cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Warner-Bratzler Shear Force Comparison between Strip and Core Steak Sampling Methods

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to investigate the equivalency of 2 different cooked steak sampling methods as well as the number of samples per steak, and different muscles on Warner-Bratzler shear force values. In addition, the effect of end-point temperature was evaluated.Materials and MethodsMuscles used to evaluate 2 steak sampling methods included the longissimus dorsi (LD), semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus (ST). Steak sampling was performed with both a strip and coring method in which 6 and 9 samples per steak were sheared. Two scalpels were mounted parallel to one another so that when used to excise a sample strip the sample shear area was equivalent to the core (12.7 mm diameter). The distance between the scalpel blades was 11.3 mm. A variety of steaks (postmortem age, quality) were collected to ensure there was a wide range in inherent tenderness. Steaks collected were stored frozen (–20°C). The steaks were cooked on George Foreman grills (325°F). Steaks were flipped once at 115°F and were removed from the grill at 160°F or 170°F. Cooking loss percentage was determined approximately 15 min after the steaks were removed from the grill. Strip and core sections were removed parallel to the muscle fibers on the same day the steaks were cooked for shear force determination. Samples were sheared perpendicular to the muscle fibers. Data were analyzed as a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial (muscle, shear method, number of cores) for steaks cooked to 160°F. For the SM steaks cooked to 2 different temperatures (160°F, 170°F) the data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial (temperature, shear method, number of cores). Statistical analysis was determined using PROC MIXED (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with muscle representing the experimental unit (LD, n = 14; SM, n = 27; ST, n = 4).ResultsThere were no differences (P > 0.05) in cooking loss between the shear methods. In addition there were no differences (P > 0.05) in the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation as affected by sampling method and number of samples sheared from the LD or ST. However, the SM strips resulted in a greater (5.70 kgf, P 0.05) were found between the strip and core method when the SM steaks were cooked to 170°F. This result may be related to the cooked meat being less firm at the lower cooking temperature and with the coring method, it tends to deform the steak during coring which may reduce the actual diameter. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the standard deviation and coefficient of variation in the SM as affected by method, number of samples and cooking temperature.ConclusionThe results from this research suggest that using the paired-scalpel method achieves similar shear force values as the core method. However, steaks cooked to lower endpoint temperature may create differences between these methods. A minimum of 6 samples appears to be sufficient for shear force determination.
GCN5 acetylation is required for craniofacial chondrocyte maturation

Development of the craniofacial structures requires the precise differentiation of cranial neural crest cells into osteoblasts or chondrocytes. Here, we explore the epigenetic and non-epigenetic mechanisms that are required for the development of craniofacial chondrocytes. We previously demonstrated that the acetyltransferase activity of the highly conserved acetyltransferase GCN5, or KAT2A, is required for murine craniofacial development. We show that Gcn5 is required cell autonomously in the cranial neural crest. Moreover, GCN5 is required for chondrocyte development following the arrival of the cranial neural crest within the pharyngeal arches. Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro inhibition of GCN5 acetyltransferase activity, we demonstrate that GCN5 is a potent activator of chondrocyte maturation, acting to control chondrocyte maturation and size increase during pre-hypertrophic maturation to hypertrophic chondrocytes. Rather than acting as an epigenetic regulator of histone H3K9 acetylation, our findings suggest GCN5 primarily acts as a non-histone acetyltransferase to regulate chondrocyte development. Here, we investigate the contribution of GCN5 acetylation to the activity of the mTORC1 pathway. Our findings indicate that GCN5 acetylation is required for activation of this pathway, either via direct activation of mTORC1 or through indirect mechanisms. We also investigate one possibility of how mTORC1 activity is regulated through RAPTOR acetylation, which is hypothesized to enhance mTORC1 downstream phosphorylation. This study contributes to our understanding of the specificity of acetyltransferases, and the cell type specific roles in which these enzymes function.
Impact of Recreational and Medicinal Cannabinoids on Quality of Life and Occupation: A Scoping Review.

Importance: Cannabinoids are at the center of much interest and controversy within health care and society. However, minimal research has investigated the impact of cannabinoids on quality of life (QoL) and occupation. Objective: The literature suggests that cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential, although the available research is limited. A scoping review was conducted to address the gap in the literature regarding the impact of recreational and medicinal cannabinoids on QoL and occupational engagement. Data Sources: Databases searched included Ovid and CINAHL; sources derived from a manual search of reference lists were also used. Of the 691 articles that were identified, 22 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study Selection and Data Collection: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s five stages. Inclusion criteria included English language, clear focus or description on the impact of nonsynthetic cannabinoids on QoL and occupation, and published between January 2011 and May 2019. Exclusion criteria included minors, single case studies, animal studies, antineoplastic articles, and articles that only discussed or investigated effects of synthetic cannabinoids. Findings: The findings were inconclusive, and the primary research that emerged from the literature investigated the effects of cannabinoids on pain management, sleep, appetite, and other physiological functions in both recreational and medicinal users. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings derived from the literature raised more questions, and further research is warranted. Occupational therapy practitioners have an opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to address the impact of cannabinoids on occupational engagement and QoL. What This Article Adds: Practitioners have the opportunity to provide education regarding cannabis use and monitor how it affects occupational engagement and QoL for both recreational and medicinal users
Minimizing Oxygen Permeation in Metal-Chelate Flow Batteries

Coulombic efficiency (CE) losses within redox flow batteries (RFBs) decrease system performance and can indicate possible long-term capacity fade. Here, we discuss improvements made to lab-scale redox flow battery construction and operating conditions. The augmented RFB set-up limits the oxidation of highly reducing species by minimizing atmospheric oxygen permeation and subsequently demonstrates improved performance. The addition of sealed compression fittings, peristaltic pumps, and the operation of the battery in an N2 glovebox leads to near quantitative CE for a chelated Cr electrolyte, improving from previously utilized systems which operated as low as 93.2% CE at low current densities. The importance of preventing O2 permeation is exemplified and the battery efficiencies in an ambient atmospheric and nitrogen environment with different electrolyte reservoir apparatuses are contrasted. Possible sources of the remaining CE losses are also discussed.
Bio-inspired bi-stable piezoelectric harvester for broadband vibration energy harvesting

Abstract Inspired by the rapid shape transition of the Venus flytrap, a novel low-cost, bi-stable piezoelectric energy harvester is proposed, analyzed, and experimentally tested for the purpose of broadband energy harvesting. The harvester consists of a piezoelectric macro fiber composite (MFC) transducer, a tip mass, and two sub-beams with bending and twisting deformations created by pre-displacement constraints at the free ends using rigid tip-mass blocks. Different from bi-stable harvesters realized by nonlinear magnetic forces or residual stresses in laminate composites, the bio-inspired bi-stable piezoelectric energy harvester stores the potential energy induced by the mutual self-constraint of the sub-beams and harvests the large energy released during the rapid shape transition. Detailed design steps and principles are introduced and a prototype is fabricated to demonstrate and validate the concept. The experimentally measured nonlinear force–displacement curve of the harvester exhibits a discontinuous feature as the harvester jumps between the stable states. The dynamics of the proposed bio-inspired bi-stable piezoelectric energy harvester is investigated under sweeping frequency and harmonic excitations. The results show that the sub-beams of the harvester experience local vibrations including broadband high-frequency oscillations during the snap-through. The energy harvesting performance of the harvester is evaluated at different excitation levels over the frequency range of 9.0–14.0 Hz. Broadband energy harvesting is attained at relatively high excitation levels. An average power output of 0.193 mW for a load resistance of 8.2 k Ω is harvested at the excitation frequency of 10 Hz and amplitude of 4.0 g.
Me, myself, and my mediated ties: Parasocial experiences as an ego-driven process

Forming ties with media consumers and investing effort in knowing what they do and what happens to them is a common reason many people use media. The one-sided nature of these parasocial experience...
S029) Managing therapeutic anticoagulation in bariatric surgery patients

Patients that undergo bariatric surgery are at risk of bleeding. Some obesity-related comorbidities including venous thromboembolism and heart disease can often require therapeutic anticoagulation. Previous small institutional studies have demonstrated that bariatric surgery can be performed in this patient population. This study attempts to identify best practices in stopping and restarting therapeutic anticoagulation in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. A retrospective analysis was completed of our institution’s database using anticoagulant medications to identify patients on therapeutic anticoagulation. Patients not on therapeutic anticoagulation were excluded, as well as patients that were started on therapeutic anticoagulation only in the post-operative period or those whose anticoagulation was stopped and not restarted. Indications for anticoagulation were recorded, as well as patient demographics and comorbid conditions. The patient chart was examined for when anticoagulation was stopped before surgery, when it was restarted after surgery, and whether or not the patient was therapeutically bridged. Baseline and post-operative hemoglobin values were recorded, as well as bleeding events, transfusions, reoperation, length of stay, and readmissions. Binary variables were compared across groups using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, and continuous variables were analyzed using T test. There were 2933 bariatric operations performed between January 1, 2012 and August 31, 2019. Of these patients, 64 were on therapeutic anticoagulation before and after the operation for one or more indications, including history of VTE (39), atrial fibrillation (27), clotting disorder (6), ventricular assist device (5), previous PCI (4), or mechanical valve (2). There were 4 (6.2%) patients that experienced bleeding events. All four patients were on Coumadin pre-operatively. Three patients experienced extraluminal bleeding, and one patient had intraluminal bleeding, and all events occurred within 72 h of the operation. All four patients had their anticoagulation restarted prior to the bleeding event becoming evident, with anticoagulation in these patients restarted an average of 1.25 days after surgery. There were no conditions that predisposed a patient to bleeding. There was no significant difference in amount of time anticoagulation was stopped before surgery in bleeding versus non-bleeding patients, and there appeared to be no increased risk of bleeding in patients that were on therapeutic bridging therapy. There were no thrombotic complications from the interruption in anticoagulation therapy. Bariatric surgery can be safely performed in patients on therapeutic anticoagulation, though this population is at greater risk for bleeding complications in the perioperative period. Meticulous hemostasis in the operating room is the most important aspect of preventing bleeding complications.
The Original Understanding of the Political Status of Indian Tribes

Influential and formidable legal minds, including Justice Blackmun,1 Justice Stevens,2 and Judge Kozinski,3 have been among the federal and state court judges confronted with the dynamic and sizeable question of whether Indian law is a question of race law or a question of politics. These judges’ responses indicated that they were all but overwhelmed with the question. It is a rare occasion when federal courts are presented with the argument that statutes and regulations that create, for example, federal program preferences for Indian tribes or individual Indians, are unconstitutional under the Fifth or Fourteenth Amendments,4 but when they are confronted with
Professional Steps: The Certification Path

Abstract Obtaining certification is a critical step on the road to professionalism. There are many questions to consider in this decision. Included among these are cost, preparation, and return on the investment. Important answers to these questions are discussed.
Conserving Nature in Culture: Case Studies from Southeast Asia

The broad theme that motivated this collection of case studies is the issue of enhancing conservation outcomes by better incorporating the vast and intimate knowledge and traditions of people closest to and dependent on the area in need of being conserved—conserving natural areas through promoting the cultures of those who have often had a hand in creating or preserving those resources, thus keeping people “in” nature rather than separating them from it (p. 20). Over the course of the last decade or so, this idea has become fairly axiomatic among anthropologists and other social scientists involved in conservation, and the present volume represents a swath of that consensus and is drawn from studies funded in part by a MacArthur Foundation grant to the two lead editors. The fact that I feel like part of the converted being preached to while knowing that there are plenty of others resistant to such ideas means that the conclusions of these studies are very much needed, at once to support those of us who argue for the same things and to challenge those who still regard local people as the fundamental problem. A wide-ranging project produces wide-ranging research, and that is certainly the sense provided by the case studies highlighted here. This diversity, however, is not a bad thing, and the editors make no apologies for it. To introduce the case studies, they provide a conceptual overview outlining the central question: “where, in the interaction between society and environment across space and time, [is] conservation. . .being most successfully and least successfully achieved” (p. 7)? And in answer, they summarize the overall findings: (1) Southeast Asians have long changed their local environments and in doing so have conserved important natural resources; (2) conservation directed and imposed from above generally fails; (3) traditional agricultural landscapes are often important sites for biodiversity; and (4) issues of scale are critical as macro-level events and decisions affect local-level resource use. The case studies begin with Puri’s research on the historical ecology of Penan forest camps in East Kalimantan, Indonesia; the Penan have been one of the traditional foraging groups on Borneo, and Puri shows in his detailed analysis how their activities have affected the composition of the forest—positively from both the Penan and conservationist points of view. In her study of the Batek in Peninsular Malaysia, Lye shows the problematical relationship between professional conservation’s scientific model of the environment and the Batek’s, and Hum Ecol (2006) 34:871–872 DOI 10.1007/s10745-006-9046-9
Products with linear and countable type factors

The basic theorem presented shows that the product of a linearly ordered space and a countable (regular) space is normal. We prove that the countable space can be replaced by any of a rather large class of countably tight spaces. Examples are given to prove that monotone normality cannot replace linearly ordered in the base theorem. However, it is shown that the product of a monotonically normal space and a monotonically normal countable space is normal.
Homozygous Deletions and Recurrent Amplifications Implicate New Genes Involved in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer cell lines provide ideal in vitro systems for the identification and analysis of prostate tumor suppressors and oncogenes. A detailed characterization of the architecture of prostate cancer cell line genomes would facilitate the study of precise roles of various genes in prostate tumorigenesis in general. To contribute to such a characterization, we used the GeneChip 500K single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) array for analysis of genotypes and relative DNA copy number changes across the genome of 11 cell lines derived from both normal and cancerous prostate tissues. For comparison purposes, we also examined the alterations observed in the cell lines in tumor/normal pairs of clinical samples from 72 patients. Along with genome-wide maps of DNA copy number changes and loss of heterozygosity for these cell lines, we report previously unreported homozygous deletions and recurrent amplifications in prostate cancers in this study. The homozygous deletions affected a number of biologically important genes, including PPP2R2A and BNIP3L identified in this study and CDKN2A/CDKN2B reported previously. Although most amplified genomic regions tended to be large, amplifications at 8q24.21 were of particular interest because the affected regions are relatively small, are found in multiple cell lines, are located near MYC, an oncogene strongly implicated in prostate tumorigenesis, and are known to harbor SNPs that are associated with inherited susceptibility for prostate cancer. The genomic alterations revealed in this study provide an important catalog of positional information relevant to efforts aimed at deciphering the molecular genetic basis of prostate cancer.
Understanding Acute Alcohol Effects on Sexual Behavior

Alcohol has been implicated as having a causal role in a variety of sexual processes and outcomes. We review nonexperimental research illustrating the nature of alcohol's association with sexuality. Methodological considerations limiting causal assertions permissible with nonexperimental data are discussed. We also review findings from experiments, mostly analogue paradigms, examining the effects of alcohol on genital arousal, sexual risk taking, and sexual assault. In each case, it is observed that alcohol can exert a causal effect on one or more of the constituent responses undergirding these phenomena. We conclude that alcohol does appear to have a causal impact on many sexuality indices studied in laboratory conditions. Both alcohol expectancy and alcohol myopia models have been applied to explain these causal linkages. Expectancy models seem to account well for postdrinking sexual reactions and perceptions. Overall, myopia analyses seem to offer the most persuasive explanations of postdrinking expressions of sexual risk taking and sexual assault.
Partial video replication for peer-to-peer streaming

Video streaming over peer-to-peer networks has attracted a lot of interest recently. However most of the research on streaming in peer-to-peer networks focused on schemes where all the clients have the whole movie. In this paper we propose schemes where clients store only partial movie after viewing the movie. We propose cooperative schemes where replication is done in a way that maximizes a global function and uncooperative schemes where each node makes replication decision independently. We evaluate both schemes using extensive simulation. Simulation results show that cooperative schemes perform better but they are harder to implement and maintain. Uncooperative schemes are simpler, based on a distributed algorithm but they suffer from lower performance.
Cultural influences in the decision to invest in new ventures: an exploratory study

Do cultural factors influence whether individuals invest in new ventures? If so, do cultural factors influence in whose new ventures they invest? When making economic decisions, individuals are embedded in their society's cultural norms. Because countries differ on cultural dimensions, we hypothesize that an individual's culture influences whether he or she invests in new ventures. Additionally, for those who do invest, we hypothesize that their culture influences whether they invest in a family member or nonfamily member's venture. The results generally support our hypotheses and show that different cultural dimensions influence whether an individual invests in a new venture, and whether s/he invests in a family or nonfamily member's new venture. Because family members are one of the greatest sources of capital for entrepreneurs when starting a business, these results may explain the differences in new venture funding rates and new business startup rates between nations.
Role of the brain stem in generating the 2- to 6-Hz oscillation in sympathetic nerve discharge

We tested the hypothesis that brain stem circuits normally generate a 2- to 6-Hz oscillation in sympathetic nerve discharge (SND). Experiments were performed on baroreceptor-denervated decerebrate cats and urethan-anesthetized rats in which renal or splanchnic SND was recorded along with field potentials (population activity) from sites in the rostral ventrolateral medulla, medullary raphe, or medullary lateral tegmental field. Our major findings were as follows. 1) Population activity recorded from the three medullary regions contained a 2- to 6-Hz oscillation. 2) The 2- to 6-Hz oscillation in population activity recorded from some medullary sites was correlated to that in SND. Peak coherence in the 2- to 6-Hz band approached a value of 1 in some cases. 3) Whereas cervical spinal cord transection abolished or markedly reduced SND, the 2- to 6-Hz oscillation in medullary activity was essentially unchanged. These results support the view that the 2- to 6-Hz oscillation in SND can be generated in the brain stem of cats and rats.
No Serologic Evidence for Zoonotic Canine Respiratory Coronavirus Infections among Immunocompetent Adults

Zoonotic diseases continue to emerge and threaten both human and animal health. Overcrowded shelters and breeding kennels create the perfect environment for amplified infectious disease transmission among dogs and present a critical opportunity for zoonotic pathogens to emerge and infect people who work in close contact with dogs. Coronaviruses' widespread prevalence, extensive host range, various disease manifestations and increased frequency of recombination events all underline their potential for interspecies transmission (Methods Mol. Biol. 2008, 454, 43). The objectives of this study were to determine whether people with occupational contact with dogs were more likely to have antibodies against canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) compared to persons with no dog exposure. A seroepidemiological cohort study was completed, for which 302 canine-exposed and 99 non-canine-exposed study subjects enrolled in the study by providing a serum sample and completing a self-administered questionnaire. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect human antibodies against CRCoV while controlling for cross-reacting antibodies against the human coronavirus OC43. All study subjects were negative for antibodies against CRCoV by this competitive ELISA. This study supports the premise that humans are not at risk for CRCoV infections; however, infrequent cross-species transmission of CRCoV cannot be ruled out.
Power Distribution and Utilization in a Large Iron Ore Beneficiation Plant

Large iron ore beneficiation plants introduce new problems of distribution and utilization of electric power in the iron mining industry. The selection of voltage levels for generation and main distribution, large and small motors, is based on a study of installed cost system reliability and efficiency. A modern load center system of distribution of a-c and d-c power for a large plant unit is demonstrated.
Cyclohexamantane (C26H30): First-principles DFT study of a novel diamondoid molecule

Abstract Diamondoids are rigid stable hydrocarbons of unusually high symmetry. The recent isolation of many diamondoids of varying shapes and sizes from petroleum oil has revitalized interest in this field. We show in this work that modern density-functional theory (DFT) methods are capable of predicting the structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of a specific diamondoid molecule, cyclohexamantane (C 26 H 30 ), and that our calculated properties are in good agreement with experimental results. Our calculations also demonstrate that DFT can be an important tool in characterizing the properties of even larger diamondoids of interest to experimentalists.
Transdermal iontophoretic delivery of arginine-vasopressin (II): Evaluation of electrical and operational factors

Abstract In vitro iontophoretic delivery of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) across the rat skin was carried out to explore various electrical and operational factors of pulsed D.C. iontophoresis as well as their effect on the enhancement of skin permeation of AVP. The skin permeation rate was found to be a linear function of the density of pulse current and the duration of application. By varying the current input rate, mode of application and buffer capacity, the desirable rate of skin permeation could be obtained. The skin permeation was observed to return to passive diffusion after the termination of iontophoresis treatment. It generally required approx. 1.5–2 h of iontophoresis treatment for AVP permeation to reach steady state. It was demonstrated that AVP can be delivered transdermally by consecutively applying, stopping and reapplying the electric field alternatively. The effect of the frequency of pulse current on the in vitro skin permeation by iontophoresis was found to be negligible and the reason for the observation was analyzed.
Parameter optimization in assembly manufacturing process for a power module

In this paper, the trimming process in manufacture of a power module is investigated by using the commercial FE code Ansys/LS-dyna®. The setup of the trimming process consists of an automated system of cutting die, stripper, punch, and etc. The design and interworking of these tools are quite critical. On one hand, when the gap between the punch and stripper/cutting die is too big, the dambar may not be fully cut as expected. On the other hand, when the gap is too small, the punch might be broken after some cycles due to flash contamination on the tools. If the stripper clamp is too close to the package body, high stress might be generated in the package edge or even in the silicon chips to induce package crack or die crack. The DoE legs with regard to the gap between the punch & stripper and the distance between the stripper clamp & the package body are conducted by the FE dynamic simulations. The simulation results provide good guidance for the assembly process parameter setting.
Critical principles: on the negative side of rationality

Abstract A naturalized model of rationality is developed, with a focus on an important but largely neglected aspect: knowledge of error, or “negative” knowledge. The development of knowledge of what counts as error occurs via a kind of internal variation and selection, or quasi-evolutionary, process. Processes of reflection generate a hierarchy of principles of error, a hierarchy that frames and constrains positive rationality. The dynamics of rationality is an internalization of processes of reflected-upon variation and selection. The nature and origin of logic are addressed from within this framework, and the overall rationality model is applied to three central issues in the philosophy of science: the rational function of truth and realism in science, the nature of progress in science, and the rationality of certain induction-like considerations.
Differences Between Individual and Group Fights

The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between violence and characteristics of the individual and of the social context. As part of the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development, which is a prospective longitudinal survey, 389 youths were interviewed at age 18-19 and asked to give accounts of fights. A distinction was drawn between individual fightsin which the youth was usually provoked, got angry, and started the fight, and group fightsin which he often went to the aid of a friend, and which were more likely to involve weapons, produce injuries, and bring police intervention. Group fights were associated with frequent fighting and aggressive attitudes. The more aggressive and more frequent fighters came from deprived backgrounds (poor, large families) and had socially deviant life-styles as young adults (involving delinquency, drug use, sexual promiscuity and an unstable job record). While the extent of aggression reflected background and life-style, the characteristics of any particular aggressive incident depended upon the individual or group social context. (Abstract Adapted from Source: British Journal of Social Psychology, 1982. Copyright © 1982 by The British Psychological Society) Violence Causes Juvenile Offender Juvenile Crime Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile Violence Adult Crime Adult Delinquency Adult Offender Adult Violence Young Adult Late Adolescence Foreign Countries England Group Violence Socioeconomic Factors Physical Assault Causes Physical Assault Offender Fighting Behavior Family History Offender Characteristics Aggression Causes Adult Aggression Juvenile Aggression Physical Aggression 02-05
A preservation study of carbon nanotubes in alumina-based nanocomposites via Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance

Raman spectroscopy was used to study the preservation of the carbon nanotube structure in nanotube-reinforced alumina nanocomposites consolidated via spark plasma sintering (SPS). A series of Raman spectroscopy experiments was used to identify the thermal breakdown temperature of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) embedded in nanocrystalline alumina. It was found that the carbon nanotube structure remains intact after sintering at 1150 °C, but almost completely breaks down by 1350 °C after only 5 min. Also, 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to study the chemical and structural effects of high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and SPS consolidation on pure alumina and SWCNT-alumina nanocomposites. HEBM does not change the mixed coordination number of the as-received alumina, but slight peak shifts indicate residual stresses. No Al4C3 was detected in any of the consolidated samples – even up to 1550 °C for 10 min. Thus, it is concluded that consolidation of carbon nanotube-reinforced composites should be completed at temperatures below ∼1250 °C in order to preserve the carbon nanotube structure.
In vivo isolation of Hymenolepis nana and antibody-binding sites.

A RECENT preliminary investigation1 suggests that antibodies are directed against adult specimens of Hymenolepis nana while located in the ileum of the mouse. The present investigation was carried out to substantiate tentative conclusions regarding the specificity of antibody binding sites previously observed. It appeared, from the earlier experiments, that antibodies were readily available to adult tapeworms, in situ, in that binding sites were partially or completely occupied in the adult stage as ascertained by immunofluorescent staining. Specimens were not, in view of antibody access and possibly excess, available for negative controls. In vivo isolation of the parasites from direct cellular contact and source of antibody for a period of time longer than the half-life of the mouse immune globulin was therefore considered. Under these conditions, previously localized sites should not exhibit fluorescence following application of indirect immunofluorescent staining.
A stereospecific synthesis of 24(S)-hydroxyvitamin D2, a prodrug for 1α, 24(S)-dihydroxyvitamin D2

This contribution describes the first stereospecific synthesis of 24(S)-hydroxyvitamin D2 (1), a metabolite of vitamin D2. This metabolite acts as a prodrug for 1α,24(S)-dihydroxyvitamin D2 (2), wh...
Acid Phosphatase Development during Ripening of Avocado

The activity and subcellular distribution of acid phosphatase were assayed during ethylene-induced ripening of whole fruit or thick slices of avocado (Persea americana Mill. var. Fuerte and Hass). The activity increased up to 30-fold during ripening in both the supernatant fraction and the Triton X-100 extract of the precipitate of a 30,000g centrifugation of tissue homogenates from whole fruit or slices ripening in moist air. Enzyme activity in the residual precipitate after Triton extraction remained constant. The development of acid phosphatase in thick slices ripened in moist air was similar to that in intact fruit, except that enzyme development and ripening were accelerated about 24 hours in the slices. The increase in enzyme activity that occurs in slices ripening in moist air was inhibited when tissue sections were infiltrated with solutions, by aspiration for 2 minutes or by soaking for 2 hours, anytime 22 hours or more after addition of ethylene. This inhibition was independent of the presence or absence of cycloheximide or sucrose (0.3-0.5m). However, the large decline in enzyme activity in the presence of cycloheximide, as compared with the controls, indicated that synthesis of acid phosphatase was occurring at all stages of ripening.
Avoiding shared resource conflicts in mobile sensor networks with multiple missions

As sensor networks become increasingly autonomous and grow to include mobility and actuation, the need for predictability in the execution of complex missions becomes crucial. In this perspective, we propose a discrete event controller (DEC) as an effective framework for modelling task constraints, priority orders and task schedules of mobile sensor networks (MSNs) in charge of executing multiple missions. The focus is to show that, for such systems, risks of deadlock arise and that the proposed DEC is able easily to implement effective deadlock avoidance algorithms. Several experiments of coordination policies on an actual MSN test bed with shared heterogeneous resources are presented.
DNA topoisomerase I from human placenta

In this study we report that human placenta is an excellent source of DNA topoisomerase I. The enzyme can be isolated in the fully intact 100 kDa form although lower molecular mass species are also observed. Occasionally, the enzyme can be resolved into two peaks of activity by chromatography on phosphocellulose. As expected, the enzyme promotes marked cleavage of DNA in response to the anticancer drug camptothecin. Because of this property and the ready availability of human placenta, the enzyme should prove to be useful in the development and testing of new anticancer drugs that target topoisomerase I.
Mass transfer with interfacial adsorption methyl chloride into water

The rate of transfer of a surface-active solute across an interface may be either greater or less than the rate which would be obtained if the interface had no abnormal properties. Studies of the absorption of methyl chloride, a surface-active gas, by a laminar water jet show that for contact times of 1 msec. or greater the absorption rate is the same as would be predicted for a system with no abnormal interfacial properties. This is in accord with theory which indicates that an abnormally high rate caused by a positive surface excess could only be observed for contact times considerably shorter than those used here.
Lymphopoiesis in the rat. I. The effect of pool size on lymphocyte production

A method is described for measuring lymphopoiesis that enables the production of recirculating and non-recirculating small lymphocytes to be estimated simultaneously. Using this technique, experiments were undertaken to determine whether the production of recirculating cells is influenced by the number present in the recirculating lymphocyte pool. The results suggest that neither a massive lymphocyte transfusion nor depletion of the pool by whole body irradiation or chronic lymph drainage affect the rate at which recirculating small lymphocytes are generated.
Development of a method for the sensitive and quantitative determination of hepcidin in human serum using LC-MS/MS

Abstract Introduction Hepcidin, a 25-amino acid peptide hormone, plays a crucial regulatory role in iron metabolism. Elevated hepcidin has been observed in response to inflammation and is speculated to be a causative factor in inflammatory anemia due to induction of functional iron deficiency. Hepcidin has been suggested as a biomarker of anemia of inflammation. An accurate assessment of human serum hepcidin is critical to understand its role in anemia. Methods An LC-MS/MS method was developed to quantify hepcidin in human serum using chemically synthesized hepcidin as a standard and stable isotope labeled hepcidin as internal standard. Rabbit serum was used as a surrogate matrix for standards due to the presence of endogenous hepcidin in human serum. The method was validated to FDA criteria for bioanalytical assays. Results The calibration curve was validated over the range of 2.5 to 500 ng/mL. Hepcidin was stable in serum for at least 16 h at room temperature, 90 days at − 60 to − 80 °C, and after three F/T cycles. Interday accuracy (% RE) and precision (%CV) were − 11.2% and 5.6%, respectively at the LLOQ, and less than ± 7.0% and 9.2%, respectively for higher concentrations. The mean accuracy of quality control samples (5.00, 15.0, 100 and 400 ng/mL) in 21 analytical batches was between − 0.7 and + 2.1%, with mean precision between 5.1% and 13.4%. Hepcidin was below 2.5 ng/mL in 31 of 60 healthy subjects, while the mean concentration was less than 10 ng/mL. Sepsis and chronic kidney disease patients had mean serum concentrations of 252 ng/mL ( n = 16, median 121 ng/mL) and 99 ng/mL ( n = 50, median 68 ng/mL), respectively. Conclusions A fully validated LC-MS/MS method has been described for the determination of hepcidin in human serum. This method was applied to the determination of hepcidin in over 1200 human samples.
Missionization and Economic Change in the Pimeria Alta: The Zooarchaeology of San Agustin de Tucson

Spanish missions were important support bases for colonization; Native American labor provided both food and commodities to support regional colonial expansion. Zooarchaeological remains from Mission San Agustin, located in present-day southern Arizona, offer a unique perspective on livestock use at missions, and engagement with regional economic networks through secondary animal products. Despite decades of resistance to livestock, the O’odham became the primary labor force in an economic system based on livestock ranching, particularly of cattle. The transition to cattle ranching was likely influenced by a number of factors including pressure from missionaries, population growth, and, perhaps most importantly, the regional demand for secondary livestock commodities such as hide and tallow.
Intracranial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in a young male patient

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that affects multiple organ systems including the central nervous system. We present a case of a young male with a new diagnosis of SLE presenting as intracranial hypertension (IH). Review of the literature suggests an association between SLE and IH and prompts a reconsideration of the exclusion of IH from the American College of Rheumatology’s accepted neuropsychiatric manifestations. In addition, our case is one of the few cases of IH and SLE in males. While the data are limited, SLE-associated IH in males may be different from that in females with respect to presentation and severity.
Intrinsic thermodynamic and kinetic properties of Sb electrodes for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries: experiment and theory

A detailed comparative study between the electrochemical lithiation and sodiation of pure antimony (Sb), relating changes in structural, thermodynamic, kinetic and electrochemical properties has been carried out. For this purpose, a wide range of measurements using electrochemical (galvanostatic cycling, GITT, PITT), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods as well as density functional theory (DFT) based investigations have been undertaken. Assessment of the thermodynamics reveals that the reaction proceeds identically during the first and second cycles for Li whereas it differs between the first and subsequent cycles for Na as the reaction with Na proceeds through a different pathway associated with the formation of amorphous NaxSb phases. For the first time we rationalize the amorphization of NaxSb phases by the long ranged strain propagation due to Na-vacancy compared to Li–Sb. At full discharge, our XRD results show for the first time that a minor fraction of hexagonal Li3Sb forms concomitantly with cubic Li3Sb. The XRD results confirm that Sb crystallizes into hexagonal Na3Sb at full sodiation. The kinetics of the reaction is assessed by rate performance tests which highlight that both Li and Na can diffuse rapidly throughout micron thick films at room temperature. However, it is found that the (de)insertion of Li provides lower overpotentials and larger storage capacities compared to Na. The difference in rate performance is complemented by diffusion coefficient determinations near the 0 V region where both materials are crystallized into M3Sb (M = Li, Na). Interestingly, calculations show that the energy barrier for near-neighbor vacancy migration, predominant in these close-packed phases, is about twice for Na than for Li. Our analysis tries to relate the lower intrinsic diffusivity of Na compared to Li with the long-range strain propagation induced by the former, thereby leading to an intrinsic origin of differences in rates, mechanical properties and amorphization. Finally, the surface chemistry of Sb electrodes cycled in NaClO4 dissolved in pure PC with(out) the addition of 5 wt% EC or FEC shows presence of ethers and NaF for the EC- and FEC-based electrolytes, respectively, and SEI films rich in Na-based carbonates.
Improved Inversion of Scanning Electrical Mobility Spectrometer Data Using a New Multiscale Expectation Maximization Algorithm

The accuracy of particle size distributions obtained from scanning electrical mobility spectrometer (SEMS) measurements is strongly dependent on the accurate consideration of the instrument characteristics in the formulation of the SEMS problem and the effective inversion of the resulting SEMS equation. The estimation of size distributions from SEMS measurements requires a solution of the discretized form of the Fredholm integral equation of the first kind. The often ill-conditioned nature of the linear inverse problem coupled with the possible presence of measurement noise complicates these calculations. The use of standard inversion approaches, such as nonnegative least squares (NNLS) or regularization-based algorithms, requires SEMS measurements with significant signal-to-noise ratio or some a priori knowledge of the shape of the sampled size distribution. These severe constraints for SEMS measurements can be relaxed with the new multiscale expectation-maximization SEMS inversion method introduced here...
Comparison of Nonpulsatile and Pulsatile Extracorporeal Circulation on Renal Cortical Blood Flow

Radioactive microspheres were used to compare renal cortical blood flow with pulsatile and nonpulsatile extracorporeal perfusion in mongrel dogs. No difference was found in total renal cortical flow or in flow distribution using pulsatile compared with nonpulsatile perfusion when mean perfusion pressure was held constant at a high (80 mm Hg) or low (50 mm Hg) level. Although the present investigation does not resolve the question of whether pulsatile perfusion has advantages over nonpulsatile perfusion in maintaining renal function, the data indicate that any differences between the two techniques must be explained by a mechanism other than increased total cortical blood flow or by redistribution of cortical flow.
Faculty self-reported experience with racial and ethnic discrimination in academic medicine

ABCKGROUND: Despite the need to recruit and retain minority faculty in academic medicine, little is known about the experiences of minority faculty, in particular their self-reported experience of racial and ethnic discrimination at their institutions.
Rapid Cage Degradation of 1-Formyl- and 1-Alkyloxycarbonyl-Substituted 1,2-Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes by Water or Methanol in Polar Organic Solvents

The previously unreported rapid degradation of certain closo-carboranes cages to nido-carborane cages by water or methanol in highly polar aprotic solvents is discussed.
Management control preferences: a cross‐cultural perspective

Students from urban, public universities in Mexico and the United States participated in a job‐choice exercise to compare their preferences for different management controls. No differences were found in preferences for organisational formality (formal vs. informal rules and procedures) or participative planning (top‐down vs. participative budgeting). Subjects from the United States exhibited stronger preferences for interpersonal evaluations and individual rather than team‐based rewards than did the Mexican subjects. Implications for management and future research are discussed.
Photostable Fluorophores for Single-Molecule Imaging

Fluorophores exhibit instability (blinking and photobleaching) that limits the spatial and temporal resolution for single-molecule imaging. Although protective agents in solution can mitigate fluorophore instability, their poor solubility in water limits further improvements. Moreover, it is very challenging, if not impossible, to use protective agents in solution for live cell imaging. To overcome these limitations, we linked protective agents to Cy5 fluorophores. In doing so, we have achieved remarkable enhancements in photostability. We further demonstrated that this strategy provides a general method for improving the photostability of chemically distinct fluorophores across the visible spectrum.
Simultaneous expansion and orthogonalization of measured modes for structure identification

Tests of large structures on-orbit will be performed with measurements at a relatively few structure points. Values for the unmeasured degrees of freedom (dofs) can be estimated based on measured dofs and analytical model dynamic information. These 'expanded' mode shapes are useful for optimal-update identification and damage location as well as test/analysis correlation. A new method of expansion for test mode shape vectors is developed from the orthogonal Procrustes problem from computational linear algebra. A subspace defined by the set of measured dofs is compared to a subspace defined by mode shapes from an analytical model of the structure. The method simultaneously expands and orthogonalizes the mode shape vectors. Two demonstration problems are used to compare the new method to current expansion techniques. One demonstration uses test data from a laboratory scale-model truss structure. Performance of the new method is comparable or superior to that of the previous expansion methods which require separate orthogonalization.