cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term effects of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I on cancellous bone in rhesus macaque monkeys.

The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) administration singly and in combination on vertebral, tibial, and femoral bone in aged female monkeys as well as the various treatment effects on serum hormone levels and osteocalcin gene expression. Twenty-one ovulating female monkeys (rhesus macaque), aged 16-20 yr (5-6 kg), were divided into four groups to receive the following treatment for 7 weeks via Alzet pumps inserted sc: A, eluant (control group); B, recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I; 120 micrograms/kg.day); C) rhGH (100 micrograms/kg.day); D, combination of rhIGF-I (120 micrograms/kg.day) and rhGH (100 micrograms/kg.day). Serum was assayed serially for glucose, IGF-I, GH, and IGF-binding protein-3 levels. All groups received double labeling with calcein. On the day of death, the primates' second lumbar vertebrae, tibiae, and femora were carefully dissected, fixed in 70% ethanol, and subjected to histomorphometric analysis. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from contralateral tibiae for the purpose of osteocalcin gene expression analysis. Serum glucose was unaffected by treatment. Serum GH was significantly elevated in groups C and D, whereas serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were only significantly increased in group D. Histomorphometric analysis showed no significant differences or trends for bone volume in any treatment group. Bone formation rate, surface and/or bone volume referent were significantly higher in both groups treated with GH (C and D) in tibia and femur, with a similar trend in vertebrae. The increase in bone formation rate was due mainly to a significant increase in mineral apposition rate, but there was also an increase in tibial mineralizing surface by GH by factorial analysis (P < 0.05). There were significant treatment effects on osteoid surface and osteoclastic surface in femur in the combination treatment group vs. the controls. Osteocalcin gene expression analysis supported an enhanced expression in both groups treated with GH. These findings are consistent with a short term effect of GH to increase bone remodeling and predominantly osteoblastic activity in the appendicular skeleton. In contrast, other than an isolated increase in osteoclastic surface in femoral bone, IGF-I, when administered alone, was unable to significantly influence bone formation or resorption activity in this short term study.
Flowering dates, potential evapotranspiration and water use efficiency of Syringa vulgaris L. at different elevations in the western United States of America

Abstract A model was developed that related the first flower phase dates of Syringa vulgaris L. (purple common lilac) to hourly values of temperature and global solar radiation based on data from 1956–1980 at ten locations in western USA. The model takes into account the interaction of effective temperature (base 5°C) and solar radiation raised to the 0.27 power in the form of Solar Thermal Units (STU). The chill unit requirement of the lilac was determined by the Utah method to be 1049. The relation, which was statistically highly significant, indicated that a larger number of STU were required for flowering at higher elevations. This suggests that under similar conditions of day-time ambient temperature and solar radiation both plant development and water use efficiency at higher elevations are much reduced relative to that at lower elevations. The implication is that irrigation agriculture requires more water to mature a crop at higher elevations and that thermal and solar thermal phenological model requirements for estimating crop maturation should be adjusted to larger values at higher elevations. This also implies that designated water use, in supporting water right claims, in production agriculture should be considerably greater at higher elevations. Factors associated with elevation that may be accountable are discussed.
The comprehension and recall of similes as a function of context and cue

Participants read 56 sentence pairs and attempted to judge if the context sentence of each pair was related to the figurative message of the following simile. Reaction times and error rates both indicated that (a) participants could judge subject-related contexts more easily that predicate-related contexts, (b) they could judge irrelevant contexts more easily than misleading ones, and (c) these two effects were relatively independent of one another. The cued recall of similes previously paired with relevant or misleading contexts was affected by both a context effect (contexts containing a simile's predicate led to better recall than those containing its subject) and, even more strongly, a cuing effect (the simile's predicate was a better cue than its subject), whereas the cued recall of similes previously paired with irrelevant contexts was affected only by the context effect. In no case was there evidence of an interaction that would have indicated that a cue would be more potent if it referred to the same simile term as had the context.
The Italian registry for adrenal cortical carcinoma: Analysis of a multiinstitutional series of 129 patients

Background. Adrenal cortical carcinoma is an uncommon tumor with a poor prognosis. The low incidence of this tumor makes it difficult to achieve reliable data on clinical manifestations, natural history, and the impact of therapies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate such aspects in a large series. Methods. A retrospective series of 129 cases (55 men and 74 women, mean age of 49 years) was collected from 18 surgical institutions. AT the time of diagnosis 45.7% of patients had endocrine symptoms. One hundred twenty-four patients underwent surgery, which was considered curative in 91 cases and palliative in 33. Sixty-three patients had local disease, 48 had regional disease, and 43 had distant metastases. Results. This study confirmed a higher incidence in the 40- to 50-year-old population with a female prevalence; hormonal hyperincretion was more common in women, but it was not caused by advanced disease. The overall 5-year survival rate was 35%. Tumor stage and curative resection affected prognosis significantly. The influence of gender, side, age, and hormonal function has not been confirmed. Adjuvant therapies were ineffective in prolonging survival. Reoperated patients experienced better survival (mean, 41.5 months) than nonreoperated cases (mean, 15.6 months). Conclusions. The poor prognosis of adrenal cortical carcinoma may be imroved by early diagnosis and complete resection. Radical surgery is the sole effective therapy, particularly in early stages. Surgical treatment of recurrence seems to improve survival and should be attempted systematically. Adjuvant therapies obtained contrasting results, and their role should be evaluated in prospective multicentric trials.
The Weighted Set Covering Game: A Vaccine Pricing Model for Pediatric Immunization

The United States pediatric vaccine manufacturing market is analyzed using a static Bertrand oligopoly pricing model that characterizes oligopolistic interactions between asymmetric firms in a homogeneous multiple product market. Firms satisfy demand by appropriately pricing and selling its given set of bundles, where each bundle contains one or more products. In analyzing the pediatric vaccine market, a bundle is a vaccine, where each vaccine contains one or more immunogenic antigens. Consumers seek to purchase at least one of each antigen at an overall minimum cost. Demand is captured by defining a weighted set covering optimization problem, with the weights (prices) controlled by firms engaged in Bertrand competition. A repeated game version of the model enables multiple interactions between firms, allowing examination of tacit collusion. An iterative improvement algorithm is defined that constructs a pure strategy Nash equilibrium (some in the limiting sense) for the static game. Sufficient conditions...
Intraluminal ultrasound assessment of vascular stent deployment

This study assessed the utility of intraluminal ultrasound imaging during deployment of a self-expanding vascular stent and quantitated changes in arterial morphology produced by the stent. Cross-sectional images of arterial lumens (n = 50) were obtained before stenting, in-vitro (n = 35) from formalin-preserved human superficial femoral arteries and in-vivo (n = 15) from canine iliac arteries containing laser-induced eccentric stenoses. Comparison of ultrasound-derived vessel dimensions (minimum and maximum diameter and cross-sectional area) with histological morphometric analysis of corresponding vessel sites showed good correlation by linear regression analysis (r = 0.930-0.987, p = 0.001-0.005). Following stent placement, 23 intraluminal ultrasound images were obtained from the stented vessel sites (in-vitro n = 15, in-vivo n = 8) and were compared to prestented cross-sectional areas. In the in-vitro vessels there was a small increase (p = 0.023) in area, but there was no change in the in-vivo arteries (p = 0.6). To assess the effect of stenting on luminal shape (ellipticity), minimum/maximum diameter ratios were compared before and after stent deployment. There was an increase in this ratio in the in-vitro vessels (p = 0.001) but no change in the in-vivo arteries (p = 0.2). We conclude that intraluminal ultrasound produces clear and accurate images of the location, shape and degree of arterial pathology, ensuring good stent: vessel size matching and immediate quantitative assessment of the effects of arterial stent placement.
Radical Prostatectomy or External Beam Radiation Therapy vs No Local Therapy for Survival Benefit in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A SEER-Medicare Analysis.

Purpose: We assessed survival after radical prostatectomy, intensity modulated radiation therapy or conformal radiation therapy vs no local therapy for metastatic prostate cancer adjusting for patient comorbidity, androgen deprivation therapy and other factors.Materials and Methods: We identified men 66 years old or older with metastatic prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, conformal radiation therapy or no local therapy in the SEER-Medicare linked database from 2004 to 2009. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models before and after inverse propensity score weighting were used to assess all cause and prostate cancer specific mortality. Competing risk regression analysis was done to assess prostate cancer specific mortality.Results: Of 4,069 men with metastatic prostate cancer radical prostatectomy in 47, intensity modulated radiation therapy in 88 and conformal radiation therapy in 107 were selected as local therapy vs no local therapy in 3,827. R...
Probing the role of structural water in a duplex oligodeoxyribonucleotide containing a water-mimicking base analog

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on models of the dodecamer DNA double-stranded segment, [d(CGCGAATTCGCG)](2), in which each of the adenine residues, individually or jointly, was replaced by the water-mimicking analog 2'-deoxy-7-(hydroxy-methyl)-7-deazaadenosine (hm(7)c(7)dA) [Rockhill, J.K., Wilson,S.R. and Gumport,R.I. (1996) J. Am. Chem. Soc.,118, 10065-10068]. The simulations, when compared with those of the dodecamer itself, show that incorporation of the analog affects neither the overall DNA structure nor its hydrogen-bonding and stacking interactions when it replaces a single individual base. Furthermore, the water molecules near the bases in the singly-substituted oligonucleotides are similarly unaffected. Double substitutions lead to differences in all the aforementioned parameters with respect to the reference sequence. The results suggest that the analog provides a good mimic of specific 'ordered' water molecules observed in contact with DNA itself and at the interface between protein and DNA in specific complexes.
A new perspective on batched quantile estimation

We study asymptotically valid confidence intervals (CIs) for steady-state quantiles computed from nonover-lapping batches. Asymptotic validity of the CIs is established under conditions that are weaker and more easily verifiable than the usual mixing assumptions. The performance of the CIs is evaluated with a preliminary experimental study. These results form the basis for developing fully sequential procedures that yield CI estimators of steady-state quantiles with user-specified absolute or relative precision.
Prohibition as a Political Issue

AS A POLITICAL ISSUE, prohibition deserves study. There is, to begin with, no very extensive or informative academic treatment of the question. To be sure, the issue yielded a large literature before 1933-a literature comprised almost entirely of either polemics or beMles lettres. It was the subject of several million-ballot polls by The Literary Digest.' But the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment seems to have dried up-or drowned-what little scholarly interest there was in the question.2 This desiccation can be explained, of course, by asserting that repeal had made prohibition a dead issue. Although there is some justification for this view, it claims too much. It is plausible to argue that, since 1933, there has existed a fair approximation to a national consensus on national prohibition. But regularly recurring Gallup polls since 1937 have shown a fairly stable minority-between 30 and 35 per cent of those responding-who favored a re-
Glucose-induced suppression of endogenous glucose production: dynamic response to differing glucose profiles.

To determine whether, in the presence of constant insulin concentrations, a change in glucose concentrations results in a reciprocal change in endogenous glucose production (EGP), glucagon (∼130 ng...
The importance of precessional signals in the tropical climate

Past research on the climate response to orbital forcing has emphasized the glacial-interglacial variations in global ice volume, global-mean temperature, and the global hydrologic cycle. This emphasis may be inap- propriate in the tropics, where the response to preces- sional forcing is likely to be somewhat independent of the glacial-interglacial variations, particularly in vari- ables relating to the hydrologic cycle. To illustrate this point, we use an atmospheric general circulation model coupled to a slab ocean model, performing experiments that quantify the tropical climate's response to (1) opposite phases of precessional forcing, and (2) Last Glacial Maximum boundary conditions. While the gla- cially-forced tropical temperature changes are typically more than an order of magnitude larger than those arising from precessional forcing, the hydrologic signals stemming from the two forcings are comparable in magnitude. The mechanisms behind these signals are investigated and shown to be quite distinct for the pre- cessional and glacial forcing. Because of strong dynamical linkages in the tropics, the model results illustrate the impossibility of predicting the local hydrologic response to external forcing without under- standing the response at much larger spatial scales. Examples from the paleoclimate record are presented as additional evidence for the importance of precessional signals in past variations of the tropical climate.
Effects of Understory Vegetation Management on Brood Habitat for Northern Bobwhites

Abstract Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have experienced severe declines for several decades, and declines have been particularly precipitous in the southern United States. These declines are partially attributable to large-scale conversions of potential habitat to short-rotation pine (Pinus spp.) forests managed for wood fiber production and fire exclusion in pine-dominated landscapes. We used standard arthropod sampling techniques, human-imprinted bobwhite chicks, and vegetation response to evaluate effects of different understory vegetation management practices on brood habitat quality within a commercially managed pine forest in Louisiana, USA, during 2002–2005. Specifically, we evaluated effects of mowing, prescribed fire during the growing season, prescribed fire in combination with imazapyr application, and no vegetation management on arthropod abundance and diversity, vegetation response, and the probability of bobwhite chicks successfully capturing an arthropod. Bobwhite chic...
Human population structure detection via multilocus genotype clustering

We describe a hierarchical clustering algorithm for using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genetic data to assign individuals to populations. The method does not assume Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and linkage equilibrium among loci in sample population individuals. We show that the algorithm can assign sample individuals highly accurately to their corresponding ethnic groups in our tests using HapMap SNP data and it is also robust to admixed populations when tested with Perlegen SNP data. Moreover, it can detect fine-scale population structure as subtle as that between Chinese and Japanese by using genome-wide high-diversity SNP loci. The algorithm provides an alternative approach to the popular STRUCTURE program, especially for fine-scale population structure detection in genome-wide association studies. This is the first successful separation of Chinese and Japanese samples using random SNP loci with high statistical support.
Ground Scattering Analysis to Identify Targets for Refractivity Field Estimation

Efforts to estimate the near-surface moisture field using weather radar returns from coherent ground targets has been successfully demonstrated in recent years. A very crucial step to make the moisture retrieval successful is the identification of appropriate targets. The estimation process also depends on adequate spatial distribution of these targets, so it is actually more important to have a good distribution than to have every target be extremely coherent. Presently, however, there is no fully automated technique to identify the targets. The currently accepted method is to manually examine phase difference scans that span approximately an hour to identify a time period where the phase gradient is approximately the same across all azimuths. Unfortunately, this is not simple and improper selection can have drastically different results. In order to design an algorithm to automate this process, one must first understand the phase behavior of ground reflections for this purpose. Previous analysis of ground returns were for the purpose of eliminating them, but the work presented here aims to identify suitable targets for refractivity estimation.
wCLUTO: A Web-Enabled Clustering Toolkit

As structural and functional genomics efforts provide the biological community with ever-broadening sets of interrelated data, the need to explore such complex information for subtle relationships expands. We present wCLUTO, a Web-enabled version of the stand-alone application CLUTO, designed to apply clustering methods to genomic information. Its first application is focused on the clustering transcriptome data from microarrays. Data can be uploaded by the user into the clustering tool, a choice of several clustering methods can be made and configured, and data are presented to the user in a variety of visual formats, including a three-dimensional “mountain” view of the clusters. Parameters can be explored to rapidly examine a variety of clustering results, and the resulting clusters can be downloaded either for manipulation by other programs or to be saved in a format for publication.
Flow cytometry immunophenotypic findings in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and its utility in monitoring treatment response

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, characterized by persistent monocytosis. Due to the lack of unique surface markers expressed by neoplastic monocytes and the frequent CD34-negative blast immunophenotype, the diagnostic value of flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) in CMML is rarely studied. In this study, by using a multicolor FCI assay, we assessed bone marrow (BM) immunophenotypical alterations in 118 CMML patients and follow-up BM samples in 35 of these patients. The median BM monocytes as determined by FCI were 14% (1-63%), correlated with morphologic count (P = 0.0004). FCI alterations in monocytes were observed in 96% and granulocytes in 83% of cases. The percentage of CD34(+) myeloblasts by FCI was low [median 0.6% (0.02-12.6%)], but exhibiting frequent aberrancies [median 6 (2-12)]. CD34(+) B-cell precursors were absent in 93% of cases. In 35 patients with follow-up BM samples assessed, the CD34(+) myeloblasts showed persistent FCI aberrancies in all 29 patients treated with hypomethylating agents and 3 patients on observation, but became normal in 3 patients following stem cell transplant. In conclusion, CMML exhibit numerous FCI alterations in monocytes, granulocytes, and more profound/frequent in CD34(+) myeloblasts. These findings provide solid evidence for using FCI as an ancillary test in CMML diagnosis and also, in assessment of treatment responses.
Airway responsiveness in infants: comparison of inhaled and nasally instilled methacholine.

Airway responsiveness of infants is evaluated during sleep and the infants inhale the bronchial challenge agent via the nasal airway. Since stimulation of the nasal airway may produce bronchoconstriction, it is unclear whether the observed response in the infants results from deposition of the aerosol in the lower airways or from stimulation of nasal receptors. Therefore, in 6 healthy infants we compared the changes in partial expiratory flow-volume (PEFV) curves produced by aerosol inhalation of methacholine and the changes produced by instillation of equivalent doses of methacholine liquid into the nares. Following aerosol, the peak expiratory flow and the flow at functional residual capacity decreased, PEFV curves became concave in shape, and the oxygen saturation (Sao2) decreased. The highest methacholine concentration inhaled by any infant was 1.25 mg/mL. In contrast to aerosol delivery, a maximal methacholine concentration of 10.0 mg/mL was instilled into the nares of all 6 infants without any change in maximal flow at functional respiratory capacity (VmaxFRC) or Sao2. There was a significant decrease in peak flow and flattening of the PEFV curves at higher lung volumes; however, the PEFV curve remained convex in shape at the lower lung volumes. The changes in the PEFV curve following nasal instillation of methacholine are consistent with an increase in nasal resistance and no change in the lower airways. We conclude that the bronchoconstriction observed following inhaled methacholine does not result from stimulation of nasal receptors. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1993; 16:54–58. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mesh-free analysis of cracks in isotropic functionally graded materials

This paper presents a Galerkin-based meshless method for calculating stress-intensity factors (SIFs) for a stationary crack in two-dimensional functionally graded materials of arbitrary geometry. The method involves an element-free Galerkin method (EFGM), where the material properties are smooth functions of spatial coordinates and two newly developed interaction integrals for mixed-mode fracture analysis. These integrals can also be implemented in conjunction with other numerical methods, such as the finite element method (FEM). Five numerical examples including both mode-I and mixed-mode problems are presented to evaluate the accuracy of SIFs calculated by the proposed EFGM. Comparisons have been made between the SIFs predicted by EFGM and available reference solutions in the literature, generated either analytically or by FEM using various other fracture integrals or analyses. Agood agreement is obtained between the results of the proposed meshless method and the reference solutions. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Experimental mine and laboratory dust explosion research at NIOSH

Abstract This paper describes dust explosion research conducted in an experimental mine and in a 20-L laboratory chamber at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The primary purpose of this research is to improve safety in mining, but the data are also useful to other industries that manufacture, process, or use combustible dusts. Explosion characteristics such as the minimum explosible concentration and the rock dust inerting requirements were measured for various combustible dusts from the mining industries. These dusts included bituminous coals, gilsonite, oil shales, and sulfide ores. The full-scale tests were conducted in the Lake Lynn experimental mine of NIOSH. The mine tests were initiated by a methane–air explosion at the face (closed end) that both entrained and ignited the dust. The laboratory-scale tests were conducted in the 20-L chamber using ignitors of various energies. One purpose of the laboratory and mine comparison is to determine the conditions under which the laboratory tests best simulate the full-scale tests. The results of this research showed relatively good agreement between the laboratory and the large-scale tests in determining explosion limits. Full-scale experiments in the experimental mine were also conducted to evaluate the explosion resistance characteristics of seals that are used to separate non-ventilated, inactive workings from active workings of a mine. Results of these explosion tests show significant increases in explosion overpressure due to added coal dust and indications of pressure piling.
Ant colony optimization based energy efficient virtual network embedding

The rapid proliferation of data centers has significantly increased energy consumption and green house gas emissions. Attention has focused on greening the data centers. Energy efficient virtual network embedding (EE-VNE) has been studied to save energy consumption in data centers, which has been proved to be NP-hard. Especially, when considering multiple data centers with evolving virtual network resources requirements, it becomes much more challenging to approach an optimal solution in a reasonable amount of time. We propose an Ant Colony Optimization based Energy Efficient Virtual Network Embedding and scheduling (ACO-EE-VNE) to minimize energy usage in multiple data centers for both computing and network resources by modeling the EE-VNE as a construction graph. In addition, we reduce the space complexity of ACO-EE-VNE by developing a novel way to track and update the pheromone. Our extensive evaluation results show that our ACO-EE-VNE could reduce energy consumption up to 52% and double the acceptance ratio compared with existing virtual network embedding algorithms.
Role of TEE before atrial fibrillation ablation: Is less really more?

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has become standard therapy for patients with refractory symptoms despite antiarrhythmic drugs. Aside from long-term stroke risk in this patient population, a periprocedural transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke is a potential complication with reported event rates of o1%. In most centers, preprocedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is standard to assess left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. In addition, preprocedure computed tomography (CT) is performed to assess pulmonary vein anatomy, which guides pulmonary vein isolation. With the advent of delayed imaging, LAA assessment for clot with CT has been shown in multiple reports to detect LAA thrombus with high accuracy. In this issue of HeartRhythm, Bilchick et al report the results of a proposed protocol using the results of preablation cardiac CT with delayed imaging of the LAA. In this study, a total of 320 patients underwent preablation cardiac CT with the delayed imaging of the LAA. An initial experience with 88 patients revealed agreement with negative CT findings for LAA clot with TEE (in patients who underwent TEE). After this initial period, a defined protocol was created that allowed for deferment of TEE if CT findings were negative. Patients who were deemed to be high risk for LAA clot (CHADS2VASc score44 and persistent AF, previous TIA/stroke, and history of LAA clot) were still to undergo TEE. The authors found over the course of the protocol period a substantial decrease in the use of TEE before ablation from nearly 58% to 24% over the course of 1 year. In addition, over time fewer TEE protocols were performed on patients with higher CHAD2-VASc scores. Despite the protocol mandating TEE in this higher-risk patient subgroup, there was increased confidence in using the CT findings in clinical decision making per the authors. Furthermore, there were no periprocedural TIA or stroke and no esophageal complications. The authors conclude that preprocedure CT with delayed imaging of the LAA can be used to assess LAA clot and this may lead to a reduction in the need for preprocedure TEE. This report adds to a growing body of literature that delayed imaging on cardiac CT can accurately assess LAA clot.
Effectiveness of catalytic archipelagos. II: Random arrays of random islands

Abstract Voronoi polygons are used to simulate a random distribution of irregularly shaped catalytic islands. Finite element mathematics is used to determine the catalytic effectiveness of the islands when adsorbed reactants diffuse and disappear by a first order reaction at their boundaries. It is found that the catalytic effectiveness of the islands at any fractional coverage can be estimated reasonably accurately either from asymptotic formulae, valid for certain values of diffusion, adsorption, and reaction constants, or from the equivalent annulus approximation found earlier to be accurate for certain regular arrays of regular islands. The equivalent annulus approximation allows analytic prediction of the catalytic effectiveness for any set of parameter conditions given only the fraction area ratio Γ/Ω. Both of these quantities of which can be determined directly from a photomicrog of a representative sample.
Towards the Criminalization of Dictatorship: A Draft Proposal for an International Convention on Dictatorship

The international community has taken note of and, to some extent, addressed the excesses and human rights violations of dictators and totalitarian governments over the past half-century. To this end, conventions addressing civil and political rights have become an integral part of the law of international human rights. Although these conventions and covenants address the existence of such rights, and in some cases offer avenues of inquiry to ensure that they are realized, in the wake of wide-spread and systematic violations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe scholars and diplomats alike are beginning to call for a solution that will address the root of such violations: the form of government that perpetrates them. Calls to criminalize dictatorship have begun in academia as well as in the envoys to the United Nations. This paper represents the first prolonged treatment of the issue within the academy. Addressing first the possibility of criminalizing dictatorship under prevailing definitions of international crime, I reach the conclusion that such an attempt would be inefficacious and less definitive than other available action. Having reached this conclusion, the remainder of the paper focuses on the need for an international convention dealing with this subject matter and draft proposals for the necessary substantive articles. After each proposal potential United States objections to the specific article are addressed and, in most cases, discounted as unfounded. Although this paper represents only the first step down the road to international action, its success may be found in establishing a foundation on which further debate can build.
Prediction of live lamb chemical composition utilizing electromagnetic scanning (ToBEC)

Abstract Electromagnetic scanning was investigated to determine its accuracy in predicting chemical composition in live lambs. Forty-seven Rambouillet wether lambs were scanned with an electromagnetic instrument (ToBEC Model HA-2). Lambs were serially scanned and slaughtered over the weight range of 29.5 to 63.5 kg. Each lamb was scanned twice: before and immediately after 24 h of food deprivation. Chemical composition was determined from whole-animal ground samples by AOAC methods for percentage of DM, CP, ether extract (EE), and Ash. Percentage of fat-free mass (FFM) was calculated from the percentage of moisture and CP. Correlation and stepwise regression procedures were used to identify the most reliable independent variables for predicting chemical composition. Independent variables included electromagnetic scan data and live animal measures for weight, body length, and chest girth circumference. Electromagnetic data included the average scan response curve (PH0) and Fourier transformations (P1T, P1R, P2T, and P2R). Repeatability of the HA-2 model was extremely high (r = .98). Reliable prediction equations were obtained for DM, CP, EE, and FFM (R2 > .66). The percentage of ash could not be predicted from the independent variables. Electromagnetic scan responses contributed little to the model sum of squares. Body weight accounted for the majority of the model sum of squares. Depriving lambs of food for 24 h slightly improved the R2 value and significantly decreased scan responses (P < .01). Body weight was a better predictor of chemical composition over a large weight range than any of the scan responses. Further investigation of the HA-2 is needed to determine whether it is effective in determining differences in live body composition between animals of equal weight.
Home-Range Size and Exploratory Excursions of Adult, Male Yellow-Bellied Marmots

Home-range sizes of adult, male yellow-bellied marmots ( Marmota flaviventris ) were estimated from radiotelemetry, trapping, and visual observation. Home ranges were monitored from early May to late August in 1989, 1990, and 1991. Home-range size varied greatly among males (range, 0.06–47.51 ha). Median home-range size for all males was 1.02 ha, larger than previous estimates for the species. Distribution of females and localized fluctuations in density of males influenced home-range size of males. Home-range size was not related to number of females defended or to body mass of males. Several males made excursions from their home ranges, perhaps to locate additional mates. These results indicate that male marmots behaviorally respond to the density and distribution of females.
Diet manipulation affects social behavior of catfish : Importance of body odor.

Diet manipulation, an habituation test, and chemical analysis of urinary free amino acids were used to demonstrate that bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) naturally detect the body odors of conspecifics and respond to them in a predictable fashion. These signals are used in dominance and territorial relationships and lead to increased aggression toward chemical “strangers.” The results support the general notion that nonspecific metabolites, as well as specific pheromones, are important in chemical mediation of social behavior.
Artificial weathering of the ordinary chondrite Allegan; implications for the presence of Cl (super -) as a structural component in akaganeite

A sample of an ordinary chondrite fall, Allegan, was shown by 57 Fe Mossbauer spec- troscopy to be unweathered. Using aerated deionized water at 258 and 0 8C, and in one case with dissolved salts added, an attempt was made to simulate meteorite weathering processes in the hot and cold desert environments where these samples accumulate. The progress of artificial oxidation was monitored by 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy, and the final products were analyzed by neutron activation. The results confirm weathering mech- anisms proposed for naturally weathered meteorites and suggest that temperature is the major factor controlling the stability of the observed oxide mineral assemblage. Akaganeite was observed as a major oxidation product in the experimentally weathered sample. This finding is interesting because it is widely accepted that b-FeOOH requires Cl 2 for stability: The sample weathered in deionized water showed only trace amounts of Cl 2 in both the fresh and weathered meteorite. We suggest that both Cl 2 and OH 2 may be effective in filling tunnel sites and that a complete solid solution is possible between these end-mem- bers. In addition, a calculated formation age of 4.59 6 0.05 Ga and a cosmic-ray exposure age of 5.7-6.2 Ma, was derived from neutron activation analyses of the weathered sample. These ages are consistent with independent measurements made on samples of fresh Al- legan, although small sample weights mean that the results should be treated with caution. However, the similar ages obtained in the weathered sample indicates that a wider spectrum of cosmochemical analyses is possible with weathered meteorites than previously thought and that congruent dissolution occurs during meteorite weathering.
Two Birds with One Stone: Tailoring Singlet Fission for Both Triplet Yield and Exciton Diffusion Length

By direct imaging of singlet and triplet populations with ultrafast microscopy, it is shown that the triplet diffusion length and singlet fission yield can be simultaneously optimized for tetracene and its derivatives, making them ideal structures for application in bilayer solar cells.
The Santonio Project An Archaeological Reconnaissance for Urex, Inc. Southeastern Webb County, Texas

In October 1980, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, under contract to Fisher, Harden and Fisher, Inc., completed an archaeological survey of a proposed locality for solution uranium mining wells in southeastern Webb County, Texas. This survey produced evidence of Middle Archaic to Late Archaic prehistoric sites in the area. Twelve archaeological sites were documented. Five of these sites, located in the proposed mining area, were totally collected and mapped. The other seven sites outside of the proposed mining area were mapped and only those sites with cultural/historical significance were collected. No further work is necessary to protect those sites in the area of the proposed uranium mining.
Elastic-Plastic Analysis of Multiple Cracks in Airplane Fuselage

A brief introduction of the Rutgers’ FAA center research program on multiple crack problems in airplane fuselage will be presented. We intend to develop a software package focusing on the local stress analysis of the multiply cracked airplane fuselage. The package can be used as a key component in the global-intermediate-local analysis scheme adopted for the real-life stress analysis of complex airplane structures. The boundary condition needed for the local analysis is assumed to have been provided by the global-intermediate analysis; the result of the local analysis is fed back to the global-intermediate analysis.
Don’t embarrass yourself: Beware of bias in your data

Bias may exist in data that you collect for quantitative analysis in software engineering research. Some forms of bias can negatively affect the validity of analysis, results, and conclusions. In this chapter, I discuss forms of bias, how to test for them, and in some cases how to address them.
Formation of CaC2O4·3H2O Films from Solutions Supersaturated with CaC2O4

Calcium oxalate tri-hydrate films have been formed on stainless steel electrodes by polarizing them slightly cathodically in a dilute aqueous solution containing Ca2+ ions and dimethyl oxalate. The solutions were supersaturated with CaC2O4, which was produced as a result of the hydrolysis of dimethyl oxalate and was sparingly soluble. Supersaturation was kept during the film formation. It was found that the electrodeposition rates of CaC2O43H2O were determined by the degree of supersaturation and current density. The degree of the supersaturation which depends on the concentration of reagents and the temperature, influenced on the electrodeposition rate to a greater extent than the current density. The films thus can be formed from the dilute aqueous solutions and at the very low current density.
Nanoparticle Delivery Systems, General Approaches, and Their Implementation in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that remains incurable, with relapse rates >90%. The main limiting factor for the effective use of chemotherapies in MM is the serious side effects caused by these drugs. The emphasis in cancer treatment has shifted from cytotoxic, non-specific chemotherapies to molecularly targeted and rationally designed therapies showing greater efficacy and fewer side effects. Traditional chemotherapy has shown several disadvantages such as lack of targeting capabilities, systemic toxicity, and side effects; low therapeutic index, as well as most anticancer drugs, has poor water solubility. Nanoparticle delivery systems (NPs) are capable of targeting large doses of chemotherapies into the target area while sparing healthy tissues, overcoming the limitations of traditional chemotherapy. Here, we review the current state of the art in nanoparticle-based strategies designed to treat MM. Many nanoparticle delivery systems have been studied for myeloma using non-targeted NPs (liposomes, polymeric NPs, and inorganic NPs), triggered NPs, as well as targeted NPs (VLA-4, ABC drug transporters, bone microenvironment targeting). The results in preclinical and clinical studies are promising; however, there remains much to be learned in the emerging field of nanomedicine in myeloma.
Histopathologic Features of Splenic Small B-Cell Lymphomas

We studied 42 cases of splenic small B-cell lymphoma (SBL) (21 women, 21 men; aged 32–82 years; median, 65 years) with a definitive diagnosis by the World Health Organization classification: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 8; mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), 9; follicular lymphoma (FL), 12; marginal zone lymphoma, 13 (splenic [SMZL], 12; extranodal [EMZL], 1). Splenectomy was performed for diagnosis or therapy; splenic weights were 0.2 to 3.8 kg (median, 1.4 kg). In general, splenic SBLs showed white pulp (WP) expansion; morphologic features of the nodules recapitulated the corresponding lymph node histopathologic features. “Marginal zones” were observed commonly in SMZL and FL, may be present in MCL involving the spleen, and may be seen in hilar lymph nodes (HLNs) in SBLs other than SMZL. FL may simulate SMZL and can be distinguished by the presence of neoplastic follicles and HLN morphologic features. Extracellular hyaline deposits (EH) are common in FL and SMZL. MCL typically shows WP expansion by a monotonous small lymphocytic infiltrate, without diffuse red pulp (RP) infiltration or EH; leukemic MCL may show RP infiltration. Splenic morphologic features in CLL vary in WP or RP dominance; marginal zones usually are not observed in CLL.
From Boardroom to C-Suite: Why Would a Company Pick a Current Director as CEO?

Many observers consider the most important responsibility of the board of directors its responsibility to hire and fire the CEO. To this end, an interesting situation arises when a CEO resigns and the board chooses neither an internal nor external candidate, but a current board member as successor. Why would a company make such a decision? In this Closer Look, we examine this question in detail. We ask: • What does it say about a company’s succession plan when the board appoints a current director as CEO? • What is the process by which the board makes this decision? • Are directors-turned-CEO the most qualified candidates, or do they represent a stop-gap measure? • What does the sudden nature of these transitions say about the board’s ability to monitor performance? The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance and executive leadership. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the books Corporate Governance Matters and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Abstract 284: Lower Nrf2 Activity And Decreased Levels Of Pdi And No In The Kidney Contributes To Hypertension In The Aging Fbns

We recently reported that age-associated oxidative stress is causal to higher renal angiotensin AT1 receptor (AT1R) function and blood pressure (BP) in the aging Fischer Brown Norway (FBN) rats. This suggests that redox homeostasis is critical for normal AT1R function and blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to understand the mechanism responsible for the higher oxidative stress in the aging kidneys contributing to impaired AT1R function and high BP in the aged FBNs. Kidneys from adult (3-month) and aged (21-month) FBN rats were isolated. Nrf2 transcription factor, involved in transcriptional activity of diverse antioxidant enzymes genes, was determined in the nuclear and cytosolic fractions of cortical tissues by Western blotting. Nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 is an index of its activation. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), an enzyme involved in isomerization reaction, was determined in the cortical homogenates. Moreover, nitrate/nitrite levels were determined in the urine as an index of NO levels in the kidney. We found that the levels of Nrf2 were decreased (adult vs old: 1.86±0.69 vs 0.87±0.18, -53.2%) in the nuclei but increased (adult vs old: 1.20±0.27 vs 1.51±0.36, +25.8%) in the cytosol of aging kidneys. PDI levels also were decreased (adult vs old: 5.38±2.60 vs 3.59±1.76, -33.3%) in the aging kidneys. Furthermore, nitrate/nitrite levels were lower (adult vs old: 372±73 vs 211±30, -43.3%) in the urine from aged than in adult rats. These data suggest that impaired Nrf2 activity in the aging kidneys contributes to increased oxidative stress, renal AT1R function and BP in the aged FNBs. Furthermore, these data also indicate that PDI in an NO-dependent pathway regulates Nrf2 activity contributing to redox-balance in the kidney.
NeuroSnap: Expressing the User’s Affective State with Facial Filters

The use of facial filters in social media have changed the way people communicate and share their emotions. Daily, users generate millions of videos content with visual filters, where they manually select and apply these filters on top of their video or images. This paper presents an artistic Brain-Computer Interface new method to express the user’s affective state through facial filters. Therefore, this article presents NeuroSnap, an application modeled from Snapchat, where the user’s affective state is expressed automatically with custom-designed facial filters. Each filter represents relaxation, alerted, or highly alerted based on the electroencephalography (EEG) waves. This paper also provides brief example scenarios with a focus on user experience on how users could interact with NeuroSnap. Lastly, this paper provides preliminary results on people’s perception on this application and the accuracy of obtained values of both alpha and beta obtained from a mobile wireless BCI device.