cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compact ammonia reforming at low temperature using catalytic membrane reactors

Abstract Ammonia is a leading carrier for the storage and transport of renewable hydrogen, but its deployment requires scalable technologies for efficient decomposition and purification. In this work, we report on the efficient delivery of high purity hydrogen from ammonia decomposition using a catalytic membrane reactor (CMR). Improvements to the electroless plating process reduced the Pd membrane thickness by >35%, resulting in commensurate increases in hydrogen permeance without sacrificing selectivity. To increase throughput a commercial Ru/Al2O3 catalyst was added to the lumen, and the CMR could process ammonia flowrates 10–50 times higher than an equivalent packed bed reactor while maintaining the same level of conversion. It is shown that the earth-abundant zeolite clinoptilolite could reduce ammonia impurities in the permeated H2 to the levels required by PEM fuel cells ( 500-h durability test due to improvements in membrane permeability. The results show that CMRs are a viable technology for distributed production of hydrogen from ammonia.
Water and Its Effect on Business Productivity: A Cross-Country Analysis

Using a unique survey database of more than 55,000 firms in more than 100 countries, we explore the impact of water and its scarcity on firms. Even though, about 1 in 3 firms require water and 1 in 4 of those firms experience insufficient water supply, productivity of firms using water is higher than productivity of firms not requiring water. Even with or without water shortage problems, productivity of large firms using water is higher than productivity of all other firms. Productivity of manufacturing firms requiring no water is lower than productivity of all other firms. A firm’s perception about corruption does not have any influence on its productivity irrespective of whether it uses water or it experiences water scarcity.
Trends in Atmospheric Ozone 1957-2015

A general linear model with dummy coded time intervals is proposed for the detection of short term seasonal variations and deseasonalized long term trends in atmospheric total column ozone from 1957 to 2015. Data from ground stations located in the northern mid-latitudes, the tropics, and Antarctica show seasonal cycles and long term declining trends in total ozone that differ according to latitude. The long term decline is weakest in the tropics and strongest in Antarctica. Some evidence of stabilization and recovery of ozone levels is found.
Acanthocephalan-related variation in the pattern of energy storage of a behaviorally and physiologically modified host: field data

The acanthocephalan parasite Acanthocephalus dirus infects the freshwater isopod Caecidotea intermedius as an intermediate host before completing its life cycle in a fish. Transmission to the definitive host occurs after the parasite has reached the cystacanth stage, and development into this stage is associated with changes in several behavioral and physiological traits of the host. Given the potential importance of host energy availability to trait modification, we examined the relationship between cystacanth-stage infection and energy storage of adult isopods. Six samples of infected and uninfected male C. intermedius were collected from a population in March, April, and May during which time cystacanth-stage A. dirus dominate infections and modification of behavior and physiology occurs in nature. Biochemical assays revealed that infected male C. intermedius contained more glycogen and more lipid than uninfected males and that this difference was present throughout the sampling period, which represents the entire adult phase of the host's life. Additional analysis revealed that infected and uninfected males differed in their pattern of allocation to each energy source and that host lipid levels were negatively correlated with parasite intensity. We propose that the typical pattern of allocation and storage of host energy appears to be disrupted by A. dirus infection and that the changes are more likely to favor the parasite than the host.
Rhodopsin mutations responsible for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Clustering of functional classes along the polypeptide chain.

Over 40 mutations in the rhodopsin gene have been identified in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Twenty-one of these mutations have been introduced into a human rhodopsin cDNA by site-directed mutagenesis, and the encoded proteins have been produced by transfection of a human embryonic kidney cell line (293S). Three of the mutant proteins (G51V, V345M, and P347S) resemble the wild type in yield, regenerability with 11-cis-retinal, and accumulation in the plasma membrane (class I). The remaining 18 mutant proteins are produced at lower levels, regenerate variably or not at all with 11-cis-retinal, and accumulate partially or predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum (class II). Together with an earlier analysis of 13 mutant rhodopsins (Sung, C.-H., Schneider, B., Agarwal, N., Papermaster, D.S., and Nathans, J. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 8840-8844), these experiments define distinct classes of biochemical defects in human rhodopsin and further show that amino acid substitutions in class II reside within the transmembrane and extracellular domains, whereas class I mutants cluster in the first transmembrane domain and at the extreme carboxyl terminus.
On Using Object-Oriented Parallel Programming to Build Distributed Algebraic Abstractions

This paper considers the problem of designing numerical linear algebra computations with a parallel object oriented programming language. An extension to C++ based on a Concurrent Aggregate concept is used to describe a hierarchy of distributed structures including dense matrices, sparse matrices, banded matrices, vectors and the associated linear algebra. We show that these abstractions are ideal for describing BLAS3 style blocked computation. As an example we show how to build a distributed conjugate gradient algorithms for sparse matrix (based on the NAS sparse benchmark and we show results for four different parallel machines.
What Links Bats to Emerging Infectious Diseases

The discovery that bats are the reservoir hosts of the coronavirus that causes SARS in humans raises important questions about how we monitor and control emergent disease outbreaks. In his Perspective, Dobson focuses on the need to know more about the distribution of pathogens in their natural reservoir hosts and asks whether the absence of pathology that characterizes these relationships may reflect subtle differences in the immune responses of bats.
The NGFI-B protein, an inducible member of the thyroid/steroid receptor family, is rapidly modified posttranslationally.

Abstract The NGFI-B gene is rapidly activated by a variety of stimuli that induce cells to differentiate or proliferate. It encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of congruent to 61 kDa and is a member of the thyroid/steroid hormone receptor gene family. To characterize this protein, monoclonal antibodies were raised against a bacterial TrpE-NGFI-B fusion protein that encompasses a large portion (Glu-410 to Leu-527) of the carboxy-terminal domain of NGFI-B. These antibodies detected a protein that was rapidly synthesized in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) and migrated as a broad band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with an apparent molecular mass that ranged from 63 to 88 kDa. Pulse-chase analysis demonstrated that NGFI-B was rapidly posttranslationally modified and was a short-lived protein. NGFI-B was found to be a phosphorylated protein, and the multiple NGFI-B species coalesced into a single, more rapidly migrating species when treated with alkaline phosphatase. PC12 cells grown in the absence of NGF contained low levels of NGFI-B that was underphosphorylated. Epidermal growth factor, phorbol ester, and the calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated the synthesis of NGFI-B that was composed largely of underphosphorylated, rapidly migrating species. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor, which promotes differentiation of PC12 cells, induced the synthesis of NGFI-B species similar to those synthesized in response to NGF treatment. The underphosphorylated NGFI-B found in uninduced PC12 cells was found only in the nucleus, whereas NGFI-B in NGF-stimulated PC12 cells was present in approximately equal quantities in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Consistent with the cellular distribution observed in nonstimulated PC12 cells, the highly phosphorylated species were predominantly cytoplasmic whereas the more rapidly migrating forms were nuclear.
Weekly marijuana use as a risk factor for initial cocaine use: Results from a six-wave national survey

The gateway hypothesis argues that most adolescents begin experimenting with cigarettes or alcohol, progress to marijuana use and finally to other illicit substance use. Prior research has supported this hypothesis, although prior research has not examined the effects of weekly marijuana use on specific illicit substances such as cocaine and has not attempted to identify psychosocial mediators of predictive relationships among substances. The current study uses longitudinal national survey data with six assessment periods and a comprehensive set of psychosocial risk factors for substance use to examine relationships between cocaine and marijuana use using discrete-time survival analysis for multiwave longitudinal data. The results of the current study show that weekly marijuana use, as opposed to initial marijuana use, is an independent risk factor for initial cocaine use. Weekly marijuana users were over ten times more likely to initiate cocaine within the next year. The results also show that many psych...
Maternal exercise before and during pregnancy does not impact offspring exercise or body composition in mice.

The genome, the environment, and their interactions simultaneously regulate complex traits such as body composition and voluntary exercise levels. One such environmental influence is the maternal milieu (i.e., in utero environment or maternal care). Variability in the maternal environment may directly impact the mother, and simultaneously has the potential to influence the physiology and/or behavior of offspring in utero, post birth, and into adulthood. Here, we utilized a murine model to examine the effects of the maternal environment in regard to voluntary exercise (absence of wheel running, wheel running prior to gestation, and wheel running prior to and throughout gestation) on offspring weight and body composition (% fat tissue and % lean tissue) throughout development (~3 to ~9 weeks of age). Additionally, we examined the effects of ~6 weeks of maternal exercise (prior to and during gestation) on offspring exercise levels at ~9 weeks of age. We observed no substantial effects of maternal exercise on subsequent male or female offspring body composition throughout development, or on the propensity of offspring to engage in voluntary wheel running. At the level of the individual, correlational analyses revealed some statistically significant relationships between maternal and offspring exercise levels, likely reflecting previously known heritability estimates for such traits. The current results conflict with previous findings in human and mouse models demonstrating that maternal exercise has the potential to alter offspring phenotypes. We discuss our negative findings in the context of the timing of the maternal exercise and the level of biological organization of the examined phenotypes within the offspring.
X‐linked midline defects

Opitz and Gilbert [Am J Med Genet 12:443-455, 1982] have postulated that the midline may be a kind of developmental field. Although developmental field defects (primary malformations) usually occur sporadically, in some instances they can be caused by a single gene mutation. We report on a family in which the occurrence of midline defects was consistent with X-linked inheritance. Anomalies present in the family include hydrocephalus, anencephaly, cleft lip, congenital heart defect, renal agenesis, and hypospadias.
Supernova observation via neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering in the CLEAN detector

Development of large mass detectors for low-energy neutrinos and dark matter may allow supernova detection via neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering. An elastic-scattering detector could observe a few, or more, events per ton for a galactic supernova at 10 kpc $(3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}\mathrm{m}).$ This large yield, a factor of at least 20 greater than that for existing light-water detectors, arises because of the very large coherent cross section and the sensitivity to all flavors of neutrinos and antineutrinos. An elastic scattering detector can provide important information on the flux and spectrum of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ from supernovae. We consider many detectors and a range of target materials from ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ to ${}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}.$ Monte Carlo simulations of low-energy backgrounds are presented for the liquid-neon-based Cryogenic Low Energy Astrophysics with Noble gases detector. The simulated background is much smaller than the expected signal from a galactic supernova.
Improved results with selective management in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

Abstract Objective: Late outcome of neonatal pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum remains poor in most reported series. We have followed a selective approach toward either single ventricle repair versus complete or partial biventricular repair based on the presence of right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation and growth of the right ventricle. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 47 patients who underwent surgery between January 1991 and September 1998. Results: Sixteen (34%) patients had a right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation, with a tricuspid valve Z-score of –3.0 ± 0.66 versus –2.0 ± 0.95 ( P = .002) for those without a right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation. A systemic–pulmonary artery shunt only was performed in all patients with a right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation, with 1 death. Fourteen of 16 patients with a right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation underwent a bidirectional Glenn shunt at a median of 9 months after their first operation, 9 of whom have had a Fontan procedure (no deaths). In the 31 (66%) patients without a right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation, 6 patients underwent only a systemic–pulmonary artery shunt, 23 had a shunt and right ventricular decompression, and 2 had only a transannular patch. In this group, 10 patients received a 2-ventricle repair, 6 a 1.5-ventricle repair, and 8 patients had a Fontan procedure. There was 1 early death and the overall survival was 98% at 1 year, 5 years, and 7 years. Conclusions: If patients are stratified well, excellent survival can be achieved in the treatment of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. This result may be at the price of achieving a 1-ventricle as opposed to a 2-ventricle repair. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;118:1046-55)
A novel method to purify recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF121) expressed in yeast

VEGF is a potent mitogen for vascular endothelial cells in vitro and acts as an angiogenic factor in vivo. VEGF121 differs from the other isoforms in that it lacks the heparin-binding domain. To study the potential differences in biological functions of the VEGF isoforms, we cloned and expressed VEGF121 in a yeast expression system. VEGF121 was secreted from the yeast cells as a homodimer with a molecular weight of 34-36 kDa. By taking advantage of the consecutive histidine residues present at position 11 and 12 in VEGF, a novel method of purification using Nickel affinity chromatography was developed. Since all the isoforms of VEGF have an identical amino terminal end, this method can be used to purify not only VEGF121 but also the other forms of VEGF. The level of expression achieved using this system was as high as 40 mg/L. The recombinant protein was biologically active in stimulating the in vitro proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and positively reacted to an antiserum made against recombinant VEGF165.
The Discursive Characteristics of a Prosocial Self-Help: Re-visioning the Potential of Self-Help for Empowerment

Self-help activities tend to be conceptualized as a singular communicative mode, but one that is either empowering or oppressive. One alternative to rejecting self-help entirely is to redirect theorizing to identify, to articulate, and even to promote the ways self-help can manifest as a means of claiming and embodying agency within a society. I argue that self-help is provisionally a means of empowerment contingent on the discursive characteristics of the activities referenced. Empowerment appears to be cultivated in self-help activities when the communicative interaction is (a) embodied by self-help interactants who are part of a collective and who, as members of that collective, attempt to achieve social parity and (b) when the goal is to share knowledge gained from personal experience.
A Chemical equilibrium model for interfacial activity of crude oil in aqueous alkaline solution: The effects of pH, alkali and salt

A chemical equilibrium model is proposed to describe the effects of acid content, pH and sodium ion concentration on the interfacial activity of crude oil in aqueous alkaline solutions. The model is based on an equilibrium among the dissociation of acids in the crude, the dissociation of the sodium salt containing the active species and the dissociation of water. It is shown that once the pH of the interface reaches the pKa of the acids, the interfacial tension (IFT) drops steeply and that further addition of sodium ions increases the IFT by shifting the equilibrium to form undissociated soap. On propose un modele d'equilibre chimique pour decrire les effets de la teneur en acide, du pH et de la concentration des ions sodium sur l'activite a l'interface d'un petrole brut dans les solutions alcalines. Le modele est base sur les equilibres pour la dissociation des acides dans le brut, la dissociation des sels de sodium contenant les especes actives et la dissociation de l'eau. On monre que des que le pH a l'interface atteint le pKa des acides, la tension interfaciale (IFT) chute brusquement et qu'une addition supplementaire d'ions sodium augmente l'IFT en deplacant l'equilibre dans le sens de la formation du compose saponifie non dissocie.
Tofu and cognitive function: food for thought.

Much of the growing interest in diet and the development of dementia has focused on antioxidant vitamins. Clearly, there is a plausible basis for this attention, and convincing data support a free ...
Laplace-transform analytic-element method for transient porous-media flow

A unified theory of the Laplace-transform analytic-element method (LT-AEM) for solving transient porous-media flow problems is presented. LT-AEM applies the analytic-element method (AEM) to the modified Helmholtz equation, the Laplace-transformed diffusion equation. LT-AEM uses superposition and boundary collocation with Laplace-space convolution to compute flexible semi-analytic solutions from a small collection of fundamental elements. The elements discussed are derived using eigenfunction expansions of element shapes in their natural coordinates. A new formulation for a constant-strength line source is presented in terms of elliptical coordinates and complex-parameter Mathieu functions. Examples are given illustrating how leaky and damped-wave hydrologic problems can be solved with little modification using existing LT-AEM techniques.
Nostalgia and the emotional tone and content of song lyrics.

Emotion and topic were manipulated in original song lyrics. Participants completed Batcho's (1995) and Holbrook's (1993) nostalgia surveys and rated 6 sets of lyrics for happiness, sadness, anger, nostalgia, meaning, liking, and relevance. Nostalgic lyrics were characterized by bittersweet reverie, loss of the past, identity, and meaning. Contrary to theories linking nostalgia to pathology, participants who scored high on Batcho's measure of personal nostalgia preferred happy lyrics, found them more meaningful, and related more closely to them. Consistent with theories relating nostalgia to social connectedness, high-nostalgia respondents preferred other-directed to solitary themes. Historical nostalgia was associated with relating more closely to sad lyrics.
Psychopathy in youth and intelligence: an investigation of Cleckley's hypothesis.

Cleckley (1941) hypothesized that true or "primary" psychopathic individuals have "good" intelligence. This study examined the relation between psychopathy and intelligence in 122 detained children and adolescents. We used the Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version (PCL–YV; Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003) to assess psychopathy and administered novel intelligence measures to tap diverse interpretations of the intelligence construct (e.g., traditional and triarchic intelligence). Structural equation modeling indicated that dimensions of psychopathy and intelligence were related in unique and important ways. In particular, psychopathy traits reflecting a superficial and deceitful interpersonal style were positively related to intellectual skills in the verbal realm (Kaufman's Brief Intelligence Test [K–BIT]; Kaufman & Kaufman, 1990) and a nontraditional intellectual measure reflecting creativity, practicality, and analytic thinking as measured by Sternberg's Triarchic Abilities Test (STAT; Sternberg, 1993). Finall...
Preserve the Nerve: Microsurgical Resection of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

Using a fascicle-sparing approach, schwannomas and nonplexiform neurofibromas can often be removed without causing neurological deficit or neuropathic pain. This article provides a step-by-step description of how to remove these benign tumors using microsurgical techniques.
Pragmatic Paths to Environmental Sustainability

After summarizing what I take to be the main contribution of Norton’s book––his proposal for a new vocabulary for public discourse as it pertains to environmental stability––I attempt to locate his work among some of the current debates regarding sustainability and public policy. I detail some of the ways in which this work constitutes a further development of themes he presented in 1991 in Toward unity Among Environmentalists. I discuss his prescriptions for defusing confrontations regarding environmental policy by functionalizing issues in ways that cut across historically entrenched interest groups. From the standpoint of method, I␣argue that Norton has stacked a Habermas- type proceduralism on top of a pragmatic experimentalist platform (and I add that if he had constructed his method the other way around it would not have worked.) In all this I find Norton’s proposals both imaginative and full of promise.
Vascular biomarkers in migraine.

AimMigraine has been associated with stroke as well as with several non-atherosclerotic vascular conditions leading to discussions about the potential role of endothelium in the etiopathogenesis of migraine and migraine-associated stroke. We present a systematic review of the literature on vascular biomarkers in migraine, including those suggesting endothelial activation and damage.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature search from 1990 to 2013 using multiple research databases with the keywords “migraine,” “headache,” “vascular,” and “biomarkers.” We used selected inclusion and exclusion criteria to create a final pool of studies for this review.ResultsThe literature search identified a total of 639 citations of which 129 were included in our review. The final pool of clinical- and population-based studies assessed the level of various biomarkers (e.g. inflammatory, prothrombotic, endothelial activation, endothelial repair) in migraineurs of varying ages, gender, and demographic characteristics. Alt...
Stochastic averaging analysis of an adaptive time delay estimation algorithm

The authors present a theoretical analysis of an adaptive delay estimation algorithm based on stochastic averaging theory. Both time-invariant and time-variant delay cases are considered. With time-invariant delay, the estimator is found to converge weakly to a deterministic differential equation as adaptive speed decreases. For the time-variant delay case, a first-order averaging analysis gives a similar result. Simulation results are also presented. >
Salinity and pollution effects on survival and infectivity of Heleidomermis magnapapula (Stichosomida: Mermithidae) for Culicoides variipennis sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The mermithid nematode parasite Heleidomemis magnapapula Poinar & Mullens was tested for tolerance to MgS04, NaCl, and dairy waste in water. Significant 24–h adult mortality was observed at 300—400 mM NaCI or MgS04· Preparasite mortality >24 h was significantly less in 50 mM NaCI (used as control) when compared with plain spring water, NaCl concentrations> 100 mM, or MgS04 concentrations> 10 mM. Preparasite infectivity for larvae of Culicoides variipennis sonorensis Wirth & Jones was inhibited at salinities >50 and 150 mM MgS04 and NaC!, respectively. Adult H. magnapapula survived well at manure concentrations 12.5%. In general, tolerance of saline and polluted conditions was in the order adult females> adult males > preparasites. Relative to other aquatic mermithids, H. magnapapula is euryhaline, and its tolerance for salinity and manure pollution matches typical dairy wastewater pond levels where the host larvae are most abundant. Some wastewater pond habitats are too saline or polluted for the nematode to function well, and some relatively pristine C. v. sonorensis habitats, such as desert streams, might be too clean for the parasite. Intolerance of salinity probably explains the lack of the parasite in saline habitats inhabited by C. v. occidentalis .
Possible Explanation of the Zodiacal Light

THE nature or origin of the zodiacal light is regarded as more or less of a mystery. Some have thought that the phenomenon may indicate the existence of a diffused ring of small particles in equilibrium and in nature somewhat like those of Saturn's rings, though more scattered and existing in very small amount compared thereto. This hypothesis assumes a stability which it is difficult to accord to such a ring.
Solvent- and Vapor-Induced Isomerization between the Luminescent Solids [CuI(4-pic)]4 and [CuI(4-pic)]∞ (pic = methylpyridine). The Structural Basis for the Observed Luminescence Vapochromism

Exposure of the polymeric solid [CuI(4-pic)]∞ (pic = picoline = methyl pyridine) to liquid or vapor toluene leads to disappearance of its room-temperature blue emission (λmax 437 nm) and the appearance of a yellow emission (λmax 580 nm) characteristic of the [CuI(4-pic)]4 tetramer. The process is reversed when the latter is exposed to liquid or vapor n-pentane. Analogous transformations between the tetrameric and polymeric forms do not occur when the 3-picoline analogues [CuI(3-pic)]x are similarly treated. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on the compounds [CuIL]∞ and [CuIL]4 (L = 3-, 4-pic) indicate that the 4-pic tetranuclear isomer incorporates toluene into its solid phase to give a material with the composition [CuI(4-pic)]4·2C6H5CH3, but the other three phases are solvent-free. The chains in the two polymeric phases exhibit double-zigzag configurations, also commonly observed in zeolitic tetrahedral structures. In both polymeric phases, the chains propagate along the monoclinic b axis. The 3-...
A note on Launhardt’s market area analysis

This note examines Launhardt’s analysis of market area in Chapter 27 of his 1885 book. Under the assumption of quadratic utility function, we derive the individual spatial demand and use this spatial demand curve to show the formation of a circular market. We further show that the size of the market area is inversely proportional to the square of the freight rate without the constant marginal utility assumption. Backhaus recently claimed that the application of this Launhardt’s market area rule requires the constant marginal utility assumption. We show that Backhaus’s assertion is incorrect.
Cytoplasmic localization of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in unfertilized sea urchin eggs.

Abstract DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity has been measured in unfertilized sea urchin eggs and swimming blastula stage embryos. The total activity detectable at these two stages was found to be comparable. Assays of isolated nuclei and non-nucleate half preparations indicate that the activity in the unfertilized egg is localized in the cytoplasm, in contrast to what is observed in the blastula stage empryo cell where the activity is found exclusively in the nucleus. Similar DEAE-sephadex chromatography profiles are obtained with enzyme isolated from either source.
An epidemic of paralytic poliomyelitis characterized by dual infections with poliomyelitis and Coxsackie viruses.

The first known epidemic of poliomyelitis in Easton, Pennsylvania, occurred in 1949, and was unusual in the high proportion of paralytic to non-paralytic cases. Both poliomyelitis and Cosxackie, or C, viruses were isolated from more than half the patients studied during the acute stage of the disease. One month later C virus was only occasionally recovered. Classification of the 28 strains of C virus which were isolated revealed that 24 belonged to one antigenic type, Easton-2 (related to Albany type 1 virus). Patients from whom C virus was isolated showed a rise during convalescence to the Easton-2 or homologous type antibody. Two patients with paralytic poliomyelitis were studied for the quantitative development of antibodies to the poliomyelitis virus and to the C virus found in their stools. Using the neutralization test in monkeys and in newborn mice, respectively, a simultaneous rise in antibodies to both agents was observed. The situation at present can be summarized as follows:—Poliomyelitis virus or C virus may produce infection in man, with a specific antibody response. Both agents may be carried, particularly in the intestines, without causing any serious illness and healthy carrier states have been observed for each. Both viruses can be found in nature in flies and in sewage. However there has been no evidence to suggest that these two viruses bear a relationship to each other, even when isolated from the same patient. Thus, when both viruses are found in a patient with paralysis, it is not yet possible to say with any degree of accuracy to what extent each is responsible in the over-all pattern of the disease. How frequently dual infections of this nature may occur remains for future investigations to determine. Certainly all cases of poliomyelitis are not complicated by a superimposed infection with a C virus. However, this will have to be one more item to consider in epidemic poliomyelitis.
Microwave heating of baked dough products with simultaneous heat and moisture transfer

Abstract By using the Crank-Nicolson finite-difference method, a computer model to predict temperatures and moisture contents during microwave heating was developed. In this model, variable thermal and moisture-transfer properties were allowed. The model could apply to microwave heating with continuous and on-off power and to the cooling stage after microwave heating. A method to estimate the electric-field strength of a microwave oven was outlined and verified experimentally. Bread was chosen as the test material. The model predicted temperatures very well during microwave heating and the cooling stage. It also predicted the average moisture content closely to experimental values up to 30 seconds of heating (within 2% error) with an electric-field strength of 42·5 V/cm.
Mechanism of the sustained action of histamine and bradykinin on transport of large molecules across capillary walls in the dog paw

Abstract Raising venous pressure in the dog paw during the sustained elevation of capillary permeability produced by histamine or bradykinin increased lymph flow and decreased lymph concentrations of plasma proteins and Dextran-110 proportionally. Rates of blood-lymph transport were not consistently changed. Diminished restriction to larger molecules remained. We conclude that these agents increase transport of large molecules by a nonhydraulically conductive pathway.
The one-to-many multi-modal fusion challenge

The One-to-many Multi-modal Fusion Challenge is presented, with the aim of promoting academic research into one-to-many methods of fusion for large-scale biometric systems. Although most research into fusion has been conducted using verification (one-to-one) comparison results, there is greater demand among government agencies for one-to-many fusion. The fusion challenge makes commercial iris and face matching results available to the public. Results are computed over operational data. Specific challenges that are relevant to deployers of biometric systems are put forth, and an adaptation of Neyman-Pearson fusion is used to compute baseline results for some of the challenges. The results show that there is potential to improve recognition accuracy by fusing comparison results from multiple iris algorithms, even when one of the algorithms is considerably more accuracy than the other.
Finite element analysis of brittle cracking due to single grit rotating scratch

Finite element analysis of single grit rotating scratch on brittle materials was conducted using an elastic-plastic-cracking (EPC) model. The brittle material removal mechanism was modeled based on a critical crack-opening displacement criterion. It was found that the tangential and normal force profiles as well as the damage morphology observed in scratch experiments were fully captured by the EPC model. The results revealed that the induced damage zone size increases linearly with a brittleness parameter (EY/σ 2 f ) 1/3 as well as the maximum depth of cut.
Sexual orientation and cognitive abilities

We asked whether homosexual and heterosexual men and women differ on standard measures of cognitive ability. Subjects were adults recruited for a family study of sexual orientation. They completed the Fy Scale of the California Psychological Inventory, a self-administered measure of psychological "femininity," and were given subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Primary Mental Abilities test which had been previously shown to discriminate between the sexes. We predicted that homosexual subjects would score significantly in the gender-atypical direction on the Fy scale. We also predicted that they would achieve scores on the tests of cognitive abilities significantly in the direction of the other gender. Comparisons were made between homosexual and heterosexual individuals within gender. Also, comparisons were made between heterosexual men and women to see if our results replicate differences typically found between the genders. As predicted, both homosexual men and women were strongly gender-atypical on the Fy scale relative to their heterosexual counterparts. However, neither differed from heterosexuals on any of the measures of cognitive abilities. Heterosexual men did better than women on the Primary Mental Abilities spatial relations test. We conclude that sexual orientation is not related to specific cognitive abilities.
Clues to Diagnosing Carcinoid Heart Disease as the Cause of Isolated Right-Sided Heart Failure

Described herein is a 67-year-old woman who underwent replacement of both tricuspid and pulmonic valves because of severe isolated right-sided systolic heart failure. The cause of the heart failure preoperatively was believed to be the result of left breast radiation a year earlier. At operation, however, the pulmonic valve was excised and a biopsy of the stiff-walled right atrium was performed, and histologic examination of each was classic of carcinoid heart disease. She never awoke postoperatively. Postoperatively, computed tomography disclosed numerous masses in the liver. Retrospectively, clues to the presence of carcinoid heart disease include thickening of both the tricuspid and pulmonic valve leaflets by echocardiogram, a pressure gradient, albeit small, across the pulmonic valve, the plastering of the septal tricuspid-valve leaflet to the ventricular septum, the total absence of left-sided heart disease, and the presence of extremely low 12-lead QRS electrocardiographic voltage.
Density functional theory study of mercury adsorption on metal surfaces

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to characterize the interaction of mercury with copper, nickel, palladium, platinum, silver, and gold surfaces. Mercury binds relatively strongly to all the metal surfaces studied, with binding energies up to $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ for Pt and Pd. DFT calculations underestimate the energy of adsorption with respect to available experimental data. Plane-wave DFT results using the local density approximation and the Perdew-Wang 1991 and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof parametrizations of the generalized gradient approximation indicate that binding of mercury at hollow sites is preferred over binding at top or bridge sites. The interaction with mercury in order of increasing reactivity over the six metals studied is $\mathrm{Ag}l\mathrm{Au}l\mathrm{Cu}l\mathrm{Ni}l\mathrm{Pt}l\mathrm{Pd}$. Binding is stronger on the (001) faces of the metal surfaces, where mercury is situated in fourfold hollow sites as opposed to the threefold hollow sites on (111) faces. In general, mercury adsorption leads to decreases in the work function; adsorbate-induced work function changes are particularly dramatic on Pt.
ER and PR Immunohistochemistry and HER2 FISH versus Oncotype DX: Implications for Breast Cancer Treatment

Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor (HER2) concordance between immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and Oncotype DX, a commercially available RT-PCR-based assay which recently began reporting biomarker results was assessed. ER concordance was 98.9% (262/265), Pearson correlation coefficient (r) = 0.42, and Spearman's rank correlation (ρ) = 0.25. Positive percent agreement for ER was 98.9% (262/265). One patient with discordant ER results was not offered hormone therapy based on the preferential use of Oncotype DX. PR was concordant in 91.3% (242/265), r = 0.80, ρ = 0.75, and Cohen's kappa (κ) = 0.63. Positive percent agreement for PR was 90.5% (218/241) and negative percent agreement was 100% (24/24). HER2 concordance was 99.2% (245/247), r = 0.35, ρ = 0.28, and κ = 0.12. Positive percent agreement for HER2 was 0% (0/2) and negative percent agreement was 100% (245/245). Of the three FISH HER2-amplified cases, two were negative and one was equivocal, and all FISH HER2-equivocal cases (n = 3) were negative by Oncotype DX. Patients that were FISH HER2-amplified, Oncotype DX HER2-negative did not receive trastuzumab. Although our results demonstrated high concordance between IHC and Oncotype DX for ER and PR, our data showed poor positive percent agreement for HER2. Compared to FISH, Oncotype DX does not identify HER2-positive breast carcinomas. The preferential use of Oncotype DX biomarker results over IHC and FISH is discouraged.
Venous Thromboembolism and Malignant Brain Tumors: A Review:

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with primary brain tumors varies be tween 1 and 60%. This variability in incidence is due to study differences in (a) methods of diagnosis ...
Restorative justice: the indigenous justice system

Dramatically different beliefs about justice will produce dramatically different methods for achieving justice. The beliefs underlying the traditional Indigenous restorative justice systems, systems that dramatically differ from the European-based system practiced in the USA are presented. The discussion highlights the legacy of colonialism for tribal communities and the resilience and creative resistance that have continued to characterize the spirit and ingenuity of Indigenous peoples.
A simple filtered photodiode instrument for continuous measurement of narrowband NDVI and PRI over vegetated canopies

Abstract Recent advances in understanding relationships between spectral reflectance of vegetation canopies and the structural and physiological drivers of canopy-atmosphere carbon dioxide exchange highlight the potential for using narrowband spectral vegetation indices to spatially scale CO 2 fluxes beyond the area of a tower footprint. However, ground reference observations of narrowband spectral reflectance in support of satellite observations can be challenging to obtain because (1) automated sampling of both upwelling and downwelling radiation is required over extended time periods to characterize diurnal and seasonal variability, (2) hyperspectral spectroradiometer data and hardware can be sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and moisture, and (3) hyperspectral spectroradiometers are expensive, greatly limiting prospects for widespread automated sampling. We have therefore developed the QuadPod: a simple, lightweight, relatively low cost and low power sensor capable of continuously measuring upwelling and downwelling radiation in 10 nm wavebands centered at 532 nm, 568 nm, 676 nm, and 800 nm. QuadPod measurements can be combined to calculate spectral reflectance indices (e.g., the photochemical reflectance index, PRI; and the normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) useful for modeling canopy-atmosphere carbon exchange. The basic QuadPod instrument design described here can be implemented using any combination of optical filters in order to calculate other spectral vegetation indices.
Cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography assay for the nigrostriatal toxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and its monoamine oxidase B generated metabolites in brain tissues.

Abstract This paper describes a sensitive (1 pmol/mg tissue) and selective bioanalytical method for the quantitative estimation of the nigrostriatal toxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its monoamine oxidase B generated metabolites, the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridium species MPDP + and the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium species MPP + . The method is based on initial separation of the analytes after treatment of brain tissue homogenates with 5% trichloroacetic acid. The soluble fraction is analyzed directly by cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography employing a diode array UV detector. Results obtained with this assay have provided the first evidence for the presence of MPDP + in the mouse brain following intravenous administration of MPTP.
A case of idiopathic follicular mucinosis treated with bexarotene gel

Background Topical bexarotene 1% gel is currently FDA-approved for early stage (IA and IB) persistent or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). No uniformly effective therapy exists for follicular mucinosis, although several treatments are routinely used. There are no known reports of topical bexarotene being used in the treatment of idiopathic follicular mucinosis when there is no association with CTCL. This article reports the first case of bexarotene gel to successfully treat persistent idiopathic follicular mucinosis. Materials and methods This study describes a 34-year-old Caucasian male with idiopathic follicular mucinosis. The patient had treatment failure with clobetasol 0.05% ointment and narrow-band UVB. Intralesional injections with triamcinolone 5 mg/ml were successful for treating the plaques in the beard area. The patient was treated with bexarotene 1% gel applied twice a day to the persistent plaques on the lower extremities. The patient reported significant improvement in hair growth after only six weeks of treatment. The treatment was decreased to once a day due to erythema, and he had complete hair regrowth at 26 weeks. Discussion Several treatments have been described in the literature, such as corticosteroids, psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) light therapy, topical nitrogen mustard, and radiation therapy. Isolated cases have documented the beneficial responses of pimecrolimus, dapsone, indomethacin, minocycline, isotretinoin, hydroxychloroquine and interferons. No single treatment has been shown to be consistently effective. Conclusion Topical bexarotene 1% gel should be considered for patients with idiopathic follicular mucinosis resistant to standard treatment.
Statistical Procedures for Making Inferences about Climate Variability

Abstract A statistical procedure is described for making inferences about changes in climate variability. The fundamental question of how to define climate variability is first addressed, and a definition of intrinsic climate variability based on a “prewhitening” of the data is advocated. A test for changes in variability that is not sensitive to departures from the assumption of a Gaussian distribution for the data is outlined. In addition to establishing whether observed differences in variability are statistically significant, the procedure provides confidence intervals for the ratio of variability. The technique is applied to time series of daily mean surface air temperature generated by the Oregon State University atmospheric general circulation model. The test application provides estimates of the magnitude of change in variability that the procedure should be likely to detect.
Power tools for human genetics.

Genome-wide association studies have the potential to identify systematically the contributions of common genetic variants to human disease, but the tools to carry out such studies have been incomplete. Assessments of the HapMap resource suggest that the tools are now in hand, but care is required in their use for study design, analysis and interpretation.
Reliability of Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emission Suppression Tuning Curve Measures

The purpose of this investigation was to study the reliability of spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) suppression tuning curve (STC) measurements. Two repetitions of an SOAE STC, using a 4-dB s...
Equilibrium studies on neutral red-DNA binding.

Spectrophotometric binding studies were undertaken on the interaction of neutral red with native and heat-denatured, sonicated, calf thymus DNA in a 0.2M ionic strength buffer containing Tris–sodium acetate–potassium chloride at 25°C. The pKA of neutral red was found to be 6.81. At pH 5 the binding of protonated neutral red was complicated even at low concentration ratios of dye to DNA. In the pH range 7.5–8.5 the tight binding process could be studied and it was found that both protonated and free base species of neutral red significantly bind with DNA having association constants (in terms of polynucleotide phosphate) of 5.99 × 103M−1 and 0.136 × 103M−1, respectively, for native DNA and 7.48 × 103M−1 and 0.938 × 103M−1, respectively, for denatured DNA. The pKA value of the neutral red–DNA complexes were 8.46 for native DNA and 7.72 for denatured DNA. These results are discussed in terms of possible binding mechanisms.
Vibrational specific heat enhancement from force-constant variations in amorphous solids

The fact that the restoring forces on atoms in amorphous solids fluctuate locally from their macroscopically averaged value is shown to result in an enhancement of the low-frequency density of vibrational states, lending to increased T 3 and T 5 specific heat contributions at low temperatures. This effect is distinct from localized tunneling-state contributions, but may be important for interpretations of thermal data in the study of tunneling states.