cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase behavior of high-pressure CH4-CO2 hydrates in NaCl solutions

Abstract Understanding the phase behavior of CH4-CO2 hydrates formed in NaCl solutions is important for gas recovery from hydrate reservoirs, CO2 sequestration, and flow assurance. The observations of CH4-CO2 hydrates formed in NaCl solutions are limited at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. In this work, a high-pressure experimental apparatus is built to investigate the phase behavior of CH4-CO2 hydrates. The interfacial phenomenon is observed during hydrate formation and dissociation. The phase boundary of CH4-CO2 hydrates is determined by using the isochoric pressure-search method with pressure above 10 MPa. A novel theoretical model is developed to calculate the phase boundary pressure of hydrates by implementing a modified PR EoS for the fluid phases, the van der Waals-Platteeuw model for the hydrate phase, and the Pitzer model for the effect of ions. It is revealed that the roughness of water–gas interface is greatly increased at the initial hydrate formation stage due to the occurrence of fine pillars at the interface, which is explained by two hypotheses, i.e., the non-equilibrium state of gas and water phases and the non-uniform lateral growth of hydrates at the interface. The roughness decreases as time goes by during hydrate formation owing to the thickness growth of the hydrate film. The deviation of the calculated phase boundary pressure from the 86 collected experimental data points of CH4-CO2 hydrates formed in pure water is 3.7%, and is 5.3% for the 24 collected phase boundary data points of CH4-CO2 hydrates formed in the NaCl solutions, which proves the reliability of the newly developed model. The measured phase boundary data points of CH4-CO2 hydrates formed in NaCl solutions in this work extend the phase boundary pressure up to 61.99 MPa and the temperature to 295.09 K, which have filled the blank of the database in the high-pressure and high-temperature region. The deviations of the calculated phase boundary pressure from these two groups of measured ones are 8.9% and 6.2% respectively.
Stony Brook University Author Perspectives on Article Processing Charges

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of Stony Brook University (SBU) author perspectives on article processing charges (APCs). Publishing an article without restrictions, also known as open access publishing, can be a costly endeavor. Many publishers charge APCs ranging from hundredsto thousands of dollars to publish an article without access restrictions. Authors who cannot obtain funding from grant agencies or their institution must pay APCs on their own. Do APCs fundamentally impact how authors choose their preferred publication venues? METHODS A cross-sectional survey was designed to learn SBU author perspectives on, and concerns about, APCs. RESULTS Responses mainly came from the sciences. Many SBU authors preferred to publish in a prestigious journal or journal of their choice rather than in an open access journal. Most authors published their articles in open access journals even if they were required to pay APCs. Many authors found that it was difficult finding funding for APCs and some expressed their concerns about the double charging practice. DISCUSSION SBU authors might believe that publishing in established and prestigious journals could secure their career’s advancement. Authors who chose to pay open access journals with APCs might be following publishing criteria. Libraries can encourage authors to negotiate with publishers to obtain a discount or waiver of APCs, when possible. Institutions should negotiate shifting journal subscription costs toward hybrid open access publishing. CONCLUSION Data will be used to inform how the SBU Libraries can help authors locate funding opportunities for APCs.
Urinary tract foreign body: A case of panurethral and intravesical spray foam insulation

Foreign bodies are inserted into the genitourinary tract for various reasons, and may present a challenge to remove. We report a case of foam insulation injected into the urethra almost entirely occluding the urethra and filling the bladder. Ultimately both a cystotomy and perineal urethrotomy were required for removal.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for Tuberculosis in Ngäbe-Buglé Populations in Rural Panama

Abstract Background Panama has a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB), especially in rural communities. A patient survey was administered to assess practices, knowledge and attitudes towards TB within the Ngabe-Bugle population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed at Floating Doctors clinics. Subjects with familiarity of TB were assessed through questions about transmission, cause, symptoms, and treatment. Results Of the 106 patients who completed the TB practices survey, 68 patients (64%) knew of TB and completed the entire survey. Of the 64% who knew of TB, 61% knew medicine treated TB and over 80% could identify symptoms of TB. 40% reported they would feel ashamed of a TB diagnosis. Conclusions Most with TB familiarity knew of TB symptoms and cause, but were less informed about mode of transmission and treatment. The majority of subjects had negative attitudes towards TB. This shows a need to expand TB education in the Ngabe-Bugle communities.
A human brain test bed for research in large vessel occlusion stroke.

Objective Endovascular removal of emboli causing large vessel occlusion (LVO)-related stroke utilizing suction catheter and/or stent retriever technologies or thrombectomy is a new standard of care. Despite high recanalization rates, 40% of stroke patients still experience poor neurological outcomes as many cases cannot be fully reopened after the first attempt. The development of new endovascular technologies and techniques for mechanical thrombectomy requires more sophisticated testing platforms that overcome the limitations of phantom-based simulators. The authors investigated the use of a hybrid platform for LVO stroke constructed with cadaveric human brains. Methods A test bed for embolic occlusion of cerebrovascular arteries and mechanical thrombectomy was developed with cadaveric human brains, a customized hydraulic system to generate physiological flow rate and pressure, and three types of embolus analogs (elastic, stiff, and fragment-prone) engineered to match mechanically and phenotypically the emboli causing LVO strokes. LVO cases were replicated in the anterior and posterior circulation, and thrombectomy was attempted using suction catheters and/or stent retrievers. Results The test bed allowed radiation-free visualization of thrombectomy for LVO stroke in real cerebrovascular anatomy and flow conditions by transmural visualization of the intraluminal elements and procedures. The authors were able to successfully replicate 105 LVO cases with 184 passes in 12 brains (51 LVO cases and 82 passes in the anterior circulation, and 54 LVO cases and 102 passes in the posterior circulation). Observed recanalization rates in this model were graded using a Recanalization in LVO (RELVO) scale analogous to other measures of recanalization outcomes in clinical use. Conclusions The human brain platform introduced and validated here enables the analysis of artery-embolus-device interaction under physiological hemodynamic conditions within the unmodified complexity of the cerebral vasculature inside the human brain.
Evaluating the Role of Anesthesia on Intraoperative Blood Loss and Visibility during Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Meta-analysis.

BackgroundPrevious studies and meta analyses have led to incongruent and incomplete results respectively when total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and inhalational anesthesia (IA) are compared in en...
A Fast Stacker Based on Symmetric Stacking, Multiplexing, and Barrel-Shifting

A novel stacking circuit for grouping all ones in an 8-bits long binary sequence is proposed. This circuit employs a combination of symmetric stacking, multiplexing, and barrel-shifting. The proposed circuit is found to be at least 24% faster, in VLSI simulations, than other designs in the literature. The area does not increase significantly, and the average power consumption increases by 43%. Also, an application of the proposed stacker to sorting is discussed.
Disaggregation of Local Apartment Markets by Unit Type

Recent market segmentation research has begun to delve into the issue of whether traditional property type categories are sufficiently homogeneous to be modeled as aggregate real estate markets. This paper extends the research on rental-property market segmentation by investigating the existence of apartment submarkets determined by unit type. The study finds that one bedroom, one bath units; two bedroom, one bath units; and two bedroom, two bath units function as distinct submarkets differentiated by property features, neighborhood location, and temporal changes in market rent.
Heavy Rare Earth Free High Power Density Traction Machine for Electric Vehicles

A compact, heavy rare earth free permanent magnet synchronous machine with a volumetric power density of 50kW/liter is designed for electric traction applications. This is facilitated by innovations in the stator winding topology, magnet arrangement, and cooling technique. A 24-slot/10-pole dual three-phase asymmetric winding layout is adopted to improve power density, reduce harmonic losses, and improve fault tolerant capabilities. Furthermore, a novel segmented V-type magnet arrangement is proposed to address the demagnetization issues of the heavy rare earth free magnets under extreme temperatures and negative electromagnetic fields. An extensive finite element analysis has been conducted and results are presented to show the electromagnetic and demagnetization performance as well as the thermal capabilities and structural integrity of the proposed design.
Age dependent neural correlates of inhibition and control mechanisms in moderate to heavy drinkers.

Abstract Background Long-term, heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with impairments in control over alcohol use, but whether this extends to other areas of cognitive and behavioral control such as response inhibition remains unclear. Understanding individual differences in the neural correlates of response inhibition will provide further insight into the neurobiology of heavy drinking. The current study investigated response inhibition in a large sample of moderate to heavy drinkers Methods One hundred fifty-three individuals completed a stop signal task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple regression analyses focused on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response contrasts of correct inhibition and failed inhibition as dependent variables and included age, sex, and hazardous drinking (as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)), and their interactions, as independent variables Results Age was negatively associated with BOLD response in lateral inferior and middle frontal gyri, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobe for both successful inhibition and failed inhibition contrasts. In addition, there was a significant age × AUDIT interaction in the successful inhibition contrast in the left middle frontal gyrus, with significant negative correlations between AUDIT and BOLD response in older participants, and a significant positive correlation between AUDIT and BOLD response in younger participants Conclusions Age appears to be a particularly important factor in predicting BOLD response and may be a critical variable to include in future studies of heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder, particularly those that assess cognitive function. Finally, the age × AUDIT interaction observed in the current study may represent evidence for accelerated aging effects of alcohol on cognitive function.
Strategies for the Development of an Intercultural Environment

One way that institutions of higher education in the United States have responded to the need to foster global competence in undergraduate students is by creating living-learning communities (LLCs) that take global studies or international interests as the focus.
Prevention of further recurrences of Clostridium difficile colitis with Saccharomyces boulardii

A patient with six documented episodes of recurrentClostridium difficile colitis over an eight-month period is described. Relapses of colitis occurred despite treatment with vancomycin, metronidazole, bacitracin, and cholestyramine. Each recurrence appeared to begin successively closer to the end of the previous course of treatment. Four episodes were sufficiently severe to require hospitalization for rehydration.Saccharomyces boulardii, a nonpathogenic yeast, was begun prior to discontinuing vancomycin therapy for the last recurrence and was continued for three months. Serial stool cultures and assays forC. difficile showed persistence of the organism but rapid reduction of high titers of cytotoxin. No further recurrences of diarrhea or colitis were encountered while the patient was takingSaccharomyces boulardii and for 18 months of follow-up after the yeast was discontinued.
Finite Factors of Bernoulli Schemes and Distinguishing Labelings of Directed Graphs

A labeling of a graph is a function from the vertices of the graph to some finite set. In 1996, Albertson and Collins defined distinguishing labelings of undirected graphs. Their definition easily extends to directed graphs. Let $G$ be a directed graph associated to the $k$-block presentation of a Bernoulli scheme $X$. We determine the automorphism group of $G$, and thus the distinguishing labelings of $G$. A labeling of $G$ defines a finite factor of $X$. We define demarcating labelings and prove that demarcating labelings define finitarily Markovian finite factors of $X$. We use the Bell numbers to find a lower bound for the number of finitarily Markovian finite factors of a Bernoulli scheme. We show that demarcating labelings of $G$ are distinguishing.
Intracellular calcium oscillations induced by ATP in airway epithelial cells

In airway epithelial cells, extracellular ATP (ATPo) stimulates an initial transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that is followed by periodic increases in intracellular Ca2+ concen...
Marfan's syndrome: Accelerated course in childhood associated with lesions of mitral valve and pulmonary artery

Abstract Two cases of Marfan's syndrome are described. The rapid development of cardiac failure which resulted in the early death of these children was probably influenced by severe involvement of the mitral valve in both instances. One patient showed the classic features of the syndrome, with dilatation of the ascending aorta; the other had a large defect of the atrial septum and aneurysmal dilatation of the pulmonary artery. The localization and progression of the cardiovascular changes in Marfan's syndrome appear to be largely dependent on hemodynamic factors.
Becoming a renaissance reference librarian in academe: Attitudes toward generalist and subject specific reference and related profession development

Purpose – This article aims to explore the attitudes of academic reference librarians toward generalist and subject specialist reference service, and to present an examination of the ways that these librarians obtain training to handle a range of research queries that fall outside their areas of expertise.Design/methodology/approach – A literature search was conducted to explore the current best practices for ongoing professional training. A follow up survey was conducted among reference librarians to gain insights into their attitudes toward generalist and subject specialist reference activities, and their participation in, and attitudes toward, related professional education and training.Findings – The results suggest that the reference librarians who responded have a high comfort level for answering queries in a range of subject areas, and that while some librarians may defer to a readily available subject expert this is not a reflection of their confidence in their own ability to have assisted the pat...
Flight rescheduling decisions for minimizing passenger trip delays

It has been the practice of the majority of airlines to reschedule passengers and flights so as to minimize flight delay. Some airlines are now starting to look at the problem of rescheduling from the perspective of the passenger and are trying to minimize the impact of missed and cancelled connecting flights on the consumer. In this paper we propose the algorithm Basic Reduction Yare Approach for fliGHts, BRYAGH for minimizing airline passenger trip delay. Though BRYAGH is a first step in developing an algorithm for decreasing passenger trip delay, we demonstrate improvement in passenger delay.
Thermal Expansion of HfO2 and ZrO2

The thermal expansion of a low symmetry crystal can be much more interesting than the lattice parameter expansion would suggest. Here, the complete thermal expansion tensors for monoclinic and tetragonal phases of ZrO2 and HfO2 have been measured in air, by high-resolution, high-temperature X-ray diffraction. These results reveal the highly anisotropic nature of thermal expansion in the monoclinic phase as well as a cooperative movement of ions and the existence of a zero thermal expansion plane.
Progressive irreversible hearing loss is caused by stria vascularis degeneration in an Slc26a4-insufficient mouse model of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome

Hearing loss of patients with enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct (EVA) can fluctuate or progress, with overall downward progression. The most common detectable cause of EVA is mutations of SLC26A4. We previously described a transgenic Slc26a4-insufficient mouse model of EVA in which Slc26a4 expression is controlled by doxycycline administration. Mice that received doxycycline from conception until embryonic day 17.5 (DE17.5; doxycycline discontinued at embryonic day 17.5) had fluctuating hearing loss between 1 and 6 months of age with an overall downward progression after 6 months of age. In this study, we characterized the cochlear functional and structural changes underlying irreversible hearing loss in DE17.5 mice at 12 months of age. The endocochlear potential was decreased and inversely correlated with auditory brainstem response thresholds. The stria vascularis was thickened and edematous in ears with less severe hearing loss, and thinned and atrophic in ears with more severe hearing loss. There were pathologic changes in marginal cell morphology and gene expression that were not observed at 3 months. We conclude that strial dysfunction and degeneration are the primary causes of irreversible progressive hearing loss in our Slc26a4-insufficient mouse model of EVA. This model of primary strial atrophy may be used to explore the mechanisms of progressive hearing loss due to strial dysfunction.
Quantitation of plasma cells in bone marrow aspirates by flow cytometric analysis compared with morphologic assessment.

Abstract Context.—Accurate quantitation of bone marrow plasma cells is an important component in the diagnosis and posttreatment assessment of plasma cell dyscrasias. Although flow cytometry is sometimes used for this purpose and can rapidly evaluate many cells, the accuracy of flow-based plasma cell quantitation compared with morphologic assessment (currently the gold standard) is uncertain as direct comparison studies have not been previously reported. Objective.—To determine how percentages of plasma cells in diagnostic aspirate smears quantitated by morphologic assessment relate to percentages of plasma cells quantified by flow cytometry. Design.—Thirty bone marrow cases with 10% or more plasma cells and leukemia/lymphoma flow cytometry immunophenotyping studies were identified from our hematopathology database. The Wright-stained aspirate smears, marrow biopsy sections, and flow cytometry histograms were reviewed. Results.—Morphologically determined plasma cell percentages from the diagnostic aspirat...
Buffer requirements at ECN-capable RED gateways to minimize packet losses

Explicit congestion notification (ECN) used with random early detection (RED) is known to reduce delays for low-bandwidth delay-sensitive transport control protocol (TCP) connections by avoiding unnecessary packet drops and retransmissions. However, choosing the optimum values for buffer size and RED parameters is still an ongoing research topic. In this paper, we present a model to determine the buffer size and RED parameters to minimize packet losses at a RED gateway
Solution structures of 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 DNA polymerase–DNA complexes probed by ultracentrifugation and small-angle X-ray scattering

We report small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and sedimentation velocity (SV) studies on the enzyme–DNA complexes of rat DNA polymerase β (Pol β) and African swine fever virus DNA polymerase X (ASFV Pol X) with one-nucleotide gapped DNA. The results indicated formation of a 2 : 1 Pol β–DNA complex, whereas only 1 : 1 Pol X–DNA complex was observed. Three-dimensional structural models for the 2 : 1 Pol β–DNA and 1 : 1 Pol X–DNA complexes were generated from the SAXS experimental data to correlate with the functions of the DNA polymerases. The former indicates interactions of the 8 kDa 5′-dRP lyase domain of the second Pol β molecule with the active site of the 1 : 1 Pol β–DNA complex, while the latter demonstrates how ASFV Pol X binds DNA in the absence of DNA-binding motif(s). As ASFV Pol X has no 5′-dRP lyase domain, it is reasonable not to form a 2 : 1 complex. Based on the enhanced activities of the 2 : 1 complex and the observation that the 8 kDa domain is not in an optimal configuration for the 5′-dRP lyase reaction in the crystal structures of the closed ternary enzyme–DNA–dNTP complexes, we propose that the asymmetric 2 : 1 Pol β–DNA complex enhances the function of Pol β.
Collagenolytic activity in some snake venoms.

Abstract 1. 1. Venoms from the snakes Crotalus atrox, Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix, Agkistrodon piscivorus leukostoma and Bitis nasicornis contain an enzyme which is capable of reducing the specific viscosities of collagen solutions, but venom from Vipera russelli, Ophiophagus hannah and Naja naja apparently do not have this capability. 2. 2. Venom from bee Apis mellifera and spiders Aranea diadema and Lactrodectus mactans apparently do not have a collagenolytic enzyme. 3. 3. Crotalus atrox venom but not venom from Ophiophagus hannah is capable of digesting rat mesenteric native collagen fibers during tissue culture.
Mixed intestinal adenocarcinoma-argentaffin carcinoma of the vagina

A mixed intestinal adenocarcinoma-argentaffin carcinoma of the vagina in a 32-year-old woman is reported. Special stains showed the argentaffin and argyrophil reactions of the small cell population of this tumor. The small cells also contained serotonin as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic cytoplasmic neurosecretory granules. The large cells were columnar and contained mucin droplets similar to those in Goblet cells in the intestines. The observations suggest that the tumor was mixed intestinal adenocarcinoma-argentaffin carcinoma (malignant carcinoid), which probably arose in aberrant intestinal epithelial cells in the vagina. The patient died with metastases of pure argentaffin carcinoma in 1 year.
A smart wearable technology for fall prevention in patients with diabetes: Application of plantar electrical stimulation

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases like diabetes can significantly impair patients' postural balance and gait. These negative alterations in balance and gait coupled with peripheral neuropathy (PN) can dramatically reduce patients' ability to perform activities of daily living and also put them on high fall-risk. The purpose of this study is to treat balance deficit due to diabetes and PN using a home wearable technology based on plantar electrical stimulation. Methods: An innovative and low-cost therapeutic electrical stimulation (ES) device initially designed for pain management (SENSUS, NEUROMetrix Inc, MA, USA) was customized to deliver electrical stimulation to plantar regions of interest, Figure 1. Since neuropathy patients lack plantar sensations, the intensity of stimulation was set based on perception on senate skin. The therapy session was performed at home for 2 hours a day per week on each foot (at night before sleep and morning). The effect of ES was quantified by measuring changes in sway of ankle, hip and center of mass (CoM) and gait changes using body-worn sensors (LegSySTM, Biosensics LLC, MA, USA). Results: Five patients were recruited so far (Age 53.8±5.7, BMI=30±5 Kg/m2) with average vibration perception threshold score of 26.2±5.3V. Preliminary data analysis included baseline measurements on 5 patients and follow up on 3 after a period of one week. On average we observed a reduction of 23% (1.39±0.67deg to 1.07±0.78deg), 25% (1.08±0.85deg to 0.82±0.4deg) and 22% (0.25±0.16cm2 to 0.19±0.08 cm2) in ankle, hip and body sway during eyes open assessment. For gait we observed reduction in gait velocity (11%), increase in CoM sway (9.4%) and increase in double support (17.5%) during steady state gait. Interestingly, there was 34% decrease in gait unsteadiness during steady state gait. There was no changes in knee range of motion and stride length. Conclusion: The preliminary results from this study have demonstrated that plantar electrical stimulation may be beneficial for patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in improving postural stability. Immediate improvements in balance are more prominent than gait. The reductions in gait unsteadiness are promising; it seems that patients are walking more cautious post therapy. Follow up measurements after continued use of device for months will reveal significant changes in gait and balance.
Native Fluorescence Mapping of Cancer

Fluorescence intensity ratio maps were generated from fluorescence images of ex vivo head and neck, and cervical tissues. Excitation (300, 340 and 380 nm) and em ission (340, 380 and 440 nm) wavelengths were chose n to image native tissue fluorophores, i.e. tryptophan, collagen, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
Novel technique to bioassay endocardium-derived nitric oxide from the beating heart

Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator and antiplatelet substance released by the vascular endothelium. In the current study, isolated rabbit hearts were perfused retrograde in the aortic root with a balanced salt solution using a Langendorff technique. To perfuse the right cardiac chambers, an inflow cannula was placed in the superior vena cava and an outflow cannula in the right ventricular apex via the pulmonary artery. To detect endocardial vasodilator production, right heart perfusate was used to bathe a "bioassay" segment of canine coronary artery denuded of endothelium. Perfusate from unstimulated hearts did not alter smooth muscle tone in the bioassay tissue. Calcium inophore, a potent stimulus for endothelial nitric oxide production, produced relaxation of the bioassay smooth muscle when added to the cardiac perfusate but not when applied directly to the bioassay segment. Cardiac effluent vasodilator activity was abolished by removal of the endocardium or addition of nitric oxide synthesis inhibitors, but not by prostanoid inhibitors. These experiments describe a practical method to bioassay endocardial nitric oxide production in the beating heart.
Massive questionnaires for personality capture

Contemporary information technology facilitates the creation and administration of much longer questionnaires than was feasible traditionally. People might be motivated to respond to these questionnaires as a means of capturing significant aspects of their personalities, and this can be useful when designing sociable technology--computer avatars, software agents, and robots with simulated personalities-- and when creating personality archives for research or memorial purposes. In this article, the author illustrates how "personality capture" can be accomplished through 20,000 questionnaire items culled from responses to open-ended online questions, content analysis of existing verbal or textual material, and words from dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauri. This approach enables detailed idiographic study of a single individual, based on fresh measurement items and scales derived from the ambient culture.
Love burns: An essay about bride burning in India.

Each year in countries like India, thousands of young women are burned to death or afflicted with fatal burns. They are victims of dowry deaths. The husband and/or in-laws have determined that the dowry, a gift given from the daughter's parents to the husband, was inadequate and therefore attempt to murder the new bride to make the husband available to remarry or to punish the bride and her family. Unfortunately, this is a domestic issue that is often ignored or minimized, and the prosecution is often inadequate. This review article illustrates various scenarios of dowry deaths, investigates different predispositions, summarizes the current legislation, and proposes solutions to this problem. One hopes that the exposure of this problem may curtail its rampant, yet well-hidden, prevalence. Language: en
Ocular Malformation in Association with Ipsilateral Facial Nevus of Jadassohn

A 13-year-old boy had ocular malformations and a sebaceous nevus of Jadassohn. The salient features included left frontoparietal alopecia, a pigmented flat nevus anterior to the left tragus, and a left-sided fleshy corneoscleral limbal mass. Histopathologic analysis showed a complex choristoma of lacrimal tissue arid cartilage, together with intrascleral cartilage and bone. Deformity of the left sphenoid bone, dilatation of the left lateral ventricle, and localized atrophy of the left cerebral hemisphere were evident, but the patient had no history of seizures, no neurologic deficit, and normal mentality. Patients with a sebaceous nevus of Jadassohn should be examined for ocular malformations and watched closely for the development of malignant nevoid tumors within the area of the nevus.
Vitamin D for the treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer.

Commentary to:19-nor-1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D2 (Paricalcitol) inhibits the proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivoGary G. Schwartz, Dawn Eads, Christine Naczki, Scott Northrup, Tai Chen, Constantinos Koumenis
Iraqi Oil and Revenues from its Sale: A Review of How Existing Security Council Resolutions Affected the Past and May Shape the Future

The newly proposed Iraqi oil and gas legislation is currently making its way through Iraq's political process. The specifi c content of that legislation may be criticized for a variety of rea- sons. Nonetheless, while early Security Council resolutions addressing Iraq's oil and gas, and revenues from its sale, demonstrated extensive supervision over such by the international community beginning in the 1990s, more recent resolutions assign Iraq the kind of control that suggests its peoples are entitled to manage those resources and monies as they see fi t. At the same time, the international community cannot ignore the importance of oil and gas to the economic well-being of Iraq, and the link between economic health and the survival of that country's nascent democracy. As a consequence, despite the fact that Security Council resolutions have seen fi t to permit Iraqi authorities to resume autonomous control over that nation's hydrocarbons and the revenues produced by the sale of such, serious consideration should be given to the adoption of a new resolution, extending beyond the current 31 Decem- ber 2007 date Iraq's protection against legal claims from existing and potential creditors.
Disruption of microfilament organization in living nonmuscle cells by microinjection of plasma vitamin D-binding protein or DNase I.

Abstract Plasma vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), which binds to monomeric actin, causes the breakdown of stress fibers when it is microinjected into nonmuscle cells. Disruption of the stress fiber network is also accompanied by shape changes in the cell that resemble those seen after cytochalasin treatment. When DBP was coinjected with fluorescently labeled alpha-actinin, no fluorescent stress fibers or attachment plaques were visible 30 min after injection. Twelve hours later the cells regained their flattened shape and their stress fibers. Fluorescently labeled DBP causes the same reversible changes in cell shape as the unlabeled protein. Upon injection, the labeled DBP diffuses throughout the cytoplasm, becoming localized by 12 hr in a punctate pattern, presumably due to lysozomal sequestration. Similar injections of DBP into skeletal myotubes and cardiac myocytes did not lead to shape changes or breakdown of nascent and/or fully formed myofibrils, even though DBP has a 2-fold higher binding affinity for muscle actin over that of the nonmuscle isoactins. Similar differential effects in nonmuscle cells were also observed after the microinjection of DNase I, another protein capable of binding monomer actin. The effects of these microinjected monomer actin-binding proteins imply that an accessible pool of monomer actin is needed to maintain stress fiber integrity in nonmuscle cells but not the integrity of the nascent or fully formed myofibrils in muscle cells.
The long and the short of it: developmental genetics of the skeletal dysplasias

The skeletal dysplasias are a large heterogeneous group of genetic conditions characterized by abnormal shape, growth, or integrity of bones. Often, there may be prominent features associated with other organ systems as part of a more encompassing skeletal malformation syndrome. Tremendous advances have been made in the clinical and molecular delineation of these conditions over the past 20-30 years. We have progressed from initial broad clinical classifications of these conditions in the first two-thirds of this century, to extensive delineation based on radiographic features in the 1970s and 1980s, to the present reconsideration and grouping of these conditions according to their molecular pathogenesis. This has in part been spurred on by advances in the understanding of the developmental pathways which govern skeletal development, as well as by the human genome sequencing effort, which has provided a plethora of positional candidate genes for many of these conditions. The pathogenetic correlations derived from such studies are often based on parallels between the human phenotype and mouse models of the human condition, and have sometimes revealed novel developmental functions.
A linear class of large-tip-angle selective excitation pulses

Abstract The design of large-tip-angle selective excitation pulses is in general a nonlinear problem. In this paper we present a class of selective excitation pulses that can be designed using a linear Fourier transform analysis, even at large tip angles. This method is most useful for designing two-dimensional pulses, although it is valid in general. It may be used to design selective excitation, inversion, and spin-echo (time-reversal) pulses.
Individual Variation in the Motivational Properties of Cocaine

Cues in the environment associated with drug use draw the attention of addicts, elicit approach, and motivate drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior, making abstinence difficult. However, preclinical studies have identified large individual differences in the extent to which reward cues acquire these incentive motivational properties. For example, only in some rats does a spatially discrete food cue become attractive, eliciting approach and engagement with it, and acts as an effective conditioned reinforcer. Moreover, a discrete cocaine cue also acquires greater motivational control over behavior in rats prone to attribute incentive salience to a food cue. In this study, we asked whether there is similar individual variation in the extent to which interoceptive cues produced by cocaine itself instigate cocaine-seeking behavior. After quantifying individual variation in the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine in the absence of an explicit conditional stimulus. We then assessed motivation for cocaine by: (1) performance on a progressive ratio schedule, and (2) the degree to which a cocaine 'prime' reinstated cocaine-seeking following extinction of self-administration behavior. We found that rats prone to attribute incentive salience to a food cue worked harder for cocaine, and showed more robust cocaine-induced reinstatement. We conclude that there is considerable individual variation in the motivational properties of cocaine itself, and this can be predicted by the propensity to attribute incentive salience to reward cues.
Symmetry-constrained analysis of pulsed double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy reveals the dynamic nature of the KcsA activation gate.

Distance determination from an echo intensity modulation obtained by pulsed double electron–electron resonance (DEER) experiment is a mathematically ill-posed problem. Tikhonov regularization yields distance distributions that can be difficult to interpret, especially in a system with multiple discrete distance distributions. Here, we show that by using geometric fit constraints in symmetric homo-oligomeric protein systems, we were able to increase the accuracy of a model-based fit solution based on a sum of Rice distributions. Our approach was validated on two different ion channels of known oligomeric states, KcsA (tetramer) and CorA (pentamer). Statistical analysis of the resulting fits was integrated within our method to help the experimenter evaluate the significance of a symmetry-constrained vs standard model distribution fit and to examine multidistance confidence regions. This approach was used to quantitatively evaluate the role of the C-terminal domain (CTD) on the flexibility and conformation o...
Re‐engineering: using the customer as a unifying factor

Looks at how companies can go about creating a competitive culture using American Express as an example. Provides details of their programme, including their focus of attitudinal training and the role of leadership. American Express has chosen quality service to their customers as their unifying factor and this has worked well, as employees can easily put themselves into the customer’s shoes and, if the process is done correctly, take pride in a job well done. Looks at the firm’s intrastructure, in‐house training sessions, service tracking, reports, transaction‐based surveys, establishing of links, performance reviews, attitudinal training, employee involvement, and communications. Concludes by noting American Express confirm that people want to give their best and it is management’s job to encourage employees and then empower them so they can do so.
Engineering and rapid selection of a low-affinity glucose/galactose-binding protein for a glucose biosensor

Periplasmic expression screening is a selection technique used to enrich high-affinity proteins in Escherichia coli. We report using this screening method to rapidly select a mutated D-glucose/D-galactose-binding protein (GGBP) having low affinity to glucose. Wild-type GGBP has an equilibrium dissociation constant of 0.2 μM and mediates the transport of glucose within the periplasm of E. coli. The protein undergoes a large conformational change on binding glucose and, when labeled with an environmentally sensitive fluorophore, GGBP can relay glucose concentrations, making it of potential interest as a biosensor for diabetics. This use necessitates altering the glucose affinity of GGBP, bringing it into the physiologically relevant range for monitoring glucose in humans (1.7–33 mM). To accomplish this a focused library was constructed using structure-based site-saturation mutagenesis to randomize amino acids in the binding pocket of GGBP at or near direct H-bonding sites and screening the library within the bacterial periplasm. After selection, equilibrium dissociation constants were confirmed by glucose titration and fluorescence monitoring of purified mutants labeled site-specifically at E149C with the fluorophore IANBD (N,N′-dimethyl-N-(iodoacetyl)-N′-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)ethylene-diamine). The screening identified a single mutation A213R that lowers GGBP glucose affinity 5000-fold to 1 mM. Computational modeling suggested the large decrease in affinity was accomplished by the arginine side chain perturbing H-bonding and increasing the entropic barrier to the closed conformation. Overall, these experiments demonstrate the ability of structure-based site-saturation mutagenesis and periplasmic expression screening to discover low-affinity GGBP mutants having potential utility for measuring glucose in humans.
Simplifying web traversals by recognizing behavior patterns

Web sites must often service a wide variety of clients. Thus, it is inevitable that a web site will allow some visitors to find their information quickly while other visitors have to follow many links to get to the information that they need. Worse, as web sites evolve, they may get worse over time so that all visitors have to follow many links to find the information that they need.This paper describes an extensible system that analyzes web logs to find and exploit opportunities for improving the navigation of a web site. The system is extensible in that the inefficiencies that it finds and eliminates are not predetermined; to search for a new kind of inefficiency, web site admininstrators can provide a pattern (in a language designed specifically for this) that finds and eliminates the new inefficiency.
Community-Based Restructuring? Institution Building in the Industrial Midwest

The author examines change agents, agendas, and processes involved in community-based efforts to promote collaborative manufacturing in Cleveland, Athens, and Toledo, Ohio. The goals are to redefine relationships of firms with competitors, customers, and community entities and to remake institutions so as to support small firms. Contributing factors include the threat that communities will be relegated to the periphery, new pressures on small firms to design products for diverse customers, the importation of network models by state governments, and the ability of community-based organizations to translate these models to resonate with local constituencies.
Relation between equivalent antenna radius and transverse line dipole moments of a narrow slot aperture having depth

A simple general relationship is shown to exist between the equivalent radius and the transverse line dipole moments of a narrow slot aperture having depth. The cross-sectional dimensions of the aperture are assumed to be small compared to both its length and the wavelength. The general relationship can be put succinctly; the perfect magnetic cylinder, having the equivalent radius of an aperture with depth, has not only the same properties but also the same transverse line dipole moments of the aperture. >
Selenium distribution and fluxes in intertidal wetlands, San Francisco Bay, California.

Selenium (Se) concentrations exceeding ecological guidelines for sediments and suspended particulate matter (SPM) have been observed in the northern reach of the San Francisco Bay estuary. Long-term availability of elevated Se in wetland sediments depends in part on the fluxes controlling Se distribution. The relative contribution of sedimentary vs. post-depositional Se fluxes in two San Francisco Bay intertidal wetlands was estimated. Selenium concentrations on surface wetland sediments were compared with levels on SPM, and with previously established background levels in San Francisco Bay sediments. Sediment Se fluxes to the wetlands were measured directly using sediment traps. Although dissolved Se concentrations are higher than particulate Se concentrations in San Francisco Bay water, sediment input into the system provides the major flux of Se. Strong correlation between Se and C on SPM (r 2 = 0.81) indicates the importance of organic particulate deposition. Dependence on sediment texture was qualitatively established by measuring Se on particle-size separates. Normalization to Al showed that 65% of Se spatial variability is related to sediment texture. Selenium is further enriched in the marsh via post-depositional inputs, probably due to in situ adsorption from overlying water and chemical reduction. According to sediment flux measurements, enrichment in the marsh is equivalent to 20 to 25% of the particulate Se flux, thereby defining the marsh as a Se sink. These findings highlight the need for more intensive monitoring of SPM as the major source of Se to intertidal wetlands.
Interaction of nitric oxide with supported chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten catalysts

The interaction of NO with alumina-supported catalysts prepared from Cr(CO)6, Mo(CO)6, and W(CO)6 has been investigated by means of infrared and EPR spectroscopy. Adsorption of NO on Cr(CO)6Al2O3 produces Cr2+ and Cr3+ nitrosyl species identical to those found on reduced CrO3Al2O3. A paramagnetic Mo+NO+ species has been detected on Mo(CO)6Al2O3, but the majority species on this catalyst is a Mo4+ dinitrosyl complex identical to that found on MoO3Al2O3. A corresponding W4+ dinitrosyl complex is formed on W(CO)6Al2O3.
Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation for Biomass Processing: Research Strategies and Goals

Production of energy and chemicals from biomass is of critical importance in meeting some of the challenges associated with decreasing availability of fossil fuels and addressing global climate change. In the current article, we outline a perspective on key challenges of biomass processing. We also introduce the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI), one of the 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers established by the Department of Energy in the spring of 2009, and CCEI’s overall research strategies and goals along with its cross-cutting research thrusts that can enable potential technological breakthroughs in the utilization of biomass and its derivatives. The center focuses on developing innovative heterogeneous catalysts and processing schemes that can lead to viable biorefineries for the conversion of biomass to chemicals, fuels, and electricity. In order to achieve this goal, a group of over twenty faculty members from nine institutions has been assembled to bring together complementary expertise covering novel materials synthesis, advanced characterization, multiscale modeling, surface science, catalytic kinetics, and microreactors. Scientific structure and research goals of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation
Implications of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) on Children with Feeding Problems

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-V) diagnosis, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), has replaced the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of feeding disorder of infancy and early childhood. The prevalence of 3 diagnostic criteria—significant weight loss or insufficient growth, dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements, and nutritional deficiency—was examined in a sample of 422 children referred for feeding problems. Insufficient growth was found in 19.7% of the sample. Dependence on supplements included both children who were tube fed (16.8% of the sample) and who received oral supplements (37.7% of the sample). The nutritional deficiency, defined in this study as eating 10 or fewer foods monthly, was found in 21.5% of children. For the total sample, 63% met one or more of the 3 diagnostic criteria for ARFID examined. One exclusion for the diagnosis is that the eating disturba...