cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Carter Center and Election Observation: An Obligations-Based Approach for Assessing Elections

Abstract This article provides an overview of recent efforts by the Carter Center to establish an analytical framework for election observation assessments based in public international law. The authors argue that by basing the framework on international legal commitments that states have accepted freely, election assessments can be more transparent, objective, and acceptable to host countries. The authors also argue that an obligations based approach to election assessment provides a promising avenue for fostering consensus on the elements of democratic elections, as well as the assessment criteria used by observer groups. This article includes details of the practical tools used by Carter Center observation missions including the Database of Obligations for Democratic Elections, and forthcoming publications such as the Center's methodology handbook.
Dimethylsilyl- and methylene-bridged aromatic groups : III. Electron spin resonance spectra of anion radicals

Abstract From the ESR spectra of anion radicals of bis(4-biphenylyl)dimethylsilane and 4,4′-bis(4-biphenylyldimethylsilyl)biphenyl, the delocalization of spin density is inferred. The bridging SiMe2-groups separate practically independent π-systems. The rate of electron transfer between biphenyl sub-units is less than ∼ 106 sec−1 at 223 K.
A Numerical and Experimental Study of Homogenization of Al-Si-Mg Alloys

Homogenization is important for alloys to obtain a good surface finish, low flow stress and minimized recrystallization during extrusion. A numerical and experimental study of the homogenization process for Al-Si-Mg alloy was done. A finite volume diffusion model, coupled with a cellular automaton to predict phase change, was developed to study the dissolution kinetics for the as-cast microstructure for ternary systems. The required thermodynamic and kinetic data was provided to the model from Thermocalc and DICTRA. Homogenization at 4 different temperatures was simulated. The volume fraction of the precipitates decreases exponentially with time. The length scales of the precipitates predicted matched the experimental length scales. The effect of cooling rate after homogenization on the precipitation behavior of the Mg2Si phase was also studied using a finite difference model. The volume fraction and mean radius of the Mg2Si particles is found to decrease with increasing cooling rate while the average Mg concentration of the matrix increases with increasing cooling rate, in accordance with the hardness results reported in [15].
An Absolute Flux Density Measurement of the Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A at 32 GHZ

We report 32 GHz absolute flux density measurements of the supernova remnant Cas A, with an accuracy of 2.5%. The measurements were made with the 1.5 m telescope at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. The antenna gain had been measured by NIST in May 1990 to be 0.505 ± 0.007 mK Jy-1. Our observations of Cas A in May 1998 yield Scas,1998 = 194 ± 5 Jy. We also report absolute flux density measurements of 3C 48, 3C 147, 3C 286, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.
Developmental Dyspraxia and the Play Skills of Children with Autism

Objective This study sought to investigate the impact of developmental dyspraxia on the play skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method The praxis abilities of 32 children with ASD (mean age=7.5 yr) were assessed using two subtests of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests and the Planning and Ideas domain of the Sensory Processing Measure Home Form. Play and leisure skills were measured with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition. Utilizing correlation coefficients, we investigated the relationship between developmental dyspraxia and the play skills of children with ASD. Results Children with ASD demonstrated definite dysfunction in imitative praxis abilities, the generation of ideas, and participation in age-appropriate play and leisure activities. Conclusion Praxis problems in children with ASD greatly affect their successful participation in play and leisure activities.
Seasonally active slipface avalanches in the north polar sand sea of Mars: Evidence for a wind‐related origin

Meter-scale MRO/HiRISE camera images of dune slipfaces in the north polar sand sea of Mars reveal the presence of deep alcoves above depositional fans. These features are apparently active under current climatic conditions, because they form between observations taken in subsequent Mars years. Recently, other workers have hypothesized that the alcoves form due to destabilization and mass-wasting during sublimation of CO2 frost in the spring. While there is evidence for springtime modification of these features, our analysis of early springtime images reveals that over 80% of the new alcoves are visible underneath the CO2 frost. Thus, we present an alternative hypothesis that formation of new alcoves and fans occurs prior to CO2 deposition. We propose that fans and alcoves form primarily by aeolian processes in the mid- to late summer, through a sequence of aeolian deposition on the slipface, over-steepening, failure, and dry granular flow. An aeolian origin is supported by the orientations of the alcoves, which are consistent with recent wind directions. Furthermore, morphologically similar but much smaller alcoves form on terrestrial dune slipfaces, and the size differences between the terrestrial and Martian features may reflect cohesion in the near-subsurface of the Martian features. The size and preservation of the largest alcoves on the Martian slipfaces also support the presence of an indurated surface layer; thus, new alcoves might be sites of early spring CO2 sublimation and secondary mass-wasting because they act as a window to looser, less indurated materials that warm up more quickly in the spring.
Controlling the onset of numerical fracture in parallelized implementations of the material point method (MPM) with convective particle domain interpolation (CPDI) domain scaling

The material point method is well suited for large-deformation problems in solid mechanics but requires modification to avoid cell-crossing errors as well as extension instabilities that lead to numerical (nonphysical) fracture. A promising solution is convected particle domain interpolation (CPDI), in which the integration domain used to map data between particles and the background grid deforms with the particle, based on the material deformation gradient. While eliminating the extension instability can be a benefit, it is often desirable to allow material separation to avoid nonphysical stretching. Additionally, large stretches in material points can complicate parallel implementation of CPDI if a single particle domain spans multiple computational patches. A straightforward modification to the CPDI algorithm allows a user-specified scaling of the particle integration domain to control the numerical fracture response, which facilitates parallelization. Combined with particle splitting, the method can accommodate materials with arbitrarily large failure strains. Used with a smeared damage/softening model, this approach will prevent nonphysical numerical fracture in situations where the material should remain intact, but the effect of a single velocity field on localization may still produce errors in the post-failure response. Details are given for both 2-D and 3-D implementations of the scaling algorithm. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equipment selecmon for tape automated bonding (TAB)

The process of selecting TAB Outer Lead Banding (OLB) equipment is similar to that for selecting standard surface mount (SM) pick-and-place equipment; however, the options am more limited because TAB equipment has not yet reached the same, level of maturity. TAB equipment is seen by many as simply a logical extension to the fine pitch placement equipment on the market today because it provides a way of assembling even finer pitch components to the printed circuit board. However, in comparison to SMT processes, TAB technology is still in its relative infancy. There are fewer vendors and the opportunities to tailor the equipment selection to the expected volume and desired level of automation and capital investment is much more limited. In addition, a TAB OLB machine must perform functions that are not required of a conventional pick-and-place machine. The development process is correspondingly more complex because the equipment and the assembly process am tightly linked. Both vendors and users are beginning a now learning curve for OLB machines and their associated processes. This article will deal with the four basic functions of an OLB machine, outlining various technologies and equipment sets available for outer lead bonding, and a suggested methodology for selecting the optimum OLB equipment.
Planetary science: Evolutionary dichotomy for rocky planets

A simple model shows that a rocky planet close to its star may solidify so slowly that its water is lost to space and the planet becomes desiccated, whereas a planet farther out may solidify quickly and retain its water. See Letter p.607 Accepted theories of planet formation commonly assume that planets with identical initial sizes and compositions would have the same early cooling history. But here Keiko Hamano and co-authors show that terrestrial planets fall into two distinct types based on their evolutionary history during solidification from an initially hot molten state. Type I planets, formed beyond a certain critical distance from the host star, solidify within several million years and retain most of their water, which forms the earliest oceans. On a type II planet, formed inside the critical distance, a magma ocean can be sustained for as long as 100 million years, and hydrodynamic escape desiccates these planets during this slow solidification process. Earth can be classified as a type I planet, but Venus formed close to the critical distance and its dry surface and mantle indicate that it might be a type II planet.
Length scales in phase coarsening: Theory, simulation, and experiment

Abstract The collective interactions occurring within a population of spherical precipitates dispersed throughout a contiguous matrix may be described on the basis of a diffusion screening length. This critical length scale is derived from the quasi-static theory of diffusion-limited phase coarsening of spherical precipitates. This theory predicts as functions of the dispersoid volume fraction the changes in diffusion screening length, the maximum particle size, the population’s coarsening rate, and, finally, the affine particle-size distribution. Furthermore, by considering fluctuations observed in the growth rates of individual particles, we formulate a stochastic theory of phase coarsening. Results obtained from simulating phase coarsening using multiparticle diffusion approaches and phase field model are then compared to the kinetic theories. Finally, particle-size distributions and the maximum radii predicted from theory and simulations are shown to agree well with experimental results obtained from measurements performed on δ ′ (Al 3 Li) precipitates in binary Al–Li alloys.
Effect of cyanoketone on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) induction of receptors for FSH in granulosa cells of the rat.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) enhances the conversion of testosterone or androstenedione into estradiol by stimulating the aromatase enzyme system. Estradiol also enhances FSH action. Thus, a synergistic action of FSH and estradiol may be required for maturation of ovarian follicles. We hypothesized that estradiol may be required for FSH action. Thus, blocking estrogen synthesis should prevent FSH-induced increases in FSH receptors. Hypophysectomized rats were divided into five groups and injected subcutaneously with: 1) saline, 2) cyanoketone (0.05 mg, blocks the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone), 3) ovine FSH (oFSH, 200 Mg), 4) cyanoketone then oFSH 24h later, or 5) cyanoketone plus estradiol br progesterone, testosterone, promegestrone (R5020), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 2 mgI, then FSH 24 h later. Animals were decapitated at 0, 12 or 24 h after an injection of 0FSH, and membrane receptors for FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH), plus nuclear receptors for estradiol from granulosa cells, were measured. LI-I receptor levels were increased only after administration of FSH and estradiol. At 0 and 24 h, numbers of FSH or estradiol receptors were similar in saline -and cyanoketone-treated animals. FSH alone increased (P<0.01) FSH and estradiol receptors 3-fold and 4-fold, respectively, over controls by 12 and 24 h. Cyanoketone prevented these increases in FSH and estradiol receptors. Estradiol replacement fully reversed the effects of cyanoketone on FSH action. Replacement with progesterone and testosterone was able to only partially restore levels of FSH receptors; however, estradiol receptor numbers were also increased. These effects could be due to conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estradiol or interaction of these steroids with the estrogen receptor. R5020 and DHT, nonmetabolizable forms of progesterone and testosterone, were much less effective in reversing the effects of cyanoketone than progesterone and testosterone. We concluded that estradiol was required for FSH to maximally increase its own receptor.
Effect of feeding lauric acid to lactating cows on milk composition, rumen fermentation, and blood lipids.

Abstract Six lactating cows were in a 6-wk continuous feeding experiment to determine the effect of supplementing a normal ration with lauric acid. During the 2-wk treatment, three cows remained on the control ration and three cows received the control ration plus 400g lauric acid fed with the grain. Milk yield, fat percent, fat yield, solids-not-fat percent, or 4% fat-corrected milk did not change between lauric acid treatment and control groups. The percent and yield of lauric acid in milk fat was increased with lauric acid supplementation. The proportions of rumen acetate and butyrate decreased while propionate increased when lauric acid was fed. Plasma cholesterol was elevated by lauric acid supplementation. Amounts and arteriovenous differences for blood glucose, ketones and acetate, and free fatty acids and triglycerides of plasma were not altered significantly.
Validating analytical judgments: the case of the airbag's lifesaving effectiveness

Abstract Based primarily on experimental testing and engineering judgment, early evaluations of airbags made variable predictions of their lifesaving benefits. The official estimates of the US government from 1977 to 1987 were that between 6000 and 9000 lives could be saved each year if all passenger cars were equipped with full-front airbags. Now, over a decade later, extensive real-world crash experience in the US has been analyzed to validate early predictions. Lifesaving estimates have been revised downward and the official US government position in 1997 was that, overall, approximately 3000 lives will be saved each year when the vehicle fleet is fully-equipped with frontal airbags. This article explores the reasons for poor validity of early lifesaving forecasts for airbags. We found that airbag effectiveness for unbelted adult occupants was overestimated, the number of adult motorists who would wear safety belts was underestimated, and that early analyses generally did not adequately address heterogeneity in the vehicle fleet or people. For each source of error, we discuss why technical specialists may have erred and what lessons can be gleaned from this case study in validation.
SU‐E‐T‐320: The Effect of Survivin Perturbation On the Radiation Response of Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Purpose: Survivin is the smallest member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family and is well-known for its universal over-expression in human cancers. Due to its role in apoptosis and cellular proliferation, survivin is implicated in the radiation response in several cancer types, and antisurvivin treatments have had success as a radiation sensitizer in many preclinical cancer models. As no studies to date have reported survivin as a factor affecting radiation resistance in breast cancer models, we sought to evaluate the synergistic relationship between survivin function and irradiation in breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Information regarding survivin protein expression in breast cancer was retrieved from three public databases: Oncomine, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and GOBO. For the in vitro studies, survivin function was compromised by transducing a non-functional mutant form (survivin-DN) into two breast cancer cell lines, the estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and the triple-negative, inflammatory SUM149. Cell growth was compared in the survivin-DN and control populations with colony-formation assays. To assess how survivin affects radiation response, clonogenic assays were performed by irradiating the cell lines up to 6 Gy. Results: From the public databases, survivin is more highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer compared to all other subtypes, and is prognostic of poor survival in all breast cancer patients. In MCF7, the survivin-DN population had decreased colony-formation potential; the opposite was true in SUM149. In the clonogenic assays, abrogation of survivin function radio-protected MCF7 cells in monolayer and 3D growth conditions, while SUM149 survivin-DN cells were radiosensitized in monolayer conditions. Conclusion: We observed synergy between survivin function and radiation, although the results between the two cell lines were disparate. Further investigation is required to identify the mechanism of this discrepancy, including evaluation of the potential role of estrogen receptor status, before proceeding with small-animal experiments.
Investigating throughput degradation behavior of Java application servers: a view from inside a virtual machine

Application servers are gaining popularity as a way for businesses to conduct day-to-day operations. Currently, the most adopted technologies for Application Servers are Java and .NET. While strong emphasis has been placed on the performance and throughput of these servers, only a few research efforts have focused on the degradation behaviors. Specifically, investigating how they perform under stress and factors that affect their throughput degradation behaviors. As a preliminary study, we conducted experiments to observe the throughput degradation behavior of Java application servers and found that the throughput degrades ungracefully. Thus, the goal of this work is three-fold: (i) identifying the primary factors that cause poor throughput degradation, (ii) investigating how these factors affect the throughput degradation, and (iii) observing how changes of algorithms and policies governing these factors affect the throughput degradation.
A NO‐ARBITRAGE MARTINGALE ANALYSIS FOR JUMP‐DIFFUSION VALUATION

This study presents a jump-diffusion valuation framework using the no-arbitrage martingale approach. Equilibrium conditions needed to support a jump-diffusion pricing standard process are derived. The results are a generalized jump-diffusion security market line and its corresponding equilibrium valuation relation that prices both jump and diffusion risk. To value options, a fundamental formula is derived that includes existing jump-diffusion option valuation formulas as special cases. 1 find Merton's (1976a) assumption of diversifiable jump risk to be consistent with no-arbitrage only when the aggregate consumption flow does not jump. Simulation shows that Merton's formula undervalues/overvalues options on hedging/cyclical assets. When the jump arrival frequency is larger, the mispricing is larger/smaller for in-the-money/out-of-the-money options.
Aldosterone and the hypertensive kidney: its emerging role as a mediator of progressive renal dysfunction: a paradigm shift.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) comprises an enormous public health burden, with an increasing incidence and prevalence. Hypertension is a major risk factor for progressive renal disease. This escalating prevalence suggests that newer therapeutic interventions and strategies are needed to complement current antihypertensive approaches. Although much evidence demonstrates that angiotensin II mediates progressive renal disease, recent evidence also implicates aldosterone as an important pathogenetic factor in progressive renal disease. Several lines of experimental evidence demonstrate that selective blockade of aldosterone, independent of renin-angiotensin blockade, reduces proteinuria and nephrosclerosis in the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rat model and reduces proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in the subtotally nephrectomized rat model (i.e. remnant kidney). Whereas pharmacological blockade with angiotensin II receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduces proteinuria and nephrosclerosis/ glomerulosclerosis, selective reinfusion of aldosterone restores these abnormalities despite continued renin-angiotensin blockade. Aldosterone may promote fibrosis by several mechanisms, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression and consequent alterations of vascular fibrinolysis, by stimulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1, and by stimulation of reactive oxygen species. Based on this theoretical construct, randomized clinical studies will be initiated to delineate the potential renal-protective effects of antihypertensive therapy utilizing aldosterone receptor blockade.
Stochastic Modeling and Simulation of DNA Electrophoretic Separation in a Microfluidic Obstacle Array

The size-dependent separation of electrophoresing DNA chains of varying lengths has recently been demonstrated to occur in microfluidic obstacle arrays. The chain dynamics in the array may be modeled as a continuous-time random walk, wherein the motion of the chain in the array is interspersed with collisions with the obstacles, involving a size-dependent random waiting time necessitated by the chain unraveling and unhooking following each collision. Previous studies employing the continuous-time random walk model do not fully account for the electric-field dependence of chain extension during collisions in the array. In this study, we extend the continuous-time random walk model of chain dynamics with account for incomplete chain extension. We evaluate the accuracy of the model by performing Brownian dynamics simulations of DNA chains of different lengths in a self-assembled array of magnetic beads at various electric field strengths and lattice spacings and provide comparisons between the predictions of the model and simulation results for the chain mobilities, dispersivities, mean collision probabilities, and the separation resolution achievable between different chain sizes in the device. We demonstrate that the model correctly predicts the nonmonotonicity of the separation resolution with respect to the electric field strength.
Photochemically Knocking Out Glutamate Receptors in Vivo

AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isooxazole) receptors, a major subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), mediate the majority of the fast communication between neurons, and the activity-dependent trafficking of AMPA receptors at synapses plays a role in mammalian learning and memory. Here we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a photoreactive AMPA receptor antagonist that provides a means of “knocking out” AMPA receptors present on the surface of cells. The antagonist, 6-azido-7-nitro-1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (ANQX), was designed by introducing a photoreactive azido group onto a quinoxalinedione inhibitor scaffold. Computational docking of ANQX to the AMPA receptor ligand-binding core predicted efficient binding to AMPA receptors. Glutamate-evoked currents were reversibly blocked at micromolar ANQX concentrations prior to photolysis and irreversibly blocked following photolysis. ANQX provides a means of directly evaluating the trafficking of native AMPA receptors with un...
Lower Respiratory Capacity in Extraocular Muscle Mitochondria: Evidence for Intrinsic Differences in Mitochondrial Composition and Function

PURPOSE. The constant activity of the extraocular muscles is supported by abundant mitochondria. These organelles may enhance energy production by increasing the content of respiratory complexes. The authors tested the hypothesis that extraocular muscle mitochondria respire faster than do mitochondria from limb muscles because of the higher content of respiratory complexes. METHODS. Inner mitochondrial membrane density was determined by stereological analysis of triceps surae (a limb muscle) and extraocular muscles of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The authors measured respiration rates of isolated mitochondria using a Clark-type electrode. The activity of respiratory complexes I, II, and IV was determined by spectrophotometry. The content of respiratory complexes was estimated by Western blot. RESULTS. States 3, 4, and 5 respiration rates in extraocular muscle mitochondria were 40% to 60% lower than in limb muscle mitochondria. Extraocular muscle inner mitochondrial membrane density was similar to that of other skeletal muscles. Activity of complexes I and IV was lower in extraocular muscle mitochondria (approximately 50% the activity in triceps), but their content was approximately 15% to 30% higher. There was no difference in complex II content or activity or complex III content. Finally, complex V was less abundant in extraocular muscle mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS. The results demonstrate that extraocular muscle mitochondria respire at slower rates than mitochondria from limb muscles, despite similar mitochondrial ultrastructure. Instead, differences were found in the activity (I, IV) and content (I, IV, V) of electron transport chain complexes. The discrepancy between activity and content of some complexes is suggestive of alternative subunit isoform expression in the extraocular muscles compared with limb muscles. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50:180 –186) DOI:10.1167/iovs.081911
Risk factors associated with liver injury and impact of liver injury on transplantation-related mortality in pediatric recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Abstract In adults, hepatic complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are associated with significant morbidity and transplantation-related mortality (TRM). However, there is a paucity of parallel data on the incidence of, and risk factors for, liver injury (LI) and the impact of LI on TRM in pediatric allo-HSCT recipients. We compared total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase values before allo-HSCT and at 1 month, day +100, and 12 months after allo-HSCT in 248 patients who received either a myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen (n = 109) or a reduced-toxicity/reduced-intensity conditioning (RTC/RIC) regimen (n = 139). LI was defined as grade ≥2 hyperbilirubinemia according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 3.0/4.0 (total bilirubin, >1.95 mg/dL, 1.5 times above the upper limit of normal for our laboratory). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for LI and TRM. The incidence of LI at 1 month after allo-HSCT was 14.1%. The median bilirubin level was 3.5 mg/dL (range, 1.97 to 32.2 mg/dL). Only LI as defined by total bilirubin level, but not by direct bilirubin or alanine aminotransferase level, was found to be a significant predictor for TRM. The 1-year TRM was 60.7% (95% confidence interval, 42.6% to 78.7%) in patients with LI at 1 month after allo-HSCT, compared with 14.6% (95% confidence interval, 9.9% to 19.4%) (P
Stability studies of homodinuclear metal (M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II)) complexes and heterodinuclear complex (M=Cu(II), M′=Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Zn(II), Cd(II)) with a new 26-membered hexaazamacrocyclic ligand and X-ray structure of dinickel complex

Abstract A dinucleating hexaazadiphenol macrocyclic ligand, 3,6,10,18,22,25-hexaaza-31,32-dihydroxy-14,29-dimethyl-tricyclo[25,3,1,1 11,17 ]dotriaconta-1(30),12,14,16(32),27,28-hexaene (L or BTBP) forms a number of protonated or hydroxo mononuclear, homodinuclear, and heterodinuclear complexes with divalent metal ions Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II). Their stability constants and species distributions as a function of pH are determined. The pH potentiometric studies show that the dinuclear complexes are formed via the mononuclear chelates in which two kinds of coordination patterns were observed. One is that metal ions bind half of the coordination sites of macrocycle (N 3 O − ), and another is that metal ions occupy salen-like sites of the macrocycle (N 3 O 2 2− ). In 2:1 systems the mononuclear species predominate in acidic solution while the dinuclear species predominate in basic solution except the cases of copper and nickel. The heterodinuclear complexes form [CuML] (M=Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(II), Co(II) and Cd(II)) in solution. The crystal structure of the homodinickel complex showed that two phenolate groups bridge two Ni ions.
Effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid on in vitro fermentation profiles of rumen bacteria.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a secondary plant metabolite with antimicrobial properties, and therefore may have potential as a rumen modifier. Two in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the usefulness of NDGA as a rumen modifier. Exp. 1 evaluated the effect of adding 0, 5, 10, 50, and 100 mg/mL NDGA on growth of pure and mixed cultures of rumen bacteria. Growth of all cultures except Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens H17c was inhibited at 50 mg/mL NDGA (P 0.40). Acetate was quadratic for all substrates tested with NDGA (P < 0.01) and adding NDGA vs. MON resulted in 9% greater values (P < 0.01). Propionate increased by addition of MON compared with CON, which was opposite for acetate. Propionate showed the greatest increase with addition of MON and was dependent on diet vs. CON (H100 vs.H50 vs. H10; 22.5%, 44.4%, and 30.2%, respectively). When H100 was used, total VFA declined linearly by 61% with increasing NDGA (P < 0.01), whereas H50 and H10 were quadratic (P < 0.01) with the greatest total VFA resulting from 40 and 80 mg/mL NDGA for H50 and H10, respectively. Addition of NDGA tended to decrease total VFA (P =0.06) for H100 and H10 by 18.5% and 9.0%, respectively; however, H50 did not differ (P = 0.82) compared with MON. Butyrate increased linearly with increasing NDGA for H10 (P < 0.03) and quadratic for H50 and H100 (P < 0.01). The lowest overall acetate:propionate ratio was obtained with addition of MON to H10 (1.35) and the greatest ratio resulted from adding 60 μg/mL NDGA to H100 (3.63). Rumen fermentation was responsive to NDGA, and the response is dependent on diet.
Translational regulation by the p210 BCR/ABL oncoprotein.

The ability of oncogenic proteins to regulate the rate of translation of specific mRNA subsets may be a rapid and efficient mechanism to modulate the levels and, in many cases, the activity of the corresponding proteins. In the past few years, we have identified several RNA binding proteins with translation regulatory activity whose expression is markedly activated in the blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, which represents the most malignant disease stage. Perturbation of the activity of some RNA binding proteins suppresses the leukemogenic potential of BCR/ABL-expressing cells. Most importantly, we have identified some of the targets of these RNA binding proteins. Two of these targets, c/ebpα and mdm2 mRNAs, are directly relevant for the altered differentiation and survival of leukemic cells. The identification of mRNA targets translationally regulated by RNA binding proteins overexpressed in tumor cells may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the translation rate of specific mRNAs.
Prey choice by predators: effect of prey vulnerability

We examined the effect of prey vulnerability on the prey choice behaviour of the turtle Phrynops gibbus in a series of laboratory experiments using two sizes and states (mobile and immobile) of prey. Our results suggest that prey vulnerability (ease of capture) alters the apparent choice of prey by these turtles. When vulnerability was low, turtles consumed significantly more small prey and when vulnerability was high they consumed significantly more large prey exhibiting what has been respectively referred to in the foraging literature as passive and active prey choice. We suggest that the distinction between passive and active prey choice may be misleading and that the interaction between forager behaviour and prey antipredator behaviour should be considered in studies of nonrandom predator diets.
Executive working memory load does not compromise perceptual processing during visual search: Evidence from additive factors analysis

Executive working memory (WM) load reduces the efficiency of visual search, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are not fully known. In the present study, we assessed the effect of executive load on perceptual processing during search. Participants performed a serial oculomotor search task, looking for a circle target among gapped-circle distractors. The participants performed the task under high and low executive WM load, and the visual quality (Experiment 1) or discriminability of targets and distractors (Experiment 2) was manipulated across trials. By the logic of the additive factors method (Sternberg, 1969, 1998), if WM load compromises the quality of perceptual processing during visual search, manipulations of WM load and perceptual processing difficulty should produce nonadditive effects. Contrary to this prediction, the effects of WM load and perceptual difficulty were additive. The results imply that executive WM load does not degrade perceptual analysis during visual search.
Hyper-Radial Visualization (HRV) method with range-based preferences for multi-objective decision making

A visualization-based methodology is developed in which a Hyperspace Pareto Frontier (HPF) can be represented for design concept selection. The new approach is termed the Hyper-Radial Visualization (HRV) method. The HRV method enables designers to investigate trade-off decisions between Pareto solutions by their relative position in an HRV-based visualization. Three a posteri range-based preference incorporation approaches are proposed in this paper that can be combined with HRV-based visualizations to enable designers to quickly identify better regions in high dimensional performance space for Multi-objective Optimization Problems (MOPs). The paper first explains the details of the HRV method, which can generate a meaningful representation of an HPF. Second, three color-coding preference schemes are proposed in this work to enable intuitive trade-off studies using the HRV-based HPF visualizations. Finally, several MOPs are used to investigate the performance of the HRV-based preference approaches that have been proposed. The viability and desirability of using the HRV for decision making support is also explored.
A vertically integrated GaAs bipolar dynamic RAM cell with storage times of 4.5 h at room temperature

The storage times of FET-accessed GaAs dynamic RAM cells are limited to less than 1 min at room temperature by gate leakage in the access transistor. These transistor leakage mechanisms have been eliminated by designing a vertically integrated DRAM cell in which an n-p-n bipolar access transistor is merged with a p-n-p storage capacitor. Storage times of 4.5 h are obtained at room temperature, a 1000-fold increase over the best FET-accessed cells. >
Contributions of Shoot and Root Nitrogen-15 Labeled Legume Nitrogen Sources to a Sequence of Three Cereal Crops

Legume mulches are important sources of N for cereal crop production, particularly for organic and resource-poor producers. A field study was conducted using a direct method to determine if the amount of N in cereal crops derived from either the shoots or roots of preceding tropical legume cover crops was affected by their chemical composition and mineralization potential. Desmodium ovalifolium Guill. & Perr. [= D. adscendens (Sw.) DC. and Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth.], were grown in 6.0-m 2 microplots and foliar-labeled with 99 atom % 15 N urea. A cereal sequence of maize (Zea mays L.)-rice (Oryza saliva L.)-maize followed the legumes. Cereal accumulation of legume N from either the shoot (shoot + leaf litter) or the root-soil sources was evaluated by spatially separating the legume N sources. This was achieved by interchanging surface applications of nonlabeled and 15 N-labeled legume shoots with in situ 15 N-labeled and nonlabeled legume roots. Initially the Desmodium shoot N source contained 316 kg N ha ' and roots contained 12.5 kg N ha -1 . Pueraria shoots and root N sources initially contained 262 and 14.8 kg N ha -1 , respectively. About 90 g kg -1 of the initial N of each legume shoot was recovered in the total aboveground tissues from the three cereal crops, while 490 g kg -1 of Desmodium and 280 g kg -1 of Pueraria root-soil N sources were recovered. Of the 181 kg N ha -1 accumulated aboveground by the cereal sequence, the contribution of shoot plus root-soil N sources was 200 g kg ' from Desmodium and 150 g kg -1 from Pueraria. Cereal N was derived primarily from mineralization of soil organic matter present before the legumes and possibly from N deposition (precipitation and dry) occurring during the cereal crop sequence. After harvest of the last cereal crop, 13 and 180 g kg ' of the initial legume N was present as inorganic and organic N fractions, respectively, in the top 75 cm of soil. Even though Pueraria shoots had a lower C:N ratio and concentration of polyphenols than Desmodium shoots, the relative contributions of the shoot N source were similar for both legumes. Decomposition of legume residues, particularly legume shoots, make a meaningful contribution to the N economy of cereal crops grown in the tropics. The legume cover crops (root + shoot) contributed nearly 280 g kg -1 of the aboveground N in the first cereal crop and as much as 110 g kg -1 of the N in the third crop during the 15-mo sequence of cereals.
Diffusion-driven kinetic isotope effect of Fe and Ni during formation of the Widmanstätten pattern

Iron meteorites show resolvable Fe and Ni isotopic fractionation between taenite and kamacite. For Toluca (IAB), the isotopic fractionations between the two phases are around +0.1‰/amu for Fe and −0.4‰/amu for Ni. These variations may be due to i) equilibrium fractionation, ii) differences in the diffusivities of the different isotopes, or iii) a combination of both processes. A computer algorithm was developed in order to follow the growth of kamacite out of taenite during the formation of the Widmanstatten pattern as well as calculate the fractionation of Fe and Ni isotopes for a set of cooling rates ranging from 25 to 500 °C/Myr. Using a relative difference in diffusion coefficients of adjacent isotopes of 4‰/amu for Fe and Ni (β = 0.25), the observations made in Toluca can be reproduced for a cooling rate of 50 °C/Myr. This value agrees with earlier cooling rate estimates based on Ni concentration profiles. This supports the idea that the fractionation measured for Fe and Ni in iron meteorites is driven by differences in diffusivities of isotopes. It also supports the validity of the value of 0.25 adopted for β for diffusion of Fe and Ni in Fe-Ni alloy in the temperature range of 400-700 °C.
Can Nonprofit Organizations Increase Voter Turnout? Findings From an Agency-Based Voter Mobilization Experiment

Through their nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) activities, nonprofit human service organizations play a critical role in promoting a more inclusive democracy by engaging l...
Identification of hydrated cement constituents using a scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer combination

Abstract Preliminary studies of the chemical composition of individual particles and local areas in hydrated cement pastes were carried out using a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer combination. Calibration curves prepared from a series of homogeneous cement and hydrated cement compounds were used, the analysis being carried out in terms of ratios of calcium oxide to silicon, sulfur, and aluminum oxides. Sulfur was distributed throughout the calcium silicate hydrate gel, except for regions thought to represent “inner” hydration product. Apparent mole ratios of calcium oxide to silica ranged generally between 2 and 3, considerably higher than had been expected. Various morphological features were interpreted in the light of their chemical compositions.
Arterial Hypertension Elicited by Subpressor Amounts of Angiotensin

Long-term infusion of amounts of angiotensin insufficient at the beginning to raise arterial pressure results, after several days in sustained arterial hypertension in unanesthetized dogs. This hypertension is to a large degree dependent on environmental stimuli, and results chiefly from increase in peripheral resistance. As in dogs with renal hypertension, there is increased pressor responsiveness to tyramine. This indirect action of angiotensin to increase total peripheral resistance and arterial pressure by an action on the sympathetic nervous system, along with an upward resetting of the carotid sinus buffering mechanism, might logically account for the neural component of chronic renal hypertension. Such a proposal integrates the humoral and neural elements of the mosaic describing the mechanisms of tissue perfusion.
The effects of maternal drinking in the reproductive period: An epidemiologic review

The major effects of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy are decreased fetal growth, morphologic abnormalities, and CNS impairment. If all three of these are present, with a characteristic facies in the infant, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is diagnosed. FAS occurs only with heavy or alcoholic drinking. The individual components of the syndrome exhibit a dose-response association with ethanol intake in many, but not all studies. Discrepancies in maternal drinking and pregnancy outcome reflect the myriad difficulties of these investigations. Drinking “before” pregnancy also has been linked to decrements in fetal development, possibly because before pregnancy may include the periconceptional period. However, women who are usually abstainers before pregnancy appear to have infants at higher risk of some adverse pregnancy outcomes than women who are light drinkers. Future studies need to construct careful drinking histories to address this and other questions that deal with parents' ethanol use and reproductive health.
Double Trouble: A Rare Case of Bilateral Upper Pole Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

A 16-year-old girl presented with bilateral back pain caused by bilateral upper pole ureteropelvic junction obstructions; an extremely rare phenomenon. Bilateral robotically assisted upper pole pyeloplasties were preformed at the same setting with an excellent clinical response. Although rare, upper pole ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a defined entity that urologists should be aware of.
Spectroscopic, optical, and thermomechanical properties of neodymium- and chromium-doped gadolinium scandium gallium garnet

Spectroscopic, optical, and thermomechanical properties of gadolinium scandium gallium garnet doped with trivalent neodymium and/or chromium are reported for use in the design of high-power solid-state lasers.
Effect of 3-methyl-branching on the myocardial retention of radioiodinated 19-iodo-18-nonadecenoic acid analogues

Abstract The effect of methyl-branching at the 3(β-)-position on myocardial uptake and retention of fatty acids where radioiodide has been stabilized as a terminal trans-(E)-vinyl iodide has been evaluated in fasted rats. The syntheses of two new dimethyl-branched fatty acids, 17-iodo-3,3-dimethylheptadecanoic acid (14) and (E)-19-iodo-3,3-dimethyl-18-nonadecenoic acid (19), are described. Tissue distribution studies in fasted rats with [125I]-19 showed significant heart uptake (2 min, 4.56% dose/g), and prolonged retention (60 min 4.10% dose-g). These results suggest that [123I]-19 is a good candidate for further studies of regional myocardial fatty acid uptake patterns by SPECT.
Modification of parathion toxicity to wax moth larvae by chlorcyclizine, aminopyrine or phenobarbital.

Abstract LC50 parathion doses for 5th and 6th instar wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella) were 152.309 ± 1.644 and 163.982 ± 1.115 μg parathion per gram larval medium, respectively. Pretreatment of 6th instar larvae with sublethal doses of chlorcyclizine dihydrochloride, aminopyrine or phenobarbital in the larval medium reduced the mortality due to parathion. Chlorcyclizine (0.5 g/100 g larval medium) decreased the toxicity due to the LC50 parathion dose for 6th instar larvae to 32, 20, 4, and 10% mortality when fed for 2, 4, 8, and 10 days, respectively. The 2-day pretreatment protection lasted only 24 hours whereas the longer times protected the larvae for up to 72 hours. Phenobarbital was somewhat more effective than aminopyrine. Both, however, offered protection against parathion if the time of exposure was increased. The data suggest that the protective effect is neither immediate nor permanent and that it depends upon the dosage and length of drug pretreatment.
Teaching our learners patient-centered care goes beyond the exam room experience.

I have always enjoyed teaching medical students. In fact in my ten years of service as a physician almost all of them have been in academic medicine and in clinical settings with underserved and mi...
A synergistic approach to turning the tide of grade inflation

Higher education in the United States is facing increasing demands for colleges and universities to demonstrate what students learn and that they are providing a high-quality education experience during the undergraduate years (Pascarealla et al. in Chang Mag High Learn 42(1):16–22, 2010). Despite evidence of the elevation of grades in higher education dating back to the 1970s, attempts to rein in this phenomenon have been largely unsuccessful (Nikolakakos et al. in Coll Univ 87(3):2–14 2012). It is our contention that attempts to reform grading have not succeeded because their focus is too narrow. After providing background information on the extent and causes of grade inflation, we will propose a synergistic approach to dealing with the problem of grade inflation.
Left ventricular hypertrophy is more prevalent in patients with systemic hypertension with extracranial carotid arterial disease than in patients with systemic hypertension without extracranial carotid arterial disease.

Abstract The mechanism of the association between LV hypertrophy and ECAD is unknown and needs to be investigated. Whether LV hypertrophy in patients with systemic hypertension is a marker for ECAD or contributes to ECAD needs to be investigated. The association between LV hypertrophy and significant ECAD was independent of the level of blood pressure in our patients. Coronary atherosclerosis in our patients with significant ECAD may have contributed to the increased prevalence of LV hypertrophy. The association between LV hypertrophy and significant ECAD may contribute to the high incidence of stroke in patients with LV hypertrophy. This is currently under investigation by our group.