cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spawning success in the damselfish Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster: the influence of eggs in the nest

Abstract Spawning success of males and its correlates were investigated in a natural colony of whitebelly damselfish, A. leucogaster (Pomacentridae), to explore the criteria that females use in choosing mates. The mating success of individual males was variable, with some males acquiring as few as 5000 eggs and others as many as 450 000 eggs during a breeding season. Male spawning success was not correlated with body size, territory size, nest site parameters or parental care behaviour. Egg hatching success was not related to either male size or egg clutch size, and all males were capable of rearing eggs to hatching. The temporal sequence of choices by females indicated non-independent choice by females, such that males chosen by females on the first spawn of the day were also chosen by females that spawned later in the day. Field observations indicated that, in the absence of male courtship, females preferentially visited males that had eggs in their nest site. Males that had recently mated were preferred by females over those males with either late-stage eggs or no eggs in the nest. This female preference did not appear to be related to increased paternal care or egg clutch survival. Given that the mating system is promiscuous and non-resource based, and that there appears to be little difference among males in body size, females may be mating non-independently by mimicking the choice of other females.
Basal Forebrain Neuronal Loss in Mice Lacking Neurotrophin Receptor p75

There is substantial evidence from in vitro studies that nerve growth factor (NGF) exerts an important influence on the development and survival of central neurons ([1][1]). The effects of NGF are thought to be mediated through the high-affinity tyrosine receptor kinase trkA and the low-affinity p75
Nitroblue tetrazolium dye test as an aid in thedifferential diagnosis of febrile disorders

Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye tests were performed upon blood obtained at time of admission or during the course of hospitalization from 247 febrile patients and 20 afebrile individuals. Detailed clinical and laboratory diagnostic evaluation permitted subsequent placement of 181 of the febrile patients into 8 specific groups. Knowledge of only percentage and absolute number of NBT-positive cells permitted reclassification into 4 groups as follows: (1) normal subjects, (2) individuals with viral infection, noninfectious fevers, or partially treated bacterial infection, (3) untreated bacterial infection, and (4) bacterial infection unresponsive to therapy provided. There was generally no correlation between percentage of NBT-positive cells and either white blood cell counts or body temperature recorded at the time blood for the NBT test was obtained. Discriminant analysis was used to prepare a nomogram which permits classification of patients prospectively into one of the 4 groups, if the percentage and absolute number of NBT-positive cells are known.
Positron Emission Tomography 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake and Prognosis in Patients with Surgically Treated, Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake holds potential as a noninvasive biomarker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to investigate the association between tumor FDG uptake and survival in patients with surgically resected, stage I NSCLC. Methods We used systematic methods to identify studies for inclusion, assess methodological quality, and abstract relevant data about study design and results. Results Our literature search identified 1578 citations, of which nine retrospective, cross-sectional studies met eligibility criteria. In all studies, higher degrees of FDG uptake in the primary tumor were associated with worse overall or disease free survival after 2 to 5 years of follow-up, but these differences were statistically significant in only five studies. Across studies, the median overall or disease free survival was 70% for patients with higher FDG uptake compared with 88% for patients with lower FDG uptake. In three studies that performed multivariable analysis, the adjusted hazard of death or recurrence was 1.9 to 8.6 times greater in patients with higher FDG uptake. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that increasing tumor FDG uptake is associated with worse survival in patients with stage I NSCLC. FDG uptake has the potential to be used as a biomarker for identifying stage I patients who are at increased risk of death or recurrence and therefore could identify candidates for participation in future trials of adjuvant therapy.
Unilateral infusion of a dopamine transporter antisense into the substantia nigra protects against MDMA-induced serotonergic deficits in the ipsilateral striatum

Abstract The present study was designed to elucidate the consequences of antisense oligonucleotide-mediated knockdown of striatal dopamine reuptake transporters on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced neurotoxicity. Antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the mRNA translational start site of the rat dopamine transporter was delivered by constant (7 days) intranigral infusion with an osmotic minipump. Delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide by this method resulted in a 70% reduction in the density of the dopamine transporter in the ipsilateral striatum, as measured by [ 3 H]mazindol binding. The effect of this transporter knockdown on MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity was then examined. MDMA (2×20 mg/kg, s.c., given 12 h apart) administered to control rats produced hyperthermia following the first dose and led to a 45–50% reduction in striatal serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and serotonin reuptake transporter density 1 week after the second dose. Conversely, in antisense-, but not missense-treated rats, a significant attenuation of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity was observed only in the ipsilateral striatum. The hyperthermic response elicited by MDMA was not altered by prior administration of antisense. In vivo microdialysis revealed that the antisense treatment attenuated MDMA-induced dopamine release in the ipsilateral striatum. These results suggest that the dopamine transporter plays an essential role in the neurodegeneration induced by MDMA, and provides additional support for the hypothesis that extracellular dopamine is involved in the neurotoxic process, at least in the striatum.
Precipitation of rare earth vanadates from aqueous solution

Abstract The chemistry of vanadium in solution has been investigated over the entire pH range, with special emphasis on rare earth precipitates. Whereas prior investigators were confronted with an instability range between pH 5.5–7.5 due to precipitation of hydrous V 2 O 5 , the present work did not encounter such a barrier. Thus, the complete pH range could be surveyed by starting with VO 2+ ion plus a rare earth in strong acid solution and titrating with strong base plus an oxidizing agent. The VO 2+ ion appears to be oxidized early in the titration to form VO 2 + ion which then condenses in solution to form vanadate anionic precipitates.
Social Interactions of Rhesus Monkeys: I. Food-Getting Dominance as a Dependent Variable

(1956). Social Interactions of Rhesus Monkeys: I. Food-Getting Dominance as a Dependent Variable. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 249-255.
Regenerative biology: Neuregulin 1 makes heart muscle.

Three studies reveal that augmentation of a signalling pathway involving the growth factor neuregulin 1 and its receptor protein ERBB2 can promote the generation of muscle cells in zebrafish, mice and infant heart tissue.
BALLOON VALVULOPLASTY FOR CRITICAL AORTIC STENOSIS IN THE NEWBORN : INFLUENCE OF NEW CATHETER TECHNOLOGY

Abstract Between 1986 and July 1990, balloon valvuloplasty was attempted in eight newborns ( Balloon valvuloplasty was immediately successful in all five newborns, as evidenced by a decrease in valve gradient and improvement in left ventricular function and cardiac output. Peak systolic gradient was reduced by 64% from 69 ± 8 to 25 ± 3 mm Hg (p = 0.005). Left ventricular systolic pressure decreased from 128 ± 9 to 95 ± 9 mm Hg (p = 0.02) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased from 20 ± 2 to 11 ± 1 mm Hg (p = 0.02). Moderate (2+) aortic regurgitation was documented in two infants after valvuloplasty. The time from first catheter insertion to valve dilation averaged 57 ± 14 min (range 26 to 94) and the median length of the hospital stay was 4 days. With the use of recently available catheters, the transumbilical technique of balloon valvuloplasty can be performed quickly, safely and effectively in the newborn with critical aortic stenosis. It does not require general anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass or a left ventricular apical incision and it preserves the femoral arteries for future transcatheter intervention should significant aortic stenosis recur.
Explaining the Relationship between Internet Use and Interpersonal Trust: Taking into Account Motivation and Information Overload

Although a growing body of empirical research has assessed the relationship between Internet use and social capital, little is known about what mechanisms underlie this relationship. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by articulating and testing a multi-step model specific to the development of interpersonal trust, a critical component of social capital. In considering the influence of Internet use on interpersonal trust, this model takes into account motivation and information overload. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model with data from the 2006 Gadgets Survey of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. This analysis indicates that the effects of social resource motivation for Internet use on interpersonal trust were mediated by Internet use and perceived information overload. In addition, Internet use inversely influenced perceived information overload, Internet use influenced interpersonal trust, and perceived information overload inversely influenced interpersonal trust. These findings are considered in reference to previous literature on Internet effects, uses and gratifications, information processing, and the cognitive mediation model.
Resolving Holliday Junctions with Escherichia coli UvrD Helicase

The Escherichia coli UvrD helicase is known to function in the mismatch repair and nucleotide excision repair pathways and has also been suggested to have roles in recombination and replication restart. The primary intermediate DNA structure in these two processes is the Holliday junction. UvrD has been shown to unwind a variety of substrates including partial duplex DNA, nicked DNA, forked DNA structures, blunt duplex DNA and RNA-DNA hybrids. Here, we demonstrate that UvrD also catalyzes the robust unwinding of Holliday junction substrates. To characterize this unwinding reaction we have employed steady-state helicase assays, pre-steady-state rapid quench helicase assays, DNaseI footprinting, and electron microscopy. We conclude that UvrD binds initially to the junction compared with binding one of the blunt ends of the four-way junction to initiate unwinding and resolves the synthetic substrate into two double-stranded fork structures. We suggest that UvrD, along with its mismatch repair partners, MutS and MutL, may utilize its ability to unwind Holliday junctions directly in the prevention of homeologous recombination. UvrD may also be involved in the resolution of stalled replication forks by unwinding the Holliday junction intermediate to allow bypass of the blockage.
Medin: An expert system for processing medical insurance claims

Abstract The develoment of an expert system prototype is described. The system is intended to assist nurses who process medical insurance claims. The problem is essentially one of classification, where a set of codes and data on the claim form are used to arrive at a decision. We emphasize the lessons learned from knowledge acquisition and implementation and discuss the adequacy of rulebased systems for solving similar problems, including a discussion of how the prototype, although functional in itself, can be extended to become a fully viable system. In this article we detail the process of building the prototype. In particular, the knowledge elicitation stage—its duration, getting the expert to verbalize her information processing, and generalization from the set of examples available. We also highlight the benefits that insurance companies can derive from similar development efforts. We present the pros and cons of using shell-based packages for similar problems, including their convenient and user-friendly environment.
Systemic administration of naked DNA encoding interleukin 12 for the treatment of human papillomavirus DNA-positive tumor.

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is one of the most effective and promising cytokines for cancer therapy. Its therapeutic effects have been demonstrated in a variety of tumors in animal models when it is administrated locally or systemically. We describe here a systemic delivery of naked murine IL-12 (mIL-12) gene in vivo. Dose-dependent systemic production of mIL-12, with a serum level up to approximately 20 μg/ml, was observed 24 hr after systemic gene delivery. The apparent half-life in the circulation was about 5 hr. The result of a bioactivity assay (in vitro interferon γ [IFN-γ] release) indicated that the gene product in mice was as active as the purified recombinant murine IL-12 protein (rmIL-12). The circulating mIL-12 activated natural killer cells and stimulated IFN-γ production in vivo. A single administration of mIL-12 gene resulted in prominent regression of established subcutaneous tumor in a human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA-positive tumor model (TC-1) in C57BL/6J mice. The antitumor effect of the sing...
Dynamic Interactions Between Sliding Friction and Tip Relief in Spur Gears

The chief objective of this article is to examine dynamic interactions between sliding friction and profile modifications in a spur gear pair. First, a new computational method is proposed that incorporates the sliding friction and realistic time-varying stiffness into a multi-degree-of-freedom system model. Second, competing friction formulations, such as the Coulomb dry friction model and empirical expressions based on elasto-hydrodynamic and/or boundary lubrication regime principles, are briefly evaluated and validated by comparing friction force predictions with measurements. Third, effect of the profile modification on the dynamic transmission error is analytically examined under the influence of sliding friction. An out-of-phase relationship between the normal load and friction force is found to be critical as it could amplify motions or forces in the off-line-of-action direction. Typical tip relief schemes are examined including the perfect involute profile (baseline), short tip relief (at light load), intermediate tip relief (at medium load) and long tip relief (at peak load). Case studies are evaluated over a range of operating loads; interactions between sliding friction and profile modifications are observed. Finally, principles that could minimize dynamic transmission errors in the presence of sliding friction are introduced.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
What is an agent that it experiences P-consciousness? And what is P-consciousness that it moves an agent?

If phenomenal consciousness is distinct from the computationally based access-consciousness that controls overt behavior, how can I tell which things (other than myself) enjoy phenomenal consciousness? And if phenomenal consciousness 'plays no role in controlling overt behavior, how do human bodies come to write target articles arguing for the existence of phenomenal consciousness?
Mechanisms for Teacher Outreach to Parents in Charter and Traditional Public Schools

Parent involvement is greatly influenced by the extent to which schools and teachers reach out to parents. Charter schools may be uniquely situated vis-a-vis traditional public schools to create the school organization and policies that can encourage teachers to reach out more. The authors examined the extent to which organizational and teacher-level characteristics account for cross-sector variation in teacher outreach using a matched sample of charter and traditional schools. Teacher efficacy, parent empowerment in classrooms, and home-school contracts accounted for some, but not all, of the higher levels of teacher outreach in the sample charter schools. Specific factors promoting teacher outreach were not limited to the charter sector.
Mixed s-wave and d-wave superconductivity in high-Tc systems.

We investigate the nature of the superconducting state of high-[ital T][sub [ital c]] materials from a microscopic theory and from a phenomenological analysis of experimental data. The simplest model for a microscopic electronic mechanism is the one-band Hubbard model, for which the parameters can be derived from experiment and cluster calculations. For these parameter values and moderate doping levels, we use the variational Monte Carlo method to show that a mixed [ital s]-[ital d] Cooper-pair state is favored. These results are compared to quantum Monte Carlo results on the Hubbard model. This mixed state is compared with experimental results on nuclear-magnetic-resonance relaxation times and Knight shifts, penetration depth, and tunneling measurements. The comparison with experiment indicates that a mixed-symmetry state is a strong candidate for the ground state of the system, comparing favorably to pure [ital d]-wave and pure [ital s]-wave states.
Reading a book can change your mind, but only some changes last for a year: food attitude changes in readers of The Omnivore's Dilemma.

Attitude change is a critical component of health behavior change, but has rarely been studied longitudinally following extensive exposures to persuasive materials such as full-length movies, books, or plays. We examined changes in attitudes related to food production and consumption in college students who had read Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma as part of a University-wide reading project. Composite attitudes towards organic foods, local produce, meat, and the quality of the American food supply, as well as opposition to government subsidies, distrust in corporations, and commitment to the environmental movement were significantly and substantially impacted, in comparison to students who had not read the book. Much of the attitude change disappeared after one year; however, over the course of twelve months self-reported opposition to government subsidies and belief that the quality of the food supply is declining remained elevated in readers of the book, compared to non-readers. Findings have implications for our understanding of the nature of changes in attitudes to food and eating in response to extensive exposure to coherent and engaging messages targeting health behaviors.
Widows in a South India society: Depression as an appropriate response to cultural factors

Data gathered over a 23-year period from a village in South India form the basis of this description of the Havik Brahmin widow. The following hypotheses are examined: religious beliefs as the basis for her treatment, her sexuality as a threat to the society, and depression as an appropriate response for the widow who was regarded as responsible for her husband's death. The author argues that cultural factors predispose a widow to depressions, which meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — III — Revised criteria. Beck's triad, pathognomonic for depression (negative self-image, negative view of the future, and negative interpretation of life events), is integral to the life of a widow. As women have gained increased control over their lives during the past 23 years, the situation of the widow has improved. Increased educational opportunities and age of marriage are factors associated with a decrease in the belief of a wife's devotion as a life-preserver. Women have been instrumental in decreasing a widow's stigmata and in instigating improvements in the widow's situation. Accompanying these changes has been decreased depression among women in general and widows in particular.
Asymmetric vibrations of an elastic sphere

Historically, the vector Navier equation governing the dynamic response of an elastic, homogeneous, isotropic sphere has been solved using the Helmholtz decomposition of the displacement vector. Further, many of the problems in the literature have been restricted to ones involving axisymmetric geometry. In this presentation, the time-dependent Navier equation is solved using a set of vector spherical harmonics which, previously, has been used primarily in quantum mechanics studies but which seems particularly useful in solving asymmetric problems with nonconservative body forces. Expressions for the displacements, strains, and stresses and a discussion of the vibrations of an elastic sphere are given.
Practical methods for computing power in testing the multivariate general linear hypothesis

Four test statistics are commonly used in multivariate general linear hypothesis tests such as MANOVA: Roy's largest root, Wilks' Lambda, Hotelling-Lawley trace and Pillai-Bartlett trace. Closed form, finite series expressions do not exist for the distribution functions in either the null or non-null case (except for special cases). In practice, asymptotic approximations, based on F or chi square distributions, are used for the null case. It is not widely known that similarly accurate and general approximations have been published for the non-null case, for all except the largest root [15,38]. In this paper new approximations, based on noncentral F's, are provided for power for all but the largest root. These generalize existing F approximations for the central case. Much less calculation is needed than for earlier approximations and accuracy appears not to suffer in practice. An upper bound F approximation is provided for the largest root power. Power calculation can be used to help choose a test statistic as well as for experimental design. A particularly convenient method for estimating power, using standard linear models programs [20], is generalized to the multivariate case.
Sentiment diversification with different biases

Prior search result diversification work focuses on achieving topical variety in a ranked list, typically equally across all aspects. In this paper, we diversify with sentiments according to an explicit bias. We want to allow users to switch the result perspective to better grasp the polarity of opinionated content, such as during a literature review. For this, we first infer the prior sentiment bias inherent in a controversial topic -- the 'Topic Sentiment'. Then, we utilize this information in 3 different ways to diversify results according to various sentiment biases: (1) Equal diversification to achieve a balanced and unbiased representation of all sentiments on the topic; (2) Diversification towards the Topic Sentiment, in which the actual sentiment bias in the topic is mirrored to emphasize the general perception of the topic; (3) Diversification against the Topic Sentiment, in which documents about the 'minority' or outlying sentiment(s) are boosted and those with the popular sentiment are demoted. Since sentiment classification is an essential tool for this task, we experiment by gradually degrading the accuracy of a perfect classifier down to 40%, and show which diversification approaches prove most stable in this setting. The results reveal that the proportionality-based methods and our SCSF model, considering sentiment strength and frequency in the diversified list, yield the highest gains. Further, in case the Topic Sentiment cannot be reliably estimated, we show how performance is affected by equal diversification when actually an emphasis either towards or against the Topic Sentiment is desired: in the former case, an average of 6.48% is lost across all evaluation measures, whereas in the latter case this is 16.23%, confirming that bias-specific sentiment diversification is crucial.
In Situ Hetero End-Functionalized Polythiophene and Subsequent “Click” Chemistry With DNA

It is demonstrated that bifunctionalized polythiophenes involving thiol and azide end-functional groups can be synthesized by chain-growth Suzuki-Miyaura type polymerization. The bifunctionalized polythiophenes are successfully characterized by 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF). Furthermore, the azide end-group reacts with DNA via "click chemistry" to form a polythiophene/DNA hybrid structure, which is characterized by ESI-MS. The described synthetic approaches will lead to the synthesis of novel multi-block copolymers as well as biomolecule-based conjugated polymer structures.
Childhood Risk Factors for Young Adult Substance Dependence Outcome in Offspring from Multiplex Alcohol Dependence Families: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Age of onset to begin drinking is a known risk factor for alcohol dependence. Factors have been identified that contribute to age of onset to begin regular drinking. These include reduced P300, increased postural sway, and personality variation. A longitudinal study spanning childhood to young adulthood provided the opportunity to determine if these same factors would predict the presence and onset of substance use disorders (SUD). METHODS: Multiplex families were identified through two or more alcohol-dependent brothers. Offspring from these multiplex or control families (n = 133) were followed annually during childhood. Using childhood predictors previously identified as risk factors for age of onset to begin drinking, SUD outcome by young adulthood was modeled. RESULTS: Familial risk status was a significant predictor of young adult SUD outcome as a main effect and as an interaction with P300 amplitude recorded before the age of 13. In adolescence (age 15), increased postural sway and familial risk predicted the SUD outcome by age 22. Analysis comparing the presence of one or both risk factors showed that those above the median for sway and below the median for P300 amplitude had substantially increased odds of developing SUD (odds ratio = 8.08 [confidence interval = 1.52-42.83]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that among the factors predicting age of onset to begin regular drinking, P300 predicts SUD outcome across an 11-year span. The present findings provide the longest follow-up to date demonstrating that neurobiological factors in childhood are among the most salient predictors of young adult SUD outcome. Language: en
Parallel computation approaches for flexible multibody dynamics simulations

Finite element based formulations for flexible multibody systems are becoming increasingly popular and as the complexity of the configurations to be treated increases, so does the computational cost. It seems natural to investigate the applicability of parallel processing to this type of problems; domain decomposition techniques have been used extensively for this purpose. In this approach, the computational domain is divided into non-overlapping sub-domains, and the continuity of the displacement field across sub-domain boundaries is enforced via the Lagrange multiplier technique. In the finite element literature, this approach is presented as a mathematical algorithm that enables parallel processing. In this paper, the divided system is viewed as a flexible multibody system, and the sub-domains are connected by kinematic constraints. Consequently, all the techniques applicable to the enforcement of constraints in multibody systems become applicable to the present problem. In particular, it is shown that a combination of the localized Lagrange multiplier technique with the augmented Lagrange formulation leads to interesting solution strategies.
The distribution of sulfur and organic matter in various fractions of peat: origins of sulfur in coal

Abstract The peat-forming systems of the Okefenokee Swamp are viewed as modern progenitors of coal. Taxodium and Nymphaea-derived peat-forming systems were characterized in terms of (1) organic fractions and (2) the distribution of organic/inorganic sulfur in each organic fraction (water soluble, benzene/methanol soluble, humin, humic acid, fulvic acid). The humin fraction is the largest organic fraction in both environments, approaching 70% of the total organic matter in the Nymphaea-derived environment. Humin origins are discussed in terms of a humic acid precursor, and undecomposed plant material. It is suggested that each depth of peat represents a diagenetic history of events which the authors believe occurred primarily when the currently buried peat was at the surface. The sulfur content of both peat-forming areas is low (0.23–0.27%); organic sulfur is the dominant sulfur form. Humin contains 50–80% of the total sulfur and of this, 80% is organic sulfur. Ester-sulfate appears to be especially prevalent in the fulvic acid fraction. The sulfur content of freshwater-derived peats is similar in quantity and distribution to that found in low sulfur coals.
Hyperproductivity of the Ross Sea (Antarctica) polynya during austral spring

Although satellite data of surface layer pigments have suggested that the daily productivity in the Ross Sea is among the largest found in any marine system, no modern oceanographic cruise has entered the Ross Sea polynya to quantitatively assess the austral spring productivity over time scales of days to weeks. We conducted a cruise to the Ross Sea polynya in November–December, 1994 to measure the contribution of phytoplankton during the austral spring to the annual productivity of the region and found markedly enhanced levels of phytoplankton biomass. Chlorophyll concentrations were greater than 3 µg l−1 in mid-November, a time when the polynya was covered by a thin (ca. 20–30 cm) layer of ice. Particulate matter concentrations increased through time, and by early December chlorophyll and particulate carbon concentrations exceeded 10 µg l−1 and 53 µmol l−1, respectively. Primary productivity also increased through time: the mean productivity in early December equaled 3.53 g C m−2 d−1, and maximum measured rates exceeded 6 g C m−2 d−1. Productivity based on nitrate disappearance averaged 1.52 g C m−2 d−1 (with a maximum rate of 2.49 g C m−2 d−1), suggesting that the bloom's new production was also substantial. The Ross Sea polynya is the most southerly location in the Antarctic where phytoplankton growth is initiated this early and which supports such high standing stocks by early December. Inclusion of this production in a carbon budget for the region suggests that this area supports an annual production of 200 g C m−2, the largest of any region in the Southern Ocean, and confirms its hyperproductive nature.
Toward stable solid acid catalysts for 1-butene + isobutane alkylation : Investigations of heteropolyacids in dense CO2 media

Heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts and their cesium salts were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for the alkylation of isobutane with 1-butene. Steady butene conversion and C8 alkylates production were demonstrated for over 50 h in dense CO2-enhanced reaction media in both a fixed bed reactor and a CSTR operated at 368 K, 80 bar, and molar feed isobutane/olefin ratio of 5 with 70 mol % CO2. The C8 alkylates selectivity is highest (∼25%) on HPA/SiO2, observed in a CSTR operated at an olefin space velocity of 0.05 h-1. This value is comparable to that obtained at similar operating conditions with Nafion/SiO2 (SAC-25), an ion-exchange resin. The cesium salts of HPA (either supported or unsupported) show high selectivity toward dimerization (>60%). The estimated effective alkylation rate constant is highest for SAC-25 closely followed by 70% HPA/SiO2. On all the catalysts tested, effective alkylation rate constants are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than the dimerization rate constant. Hence, the design ...
Salinity, Temperature, Oil Composition, and Oil Recovery by Waterflooding

The effect of aging and displacement temperatures and brine and oil composition on wettability and the recovery of crude oil by spontaneous imbibition and waterflooding has been investigated. This study is based on displacement tests in Berea sandstone with three crude oils and three reservoir brines (RB`s). Salinity was varied by changing the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS`s) of the synthetic brine in proportion. Salinity of the connate and invading brines can have a major influence on wettability and oil recovery at reservoir temperature. Oil recovery increased over that for the RB with dilution of both the initial (connate) and invading brine or dilution of either. Aging and displacement temperatures were varied independently. For all crude oils, water wetness and oil recovery increased with increase in displacement temperature. Removal of light components from the crude oil resulted in increased water wetness. Addition of alkanes to the crude oil reduced the water wetness, and increased oil recovery. Relationships between waterflood recovery and rate and extent of oil recovery by spontaneous imbibition are summarized.
Trends and Significance of VRE Colonization in the ICU: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies

Background The burden and significance of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization in the ICU is not clearly understood. Methods We searched PubMed and EMBASE up to May 2013 for studies reporting the prevalence of VRE upon admission to the ICU and performed a meta-analysis to assess rates and trends of VRE colonization. We calculated the prevalence of VRE on admission and the acquisition (colonization and/or infection) rates to estimate time trends and the impact of colonization on ensuing VRE infections. Findings Across 37 studies (62,959 patients at risk), the estimated prevalence of VRE on admission to the ICU was 8.8% (7.1-10.6). Estimates were more consistent when cultures were obtained within 24 hours from admission. The VRE acquisition rate was 8.8% (95% CI 6.9-11.0) across 26 evaluable studies (35,364 patients at risk). Across US studies, VRE acquisition rate was 10.2% (95% CI 7.7-13.0) and demonstrated significant decline in annual trends. We used the US estimate of colonization on admission [12.3% (10.5-14.3)] to evaluate the impact of VRE colonization on admission in overall VRE prevalence. We demonstrated that VRE colonization on admission is a major determinant of the overall VRE burden in the ICU. Importantly, among colonized patients (including admitted and/or acquired cases) the VRE infection rates vary widely from 0-45% (with the risk of VRE bacteremia being reported from 0-16%) and <2% among those without a proven colonization. Conclusion In summary, up to 10.6% of patients admitted in the ICU are colonized with VRE on admission and a similar percentage will acquire VRE during their ICU stay. Importantly, colonization on admission is a major determinant of VRE dynamics in the ICU and the risk of VRE-related infections is close related to colonization.
Adolescent Divergent Thinking A Cross-Cultural Perspective

A cross-cultural replication study was conducted to assess divergent thinking in preadolescents and adolescents. Participants (N = 119) were Cantonese-speaking Chinese residents of Hong Kong, recruited through primary and secondary schools. Participants responded in writing to a divergent thinking assessor based on auditory stimuli. Scores were obtained for fluency, flexibility, and originality of thought. Adolescents scored significantly higher than preadolescents on all three divergent thinking measures. A MANOVA test indicated an overall absence of main effects for sex and sex-by-age-group interactions. Results are discussed in comparison to a similar study previously conducted with American adolescents.
Infrared-active excitations related to Ho 3 + ligand-field splitting at the commensurate-incommensurate magnetic phase transition in HoMn 2 O 5

Linearly polarized spectra of far-infrared (IR) transmission in ${\text{HoMn}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{5}$ multiferroic single crystals have been studied in the frequency range between 8.5 and $105\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and for temperatures between 5 and 300 K. Polarization of IR-active excitations depends on the crystallographic directions in ${\text{HoMn}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{5}$ and is sensitive to the magnetic phase transitions. We attribute some of the infrared-active excitations to electric-dipole transitions between ligand-field (LF) split states of ${\text{Ho}}^{3+}$ ions. For light polarization along crystalline $b$ axis, the oscillator strength of electric dipoles at low frequencies (10.5, 13, and $18\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) changes significantly at the commensurate-incommensurate antiferromagnetic phase transition at ${T}_{3}=19\text{ }\text{K}$. This effect shows a strong correlation with the pronounced steps of the $b$-directional static dielectric function. We propose that the LF on ${\text{Ho}}^{3+}$ connects the magnetism and dielectric properties of this compound through coupling with the Mn spin structure. We comment on the possibility for composite excitations of magnons and excited LF states.
The effect of gravitational compaction on the structure of sedimentary rocks; a discussion

Some of the conclusions in Hedberg's valuable paper on the effect of the compacting of clay rocks upon the structure of strata overlying buried hills seem to be more sweeping than the data warrant. Hedberg's average depth-porosity curve is based upon assumptions which greatly affect its accuracy. The present writer points out that the available data indicate that the void ratio of shale (the relative proportion of voids and solids) varies inversely as the depth of burial. This empirical relation is but a slight modification of a theory proposed by Sorby, it is similar to van der Waal's (gas volume) equation, and it seems to lead to acceptable geologic conclusions. Hedberg showed that by his average curve the present writer's suggested explanation of an anticline in western Kansas was improbable. However, by the modification of Sorby's theory, this explanation appears quantitatively possible. Even granting that the two methods of computing structure are equally logical, the large discrepancy between the results demonstrates that Hedberg's method is not sufficiently accurate for use as a quantitative test. Although several of Hedberg's other conclusions seem questionable, it is desirable to emphasize the fact that his paper opens up interesting vistas upon many fields of geologic study.
Diet-induced changes in rabbit serum potassium do not alter size or number of brain capillary endothelial cell mitochondria.

Abstract Previous studies have shown brain extracellular (EC) [K + ] to remain constant during wide variations of the plasma-brain [K + ] gradient. High serum [K + ] is hypothesized to increase K + pumping by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to maintain normal EC levels. This changing metabolic work could be reflected in endothelial cell mitochondria which have been shown to be three to four times more numerous in the BBB than in other capillary endothelial cells. We measured several morphologic parameters of brain capillary endothelial cells in white male New Zealand rabbits following dietary manipulation of their serum [K + ] levels. Four groups, based on serum [K + ] levels, were formed: Deficient, Low, Normal, and High. Following the final day's weight and blood samples, rabbits were anesthetized and perfused for transmission electron microscopic planimetry. Variables included number and area of mitochondria, areas of capillary lumen and capillary diameter, area of endothelial cell, and proportion of endothelial cell taken up by mitochondria. With the exception of the area of the endothelial cell ( P + ] levels, no differences appeared among the variables in any of the four groups. Lack of anticipated differences in mitochondrial number or proportional area indicates either that pumping K + occupies a minor fraction of cell energy, or changes in mitochondrial size or number are not sufficiently sensitive indicators of metabolic workload in this model.
BONE MARROW AS SOURCE OF CELLS IN REACTIONS OF CELLULAR HYPERSENSITIVITY I. PASSIVE TRANSFER OF TUBERCULIN SENSITIVITY IN SYNGENEIC SYSTEMS

Splenectomy or thymectomy of adult Lewis rats following sensitization with tubercle bacilli did not affect their ability to develop delayed skin lesions upon skin testing with PPD. The presence of the thymus also had no significant effect on reactivity of the recipients in passive transfer experiments. The passive transfer of tuberculin hypersensitivity with sensitized lymph node cells to thymectomized, irradiated recipients depended on the simultaneous or prior injection of normal bone marrow cells. When lymph node cell transfer was performed shortly after irradiation and injection of marrow, high doses of marrow cells (3.5–4.0 x 108 were required to permit eliciting reactions of reasonable intensity. If, however, periods of 7–10 days elapsed between the injection of bone marrow and sensitized lymph node cells, lower doses of marrow were sufficient for comparable reactions. Normal thymus, spleen, lymph node, or peritoneal exudate cells, even at high doses could not be substituted for the bone marrow in producing good tuberculin reactions.
Effects of Exposure to 4 PPM Nitrogen Dioxide in Healthy and Asthmatic Volunteers

ABSTRACT Healthy and asthmatic volunteer subjects (N = 25 and N = 23, respectively) were exposed twice each to purified air (control) and to 4 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in a controlled-environment chamber. Exposures lasted 75 min, and included 15 min each of light exercise (ventilation rate near 25 L/min) and heavy exercise (near 50 L/min). Compared to control, NO2 exposure produced no statistically significant untoward effects on airway resistance, symptoms, heart rate, skin conductance, or self-reported emotional state in normal or asthmatic subjects. Exercise was associated with significantly (P < .001) increased airway resistance in both subject groups, although the increase in normals was small. In both groups, systolic blood pressure showed small but significant (P < .01) decreases with NO2 exposure, compared to control. This effect, if real, may relate to formation of a vasodilating nitrite or nitrate from inhaled NO2. The lack of respiratory response contrasts with previous findings elsewhere; at...
New expanding cavity model for indentation hardness including strain-hardening and indentation size effects

An expanding cavity model (ECM) for determining indentation hardness of elastic-strain-hardening plastic materials is developed. The derivation is based on a strain gradient plasticity solution for an internally pressurized thick-walled spherical shell of an elastic linear-hardening material. Closed-form formulas are provided for both conical and spherical indentations. The formulas explicitly show that indentation hardness depends on Young’s modulus, yield stress, strain-hardening index, and strain gradient coefficient of the indented material as well as on the geometry of the indenter. The newly formulated ECM can capture the indentation size effect, unlike classical plasticity based ECMs. The new model reduces to existing classical plasticity based ECMs (including Johnson’s ECM for elastic-perfectly plastic materials) when the strain gradient effect is not considered. The presently developed ECM is validated by comparing with existing experimental hardness data. The numerical results obtained using the new model reveal that the hardness is indeed indentation size dependent when the indentation radius is very small: the smaller the indentation, the larger the hardness. Also, the indentation hardness is seen to increase with the Young’s modulus and strain-hardening level of the indented material for both conical and spherical indentations. The strain-hardening effect on the hardness is observed to be significant for materials having strong strain-hardening characteristics. In addition, it is found that the indentation hardness increases with decreasing cone angle of the conical indenter or decreasing radius of the spherical indenter. These trends agree with existing experimental observations and model predictions.
Phylogenetic diversity of Pasteurellaceae and horizontal gene transfer of leukotoxin in wild and domestic sheep.

Abstract Wild and domestic animal populations are known to be sources and reservoirs of emerging diseases. There is also a growing recognition that horizontal genetic transfer (HGT) plays an important role in bacterial pathogenesis. We used molecular phylogenetic methods to assess diversity and cross-transmission rates of Pasteurellaceae bacteria in populations of bighorn sheep, Dall's sheep, domestic sheep and domestic goats. Members of the Pasteurellaceae cause an array of deadly illnesses including bacterial pneumonia known as “pasteurellosis”, a particularly devastating disease for bighorn sheep. A phylogenetic analysis of a combined dataset of two RNA genes (16S ribosomal RNA and RNAse P RNA) revealed remarkable evolutionary diversity among Pasteurella trehalosi and Mannheimia ( Pasteurella ) haemolytica bacteria isolated from sheep and goats. Several phylotypes appeared to associate with particular host species, though we found numerous instances of apparent cross-transmission among species and populations. Statistical analyses revealed that host species, geographic locale and biovariant classification, but not virulence, correlated strongly with Pasteurellaceae phylogeny. Sheep host species correlated with P. trehalosi isolates phylogeny (PTP test; P = 0.002), but not with the phylogeny of M. haemolytica isolates, suggesting that P. trehalosi bacteria may be more host specific. With regards to populations within species, we also discovered a strong correlation between geographic locale and isolate phylogeny in the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (PTP test; P = 0.001). We also investigated the potential for HGT of the leukotoxin A ( lktA ) gene, which produces a toxin that plays an integral role in causing disease. Comparative analysis of the combined RNA gene phylogeny and the lktA phylogenies revealed considerable incongruence between the phylogenies, suggestive of HGT. Furthermore, we found identical lktA alleles in unrelated bacterial species, some of which had been isolated from sheep in distantly removed populations. For example, lktA sequences from P. trehalosi isolated from remote Alaskan Dall's sheep were 100% identical over a 900-nucleotide stretch to sequences determined from M. haemolytica isolated from domestic sheep in the UK. This extremely high degree of sequence similarity of lktA sequences among distinct bacterial species suggests that HGT has played a role in the evolution of lktA in wild hosts.
Thyroid cyst wall atypia in a patient with a history of malignant melanoma: a pitfall in fine-needle aspiration cytology.

We present an interesting case report from a patient with a history of desmoplastic malignant melanoma (MM), who presented with a thyroid nodule. The patient's clinical diagnosis included a benign thyroid nodule versus a primary thyroid malignancy or metastatic MM. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed highly atypical spindle cells suspicious for metastatic MM. The acellular cell block prevented further studies such as immunohistochemical analysis. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass, which showed a benign cystic thyroid nodule with an atypical cyst lining. Here, we report the presence of atypical cyst-lining cells in a patient with diagnosis of MM. The atypical cytology of the cyst-lining cells has been reported in the English literature; however, presence of significant cytological atypia, especially in a patient with a history of another malignancy, can be problematic. The cytopathologist should be aware of this entity and its diagnostic pitfalls. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:716–719. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.