cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cement paste compressive strength estimation using nondestructive microwave reflectometry

Microwave reflection properties of four cement paste samples with various water-cement (w/c) ratios were measured daily for 28 days using microwave frequencies of 5, 9, and 13 GHz. The dielectric properties of these samples, and hence their reflection coefficients, were measured daily and shown to decrease as a function of increasing w/c ratio. This is as a direct result of curing (no chemical interaction or hydration). The presence of curing as indicated by this result indicates that microwaves could be used to monitor the amount of curing in a concrete member. The variation in the reflection coefficient of these samples as a function of w/c ratio followed a trend similar to the variation of compressive strength as a function of w/c ratio. Subsequently, a correlation between the measured compressive strength and reflection coefficient of these blocks was obtained. The early results indicated that lower frequencies are more sensitive to compressive strength variations. However, further investigations showed that there may be a frequency around 5 GHz which is the optimum measurement frequency. This result can be used to directly and nondestructively estimate the compressive strength of a cement paste and mortar blocks.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pharmacokinetics of ordinary and sustained-release lithium carbonate in manic patients after acute dosage

An ordinary and a sustained-release lithium carbonate preparation were administered acutely at equivalent dosage (1.80 g=24.3 mmol) in a crossover fashion to manic patients. Serum lithium levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Maximum mean serum levels of 1.13 mmol/l and 0.78 mmol/l were achieved at 6 h and 12 h respectively with the ordinary and sustained-release forms. The mean half-lives of absorption, redistribution and elimination were 0.78 h±0.05 (SE), 5.06 h±0.23, 26.8 h±4.5 and 3.73 h±0.37 (SE), 4.42 h±0.28 and 25.6 h±5.5 for the ordinary and sustained-release forms respectively. In healthy volunteers the ordinary preparation was completely absorbed but only 85% of the sustained-release form was absorbed in the manic subjects. Lithium ion distributed into two kinetic compartments and the final compartment appeared to correspond to total body water.
An Attempt to Demonstrate Erythrocyte Antigens in Brain, Liver, and Muscle Tissue in White Leghorns

Abstract The presence of blood group antigens on tissues has a profound effect on histocompatibility and graft rejection between animals. Therefore, this study was an attempt to detect blood group antigens A7, B2, B10, and E2 in White Leghorns on cells other than red blood cells (rbcs). For this type of study, the technique of first choice was the direct fluorescent antibody technique. Fluorescein isothiocyanate on Celite was conjugated to each of four specific antisera according to the method of Rinderknecht (1962). Unreacted fluorescein material was removed by passage of the mixture through a column of Sephadex G-25. Before the labelled antisera could be used on the three tissues, the antisera’s specificity had to be tested with rbcs. Each of the four types of labelled antisera were incubated in a test tube with rbcs from a bird possessing the homologous antigen (Rishell, 1965). Red blood cells from a bird not possessing…
Patient Safety in Anesthesia: Learning from the Culture of High-Reliability Organizations

There has been an increased awareness of and interest in patient safety and improved outcomes, as well as a growing body of evidence substantiating medical error as a leading cause of death and injury in the United States. According to The Joint Commission, US hospitals demonstrate improvements in health care quality and patient safety. Although this progress is encouraging, much room for improvement remains. High-reliability organizations, industries that deliver reliable performances in the face of complex working environments, can serve as models of safety for our health care system until plausible explanations for patient harm are better understood.
Characterizing productive reflection among preservice elementary teachers: Seeing what matters

Abstract Effective teachers consider interrelationships among aspects of teaching including learners, subject matter knowledge, assessment, and instruction. The 70 journal entries of 25 preservice elementary teachers are analyzed to characterize the teachers’ written reflection. One focus of the analysis is on how the preservice teachers integrate ideas about these aspects of teaching. The preservice teachers sometimes integrate ideas about learners with ideas about instruction. Further analyses illustrate the difference between integrating ideas and simply juxtaposing them. The paper illuminates how reflecting on multiple aspects of teaching may help new teachers integrate their knowledge and begin to develop a more complex view of teaching.
European Muon Collaboration effect in the hybrid quark-hadron model

Deep inelastic structure functions are derived in the hybrid quark-hadron model with three methods for including binding. With light-front dynamics, the European Muon Collaboration effect is shown to be consistent with this model, with an internal six-quark structure region of average probability of about 20% in medium-mass nuclei, as found in exclusive electron scattering on light nuclei; while instant-form dynamics is not consistent with the model.
TAO kinases mediate activation of p38 in response to DNA damage.

Thousand and one amino acid (TAO) kinases are Ste20p‐related MAP kinase kinase kinases (MAP3Ks) that activate p38 MAPK. Here we show that the TAO kinases mediate the activation of p38 in response to various genotoxic stimuli. TAO kinases are activated acutely by ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and hydroxyurea. Full‐length and truncated fragments of dominant negative TAOs inhibit the activation of p38 by DNA damage. Inhibition of TAO expression by siRNA also decreases p38 activation by these agents. Cells in which TAO kinases have been knocked down are less capable of engaging the DNA damage‐induced G2/M checkpoint and display increased sensitivity to IR. The DNA damage kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) phosphorylates TAOs in vitro ; radiation induces phosphorylation of TAO on a consensus site for phosphorylation by the ATM protein kinase in cells; and TAO and p38 activation is compromised in cells from a patient with ataxia telangiectasia that lack ATM. These findings indicate that TAO kinases are regulators of p38‐mediated responses to DNA damage and are intermediates in the activation of p38 by ATM.
Effects of peritoneal closure and suture material on adhesion formation in a rabbit model

Objective This study was designed to determine whether postoperative adhesions to the peritoneum beneath the anterior abdominal wall incision could be decreased by peritoneal closure using less reactive suture material. Study Design Six longitudinal abdominal incisions were made in each of 16 New Zealand white female rabbits. The peritoneum was randomly assigned to nonclosure or closure with chromic gut, braided nylon, braided coated polyglactin 910, polydioxanone monofilament, or poliglecaprone 25 suture. On postoperative day 14, adhesion formation was scored and evaluated microscopically. Results Peritoneal closure decreased adhesion scores, compared with nonclosure, regardless of type of suture, and no particular suture was superior. Braided coated polyglactin 910 resulted in the least chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Conclusion Peritoneal closure of peritoneum immediately below laparotomy incisions results in decreased adhesion scores, compared with nonclosure in our rabbit model. Adhesion formation could not be decreased further using less reactive suture.
A Mouse Model System for Genetic Analysis of Sociability: C57BL/6J Versus BALB/cJ Inbred Mouse Strains

Background Impairments in social behaviors are highly disabling symptoms of autism, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. Mouse model systems are useful for identifying the many genes and environmental factors likely to affect complex behaviors, such as sociability (the tendency to seek social interaction). To progress toward developing such a model system, we tested the hypothesis that C57BL/6J inbred mice show higher levels of sociability than BALB/cJ inbred mice. Methods Mice tested for sociability were 4- and 9-week-old, male and female C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice. On 2 consecutive days, the sociability of each test mouse toward an unfamiliar 4-week-old DBA/2J stimulus mouse was assessed with a social choice paradigm conducted in a three-chambered apparatus. Measures of sociability included the time that the test mouse spent near versus far from the stimulus mouse, the time spent directly sniffing the stimulus mouse, and the time spent in contact between test and stimulus mice in a free interaction. Results C57BL/6J mice showed higher levels of sociability than BALB/cJ mice overall in each of these measures. Conclusions We propose that C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice will be a useful mouse model system for future genetic and neurobiological studies of sociability.
A class of shaped deficit round-robin (sdrr) schedulers

In the egress linecards of very high-speed Internet routers, packet schedulers must possess extremely low computation complexity and be able to handle flows of variable-length packets. Existing examples of such schedulers include deficit round-robin (DRR). In addition, it may be desirable to limit the variation about the peak-rate of certain egress flows (e.g., those under expedited forwarding (EF) service) so that their packets are not deemed out-of-profile downstream or possibly dropped as a result. Based on Shaped Weighted Round-Robin (SWRR), we propose a scheduler called Shaped Deficit Round-Robin (SDRR) and prove that it strictly limits the variation about the allocated peak-rate of every output flow. As such, our proposed SDRR is suitable for the modern Internet routers of a differentiated-service/MPLS.
Confirmation of Free Solvent Model Assumptions in Predicting the Osmotic Pressure of Concentrated Globular Proteins

Abstract Previously the osmotic pressure of the concentrated globular proteins immuno-γ-globulin, bovine serum albumin, hen egg lysozyme, and ovalbumin in moderate-ionic-strength solutions was successfully modeled using a free solvent model (Yousef et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci.197, 108, 1998; 207, 273, 1998; AIChE J., 2001). This model considered the average solute–solvent and microion–solute interactions, represented the hydrated macromolecule and the cooperative interacting water and salts as a single species, and used a mole fraction concentration variable. Although the model assumed no fitted parameters, the hydration number was regressed on due to its sensitivity and compared with the 1 g H2O/g BSA estimate determined from H217O magnetic resonance studies of other globular proteins. The resulting average hydration numbers were in agreement with the reported estimates. These results suggest that solvent–solute interactions are dominant factors when analyzing nonidealities associated with the osmotic pressure data of concentrated protein solutions in moderate-ionic-strength solutions. However, the condition for the applicability of the free solvent model is that long-range interactions between hydrated macromolecules are screened to reduce solute–solute interaction. This condition requires a moderately high salt concentration. The objective of this study is to confirm this requirement for a successful model representation of the osmotic pressure of these protein solutions at high concentrations. To accomplish this, studies of concentrated solutions of ovalbumin at low ionic strength 0.01 M at pH 7.0 were carried out and modeled using the free solvent approach. The results showed that no reasonable free solvent model solution could be obtained. These results strengthen the argument that the free solvent model has a physically realizable representation for concentrated protein solutions in moderate salt concentrations.
Effect of Oxygen at Elevated Temperatures on Chemical, Structural, and Morphological Properties of Arsenic Trisulfide Glasses

Abstract Chalcogenide glasses are important in a range of optical applications because of their good infrared transmission and low phonon energy, as compared to the oxide glasses. These glasses are considered promising materials for the design of all optical high-speed elements, data processing (electronic switches, optical memories), solar cells, and waveguides. Such optical components are often used in ambient atmosphere. In this study, polished arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) samples were heated in a furnace at selected temperatures in ambient atmosphere. Subsequently, samples were characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), micro-Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) after each stage of environmental exposure oxidation to monitor any change in chemical structure and morphological patterns. Although heating produced a change in the surface roughness, no oxidation was observed.
Oral conditions in children from three highland villages in Guatemala.

Abstract A dental survey has been carried out in three comparable Indian villages in the highlands of Guatemala to ascertain the oral status of children from 4 to 13.9 years of age, with the following results. In general, the dental caries experience in the villages was comparable in each group at the same age and was greater than previously reported. The number of individuals who had less than 2 DMF and def surfaces appeared to be approximately equal for all villages and constituted 30–40 per cent of the children. The remaining 60 per cent had very high decay rates. Children in Santa Maria seemed to retain their deciduous teeth longer than children in other villages. The prevalence of hypoplasia was found to be very high, especially in the age groups 4–6 where it was generally associated with a linear hypoplasia of deciduous maxillary incisors. The prevalence of linear hypoplasia of deciduous maxillary incisors in Santa Catarina has been shown to be almost twice that of the other two villages and affected at least 40 per cent of children with maxillary deciduous incisors present. Suggestions were given as to the aetiology of the lesions and future lines of investigation. The prevalence of individuals displaying gingival lesions was about 50 per cent above age 8, which was greater than the 4–10 per cent reported in a previous survey by Hurtarte and Scrimshaw (1955). In general, Santa Maria Cauque exhibited a higher prevalence of these lesions than the other two towns. The prevalence of the dental abnormalities of fusion, supernumeraries and agenesis was found to be higher than had been previously reported. The various types found were described. The prevalence of malocclusion was found to be as high as 40 per cent in some age groups, most of it due to crowding of the anterior permanent teeth.
Elevated serum levels of tumor marker CA19-9 in acute cholangitis.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the “tumor marker,” CA19-9, and benign biliary tract disease. We measured serum and bile CA19-9 in 40 patients with (1) symptomatic cholelithiasis (N=14), (2) common bile duct obstruction without cholangitis (N=8), (3) acute cholangitis secondary to gallstone disease (N=7), and (4) acute cholecystitis (N=11). All seven patients with acute cholangitis had marked elevations of serum CA19-9 (range 190-32,000 units/ml; 75 units/ml cutoff), whereas none of the patients in the other groups had elevated levels despite similar degrees of cholestasis and similarly high levels of CA19-9 in gallbladder and common duct bile (range 7.3×104−2.3×109 units/ml). Of the three patients with cholangitis in whom CA19-9 levels were followed serially, all had rapid return of levels to normal after successful treatment. We conclude that the “tumor marker” CA19-9 is markedly elevated in the serum of patients with acute cholangitis but not in patients with other forms of benign biliary tract disease.
Molecular definition of an elusive third HLA-A9 molecule: HLA-A9.3.

The HLA-A9 family has been characterized as possessing two well defined specificities; HLA-A23 and A24. Serological studies have suggested the presence of a third member of this family HLA-A9.3, however there is doubt surrounding the existence of this specificity. HLA-A23, A24, and the putative A9.3 proteins were analyzed biochemically by immunoprecipitation and isoelectric focusing. Both HLA-A24 and A9.3 have identical isoelectric points whereas A23 is different. We have sequenced cDNA encoding HLA-A23, A24, and A9.3. From the observed protein sequences, we found A9.3 to differ from A24 by two amino acid substitutions located in the α2 helix of the class I molecule. These substitutions are expected to significantly change the shape of the peptide binding cleft.
Liver fibrosis in 2012: Convergent pathways that cause hepatic fibrosis in NASH.

Efforts to understand fatty liver disease have focused on the gut microbiome's stimulation of hepatic injury and fibrosis through specialized signalling complexes at the cell surface and in the cytosol of liver cells. Combined with increased hedgehog activity and progenitor cell expansion, new clues are emerging to elucidate the pathogenesis of fibrosis.
Synthesis, structure, and properties of hybrid organic–inorganic composites based on polysiloxanes. II. Comparisons between poly(methylphenylsiloxane) and poly(dimethylsiloxane), and between titania and silica

The work reported in the preceding article in this series is extended by consideration of polysiloxane–ceramic composites based on atactic poly(methylphenylsiloxane) (PMPS) elastomers instead of poly(dimethylsiloxane). The former is noncrystallizable because of its stereochemically irregular structure, while the latter is crystallizable. In addition, some composites were prepared by the in situ precipitation of titania instead of silica. The resulting materials were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, equilibrium stress–strain measurements in elongation, small-angle neutron scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The moduli of the PMPS elastomers were found to increase significantly with increase in amount of either type of filler, with reinforcing upturns at high elongation in the case of the silica. Because the PMPS elastomers were amorphous, it is obvious that strain-induced crystallization is not required for these upturns in modulus. Titania did not give as good reinforcement as did silica, at least in the case of PMPS. Differences in interactions between the polymer and the two fillers are obviously important in this regard, but differences in particle morphology probably also contribute. Specifically, the titania “particles” were significantly larger than the silica particles when observed in TEM, and appeared to be much more porous. The actual domain size as measured by scattering, however, was only approximately 5% larger. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1191–1200, 1998
Funnel-Tipped Aortic Cannula for Reduction of Atheroemboli

Background Atheroemboli caused by aortic manipulation poses a risk for stroke in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. One potential cause is the high velocity jet from aortic perfusion cannulae. This study describes the flow patterns of a novel funnel-tip cannula designed to reduce emboli by decreasing fluid velocity and resultant shear force on the aortic wall. Methods A funnel-tip cannula was constructed and compared with standard straight-tip cannulae and the Dispersion (Research Medical Inc, Midvale, UT) and Sarns Soft Flow (Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corp, Ann Arbor, MI) cannulae. Pressure drop measurements were collected at 1 to 6 L/minute flows. Velocity flow profiles were created using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Absolute velocity was measured in a phantom aorta at 5 L/minute flow. Each cannula was further studied in a synthetic model of an atherosclerotic aorta to determine the mass of dislodged particulate matter generated at 2, 3, and 5 L/minute flows. Results The funnel-tip cannula demonstrated significantly lower values (p Conclusions The results of this study suggest that a low-angled funnel-tip cannula has favorable flow characteristics warranting further investigation. Design development may reduce the risk of atheroemboli generation during CPB surgery.
Anatomy and physiology of lactation.

The defining characteristic of all animals of the class Mammalia is the provision of milk, a fluid the composition of which exactly mirrors the needs of the young of the species. Although the location and external form of the mammary glands differ among species, the general phases of development and the mechanisms of milk production are remarkably similar. For this reason, researchers have been able to draw on a myriad of work in animals to understand this process. In humans, milk is produced and stored in differentiated alveolar units, often called lobules , in the breast. The amount of milk produced is regulated by prolactin and local factors. Removal of milk from the breast is accomplished by a process called milk ejection , brought about by a neuroendocrine reflex that ends with the secretion of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland and its interaction with myoepithelial cells that surround the ducts and alveoli. In humans, the small ducts coalesce into 15 to 25 main ducts that drain sectors of the gland. The main ducts dilate into small sinuses as they near the areolus, where they open directly on the nipple. In this article, the developmental stages of the human mammary gland are described, followed by a discussion of the major principles of human milk secretion and ejection. Finally, interactions between lactation and maternal metabolism are outlined briefly, and the interaction of lactation with fertility is discussed. The transition from pregnancy to lactation, called lactogenesis , is described in the article by Neville et al (p. 35) in this issue.
Human behaviour: do the genes have it?

Darwinism and Human Affairs. By Richard D. Alexander. Pp. 317. (University of Washington Press/Pitman: 1980.) $14.95, £9.50.
Flow of electro-rheological materials

Summary. An electro-rheological fluid is a material in which a particulate solid is suspended in an electrically non-conducting fluid such as oil. On the application of an electric field, the viscosity and other material properties undergo dramatic and significant changes. In this paper, the particulate imbedded fluid is considered as a homogeneous continuum. It is assumed that the Cauchy stress depends on the velocity gradient and the electric field vector. A representation for the constitutive equation is developed using standard methods of continuum mechanics. The stress components are calculated for a shear flow in which the electric field vector is normal to the velocity vector. The model predicts (i) a viscosity which depends on the shear rate and electric field and (ii) normal stresses due to the interaction between the shear flow and the electric field. These expressions are used to study several fundamental shear flows: the flow between parallel plates, Couette flow, and flow in an eccentric rotating disc device. Detailed solutions are presented when the shear response is that of a Bingham fluid whose yield stress and viscosity depends on the electric field. During the past few years, there has been a great deal of interest in the manufacture and use of a class of materials which can be classified as field dependent theological materials. These materials are essentially fluids which are imbedded with particulate solids which react to an electrical field in that on the application of a field the viscosity and other material properties undergo dramatic and significant changes. Such materials are being touted as agents for enhancing the performance and efficiency of a variety of engineering devices in very diverse fields. Much of the activity in this area is devoted to producing this material and performing experiments in order to understand the scientific basis for their behavior. Little, if any effort has been devoted to mathematically modeling these materials. The need for understanding the mechanics of such materials and mathematically modeling their behavior is made all the more important as these materials are already finding day-to-day applications in the design of ubiquitous devices like clutches and brakes in cars, vibration dampers and absorbers, lubricating fluids in bearings to name some. In this paper we shall present a mathematical model for field dependent materials which is consistent with the phenomena which have been observed. We shall solve a series of boundary value problems the results of which can be compared with future experiments, as these boundary value problems are in domains which are amenable to experimentation. Unlike the field of magnetohydrodynamies, we do not have an equation like Maxwell's equation which governs the applied field, as the fluid which forms the base for the particulate media is non-conducting. The presence of the field alters the basic material properties of the particulate imbedded fluid, which is considered as a homogeneous continuum. Thus, for instance, the Cauchy stress is dependent on the gradient of the
TU‐A‐213CD‐04: A Novel Technique for Estimating and Correcting Cross‐Scatter in Dual‐Source CBCT

Purpose: Dual‐source CBCT may provide several advantages over current on‐board 3D localization techniques; however, dual‐source CBCT suffers greatly from cross‐scatter. A novel technique was developed that includes sampling the cross‐scatter only projections (CSPs) during data acquisition and using the CSPs for scatter correction. Methods: Cross‐scatter only projections (CSPs) were acquired by firing a single x‐ray tube every N degrees. N was determined based on estimating the angular Nyquist frequency of the cross‐scatter distribution for three different anatomic sites (head and neck, lung, pelvis) using an anthropomorphic phantom. The Nyquist frequency was estimated by calculating the divergence of angular frequency spectra of rotating phantoms from the noise band created with stationary phantoms. The sampling requirements were empirically verified by varying N and comparing interpolated CSPs with measured CSPs at every projection angle. To correct for cross‐scatter, the CSPs were low‐pass filtered, then interpolated across projection angle, and then subtracted from the projections. The effects of the correction on contrast and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) in reconstructed images were evaluated on an equal‐dose basis relative to acquisitions with no cross‐scatter present. Results: Approximately the same Nyquist frequency was estimated for all three anatomical sites, 0.035–0.042 cycles per degree, corresponding to somewhat less than 1 sample every 10 degrees. The percent contrast reduction, averaged over several contrast inserts, was 16.4% and 4.5% in the uncorrected and corrected images. CNR was reduced by 19.5% and 13.6%. Conclusions: For the phantom studied, the cross‐scatter Nyquist sampling requirement was insensitive to anatomic site. The scatter correction mitigated cross‐scatter and CNR degradations relative to cross‐scatter‐free acquisition, improving both contrast and CNR as compared to uncorrected imagesreconstructed from cross‐scatter‐inclusive dual‐source acquisition. This project was partially supported by a research grant from Varian Medical Systems
Ligand effects associated with the intrinsic selectivity of DNA oxidation promoted by nickel(II) macrocyclic complexes

Nickel(II)-promoted oxidation of accessible guanine residues in deoxyoligonucleotides using KHSO 5 as oxidant was found to be highly dependent upon the macrocyclic ligand employed. Systematic structural variations of the ligands Me 2 [14]py-dieneN 4 (CR) and [14]aneN 4 (cyclam) have provided information about the importance of ring size, degree of unsaturation, steric bulk, redox potential, in-plane ligand field strength, and conformational flexibility in determining DNA reactivity with a 17-base hairpin oligonucleotide
Efficient Large-Scale Sweep and Prune Methods with AABB Insertion and Removal

We introduce new features for the broad phase algorithm sweep and prune that increase scalability for large virtual reality environments and allow for efficient AABB insertion and removal to support dynamic object creation and destruction. We introduce a novel segmented interval list structure that allows AABB insertion and removal without requiring a full sort of the axes. This algorithm is well-suited to large environments in which many objects are not moving at once. We analyze and test implementations of sweep and prune that include subdivision, batch insertion and removal, and segmented interval lists. Our tests show these techniques provide higher performance than previous sweep and prune methods, and perform better than octrees in temporally coherent environments.
Actual and ideal self-congruity affecting consumers' emotional and behavioral responses toward an online store

Actual self-congruity positively affects the evaluation of visual and information atmospheric cues of an online store.Ideal self-congruity negatively affects the evaluation of visual and information atmospheric cues of an online store.The positive evaluations of visual and information atmospheric cues lead to delight.Delight increases the consumer's purchasing intention from an online store. Recognizing that a consumer's congruity judgment with a store image can be formed with both actual and ideal self-images, this study investigates the differential effects that these two congruity judgments might have on a consumer's evaluation of an online store. The results indicate that the closer the image of an online store is to the consumer's actual self, the more favorably the store is evaluated. Interestingly, however, the proximity between the image of an online store and a consumer's ideal self has a negative effect on consumer evaluation toward the store. The results also indicate that the positive visual cues of an online store generate consumer delight more significantly than information cues do. Consumer delight is found to significantly increase the intention to make an initial purchase from the store.
Experimental and computational studies of the dynamics of a fixed bed chemical reactor

Experimental measurements of the temperature response of a fixed bed reactor to sinusoidal disturbances in the feed concentration, temperature, and flow rate show that a simple one-dimensional mathematical model with distributed thermal capacitance satisfactorily describes the dynamic behavior of the reactor for modest excursions about an operating point. The reaction considered is a liquid-phase exothermic reaction whose rate depends on the concentration of two reactants and the temperature. A computational analysis reveals that the amplitude and phase of the traveling concentration and temperature waves are influenced in a complex manner by the interaction between the two waves. The interaction, which is treated here as interference between traveling waves, is made complex by the difference in the rates of propagation of the temperature and concentration waves and by the variation of their speeds throughout the bed.
Discovery, analysis and monitoring of hidden social networks and their evolution

Social networks that arise spontaneously and evolve over time have become an important component of ever growing global societies used for spreading ideas and indoctrinating people. Their loose membership and dynamics make them difficult to observe and monitor. We present a set of tools for discovery, analysis and monitoring evolution of hidden social groups on the internet and in cyberspace. Two complementary kinds of tools form a core of our approach. One is based on statistical analysis of communication network without considering communication content. The other focuses on communication content and analyzes recursive patterns arising in it. First, we present a software system SIGHTS (Statistical Identification of Groups Hidden in Time and Space), designed for the discovery, analysis, and knowledge visualization of social coalition in communication networks by analyzing communication patterns. We discuss how our algorithms extract groups and track their evolution in Enron-email dataset and in Blog data. The goal of SIGHTS is to assist an analyst in identifying relevant information. A complementary set of tools uses Recursive Data Mining (RDM) to identify frequent patterns in communication content such as email, blog or chat-room sessions. Our approach enables discovery of patterns at varying degrees of abstraction, in a hierarchical fashion, and in language independent way. We use RDM to distinguish among different roles played by communicators in social networks (e.g., distinguishing between leaders and members). Experiments on the Enron dataset, which categorize members into organizational roles demonstrate that use of the RDM dominant patterns improves role detection.
Body Mass Index, Waist/Hip Ratio, and Coronary Heart Disease Incidence in African Americans and Whites

To study the relation of the amount and distribution of body fat with incident coronary heart disease in two ethnic groups, the authors analyzed prospective data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Among 14,040 participants aged 45-64 years and free of coronary disease at baseline in 1987-1989, we identified 398 events through 1994, an average of 6.2 years of follow-up. Among African-American women, the multivariable-adjusted relative risks of coronary heart disease across quartiles of body mass index were 1.0, 1.91. 1.54, and 2.15 (p for trend = 0.27), and those for waist/hip ratio were 1.0, 2.07, 2.33, and 4.22 (p for trend = 0.02). Among African-American men, these respective relative risks were 1.0, 1.03, 0.83, and 1.20 (p for trend = 0.76) for body mass index and 1.0, 1.08, 1.87, and 1.68 (p for trend = 0.06) for waist/hip ratio. Relative risks for whites were generally similar to those for African Americans. Relative risks were stronger for never smokers than for the overall cohort. Unlike some previous studies, our results suggest that Africa Americans, like whites, are not spared from the coronary heart disease risks accompanying obesity.
A Dynamic Analysis of a Record Breaking Winter Season Blocking Event

The objective of this work is to study in detail a strong North Pacific, large amplitude, and long-lived blocking event that occurred during January 23–February 16, 2014. Indeed, it was the 11th strongest Northern Hemisphere event lasting longer than 20 days since 1968. This event formed out of the strong ridge that was associated with the devastating drought in the Western United States during the winter season of 2013-2014. This blocking event had many outstanding dynamical characteristics, the chief of which was that it survived an abrupt change in the planetary-scale flow when the Pacific North American pattern index changed from positive to negative in early February. The block then reintensified and persisted into mid-February. Several diagnostic techniques are employed to investigate the change in the planetary-scale flow during early February 2014 that have been applied to blocking before but aren’t as well known in the blocking literature.
Exogenous TGF-β1 Promotes Stromal Development in the Heifer Mammary Gland

The objectives of this study were to determine the local effects of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on mammary epithelial and stromal cell proliferation and expression of the TGF-β1 responsive genes c-myc and fibronectin. A single slow-release plastic pellet containing 5 μg of TGF-β1 and 20 mg of BSA was implanted in the parenchyma of the right rear quarter of the mammary gland of 9-mo-old prepubertal heifers. A control pellet containing 20 mg of BSA was implanted in the left rear quarter of each heifer. All heifers were treated with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) at 4, 12.5, and 22 h after the pellets were implanted to label proliferating cells. Two hours after the last BrdU injection, the animals were euthanatized, and their mammary glands were recovered. Proliferation of mammary stromal cells was significantly higher in TGF-β1-treated quarters than in BSA-treated, control quarters (3.5 vs. 1.8% BrdU-positive cells). This result coincided with a lack of significant effect of TGF-β1 on proliferation of mammary epithelial cells and apoptosis. By quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we found that c-myc gene expression was unchanged after TGF-β1 treatment, but fibronectin gene expression was increased 3-fold in TGF-β1-treated quarters compared with BSA-treated, control quarters. Thus, we concluded that TGF-β1 selectively acts on the stromal compartment of the bovine mammary gland by increasing cell proliferation and gene expression of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin.
DEMAND PRICE, FISH SIZE AND THE PRICE OF FISH*

Despite considerable work in fisheries economics on the supply side, little attention has been devoted to theoretical aspects of the relationship between ex-vessel price and landings. One of the widely recognized determinants of fish prices is fish size, yet virtually all empirical analyses of the demand for fish ignore fish size. In this paper a demand function is postulated which includes fish size as a continuous demand shift parameter and the implications of fish size to the relationship between price and quantity are examined. It is concluded that omission of fish size may result in confounded estimates of the steady state relationship between price and quantity. It is also concluded that bioeconomic models of the fishery which ignore fish size may yield policy conclusions which are quantitatively, and in some cases, qualitatively, inaccurate. Malgre le nombre important ďetudes sur ľeconomique des pecheries du point de vue des provisions, peu ďattention s'est consacre aux aspects theoriques du rapport entre le prix ex-vaisseau et les debarquements. Un determinant largement reconnu du prix des poissons, c'est leur taille, quoique presque toutes les analyses empiriques de la demande de poissons ne tiennent aucun compte de la taille des poissons. Ľouvrage present poslule une fonction de la demande, qui lient compte de la taille des poissons comme parametre des changements de demande; il examine aussi les implications de la taille des poissons dans le rapport entre prix et quantite. On conclut que ľomission de la taille des poissons puisse resulter en des evaluations confondues du rapport constant entre prix et quantite. On conclut egalement que les modeles bio-economiques de la pecherie qui ne tiennent aucun compte de la taille des poissons puissent produire des conclusions de politique qui sone inexactes du point de vue quantitatif, et parfois du point de vue qualitatif.
A coalescent estimator of the population recombination rate.

Population genetic models often use a population recombination parameter 4Nc, where N is the effective population size and cis the recombination rate per generation. In many ways 4Nc is comparable to 4Nu, the population mutation rate. Both combine genome level and population level processes, and together they describe the rate of production of genetic variation in a population. However, 4Nc is more difficult to estimate. For a population sample of DNA sequences, historical recombination can only be detected if polymorphisms exist, and even then most recombination events are not detectable. This paper describes an estimator of 4Nc, hereafter designated y (gamma), that was developed using a coalescent model for a sample of four DNA sequences with recombination. The reliability of y was assessed using multiple coalescent simulations. In general y has low to moderate bias, and the reliability of is comparable, though less, than that for a widely used estimator of 4Nu. If there exists an independent estimate of the recombination rate (per generation, per base pair), y can be used to estimate the effective population size or the neutral mutation rate.
Studies on β-adrenoceptors mediating changes in mechanical events and adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate levels. Rat atria

Abstract Increasing concentrations of the functional antagonist ocarbachol resulted in a shift to the right of the dose-response curves for (−)-isoproteronol-induced positive chronotropic and inotropic responses and a reduction of the maximum degree of response that could be produced relative to that produced by theophylline. Carbachol only reduced the maximum responses to the partial agonist (−)-soterenol. The ED50 value for isoproterenol-induced increases in adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels was more than 10-fold larger than those for production of mechanical events and soterenol calculated to be 1.21 × 10−7 M for receptors mediating positive chronotropic responses, 3.56 × 10−7 M for receptors mediating positive inotropic responses, and 2.96 × 10−7 M for receptors mediating increases in cyclic AMP levels. By two additional theoretical models of drug-receptor interactions, the KA values for soterenol were between 1.5 and 4.5 × 10−7 M. These KA values were essentially the same as the ED50 values for soterenol-induced mechanical effects. By one of the models, the KA for isoproterenol was calculated to be about 2.14 × 10−8 M, a value close to the ED50 value for isoproterenol-induced increases in cyclic AMP (5.45 × 10−8 M). These results suggest that the β-adrenoceptors mediating the three responses in rat atria are of the same type and that differences in concentrations required to produce mechanical vs. cyclic AMP changes results with agonists possessing high efficacy and for which there is receptor reserve.
MHC-restricted phosphopeptides from insulin receptor substrate-2 and CDC25b offer broad-based immunotherapeutic agents for cancer

Cancer cells display novel phosphopeptides in association with MHC class I and II molecules. In this study, we evaluated two HLA-A2-restricted phosphopeptides derived from the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 and the cell cycle regulator CDC25b. These proteins are both broadly expressed in multiple malignancies and linked to cancer cell survival. Two phosphopeptides, termed pIRS-21097-1105 and pCDC25b38-46, served as targets of strong and specific CD8 T-cell memory responses in normal human donors. We cloned T-cell receptor (TCR) cDNAs from murine CD8 T-cell lines specific for either pIRS-21097-1105 or pCDC25b38-46. Expression of these TCR in human CD8 T-cells imparted high-avidity phosphopeptide-specific recognition and cytotoxic and cytokine-secreting effector activities. Using these cells, we found that endogenously processed pIRS-21097-1105 was presented on HLA-A2+ melanomas and breast, ovarian, and colorectal carcinomas. Presentation was correlated with the level of the Ser1100-phosphorylated IRS-2 protein in metastatic melanoma tissues. The highest expression of this protein was evident on dividing malignant cells. Presentation of endogenously processed pCDC25b38-46 was narrower, but still evident on HLA-A2+ melanoma, breast carcinoma and lymphoblastoid cells. Notably, pIRS-21097-1105-specific and pCDC25b38-46-specific TCR-expressing human CD8 T-cells markedly slowed tumor outgrowth in vivo. Our results define two new antigens that may be developed as immunotherapeutic agents for a broad range of HLA-A2+ cancers.
Small molecules for stem cells.

Background: Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells that can differentiate to any cell type. Stem-cell research promises great progress in regenerative medicine to replace damaged tissues and organs. Objective: There are two key scientific questions: i) what causes stem cells to maintain an undifferentiated state; and ii) what signals affect/initiate differentiation? Understanding molecular mechanisms and signals that determine stem cell fate, either differentiation or proliferation, will significantly promote the realization of therapeutic potential of stem cells. Method: There are several ways to differentiate stem cells. This review focuses on a chemical approach of differentiation and nuclear reprogramming by small molecules. Conclusion: The effects on different signaling pathways, such as Wnt, IP-3K/Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase, of small-molecule modulators may direct differentiation of stem cells to different tissues or keep them undifferentiated and pluripotent. Within the last few ...
The Reserve Base, Reserve Requirements, and the Equilibrium Rate of Interst

I. Introduction, 312. — II. A simple model for macro-economic analysis, 314. — III. Open market operations vs. required reserve ratio changes, 317. — IV. Conclusion, 319.
Improving developmental screening: combining parent and pediatrician opinions with standardized questionnaires.

To the Editor .— We commend Rydz et al1 for their careful and systematic investigation of the use of parent-completed questionnaires in developmental screening. In the newly revised American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on developmental surveillance and screening,2 the importance and potential benefit of the use of questionnaires has been recognized in both continuous surveillance and periodic screening at the 9-, 18-, and 24- or 30-month visits. However, conclusions drawn from this study about the utility of these questionnaires must be interpreted carefully in light of methodologic problems and incomplete data. In this article, data that may shed additional light on the value …
Nuclear changes following treatment with actinomycin D.

The organization and fine structure of chromosomes and nucleoli of Euglena gracilis were investigated following the selective inhibition of synthesis of RNA by actinomycin D. The features of the morphological changes induced greatly depended upon the stage of the cell cycle in progress during exposure to the antibiotic. Actinomycin D lacked degradative effect on preformed nucleolar material and intra or extranucleolar chromatin but effectively cancelled out deposition of nucleolar material and chromosomal matrix. In the actinomycin-treated cells of Euglena the integrity of nucleoli was undisturbed even throughout experimental conditions which led to extreme depletion of nucleolar material.
Pervasive Horizontal Transfer of Rolling-Circle Transposons among Animals

Horizontal transfer (HT) of genes is known to be an important mechanism of genetic innovation, especially in prokaryotes. The impact of HT of transposable elements (TEs), however, has only recently begun to receive widespread attention and may be significant due to their mutagenic potential, inherent mobility, and abundance. Helitrons, also known as rolling-circle transposons, are a distinctive subclass of TE with a unique transposition mechanism. Here, we describe the first evidence for the repeated HT of four different families of Helitrons in an unprecedented array of organisms, including mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, and insect viruses. The Helitrons present in these species have a patchy distribution and are closely related (80–98% sequence identity), despite the deep divergence times among hosts. Multiple lines of evidence indicate the extreme conservation of sequence identity is not due to selection, including the highly fragmented nature of the Helitrons identified and the lack of any signatures of selection at the nucleotide level. The presence of horizontally transferred Helitrons in insect viruses, in particular, suggests that this may represent a potential mechanism of transfer in some taxa. Unlike genes, Helitrons that have horizontally transferred into new host genomes can amplify, in some cases reaching up to several hundred copies and representing a substantial fraction of the genome. Because Helitrons are known to frequently capture and amplify gene fragments, HT of this unique group of DNA transposons could lead to horizontal gene transfer and incur dramatic shifts in the trajectory of genome evolution.