cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role playing games for scientific citizenship

Research has shown that video games can be good for learning, particularly for STEM topics. However, in order for games to be scalable and sustainable, associated research must move beyond considerations of efficacy towards theories that account for classroom ecologies of students and teachers. This study asks how a digital game called Citizen Science, built using tropes and conventions from modern games, might help learners develop identities as citizen scientists within the domain of lake ecology. We conducted an expert-novice study, revealing that games literacy was a mediating variable for content understanding. In a follow-up classroom implementation, games literacy also operated as a variable, although students drove the activity, which mediated this concern. The teacher devised a number of novel pedagogies, such as a field trip, in response to the unit. We found evidence for the most powerful learning occurring through these activities that were reinforced via the curriculum. Students were most engaged by Citizen Science’s most “gamelike” features, and learners took up the core ideas of the game. Users also reported the experience was short of commercial gaming experiences, suggesting a tension between game cultures for learning and schools.
Rigidity criteria for one-dimensional translations

A special-relativistic rigidity criterion for a body undergoing a nonuniform one-dimensional translation has recently been proposed by Evett, in the form of a differential equation. An integrated form of this criterion is given. Evett’s definition is compared with the classical concept of rigidity, with Born’s definition, with « radar » rigidity and with a stronger form of the latter in which the velocity of light in the accelerated frame of reference attached to the body is required to be independent of time. It turns out that there exists one particular type of motion for which Evett’s definition and the classical definition are simultaneously satisfied, and one type of motion for which both Evett’s and Born’s criteria are satisfied. Any law of motion that satisfies Evett’s requirement is compatible with both the weaker and the stronger form of« radar » rigidity.
Light-chain removal by plasmapheresis in myeloma-associated renal failure.

Background Although plasmapheresis has been recommended to reverse nephrotoxic elevations of serum free light chains (sFLCs), there are scant published data on removal of sFLC measured with modern assays. Study design and methods sFLC levels were recorded in two patients with myeloma-associated renal failure receiving multiple plasmapheresis procedures. Results In one patient, presenting with acute renal failure 8 months after diagnosis of kappa-LC myeloma, 16 plasmapheresis procedures neither reduced sFLC levels (percent removal ranging from -70% to +40%) nor improved renal function. In another patient who presented with leukemic immunoglobulin A-lambda myeloma and acute renal failure, sFLC decreased by 30 to 60 percent after each plasmapheresis procedure, but rebounded within 5 to 10 hours. Renal failure occurred despite plasmapheresis, and hemodialysis was required. Conclusions In both patients, plasmapheresis failed to effectively lower sFLC levels. The results provide initial biologic data supporting the conclusions of a recent randomized multicenter clinical trial in which plasmapheresis was an ineffective adjunct to chemotherapy for myeloma-associated acute renal failure.
Mucinous tumors of the ovary: Diagnostic challenges at frozen section and clinical implications

Abstract Objective Frozen section (FS) diagnosis of mucinous tumors of the ovary can be quite difficult due to the size of these tumors, heterogeneity and potential risk of metastasis from gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms. Given the paucity of data on this subject, our objective was to determine the reliability of FS diagnosis in ovarian mucinous tumors. Methods A retrospective review of 73 consecutive ovarian mucinous tumors submitted for frozen section (FS) evaluation between January 2004 and November 2009 was conducted. FS and final pathology results, in addition to patient characteristics, were collected. Univariate analysis was performed evaluating predictors of FS reliability. Results The average tumor size was 19.7 cm (0.8–50 cm). The FS and final pathology diagnosis were concordant in 66% (48/73) of the cases. Of the 25 (34%) discordant cases, 8 (11%) were downgraded and 17 cases (23%) were upgraded. Of the 44 tumors interpreted as LMP on FS, 14 (32%) were malignant at final diagnosis (26% ovarian, 7% GI) and 8 (18%) were benign. Of the 23 benign tumors on FS, 13% were upgraded to either LMP or malignant at final diagnosis. Tumors with a malignant diagnosis on FS were 100% concordant with final diagnosis. Univariate analysis did not reveal any correlation with the FS diagnosis and patient age, tumor size or presence of bilateral disease. Conclusions Our study showed a 34% rate of discordance between FS and final diagnosis. Given that 5 cases (7%) were of GI origin, intraoperative assessment of the appendix should be performed in all mucinous ovarian tumors.
Protection and recycling of alpha-tocopherol in human erythrocytes by intracellular ascorbic acid.

Abstract Ascorbic acid can recycle α-tocopherol from the tocopheroxyl free radical in lipid bilayers and in micelles, but such recycling has not been demonstrated to occur across cell membranes. In this work the ability of intracellular ascorbate to protect and to recycle α-tocopherol in intact human erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghosts was investigated. In erythrocytes that were 80% depleted of intracellular ascorbate by treatment with the nitroxide Tempol, both 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and ferricyanide oxidized α-tocopherol to a greater extent than in cells not depleted of ascorbate. In contrast, in erythrocytes in which the intracellular ascorbate concentration had been increased by loading with dehydroascorbate, loss of α-tocopherol was less with both oxidants than in control cells. Protection against AAPH-induced oxidation of α-tocopherol was not prevented by extracellular ascorbate oxidase, indicating that the protection was due to intracellular and not to extracellular ascorbate. Incubation of erythrocytes with lecithin liposomes also generated an oxidant stress, which caused lipid peroxidation in the liposomes and depleted erythrocyte α-tocopherol, leading to hemolysis. Ascorbate loading of the erythrocytes delayed liposome oxidation and decreased loss of α-tocopherol from both cells and from α-tocopherol-loaded liposomes. When erythrocyte ghosts were resealed to contain ascorbate and challenged with free radicals generated by AAPH outside the ghosts, intravesicular ascorbate was totally depleted over 1 h of incubation, whereas α-tocopherol decreased only after ascorbate was substantially oxidized. These results suggest that ascorbate within the erythrocyte protects α-tocopherol in the cell membrane by a direct recycling mechanism.
Crowding and behavior

Based on research conducted over the past 5 or 6 years it has been concluded that 1) high density crowding generally does not have negative effects on humans and 2) high density does have effects on people but these effects depend on other factors in the situation. The attempt is made to offer a theory of density that explains all possible diverse effects. The premise is that crowding is not necessarily negative for it refers to the physical state of not having much space rather than to an internal state. The question is how a person is affected by the physical situation of crowding and how high density affects the behavior feelings and health of people. Although social and economic problems must be resolved before the crimes they generate can disappear the encouragement of social interaction and a sense of community can reduce dissatisfaction and create a better place to live. City streets can be made interesting rather than left to be deserted and dangerous. Furthermore it is necessary to accept the fact that high density will continue in the forseeable future. Although fighting the population exp losion is important it is both unrealistic and unnecessary to worry about the possibility of depopulating the major urban centers. People have always concentrated in the cities and will continue to do so for the essence of the city is large populations concentrated in fairly small areas. The problem of the cities is not high density. If the cities can be made healthy and pleasant living places the high density will enhance their positive aspects.
At the intersection of leadership and learning: a self-study of using student-centered pedagogies in the classroom

This paper describes the outcomes of a self-study that we undertook as instructors of a capstone undergraduate leadership course. Using the framework of action inquiry and a variety of pedagogical approaches, we sought to create a course and classroom environment that was student-centered, empowering, and transformative. Three questions are addressed: how can we improve the balance of our authority with our roles as instructors; how can we use the balance of role and authority to empower our students; and how can we be critically reflective of our teaching process to improve our learning? Data for these questions were collected from four years of individual and joint reflection and journaling. Additionally, students’ reflection papers in the course served as an additional source of data and triangulation.
“I Know I’m Unlovable”: Desperation, Dislocation, Despair, and Discourse on the Academic Job Hunt

Failure, according to the academic canonical narrative, is anything other than a tenure-track professorship. The academic job hunt is fraught with unknowns: a time of fear, hope, and despair. This ...
The Escherichia coli dam gene is expressed as a distal gene of a new operon

DNA containing the Escherichia coli dam gene and sequences upstream from this gene were cloned from the Clarke-Carbon plasmids pLC29-47 and pLC13-42. Promoter activity was localized using pKO expression vectors and galactokinase assays to two regions, one 1650–2100 bp and the other beyon 2400 bp upstream of the dam gene. No promoter activity was detected immediately in front of this gene; plasmid pDam118, from which the nucleotide sequence of the dam gene was determined, is shown to contain the pBR322 promoter for the primer RNA from the pBR322 rep region present on a 76 bp Sau3A fragment inserted upstream of the dam gene in the correct orientation for dam expression. The nucleotide sequence upstream of dam has been determined. An open reading frame (ORF) is present between the nearest promoter region and the dam gene. Codon usage and base frequency analysis indicate that this is expressed as a protein of predicted size 46 kDa. A protein of size close to 46 kDa is expressed from this region, detected using minicell analysis. No function has been determined for this protein, and no significant homology exist between it and sequences in the PIR protein or GenBank DNA databases. This unidentified reading frame (URF) is termed urf-74.3, since it is an URF located at 74.3 min on the E. coli chromosome. Sequence comparisons between the regions upstream of urf-74.3 and the aroB gene show that the aroB gene is located immediately upstream of urf-74.3, and that the promoter activity nearest to dam is found within the aroB structural gene. This activity is relatively weak (about 15% of that of the E. coli gal operon promoter). The promoter activity detected beyond 2400 bp upstream of dam is likely to be that of the aroB gene, and is 3 to 4 times stronger than that found within the aroB gene. Three potential DnaA binding sites, each with homology of 8 of 9 bp, are present, two in the aroB promoter region and one just upstream of the dam gene. Expression through the site adjacent to the dam gene is enhanced 2-to 4-fold in dnaA mutants at 38°C. Restriction site comparisons map these regions precisely on the Clarke-Carbon plasmids pLC13-42 and pLC29-47, and show that the E. coli ponA (mrcA) gene resides about 6 kb upstream of aroB.
Plasmonic enhancement of photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange under visible light

Abstract By integrating strongly plasmonic Au nanoparticles with strongly catalytic TiO 2 , we observe enhanced photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange under visible illumination. Irradiating Au nanoparticles at their plasmon resonance frequency creates intense electric fields, which can be used to increase electron–hole pair generation rate in semiconductors. As a result, the photocatalytic activity of large bandgap semiconductors, like TiO 2 , can be extended into the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, we report a 9-fold improvement in the photocatalytic decomposition rate of methyl orange driven by a photocatalyst consisting of strongly plasmonic Au nanoparticles deposited on top of strongly catalytic TiO 2 . Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations indicate that the improvement in photocatalytic activity in the visible range can be attributed to the electric field enhancement near the metal nanoparticles. The intense local fields produced by the surface plasmons couple light efficiently to the surface of the TiO 2 . This enhancement mechanism is particularly effective because of TiO 2 ’s short exciton diffusion length, which would otherwise limit its photocatalytic efficiency. Our electromagnetic simulations of this process suggest that enhancement factors many times larger than this are possible if this mechanism can be optimized.
Salamander diversity alters stream macroinvertebrate community structure

Summary Salamanders are abundant consumers in many fishless stream ecosystems, but few studies have explicitly examined their ecological role. Stream-dwelling salamander larvae are generalist predators of aquatic macroinvertebrates and may play an important role in structuring macroinvertebrate communities. The potential for emergent effects of multiple predator species suggests that changes in salamander diversity could alter their effects on macroinvertebrate communities, but this has not been tested. We used in-stream enclosures to manipulate the presence and diversity of the two most abundant salamanders, Eurycea wilderae (EWIL) and Desmognathus quadramaculatus (DQUA), in a southern Appalachian Mountain headwater stream to examine the impacts of salamander predation on macroinvertebrate communities. We were particularly interested in testing for potential diversity effects by comparing the effects of each species in monoculture to polycultures of both species (BOTH). Salamanders reduced macroinvertebrate abundance compared to the control treatment (CONTROL), but only when both species were present together. The general pattern of macroinvertebrate abundance among treatments was: CONTROL = EWIL = DQUA > BOTH, although no treatment significantly reduced the abundance of epibenthic taxa. The BOTH treatment also significantly altered macroinvertebrate community structure and reduced taxon richness by c. 57%. The effects of salamanders were particularly pronounced for chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae), which comprised the majority of macroinvertebrate total abundance. Increased salamander diversity substantially altered macroinvertebrate communities, suggesting that niche complementarity or facilitation occurred despite the apparent functional similarity of these two species. Therefore, changes in salamander diversity may alter the effects of salamander communities on macroinvertebrates, which may cascade through food webs to affect stream ecosystem function.
Understanding benefits and addressing misperceptions and barriers to intrauterine device access among populations in the United States

Three intrauterine devices (IUDs), one copper and two containing the progestin levonorgestrel, are available for use in the United States. IUDs offer higher rates of contraceptive efficacy than nonlong-acting methods, and several studies have demonstrated higher satisfaction rates and continuation rates of any birth control method. This efficacy is not affected by age or parity. The safety of IUDs is well studied, and the risks of pelvic inflammatory disease, perforation, expulsion, and ectopic pregnancy are all of very low incidence. Noncontraceptive benefits include decreased menstrual blood loss, improved dysmenorrhea, improved pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, and protection of the endometrium from hyperplasia. The use of IUDs is accepted in patients with multiple medical problems who may have contraindications to other birth control methods. Yet despite well-published data, concerns and misperceptions still persist, especially among younger populations and nulliparous women. Medical governing bodies advocate for use of IUDs in these populations, as safety and efficacy is unchanged, and IUDs have been shown to decrease unintended pregnancies. Dispersion of accurate information among patients and practitioners is needed to further increase the acceptability and use of IUDs.
Combined Fragment Molecular Orbital Cluster in Molecule Approach to Massively Parallel Electron Correlation Calculations for Large Systems.

The local correlation “cluster-in-molecule” (CIM) method is combined with the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method, providing a flexible, massively parallel, and near-linear scaling approach to the calculation of electron correlation energies for large molecular systems. Although the computational scaling of the CIM algorithm is already formally linear, previous knowledge of the Hartree–Fock (HF) reference wave function and subsequent localized orbitals is required; therefore, extending the CIM method to arbitrarily large systems requires the aid of low-scaling/linear-scaling approaches to HF and orbital localization. Through fragmentation, the combined FMO-CIM method linearizes the scaling, with respect to system size, of the HF reference and orbital localization calculations, achieving near-linear scaling at both the reference and electron correlation levels. For the 20-residue alanine α helix, the preliminary implementation of the FMO-CIM method captures 99.6% of the MP2 correlation energy, requirin...
Idiopathic cervical dystonia: Clinical characteristics

We reviewed detailed clinical features of 266 patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia, commonly called spasmodic torticollis. Mean age at onset (41 years), female-to-male ratio (1.9:1), clustering of onset between ages 30 and 59 (70%), familial history of dystonia (12%), and remissions (9.8%) were similar to those found in previous studies. In contrast to the single prior large clinical study of this disorder, no predominance of right-handers or significant thyroid disease was found. Pain, which occurred in 75% of patients and contributed to disability score (p less than 0.01), distinguishes this syndrome from all other focal dystonias. Pain was also strongly associated with constant (vs. intermittent) head turning, severity of head turning, and presence of spasm. Eighty-three percent of patients had deviation of the head of greater than 75% of the time when sitting with the head unsupported (constant head deviation at rest). Of the 97% who had head turning, 81% also had head tilting in various combinations. The 23% with hand tremor had an older age at onset (mean, 46 vs. 41 years; p less than 0.05). An earlier age at onset (p less than 0.05) was seen in patients with a family history of dystonia (mean, 36 years), with trauma shortly preceding symptoms (mean, 36 years), with a change in the direction of head turning (mean, 30 years), and with remissions (mean, 33 years). Jerky movements or forced transient spasms of the head occurred in 62% of the patients, and these patients would be the ones for whom the designation "spasmodic torticollis" could logically apply.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
HIV-AIDS in Tanzania--realities on the ground.

Ligula Hospital in Mtwara, Tanzania, has enrolled more than 700 patients as part of a national rollout of antiretroviral treatment and AIDS care. This collection of photographs by Dr. Beth Zeeman features the Ligula Hospital.
The Effect of Adolescent Neighborhood Poverty on Adult Employment

Neighborhood environments affect the long-term labor market success of America’s urban youth. Urban poverty grew more spatially concentrated during the 1970s and 1980s as industrial economies drama...
Synchronization of Rous sarcoma virus production in chick embryo cells.

The growth of chick embryo fibroblasts transformed by and producing the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus was synchronized by exposure to serum-free medium. It was found that virus-specific RNA and protein synthesis and virus release are synchronized in these cells and occur in the early S and G1 phases of the cell cycle, respectively. These findings support the hypothesis that RSV synthesis is dependent upon specific host cell processes. The duration of the phases of the cell cycle in transformed cells could not be distinguished from the pattern in uninfected cells. Evidence is presented which indicates that the synchrony of transformed cells is achieved by the low pH of the serum-free medium rather than by the absence of serum.
Simultaneous determination of the second-harmonic generation emission directionality and reduced scattering coefficient from three-dimensional imaging of thick tissues

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy has intrinsic contrast for imaging fibrillar collagen and has shown great promise for disease characterization and diagnostics. In addition to morphology, additional information is achievable as the initially emitted SHG radiation directionality is related to subresolution fibril size and distribution. We show that by two parameter fittings, both the emission pattern (F SHG /B SHG ) creation and the reduced scattering coefficient μ ′ s , can be obtained from the best fits between three-dimensional experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations. The improved simulation framework accounts for collection apertures for the detected forward and backward components. We apply the new simulation framework to mouse tail tendon for validation and show that the spectral slope of μ ′ s obtained is similar to that from bulk optical measurements and that the (F SHG /B SHG ) creation values are also similar to previous results. Additionally, we find that the SHG emission becomes increasingly forward directed at longer wavelengths, which is consistent with decreased dispersion in refractive index between the laser and SHG wavelengths. As both the spectral slope of μ ′ s and (F SHG /B SHG ) creation have been linked to the underlying tissue structure, simultaneously obtaining these parameters on a microscope platform from the same tissue provides a powerful method for tissue characterization.
The utilization of short and medium chain length fatty acids by L1210 murine leukemia cells.

Abstract Many neoplasms are reported to be unable to utilize acetate for oxidation and synthesis of cell lipids. On this basis, it has been postulated that a metabolic deletion involving the utilization of short and medium chain fatty acids might be a general defect of neoplastic cells. In this study, we have demonstrated that the L 1210 murine leukemia cell is able to effectively utilize six short and medium chain fatty acids. The rate of oxidation was greater for those acids with shorter chain lengths. Glucose had a sparing effect on the oxidation of all fatty acids except acetate. The total uptake tended to increase with carbon chain length and this increase was due in part to greater incorporation into triglycerides. These data indicate that the absence of short and medium chain fatty acid activating enzymes is not a general metabolic deletion in neoplastic cells.
Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms in Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose—Use of endovascular coiling for treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in the elderly is increasing. We performed a meta-analysis of the literature examining clinical and angiographic outcomes for treatment of IAs in the elderly. Methods—We performed a comprehensive review of the literature from 1995 to 2012, reporting series of patients ≥65 years of age with ruptured or unruptured IAs treated with endovascular approach. Event rates were pooled across studies using random effects meta-analysis. Results—A total of 21 studies reporting on 1511 patients were included. Long-term aneurysm occlusion rates were 79% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70%–85%). Perioperative stroke occurred in 4% (95% CI, 3%–6%), with similar rates between patients with ruptured (5%; 95% CI, 3%–7%) and unruptured aneurysms (4%; 95% CI, 1%–14%; P=0.68). Intraprocedural rupture occurred in 1% (95% CI, 0%–3%) and 4% (95% CI, 2–6%; P=0.04) of patients with unruptured and ruptured aneurysms...
Setting standards of performance for program evaluations: the case of the teaching hospital general medicine group practice program.

Abstract Program evaluation is like research in its use of the scientific method. An important difference is that evaluations result in judgments of merit. What are the standards for making the judgments? Little attention has been paid to their selection and use. This article reports on how standards were set in an evaluation of the structure of fifteen of the nation's university hospitals who participated in the Teaching Hospital General Medicine Group Practice Program (sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Many sources were used to select standards including a review of the literature, expert advice and actual data from two years of the program's performance. Also, the standard-setting process was a participatory one in which all potentially competing views were provided with a forum for discussion. Finally, standards were set in advance of the collection of information, facilitating the selection of study designs and analysis techniques. Almost all project directors stated that the process helped them in program planning and gave them ideas for research and evaluation. Because standard-setting has mutual benefits, we recommend that it take place during program planning.
The procapsid binding domain of phi29 packaging RNA has a modular architecture and requires 2'-hydroxyl groups in packaging RNA interaction.

The 029 packaging RNA (pRNA) is an essential component in the 029 bacteriophage DNA packaging motor, the strongest biomolecular motor known today. Utilizing Mg 2 + -dependent intermolecular base pairing interactions between two 4-nucleotide loops within the pRNA procapsid binding domain, multiple copies of pRNA form a ring-shaped complex that is indispensable for packaging motor function. To understand pRNA structural organization and pRNA/pRNA interaction, studies were carried out on pRNA closed dimers, the simplest functional pRNA complex believed to be the building blocks for assembling the oligomeric ring. Tertiary folding and interactions in various pRNA mutants were evaluated based on measured closed dimer affinity that is directly linked to the proper positioning of the interacting loops. The data revealed that the procapsid binding domain contains two autonomous modules that are capable of interacting noncovalently to form a fully active species in pRNA/pRNA interaction. Deleting the 2'-hydroxyl groups in one of the interacting loops weakens the dimer affinity by 125-fold, suggesting potential tertiary interactions involving these 2'-hydroxyl groups. The results provide evidence that nonbase functional groups are involved in pRNA folding and interaction and lead to a simple model that describes the pRNA monomer configuration in terms of three arms spanning a hinge. The functional constructs developed here will aid biophysical and biochemical investigations of pRNA structure and function, as well as developments of pRNA-based technology for nanoscience and gene therapy.
Spin–Zeeman splitting and weak localization in lithium films

Abstract We have studied the magnetoresistance due to weak localization in quench-condensed lithium films in an effort to understand how the spin–Zeeman splitting of the conduction electrons influences weak localization. Very few studies have examined the magnetoresistance in metal films when the spin–Zeeman interaction is important, and some puzzling anomalies for the values of the conduction electron g-factor have been reported. However, due to inhomogeneity, strong disorder, or strong spin–orbit scattering, the previously studied systems were not ideal for testing weak-localization theory including the spin–Zeeman interaction. Our samples appear to be both homogeneous and weakly disordered and to have relatively low spin–orbit scattering rates. We report observation of a characteristic signature of the spin–Zeeman interaction in lithium films, and we obtain from our data a measure of the conduction-electron g-factor, which is found to be significantly higher than the expected value of 2.0. We show that the slight polarization of magnetic impurities in our samples due to the applied magnetic field offers a possible explanation for this enhancement.
Reorganization of deep ocean circulation accompanying a Late Cretaceous extinction event

DEEP ocean circulation may be a significant factor in determining global climate1–5. Increases in the flux of warm, saline waters from low to high latitudes would enhance the poleward transport of heat and, thus, help maintain the warm conditions at high latitudes typical of globally warm 'greenhouse' periods. But controversy exists1,2 as to whether the ocean's thermohaline circulation can transport enough heat to bring about the temperature distributions of these times, such as the mid-Cretaceous and early Eocene. Here we present stable-isotope records of ocean temperature and salinity that indicate that bottom waters in Late Cretaceous oceans of the Southern Hemisphere became cooler and less saline at the same time (about 70 Myr ago) as widespread biotic changes3'6–8. These findings support the idea that changes in deep ocean circulation can act as a climate switch.
Combining a computer simulation and eustatic events to date seismic sequence boundaries: a case study of the Neogene of the Bahamas

Abstract This paper demonstrates that the principles of seismic sequence stratigraphy and the techniques of computer simulation can be combined to date the sedimentary section. As an example it uses the Neogene section of the western shelf of the Straits of Andros in the Bahamas. To this end, type I, second-order seismic sequence boundaries were identified on a seismic cross-section from the region. These were used as brackets to correlate enclosed third-order events with an eustatic sea-level curve. The interpreted section was then reproduced using a computer simulation program. The simulation successfully reproduced the onlapping geometries of the shelf margin identified on the seismic section. The early Neogene fill of the Straits of Andros is assumed to have had an uncomplicated and uniform tectonic setting. This simplified the inputs to the simulation, which focused on capturing the sedimentary response to the eustatic changes. Inputs included a constant rate of subsidence of 0.009 m/ka, a uniform linearly increasing rate of carbonate accumulation from 28.5 Ma to 11.5 Ma, and the sea-level cycle chart of Haq et al. (1987) , updated for the Neogene with the absolute ages provided by Berggren et al. (1995) . The subsequent graphical output shows a good match to the interpreted seismic. This suggests that the amplitude and ages of the sea-level changes as shown in the eustatic chart can be used to date the sequence boundaries for the Neogene of the Straits of Andros. It also establishes that for areas of known subsidence, simulation techniques can be used to date seismic sections where biostratigraphic data are poor.
The Place of Attachment in Human Mating

Application of the principles of evolution and natural selection to the phenomena of human mating does not lead inevitably to a single theoretical model. According to the standard evolutionary model, formally known as sexual strategies theory (D. M. Buss & D. P. Schmitt, 1993), biologically based sex differences in parental investment have resulted in hard-wired sex differences in mate preferences and mating strategies. A critical analysis of the logical and empirical foundations of the theory reveals several weaknesses and limitations. This article demonstrates how attachment theory (J. Bowlby, 1969/1982, 1973, 1979, 1980, 1988) can be used to integrate a diverse set of ideas and research findings and provide a more grounded account of human mating.
Complete sequence determination of hemoglobin from endangered feline species using a combined ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography approach

Abstract We present the first complete amino acid sequences of Snow leopard (Uncia uncia) and Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) hemoglobin (Hb) determined using a combined ESI MS and X-ray crystallography approach. Using mass spectrometry alone, we were able to achieve 81%, 90%, 87% and 72% sequence coverage for the α-, and β-globins of Snow leopard Hb and the α-, and β-chain of Amur tiger Hb, respectively. The incomplete mass spectrometry-determined sequences were used to process X-ray diffraction data of Snow leopard and Amur tiger Hb crystals solved to 2.1 A and 1.8 A, respectively. Using tandem mass spectrometry in concert with the electron density maps from X-ray structures, we were able to not only achieve 100% coverage of all amino acid sequences, but to also distinguish between isomeric (leucine and isoleucine) and isobaric (glutamine and lysine) residues. These results demonstrate the synergy between mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography for the determination of full amino acid sequence coverage of abundant proteins.
A fluorometric procedure for estimation of galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase activity in red blood cells.

A simple, rapid, quantitative procedure has been developed for the estimation of galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase activity in RBC hemolyzates. The method is based on the native fluorescent emmission spectra of NADPH formed by d-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP oxidoreductase and 6-phospho-d-gluconate: NADP oxidoreductase present in the hemolyzate. This procedure offers the advantages of small sample size with low blank readings. No subsequent product isolation or conversion to fluorophores is necessary. The fluorometric procedure is applicable over a wide range of NADPH concentrations and the fluorophore is stable for a period of hours. The procedure has been employed to measure the transferase activity in RBC hemolyzates obtained from both humans and rats.
Elastoviscoplastic relaxation of impact crater topography with application to Ganymede and Callisto

[1] We use an elastoviscoplastic rheological model to study the long-term relaxation of impact crater topography on Ganymede and Callisto. We employ a complete set of rheological parameters for ductile creep in ice Ih and implement a new, shallower initial shape model. Under high heat flow conditions, stresses are relieved in deeper, less viscous material, and the remainder concentrates as flexural (bending) stresses in a viscously stiffer near-surface layer. Essentially, a mechanical lithosphere forms that focuses stresses but with uplifts and stress levels that are always greater than those obtained for a purely viscous half space. We discuss how classic elastic flexure and purely viscous relaxation are special cases of this more generalized rheological model. Stress concentration in the flexing (i.e., bending) layer can exceed the plastic yield strength of ice for high enough heat flows, weakening the layer somewhat and increasing the total amount of relaxation. These plastic strains tend to be limited to small magnitudes ( 1 mm) permits both retention and relaxation of topography at the lower and higher ends, respectively, of the anticipated heat flow range. Consideration of relaxed craters in Marius Regio and of the palimpsests and penepalimpsests suggests ancient heat flows in excess of 10 mW m−2, consistent with other estimates.
Gas Property Effects on Dropsize of Simulated Fuel Sprays

Two-phase flow in pneumatic two-fluid fuel nozzles was experimentally investigated to determine the effect of gas properties on liquid-jet breakup in sonic-velocity gas flow. Dropsize data were obtained for the following atomizing gases: nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, and helium. The ratio of liquid-jet diameter to Sauter mean diameter (SMD) D0/Dyi was correlated with aerodynamic and liquid-surface forces based on the product of the Weber and Reynolds number WeRe and gas-to-liquid density ratio pg/pi. To correlate characteristic dropsize with breakup forces produced by using different atomizing gases, a molecular-scale dimensionless group was derived, piV3/gng. As a result, a semiempirical correlating expression was obtained that can be used in the design of fuel injectors for gas turbine and rocket combustors. This expression for liquid-jet breakup in two-fluid atomizer shows that Z>32 ~ (p^c)"1'33, where pgVc is gas mass-flux at sonic velocity, and this agrees well with atomization theory for liquid-jet breakup in high velocity gas flow. Also, it was found that at the same gas mass-flux pgVc, helium was considerably more effective than nitrogen in producing small droplet sprays with SMDs in the order of 5 /un. This was attributed to the high acoustic velocity of helium.
ethanol inhibits human and hamster sperm penetration of eggs

The effect of alcohol on the fertilizing ability of both human and hamster spermatozoa was examined by an in vitro fertilization assay using hamster ova. Spermatozoa were incubated in capacitating media for 3 hr (hamster sperm) and 4 hr (human sperm). Hamster ova were inseminated with preincubated sperm and were examined after 2 to 3 hr. Ethanol was added to the capacitating media at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg%. Fertilization of zona-free hamster eggs by human spermatozoa was reduced from 49.6% in no alcohol to 16.7% in 400 mg% ethanol. Fertilization of hamster eggs by hamster sperm revealed a reduction from 63.6% to 33.7% in cumulus-intact eggs and from 65.8% to 10.8% in cumulus-free eggs in the presence of ethanol at 400 mg%. Hamster sperm acrosome reaction was reduced from 47% to 12%. When these hamster sperm with reduced acrosome reaction were placed with zona-free hamster eggs, the 100% fertilization rate was not reduced; however, the fertilization index, which reflects the number of swelling sperm heads per egg, was reduced from 8.5 to 1.8. This suggests that as little as 12% of the sperm with an acrosome reaction is sufficient to fertilize 100% of the zona-free eggs. If ethanol was added to the insemination media only, there was no inhibition of fertilization by human sperm or hamster sperm that had been previously capacitated in an ethanol-free media. Removal of the ethanol from the preincubated sperm produced fertilization at control levels; thus the inhibitory effect is reversible. These results indicate that ethanol may affect fertilization by an inhibition of the capacitation and/or acrosome reaction process.
Looking at the Urine: The Renaissance of an Unbroken Tradition

The science of looking at the urine for diagnostic purposes, uroscopy, is as ancient as disease. Throughout history, urine, the first bodily fluid to be examined, has continuously and persistently provided medicine with an increasing body of knowledge about the workings of the inner body. For most of its history, uroscopy was a visual science; this focus peaked in the Middle Ages, when the vessel used to examine urine, the matula, became a symbol of the medical profession. Over time, the practice of uroscopy spread into the hands of quacks and apothecaries, who prescribed and sold their potions by merely looking at the urine. The consequent reformation measures of the 16th and 17th centuries coincided with the first attempts at analyzing the contents of urine. As a result, many of the chemical components now reported in metabolic profiles were first analyzed and identified in urine during the first half of the 18th century. In the process, what started as a science that bordered on divination laid the foundations of chemical analysis and spawned the disciplines of urology, endocrinology, and, after the use of urine in clearance studies, nephrology. The analytical methods and remarkable achievements of each of these disciplines have increased the value of examining urine. A renaissance of this oldest diagnostic tool of medicine is now under way in the proteomic profiling and detection of biomarkers in the urine, an approach which promises to further extend the merits of the unbroken tradition of looking at the urine.
Intrinsic magnetic resonance linewidth in permalloy films

The linewidth of a permalloy film has been studied very accurately as a function of angle between the applied dc field and the plane of the film. An explicit example is given for converting the observed linewidth into an intrinsic linewidth. The data are compared to a theory which takes into account both the Landau-Lifshits damping as well as the exchange-conductivity effect. The theory and experiment agree reasonably well. Die Linienbreite eines Permalloyfilms wurde in Abhangigkeit vom Winkel zwischen dem angewandten Gleichstromfeld und der Filmebene sehr genau untersucht. Ein ausfuhrliches Beispiel fur die Umrechnung der beobachteten Linienbreite in die eigentliche Linienbreite wird gegeben. Die Ergebnisse werden mit einer Theorie verglichen, die sowohl die Landau-Lifshits-Dampfung als auch den Austausch-Leitfahigkeits-Effekt berucksichtigt. Theorie und Experiment stimmen befriedigend uberein.
Thermally induced negative ion ESD

Electron stimulated desorption of O- has been observed from oxygen on platinum. Negative ion ESD is not observed during oxygen uptake at 300 K. However, O- emission occurs during heating after oxygen exposure. Comparison is made with previously measured O+ ESD from this system. The negative ion results are discussed in terms of electron attachment and polar dissociation mechanisms. An ion energy distribution for O- is also presented which exhibits a peak considerably broader than the previously measured O+ IED.
Anaerobic methane oxidation: Rate depth distributions in Skan Bay sediments

Abstract A radiotracer method that measures rates of oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide has been applied to anoxic marine sediments. The results confirm the occurrence of anaerobic methane oxidation and agree with model predictions of a zone of intense anaerobic methane oxidation at the base of the sulfate-reducing zone.
Resuscitating a Dying Marrow: the Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

The treatment landscape for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has evolved over the last two decades, with a better understanding of the disease pathophysiology and the use of newer or combination therapies. For lower-risk MDS patients, hematopoietic growth factors have continued to be the mainstay of therapy. However, better patient selection criteria and decision tools to predict responses have made these therapies more beneficial to patients. As the range of newer drugs continues to expand in our treatment armamentarium for lower-risk MDS, questions still remain regarding the safety of these drugs with long-term use. This review will discuss the role of growth factors in MDS, focusing on dosing and combination strategies to improve responses, selecting the appropriate patient population, and recognizing the safety profile based on evidence from published literature.
π-Indenyl tin(II) and lead(II) compounds

The syntheses and structures of the first indenyl-substituted tin(II) complexes, [Sn{1,3-(SiMe3)2C9H5}2] and [Sn(C5Me5)-{1,3-(SiMe3)2C9H5}], are described; the lead(II) analogue of the latter compound has also been prepared and structurally characterized.
Crack shielding and amplification due to multiple microcracks interacting with a macrocrack

We investigate the effect of crack shielding and amplification of various arrangements of microcracks on the stress intensity factors of a macrocrack, including large numbers of arbitrarily aligned microcracks. The extended finite element method is used for these studies. In some cases the numerical XFEM simulation provides results that are more accurate than currently available analytical approximations because the assumptions are less restrictive than those made in obtaining analytical approximations. Stress intensity factors for the tip of a macrocrack under the influence of nearby microcracks are calculated under far field mode 1 boundary conditions. For a microcrack aligned with the macrocrack the numerical results agree quite well with the analytically exact stress intensity factors. The influence of the distance to the macrocrack tip and the rotation angle is investigated for unaligned microcracks, and it is shown in several examples with many randomly distributed microcracks that the influence of those microcracks which are not in close proximity to the macrocrack tip is on the order of 5%.
Thermal interactions among the confining walls of a turbulent recirculating flow

Abstract Numerical solutions for the velocity and temperature fields in a cylindrical enclosure have been obtained to determine how the heat transfer at any one of the bounding walls is affected by the thermal boundary conditions at the other walls. The enclosure is a hollow cylinder closed at both ends by circular disks. A recirculating flow is induced within the enclosure by a fluid throughflow which enters via a central aperture in one of the disks and exits via an annular gap at the rim of the other disk. The analysis is based on the k-e turbulence model, and the solutions were carried out by an elliptic finite difference procedure. Results were obtained for parametric values of the Reynolds number of the entering throughflow and of the length-to-radius ratio of the enclosure. The results show that the heat-transfer rates at the outlet disk and at the cylindrical wall are not greatly affected by the thermal boundary conditions at the other surfaces. On the other hand, the heat-transfer rate at the inlet disk is more sensitive to the thermal conditions at the other surfaces.
Modeling of hydrogen ground state rotational and vibrational temperatures in kinetic plasmas

Abstract A dipole-quadrupole electron-impact excitation model, consistent with molecular symmetry rules, is presented to fit ro-vibronic spectra of the hydrogen Fulcher-α Q-branch line emissions for passively measuring the rotational temperature of hydrogen neutral molecules in kinetic plasmas with the coronal equilibrium approximation. A quasi-rotational temperature and quadrupole contribution factor are adjustable parameters in the model. Quadrupole excitation is possible due to a violation of the 1st Born approximation for low to medium energy electrons (up to several hundred eV). The Born–Oppenheimer and Franck–Condon approximations are implicitly shown to hold. A quadrupole contribution of 10% is shown to fit experimental data at several temperatures from different experiments with electron energies from several to 100 eV. A convenient chart is produced to graphically determine the vibrational temperature of the hydrogen molecules from diagonal band intensities, if the ground state distribution is Boltzmann. Hydrogen vibrational modes are long-lived, surviving up to thousands of wall collisions, consistent with multiple other molecular dynamics computational results. The importance of inter-molecular collisions during a plasma pulse is also discussed.