cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-Dependent Variation of the Centrality Measures of the Nodes during the Evolution of a Scale-Free Network

Scale-free networks are a type of complex networks in which the degree distribution of the nodes is according to the power-law. Centrality of the nodes is a quantitative measure of the importance of the nodes according to the topological structure of the network. The commonly used centrality measures are the degree-based degree centrality and eigenvector centrality and the shortest path-based closeness centrality and betweenness centrality. We use the widely studied Barabasi-Albert (BA) model to simulate the evolution of scale-free networks. The model works by adding new nodes to the network, one at a time, with the new node connected to m of the currently existing nodes. Accordingly, nodes that have been in the network for a longer time have greater chances of acquiring more links and hence a larger degree centrality. While the degree centrality of the nodes has been observed to show a concave down pattern of increase with time; but the time-dependent variation of the other centrality measures has not been analyzed until now. In this paper, we study the time-dependent variation of degree centrality, eigenvector centrality, closeness centrality and betweenness centrality of the nodes during the evolution of a scale-free network according to the BA model
The Shortage of Long-Period Comets in Elliptical Orbits

Based on the number of ‘new’ comets seen on near-parabolic orbits, one can predict the number of comets that should be found on definitely elliptical orbits on their subsequent returns. We show here that about three out of four of these returning comets are not observed.
Chemometric Model Development and Comparison of Raman and 13C Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance–Chemometric Methods for Quantification of Crystalline/Amorphous Warfarin Sodium Fraction in the Formulations

Warfarin sodium (WS) exists in multiple solid-state forms. The solid-state forms differ in physicochemical properties, and crystalline changes in the drug formulation may influence on the drug product quality and/or clinical performance. It is, therefore, critically important to have a good and reliable analytical method to monitor and quantitate this transformation during stability studies. The aim of the present research was to investigate Raman spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C ssNMR) methods in conjunction with chemometry to quantitate the amorphous and crystalline WS fractions in the drug products. Compositionally identical formulations of amorphous and crystalline WS were prepared, and mixed in various proportions to make 0%-100% amorphous/crystalline sample matrices. Raman and (13)C ssNMR spectra were collected and subjected to partial-least-squares and principle component regressions after mathematical treatment of the data. The model performance parameters such as root-mean-square error of prediction, standard error of prediction, and bias were low for Raman models in comparison to (13)C ssNMR models. Models predicted values of the independent sample matrices match closely with the actual values at high level of crystalline WS. Thus, the developed methods provide means to control and quantitate the WS forms fraction in the drug product.
A COMPARISON OF THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF POST-TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT PARAVALVULAR LEAK GRADING BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC VARC-2 CRITERIA VERSUS CARDIOVASCULAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE

Despite extensive pre-procedure evaluation, greater than mild paravalvular leak (PVL) occurs in over 10% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and is associated with worse outcomes. Echocardiography (TTE), the standard method of imaging PVL, often has limited utility
Ovarian Torsion in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Making the Diagnosis and the Importance of Advocacy

Ovarian torsion is a rare occurrence, but it is frequently considered in the differential diagnosis of a female with abdominal pain. A thorough knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and imaging options will allow the emergency department (ED) provider to facilitate rapid diagnosis and thus improve outcomes. In addition to these topics, success rates of detorsion and the argument for ovarian-sparing surgery are reviewed. The ED provider is encouraged to educate patients regarding these options and to advocate for ovarian-preserving procedures.
Effect of Temperature on the Synergistic Extraction of Some Lanthanides by 2‐Ethylhexyl Phenylphosphonic Acid and Micelles of Dinonyl Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid

Abstract Synergistic enhancements were observed in the extraction of the lanthanides. Slope analysis and continuous variation methods were used to establish the extraction stoichiometry. The stoichiometry differs between the early and late members of the series. Thermodynamic parameters of the extraction process were determined by the temperature coefficient of extractability. Extractions from HClO4 by dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid (HDNNS) and the mixed ligand system are entropy controlled, whereas the process is enthalpy controlled when 2‐ethylhexyl phenylphosphonic acid (HEHφP) is the extractant. These results shed further light on the mechanism of the synergy by the combined extractants.
Pseudoconvexity in Lorentzian doubly warped products

A Lorentzian manifold M is said to be null (resp. causally) pseudoconvex if, given any compact set K in M, there exists a compact set K' in M such that any null (resp. causal) geodesic segment with both endpoints in K lies in K'. Various implications of causal and null pseudoconvexity on the geodesic structure of a Lorentzian manifold have been studied in several recent papers by Beem and Parker, Beem and Ehrlich, and Low. We provide sufficient conditions for a Lorentzian doubly warped product manifold to be null pseudoconvex. These conditions are not necessary and provide new examples of non-globally hyperbolic spacetimes which are null pseudoconvex.
Understanding the role of thyroid hormone in Sertoli cell development: a mechanistic hypothesis

More than a decade of research has shown that Sertoli cell proliferation is regulated by thyroid hormone. Neonatal hypothyroidism lengthens the period of Sertoli cell proliferation, leading to increases in Sertoli cell number, testis weight, and daily sperm production (DSP) when euthyroidism is re-established. In contrast, the neonatal Sertoli cell proliferative period is shortened under hyperthyroid conditions, but the mechanism by which thyroid hormone is able to negatively regulate Sertoli cell proliferation has been unclear. Recent progress in the understanding of the cell cycle has provided the opportunity to dissect the molecular targets responsible for thyroid-hormone-mediated effects on Sertoli cell proliferation. In this review, we discuss recent results indicating a critical role for the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI) p27Kip1 and p21Cip1 in establishing Sertoli cell number, testis weight, and DSP, and the ability of thyroid hormone to modulate these CDKIs. Based on these recent results, we propose a working hypothesis for the way in which thyroid hormone regulates the withdrawal of the cell cycle by controlling CDKI degradation. Finally, although Sertoli cells have been shown to have two biologically active thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoforms, TRα1 and TRβ1, experiments with transgenic mice lacking TRα or TRβ illustrate that only one TR mediates thyroid hormone effects in neonatal Sertoli cells. Although significant gaps in our knowledge still remain, advances have been made toward appreciation of the molecular sequence of events that occur when thyroid hormone stimulates Sertoli cell maturation.
Evaluating international price relationships using causal models

This study proposes and evaluates a new procedure for use in the analysis of both interna tional and domestic agricultural markets and prices. The method combi nes causality tests and path analysis. Causal models of international prices of dairy products are presented as empirical examples. As exp ected, the models indicate that butter pricing is more competitive th an that for cheese, which has a more oligopolistic market. Also, ther e are two export supply regions, with the northern region (Europe) do minating the southern region (New Zealand and Australia). Copyright 1987 by Oxford University Press.
Anatomical distribution of sodium‐dependent [3H]naloxone binding sites in rat brain

The sulfhydryl alkylating reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) blocks opioid receptor binding and receptor/G-protein coupling. Sodium partially restores [(3)H]naloxone binding after inhibition by NEM to reveal sodium-dependent [(3)H]naloxone sites, defined as binding in the presence of 50-100 mM NaCl after treatment of membranes or sections with 750 microM NEM. In the present study, receptor autoradiography of [(3)H]naloxone binding in control and NEM-treated tissue was used to examine the anatomical distribution of sodium-dependent [(3)H]naloxone sites in rat brain. In brain membranes, the pharmacology of sodium-dependent [(3)H]naloxone sites was consistent with that of mu opioid receptors. Relatively high IC(50) values for agonists and lack of effect of Gpp(NH)p on DAMGO displacement of [(3)H]naloxone binding in NEM-treated membranes indicated that the sodium-dependent sites were low affinity sites, presumably uncoupled from G-proteins. Autoradiograms revealed that NEM treatment dramatically reduced [(3)H]naloxone binding in all brain regions. However, [(3)H]naloxone binding was increased in specific regions in NEM-treated sections in the presence of sodium, including bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, interpeduncular nucleus, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, locus coeruleus, and commissural nucleus tractus solitarius. Sodium-dependent [(3)H]naloxone binding sites were not found in other areas that exhibited [(3)H]naloxone binding in control tissue, including the striatum and thalamus. These studies revealed the presence of a subpopulation of [(3)H]naloxone binding sites which are sodium-dependent and have a unique regional distribution in the rat brain.
Effects of selected chemicals to photoluminescent bacteria and their correlations with acute and sublethal effects on other organisms

MicrotoxR1 test toxicity values for twenty chlorophenols, twelve chlorobenzenes and thirteen para-substituted phenols have been determined and correlated with the acute and sublethal effects of these chemicals on several species of fish, bacteria and shrimp. The results indicate that the MicrotoxR test provides good estimates of the toxicities to the various biota, as shown by the linear correlation equations presented, and that it is useful for the calculation of structure-activity correlations with physico-chemical parameters, such as the octanol/water partition coefficient.
Critical Role for Cholesterol in Lyn-mediated Tyrosine Phosphorylation of FcεRI and Their Association with Detergent-resistant Membranes

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the high affinity immunoglobulin (Ig)E receptor (FceRI) by the Src family kinase Lyn is the first known biochemical step that occurs during activation of mast cells and basophils after cross-linking of FceRI by antigen. The hypothesis that specialized regions in the plasma membrane, enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, facilitate the coupling of Lyn and FceRI was tested by investigating functional and structural effects of cholesterol depletion on Lyn/FceRI interactions. We find that cholesterol depletion with methyl-β-cyclodextrin substantially reduces stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of FceRI and other proteins while enhancing more downstream events that lead to stimulated exocytosis. In parallel to its inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation, cholesterol depletion disrupts the interactions of aggregated FceRI and Lyn on intact cells and also disrupts those interactions with detergent-resistant membranes that are isolated by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of lysed cells. Importantly, cholesterol repletion restores receptor phosphorylation together with the structural interactions. These results provide strong evidence that membrane structure, maintained by cholesterol, plays a critical role in the initiation of FceRI signaling.
Diffusion of Chelating Agents in Supercritical CO2 and a Predictive Approach for Diffusion Coefficients

The binary diffusion coefficients for three β-diketones (trifluoroacetylacetone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone) and one metal chelate (copper(II) trifluoroacetylacetonate) were measured in supercritical carbon dioxide at infinite dilution using the Taylor−Aris dispersion technique. Measurements were made at temperatures of 308.15 K, 313.15 K, and 318.15 K. In addition, a new semiempirical predictive model for calculation of diffusion coefficients in supercritical carbon dioxide was developed on the basis of the hard-sphere theory. The predictive equation was tested against experimental diffusion coefficient data for 51 solutes in carbon dioxide involving polar, long-chain, and complex molecules. Compared with two other recommended correlations, the new equation is better with an average absolute deviation of 9.1%.
Religion and prosocial behaviour: a field test

Religious people are thought to be more prosocial than nonreligious people. Laboratory studies of this using ultimatum, dictator, public goods and trust games have produced mixed results, which could be due to lack of context. This article examines the relationship between religion and prosocial behaviour using data from a context-rich, naturally occurring field experiment that closely resembles the dictator game – tipping in restaurants. Customers were surveyed as they left a set of restaurants in Richmond, Virginia, in the summers of 2002 and 2003. Our findings reveal no evidence of religious prosociality.
Irreducible orthomodular lattices which are simple

It is well known that for a chain finite orthomodular lattice, all congruences are factor congruences, so any directly irreducible chain finite orthomodular lattice is simple. In this paper it is shown that the notions of directly irreducible and simple coincide in any variety generated by a set of orthomodular lattices that has a uniform finite upper bound on the lengths of their chains. The prototypical example of such a variety is any variety generated by a set ofn dimensional orthocomplemented projective geometries.
Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy: a new minimally invasive procedure for radical management of inguinal nodes in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy is a recently described lymphadenectomy with the same template of the open technique but performed with laparoscopic instruments under video guida...
Activation of a nonselective cation channel by swelling in atrial cells.

Cell swelling has been shown to increase the permeability of the plasma membrane to ions such as K+, Na+, Ca2+ or Cl− in many types of cells. In cardiac cells, swelling has been reported to increase Cl− conductance, but whether cation-selective currents are activated by swelling is not known. Low Cl− or Cl−-free solutions were used to study the presence of such currents. Lowering the osmolarity of the extracellular medium from 299 to 219 mOsm resulted in cell swelling and concurrent activation of a cation-selective whole-cell current. When cell-attached patches were formed on swollen cells, opening of bursting single channel currents were observed in 18% of the patches studied. Ion substitution experiments indicated that the channel discriminated poorly among monovalent cations, and was impermeable to Cl−. The channel was permeable to Ca2+. In symmetrical 140 mM K+, the current-voltage relation was linear with a single channel conductance of 36 ± 3 pS. Depolarization increased channel open probability. Interestingly, depending on the membrane patch studied, application of negative pressure to the pipette caused either an increase or a decrease in the open probability of the channel already activated by swelling. Thus, the sensitivity to tension of the swelling-activated channel was different from those of previously reported stretch-activated channels. These findings suggest that nonselective cation channels exist in rat atrial cells and may be involved in swelling-induced changes in cell function.
Experimental study of sand streaks formed in turbulent boundary layers

Fine- to medium-grained sand transported as bedload moves in lanes parallel to the flow that are thought to be preserved as parting lineation. A series of six flume experiments was designed to discover the morphology and spacing of these lanes, here called sand streaks, as functions of local shear velocity, U* (9 × 10-3 to 4.8 × 10-2 m s-1), depth (5 × 10-2 and 9.5 × 10-2 m), mean grain diameter (150, 200, 290, 1380 μm), and sediment bedload concentration (0.0–0.39). Low U* flows produce predominantly straight, non-intersecting sand streaks, moderate U* flows produce sub-parallel and en echelon sand streaks, and moderate to high U* flows produce wavy sand streaks and secondary streaks with a spacing an order of magnitude larger. The wavy sand streaks are thought to be composed of sand grains in suspension close to the bed. An upper grain-size limit for the sand streak structure occurs at a grain size between 290 and 1380μm. The spacings of the fine-and medium-grained sand streaks, at low to moderate U* (0.9 × 10-2 to 3 × 10-2m s-1), are similar to those predicted for low-speed fluid streaks, although the fine-grained sand forms more closely-spaced streaks than the medium-grained sand. The spacings of sand streaks formed at moderate to high U* and at bedload concentrations greater than 0.15, are wider than those predicted for the low-speed fluid streaks. The wider spacing is thought to reflect a new type of flow immediately above the moving bed layer in which the formation of low-speed streaks is inhibited. This results from an increase in either grain concentration or grain size. The spacing of parting lineation, also wider than that predicted for low-speed streaks, may reflect this.
An action learning evaluation procedure for multiple criteria decision making problems

Abstract In this paper we focus on an extension of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) that accommodates ambiguity on the part of the decision maker (DM), and facilitates the exploration of the decision domain. We propose a systematic action learning process that builds confidence as it converges from numeric interval estimates to numeric point estimates. Our Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem procedure structures the problem as a hierarchy, evaluates all objects using pairwise comparisons that accommodate vagueness and ambiguity, uses interval prioritization techniques, and does synthesis using the linear additive value function. This action learning process facilitates the understanding of key stakeholders, which is imperative for the successful implementation of the subsequent decision.
Quality Control of Packages for Sterile Presentation

AbstractPublished commentary relating to various defects in package systems which are intended to maintain sterility of a product for presentation onto a sterile field is discussed. Specific areas of concern which may affect the sterility of the package are highlighted. Testing methods involving instrumentation to characterize material and intact package are presented
Peptides as materials

This review focuses on the creation of electronically active peptide-based biomaterials and how such materials may be deposited onto surfaces to create integrated bionanocircuits. We describe recent efforts to add electronically active groups, such as metal complexes and various porphyrin derivatives, onto peptide-based materials. Having created such materials, the next challenge in creating a nanocircuit is to deposit these materials robustly and precisely onto appropriate surfaces. Methods for the deposition of peptides onto a variety of inorganic and organic surfaces are explored. Advances in patterning at the nanoscale are also described, focusing largely on softer methods appropriate for peptides. There are challenges yet to be overcome in realizing such peptide-based nanocircuits; these are discussed in our concluding remarks.
An Endogenous Mediator of Depression of Amino Acids and Trace Metals in Serum during Typhoid Fever

Abstract : Concentrations of most amino acids and of zinc in serum were depressed during periods of incubation and illness in 11 volunteers who developed symptoms after an oral dose of 100,000 virulent Salmonella typhosa. When a 1.0-ml sample of sterile serum from volunteers who were ill with typhoid fever was injected into normal rats, it stimulated a prompt and significant depression of the concentration of zinc in the rats' sera and a flux of amino acids into their livers. These observations support the hypothesis than an endogenous factor (similar to endogenous pyrogen released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes) was present in the blood during typhoid fever and served as a mediator for the observed depression in zinc and amino acids in serum. The magnitude and pattern of infection-related depression in individual amino acids in serum may be, in part, a function of the amount of endogenous mediator released and of the rates of utilization of amino acids by tissues.
Are Voting and Buying Behavior Consistent? Evidence from the South Carolina Education Lottery

This article uses voting and sales data from the South Carolina Education Lottery to test whether the vote for a new lottery is driven by latent demand for lottery products or whether it reflects free-riding behavior or other public finance considerations. Including the predicted component of the lottery vote adds no explanatory power to a lottery sales regression. Given the dissimilarity of coefficients between vote and sales regressions, we conclude that there are significant differences in individuals' voting and buying behaviors. We find that the lottery vote is significantly higher in counties with underperforming schools and in counties along the state's borders, where cross-border shopping is an issue. We conclude that much of the variation in the vote is driven by these public finance issues. Finally, we discover that creation of the South Carolina lottery drew substantial revenues from North Carolina shoppers and stemmed an outflow of revenue to Georgia.
A quantitative estimate of schema abnormality in socially anxious and non-anxious individuals.

Although cognitive theories of anxiety suggest that anxious individuals are characterized by abnormal threat‐relevant schemas, few empirical studies have estimated the nature of these cognitive structures using quantitative methods that lend themselves to inferential statistical analysis. In the present study, socially anxious (n = 55) and non‐anxious (n = 62) participants completed 3 Q‐Sort tasks to assess their knowledge of events that commonly occur in social or evaluative scenarios. Participants either sorted events according to how commonly they personally believe the events occur (i.e. “self” condition), or to how commonly they estimate that most people believe they occur (i.e. “other” condition). Participants' individual Q‐Sorts were correlated with mean sorts obtained from a normative sample to obtain an estimate of schema abnormality, with lower correlations representing greater levels of abnormality. Relative to non‐anxious participants, socially anxious participants' sorts were less strongly as...
Early Treatment With Inhaled Steroids Does Not Improve Outcome in Extremely Premature Infants With Respiratory Distress † 1763

Early Treatment With Inhaled Steroids Does Not Improve Outcome in Extremely Premature Infants With Respiratory Distress † 1763
Theoretical model for frequency locking a diode laser with a Faraday cell

A new method was developed for frequency locking a diode lasers, called 'the Faraday anomalous dispersion optical transmitter (FADOT) laser locking', which is much simpler than other known locking schemes. The FADOT laser locking method uses commercial laser diodes with no antireflection coatings, an atomic Faraday cell with a single polarizer, and an output coupler to form a compound cavity. The FADOT method is vibration insensitive and exhibits minimal thermal expansion effects. The system has a frequency pull in the range of 443.2 GHz (9 A). The method has potential applications in optical communication, remote sensing, and pumping laser excited optical filters.
Recycling Ultrathin Catalyst Layers for Multiple Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Array Regrowth Cycles and Selectivity in Catalyst Activation

We utilize chemical vapor deposition to demonstrate the reactivation of catalyst for multiple regrowths of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (carpets) in the context of water-assisted super...
Energy inequalities ( { N } { 2 } ) − 1 E N ≤ ( { K } { 2 } ) − 1 E K , 2 ≤ K N , relating two systems of identical bosons

Suppose ${E}_{N}$ is the lowest energy of a translation-invariant system of $N$ identical bosons which interact by attractive central pair potentials and obey nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Sufficient conditions are prescribed on the potential to prove that ${E}_{N}$ is bounded above by $({N}{2}){({K}{2})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{E}_{K}$, where $N\ensuremath{\ge}\ensuremath{\mu}K$. The $\ensuremath{\mu}$ numbers are specified for various classes of potential shape. In cases where $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\le}\frac{3}{2}$, it follows that ${E}_{N}\ensuremath{\le}\frac{1}{2}N(N\ensuremath{-}1){E}_{2}$ for $N\ensuremath{\ge}3$.
Methods to reduce background interferences in electron-capture gas chromatographic analysis of valproic acid and its unsaturated metabolites after derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl bromide

Analysis of the branched, medium-chain fatty acid anticonvulsant, valproic acid, and its unsaturated metabolites by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection suffered from background interference caused by the derivatizing reagent pentafluorobenzyl bromide. Background was reduced by keeping the derivatization anhydrous, using an inert solvent, minimizing the amount of pentafluorobenzyl bromide, using hypernucleophilic bases and displacing the derivatization solvent with isooctane. However, these strategies proved difficult to reproduce. Post-derivatization clean-up with HPLC was much more reliable and provided sufficient sensitivity for the analysis of extracts of plasma and brain homogenate. The assay was validated for plasma and brain samples from humans, rats and mice.
Computing the constrained game function CGF(S) for n-person cooperative transferable utility normal form games☆

Abstract This is the third in a series of articles dealing with computational programs for cooperative n-person game theory models. An APL computer program is described for calculating the constrained game function CGF(S) introduced by Charnes and his colleagues (Charnes, 1953). The constrained game function forms an important extension of the von Neumann-Morgenstern characteristic function. It indexes the expected value of coalitions when constraints prevent the free implementation of every distinguishable strategy choice alternative. This modelling approach could materially improve the descriptive accuracy of game theory analysis—especially in application settings where it is seldom reasonable to assume that coalitions have free and equal access to every apparent strategy alternative.
Evaluation of the immune status of transplant recipients by mixed lymphocyte culture

Abstract Modifications of MLC responses to donor antigens were followed in 12 recipients of living related kidney allografts. The patient's sera were tested for MLC inhibitory factors and for anti-HL-A antibodies. Attempts to correlate the MLC results with the functional outcome of the transplant led to the identification of the following groups: 1. Seven patients showed excellent renal function, negative MLC response to the donor, and no cytotoxic antibodies or MLC inhibitory serum factors. 2. Three recipients undergoing chronic rejection showed strong MLC reactivity to the donor, multispecific cytotoxic antibodies, and serum inhibitory factors. 3. Two recipients displayed enhanced responsiveness in temporal proximity to infections, discontinuation of immunosuppressive treatment, and allograft rejection. Their sera showed cytotoxic antibodies and MLC inhibitory factors. Our data suggest that induction of immunologic tolerance or, alternatively, of allograft immunity as well as sensitization to bacterial and viral antigens are reflected in changes of MLC reactivity.
Disinfection byproduct yields from the chlorination of natural waters

Yields for the formation of trihalomethane and nonpurgeable total organic-halide disinfection byproducts were determined as a function of pH and initial free-chlorine concentration for the chlorination of water from the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers. Samples were collected at 12 sites on the Mississippi River from Minneapolis, MN, to New Orleans, LA, and on the Missouri and Ohio Rivers 1.6 km above their confluences with the Mississippi during the summer, fall, and spring seasons of the year. Yields varied little with distance along the Mississippi River, although the dissolved organic-carbon concentration decreased considerably with distance downstream. Yields for the Missouri and Ohio were comparable to yields for the Mississippi, despite much higher bromide concentrations for the Missouri and Ohio. Trihalomethane yields increased as the pH and initial free-chlorine concentration increased. Nonpurgeable total organic-halide yields also increased as the initial free-chlorine concentration increased, but decreased as the pH increased.
SU‐FF‐I‐82: Noise Cancellation and Onset Detection of Verbal Responses During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A method for scannernoise cancellation and detection of verbal responses during an fMRI experiment is presented. In recent fMRI experiments overt responses have been used to monitor the subject's response and the timing used in the statistical analysis.. Due to the presence of scanner noise, the subject's speech can be difficult to understand. Data were collected on a 3T scanner during EPI acquisition. A template of the scanner noise is created during the period of scanning that is used to allow the signal to reach equilibrium. For each TR intervals, correlation of the template is used to optimize the subtraction by a shift of +/− 5 pixels. A median filter (1×5) is used to remove spurious noise spikes resulting from an incomplete subtraction. Finally, a threshold is applied defined as 2 standard deviations above the baseline, to identify the verbal responses. The time position of each verbal response is obtained with respect to an initial setting. The result is an audio stream that is nearly free of scanner noise with a reduction in noise by 15 dB. The subject's voice is detectable. A spreadsheet of verbal response onsets is also created for use during analysis to improve the statistical model. Future implementation is aimed at having a real‐time version to monitor the subject during any form of imaging to provide additional levels of safety. The experimental data is sampled at a rate of 25000 samples/second. Figure 1, shows pictures of scanner signals, before and after the processing of an event related trial. Figure 2, shows the scanner signal before processing in one TR segment. Figure 3 shows the power spectrum plot of the audio signals, before and after processing. The result shows that it is possible to reduce the scanner noise by 15 db using this technique.
Book Review Editorial

Would anyone like to review Paul Van Riper’s History of the United States Civil Service to commemorate its 50th year in print? We are the new editorial team for the book review section of ROPPA, and we would like to introduce ourselves and our vision for the section. Mark Bradbury is an assistant professor at Appalachian State University and teaches undergraduate and MPA courses in public administration and human resources management. Jerrell Coggburn is an associate professor and chair of public administration in the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University and teaches administrative ethics and human resource management. Both of us have published on HR-related topics in a variety of journals, including ROPPA. Mark and Jerrell will jointly manage the book review section and may be contacting you soon with a request to submit a review. We hope to receive reviews from a variety of authors, including senior scholars, junior faculty members, practitioners, and doctoral students. Similarly, we would like to expand the notion of the types of resources that will be reviewed in the section. We identify four distinct categories of resources. First, the most common resource reviewed has been, and will continue to be, books that can be used as supplements in undergraduate and graduate courses on public personnel and human resource administration. The ROPPA book review section is designed to identify, and draw attention to, manuscript-length discussions of essential HRM topics, and we will continue to have it serve this function. Second, we would like to include a greater number of textbook reviews. There are numerous core texts on public HRM, and we believe that ROPPA is the ideal outlet for reviews to assist instructors in identifying texts that best fit their teaching strategy and orientation to the field. The last two types of recourses are not traditionally included in book review sections, but we believe that both should be included in ROPPA as public HRM matures as both a professionalized field of practice and a rigorous field of research.
Analyzing Gender Differences in Black Faculty Marginalization through a Sequential Mixed-Methods Design.

Focusing on the intersection of gender and racial identity, this chapter explores the utility of mixed methods to promote understanding of how black faculty experience cultural taxation, or the “black tax,” in the academy.
Serum endostatin levels are elevated in patients with soft tissue sarcoma

BACKGROUND Solid tumors are angiogenesis dependent, and elevated levels of proangiogenic cytokines have been reported in a variety of histologies. Endostatin is an antiangiogenic fragment of the basement membrane protein, collagen XVIII. Because antiangiogenic protein fragments may be generated by tumor-derived proteases, the authors sought to determine whether circulating levels of endostatin were elevated in patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS The authors analyzed preoperative serum levels of endostatin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in 25 patients (14 males and 11 females; mean age, 44 years) with soft tissue sarcoma. For each serum sample, two aliquots were assayed in duplicate using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Serum levels were compared with levels from 34 age-matched and gender-matched volunteer blood donors. RESULTS Endostatin levels were significantly higher in sera from sarcoma patients than in sera from healthy controls (43.0 ng/mL vs. 25.8 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.0002; Mann–Whitney U test). Significant elevations also were noted in VEGF and bFGF levels (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, endostatin levels > 2 standard deviations above the control mean (55 ng/mL) were associated with an increased risk of tumor recurrence after resection (P = 0.047; log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS Serum endostatin, VEGF, and bFGF levels are elevated in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Elevated endostatin levels appear to be associated with tumor aggressiveness. The role of these cytokines in sarcoma angiogenesis and as potential targets for therapy warrants further study. Cancer 2001;91:1525–9. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
The Impact of Communication Mode and Task Complexity on Small Group Performance and Member Satisfaction.

Abstract Software technology in the form of decision and group support systems has been deployed in many work environments. In some cases, these technologies are installed and used with little understanding of how this genre of software impacts upon group work. It often is presumed that productivity of a group will increase; however, upon further investigation, this may not be the case. The current study examines the impact of technology on a number of factors including time to complete task, member satisfaction, perceived information load, the number of contributing transactions, and task complexity.
Experimental and Theoretical Probes of the Structure of Oxametallacycle Intermediates Derived from 1-Epoxy-3-butene on Ag(110)†

Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been applied to study the interaction of 1-epoxy-3-butene (EpB) with the Ag(110) surface. Th...
Comprehensive Assessment of Germline Chemical Toxicity Using the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Identifying the reproductive toxicity of the thousands of chemicals present in our environment has been one of the most tantalizing challenges in the field of environmental health. This is due in part to the paucity of model systems that can (1) accurately recapitulate keys features of reproductive processes and (2) do so in a medium- to high-throughput fashion, without the need for a high number of vertebrate animals. We describe here an assay in the nematode C. elegans that allows the rapid identification of germline toxicants by monitoring the induction of aneuploid embryos. By making use of a GFP reporter line, errors in chromosome segregation resulting from germline disruption are easily visualized and quantified by automated fluorescence microscopy. Thus the screening of a particular set of compounds for its toxicity can be performed in a 96- to 384-well plate format in a matter of days. Secondary analysis of positive hits can be performed to determine whether the chromosome abnormalities originated from meiotic disruption or from early embryonic chromosome segregation errors. Altogether, this assay represents a fast first-pass strategy for the rapid assessment of germline dysfunction following chemical exposure.
Role of Membrane Lipids in Activating G-Protein-Coupled Receptors

The role of lipid-protein interactions in membrane function has long attracted the attention of researchers in the field of lipid membrane biophysics. Effects of membrane lipids on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are revealed by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopic studies of the conformational energetics of rhodopsin in visual signaling [1]. During rhodopsin photoactivation, the photoreactive 11-cis-retinylidene chromophore is isomerized to all-trans yielding an equilibrium between inactive Meta-I and active Meta-II states. Modulation of the metarhodopsin equilibrium depends on the polar head groups and the lipid acyl chain length and polyunsaturation. Membrane lipids can forward or back-shift the metarhodopsin equilibrium due to their chemically non-specific material properties [2]. A flexible surface model (FSM) describes elastic coupling of membrane lipids to the conformational energetics of rhodopsin. The new biomembrane model challenges the standard fluid mosaic model. Based on data first introduced for rhodopsin [2] the idea of a curvature stress field bridges theory and experiment. According to the FSM, membrane lipids whose spontaneous curvature stabilizes the activated state within the membrane are involved in regulating protein function. The new biomembrane model explains the effects of bilayer thickness, nonlamellar-forming lipids, detergents, and osmotic stress on visual signaling. An ensemble-mediated activation mechanism is proposed for rhodopsin in a natural membrane lipid environment, which includes a role for bulk water in the activation of rhodopsin-like GPCRs [4]. Ion channels, transporters, and membrane-bound peptides can all be affected by curvature forces due to elastic deformation of the bilayer, thus giving a new paradigm for membrane lipid-protein interactions in structural biology.[1] M.F. Brown (2012) Meth. Mol. Biol.914, 127-153.[2] M.F. Brown (1997) Curr. Top. Membr.44, 285-356.[3] M.F. Brown (2012) Biochemistry51, 9782-9795.[4] A.V. Struts (2011) PNAS 108, 8263-8268.
Masking Inferior Infarction by Anterior Myocardial Injury

A 64-year-old female with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) after angioplasty presented with jaundice, abdominal distention, and 6-week weight loss. The initial work-up revealed an old inferior Q-wave MI on the admission ECG (Figure 1) and evidence of a malignant obstruction at the common bile duct. On day 7, while waiting for surgery, the patient developed chest pain and …
STUDIES ON THE PATHOGENICITY OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI : II. THE ANTIPHAGOCYTIC EFFECTS OF THE M PROTEIN AND THE CAPSULAR GEL

A quantitative study of the combined antiphagocytic effects of the M protein and the hyaluronic acid capsules of four strains of Group A streptococci revealed the following facts relating to their intraperitoneal virulence in mice and rats: 1. The most virulent strain, S23M (matt), produced both a large hyaluronic acid capsule and a full complement of M protein, the combined effects of which rendered the organism highly resistant to surface phagocytosis. 2. The slightly less virulent strain, T14/46 (matt virulent) was somewhat more susceptible to surface phagocytosis owing to the fact that its smaller capsule was less antiphagocytic than that of the S23M organism. 3. The glossy variant of the S23 strain (S23G), which ranked third in virulence, was still more susceptible to surface phagocytosis because of its lack of detectable M substance. Its large hyaluronic acid capsule, however, was capable of protecting it against phagocytosis on glass. 4. The least virulent strain, T14 (matt avirulent), was the most susceptible of all to phagocytosis. Though it possessed both M substance and capsule, which together prevented its phagocytosis on glass, each of them was shown to be quantitatively and functionally deficient as compared to Strain S23M. The differences in phagocytability, which appear to be directly related to the pathogenicity of the organisms, could be adequately demonstrated in vitro only by phagocytic tests designed to measure surface phagocytosis in the absence of opsonins. This fact is in keeping with the observation, previously reported, that surface phagocytosis plays a critical role in the defense of the host, particularly during the earliest stages of experimental streptococcal infections. Its possible relation to suppuration during the later stages of infection is also discussed.
Optimal planning for architecture-based self-adaptation via model checking of stochastic games

Architecture-based approaches to self-adaptation rely on architectural descriptions to reason about the best way of adapting the structure and behavior of software-intensive systems at runtime, either by choosing among a set of predefined adaptation strategies, or by automatically generating adaptation plans. Predefined strategy selection has a low computational overhead and facilitates dealing with uncertainty (e.g., by accounting explicitly for contingencies derived from unexpected outcomes of actions), but requires additional designer effort regarding the specification of strategies and is unable to guarantee optimal solutions. In contrast, runtime plan generation is able to explore a richer solution space and provide optimal solutions in some cases, but is more limited when dealing with uncertainty, and in-curs higher computational overheads. In this paper, we propose an approach to optimal adaptation plan generation for architecture-based self-adaptation via model checking of stochastic multiplayer games (SMGs). Our approach enables: (i) trade-off analysis among different qualities by means of utility functions and preferences, and (ii) explicit modeling of uncertainty in the outcome of adaptation actions and the behavior of the environment. Basing on the concepts embodied in the Rainbow framework for self-adaptation, we illustrate our approach in Znn.com, a case study that reproduces the infrastructure for a news website.
Impact of a Theory-Based, School HIV/STD Curriculum on Eighth Graders' Attitudes and Knowledge.

Abstract This study evaluated the efficacy of a government sponsored, theory-based school curriculum, STDs and HIV: A Guide for Today's Young Adults (Yarber, 1993), on the HIV/STD-related attitudes...
Surgery for crural venous leakage

A procedure for congenital or acquired crural venous leakage is described. A 3-in.-long inguinoscrotal incision is made about 1 in. lateral to the penis. The suspensory ligament is incised, and the penis is detached from the pubic bone. The deep dorsal vein is resected to expose the hilum of the penis. The entrance of the cavernous artery to the corpus cavernosum is identified. The paired dorsal arteries and nerves, cavernous arteries and nerves, and the bulb of the corpus spongiosum are dissected off the crura. Two umbilical tapes are used to ligate the proximal portion of each crus proximal to the entrance of the cavernous artery to shut off the venous leakage.
Cyclooxygenase cloning in dogfish shark, Squalus acanthias, and its role in rectal gland Cl secretion

The present studies were carried out with the aims to determine the cDNA sequence for cyclooxygenase (COX) in an elasmobranch species and to study its role in regulation of chloride secretion in th...
Taking on the guild: Tomoko Masuzawa and The invention of world religions

This review provides a reading of Tomoko Masuzawa's The Invention of World Religions (2005) based upon the psychoanalytically-inflected, post-structuralist approach that Masuzawa developed in her first book, In Search of Dreamtime (1993). It is argued that there is a tension in the book between two theses—(i) that the discourse of world religions perpetuates Christian theological universalism and (ii) that the discourse of world religions perpetuates a Eurocentric view of the world. Ambiguity about this question within Masuzawa's narrative allows those who propound a broadly secular approach to the study of religion ("the guild' to which the author aligns herself) to read her work as a critique of ongoing Christian theological trends in the study of religion despite the fact that the primary narrative direction of the book offers an account that seeks to cut across the secular-theological dichotomy by challenging the Euro-(American) paradigms (whether Christian or post-Christian and secular) that continue to dominate this field of study.
Cytokine response after severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in early life

Background Immune response after viral infection usually involves T H 1-mediated response; however, severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection appears to be associated with the development of asthma, a T H 2-predominant phenotype. Objective To understand the early and subsequent immunologic response to a serious RSV infection in children over time. Methods A total of 206 previously healthy infants hospitalized with severe RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled in a prospective cohort called the RSV Bronchiolitis in Early Life study. Peripheral blood T cells were obtained immediately after RSV infection and at 2, 4, and 6 years of age, stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, and analyzed for IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-γ by flow cytometry and real-time PCR. Results Of the children, 48% (n = 97) developed asthma (physician-diagnosed), and 48% (n = 97) had eczema by age 6 years; 32% (n = 48 of 150) developed allergic sensitization by 3 years of age. Children with asthma had lower IL-13 expression at 6 years of age than those without (P = .001). IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 levels did not differ by asthma or eczema status during follow-up (all P > .05). Allergic sensitization was not associated with differences in cytokine levels during follow-up (all P > .05). Conclusion Severe RSV infection early in life is associated with a high incidence of asthma and eczema. Contrary to expectations, subsequent immunologic development in those who developed asthma, eczema, or allergic sensitization was not associated with a T H 2 phenotype in the peripheral blood.