cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemically-Modified Celldlosic Polymers

AbstractChemically-modified celluloses are among the most commonly and widely used polymers in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries today. Several products with widely different physicochemical properties are currently commercially available. Some of the major applications of these include their use as. i) tableting aids (binders, fillers, disintegrants); ii) viscosity imparting agents in the preparation of semi-solid, solution, and suspension formulations (eg, creams, gels, lotions, suspensions, shampoos, hair conditioners, food products, etc.); iii) taste and odor masking agents; iv) coating materials for tablets and other dosage forms; v) carriers for cosmetic and topical formulations; and vi) carriers including controlled- and/or sustained-release carriers for veterinary, agricultural, and pharmaceutical preparations. In this article, a general overview of various chemically-modified cellulosic products used in pharmaceutics, is presented.
A Galerkin procedure for systems of differential equations

A continuous time and an extrapolated coefficient Crank-Nicolson-Galerkin method are considered for approximating solutions of boundary and initial value problems for a quasi-linear parabolic system of partial differential equations which is coupled to a non-linear system of ordinary differential equations. A priori bounds are derived that reduce the estimation of error to problems in approximation theory. Then approximation theory results yield optimal order rates of convergence for theH1 (Ω) norm. The extrapolated coefficient method yields linear algebraic equations for strongly non-linear problems.
A New Journal Serving the Infrasound Community

InfraMatics is an international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to presenting observational and theoretical stud- ies of atmospheric infrasound generation, propagation, and reception that address outstanding problems in basic and applied research.
Deformation Studies on CuNiSn Spinodal Alloys

Single crystal and polycrystalline specimens of CuNiSn alloy aged at 623K for various times are deformed in uniaxial tension. The deformation structure is studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The work hardening rate and the extension of Stage I are found to be insensitive to the extent of spinodal decomposition. An increase in the critical resolved shear stress associated with the aging of single crystals is found to be smaller than the corresponding increase in the yield stress of polycrystalline specimens that have received the same aging treatment. Burgers vector analysis of dislocations present in slip traces that are potentially active during the tensile deformation indicates that the character of dislocations is not an important parameter for age-hardening during the early stages of spinodal decomposition. Einkristalline und polykristalline Proben einer CuNiSn-Legierung, die verschieden lange bei 623 K gealtert wurden, werden im Raster- und Durchstrahlungselektronenmikroskop untersucht. Die Verfestigungsrate und die Ausdehnung des Bereichs I werden als unabhangig vom Ausmas der spinodalen Entmischung gefunden. Die Zunahme der kritischen Schubspannung als Folge der Alterung ist bei Einkristallen kleiner als die entsprechende Zunahme der Streckgrenze von Polykristallen nach gleicher Alterung. Eine Burgersvektoranalyse von Versetzungen in wahrend der Verformung aktivierten Gleitebenen deutet darauf hin, das der Versetzungstyp kein wichtiger Parameter fur die Aushartung wahrend der Anfangsstadien der spinodalen Entmischung ist.
Parallel genomic evolution and metabolic interdependence in an ancient symbiosis

Obligate symbioses with nutrient-provisioning bacteria have originated often during animal evolution and have been key to the ecological diversification of many invertebrate groups. To date, genome sequences of insect nutritional symbionts have been restricted to a related cluster within Gammaproteobacteria and have revealed distinctive features, including extreme reduction, rapid evolution, and biased nucleotide composition. Using recently developed sequencing technologies, we show that Sulcia muelleri, a member of the Bacteroidetes, underwent similar genomic changes during coevolution with its sap-feeding insect host (sharpshooters) and the coresident symbiont Baumannia cicadellinicola (Gammaproteobacteria). At 245 kilobases, Sulcia's genome is approximately one tenth of the smallest known Bacteroidetes genome and among the smallest for any cellular organism. Analysis of the coding capacities of Sulcia and Baumannia reveals striking complementarity in metabolic capabilities.
Surface-initiated growth of conjugated polymers for functionalization of electronically active nanoporous networks: synthesis, structure and optical properties

We have synthesized poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) from initiator monolayers covalently bound to TiO2 nanotubes fabricated inside nanoscale porous aluminum oxide templates. Much larger density of P3HT is achieved than by infiltration of the pores with P3HT synthesized outside the template. In addition, much lower photoluminescence efficiency is observed for the structure where P3HT is grown in-situ, indicating enhanced charge photogeneration efficiency and suggesting this as a promising strategy for fabrication of hybrid organic–inorganic solid state photovoltaics.
Justifiable use of measures in research on deadly force

There is controversy regarding which dependent measures are acceptable for research on police use of deadly force. Some researchers have used fatal shooting rates to draw conclusions about deadly force and have been criticized for excluding information on shots that result in woundings or misses. This research assessed the relationship between justifiable homicide rates and deadly force rates. The results indicate that the two measures are not, in fact, producing similar patterns of variation across cities and, thus, cannot be used interchangeably to analyze factors related to the use of deadly force by police.
Dynamic Metabolic Control Theory

The purposes of the dynamic metabolic control theory are to provide a theoretical basis for estimating the control coefficients using the transient metabolic responses and to gain insights into the metabolic regulation in the transient states. The numerical application of this theory is relatively straightforward: it involves a standard linear regression and a matrix multiplication. Although the equations are exact only for linear kinetics, they yield relatively good estimates of the control coefficients for nonlinear systems.
Metric representations of data via the Kernel-based Sammon Mapping

In this paper we present a novel generalization of Sammon's Mapping (SM), which is a popular, metric multi-dimensional scaling technique used in data analysis and visualization. The new approach, namely the Kernel-based Sammon Mapping (KSM), yields the classic SM and other much related techniques as special cases. Apart from being able to approximate distance-preserving projections, it can also learn to metrically represent arbitrarily-defined dissimilarities or similarities between samples. Moreover, it can handle equally well numeric, categorical or mixed-type data. It is able to accomplish all this by modeling its projections as linear combinations of appropriate kernel functions. We report experimental results, which showcase KSM's capabilities in visually representing several meaningful relationships between samples of selected datasets.
The Galileo Spacecraft Architecture

This paper provides an overview of the architecture of the Galileo Spacecraft. The mission overview is provided in O’Neil (1997), and early results of this truly historic mission are given in papers throughout this volume. The Galileo Spacecraft was comprised of a Jupiter Atmospheric Entry Probe and a Jupiter Orbiter. The mission was created to make the first ever in-situ measurements of the atmosphere of Jupiter below the veiling cloud layers that prevent measuring the constituents remotely, and to make long-term observations in the Jupiter system, including particularly close encounters with the Galilean satellites. The Probe would be delivered to Jupiter by the first Jupiter Orbiter. The Orbiter would release the Probe on a ballistic trajectory to its entry corridor about five months before arrival. The five-month solo flight time was dictated by Probe battery capacity and entry control accuracy vs. propellant required for the Orbiter deflection. The Orbiter was to target the Probe with an accuracy of +1.6° and ±4.5° in entry flight path angle and angle of attack, respectively. (Ultimately, these specifications became 1.4° and 7.0°.) The Orbiter would precisely adjust the Spacecraft trajectory and then reorient the spin axis parallel to what would be the atmosphere-relative entry velocity vector at Jupiter and spinup to 10 rpm prior to release. Thus, the Probe would be spin-stabilized for its flight to Jupiter to control the entry angle of attack. The Probe itself would require no attitude or flight path control system. There would be no communication link with the Probe after release until the atmospheric descent. The Orbiter would deflect itself several days after release to target to the required Probe overflight and initial conditions for its Jupiter Orbit Insertion (JOI) maneuver. Following entry and on the main parachute, the Probe would transmit its data at L-band over a 56° circular beamwidth for nominally 60 minutes. The Orbiter would receive the Probe signal through a dedicated 1.1 m antenna and dedicated receivers. The Probe “relay” data would be interleaved with Orbiter data and transmitted to Earth in real-time over the Orbiter 4.8-m High-Gain Antenna (HGA) at X-band. The Orbiter would be the first dual-spin planetary spacecraft. A spin function was required for Probe delivery and for the Orbiter fields and particles observations. A three-axis, stable platform was required for Orbiter remote sensing. The dual-spin Galileo design provided superb and elegant support for all these functions.
Controlling the Size and Morphology of Au@Pd Core–Shell Nanocrystals by Manipulating the Kinetics of Seeded Growth

This article reports a systematic study of the seed-mediated growth of Au@Pd core-shell nanocrystals with a variety of controlled sizes and morphologies. The key to the success of this synthesis is to manipulate the reaction kinetics by tuning a set of reaction parameters, including the type and concentration of capping agent, the amount of ascorbic acid used as the reducing agent, and the injection rate used for the precursor solution. Starting from Au nanospheres of 11 nm in diameter as the seeds, Au@Pd core-shell nanocrystals with a number of morphologies, including octahedra, concave octahedra, rectangular bars, cubes, concave cubes, and dendrites, could all be obtained by simply altering the reaction rate. For the first time, it was possible to generate Au@Pd nanocrystals with concave structures on the surfaces while their sizes were kept below 20 nm. In addition, the as-prepared Au@Pd nanocubes can be used as seeds to generate Au@Pd@Au and Au@Pd@Au@Pd nanocrystals with multishelled structures.
Air-water interfacial areas in unsaturated soils: Evaluation of interfacial domains

[1] A gas-phase miscible-displacement method, using decane as an interfacial tracer, was used to measure air-water interfacial areas for a sand with water contents ranging from ∼2% to 20%. The expected trend of decreasing interfacial areas with increasing water contents was observed. The maximum estimated interfacial area of 19,500 cm−1 appears reasonable given it is smaller than the measured surface area of the porous medium (60,888 cm−1). Comparison of the experimental data presented herein with literature data provided further insight into the characterization of the air-water interface in unsaturated porous media. Specifically, comparison of interfacial areas measured using gas-phase versus aqueous-phase methods indicates that the gas-phase method generally yields larger interfacial areas than the aqueous-phase methods, even when accounting for differences in water content and physical properties of the porous media. The observations are consistent with proposed differences in interfacial accessibility of the aqueous- and gas-phase tracers. Evaluation of the data in light of functional interfacial domains, described herein, yields the hypothesis that aqueous interfacial tracers measure primarily air-water interfaces formed by “capillary water,” while gas-phase tracers measure air-water interfaces formed by both capillary and surface-adsorbed (film) water. The gas- and aqueous-phase methods may each provide interfacial area information that is more relevant to specific problems of interest. For example, gas-phase interfacial area measurements may be most relevant to contaminant transport in unsaturated systems, where retention at the air-water interface may be significant. Conversely, the aqueous-phase methods may yield information with direct bearing on multiphase flow processes that are dominated by capillary-phase behavior.
A compact wireless passive sensing mechanism based on a seamlessly integrated resonator/antenna

In this paper, a new wireless sensing mechanism is proposed based on the integration of a cavity resonator and a slot antenna. A compact structure can be achieved since this integration eliminates additional volume of the antenna and transition structure between the resonator and antenna. A resonator/antenna is demonstrated to verify the proposed technique. The resonator/antenna size is 14 by 13 by 3 mm. The resonant frequency of the resonator, i.e. 10.13 GHz, can be wirelessly detected at distances up to 55 mm. This approach can be useful in high-temperature wireless sensing applications where only passive sensors can survive.
Section Review—Oncologic, Endocrine & Metabolic: Gene Therapy Strategies for Cancer

Gene therapy of cancer has undergone an explosive development at its infant stage during the past five years. It is an attractive biotechnology not because it has surpassed conventional cancer therapies but for its potential to provide scientists and clinicians with powerful tools to cure cancer through genetic manipulations. Due to the application of molecular biology techniques to cancer treatment, through intervention in the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, the field of cancer gene therapy is filled with opportunities for innovative design of therapeutic strategies. Based on an overview of the field, this article organises current technologies in cancer gene therapy into six major approaches:Genetic sequence-targeted therapies;Tumour suppressor gene therapy;Toxin or prodrug-activation gene therapy;Drug-resistance gene therapy;Cytokine gene therapy and tumour vaccination;Combinational gene therapy.On learning about these technologies, each of which may contain several distinct methodologies, it is easy to ...
Novel monoclonal antibodies to normal and pathologically altered human TDP-43 proteins

The RNA/DNA-binding protein, TDP-43, is the key component of ubiquitinated inclusions characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the majority of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP) referred to collectively as TDP-43 proteinopathies. To further elucidate mechanisms of pathological TDP-43 processing and identify TDP-43 epitopes that could be useful as potential biomarkers of TDP-43 proteinopathies, we developed a panel of novel monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed at regions extending across the length of TDP-43. Here, we confirm previous observations that there is no or minimal accumulation of TDP-43 N-terminal domains in neocortical inclusions in human TDP-43 proteinopathy tissues and we identify a subset of these MAbs that are specific for human versus mouse TDP-43. Notably, one of these MAbs recognized an epitope that preferentially detected pathological TDP-43 inclusions with negligible reactivity for normal nuclear TDP-43 resembling anti-phospho-TDP-43 specific antibodies that only bind pathological TDP-43. Hence, we infer that this new MAb recognizes a phosphorylation independent but disease-specific pathologic conformation in abnormal TDP-43. These data suggest that the novel MAbs reported here will be useful for patient-oriented research as well as for studies of animal and cell-based models of TDP-43 proteinopathies including ALS and FTLD-TDP.
Laboratory investigation of the frictional behavior of granular volcanic material

We report on detailed laboratory experiments designed to illustrate the frictional behavior of granular volcanic debris. The materials include pyroclastic flow debris from Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, and from Stromboli Volcano, Italy, and lahar deposits from Mount St. Helens. Experiments were conducted in a servo-controlled, double-direct shear apparatus under conditions of displacement-control and with monitored temperature and humidity. The effects of loading velocity, normal stress, grain-size range, and saturation state were examined for normal stresses from 0.75 to 8 MPa. The Soufriere Hills debris was sampled in the field using a 2 mm sieve. Samples from Stromboli and MSH represent the original bulk material. The influence of grain-size and size distribution were examined in detail for the Soufriere Hills material for 1) two narrow size ranges (3–4 /, 0.063–0.125 mm; and 0–1 /, 0.5–1 mm), 2) a wide size range (3–0 /, 0.125–1 mm), and 3) the natural size distribution in the range 0–1 mm. These four data sets show remarkably uniform properties: coefficients of residual internal friction varied from 0.62 to 0.64 and coefficients of peak internal friction varied from 0.66 to 0.69, with zero cohesion in each case. For the natural grain-size distribution, we find a small but clear increase in residual sliding friction with increasing slip velocity in the range 10 to 900 μm/s, i.e. velocity strengthening frictional behavior. For Soufriere Hills pyroclastic material the coefficient of internal friction changes very little when water saturated. The frictional characteristics were remarkably similar for the three volcanoes. For the natural grain-size distributions, the coefficient of residual internal friction ranged from 0.61 to 0.63 and peak internal friction values ranged from 0.65 to 0.66. Pre-loaded and over-compacted materials sheared at reduced normal stress gave peak coefficients as high as 0.80. Our results imply that granular volcanic debris should often fail via stable creep, but may exhibit stick-slip instability under some conditions. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Sequence specificity incompletely defines the genome-wide occupancy of Myc

Background The Myc-Max heterodimer is a transcription factor that regulates expression of a large number of genes. Genome occupancy of Myc-Max is thought to be driven by Enhancer box (E-box) DNA elements, CACGTG or variants, to which the heterodimer binds in vitro.
The management of heart failure: the past, the present, and the future.

It is an honor to contribute to this inaugural issue of Circulation: Heart Failure and to provide some personal reflections on the management of heart failure (HF). I will comment on the past and the present and will venture to make some predictions about the future of this important subject. In 1950, as a medical student, I first learned about the management of congestive HF from the first edition of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine ,1 which had just been published. Management consisted of strict bed rest, sedation, dietary sodium restriction, digitalis, venesection, and administration of morphine and mercurial diuretics; the latter were only modestly effective and were administered by painful intramuscular injection. All of these measures (other than mercurial diuretics) had not changed for about a half century. I replaced Harrison as the cardiology editor of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine for the sixth edition,2 which was published in 1970. The management of HF, while still adhering to the principles set forth in the first edition, included 3 new aspects: (1) control of fluid retention with the (then) new orally effective diuretics—thiazides, the powerful new loop diuretics, as well as potassium-retaining diuretics (because of the widespread use of these agents, the adjective “congestive” was gradually eliminated from the name of the condition); (2) recognition and vigorous treatment of the precipitating causes of HF, such as infection, pulmonary embolism, and arrhythmias; and (3) intravenous dopamine, the powerful new β-adrenergic agonist for the management of acute, decompensated HF, including cardiogenic shock. If we move forward 35 years and 10 editions of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine , we come to the 16th edition, in which my chapter called attention to the importance of attempting to prevent HF in patients who were at risk for this condition but without overt …
Existence, multiplicity, and dependence on a parameter for a periodic boundary value problem

The authors consider the boundary value problem � y �� − ρ 2 y + λg(t)f (y) = 0, 0 t 2π, y(0) = y(2 π) , y � (0) = y � (2 π) .
Molecular Diagnosis of Alcelaphine Herpesvirus (Malignant Catarrhal Fever) Infections by Nested Amplification of Viral DNA in Bovine Blood Buffy Coat Specimens

A fragment of alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AHV-1; malignant catarrhal fever) DNA was subcloned into pUC 18 and sequenced. The subclone hybridized strongly to AHV-1 DNA, weakly to alcelaphine herpes- virus-2 (AHV-2) DNA, and not at all to DNA from bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1; infectious bovine rhinotra- cheitis (IBR) virus), bovine herpesvirus-2 (BHV-2; bovine herpes mamillitis (BHM) virus), and bovine her- pesvirus-4 (BHV-4; isolate DN599). A 2-stage (nested) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic test was devised based on a portion of the subcloned AHV-1 DNA sequence. First and second stage amplified AHV-1 DNA targets were 487 and 172 base pairs (bp) in length, respectively. Unique Pvu II and Stu I restriction endonuclease cleavage sites confirmed the identity of amplified AHV-1 DNA. Five AHV-1 and 2 AHV-2 isolates were identically and specifically PCR positive. BHV-1, BHV-2, and BHV-4 viruses were negative by the same procedure. As little as 0.01 TCID50 AHV-1 was detected using the nested amplification procedure. Simple methods of buffy coat isolation from bovine blood were employed to prepare specimens for PCR. An AHV-1- infected calf was PCR positive from 3 to 77 days postinoculation (PI), with rising seroconversion first noted 14 days PI. The AHV-1 DNA sequence was 62% homologous to a portion of the Epstein-Barr virus genome. The nested PCR procedure may improve the viral diagnosis of clinical and subclinical alcelaphine herpesvirus infections.
Use of clinical and impairment-based tests to predict falls by community-dwelling older adults.

Background and Purpose. Few tests have been found to be strongly predictive of falls in community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether data from 5 balance tests—combined with data regarding fall history, number of medications, dizziness, visual problems, use of an assistive device, physical activity level, sex, and age—could predict falls in community-dwelling older adults who were independent. Subjects. Ninety-nine community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 90 years (X= 74.02, SD=5.64) were tested. Methods. Subjects were tracked for falls over a 1-year period following testing. Impairment-based tests, which are tests that attempt to specifically identify which sensory systems are impaired or how motor control is impaired (eg, speed, accuracy of movement), were the Modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction for Balance (Modified CTSIB) and the 100% Limits of Stability Test, both of which were done on the Balance Master 6.1. Performance-based tests, which are functional tests that identify functional limitations without necessarily identifying their causes, were the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed “Up & Go” Test, and the Dynamic Gait Index. Demographic and health data included age, sex, number of medications, physical activity level, presence of dizziness, vision problems, and history of falls over the previous year. Logistic regression was used to determine which combinations of data from balance tests, demographics, and health factors were predictive of falls. Results. Two models—(1) the “standing on a firm surface with eyes closed” (FEC) condition of the Modified CTSIB and (2) the FEC combined with age and sex—were predictive of falls, but predicted only 1 and 2 subjects who were at risk for falling, respectively, out of 20 people who were at risk for falling. Discussion and Conclusion. Five balance tests combined with health and demographic factors did not predict falls in a sample of community-dwelling older adults who were active and independent.
Frontotemporal neural systems supporting semantic processing in Alzheimer’s disease

We hypothesized that semantic memory for object concepts involves both representations of visual feature knowledge in modality-specific association cortex and heteromodal regions that are important for integrating and organizing this semantic knowledge so that it can be used in a flexible, contextually appropriate manner. We examined this hypothesis in an fMRI study of mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants were presented with pairs of printed words and asked whether the words matched on a given visual–perceptual feature (e.g., guitar, violin: SHAPE). The stimuli probed natural kinds and manufactured objects, and the judgments involved shape or color. We found activation of bilateral ventral temporal cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during semantic judgments, with AD patients showing less activation of these regions than healthy seniors. Moreover, AD patients showed less ventral temporal activation than did healthy seniors for manufactured objects, but not for natural kinds. We also used diffusion-weighted MRI of white matter to examine fractional anisotropy (FA). Patients with AD showed significantly reduced FA in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus, which carry projections linking temporal and frontal regions of this semantic network. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that semantic memory is supported in part by a large-scale neural network involving modality-specific association cortex, heteromodal association cortex, and projections between these regions. The semantic deficit in AD thus arises from gray matter disease that affects the representation of feature knowledge and processing its content, as well as white matter disease that interrupts the integrated functioning of this large-scale network.
Can color Doppler sonography aid in the prediction of malignancy of thyroid nodules

Objective. To determine whether color Doppler interrogation of a thyroid nodule can aid in the prediction of malignancy. Methods. We obtained color Doppler images of thyroid nodules undergoing sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration. The color Doppler appearance of each nodule was graded from 0 for no visible flow through 4 for extensive internal flow. The size, sonographic appearance, results of fine-needle aspiration, and surgical pathologic findings, if available, were recorded for each nodule. Results. There were 254 nodules sampled, of which 32 were malignant (all confirmed at surgery) and 177 were benign. Fourteen (43.8%) of the 32 malignant nodules were color type 4, compared with only 26 (14.7%) of the 177 benign nodules (P = .0004, Fisher exact test). Thirteen (40.1%) of the 32 malignant nodules were solid, as were 18 (10.2%) of the 177 benign nodules (P = .006, Fisher exact test). Among solid nodules, the prevalence of malignancy was greater when the nodule was hypervascular (13 [41.9%] of 31) than when the color type was less than 4 (11 [14.7%] of 77; P = .004, Fisher exact test). Condusions. Solid hypervascular thyroid nodules have a high likelihood of malignancy (nearly 42% in our series). The color characteristics of a thyroid nodule, however, cannot be used to exclude malignancy, because 14% of solid nonhypervascular nodules were malignant.
Calcium Channel Antagonists in the Treatment of Asthma

The pathophysiologic processes that contribute to airway obstruction in asthma involve Ca2+-dependent excitation-contraction and stimulus-secretion coupling mechanisms. The emergence of new compounds that specifically inhibit Ca2+ flux across membrane ionic channels has stimulated widespread interest in the therapeutic potential of these agents in asthma. Studies with these agents in relevant in vitro test systems and animal models, however, have yielded conflicting results and have thus far failed to furnish strong support for a therapeutic role. In human studies, these agents have been found to inhibit exercise-induced bronchospasm, but their ability to inhibit the effects of other stimuli and to dilate airways is equivocal. In general, clinical trials with currently approved drugs--diltiazem, nifedipine, and verapamil--are limited by potency, formulation, and side effects of these agents. What future role, if any, Ca2+ channel antagonists will have in the treatment of asthma is likely to depend on the development of newer agents with greater tissue selectivity at the level of airway smooth muscle and mast cells.
An extendable heuristic framework to solve the p-compact-regions problem for urban economic modeling

The p-compact-regions problem, defined by Li, Church, and Goodchild (forthcoming) involves generating a fixed number (p) of regions from n atomic polygonal units with the objective of maximizing the compactness of each region. Compactness is a shape factor measuring how closely and firmly the polygonal units in a region are packed together. A compact polygonal region has the advantages of being homogeneous and maximizing the accessibility of all points within that region, therefore it is useful in a large number of real-world applications, such as in conservation planning, political district partitioning, and the proposed application in this paper concerning regionalization for urban economic modeling. This paper reports our efforts in designing an object-oriented heuristic framework that integrates semi-greedy growth and local search to solve a real-world applied p-compact-regions problem to optimality or near-optimality. We apply this model to support urban economic simulation, in which activities need to be aggregated from the 4109 Transportation Analysis Zones (TAZs) of six southern California counties into 100 regions to achieve desired computational feasibility of the economic simulation model. Spatial contiguity, physiography, political boundaries, the presence of local centers, and intra-zonal and inter-zonal traffic are considered, and efforts are made to ensure consistency of selected properties between the disaggregated and aggregated regions. This work makes an original contribution in the development of a highly extendable and effective solution framework to allow researchers to investigate large, real, non-linear regionalization problems and find practical solutions.
The origins of the National Eye Institute 1933–1968

Many organizations and individuals prompted the authorization of the National Eye Institute by the United States Congress. The United States Marine Hospital and Public Health Service established a Laboratory of Hygiene in 1887, which became the research center of the National Institute of Health in 1930. The Albert D. and Mary Lasker Medical Foundation was mainly responsible for the 1945 conversion of the American Society for the Control of Cancer to the American Cancer Society, dedicated to medical research. Mildred Weisenfeld, a patient with retinitis pigmentosa, founded The Fight for Sight! in 1946 to provide funds for eye research. The Laskers invited Miss Weisenfeld to testify in support of a National Institute of Neurology, and her appeal was so persuasive that it emerged as the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness. Congressman John Fogarty and Senator Lister Hill directed the attention of the Congress and the public to the need for the Federal support of medical research. In 1960 Jules Stein, the legendary founder of the Music Corporation of America (MCA), established a new philanthropy, Research to Prevent Blindness, which provided skilled leadership in detailing the need for research in blinding disease and obtaining Congressional and Presidential approval of a new institute. The Committee for Research in Ophthalmology and Blindness was instrumental in bringing the groups interested in the welfare of the blind into harmony with groups concerned with medical research in blinding disease. The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology was the first medical society to support the need for a National Eye Institute. The National Eye Institute was formally approved 8 August 1968 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1993.
Intergroup Violence and Political Attitudes: Evidence from a Dividing Sudan

How do episodes of intergroup violence affect political opinions toward outgroup members? Recent studies offer divergent answers. Some suggest violence deepens antagonism and reduces support for compromise, while others contend it encourages moderation and concessions to prevent further conflict. We argue that violence can fuel both hostility toward the outgroup and acceptance of outgroup objectives and provide evidence from a unique survey of 1,380 respondents implemented by the authors in greater Khartoum in Sudan in 2010 and 2011. We find that Northerners who experienced rioting by Southerners in Khartoum in 2005 were more likely to support Southern independence but less likely to support citizenship for Southerners remaining in the North. In combination, these results suggest that political violence hardens negative intergroup attitudes and makes individuals willing to concede separation to avoid living alongside outgroup members.
Laboratory Measurements of Matrix Permeability and Slippage Enhanced Permeability in Gas Shales

We are conducting laboratory experiments on gas shales samples examining the effects of confining stress, pore pressure and pore fluid type on permeability. Experiments were carried out on intact core plugs from the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Marcellus, Montney and Barnett shale reservoirs. We developed a methodology to separate the decrease of permeability with increasing effective stress (the difference between hydrostatic confining pressure and pore pressure) and the increase of permeability at very low pore pressure due to molecular slippage effects. These effects are also known as Knudsen diffusion or Klinkenberg effects. In addition, by isolating the Klinkenberg effect we are able to estimate the effective size of the flow paths within each sample. Our measurements show that the permeability of the rock is significantly enhanced at low pore pressures (<1000 psi) due to slippage effects. Preliminary results suggest the effective flow paths of the samples investigated are on the order of tens of nanometers to about 100 nanometers in a high-permeability sample. These results are in close agreements with pore size estimates from SEM images. From the magnitude of the Klinkenberg gas slippage effect, an effective Knudsen diffusivity was also calculated. These estimates can be used in reservoir simulation to more accurately predict the long-time production behavior of these shales. Finally, the relative contribution of Knudsen Diffusion to total flow is calculated. We show that the contribution is likely to be negligible at initial reservoir pressures, but becomes increasingly more important as flowing pressure declines References Cited Brace, W.F., J.B. Walsh, and W.T. Frangos, 1968, Permeability of granite under high pressures: Journal of Geophysical Research, p. 22252236. Kohli, A.H., and M.D. Zoback, 2011, Rate-state frictional properties of shale reservoir rocks: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, T23C-1944. Sondergeld, C.H., K.E. Newsham, T.E. Comisky, M.C. Rice, and C.S. Rai, 2010, Petrophysical considerations in evaluating and producing shale gas resources: SPE-131768, SPE Unconventional Gas Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 23-25, 2010. Sondergeld, C.H. R.J. Ambrose, S.S. Raj, and J. Moncrieff, 2010, Micro-structural studies of gas shales: SPE-131771, SPE Unconventional Gas Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 23-25, 2010.
Public Health and Medicine in an Age of Energy Scarcity: The Case of Petroleum

Petroleum supplies have heretofore been abundant and inexpensive, but the world petroleum production peak is imminent, and we are entering an unprecedented era of petroleum scarcity.This fact has had little impact on policies related to climate, energy, the built environment, transportation, food, health care, public health, and global health. Rising prices are likely to spur research and drive efficiency improvements, but such innovations may be unable to address an increasing gap between supply and demand.The resulting implications for health and the environment are explored in the articles we have selected as additional contributions in this special issue. Uncertainty about the timing of the peak, the shape of the production curve, and decline rates should not delay action. The time for quick, decisive, comprehensive action is now.
Actin, a Central Player in Cell Shape and Movement

The protein actin forms filaments that provide cells with mechanical support and driving forces for movement. Actin contributes to biological processes such as sensing environmental forces, internalizing membrane vesicles, moving over surfaces, and dividing the cell in two. These cellular activities are complex; they depend on interactions of actin monomers and filaments with numerous other proteins. Here, we present a summary of the key questions in the field and suggest how those questions might be answered. Understanding actin-based biological phenomena will depend on identifying the participating molecules and defining their molecular mechanisms. Comparisons of quantitative measurements of reactions in live cells with computer simulations of mathematical models will also help generate meaningful insights.
The Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Problem Identification Skills of Instructional Supervisors

A free-response measure of problem identification skills entitled the Clinton Assessment of Problem Identification Skills for Instructional Supervisors (CAPIS) is described. The two forms, each with three scenarios, yielded an equivalence reliability estimate of .76. Score-rescore coefficients of .71 and .67 were noted for Forms A and B, respectively, of the CAPIS. In addition, correlations of .42 (Form A) and .54 (Form B) between the CAPIS and the Merrifield-Guilford Seeing Problems test were observed. Significant differences between mean CAPIS scores for individuals experiencing a two-hour problem identification training session and for those in a control group were also noted.
hpr1Δ Affects Ribosomal DNA Recombination and Cell Life Span in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Multiple genetic pathways have been shown to regulate life span and aging in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we show that loss of a component of the RNA polymerase II complex, Hpr1p, results in a decreased life span. Although hpr1Delta mutants have an increased rate of recombination within the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) array, this is not accompanied by an increase in extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs). Analyses of mutants that affect replication of the rDNA array and suppressors that reverse the phenotypes of the hpr1Delta mutant show that the reduced life span is associated with increased genomic instability but not with increased ERC formation. The hpr1Delta mutant acts in a pathway distinct from previously described mutants that reduce life span.
Carbohydrate-Induced Hypertriglyceridemia: An Insight into the Link between Plasma Insulin and Triglyceride Concentrations

This study was initiated to test the hypothesis that endogenous hypertriglyceridemia results from a defect in the ability of insulin to inhibit the release of very low-density lipoprotein-triglyceride (TG) from the liver. To accomplish this goal, plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), and TG concentrations were compared in 12 healthy volunteers, in response to diets containing either 40% or 60% of total calories as carbohydrate (CHO). The protein content of the two diets was similar (15% of calories), and the fat content varied inversely with the amount of CHO (45% or 25%). The diets were consumed in random order, and measurements were made of plasma glucose, insulin, FFA, and TG concentrations at the end of each dietary period, fasting, and at hourly intervals following breakfast and lunch. The results indicated that the 60% CHO diet resulted in higher fasting plasma TG concentrations associated with higher day-long plasma insulin and TG concentrations, and lower FFA concentrations. These results do not support the view that hypertriglyceridemia is secondary to a failure of insulin to inhibit hepatic TG secretion.
The Doctrine of Res Ipsa Loquitur

T HE law relating to res ipsa loquitur is replete with conflict, confusion and doubt. There is division of opinion as to the circumstances required for its application and still greater disagreement as to the effect to be given it. Does it merely lay the basis for a permissible inference of negligence by the jury or does it raise a presumption of negligence, and if and where it raises a presumption, what weight is to be given to it? It is not clear that where it is treated as a presumption, the court will direct a verdict for the plaintiff in the absence of rebuttal evidence by the defendant, nor is it at all clear what quantity of evidence will be required to prevent a directed verdict or how far the presumption survives the refusal to direct a verdict for the plaintiff, that is, what effect the jury shall give it. Then, too, there is much confusion with respect to the effect of pleading special acts of negligence. It is the belief of the writer that it is wholly useless and mischievous to have a distinct doctrine of res ipsa loquitur which has the effect merely of laying the foundation for a permissible inference of negligence, and that it best serves its excuse for being if it is treated as a presumption which shifts the burden of proof to the defendant. A brief statement of the law relating to res ipsa loquitur as found in the decisions will lay the foundation for our argument.
Cellular endocytosis and trafficking of cholera toxin B-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles

In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were functionalized with cholera toxin subunit B (CTxB) protein to influence their intracellular trafficking pathways. The CTxB–MSN carrier was synthesized, and its chemical and structural properties were characterized. Endocytic pathway inhibition assays showed that the uptake of CTxB–MSNs in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells was partially facilitated by both clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytic mechanisms. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) experiments demonstrated that CTxB–MSNs were taken up by the cells and partially trafficked through the trans-Golgi network into the endoplasmic reticulum in a retrograde fashion. The delivery abilities of CTxB–MSNs were evaluated using propidium iodide, an impermeable cell membrane dye. LSCM images depicted the release of propidium iodide into the endoplasmic reticulum and the cell nucleus of HeLa cells.
Dysgerminoma complicating labor.

Abstract A case of dysgerminoma of the ovary is presented which was considered unusual because it complicated delivery of a term intrauterine pregnancy. Delivery was effected by low segment cesarean section and a right oophorectomy was done. The patient is alive and physical findings are normal four years after operation. A brief summary of the literature is presented, in which the trend is found to be a more radical surgical approach regardless of the age of the patient, for as more cases are reported and followed the degree of malignancy is considered greater than formerly.
Effect of Certain Agents on Cochlear Effect and Hearing.

There has been some question as to whether the Wever and Bray1 phenomenon will prove to be an accurate tool for the study of hearing in animals. These authors showed that electrical currents could be picked up from the eighth nerve of the cat with a suitable amplifier. With telephone receiver or cathode ray oscillograph such currents are found to have fundamentally the same frequency as the sound producing them; that is, if the 256 tuning fork is sounded near the ear of a cat properly hooked up, the sound of the fork is transmitted by the cochlea of the animal and can be picked up by an amplifier in another room and can be converted into sound or a graphic sine wave of 256 double vibrations. A similar phenomenon is obtained if the primary electrode is placed on or near the round window—this is called “the cochlear effect”.Several studies2, 3, 4 have reported results tending to show that the cochlear effect may not correlate with hearing, while others5, 6 have recently reported evidence of such correlation...
Giant chiral optical response from a twisted-arc metamaterial.

We demonstrate enormously strong chiral effects from a photonic metamaterial consisting of an array of dual-layer twisted-arcs with a total thickness of ∼λ/6. Experimental results reveal a circular dichroism of ∼0.35 in the absolute value and a maximum polarization rotation of ∼305°/λ in a near-infrared wavelength region. A transmission of greater than 50% is achieved at the frequency where the polarization rotation peaks. Retrieved parameters from measured quantities further indicate an actual optical activity of 76° per λ and a difference of 0.42 in the indices of refraction for the two circularly polarized waves of opposite handedness.
Genetic parameters of growth, feed intake, feed conversion and carcass composition of dual-purpose bulls in performance testing

Genetic parameters for growth, total energy intake, feed conversion ratio, average daily energy intake and carcass composition were estimated in an experiment with 650 bull calves from 31 half-sib groups of Holstein Friesian or Brown Swiss sires. All traits analyzed had an amount of additive genetic variance that allows for considerable response to selection. No interaction between genotype (sire group) and proportion of roughage in the diet was found. Daily gain was strongly correlated negatively with feed conversion ratio but positively correlated with daily energy intake. Results indicate that genetic selection for either daily gain or average daily energy intake would decrease carcass fatness at a constant slaughter weight. However, the environmental correlation between daily energy intake and carcass fatness was positive.