cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of vectorization on large-scale structural optimization

Structural optimization methods have been developed over the past three decades for minimizing the weight or the cost of the structure subjected to design constraints. As the size of the structure increases, however, the computational time becomes prohibitively high. With the recent availability of supercomputers, optimization of very large and complex structures is achievable. This paper is about impact of vectorization on large scale structural optimization. A judiciously vectorized structural optimization algorithm is presented using the optimality criteria approach. The algorithm has been applied to minimum weight design of three highrise and super highrise buildings (mega strutures) ranging in height from 50 stories to 161 stories and in size from 848 to 6136 members. The performance of the vectorized algorithm is discussed in terms of MFLOPS and CPU time. It is concluded that significant speedup can be achieved through the adroit use of the vectorization techniques.
Left-Right identification and education in Europe: A contingent relationship

In the American research tradition, education has long been argued to push one toward a liberal political ideology. Traditionally, education has been associated with the upper classes of society and thereby with a more right-wing, conservative political ideology. Recent research demonstrates an inconsistent relationship between the ideological leaning of various political attitudes and education. This article reviews current theory on education and ideology and finds three perspectives dominate the literature: self-interest theses, developmental theses and socialization theses. Self-interest theories follow the traditional association of education with the upper classes and thereby with right-wing ideology. Developmental theses argue that education contributes to liberal political attitudes by stimulating cognitive development and expanding an individual's perspective. Socialization theses argue that education contributes to political attitudes by social learning processes. A specific example of a socialization perspective is the core values thesis. This thesis argues that education propagates the transmission of a society's core values. To this thesis, I add that an individual's personality is important in this process. As such I test a three-way interaction which provides support for the modified core values thesis: personality and context interact to influence the ideological leaning of our political attitudes.
Midterm survival after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in more than 10,000 Medicare patients

Objective Aneurysms and dissections of the descending thoracic aorta represent a complex substrate with a variety of therapeutic options. The introduction of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of thoracic aortic disease. However, longitudinal analyses of post-TEVAR outcomes appropriately stratified by aortic disease remain limited. Methods A total of 11,996 patients undergoing TEVAR from 2005-2010 were identified from the Medicare/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database. Patients were stratified by underlying aortic disease and the presence of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazards analysis determined predictors of survival from TEVAR. Results After TEVAR, patients had a median survival of 57.6 months (95% confidence interval, 54.9-61.3 months). Although patients without CPT codes had significantly fewer recorded comorbidities, TEVAR survival was comparable between patients with and without CPT codes (56.3 vs 59.5 months, P = .54). The early and late incidence of death varied significantly by aortic disease. Patients with aortic rupture, acute aortic dissection, and aortic trauma had the highest early incidence of death, whereas late survival was highest in patients with acute aortic dissection, aortic trauma, and isolated thoracic aortic aneurysm. Although hospital TEVAR volume was not associated with survival, an independent hospital effect (determined by using a mixed-effect Cox model) associated certain hospitals with a hazard for death 50% of what it was at other hospitals. Conclusions TEVAR has been applied to a multitude of aortic diseases in the Medicare population; early and late post-TEVAR survival varies by aortic disease. The late incidence of death remains high in TEVAR recipients, although certain aortic diagnoses such as acute aortic dissection, aortic trauma, and isolated thoracic aortic aneurysm were associated with improved late survival. An independent hospital effect, but not hospital volume, is correlated with post-TEVAR survival. Future analyses of TEVAR outcomes using the Medicare database should adjust for underlying aortic diagnoses and the presence of CPT codes.
Effects of clozapine, chlorpromazine and haloperidol on schedule-controlled behavior ☆ ☆☆

Abstract The effects of clozapine, chlorpromazine, and haloperidol were determined in mice and pigeons responding under a multiple fixed-ratio 30, fixed-interval 600 sec schedule of food presentation. In both species, low doses were without effect and moderate to high doses of all three antipsychotics decreased responding. In contrast to other behavioral tests used to predict antipsychotic activity, clozapine was equipotent or more potent than chlorpromazine in decreasing responding under the multiple-fixed-ratio 30, fixed-interval 600 sec schedule. The order of potency observed in the mouse was: haloperidol > chlorpromazine ⩾ clozapine. The order of potency in the pigeon was: haloperidol > clozapine > chlorpromazine. In mice and pigeons, the rate of responding under the fixed-ratio component was decreased at lower than, or the same doses of clozapine as that required to decreased fixed-interval responding. However, in both species, chlorpromazine and haloperidol decreased fixed-interval responding at lower doses or the same dose as that required to decrease fixed-ratio responding.
The electroencephalogram in Tourette syndrome

The electroencephalogram (EEG) was studied in 38 patients with Tourette syndrome. Psychometric tests and neurological evaluation identified patients with signs of additional central nervous system dysfunction. Thirteen patients (34%) had some EEG abnormality. In contrast to findings by other investigators, epileptiform activity was uncommon (only 2 out of 38). Most of the patients with EEG abnormalities either had other objective signs of neurological dysfunction or were taking haloperidol, a drug known to disturb the EEG.
Epistemic Circularity: Vicious, Virtuous and Benign

Sosa's work on epistemic circularity has significance beyond his own brand of virtue epistemology, with its characteristic distinction between animal and reflective knowledge. On the contrary, it demonstrates the necessity of embracing foundationalism and externalism in epistemology, while at the same time answering various charges (some perennial) against epistemology in general. This paper distinguishes six kinds of epistemic circularity that are discussed in Sosa's work: two virtuous, two vicious, and two benign. This framework is used to reconstruct Sosa's responses to various problems involving charges of epistemic circularity. In particular, we look at Sosa's response to e Problem of the Criterion.
Uncertainties and sustainability concepts in biofuel supply chain management: A review

Abstract Biofuel energy as an alternative and additive form of energy to fossil fuel has gained much attention in recent times. In order to sustain such a vision, a robust supply chain is of extreme importance in helping to deliver competitive biofuel to the end user markets. In this paper, firstly, an introduction of the evolution of biofuels and the general structure of the biofuel supply chain are presented. Secondly, the three types of decision making levels and uncertainties that are inherent within the biofuel supply chain are discussed. Thirdly, important methodologies for modeling uncertainties in the decision making process are provided. Fourthly, sustainability concepts and models that give perspectives to the social, economical and environmental concepts are reviewed. Finally, conclusions and future research based on incorporating uncertainties and sustainability concepts within the biofuel supply chain are drawn and suggested, respectively.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Alkenyldecaborane and Alkenyl Monocarbon Carboranes.

Decaborane(14) reacts with 1-(CH(3))(3)SiCtCC(4)H(9) in the presence of dimethyl sulfide to give the new alkenyldecaborane 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[(CH(3))(3)Si(C(4)H(9))C=CH]B(10)H(11) (I). Crystal data for 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[(CH(3))(3)Si(C(4)H(9))C=CH]B(10)H(11): space group P2(1)/n, monoclinic, a = 9.471(1) A, b = 13.947(3) A, c = 17.678(3) A, beta = 100.32(1) degrees. A total of 3366 unique reflections were collected over the range 2.0 degrees /= 3sigma(F(o)(2)) and were used in the final refinement. R(F)() = 0.083; R(w)(F)() = 0.094. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[((CH(3))(3)Si)(2)C=CH]B(10)H(11) (A) is also reported. Crystal data for 5-(S(CH(3))(2))-6-[((CH(3))(3)Si)(2)C=CH]B(10)H(11): space group, P2(1)2(1)2(1), orthorhombic, a = 9.059 (3) A, b = 12.193(4) A, c = 21.431(3) A. A total of 4836 unique reflections were collected over the range 6 degrees /= 3sigma(F(o)(2)) and were used in the final refinement. R(F)() = 0.052; R(w)(F)() = 0.059. The reactions of 5-(S(CH(3))(2))6-[(CH(3))(3)Si(C(4)H(9))C=CH]B(10)H(11) and 5-(S(CH(3))(2))6-[((CH(3))(3)Si)(2)C=CH]B(10)H(11) with a variety of alkyl isocyanides were investigated. All of the alkenyl monocarbon carboranes reported are the result of incorporation of the carbon atom from the isocyanide into the alkenyldecaborane framework and reduction of NtC bond to a N-C single bond. The characterization of these compounds is based on (1)H and (11)B NMR data, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry.
Sequence and expression of the todGIH genes involved in the last three steps of toluene degradation by Pseudomonas putida F1.

Abstract The todFC1C 2 BADE gene cluster in Pseudomonas putida F1 encodes enzymes for the first four steps of toluene degradation, leading to the formation of 2-hydroxypenta-2,4-dienoate (HPD). Here, we report the nucleotide (nt) sequence and expression of the remaining three genes of the tod pathway, downstream from todE and arranged in the order, todGIH . The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of TodG [HPD hydratase (268 aa)], TodH [4-hydroxy-2-oxovalerate (HO) aldolase (352 aa)] and TodI [acylating aldehyde (AA) dehydrogenase (316 aa)] are compared with the isofunctional proteins present in the meta -cleavage pathways of other bacteria. New sequence motifs are identified. The highly conserved TodH and TodI sequences are potentially useful DNA probes for biomonitoring purposes.
Das Meckelsche Divertikel

Die deskriptive Einstellung der fruheren „Zergliederer“, die gerne bei der Beschreibung von anatomischen Anomalien und „Kuriositaten“ verweilte, lastuns nicht verwunderlich erscheinen, das das Krummdarmdivertikel trotz Seiner Seltenheit schon recht fruh beobachtet und beschrieben wurde, lange bevor man Scine Natur und Entstehungsweise erkannte. Ein kurzer geschichtlicher Abris zeigt ein langsames Fortschreiten auf dem Wege zur richtigen Auffassung von der rein mechanischen Annahme eines Traktionsdivertikels, dann eines Pulsionsdivertikels bis zur richtigen Erkenntnis seiner angeborenen Bildung und zur spateren genauen entwicklungsgeschichtlichen Erklarung
Pacemaker potentials generated by interstitial cells of Cajal in the murine intestine

Pacemaker potentials were recorded in situ from myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY) in the murine small intestine. The nature of the two components of pacemaker potentials (upstroke and ...
Clinicians' views on treating posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder.

The dual diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) is reported to be both highly prevalent and highly challenging. In this study, 147 clinicians were surveyed on their degree of difficulty and gratification in working with each disorder (PTSD, SUD) and their combination; specific types of difficulties and gratifications; and personal and professional characteristics. The dual diagnosis was perceived as more difficult than either disorder alone; but, interestingly, gratification in the work was higher than its difficulty. Areas of greatest difficulty were clients' self-destructiveness, case management, and dependency; areas of greatest gratification were teaching new coping, developing expertise, and helping clients achieve abstinence. In general, difficulty and gratification appeared to be separate constructs, rather than simply opposites. Those finding the work most difficult were more likely to be in a mental health setting and to have no personal history of trauma. Clinical implications are discussed.
Cephalexin Concentrations in Sputum During Acute Respiratory Infections

Abstract In 20 patients with acute pulmonary infections, sputum purulence, sputum volume, and concentration and excretion of cephalexin in the sputum significantly decreased concurrently during therapy. The concentration of cephalexin in the serum remained unchanged. Significant correlations were observed between drug concentrations in sputum and serum and between drug excretion in sputum and concentration in serum. These observations may be explained by decreased integrity of the “blood-bronchus barrier” during inflammation, with diffusion of serum into bronchial mucus, without the necessity of postulating active transport.
Chemically bonded phosphate ceramics: I, A dissolution model of formation

This is the first of three papers in which the kinetics of formation of chemically bonded phosphate ceramics is discussed. A literature survey indicates that the formation of such ceramics is a three-step process. First, oxides dissolve in a phosphoric acid or an acid phosphate solution and metal ions are released into the solution. The aquoions formed from these cations then react with phosphate anions and form a gel of metal hydrophosphates. In the last step, the saturated gel crystallizes into a ceramic. In this paper, we have proposed that the dissolution is the controlling step and developed a general dissolution model of the kinetics of formation of these ceramics. As an example, the model is used to discuss the kinetics of formation of magnesium phosphate ceramics in detail. In the second and third papers, the model has been used to develop processes to form ceramics of alumina and iron oxides.
Transcription-Induced Cytosine-to-Thymine Mutations Are Not Dependent on Sequence Context of the Target Cytosine

We showed previously that transcription of a plasmid-borne kan allele increases C-to-T mutations in the nontranscribed strand. Using two new plasmid-borne kan alleles, one cmp allele, and a chromosomal kan allele, we found in this study that transcription-induced mutations are not limited to specific genes, alleles, or locations and are likely to be a general property of transcript elongation in Escherichia coli.
The Challenges Posed by Reemerging Clostridium difficile Infection

There have been recent, marked increases in the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). These may be attributable to the emergence of a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile that produces increased levels of toxins A and B, as well as an extra toxin known as "binary toxin." This previously uncommon strain has become epidemic, coincident with its development of increased resistance to fluoroquinolones, the use of which is increasingly associated with CDAD outbreaks. Although not necessarily related to this epidemic strain, unusually severe CDAD has been reported in populations that had previously been thought to be at low risk, including peripartum women and healthy persons living in the community. Challenges posed by the changing epidemiology of CDAD are compounded by current limitations in diagnostic testing, treatment, and infection control. Overcoming these challenges and limitations will require a concerted effort from a variety of sources, including an ongoing partnership between infectious disease clinicians and public health professionals.
Established and emerging atmospheric pressure surface sampling/ionization techniques for mass spectrometry

The number and type of atmospheric pressure techniques suitable for sampling analytes from surfaces, forming ions from these analytes, and subsequently transporting these ions into vacuum for interrogation by MS have rapidly expanded over the last several years. Moreover, the literature in this area is complicated by an explosion in acronyms for these techniques, many of which provide no information relating to the chemical or physical processes involved. In this tutorial article, we sort this vast array of techniques into relatively few categories on the basis of the approaches used for surface sampling and ionization. For each technique, we explain, as best known, many of the underlying principles of operation, describe representative applications, and in some cases, discuss needed research or advancements and attempt to forecast their future analytical utility.
Harriet Martineau and the reform of the invalid in Victorian England

This article argues that within the debates over medical reform which took place throughout the Victorian period, there flourished a variety of models of authority with respect to illness and the body. The controversies surrounding the illness and cure of the journalist, Harriet Martineau, provide a particularly useful vehicle for exploring some of these different models. During a time when many doctors were anxious to establish the medical profession as an authoritative body within British society, Martineau put forward a portrayal of invalidism that gave invalids, especially women, a degree of authority that made many medical men uneasy. By examining the question of the status of the sick individual during this period, and especially Martineau's case, historians can gain a new perspective on broader issues of reform and the status of women in Victorian society.
Methods to evaluate the performance of multiple uncooperative users for green cognitive radio networks

In this paper, we propose a method to calculate the throughput of multiple uncooperative cognitive radio users. We use a bank of Markov models to derive the fraction of time that each user spends in successful channel access. The mutual interference among the users is modeled into the transitional probabilities of the Markov models, which makes it tractable to calculate multiple user throughput in large cognitive radio networks (CRN). In addition, to evaluate the level of greenness of the multiple user CRN we develop a method to optimize the ideal capacity of the fully cooperative CRN. This method relies on solving the sum-of-ratios linear fractional programming for optimization. Simulations are conducted to show the big gap between the uncooperative CRN performance and the ideal performance.
Oscillatory gestures and discourse

Gesture and speech are part of a single human language system. They are co-expressive and complementary channels in the act of speaking. While speech carries the major load of symbolic presentation, gesture provides the imagistic content. Proceeding from the established contemporality of gesture and speech, we discuss our work on oscillatory gestures and speech. We present our wavelet-based approach in gestural oscillation extraction as geodesic ridges in frequency-time space. We motivate the potential of such computational cross-modal language analysis by performing a micro analysis of a video dataset in which a subject describes her living space. We demonstrate the ability of our algorithm to extract gestural oscillations and show how oscillatory gestures reveal portions of the discourse structure.
Making Their Way: An Interpretive Case Study of Male First-Generation Students Attending a Highly Selective Liberal Arts College.

This qualitative study focused on the experiences of eight male first-generation college students attending Kenmont College (pseudonym), a highly selective, residential liberal arts college located in the Midwestern United States. While first-generation college students have been studied in various contexts, very little is known about what attracts these students to highly selective institutions, particularly liberal arts colleges, and what environmental attributes influence their curricular and co-curricular experiences through college. Using a collective case study as the methodological roadmap (Case, 1995), the students, each viewed as a distinct case, were purposively selected from a sample of 28 male first-generation students who matriculated at Kenmont College in the fall of 2009 and persisted to their final year of undergraduate study. To better understand how this small cohort of first-generation college students came to know, chose to attend, and, ultimately, experienced the academic and campus environments at Kenmont College, this study drew upon human ecology and social capital theories to frame the research. Applying cross-case analytic techniques enabled several themes to emerge from the case participants’ experiences and environments. Within their pre-college environments, parental influences, siblings, friendship groups, and schooling experiences—from elementary through secondary—emerged as salient themes. In terms of the participants’ college selection process, institutional reputation, academic prestige, financial aid, and enrollment and class size emerged as the primary attractors to Kenmont College. While attending Kenmont, themes emerged from both the curricular and cocurricular environments. Within the curricular environment, the case participants referenced
IncobotulinumtoxinA for Migraine: A Retrospective Case Series

Abstract Purpose IncobotulinumtoxinA is used for treating certain movement disorders but lacks published clinical data on use in chronic migraine. Methods This retrospective case series was performed by using electronic chart reviews on patients receiving incobotulinumtoxinA for migraine at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System between September 2013 and March 2014. Patients were administered 150 units each, with similar methods used for onabotulinumtoxinA injections. Findings A total of 21 patients were included in the analysis. Patients were 40 years old on average, 67% white, and 52% female. Patients had trialed an average of 4.19 oral prophylactic agents for migraine with 43% having previous history of onabotulinumtoxinA use and 29% having a history of traumatic brain injury. Patients reported a decrease in headache days per month (19.1 vs 9.1; P P Implications Significant improvements in headache frequency and intensity were observed. Chronic migraine is not an indication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for incobotulinumtoxinA; however, the drug's effectiveness was documented in this small patient population.
Heat and Momentum Transport in Self-Sustained Oscillatory Viscous Flows

Heat and momentum transport in self-sustained oscillatory viscous flows is investigated by direct numerical simulation using the spectral element method. Above a critical Reynolds number, these flows bifurcate to a time-periodic, self-sustained oscillatory state. Traveling waves are observed, even at moderately low Reynolds numbers, inducing self-sustained oscillations that result in very well-mixed flows, which, in turn, lead to convective heat transfer augmentation. These oscillatory states are investigated and correlations between the time- and space-averaged Nusselt and Reynolds numbers are obtained. The transport phenomena of heat and momentum due to the oscillatory components of the flow are analyzed by looking at the phase portraits of velocity and temperature, investigating the behavior of the terms involving their fluctuations, as well as considering the correlation coefficients between the fluctuating components. Results are presented for laminar and transitional incompressible flows in communicating channels, composed of interrupted surfaces, leading to relatively thin thermal boundary layers that further contribute to heat transfer augmentation. 13 figs.
Effects of training on collaboration: chunk sharing and performance

This article explores the effects of implicit and explicit training on team outcomes and processes. An experiment was conducted in which physically dispersed teams made resource allocation decisions while supported with a shared virtual work surface. Teams needed to recognise patterns and collaborate to allocate their resources appropriately. Two different pattern-training methods were used; one presents the patterns in discrete elements (implicit), and the other as complete chunks (explicit). Dependent measures included outcome quality, resource allocation time and resource allocation conflict. Teams trained implicitly had significantly higher performance when compared to teams trained to recognise patterns as explicit 'chunks'.
An echocardiographic abnormality in an HIV patient with coronary disease

A patient with a history of HIV and known coronary artery disease presented with fevers. Chest x-ray showed bilateral infiltrates, and a trans-thoracic echocardiogram (TTE) obtained on the first hospital day showed an ejection fraction of 43% with hypokinesis of the basal and mid-anterior segments. The patient's course was complicated by continued fevers but blood cultures remained negative; upon rereview of the initial TTE, a highly mobile echogenic linear mass was appreciated on the left ventricular outflow tract side of the aortic valve (see online …
Short-term effects of fuel treatments on fisher habitat in the Sierra Nevada, California

The characteristics of western forests have changed as a result of fire suppression and fuel reduction treatments have become a public land management priority. The effects of these treatments on wildlife habitat, however, have received limited attention. The fisher (Martes pennanti) is a species of concern in California and is vulnerable to fuels treatments due to its association with dense forests and use of large and old trees as resting sites. We evaluated the effect of fuels treatments by estimating predicted resting and foraging habitat at two sites in the Sierra Nevada that are part of the national Fire and Fire Surrogate Study. One site included three treatments (mechanical harvest, prescribed fire, and mechanical harvest plus prescribed fire) and the other included early and late-season prescribed fire; both sites included control treatments. We sampled vegetation before and after treatment application to estimate variables that were included in resource selection probability functions. Predicted resting habitat was significantly lower for mechanical plus fire treatments, but the control did not differ from the fire only or the mechanical only treatment. Late, but not early, season burns had significant impact on predicted resting habitat. Reductions in canopy cover affected predicted resting habitat directly. Fisher foraging habitat, unlike resting habitat was unaffected by treatments at either site. Within a stand, a number of management actions can mitigate the potentially negative short-term effects of fuels treatments on fisher habitat. Evaluating the effects of fuels management at the resting site, home range and landscape scales will be necessary to administer a treatment program that can address fuel accumulation while also restoring and maintaining fisher habitat. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Soybean improvement strategies: Insect-pollinator attraction and genetic resistance to whitefly and to brown stem rot

Brown stem rot (BSR) of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], caused by Phialophora gregata, is an economically important disease prevalent in soybean producing regions of the northcentral U.S. and Canada. To date, all BSR resistant genes identified are located on chromosome 16 (formerly molecular linkage group J). The objective of this study was to determine if four plant introductions (PI) from south-central China identified as BSRresistant have resistance genes mapping to the same location on chromosome 16 as previously mapped BSR resistance genes. The four plant introductions, PI 594637, PI 594638B, PI 594650A, and PI 594858B were crossed to the BSR-susceptible cultivar ‘Century 84’ to develop four F2 populations. Each segregating population and the parental lines were screened for BSR resistance in growth chamber conditions. The F2:3 individual plants of each population were tested with the simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers Satt431
Evidence for Involvement of Transforming Growth Factor β1 Signaling Pathway in Activation of JC Virus in Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1–Associated Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Abstract Context.—Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system frequently seen in patients with impaired immune systems, particularly ac...
Spectrophotometric assay of catalase with perborate as substrate.

SummaryA spectrophotometric assay for catalase has been developed in which sodium perborate, rather than hydrogen peroxide, is used as the substrate. The method is convenient, rapid, and readily adapted to the measurement of catalase in subcellular fractions.
FrameNet and Linked Data

FrameNet is the ideal resource for representation as linked data, and several renderings of the resource in RDF/OWL have been created. FrameNet has also been and continues to be linked to other major resources, including WordNet, BabelNet, and MASC, in the Linguistic Linked Open Data cloud. Although so far the supporting technologies have not enabled easy and widespread access to the envisioned massive network of language resources, a conflation of recent efforts suggests this may be a reality in the not-too-distant future.
Augmented Reality with Tangible Auto-Fabricated Models for Molecular Biology Applications

The evolving technology of computer auto-fabrication ("3-D printing") now makes it possible to produce physical models for complex biological molecules and assemblies. We report on an application that demonstrates the use of auto-fabricated tangible models and augmented reality for research and education in molecular biology, and for enhancing the scientific environment for collaboration and exploration. We have adapted an augmented reality system to allows virtual 3-D representations (generated by the Python Molecular Viewer) to be overlaid onto a tangible molecular model. Users can easily change the overlaid information, switching between different representations of the molecule, displays of molecular properties such as electrostatics, or dynamic information. The physical model provides a powerful, intuitive interface for manipulating the computer models, streamlining the interface between human intent, the physical model, and the computational activity.
The Effects of Fuel Mixtures in Nonpremixed Combustion for a Bluff-Body Flame

A numerical investigation is presented assessing the effects of hydrogen compositions and nonflammable diluent mixtures on the combustion and NO emission characteristics of syngas nonpremixed flames for a bluff-body burner. An assessment of turbulent nonpremixed modeling techniques is presented and is compared with the experiments of Correa and Gulati (1992, “Measurements and Modeling of a Bluff Body Stabilized Flame,” Combust. Flame, 89(2), pp. 195–213). The realizable k–e and the Reynolds stress (RSM) turbulence models were found to perform the best. As a result, increased hydrogen content caused the radial velocity and strain rate to decrease, which was important for mixing whereby NO production decreased. Also, the effectiveness of nonflammable diluent mixtures of N2, CO2, and H2O was characterized in terms of the ability to reduce NO emission in syngas nonpremixed flames. Results indicated that CO2 was the most effective diluent to reduce NO emission and H2O was more effective than N2. CO2 produced low levels of OH radical, which made CO2 the most effective diluent. Although H2O increased OH radicals, it was still effective to reduce thermal NO because of its high specific heat. It will be numerically shown that hydrogen concentration in the H2/CO/N2 flame does not significantly affect temperature but dramatically decreases NO emission, which is important for industrial applications that can use hydrogen in syngas flames.
Direct Legislation: Some Implications of Open Housing Referenda

Any middle-aged member of the political science guild in a retrospective mood might ponder a question: “What ever happened to direct democracy?” In our halcyon student days the textbooks discussed the direct democracy trinity—initiative, referendum, and recall—described their mechanics and variations, explained their origin in the Progressive Era, told us that the United States, Australia, and Switzerland were leading practitioners of direct democracy, cited a few eccentric referenda, gave the standard pro and con arguments, and essayed some judgments of the relative merits of direct and representative democracy. Latter day collegians may pass through the portals innocent of the existence of the institutions of direct government. Half of the American government texts never mention the subject; the others allocate a paragraph or a page for a casual mention or a barebones explanation of the mechanics. A similar trend has occurred in the literature. Before 1921, every volume of this R eview had items on the referendum, five in one volume. Subsequently there have been only seven articles, all but two prior to World War II. “The Initiative and Referendum in Graustark” has ceased to be a fashionable dissertation topic, only four in the last thirty years. All but two of the published monographs antedate World War II.
The Globalization of the Gay & Lesbian Socio-Political Movement: Some Observations about Europe with a Focus on Italy:

The emergence of new social movements focused on gay and lesbian issues during the past 25 years has been well documented in American society. The diffusion of a gay and lesbian socio-political move- ment in other Western cultures and many developing societies has been the subject of more recent inquiries. This article assesses the globalization of the international gay and lesbian social movement by focusing on Europe and Italy, in particular, and raises questions about the socio-political con- ditions that might be necessary for the development of a new social move- ment-one based on sexual orientation identity concepts rather than one based on age-structured or gender-structured relationships. Historical information about social and legal changes in Italy and in the rest of Europe is presented along with current issues facing the increasingly visi- ble gay movement in Italy. What emerges is a portrait of a culture chang- ing and questioning its relationship to traditional patriarchal, religious, and gender concepts while becoming interconnected with global gay and lesbian communities and issues.
Asian Americans in leadership positions in academic surgery.

Objective To examine Asian American (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asian, Philippine and South Pacific Islands, and Middle East) representation in national organizations and editorial boards important in US academic surgery. Background Asian Americans are overrepresented in academic departments of surgery relative to their demographic proportion of US population. Not examined is their involvement in leadership positions in the field. Study design Current rosters were surveyed for surgeons with Asian American surnames with federally supported research, members of leading surgical specialty organizations, residency review committees for surgical specialties, surgical boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties, and editorial boards of leading surgical journals. Results Asian Americans are principal investigators in 18.9% of National Institutes of Health-supported grants in departments of surgery, and 7.7% of Society of University Surgeons and 3.2% of American Surgical Association memberships. Asian American representation on governing boards of professional organizations is only 2.3%, and none on the Boards of Regents of the American College of Surgeons, the various American Board of Medical Specialties surgical boards and councils, the residency review committees for surgery, and governing councils of 7 of 10 professional organizations. Of 302 US surgeons on the editorial boards of 5 leading surgical journals, 6 were Asian Americans (2.0%). Conclusions Asian American academic surgeons are absent from the governing boards of surgical organizations and peer-reviewed surgical journals, a situation that mentorship and the development of effective social networks though an Asian American surgeons' association may correct.
Personality Correlates of Opinion Leadership and Innovative Buying Behavior

Relationship of standardized personality variables to opinion leadership and innovativeness is assessed using the California Psychological Inventory. In general, correlation and regression analysis...
Abstraction of a Vinylic Hydrogen to Form Alkynes. Multinuclear and Multidimensional NMR Spectroscopy and Computational Studies Elucidating Structural Solution Behavior of Acetylene and Propyne Complexes of Titanium

The alkyne complexes [(PNP)Ti(η2-HC≡CH)(CH2tBu)] (2) and [(PNP)Ti(η2-HC≡CMe)(CH2tBu)] (3) have been prepared by treatment of [(PNP)Ti═CHtBu(OTf)] (1) with the Grignard reagents H2C═CHMgCl and MeHC═CHMgBr, respectively. Complex 3 can be also prepared using the Grignard H2C═C(Me)MgBr and 1. The 2-butyne complex [(PNP)Ti(η2-MeC≡CMe)(CH2tBu)] (4) can be similarly prepared from 1 and MeHC═C(Me)MgBr. Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized with a battery of multidimensional and multinuclear (1H, 13C, and 31P) NMR spectroscopic experiments, including selectively 31P decoupled 1H{31P}, 1H–31P HMBC, 1H–31P HOESY, and 31P EXSY. Variable-temperature 1H and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy reveals that the acetylene ligand in 2 exhibits a rotational barrier of 11 kcal mol–1, and such a process has been corroborated by theoretical studies. Formation of the titanium alkyne ligand in complexes 2 and 3 proceeds via the vinyl intermediate [(PNP)Ti═CHtBu(CH═CHR)] followed by a concerted, metal-mediated β-hydrogen abstraction ste...
Simultaneous Determination of Carbohydrates and Products of Carbohydrate Metabolism in Fermentation Mixtures by HPLC

An improved procedure for separating and quantitating carbohydrates, alcohols, and organic acids in fermentation mixtures metabolized by intestinal microflora is described. The high-pressure liquid chromatographic method is efficient, reproducible, and sensitive. A column packed with cation-exchange resin in the hydrogen form, eluted isocratically with 0.028 M H2SO4 at 40 degrees C separates the compounds of interest. The eluate is monitored with ultraviolet and refractive index detectors in series. On-line acquistion and storage of detector output by a computer allows post-analysis data manipulation and quantitation. Using this method, the metabolic profiles for the fermentation of glucose, fructose, lactose, and sucrose by several intestinal microorganisms are characterized and compared.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND CASE STUDIES: Is Urban Marsh Sustainability Compatible with the Clean Water Act?

The United States (US) Army Corps of Engineers and US Environmental Protection Agency share responsibility for regulating placement of fill material in coastal wetlands and open waters. However, ac...
Between Fundamentalism and Secularism: Bonhoeffer's Negotiation of Oppositional Pairs in Ethics and its Precedent in Act and Being

In his 'Ethics' Bonhoeffer discusses dilemmas such as that between "fundamentalism" and "secularism" by criticizing both options as separating in principle what belong together in reality, that is, in the person of Christ. He then develops his own ethical positions on the basis of this Christ-reality. He had already developed a precedent to this form of arguing in 'Act and Being,' where he designed his theology from a personal concept of revelation, arguing that the competing act- and being-concepts of revelation reflect only part of the revelation disclosed in Jesus Christ. In both texts, in 'Act and Being' as in 'Ethics,' the person of Jesus Christ as the reality of the reconciliation of God and world forms the foundation of Bonhoeffer's critical and constructive arguments.
An On-Demand Compensation Function for an EV as a Reactive Power Service Provider

Rapid growth in the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) is creating opportunities for system operators to improve the reliability and sustainability of electricity delivery system, while reducing the operating cost. EVs can respond quickly, improve system stability, and provide reactive power support without battery wear. Therefore, EVs could be a promising source of reactive power when they are connected to smart charging equipment. However, under certain scenarios, reactive power support may raise the vehicle charging cost by shifting part of charging power to times of the day when the price of electricity is higher. Participation of EVs in an ancillary service market for reactive power will thus require some level of compensation for EV owners. In this paper, we present a framework for the calculation of reactive power supply function for EVs. We define an objective function representing charging/discharging cost of EVs and then minimize the cost under realistic constraints. An algorithm is then introduced that extracts the EV's supply function for providing on-demand reactive power service at minimum cost. Thus, the system operator can include EVs, as reactive power service providers (RPSPs) along with other service providers, to meet the on-demand need of the reactive power. Simulation results indicate the EV's ability to provide reactive power service during on-peak periods, when the system operator's need for reactive power is most likely high, at almost no cost to the EV owner.
Chromosomal analysis of meiotic stages of human oocytes matured in vitro: benefits of protease treatment before fixation

Objective To modify Tarkowski's air-dry technique for mouse oocytes to develop a rapid, consistent procedure for human oocytes that enables accurate scoring of meiotic stage. Design, Setting, and Patients Meiotically immature human oocytes, obtained after oophorectomy, were cultured for various periods and then subjected to Tarkowski's air-dry procedure (n = 104) or to our modified procedure (n = 175) that used a brief exposure to protease (20 to 40 seconds) before fixation. Main Outcome Measures Air-dried oocytes were assessed for readability and for whether they contained overspread or overlapping chromosomes. In addition, discrete meiotic stages in human oocytes were identified. Results Our protease procedure significantly increased readability of air-dried oocytes (96% versus 79% readable for protease versus Tarkowski, respectively; P P P Conclusions Protease exposure of oocytes, combined with a modification of Tarkowski's procedure, resulted in high quality air-dries of human oocytes. This rapid and reliable procedure should have clinical application in in vitro fertilization programs for meiotic assessment of oocytes failing to fertilize.
Effect of interleukin-5 exposure during in vitro eosinophilopiesis on MAC-1 adhesion molecule expression and function on cultured human eosinophils.

We examined the selective effects of interleukin (IL-5) in regulating the maturational expression of surface adhesion molecules on human eosinophils and adhesion to endothelial cells during eosinophiiopolesis in vitro. Expression of the beta 2 integrins (CD11/CD18) and the beta 1 integrin, VLA-4 (CD49d/ CD29), was assessed during development in culture with IL-3, IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in cultures of human umbilical cord blood-derived eosinophil (CDE) precursor cells. Expression of both CD11b and CD18 subunits of Mac-1 was lower on CDE which were continuously (= chronically) exposed to IL-5 than on CDE which were cultured without IL-5 for the final week of culture. CD11b expression on cells grown without IL-5 was 71.3 +/- 5.92 (mean specific fluorescence value [MSF] as measured by flow cytometry) versus 52.5 +/- 4.48 MSF for Mac-1 alpha (CD11b) on CDE grown in the continued presence of 2 x 10 - 11 mol/L IL-5 (P < .01). Although expression of VLA-4 decreased as CDE matured, expression of CD29 and CD49d were similar regardless of cytokine exposure for the final week of culture. For eosinophils cultured without IL-5, acute stimulation with 10 - 8 mol/L IL-5 increased CD11b surface expression and increased the number of cells adhering to unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from 4,570 +/- 780 cells (9.14 +/- 1.56% adhesion) to 8,385 +/- 515 cells (16.8 +/- 1.03% adhesion) (P < .01). Basal adhesion to unstimulated HUVEC of CDE cultured continuously with IL-5 was comparable (8.62 +/- 1.12% adhesion; P = NS), but neither CD11b expression (50.3 +/- 11.8 MSF; P = NS v control) nor adhesion to HUVEC (6.77 +/- 1.35%; P = NS) was enhanced in these eosinophils after acute stimulation with IL-5. Blockade of adhesion to IL-1-stimulated HUVEC caused by the anti-CD49d monoclonal antibody (MoAb), HP2/1, was comparable for cells cultured with IL-5 and without IL-5. However, the anti-CD18 MoAb, R15.7, caused 47.6 +/- 5.08% inhibition of adhesion of eosinophils cultured without IL-5 and only 25.8 +/- 5.20% for cells cultured continuously with IL-5 (P < .01), and failed to block significantly the adhesion of only the latter cells to IL-4-stimulated HUVEC. Our data show that continuous, chronic exposure to low concentrations of IL-5 causes decreased expression of Mac-1 and refractoriness to acute stimulation with IL-5 of adhesion to HUVEC. These data further demonstrate that CDE maturing in the continued presence of IL-5 adhere to HUVEC predominantly through VLA-4 ligation.
A spectrophotometric method for the determination of Evans blue dye in the presence of hemolysis and turbidity.

Abstract A method of correcting for interference in Evans blue dye determinations due to hemolysis and/or lipemia is described. With the spectrophotometer used, the equation, corrected D 625 = observed D 625 − 1.793 D 740 , was found to be accurate within 0.003 optical density unit for 22 determinations in plasma or serum containing varying amounts of hemoglobin and/or turbidity. Water, clear serum, or clear plasma may be used for the reference solution.
Recreational use of dextromethorphan, “Robotripping”—A brief review

Background Dextromethorphan (DXM) in combination with antihistamines and/or pseudoephedrine is widely available as an over-the counter remedy commonly used for relief of colds and cough. In supra-therapeutic amounts, DXM has psychoactive effects. These cough preparations have been adopted by many young users of recreational drugs for these effects. Objectives This paper aims to highlight the increasingly prevalent practice of Robotripping, review pharmacokinetic and dynamic data and discuss potential tolerance and withdrawal from the substance as well as treatment modalities. Methods A Medline search (1985–2015) for literature concerning the DXM was conducted. This was supplemented by references gleaned from recent epidemiological surveys and credible online sources to ensure most up to date information is gathered. Conclusion and Scientific Significance Use in amounts exceeding those recommended, a practice known as “Robotripping”, may result in a toxidrome of psychomotor agitation, hallucinations and paranoia best characterized as Intoxication Delirium. Increasing misuse places greater numbers at risk. Providers should be alert to such presentations and be aware of methods for managing the symptoms. With chronic use, tolerance and withdrawal has been noted along with prolonging psychiatric sequelae. (Am J Addict 2016;XX:1–4)