNDPK-A/B. Addition of purified NDPK-B to endothelial cultures activated VEGFR-2 and Erk1/2, both of which were blocked by inhibitors of NDPK and P2Y receptors. Activation of VEGFR-2 and ErK1/2 by 2-methylthio-ATP (2MeS-ATP) was blocked by pretreatment with the P2Y1-specific antagonist MRS2179, the proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Src) inhibitor PP2 or the VEGFR-2 antagonist SU1498. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase-B stimulates cell growth and migration in a concentration-dependent manner comparable to the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor. Treatment of endothelial cells with either NDPK-B or 2MeS-ATP induced migration, blocked by P2Y1, Src or VEGFR-2 antagonists. sNDPK supports angiogenesis. Understanding the mechanism of action of sNDPK and P2Y1 nucleotide signalling in metastasis and angiogenesis represent new therapeutic targets for anti-angiogenic therapies to benefit patients.
Observations on the diel migration of marine dinoflagellates off the Baja California coast

The vertical distribution of Gonyaulax polyedra, Ceratium furca, Gymnodinium sp., Ceratium dens, Gonyaulax digitale, Prorocentrum micans, Polykrikos kofoidii, and Peridinium depressum was followed during two 36 h time-series stations, off the Baja California coast. Water samples were taken at 6 h intervals, at 7 light penetration depths, for phytoplankton identification and for chemical and biological analysis. The results indicate that the dinoflagellates were able to perform vertical migration against the physical water movements, such as upwelling internal waves and wind mixing, that existed in the area during this study. Attempts to correlate the vertical dstribution of the dinoflagellates with the seawater density and nitrate distribution lead to the conclusion that even a weak density gradient acted as a barrier to the downward migration, and that nitrate assimilation in darkness was not required for their growth. Differences in the vertical distribution at 12.00 hrs of each species supports the hypothesis that migration is of a phototactic nature. A comparison of this study with previous ones on vertical migration in other areas suggests that a species should not be defined in general as a positive or negative phototactic organism, but that the direction of the migration is related to the light intensity at the sea surface.
Characterization of water vapor permeation through thin film Parylene C

A microfluidic structure to measure water vapor permeation through thin film Parylene C was successfully fabricated and tested. Chips were re-tested multiple times with consistent results. These chips were tested at 20°C, 30%RH and measured WVTR data that matched equivalent wet-cup/beaker tests, showing that these devices are indeed functional and can be used to measure WVTR with repeatable reliability. Using the Arrhenius Relation and varied temperature testing, activation energies were determined for water vapor through Parylene C that agree closely with literature and also better predicts Parylene C behavior than the previously reported activation energy.
Innovation and Incentives: Evidence from Corporate R&D

Beginning in the late 1980s, American corporations began increasingly linking the compensation of central research personnel to the economic objectives of the corporation. This paper examines the impact of the shifting compensation of the heads of corporate research and development. Among firms with centralized R&D organizations, a clear relationship emerges: more long-term incentives (e.g. stock options and restricted stock) are associated with more heavily cited patents. These incentives also appear to be somewhat associated with more patent filings and patents of greater generality. We address endogeniety concerns in a variety of ways, including examining the impact of compensation for other key managers and utilizing an instrument based on spawning activity in the region. While we cannot determine whether the effect is due to better project selection or better people selection, the results continue to be consistent with our interpretation that performance pay of corporate R&D heads is associated with more innovative firms.
Recombination of recessive v + transformants in Drosophila melanogaster

Recessive transformants ( col ) obtained from v ( vermilion ) embryos treated with v + DNA are shown to map at 1−0·02, a position not distinguishable from that of su ( s ) ( suppressor-of-sable ) and in agreement with observations indicating phenotypic allelism of col with su ( s ) mutants. Recombination in the y – col – gt segment of the X chromosome, over a total map length of O·3 units, was studied among the progeny of col v 1 / y 1 gt E6 cv v 1 f and y 1 col gt E 6 cv v 1 f / v 1 females. The data from both crosses exhibit the following features: (1) recovery of reciprocal recombinants between y 1 and col ; (2) recovery of reciprocal recombinants between col and gt E 6 and (3) striking negative interference in the y – col – gt segment. These results allow three alternative interpretations: (1) that recombination in the y – col – gt segment results from conventional crossing-over, with high coincidence of crossovers in the two subsegments; (2) that it results from symmetrical gene conversion at the col site ( col to col + , and col + to col ), which may be accompanied by single cross-overs in either of the adjacent regions; (3) that col behaves like a transposable element, formally symbolized su ( s ) + · col , and that recombination in su ( s ) + · col / su ( s ) + (i.e. col / col + ) heterozygotes results from transposition of the col element from homolog to homolog, accompanied sometimes by crossing-over, either in the y – col subsegment or in the col-gt subsegment.
Achieving transaction scaleup on Unix

Constructing scalable high-performance applications on commodity hardware running the Unix operating system is a problem that must be addressed in several application domains. We relate our experience in achieving transaction scaleup on Unix for a high-performance OLTP system intended for Service Control Points (SCPs) in a telephone switching network. SCPs are but one example from a class of applications whose requirements cannot be properly handled by today's commercial DBMSs. In addition to high throughput and low response time, SCPs require transaction scaleup on standard hardware and software. Using a main-memory DBMS to obtain high throughput, we focus on the problem of achieving transaction scaleup on a cluster of workstations running Unix while constrained by the low response time requirement of the SCP application. >
Respiratory Succession and Community Succession of Bacterioplankton in Seasonally Anoxic Estuarine Waters

Anoxia occurs in bottom waters of stratified estuaries when respiratory consumption of oxygen, primarily by bacteria, outpaces atmospheric and photosynthetic reoxygenation. Once water becomes anoxic, bacterioplankton must change their metabolism to some form of anaerobic respiration. Analysis of redox chemistry in water samples spanning the oxycline of Chesapeake Bay during the summer of 2004 suggested that there was a succession of respiratory metabolism following the loss of oxygen. Bacterial community doubling time, calculated from bacterial abundance (direct counts) and production (anaerobic leucine incorporation), ranged from 0.36 to 0.75 day and was always much shorter than estimates of the time that the bottom water was anoxic (18 to 44 days), indicating that there was adequate time for bacterial community composition to shift in response to changing redox conditions. However, community composition (as determined by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of 16S rRNA genes) in anoxic waters was very similar to that in surface waters in June when nitrate respiration was apparent in the water column and only partially shifted away from the composition of the surface community after nitrate was depleted. Anoxic water communities did not change dramatically until August, when sulfate respiration appeared to dominate. Surface water populations that remained dominant in anoxic waters were Synechococcus sp., Gammaproteobacteria in the SAR86 clade, and Alphaproteobacteria relatives of Pelagibacter ubique, including a putative estuarine-specific Pelagibacter cluster. Populations that developed in anoxic water were most similar (<92% similarity) to uncultivated Firmicutes, uncultivated Bacteroidetes, Gammaproteobacteria in the genus Thioalcalovibrio, and the uncultivated SAR406 cluster. These results indicate that typical estuarine bacterioplankton switch to anaerobic metabolism under anoxic conditions but are ultimately replaced by different organisms under sulfidic conditions.
Usefulness of aortic valve calcium scores by electron beam computed tomography as a marker for aortic stenosis.

This study was undertaken to determine whether aortic valve calcium (AVC) scores measured by electron beam tomography can identify patients with echocardiographically defined aortic stenosis. Electron beam tomography is increasingly being used to detect coronary artery calcium. AVC can also be measured on electron beam tomographic (EBT) scans obtained to screen for coronary calcium. Whether EBT AVC scores correlate with the presence of aortic stenosis, as assessed by echocardiography, is unknown. Results of this study suggest that AVC scores should be calculated routinely for coronary calcium screening EBT scans, and that patients with Agatston AVC scores above a certain level (e.g., >150) should be referred for echocardiography.
Effects of Item Order and Response Options in College Student Surveys

Givennumerouspressurestowardgreateraccountabilityandtransparencyin higher education, obtaining high-quality data about students’ experi-encesandoutcomesismoreimportantthanever.Anumberofrecentstudieshaveexaminedissuesrelatedtocollegestudentsurveys,includingsurveynonresponse(AdamsULaguilles,Williams,SLaguillesetal.,2011),socially desirable responding (Bowman & Hill, 2011; Gonyea & Miller,2011),andsatisficing(i.e.,suboptimalcognitiveprocessingthatresultsinlow-qualityresponses;BargeGChen,2011).Asawhole,thesestudiessuggestthatcarefulattentionandinquiryiscriticalfordraw-ingvalidconclusionsfromcollegestudentsurveys.Thisstudyexplorestwoissuesthathavereceivedverylimitedattentioninhighereducation.First,theorderinwhichitemsarepresentedmayplayaroleinshapingstudents’responses.Forexample,theCooperativeInstitu-tionalResearchProgram’sCollegeSeniorSurvey(CIRPCSS)askedstudentsabouttheirownlearningandgrowthatthebeginningofthequestionnairefrom2010to2012,whereastheseitemswereplaceddifferently—towardthemiddleofthesurvey—inthepreceding17years(seeHigherEducationResearchInstitute[HERI],2014).TheNationalSurveyofStudentEngage-ment(NSSE)askedaboutself-reportedgainstowardtheendoftheques-tionnairefrom2003to2013(appearingbeforethedemographics),whereastheseweresomewhatclosertothemiddleoftheinstrumentin2000–2002(NSSE,2014).Towhatextentmighttheseitemorderdifferenceswithinandacrosssurveysaffectstudentresponses?Second,theresponseoptionsthatareprovidedforagivenitemorsetofitemsmayalsoshapetheresults.TheCIRPCSSandNSSE,alongwithmanyothersurveysthatareadministeredwithinandacrossinstitutions,askaboutthenumberofhoursperweekinwhichstudentsengageinvariousactivities
Magnesium deficiency prolongs myocardial stunning in an open-chest swine model.

Abstract The effect of magnesium deficiency on postischemic myocardial dysfunction (myocardial stunning) in an open-chest swine model was studied. Twelve swine were assigned either to low magnesium diet or control diet. Myocardial stunning was assessed by measuring regional wall thickening by epicardial Doppler before and after brief occlusion (8 min) of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Serum magnesium levels decreased significantly in the experimental group only. Glutathione levels were 42.6% lower in the magnesium deficient swine than in controls. Stunning time was significantly prolonged from 32.8 ± 3.1 min in the control group to 43.8 ± 4.6 min in the hypomagnesemic swine. In conclusion, magnesium deficiency is associated with prolonged recovery from myocardial stunning.
The Merkel Cell in Oral Human Mucosa

A study of the mucosal Merkel cells from 10 patients showed that the cell contained an intranuclear rodlet, clear cell qualities, fine desmosomes, characteristic membrane-bound Merkel granules, and cellular "horns" and had a close relationship to terminal axons. The Merkel cell is an intraepithelial cell with features of neurons and of amine-storage cells.
Advantages of Prefabricated Tunnel Junction-Based Molecular Spintronics Devices

Molecule-based devices may govern the advancement of the next generation's logic and memory devices. Molecules have the potential to be unmatched device elements as chemists can mass produce an endless variety of molecules with novel optical, magnetic and charge transport characteristics. However, the biggest challenge is to connect two metal leads to a target molecule(s) and develop a robust and versatile device fabrication technology that can be adopted for commercial scale mass production. This paper discusses distinct advantages of utilizing commercially successful tunnel junctions as a vehicle for developing molecular spintronics devices. We describe the use of a prefabricated tunnel junction with the exposed sides as a testbed for molecular device fabrication. On the exposed sides of a tunnel junction molecules are bridged across an insulator by chemically bonding with the two metal electrodes; sequential growth of metal–insulator–metal layers ensures that separation between two metal electrodes is controlled by the insulator thickness to the molecular device length scale. This paper highlights various attributes of tunnel junction-based molecular devices with ferromagnetic electrodes for making molecular spintronics devices. We strongly emphasize a need for close collaboration between chemists and magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) researchers. Such partnerships will have a strong potential to develop tunnel junction-based molecular devices for futuristic areas such as memory devices, magnetic metamaterials, high sensitivity multi-chemical biosensors, etc.
Closing the Deal: Negotiating Civil Rights Legislation

Our investigation of the Senate politics of four major civil rights acts indicates that they did not result from winning coalitions bulldozing helpless minorities, nor did they result from some unpredictable chaotic process. These critical bills were the result of a flexible, multidimensional coalition-building process that proceeded by offering amendments carefully constructed to split off pivotal members of the winning coalition. Ideal point estimates of U.S. senators reveal that this coalitional negotiation process led to outcomes at some distance from the first choice of the winning coalition, testimony to significant compromise, both in early proposals and in refinements. This negotiation process resulted in outcomes apparently constrained by the boundaries of the uncovered set (McKelvey 1986; Miller 1980). “Closing the deal” in the U.S. Senate meant finding an outcome that could withstand robust attacks on pivotal coalition members—and that meant finding an outcome in the uncovered set.
The utility of endocervical curettage: does routine ECC at the time of colposcopy for low-grade cytologic abnormalities improve diagnosis of high-grade disease?

Objective To determine the use of endocervical curettage at the time of colposcopy for low-grade cytologic abnormalities. Study Design We conducted a retrospective chart review of women with low-grade Papanicolaou smears who had undergone satisfactory colposcopic examinations with identifiable lesions. We evaluated results during a 2-year period thereafter to determine whether endocervical curettage increased the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia. Results The study group consisted of 374 patients. Of these patients, 16 had endocervical curettages suggestive of high-grade dysplasia. Of these 16 patients, 4 did not have concomitant high-grade dysplasia identified on ectocervical biopsy. Therefore, 93 to 94 endocervical curettages needed to be performed to detect 1 case of high-grade dysplasia that would not have been identified otherwise. Conclusion Routine endocervical curettage at the time of satisfactory colposcopy for low-grade cytologic abnormalities with a visible lesion does not significantly improve the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia.
Transitioning insulin pump therapy from the outpatient to the inpatient setting: a review of 6 years' experience with 253 cases.

Background:We reviewed the care of a large cohort of patients with diabetes mellitus on insulin pump therapy who required an inpatient stay.Methods:Records were reviewed of patients hospitalized between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011.Results:A total of 136 patients using insulin pumps had 253 hospitalizations. Mean (standard deviation) patient age was 55 (16) years, diabetes duration was 29 (15) years, and pump duration was 6 (5) years. Insulin pump therapy was continued in 164 (65%) hospitalizations. Adherence to core process measures improved over time: by 2011, 100% of cases had an endocrinology consultation, 100% had the required insulin pump order set completed, and 94% had documentation of the signed agreement specifying patient responsibilities for continued use of the technology while hospitalized. Documentation of the insulin pump flow sheet also increased but could still be located in only 64% of cases by the end of 2011. Mean glucose was not significantly different among patients who re...
STUDIES ON PSEUDORABIES (INFECTIOUS BULBAR PARALYSIS, MAD ITCH) : I. HISTOLOGY OF THE DISEASE, WITH A NOTE ON THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY.

The histology of pseudorabies differs materially in various animal species. In the rabbit, subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular inoculation leads to local inflammation and necrosis. The infection ascends the peripheral nerve (possibly both interstitially and by the axis-cylinders) to the corresponding spinal ganglia and segments of the spinal cord, where primary degeneration of nerve and glial cells takes place. The nerve cell changes are probably responsible for the cardinal symptom of the disease, itching. Death ensues soon after virus reaches the medulla, before visible changes have been produced here. Intracerebral inoculation is followed by characteristic lesions in the meninges, in subpial glial cells and in superficially placed nerve cells. Morbid changes in the lungs are not necessarily related to the presence of virus, but specific lesions may be present. Intranuclear inclusions bearing some resemblance to those in herpetic encephalitis, yellow fever, etc., occur in cells derived from all embryonic layers. The disease in the guinea pig resembles closely that in the rabbit and is modified only by the slightly greater resistance of the animal. In the monkey after intracerebral inoculation, widespread degeneration and necrosis of cortical nerve cells are accompanied by the appearance of specific nuclear alterations in nerve and glial cells, but not in cells of mesodermal origin. No lesions are found in other viscera. In the spontaneous disease in the cow lesions approximate more closely to those in the monkey than to those in the rabbit. In the pig vascular and interstitial lesions predominate, nerve cell degeneration is relatively slight and typical inclusions are not observed. These differences probably explain the benign course of the malady following subcutaneous inoculation in this animal. The lymphatic system, too, participates in the reaction to the virus.
Evaluation of the physical properties of crown dental porcelain and the effect of newly developed anti-balling additive

A colloidal silica-based substitute for the water added to dental porcelain has been developed which restricts rounding on firing and gives greater and indefinitely prolonged unfired biscuit strength. In conjunction with product evaluation, it has been found that both the modulus of rupture and the diametrical tensile strength of dental porcelains can be measured with a high degree of precision.
Simple and accurate determination of complex permittivity and skin effect of FR4 material in gigahertz regime

In this paper, a simple and accurate measurement method of dielectric properties for printed circuit board (PCB) materials will be presented. Here a method is proposed that only requires measurement of scattering parameters for two transmission lines of different lengths etched in FR4 with identical cross-sections. Additionally, the connectors associated with these lines are readily de-embedded fiom the measurement (e.g. SMA connectors or plated-through holes (PTH)). Moreover, the conductor losses can he easily separated from the dielectric losses. Results of dielectric properties for three different types of FR4 material from varying vendors will be provided up to 8.5 GHz.
Bumetanide prevents transient decreases in muscle force in murine hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Objective: To test the hypothesis that inhibition of the Na-K-2Cl transporter with bumetanide will reduce the susceptibility to decreases in muscle force in a mouse model of hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP). Methods: In vitro contraction tests were performed on soleus muscle isolated from mice with knock-in missense mutations that result in HypoPP (sodium channel NaV1.4-R669H) or hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperPP; sodium channel NaV1.4-M1592V). Results: Bumetanide prevented the development of weakness in 2 mM K + and also restored force during an established attack of HypoPP. Stimulation of the Na-K-2Cl transporter via induction of hyperosmolality exacerbated the weakness seen in low K + and was also prevented by bumetanide. Bumetanide was more efficacious than acetazolamide for preventing weakness in low K + conditions. Decreases in force in HyperPP muscle exposed to 10 mM K + were not prevented by treatment with bumetanide. Conclusions: The Na-K-2Cl inhibitor bumetanide was highly effective in preventing attacks of weakness in the NaV1.4-R669H mouse model of HypoPP and should be considered for management of patients with HypoPP due to sodium channel mutations. Dehydration may aggravate HypoPP by stimulating the Na-K-2Cl transporter.
Big muscles and big nerves

For 11 years, a 50-year-old woman with euthyroid Graves' disease experienced intermittent exacerbations of her orbitopathy associated with a decline in visual acuity. On each occasion, treatment with systemic corticosteroids led to prompt recovery of vision. Upon referral for consideration for orbital decompressive surgery, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanning detected bilateral optic-nerve sheath meningiomas, as well as typical findings of Graves' disease. Orbital radiation therapy led to stabilization of visual function and orbital findings, eliminating the need for systemic steroids. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Graves' disease associated with bilateral optic nerve sheath meningiomas.
Progress and Current Challenges in Modeling Large RNAs

Recent breakthroughs in next-generation sequencing technologies have led to the discovery of several classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). It is now apparent that RNA molecules are not only just carriers of genetic information but also key players in many cellular processes. While there has been a rapid increase in the number of ncRNA sequences deposited in various databases over the past decade, the biological functions of these ncRNAs are largely not well understood. Similar to proteins, RNA molecules carry out a function by forming specific three-dimensional structures. Understanding the function of a particular RNA therefore requires a detailed knowledge of its structure. However, determining experimental structures of RNA is extremely challenging. In fact, RNA-only structures represent just 1% of the total structures deposited in the PDB. Thus, computational methods that predict three-dimensional RNA structures are in high demand. Computational models can provide valuable insights into structure-function relationships in ncRNAs and can aid in the development of functional hypotheses and experimental designs. In recent years, a set of diverse RNA structure prediction tools have become available, which differ in computational time, input data and accuracy. This review discusses the recent progress and challenges in RNA structure prediction methods.
Modeling and Measuring Self-Regulated Learning in Teachable Agent Environments

Our learning by teaching environment has students take on the role and responsibilities of a teacher to a virtual student named Betty. The environment is structured so that successfully instructing their teachable agent requires the students to learn and understand science topics for themselves. This process is supported by adaptive scaffolding and feedback from the system. This feedback is instantiated through the interactions with the teachable agent and a mentor agent, named Mr. Davis. This paper provides an overview of two studies that were conducted with 5th grade science students and a description of the analysis techniques that we have developed for interpreting students’ activities in this learning environment.
Iberian Archaeofaunas and Hominin Subsistence during Marine Isotope Stages 4 and 3

Since last synthesized in the 1970s–1980s, the faunal record from modern excavations of Middle and early Upper Paleolithic occupations in Spain and Portugal has grown considerably. The overall picture is one of substantial continuity among the main game species exploited, and there is growing evidence for some marine resource exploitation in both periods. Significant use of rabbit developed in eastern Spain and Portugal earlier than previously thought, and there was apparently a reduction in competition between humans and cave bears in northern Spain across the MP-UP transition. Trends toward subsistence intensification show increases in both situational specialization and overall diversification during the Last Glacial Maximum, when Iberia was a refugium for plants, animals and humans, and in the subsequent Late Glacial phase, separating a period of low human population densities with reduced subsistence pressure during MIS 4-3 from one of locally high density and intensive faunal exploitation during MIS 2.
Assessment of surface water chemistry and algale biodiversity in the Bay of Mostaganem and the Cheliff estuary: North-western Algeria

Anthropogenic activities have led to water quality deterioration in many parts of the word, especially in Northwest Algeria. The current work investigated the spatiotemporal variations of water quality in the Cheliff River, samples for physico-chemical were performed at different periods from 2004 to 2007, the results chowed that nitrate (NO 3 - ) intake is very high especially in the month of February 2006 (26 mg/l) and February 2007 (37 mg/l), nitrite (NO 2 - ) values also exceed the standard for samples taken at the estuary (and the sea), ie 0.96 mg/l in the month of February 2006 and 0.98 mg/l in April 2007;the Ammonium (NH 4 + ) contributions are due to the River because the value recorded at the estuary (4.22 in February 2006) ;silicate (SiO 2 ) varies greatly depending on the River flow resulting from soil leaching SOUR to the estuary where we see the maximum values of 20.10 mg/l in the month of February 2007 and 19.1 mg/l in March 2005. The recorded values of elements phosphorus (PO 4 --- ) are high and very variable from 0.01 to 1.90 mg/l for the River, 0.01- 0.80 mg/l for the estuary and 0- 0.49 mg/l for the sea. The analyzed biological confirmed a total of 41 phytoplankton speciesand31 macroalgae species. So, Aquatic ecosystems are particulury vulnerable to environmental change and many are, at present, severely degraded.
Autologous melanoma cell vaccine using monocyte-derived dendritic cells (NBS20/eltrapuldencel-T)

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma. Despite recent advances, lack of long-term efficacy from targeted therapy and serious immune-related toxicity are major concerns. There is unmet need for 'durable' and 'safe' treatment options for advanced melanoma. Cancer vaccine therapy in melanoma has been investigated for many years with modest clinical efficacy. More recently, dendritic cell-based vaccine products have become available for clinical use and have been the focus of investigation. CLBS20 (NBS20/eltrapuldencel-T) is a novel dendritic cell-based vaccine product that has shown promising results in early phase trials in advanced melanoma. This cancer vaccine approach could play an important role in providing a sustainable survival benefit, targeting cancer cells themselves and avoiding off-target immune-related toxicity.
Biological Control, Thresholds, and Pest Outbreaks

Pest populations are frequently regulated below their potential levels of abundance by natural enemies, host resistance, or other biological interactions. However, if these regulating processes operate imperfectly, or are intolerant to variations in pest density, then we may observe periodic outbreaks of the pest. In effect, intolerant regulating processes create thresholds separating distinct dynamic behaviors, usually referred to as endemic and epidemic behaviors. If threshold functions can be defined in terms of measurable system variables, they offer a powerful approach for evaluating the risk of epidemics in managed ecosystems. Methods for defining threshold functions and constructing risk decision models are discussed.