cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum triiodothyronine levels in the embryonic and post-hatching chicken, with particular reference to feeding-induced changes.

Abstract Serum triiodothyronine (T 3 ) levels were ascertained in late embryonic and early post-hatching chicks by radioimmunoassay, with particular reference to feeding-induced changes. The average T 3 concentration was 11 ng% for 17-day embryos, and increased to 31 and 47 ng% for 2 different hatches at 19 days of incubation. The average serum T 3 level on the day of hatching had risen to approximately 330 ng%, but the levels for 1-day-old chicks were less than one-half the values observed closer to hatching. Two-day-old chicks fed for 24 hr consumed little food, and had serum T 3 levels which were the same as for day-old fasted chicks, but 3 times the value for 2-day-old fasted chicks. At 3 days post-hatching and 48 hr after initiating feeding, food consumption had increased and serum T 3 levels had risen 2.5 times that in day-old chicks. Food consumption and T 3 levels remained high in 4- to 6-day-old chicks, but the T 3 concentration had decreased by 10 days of age to an average value of 225 ng%, which was close to that observed at 33–44 days of age. Goitrogen treatments or changes in iodine intake did not prevent a rise in serum T 3 in response to feeding fasted 2-day-old chicks. Serum T 3 levels for 7-day-old cockerels treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole from hatching were approximately 60% of control values, whereas the T 3 levels for older cockerels treated with PTU for 25–36 days were only 10% of control values.
Effects of Acetylcholine on Hemodynamics and Blood Oxygen Saturation in Mitral Stenosis

Acetylcholine was infused into the main pulmonary artery in a dose of 2 to 12 mg. per minute to 18 patients with mitral stenosis of rheumatic origin. The drug produced significant arterial oxygen desaturation in nine patients. This was associtaed with (a) a decrease in pulmonary resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure, (b) an increase in cardiac index and stroke index, and (c) an increase in "central" blood volume. The changes in the above parameters were minimal or in opposite direction in those patients who showed no significant desaturation. The data did not lend support to the explanation that arterial desaturation during acetylcholine infusion was due to (a) decreased alveolar ventilaton, (b) focal bronchoconstriction, or (c) opening of pulmonary arteriovenous shunts bypassing the alveoli. Evidence is presented to show that the most likely mechanism of the decline in arterial oxygen saturation during acetylcholine infusion was an increased pulmonary blood flow in pre-existing poorly ventilated reg...
Phosphatic hard tissues of marine invertebrates: Their nature and mechanical function, and some fossil implications☆

Abstract Phosphatic substances are described from hard tissues of species from seven classes of marine invertebrates. Francolite is identified in the species of one class and amorphous calcium- and ferric phosphates, apparently in the form of hydrogels, are recognized as precipitates of species from six other classes. Considering all known phosphatic substances in animal hard parts, it is found that amorphous constituents are far more common in invertebrates than crystalline compounds. The role of amorphous precipitates in providing physical strength to hard parts is examined. Brief comparison is made between phosphate fixation in the phyla spectrum of recent and fossil invertebrates.
An octree-based dual contouring method for triangular and tetrahedral mesh generation with guaranteed angle range

This paper presents a novel octree-based dual contouring (DC) algorithm for adaptive triangular or tetrahedral mesh generation with guaranteed angle range. First, an adaptive octree is constructed based on the input geometry. Then the octree grid points are adjusted such that we can maintain a minimum distance from the grid points to the input boundary. Finally, an improved DC method is applied to generate triangular and tetrahedral meshes. It is proved that we can guarantee the obtained triangle mesh has an angle range of (19.47°, 141.06°) for any closed smooth curve, and the tetrahedral mesh has a dihedral angle range of (12.04°, 129.25°) for any closed smooth surface. In practice, since the straight line/planar cutting plane assumption inside each octree leaf is not always satisfied, there is a small perturbation for the lower and upper bounds of the proved angle range.
Inhibition of urocanase by cupric ion.

Purified photoactivated urocanase from histidine-grown Pseudomonas putida was activated 0–25% by histidine depending on the enzyme batch tested. EDTA could substitute for histidine. Subsequently, 11 divalent cations were tested for inhibition of urocanase. The enzyme was sensitive to Cu2+ (50% inhibition at 0.3 μM). This inhibition was not enhanced by preincubation of enzyme for 15 min with Cu2+. A double-reciprocal plot of activity vs substrate concentration suggested that the inhibition by Cu2+ was noncompetitive. Inhibition was prevented completely if a metal-binding agent was added prior to the substrate. If the metal-binding agent was added after the substrate, the activity was partially restored. Substances that prevented the 70% inhibition by 1.67 μM Cu2+ were histidine (6.7 μM), EDTA (3.3 μM), thiolhistidine (3.3 μM), ergothioneine (3.3 μM), penicillamine (3.3 μM), cysteine (6.7 μM), histamine (17 μM) and albumin (66 μg/ml). Cu2+ had no effect on photoactivation of inactive urocanase. The behavior of purified native urocanase with respect to inhibition by Cu2+ was similar to the photoactivated enzyme.
The Quilting Studio: On The Craft of Making and Giving

Abstract The quilting studio examines the importance of craft in sustaining community through a design-build project that brings together qualities of hand and digital production, resourcefulness and stewardship. Standing apart from the fast-paced modern world, the quilter acts to preserve social fabric through patient, repetitive, and reflective work that challenges our notions of aesthetics and the ordinary. Over the period of two semesters, undergraduate students from three different year levels studied the work of their client, Ms. Benson, in order to understand how these values can be integrated in the process of architectural making.
Carbon Fiber Production at Low Temperatures from Polyacryonitrile

Recent safety considerations have sought to lower the electrical conductivity of carbon fibers. Carbon fibers produced from polyacrylonitrile at low carbonization temperatures (600-900 C) possess low electrical conductivity but do not possess adequate strength. Low-temperature processes are described which improve fiber strength but do not increase electrical conductivity substantially. The processes result in a carbon fiber with nearly twice the tensile strength compared to the old process. Process development and its effect on fiber properties are reported.
Effect of tonsillectomy on psoriasis: A systematic review

Background Streptococcal infection is associated with psoriasis onset in some patients. Whether tonsillectomy decreases psoriasis symptoms requires a systematic review of the literature. Objective We sought to determine whether tonsillectomy reduces psoriasis severity through a comprehensive search of over 50 years of literature. Methods We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science, and OVID databases (from August 1, 1960, to September 12, 2013) and performed a manual search of selected references. We identified observational studies and clinical trials examining psoriasis after tonsillectomy. Results We included data from 20 articles from the last 53 years with 545 patients with psoriasis who were evaluated for or underwent tonsillectomy. Of 410 reported cases of patients with psoriasis who underwent tonsillectomy, 290 experienced improvement in their psoriasis. Although some patients who underwent tonsillectomy experienced sustained improvement in psoriasis, others experienced psoriasis relapse after the procedure. Limitations Fifteen of 20 publications were case reports or series that lacked control groups. Publication bias favoring reporting improved cases needs to be considered. Conclusion Tonsillectomy may be a potential option for patients with recalcitrant psoriasis associated with episodes of tonsillitis. Studies with long-term follow-up are warranted to determine more clearly the extent and persistence of benefit of tonsillectomy in psoriasis.
Values for several blood parameters in eastern wild turkeys.

Abstract Hematocrit, hemoglobin and plasma levels of cholesterol, glucose and total protein were determined for three groups of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). One group consisted of 112 blood samples obtained, by making collections every two weeks, from four pen-reared birds over a 13-month period. The second group contained 55 blood samples obtained from trapped turkeys, with 31 samples from gobblers killed during the spring hunting season comprising the third group. Mean hematocrit for males and females were determined to be 41.4 ± 4.3 and 40.3 ± 4.1, respectively, whereas, hemoglobin levels were 13.9 ± 2.7 (g./100 ml.) for males and 13.7 ± 2.3 for females. Total plasma protein (g./100 ml.) was 4.7 ± 0.5 for males and 4.6 ± 0.5 for females, with plasma glucose (mg./100 ml.) being 336.2 ± 69.9 and 335.1 ± 57.7 for males and females, respectively. None of the above values were significantly different (P > 0.05) when comparing sexes for the whole 13-month study period. However, mean plasma cholesterol level (mg./100 ml.) for males (123.2 ± 26.7) was significantly different (P
Comparative Molecular Field Analysis of Hydrophobicity Descriptors of Cytosine Nucleosides

Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) was carried out on ten cytidine analogs that have been previously studied in the context of antitumor and antiviral activity. Quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR) were derived for measured octanol/water partition coefficients (log P) and reversed phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) capacity factors (log kw′) by correlating these physicochemical properties with the three-dimensional steric and electrostatic fields of the molecules. CoMFA QSPR models could be obtained with a maximum cross-validated r2 = 0.778 for log P and a maximum cross-validated r2 = 0.589 for log kw′. The best CoMFA models were obtained at an overwhelming relative electrostatic contribution for log P, and even more so for log kw′. The study revealed a great variation in the quality of the CoMFA QSPR models depending on the strategies and settings used when running the program. The settings employed allowed CoMFA to sample lattice points closer to the centers or the atoms than would be the case with the default settings, and thus to detect the presence of (charged) atoms rather than the fields surrounding them. The experimental log P values of ara-cyclopentenylcytosine, 2′-deoxycyclopentenylcytosine, carbodine, and isocarbodine are reported here for the first time.
A custom impression tray made with the aid of an existing prosthesis: a clinical technique.

Abstract Prostheses for patients with intraoral defects usually have complex contours. The replacement of a successful prosthesis is more readily accomplished with the aid of a custom impression tray that reproduces the contours of the existing prosthesis. In the technique presented, an irreversible hydrocolloid impression is made of the intaglio surface of the prosthesis to be replaced. Autopolymerizing acrylic resin tray material is poured into the impression, creating a custom impression tray. This procedure can simplify the impression process and reduce the need for multistep impression techniques. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;86:382-5.)
Equilibrium in the presence of external body force fields

Abstract The theory of thermodynamic equilibrium for fluid systems is presented in a way that leads directly to the combined conditions of equilibrium and stability in the compact form due to Gibbs, makes clear their connection with dynamical behavior, as embodied in the equations of change, and includes the influence of external body force fields on both equilibrium and stability.
Functions of the von Hippel–Lindau tumour suppressor protein

Kaelin WG, Iliopoulos O, Lonergan KM, Ohh M (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA). Functions of the von Hippel–Lindau tumour suppressor protein (Minisymposium: MEN & VHL). J Intern Med 1998; 243: 535–9. Von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) is caused by germline mutations in the VHL tumour suppressor gene. Tumour development in this setting is due to loss or inactivation of the remaining wild-type VHL allele. The VHL gene product (pVHL) resides primarily in the cytoplasm. A frequently mutated region of pVHL can bind to complexes containing elongin B, elongin C and Cul2. Loss of pVHL leads to an inappropriate accumulation of hypoxia-inducible mRNAs, such as the mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), under normoxic conditions. This finding is most likely to account for the hypervascular nature of VHL-associated neoplasms. Current studies are focussed on understanding if and how binding to elongins and Cul2 is linked to the ability of pVHL to regulate hypoxia-inducible mRNAs. In this regard, it is perhaps noteworthy that elongin C and Cul2 are homologous to yeast proteins Skp1 and Cdc53. These latter proteins participate in the formation of complexes that target certain proteins for ubiquitination.
Sentencing’s Wild Ride Continues

Ten years after the Supreme Court issued its Blakely decision, American sentencing law and policy feel very different. In 2004, many believed modern sentencing systems were destined always to be on a legislatively driven, inexorable march to ever-greater severity. A decade later, sentencing remains the center of a vigorous debate about what we want from our criminal justice system and even who we are as a society, but the terms of the debate now largely revolve around how much to lower prison terms rather than how much to raise them. This essay highlights the continued constitutional fallout from Blakely , and the current policy debates that have come to define modern sentencing systems.
Gender Differences in Preferences for Coaching as an Occupation: The Role of Self-Efficacy, Valence, and Perceived Barriers

Abstract This study investigated gender differences in the role of self-efficacy, occupational valence, valence of coaching, and perceived barriers in preference to coach at the high school, 2-year college, Division III, Division II, and Division I levels. The participants, 191 Big Ten university basketball players (94 men, 97 women), responded to a specially constructed instrument. The genders did not differ in their coaching self-efficacy, preferred occupational valence, and perceived barriers. Relative to men, women perceived greater valence in coaching (p .20).
Design Studies: Tasks and Challenges

ABSTRACTUseful parallels can be drawn between the way an art world has accepted and legitimized new forms of art and the situation where new forms of design are appearing as rapidly as art movements did in the 1960s. But we still do not have within the broad domain of design the sense of a design world. While design's discursive properties may be recognized, it is still expected to achieve an outcome. There is every reason to expect that unprecedented forms of design will continue to emerge as responses to new conditions. Therefore, design studies as it emerges as an interdisciplinary site for design reflection faces numerous challenges. First and foremost, it must find its own subject matter, topics of investigation and methods. Second, it must persuade accomplished scholars in traditional disciplines to participate in building the field; third, it must put forth research that can help clear up the chaos that currently exists in the design domain; and fourth, it must take a lead in shaping design's futur...
Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction Evidence for Two Z-Band Structural States

In vertebrate muscles, Z-bands connect adjacent sarcomeres, incorporate several cell signaling proteins, and may act as strain sensors. Previous electron microscopy (EM) showed Z-bands reversibly switch between a relaxed, “small-square” structure, and an active, “basketweave” structure, but the mechanism of this transition is unknown. Here, we found the ratio of small-square to basketweave in relaxed rabbit psoas muscle varied with temperature, osmotic pressure, or ionic strength, independent of activation. By EM, the A-band and both Z-band lattice spacings varied with temperature and pressure, not ionic strength; however, the basketweave spacing was consistently 10% larger than small-square. We next sought evidence for the two Z-band structures in unfixed muscles using x-ray diffraction, which indicated two Z-reflections whose intensity ratios and spacings correspond closely to the EM measurements for small-square and basketweave if the EM spacings are adjusted for 20% shrinkage due to EM processing. We conclude that the two Z-reflections arise from the small-square and basketweave forms of the Z-band as seen by EM. Regarding the mechanism of transition during activation, the effects of Ca2+ in the presence of force inhibitors suggested that the interconversion of Z-band forms was correlated with tropomyosin movement on actin.
A comparison of simulated one-way and shuttle avoidance in an automated apparatus

The fully automated shuttle box employed in two experiments permitted the comparison within one apparatus of performance under a simulated one-way condition and the usual shuttle condition. Animals in the simulated one-way condition always ran from a white compartment into a black compartment, but alternated their direction of locomotion, as did the shuttle animals. In both experiments, animals run under the simulated one-way condition showed superior per cent avoidance performance relative to the shuttle animals. The results were compared with those obtained in other one-way avoidance and shuttle studies.
Structural comparison of rat α1- and α2-macroglobulins☆

Abstract Although similar in many properties, homogeneous rat α 1 -macroglobulin and acute-phase α 2 -macroglobulin are very different in some important structural properties: (a) Rat α 2 -macroglobulin is composed of 178,000-dalton subunits, whereas α 1 -macroglobulin, like the mouse homologue, contains two types of subunits (Mr 156,000 and 42,000); (b) after reacting with trypsin, native rat α 1 - and α 2 -macroglobulins generate subunit fragments closely resembling those of mouse α-macroglobulin and human α 2 -macroglobulin respectively; (c) after complete trypsin digestion, rat α 1 - and α 2 -macroglobulins generate strikingly different peptide “fingerprints”; and (d) rat α 1 -macroglobulin is serologically more closely related to the mouse homologue as rat α 2 -macroglobulin is to the human homologue. This study indicates that these rat proteins are the functional homologues encoded by separate structural genes. Only one of these two genes, albeit considerably modified, appears to be normally represented in the human or the mouse.
Navigation algorithms and observability analysis for formation flying missions

Navigation algorithms and the corresponding observability analysis for formation flying missions are developed. In particular, the advantages and concerns associated with the use of combinations of inertial and relative measurements are examined. The methodology of the observability analysis relates the physical geometry of the observers, as well as the spacecraft formation, to a measure of linear time-invariant system observability. The investigation also examines the robustness ofthe extended Kalman filter while simultaneously processing inertial and relative range measurements. It has been shown that processing relative range measurements in conjunction with inertial range measurements can directly increase the accuracy of the inertial state estimate. However, it has also been shown that when there is relatively large uncertainty in the state estimate, the addition of relative measurements can cause an otherwise convergent filter to diverge. This paper considers several methods for preventing this divergence, as well as an in-depth examination of second-order terms to explain the basis of the problem. In particular, to illustrate their potential significance, analytical bounds are derived for the second-order terms.
Psychological factors in mid-trimester abortion.

A comparative psychiatric evaluation of eighteen women with similar backgrounds who sought legal abortion suggests that the delay of the decision until second trimester involves multiple psychological factors. The eight women who presented late had a pattern of disturbed parental relationships, reliance on denial as a defense mechanism and ambivalence towards the pregnancy. They related strong feelings of identification with their “baby” and post-abortion expressed a sense of loss. Professional staff dealing with these patients need their own support system to intervene effectively in the crisis situation.
Perishable Inventory Management System with a Minimum Volume Constraint

The federal government maintains large quantities of medical supplies in stock as part of its Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to protect the American public in case of a public health emergency. Managing these large perishable inventories effectively can help reduce the cost of the SNS and improves national security. In this paper, we propose a modified Economic Manufacturing Quantity (EMQ) model for perishable inventory with a minimum volume constraint, which is applicable to managing the inventory of medicines for the Strategic National Stockpile. We demonstrate that minimizing the cost of maintaining such a system can be formulated as a non-convex non-smooth unconstrained optimization problem. The property of this model is analysed and an efficient exact algorithm is presented to solve this problem. In the numerical experiment part, we perform sensitivity analysis on several government-controlled system parameters to illustrate how the government can obtain lower costs or a larger stockpile at the same cost by allowing more freedom in the management of the stocks.
A simple formula for estimating the optimum tilt angles of photovoltaic panels

This paper presents a new approach to computing the optimal tilt angle for photovoltaic (PV) panels. The influence of cloudy conditions on the tilt angle is explored. It is demonstrated that more energy can be extracted from the PV system in cloudy conditions when the tilt angle of the panel is decreased compared to when the panel is aimed to be facing directly normal to the sun. Validation for fixed tilt, south-facing panels and for 2-axis tracking panels is presented by numerical simulations.
Graphene: An effective oxidation barrier coating for liquid and two-phase cooling systems

Graphene is studied as an oxidation barrier coating for liquid and liquid–vapor phase-change cooling systems. Forced convection heat transfer experiments on bare and graphene-coated copper surfaces reveal identical liquid-phase and two-phase thermal performance for the two surfaces. Surface analysis after thermal testing indicates significant oxide formation on the entire surface of the bare copper substrate; however, oxidation is observed only along the grain boundaries of the graphene-coated substrate. Results show that few-layer graphene can act as a protective layer even under vigorous flow boiling conditions, indicating a broad application space of few-layer graphene as an ultra-thin oxidation barrier coating.
Variations in chondrogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in fibrin/alginate blended hydrogels

Fibrin and alginate hydrogels have been widely used to support chondrogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for articular cartilage and fibrocartilage tissue engineering, with each material offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. Attempting to produce a gel scaffold exhibiting beneficial characteristics of both materials, we fabricated fibrin/alginate blended hydrogels at various blend ratios and evaluated the gel morphology, mechanical properties and their support for BM-MSC chondrogenesis. Results show that when the fibrin/alginate ratio decreased, the fibrin architecture transitioned from uniform to interconnected fibrous and finally to disconnected islands against an alginate background, with opposing trends in the alginate architecture. Fibrin maintained gel extensibility and promoted cell proliferation, while alginate improved the gel biostability and better supported glycosaminoglycan and collagen II production and chondrogenic gene expression. Blended gels had physical and biological characteristics intermediate between fibrin and alginate. Of the blends examined, FA 40:8 (40 mg ml(-1) fibrinogen blended with 8 mg ml(-1) alginate) was found to be the most appropriate group for future studies on tension-driven BM-MSC fibrochondrogenesis. As BM-MSC differentiation appeared to vary between fibrin and alginate regions of blended scaffolds, this study also highlighted the potential to develop spatially heterogeneous tissues through manipulating the heterogeneity of scaffold composition.
Thermal four-point functions with analytic extensions

The possible analytic extensions of Matsubara thermal n-point functions from discrete, imaginary energies to more general complex energies are investigated. It is known that for n{>=}4 most of the analytic extensions cannot be expressed as linear combinations of the usual 2{sup n} different real-time n-point functions. For the case n=4 the explicit products of real-time field operators are found whose Fourier transforms can be extended analytically to certain domains of complex energy.
Hyperactive Himar1 transposase mediates transposition in cell culture and enhances gene expression in vivo.

The use of nonviral delivery systems results in transient gene expression, in part because of the low efficiency of DNA integration. Previously, vectors based on transposon systems such as Sleeping Beauty have been shown to be able to increase stable transfection efficiencies in cell culture and in animal models. Himar1, a reconstructed active transposon belonging to the Tc1/mariner superfamily, also has been used as a vector for stable gene delivery, but the rate of transposition after transfection is low. In this paper, we evaluate the potential of the hyperactive Himar1 transposase C9, in combination with the Himar1 inverted repeat transposon, as a gene delivery vector. The C9 transposase is a hyperactive mutant of Himar1 with two amino acid substitutions, Q131R and E137K, that result in an increase in activity relative to wild type. Here we demonstrate that cotransfection of the C9 transposase with a Himar1-based vector increases the frequency of stable gene expression in human cells in a transposase ...
A LIGHT-WEIGHT POTTERY KILN FOR FIELD TESTING AND CONSERVATION WORK ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

A light-weight pottery kiln was designed for use in field testing and conservation programmes on archaeological sites. The kiln was constructed of 20 light-weight high refractory firebricks and fired with LPG by means of a hand torch mounted in a firebrick firing block. Capable of reaching 1300° in 45 minutes if required, the kiln offered a facility for testing local clays, for refiring sherds from ancient ceramics under standard conditions or for firing any unfired clay tablet material where appropriate, in order to give it durability. The versatility of the kiln has been increased by the use of an oxy-probe meter which allows the atmosphere in the kiln to be accurately monitored in order to provide the desired degree of oxidation or reduction during the firing cycle. Several seasons use has shown the kiln to be not only well suited to its task but cheap to build and economical to run. The kiln construction and its operation are described, together with the place of the kiln in field testing and conserva...
Secondary intraocular lens implantation.

Abstract We conducted a retrospective study of our first 75 consecutive patients receiving secondary intraocular lens implants. Ninety-seven percent had postoperative visual acuities of ≥ 20/40; 86%, ≥ 20/25. Four percent of patients lost two or more lines of vision. Complications included retinal detachment (4%), transient cystoid macular edema (3%), transient corneal edema (3%), pupillary block glaucoma (1%), and progression of an epiretinal membrane (1%). Patients requiring anterior vitrectomy had the least favorable outcome, with a 28% incidence of retinal complications. Overall, these data show secondary intraocular lens implantations to be safe and effective. However, greater caution is recommended for patients who will require anterior vitrectomy because of the higher rate of retinal complications.
Squeezing in a LiNbO3 integrated optical waveguide circuit

We report on traveling-wave quadrature squeezing generated in an integrated optical circuit fabricated with periodicallypoled lithium niobate waveguides. The device integrates a secondharmonic-generation stage, waveguide couplers, spatial mode filters, and a degenerate-optical-parametric-amplification stage. The integrationpromises to create a low power, compact, and simple source of wideband squeezed light. -1 dB of squeezing is directly measured using 20 ps pulses with peak powers near 6W.
A new sequential classifier using information criterion window

Abstract We propose a model-based parametric unsupervised sequential classifier with an information criterion window (ICW), based on the assumption that the number of clusters changes smoothly from a stage to the following stage, to determine the number of clusters at each stage and to perform classification on the observed mixture data. The proposed approach provides possible solutions for two problems of pattern recognition: adaptive classification and sequential clustering validation. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides good results for pure mixed data and successfully performs clustering for the mixed Gaussian data in the large-sample limit.
Southwestern riparian plant communities: site characteristics, tree species distributions and size-class structures.

Abstract Elevation, stream direction, stream gradient, and valley cross-sectional area affect the distribution of riparian tree species and community types in the southwestern United States. Riparian plant communities in Arizona and New Mexico were examined at 153 sites and classified into 28 community types. Canonical discriminant analysis was used to examine variability of physical site characteristics both within and among community types. Elevation was the most significant factor along the first canonical axis in analyses for all community types, all riparian forest community types, and all riparian scrub community types. Both stream gradient and stream direction also correlated significantly, but on a more limited and local level. Tree population size structures and tree species distribution were studied both on sites where species were dominant and at other sites where they occurred. The dominance and/or codominance of some species, such as Arizona walnut (Juglans major (Torr.) Heller), was directly related to site characteristics such as elevation and direction of stream flow. For example, on west-flowing streams, Arizona walnut was codominant with Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii Wats.), while on east-flowing streams, sycamore was absent and walnut dominated stands.
Cupcakes by Lizbeth: flash in the baking pan or here to stay

Synopsis Cupcakes by Lizbeth (CBL) was a “gourmet” cupcake‐focussed retail store chain founded by a married couple. Eight years after opening, CBL used the relatively uncommon process of a “reverse merger” to become publicly traded. At that time, it had seemed as if CBL was on track to be the largest among cupcake focused businesses. However, financial setbacks as reported by the company and change in top management gave reason for pause and closer examination. Did the CBL business model have staying power or did there need to be a serious reconsideration of the company's strategic choices? Research methodology This case was prepared from secondary sources. Relevant courses and levels This case is appropriate for courses in strategy and management at the undergraduate level. Theoretical basis Competitive positioning, competitor analysis, operations strategy, SWOT analysis, planning business strategy, business expansion (franchising vs company owned). Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational...
Research activities of doctoral school psychologists

Abstract A survey was sent to doctoral school psychologists to determine their research productivity and topical interests. Approximately two thirds of 147 respondents indicated doing some research during 1974–1975. Studies dealing with topics of assessment and program evaluation were most prevalent. Only about one in five studies was actually published and most of these were in nonprestigious periodicals. Academic school psychologists were more likely to do research and publish than were applied school psychologists. Academic and applied psychologists did not differ in terms of numbers of unpublished written or oral research reports. The correspondence of these results with prior data on school psychology research was noted and suggestions to increase the circulation of research findings are presented.
Crossover Leung–Griffiths model and the phase behavior of binary mixtures with and without chemical reaction

Abstract A new theoretical crossover model for the phase behavior of binary mixtures is presented that corresponds to the Leung–Griffiths model in the critical region and is transformed into the regular classical expansion far away from the critical point. The model is optimized to, and leads to good agreement with, experimental vapor–liquid equilibrium data for CO 2 + n -butane, CO 2 +propane, ethane+benzene, CO 2 +methanol, and dilute aqueous solutions of NaCl in the extended critical region. Phase behavior of mixtures in the presence of chemical reaction and a possibility to incorporate this phenomenon into the model are also discussed.
Relations Between Internal Symmetry and Relativistic Invariance

The problem of combining relativistic invariance and internal symmetry is reviewed, and a critical evaluation of very recent papers on this subject is made. It is proposed that the Poincar\'e group $P$ is not a subgroup of the group $E$ of invariance of a relativistic quantum theory, but is the quotient $P=\frac{E}{S}$, where $S$ is the internal symmetry group. Pertinent mathematical results are given.
Melanin, melatonin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and the susceptibility to autoimmune demyelination: a rationale for light therapy in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system demyelinating disease. Significant evidence, including similarities with its animal model, experimental autoimmmune encephalomyelitis, supports an autoimmune mechanism, activated by putative environmental factors in genetically predisposed individuals. Genetic factors strongly influence the susceptibility to demyelinating diseases in humans and rodents. Understanding the mechanisms governing susceptibility versus resistance may help to identify individuals at risk or design therapeutic strategies. The hypothesis formulated here is based on the observation that resistance to multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is associated with dark skin pigmentation. While this may signify a protective role for melanin against environmental factors producing oxidative damage, the mechanism postulated here is that susceptibility to autoimmune demyelination is influenced by hormonal factors, i.e. the neurohormones melatonin and melanocyte stimulating hormone, which have opposing effects on immune functions and, at the same time, are important determinants of the individual's production of melanin.
Accident tolerant fuels for LWRs: A perspective

Abstract The motivation for exploring the potential development of accident tolerant fuels in light water reactors to replace existing Zr alloy clad monolithic (U, Pu) oxide fuel is outlined. The evaluation includes a brief review of core degradation processes under design-basis and beyond-design-basis transient conditions. Three general strategies for accident tolerant fuels are being explored: modification of current state-of-the-art zirconium alloy cladding to further improve oxidation resistance (including use of coatings), replacement of Zr alloy cladding with an alternative oxidation-resistant high-performance cladding, and replacement of the monolithic ceramic oxide fuel with alternative fuel forms.
Ear asymmetry in recognition of unfamiliar voices

Female right-handed subjects were presented with a memory set consisting of five unfamiliar female voices. They were then tested with a recognition procedure in which samples of voice, memory set or novel, 2 or 4 sec in duration, were heard in one ear and a competing noise stimulus was heard in the other ear. There was an overall left-ear advantage in accuracy of recognition. This advantage held particularly for identifications of memory-set voices in the second half of trials. Internal analyses indicated that the left-ear advantage could not be attributed to greater retroactive interference during right-ear presentation. Congruent with studies of recognition of unfamiliar faces, the findings suggested right-hemisphere superiority in the recognition of unfamiliar voices.
A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scholarly Publications of Librarians at the University of Mississippi, 2008–2013

Abstract This article uses bibliometric tools to analyze the peer-reviewed publications of tenure and tenure track librarians at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2013. The purpose of this article is to gain a better understanding of the role of academic librarians including the role that tenure plays in librarian publications and the usage of the collection by librarians for research. Analysis found that 59% of librarians publishing peer-reviewed literature were tenure track and 81% of sources cited from all librarians' peer-reviewed publications were held by the University of Mississippi's J.D. Williams library.
Human aging and disease.

Abstract Human aging is characterized by a logarithmic increase in death rate due to a large number of diseases; by a decrease in efficiency of homeostatic mechanisms and by chemical and physical changes at tissue, cell, and molecular levels. Increasing debility and disease most likely result from decreased efficiency of homeostasis and from tissue changes responsible for the latter. The probable importance of basic age-related changes in connective tissue and the vascular system is emphasized. Reasons for using human tissue in the study of human aging and postulates useful in relating basic change to debility are presented.
Fanconi's syndrome and tubulointerstitial nephritis in association with L-lysine ingestion

We report a case of a 44-year-old woman who developed Fanconi's syndrome in association with the oral ingestion of L-lysine. L-lysine is widely available in health food stores and has been recommended in the lay press for the treatment and prevention of recurrent herpes simplex. The development of a severe tubulointerstitial nephritis, and eventual progression to chronic renal failure, underscores the importance of this entity, heretofore unrecognized in humans.
A new linearized theory of laminar film condensation of two phase annular flow in a capillary pumped loop

Future large space based facilities, such as Space Station, will require energy management systems capable of transporting tens of kilowatts of heat over a hundred meters or more. This represents better than an order of magnitude improvement over current technology. Two-phase thermal systems are currently being developed to meet this challenge. Condensation heat transfer plays a very important role in this system. The present study attempts an analytic solution to the set of linearized partial differential equations. The axial velocity and temperature functions were found to be Bessel functions which have oscillatory behavior. This result agrees qualitatively with the experimental evidence from tests at both NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and elsewhere.
Acrylonitrile-induced gastrointestinal hemorrhage and the effects of metabolism modulation in rats☆☆☆

Acrylonitrile (VCN) is a heavily used monomer in plastic and fiber industries. Quantitatively, VCN-induced gastrointestinal hemorrhage is time and dose dependent and is not the result of a direct irritating action of VCN on gastric tissues. The effect of cytochrome P-450 enzymes inducers was studied. Pretreatment with phenobarbital decreased the VCN-induced GI blood loss (55%), while Aroclor 1254 drastically increased it (240%). VCN administration to rats treated with cobalt chloride or SKF 525A (cytochrome P-450 enzymes inhibitors) resulted in a significant protection against GI bleeding (10 and 40%, respectively). Treatment with diethylmaleate (a known depletor of reduced glutathione) prior to VCN administration, produced no significant change in the VCN-induced GI bleeding. Potassium cyanide (KCN) administration to rats failed to produce significant GI bleeding. These results indicate that metabolic activation of the VCN molecule, to a metabolite(s) other than cyanide by the cytochrome P-450 enzymes, is a prerequisite for VCN to induce gastric hemorrhage.
Examination of a CpG Island Methylator Phenotype and Implications of Methylation Profiles in Solid Tumors

The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), thoroughly described in colorectal cancer and to a lesser extent in other solid tumors, is important in understanding epigenetics in carcinogenesis and may be clinically useful for classification of neoplastic disease. Therefore, we investigated whether this putative phenotype exists in exposure-related solid tumors, where somatic gene alterations and enhanced clonal growth are selected for by carcinogens, and examined the ability of methylation profiles to classify malignant disease. We studied promoter hypermethylation of 16 tumor suppressor genes and 3 MINT loci (acknowledged classifiers of CIMP) in 344 bladder cancers, 346 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), 146 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 71 malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPM). We employed rigorous statistical methods to examine the distribution of promoter methylation and the usefulness of these profiles for disease classification. In bladder cancer, HNSCC, and NSCLC, there was a significant correlation (P < 0.0001) between methylation of the three MINT loci and methylation index, although the distribution of methylated loci varied significantly across these disease. Although there was a significant (P < 0.001) association between gene methylation profile and disease, rates of misclassification of each disease by their methylation profile ranged from 28% to 32%, depending on the classification scheme used. These data suggest that a form of CIMP exists in these solid tumors, although its etiology remains elusive. Whereas the gene profiles of hypermethylation among examined loci could not unequivocally distinguish disease type, the existence of CIMP and the relative preponderance of hypermethylation in these cancers suggest that methylation analysis may be clinically useful as a targeted screening tool.
The Origins of American Expansion in Hawaii and Samoa, 1865–1900

(1988). The Origins of American Expansion in Hawaii and Samoa, 1865–1900. The International History Review: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 221-237.
The βG156C Substitution in the F1-ATPase from the Thermophilic Bacillus PS3 Affects Catalytic Site Cooperativity by Destabilizing the Closed Conformation of the Catalytic Site†

Fluorescence titrations of the α 3 (βG 1 5 6 C/Y 3 4 5 W) 3 γ, α 3 (βE 1 9 9 V/Y 3 4 5 W) 3 γ, and α 3 (βY 3 4 5 W) 3 γ subcomplexes of TF, with nucleotides show that the βG 1 5 6 C substitution substantially lowers the affinity of catalytic sites for ATP and ADP with or without Mg 2 + , whereas the βE 1 9 9 V substitution increases the affinity of catalytic sites for nucleotides. Whereas the α 3 (βG 1 5 6 C) 3 γ and α 3 (βE 1 9 9 V) 3 γ subcomplexes hydrolyze 2 mM ATP at 2% and 0.7%, respectively, of the rate exhibited by the wild-type enzyme, the α 3 (βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V) 3 γ hydrolyzes 2 mM ATP at 9% the rate exhibited by the wild-type enzyme. The α 3 -(βG 1 5 6 C) 3 γ α 3 (βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V) 3 γ, and α 3 (βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V/Y 3 4 5 W) 3 γ subcomplexes resist entrapment of inhibitory MgADP in a catalytic site during turnover. Product [ 3 H]ADP remains tightly bound to a single catalytic site when the wild-type, βE 1 9 9 V, βY 3 4 5 W, and βE 1 9 9 V/Y 3 4 5 W subcomplexes hydrolyze substoichiometric [ 3 H]ATP, whereas it is not retained by the βG 1 5 6 C and βG 1 5 6 C/Y 3 4 5 W subcomplexes. Less firmly bound, product [ 3 H]ADP is retained when the βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V and βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V/Y 3 4 5 W mutants hydrolyze substoichiometric [ 3 H]ATP. The Lineweaver-Burk plot obtained with the βG 1 5 6 C mutant is curved downward in a manner indicating that its catalytic sites act independently during ATP hydrolysis. In contrast, the βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V and βG 1 5 6 C/E 1 9 9 V/Y 3 4 5 W mutants hydrolyze ATP with linear Lineweaver-Burk plots, indicating cooperative trisite catalysis. It appears that the βG 1 5 6 C substitution destabilizes the closed conformation of a catalytic site hydrolyzing MgATP in a manner that allows release of products in the absence of catalytic site cooperativity. Insertion of the βE 1 9 9 V substitution into the βG 1 5 6 C mutant restores cooperativity by restricting opening of the catalytic site hydrolyzing MgATP for product release until an open catalytic site binds MgATP.
Development and Validation of Sandwich ELISA Microarrays with Minimal Assay Interference

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microarrays are emerging as a strong candidate platform for multiplex biomarker analysis because of the ELISA's ability to quantitatively measure rare proteins in complex biological fluids. Advantages of this platform are high-throughput potential, assay sensitivity and stringency, and the similarity to the standard ELISA test, which facilitates assay transfer from a research setting to a clinical laboratory. However, a major concern with the multiplexing of ELISAs is maintaining high assay specificity. In this study, we systematically determine the amount of assay interference and noise contributed by individual components of a multiplexed 24-assay system. We find that nonspecific reagent cross-reactivity problems are relatively rare. We did identify the presence of contaminant antigens in a "purified antigen". We tested the validated ELISA microarray chip using paired serum samples that had been collected from four women at a 6-month interval. This analysis demonstrated that protein levels typically vary much more between individuals than within an individual over time, a result which suggests that longitudinal studies may be useful in controlling for biomarker variability across a population. Overall, this research demonstrates the importance of a stringent screening protocol and the value of optimizing the antibody and antigen concentrations when designing chips for ELISA microarrays.