cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modalities of Thyroid Hormone Administration and Correlates Between Blood and Tissue Levels

Thyroid hormone action is modulated by the interaction between circulating levels of thyroid hormone and the cellular and nuclear signal translation mechanisms leading to a fine time- and cell-specific regulation of the hormonal signal. The peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormone is responsible for the activation or degradation of thyroid hormone and plays a pivotal role in regulating the circulating levels of T3 in hypothyroidism. Additionally acute and chronic cardiovascular disease are associated with a decrease in circulating levels of T3, possibly maladaptive, prompting the hypothesis that T3 replacement may hasten myocardial recovery. The design of therapy aimed to restore circulating and tissue levels of T3 during cardiovascular disease should take in account the pharmacokinetics characteristics of T3 and the potential for clinically relevant rapid non-genomic effects of thyroid hormone.
Religious Involvement, Social/Political Strain, and Depression in Contemporary China: How Does Religion Affect Subjective Well-Being Differently in a Regulated Society?

An abundance of research suggests that religion positively affects subjective well-being. Most of this research focuses on Western nations where religious activity is conducted in a relatively free...
Does Inpatient Hyperglycemia predict a worse outcome in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit Patients?

BACKGROUND: Evaluate the association between hyperglycemia and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a multi-center retrospective study involving all adults with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU between March and May 2020. Patients were divided into normoglycemic (average blood glucose 140 mg/dL) groups. Outcomes such as mortality, need and duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital and ICU stays were measured. RESULTS: Among 495 patients, 58.4% were male with a median age of 68 years (IQR: 58.00-77.00), and baseline average blood glucose was 186.6 (SD+130.8). Pre-existing diabetes was present in 35.8% of the studied cohort. Combined ICU and hospital mortality rates were 23.8%; mortality rate and mechanical ventilation were significantly higher in the hyperglycemic group (31.4 % vs. 16.6%, p=0.001) and (50.0% vs. 37.2%, p=0.004) respectively. Age above 60 years (HR:3.21 [95% CI 1.78, 5.78]) and hyperglycemia (HR:1.79 [95% CI 1.14, 2.82]) were the only significant predictors of in-hospital mortality. Increased risk for hyperglycemia was found in patients with steroids use (OR:1.521 [95% CI 1.054, 2.194]), triglycerides > 150 mg/dL (OR:1.62 [95% CI 1.109, 2.379]), and African-American race (OR:0.79 [95% CI 0.65, 0.95]). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients is significantly associated with prolonged ICU length of stay, higher need of mechanical ventilation, and increased risk of mortality in the critical care setting. Tighter blood glucose control (<140 mg/dL) might improve outcomes in COVID-19 critically-ill patients, evidence from ongoing clinical trials is needed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Autonomous Corporate Personhood

Currently, several states are considering changes to their business organization law to accommodate autonomous businesses—businesses operated entirely through computer code. Several international civil society groups are also actively developing new frameworks and a model law for enabling decentralized, autonomous businesses to achieve a corporate or corporate-like status that bestows legal personhood. Meanwhile, various jurisdictions, including the European Union, have considered whether and to what extent artificial intelligence (AI) more broadly should be endowed with personhood in order to respond to AI’s increasing presence in society. Despite the fairly obvious overlap between the two sets of inquiries, the legal and policy discussions between the two only rarely overlap. As a result of this failure to communicate, both areas of personhood theory fail to account for the important role that socio-technical and socio-legal context plays for law and policy development. This Article fills the gap by investigating the limits of artificial rights at the intersection of corporations and artificial intelligence. Specifically, this Article argues that building a comprehensive legal approach to artificial rights—rights enjoyed by artificial people, whether entity, machine, or otherwise—requires approaching the issue through a systems lens to ensure law’s consideration of the varied socio-technical contexts in which artificial people exist. To make these claims, this Article first establishes a baseline of terminology, emphasizes the importance of viewing AI as part of a socio-technical system, and reviews the existing market for autonomous corporations. Sections II and III then examine the existing debates around both artificially intelligent persons and corporate personhood, arguing that the socio-legal needs driving artificial personhood debates in both contexts include: protecting the rights of natural people, upholding social values, and creating a fiction for legal convenience. Sections II and III explore the extent to which the theories from either set of literature fits the reality of autonomous businesses, illuminating gaps and using them to demonstrate that the law must consider the socio-technical context of AI systems and the socio-legal complexity of corporations to decide how autonomous businesses will interact with the world. Ultimately, the Article identifies links between both areas of legal personhood, leveraging those links to demonstrate the Article’s core claim: developing law for artificial systems in any context should use the systems nature of the artificial artifact to tie its legal treatment directly to the system’s socio-technical reality.
Electronic Bond Intermediation: Evidence from Corporate Bond ATSs

We examine trading and quoting behavior of dealers in the corporate bond market, using dealer quotation data from two major corporate bond ATSs. We find a clear pecking order of transaction costs in which central dealers offer the lowest transaction costs, followed by high-quoting dealers, then moderate-quoting dealers, and finally non-quoting dealers. We also find that ATSs provide a useful venue for inventory management, especially for dealers who do not possess extensive bilateral trading networks as central dealers. Overall, our study contributes to broadening our understanding of electronic trading channels beyond the traditional voice trading channel and their implications on customer transaction costs in an important OTC market.
Psychometric properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 item scale (GAD-7) in youth: Screening in a primary care sample

BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders in youth are frequently underdiagnosed and untreated, partly due to a lack of screening in primary care. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale is a brief self-report measure designed to screen for anxiety in primary care settings. However, little is known about the psychometrics of this scale with adolescents. METHODS Participants included 579 youth age 11 to 17 years who received screening for depression in a primary care setting through a web-based application, VitalSign6, over a 4-year period. Psychometric analyses were completed based on classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). RESULTS Using CTT and IRT methods, the GAD-7 has a unidimensional structure with good psychometric properties. In addition, the IRT analysis demonstrates that items 1 and 2 are strongly associated with the total score, and thus are good choices as a 2-item screening tool. Convergent validity was demonstrated, with high correlations between the GAD-7 and other measures of anxiety, and discriminant validity was also demonstrated, with low correlations to measures of other psychological states. CONCLUSIONS This psychometric evaluation of the GAD-7 provides support for the utility of this measure with adolescents. The GAD-2 is a good estimate of GAD-7 total score.
Clinical and Dosimetric Outcomes of MR Guided Prostate SBRT With Daily Online Plan Adaptation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly being utilized in the management of localized prostate cancer. MR guided adaptive radiotherapy may be a valuable tool for delivery of prostate SBRT as it allows for MR based soft tissue contouring, real time MR motion management and daily plan adaptation to account for interfraction anatomic variability. The goal of the present study is to identify dosimetric gains that can be achieved with an MR guided adaptive prostate SBRT platform and describe acute clinical outcomes. MATERIALS/METHODS We reviewed our institutional experience treating patients with prostate cancer with MR guided adaptive SBRT to a dose of 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions. The adaptive workflow involves development of an "original" plan which is re-optimized daily based on anatomical variation for each fraction. "Predicted" plan dosimetry is generated for each fraction by re-calculating the original plan on the re-contoured daily anatomy, estimating what would have been delivered without adaptive capabilities. A "re-optimized" plan is developed based on the anatomy of the day to improve target coverage and organ-at-risk (OAR) metrics. Wilcoxon rank sum testing was used to compare predicted dosimetry to re-optimized dosimetry. Acute urinary and GI toxicity rates were assessed according to CTCAE v5. RESULTS A cohort of 16 patients treated was analyzed with median follow up time of 3 months. Acute G2+ GU toxicity was observed in 19% and acute G2+ GI toxicity in 6%. No G3+ events were noted. Comparison of dosimetry metrics for PTV coverage, urethra, rectum and bladder are shown in table 1; 100% of fractions required plan adaptation due to either exceeding OAR metrics (68%) or sub-optimal PTV coverage (33%). Adaptive planning increased the proportion of fractions meeting prescription metrics for PTV coverage (V34.44 from 71% to 100%), urethra (V38.78 from 58% to 100%) and rectum (V38.06 from 80% to 100%). Urethral metrics were most frequently violated in predicted plans (42% of fractions) and re-optimized to acceptable dosimetry in 100% of fractions. Re-optimization significantly improved PTV coverage, rectal metrics and urethral metrics. CONCLUSION Online adaptive re-optimization significantly improved plan dosimetry and achieved minimal acute toxicity. The clinical benefits of MR guided adaptive prostate SBRT for optimizing target coverage with urethral protection warrant further investigation.
Fluid administration and morbidity in transhiatal esophagectomy

Background Esophagectomy is associated with significant morbidity. Optimizing perioperative fluid administration is one potential strategy to mitigate morbidity. We sought to investigate the relationship of intraoperative fluid (IOF) administration to outcomes in patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy with particular attention to malnourished patients, who may be more susceptible to the effects of fluid overload.
Thiocyanate Bio-oxidation Kinetics

Thiocyanates have been found in most coal conversion and coke plant effluents. Data were developed for the biological degradation rate kinetics of thiocyanate removal, and material balance information was developed for the fate of sulfur and nitrogen resulting from such bio-decomposition of aqueous thiocyanates. Based on both batch and continuous culture experiments utilizing an “activated sludge” type of system with strictly thiocyanate degrading organisms, the specific utilization rate for SCN degradation was found to follow a substrate inhibition biokinetic relationship.
Evaluating the use of immersive display media for construction planning

The aim of this research is to develop construction planning and plan review processes within virtual environments that result in the consistent development of more innovative and higher quality construction plans. During the early stages of this research, we have shown that affordable immersive display systems can be constructed and effectively used to allow construction project teams to better visualize product and process information in a stereoscopic 3D environment. The Immersive Construction (ICon) Lab has been built at Penn State University as a test bed facility for 3D and 4D CAD model visualization. This paper presents an overview of three case study projects performed in the immersive display system with a focus on construction planning activities. Early results illustrate that a project team can identify innovative solutions to construction challenges when performing a plan review of 3D and 4D virtual prototypes in an immersive environment.
Three-dimensional steady flow computations in manifold-type junctions and a comparison with experiment

Results of three-dimensional steady flow calculations are compared with existing pressure and velocity measurements of two manifold-type junctions. The junctions consist of a main duct and a side branch, both with the same rectangular cross section, with the side branch joining the main duct at an angle of either 90 or 45 degrees. Both combining and dividing flow configurations are considered for different total mass flow rates and different side-branch-to-main-duct mass flow ratios. One objective of this investigation was to assess the effects of numerical differencing scheme and mesh refinement on solution accuracy, and both parameters showed strong influences on the computed results. It is shown that calculations should be made with the highest possible level of numerical accuracy and grid resolution in regions of flow recirculation. Comparisons of computed and measured velocities, static pressures, and flow loss coefficients are presented in this paper. For most cases considered, the model predictions are in good agreement with the measurements. Results can be used as input loss coefficients to an engine-simulation code, in addition to being used to evaluate a specific junction design.
Introducing and Integrating Free Internet Legal Research into the Classroom

The Global financial crisis has been discouraging legal researchers and practitioners from accessing high-cost databases.Many legal professionals and researchers are under financial pressures mainly because of the increased kinds and cost of subscription databases such as Westlaw and Lexis; thus, many legal professionals and researchers started considering free or less expensive internet resources for their research and classes. On the other hand, the number of these free or less expensive internet resources is increasing every year, and their coverage for legal sources is also expanded. Furthermore, just as the creation of a list of hypertext links to internet resources is not an easy task anymore because of the gigantic number of resources available, so simply providing created list to the law students will likewise irresponsibly confuse and intimidate them. First, this article attempted to define internet legal research and to show the difficulty of distinguishing internet legal research from other online searches. Next, pros and cons of free or less expensive internet resources were discussed. Lastly, this article attempted to introduce and apply usability to various internet resources, criticizing Lexis and Westlaw by the principle of usability web-design.In conclusion, the necessity and prospective plan to establish evaluation standards for free internet resources including coverage, currency, accuracy, authority, appropriateness, and perspective will be explored.
Cornigerine, a potent antimitotic colchicum alkaloid of unusual structure: Interactions with tubulin

Cornigerine is a natural product analog of colchicine produced by Colchicum cornigerum in which the vicinal 2- and 3-methoxy groups are condensed into a methylenedioxy bridge. This produces a fourth ring and a structure which resembles a hybrid of colchicine, podophyllotoxin, and steganacin. Cornigerine was somewhat more toxic than colchicine with L1210 murine leukemia cells and caused them to accumulate in metaphase arrest. Cornigerine resembled colchicine in its interactions with tubulin in vitro, and it was also somewhat more potent than colchicine in these drug-tubulin interactions. Cornigerine inhibited tubulin polymerization both with and without microtubule-associated proteins, inhibited the binding of radiolabeled colchicine to tubulin, and stimulated tubulin-dependent GTP hydrolysis. Indirect evidence suggested that the binding of cornigerine to tubulin is relatively slow and temperature-dependent, like the binding of colchicine to the protein.
Race and the Politics of the Exception : Equality, Sovereignty, and American Democracy

Introduction. Part I: Defining Exceptions to Equality 1. The Racist and the Elite. 2. The New Normal. Part II: Defining Racial Sovereignty 3. The Experience of Race. 4. Race and Community. 5. History and Politics Part III: Black Politics 6. Slavery and Its Aftermath. 7. Jim Crow. 8. Integration. Conclusion
Does Low Wealth Constrain Long-Distance Migration? Evidence from the NLSY79 Cohort

Although long-distance migration can be very beneficial, some families may have too little wealth (or liquidity) to finance a move, which may involve direct transportation costs and foregone earnings. I use individual-level longitudinal data (NLSY79) to assess whether wealth holdings directly influence migration decisions in the U.S. I focus on long-distance migration between labor markets, which imposes high migration costs but offers potentially better labor market outcomes. Contrary to a liquidity constraint story, I find consistently that plenty of people with low and even negative wealth move, and that they are even more likely to move than people with higher wealth holdings. The lack of a positive relationship between wealth and cross-labor market migration remains in alternative subsets of respondents, controlling for many household characteristics, in very flexible nonlinear models, and when using inheritance income as an instrument for wealth.
Effects of Fiber Coating Composition on Mechanical Behavior of Silicon Carbide Fiber‐Reinforced Celsian Composites

Celsian matrix composites reinforced with Hi-Nicalon fibers, precoated with a dual layer of BN/SiC by chemical vapor deposition in two separate batches, were fabricated. Mechanical properties of the composites were measured in three-point flexure. Despite supposedly identical processing, the composite panels fabricated with fibers coated in two batches exhibited substantially different mechanical behavior. The first matrix cracking stresses (sigma(sub mc)) of the composites reinforced with fibers coated in batch 1 and batch 2 were 436 and 122 MPa, respectively. This large difference in sigma(sub mc) was attributed to differences in fiber sliding stresses(tau(sub friction)), 121.2+/-48.7 and 10.4+/-3.1 MPa, respectively, for the two composites as determined by the fiber push-in method. Such a large difference in values of tau(sub friction) for the two composites was found to be due to the difference in the compositions of the interface coatings. Scanning Auger microprobe analysis revealed the presence of carbon layers between the fiber and BN, and also between the BN and SiC coatings in the composite showing lower tau(sub friction). This resulted in lower sigma(sub mc) in agreement with the ACK theory. The ultimate strengths of the two composites, 904 and 759 MPa, depended mainly on the fiber volume fraction and were not significantly effected by tau(sub friction) values, as expected. The poor reproducibility of the fiber coating composition between the two batches was judged to be the primary source of the large differences in performance of the two composites.
A Role for the p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway in the Transcriptional Activation of p53 on Genotoxic Stress by Chemotherapeutic Agents

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a central role in sensing damaged DNA and orchestrating the consequent cellular responses. However, how DNA damage leads to the activation of p53 is still poorly understood. In this study, we have found that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays a key role in the activation of p53 by genotoxic stress when provoked by chemotherapeutic agents. Indeed, we found that blockade of p38 prevents stimulation of the transcriptional activity of p53 and that activation of the p38 pathway is sufficient to stimulate p53 function. Furthermore, we observed that p38 does not affect the accumulation of p53 in response to DNA damage or its nuclear localization. In contrast, we observed that p38 associates physically with p53, and we provide evidence that this MAPK phosphorylates the NH2-terminal transactivation domain of p53 in serine 33, thereby stimulating its functional activity. Moreover, inhibition of the p38 MAPK diminished the apoptotic fraction of cells exposed to chemotherapeutic agents and increased cell survival, thus suggesting a role for p38 activation in the apoptotic response to genotoxic stress when elicited by drugs used in cancer therapy.
Role of cholesterol crystals in atherosclerosis is unmasked by altering tissue preparation methods

Standard tissue preparation for light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) uses ethanol as a dehydrating agent but that can also dissolve cholesterol crystals (CC) leaving behind empty tissue imprints or "clefts". Cholesterol crystals may contribute to plaque rupture by their sharp tips that can tear membranes and trigger inflammation. Therefore, use of ethanol in tissue processing can mask the pathological role of CC. Here we evaluated the amount of cholesterol dissolved from CC with single and complete series of standard graded ethanol concentrations (25-100%) used in tissue preparation. Also, solubility of CC in ethanol at physiological levels was measured. Furthermore, we compared the effect of ethanol on CC in fresh human atherosclerotic plaques to matched segments dehydrated using vacuum (-1 atm, 12h). Tissue crystal density ranging from 0 to +3 was measured semi-quantitatively by SEM. For CC exposed to 25% and 100% ethanol for 10 min each, 0.38% and 95% of CC were dissolved respectively. Also, increase in CC solubility was significant at physiological levels of ethanol (0.16%) compared to water (43.4 ± 18.0 ng/mL vs. 30.9 ± 13.9 ng/mL; p < 0.05). We speculate that this could represent a potential mechanism of cardio-protective effects of alcohol consumption. In atherosclerotic plaques, CC density was lower in ethanol vs. saline treatment (+1.2 vs. +2.8; P < 0.01) with visible dissolving noted by SEM. Ethanol has been used for centuries in tissue preparation for microscopy. Here we demonstrate how current tissue preparation methods greatly alter histological findings with SEM by masking the potential mechanism of plaque rupture.
Analytical modeling of a novel transverse flux machine for direct drive wind turbine applications

This paper presents a nonlinear analytical model of a novel double sided flux concentrating Transverse Flux Machine (TFM) based on the Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) model. The analytical model uses a series-parallel combination of flux tubes to predict the flux paths through different parts of the machine including air gaps, permanent magnets (PM), stator, and rotor. The two-dimensional MEC model approximates the complex three-dimensional flux paths of the TFM and includes the effects of magnetic saturation. The model is capable of adapting to any geometry which makes it a good alternative for evaluating prospective designs of TFM as compared to finite element solvers which are numerically intensive and require more computation time. A single phase, 1 kW, 400 rpm machine is analytically modeled and its resulting flux distribution, no-load EMF and torque, verified with Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The results are found to be in agreement with less than 5% error, while reducing the computation time by 25 times.
RISKS OF LITIGATION

Authors and publishers who accuse prominent Saudi Arabians of providing funds to al-Qa ida are being sued for their accusations. The most active litigant has been Khaled bin Mahfouz, whom the Forbes Website describes as a citizen of Saudi Arabia worth $3 billion. In March 2005, Bin Mahfouz and his company Nimir Petroleum won a libel case in the High Court in London against the Pluto Press and author Michael Griffin for statements in Reaping the Whirlwind: Afghanistan, Al Qa ida and the Holy War , which was published in a revised edition in 2003. According to the Bin Mahfouz Website, the book wrongly alleged that “Sheikh Khalid funded bin Laden's and al-Qa ida's terrorist activities, [that he] had been dismissed from NCB [National Commercial Bank] because of the funding of terrorism, and as a result had also been stripped of his Saudi passport and confined to a military hospital by the Saudi authorities”; also that “Nimir Petroleum was owned by a funder and supporter of Osama bin Laden and al-Qa ida and was a party to negotiations with the Taliban in connection with an oil pipeline to be built across Afghanistan.” In the court proceedings, the publisher and author “accepted that there was no truth whatsoever in any of these allegations. They acknowledged that Sheikh Khalid had no connection whatsoever with Osama bin Laden or the supporting or funding of terrorist activities, left NCB only for health reasons, and was not stripped of his passport or confined to a military hospital. They also accepted that Nimir Petroleum was not owned by a funder of terrorism and was not involved in any Afghan pipeline project and has never had any dealings with the Taliban regime.” Pluto Press and Griffin agreed to destroy all copies of the book, to desist from repeating these allegations, and “to publish an apology on www.plutobooks.com, in the Bookseller magazine and in the British Institute of Middle East Studies Newsletter .” In August 2005, all signs of a connection with Griffin or the book, which they had published in two editions (2001, 2003), had vanished from the Pluto Press Website.
Photodisintegration of a cooper pair

Abstract The cross section for the photodisintegration of a Cooper pair (two-fermion bound state at the Fermi surface) is calculated as a function of the diameter of the pair. Photoemission studies are proposed as a possible test of the existence of highly localized Cooper pairs in the normal phase of high temperature superconductors.
822 PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION AGAINST GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI WITH HUMAN GAMMA GLOBULIN IN THE CHICK EMBRYO

Clinical and experimental observations have indicated that lack of type-specific antibody is a predisposing factor in the susceptibility of newborn infants to group B beta hemolytic streptococcal (GBBHS) disease. In a study limited to GBBHS type Ia, we showed that IM or IV pooled human gamma globulin (HGG) protects 21-day-old mice from a lethal challenge (J. Infect. Dis., Nov. 1977). We now report HGG protection studies with types Ia, II and III using a chick embryo model. 0.1 ml. of different dilutions of 16% HGG was injected IV into 12-day-old chick embryos simultaneous to the IV challenge with a lethal inoculum of GBBHS. Protection was established if at least 75% of the chick embryos survived the bacterial challenge. HGG protected chick embryos from a lethal challenge of GBBHS-Ia at a dilution as low as 1:20, which is approximately equivalent to an IM injection of 0.2 ml/kg of pooled HGG in the human newborn. In contrast, undiluted HGG failed to protect chick embryos challenged with lethal doses of GBBHS types II and III. The results in mice and chick embryos suggest that passive immunization in newborn infants with HGG is feasible against GBBHS type Ia, but will not provide immunity to GBBHS strains II and III. Since some human sera protect chick embryos against challenge with type II and III strains, future studies should evaluate hyperimmune HGG.
Success and limitations of a naked plasmid transfection protocol for keratinocyte growth factor-1 to enhance cutaneous wound healing

Our group and others have previously reported enhancement of cutaneous wound healing following the transfection of tissue with plasmid vectors expressing the DNA for growth factors. In these experiments, growth factor treated animals were usually compared to animals treated with control plasmid vector. To achieve consistent transfection, high DNA plasmid load and repeated penetrations of the wound by needle or gene gun were required. In the current experiments, we assessed the effect of the plasmid load and repeated tissue penetrations on wound healing of excisional wounds in diabetic C57 mice. Animals received 5 mm excisional wounds, and were assigned to the following groups, no treatment, phosphate buffered saline solution injections, and plasmid vector injection with and without the keratinocyte growth factor-1 gene. Intradermal injections of 100 microg plasmid were given adjacent to the wounds at days 1-5, 7 and 11. At day 9, wound closure was more advanced in keratinocyte growth factor-1 treated animals compared to those treated with control plasmid. But a detrimental effect of the DNA plasmid injection was evident from a comparison of the DNA control group versus the non-injected group. Therefore, the challenge for developing an effective system for the enhancement of wound healing lies in improving transfection efficiency.
The contact angle of water on coal

Abstract The value of the contact angle of water on coal is the key statement for a multitude of theoretical analyses concerning the behavior of coal in processing environments. Most of these processing environments involve coal with a mean particle diameter considerably smaller than 100 μm and often as small as 10 μm. For example, the surface characteristics of coal are the key factor in processing by froth flotation, agglomeration, coalescence, dust wetting, etc. Most of the investigations of the contact angle of water on coal have been conducted on massive blocks of coal and few authors have probed the mechanism in sufficient detail to allow a reasonable extrapolation of these data to the behaviour of fine coal. This investigation considers the four key variables which affect the contact angle of water on coals of different rank and places these variables in a mathematical relationship from which the contact angle can be predicted given the dmmf carbon and mineral matter content and the state of surface oxidation. A comparison of the calculated values with those of some recent experimental values suggests that the approximations are reasonable.
Retrograde arterial catheterization of the left ventricle

Abstract Excellent records of the left ventricular pressure pulse can be obtained by passing a catheter through the aortic valve from the right brachial artery. The left ventricle was entered in sixty of eighty attempts. The presence of aortic valve disease seemed to facilitate passage of the catheter. The pressure gradient at the aortic or mitral valve can be measured by this technic without disturbing the basal state.
Methyl 6-methyl salicylate: identification and function in a ponerine ant (Gnamptogenys pleurodon).

Das Mandibulardrusensekret der Arbeiter der StachelameisenGnamptogenys pleurodon (Ponerinae) enthalt hauptsachlich 6-Methylsalicylsauremethylester; diese Verbindung wird als Alarmpheromon eingesetzt.
1/N and loop corrections in higher spin AdS 4 /CFT 3 duality

We consider the question of loop corrections (i.e. $1/N$) in the vector model/higher spin duality following the recent work of Giombi and Klebanov [J. High Energy Phys. 12, 068 (2013)]. The purpose of this paper is to gain further a more precise comparison between the two sides of the duality. For CFTs given by 3d $O(N)$ or $U(N)$ vector models we evaluate the leading and one-loop partition functions in a variety of geometries. Our calculations are performed in the scheme of collective field theory which was seen in earlier studies to represent a bulk description of Vasiliev higher spin theory. The calculations presented provide data for the comparison of small fluctuation determinants giving further evidence for the one-to-one bulk identification between the bilocal and the AdS pictures. They also offer insight into the identification of coupling constants $G$ and $1/N$ of the two descriptions for models based on $O(N)$ symmetry.
The Effect of Changing Household Composition on Neighborhood Satisfaction

The 1983 Annual Housing Survey is used to test the following hypotheses: (1) female householders will be less satisfied with their neighborhoods than other householders, (2) they will live in neighborhoods with more services, and (3) neighborhood conditions and services will affect satisfaction independent of household characteristics. Sex of the householder drops out as a significant predictor of neighborhood satisfaction when other household and neighborhood characteristics are controlled, whereas marital status remains significant. Actual conditions are more important than services or household characteristics in determining satisfaction. Given the greater dissatisfaction among the unmarried, and the growth of single householders, we may expect to see declines in overall neighborhood satisfaction.
Sex differences in the indirect effects of cognitive processes on anxiety through emotion regulation difficulties

Abstract Drawing on a gender roles theory of emotion regulation, we examined the specific facets of emotion regulation difficulties through which higher-order cognitive abilities may be related to anxiety. Participants ( N = 225) completed self-report measures of emotion regulation difficulties and anxiety, and were administered neuropsychological tests assessing abstract reasoning and inhibition. PROCESS (Hayes, 2012) was used to estimate the direct and indirect effects of both inhibition and abstract reasoning on anxiety symptoms, with six dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties serving as multiple mediators operating in parallel. Results suggest that the relation between higher-order cognitive abilities and anxiety operate through distinct, sex-dependent emotion dysregulation mechanisms. For females, higher levels of inhibition and abstract thinking were associated with poorer clarity of emotions, which in turn, was associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms. As such, over-attentiveness to, or over-analysis of, emotions may be particularly detrimental among females who have relatively higher abstract reasoning abilities. For males, higher inhibition was associated with greater perceived effectiveness in regulating negative emotions, which in turn, was associated with lower levels of anxiety symptoms. This finding suggests that mood regulation expectancies may be particularly important in understanding the pathogenesis of anxiety in males.
Serotonin Antagonists Prevent Cytokine and Mechanical Activation of Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells

Degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) is the most common heart valve pathology and is especially prevalent in the elderly population. Studies have shown that stenosis, the most severe form of DAVD, increases in prevalence from 0.7% in people between 18 and 44 years of age to over 13% of people over 75 years of age. Furthermore, early symptoms of DAVD have been detected in 29% of patients over 65 years of age. These symptoms are associated with a 50% increase in cardiovascular related morbidity and a similar increase in the risk of myocardial infarction [1]. Currently, aortic valve (AV) replacement surgery is the only method available to correct DAVD, and while these procedures have become less invasive, replacement valves are still rather expensive and do not function as well as native valves. Therefore, the development of a therapeutic that could prevent DAVD would greatly benefit many patients.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
3-D nonlinear dynamic behavior of steel joist girder structures

Abstract As the trend towards developing performance-based design specifications for the seismic design of structures gains momentum, it is clear that very little is known about the performance of light industrial structures under large lateral loads. Among the main outstanding issues related to the seismic design of these structures are (1) the determination of appropriate response modification factors ( R , C d and Ω 0 ) , (2) the establishment of drift limits to avoid damage of structural and nonstructural components, and (3) clarification of the role that the roof diaphragm plays on the seismic behavior of light-weight roof structures. This study attempts to elucidate some of those issues for a particular class of light-weight industrial structures, those composed of one-story, weak column–strong beam joist girder frames. Two types of analysis models were developed for the nonlinear dynamic analyses of these structures. The first is a simplified 2-D analysis model, using SAP2000 and the second is a complex 3-D analysis model, using ABAQUS. Nonlinear time history analyses were performed for sites in Los Angeles (CA), Boston (MA), and Memphis (TN). The accuracy of the simplified 2-D model was verified by comparison with the results from the 3-D model. The results indicate that the behavior of these structures is almost always in the elastic range, and that substantial roof bracing should be installed for this type of structure, to prevent excessive drifts in the weak direction. When two horizontal components of excitations were applied concurrently to check the effect of torsion of the frame, it was found that torsional effects were negligible for structures regular in plan, and that a 2-D model can provide reasonable analysis results. Column base fixity effects on the dynamic behavior were also investigated and it was determined that column base fixity should be considered, to obtain more accurate dynamic behavior of the steel joist girder structures.
Spinoza’s Two Views of Substance

ABSTRACT: Substance is the central idea in Spinoza’s philosophy, but it is not always clear which view of substance he adopts. Is substance the totality of nature or everything that exists or is it not? In taking a fresh look at his view of substance, I will first demonstrate that he takes both views. Secondly, I will show that each view does not contradict the other. Thirdly, I will see what consequences each view has for other ideas in his philosophy. Finally, I will explain the relationship between the two views.
Immunological relationships between β-N-acetylglucosaminidases from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.)

Abstract Antisera were raised in rabbits directed against three purified β-N-acetylglucosaminidases from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.). Gamma globulin fractions were prepared by ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. Ouchterlony diffusion and quantitative precipitation reactions demonstrated that the antibodies recognized specific types of β-N-acetylglucosaminidases: one precipitated exochitinase, another exo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and the third endochitinase. These results are in accord with the enzyme classifications proposed previously based upon substrate specificity and kinetic properties.
Management of upper urinary tract calculi with ureteroscopic techniques

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate our experience in treating 155 patients with upper urinary tract calculi ureteroscopically. The treatment of urinary calculi has remained the most frequent application of ureteroscopy. Miniaturization of semirigid and flexible ureteroscopes has permitted easier access to calculi throughout the urinary tract. Methods. Ureteroscopic stone treatment was attempted in 155 patients with upper urinary tract calculi between November 1995 and March 1997. Fifty-nine (38.1%) patients had renal calculi, 82 (52.9%) ureteral, and 14 (9%) had both renal and ureteral calculi. Both semirigid and flexible ureteroscopes were used for treatment (rigid alone in 21 [13.5%], flexible in 64 [41.3%], and both rigid and flexible in 70 [45.2%] patients). Lithotripsy was required in 122 (79%) of the patients. The holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was used in 113 (92.6%) of these patients. Results. All patients with ureteral calculi (29 proximal, 19 mid, and 34 distal) were successfully cleared after one endoscopic procedure except for 1 patient with a proximal ureteral calculus who had a 4-mm residual fragment in the kidney. Of the 59 patients with renal calculi, 47 (79.7%) were totally clear of stones 1 month after treatment. The remaining 12 (20.3%) patients had evidence of residual calculi 3 to 4 mm or less in diameter. In patients with combined renal and ureteral calculi, 11 of 14 (78.6%) were rendered stone free. The remaining 3 (21.4%) patients had evidence of residual calculi 4 mm in diameter. Overall, 95% of the patients were treated in an outpatient setting. Morbidity was low, with no evidence of stricture. Conclusions. Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy in experienced hands are a safe and reliable method for the treatment of ureteral and even intrarenal calculi.
Engaging Empire at Home and in the Field: The Politics of Home-Front Ethnography in States of Emergency

This article is a reflexive engagement on the politics of ethnography on the US home-front in violent contexts of US empire-building and death dealing. Specifically, my concern is with reconciling ethnographic accountability to the populations home-front ethnographers ‘study’ locally while remaining accountable to the geographically and subjectively distant lives that are ‘over there’—out of sight, out of mind, so to speak. It is suggested that the home-front is not separated from distant battle-fronts, but linked through relations of violence, hence problematizing notions of ethnographic responsibility and loyalty. To do this, I draw from my experiences conducting a near two-year ethnography of the US home-front, particularly a rural county in southern Indiana that is both a research ‘fieldsite’ and my childhood ‘hometown’.
Patterns and processes in the California Current System

Abstract The California Current System (CCS) is forced by the distribution of atmospheric pressure and associated winds in relation to the west coast of North America. In this paper, we begin with a simplified case of winds and a linear coast, then consider variability characteristic of the CCS, and conclude by considering future change. The CCS extends from the North Pacific Current (∼50°N) to off Baja California, Mexico (∼15–25°N) with a major discontinuity at Point Conception (34.5°N). Variation in atmospheric pressure affects winds and thus upwelling. Coastal, wind-driven upwelling results in nutrification and biological production and a southward coastal jet. Offshore, curl-driven upwelling results in a spatially large, productive habitat. The California Current flows equatorward and derives from the North Pacific Current and the coastal jet. Dominant modes of spatial and temporal variability in physical processes and biological responses are discussed. High surface production results in deep and bottom waters depleted in oxygen and enriched in carbon dioxide. Fishing has depleted demersal stocks more than pelagic stocks, and marine mammals, including whales, are recovering. Krill, squid, and micronekton are poorly known and merit study. Future climate change will differ from past change and thus prediction of the CCS requires an understanding of its dynamics. Of particular concern are changes in winds, stratification, and ocean chemistry.
Policy changes to implement intramural sports in North Carolina middle schools: simulated effects on sports participation rates and physical activity intensity, 2008-2009.

INTRODUCTION: Extracurricular school sports programs can provide adolescents, including those who are economically disadvantaged, with opportunities to engage in physical activity. Although current models favor more exclusionary interscholastic sports, a better understanding is needed of the potential effects of providing alternative school sports options, such as more inclusive intramural sports. The purpose of this study was to simulate the potential effect of implementing intramural sports programs in North Carolina middle schools on both the rates of sports participation and on energy expenditure related to physical activity levels. METHODS: Simulations were conducted by using a school-level data set developed by integrating data from multiple sources. Baseline rates of sports participation were extrapolated from individual-level data that were based on school-level characteristics. A regression model was estimated by using the simulated baseline school-level sample. Participation rates and related energy expenditure for schools were calculated on the basis of 2 policy change scenarios. RESULTS: Currently, 37.2% of school sports participants are economically disadvantaged. Simulations suggested that policy changes to implement intramural sports along with interscholastic sports could result in more than 43,000 new sports participants statewide, of which 64.5% would be economically disadvantaged students. This estimate represents a 36.75% increase in economically disadvantaged participants. Adding intramural sports to existing interscholastic sports programs at all middle schools in North Carolina could have an annual effect of an additional 819,892.65 kilogram calories expended statewide. CONCLUSION: Implementing intramural sports may provide economically disadvantaged students more access to sports, thus reducing disparities in access to school sports while increasing overall physical activity levels among all children. Language: en
Superconvergence and sum rules for the optical constants: Natural and magneto-optical activity

Superconvergence techniques are systematically applied to dispersion relations for the index of refraction in optically active systems to find sum rules applicable to the optical constants for circularly polarized electromagnetic waves. New results include the theorems that (i) the zeroth moment of the circular dichroism and (ii) the first moment of the circular birefringence are zero. The latter theorem yields the simple rule that the rotation of the plane of polarization of linear light caused by an optically active medium averages to zero when integrated over all energies. Generalizations of the $f$ and inertial sum rules to circularly polarized modes are given, as well as a new rule relating the second moment of the circular dichroism to the cyclotron frequency in magneto-optics or to the rotatory strengths in natural optical activity.
Investigations of π Initiator Protein-mediated Interaction between Replication Origins α and γ of the Plasmid R6K

A typical plasmid replicon of Escherichia coli, such as ori γ of R6K, contains tandem iterons (iterated initiator protein binding sites), an AT-rich region that melts upon initiator-iteron interaction, two binding sites for the bacterial initiator protein DnaA, and a binding site for the DNA-bending protein IHF. R6K also contains two structurally atypical origins called α and β that are located on either side of γ and contain a single and a half-iteron, respectively. Individually, these sites do not bind to initiator protein π but access it by DNA looping-mediated interaction with the seven π-bound γ iterons. The π protein exists in 2 interconvertible forms: inert dimers and active monomers. Initiator dimers generally function as negative regulators of replication by promoting iteron pairing (“handcuffing”) between pairs of replicons that turn off both origins. Contrary to this existing paradigm, here we show that both the dimeric and the monomeric π are necessary for ori α-driven plasmid maintenance. Furthermore, efficient looping interaction between α and γ or between 2 γ iterons in vitro also required both forms of π. Why does α-γ iteron pairing promote α activation rather than repression? We show that a weak, transitory α-γ interaction at the iteron pairs was essential for α-driven plasmid maintenance. Swapping the α iteron with one of γ without changing the original sequence context that caused enhanced looping in vitro caused a significant inhibition of α-mediated plasmid maintenance. Therefore, the affinity of α iteron for π-bound γ and not the sequence context determined whether the origin was activated or repressed.