cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formal institutions, culture, and venture capital activity: A cross-country analysis

Why does the level of venture capital activity vary across countries? This study suggests that the variation can be attributed to the different levels of formal institutional development. Further, this study proposes that venture capitalists respond differently to the incentives provided by formal institutions depending on different cultural settings. Analysis of VC activity for 68 countries during the 1996–2006 period shows that formal institutions have a positive effect on the level of venture capital activity, but this effect is weaker in more uncertainty-avoiding societies and in more collectivist societies. This study has useful theory and policy implications for venture capital and entrepreneurship development.
Survival Prediction Analysis in Glioblastoma With Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging.

Simple summary Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) has characterized non-Gaussian diffusion behaviors in brain normal tissue and gliomas, but there are very limited efforts in investigating treatment responses of kurtosis in GBM. This study aimed to investigate whether any parameter derived from the DKI is a significant predictor of overall survival (OS). We found that the large mean, 80 and 90 percentile kurtosis values in the contrast enhanced gross tumor volume (Gd-GTV) on post-Gd T1-weighted images pre-RT were significantly associated with reduced OS. In the multivariate Cox model, the mean kurtosis Gd-GTV pre-RT after considering effects of age, extent of surgery, and methylation were significant predictors of OS. In addition, the 80 and 90 percentile kurtosis values in Gd-GTV post RT were significantly associated with progression free survival (PFS). The DKI model demonstrates the potential to predict outcomes in the patients with GBM. Purpose Non-Gaussian diffusion behaviors in gliomas have been characterized by diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). But there are very limited efforts in investigating the kurtosis in glioblastoma (GBM) and its prognostic and predictive values. This study aimed to investigate whether any of the diffusion kurtosis parameters derived from DKI is a significant predictor of overall survival. Methods and materials Thirty-three patients with GBM had pre-radiation therapy (RT) and mid-RT diffusion weighted (DW) images. Kurtosis and diffusion coefficient (DC) values in the contrast enhanced gross tumor volume (Gd-GTV) on post-Gd T1 weighted images pre-RT and mid-RT were calculated. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used to evaluate the DKI parameters and clinical factors for prediction of OS and PFS. Results The large mean kurtosis values in the Gd-GTV pre-RT were significantly associated with reduced OS (p = 0.02), but the values at mid-RT were not (p > 0.8). In the multivariate Cox model, the mean kurtosis in the Gd-GTV pre-RT (p = 0.009) was still a significant predictor of OS after adjusting effects of age, O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyl transferase (MGMT) methylation and extent of resection. In Gd-GTV post-RT, 80 and 90 percentile kurtosis values were significant predictors (p ≤ 0.05) for progression free survival (PFS). Conclusion The DKI model demonstrates the potential to predict OS and PFS in the patients with GBM. Further development and histopathological validation of the DKI model will warrant its role in clinical management of GBM.
Teacher as Sadist, and the Duality of Self and Other

When we talk about identity in the public school environment, we often find ourselves using metaphors about identity culled from business and industry, metaphors that in my view serve to cover up the relational nature of the process of schooling. A number of theoretical and practical considerations have led me to conclude that issues of the nature of the self of the teacher and student are in fact crucial to the educational process and that these issues are fundamentally relational. It is my contention that by ignoring the relational nature of schooling, we not only diminish learning, but at the same time we produce relational problems in schools, problems which occur between students and students, students and teachers, and with students, teachers, and administrators. Given this cultural context of schooling, it is not surprising that many children leave school feeling badly mangled by an impersonal and oddly conceived assembly line process, one which seems to seek to propel them out the school doors, bound for the appropriate local, national, or global market, or, alternatively, bound to take up residence in the pile of products which did not pass the scrutiny of quality control.
p35 promotes the differentiation of amacrine cell subtype in the zebrafish retina under the regulation of egr1

Background: Early growth response 1 (egr1) is a transcription factor (TF) for controlling the differentiation of Parvalbumin (Parv) -expressing amacrine cells (ACs) in zebrafish. However, the downstream factors of this process have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of p35, a neuronal-specific activator of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and a known in vitro target of egr1, in the differentiation of these ACs. Results: In the p35-knockdown retinas, Parv+ but not islet1+ ACs were specifically reduced. This phenotype was highly similar to that in the Egr1-knockdown retinas. Furthermore, p35 expression was reduced in the Egr1-knockdown retinas, particularly in the AC region; while egr1 was only modestly reduced in this region in the p35-knockdown retinas. Conclusions: p35 likely acts downstream of egr1 to control the differentiation of Parv+ ACs. Developmental Dynamics 243:315–323, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intravital Fluorescence Microscopic Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a lipid deposition and inflammatory disease that results in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in molecular imaging, particularly near-infrared fluorescence imaging, are now enabling the in vivo study of fundamental biological processes that govern atherogenesis and its complications. Here we describe applications of near-infrared fluorescence reporter technology and intravital fluorescence microscopy to elucidate important biological processes in atherosclerosis in vivo.
Identification of 'private' mutations in patients with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

The majority of cases of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency are due to novel mutations making it impossible to develop common methods for genetic analysis. However, identification of causative mutations has important implications for diagnosis (particularly prenatal diagnosis), prediction of likely course and outcome and the eventual possibility of gene therapy. As part of a continuing study of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, we now report an additional thirty novel mutations in the ornithine transcarbamylase gene, together with a brief summary of their clinical presentations.
Development of the analytical methods and reference materials program for dietary supplements at the National Institutes of Health.

The need for validated analytical methods and reference materials to identify and measure constituents in dietary supplements is essential. Such methods allow for the documentation that products meet manufacturer’s specifications and contain what their labels declare. In March 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule that would establish specific current good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements. This proposed rule requires that companies create a quality control unit to set specifications and ensure compliance with these specifications using scientifically valid procedures. This report provides insights and lessons learned from 3 meetings the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health helped organize. These meetings were structured to (1) educate individuals about the importance and need for validated analytical methods and reference materials to identify and quantify constituents of dietary supplements; (2) identify resources required to fulfill this need; and (3) serve as a platform to obtain input from interested parties to help frame the research agenda for the Dietary Supplements Methods and Reference Materials Program within ODS. Stakeholder's opinions and views expressed at these 3 meetings are outlined in this report.
The Old German Baptist Brethren: Faith, Farming, and Change in the Virginia Blue Ridge

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Jr Thompson and Charles D. Year: 2006 Pages: 264 Publisher: University of Illinois Press ISBN: 0-252-03103-2 (hard cover). Prices: $60.00 USD(hard cover).
A Modified Vibron Model for Anharmonic Vibrations: Application to Rovibrational Levels of Linear XYZ and XY(2) Molecules.

Abstract The vibron model for anharmonic vibrations of simple polyatomic molecules has been modified by explicit inclusion of the bending energy in the vibron hamiltonian, and by incorporating vibrationally and rotationally dependent terms into the main parameters of the model. These modifications keep the simple form of the basic vibron energy expressions unchanged but make them far more flexible and capable of much higher precision than those of the pure algebraic vibron model, even one with all squares and binary products of the Casimir operators included. Applications of the modified equations to the vibrational levels and rovibrational energies of the linear molecules HCN, CO 2 , and some of their isotopomers show that this modified model yields precision of fitting which is better by one to two orders of magnitude than that provided by the strict algebraic model. This suggests that the modified vibron model can provide a simple but useful alternative to the much more elaborate global treatments of the rovibrational data.
Risk Assessment/Violence Prediction, Sexual Offenders

Sex offender risk assessment and violence prediction have evolved over the past two decades due to a need to effectively manage sex offenders and protect public safety. The two main types of sex offender risk assessment are clinical and actuarial. Actuarial methods have been shown to be more effective in predicting both sexual and violent recidivism among this population. Although numerous actuarial instruments have been developed, only a few, such as the revised Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool (MnSOST-R) and the Static-99, have received sufficient empirical support to be utilized in sex offender decision making. Keywords: recidivism; risk assessment; sex offenders
Bisphenol E Decomposition in High-Temperature Water

Bisphenol E decomposes in high-temperature liquid water to form 4-vinylphenol plus phenol as primary products. 4-Vinylphenol can react further to form 4-ethylphenol and, presumably, vinylphenol oligomers. Phenol is always the major product within the parameter space (250−350 °C) explored experimentally. The decomposition, which follows global first-order kinetics, is essentially complete at 350 °C after 60 min. We developed a quantitative kinetics model that provides a faithful correlation of the effects of temperature and reaction time on the yields of unreacted bisphenol E and the reaction products.
Molecular Recognition at Model Organic Interfaces: Electrochemical Discrimination Using Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) Modified via the Fusion of Phospholipid Vesicles

Supported lipid layers were formed via the fusion of large unilamellar vesicles of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) to mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold comprised of ferrocene-functionalized hexadecanethiol chains (FcCO2C16SH) diluted in either hexadecanethiol (C16SH) or 1-hydroxylhexadecanethiol (HOC16SH). For the former case, the DMPC adsorbs predominantly as a single layer to form a hybrid bilayer membrane (HBM). The structures obtained in this way were characterized by methods that include electrochemical measurements, ellipsometry, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) reveals that the electrochemistry of the ferrocene groups present in the SAM is strongly perturbed by the adlayer structure. The electrochemical behaviors of the ferrocene groups incorporated into a mixed SAM prepared using the more polar hydroxyl terminated thiol are quite different. The adsorption of DMPC via vesicle fusion in this case leads to the adsorption of bilayer assemblie...
Selenium deficiency in HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Selenium is required for activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, and selenium deficiency may be associated with myopathy, cardiomyopathy and immune dysfunction including oral candidiasis, impaired phagocytic function and decreased CD4 T-cells. We assessed selenium status in 12 patients with AIDS compared to normals and found significantly low plasma and red blood cell levels. Plasma selenium in AIDS was 0.043 ± 0.01 μg/ml vs 0.095 ± 0.016 in controls (P < 0.001). Selenium status correlated with serum albumin (r = 0.77; P < 0.001) and 60% had documented GI malabsorption as determined by abnormal d-Xylose tests. In a subsequent study blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase were diminished in 12 AIDS and 8 ARC patients compared with normals (all P < 0.001). For glutathione peroxidase the mean levels were decreased by 45% in AIDS and 27% in ARC versus controls (P < 0.001). Both plasma selenium and glutathione peroxidase significantly correlated with total lymphocyte counts (r = 0.65; P < 0.001; glutathione peroxidase and lymphocyte counts). This occurred in both homosexuals and drug users with AIDS and irrespective of the presence or absence of diarrhea or GI malabsorption. To determine if tissue levels of selenium were also depleted we studied cardiac selenium levels in autopsy AIDS hearts compared to age and sex matched controls. Cardiac selenium in AIDS was 0.327 ± 0.082 μg/g dry weight versus 0.534 ± 0.184 in controls (P < 0.01). Two cases had histologic cardiomyopathy pathologically consistent with the cardiomyopathy described in Keshan disease associated with low selenium blood levels. To further assess mechanisms of nutrient and selenium deficiency in AIDS we studied dietary intake in outpatients and inpatients with various stages of HIV infection. Inadequate selenium intake based on a computer (Nutritionist 3) analysis of 72 h diet records was present in only 17% of clinically stable HIV positive outpatients and 71% of inpatients with AIDS. Conclusions: Selenium deficiency is common in HIV positive patients as documented by low plasma and red blood cell levels of selenium, diminished activity of glutathione peroxidase, and low cardiac selenium levels in AIDS hearts. Patients with AIDS tend to have more severe deficits than those with earlier stages of HIV infection. The selenium deficit in blood does correlate with serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts. Poor dietary intake and malabsorption could lead to this condition which has important implications for both cardiac and immune functions in HIV positive patients.
Mucocutaneous complications of smoking cessation therapies

Despite widespread knowledge of the morbidity and mortality associated with smoking, this addictive practice continues to be quite prevalent throughout the United States, as about one-fifth of the population smokes cigarettes. Because of the financial burden, and the significant psychosocial and health implications of smoking, many individuals are now attempting to quit, and often using some type of pharmacotherapy for assistance. Given that dermatologists will likely encounter patients using smoking cessation aids, it is important to be aware of their potential mucocutaneous adverse effects. We present a brief review of the dermatologic complications associated with smoking cessation therapies. Hopefully, this article will also remind dermatologists to encourage smoking cessation at every visit.
Legal Issues in Serving Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and new regulations by the U.S. Justice Department significantly broaden legal protections for students with disabilities. This, coupled with emerging populations with disabilities, will challenge postsecondary education to think differently about what is fundamental about their programs and the need to embrace flexibility in providing educational services.
Efficient and flexible GUI test execution via test merging

As a test suite evolves, it can accumulate redundant tests. To address this problem, many test-suite reduction techniques, based on different measures of redundancy, have been developed. A more subtle problem, that can also cause test-suite bloat and that has not been addressed by existing research, is the accumulation of similar tests. Similar tests are not redundant by any measure; but, they contain many common actions that are executed repeatedly, which over a large test suite, can degrade execution time substantially. We present a test merging technique for GUI tests. Given a test suite, the technique identifies the tests that can be merged and creates a merged test, which covers all the application states that are exercised individually by the tests, but with the redundant common steps executed only once. The key novelty in the merging technique is that it compares the dynamic states induced by the tests to identify a semantically meaningful interleaving of steps from different tests. The technique not only improves the efficiency of test execution, but also ensures that there is no loss in the fault-revealing power of the original tests. In the empirical studies, conducted using four open-source web applications and one proprietary enterprise web application, in which over $3300$ test cases and 19600 test steps were analyzed, the technique reduced the number of test steps by 29% and the test-execution time by 39%.
Bioconvective indicators in Tetrahymena: Nickel and copper protection from cadmium poisoning

As a biological detector for cadmium toxicity, an assay using the motile response of the protozoa species, Tetrahymena pyriformis, has been described. The assay relies on macroscopic bioconvective patterns to score the toxic response, giving a sensitivity better than 1 μM and a toxicity threshold to 7 μM for Cd+2 . Using pattern formation as the toxicity monitor, nickel and copper are investigated individually for toxic effects at low dosages without cadmium and for poison protection directly against cadmium. Both 0.01 mM Ni and 0.05 mM Cu show protective competition with cadmium and enhance pattern formation capabilities for 3 μM Cd+2.
Measurement of Elasto-Optic Effect in Absorbing Materials by Ellipsometry*

Strain-induced changes in the optical (dielectric) constants of silver films on lead zirconate titanate are determined ellipsometrically. In general, for a contaminant-free surface, the induced changes can be determined directly from the ellipsometer measurements. An additional advantage of the method is that it allows compensation for errors introduced by unavoidable mechanical vibrations. In the development of the theory, four-zone expressions are derived for the general case that includes the effect of extraneous signals caused by mechanical vibration.
Preasymptotic form of impurity screening in a metal

Abstract An R-4 correction term to Friedel's asymptotic form (∼R-3) for the screening around an impurity atom in a free electron metal has been derived. It is found to lead to significant changes in the electric field at the first few neighboring shells.
Algebraic features of some computational problems in nonlinear stability theory

Recently, a computational algorithm was developed to estimate the domain of attraction of smooth nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The algorithm is based on the approximation of the solutions of such equations by those of a Carleman linearization of the system as suggested in the work of Krener and Brockett. Preliminary applications of the algorithm to second order systems have been encouraging. Applications to more complex systems raise some interesting al gebraic questions in relation to the implementation of the algorithm. Our presentation will focus on these issues.
Effect of Semen Collector on Semen Volume and Sperm Concentration in Broiler Breeder Males

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the importance of semen collector effects and semen collector by rooster interactions as possible sources of variation for three semen quality characteristics. Eleven roosters were ejaculated once a day, 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) over 3 consecutive weeks beginning when males were 46 weeks of age. Three semen collectors ejaculated all the males on a different day each week according to a Latin Square design. Significant differences in semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm per ejaculate were observed among roosters while semen collector had no effect on these characteristics. The absence of significant semen collector by rooster interactions for the three characteristics measured indicated that roosters ranked similarly across semen collectors.
An empirical study: Team charters and viability in freshmen engineering design

While the concept of teams has been diffused into engineering education as an instructional activity for nearly two decades, questions remain about how best to provide instruction so that it supports student teams' effectiveness without compromising technical content. Additionally, employers in industry, government, and higher education have an insatiable need for engineers proficient in work that requires multi-disciplinary teams. The issue is further compounded by the sky-rocketing cost of education-students and families want an acceptable rate of return on their tuition. Administrators must determine how to increase value-adding coursework. Engineering education and team literature is replete with theoretical and descriptive studies focused on adding separate team-building courses to the already full and expensive mandatory class lists. Students and their families do not want to pay for more credits; they want more for their investment. To this end the current study looks at one facet of planning, team charter enactment, in relation to team effectiveness-operationalized as team viability within an existing freshmen design engineering course at a large Mid-Atlantic university.
Modification of sociometric status and social interaction with mainstreamed mild developmentally disabled children

Abstract An intervention package based upon personal attraction theory was used to modify the sociometric standing and social interactions of three mildly developmentally disabled boys enrolled in a regular fourth-grade class. The study employed a withdrawal of treatment (ABAB) design with replication across subjects. Also, sociometric ratings and social interactions were assessed at two- and four-week follow-up points. Intervention consisted of three, interrelated components: (a) assignment of each target child as a team captain for a daily competition game; (b) manipulation of target children's scores such that the teams always won a prize; and (c) target children's distribution of prizes to teammates. Results indicate that: (a) the intervention procedure produced an immediate and durable increase in the sociometric standing of the boys; (b) an immediate and durable decrease in negative social interactions between the target children and regular class peers obtained; and (c) the positive interaction between the three boys and class peers was substantially increased when the intervention was in effect.
Specialized peptidoglycan of the bacterial endospore: the inner wall of the lockbox

A modified peptidoglycan (PG) wall is required for maintenance of spore core dehydration and the accompanying metabolic dormancy and heat resistance. Production of the spore PG depends on the cooperative expression of gene products within both the mother cell and forespore compartments of the sporangium. Structural elements that differentiate spore PG from vegetative cell PG include the presence of the modified sugar muramic-δ-lactam and a low level of peptide cross-links between the glycan strands. Detailed analyses of PG structure in dormant spores and in developing forespores of wild-type and mutant strains are providing data on factors required for introduction of these modifications and the importance of these structural elements in determining spore properties. Muramic-δ-lactam is not required for spore core dehydration but serves as a specificity factor for spore germination lytic enzymes. Cross-linking of spore PG can vary over a relatively wide range without significantly effecting spore core dehydration but does have an influence on the rate of spore germination and outgrowth. Future studies will examine how the two cells within the sporangium coordinate the production of this unique structure between themselves and how specific spore PG structural modifications are produced and participate in determining spore resistance properties.
Functional analysis of Cdc42 in actin filament assembly, epithelial morphogenesis, and cell signaling during Drosophila development.

Abstract Cdc42, a member of the Rho family of GTP binding proteins, functions in the formation of polarized actin structures, in elongation of cell shape, and in cell signaling. Although genetic mutations previously have not been available in multicellular organisms, studies have attempted to discern Cdc42 functions in organisms, including Drosophila, using dominant active or interfering alleles. Here, for the first time, we examine the functions of Cdc42 in developing tissues using loss-of-function mutations in the Drosophila Cdc42 gene. We find that Cdc42− epithelial cells fail to elongate into a columnar cell shape and cannot maintain a monolayered epithelial structure. In contrast to previous studies, we find no requirement for Cdc42 in cell division or in activation of the Jun N-terminal kinase pathway. In addition, Cdc42 function is not required for cytoplasmic actin filament assembly in the nurse cells during oogenesis, although it may facilitate this process. Furthermore, our results indicate that Cdc42 plays a role in intercellular interactions between the germ line and the somatic follicle cells. These results confirm the role of Cdc42 in actin filament assembly and provide new insights into its functions in epithelial morphogenesis and regulating intercellular signaling events.
Visual Framing of the Early Weeks of the U.S.-Led Invasion of Iraq: Applying the Master War Narrative to Electronic and Print Images

A content analysis of 1,822 images from U.S. mainstream media—network and cable television news outlets, news Web sites, newspapers, and news magazines—revealed that the visual framing of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 shifted from conflict to human interest. During the campaign's first 5 weeks, 5 distinct scenarios—shock and awe, conquering troops, hero, victory, and control—often coalesced around iconic images and supported a “master war narrative” identified by other scholars. These visual frames reflected a government-promoted patriotic perspective seen in media content at the outset of previous U.S. wars, from the Civil War through the Gulf War.
A hydrodynamic model for nuclear stopping

Abstract A three-fluid one-dimensional hydrodynamic model for relativistic heavy-ion collisions is presented. The three fluids are left- and right-moving nucleonic matter and a third fluid representing the energy produced by the collisions of the nucleonic particles. For the collision of nucleons with the energy fluid, the cross section per proton mass of fluid is taken equal to the proton-proton cross section. The energy exchange per collision is assumed to be about 1.4 GeV. Complete stopping at the CERN energy of 200 GeV/N occurs in this model. The results are fairly insensitive to the nucleon-energy-fluid cross section.
Enforcing interoperability with the open archives initiative repository explorer

The Open Archives Initiative (OAI) is an organization dedicated to sol ving problems of digital library interoperability by defining simple protocols, most recently for the exchange of metadata. The success of such an activity requires vigilance in specification of the protocol as well as standardization of implementation. The lack of standardized implementation is a substantial barrier to interoperability in many existing client/server protocols. To avoid this pitfall we developed the Repository Explorer, a tool that supports manual and automated protocol testing. This tool has a significant impact on simplifying development of interoperability interfaces and increasing the level of confidence of early adopters of the technology, thus exemplifying the positive impact of exhaustive testing and quality assurance on interoperability ventures.
Mycobacterial Lipid Logic

During infection of the lung epithelium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis must infect and survive within macrophages long enough to be transported into deeper lung tissues. Cambier et al. (2013) show that pathogenic mycobacteria use the coordinated action of two cell wall glycolipids to regulate macrophage recruitment to initial infection sites.
Promoting Positive Interactions in the Classroom: Adapting Parent-Child Interaction Therapy as a Universal Prevention Program

The adaptation of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an empirically- supported dyadic parent training intervention, to a preschool seing may provide an opportunity to enhance the well-being of both teachers and children by improving the teacher-child relationship and supplying teachers with effective tools for behavior management. The current article describes the development and implementation of a Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT) program, based on the PCIT model, to a preschool seing serving primarily low-income, urban, ethnic minority youth. We discuss the rationale for applying PCIT as a prevention program, prior research on adaptations of PCIT to educational seings, application of community psychology principles and strategies in adapting PCIT to the classroom, core TCIT program components, evaluation of effectiveness, issues in sustainability, and resources for successfully implementing the program.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the Hamster

Allergic contact dermatitis to strong, low molecular weight contact allergens can regularly be induced in the hamster. By its clinical course, histopathology and susceptibility to intensification with complete Freund's adjuvant, this hypersensitivity appears congruent with the allergic contact dermatitis observed in other experimental animals and the allergic contact dermatitis seen in humans. Further, in the hamster, we find that pretreatment with cyclophosphamide intensifies the acquisition of allergic contact dermatitis to dinitrochlorobenzene and to oxazolone; the target of cyclophosphamide immunopotentiation has been shown in the mouse and guinea pig to be a regulator suppressor cell. In addition, we have induced in the hamster specific immune tolerance to dinitrochlorobenzene with dinitrobenzene sulfonate; in the mouse and guinea pig it has been demonstrated that the induction of specific immune tolerance to contact allergens by parenteral hapten involves the elaboration of specific suppressor cells. These findings, then, imply the existence of regulatory suppressor cells for T-cell phenomena in the hamster. This contrasts with reports that suppressor cell function in hamsters, as against other rodents, is defective as it relates to the regulation of, for instance, allogeneic reactions, antibody formation and tolerance to contact allergens.
Proton-neutron mass difference

Suppose all deviations from isotopic spin symmetry are due solely to electromagnetic effects. Then such things as the mass difference of charged and neutral π mesons, and the neutron-proton mass difference would have to be just electrodynamic.
Enantioselective alpha-arylation of aldehydes via organo-SOMO catalysis. An ortho-selective arylation reaction based on an open-shell pathway.

The intramolecular α-arylation of aldehydes has been accomplished using singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) catalysis. Selective oxidation of chiral enamines (formed by the condensation of an aldehyde and a secondary amine catalyst) leads to the formation of a 3π-electron radical species. These chiral SOMO-activated radical cations undergo enantioselective reaction with an array of pendent electron-rich aromatics and heterocycles thus efficiently providing cyclic α-aryl aldehyde products (10 examples: ≥70% yield and ≥90% ee). In accordance with our radical mechanism, when there is a choice between arylation at the ortho or para position of anisole substrates, we find that arylation proceeds selectively at the ortho position.
Morphology and permeability properties of blood capillaries in extraocular muscles of macaque monkeys.

Extrinsic eye muscles are very different from other skeletal muscles with regard to the morphology of their fibers and response to drugs. In addition, they are provided with an unusually rich blood supply. Since it had been previously reported that the capillaries of extraocular muscles are, at least in part, of the fenestrated type, a feature unusual for skeletal muscles, we have analyzed the morphology of these vessels in macaque monkeys and tested their permeability properties with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Our study of the blood capillaries in the superior rectus muscle and levator palpebrae superioris inMacaca mulatta andM. fascicularis has demonstrated that these vessels are morphologically similar to the capillaries of other skeletal muscles. Furthermore, when HRP is introducedintravenam, it is transported out of the vessels by a vesicular transcellular mechanism. When HRP is injected in the interstitial spaces of the muscles, it is returned to the lumen by an identical vesicular transcellular transport. Thus, a bidirectional movement of macromolecules can take place across the walls of these vessels, and such a movement is not different from that previously reported for other skeletal muscles.
"Linga" as Lord Supreme in the Vacana-s of bAsava

L'ambivalence du terme et du symbole linga est ancienne| on la trouve chez Basava (XII s. de notre ere) ou ce symbole sexuel (phallique) est identifie deja a l'Etre absolu. (Les vacanas sont des poemes de devotion en prose.).
Mechanisms of instability in crystalline alloys with respect to vitrification

Abstract Crystal to amorphous transformations are observed in metals and alloys when a crystalline phase is prepared in, or driven to, a non-equilibrium configuration and kinetic constraints are maintained which prevent the full reestablishment of equilibrium. Examples of this include amorphization by solid state interdiffusion reactions of crystalline reactants or a crystal with a gaseous reactant, radiation-induced amorphization and amorphization by mechanical alloying. The transformation to the amorphous phase bears a striking resemblance to ordinary melting. For example, it generally exhibits characteristics of a first-order phase transformation (e.g. latent heat, a sharp crystal-glass interface, etc.) . However, under certain conditions, the crystalline phase may become unstable and the transformation catastrophic. This paper discusses various aspects of the crystal to glass transformation. Particular attention is given to the limits of stability of metastable crystals and attempts to develop criteria for defining these limits. These concepts are related to experimental observation.
Mechanism of the nanoscale localization of Ge quantum dot nucleation on focused ion beam templated Si(001) surfaces

We investigate the fundamental mechanism by which self-assembled Ge islands can be nucleated at specific sites on Si(001) using ultra-low-dose focused ion beam (FIB) pre-patterning. Island nucleation is controlled by a nanotopography that forms after the implantation of Ga ions during subsequent thermal annealing of the substrate. This nanotopography evolves during the annealing stage, changing from a nanoscale annular depression associated with each focused ion beam spot to a nanoscale pit, and eventually disappearing (planarizing). The correspondence of Ge quantum dot nucleation sites to the focused ion beam features requires a growth surface upon which the nanotopography is preserved. A further key observation is that the Ge wetting layer thickness is reduced in patterned regions, allowing the formation of islands on the templated regions without nucleation elsewhere. These results provide routes to the greatly enhanced design and control of quantum dot distributions and dimensions.
Separation in Ψ-spaces

Abstract A Ψ-space is the topological space usually associated with a maximal almost disjoint family of subsets of the integers. In this paper, we study properties that an infinite set of nonisolated points in a Ψ-space might possess. These properties are 2-embeddedness, C∗-embeddedness, and another weaker property, that of being solidly normalized. It is known from [2,3] that the existence of a Ψ-space with an infinite set of nonisolated points with any of these properties is independent of ZFC. Here we show that these three properties are distinct by providing examples, assuming less than Martin's axiom, of Ψ-spaces with infinite sets of nonisolated points which in one case are C∗- but not 2-embedded, and in the other case solidly normalized but not C∗-embedded. Additionally, Martin's axiom implies the existence of a Ψ-space with a set S of nonisolated points of cardinality c such that every subset of S with cardinality less than c is 2-embedded.
International geophysics: Symposium on the hydrology of deltas

A Symposium on the Hydrology of Deltas was held in Bucharest, Romania, on May 6–9; it was followed by a field trip to the delta of the Danube River on May 10–14. The Symposium was organized by Unesco, with the collaboration of the Romanian Government and the support of the International Association of Scientific Hydrology (IASH). The Romanian Government did an excellent job of arranging for airport reception, hotels in Bucharest, a meeting hall for the technical sessions, hospitality sessions, a full side program for wives of delegates, and hotels, meals, and transportation (bus, train, and boat) on the field trip. The Institute of Hydrotechnical Research of the Romanian Government provided most of the support.
Potentiometric behavior of electrodes based on overoxidized polypyrrole films

Electrodes based on oxidized polypyrrole films have potentiometric selectivity toward anions. When the films are overoxidized, however, electron-rich groups are introduced on to the polymer chains, reversing the selectivity of the electrodes from anionic to cationic. In this study, electrochemically overoxidized polypyrrole film electrodes were prepared, and the conditions for film formation that lead to near-Nernstian potentiometric response were investigated. It was found that the doping ion, overoxidation solution, and pH affect the response of these electrodes. Redox interference is significantly lower for the overoxidized polypyrrole films than for polypyrrole electrodes.
Experiments on gravity currents propagating down slopes. Part 2. The evolution of a fixed volume of fluid released from closed locks into a long, open channel

A series of experiments have been carried out on gravity currents released from locks of various dimensions into a sloping, open channel. Initially all the driving heads of the gravity currents grew by addition of heavier material from a following down-slope flow and by entrainment of ambient fluid, as in Maxworthy & Nokes (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 584, 2007, pp. 433–453). After propagating a distance of the order of 5–10 lock lengths the inflow into the rear stopped, and the head began to lose buoyancy-containing fluid from its rear by the detachment of large, weakly vortical structures. At the same time it was still entraining fluid over the majority of its surface so that its mean density was reduced. Measurements using a semi-direct method, in which dye concentration was used as a surrogate for density, have shown that the buoyancy in the current head increased during the first phase and decreased during the second. At no stage was the buoyancy constant except, of course, at the location and time at which the buoyancy was maximum with a magnitude significantly smaller than the initial value in the lock. Despite this the constant buoyancy theory of Beghin, Hopfinger & Britter (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 107, 1981, pp. 407–422), in which the head location x varies with time t as t2/3 during the later velocity-decay stage of the evolution, was found to be remarkably robust as a description of the evolution over both the latter part of the increasing-buoyancy stage and all of the decreasing-buoyancy phase. Critically, however, the multiplying coefficient had to be smaller than presented by them in order to track the experimental data with precision. This was due principally to the observation that the buoyancy at the beginning of the decay phase was considerably smaller than the initial buoyancy in the lock.
Potato Yield Variability across the Landscape

To reduce yield variability and optimize management that meets environmental objectives, it is essential to understand the relationship of the tri-factor impact of plant health, soil physical, and chemical properties on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) productivity. Potato producers emphasize management of soil chemical properties to achieve less variable and high yield, yet tuber yield heterogeneity persists. There has been limited integrated research on the tri-factor impact on potato tuber yield. The objective of this study was to investigate how specific soil and plant variables (stable aggregates, nutrients, and plant spectral reflectance among others) affect yield across a landscape. Soil (0-100 mm depth) and plant properties were monitored in two Michigan commercial fields using geo-referenced sampling points in Field A1 (108 grid points) in 2003, and Field A2 (100 grid points) in 2004 (0.05 ha grid -1 ). Near-earth plant spectral remote sensing was conducted using a customized digital camera set-up, and potato tuber yield was obtained through a GPS-linked commercial harvester. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed a combination of soil physical and chemical properties, as well as plant spectral reflectance, accounted for more than 60% of the yield variability in both fields. Soil stable aggregates in particular, were sensitive predictors of field-level variability for tuber yield in a commercial environment. Improvements in soil structure may take time and concerted management attention, but should not be overlooked as a supplement to monitoring and ameliorating soil chemical properties. Plant spectral reflectance analysis also provided insights into the role of plant health on potato yield.
New developments in the theory and modeling of mercury oxidation and binding on activated carbons in flue gas

Recent advances in the mechanistic understanding of mercury oxidation on a carbon surface in flue gas are reviewed in this paper. Theoretical calculations were performed to determine whether the energetics are feasible for a proposed detailed model for oxidative addition of elemental mercury on a carbon edge structure. The results of the calculation show that mercury complexation with a carbenium ion formed at a zigzag edge carbon has a small positive ΔG, but attack of chloride on the complex will proceed with negative ΔG. The energetics rule out a direct covalent bond formation between mercury and the carbenium ion. Alternative concerted reaction models and double-charged models for the mechanism are also feasible but have not yet been computed.
Efficacy of Laparoscopic Pyloroplasty for the Treatment of Gastroparesis

Background The modest results of nonoperative modalities for the treatment of gastroparesis necessitate greater consideration of surgical therapies. However, the role of surgery is not well defined. The aim of this study is to present our experience with laparoscopic pyloroplasty as early treatment for gastroparesis. Study Design Fifty patients with refractory gastroparesis underwent laparoscopic pyloroplasty (hand-sewn Heineke-Mikulicz configuration) from 2006 to 2013 at our institution. Preoperative and postoperative symptom data, gastric emptying scintigraphy, and technical outcomes of the procedure were reviewed. A single-factor ANOVA was performed for the comparison of continuous variables. Results are reported as mean ± SD or median absolute deviation. Results Thirty-four of 50 (68%) patients had previous foregut procedures and/or cholecystectomy. Thirty-two of 50 (64%) patients underwent concomitant procedures (ie, paraesophageal hernia repair and gastrostomy takedown) along with the pyloroplasty. Operative time, including combined procedures, blood loss, and length of stay were 175 ± 56 minutes, 64 ± 50 mL, 2.5 ± 2.7 days, respectively. There were no conversions to open technique or intraoperative complications. There were no suture-line leaks. The readmission rate was 14%. All patients had symptom follow-up and 33 (66%) had postoperative gastric emptying scintigraphy. Postoperative symptom improvement was reported by 82% of the patients (p 1/2 was 180 ± 73 minutes and postoperative T 1/2 was 60 ± 23 minutes (p 1/2 times, required other gastric emptying procedures; distal gastrectomy (n = 2), duodenojejunostomy (n = 2), and gastric stimulator placement (n = 1). Conclusions Laparoscopic pyloroplasty is an effective early-treatment modality for selected cases of gastroparesis, with substantial improvement in objective gastric emptying times and low morbidity. The laparoscopic approach does not preclude subsequent procedures when necessary.
The discrete energy-momentum method: conserving algorithms for nonlinear elastodynamics

In the absence of external loads or in the presence of symmetries (i.e., translational and rotational invariance) the nonlinear dynamics of continuum systems preserves the total linear and the total angular momentum. Furthermore, under assumption met by all classical models, the internal dissipation in the system is non-negative. The goal of this work is the systematic design of conserving algorithms that preserve exactly the conservation laws of momentum and inherit the property of positive dissipation forany step-size. In particular, within the specific context of elastodynamics, a second order accurate algorithm is presented that exhibits exact conservation of both total (linear and angular) momentum and total energy. This scheme is shown to be amenable to a completely straightforward (Galerkin) finite element implementation and ideally suited for long-term/large-scale simulations. The excellent performance of the method relative to conventional time-integrators is conclusively demonstrated in numerical simulations exhibiting large strains coupled with a large overall rigid motion.
Scanning and transmission electron microscope investigation of preferential thinning during ion beam milling of an Al-Ag alloy containing γ precipitate plates and the subsequent effects on microanalysis

This paper demonstrates how a combination of high-resolution field-emission gun scanning and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques, including bright-field TEM imaging, two-detector secondary electron imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), can be used to unambiguously determine the degree of preferential thinning during ion beam milling of an Al alloy containing thin plate-shaped precipitates, and illustrates the problems incurred by differential thinning of specimens on EDXS data and EFTEM images.