cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep Sea Diving

Beginning with moving recollections of Dear Evan Hansen (Tony Award Winning Best Musical 2017) we plumb subconscious and unconscious minds while reflecting on the risks as well as challenges. and rich wonders, for creativity. Often the best part is thus revealed, along with strands of universal wisdom. Yet delicate and nonlinear balances are on the road to success. Mastering these are healthy to be sure, both for creativity and life in general. Yet they may be misunderstood in a culture not attuned to nonlinear dynamical changes and balances, or the idiosyncracies of openness and authenticity. Whether framed as “regression in the service of the ego,” conscious and unconscious, primitive and adaptive, inspiring with executive functions, Systems 1 and 2, these are balances well worth mastering.
Leisure in Aristotle’s Political Thought

The concept of leisure found in Aristotle’s corpus is both elusive and challenging. It eludes categorization into our current understandings of work and play while at the same time challenging those very conceptions. Here, I attempt to come to grips with Aristotelian leisure by (1) demonstrating its centrality in Aristotle’s thought, (2) explaining leisure as primarily a ‘way of being’ rather than merely the absence of occupation or one of several preconditions to the virtues, and (3) exploring what leisure might mean to liberal democracy. As a ‘way of being’, Aristotelian leisure is more than an absence of work, but is a positive comportment that itself requires virtues, material means, and an education.
What Insights Do Taxi Rides Offer into Federal Reserve Leakage

In this paper, I employ anonymous New York City yellow taxi records to infer variation in interactions between insiders of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (New York Fed) and insiders of major commercial banks around Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings. Taxi rides between the vicinities of the New York Fed's and the major commercial banks' buildings serve as indicators of meetings at those institutions, and coincidental drop-offs of passengers picked up around those institutions serve as indicators of offsite meetings. Cieślak, Morse and Vissing-Jorgensen (2016) posit systematic leakage from the Federal Reserve around FOMC meetings along unofficial channels, and, in line with that hypothesis, I find highly statistically significant evidence of increases in meetings at the New York Fed late at night and in offsite meetings during typical lunch hours.
Erythema ab igne in patients with sickle cell disease.

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is an asymptomatic dermatosis caused by prolonged exposure to localized heat. Affected areas have net-like hyperpigmentation that may resemble more serious conditions such as...
Deficiency of Lsh, a regulator of genomic methylation in mice, impairs hematopoiesis and promotes erythroleukemia development.

5065 Alterations in DNA methylation are thought to play a role in tumorigenesis. Lsh belongs to the chromatin remodeling family of SNF2 proteins and is a crucial regulator of DNA methylation in mice. Here we addressed the question whether genomic hypomethylation plays a role in hematopoiesis and the formation of hematopoietic tumors. Using radiation chimera that received Lsh deficient hematopoietic precursor cells, we found a greatly reduced survival rate of Lsh-/- recipients. Death was in part due to an impaired grafting of Lsh deficient precursor cells suggesting a crucial role for Lsh in hematopoiesis. A subset of Lsh-/- mice and Lsh-/-p53-/- mice succumbed to erythroleukemia. Lsh-/- tumor tissues showed activation of endogenous retroviral elements and a slight elevation of the transcription factor PU.1 involved in Friend virus-induced erythroleukemia. Thus DNA hypomethylation caused by Lsh deficiency may promote tumor formation through de-repression of genes such as PU.1.
Further evaluating the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, antisocial behavior, and violent victimization: a sibling-comparison analysis

A developing line of research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk for antisocial behavior and future victimization. However, the mechanisms that underlie this assoc...
Kansas Earthquakes - 1979

This report includes a summary of microearthquakes located by the Kansas Geological Survey seismograph network during 1979. The network now consists of thirteen stations, nine of which are telemetered to Lawrence, Kansas. Locations and magnitudes are provided for 19 earthquakes in Kansas and Missouri. Statistical parameters obtained from the location computer program HYP071 are also listed. Magnitudes are calculated using an empirical relation derived by Jim Lawson of the Oklahoma Geophysical Observatory. Three distinct earthquake trends have been observed associated with the Humboldt fault zone, the Midcontinent Geophysical Anomaly, and the Central Kansas Uplift.
Causes and Consequences of Phenotypic Plasticity in Complex Environments

Phenotypic plasticity is a ubiquitous and necessary adaptation of organisms to variable environments, but most environments have multiple dimensions that vary. Many studies have documented plasticity of a trait with respect to variation in multiple environmental factors. Such multidimensional phenotypic plasticity (MDPP) exists at all levels of organismal organization, from the whole organism to within cells. This complexity in plasticity cannot be explained solely by scaling up ideas from models of unidimensional plasticity. MDPP generates new questions about the mechanism and function of plasticity and its role in speciation and population persistence. Here we review empirical and theoretical approaches to plasticity in response to multidimensional environments and we outline new opportunities along with some difficulties facing future research.
Low-Molecular-Weight Supramolecular Hydrogels for Sustained and Localized in Vivo Drug Delivery

Supramolecular hydrogels are emerging as next-generation alternatives to synthetic polymers for drug delivery applications. Self-assembling peptides are a promising class of supramolecular gelators...
Transition‐Metal‐Centered Nine‐Membered Boron Rings: M@B9 and M@B‐9 (M: Rh, Ir).

The transition-metal-centered boron clusters M©B-9 (M: Rh, Ir) are produced in a laser-vaporization supersonic molecular beam and characterized by PES and quantum chemical ab initio calculations at different levels of theory.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury in the Setting of Chronic Liver Disease

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an uncommon but significant cause of liver injury and need for liver transplant. DILI in the setting of chronic liver disease (CLD) is poorly understood. Clinical features of patients presenting with DILI in the setting of CLD are similar to those without CLD with the exception of a higher incidence of diabetes among those with CLD and DILI. Diagnosis of DILI in CLD is difficult because there are no objective biomarkers and current causality assessments have not been studied in this population. Differentiating DILI from exacerbation of underlying liver disease is even more challenging.
Higher S100B Levels Predict Persistently Elevated Anhedonia with Escitalopram Monotherapy Versus Antidepressant Combinations: Findings from CO-MED Trial.

Background: Elevated S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) levels in systemic circulation may induce neuroinflammation and reflect greater blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. Neuroinflammation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), in turn, may reduce likelihood of improvement with serotonergic antidepressants. Methods: Levels of S100B were measured in plasma samples obtained prior to initiation of treatment with bupropion-plus-escitalopram, escitalopram-plus-placebo, or venlafaxine-plus-mirtazapine in participants of Combining Medications to Enhance Depression Outcomes trial (n = 153). Depression severity was measured with 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report and anhedonia was measured with 3 items of 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. Differential changes in depression severity and anhedonia over acute-phase (baseline, weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) in the three treatment arms were tested with logS100B-by-treatment-arm interaction in mixed model analyses after controlling for age, gender, and body mass index. Results: There was a significant logS100B-by-treatment-arm interaction for anhedonia (F = 3.21; df = 2, 142; p = 0.04) but not for overall depression severity (F = 1.99; df = 2, 142; p = 0.14). Higher logS100B levels were associated with smaller reductions in anhedonia (effect size = 0.67, p = 0.047) in escitalopram monotherapy but not in the other two arms. Correlation coefficients of anhedonia severity averaged over acute-phase (including baseline) with baseline S100B levels were 0.57, −0.19, and 0.22 for escitalopram monotherapy, bupropion-plus-escitalopram and venlafaxine-plus-mirtazapine arms respectively. Conclusion: Higher baseline S100B levels in depressed patients resulted in poorer response to escitalopram monotherapy. Addition of bupropion, a dopaminergic antidepressant, partially mitigated this effect.
WhatsApp and Mobile Money: Ameliorating Crowdfunding for Social Change in Kenya:

Use of WhatsApp as a social media technology and M-pesa, a mobile money service for crowdfunding in Kenya are proliferating at an incredible pace. Crowdfunding helps communities organize for effect...
North American surrogate reproductive mobilities incited by cross-border reproductive care

The transnational mobility of intended parents traveling abroad for reproductive technologies has been heavily accounted for and theorized. On the other hand, scholars have emphasized the immobilit...
Intractable hypercalcemia in a patient with multiple myeloma: An infectious etiology

Hypercalcemia is a common laboratory finding in patients with malignancy, as well as with granulomatous disease. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with multiple myeloma (MM) who presented with generalized weakness, fever, and intractable hypercalcemia. The hypercalcemia proved difficult to treat despite well-controlled MM, as well as adequate use of bisphosphonates and calcitonin. Biopsy of sub-centimeter mesenteric adenopathy was significant for Histoplasma capsulatum and negative for malignancy, suggesting disseminated gastrointestinal histoplasmosis as the sole etiology for uncontrolled hypercalcemia. He was successfully treated with voriconazole. Disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal if left untreated and warrants vigilance of non-malignant etiologies of hypercalcemia. While hypercalcemia is a common clinical manifestation of MM, our patient is an exemplar of maintaining a broader differential diagnosis in immunocompromised hosts.
Moral distress in emergency and critical care nurses: A metaethnography.

Background:Moral distress has detrimental effects on nurses which impacts the entire healthcare cycle. Described as a crescendo effect, resolved situations of moral distress leave residue on the nu...
“Scratch”-ing computational thinking with Arduino: A meta-analysis

Abstract Background Empirical research into the efficacy of Arduino- and Scratch-based interventions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has greatly increased in the recent years. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compute the overall effect of these interventions. Setting The settings for the interventions being meta-analyzed are K–12 and post-secondary classrooms. Research design This study uses a meta-analytic methodology to aggregate the effects of 11 quantitative studies with 29 unique effect sizes to produce a cumulative effect size along with relevant visual presentations of the effectiveness of the interventions. Data collection and analysis Data for this study were collected through a detailed literature search using the PRISMA guidelines and all analyses were conducted using STATA 16 statistical software. Results The results indicate that Arduino- and Scratch-enabled interventions had an overall positive effect (d = 0.67 (CI: 0.40, 0.95) on students’ STEM academic achievement and their perceptions towards STEM. Conclusion Hands-on engineering activities that encourage computational thinking and employ a combination of Arduino and Scratch can have profound impacts on students’ problem-solving skills, understanding of computation, and interest towards engineering professions. Implication This research informs STEM instructional leaders and policy makers about the positive effects and future promise of open source Arduino hardware and freely available Scratch software in STEM education.
Enabling Multiple-Vt Device Scaling for CMOS Technology beyond 7nm Node

For the first time, multiple-Vt (multi-Vt) device options with Vt range> 250 mV are achieved in standard cells at dimensions beyond 7nm technology node. To overcome the common scaling challenges of potential device options such as FinFET and gate all-around (GAA) nanosheet transistor - gate length and cell height scaling, key enablers are identified, including novel, thin, and conformal work function metal (WFM) with enhanced patterning efficiency, high-k (HK) engineering, and precise WFM patterning boundary control. This work enables design flexibility for advanced CMOS technology beyond 7nm node with critical differentiators.
Hydro-Chemo-Mechanical Phase Field Formulation for Corrosion Induced Cracking in Reinforced Concrete

Abstract Steel corrosion induced cracking in reinforced concrete structures is often caused by volumetric straining at the steel-concrete interface. This volumetric strain is mainly controlled by the rate of generation of corrosion product, which depends on the diffusion of Cl− and dissolved O2 as well as the chemical reaction at the steel-concrete interface. While many numerical modeling techniques have been proposed to tackle this complex phenomenon, most have been limited to using staggered solution schemes, where the diffusion, chemical reaction, mechanical strain, and crack fields are solved for separately. Unfortunately, such approaches introduce numerical errors that can lead to unrealistic predictions. Therefore, a coupled solution, is needed to remove the formulation induced errors and understand this complex phenomenon. To provide a unifying solution framework for corrosion induced cracking in reinforced concrete, a phase field formulation is presented and implemented with FEM algorithms. The governing equations are derived from the system's free energy and Fick's law of diffusion. The proposed formulation was first validated in 1D by comparing the modeling results with the semi-analytical solution approximated via Laurent series to avoid singularities in the complex domain. 2D plane strain solutions to the embedded rebar undergoing corrosion induced cracking with pre-cracks are also presented and compared with the approximated solutions from linear elastic fracture mechanics theory (LEFM). The modeling of crack propagation enabled by the proposed formulation is also presented along with parametric studies to reveal the roles of the fracture toughness and permeability of the concrete on the corrosion induced cracking. A case study was also conducted on H-pile steel with concrete jackets to demonstrate the feasibility of modeling corrosion induced fracture in reinforced concrete structures with complex steel-concrete interfaces.
Why do continental normal fault earthquakes have smaller maximum magnitudes

Abstract Continental normal fault earthquakes have been reported to have smaller maximum magnitudes (Mmax) than continental earthquakes with other fault geometries. This difference has significant implications for understanding seismic hazards in extensional regions. Using the Global Centroid Moment Tensor (GCMT) catalog, we examine how Mmax varies with fault geometry in continental regions, whether these trends are robust, and potential physical reasons for the smaller magnitudes of continental normal fault earthquakes. We find that the largest continental normal fault earthquakes are in the low Mw 7 range whereas other fault geometries can reach ~Mw 8. The continental normal fault earthquake magnitude-frequency distribution has a lower corner magnitude (a parameterization of Mmax) than other fault geometries. The observed smaller continental normal fault Mmax is not an artifact of classification criteria or catalog length. Probability calculations indicate that the GCMT catalog is long enough to capture differences in Mmax due to fault geometry. Additionally, our analysis indicates that neither fault length nor width is limiting the size of continental normal fault earthquakes. Fault complexity can limit rupture extent, but it is likely not the primary reason for the smaller continental normal fault Mmax. Rather, lithosphere yield stress (strength) appears to be the main factor controlling Mmax. In extension, lithosphere is weaker, failing at lower yield stresses than in compression. Although this yield stress difference is consistent with smaller continental normal fault earthquakes, it appears inconsistent with the occurrence of large oceanic normal fault earthquakes. However, the largest oceanic normal fault earthquakes occur near subduction zones where the lithosphere is bending. Laboratory studies indicate that bending lithosphere likely has a higher yield stress than lithosphere in pure extension, which may allow for larger oceanic normal fault earthquakes. Therefore, yield stress—rather than fault geometry alone—appears to be the key factor limiting an earthquake's maximum magnitude.
Commentary on Chapter “How B-C Connection and Negotiation of F allow the Design and Implementation of a Cooperative and Effective Disputing in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy”: REBT’s B-C Connection and Negotiation of F

The following represents our response to the chapter “How B-C Connection and Negotiation of F allow the Design and Implementation of a Cooperative and Effective Disputing in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy” submitted by Ruggiero, Caselli, and Sassaroli regarding critical aspects of Rational Emotive Behavior theory and practice. We expand on several points made in their chapter, including the importance of a solid therapeutic alliance and strategies to attain this, common factors in psychotherapy as they relate to REBT, the often overlooked and/or underrecognized behavioral consequences of irrational beliefs, important aspects of assessment and how it contributes to case conceptualization, how REBT in most cases involves a simultaneous process of assessment and treatment, a method that often deviates from many other CBT approaches, and important considerations of cognitive process and content domain. The importance of progress monitoring for REBT trainees as well as seasoned practitioners is also reviewed. We agree with the authors that a component of REBT practice is eliciting any doubts or reservations clients may have about aspects of the theory or specific clinical interventions and strategies. Many new REBT therapists fail to elicit this from clients, leading either to a rupture in the therapeutic alliance or serves as an obstacle in the development of an alliance. Finally, it is important to note that historically REBT has received criticism by others in the field for what is perceived to be an aggressive therapeutic approach. The authors of this chapter accurately explain the importance of preparation of disputation of irrational beliefs by establishing a clear emotional and/or behavioral goal and ensuring an understanding of the B-C connection on the part of clients. This preparation allows for an organic process of cognitive restructuring and helps to circumvent a counterproductive style of therapy practice.
Efficacy and safety of isavuconazole compared with voriconazole as primary antifungal prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

Voriconazole is frequently discontinued prematurely as primary antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients due to adverse events. Limited data exists for isavuconazole as AFP. We analyzed adult HCT recipients who received voriconazole or isavuconazole AFP to estimate rate of premature AFP discontinuation, identify risk factors for premature AFP discontinuation, and compare incidence of invasive fungal infection (IFI) and survival at day + 180 post-HCT between patients who received voriconazole/isavuconazole-AFP. This was a propensity score matched cohort analysis of 210 HCT-recipients who received voriconazole-AFP (9/1/2014-12/31/2016; voriconazole-cohort), and 95 HCT-recipients who received isavuconazole-AFP (5/1/2017-10/31/2018; isavuconazole-cohort). AFP discontinuation for any reason prior to completion was defined as "premature". Median (interquartile range, IQR) duration of AFP was longer in the isavuconazole-cohort (94 days, 87-100) vs. the voriconazole-cohort (76 days, 23-94; P-value < 0.0001). Premature AFP discontinuation was more frequent in the voriconazole-cohort (92/210, 43.8%) vs. the isavuconazole-cohort (14/95, 14.7%; P-value < 0.0001). The most common reason for premature discontinuation was biochemical hepatotoxicity (voriconazole-cohort: 48/210, 22.8% vs. isavuconazole-cohort: 5/95, 5.26%; P-value = 0.0002). Transaminase values between baseline and end-of-treatment (EOT) and up to 14 days post-EOT significantly increased in the voriconazole-cohort, but remained unchanged in the isavuconazole-cohort. The incidence of IFI at day + 180 was 2.9% (6/210) and 3.2% (3/95) in the voriconazole-cohort and isavuconazole-cohort, respectively (P-value = 0.881). All-cause mortality at day + 180 was 2.4% (5/210) and 6.3% (6/95) in the voriconazole-cohort and isavuconazole-cohort, respectively (P-value = 0.089). When compared to voriconazole, isavuconazole was a safer and as effective primary AFP during the first 3 months after HCT. LAY SUMMARY When compared to voriconazole, isavuconazole is a safer and as effective primary antifungal prophylaxis during the first 3 months after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant, with lower rates of hepatotoxicity, and similar rates of fungal infections and all-cause mortality.
On the Effect of Varying the Number of Complementary Split-Ring Resonators (CSRRs) in the Ground Plane of a Microstrip Transmission Line

Recently, there has been a significant amount of research in the use of split-ring resonators, and their complementary counterparts. The research interests range from sensing to filters, as well as miniaturization of antennas. Generally, the behavior of having multiple CSRRs in a reference plane is generally considered to be one distributed medium, affecting the signal continuously as it travels through the transmission line. Changing the distribution of the CSRRs will change the effect on the signal travelling through the medium. This paper presents the different propagation characteristics of the transmission line when different numbers of CSRRs are placed in the reference plane of a microstrip transmission line.
Strategies for the De Novo Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyridine Scaffolds: Unified Total Synthesis of the Limonoid Alkaloids

Highly substituted pyridine scaffolds are found in many biologically active natural products and therapeutics. Accordingly, numerous complementary de novo approaches to obtain differentially substituted pyridines have been disclosed. This article delineates the evolution of the synthetic strategies designed to assemble the demanding tetrasubstituted pyridine core present in the limonoid alkaloids isolated from Xylocarpus granatum, including xylogranatopyridine B, granatumine A and related congeners. The most efficient and convergent construction of the core framework present in xylogranatopyridine B involved a Liebeskind pyridine synthesis and late-stage benzylic oxidation. By contrast, the synthesis of the bislactone limonoid alkaloids, such as granatumine A which exhibited moderate PTP1B-inhibitory activities, necessitated the development of a novel pyran-to-pyridine conversion. In addition, NMR calculations suggested structural misassignment of several limonoid alkaloids, and predicted their C3-epimers as the correct structures, which was further validated unequivocally through chemical synthesis. While preliminary results of the pNPP assays showed that these bislactone limonoid alkaloids were only weakly inhibitory against PTP1B, C3-deoxy-xylogranatin F, an unnatural synthetic analog, was demonstrated to be more potent than the other congeners.
Activation of the Jasmonate Biosynthesis Pathway in Roots in Drought Stress

Roots as the primary organ sensing the soil environ ment. Plant growth and development are largely dependent on the plant root system, due to its crucial role in water and mineral uptake. Symbiotic microorganisms affect and improve root response to stresses. Root endophytes and bacteria synthesise a wide array of plant protectin g chemicals, hormones and compounds acting on hormone degradation. Since hormonal homeostasis is tightly regulated, the effects of abiotic factors may conduct to specific molecula r mechanisms through hormone cross-talk. Abiotic below-ground stresses are early signalling affecting root growth regulation, resource acquisition and root-shoot communication. Abiotic s tresses elicit early signals that need to be transduced at distance to affect protection mechani sms, such as growth regulation, resource acquisition synthesis of osmoprotectants, change in water potential, regulation of stomatal closure, among others. Oxylipin family of signals represents one of the ma in mechanisms employed by plants. This family comprises fatty acid hydroperoxides, hydroxy-, keto- or oxo- fatty acids, volatile aldehydes, divinyl ethers and Jasmonic Acid. Most o f them are volatile compounds participating in several physiological processes, d efence mechanism, stress adaptation and communication with other organisms. The aim of this review is to report about new insights on the role of the activation of Jasmonic Acid bios ynthesis during abiotic stresses in plant roots, and on the importance of earlier and stronge r JA induction as a trait conferring better drought tolerant in legume varieties able to cope w ith water stress.
A Review of: “Fundamentals of Biostatistics, 7th ed., by B. Rosner”

What is your view on introductory biostatistics? Specifically, is statistics about science and answering scientific questions? If so, what are the most important concepts to teach in an introductor...
Transcriptional channelopathies: an emerging class of disorders.

Two types of channelopathy are now well recognized: genetic, in which ion channels function abnormally or fail to function as a result of mutations, and autoimmune, in which antibodies perturb channel function. Recent studies have provided growing evidence for the existence of a third type — transcriptional channelopathies — which result from changes in the expression of non-mutated channel genes. A well-studied example is peripheral nerve injury, which causes spinal sensory neurons to turn off some active sodium channel genes and turn on others that were previously silent, a set of changes that can result in hyperexcitability of these cells. Recent studies have also shown upregulated expression of sensory-neuron-specific sodium channels in Purkinje cells, indicating that a transcriptional channelopathy might perturb cerebellar function in multiple sclerosis. It is probable that we will soon recognize further disorders that are characterized by dysregulation of channel gene expression in neurons. A better understanding of transcriptional channelopathies might provide us with new opportunities to treat these disorders.
Do Consumer Demographics Affect Dynamic Price Markdowns of Seasonal Goods

In this research we investigate the consumer demographics impact on consumer strategic purchase behavior of seasonal goods. Our findings would be beneficial for retailers and firms in the fashion industry to help them decide how to do their price markdowns during the season. We develop different demographic segments as these segments react differently to price markdowns based on the factors that they have in common, and the elements which differentiates them. We use demographic factors to identify different market segments for seasonal products. We show that reducing the prices based on the expected response of different demographics segments in the market would help the retailer to plan the price markdowns in the seasonal goods industry, and also would help them in capturing the most out of different demographic segments in the market. Our findings can particularly be useful in terms of generating and managing demand, and selling the product in their best possible price.
Psychological Benefits of a Wilderness Experience

What does it mean to go out to the wilderness—to leave society behind and to live for a while on what one carries in a pack, devoting one’s time to an exploration of the natural world?
Stereotyping as a Method of Exploitation in Film.

(1976). Stereotyping as a Method of Exploitation in Film. The Black Scholar: Vol. 7, Black Films, pp. 26-29.
Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellite Loci for the Blackstripe Topminnow Fundulus Notatus and Their Variability in Two Closely Related Species

A total of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus. In a sample of 29 individuals, these loci were found to possess two to 19 alleles with expected heterozygosity values ranging from 0.212 to 0.919 and all but one of the loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations. Many of these loci were polymorphic in the closely related species Fundulus olivaceus and Fundulus euryzonus providing a set of markers that should prove useful in future ecological and evolutionary studies of members of this species complex.
Physics overview of CIT

The physics parameters and operational modes of the CIT (Compact Ignition Tokamak), are set by a combination of detailed analysis and extrapolation from the existing tokamak database, are described. Some of the innovations being incorporated into the CIT design include sweeping of the separatrix across the divertor plates to spread the heat load, two-timescale radial position control utilizing both internal and external poloidal-field coils, optimized plasma shape control using a digital controller, and fusion burn control by modulating the heat source. Models of disrupting plasmas, developed to compute structural loads, are described. The models include the effects of induced currents in the plasma halo region in which field lines intersect the vessel walls. >
The β conformation of polypeptides of valine, isoleucine, and threonine in solution and solid-state: Optical and infrared studies†

Water-soluble polypeptides of L-valyl and L-isoleucyl residues flanked with DL-lysyl blocks [poly(DLLys · HCl)x–poly(LVal)y–poly(DLLys · HCl)x, poly(DLLys · HCl)x–poly-(LIle)y–poly(DLLys · HCl)x] and homopoly(L-threonine) were prepared. The β conformation of these polymers in water, as well as in aqueous methanol, was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism studies. The optical properties of these valyl and isoleucyl polypeptides were quite different from those of previously reported synthetic homopolypeptides in the β structure. Their differences could be explained by the presence of a “single extended β chain” without either intra- or interchain association.
Antinucleon-nucleon annihilation dynamics

Abstract The antinucleon-nucleon annihilation is predominantly described by a hot-fireball process where the many final quantum numbers are distributed in a statistical fashion. It is argued that caution must be used in employing the long-range meson-exchange forces to describe the protonium atomic states. The simplest processes of two final mesons do show puzzling behavior which might be a reflection of quark dynamics, but no guiding principles for these quark calculations have been established yet.
Differential gene expression between young and senescent, quiescent WI-38 cells.

Abstract To investigate age-related changes in gene expression in WI-38 cells, we isolated RNA from young and senescent, quiescent cultures and made subtracted cDNA libraries. Density-arrested cells were incubated in serum-free MCDB-104 for 3 days. RNA was then isolated and subtracted cDNA libraries were made in the phagemid vector pCDM8. Both by picking clones at random from these subtracted libraries and by differential hybridization screening with subtracted cDNA probes from young and senescent cells, we have identified a total of 11 genes for which RNA is expressed differentially in these quiescent young and senescent WI-38 cultures. Two genes, EPC-1 and EPC-A2, with elevated RNA levels in young cells, have sequences which have not previously been identified. Two of the genes with elevated RNA expression in the senescent cells are the mitochodnria-coded genes for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 and for cytochrome b. We also identified seven other genes with elevated RNA levels in senescent cells. Three of these, LPC-1, LPC-14 and LPC-24, have been partially sequenced and have not previously been identified. These studies show that density-arrested, serum-deprived, quiescent young and senescent cells express a number of genes differentially. These differences are not growth-dependent, but are age-dependent. Our studies also show that the methods employed here, which include careful regulation of the cell cultures and subtraction of the libraries, result in libraries from which differentially expressed genes can be identified, either by random selection or by differential hybridization screening with subtracted probes.
Trauma that should have been avoided: it can happen to you!

My father-in-law died peacefully at home. My mother-in-law and I were with him. People said to me afterward, “It's so lucky you were there, since you knew what to do.” I thought to myself, I didn't...
Oxidative coupling of methane using oxygen-permeable dense membrane reactors

Abstract Oxidative coupling of methane was studied with La/MgO catalyst and a distributed oxygen feed through mixed-conducting dense membrane tubes in a shell-and-tube reactor configuration. A SrFeCo0.5O3 membrane was tested, and a blank run confirmed that it acted as a total oxidation catalyst, with no C2 products. Attempts to coat the inside of the membrane tube with a non-combustion material BaCe0.6Sm0.4O3 were only partially successful, giving 7% yield to C2 products. The oxygen flux through the coated tube was reduced to 30% of its original value. A membrane tube was fabricated from a non-combustion oxygen-permeating material, BaCe0.8Gd0.2O3, and it was confirmed that this was not a total oxidation catalyst. Yields to C2 products of up to 16.5% were obtained, higher than those in comparable fixed bed studies. The C2 yield obtained is the highest reported in the literature for oxidative coupling of methane in dense membrane reactors. The flux of oxygen through both dense membranes increased under reaction conditions, by a factor of four, over the non-reaction flux measured in permeation experiments. Changes in surface morphology were observed for the side of the membrane in contact with the reducing atmosphere. Similar phenomena have been observed in previous studies.
Knowledge flows in innovation networks: a comparative analysis of Japanese and US high‐technology firms

The Japanese firm and the “traditional” US firm have different inter‐firm knowledge systems; in particular, Japanese firms tend to exchange information more frequently with their main suppliers, customers and other kinds of organizations (i.e. non‐profit organizations). As a result, they tend to develop new products and processes faster than the “traditional” US firm. Shows that non‐Japanese high‐technology firms that adopt Japanese‐style networks tend also to develop new products and processes faster than their competitors.
Effects of roof and rainwater characteristics on copper concentrations in roof runoff.

Copper sheeting is a common roofing material used in many parts of the world. However, copper dissolved from roof sheeting represents a source of copper ions to watersheds. Researchers have studied and recently developed a simple and efficient model to predict copper runoff rates. Important input parameters include precipitation amount, rain pH, and roof angle. We hypothesized that the length of a roof also positively correlates with copper concentration (thus, runoff rates) on the basis that runoff concentrations should positively correlate with contact time between acidic rain and the copper sheet. In this study, a novel system was designed to test and model the effects of roof length (length of roof from crown to the drip edge) on runoff copper concentrations relative to rain pH and roof angle. The system consisted of a flat-bottom copper trough mounted on an apparatus that allowed run length and slope to be varied. Water of known chemistry was trickled down the trough at a constant rate and sampled at the bottom. Consistent with other studies, as pH of the synthetic rainwater decreased, runoff copper concentrations increased. At all pH values tested, these results indicated that run length was more important in explaining variability in copper concentrations than was the roof slope. The regression equation with log-transformed data (R2 = 0.873) accounted for slightly more variability than the equation with untransformed data (R2 = 0.834). In log-transformed data, roof angle was not significant in predicting copper concentrations.
Dissecting biological “dark matter” with single-cell genetic analysis of rare and uncultivated TM7 microbes from the human mouth

We have developed a microfluidic device that allows the isolation and genome amplification of individual microbial cells, thereby enabling organism-level genomic analysis of complex microbial ecosystems without the need for culture. This device was used to perform a directed survey of the human subgingival crevice and to isolate bacteria having rod-like morphology. Several isolated microbes had a 16S rRNA sequence that placed them in candidate phylum TM7, which has no cultivated or sequenced members. Genome amplification from individual TM7 cells allowed us to sequence and assemble >1,000 genes, providing insight into the physiology of members of this phylum. This approach enables single-cell genetic analysis of any uncultivated minority member of a microbial community.
Automated method for studying the hepatic metabolism of aniline, ethylmorphine or p-nitroanisole

Abstract A method for the study of drug metabolism in a continuous flow-through system is described. The system used for measuring the metabolism of aniline is presented in detail. Modifications of the system will allow the production of formaldehyde (HCHO) or p -nitrophenol to be studied. The system requires 100% oxygen, a water bath at 37° for incubation of the sample, a dialysis system for resolution of the protein phase, and the appropriate color-forming system maintained at the proper temperature. Reproducibility is within ± 1 per cent transmission for a given sample. Manual and automated methods for studying the hepatic metabolism of aniline are compared.
A novel view of biologically active electromagnetic fields

Over the past decades, strong evidence has accumulated that low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can be useful in treating human pathologies, such as bone fractures, soft tissue illnesses, and pain. Common strategies for the design of commercial therapeutic devices are to generate EMFs that simulate body endogenous EMFs, or EMFs that resonate with a particular biological process, such as the natural motions of ions. We recently came across a biologically active commercial EMF signal that seems to be different. The signal is generated by summing the fundamental frequencies and harmonics of several periodic base signals which remain proprietary to the company. When first examined in the time domain, the signal resembled electronic noise; however, when critically analyzed, the signal is not identical with noise. Rather, it is a highly complex waveform exhibiting a very wide range of values for the time derivative of the magnetic field density (dB/dt) and a beat frequency in the Extremely Low-Frequency range. In this paper, we speculate on the mechanism of action of this and similar signals. We consider it less likely that cells, or cell components, act like filters to extract and couple with individual signals that make up the complex EMF signal. Consequently, we favor the possibility that with the signal discussed here cells respond to the very complex signal and that the biological response can be modified by the presence of a beat in the signal, in this case a low-frequency beat. More generally, this would suggest the hypothesis that biological processes can be regulated by noise-like signals and that the effects of a noisy signal can be modified by the presence of signal repetition patterns, such as beats. Given the very small energy that signals like these can transduce into a biological system, biological effects can be expected only when the molecular processes involved are poised so that the available energy leads to molecular reactions that achieve the activation state for the reaction.
Variable range percolation confirms dispersive hopping transport

Abstract Monte Carlo calculations of hopping transport in disordered systems have been performed. The hopping sites have been placed at random on a cubic lattice, for a number of concentrations. All jumps up to two lattice spacings (32 possible sites) were allowed. The results display dispersion when the transport time in a giant cluster is small compared with the time for a particle generated outside the giant cluster to jump on to it. The fraction of particles generated inside the giant cluster is proportional to the percolation fraction. Thus dispersion increases with decreasing concentration of active sites.
Linear Stability Analysis of Immiscible Displacement Including Continuously Changing Mobility and Capillary Effects: Part II-General Basic Flow Profiles

The linear stability of immiscible, two-phase flow displacement processes in porous media is examined. Multi-phase flow characteristics are included in the stability description through relative permeability and capillary pressure functions. A linear stability analysis of the steady-state saturation and pressure distributions is carried out in terms of normal modes. The resulting linearized eigenvalue problems describing the evolution of unstable modes resemble, in the respective cases of negligible and non-negligible capillary effects, the Rayleigh and Orr-Sommerfeld equations governing the stability of unbounded shear flows. First, the stability of non-capillary, two-phase, immiscible displacement is examined. Rates of growth of the unstable modes as a function of the wavelength of instability are explicitly obtained for specific classes of initial total mobility profiles. The Saffman-Taylor instability and layer instability follow directly as limiting cases of the initial mobility profiles. The effect of capillarity on flow stability is next examined. Stability curves that include capillary effects are obtained for several simple initial saturation profiles. The effects of capillary pressure, viscosity ratio and relative permeability characteristics on the stability curves are discussed. It is shown that both capillary pressure and a smooth initial mobility profile exert stabilizing influences on flow displacement. The linear stability analysis predictionsmore » are compared to the results of Chuoke et al. obtained by use of an ''effective interfacial tension.'' The results find applications in mobility control and viscous fingering problems.« less
Angiotensin II Stimulated Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1in Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates pathologic myocardial fibrosis. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFb) and myofibroblasts mediate this response, perhaps in part by indirect production of specific cytokines. We sought to determine if Ang II could stimulate transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) gene expression and protein production in adult rat CFb and two cardiac myofibroblast cell types, scar myofibroblasts (MyoFb) and valvular interstitial cells (VIC). Confluent CFb, MyoFb, and VIC in serum-deprived (0.4% FCS) media were treated with Ang II (10(-7) m for CFb; 10(-9) m for MyoFb, VIC) for 24 h. Untreated cells served as controls. Culture media was collected and TGF-beta1 levels determined in triplicate using a sandwich ELISA. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to determine TGF-beta1 mRNA expression. Ang II increased CFb (P<0.02) and VIC (P<0.04) TGF-beta1 mRNA expression, while the increase in MyoFb was not statistically significant. MyoFb produced the highest TGF-beta1 levels under control conditions compared to VIC and CFb. Ang II stimulated further TGF-beta1 secretion in VIC and CFb, but not MyoFb. The AT1 receptor antagonist Losartan (10(-7) m) greatly attenuated Ang II-stimulated TGF-B1 secretion and decreased TGF-beta1 immunostaining in VIC. The AT2 receptor antagonist PD123177 (10(-7) m) also decreased secretion and immunostaining of TGF-beta1 in VIC, but to a lesser extent than Losartan. TGF-beta1 secretion by MyoFb was unaffected by Losartan and PD123177, although TGF-B1 immunostaining was absent or greatly decreased, respectively, compared to Ang II-treated MyoFb. Ang II stimulates TGF-beta1 gene expression and/or protein production in cardiac fibroblast-like cells which may act as an autocrine/paracrine stimulus to collagen formation. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 production and secretion in these cells can be modulated by specific Ang II receptor antagonists, suggesting a potential benefit in preventing/attenuating pathologic myocardial fibrosis.
Rolled liverwort mats explain major Prototaxites features: Response to commentaries

In volume 97(2) of the American Journal of Botany (pp. 268-275), we published an article entitled "Structural, physiological, and stable carbon isotopic evidence that the enigmatic Paleozoic fossil Prototaxites formed from rolled liverwort mats". Here, we respond to a letter and a commentary on our article in the present issue, welcoming this opportunity to continue the scientific dialogue about an issue that has long been stimulating and controversial. For the reader's benefit, we first briefly describe the recent scholarly context of our article.
Effects of Information About Firms’ Ethical and Unethical Actions on Consumers’ Attitudes

Three experiments examined the manner in which consumers are influenced by information about firms’ ethical behaviors and product attribute information when forming attitudes toward the firm. Confirming principles drawn from evaluations of individuals, results showed that a superior product attribute enhances attitudes toward ethically behaving firms more than toward unethically behaving firms. Furthermore, consumers’ attitudes toward superior products differed depending on the type of ethical behavior enacted by the firm—whether refraining from unethical behavior or acting prosocially. However, when a product attribute was inferior, firms’ ethics had less impact.
Gas Turbine Combustor Analysis

The pressure, temperature, and fuel-to-air ratio of a gas turbine combustor vary with ambient conditions, machine speed, and load. Only a few of these parameters are independent. An analysis has been developed which predicts the combustor operating parameters. The analysis includes low heating value fuel combustion, water injection, and three modes of steam injection. The analysis is used to predict the combustor operation for a simple-cycle gas turbine, but it is not restricted to this case. In addition, a simplified analysis is deduced and shown to be surprisingly accurate. Special solutions are presented which permit direct calculation of the firing temperatures, fuel heating value, or air extraction required to achieve a specified compressor pressure ratio. Finally, the analysis is compared with experimental results.