cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of neutering on hormonal concentrations and energy requirements in male and female cats.

Objective—To determine whether changes in concentrations of hormones involved in glucose and fatty acid homeostasis are responsible for the increased probability that neutered cats will develop obesity and diabetes mellitus. Animals—10 male and 10 female weight-maintained adult cats. Procedure—Results of glucose tolerance tests and concentrations of hormones and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were examined before and 4, 8, and 16 weeks after neutering. Results—Caloric requirements for weight maintenance were significantly decreased 8 and 16 weeks after neutering in females. Glucose concentrations during a glucose tolerance test did not change in neutered females or males. The area under the curve (AUC) for insulin was significantly higher in males, compared with females, before neutering. However, the AUC for insulin increased and was significantly higher 4 and 8 weeks after neutering in females. The AUC for insulin did not change in neutered male cats. Leptin concentrations did not change in females bu...
Random walk of single gold nanoparticles in zebrafish embryos leading to stochastic toxic effects on embryonic developments

We have synthesized and characterized stable (non-aggregating, non-photobleaching and non-blinking), nearly monodisperse and highly-pure Au nanoparticles, and used them to probe nanoparticle transport and diffusion in cleavage-stage zebrafish embryos and to study their effects on embryonic development in real-time. We found that single Au nanoparticles (11.6 ± 0.9 nm in diameter) passively diffused into the chorionic space of the embryos via their chorionic pore canals and continued their random-walk through chorionic space and into the inner mass of embryos. Diffusion coefficients of single nanoparticles vary dramatically (2.8 × 10−11 to 1.3 × 10−8 cm2 s−1) as nanoparticles diffuse through the various parts of embryos, suggesting highly diverse transport barriers and viscosity gradients in the embryos. The amount of Au nanoparticles accumulated in embryos increases with nanoparticle concentration increases. Interestingly, however, their effects on embryonic development are not proportionally related to their concentration. The majority of embryos (74% on average) chronically incubated with 0.025–1.2 nM Au nanoparticles for 120 h developed to normal zebrafish, with some (24%) being dead and few (2%) deformed. We have developed a new approach to image and characterize individual Au nanoparticles embedded in tissues using histology sample preparation methods and localized surface plasmon resonance spectra of single nanoparticles. We found Au nanoparticles in various parts of normally developed and deformed zebrafish, suggesting that the random-walk of nanoparticles in embryos during their development might have led to stochastic effects on embryonic development. These results show that Au nanoparticles are much more biocompatible with (less toxic to) the embryos than the Ag nanoparticles that we reported previously, suggesting that they are better suited as biocompatible probes for imaging embryos in vivo. The results provide powerful evidences that the biocompatibility and toxicity of nanoparticles is highly dependent on their chemical properties, and that the embryos can serve as effective in vivo assays to screen their biocompatibility.
Chemical reactions of vitamin C with intravenous-iron formulations

Background. Intravenous (IV) iron is widely prescribed for patients on haemodialysis, to replace iron losses during treatment. It releases labile iron, which can induce oxidation of vitamin C and trigger oxidant damage. We examined the stability of vitamin C in the presence of IV iron compounds. We further examined in the ability of vitamin C to release iron from these compounds. Methods. Vitamin C was measured by highperformance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Iron release from iron sucrose (FeSuc) and ferric gluconate (FeGlu) was determined with the ferrozine method. Results. Vitamin C, in human plasma or fetal calf serum, was oxidized in this order of reactivity: FeSuc > FeGlu > blank reaction. FeSuc and FeGlu also oxidized vitamin C when added to freshly obtained whole human blood. During a 4 h incubation in buffer, vitamin C stimulated the release of 60% of the iron content of FeSuc at p 4, with lesser amounts at pH3, 5 and 6, and 5% release at pH 7.Vitamin C also triggered the release of iron from FeGlu, but less release was observed than with FeSuc. Using ferrozine reagent, no iron release was detected to heparinized human plasma, following addition of 500mM concentrations of iron compounds. Conclusion. Each IV-iron compound can oxidize substantial amounts of vitamin C when added to plasma or whole blood. The interaction of vitamin C is accompanied by release of iron from the particle at mildly acidic pH, which may explain the ability of high-dose vitamin C to mobilize iron from storage sites for erythropoiesis.
The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs honey bee aversive learning of simulated predation

Neonicotinoid insecticides can impair bee learning and memory – cognitive features that play a key role in colony fitness because they facilitate foraging. For example, the commonly used neonicotinoid imidacloprid reduces honey bee olfactory learning. However, no studies have previously determined whether imidacloprid can impair aversive associative learning, although such learning should enhance bee survival by allowing bees to avoid dangerous foraging sites. To mimic attempted predation of foragers, we developed an electro-mechanical predator that consistently attacked foragers with a pinching bite at a fixed force and elicited aversive olfactory learning in a sting extension response (SER) assay. We show that chronic exposure to a sublethal concentration of imidacloprid (25.6 µg l −1 =20.8 ppb) over 4 days (mean of 1.5 µg per bee day −1 ), significantly impaired aversive short-term learning and memory retention. Imidacloprid treatment reduced short-term learning by 87% and memory retention by 85% in comparison with control bees. Imidacloprid therefore impairs the ability of honey bees to associate a naturalistic predation stimulus – biting – with floral odor compounds. Such learning should enhance bee survival, suggesting that xenobiotics could alter more complex ecological interactions such as predator–prey relationships.
Effects of a DVD-delivered exercise intervention on physical function in older adults with multiple sclerosis: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOlder adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibit disease-related impairments such as compromised strength, balance, mobility, coordination, and quality of life (QOL). Exercise training a...
Decay of Y 92 and Nb 92

The radiations of Y/sup 92/ (3.50 hr) and Nb/sup 92/ (10.1 day) have been studied with the help of scintillation spectrometers and a solenoidal beta spectrometer. Analysis of the experimental results indicates that the Y/sup 92/ decay scheme involves six excited states of Zr/sup 92/, which have the following energies (Mev), spins, and parities: 0.932 (2+), 1.380 (0+), 1.492 the 3.64-Mev beta transition from Y/sup 92/ to the Zr/sup 92/ ground state has a unique first- forbidden shape, identifying Y/sup 92/ as a 2-- state. Nb/sup 92/, which decays only to the 1.836- and 0.932Mev levels of Zr/sup 92/, is postulated to have spin and parity 2+. Several features of the level structure of Zr02 appear to be manifestations of simple shell-model phenomena. It is proposed that the main components of the 1.380- and 1.836Mev states are excited proton configurations, whereas the dominant components of the levels at 0.932, 1.492, and 2.05 Mev are excited neutron configurations. (auth)
Dissociation in plasma renin and adrenal ANG II and aldosterone responses to sodium restriction in rats

In rats, plasma renin activity (PRA) increases sharply, reaching a plateau within hours of sodium restriction. Plasma aldosterone increases gradually, not reaching a plateau for 1-2 days. To determine whether this dissociation is secondary to the time needed to modify adrenal sensitivity to angiotensin II (ANG II) and to assess the role of locally produced ANG II in this process, rats were salt restricted for 0-120 h. Plasma hormone levels were assessed, adrenal ANG II was measured, and basal and ANG II (1 x 10(-8) M)-stimulated steroidogenesis were determined in vitro. Although PRA attained an elevated plateau within 8 h, plasma aldosterone did not peak until after 48 h of sodium depletion. The in vitro aldosterone sensitivity to exogenous ANG II was not apparent until rats had been salt restricted for 16 h. A plateau (4-fold increase above the ANG II response on high salt) was achieved between 24 and 48 h. Adrenal ANG II also exhibited a similar delayed response that correlates significantly with changes in aldosterone biosynthesis and late pathway activity. Thus the dissociation between PRA and plasma aldosterone may be secondary to a lag in the zona glomerulosa's (ZG) steroidogenic response to ANG II as well as a parallel lag in tissue ANG II production, suggesting that changes in tissue ANG II may mediate ZG sensitivity to ANG II during sodium deprivation.
Digital microscope imaging of cell dynamics

Modern biological research has benefited from a renaissance of light microscopy, brought about by the convergence of new developments in fields as diverse as electronics, physical optics, molecular biology, computer science and synthetic chemistry. Integration of these has transformed microscopy from an ancillary, static, 2-D tool into a highly useful, dynamic, 3-D research capability for biology and medicine. We believe that the understanding of certain fundamental biological functions by highly resolved, dynamic mapping of chemical and molecular events in living systems is within reach, based on novel, interdisciplinary imaging methods applied at the cellular level.
Verbal mediation in reverse association: The role of temporal factors

A three stage reverse mediation paradigm, A-B, B-C, C-A and its control paradigm A-B, D-C, C-A, was studied at two test list anticipation intervals to determine the effects of temporal factors on reverse mediation. Forty-eight Ss learned three word lists consisting of low-frequency five letter words by the paired-associate method. The results indicated that temporal factors play a significant role in facilitating reverse mediation.
Induction of cytoplasmic leakage from Rhizoctonia solani hyphae by Gliocladium virens and partial characterization of a leakage factor

The biocontrol fungus Gliocladium virens (Gl‐21)was grown on various solid and liquid substrates. Aqueous extracts of wheat bran and peanut hull meal (PHM)as well as spent glucose tartrate broth (GTB), Czapek‐Dox broth (CDB) and potato dextrose broth (PDB) upon which Gl‐21 was grown caused leakage of carbohydrates and electrolytes from hyphae of the soilborne plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. In addition, the mycelial weight of R. solani was reduced. Most of the leakage factor was formed in the substrates within six days of incubation. Acidification of the bran and the PHM media before inoculation stimulated production of the leakage factor by G. virens. Size‐fractionation experiments indicated that a combination of factors produced by G. virens induced leakage from R. solani. Although the 1 k Da fraction from bran culture did not induce leakage acti...
Chemical Substitution and High Pressure Effects on Superconductivity in the LnOBiS 2 (Ln = La-Nd) System

A large number of compounds which contain BiS$_2$ layers exhibit enhanced superconductivity upon electron doping. Much interest and research effort has been focused on BiS$_2$-based compounds which provide new opportunities for exploring the nature of superconductivity. Important to the study of BiS2-based superconductors is the relation between structure and superconductivity. By modifying either the superconducting BiS$_2$ layers or the blocking layers in these layered compounds, one can effectively tune the lattice parameters, local atomic environment, electronic structure, and other physical properties of these materials. In this article, we will review some of the recent progress on research of the effects of chemical substitution in BiS$_2$-based compounds, with special attention given to the compounds in the LnOBiSS$_2$ (Ln = La-Nd) system. Strategies which are reported to be essential in optimizing superconductivity of these materials will also be discussed.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES IN COAL UTILIZATION

ABSTRACT This paper will describe recent progress in the technology of direct coal utilization in the United States. Three specific areas of coal technology development will be addressed: (a) Coal quality assessment, (b) Advanced pulverized coal combustion, and (c) fluidized bed combustion, including both atmospheric and pressurized applications. These developments respond to the performance, reliability and cost issues limiting domestic utility coal utilization as well as the demands of the increasingly important world market. Trends in direct coal utilization and associated research and development (R&D) emphasis will also be briefly reviewed.
[How to construct a neural tube: molecular genetics of neuro-embryological development].

Introduction The 'new neuroembryology' combines classical morphogenesis with new molecular genetic data on the programming of neural differentiation and the interactions of transcription products of various developmental genes. Development The neuroepithelium is generated from the primitive (Hensen's) node in birds and mammals, homologous with the dorsal lip of the amphibian gastula. The developing neural placode is 'induced' by the notochord, which initiates the differentiation of the floor plate, a ventral midline ependyma. This induction is effected by a gene called Sonic hedgehog, which also is a strong ventralizing influence and induces motor neuron differentiation. Various families of genes program neural tube differentiation with dorsoventral or ventrodorsal gradients, rostrocaudal gradients and mediolateral gradients. Genes that establish the primordial axes of differentiation are 'organizer genes' and those involved with the identity of specific structures are 'regulatory genes'. Some developmental genes continue to be expressed in adult life and preserve the unique identity of specific cellular types. The neural tube is divided into compartments or segments known as neuromeres (or rhombomeres in the hindbrain) with physical and chemical barriers that limit cell migration between segments; the entire spinal cord is formed from rhombomere 8. Both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanical factors contribute to bend the neural placode to form the neural tube [REV NEUROL 1999; 28: 110-6].
Dynamical characterization of inactivation path in voltage-gated Na(+) ion channel by non-equilibrium response spectroscopy.

ABSTRACTInactivation path of voltage gated sodium channel has been studied here under various voltage protocols as it is the main governing factor for the periodic occurrence and shape of the action potential. These voltage protocols actually serve as non-equilibrium response spectroscopic tools to study the ion channel in non-equilibrium environment. In contrast to a lot of effort in finding the crystal structure based molecular mechanism of closed-state(CSI) and open-state inactivation(OSI); here our approach is to understand the dynamical characterization of inactivation. The kinetic flux as well as energetic contribution of the closed and open- state inactivation path is compared here for voltage protocols, namely constant, pulsed and oscillating. The non-equilibrium thermodynamic quantities used in response to these voltage protocols serve as improved characterization tools for theoretical understanding which not only agrees with the previously known kinetic measurements but also predict the energeti...
6 – Modeling long-term CO2 storage, sequestration and cycling

Abstract: A review of numerical and analytical models that have been applied to CO2 sequestration is presented, as well as a description of frameworks for risk analysis. Various issues related to carbon storage and sequestration are discussed, including trapping mechanisms, density convection mixing, impurities in the CO2 stream, changes in formation porosity and permeability, the risk of vertical leakage, and the impacts on groundwater resources if leakage does occur. A discussion of the development and application of site-specific models first addresses the estimation of model parameters and the use of natural analogues, and then surveys modeling that has been done at two commercial-scale CO2 sequestration sites, a pilot-scale injection site and an experimental site designed to test monitoring of CO2 leakage in the vadose zone.
Student Teaching Within Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs: An Examination of Key Features Across 2- and 4-Year Institutions

Early childhood teacher preparation programs play a critical role in preparing teachers to work with young children, yet the field knows relatively little about how these programs carry out this important function. The culminating classroom-based experience, generally termed “student teaching”, is an important component in teacher preparation. The current study presents descriptive data from a survey of 103, 2- and 4-year early childhood teacher preparation programs related to key features of student teaching in these programs, including field placement sites, criteria for cooperating teachers, and student requirements. Comparisons of 2- and 4-year programs show several areas of similarity as well as some differences, with 4-year programs generally requiring more intense student teaching experiences. The findings are discussed in terms of the different foci in for 2- and 4-year programs and suggest that additional effort to strengthen and perhaps establish some consistent expectations for student teaching experiences may be useful.
Analytical and Computational Tools for the Study of Grazing Bifurcations of Periodic Orbits and Invariant Tori

The objective of this dissertation is to develop theoretical and computational tools for the study of qualitative changes in the dynamics of systems with discontinuities, also known as nonsmooth or hybrid dynamical systems, under parameter variations. Accordingly, this dissertation is divided into two parts. The analytical section of this dissertation discusses mathematical tools for the analysis of hybrid dynamical systems and their application to a series of model examples. Specifically, qualitative changes in the system dynamics from a nonimpacting to an impacting motion, referred to as grazing bifurcations, are studied in oscillators where the discontinuities are caused by impacts. Here, the study emphasizes the formulation of conditions for the persistence of a steady state motion in the immediate vicinity of periodic and quasiperiodic grazing trajectories in an impacting mechanical system. A local analysis based on the discontinuity-mapping approach is employed to derive a normal-form description of the dynamics near a grazing trajectory. Also, the results obtained using the discontinuity-mapping approach and direct numerical integration are found to be in good agreement. It is found that the instabilities caused by the presence of the square-root singularity in the normal-form description affect the grazing bifurcation scenario differently depending on the relative dimensionality of the state space and the steady state motion at the grazing contact. The computational section presents the structure and applications of a software program, $\hat{\text{TC}}$, developed to study the bifurcation analysis of hybrid dynamical systems. Here, we present a general boundary value problem (BVP) approach to locate periodic trajectories corresponding to a hybrid dynamical system under parameter variations. A methodology to compute the eigenvalues of periodic trajectories when using the BVP formulation is illustrated using a model example. Finally, bifurcation analysis of four model hybrid dynamical systems is performed using $\hat{\text{TC}}$.
Plant ion channels and transporters in herbivory-induced signalling

In contrast to many biotic stresses that plants face, feeding by herbivores produces unique mechanical and chemical signatures. Plants have evolved effective systems to recognise these mechanical stimuli and chemical elicitors at the plasma membrane (PM), where this recognition generates ion fluxes, including an influx of Ca2+ that elicits cellular Ca2+ signalling, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and variation in transmembrane potential. These signalling events also function in propagation of long-distance signals (Ca2+ waves, ROS waves, and electrical signals), which contribute to rapid, systemic induction of defence responses. Recent studies have identified several candidate channels or transporters that likely produce these ion fluxes at the PM. Here, we describe the important roles of these channels/transporters in transduction or transmission of herbivory-induced early signalling events, long-distance signals, and jasmonic acid and green leaf volatile signalling in plants.
Model Order Reduction Algorithm for Estimating the Absorption Spectrum

The ab initio description of the spectral interior of the absorption spectrum poses both a theoretical and computational challenge for modern electronic structure theory. Due to the often spectrally dense character of this domain in the quantum propagator’s eigenspectrum for medium-to-large sized systems, traditional approaches based on the partial diagonalization of the propagator often encounter oscillatory and stagnating convergence. Electronic structure methods which solve the molecular response problem through the solution of spectrally shifted linear systems, such as the complex polarization propagator, offer an alternative approach which is agnostic to the underlying spectral density or domain location. This generality comes at a seemingly high computational cost associated with solving a large linear system for each spectral shift in some discretization of the spectral domain of interest. In this work, we present a novel, adaptive solution to this high computational overhead based on model order r...
Electrically driven deep ultraviolet lasers based on MgZnO thin films at room temperature

Metal-semiconductor-metal devices were fabricated by utilizing MgZnO thin films to demonstrate random lasing in the deep ultraviolet wavelength range tuned by Mg content in the film. Room temperature lasing is realized in the wavelength range down to 284 nm.
Detrital shadows: estuarine food web connectivity depends on fluvial influence and consumer feeding mode

We measured the influence of landscape setting on estuarine food web connectivity in five macrotidal Pacific Northwest estuaries across a gradient of freshwater influence. We used stable isotopes (δ13 C, δ15 N, δ34 S) in combination with a Bayesian mixing model to trace primary producer contributions to suspension- and deposit-feeding bivalve consumers (Mytilus trossulus and Macoma nasuta) transplanted into three estuarine vegetation zones: emergent marsh, mudflat, and eelgrass. Eelgrass includes both Japanese eelgrass (Zostera japonica) and native eelgrass (Zostera marina). Fluvial discharge and consumer feeding mode strongly influenced the strength and spatial scale of observed food web linkages, while season played a secondary role. Mussels displayed strong cross-ecosystem connectivity in all estuaries, with decreasing marine influence in the more fluvial estuaries. Mussel diets indicated homogenization of detrital sources within the water column of each estuary. In contrast, the diets of benthic deposit-feeding clams indicated stronger compartmentalization in food web connectivity, especially in the largest river delta where clam diets were trophically disconnected from marsh sources of detritus. This suggests detritus deposition is patchy across space, and less homogenous than the suspended detritus pool. In addition to fluvial setting, other estuary-specific environmental drivers, such as marsh area or particle transport speed, influenced the degree of food web linkages across space and time, often accounting for unexpected patterns in food web connectivity. Transformations of the estuarine landscape that alter river hydrology or availability of detritus sources can thus potentially disrupt natural food web connectivity at the landscape scale, especially for sedentary organisms, which cannot track their food sources through space.
Phase I clinical trial of the base excision repair inhibitor methoxyamine in combination with fludarabine for patients with advanced hematologic malignancies.

// Paolo F. Caimi 1, 2 , Brenda W. Cooper 1, 2 , Basem M. William 3 , Afshin Dowlati 1, 2 , Paul M. Barr 4 , Pingfu Fu 5 , John Pink 1 , Yan Xu 1 , Hillard M. Lazarus 1, 2 , Marcos de Lima 1, 2 and Stanton L. Gerson 1, 2 1 Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 2 Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 3 Division of Hematology. The Ohio State University Medical School, Columbus, Ohio, USA 4 Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA 5 Department of Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA Correspondence to: Paolo F. Caimi, email: paolo.caimi@case.edu Keywords: phase I, methoxyamine, base excision repair, hematologic malignancies, pharmacokinetics Received: April 14, 2017 Accepted: July 26, 2017 Published: August 09, 2017 ABSTRACT Purpose: We determined the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and recommended phase II dose of the base excision repair blocker methoxyamine combined with fludarabine. Materials and Methods: This was a phase I study with intravenous fludarabine (25 mg/m 2 , days 1–5), and methoxyamine (15 mg/m 2 –120 mg/m 2 , once). A maximum of six cycles were given. Adult patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies, excluding acute myeloid leukemia, were eligible. Results: Twenty patients were treated; diagnoses included CLL/SLL ( n = 10), follicular lymphoma ( n = 3), DLBCL ( n = 3), mantle cell lymphoma ( n = 1), anaplastic large cell lymphoma ( n = 1) and plasma cell myeloma ( n = 2). No DLTs were observed and dose escalation reached the maximum planned dose. Hematologic toxicity was frequent; most common grade 3–4 toxicities were lymphopenia (70%), neutropenia (60%), leukopenia (50%) and anemia (40%). Four patients achieved a partial remission and 8 achieved stable disease. The drug combination resulted in increased DNA damage measured with the Comet assay. Conclusions: Methoxyamine combined with fludarabine was safe and well tolerated. Hematologic toxicity was comparable to single agent fludarabine. Activity appears to correlate with increased levels of DNA damage. Further studies will examine use of this combination of as part conditioning regimens of stem cell transplant and use of methoxyamine as fludarabine dose-sparing agent.
Radiative cooling for concentrating photovoltaic systems

Radiative cooling, a unique and uncommon passive cooling method for devices operating outdoors, has recently been demonstrated to be effective for photovoltaic thermal management. In this work, we investigate the effect of radiative cooling as a complement to existing passive cooling methods like convective cooling in a related system with much higher heat loads: a high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) system. A feasible radiative cooler design addressing the thermal management challenges here is proposed. It consists of low-iron soda-lime glass with a porous layer on top as an antireflection coating and a diamond layer as heat spreader. It is found that the proposed structure has strong mid-IR emittance as well as high solar transmission, allowing radiative cooling under direct sunlight and low loss in the concentrated solar irradiance. A systematic simulation with realistic considerations is then performed. Compared with a conventional copper cooler, the lowest temperature reached by the proposed radiative cooler is 14 K lower. Furthermore, less area of the proposed cooler is needed to reach a standard target temperature (333.15 K) for steady-state operation under high concentrations for the crystalline silicon PV module. In order to compare the coolers quantitatively, a figure of merit – cooling power per weight - is introduced. At the target temperature, the proposed cooler is determined to have a cooling power per weight of 75 W/kg, around 3.7 times higher than that of the conventional copper cooler.
Medievalist comics and the American century

Medievalist Comics and the American Century is a crisp, evocative text that details America’s unique medievalism by contextualising the comics that form its core. Chris Bishop writes an engrossing ...
Environmental Partitioning of Herding Agents Used During an In-Situ Burning Field Study in Alaska

ABSTRACT # 2017-148 2017 In-situ burning presents an attractive oil spill response option with high oil removal efficiency and low personnel requirements. In recent times, surfactant chemicals term...
Web-Based Patient Experience Surveys to Enhance Response Rates A Prospective Study.

Background: Patient experience is a critical component of continuous quality improvement and value-based health-care delivery. This study aimed to identify a simple, cost-effective means of administering a validated patient experience survey in ambulatory-care settings. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to groups to complete the validated Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) clinician and group patient satisfaction survey using a Web-based platform. The response rate was assessed for in-clinic and e-mail distribution and was compared with the historical response rates. Patients were able to change groups after randomization to assess effect on response rate and potential bias. The cost of survey administration was compared. Results: Of 132 participants, 87 completed surveys (65.9%), with no significant differences among distribution methods. Twenty-three participants self-selected the in-clinic survey after being randomized to the e-mail cohort. Survey responses were stat...
The Economics of Incentives, an Introductory Account

From its infancy in the 18th century, the framework of economic analysis has had three major ingredients. First, it takes as axiomatic that economic agents act on their own behalf, with or without sympathy for others. It does not judge self-interested action to be immoral or unworthy of serious study. Quite the contrary, it suggests that the pursuit of one’s own interest describes well economic behavior and asks us to develop its consequences. Second, the framework takes social equilibrium to be the concern of economic analysis. Economics is a branch of social science, and as such it requires at least two potent actors. The laws of physics and the chemistry exist in the absence of mankind. For psychology it may be enough that there is a single human being. However, for sociology, political science, and economics, you need at least two people. Finally, the framework of economic analysis takes the goals of individual economic agents to be in conflict; it views it as the business of economics social science to determine the extent to which this conflict does or does not result in the efficient use of resources, promote the social good, and so on.
Use of Metaphase-Chromosome Transfer for Mammalian Gene Mapping

The mapping of mammalian chromosomes can be approached by two basic strategies: genetic linkage and physical mapping. The precision with which genetic mapping can be applied to a given chromosomal region is directly related to the number of polymorphic markers available in that region and the spacing of those markers within the region. Physical mapping techniques are limited by the sizes of DNA fragments that can be manipulated, and until recently, these limits were in the range of tens of kilobase pairs of DNA. Recent technical innovations promise the potential for manipulating mammalian DNA segments hundreds of kilobase pairs in length. It is clear that the power of both genetic-linkage and physical-isolation techniques would be enhanced by the ability to isolate and characterize chromosomal segments 105 base pairs or greater in length by a direct genetic technique. Previously, we have suggested a strategy based on metaphase-chromosome transfer to address this issue (Housman et al., 1983). For the past several years, our research efforts have been devoted to development of this strategy. The results presented herein bear on the utility of chromosome transfer both for the physical mapping of chromosomes and for the development of DNA-based markers at intervals of a centimorgan or less within these chromosomal segments.
Population genetics of Alaska Common Raven show dispersal and isolation in the world's largest songbird

The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is widespread at high latitudes and a noted disperser to remote islands. We hypothesized that, given their dispersal abilities, Alaskan populations would be genetically similar and maintain genetic diversity across thousands of kilometers. We sampled 134 ravens from 9 areas in Alaska, including 6 populations we considered as mainland and 3 as island (Kodiak, Adak, and Attu islands). Using 8 microsatellite loci, we found that in most Alaskan populations gene flow is sufficient to counter population divergence due to genetic drift. Our dataset suggests that conservatively there are just 2 raven populations in Alaska (K = 2), although the second Aleutian population, from Adak Island, was significantly differentiated, too. The Attu Island population was quite different from the other sampled populations, and it was the only location that neither received immigrants nor sent emigrants to other sampled locations. In addition, a comparison of gene flow models using a Bayesian coalescent approach most strongly supported an Attu Island isolation model. Prior work suggested that the uniqueness of the Attu Island population is due to isolation in a glacial refugium during the last glacial maximum. Postglacial dispersal from the Alaskan mainland has not erased this signal, suggesting that there could be limits to the species' dispersal abilities (i.e. remote colonization is rare). The isolated Attu Island population underwent a substantial decline ∼4 Kya, which roughly coincides with the arrival of the ultimate invasive species, humans. Traditional cultural values suggest that any surmised effect of humans would likely be indirect rather than direct.
A TRANSIENT HYDROSTATIC DYNAMOMETER FOR SINGLE CYLINDER ENGINE RESEARCH

Abstract A new high-bandwidth transient dynamometer has been designed and is being built for application to a single-cylinder research engine. The goal of this system is to accurately reproduce all of the dynamic, instantaneous torques that this single-cylinder would experience if it were in a multi-cylinder engine. This is accomplished by calculating these instantaneous torques in real time using a detailed dynamic model of the engine, and applying them by means of a unique high-bandwidth transient dynamometer system. This hardware-in-the-loop system would both extend the operational envelope far beyond what is possible with current hardware, and would now allow the single-cylinder engine to replicate the rapid transients that are experienced in multi-cylinder operation. This may well open up many new areas of research in the transient operational regime, while maintaining the open accessibility and attractive attributes of the single-cylinder engine.
Natural Language Core Tasks and Applications

Abstract This chapter describes core tasks that are routinely performed on natural language texts. Some of these tasks are often considered as preprocessing and form the foundation for developing natural language processing applications. We begin with the need for annotated language corpora and discuss the following tasks: language identification, text and word segmentation, word-sense disambiguation, language modeling, Part of Speech (PoS) tagging, parsing, named entity recognition, machine translation, information extraction, text summarization, question-answering systems, and natural language user interfaces. By design, we describe these tasks at a conceptual level and provide pointers to relevant literature.
Der Altersübergang als gesellschaftliches Problem und als Gestaltungsaufgabe – Einführende Überlegungen zu einer risikoreichen Lebensphase

Das Alter(n) heute hat viele ‚Gesichter‘: gesund oder krank, jugendlich oder faltig, aktiv oder geruhsam, zufrieden oder traurig – zwischen den jeweiligen Polen finden sich zahlreiche Mischformen von Zustanden, Gemutslagen und Lebenssituationen, die es nicht mehr zulassen, von ‚den Alten‘ zu sprechen. Die Adressierung einer mehr oder weniger homogenen Gruppe von Menschen in einer gemeinsamen Altersspanne rechtfertigt sich allenfalls noch durch demografische (bevolkerungsstatistische) oder biologische Bezuge, wobei sich auch bei letzteren nur grobe Verallgemeinerungen uber eine Altersgruppe vornehmen lassen (vgl. die Hinweise zu sozialstrukturellen Bedingungsfaktoren fur Morbiditat und Mortalitat weiter unten im Text). Spatestens wenn man Alter als soziokulturelle Kategorie versteht, die sich unter gesellschaftlichen Einflussen wandelt, muss man Alter(n) differenzierter betrachten.
Chapter 33 Acid-Induced Denaturation of DNA in Situ as a Probe of Chromatin Structure

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses flow cytometric (FCM) method for measurement of DNA in situ sensitivity to denaturation. In the original method, stability of DNA in situ was assayed by subjecting permeabilized (ethanol-fixed) and subsequently RNase-treated cells to heat or acid, followed by staining with acridine orange (AO). After partial denaturation of DNA by heat or acid, AO, as mentioned, stains nondenatured, dsDNA sections in green (maximum fluorescence at 530 nm), whereas dye interactions with denatured sections (ssDNA) result in red luminescence. Thus, the relative proportions of red and green luminescence of cells stained this way represent AO binding to the sections of the denatured and native DNA, respectively. This method has been adapted to unfixed cell nuclei freshly prepared from the cell nuclei of solid tumors. Because isolation of nuclei from solid tumors is more convenient than isolation of whole intact cells, the adaptation extends the applicability of the method to the clinical samples.
Reaction pathways, kinetics and thermochemistry of the chemically-activated and stabilized primary methyl radical of methyl ethyl sulfide, CH3CH2SCH2•, with 3O2 to CH2CH3SCH2OO•

Abstract Oxidation of Methyl ethyl sulfide (CH3SCH2CH3, methylthioethane, MES) under atmospheric and combustion conditions is initiated by reaction with hydroxyl radicals. Methyl ethyl sulfide (MES) radicals generated after losing an H atom via OH abstraction subsequently reacts with O2 to form chemically activated and stabilized peroxyl radical adducts. The kinetics of the chemically activated reaction between the CH2•SCH2CH3 radical and molecular oxygen are analyzed using quantum Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel (QRRK) theory for k(E) with master equation analysis and a modified strong-collision approach to account for further reactions and collisional deactivation. Thermodynamic properties of reactants, products and transition states are determined by the CBS-QB3 composite and M062X/6-311+G(2d, p) DFT methods. The reaction of CH2•SCH2CH3 with O2 forms an energized peroxy adduct •OOCH2SCH2CH3 with a calculated well depth of 26.4 kcal/mol at the CBS-Q//M062x/6-311+g(2d,p) levels of theory. Thermochemical properties of reactants, transition states and products obtained under CBS-QB3 level are used for calculation of the thermochemical and kinetic parameters. The temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients for both the chemically activated reactions of the energized adduct and the thermally activated reactions of the stabilized adducts are presented. Stabilization and isomerization of the •OOCH2SCH2CH3 adduct are important under high pressure and low temperature. At temperatures between above 600–800 K reactions of the chemically activated peroxy adduct become important relative to stabilization under the atmospheric pressure. Two new pathways are observed, in addition to conventional hydrogen atom transfer reactions from the three carbons to the peroxy oxygen radical. One of these new paths is formation of a Criegee intermediate plus CH2•OO• plus CCS•. A second new path involves the peroxy oxygen radical addition to the sulfur moiety followed by carbon-sulfur bond cleavage with formation of carbon–oxygen and oxygen–sulfur double bonds: CH2 O + S•( O)CC. These are potentially important new pathways other alkyl-sulfide peroxy radical systems under thermal or combustion conditions.
Breastfeeding and Morbidity of Early Term Infants in the First Month

Breastfeeding and Morbidity of Early Term Infants in the First Month Background: Although 37 weeks is traditionally considered full term, more recently it has become evident that infants born at 37–38 weeks, now referred to as Early Term Infants, are less developed and at higher risk for neonatal and postnatal complications than infants born at 39-41 weeks, now called Late Term Infants. Although there are some studies on the medical complications …
Administrators' Perceptions of Teaching Competencies for Rural Minority Group Children with Exceptionalities.

Recognizing the need to establish a competency-based preparation program for personnel serving bilingual children with disabilities, a needs assessment survey was undertaken involving administrator...
Large-scale limit of Monte-Carlo simulations of grain growth

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a paper that studies the large-scale limit of 2D Monte Carlo simulations of grain growth with isotropic grain boundary energy and mobility in low-temperature regime and shows that it converges to a deterministic simulation model defined by the Mullins equation of curvature-driven growth and the Herring balance condition. There has been considerable interest in the modeling of grain growth in polycrystalline materials by various computer simulation techniques. This paper focuses on two such models—a deterministic curvature driven model and the Monte Carlo model. In 2D, the Monte Carlo model in the low-temperature regime approaches the deterministic model as the relative grain size increases. In a deterministic model, the grain boundary is moved according to the Mullins equation. There are apparent algorithmic differences between the two models. A comparison of the statistical properties that the two models produce—such as the mean grain size and the relative grain size distribution—suggests that they are related. This paper explores this relation in detail.
Characterization of inhomogeneous Ni/GaN Schottky diode with a modified log-normal distribution of barrier heights

The current versus voltage (I-V) characteristics of a Ni/GaN Schottky diode are measured from 50 to 400 K and the temperature dependence of the extracted barrier heights and ideality factors is described as a consequence of lateral inhomogeneity at the metal-semiconductor (M-S) interface. It is shown that by invoking a modified log-normal distribution of barrier heights at the M-S interface, the extracted barrier height temperature dependence can be well explained. Further, it is shown that this approach can describe the voltage dependence of the lateral barrier distribution revealing that for effective barrier height values calculated at increasingly higher voltages, the distribution begins to converge on a single value of 0.77 eV. This value is in good agreement with the flat-band barrier height of 0.77 ± 0.02 eV extracted from capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements on the same device. The same procedure is used to describe the parallel conduction path apparent at low temperatures, revealing its behavior is indicative of an additional Schottky region with an increased density of low barriers which are more heavily perturbed by external bias. Finally, the model is successfully applied to previously published work on various Schottky diodes structures.
Local alliances and rivalries shape near-repeat terror activity of al-Qaeda, ISIS, and insurgents

We study the spatiotemporal correlation of terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and local insurgents, in six geographical areas identified via k-means clustering applied to the Global Terrorism Database. All surveyed organizations exhibit near-repeat activity whereby a prior attack increases the likelihood of a subsequent one by the same group within 20 km and on average 4 (al-Qaeda) to 10 (ISIS) weeks. Near-response activity, whereby an attack by a given organization elicits further attacks from a different one, is found to depend on the adversarial, neutral, or collaborative relationship between the two. When in conflict, local insurgents respond quickly to attacks by global terror groups while global terror groups delay their responses to local insurgents, leading to an asymmetric dynamic. When neutral or allied, attacks by one group enhance the response likelihood of the other, regardless of hierarchy. These trends arise consistently in all clusters for which data are available. Government intervention and spillover effects are also discussed; we find no evidence of outbidding. Understanding the regional dynamics of terrorism may be greatly beneficial in policy making and intervention design.
Does Global Warming Drive Changes in Arctic Sea Ice

Satellite radiometry and visual imagery of Arctic sea ice since 1979 have allowed us to track its dramatic seasonal cycle in which 70% of the March maximum sea ice area is gone by September. This extreme seasonal cycle is taken to imply that Arctic sea ice area is sensitive to ambient temperature. The satellite data also show a long term year to year decline in Arctic sea ice in every season concurrent with global warming. This concurrence has led to the assumption that the observed long term decline in sea ice is a response to global warming. This study is a test of that hypothesis. Arctic sea ice data for each calendar month are tested for the responsiveness of sea ice area to global warming at annual and five-year time scales using detrended correlation analysis. Satellite measurements of lower troposphere temperature over the north polar region are used as the relevant measure of global warming. It is found that of the twelve calendar months only two contain both statistically significant sea ice loss and statistically significant correlation of the rate of sea ice loss with global warming. These results do not constitute convincing evidence of correlation required to support the assumption that sea ice decline is driven by global warming. It is likely that the observed loss in sea ice area is a more complex phenomenon possibly with roles for winds, ocean currents, geothermal heat, and natural multidecadal variability of ocean characteristics not measured and not fully understood. Global warming may play a role in what may be a complex multivariate phenomenon but the data do not show that global warming drives year to year changes in Arctic sea ice area or that the decline can be halted or moderated by taking climate action.