cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential reporting of fruit and vegetable intake among youth in a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral nutrition intervention

Nutrition interventions typically rely on self-reported intake that may be susceptible to differential reporting bias due to exposure to the intervention. Such differences may result from increased social desirability, increased attention to eating or improved recall accuracy, and may bias estimates of the intervention effect. This study investigated differential reporting bias of fruit and vegetable intake in youth with type 1 diabetes participating in a randomized controlled trial targeting increased whole plant food intake. Participants (treatment n = 66, control n = 70) completed 3-day food records at baseline, 6-,12-, and 18-months, from which fruit and vegetable intake (servings/day) was calculated. Serum carotenoids were assessed at these visits using a high-performance liquid chromatography-based assay. Linear regression estimated associations of fruit and vegetable intake with serum carotenoids by treatment assignment. Multiplicative interaction terms tested the interaction of treatment assignment with fruit and vegetable intake on serum carotenoids for each visit and within each group over time. The association of fruit and vegetable intake with serum carotenoids was significantly lower in the control versus intervention group at baseline (β = 0.22 Vs 0.46) and 6-month visits (β = 0.37 Vs 0.54), as evidenced by significant interaction effects. However, the association of fruit and vegetable intake with serum carotenoids did not significantly differ over time for either group. While the stronger association of fruit and vegetable with carotenoids in the treatment arm suggests greater reporting accuracy, this difference was evident at baseline, and did not change significantly over time in either group. Thus, results indicate greater subject-specific bias in the control arm compared to the treatment, and lack of evidence for reactivity to the intervention by treatment assignment. NCT00999375
Androgen receptor-mediated regulation of intracellular calcium in human airway smooth muscle cells

Background/aims With the prevalence of asthma being greater in women, detrimental effects of female sex steroids have been explored, but potential protective effects of androgens are not established. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is a key cell type in contractility and remodelling of asthma. There are no data on expression and functionality of androgen receptor (AR) in human ASM cells. Methods We used primary human ASM cells from non-asthmatics vs. asthmatics to determine AR expression at baseline and with inflammation measured using Western blotting/qRT-PCR, and the role of AR in regulating intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) measured using Fluo-3 loaded real time [Ca2+]i imaging. Results We found that compared to females, baseline AR is greater in male ASM and increases with inflammation/asthma. Androgens, via AR, blunted TNFα or IL-13-induced enhancement of ASM [Ca2+]i in both males and females, with retained efficacy in asthmatics. AR effects involve reduced Ca2+ influx via L-type channels and store-operated Ca2+ entry, the latter by downregulating STIM1 and Orai1 and increasing TMEM66. Conclusion Our data show AR expression is increased in female ASM with asthma, but has retained functionality that could be used to reduce [Ca2+]i towards alleviating airway hyperresponsiveness.
Wave propagation, dispersion and energy transport in arterial blood flow

This paper presents a description of arterial blood flow from the viewpoint of a fluid dynamicist.
Ysis Prescription and Peritoneal Membrane Transport Characteristics on Nutritional Status

These data suggest that dialysis dose is one of the major determinants of protein and energy intake in PD patients and that higher doses of dialysis tend to improve outcome. The data also suggest t...
Effect of Pilates Method on muscular trunk endurance and hamstring extensibility in adolescents during twelve weeks training and detraining.

Abstract Background Thoracic hyperkyphosis and lumbar hyperlordosis have been associated with low values of flexibility in the hamstring muscle and endurance of the trunk musculature. These are areas that are worked using the Pilates Method (PM), however, there are only two studies that assess its effect on these variables in adolescence, and none that measure the retention time of the acquired improvements. The main objective of this research was to assess the effect of 10 minutes of adapted exercise program from PM in a Physical Education class (PE) for 12 weeks, on trunk muscle endurance and hamstring flexibility, and to evaluate the retention of resulting changes. Methods The sample consisted of 441 adolescents (age = 13.9 ± 1.3 years). The experimental group (EG) performed two weekly ten-minute sessions of PM for 12 weeks. The control group (CG) performed its usual sessions of PE. The endurance of the trunk flexor muscles and trunk extensor muscles, toe touch test (TT), bench trunk curl test (BTC) and the Biering-Sorensen test (SOR), were used to evaluate hamstring flexibility, before application of the program, at the end, 12 weeks later. Results A significant improvement was found in the EG for all variables analyzed, with an average improvement of 9.37 repetitions in the BTC test, 19.4 seconds in the SOR test and 2.75 in the TT test. The CG did not show significant changes. The EG’s improvements were retained 12 weeks later, except in the SOR test. Conclusion The inclusion of 10 minutes of adapted exercise program from PM in PE classes, for two weekly sessions over 12 weeks, produces improvements in trunk muscle endurance and hamstring flexibility, and these gains are retained in the flexor and hamstring muscles 12 weeks later.
Executive Private Misconduct

Executives misbehave. In recent years, the world has been outraged and appalled by the shocking misbehavior of corporate executives. Some of their behavior have been plainly unethical; others have been deeply offensive; and still others have been simply criminal. Regardless of the misbehavior, such executive private misconduct—when made public—has frequently damaged their public reputations, harmed their company’s market values, destroyed investor portfolios, and raised serious legal and policy issues. This Article provides one of the first comprehensive examinations of executive private misconduct and its wide-ranging effects on law, business, and society. It begins by providing context for how we got here. It investigates how the unfolding #MeToo movement, shifting social understandings of public and private, and changing corporate social expectations have all fostered a new landscape that is less tolerant of executive private misconduct. Next, it examines why legal gaps and tensions in current business law complicate executive private behavior discussions. It reveals how corporate law principles of fiduciary duties and securities law principles of disclosures were not structurally designed to confront the hard issues and questions raised by executive private misconduct. Moving from causes to consequences, this Article next examines the larger implications of executive private misconduct on corporate governance, corporate policies, and corporate purpose. Finally, this Article recommends pragmatic next steps for corporate stakeholders, regulators, and policymakers in a changing business environment. Specifically, it proposes a new baseline framework for working through perplexing executive private misconduct issues, along with concrete business policy reforms concerning nondisclosure agreements, mandatory arbitration, and annual misconduct reports. Ultimately, this Article seeks to provide an original, workable roadmap and compass for conceptualizing, navigating, and addressing executive private misconduct and its impact on law, business, and society.
Molecular Mechanism of Slow Vegetative Growth in Populus Tetraploid

Tetraploid plants often have altered rates of vegetative growth relative to their diploid progenitors. However, the molecular basis for altered growth rates remains a mystery. This study reports microRNA (miRNA) and gene expression differences in Populus tetraploids and counterpart diploids using RNA and miRNA sequencing. The results showed that there was no significant difference between young leaves in the expression of vegetative growth-related miRNAs. However, as leaves aged, the expression of auxin- and gibberellin-related miRNAs was significantly upregulated, while the expression of senescence-related miRNAs was significantly downregulated. The dose effect enhanced the negative regulation of the target genes with ARFs, GA20ox, GA3ox, and GAMYB being downregulated, and TCP and NAC being upregulated. As a result, the chloroplast degradation of tetraploid leaves was accelerated, the photosynthetic rate was decreased, and the synthesis and decomposition ability of carbohydrate was decreased.
Twin tunnelling induced ground settlements: A review

Abstract In the past few decades, the number of tunnels constructed next to an existing tunnel has been gradually increasing in order to accommodate infrastructure needs in congested urban cities. When a new tunnel is constructed adjacent to an existing tunnel, both the relative position of the tunnels and the construction sequence affect the ground settlement and internal forces in the linings of both tunnels. Therefore, it is important to study the influence of these factors and their relationship to tunnel construction. A review of twin tunnelling induced ground settlement is presented in this paper. A wide range of data is collected, summarized, and compared with each other to infer interaction phenomenon related to ground settlement. This data is gathered from published field observations, laboratory tests, and finite element analyses. The paper begins with an overview of single tunnelling induced settlements, volume losses, and factors which can affect twin tunnelling induced ground settlements. Next, a summary of the effects of construction sequence, pillar width, and cover depth, among other influencing factors, has been presented for four twin tunnelling configurations including (i) side-by-side, (ii) piggyback, (iii) perpendicularly crossing, and (iv) offset arrangement twin tunnelling. The paper also presents a summary of available techniques to calculate ground settlements induced by a new tunnel excavation in the presence of an existing tunnel. Finally, the paper summarizes available knowledge on ground settlement induced by various twin tunneling arrangements and identifies known unknowns.
Description Writ Large

The traditions of archival arrangement and description and bibliographic description are emblematic of the work of the archivist and the librarian, and are well developed. Furthermore, we understand the purposes and products of the regimes of these two lineages (Svenonius, 2000; MacNeil 1995; InterPARES 2007). Yet there are questions that surface about the degree and level of interaction that can obtain between two regimes. In this paper I will address some of the similarities and differences that obtain between two descriptive regimes. On the one hand we have archival arrangement and description and diplomatics. On the other we have bibliographic description, which includes subject analysis. The points of similarities include providing access points, capturing the form and extent of resources at hand, and sharing these in databases using encodings like Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) or Extensible Markup Language (XML). The differences, perhaps are more interesting, and furthermore, provide us with a view of how we might cross-pollinate research and theory. In this paper I will: 1) introduce the two lineages, 2) identify their purposes, which belie their differences and then, 3) point to potential areas of future collaborative research at the intersections of these areas. The future of description, if it is to be a collaboration between these lineages is going to be description writ large.
The Timing of Obesity Matters: Associations Between Current Versus Chronic Obesity since Adolescence and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction Among Young Adult Women.

Abstract Background Although the social consequences of obesity for women are well-documented, its stigmatizing effect on romantic relationships across the life course has seldom been explored. We examined whether having current or chronic obesity since adolescence is associated with romantic relationship satisfaction among women in early adulthood. Methods This is a secondary analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Female participants completing waves I and IV who self-reported their height and weight and were in a marital or cohabitating relationship at wave IV were included. Relationship satisfaction was assessed using a seven-item measure. Body mass index BMI at wave IV was categorized as normal weight, overweight, obesity, or chronic obesity (at waves I and IV). The odds of reporting low relationship satisfaction were estimated across body mass index categories using multivariate regression that controlled for key covariates (age, race, ethnicity, education, income, lifetime partners, relationship duration, and depression) and accounted for the complex sampling design. Results Among the 3,582 respondents, 74.8% were White, 65.5% had less than a college degree, and 61.8% were in their relationship for more than 3 years. At wave IV, 38.2% had a normal body mass index, 27.7% had overweight, 26.7% had obesity, and 7.5% had chronic obesity. Only having chronic obesity was associated with relationship satisfaction in early adulthood. Women with chronic obesity had 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.02) times the odds of reporting low relationship satisfaction compared with those categorized as normal weight. Conclusions Chronic obesity since adolescence is associated with poor romantic relationship satisfaction in early adulthood.
SPT5 stabilization of promoter-proximal RNA polymerase II.

Summary Based on in vitro studies, it has been demonstrated that the DSIF complex, composed of SPT4 and SPT5, regulates the elongation stage of transcription catalyzed by RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II). The precise cellular function of SPT5 is not clear, because conventional gene depletion strategies for SPT5 result in loss of cellular viability. Using an acute inducible protein depletion strategy to circumvent this issue, we report that SPT5 loss triggers the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the core RNA Pol II subunit RPB1, a process that we show to be evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human cells. RPB1 degradation requires the E3 ligase Cullin 3, the unfoldase VCP/p97, and a novel form of CDK9 kinase complex. Our study demonstrates that SPT5 stabilizes RNA Pol II specifically at promoter-proximal regions, permitting RNA Pol II release from promoters into gene bodies and providing mechanistic insight into the cellular function of SPT5 in safeguarding accurate gene expression.
Yttrium 90 Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Radioembolization is used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, by introducing radioactive yttrium 90 (90Y) directly into the hepatic vasculature. This method allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy liver tissue. Radioembolization requires careful pretreatment planning to determine if administration of 90Y is a suitable and safe treatment option. Planning includes mapping angiograms to assess vascular structures and conjoint technetium Tc 99m macroaggregated albumin hepatic perfusion imaging to study blood flow to surrounding healthy tissue.
Distance Based Methods

The fundamental prerequisite necessary to deal with all these topics is, of course, an efficient and biologically plausible way to assess sequence similarity: given an alphabet and initially just two sequences, how are we to measure in a biologically meaningful way the similarity between s and t? The answer depends, of course, on what mutational operations one perceives as biologically relevant can be performed to produce one sequence from another one. Two sequences s and t are considered to be similar if a few such operations can change s into t, and dissimilar otherwise. The problem which remains to be discussed in this context is, of course, how to assess the biological likelihood of the various operations which can be performed to change one sequence into another one and how to quantify numerically the (dis)similarity of any two given sequences.
Genetic Information, Law, Legal Issues in Law Enforcement DNA Databanks

Introduction DNA Evidence DNA Databanks Privacy and Related Concerns Legal Challenges Self-Incrimination Clause Ex Post Facto Clause Parole Release Good-Time Credit Equal Protection Clause Due Process Substantive Due Process Procedural Due Process Cruel and Unusual Punishment Search and Seizure Applicability of Fourth Amendment Reasonableness of Search Expansion of Coverage Beyond Sex Offenders Expansion of Coverage to Arrestees Other Uses: Medical and Administrative Purposes Military and Medical Records Keywords: genetics; legal issues
Using molecular monolayers as self-assembled photoresist

The authors investigated the use of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of molecules as resist for photolithography. The SAM constitutes an atomically uniform photosensitive layer with the nominal thickness of 1-2 nm. This molecular monolayer can be patterned by selective exposure to UV light. The removal of the molecules was characterized from the surface with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Various post processing methods was investigated on the surface patterned with molecules including wet etching and polymer self-assembly based on surface energy difference. An organic field effect transistor (OFET) fabricated using the lithography system was presented and discussed the potential for making devices directly with the molecules that participate in the lithography scheme.
Activation of µ-opioid receptors and block of KIR3 potassium channels and NMDA receptor conductance by l- and d-methadone in rat locus coeruleus

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Methadone activates opioid receptors to increase a potassium conductance mediated by G-protein-coupled, inwardly rectifying, potassium (K(IR) 3) channels. Methadone also blocks K(IR) 3 channels and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. However, the concentration dependence and stereospecificity of receptor activation and channel blockade by methadone on single neurons has not been characterized. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Intracellular and whole-cell recording were made from locus coeruleus neurons in brain slices and the activation of µ-opioid receptors and blockade of K(IR) 3 and NMDA channels with L- and D-methadone was examined. KEY RESULTS The potency of L-methadone, measured by the amplitude of hyperpolarization was 16.5-fold higher than with D-methadone. A maximum hyperpolarization was caused by both enantiomers (∼30 mV); however, the maximum outward current measured with whole-cell voltage-clamp recording was smaller than the current induced by [Met](5) enkephalin. The K(IR) 3 conductance induced by activation of α(2) -adrenoceptors was decreased with high concentrations of L- and D-methadone (10-30 µM). In addition, methadone blocked the resting inward rectifying conductance (K(IR) ). Both L- and D-methadone blocked the NMDA receptor-dependent current. The block of NMDA receptor-dependent current was voltage-dependent suggesting that methadone acted as a channel blocker. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Methadone activated µ-opioid receptors at low concentrations in a stereospecific manner. K(IR) 3 and NMDA receptor channel block was not stereospecific and required substantially higher concentrations. The separation in the concentration range suggests that the activation of µ-opioid receptors rather than the channel blocking properties mediate both the therapeutic and toxic actions of methadone.
Methods of orbit correction system optimization

Extracting optimal performance out of an orbit correction system is an important component of accelerator design and evaluation. The question of effectiveness vs. economy, however, is not always easily tractable. This is especially true in cases where betatron function magnitude and phase advance do not have smooth or periodic dependencies on the physical distance. In this report a program is presented using linear algebraic techniques to address this problem. A systematic recipe is given, supported with quantitative criteria, for arriving at an orbit correction system design with the optimal balance between performance and economy. The orbit referred to in this context can be generalized to include angle, path length, orbit effects on the optical transfer matrix, and simultaneous effects on multiple pass orbits.
Impaired Arousal in Older Adults Is Associated With Prolonged Hospital Stay and Discharge to Skilled Nursing Facility

Abstract Background Poor cognitive function is associated with negative consequences across settings of care, but research instruments are arduous for routine clinical implementation. This study examined the association between impaired arousal, as measured using an ultra-brief screen, and risk of 2 adverse clinical outcomes: hospital length of stay and discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Design, Setting, and Participants A secondary data analysis was conducted using 2 separate groups of medical ward patients: a Veterans Affairs medical center in the northeast (N = 1487, between 2010 and 2012) 60 years and older and a large tertiary care, university-based medical center (N = 669, between 2007 and 2013) 65 years and older in the southeastern United States. Measurements The impact of impaired arousal, defined by the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale as anything other than “awake and alert,” was determined using Cox Proportional Hazard Regression for time to hospital discharge and logistic regression for discharge to a SNF. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported, respectively. Both models were adjusted age, sex, and dementia. Results The 2156 total patients included in these groups had a mean age of 76 years, of whom 16.4% in group 1 and 28.5% in group 2 had impaired arousal. In the first group, patients with normal arousal spent an average of 5.9 days (standard deviation 6.2) in the hospital, while those with impaired arousal spent 8.5 days (9.2). On any given day, patients with impaired arousal had 27% lower chance of being discharged (adjusted HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.63–0.84). In the second group, individuals with normal arousal spent 3.8 (4.1) days in the hospital compared with 4.7 (4.6) for those with impaired arousal; indicating a 21% lower chance of being discharged [adjusted HR 0.79 (95% CI 0.66–0.95). With regard to risk of discharge to SNF, those with impaired arousal in group 1 had a 65% higher risk than those without impaired arousal [adjusted OR 1.65 (95% CI 1.21–2.25)], and those in group 2 had a nonsignificant 27% higher risk [adjusted OR 1.27 (0.80–2.03)]. Because of the quality improvement nature, this analysis did not control for comorbidities, which is a significant limitation. Conclusions In this study of over 2000 older hospitalized patients, the simple observation of an abnormal arousal level may be an independent predictor of a longer hospital stay and discharge to SNF.
Validation of an Indicator of Mammalian Retinal Receptor Response: Density of Stain as a Function of Stimulus Magnitude*

A bipartite field (retinal irradiance ratio 2:1 on the two sides) was imaged on the retina of an albino rat. Following exposure to the visual stimulus, the retina was dissected from the eye and placed in an incubation medium which selectively stains the ellipsoid portion of photoreceptors which have been exposed to light. In this study, the optical density of stain was measured as a function of stimulus magnitude. It was shown that the density of stain increased with increasing retinal irradiance over the range of values tested. The indicator system tended to underestimate differences in stimulus magnitude, and showed evidence of approaching an asymptote at higher stimulus levels. Many technical problems encountered in this experiment made this a difficult exercise.
Fate of pea enation mosaic virus in PEMV-injected pea aphids.

Abstract Ultrathin sections were prepared for electron microscopy from excised organs and tissues of viruliferous pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). Aphids were rendered viruliferous by injecting pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) directly into the hemocoele. Virions of PEMV were observed in situ in the salivary systems, connective tissue cells, and fat body of injected aphids. In the salivary system, virions occurred in the basal laminae of both primary and accessory glands and in the plasma-membrane cisternae of accessory gland cells, thus suggesting membrane flow as a means by which virions are transported from the hemocoele to the salivary duct lumina. Virions also occurred in the salivary systems of aphids fed on PEMV-infected plants; however, none were observed in the glands of aphids exposed either per os or by injection to a nonaphid-transmissible variant of PEMV. PEMV is the first isometric, aphid-borne virus to be localized in the salivary glands of its vector. It is hypothesized that virions engulfed by connective tissue cells enter into the phagosome-lysosome system of these cells and, like engulfed secondary symbiotes, are destined for eventual lysosomal digestion. Virions were localized in the fat body tissue in “basophilic” mesodermal cells. Virions occurred in relatively high concentrations in the stomach lumens of all test aphids examined.
Perceptions and perspectives of music teachers in urban settings: Isolation, conversation and collaboration

Seven teachers from three schools in a major metropolitan community in the upper Midwest region of the USA participated in this case study designed to better understand the nature of music teacher isolation and interaction in the urban setting. Data analysis revealed several themes: experiences of isolation, urban factors, mobility, experience and evolution in the teacher, and towards a culture of collaboration. Mobility of staff was described as among the most significant causes of isolation for participating teachers; their self-designed efforts towards forming a culture of collaboration took multiple forms and were viewed as extremely valuable. Findings indicate a multilayered and complex landscape that echoes the general education literature: problems of isolation persist and a need for more consistent and relevant opportunities for teacher interaction and collaboration continues. Additional challenges faced by music teachers in urban schools were balanced with a strong commitment to teaching music in...
Implementing Experiential Action Learning in International Management Education: The Global Business Strategic (GLOBUSTRAT) Consulting Program

This paper discusses the theoretical foundations and implementation challenges and outcomes of a unique “hands‐on” global consulting program that is integrated into an international EMBA program for mid‐career and senior American and European managers. It details the challenges for the integration of experiential action learning, double‐loop learning, service learning, and tacit learning into global management education and discusses the value of such integration for the EMBA‐participant's learning experience. The lessons learned from the implementation of the use of integrated global consulting based on an experiential action learning model on EMBA education are discussed. The andragogical model of education used should be a useful guide for designing and implementing experiential action learning based MBA/EMBA programs. The authors wish to thank Deepa Iyer for her able research assistance; Kathryn Warren, Donna Booher, and Jill Erbland for their comments; and Kiran Kamath for her thoughtful editing.
Paleomagnetism, geochronology, and possible tectonic rotation of the middle Miocene Barstow Formation, Mojave Desert, southern California

The Barstow Formation of the central Mojave Desert in the Mud Hills consists of 965 m of epiclastic and volcanic sediments deposited in an extensional rift. This widespread unit is of importance because its mammalian faunas characterize the Barstovian land-mammal age, previous isotopic ages on interbedded tuffs have been used to calibrate middle Miocene time, and it was deposited in a tectonically active region. Volcanic ash samples were collected from the Barstow Formation for isotopic dating using conventional 40 K- 40 Ar and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar single-crystal laser-fusion methods. Multiple analyses on minerals from 5 superposed tuffs yielded the following mean 40 K- 40 Ar ages: Rak Tuff at 16.3 ± 0.3 m.y., Oreodont Tuff at 15.9 ± 0.2 m.y., Dated Tuff at 14.8 ± 0.2 m.y., Hemicyon Tuff at 14.0 ± 0.1 m.y., and Lapilli Tuff at 13.4 ± 0.2 m.y. Similar mean ages were also obtained on the following tuffs using single-crystal 40 Ar/ 39 Ar laser-fusion methods: Oreodont Tuff at 15.9 ± 0.06 m.y., Dated Tuff at 14.8 ± 0.06 m.y., and Hemicyon Tuff at 14.0 ± 0.09 m.y. In order to develop a local magnetostratigraphy, 272 paleomagnetic sites were collected from 7 important sections within the Mud Hills. Saturation isothermal-remanence experiments suggested the presence of either hematite or magnetite as carriers of remanence. After either stepwise alternating-field or thermal demagnetization, characteristic directions were usually isolated between 30 and 50 mT or 300 and 500 °C. Positive reversal and fold tests indicate a stable remanence acquired prior to folding. There are 21 magnetic polarity zones interpreted from the continuous part of the Barstow Formation in the study area. By using the 5 isotopic ages determined from interbedded tuffs, the local composite polarity pattern is correlated to the top of chron C5D through the bottom of C5AB on the magnetic polarity time scale, or an age range from 17.6 to 13.4 m.y. The boundary between Hemingfordian and Barstovian land-mammal ages herein occurs 30 m below the Oreodont Tuff (15.8 ± 0.2 m.y.) within C5B and is taken at about 16.0 m.y. ago. The Barstow formational mean declination is 347.1° (inc = 47.5°, α 95 = 6.51°; ΔD = 7.97°), suggesting negligible or possibly slight counterclockwise rotation (R = 4.1°; Δ R = 10.5°) for this part of the Mojave block during the past 18 m.y. A 40 Ar/ 39 Ar mean age of 19.3 ± 0.02 m.y. for the Red Tuff, which is near the local base of the Barstow Formation and unconformably underlying our composite section, constrains a minimum age for the beginning of local basin filling with principally epiclastic sediments.
Differential Effect of Denervation on Free-Radical Scavenging Enzymes in Slow and Fast Muscle of Rat

To determine the effect of denervation on the free radical scavenging systems in relation to the mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in the slow twitch soleus and fast twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles, the sciatic nerve of the rat was crushed in the mid-thigh region and the muscle tissue levels of 5 enzymes were studied 2 and 5 weeks following crush. Radioimmunoassays were utilized for the selective measurement of cuprozinc (cytosolic) and mangano (mitochondrial) superoxide dismutases. These data represent the first systematic report of free radical scavening systems in slow and fast muscles in response to denervation. Selective modification of cuprozinc and manganosuperoxide dismutases and differential regulation of GSH-peroxidase was demonstrated in slow and fast muscle.
Studies on the nucleotide arrangement in deoxyribonucleic acids. IV. Patterns of nucleotide sequence in the deoxyribonucleic acid of rye germ and its fractions.

Abstract The procedure of the differential analysis of pyrimidine nucleotide distribution has been applied to the total deoxyribonucleis acid of rye germ and to a complete series of seven DNA fractions prepared by the fractional dissociation of rye germ nucleoprotein. protein. The fractions exhibited the previously observed gradation in composition with gradually rising adenine and thymine contents and similarly diminishing concentrations of guanine, cytosine and methylcytosine. The general distribution of cytosine and methylcytosin in the fractions was definitely uneven, with a relatively higher proportion of the methyl derivative occurring in the first fractions. Even greater differences were observed in the relative distribution of solitary pyrimidine nucleotides, that of thymidylic and methylcytidylic acids showing a remarkable similarity and exceeding by far the corresponding contribution of cytidylic acid to thr solitary units. The survey of solitary units was supplemented by a study of the distribution of many of the pyrimidine dinucleotide sequences that are flanked by purine nucleotides in the polymer chains. Significant differences in the composition of the fractions were observed, but in all preparations more than two thirds of the pyrimidines occurred as tracts consisting of three or more pyrimidines in a row. In no case was the pattern of nucleotide distribution that to be expected from a random arrangement of constituents. After the discussion of certain outstanding features of the nucleotide arrangement, including the evidence for a preferential association of methylcytidylic and guanylic acids, the bearing of the findings on schemes of DNA replication is considered.
Description of the hydrogen-metal interaction by a morse potential function

Abstract The interaction between hydrogen atoms adsorbed on the surface or dissolved in the interstices of a metal and the atoms of the host crystal is represented by a pairwise additive Morse potential function. This interaction is summed over all metal atoms surrounding the hydrogen atom. Interactions between hydrogen atoms are not considered. The three force constants of the potential function are determined from three experimental values of the hydrogen-metal system: the heat of solution, the heat of adsorption and the activation energy for bulk migration. Relaxation of the metal lattice surrounding the dissolved hydrogen and reconstruction of the surface metal atoms next to the adsorbed hydrogen are considered in the calculation. The potentials so determined are long rangemetal atoms many lattice constants distant from the hydrogen atom contribute to the binding and the metal atoms closest to a dissolved hydrogen atom are repulsive. Four metals are treated: b.c.c. iron and tantalum, and f.c.c. nickel and copper. For each metal, two surface planes are investigated. Although both tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial sites were tested as solution sites, only occupancy of octahedral sites satisfied the interaction energies upon which the calculation is based. Knowledge of the potential function permits other characteristics of the hydrogen-metal interaction, such as the activation energy for surface migration and the vibration frequency of dissolved hydrogen, to be computed. Agreement of these calculated properties with experimental data is satisfactory, but not quantitative. The extreme sensitivity to crystal structure (b.c.c. or f.c.c.) and the assumption that the nature of the binding of surface hydrogen is the same as that of bulk hydrogen limit the utility of the pairwise model to that of an interpolation scheme—as a means of utilizing known characteristics of the hydrogen-metal system to estimate parameters not experimentally available.
Substrate effects on nanoindentation mechanical property measurement of soft films on hard substrates

Substrate effects on the measurement of thin film mechanical properties by nanoindentation methods have been studied experimentally using a model soft film on hard substrate system: aluminum on glass. The hardness and elastic modulus of aluminum films with thicknesses of 240, 650, and 1700 nm sputter-deposited on glass were systematically characterized as a function of indenter penetration depth using standard nanoindentation methods. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy of the hardness impressions revealed that indentation pileup in the aluminum is significantly enhanced by the substrate. The substrate also affects the form of the unloading curve in a manner that has important implications for nanoindentation data analysis procedures. Because of these effects, nanoindentation measurement techniques overestimate the film hardness and elastic modulus by as much as 100% and 50%, respectively, depending on the indentation depth. The largest errors occur at depths approximately equal to the film thickness.
The Russia-NATO mistrust: Ethnophobia and the double expansion to contain “the Russian Bear”

Abstract This paper argues that Russian-Western mistrust persists due to historical and cultural developments with roots in the Cold War. The post-Cold War imbalance of power served to exacerbate the problem. The United States emerged as the world's superpower acting on perceived fears of Russia, whereas Russia's undermined capabilities dictated a defensive, rather than a hegemonic response. The paper analyzes the decision to expand NATO by excluding Russia from the process. It also asks why the process suddenly stopped in 2008. What changed the West's mind about the expansion was not a revised perception of Russia, but rather concern with its growing power and assertiveness as revealed by the Kremlin's use of force during the Caucasus' war.
Regularity and Positional Games

1.Introduction. Suppose X is a set, 𝒞 a collection of sets (usually subsets of X), and N is cardinal number. Following the terminology of Rado [1], we say 𝒞 is N-regular in X if,for any partition of X into N parts, some part has as a subset a member of 𝒞. if 𝒞 is n-regular in X for each integer n, we say 𝒞 is regular in X.
High-fidelity interface tracking in compressible flows

The interface-capturing-fidelity issue of the level set method is addressed wholly within the Eulerian framework. Our aim is for a practical and efficient way to realize the expected benefits of grid resolution and high order schemes. Based on a combination of structured adaptive mesh refinement (SAMR), rather than quad/octrees, and on high-order spatial discretization, rather than the use of Lagrangian particles, our method is tailored to compressible flows, while it provides a potentially useful alternative to the particle level set (PLS) for incompressible flows. Interesting salient features of our method include (a) avoidance of limiting (in treating the Hamiltonian of the level set equation), (b) anchoring the level set in a manner that ensures no drift and no spurious oscillations of the zero level during PDE-reinitialization, and (c) a non-linear tagging procedure for defining the neighborhood of the interface subject to mesh refinement. Numerous computational results on a set of benchmark problems (strongly deforming, stretching and tearing interfaces) demonstrate that with this approach, implemented up to 11th order accuracy, the level set method becomes essentially free of mass conservation errors and also free of parasitic interfacial oscillations, while it is still highly efficient, and convenient for 3D parallel implementation. In addition, demonstration of performance in fully-coupled simulations is presented for multimode Rayleigh-Taylor instability (low-Mach number regime) and shock-induced, bubble-collapse (highly compressible regime).
Optimization and validation of analytical conditions for bovine serum albumin using capillary electrophoresis

Abstract A quick and reproducible capillary electrophoresis method was optimized and validated for the assay of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The effects of various parameters such as pH of buffer, concentration of buffer, capillary dimensions, use of coated capillaries, and additives such as surfactants and protein solubilizers were evaluated. The capillary coatings or additives did not give any advantage in reducing the surface adsorption of BSA on the capillary walls. The optimized conditions include use of borate buffer, pH 8.5 having a concentration of 150 m m in a 27 cm capillary with an aperture window of 100 × 200 μm for detection. The optimized method for the detection of BSA was validated. The interday and intraday coefficient of variation was not greater than 7.59% at BSA concentrations of 25–1000 μg/ml. The method developed was reproductible and accurate.
Beavers as Agents of Biogeomorphic Change: A Review and Suggestions for Teaching Exercises.

Abstract Animals such as the beaver can have profound geomorphic impacts on the environment in which they live. Beavers affect their environment in a variety of ways, but most profoundly through dam building. Other geomorphic influences include canal building, bank burrowing creation of runs and slides, stream piracy, and indirectly thorough karstification and outburst-floods. Teachers can use the beaver as a classroom and field trip example to illustrate the effects that animals have on the physical landscape.
SU-E-T-118: Small Dynamic Field Dosimetry by Gfachromic Film (EBT3) and 2D-Array Diode

Purpose: Small dynamic multi‐leaves collimator (MLC) dosimetry presents challenges to clinical radiological measurements. This study was to evaluate the small dynamic field dosimetry using one‐scan film algorithm (FilmQA Pro/Ashland Inc.) and MapCheck 2D‐array (Sun Nuclear). Commercial diode‐array would provide practical needs for dynamic field QA (e.g. IMRT or VMAT). Alternatively Chromic film dosimetry serves the same purposes as diode array with much better spatial resolution, wider dose range and less energy dependency. One‐scan algorithm minimizes the problems of conventional film dosimetry, which suffered time‐consuming process, numerous non‐radiation artifacts. Methods: Both dosimeters along with chamber measurements (TN31010/PTW, 0.125cm3) at central‐axis (CAX) as absolute dose comparisons were tested by 6MeV photon with 120HD‐MLC under a Varian iX LINAC using dynamic MLC (with gaps of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100mm width) sweeping through a 5.0cm jaws‐opening size. The experiments were arranged by a 2cm solid‐water buildup above tested films, and the 2cm water‐equivalent intrinsic buildup over the MapCheck diode array at 100cm SAD setup. Each film‐measurement was calibrated by 4 dose‐points in the same film by one‐scan algorithm. Results: CAX absolute doses from both dosimeters showed very close results (+/−0.3% deviation) from the according chamber measurements for relatively large dynamic MLC fields (gap size > 20mm). Otherwise each dosimeter presented different problems with mixed deviations of 4∼8% from CAX chamber measurements. Energy‐dependence (from scatters) and low‐dose bias had been well‐known for diode performance, which was enhanced by small gap‐width (< 1cm). Film dosimetry suffered from systematic noises, especially in low‐dose (8∼10 cGy), even with the one‐scan algorithm corrections. The problem of one‐scan protocol may be improved by the cares of the choice for calibration dose values to avoid over‐correction in low‐dose. Conclusion: Film provided much better spatial details (0.35mm/pixel), e.g. MLC interleaved leakage, than 2D diode‐array, and similar overall dose accuracy compared to diode array.
Predicting University Attrition: A Replication and Extension.

A previous study by Edwards and Waters (1982) was replicated and extended by incorporating a personal needs/college climate discrepancy index and a voluntary/nonvoluntary attrition break-down. A seven quarter follow-up of 197 freshmen revealed the following outcomes: 1. First quarter grade point average and satisfaction with the nonacademic part of college combined to predict undifferentiated attrition (multiple correlation being .32)—a result which replicated the outcome of the previous study,2. First quarter grade point average was the only variable predicting nonvoluntary (academic deficiency) attrition (r = .53),3. The personal needs/college climate discrepancy index was marginally significant (p < .06) as a predictor of voluntary attrition.
Quantitative aspects of coherent averaging. simple treatment of resonance offset processes in multiple-pulse NMR

Abstract A simple zero-order treatment of averaging by resonance offset fields in multiple-pulse NMR is presented. If the resonance offset is smaller than the inverse rf cycle time but larger than the local fields, then the average dipolar Hamiltonian has the same form as the truncated dipolar Hamiltonian in the rotating frame, and is scaled by an easily calculated factor. From this fact, several general conclusions are drawn and the possibility of line narrowing, spin locking and time reversal is discussed for several pulse sequences. For the phase-alternated two-pulse sequence it is demonstrated explicitly by a calculation of truncated second moments that behavior at and far from resonance should be radically different, indicating that caution should be exercised in the analysis of such experiments.
Multiple exciton generation in PbSe nanorods

While multiple exciton generation (MEG) is known to occur more efficiently in semiconductor nanocrystals than in the bulk, the required energy threshold prevents visible photons from being utilized. We report two-color pump-probe measurements demonstrating a two-fold increase in the MEG efficiency of solution samples of PbSe quasi onedimensional nanorods over zero-dimensional nanocrystals to a value of 0.78, where 1 is the largest efficiency possible. This improvement is accompanied by a reduction of the MEG threshold energy to 2.28E g , which allows visible photons to participate in MEG. This approaches the theoretical limit for the threshold energy of 2E g imposed by energy conservation. Detailed balance calculations show that, unlike nanocrystals, photovoltaic cells based on PbSe nanorods can use MEG to improve power conversion efficiencies, particularly when used in conjunction with solar concentrators.
Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite delivery of BMP-2-producing cells: a regional gene therapy approach to bone regeneration.

Abstract Currently, functional treatment of fracture non-unions and bone loss remains a significant challenge in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Tissue engineering of bone has emerged as a new treatment alternative in bone repair and regeneration. Our approach is to combine a polymeric matrix with a cellular vehicle for delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), constructed through retroviral gene transfer. The objective of this study is to develop an osteoinductive, tissue-engineered bone replacement system by culturing BMP-2-producing cells on an osteoconductive, biodegradable, polymeric-ceramic matrix. The hypothesis is that retroviral gene transfer can be used effectively in combination with a biodegradable matrix to promote bone formation. First, we examined the in vitro attachment and growth of transfected BMP-producing cells on a PLAGA–HA scaffold. Second, the bioactivity of the produced BMP in vitro was evaluated using a mouse model. It was found that the polymer-ceramic scaffold supported BMP-2 production, allowing the attachment and growth of retroviral transfected, BMP-2-producing cells. In vivo, the scaffold successfully functioned as a delivery vehicle for bioactive BMP-2, as it induced heterotopic bone formation in a SCID mouse model.