cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-of-use based electricity cost of manufacturing systems: Modeling and monotonicity analysis

Traditionally, manufacturing enterprises pay flat rates for each kiloWatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed. Newly available electric tariffs that charge both energy consumption (in kWh) and peak demand (in kiloWatts, i.e., kW) with varying time-of-use (TOU) rates have started to gain popularity. In this paper, the per-product electricity cost as a function of manufacturing system parameters and the TOU rates is modeled. The contributions of both electricity energy consumption and peak demand are combined to formulate the electricity cost of manufacturing systems with multiple machines and buffers. New knowledge of the effects of various modeling parameters on the electricity cost is acquired through monotonicity analysis. The formulated model is utilized to answer the following two questions facing manufacturers: With the availability of TOU rates in mind, is switching from the flat rates to the TOU rates economically sound? What changes can be made on electric use routines to take advantage of the TOU rates? The findings based on case studies show that with appropriate adjustment of production routines, a significant saving of up to 24.8% of the per-product electricity cost can be achieved by adopting the TOU rates.
Effects of serotonin-1 and serotonin-2 receptor agonists on neuronal activity in the nucleus tractus solitarius

Abstract Spontaneous neuronal activity in the solitary tract nucleus was recorded extracellularly in a brain slice preparation during bath-application of 5-HT 1 and 5-HT 2 receptor-selective agonists and antagonists. The 5-HT 1A /5-HT 1B agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine depressed activity in 20 of 25 neurons studied. The remaining five neurons were unaffected. The 5-HT 1A /5-HT 1B antagonist pindolol prevented the 5-carboxamidotryptamine-induced changes, whereas the 5-HT 1A antagonist spiroxatrine and the 5-HT 2 antagonists ketanserin and mianserin were ineffective. Application of the 5-HT 1 /5-HT 2 agonist α-methylserotonin depressed activity in 16 of 19 neurons, whereas the remaining three neurons were unresponsive. Pindolol blocked α-methylserotonin-induced changes of activity, but spiroxatrine, ketanserin and mianserin were ineffective. Finally, the 5-HT 2 agonist DOI was applied to seven neurons. Six were unresponsive to DOI, and one responded with a depression of activity. These data provide electrophysiological evidence for the presence of 5-HT 1 receptors in the nTS, presumably of the 5-HT 1B subclass, but cast further doubt on the contribution of 5-HT 2 and 5-HT 1A receptors to the actions of serotonin in the nucleus.
Aerodynamic Mechanisms Underlying Treatment-Related Changes in Vocal Intensity in Patients With Parkinson Disease

The purpose of this study was to document changes in aerodynamic and glottographic aspects of vocal function in patients with Parkinson disease who received two forms of high effort treatment. Previous reports (Ramig, Countryman, Thompson, & Horii, 1995) have documented increased sound pressure level (SPL) following treatment that trained phonation and respiration (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment: LSVT), but not for treatment that trained respiration only (R). In order to examine the mechanisms underlying these differences, measures of maximum flow declination rate (MFDR) and estimated subglottal pressure (Psub) were made before and after treatment. A measure of relative vocal fold adduction (EGGW) was made from the electroglottographic signal during sustained vowel phonation. Sound pressure level data from syllable repetition, sustained vowel phonation, reading, and monologue tasks were also analyzed to allow a more detailed understanding of treatment-related change in several contexts. Consistent with increases in SPL, significant increases in MFDR, estimated Psub, and EGGW were measured posttreatment in patients who received the LSVT. Similar changes were not observed following R treatment. These findings suggest that the combination of increased vocal fold adduction and subglottal pressure is a key in generating posttreatment increases in vocal intensity in idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD).
Nuclear Power - Risks and Social Concerns

I hope that this outline of the radioactivity problems associated with nuclear power has answered some of your questions, and has explained some of the current controversy in this field. There is no real need for either radioactive pollution of the environment or for blackouts, so far as nuclear power is concerned. It is clear that by known technology, and for a very reasonable cost, we can essentially eliminate the radioactive pollution without impeding the development of the industry in any way. It is suggested, then, that we heed the admonition of all responsible authorities to minimize radiation exposure, and go about the business of doing what we know how to do as engineers. If we do that, the arguments as to how much radioactivity is "safe," and how many people may be harmed, will become truly academic, as there won't be enough radiation exposure to measure.
Airflow Configurations of Warm Season Southerly Low-Level Wind Maxima in the Great Plains. Part II: The Synoptic and Subsynoptic-Scale Environment

Abstract Twelve different spatial configurations of southerly warm season low-level wind maxima in the Great Plains were identified in Part I, based on streamline orientation and curvature, the location of confluence and deformation zones, and the latitudinal extent of the wind maxima. Here, in Part II, composite analysis was employed to examine the typical lower, mid-, and upper-tropospheric environments for the 12 configuration types. Only two of the jet types were found to occur in association with a midtropospheric ridge, an environment that has previously been labeled as quiescent. These two jet types had a fairly simple anticyclonic airflow configuration. The remaining 10 configuration types occurred in association with a trough over the southwestern United States and a ridge to the east (i.e., an active environment). Consequently, the pronounced differences in the airflow configuration identified in this study are associated with an active midtropospheric pattern. Only 1 of the 12 configuration typ...
Oxidation of Ferrous and Ferrocyanide Ions by Peroxyl Radicals

Alkylperoxyl and arylperoxyl radicals were produced by pulse radiolysis in aqueous solutions, and their reactions with ferrous and ferrocyanide ions were studied by kinetic spectrophotometry. Oxidation of Fe(CN)64- took place with rate constants that varied from <1 × 105 to 5 × 107 L mol-1 s-1, depending on the electron-withdrawing effects of the substituents on the peroxyl radical and presumably reflecting variations in reduction potential of the peroxyl radical, as expected for outer-sphere electron transfer. Oxidation of Feaq2+, on the other hand, took place by an inner-sphere mechanism controlled by the rate of dissociative interchange of the water ligand. The rate constants were nearly the same for all the peroxyl radicals examined (k = (0.5−1.1) × 106 L mol-1 s-1) and involved the formation of a transient intermediate, RO2-Fe3+, which later decomposed to yield Feaq3+. The decomposition was accelerated by H+ and by Fe2+. The proposed mechanism is a modification of a previously suggested reaction scheme.
A design for a high-resolution reaction-product analysing system

Abstract A graphical design of a double dispersion system using two edge focussing magnets is presented. A mass-energy product of 80 with a momentum resolution of 104 is achieved with an acceptance solid angle of 3 msterad or greater. The magnetic field is uniform and restricted to values less than 15 kG in the median plane of the pole gap. Two deflections are used with an intermediate image so very high rejection of unwanted particles is possible. Both intermediate and final focal planes are suited for installation of position sensitive detectors, i.e. solid state or spark counters.
Depressive symptoms, drinking consequences, and motivation to change in first time DWI offenders.

Background: Psychological disorders are common among driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders; thus, a DWI arrest may serve as an important opportunity for further screening and subsequent treatment. Objectives: The current study examined the extent to which mild to moderate pretreatment depressive symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), could predict intervention outcomes in 284 first-time DWI offenders. Methods: Participants were given drinking-related and psychosocial assessments at the beginning and end of a 10-week intervention and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results: After the intervention and at both follow-ups, all participants reported declines in depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, and negative drinking consequences and higher self-efficacy to avoid high-risk drinking. It was notable, however, that offenders with depressive symptoms reported more drinking-related consequences and lower self-efficacy at all time points, but greater motivation to change their drinki...
Evaluating Word-Reading Models at the Item Level: Matching the Grain of Theory and Data

Spieler and Balota (1997) showed that connectionist models of reading account for relatively little item-specific variance. In assessing this finding, it is important to recognize two factors that limit how much variance such models can possibly explain. First, item means are affected by several factors that are not addressed in existing models, including processes involved in recognizing letters and producing articulatory output. These limitations point to important areas for future research but have little bearing on existing theoretical claims. Second, the item data include a substantial amount of error variance that would be inappropriate to model. Issues concerning comparisons between simulation data and human performance are discussed with an emphasis on the importance of evaluating models at a level of specificity (“grain”) appropriate to the theoretical issues being addressed.
Stereochemical and electronic contributions to 2E chromium(III) excited state relaxation behavior at 77K

Abstract Variations in the radiative rate constants, kr, for the 2E emission of chromium(III) am(m)ine complexes span at least a 78-fold range and are determined by spin-orbit coupling to the nearest quartet excited states. The 77K lifetimes of most of the (N–H) perdeuterated complexes are found to be correlated with the same spin-orbit coupling parameters. The notable exception found to this correlation is the N–H deuterated 1,2-bis (1,4,7-triaza-1-cyclononyl)ethane-chromium(III), Cr([9]aneN3)2Et3+, complex for which the observed lifetime at 77K is 15% of that predicted by correlation with other am(m)ine complexes. This exception demonstrates that some low frequency mode mediated, non-radiative relaxation pathway can contribute to relaxation of the 2E excited state of Cr(III) complexes. The exceptional photophysical behavior of this complex extends to its emission spectra which are broad and matrix sensitive. It is postulated that the 2E excited state of Cr([9]aneN3)2Et3+ is distorted owing to the tendency of the bis-macrocyclic ligand to twist towards a prismatic geometry. It is inferred that variations in the electronic coupling matrix elements account for much of the variation in 77K (2E)Cr(III) lifetimes.
Spectrophotometric determination of ultra-trace amounts of titanium, iron, vanadium and aluminum in fused silica

Abstract The spectrophotometric determination of ultra-trace levels of Ti, Fe, V and AI in pure fused silica is described. Titanium is determined by extraction of the thiocyanate complex with TOPO in cyclohexane, iron with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, vanadium with N-phenylhydroxamic acid, and aluminum with catechol violet. The results are generally in reasonable agreement with those obtained by other techniques. The metal contaminant levels in reagent-grade and Ultrex-grade hydrofluoric acid are compared.
The Activity Setting of Homework: An Analysis of Three Cases and Implications for Occupational Therapy

An important goal of occupational therapy is to foster clients’ participation in daily life. The daily lives of children occur mainly within their homes and schools. Homework is an occupation whose performance affects children’s participation in both home and school. A qualitative study of parental self-reports of the strategies they use to foster their children’s successful engagement in homework was conducted. In this paper, we examine three cases from this study using the activity setting concept from the ecocultural theory of family accommodation. The three cases were chosen based on their diversity: ethnic and religious background, socioeconomic status, presence of a stay-at-home mother, and presence of children with special needs. The analysis of these cases illustrates that strategies used by parents to foster their children’s engagement in homework reflect their values and priorities, their expectations of their children, and their perceptions of their children’s strengths and limitations. The concept of activity setting can be useful for occupational therapists to analyze family situations when they are developing home treatment programs. Segal, R., & Hinojosa, J. (2006). The activity setting of homework: An analysis of three cases and implications for occupa
Primary and secondary contributions to aerosol light scattering and absorption in Mexico City during the MILAGRO 2006 campaign

Abstract. A photoacoustic spectrometer, a nephelometer, an aethalometer, and an aerosol mass spectrometer were used to measure at ground level real-time aerosol light absorption, scattering, and chemistry at an urban site located in North East Mexico City (Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Mexican Petroleum Institute, denoted by IMP), as part of the Megacity Impact on Regional and Global Environments field experiment, MILAGRO, in March 2006. Photoacoustic and reciprocal nephelometer measurements at 532 nm accomplished with a single instrument compare favorably with conventional measurements made with an aethalometer and a TSI nephelometer. The diurnally averaged single scattering albedo at 532 nm was found to vary from 0.60 to 0.85 with the peak value at midday and the minimum value at 07:00 a.m. local time, indicating that the Mexico City plume is likely to have a net warming effect on local climate. The peak value is associated with strong photochemical generation of secondary aerosol. It is estimated that the photochemical production of secondary aerosol (inorganic and organic) is approximately 75% of the aerosol mass concentration and light scattering in association with the peak single scattering albedo. A strong correlation of aerosol scattering at 532 nm and total aerosol mass concentration was found, and an average mass scattering efficiency factor of 3.8 m2/g was determined. Comparisons of photoacoustic and aethalometer light absorption with oxygenated organic aerosol concentration (OOA) indicate a very small systematic bias of the filter based measurement associated with OOA and the peak aerosol single scattering albedo.
Quantifying effects of environmental and geographical factors on patterns of genetic differentiation

Elucidating the factors influencing genetic differentiation is an important task in biology, and the relative contribution from natural selection and genetic drift has long been debated. In this study, we used a regression-based approach to simultaneously estimate the quantitative contributions of environmental adaptation and isolation by distance on genetic variation in Boechera stricta, a wild relative of Arabidopsis. Patterns of discrete and continuous genetic differentiation coexist within this species. For the discrete differentiation between two major genetic groups, environment has larger contribution than geography, and we also identified a significant environment-by-geography interaction effect. Elsewhere in the species range, we found a latitudinal cline of genetic variation reflecting only isolation by distance. To further confirm the effect of environmental selection on genetic divergence, we identified the specific environmental variables predicting local genotypes in allopatric and sympatric regions. Water availability was identified as the possible cause of differential local adaptation in both geographical regions, confirming the role of environmental adaptation in driving and maintaining genetic differentiation between the two major genetic groups. In addition, the environment-by-geography interaction is further confirmed by the finding that water availability is represented by different environmental factors in the allopatric and sympatric regions. In conclusion, this study shows that geographical and environmental factors together created stronger and more discrete genetic differentiation than isolation by distance alone, which only produced a gradual, clinal pattern of genetic variation. These findings emphasize the importance of environmental selection in shaping patterns of species-wide genetic variation in the natural environment.
Hemodynamic changes after valve replacement with starr-edwards prostheses

A brief review of the pathophysiology of aortic and mitral valve disease and the hemodynamic results of valve replacement with caged ball prostheses are described. In most patients intracardiac pressures and restored to normal at rest, although there are small pressure gradients across mechanical valves. Severe pulmonary hypertension, if present, usually will regress. With exercise, abnormalities of left atrial pressure or left ventricular function may be found after valve replacement. The causes of failure to achieve hemodynamic improvement with surgery and the late return of congestive failure are discussed.
Beyond biology: toward a more public ecology for conservation

The ultimate purpose of conservation science is to inform and affect conservation policy. There- fore, conservation biologists and all the people who produce, review, and apply conservation research should evaluate the success of their knowledge according to its ability to influence conservation decisions. In addi- tion to possessing conventional "scientific" attributes such as validity, generalizability, and precision, conser- vation knowledge must also possess qualities that make it effective in the political arena of decision making. "Public ecology" is a philosophy and practice of conservation science that goes beyond biology and beyond the norms of modern science to construct knowledge that is useful for environmental decision making. As post-normal conservation science, public ecology is defined by the following six attributes: evaluative, contex- tual, multiscalar, integrative, adaptive, and accessible. We discuss the need for a more public ecology and de- scribe the qualites that make it a more powerful ecology.
Morphological filters--Part I: Their set-theoretic analysis and relations to linear shift-invariant filters

This paper examines the set-theoretic interpretation of morphological filters in the framework of mathematical morphology and introduces the representation of classical linear filters in terms of morphological correlations, which involve supremum/infimum operations and additions. Binary signals are classified as sets, and multilevel signals as functions. Two set-theoretic representations of signals are reviewed. Filters are classified as set-processing (SP) or function-processing (FP). Conditions are provided for certain FP filters that pass binary signals to commute with signal thresholding because then they can be analyzed and implemented as SP filters. The basic morphological operations of set erosion, dilation, opening, and closing are related to Minkowski set operations and are used to construct FP morphological filters. Emphasis is then given to analytically and geometrically quantifying the similarities and differences between morphological filtering of signals by sets and functions; the latter case allows the definition of morphological convolutions and correlations. Toward this goal, various properties of FP morphological filters are also examined. Linear shift-invariant filters (due to their translation-invariance) are uniquely characterized by their kernel, which is a special collection of input signals. Increasing linear filters are represented as the supremum of erosions by their kernel functions. If the filters are also discrete and have a finite-extent impulse response, they can be represented as the supremum of erosions only by their minimal (with respect to a signal ordering) kernel functions. Stable linear filters can be represented as the sum of (at most) two weighted suprema of erosions. These results demonstrate the power of mathematical morphology as a unifying approach to both linear and nonlinear signal-shaping strategies.
Fulcrum - An Open-Implementation Approach to Internet-Scale Context-Aware Publish / Subscribe

Content-based publish / subscribe (CBPS) systems are a natural substrate for context-aware applications because they provide the right separation of concerns, efficient event distribution, extensibility, and scalability. However, the separation of concerns afforded by CBPS middleware precludes publishers from collaborating with each other to efficiently detect context-aware conditions for publication as events. We overcome this problem with an open implementation approach, which enables subscribers to attach a domain-specific implementation strategy to their context-aware subscriptions. Strategies are supported by first-class active subscriptions that can deploy lower-order dynamic publisher / publisher cross-subscriptions where events enter the CBPS system. By exchanging data on an as-needed basis, event traffic can be dramatically reduced. Our algorithm for detecting the proximity of mobile buddies reduces event traffic from O( |events| ) to O( |movement| ) worst case, O( lg₂|movement| ) expected. Experiments reveal an 81% reduction with current positioning technologies.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition Increases Basal Vascular Tissue Plasminogen Activator Release in Women But Not in Men

Objective— Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) increases vascular tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) release through endogenous bradykinin (BK). We tested the hypothesis that gender influences the effect of ACEI on t-PA release. Methods and Results— We measured the effect of intra-arterial enalaprilat (0.33 μg/min per 100 mL forearm volume) on forearm blood flow (FBF) and net t-PA release before and during BK (25 to 400 ng/min) and methacholine (3.2 to 12.8 μg/min) in premenopausal women, postmenopausal women not using hormone replacement, young men, and older men. Baseline net t-PA release was similar among groups. Enalaprilat increased basal t-PA release in premenopausal (from 0.9±1.0 to 5.1±1.7 ng/min per 100 mL, P =0.023) and postmenopausal women (from −3.9±2.2 to 3.9±1.1 ng/min per 100 mL, P =0.010) but not in young or older men ( P =0.028 men versus women). Enalaprilat potentiated the effect of exogenous BK on FBF similarly in all groups. However, during enalaprilat, BK-stimulated t-PA release was greatest in premenopausal women (339.9±86.4 ng/min per 100 mL at the 100 ng/min dose, P P Conclusion— ACEI enhances basal t-PA release in women, independent of menopausal status, but not in men. During ACEI, both gender and menopausal status affect BK stimulated t-PA release.
Supervillin Binding to Myosin II and Synergism with Anillin Are Required for Cytokinesis

Supervillin binding to myosin II is crucial for cytokinetic fidelity. This function complements that of anillin in promoting myosin II localization and cleavage furrow ingression during mammalian c...
The Yaa Locus and IFN-α Fine-Tune Germinal Center B Cell Selection in Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Male NZW/BXSB.Yaa (W/B) mice express two copies of TLR7 and develop pathogenic autoantibodies, whereas females with only one copy of TLR7 have attenuated disease. Our goal was to analyze the regulation of the autoantibody response in male and female W/B mice bearing the autoreactive site-directed H chain transgene 3H9. Serum anti-dsDNA Abs appeared in males at 12 wk, and most had high-titer IgG anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin Abs and developed >300 mg/dl proteinuria by 8 mo. Females had only low-titer IgG anti-cardiolipin Abs, and none developed proteinuria by 1 y. Males had a smaller marginal zone than females with a repertoire that was distinct from the follicular repertoire, indicating that the loss of marginal zone B cells was not due to diversion to the follicular compartment. Vk5-43 and Vk5-48, which were rare in the naive repertoire, were markedly overrepresented in the germinal center repertoire of both males and females, but the VJ junctions differed between males and females with higher-affinity autoreactive B cells being selected into the germinal centers of males. Administration of IFN-α to females induced anti-cardiolipin and anti-DNA autoantibodies and proteinuria and was associated with a male pattern of junctional diversity in Vk5-43 and Vk5-48. Our studies are consistent with the hypothesis that presence of the Yaa locus, which includes an extra copy of Tlr7, or administration of exogenous IFN-α relaxes the stringency for selection in the germinal centers resulting in increased autoreactivity of the Ag-driven B cell repertoire.
Sepsis and cholestasis

Sepsis-associated cholestasis should always be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of jaundice in the hospitalized or critically ill patient. The development of a disproportionate elevation of serum bilirubin in comparison with serum alkaline phosphatase and serum aminotransferases should be considered an early warning sign of an underlying infection, even in the absence of fever,leukocytosis, or other signs or symptoms. Prompt recognition and appropriate medical and surgical intervention may reduce morbidity and mortality.
Increasing cancer-specific gene expression by targeting overexpressed α5β1 integrin and upregulated transcriptional activity of NF-κB.

We developed a modular multifunctional nonviral gene delivery system by targeting the overexpressed cancer surface receptor α5β1 integrin and the upregulated transcriptional activity of the cancer resistance mediating transcription factor NF-κB, thereby introducing a new form of transcriptional targeting. NF-κB regulated therapy can improve specificity of gene expression in cancer tissue and also may offset NF-κB mediated cancer resistance. We delivered a luciferase gene under the control of an NF-κB responsive element (pNF-κB-Luc) encapsulated in a PR_b peptide functionalized stealth liposome that specifically targets the α5β1 integrin and achieved increased gene expression in DLD-1 colorectal cancer cells compared to BJ-fibroblast healthy cells in vitro. The multitargeted system was also able to differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells better than either of the individually targeted systems. In addition, we constructed a novel cancer therapeutic plasmid by cloning a highly potent diphtheria ...
A Human Islet Cell Culture System for High-Throughput Screening

A small-molecule inducer of beta-cell proliferation in human islets represents a potential regeneration strategy for treating type 1 diabetes. However, the lack of suitable human beta cell lines makes such a discovery a challenge. Here, we adapted an islet cell culture system to high-throughput screening to identify such small molecules. We prepared microtiter plates containing extracellular matrix from a human bladder carcinoma cell line. Dissociated human islets were seeded onto these plates, cultured for up to 7 days, and assessed for proliferation by simultaneous Ki67 and C-peptide immunofluorescence. Importantly, this environment preserved beta-cell physiological function, as measured by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Adenoviral overexpression of cdk-6 and cyclin D 1 , known inducers of human beta cell proliferation, was used as a positive control in our assay. This induction was inhibited by cotreatment with rapamycin, an immunosuppressant often used in islet transplantation. We then performed a pilot screen of 1280 compounds, observing some phenotypic effects on cells. This high-throughput human islet cell culture method can be used to assess various aspects of beta-cell biology on a relatively large number of compounds.
2-D Tridiagonal IIR Filters/Systems: State Space and Circuit Realizations

In this paper state space and circuit realizations are presented for tridiagonal discrete state space 2D filters. The proposed state space realizations are based on the corresponding circuit implementations. For the state space realization the 2D Roesser and Cyclic models are used. The dimension of the state vectors are minimal for both models. A low-order example is presented to illustrate the proposed results.
RELIGION AND CRIME REEXAMINED: THE IMPACT OF RELIGION, SECULAR CONTROLS, AND SOCIAL ECOLOGY ON ADULT CRIMINALITY*

Since Hirschi and Stark's (1969) surprising failure to find religious (“hellfire”) effects on delinquency, subsequent research has generally revealed an inverse relationship between religiosity and various forms of deviance, delinquency, and crime. The complexity of the relationship and conditions under which it holds, however, continue to be debated. Although a few researchers have found that religion's influence is noncontingent, most have found support—especially among youths—for effects that vary by denomination, type of offense, and social and/or religious context. More recently the relationship has been reported as spurious when relevant secular controls are included. Our research attempts to resolve these issues by testing the religion-crime relationship in models with a comprehensive crime measure and three separate dimensions of religiosity. We also control for secular constraints, religious networks, and social ecology. We found that, among our religiosity measures, participation in religious activities was a persistent and noncontingent inhibiter of adult crime.
β-Hydroxybutyrate and response to hypoxia in the ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecimlineatus

1. Previous studies have suggested that elevated ketone levels are associated with increased survival time in rodents exposed to hypoxia. In this study the association between whole blood BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate) and hypoxic survival time was investigated in hibernating and non-hibernating ground squirrels and in rats. 2. Non-hibernating ground squirrels and rats were exposed to hypoxia (4.5% O2). One hundred per cent of ground squirrels survived 1 hr of hypoxia vs 20% of rats. 3. Ketone levels were significantly higher in ground squirrels than rats during hypoxia, and rats surviving the longest had the highest ketone levels. 4. When hibernation was induced in ground squirrels there was a significant increase in beta-hydroxy-butyrate from 0.45 to 1.6 mM (P = 0.0005). 5. Ground squirrel heart mitochondrial respiratory control ratios and ATP synthesis rates indicated no preferential ketone utilization which might suggest a possible extramitochondrial role of BHB during hypoxia. 6. We conclude that elevated blood BHB levels are associated with increased hypoxic survival and they may have evolved in response to life-threatening hypoxia as experienced during hibernation.
Forest microenvironments and resting energetics of the American marten Martes Americana

To determine whether American martens Martes americana behaviourally thermoregulate in winter, and to estimate the energetic cost of resting in various forest microhabitats, we studied microenvironments used by martens in a coniferous forest in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming. We hypothesized that martens would rest in sites that minimized energetic costs, and that the relative thermal efficiency of sites would vary as a function of snow depth and weather. By measuring heat loss from a heated model and calculating operative temperature, we found that equivalent marten metabolic rates were inversely related to operative temperatures. Operative temperatures were generally higher outside resting cavities than inside, except when snow was > 15 cm, outside air temperature was ? -5?C, and wind was 2 0.3 m s-'. For the models lying on a snowy substrate, total body conductance was 0.32 W "C-', 23% higher than with the models lying on dry wood chips. The microenvironments of resting sites and the preferences of martens generally are consistent with our hypothesis of behavioural thermoregulation. Conductance contributed strongly to total thermal losses and to explaining selection of resting sites. We propose a decision tree to predict where American martens should rest under a range of environmental conditions.
Marketing and Structure—How Related to Group Action

Before we move directly into considering the “why” of agricultural cooperatives, let us review general economic activity and why it takes place. What are the objectives of the economic actors and how do they attempt to meet their objectives? Are the objectives of the decision makers who guide economic activity of firms in complete alignment with so-called public interest objectives? If the results of economic activity indicate a divergence between the goals and objectives of the decision makers and those which the public would prefer, what are the implications for public policy in general and policy regarding agricultural cooperatives in particular? Finally, what is marketing and how is it involved in all our deliberations?
2-D plasma dust crystal compression in a parabolic well

A spherically curved (locally parabolic) electrode with a conformal plasma sheath can be used to directly test two-dimensional (2-D) plasma crystal particle-particle interaction models and to derive the screening length and the charge on the particles. By using such a well, the lateral interaction potential was isolated and accessible. Good agreement was obtained between measured and calculated single particle trajectories using measured gas densities and temperatures to determine the neutral gas drag. Plasma crystal compression in the parabolic potential was demonstrated to be in good agreement with that predicted by an equation of state for the 2-D dust layer incorporating Debye shielding of the charges.
Extending Partial Lactation Milk and Fat Records with a Function of Last-Sample Production

Abstract Holstein production records (364,328) from the Northeast were used to develop a procedure to extend in-progress and terminated records. A function was developed involving last-sample production which accounts for systematic influences in estimating remaining yield, which is yield from day of last sample to day 305. Last-sample production was used because remaining yield is estimated more accurately from last-sample production than from cumulative yield. The function is: estimated 305-day yield=yield in first n days + [(b 1 + b 2 n) last production + \( b 3 + b 4 n \) /last production)]· (305-n). The coefficients (b's) were estimated within three stages ( 245 days in milk), four age at freshening groups ( 60 mo, 34 to 36 mo cows were placed in the first group if freshening for the first time), three herd yields ( 7000kg), and six 2-mo season-of-freshening groups by least squares for milk and fat yield. Cumulative yield factors were developed from the same data and compared with this function. The last-sample function had smaller error variance.
Continuation or reintroduction of an antineoplastic strategy after documented disease progression

It has long been recognized that patients in a number of clinical settings (e.g., lymphomas, ovarian cancer) who respond to a particular cytotoxic antineoplastic agent/ regimen and who recur at some variously defined time interval after treatment discontinuation may experience a second (or third) response to the same or similar drug(s) [1] . In fact, such an approach would be considered standard of care with a relatively prolonged treatment-free interval between the time of treatment discontinuation and the development of documented disease recurrence. Recent data provide support for the continuation of several more ‘targeted’ antineoplastic agents after documented disease progression where the drug had been employed as a component of the prior treatment strategy [2, 3] . However, to date, there remains limited published experience utilizing this basic approach. Therefore, the report by Naing et al. [4] is an important addition to this literature as it strongly suggests the potential substantial therapeutic utility of employing this strategy to disease management in carefully considered clinical settings. Similar to the experience with cytotoxic drugs, these investigators considered the reintroduction of a targeted antineoplastic in patients whose cancers had previously exhibited evidence of biological activity and had a rather prolonged period of time between the initial use of the It is increasingly acknowledged that our understanding of the complexity of cancer biology is limited. This recognition has resulted in the recent rather rapid development of often paradigm-changing concepts of how cancer develops and progresses and how it can be optimally managed. The profoundly oversimplified view of a given cancer as a biologically homogeneous entity within a class of illnesses (e.g., breast, lung, and others) or within an individual patient has essentially been abandoned with the realization that malignant disease, even within a single patient, is remarkably heterogeneous in its molecular makeup. As an extension of this realization, it is relevant to question, if not outright discard, the long-standing concept within the clinical oncology arena that ‘progression’ in a single mass lesion in a patient with a malignancy should be viewed as an indication that cancer throughout the body is now ‘resistant’ to a given antineoplastic strategy. While such a determination is rational when attempting to define an objectively finite endpoint within a given clinical trial (e.g., time to the initial episode of documented disease progression for patients on regimen A compared to those on regimen B), the clinical utility of this endpoint outside the confines of a study is increasingly questionable. Published online: December 6, 2013
A LEGAL APPROACH TO THE USE OF HUMAN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES

Human Biological Materials (HBM) come from individuals in a variety of circumstances. The use of HBM for research purposes raises a host of difficult ethical questions. The law is important in this arena because, in most cases, legal principles significantly influence the making of ethical choices. Following a general overview of research regulation in the United States generally and a few comments on the relevance of international statements for this country, this article explores several specific legal issues, and their ethical implications, related to the obtaining and handling of HBM for research purposes, namely: informed consent; privacy; and commercial or ownership (property) interests in HBM. The article concludes that, although the realistic liability risks are low, the law’s important role in characterizing the rights and responsibilities involved will be very influential in shaping the ways that the chasm between science and ethics is resolved within the context of the use of human tissue for research purposes.
Changes in Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Fecundity and Male Wing Length Resulting from Defoliation

The influence of defoliation on gypsy moth fecundity and male moth wing length and the relationship between male moth wing length and egg mass density were investigated. Male pupae and egg masses were collected from plots located in the leading edge area of the gypsy moth infestation in Virginia and Maryland. Defoliation and egg mass density estimates were made in each plot. Male pupae were allowed to emerge, and the left forewings of 2,636 moths were measured to determine wing length. Fecundity was determined volumetrically for 767 egg masses. Gypsy moth fecundity and male wing length decreased substantially only when defoliation exceeded a threshold level of ≍40%. There was a minimal change in fecundity and male wing length due to increasing levels of defoliation above or below this threshold. Thus, the effect of defoliation on male wing length and fecundity is essentially binomial (i.e., male wing lengthy is either large or small and fecundity is either high or low). Wing length of male moths explained only ≍10% of the variation in egg mass density in the area where pupae were collected. The wing length of moths captured in pheromone traps used in conjunction with the number of moths captured may be useful for monitoring gypsy moth populations.
Intragastric and Intraintestinal Inoculations with St. Louis Encephalitis Virus

SummaryOur studies indicate that it is difficult to secure cerebral infection when the virus of St. Louis encephalitis is introduced into the intestinal tract. Nevertheless one definite infection did occur after intraintestinal inoculation. We feel the experimental procedure ruled out the nasal route of infection. Some degree of humoral immunity was produced in mice both by intragastric and intraintestinal inoculation. Only two animals survived the subsequent intracerebral injection of 100 lethal doses of virus, showing that only rarely is adequate protection against infection provided by intragastric or intraintestinal virus inoculations.
Business Demand and the Development of the Telegraph in the United States, 1844–1860

“The telegraph system in America is eminently characteristic of the national mind. At its very birth, it became the handmaiden of commerce.” So wrote the editor of a telegraph trade journal in 1853. Professor Du Boff describes an antebellum American business community that was as ready for a “revolution” in its size and structure as the dawning science of electricity was ready to make it happen. The result was the telegraph and its enthusiastic adoption in a few short years by a business system that quickly became national in scope and outlook. The railroad may ultimately have changed America even more than the telegraph but, as Du Boff shows, the railroad was originally conceived as a local and regional facility whereas the telegraph was interregional in its impact from its very beginnings.
Immunohemagglutination test for rapid detection and assay of rubella antibodies.

SummaryTanned adult chicken erythro-cytes were found to adsorb rubella virus and there to be agglutinated by rubella antibody. Pre- and postimmunization sera were collected from guinea pigs and rabbits given live WM strain rubella virus grown in LLC-MK2 or BHK21 cells. Paired sera from human cases of rubella were also tested. In animals preim-munization titers were <2 and ranged from 64 to 2,048 postimmunization. Titers in convalescent humans ranged from 8 to 128. Significantly lesser increases in titer were seen with erythrocytes sensitized with uninfected tissue culture medium. Comparison of human hemagglutination (HA) and fluorescent antibody titers showed good agreement. HA titers varied with the infectivity titer of the sensitizing RV and HPV-77 strain RV reacted similarly.
Genomic characterization of a dengue-1virus originated from South America , 2012

During the past decade,dozens of imported dengue fever cases have been annually notified in Fujian Province,China,most infections are associated with travel histories in Southeast Asia.In this study,one dengue-1strain was isolated from a Chinese patient returned from Suriname recently,the full-length viral genome was sequenced,hence,its genetic characterization was analyzed.It was indicated from phylogenetic analysis that this strain was distinct from current South American strains available,while BLAST analysis revealed high homology with strains circulating in Southeast Asia.Therefore,it is highlighted that continuous surveillance for circulating dengue viruses,especially with partial or complete genome sequences,would facilitate in tracking viral transmission routes and monitoring ongoing microevolution in dengue strains worldwide.
Subgrade Treatment Effects for Collapsibe Loess Subgrade of Fuxin-Chaoyang Freeway in West of Liaoning Province

In order to determine the technical program and technical parameters for stabilizing collapsible loess of subgrade treatment in west of Liaoning,some experimental research of stabilizing subgrade,such as,dynamic compaction,impact-rolling and lime soil pile,has been carried out.Combining in-situ test with laboratory experiment,the physical and mechanical properties in experimental areas are compared before and after treatment,and some conclusions are drawn out such as:(1) It is effective to treat 4 m to 6 m in depth under 800 kN·m to 1 600 kN·m in compaction energy without with not less than 8 tamper times;(2) Lime soil pile is suitable to improve subgrade with thick loess,which can dispel the loess collapisibility either in the range of pile length or in a certain extent from pile end;(3) The method of impact-rolling is useful to treat loess with the less thickness of the layer and topsoil with about 1m in depth,and impact rolling is optimal in 40 times.The result mentioned above provided a technical references for collapsible loess sudgrade treatment in this area.
A simple physiological repair of diaphragmatic hernia: Repositioning of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Simple repositioning of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is an effective method of correcting reflux associated with hiatal hernia. Only gastric wall without fundoplication is utilized for placement of repair sutures. Twenty-six patients were studied before and after surgery. Studies included standard history, measurement of LES pressure, testing for reflux, and acid clearing. Preoperatively 73 per cent of patients had classic symptoms of reflux esophagitis; the remainder had other symptoms. After the operation all patients were in markedly improved condition, with 77 per cent reporting complete cessation of symptoms. Seventeen patients had low LES pressure (less than 10 mm. Hg). In this group, the mean preoperative pressure of 6.8 mm. Hg rose to 13.2 mm. Hg after the operation (p
Abstract IA24: Understanding and tackling differing vascular niches in glioma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most belligerent adult brain tumor, which is defined by its aggressive growth due to uncontrolled cellular proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, diffuse infiltration and invasion, propensity for necrosis and hypoxia, and vigorous angiogenesis. Recurrence of these invasive tumors is inevitable despite advanced multimodal therapy with surgery followed by radiation and temozolomide treatment resulting in a dismal median survival of beyond one year. A recent milestone in glioma research has been the revelation that therapies targeting other cell types besides tumor cells; i.e., the cell constituents of the vascular niche can convey substantial improvements in radiographic response, progression-free survival, and quality of life. The changing perspective on the environment as a functional contributor represents a profound shift in the approach to biology and therapeutic decisions in GBM. Here, we describe paracrine signaling pathways of the differing vascular niches that regulate angiogenesis or tumor invasiveness and present therapeutic modalities to target those to more efficiently block diffuse and angiogenic GBM growth. Citation Format: Gabriele Bergers. Understanding and tackling differing vascular niches in glioma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Brain Cancer Research; May 27-30, 2015; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(23 Suppl):Abstract nr IA24.