cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Dietary Fat on Pig Performance and Dust Levels in Modified-Open-Front and Environmentally Regulated Confinement Buildings

Four trials were conducted with 1,480 pigs (initial wt: 23 kg in trial 1,29 kg in trial 2 and 49 kg in trial 3 and 4) to determine the effect of dietary fat on pig performance, nutrient separation in an automated feed distribution system, dust levels in swine buildings and integrity of the respiratory system of swine. Two modified-open-front (B-1 and B-2) and two environmentally regulated (E-1 and E-2) growing-finishing buildings, of identical design, were used in each trial. In trial 1, 250 pigs (25 pens of 10 pigs/pen) in B-1 were fed a ground, mixed, corn-soybean meal diet (15% crude protein) with added tallow (5%), and 250 pigs in B-2 were fed the same diet but without added tallow. The assignment of diets to buildings were reversed in trial 2 in which 2.5% tallow was used instead of 5%. Each diet was fed ad libitum to pigs, and was distributed by an automated "Flexauger" system in trials 1 and 2. In each of trials 3 and 4, 120 pigs (12 pens of 10 10 pigs/pen) in E-1 were fed a corn-soybean meal diet (14% crude protein) with added tallow (5%) and 120 pigs in E-2 were fed the same diet but without added tallow. Overall, pigs fed the diet with tallow gained faster (P less than .002), consumed less feed (P less than .02) and converted feed more efficiently (P less than .002) than those fed the diet without tallow in trials 1 and 2. Pig performance was also improved by the addition of tallow to the diet in trials 3 and 4 (P less than .002). Crude protein, Ca, P and Cu contents of both diets were similar at each location sampled throughout the automated distribution system in trials 1 and 2. Addition of tallow to the diets reduced aerial dust levels, both with the feed distribution auger running (P less than .002) and without the auger running (P = .06) in trials 1 and 2. In trials 3 and 4, adding 5% tallow to the diet reduced aerial dust concentrations of of particle sizes of 14, 4, and 1.5 micron (P less than .002) and .4 micron (P = .07). The amount of settled dust was lower (P less than .001, trials 1, 3 and 4) when tallow was included in the diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
UAV-based multi-sensor multi-platform integration for high throughput phenotyping

In recent days, phenotyping of various crops is gaining widespread popularity due to its ability to recognize variations in the effects of different genotypes of a particular crop in terms of its growth, yield, biomass, and so on. Such an application requires extensive data collection and analysis with a high spatial and temporal resolution, which can be attained using multiple sensors onboard Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). In this study, we focus on harnessing information from a variety of sensors, such as RGB cameras, LiDAR units, and push-broom hyperspectral sensors – Short-wave Infrared (SWIR) and Visible Near Infrared (VNIR). The major challenge that needs to be overcome in this regard is to ensure an accurate integration of information captured across several days from the different sensor modalities. Moreover, the payload constraint for UAVs restrain us from mounting all the sensors simultaneously during a single flight mission, thus entailing the need for data capture from different sensors mounted on separate platforms that are flown individually over the agricultural field of interest. The first step towards integration of different data modalities is the generation of georeferenced products from each of the flight missions, which is accomplished with the help of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) mounted on the UAVs that are time-synchronized with the onboard LiDAR units, cameras and/or hyperspectral sensors. Furthermore, an accurate georeferencing is achieved by developing robust calibration approaches dedicated towards accurate estimation of mounting parameters of the involved sensors. Finally, the geometric and spectral characteristics, such as canopy cover and leaf count, derived from the different sensors are used to devise a model to analyze the phenotypic traits of crops. The preliminary results indicate that the proposed calibration techniques can attain an accuracy of upto 3 cm.
DISPERSAL MANIFOLDS IN PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL GAMES

ABSTRACT In a differential game with the heat equation, Nash equilibrium solutions are characterized and constructed backwards from the end-conditions. The main point is to discuss how far backwards these solutions are extendable and when they cease to be optimal (i.e. when they hit a dispersal manifold).
Pension Regulation, Firm Borrowing, and Investment Risk

This article builds a new model of capital structure and nonpension investment decisions to show that regulatory and investment incentives created by accrued pension obligations exacerbate traditional agency problems between stockholders and bondholders. The article identifies conditions under which firms with accrued pension liabilities have an incentive to choose an overly risky capital structure, invest in risky projects with negative net present value, and/or under‐fund their pension accounts.
New Method of Consolidation - Coefficient Evaluation

Use of logarithm of time methods based on laboratory consolidation or oedometer tests; readings of compression dial as function of time; new technique is presented for determination of coefficients of consolidation in soils from volume changes which take place during consolidation process; it utilizes ratio of compressions taking place up to different times, so that continuous compression-time readings are not required.
RIGHT ATRIAL THROMBUS MASQUERADING AS A MYXOMA. SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES AND ANTI-PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES

Right atrial (RA) thrombi are uncommon and usually present as a complication of central venous catheter placement. RA thrombus secondary to oral contraceptives (OCP) or anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) has never been reported. A 24 year old female on OCP and history of mitral valve
Who Needs Bankruptcy Law

This essay summarizes four papers: “Bargaining Around Bankruptcy: Small Business Distress and State Law,” 38 Journal of Legal Studies 255 (2009); “Bankruptcy’s Rarity: An Essay on Small Business Bankruptcy in the United States,” 5 European Company & Financial Law Review 172 (2008); “Small Business Bankruptcy and the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005,” A Report to the United States Small Business Administration (2007); and Douglas G. Baird & Edward R. Morrison, “Serial Entrepreneurs and Small Business Bankruptcies,” 105 Columbia Law Review 2310 (2005).
Analyses of the Chemical Compositions and Structures of Four Bamboo Species and their Natural Fibers by Infrared, Laser, and X-ray Spectroscopies

Four bamboo species, natural bamboo fibers (NBF) from each species, commercial bamboo viscose, and other conventional fibers were investigated to determine and compare elemental compositions, chemical bonds, and behaviors. Elemental analyses with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were executed to identify elemental compositions, O/C ratios of raw bamboo (0.26–0.42) and NBFs (0.44–0.70), binding energies, and components of C 1s and O 1s peaks and corresponding chemical bonds: C-C, C-H, C-O, C=O, O-C-O, and O-C=O. It was revealed that O/C ratio and moisture regain or content increased as the fineness of NBFs increased. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) with attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and Raman spectroscopies were employed to make a broad list of identified characteristic peaks and their chemicals information of different bamboo species, NBFs, cotton, and regenerated cellulosic fibers. The investigation suggests that NBFs may possess most of the chemical groups and behaviors from the respective bamboo plants, and thus the properties. It was observed that bamboo viscose had similar bands as regular viscose/rayon, unlike raw bamboo and NBFs spectra. Results also revealed that bamboo and NBFs had some unique peaks that were not detected in cotton or viscose fibers.
Spatial heterogeneity of mortality and diffusion rates determines larval delivery to adult habitats for coastal marine populations

Many benthic animals begin life with a planktonic larval stage during which coastal currents may move individuals far from shore. This trait is believed to allow individuals to develop away from nearshore predators and sibling competition, based on the assumption that mortality rates are weaker offshore. However, larvae developing offshore often fail to locate suitable coastal habitats. This results in a trade-off between nearshore mortality and offshore wastage with consequences for larval delivery to adult habitats that have not been fully appreciated. We use a reaction-diffusion model to show that when the nearshore larval mortality rate is high, larval supply can vary more than 10-fold with the offshore mortality rate. If this offshore rate is weak, then larval supply is maximized by an intermediate diffusion rate or larval duration. While a low-diffusivity coastal boundary layer typically improves the larval supply by decreasing wastage, it can also reduce the larval supply by preventing individuals from exploiting low offshore mortality rates. Finally, the cross-shore structure of the mortality rate may influence the alongshore transport of larvae by determining how far offshore they reside prior to settling, and, consequently, the alongshore currents they experience. Our observations contrast with the prior argument that larval supply decreases with diffusivity and larval duration due to wastage, and challenge the widespread decision to omit cross-shore heterogeneity from studies of alongshore movement. Scenarios in which spatial variability in the mortality rate has a large effect on recruitment are important both for understanding the biological consequences of the larval stage and from a modeling perspective.
Reversible Photovoltage Generation Using Metastable-State Photoacids in the Solid State with Visible Light

Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate a reversible photovoltage generation using metastable-state photoacids (mPAH) in the solid state upon visible light irradiation. To accomplish this, a sol...
Selective Hypoxic Loading of the Ventrolateral Medulla Inhibits Cholinergic Outflow to the Airways

In these studies we determined the effects of local hypoxia confined to the superficial structures of the ventral medulla on cholinergic outflow to the airways. Studies were performed in a-chloralose anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated cats. Topical application or microinjection of sodium cyanide to the intermediate area of the ventro-lateral medulla significantly decreased tracheal tone, measured by changes in pressure in a balloon placed in bypassed segment of the trachea (Ptseg). The changes were reversible. When parasympathetic activity was abolished by atropine methylnitrate and tracheal tone was restored with serotonin, cyanide acting centrally had no effect on tracheal pressure. These data indicate that local hypoxic loading confined to the ventrolateral medullary structures may significantly modulate parasympathetic outflow to the airways, and alter airway related protective reflex responses.
How Does Diazoxide Elicit Arrhythmias in Rats With Type 2 Diabetes?: Is This Effect Clinically Significant?

Under ischemic conditions, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production is compromised and cell viability is challenged. A homeostatic pathway present to reduce ATP utilization is the reduction of calcium influx and excitability triggered by opening of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in the
Compensation for Myopic Defocus under Competing Defocus Conditions in the Chick has Spatial Frequency and Accommodation Prerequisites

In chickens multifocal lenses imposing defocus stimuli of opposite sign produce hyperopia if accommodation is intact, but cause myopia if accommodation cues are not available (Wildsoet and Collins, ARVO 2000). To follow up this study we used lens-cone devices, which allow strict control over the image features presented to the eye. Our recent experimental results suggest that middle to high spatial frequencies are impotant for the decoding of, and compensation for, myopic defocus (Diether and Wildsoet, ARVO 2002). We have since investigated if manipulations of the spatial frequency content of retinal images influence the eye's growth response to competing defocus stimuli. To test the influence of accommodation, accommodation cues were removed in some chicks. /
A method for rapid screening of various low-k TDDB models

Voltage or Field acceleration model is crucial for low-k TDDB reliability study and lifetime projection. Over the years, many different acceleration models have been proposed based on different physics. In this paper, a method for a relatively fast screen of various low-k TDDB models is proposed. Fast voltage ramp test to establish a relation of JE slope versus stress field is the first step. Study of J-E slopes in advance before time-consuming TDDB could provide insight into TDDB kinetics. Next is to select appropriate stress voltages based on J-E characteristics with high density voltage points but at high and medium stress voltage ranges. Lastly, by proceeding with the local acceleration factor comparison and correlating it to J-E slope versus voltage relation, the most likely and the most unlikely models can effectively be determined within a much shorter period of stress time.
Acne in the adult female patient: a practical approach

Acne vulgaris is a common reason why adult women present to dermatologists and can be a clinical challenge to treat. It may also be an important sign of an underlying endocrine disease such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Although standard acne therapies can be successfully used to treat acne in adult female patients, hormonal treatment is a safe and effective therapeutic option that may provide an opportunity to better target acne in this population, even when other systemic therapies have failed. In this article, a practical approach to the adult female patient with acne will be reviewed to enhance the dermatologist's ability to use hormonal acne therapies and to better identify and evaluate patients with acne in the setting of a possible endocrine disorder.
Eminent Pittsburghers: Profiles of the City's Founding Industrialists by William S. Dietrich II (review)

How often in the history of writing history has a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist written about the lives of other wealthy industrialists-turnedphilanthropists? That is precisely what we have in William dietrich's Eminent Pittsburghers. It is estimated that the author of this book gave $265 million to Carnegie Mellon University and another $125 million to the University of Pittsburgh. It is fair to say that dietrich knows his subject. Not surprisingly, the author harbors a celebratory attitude toward entrepreneurial industrialism and, of course, capitalism. To his credit, however, dietrich does not hesitate to cite the obvious weaknesses of his fellow Pittsburghers, stories known to almost anyone who has studied American history. The biographical profiles presented are very readable. The writing might be described as breezy and chatty.
Threatened Fishes of the World: Etheostoma lugoi Norris & Minckley, 1997 (Percidae)

Common names: Perca (dardo, dardito) de toba (S), Perca (dardo, dardito) de Cuatro Cienegas (S), Tufa darter (E). Conservation status: Endangered (Williams et al., 1989), listed as ‘dardo de Cuatro Cienegas, Etheostoma sp.’ which confounded this darter with E. segrex Norris & Minckley (1997). Identification: Small darter, rarely exceeding 35 mm SL. Seven pairs of branchiostegal rays. Nuptial males with orange dorsal and anal fins, scattered orange spots on body and blue throat. Photograph by SMN, adult male (above) and female (below). Distribution: Restricted to the spring fed and formerly isolated Rio Mesquites drainage in western Cuatro Cienegas basin in Coahuila, Mexico, in southern headwaters of the Rio Salado de los Nadadores, tributary to Rio Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande). Abundance: There are no hard data regarding abundance. Tufa darters occur in low densities in preferred habitat. Habitat and ecology: This species occupies unvegetated bottoms of gravelto cobble-sized fragments of tufa and tufa stromatolites. Natural channels where E. lugoi has been observed and caught are from 1.5 to 15 m wide and 30 cm to 1.2 m deep with moderate currents. Tufa darters feed on invertebrates. This small darter is remarkably cryptic in its preferred habitat. Reproduction: Little is known. Nuptial males have been collected and apparent spawning acts observed in April (Norris & Minckley 1997). Threats: Natural range of the tufa darter is highly restricted (one of the smallest natural ranges for any darter), in habitat dependant on consistent spring flow. Habitat in significant portions of its range is relatively intact; however, water extraction for human use (both through wells and canals) remains the prime threat. In August 1996, the cichlid Hemichromis guttatus was first observed in an isolated system in the basin and has since been spreading (D.A. Hendrickson & M. Stephens personal communication, Contreras-Balderas 2001). This indefensible and inexplicable introduction underlines the constant danger from alien organisms faced by inhabitants of isolated systems such as those in the Cuatro Cienegas basin. Conservation action: The floor of the Cuatro Cienegas basin, including all the aquatic systems, has been designated as a biological preserve (Secretaria de Desarrollo Social 1994); this may alleviate some potential threats. Conservation recommendations: An ecological and status survey must be conducted to determine distribution and life history-parameters of this darter. Lacking specific data, current water quality and flow levels should not be altered. Introduction of alien organisms must be halted. Remarks: The western Cuatro Cienegas basin – a series of formerly independent spring-fed systems – holds a diverse and highly endemic aquatic fauna (including fishes, molluscs and crustaceans) (Minckley 1992 and works cited therein). Basin inhabitants are threatened by careless development within the basin, particularly extraction of its water resources and introduction of exotic species.
Hypoxia and hypoxia‐inducible factor in the burn wound

The importance of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in promoting angiogenesis and vasculogenesis during wound healing has been demonstrated. It is widely accepted that HIF activity can be promoted by many factors, including hypoxia in the wound or cytokines from inflammatory cells infiltrating the wound. However, there has not been a systematic exploration of the relationship between HIF activity and hypoxia in the burn wound. The location of the hypoxic tissue has not been clearly delineated. The time course of the appearance of hypoxia and the increased activity of HIF and appearance of HIF's downstream transcription products has not been described. The aim of this study was to utilize pimonidazole, a specific tissue hypoxia marker, to characterize the spatial and temporal course of hypoxia in a murine burn model and correlate this with the appearance of HIF-1α and its important angiogenic and vasculogenic transcription products vascular endothelial growth factor and SDF-1. Hypoxia was found in the healing margin of burn wounds beginning at 48 hours after burn and peaking at day 3 after burn. On sequential sections of the same tissue block, positive staining of HIF-1α, SDF-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor all occurred at the leading margin of the healing area and peaked at day 3, as did hypoxia. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to explore the characteristics of the hypoxic region of the wound. The localization of hypoxia was found to be related to cell growth and migration, but not to proliferation or inflammatory infiltration.
Novel coplanar stripline: design, characterization and applications

The author presents a novel approach to CPS (coplanar stripline) design that produces a CPS which performs nearly as well as a coplanar waveguide and requires only 65% as much space. The measured complex characteristic impedance of this novel CPS is given as a function of frequency. Its performance as a line-reflect-line calibration element is demonstrated. This CPS structure has potential for use on coplanar GaAs MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) wafers because of its 35% reduction in space. This structure has great potential for use with microwave probes, including multicontact microwave probes, where the reduction in size, compared to CPW, will be important. >
Evaluation of North American isolates of Soybean mosaic virus for gain of virulence on Rsv-genotype soybeans with special emphasis on resistance-breaking determinants on Rsv4.

Summary Resistance to Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) in soybean is conferred by three dominant genes: Rsv1, Rsv3 and Rsv4. Over the years, scientists in the USA have utilized a set of standard pathotypes, SMV-G1 to SMV-G7, to study interaction with Rsv-genotype soybeans. However, these pathotypes were isolated from a collection of imported soybean germplasm over 30 years ago. In this study, 35 SMV field isolates collected in recent years from 11 states were evaluated for gain of virulence on soybean genotypes containing individual Rsv genes. All isolates were avirulent on L78-379 (Rsv1), whereas 19 were virulent on L29 (Rsv3). On PI88788 (Rsv4), 14 of 15 isolates tested were virulent; however, only one was capable of systemically infecting all of the inoculated V94-5152 (Rsv4). Nevertheless, virulent variants from 11 other field isolates were rapidly selected on initial inoculation onto V94-5152 (Rsv4). The P3 cistrons of the original isolates and their variants on Rsv4-genotype soybeans were sequenced. Analysis showed that virulence on PI88788 (Rsv4) was not associated, in general, with selection of any new amino acid, whereas Q1033K and G1054R substitutions were consistently selected on V94-5152 (Rsv4). The role of Q1033K and G1054R substitutions, individually or in combination, in virulence on V94-5152 (Rsv4) was confirmed on reconstruction in the P3 cistron of avirulent SMV-N, followed by biolistic inoculation. Collectively, our data demonstrate that SMV has evolved virulence towards Rsv3 and Rsv4, but not Rsv1, in the USA. Furthermore, they confirm that SMV virulence determinants on V94-5152 (Rsv4) reside on P3.
Decomposing the Price-to-Book Ratio

I project the price-to-book ratio onto a vector of cash flow variables and thereby decompose its cross-sectional variation into two components. The fundamental component is the fitted value based on the cash flow variables, and the transitory component is the residual term. I show that firms with high fundamental component have high price-to-book ratio and high subsequent stock return, while firms with high transitory component have high price-to-book ratio and low subsequent stock return. This prediction is confirmed in the data, and it also applies to other valuation signals including price-to-dividend, price-to-earnings and price-to-debt ratio. Moreover, I show that the fundamental component predicts return because it captures investors' sluggish adjustment, which leads to underreaction to cash flow news; the transitory component predicts return because it captures return reversal, which comes from overreaction to discount rate news.
The Relationship between Riboflavin and Plasma Total Homocysteine in the Framingham Offspring Cohort Is Influenced by Folate Status and the C677T Transition in the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) catalyzes the synthesis of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the methyl donor for remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. The C677T MTHFR polymorphism is associated with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, but only in the presence of low folate status. Because MTHFR contains flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a prosthetic group, riboflavin status may also influence homocysteine metabolism. The objective of this study was to examine the association between riboflavin status and fasting plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration while also considering MTHFR C677T genotype and folate status. The study was conducted using fasting plasma samples (n = 450) from the fifth examination of the Framingham Offspring Study cohort. All persons with the TT genotype and age- and sex-matched sets of individuals with the CT and CC genotypes were selected for determination of plasma riboflavin and flavin mono- and dinucleotide levels. Plasma riboflavin was associated with tHcy concentrations, but the association was largely confined to persons with plasma folate or = 11 nmol/L was 11.6 micromol/L (P-trend <0.03). Plasma flavin nucleotides were unrelated to tHcy concentrations. Our data suggest that riboflavin status may affect homocysteine metabolism, but only in a small segment of the population who have both low folate status and are homozygotes for the MTHFR C677T mutation.
Visual course control of escape responses in the cockroach Blaberus craniifer: role of internal and external orientation information

ABSTRACT. Nymphs of Blaberus craniifer were exposed to a point source of light while walking on a servosphere apparatus. The initial response was a brief stop followed by running at a rate exceeding that in darkness. Their course was away from the light source and their direction became closer to 180° away from the light, as the light source approached the horizontal. The straightness of the course was controlled by both internal and external orientation information. If the source was overhead the course was more circuitous than with the directional light. Following a temporal switch from darkness to light, abrupt sharp turns of more than 90° led the animals back into a ‘zone of darkness’. Stopping occurs immediately after the onset or offset of the light stimulus, but the duration of stops does not seem to be correlated with the time since a previous stop, nor with the length of the run prior to a stop. Responses to a sudden onset of a light stimulus seem to represent adaptations for re-locating a ‘zone of darkness’ and for predator avoidance when a cockroach is disturbed during its photophase.
Dynamics of Ca2+-Dependent Regulation of the Cardiac Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger

The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) is an important ion transport mechanism for the movement of Ca2+ into and out of cardiac myocytes. Allosteric regulation of NCX has been intensively studied in excised giant patches under steady-state conditions and also in whole cell systems where only Ca2+ dynamics was examined. However, it has been difficult to distinguish between the role(s) of Ca2+ as an allosteric regulator and Ca2+ as a transported ion. Additionally, there are parallel complex regulatory elements that control spatially resolved [Ca2+]i within cardiac myocytes. In this study, we compared the dynamic changes of INCX and [Ca2+]i in non-transfected HEK293T cells, in cells expressing canine wild-type NCX, and in cells expressing the constitutively active canine mutant NCX (680-685). In these experiments NCX was activated in the HEK293T cells by a rapid increase in the intracellular [Ca2+] produced by flash photolysis of a caged Ca2+ compound (PGTA) under single electrode whole cell patch clamp conditions. Two components of INCX membrane current were produced in cells expressing either WT NCX or mutant NCX. In addition, the deactivation kinetics of the WT NCX was investigated and compared to that of mutant NCX. The decay time constant of the NCX tail currents, which occurred following the return of membrane potential to the negative holding potential, was compared for WT and mutant NCX. The deactivation kinetics of the tail current in cells expressing the WT NCX was found to be significantly slower than that in cells expressing the mutant NCX. Mathematical modeling was utilized to further understand the time-dependent allosteric regulation of NCX. Combining both experimental and modeling approaches yielded a better understanding of the Ca2+-dependent activation process of NCX, the transport kinetics of NCX, as well as the contribution of NCX to cellular Ca2+ dynamics.
Examining a History of Failed Reforms and Recent Stories of Success: Mathematics Education and Black Learners of Mathematics in the United States.

There is a long history indicating that during times of reform, the interests and needs of Black children are in many ways dismissed. This history culminated in 1990’s to what is described today as the ‘Math Wars.’ The underlying narrative focuses on America’s national security, technological interests, social efficiency, and the perpetuation of White privilege. There are intense debates focusing on curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment but little debates on understanding the realities of children’s lives. Through a hybrid historical-critical race theory (CRT) lens informed largely by the work of Derrick Bell, this article makes the case that Black children have not benefited from reform agendas in mathematics which are often situated in the larger political and social space. Moreover, the CRT analysis coupled with the historical critical methods of this article attempt to unveil the underpinning of the ‘mathematics for all’ message, often touted in policy documents, as having done little to unde...
Preparative-Scale Purification of RNA Using an Efficient Method Which Combines Gel Electrophoresis and Column Chromatography

Here we describe a reliable method for purifying large amounts of RNA of any sequence and length with comparable efficiency and resolution of gel electrophoresis and with capacity approaching that of column chromatography. The RNA mixture of interest is separated on a cylindrical denaturing polyacrylamide gel, eluted by a peristaltic pump, detected by a UV-vis detector, and collected by a fraction collector. Using this method, we were able to separate one third of a 100 ml in vitro transcribed 34mer hammerhead ribozyme (approximately 6.2 mg) in a single run. The entire 100 ml transcribed RNA (approximately 18.5 mg) was separated after consecutive runs using one single gel preparation.
Optimizing the impact of developments in micro-instrumentation on process analytical technology: a consortium approach.

What is process analytical technology (PAT), why is it important, and where is it going? Basically, PAT originated by applying measurement technologies to industrial processes. Some of the first examples of using measurement to monitor a process were performed within the German chemical industry more than 60 years ago [personal discussion with Dr. Jochen Rudolph, Director of Process Control of BASF, in Ludwigshafen, Germany, 30 September 1999]. The ability to monitor processes with measurement technology is not new [1], but the recognition that it will enhance productivity, quality, and environmental impact has grown increasingly over the past 30 years. PAT is now a field of measurement science that involves a number of contributions from the disciplines of chemistry, engineering, biology, data handling, and control strategies, applied in order to gain knowledge about the process being performed. The traditional approach to implementing PAT was to transport laboratory analytical instrumentation to the production plant and modify the instrumentation to accept a process sample. This traditional approach was valuable to the chemical and petrochemical industries for a number of years, as it was able to provide a window into the process, giving information on real-time composition, reaction pathways and kinetics, as well as environmental and hazard evaluation issues. Having instrumentation that could provide a profile of the process under production conditions enables the capabilities of the process to be defined, and to gather data needed to locate critical process parameters. Once these critical process parameters are monitored, process models can be developed or improved, ultimately improving process control. PAT therefore becomes a combination of applying process analytical tools and developing feedback process control strategies based on information management tools or process optimization studies for the purpose of achieving process understanding. Developments in measurement science are influenced by advances in the fields of computation and communication, driven by the needs of the military and computer-related industries. This results in better miniaturization techniques, new materials for heat transfer, new electro-optical materials, and new advanced data handling tools. With the large amount of new technology being developed within analytical sciences, it is important to ask the question: what type of measurement is appropriate for PAT? The answer is probably ‘‘anything that gives more data than you are presently obtaining’’. The constraints of cost and the reliability of the data must be recognized, but more measurement points usually lead to better models, resulting in better control strategies. The fact that more measurement data leads to better models also creates an opportunity to depart from the tradition of basing PAT solely upon traditional laboratory analytical instrumentation.
Bivariate marker measurements and ROC analysis.

This paper considers receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for bivariate marker measurements. The research interest is to extend tools and rules from univariate marker to bivariate marker setting for evaluating predictive accuracy of markers using a tree-based classification rule. Using an and-or classifier, an ROC function together with a weighted ROC function (WROC) and their conjugate counterparts are proposed for examining the performance of bivariate markers. The proposed functions evaluate the performance of and-or classifiers among all possible combinations of marker values, and are ideal measures for understanding the predictability of biomarkers in target population. Specific features of ROC and WROC functions and other related statistics are discussed in comparison with those familiar properties for univariate marker. Nonparametric methods are developed for estimating ROC-related functions, (partial) area under curve and concordance probability. With emphasis on average performance of markers, the proposed procedures and inferential results are useful for evaluating marker predictability based on a single or bivariate marker (or test) measurements with different choices of markers, and for evaluating different and-or combinations in classifiers. The inferential results developed in this paper also extend to multivariate markers with a sequence of arbitrarily combined and-or classifier.
Somatotroph and lactotroph function in relation to growth in six-week-old pigs reared in a hot or cool environment.

Abstract The influences of thermal environment and individual growth rate on somatotroph and lactotroph function were examined in 6-week-old barrows reared entirely in a hot (H: 27–32°C, n = 8) or cool (C: 21°C, n = 10) environment. Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) cell contents and responses to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) or thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were evaluated in cultured pituitary cells from each animal. Plasma GH, PRL, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations also were monitored. Thermal environment did not affect in vitro GH secretion, cellular GH content, or plasma GH concentrations. Stimulated in vitro GH release (GHRH-basal) and plasma GH were inversely related to average daily gain (ADG, r = −.76, p
Approximate inertial manifolds for the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation: analysis and computations

Abstract We evaluate several alternative methods for the approximation of inertial manifolds for the one-dimensional Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation (KSE). A method motivated by the dynamics originally developed for the Navier-Stokes equation is adapted for the KSE. Rigorous error estimates are obtained and compared to those of other methods introduced in the literature. Formal relationships between these other methods and the one introduced here are established. Numerical bifurcation diagrams of the various approximate inertial forms for the KSE are presented. We discuss the correspondence between the rigorous error estimates and the accuracy of the computational results. These methods can be adapted to other dissipative partial differential equations.
Dichoptic and dichotic micropattern discrimination

Ss compared two rapidly successive, brief, discriminably different stimulus elements, called a micropattern, with a second micropattern composed of the same two stimulus elements presented in reverse temporal order. Discriminations could be made between two such micropatterns in the monaural (monocular) as well as in the dichotic (dichoptic) modes of presentation. Discrimination between micropatterns was based on the perceptual dominance of the temporally trailing stimulus element in both modalities and in both modes of presentation. While monaural (monocular) micropattern discrimination is significantly superior to dichotic (dichoptic) discrimination, the existence of dichotic (dichoptic) discrimination demonstrates that no essential peripheral process is required for micropattern discrimination.
Poliomyelitis in Chimpanzees. Studies in Homologous and Heterologous Immunity following Inapparent Infection.

The response of eighteen chimpanzees to poliomyelitis virus administered orally and cutaneously has been studied. There were no signs of weakness or paralysis in any of the animals. Sixteen of the eighteen (89 per cent) became infected as measured by intestinal carriage of virus. Only one of twelve was reinfected when challenged with an homologous (or homotypic) strain by the same routes, but seven of ten were reinfected on heterologous challenge. A correlation between the development of humoral antibodies and resistance to reinfection was demonstrated. During the course of these experiments, two chimpanzees acquired inapparent poliomyelitis by accidental contagion in the laboratory.
Pumpless Loop for Narrow Channel and Micro-Channel Boiling

A compact cooling system is examined which capitalizes upon fluid density differences between two vertical, parallel, interconnected tubes to achieve a pumpless cooling loop. A heat-dissipating device is incorporated into a boiler at the bottom of the hot tube. The large density differences between the two tubes produces a substantial nonequilibrium in hydrostatic pressure, drawing liquid downwards through the cold tube as a two-phase mixture is released upwards in the hot tube. Cooling with this pumpless loop is fundamentally different from, and far superior to, pool boiling thermosyphons because of the former’s ability to separate the path of replenishment liquid from that of the released vapor. Experiments were performed to explore the effects of boiler gap (separation distance between the boiling surface and opposite insulating wall) on cooling performance and critical heat flux (CHF) for water and FC-72. The gap, which is the primary measure of boiler miniaturization, was varied from 0.051 to 21.46 mm. For large gaps, CHF showed insignificant dependence on the gap for both fluids. However, small gaps produced CHF variations that were both drastic and which followed opposite trends for the two fluids. Decreasing the gap below 3.56 mm produced a substantial rise in CHF for FC-72. For water, CHF was fairly insensitive down to 0.51 mm, below which it began to decrease sharply. These trends are shown to be closely related to the small surface tension and contact angle of FC-72 producing very small bubbles which can easily pass through narrow gaps in FC-72, while much larger bubbles in water obstruct liquid replenishment in narrow gaps. A numerical model is constructed to determine how the gap influences the various components of pressure drop, velocities, coolant flow rate, and hence system response to heat input. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1602708#
The Cellulase-Mediated Saccharification on Wood Derived from Transgenic Low-Lignin Lines of Black Cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa )

Downregulated lignin transgenic black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) was used to elucidate the effect of lignin and xylan content on enzymatic saccharification. The lignin contents of three transgenic samples (4CL1-1, 4CL1-4, and CH8-1-4) were 19.3, 16.7, and 15.0 %, respectively, as compared with the wild type (21.3 %). The four pretreatments were dilute acid (0.1 % sulfuric acid, 185 °C, 30 min), green liquor (6 % total titratable alkali, 25 % sulfidity based on TTA, 185 °C, and 15 min.), autohydrolysis (185 °C, 30 min), and ozone delignification (25 °C, 30 min). Following the pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification was carried out using an enzyme charge of 5 FPU/g of substrates. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose varies with both the types of pretreatments and the lignin content of the transgenic trees. Due to the greatest removal of lignin, green liquor induced the highest sugar production and saccharification efficiency, followed by acid, ozone, and autohydrolysis in descending order. The results indicated that lignin is the main recalcitrance of biomass degradation. At a given lignin content, pretreatment with ozone delignification had lower saccharification efficiency than the other pretreatment methods due to higher xylan content.
Resilience, Entropy, and Efficiency in Crisis Management: The January 12, 2010, Haiti Earthquake

The transition from disaster to recovery represents a major challenge to decision makers who seek to build a stronger, sustainable future while they cope with losses and destruction from an extreme event. Decision makers encounter a dynamic environment in which they must balance the tensions between entropy and efficiency in their search for resilience as they seek to maintain sustainable operations in a region exposed to recurring risk. In communities that have experienced disaster, the initial response is a strong mobilization of resources and personnel focused on clear goals of saving lives, protecting property, and meeting immediate needs. The urgency of danger directs the priorities for action, and organizations and individuals voluntarily act cooperatively to meet immediate needs, representing a first step toward resilience. Yet, the resources and energy committed to a shared effort to meet immediate needs generated by the extreme event slowly give way to entropy, or the dissipation of attention, energy, and resources that leads to a consequent loss of efficiency in risk reduction. The deteriorating situation leads to new calls for efficiency to regain resilience. The evolving process represents a dynamic among resilience, entropy, and efficiency that shapes the community's capacity to manage risk from exposure to recurring hazards. It is largely driven by interactions among organizations participating in disaster operations, their exchange of timely, valid information, and their capacity for learning and adaptation, as well as gaps in cognition and action. We explore the tensions among resilience, entropy, and efficiency in an analysis of interactions among local, regional, national, and international organizations operating in response to the January 12, 2010, Haiti Earthquake. Three types of data are used to analyze patterns of interaction among the organizations: 1) content analysis of newspapers; 2) documentary reports by professional organizations; and 3) semistructured interviews with policy makers operating in Haiti. In analyzing the networks of organizations operating in disaster operations, we document the response system that emerged during the first three weeks following the earthquake, January 12-February 3, 2010. We conclude that timely intervention in information flow can be used to minimize entropy, increase efficiency, and strengthen resilience in a disaster-stricken society's transition from response to recovery.
The uniformly packed binary [27,21,3] and [35,29,3] codes

Abstract All binary projective two-weight codes with parameters [27,6,12] and [35,6,16] are enumerated up to equivalence, and the automorphism groups of the codes and related strongly regular graphs computed. Alternatively, this implies the enumeration of all linear binary uniformly packed codes with parameters [27,21,3] and [35,29,3] as dual codes of two-weight codes.
The Analysis of Demand

Necessity of differentiating demand with respect to the time element, 131. — Meaning of long and short run, 132. — Spending without free current choice, 132. — Saving, 133. — Habitually consumed goods, 134. — "Petty" goods, 134. — Social demand curve for such goods, 135. — Stocking up, 135. — Significance of the demand schedule in such cases, 136. — Experimental spending, 137. — Residual saving, 138. — Demand in the long run, 138. — The markets for the great staples, 141. — Conclusion, 142.
Topological invariance of the Witten index and related quantities

We demonstrate the topological invariance of the regulated Witten index in supersymetric quantum mechanics. Our method applies to other quantities as well, such as the index of the Dirac operator on open spaces.
Prehistory in Shanidar Valley, Northern Iraq: Fresh insights into Near Eastern prehistory from the Middle Paleolithic to the Proto-Neolithic are obtained

In the article "Prehistory in Shanidar Valley, Northern Iraq" by R. S. Solecki [ Science 139, 179 (1963)], reference 4 in the caption for Fig. 12, should have read "J. Franklin Ewing, S.J."
Consistency or Change in Women's Politicization in South Korea

Using 1982 and 1990 survey data, this paper examines the extent to which the gender gap in politicization has persisted and/or changed in South Korea. The core emphasis of the paper is on whether economic development and generational turnover hove reduced gender inequality in some altitudes–psychological involvement, protest potential, system trust–that are important for political activity. The findings indicate that both economic development and generational shift have narrowed the gender gap in politicization over an eight-year period. It should be emphasized, however, that the socio-political structure has not caught up with Korean women's attitudinal changes, thus resulting in a phenomenon of “institutional lag.”
Is the Old Psychoanalytic Story Part of the Problem? Commentary on Article by Rheta Keylor and Roberta Apfel

This commentary responds to Keylor and Apfel's (this issue) article on male infertility. The authors present a very important article about a subject that is undertheorized. Although they present important research and clinical material describing some men's experiences of infertility, their approach to masculinity is limited and keeps men in a box of phallocentricity that it seems would only add insult to injury for a man struggling with infertility. This commentary presents a brief overview of what fertility treatments typically entail and explores some ways in which cultural constructions of masculinity would be supported and threatened through these treatments. The cultural context of gender in fertility treatments is discussed. Questions about masculinity and fatherhood are raised for further exploration. Keylor and Apfel's descriptions of the ways in which fertility treatments can reenact significant psychoanalytic themes of development are discussed and placed within a cultural context of gender.