cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Standardized Surgical Video Curriculum for Teaching Residents Principles of Abdominal Hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether an institutionally created video-based educational module will improve obstetrics and gynecology residents' understanding of surgical anatomy and principles for performing abdominal hysterectomy. Secondary aims included evaluating the trainees' confidence levels and perceptions before and after the educational experience and ultimately implementing the module into the program curriculum, if successful. METHODS In this prospective study, postgraduate obstetrics and gynecology resident physicians (n = 27) at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University were assigned to watch an institutionally created video-based educational module on abdominal hysterectomy before the start of their gynecologic oncology rotation. A knowledge assessment and a postmodule survey were given to participants immediately following the module and repeated at the end of the 4-week rotation. RESULTS Participants reported a median rating of 4 (n = 21, interquartile range 4-4) on a 5-point Likert scale when asked to rate the quality of the module. The module also was rated as equally effective both immediately after watching the module and after completing their gynecologic oncology rotation (median 4, interquartile range 3-4 at both times; p = 0.299, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Overall trends revealed that the video module had a greater impact on knowledge of surgical anatomy than on self-reported surgical skills and that postgraduate year 2 and postgraduate year 3 residents benefited more from the intervention. CONCLUSIONS A video module can be a high-quality and effective educational tool for teaching the surgical principles, anatomy, and steps to perform abdominal hysterectomy to obstetrics and gynecology residents.
Urban Planning to Prevent Pandemics: Urban Design Implications of BiocyberSecurity (BCS)

Recent pandemic complications have spurred significant conversation concerning how various organizations rethink their infrastructure and how people interact with it. More specifically, some city governments are considering how they can improve or re-purpose infrastructural design as they manage pandemics and potentially those to follow. In facilitating this effort, it is essential to look at effectively established principles and perspectives of modern designers to forge new functional and practical infrastructure that can accommodate behavioral changes within a pandemic. As smart cities increase in number, this is of particular concern due to their utilization of computing components in routine citizen and infrastructural interactions. This prevalent interface of citizens interacting with cyber-physical and remote cyber systems requires consideration of the intersection of biosecurity, particularly during a pandemic. Consequently, in this work, a proposed baseline by which city planners can draw inspiration for their efforts to boost resilience to pandemics is designed using First Principles, along with a collection of modern opinions. This exploratory work in progress aims to spur such questions in literature and provoke meaningful dialogue towards this endeavor.
Environmental niche and demographic modeling of American chestnut near its southwestern range limit

ABSTRACT The inadvertent introduction and rapid spread of chestnut blight (caused by Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr) in the early 20th century resulted in the demise of American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.; Fagaceae) as a major component of forest canopies and had negative impacts on eastern forest communities. Research efforts over the last century have documented the persistence of occasional trees and root crown/stump sprouts throughout much of the species’ historic range providing the basis for ongoing breeding of blight-resistant stock and restoration efforts. Unfortunately, it remains unclear how much of the historic range remains climatically suitable for remnant trees that may harbor unique genetic variation for successful reintroduction efforts. Here we investigate whether the southwestern portion of the historical range remains environmentally suitable for undiscovered remnant populations of C. dentata using environmental niche modeling. We also use stage-structured matrix projection models to investigate the potential demographic future of C. dentata in W Tennessee, N Mississippi, SW Kentucky, and NW Alabama based upon observations of American chestnut in these areas over the last several decades. We found that suitable habitat associated with higher elevations and areas of high forest canopy cover occurs throughout much of the southwestern portion of the historical range and that populations of American chestnut in these areas are predicted to drastically decline over the next ∼100-200 years without conservation interventions to mitigate the negative consequences of chestnut blight.
Geometrical meaning of the curl operation when A dot curl A does not equal 0

We examine the geometrical interpretation of the vector operation curl for vector fields A such that A dot curl A does not equal 0. It is not possible to construct even locally a surface normal to field lines of A at all points; an explicit geometrical demonstration of this fact is given. Such fields do not admit the construction of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates in which one set of coordinate curves lies along field lines of A.
In vivo measurement reproducibility of femoral neck microarchitectural parameters derived from 3T MR images.

Purpose To evaluate the within-day and between-day measurement reproducibility of in vivo 3D MRI assessment of trabecular bone microarchitecture of the proximal femur. Materials and Methods This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)-compliant, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study was conducted on 11 healthy subjects (mean age = 57.4 ± 14.1 years) with written informed consent. All subjects underwent a 3T MRI hip scan in vivo (0.234 × 0.234 × 1.5 mm) at three timepoints: baseline, second scan same day (intrascan), and third scan 1 week later (interscan). We applied digital topological analysis and volumetric topological analysis to compute the following microarchitectural parameters within the femoral neck: total bone volume, bone volume fraction, markers of trabecular number (skeleton density), connectivity (junctions), plate-like structure (surfaces), plate width, and trabecular thickness. Reproducibility was assessed using root-mean-square coefficient of variation (RMS-CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The within-day RMS-CVs ranged from 2.3% to 7.8%, and the between-day RMS-CVs ranged from 4.0% to 7.3% across all parameters. The within-day ICCs ranged from 0.931 to 0.989, and the between-day ICCs ranged from 0.934 to 0.971 across all parameters. Conclusion These results demonstrate high reproducibility for trabecular bone microarchitecture measures derived from 3T MR images of the proximal femur. The measurement reproducibility is within a range suitable for clinical cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in osteoporosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1339–1345.
Off-line handwritten word recognition (HWR) using a single contextual hidden Markov model

A complete scheme for totally unconstrained handwritten word recognition based on a single contextual hidden Markov model (HMM) is proposed. The scheme includes a morphology- and heuristics-based segmentation algorithm and a modified Viterbi algorithm that searches the (l+1)st globally best path based on the previous l best paths. The results of detailed experiments for which the overall recognition rate is up to 89.4% are reported. >
The Nrf2 activator, tBHQ, exacerbates immediate hypersensitivity response to food allergen (HYP7P.315)

Nuclear erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor activated by cell stress, including oxidative and electrophilic stimuli, resulting in the upregulation of cytoprotective genes. Nrf2 can be activated experimentally by a number of different pharmacological agents, including tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), which is also used commercially as a food additive. We recently showed that activation of Nrf2 by tBHQ promotes Th2 differentiation and inhibits Th1 differentiation in isolated CD4+ T cells. Given that tBHQ is a food additive and promotes Th2 differentiation, the purpose of the present studies was to determine the effect of tBHQ in a mouse model of food allergy. Mice were administered a diet either with or without tBHQ (0.001%) for two weeks prior to sensitization with ovalbumin. Notably, this dose of tBHQ is lower than that normally present in standard rodent chow (0.0016%). The mice were sensitized weekly transdermally for 4 weeks. Sensitization to ovalbumin caused an increase in ovalbumin-specific IgE in plasma, which was greater in animals exposed to tBHQ. After sensitization, the mice were orally challenged with ovalbumin, causing mild/moderate immediate hypersensitivity, which was exacerbated by tBHQ. Overall, these studies suggest that low doses of the food additive, tBHQ, increase IgE response to food allergen and exacerbate clinical signs of immediate hypersensitivity. (This work was funded by NIH grant: ES018885.)
Silicon heterocyclic compounds : III. A 3-silaoxetane

Abstract Synthesis of 3,3-dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetraphenyl-3-silaoxetane, a new heterocyclic system, was accomplished in good yield. Its fluorescence spectrum may be evidence for transannular electronic interaction between oxygen and silicon.
Isolation and characterization of agglutinin receptor sites. II. Isolation and partial purification of a surface membrane receptor for wheat germ agglutinin.

Four different chemical extraction procedures for the isolation of wheat germ agglutinin receptor sites from L1210 cells are described. Fractionation of the biologically active material on Sephadex G-200 columns in pyridine results in two major peaks, the lower molecular weight fraction having a higher inhibitory activity. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide sodium dodecyl sulfate gels yields four bands. The most active fraction from Sephadex G-200 has an approximate molecular weight between 40000–60000. A preliminary analysis of the active material indicates the presence of sialic acid, neutral sugars and amino sugars, including N-acetylglucosamine.
Modeling of parallel software for efficient computation communication overlap

A new medium grain model is proposed to model accurately the movement of data between various computational tasks of a user program to run on a parallel machine. Three different attributes are used to represent the communication activities that might exist among various tasks. a. Time taken to produce an outgoing data package for a dependent task. b. Dependent task execution duration without the arrival of the incoming data package. c. The communication time to send data package from one task to its dependent task. These parameters help in identifying possible computational overlap between interactive tasks, which leads to additional speedup besides the usual speedup that could be achieved from parallel execution of independent tasks, communication activities that might exist among various tasks. These parameters help in identifying possible computational overlap between interactive tasks, which leads to additional speedup besides the usual speedup that could be achieved from parallel execution of independent tasks.
A Critique of Estimating Future Costs Using Most Likely Value

ASTM E2137 (Standard Guide for Estimating Monetary Costs and Liability for Environmental Matters, or E2137) is the guidance for developing estimates of future environmental costs. E2137 provides a hierarchy of cost estimation approaches, and expresses an explicit preference for the use of probabilistic cost analysis to develop expected values for environmental costs. Dr. Ram and his colleagues have published an article (Remediation Journal, Autumn 2013) which rejects the use of EV analysis, arguing that while “good in principle” it has little practical value because it is nearly impossible to develop supportable probabilities. The E2137 principles and processes have been used for more than a decade in the context of addressing future environmental costs, yet their view of E2137 renders the standard meaningless. We conclude that the deficiency is not in the ASTM standard, and that when properly constructed, probabilistic analyses can be used to develop expected values with supportable probabilities. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of retinal growth cone activity by specific metalloproteinase inhibitors in vitro

The developing neural retina expresses a set of extracellular proteases including plasminogen activator and gelatinases. Since neurites of retina cells cultured on fluorescent gelatin digest the substrate in their paths, we have suggested that the proteases are used by the tips of growing fibers to allow them to migrate within the mass of the tissue in vivo. In order to obtain further information about relationships between extracellular proteases and fiber growth, we have examined the effects of the specific inhibitors HS-LFA (HS-Leu-Phenylala-Ala, enantiomeric forms 1 and 2), bathophenanthroline sulfonate (BPS), phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), and relevant controls on the activity of retinal growth cones in vitro, monitored by time lapse video microscopy. Of the inhibitors tested, only the two enantiomeric forms of HS-LFA caused a reproducible cessation of both spike extension and filopodial processes at the growth cone ruffling, while control media had no effect. In some cases, the growth cone swelled and exhibited small protrusions. The behavior of growth cones was in sharp distinction to that of the cytoplasm of neural cells, and membrane ruffling of flat cells, which continued in activity throughout. Growth cone activity returned after several hours in the presence of the agent. BPS was toxic at concentrations above 2.5 mM. Below that, it had no effect. L-cysteine, PMSF, and control media had no effect. The relevance of these results to the possible role of proteases in fiber outgrowth from retinal cells is discussed.
Solar-powered ad-hoc wireless sensor network for border surveillance

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have emerged as means of providing automated monitoring, target tracking, and intrusion detection. Solar-powered WSNs that adopt innovative sensors with low power consumption and forefront networking technologies can provide rapidly deployable situational awareness and effective security control at the border at low cost. In our paper, we introduce the prototype of our new solar-powered WSN platform for Border Security. We consider practical issues in WSNs, including sensing environment classification, survivability under harsh weather conditions, and efficient solar energy harvesting. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of our new solar-powered WSN.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Boundary conditions of the second-order differential equation and the Riccati equation

The conversion of a second-order linear ordinary differential equation with variable coefficients into a Riccati equation depends on whether the second-order problem is an initial-value or two-point boundary-value problem. The distinction is critical in determining the initial condition for the Riccati equation. If the second-order problem is an initial-value problem, the choice of the Riccati transformation depends on whether a zero initial condition for the function or its derivative is specified. If the problem is a two-point boundary-value problem, special methods must be introduced as described in the paper.
Similarity Analysis for Nonequilibrium Turbulent Boundary Layers

was a constant and the velocity deficit profile normalized with the friction velocity, u * , was independent of the streamwise direction. Thus, the profiles should collapse into a single curve. However, most flows did not satisfy these conditions, especially flows near separation or separated, where the friction velocity, u * ,w as approaching zero. Clauser @1# further concluded that these equilibrium flows were a special type of flows which were difficult to generate and maintain in equilibrium, and therefore most flows were recognized as nonequilibrium flows. Bradshaw @3# showed that a necessary condition for a turbulent boundary layer to maintain equilibrium was that the contribution of the pressure gradient to the growth of the momentum deficit should be a constant multiple of the contribution from the surface shear stress, which was shown to be the same as Clauser’s pressure parameter, b. Townsend @4# developed a self-preserving theory which was more rigorous than the analysis by Clauser @1#. Unfortunately, Townsend @4# overconstrained the problem by assuming the existence of a single velocity scale. Rotta @5# studied the adverse pressure gradient ~APG! flow and showed that the length scale and the velocity scale were given as, d * U‘ /u * and u * , respectively. Obviously, these scalings also failed for flows with strong APG or near separation. Later on, a criterion given as U‘5a(x 2x 0) m with m,0 was used very often to predict the equilibrium adverse pressure gradient boundary layer by Townsend @6#, East ] ]
Long-term outcomes of intraoperative 5-fluorouracil versus intraoperative mitomycin C in primary trabeculectomy surgery.

Objective To compare the long-term efficacy of intraoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C (MMC) in primary trabeculectomy. Design Comparative case series and extension of a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Participants One hundred fifteen eyes of 103 subjects undergoing primary trabeculectomy with either intraoperative 5-FU or MMC. Methods This study is an extension of a 12-month, prospective, double-masked, randomized trial that previously was reported. Subjects were randomized to receive either intraoperative 5-FU (50 mg/ml for 5 minutes) or MMC (0.2 mg/ml for 2 minutes) during primary trabeculectomy. Follow-up data were collected from patient medical records after informed consent was obtained from the study patient. Attempts were made to contact subjects who had been lost to follow-up, and some consented to reexamination. Main Outcome Measures The primary measure was Kaplan-Meier survival function, with failure defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) of more than 21 mmHg or less than 6 mmHg on 2 consecutive visits, less than 20% reduction from baseline IOP, loss of light perception vision, or additional glaucoma surgery to lower IOP (except bleb revision). Secondary measures included IOP, number of glaucoma medications, visual acuity, additional surgeries, and number and type of complications. Results Mean follow up was 53.4±31.4 months (interquartile range, 34–82 months) in the 5-FU group and 45.3±28.0 months (interquartile range, 19–70 months) in the MMC group ( P = 0.15, t test). Kaplan-Meier success was 0.83 at 3 years and 0.76 at 5 years in the 5-FU group and 0.79 at 3 years and 0.66 at 5 years in the MMC group ( P = 0.18, log-rank test). Bleb leakage was the most common complication in each group and developed in approximately 4% of subjects in each group per year ( P = 0.33, log-rank test). Conclusions There were no significant differences between topical 5-FU and topical MMC in reducing IOP of eyes undergoing primary trabeculectomy. Both antifibrosis agents may contribute to the development of bleb leakage. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Computer modeling 16 S ribosomal RNA

Abstract A three-dimensional structure for 16 S RNA has been produced with a computer protocol that is not dependent on human intervention. This protocol improves upon traditional modeling techniques by using distance geometry to fold the molecule in an objective and reproducible fashion. The method is based on the secondary structure of RNA and treats the molecule as a set of double-stranded helices that are linked by flexible single-strands of variable length. Data derived from chemical cross-linking studies of 16 S RNA and tertiary phylogenetic relationships provide the constraints used to fold the molecule into a compact three-dimensional form. Possibly subjective evaluation of the input data are transformed into verifiable quantitative parameters. Relationships based on general locations within the 30 S subunit or on protein-RNA interactions have been specifically excluded. The resolution of the model exceeds that of electron micrographs and approaches that obtained in preliminary X-ray crystal structures. The model size of 245 × 190 × 140 A is compatible with that of the 30 S subunit as determined by electron microscopy. The volume of the model is 1·87 × 10 6 A which is similar to that of the small subunit in a preliminary X-ray crystal structure. The radius of gyration of the model structure of 76 A is intermediate to that seen for partially denatured and fully folded 16 S RNA. Computer graphics are used to display the results in a manner that maximizes the opportunities for human visual interpretation of the models. A format for displaying the structures has been developed that will make it possible for researchers who have not devoted themselves to ribosomal modeling to comprehend and make use of the information that the models embody. On this basis the computer-generated models are compared with models developed by other researchers and with structural data not included in the folding parameter data set.
Fluorescence confocal microscopy with spectrally tuned, cryogenically cooled diode lasers

In confocal microscopy, the laser excitation must be near the fluorochrome absorption peak to efficiently excite the fluorochrome. However, most fluorochromes emitting in the red to infrared have absorption and emission spectra with overlapping wavelength ranges, i.e. small Stokes shifts. As a result, the laser excitation extends into the fluorescence wavelengths hindering separation of the reflected laser signal from the information-containing fluorescence signal. Therefore, compromises are necessary: (1) the entire reflected laser spectrum is filtered, eliminating some of the fluorescence signal; or (2) the entire fluorescence signal is recorded, including unwanted reflected laser light, increasing the background noise. These compromises must be addressed, even with fluorochromes - like Cy5 - having a relatively large Stokes shift. Cryogenically cooled diode lasers eliminate the need for these compromises by tuning the output wavelength away from the fluorochrome emission. By separating the excitation and emission spectra, the confocal fluorescence signal-to-noise ratio can be increased by filtering more of the reflected laser emission, without losing valuable fluorescence information. However, this results in slightly less efficient excitation of the fluorochrome. We will present spectrophotometric analyses of fluorochrome absorption, fluorescence, and diode laser emission as a function of diode operating temperature. We will show that as the diode lasers are cooled their output power increases and more than compensates for the lower fluorochrome excitation, resulting in significantly more intense fluorescence. Thus, by tuning the diode laser, more fluorescence information and less reflected laser light reach the detector, creating images with greater intensity and less background noise.
Aging alters in a region-specific manner serotonin transporter sites and 5-HT1A receptor-G protein interactions in hamster brain

Key proteins regulating serotonergic activity, specifically the serotonin transporter and 5-HT1A receptor, were examined in the midbrain raphe nuclei of young (3–4 months) and old (17–19 months) hamsters (N=7–10/group). An age-related decrease in the maximal density of serotonin transporter sites labelled with [3H]paroxetine (fmol/mg protein, Old: 396±13; Young: 487±27) was observed in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) but not the median raphe nucleus (MRN), without affecting the affinity of [3H]paroxetine. In the DRN and MRN, the stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, or the number of 5-HT1A receptor sites labeled with [3H]MPPF, was not different in old versus young animals. Thus in the DRN, aging decreased serotonin transporter sites without changing 5-HT1A receptor activation of G proteins or 5-HT1A receptor density. In the CA1 region of hippocampus, 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was increased in the older animals (% above basal, Old: 141±21; Young: 81±17) without changing specific [3H]MPPF binding sites, suggesting that the capacity of 5-HT1A receptors to activate G proteins is enhanced. Aging also appears to enhance this capacity in the dentate gyrus, because this region exhibited a constant level of 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in spite of an age-related decrease in the number of [3H]MPPF binding sites (fmol/mg protein, Old: 203±21; Young: 429±51).
Human leukocyte antigen epitope analysis to assess complement- and non-complement-binding donor-specific antibody repertoire in a pediatric heart transplant recipient.

Abstract This case report summarizes the spectrum of anti–human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody reactivity determined by single-allele Luminex immunoglobulin G and C1q binding assays before transplant, during an episode of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), and following treatment in a sensitized pediatric heart transplant (Tx) recipient. We were able to discriminate between complement- and non-complement-binding epitope-specific antibodies present against a single donor antigen (HLA-A2) during the progression of AMR and its resolution. Our findings illustrate the usefulness of determining antibody specificities against epitopes using various Luminex-based assays.
Border crossings: interdisciplinarity in new working-class studies

The study of working-class culture crosses disciplinary borders, reveals important insights, and builds productive intellectual networks in ways that contribute not only to scholarly conversations but also to public understanding of working-class people and communities. Yet despite several decades of academic discourse about the value of interdisciplinarity, working across disciplinary borders remains challenging. This article describes a text-centered approach that facilitates comparative and connective analysis of varied sources, a method the authors have used both in their own research and with students, who often find interdisciplinary work especially difficult. The article illustrates how a ‘text analysis rubric’ can provide a framework for analyzing a short video and a map, highlighting connections between very different types of sources and thus facilitate critical analysis that integrates labor history, labor geography, and representations of work, economic conditions, and place.
Numerical modelling of enclosure convection

A numerical study on the steady and unsteady natural convection in two-dimensional rectangular enclosures has been performed by a time-accurate ADI finite difference scheme. The study covered a range of Rayleigh numbers between 1000 and 10 to the 7th, aspect ratios between 0.2 and 10.0, and tilt angles between -90 (heating from bottom) and +90 deg (heating from top). Various Prandtl numbers have been studied, but only the results of water (Pr = 7.0) are reported here due to space limitations. The physics revealed, however, includes the convection phenomena and the Rayleigh-Benard stability, as well as the combined mechanism of these two. The onset of secondary cells is determined by using a velocity map, which is simpler and cleaner, instead of a streamline plot. The critical Ra number for the occurrence of these secondary cells is shown to be lower than can be detected by experimental studies. On the Rayleigh-Benard stability part, a second transition from stable single-cell convection to periodic multicellular convection is disclosed.
Alkali metal ion permeability sequence and biological membrane.

Abstract The electrical resistances of layers of water saturated 1-butanol, benzene, and their mixture having different values for their dielectric constant and severally in contact with 0.1 N solution of lithium or sodium chloride were measured by a d.c. method. The quantity of electrolyte present in the different nonaqueous layeis was also analysed. In another series of conductance measurements, the limiting conductances and pK values for the alkali metal chlorides in water saturated 1-butanol were derived. On the basis of these data, the dielectiic of the biological membrane-is suggested as an important factor in determining ion movements across membranes
UV-visible transmission characteristics of sapphire fibers grown by the laser-heated pedestal growth technique

We report the influence of growth atmosphere and purity of starting material on the uv-visible transmission characteristics of sapphire fibers grown by the laser-heated pedestal growth method. Improved performance in the visible has been achieved by annealing the fibers to remove color center absorption associated with an impurity, likely a transition metal.
Public relations in Kenya: An exploration of models and cultural influences

Abstract This pioneer study explores the public relations models that inform the practice of public relations in Kenya, and the cultural values that influence this practice. Results show the personal influence model as the most used by practitioners in Kenya, while individualism is the most experienced cultural value. The strong correlation between personal influence model and Hofstede's cultural value of femininity points to the practitioners’ strong desire for good interpersonal relationships with colleagues, supervisors, clients and key publics.
Capture and X-ray diffraction studies of protein microcrystals in a microfluidic trap array

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) promise to enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from samples that are refractory to data collection at synchrotron sources. At present, however, more efficient sample-delivery methods that minimize the consumption of microcrystalline material are needed to allow the application of XFEL sources to a wide range of challenging structural targets of biological importance. Here, a microfluidic chip is presented in which microcrystals can be captured at fixed, addressable points in a trap array from a small volume (<10 µl) of a pre-existing slurry grown off-chip. The device can be mounted on a standard goniostat for conducting diffraction experiments at room temperature without the need for flash-cooling. Proof-of-principle tests with a model system (hen egg-white lysozyme) demonstrated the high efficiency of the microfluidic approach for crystal harvesting, permitting the collection of sufficient data from only 265 single-crystal still images to permit determination and refinement of the structure of the protein. This work shows that microfluidic capture devices can be readily used to facilitate data collection from protein microcrystals grown in traditional laboratory formats, enabling analysis when cryopreservation is problematic or when only small numbers of crystals are available. Such microfluidic capture devices may also be useful for data collection at synchrotron sources.
Fashioning Racial Selves: Reflexive Practices in the Society for Racial Hygiene

The paper examines the admissions practices of the German Society for Racial Hygiene (Gesellschaft fur Rassenhygiene) between 1905 and 1916. It assesses the Society’s changing statutes and the various charts (genealogical, anthropological, and clinical) used to vet prospective members. The Society’s admissions procedures were dual-use technologies, at once serving as evidence for both the larger goals of racial science research and the narrower aims of social inclusion/exclusion. But these procedures can also be interpreted as reflexive practices by which members fashioned their sense of racial self and cultivated relations to that self. Finally, the article situates these practices in the context of histories of human experimentation, the self, and biopolitics.
Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a decreased risk for developing diabetes mellitus and a decreased risk for heart disease in persons with diabetes. The long-term effects of alcohol c...
Steroid hormone formation in the human ovary. VI. Evidence for two pathways of synthesis of androgens in the stromal compartment.

ABSTRACT. The pathways of biosynthesis of androgens have been explored in vitro in the stromal tissue (interstitium) of normal human ovaries by simultaneous incubation of substrate amounts of δ5-pregnenolone-3H and progesterone- 14C. From the distribution of 3H and 14C in the 8–9 radioactive steroids examined, both the δ4-3-ketosteroid and the δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid pathways appear to be involved in the synthesis of δ4-androstene-3,17-dione, the most prominent steroid formed. Among the 5 ovarian specimens incubated, tissue from a pregnant woman and to a lesser extent, tissue from a patient in the 18th day of the menstrual cycle were the most active; tissues from a menopausal patient and from the follicular phase of the cycle were considerably less active. Estrogen formation appeared to be associated with the outer or cortical portion of the ovary in the single specimen examined this way.
A set theoretic analysis of group interactions

Prior to the statistical treatment of experimentally derived data the experimenter must obtain the data. In many studies in psychology, the content of group interactions is obtained by a data coding scheme. Coding schemes are shown to possess hierarchical structures and can be characterized by a hierarchy of fields. Three examples of coding schemes as hierarchies of fields are given. Techniques for extracting numbers from the set are presented. Problems associated with the improper assignment of elements of a data coding scheme to a theoretical structure are examined. The main result is that there will be errors in assignment of data to theory unless the structure of the data coding scheme is identical with that structure which is relevant to the theory being tested. Whenever the structures are not equal, the results are hard to interpret. In fact, any size of assignment error can be obtained. Since these errors precede the usual statistical treatment of data, it would appear that reported empirical findings are only valid when there exists no assignment errors.
POPTEX: interactive ocean model visualization using texture mapping hardware

Global circulation models are used to gain an understanding of the processes that affect the Earth's climate and may ultimately be used to assess the impact of humanity's activities on it. The POP ocean model developed at Los Alamos is an example of such a global circulation model that is being used to investigate the role of the ocean in the climate system. Data output from POP has traditionally been visualized using video technology which precludes rapid modification of visualization parameters and techniques. This paper describes a visualization system that leverages high speed graphics hardware, specifically texture mapping hardware, to accelerate data exploration to interactive rates. We describe the design of the system, the specific hardware features used, and provide examples of its use. The system is capable of viewing ocean circulation simulation results at up to 60 frames per second while loading texture memory at approximately 72 million texels per second.
SERUM EOSINOPHILIC CATIONIC PROTEIN CECP) IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA AND HAY FEVER

The importance of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases is not completly established. To evaluate the role of this cells in asthma and hay fever, the levels of their product, ECP, were compared during pollen-free and pollen season. Material and methods: 18 children with extrinsic asthma, 13 with hay fever and 15 normal children used as the controls were studied. ECP in serum was measured with an RIA and the tests were performed twice (during the winter and the summer). Results: In the analysis of variance there were significant differences in ECP levels between the groups of children during the winter (F=5.85 p<0.001) and the summer (F=4.48 p<0.02). In the winter, ECP in asthma children was significant higher than in control (t=2.45 p<0.01) and hay fever children (t=2.57 p<0.01). In the summer, ECP levels in asthma patients remained significantly higher than in control group (t=3.83 p<0.001). Also, the levels in hay fever patients increased significantly in comparison to control group (t=2.18 p<0.02). There were significant increases in ECP levels between winter and summer in hay fever group (t=3.18 p<0.01) and in control group (t=3.33 p<0.05). Regression analysis revealed significant correlat ion between ECP levels and the number of peripheral-blood eosinophils in all studied children in both seasons: winter (r=0.5 p<0.002) and summer (r=0.6 p<0.001). Conclusions: correlated changes of ECP levels, exposition and symptoms in asthma and hay fever may suggest a role of this protein and eosinophils in allergic diseases.
The slowing of treatment discovery, 1965-1995.

The discovery of effective disease treatments has slowed. This may be related to a misunderstanding of the treatment-discovery process, and an underappreciation of clinical investigations and off-label drug studies.
Data on Prices for Publications Purchased by Libraries: Progress Report

Cet article est le rapport intermediaire d'un projet consistant a rassembler les informations concernant les sources des informations sur les prix des publications achetees par les bibliotheques. Le questionnaire envoye a 139 pays a recu des reponses de 66 d'entre eux, soit 47% de retour, et l'article suggere des sources pour obtenir des donnees d'Amerique latine et d'Afrique. Deux autres sources pour les statistiques internationales de prix, l'Association des Bibliotheques de recherche et la Bibliotheque du Congres sont recommandees. Des suggestions sont aussi faites pour ameliorer le mode de compilation des statistiques courantes
Carlisle Lakes and Allan Hills 85151: Members of a new chondrite grouplet

Carlisle Lakes and Allan Hills 85151 (ALH85151) are members of a new grouplet of chondrites characterized by FeO-rich silicates (olivine Fa = 38–41 mol%), unusual oxygen isotopic composition, and abundant (∼35 vol%) recrystallized matrix material. Yamato 75302 is not as well-characterized, but is probably also a member of this grouplet. Siderophile elements in Carlisle Lakes and ALH85151 are fractionated relative to CI chondrites: refractory and common siderophiles are at ∼ 1 × CI, Ga and As are lower (0.6-0.9 × CI), and Au is very low (0.17 × CI and 0.36 × CI in Carlisle Lakes and ALH85151, respectively). The low Au abundance may indicate that Au resided mainly in fine-grained metal particles that were suspended in the nebular gas during the time these chondrites agglomerated. The oxidation state of chondrites may be controlled by the presence of oxidizing agents (e.g., magnetite) in agglomerated matrix material. The high matrix abundance that characterizes this new grouplet may thus be responsible for the high oxidation state of these meteorites.
An Examination of Perceived Organizational Support as a Multidimensional Construct in the Context of an Expatriate Assignment

We examined a multidimensional measure of perceived organizational support (adjustment POS, career POS, and financial POS) within an integtrative stress model of expatriate success. Expatriate success was defined in terms of multiple criteria and the predictors included role stressors, situational stressors, supervisor support, and POS. Hypotheses were tested with 230 expatriate–supervisor dyads and S.E.M. analyses. Support was found for a partially mediated model. The results showed that the POS dimensions differentially predicted expatriate success criteria.
Trait and Behavioral Differences among Community College Students Based on Gender: Results of a National Study

Female students in community colleges have been classified into two distinct categories: those who enroll to take advantage of cost savings and streamlined requirements, and those who seek a safe-harbor as they enter higher education for a variety of reasons. Community colleges enroll substantial numbers of female students and must make a determined effort to understand their unique characteristics, behaviors, and traits in order to serve them effectively. The current study, drawing on a national sample, provides some initial baseline comparisons between male and female students and offers specific suggestions for practice.
The Fifth Column: The Lieutenant Colonel and Logistics and the Captain and the Claim

The author expresses a growing concern that with the concentration on gee-whiz software in modeling one may be implying that all to be done is: a define the model, b choose the appropriate software package, c get some data from someone, d run the model, and e present management with the result. It is important to remember that the method used to collect data and the level of trust in data is of even bigger importance.
High throughput single cell bioinformatics.

Advances in systems biology and bioinformatics have highlighted that no cell population is truly uniform and that stochastic behavior is an inherent property of many biological systems. As a result, bulk measurements can be misleading even when particular care has been taken to isolate a single cell type, and measurements averaged over multiple cell populations in a tissue can be as misleading as the average height at an elementary school. There is a growing need for experimental techniques that can provide a combination of single cell resolution, large cell populations, and the ability to track cells over multiple time points. In this article, a microwell array cytometry platform was developed to meet this need and investigate the heterogeneity and stochasticity of cell behavior on a single cell basis. The platform consisted of a microfabricated device with high-density arrays of cell-sized microwells and custom software for automated image processing and data analysis. As a model experimental system, we used primary hepatocytes labeled with fluorescent probes sensitive to mitochondrial membrane potential and free radical generation. The cells were exposed to oxidative stress and the responses were dynamically monitored for each cell. The resulting data was then analyzed using bioinformatics techniques such as hierarchical and k-means clustering to visualize the data and identify interesting features. The results showed that clustering of the dynamic data not only enhanced comparisons between the treatment groups but also revealed a number of distinct response patterns within each treatment group. Heatmaps with hierarchical clustering also provided a data-rich complement to survival curves in a dose response experiment. The microwell array cytometry platform was shown to be powerful, easy to use, and able to provide a detailed picture of the heterogeneity present in cell responses to oxidative stress. We believe that our microwell array cytometry platform will have general utility for a wide range of questions related to cell population heterogeneity, biological stochasticity, and cell behavior under stress conditions. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Matching observed alpha helix lengths to predicted secondary structure

Because of the complexity in determining the 3D structure of a protein, the use of partial information determined from experimental techniques can greatly reduce the overall computational expense. We investigate the problem of matching experimentally observed lengths of helices to the predicted secondary structure of a protein. We give a simple and fast algorithm for producing a library of potential solutions. We test our algorithm by performing a series of computational experiments for predicting the alpha helix placement of proteins with an already known order. These tests seem to demonstrate that our method, if given a good prediction of the protein's secondary structure, can generate high quality lists of potential placements of the helix lengths onto the protein sequence.
Business Cycles and State Governmental Finances: Implications for Higher Education.

The national economy has been increasingly subject to macroeconomic fluctuations in the 1970s. This paper demonstrates that these fluctuations have an important impact on state public finance. Tax revenues for these governments are directly related to the aggregate level of economic activity. However, the uncontrollability of such expenditure components as welfare, and the inflationary pressures in all program areas may increase expenditure levels in the face of declining revenue.
So what does industry want from calibration

The responsibility to maintain the highest quality measurement standards throughout industry lies with the following bodies: accreditation organisations; certification organisations; calibration equipment manufacturers; instrument manufacturers; commercial calibration laboratories; but above all on end-users, who must play an active role in defining their calibration requirements. With the widespread acceptance of IS09000, which affects end-users throughout industry, it is imperative that all organisations associated with calibration provide end-users with simple, understandable, and practical solutions to their needs, while maintaining best-practice metrology principles. All of the above organisations must be flexible and sympathetic to their needs. With the widespread adoption of the IS09000 standard, which demands that measuring equipment is carefully controlled and maintained, the need for calibration has never been more important. After all, in the words of the first person interviewed in the market research mentioned in the paper, "we'd be up the Swanee without it".
Anticorrelation of atomic ordering with superconductivity in vanadium-based transition metal A15 alloys

Measurements of the superconducting transition temperature (T/sub 0/) of V-Rh Al5 alloys reveal that long range order induced by low temperature annealing may cause T/sub 0/ to decrease rather than increase. The behavior of T/sub 0/ with ordering is discussed for the systems V-Au, V-Pt, V-Ir, V-Os and V-Rh. (auth)
Microscopic and Bulk Elastic Properties in Supramolecular Systems: Guest–Host Interactions in Dianin's Inclusion Compounds

Abstract The relationship of bulk properties of materials to the microscopic interactions of the moieties that comprise them is demonstrated by connecting the guest–host interactions of a series of crystals of Dianin's inclusion compounds to their bulk moduli of elasticity and linear compressibilities. These quantities’ values are presented for the guest-free Dianin's lattice, the clathrand, as well as Dianin's inclusion compounds with ethanol and heptanol guests. The role of collective vibrational states of the crystals is emphasized in determining the bulk elastic properties of these supramolecular materials. Microscopic guest–host interactions are examined to rationalize the trends in the observed macroscopic elastic properties. The use of elastic multipoles and mechanical susceptibilities is suggested as a way of modeling the interactions of molecules in solids so that the collective and local interactions can be included in designing the desired bulk properties of materials. The use of elastic multipoles in a fashion similar to atomic orbitals in understanding intermolecular interactions in a solid is discussed.