cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vapor-phase hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol over carbon-supported Pd, Re and PdRe catalysts

Abstract Vapor-phase hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol was investigated over a commercial Pd/C (A) catalyst (Evonik) and Pd/C (B), Re/C and PdRe/C catalysts prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of Norit SX-1 G activated carbon. The Pd/C catalysts had equivalent dispersions after reduction at 300 °C; however, Pd/C (B) had very low dispersion after reduction at 400 °C. CO chemisorption, Re LIII edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, and high-angle annular dark field (HAADF)-scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) of the Re/C catalyst after reduction at 400 °C evidenced the formation of supported Re clusters. EXAFS spectroscopy of the PdRe/C catalyst after in situ reduction at 300 °C indicated the presence of Pd nanoparticles and Re clusters; a 2.70 A Pd-Re contribution was required to adequately fit the Re LIII EXAFS spectrum. HAADF-STEM with energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis of the PdRe/C catalyst after reduction at 400 °C revealed Re clusters and Pd nanoparticles, some in intimate contact. In guaiacol HDO at 300 °C and 1 atm, Pd/C (A) was selective to phenol and cyclohexan-one/-ol and did not produce significant yields of benzene and cyclohexane, despite its high activity. Turnover frequencies for phenol (and cyclohexan-one/-ol) formation over the Pd/C catalysts were equivalent. Phenol, benzene and anisole were major products over Re/C after in situ reduction at 400 °C. The highest yield (52%) of fully deoxygenated products was obtained over PdRe/C after in situ reduction at 400 °C. We infer that the bimetallic catalyst combines synergistically the demethoxylation and hydrogenation functions of Pd/C with the capability of Re/C to deoxygenate phenol [Ghampson, et al., Catal. Sci. Technol. 2016].
Grain-Scale Modeling of CVD of Polycrystalline Diamond Films

The evolution of grain size, grain-size distribution, morphological and crystallographic texture, surface roughness, and the contribution of various surface facets to the growth of polycrystalline diamond films is performed by carrying out a series of two-dimensional computer simulations. The films are assumed to grow from a set of randomly oriented, {100}- and {111}-faceted nuclei by the motion of their vertices (the points where the adjoining facets of the same or neighboring grains meet). The vertex velocities are found to be a function of the orientation and the growth rate of the adjoining facets. To quantify the latter, a {100} to {111} growth-rate parameter is used. The results show that the evolution of the grain size and its distribution, surface roughness, morphological and crystallographic texture, and the portion of the film grown from different surface facets are all mutually linked and governed by the magnitude of the growth-rate parameter. The latter can be controlled by the CVD processing conditions, such as the substrate temperature, reactor pressure, mole fraction of carbon-source gas (e.g., CH4, C2H2).
Eradication of Erwinia amylovora (fire blight) from apple propagating wood by hot water treatment

Our research objective was to develop a method for eradicating viable cells of Erwinia amylovora from symptomless scion budsticks of apple by immersion in hot water. The effect of duration of immersion in water at different temperatures on viability of dormant buds of apple cvs.‘Idared’ and‘Empire’ and on survival of E. amylovora were determined. Approximately 50% of buds of both cvs. survived 60 min at 48° C, but all buds were killed by 30 min at 50° C. Shoot tips of greenhouse-grown potted‘Idared’ and‘Empire’ trees were inoculated with E. amylovora. After lesions had ceased expanding 1 cm segments of the stem, directly below the lesion margin and including a node, were immersed in water at 48° C for 60 min. No viable E. amylovora was detected by direct planting of phosphat-buffer-ground tissue on CCT medium, or by plating of Kado 523 broth that had been inoculated with grindate and incubated for 18 hours. Unimmersed tissues yielded viable E. amylovora. Experiments to determine the time course of killing of E. amylovora cells infected apple tissue at 48° C indicated that after 60 min there was < 1 × 10-6 chance of a single viable cell remaining. A phytosanitary protocol for E. amylovora- free apple scions will be discussed.
Analysis of a Swept Wind Turbine Blade Using a Hybrid Navier-Stokes/Vortex-Panel Model

A 10% backward sweep is added to the NREL wind turbine blade and its aerodynamic performance is studied using a hybrid Navier–Stokes/Vortex-Panel solver. A modified twist distribution for the swept blade obtained with an optimization vortex code is tested and a higher power gain is achieved in the low wind speed case of \(7\,\textrm{ms}^{-1}\) compared to the NREL Phase VI rotor. However the backward sweep increased the bending moment. For more relevant comparison with the aerodynamic performance of the straight blade, adjustment of the blade setting angle is done to achieve the same bending moment. It is observed that the backward sweep will improve the stability of the blade for gust control while keeping other aerodynamic performances at or above that of the NREL rotor.
The Estrous Cycle

The golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus was described as a new species and originally named Cricetus auratus by Waterhouse (1839). Laboratory colonies of the golden hamster both in Europe and America originate from a single capture from the wild by Mr. I. Aharoni of the Department of Zoology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, who dug up a litter of eight animals near Aleppo, Syria in 1930. One male and two females survived and were bred (Adler, 1948). The animals were utilized by Dr. C. Adler working on parasitological problems in Jerusalem with support from the Royal Society. Offspring from these three original litter mates were shipped by Dr. Adler to the College de France, Paris, Medical Research Council and Welcome Bureau of Scientific Research, England, and eventually to America during World War II.
Mean kinetic energy replenishment mechanisms in vertical-axis wind turbine farms

We analyze kinetic energy (KE) transport allowing wind speed recovery behind a row of wind turbines, showing that KE replenishment is significant after about the 6th row. Before that there is net negative transport out of the turbine layer, and initial advection of KE is the main energy source.
Investigational multitargeted kinase inhibitors in development for head and neck neoplasms.

Introduction: Despite advances in treatment, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) survival rates remain stagnant. Current treatment is associated with significant toxicities and includes c...
Using Quality Measures in the Intelligent Fusion of Probabilistic Information

Our objective here is to obtain quality-fused values from multiple sources of probabilistic distributions, where quality is related to the lack of uncertainty in the fused value and the use of credible sources. We first introduce a vector representation for a probability distribution. With the aid of the Gini formulation of entropy, we show how the norm of the vector provides a measure of the certainty, i.e., information, associated with a probability distribution. We look at two special cases of fusion for source inputs, those that are maximally uncertain and certain. We provide a measure of credibility associated with subsets of sources. We look at the issue of finding the highest-quality fused value from the weighted aggregation of source-provided probability distributions.
Breve Historia de la Ornitología en los Altos Andes del Norte del Perú y Su Importancia para la Conservación

Knowing the historical process of how one of the natural sciences, ornithology, has developed is key to understanding and deciding what steps should be taken in order to incorporate it as a science more applied to the conservation of biological diversity. The High Andes (>3500 m) are recognized as an area of high biological endemism, but also of vulnerability, especially within a context of climate change. This article briefly discusses the development of ornithology in a section of the high Andes of northern Peru, consisting mainly of the cordilleras Blanca, Negra, Huallanca and Huayhash in the departments of Ancash, Lima and Huanuco. We will see that, from the earliest pre-Incan civilizations, birds were represented in iconography of the Chavin culture, and that during the first expeditions (1844-1983), discoveries were made of new species that are currently endemic to Peru, but are threatened and have conservation priority. Subsequent biogeographic studies (1987-2011) and recent ecological studies of the bird communities and ecosystems seek their application to the management and conservation of several threatened species. In total, 239 species are reported, with 23 endemic to Peru, 12 considered threatened on the IUCN Red List, two introduced and 21 migratory birds that spend their non-breeding season in these areas. It is hoped that this review will (1) provide an understanding of the development of ornithology in one of the principal centers of High Andean ornithological endemism and, ultimately, (2) contribute to defining future lines of applied research, especially those that contribute to improving actions of prevention and mitigation of climate change in the biological diversity of tropical mountain ecosystems.
Book Review: Philosophy of STEM Education - A Critical Investigation

This book’s value lies in the succinct provision of evidence that confounds simplistic views of the objectives and potential directions of STEM education. More importantly, this book elicits significant questions about how the proposed alternative conceptions of STEM may materialize. As an educator in a system dominated by high-stakes standardized testing, the authors’ perspectives concerning the importance of the intrinsic value of genuine learning and the aesthetics underlying the subjects of mathematics and science are refreshing and provide hope for potential change.
War tourism: Second World War France from defeat and occupation to the creation of heritage

In recent years, France has been at or near the top of the list of the world's most desirable vacation destinations. One might imagine that those who visit the country plan to go shopping, eat fine...
Planning Radical Change at the Grass Roots: The Story of New Communities Inc.

The author, a social scientist in the role activist, analyzes and evaluates his practice as a planner and advocate, working with poor rural black people in the development of an alternative community. Over New Community Inc.'s more than eight years of constant struggle, radically new insights have been gained by the author concerning the efficacy of ideology and the feasibility of centrally planned change. Planning becomes mutual learning and the only real change worthy of note is not some quantifiable output, but rather the new strength and understanding which emerges from the thoughts and experiences of the people as they struggle to survive. Agents of radical social change have a choice among three primary modes of action: confrontation, infiltration, or people's advocacy. Yet none of these approaches seems to be fully capable of accomplishing the task. Confrontation tends to alienate precisely those whom the activist needs as allies (Thorne, 1975). Infiltration readily leads to cooptation and the abandonment of radical objectives. Advocacy is likely to be politically opportunist and ideologically noncommittal. It, too, readily lends itself to cooptation because the people demand quick, tangible results (Peattie, 1968; Piven, 1970). The founders of New Communities, Inc. (NCI), an experimental rural new town in Southwest Georgia, have attempted to steer an eclectic course which seeks to avoid these pitfalls. We have tried to learn how to work within, yet separate from the "system". Our aim has been to use the "system" against itself, as it were, to achieve our, not its valued goals. When we have been in direct confrontation we have tried to confront nonviolently. We have identified as the target of our change efforts not only the society and its institutions, but also ourselves. By attempting to redefine the relationship between leaders and followers, between professional and lay persons, between those who think that they know and those who think that they don't know, it has been our goal to sow the seeds of a "new world." *Portions of this paper have been published previously, in somewhat different form,in Bernard Ross and S.K. Khinduka, eds., Social Work in Practice, Washington, NASW, 1976.
Deformity Secondary to Vertebral Body Metastases

Spinal metastases are the most common type of vertebral column tumor, affecting up to 70% of all patients with neoplastic disease. Though seldom the primary determinant of survival, these lesions are clinically important for the mass effect they exert on a patient’s neural elements as well as the mechanical instability they generate within affected vertebrae. Osteolytic lesions are of particular concern as they significantly decrease axial loading strength of the vertebral column, increasing the risk of fracture and subsequent deformity. Diagnosis of deformity is made using computed tomography imaging, which can also be used for surgical planning in patients indicated for operative management. Other interventions include prophylaxis against vertebral collapse using a combination of vertebral body cement augmentation and administration of anti-osteolytic agents, such as bisphosphonates and denosumab. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the biomechanics of the metastatic spine, give background on the pathophysiology of osteolysis in metastatic segments, and outline the therapeutic interventions for those with spinal deformity or mechanical instability in the context of disseminated cancer.
Structure and Function of the Skin

Knowledge of skin anatomy and function is fundamental for understanding the clinical manifestations and impacts of skin diseases. While true for any organ, this is especially true for the skin, because clinicians can see, touch, and otherwise interrogate the anatomy of this organ directly. Importantly, skin diseases result from deleterious agents or processes that disrupt specific anatomic components of the skin, and induce physiological responses that distort it, to create skin lesions. Recognition of skin lesion significance, and thus diseases, is based upon identifying alterations in normal skin anatomy, including the particular anatomical components that are targeted. Furthermore, the impacts of skin diseases and treatment choices are understood through knowledge of normal skin functions and the consequences of its dysfunction. This chapter reviews basic aspects of feline skin structure and function, with citations from the literature where available, and draws heavily on the comparative information available for humans and dogs.
57% decline in Rhode Island invasive breast cancer mortality between 1987 and 2017: mammography predominates in preventing mortality.

Controversy exists regarding proportional contributions of mammographic screening versus systemic therapy to declining disease-specific mortality of female invasive breast cancer (IBC) in the United States. Understanding relative contributions may help address allocation of medical resources. A 31-year (1987–2017) review of Rhode Island (RI) Cancer Registry data of female IBC was carried out in a state with high rates of mammographic screening. Over 31 years in RI, statistically significant improvements occurred at initial diagnosis of IBC: mean and median maximum cancer diameters decreased by 21% and 30% respectively. Despite 1997 introduction of more accurate sentinel lymph node biopsy, the proportion of patients with axillary lymph node metastases (LNM) decreased by 27%. Extent of LNM also decreased as patients with over three node metastases decreased 67%. By 2017, 53% of all patients with LNM had only one. Poorly differentiated cancers decreased 50%. Disease-specific mortality decreased 57%. Improvements in initial presentation of IBC are consistent with most having progressive growth, from cellular origin to palpable mass, the currently accepted biological model. Breast cancers identified earlier at initial diagnosis through screening mammography are characterized by smaller size, fewer axillary LNMs, better grade differentiation, and decreased mortality. Statistical analysis from these improved diagnostic parameters indicate that the majority of mortality decline from invasive breast cancer in RI can be attributed to earlier detection. Thus, mammography predominates in preventing mortality.
SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnancy: Where and What Is the Evidence?

Background: The emergence of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has had the world on high alert since December 2019 Pregnancy is associated with various physiolo
Implementation of Total Variation Applied to Motion Magnification for Structural Dynamic Identification

Motion magnification has gained popularity within the scientific community for its non-invasive approach to structural health monitoring. Due to the arduous task of instrumenting complex geometric structures, phase-based motion magnification (MM) permits an amplification of small motions that are not visible to the naked eye. Although MM offers a potential alternative to manual instrumentation, the extracted motion may contain artifacts due to the amplification factor. Depending upon the value of magnification, noisy displacement measurements can be present which tend to produce inconclusive results concerning frequency content. This paper presents the application of total variation (TV) to improve the amount noise present in extracted phase displacements. In the presence of large artifacts that come as a result of the magnification factor, the improvement of a spectral signal produces a more conclusive frequency response of the experimental structure. Prior work has attempted to zoom into a small range of pixels to increase spectral resolution; however, this limits the field of view and does not capture a large dynamic range of motion. Total variation has the capability of improving spectral resolution without having to spatially zoom in on a group of pixels. In this work, the modified method of motion magnification and total variation (MMTV) is applied to a simple geometric structure for structural dynamic identification.
Family and Health over the Past Decade: Review of Selected Studies and Areas of Future Inquiry.

Research on the family-health nexus cuts across disciplines, focuses on a broad range of issues, and is set against a backdrop marked by increasing diversity of family structures and households, aging families, and intensifying concerns about health and social inequalities. Over the last decade, a plethora of articles appearing in The Journal of Family and Economic Issues (JFEI) have examined the interplay between family and health. This article attempts to crystallize the primary contributions of this body of work. My discussion is organized around various thematic areas that emerged from the review: (a) childbearing, (b) children’s health, (c) relationships, (d) caregiving, and (e) the impact of health on household finances. I close by sketching out some useful areas for future research in the next decade.
A Review of the LD50 and Its Current Role in Hazard Communication

There is a vital safety requirement to appropriately warn users of chemical products that have acute hazards. As there is a very large amount and wide variety of chemical products, there is also a ...
The oxylipin profile is associated with development of type 1 diabetes: the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY)

Oxylipins are lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids. Some oxylipins are proinflammatory (e.g. those derived from arachidonic acid [ARA]), others are pro-resolving of inflammation (e.g. those derived from α-linolenic acid [ALA], docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) and others may be both (e.g. those derived from linoleic acid [LA]). The goal of this study was to examine whether oxylipins are associated with incident type 1 diabetes. We conducted a nested case–control analysis in the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY), a prospective cohort study of children at risk of type 1 diabetes. Plasma levels of 14 ARA-derived oxylipins, ten LA-derived oxylipins, six ALA-derived oxylipins, four DHA-derived oxylipins and two EPA-related oxylipins were measured by ultra-HPLC–MS/MS at multiple timepoints related to autoantibody seroconversion in 72 type 1 diabetes cases and 71 control participants, which were frequency matched on age at autoantibody seroconversion (of the case), ethnicity and sample availability. Linear mixed models were used to obtain an age-adjusted mean of each oxylipin prior to type 1 diabetes. Age-adjusted mean oxylipins were tested for association with type 1 diabetes using logistic regression, adjusting for the high risk HLA genotype HLA-DR3/4,DQB1*0302. We also performed principal component analysis of the oxylipins and tested principal components (PCs) for association with type 1 diabetes. Finally, to investigate potential critical timepoints, we examined the association of oxylipins measured before and after autoantibody seroconversion (of the cases) using PCs of the oxylipins at those visits. The ARA-related oxylipin 5-HETE was associated with increased type 1 diabetes risk. Five LA-related oxylipins, two ALA-related oxylipins and one DHA-related oxylipin were associated with decreased type 1 diabetes risk. A profile of elevated LA- and ALA-related oxylipins (PC1) was associated with decreased type 1 diabetes risk (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40, 0.94). A profile of elevated ARA-related oxylipins (PC2) was associated with increased diabetes risk (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.03, 2.29). A critical timepoint analysis showed type 1 diabetes was associated with a high ARA-related oxylipin profile at post-autoantibody-seroconversion but not pre-seroconversion. The protective association of higher LA- and ALA-related oxylipins demonstrates the importance of both inflammation promotion and resolution in type 1 diabetes. Proinflammatory ARA-related oxylipins may play an important role once the autoimmune process has begun.
The Systems AI Thinking Process (SATP) for Artificial Intelligent Systems

Previous work has focused on the overall theory of systems-level thinking for artificial intelligent entities in order to understand how to facilitate and manage interactions between artificial intelligent system and humans or other systems. This includes the ability to predict and produce behaviors consistent with the overall mission (duties) of the AI system, how to control the behaviors, and the types of control mechanisms required for self-regulation within an AI entity. Here we advance that work to look at the overall systems AI thinking process (SATP) and the architecture design of self-regulating AI systems-level processes. The overall purpose here is to lay out the initial design and discussion of concepts to create an AI entity capable of systems-level thought and processing.
The Magnetic Moment of the Proton

O. Stern1 by his method of molecular rays obtained the surprising result that a proton has a magnetic moment of about 2½ nuclear magnetons with a possible error of 10 percent. It seems now that the same result of an extraordinarily large magnetic moment of the proton can be derived from the magnetic properties of higher nuclei, although instead of Stern’s value 2½ the value 2 seems to account best for the observations.
Border War: Fighting over Slavery before the Civil War

Review of: "Border War: Fighting Over Slavery Before the Civil War," by Stanley Harrold, part of the "Civil War America Series."
Community Benefits Agreements and Local Government: A Review of Recent Evidence

Problem: As community benefits agreements or community benefits arrangements (CBAs) become more common in redevelopment practice they are generating conceptual confusion and political controversy. Much of the literature on CBAs is focused on local organizing coalitions’ inclusivity and political strategies, or on the legal aspects of the agreements, providing only limited information to planners who encounter advocacy for CBAs. Purpose: I aim to help planners prepare to deal appropriately with community benefits claims in their communities by closely examining four urban redevelopment projects in which CBAs have been negotiated by stakeholder organizations, legislators, developers, and government agencies. Methods: I characterize the 27 CBAs in effect in the United States as of June 30, 2009, based on their participants and structures. I then examine four of these CBAs in detail using the semistructured interviews I conducted with individuals involved in crafting, advocating, and implementing them and cov...
Estimating the Parameters of a Convolution

Abstract : The report treats some parametric estimation problems in which one observes a random variable which is the sum of two independent nonidentically distributed random variables. Some basic identifiability theorems are given which suggest the method of moments as a general method for attacking such problems, particularly when one of the summand variables is discrete. Moment estimators and their asymptotic distributions are examined for various specific examples. (Author)
A checksum-based corruption detection technique

We consider the problem of malicious attacks that lead to corruption of files in a file system. A typical method to detect such corruption is to compute signatures of all the files and store these signatures in a secure place. A malicious modification of a file can be detected by verifying the signature. This method, however, leaves the system vulnerable to an attacker who has access to some of the files and the signatures (but not the signing transformation) and who replaces some of the files by their old versions and the corresponding signatures by the signatures of the old versions.In this paper, we present a technique called Check2 that also relies on signatures for detecting corruption of files. The novel feature of our approach is that we compute additional levels of signatures to guarantee that any change of a file and the corresponding signature will require an attacker to perform a very lengthy chain of precise changes to successfully complete the corruption in an undetected manner. If an attacker fails to complete all the required changes, Check2 can be used to pinpoint which files have been corrupted. Two alternative ways of implementing Check2 are offered, the first using a deterministic way of combining signatures and the second using a randomized scheme. Our results show that the overhead added to the system is minimal.
Identification of a glucocorticoid-responsive element in Epstein−Barr virus

Immortalization of B lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is complex and poorly understood. However, some evidence suggests that glucocorticoids influence this process. We identified a glucocorticoid-responsive element in the BamHI C fragment of EBV which we call ES-1. In glucocorticoid-treated cells, ES-1 enhanced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression from the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, as well as the EBV Bam-C promoter, from which several latent viral gene products are transcribed. By Northern blot analysis, glucocorticoid treatment enhanced transcription from the Bam-C promoter in Jijoye cells, a Burkitt9s lymphoma cell line. In addition, the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor bound specifically to the ES-1 region. These glucocorticoid effects on the Bam-C promoter region may provide some insight into the process of EBV immortalization. Images
Limiting Executive Compensation: The Case of CEOs Hired after the Imposition of 162(m)

This study analyzes the effect of Internal Revenue Code section 162(m) on the compensation package of those chief executive officers (CEOs) hired after the imposition of this code section. Research documents that CEO compensation has increased dramatically since the imposition of section 162(m); yet, this research has not distinguished between the effects on the compensation of CEOs already in place when section 162(m) was imposed from those CEOs hired post-162(m) imposition. We focus our analysis on the compensation of CEOs hired after the imposition of section 162(m), because when firms hire a new CEO, they have a better opportunity to redesign the executive pay package. Consequently, we posit that section 162(m) will have its greatest effect when the affected companies change CEOs. Our analysis provides evidence that the increase in salary normally associated with the hiring of a new CEO has been mitigated and there has been an increase in the sensitivity of firm performance to bonus pay for CEOs appoi...
BRAF mutation is associated with early stage disease and improved outcome in patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade serous (LGS) ovarian cancer is a chemoresistant disease that accounts for 10% of serous ovarian cancers. Prior studies have reported that 28% to 35% of serous borderline (SB)/LGS ovarian tumors harbor a BRAF mutation, suggesting that BRAF inhibitors may be a rational therapeutic approach for this disease. In the current study, the authors sought to determine whether BRAF or KRAS mutation status was associated with disease stage and/or histology in patients with SB and LGS ovarian cancer. METHODS: Genetic profiles were constructed for 75 SB and LGS ovarian tumors to determine BRAF and KRAS mutation status. The incidence and identity of BRAF and KRAS mutations were defined, and the results were correlated with disease stage, response to treatment, and overall survival. RESULTS: Of 75 samples examined, 56 tumors (75%) had SB histology, and 19 tumors (25%) had LGS histology. Fifty-seven percent of tumors harbored either a KRAS mutation (n = 17) or a BRAF mutation (a valine-to-glutamate substitution at residue 600 [V600E]; n = 26). The BRAF V600E mutation was associated significantly with early disease stage (stage I/II; P < .001) and SB histology (P = .002). KRAS mutations were not associated significantly with disease stage or histology. Of the 22 patients (29%) who required chemotherapy, 20 had tumors with wild-type KRAS/BRAF, 2 had KRAS mutant tumors, and none had tumors that harbored a BRAF mutation. All patients with BRAF tumors remained alive at a median follow-up of 3.6 years (range, 1.9–129.3 months). CONCLUSIONS: V600E BRAF mutations were present in 35% of patients who had SB/LGS ovarian cancers. The presence of the BRAF V600E mutation in SB/LGS ovarian cancer was associated with early stage disease and improved prognosis. The authors concluded that patients with SB/LGS ovarian cancer who require systemic therapy are unlikely to have BRAF mutant tumors. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Life-Threatening Illness and the Nature of Social Support: Brief Research Report

Studies support the assumption that social connection and support are essential to adequately cope with a life-threatening illness. This exploratory study surveyed a small sample of cancer patients to ask them what they needed at the time of their initial diagnosis and what reactions to their illness that they perceived in others. The ability to clearly identify needs and reactions was deemed as important as the content of their responses. This study supports the premise that when asked cancer patients can identify their own needs and are clearly aware of others' reactions to their illness.
Electrode-expansion MHD in a plasma-filled rod pinch

The Gamble II plasma-filled rod pinch (PFRP) produces an order-of-magnitude higher x-ray dose and smaller FWHM source size than achieved with a vacuum rod pinch. Intense electron deposition at the tip produces a high-energy-density expanding-tungsten plasma, the bremsstrahlung from which creates a low-intensity halo around the source core that increases the effective source size for some applications. The plasma motion has been measured with a holographic interferometer. Using the distribution of electron deposition derived from line-spread measurements, the observations are compared with zero-and one-dimensional self-similar MHD modeling of the plasma motion. Results demonstrate that magnetic-field and ohmic-heating effects during electron deposition are important to understanding PFRP dynamics.
Taste: Central Processing

The taste system monitors the chemical environment to detect carbohydrates, proteins, fats and salt to be consumed and toxins to be avoided. It activates reflexes for swallowing or rejection, and powerful hedonic mechanisms of pleasure or disgust. Electrophysiological and neural imaging studies are revealing taste's neural organisation. The weight of evidence implies that reflexive responses to tastants are orchestrated in the hindbrain, that a cognitive analysis of taste quality and intensity is completed in primary taste cortex, and that the reward value of a taste is added in secondary taste cortex and in ventral forebrain areas. Taste signals are also integrated with those from touch, smell, vision and the viscera to compose a sense of flavour. Key Concepts: The taste system protects us from ingesting toxins through rejection reflexes and a sense of disgust; it encourages us to consume nutrients through swallowing reflexes and a sense of pleasure. A cognitive identification of taste is most likely made in primary taste cortex in the insula. Taste information is integrated with that from other senses in cortical and ventral forebrain areas to create a sense of flavour. Taste and flavour are imbued with hedonic tone – pleasure or disgust – in orbitofrontal cortex and ventral forebrain. Keywords: taste; nucleus of the solitary tract; thalamic taste area; insula; orbitofrontal cortex; amygdala; hypothalamus; functional MRI; PET scan; electrophysiology; hedonics
The fast oscillation of the electrooculogram reveals sensitivity of the human outer retina/retinal pigment epithelium to glucose level.

The effect of acute blood glucose elevations on human outer retinal function was examined. Electrooculograms were recorded as the background light cycled on/off with a 2-min period, eliciting rapid changes in the corneo-retinal standing potential known as the fast-oscillation of the electrooculogram. Recordings were made while subjects fasted and after they consumed 100 g of D-glucose. In all subjects, blood glucose levels strongly affected fast oscillation amplitude, which reflects photoreceptor-driven changes in RPE cell chloride concentration. The sensitivity of RPE metabolism to glucose fluctuations may relate to changes in the blood-retinal barrier that are known to occur in diabetes (e.g. macular edema).
Induction of Regeneration of Body Parts in the Lizard, Anolis.

SummaryThe amputated hindlimb of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis, incapable of regenerating, may be caused to grow by augmenting the nervous supply of the wound surface with additional nerves deviated from the opposite hindlimb. In addition, deviation of hindlimb nerves into the tail region also induced growth responses. The conclusion is drawn that the reptilian nerve does have the growth-evoking quality exhibited so well by nerves in lower forms and that reptilian body parts do have the power to regrow provided, among other conditions, that the nerve stimulus is quantitatively adequate.I am grateful to Paula di Santo Bensadoun for drawings in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 and to E. Bailey for Fig. 3.
Proceed with caution: U.S. support for the Iraqi opposition

The Clinton administration is now committed to assist the Iraqi opposition in toppling Saddam Hussein's regime in Baghdad. The administration's methods in achieving its goal, however, are often conflicting and misguided. The United States may find itself in a position where support for the opposition groups may undermine the containment of Iraq, place unrealistic demands on U.S. forces, and even strengthen Saddam's influence at home and in the region.
ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIALIZATION AS A LEARNING PROCESS: THE ROLE OF INFORMATION ACQUISITION

This study investigated newcomers’information acquisition about organizational contextual domains from different sources, the relationship between information acquisition and knowledge of domains, relationships between information acquisition from sources, knowledge of domains and socialization outcomes, and shifts in these processes over time. Questionnaires assessing information acquisition strategies, knowledge and socialization outcomes were completed by 151 new organizational members across a variety of organizations, after an average of 17 weeks on the job and again several months later. Results of the study indicated that newcomers differentially relied on sources to gather information, that different sources were of varying importance for gaining knowledge, and that supervisors, coworkers, task and role mastery were related to the assimilation process of new employees. Research and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Effect of cholesterol and lanosterol on the structure and dynamics of the cell membrane of Mycoplasma capricolum. Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance study

Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques were employed to study the effect of sterols on the composition and dynamics of the membrane lipids of Mycoplasma capricolum, a natural fatty acid auxotroph that requires sterols for growth. The membrane lipids of cells grown in modified Edwards medium supplemented with cholesterol, oleic acid (OA), and palmitic acid (PA) were composed primarily of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (60%) and cardiolipin (CL) (35%). The incorporation of cholesterol and the cellular OA/PA ratio increased nonlinearly with increases in exogenous cholesterol level, whereas the levels of phospholipid increased only slightly. At the growth temperature, 37 degrees C, the residual deuterium quadrupole splittings were found to be 43–46 kHz for cells grown with (7,7,8,8–2H4) PA and 1.25 micrograms/ml (30 mol%) to 10 micrograms/ml (50 mol%) cholesterol, respectively, similar to that found in the cholesterol/lecithin binary dispersions of similar cholesterol contents. Deuterium T2e of these samples were found to be 170 +/- 10 microseconds and were independent of cellular cholesterol content. In comparison, T2e of the corresponding lipid extracts were longer (320–420 microseconds) and dependent on cholesterol content. Thus, lipid-protein interactions in the cell membrane is the dominant mechanism responsible for the reduced T2e. At lower temperatures, spectra indicative of the coexistence of gel and liquid-crystalline states were observed for cells having low cholesterol levels. For both cell membrane and membrane lipid extract containing 50 mol% cholesterol, T2e was found to be constant at the temperature range from 15 to 40 degrees C. On the other hand, T2e of cell membrane containing 30 mol% cholesterol decreased linearly at 3.2 microseconds/degrees C. T2e of the corresponding lipid extract showed much stronger temperature variation. Cells containing 39 mol% lanosterol were found to have a quadrupole splitting of 39 kHz, broader than that of the cholesterol-free lecithin dispersion (less than 30 kHz) but less than that of cell membrane containing 30 mol% cholesterol (43 kHz). T2e of the lanosterol sample was found to be 130 +/- 10 microseconds which decreased linearly at a slope similar to that observed for the low cholesterol sample. Therefore, although lanosterol appeared to be capable of modulating cell membrane physical properties it is less effective than cholesterol. When growth rates were correlated with NMR parameters, we found that the membranes of faster growing cells were also more ordered. In contrast, the T2e of the cells of M. capricolum seemed to be maintained at a relatively constant value around 170 microseconds.
Interaction of retinal pigmented epithelial cells and CD4 T cells leads to T-cell anergy.

Purpose Retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells may contribute to retinal immune privilege. Daily phagocytosis and degradation of photoreceptor cell outer segment tips by RPE provide substantial amounts of retinal autoantigens for potential MHC occupancy. RPE are well placed to modulate antigen (Ag)-specific activation of T cells in the outer retina under conditions in which inflammatory mediators may upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on RPE cells. The Ag-presenting ability of RPE cells was examined to determine whether they induce Ag-dependent modulation of CD4 T-cell activity. Methods The effects of RPE on Ag-specific activation of naive, Ag-specific CD4 T cells were tested in cultures with immortalized, syngeneic murine RPE cells. Flow cytometry, proliferation, and cytokine production were used to assess T-cell activation and phenotype. Results Naive CD4 T cells exposed to peptide-pulsed RPE upregulated expression of CD25, CD69, and CD44, showing receptor occupancy. However, T-cell proliferation and production of IL-2, IL-17, and IFN-gamma were severely depressed. Provision of whole beta-gal, as opposed to beta-gal peptide, gave no evidence of T-cell activation. T cells recovered from RPE cocultures were hyporesponsive to restimulation with splenic APC and Ag, but did not exhibit significant regulatory activity. Although CD25 was upregulated on RPE-activated T cells, expression of FoxP3 was similar to that found after activation with splenic APC and Ag. The inhibitory activity of RPE was dominant, since T-cell activation remained inhibited if splenic APCs were included in the cocultures. Conclusions RPE cells directly presented extracellular peptides through MHC class II to naive CD4 T cells, leading to an anergic state in the T cells. The anergic T cells survived, but were not immunoregulatory. The ability to modulate T-cell responsiveness in this manner may underlie the contribution of the RPE to immune privilege.
A Taste of Louisiana: Mainstreaming Blackness Through Food in The Princess and the Frog

Food-related practices, behaviors, and values cannot be ignored as relevant markers of power, cultural capital, class status, ethnicity, race, and gender. In the Disney Pictures' film The Princess and the Frog, food is used to negotiate the on-screen presence of Princess Tiana, the first African-American female protagonist in a Disney movie. While Tiana is depicted as a strong and motivated character in her determination to achieve her professional goals, her dreams of success as a restaurateur are constantly framed in terms of actual cooking, an occupation that has been historically connected with black women. Furthermore, she is a practitioner of Louisiana cuisine, heavily influenced by black and Creole traditions but represented as vaguely exotic, non-intimidating, and less racially recognizable than soul food because shared by many non-Black characters. These gastronomical negotiations render her more acceptable and less threatening to mainstream audiences.
Low-Impedance Capillary Electrode for Wide-Band Recording of Membrane Potential in Large Axons

An electrically floating platinized-platinum (Pt-Pt) wire within the length of a long (3-cm) electrolyte-filled glass capillary (100? diam), which is used to monitor the internal potential in large axons, eliminates cable effects and lowers the effective electrode impedance to < 10 k?. With this low-source-impedance capillary electrode; absolute transmembrane potentials can be recorded and a fast-responding (0.5-?s) voltage-clamp system is obtained.
Diffusion Coefficients of Glucose, Potassium, and Magnesium in Maine Russet Burbank and Maine Katahdin Potatoes from 45 to 90°C

Experimental data for the leaching of glucose, potassium and magnesium from French fry cut Maine Russet Burbank and Maine Katahdin potatoes were modeled over the temperature range 45–90°C., using a one-parameter diffusion equation based on Fick's second law. Correlations for the dependence of the resulting effective diffusion coefficients on temperature were determined. At temperatures greater than 60°C., plots of the diffusion coefficients as a function of temperature showed a change in slope or a discontinuity in the slope of the curve. This reflected the change in the diffusion matrix which occurred when the starch began to gelatinize. The effect of cultivar differences on values of the diffusion coefficients might be linked to the concentrations of starch and electrolytes in the potato.
Measurement of reduced backscattering noise in laser-driven fiber optic gyroscopes

We report what we believe to be the first demonstration of a laser-driven fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) built with an air-core fiber. Its phase noise is measured to be 130 μrad/√Hz. When the sensing fiber is replaced with a conventional fiber, this figure drops to 12 μrad/√Hz. Comparison between these values suggests that the air-core fiber gyro is most likely not limited solely by backscattering noise but by reflections at the solid-core/air-core interface. By minimizing additional noise sources and reducing the air-core fiber loss to its theoretical limit (~0.1 dB/km), we predict that the backscattering noise of the laser-driven air-core FOG will drop below the level of current FOGs. Compared with commercial FOGs, this FOG will exhibit a lower noise, improved thermal and mean-wavelength stability, and reduced magnetic-field sensitivity.
Effective-range theory and the ground state of 8Be☆

It is shown that on the basis of the available data the width of the ^8Be ground state cannot be accurately determined from an effective-range analysis of the S-wave phase shift for α-α scattering.
Enemies Of Rome: Barbarians Through Roman Eyes

The artists of ancient Rome portrayed the barbarian enemies of the Empire in sculpture, reliefs, metalwork and jewellery. This study of these images tells the reader much about the barbarians, about Roman art and about the Romans' view of themselves. Ferris examines the literary and historical background to these works, exposing the deep-seated fear of barbarians or "primitive" which lay at the heart of the Roman world. He analyzes the development of an artistic tradition that reflected the increasing power of barbarians within the Empire. He also demonstrates that, as the Empire declined, the savage characteristics of the barbarians came to be portrayed as virtues, rather than vices. This account of an interesting aspect of ancient history is illustrated with examples of Roman art, from the Dying Gaul and the imperial images commissioned by Augustus, to the columns of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius. It should be useful reading for all those interested in the archaeology and art history of the ancient world.
The Free Path of Slow Protons in Helium

POSITIVELY charged hydrogen atoms with velocities acquired by falling through 300 to 900 volts have been found to possess an unexpected range in helium and other gases. With helium pressures so high as 0.5 mm. of mercury, the protons will complete a semicircular path 16 cm. in length and still appear as a positively charged bundle of rays. The magnetic deflexion shows also that they remain charged throughout their entire path. As the free path given by the kinetic theory of gases for a rapidly moving particle is 1.5 millimetres at this pressure, the protons must pass unaltered through more than one hundred helium atoms. The capture of electrons by α-rays of various velocities observed by Henderson and Rutherford, and Ruchardt's experiments with canal rays, would lead one to expect a rapid neutralisation of protons of this velocity. The neutralisation of the more rapidly moving particles observed in those experiments has been explained by the presence of a great number of electrons, due to ionisation, with which the particles may combine, and we may account for the absence of neutralisation in the present experiments by the assumption that no free electrons are produced by protons of the velocity used. In fact, energy considerations would suggest the improbability of an electron leaving a helium atom with an ionisation potential of 24.5 volts, in order to form a neutral hydrogen atom possessing a much smaller ionisation potential.