cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domain Walls Due to Anisotropic Diffusion in 3.8% 3He-4He Solutions

Nonlinear anisotropic spin diffusion is considered in3He−4He solutions at the3He concentration 3.8% where spin-rotation effects are absent. For large anisotropy D‖≫D⊥ it is shown that a long-lived domain wall solution exists in which transverse magnetization is confined in a tube between two reservoirs of up and down spins, as in a longitudinal spin diffusion experiment. This is possible when D‖≫D⊥ because diffusion of the transverse magnetization away from the domain wall is balanced by longitudinal diffusion toward the wall. Furthermore, the spin current between the up- and down-spin reservoirs is reduced because the spins must diffuse through the domain wall via transverse diffusion. The decay rate of the wall due to small external and demagnetizing field gradients is also calculated.
Decreased resistance of vitamin B12-deficient rats to cold stress.

Summary1. Prolonged exposure to cold significantly increased the vit. B12 requirement of the rat. 2. Resistance to cold stress (as measured by length of survival under conditions of low environmental temperature) was significantly impaired in the vit. B12-2-deficient rat.
The Neural Sublime: Cognitive Theories and Romantic Texts

Alan Richardson's transformative study, The Neural Sublime: Cognitive Theories and Romantic Texts (2010), flags a crucial new stage in the development of cognitive literary studies as a now establi...
The Paradoxical Relationship between White Matter, Psychopathology and Cognition in Schizophrenia: A Diffusion Tensor and Proton Spectroscopic Imaging Study

White matter disruption has been repeatedly documented in schizophrenia consistent with microstructural disorganization (reduced fractional anisotropy (FA)) and axonal dysfunction (reduced N-acetylaspartate NAAc). However, the clinical significance of these abnormalities is poorly understood. Diffusion tensor and proton spectroscopic imaging where used to assess FA, axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity (RD), and supra-ventricular white matter NAAc, respectively, in 64 schizophrenia and 64 healthy subjects. Schizophrenia patients had reduced FA across several regions, with additional regions where FA correlated positively with positive symptoms severity. These regions included genu, body and splenium of corpus callosum, anterior and superior corona radiata, superior longitudinal and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, and internal capsule. The FA/symptoms relationships corresponded with opposite correlations between RD and positive symptoms. The schizophrenia group (SP group) had progressively reduced NAAc with age, and NAAc correlated negatively with positive symptoms. Cognition correlated positively with both FA and NAAc in controls, whereas in the SP group it had a negative correlation with NAAc and no significant relationship with FA. Antipsychotic dose did not account for the results. Correlates of psychosis, cognitive and negative symptoms can be found in white matter. The significant correlations between positive symptoms in schizophrenia and diffusion and NAAc measures suggest decreased axonal density with increased glial cells and higher myelination in this subpopulation. A separate set of abnormal relationships between cognition and FA/RD, as well as with NAAc, converge to suggest that in schizophrenia, white matter microstructure supports the two core illness domains: psychosis and cognitive/negative symptoms.
Early initiation of DNA synthesis in G1 phase HeLa cells following fusion with red cell ghosts loaded with S-phase cell extracts.

Abstract A modification of polyethylene glycol-mediated cell fusion procedure has been described and standardized for red blood cell mediated microinjection of proteins into cells in suspension. Using this procedure, proteins are routinely introduced into 50 % of the target cells. We have applied this microinjection procedure to introduce cytoplasmic extracts obtained from S-phase HeLa cells into HeLa cells synchronized in G1. This experiment resulted in an accelerated entry of the G1 cells into S phase as measured by the incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine. This technique may provide a means to identify and characterize the S-phase factors responsible for the induction of DNA synthesis.
Strong coupling solution of the asymmetric electrolyte problem: field-theoretic approach

Abstract This is a continuation of our studies of the electrolyte problem formulated in the field-theoretic fashion. The discretization of the functional integral representing the partition function for asymmetric electrolytes allows us to study the strong coupling regime and to compare the final results with available Monte Carlo data. For space dimensionalities greater than two we found that our model exhibits a liquid-gas type phase transition. For symmetric 1-1 electrolytes in three dimensions the critical point is given in terms of the reduced variables, defined in the text as T ∗ r = 0.1263 , P ∗ r = 0.0316 , and 0.13 ⩽ π∗r ⩽ 0.25. For asymmetric electrolytes critical parameters are presented as some known functions of the symmetric critical parameters and the degree of ion charge asymmetry. The results obtained are in good agreement with the available Monte Carlo data.
Time Series Based Structural Damage Detection Algorithm Using Gaussian Mixtures Modeling

In this paper, a time series based detection algorithm is proposed utilizing the Gaussian Mixture Models. The two critical aspects of damage diagnosis that are investigated are detection and extent. The vibration signals obtained from the structure are modeled as autoregressive moving average (ARMA) processes. The feature vector used consists of the first three autoregressive coefficients obtained from the modeling of the vibration signals. Damage is detected by observing a migration of the extracted AR coefficients with damage. A Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is used to model the feature vector. Damage is detected using the gap statistic, which ascertains the optimal number of mixtures in a particular dataset. The Mahalanobis distance between the mixture in question and the baseline (undamaged) mixture is a good indicator of damage extent. Application cases from the ASCE Benchmark Structure simulated data have been used to test the efficacy of the algorithm. This approach provides a useful framework for data fusion, where different measurements such as strains, temperature, and humidity could be used for a more robust damage decision.
Instabilities in a Stratified Fluid Having One Critical Level. Part I: Results

Abstract We consider instabilities in a stratified Boussinesq fluid with basic velocity Uo(z). We initiate this study by considering the detailed stability properties of a profile where Uo(z) is constant in a top and bottom layer and varies linearly with z in an intermediate layer. For an infinite fluid, we find, in addition to Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities similar to those found by Miles and Howard (1964), an unstable gravity wave mode propagating energy away from exactly one side of the shear zone if and only if the Richardson number in the shear zone is less than 0.1164±0.0001. With a lower boundary present, we find gravity wave instabilities propagating above as well as below the shear zone can exist only when the Richardson number is less than 0. 116. The ability of a shear zone to sustain instabilities propagating energy to infinity on one side is hence only present when the Richardson number is less than 0.116, whether or, not the ground is present. With a lower boundary present, we also find grav...
Confirmation of chromosome 7q11 locus for predisposition to intracranial aneurysm

A significant linkage of intracranial aneurysm (IA) has recently been reported to chromosomal region 7q11 (MLS=3.22) in a genomic search of 85 Japanese nuclear families with at least two affected siblings (104 sib pairs). This region contains the elastin gene (ELN, OMIM 130160), which is a functional candidate gene for IA. We have replicated this finding through linkage analyses in 13 extended pedigrees from Utah, comprising 39 IA cases. We genotyped three markers flanking ELN and performed two-point and multipoint parametric analyses, employing simple dominant and recessive models. Analyses utilizing a recessive affecteds-only model yielded significant confirmation of linkage to the region (best evidence, multipoint TLOD=2.34, at D7S2421, corrected P=0.001). This study is the first to confirm the linkage of the 7q11 locus for IA.
A localizing circumferential compression device increases survival after coral snake envenomation to the torso of an animal model.

Background: Pressure immobilization bandages have been shown to delay onset of systemic toxicity after Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) envenomation to the distal extremity. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a novel compression device in delaying onset of systemic toxicity after truncal envenomations with Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) venom in a porcine model. Methods: With University approval, nine juvenile pigs (11 kg to 22 kg) were sedated, anesthetized, and intubated but not paralyzed to ensure continuous spontaneous respirations in a university animal laboratory. Each animal was injected subcutaneously with 10 mg of M. fulvius venom in a pre-selected area of the trunk. After 1 min, six animals had the application of a novel, localizing circumferential compression (LoCC) device applied to the bite site (treatment group) and three animals had no treatment (control group). The device was composed of a rigid polymer clay form molded into a hollow fusiform shape with an internal dimension of 8 × 5 × 3 cm and an elastic belt wrapped around the animal securing the device in place. Vital signs were recorded at 30-min intervals. End points included a respiratory rate below 3 breaths/min, oxygen saturation < 80%, or survival to 8 h. Survival to 8 h was analyzed using Fisher's exact test, with p < 0.05 indicating significance. Survival analysis was performed using the Mantel-Cox test to assess time to death with outcomes represented in a Kaplan-Meier Cumulative survival plot. Results: Five of the six pigs in the treatment group survived 8 h (293–480 min). None of the control pigs survived to 8 h (Fisher's exact p = 0.04), with mean time of respiratory failure 322 min (272–382 min). Survival analysis showed a significant delay in time to event in the treatment group compared to the control group (p = 0.04). Conclusions: The LoCC device used in this study delayed the onset of systemic toxicity and significantly increased survival time after artificial truncal envenomation by Eastern coral snake venom.
TH‐A‐214‐10: Comparison of Bismuth Shielding and Globally Reducing Tube Current in Head and Thoracic CT

Purpose: To compare the dose reduction and image quality achieved using bismuth shielding or global decreasing of the tube current in head and thoracic CT. Methods: An anthropomorphic head phantom and four sizes of thorax phantoms were used for dose measurement and image quality assessment. Three scans were performed on each phantom with a 128‐slice clinical CT scanner: 1) reference (relevant clinical protocol); 2) reference plus bismuth shield; 3) reference with a global reduction in tube current chosen to match the dose reduction from bismuth shielding. Dose to the eye was measured with OSL dosimeters. Dose to the breast was measured with an ion chamber on the surface of the phantom. Image quality was evaluated by measuring the mean and standard deviation of CT numbers within the brain region for head CT and the lung and heart regions for thoracic CT. Results: Compared to reference scan, dose to the eye was reduced by 26.4% with bismuth shielding; dose to the breast region was decreased by 21% for the 15‐cm phantom with a pediatric (2‐ply) shield and by 37% for the 30, 35 and 40‐cm phantoms with adult (4‐ply) shields. The dose reduction achieved with bismuth shielding was limited to the anterior surface. Globally decreasing tube current reduced dose by similar amounts, but for all projection angles. Imagenoise was increased in the brain,lung and heart regions by similar amounts with both techniques. However, streak artifacts and an increase in CT numbers were observed for using bismuth shields, but not for global tube current reduction. Conclusions: Globally decreasing tube current can produce the same dose reduction, but for all projections, as bismuth shielding reduces dose to the anterior surface (eye and breast), with a similar noise increase, yet without the streak artifacts and CT number errors caused by bismuth shields.
Being polite while fulfilling different discourse functions in online classroom discussions

Using a discourse analytic qualitative approach, we investigated the naturally-occurring discourse that arose as part of two kinds of regular course activities, synchronous and asynchronous computer-mediated discussions. The messages contributed by members of a graduate course were analyzed for the kind of discourse functions and the kind of politeness strategies they displayed. Results indicated that synchronous CMD afforded more information seeking, information providing, and social comments than asynchronous CMD. Asynchronous discussions were slightly more likely to allow for such functions as discussion generating, experience sharing, idea explanation, and self-evaluation functions than synchronous discussions. Proportionately the two modes were similar in how politeness was expressed. Finally, in relating politeness and function, we found more politeness indicators when students were posting messages with such functions as positive evaluation and group conversation management, functions that carried the potential for face threat, and the least politeness associated with messages serving the function of experience sharing.
Outsourcing inspiration: The performance effects of ideological messages from leaders and beneficiaries

Although ideological messages are thought to inspire employee performance, research has shown mixed results. Typically, ideological messages are delivered by leaders, but employees may be suspicious of ulterior motives—leaders may merely be seeking to inspire higher performance. As such, we propose that these messages are often more effective when outsourced to a more neutral third party—the beneficiaries of employees’ work. In Study 1, a field quasi-experiment with fundraisers, ideological messages from a beneficiary—but not from two leaders—increased performance. In Study 2, a laboratory experiment with an editing task, participants achieved higher task and citizenship performance when an ideological message was delivered by a speaker portrayed as a beneficiary vs. a leader, mediated by suspicion. In Study 3, a laboratory experiment with a marketing task, the beneficiary source advantage was contingent on message content: beneficiaries motivated higher task and citizenship performance than leaders with prosocial messages but not achievement messages.
Claiming individual rights through a constitutional court: The example of gays in Costa Rica

In 1989, a newly created Constitutional Court (Sala IV) immediately became a highly active court, ending over 160 years of Costa Rican judicial inactivity. The magistrates’ actions breathed new life into the Constitution, ended judicial deference to elected officials, and consequently transformed Costa Rican political life. Simultaneously, the Sala IV magistrates assumed the role of guardians of constitutional rights, giving rise to what is frequently described as a rights revolution. The article sheds light on the sudden relevance of the forty-year-old Constitutional document through an examination of the institutional rules and procedures under which the new Court operates, and it examines the successes and failures of one of the country's most marginalized groups in seeking protection of their constitutional rights from the Court.
Pathophysiology in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a distressing condition that impairs quality of life, and it deserves to be treated. It also has a large economic impact on healthcare utilization and absenteeism. IBS is a disorder in which three major mechanisms interact: altered gastrointestinal motility, increased sensory function of the intestine and psychosocial factors. The role of prior infection in the development of IBS is the subject of ongoing study. This article focuses on pathophysiological mechanisms, including the potential roles of mucosal changes and neurobiology in the development of IBS. Novel pharmacological agents are being developed to target neural mediators of IBS; they appear promising, and their role in clinical practice will be clarified with regulatory approval and clinical use.
Interaction of salicylate and body temperature changes caused by injections of neurohumours into the anterior hypothaeamus: Possible mechanisms in salicylate antipyresis ☆

Abstract Rats were implanted with indwelling cannulae in the anterior hypothalamus. Injections of 5-hydroxytryptamine caused an increase in colonic temperature. This finding was interpreted as further support for the applicability to the rat of a neurochemical model of thermoregulation based on injections of neurohumours in the primate hypothalamus ( Myers and Yaksh , 1969). In other experiments it was found that salicylate administered intragastrically blocked hyperthermia induced by serotonergic injections in the anterior hypothalamus but had no effect on increases in core temperature caused by injections of carbachol (carbamylcholine chloride). In addition, temperature changes following anterior hypothalamus injections of noradrenaline bitartrate hydrate were not influenced by salicylate. A possible neurochemical model of salicylate antipyresis based on cholinergic and aminergic substances and prostaglandin in the anterior hypothalamus is presented. Within the context of the model, pyrogens cause a release of 5-hydroxytryptamine which stimulates a cholinergically coded heat production pathway and simultaneously releases prostaglandin. Prostaglandin inhibits the release of noradrenaline. the normal function of which is to suppress heat production. Salicylate. by inhibiting prostaglandin release is hypothesized to disinhibit the noradrenaline units and heat production is retarded and so body temperature is lowered from febrile levels.
Low field irreversibility in twinned and untwinned YBaCuO crystals

Abstract An abrupt collapse of the irreversibility line is observed in both twinned and untwinned YBaCuO crystals within a critical regime. The exponent α of the power law describing the irreversibility line Hirr changes from 4 3 at high fields to larger values (between 1.5 and 2) below the collapse. We propose that the observed low field anomaly, which extends down to temperatures well below the irreversibility line, is associated with the thermal softening boundary which increases as T2 and crosses Hirr shifting it to lower fields. Below this crossover, which occurs when the mean-square thermal displacement √ 〈 u2 〉 of the vortices exceeds coherence length ξ, the strength of the pinning is strongly reduced.
The central and peripheral activities of anti-acetylcholine drugs. Some concepts of practical relevance.

Five procedures have been used to compare the pharmacological effects and time-activity profiles of anti-acetylcholine drugs in the central and peripheral nervous system (ens, pns). In particular, the potencies of optically pure enantiomers of anti-acetylcholine drugs which contain an asymmetric centre have been determined. The following four observations are made which are of relevance to all studies of anti-acetylcholine drugs. (1) Times to onset of activity of anti-acetylcholine drugs in three in vivo tests and the duration of action in one in vivo test are shown to increase as affinity constants, determined in vitro, increase. (2) Below a dose of ca 0.03 μmol kg−1no anti-acetylcholine drug produces maximum mydriatic effects and all anti-acetylcholine drugs which have log affinity constant values >9.49 produce maximal effects at approximately this dose. (3) The receptor with which anti-acetylcholine drugs interact is essentially the same in the eye, salivary gland and ens of the mouse, the guinea-pig ileum, and in the cat ens. (4) For any anti-acetylcholine drug the time to onset of effects in the ens is similar to the time of onset of effects in the pns and appears to depend on the affinity constant rather than on the partition properties of the drug. The practical and theoretical significance of these and other observations are discussed.
Here’s Data Now, Happening

In traditional qualitative research, data is conceived as an object on which the researcher acts. Whether that object fits into a traditional category—an interview transcript, field notes—or a transgressive category—a dream or memory—data are still nouns, things to be apprehended by the senses. In my postqualitative work, data are not entities, not nouns subject to process. Instead a process—writing—is the data. I write autoethnographic stories that are not based on discrete data sources. Rather, the data are the stories themselves. They come to be through the process of writing. In this article, I theorize data as a verb. What can data do when it is no longer tied to a material existence as object? When it is no longer a thing, but an action? To address these questions, as all of my questions, I write. In this case, my writing stems from a recent journey East during which I couldn’t stop doing data.
Inducible dopaminergic glutathione depletion in an alpha-synuclein transgenic mouse model results in age-related olfactory dysfunction

Parkinson's disease (PD) involves both motor and non-motor disturbances. Non-motor features include alterations in sensory olfactory function which may constitute a viable biomarker for the disorder. It is not clear what causes olfactory dysfunction but it appears to coincide with the development of synucleopathy within the olfactory bulb (OB). Elevation in alpha-synuclein (a-syn) is indeed a risk factor for development of the sporadic disorder. The multifactorial nature of the idiopathic disease combined with variability in its presentation suggests that it is likely to be influenced by several factors and that in vivo models that explore the synergistic effect of alpha-synuclein elevation with other potential contributing factors are likely to be of importance in understanding the disease etiology. Using a dual transgenic (DTg) mouse model of dopaminergic alpha-synuclein overexpression coupled with doxycycline (Dox)-inducible glutathione (GSH) depletion in these same cells, we demonstrate an age-related loss in behavioral olfactory function coupled with a significant neurodegeneration of glomerular dopaminergic neurons. This is accompanied by increase in alpha-synuclein levels in non-dopaminergic cells in the granule cell layer (GCL). In addition, isolated olfactory bulb synaptosomes from dual transgenic lines with Dox consistently showed a slight but significant reduction in maximum mitochondrial respiration compared to controls. These results suggest that in the presence of increased oxidative stress, increased alpha-synuclein expression within dopaminergic OB neurons results in neurodegeneration in the glomerular layer (GL) and increased alpha-synuclein levels in the granular cell layer which coincide with olfactory dysfunction.
Removing the child--prosecuting the offender in cases of sexual abuse: evidence from the national reporting system for child abuse and neglect.

Sexual abuse has come to public attention so rapidly and is such a difficult problem to deal with that many observers are concerned that the quality of child protective intervention in these cases has been haphazard and indiscriminate. This article analyzes data on all 6,096 cases of child sexual abuse which were "officially reported" in 1978 to see what kinds of intervention were made. The data show that foster placement occurred in more cases of sexual abuse than physical abuse, and was concentrated among cases of older children who reported their own victimization. Criminal action was taken almost five times more often in cases of sexual abuse than in cases of physical abuse, and occurred more often among cases which were directly reported to police and involved offenders with prior criminal records. Black families and poorer families did not seem to be the objects of obvious discrimination in the disposition of these cases. Language: en
Hierarchical Temporal Memory algorithms for understanding asymmetric warfare

There is a problem in combat modeling when it comes to accurately representing asymmetric warfare. The roots of this problem stem from the ways in which warfare has evolved over the last century from force-on-force combat to the network-centric warfare (NCW) that has emerged today in its most exemplary fashion in the Middle East, especially in the context of Joint Urban Operations (JUO). Therefore, this paper focuses on some of the previous attempts as a means to motivate the need for a new technique that understands the interactions on which an accurate representation of NCW rests. Given the difficulties of previous modeling attempts, this work then focuses on the profound impact that human behavior has on the modeling of NCW. Furthermore, with such attention to human behavior, the discussion of modeling NCW shifts to the human brain and its impact on behavior in such an envirnoment. Thus the topic of this paper turns towards what results from neuroscience are useful for understanding NCW and how those facts can be translated into use on modern computers, via the use of Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) algorithms; finally, the inherent issues with such a task shall then be discussed.
Possible effects of pre-existing basement topography on thrust fault ramping

Finite-element models show that one way in which thrust ramps may arise is through the mechanical interaction between basement and overlying sediments. In the simplest case, shear coupling between a planar basement-sediment causes the differential stresses in the sediments to die out with depth and distance from the applied load. For such cases, curved thrust faults may result if the strength of the rock is exceeded. Basement topography may also affect the location and shape of ramps by acting as a stress concentrator, by producing a stress shadow and by changing principal stress orientations. Modeling suggests that whether or not these basement topographic features cause ramping will depend on the height and angularity of the feature as well as the rock types that overlie it. Under the assumption of linear elasticity and for given boundary conditions, the Poisson's ratio plays an important role in determining the orientation and magnitude of the principal stresses. Calculations using experimentally measured Poisson's ratios predict that the earliest maximum compressive stress directions should be nearly vertical in the more cratonward portions of thrust belts. However, the stress directions which are inferred to have occurred earliest in this part of thrust belts are nearly horizontal. This suggests that non-elastic or ductile processes have an effect on the propagation of thrust faults.
The politics of strategy: why government agencies conduct major strategic reviews

In recent years, United States (US) policymakers have instituted quadrennial strategy reviews in several major policy areas. In this article, I examine why policymakers have initiated these large strategic reviews, and why a particular model for them has diffused from the US Defense Department to other government agencies. I find that policymakers have initiated the reviews principally to spur organisational change in agencies and influence the relationship between agencies and the Congress, and that policymakers have replicated the Defense Department’s review model because of that department’s strong political support. My findings suggest more generally that formal strategy activities are often driven more by legislative-executive and bureaucratic politics than by a search for new strategic ideas. Commonalities between the diffusion of quadrennial reviews in the US and the diffusion of other strategy and planning processes internationally underscore the broader applicability and significance of these findings.
Increase in Hepatitis C Virus Load in Hemophiliacs during Treatment with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on liver function and viral load of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied in 21 hemophilic men coinfected with HCV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction was measured by branched DNA Quantiplex assay on frozen plasma samples obtained at baseline and at 24, 48, and 96 weeks after initiation of HAART. HCV RNA increased at 48 and 96 weeks after initiation of HAART therapy (198x105 Eq/mL [P=.03] and 227x105 Eq/mL [P<.0001], respectively, compared with baseline [141x105 Eq/mL]). This increase was associated with an increase in CD4 cell count and reduction in HIV viral load but no change in hepatic transaminases. With discontinuation of HAART, HCV RNA decreased as HIV RNA rebounded. Further study is required to clarify the histopathologic significance of this finding.
Redox effects in ordinary chondrites and implications for asteroid spectrophotometry

The sensitivity of reflectance spectra to mean ferrous iron content and olivine and pyroxene proportion enhancements in the course of metamorphic oxidation is presently used to examine whether metamorphically-induced ranges in mineralogy, and corresponding spectral parameters, may explain the observed variations in S-asteroid rotational spectra. The predicted spectral variations within any one chondrite class are, however, insufficient to account for S-asteroid rotational spectra, and predicted spectral-range slopes have a sign opposite to the rotational measurements. Metamorphic oxidation is found unable to account for S-asteroid rotational spectra.
A Live-Attenuated Chimeric Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Vaccine Is Transmitted to Contact Pigs but Is Not Upregulated by Concurrent Infection with Porcine Parvovirus (PPV) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Is Efficacious in a PCV2b-PRRSV-PPV Challenge Model

The live chimeric porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine with the capsid gene of the emerging subtype 2b cloned in the genomic backbone of the nonpathogenic PCV1 is attenuated in vivo and induces protective immunity against PCV2. To further determine the safety and efficacy of this experimental vaccine, we tested for evidence of pig-to-pig transmission by commingling nonvaccinated and vaccinated pigs, determined potential upregulation by simultaneous vaccination and infection with porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and determined vaccine efficacy by challenging pigs 4 weeks after vaccination with PCV2b, PRRSV, and PPV. Forty-six 21-day-old, PCV2-naive pigs were randomly assigned to one of six groups. Twenty-nine of 46 pigs were challenged with PCV2b, PRRSV, and PPV at day 28, 8/46 remained nonvaccinated and nonchallenged and served as negative controls, and 9/46 remained nonchallenged and served as vaccination controls. All animals were necropsied at day 49. PCV1-PCV2 viremia was detected in nonvaccinated contact pigs commingled with vaccinated pigs, indicating pig-to-pig transmission; however, PCV1-PCV2 DNA levels remained low in all vaccinated and contact pigs regardless of concurrent infection. Finally, vaccination 28 days before challenge resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) decreased amounts of PCV2 in tissues and sera and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced macroscopic and microscopic lesions. The results of this study indicate that the experimental live-attenuated chimeric PCV2 vaccine, although transmissible to contact pigs, remains attenuated in pigs concurrently infected with PRRSV and PPV and induces protective immunity against PCV2b when it is administered 28 days before PCV2 exposure.
How many species of arthropods visit flowers

The majority of living plant species are pollinated by insects, and this interaction is thought to have played a major role in driving the diversification of modern angiosperms. But while flower–insect interactions have been well studied from the perspective of plants in the form of pollination biology, few studies have been carried out from an entomological perspective, where flowers are resources to exploit. As a consequence, it remains unknown how many insect species actually utilise floral resources, especially since many flower-visitors do not carry out pollination and may therefore be widely ignored in pollination studies. In this review, I attempt to present an overview of the taxonomic range of flower-visiting invertebrates and estimate the proportion of described species that regularly utilise flowers. The flower-visiting habit has likely evolved independently hundreds of times across more than a dozen modern invertebrate orders. I speculate, based on reviewing the literature and discussions with experts, that ~30 % of arthropod species (>350,000 described species) may regularly utilise flowers to feed, find a mate, or acquire other resources. When extrapolated to the estimated global diversity of the phylum Arthropoda, perhaps more than a million species regularly visit flowers. However, generating more accurate estimates will require much more work from the perspective of flower-visiting insects, including the often-ignored species that do not pollinate host plants. In particular, sampling techniques in addition to traditional observation protocols should be encouraged to ensure that all flower-visitors are recorded. Greater efforts to identify flower-visiting species beyond the level of order or family will also enhance our understanding of flower-visitor diversity.
Equality for Inegalitarians, by George Sher

What are society's distributive obligations to its members? The central contribution of this book lies in its novel response to this question. The response is hard to classify. In featuring a large...
Democratization and Economic Prosperity

What explains cross-national variation in economic prosperity? One line of ongoing research explores whether political institutions associated with democracy are important determinants. Devising accurate tests of this relationship is non-trivial; while the timing of democratic transitions is arguably stochastic, the process by which countries adopt democratic political practices may be endogenous to economic outcomes. We identify the e ect of democratization by comparing the economic output of democratized units with the output of synthetic counterfactuals of these same units under a condition of no democratic transition. We focus on reforms that took place in Africa in the 1990s using balanced panel data for the period 1975-2008. Our empirical approach yields an unbiased estimate (in expectation) of the e ffect of democratization for each individual treated unit under relatively modest assumptions. We find that, in the African context, formal democratization has highly heterogeneous but substantive e ffects on economic prosperity.
Targeted Delivery of LXR Agonist Using a Site-Specific Antibody-Drug Conjugate.

Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists have been explored as potential treatments for atherosclerosis and other diseases based on their ability to induce reverse cholesterol transport and suppress inflammation. However, this therapeutic potential has been hindered by on-target adverse effects in the liver mediated by excessive lipogenesis. Herein, we report a novel site-specific antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) that selectively delivers a LXR agonist to monocytes/macrophages while sparing hepatocytes. The unnatural amino acid para-acetylphenylalanine (pAcF) was site-specifically incorporated into anti-CD11a IgG, which binds the α-chain component of the lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) expressed on nearly all monocytes and macrophages. An aminooxy-modified LXR agonist was conjugated to anti-CD11a IgG through a stable, cathepsin B cleavable oxime linkage to afford a chemically defined ADC. The anti-CD11a IgG-LXR agonist ADC induced LXR activation specifically in human THP-1 monocyte/macrophage cells i...
Nanoclay-Based Solid Sorbents for CO2 Capture

A solid sorbent for carbon dioxide capture was developed on the basis of montmorillonite nanoclay, which is a low-cost and easily available bulk material. This high specific surface area, platelet-like nanoclay with hydroxyl groups on edges was treated with aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and polyethylenimine to provide sites for CO2 capture. CO2 sorption tests showed fast kinetics and capture capacities as high as 7.5 wt % at atmospheric pressure and about 17 wt % at 2.07 MPa pressure in the temperature range of 75–85 °C. The regeneration of these nanoclays can be achieved using nitrogen at 100 °C or CO2 (dry or humid) at 155 °C as the sweep gases. Furthermore, pressure swing operation, employing vacuum at 85 °C, is also effective in regenerating the sorbent. This work shows that amine-modified montmorillonite nanoclay has the potential to provide a high-performing solid sorbent for CO2 capture.
A Low-Cost Method of Ciliary Beat Frequency Measurement Using iPhone and MATLAB: Rabbit Study.

Objectives(1) To determine ciliary beat frequency (CBF) using a consumer-grade cellphone camera and MATLAB and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method.Study DesignPros...
Validity of conventional radiography in determining scaphoid waist fracture displacement.

Objective:This study examines interpreter accuracy and interobserver agreement in evaluating conventional radiographs for scaphoid waist fracture displacement.Methods:Six fresh-frozen cadaver arms were obtained transected above the elbow. A waist fracture was created in each scaphoid. In a random fa
Pre-evaluation of Occupational Hazards of Mining and Separation Expanding Project in A Tungsten Industry Company

[Objective]To evaluate and identify the occupational hazards of mining and separation expanding project of a tungsten industry company.[Methods]Analogy method, risk assessment method and check list method were combined to perform evaluation.[Results]The major occupational hazards in this project were silica dust, welding fumes, arsenic, tungsten, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, noise and vibration, radon and its daughters, hypoxia asphyxia caused by operation in confined spaces.[Conclusion]As a construction project with serious occupational hazards, occupational hazard protective measures to be taken in the project design is basically complete, the project is feasible from the perspective of occupational diseases control.
Characterization of mechanical and electric properties of geopolymers synthesized using four locally available fly ashes

Abstract Geopolymer can be synthesized using industrial wastes such as fly ash, making it a promising material to replace Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as a green binder for concrete materials. One major barrier to prevent the wide application of geopolymer is that its properties heavily depend on the source materials. Aiming to evaluate the effect of fly ash on the properties of synthesized geopolymers, this study used four carefully selected fly ash to synthesize geopolymers. Comprehensive experimental programs have been carried out to characterize both the mechanical and electrical properties of these geopolymers. Mechanical testing shows that similar chemical composition in the source materials doesn’t guarantee similar compressive strengths of the produced geopolymers, and that high content of calcium doesn’t always lead to high compressive strength. Electrical characterization shows that both the magnitude of the electrical impedance and the electrical resistance of the geopolymers at early age measured at frequency of 10 kHz increase with the curing time. It has also been found that at the early age, the electric resistance of the geopolymers is mainly determined by the reaction rate. At the late age, this electric resistance is mainly controlled by the chemical composition. Measurements over one year show that the bulk electric resistances or the diameters of the high frequency arcs of all geopolymers increase with age during the one-year testing period, suggesting that the geopolymerization is a very long process.
Mass flux of ZnSe1 − xSx and ZnSe1 − xTex by physical vapor transport

Abstract Mass fluxes of ZnSeS and ZnSeTe during physical vapor transport (PVT) were measured in the temperature range 1060–1160°C using an in situ dynamic technique. The starting binary materials were either baked out or distilled under vacuum to obtain near-congruently subliming compositions. The amount and composition of the residual gas inside the experimental ampoules were measured after each run using a total pressure gauge. A one-dimensional diffusion limited analysis of the mass transport rate for the PVT system was performed including the residual gas species. Four diffusion equations were solved simultaneously using a numerical method and the mass transport rates as well as the alloy compositions of the deposited materials were predicted as functions of the thermal field, the stoichiometry of the source material, and the pressure of the residual gas. Reasonable agreement between the experimental and theoretical results was observed.
Association of chest pain versus dyspnea as presenting symptom for coronary angiography with demographics, coronary anatomy, and 2-year mortality.

INTRODUCTION The association of chest pain versus dyspnea with demographics, coronary angiographic findings, and outcomes of patients undergoing coronary angiography is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 1,053 patients who had coronary angiography to investigate the association of chest pain versus dyspnea with demographics, coronary angiographic findings, and outcomes. RESULTS Of 1,053 patients, 654 (62%) had chest pain, 229 (22%) had dyspnea, and 117 (11%) had chest pain and dyspnea. Patients with dyspnea were older (p < 0.0001) and had higher serum creatinine (p = 0.0011), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.0001), more cardiogenic shock (p = 0.0004), less obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (p < 0.0001), less percutaneous coronary intervention (p < 0.0001), and similar 2-year mortality. Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed no significant difference in mortality between chest pain and dyspnea. Significant risk factors for time to death were age (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.07, p < 0.0001), serum creatinine (HR = 1.5, p < 0.0001), body mass index (HR = 0.93, p = 0.005), and obstructive CAD graft (HR = 3.2, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing coronary angiography presenting with dyspnea were older and had higher serum creatinine, lower LVEF, more frequent cardiogenic shock, less obstructive CAD, and less percutaneous coronary intervention compared to patients presenting with chest pain but similar 2-year mortality.
Size-structural shifts reveal intensity of exploitation in coral reef fisheries

Abstract Fisheries exploitation represents a considerable threat to coral reef fish resources because even modest levels of extraction can alter ecological dynamics via shifts of stock size, species composition, and size-structure of the fish assemblage. Although species occupying higher trophic groups are known to suffer the majority of exploitative effects, changes in composition among lower trophic groups may be major, though are not frequently explored. Using size-based biomass spectrum analysis, we investigate the effects of fishing on the size-structure of coral reef fish assemblages spanning four geopolitical regions and determine if patterns of exploitation vary across trophic groups. Our analyses reveal striking evidence for the variety of effects fisheries exploitation can have on coral reef fish assemblages. When examining biomass spectra across the entire fish assemblage we found consistent evidence of size-specific exploitation, in which large-bodied individuals experience disproportionate reductions. The pattern was paralleled by and likely driven by, strongly size-specific reductions among top predators. In contrast, evidence of exploitation patterns was variable among lower trophic groups, in many cases including evidence of reductions across all size classes. The breadth of size classes and trophic groups that showed evidence of exploitation related positively to local human population density and diversity of fishing methods employed. Our findings highlight the complexity of coral reef fisheries and that the effects of exploitation on coral reefs can be realized throughout the entire fish assemblage, across multiple trophic groups and not solely restricted to large-bodied top-predators. Size-specific changes among fishes of lower trophic groups likely lead to altered ecological functioning of heavily exploited coral reefs. Together these findings reinforce the value of taking a multi-trophic group approach to monitoring and managing coral reef fisheries.
Taphonomic Analysis of Rodentia and Lagomorpha Bone Gnawing Based Upon Incisor Size

Rodent and lagomorph species have a worldwide distribution and have the potential to alter remains from forensic cases by gnawing soft tissue and bones and through dispersal. The present research compiled metric data on the incisors widths of all rodent and lagomorph species whose ranges include Massachusetts, U.S.A., to compare their sizes to gnawing damage found on 17 cases of human remains from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, MA. Data on gnawing maximum striation widths also were collected from live laboratory, zoo, and wild specimens. Gnawing damage on the forensic cases could be attributed only to a particular size class of rodent or lagomorph, and identification to a particular species based on gnawing damage alone may be possible only in relatively rare cases. Multiple species examined here have broad distribution ranges, so their taphonomic alterations may impact bones from forensic cases throughout large portions of North America.
9 The Representation Theory of Inverse Monoids

In this chapter we develop the representation theory of inverse monoids following the approach of the author [Ste06, Ste08] using groupoid algebras and Mobius inversion. In fact, this work has a precursor in the work of Rukolaĭne [Ruk78, Ruk80], who used alternating sums of idempotents to achieve the same effect as Mobius inversion and used Brandt inverse semigroups instead of groupoids. The author only became aware of the work of Rukolaĭne after [Ste06, Ste08] were published. However, our more explicit approach lets one take advantage of the detailed knowledge of the Mobius function for a number of naturally occurring lattices. We will, for instance, exploit this for our simple character theoretic proof of Solomon’s computation [Sol02] of the tensor powers of the natural module for the symmetric inverse monoid.
Air Warfare: History, Theory, and Practice: Gray, Peter, London: Bloomsbury Academic 208 pp., $29.95, ISBN 978-1-7809-3662-8 Publication Date: November 2015

The history of airpower is a complex matrix of competing visions, rivalries, and differences between theory and reality. With this much potential controversy, the study of airpower has grown rapidl...