cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Geopolitical Functions of the Western Sahara Conflict: US Hegemony, Moroccan Stability and Sahrawi Strategies of Resistance

The Western Sahara dispute, now in its fourth decade, appears to be a forgotten and frozen conflict. In reality, the conflict and its perpetual irresolution are central to the ways in which USA hegemony was reconstituted in the late Cold War and the processes through which Washington has been able to reproduce its global dominance since then. At the same time, the irresolution of the Western Sahara conflict—a perpetual crisis at the heart of the Moroccan state—also helps reproduce the monarchical regime that has successfully governed Morocco since it seized the territory from Spain in 1975. While the Western Saharan nationalist movement has deployed an array of strategies aimed at confronting and accommodating North Atlantic dominance, none of these efforts have been able to disrupt the dynamics that necessarily maintain the Western Sahara impasse.
The Future IoT: Building Better Legos

For smart devices to take off in any meaningful way, we need to go beyond monolithic platforms and instead create a set of secure and open protocol layers.
Atypical pupillary light reflex in 2–6‐year‐old children with autism spectrum disorders

The purpose of this study was to investigate pupillary light reflex (PLR) in 2-6-years-old children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A total of 117 medication-free 2-6-year-old boys participated in this study. Sixty participants were diagnosed with ASD (the "ASD group") and the other 57 were in the control group of typical development (the "TD group"). A questionnaire was completed by the parent/guardian for assessing potential dysfunctions in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The base pupil radius, PLR latency, and constriction time showed a significant age-related trend in both the ASD and TD groups. The base pupil size increased with age in the typically developing children, but not in the ASD group. The ASD group showed more symptoms related to ANS dysfunctions. An association between abnormal sweating with base pupil radius and PLR constriction was observed in the TD group but not the ASD group. The different association of PLR parameters with ANS dysfunction may suggest disrupted autonomic controls in children with ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 829-838. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quasi-Particle Groups in Atomic Shell Theory

In 1968 some bizarre features of atomic shell theory were noticed. One such appeared when efforts were made to generalize the use of G2 for atomic electrons. Racah had demonstrated the great utility of this exceptional Lie group in his classic paper on the Coulomb energies off electrons,1 but it was known that no analogous group existed for electrons with higher l. However, the G2 classification of the states of the f shell could be accomplished by diagonalizing a two-electron operator belonging to the irreducible representation (irrep) (111) of S0(7). It can be shown that such an operator is necessarily a scalar with respect to G2 too. For g electrons we can form an operator that is an S0(3) scalar and which also belongs to (1111) of S0(9). As such, it is an analog of the G2 scalar although no actual analog of the group itself exists. When the operator was diagonalized for the states of maximum multiplicity (maximum S) of gN, many eigenvalue repetitions were noticed.2 Moreover, several fractional parentage coefficients vanished for no obvious reason. Armstrong found that corresponding simplifications occurred in the h shell.3
Microbial respiration of organic carbon in freshwater microcosms: the potential for improved estimation of microbial CO2 emission from organically enriched freshwater ecosystems

Microbial respiration of organic carbon in freshwater microcosms: The potential for improved estimation of microbial CO2 emission from organically enriched freshwater ecosystems
Audit committee cash compensation and propensity of firms to beat earnings by a large margin: Conditional effects of CEO power and agency risks

This study examines the association between cash-based compensation of directors on the audit committee and the propensity with which firms beat forecasted earnings by a large margin. We also examine how this association is affected by CEO power and three agency risk factors present in the firm, namely size, leverage, and performance. We find that greater cash in the compensation structure is negatively associated with the likelihood of actual earnings beating forecasted earnings by a large margin. In addition, we find that this negative association is modestly weaker in firms managed by a powerful CEO and stronger in firms that are exposed to more agency risks. Findings generally suggest compensation plans comprised predominantly of cash may promote objective financial reporting oversight performed by the audit committee and more specifically when CEOs are less powerful and need for monitoring is heightened. Our results have implications for investors, directors, regulators, governance activists, and future researchers.
The PIOS among the pious: validity of the Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity among Orthodox Jews

The Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity (PIOS) is the most widely utilised measure of religious obsessive-compulsive disorder. While it has been studied in clinical and community samples, its psychometr...
Correlation of patient questionnaire responses and physician history in grading clinical outcome following hip and knee arthroplasty: A prospective study of 201 joint arthroplasties

Questionnaires are commonly used in orthopaedic outcome studies. This study sought to determine if responses to a simple standardized questionnaire correlated with responses obtained during a physician interview in evaluation of clinical outcome following hip and knee arthroplasty. One hundred sixty-two patients with 201 hip and knee arthroplasties were asked to fill out a questionnaire prior to returning for routine follow-up evaluation. There was a highly significant correlation (P 4.5 years, P < .05) and short-term (≤ 4.5 years, P < .0001) follow-up periods; however, 97% of patient responses were within one grade of physician-recorded answers to the same questions. Eight and one-half percent of scores differed in overall evaluation from good—excellent to fair—poor categories. This study both validates and defines more clearly the limitations of questionnaires for follow-up evaluation of clinical results following total hip and knee arthroplasty.
Prácticas funerarias en Dzibanché, Quintana Roo: los entierros en el Edificio de los Cormoranes

El analisis de los entierros y ofrendas encontradas en el Edificio de los Cormoranes de Dzibanche y su comparacion y contraste con los hallados en el Conjunto de los 27 Escalones de Kohunlich, permiten postular la existencia de estructuras politicas distintivas y proponer una secuencia de desarrollo historico durante el Clasico, en especial en la segunda mitad de ese periodo, caracterizada entre otros elementos por una dispersion de poder politico y un consecuente fortalecimiento de la capacidad de decision de los grupos de residencia.
Fundamental and practical aspects of therapeutic uses of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs).

The beneficial therapeutic effects of selected low-energy, time-varying magnetic fields, called PEMFs, have been documented with increasing frequency since 1973. Initially, this form of athermal energy was used mainly as a salvage for patients with long-standing juvenile and adult nonunions. Many of these individuals were candidates for amputation. Their clearly documented resistance to the usual forms of surgical treatment, including bone grafting, served as a reasonable control in judging the efficacy of this new therapeutic method, particularly when PEMFs were the sole change in patient management. More recently, the biological effectiveness of this approach in augmenting bone healing has been confirmed by several highly significant double-blind and controlled prospective studies in less challenging clinical circumstances. Furthermore, double-blind evidence of therapeutic effects in other clinical disorders has emerged. These data, coupled with well-controlled laboratory findings on pertinent mechanisms of action, have begun to place PEMFs on a therapeutic par with surgically invasive methods but at considerably less risk and cost. As a result of these clinical observations and concerns about electromagnetic "pollution", interactions of nonionizing electromagnetic fields with biological processes have been the subject of increasing investigational activity. Over the past decade, the number of publications on these topics has risen exponentially. They now include textbooks, speciality journals, regular reviews by government agencies, in addition to individual articles, appearing in the wide spectrum of peer-reviewed, scientific sources. In a recent editorial in Current Contents, the editor reviews the frontiers of biomedical engineering focusing on Science Citation Index methods for identifying core research endeavors. Dr. Garfield chose PEMFs from among other biomedical engineering efforts as an example of a rapidly emerging discipline. Three new societies in the bioelectromagnetics, bioelectrochemistry, and bioelectrical growth and repair have been organized during this time, along with a number of national and international committees and conferences. These activities augment a continuing interest by the IEEE in the U.S. and the IEE in the U.K. This review focuses on the principles and practice behind the therapeutic use of "PEMFs". This term is restricted to time-varying magnetic field characteristics that induce voltage waveform patterns in bone similar to those resulting from mechanical deformation. These asymmetric, broad-band pulses affect a number of biologic processes athermally. Many of these processes appear to have the ability to modify selected pathologic states in the musculoskeletal and other systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Rivalry and revenge: The politics of violence during Civil War

The subfield of civil war scholars is a lonely, dispiriting place. Against all our hopes it remains a growth field, and there is always a fresh horror—Syria, Libya, Yemen—to explain, contextualize,...
Using cell sheets to regenerate mouse submandibular glands.

Temperature-responsive polymer grafted tissue culture dishes release cells as confluent living sheets in response to small changes in temperature, with recovered cell sheets retaining cell–cell communications, functional extracellular matrices and tissue-like behaviors. These features promote tissue regeneration and improve transplantation efficacy in various tissues including cartilage, heart, kidney, liver, endometrium, cornea, middle ear, periodontium, and esophageal living sheet transplants. However, the functional effects of cell sheets for salivary gland regeneration to treat hyposalivation have not yet been studied. Thus, the present study aims to both establish the viability of thermoresponsive cell sheets for use in salivary glands and then explore the delivery option (i.e., single vs. multiple layers) that would result in the most complete tissue growth in terms of cell differentiation and recovered tissue integrity. Results indicate that single cell sheets form polarized structures that maintain cell–cell junctions and secretory granules in vitro while layering of two-single cell sheets forms a glandular-like pattern in vitro. Moreover, double layer cell sheets enhance tissue formation, cell differentiation and saliva secretion in vivo. In contrast, single cell sheets demonstrated only modest gains relative to the robust growth seen with the double layer variety. Together, these data verify the utility of thermoresponsive cell sheets for use in salivary glands and indicates the double layer form to provide the best option in terms of cell differentiation and recovered tissue integrity, thereby offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for treating hyposalivation.
No Batteries Needed: Providing Physical Context with Energy-Harvesting Beacons

Battery-powered digital beacons have played a significant role in shrinking the gap between physical and digital world. At the same time, ubiquitous sensing encourages tiny, unobtrusive, energy-harvesting devices to eliminate the limited lifetime of battery-powered devices. In this paper, we design a new fire-and-forget room number broadcaster beacon to investigate the feasibility and performance of such a design point. We study how several factors including different deployment spaces, the storage capacity of the harvester, indoor light intensity levels, and spatial position of the receiver impact the performance in three real-world deployments. We find that the 95th percentile of inter-packet reception time is 35 s or less in a lab space with exposure to sunlight and indoor lights, 29 s or less in an industrial plant with indoor lights, and 405 s or more in office rooms. With strategic beacon placement and a light intensity level of only 390 lx, performance can be improved by 61%. We believe that these results will help guide future energy-harvesting beacon deployments. We also outline possible improvements for future energy-harvesting beacon designs.
Highlights from 10+ Years of Lichenological Research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Celebrating the United States National Park Service Centennial

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned as one of the most biologically diverse tracts of land in North America and is the most visited national park in the United States. The park comprises ∼830 square miles, epitomizes eastern temperate hardwood forests of North America, and serves as a refuge for nearly 20,000 documented species from microbes to plants and mammals. Lichens comprise one particularly diverse group of organisms in the park. In this study, we review data from our 11 years of lichenological research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Based on approximately 6,000 new field collections generated, the park checklist now includes 920 species, a 129% increase over estimates made two decades ago. Nearly a quarter of the lichens reported in the park are known from only a single occurence whereas only 7% of the lichens are known from 20 or more occurences. An assessment of commonness/rarity for all 920 species indicates that nearly half of the park's lichens should be considered to be infrequent, rare, or exceptionally rare. We assessed the distributions of all 920 species and found that 54 are endemic to the southeastern United States, 30 are endemic to the southern Appalachians, and eight occur nowhere else than within the confines of the national park. We discuss biogeographical affinities of the park's lichen biota as a whole, delimiting six regional “floristic” connections. Our 11 years of research have resulted in the discovery of several species presumed to be extinct or near-extinct. We make one new combination (Fuscopannaria frullaniae) and describe five species as new to science, each commemorating National Park Service staff instrumental to the completion of the study: Heterodermia langdoniana, Lecanora darlingiae, Lecanora sachsiana, Leprocaulon nicholsiae, and Pertusaria superiana.
Colorectal Cancer on Instagram: A Content Analysis

AbstractInstagram, an image-based platform has been studied in varied areas; however, a search of the literature identified a gap in colorectal cancer specifically. The purpose of this study was to...
The progression of carotid atherosclerosis and imaging markers of dementia

Introduction We studied the association of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) with hippocampal volume (HV) in community dwelling individuals, testing the hypothesis that persons with carotid atherosclerosis progression would have lower HV. Methods We studied 1376 Framingham Offspring participants with two carotid ultrasounds and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). We used multivariable linear regression analyses to relate CIMT progression and HV and total brain volume. Regression models were adjusted for demographics and vascular risk factors, time interval between imaging examinations, and baseline CIMT. We assessed effect modification by hypertension treatment (HRx). Results Participants with higher ICA IMT progression had significantly lower HV after adjustment for vascular risk factors and baseline IMT (standardized beta ± standard error: -0.067 ± 0.027, P = .01). We observed weaker association between ICA IMT change and HV among subjects treated for hypertension (β = -0.047, P = .19 vs β = -0.096, P = .026). Discussion Cumulative vascular risk factor exposure, reflected by CIMT progression, may increase the risk of neurodegeneration.
Chapter 12 – Genetic Counseling

Many neurological and psychiatric conditions either are genetic or have genetic factors that contribute to the condition. As a result, a diagnosis can have implications not only for the affected individual but also for family members whose risk may consequently be increased. Genetic counseling can be of benefit to patients during the work-up and after a diagnosis has been made and particularly with decision-making about genetic testing. This chapter provides an overview of the components of genetic counseling and approach to patient care. Factors to consider in risk assessment and ordering genetic testing are described. Resources for identifying genetic service providers, genetic testing laboratories and links to information about genetic conditions, patterns of inheritance and supportive resources for patients are provided.
Emergent neuroimaging for seizures in epilepsy: A population study.

Abstract We determined how often patients with epilepsy presented to the emergency department (ED) for seizure and the frequency and predictors for undergoing emergent neuroimaging during those visits. We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study using administrative claims' data from 2007 to 2015. Adults with epilepsy were identified based on a diagnosis of epilepsy and an outpatient prescription for an antiepileptic medication. The Bonferroni corrected significance level was 0.0018. We identified 381,362 patients with a mean follow-up period of 1.99 years, of whom 35,015 (9.2%) patients presented to the ED for seizure at least once. Patients with at least one ED visit were younger, more likely to be male, had fewer comorbidities, and had longer follow-up as compared with those with no ED visit (all p
Young Adolescents’ Perceptions of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Intervention in Parochial Middle Schools

Background: Faith-based school physical activity (PA) interventions are uncommon. Process evaluations of school PA interventions, in general, rarely include student participant voices. Purpose: We ...
Particle-fluid flow and transport within rough fractures

Proppant injection is an important part of a hydraulic fracturing programs in which fluid-particle slurry is injected into rock fractures. Injected particles are lodged between fracture surfaces during wall close-in thereby propping open the fracture, improving connectivity and production. This paper investigates behaviour of proppant particles within artificially generated rock fractures, providing insight into transport behavioural differences caused by realistic surface roughness. Better understanding of proppant behaviour within more realistic rough fracture conditions provides greater understanding of proppant transport as compared to past works where smooth walled fracture configurations were utilized. A clearer understanding is important in providing more accurate evaluation of realistic proppant flow and distribution and improving injection design. In this study a roughened surface, analogues to actual rock fracture surface, is artificially generated based on a rock surface’s fractal dimension and asperity height standard deviation. Computational representation of the rock surfaces and flow domain is generated. Resolved Discrete Element Method coupled with computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD) is implemented in this study to evaluate proppant particle transport behaviour within the fractures. This work highlights importance of considering fracture surface roughness in evaluating proppant flow and transport and more generally the impact of rough boundary conditions of particle-fluid systems.
Probing metabolic alterations in breast cancer in response to molecular inhibitors with Raman spectroscopy and validated with mass spectrometry

Rapid and accurate response to targeted therapies is critical to differentiate tumors that are resistant to treatment early in the regimen. In this work, we demonstrate a rapid, noninvasive, and label-free approach to evaluate treatment response to molecular inhibitors in breast cancer (BC) cells with Raman spectroscopy (RS). Metabolic reprograming in BC was probed with RS and multivariate analysis was applied to classify the cells into responsive or nonresponsive groups as a function of drug dosage, drug type, and cell type. Metabolites identified with RS were then validated with mass spectrometry. Our findings support that oncometabolites identified with RS will ultimately enable rapid drug screening in patients ensuring patients receive the most effective treatment at the earliest time point.
Development of Mutual Empathy through Experiential Growth Groups: A Mixed Methods Case Study

Grounded in the relational-cultural theory (RCT), this study aimed to illuminate mutual empathy bounded by semester-long experiential growth groups (EGGs). Following the case study design, we colle...
Frequency of surveillance testing necessary to reduce transmission of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2

We estimate the reduction in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 achievable by surveillance testing of a susceptible population at different frequencies, comparing the cases of both the original Wuhan strain and the Delta variant. We estimate the viral dynamics using viral copy number at first detection combined with considerations arising from aerosol transmission. We take into account the recent findings that infected vaccinated adults may have live viral loads at the same level as infected unvaccinated adults. Our estimates suggest that twice weekly testing, which was adequate for the original strains of SARS-CoV-2 will be insufficient on its own to contain the spread of the Delta variant of concern. We exclude consideration of contact tracing since the rapidity of the onset of viral titre in the case of the Delta variant suggests that unless contact tracing and quarantine are performed very rapidly (i.e., much less than a day), these mitigations will be of minimal impact in reducing transmission. These crude estimates do not take into account heterogeneity of susceptibility, social activity, and compliance, nor do they include the additional reduction in transmission that could be achieved by masking and social distancing. In the setting of a large public university, these considerations suggest that risk-targeted testing of vaccinated students, staff and faculty combined with surveillance testing of all unvaccinated individuals is the most efficient way to reduce transmission of COVID-19.
Hardware enhance of brain computer interfaces

The history of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) starts with Hans Berger's discovery of the electrical activity of the human brain and the development of electroencephalography (EEG). Recent years, BCI researches are focused on Invasive, Partially invasive, and Non-invasive BCI. Furthermore, EEG can be also applied to telepathic communication which could provide the basis for brain-based communication using imagined speech. It is possible to use EEG signals to discriminate the vowels and consonants embedded in spoken and in imagined words and apply to military product. In this report, we begin with an example of using high density EEG with high electrode density and analysis the results by using BCIs. The BCIs in this work is enhanced by A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) board with optimized two dimension (2D) image Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis.
Treatment of Renal Calculi Using Piezoelectric Lithotripsy: A Preliminary Report

Piezoelectric lithotripsy (PEL) is a painless method of extracorporeal treatment of renal calculi. Using a Wolf 2300 (Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp.) piezoelectric lithotripter, 32 adult patients (30 renal units) were treated at Duke University Medical Center from February 1988 through December 1988. Average treatment time was 45 minutes using an average of 3,662 shock waves. Stone size ranged from 1 mm by 1 mm to 30 mm by 23 mm All but one of 59 stones treated were located in the kidney. Twenty-two renal units had solitary stones smaller than 15 mm in diameter (Group I); fragmentation was confirmed 24 hours after treatment in 82% of these stones. Eleven renal units had multiple stones smaller than 15 mm in diameter (Group II); fragmentation was confirmed at 24 hours in 100% of these stones. Three patients had stones 16 mm to 25 mm in diameter (Group III), and all of these demonstrated fragmentation at 24 hours. Group IV consisted of two patients with stones greater than 25 mm; one of these stones demonstrated fragmentation at 24 hours. The overall fragmentation rate as demonstrated 24 hours after treatment was 87%. The overall stone-free rate at three months was 29%. All but one of these patients were in Group I. Partial success, defined as a decrease in overall stone burden at three months, was achieved in 40% of renal units. Overall failure rate was 31% (including 100% of patients in Group IV and 44% of patients in Group II). Two patients (three renal units) were lost to follow-up. The most common side effect was hematuria, occurring in sixteen patients (50%). Four patients (12.5%) developed colic within 24 hours after treatment. No one developed fever, sepsis, or perirenal hematoma. Six patients (19%) received repeat PEL treatments within three months. One of these required two additional PEL treatments, and two were subsequently treated with spark gap generated shock wave lithotripsy. PEL is a painless method of treating renal calculi. Initial experience at Duke University suggests that it is most effective in patients with solitary stones smaller than 15 mm.
Visible‐near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy of volcanic acid‐sulfate alteration in Nicaragua: Analogs for early Mars

[1] Acid-sulfate weathering at Nicaraguan hydrothermal sites Cerro Negro, Momotombo, and Telica volcanoes and Hervidores de San Jacinto mudpots was characterized as an analog for similar processes that likely operated on early Mars. In situ mineralogical analyses were conducted with a field portable visible near-infrared spectrometer for comparison to similar Martian data sets. Three classes of alteration minerals were identified: sulfates (gypsum and natroalunite), oxides/hydroxides (hematite and goethite), and phyllosilicates (kaolinite/halloysite, montmorillonite, and saponite), as well as elemental sulfur and hydrated silica phases. Our sites had similar suites of minerals, but frequencies varied with location. The results of this field campaign allow inferences regarding the paleo-environmental conditions that were likely present at similar relic hydrothermal sites identified on Mars. In particular, sulfates and phyllosilicates could have coevolved under hydrothermal conditions at Noctis Labyrinthus as is seen in Nicaragua. Fe/Mg smectites were detected in areas with pH of 3–4. Alunite spectra at Terra Sirenum demonstrated mineral mixing effects on spectroscopy. Mineral mixing can cause uncertainties in spectral identification due to a dominant spectrum, such as iron minerals, masking another or the suppression of weaker bands. When viewed from orbit, our field sites would likely be dominated by hydrated silica and Mars sites, such as one in Syrtis Major, could have a more diverse mineralogy than the data reveal. Concentrated amorphous silica, such as at Gusev crater, can result from acidic fumarolic activity, while Mg sulfates may indicate a lack of reworking by water. This field spectroscopy study helps confirm and provide insight into hydrothermal processes on ancient Mars.
Emergent Transnational Spaces: Meat, Sweat and Global (Re)Production in the Heartland

This article asks whether locality and the varied resources, networks and racialized histories of local actors make a difference in the experience of immigrants and their transnational practices. Such questions are typically explored in metropolitan centers and global cities, but the present work results from an ethnographic study of a previously all-white rural Illinois town, where the meat processing industry recruited a labor force translocally among Latin Americans and West Africans. The article reports on the experience of this rapidly diversifying town where both formal politics and the liberal-democratic channels of citizens' participation in governance remain exclusionary. Despite this, the diverse immigrant populations have achieved a certain inclusion in public institutions and public spaces. Paying attention to the dynamics developing across immigrant groups through everyday spaces of interaction within their residential community, I argue that the kinds of mediating spaces local context offers are critical to the ability of diverse immigrant groups to renegotiate the interracial social and spatial relations they encounter in a highly contested and constrained context where a global corporation is the sole local employer.
Effects of flooding and herbivores on variation in recruitment of palms between habitats

Summary 1 It is widely recognized that negative effects of anaerobic stress on growth and survival of flooded plants influence the distribution of numerous species. Less explored is the possibility that heterogeneity in abundance of plants between habitats with distinct flooding regimes may also result from variation in rates of herbivory or in the ability of plants to tolerate losses to herbivores. 2 Flooding and herbivores were tested as factors underlying variation in abundance of two tropical forest palms, Socratea exorrhiza (which is associated with lowlands adjacent to streams) and Oenocarpus bacaba (which is more abundant on plateaux and upper edges of slopes). 3 In a bench experiment, seeds of both palms were either completely immersed in water for a period of 101 days or not subject to inundation. Flooding inhibited germination of both species but, as expected, the adverse effects were much stronger on Oenocarpus. 4 In a field experiment, seeds of both palms were planted with increasing levels of protection against herbivores on plateaux and in lowlands. Seeds were either not protected or placed within poultry-netting exclosures, half of which were sprayed with insecticide. 5 After 17 months, only Oenocarpus had experienced differential mortality between habitats, and this was clearly associated with the negative effects of flooding on seed germination in lowlands. In contrast, growth differed between habitats only for Socratea seedlings, where average above-ground biomass was greater in lowlands. 6 Although protection with exclosures and insecticide increased survivorship of both species, herbivores caused similar proportions of mortality on plateaux and in lowlands, and had no significant effect on seedling growth. Therefore at this site, herbivores do not appear to influence variation in abundance of species between habitats.
The Immigrant Advantage in Adolescent Educational Expectations

Previous research has shown uniquely high expectations among children of immigrants. However, existing studies have not focused on why children of immigrants have an expectations advantage over the...
Drug Resistance as Influenced by Inactivated Sensitivity Discs

Reports of staphylococci resistant to the semisynthetic penicillins stimulated a study of the factors influencing the stability of the drugs in discs. The behavior of penicillin G, methicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, and cephalothin discs under different humidity and temperature conditions is described. Humidity was found to be the most significant factor in drug inactivation. Storage of discs in a vacuum desiccator at -20 C provides maximal antibiotic stability.
Phase solubility analysis of mixtures of two ionic compounds

Abstract Curves having shapes that are unusual and difficult to interpret quantitatively are obtained in phase solubility analyses of samples containing two ionic substances that have an ion in common, and that are extensively dissociated in the solvent employed. Procedures are described for the interpretation of such curves. They are based on non-linear regression, and their application is illustrated with the aid of data for a mixture of sodium and potassium iodates. They also yield information about ion-pair formation by the electrolytes involved.
The Turbulent Boundary Layer

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the simple case of the turbulent boundary layer in a constant pressure field and considers the complex problem of the effects of pressure gradients, and variable wall roughness. The concepts of boundary layer phenomena, in general, and turbulent boundary layers, in particular, have found application in a wide range of fields including aeronautics, guided missiles, marine engineering, hydraulics, meteorology, oceanography, chemical engineering, atomic reactors, and the flow of liquids and gases in the human body. Many ideas for turbulent boundary layers involve assumptions other than those for turbulent shear stresses and in these cases, the validity of the results is examined first for laminar layers and then interpreted in the light of the possible shear stress patterns of turbulent layers. The effect of roughness on boundary layer characteristics is examined in the chapter. The wall is aerodynamically smooth for a turbulent boundary layer if the roughness elements are so small as to be buried in the laminar sublayer. Pressure gradients, Reynolds number, or roughness does not affect the constants of proportionality. The assumption of a constant outer viscosity has been investigated only for the case of equilibrium layers.
The value of a broad temporal and spatial perspective in understanding dynamics of kelp forest ecosystems

Many ecological processes play out over longer time scales and larger spatial scales than can be studied in a traditional 2–4-year grant cycle. Uncertainties in future funding hinder efforts to implement comprehensive research programs that integrate coupled time series observations of physical variables and ecological responses, manipulative experiments and synthetic analyses over the long term. Such research is essential for advancing our understanding of ecological responses associated with climate change, and the physical and biological processes that control them. This need is perhaps greatest for ecosystems that display highly dynamic and spatially complex patterns that are difficult to explain with short-term, small-scale studies. Such is the case for kelp forest ecosystems, which often show tremendous spatial and temporal variability in resource supply, consumer control and physical disturbance across spatial scales of metres to hundreds of kilometres and temporal scales of hours to decades. Here we present four examples from the Santa Barbara Coastal Long-term Ecological Research project that demonstrate the value of a broad temporal and spatial perspective in understanding the causes and ecological consequences of short-term local dynamics of giant kelp forests of California, USA.
Sediment Profile Imaging: An Efficient Method of Remote Ecological Monitoring of the Seafloor (REMOTS TM SYSTEM)

The Rhoads-Cande profile photographic camera and its updated version, the video REMOTS (Remote Ecological Monitoring of the Seafloor) system, are described for in situ remote monitoring of the seafloor. These systems allow one to identify temporal and spatial changes in both the benthic fauna and physical-chemical aspects of the sedimentary environment. Image interpretation is based on a model which allows one to deduce the stage of infaunal succession from observed organism-sediment relations. The REMOTS system was developed because existing methods of obtaining ecological information are labor intensive, expensive, and data return is slow. The REMOTS system may be used for efficient monitoring of dredge-spoil activities and as a reconnaissance mapping tool for detecting change in benthic habitats in the region of outer continental shelf drilling fields.
Thermal desorption over wide pressure ranges applied to characterization of equilibrium adsorption of CO over Pt

Abstract Information is obtained solely about the desorption process in the conventional technique of thermal desorption from a low area sample into UHV. Information can be obtained about both adsorption and desorption when the technique is carried out under higher gas pressures. This can be done by enclosing a low area sample in a small desorption cell that has a low conductance outlet port. Equations are developed for example cases of first- and second-order kinetics in order to investigate relationships between system parameters. Solutions for the temperature, pressure and coverage at the desorption peak maximum are given which hold under all conditions between and including the low pressure limit of negligible readsorption and the high pressure limit of adsorption equilibrium. Use of the apparatus and procedures described are not limited to these example cases and can be applied to adsorption-desorption systems with any kinetics and equilibria. Results are presented for thermal desorption of CO from a polycrystalline Pt foil over a wide range of conditions under which adsorption equilibrium was closely approached. An isotherm equation is fit to the results of a series of experiments performed with different heating rates and initial coverages. Isosteric heats of adsorption are obtained vs. surface coverage from the isotherm equation and also isostere plots of the data. The saturation coverage and the isosteric heats of adsorption obtained are consistent with results in the literature for CO adsorption over Pt obtained by other methods.
Methods to Explore Cellular Uptake of Ruthenium Complexes

The cellular uptake of a series of dipyridophenazine (dppz) complexes of Ru(II) was examined by flow cytometry. The complexes, owing to their facile synthesis, stability, and luminescence, provide a route to compare and contrast systematically factors governing cellular entry. Substituting the ancillary ligands in the dppz complexes of Ru(II) permits variation in the overall complex charge, size, and hydrophobicity. In HeLa cells, cellular uptake appears to be facilitated by the lipophilic 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (DIP) ligand. Despite the large size of Ru(DIP)_2dppz^(2+) (20 A diameter), this complex is readily transported inside the cell compared to smaller and more hydrophilic complexes, such as Ru(bpy)_2dppz^(2+). Accumulation in the cellular interior is confirmed by confocal microscopy.
Plasmid transfers by conjugation and electroporation in Pediococcus acidilactici

W.J. KIM, B. RAY AND M.C. JOHNSON. 1992. Plasmid profiles of wild and mutant strains of Pediococcus acidilactici M showed that a 53.7 kb plasmid (pPR72) encodes the sucrose hydrolysis trait (Suc+) and an 11.1 kb plasmid encodes the bacteriocin production trait (Pap+). Neither of these plasmids encode traits involving fermentation of other carbohydrates, antibiotic resistance or resistance to bacteriocin. Broad host-range plasmids (pAMβ1 and pIP501) from Enterococcus faecalis and plasmid pPR72 from Ped. acidilactici were conjugally transferred by filter mating into two strains of Ped. acidilactici. Four plasmids, ranging in size from 4.4 to 53.7 kb, were also transferred into Ped. acidilactici strains by electroporation. Optimum transformation of the 4.4 kb plasmid, pGK12, was obtained at a DNA concentration of 1 μg/220 μl. The same amount of DNA gave lower transformation frequencies as the plasmid size increased. Results of these studies indicated that both conjugation and electroporation can be used to transfer plasmid-linked traits in Ped. acidilactici strains.
Study of residual particle concentrations generated by the ultrasonic nebulization of deionized water stored in different container types.

A scanning mobility particle sizer has been used to quantify residual particle number and mass concentrations generated by ultrasonic nebulization of deionized (DI) water stored in a variety of bottles. High variability of residual particles was found not only between different bottle types but also between different bottles of the same type. Degradation of the water quality, quantified as increased residual mass and number concentrations as a function of time, occurred to varying degrees for water stored in different bottle types. Overall, glass bottles showed the highest residual particle concentrations and exhibited the poorest stability over time. After a storage period of 3 weeks, DI water stored in Pyrex bottles showed average increases in particle mass and number densities in the aerosol of over 250% and 60%, respectively. Total dissolved impurity levels in the water increased from 110 to 290 ng mL-1 over the 3-week period. It is hypothesized that leaching from the bottle walls increases impurity l...
Coupled Reversible and Irreversible Bistable Switches Underlying TGFβ-induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and cancer metastasis. Whereas several feedback loops have been shown to regulate EMT, it remains elusive how they coordinately modulate EMT response to TGF-β treatment. We construct a mathematical model for the core regulatory network controlling TGF-β-induced EMT. Through deterministic analyses and stochastic simulations, we show that EMT is a sequential two-step program in which an epithelial cell first is converted to partial EMT then to the mesenchymal state, depending on the strength and duration of TGF-β stimulation. Mechanistically the system is governed by coupled reversible and irreversible bistable switches. The SNAIL1/miR-34 double-negative feedback loop is responsible for the reversible switch and regulates the initiation of EMT, whereas the ZEB/miR-200 feedback loop is accountable for the irreversible switch and controls the establishment of the mesenchymal state. Furthermore, an autocrine TGF-β/miR-200 feedback loop makes the second switch irreversible, modulating the maintenance of EMT. Such coupled bistable switches are robust to parameter variation and molecular noise. We provide a mechanistic explanation on multiple experimental observations. The model makes several explicit predictions on hysteretic dynamic behaviors, system response to pulsed stimulation, and various perturbations, which can be straightforwardly tested.
The Physical Appearance Ambiguous Feedback Scale (PAAFS): a measure for indexing body image related cognitive bias

Recent conceptualizations of body image disturbance have included an information processing model that includes a focus on an interpretive information processing bias. Study 1 involved the development and validation of a measure of appearance-based cognitive bias, the Physical Appearance Ambiguous Feedback Scale (PAAFS). In Studies 2 and 3, two samples of college females (n=313) were tested and the psychometric characteristics of the PAAFS were evaluated. Reliability was acceptable and convergence with measures of body image and eating disturbance was moderate. In Study 4, 313 college females completed the PAAFS in the laboratory based on an instructional content designed to induce processing bias. Preliminary evidence indicates that the PAAFS appears to be sensitive to instructional set manipulations and dispositional level of body dissatisfaction.
Effect of local anesthetics on plasma protein secretion by rat hepatocytes

Abstract The effects of some local anesthetics on plasma protein secretion by rat liver slices have been studied and have been compared with those of colchicine. Rat liver slices were pulse-labelled with l -[14C]leucine for 9 min at 37°C, collected on filter paper, washed with non-radioactive leucine and reincubated in the presence or absence of the drug to be tested. The radioactive plasma proteins produced were obtained by immunoprecipitation from either the chase medium or from the washed slices. Chlorpomazine, (3 · 10−5 M), dibucaine (10−5 M), lidocaine (10−3 M) and procaine (5 · 10−5 M) inhibited both the synthesis and secretion of plasma protein but did not affect the uptake of l -leucine into the slices nor the incorporation of phosphate into intracellular nucleotide phosphates or into phopholipids. The inhibition of secretion elicited by these drugs is probably not due to the inhibition of protein synthesis since cycloheximide, when added to the chase medium at a concentration which completely inhibits protein synthesis, did not inhibit plasma protein secretion, while cycloheximide plus procaine did inhibit secretion and also caused a retention of non-secreted plasma proteins within the slices. Unlike colchicine, howover, procaine did not cause the retained plasma proteins to accumulate in Goli-derived secretory vesicles, but showed a more general effect causing a distribution among several cell fractions.
Pelleted Alfalfa Hay for Milk Production

Summary Rations containing pelleted or chopped alfalfa hay were compared when fed with and without concentrates to producing dairy cows. Cows on pelleted hay consumed more dry matter and produced more milk than those receiving chopped hay when no concentrates were fed. Supplementation of chopped hay with about 12% concentrates increased dry matter intake and production to a level comparable to that of the pelleted hay rations. Increased dry matter intake and milk production when pelleted hay was supplemented at a similar rate were not significant. The butterfat percentage of the milk was unaffected by either of the pelleted hay rations.
Overexpressing Sonic Hedgehog Peptide Restores Periosteal Bone Formation in a Murine Bone Allograft Transplantation Model

Although activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been shown to induce osteogenic differentiation in vitro and bone formation in vivo, the underlying mechanisms and the potential use of Hh-activated mesenchymal progenitors in bone defect repair remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that implantation of periosteal-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (PDMPCs) that overexpressed an N-terminal sonic hedgehog peptide (ShhN) via an adenoviral vector (Ad-ShhN) restored periosteal bone collar formation in a 4-mm segmental bone allograft model in immunodeficient mice. Ad-ShhN enhanced donor cell survival and microvessel formation in collagen scaffold at 2 weeks after surgery and induced donor cell–dependent bone formation at 6 weeks after surgery. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis further showed that Ad-ShhN-PDMPC–seeded scaffold contained a twofold more CD45−Sca-1+CD34+VEGFR2+ endothelial progenitors than Ad-LacZ-PDMPC–seeded scaffold at day 7 after surgery. Ad-ShhN–transduced PDMPCs induced a 1.8-fold more CD31+ microvessel formation than Ad-LacZ–transduced PDMPCs in a coculture of endothelial progenitors and PDMPCs. Taken together, our data show that overexpression of ShhN in mesenchymal progenitors improves bone defect reconstruction by enhancing donor progenitor cell survival, differentiation, and scaffold revascularization at the site of compromised periosteum. Hh agonist–based therapy, therefore, merits further investigation in tissue engineering–based applications aimed at enhancing bone defect repair and reconstruction.