cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A categorization of water system breakdowns: Evidence from Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda

In rural sub-Saharan Africa, one in three handpumps are non-functional at any time. While there is some evidence describing factors associated with non-functional water systems, there is little evidence describing the categories of water system breakdowns that commonly occur. Insufficient water availability from broken down systems can force people to use unimproved water sources, which undermines the health benefits of an improved water source. We categorized common water system breakdowns using quantitative and qualitative monitoring data from Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda (each N>3600 water systems) and examined how breakdown category varies by water system type and management characteristics. Specific broken parts were mentioned more frequently than all other reasons for breakdown; hardware parts frequently found at fault for breakdown were aprons (Liberia), pipes (Tanzania and Uganda), taps/spouts (Tanzania and Uganda), and lift mechanisms (Nigeria). Statistically significant differences in breakdown category were identified based on system type, age, management type, and fee collection type. Categorization can help to identify common reasons for water system breakdown. The analysis of these data can be used to develop improved monitoring instruments to inform actors of different breakdown types and provide reasons for system non-functionality. Improved monitoring instruments would enable actors to target appropriate resources to address specific breakdowns likely to arise based on system type and management characteristics in order to inform improved implementation of and post-construction support for water systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
Prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted photoacoustic imaging of prostate cancer in vivo

A sensitive, noninvasive method to detect localized prostate cancer, particularly for early detection and repetitive study in patients undergoing active surveillance, remains an unmet need. Here, we propose a molecular photoacoustic (PA) imaging approach by targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is over-expressed in the vast majority of prostate cancers. We performed spectroscopic PA imaging in an experimental model of prostate cancer, namely, in immunocompromised mice bearing PSMA+ (PC3 PIP) and PSMA- (PC3 flu) tumors through administration of the known PSMA-targeted fluorescence agent, YC-27. Differences in contrast between PSMA+ and isogenic control tumors were observed upon PA imaging, with PSMA+ tumors showing higher contrast in average of 66.07-fold with 5 mice at the 24-hour postinjection time points. These results were corroborated using standard near-infrared fluorescence imaging with YC-27, and the squared correlation between PA and fluorescence intensities was 0.89. Spectroscopic PA imaging is a new molecular imaging modality with sufficient sensitivity for targeting PSMA in vivo, demonstrating the potential applications for other saturable targets relevant to cancer and other disorders.
The Representation of Translation Equivalents in Bilingual Memory

Abstract A fluent bilingual generally has two lexical representations for a single concept in memory, one in each of two languages. Researchers in bilingual memory have investigated the structure of the representation of a word and its translation in memory. Early research focused on translation equivalents in episodic memory while more recent research has focused on their representation in semantic memory. Current studies on facilitation effects in priming for translation equivalents suggest that in fluent bilinguals both words are linked at a conceptual level in memory. It appears that translation equivalents share a common semantic representation. Implications for learning a second language are discussed.
Uncertainties in gravity wave parameters, momentum fluxes, and flux divergences estimated from multi-layer measurements of mesospheric nightglow layers

Abstract Measurements of dynamic parameters of atmospheric gravity waves, mainly the vertical wavelength, the momentum flux and the momentum flux divergence, are affected by large uncertainties crudely documented in the scientific literature. By using methods of error analysis, we have quantified these uncertainties for frequently observed temporal and spatial wave scales. The results show uncertainties of ∼10%, ∼35%, and ∼65%, at least, in the vertical wavelength, momentum flux, and flux divergence, respectively. The large uncertainties in the momentum flux and flux divergence are dominated by uncertainties in the Brunt-Vaisala frequency and in spatial separation of the nightglow layers, respectively. The measured uncertainties in fundamental wave parameters such as the wave amplitude, intrinsic period, horizontal wavelength, and wave orientation are ∼10% or less and estimated directly from our nightglow image data set. Other key environmental quantities such as the scale height and the Brunt-Vaisala frequency, frequently considered as constants in gravity wave parameter estimations schemes, are actually quite variable, presenting uncertainties of ∼4% and ∼9%, respectively, according to the several solar activity and seasonal atmosphere scenarios from the NRLMSISE-00 model simulated here.
Eddy current separation for recovery of non-ferrous metallic particles: A comprehensive review

Abstract Eddy current separation (ECS) is a process used throughout the scrap recycling industry for sorting nonferrous metals from other nonmetallic fluff. The mechanism is based on the principle that a time-varying magnetic field will induce electrical current to flow throughout the body of a conductive particle. This current then reacts to the applied magnetic field by exhibiting a pronounced force of deflection, thereby separating the materials. The process is remarkably efficient and environmentally friendly, making it essential to the growth and sustainability of the metal recycling industry. In this review, we aim to summarize the available literature on eddy current separators for recovery of nonferrous metals. Although several different designs of eddy current separators have been examined through the years, the most common in use today remains the belt-driven rotary drum design. Limitations of the belt-driven rotary drum design are discussed as well as potential new designs and new applications for eddy current separators.
Proposed Method for Analyzing Sociometric Data

Abstract Sociometry is a promising evaluative technique for determining individual social status and group integration. So far, however, there does not exist a satisfactory constant frame of reference against which data can be compared so that a value judgment may be given. It is the purpose of this paper to present a set of criteria to serve as this constant frame of reference. Five criteria are stated. Data on a test and retest are set up, organized, and analyzed according to the criteria to demonstrate the use of data and application of the criteria.
Predicting breast cancer risk using personal health data and machine learning models

Among women, breast cancer is a leading cause of death. Breast cancer risk predictions can inform screening and preventative actions. Previous works found that adding inputs to the widely-used Gail model improved its ability to predict breast cancer risk. However, these models used simple statistical architectures and the additional inputs were derived from costly and / or invasive procedures. By contrast, we developed machine learning models that used highly accessible personal health data to predict five-year breast cancer risk. We created machine learning models using only the Gail model inputs and models using both Gail model inputs and additional personal health data relevant to breast cancer risk. For both sets of inputs, six machine learning models were trained and evaluated on the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial data set. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve metric quantified each model’s performance. Since this data set has a small percentage of positive breast cancer cases, we also reported sensitivity, specificity, and precision. We used Delong tests (p < 0.05) to compare the testing data set performance of each machine learning model to that of the Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Tool (BCRAT), an implementation of the Gail model. None of the machine learning models with only BCRAT inputs were significantly stronger than the BCRAT. However, the logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis, and neural network models with the broader set of inputs were all significantly stronger than the BCRAT. These results suggest that relative to the BCRAT, additional easy-to-obtain personal health inputs can improve five-year breast cancer risk prediction. Our models could be used as non-invasive and cost-effective risk stratification tools to increase early breast cancer detection and prevention, motivating both immediate actions like screening and long-term preventative measures such as hormone replacement therapy and chemoprevention.
Tumor proportion in colon cancer: results from a semiautomatic image analysis approach

The tumor stroma ratio (TSR) is a promising prognostic biomarker in colon cancer, which could provide additional risk stratification for therapy adaption. The objective of our study was the investigation of the prognostic significance of TSR at different tumor sites in a simple semiautomatic approach with the open-source program ImageJ. We investigated 206 pT3 and pT4 adenocarcinomas of no special type. According to our established thresholds, 31 tumors (15%) were classified as low tumor proportion (TP) (≤ 15% TP), 42 tumors (20%) were classified as high TP (≥ 54% TP), and 133 tumors (65%) were classified as medium TP. High and low TP were associated with an adverse overall survival in comparison to medium TP (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03). Furthermore, the TP was an independent risk factor of occurrence of distant metastasis next to T status, microsatellite status, and tumor budding. The 5-year survival rate was 49% in patients with high TP, 48% in patients with low TP, and 68% in patients with medium TP (p = 0.042, n = 160). Patients with a high TP had less often tumor budding (p = 0.012), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.049), and less harvested lymph nodes (p = 0.042) in comparison to low TP tumors. The results provide first evidence that a high tumor proportion/low stroma proportion is also associated with an adverse prognosis and that this subgroup might be difficult to identify with other classical histopathologic characteristics that are linked to an adverse prognosis.
Short Report: Circulating microRNAs are associated with incident diabetes over 10 years in Japanese Americans

Epigenetic changes precede the development of diabetes by many years, providing clues to its pathogenesis. We explored whether the epigenetic markers, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), were associated with incident diabetes in Japanese Americans. We conducted a pilot study (n = 10) using plasma from age- and sex-matched participants who did or did not develop diabetes in the Japanese American Community Diabetes Study, an observational study of diabetes risk factors. Extraction and high-throughput sequencing of miRNAs were performed using samples collected at baseline. Regression models were fit comparing circulating miRNAs (N = 1640) among individuals who did or did not develop incident diabetes at 10-year follow-up. Participants averaged 51.7 years of age at baseline; 60% were male. We identified 36 miRNAs present at different (10 higher and 26 lower) levels in individuals who developed diabetes compared to those who did not (log2fold change ≥1.25 and false discovery rate ≤5%). These included miRNAs with functions in skeletal muscle insulin metabolism (miR-106b and miR-20b-5p) and miRNAs with functions in both skeletal muscle insulin metabolism and cell cycle regulation in endocrine pancreas (miR-15a and miR-17). Circulating miRNAs were associated with subsequent development of diabetes among Japanese Americans over 10 years of follow-up. Results are preliminary. Large-scale miRNA sequencing studies could inform our understanding of diabetes pathogenesis and development of therapies, based on gene expression regulation, that target diabetes.
O22 BOUNCE: A Comprehensive Healthy Lifestyle Summer Program for Minority Adolescents and Parents

Background Low-income Latino and African American youth compared to their Caucasian counterparts are at increased risk for obesity. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess fidelity and efficacy of a summer community and family-based summer healthy lifestyle intervention named BOUNCE to reduce percent body fat by promoting healthy and mindful eating and physical activity engagement among Latino and African American youth. Study Design, Setting, and Participants We utilized a quasi-experimental pre-post group design. Ninety-four low-income Latio and African American boys and girls (M age = 10.6, SD age = 1.6) and primarily their mothers participated. Participating youth received 20 nutrition education sessions including cooking demonstrations, 20 psychoeducational sessions, and 60 exercise sessions (eg, yoga, kickboxing, and circuit training). In addition, parents were asked to participate in a 2-hour health workshop “platica” once per week. This workshop included nutrition basic education, cooking demonstration, and tips for parents to be more active as a family. University-based elementary school facilities (gym, classrooms, and cafeteria) were used to implement this intervention. Analysis Pre-and post-intervention participants completed demographic, physical activity, food frequency questionnaires, and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. Participants also had their body height measured using a stadiometer Seca 210 and body weight and percent body fat measured using a Tanita (TBS 310). Repeated ANCOVA was conducted to analyze the main effects of the intervention over time. Results At post-intervention, 60% exhibited a reduction of at least 0.5 cm of waist circumference. These children lost an average of 2.2% (SD = 1.6%) body fat, and 1.6 cm in waist circumference (SD = 3.6 cm). There was a 10% decrease in percent of time spent in sedentary behavior. Conversely, there was a 5% increase in percent of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. That is, on average, 46 minutes converted from sedentary behavior to moderate physical activity. Conclusion This study provides valuable information about the feasibility and efficacy of a summer comprehensive healthy lifestyle intervention targeting minority youth. Funding Aetna Foundation, United Health Foundation.
BrainNET: Inference of Brain Network Topology Using Machine Learning.

Background: To develop a new functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI) network inference method, BrainNET, that utilizes an efficient machine learning algorithm to quantify contributions of variou...
Correction to: Using Multiple Methods to Describe Supports for the Transition from Head Start to Kindergarten

The original version of this article unfortunately missed to include the Acknowledgement section.
Justice and Development (AKP) Attitudes Towards the LGBTI Community in Turkey

In this chapter, I examine the history of Justice and Development Party (AKP) statements with regards to homosexuality and LGBTI based issues in Turkey. As I shall argue, a number of members of the AK party (including Recep Tayyip Erdogan) have said quite problematic statements with regards to LGBTI community. These comments are in combination with government failures to fully support sexual minorities within Turkey. I will then compare these quotes to statements made by opposition parties in the country.
Efficacy and tolerability of the combination of nano-liposomal irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: post-approval clinic experience

Background Nano-liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) is the regimen of choice in the 2nd line setting for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). However, real-world data is limited. Our objectives were to elicit the real-word effectiveness and safety of this combination as an advanced line of therapy in pancreatic cancer patients and analyze the impact of prior lines of therapy on survival outcomes with this regimen. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 58 patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic PAC, who were treated with at least one dose of nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV following cancer progression on prior therapies between August 2015 and December 2018 at the Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) and University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Results Median OS was 5.4 (range, 4.2-7) months. Disease control rate (DCR) was highest (84%) for patients given nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV as 2nd line agent after progression on a 1st line gemcitabine-based regimen. However, no significant survival difference was observed between those given nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV after 1st line or beyond the 2nd line (P=0.17). Among those given nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV as 2nd line, use of gemcitabine-inclusive chemotherapy as the 1st line agent did not impact survival (P=0.68). Prior irinotecan exposure and baseline CA 19-9 level did not affect the overall survival (OS) but patients with a higher CA 19-9 level had a significant risk of progression (HR =3.2, P=0.02). Grade 3/4 toxicities were reported in only 19% patients. Conclusions Our report suggests that nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV offers a modest survival benefit with a tolerable safety profile as an advanced line of treatment in patients with advanced PAC.
Normative Sexual Health Development in Non-Normative Circumstances: Exploring Healthy Intimate Relationships Among Young People in Foster Care:

While the sexual health risks among young people of color in foster care have been well-documented, healthy sexual development in this population has been less examined. The current study explored ...
Challenges in Diagnosis and Management of Previously Embolized Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae.

Background Given the growing prevalence of initial endovascular treatment for type 1 spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF), there are an increasing number of patients presenting with progressive symptoms related to recurrent previously embolized spinal dAVF. This study's goal was to identify demographic, clinical, and radiographic variables among patients who have failed embolization of type I spinal dAVF. Methods A retrospective review of 24 consecutive surgeries for type I spinal dAVF performed by the senior author (A.D.L.) identified 5 patients who underwent open surgery for failed embolization. These 5 cases were reviewed for location of fistula, time from embolization to recurrence, preoperative functional status, fistulous point encountered at surgery, and clinical outcome of the patient at 3-month follow-up. A representative example case is reviewed in detail. Results The median age at time of recurrence was 63 years (range 51–73 years). The median timing of embolization to recurrence of neurologic symptoms was 5 months (range 1–54) and to surgery 7 months (range 2–60 months). The level of the spinal dAVF was most frequently at T12–L1 (n = 3). Spinal magnetic resonance arteriography led to localization of the spinal dAVF in 2 patients and spinal catheter angiogram in 3 cases. All patients had definitive radiographic cure of the dAVF at last clinical follow-up. Conclusions The increased use of endovascular treatment of spinal dAVF has led to the treatment of refractory cases with a greater degree of surgical complexity. Open surgical ligation continues to provide the most definitive treatment outcomes for this complex spinal vascular entity.
A BIM-Based Life Cycle Assessment Tool of Embodied Energy and Environmental Impacts of Tall Buildings

Today 55% of the world lives in urban areas, which is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. In the cities, high-rise buildings as symbols of the modern cityscape are dominating the skylines, but the data to demonstrate their embodied energy and environmental impacts are scarce, compared to low- or mid-rise buildings. Reducing the embodied impacts is critical as about 42% of primary energy use and 39% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the building sector, which is an overlooked area in tall buildings. This doctoral research aims to investigate the effects of tall buildings on embodied energy and environmental impacts by using process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment, which provides an architect-friendly platform to incorporate sustainability information in architectural design. It aims to enlighten the debate about whether high-rise buildings are sustainable. A critical literature review is conducted on the current LCA methods in high-rise buildings and their environmental performance. It then develops a framework for BIM-based assessment of the embodied energy and environmental impacts of tall buildings. To achieve that, a case study of tall buildings is applied, by using ISO 14040 and 14044 guidelines with available database, Revit and Tally application in Revit. Finally, the association between design and construction variables with embodied energy and environmental impacts is explored. A comprehensive study on embodied energy and environmental impacts of high-rise building will address a major gap in LCA literature. Researchers and environmental consultants can use this research to create design tools to evaluate environmental impacts of high-rise buildings and to develop insight into the environmental performance of tall buildings in early design stages. Architects and engineers can also use the results to optimize tall building design for low embodied energy and environmental impacts. Finally, the results of this research will enable architects, engineers and policy-makers to develop more sustainable built environments.
Desire Under the Plane Tree: The Fallacy of the Non-Lover and the Embodiment of Erotas in Plato?s Phaedrus

In the opening scene of Plato?s Phaedrus , the Socratic interlocutor of the same name swears on a sacred plane tree in order to compel an unwilling Socrates to speak on the subject of Eros. Socrates subsequently both recants this speech and claims it was an insult to the gods. This paper attempts to reconcile Socrates? premise in his initial speech?the lover disguised as a non-lover?with the idea that representation of any kind is inhibitive of man?s quest for the Good, specifically investigating the depiction of divinity and the salutary effects of madness on human desire.
Estradiol-Induced Synthesis and Translation of Specific Proteins in the Corpus Luteum

Throughout pregnancy in the rat, several hormones control luteal cell function (1). Following nidation, locally formed estradiol becomes essential for the activation of the steps necessary for optimal steroid production and for the growth and survival of the corpus luteum (1). Estradiol stimulation of luteal growth is accompanied by a remarkable proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. However, in contrast to its effect on other target cells, estradiol does not elicit luteal cell multiplication but rather cell hypertrophy and a marked increase in protein synthesis. Although the action of estradiol on overall protein synthesis is dramatic, its effect on such diverse parameters as steroidogenesis and vascularization strongly suggests that this steroid may stimulate specific proteins which mediate its broad spectrum of action.
Structural Basis of Antibody Protection Against West Nile Virus

The structural basis for antibody-mediated neutralization of West Nile virus infection has been investigated by a variety of biophysical and biochemical approaches that have begun to reveal the underlying mechanisms involved in this process. Crystallographic studies of E protein complexed with neutralizing monoclonal antibody Fab fragments have provided detailed information about the residues that are key to the process of antibody–epitope interaction. These studies have been mated to lower resolution cryo-electron microscopy studies that provide structures of bound Fab fragment to native flavivirus virions. The results suggest that antibody-mediated virus neutralization occurs in several different ways that impact the ability of the virus to go forward in its life cycle. Furthermore, these studies have highlighted the dynamic processes that flaviviruses undergo as part of their life cycle. Collectively, these studies suggest new approaches to the design of next generation flavivirus vaccines.
Constrained Total Knee Designs for Revision Arthroplasty

The need of constraint is relatively infrequent in primary versus revision total knee arthroplasty. Indications include deficient collateral ligaments, inadequate soft tissue balancing that cannot be salvaged, and marked metaphyseal bone loss (i.e, supracondylar femur or proximal tibia). The results of revision arthroplasty in this difficult group of patients will be satisfactory in 50% with a complication rate of 30 to 50%. Our preference is to use the least amount of constraint for revision.
Effects of supplemental rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid or corn oil on fatty acid composition of adipose tissues in beef cattle.

Thirty-six Angus x Hereford heifers (365 +/- 60 kg) were used to determine the effects of supplemental dietary lipid sources on fatty acid composition of i.m., perianal (p.a.), and s.c. lipid depots. Lipid was supplied to diets as either corn oil or a rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) salt for two specific treatment periods of either the final 32 or 60 d on feed. Following an initial 56-d feeding period, heifers were fed one of three dietary treatments (DM basis): 1) basal diet containing 88% concentrate and 12% grass hay (CON), 2) basal diet plus 4% corn oil (OIL), or 3) basal diet plus 2% rumen-protected CLA salt (RPCLA) containing 31% CLA. The trans-10, cis-12 CLA concentration was greatest (P 0.05). Percentages of C18:1 trans-10 were least (P 0.05). Following 60 d of lipid supplementation, heifers fed OIL and RPCLA had lower (P 0.05) between adipose depots. Feeding OIL increased (P < 0.05) adipose concentration of C18:2 fatty acid, whereas feeding RPCLA increased (P < 0.05) total CLA isomers by 22%. Intramuscular lipid contained the lowest (P < 0.05) percentage of cis-9, trans-11 CLA, total CLA, C18:1 cis-9, C18:1 trans-10, and TVA. Total CLA and cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomers were increased (P < 0.05) in p.a. and s.c. adipose depots, whereas i.m. adipose tissue contained increased (P < 0.05) amounts of total PUFA. Results from this study indicate that short-term lipid supplementation to feedlot cattle can increase adipose tissue CLA concentrations, but only marginally (8.3 to 17.5%). Moreover, observed decreases in oleic acid and total MUFA concentrations of adipose tissues from heifers fed rumen-protected CLA or corn oil suggest that lipid supplementation may decrease delta9 desaturase activity in adipose tissues, which in turn would lower the conversion of TVA to cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer.
Electrochemical Double Layers: Liquid–Liquid Interfaces

The sections in this article are Polarizable and Nonpolarizable Liquid Interfaces Verwey–Niessen Model The Electrocapillary Equation Zero-Charge Potentials Specific Adsorption at Liquid–Liquid Interfaces Adsorption Isotherm Image Forces Modified Poisson–Boltzmann (MPB) Model
El arte del disfraz y la creación en Su único hijo de Alas Clarín

Resumen es: El presente trabajo se centra en el concepto de ficcion en Su unico hijo de Leopoldo Alas desde tres manifestaciones: mascara, grotesco y carnaval. Parto...
Azotobacter vinelandii ribonucleic acid polymerase. 3. Ribonucleic acid chain initiation.

Abstract RNA synthesis by the Azotobacter vinelandii RNA polymerase is initiated with the incorporation of a ribonucleoside triphosphate to form the 5' terminus of the chain. The RNA chains synthesized in vitro are preferentially initiated by purine ribonucleoside triphosphates. The ratio of guanosine triphosphate to ATP termini is determined by the DNA used to direct the synthesis of RNA. When denatured DNA is used as the template, this ratio is shifted in favor of GTP termini.
Dihydroxyacetone disturbs collagen fibril formation due to side chain modifications by glycation (979.1)

Glycation is a spontaneous process typically initiated with a condensation reaction between a reducing sugar and a protein, leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs). The in vivo accumulation of AGEs has been shown to modify the side chains of long lived proteins such as collagen, resulting in the alteration of their functions. The objective of this study was to use a combination of analytical techniques to evaluate the effect of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), an FDA approved tanning agent, on collagen glycation and fibril formation. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that DHA readily glycated collagen and induced the formation of AGEs. Moreover, addition of DHA to a collagen solution disturbed fibril formation, an observation confirmed by both UV spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compared to control solutions with collagen alone, addition of DHA showed a similar extent of fibril formation, but with a much lower rate, suggesting a reversible association of DHA which...
Variation in susceptibility of laboratory and field strains of three stored-grain insect species to β-cyfluthrin and chlorpyrifos-methyl plus deltamethrin applied to concrete surfaces

BACKGROUND The efficacy of commercial formulations of β-cyfluthrin and chlorpyrifos-methyl plus deltamethrin applied to clean, concrete surfaces similar to that of empty bins against field strains of stored-grain insects is unknown. We exposed adults of 16 strains of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); eight strains of the sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.); and two strains of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), collected mainly from farm-stored grain in Kansas, USA, to β-cyfluthrin and chlorpyrifos-methyl plus deltamethrin applied to concrete surfaces and determined knockdown and mortality. RESULTS Knockdown and mortality differences among species and strains to the insecticides tested were significant. Mortality of all species was less than that of knockdown, suggesting recovery when placed on food after insecticide exposure. β-Cyfluthrin was effective against R. dominica but ineffective against T. castaneum and O. surinamensis field strains. Chlorpyrifos-methyl plus deltamethrin was only partially effective against field strains of the three species. CONCLUSION Reduced susceptibility in field strains may be due to inherent formulation deficiency and low levels of tolerance or resistance to β-cyfluthrin. No single insecticide provided adequate control of the three species tested. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Overshadowed Ports of Call

Darwin's Other Islands . By Patrick Armstrong . Continuum, London, 2004. 280 pp. $150, £75. ISBN 0-8264-7531-0. Drawing on both archival sources and recent fieldwork, the author considers how the Beagle 's visits to islands other than the Galapagos influenced Darwin's subsequent work.
Binding of iron and copper to bovine heart mitochondria. I. Quantitative aspects and stability.

Bovine heart mitochondria were found to bind large amounts of Cu2+, Cu+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ in a rapid, energy-independent reaction. Binding was more than 80% complete within 15 s (the shortest time tested). To prevent disproportionation of Cu+ to Cu2+ and Cu0, a cuprous-acetonitrile-perchlorate complex was used. Fe3+ was added as the 8-hydroxyquinoline or the citrate derivative. Of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+, 1.5 to 2.5 µmoles per mg of protein could be bound in the absence of phosphate, while as much as 4 to 6 µmoles per mg of protein were bound in the presence of phosphate. A Cu2+- or Fe2+-dependent Pi uptake was observed with cation to Pi uptake ratios of 1.5 to 1.8, suggestive of the formation of Cu3(PO4)2 or Fe3(PO4)2. Cu+ binding, however, was limited to about 120 nmoles per mg of protein and a Km value of 0.42 m m was obtained. The binding of copper was inhibited by chelating agents. Bound copper was not removed by washing with sucrose, respiratory inhibitors, detergents, or mercurials, but was removed by chelating agents having a strong affinity for copper. Some of the Cu2+ was converted to Cu+ on being bound. Iron, once bound, was essentially attached in an irreversible manner, since it was not removed by various chelating agents and other additives. However, the initial iron binding was sensitive to these additives, which suggests that iron may initially bind in a reversible manner. Cu2+ and Cu+ binding was only slightly inhibited by Ca2+, Sr2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and the inhibition was not increased by adding phosphate or a source of energy. Zn2+, Ag+, and especially Hg2+, were more potent inhibitors of copper-binding than the above cations. There was no inhibition by monovalent cations. No competition was observed between copper and iron. In fact, copper was slightly stimulatory to the binding of iron, while iron was slightly stimulatory to the binding of copper. Thus, copper and iron do not bind to the same locus. The binding of Fe3+ was insensitive to Ca2+, Sr2+, Zn2+, or K+ in the presence or absence of Pi, or in the presence of an energy source. The binding of Fe2+ was inhibited by the monovalent cations Li+, Na+, and K+. Divalent cations, such as Mn2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Mg2+ were about 25 to 40% inhibitory toward Fe2+ binding at concentrations twice that of Fe2+. Zn2+ and Hg2+ were more potent inhibitors of Fe2+ binding (70 to 80% inhibition) than the other divalent cations. It is concluded that Cu+ and Cu2+ may bind to the sites implicated by others as binding Hg2+ and Zn2+. Fe2+ and Fe3+ bind to sites that are different than the sites which bind Cu+ and Cu2+ and the sites which bind Ca2+.
Assembly of the Light-Harvesting Complexes (LHCs) of Photosystem II (Monomeric LHC IIb Complexes Are Intermediates in the Formation of Oligomeric LHC IIb Complexes)

The light-induced assembly of light-harvesting complex (LHC) II has been followed during the biogenesis of the plastid. Seedlings grown in intermittent light (IML) accumulate only small amounts of chlorophyll b. The minor LHC II apoproteins are present; however, the apoprotein levels of the major LHC II complex, LHC IIb, are severely depressed after exposure to IML. The levels of all LHC II apoproteins increase rapidly upon exposure to continuous illumination. The 25-kD, type 3 LHC IIb subunit appears to be more abundant during the early hours of greening in relation to its level in mature thylakoids. The LHC IIb apoproteins are initially associated with pigments to form monomeric pigment-protein complexes. The abundance of monomeric LHC IIb complexes gradually decreases during exposure to continuous light and a concomitant increase occurs in the amount of the trimeric and higher-order oligomeric forms. Pulse-chase experiments verify that labeled LHC IIb monomeric complexes are intermediates in the formation of trimeric and higher-order oligomeric LHC IIb-pigmented complexes. Therefore, the assembly of LHC II occurs via the initial pigmentation of the apoproteins to form monomeric complexes and proceeds in a sequential manner.
Teaching clinical informatics to third-year medical students: negative results from two controlled trials

Background Prior educational interventions to increase seeking evidence by medical students have been unsuccessful.
Development of a model to predict breast cancer survival using data from the National Cancer Data Base

Background With the large amounts of data on patient, tumor, and treatment factors available to clinicians, it has become critically important to harness this information to guide clinicians in discussing a patient's prognosis. However, no widely accepted survival calculator is available that uses national data and includes multiple prognostic factors. Our objective was to develop a model for predicting survival among patients diagnosed with breast cancer using the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to serve as a prototype for the Commission on Cancer's “Cancer Survival Prognostic Calculator.” Patients and methods A retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with breast cancer (2003–2006) in the NCDB was included. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model to predict overall survival was developed. Model discrimination by 10-fold internal cross-validation and calibration was assessed. Results There were 296,284 patients for model development and internal validation. The c-index for the 10-fold cross-validation ranged from 0.779 to 0.788 after inclusion of all available pertinent prognostic factors. A plot of the observed versus predicted 5 year overall survival showed minimal deviation from the reference line. Conclusion This breast cancer survival prognostic model to be used as a prototype for building the Commission on Cancer's “Cancer Survival Prognostic Calculator” will offer patients and clinicians an objective opportunity to estimate personalized long-term survival based on patient demographic characteristics, tumor factors, and treatment delivered.
Impedance index or standard anthropometric measurements, which is the better variable for predicting fat‐free mass in sick children?

Aim: To compare the predictive value of impedance index (ZI, height2/impedance) with anthropometric measurements for estimating fat-free mass (FFM). Methods: FFM of 120 white paediatric children (46 males, 74 females), aged 2.5–18 years was measured by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), skinfold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac) and bioelectrical impedance were also obtained. Stepwise multiple regression analysis and residual plots were performed to determine the most significant variables to predict FFM. Results: The single best predictor of FFM was ZI, which explained 96.2% of the variance in FFM (r = 0.981, SEE = 2.15 kg). Addition of weight to the model containing ZI increased the explained variance of FFM to 96.6% (r = 0.983, SEE = 2.03 kg). BMI and MUAC were the poorest predictors of FFM: r = 0.422, SEE = 10.2 kg and r = 0.621, SEE = 8.93 kg, respectively. Conclusion: Impedance index is a more significant single predictor of FFM than other anthropometric measurements. The predictive accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis-based prediction equations for FFM was improved by addition of weight.
Glycoprotein Properties of the Solubilized Atrial Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor from porcine atria exhibits sialoglycoprotein characteristics based on its sensitivity to neuraminidase digestion and its ability to interact specifically with lectin affinity resins when solubilized with a digitonin/cholate mixed detergent system. Differential lectin binding properties of the neuraminidase-treated and untreated receptor suggest that high-affinity binding to immobilized wheat germ agglutinin is accomplished through the presence of both terminal sialic acid and internal N-acetylglucosamine or its beta(1 leads to 4)-linked oligomers.
On temperature spectra in grid turbulence

This paper reports wind tunnel measurements of passive temperature spectra in decaying grid generated turbulence both with and without a mean transverse temperature gradient. The measurements cover a turbulence Reynolds number range 60<Rel<1200. It is shown that for a linear temperature profile the temperature spectrum has a scaling exponent close to −5/3 and that its dilation is consistent with Kolmogorov–Obukhov–Corrsin (KOC) scaling, i.e., the width of the scaling region increases approximately as Re3/4l. The remarkably low Reynolds number onset (Rel∼70) of Kolmogorov–Obukhov–Corrsin scaling in isotropic grid turbulence is contrasted to the case of scalars in (anisotropic) shear flows where KOC scaling only appears at very high‐Reynolds numbers (Rel∼105). It is also shown that when the temperature fluctuations are inserted very close to the grid in the absence of a gradient (by means of a mandoline), the temperature spectrum behaves in a similar way to the linear gradient case, i.e., a spectrum with a ...
A comparison of nonnested tests for misspecified models using the method of approximate slopes

Abstract Comparisons of the Cox, Wald and J tests are conducted under a standard framework and in a misspecified setting - the data generation process includes a regressor that is not in either model. Most power comparisons have been carried out for ‘local alternatives’ but comparisons under a ‘nonlocal alternatives’ framework using the method of approximate slopes developed by Bahadur (1960, 1967) are made in this paper. Monte Carlo experiments are conducted and the Cox test is shown to have the highest small sample power and approximate slope for most of the cases considered. The results from response surface regressions provide strong evidence that the approximate slope is a good predictor of the small power of nonnested tests. It is also useful for directly comparing the small sample power of one degree of freedom tests of nonnested hypotheses.
A Simulation and Design Tool for a Passive Rotation Flapping Wing Mechanism

This paper develops a numerical simulation tool for designing passive rotation flapping wing mechanisms. The simulation tool includes a quasi-static model of the piezoelectric actuator bending, transmission kinematics, and the small Reynolds number aerodynamic forces governing wing dynamics. To validate the developed tool, two single-wing systems with distinct resonant frequencies are manufactured and characterized. Comparison to experimental results reveals that, although discrepancies exist, the simulation is able to predict general trends of wing kinematics and lift behavior as functions of frequency, thus, being useful as a design tool. Finally, the complex models, ranging from actuator deflection to wing aerodynamics presented in this paper, allow analysis of the complete system revealing insight into several wing trajectory control methodologies, and potentially serving as a design and optimization tool for future flapping wing robots.
An Interview with Kyle Silfer, Publisher of Reign of Toads

Welcome to the first installment of Serials Review's new column on small press publications. This column aspires to present readers with as much information as possible about small journals: from h...
Finite Element Analysis of Thermoelastic Contact Stability

When heat is conducted across an interface between two dissimilar materials, theimoelastic distortion affects the contact pressure distribution. The existence of a pressure-sensitive thermal contact resistance at the interface can cause such systems to be unstable in the steady-state. Stability analysis for thermoelastic contact has been conducted by linear perturbation methods for one-dimensional and simple two-dimen­ sional geometries, but analytical solutions become very complicated for finite geome­ tries. A method is therefore proposed in which the finite element method is used to reduce the stability problem to an eigenvalue problem. The linearity of the underlying perturbation problem enables us to conclude that solutions can be obtained in separated-variable form with exponential variation in time. This factor can therefore be removed from the governing equations and the finite element method is used to obtain a time-independent set of homogeneous equations in which the exponential growth rate appears as a linear parameter. We therefore obtain a linear eigenvalue problem and stability of the system requires that all the resulting eigenvalues should have negative real part. The method is discussed in application to the simple one-dimensional system of two contacting rods. The results show good agreement with previous analytical investigations and give additional information about the migration of eigenvalues in the complex plane as the steady-state heat flux is varied.
Rat Blood—Brain Barrier Genomics. II

The tissue-specific gene expression at the brain microvasculature, which forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can be elucidated with a brain vascular genomics program, which starts with the isolation of gene products derived from purified brain microvessels. Genes commonly expressed in peripheral organs are subtracted with the suppression subtractive hybridization method using driver cDNA produced from a pool of rat liver/kidney-derived poly A+RNA. From a screen of 480 clones in the subtracted tester cDNA library, 156 clones were sequenced. The clones fell into 3 groups: known genes (51%), rat expressed sequence tags (31%), and novel rat genes not found in databases (18%). The known genes could be categorized into families of common function including vascular remodeling, signal transduction, transcription factors, biologic transport, vascular amyloid, hemostasis, myelin, lipids, secretion, cytoskeleton, and junctional complexes. Brain vascular genomics, or BBB genomics, allows for an accelerated discovery of the gene families that are differentially expressed at the microvasculature in brain.
Pain as Symptom, Pain as Sign

This article proposes a theoretical contribution to critical health psychology. Charles Sanders Peirce’s semiotics provide health psychology and related fields with an analytic that centers interes...
A continuous flow microfluidic calorimeter: 3-D numerical modeling with aqueous reactants

A computational analysis of the reacting flow field, species diffusion and heat transfer processes with thermal boundary layer effects in a microchannel reactor with a coflow configuration was performed. Two parallel adjacent streams of aqueous reactants flow along a wide, shallow, enclosed channel in contact with a substrate, which is affixed to a temperature controlled plate. The Fluent computational fluid dynamics package solved the Navier–Stokes, mass transport and energy equations. The energy model, including the enthalpy of reaction as a nonuniform heat source, was validated by calculating the energy balance at several control volumes in the microchannel. Analysis reveals that the temperature is nearly uniform across the channel thickness, in the direction normal to the substrate surface; hence, measurements made by sensors at or near the surface are representative of the average temperature. Additionally, modeling the channel with a glass substrate and a silicone cover shows that heat transfer is predominantly due to the glass substrate. Finally, using the numerical results, we suggest that a microcalorimeter could be based on this configuration, and that temperature sensors such as optical nanohole array sensors could have sufficient spatial resolution to determine enthalpy of reaction.
Long term stability of a 50 kV X-ray unit for stereotactic irradiation.

A low energy (50 kV) x-ray tube used for the stereotactic irradiation of intracranial lesions has been in use since 1999. The unit is calibrated prior to every procedure and during periodic QA tests. The unit uses an internal and an external scintillation detector to monitor dose as well as a conventional timer. The records of these calibrations were reviewed to see whether a change in the output had occurred over that period. Using time as the reference, it was found that both the internal radiation monitor and the beam output, determined with a parallel plate ionization chamber, dropped by variable amounts over the given period. The beam output dropped significantly more than the internal radiation monitor while the external radiation monitor showed no significant deviation from its initial value. The beam output dropped to about 90% of its initial value after about 200 days, but remained relatively constant thereafter. The internal radiation monitor dropped steadily to about 96-97% of its initial value at 1000 days, but recovered to about 98% after that. Calibration prior to each procedure is strongly recommended.