cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning-assistant-supported active-learning in a large classroom

We present results and lessons learned from a Learning Assistant (LA) program combined with flipped classroom delivery and team learning in our calculus-based, introductory physics (mechanics) courses at California State University, Sacramento. A primarily undergraduate institution, our university serves a largely underprivileged student population, with one half of students coming from low-income households and one third being first-generation college students. We describe our setup in detail and analyze data from 13 classes, four instructors, and 43 learning assistants. We find that (1) learning gains for LA supported classes are on average twice as large as our traditionally taught classes; (2) learning gains are dependent on pre-test scores; and (3) they are also dependent on participation rates. We also analyze student and LA responses to end of semester surveys. Two-thirds of the students self-report that their study skills have improved from taking the LA-supported class, and their comments on course structure are overall positive. Over 90% of the LAs have very positive views of the program, and it is especially rewarding to see that 73% of the LAs who had not previously considered teaching as a career became more interested after participating in the program.
Neoadjuvant weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer: a Brown University Oncology Research Group (BrUOG) study.

In HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2+ BC), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with dual HER2-targeted therapy achieves high pathologic complete response (pCR) rates. Anthracycline-free NACT regimens avoid toxicities associated with anthracyclines, but every 3-week TCHP also has substantial side effects. We hypothesized that a weekly regimen might have equivalent efficacy with less toxicity; we also investigated whether poorly responding patients would benefit from switching to AC. Patients with clinical stage II–III HER2+ BC received weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC2 with every 3-week trastuzumab and pertuzumab (wPCbTP), with the option of splitting the pertuzumab loading dose. After 12 weeks, responding patients continued wPCbTP for another 6 weeks, while non-responders switched to AC. Dose modifications and post-op therapy were at investigator discretion. In 30 evaluable patients, the pCR rate was 77% (95% CI 58–90%); 12/14 (86%) in ER-negative and 11/16 (69%) in ER-positive. Only two patients transitioned to AC for non-response, of which one achieved pCR. There were no episodes of febrile neutropenia or grade ≥ 3 peripheral neuropathy, though several patients who continued wPCbTP stopped before week 18. Split-dose pertuzumab was associated with less grade ≥ 2 diarrhea (40%) than the standard loading dose (60%). pCR rates with our regimen were as high as reported with TCHP with fewer grade ≥ 3 toxicities, though diarrhea remains a concern. Too few patients had a suboptimal response to adequately test switching to AC. The wPCbTP regimen should be considered an alternative to TCHP as neoadjuvant therapy for HER2+ BC. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02789657.
AB0424 NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Malnutrition is a critical concern in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).1,2 However, the extent and types of nutrient deficiencies in SSc remain unclear. Objectives: 1) To identify the nutrient deficiencies commonly reported in SSc; 2) To evaluate associations between specific nutrient deficiencies and SSc subtype and clinical manifestations. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of all published reports on SSc and nutrition in PubMed from its inception to August 2020. Clinical trials, observational studies, and case series (with ≥20 cases) containing data on nutritional deficiency and SSc were included. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for reporting our findings. Two reviewers (ADN and ERV) studied the titles and abstracts of all search results with pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria (Figure 1). Results: Among 790 retrieved publications, 35 full-length articles and 3 abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Included studies took place across multiple geographic locations and included patients with both diffuse and limited cutaneous SSc. Vitamin D deficiency was the most commonly reported deficiency described in SSc, followed by vitamin B12, folate, selenium, zinc, and iron (Table 1). In addition, some small studies found deficiencies in thiamine, pyridoxine, alpha-tocopherol, and carotene. Interstitial lung disease was associated with vitamin D deficiency and elevated homocysteine (Hcy), while pulmonary hypertension was associated with elevated Hcy. Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with increased modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and increased risk of SSc-related organ involvement. Conclusion: Nutrient deficiencies are common in SSc and are associated with specific SSc features. Routine screening for nutrient deficiencies may lead to early detection of malnutrition. Future studies are needed to understand how nutritional interventions affect patient outcomes in SSc. References: [1]Harrison E, Herrick AL, McLaughlin JT, Lal S. Malnutrition in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology. 2012;51(10):1747-1756. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kes160 [2]Baron M, Hudson M, Steele R, et al. Malnutrition is common in systemic sclerosis: Results from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group database. J Rheumatol. 2009;36(12):2737-2743. doi:10.3899/jrheum.090694 Acknowledgements: I have no acknowledgements to declare. Disclosure of Interests: None declared
Diagnostic performance of single-phase dual-energy CT to differentiate vascular and nonvascular incidental renal lesions on portal venous phase: comparison with CT

To determine whether single-phase dual-energy CT (DECT) differentiates vascular and nonvascular renal lesions in the portal venous phase (PVP). Optimal iodine threshold was determined and compared to Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements. We retrospectively included 250 patients (266 renal lesions) who underwent a clinically indicated PVP abdominopelvic CT on a rapid-kilovoltage-switching single-source DECT (rsDECT) or a dual-source DECT (dsDECT) scanner. Iodine concentration and HU measurements were calculated by four experienced readers. Diagnostic accuracy was determined using biopsy results and follow-up imaging as reference standard. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for each DECT scanner to differentiate vascular from nonvascular lesions and vascular lesions from hemorrhagic/proteinaceous cysts. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluated the association between variables and the presence of vascular lesions. A normalized iodine concentration threshold of 0.25 mg/mL yielded high accuracy in differentiating vascular and nonvascular lesions (AUC 0.93, p < 0.001), with comparable performance to HU measurements (AUC 0.93). Both iodine concentration and HU measurements were independently associated with vascular lesions when adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, and lesion size (AUC 0.95 and 0.95, respectively). When combined, diagnostic performance was higher (AUC 0.96). Both absolute and normalized iodine concentrations performed better than HU measurements (AUC 0.92 vs. AUC 0.87) in differentiating vascular lesions from hemorrhagic/proteinaceous cysts. A single-phase (PVP) DECT scan yields high accuracy to differentiate vascular from nonvascular renal lesions. Iodine concentration showed a slightly higher performance than HU measurements in differentiating vascular lesions from hemorrhagic/proteinaceous cysts. • A single-phase dual-energy CT scan in the portal venous phase differentiates vascular from nonvascular renal lesions with high accuracy (AUC 0.93). • When combined, iodine concentration and HU measurements showed the highest diagnostic performance (AUC 0.96) to differentiate vascular from nonvascular renal lesions. • Compared to HU measurements, iodine concentration showed a slightly higher performance in differentiating vascular lesions from hemorrhagic/proteinaceous cysts.
Assessment of the Risk of Bias

Biases (systematic errors or deviations from the truth) can result in under-estimation or over-estimation of results. If the studies included in the systematic review have a low risk of bias (ROB), the evidence is more likely to be reliable, and vice versa. Hence, systematic reviewers should carefully assess and report the ROB in the included studies and explore its impact on meta-analyses. Biases in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) include inadequate randomisation process, deviations from intended interventions, missing outcome data, the bias in measuring outcomes, and selective reporting of results. ROB-2 is the currently recommended tool for assessing ROB in RCTs. At least two reviewers should assess the ROB independently and resolve differences of opinion by discussion or by consulting a third reviewer. ROB assessment should be performed separately for each outcome. Robust processes for generating random sequence numbers, adequate allocation concealment, blinding of participants, clinicians, researchers and outcome assessors, and maximising follow up rates will minimise the ROB in RCTs.
Ebola Virus Protein VP40 Binding to Sec24c for Transport to the Plasma Membrane

Outbreaks of the Ebola virus (EBOV) continue to occur and while a vaccine and treatment are now available, there remains a dearth of options for those who become sick with EBOV disease. An understanding at the atomic and molecular level of the various steps in the EBOV replication cycle can provide molecular targets for disrupting the virus. An important step in the EBOV replication cycle is the transport of EBOV structural matrix VP40 protein molecules to the plasma membrane inner leaflet, which involves VP40 binding to the host cell's Sec24c protein. Though some VP40 residues involved in the binding are known, the molecular details of VP40-Sec24c binding are not known. We use various molecular computational techniques to investigate the molecular details of how EBOV VP40 binds with the Sec24c complex of the ESCRT-I pathway. We employed different docking programs to identify the VP40 binding site on Sec24c and then performed molecular dynamics simulations to determine the atomic details and binding interactions of the complex. We also investigated how the inter-protein interactions of the complex are affected upon mutations of VP40 amino acids in the Sec24c binding region. Our results provide a molecular basis for understanding previous coimmunoprecipitation experimental studies. In addition, we found that VP40 can bind to a site on Sec24c that can also bind Sec23 and suggests that VP40 may use the COPII transport mechanism in a manner that may not need the Sec23 protein in order for VP40 to be transported to the plasma membrane. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Late Archaic Skeleton From The Northeastern Colorado High Plains

Research results on a partial burial, dated to northeastern Colorado’s Late Plains Archaic cultural period, are presented. The remains, although not recovered by professional archaeologists, yielde...
Simvastatin causes changes in affective processes in elderly volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To test for simvastatin-induced changes in affect and affective processes in elderly volunteers. DESIGN: Randomized, clinical trial. SETTING: The Geriatric Behavioral Psychopharmacology Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty older volunteers, average age 70, with high normal/mildly elevated serum cholesterol. INTERVENTION: Simvastatin up to 20 mg/d or placebo for 15 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Daily diary records of positive and negative affects and of events and biweekly measures of depressive symptoms. Affect ratings were obtained using the Lawton positive and negative affect scales; independent raters coded the valences of events. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 39 subjects assigned to placebo and 33 of 41 receiving simvastatin completed the study. During biweekly assessments, four subjects on simvastatin and one on placebo experienced depressive symptoms, as manifest by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale scores greater than 16 (exact P=.36). Diary data demonstrated significant effects on affective processes. For positive affect, there was a significant medication-by-time interaction that reflected decreases in positive affect in subjects receiving simvastatin, greatest in those patients whose final total cholesterol levels were below 148 mg/dL. For negative affect, there were significant medication-by-event, and medication-by-event-by-time interactions, reflecting a time-limited increase in the apparent effect of negative events. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin has statistically significant effects on affect and affective processes in elderly volunteers. The decrease in positive affect may be significant clinically and relevant to the quality of life of many patients.
The Effect of Interference on Temporal Order Memory in Premanifest and Manifest Huntington's Disease

Background: Frontal-striatal dysfunction has been linked to cognitive impairment in Huntington’s disease (HD). The frontal lobes play a role in memory for the temporal order in which items occur in a sequence. However, little is known about temporal order memory in HD or how it may be affected by interference. Objective: The study assessed temporal order memory in patients with manifest HD (n = 20), premanifest gene carriers for HD (Pre-HD; n = 18), and controls (n = 25) using a computerized radial 8-arm maze Methods: On the sample phase of each trial, participants viewed a random sequence of circles appearing one at a time at the end of each arm. On the choice phase, participants viewed two sample phase circles and chose the circle occurring earliest in the sequence. Manipulations of the temporal lag (defined as the number of circles occurring in the sample phase sequence between the two choice phase circles) were conducted to systematically vary interference. Temporally proximal lags were hypothesized to generate more interference relative to temporally distal lags. Results: The Pre-HD group was significantly impaired (p < 0.05) compared to controls on proximal temporal lags (high interference) but matched controls on distal lags (low interference). HD patients improved as a function of increased lag but demonstrated significant impairments (p < 0.05) across lags relative to controls. Conclusions: Temporal order memory is differentially affected by interference during the premanifest and manifest stages of HD. The study identifies a fundamental, yet relatively unexamined, deficit associated with HD.
Reactions of O2+, NO+ and H3O+ with methylcyclohexane (C7H14) and cyclooctane (C8H16) from 298 to 700 K

Abstract Rate constants and branching fractions have been measured as a function of temperature for the reactions of O2+, NO+ and H3O+ with methylcyclohexane (C7H14) and cyclooctane (C8H16) using fast flow tube methods. The reactions of O2+ with both cyclic molecules proceed via non-dissociative and dissociative charge transfer at the capture collision rate from 298 to 700 K. From 298 to 500 K, NO+ reacts with the two neutral reagents via non-dissociative hydride transfer, and from 500 to 700 K, an increasing fraction of the reaction products are due to dissociative hydride transfer. The rate constants for NO+ reacting with both C7H14 and C8H16 equal the capture collision rate constants at all temperatures. The H3O+ reactions proceed at ≤38% and ≤22% of the capture collision rate with C7H14 and C8H16, respectively. The rate constants display a negative temperature dependence with both reagents from 298 to 500 K. Reaction products observed in the H3O+ reactions include association, non-dissociative proton transfer and dissociative proton transfer. Increasing amounts of the dissociation products are observed at higher temperatures.
Magnetorheological Jet (MR JetTM) Finishing Technology

Conformal (or free form) and steep concave optics are important classes of optics that are difficult to finish using conventional techniques due to mechanical interferences and steep local slopes. One suitable way to polish these classes of optics is by using a jet of abrasive/fluid mixture. The energy required for polishing may be supplied by the radial spread of a liquid jet, which impinges a surface to he polished. Such fluid flow may generate sufficient surface shear stress to provide material removal in the regime of chemical mechanical polishing. Once translated into a polishing technique, this unique tool may resolve a challenging problem of finishing steep concave surfaces and cavities. A fundamental property of a fluid jet is that it begins to lose its coherence as the jet exits a nozzle. This is due to a combination of abruptly imposed longitudinal and lateral pressure gradients, surface tension forces, and aerodynamic disturbance. This results in instability of the flow over the impact zone and consequently polishing spot instability. To be utilized in deterministic high precision finishing of remote objects, a stable, relatively high-speed, low viscosity fluid jet, which remains collimated and coherent before it impinges the surface to be polished, is required. A method of jet stabilization has been proposed, developed, and demonstrated whereby the round jet of magnetorheological fluid is magnetized by an axial magnetic field when it flows out of the nozzle. It has been experimentally shown that a magnetically stabilized round jet of magnetorheological (MR) polishing fluid generates a reproducible material removal function (polishing spot) at a distance of several tens of centimeters from the nozzle. The interferometrically derived distribution of material removal for an axisymmetric MR Jet™, which impinges normal to a plane glass surface, coincides well with the radial distribution of rate of work calculated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Polishing results support the assertion that the MR Jet finishing process may produce high precision surfaces on glass and single crystals. The technology is most attractive for the finishing of complex shapes like free form optics, steep concaves, and cavities.
Lanthanides: Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium Compounds

This article reviews the chemistry and physical properties of molecules and clusters with lanthanide-chalcogen bonds. Keywords: lanthanide; chalcogen; NIR emission; organometallics; thermolysis; bonding
A simple estimator for the distribution of random coefficients

We propose a simple mixtures estimator for recovering the joint distribution of parameter heterogeneity in economic models, such as the random coefficients logit. The estimator is based on linear regression subject to linear inequality constraints, and is robust, easy to program, and computationally attractive compared to alternative estimators for random coefficient models. For complex structural models, one does not need to nest a solution to the economic model during optimization. We present a Monte Carlo study and an empirical application to dynamic programming discrete choice with a serially correlated unobserved state variable.
Acute carbon monoxide poisoning: animal models: a review.

Animals have been used for well over a century in an attempt to understand the toxicology, physiology, and pathology of acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Whether the toxic effects of this gas result from primary hypoxia, as in hypoxic hypoxia to which it is frequently compared, or from direct tissue effects since it enters cells and binds to certain vital components, remains a point of controversy. Acute severe poisoning in man and animals affects primarily the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and frequently produces neurologic dysfunction. Morphologically, tissue damage is usually confined to the white matter. The root cause is at best poorly understood and major investigative efforts have been made toward its elucidation. Many studies with rats, cats and primates indicate a major role for CO-induced hypotension, which serves to compromise blood flow and exacerbate acidosis. The likely cellular mechanisms in this process are only now becoming apparent. This review critically examines the recent as well as a few older CO-animal studies. In scope, they fall into several broad categories: general cardiopulmonary effects, metabolic and tissue effects, general resistance (i.e. tolerance), effects on the central nervous system including blood flow, neurochemistry, morphology and behavior, and finally, experimental therapeutic approaches.
Peripheral neurectomy as treatment for incipient trigeminal neuralgia.

Abstract 1. 1. Neurectomy is the excision of a section of a nerve for the relief of the intractable neuralgia, especially that of the fifth nerve. 2. 2. It succeeds only when the neuralgia is of incipient or peripheral form and involves only one branch of the nerve. 3. 3. After neurectomy the affected nerve has a very strong tendency to regeneration causing recurrence of the neuralgic pain. This particular character, in a way, resembles that of a tumor. 4. 4. To prevent this recurrence of the pain, a considerable section of the nerve, 4 cm. at least, should be excised. When the nerve happens to occupy a bone canal, the canal should be plugged tightly with sterile gold foil. 5. 5. In the advanced cases, recurrence of pain after neurectomy may occur without reunion of the sectioned nerve, being caused by the intact collateral branches or from the ascending lesion of the remaining part of the nerve trunk. 6. 6. Neurectomy can be done either extraorally or intraorally. The extraoral approach, however, is much superior to the intraoral operation. (1) It gives ready access to the nerve enabling the excision of a large section; (2) the bony canal in which the nerve lies can be plugged tightly; (3) the operative field can be kept free from contamination of saliva and oral bacteria. 7. 7. With proper selection of cases and thorough excision of the nerve, neurectomy may give relief of pain for at least four years or longer. A few fortunate cases of permanent cure can be found in records. 8. 8. It is a simple and safe procedure, compared to that of the intracranial operation. It can be repeated easily when the pain recurs. 9. 9. It should be tried in most incipient cases of trigeminal neuralgia. The division of the sensory root should be saved for the recurrent cases or the more advanced cases. 10. 10. The use of alcohol injections should be limited, because they are invariably followed by recurrence of the pain. When they are used in the peripheral nerve area repeatedly, the primary peripheral lesion often becomes central and no longer can be controlled by extracranial neurectomy. When they are used in the central nerve area they may produce grave complications. 11. 11. While there may be many reasons for us to spurn the idea of peripheral neurectomy, we must realize the fact that none of our present treatments of trigeminal neuralgia is ideal or specific; all of them are crude and symptomatic, since the exact etiology of the disease is still unknown. 12. 12. The investigation of a satisfactory treatment should therefore be directed toward research to find the cause of the disease
The behavior of manufacturers' inventories: 1967–1986

Abstract Although inventory investment is one of the more volatile components of aggregate demand, there is yet no satisfactory theory of inventory behavior. Estimated inventory models consistently yield implausible results such as very slow speeds of adjustment. This paper generates stylized facts on manufacturing inventory behavior in order to form a basis for an alternative theory of inventory investment. Inventories are categorized according to durable versus nondurable manufacturing sectors and stage of fabrication. One of the main results is that the persistence of inventories is not alleviated by accounting for the stage of fabrication distinction and inventory interaction among stages. As a result, inventory levels lag demand by a year or more, while inventory investment is coincidental. The conclusion for modelling is that greater attention should be paid to institutional constraints that prevent the smooth flow of materials through the firm.
Transparent film heaters using multi-walled carbon nanotube sheets

Abstract This paper presents carbon nanotubes (CNTs) used as transparent heaters, which offer great advantages in miniaturization, high efficiency, low power consumption, and rapid response. Previously proposed transparent single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based heaters used to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) heaters were fabricated either by dielectrophoresis or the piece-wise alignment of read-out electronics around randomly dispersed CNTs. These methods require steps for purification, separation, and dispersion in a liquid or polymer in order to improve their electrical and optical properties. We studied a transparent film used for heating, fabricated by employing a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheet. The sheet was made from a super-aligned MWCNT forest; the heater was fabricated by direct coating onto a glass substrate. The characteristics of the MWCNT sheet, i.e. a high transmittance of ∼90% and a sheet resistance of ∼756 Ω/sq, are comparable to previously reported SWCNT-based transparent films. These properties are directly applicable to applications such as window tinting and defrosters in production vehicles.
Effects of restraint and animal interaction on carbon monoxide lethality : Stress and the role of corticosterone

Stress is known to alter physiological homeostasis and distort experimental results. In particular, stress associated with restraint and group-interaction may modify the lethality of toxic substances, Median lethal concentrations (LC50) for carbon monoxide (CO) were determined using restrained or unrestrained mice exposed for 30 min as groups or individuals. To evaluate stress levels, the serum concentration of corticosterone (COS) was determined for each exposure configuration by radioimmunoassay. Additional LC50 values for CO were determined after treating groups of restrained mice with mifepristone (10 mg/kg), to block the effects of COS, and groups of unrestrained mice with exogenous COS (2 mg/kg), to elevated the serum level. The LC50 value obtained using restrained mice exposed in groups (0.26%) was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than the values derived from all other exposure configurations (0.41-0.58%). The higher LC50 values did not differ significantly, although the highest values were obtained from individual exposures. Levels of COS were strongly correlated with CO toxicity (r = 0.90), The LC50 obtained from mifepristone-treated mice (0.41%) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than that obtained from restrained groups of untreated mice (0.26%), However, treatment with COS did not alter the LC50 obtained from unrestrained groups of mice (0.41%). The results suggest that restraint and interaction must be coupled to significantly modify estimates of toxicity, and that effective interaction between restrained mice can occur (probably mediated by olfactory cues). Both factors appear to elevate stress levels in mice, and stress appears to increase the sensitivity of mice to intoxication by CO. However, COS may not be entirely responsible for the effects of stressors on toxicity,
Early Generation Testing in Upland Cotton

Early generation testing (EGT) is often used to identify segregating populations that are expected to contain the greatest frequency of favorable genotypes and to eliminate inferior populations with limited promise. The goal of this study was to determine if EGT methods utilized in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at College Station (CS) and Weslaco (WS), TX, since 1990 and 1992, respectively, and through 2002, could be used to predict advanced strain performance. Data were collected from 283 unique F 2 populations at CS and 146 unique F 2 and F 3 populations at WS. Correlations of F 2 population yield and individual plant selection fiber data suggests that the method used at CS limits the use of EGT for lint yield, yet enhances the use of EGT for the highly heritable fiber traits. Conversely, correlations of F 2 population yield and population fiber data suggest that the method used at WS supports EGT for lint yield, but limits the use of EGT for fiber traits. However, by using F 3 population fiber yield means and individual plant selection fiber data, EGT is validated at WS. Also, correlations of F 2 yield and fiber data with combined yield and fiber data of advanced strains in standard performance trials across multiple locations in central and south Texas indicated that EGT reasonably predicted advanced generation performance.
Increases of plasma eosinophil major basic protein levels late in pregnancy predict onset of labor.

Abstract Major basic protein (MBP), the core of the eosinophil granule, is a potent toxin for parasites and mammalian cells; it also causes histamine release from mast cells and basophils. Plasma levels of MBP are increased in all pregnant women, and MBP has been localized by immunofluorescence to placental X cells and placental-site giant cells. Analyses of plasma MBP levels during pregnancy showed a striking correlation between increases late in the third trimester and spontaneous onset of labor. In one case with premature labor, the plasma MBP level also was increased coincidentally with labor. In contrast, in cases of prolonged gestation in which labor was induced, there were no late increases in MBP levels. Also, uterine contraction during spontaneous labor or oxytocin-induced labor did not cause elevations of plasma MBP. Measurement of plasma MBP levels in pregnancy may be useful for the prediction of labor and for the development of new means of intervention for premature labor and prolonged gestation.
Departures from eustasy in Pliocene sea-level records

Proxy data suggest that atmospheric CO2 levels during the middle of the Pliocene epoch (about 3 Myr ago) were similar to today, leading to the use of this interval as a potential analogue for future climate change. Estimates for mid-Pliocene sea levels range from 10 to 40 m above present, and a value of +25 m is often adopted in numerical climate model simulations. A eustatic change of such magnitude implies the complete deglaciation of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and significant loss of mass in the East Antarctic ice sheet. However, the effects of glacial isostatic adjustments have not been accounted for in Pliocene sea-level reconstructions. Here we numerically model these effects on Pliocene shoreline features using a gravitationally self-consistent treatment of post-glacial sea-level change. We find that the predicted modern elevation of Pliocene shoreline features can deviate significantly from the eustatic signal, even in the absence of subsequent tectonically-driven movements of the Earth’s surface. In our simulations, this non-eustatic sea-level change, at individual locations, is caused primarily by residual isostatic adjustments associated with late Pleistocene glaciation. We conclude that a combination of model results and field observations can help to better constrain sea level in the past, and hence lend insight into the stability of ice sheets under varying climate conditions. Estimates for sea level three million years ago, a period with similar atmospheric CO2 levels to today, vary from 10 to 40 m above present. Glacial isostatic adjustment modelling suggests that variations in the height of palaeoshorelines result from the residual adjustment of continental flexure following recent glaciations.
Winner's curse and parallel sales channels-Online auctions linked within e-tail websites

A sample of 416 online auctions was examined to determine the extent of overpayment (winner's curse) where online auctions and e-tail websites were linked together to form a parallel sales channel. The results indicated that 8.7% of the highest winning online auction bidders exceeded e-tail posted reference prices of identical retail merchandise found at the same website. Significantly, such bids exceeded the reference prices by a mean percentage dollar amount of 14.1% thus suggesting the existence of a winner's curse. The results also indicated that (1) there was a significant negative association between reference price and mean percentage dollar amount overbid; (2) there was a significant negative association between auction lot size and mean percentage dollar amount overbid; and (3) there was no significant association between overtime auctions and mean percentage dollar amount overbid. While manipulation of reference price and auction lot size might minimize winner's curse, erratic or irrational behavior (by online auction and/or e-tail websites) may lead to disinformation.
Laser Induced Nitrogen Enhanced Titanium Surfaces for Improved Osseo-Integration

The osseo-integration, corrosion resistance, and tribological properties of the commonly used bioimplant alloy Ti–6Al–4V were enhanced using a laser-based surface nitridation process. The biomedical properties of the laser nitrided Ti–6Al–4V were investigated using experimental and computational methodologies. Electrochemical analysis of laser nitrided titanium in simulated body fluid (SBF) was performed to assess the biomedical characteristics in near-human body conditions. Additionally, the corrosive wear performance of these laser nitrided samples was evaluated using pin-on-disk geometry with a zirconia pin counter surface in SBF to mimic the biological scenario. Osteoblast studies were conducted to evaluate cell affinity towards titanium nitrided bioimplant material. Cells adhered to all substrates, with high viability. Initial cell adhesion was revealed by focal adhesion formation on all substrates. Cells can proliferate on samples treated with 1.89 and 2.12 × 106 J/m2 laser conditions, while those treated with 1.70 × 106 J/m2 inhibited proliferation. Thus, microstructural and phase observations, electrochemical analyses, corrosive wear evaluation, and cell behavior analysis of laser nitrided surface of bioimplant material (Ti–6Al–4V) indicated that laser nitriding greatly improves the performance of bioimplant material.
The effects of prey size, predator size, and sediment composition on the rate of predation of the blue crab, Callinectes Sapidus Rathbun, on the hard clam, MercenariaMercenaria (Linné)

Abstract Sediment preferences of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, and predation rates on various size classes of the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria (Linne), in a variety of sediment types were studied in the laboratory. Blue crabs of all size classes exhibited a preference for sand, mud, and sand/mud rather than crushed oyster shell or granite gravel. Clams were more vulnerable to predation by crabs in sand and sand/mud than in crushed oyster shell or granite gravel. When crabs were given a choice of clam sizes based on carapace width (CW), small crabs ( 125 mm CW) consumed 10- and 25-mm SL clams equally. Blue crabs did not eat clams that were >40-mm SL.
Optimization of capillary electrophoretic separation of DNA fragments based on polymer filled capillaries

Abstract The separation of φX174RF DNA-Hae III fragments is studied in a 0.5% methycellulose polymer solution as a function of temperature and applied voltage. The migration times decreased with both increasing temperature and increasing field strength, as expected. However, the relative migration rates of the fragments (selectivity) did not change with temperature but are affected by the applied field. A clear transition from the Ogston mechanism to the reptation mechanism is observed. The use of 0.5% methyl cellulose and 202 mM borate buffer at pH 8.2 allows the separation of the 271/281 base pair fragments, even without the addition in intercalating agents. At 700 V/cm and 20°C, complete separation of all fragments is achieved in less than 4 min with an average plate number of 2.5 · 106/m.
Identification of novel transcriptional networks in response to treatment with the anticarcinogen 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione.

3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), an inducer of antioxidant and phase 2 genes, is known to enhance the detoxification of environmental carcinogens, prevent neoplasia, and elicit other protective effe...
Effect of Simultaneous Ingestion of L-Amino Acids and Whole Protein on Plasma Amino Acid and Urea Nitrogen Concentrations in Humans

The effect of whole protein and L-amino acid ingestion on plasma amino acid (PAA) and urea nitrogen (UN) concentrations was investigated. Ten males ingested equivalent amounts of nitrogen as (trial 1) cottage cheese, (trial 2) an L-amino acid mixture, (trial 3) cottage cheese and L-amino acids. Mean changes in total PAA between trials 1 (342 mumol/liter) and 2 (719 mumol/liter) and trials 1 (342 mumol/liter) and 3 (981 mumol/liter) at 30 min and trials 1 (547 mumol/liter) and 3 (143 mumol/liter) at 150 min differed significantly. Mean changes in essential PAA between trials 1 (180 mumol/liter) and 2 (420 mumol/liter) and trials 1 (180 mumol/liter) and 3 (500 mumol/liter) at 30 min differed significantly. Mean changes in essential PAA between trials 1 (247 mumol/liter) and 3 (334 mumol/liter) at 60 min and between trials 1 (252 mumol/liter) and 3 (80 mumol/liter) at 150 min differed significantly. Mean increments in total and essential PAA were higher and peaked faster but decreased more quickly after trials 2 and 3 than after trial 1. Mean changes in plasma UN did not differ between trials. Ingestion of either L-amino acids, whole protein or the mixture of L-amino acids and whole protein was equally effective in increasing total PAA over 4 hr.
A New, Fundamental Multiscale Modeling Framework Based on the Relative Entropy

Our understanding of biology stems from models at many resolutions, as we seek from detailed atomic-scale interactions simpler emergent physical principles to support our understanding and to produce useful theoretical reductions and tractable simulations. In particular, multiscale methods coupling coarse-grained and atomic models are essential to modeling, predicting, and understanding the basic driving forces that operate across many biomolecular length and time scales. Yet, though coarse-graining strategies exist, it has been challenging to identify universal approaches to the multiscale problem that build systematic, quantitative connections between atomic interactions and reduced models.We have created a powerful, rigorous theoretical framework that addresses this problem. Its focus is the relative entropy, an information-theoretic and statistical-thermodynamic quantity that measures the information lost when moving from a detailed to coarse-grained description of a system. We postulate that the most descriptive physical principles and simple models are those that minimize this quantity, hence minimizing the physical information lost when atomic detail is removed. Importantly, we show that this concept unifies and broadens a number of established statistical-mechanical principles. For the first time, the relative entropy provides a general, systematic framework for multiscale modeling.A practical benefit is that the relative entropy suggests how to transform atomistic models into reduced ones that capture the same physics, enabling seamless integration of models spanning scales. We describe a family of algorithms that optimize coarse-grained molecular models by minimizing the relative entropy numerically. These coarse-graining algorithms are general to arbitrary models and the first to offer a universal metric for model quality. We describe the application of these algorithms to the development of simple models of water for modeling large-scale association processes driven by hydrophobic interactions, and to models of peptides for interrogating early steps in aggregation.
Reform and stability in a modernizing, multi‐ethnic society

Abstract The problems of reform and stability in a modernizing, multi‐ethnic society can be dealt with in broad theoretical terms, or one could focus on the specific problems of a particular “multi‐ethnic society.” In this article, the author attempts to combine these approaches, on the one hand setting forth some general concepts and propositions, and on the other, attempting to suggest what could be their relevance to South Africa.
The Use Of A General Description Of The Radiological Transmission Image For Categorizing Image Enhancement Procedures

The mathematical function describing the transmission of x-rays through an object depends on many geometrical and physical variables. A Taylor series expansion of the transmission function about an arbitrary point in the multivariable space displays the variety of terms which may be emphasized or isolated in order to accentuate certain information concerning the object under study. Conventional radiographic or fluoroscopic images are represented by the zero order term. This term can be used to derive higher order terms which depend explicitly on the spatial coordinates x and y, but contains only averaged or incomplete information about variables such as z (depth), E (energy), or t (time). One class of image enhancement procedures involves accentuation of whatever information is present on conventional radiographs by selective filtration of spatial frequency components or isolation of the x and y derivative terms. A second class of images with significantly different information content can be obtained by a priori use of knowledge about other variables in order to isolate other derivative terms. These images can be formed from linear combinations of zero order images associated with different values of the variable of interest. Examples of this class of images include tomography, time dependent subtraction, and absorption edge imaging. Because evaluations of "enhanced" images containing one subset of the possible image terms cannot be assumed to pertain to images containing other terms, it is suggested that the term "image enhancement" is too general and must be used with care.
Vernaculars in Literacy and Basic Education in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand

Three Southeast Asian polities, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand share much of their geography, history, culture, religion and language. Not all speakers of more than 100 languages spoken in the area have a sufficient knowledge of the respective national languages, Khmer, Lao and Thai. Yet, for the most part, the national languages are the only languages of literacy or the media of instruction in education. This paper discusses language planning for literacy in these three polities. The focus is on literacy in local minority languages. The paper also compares the similarities and differences in approaches of providing literacy and basic education to ethnic minority populations. It argues that in all three polities literacy is conceptualised as a process tied to the standardised national language. Recently, however, some local level initiatives in Cambodia and Thailand have started changing such conceptualisation.
Common Ground on Surgical Abortion?—Engaging Peter Singer on the Moral Status of Potential Persons

The debate over surgical abortion is certainly one of the most divisive in ethical discourse and for many it seems interminable. However, this paper argues that a primary reason for this is confusion with regard to what issues are actually under dispute. When looking at an entrenched and articulate figure on one side of the debate, Peter Singer, and comparing his views with those of his opponents, one finds that the disputed issue is actually quite a narrow one: the moral status of potential persons. Finding this common ground clears the conceptual space for a fruitful argument: the thesis of which is that most, including Singer, who argue that potential persons do not have full personal moral status fail to make the necessary distinction between natural potential (which confers moral status) and practical potential (which admittedly does not).
Accidents as a Measure of the Cultural Adjustment of Mexican-Americans

(1970). Accidents as a Measure of the Cultural Adjustment of Mexican-Americans. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 119-125.
Mating behavior of Phytophthora parasitica: Evidence for sexual recombination in oospores using DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms as genetic markers

Abstract Cloned nuclear DNA fragments that detected restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in homozygous loci of isolates of Phytophthora parasitica were used as genetic markers to investigate sexual recombination during oospore formation. It was found that the majority of the 23 oospore progeny studied in each of the two crosses carried both of the parental markers. However, aberrant recombination patterns were observed; some of the progeny were homozygous at one RFLP locus, whereas at another locus both of the parental markers were present. Only two of the progeny of each cross did not show sexual recombination with any of the four or five RFLP markers used. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was uniparentally inherited. In both crosses the majority of the progeny carried the mtDNA type of one of the common parental strains.
Inhibition of Mixed-function Oxidations by Pregnanolone: A Possible Basis for Impaired Drug Metabolism During Infancy

The presence of inhibitor(s) to explain impaired drug metabolizing capacity in the newborn remains an attractive, but unproven hypothesis. In the rat, by 3 days after birth, the endoplasmic reticulum assumes a mature appearance, but drug metabolism remains depressed until after weaning. Studies to date have failed to identify a particularly depressed component of the mixed-function oxidase system during the neonatal period. Progestational steroids are reasonable candidates for the role of physiologic inhibitors since their high levels late in pregnancy coincide with decreased drug metabolism of the mother and absent activity in the fetal liver. Moreover, inhibition of glucuronide conjugation reactions of liver microsomes by several steroids including progesterone, Pregnanediol, and pregnanolone, has been reported. Pregnanolone (3α-ol 5β-pregnane-20-one) has been found in the human fetus after progesterone infusion and in the serum of newbron infants. Pregnanolone was a potent, non-competitive inhibitor of aniline hydoxylation and p-nitroanisole demethylation, typical reactions of the mixed-function oxidase system in rat microsomes. At saturating concentrations of substrate, inhitition by pregnanolone (5 × 10±4 M) was 20–40%. Duration of hypnosis in rats after hexobarbital and pentobarbital administration was prolonged by pretreatment with a non-hypnotic dose of pregnanolone. These results permit speculation on a possible role for pregnanolone and/or related steroids in the well-established decreased ability of newborns of many species to metabolize drugs. (Supported in part by USPHS Grant HD-03063.)
A Double-Label Radioactive Tracer Analysis of the Retention of Selected Fats on Cotton and its Relation to Yellowing

A double-label radioactive tracer analysis was developed to determine the comparative retention of representative sebum components on cotton fabric after repeated soiling and laundering and to dete...
An enigmatic new leafhopper genus, Protochiasmus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae), from Brazil

A new brachypterous leafhopper genus and species of Deltocephalinae, Protochiasmus mysticus gen. n., sp. n. from Brazil, are described. The genus is not easily placed to tribe partly due to the lack of known females which may provide characters that are diagnostic to the tribal level and also due to the unique combination of morphological characters in the male. Based on these morphological characters and on recent molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses of Deltocephalinae, Protochiasmus is tentatively placed in Chiasmini. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)