cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cultural Processes and Homicide Across Nations

This article is concerned with the macro-level propositions of Nisbett and Cohen’s culture of honor thesis. The results suggest that the culture of honor proxy has a strong positive influence on homicide across nations. In fact, culture of honor exhibited larger effect sizes than all of the important social-structural controls. These results suggest that consideration of cultural processes is important for understanding macro-level variation in violence.
A genome-wide approach to comparative oncology: high-resolution oligonucleotide aCGH of canine and human osteosarcoma pinpoints shared microaberrations

Molecular cytogenetic evaluation of human osteosarcoma (OS) has revealed the characteristically high degree of genomic reorganization that is the hallmark of this cancer. The extent of genomic disorder in OS has hindered identification of the genomic aberrations driving disease progression. With pathophysiological similarities to its human counterpart, canine OS represents an ideal model for comparison of conserved regions of genomic instability that may be disease-associated rather than genomic passengers. This study used high-resolution oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization and a variety of informatics tools to aid in the identification of disease-associated genome-wide DNA copy number aberrations in canine and human OS. Our findings support and build upon the high level of cytogenetic complexity, through the identification of shared regions of microaberration (<500 kb) and functional analysis of possible orthologous OS-associated genes to pinpoint the cellular processes most commonly affected by aberration in human and canine OS. Aberrant regions contained previously reported genes such as CDC5L, MYC, RUNX2, and CDKN2A/CDKN2B, while expanding the gene of interest list to include ADAM15, CTC1, MEN1, CDK7, and others. Such regions of instability may thus have functional significance in the etiology of OS, the most common primary bone tumor in both species.
Temporal variations in column height and magma discharge rate during the 79 A.D. eruption of Vesuvius

The 79 A.D. plinian eruption of Vesuvius ejected ∼4 km3 (ORE) of phonolitic magma over a period of ∼19 hr. A change in magma composition during the eruption is marked by a sharp transition from white, evolved phonolitic pumice to denser, overlying gray pumice, at mid-level within the fall deposit. Deposition of the upper, gray pumice fall was interrupted six times by the emplacement of pyroclastic surges and flows. Reverse size grading is conspicuous in the fall deposit. Measurements of maximum pumice and lithic diameters have been used to construct isopleths for eight chronostratigraphic levels within the fall deposit. The temporal evolution of eruption column height and magma discharge rate have been evaluated from these isopleths, using a theoretical model of pyroclast dispersal from explosive eruptions. During ejection of the white pumice, the column height rose from 14 to 26 km, as the magma discharge rate increased to 7.7 × 107 kg/s. Shortly after onset of the gray pumice fall, the column reached its maximum altitude of 32 km, with a discharge rate of 1.5 × 108 kg/s. Subsequent generation of surges and pyroclastic flows was associated with fluctuations in column height, supporting an origin by column collapse. At the white-gray boundary in the fall deposit, pumice density increases abruptly from 0.60 g/cm3 in the white pumice to 1.10 g/cm3 at the base of the gray pumice. Higher in the gray fall, the density decreases continuously to 0.60 g/cm3. The variation in pumice density is attributed primarily to differences in volatile content of two magmas which were tapped and mixed in varying proportions during ascent and eruption.
Comparison of the effects of diazepam, the CRF1 antagonist CP-154,526 and the group II mGlu receptor agonist LY379268 on stress-evoked extracellular norepinephrine levels.

Abstract The present study used an elevated platform procedure to investigate the effects of diazepam, a CRF1 antagonist CP-154,526 and a group II mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 on stress-evoked increase in extracellular norepinephrine (NE). Pretreatment with either diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.), CP-154,526 (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or LY379268 (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced platform stress-evoked NE. Interestingly, at the highest dose tested (10 mg/kg) LY379268 caused a marked increase in baseline NE levels. We tested whether this effect would diminish after repeated dosing. In contrast to acute administration, a challenge injection of LY379268 after repeated dosing (10 mg/kg × days) did not alter basal NE. Importantly, although less effective, LY379268 still significantly reduced stress-evoked NE. We further show that this increase in basal NE may involve mGlu2/3 receptor regulation of the GABAergic system. To this end, administration of the GABA B agonist, baclofen (4 mg/kg, i.p.), 2 h after dosing with LY379268, reversed the increase in baseline NE. These data suggest that, like diazepam and CP-154,526, group II mGlu2/3 receptor agonists can attenuate stress-evoked increase in extracellular NE in the rat prefrontal cortex. In addition they reveal a ‘stress-like’ increase in NE after high doses of LY379268 which may reflect mGlu3 receptor modulation of GABAergic transmission.
Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency genes: Contributory defect in a subset of psoriatics?

Since proteolytic processes are prominent in psoriasis, sera of forty-five psoriatics were examined for α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) phenotype and eighteen sera, for α1-AT content and function. Five sera (11.1%) had heterozygous phenotypes (2 MZ and 3 MS), a prevalence of Z and S variants similar to that reported in nonpsoriatic populations. Two of three variants examined for content and function exhibited marked reductions. Since MZ heterozygotes are almost always, and MS phenotypes sometimes, associated with decreased serum α1-AT levels, and since Z and MZ phenotypes are associated with increased hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, these variants may be relevant to problems of spontaneous fibrosis or methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in psoriasis. α1-AT deficiency may also contribute to guttate flares with infection and to increased O2- . production by psoriasic sera-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Although no evidence exists that psoriasis is more prevalent among persons with hypomorphic α1-AT phenotypes, such defects may contribute to severity of inflammation and hyperplasia.
Measurements of N 2 O 5 , NO 2 , and O 3 east of the San Francisco Bay

Abstract. We report in situ measurements of N2O5, NO2, and O3 in Contra Costa County, California during January 2004. Mixing ratios of N2O5, an intermediate compound in the atmosphere's nocturnal cleansing process, ranged up to 200pmol/mol at night. The highest N2O5 concentrations were correlated with low O3 and high NO2 concentrations. The calculated steady state lifetime for N2O5 ranged from 5 to 30min. The total HNO3 produced by N2O5 hydrolysis over a 14h night was comparable to ambient NO2 concentrations, and is estimated to be a factor of nine bigger than the HNO3 produced during the day.
EFFECTIVE AND INEXPENSIVE METHOD OF OBTAINING ATTITUDE AND OPINION DATA FROM "HARD TO SAMPLE" POPULATIONS

A method using congruent, inexpensive, and immediately gratifying rewards was used to obtain quantifiable data on the attitudes and opinions of frequenters of white, working-class beer taverns in a Southern state. The results were compared, controlling for race, income, and occupation, with those of studies using the same items in differing locales, time frames, and collection methods. There was no evidence that the tavern setting introduced significant biases on any of the comparisons. Costs were low, rate of return was high, and acceptance by participants was enthusiastic, leading to the conclusion that variations of this reward model could become a valuable tool for social surveyors with limited resources.
Pore Size Distribution of Porous Glasses: A Test of the Independent Pore Model

Using the Kierlik and Rosinberg fundamental measure theory, we test the density functional theory method for determination of pore size distributions from adsorption data for porous glasses. The glasses chosen for study are model glasses prepared by a quench molecular dynamics method that mimics the experimental synthesis process and are completely characterized at the molecular level. The density functional method involves two approximations: (a) the glasses can be regarded as made up of a distribution of nonconnected pores of simple geometry, which we refer to as the independent pore model, and (b) the adsorption isotherms for these nonconnected pores can be described by the density functional theory. Using simulated adsorption isotherm data for the glasses and adsorption isotherms for the pores of simple geometry calculated by the density functional theory, a regularization method is used to determine the pore size distribution from the adsorption data. These calculated pore size distributions, as well as the adsorption isotherms for the materials, are compared with the exact geometric pore size distributions for the material and with the simulated isotherms. Both slit-shaped and cylindrical pores are used in the density functional theory method. It is found that a unique geometry is not able to accurately describe the whole adsorption isotherm. The use of slit-shaped pores gives overall better results, although the low-pressure regime is more accurate when cylindrical pores are used; reasons for this are discussed. The pore size distributions from the density functional theory are in reasonable agreement with the geometrical ones, giving the same shape and mean pore width and similar porosities in the four materials. Since it is known that the density functional theory gives excellent results for the adsorption isotherms (approximation b above), this comparison tests the independent pore model directly.
A muon monitor for neutrino flux measurement

Abstract A method of determining the intensity of slow spill neutrino beams by monitoring the associated muons is described. Muons from poin and kaon decays which give rise to the beam neutrinos are sampled by a computer-controlled movable array of scintillation counter telescopes. The neutrino flux is obtained by matching the observed muon intensity distribution downstream of the hadron beam dump with that predicted by a Monte Carlo simulation of the decay process and the neutrino detector acceptance. Results from an experiment using a Fermilab narrow band neutrino beam gave a flux measurement accuracy of about 10%.
Concentration of the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) by ultrafiltration

Abstract Concentration and retention of a rod-shaped virus during tangential flow ultrafiltration (UF) was assessed to evaluate the potential of membrane-based downstream methods with advantages such as easy scale-up for industrial processes. A recombinant baculovirus of the non-spherical Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), vHSGFP, expressing egfp was filtered using polyethersulfone membranes ranging from 30 to 1000 kDa molecular weight cut-off (MWCO). A 20-fold virus concentration was achieved when a membrane cut-off range of 100 to 1000 kDa was tested. Fouling was observed and cake formation and pore plugging were postulated as concurrent causes with different impact depending on the MWCO. A reduction of virus concentration in the range of 2 to 5 log units in the permeate was observed illustrating the potential of membrane-based virus filtration as a useful unit operation in downstream processing.
Phosphatidylinositol signalling reactions.

Abstract Phosphatidylinositols are important in intracellular signaling. In response to extracellular signals, these molecules undergo rapid turnover and generate second messengers including diacylglycerol, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PtdIns 3,4P 2 ) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns 3,4,5-P 3 ). The importance of phosphoinositide metabolism is underscored by its link to a human genetic disorder oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe in that the gene product (OCRL) deficient in this syndrome is an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase. A new pathway for formation of PtdIns 3,4-P 2 and PtdIns 3,4,5-P 3 has been found recently. PtdIns 4,5-P 2 -synthesizing enzymes phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIP5K) also have kinase activity towards PtdIns 3-P and PtdIns 3,4-P 2 forming PtdIns 3,4-P 2 and PtdIns 3,4,5-P 3 respectively. Surprisingly, they can synthesize PtdIns 3,4,5-P 3 directly from PtdIns 3-P in a concerted reaction. PIP5K isozymes may play pivotal roles in intracellular signaling.
Identification and properties of two methyltransferases in conversion of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine

Abstract Two methyltransferases involved in the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to form phosphatidylcholine were demonstrated in a microsomal fraction of bovine adrenal medulla. The first methyltransferase catalyzes the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to form phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine. This enzyme has an optimum pH of 6.5, a low Km for S-adenosyl-L-methionine (1.4 micron), and an absolute requirement for Mg2+. The second methyltransferase catalyzes the two successive methylations of phodphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine to phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. In contrast to the first methyltransferase, it has an optimum pH of 10 and a high Km for S-adenosyl-L-methionine (0.1 mM) and does not require Mg2+.
Hemodynamic studies of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, DL-serine-N2-isopropylhydrazide (RO 4-1038). Mechanism of hypotensive action.

Hemodynamic studies were performed on 11 patients with severe diastolic hypertension before and after the chronic administration of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, RO 4-1038. Although postural hypotension was more marked, the blood pressure decreased significantly in the supine position as well. The hypotensive effect was attributable almost solely to decreased total peripheral resistance and was unrelated to changes in cardiac output, blood volume, or sodium space. Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were unchanged. Evidence is presented which suggests that the decrease in blood pressure was not caused by adrenergic blockade. If RO 4-1038 is a representative monoamine oxidase inhibitor then its hemodynamic action is unique among the clinically useful hypotensive drugs.
Development and validation of an alpha fetoprotein immunoassay using Gyros technology

Circulating alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with potential utility as a pharmacodynamic endpoint in rodent tumor models. This application is limited, however, by low sample volumes, highlighting the need for sensitive, sample-sparing biomarker assay methods. In order to improve the utility of AFP as an oncology biomarker, we developed a method for AFP using the Gyrolab™, an automated microimmunoassay platform. Commercially available antibodies were screened to identify optimal combinations that were then used in a multi-factorial design of experiments (DOE) to optimize reaction conditions. Analytical validation included assessments of accuracy and precision (A&P), and dilutional linearity/hook effect, as well as reagent and sample stability. The method is reliable, with total error, a measure of accuracy and precision, less than 30% for all concentrations tested. AFP concentrations were measurable in diseased mice and undetectable in normal mice. Therefore, this novel, low volume AFP immunoassay is suitable for pre-clinical drug development, where its miniaturized format facilitates serial sampling in rodent models of cancer.
Neuro-audiological correlates in cerebral hemisphere lesions. Temporal and parietal lobe tumors.

Auditory test results and localizing neurological, radiological, surgical, and pathological findings are described in three cases representative of 14 patients with glioma in the temporal and parietal lobes of the brain. Low-pass filtered, alternate-binaural, simultaneous-binaural, and competing sentence discrimination tests yield abnormal scores in the ear contralateral to the affected hemisphere in patients with temporal lobe tumors. Patients with parietal lobe lesions may manifest abnormal auditory behavior from secondary involvement of the temporal lobe due to pressure, edema, or infiltration of tumor cells. In such instances, auditory functions seem to be less severely affected than in cases with primary temporal lobe tumor. Binaural resynthesis of low-band and high-band pass speech is abnormal with involvement of the brain stem.
Human Factors Studies of Database Query Languages: SQL as a Metric

Over the years, SQL has been used repeatedly in human factors experiments measuring the ease of use of database query languages. These experiments have studied a wide range of issues from basic language comparisons, through design issues, to attempts to understand the human cognitive processes involved in querying a database. This paper summarizes the issues and the experiments that have involved SQL.
Incidence of food-deprivation polydipsia in the white Swiss mouse

Abstract Polydipsia was observed in white Swiss mice given no food, 1 3 - normal food rations, or a 2-hr daily feeding period. The last two food-deprivation schedules resulted in greater incidence of polydipsia than the no-food condition. The response was not sex-dependent and was not affected by the ingestion of non-nutritive stomach fill. It is suggested that the extreme variability of drinking under food deprivation may result from the random breeding of this mouse strain.
The dynamics of conceptual change in twentieth century immunology

I have attempted here to define three distinct eras in the 110-year history of the discipline of immunology. The first, extending from 1880 to about the First World War, centered around the new bacteriology and infectious diseases, and had a distinctly medical orientation. Several of the components of the original research program in immunology failed to maintain their original momentum or to fulfill their initial high promise, and went into decline. These include the development of new vaccines, serotherapeutic approaches, the study of cellular immunity, and the study of diseases that might be mediated by cytotoxic antibodies. Two other subprograms followed a somewhat different course; the study of anaphylaxis and related diseases passed primarily into the hands of clinical allergists, while the development and adaptation of serodiagnostic techniques passed into the hands of the new discipline of serology, both fields out of the mainstream of post-World War I immunology. As interest in the components of the old program was falling away, there developed a new area of interest in immunology. Leadership in the field devolved upon a new group of individuals with a predominantly chemical orientation to the study of antigens and antibodies, who pursued a research program and developed a theoretical base that reflected this orientation well. It may be interesting to examine more closely the forces responsible for this shift in emphasis. When interest in the old areas waned, the medically oriented practitioners did not switch to more immunochemical lines, but went in other directions. Karl Landsteiner was the only prominent "old-timer" who contributed significantly to the newer immunology, and it was his work that set the tone and attracted the new generation of immunochemists who became the reigning Denkkollektiv. A science does not change its precepts and approaches spontaneously; it is moved to the new position by those who explore fertile new areas. This is not to say, however, that there was no longer interesting and important work to be done along the old lines--it was just that such work was no longer "fashionable", as the reception of the work of Dienes, of Rich, of Rivers, and of the early Medawar illustrates. Whereas the earlier immunological program had interacted extensively with many different fields of biology and medicine, the immunochemical era was characterized by a relative introversion, as compared with the broad influence exerted by the earlier immunological program (92). We can date this second era from about the First World War until the late 1950s and early 1960s.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Two studies of menstrual synchrony: negative results.

Abstract In 1971 McClintock reported menstrual synchrony in pairs and groups of women who spent time together. The two studies reported herein, based on the methods and research design introduced by McClintock, fail to replicate her results. The first study is of a sample of 132 women who were sorority members or roommates of sorority members living on the campus of a large coeducational state university. The second study is of a sample of 24 women who were members of a cooperative house near the same university. In the subjects from both studies, the final mean onset absolute difference is greater than the initial mean onset absolute difference, and there are more nonsynchronous pairs of subjects than synchronous pairs. The sample from the sorority study was progessively reduced to exclude those subjects with irregular menstrual cycle lengths and those pairs in which one subject was taking oral contraceptives. Menstrual synchrony did not emerge in the reduced sample. Thus, whether or not menstrual synchrony occurs among women who spend time together should still be considered a hypothesis requiring further investigation.
The Pharmacokinetics of Thiabendazole and its Metabolites in an Anephric Patient Undergoing Hemodialysis and Hemoperfusion

The pharmacokinetics of thiabendazole and its metabolites were determined after the first dose and during hemodialysis and hemoperfusion in an anephric female patient treated for a strongyloides infection. The half-live, volume of distribution, and clearance for thiabendazole were 1.17 hour, 2.76 liters/kg, and 27.2 ml/min . kg, respectively. While thiabendazole and the 5-OH metabolite did not accumulate during multiple dosing, the glucuronide and sulfate esters accumulated extensively despite hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. Hemodialysis clearances for all compounds were poor. Hemoperfusion removal was much better but declined rapidly after the first hour. If rapid removal of thiabendazole and its metabolites is required, the hemoperfusion column should be changed hourly.
Correlated Recovery Kinetics

Abstract Diffusion controlled correlated recovery kinetics are compared for the Continuum and discrete lartice treatments. Specific results are given for the simple cubic, face-centered cubic, body-centered cubic and diamond lattices. It is concluded that samples with anisotropic damage distributions created by irradiation in different crystallographic directions will not exhibit substantial differences in their correlated recovery, but it is argued that for small capture volumes and for the treatment of the early recovery times, the discrete lattice treatment is required.
Cytokinins: Synthesis and growth-promoting activity of 2-substituted compounds in the N6-isopentenyladenine and zeatin series

Abstract Fourteen compounds were tested for relative promotion of cell division and growth (cytokinin) activity in the tobacco bioassay. The results suggested that 2-substituted- N 6 -(hydroxy)isopentenylaminopurines were generally less active than their unsubstituted couterparts. Thus, a 2-OH substituent greatly lowered cytokinin activity in both the isopentenyl and hydroxyisopentenyl (zeatin) series, while 2-NH 2 and 2-SCH 3 groups had a lesser effect on activity and a 2-Cl substituent had a negligible effect. Mass spectra were determined for all of the 9-β- d -ribofuranosides and for a number of the purines as well; the fragmentation patterns were consistent and characteristic, providing a possible systematic approach to the identification of new 2-substituted- N 6 -(hydroxy)isopentenyladenines.
Phenomenological Model for Diffractive Excitation of Hadron Resonances

In order to descria diffractive excitation of hadrons, a vector-vector form for the imaginary amplitude is proposed. The vector transition operator is related to the ordinary vector current. This description given approximate s- channel helicity conservation in elastic pi N scattrring and a differential cross section for elastic NN scattering proportional to the fourth power of the magnetic fonn factor of the nucleon. All inelastic cross sections for excitation of hadron resonances should dip in the very near forward direction. Calculating the matrix elements of the diffractive transition operator in a relativistic quark model with essentially no free parameters, we get quantitative results which are not in obvious disagreement with experiment for most nucleon and pion resonances. (auth)
Sulfhydryl‐dependent thermal aggregation of human gamma globulin

Hyaluronic acid (4 mg/ml) augmented elevenfold the copper-catalyzed (7 muM) thermal (63 degrees C, 2 hours) aggregation of human gamma globulin (2 mg/ml) in 0.075 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Almost no augmentation of aggregation occurred with hyaluronidase-treated hyaluronate. Hyaluronate-augmented copper-catalyzed thermal aggregation was inhibited by L-histidine, gold thiomalate, N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Together with previous reports of a decreased blood histidine concentration in rheumatoid arthritis, these studies provide a possible explanation for the affinity of this disease for joints.
Uplift of Zagros Mountains slows plate convergence

Research has indicated that mountain ranges can slow down the convergence between two tectonic plates on timescales as short as a few million years, as the growing mountains provide enough tectonic force to impact plate motions. Focusing on the convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian plates at the Zagros mountain range, which runs across Iran and Iraq, Austermann and Iaffaldano reconstructed the relative motion of the plates using published paleomagnetic data covering the past 13 million years, as well as current geodetic measurements. They show that the convergence of the two plates has decreased by about 30% over the past 5 million years. Looking at the geological record to infer past topography and using a computer model of the mantle-lithosphere system, the authors examined whether the recent uplift across the Zagros Mountains could have caused the observed slowdown. They also considered several other geological events that might have influenced the convergence rate, but the authors were able to rule those out as dominant controls. The authors conclude that the uplift across the Zagros Mountains in the past 5 million years did indeed play a key role in slowing down the convergence between the Eurasian and Arabian plates. (Tectonics, doi:10.1002/tect.20027, 2013)
Molecular biology of bladder cancer: Prognostic, and clinical implications

The role of various molecular determinants involved in the genesis, progression, and outcome of bladder cancer has been the focus of investigations for the past 2 decades. Increasingly, the analysis of the interplay between these molecular factors is taking center stage. We review herein the studies examining the effects of deregulation of the various molecules implicated in the cell cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis pathways and analyze the central role of p53 in regulating these pathways. Technological advancements enable detection and quantification of gene transcripts and protein products, helping us move toward achieving the goal of establishing diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic marker panels. Recent studies have therefore focused on multiple-marker analyses to generate informative panels that can have greater clinical value for bladder cancer management. The use of molecular marker panels can provide a more objective alternative to clinical parameters for diagnosis and treatment decisions. Clinical trials aimed at treating urothelial carcinoma based on a patient's molecular profile can be predicted to empower clinicians to personalize patient management through increased therapeutic efficacy.
Resolution of Neurotoxicity and β-Cell Toxicity in an Islet Transplant Recipient following Substitution of Tacrolimus with MMF:

Calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus have well-recognized efficacy in organ transplantation but side effects of nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and beta-cell toxicity that can be particularly detrimental in islet transplantation. Neuro- and nephrotoxicity have been demonstrated in multiple islet transplant recipients despite the relatively low serum maintenance levels typically used (3-5 ng/ml). We describe a single patient in whom symptoms and signs of neurotoxicity necessitated substitution of tacrolimus with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which resulted in complete symptom resolution over the subsequent 9 months. Concomitantly noted were an almost immediate improvement in glycemic control and an improved response to stimulation testing, suggesting remission of tacrolimus-induced beta-cell toxicity and insulin resistance. At 18 months post-"switch," 30 months posttransplant, the patient remains insulin independent with good glycemic control. The goal to remove calcineurin inhibitors from regimens of islet transplantation is a worthy one.
Confocal imaging of laminar and turbulent mixing in a microscale multi-inlet vortex nanoprecipitation reactor

Mass production of functional nanoparticles may be realized through flash nanoprecipiation in microscale reactors such as the multi-inlet vortex reactor (MIVR). A comprehensive understanding of mixing in the MIVR is required for process control and reactor design. Mixing in the MIVR is studied using a technique coupling laser induced fluorescence with confocal laser scanning microscopy. It is shown to provide meaningful qualitative and statistical data of the scalar field for analysis and comparison with numerical simulations. Data were collected for four flow rates, showing that mixing is incomplete even at the highest flow rate.
A Comparative Study on Torque Requirement During Extrusion Pretreatment of Different Feedstocks

Extrusion pretreatment of biomass can be one of the viable continuous pretreatment methods. The torque requirement of feedstock during extrusion was an important factor, and it was not reported in the literature. Screw compression ratio, screw speed, barrel temperature, and feedstock moisture content are the contributing factors to the torque. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effect of screw compression ratio, screw speed, temperature on torque requirement for different moisture content of switchgrass, prairie cord grass, corn stover, and big bluestem and to compare the torque requirement among the selected feedstocks. Biomass was extruded in a lab scale single-screw extruder with different screw compression ratios (2:1 and 3:1), screw speeds (50, 100, and 150 rpm), and barrel temperatures (50°C, 100°C, and 150°C) over a range of moisture contents (15%, 25%, 35%, and 45% wb). Statistical analyses revealed that all the independent variables considered in this study had a significant effect on torque requirement for the selected feedstocks. Among the independent variables considered moisture content, screw speed, and temperature had a negative effect on torque requirement for all the feedstocks. Switchgrass required the highest torque followed by corn stover, big bluestem, and prairie cord grass.
A brief introduction to analytical methods in nuclear forensics

Nuclear forensic (NF) techniques are critical in responding to both environmental releases of nuclear materials and illicit trafficking activities involving both nuclear and counterfeit materials. Despite rising need, however, significant barriers exist to the future success of such research. This subset of analytical chemistry contains unique concerns (e.g. chronometry and impurity signatures), a wide variety of preparatory/instrumental approaches, and is in need of innovative solutions to current problems both in and out of the lab. The present work introduces existing NF research, development challenges and notes potential areas for advancement by highlighting several key analytical approaches. Examples of concerns and techniques discussed in this review include: chronometry, reference materials, separations, counting spectrometry, mass spectrometry and more.
Observations on the Trail Deposition and Recruitment Behaviors of the Argentine Ant, Iridomyrmex humilis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Recruitment of nestmates to food by Argentine ant workers, Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), was observed in the laboratory. After sampling a newly introduced food source, workers returning to their nest rapidly antennated nestmates about the head and antennae and sometimes appeared to offer briefly liquid food when they encountered other workers on the trail or in the nest. Immediately after such contact with a recruiting ant, quiescent ants in the nest were observed to become active and exit the nest. Such recruited ants followed experimental trails significantly longer without leaving the trail than did unrecruited ants. Ants following trails toward or away from their nest deposited trail marks, but fewer were deposited when contact with the trail was lost. Marks were more likely to be deposited when the trail was rediscovered. An artificially induced gap in the trail was therefore repaired from the edges inward.
Constrained Wave Equations and Wave Maps

In this paper we establish that wave maps can be obtained by a penalization method if the initial data is well prepared. When the data is not well prepared, we prove that the solution of the penalized equation converges weakly to the solution of the system of coupled equations obtained in [11] by a multi-scale formal analysis. In particular, the interaction between the rapid normal oscillations and the tangential motions creates a new term in the limit system whose well-posedness is proved by using the Nash-Moser Implicit Function Theorem.
A randomized controlled trial of a multilevel intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among Latino immigrants in a primary care facility.

BACKGROUND Latino immigrants face a higher burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) and screening rates are low.
Tetrahedral composite finite elements

We develop and analyse a composite ‘CT3D’ tetrahedral element consisting of an ensemble of 12 four-node linear tetrahedral elements, coupled to a linear assumed deformation defined over the entire domain of the composite element. The element is designed to have well-defined lumped masses and contact tractions in dynamic contact problems while at the same time, minimizing the number of volume constraints per element. The relation between displacements and deformations is enforced weakly by recourse to the Hu–Washizu principle. The element arrays are formulated in accordance with the ‘assumed-strain’ prescription. The formulation of the element accounts for fully non-linear kinematics. Integrals over the domain of the element are computed by a five-point quadrature rule. The element passes the patch test in arbitrarily distorted configurations. Our numerical tests demonstrate that CT element has been found to possess a convergence rate comparable to those of linear simplicial elements, and that these convergence rates are maintained as the near-incompressible limit is approached. We have also verified that the element satisfies the Babuska–Brezzi condition for a regular mesh configuration. These tests suggest that the CT3D element can indeed be used reliably in calculations involving near-incompressible behaviour which arises, e.g., in the presence of unconfined plastic flow.
FURTHER STUDIES ON SV40-INDUCED TRANSFORMATION IN HUMAN RENAL CELL CULTURES. I. EVENTUAL FAILURE OF SUBCULTIVATION DESPITE A CONTINUING HIGH RATE OF CELL DIVISION.

SummaryWith a single exception human renal cells transformed by simian virus 40 exhibited eventual failure to undergo serial subcultivation. An increasing rate of aberrant nuclear division was observed concomitantly and may therefore be the immediate factor responsible for the declining growth rate.
Copulation in the lycosid spider (Lycosa rabida walckenaer): A quantitative study

Abstract An event recorder was used to obtain information on the temporal patterning of palpal insertions and palpal moistening in wolf spider matings. The series of insertions of each palp was characterized by a linear increase in insertion duration. The rate of change of insertion duration was fairly constant for the species. Asymmetry in the mechanism underlying palpal insertion was indicated by differences between the palps of some males in mean insertion duration and repetition rate. Termination of mating was initiated by the male's decreasing activity. Defensive behaviours described for the first time in spiders included spine erection in both sexes during mounting and ‘cheliceral pinching’ by the male when dismounting.
PREPUBERTAL HYPERGLYCEMIA CAUSES NERVE DAMAGE. † 538

It has been reported that prepubertal duration of diabetes has a minimal influence on the later risk of diabetic complications. Rats made hyperglycemic at 6 weeks of age (before puberty) manifest reduced nerve conduction velocity(NCV) by 10 weeks of age and show morphologic differences in the sciatic tibial nerve after 5 months of hyperglycemia when compared to age matched controls. Fiber diameter, myelin width, and the number of large myelinated fibers (> 6.5 um) were decreased. The number of small (< 6.5 um) developing myelinated fibers were increased. Rats made hyperglycemic at 26 weeks of age (post pubertal) had elevated glycosylated hemoglobin and sciatic nerve sorbitol but maintained normal NCVs and had little change in morphology after 7 months of hyperglycemia. Thus, animals with maturing peripheral nerve structure and function (characteristic of the prepubertal period) exposed to chronic hyperglycemia manifest greater pathologic alterations than occur when more mature nerves are exposed to similarly elevated glucose concentrations for an even greater duration. This suggests that growing maturing tissues of prepubertal children may be more sensitive to the toxic effects of hyperglycemia than mature adult tissues. In summary, the tissues of prepubertal animals are not immune to the toxic effects of hyperglycemia. Blood glucose control is likely to be important for the normal maturation of tissues in prepubertal children with diabetes mellitus.
Calculation of the K-absorption edge and its chemical shift of common metals

Abstract Self-consistent field calculations are systematically carried out for common metals Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn atoms and ions in order to understand the K -absorption edge and its chemical shift. It is found that: (1) a transition state introduced by Slater is very useful to predict the absorption edge energy; (2) there is a linear correlation between the absorption edge chemical shift and the cation charge of a crystal; and (3) the present model is applicable to ionic bonded crystals but is not very good for covalent ones.
Total Absorptance of Ammonia in the Infrared

The total or integrated absorptance ∫A(ν)dν has been measured at 26°C for the ammonia bands near 950, 1628, and 3300 cm−1 in samples of pure ammonia and of ammonia mixed with nitrogen. The results are displayed graphically with ∫A(ν)dν shown as a function of absorber concentration w and an equivalent pressure Pe, which depends upon the partial pressures of the two gases. The equivalent pressure of a given sample is expressed in terms of the total pressure of the sample, the partial pressure of ammonia, and a self-broadening coefficient B, which is related by simple kinetic theory to the ratio of the optical collision diameters of ammonia and nitrogen. The graphs can be used to predict the total absorptance of ammonia in any sample at laboratory temperature for which the values of w and Pe are known, provided these values lie within the range covered in the present study. Values have been obtained for the band strengths S=∫k(ν)dν for the absorption bands studied. The self-broadening coefficient B for ammonia is greater than the corresponding values for telluric gases obtained in earlier studies.
Sharp visibility lineshapes from the multimode interaction of a two-mode waveguide coupled to a single mode resonator

Existence of sharp lineshapes is demonstrated with 74/nm visibility slope for a two-mode waveguide coupled to a single mode ring, compared to 18/nm transmission slope for single mode waveguide coupling.
Building a better prediction model.

u o t b m v In this issue of the Journal, Hamilton et al 1 address an important question: how can the results of observational data e presented in such a way that they are useful to clinicians at he bedside? The outcome on which the authors have chosen to ocus, thirdand fourth-degree lacerations, is certainly worthy f their attention because it has been associated with both hortand long-term morbidity. To accomplish their objecive, the investigators have turned to classification and regresion tree (CART) analysis, a methodology that has not been idely used in obstetrics but that has many characteristics that ake it a potentially useful prediction tool. Often in observational studies, the independent association between factors and outcomes is estimated through techniques such as multivariable regression that yield a list of odds ratios. Although these techniques may identify several associations, these associations may not be particularly able to accurately predict outcomes; even if they are, it is not possible for a clinician at the bedside to easily combine multiple variables with different odds ratios into a patient-specific probability of outcome. In contrast, in CART analysis, there is progressive partitioning of the population into subgroups as determined by the most predictive independent variables. The variables that are chosen, the discriminatory values of the variables, and the order in which the splitting occurs (ie, in what order the variables are used to split the population) are all produced by the analysis to maximize predictive accuracy. To use a tree, the clinician simply follows the paths of the tree that describe the characteristics of the patient being evaluated and arrives at the probability of the outcome of interest for that particular patient. Thus, patients are placed into the discrete groups that yield optimal overall prediction and that can be more easily utilized by clinicians. Additionally, the tree has an intuitive feel for clinicians, who are used to making decisions based on serially arising information. Indeed, their work suggests how a CART approach can be elucidating for clinicians in the context of thirdand fourthdegree lacerations. First, their approach illustrates how a single factor, in this case episiotomy, can be identified as being the single most useful characteristic in distinguishing highand
Rapid stimulus-bound suppression of intake in response to an intraduodenal nonnutritive sweetener after training with nutritive sugars predicting malaise

In a previous report (Schier et al., Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 301: R1557–R1568, 2011), we demonstrated with a new behavioral procedure that rats exhibit stimulus-bound suppression of intake in response to an intraduodenal (ID) bitter tastant predicting subsequent malaise. With the use of the same modified taste aversion procedure, the present experiments evaluated whether the sweet taste properties of ID stimuli are likewise detected and encoded. Thirsty rats licked at sipper spouts for hypotonic NaCl for 30 min and received brief (first 6 min) yoked ID infusions of either the same NaCl or an isomolar lithium chloride (LiCl) solution in each session. An intestinal taste cue was mixed directly into the LiCl infusate for aversion training. Results showed that rats failed to detect intestinal sweet taste alone (20 mM Sucralose) but clearly suppressed licking in response to a nutritive sweet taste stimulus (234 mM sucrose) in the intestine that had been repeatedly paired with LiCl. Rats trained with ID sucrose in LiCl subsequently generalized responding to ID Sucralose alone at test. Replicating this, rats trained with ID Sucralose in compound with 80 mM Polycose rapidly suppressed licking to the 20 mM Sucralose alone in a later test. Furthermore, ID sweet taste signaling did not support the rapid negative feedback of sucrose or Polycose on intake when their digestion and transport were blocked. Together, these results suggest that other signaling pathways and/or transporters engaged by caloric carbohydrate stimuli potentiate detection of sweet taste signals in the intestine.
Recent Innovations in Undergraduate Civil Engineering Curriculums

Recent innovations in undergraduate civil engineering (CE) education are compiled from the following sources: the results of a survey of CE department heads and the eight National Science Foundatio...
eBay’s proxy bidding: A license to shill

We introduce a bidding strategy which allows the seller to extract the full surplus of the high bidder in eBay auctions. We call this a “Discover-and-Stop” bidding strategy and estimate that 1.39 percent of all bids in eBay auctions are placed by sellers (or accomplices) who execute this strategy. We argue that this kind of shill bidding is unnecessarily effective due to eBay’s proxy system and the predictability of other bidders’ bids. We also model eBay auctions with shill bidding and find that, in equilibrium, eBay’s profits are higher with shilling than without it. Finally, to determine whether bidders have an incentive to bid on their own items, we mimic the bidding behavior of shill bidders in actual eBay auctions and find some evidence of the strategy’s success.
Contamination in Expressed Breast Milk Following Breast Cleansing

The purpose of this study was to determine if preexpression breast cleansing reduced the bacterial count in expressed breast milk. The study involved the collection of 178 breast milk samples (89 matched samples); 38 matched samples were from mothers of term infants and 51 matched samples were from mothers of preterm infants. One half of the samples were collected following breast cleansing with Phisoderm and tap water. The other half were collected following breast cleansing with tap water only. Hand and equipment washing with Phisoderm and tap water preceded all sample collections. Storage containers were sterile. Samples were cultured for pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria and examined at 24 and 48 hours. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs sign test and Chi square. Breast cleansing with Phisoderm and water was not more effective than water alone at reducing nonpathogenic bacteria or eliminating pathogenic bacteria. Mothers of preterm infants had higher levels of both nonpathogenic and pathogenic bacteria than mothers of full-term infants. The most common form of bacterial contamination was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis. This particular bacteria is found in higher levels in the stools of breast fed infants than formula fed infants and it also the most common contaminant found in the blood of preterm infants who develop sepsis. The findings of this study reveal that chemical interventions may not be effective at rendering breast milk free from pathogenic bacteria. More research is needed to determine the optimal cleansing protocol to achieve bacterial decontamination of breast milk or to determine the clinically acceptable level of contamination based on the effects on infants.