cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using engineered defects to explore 3D feedback processes in current-driven metal

Metals driven by intense electrical current are used in a wide range of applications. However, modeling efforts usually assume metals are homogeneous, when in fact they contain many three-dimensional (3D) perturbations, such as µm-scale resistive inclusions and voids. Focusing on the case of a pit on the surface of a metal rod, magnetohydrodynamic simulations show that the pit causes electrical current density j to redistribute and amplify, thus initiating a feedback loop: j both reacts to and alters the electrical conductivity σ through Joule heating and hydrodynamic expansion, so that j and σ are constantly in flux. Consequently, overheated regions around the pit grow in a direction transverse to j , developing a wide, hot strip – known as a striation in electrothermal instability (ETI) theory – as well as exploding plumes and constantly growing craters on the metal surface. Within the low-density plume, σ increases with rising temperature (opposite the solid/liquid phase), altering the nature of the feedback loop: now overheated regions grow in a direction parallel to j to form elongated plasma filaments. Throughout this process, simulations predict distinctive, time-evolving self-emission patterns, inviting comparison to experiment. However, metal must be ultrapure and ultrasmooth (so self- emission is not dominated by resistive inclusions or machining features), and finally a 10-µm-scale pit must be machined on the surface. Recent experiments satisfy these strict constraints and show promising agreement with simulation, thus providing a glimpse into the remarkably complex 3D dynamics of current-driven metal.
The influence of intraoperative frozen section analysis in patients with total or extended maxillectomy

Background Intraoperative frozen sections and final pathology may influence treatment with regards to intraoperative and postoperative treatments, respectively. Study Design A retrospective study comparing intraoperative frozen section analysis with final pathologic analysis in patients who had total or extended maxillectomies for malignant disease between 2008 and 2013. Results Twenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 67.8 years. The majority of patients (76%) had stage IV disease (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] staging). Intraoperative frozen sections were positive in 24% (n = 6) compared with 60% (n = 15) on final pathologic analysis. Frozen section analysis had a sensitivity of 40%. Positive margins were resected where possible, unless limited by proximity to vital structures. Patients were statistically more likely to follow a recommendation for adjuvant therapy ( P P > .05). Conclusions Intraoperative frozen section analyses are unreliable in predicting positive margins in patients with late-stage maxillary malignancies. Patients were more likely to accept adjuvant radiation than adjuvant chemotherapy.
Role of placenta in maternal-fetal vitamin transfer in humans

Vitamins B12, B6, biotin, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenate, and nicotinate were determined in maternal and fetal blood and placental tissue of normovitaminemic and hypovitaminemic mothers who disclaimed supplemental vitamin intake during pregnancy. No biotin or pantothenate deficits were observed in the gravidas. Hypovitaminemic mothers transferred less B12, folate, and B6 to the fetus and placenta than normovitaminemic mothers. Vitamins given by mouth increased maternal fetal, and placental levels of folate, but B6 increased only in maternal blood and the placenta; biotin and pantothenate increased only in fetal blood. Except for riboflavin, nicotinate, and pantothenate, the intramuscular administration of vitamins increased the levels of other vitamins in maternal and fetal blood and placental tissue. Results suggest that the placenta stores vitamins and the tissue vitamin receptors must be saturated before adequate transfer of vitamins to the fetus occurs.
An alkali feldspar series

A series of single-phase alkali feldspars in the system Na2O-K2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O were crystallized from dehydrated gels at 500 bars and 800° C, in the presence of an aqueous vapor phase, quartz, and corundum. Twenty of these bulk samples were analyzed for K2O and Na2O by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The unit cell parameters for 19 of these samples and 8 others in the series were obtained by least squares refinement of x-ray powder diffraction data collected with a focusing camera. Polynomial expressions giving the variation in unit cell parameters as a function of composition, in mol fraction potassium feldspar, were obtained, and compared with similar polynomial expressions developed from the avilable data on the sanidine-high albite series.
Electronic and structural properties of the As vacancy on the (110) surface of GaAs

Abstract The isolated As vacancy on the GaAs (110) surface is investigated using ab initio pseudopotentials. The relaxed atomic structure reveals an inward relaxation of the neighboring surface Ga atoms regardless of the vacancy charge state. The stable charge state is determined to be (+1) in p-type material from the formation energies. Three vacancy states, two located within the band gap, are identified. The character of the vacancy wavefunctions is described in detail and discussed in connection with the charge-state dependent relaxation. Despite the inward relaxation of surface Ga neighbors, the theoretical scanning tunneling microscopy topography shows enhanced tunneling into these sites, which is in agreement with existing experiments. The origin of this apparent contradiction is attributed to the nature of the wavefunction for one of the unoccupied vacancy states.
The City is Missing in the Millennium Development Goals

AbstractThe scale and pace of urbanization in the economic and social transformations of developing countries continue to be among the most overlooked phenomena of the twenty-first century. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7, Target 11 focuses on improving the living conditions of 100 million slum dwellers—about 5% of projected urban growth in developing countries from 2000 to 2020. The target is not precise, nor evidence based, nor framed to allow rigorous confirmation of achievement or not. Most importantly, it diverts policy and public attention away from the central role of cities as the sites of production of more than 60% of gross domestic product in most countries, the role of cities in recovery from the global economic crisis, and as a site of impact and remedy of climate change. Target 11 thus “misses the target” of urban development and, more broadly, the target of development and human development altogether. It demonstrates the “power of framing” policy objectives and the “power of targets” t...
Molybdenum Monoaryloxide Pyrrolide Alkylidene Complexes That Contain Mono-ortho-substituted Phenyl Imido Ligands

Monaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) molybdenum imido alkylidene complexes of the type Mo(NArX)(CHCMe2R)(Me2Pyr)(OR′) (Me2Pyr = 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide) have been prepared in which NArX is an ortho-substituted phenylimido group (X = Cl (NArCl), CF3 (NArCF3), i-Pr (NAriPr), t-Bu (NArtBu), mesityl (NArM), or TRIP (TRIP = triisopropylphenyl; NArT)) and OR′ = O-2,3,5,6-(C6H5)4C6H (OTPP), O-2,6-(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)2C6H3 (OHMT), or O-2,6-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3 (OHIPT). The object was to explore to what extent relatively “large” NArM or NArT ligands would alter the performance of MAP catalysts in reactions that have been proposed to depend upon the relative size of the imido and OR′ groups. Preliminary studies employing the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 5,6-dicarbomethoxynorbornadiene as a measure of selectivity suggest that a single phenylimido ortho substituent, even in an NArM or NArT group, does not produce any unique behavior and that the outcome of the ROMP reaction correlates with the overall relative size o...
Pravastatin reverses obesity-induced dysfunction of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.

Aims High-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) is a major contributor to type II diabetes and micro- and macro-vascular complications leading to peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Metabolic abnormalities of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) from obese individuals could potentially limit their therapeutic efficacy for PVD. The aim of this study was to compare the function of iPSC-ECs from normal and DIO mice using comprehensive in vitro and in vivo assays. Methods and results Six-week-old C57Bl/6 mice were fed with a normal or high-fat diet. At 24 weeks, iPSCs were generated from tail tip fibroblasts and differentiated into iPSC-ECs using a directed monolayer approach. In vitro functional analysis revealed that iPSC-ECs from DIO mice had significantly decreased capacity to form capillary-like networks, diminished migration, and lower proliferation. Microarray and ELISA confirmed elevated apoptotic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress pathways in DIO iPSC-ECs. Following hindlimb ischaemia, mice receiving intramuscular injections of DIO iPSC-ECs had significantly decreased reperfusion compared with mice injected with control healthy iPSC-ECs. Hindlimb sections revealed increased muscle atrophy and presence of inflammatory cells in mice receiving DIO iPSC-ECs. When pravastatin was co-administered to mice receiving DIO iPSC-ECs, a significant increase in reperfusion was observed; however, this beneficial effect was blunted by co-administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Conclusion This is the first study to provide evidence that iPSC-ECs from DIO mice exhibit signs of endothelial dysfunction and have suboptimal efficacy following transplantation in a hindlimb ischaemia model. These findings may have important implications for future treatment of PVD using iPSC-ECs in the obese population.
The decomposition method for approximate solution of the Goursat problem

Abstract In this paper, the Adomian's decomposition method is effectively implemented to establish an analytic solution and a reliable numerical approximation to the Goursat partial differential equation. Linear and nonlinear Goursat examples are examined, and the method supplied quantitatively reliable results for these types of problems. The accuracy level of the results obtained indicates the superiority of the decomposition method over existing numerical methods that were applied to the Goursat problem.
Dynamic tensile testing of plastic materials

Abstract Dynamic tensile tests were carried out using a servo-hydraulic machine on four representative plastic materials following a practice guideline by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The experimental results generated this way were ranked as “good” using the qualitative measure provided in the guideline. To advance our understanding of dynamic tensile tests, the validity of the dynamic tensile tests was investigated by examining the condition of dynamic stress equilibrium; a criterion used in split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests. The results show that the quantitative criterion for a valid SHPB test is also applicable to dynamic tensile tests and it is an unbiased method as compared to the qualitative method used in the current practice. Another issue in dynamic material testing using a tensile testing machine is system ringing. The testing system was analyzed using a basic vibration model. The analytical solutions were obtained for the one-degree freedom spring-mass model with and without a damper. The mathematical model provided descriptions about the influence of the loading rate and the natural frequency of the testing system on the magnitude of system ringing and its decay rate. It illustrated that the maximum strain rate at which a testing system can be used to generate acceptable data are limited by the natural frequency of the testing system. The analysis results agreed well with the empirical relationships established based on experimental evidence. For the first time, this work advances the dynamic tensile testing technique from its current empirical stage to an analysis-based level.
Angiosarcoma of the spleen clinically presenting as metastatic ovarian cancer. A case report and review of the literature

Primary angiosarcomas of the spleen are rare and almost always fatal. With no more than 200 cases reported in the literature worldwide, no specific risk factors are strongly associated with the disease. The mean age of patients at presentation is 59 years and the major clinical findings include abdominal pain, splenic rupture, and splenomegaly. Grossly, this neoplasm appears as hemorrhagic and/or cystic nodules, with a low-density signal seen on computed tomographic scans. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by neoplastic proliferation with diffuse or focal areas of a vasoformative component with cavernous and arborizing channels. The vascular spaces are lined by endothelial cells with variable degree of atypia. The differential diagnosis includes a variety of benign and malignant vascular proliferations (littoral cell angioma and Kaposi's sarcoma) as well as metastatic tumors. The worst prognostic factor is splenic rupture with early metastasis. The liver is the most common site. We report a case of the 43-year-old woman with a long-standing history of recurrent ovarian carcinoma treated with surgery and multiple courses of radiation therapy and chemotherapy who clinically appeared to have a metastatic ovarian cancer to the spleen and treated with partial resection of stomach and splenectomy. However, histopathologic examination of the specimen showed the tumor to be of a primary angiosarcoma. We believe that the lengthy exposure to radiation may have played a role in the histopathogenesis of this neoplasm in this patient.
Activity of serotonin-containing neurons in nucleus raphe magnus in freely moving cats.

Serotonergic neurons were recorded in the nucleus raphe magnus in freely moving cats and were initially identified on-line by their characteristic slow and regular spontaneous activity during quiet waking (3.42 +/- 0.33 spikes/s; mean +/- SE). Discharge rates of these serotonergic neurons were highest during active waking (4.49 +/- 0.40 spikes/s), intermediate during slow-wave sleep (middle: 2.14 +/- 0.23 spikes/s), and lowest during REM sleep (0.20 +/- 0.03 spikes/s). Although these cells fired at a rate 31.3% higher during active waking than during quiet waking, their activity displayed no correlation with phasic elevations of the nuchal EMG or overt body movements. In addition, no relationship was observed between the activity of these neurons during slow-wave sleep and the occurrence of sleep spindles in the cortical EEG or pontogeniculooccipital waves recorded from the lateral geniculate nucleus. Serotonergic neurons of nucleus raphe magnus were also relatively unresponsive to phasic auditory and visual stimuli, with about half of the cells examined showing weak excitatory responses. These neurons did respond, however, to the administration of a small dose of the serotonin specific agonist, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (250 micrograms/kg, i.m.) with a mean decrease in unit activity of 73.6 +/- 4.5%. The results of this study are compared with those previously reported for serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, nucleus centralis superior, and nucleus raphe pallidus of freely moving cats.
Development and Validation of a Short-Term, Serum-Free Culture System for Bovine Granulosa Cells: Evaluation of the Effects of Somatotropin and Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor on Estradiol Production

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a short-term, serum-free culture system to determine whether recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) or recombinant bovine growth hormone-releasing factor (rbGRF) altered the estradiol-producing capacity of bovine granulosa cells isolated from dominant or subordinate follicles of the first follicular wave. Thus, ovaries were obtained at an abattoir from cows that were between d 2 to 5 or 6 to 10 of the estrous cycle. Three size classes of follicles were isolated from each cow's ovaries: small (2 to 5 mm in diameter), medium (6 to 14 mm), or the largest (6 to 19 mm). In vivo steroid-producing capacity of follicles was assessed by measuring concentration of estradiol, progesterone, androstenedione and 5α-dihydrotestosterone in each follicle. In vitro steroid-producing capacity was assessed by culturing granulosa cells from the different follicle sizes for 48 h in serum-free media with 19-OH androstenedione and measuring the estradiol and progesterone concentrations in media at the end of culture. The effect of different doses of FSH, rbST, or rbGRF on estradiol and progesterone production by granulosa cells from each follicle size class during d 2 to 5 or 6 to 10 was also evaluated. A high percentage (91.7%) of the largest follicles obtained on d 2 to 5 was estrogen-active (estradiol > progesterone) compared with other follicle classifications (d 2 to 5, small = 0%, medium = 13.8%; d 6 to 10, small = 0%, medium = 3.3%, largest = 33.3%). Estradiol was highest (P < 0.05) in the largest follicle on d 2 to 5 and correlated positively with follicle diameter. The pattern of in vitro production of estradiol by granulosa cells from the different follicle size classes reflected the original in vivo capacity of follicles to produce estradiol. However, only granulosa cells from the largest estrogen-active follicle on d 2 to 5 produced more estradiol than progesterone in vitro. Progesterone production by granulosa cells from all follicle classifications was increased by FSH, but FSH only enhanced estradiol production by granulosa cells from the largest estrogen-active follicles on d 2 to 5. Recombinant bST blocked the FSH-induced increase in estradiol by granulosa cells from the largest estrogen-active follicles on d 2 to 5, whereas rbGRF had no effect on steroid production. Based on these results, we concluded that short-term, serum-free culture of bovine granulosal cells obtained from first-wave follicles at an abattoir could be used to reflect reliably the original in vivo estradiol-producing capacity of granulosal cells, and that neither rbST nor rbGRF enhance basal or FSH-induced estradiol production by bovine granulosa cells from first-wave follicles.
Rate equation modelling of molecular multiphoton ionization dynamics

Abstract Selected aspects of kinetic rate equations are used as a framework for the modelling of molecular multiphoton ionization. Expressions are obtained for the ion yield where one and two intermediate resonances are present and the effects of saturation due to laser beam spatial and temporal structure are shown to be important in many molecular multiphoton experiments. A comparison is made between ionization and fluorescence yields and their spatial structure, following two-photon excitation, under identical experimental conditions. Radiationless processes are shown to be important in determining the ionization yield, which leads to the apparent selectivity of molecular multiphoton ionization experiments toward Rydberg states.
What makes a movie?: digraphic modeling of differences that make a difference

In this poster we describe our use of digraphic display and analysis of RGB data for movie frames to achieve an algorithmic mode of representing moving image documents. We provide a background of our previous method and detail the significant differences in our new method. We then sketch the data we expect to have soon for 60 titles examined.
Anti‐aliasing multiple prediction beyond 2‐D

Theoretically, the Delft approach of surface-related multiple elimination can be applied in three dimension, as long as the source and receiver coverage is dense enough. In reality, such a dense coverage is still far from reach, using the available multi-streamer acquisition system. One way to fill the gap is to massively interpolate the missing sources and receivers in the survey, which requires huge computational cost. In this paper, I propose a more practical approach for the multi-streamer system. Instead of the large-volume missing-streamer interpolation, this approach tries to find the most reasonable proxy from the collected dataset for each missing trace needed in the multiple prediction. Although the missing-streamer interpolation is avoided, another problem pops up in the multi-streamer case, the aliasing noise caused by the sparse sampling in the cross-line direction. To solve this problem, I introduce a new concept, partially-stacked multiple contribution gather (PSMCG). Using the multi-scale PEF theory, this approach interpolates the PSMCG in the cross-line direction to remove the aliasing noise.
Misconceptions of sexual selection and species recognition: a response to Knell et al. and to Mendelson and Shaw

► Sexual selection requires sexual dimorphism; this was integral to Darwin's original definition. ► Claims of sexual selection in extinct animals often rely on vague or untested assertions. ► There is at present no documented case of sexual dimorphism or sexual selection among dinosaurs and their relatives. ► A test of sexual dimorphism requires an independent understanding of the chronological age of the specimens in question; this has never been accomplished in an extinct animal.
A generalized scheffé method of multiple comparisons

Standard resulrs on the extrema of quotients of quadratic forms are extended to the non-negative definite case. The maximum and the set over which it is achieved are characterized explicitly both in terms of generalized inverse matrices and generalized eigenvalues. These results become the basis of Scheffe type multiple comparisons in the usual way. To demonstrate their application to statistics with singular covariance matrices, the method is detailed for Mantel-Haenszel, Breslow, and Cox statistics. An example is presented illustrating a situation where the proposed Scheffe type comparisons may be better than the pairwise method.
Chain mechanism for exchange of D2 with a ruthenium hydride.

The ruthenium hydride of (Ar4CpOH)Ru(CO)2H exchanges cleanly and rapidly with D2 at room temperature to generate the ruthenium deuteride. A chain mechanism is proposed to explain the much more rapid exchange of RuH/D2 than RuCO exchange with 13CO.
Applying Diversity Management Principles to Institutions of Christian Higher Education

For a variety of reasons many Christian higher education institutions struggle to embrace issues of diversity. This paper explores some of the challenges facing Christian higher education institutions when it comes to embracing diversity, particularly in the area of employment. It begins with a discussion of basic diversity/diversity management principles including an examination of the historical context and the business case for embracing diversity. The paper further examines specific challenges of, and rationale for, managing and embracing diversity in a Christian university context. These issues are highlighted through a case study conducted on a Christian university campus The paper concludes with various recommendations for how to create or improve a Christian institution's employment diversity climate. The recommendations are presented in light not only of legal, community, and business pressures but also in an attempt to help the Christian campus to further fulfill its mission and ultimately bring...
Outcome of Large to Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Repaired With and Without Extracellular Matrix Augmentation: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Purpose To compare the results of arthroscopic repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with or without augmentation using an extracellular matrix (ECM) graft and to present ECM graft augmentation as a valuable surgical alternative used for biomechanical reinforcement in any RCT repair. Methods We performed a prospective, blinded, single-center, comparative study of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of a large to massive RCT with or without augmentation with ECM graft. The primary outcome was assessed by the presence or absence of a retear of the previously repaired rotator cuff, as noted on ultrasound examination. The secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder outcome score, a visual analog scale score, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index, and a shoulder activity level survey. Results We enrolled 35 patients in the study: 20 in the ECM-augmented rotator cuff repair group and 15 in the control group. The follow-up period ranged from 22 to 26 months, with a mean of 24.9 months. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the incidence of retears: 26% (4 retears) in the control group and 10% (2 retears) in the ECM graft group ( P = .0483). The mean pain level decreased from 6.9 to 4.1 in the control group and from 6.8 to 0.9 in the ECM graft group ( P = .024). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 62.1 to 72.6 points in the control group and from 63.8 to 88.9 points ( P = .02) in the treatment group. The mean Short Form 12 scores improved in the 2 groups, with a statistically significant difference favoring graft augmentation ( P = .031), and correspondingly, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index scores improved in both arms, favoring the treatment group ( P = .0412). Conclusions The use of ECM for augmentation of arthroscopic repairs of large to massive RCTs reduces the incidence of retears, improves patient outcome scores, and is a viable option during complicated cases in which a significant failure rate is anticipated. Level of Evidence Level III, prospective, blinded, nonrandomized, comparative study.
Altered fear circuits in 5-HT1A receptor KO mice

The study of genetically altered mice has been used successfully to determine the influence of different neurotransmitter receptors on fear and anxiety. Mice with a genetic deletion of the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT(1A)R knockout [KO]) have been shown to be more fearful in a number of behavioral conflict tests, confirming the important role of this receptor in modulating anxiety. Factor analysis of the behavior of WT and 5-HT(1A)R KO mice in the open field test shows that locomotion and anxiety measures segregate independently, supporting the idea that the anxious behavior of the KO mice is not the result of altered locomotion. KO mice also show increased anxiety in the novelty-suppressed feeding task, which differs from the other conflict tests in the motivational drive of the animals. In response to a discrete aversive stimulus, foot shock, the KO mice show increased freezing and increased tachycardia. However, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to stress appears to be slightly blunted in the KO animals. Together, these data support the idea that the 5-HT(1A)R modulates an important fear circuit in the brain. The dual function of the 5-HT(1A)R as both a presynaptic autoreceptor, negatively regulating serotonin activity, and a postsynaptic heteroreceptor, inhibiting the activity of nonserotonergic neurons in forebrain structures, has complicated interpretation of the anxious phenotype of these KO mice. A more complete understanding of the function of the 5-HT(1A)R awaits further study of its role in behaving animals using tissue-specific antagonists and novel transgenic mice with tissue-specific expression of the receptor.
The first reorganisation of the CPSU central committee apparat under Perestroika

THE ATTEMPT BY MIKHAIL GORBACHEV to reform the Soviet Communist Party (CPSU) apparat, particularly its all-powerful Central Committee (CC) apparat, was inextricably tied to the conduct of the economic and political reforms of perestroika and determined many of their successes and failures. Indeed, reform making is policy making, and it must pass through the stages of decision, conception, bargaining and implementation and is subject to the vicissitudes of political conflict. Any assessment of the suitability of a reform's design and strategy and any explanations for its success or failure therefore should examine the constraints on reform making, both structural and 'intentional': the range of choices configured by the demands imposed on the rational calculations of decision makers from different powerful interest or political groups and tendencies within a polity.1 It is insufficient to look exclusively at the political intentions of reform's friends and foes2 or to focus only on the explanatory value of such structural constraints as the multinational and 'partyised' nature of the Soviet state or the hypercentralised structure of its economy.3 The combined power of the conservative opposition to reform (an intentional constraint) and the power of entrenched bureaucracies (a structural constraint) must be taken into account when assessing the reasons for the successes and failures of perestroika. The more conservative and entrenched the bureaucrats, the more difficult it is to implement reform and the less likely it is to produce the outcome the originators of reform seek: a more effective system and maintenance of their power. In the Soviet case, no reform could be implemented without the strong commitment of the party apparatus, if not especially then including the central apparat, the only mobilisational instrument capable of orienting both the state machinery and society toward reform. There were essentially two reorganisations of the CC apparat during Gorbachev's tenure as General Secretary. The first was initiated in autumn 1988 and was being executed virtually right up to the XXVIII Congress, after which a second reorganisation was implemented. This article examines the first reorganisation as it was conceived and implemented, in an attempt to understand better the obstacles to successful reform in the USSR better. Both 'intentional' constraints-the conservatives' active opposition and the bureaucratised 'crypto-politics' of the apparat (factional political struggle conducted in the depths of bureaucratic structures through
[3H]Cyclo(histidyl-proline) in rat tissues: distribution, clearance and binding.

Abstract Cyclo(Histidyl-Proline), a metabolite of TRH, has been demonstrated to have a number of biological activities. The clearance, distribution and binding of the peptide in the rat was studied. Cyclo(His-Pro) was cleared from the circulation biphasically ( tl 2 = 1.25 and 33 min ). Unmetabolized cyclo(His-Pro) appeared rapidly in urine. Accumulation of [ 3 H]cyclo(His-Pro) in adrenal, liver and kidney was demonstrated. Membrane preparations from adrenal and liver, but not from kidney, brain, pituitary, and other tissues were shown to bind cyclo(His-Pro) specifically.
Extensive genome-wide variability of human cytomegalovirus in congenitally infected infants

Research has shown that RNA virus populations are highly variable, most likely due to low fidelity replication of RNA genomes. It is generally assumed that populations of DNA viruses will be less complex and show reduced variability when compared to RNA viruses. Here, we describe the use of high throughput sequencing for a genome wide study of viral populations from urine samples of neonates with congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. We show that HCMV intrahost genomic variability, both at the nucleotide and amino acid level, is comparable to many RNA viruses, including HIV. Within intrahost populations, we find evidence of selective sweeps that may have resulted from immune-mediated mechanisms. Similarly, genome wide, population genetic analyses suggest that positive selection has contributed to the divergence of the HCMV species from its most recent ancestor. These data provide evidence that HCMV, a virus with a large dsDNA genome, exists as a complex mixture of genome types in humans and offer insights into the evolution of the virus.
Vocational Behavior and Career Development, 1975: A Review.

Abstract This paper presents a review of selected literature concerning career development and vocational behavior during 1975. Topics covered include sex roles and career development, women's careers, recent trends in interest measurement, trends in vocational theory, life span aspects of career development, vocational interventions, and racial differences and similarities in career development.
Feeding Behavior of an Assassin Bug, Zelus renardii,

In cotton fields, Zelus renardii Kolenati preyed on at least 15 species of arthropods of which 32% were cotton pests and 21% were potentially beneficial. The predator's attack strategy differed with the size and mobility of prey in laboratory studies. A venom was injected into prey after insertion of the proboscis. When larvae of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), were removed from predators immediately after proboscis insertion, 87% of the prey died within 48 h. Predators ingested 72–99% of the live weight of H. virescens larvae and predator feeding was related to larval weight. Z. renardii displayed a relatively strong, positive functional response to different densities of larvae.
From Ferguson to France

Jean Beaman compares the conditions that led to 2005 uprisings in French banlieues and 2014 protests in cities across the U.S.
Otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon-performed ultrasonography for parathyroid adenoma localization.

Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon-performed ultrasonography (US) for the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients evaluated by office-based US for the localization of surgery-proven parathyroid adenomas from October 2004 through February 2007. Results: A total of 29 patients underwent preoperative US localization. Twenty-three (79%) were females, and six (21%) were males. The age of patients ranged from 27 to 85 years of age. The size range of adenomas detected as measured by US was 0.5 to 2.7 cm. Pathology specimen measurements ranged from 0.3 to 3.4 cm. A total of 30 parathyroid adenomas were found. US identified 90% of the parathyroid adenomas to the correct side, left or right. In addition, US localized the parathyroid adenomas to the correct quadrant, superior or inferior, 83% of the time. Challenges in accurate localization were associated with patient obesity, presence of thyroid carcinoma, and multinodular thyroid disease. For comparison, sestamibi scans performed on the same patients localized the parathyroid adenoma to the correct side only 71% of the time and to the correct quadrant 61% of the time. Conclusions: Otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon-performed US can accurately identify the location of parathyroid adenomas and is a useful tool for preoperative planning.
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): The Evolution of Centre-Periphery Relations in the Russian Federation

Russia's greatness will be magnified by Siberia and the Arctic Ocean.1 THE 1991 COLLAPSE of the Soviet Union was an epic event. It resulted in the dismemberment of the USSR and the less tangible, but nonetheless real, unleashing of centrifugal forces of ethnic nationalism and regional self-determination. Political leaders and political analysts alike realised that once the principle of the immutability of borders was abandoned, a Pandora's box had been opened, triggering a process that had no pre-determined end point or natural conclusion. To illustrate this process Bremmer offered the term 'matrioshka nationalism'.2 Just as ever smaller dolls emerge from within a Russian matrioshka doll, ever smaller states would assert their independence from within the new states of Eurasia. To some degree, 'matrioshka nationalism' appropriately describes the early post-Soviet experience in Eurasia. While not internationally recognised, Abkhazia and South Ossetia achieved a precarious de facto independence from Georgia. In Moldova, the Trans-Dniester Republic maintains an equally ambiguous existence. Meanwhile, the possibility of a Crimean break from the Ukraine continues to enliven the political atmosphere. Not surprisingly, the Russian Federation, with its 89 components, has faced a wide variety qf challenges to its sovereignty. While the Chechen Republic has been the most serious threat so far, a number of Russia's components have claimed varying degrees of sovereignty. Despite these visible signs of breakdown, the Russian Federation has not succumbed to the Soviet pattern of disintegration. Russia's ability to stem the tide of state disintegration is not entirely a surprise. Three critical centripetal factors are at work in Russia.3 First, the Russian Federation's population is considerably more homogeneous than the Soviet population. While the Soviet Union was largely composed of ethnically determined components, Russia is much less so. More than 80% of Russia's population is Russian. The Russian Federation is composed of 21 ethnically defined republics and 68 territorially determined components.4 The latter category includes 49 regions (oblasti), one autonomous region, six territories (kraya), two federal cities (goroda) and 10 autonomous areas (okruga). Together these territorially determined components, henceforth regions,5 account for about 70% of Russia's territory and more than 80% of its population.6 In the republics, which have retained more economic and political autonomy than the regions, the titular population is a majority of the population in only five (the Republic of Tuva, the Chechen
Fabrication and characterization of cellulose nanofiber based thin-film nanofibrous composite membranes

Abstract Nanoscale cellulose fibers with nominal diameters in the range of 5–10 nm were fabricated from wood pulp by using the TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO system (TEMPO-mediated oxidation) followed by a mechanical treatment. The morphology of the resulting cellulose nanofibers was found to be dependent on the cellulose concentration, pH value and ionic strength of the oxidized cellulose aqueous suspension, where nanofibers with ~5 nm diameters could be obtained when the cellulose suspension was lower than 0.20 wt%. Variations in the degree of crystallinity and thermal stability between the initial wood pulp and resulting cellulose nanofibers were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetric techniques. A novel ultrafiltration (UF) thin-film nanofibrous composite (TFNC) membrane was prepared by using cellulose nanofibers as the top barrier layer, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun scaffold as the mid-layer and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) non-woven as supporting substrate. The maximum pore size of the cellulose nanofibrous (CN) based TFNC membrane was ~55 nm as estimated by the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) method. Microsphere with 0.10±0.01 μm diameter was used as a feed solution to determine the UF efficiency. The permeate flux of the CN-TFNC membrane was found to be about 5-times higher than that of commercial UF membranes (e.g., PAN10) produced with the same polymer components without the cellulose nanofiber barrier layer, while maintaining an even higher rejection ratio (>99.9%) of the microsphere during a 48-h filtration period. For ultrafiltration of oil/water emulsions, the permeate flux of the CN-TFNC membrane was about 8-fold higher than that of the commercial PAN10 membrane. In addition, the CN-TFNC membranes showed excellent chemical resistance, high anti-biodegradation, high hypochlorite resistance and a wide applicable pH range.
Growth, development and distribution of the euphausiids Thysanoessa raschi (M. Sars) and Thysanoessa inermis (Krøyer) in the southeastern Bering Sea

The distribution and abundance of the euphausiids Thysanoessa raschi and Thysanoessa inermis in the shelf waters of the southeastern Bering Sea were investigated during spring and summer of 1980 and 1981. Experiments were conducted during the study to describe the reproduction, growth and development of these species. T. inermis was the dominant euphausiid species observed over the outer shelf region; it began spawning in early April while T. raschi dominated the euphausiids over the middle shelf and began spawning in mid or late May. The seasonal progression in spawning followed the seasonal development of temperature; however, spawning did not begin earlier in 1981 which was a warmer year than 1980. Average egg production of T. raschi ranged from 3.4% to 3.8% dry body weight of the female per day during the first three days after capture. Secondary production estimates for T. raschi females ranged from 4.2% to 5.2% dry body weight per day in 1980 and 5.9% to 6.0% dry body weight per day in 1981. A sharp decline in the abundance of adolescent and adult euphausiids over the middle shelf during the spring bloom period when food appeared to be abundant suggests that predation by diving birds, pollack. Tanner crabs, whales and seals effectively controls the euphausiid population.
Analysis of Swainsonine: Extraction Methods, Detection, and Measurement in Populations of Locoweeds (Oxytropis spp.)

An analytical method has been developed to measure the locoweed toxin, swainsonine, in locoweed plant material. Dry ground plant samples were extracted using a small-scale liquid/liquid extraction procedure followed by isolation of the swainsonine by solid phase extraction with a cation-exchange resin. Detection and quantitation of the swainsonine were accomplished using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS(2)). The limit of quantitation was estimated to be 0.001% swainsonine by weight in dry plant material, which corresponds to the lower threshold for toxicity of locoweeds. The method of analysis was applied to the analysis of Oxytropis sericea (white locoweed) and Oxytropis lambertii (Lambert locoweed) plant samples to measure the variability of individual plant swainsonine levels within populations and within species. Individual plant variability was found to be highly significant for both O. sericea and O. lambertii populations. The combined three-year mean swainsonine values taken from three populations of O. sericea ranged from 0.046% in Utah to 0.097% in a New Mexico population. Sixteen individual populations of O. lambertii were sampled from eight different U.S. states. Swainsonine was detected at levels >0.001% in only 5 of the 16 collection sites. Those populations of O. lambertii found to contain higher swainsonine levels were restricted to the most southern and western portion of its distribution, and all were identified as belonging to var. bigelovii, whereas var. articulata and var. lambertii samples contained swainsonine at levels <0.001%.
The influence of bed-region stoichiometry on nitric oxide formation in fixed-bed coal combustion☆

Abstract A 15.3 cm by 25.4 cm thick-bed reactor with refractory walls was used to investigate the influence of bed-region (first-stage) stoichiometry on fuel nitrogen evolution and reaction in coal-fired, mass-burning stokers. The combustor operated in a batch mode providing a Lagrangian simulation of the time/temperature/environmental history of a small bed segment traveling through a larger combustion facility. A southern Utah bituminous coal, sezed at 13 mm through 25 mm, was fired in a 15.3 cm deep bed in all experiments. Typically, as a run proceeded, both the superficial burning rate and NO exhaust emissions increased, reached a maximum, and then decreased toward the run termination. However, under locally fuel-rich conditions the NO emissions peaked prior to the maximum combustion rate. In-flame measurements suggested that fuel nitrogen evolution probably occurs at approximately the same rate as carbon oxidation. The decay in exhaust NO emissions with time under staged combustion was attributed to both a shift in flame-zone nitrogen speciation to unoxidized intermediates (HCN and NH3) and an associated NO reduction mechanism. Homogeneous gas-phase reactions appeared to control fuel-rich NO formation. Overall, staging the combustion air resulted in a substantial decrease in exhaust NO emissions. Exhaust concentrations decreased approximately linearly with decreasing bed-region stoichiometry. Fuel nitrogen conversion to NO decreased by 67%, from 12%, under excess-air burning to 4% during staged firing.
Production and characterization of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to rat brain L-glutamate decarboxylase.

Abstract Specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to rat brain glutamate decar☐ylase (GAD) were produced and characterized. Polyclonal antibodies against GAD were raised in rabbits by injecting a total of 70–210 μg of purified GAD i.m. The specificity of anti-GAD serum was established from a variety of tests including Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, immunoprecipitation, dot immunoassay, ELISA tests and Western immunoblottings. In immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis tests using partially purified GAD preparations and anti-GAD serum a single, sharp precipitin line corresponding to GAD activity was obtained. Quantitative immunoprecipitation of GAD activity was achieved using anti-GAD IgG and Staphylococcus aureus . Specificity of the antiserum was further indicated from a dot immunoassay and ELISA tests in which the intensity of the reaction product was proportional to the amount of GAD protein present. In the Western immunoblotting experiments using partially purified GAD preparations only two protein bands corresponding to the position of the two subunits of GAD were stained by anti-GAD IgG, further supporting the specificity of polyclonal antibodies against GAD. In addition to polyclonal antibodies, several specific GAD-antibodies-producing clones were also obtained by the hybridoma technique. The specificity of monoclonal antibodies against GAD were established from the following criteria: positive on ELISA test using homogenous GAD as antigen; formation of GAD-anti-GAD IgG complex as indicated from gel filtration chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis; and specific recognition of GAD subunit in a partially purified GAD preparation in Western immunoblotting test. Monoclonal antibodies were further characterized by immunohistochemical localization of known GABAergic neurons and their processes in the cerebellum and retina.
Research Spotlight: Tree ring record chronicles major Mesoamerican droughts

[1] A new tree ring record chronicles major Mesoamerican droughts in the past millennium that may have contributed to the decline of some pre-Hispanic civilizations. Although there is other evidence of droughts during the past millennium, the paleoclimate record had gaps. Stahle et al. used core samples from Montezuma bald cypress trees found in Barranca de Amealco, Queretaro, Mexico, to develop a 1238-year tree ring chronology. They reconstructed the soil moisture record from the tree ring growth patterns. The new record provides the first dated, annually resolved climate record for Mexico and Central America spanning this time period.(Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2010GL046472, 2011)
Soil moisture variability within remote sensing pixels

The effects of topography and the level of soil moisture on the variability of soil moisture within remote sensing pixels were assessed during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) during 1987 and 1989. Soil moisture data from flat, sloped, and valley-shaped pixels were obtained over a wide range of moisture conditions. Relative elevation data were obtained for each study area to create digital elevation models with which to quantify topographic variability. Within-pixel soil moisture variability was shown to increase with increased topographic heterogeneity. The flat pixel had significantly lower standard deviations and fewer outlier points than the slope and valley pixels. Most pixel means had a positive skewness, indicating that most pixels will have areas of markedly higher than average soil moisture.