cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sugammadex use in patients with end-stage renal disease: a historical cohort study

While sugammadex (SGX) is not approved for use in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), its administration in this patient population has been reported. We designed the current study to review all instances of patients with ESRD receiving SGX and to describe their clinical outcomes. This is a historical cohort study of 219 patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 who received SGX in one of three hospital locations within the same academic health system. Data were collected between 7 March 2016 and 1 August 2019 and included demographics, notable events from the anesthesia records, and postoperative complications. The primary outcome included any complication possibly related to SGX such as hypersensitivity reactions, need for reintubation, hypoxemia, pneumonia, and residual neuromuscular blockade. Secondary outcomes included any other complication not included in the primary outcome and/or patient mortality within 30 days after the procedure. No patient experienced a hypersensitivity reaction. Three patients required reintubation while two patients developed hypoxemia that did not require reintubation. One patient developed hospital-acquired pneumonia. Fifty (23%) patients developed other postoperative complications (different from our primary outcome) and nine patients (4%) died during the subsequent 30 postoperative days. None of the primary or secondary outcomes appeared to be related to SGX use. We provide incremental evidence that SGX could be considered as an alternative neuromuscular blockade reversal agent in patients with ESRD.
Fast Degradation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Immobilized Catalase to Enable the Use of Biosensors in Extraterrestrial Bodies

Hydrogen peroxide has been postulated to be present on the surface of Europa and Enceladus. While it could represent a potential source of energy for possible life-forms, H2O2 may also interfere with a number of current detection technologies, including biosensors. To take advantage of the selectivity and portability of these devices, simple and reliable routes to degrade the potential H2O2 present should be developed and implemented to prepare for this possibility. Unfortunately, most of the current approaches for removing H2O2 are slow, may affect the sample, or could interfere with the performance of biosensors. To address these limitations, catalase was immobilized onto silica particles and used as a means to selectively decompose H2O2 prior to the analysis of common biomarkers with a biosensor. For these experiments, glucose, l-leucine, and lactic acid were used as representative examples of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids, respectively, which could be used as biomarkers on extraterrestrial bodies. While the decomposition reaction between catalase and H2O2 is well known, to our knowledge this is the first instance where catalase has been used in combination with a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to implement selective sample pretreatment.
Speech and language outcomes in mild-moderate unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract Objective The impact of mild-moderate unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL) on speech and language delay (SLD) is not well established. Objectives included (1) determining SLD prevalence in patients with mild-moderate USNHL in comparison to prevalence in the general population and severe-profound USNHL patients and (2) examining speech, language, and auditory function testing (SLAT) results in USNHL patients. Methods A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with USNHL, classified using pure tone averages (PTA) into mild-moderate (PTA 21–60) and severe-profound (PTA ≥ 61) USNHL groups was conducted. Abnormal SLAT values defined SLD. Prevalence and association of SLD based on USNHL severity was calculated. Onesample binomial tests compared observed frequencies of SLD to reported values. Results Forty-nine patients were identified with USNHL; 34 patients underwent SLAT. SLD frequency for mild-moderate USNHL was 25% (95% CI, 9–49%), higher than the general population rate (5.95%). No statistically significant difference was noted between SLD frequency in mild-moderate versus severe-profound USNHL. There were no significant correlations between SLAT measures and PTA thresholds. Conclusion There was a statistically significant increase in SLD in mild-moderate USNHL compared to the general population. There were no correlations between SLAT measures and PTA thresholds. Children with USNHL need close monitoring of speech, language and auditory development and functioning. Studies with larger sample sizes will help delineate if these findings truly reflect results in children with USNHL.
Bone and body characteristics of freestyle and nonfreestyle skiers.

BACKGROUND Freestyle skiers must optimize their aerial performance by maintaining the strength and coordination to propel themselves in the air and adapt to landings and take-offs on uneven surfaces. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and body composition in freestyle skiers and nonfreestyle skiing controls. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that the unique demands and summation of forces experienced by freestyle athletes would manifest as greater femoral neck aBMD, lower percent body fat, and lower BMI than nonfreestyle skiing controls. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3, Retrospective Cohort Study. METHODS 18 freestyle skiers (14M 4F, [27.56 ± 5.22 years]) and 15 controls (7M 8F, [26.93 ± 3.54 years]) were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to determine total body composition, hip and lumbar spine aBMD, and bone mineral composition (BMC). Height and weight were measured with an in-office stadiometer and scale. Questionnaires were used to determine physical activity and pertinent medical history. Between-group variations were analyzed with an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and stratified by sex. RESULTS Percent body fat, hip and lumbar spine aBMD, BMC, and area were all similar between freeski and nonfreeski athletes (p<0.05 for all). BMI was significantly lower in male freeski athletes (23.97kg/m2, 95% CI [22.75-25.18]) compared to nonfreestyle skiing controls (26.64kg/m2, 95% CI [24.43-28.86]) (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Freestyle skiers have a lower BMI than nonfreestyle skiers. All skiers in this study has similar percent body fat, aBMD, and BMC. This pilot study supports that there are unique musculoskeletal adaptations based on type of skiing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Skiers endure a variety of intense physical forces yet remain understudied despite high orthopedic injury rates. This study serves to broaden the current sports health literature and explore the physical demands and subsequent physiology of freestyle skiers.
Inverse spectral design of Kerr microcomb pulses

Non-linear wave mixing in optical microresonators offers new perspectives for the realization of compact optical frequency ‘microcombs’, holding many promising applications. These typically rely on dissipative soliton formation in driven nonlinear passive cavities with anomalous dispersion, yielding a sech pulse shape. Here, we use a genetic algorithm to ‘invert’ the Lugiato-Lefever equation that models these systems, in order to find the optimum arbitrary dispersion profile needed to achieve a microcomb with a targeted spectral shape. We consider several use cases, such as generating near gaussian pulses, or a telecom-optimized microcomb, as well as optimize a dispersive wave position and power.
Learning from error episodes in dialogue-videos: The influence of prior knowledge

In laboratory study environments, dialogue-videos, or videos of a tutor and a tutee solving problems together, have been shown to more effectively improve student learning than monologue-videos, or videos of tutors solving problems alone. Yet, few studies have replicated these findings in the context of authentic university classrooms. Here, we investigate the impact of dialogue-videos, and more specifically the effect of errors made by tutees in dialogue-videos, on student learning in the context of an undergraduate biology course. To understand why, we investigated students’ effort spent on watching videos, perceived influence of dialogue-videos, and worksheet completion rates. We found that higher-performing students perceived that they used the dialogue-videos to review content. We also found that higher-performing, but not lower-performing, students learned better from dialogue videos where tutees made errors. We also discuss the complexities of replicating laboratory studies in the classroom and implications of our findings. Implications for practice or policy: Tutee errors can be intentionally included in dialogue-videos to promote student learning. When students lack the necessary prior knowledge, monologue-videos may be more effective in presenting the course content. When using dialogue-videos, instructors can encourage students to collaborate to resolve any confusion in time to maximise the benefit of dialogue-videos in teaching and learning.
Thrombozytenfunktionsstörung während der hochdosierten Substitutionstherapie bei Hämophilie A

Es wird uber 2 Patienten mit Hamophilie A berichtet, bei denen sich wahrend einer operationsbedingten hochdosierten Substitutionstherapie mit antihamophilem Globulin vorubergehend eine Thrombozytenfunktionsstorung mit manifester hamorrhagischer Diathese einstellte. Zum Zeitpunkt der Blutung waren bei ausreichend hoher Faktor VIII-Aktivitat der Fibrinogenwert im Plasma auf 1700 mg-% und der Gehalt an Faktor VIII-assoziiertem Antigen auf uber 600% der Norm angestiegen. Da es wahrend der Substitution zu keiner Zeit gelang, Fibrinogenspaltprodukte oder Komponenten des antihamophilen Globulins mit ublichen Methoden nachzuweisen, wird — unterstutzt durch „in vitro“-Untersuchungen der Thrombozytenaggregation — die Ansicht vertreten, das die Beladung der Plattchenoberflache mit uberschussig zugefuhrten Proteinen ursachlich mit der thrombozytaren Funktionsstorung zusammenhangt. Die Bedeutung kleinmolekularer und dialysierbarer Faktor VIII-Komponenten wird ebenso wie die Moglichkeit immunpathologischer Vorgange diskutiert.
Intermediation via Credit Chains

The modern financial system features complicated financial intermediation chains, with each layer performing a certain degree of credit/maturity transformation. We develop a dynamic model in which an entrepreneur borrows from overlapping-generation households via layers of funds, forming a credit chain. Each intermediary fund in the chain faces rollover risks from its lenders, and the optimal debt contracts among layers are time invariant and layer independent. The model delivers new insights regarding the benefits of intermediation via layers: the chain structure insulates interim negative fundamental shocks and protects the underlying real project from being liquidated in bad times, resulting in a greater borrowing capacity. We show that the equilibrium chain length minimizes the run risk for any given contract and find that restricting credit chain length can improve total welfare once the available funding from households has been endogenized.
Proceedings of the 3rd ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Analytics for Big Geospatial Data

Big data is emerging as an important area of research for data researchers and scientists. This area has also seen significant interest from the industry and federal agencies alike, as evidenced by the recent White House initiative on "Big data research and development". Within the realm of big data, spatial and spatio-temporal data is one of fastest growing types of data With advances in remote sensors, sensor networks, and the proliferation of location sensing devices in daily life activities and common business practices, the generation of disparate, dynamic, and geographically distributed spatiotemporal data has exploded in recent years. In addition, significant progress in ground, air- and space-borne sensor technologies has led to an unprecedented access to earth science data for scientists from different disciplines, interested in studying the complementary nature of different parameters. Today, analyzing this data poses a massive challenge to researchers.
Compressive sensing for 3d data processing tasks: applications, models and algorithms

Compressive sensing (CS) is a novel sampling methodology representing a paradigm shift from conventional data acquisition schemes. The theory of compressive sensing ensures that under suitable conditions compressible signals or images can be reconstructed from far fewer samples or measurements than what are required by the Nyquist rate. So far in the literature, most works on CS concentrate on one-dimensional or two-dimensional data. However, besides involving far more data, three-dimensional (3D) data processing does have particularities that require the development of new techniques in order to make successful transitions from theoretical feasibilities to practical capacities. This thesis studies several issues arising from the applications of the CS methodology to some 3D image processing tasks. Two specific applications are hyperspectral imaging and video compression where 3D images are either directly unmixed or recovered as a whole from CS samples. The main issues include CS decoding models, preprocessing techniques and reconstruction algorithms, as well as CS encoding matrices in the case of video compression. Our investigation involves three major parts. (1) Total variation (TV) regularization plays a central role in the decoding models studied in this thesis. To solve such models, we propose an efficient scheme to implement the classic augmented Lagrangian multiplier method and study its convergence properties. The resulting Matlab package TVAL3 is used to solve several models. Computational results show that, thanks to its low per-iteration complexity, the proposed algorithm is capable of handling realistic 3D image processing tasks. (2) Hyperspectral image processing typically demands heavy computational resources due to an enormous amount of data involved. We investigate low-complexity procedures to unmix, sometimes blindly, CS compressed hyperspectral data to directly obtain material signatures and their abundance fractions, bypassing the high-complexity task of reconstructing the image cube itself. (3) To overcome the "cliff effect" suffered by current video coding schemes, we explore a compressive video sampling framework to improve scalability with respect to channel capacities. We propose and study a novel multi-resolution CS encoding matrix, and a decoding model with a TV-DCT regularization function. Extensive numerical results are presented, obtained from experiments that use not only synthetic data, but also real data measured by hardware. The results establish feasibility and robustness, to various extent, of the proposed 3D data processing schemes, models and algorithms. There still remain many challenges to be further resolved in each area, but hopefully the progress made in this thesis will represent a useful first step towards meeting these challenges in the future.
Achieving a competitive supply chain network for a manufacturer

Purpose – Collaboration in supply chain networks (SCN) becomes extremely important for manufacturers seeking a sustainable competitive advantage. Such competitiveness depends on the SCN resources a manufacturing firm can allocate, the capabilities to identify and deploy these network resources effectively, and practices and applications the firm arranges for these resources. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that investigates the relationships between these network constructs and their influences on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – An extensive literature review of supply chain management was conducted to explicate why some manufacturers outperform others. A resource-based view, dynamic capability theory, and extended resource-based view were employed to develop a conceptual model that investigates relationships between the resources, capabilities, and practices of a SCN. The relationships were then examined to analyze their influences on firm performance. Sever...
A logic program characterization of causal theories

Nonmonotonic causal logic, invented by McCain and Turner, is a formalism well suited for representing knowledge about actions, and the definite fragment of that formalism has been implemented in the reasoning and planning system called CCalc. A 1997 theorem due to McCain shows howto translate definite causal theories into logic programming under the answer set semantics, and thus opens the possibility of using answer set programming for the implementation of such theories. In this paper we propose a generalization of McCain's theorem that extends it in two directions. First, it is applicable to arbitrary causal theories, not only definite. Second, it covers causal theories of a more general kind, which can describe non-Boolean fluents.
A time domain approach to performance robustness of sampled data systems using the delta operator

The authors consider the performance robustness of a unified delta system which is subject to linear structured state space uncertainty. They extend their previous (1992) stability robustness results to obtain new sufficient conditions for performance robustness. This yields a new result based upon their previously presented modal decomposition approach and another new result based upon the Lyapunov approach of R.K. Yedavalli (1985). An application of performance robust eigenstructure assignment to the design of a yaw pointing/lateral translation control law for the Flight Propulsion Control Coupling (FPCC) conceptual aircraft which was studied by K.M. Sobel and F.J. Lallman (1989) is presented. >
Graffiti as a Form of Contentious Political Participation

Graffiti is a popular topic in the sociological, criminological, and linguistic literature with several book length treatments of various types of graffiti including tagging, gang graffiti, murals, and ‘‘bombings’’. Yet, political sociologists have paid little attention to the role of graffiti as a form of contentious politics despite the often political nature of graffiti messages. As a result, most of the political research on graffiti is by non-sociologists. We believe this is an oversight and that both political sociologists and social movement scholars need to seriously consider this form of microlevel political participation. In this review we (1) demonstrate why some forms of graffiti should be considered a serious form of political participation; (2) compare and contrast graffiti to other forms of resistance including squatting and culture jamming; (3) review research findings on graffiti; and (4) discuss some of the conceptual and methodological challenges for doing graffiti research.
Installation of a muon veto for low background gamma spectroscopy at the LBNL low-background facility

Abstract An active veto system consisting of plastic scintillation panels was installed outside the Pb shielding of a 115% n-type HPGe detector in an effort to reduce background continuum generated by cosmic ray muons on the surface. The Low Background Facility at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory performs low level assay (generally of primordial U, Th, K) of candidate construction materials for experiments that require a high level of radiopurity. The counting is performed in two facilities: one local surface site and a remote underground site of approximately 600 m.w.e. For the recently installed veto system at the surface location, the top scintillator panel has been in use for nearly 1 year and the full 3 π anticoincidence shield was commissioned into normal counting operations in January 2013. The integrated background from 20 to 3600 keV is reduced overall by a factor of 8, where most of the energy spectrum above 100 keV achieves an overall reduction that varies from 8 to 10. A dramatic improvement of peak-to-background across the entire continuum is observed, greatly enhancing low-level peaks that would otherwise be obscured.
Scalable error detection using boolean satisfiability

We describe a software error-detection tool that exploits recent advances in boolean satisfiability (SAT) solvers. Our analysis is path sensitive, precise down to the bit level, and models pointers and heap data. Our approach is also highly scalable, which we achieve using two techniques. First, for each program function, several optimizations compress the size of the boolean formulas that model the control- and data-flow and the heap locations accessed by a function. Second, summaries in the spirit of type signatures are computed for each function, allowing inter-procedural analysis without a dramatic increase in the size of the boolean constraints to be solved.We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by constructing a lock interface inference and checking tool. In an interprocedural analysis of more than 23,000 lock related functions in the latest Linux kernel, the checker generated 300 warnings, of which 179 were unique locking errors, a false positive rate of only 40%.
Novel peripheral substituent migration reactions in tetrapyrrole macrocycles

Copper(II) promoted cyclizations of a,c-biladiene salts bearing large terminal (1′,8′) substituents afford intermediates which suffer a variety of cleavage and cyclization reactions, in a stepwise manner, to yield mono-mesosubstituted porphyrins, chlorins, and di-meso-substituted porphyrins via facile migration reactions.
Commodities for the classroom: Apparatus for science and education in Antebellum America

Summary The connections between science and education, disciplines which are usually considered separately, were particulary strong in the U.S.A. in the early decades of the nineteenth century. Many American scientists at that time were employed as educators, and interested in matters of pedagogy. Like educators they were interested in popularizing their subject, and promoting it into a profession. The overlapping of science and education was especially evident in the area of apparatus. The philosophical apparatus that American scientists were acquiring at a great rate might be considered scientific. In fact, it was often used for public demonstrations of natural philosophy, and seldom used for the advancement of science. In many instances this apparatus was indistinguishable from that developed for the educational reform known as object teaching. The proliferation of this apparatus was furthered by a growing apparatus industry operating within a growing consumer culture.
A novel denaturation of DNA.

Abstract Calf thymus DNA is found to be completely denatured and lose all secondary structure in a solvent system which contains roughly equal volumes of methanol and ethanol, and a buffer concentration below 15%. The phenomenon is invesigated by monitoring the ultraviolet circular dichroism and absorption of the system. The results contrast with those obtained in similar organic solvent systems where DNA was found to maintain a secondary structure. No rationalization of these results can be given at this time.
Polychlorinated biphenyls as initiators in liver carcinogenesis: resistant hepatocyte model.

Abstract A modified Solt-Farber protocol was established to investigate the potential initiating activity of lower chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in rat liver. Two different studies were conducted in male Fisher 344 rats. PCBs investigated were PCB3, PCB12, PCB38, and PCB77 in study 1 and PCB15, PCB52, PCB77, and the combination of PCB52 and PCB77 in study 2. Rats were subjected to partial hepatectomy followed by a single dose of the suspected initiating agent, diethylnitrosamine, or vehicle. Two weeks later all groups received selection treatment consisting of three daily doses of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and then a single dose of carbon tetrachloride, followed by three additional daily treatments of 2-AAF via gavage. Rats were killed 2 weeks after the last treatment of 2-AAF, and the number and volume of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-positive foci were determined. Among the PCBs tested, PCB3, PCB15, PCB52, and PCB77 significantly increased the number of GGT-positive foci per cm3 of liver and per liver. Only PCB3 and PCB15 increased the volume fraction of GGT-positive foci. Histopathologic analysis of hematoxylin- and eosin-stained liver sections showed that rats with significantly increased GGT-positive foci also had extensive cellular alteration. This effect was not seen in nonselection groups. We conclude that, under the conditions and time courses of these experiments, several PCBs have initiating activity in male Fischer 344 rats.
Development of a high-fidelity simulation capability for battlefield acoustics

Findings are presented from the first year of a joint project between the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and the Sandia National Laboratories. The purpose of the project is to develop a finite-difference, time-domain (FDTD) capability for simulating the acoustic signals received by battlefield acoustic sensors. Many important effects, such as scattering from trees and buildings, interactions with dynamic atmospheric wind and temperature fields, and nonstationary target properties, can be accommodated by the simulation. Such a capability has much potential for mitigating the need for costly field data collection and furthering the development of robust identification and tracking algorithms. The FDTD code is based on a carefully derived set of first-order differential equations that is more general and accurate than most current sound propagation formulations. For application to three-dimensional problems of practical interest in battlefield acoustics, the code must be run on massively parallel computers. Some example computations involving sound propagation in a moving atmosphere and propagation in the presence of trees and barriers are presented.
The partial D2-like dopamine receptor agonist terguride acts as a functional antagonist in states of high and low dopaminergic tone: evidence from preweanling rats.

In adult rats, the partial D2-like agonist terguride acts as an antagonist at normosensitive D2-like post-synaptic receptors, while it acts as an agonist at the same receptors during states of low dopaminergic tone. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether partial D2-like agonists exhibit both antagonistic and agonistic actions during the preweanling period. In experiments 1 and 2 (examining the agonistic actions of terguride), preweanling rats were either given an escalating regimen of amphetamine to induce a state of amphetamine withdrawal or pretreated with the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor AMPT. Distance traveled was measured after rats were injected with saline, terguride (0.4–1.6 mg/kg), or the full D2-like receptor agonist NPA (0.01 mg/kg). In experiment 3 (examining the antagonistic actions of terguride), preweanling rats were pretreated with terguride 30 min before they were tested with saline, NPA (0.05 mg/kg), or amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg). NPA had an exaggerated locomotor activating effect when tested under conditions of amphetamine withdrawal, while the partial D2-like agonist did not enhance distance traveled under any circumstance. Similarly, NPA increased and terguride did not affect the distance-traveled scores of AMPT-pretreated rats. In experiment 3, terguride pretreatment significantly reduced the distance traveled of amphetamine-treated and NPA-treated rats. The behavioral evidence indicates that, during the preweanling period, terguride antagonizes D2-like post-synaptic receptors in a state of high dopaminergic tone; however, there is no evidence that terguride is capable of stimulating D2-like post-synaptic receptors during states of low dopaminergic tone.
[Cu3(μ-S)2]3+ Clusters Supported by N-Donor Ligands: Progress Toward a Synthetic Model of the Catalytic Site of Nitrous Oxide Reductase

By treating Cu(I) complexes of neutral, bidentate N-donor ligands with S8, clusters with novel delocalized mixed-valence [Cu3(μ-S)2]3+ cores have been isolated. X-ray crystal structures and UV−vis and resonance Raman spectral features of these clusters reveal similarities to the tetracopper-sulfide “CuZ” site in nitrous oxide reductase. A delocalized S = 1 ground state for the mixed-valent CuIIICu2II cores is supported by the observation of high symmetry in the X-ray structures and 10-line hyperfine features arising from coupling to three equivalent Cu ions in EPR spectra obtained at room temperature (shown) and 10 K. The delocalization we observe contrasts with the localization reported previously for a [Cu3(μ-O)2]3+ analogue (Root, D. E.; Henson, M. J.; Machonkin, T.; Mukherjee, P.; Stack, T. D. P.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 4982), which we rationalized through DFT calculations.
Use of Ozone + Hydrogen Peroxide To Degrade Macroscopic Quantities of Chelating Agents in an Aqueous Solution

Ozone in the presence of hydrogen peroxide has been employed succesfully for the oxidative degradation of polycarboxylic and diphosphonic acid chelating agents present at the 0.1 M level in a neutral or weakly alkaline aqueous solution. The geminal diphosphonic acid complexants methanediphosphonic acid and (1-hydroxyethylidene)bisphosphonic acid have been successfully mineralized, as have the polycarboxylic acids ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and tetrahydrofurantetracarboxylic acid.
Hybridization between Gp. Tuberosum Haploids and 1EBN wild potato species

Diploid wild potato species, classified as 1EBN (Endosperm Balance Number), do not cross with tetraploid or diploid forms ofS. tuberosum Gp. Tuberosum. The crossing of 2n pollen producing 1EBN clones as well as chromosome-doubled 1EBN clones with Gp. Tuberosum haploids was initiated to overcome this hybridization barrier. The screening of eleven 1EBN species,S. brachistotrichum, S. bulbocastanum, S. cardiophyllum, S. chancayense, S. commersonii, S. etuberosum, S. fernandezianum, S. jamesii, S. mochicense, S. pinnatisectum andS. trifidum, resulted in the identification of 2n pollen producers in eight of the species examined. Direct hybridization with Gp. Tuberosum haploids utilizing the above-mentioned crossing scheme was successful withS. chancayense andS. commersonii. The hybrids obtained, however, were male and female sterile. Abnormal microsporogenesis in the hybrids was postulated to be the result of an interaction between Gp. Tuberosum cytoplasm and nuclear genes contributed by the 1EBN male parent. Analyses of the growth of 1EBN species’ pollen tubes in the stigma/style of Gp. Tuberosum haploids were also conducted. Interspecific incompatibilities were observed with the most severe forms found with the use of species in the Series Etuberosa. The use of the Endosperm Balance Number theory can aid in designing crosses which overcome barriers to successful endosperm development. Sterilities in the hybrids obtained as well as interspecific incompatibilities will also need to be addressed, however, before 1EBN species germplasm can be successfully utilized for the improvement of the cultivated potato.
Agricultural land use change and sustainable use of land resources in the mediterranean region of Turkey

Abstract Agricultural land use has changed in the Mediterranean Region particularly since the 1950s. Factors affecting these changes include increasing agricultural productivity and intensification, changes in population density, industrialization, urbanization, tourism, agricultural mechanization and use of agri-chemicals. Farms have been fragmented and the average farm size has decreased because of rapid rural population growth. During this period, most pasture and meadow land has been transformed into crop cultivation. Once productive farmlands have been used for industrialization, urbanization and tourist developments. For sustainable agricultural land use, new legal and institutional regulations are required, which integrate environmental concerns and agricultural policies. These regulations must be defined in terms of multiple use of agricultural land and strict conservation of prime agricultural land.
A game theory perspective of asymmetric alliances for new product development

By adopting and extending the game theoretical model developed by Chou (2011) from symmetric firms to asymmetric firms with monetary transfers, we characterise the strategic interactions between asymmetric firms in an alliance for new product development. We also integrate the game theoretical literature and empirical studies to show that a broader–scope link alliance tends to benefit the larger firm, while a narrower–scope scale alliance tends to benefit the smaller firm. The asymmetry of benefits also enables the larger firm to subsidise the smaller firm to maintain the stability of the alliance if it is beneficial for the larger firm to do so.
Computational Study of Resonance Suppression of Open Sunroofs

A 2-D computational study of flow over a fully open sunroof of a car with a passenger compartment has been done on a scalar workstation. The critical velocity for resonance in the passenger compartment has been determined. A wind deflector angle study has been done to determine an adequate angle to suppress the resonance. A validation case of computing the resonance condition of the flow over a 3:1 depth to length rectangular cavity has also been done. These resonance studies show the potential of using scalar workstations for a CFD design study
Induction of DNA damage, inhibition of DNA synthesis and suppression of c-myc expression by the anthracycline analog, idarubicin (4-demethoxy-daunorubicin) in the MCF-7 breast tumor cell line

Purpose: Studies were designed to elucidate the basis for the antiproliferative activity of the anthracycline antibiotic, idarubicin (4-demethoxy-daunorubicin) in MCF-7 breast tumor cells. Methods: Growth inhibition was evaluated using the MTT tetrazolium dye assay, induction of DNA strand breaks was determined by alkaline elution, inhibition of DNA synthesis was assessed by measuring the incorporation of labelled thymidine into DNA, modulation of the expression of the c-myc oncogene was determined by Northern blotting and the induction of apoptosis was evaluated by alkaline unwinding, static field gel electrophoresis, terminal end labelling and assessment of cell morphology. Results: MCF-7 cells were relatively sensitive to idarubicin, with an IC 50 value for growth inhibition of approximately 0.01 μM. While DNA strand breakage was not evident below a concentration of 0.1 μM idarubicin, where growth inhibition exceeded 70%, both the inhibition of DNA synthesis and suppression of c-myc expression closely paralleled the profile of antiproliferative activity for idarubicin. Finally, while exposure to idarubicin resulted in a substantial loss of viable cells within 48–72 h, there was no morphological evidence of apoptotic body formation. The absence of apoptosis in cells exposed to idarubicin was supported by studies demonstrating the absence of DNA fragmentation using gel electrophoresis, alkaline elution and in situ DNA end-labelling assays. Conclusions: The results of these studies extend previous results from this laboratory indicating an association between suppression of c-myc expression, inhibition of DNA synthesis and growth arrest by topoisomerase II inhibitors, as well as the lack of induction of apoptotic cell death by topoisomerase II inhibitors in MCF-7 breast tumor cells.
Oncogenic RIT1 mutations in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma is comprised of distinct mutational subtypes characterized by mutually exclusive oncogenic mutations in RTK/RAS pathway members KRAS, EGFR, BRAF and ERBB2, and translocations involving ALK, RET and ROS1. Identification of these oncogenic events has transformed the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma via application of therapies targeted toward specific genetic lesions in stratified patient populations. However, such mutations have been reported in only ∼55% of lung adenocarcinoma cases in the United States, suggesting other mechanisms of malignancy are involved in the remaining cases. Here we report somatic mutations in the small GTPase gene RIT1 in ∼2% of lung adenocarcinoma cases that cluster in a hotspot near the switch II domain of the protein. RIT1 switch II domain mutations are mutually exclusive with all other known lung adenocarcinoma driver mutations. Ectopic expression of mutated RIT1 induces cellular transformation in vitro and in vivo, which can be reversed by combined PI3K and MEK inhibition. These data identify RIT1 as a driver oncogene in a specific subset of lung adenocarcinomas and suggest PI3K and MEK inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy in RIT1-mutated tumors.
Noncontact temperature measurement of aluminized polymer for space applications

An existing fiber-optic/infrared (F-O/IR) temperature measurement system was adapted to measure the surface temperature of a thin-film aluminized polymer. The polymer under study, Kapton by Dupont, is used commonly in the aerospace industry for applications such as solar sails and solar shields. A cold plate was developed and implemented to control environmental effects on infrared data. Spectral characterization of the optical properties of Kapton was conducted to improve measurement accuracy. The instrument provides a non-contact means for accurate temperature measurement of very thin polymer membranes without distorting surface contour.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Marine bacterial, archaeal and protistan association networks reveal ecological linkages.

Microbes have central roles in ocean food webs and global biogeochemical processes, yet specific ecological relationships among these taxa are largely unknown. This is in part due to the dilute, microscopic nature of the planktonic microbial community, which prevents direct observation of their interactions. Here, we use a holistic (that is, microbial system-wide) approach to investigate time-dependent variations among taxa from all three domains of life in a marine microbial community. We investigated the community composition of bacteria, archaea and protists through cultivation-independent methods, along with total bacterial and viral abundance, and physico-chemical observations. Samples and observations were collected monthly over 3 years at a well-described ocean time-series site of southern California. To find associations among these organisms, we calculated time-dependent rank correlations (that is, local similarity correlations) among relative abundances of bacteria, archaea, protists, total abundance of bacteria and viruses and physico-chemical parameters. We used a network generated from these statistical correlations to visualize and identify time-dependent associations among ecologically important taxa, for example, the SAR11 cluster, stramenopiles, alveolates, cyanobacteria and ammonia-oxidizing archaea. Negative correlations, perhaps suggesting competition or predation, were also common. The analysis revealed a progression of microbial communities through time, and also a group of unknown eukaryotes that were highly correlated with dinoflagellates, indicating possible symbioses or parasitism. Possible ‘keystone’ species were evident. The network has statistical features similar to previously described ecological networks, and in network parlance has non-random, small world properties (that is, highly interconnected nodes). This approach provides new insights into the natural history of microbes.
Methane production from municipal refuse: A review of enhancement techniques and microbial dynamics

Methane is recovered from about 100 municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. in saleable volumes, although yields are 1 to 50% of the methane potential of refuse based on biodegradability data. Studies on the microbiology of refuse decomposition and efforts to enhance refuse methanogenesis are reviewed here. Results of studies on the effects of leachate recycle and neutralization, a reduction in refuse particle size, the addition of anaerobic sewage sludge or old refuse as a seed, nutrient addition, calcium carbonate addition, and moisture on methane production are examined in consideration of new findings on landfill microbiology. A four‐phase description of refuse decomposition with leachate recycle, including an aerobic phase, an anaerobic acid phase, an accelerated methane production phase, and a decelerated methane production phase, is proposed. Mass balances and pumping tests may be used to estimate the methane potential of a sanitary landfill. The use of empirical, zero, and first‐order models t...
Reduction of Green Mold on Grapefruit after Hot Forced-Air Quarantine Treatment

Lesions on grapefruit developing from wounds inoculated with a spore suspension of Penicillium digitatum just prior to heating for 300 min in 46°C moist, forced air developed less rapidly during 4 days of storage at 21°C than lesions formed from inoculations made after the fruit were heated, or lesions on non-heated fruit. Since the lesion size on fruit inoculated after heating was similar to that on fruit that were not heated, induced host resistance via lignification or accumulation of phytoalexins probably did not occur. Results from this research demonstrate that development of green mold on grapefruit caused by P. digitatum is inhibited by time and temperature regimes of moist, forced air that are known to provide quarantine security against Mexican fruit fly.
Uncovering the white place: whitewashing at work

Recent work exploring the racialization of place tends to focus on the racialization of marginalized group space. This paper shifts attention toward the racialization of dominant group space, namely, the creation and maintenance of white places. Using the case study of the software workplace, I argue that white places are formed through a process of whitewashing, which simultaneously denies race and superimposes white culture. Whitewashing wields language and invisibility to deny race and promote a particular kind of multiculturalism, while cloaking the workplace in a culture of informality and business politics. The whitewashed workplace, like a whitewashed wall, is seen as colorless rather than white as white culture becomes universalized as high-tech culture. I draw my findings from in-depth interviews on workplace satisfaction, relationships, culture and diversity with black, Asian and white employees in Seattle-area software firms.
Toward new energy-rich molecular systems: from N10 to N60

Abstract The electronic structure calculations locate the local minima for bicyclic N10 and the fullerene analog N60, both as high-energy density species. The bridging NN bond in N10 is quite remarkably strong ( ΔE [ N 10 →2 N 5 ]=93 kcal/mol), yet flexible to allow a facile rotation of one ring with respect to the other. This property could permit N10 to serve as a building block for specific clustering into the nitrogen buckminsterfullerene structure.
Optimum sulfation temperature for sorbents used in fluidized bed coal combustion

Abstract An investigation was performed to identify the factors responsible for the existence of a characteristic optimum sulfation temperature for limestones and dolomites used as sorbents during the fluidized bed combustion of coal. The optimum sulfation temperature for a particular sorbent was found to be a function of the operating conditions, and ranged between 800 and 900°C. A reduction in the level of sulfur uptake by the sorbents at high temperatures was found to be a consequence of pore blockage by product formation. As the sulfation reaction rate increased with increasing temperature, the CaSO 4 produced accumulated at the external surface of the sorbent particles, blocking access to the porous interior. The parameters which most affected the optimum sulfation temperature were the physical structure (pore size and surface area) of the sorbent, and the operating temperature and residence time. For fixed operating conditions it was necessary to have a proper combination of surface area and porosity to ensure high utilization. For short particle residence times, the optimum temperature for high sulfur retention by the sorbent was several hundred degrees higher than when the particles were allowed to react for longer periods of time. This was attributed to kinetic rather than equilibrium constraints.
Changes in polyphenolics on ripening of selected pear varieties

The ethyl acetate-soluble phenolic compounds were isolated from mature and ripened samples of four new pear selections. Phenolic spectra were related to textural parameters of shear analysis and sclereid development and tendency to undergo oxidative browning. Anomalous textural parameters were associated with low phenolic content, notably of chlorogenic acids, and tendency to brown was associated with higher levels of chlorogenic acid on ripening.
Infrared absorption by acetylene in the 12-14 μm region at low temperatures

Spectral transmittance measurements have been performed on N2-broadened lines of (C-12)2H2 and (C-12)(C-13)H2 in the 13.7 micron region at 153, 200, and 296 K. From line-by-line comparison of observed and computed spectral transmittance, line strengths, half-widths, and their dependence on temperature have been deduced for conditions relevant to the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Titan, and earth.
Modeling and Simulation of a Donor Material Concept to Reduce Tool Wear in Friction Stir Welding of High-Strength Materials

This research proposes the “donor material” concept for reduction of tool's wear at the plunge phase by providing localized preheating at the plunge area using a softer material as a “donor.” This process generates heat in a relatively soft “donor” material, which is transferred to the much harder workpiece material by conduction. This research includes several numerical simulations of the donor material concept with different donor materials and plain carbon steel as the workpiece. A Significant decreases in both axial force and contact pressure were observed when a donor material was used in the plunge area. The decreases in both axial force and contact pressure are very likely to contribute to decreasing tool's wear.
Valence quark distribution in A=3 nuclei

We calculate the quark distribution function for 3He/3H in a relativistic quark model of nuclear structure which adequately reproduces the nucleon approximation, nuclear binding energies, and nuclear sizes for small nuclei. The results show a clear distortion from the quark distribution function for individual nucleons (EMC effect) arising dominantly from a combination of recoil and quark tunneling effects. Antisymmetrization (Pauli) effects are found to be small due to limited spatial overlaps. We compare our predictions with a published parameterization of the nuclear valence quark distributions and find significant agreement.
Myocardial effects of intestinal ischemia.

IRREVERSIBLE HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK in the dog is clearly related to intestinal ischemia [7]. Because of the emphasis on irreversibility, other investigators, focusing on the late stages of this situation, have overlooked early systemic changes directly related to the diminished splanchnic blood flow. We have previously demonstrated that after 1 hour of occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and before the onset of hypotension, hypovolemia, or acidosis, there is a marked decrease in cardiac output [ 91. In the present study, further evidence for a cardiac defect related to intestinal ischemia was obtained from a bioassay of peripheral plasma utilizing an isolated heart muscle preparation, and from electrocardiographic observations. In addition, plasma was assayed for vasopressor and vasodepressor activity.