cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stable dialkyl ether/poly(hydrogen fluoride) complexes: Dimethyl ether/poly(hydrogen fluoride), a new, convenient, and effective fluorinating agent

The preparation, 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR structural characterization as well as with DFT-based theoretical calculations of stable dialkyl ether/poly(hydrogen fluoride) complexes are reported. Dimethyl ether/poly(hydrogen fluoride) (DMEPHF), are stable complexes of particular interest and use. The DFT calculations, that are in agreement with NMR data, suggest a cyclic poly(hydrogen fluoride) bridged structure for DMEPHF. The complex, DME-5 HF was found to be a convenient and effective new fluorinating agent with the ease of workup and applied to several fluorination reactions, such as the hydrofluorination and bromofluorination of alkenes, and fluorination of alcohols giving good to excellent yield with high selectivity. Homologous dialkyl ether/poly(hydrogen fluoride) (R2O/[HF]n,, R = Et, nPr) systems are also stable and suitable for fluorination reactions.
Alcohol use in wife abusers and their spouses

The present study provided an assessment of alcohol use in couples characterized by wife abuse. The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, Quantity-Frequency Index, Impairment Index, and a questionnaire tapping frequency and magnitude of violent episodes were administered to couples who were: (a) physically abusive, (b) maritally discordant but nonviolent, and (c) satisfactorily married. Results indicated significantly higher scores on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test in physically abusive males based on their self-reports as well as wives' reports of husbands' drinking behavior. No significant differences were found between groups of wives on alcohol measures. In addition, correlational analyses revealed a number of significant relationships between husbands' self-reported drinking and wives' responses concerning their spouses' alcohol use. Findings are discussed in terms of the need for more extensive assessment of physically abusive males, and the utility of examining the interactive influences of alcohol and other factors on marital violence.
Discussion: Agricultural Economists in Overseas Development Assistance and the Impact upon U.S. Universities

Professors Guither and Thompson have given us an interesting look into the anatomy of agricultural economists serving with overseas contracts. They are concerned with a question often debated in academic circles: Do overseas contracts aid or hinder the operation of an individual department? Their paper and the larger CIC-AID report on which their paper is based are mainly an opinion survey of the groups most intimately associated with AID university contracts. These include the contract staff, their colleagues, department heads, AID/Washington officials, university administrators, and host-country participants. Although these opinions are interesting and throw much light upon problems confronted in this area of the universities' activities, they need to be coupled with insight and, where possible, more specific, quantifiable information. In addition, I am sure that interesting case studies could have been developed from many university contracts. Almost all overseas projects have, at some time or other, had serious problems associated with them. Everyone acquainted with overseas projects knows of instances where individuals have been booted out of a country or sent home early, or the whole project cancelled by the host country. Case studies of these instances would be revealing and might be helpful in avoiding pitfalls in the future, not to mention the additional spice it would have lent to the report. It seems to me that the authors in their project should have looked into these cases to see whether or not any difficulties could be avoided. Without an objective, analytical approach in studying these problems, we are left with gossip and hearsay, which cannot be considered an appropriate method of project evaluation. One important problem that was given only scant attention in the report was the feeling that people may either fall behind or be left out if they take overseas appointments. There were no concrete indications in the report to substantiate this so-called isolation effect, but the very fact that many people feel that it exists is relevant whether it is true or not. If it does exist, it is relevant to question whether or not this needs to be the case. Some of the reasons why people may fall behind is that when they become involved in an overseas contract they not only lose out on important committee and research assignments but also many times are removed from the scene almost to the extent of resigning. They are no lon-
Stability of the iodine-carbon bond of radioactive iodoalbumin in the 50 kv electron beam.

Development of electron-opaque reagents, by labeling aromatic compounds with heavy atoms, was investigated preliminary to histochemical studies using the electron microscope. Reagents containing 3 iodine atoms were surprisingly ineffective in increasing the electron opacity in histochemical methods for functional groups of macromolecules. Besides failure to raise significantly the total density of the macromolecules, a possible explanation could be the loss of iodine from tissue sections under the influence of the 50-kv electron beam on the carbon-iodine bond in a very high vacuum. To test this hynothesis, the loss of radioactivity on exposing radioactive iodoalbumin in a methacrylate section in the electron microscope was determined over a total exposure of 20 min. I/sup 131/--albumin (462 mu C/mg) was precipitated from solution with 10 volumes of acetone and suspended in butyl methacrylate containing 10% methyl methacrylate. The methacrylate was polymerized, using 2,2'-azo-bis(2-methylpropionitrile) as a catalyst. The specimen was scanned with the electron beam at full intensity for various time intervals and the radioactivity measured after each exposure to the electron beam. At time intervals of scanning of 2, 5, and 10 min, no significant loss of radioactivity was noted. This demonstrates that iodinated aromatic phenols and amines can tolerate a 50-kv electronmore » beam without loss of iodine for the time needed for ordinary electron microscopic observation. Therefore, histochemical reagents containing many more than 3 atoms of iodine will be required to significantly enhance the opacity of cellular protein constituents with methods that demonstrate functional groups of macromolecules. (H.H.D.)« less
Results of phase I study of a multi-modality treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme using local implantation of concurrent BCNU wafers and permanent I-125 seeds followed by fractionated radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy

Previously we demonstrated median survival of 69 weeks after combination therapy of permanent, low-activity I-125 seeds and BCNU wafers for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We designed this prospective phase I trial to assess efficacy of this combination treatment for newly diagnosed GBM. Patients with newly diagnosed GBMs deemed amenable to gross total resection were included. This dose-escalation study of I-125 seeds included three 6-patient cohorts, receiving increasing doses of 3000, 6000, and 9000 cGy, and a maximal number of BCNU wafers placed surgically. Postoperatively patients underwent standard fractionated radiation to 5,940 cGy followed by temozolomide chemotherapy. During enrollment of the first 6-patient cohort, the trial was stopped when 3 of 5 patients developed radiation toxicity. Five patients (median age 55 years, range 46–64 years) completed postoperative radiation; Karnofsky Performance Status ranged from 70 to 90. This lowest-dose cohort received I-125 seeds at 3,000 cGy and maximal BCNU wafer placement, and reached endpoint (median 26 weeks follow-up). Two patients developed local disease progression (median 34.4 weeks). The 3 patients who developed radiation toxicity, which was documented on follow-up MRI and confirmed by MRI spectroscopy (median 20 weeks), underwent treatment with steroids and bevacizumab. Our phase I study was closed during enrollment of the first 6-patient cohort because of the high incidence (60 %) of early radiation toxicity. We do not recommend the seed-wafer therapy for newly diagnosed GBM patients but rather reserve this as salvage therapy for select patients with recurrent GBM.
The Effect of an Ultrashort Pulse’s Spatial Profile on the Single-Shot Measurement of its Temporal Profile

A non-uniform spatial profile could distort single-shot pulse measurements. But, surprisingly, we show that these effects are significantly reduced by several fortuitous aspects of the GRENOUILLE technique and so usually have little effect in practice.
Signaling Mechanisms That Regulate Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation

Extensive studies over the last 30 years have demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation and phenotypic modulation is controlled by a dynamic array of environmental cues. The identification of the signaling mechanisms by which these environmental cues regulate SMC phenotype has been more difficult because of our incomplete knowledge of the transcription mechanisms that regulate SMC-specific gene expression. However, recent advances in this area have provided significant insight, and the goal of this review is to summarize the signaling mechanisms by which extrinsic cues control SMC differentiation.
GQL: a reasonable complex SQL for genomic databases

Validating hypotheses and reasoning about objects is becoming commonplace in biotechnology research. The capability to reason strengthens comparative genomics research by providing a much-needed tool to pose intelligent queries in a more convenient and declarative fashion. To be able to reason using the Genomic Query Language (GQL), we propose the idea of parameterized views as an extension of SQL's "create view" construct with an optional "with parameter" clause. Parameterizing enables traditional SQL views to accept input values and to delay the computation of the view until invoked with a "call" statement. This extension empowers users with the capability of modifying the behavior of predefined procedures (views) by sending arguments and evaluating the procedure on demand. We demonstrate that the extension is soundly based, with a parallel in Datalog. We also show that the idea of relational unification proposed in this paper empowers SQL to reason and infer in exactly the same way as an object-oriented Datalog. Thereby, it eliminates the need for cumbersome integration of database engines with deductive reasoners, as was customary in many advanced genomic database applications in the past.
Statistical agglomeration: peak summarization for direct infusion lipidomics

Motivation: Quantification of lipids is a primary goal in lipidomics. In direct infusion/injection (or shotgun) lipidomics, accurate downstream identification and quantitation requires accurate summarization of repetitive peak measurements. Imprecise peak summarization multiplies downstream error by propagating into species identification and intensity estimation. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of direct infusion peak summarization in the literature. Results: We present two novel peak summarization algorithms for direct infusion samples and compare them with an off-machine ad hoc summarization algorithm as well as with the propriety Xcalibur algorithm. Our statistical agglomeration algorithm reduces peakwise error by 38% mass/charge (m/z) and 44% (intensity) compared with the ad hoc method over three datasets. Pointwise error is reduced by 23% (m/z). Compared with Xcalibur, our statistical agglomeration algorithm produces 68% less m/z error and 51% less intensity error on average on two comparable datasets. Availability: The source code for Statistical Agglomeration and the datasets used are freely available for non-commercial purposes at https://github.com/optimusmoose/statistical_agglomeration. Modified Bin Aggolmeration is freely available in MSpire, an open source mass spectrometry package at https://github.com/princelab/mspire/.
Rallying Around the Podesta: Testing Diversionary Theory Across Time:

Diversionary theory argues that leaders threatened by domestic turmoil manipulate the ‘rally around the flag’ effect by initiating conflict abroad. This conflict mitigates the negative effects of the unrest, saving the leader’s position. Previous analyses of the diversionary impulse have proven inconclusive. This study expands the literature in three ways. First, it broadens the spatial and temporal domain by examining the seven major powers of Renaissance Italy (1250-1494). Since diversionary theory was developed by looking at the actions of states in the modern system, testing it in a different empirical domain is important. Second, it uses a directed-dyadic research design, which can examine directional hypotheses. For instance, does domestic unrest increase the probability that the challenger will initiate conflict, or do targets avoid states experiencing unrest? Last, the analyses simultaneously assess the effects of regime change (the highest form of unrest) and domestic turmoil on the conflict beha...
Directing TRAF-ic Cell-Specific TRAF6 Signaling in Chronic Inflammation and Atherosclerosis

The recognition that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease has emphasized the fundamental link between the innate immune system and disease pathogenesis. Atherosclerotic lesions develop at vulnerable locations throughout the vasculature as a result of detection of endogenous or microbial ligands by germ-line encoded pattern recognition receptors, including the innate immune Toll-like receptors (TLRs).1,2 Certain dietary lipids that contribute to atherosclerotic disease resemble on a molecular level lipids expressed in the microbial cell wall and are recognized by TLRs. Engagement via TLRs of dietary lipid molecules on both immune and nonimmune cells initiates inflammatory responses that persist chronically and culminate in the deposition of fatty streaks, which progress to occlusive atherosclerotic plaques.3 Article see p 1739 The vascular endothelium is central in the initial cellular and molecular responses to not only infection and tissue injury, but also to overly abundant dietary lipids. Vascular endothelial cells express TLRs, and a fundamental event in the initiation of atherosclerosis is the upregulation of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells that promote localized and restricted recruitment of circulating leukocytes and platelets that support leukocyte tethering and rolling, firm adhesion, and transmigration into underlying tissues. This amassing of cells contributes to the composition of the atherosclerotic lesion. In addition to the induction of adhesion molecule expression, dietary lipids can also incite the production of inflammatory cytokines by endothelial cells, which act in an autocrine and paracrine manner to feed the inflammatory response. Innate immune activation of hematopoietic cells, most notably monocytes and macrophages, is another central response that leads to the development of chronic atherosclerotic disease. Monocytes and macrophages express TLRs that respond to microbes and dietary lipids in much the same manner as endothelial cells, although the outcome of TLR signaling differs as a result of cell-specific functions. Activated macrophages secrete …
Women's Retirement Expectations: How Stable Are They?

Objective. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Mature Women, we examine between- and within-person differences in expected retirement age as a key element of the retirement planning process. The expectation typologies of 1,626 women born between 1923 and 1937 were classifi ed jointly on the basis of specifi city and consistency. Methods. Latent class analysis was used to determine retirement expectation patterns over a 7-year span. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate the effects of demographic and status characteristics on the likelihood of reporting 4 distinct longitudinal patterns of retirement expectations. Results. Substantial heterogeneity in reports of expected retirement age between and within individuals over the 7-year span was found. Demographic and status characteristics, specifi cally age, race, marital status, job tenure, and recent job change, sorted respondents into different retirement expectation patterns. Conclusions. The frequent within-person fl uctuations and substantial between-person heterogeneity in retirement expectations indicate uncertainty and variability in both expectations and process of expectation formation. Variability in respondents’ reports suggests that studying retirement expectations at multiple time points better captures the dynamics of preretirement planning.
Maternal low-protein diet up-regulates the neuropeptide Y system in visceral fat and leads to abdominal obesity and glucose intolerance in a sex- and time-specific manner

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) mediates stress-induced obesity in adult male mice by activating its Y2 receptor (Y2R) in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Here, we studied whether the NPY-Y2R system is also activated by maternal low-protein diet (LPD) and linked to obesity in offspring. Prenatal LPD offspring had lower birth weights compared to normal-protein diet (NPD) offspring. Female prenatal and lactation stress (PLS) offspring from mothers fed an LPD developed abdominal adiposity and glucose intolerance associated with a 5-fold up-regulation of NPY mRNA and a 6-fold up-regulation of Y2R mRNA specifically in VAT, in addition to elevated platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) NPY, compared to control females fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Conversely, PLS male offspring showed lower NPY in PRP, a 10-fold decrease of Y2R mRNA in VAT, lower adiposity, and improved glucose tolerance compared to control males. Interestingly, prenatal LPD offspring cross-fostered to control lactating mothers had completely inverse metabolic and NPY phenotypes. Taken together, these findings suggested that maternal LPD activates the VAT NPY-Y2R system and increases abdominal adiposity and glucose intolerance in a sex- and time-specific fashion, suggesting that the peripheral NPY system is a potential mediator of programming for the offspring's vulnerability to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Electronic Effects in CO Chemisorption on Pt-Pb Intermetallic Surfaces: A Theoretical Study

The chemisorption of CO on surfaces of Pt-Pb intermetallic compounds, found to be useful as fuel cell electrocatalysts, was analyzed theoretically. Specifically, density-functional theory and extended Huckel- based calculations on CO adsorption on Pt(111), Pt3Pb(111), and PtPb(0001) surfaces are reported. Binding energies on Pt3Pb(111) are computed to be generally smaller than binding energies on Pt(111). The binding energies at the 2- and 3-fold sites on Pt 3Pb(111) increase if there is a Pb atom underneath the site in the second surface layer. The binding energies on PtPb(0001) are much higher than those on the other surfaces. These trends have been analyzed with crystal overlap Hamilton population (COHP)-based energy partitioning. The most stabilizing interaction in chemisorption is the Pt -adsorbate bond formation; the surface and the adsorbate are internally destabilized. The major surface effects are pretty much restricted to the top two layers. The binding energy trend for the top site chemisorption follows the Pt-adsorbate interaction term (most stabilizing interaction term in chemisorption). This surface Pt -adsorbate interaction term, for top site chemisorption, has been analyzed further with a Frontier molecular orbital formalism based on the extended Huckel calculations. Electron donation from Pb atoms to Pt atoms plays an important role in distinguishing chemisorption on these surfaces. The higher Fermi energy of the Pt-Pb intermetallic surfaces, relative to Pt(111) surface, leads to a weaker Pt-adsorbate interaction, which correlates well with the lower binding energy on Pt-Pb intermetallic surfaces when compared to Pt(111). The variation of the binding energy within the 2- and 3-fold sites on Pt3Pb(111) cannot be explained by the Pt-adsorbate interaction term alone. From a detailed COHP analysis of the surface and adsorbate, we find that the adsorption site affects the electron movements (transfer of electrons) in the surface slab upon chemisorption and through them the overall binding energy of the adsorbate. The difference in binding energies between the Pt3Pb(111) hcp and fcc sites can be explained this way.
Pseudo-Gray coding

A pseudo-Gray code is an assignment of n-bit binary indexes to 2" points in a Euclidean space so that the Hamming distance between two points corresponds closely to the Euclidean distance. Pseudo-Gray coding provides a redundancy-free error protection scheme for vector quantization (VQ) of analog signals when the binary indexes are used as channel symbols on a discrete memoryless channel and the points are signal codevectors. Binary indexes are assigned to codevectors in a way that reduces the average quantization distortion introduced in the reproduced source vectors when a transmitted index is corrupted by channel noise. A globally optimal solution to this problem is generally intractable due to an inherently large computational complexity. A locally optimal solution, the binary switching algorithm, is introduced, based on the objective of minimizing a useful upper bound on the average system distortion. The algorithm yields a significant reduction in average distortion, and converges in reasonable running times. The sue of pseudo-Gray coding is motivated by the increasing need for low-bit-rate VQ-based encoding systems that operate on noisy channels, such as in mobile radio speech communications. >
Comparing the history-taking methods used during a preanesthesia visit: the HealthQuiz versus the written questionnaire

he HealthQuizTM (Nellcor, Inc., Chula Vista, CA) is a hand-held, patient-driven data processor marketed to expedite and enhance the complete- ness of the history-taking process during the preanes- thetic visit. In our preanesthesia assessment center (PAC), we compared preanesthetic visits using the HealthQuiz?‘” device with visits using our standard, written questionnaire.
Coulometric carbonߚbased respiration rates and estimates of bacterioplankton growth efficiencies in Massachusetts Bay

Heterotrophic bacterioplankton production rates have been measured in many aquatic ecosystems over the last two decades, whereas measurements of bacterioplankton respiration rates have been scarce. This paper reports and discusses measurements of carbon-based plankton respiration rates made in a coastal ecosystem over an annual cycle. The coulometric technique was used to measure total inorganic carbon (TCO2) production rates in 0.8-mm filtered and unfiltered Massachusetts Bay surface seawater. Bacterioplankton respiration rates, defined as respiration in 0.8-mm filtered seawater, varied from 0.01 to 0.15 mmol C kg 21 h 21 (0.07 6 0.01 mmol C kg 21 h 21 ) (mean 6 1 SE) and accounted for a high proportion (median 70%) of respiration in unfiltered seawater. Microplankton (unfiltered seawater) respiration rates varied from 0.04 to 0.24 mmol C kg 21 h 21 (0.12 6 0.02 m mol Ck g 21 h 21 ). Bacterioplankton growth efficiencies (BGEs), estimated with concurrent measurements of bacterial production and respiration rates, varied from 0 to 69% (median 22%) and were well correlated with specific production rates (r 2
A Compensation Technique for Smooth Transitions in a Noninverting Buck–Boost Converter

With the advent of battery-powered portable devices and mandatory adoption of power factor correction, noninverting buck-boost converters are garnering lots of attention. Conventional two-switch or four-switch noninverting buck-boost converters choose their operation modes by measuring input and output voltage magnitude. The criterion for the selection of the operation mode can cause higher output voltage transients in the neighborhood, where input and output are close to each other. For the mode selection, due to the voltage drops raised by the parasitic components, it is not enough just to compare the magnitude of input and output voltages. In addition, the difference in the minimum and maximum effective duty cycles between controller output and switching device yields discontinuity at the instant of mode change. Moreover, the different properties of output voltage versus a given duty cycle of buck and boost operating modes contribute to the output voltage transients. In this paper, the effect of the discontinuity due to the effective duty cycle derived from the device switching time at the mode change is analyzed. A technique to compensate the output voltage transient due to this discontinuity is proposed. In order to attain additional mitigation of output transients and a linear input/output voltage characteristic in buck and boost modes, the linearization of DC gain of the large-signal model in boost operation is analyzed as well. Analytical, simulation, and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed theory.
A Conservative Meshless Scheme: General Order Formulation and Application to Euler Equations

In this paper, we present a finite-volume-like meshless scheme designed for numerically solving conservation laws. We first derive a conservative formulation for computing meshless first derivatives based on a set of unknown coefficients satisfying polynomial consistency and other conditions. This formulation leads to a generalization that allows flexible choices of flux schemes while remaining locally conservative. We present an algorithm, based on minimum-norm solutions, for calculating unique meshless coefficients given a point distribution and connectivity. Numerical examples of solving the 2D Euler equations demonstrate the flexibility and practicality of the conservative meshless scheme.
Is intraoperative imprint cytology evaluation still feasible for the evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes for lobular carcinoma of the breast

Background The evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) from a patient with lobular breast cancer is challenging. Metastatic lobular cancer is difficult to identify in SLNs because of its low-grade cytomorphology and its tendency to resemble lymphocytes. Intraoperative imprint cytology (IIC) is a rapid, reliable method for evaluating SLNs intraoperatively. We sought to reexamine our experience with this technique in the identification of invasive lobular breast cancer SLN metastases.
Payment cost minimization auction for deregulated electricity markets using surrogate optimization

Deregulated electricity markets use an auction mechanism to select offers and their power levels for energy and ancillary services. A settlement mechanism is then used to determine the payments resulting from the selected offers. Currently, most independent system operators (ISOs) in the United States use an auction mechanism that minimizes the total offer costs but determine payment costs using a settlement mechanism that pays uniform market clearing prices (MCPs) to all selected offers. Under this setup, the auction and settlement mechanisms are inconsistent since minimized costs are different from payment costs. Illustrative examples in the literature have shown that for a given set of offers, if an auction mechanism that directly minimizes the payment costs is used, then payment costs can be significantly reduced as compared to minimizing offer costs. This observation has led to discussions among stakeholders and policymakers in the electricity markets as to which of the two auction mechanisms is more appropriate for ISOs to use. While methods for minimizing offer costs abound, limited approaches for minimization of payment costs have been reported. This paper presents an effective method for directly minimizing payment costs. In view of the specific features of the problem including the nonseparability of its objective function, the discontinuity of offer curves, and the maximum term in defining MCPs, our key idea is to use augmented Lagrangian relaxation and to form and solve offer and MCP subproblems by using the surrogate optimization framework. Numerical testing results demonstrate that the method is effective, and the resulting payment costs are significantly lower than what are obtained by minimizing the offer costs for a given set of offers.
Cutting Edge: IL-16/CD4 Preferentially Induces Th1 Cell Migration: Requirement of CCR5

IL-16 binds to CD4 and induces a migratory response in CD4(+) T cells. Although it has been assumed that CD4 is the sole receptor and that IL-16 induces a comparable migratory response in all CD4(+) T cells, this has not been investigated. In this study, we determined that IL-16 preferentially induces a migratory response in Th1 cells. Because chemokine receptor CCR5 is expressed predominantly in Th1 cells and is physically associated with CD4, we investigated whether IL-16/CD4 stimulation was enhanced in the presence of CCR5. Using T cells from CCR5(null) mice, we determined that IL-16-induced migration was significantly greater in the presence of CCR5. The presence of CCR5 significantly increased IL-16 binding vs CD4 alone; however, IL-16 could not bind to CCR5 alone. Because CD4(+)CCR5(+) cells are prevalent at sites of inflammation, this intimate functional relationship likely plays a pivotal role for the recruitment and activation of Th1 cells.
Toward a Theory of Policy Intervention in Social Problems

A theory of policy intervention in social problems is needed to enhance our understanding of the processes of change when instigated by social engineers. Such an undertaking should start with a description of the social setting, the relationships in which policy is to be initiated, and the larger society within which these operate, as well as ongoing social processes which reflect current policies. Important aspects of policy intervention and implementation to be included in such a theory-building enterprise would be the flexible nature of "facts" about the problem, their many uses, the divergence of official policy goals and day-to-day operations, and the differential endowment and strategic use of resources by policy supporters and the opposition. Policy intervention is best analyzed as a series of situations that include the commitment of some persons to various sides of a policy issue with resultant reactions and counterreactions. Eventually, an arbitrary endpoint must be selected for methodological closure in order to assess intended and unintended policy effects. The development of a theory of policy intervention could encourage an integration of basic and applied research. The theme "Social Problems in an Interdependent World" was selected to refocus our attention, as members of The Society for the Study of Social Problems, on the complex interrelatedness of people, institutions, societies and the world. I think that our unique interest in social problems gives us a special opportunity to work on the development of a theory of policy intervention. No such comprehensive theory exists today. I should like to suggest that such an enterprise could be both exciting and fruitful. Furthermore, it offers a means by which we can integrate basic and applied research in the way they really should be related-as inspiration and testing ground for each other (Glaser and Strauss, 1967).' It would at the same time help us understand, in all their splendid detail, the dynamics of the interdependencies of social life. Warfield, in discussing planning policy for complex social problems, notes the absence of research on policy initiation. His own focus is on the practical aspects, but his complaint pertains to the development of theory as well:
The Origins of the Actor Benefit in London

The importance of the actor benefit in the eighteenth-century London theatre is manifest. An actor's benefit was a key part of his or her contract, and the income it produced was a crucial supplement to the performer's ordinary salary. A benefit for a single performer could easily yield more than £50 (after expenses) early in the century – a. sum which might double the annual income of a second or third rank member of a company. The long string of benefits at both Drury Lane and Lincoln's Inn.Fields each spring soon after 1700 (visible as soon as daily newspaper advertisements become customary) often total twenty or more at each house, and the actor benefit was to remain a basic feature of financial arrangements in London theatres throughout the eighteenth century.
Improved method for shipboard determination of iron in seawater by flow injection analysis

Abstract A flow injection analysis (FIA) catalytic spectrophotometric method for the determination of dissolved iron in seawater was further developed to yield a more sensitive assay with a low detection limit. The method employs an initial sample acidification step followed by an iron pre-concentration step involving an in-line 8-hydroxy-quinoline (8-HQ) metal-chelating resin column. The copper capacity and elution efficiency, as well as the iron FIA performance of three trace-metal clean resins were compared, resulting in the selection of a clean silica gel support for the 8-HQ ligand. The concentrated sample is eluted from the resin with an acidic carrier and mixed with reagents, initiating an iron-catalyzed, color-forming reaction. Increasing the reaction temperature from 18 to 30 °C doubled the sensitivity; reaction temperature control was necessary to obtain good reproducibility in the field. Reagent blanks were as low as 0.05 nM and a detection limit of 0.016 nM was obtained from three times the S.D. of a 0.06 nM seawater sample repeated six times. A 0.06 nM detection limit was calculated from shipboard experiments where total dissolved iron was determined for 10 different samples from the same station. The instrumental sensitivity and precision evolved to the point where the blank associated with the technique is the major factor influencing its detection limit.
Implications of Mating Behavior in Watermelon Breeding

Understanding the natural mating behavior (self- or cross-pollination) in watermelon is important to the design of a suitable breeding strategy. The objective of this study was to measure the rate of self- and cross-pollination in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) using the dominant gene Sp (Spotted leaves and fruit) as a marker. The experiment consisted of two studies and was a split plot in a randomized complete block design with 3 years (2009 to 2011) and four locations (Clinton, Kinston, Oxford, Lewiston, NC). For the intercrossing study, whole plots were the two spacings (1.2 3 0.3 m and 1.2 3 0.6 m) with four replications in 2010. For the inbreeding study, whole plots were two equidistant spacings (3 3 3 m and 6 3 6 m) with four replications in 2009 to 2011. Cultivars Allsweet and Mickylee were subplots within each whole plot. In the inbreeding study, spacing and year had a significant effect on the rate of self-pollination, which was moderate (47% and 54%, respectively) when water- melon plants were trained in a spiral and spaced 3 3 3 m or 6 3 6 m apart. Spacing and cultivar did not have a significant effect on cross-pollination in the intercrossing study. Closely spaced watermelon plants (1.2 3 0.3 m and 1.2 3 0.6 m) had low natural outcrossing rate (31% and 35%, respectively) and was not adequate to intercross families. However, breeders should consider the amount of self-pollination in watermelon to calculate the estimates of component of genetic variances.
50 Hz hippocampal stimulation in refractory epilepsy: Higher level of basal glutamate predicts greater release of glutamate

Summary Objective The effect of electrical stimulation on brain glutamate release in humans is unknown. Glutamate is elevated at baseline in the epileptogenic hippocampus of patients with refractory epilepsy, and increases during spontaneous seizures. We examined the effect of 50 Hz stimulation on glutamate release and its relationship to interictal levels in the hippocampus of patients with epilepsy. In addition, we measured basal and stimulated glutamate levels in a subset of these patients where stimulation elicited a seizure. Methods Subjects (n = 10) were patients with medically refractory epilepsy who were undergoing intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) evaluation in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Electrical stimulation (50 Hz) was delivered through implanted hippocampal electrodes (n = 11), and microdialysate samples were collected every 2 min. Basal glutamate, changes in glutamate efflux with stimulation, and the relationships between peak stimulation–associated glutamate concentrations, basal zero-flow levels, and stimulated seizures were examined. Results Stimulation of epileptic hippocampi in patients with refractory epilepsy caused increases in glutamate efflux (p = 0.005, n = 10), and 4 of ten patients experienced brief stimulated seizures. Stimulation-induced increases in glutamate were not observed during the evoked seizures, but rather were related to the elevation in interictal basal glutamate (R2 = 0.81, p = 0.001). The evoked-seizure group had lower basal glutamate levels than the no-seizure group (p = 0.04), with no stimulation-induced change in glutamate efflux (p = 0.47, n = 4). Conversely, increased glutamate was observed following stimulation in the no-seizure group (p = 0.005, n = 7). Subjects with an atrophic hippocampus had higher basal glutamate levels (p = 0.03, n = 7) and higher stimulation-induced glutamate efflux. Significance Electrical stimulation of the epileptic hippocampus either increased extracellular glutamate efflux or induced seizures. The magnitude of stimulated glutamate increase was related to elevation in basal interictal glutamate, suggesting a common mechanism, possibly impaired glutamate metabolism. Divergent mechanisms may exist for seizure induction and increased glutamate in patients with epilepsy. These data highlight the potential risk of 50 Hz stimulation in patients with epilepsy.
The Exponential Map

In Chapter 7 we defined geodesics as “straightest curves” in an n-surface. In this chapter we shall examine the role of geodesics as “shortest curves” We begin by using a technique of the calculus of variations analogous to the one we used in Chapter 18 to study minimal surfaces. Now, however, we shall vary parametrized curves rather than parametrized surfaces
Seminars in Medicine of the Beth Israel Hospital, Boston. Clinical applications of research on angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is fundamental to reproduction, development, and repair. All these processes depend on the tightly regulated growth of blood vessels that can “turn on” and “turn off” within a brief period. When blood vessels grow unabated, angiogenesis becomes pathologic and sustains the progression of many neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. The realization that tumor growth requires new blood vessels and the identification of chemical factors that mediate angiogenesis have broadened our understanding of pathologic processes and opened new avenues to the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Tumor hypervascularity was initially thought to reflect inflammatory vasodilation of preexisting host vessels, a . . .
Nanoscale structure of Ti1−xNbyO2 mixed-phase thin films: Distribution of crystal phase and dopants

Transmission electron microscopy (polycrystalline electron diffraction, nanoelectron diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy) was used to determine the dispersion of crystal phase and Nb dopants in mixed-phase (anatase and rutile) Ti1−xNbyO2 thin films prepared by reactive sputtering. When co-sputtering mixed-phase TiO2 with a dopant, it is unclear how the crystal phases are distributed within thin film structures, what the dominant interfaces are, and how the dopant is distributed within the crystal phases. In the Ti1−xNbyO2 films, anatase and rutile grains were found to be homogeneously dispersed indicating that anatase/rutile interfaces are the dominant interfaces. Anatase/rutile interfaces are a critical feature of mixed-phase materials which impart high reactivity to the composite. Nb homogeneously dispersed at low concentrations, but at high concentrations, Nb segregated in the rutile phase. There is an apparent threshold beyond which Nb segregates according to its higher solubility in rutile due to a better lattice fit.
Influence of water quality fluctuation of Huanghe River on power plants and relevant operational countermeasures

The problem of water quality fluctuation of Huanghe River becomes more and more serious in recent years,which exerts great influence on power plants using water from Huanghe Rive as their feed water.The detailed indices of Huanghe River water quality fluctuating with season changing as well as their influence on feed water of power plants are analyzed,and preventive measures adopted during water quality deterioration periods are proposed.
Infections of the External Ear

Acute otitis externa, “swimmer’s ear”, is a common infection of childhood and a frequent cause of urgent clinic visits during the summer months. Most children present with ear pain and otorrhea, have an uncomplicated illness, and are effectively managed by their primary care physician. For patients with severe or complicated disease, the experience and knowledge of the otorhinolaryngologist and/or the infectious disease physician is helpful. Herein, we describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of acute otitis externa, emphasizing the guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation and highlighting aspects of care important for the care of children. Furthermore, we discuss several less common infections involving the external ear—necrotizing otitis externa, fungal otitis externa, herpes zoster oticus, and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. These infections often prove challenging for the specialist and generalist alike. Lastly, we briefly review inflammatory conditions that should be included in the differential of infections of the external ear.
A New Approach to Using Dried Hybrid Poplar as a Potential Commodity Feedstock for Sugar Production

Use of a commodity feedstock with uniform physical and chemical characteristics can maximize the efficiency of sugar production in a lignocellulosic biorefinery. However, efficient handling and storage necessitates dry biomass, while effective bioconversion is maximized with high moisture biomass. To bridge this gap, the effect of moisture content on hybrid poplar bioconversion was investigated. Fresh hybrid poplar chips were both oven- and air-dried and rehydrated by soaking in water prior to SO2-catalyzed steam explosion. Following enzymatic hydrolysis, pretreated solids derived from air-dried and oven-dried chips (10% and 0% moisture content) were 11–24% less digestible than never-dried chips at 50% moisture content. Upon soaking the same poplar chips in water prior to SO2 impregnation, pretreatment, and hydrolysis, there was a dramatic improvement in digestibility of up to 44%, thought to be due to improved SO2 uptake and subsequent hemicellulose hydrolysis in the dried chips. Monomeric glucose and xy...
Efficacy of tip cryotherapy in the treatment of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH): a randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded study

AbstractBackground: Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) is a common hypopigmentation affecting a large amount of older population. However, there is no standard treatment. Cryotherapy has been reported as an alternative therapy for years; nevertheless, there is no randomized controlled study to determine its efficacy.Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of tip cryotherapy in IGH treatment.Material and methods: Total 101 lesions were included. Forty-three lesions were treated with cryotherapy and 58 lesions were assigned as control. A single session of tip cryotherapy was delivered and remained for 5 s. Colorimeter was used to measure lesional luminosity at baseline and then monthly until 4 months. Digital photographs were evaluated by two blinded dermatologists. In addition, patients’ assessments and side effects were assessed.Results: Mean luminosity scale gradually decreased from baseline. Also, the score of the treated lesions has been significantly lower than that of the control le...
Pancreatic β‐cell identity in diabetes

Recovery of functional β-cell mass continues to be an ongoing challenge in treating diabetes. Initial work studying β-cells suggested apoptotic β-cell death as a main contributor for the loss of β-cell mass in diabetes. Restoration of β-cells either by transplant or stimulating proliferation of remaining β-cells or precursors would then logically be a viable therapeutic option for diabetes. However, recent work has highlighted the inherent β-cell plasticity and the critical role of loss of β-cell identity in diabetes, and has suggested that β-cells fail to maintain a fully differentiated glucose-responsive and drug-responsive state, particularly in diabetic individuals with poorly controlled, long-lasting periods of hyperglycaemia. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of loss of β-cell identity and conversion in other cell types, as well as how to regain their mature differentiated functional state, is critical to develop novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse these processes. In this review, we discuss the role of plasticity and loss of β-cell identity in diabetes, the current understanding of mechanisms involved in altering this mature functional β-cell state and potential progresses to identify novel therapeutic targets providing better opportunities for slowing or preventing diabetes progression.
Caloric restriction selectively reduces the GABAergic phenotype of mouse hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin neurons.

Key points Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons release peptide products that potently inhibit food intake and reduce body weight. These neurons also release the amino acid transmitter GABA, which can inhibit downstream neurons. Although the release of peptide transmitters from POMC neurons is regulated by energy state, whether similar regulation of GABA release might occur had not been examined. The present results show that the GABAergic phenotype of POMC neurons is decreased selectively by caloric deficit and not altered by high-fat diet or stress. The fact the GABAergic phenotype of POMC neurons is sensitive to energy state suggests a dynamic physiological role for this transmitter and highlights the importance of determining the functional consequence of GABA released from POMC neurons in terms of the regulation of normal energy balance. Abstract In addition to peptide transmitters, hypothalamic neurons, including proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, also release amino acid transmitters that can alter energy balance regulation. While recent studies show that the GABAergic nature of AgRP neurons is increased by caloric restriction, whether the GABAergic phenotype of POMC neurons is also regulated in an energy-state-dependent manner has not been previously examined. The present studies used fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect Gad1 and Gad2 mRNA in POMC neurons, as these encode the glutamate decarboxylase enzymes GAD67 and GAD65, respectively. The results show that both short-term fasting and chronic caloric restriction significantly reduce the percentage of POMC neurons expressing Gad1 mRNA in both male and female mice, with less of an effect on Gad2 expression. Neither acute nor chronic intermittent restraint stress altered Gad1 expression in POMC neurons. Maintenance on a high-fat diet also did not affect the portion POMC neurons expressing Gad1, suggesting that the GABAergic phenotype of POMC neurons is particularly sensitive to energy deficit. Because changes in Gad1 expression have been previously shown to correlate with altered terminal GABA release, fasting is likely to cause a decrease in GABA release from POMC neurons. Altogether, the present results show that the GABAergic nature of POMC neurons can be dynamically regulated by energy state in a manner opposite to that in AgRP neurons and suggest the importance of considering the functional role of GABA release in addition to the peptide transmitters from POMC neurons.