cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtual Campus: scenarios, obstacles and experiences

The need to make use of the growing source of learning material available through the Internet and other computer networks confronts educational systems worldwide. The recent idea of creating Virtual Campuses may be viewed as an attempt to counter this challenge and to revive the position of universities as traditional organizers of knowledge. The challenge is twofold: to upgrade the current reaching and learning processes, and to adapt the organization to an open world of networked communication. So far limited experience exists as how to reach these goals. In this paper, virtual learning and institutional change are discussed as two major ingredients to change. Along these key concepts, results from a survey of German universities are presented, complemented by experiences from a pilot study. The empirical studies serve to depict the range of scenarios and obstacles and should help to identify development paths towards a Virtual Campus.
Insulin and Alzheimer's disease: untangling the web.

The recognition of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a heterogeneous disorder that results from incremental pathological changes in dynamic organismic systems is essential to move beyond the unidimensional approaches to prevention and therapy that have proven largely ineffective to date. Biological systems related to insulin metabolism are arguably the most critical regulators of longevity and corporeal aging. Our work has focused on identifying the relationship of the insulin network to brain aging, and determining the mechanisms through which insulin dysregulation promotes AD pathological processes. Candidate mechanisms include the effects of insulin on amyloid-, cerebral glucose metabolism, vascular function, lipid metabolism, and inflammation/oxidative stress. It is likely that different nodes of the insulin network are perturbed for subgroups of AD patients, or that for some subgroups, pathways independent of insulin are critical pathogenetic factors. New methods from systems network analyses may help to identify these subgroups, which will be critical for devising tailored prevention and treatment strategies. In the following review, we will provide a brief description of the role of insulin in normal brain function, and then focus more closely on recent evidence regarding the mechanisms through which disruption of that role may promote AD pathological processes. Finally, we will discuss the implications of this area for AD therapeutics and prevention.
Measurement of charged-particle stopping in warm-dense plasma

We measured the stopping of energetic protons in an isochorically heated solid-density Be plasma with an electron temperature of ∼32 eV, corresponding to moderately coupled [(e^{2}/a)/(k_{B}T_{e}+E_{F})∼0.3] and moderately degenerate [k_{B}T_{e}/E_{F}∼2] "warm-dense matter" (WDM) conditions. We present the first high-accuracy measurements of charged-particle energy loss through dense plasma, which shows an increased loss relative to cold matter, consistent with a reduced mean ionization potential. The data agree with stopping models based on an ad hoc treatment of free and bound electrons, as well as the average-atom local-density approximation; this work is the first test of these theories in WDM plasma.
Clinical Uroradiologic Conference

History: A fifty-two-year-old white male with a chief complaint of dysuria and weight loss presented to the UCLA Medical Center--referred by his internist. The patient had dysuria of three weeks' duration. Additionally, he had noted severe noeturia progressing over the past twelve days. The patient also had noted increased frequency of urination, which was particularly worse in the afternoon. Over the past week, he has had a noticeable decrease in urinary stream strength. The patient denied gross hematuria or foul-smelling urine. The patient stated that he has had intermittent fevers, no higher than 100.5°F, taken orally at home. He has had recent malaise and lethargy which is different for him, as well as a 9-pound weight loss. Physical Examination: Physical examination revealed that the patient's abdomen was soft and nontender. However, the liver was palpable approximately 5 em below the right costal margin. It was non-nodular. Rectal examination revealed the prostate to be enlarged (approximately 3 + ), and there were multiple, firm nodules palpated. Laboratory Findings: CBC: white blood cell count 22,000~ram 3 and hematoerit 36 % ; sodium 142 mEq/L, potassium 3.4 mg/dL, chloride 102, CO2 12, ereatinine 12 mg/dL. Urinalysis: 4 to 6 red and 4 to 6 white blood cells/high-power field, proteinuria (3 + ), no sugar, and ketones 2 +. Badiographic Findings: Chest x-ray film revealed two rounded nodules in lower field of right lung. The patient was evaluated using a contrastenhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis because of a presumed diagnosis of malignancy based on the physical examination. CT scan of the pelvis shows the prostate to be enlarged and nodula~ Careful examination of the fat planes around i prostate reveal them to be well preserved (Fig' 1 Additionally, there is a mass superior to the Pr~ tate which seems to be displacing the bladder a~ rectum and engulfing the seminal vesicles. Thl enlargement and swelling of the seminal vesid~ suggest a neoplastic process (Fig. 2A). The bladd! wall shows some localized thickening and a pr~ nounced enlargement of the seminal vesicle (Fi~ 2B). Lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum and pel appear to be somewhat enlarged and numeroi (Fig. 3). One can easily differentiate betwe~ lymphadenopathy and the pelvic vaseulature, bl cause on a contrast-enhanced CT scan the vesse will become opacified whereas the lymph nodes ~ not. In general, the success of this test depends ~ the administration of a large bolus of contrast ma~ rial which is not always possible if the patient's ve are inadequate. As a general rule, lymph no Kreater than 1.5 cm are considered to be abnorm!
α-Helical solenoid model for the human involucrin

Involucrin is a key component of the cross-linked envelope of terminally differentiated keratinocytes. The human molecule largely consists of 10 residue repeats and forms a thin 460 A long rod. Summarized experimental data and a detailed stereochemical analysis made with computer modeling resulted in a structural model for the involucrin molecule. The suggested structure is a left-handed alpha-helical solenoid built of a tandem array of helix-turn-helix folds. The structure enables us to explain the whole set of experimental data and residue conservations within the repeats. It is ideally suited to serve as a scaffold for cell envelope assembly and proposes a possible mode of the intermolecular interactions of involucrin during cell cornification.
Does biocompatibility of dialysis membranes affect survival in patients with acute renal failure

During hemodialysis, contact between blood and dialysis membranes leads to complement and neutrophil activation. This effect is known as bioincompatibility and is most pronounced with older, less expensive, cellulose-based membranes. However, there is considerable controversy as to whether synthetic (more biocompatible) dialysis membranes improve survival in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) compared to cellulose-based membranes. Numerous trials have been conducted but have yielded conflicting results. Although the discordant results of existing studies could be explained by the varying degrees of biocompati-bility among the different membranes used, these studies were also of low statistical power. Thus we sought to determine whether combining results from all published trials would provide a better estimate of the effect of membrane on survival in ARF.
A PILOT STUDY COMPARING PARENTERAL KETOROLAC TO MORPHINE FOR THE CONTROL OF VASO-OCCLUSIVE (VOC) PAIN IN SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (SCA). 910

A PILOT STUDY COMPARING PARENTERAL KETOROLAC TO MORPHINE FOR THE CONTROL OF VASO-OCCLUSIVE (VOC) PAIN IN SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (SCA). 910
Glucolimnanthin, a plant glucosinolate, increases the metabolism and DNA binding of benzo[α]pyrene in hamster embryo cell cultures

Glucosinolates are common components of cruciferous vegetables that can be hydrolyzed during food processing to yield isothiocyanates, some of which have been shown to inhibit the induction of mammary tumors in rats by 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene. To determine how intact glucosinolates affect the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in mammalian cells in culture, the effects of a series of glucosinolates on the metabolism and DNA binding of B[a]P were investigated in early passage Syrian hamster embryo cell cultures. Glucolimnanthin, a glucosinolate from Limnanthes douglasii increased the amount of B[a]P metabolized by the hamster embryo cell cultures during a 24 h exposure. The glucolimnanthin-treated cultures contained a higher proportion of B[a]P-phenol glucuronides and other water-soluble metabolites than control cultures. Cotreatment with glucolimnanthan and [3H]B[a]P for 24 h resulted in a greater than 2-fold increase in the amount of B[a]P bound to DNA and a 3-fold increase in the amount of deoxyguanosine adduct formed by reaction of 7R,8S-dihydroxy-9S,10R-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroB[a]P [(+)-anti-B[a]PDE]. The glucolimnanthin was metabolized essentially completely within 24 h. An increase in B[a]P metabolism similar to that caused by glucolimnanthin was induced by cotreatment of hamster embryo cell cultures with m-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, a metabolite that can be formed from glucolimnanthin by enzymatic hydrolysis. These results indicate that the glucosinolate glucolimnanthin can increase the metabolic activation of B[a]P in mammalian cells in culture.
Occupational knowledge and career development in adolescence

Abstract In an effort to extend our knowledge of career development, two indices of career maturity were investigated in a sample of 6029 high school seniors sampled from 57 Texas public school districts. The study investigated both the degree to which late adolescents choose occupations whose educational requirements match their stated educational goals and the degree to which students' vocational interests are compatible with their occupational choices. The correlations between educational plans and educational requirements of the chosen occupations were .41 or less. Of the subjects who claimed to have at least considerable understanding of their first choice career, only about half planned to achieve the amount of education appropriate to enter that occupation. Subjects' perceptions of how well they understood their occupational choices were also negligibly related to the compatibility of their vocational interests and their career choices. Although educational understanding and interest compatibility both contribute to realism of occupational choices, the correlation between these two indices of career maturity accounted for less than 1% of the variance.
Crevice occupation by musk turtles: taxonomic distribution and crevice attributes

Abstract Musk turtles, Sternotherus , of all taxa preferentially used crevices as resting sites in laboratory pools. Crevice use was greater during the day. Larger, darker crevices that were low enough to touch the carapace were preferred. Positional preferences within crevices were for full coverage of the shell despite the head being exposed, for the low half of crevices, and for axial orientation that maximized contact between the carapace and crevice ceiling. Light but touchable portions of crevices were preferred over dark but untouchable portions, so the possibility of establishing carapacial contact with the ceiling is the definitive attribute of a satisfactory crevice. The behavioural tendency to use the lowest possible crevice may have an anti-predator function, and it is one necessary condition for existence of a selective regime in favour of depressed shells.
QuickBird satellite versus ground-based multi-spectral data for estimating nitrogen status of irrigated maize

In-season nitrogen (N) management of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) requires frequent acquisition of plant N status estimates to timely assess the onset of crop N deficiency and its spatial variability within a field. This study compared ground-based Exotech nadir-view sensor data and QuickBird satellite multi-spectral data to evaluate several green waveband vegetation indices to assess the N status of irrigated maize. It also sought to determine if QuickBird multi-spectral imagery could be used to develop plant N status maps as accurately as those produced by ground-based sensor systems. The green normalized difference vegetation index normalized to a reference area (NGNDVI) clustered the data for three clear-day data acquisitions between QuickBird and Exotech data producing slopes and intercepts statistically not different from 1 and 0, respectively, for the individual days as well as for the combined data. Comparisons of NGNDVI and the N Sufficiency Index produced good correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.91 to 0.95 for the V12 and V15 maize growth stages and their combined data. Nitrogen sufficiency maps based on the NGNDVI to indicate N sufficient (≥0.96) or N deficient (<0.96) maize were similar for the two sensor systems. A quantitative assessment of these N sufficiency maps for the V10–V15 crop growth stages ranged from 79 to 83% similarity based on areal agreement and moderate to substantial agreement based on the kappa statistics. Results from our study indicate that QuickBird satellite multi-spectral data can be used to assess irrigated maize N status at the V12 and later growth stages and its variability within a field for in-season N management. The NGNDVI compensated for large off-nadir and changing target azimuth view angles associated with frequent QuickBird acquisitions.
Organizational Shunning: The Disciplinary Functions of “Non-Sense”

Focusing on the symbolic processes that create “outsiders-within,” this article examines the discourse surrounding employees within an organization who are excluded from the everyday rites and rituals that signify organizational membership. What symbolic constructions typify the discourse of those who fall between the cracks of the day-to-day cultural system? Rather than assume that organizational shunning is an infrequent and brief process, this analysis illustrates how the organized silence invoked during shunning transforms organizational paradoxes and competing values into individual personality problems that can be safely located outside the boundaries of the sense-making processes of the organization. In this way, organizational shunning functions as a disciplinary practice that affirms power relations and simultaneously reifies partisan decision-making premises and priorities.
Molecular modeling of protein materials: case study of elastin

Molecular modeling of protein materials is a quickly growing area of research that has produced numerous contributions in fields ranging from structural engineering to medicine and biology. We review here the history and methods commonly employed in molecular modeling of protein materials, emphasizing the advantages for using modeling as a complement to experimental work. We then consider a case study of the protein elastin, a critically important ?mechanical protein? to exemplify the approach in an area where molecular modeling has made a significant impact. We outline the progression of computational modeling studies that have considerably enhanced our understanding of this important protein which endows elasticity and recoil to the tissues it is found in, including the skin, lungs, arteries and the heart. A vast collection of literature has been directed at studying the structure and function of this protein for over half a century, the first molecular dynamics study of elastin being reported in the 1980s. We review the pivotal computational works that have considerably enhanced our fundamental understanding of elastin's atomistic structure and its extraordinary qualities?focusing on two in particular: elastin's superb elasticity and the inverse temperature transition?the remarkable ability of elastin to take on a more structured conformation at higher temperatures, suggesting its effectiveness as a biomolecular switch. Our hope is to showcase these methods as both complementary and enriching to experimental approaches that have thus far dominated the study of most protein-based materials.
Power/energy: Supercool generation: More compact and efficient machines are in the offing as superconducting generators are about to reach the field

Discusses more compact and efficient machines are in the offing as superconducting generators about to reach the field. Prototypes with power ratings between 20 and 50 megawatts have been tested in the United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan. The Westinghouse electric Corp. of Pittsburgh, PA, supported by the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, is building a prototype 300 MVA superconducting generator for installation at the Gallatin power plant of the Tennessee Valley Authority. It will be the first commercial installation of its kind.
Tempered Radicals: Elementary Teachers' Narratives of Teaching Science within and against Prevailing Meanings of Schooling.

Science educators and researchers have bemoaned the lack of reform-based science in elementary schools and focused on teachers’ difficulties (i.e., lack of knowledge, interest, experience) in enacting quality science pedagogy. We present compelling evidence that challenges assumptions about science education reform and draw on a practice theory perspective to examine the stories, commitments and identities of thirteen teachers, whose beliefs and practices aligned with those promoted by science education reform documents. Through ethnographic interviews, we learned about these teachers’ critical science experiences, perceived science teacher identities, and their goals and commitments. Their stories highlight institutional and sociohistorical difficulties of enacting reform-based science, the many biases, contradictions, and unintended consequences prevalent in educational policy and practice today, and emphasize how easily the status quo can get reproduced. These teachers had to work as ‘tempered radicals’, ‘working the system’ to teach in ways that were consistent with reform-based science.
Subcellular targeting by membrane lipids

The reversible localization of signaling proteins to both the plasma and the internal membranes of cells is critical for the selective activation of downstream functions and depends on interactions with both proteins and membrane lipids. New structural and biochemical analyses of C1, C2, PH, FYVE, FERM and other domains have led to an unprecedented amount of information on the molecular interactions of these signaling proteins with regulatory lipids. A wave of studies using GFP-tagged membrane binding domains as reporters has led to new quantitative insights into the kinetics of these signaling mechanisms.
Histochemical study of the insect cuticle infected by the fungus Entomophthora coronata

Abstract Histochemical tests were performed on sections of integument of larvae of Galleria mellonella and Bombyx mori infected with the fungus Entomophthora coronata . The following tests gave positive results: Lipase test using Gomori's method at the points of fungal penetration in the cuticle; the PAS test for chitin in the fungus cell wall in sections of the infected integument except in the zone immediately surrounding the penetrating hypha; Fuller's chitosan test in the uninfected integument and portions of the integument where black spots were formed and in cell walls of fungal hyphae growing in chitin agar which showed chitinolysis. The mercury-bromphenol blue test for protein was generally positive in the infected integument except around the penetrating hypha or upon very massive fungal invasion of the cuticle. Lillie's ferrous iron test for melanin was positive where black spots were formed in the invaded integument.
Ordering transition of non-Brownian suspensions in confined steady shear flow.

We report on ordering transitions of concentrated non-Brownian suspensions confined by two parallel walls under steady shear. At a volume fraction as low as $\ensuremath{\phi}=0.48$, particles near the wall assemble into strings which are organized as a simple hexagonal array by hydrodynamic interactions. The suspension exhibits a complex phase behavior depending on the ratio of the channel height to the particle radius, ${H}_{y}/a$. In a strongly confined system ${H}_{y}/al12$, the order state and rheology depend on the commensurability between particle layers and the channel height. At $\ensuremath{\phi}=0.60$, the order structure in the horizontal plane changes between hexagonal and rectangular structures depending on ${H}_{y}/a$. It is shown that the relative viscosity is a function of both the volume fraction and the ordered state.
The occurrence of cross-tolerance between morphine and ethyl-ketocyclazocine using the tail-flick test: Lack of effect of diazepam, phenobarbital, or amphetamine

Experiments were designed to test for short-term tolerance to morphine and ethyl-ketocyclazocine (EKC), mu and kappa agonists, respectively, and cross-tolerance between the two drugs. Mice were primed with one of the drugs, using doses that did not affect the tail-flick response when tested at a time 1 or 3 hours later, when the same or alternate test drug was administered. All animals were injected with the priming drug IP. In one series of experiments, the test drugs were given SC, and in the other, the test drugs were injected ICV under brief halothane anesthesia. Priming with morphine (30 or 100 mg/kg) significantly raised the ED50 for ICV morphine. Priming with EKC (2 or 6 mg/kg) similarly elevated the ED50's for SC and ICV EKC. Symmetrical cross--tolerance was produced in experiments where the test drugs were administered SC when tested at 3 hrs. The effects of priming with EKC on morphine analgesia was evident when the interval between priming and test drugs was 1 hour. When the test drugs were given ICV, cross-tolerance was also symmetrical: priming with EKC significantly raised the ED50 for morphine and priming with morphine raised the ED50 for EKC when tested at 3 hrs. These data suggest that both agonists act on a common site to produce analgesia as similar pA2 values for naloxone antagonism were determined. The occurrence of short-term tolerance and cross-tolerance to the opiates was unaltered by chronic pretreatment with diazepam, phenobarbital, or amphetamine.
The Raytheon Emissitometer

The measurement of radiation (ultra-violet, visible, or infrared) from a surface as a means of knowing the surface temperature has been found useful in many applications. One of the simpler types of instruments which uses this principle is a brightness pyrometer. The brightness pyrometer relates radiation to temperature on the basis of radiation magnitude, which is a function of temperature, but the output of the brightness pyrometer is also a function of a material property known as emissivity. While many brightness pyrometers have compensation control for different values of emissivity, knowing the emissivity constant is left for the user to find through such aids as handbooks of materials and physics texts. Even then, the emissivity may vary as a function of the particular chemical content and environment to which the material is subjected. Hence, Raytheon felt there was a need for a device to measure emissivity simultaneously with other radiation measurements and within a fraction of the time span used by the heating process.
Can hospitals afford digital storage for imagery

Digital medical images (scanned x-ray photographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imagery, ...) will consume 2 - 3 orders of magnitude more space then similar numbers of other images managed by digital storage subsystems. We investigate what a hospital will have to pay for a Picture Acquisition and Communication System (PACS). Assuming that tangible displaced costs--the costs of creating, storing, and managing film-- define the upper bound of what hospitals will be willing to pay for workstations, network, and digital storage, we find the EDP solution to be affordable today and attractive in two years. The archival medium currently favored by PACS researchers in optical disk technology. Performance and cost characteristics are likely to make magnetic tape juke box technology a better choice. The published literature teaches much of what is needed for optimal data compression. Uncertainty about liability will persuade some radiologists to save data beyond the noise-determined limits. A practical system will charge for data stored and transmitted and allow each user to balance cost and risk.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Physical and Organoleptic Comparisons Between Scaleless Fowl and Commercial Broilers

Abstract Due to the increased interest in scaleless (sc/sc) birds, investigations were undertaken to examine some of the physical and organoleptic properties that may influence consumer acceptability. The birds used in these experiments were scaleless fowl that had not been selected for commercial characteristics and commercial broilers. All birds were grown and processed under conventional conditions. Samples of back skin were taken before and after cooking to determine tensile strength. Cooking losses and organoleptic data on overall preference, flavor, texture, color, moistness, and tenderness were obtained. The back skin of the scaleless birds had significantly greater tensile strength than that of the normal broilers. In addition, the cooked thigh muscle (biceps femoris) of the scaleless had greater shear strength. The scaleless also had less cooking loss, which may be explained on the basis of the smaller size and lack of feather tracts in these birds. Panelists could differentiate between the two types of cooked product and expressed a preference for the more “chicken-like” broiler. This preference was most evident with the thigh samples and may have been due to the color and shear strength differences between the two types of birds. The greater shear strength required for scaleless muscle may indicate scaleless muscle is less tender than comparable normal broiler muscle.
Volume dependence of the Raman frequencies of GeSi alloys

Abstract We have measured the shift of the three main Raman peaks of several germanium-silicon alloys upon application of hydrostatic pressure. The frequency associated with GeSi pairs has a mode Gruneisen constant γGeSi = 1.20 ± 0.04, higher than that of the Raman frequency of either pure constituent. The Gruneisen constants of the Raman frequencies of GeGe and SiSi pairs also increase from the value for the pure elements when approaching the 50% concentration, reaching the values γGeGe = 1.31 ± 0.1 and γSiSi = 1.24 ± 0.02 for Ge0.46 Si0.54. This increase is due to the fact that the dominant eigenstates of the vibration shift from κ = 0 to the edge of the zone with increasing disorder.
Anomalous reflections at photonic crystal interfaces

The reflection phenomena of a light beam incident upon the interfaces between the crystal and a uniform dielectric are explored in this paper. We show that neither the phase velocity nor the group velocity directions of the reflected beam satisfy Snell’s law and we prove that a generalized wave-vector conservation relation still applies even when the interface is not aligned with special crystal directions. Moreover, the system exhibits remarkable and unusual reflection effects. In particular, total internal reflection is absent except at discrete angular values. The direction of reflection beam can also be pinned along special crystal directions, independent of the orientation of the interface. And finally, at glancing incidences, strong backward reflection may occur. These effects may be important for creating integrated photonic circuits, and for on-chip image transfer.
The water balance response of the pelvic "patch" of Bufo punctatus and Bufo boreas;.

Abstract 1. 1. Net transfer of water was measured in vitro across ventral pelvic and ventral pectoral integument of Bufo punctatus and B. boreas. 2. 2. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) increased net transfer of water across ventral pelvic integument but not ventral pectoral integument. 3. 3. Cyanide and dinitrophenol made ventral pelvic integument unresponsive to AVP. 4. 4. Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) increased net transfer of water in ventral pelvic integument of B. punctatus. 5. 5. Pretreatment of ventral pelvic integument with dinitrophenol made the integument unresponsive to cyclic AMP.
Identification of the possible origin of the body target that differentiates play fighting from serious fighting in syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Play fighting in the Syrian Golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus can be distinguished from serious fighting by the targets attacked in each case. In play fighting, the animals attack and defend the cheeks and cheek pouches, whereas in serious fighting they attack and defend the rump and lower flanks. Since play typically involves the use of behaviors borrowed from other functional contexts, this paper investigates the origin of the cheek target during play fighting. Comparison of resident-intruder serious fighting with awake and anesthetized intruders does not reveal the cheek to be an inhibited target for serious attack. Similarly, analysis of social investigation and allog-rooming, while revealing the ears to be important targets, do not show the cheeks to be targets in these behaviors. Sniffing, licking, and nibbling of the cheek area appear to occur mainly during sexual encounters by males. This area, seemingly a sexual target, may be the one utilized during play fighting.
A radiotracer method for determining ingestion of Bacillus sphaericus by mosquito larvae

Abstract Bacillus sphaericus was labeled with carbon-14 by culturing in a medium containing U- 14 C- l -amino acid mixture or d -[U- 14 C]glucose, the former giving consistently higher labeling. Less than 5% of the label was lost during the 2-hr experimental period. Groups of mosquito larvae were exposed to labeled bacteria for variable times, washed to remove external radioactivity, and then were either analyzed by combustion and liquid scintillation counting for internal 14 C or held in fresh water for mortality counts. Culex quinquefasciatus larvae rapidly ingested bacteria during the first 30 min followed by a reduced rate of accumulation. the rate and quantity of bacteria ingested was greater with later instars. The method is applicable for the study of environmental and physiological factors influencing the ingestion and susceptibility of different species of mosquito larvae to bacterial pathogens.
Laparoscopic-assisted colostomy closure after Hartmann's procedure

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to review our experience with colostomy closure after Hartmann's procedure and the possible impact of laparoscopic colostomy closure. METHODS: A retrospective review of hospital stay after colostomy closure by laparotomy in the last four years was conducted. A chart review of patients undergoing laparoscopic colostomy closure after Hartmann's procedure since the introduction of operative laparoscopy at our institution was also done. RESULTS: One hundred twenty patients had colostomy closure carried out by the trauma service at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. In thirty-seven patients, colostomy closure was associated with other surgical procedures such as ventral herniorrhaphy, delayed closure of the open abdomen, ureteroneocystostomy, and so forth, or they underwent loop colostomy closure. These patients were excluded from further review. Sixty-five patients underwent reversal of Hartmann's procedure by laparotomy. They had an average hospital stay of 9.5 days (range, 6 to 34 days). This group of patients had colostomy closure prior to the introduction of operative laparoscopy in our institution. With increased laparoscopy experience, laparoscopically assisted Hartmann's reversal has been attempted in 18 patients and completed in 14 patients. The average hospital stay in the laparoscopically completed group was 6.3 days (range, 4 to 10 days). This group had a 0 percent mortality and a 14.3 percent morbidity. This compares favorably to recently reported series of colostomy closure by laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically assisted Hartmann's reversal results in comparable morbidity, but may be associated with shorter hospital stay when compared with laparotomy.
Athermal silicon ring resonator with Bi-material cantilever for passive thermal feedback

We demonstrate a temperature insensitive Si ring resonator by coupling the optical mode to a bi-material cantilever. We show the capability of athermal operation over 14 degrees, which can be further extended through proper optimization.
Convergence to a steady state for asymptotically autonomous semilinear heat equations on R{double-struck}N

Abstract We consider parabolic equations of the form u t = Δ u + f ( u ) + h ( x , t ) , ( x , t ) ∈ R N × ( 0 , ∞ ) , where f is a C 1 function with f ( 0 ) = 0 , f ′ ( 0 ) 0 , and h is a suitable function on R N × [ 0 , ∞ ) which decays to zero as t → ∞ (hence the equation is asymptotically autonomous). We show that, as t → ∞ , each bounded localized solution u ⩾ 0 approaches a set of steady states of the limit autonomous equation u t = Δ u + f ( u ) . Moreover, if the decay of h is exponential, then u converges to a single steady state. We also prove a convergence result for abstract asymptotically autonomous parabolic equations.
A seismometer in orbit around Earth

Most people think of seismometers as ground-based instruments, but earthquakes also can be detected by satellites, as demonstrated by Garcia et al. using data from the European Space Agency's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission. The authors call GOCE “the first seismometer in orbit around the Earth” because it was able to detect infrasonic waves in the atmosphere generated by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
Occupancy of the serotonin transporter by fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline: In vivo studies with [125i]rti‐55

[125I]RTI-55 was used tracer doses to label serotonin (5-HT) transporters in vivo in the mouse brain. Fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline, potent antidepressants and selective inhibitors of serotonin transporter sites, were administered in various doses and at various times. The doses and times that result in significant binding of the drugs to transporters correspond to doses and times where they are reported to have physiological effects. Estimates of occupancy rate and duration of binding to serotonin transporters were made. The rate of occupancy of the 5-HT transporter site was fastest for sertraline, intermediate for paroxetine and slowest for fluoxetine. Similarly, the duration of occupancy was significantly shorter for sertraline and paroxetine (approximately 10 h) than for fluoxetine (approximately 50 h). The results indicate that in competition studies, [125I]RTI-55 can be used to identify doses of drugs that are physiologically effective, to determine their relative rate of occupancy, and most importantly, to measure the residency time on the central serotonin transporter in vivo.
Approach to the Diagnosis and Staging of Mediastinal Masses

Proceeding through the workup of mediastinal masses, the physician can logically proceed from step to step, based on the sex and age of the patient and the location of the mass. After chest x-ray and CT, order other imaging tests as indicated by the most likely diagnosis. Aspirate clearly cystic lesions for diagnosis and cure. Use serum tumor markers, which can definitively diagnose nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. The FNA will increasingly give a good diagnosis if the clinician, radiologist, and pathologist work closely together. Many lesions such as thymoma, enterogenous cysts, and neurogenic tumors need not have a diagnosis prior to excision. For paravertebral masses, get an MRI to check for spinal involvement. For excisional or incisional biopsy, think of thoracoscopy. Beware of general anesthesia in patients with large anterior mediastinal masses compressing the airways. Limit the preoperative staging workup to that relevant to the specific disorder or dictated by symptoms. These simple rules will allow the physician to proceed efficiently and logically through the workup of mediastinal masses.
PMDR studies of the host and substitution effects on the lowest excited triplet states of aromatic carbonyl molecules

Abstract The effects of host and substitution on the ZFS and the dynamic properties of the triplet state aromatic carbonyl molecules have been studied by PMDR. Correlations among the ZFS, the dynamic properties and the phosphorescence spectra were noted for a series of molecules. The nature of the lowest excited triplet states of carbonyl molecules is discussed based on the experimental results.
Transforming growth factor-beta polymorphisms and cardiac allograft rejection.

Background Cytokine gene polymorphisms regulate cytokine expression. We analyzed transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) allelic variation in codon 25 in susceptibility to acute rejection episodes in cardiac transplant recipients. Methods Between June 1997 and December 2001, 123 de novo heart transplants were performed at UAB with analysis based on 109 patients. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded at intervals up to 1 year post-transplant. Recipient genotypes for TGF-β (codon 25) were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-specific primers. Correlations between TGF-β genotypes and acute rejection were made using Kaplan–Meier plots and parametric hazard models. Results Of the patients enrolled, 72% had at least one rejection and 46% had multiple rejections in the first year post-transplant. Among those ≥55 years of age at transplant, patients with the GG genotype had significantly fewer rejections as compared to those with the CC or GC genotype (1.25 vs 2.5, p p = 0.43). Similar results were observed when we used time to cumulative Grade 2R or greater rejection as the outcome. Conclusion The GG TGF-β genotype may protect against acute rejection in older recipients during the first year after transplant.
Changes in the Relationship Between Child Support Payments and Educational Attainment of Offspring, 1979-1988*

We examine changes over the 1980s in the effect of child support payments on the educational attainment of children age 16 to 19 in the United States, and why child support has a stronger impact than other sources of income. We use 1979 and 1988 Current Population Survey data, covering a period when improvements in enforcement should have increased the proportion of reluctant fathers paying support. We hypothesize and find that the positive effect of child support on education diminished somewhat over this period, both absolutely and in relation to other income.
Photosynthesis and respiration in Alocasia macrorrhiza following transfers to high and low light

Photosynthetic capacities and respiration rates of Alocasia macrorrhiza leaves were measured for 4 weeks following reciprocal transfers between high (20% of full sun) and low (1% of full sun) light environments. Photosynthetic capacities and respiration rates of mature, high-light leaves were 1.7 and 4.5 times those of low-light leaves, respectively. Following transfer, respiration rates adjusted within 1 week to those characteristic of plants grown in the new environment. By contrast, photosynthetic capacities either did not adjust or changed only slowly following transfer. Most of the difference in respiration between high- and low-light leaves was related to the carbohydrate status as determined by the daily PFD and little was directly related to the maintenance costs of the photosynthetic apparatus. Leaf construction cost was directly proportional to maximum photosynthetic capacity. Consequently, although daily carbon gain per unit leaf area was the same for low-light and high to low-light transferred plants within a week after transfer, the carbon return per unit of carbon investment in the leaves remained lower in the high to low transfer plants throughout the 4 week measurement period. Conversely, in high-light, the low leaf construction cost of the low to high-light transferred plants resulted in carbon gain per unit investment just as high as that of the high-light plants.
Should all branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms be resected?

Abstract Background The relationship between branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and malignancy remains controversial and difficult to assess. Methods Between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2013, we identified 84 patients with IPMN who underwent resection. Results Preoperatively, 55 patients underwent endoscopic ultrasounds and 58 underwent biopsy. Only 7 lesions were specified preoperatively as branch-duct, which inconsistently correlated with the surgical specimen. Of the 82 patients where the duct was specified, there were 33 malignant lesions. There was no correlation between branch-duct origin and invasive carcinoma. Malignant tumor size did not significantly differ by the duct of origin. Of the 28 patients with invasive carcinoma, branch-duct lesions were significantly associated with the presence of positive lymph nodes, perineural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. Conclusions Our study supports the resection criteria for branch-duct IPMN based on size and symptoms. However, it also questions the reliability of our preoperative testing to rule out malignant branch-duct IPMN lesions.
The effect of ion implantation on luminescence of a silica

Abstract Luminescence spectra and intensities of type I to type IV silicas, excited with a 1 keV electron beam, were measured. Luminescence was measured on type III silica samples implanted with hydrogen or helium ions in a dose range of 10 16 –10 17 /cm 2 with energies in the range of 35–160 keV. Under electron excitation, luminescence bands were observed at 2.75 eV in all samples and bands at 1.9 and 2.2 eV in some samples. The initial luminescent intensities at 2.75 eV were proportional to the beam current in the range of 0.8–12.7 μA/mm 2 and inversely related to the SiOH contents in some silicas and H + implanted silicas. A model is proposed that the transient change of the emission intensities is due to a competition reaction between luminescence center creation and a reaction that diminishes the intensities.
Rare Events in Stochastic Partial Differential Equations on Large Spatial Domains

A methodology is proposed for studying rare events in stochastic partial differential equations in systems that are so large that standard large deviation theory does not apply. The idea is to deduce the behavior of the original model by breaking the system into appropriately scaled subsystems that are sufficiently small for large deviation theory to apply but sufficiently large to be asymptotically independent from one another. The methodology is illustrated in the context of a simple one-dimensional stochastic partial differential equation. The application reveals a connection between the dynamics of the partial differential equation and the classical Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov nucleation and growth model. It also illustrates that rare events are much more likely and predictable in large systems than in small ones due to the extra entropy provided by space.
Wet Pre-Concentration of Low-Grade Hematite in High-Pressure Grinding Roller

The wet pre-concentration of comminuted hematite in high-pressure grinding roller was studied, using the cylindrical ferromagnetic medium in a high gradient magnetic separator. The effects of various factors including rod diameter, rod gap and background magnetic field intensity (BMFI) on the performances of pre-concentration in different size feeds are emphatically investigated. The results showed that as the rod diameter increased, the rod gap decreased and the BMFI increased, the tailings grade and the tailings yield reduced, but the concentrates recovery raised. This variation was regardless of the feed size distribution. After the classifying pre-concentration, the overall concentrate grade increases by 9.56 percentage points and the concentrate recovery is up to the 82.67% with a tailing grade of 10.68% and a tailing yield of 40.31%. Compared with the classifying pre-concentration, the full size pre-concentration produced a concentrate with a lower grade only increased by 6.61 percentage points and the higher recovery of 92.32%. The tailings, with a lower yield of only 26.62% and a lower grade of 7.39%, was mainly produced from the fine feed. The coarse feed in the full size pre-concentration was not separated effectively.
Association of ezrin isoforms with the neuronal cytoskeleton

We are studying the changes in the organization of the cytoskeleton which accompany expression of differentiated neuronal morphology. Of particular interest is the elaboration of growth cones, the motile domains of the neuronal plasma membrane, and the cytoskeletal structures that underlie them. A candidate for a component of the growth cone cytoskeleton of cultured hippocampal neurons is the antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody, 13H9 (Birgbauer and Solomon, J Cell Biol 109:1609-1620, 1989; Goslin et al., J Cell Biol 109:1621-1631, 1989). That antibody binds strongly to growth cones, but barely stains neurites. The characterization of the antigen, both biochemical and microscopic, suggests that it may interact with microfilaments and microtubules. We have established that 13H9 recognizes a subset of the isoforms of ezrin (unpublished results). Here, we describe the properties and localization of ezrin isoforms in differentiating neuronal cells, using two in vitro systems and developing spinal cord. In embryonal carcinoma cells, both the abundance of ezrin and the proportion of ezrin associated with the cytoskeletal fraction increase upon induction of neuronal differentiation with retinoic acid. In the neuronal cells within such cultures, the 13H9-positive forms of ezrin are enriched in the growth cone, while the bulk of ezrin identified by a polyclonal antibody shows no specific localization. In mouse DRG neurons, 13H9 staining is asymmetrically distributed along the edges of the complex growth cones of these cells. Staining of developing spinal cord in rat embryos also demonstrates that the 13H9-positive forms of ezrin do not colocalize with the majority of ezrin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)