cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural characterization of nuage in spermatocytes of the rat testis

At least six different types of nuage, as judged by morphological appearance, were found in spermatocytes of the adult rat testis. These were characterized by form, distribution, and association with other organelles. The appearance (with time) and the dissociation of some nuage types were recorded in conjunction with other events of the spermatogenic cycle. The data indicate that all types of nuage behave in a dynamic way. Especially interesting were the findings concerning the chromatoid body. This structure was first observed in mid-pachytene spermatocytes. By late diplotene and during the first meiotic division, it had lost its prominence such that its eventual fate could not be determined. Large dense (0.5 micrometer) bodies appeared de novo in the cytoplasm of newly formed secondary spermatocytes. They were seen scattered throughout the cell and in association with mitochondria. With time these bodies appeared to coalesce to form the large definitive chromatoid of a type similar to that known to be present throughout most of the remainder of spermiogenesis.
Determination of ammonia emission rates from a tunnel ventilated chicken house using passive samplers and a Gaussian dispersion model

Atmospheric deposition can provide a significant fraction of the nitrogen loading to coastal waters. The Delmarva Peninsula, on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, is a region with intense poultry production that may supply a significant source of atmospheric ammonia (NH3). There is a need to quantify ammonia NH3 from representative growing methods in this region in order to more accurately estimate agricultural NH3 emissions and to develop best management practices. In this study, NH3 emissions were determined at an 18,600-bird tunnel-ventilated chicken house using a modified sampling grid (a planar arrangement normal to the length of the house) with Ogawa passive samplers to characterize the emission plume downwind from the house. This improvement in the sampling strategy, compared to a previous study, simplified the inverse Gaussian plume analysis which improved the confidence in the emission factors. In this study, a total of four separate plume characterizations were conducted over the final 3 weeks of the 6-week broiler grow-out cycle. The mean emission factor observed at the tunnel-ventilated house, 0.13 g NH3–N/bird-day, was an order of magnitude lower than that previously observed at a nearby side-wall ventilated house. Although not all growing variables were measured, the large difference in emission factors between the two ventilation regimes suggest that modern, tunnel-ventilated houses may result in a significant decrease in NH3 emissions compared with traditional growing methods. This variability in emission factors underscores the need for characterizing chicken houses under various conditions and determining the factors that control these atmospheric emissions.
The Structure of the Atmospheres of the Major Planets

Model construction for structure of planetary atmospheres, particularly Jupiter, discussing gas pressure, density and temperature relationships
Effects of prudhoe bay crude oil-contaminated sediments on Protothaca staminea (mollusca: Pelecypoda): Hydrocarbon content, condition index, free amino acid level

Abstract Protothaca staminea and Macoma inquinata were exposed to sediment contaminated with 1237 ppm Prudhoe Bay crude oil in the field. Eighty-five per cent of the Protothaca and 17% of the Macoma survived 54 days' exposure. Body burdens of saturated and di- and tri-aromatic hydrocarbons were less than 2 ppm and quite variable. The condition index of Protothaca was reduced by 6% by exposure to oil. The level of free glycine in the mantle, gills and adductor muscle did not change significantly, but the taurine level fell, leading to a decrease in the taurine:glycine ratio. It was concluded that Protothaca , a filter feeder, is affected less severely by oil pollution than Macoma , a detritivore, perhaps because the feeding activity of filter feeders is less inhibited.
An orientation-based fusion algorithm for multisensor image fusion

Multiscale fusion algorithms (wavelet or pyramid) can generally satisfy multisensory image fusion. However, those algorithms are not ideal to fuse visible images and infrared images whose intensities appear inverted. Therefore, a novel orientation-based fusion algorithm is proposed in this paper to address this problem. Specifically, a set of MxN Gabor wavelet transforms (GWT) are performed with two input images (I A and I B ). At each frequency band ( b = 1, 2, ..., M), the index of maximal GWT magnitude between two images is selected pixel by pixel; and then two index frequencies, H A ( b ) and H B ( b ), are calculated as its index accumulation along N orientations, respectively. The final H A and H B are the weighted summations through M bands, where the band weights (W b ) are given empirically. Eventually, the fused image is computed as I F = (I A .* H A + IB .* H B )/( H A + H B ), where '.*' denotes element-by-element product of two arrays. The orientation-based fusion algorithm can be further varied by either keeping DC (direct current) or suppressing DC in GWT. "Keeping DC" will produce a contrast-smooth image; while "suppressing DC" will result a sharpened fusion. Color fusion is achieved by replacing the red channel of a color image with the fused image, which is suitable for poorly illuminated color images. Not only are the fused images of visible and infrared images satisfied, but the fusions of other image sets are also comparable to the results of multiscale fusion algorithms. The proposed algorithm can be applied to multiple (more than two) image fusion.
Ageing: when less is more.

Restricting dietary intake is one way to promote longevity. The identification of two genes that specifically mediate this effect in worms provides insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying ageing.
Atrial Flutter in a Pediatric Patient in the Immediate Period After the Fontan Procedure: Control with Oral Propafenone

A 2-year-old male underwent Fontan procedure as the third stage palliative repair for hypolastic left heart syndrome. On postroperative day number 15, he developed atrial flutter unresponsive to multiple attempts at cardioversion and therapeutic levels ofdigoxin and pro-cainamide. Oral propafenone was administered and within 6 hours no further arrhythmias or side effects were noted. This case suggests that oral propafenone can be used with efficacy for the treatment of atrial flutter encountered in the immediate postoperative period following the Fontan procedure.
Development of microsporidia-infected Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) at different temperatures

Abstract Muscididfurax raptor , a pupal parasitoid of house flies and other filth flies, is commonly infected with the microsporidium Nosema muscidifuracis . To determine the effects of infection on developmental time, uninfected and infected adult M. raptor were allowed to parasitize pupae of the house fly ( Musca domestica ) for 24 h. Exposed pupae of the two groups (infected and uninfected) were held at 15, 20, 25, 30, 32, and 34 °C with 75–80% relative humidity. Development of infected M. raptor was significantly longer at all temperatures than that of uninfected parasitoids, resulting in approximately 7% extensions of developmental times. Uninfected females completed development in 14.6, 19.6, and 30.4 days at 30, 25, and 20 °C, respectively, compared with 15.8, 20.7, and 32.3 days for infected females at these temperatures. The differences in developmental times provided narrow windows for isolating large proportions of uninfected M. raptor females for disease management programs. This window was greatest at 20 °C; 61% of the uninfected females emerged by day 30, at which time only 10% of the infected females had emerged.
Waves are whaves, no matter where

Electrical engineering students, enrolled in Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments, usually show a preference for options in systems and data processing, and are less than enthusiastic about courses in wave dynamics. To tickle a prospective signal processor's curiosity, wave-oriented instructors use their ingenuity by demonstrating on practical examples bow knowledge of the information- conveying wave dynamics between source and receiver can facilitate the processing of the input-output data at the "black box" terminals. If heishe takes the bait, the rhymes that follow encapsulate what lies ahead.
Evidence for Loss of Lipid from Bovine Spermatozoa due to Freezing

Summary The 1.26 mg/ml of lipid extracted from seminal plasma separated from spermatozoa prior to freezing (prefreeze) was lower (P
The synthesis of [HB]3,5-(Butph)2pz]3]− (Butph = p-C6H4But), a new tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborato ligand: the crystal and molecular structure of Tl{η3-HB[3,5-(Butph)2pz]3}

Abstract The synthesis of a new sterically demanding tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborato ligand, [HB[3,5-(Butph)2pz]3]− (Butph = para-C6H4But), is reported. The potassium derivative is prepared by the direct reaction of KBH4 with 3,5-bis(para-tert-butylphenyl)pyrazole. Metathesis with TlNO3 converts the potassium derivative to the thallium complex Tl{η3-HB[3,5-(Butph)2pz]3}. The crystal and molecular structures of the pyrazole derivative [3,5-(Butph)2pz]2ZnI2 and the thallium derivative Tl{η3-HB[3,5-(Butph)2pz]3} have been determined.
Effects of electric fields and collisions on highly excited rubidium atoms

The effects of static and pulsed electric fields on the multiphoton ionization (MPI) of rubidium atoms at both low (atomic beam) and high (heat pipe) densities are studied using tunable OPO lasers. Two-photon excitation of np states is induced by the external electric field at both low and high densities. In addition, np signal is also seen at very low electric fields in the heat pipe, providing evidence for collision mixing as well as field mixing. At low Rb densities strong resonance features are observed in the energy region between the zero field limit (IP) and the field ionization limit. In addition, collisional detachment and charge transfer between excited ns and nd Rb Rydberg states and nozzle-jet cooled polar molecules (acetonitrile and acetone) are studied under crossed-beam conditions. The formation of dipole bound anions for acetone is only seen under nozzle jet expansion conditions and the maximum in the Rydberg electron transfer (RET) rate versus n depends upon the expansion gas ( $n_{\rm max}$ increases in the order H2, He, Ne, Ar, Xe). For acetone (low dipole moment and large $n_{\rm max}$ ), collisional detachment dominates the charge transfer, whereas for acetonitrile (high dipole moment and low $n_{\rm max}$ ), charge transfer is seen to dominate the creation of Rb+.
The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – but Some Don’t, by Nate Silver

What are the chances that your neighbour, Sam, will correctly predict the outcome of the next US presidential election? If Sam does not pay attention to the media, or perhaps even if he does, we mi...
Declining Religious Authority? Confidence in the Leaders of Religious Organizations, 1973–2010

One view of secularization is that it can be conceived of as declining religious authority. Although studies conducted in the 1990s suggested that confidence in the leaders of religious organizations—a promising indicator of religious authority—decreased in the 1970s and 1980s, research has not examined recent trends. The goals of this study are to (1) examine trends in confidence using data from the early 1970s through 2010 and (2) use recent advances in age-period-cohort analysis to provide a more robust empirical examination of these trends. Using data from the cumulative General Social Surveys, 1973–2010, the results suggest that, even after considering age effects, period declines in confidence have continued, but declines by birth cohort were primarily among those born in the boomer and early post-boomer generations (roughly 1945–1970) relative to those born earlier (pre-1945) or later (post-1970). Moreover, these effects appear to be due mainly to differences in religious participation, especially among more recent cohorts. In particular, there has been a rebound in confidence among members of the younger generation who attend religious services.
How to Apply Mathematics

This paper presents a novel account of applied mathematics. It shows how we can distinguish the physical content from the mathematical form of a scientific theory even in cases where the mathematics applied is indispensable and cannot be eliminated by paraphrase.
The effect of exercise training on restraint ulcers in rats

The effect of chronic treadmill running on susceptibility to restraint-cold-induced ulcers was studied in two strains of rats: Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley. Runners were progressively trained for 8 weeks, reaching a rate of 1 mph for 1 hr daily, 5 days per week after the 4th week. Walkers were exposed to the treadmill environment 3 days per week (0.2 mph for 10 min). Sedentary groups remained in their home cages. After 8 weeks the rats were starved for 24 hrs, immobilized in restraint cages and placed in the refrigerator (5° C) for 4 hrs. Animals were then sacrificed and their stomachs examined for ulcerative lesions. No significant differences in number of ulcers or ulcer indexes per stomach were found between groups within each rat strain or between strains. These results suggest that treadmill running provides no protection against gastric ulceration induced by restraint-cold stress. The complex variables involved in ulcer research are discussed and suggestions presented for future work on the anti-ulcer effect of exercise.
Disruption of Thylakoid-associated Kinase 1 Leads to Alteration of Light Harvesting in Arabidopsis

To survive fluctuations in quality and intensity of light, plants and algae are able to preferentially direct the absorption of light energy to either one of the two photosystems, PSI or PSII. This rapid process is referred to as a state transition and has been correlated with the phosphorylation and migration of the light-harvesting complex protein (LHCP) between PSII and PSI. We show here that thylakoid protein kinases (TAKs) are required for state transitions in Arabidopsis. Antisense TAK1 expression leads to a loss of LHCP phosphorylation and a reduction in state transitions. Preferential activation of PSII causes LHCP to accumulate with PSI, and TAK1 mutants disrupt this process. Finally, TAKs also influence the phosphorylation of multiple thylakoid proteins.
Some recent results on the distributions of stopping times of compound Poisson processes with linear boundaries

A review of recent results is given, for the distribution of stopping times defined on compound Poisson processes and linear boundaries. Generalization of the results of Zacks (Commun. Statist. Stochastic Models 7 (1991) 233) is given for discrete compound Poisson processes. The main approach in the reviewed papers is that of sample path analysis, which leads to renewal type equations. Explicit solutions are given.
Effect of different graphite materials on the electrical conductivity and flexural strength of bipolar plates fabricated using selective laser sintering

Abstract Selective Laser Sintering provides a way to fabricate graphite composite bipolar plates for use in fuel cells. This significantly reduces time and cost at the research and development stage of bipolar plates, as compared with the conventional fabrication methods such as compression molding and injection molding. Different graphite materials, including natural graphite, synthetic graphite, carbon black, and carbon fiber, were investigated using the selective laser sintering process to fabricate bipolar plates. The effect of each material on the electrical conductivity and flexural strength of the bipolar plates was studied experimentally. With a proper combination of these materials, bipolar plates with electrical conductivity ranging from 120 to 380 S/cm and flexural strength ranging from 30 to 50 MPa have been obtained, which satisfy the requirements set by the Department of Energy and also are comparable with those developed by compression molding and injection molding. A modified percolation model was proposed to predict the electrical conductivity of the fabricated bipolar plates with different compositions. The analytical results calculated from the proposed model agree well with the experimental results. Finally, a single PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell unit was assembled using the fabricated bipolar plates, and its in-situ performance was studied.
Therapeutic Options for Acute Cough Due to Upper Respiratory Infections in Children

Cough due to upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) is one of the most frequent complaints encountered by pediatric health-care providers, and one of the most disruptive symptoms for children and families. Despite the frequency of URIs, there is limited evidence to support the few therapeutic agents currently available in the United States (US) to treat acute cough due to URI. Published, well-designed, contemporary research supporting the efficacy of narcotics (codeine, hydrocodone) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved over-the-counter (OTC) oral antitussives and expectorants (dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, chlophedianol, and guaifenesin) is absent for URI-associated pediatric cough. Alternatively, honey and topically applied vapor rubs may be effective antitussives.
Optical logic gates employing liquid crystal optical switches

This paper describes very simple optical logic gates consisting of liquid crystal optical switches. This technique was used to implement all possible 2-operand Boolean functions. The importance of these systems in making optical computers is discussed in terms of a binary half-adder and a flip-flop. A new algebra governing the function of these systems is also proposed.
Solitary osteochondroma of the twelfth rib with intraspinal extension and cord compression in a middle-aged patient

Background Osteochondroma is a disease of growing bone and thus typically presents in younger patients. It has rarely been described in middle-aged and elderly patients. Data on the occurrence of osteochondroma show that the reported incidence of costal osteochondroma is very low. Moreover, costal osteochondroma arising at the costovertebral junction with neural foraminal extension and spinal cord compression is extremely rare.
GroupMind: supporting idea generation through a collaborative mind-mapping tool

Collaborative brainstorming can be a challenging but important part of creative group problem solving. Mind-mapping has the potential to enhance the brainstorming process but has its own challenges when used in a group. We introduce GroupMind, a collaborative mind-mapping tool that addresses these challenges and opens new opportunities for creative teamwork, including brainstorming. We present a semi-controlled evaluation of GroupMind and its impact on teamwork, problem solving and collaboration for brainstorming activities. GroupMind performs better than using a traditional whiteboard in both interaction group and nominal group settings for the task involving memory recall. The hierarchical mind-map structure also imposes important framing effects on group dynamics and idea organization during the brainstorming process. We also present design ideas to assist in the development of future tools to support creative problem solving in groups.
The World‐System Perspective: A Small Sample from a Large Universe

L'A. porte son attention sur la perspective qui fait intervenir la notion de systeme-monde. Il examine la theorie du systeme-monde et presente les domaines de recherche qui ont ete etudies suivant cette approche. Il envisage la place des processus d'industrialisation, de construction de frontieres dans l'histoire locale
Pathology of neuromuscular disorders of the small intestine and colon

A variety of pathological abnormalities of the smooth muscle and myenteric plexus result in clinical syndromes of disordered small intestinal and colonic motility. These pathological abnormalities have been noted by conventional light microscopy and by utilization of Smith's technique for visualizing the myenteric plexus with silver. We have classified the neuromuscular disorders into two major categories, i.e., those affecting the myenteric plexus and those affecting the smooth muscle. The classification is further developed based on the variety of clinicopathological features of the various disorders. Although we can now identify the underlying pathology of these motor disorders and thus understand these illnesses better than we did a decade ago, we have much more to learn. With the great strides being made to understand the normal structure, function, and development of the myenteric plexus and smooth muscle, there is hope that we will be able to learn much more about the etiology and pathogenesis of these neuromuscular disorders in the decade to come.
Mouse handling limits the impact of stress on metabolic endpoints.

Studies focused on end-points that are confounded by stress are best performed under minimally stressful conditions. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the impact of handling designed to reduce animal stress on measurements of glucose tolerance. A cohort of mice (CD1.C57BL/6) naive to any specific handling was subjected to either a previously described "cup" handling method, or a "tail-picked" method in which the animals were picked up by the tail (as is common for metabolic studies). Following training, an elevated plus maze (EPM) test was performed followed by measurement of blood glucose and plasma corticosterone. A second cohort (CD1.C57BL/6) was rendered obese by exposure to a high fat diet, handled with either the tail-picked or cup method and subjected to an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. A third cohort of C57BL/6 mice was exposed to a cup regimen that included a component of massage and was subjected to tests of anxiety-like behavior, glucose homeostasis, and corticosterone secretion. We found that the cup mice showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the EPM coupled with a reduction in blood glucose levels compared to mice handled by the tail-picked method. Additionally, cup mice on the high fat diet exhibited improved glucose tolerance compared to tail-picked controls. Finally, we found that the cup/massage group showed lower glucose levels following an overnight fast, and decreased anxiety-like behaviors associated with lower stress-induced plasma corticosterone concentration compared to tail-picked controls. These data demonstrate that application of handling methods that reduce anxiety-like behaviors in mice mitigates the confounding contribution of stress to interpretation of metabolic endpoints (such as glucose tolerance).
Biosimilars: An Emerging Category of Biologic Drugs for Emergency Medicine Practitioners

Biologics are the fastest growing segment of annual United States (US) drug expenditure. Biologics are complex proteins derived from living sources that are important therapy for a variety of diseases. The US is now poised to introduce biosimilars, which are copies of biologics that are not manufactured by the innovator company and are approved under an abbreviated regulatory process. Biosimilars are intended to offer comparable safety and efficacy to the reference biologic at a lower cost. Because of the complexity of producing biologics, the manufacturing process for biosimilars may differ from that of the reference biologic, which may result in subtle changes in biological characteristics and clinical activity. Questions exist regarding whether these slight differences allow the products to be interchanged with the reference product and if unique adverse events will occur with use. While the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act outlined the abbreviated approval pathway for biosimilars, guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is needed on specific details of the approval process. The FDA has recently provided guidance about the scientific and quality requirements for demonstrating biosimilarity, but a number of unanswered questions still remain, including concerns about immunogenicity, product naming, and the exact cost savings from biosimilars. Emergency Medicine practitioners must have a sound understanding of these issues to ensure patient safety and avoid complications in care.
The Parent Education Design Scale: Development and Factor Structure

A lack of consensus exists on several issues related to the design of parent education programs. The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to: (1) identify the issues and their dimensions and (2) provide an empirical basis for their resolution. A 76-item instrument was administered to 484 freshman and sophomore students; a principal components factor analysis revealed seven interpretable factors accounting for 40% of the variance. Results indicate that the dimensions of parent education could be specified in terms useful for program planners.
Equivalent circuits for multiconductor microstrip bend discontinuities

The T-equivalent circuit previously used for single-line microstrip bends is extended to the variable-angle, multiconductor microstrip bend. A brief overview is given of the excess-charge and current approaches which are employed to obtain the capacitance and inductance matrices for the equivalent circuit. These techniques effectively avoid the majority of the numerical difficulties that occur in accounting for the infinite extent of the microstrip lines making up bends with arbitrary bend angles. In addition, to accurately accommodate the oblique bend angles without requiring many unknowns, the charge and current distributions are modeled with a combination of rectangular and triangular patches. Comparisons with previously published results from the technical literature and with experimental data are used to validate the excess capacitance and inductance computations. The excess capacitance and inductance matrices of several three-line bends are presented, and the three-line bend model is used in a simulation of a high-speed digital circuit to demonstrate the effect of the bend on digital pulse waveforms. >
“As Though the Sixties Never Happened”: Newspaper Coverage of a First Amendment Battle over Baltimore's Last Blackface Act

Abstract This case study examines the 1982 protest of a blackface performance by a white singer—a Baltimore police officer who fought and won a First Amendment battle with the police department over his right to perform Al Jolson tunes in black makeup. How did newspapers treat this episode of blackface performance, and how does this coverage illuminate the dynamics of class, race, and the media in Baltimore in the late twentieth century? This study examines the pages of the Baltimore Afro-American, the city's primary black newspaper, and the Baltimore Sun, the city's mainstream newspaper of record. Whereas the Afro more directly addressed the NAACP's protest of racial representation, both newspapers refrained from commenting editorially on the case until the issue was resolved in the courts. Most notably, Sun coverage evolved from nostalgic profiles of the act before the protest to denouncements of blackface by columnists after the court cases were settled, evidence of the beginning of a broader shift in ...
Targeting and structuring information resource use: A path toward informed clinical decisions

A core skill for all physicians to master is that of information manager. Despite a rapidly expanding set of electronic and print-based information resources, clinicians continue to answer their clinical queries predominantly through informal or formal consultation. Even as new tools are brought to market, the majority of them present information in a rigid fashion, presenting cumbersome user interfaces and inflexible data presentation. The need to rethink the structure of electronic information is paramount to improving the use of evidence at the bedside. As new tools are developed and educators teach clinicians to use them, the context for use of information resources must be considered, with special attention to physician work-flow, following the three paths outlined in this article. The process will be facilitated greatly by promoting evidence-based practice for the care of patients in the hospital and clinic setting.
Evaluation of Some Nonlocal Theories for a Thin Superconducting Film

The magnetic susceptibility of a thin superconducting film has been evaluated as a function of film thickness on the basis of nonlocal theories proposed by Pippard, Bardeen, and Schafroth and Blatt. Two limiting boundary conditions corresponding to specular reflection and random scattering of the electrons at the surface have been applied, and the susceptibility appears to be insensitive to the boundary condition. Deviations from the London theory occur for a thickness less than twice the penetration depth and give a susceptibility smaller than the London value. Largest deviation is found for the Pippard theory and least for the Schafroth-Blatt version. The experimental data of Lock are inconclusive with regard to the validity of the nonlocal theories.
Structures for additive pulse mode locking

The theory of additive pulse mode locking (APM) is developed in closed form under a linearization approximation. The pulse parameters are determined in terms of the gain, the gain dispersion, the group-velocity dispersion, and the self-phase modulation. Stability regimes are established. Various possible configurations of laser systems that can produce APM are presented. Some of them permit single-cavity realizations that may not require interferometric length stabilization circuits. In general, the results are applicable to a wide range of fast saturable absorber mode-locked systems.
Teaching the New Inequalities: Using the Human Development Report as Class Text

In this article we share our experiences helping students to think critically about global issues by using the data and the conceptual innovations presented by the authors of the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report We discuss a number of strategies we have applied to actively engage students in the analysis of the extensive data in the Report and the approaches we have taken to help our students understand both the research and the policy implications of the diverse conceptual frameworks introduced in each annual edition. By using a publication that introduces new concepts, new measures, and new insights in each annual edition, we help our students to see how social scientists work and how knowledge is constructed. At the same time, by requiring them to use the data to analyze, compare, and conceptualize, we show them they can “do” social science and discover for themselves some of the realities of the global community described in the more traditional texts.
Forensic identification of blood in the presence of contaminations using Raman microspectroscopy coupled with advanced statistics: effect of sand, dust, and soil.

Body fluid traces recovered at crime scenes are among the most common and important types of forensic evidence. However, the ability to characterize a biological stain at a crime scene nondestructively has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we expand the Raman spectroscopic approach for the identification of dry traces of pure body fluids to address the problem of heterogeneous contamination, which can impair the performance of conventional methods. The concept of multidimensional Raman signatures was utilized for the identification of blood in dry traces contaminated with sand, dust, and soil. Multiple Raman spectra were acquired from the samples via automatic scanning, and the contribution of blood was evaluated through the fitting quality using spectroscopic signature components. The spatial mapping technique allowed for detection of "hot spots" dominated by blood contribution. The proposed method has great potential for blood identification in highly contaminated samples. Language: en
672: The impact of parity on spontaneous preterm birth in women with a twin gestation

TWIN GESTATION DANIELLE CASTAGNOLA, MATTHEW HOFFMAN, KHANH-HA NGUYEN, ANTHONY SCISCIONE, Christiana Care Health Services, Newark, Delaware, Christiana Care Health System, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Newark, Delaware, Christiana Care Health Services, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Newark, Delaware OBJECTIVE: Twin pregnancies are at high risk for prematurity. The ability to Stratify these women by risk factors would be very useful in guiding clinical practice and resources. We sought to determine whether there was an association between parity and preterm birth in women with twin pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Using a contemporaneously maintained obstetrical database, we identified all women with twin gestations who delivered at our tertiary care center from 1/98 to 6/07. Our primary outcome was spontaneous preterm delivery 34 weeks. Patients with indicated preterm births were excluded. Univariable analysis was performed with a p-value of 0.05 viewed as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 2636 twin births to 1318 women were identified during the study period. The mean gestational age at birth was 34.4 weeks for the entire cohort. Nulliparity was associated with an increased risk of delivering 34 weeks, having a fetus 1500 grams and 2500 grams (Table 1). Compared to multiparous patients (categorized by parity 1,2, or 3), nulliparous patients were more likely to have their infants admitted to the NICU (41% v. 37%, 31%, and 40%, p 0.05), and more likely to develop PIH (14% v. 7%, 11%, and 10%, p 0.001). Increasing parity ( 1) did not confer further benefit in any outcome. CONCLUSION: Nulliparous women with a twin gestation are more likely to deliver prematurely compared to multiparous patients.
Synthesis of Segmented Silica Rods by Regulation of the Growth Temperature

The control of the diameter of colloidal structures is of fundamental interest and practical importance. We synthesized segmented silica rods by regulating the reaction temperature while the rods were growing. With higher growth temperatures, the segment diameter became smaller. Longer incubation times gave longer segments at the same temperature. Similarly, high temperature for the same incubation time gave longer segments. It appears that the correlation between temperature and diameter results from the relation between temperature and the size of the emulsion droplet, that is, the higher the temperature, the smaller the emulsion droplet.
Parasite Selection and the Fitness of Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is a very costly process: the growth rate of asexual lineages exceeds that of sexual lineages. Nonetheless, sex is prevalent in nature. The Red Queen Hypothesis argues that, because sex and recombination generate genetically variable offspring that may escape infection by coevolving parasites, parasites select for sex in hosts (Lively & Dybdahl, 2000). Our research directly tests if the Red Queen can explain the maintenance of sex in a natural population. This experiment focuses on a natural population of the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum , which is native to New Zealand. Individuals of this species are either diploid and sexually reproducing or triploid and asexually reproducing (Lively & Osnas, 2006). This snail is naturally infected by the trematode parasite, Microphallus , which is sterilizing and thus exerts strong selection on its host. The Red Queen Hypothesis predicts that parasites should periodically increase the fitness of sexual relative to asexual individuals. We accordingly established mesocosms containing both sexual and asexual snails from the same natural population. Half of these mesocosms were exposed to parasites and the other half were not. These snails were then allowed to reproduce over the course of a year. We used flow cytometry to determine the frequency of diploids in the parents and the offspring, and thereby the fitness of sexual individuals in the presence and absence of parasites. Interestingly, we find that sexual individuals are currently more susceptible to parasites than are asexual individuals. In tanks in which sexual parents are relatively more infected, the frequency of sexual individuals declined significantly more in the offspring generation, indicating a fitness consequence of parasitism for sexual reproduction. Our findings suggest that parasite selection can indeed operate on reproductive mode. Moreover, our results are consistent with theory (King, Delph, Jokela, & Lively, 2009) and a prior field study in our system indicating that the direction of parasite selection is variable, such that parasites periodically select against sexual reproduction (Vergara, Lively, King, & Jokela, 2013). This current experiment will continue for multiple years in order to track the variation in parasite selection on sex through time.
Effects of Fixed-Dose Isosorbide Dinitrate/Hydralazine on Diastolic Function and Exercise Capacity in Hypertension-Induced Diastolic Heart Failure

Hypertension-induced diastolic heart failure accounts for a large proportion of all heart failure presentations. Hypertension also induces left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Fixed-dose isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine (HISDN) decreased mortality in human systolic heart failure but it is unknown whether it improves maladaptive myocardial remodeling. We sought to test the hypothesis that chronic HISDN modulates LV hypertrophy and myocardial remodeling in hypertension-induced diastolic heart failure. FVB mice underwent either saline (n=18) or aldosterone (n=28) infusion. All underwent uninephrectomy and drank 1% salt water for 4 weeks. Mice were randomized after surgery to regular chow or chow containing HISDN (isosorbide dinitrate: 26 mg/kg per day; hydralazine: 50 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Aldosterone infusion increased tail-cuff blood pressure (161+/-3 mm Hg) versus saline-infused mice (129+/-2 mm Hg). Aldosterone induced LV hypertrophy versus saline-infused mice (LV:body weight ratio: 4.2+/-0.1 versus 3.6+/-0.1 mg/g). HISDN attenuated the aldosterone-induced increased in systolic blood pressure (137+/-5 mm Hg) and also lowered blood pressure in saline-infused mice (114+/-2 mm Hg). However, HISDN did not cause LV hypertrophy regression in aldosterone-infused mice. Aldosterone increased LV end-diastolic dimensions that were not attenuated by HISDN. Similarly, neither aldosterone infusion nor HISDN affected LV end-systolic dimensions. LV ejection fraction and wet:dry lung ratio were not different between aldosterone-untreated and aldosterone-HISDN mice. However, mitral Doppler E/A ratio (a measure of diastolic function), exercise capacity, and plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 levels were improved in aldosterone-HISDN hearts. In conclusion, fixed-dose HISDN improved hypertension, diastolic function, and exercise capacity and reduced soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 levels. There were no reductions in LV hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, or pulmonary congestion. These functional improvements are likely related to extracardiac effects, such as effects on the vasculature.
Thresholding and enhancement of text images for character recognition

A scheme which converts graytone text images of low spatial resolution to bi-level images of higher spatial resolution for character recognition are presented. Higher recognition rates are achieved when text images are processed using the proposed scheme. A good application of the proposed scheme is the recognition of characters in scene images.
Greater Total Antioxidant Capacity from Diet and Supplements Is Associated with a Less Atherogenic Blood Profile in U.S. Adults

Evidence from epidemiologic studies has shown that total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the diet might be inversely associated with stroke, heart failure, and inflammatory biomarkers. However, studies on the association of TAC from both diet and supplements with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the U.S. population are lacking. This cross-sectional population-based study aimed to investigate the association of TAC with both diet and supplements with CVD risk factors among 4039 U.S. adults in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012. TAC from both food sources and dietary supplements was estimated from two 24-h dietary recalls using the NHANES supplement ingredient database, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proanthocyanidin, flavonoid, and isoflavone databases. Top contributors to TAC were tea, antioxidant supplements, vegetable mixture, orange juice, berries, and wine. Antioxidant supplement users had 1.6 times higher TAC than non-users. Greater TAC was associated with reduced triglycerides (TG) (−1.39% change; 95% CI = −2.56 to −0.21), TG to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (−2.03% change; 95% CI = −3.45 to −0.60), HDL-C (0.65% change; 95% CI = 0.07 to 1.23), insulin (−1.37% change; 95% CI = −2.64 to −0.09), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (−1.57% change; 95% CI = −3.02 to −0.09) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (−0.83% change; 95% CI = −1.29 to −0.38) after adjusting for potential confounders. There was no significant association between TAC and waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and fasting glucose. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that an antioxidant-rich diet and intake of supplements are beneficial to reduce CVD risk.
An Integrated Approach for the Safe Handling of Hydrides

Many semiconductor processes, Organometallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE) in this case, require the use of concentrated hydride sources. The toxicity of many of these compounds (e.g. arsine, diborane) and the pyrophoric nature of others (phosphine and silane) demand that the facility provide both environmental protection and a safe work place. A facility is described which meets stringent environmental emission standards from NY State’s Department of Environmental Conservation. The outlined approach also sets new standards for hydride storage and containment, laboratory alarm systems, exhaust gas treatment and dilution, and process integration into the facility. Under normal operation, we demonstrate hydride emissions of less than 10−5 ppb at the exhaust stack.
Diffusional motion as a gauge of fluidity and interfacial adhesion. Supported alkylphosphonate monolayers

We report on the use of diffusion measurements to gauge the fluidity and surface binding properties of a molecular monolayer. The monolayer film consists of octadecyl-1-phosphonic acid (ODPA) and controlled amounts of a lyso-phosphatidic acid tagged with the fluorescent probe BODIPY (BLPA). The monolayer films were formed using a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) trough and deposited onto a glass slide. Monolayer morphology was characterized during film formation using Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy was used to measure translational diffusion of BLPA and Fluorescence Anisotropy Decay Imaging (FADI) was used to measure rotational diffusion of the BLPA chromophore. These results provide information on the motional freedom of the probe and, importantly, on the strength of interaction between the probe and the support. Compositional variations in the monolayer give rise to changes in constituent dynamics that reflect intermolecular interactions.
Magnetic Properties of Interstitially Modified Ce–Nd–Fe–Mo–N Magnets Prepared by Spark-Plasma Sintering

Ce–Nd–Fe–Mo nitrides with tetragonal ThMn12-type structures are promising compounds for hard magnetic applications. The key to enhance magnetic performance is the insertion of a light element, such as N into the 2b site of the crystal lattice. However, the nitrogenation also changes the thermodynamic stability of Ce–Nd–Fe–Mo whose nitride will disproportionate at elevated temperature. This drawback poses a serious challenge to the sintering of bulk magnets. In this paper, we applied spark-plasma sintering (SPS), a rapid powder consolidation technique, to preparing bulk Ce–Nd–Fe–Mo–N magnets, and developed suitable sintering parameters through thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic property measurement. Without using any binder or additive, we demonstrated a dense magnet that features $H_{\mathrm {ci}} =3.34$ kOe, remanence $B_{r} =6.55$ kG, magnetization $4\mathrm {\pi }M_{19} = 9.12$ kG, and energy product $(BH)_{\mathrm {max}} = 4.98$ MGOe at room temperature, a performance that shows no degradation compared with the as-nitrided powder. Hence, it is anticipated that an SPS technique is applicable to sintering like metastable or reactive materials, such as (Ce, Nd)–(Fe, Co)–B for their sought-after functional properties.
Leveling the playing field

We derive a new test of risk models using the capital investment decisions investors in mutual fund’s make. We show that the model that best explains these decisions is the Capital Asset Pricing model.
Attitudes Toward Animal Research Among Medical Students in the United States (S3.006)

Background: For the process of development of new treatments for patients, there are many steps necessary to establish safety, mechanism of action, and efficacy before the new treatment can be used clinically. One of these steps involves testing in animals. The attitude of medical professionals regarding this process is not known. Methods: We surveyed medical students in the United States that were members of the American Academy of Neurology regarding their attitudes towards animal research. Students were queried as to their agreement or disagreement with a set of 14 questions. Students were then presented an educational video regarding animals in research, and repeated the survey immediately following the viewing of the video. Results: 168 students completed the initial survey. Among respondents to the first survey, 4.8[percnt] agreed with the statement ‘Animal research cannot be justified and should be stopped’. 13.2[percnt] disagreed with the statement ‘New surgical procedures should be tested on animals before they are used on people’, and 7.2[percnt] disagreed with ‘New drugs should be tested on animals before they are used on people’. Those with previous research experience had a significantly more positive attitude towards animal research, but years in medical training, diet (vegetarian vs nonvegetarian), pet ownership, farming experience, and rural vs urban upbringing did not impact attitudes towards animal research. 108 students repeated the survey after the video. After viewing the video, t-tests showed that the group’s overall attitude changed to be significantly more positive toward animal research, with the responses above decreasing to 0.9[percnt], 2.8[percnt], and 0.9[percnt] for the aforementioned statements. Conclusions: This is the first study to examine attitudes towards animal research among medical students. These findings should be considered in the future of medical education curriculum development. Disclosure: Dr. Beversdorf has nothing to disclose. Dr. Adams has nothing to disclose.
High Speed Photographic Investigation of Coal Flotation

Individual bubble-particle collisions were studied using a high speed video recorder. An algorithm for determining a particle’s trajectory in three-dimensional space during a collision with an air bubble through a frame by frame analysis of the recorded video sequence is described. Evidence that the moment of bubble-particle attachment can be detected from the particle trajectory is examined.