cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Symbiotics System: Designing an Internet of Things Platform for Elementary School Students.

We describe a LEGO-compatible Internet of Things Technology (IoT) designed to enable elementary school students to learn about IoT by building their own smart, connected products. The Internet of Things is any network of physical devices that can share information over the internet. Using small, Wi-Fi enabled microprocessors, Grove sensors, digital fabrication tools, LEGO bricks, and the LabVIEW programming interface; an IoT system was designed specifically for use in elementary school classrooms. This design case details the barriers to entry that exist for using the Internet of Things with young students, the design decisions made to lower those barriers to entry, and the results of a pilot study conducted using the developed technology with second-grade students.
Use of IFN-Based Biotherapeutics to Harness the Host Against Foot-And-Mouth Disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals that severely constrains international trade of livestock and animal products. Currently, disease control measures include broad surveillance, enforcement of sanitary policy, and use of an inactivated vaccine. While use of these measures has contributed to eliminating foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) from a vast area of the world, the disease remains endemic in three continents, and outbreaks occasionally appear in previously declared FMD-free zones, causing economic and social devastation. Among others, a very fast rate of viral replication and the need for 7 days to achieve vaccine-induced protection are the main limitations in controlling the disease. New fast-acting antiviral strategies targeted to boost the innate immunity of the host to block viral replication are needed. Here we review the knowledge on the multiple strategies FMDV has evolved to block the host innate immunity, with particularly focus on the past and current research toward the development of interferon (IFN)-based biotherapeutics in relevant livestock species.
Tumbling to Succeed: A Predictive Analysis of User Success in Interactive Ontology Visualization

Ontology visualization is an important component in the support of human-ontology interaction, as it amplifies cognition and offloads cognitive efforts to the human perceptual system. While a significant amount of research efforts has focused on designing and developing various visual layouts and improve performance of large-scale visualizations, the differences in user preferences and cognitive abilities have been largely overlooked. This provides an opportunity to investigate ways to potentially provide more personalized visual support in human-ontology interaction. To this end, this paper demonstrates successful predictions on an individual user's likelihood to succeed in a given task, based on this person's gaze data collected during interaction. Specifically, we show several statistically significant predictions against a baseline classifier when inferring users' success before a given task is actually completed. Moreover, we present results showing that accurate predictions of user success can be achieved early on during user interaction, such as after just a few minutes in some cases. These findings suggest there are ample opportunities throughout various stages of human-ontology interaction where the underlying visual system may adapt in real time to the user's visual needs to provide the most appropriate visualization with the overall goal of possibly increasing user success in a given task.
B Vitamins and Their Role in Immune Regulation and Cancer.

B group vitamins represent essential micronutrients for myriad metabolic and regulatory processes required for human health, serving as cofactors used by hundreds of enzymes that carry out essential functions such as energy metabolism, DNA and protein synthesis and other critical functions. B vitamins and their corresponding vitamers are universally essential for all cellular life forms, from bacteria to humans. Humans are unable to synthesize most B vitamins and are therefore dependent on their diet for these essential micronutrients. More recently, another source of B vitamins has been identified which is derived from portions of the 1013 bacterial cells inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. Here we review the expanding literature examining the relationship between B vitamins and the immune system and diverse cancers. Evidence of B vitamin’s role in immune cell regulation has accumulated in recent years and may help to clarify the disparate findings of numerous studies attempting to link B vitamins to cancer development. Much work remains to be carried out to fully clarify these relationships as the complexity of B vitamins’ essential functions complicates an unequivocal assessment of their beneficial or detrimental effects in inflammation and cancers.
Withholding antibiotics does not reduce clinical pregnancy outcomes of natural cycle frozen embryo transfers

Objective To assess the impact of withholding doxycycline on the success rate of natural cycle frozen embryo transfers (NC-FET). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Single academic institution. Patient(s) Women undergoing 250 NC-FET with euploid blastocysts performed by a single provider. Intervention(s) One hundred and twenty-five NC-FET cycles performed after January 2019 without antibiotic administration compared with 125 NC-FET cycles before January 2019 with doxycycline administration. Main Outcome Measure(s) Primary outcome: live birth (LB) or ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR, defined as pregnancies ≥13 weeks); secondary outcomes included positive β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR, defined as the presence of fetal cardiac activity on ultrasound). Result(s) Each group of women comprised 125 NC-FET during the study period of March 2017 to March 2020. The women’s mean age was 36.3 years and mean body mass index was 24 kg/m2. Between the two groups, the baseline characteristics were similar, including age, body mass index, race, smoking status, parity, endometrial thickness, Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology diagnosis, and number of prior failed transfers. Comparing NC-FET with doxycycline administration versus without, we found no statistically significant difference in LB-OPR (64% vs. 62.6%), positive β-hCG (72.8% vs. 74.0%), or CPR (68% vs. 65.9%). After controlling for all variables in a logistic regression, doxycycline still had no effect on LB-OPR. Conclusion(s) In this analysis of similar patients undergoing NC-FET by a single provider, withholding doxycycline does not reduce success rates. Given the risks of antibiotics, our findings support withholding their use in NC-FET.
Salvage Radiotherapy Management Decisions in Postprostatectomy Patients with Recurrent Prostate Cancer Based on 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT Guidance.

This study evaluated the impact of 18F-fluciclovine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) on salvage radiotherapy management decisions in patients with recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) post-prostatectomy. Methods: Patients with detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) post-prostatectomy were randomized to undergo either conventional imaging (CI) only (Arm A) or CI plus 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT (Arm B) prior to radiotherapy. In Arm B, positivity rates on CI and 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT for detection of recurrent PCa were determined. Final radiotherapy decisions, a) to offer radiotherapy or not and b) extent of radiotherapy field - prostate bed only or to include pelvis, were based on 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT findings. Radiotherapy decisions before and after 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT were compared. Statistical significance of decision changes was determined using Clopper-Pearson (exact) binomial method. Prognostic factors were compared between patients with and without decision changes. Results: All 165 patients enrolled in the study had standard-of-care CI and were initially planned for radiotherapy. Sixty-three of 79 (79.7%) patients (median PSA 0.33 ng/mL) who underwent 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT (Arm B) had positive findings. 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT had significantly higher positivity rate than CI for whole body (79.7% vs 13.9%; P <0.001), prostate bed (69.6% vs 5.1%; P <0.001), and pelvic lymph nodes (38.0% vs 10.1%; P <0.001). Twenty-eight of 79 (35.4%) patients had overall radiotherapy decision changed following 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT; 4 of 79 (5.1%) had radiotherapy decisions withdrawn due to extrapelvic disease detected on 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT. Twenty-four of 75 (32.0%) patients with the final decision to undergo radiotherapy had radiotherapy fields changed. Changes in overall radiotherapy decision and radiotherapy fields were statistically significant (P <0.001). Overall mean PSA at PET was significantly different between patients with and without radiotherapy decision changes (P = 0.033). Conclusion:18F-fluciclovine PET/CT significantly altered salvage radiotherapy decisions in patients with recurrent prostate cancer post-prostatectomy. Further analysis to determine the impact of 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT guidance on clinical outcomes post-radiotherapy is in progress.
Defenses Against Satisfiability Based Attacks

Satisfiability based attacks discussed in the previous chapter formulate the attack as a satisfiability problem and use SAT solvers to find a netlist to layout mapping or to recover the missing BEOL nets. In this chapter, we discuss several defense methods to thwart the SAT attacks. In general, these methods attempt to increase the computational cost of the SAT attack to the point where it is no longer feasible. Several of these defense methods can defend the IC design against both SAT attacks and design constraint attacks. Some of these methods effectively combine other defense techniques such as logic locking and layout camouflaging with SM to improve the overall security against multiple attack models. We discuss the following defense methods: greedy wire lifting based on satisfiability, simultaneous wire lifting and cell insertion, combined layout camouflaging and SM for 2D and 3D designs, combined logic locking and SM, and combined SM and DFT (Design for Testability).
Towards a medical school curriculum for uncertainty in clinical practice.

Uncertainty abounds in the clinical environment. Medical students, however, are not explicitly prepared for situations of uncertainty in clinical practice, which can cause anxiety and impact well-being. To address this gap, we sought to capture how students felt in various clinical scenarios and identify programs they found helpful as they worked through uncertainty in their clerkships to better inform curriculum that prepares them to acknowledge and navigate this uncertainty. This is an observational cross-sectional study of third-year medical students surveyed at the end of core clerkships. The survey consisted of the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS). Items asked students to rate preparedness, confidence, and comfort with uncertainty in clinical practice. Items on curricular programs asked students to identify training that prepared them for uncertainty in clerkships, and examined correlations with specific clinical practice uncertainty domains (CPUDs). Spearman’s rank-order correlation, Chi-Square, and ANOVA were used to analyze quantitative data. Open responses were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Framework. Response rate was 98.9% (287/290). GSE was inversely correlated with IUS (p < 0.001). GSE was positively correlated with all CPUDs (p < 0.005). IUS had an inverse correlation with all CPUDs (p < 0.005). Pedagogies with statistically-significant relationships with preparing students for uncertainty, communicating and building relationships with patients during times of uncertainty, and overall well-being included: team debriefs, role plays, case- and team-based learning, story slams, and sharing narratives with peers and faculty (p < 0.05). Qualitatively, students appreciated storytelling, role-modeling of communication strategies, debriefing, and simulations. Strategically immersing specific educational formats into formal curriculum may help cultivate skills needed to prepare students for uncertainty. Clinical debriefs, interprofessional role plays, simulations, communications skills training, instructor emotional vulnerability, storytelling, and peer-to-peer conversations may have the most impact. Further study is required to evaluate their longitudinal impact.
13C Nmr Spectroscopy in Macromolecular Systems of Biochemical Interest

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the structural and conformational studies of large molecules, particularly those of biochemical importance. The 13 C nmr of carbohydrates, nucleic acids and their constituents, proteins and their residues, lipids and macromolecular model systems are discussed. Brief references are made on determinations of 13 C spin-lattice relaxation times. Utilization of these methods for obtaining information on molecular motions and interactions is described. The relative simplicity of proton-decoupled C spectra is increasingly being utilized for identification and correlation of polysaccharides obtained from different natural and synthetic sources. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of amino-acids, peptides, proteins, and lipids are summarized. The chapter states that micellar surfactants and macrocyclic compounds are being extensively investigated as possible models for the more complex enzyme-substrate interactions and catalyses. Substrate solubilization, either by dynamic association with micelles or by incorporation in the cavities of macrocyclic compounds, saturation kinetics, competitive inhibition and some degree of specificity observed in the different systems all support their utility as enzyme models.
Substance abuse as a factor in the causality, severity, and recurrence rate of traumatic brain injury

The effects of substance abuse on the cause, severity, and recurrence of traumatic brain injury in 322 admissions to a large rehabilitation inpatient facility are explored. Study patients tended to be young and predominantly male. Few had completed high school and a significant minority had a history of cerebral dysfunction. Patients tended to have moderate to severe closed head injuries. Motor vehicle crashes were the most common cause of injury, but patients reporting drug or drug and alcohol abuse were more likely to sustain violent injuries (e.g., gunshot wounds). Language: en
The \(\bar \partial \)-Problem

Differential forms are often introduced purely algebraically (Spivak [1], Gunning-Rossi [1]), as members of a graded ring, or simply as “formal sums” that are to be manipulated according to the rules of “exterior algebra,” but they can also be defined as complex-valued functions whose domain is the collection of all suitably differentiable surfaces of the appropriate dimension. We shall sketch this second approach, omitting all proofs; they are elementary, but long-winded and repetitious. Details may be found in Rudin [16]. The main purpose of this introductory section is to recall the basic facts and to establish notation.
A Hierarchical Decomposition for Large Scale Optimal Control Problems with Parallel Processing Capability

This paper presents a new method to decompose a large scale optimal control problem into a hierarchical optimization problem, in which low level subproblems have much shorter time horizon. The initial and final states of each subproblem are chosen as coordination parameters to glue all subproblems together. In such a decomposition, the high level problem is a parameter optimization problem, and subproblems are completely decoupled so that they can be solved in parallel. It is shown that the decomposed two-level optimization problem is equivalent to the original problem. Moreover, the high level problem is a convex parameter optimization problem if the original problem has a convex cost function and linear system dynamics. A parallel processing algorithm based on the gradient method for the high level problem is presented. A numerical example is used to illustrate the ideas and demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
Human dendritic cells subsets as targets and vectors for therapy

The skin immune system includes a complex network of dendritic cells (DCs). In addition to generating cellular and humoral immunity against pathogens, skin DCs are involved in tolerogenic mechanisms that maintain immune homeostasis and in pathogenic chronic inflammation in which immune responses are unrestrained. Harnessing DC function by directly targeting DC-derived molecules or by selectively modulating DC subsets is a novel strategy for ameliorating inflammatory diseases. In this short review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the functional specialization of skin DCs and the potential implication for future DC-based therapeutic strategies.
Heterogeneity in Parent-reported Social Skill Development in Early Elementary School Children

Despite known risks associated with aberrant social skill development, there has been a relative dearth of literature on typical developmental changes in social skills over time. In this study, we examine systematic changes in social skills from kindergarten (typical age of 5–6 years) to third grade (typical age of 8–9 years), and focus on systematic heterogeneity across these developmental trajectories. Data came from the National Head Start—Public School Early Childhood Transition Demonstration Project (N = 6964). Mixture models provide evidence for multiple classes of individuals representing heterogeneity in the development of social skills. Classes were defined as a majority class (whose trajectories remained relatively stable over time), an increasing class (whose trajectories increased at a faster rate than the majority class), and a decreasing class (whose trajectories decreased at a faster rate than the majority class). Developmental trends accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance in social skill components. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.
Electrode kinetics at open circuit at the streaming mercury electrode: II. Experimental results

Abstract : The shift of potential at open circuit of a streaming mercury electrode (S.M.E.) was determined and anlyzed for control by diffusion or charge transfer and for mixed control by diffusion and charge transfer. The following systems were investigated: Hg(I) in 1 M perchloric acid, Cr(III)/Cr(II) in 1 M potassium chloride and V(III)/V(II) in 1 M perchloric acid. The charging current of the S.M.E. was also investigated and observations were made on the discharge of Hg(I) and Hg(II) with mixed control by diffusion and migration. (Author)
Energy conversion in autotrophically grown Pseudomonas saccharophila.

1 Studies were undertaken to investigate the energy coupling mechanism in autotrophically grown Pseudomonas saccharophila. The cell-free extracts from Pseudomonas saccharophila contained flavoproteins and cytochromes of b, c, a, and o type. 2 Added NADH was oxidized rapidly but it was not coupled to phosphorylation. The oxidation of generated NADH, was mediated, however, by the flavoprotein and cytochrome systems and yielded P/O ratios ranging from 0.86 to 1.23. 3 The oxidation of hydrogen was mediated by the cytochrome systems but NAD+ was not involved; H2 oxidation yielded P/O ratios between 0.45 and 0.73. 4 Succinate oxidation resulted in a P/O ratio of 0.15 while ascorbate oxidation was not coupled to phosphorylation. 5 The phosphorylation coupled to the oxidation of hydrogen, NADH or succinate was completely uncoupled by various uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation and phosphate esterification associated with the oxidation of NADH was quite sensitive to the flavoprotein inhibitors such as rotenone, amytal, and atabrine. These inhibitors had no effect, however, on the phosphorylation coupled to hydrogen or succinate oxidation. 6 The ATP formation associated with the oxidation of hydrogen, NADH or succinate was inhibited by antimycin A or 2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide as well as by cyanide or azide.
Mechanisms of azide induced increases in the c-wave and standing potential of the intact cat eye.

Abstract The c-wave of the ERG and the standing potential of the eye both undergo increases in amplitude following intravenous infusions of sodium azide (NaN3), as first shown by Noell [Am. J. Physiol.170, 217–238 (1952); U.S.A.F. School of Aviation Medicine, Project No. 21-1201-0004 (1953)]. We have studied the mechanism of these changes in the intact cat eye. Intraretinal and intracellular retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell recordings show that most of the change occurs at the RPE, but that there is a small direct effect on the neural retina. The increase of standing potential is caused by a depolarization of the basal membrane of the RPE, and the increase in c-wave amplitude results from a decrease in basal membrane resistance that accompanies the depolarization. This relation between basal membrane potential and resistance is similar to that observed during hypoxia and during the light peak of the d.c. ERG.
Use of indocyanine green during robot-assisted ureteral reconstructions.

Abstract Background Although there are reports of robot-assisted ureteral reconstructions (RURs) with excellent safety and efficacy, the procedures remain technically challenging. In the robotic setting the surgeon must rely on visual cues in the absence of tactile feedback. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a dye that can be visualized under near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF). Objective To describe our novel technique, which utilizes intraureteral injection of ICG and subsequent visualization under NIRF to facilitate RUR, and report our outcomes after these procedures. Design, setting, and participants This is a retrospective review of 25 patients who underwent 26 RURs for various ureteral pathologies between June 2012 and October 2013. Surgical procedure After full disclosure, all patients consented to off-label use of ICG. A ureteral catheter and/or percutaneous nephrostomy tube were used to inject 10ml of ICG into the diseased ureter, above and below the stricture. Intraoperatively, NIRF was activated to assist in identification of the ureter and to localize the margins of ureteral strictures. Measurements Postoperatively, RURs were assessed for clinical success (absence of symptoms attributable to ureteral pathology) and radiological success (absence of a ureteral stricture on imaging). Results and limitations Our technique provided visual cues and aided in successful performance of 26 RURs in 25 patients. The procedures included ureterolysis ( n =4), pyeloplasty ( n =8), ureteroureterostomy ( n =9), and ureteroneocystostomy ( n =5). There were no perioperative complications attributable to ICG use. At a mean overall follow-up of 12 mo, all procedures were clinically and radiologically successful. This study is limited by the small sample size and short-term follow-up. Conclusions Intraureteral injection of ICG and subsequent visualization under NIRF facilitates RUR by aiding in rapid and accurate identification of the ureter, and precise localization of the proximal and distal ureteral stricture margins. In our experience, our technique is safe, easy to perform, and reproducible. Patient summary In this report, we describe a new technique to facilitate robot-assisted ureteral reconstructions using intraureteral injection of ICG and subsequent visualization under near-infrared fluorescence. More specifically, our technique allows for rapid and accurate identification of the ureter, and precise localization of ureteral strictures.
Molecular and functional characterization of novel hypertrophic cardiomyopathy susceptibility mutations in TNNC1 -encoded troponin C

Abstract Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common primary cardiac disorder defined by a hypertrophied left ventricle, is one of the main causes of sudden death in young athletes, and has been associated with mutations in most sarcomeric proteins (tropomyosin, troponin T and I, and actin, etc.). Many of these mutations appear to affect the functional properties of cardiac troponin C (cTnC), i.e., by increasing the Ca2+-sensitivity of contraction, a hallmark of HCM, yet surprisingly, prior to this report, cTnC had not been classified as a HCM-susceptibility gene. In this study, we show that mutations occurring in the human cTnC (HcTnC) gene (TNNC1) have the same prevalence (~ 0.4%) as well established HCM-susceptibility genes that encode other sarcomeric proteins. Comprehensive open reading frame/splice site mutation analysis of TNNC1 performed on 1025 unrelated HCM patients enrolled over the last 10 years revealed novel missense mutations in TNNC1: A8V, C84Y, E134D, and D145E. Functional studies with these recombinant HcTnC HCM mutations showed increased Ca2+ sensitivity of force development (A8V, C84Y and D145E) and force recovery (A8V and D145E). These results are consistent with the HCM functional phenotypes seen with other sarcomeric-HCM mutations (E134D showed no changes in these parameters). This is the largest cohort analysis of TNNC1 in HCM that details the discovery of at least three novel HCM-associated mutations and more strongly links TNNC1 to HCM along with functional evidence that supports a central role for its involvement in the disease. This study may help to further define TNNC1 as an HCM-susceptibility gene, a classification that has already been established for the other members of the troponin complex.
Fermentation Characteristics and Feeding Value of Enzyme-Treated Alfalfa Haylage

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of cellulase and amylase additions to alfalfa haylage on feed intake, digestion, and milk production. In Experiment 1, 20 heifers were assigned to two groups. The treatment group alfalfa haylage treated with .95 kg/metric ton of a cellulase preparation. The control group untreated haylage. Silos were filled over 2 d because of time required to fill each silo. Dry matter losses of haylage harvested on d 2 were 8.4% for untreated haylage to 4.9% for treated haylage. Losses were relatively low and there were no differences due to treatment for wetter haylages made on d 1. Treatment had no effect on average daily gain on DM intake of heifers. In Experiment 2, the effect of feeding the alfalfa haylage treated with cellulase was determined with 10 lactating cows past peak production. Moisture concentration of haylages made in large plastic silos averaged approximately 45%. Haylage pH was 4.4 for the untreated and 4.2 for the treated haylage. There were no differences in DM intake, DM digestibility, milk production, or composition due to enzyme-treated alfalfa haylage fed to lactating dairy cows.
Post-translational regulation by gustavus contributes to selective Vasa protein accumulation in multipotent cells during embryogenesis

Vasa is a broadly conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase associated with germ line development and is expressed in multipotent cells in many animals. During embryonic development of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Vasa protein is enriched in the small micromeres despite a uniform distribution of vasa transcript. Here we show that the Vasa coding region is sufficient for its selective enrichment and find that gustavus, the B30.2/SPRY and SOCS box domain gene, contributes to this phenomenon. In vitro binding analyses show that Gustavus binds the N-terminal and DEAD-box portions of Vasa protein independently. A knockdown of Gustavus protein reduces both Vasa protein abundance and its propensity for accumulation in the small micromeres, whereas overexpression of the Vasa-interacting domain of Gustavus (GusΔSOCS) results in Vasa protein accumulation throughout the embryo. We propose that Gustavus has a conserved, positive regulatory role in Vasa protein accumulation during embryonic development.
A systems biology viewpoint on autophagy in health and disease.

Purpose of reviewThe field of autophagy is rapidly expanding to encompass many important areas of cell biology, physiology and disease. Recent discoveries and tools allow the connection of the autophagy pathway to other cellular signals and processes, thus beginning a systematic approach to elucidat
Constructing ‘hair’ for the three charge hole

Abstract It has been found that the states of the 2-charge extremal D1–D5 system are given by smooth geometries that have no singularity and no horizon individually, but a ‘horizon’ does arise after ‘coarse-graining’. To see how this concept extends to the 3-charge extremal system, we construct a perturbation on the D1–D5 geometry that carries one unit of momentum charge P . The perturbation is found to be regular everywhere and normalizable, so we conclude that at least this state of the 3-charge system behaves like the 2-charge states. The solution is constructed by matching (to several orders) solutions in the inner and outer regions of the geometry. We conjecture the general form of ‘hair’ expected for the 3-charge system, and the nature of the interior of black holes in general.
‘He outfitted his family in notable decency’: Slavery, Honour and Dress in Eighteenth-Century Lima, Peru

For elite Spaniards in eighteenth-century Lima, elegant clothing provided a language for expressing their wealth, status and honour. They frequently made their way around town in the company of elegantly dressed slave attendants, whose presence underscored their owners' privilege. Yet many slaves found opportunities to function as more than mere canvasses for the expression of their owners' identities. Indeed, for a surprising number of slaves, elegant clothing was a key tool with which they negotiated their status and laid claim to their own definitions of honour. By mapping the study of material culture onto the study of slavery, this paper brings into relief the social meanings that clothing contained for slaves, and highlights the possibilities that urban life contained for the creation of social identities that fell outside the social and colour lines drawn by the colonial state.1
Effects of heating rate and DC electric field during sintering on the grain size distribution in fully sintered tetragonal zirconia polycrystals stabilized with 3% molar yttria (3Y-TZP)

The effects of sintering temperature rate \( (\dot{T}\) = 1.5–50 °C/min) without and with an initial applied dc electric field (Eo = 14 V/cm) on the grain size distribution (GSD) of fully sintered 3 mol%, yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TZP) was determined from SEM micrographs of fractured and polished-and-etched surfaces. No clear difference between the measurements on the two surfaces was detected. The grain size parameters characterizing the GSD tended to decrease with \( \dot{T} \) and with Eo. All of the GSD’s however fit a single curve based on the Bitti–Di Nunzio grain coarsening model. This fit along with other considerations also give that the heating rate and electric field applied during sintering did not have a significant effect on the grain shape or the grain boundary energy in the fully sintered specimens. It is proposed that the decrease in grain size in the fully sintered condition by the application of an electric field during prior sintering results primarily from its effect on the driving force for grain growth, while the effect of the heating rate is on the grain mobility.
Selective diffusional demixing: Occurrence and size of cellular flames

The data on cellular flame structures, including those recently reported by several independent investigators, are reviewed and analyzed in terms of the established mechanisms and concepts of homogeneous flame propagation. A perturbation analysis is used to show how the balance between the processes of selective diffusional demixing and flame stretch readily accounts for the composition domains in which cellular flames occur, and also predicts their dimensions. The important, determining properties of the fuel-oxidant mixture are: Di − Dj, the difference in molecular diffusivity between the more diffusive component, i, and the less diffusive component, j; and, ∂Su/∂Ci, the slope of the burning velocity curve with respect to the concentration of the more diffusive component. Cellular structures are stable only for stoichiometries in which the more diffusive component, i, is also the deficient component, so that ∂Su/∂Ci > 0. The perturbation analysis also shows that, at the opposing stoichiometry, where the more diffusive component is present in excess, so that ∂Su/∂Ci < 0, selective diffusion tends to erase cellular structures and to stabilize the laminar or one-dimensional ones. A phenomenological theory based on a quantitative balance between selective demixing and flame stretch gives the following result for the cellular flame diameter, dcell: dcell(Di − Dj)(∂Su∂Ci ≈ α2(ρuρb) where α is the effective diffusivity (thermal and mass) across the flame front, and ϱu/ϱb is the expansion ratio. That equation adequately predicts the absolute magnitude of the cellular flame diameters; their dependence on the difference in the molecular diffusivities between fuel and oxidant; their dependence on pressure; their dependence on stoichiometry; their dependence on flow velocity when measurements are made with nonadiabatic burners, their dependence on molecular weight of added inertants; and the influence that selective diffusion exerts on the flammability limits. The same analysis also shows that when Di − Dj and/or ∂Su/∂Ci are very large, there is a natural lower limit on the raduis of curvature of the cellular flame. That limit is reached when the process generates a composition at the cell apex that corresponds to the most reactive mixture, and a composition at the cell edge that is at, or beyond, the flammability limit. The minimum value of dcell cannot then be smaller than the tubular quenching diameter for the most reactive mixture composition.
Monte Carlo Estimation Of Moment Invariants For Pattern Recognition

A real-time, Monte Carlo method for computation of image moments is presented. Input images are reduced to very low light levels, and imaged onto a two-dimensional, position-sensistve photon-counting detector. The coordinates of the detected photoevents are independent random variates, which are used to produce Monte Carlo estimates for the momentinvariants of the input image. Experimental results demonstrate that 5000 detected photoevents provide accurate estimates for several moment invariants of a typical input image.
The Stratospheric Aerosol And Gas Experiment III Instrument Proposed For Eos: A Conceptual Design

This paper describes the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) instrument proposed for the Earth Observing System (EOS), which is designed to monitor the vertical distribution of stratospheric aerosols, ozone, water vapor, nitrogen dioxide, and temperature by measuring the extinction and scattering of solar radiation in the 03 to 1.6 micron range through the atmosphere. The SAGE III employs proven concepts which have evolved from the SAM II, SAGE, and SAGE II programs. The launch is scheduled for the summer of 1996. The SAGE II block diagram is included.
Primate models in women's health: inflammation and atherogenesis in female cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Female cynomolgus monkeys are excellent models for understanding cardiovascular disease and the relationships between inflammatory processes and conditions such as atherogenesis. This review summarizes published research findings obtained through comprehensive, multidisciplinary, multi-investigator studies in nonhuman primates over the past two decades. These studies examined the effects of exogenous estrogens and dietary soy protein/isoflavones (IFs) on atherosclerosis, circulating biomarkers, and tissue inflammation in pre- and postmenopausal female cynomolgus monkeys. Inflammation may play a role in the initiation and progression of disease, be a consequence of the disease, or both. Circulating and tissue biomarkers with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory characteristics (including adhesion molecules such as e-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, chemokines such as MCP-1, cytokines such as interleukins, and acute phase reactants such as CRP, and others) may be useful indicators of disease status. Treatment of postmenopausal subjects with estrogen resulted in significant reductions in several key inflammatory mediators as well as atherosclerosis, while dietary IF had a more limited effect on inflammation and atherogenesis. Circulating concentrations of key inflammatory proteins, including monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were associated with atherosclerosis and lesion characteristics in these animals. In premenopausal female monkeys, a diet enriched in soy protein reduced arterial inflammation as well as atherogenesis in comparison to a diet enriched in casein-lactalbumin. Expression levels of arterial inflammation associated genes (MCP-1, ICAM-1) and markers for inflammatory cell types (macrophages and T cells) correlated with plaque size, were differentially influenced by treatments, and represent potential targets for interventions. Arterial expression of estrogen receptor alpha, the key mediator of estrogenic effects, was inversely correlated with plaque size and indices of inflammation, suggestive of an atheroprotective role. The findings provide additional evidence that circulating inflammatory markers (particularly MCP-1) may be useful indicators of atherosclerotic disease progression and responses to treatment in female primates, and that estrogens and dietary soy may inhibit atherogenesis in part through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Kounis syndrome secondary to ibuprofen use

Kounis syndrome is the coincidental occurrence of acute coronary syndromes with allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Clinicians should be aware that various mediators of allergy can cause coronary spasm and even plaque rupture and thrombus formation, thereby causing a serious impact on the course, prognosis and management of the allergic reaction. We report a case of a 20 year old female who developed acute coronary syndrome after anaphylactic reaction to ibuprofen.
California's nurse-to-patient ratios, part 2: 8 years later, what do we know about hospital level outcomes?

California's nurse-to-patient ratios have been in place since 2004. The author reviews outcomes at the nurse level from a comprehensive literature review. Data suggest that increased levels of nurse staffing have resulted in greater job satisfaction.
Preparation of aromatic hydrocarbons by the catalytic treatment of the products of the coking of coal and of the pyrolysis and thermal cracking of petroleum

1. An investigation was made of the catalytic aromatization of thermal-cracking distillates and the dealkylation of the hydrocarbons of coal-tar distillate in presence of toluene and of the crude toluene fraction of light pyrolysis oil. 2. Under optimum conditions the use of somewhat elevated pressure (3–15 atm) accelerates the reactions of aromatization, dealkylation, and alkylation of the original hydrocarbons and directs the process toward the maximum formation of xylenes. Depending on the composition of the raw material, the yield of xylene fraction on the amount of material consumed in one passage varies in the range 37.5–38%, that of benzene in the range 14–27.2%, that of light gasoline in the range 2.2–8.5%, and that of the alkylbenzene fraction of b.p. 149–180° in the range 14.4–20.6%. 3. The presence of toluene in the mixture favors the aromatization of the hydrocarbons of cracking distillate with appreciable suppression of coke- and gas-formation processes. In the formation of xylenes, in addition to the aromatization of the original hydrocarbons, the dealkylation of polyalkylbenzenes and the conjugated alkylation of toluene are of great importance. The xylene fractions of the catalyzates consist mainly of a mixture of the three isomeric xylenes and are notable for their low contents of ethylbenzene.
Quantitative image analysis of temporal changes in tau and neurofilament proteins during the course of acute experimental neurofibrillary degeneration; non-phosphorylated epitopes precede phosphorylation

Perturbation of the neuronal cytoskeleton represents an integral feature of neurofibrillary tangles which are characteristic neuropathological findings seen in Alzheimer's disease. Microtubule associated protein tau (tau) is considered to be the major component of these lesions although neurofilament proteins also are present. The present study explores the formation of intraneuronal tau and neurofilament protein aggregates using intracisternal administration of aluminum maltolate to rabbits. The time course of the formation of these aggregates and subsequent phosphorylation have been investigated by immunohistochemical methods using a panel of monoclonal antibodies, with quantitation of the staining by image analysis. Neurofilament proteins begin to aggregate by day 1 following aluminum maltolate injection on day 0. Increases in non-phosphorylated neurofilament proteins are observed first, with phosphorylated epitopes being recognized by day 3. Tau follows a similar pattern in that non-phosphorylated epitopes appear to precede phosphorylation. The monoclonal antibody Alz-50 which recognizes a phosphorylation-independent epitope of tau in Alzheimer's disease paired helical filaments, demonstrates positivity in the aluminum maltolate-treated rabbits by day 3. Other tau monoclonal antibodies which recognize phosphorylated tau in paired helical filaments (AT8 and PHF-1) show positive immunostaining on days 6-8. These results indicate that intraneuronal aggregation of cytoskeletal proteins can be initiated by factors other than phosphorylation. However, phosphorylation occurring as a secondary event probably contributes to stabilization of the aggregates.
Underpricing of initial public offerings in Bangladesh

The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the short-run underpricing of initial public offerings (IPO) in Bangladesh and attempts to identify the factors which contribute to such underpricing in this heavily regulated underwriting market. Using a sample of 90 IPOs issued during the short-lived stock market boom in the mid-nineties, we show that increased ownership stake and foreign participation lowers the magnitude of underpricing.
Kinetic coefficients for simultaneous reduction of sulfate and uranium by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

Previously it was demonstrated that bacteria are capable of transforming soluble uranyl ion, U(VI), to insoluble uraninite, U(IV); however, the rate for this transformation has not been determined. We report the kinetic coefficients for Desulfovibrio desulfuricans DSM 1924 grown in a continuous-flow chemostat where pyruvate was the electron donor and sulfate was the electron acceptor. The medium was supplemented with 1 mM uranyl nitrate, and the chemostat flow rate ranged from 1.12 ml/h to 4.75 ml/h with incubation at 28°C. The maximum rate of pyruvate utilization (k) was determined to be 4.7 days-1, while the half-velocity constant (K s) was 127 mg/l. The yield coefficient (Y) of cells per mole of pyruvate oxidized was calculated to be 0.021 g, while the endogenous decay coefficient (k d) was determined to be 0.072 days-1. More than 90% of U(VI) was transformed to U(VI) in the chemostat under the conditions employed.
Activation of Inflammatory Response by a Combination of Growth Factors in Cuprizone-Induced Demyelinated Brain Leads to Myelin Repair

In vivo remyelination promoted by a combination of four oligodendrocyte specific growth factors (GFs) in cuprizone-induced demyelinated mice brains was described recently by our group [1]. Here we report activation of inflammatory response in mice brain following cuprizone-induced demyelination and its further enhancement immediately after injection of growth factors in vivo, while no significant inflammatory response was evident in GFs-injected normal brains. Cuprizone-induced demyelination was accompanied by increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, TNFα and IL-1β, anti-inflammatory cytokines TGFβ, IL-10 and increased levels of chemokines, CCL2, CCL5, and CXCL10, produced by resident microglia and astrocytes. During demyelination, involvement of oxidative stress was evident by disruption of mitochondrial structure and temporal decline in reduced glutathione levels, later returning to normal. Increase in the cytokines and chemokines was further enhanced within 2 days post injection (dpi) of GFs, coinciding with signal for repair via activation of pAkt and NFκB transcription factor reported earlier. Upregulation of mRNA and protein level of antioxidant genes, metallothionein (MT) I/II and activity of a cytosolic oxidoreductase enzyme, glycerolphosphate-3 dehydrogenase (cGPDH) occurred, resulting in a metabolic shuttle with an increase in glycerol in mice brains during period of demyelination and early GF-mediated repair.
Calcium-Mediated Fulvene Couplings. 1. A Survey of 6,6-Dialkylfulvenes for the Formation of Bridged and Unbridged Calcocenes

The degree to which 6,6-dimethylfulvene, 6,6-diethylfulvene, and 6-cyclopentylidenefulvene form unbridged calcocenes in reductive coupling reactions with activated calcium were compared. The identification of alkenyl substituents along with alkyl substituents among the unbridged calcocenes confirms that hydrogen atom or proton transfer between dialkylfulvenes and their radical anions or dianions is responsible for the formation of unbridged calcocenes. The tendency to form unbridged calcocenes instead of ansa-calcocenes is higher for 6,6-diethylfulvene and 6-cyclopentylidenefulvene than for 6,6-dimethylfulvene. 1,1‘-Dicyclopentenylcalcocene, 1, which is formed in the reaction between cyclopentylidenefulvene and calcium, was purified and crystallographically characterized. Photolysis of 1 leads to [2+2] cyclization of the cyclopentenyl substituents to form 2, an ansa-calcocene with a tricyclo[3.3.0.0]decane-1,10-diyl bridge.
Diversity, abundance and expression of nitrite reductase ( nirK )-like genes in marine thaumarchaea

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are widespread and abundant in aquatic and terrestrial habitats and appear to have a significant impact on the global nitrogen cycle. Like the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, AOA encode a gene homologous to copper-containing nitrite reductases (nirK), which has been studied very little to date. In this study, the diversity, abundance and expression of thaumarchaeal nirK genes from coastal and marine environments were investigated using two mutually excluding primer pairs, which amplify the nirK variants designated as AnirKa and AnirKb. Only the AnirKa variant could be detected in sediment samples from San Francisco Bay and these sequences grouped with the nirK from Candidatus Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Candidatus Nitrosoarchaeum limnia. The two nirK variants had contrasting distributions in the water column in Monterey Bay and the California Current. AnirKa was more abundant in the epi- to mesopelagic Monterey Bay water column, whereas AnirKb was more abundant in the meso- to bathypelagic California Current water. The abundance and community composition of AnirKb, but not AnirKa, followed that of thaumarchaeal amoA, suggesting that either AnirKa is not exclusively associated with AOA or that commonly used amoA primers may be missing a significant fraction of AOA diversity in the epipelagic. Interestingly, thaumarchaeal nirK was expressed 10–100-fold more than amoA in Monterey Bay. Overall, this study provides valuable new insights into the distribution, diversity, abundance and expression of this alternative molecular marker for AOA in the ocean.