cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions of fish, algae, and abiotic factors in a shallow, tropical pond

Protecting and restoring shallow tropical lakes and wetlands requires a knowledge of what shapes and controls algal dynamics and primary productivity in these systems. Algal community structure and composition can be regulated either through biotic or abiotic controls. Large-scale changes in fish populations can affect algal communities by altering food web dynamics and the physical and chemical properties of the aquatic environment. A reduction in fish biomass can lead to a reduction in algal biomass because of increased grazing by zooplankton and reduced availablity of nutrients. However, the omnivorous fish common in tropical systems often consume algae, and their reduction can increase algal biomass. There is a need for more information on the effect of fish removals/reductions in tropical systems. In a five-year study of a shallow, tropical pond in Hawaii, I investigated the water quality effects of tilapia removal following the occurrence of two natural fish die-offs. I describe the concurrent impacts of water-level fluctuations and the fish die-offs on the physical and chemical conditions of the pond and the subsequent changes in the algal community. Overall, nutrients, suspended sediment, organic matter, and algal biomass were significantly reduced and light availability significantly increased in the absence of tilapia.
Insensitivity of the extent of surface reduction of ceria on termination: comparison of (001), (110), and (111) faces

The enhanced reducibility of the surface of ceria relative to the bulk has long been established. Several studies also show that ceria nanoparticles with different facets exhibit different catalytic activities. Despite consensus that the activity is correlated with the surface Ce3+ concentration, experimental measurements of this concentration as a function of termination are lacking. Here, X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) is used to quantify the Ce3+ concentration in films with (001), (110), and (111) surface terminations under reaction relevant conditions. While an enhanced Ce3+ concentration is found at the surfaces, it is surprisingly insensitive to film orientation.
Community Outreach and Engagement Strategies to Address Breast Cancer Disparities

Breast cancer disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority women compared with their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Community-based researchers have long sought to reduce breast cancer-related health disparities using the core principles of community outreach and engagement. The primary goal of this paper is to discuss community outreach and engagement (COE) strategies in the context of breast cancer disparities and discuss evidence-based applications of COE. Evidence-based COE to address breast cancer disparities include patient navigation, co-development of community-based interventions, advisory boards, and patient boards. Recent strategies have included partnering with the Komen Tissue Bank, the development of culturally tailored expressive writing interventions, and the formation of community scientist and community mentorship programs. Partnering with the community across all stages of research can help eliminate breast cancer disparities. We find that community outreach and engagement can improve intervention efficacy, clinical trial retention, and community commitment. We hope that this paper will promote greater adoption of evidence-based COE strategies to help eliminate breast cancer disparities.
Near-Optimal Bayesian Online Assortment of Reusable Resources

Motivated by the applications of rental services in e-commerce, we consider revenue maximization in online assortment of reusable resources for a stream of arriving consumers with different types. We design competitive online algorithms with respect to the optimum online policy in the Bayesian setting, in which types are drawn independently from known heterogeneous distributions over time. In the regime where the minimum of initial inventories c_min is large, our main result is a near-optimal 1-min(1/2,\sqrt{log(c_min)/c_min}) competitive algorithm for the general case of reusable resources. For the special case of non-reusable resources, we further show an improved near-optimal 1-1/\sqrt{c_min+3} competitive algorithm. Our algorithms rely on an expected LP benchmark for the problem, solve this LP, and simulate the solution through an independent randomized rounding. To obtain point-wise inventory feasibility in a computationally efficient fashion from these simulation-based algorithms, we use several technical ingredients to design "discarding policies" -- one for each resource. These policies handle the trade-off between the inventory feasibility under reusability and the revenue loss of each of the resources. We also introduce post-processing assortment procedures that help with designing and analyzing our discarding policies, which might be of independent interest. We finally evaluate the performance of our algorithms using the simulation on synthetic data.
Sialendoscopy and Sjogren's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Objectives/hypothesis This study is a systematic review of the literature which seeks to estimate the expected treatment outcomes of a patient with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) undergoing therapeutic sialendoscopy. Study design Systematic Review. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library databases were used to search for studies published as of August 2020 regarding the treatment outcomes of SS with sialendoscopy. The key search terms included "Sjogren's syndrome" and "sialendoscopy." Only studies in the English language involving more than one human patient were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed in study inclusion and data extraction. The primary outcome assessed was improvement in patient symptoms. Results Six studies met criteria and were analyzed in this review, including 125 patients undergoing sialendoscopy of parotid and/or submandibular glands as well as 25 controls. Of these patients, 90% were female with an age range of 18 to 79 years. There was significant diversity in outcome reporting tools. The outcomes of symptom improvement were pooled qualitatively based on improvement noted in each study. Outcomes were defined as partial improvement if the measured outcomes improved and complete improvement if measured outcomes resolved entirely. Despite the limited number of studies on this topic, this meta-analysis suggests that a similar study of therapeutic sialendoscopy could expect to provide at least temporary improvement of symptoms 90% to 99% of the time. Conclusions This review provides support for the application of sialendoscopy in the treatment of SS salivary disease. Larger studies with consistent outcome reporting tools and control groups are needed to validate these results and provide a consistent therapy protocol. Laryngoscope, 131:1474-1481, 2021.
Neoadjuvant dose-dense docetaxel, carboplatinum, and trastuzumab (ddTCH) chemotherapy for HER2 overexpressing breast cancer

e11557 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer was shown to improve the complete pathologic (pCR) and clinical response (cCR) as well as the disease free survival (DFS). Docetaxel, cisplatin, and trastuzumab given every 21 days in her2-positive breast cancer demonstrated a pCR rate of 23%. The concept of dose dense chemotherapy regimens has attracted much attention and we hypothesized that dose-dense regimen would further improve pCR, cCR and would maintain the safety profile while being a suitable regimen for outpatient administration. Methods: 48 patients with stage II/III HER2-positive breast cancer were prospectively enrolled on a clinical trial of a neoadjuvant regimen consisting of docetaxel 70 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, 29, and 43; carboplatinum at an AUC of 6 on days 1, 15, 29, and 43; trastuzumab 4 mg/kg on day 1 and 2 mg/kg weekly x 10 starting on day 8; peg-filgastrim 6 mg on days 2, 16, 30, and 44. Results: The median age was 50 years (range 30–78). 52% of patients we...
Overall dynamic properties of locally resonant viscoelastic layered media based on consistent field integration for oblique anti-plane shear waves

Abstract In this work, the analysis of oblique anti-plane shear waves propagation and scattering in low frequency resonant micro-structured layered media with viscoelastic constituent layers is presented. The band structure of the infinitely periodic systems and scattering off a finite thickness slab of such media are determined using the transfer matrix method. A consistent dynamic field homogenization approach is applied, in which the micro-scale field equations are integrated and the overall macro-scale quantities are defined to be compatible with these integral forms. A reduced set of constitutive tensors is presented for general asymmetric repeating unit cells (RUC), utilizing the proposed homogenized macro-scale quantities combined with Onsager’s principle and presumed material form of elastodynamic reciprocity. This set can be further restricted by studying the form of the dispersion equation leading to a unique constitutive tensor. It is shown that for an asymmetric RUC, the full constitutive tensor, including off-diagonal elastic moduli and Willis coupling terms are required in order to match the scattering and band structure of the micro-structured media, but all the off-diagonal parameters vanish for a symmetric RUC. Therefore, it is possible to create an equivalent homogenized representation with a uniquely determined diagonal constitutive tensor for a symmetric RUC, though, as is the case also with asymmetric RUCs, all non-zero components will be wave-vector dependent. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the application and consistency of the proposed method. All the diagonal terms are converging to their appropriate Voigt or Reuss averages at the long-wavelength limit for all wave directions. The wave-vector dependent nature of the off-diagonal coupling constants can still be observed even in this limit. The conditions for lossy (passive) or lossless (fully elastic) systems are presented and are shown to impose weak requirements on overall constitutive tensors.
Mesoporous polyetherimide thin films via hydrolysis of polylactide-b-polyetherimide-b-polylactide

Mesoporous polyetherimides are important high-performance polymers. Conventional strategies to prepare porous polyetherimides, and polyimide in general, are based on covalent organic framework or thermolysis of sacrificial polymers. The former produces micropores due to intrinsically crosslinked microstructures, and the latter results in macropores because of a blowing effect by the sacrificial polymers. The preparation of mesopores remains a challenge. Here we have prepared mesoporous polyetherimide films by hydrolyzing polylactide-b-polyetherimide-b-polylactide (AIA). Controlled by molecular weight and volume fraction of polylactide in AIA, the porous films exhibit an average pore width of 24 nm. The mesoporous polyetherimide films exhibit a storage modulus of ∼1 GPa at ambient temperatures. This work advances the chemistry of high-performance polymers and provides an alternative strategy to prepare mesoporous polymers, enabling potential use as high-performance membranes for separation, purification, and electrochemistry.
Surface ozone in the North American pollution outflow region of Nova Scotia: Long-term analysis of surface concentrations, precursor emissions and long-range transport influence

Abstract Nova Scotia is in the air pollution outflow region of North America and experiences elevated surface air pollution episodes regularly. We present the first analysis of long-term (2000–2018) hourly ozone (O3) and ozone precursor gas trends at three Nova Scotia provincial monitoring locations (‘urban’ Halifax, ‘suburban’ Halifax at Lake Major and ‘regional background’ at Aylesford Mountain), together with an examination of provincial ozone precursor emission trends. The precursors considered are nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Over the common data period for the three stations (2006–2017) the annual 99th percentile hourly ozone concentrations decreased significantly in Halifax (−0.77 ppb/year; p = 0.02) and at Aylesford (−0.65 ppb/year; p = 0.03), in agreement with regional trends. No statistically significant changes were found in high ozone at suburban Lake Major (−0.02 ppb/year; p = 0.94), but the annual 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile hourly ozone concentrations increased significantly (p Over the full study period, ambient concentrations of precursors decreased significantly (p
Efficiency in Laser Etching Textiles: The Proportional Relationship of Power and Speed

Laser cutting is an automated cutting method used across a broad spectrum of industries (Yusoff, Osman, Othman, & Zin, 2010). Laser cutting, which originated in engineering is now a standard of practice within the apparel industry at "macro and micro levels" (Juciene, Urbelis, Juchneviciene, Cepukone, 2014, p. 662), used for cutting garment pattern pieces, as well as, cutting or engraving delicate internal shapes (De La Rosa, 2015). Balance of power and velocity is integral in cutting and engraving textiles to prevent fabric damage (Jackson, Preston & Tao, 1995). Therefore, for this experimental research the goal was to answer the following question: How does power and speed affect the cutting and etching of various textiles while frequency is maintained constant with a Trotec Speedy 400 CO2? To answer this the researcher used mathematical principles, laser etching tests, and the apparel design process to determine appropriate power and speed parameters of etching and cutting various textiles.
Transforming power with Pose: Centering love in state-sponsored services for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness

The disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness presents moral and ethical dilemmas, carries high emotional and social costs for those without safe, adequate housing, and impa...
Lord–Wingersky Algorithm Version 2.5 with Applications

Item response theory scoring based on summed scores is employed frequently in the practice of educational and psychological measurement. Lord and Wingersky (Appl Psychol Meas 8(4):453–461, 1984) proposed a recursive algorithm to compute the summed score likelihood. Cai (Psychometrika 80(2):535–559, 2015) extended the original Lord–Wingersky algorithm to the case of two-tier multidimensional item factor models and called it Lord–Wingersky algorithm Version 2.0. The 2.0 algorithm utilizes dimension reduction to efficiently compute summed score likelihoods associated with the general dimensions in the model. The output of the algorithm is useful for various purposes, for example, scoring, scale alignment, and model fit checking. In the research reported here, a further extension to the Lord–Wingersky algorithm 2.0 is proposed. The new algorithm, which we call Lord–Wingersky algorithm Version 2.5, yields the summed score likelihoods for all latent variables in the model conditional on observed score combinations. The proposed algorithm is illustrated with empirical data for three potential application areas: (a) describing achievement growth using score combinations across adjacent grades, (b) identification of noteworthy subscores for reporting, and (c) detection of aberrant responses.
The poetry of Arab women from the pre-Islamic age to Andalusia: by Wessam Elmeligi, New York, Routledge, 2019, pp.154, ISBN 9781138323575

As the title suggests, this book is about women poets in the classical Arabic tradition from the pre-Islamic Age, which references the Arabian peninsula prior to the coming of Islam in the seventh ...
Colloquium 1 Commentary on Ionescu

The commentary on Ionescu’s presentation agrees with her main claim that pleasure is developed dialectically, and then departs from her ideas at two points. First, I argue that there are still good reasons to say that pleasure belongs in the class of the unlimited, and ordinary experiences of pleasure bear out this claim. Second, Ionescu’s interpretation makes the Philebus’s concept of a “false pleasure” difficult to understand. I suggest further consideration of whether the difference between the mixed and unlimited is better located in different objects or in different experiences of pleasure.
Hybrid Representation of Feature-Based Models

A double description of a feature-based model is proposed which should be equally efficient both for design with feature systems and automatic recognition of instances of standard or user defined features. This description consists of a primary representation in terms of generic form features (neutral description) and a set of viewpoint dependent feature-based representations (secondary descriptions) which are created by transformations that are viewpoint specific and apply to the neutral object description.
Structure and Dynamics of Corotating and Transient Streams in Three Dimensions

This paper reviews current ideas concerning the sources of interplanetary flows and their dynamical revolution, with emphasis on results that are relevant to measurements which will be made by Ulysses.
Pragmática sociolingüística de padagogía de los pronombres de tratamiento en lengua española

Este articulo se centra en el analisis de como se presentan los pronombres de tratamiento en espanol (tu, usted, vos) en los libros de texto universitarios estadounidenses. A la luz de numerosos estudios de campo sobre el empleo de estos pronombres, se encuentra que, aunque los textos estan mas actualizados que en decadas anteriores, perdura una falta de correspondencia entre lo que se sabe del uso de pronombres de tratamiento y lo que se ensena al estudiante. Abundantes estudios confirman que la seleccion deformas interpelativas pronominales espanolas no solo se rige por reglas gramaticales, sino que el tratamiento pronominal es determinado por multiples factores del contexto, tales como los interpersonales, sociales, culturales e historicos. Como tal, este articulo propone incluir los pronombres como materia de cultura, dentro del conjunto de normas de cortesia. Asi, se resalta el importante papel de la competencia pragmatica como arma indispensable ante la variacion linguistica en el mundo hispano-hablante.
Modulation of TNF-Induced Macrophage Polarization by Synovial Fibroblasts

Mesenchymal stromal cells have emerged as powerful modulators of the immune system. In this study, we explored how the human macrophage response to TNF is regulated by human synovial fibroblasts, the representative stromal cell type in the synovial lining of joints that become activated during inflammatory arthritis. We found that synovial fibroblasts strongly suppressed TNF-mediated induction of an IFN-β autocrine loop and downstream expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), including chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 that are characteristic of classical macrophage activation. TNF induced the production of soluble synovial fibroblast factors that suppressed the macrophage production of IFN-β, and cooperated with TNF to limit the responsiveness of macrophages to IFN-β by suppressing activation of Jak–STAT signaling. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis showed that cocultured synovial fibroblasts modulate the expression of approximately one third of TNF-regulated genes in macrophages, including genes in pathways important for macrophage survival and polarization toward an alternatively activated phenotype. Pathway analysis revealed that gene expression programs regulated by synovial fibroblasts in our coculture system were also regulated in rheumatoid arthritis synovial macrophages, suggesting that these fibroblast-mediated changes may contribute to rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. This work furthers our understanding of the interplay between innate immune and stromal cells during an inflammatory response, one that is particularly relevant to inflammatory arthritis. Our findings also identify modulation of macrophage phenotype as a new function for synovial fibroblasts that may prove to be a contributing factor in arthritis pathogenesis.
Mishmash and Carr Reply

We reply to Jacek Dziarmaga, Piotr Deuar, and Krzysztof Sacha's comment, arXiv:1001.1045, supporting the authors' simulations but differentiating between near-mean-field and strongly quantum regimes. We clarify that we have three lines of evidence on decay of dark solitons and connect our work to Lieb's Type-II excitations and the true meaning of a quantum dark soliton.
A Novel Region Based Liveness Detection Approach for Fingerprint Scanners

Biometric scanners have become widely popular in providing security to information technology and entry to otherwise sensitive locations. However, these systems have been proven to be vulnerable to spoofing, or granting entry to an imposter using fake fingers. While matching algorithms are highly successful in identifying the unique fingerprint biometric of an individual, they lack the ability to determine if the source of the image is coming from a living individual, or a fake finger, comprised of PlayDoh, silicon, gelatin or other material. Detection of liveness patterns is one method in which physiological traits are identified in order to ensure that the image received by the scanner is coming from a living source. In this paper, a new algorithm for detection of perspiration is proposed. The method quantifies perspiration via region labeling methods, a simple computer vision technique. This method is capable of extracting observable trends in live and spoof images, generally relating to the differences found in the number and size of identifiable regions per contour along a ridge or valley segment. This approach was tested on a optical fingerprint scanner, Identix DFR2100. The dataset includes a total of 1526 live and 1588 spoof fingerprints, arising from over 150 unique individuals with multiple visits. Performance was evaluated through a neural network classifier, and the results are compared to previous studies using intensity based ridge and valley liveness detection. The results yield excellent classification, achieving overall classification rates greater than 95.5%. Implementation of this liveness detection method can greatly improve the security of fingerprint scanners.
The characterization of n-butanol-pseudosolubilized and trypsin-solubilized porcine thyroid iodide peroxidase.

Abstract Porcine thyroid peroxidase (Iodide: hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.8) was solubilized by proteolytic and non-proteolytic procedures. A kinetic and physical study was undertaken to ascertain the catalytic properties of the peroxidase prepared by the two purported solubilization procedures. Where possible, the properties of the two enzyme preparations were compared with the original microsomal preparation. The n- butanol-solubilized thyroid iodide peroxidase is not truly soluble, but exists as a large molecular weight lipoprotein aggregate. The trypsin-solubilized thyroid iodide peroxidase is truly soluble, active, and contains lipids. The microsomes, butanol-pseudosolubilized enzyme, and trypsin-solubilized enzyme have similar kinetic properties such as pH optima, K m for iodide and H2O2, sigmoid character of the saturation curves, substrate inhibition, and inhibition by 3,5-diiodotyrosine. Since the proteolytic solubilization procedure produced a soluble peroxidase with catalytic properties similar to the microsomal preparation, trypsin-solubilized peroxidse can be studied with reasonable assurance that its properties are essentially unaltered and are not artifacts of the solubilization procedure.
Chapter 33 A Comparison of Market Institutions

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes a laboratory experiment comparing four different trading institutions, in a random values environment with four single unit buyers and four single unit sellers. This chapter also summarizes the main findings on efficiency: the continuous double auction (CDA) and high-frequency multiple-call market (MCM) are the most efficient institutions, followed by the low-frequency MCM and the single call market (SCM), with the implementation of uniform price double auction (UPDA) trailing the pack. This chapter also describes the main findings on transaction prices and volume. Price deviations from competitive equilibrium tend to be smallest in the SCM. Volume is highest in CDA, decreases with call frequency in MCM and SCM, and is lowest in UPDA. The body of this chapter describes the institutions, environment, performance measures, and results.
Computer Science Unplugged: K--12 special session

The "Computer Science Unplugged" project (http://csunplugged.org/), created by Tim Bell, Ian H. Witten, and Mike Fellows is a set of activities that describe fundamental computing concepts using games and puzzles. The activities do not use computers, rather they employ classroom items like paper, pencil, chalk, and string. The activities are designed for K-12 students, but are appropriate for all ages. Each activity contains background information, hands-on exercises, and a conclusion section titled "What's it all about" explaining the relevance to computer science.
Phenotypic and imaging features of FLNA-negative patients with bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia and epilepsy

Abstract Purpose Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) is a malformation of cortical development due to impaired neuronal migration resulting in the formation of nodular masses of neurons and glial cells in close proximity to the ventricular walls. We report the clinical characteristics of the largest case series of FLNA-negative patients with seizures and bilateral periventricular heterotopia. Methods Participants were recruited through the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP), a multicenter collaborative effort to collect detailed phenotypic data and DNA on a large number of individuals with epilepsy, including a cohort with symptomatic epilepsy related to PVNH. Included subjects had epilepsy, and MRI confirmed bilateral PVNH. Magnetic resonance imaging studies were visually and quantitatively reviewed to investigate the topographic extent of PVNH, symmetry, and laterality. Key findings We analyzed data on 71 patients with bilateral PVNH. The incidence of febrile seizures was 16.6%. There was at least one other family member with epilepsy in 36.9% of this population. Developmental delay was present in 21.8%. Focal onset seizures were the most common type of seizure presentation (79.3%). High heterotopia burden was strongly associated with female gender and trigonal nodular localization. There was no evidence for differences in brain volume between PVNH subjects and controls. No relationship was observed between heterotopic volume and gender, developmental delay, location of PVNH, ventricular or cerebellar abnormalities, laterality of seizure onset, age at seizure onset, and duration of epilepsy. Significance A direct correlation was observed between high heterotopia burden, female gender, and trigonal location in this large cohort of FLNA-negative bilateral PVNH patients with epilepsy. Quantitative MRI measurements indicated that this correlation is based on the diffuse nature of the heterotopic nodules rather than on the total volume of abnormal heterotopic tissue.
A proposed role for chromogranin A as a glucocorticoid-responsive autocrine inhibitor of proopiomelanocortin secretion.

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a 50 kilodalton (kDa) acidic glycoprotein that is costored and cosecreted from secretoi-y granules with endogenous hormone from diverse endocrine cell types. The physiological role(s) of CgA is yet to be defined. In this study we used the AtT-20 mouse corticotropic cell line, which produces both CgA and POMC-derived peptides, to study 1) the regulation of CgA and POMC synthesis and secretion, and 2) the influence of CgA on POMC secretion. To study regulation of CgA and POMC biosynthesis and secretion, cells were treated with dexamethasone (DEX) or CRF for 48 h and CgA and POMC messenger RNAs and proteins were analyzed. Exposure to DEX for 48 h (10 nM) inhibited secretion of the 16 K fragment of POMC by 60% while stimulating CgA secretion 500% of control value. Consonant with these changes in protein, POMC mRNA levels fell to 40% of control levels while CgA mRNA levels increased to 250% of control values with DEX treatment. DEX treatment had no effect on the sizes of the CgA [2.1 ki...
CR approximation on a nonrigid hypersurface graph in Cn

Let M be a hypersurface in C n that is the graph over a (2n - 1)-linear real space. The main result of the paper is that any CR function on M can be uniformly approximated on compact subsets by entire functions on C n .
Expression of gap junctional connexins 26, 32, and 43 mRNA in ovarian preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea in sheep

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the expression of connexins (Cx)26, Cx32, and Cx43 mRNA in granulosa and theca cells during the peri-ovulatory period (experiment 1) and in the corpus luteum (CL) during the estrous cycle (experiment 2) and during prostaglandin F2α (PGF)-induced luteal regression (experiment 3) in FSH-treated ewes. In experiment 1, Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 mRNA was expressed in granulosa and theca cells, and expression of Cx32 and Cx43 mRNA, but not Cx26, was greater (p < 0.001) in granulosa than in theca cells throughout the peri-ovulatory period. Expression of Cx43 mRNA in granulosa and theca cells decreased (p < 0.01) 24 h after hCG treatment. In experiment 2, expression of Cx26 mRNA in the CL tended to be greater (p < 0.06) on day 10 than on days 5 or 15, but expression of Cx43 mRNA was greater (p < 0.01) on day 5 than on days 10 and 15 of the estrous cycle. In experiment 3, expression of Cx26, but not Cx32 or Cx43 mRNA decreased (p < 0.001) during PGF-induced luteal regr...
Structure–property relationships in polyurethanes derived from soybean oil

Two types of soy polyols have been prepared, one with secondary OH groups resulted from epoxidation of soybean oil followed by methanolysis (polyol type I) and the other with primary OH groups created from hydroformylation of soybean oil followed by hydrogenation (polyol type II). Cast polyurethane resins were prepared from these two types of polyols with Isonate 2143L, and rigid polyurethane foams were prepared from a blend of soy polyol and glycerol with PAPI 2901. Polyol II is much more reactive than polyol I towards polyurethane formation. This is evidenced from studies on polyurethane gel-times, glass transitions and rigid foam mechanical strengths. The reaction for the polyurethane formation is more complete for polyol II resulted from its higher reactivity than polyol I, although a less rigid polyurethane material is resulted from polyol II than from polyol I. Polyol type II also requires lower amounts of catalysts for rigid foam formulation. Both rigid foam systems produce foams having the required mechanical strength. The polyol II foam system behaves much like conventional rigid foam systems where the strength are proportional to system OH content, while the less reactive polyol I system does not.
Ensuring the success of deploying students: A campus view

The lessons learned by campus personnel at Appalachian State University as they worked to meet the needs of student soldiers who were deployed during earlier conflicts provided a framework for programs and policies when students were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Electronic structure of Ni-Cu alloys studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry.

Ellipsometric measurements of the complex dielectric functions of Ni and ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{c}}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ alloys (c=0.1,0.3,0.4) have been carried out in the (1.2--5.5)-eV region. Two structures in the ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{1}$ spectrum of pure Ni at about 1.5 and 4.7 eV are attributable to direct interband transitions in the band structure of ferromagnetic Ni. As the Cu concentration increases, the 4.7-eV edge (from transitions between the s-d--hybridized bands well below ${E}_{F}$ and the s-p-like bands above ${E}_{F}$, e.g., ${X}_{1}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${X}_{4}^{\mathcal{'}}$) shifts to higher energies, while the 1.5-eV edge (from transitions between a p-like band below ${E}_{F}$ and a d band above ${E}_{F}$ along the L--W direction, e.g., ${L}_{2}^{\mathcal{'}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${L}_{3}$) remains at the same energy. A structure grows in the (2--3)-eV region as Cu is added, and it is interpreted to be due to the transitions between the localized Cu subbands. All these observations are in accord with the calculated (coherent-potential-approximation) electronic structure of Ni-Cu alloys.
ISA Channel Complexes Include Four Subunits Each of DPP6 and Kv4.2

Kv4 potassium channels produce rapidly inactivating currents that regulate excitability of muscles and nerves. To reconstitute the neuronal A-type current I(SA), Kv4 subunits assemble with DPP6, a single transmembrane domain accessory subunit. DPP6 alters function-accelerating activation, inactivation, and recovery from inactivation-and increases surface expression. We sought here to determine the stoichiometry of Kv4 and DPP6 in complexes using functional and biochemical methods. First, wild type channels formed from subunit monomers were compared with channels carrying subunits linked in tandem to enforce 4:4 and 4:2 assemblies (Kv4.2-DPP6 and Kv4.2-Kv4.2-DPP6). Next, channels were overexpressed and purified so that the molar ratio of subunits in complexes could be assessed by direct amino acid analysis. Both biophysical and biochemical methods indicate that I(SA) channels carry four subunits each of Kv4.2 and DPP6.
Influence of adlayer statistics on desorption kinetics: Order-disorder effects

We consider irreversible unimolecular desorption for a highly mobile commensurate adlayer. We assume that nearest neighbor repulsive adspecies interactions (which produce an order-disorder transition in the adlayer equilibrium state) result in configuration dependent microscopic desorption rates. By combining a sufficiently sophisticated treatment of both the desorption kinetics (incorporating the different microscopic desorption rates) and adlayer statistics (particularly larly in the ordered phase), we demonstrate the existence of an “anomalous” sharp high-temperature peak in the temperature programmed desorption spectra. This is associated with a repopulation of filled pairs as the coverage drops below 1/2 (but with the adlayer still in the ordered phase). We analyze the behavior of the effective desorption energy (which rises above its zero coverage value) and corresponding desorption rate prefactor, and also examine the effects of limited mobility.
Evaluation of cultivated and wild barley for resistance to pathotypes of Puccinia hordei with wide virulence

An isolate ofPuccinia hordei (ND89-3) originally collected in Morocco is virulent on most barley genotypes reported to possess resistance, except cultivar Estate (CI 3410), which possesses theRph3 gene and exhibits a low to intermediate level of resistance (infection type 12). Isolate ND89-3 possesses one of the widest virulence spectrums reported forP. hordei. Accessions ofHordeum vulgare (1,997 in total) andH. spontaneum (885 in total), mostly originating from the Mediterranean region and parts of North Africa, were evaluated with isolate ND89-3 at the seedling stage to identify new sources of leaf rust resistance. Fifty-eight accessions ofH. vulgare, and 222 accessions ofH. spontaneum exhibited low infection types to this isolate. Further evaluations of these resistant accessions with isolates ofP. hordei virulent forRph3,Rph7, andRph12 suggested that most of the resistantH. vulgare accessions possess theRph3 gene. Data suggested additional sources of effective resistance inH. vulgare are rather limited. FiveH. vulgare accessions and 167H. spontaneum accessions were identified as possible sources of new genes for leaf rust resistance. These accessions likely possess resistance genes that are different fromRph1 toRph12, or gene combinations thereof based on their reaction to four leaf rust isolates. Utilization of these accessions in barley breeding will broaden the germplasm resources available for genetic control ofP. hordei.
Erratum to: Dissolution-collapse breccias and paleokarst resulting from dissolution of evaporite rocks, especially sulfates

The lithological trinity of dolostone, limestone, and sulfates (anhydrite and/or gypsum) is subject to rapid dissolution of the sulfates and leads to the development of dissolution-collapse breccias resulting from the withdrawal of the sulfates. The resultant features commonly include spectacular dissolution-collapse breccias. Owing to their mobility and chemical instability evaporite rocks, such as gypsum and anhydrite, are highly soluble and can be dissolved rapidly to form karstic features. When anhydrite and/or gypsum are dissolved the overlying continuous strata of carbonate rocks collapse, generating dissolution-collapse breccia composed of carbonate clasts. Such dissolution-collapse breccias as a result of dissolution of gypsum and/or anhydrite are more common worldwide than the literature suggests. Evaporite karst interferes with human activity, including highways, buildings, canals, and agriculture. A Cretaceous deposit composed of dolostone, limestone, and anhydrite breccia set in a carbonate matrix has been interpreted as the result of asteroid- or comet collision. An origin as evaporite paleokarst could explain the formation of this same breccia. In the Williston Basin of Montana anhydrites form the caps of basin-wide peritidal cycles in successions which brine upward. The supratidal cycle caps are zones of anhydrite leaching and creation of dissolution-collapse breccia. Cambro-Lower Ordovician (Sauk) platform cycles in the Appalachian Basin are composed of peritidal upward-shallowing carbonate facies which show evidence of ultimate emergence. The sulfates in the cycle caps have entirely dissolved out and the paleokarst serves as testament to their former presence.
Friction Anisotropy and Asymmetry Related to the Molecular Tilt Azimuth in a Monolayer of 1-Monopalmytoyl-rac-glycerol

The molecular tilt azimuth in domains of a condensed phase in monolayers of 1-monopalmytoyl-rac-glycerol at the air/water interface exhibits a regular star texture. Lateral-force microscopy has been used to investigate the friction behavior of a monolayer that has been transferred onto a silicon substrate. The condensed domains revealed strong friction anisotropies and asymmetries. The angular dependence of these properties correlates well with the tilt azimuth of the alkyl tails in the monolayer.
The effects of state instructions and schedules of reinforcement on resistance to extinction

College females (N = 70) were used in an experimental design manipulating state instructions and seven schedules of reinforcement (0% to 100% in increments of 1/6). The state instructions required the Ss to guess before each trial if they were ever going to be reinforced again throughout 30 acquisition trials and 60 extinction trials—i.e., the S guessed whether she was in an experimental state of acquisition or extinction. The most lean schedules of reinforcement (1/6 and 2/6) were most resistant to extinction; however, the resistance to extinction was not related in an orderly fashion to schedule of reinforcement.
Generation and Initial Characterization of FDD Knock In Mice

Background Mutations in the integral membrane protein 2B [1], also known as BRI2 [2], a type II trans-membrane domain protein cause two autosomal dominant neurodegenerative diseases, Familial British and Danish Dementia [3]. In these conditions, accumulation of a C-terminal peptide (ABri and ADan) cleaved off from the mutated precursor protein by the pro-protein convertase furin [4], leads to amyloid deposition in the walls of blood vessels and parenchyma of the brain. Recent advances in the understanding of the generation of amyloid in Alzheimer's disease has lead to the finding that BRI2 interacts with the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), decreasing the efficiency of APP processing to generate Aβ [5], [6], [7]. The interaction between the two precursors, APP and BRI2, and possibly between Aβ and ABri or ADan, could be important in influencing the rate of amyloid production or the tendency of these peptides to aggregate. Methodology/Principal Findings We have generated the first BRI2 Danish Knock-In (FDDKI) murine model of FDD, expressing the pathogenic decamer duplication in exon 6 of the BRI2 gene. FDDKI mice do not show any evident abnormal phenotype, with normal brain histology and no detectable amyloid deposition in blood vessel walls or parenchyma. Conclusions/Significance This new murine mouse model will be important to further understand the interaction between APP and BRI2, and to provide insights into the molecular basis of FDD.
Coding of interaural time differences by some high-frequency neurons of the inferior colliculus: Responses to noise bands and two-tone complexes

Abstract The results of this experiment show that some high-frequency neurons of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus are differentially responsive to interaural time differences when stimulated by noise bands and two-tone complexes. Since the stimuli were presented at low to moderate levels and in the presence of low-pass maskers, the interaural time sensitivity of the neurons is not attributable to low-frequency spectral components. The functional characteristics of these neurons provide a possible neurophysiological basis for the ability of human subjects to lateralize complex, high-frequency sounds by means of temporal cues.
Hemocyte responses to implanted tissues inDrosophila melanogaster larvae

At 26° C temperature-sensitivetu(1) Sz ts larvae ofDrosophila melanogaster develop melanotic tumors consisting of aberrant caudal adipose tissue encapsulated by precociously differentiated hemocytes (lamellocytes). Whentu-Sz ts larvae are grown at 18° C, lamellocytes are present but the caudal fat body surfaces remain normal and melanotic tumors do not develop (Rizki and Rizki, preceding paper). In this paper we demonstrate that the lamellocytes intu-Sz ts larvae at 18° C encapsulate implants of mechanically-damaged fat bodies and adipose cells devoid of basement membrane, while leaving host fat bodies or implanted fat bodies with intact basement membrane unencapsulated. Therefore, low temperature blocks melanotic tumor formation by normalizing the surfaces of the prospective tumor-forming sites intu-Sz ts. The discriminatory ability oftu-Sz ts lamellocytes was examined by challenging them with undamaged heterospecific tissues. Tissues from sibling species ofD. melanogaster were not encapsulated whereas tissues fromDrosophila species outside theD. melanogaster species subgroup were. Ultrastructural examination of encapsulated heterospecific tissues showed intact basement membrane, so we propose that distinction between “self” and “not self” by lamellocytes depends upon the molecular architecture of the basement membrane. In similar series of experiments usingD. virilis donor tissues inOre-R wild type larval hosts, fat bodies remained unencapsulated and imaginal disks metamorphosed. These studies suggest that continued presence of lamellocytes in the larval host is a prerequisite for encapsulation.
A SURVEY OF NONXANTHINE DERIVATIVES AS ADENOSINE RECEPTOR LIGANDS

The binding affinities at rat A1, A2a, and A3 adenosine receptors of a wide range of heterocyclic derivatives have been determined. Mono-, bi-, tricyclic and macrocyclic compounds were screened in binding assays, using either [3H]PIA or [3H]CGS 21680 in rat brain membranes or [125I]AB-MECA in CHO cells stably transfected with rat A3 receptors. Several new classes of adenosine antagonists (e.g. 5-oxoimidazopyrimidines and a pyrazoloquinazoline) were identified. Various sulfonylpiperazines, 11-hydroxytetrahydrocarbazolenine, 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinone, folic acid, and cytochalasin H and J bound to A3 receptors selectively. Moreover, cytochalasin A, which bound to A1 adenosine receptors with Ki value of 1.9 μM, inhibited adenylyl cyclase in rat adipocytes, but not via reversible A1 receptor binding.
Molecular mechanisms of anesthesia.

Anesthesia was a blessing to humankind. It is a miracle that simple molecules such as chloroform (CHCl3), diethyl ether (CH3.CH2.O.CH2.CH3), or nitrous oxide (N2O) induce a state of unconsciousness where patients can tolerate surgery. The diversity of the structures of these molecules indicates that there are no common receptors. The action of anesthetics is nonspecific and physical. After the demonstration by Meyer and Overton that anesthetic potencies correlate to their solubility into olive oil, the nonspecific lipid theories monopolized anesthesia theories for almost a century. The dominance of lipid theories invited repulsions against the nonspecificity idea. Protein theories that stress receptor bindings became the top mode. Nevertheless, the wide varieties of anesthetic molecules and the wide varieties of responding systems are difficult to reconcile with the specific interaction concept. This article discusses the recent progress and controversies on the molecular mechanisms of anesthesia. Anesthetics are unique drugs in pharmacology. They affect all macromolecules. The only comparable drugs are disinfectants. Both are nonspecific drugs. We use alcohols and phenols to wipe off the injection sites. We do not use penicillin or any other antibiotics for this purpose, because they are specific binders. Interestingly, these two nonspecific drugs opened the window for the modern medicine.
Ethical Responsibilities in Training Marriage and Family Counselors

Graduate programs in marriage and family counseling must adhere to ethical codes and standards for training students. A question arises concerning the amount of specialized training that should be ...
Crystallization: Kinetics and design considerations

The following nucleation rate and growth rate relationships for the aqueous, continuous, cooling crystallization of potassium dichromate were determined from experimental crystal size distributions: J = 3.9 × 1010 (C – Ceq)0.9; r = 3.0 × 103 (C – Ceq)1.7. Since nucleation rate is of lower kinetic order than growth rate, higher levels of supersaturation will yield crystal distributions with a larger mean size. Therefore for this system, batch or plug-flow reactors are preferred to continuous-stirred tanks.
Foreign trade, concentration and profitability in open economies

Abstract In this article a model is developed which integrates the impact of international factors, such as the degree of foreign competition, exporting opportunities, and multi-national activity with the more traditional elements of market structure in explaining cross industry differentials in price-cost margins in the industrial sector of the European Economic Community. Utilizing a simultaneous estimation procedure we conclude that the foreign factors are an important addition to domestic structural variables in the structure-profitability relationship.
Conservative management of parotid haemangiomas

We report 13 cases of parotid haemangioma (PH) in infancy treated conservatively. The outcome in each case was complete resolution within the first 6 years of life. With reported recurrence rates following surgical treatment of 25% and injury to the facial nerve in as many as 23%, we recommend that non-operative treatment be adopted in all cases of isolated PH