cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The balance of Tor

Nunke has investigated Tor(A,B) in [10, 11] and 1-12]. Other studies of the torsion product of abelian groups A and B include [4, 8] and [-9]; accounts also appear in [,1] and [2]. Since Tor(A,B)=~Tor(Ap, Bp) p where Ap denotes the p-primary component of A, one specializes immediately to primary groups when studying the structure of the group Tor(A,B). In [10] Nunke computed the Ulm invariants of Tor(A,B) in terms of A and B. Therefore, if Tor(A,B) is totally projective, its structure is known. However, it is not known exactly when Tor(A, B) is totally projective. In fact, even when A and B have length co this question has only been partially resolved [-8]. In this paper, we show that Tor(A,B) is never totally projective when its length exceeds the first uncountable ordinal f2. This generalizes a recent result of Irwin, Snabb and Cellars [9] which states the same fact for groups A and B of unequal lengths. However, as [9, 10] and [12] all demonstrate, Tor(A,B) is more difficult to analyze when A and B have equal lengths. The notation and terminology is generally in agreement with [-2]. In particular, the length of a reduced p-primary group G is the smallest ordinal 2 such that pxG=O. Nunke [-10] has shown for any ordinal c~ that p~Tor(A,B) =Tor(p~A,p~B) and that the length of Tor(A,B) is the minimum of the lengths of A and B. An ascending chain {G~}~<x of subgroups G~ of G, indexed by an ordinal 2, is said to be smooth if G~= U G~ whenever/?<2 is a limit ordinal. If {A~}~<~
Tephra from the 1979 Soufriere Explosive Eruption

The explosive phase of the 1979 Soufriere eruption produced 37.5 x 10 6 cubic meters (dense-rock equivalent) of tephra, consisting of about 40 percent juvenile basaltic andesite and 60 percent of a nonjuvenile component derived from the fragmentation of the 1971-1972 lava island during phreatomagmatic explosions. The unusually fine grain size, poor sorting, and bimodality of the land deposit are attributed to particle aggregation and the formation of accretionary lapilli in a wet eruption column .
Efficient Multipath in Sensor Networks using Diffusion and Network Coding

In this paper we propose to employ the use of network coding to achieve an adaptive equivalent solution to the construction of disjoint multipath routes from a source to a destination. It exploits both the low cost mesh-topology construction, such as those obtained by diffusion algorithms, and the capacity achieving capability of linear network coding. We present a simple randomized network coding scheme that can be efficiently employed in sensor networks, solving two of its main problems: knowledge of the underlying network capacity and rate control. Our solution easily adapts to the changing conditions of the network and it can be used by the sinks to increase or decrease capacity and reliability on demand. Keywords: Network coding, sensor network, directed diffusion, multicast.
Towards a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between sex-biased gene expression and rates of protein coding sequence evolution

Genes that are differentially expressed between the sexes (sex-biased genes) are among the fastest evolving genes in animal genomes. The majority of sex-biased expression is attributable to genes that are primarily expressed in sex-limited reproductive tissues, and these reproductive genes are often rapidly evolving because of intra- and intersexual selection pressures. Additionally, studies of multiple taxa have revealed that genes with sex-biased expression are also expressed in a limited number of tissues. This is worth noting because narrowly expressed genes are known to evolve faster than broadly expressed genes. Therefore, it is not clear whether sex-biased genes are rapidly evolving because they have sexually dimorphic expression, because they are expressed in sex-limited reproductive tissues, or because they are narrowly expressed. To determine the extend to which other confounding variables can explain the rapid evolution of sex-biased genes, I analyzed the rates of evolution of sex-biased genes in Drosophila melanogaster and Mus musculus in light of tissue-specific measures of expression. I find that genes with sex-biased expression in somatic tissues shared by both sexes are often evolving faster than non-sex-biased genes, but this is best explained by the narrow expression profiles of sex-biased genes. Sex-biased genes in sex-limited tissues in D. melanogaster, however, evolve faster than other narrowly expressed genes. Therefore, the rapid evolution of sex-biased genes is limited only to those genes primarily expressed in sex-limited reproductive tissues.
Bat activity across the vertical gradient of an old-growth Sequoia sempervirens forest

We investigated how bats use habitat structure along the vertical gradient of an old-growth Sequoia sempervirens (redwood) forest. Ground-based detection methods would underrepresent bats that use the canopy and above-canopy airspace in this forest as they reach far beyond practical netting and acoustic detection range. We equipped two tall trees with full spectrum automated bat detectors at treetop (108 m), lower crown (55 m), and ground level (5 m) from April 2008 to November 2009, excluding December and January. We sampled 1,365 detector nights, recorded 3,769 echolocation sequences (bat passes), and found 12 species, two of which, Lasiurus blossevillii and Tadarida brasiliensis, that had no prior documented presence in redwood forests. The maximum proportion of bat activity occurred at treetop, although ground level species diversity exceeded that of the lower crown and treetop, and species composition differed among locations. Non-Myotis species composed 95% of the calls at the treetop, 88% at lower crown, and 21% at ground level. Calls from Myotis species averaged 71% of all calls recorded at ground level compared to less than 4% at both lower crown and treetop. Activity declined markedly, but did continue, during the winter months we sampled. The combination of a temperate climate and observations of larger, migratory species during November, February, and March suggested the potential for resident populations or inland migrants overwintering in this forest. These findings emphasize the importance of sampling throughout the calendar year and including the full reach of the vertical habitat when quantifying bat activity in forests.
Binaural sonar electronic travel aid provides vibrotactile cues for landmark, reflector motion and surface texture classification

Electronic travel aids (ETAs) for the blind commonly employ conventional time-of-flight sonars to provide range measurements, but their wide beams prevent accurate determination of object bearing. We describe a binaural sonar that detects objects over a wider bearing interval compared with a single transducer and also determines if the object lies to the left or right of the sonar axis in a robust manner. The sonar employs a pair of Polaroid 6500 ranging modules connected to Polaroid 7000 transducers operating simultaneously in a binaural array configuration. The sonar determines which transducer detects the echo first. An outward vergence angle between the transducers improves the first-echo detection reliability by increasing the delay between the two detected echoes, a consequence of threshold detection. We exploit this left/right detection capability in an ETA that provides vibrotactile feedback. Pager motors mount on both sides of the sonar, possibly worn on the user's wrists. The motor on the same side as the reflecting object vibrates with speed inversely related to range. As the sonar or object moves, vibration patterns provide landmark, motion and texture cues. Orienting the sonar at 451 relative to the travel direction and passing a right-angle corner produces a characteristic vibrational pattern. When pointing the sonar at a moving object, such as a fluttering flag, the motors alternate in a manner to give the user a perception of the object motion. When the sonar translates or rotates to scan a foliage surface, the vibrational patterns are related to the surface scatterer distribution, allowing the user to identify the foliage.
Increasing the Resolution of Wide-Area Situational Awareness of the Power Grid through Event Unmixing

Energy infrastructure is a critical underpinning of modern society. To ensure its safe and healthy operation, a wide-area situational awareness system is essential to provide high-resolution understanding of the system dynamics such that proper actions can be taken in time in response to power system disturbances and to avoid cascading blackouts. This paper focusses on the high resolution or finer-scale analysis of data obtained through the North American frequency monitoring network (FNET) to reveal hidden information. In the power grid, events seldom occur in an isolated fashion. Cascading events and simultaneous events are more common and realistic. We present a new conceptual framework in event analysis, referred to as event unmixing, where we consider real-world events as a mixture of more than one constituent root event. This concept is a key enabler for the analysis of events to go beyond what are immediately detectable in the system. We interpret the event formation process from spectral mixing perspective and present innovative unsupervised unmixing algorithms to unravel complex events.
Looking Ahead: A Contributor's Perspective on the Next-Stage Advances in Competitive Strategy, Economics and Information Systems Research

The author discusses several directions for research in the area of competitive strategy, economics and information systems. He remarks center on the potential for advances in the following areas: (1) the macroeconomic impacts of technology, and opportunities to explore the issues, theories and methods of aggregate analysis relative to IT industry agglomeration, technology diffusion and firm strategies; (2) theoretical and methodological knowledge for the exploration of technology adoption and business value, by leveraging the tensions from game-theoretic equilibrium analysis outcomes and technological change-led transformations; (3) further developing our valuation, risk management and services science approaches for business processes involving organizational systems, interorganization relationships, and market connections. The latter applies in such contexts as e-commerce services pricing, utility computing and Web services, and managerial approaches to IT project portfolio management. His expectation is that there is much to be learned in the next twenty years about that managerial decision-making in a world of business operations that involve mobility, and ubiquitous data and support, and technologies that will transform production, consumption, market value, social welfare and the way our business economy works
Estimated Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection Among a New York City Clinic Population Using Interferon-gamma Release Assays.

To continue moving towards elimination of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States requires not only treating current cases of active disease but also addressing the much larger population of persons with TB infection that serves as a reservoir for future TB cases. National guidelines recommend targeted testing and treatment of high-risk populations for TB infection as one part of a comprehensive approach to controlling TB [1]. Implementing this strategy requires knowing the background prevalence of TB infection and identifying the populations at greatest risk. The 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) measured the prevalence of TB infection in the general population using the tuberculin skin test (TST) [2]. The NHANES data were collected to be representative on a national level and are not necessarily reflective of local epidemiology; this is especially true for urban and metropolitan areas, such as New York City (NYC), which have large and diverse populations that cannot be characterized by extrapolating national data [3]. A study of patients tested with the TST in NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) TB clinics from 2002 to 2004 found a TB infection prevalence of 24% [4]. Since this study, new blood-based tests for TB infection have become widely available. These interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are thought to be an improvement over the TST because they are more specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, do not yield false-positive results due to prior bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, and do not cross-react with most nontuberculous mycobacteria [5–7]. In addition, they require only a single medical visit and produce instrument-derived quantitative results, which are not subject to reader bias [8–10]. New York City is the city in the United States with the highest TB burden, with 651 cases reported in 2012 [11, 12]. The NYC DOHMH operates 4 TB clinics that provide TB evaluation and treatment services free of charge to the patient. These clinics handle over 50 000 patient visits and conduct over 5000 TB infection tests annually [12]. New York City began using the QuantiFERON-Gold IGRA (Cellestis Limited, Carnegie Victoria, Australia) as the standard diagnostic test for TB infection in DOHMH TB clinics in 2006; in November 2009, the clinics began using the next generation QuantiFERON-Gold In-Tube test (Cellestis Limited). Data from this setting offer a unique opportunity to establish estimates of TB prevalence and identify higher-risk groups within this patient population [4]. We present an analysis of IGRA tests conducted in NYC TB clinics, including the characteristics associated with having a positive test result.
High Susceptibility of a Human Breast Epithelial Cell Type with Stem Cell Characteristics to Telomerase Activation and Immortalization

We have recently characterized two types of normal human breast epithelial cells (HBECs) from reduction mammoplasty. Type I cells express estrogen receptor, luminal epithelial cell markers, and stem cell characteristics (i.e., the ability to differentiate into other cell types and to form budding/ductal structures on Matrigel), whereas Type II cells show basal epithelial cell phenotypes. In this study, we have examined whether Type I HBECs are more susceptible to telomerase activation and immortalization after transfection with SV40 large T-antigen. The results show that both types of cells acquire extended life span [(EL); i.e., bypassing senescence] at a comparable frequency. However, they differ significantly in the ability to become immortal in continuous culture, ie., 11 of 11 Type I EL clones became immortal compared with 1 of 10 Type II EL clones. Both parental Type I and Type II cells as well as their transformed EL clones at early passages [approximately 30 cumulative population doubling level (cpdl)] showed a low level of telomerase activity as measured by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. For all 11 of the Type I EL clones and the single Type II EL clone that became immortal, telomerase activities were invariably activated at middle passages (approximately 60 cpdl) or late passages (approximately 100 cpdl). For the four Type II EL clones randomly selected from the nine Type II clones that did not become immortal, the telomerase activities were found to be further diminished at mid-passage, before the end of the life span. Thus, normal HBECs do have a low level of telomerase activity, and Type I HBECs with stem cell characteristics are more susceptible to telomerase activation and immortalization, a basis on which they may be major target cells for breast carcinogenesis.
One Screen, Many Fingers: Young Children's Collaborative Literacy Play With Digital Puppetry Apps and Touchscreen Technologies

This article examines the digital literacy practices that emerge when young children play together with digital apps on touchscreen devices. Children's collaborative composing with a digital puppetry app on a touchscreen—with many hands all busy dragging, resizing, and animating puppet characters, and many voices making sound effects, narrating, directing, and objecting—appears aimless, chaotic, and in sharp contrast to the orderly matching activities in prevalent letter and word recognition apps that dominate early childhood educational software. The crowded collaboration around a single touchscreen looks messy but produces a complex text built with (a) touches, swipes, and other embodied actions that make up digital literacy practices; (b) sensory or multimodal layers of colorful images, dialogue, sound effects, and movement that make up animated stories; and (c) negotiation and pooling of children's individual story ideas for shared pretense that make up playful collaboration—all contained on a 9.7 inc...
Rho kinase as a novel molecular therapeutic target for hypertensive internal anal sphincter.

Background & Aims: An increase in Rho kinase (ROK) activity has been associated with agonist-induced sustained contraction of the smooth muscle, but its role in the pathophysiology of spontaneously tonic smooth muscle is not known. Methods: Present studies examined the effects of ROK inhibitor Y-27632 in the tonic smooth muscle of the rat internal anal sphincter (IAS) versus in the flanking phasic smooth muscle of the rectum. In addition, studies were performed to determine the relationship between the decreases in the basal IAS tone and the ROK activity. Confocal microscopic studies determined the cellular distribution of the smooth muscle–predominant isoform of ROK (ROCK-II) in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Results: In in vitro studies using neurohumoral inhibitors and tetrodotoxin and the use of SMCs demonstrate direct relaxation of the IAS SMCs by Y-27632. The ROK inhibitor was more potent in the IAS than in the rectal smooth muscle. The IAS relaxation by Y-27632 correlated specifically with the decrease in ROK activity. Confocal microscopy revealed high levels of ROCK-II toward the periphery of the IAS SMCs. In in vivo studies, the lower doses of Y-27632 caused a potent and selective decrease in the IAS pressures without any adverse cardiovascular systemic effects. The ROK inhibitor also caused potent relaxation of the hypertensive IAS. Conclusions: RhoA/ROK play a crucial role in the maintenance of the basal tone in the IAS, and ROK inhibitors have a therapeutic potential in the IAS dysfunction characterized by the hypertensive IAS.
Nanopharmaceuticals II: Application of nanoparticles and nanocarrier systems in pharmaceutics and nanomedicine

The principle aim of using nanoparticles in pharmaceutical delivery systems is to enable targeted and efficient delivery of the appropriate levels of therapeutic or diagnostic agents to the target sites with reduced, if any, side effects to the patient. Given the benefits that nanotechnology offers, much effort has focused on producing nanoparticles for the delivery of drugs (particularly anti-tumour drugs), photosensitisers, diagnostic agents and vaccines. These nanosystems can be modified to achieve desirable biological properties (e.g., long circulation in blood, targeting delivery, stimuli sensitivity and intracellular target) and perform various therapeutically or diagnostically important functions simultaneously. This paper reviews the application of nanoparticulate systems in vaccination, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, diagnostics, and drug/gene delivery. Multifunctional nanocarriers are also described. Additionally, nanopharmaceutical product development and related issues are briefly presented.
Semi analytical Evaluation of Three‐Dimensional Velocity Near a Partially Penetrating Well in an Unconfined Aquifer

This paper presents an effective semi analytical method for computation of ground water velocities near a partially penetrating well in an unconfined aquifer. The Neuman solution (1974) is presented as the sum of the Hantush solution (1964) and a correction term for water table conditions. Hydraulic gradients are directly evaluated from the Hantush solution, whereas the gradients for the Neuman correction are calculated using a numerical inversion of the Laplace transform. The method presented here is verified by comparing it with the results of a finite-difference approximation of hydraulic gradients. Calculations of velocities near a pumping well in an unconfined aquifer indicate that, after an initial increase, the vertical velocity decreases before reaching steady state. The method provides a useful tool for the study of well hydraulics and contaminant transport to a pumping well in an unconfined aquifer.
Segregation of F‐2 interspecific hybrid growth performance and wing color patterns relative to parental species in the Papilio machaon species group (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

A strange Papilio female specimen with a prominent yellow wing band type very much like P. brevicauda (and also seen in P. machaon, and P. zelicaon) was captured in the forested mountains of southwest Vermont, USA. Despite its brevicauda- like appearance, it had mt-DNA of P. polyxenes. In eastern North America the P. brevicauda (Maritime Provinces of Canada) is currently believed to reflect previous (ancient) hybridization between ancestral P. machaon and P. polyxenes. It is uncertain whether the brevicauda-like wing trait features in the odd Vermont female may be a result of some introgression of P. machaon or P. brevicauda with P. polyxenes in eastern North America as seen also in the Ozark Mountains with P. joanae. Nonetheless, the significance of wing trait analyses in relation to hybrid zones with P. polyxenes remains relevant. The segregation of wing color patterns and hostplant use abilities (efficiencies and growth rates) were examined for laboratory hand-paired F-2 hybrids of P. zelicaon × Papilio polyxenes relative to the parental species and primary hybrids. The black adult color pattern characterizing P. polyxenes is presumed to be inherited as a simple autosomal dominant. These hybrids were examined to determine: (i) how F-1 primary hybrid offspring perform relative to the parental types in survival, growth rates, and growth efficiencies; and (ii) whether these larval traits and the adult color patterns might be linked with wing morphology in the F-2 hybrids. While the F-1 hybrids grew as well as the P. polyxenes parent (P. zelicaon was significantly less efficient and slower in growth than either of these), we could not convincingly determine whether the growth performances of the F-2 segregants were linked with the parental wing patterns.
Optical frequency optimization of a high intensity laser power beaming system utilizing VMJ photovoltaic cells

An effective form of wireless power transmission (WPT) has been developed to enable extended mission durations, increased coverage and added capabilities for both space and terrestrial applications that may benefit from optically delivered electrical energy. The high intensity laser power beaming (HILPB) system enables long range optical ‘refueling’ of electric platforms such as micro unmanned aerial vehicles (MUAV), airships, robotic exploration missions and spacecraft platforms. To further advance the HILPB technology, the focus of this investigation is to determine the optimal laser wavelength to be used with the HILPB receiver, which utilizes vertical multi-junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cells. Frequency optimization of the laser system is necessary in order to maximize the conversion efficiency at continuous high intensities, and thus increase the delivered power density of the HILPB system. Initial spectral characterizations of the device performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) indicate the approximate range of peak optical-to-electrical conversion efficiencies, but these data sets represent transient conditions under lower levels of illumination. Extending these results to high levels of steady state illumination, with attention given to the compatibility of available commercial off-the-shelf semiconductor laser sources and atmospheric transmission constraints is the primary focus of this paper. Experimental hardware results utilizing high power continuous wave (CW) semiconductor lasers at four different operational frequencies near the indicated band gap of the photovoltaic VMJ cells are presented and discussed. In addition, the highest receiver power density achieved to date is demonstrated using a single photovoltaic VMJ cell, which provided an exceptionally high electrical output of 13.6 W/cm2 at an optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency of 24 %. These results are very promising and scalable, as a potential 1.0 m2 HILPB receiver of similar construction would be able to generate 136 kW of electrical power under similar conditions.
Planting date influences critical period of weed control in sweet corn

Abstract The critical period for weed control (CPWC) identifies the phase of the crop growth cycle when weed interference results in unacceptable yield losses; however, the effect of planting date on CPWC is not well understood. Field studies were conducted in 2004 and 2005 at Urbana, IL, to determine CPWC in sweet corn for early May (EARLY) and late-June (LATE) planting dates. A quantitative series of treatments of both increasing duration of interference and length of weed-free period were imposed within each planting-date main plot. The beginning and end of the CPWC, based on 5% loss of marketable ear mass, was determined by fitting logistic and Gompertz equations to the relative yield data representing increasing duration of weed interference and weed-free periods, respectively. Weed interference stressed the crop more quickly and to a greater extent in EARLY, relative to LATE. At a 5% yield-loss level, duration of weed interference for 160 and 662 growing-degree days (GDD) from crop emergence marked ...
Silver sulfosalts of the Santo Nino vein, Fresnillo District, Zacatecas, Mexico

The Santo Nino vein in the Fresnillo Ag-Pb-Zn district, Mexico, contains silver in acanthite and in the sulfosalts pyrargyrite, proustite, polybasite, selenian polybasite, tetrahedrite and stephanite, members of three silver-bearing sulfosalt solid-solution series. The sulfosalts, excepting proustite, are Sb-rich end members of their respective solidsolution series. The mineral assemblage evolved from (CuAg)-bearing to Ag-bearing: a) tetrahedrite, polybasite and pyrargyrite; b) polybasite, pyrargyrite and stephanite; c) pyrargyrite and acanthite; and d) acanthite. The average sulfosalt formulas are: pyrargyrite Ag3.02(Sbl.ooAso.03)S3; proustite Ag3.08(Sb0.03Aso.9S)S3; polybasite (Ag1S.40Cu1.1S) (Sb l.88AsO.19)SII; selenian polybasite (AgI4.S0CU1.1s) (Sbl.92AsO.d(Se1.8SS9.1S); tetrahedrite (CuS.92Ag4.21) (Fe1.43ZnO.73)(Sb3.91Aso.II)SI3; and stephanite (A~.81CuO.13)(Sb1.0SAso.~S4'Compositional tie-lines and relative semi-metal [Sb/(Sb + As)] values for coexisting pairs of pyrargyrite-polybasite, pyrargyrite-tetrahedrite, and polybasite-tetrahedrite, and for triplets of pyrargyritepolybasite-tetrahedrite show systematic trends (pyrargyrite > tetrahedrite > polybasite) and appear to be temperature-dependent [higher temperature, lower Sb/(Sb + As) values]. Sulfosalt (Sb-As) and (Ag-Cu) patterns indicate that element substitution, not fractional crystallization, determines the semi-metal and metal variations in the silver-bearing sulfosalts of the Santo Nino vein. Pyrargyrite shows only (Sb-As) substitution, tetrahedrite shows coupled (Sb-As) and (Ag-Cu) substitution, whereas polybasite shows noncoupled (Sb-As) and (Ag-Cu) substitution. The distribution of Sb/(Sb + As) values in polybasite and of Ag/(Ag + Cu) values in tetrahedrite indicates that the ore-bearing solutions flowed from a deeper, southwestern part of the district to shallower levels in the northeast.
A Comparative Study of Good Faith, Fair Dealing, and Precontractual Liability

The Article begins by defining the duty of good faith under French and American law and discussing the interplay between the underlying contract and tort theories. The second part of the Article will focus on the point at which the duty may arise in the course of negotiations. Third, the measure of damages under both schemes will be discussed. Finally, the differences will be examined in light of the good faith requirement delineated in the Vienna Sales Convention, article 7,5 and as expanded upon in Unidroit principles articles 1.7 and 2.15.6 The comparison of French and American approaches to the existence and nature of a precontractual duty of good faith shows that efforts to harmonize the two approaches are likely to be successful once attorneys become familiar with the scope and nature of such a duty. The Article will conclude with some recommendations for facilitating the development of law in both jurisdictions.
Directly Excited Backward Volume Spin Waves in Permalloy Microstrips

A patterned magnetic microstrip will remain saturated along its length at remanence so the backward volume (BV) configuration is a natural geometry for spin wave devices, yet there are few experimental studies of spin waves in this geometry. In this paper, BV spin waves that were directly excited by a micrometer-sized antenna in a Permalloy microstrip were studied using microfocus Brillouin light scattering. The measured BV spin wave excitation efficiencies are approximately an order of magnitude smaller compared to the more commonly studied Damon-Eshbach configuration where the static magnetization is in-plane, perpendicular to the microstrip. Nevertheless, measureable signals were detected for a range of fields including zero magnetic field, which is important for applications.
Spectroscopic microscopy analysis of the interior pH of individual phospholipid vesicles.

The use of phospholipid vesicles as reaction containers, as vehicles for pharmaceutical drug delivery, and as model systems for cells has prompted the development of new methods for analyzing the structure of vesicles and their contents. The pH of the interior of vesicles is of particular interest when analytes are encapsulated and concentrated with the use of a pH gradient. While the interior pH is generally measured for large populations of vesicles, we report the measurement of the interior pH of individual vesicles as their buffer contents are titrated by transfer of N-methylbutylamine (NMBA) into the vesicle by a pH gradient. The initially acidic buffer within the vesicles is titrated along with a small concentration of an encapsulated pH sensitive dye, 5,6-carboxy SNARF-1-dextran. Images of the indicator fluorescence from each vesicle and its dispersed fluorescence spectrum are recorded using epi-illumination spectral fluorescence microscopy. From a fit of the spectra to the respective acid and base...
Molecular dynamics study of the local structure of photovoltaic polymer PCDTBT

To meet the huge demand for renewable energy, significant research effort focuses on creating efficient organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. In comparison to silicon-based semiconductors, OPV materials have many superior properties such as cost effectiveness, being lightweight, and flexibility, which lead to a high potential for the replacement of silicon-based semiconductors. Recently, a large number of new alternating copolymer materials have demonstrated high power conversion efficiency (PCE). These successful polymers typically have low long-range order but a high hole mobility which directly affects the PCE which depends on polymer structure. In this study, a solution molecular model for poly[N-9″-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)]:[6,6]-phenyl (PCDTBT) is developed and subsequently a molecular dynamics simulation conducted in order to understand the structure of the polymer solution. The simulation results are consistent with a low-solubility polymer t...
Memory structure in the processing of advertising messages: how is unusual information represented?

ABSTRACT Two models of memory structure—schema-copy-plus-tag (Graesser & Nakamura, 1982; Schmidt & Sherman, 1984) and associative-network/depth-of-processing (Craik & Lockhart, 1972; Hastie & Kumar, 1979)—were tested in a 2 × 2 between-subjects design. Type of argument (typical vs. atypical) and measurement interval (immediate vs. 2-day delay in recognition and recall) were manipulated in a print-advertising context. Results indicated that atypical arguments (unusual information) prompt deeper processing of the entire message (implying an associative-network memory structure) rather than some part of the message (as would be hypothesized by the schema-copy-plus-tag formulation) and that this effect prevails under both immediate-and delayed-measurement conditions.
A Review of “The Heathen School: A Story of Hope and Betrayal in the Age of the Early Republic”: Demos, John, New York: Alfred A. Knopf 352 pp., $30.00, ISBN 0679455108 Publication Date: March 2014

In 1817, the citizens of Cornwall, Connecticut, proudly touted the opening of the Foreign Mission School in their small town. Sponsored by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions—a...
Evaluation of a simplified technic for the measurement of aldosterone in human urine.

A simple and highly reproducible method for the measurement of urinary aldosterone is described. This method, which is a modification of that previously described by Bravo and Travis,2 appears far simpler and more convenient than other existing procedures and is suitable for use in a clinical laboratory. Evidence for specificity is presented. It is sensitive enough for clinical purposes. Important evidence for its validity and reliability has accrued from studies in a variety of clinical situations in which the values for urinary aldosterone are in close agreement with those reported by various groups of investigators using specific methods. Although it may seem outmoded in view of recent developments in radioimmunoassay technics,1,7 it circumvents most of the potential errors and difficulties inherent in radioimmunoassay methods and may still achieve wide applicability in a clinical laboratory experienced in gas-liquid chromatography.
Antlerless Mule Deer Bucks

The few published accounts of antlerlessness in male cervids implies a comparative scarcity of this phenomenon. Accordingly the cases noted by the writers in mule deer males ( Odocoileus hemionus hemionus ) may deserve mention. We are indebted to Dr. George Wislocki of the Harvard Medical School for a reference to antlerless adult male deer recorded in German literature. The following is a direct quotation from his letter of December 8, 1953. “Rorig in 1907 (Gestaltende Correlationen zwischen abnormer Korperkonstitution der Cerviden und Geweihbildung derselben: Archiv f. Entwicklungs-mechanik der Organismen, Bd. 23) on pages 8–10 and 13–14 lists a number of instances known to him or cited in the literature of deer without antlers but with normal genitalia. His compilation relates almost entirely to Cervus elaphus and Capreolus . He said that he found no evidence of anomalies of any sort in the reproductive organs, and there was good evidence that the animals were fertile and sexually active. In one case (and possibly two) the condition appeared to be hereditary because other animals of the same character were observed in the same locality. Adult males with total absence of antlers and abnormal genitalis are extremely rare, according to Rorig. On page 26 he cites an animal of this sort with small cryptorchid testes, and gives fragmentary data on four other cases.” Seton (lives of game animals, Vol. 3, Part 1, p. 239, 1929) states, “I have never seen one (antlerless adult buck) but I have often heard of them and find several cases recorded.” However, he actually cites but two references (J. B. McW., Forest and Stream 46: 454, June 6, 1896; and F. H. K., Forest and Stream 47: 5, July 4, 1896). The present writers have read only the latter reference in which the writer claimed to …
Genetic Associations of Obesity: The Fat-Mass and Obesity-Associated (FTO) Gene.

Obesity is a global epidemic and contributes to a myriad of medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.1 As with many other diseases, there is an increasing body of literature that links genetics to obesity. For example, several genes expressed in the hypothalamic region are involved in the regulation of appetite.2, 3 To date, the strongest genome-wide association, as it relates to obesity, is located in introns 1 and 2 of the fat-mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene located on chromosome 16q12.2. This relationship was first identified in a series of studies in 2007.4, 5 Recently, several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FTO gene have been implicated in the risk of obesity and its complications. In this brief review, we will discuss new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism by which the FTO gene affects obesity and some clinical implications of its SNP variants.
Using the Crisis Stabilization Scale to Evaluate Progress for Adolescents in Crisis

Adolescents may face issues that compromise safety of themselves or others. In such crisis situations, counselors are required to assess the severity of the crisis and be able to ascertain when the client is ready to transition to a less restrictive or intensive level of care. Thus, we presented the use of the Crisis Stabilization Scale (CriSS), a tool counselors can use to evaluate client stabilization for adolescents in crisis.
Incidence and Clinical Features of Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma in Patients Who Underwent Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Extramedullary disease (EMD), strictly defined as an infiltrate of clonal plasma cells at an anatomic site distant from the bone marrow or adjacent soft tissue in a patient with underlying multiple myeloma, is an uncommon manifestation of multiple myeloma. Comparatively little is known about this disease entity, with no large case series published in the last decade. Patients and Methods: 663 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation at a single, large, academic medical center in the United States from January 2005 to December 2011 were assessed for the presence or absence of EMD, as well as baseline demographic and biochemical characteristics, treatment regimens, and response to therapy. Results: A cohort of 55 patients with biopsy-proven EMD was identified, comprising 8.3% of the total study population. Among the patients with EMD, 13 (23.6%) were found to have EMD at the time of initial presentation, while the remainder developed EMD during the course of their illness. Patients with EMD received a median of 5 different treatment regimens during the course of their illness, most commonly with combinations of dexamethasone, thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib, as well as autologous hemotopoietic stem cell transplantation. Patients had received a median of 3 lines of therapy prior to experiencing an extramedullary relapse. Patients with EMD had markedly elevated maximum serum LDH levels (median 613.5 units/L) and low minimum hemoglobin levels (median 7.8 g/dL). Common cytogenetic abnormalities included deletion 13q, deletion 11q, t(11;14), and deletion 17p. Available immunohistochemical data suggest that EMD specimens had frequent expression of CXCR4, CD44, and CD56. The median overall survival data of these patients was 3.2 years (range, 0.9-9.5) and the median time from diagnosis of EMD to death was 0.5 years (range, 0.002-3.2). Conclusions: This report describes a large series of multiple myeloma patients with EMD who were treated in the era of stem cell transplant at a single academic medical center. Further studies to examine the molecular characteristics of extramedullary multiple myeloma are necessary to better define this entity and characterize therapeutic options that can prolong survival in this otherwise very vulnerable population. Disclosures Ghobrial: Millennium/Takeda: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Laubach: Novartis: Research Funding; Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Schlossman: Millennium: Consultancy. Mitsiades: Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; DFCI: patent submission on stromal co-culture technologies Patents & Royalties.
Paclitaxel causes degeneration of both central and peripheral axon branches of dorsal root ganglia in mice

Peripheral neuropathy is a common and dose-limiting side effect of many cancer chemotherapies. The taxane agents, including paclitaxel (Taxol®), are effective chemotherapeutic drugs but cause degeneration of predominantly large myelinated afferent sensory fibers of the peripheral nervous system in humans and animal models. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons are sensory neurons that have unipolar axons each with two branches: peripheral and central. While taxane agents induce degeneration of peripheral axons, whether they also cause degeneration of central nervous system axons is not clear. Using a mouse model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy, we investigated the effects of paclitaxel on the central branches of sensory axons. We observed that in the spinal cords of paclitaxel-intoxicated mice, degenerated axons were present in the dorsal columns, where the central branches of DRG axons ascend rostrally. In the peripheral nerves, degenerated myelinated fibers were present in significantly greater numbers in distal segments than in proximal segments indicating that this model exhibits the distal-to-proximal degeneration pattern generally observed in human peripheral nerve disorders. We conclude that paclitaxel causes degeneration of both the peripheral and central branches of DRG axons, a finding that has implications for the site and mode of action of chemotherapy agents on the nervous system.
Appendiceal Mucocele: A Rare Pathological Entity but an Important Differential Diagnosis

This is the review of research articles on the topic of appendiceal mucocele at PubMed searched by using the term ldquo appendiceal mucocele rdquo and ldquo mucocele rdquo Full texts and abstracts of articles of all publications related to appendiceal mucocele from the year to were reviewed Subsequently the full text of research articles was analyzed and summarized based on appendiceal mucocele incidence malignancy incidence clinical presentations its complications and management An Appendiceal mucocele is the rare clinical entity that occurs in only ndash of all appendectomies In females it mimics as right adnexal mass or acute appendicitis commonly Complications of appendiceal mucocele can be listed as torsion intussusception ureteral and intestinal obstruction gastrointestinal bleeding hematuria and rupture resulting into pseudomyxoma peritonei but cases of infection right inguinal hernia and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma leading to cutaneous fistula have been also reported Patients with simple or benign neoplastic mucoceles have year survival rates of ndash whereas in malignant mucoceles the year survival rate is markedly reduced due to complications of pseudomyxoma peritonei due to rupture of mucocele USG and CT scan are useful diagnostic tools Surgery is the treatment of appendiceal mucocele and open surgery is preferred over the laparoscopic approach to prevent complications of pseudomyxoma peritonei after rupture Careful use of laparoscopic graspers and absolute use of endobag during extraction are important maneuvers during laparoscopy Dhage Ivatury recently proposed an algorithm for surgical management of a mucocele depending on cytology resection margins and appendiceal nodes involvement Therefore it is important to consider appendiceal mucocele as a different diagnosis and diagnose it pre operatively to prevent complications during surgery
Effects of the MAPK pathway and the expression of CAR in a murine model of viral myocarditis.

The pathogenesis of viral myocarditis (VMC) is not fully understood. This study aimed to examine the relationship between coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) and the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway mechanisms in a mouse model. Three groups of mice were established: 5 mice in a control group injected with saline, 15 in the model group injected with coxsackie virus B3 (CVB) and 15 in the intervention group injected with CVB3 but treated with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Mice were sacrificed at days 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30 and cardiac tissues were isolated to perform the tests. Quantitative PCR and western blot analysis showed CAR mRNA and protein expression levels were highest in the model group at all time-points (P 0.05). H&E staining used to observe myocardial pathological changes showed the inflammatory infiltration was also higher in the model group at all the time-points (P<0.05). Our results show a direct relationship between CAR and p38 MAPK levels, and since the p38 MAPK inhibitor treatment resulted in reduced levels of CAR as well as lower inflammatory infiltration, it is possible that the signaling pathway may mediate CAR expression during the pathogenesis of VMC.
Entrepreneurial Resilience: Locus of Control and Well-being of Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs, financial adversity is one of the most dominant causes of stress. Such entrepreneurial adversity can, on the one hand, lead to successful coping or, on the other hand, to maladaptive coping, helplessness, and desperation. In this study, author explores locus of control as psychological capital that contributes to entrepreneurial resilience in the face of prolonged economic adversity. Findings from a sample of 135 entrepreneurs show that entrepreneurial adversity is negatively associated with job satisfaction and self-reported health. Secondly, results reveal a significant moderating effect of locus of control on the adversity-well-being relationship.
Development and validation of a RP-HPLC for simultaneous determination of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol in solid dosage forms: Application to dissolution studies

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method suitable for simultaneous determination of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol in dissolution of solid dosage forms in pharmaceuticals has been developed. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters-Spherisorb C8 (250 mm × 4.6mm, 5µm) column using a mobile phase of buffer (0.045M phosphoric acid, apparent pH adjusted to 4.0 ±0.2 with triethylamine) and acetonitrile in the ration of 30:70, v/v respectively. The effluent flow rate monitored at 1.0mL/minute, injection volume was 20µL and detected by ultraviolet at 225nm. The retention times of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol 2.7 and 3.8minutes, respectively. The total run time was 6minutes within which the drug product. The developed method has been validated for specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, ruggedness and robustness. Additionally, the conditions of the dissolution test for Ibuprofen and Paracetamol tablets were presented by using: paddle at 150rpm stirring speed; medium volume of 900mL; temperature at 37±0.5°C; and pH 7.2 phosphate buffer used as dissolution medium. The average percentage drug release was found to be in between 95% to 105% within 30minutes for both drugs. The proposed analytical and dissolution method can be applied successfully for the quality control of commercial Ibuprofen and Paracetamol tablets and the comparison of in vitro dissolution of combination drug products.