cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extracellular Microbial Polysaccharides: New Hydrocolloids Having Both Fundamental and Practical Import

Polysaccharides that occur free in the culture fluids of many nonpathogenic microorganisms show great diversity as well as novelty in composition, structure and properties. Only within approximately the last thirty years,however, has the practical potential of these macromolecular biopolymers been given serious consideration. Thus far, only a beginning has been made in discovering microbial sources, selecting products suitably constituted for specific applications, and developing the new science and technology of biopolymer fermentation. This activity was stimulated initially by wartime need for a blood plasma substitute and, more recently, by forecasts of impending shortages of natural plant hydrocolloids, by the advisability of national independence from foreign imports, and by demands not adequately met by currently available substances. See also the chapter by R. L. Whistler.
Martin Bucer. Briefwechsel / Correspondance, vol. X (Juli 1533 – Dezember 1533)

The tenth volume of Martin Bucer's correspondence covers the second half of 1533, a relatively calm period of the Strasbourger's life, especially in comparison to the previous year. After a two-mon...
Dyson Equations, Ward Identities, and the Infrared Behavior of Yang Mills Theories

It is shown that the Schwinger-Dyson equations of Yang-Mills theory in the axial gauge allow for the possibility that the gluon propagator behaves like (l/q2)2 for small q2. The possible consistency of such singular low momentum behavior follows from the fact that the vertices appearing in the Schwinger-Dyson equations satisfy the Slavnov-Taylor identities. The general solution of these identities. The general solution of these identities is found and particular solutions relevant to the low q2 behavior of the gluon propagator are introduced into the Schwinger-Dyson equations. This yields a closed set of integral equations for the gluon propagator which are now being investigated
Textural Crossfader

A LapBox derivative, the Textural Crossfader is a keyboard-based embedded acoustic instrument, which sits comfortably across the performer's lap and radiates sound out of integrated stereo speakers. The performer controls the sound by manipulating the keys on a pair of mini-keyboard interfaces. A unique one-to-one mapping enables the performer to precisely crossfade among a set of looped audio wave files, creating a conveniently portable system for navigating through a complex timbre space. The axes of the timbre space can be reconfigured by replacing the wave files stored in the flash memory.
Vital capabilities: a development framework for sexual and gender minorities

ABSTRACTRecent empirical research has revealed that sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in all parts of the world face discrimination and disparities in important dimensions of development such as ...
A Factor Analytic Study of Parents' Perceptions of the Role and Function of the Secondary School Counselor.

This factor analytic study was designed to determine the underlying empirical structure of a judgmentally developed counselor role and function survey questionnaire based on parent responses.
High frequency genome copy number abnormalities of microRNAs in human cancer

6111 MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ∼22nt non-coding RNAs, which regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner via mRNA degradation or translational repression. To genome-wide determine the DNA copy number abnormalities of miRNA genes, high-resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used in this study. Genomic location of 207 known human miRNA genes was identified in the miRNA registry. A total of 101 ovarian cancer specimens (86 primary tumor and 15 cell lines), 73 breast cancer specimens (55 primary tumors and 18 cell lines) as well as 46 melanoma cell lines were initially examined. We found that the DNA copy number of 17.9% (37/207), 53.6% (111/207) and 40.1% (83/207) miRNA genes was significantly (in >20% samples) altered in ovarian cancer, breast cancer and melanoma, respectively. In breast cancer, the ratio of copy number with gains to losses was 4.1, in contrast to 1.6 in ovarian cancer and 1.37 in melanoma. Genome copy number abnormalities of miRNAs were distributed on all chromosomes except chromosome 18 and 21. Ovarian and breast cancer shared 12 and 6 miRNA genes with copy number gains and losses respectively. Furthermore, 5 miRNA genes with copy number gains and 6 with losses were shared by all three types of cancer. Finally, 63 miRNA genes had no copy number change in any of those cancer samples. miRNA genes are frequently clustered in the human genome with an arrangement and expression pattern implying transcription as a poly-cistronic primary transcript. In 207 miRNA genes analyzed here, 102 are located in 37 clusters. We found that clustered miRNA genes could simultaneously lose or gain copy number in human cancer. miRNA genes are also frequently located in the introns of protein-coding genes, suggesting likely simultaneous copy number changes with the corresponding protein-coding genes in human cancer. In 207 analyzed miRNA genes, 51 are located in intron. Among them, 8, 24 and 18 had altered copy number in ovarian cancer, breast cancer and melanoma, respectively. In summary, we reported genome-wide, high-frequency miRNA copy number alterations in cancer. In contemplation of previous report that miRNAs are frequently located in cancer-associated regions or in fragile sites, we think that genetic alterations of miRNAs may constitute a critical step in cancer development, e.g., in the expressional control of genes involved in cancer, in particular, tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. We thus propose that genetic alterations of miRNAs may initiate and/or accelerate the imbalance of gene expression in cancer, accelerating oncogenesis and promoting tumor growth. Rescued expression of down-regulated or functionally deficient miRNAs and/or inhibition of over-expressed/functioning miRNAs should contribute to the rebalanced expression of large gene clusters and impede tumor growth, and therefore, provide a novel therapeutic stratagem for human cancer.
Control of Intestinal Epithelial Proliferation and Differentiation: The Microbiome, Enteroendocrine L Cells, Telocytes, Enteric Nerves, and GLP, Too.

The original version of the article unfortunately contained an error in one of the sentences. The sentence, "Eventually, Dan Drucker in Pat Brubaker's laboratory convincingly demonstrated that GLP-2 is the proglucagon product controlling intestinal proliferation [19]," should read "Eventually, Dan Drucker convincingly demonstrated that GLP-2 is the proglucagon product controlling intestinal proliferation [19]."
Injection drug use, unknown HIV positive status, and self-reported current PrEP use among Black men who have sex with men attending U.S. Black pride events, 2014–2017

Abstract Objective Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (BMSM) are at elevated risk for HIV infection in the United States. BMSM who inject drugs may be face even higher HIV risk. Methods Random time-location sampling was used to survey BMSM attending Black Pride events in 6 U.S. cities about HIV risk and protective behaviors, including injection drug use, prior HIV testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). 3429 individuals who reported a HIV negative/unknown serostatus at enrollment were included in the analysis. HIV status was determined by in-field rapid HIV testing. Results 3.6% of BMSM had injected drugs in their lifetime and 58.5% of BMSM who had injected drugs reported sharing syringes in the past six months. BMSM who had injected drugs more commonly reported current PrEP use than BMSM who had never injected (32.5% vs. 8.2%, p Conclusions BMSM who inject drugs who reported currently using PrEP were no less likely to test positive for HIV than those who did not use PrEP. Wrap-around services to support consistent PrEP use and long-acting PrEP formulations may improve the effectiveness of PrEP among BMSM who inject drugs.
Neurological, Psychiatric, and Affective Aspects of Dementia in Latinxs

This chapter reviews common neuropsychiatric symptoms, their expression among Latinx individuals with dementia, and their effect on caregiver burden in this population. As the understanding of dementia syndromes has progressed, increasing attention has been devoted to the neurological, psychiatric, and affective symptoms that commonly accompany neurodegeneration. Most large-scale studies have shown that at least one symptom or syndrome can be identified in almost all individuals diagnosed with dementia. These symptoms impose significant burden on caregivers and on the healthcare system.
Enhanced photocatalytic efficiency by layer-by- layer self-assembly of graphene and titanium dioxide on shrink thermoplastic film

In this work, reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide (rGO/TiO2) composite material was immobilized on shrink thermoplastic film using layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly to remove pollutants in water, and the results were compared with immobilized TiO2 on glass and shrink thermoplastic film. The structural and morphological properties of the immobilized photocatalysts were investigated using atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope. The photocatalytic efficiency was measured by photodegradation of methylene blue under solar light illumination. The immobilized rGO/TiO2 on shrink thermoplastic film showed doubled photocatalytic efficiency than TiO2 on glass substrate, and no decrease of photocatalytic efficiency was shown after 5 h of operation. The use of shrink thermoplastic film and the introduction of graphene material contribute to an increase in catalytic efficiency of 63% and 28%, respectively. These results lead us to believe that the LBL self-assembled rGO/TiO2 composite on shrink thermoplastic film could be used in photocatalytic degradation of other water pollutants.
Regional resilience analysis: A multiscale approach to optimize the resilience of interdependent infrastructure

Abstract Reducing hazard‐induced disruptions to infrastructure functionality is cardinal to regional resilience. Specifically, effective strategies to enhance regional resilience require: (a) devel...
Assessment of Current Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify major issues of current personal protective equipment (PPE) and assess healthcare workers’ (HCWs) PPE needs within a healthcare setting. The specific objectives were: (a) identify the types of PPE which HCWs currently use; (b) assess current PPE design features; (c) examine the effect of PPE design features and HCWs’ work experiences on overall PPE acceptability; and (d) explore current PPE maintenance practices. A convenience sample of 200 U.S. HCWs was recruited through an online survey and used for data analysis. The findings reveal the needs of current PPE improvement in fit, comfort, mobility, and donning and doffing for HCWs’ safety and health. Donning and doffing plays an essential role in HCWs’ overall PPE acceptance. This study provides critical insights for a proper donning and doffing training and its strict regulatory effort to ensure HCWs’ safety and health.
Three Cheers for Passthrough Taxation

This report addresses recent suggestions by the Obama administration, lawmakers, and others that some passthrough entities should be taxed as corporations. It argues that passthrough taxation is the correct regime, from a technical standpoint, for many business arrangements. Applying an entity tax to those structures would be inappropriate. The report argues that an entity tax would violate notions of equity by treating members of passthrough entities differently from individuals. Next it demonstrates that a tax on passthrough entities would shift a greater share of the tax burden to middle-income individuals. Finally, the report encourages the administration and lawmakers to increase the tax burden of the super wealthy before making changes that increase the tax burden of those in the middle.
Application of Sequential Probability Ratio Test for Reliability and Validity Studies

Suppose that a new blood pressure cuff has been created. Before this device can be accepted in the medical community, doctors would need to be sure that the new device is fairly consistent in its measurements and as accurate as the old blood pressure cuff. Likewise, to compare an old (standard) device with a new device, reliability and validity studies are performed in practice. In reliability and validity studies, a device is said to be reliable when it has low variance and a device is said to be valid when it has zero or small bias. Among many approaches for comparing two devices in the literature, the method of Bland and Altman analysis has been popular due to its simple calculation and interpretation under the assumption of normal distribution for the difference between two devices’ measurements. Note that researchers often collect data sequentially. In this chapter we present alternative statistical approaches to save researchers’ resources if possible. First, we present the application of a statistical method called the sequential probability ratio test which allows an early conclusion before reaching a fixed sample size. Next, we relax the normality assumption (which is not guaranteed to be satisfied in practice) by transforming an observed difference between two devices’ measurements into a Bernoulli random variable, and it provides a slightly different interpretation than the original Bland Altman analysis.
"Gimme That Ol’ Time Separation: A Review Essay"

This article is a critical review of Philip Hamburger's book, Separation of Church and State.
Programming Evolution: a Crack in Science

Nobel Prize winner, Jennifer Doudna, and Samuel Sternberg survey recent advances in a pioneering area of molecular biology. In an accessible and elegant style, the authors present the successes and challenges of a new DNA-modifying technique: CRISPR. They transmit their emotions of discovery, passion for research, and intellectual audacity. While greatly admiring the technical skills of the authors, who are among the best researchers in the field, this review critically stresses the limits of their experimental practices, namely: a vague or incomplete theoretical frame; often unreachable genetic targets; off-target effects; prior failures to deliver by other forms of genetic manipulation, and, finally, the intrinsic unpredictability of many phenotypic consequences of such a powerful technique. Due to these concerns, the authors’ approach to organisms and Evolution is questioned with the purpose to generate an open debate.
A simple model of COVID-19 explains disease severity and the effect of treatments

Considerable effort was made to better understand why some people suffer from severe COVID-19 while others remain asymptomatic. This has led to important clinical findings; people with severe COVID-19 generally experience persistently high levels of inflammation, slower viral load decay, display a dysregulated type-I interferon response, have less active natural killer cells and increased levels of neutrophil extracellular traps. How these findings are connected to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains unclear. We propose a mathematical model that sheds light on this issue. The model focuses on cells that trigger inflammation through molecular patterns: infected cells carrying pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damaged cells producing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The former signals the presence of pathogens while the latter signals danger such as hypoxia or the lack of nutrients. Analyses show that SARS-CoV-2 infections can lead to a self-perpetuating feedback loop between DAMP expressing cells and inflammation. It identifies the inability to quickly clear PAMPs and DAMPs as the main contributor to hyperinflammation. The model explains clinical findings and the conditional impact of treatments on disease severity. The simplicity of the model and its high level of consistency with clinical findings motivate its use for the formulation of new treatment strategies.
Endocannabinoid Modulation of Spatial Memory in Aversively and Appetitively Motivated Barnes Maze Tasks

ENDOCANNABINOID MODULATION OF SPATIAL MEMORY IN AVERSIVELY AND APPETITIVELY MOTIVATED BARNES MAZE TASKS By John Pinckney Harloe III, B.A., M.S. A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008 Major Director: Aron H. Lichtman, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Genetic deletion or pharmacological blockade of the CB1 receptor has been reported to impair extinction learning in aversive conditioning (i.e., conditioned fear and Morris water maze) paradigms, but not in operant procedures in which food reinforcement is earned. It is difficult to discern whether the differential effects caused by CB1 receptor disruption on extinction result from the hedonics (i.e., aversive vs. appetitive) or is related to the required responses associated with these disparate tasks. In order to evaluate whether the hedonics is the determining factor, we used either aversive ix (i.e., escape from bright lights and air turbulence) or appetitive (i.e., to gain access to water) motivators in the Barnes maze task, a model in which mice are required to enter a hidden goal box. Administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant, disrupted extinction learning under aversive conditions, but not under appetitive conditions. This is the first study to show a differential effect of rimonabant on extinction in a task that required identical motor behaviors, but only differed in hedonic nature of the reinforcer. In addition, genetic ablation of CB1 receptor signaling impaired acquisition of the task under both aversive and appetitive conditioning procedures. Conversely, enhancing endocannabinoid signaling, via genetic deletion of the FAAH enzyme, accelerated acquisition of the task under aversive, but not appetitive, conditioning procedures. Accordingly, these data strongly support the hypothesis that the endogenous cannabinoid system plays a necessary role in the extinction of aversively motivated behaviors, but is expendable in appetitively motivated behaviors. While these findings underscore concerns over potential side effects associated with CB1 receptor antagonists, they also suggest that stimulating the endogenous cannabinoid system may be a pharmacological approach to treat maladaptive behaviors that arise from stress or trauma.
GRAPES—Grounding representations in action, perception, and emotion systems: How object properties and categories are represented in the human brain

In this article, I discuss some of the latest functional neuroimaging findings on the organization of object concepts in the human brain. I argue that these data provide strong support for viewing concepts as the products of highly interactive neural circuits grounded in the action, perception, and emotion systems. The nodes of these circuits are defined by regions representing specific object properties (e.g., form, color, and motion) and thus are property-specific, rather than strictly modality-specific. How these circuits are modified by external and internal environmental demands, the distinction between representational content and format, and the grounding of abstract social concepts are also discussed.
Estrogen modulation of the ethanol-evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction via DAPK3/Akt/ERK activation in male rats

Evidence suggests that male rats are protected against the hypotensive and myocardial depressant effects of ethanol compared with females. We investigated whether E2 modifies the myocardial and oxidative effects of ethanol in male rats. Conscious male rats received ethanol (0.5, 1 or 1.5g/kg i.v.) 30-min after E2 (1μg/kg i.v.) or its vehicle (saline), and hearts were collected at the conclusion of hemodynamic measurements for ex vivo molecular studies. Ethanol had no effect in vehicle-treated rats, but it caused dose-related reductions in LV developed pressure (LVDP), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate of rise in LV pressure (dP/dtmax) and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures in E2-pretreated rats. These effects were associated with elevated (i) indices of reactive oxygen species (ROS), (ii) malondialdehyde (MDA) protein adducts, and (iii) phosphorylated death-associated protein kinase-3 (DAPK3), Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). Enhanced myocardial anti-oxidant enzymes (heme oxygenase-1, catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) activities were also demonstrated. In conclusion, E2 promotes ethanol-evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction in male rats. The present findings highlight the risk of developing myocardial dysfunction in men who consume alcohol while receiving E2 for specific medical conditions.
Wayfinding by auditory cues in virtual environments

This paper describes the use of 3D sound as a wayfinding tool in virtual environments. We present the design of a study and a pilot evaluation of the use of spatial sound as a wayfinding cue on navigation in virtual environments. A pilot study with four participants offered insights suggesting that auditory cues may have the potential to help users perform wayfinding tasks in a virtual mall environment faster and more accurately than in an environment without auditory cues.
Temperature-based instanton analysis: Identifying vulnerability in transmission networks

A time-coupled instanton method for characterizing transmission network vulnerability to wind generation fluctuation is presented. To extend prior instanton work to multiple-time-step analysis, line constraints are specified in terms of temperature rather than current. An optimization formulation is developed to express the minimum wind forecast deviation such that at least one line is driven to its thermal limit. Results are shown for an IEEE RTS-96 system with several wind-farms.
Preliminary Results of Activated Sintering Mechanism and Grain Boundary Prewetting/Premelting in Nickel‐Doped Tungsten

Supported by prior lattice-gas and phase-field simulations, we proposed that nanoscale intergranular and surficial amorphous films in multicomponent ceramic materials can be treated as a case of combined interfacial prewetting and premelting. Consequently, a class of parallel interfacial phenomena, i.e., coupled interfacial adsorption and disordering, is anticipated to occur in multicomponent metallic alloys. An exploratory study was carried out wherein grain boundary segregation in a model binary metallic alloy (Ni-doped W) was characterized as a function of temperature and dopant concentration. Doped specimens were prepared using high purity chemicals, sintered in flowing H2/N2 mixture, and examined using Auger spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Preliminary results are presented and discussed with respect to a prewetting/premelting model versus the classical Langmuir-McLean and BET models. An additional goal of this study is to resolve the long-standing mystery of solid-state activated sintering mechanism for nickel-doped tungsten. Use of ultra-pure materials confirmed the occurrence of nickel activated sintering of tungsten in the solid-state. We demonstrated that, contrary to the previous belief, Ni-rich secondary bulk phase does not penetrate along GBs and the solid-state activator should be a nanoscale interfacial phase that does not appear in the bulk phase diagram. The solid-state activated sintering in the modelmore » metallic system of Ni-doped W is therefore attributed to the enhance diffusion in a coupled grain boundary disordering and adsorption region, analogous to activated sintering via accelerated mass transport in nanoscale intergranular and surficial amorphous film in the model oxide system of Bi2O3-doped ZnO.« less
Optimization of composite laminates

Design of composite structures can be viewed as a multi-faceted task, one which requires integration of issues related to composite mechanics, structural analysis, optimization, and manufacturing. The major coverage of the paper is on the issue of optimization, with special emphasis on the use of optimization for designing with discrete and integer valued variables required for the stacking-sequence optimization. Different techniques that can be used for stacking sequence optimization are introduced, and different aspects of their application are demonstrated for laminate buckling optimization.
The NRaD virtual presence program

Abstract Research issues and methods for a new program of virtual presence research are described. The U.S. Navy anticipates extensive use of virtual environment (VE) systems for both mission and training needs. The Navy Command, Control, and Ocean Surveillance Center, RDTE Division (NRaD) is supporting these needs by developing empirical human engineering guidelines for VE system design. The Virtual Presence Program involves parallel investigations of visual and display system performance, spatial orientation, interaction methods, and studies of operator task performance.
The Affordable Care Act and Long-Term Care: Comprehensive Reform or Just Tinkering Around the Edges?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes several provisions that aim to improve prevailing deficiencies in the nation's long-term care system. But just how effective is the ACA likely to be in addressing these challenges? Will it result in meaningful or marginal reform? This special issue of Journal of Aging & Social Policy seeks to answer these questions. The most prominent long-term care provision is the now-suspended Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act. Others include incentives and options for expanding home- and community-based care, a number of research and demonstration projects in the areas of chronic care coordination and the dually eligible, and nursing home quality reforms. There are also elements that seek to improve workforce recruitment and retention, in addition to benefit improvements and spending reductions under Medicare. This article reviews the basic problems plaguing the long-term care sector and the provisions within the ACA meant to address them. It also includes a brief overview of issue content.
Transnational Feminism, Global Governance, and the Reimagination of the Organization–Society Relationship: A Case Study of the Women's Environment and Development Organization

This study further destabilizes the traditional view of the organization–society relationship in which organizations are largely divorced from the publics they represent. A critical case study of the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), a transnational feminist organization working across national and geographic borders for inclusive global governance, reveals that its global governance discourse mediates: (a) Western liberalism's neglect of difference by centering typically peripheral voices; and (b) postmodernity's moral relativism by developing and implementing global norms. A global intermediary between powerful decision-making bodies and historically underrepresented citizens, WEDO is an exemplar of how transnational feminist organizations are reconfiguring the organization–society relationship in a postmodern era.
Replication of Bacteriophage SH-133 in the Facultative Autotroph Hydrogenomonas facilis II. Bacteriophage Synthesis and Hydrogenase Induction Under Step-Up and Step-Down Growth Conditions

Autotrophically grown infected cells are able to replicate phage SH-133 after being switched to a heterotrophic environment (step-up growth). The effect of step-down growth on phage replication varies with the choice of organic substrate. Phage replication and the induction of cellular hydrogenase occur under step-down growth from acetate but not peptone broth. The requirement of a continued source of energy for phage replication in either heterotrophically or autotrophically grown cells could be uniquely demonstrated in this phage-host system by the deletion of hydrogen from the growth medium.
Haze formation in beverages

Abstract The most frequent cause of hazes in beverages is due to protein–polyphenol interaction. Proteins that bind polyphenols contain proline, and the more proline, the greater the haze-forming activity. Polyphenols that cause haze have at least two sites that can bind to proteins; this enables them to cross-link proteins together and results in insoluble particles that scatter light. Protein–polyphenol interaction is non-covalent and, at least initially, reversible. The size of haze particles and the haze intensity are both affected by the ratio of haze-active (HA) polyphenol to HA protein. Alcohol content and pH also exert strong influences. Particle size in a model system does not vary smoothly as conditions change; rather shifts in the proportions of particles of a few discrete sizes are seen. Haze development occurs over time in packaged products. In clear beverages a treatment (fining, adsorption or ultrafiltration) is normally applied to reduce the concentration of either HA protein or HA polyphenol in order to delay the onset of haze formation beyond the intended product shelf life. A nephelometer observation gives a good indication of the amount of haze people can perceive.
Pyrazole-substituted near-infrared cyanine dyes exhibit pH-dependent fluorescence lifetime properties.

Near-infrared heptamethine cyanine dye is functionalized with pyrazole derivatives at the meso-position to induce pH-dependent photophysical properties. The presence of pyrazole unsubstituted at 1N-position is essential to induce pH-dependent fluorescence intensity and lifetime changes in these dyes. Replacement of meso-chloro group of cyanine dye IR820 with 1N-unsubstituted pyrazole resulted in the pH-dependent fluorescence lifetime changes from 0.93 ns in neutral media to 1.27 ns in acidic media in DMSO. Time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) revealed that at lower pH, the pyrazole consists of fluorophores with two distinct lifetimes, which cor-responds to pH-sensitive and non-pH-sensitive species. In contrast, 1N-substituted pyrazoles do not exhibit pH response, suggesting excited state electron transfer as the mechanism of pH-dependent fluorescence lifetime sensitivity for this class of compounds.
A modification of the Ritter test for copper in butter.

Summary 1.A modified Ritter Test for copper in butter has been described. 2.Three classes of readings for this copper test have been proposed to designate the extent of the copper contamination in the butter. 3.The test is influenced by a high pH of the butter serum, but may be corrected by the use of a small quantity of N/10H 2 SO 4 . 4.The copper contamination of Indiana butter was found to be 39.1 per cent negative, 39.6 per cent slight and 21.3 per cent positive according to the modified test. 5.The comparison of butter of high copper contamination from one creamery and that of another creamery with very little contamination was made. 6.This modified test although qualitative is fairly accurate in determining the extent of copper contamination in butter and is also a rapid, inexpensive test.
Improved method of preparation of α-substituted fatty acids

The previously published methods for the syntheses of α-substituted fatty acids, as developed by Pfeffer et al. and Konen et al., were improved by using the dimethylamides instead of the free carboxylic acids and changing the solvent system to eliminate hexamethylphosphoramide, a known carcinogen. The improved method cuts the use of metalating agent in half, drastically reduces refrigeration requirements, and permits the preparation of larger batches. A Grignard reagent can be used in place ofn-butyllithium as metalating agent but gives substantially poorer yields. The syntheses of α-hydroxylauric acid and α-butyllauric acid are described.
Patient-Centered Research : Disenrollment From Medicare Managed Care Plans in Connecticut

PURPOSE: Disenrollment behavior has important implications for the cost, quality, and continuity of care under Medicare Managed Care (MMC). Although disenrollment data are sometimes used as a quality indicator, uncertainty about how personal and plan characteristics influence disenrollment decisions complicates their use as a valid quality measure. METHODS: To determine how personal characteristics influence MMC disenrollment decisions, we analyzed data from the Medicare Beneficiary File, the US Census, and MMC plans. The study population consisted of MBs enrolled in one of 9 MMC Risk plans during a 6 month period, January through June 1998. We estimated logistic regression models with disenrollment (i.e. leaving a plan during the study period) as the dependent variable, and individual MB characteristics (age, gender, race, education, economic indicators) as independent variables, adjusting for plan characteristics. For disenrolling MBs we also estimated models using rapid disenrollment and disenrollment to fee-for-service (FFS) as dependent variables. RESULTS: Of 84,443 Medicare Beneficiaries (MBs) enrolled in one of 9 MMC risk plans in Connecticut, 4,102 (4.9%) disenrolled at least once during the 6 month study period, January through June, 1998. Of 4,022 MBs who disenrolled only once, 2,661 (66.2%) joined another MMC plan, while 1,361 (33.8%) returned to fee-for-service (FFS). 948 (23.6%) disenrolled "rapidly" (<90 days after joining). MBs who switched to another MMC plan had been enrolled longer than those who went back to FFS (Median 303 vs. 120 days, p < .001). In logistic regression analysis, adjusting for plan characteristics, disenrollment was associated with non-White race/ethnicity, age <75, and residence in areas with higher poverty rates and lower education levels. Among disenrollees, rapid disenrollment and disenrollment to FFS were associated with female gender, age ≥75, and residence in areas with higher poverty rates. CONCLUSION: Higher disenrollment among poorer, minority MBs suggests that these groups may have more problematic experiences with MMC, or may be more severely affected by coverage limitations. The higher rate of rapid disenrollment and return to FFS among older, poor, female disenrollees may be related to inadequate plan information at enrollment. Further research is needed do determine how patient characteristics influence disenrollment decisions, and whether MMC plans can improve member retention by paying more attention to the medical needs of specific groups and the information provided to enrollees.
Review article: architecture denied

Published in 1998, blank____ Architecture, apartheid and after, represents a seminal collection of essays anticipating the fundamental cultural transformation of South Africa in architectural terms. A close reading of the compilation, however, reveals an unconscious redeployment of a representational scheme (read: apartheid) by the text's editors preventing their idea of intertextual ‘freedom’ between architecture and blackness. ‘Architecture Denied’ is a case study of the aforementioned text fostering two simultaneous ideas: First, it demonstrates that architectural codes and representational systems can be used as innovative forms of critique to unpack and disclose seemingly benign architectural/ organisational strategies. Second, the facility to disclose these systems in a racial context reveals that architecture, when embraced by blackness (or vice versa), represents a formidable system of resistance and transformation.
The formation of interferon during acute respiratory virus infection of volunteers.

The nasal washings from 52 volunteers were tested. Twelve had received a partly attenuated A2 influenza Leningrad/4/65 and 37 a similar B England/101/ 62 strain. Interferon was detected by titration with rhinovirus type 2 in human fibroblasts and with Sindbis virus in a continuous line (V 3) of monkey kidney cells. In volunteers given influenza B, interferon was found in specimens collected 4 days after inoculation in 12 of 22 infected volunteers and 2 of 15 uninfected volunteers. There was no relation between the presence of interferon in infected volunteers and the clinical severity of illness but volunteers who developed higher titres of antibody in convalescence had had higher peak interferon titres in the acute phase of the illness than those who developed low titres.
Values, motivations, and learning experiences of future professionals : Who wants to serve underserved populations?

Most service-oriented professionals express a desire to help others. But which professionals want to help those who most need their services? The authors assessed the degree to which values, motivations, and learning experiences were associated with a desire to work with underserved populations (UPs) among 135 future professionals who were majoring in helping fields in college. Desiring to work with UPs was positively associated with valuing autonomy, having experienced personal or family problems, and having an educator or helping professional as a parent, and it was negatively associated with having had strong interpersonal alliances. Implications for increasing the pool of professionals who wish to work with UPs are discussed.
Some reflections on o sea: A discourse marker in Spanish

Abstract This paper examines the Spanish discourse marker o sea; which consists of the preposition o ‘or’ and sea, the third person singular, present subjunctive form of the verb ser ‘to be’. The uses of o sea are grouped into two broad classes: connective and epistemic. Connective uses guide hearers to the correct semantic interpretation between propositions. Epistemic uses mark speakers' degree of commitment to what they say, increasing the modal content of their utterances. In addition, there are also instances of o sea that appear to carry out both connective and epistemic functions. These latter uses challenge the typology of Fraser (1990), who distinguishes discourse markers from other pragmatic markers along similar lines. It is also argued, contra Fraser (1990), that the pragmatic meaning of discourse markers cannot be analyzed without reference to the content meaning of their lexical sources.
A New Era Begins

The journal Stroke celebrates its 40th year and there is much to be proud of based on prior accomplishments. I begin my 5-year term as Editor-in-Chief inheriting a flourishing, successful and highly respected journal that has thrived under the leadership of Dr Vladimir Hachinski, who has served as Editor-in-Chief for the past 10 years. During Dr. Hachinski’s term the number of manuscripts submitted yearly has doubled to just over 2800 and the impact factor has risen by a point to 6.5. Additionally, publishing ahead of print began, as did a completely electronic manuscript submission system. Translation of Stroke into 7 languages increased the submission and publication of manuscripts, and the number of subscriptions, from these regions. An author-mentoring program for non-native English speakers was initiated along with a waiver of page charges for authors from many less developed countries. These accomplishments, along with many others too numerous to enumerate, have marked the stewardship provided by Dr Hachinski and will provide a sustainable legacy for the field of cerebrovascular disorders. Dr Hachinski can be described as an internationalist with insightful ideas who has strived to be inclusive and innovative. I submit that he has excelled by providing all of his visionary initiatives and I offer him my thanks, and those of our entire community, …
Evaluation of the TUPOS air quality dispersion model using data from the EPRI Kincaid field study

Abstract Data from SF6 tracer studies conducted at the Kincaid power plant in central Illinois by the Electric Power Research Institute in 1980 and 1981 have been used to evaluate the TUPOS air quality dispersion model. Most of the 96 h data are from periods representing daytime convective conditions when the impact of an elevated buoyant source would be expected to be greatest at ground level. Since on the order of 200 tracer measurement stations on four to six arcs were in operation during each hour of the study, a reasonable estimate of the maximum concentration along each arc could be made. The maximum concentration on each arc was the principal value used for purposes of comparing tracer measurements with model estimates. In addition to making comparisons between tracer and TUPOS estimates, comparisons were also made using the regulatory model MPTER. Although the means of residuals (model concentration minus tracer concentration) from the hourly maxima are both negative, TUPOS with a mean residual of −32.6 ppt (parts per trillion) shows improvement over MPTER with a mean residual of − 50.3 ppt. Tracer concentrations show 4 hourly maxima exceed 500 ppt. TUPOS estimates 3 and MPTER estimates 2 concentrations above 500 ppt. The performance results were used to suggest further changes to the TUPOS model. These consisted primarily of determining the fluctuation statistics and wind speed and direction for a height midway between effective plume height and ground level rather than at plume height. These changes were implemented and shown to provide improvement when tested on the dependent data set used to evaluate the original model. The mean of the residuals for hourly maxima for the REVISED TUPOS is − 0.2 ppt showing a shift to almost no bias. The REVISED TUPOS estimates 5 hourly maxima exceeding 500 ppt. Although the significance of the results for the revised model are not as great as they would be if an independent data set were used, these results are still useful in indicating the proper direction of changes to be made that can improve modeling.
Sparse Regression Incorporating Graphical Structure among Predictors

With the abundance of high dimensional data in various disciplines, sparse regularized techniques are very popular these days. In this paper, we make use of the structure information among predictors to improve sparse regression models. Typically, such structure information can be modeled by the connectivity of an undirected graph using all predictors as nodes of the graph. Most existing methods use this undirected graph edge-by-edge to encourage the regression coefficients of corresponding connected predictors to be similar. However, such methods do not directly utilize the neighborhood information of the graph. Furthermore, if there are more edges in the predictor graph, the corresponding regularization term will be more complicate. In this paper, we incorporate the graph information node-by-node, instead of edge-by-edge as used in most existing methods. Our proposed method is very general and it includes adaptive Lasso, group Lasso, and ridge regression as special cases. Both theoretical and numerical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for simultaneous estimation, prediction and model selection.
Abstract 193: Effect of omega-3 fatty acid and dietary energy restriction on mammary carcinogenesis, circulating biomarkers and molecular regulators in rats.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Available evidence indicates that diets enriched in the ratio of n-3 fatty acids or dietary energy restriction (DER) have a broad range of health-related benefit including prevention of breast cancer. However, the number of studies in the combined effects of these intervention strategies have been investigated is limited. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of the combination of dietary n-3 and DER on mammary carcinogenesis, on plasma levels of cancer associated growth factors and cytokines and on molecular regulators in mammary carcinomas using a pre-clinical rat model for breast cancer. Female Sprague Dawley rats were injected with 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (50 mg/kg) and 7 days thereafter randomized to four groups (n=30/group), 1) control (dietary n-6/n-3=1:1); 2) high n-3 (dietary n-6/n-3=1:10); 3) 20%DER (dietary n-6/n-3=1:1); 4) high n-3 + 20%DER (dietary n-6/n-3=1:10). Rats were fed a modification of the AIN-93G diet formulation that contained 30% of dietary calories from fat (currently recommended in the US Dietary guidelines). It was observed that mammary cancer incidence, cancer multiplicity and tumor burden were reduced and cancer latency was elongated for the rats in groups 2-4 compared to the rats in group 1, and the significant differences were observed between group 1 (n-6/n-3=1:1) and 4 (n-6/n-3=1:10 + 20%DER). The protective dietary combination of high n-3 and DER was associated with significant reductions in plasma IGF-1, insulin, and leptin and increased adiponectin compared to rats fed the control diet (n-6/n-3=1:1, p<0.01). Carcinomas induced in the protected animals were smaller in mass with altered levels of proteins in the PPAR and mTOR pathways on which plasma insulin had the most impact. This work was supported by grant KG081632 from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Citation Format: Weiqin Jiang, Zongjian Zhu, John N. McGinley, Andrea Manni, Henry J. Thompson. Effect of omega-3 fatty acid and dietary energy restriction on mammary carcinogenesis, circulating biomarkers and molecular regulators in rats. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 193. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-193
NON-SPECIFIC RESULTS OBTAINED WITH MICRO-METHOD FOR ASSAY OF PROLACTIN

THE LOCAL response of the crop-sac or micro-method of testing for prolactin, i.e., by intracutaneous injection over the pigeon’s crop-sac, was introduced by Lyons and Page (1935). Because of its sensitivity it is currently used for detecting and estimating the prolactin content of blood and urine. The same method has been employed, with macerated tissue, in several experimental investigations of the prolactin content of pituitary, liver and other tissue. Almost nothing has been published on the reliability and specificity of this method, although this was questioned by Leblond and Noble (1937), and Bates and Riddle in 1940, showed that the volume of fluid utilized in these injections must be kept constant in order to obtain results of quantitative value. In the present studies on this type of injection we have found that various non-pituitary products, both organic and inorganic, cause a proliferation of the crop epithelium which simulates that induced by prolactin.
Présentation tardive d'un faux anévrisme mycotique de l'artère poplitée après reprise d'une arthroplastie totale du genou compliquée par une infection et une fracture juxta-prothétique : rapport d'un cas

Les cas rapportes de complications arterielles de l'arthroplastie totale du genou (ATG), comme l'ischemie, la thrombose, les lesions arterielles, ou les faux anevrismes sont relativement rares dans la litterature orthopedique et vasculaire et sont le plus generalement associes au traumatisme vasculaire direct. Les complications arterielles surviennent par ailleurs typiquement peu de temps apres l'intervention. La survenue tardive de faux anevrisme arteriel mycotique apres reprise d'une arthroplastie compliquee par l'infection et une fracture n'a, a la connaissance des auteurs, pas ete rapportee dans la litterature. Nous rapportons la presentation tardive d'un faux anevrisme mycotique dans le contexte d'une reprise d'ATG precedemment compliquee d'infection et d'une fracture juxta-prothetique. Un an apres le traitement de la fracture, le patient se presentait avec un gonflement aigu de cuisse et conduisant a diagnostiquer un faux anevrisme mycotique de l'artere poplitee proximale droite. Il fut traite par excision chirurgicale, interposition d'un greffon saphene inverse, et un traitement antibiotique a large spectre prolonge. Le risque de complications apres reprise d'une ATG deja compliquee est augmente et n'implique pas toujours un traumatisme vasculaire direct. Chez les patients ayant eu une infection articulaire, en presence d'un evenement vasculaire, le faux anevrisme mycotique doit faire partie du diagnostic differentiel.