cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An optimal approach for hypothesis testing in the presence of incomplete data

The adverse effect of small sample sizes, excessive nonresponse rate, and high dimensionality on likelihood ratio test statistic can be reduced by integrating with respect to a prior distribution. If information regarding the prior is too general (for example, only a parametric family can be specified), this distribution can be chosen from a principle of the most powerful testing. We propose the integrated most powerful test in the presence of missing data. This test can be used as a viable alternative to the maximum likelihood.
Job Characteristic Beliefs and Personality as Antecedents of Subjective Person–Job Fit

Theory and research on Person–Environment (P–E) fit tend to focus on the outcomes of fit, while antecedents have received less attention. Two antecedents of individuals’ subjective Person–Job (P–J) fit are studied: personality and job characteristic beliefs (JCBs). In a framework similar to work on objective fit, the interaction of these person and environment variables is hypothesized to predict subjective P–J fit. The hypotheses are studied with customer service job scenarios that varied in the nature of employee-customer contact. Two studies found significant interactions between personality and JCBs in predicting subjective P–J fit. Implications and directions for research are discussed.
Methods for the design and analysis of oligodeoxynucleotide-based DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase inhibitors.

Abstract Several second-generation inhibitors of DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferases based on studies of modified synthetic oligodeoxynucleoides have been described. As an aid to studies of these inhibitors, we present an electronic structure-based algorithm that can be used as a method for predicting the nature of the expected inhibition by any noncytosine nucleotide target. Targeting by the major human enzyme (hDnmt1) is governed by the presence of a three-nucleotide motif. In hemimethylated DNA, this motif consists of a 5-methylcytosine targeting signal that causes the enzyme to probe the opposite strand for a normally paired guanosine or inosine residue and attempt to methylate the residue 5 ′ to that site. As a demonstration of the method, we apply these rules to the design and characterization of a novel oligodeoxynucleotide inhibitor of hDnmt1. This inhibitor takes advantage of the three-nucleotide recognition motif characteristic of hDnmt1 and shows that the enzyme is inhibited in vitro by non-CG methylation which targets the enzyme to normally basepaired but unproductive nucleotides such as dG, dA, and dT. Kinetic analysis at constant S -adenosyl- l -methionine concentration shows that representative inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides are best viewed as weakly productive components of systems containing two DNA substrates. This model suggests that the most effective inhibitors are those with very low apparent V max and very low K m values. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing mispaired and unproductive targets such as dG, dA, dT, and dU are also inhibitory as secondary substrates for the human enzyme. Biologically, fail-safe mechanisms identified by the ab initio approach appear to be active in preventing potentially mutagenic deamination of dihydrocytosine and enzymatic methylation of dU.
Effects of land cover change on streamflow in the interior Columbia River Basin (USA and Canada)

An analysis of the hydrological effects of vegetation changes in the Columbia River basin over the last century was performed using two land cover scenarios. The first was a reconstruction of historical land cover vegetation, c. 1900, as estimated by the federal Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP). The second was current land cover as estimated from remote sensing data for 1990. Simulations were performed using the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) hydrological model, applied at one-quarter degree spatial resolution (approximately 500 km2 grid cell area) using hydrometeorological data for a 10 year period starting in 1979, and the 1900 and current vegetation scenarios. The model represents surface hydrological fluxes and state variables, including snow accumulation and ablation, evapotranspiration, soil moisture and runoff production. Simulated daily hydrographs of naturalized streamflow (reservoir effects removed) were aggregated to monthly totals and compared for nine selected sub-basins. The results show that, hydrologically, the most important vegetation-related change has been a general tendency towards decreased vegetation maturity in the forested areas of the basin. This general trend represents a balance between the effects of logging and fire suppression. In those areas where forest maturity has been reduced as a result of logging, wintertime maximum snow accumulations, and hence snow available for runoff during the spring melt season, have tended to increase, and evapotranspiration has decreased. The reverse has occurred in areas where fire suppression has tended to increase vegetation maturity, although the logging effect appears to dominate for most of the sub-basins evaluated. Predicted streamflow changes were largest in the Mica and Corralin sub-basins in the northern and eastern headwaters region; in the Priest Rapids sub-basin, which drains the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains; and in the Ice Harbor sub-basin, which receives flows primarily from the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers of Idaho and western Montana. For these sub-basins, annual average increases in runoff ranged from 4·2 to 10·7% and decreases in evapotranspiration ranged from 3·1 to 12·1%. In comparison with previous studies of individual, smaller sized watersheds, the modelling approach used in this study provides predictions of hydrological fluxes that are spatially continuous throughout the interior Columbia River basin. It thus provides a broad-scale framework for assessing the vulnerability of watersheds to altered streamflow regimes attributable to changes in land cover that occur over large geographical areas and long time-frames. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Women's Issues in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Women's issues in gastrointestinal endoscopy , Women's issues in gastrointestinal endoscopy , کتابخانه دیجیتالی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات درمانی شهید بهشتی
Quantum lattice gas and the existence of a supersolid

We discuss, within mean field theory, the possible phase diagrams of a quantum lattice gas model (as considered by Matsuda and Tsuneto atT=0) with particular reference to the existence of a supersolid phase, displaying both long-range diagonal (or crystalline) order and long-range off-diagonal order (as characteristic of a superfluid). For parameter ranges which provide a reasonable representation of the known phase diagram of 4 He, we show that a supersolid phase may appear between the usual solid and superfluid phases. Such a phase might not, however, extend down to absolute zero.
Accuracy of pulse oximeter readings from probe placement on newborn wrist and ankle.

To compare the accuracy of pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2) measured on the wrist compared with the ipsilateral palm, and SpO2 measured on the ankle compared with the ipsilateral sole. In this prospective observational study, neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled. We recorded SpO2 (Masimo Radical-7 pulse oximeter) detected at the palm and ipsilateral wrist initially, then at 30 s, and at 1 min, and we repeated the same procedure over the sole and ipsilateral ankle. We recorded the time to obtain the SpO2 readings from all these sites. Regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between paired SpO2 measurements. The mean difference (bias) and standard deviation of the paired SpO2 differences (precision) were calculated (Bland–Altman plots). A total of 150 patients (birth weight 2381±1020 g, gestational age 34.3±4.3 weeks, median postnatal age 3.5 days (25th–75th percentile 1–16 days)) were enrolled. There was a good correlation between SpO2 measured at the palm versus the wrist (r=0.95, P<0.001 (right); r=0.97, P< 0.001 (left)) and between SpO2 measured at the sole versus the ankle (r=0.92, P<0.001 (right); r=0.91, P<0.001 (left)). There was also a good agreement between paired SpO2 measurements from these sites. The bias and precision for SpO2 at the right palm and right wrist was 0.08±0.94% and for the left palm and left wrist 0.22±0.87%. Similarly, the bias and precision for SpO2 at the right sole and right ankle was −0.03±0.93% and for the left sole and left ankle was −0.01±0.93%. Our results show that the wrist and ankle can be used as alternative sites to measure SpO2 in newborn infants in place of the routinely used palm or sole.
3D medical image denoising using 3D block matching and low-rank matrix completion

3D Denoising as one of the most significant tools in medical imaging was studied in the literature. However, most existing 3D medical data denoising algorithms have assumed the additive white Gaussian noise. In this work, we propose an efficient 3D medical data denoising method that can handle a noise mixture of various types. Our method is based on modified 2D Adaptive Rood Pattern Search (ARPS) [1] and low-rank matrix completion as follows. In our method, a noisy 3D data is processed in blockwise manner, for each processed 3D block we find similar 3D blocks in 3D data, where we use overlapped 3D patches to further lower the computation complexity. The 3D blocks then will stack together and unreliable voxels will be replaced using fast matrix completion method [2]. Experimental results show that the proposed method is able to robustly denoise the mixed noise from 3D medical data.
Primary structure and phylogenetic relationships of a malate dehydrogenase gene from Giardia lamblia.

The lactate and malate dehydrogenases comprise a complex protein superfamily with multiple enzyme homologues found in eubacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes. In this study we describe the sequence and phylogenetic relationships of a malate dehydrogenase (MDH) gene from the amitochondriate diplomonad protist, Giardia lamblia. Parsimony, distance, and maximum-likelihood analyses of the MDH protein family solidly position G. lamblia MDH within a eukaryote cytosolic MDH clade, to the exclusion of chloroplast, mitochondrial, and peroxisomal homologues. Furthermore, G. lamblia MDH is specifically related to a homologue from Trichomonas vaginalis. This MDH topology, together with published phylogenetic analyses of β-tubulin, chaperonin 60, valyl-tRNA synthetase, and EF-1α, suggests a sister-group relationship between diplomonads and parabasalids. Since these amitochondriate lineages contain genes encoding proteins which are characteristic of mitochondria and α-proteobacteria, their shared ancestry suggests that mitochondrial properties were lost in the common ancestor of both groups.
Relaxation of the Martian dichotomy boundary: Faulting in the Ismenius Region and constraints on the early evolution of Mars

[1] The Martian dichotomy is a global feature separating the cratered southern highlands and smooth northern lowlands. Parts of the boundary are defined by steep slopes with elevation differences of 2–6 km. Here we use constraints from the well-preserved section of the dichotomy in the Ismenius Region. We study the relaxation of the boundary using both finite element and semianalytical techniques to better constrain the thermomechanical conditions in early Mars. We argue that the steep slopes are the product of faulting resulting from relaxation of the edge of the boundary by lower crustal flow. This relaxation requires that the lower crust must be at least 10 km thick and have a viscosity of ∼1021 Pa s during the first 100–300 Myr of relaxation. We show that a wet crustal rheology and a thermal gradient of ∼15–20 K/km at 4 Ga allows for both the partial relaxation of the Martian dichotomy and preservation of long wavelength topography as observed on Mars. This result is generally consistent with a stagnant-lid model of cooling of Martian interior. The thermal gradient at 4 Ga is also consistent with the estimated elastic thickness on early Mars. Our modeling constrains the original slope of the boundary to approximately 2°. We cannot constrain the crustal thickness more tightly than the current estimates of 50–100 km. On the basis of our semianalytical modeling, the relaxation of the boundary can contribute to the general north-south slope observed on Mars.
Dietary mildronate supplementation has no effect on carnitine biosynthetic enzyme mRNA expression in rat

Abstract Mildronate (3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate) has been shown to inhibit the activity of γ -butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBH), the last enzyme in the pathway of carnitine biosynthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine if mildronate administration to rats affects the gene expression of BBH or trimethyllysine hydroxylase (TMLH) or the activity of TMLH. Male weanling rats received control diet or control diet supplemented with 1 mg mildronate/g diet. Rats receiving mildronate had significantly depressed hepatic BBH activity relative to controls ( P γ -butyrobetaine excretion and tissue concentrations were significantly elevated in the mildronate-treated rats relative to the control animals. Trimethyllysine tissue concentrations were unaltered by mildronate administration, whereas trimethyllysine excretion was depressed relative to the controls. Thus, the effect of mildronate to inhibit hepatic BBH enzyme activity is not related to changes in the gene expression of BBH. In addition, there was no effect of mildronate upon renal TMLH activity. We conclude that mildronate affects neither BBH nor TMLH at the transcriptional level.
Diet-induced obesity promotes colon tumor development in azoxymethane-treated mice

Obesity is an important risk factor for colon cancer in humans, and numerous studies have shown that a high fat diet enhances colon cancer development. As both increased adiposity and high fat diet can promote tumorigenesis, we examined the effect of diet-induced obesity, without ongoing high fat diet, on colon tumor development. C57BL/6J male mice were fed regular chow or high fat diet for 8 weeks. Diets were either maintained or switched resulting in four experimental groups: regular chow (R), high fat diet (H), regular chow switched to high fat diet (RH), and high fat diet switched to regular chow (HR). Mice were then administered azoxymethane to induce colon tumors. Tumor incidence and multiplicity were dramatically smaller in the R group relative to all groups that received high fat diet at any point. The effect of obesity on colon tumors could not be explained by differences in aberrant crypt foci number. Moreover, diet did not alter colonic expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and interferon-γ, which were measured immediately after azoxymethane treatment. Crypt apoptosis and proliferation, which were measured at the same time, were increased in the HR relative to all other groups. Our results suggest that factors associated with obesity - independently of ongoing high fat diet and obesity - promote tumor development because HR group animals had significantly more tumors than R group, and these mice were fed the same regular chow throughout the entire carcinogenic period. Moreover, there was no difference in the number of aberrant crypt foci between these groups, and thus the effect of obesity appears to be on subsequent stages of tumor development when early preneoplastic lesions transition into adenomas.
On 2D and 3D potential flow models of upwind wind turbine tower interference

Abstract Potential flow modeling of wind turbine aerodynamics has grown in popularity and offers a compromise between blade element momentum approaches and computational fluid dynamics in terms of both level of fidelity and computational cost. One important effect that can be modeled in potential flow is the blade–tower interaction. This paper focuses on how tower interference may be modeled for upwind-oriented turbines. A review of 2D and 3D models is given, and an incorrect formulation in a previously implemented 3D model is identified. A generalized and correct 3D model is proposed, and compared to two commonly used 2D models. The models are compared in terms of stagnation point location, and induced velocity. The vertical velocity component near the top of the tower is analyzed for the 3D model. The 3D model is contrasted with the 2D model in terms of the computational requirements, implementation and induced velocity field. Conclusions are drawn regarding the relevance of 3D modeling in the tower top region.
Teaching microcoding principles

Students are typically exposed to programming in various languages as part of their experience in computer science. Assembly language and hardware concepts are considered standard knowledge in addition to other related topics. Teaching firmware, the integration of hardware and software, is the subject of this paper. The need for teaching firmware is presented, followed by a description of a project assigned to students. Lastly, a discussion of the portability of the concepts learned is presented.
Prospective Study of Markers of Hemostatic Function With Risk of Ischemic Stroke

Background —Several markers of hemostatic function and inflammation have been associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, but prospective evidence for their role in ischemic stroke is scant. Methods and Results —The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study measured several of these markers in more than 14 700 participants 45 to 64 years old who were free of cardiovascular disease and were followed up for 6 to 9 years for occurrence of ischemic stroke (n=191). There was no apparent association between ischemic stroke incidence and factor VIIc, antithrombin III, platelet count, or activated partial thromboplastin time. After adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors, von Willebrand factor, factor VIIIc, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count were positively associated and protein C was negatively but nonsignificantly associated with ischemic stroke incidence in regression analyses based on either continuous variables or fourths of the variable distributions. The adjusted relative risk (and 95% CI) for ischemic stroke in those in the highest versus lowest fourth were: von Willebrand factor, 1.71 (1.1 to 2.7); factor VIIIc, 1.93 (1.2 to 3.1); white blood cell count, 1.50 (0.9 to 2.4); fibrinogen, 1.26 (0.8 to 2.0); and protein C, 0.65 (0.4 to 1.0). Conclusions —This study offers modest support for the hypothesis that some markers of hemostatic function and inflammation can identify groups of middle-aged adults at increased risk of stroke. These factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke.
Ambiguity, Ambivalence and Extravagance in The Hunger Games

I argue that Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games is an emblem of what Julia Kristeva calls the “extravagant girl” who wants to have it all and to be the best at everything. Katniss has an ambiguous gender identity, both masculine and feminine, paternal and maternal. And she has ambivalent desires. I conclude that this ambiguity and ambivalence open up new possibilities for girls and initiate an aesthetics of ambiguity.
Pseudotumor cerebri and nutritional rickets

A bulging fontanelle due to benign increased intracranial pressure is not generally recognized as a manifestation of nutritional rickets but should be considered in the appropriate clinical setting. Two children who we saw presented with bulging anterior fontanelles were found to have pseudotumor cerebri in association with nutritional rickets.
Miguelromeroite, the Mn analogue of sainfeldite, and redefinition of villyaellenite as an ordered intermediate in the sainfeldite-miguelromeroite series

Based on single-crystal structure refinements, miguelromeroite, Mn 5 (H 2 O) 4 (AsO 3 OH) 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 , from the Ojuela mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico, is described as a new species corresponding to the Mn-dominant member of a series with sainfeldite, Ca 5 (H 2 O) 4 (AsO 3 OH) 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 , and type villyaellenite, (Mn,Ca)Mn 2 Ca 2 (H 2 O) 4 (AsO 3 OH) 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 , from Sainte-Marie aux Mines, Alsace, France, is redefined as an ordered intermediate species in the series. Miguelromeroite is monoclinic, C 2/ c , a = 18.030(1), b = 9.2715(5), c = 9.7756(5) A, β = 96.266(2)°, V = 1624.4(2) A 3 , Z = 4. At the Ojuela mine, miguelromeroite occurs as a compact spray of orange-pink, prismatic crystals up to 4 cm in length. Crystals are elongate on [001] with forms {100}, {110} and {101}. Physical properties: pale pink streak, transparent, vitreous luster, brittle, good {100} cleavage, conchoidal fracture, Mohs hardness ~4, measured density 3.69(3) g/cm 3 , and calculated density 3.714 g/cm 3 . Optical properties: biaxial (−), n α 1.713(2), n β 1.723(2), n γ 1.729(2), 2 V meas 70(5)°, 2 V calc 75°, orientation X = b , Z ^ c = 40° in obtuse β, pleochroic pale pink, Z >> X > Y . Miguelromeroite is named for Miguel Romero Sanchez (1926–1997) in recognition for his dedication to documenting and preserving Mexico’s rich mineral heritage. Miguelromeroite also occurs at the Veta Negra mine, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapo Province, Chile, at Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, and at the Gozaisho mine, Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Honshu Island, Japan. Some material from the Gozaisho mine may correspond to another ordered species in the series with the formula (Ca,Mn)Mn 2 Ca 2 (H 2 O) 4 (AsO 3 OH) 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 .
Dissipative structures in ligand-accelerated metal extraction systems

Abstract Interfacial turbulence created by the addition of a ligand during the extraction of metal ions by an organic extractant can considerably enhance the speed of extraction. In the extraction of nickel with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, inter-facial turbulence in the oil phase was observed at the oil–water interface, accompanied by spontaneous emulsification, in the presence of acetate ligand. The dissipative structures were studied by Schlieren photography and found to consist of two distinct patterns of roll cells in addition to rapid twitching and fluctuation of the interface. 1) Small roll cells originating at the interface, moving rapidly along the interface and dissipating at the interface. 2) Large roll cells originating in the bulk aqueous phase, traveling toward the interface while gaining momentum, bouncing back from the interface, and dissipating as they receded. Both flow patterns were confined to the oil phase, the aqueous phase being virtually quiescent. The turbulence lasted for a m...
Influence of dissolved organic matter source on silver toxicity to Pimephales promelas

In the environment, the formation of organic and inorganic silver complexes can decrease Ag bioavailability (toxicity) to aquatic organisms. However, current water quality regulations do not consider the protective effects of water quality parameters such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. To determine the effect of DOC concentration and source on silver toxicity, nine different natural organic matter isolates were used in 96-h static-renewal toxicity tests with fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). The 96-h dissolved silver median lethal concentrations (LC50) among different sources of dissolved organic matter varied by up to fivefold (4.5-23.3 microg/L). Further, toxicity tests with organic matter from the site with the lowest 96-h LC50 value suggested only limited additional attenuation of silver toxicity when DOC concentration was increased from 5.1 to 14.0 mg/L. With this site excluded, we found little more than a twofold difference among 96-h dissolved Ag LC50s for the remaining sources (10.1-23.3 microg/L). However, significant toxicological differences among sites remained. It was apparent that organic matter from different sources varied both chemically and toxicologically, but no conclusions could be drawn that related compositional variation to observed Ag toxicity for these isolates.
Role of Aldosterone Blockade in Heart Failure

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) [1,2] and b-adrenergic receptor–blocking agents (BBs) [3–5] reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in patients who have chronic HF caused by systolic left ventricular dysfunction (SLVD). ACE-Is and BBs are indicated in patients who have HF unless specifically contraindicated or not tolerated. There is increasing evidence that aldosterone blockade (AB) also reduces cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for HF when added to an ACE-I or an angiotensin receptor– blocking agent (ARB) and a BB in patients who have chronic HF and those who have HF post–myocardial infarction with SLVD [6,7]. The evidence for the effectiveness of AB in patients who have HF caused by SLVD, however, is emerging, and currently AB is recommended in patients who have severe chronic HF and in those who have HF early post–myocardial infarction with SLVD. Before discussing the role of AB in patients with HF caused by SLVD, this article reviews the potential mechanisms by which AB is believed to be effective.
Cholangiocarcinoma: emerging approaches to a challenging cancer.

Purpose of reviewCholangiocarcinomas are malignancies arising from biliary tract epithelia that are associated with a poor prognosis. The diagnosis, evaluation and management of these tumors continue to be clinically challenging. In this review, we will discuss recent information that may influence
UPPER-TRUNCATED POWER LAW DISTRIBUTIONS

Power law cumulative number-size distributions are widely used to describe the scaling properties of data sets and to establish scale invariance. We derive the relationships between the scaling exponents of non-cumulative and cumulative number-size distributions for linearly binned and logarithmically binned data. Cumulative number-size distributions for data sets of many natural phenomena exhibit a "fall-off" from a power law at the largest object sizes. Previous work has often either ignored the fall-off region or described this region with a different function. We demonstrate that when a data set is abruptly truncated at large object size, fall-off from a power law is expected for the cumulative distribution. Functions to describe this fall-off are derived for both linearly and logarithmically binned data. These functions lead to a generalized function, the upper-truncated power law, that is independent of binning method. Fitting the upper-truncated power law to a cumulative number-size distribution determines the parameters of the power law, thus providing the scaling exponent of the data. Unlike previous approaches that employ alternate functions to describe the fall-off region, an upper-truncated power law describes the data set, including the fall-off, with a single function.
Unemployment among Mexican immigrant men in the United States, 2003–2012

Abstract Based on their socioeconomic characteristics, Mexican immigrant men should have very high unemployment. More than half do not have a high school diploma. One in four works in construction; at the height of the recent recession, 20% of construction workers were unemployed. Yet their unemployment rates are similar to those of native-born white men. After controlling for education and occupation, Mexican immigrant men have lower probabilities of unemployment than native-born white men – both before and during the recent recession. I consider explanations based on eligibility for unemployment benefits, out-migrant selection for unemployment, and employer preferences for Mexican immigrant labor.
New chemical structural features of coal

Abstract An adaptation of the transalkylation reaction provides a means for cleaving alkyl substituants off of the aromatic portions of coal as well as extracting aliphatic connecting groups from between aromatic clusters. Using reasonably low concentrations of acid catalysts, the groups are transferred to an acceptor without modification or rearrangement and identified by means of convenient laboratory procedures. The catalyst in this procedure is trifluoromethanesulphonic acid and toluene is the acceptor. The reaction was performed on several samples of coal and gave toluene solutions containing a large number of derivatives. Results are reported for Wyodak coal. A list of substituents and several new connecting groups is recorded.
α-lactose monohydrate from ultrafiltered whey permeate in one-step crystallization using ethanol-water mixtures

A one-step crystallization process was developed for production of edible grade a-lactose monohydrate from ultrafiltered sweet cheese whey permeate at room temperature. Concentration of permeate to 30% total solids followed by clarification lowered the ash of the permeate. Constant agitation during crystallization with 80% ethanol (v/ v) at pH 2.5 yielded almost 88% lactose in 3 hr. Alcoholic acid addition (1%) at the end of crystallization time and agitation for 10 min was optimum to reduce entrapped impurities in the form of ash and protein. Lactose quality factors were comparable to commercial edible grade lactose. United States Pharmacopeia grade lactose was also produced using the ethanol-water mixtures.
The biopsic adventures of mammary glam: breast cancer detection and the practice of cancer glamor

This ficto-criticism piece explores breast cancer detection in the context of risk and biopolitics, and in response develops “cancer glam” as a practice of critical-reflective embodiment and relational-material ontology. An array of detection technologies and numerous figures, such as the cyborg, the monster, the survivor, and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are visited along the way.
A weak Grothendieck compactness principle for Banach spaces with a symmetric basis

The Grothendieck compactness principle states that every norm compact subset of a Banach space is contained in the closed convex hull of a norm null sequence. In Dowling et al. (J Funct Anal 263(5):1378–1381, 2012), an analogue of the Grothendieck compactness principle for the weak topology was used to characterize Banach spaces with the Schur property. Using a different analogue of the Grothendieck compactness principle for the weak topology, a characterization of the Banach spaces with a symmetric basis that are not isomorphic to \(\ell ^1\) and do not contain a subspace isomorphic to \(c_0\) is given. As a corollary, it is shown that, in the Lorentz space \(d(w,1)\), every weakly compact set is contained in the closed convex hull of the rearrangement invariant hull of a norm null sequence.
Levetiracetam-induced neutropenia following traumatic brain injury

Background Levetiracetam is being increasingly utilized for post-traumatic brain injury seizure prophylaxis, in part because of its more favourable adverse effect profile compared to other anti-epileptics. This report highlights an unusual, clinically significant adverse drug reaction attributed to levetiracetam use in a patient with blunt traumatic brain injury. Methods This study describes a case of isolated neutropenia associated with levetiracetam in a 52-year-old man with traumatic brain injury. Results The patient developed neutropenia on day 3 of therapy with levetiracetam, with an absolute neutrophil count nadir of 200. There were no other medications that may have been implicated in the development of this haematological toxicity. Neutropenia rapidly resolved upon cessation of levetiracetam therapy. Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of potentially serious adverse reactions associated with levetiracetam in patients with neurological injury.
Decision making, new information, ranking and structure

Abstract The rank of a set of alternatives can change if a new criterion is introduced into the set of criteria, but it can also change if the importances of the criteria depend on the number of alternatives and on the strength of their ranking. As a result a new alternative may change the relative order of the previous set. This is allowed to happen by making paired comparisons of alternatives with respect to criteria. It is particularly useful in a complex structure where the importances of the criteria are not well established. If on the other hand they are, then the alternatives can be scored with respect to intensities of the criteria and a new alternative would not change the relative rank of the old ones. Copies and near copies of alternatives can be treated by applying the same weight to them or by comparing them with the others respectively. Near copies are identified by a % variation measure.
A Mechanical/Thermal Analysis of Prestressed Composite Laminates

The effects of fiber preloads on the ply stresses induced within continuous-fiber compos ite laminates are considered. A micromechanics analysis based primarily upon the rule-of- mixtures is used to predict the fiber and matrix stresses within a single prestressed ply. These results are integrated with classical lamination theory, allowing calculation of the ply stresses for prestressed composite laminates. The analysis indicates that prestressing will dramatically influence the ply stresses induced within composite laminates.
Thought of Dr Leggett

The Problems of Physics. By J. Leggett. Oxford University Press:1987. Pp.192. Hbk £75, $17.95;pbk£4.95, $10.95.
Children's exploratory behavior in a novel field setting

Abstract In order to learn about the manner in which school children explore novel objects in a field setting and to identify factors possibly influencing their behavior, an observational study of 160 children was conducted in a natural history museum constructed to allow visitors free tactual and visual contact with hundreds of novel objects. A coding scheme and observational method were developed to allow unobstrusive observation of individual target children for a maximum of 20 minutes each. Eighty children, 40 three-to-five-year-olds and 40 six-to-eight-year-olds, matched for sex, were observed individually without their awareness as they explored the museum with their classmates; an additional 80 children, divided in the same manner, were observed as they explored with their parents. Results reveal that the children spent on the average 83% of their time in some form of exploration. Children with their parents did not move about as frequently as those with classmates, but stayed longer in one location, engaging in holding objects and socially interacting with adults. Parents appeared to structure the child's exploratory behavior more than did classmates. Several age and sex differences were also obtained.
The cosmic microwave background radiation in a non-expanding universe

During the nineteenth century, it was common for physicists to believe in the existence of a material vacuum composed of an incompressible fluid that fills the whole universe. This fluid was called the aether. Its original purpose was to provide an elastic tenuous medium for light propagation through space. Although it is well understood today that no such medium is needed for light propagation, the existence of a cosmic aether medium in space is still possible and its physical properties can be understood on models of cosmology that have nothing to do with Big-Bang cosmology. It is possible that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the cosmic aether medium has already been detected. The low-frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by the aether is called the cosmic microwave background radiation. The present study outlines a model for an aether medium that explains the genesis of the microwave background radiation in a closed static (nonexpanding) universe. It is shown that the spectrum of the microwave background radiation is a perfect blackbody with a temperature T rad=2.77 K in harmony with the perfect cosmological principle. It is further shown that the aether medium is opaque at radio and microwave frequencies. This particular feature of the model does not contradict any observations regarding the existence of distant radio galaxies and quasars.
Cleaving carbon–carbon bonds by inserting tungsten into unstrained aromatic rings

The cleavage of C-H and C-C bonds by transition metal centres is of fundamental interest and plays an important role in the synthesis of complex organic molecules from petroleum feedstocks. But while there are many examples for the oxidative addition of C-H bonds to a metal centre, transformations that feature oxidative addition of C-C bonds are rare. The paucity of transformations that involve the cleavage of C-C rather than C-H bonds is usually attributed to kinetic factors arising from the greater steric hindrance and the directional nature of the sp(n) hybrids that form the C-C bond, and to thermodynamic factors arising from the fact that M-C bonds are weaker than M-H bonds. Not surprisingly, therefore, most examples of C-C bond cleavage either avoid the kinetic limitations by using metal compounds in which the C-C bond is held in close proximity to the metal centre, or avoid the thermodynamic limitations by using organic substrates in which the cleavage is accompanied by either a relief of strain energy or the formation of an aromatic system. Here, we show that a tungsten centre can be used to cleave a strong C-C bond that is a component of an unstrained 6-membered aromatic ring. The cleavage is enabled by the formation of an unusual chelating di(isocyanide) ligand, which suggests that other metal centres with suitable ancillary ligands could also accomplish the cleavage of strong C-C bonds of aromatic substrates and thereby provide new ways of functionalizing such molecules.
A target alignment algorithm for through-the-wall radar imagery classification

Sensing through the wall using radar is a valuable capability. There is considerable work in generating radar images of the interior of a room by beamforming of the radar backscatter generated in a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) configuration. However, high level interpretation of the scene is a more difficult task. In previous work a minimum distance classifier was successfully used to recognize various targets placed in the scene. The approach suffered from the dependency of target features on target location. This work presents a solution to this problem by bringing the target intensity profiles into alignment with the training data prior to classification. The alignment is performed by moving the intensity profiles between locations using an Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) model. The classification results before and after alignment show a marked improvement.
Using vehicular networks to collect common traffic data

State transportation departments are required to annually report various traffic statistics to the US government. Currently, this data is measured using older technologies that are susceptible to failure and are difficult to maintain and repair. In this paper, we propose using vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) to measure this common traffic data. In addition to collecting information required for reporting purposes, VANET-based traffic monitoring can provide highly-desired metrics such as travel times, which cannot be directly measured using commonly used traffic monitoring approaches. We show that with 100% penetration rate, our methods can collect precise traffic data and that even with low penetration rates or low density traffic, we can collect high quality estimates of travel times, time mean speeds, and space mean speeds.
Carbonization of anthracene in a batch reactor

Abstract The coking of liquid anthracene in a batch tubular reactor was followed by measuring the formation of pyridine insolubles and the disappearance of anthracene as a function of time over the temperature range 465–525°C. Conditions, that can affect coking behavior and rates, like partition of the feed between liquid and vapor, agitation of the reactor, and whether the gas pressure in the reactor is autogeneous or imposed are considered. Carbonization primarily involves hydrogen-transfer reactions and condensation (polymerization) of free radicals into larger molecular weight species. Cleavage (cracking) of hydroaromatic species, giving smaller liquid and gas phase molecules, is at a minimum under the conditions used in this study.
Ribosomal Frameshifting in Decoding Plant Viral RNAs

Frameshifting provides an elegant mechanism by which viral RNA both encodes overlapping genes and controls expression levels of those genes. As in animal viruses, the −1 ribosomal frameshift site in the viral mRNA consists of a canonical shifty heptanucleotide followed by a highly structured frameshift stimulatory element, and the gene translated as a result of frameshifting usually encodes the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In plant viruses, the −1 frameshift stimulatory element consists of either (i) a small pseudoknot stabilized by many triple-stranded regions and a triple base pair containing a protonated cytidine at the helical junction, (ii) an unusual apical loop–internal loop interaction in which a stem-loop in the 3′ untranslated region 4 kb downstream base pairs to a bulged stem-loop at the frameshift site, or (iii) a potential simple stem-loop. Other less well-characterized changes in reading frame occur on plant viral RNAs, including a possible +1 frameshift, and net −1 reading frame changes that do not utilize canonical frameshift signals. All these studies reveal the remarkable ways in which plant viral RNAs interact with ribosomes to precisely control protein expression at the ratios needed to sustain virus replication.
Effects of Cytochalasins on Lymphocytes: Some Distinctive Features of Cytochalasin-E

AbstractCytochalasin-E (CE) has specific properties that distinguishes it, from other cytochalasin congeners. We have taken advantage of these in investigating the mechanisms operative in the effects of cytochalasins on lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytomitogens. Like the other cytochalasins, CE inhibits these responses only when present during the early phases of exposure of lymphocytes to mitogens, but not when added later on. The effects of CE are irreversible since prior incubation of lymphocytes in CE renders them incapable of response. Unlike the effects of cytochalasin A, the only other irreversibly active congener, lymphocytes preincubated in CE completely recover the ability to respond if they are cultured in cytochalasin-free medium for 48 hours.
Plasma levels of S100A4 in portopulmonary hypertension.

We previously showed that a single nucleotide polymorphism in S100A4 was associated with portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) in patients with advanced liver disease. We aimed to determine the association between plasma levels of S100A4 and PPHTN. We performed a case–control study of patients with advanced liver disease. Cases with PPHTN had mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance >240 dynes s cm−5 and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≤15 mmHg. Controls with liver disease had right ventricular systolic pressure <40 mmHg and normal right atrial and ventricular morphology by echocardiography. Plasma samples were assayed for S100A4. The study sample included 14 cases with PPHTN and 32 controls with liver disease. There was no difference in mean age between cases and controls (p = 0.52). Seventy-nine percent of cases were female compared with 44% of controls (p = 0.03). There was no difference in S100A4 levels between cases and controls (p = 0.58). Both groups had significantly...
Physiological Interactions Between the Host Genus Heliothis and Its Guild of Parasitoids

Factors produced in Hymenopteran parasitoids from their poison gland or from calyx region of the ovary or from both effect changes in host growth. In this review, the sources of these factors from parasitoids of Heliothis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are described and their effects on host growth are compared. An evaluation of protein, amino nitrogen, and trehalose levels in the hemolymph of parasitized Heliothis indicates that each parasitoid species exerts a different effect on Heliothis. A number of parasitoid genera still remain to be evaluated relative to their effects on host growth before a relationship can be established between parasitoid taxon and effects of their parasitism on hosts.
Analytical study of current-sharing at power frequency between a type II superconducting composite with a normal metal backing

Current sharing in a two-layer composite is studied analytically by numerically solving the 1-dimensional diffusion equation in the normal metal and the phenomenological critical state model with field independent critical current density J c (T) in the superconductor, with boundary conditions appropriate to a transmission line at each surface and the interface. It is found that with a sufficiently low resistivity (ρ) backing, and reasonable assumptions as to heat transfer, an appreciable fraction of a current density of several thousand amps per cm can be carried in the backing with the balance in a superconductor with high T c such as Nb 3 Sn. The dependence of the dissipation on such parameters as thickness, J c , ρ and frequency at constant temperature is given, and typical loss voltage waveforms presented.
Role of SHPS-1 in the regulation of insulin-like growth factor I-stimulated Shc and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) stimulates smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays an important role in mediating IGF-I–induced mitogenic signaling. Our prior studies have shown that recruitment of Src homology 2 domain tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) to the membrane scaffolding protein Src homology 2 domain–containing protein tyrosine phosphatase substrate-1 (SHPS-1) is required for IGF-I–dependent MAPK activation. The current studies were undertaken to define the upstream signaling components that are required for IGF-I–stimulated MAPK activation and the role of SHPS-1 in regulating this process. The results show that IGF-I–induced Shc phosphorylation and its subsequent binding to Grb2 is required for sustained phosphorylation of MAPK and increased cell proliferation in SMCs. Furthermore, for Shc to be phosphorylated in response to IGF-I requires that Shc must associate with SHPS-1 and this association is mediated in part by SHP-2. Preincubation of cells with a peptide that contains a phospho-tyrosine binding motif sequence derived from SHPS-1 inhibited IGF-I–stimulated SHP-2 transfer to SHPS-1, the association of Shc with SHPS-1, and IGF-I–dependent Shc phosphorylation. Expression of an SHPS-1 mutant that did not bind to Shc or SHP-2 resulted in decreased Shc and MAPK phosphorylation in response to IGF-I. In addition, SMCs expressing a mutant form of the β3 subunit of the αVβ3, which results in impairment of SHP-2 transfer to SHPS-1, also showed attenuated IGF-I–dependent Shc and MAPK phosphorylation. Further analysis showed that Shc and SHP-2 can be coimmunoprecipitated after IGF-I stimulation. A cell-permeable peptide that contained a polyproline sequence from Shc selectively inhibited Shc/SHP-2 association and impaired Shc but not SHP-2 binding to SHPS-1. Exposure to this peptide also inhibited IGF-I–stimulated Shc and MAPK phosphorylation. Cells expressing a mutant form of Shc with the four prolines substituted with alanines showed no Shc/SHPS-1 association in response to IGF-I. We conclude that SHPS-1 functions as an anchor protein that recruits both Shc and SHP-2 and that their recruitment is necessary for IGF-I–dependent Shc phosphorylation, which is required for an optimal mitogenic response in SMCs.
Tanzanian Theatre, From Marx to the Marketplace

This is one of two articles in this TDR about Tanzanian perfor-mance. Riccio asks, What has been the “journey of Tanzania” from tribalism through colonialism to Marxism, and then to capital-ism and globalization as represented in performance?