cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct Synthesis of Nanoceria in Aqueous Polyhydroxyl Solutions

Nanoceria has shown excellent biomedical properties for potential use in treatment of diseases caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present work, the synthesis and redox chemistry of nanoceria in the presence of polyhydroxyl groups such as glucose and dextran are reported. The effect of both acidic and basic medium on the synthesis and oxidation state stability of nanoceria in the absence of buffer was examined using UV−vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The basic and acidic mediums show a difference in the synthesis of nanoceria in terms of the size and structure without interfering with the redox chemistry. A comparison of pure and aqueous saccharides suspension of nanoceria in acid/base media undergoing redox transformation is also reported in this paper.
Robust Block-based Image Watermarking in Curvelet Transform

In this paper, a robust watermarking scheme operating in curvelet domain is proposed. Curvelet transform directly take the edge as the basic representation element; it provides optimally sparse representations of objects along a general curve with bounded curvature. The image is partitioned into small blocks, Unequally-Spaced Fast Fourier Transforms (USFFT) is employed to decompose each block into curvelet domain. We embedded the watermark into the selected blocks, scale and curvelet coefficients based on the edge map of cover image. As usual, the watermarks are blindly detected using a correlation detector. Experimental results demonstrate that the embedded watermark survives severe image attacks and shows advantages over watermark algorithm in the wavelet domain. Both the robustness and the transparency can be well proved by the proposed watermarking algorithm.
Effects of stimulus configuration on elicited prey catching by the marine toad (Bufo marinus)

Abstract Marine toads ( Bufo marinus ) were tested for their preferences between pairs of small stimuli that were presented simultaneously on opposite sides of the body. In agreement with an earlier study of B. bufo , we found that elongation of prey along the axis of movement facilitates prey catching by B. marinus . This effect is significantly stronger for black stimuli than for white objects of the same size. Contrary to results reported for B. bufo , where double stimuli produced only inhibitory interactions, facilitation effects were found with nearby small objects. However, inhibitory effects were observed when larger stimuli were used. As a possible correlate of mutual inhibitory interactions among rival stimuli we also found via film analysis that toads strike mainly at the leading object when stimuli travel orthogonally to the toad's optic axis. These various data are considered in the light of neuro-physiological interpretations.
Status report—Phase out of ocean dumping of sewage sludge in the New York Bight Apex

Abstract During 1985, nine municipalities disposed of sewage sludges at the 12-Mile dumpsite within the New York Bight Apex. In April 1985 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final denial of petitions to re-designate the 12-Mile Site and concommittantly requested the municipalities to submit schedules for transfering their operations to the 106 Deepwater Municipal Sludge Disposal Site (DMSDS) to receive these wastes. With the shift to this new site long term municipal sludge disposal will occur beyond the Continental Shelf for the first time in the United States. Negotiations between EPA and the municipalities in 1985 resulted in a schedule for beginning use of the 106-Mile Site in March 1986. The complete phase-out of sludge dumping in the New York Bight Apex is scheduled to end 15 December, 1987. The key decision (fleet capacities, dumping volumes, etc.) leading to the final negotiated schedules are discussed.
The seismic reflection inverse problem

The seismic reflection method seeks to extract maps of the Earth's sedimentary crust from transient near-surface recording of echoes, stimulated by explosions or other controlled sound sources positioned near the surface. Reasonably accurate models of seismic energy propagation take the form of hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations, in which the coefficients represent the spatial distribution of various mechanical characteristics of rock (density, stiffness, etc). Thus the fundamental problem of reflection seismology is an inverse problem in partial differential equations: to find the coefficients (or at least some of their properties) of a linear hyperbolic system, given the values of a family of solutions in some part of their domains. The exploration geophysics community has developed various methods for estimating the Earth's structure from seismic data and is also well aware of the inverse point of view. This article reviews mathematical developments in this subject over the last 25 years, to show how the mathematics has both illuminated innovations of practitioners and led to new directions in practice. Two themes naturally emerge: the importance of single scattering dominance and compensation for spectral incompleteness by spatial redundancy.
Effects of rosuvastatin and allopurinol on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with congestive heart failure: The impact of inflammatory process and oxidative stress

Abstract Objective Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to the maintenance of endothelial integrity and function. We investigated the effects of rosuvastatin and allopurinol on the number of EPCs in patients with heart failure and aimed to provide insight into the molecular inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms that could be responsible for the alterations in EPC levels after treatment. Methods Sixty patients with systolic heart failure were randomized to receive rosuvastatin 10mg/d, allopurinol 300mg/d or placebo and followed up for 1 month. The number of CD34 + /KDR + and CD34 + /CD133 + /KDR + EPCs in blood was evaluated by flow cytometry. Endothelial function was assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. Levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were also determined. Results Circulating EPCs were significantly increased after rosuvastatin treatment (from 230 (170–380) and 10 (8–24) to 390 (230–520) and 19 (8–33) cells/10 6 lymphomonocytes, respectively, p =0.004 and p =0.008), whereas they remained unchanged in the other groups. The increase in EPC levels was not associated with the changes in the levels of the measured inflammatory and oxidative markers. Conclusion Short-term treatment with rosuvastatin, but not allopurinol, significantly increases the number of circulating EPCs in patients with heart failure providing further insights into its role in these individuals. The impact of rosuvastatin on EPCs is not mediated by changes in inflammatory and oxidative status.
Predicting the heats of formation of model hydrocarbons up to benzene

The heats of formation of benzene and seven other small hydrocarbons (allyl, allene, cyclopropene, propene, propyne, cyclopropane, and propane) have been calculated at high levels of ab initio molecular orbital theory. Geometries and frequencies were determined, in general, with coupled cluster theory, including a perturbative treatment of the connected triple excitations and with basis sets up through augmented quadruple-ζ in quality or, in some cases, augmented quintuple-ζ. Subsequent extrapolation of the total energies to the complete 1-particle basis set limit was performed, in an effort to further reduce the basis set truncation error. Additional improvements in the atomization energy were achieved by applying corrections for core/valence correlation, scalar relativistic, atomic spin−orbit, and higher-order correlation effects. Zero-point energies were based on an average of the vibrational energies obtained from the experimental fundamentals and theoretical harmonic frequencies. Using restricted ope...
Composable Models for Simulation-Based Design

This article introduces the concept of combining both form (CAD models) and behavior (simulation models) of mechatronic system components into component objects. By connecting these component objects to each other through their ports, designers can create both a system-level design description and a virtual prototype of the system. This virtual prototype, in turn, can provide immediate feedback about design decisions by evaluating whether the functional requirements are met in simulation. To achieve the composition of behavioral models, we introduce a port-based modeling paradigm. The port-based models are reconfigurable, so that the same physical component can be simulated at multiple levels of detail without having to modify the system-level model description. This allows the virtual prototype to evolve during the design process, and to achieve the accuracy required for the simulation experiments at each design stage. To maintain the consistency between the form and behavior of component objects, we introduce parametric relations between these two descriptions. In addition, we develop algorithms that determine the type and parameter values of the lower pair interaction models; these models depend on the form of both components that are interacting. This article presents the initial results of our approach. The discussion is limited to high-level system models consisting of components and lumped component interactions described by differential algebraic equations. Expanding these concepts to finite element models and distributed interactions is left for future research. Our composable simulation and design environment has been implemented as a distributed system in Java and C11, enabling multiple users to collaborate on the design of a single system. Our current implementation has been applied to a variety of systems ranging from consumer electronics to electrical train systems. We illustrate its functionality and use with a design scenario.
A re-examination of phonological neutralization'

One of the most fundamental constructs of phonological theory past and present is ‘neutralization’, i.e. the merger of a contrast in certain contexts. It is as basic as such other constructs as ‘contrast’, ‘distinctive feature’, and ‘segment’. While there exists a substantial body of literature on the phonetics of various phonological constructs (e.g. acoustic correlates for features, acoustic invariance, descriptive phonetics of particular languages, instrumental measurement techniques and segmentation criteria), the phonetics of neutralization has largely been assumed on the basis of casual impressionistic phonetics. The assumption is that forms which are distinguishable phonetically and phonologically in certain contexts and/or levels of representation (e.g. intervocalic voiced and voiceless obstruents in German) are under certain other well-defined circumstances totally indistinguishable at the level of phonetics (e.g. only voiceless obstruents occur word-finally in German).
Investigating a large-scale PHEV/PEV parking deck in a smart grid environment

There is a need to address the potential problems caused by the emergence of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) within the next 20 years. The penetration of these vehicles into the marketplace poses a potential threat to the existing power grid. Adding a large number of PHEVs/PEVs into our society will create a large-scale aggregated load, as well as acting as a substantial energy resource. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of the integration of PHEVs/PEVs into the grid. First, we simulate the aggregated load pattern at a municipal PHEV/PEV parking deck, taking into account real-world parking deck scenarios. Then we propose two smart charging programs to optimally allocate available power from the utility to a large number of PHEVs/PEVs at a municipal parking deck. In a smart grid environment, the proposed energy management programs can improve the stability and reliability of the power grid. We characterize the system performance and illustrate the potential improvement using several steady-state simulations. The simulation results provide a general overview of the impact of the proposed charging scenarios in terms of voltage profiles, peak demand, and charging cost.
MMPI-2: Confidence intervals for random responding to the F, F Back, and VRIN scales.

Several studies have investigated random responding to the F, F Back, and VRIN scales. Only one study attempted to provide practical cutoff scores for these scales, but was unable to reach definitive cutoffs. This study uses the normal approximation to the binomial distribution and provides confidence interval bounds for random responding at the 95, 90, and 85% levels for the F, F Back, and VRIN scales. The possibility that humans asked to respond randomly produce F, F Back, and VRIN scores different from computer-generated random scores was investigated. The results show nonsignificant differences between human and computer responses for the F and F Back scales and mixed results for the VRIN scale.
The Elasticity of Labor Supply to the Firm Over the Business Cycle

Abstract Recent empirical work has found evidence that the elasticity of labor supply to individual firms is finite, implying that firms may have wage setting power. However, these studies capture only single snapshots of the elasticity. We are the first to study how the elasticity of labor supply to the firm changes between economic contractions and economic expansions. We study two manufacturing firms operating in geographically distinct labor markets during the volatile inter-war period. Our analysis suggests that the elasticity of labor supply to the firm is lower during recessions than during expansions, providing evidence of differential wage setting power over the business cycle. This differential wage setting ability provides an explanation of the pro-cyclicality of real wages.
Thermal stress analysis for coated fibers

Thermal stresses induced during cooling from temperatures used for coating deposition were calculated for various fiber-coating systems. Systems under study include several types of carbon, alumina, and zirconia fibers. Coatings considered were TiB2, Si3N4, and SiC. Typical calculated stresses were on the order of 0 to 2 GPa. The results were used to analyze the effects of variable physical parameters such as coating thickness and crystallographic orientation on the stress levels. Each fiber-coating system was then compared using a nominal coating thickness of 5 μm in order to rank the various fiber-coating combinations. Among the results obtained, it was shown that orientation of deposited coatings usually leads to higher tensile stresses.
Sisters at Work Career and Community Changes

This article examines occupational differentiation of American Catholic sisters both prior to and following the Second Vatican Council. The pre- Vatican II era is characterized in terms of mechanical solidarity such that a common group identity and culture based on work is shared. By contrast, apostolic sisters of the post-Vatican II period seem to exemplify the concept of organic solidarity; there is more variation with regard to occupations and life-style. The analysis focuses on the life histories of sisters residing in South Texas. In particular, the analysis relates the diversification in their careers to changes in their ideology and lifestyle, and the changing demographic and financial status of their congregations. We suggest that the diversification of occupational choices among sisters parallels that of working women more generally.
An investigation of reasoning by analogy in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder

Relational reasoning ability relies upon by both cognitive and social factors. We compared analogical reasoning performance in healthy controls (HC) to performance in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and individuals with schizophrenia (SZ). The experimental task required participants to find correspondences between drawings of scenes. Participants were asked to infer which item within one scene best matched a relational item within the second scene. We varied relational complexity, presence of distraction, and type of objects in the analogies (living or non-living items). We hypothesized that the cognitive differences present in SZ would reduce relational inferences relative to ASD and HC. We also hypothesized that both SZ and ASD would show lower performance on living item problems relative to HC due to lower social function scores. Overall accuracy was higher for HC relative to SZ, consistent with prior research. Across groups, higher relational complexity reduced analogical responding, as did the presence of non-living items. Separate group analyses revealed that the ASD group was less accurate at making relational inferences in problems that involved mainly non-living items and when distractors were present. The SZ group showed differences in problem type similar to the ASD group. Additionally, we found significant correlations between social cognitive ability and analogical reasoning, particularly for the SZ group. These results indicate that differences in cognitive and social abilities impact the ability to infer analogical correspondences along with numbers of relational elements and types of objects present in the problems.
Health status, mood, and cognition in experimentally induced subclinical hypothyroidism

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether subclinical hypothyroidism causes decrements in health status, mood, and/or cognitive function. Design: This was a double-blinded, randomized, crossover study of usual dose l-thyroxine (L-T4) (euthyroid arm) vs. lower dose L-T4 (subclinical hypothyroid arm) in hypothyroid subjects. Patients: Nineteen subjects on L-T4 therapy for primary hypothyroidism participated in the study. Measurements: Subjects underwent measurements of health status, mood, and cognition using validated instruments: Short Form 36, Profile of Mood States, and tests of declarative memory (paragraph recall, complex figure), working memory (N-back, subject ordered pointing, digit span backward), and motor learning (pursuit rotor). The same measures were repeated after 12 wk on each of the study arms. Results: Mean TSH levels increased to 17 mU/liter on the subclinical hypothyroid arm (P < 0.0001). Mean free T4 and free T3 levels remained within the normal range. The Profile ...
Neutrophil-activating protein-2- and interleukin-8-mediated angiogenesis.

In this study, we investigated the anti-angiogenic potential of nitric oxide (NO) donors and anti-integrin compounds against neutrophil-activating protein-2 (NAP-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2)-induced angiogenesis. In vivo, recombinant human NAP-2 and FGF-2 induce a potent and comparable angiogenic response in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). We demonstrate that NO donors and anti-integrin agents are capable of abrogating either NAP-2- or FGF-2-induced angiogenesis in the CAM model. The NO donor, S-nitroso N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP), blocked either NAP-2- or FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis in the CAM. Similarly, angiogenesis stimulated with NAP-2 or FGF-2 was blocked by antagonist of the αvβ3 integrin in the CAM model. However, the inhibition of NAP-2 and IL-8 by the anti-integrin compound is significantly less than the inhibition observed with FGF-2 as the angiogenic stimulus. Similarly, the ability of these mechanisms to also inhibit endothelial cell differentiation was demonstrated. Taken together, these data illustrate the involvement of multiple pathways in the mechanisms of action for the α-chemokine- and cytokine-mediated angiogenesis. These approaches may be a useful tool for the inhibition of angiogenesis associated with human tumor growth or with neovascular, ocular, and inflammatory diseases where chemokines and cytokines are involved. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 412–420, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Who Monitors Medication

There are a number of major concerns about the widespread use of stimulant drugs in the treatment of hyperactivity. Because of the variable and idiosyncratic effects of the drugs, there should be programs for monitoring the behavioral consequences so that relevant information can be exchanged between the prescribing physician and the teacher who is in a position to observe the behavioral effects of the medication. A survey indicates that the number of cases in which teacher-physician contact occurs, either directly or through an intermediary, falls far short of that which could be considered adequate monitoring. Teachers' perceptions of the appropriateness of activity level and attention span are significantly related to their involvement in direct contact with the prescribing physician.
Pediatric Cancer and the Quality of Children’s Dyadic Peer Interactions

Objective To use observational methods to assess the quality of peer relationships in 51 7- to 12-year-old acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors as compared to healthy children. Methods Children were audiotaped as they engaged in free play with their best friend and interactions were coded to assess their ability to maintain engagement with one another during play as well as the affective dimension of their play. Results Results indicated that dyads with survivors of childhood cancer were less likely to be highly engaged with their best friend and more likely to experience disengagement than dyads with healthy participants. There were no group differences in positive or negative affect. Conclusions Overall, these data suggest that survivors of childhood cancer’s relationships with their best friend may be compromised in some specific areas when compared to the relations of healthy children. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Does Diabetes Self-management Education in Conjunction With Primary Care Improve Glycemic Control in Hispanic Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes self-management education (DSME) interventions delivered in conjunction with primary care among Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) that tested the effect of DSME interventions in Hispanic adults with T2DM. Studies reporting hemoglobin A1C (A1C) pre and post intervention or change in A1C were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis.ResultsOf 625 studies identified, 13 RCTs met criteria for inclusion in the systematic review; of these, 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The 13 RCTs represent data from 2784 adult Hispanic subjects. DSME interventions (individual, group, telephone/electronic, and multimodal sessions) varied in intensity from 1-time DSME sessions with phone follow-up to contact every 4 to 6...
Gradual establishment of Iapetan "passive" margin sedimentation; stratigraphic consequences of Cambrian episodic tectonism and eustasy, Southern Appalachians

The Middle to Upper Cambrian Conasauga Group of the southern Appalachians constitutes part of the thick pericratonic Cambro-Ordovician Sauk sequence that represents the interplay between an extensive carbonate platform to the east and a deeper-water intrashelf shale basin to the west. The Conasauga Group consists of a series of interfingering carbonate and shale formations; the shales represent deeper-water deposition (50 m+), and the carbonates show evidence for gradual shoaling (through aggradation and progradation) from deeper water to shallow water. The upper parts of the Craig Limestone Member (Rogersville Shale) and the Maryville Limestone (both Middle Cambrian) contain evidence for subaerial exposure of subtidal sediments followed by platform drowning. Following platform exposure that shot down carbonate production, a large relative sea-level rise (driven by an increase in the rate of subsidence) led to platform reinundation, but was rapid enough to drown the carbonate platform. Flooding was sufficient to allow deeper-water basinal shales to onlap the drowned platform. Changes in the rate of subsidence driven by thermal cooling of the lithosphere, sediment loading, and/or regional extension were probably responsible for "cyclic" sedimentation, even though burial curves suggest gradual, "thermal" subsidence through this time. Lithofacies patterns and the regional tectonism reviewed herein suggests that the Iapetan margin was not fully stabilized (subsiding uniformly spatially and temporally, a true passive margin) until the Late Cambrian. Critical stratigraphic studies of other Cambrian (and younger) "passive" margins may reveal comparable "anomalies" related to similar, "jerky" subsidence patterns.
Soil biota responses to long-term atmospheric CO2 enrichment in two California annual grasslands

Root, arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM), soil faunal (protozoa and microarthropods), and microbial responses to field exposure to CO2 for six growing seasons were measured in spring 1997 in two adjacent grassland communities. The grasslands showed contrasting root responses to CO2 enrichment: whereas root length was not affected in the sandstone grassland, it was greater in the serpentine grassland, as was specific root length. AM fungal hyphal lengths were greater in the sandstone, but were unaffected in the serpentine community. This lent support to the hypothesis that there may be a tradeoff in resource allocation to more fine roots or greater mycorrhizal extraradical hyphal length. AM root infection was greater in both communities at elevated CO2, as was the proportion of roots containing arbuscules. Our data on total hyphal lengths, culturable and active fungi, bacteria, and protozoa supported the hypothesis that the fungal food chain was more strongly stimulated than the bacterial chain. This study is one of the first to test these hypotheses in natural multi-species communities in the field.
Bragg-Pippard formalism for bianisotropic particulate composites

Here the Bragg-Pippard (BP) formalism is extended in order to homogenize linear bianisotropic-in-bianisotropic particulate composites, assuming the inclusion particles to be ellipsoidal. The BP formalism yields satisfactory results as the inclusion volume fraction f 1, unlike the Maxwell Garnett (MG) formalism but like the Bruggeman formalism. However, the BP formalism is asymmetric with respect to the two component mediums in the same way as the MG formalism is, but the Bruggeman formalism can be symmetric. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 40–44, 2002; DOI 10.1002/mop.10225
Mapping of sequences with 2-fold symmetry on the simian virus 40 genome: a photochemical crosslinking approach.

Abstract Sequences with 2-fold axes of symmetry have been detected and mapped on the simian virus 40 (SV40) genome by their ability to form hairpin turns in single-stranded SV40 DNA. Supercoiled SV40 DNA (SV40 I) was digested with restriction enzymes EcoRI and HpaII. The resulting linear DNA molecules with lengths of the complete SV40 genome were then denatured and photochemically reacted with 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (trioxsalen) at 16.0 +/- 0.5 degrees and different ionic strengths. Secondary structures on the single-stranded SV40 DNA were crosslinked and their positions analyzed by electron microscopy. There were no observable hairpin turns on the denatured SV40 DNA when it was photoreacted in 1 mM Tris-HCl/0.1 mM EDTA at pH 7.0. In 20 mM NaCl, one specific hairpin turn was detected at 0.17 +/- 0.02 map units on the map of EcoRI-digested SV40 DNA, where the 3' ends of early 19S mRNA, late 19S mRNA, and 16S mRNA of SV40 have been mapped. In 30 mM NaCl there are five more major hairpin turns besides the most stable one. The centers of four of these specific hairpin turns were mapped at 0.26 +/- 0.02, 0.68 +/- 0.03, 0.84 +/- 0.02, and 0.94 +/- 0.01 units on the map of EcoRI-digested SV40. The fifth one is at or near the unique EcoRI cleavage site on SV40 DNA. The possible functions of these sequences are discussed in terms of the nature of the promoter sites, the replication origin, the processing of RNA precursors, and regulation at the translational level.
Safety and feasibility of switching from phenytoin to levetiracetam monotherapy for glioma-related seizure control following craniotomy: a randomized phase II pilot study

Seizures are common in patients with gliomas, and phenytoin (PHT) is frequently used to control tumor-related seizures. PHT, however, has many undesirable side effects (SEs) and drug interactions with glioma chemotherapy. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a newer antiepileptic drug (AED) with fewer SEs and essentially no drug interactions. We performed a pilot study testing the safety and feasibility of switching patients from PHT to LEV monotherapy for postoperative control of glioma-related seizures. Over a 13-month period, 29 patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to initiate LEV therapy within 24 h of surgery or to continue PHT therapy. 6 month follow-up data were available for 15 patients taking LEV and for 8 patients taking PHT. In the LEV group, 13 patients (87%) were seizure-free. In the PHT group, 6 patients (75%) were seizure-free. Reported SEs at 6 months was as follows (%LEV/%PHT group): dizziness (0/14), difficulty with coordination (0/29), depression (7/14) lack of energy or strength (20/43), insomnia (40/43), mood instability (7/0). The pilot data presented here suggest that it is safe to switch patients from PHT to LEV monotherapy following craniotomy for supratentorial glioma. A large-scale, double-blinded, randomized control trial of LEV versus PHT is required to determine seizure control equivalence and better assess differences in SEs.
Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecule E-Cadherin in Xenopus Embryos Begins at Gastrulation and Predominates in the Ectoderm

The expression of the Ca2+-dependent epithelial cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin (also known as uvomorulin and L-CAM) in the early stages of embryonic development of Xenopus laevis was examined. E-Cadherin was identified in the Xenopus A6 epithelial cell line by antibody cross-reactivity and several biochemical characteristics. Four independent mAbs were generated against purified Xenopus E-cadherin. All four mAbs recognized the same polypeptides in A6 cells, adult epithelial tissues, and embryos. These mAbs inhibited the formation of cell contacts between A6 cells and stained the basolateral plasma membranes of A6 cells, hepatocytes, and alveolar epithelial cells. The time of E-cadherin expression in early Xenopus embryos was determined by immunoblotting. Unlike its expression in early mouse embryos, E-cadherin was not present in the eggs or early blastula of Xenopus laevis. These findings indicate that a different Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion molecule, perhaps another member of the cadherin gene family, is responsible for the Ca2+-dependent adhesion between cleavage stage Xenopus blastomeres. Detectable accumulation of E-cadherin started just before gastrulation at stage 9 1/2 and increased rapidly up to the end of gastrulation at stage 15. In stage 15 embryos, specific immunofluorescence staining of E-cadherin was discernible only in ectoderm, but not in mesoderm and endoderm. The ectoderm at this stage consists of two cell layers. The outer cell layer of ectoderm was stained intensely, and staining was localized to the basolateral plasma membrane of these cells. Lower levels of staining were observed in the inner cell layer of ectoderm. The coincidence of E-cadherin expression with the process of gastrulation and its restriction to the ectoderm indicate that it may play a role in the morphogenetic movements of gastrulation and resulting segregation of embryonic germ layers.
Visual comparisons within and between object parts: evidence for a single-part superiority effect.

Subjects judged whether two marks placed at different positions along a curved contour were physically the same. When targets were separated by a concave curvature extremum––corresponding to a part-boundary––decision latencies were longer than when they straddled an equally curved convex extremum, demonstrating a ‘‘single-part superiority effect’’. This difference increased with both stimulus duration and the magnitude of contour curvature. However, it disappeared when the global configuration was not consistent with a part-boundary interpretation, suggesting a critical role of global organization in part decomposition. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Protein and glucogenic precursor supplementation: A nutritional strategy to increase reproductive and economic output

Reproductive performance in young beef cows is often compromised due to a mismatch of physiological demands and suboptimal environmental conditions. Studies conducted at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center from 2000 to 2007 evaluated 3 postpartum supplement strategies that varied in the amount of glucogenic potential (GP) supplied. Reproductive variables, milk production, and serum metabolites were used to assess supplement effectiveness and economics associated with 2- and 3-yr-old beef cows (n = 379) grazing native range. Supplements were individually fed twice/week at 1,135 g/d (2003 to 2004) or 908 g/d (all other years) and provided 1) 327 g of CP, 109 to 118 g of RUP (CON); 2) 327 to 341 g of CP, 142 to 157 g of RUP (RUP); or 3) 327 g of CP, 151 to 173 g of RUP + 40 to 100 g of propionate salt (PS; RUP+PS). Ultimately, total GP for CON, RUP, and RUP+PS was 44 to 47, 57 to 70, and 93 to 141 g, respectively. Blood samples were collected once/week (2000) or twice/week (2001 to 2007) for progesterone analysis to estimate days to resumption of estrus. Cows were exposed to bulls for 60 d or less, and pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation at weaning. Days to resumption of estrus after calving decreased linearly (P = 0.02), resulting in an increased pregnancy rate (P = 0.03) with increasing GP. Milk production exhibited a quadratic (P = 0.04) response to increasing GP, with cows fed RUP producing the most amount of milk. However, a linear decrease (P = 0.07) in days from BW nadir to estrus was found with increasing GP. Total kilograms of calf weaned per cow exposed for the supplemental year and subsequent year was increased linearly (P = 0.07) with increased GP. The improvement in pregnancy rate by supplementing RUP+PS resulted in an increase in total revenue of 18% compared with CON-fed cows and 9.5% compared with RUP-fed cows in the subsequent year after supplementation. These data suggest feeding young cows additional GP in the form of PS allows for partitioning of nutrients away from milk production and toward reproduction, allowing for increased profitability by increasing pregnancy rates and decreasing days to resumption of estrus.
Holey Union: The Constitutional Paradox of Secession

There are secessionist movements in all parts of the world, encompassing both democratic and non-democratic countries. It is typically thought that this important phenomenon is regulated by international law alone. But, this article argues that when looking anew at constitutional law through the lens of secession, democracies’ weak spots are revealed. While political actors and scholars traditionally believe that bans on political parties ('militant democracy') and constitutional eternity clauses (`unconstitutional constitutional amendment`) are used and justified to protect democratic values alone, they are in fact also used to fight against secession. Democracies have been able to conceal their fight against secessionists, by creating a large gap between “the law on the books” and “the law as practiced.” This raises paradoxes so extreme, the democracies begin to appear to be using the tools of authoritarian regimes. In addition to exposing the facts on the grounds, the article also makes two normative claims: First, it argues that secession reveals the ways in which both doctrines—the ban and eternity clauses—are inextricably intertwined. This assertion is general and goes beyond the secession context. Second, the article argues that secession is helpful in revealing the intricate relationship between constitution-making and constitution-amending powers. Even those who hold that the power to amend the Constitution should be treated as equal to the constitution-making power may find that an exception is needed in the secession context. Secession may be regarded as an annihilation of the Constitution because it redefines the sovereign bodies. As such, secession necessitates extra-constitutional mechanisms. Contrary to the prevailing understanding that it is sufficient to garner the support of the seceding population, secession may require the independent deliberate consent of two new peoples—the seceding as well as the remaining population. Studying the delicate dance of constitutional democracies and secessionist movements not only enables a better understanding of constitutional law but may also shed new scholarly light on assumptions that Constitutions are generally silent about secession and may even implicitly allow it.
An evaluation of the metachromasy of anionic dyes. II. Visual and spectral observations on solutions.

The reactions of 13 anionic dyes in solution with a basic protein (protamine), a cationic detergent, guanidine, histamine, procaine, quinine, and strychnine were examined visually and spectrophotometrically in order to distinguish metachromatic changes of the dyes. Disazo dyes (Congo red, benzopurpurin, but not trypan blue) were metachromatic; indigoid, triphenylmethane and xanthene dyes were not. The magnitude of metachromasy in this series of dyes was not great compared with cationic dyes, the shifts of absorbance maxima being only about 15 mμ against 90 mμ or more for some cationic metachromatic dyes. The most effective chromotropes were protamine and a cationic detergent. Agreement between visual observations on tissue sections, visual observations on solutions, and spectral observations on solutions was generally good.
First-Principles United Atom Force Field for the Ionic Liquid BMIM+BF4–: An Alternative to Charge Scaling

Molecular dynamics study of ionic liquids (ILs) is a challenging task. While accurate fully polarizable atomistic models exist, they are computationally too demanding for routine use. Most nonpolarizable atomistic models predict diffusion constants that are much lower than experiment. Scaled charge atomistic models are cost-effective and give good results for single component ILs but are in qualitative error for the phase behavior of mixtures, due to inaccurate prediction of the IL cohesive energy. In this work, we present an alternative approach for developing computationally efficient models that importantly preserves both the correct dynamics and cohesive energy of the IL. Employing a “top-down” approach, a hierarchy of coarse-grained models for BMIM+BF4– are developed by systematically varying the polarization/atomic resolution of the distinct functional groups. Parametrization is based on symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) calculations involving the homomolecular species; all cross interacti...
Effects of Number of Reinforcements and Interference on Visual and Olfactory Learning Modalities of the Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) were allowed to make specified numbers of responses reinforced with peppermint-scented sucrose solution before being subjected to extinction conditions. Resistance to extinction peaked at 10 pre-extinction reinforcements and decreased with greater or smaller amounts of practice. The presence or absence of peppermint scent at the extinction dish had no effect on total extinction responses (landings and approaches) but the presence of scent was vital for landing to occur. Interference by other bees during extinction depressed responding to unscented dishes but not to scented dishes following one training reinforcement but had no effect on responses following greater numbers of reinforcements. We interpret this as disruption of short-term memory of visual signals but not of olfactory signals.
Caffeine’s Antioxidant Potency Optically Sensed with Double-Stranded DNA-Encased Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

There is great interest in developing a sensitive method being able to quantitatively measure and compare antioxidant potencies of samples of interest against multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS) whose imbalance could cause oxidative stress. Here, a sensitive nanoprobe, double-stranded DNA encased single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been developed to determine antioxidant potencies of selected samples (caffeine, regular coffee, and decaffeinated coffee) against ROS, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. Antioxidant vitamin C and uric acid are used as standards. The method focuses on unique dual optical sensing capability of SWNTs, the rate of spectral suppression when exposed to ROS, and the magnitude of spectral recovery of the ROS-suppressed SWNTs when an antioxidant is added. It is found that the dual sensing capability of SWNTs is still sustained when reacting with the reactive hydroxyl radicals. The results show that caffeine’s antioxidant potency is weak, about one millionth of those of...
Quantum Spin Chains and Conformally Invariant Non-Linear σ-Models

The critical behavior of quantum antiferromagnetic chains is related to certain recently discovered conformally-invariant non-linear σ-models.
Comparative analysis of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of Euonymus japonicus Thunb by field experiment in the typical urban and suburban areas in Beijing

Using Li-6400 portable photosynthesis system,we studied the differences of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of Euonymus japonicus Thunb by the field experiment in summer and autumn seasons in the typical urban and suburban areas in Beijing city.The results showed that there are higher levels of atmospheric temperature,relative humidity and CO2 concentration in the urban areas than that in the suburban areas,the net assimilation ability of CO2 for E.japonicus leaf is usually subject to the total assimilation ability of CO2 and respiration rate,and its significances of difference varied in the studied months.In addition,the indicators of intercellular CO2 concentration,VPDleaf-to-air,transpiration rate of E.japonicus leaf in the urban plot were higher than those in the suburban plot.The monthly changes in atmospheric temperature and CO2 concentration in the urban areas affected leaf respiration,leading to a increase or decrease of leaf respiration rate,in the same time,the monthly changes in atmospheric pollutants' concentration also damaged chlorophyll and chloroplast of E.japonicus leaf and further led to the decline in its total assimilation ability of CO2,both of them determined the variation in net assimilation ability of CO2 for E.japonicus leaf.Further comparative analysis of leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicated that,the total content of chlorophyll,chlorophyll a/b and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters(Fv/Fm,Fv/Fo,qP,ΦPSⅡ,ETR) for E.japonicus leaf in the urban plot decreased but qN increased,showing that the activity of leaf photosystemⅡ was negatively affected by the increase in atmospheric pollutants' concentration and led to the damage to chlorophyll and chloroplast of E.japonicus leaf that really became a cause for the reduction of leaf total assimilation ability of CO2 in the urban areas.
Deep Dive Topic: Approach to ignition

The current high-foot and related implosions have adequate CR and implosion velocity to ignite, but require improved finesse particularly in, but not limited to, implosion symmetry. This is being pursued. The challenge of controlling drive symmetry is also motivating lower convergence ratio designs. These require higher velocity implosions and are also being pursued.
Risk Score for Predicting Treatment-Requiring Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in the Telemedicine Approaches to Evaluating Acute-Phase ROP Study.

Purpose To develop a risk score for predicting treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity (TR-ROP) in the Telemedicine Approaches to Evaluating Acute-Phase Retinopathy of Prematurity (e-ROP) study. Design Second analyses of an observational cohort study. Participants Infants with birth weight (BW) Methods Nonphysician trained readers evaluated wide-field retinal image sets for characteristics of ROP, pre-plus/plus disease, and retinal hemorrhage. Risk score points for predicting TR-ROP were derived from the regression coefficients of significant predictors in a multivariate logistic regression model. Main Outcome Measures TR-ROP. Results Eighty-five of 771 infants (11.0%) developed TR-ROP. In a multivariate model, significant predictors for TR-ROP were gestational age (GA) (odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–18.9 for ≤25 vs. ≥28 weeks), need for respiratory support (OR, 7.0; 95% CI, 1.3–37.1 for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation vs. no respiratory support), slow weight gain (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2–4.6 for weight gain ≤12 g/day vs. >15 g/day), and image findings at the first image session including number of quadrants with pre-plus (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5–9.7 for 4 pre-plus quadrants vs. no pre-plus), stage and zone of ROP (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 2.1–11.8 for stage 1–2 zone I, OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 2.1–16.6 for stage 3 zone I vs. no ROP), and presence of blot hemorrhage (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4–6.7). Image findings predicted TR-ROP better than GA (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.82 vs. 0.75, P = 0.03). The risk of TR-ROP steadily increased with higher risk score and predicted TR-ROP well (AUC = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.85–0.92). Risk score ≥3 points for predicting TR-ROP had a sensitivity of 98.8%, specificity of 40.1%, and positive and negative predictive values of 17.0% and 99.6%, respectively. Conclusions Image characteristics at 34 PMA weeks or earlier independently predict TR-ROP. If externally validated in other infants, risk score, calculated from image findings, GA, weight gain, and respiratory support, enables early identification of infants in need of increased surveillance for TR-ROP.
Geographic Visualization of Solar Radiation Flux Data for Teaching Purposes

This paper describes the visualization of global solar radiation data for teaching and research. ERA-40 data (1957-2002) [7,8] from the ECMWF model [6] was processed into annual and monthly averages over 45 years. A collaborative and iterative design methodology, including perceptually validated color progression was used. The data was visualized via Python's matplotlib (basemap) module. The results (maps and animations), data and python code can be downloaded from https://iastate.box.com/solarRadiationMaps
Multistage Optimization for Chemical Process Sustainability Enhancement under Uncertainty

Chemical process sustainability is mainly concerned with energy and material efficiency, productivity and product quality, waste reduction, process safety, heath impact, etc. Due to these multiple factors as well as information and data uncertainty, development of optimal strategies and effective action plans for sustainability enhancement becomes a very challenging task. In this paper, we introduce a mathematical framework for optimal process sustainability performance enhancement. In this framework, we describe four types of optimization problems, which are defined based on decision makers’ different objectives for sustainability enhancement. In formulation, various economic, environmental, and social concerns and technical feasibilities are taken into account, where data uncertainty is dealt with by interval parameters. Solution search is performed by a genetic algorithm method and a Monte Carlo simulation technique. The methodological applicability is illustrated by a comprehensive case study on biodi...