cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproductive biology, development, and planula behavior in the Caribbean gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae

. The reproductive biology, development, and planula behavior of the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae were studied at 2 sites in the Bahamas between 1996 and 2001. Colonies were gonochoric, and females brooded planulae on the colony surface. Gonads were observed only in colonies 18 cm high or larger. Spawning was asynchronous within and between sites but was concentrated 2–10 days after the new moons from late November through early January. Fertilized eggs developed into planulae over 1–2 days and the planulae remained attached to the surface of the female colony for an additional 2–4 days. Planulae were negatively buoyant and field observations suggest that larvae may settle within tens of meters of the maternal colony. P. elisabethae is harvested for natural products, and information on the reproduction of this commercially important species is crucial to the understanding of its population biology and to the development of management plans for the conservation of the species.
Another dimension to the importance of the extracellular matrix in fibrosis.

The importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in fibrosis has been recognized for a long time, not only because ECM’s increased stiffness hampers tissue function, but also because the ECM provides the mechanical tension that maintains resident cells’ synthetic phenotype. A study by Parker and colleagues (Journal of Clinical Investigation 124, 1622–1635, 2014) compared the transcriptome of fibroblasts cultured on decellularized ECM from healthy vs idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) human lungs, and revealed that the IPF matrix exerts a positive feedback loop that increases the translation of ECM genes that are enriched in the IPF ECM proteome. This study suggests that the ECM composition, in addition to ECM stiffness or the phenotype of its resident cells, might be an important factor in maintaining a fibrotic state. Targeting this feedback loop might be an efficient therapeutic strategy for IPF.
Dipeptide-derived lariat ethers as enantioselective carriers of Z-amino acid and dipeptide carboxylates

Abstract Lariat ethers bearing N-pivot dipeptide arms have been designed and synthesized as models of natural amino acid and Na+ cation carriers, the “symporters”. Two types of dipeptide derived lariats have been prepared: those having amino terminal dipeptide arms (ATD-lariats, 6, 7, 10, 11, 16–18) and those having carboxylic group terminal dipeptide arms (CTD-lariats, 12, 19). ATD-lariats were synthesized by N-acylation of aza-15-crown-5, aza-18-crown-6, and 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 with Z-GlyOH or Z-PhgOH (Phg = d-α-phenylglycine) in the presence of DCC or Ph3P/CCl4/Et3N condensation agents, subsequent hydrogenolytic removal of Z-protecting groups, and the introduction of a second Z-amino acid unit using the same condensation reagents. CTD-lariats 12 and 19 were obtained by N-alkylations of aza-18-crown-6 and 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 with methyl N-(chloro-acetyl)-d-α-phenylglycinate (acetonitrile, Na2CO3, NaI). The binding affinities of ATD-lariats toward Na+ and K+ assessed in anh. MeOH and compared with th...
On the energy bandgap bowing in Hg1−xCdxTe☆

Abstract A pseudopotential model of alloy fluctuation potential is used to study the compositional dependence of E 0 gap in Hg 1−x Cd x Te. The calculated trend is interpreted by the band structure as a function of x. By comparing with experimental data, the alloy disorder is likely the most important contribution for bowing in Hg 1−x Cd x Te.
ASSESSING THE PRIVATE SAFETY NET: Social Support among Minority Immigrant Parents

Traditional assimilation paradigms argue that immigrants are particularly disadvantaged in feelings of marginality and dislocation. Given these paradigms, we explore how minority and immigrant status are associated with perceptions of social support among parents of young children. We use the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a nationally representative sample of children in kindergarten in 1998 and 1999. Most groups of minority immigrant parents, compared to their native-born white counterparts, report lower levels of perceived social support, and this gap persists even when demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are held constant. Additionally, English language ability, but not years spent in the United States, attenuates the disadvantages that Hispanic immigrant parents face in their perceptions of social support compared with white immigrant parents. Finally, Hispanic parents report substantial variation in their perceptions of social support by ethnicity. As social support is an important predictor of parents' economic stability and children's well-being, these findings have important implications for children of immigrants, an important and increasing demographic group in the United States.
Influence of age and brief auditory conditioning upon experimental seizures in mice.

Audio-sensitivity can be induced in strains of mice considered audio-resistant by exposure to a brief auditory stimulation (60 sec at 95 db) at a critical age. Mice that had been audio-conditioned were subjected to a battery of seizure-evoking procedures and the responses interpreted in terms of neurophysiological mechanism. The effect of maturation on the development of sound induced, chemoshock and electroshock convulsion threshold and pattern was also studied. The pattern of maximal seizures induced by electroshock, pentylenetetrazol, and sound are remarkedly similar at a given age. The threshold for low frequency electroshock and for minimal pentylenetetrazol decreased with increased age and weight. There was no significant difference in maximal electroshock seizure threshold with aging, but duration of the seizure pattern markedly changed with increased age. Audio-conditioning produced profound changes in the ontogeny of low frequency and chemoshock threshold, but maximal seizure threshold and pattern were unaffected. The audio-sensitized CF# 1 mice differ in several ways from littermate. The oscillator mechanism of the audio-sensitive mice is more easily discharged by electric and chemical stimulation, and there is an alteration in the neuro-ontogenic pattern, and a decreased growth rate.
Polyacrylic acid macromolecule-complexed zinc phosphate crystal conversion coatings

When water-soluble polyacrylic acid (PAA) macromolecules are introduced into zinc phosphating liquids, significant improvements in the yield of conventional zinc phosphate conversion films deposited on carbon steel surfaces are obtained. The improvements include controllability of crystal dimensions, degree of crystallinity, and coating weight. The conversion layer formed is a composite microstructure consisting of a bulk PAA polymer and complexed PAA continuously overlaying a uniform array of fine dense zinc phosphate crystals. Interfacial studies of the composite layer using infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry associated with scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the functional carboxylic acid groups in the PAA molecules were strongly chemisorbed by the Zn atoms at the outermost surface sites of the crystal layers. The intermolecular bridging action of the surface Zn atoms which connect the PAA and the zinc phosphate crystal layers results in good adhesion at the PAA–crystal interfaces. In addition, the plasticized complex formation plays an essential role in increasing the stiffness and the ductility of the normally conventional crystal films. The flexibility of the complex coating surface and the thickness and surface roughness of the thin PAA overlayer all affect the adhesive force at the interface between the organic polymer topcoat and the complexed coating.
Influence of storage and mixing factors on the biological activity of silver thiosulfate

Abstract Silver thiosulfate (STS) complex stability and degradation during formulation and storage were monitored indirectly by determining the effectiveness of treatment solutions in retarding flower petal abscission in geraniums (Pelargonium hortorum Baily). Freshly prepared solutions composed of Ag+:S2O32− ratios from 1:1 to 1:16 at constant silver concentration were all equally effective. There were no differences in effectiveness when a Ag+:S2O32− solution of ratio 1:4 was formulated at 5, 25 or 50°C, when prepared at pH 4.01, 7.0 or 10.0, or when prepared in the presence of 10 mM KCl, Na2CO3, Ca(NO3)2 or MgSO4. The ability of solutions to retard abscission was reduced when Ag+ was substantially in excess of S2O32−. Rapid mixing of AgNO3 and Na2S2O3 solutions yielded effective solutions, independent of mixing order. Complete loss of activity was observed when solutions were stored in contact with either tin or galvanized metal for 5 days, whereas there was no loss in activity after 3 months' storage in plastic or glass at 2°C. These results indicate that currently recommended formulation procedures are unnecessarily stringent, and that long-term cold storage of prepared STS solutions is feasible.
Acousto-optic femtosecond pulse shaping in the ultraviolet

A simple method for ultraviolet acousto-optic pulse shaping of spectral phase and amplitude is described. The technique eliminates complications associated with the parametric transfer of the spectral phase of near-infrared pulses through nonlinear processes.
Localization and kinetics of formation of nuclear heterodisperse RNA, cytoplasmic heterodisperse RNA and polyribosome-associated messenger RNA in HeLa cells

Abstract Three heterogeneous RNA species in HeLa cells have been characterized with respect to kinetics of labeling, turnover and location. These are the nucleoplasmic, cytoplasmic and polyribosome-associated messenger fractions. The heterogeneous nucleoplasmic RNA is found entirely in the nucleoplasm if sufficently high ionic strength buffer and zonal sucrose density centrifugation are used in the nuclear fractionation. The RNA is isolated in the form of particulates with sedimentation coefficients up to 5000 s. Nucleoplasmic RNA synthesis is shown to be relatively unaffected by doses of actinomycin which completely inhibit ribosomal RNA synthesis. The labeling of the nucleoplasmic RNA indicates that it turns over rapidly with a mean life of approximately one hour. The rate of decay of the nucleoplasmic RNA in the presence of a high concentration of actinomycin is initially similar to the rate of formation of this RNA, but subsequently becomes aberrant. A heterogeneous RNA is found associated with the cytoplasm using the fractionation techniques described. Its kinetics of labeling suggest that it is unrelated to the nucleoplasmic RNA. Only a portion of the total cytoplasmic RNA is associated with polyribosomes. Polyribosomes are unaffected by the level of actinomycin used to inhibit ribosomal RNA synthesis for at least seven hours. Labeled messenger RNA can be isolated from polyribosomes free of contamination by newly synthesized ribosomal RNA. A heterogeneous RNA which co-sediments with, but is not attached to, polyribosomes is identified. Polyribosome-attached messenger RNA has a range of sedimentation values from 8 to 30 s with a maximum at about 18 s, whereas the contaminating RNA is broadly distributed from 10 to 70 s. Agents which alter the sedimentation of polyribosomes in preparative sucrose gradients, such as puromycin and EDTA, also alter the distribution of messenger RNA in a similar manner but leave the non-messenger RNA unaffected. The kinetics of appearance of messenger RNA indicate that it is probably not derived from the nucleoplasmic heterogeneous RNA. The existence of a pool is inferred which results in a 15-minute lag before labeled messenger RNA appears on polyribosomes, and which continues to supply messenger for 20 minutes after the administration of a high concentration of actinomycin.
Guilty as CHARGED: p53's expanding role in disease.

Unrestrained p53 activity during development, as occurs upon loss of the p53 negative regulators Mdm2 or Mdmx, causes early embryonic lethality. Surprisingly, co-expression of wild-type p53 and a transcriptionally-dead variant of p53, with mutations in both transactivation domains (p53L25Q,W26S,F53Q,F54S), also causes lethality, but later in gestation and in association with a host of very specific phenotypes reminiscent of a syndrome known as CHARGE. Molecular analyses revealed that wild-type p53 is inappropriately activated in p535,26,53,54/+ embryos, triggering cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis during development to cause CHARGE phenotypes. In addition, CHARGE syndrome is typically caused by mutations in the CHD7 chromatin remodeler, and we have shown that activated p53 contributes to phenotypes caused by CHD7-deficiency. Together, these studies provide new insight into CHARGE syndrome and expand our understanding of the role of p53 in diseases other than cancer.
Supportive Group Interventions with Caregivers of Frail Older Adults

The use of supportive group interventions with caregivers of frail older adults is discussed in this article. Four categories of group interventions are described: (1) mutual support groups, (2) psychoeducational groups, (3) social, recreational and educational groups, and (4) service and advocacy groups. Research evidence on the efficacy of group interventions with this population is also considered. Recommendations are made on when to refer caregivers to support groups and on what type of support group is most appropriate. Consideration by practitioners and program planners of a broader range of types of supportive groups is also encouraged.
Thyroid tissue and some of its properties in the hagfish, myxine glutinosa.

Abstract Thyroid tissue of the hagfish, Myxine glutinosa (L.), is in the form of isolated follicles, or small groups of large follicles embedded in linear order in the fatty tissue between branchial pouches and beneath the pharynx. They appear to be unusual for vertebrates in several respects: their large size, the presence of an unusual coarsely granular material in the lumen of the follicles and the highly variable and often extreme height of the epithelial cells. Furthermore, epithelial cells characteristically contained colloid-like vesicles of different sizes and stainable qualities. Such colloid-like vesicles usually were absent in the squamous type cell. I 131 uptake by thyroid was relatively rapid, but comparatively weak, immediately after injection and leveled off at 24 hours. It continued to accumulate more slowly until an apparent maximum was reached at 144 hours.
Further studies of M 3 (μ 3 -O)(μ- X ) 3 (μ-O 2 CCH 3 ) 3 L 3 (M=Mo, W) type clusters with nine core electrons

Four new compounds having nine cluster electrons and cores of the types Mo3OCl3, Mo3OBr3, and W3OCl3 are reported. Compound (1) prepared by reduction of [Bu4N][Mo3OCl6(OAc)3] in THF with metallic zinc, was shown by X-ray crystallography to be Mo3OCl4(OAc)3 (THF)2 (1). It forms crystals in space groupP21 with unit cell dimensionsa=9.472(2) A,b=13.546(4) A,c=9.652(2) A, β=101.70(2)°,V=1201(1) A3,Z=2. The [Mo3(μ3-O)(μ-Cl)3]4+ core is surrounded by three μ-O2CCH3 anions, one Cl−, and two THF and has Mo-Mo distances of 2.620(1) A, 2.613(1) A, and 2.530(1) A, with the shortest bond between the two Mo atoms to which the THF molecules are coordinated. Compounds [Bu4N]2 [Mo3OBr6(O2CCH3)3] · Me2CO, (2) and [Mo3OBr3(O2CCH3)3(PMe3)3]3 · BF4, (3) are the first two nine-electron Mo3 species with a [Mo3(μ3-O) Br3]4+ core. Both were obtained by zinc reduction of [Mo3OBr6(O2CCH3)3]− in the presence of (NBu4) Br (2) or PMe3 and NaBF4 (3), and each was characterized crystallographically. Compound (2) crystallized in space group Cc with unit cell dimensionsa=25.037(5) A,b=12.827(2) A,c=21.484(4) A, β=122.96(1)0,V=5790(3) A3,Z=4. While the anion has no crystallographically required symmetry, its virtual symmetry is C3v . The Mo-Mo distances are 2.619(2) A, 2.610(3) A, 2.644(2) A, with a mean value of 2.624[14] A. Compound (3) crystallized in space groupP21/c with unit cell dimensionsa=10.846(2) A,b=25.033(5) A,c=12.641(5) A, β=94.74(2)0,V=3420(2) A3,Z=4. The cation occupies a general position but has virtual C3v symmetry, with Mo-Mo distances of 2.601(2) A, 2.610(2) A, 2.627(2) A, with a mean value of 2.613[14] A. Thus the anionic and cationic Mo3 clusters in (2) and (3), respectively, have average Mo-Mo distances that are equal within experimental error. Compound (4), [NEt4]2 [W3OCl6(O2CCH3)3] is the first 9-electron compound of this type containing tungsten. It was prepared by reduction of [Et4N][W3OCl6(OAc)3] in benzene with Na/Hg. It crystallized in space groupP212121 with unit cell dimensionsa=11.076(2) A,b=14.345(2) A,c=21.026(3) A,V=3574(1) A3,Z=4. The anion resides on a general position but has virtual C3v symmetry, with W-W distances of 2.577(1) A, 2.612(1) A, 2.584(1) A and a mean value of 2.591[15] A.
Movement of the grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana: displacement distance and direction

. Mark–release–recapture is used to quantify displacement by adults of the North American grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) under field conditions. Moths marked with fluorescent dust are released eight times in the centre of a vineyard over 2 years, and recaptured using pheromone traps and interception traps. In vineyards, male moths are recaptured an average of 13.8 ± 0.8 m from the release site (maximum 58.2 m), whereas female displacement is similar with average flight distances of 11.4 ± 6.7 m (maximum 41.2 m). Increasing wind speed during moth flight activity periods suppresses displacement by both sexes, and females are less likely than males to fly in winds above 0.6 m s−1. The majority of males are recaptured upwind from the release site or at a tangent to the overall mean wind direction when responding to pheromone traps, whereas female moths trapped in interception traps exhibit a large variability in direction from the release point. Releases of marked moths in woods adjacent to a vineyard demonstrates interhabitat movement by E. viteana males and by a single female. The average maximum displacement by males during interhabitat movement is 105.4 ± 3.9 m, significantly greater than the average maximum of 39.7 ± 6.7 m inside the vineyard habitat.
Drivers of specialist herbivore diversity across 10 cities

Abstract Urban areas are an increasingly prevalent feature in contemporary landscapes and can play an important role in conservation. In urban areas, planting and maintenance of native plants is practiced to promote multi-trophic native communities; however, the effect of an urban habitat on the native foodwebs that use these plants is poorly understood. Here, we asked (1) whether the composition and diversity of specialized herbivore communities on native trees remains intact in urban areas as compared to reference natural areas and (2) what factors, from patch to landscape, correlated with variation in composition and diversity in urban areas. Specialized herbivore (gall wasp) communities on native trees (Quercus lobata) were surveyed in 10 paired urban and natural areas across the tree's natural range. Communities of specialized herbivores remained partially intact in cities. Species richness was greater in natural areas; community composition, however, varied by region but did not differ between urban and natural areas. Within urban areas, species richness was higher when there was a greater density of habitat patches; patch quality factors also affected specialist herbivore diversity. Overall, our results indicate that urban environments are not deterministically removing individual specialist herbivores species. Rather, dispersal limitation and patch quality drive stochastic losses of herbivores on urban trees. Communities of urban specialist herbivores remain largely intact and cities can be suitable habitat for these groups. Simple management practices in cities that can be conducted on the scale of individual land parcels may increase diversity of specialist herbivore communities to reference levels.
Factors Influencing Metabolic Activity of Bull Spermatozoa. II. Cold-Shock and its Prevention

Summary Rapid cooling of diluted bull semen from 25 to near 0° C. (cold-shock) produced a marked loss of motility, respiratory activity, and glycolysis. The motility and metabolic damage produced by rapid cooling could be partially prevented by lecithin and almost completely so by egg yolk. The egg yolk also stimulated the glycolysis of unshocked semen. Cold-shock of whole semen caused a loss of potassium and ether alcohol-extractable phosphorus from the cells into the plasma, and an uptake of sodium and calcium by the cells.
Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff in Multiple-Antenna Relay Systems

We study the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) for the full-duplex relay channel when the source and the destination have multiple antennas, and the relay has 1 or more. We find DMT upper bounds and investigate the achievable performance of decode-and-forward (DF), partial decode-and-forward (PDF), and compress-and-forward (CF) protocols. We study the effect of increased degrees of freedom in the direct link and the source-relay channel when multiple antennas are introduced. Our results suggest that while DF is DMT optimal when all terminals have one antenna each, it cannot maintain its good performance when the degrees of freedom in the direct link is increased. CF proves to be a more robust strategy, which works well in multi-antenna scenarios studied in this paper. We also extend our results for clustered relay networks to find DMT upper bounds and achievable performances.
Identification of Prevotella in pedal osteomyelitis of a diabetic patient

Osteomyelitis in a diabetic patient with a nonhealing foot ulcer, multiple medical conditions, and recurrent hospitalization for antibiotic therapy was found to be associated with gram-negative bacteria Prevotella melanginoganica and Prevotella melaninoganica hemagglutinating variant. Those organisms were identified due to the morphologically distinct features in electron microscopy and sequencing of the genes after Polymerase chain reaction amplification from the pathological material. The bacteria invaded the bone and resided in osteocyte, osteoblast, and endothelial cells. The bacteria are usually associated with periodontal plaques, causing inflammation and destruction of gingival tissue and resorption of the alveolar bone. This is the first ultrastructural and molecular study of a diabetic bone lesion with anaerobic bacterial infection.
Highly (111)-oriented and conformal iridium films by liquid source metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Highly (111)-oriented and conformal iridium (Ir) films were deposited by a liquid source metalorganic-chemical-vapor-deposition process on various substrates. An oxygen-assisted pyrolysis of (methylcyclopentadienyl) (1,5-cyclooctadiene) Ir precursor at a wide range of substrate temperatures (Tsub) between 300 and 700 °C was used. At a low Tsub of 350 °C, the randomly oriented polycrystalline films exhibited an I111/I200 x-ray intensity ratio of 6. However, the films deposited at Tsub = 700 °C on native SiO2 and amorphous SiO2 surfaces were highly oriented with the I111/I200 ratios of 277 and 186, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy study revealed continuous, dense, and faceted microstructures of Ir films. Also, the step coverage of Ir on TiN (64%) was higher than that on amorphous SiO2 (50%) surfaces.
Use of multiple cause of death data in cancer mortality analyses.

Background In a cancer mortality study, the decision of whether to define a study outcome via underlying cause of death (UCD) or via multiple cause of death (MCD) information may impact relative risk (RR) estimates and associated confidence intervals. Methods Simple equations are presented that relate RR estimates obtained in a cancer incidence study to the RR estimates obtained in mortality studies using UCD and MCD information. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program were used to obtain information about the detection and confirmation rates of cancer diagnoses made via UCD. Data from US cause of death data tapes were used to obtain information on the ratio of UCD to MCD listings for cancer outcomes. Numerical examples illustrate the use of these equations. Results In our examples, the RRs obtained via analyses of MCD were close to those obtained via analyses of UCD (but of greater precision), even when assuming that the confirmation rate of cancer diagnoses made via MCD listing was substantially lower than that of diagnoses made via UCD. Conclusions These finding are supportive of the use of MCD information in cancer mortality studies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PAI-1 and TGF-β Unmasking the Real Driver of TGF-β–Induced Vascular Pathology

Atherosclerosis is an extremely complex disease process in which genetic, lipid, cellular, and immunologic factors combine to determine the location, severity, and timing of lesion development and clinical events.1 With the current epidemic of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, additional factors are now recognized as contributors to the vascular disease equation, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1),2 which is one of the critical physiological regulators of plasminogen activation. PAI-1 accumulates in atherosclerotic lesions3 and contributes to a variety of vascular pathologies including coronary artery thrombosis4 and perivascular fibrosis.5,6 Numerous factors are known to regulate vascular PAI-1 production, including nitric oxide (NO), which directly suppresses PAI-1 expression.7 Simply inhibiting vascular NO production stimulates arterial PAI-1 accumulation and promotes the development of PAI-1–dependent perivascular fibrosis.8 Other factors promote vascular pathology and arteriosclerosis through mechanisms that likely involve PAI-1, including Angiotensin II9 and …
Enhancing Learning through Simulation Activities

Simulation activities performed in nursing programs can provide many learning opportunities for nursing students. Real life simulation activities, allow students to put their knowledge into practice, while recognizing areas of weakness that need improvement. The environment to perform these activities is a safe learning environment to allow students to make and recognize mistakes prior to entering the career field. Debriefing activities allow for reflection to encourage students to self-evaluate and recognize areas for improvement. Faculty encourage students and assist in improving areas of weakness. By participating in the activities, student’s cognitive and psychomotor skills can be enhanced and students can gain a better understanding of didactic material.
Error analysis of breast tumor signature versus skin thickness at microwave frequencies

The effect of breast skin thickness on electromagnetic scattering is explored in this work using the Ansoft high frequency structure simulator (HFSS) package. The signature of a spherical tumor of 1cm in diameter is compared to the skin effect. A more realistic inhomogeneous breast model is used based on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This model contains five regions; air, skin, fatty tissue, fibro-glandular tissue and the malignant tumor. The preliminary results of this work indicate that the tumor signature is larger than the effect of the skin in the backscatter for the case presented.
Contexts and functions of retrieval

Koriat & Goldsmith provide an excellent analysis of the flexibility of retrieval processes and how they are situationally dependent. I agree with their emphasis on functional considerations and argue that the traditional laboratory experiment motivates the subject to be accurate. However, I disagree with their strong claim that the quantity–accuracy distinction implies an essential discontinuity between traditional and naturalistic approaches to the study of memory.
A Graphical Analysis of “Scalping”: A Reply

Swofford (1999) discussed three cases when ticket scalping or other reselling might arise. These cases are reviewed in light of Spindler’s (2003) observation that a perfect price-discriminating ticket scalper could capture all the revenue from the all or none demand curve. Such a price discriminator would have a symbiotic relationship benefiting the original producer of the product. However, the ticket scalper would still have a parasitic relationship with a producer identified more with the product, as such a producer would have customer goodwill in its dynamic revenue function. The original producing firm with goodwill as an argument in its dynamic revenue function might still be a source of agitation for laws against ticket scalping.
Triplet-state photoexcitations and triplet-energy transfer in poly(3-alkylthiophene)/C/sub 60/ solutions

Summary form only given. We present the first observation and characterization of a metastable triplet-state photoexcitation of poly(3-alkylthiophene), P3AT, in solution. The PIA spectrum of P3AT in various solvents reveals a strong band centered at 1.50 eV which is attributed to a dipole allowed triplet-triplet absorption. We find that the triplet state of P3AT lies 1.57-1.72 eV above the ground state. The, formation of charged polaronic and/or bipolaronic photoexcitations, is a minor process, compared to the generation of the metastable triplet state, even in solvents that favor electron transfer. The P3AT triplet-state photoexcitation exhibits an efficient energy transfer reaction to C/sub 60/.
A Framework for Collaborative Real-Time 3D Teleimmersion in a Geographically Distributed Environment

In this paper, we present a framework for immersive 3D video conferencing and geographically distributed collaboration. Our multi-camera system performs a full-body 3D reconstruction of users in real time and renders their image in a virtual space allowing remote interaction between users and the virtual environment. The paper features an overview of the technology and algorithms used for calibration, capturing, and reconstruction. We introduce stereo mapping using adaptive triangulation which allows for fast (under 25 ms) and robust real-time 3D reconstruction. The chosen representation of the data provides high compression ratios for transfer to a remote site. The algorithm produces partial 3D meshes, instead of dense point clouds, which are combined on the renderer to create a unified model of the user. We have successfully demonstrated the use of our system in various applications such as remote dancing and immersive Tai Chi learning.
An investigation of clinical correlates of Lewy bodies in autopsy-proven Alzheimer disease

Background: Studies of patients meeting clinical and pathologic criteria for Alzheimer disease (AD) have not consistently found associations between the presence of Lewy bodies (LBs) at postmortem examination and a higher frequency during life of the clinical features of dementia with LBs. Objective: To evaluate the clinical correlates of LBs in patients with AD. Design and Methods: Fifty-one patients were diagnosed as having probable AD during life and met pathologic criteria for AD. Semiquantitative ratings for LBs were obtained in 4 brain regions: substantia nigra, cingulate, insular cortex, and hippocampus. The patients had been followed up semiannually for up to 9.9 years before death, and clinical features associated with dementia with LBs, including extrapyramidal signs and visual hallucinations, were assessed at each study visit. Logistic regression analyses determined whether patients who had LBs were more likely than those without LBs to express specific clinical signs during follow-up. Cox analyses determined whether patients with LBs developed clinical signs or died earlier. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare rates of cognitive or functional change. Results: Nineteen of the 51 patients had at least 1 LB in one of the studied regions. In no case was a significant relation noted between LBs and the presence of a measured clinical sign. No LB measure was associated with an increased risk of developing any of the evaluated clinical signs earlier in the disease. There was no association between the presence of LBs and more rapid mortality or more rapid disease progression. Conclusions: In patients diagnosed as having AD during life, we did not observe a relation of LBs noted during postmortem examination with the presence of any clinical feature that we assessed or with the rapidity of disease progression. The relation between LBs and specific clinical manifestations may be tenuous in these patients.
Benevolent Assimilation: The American Conquest of the Philippines, 1899-1903

American acquisition of the Philippines and Filipino resistance to it became a focal point for debate on American imperialism. In a lively narrative, Miller tells the story of the war and how it challenged America's sense of innocence. He examines the roles of key actors-the generals and presidents, the soldiers and senators-in America's colonial adventure. "The most thorough, balanced, and well-written study to date of America's imperial adventure in the western Pacific and the most persuasive analysis of the varied reactions of the American people to the military subjugation of the Filipinos...[Told] with clarity, wit and a talent for the apt quotation."-Richard E. Welch, Jr., The New York Times Book Review "A triumph of research, synthesis and storytelling, this is the wisest book on its subject and, implicitly, a significant cultural critique of the United States at the turn of the century."-Peter Stanley, Asia "The author's balanced summary of the historiography of imperialism and the epilogue, which considers the Philippine/Vietnam analogy, are valuable features of the work...Should remain the definitive account of these events." -Library Journal "Written with clarity and argued with passion from a wealth of primary sources."-Jack C. Lane, The Journal of American History
Ethanol fermentation with cell recycling: Computer simulation

A mathematical model for glucose-to-ethanol fermentation at high yeast cell concentrations was developed. The feasibility of improving fermenter productivity over that of a conventional continuous-stirred-tank fermenter by using multiple stage reactors and yeast cell recycling was predicted by computer simulation. The optimum size distribution for multistage fermentors was obtained for different glucose feedstream concentrations and different glucose conversion levels. Productivity increases over a single-stage reactor ranged from 1.2-2.0 times. The use of yeast cell recycling to increase cell concentration and productivity increases of over 4.0 times that of a system without recycling. (Refs. 18).
Risk Assessment for Sudden Death in Epilepsy: The SUDEP-7 Inventory

Background: Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of death in those with drug resistant epilepsy. There is a need for inventories and biomarkers associated with the risk for SUDEP. Objective: To explore the revised SUDEP Risk Inventory (SUDEP-7) in a cohort with Drug Resistant Epilepsy, and determine the association with Heart Rate and other covariates. Methods: 25 subjects with severe drug-resistant epilepsy were enrolled in a clinical trial for epilepsy. Baseline demographics, duration of epilepsy, seizure types, seizure frequency, seizure severity, AED’s, and vital signs were collected. Heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated from 1-hour recordings of ECG. A SUDEP Risk Inventory (SUDEP-7) was administered, which included 7 validated and weighted risk factors initially identified by Walczak et al. as factors associated with SUDEP risk. Results: The total score on the revised SUDEP-7 ranged from 1 to 7, mean = 3.4 (sd 1.8). The SUDEP Risk Inventory score was inversely correlated with RMSSD (Pearson r= -0.45, P=0.027). The following variables were significantly associated with RMSSD: epilepsy duration (p=0.02), age (p=0.03), and developmental intellectual disability (p<0.001). The correlation between RMSSD and SUDEP 7 tended to persist also after the adjustment for patient age (r = -0.40, p=0.05). Two subjects died of SUDEP: their SUDEP-7 scores were above average and in the upper 25 and 50th percentiles respectively (6 and 4, mean = 3.4) Conclusions: RMSSD, a measure of low frequency heart rate variability, was significantly associated with SUDEP Risk Inventory (SUDEP-7) scores. Using a multivariable model, the covariates of developmental intellectual disability, age, and duration of epilepsy were also significantly associated with decreased HRV. The correlation between decreased HRV and a higher SUDEP-7 score remained unchanged even after the adjustment for patient age. The results suggest that older age, greater duration of epilepsy and the presence of developmental intellectual disability may increase the risk of SUDEP through their direct influence on decreasing the vagus nerve mediated HRV.
Analytic properties of Rényi’s invariant density

Under certain conditions a many-to-one transformation of the unit interval onto itself possesses a finite invariant ergodic measure equivalent to Lebesgue measure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate these conditions and to show how differentiable and analytic properties of the invariant density are inherited from the original transformation.
Nav1.5 C-Terminal Domains Influence Calcium Regulation of Fast Inactivation Separately from Calmodulin Interaction

The cardiac sodium channel (Nav1.5) has a complex ‘intracellular Ca2+ sensing apparatus’ within its C-terminal domain (CTD) consisting of a partial EF-hand domain (CTD-EF) and a calmodulin (CaM) binding IQ motif (CTD-IQ). There are additional CaM binding motifs within the DIII-DIV linker. Variation in intracellular Ca2+ concentration influences the voltage-dependence of steady-state fast inactivation (SSI) by an unclear mechanism. Here, we mutated 16 key residues implicated in the interactions between CTD-EF and CTD-IQ, CTD-IQ and CaM, or DIII-DIV and CaM and explored their impact on NaV1.5 function and biochemistry. We used quantitative yeast-two-hybrid assays to measure effects of mutations on the interaction between the full length CTD on CaM, and evaluated SSI in high (1 µM free Ca2+) and low [Ca2+]i conditions. Using either BAPTA or HEDTA as chelator, 1 µM free [Ca2+]i was sufficient to shift SSI (elicited by 50 ms prepulses) towards depolarized potentials. We observed that 3 of 5 CTD-IQ mutations (F1912A, A1924T and IQ/AA) strongly reduced the interaction between the CTD and CaM. However, these mutations did not affect the [Ca2+]i effect on SSI suggesting that SSI [Ca2+]i sensitivity does not depend on CaM binding to the CTD-IQ. Unexpectedly, single and combination mutations of the CTD-EF (L1786A, F1791A, Q1807A, L1862A, E1788A-D1790A-D1792A-E1799A, E1804A-D1802A) diminished the CTD-CaM interaction, and some of these mutations (L1786A, E1788A-D1790A-D1792A-E1799A, E1804A-D1802A) also suppressed the [Ca2+]i effect on SSI. Indeed, the only mutations we studied that blunted the [Ca2+]i effect on SSI were within the CTD-EF. These results suggest that the CTD-EF influences NaV1.5 [Ca2+]i sensitivity and mutations in this domain can also alter the interaction of the CTD with CaM, but CaM interaction with the CTD-IQ is not required for the effect of intracellular Ca2+ on inactivation.
Renin Extraction by the Human Liver

SummaryIn eight studies, the plasma renin activity (PRA) was determined in blood drawn consecutively from the hepatic vein, a peripheral vessel, and renal veins. The renal venous PRA was consistently higher than the arterial PRA, indicating renal secretion of renin. In seven of the eight studies, hepatic venous PRA was, on the average, 26% lower than the PRA of blood entering the liver indicating hepatic extraction of circulating renin. That the elevated PRA seen in cirrhosis of the liver may in part be related to impared hepatic inactivation of renin is an hypothesis that merits further study.
Division or department: a microeconomic analysis.

BACKGROUND: In this article, the authors present a microeconomic analysis of the effects of the administrative status on plastic surgery units within academic medical centers, comparing the departmental versus subdepartmental status. The objectives are to introduce decision-making tools of microeconomics and use them to explore the potential effects of administrative status on academic plastic surgery services. METHODS: Real financial data over a decade were used to construct total cost (TC), average total cost (ATC), and total revenue (TR) curves. From these, the authors derive the efficiency scale and express the fiscal performance by examining profitability, and the commonly used ATC curve. Mathematical modeling is then used to examine the effects of departmental versus subdepartmental status, assuming that (1) a plastic surgery unit exists in a competitive market; and (2) TR > TC for the plastic surgery unit to self-sustain in the long term. The variables considered are total clinical production (Q), gross collection rates (GCR), personnel cost, and departmental tax. RESULTS: The sustainability (Q against GCR) is a hyperbolic curve with Q × GCR = TC at break-even. The TC/TR = f(TR) curve resembles the ATC curve. Sectional versus departmental status for a plastic surgery service in an academic medical center depends greatly on the shape of their TC/TR = f(TR) curve. CONCLUSIONS: With most competing clinical units within the same academic medical center having departmental status, and most competing private surgeons having no institutional "taxes," the essential requirement for academic medical center plastic surgery services is to ensure that their TC/TR = f(TR) curve is comparable to that of their competitors.
Ferrous and ferric iron in liver extract.

Summary1. An aqueous liver extract effectively prevented the oxidation of added ferrous iron. 2. Due to the reducing action of a commercial liver extract, from 50 to 95% of ferric iron added to it was later present in the ferrous state. 3. The efficacy of liver and iron combinations in the treatment of the iron deficiency anemias may be partly due to this action of the liver extract in supplying or maintaining iron in the more easily absorbable ferrous state.
Quality of Experience Driven Multi-User Video Streaming in Cellular Cognitive Radio Networks With Single Channel Access

We investigate the problem of streaming multi-user videos over the downlink of a cognitive radio network (CRN), where each cognitive user (CU) can access one channel at a time. We first consider the case where each CU can sense one channel at a time slot at most. To make the problem tractable, we tackle the optimal spectrum sensing and access problems separately and develop matching-based optimal algorithms to the subproblems, which yield an overall suboptimal solution. We then consider the case where each CU can sense multiple channels. We show that under the assumption that all the spectrum sensors work on the same operating point, a two-step approach can derive the optimal spectrum sensing and access policies that maximize the quality of experience (QoE) of the streaming videos. The superior performance of the proposed approaches is validated with simulations and comparisons with benchmark schemes, where a performance gain from 25% to 30% is demonstrated.
Development of Coal Mine Emergency Rescue System Based on Wireless Mesh Network

The paper pointed out that chain network topology is suitable for underground wireless Mesh network and electromagnetic wave attenuation analysis and node space design should be considered combining with concrete roadway environment according to characteristics of underground roadway.It proposed a method combining reactive routing protocol and proactive routing protocol with MIC criterion for that current routing protocol cannot meet with requirements of chain network topology of underground wireless Mesh network.It gave general structure and characteristics of coal mine emergency rescue system based on wireless Mesh network on the above basis.The experiment result showed that applying wireless Mesh network in coal mine emergency rescue system can improve safety,reliability and feasibility of rescue work.
[Epidemiological and etiological characteristics of diarrheal disease among children under 5 years of age in Guangdong province, in 2012].

Objective To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of diarrheal disease among children under 5 years of age in Guangdong province,in 2012.Methods 64 hospitals in 21 cities were chosen as the diarrheal syndromic surveillance sites,of which 14 hospitals were selected to carry out etiological surveillance among children under 5 years of age,including isolation and culture of both Vibrio cholera and Shigella as well as nucleic acid detection of rotavirus and norovirus by PCR.Descriptive method was used to analyze data from syndromic and etiological surveillance programs on diarrheal,from 1932 parents of the children.Results In 2012,the outpatient attendance rate on diarrheal among children under 5 years was 0.8％.The proportion of diarrheal in children under 5-year-olds was 63.5％,among the total number of diarrheal outpatients at the outpatient clinics under surveillance program.The morbidity of infectious diarrhea was 1454.5/10 million in children under 5 years of age.A total number of 1932 specimens were collected from children under 5 years of age,in the outpatient department.Among these specimens,Vibrio cholera appeared all negative but one was Shigella positive and proved to be Sh.sonnei.The positive rates of rotavirus and norovirus were 14.1％ (273/1932) and 16.9％ (326/1932).Both rotavirus and norovirus were found in 24 specimens,with a positive rate as 1.2％.112 specimens were successfully genesequenced for rotavirus,of which 33.9％ as G1 [P8] genotype,25.9％ as G9 [P8],12.5％ as G2 [P4] and 9.8％ as G3 [P8] respectively.90 specimens were successfully gene-sequenced for norovirus,of which 76.7％ as G Ⅱ.4 genotype.Genetic subtypes of G Ⅱ.4/2006b,accounted for 50.0％ and could be detected around the year except for June and December.New G Ⅱ.4/Sydney Strain_2012 was first detected in August and became the predominant in December.In addition,5 specimens belonged to G Ⅰ genotype with other 16 subtypes of G Ⅱ.Conclusion Results from our study proved that children under 5 years of age belonged to high-risk group for diarrheal disease in Guangdong province.Rotavirus and norovirus were both diverse in terms of genome. Key words: Diarrheal disease; Syndromic surveillance; Rotavirus; Norovirus; Genotype
Book Review: Kapila D. Silva and Neel Kamal Chapagain (Eds), Asian Heritage Management: Contexts, Concerns, and Prospects

Kapila D. Silva and Neel Kamal Chapagain (Eds), Asian Heritage Management: Contexts, Concerns, and Prospects, London and New York: Routledge, 2013, 386 pp., US$160, ISBN: 978-0-415-52054-6.
Social desirability bias in reporting of holiday season healthfulness

Respondents participating in survey or interview based research often tend to give answers that put themselves in a favorable light, displaying social desirability bias (SDB). Understanding the susceptibility of individuals to underreport their perceived unhealthy holiday behaviors or over report holiday behaviors they perceive as healthy has important implications for health promotion and health policy surrounding the holiday season. This study examines SDB specific to the reporting of holiday food consumption and health-related behaviors. An online survey of 620 U.S. consumers was utilized to collect data in which SDB was accounted for via indirect questioning. The online survey was conducted by Purdue University from November 17–19, 2014. Up to 64% of respondents displayed SDB for the eight holiday health statements studied. Respondents over the age of 45 and without children more frequently displayed social desirability bias. Respondents who displayed SDB with respect to acceptable health related holiday food consumption behaviors may be more susceptible to social pressures surrounding other consumption decision making. Understanding SDB in health and behavior reporting, in particular for the traditionally challenging, in terms of health outcomes, holiday season is critical for health practitioners as they seek to promote healthy behaviors.