cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injectable and Microporous Scaffold of Densely-Packed, Growth Factor-Encapsulating Chitosan Microgels

Abstract In this work, an emulsion crosslinking method was developed to produce chitosan-genipin microgels which acted as an injectable and microporous scaffold. Chitosan was characterized with respect to pH by light scattering and aqueous titration. Microgels were characterized with swelling, light scattering, and rheometry of densely-packed microgel solutions. The results suggest that as chitosan becomes increasingly deprotonated above the pK a , repulsive forces diminish and intermolecular attractions cause pH-responsive chain aggregation; leading to microgel–microgel aggregation as well. The microgels with the most chitosan and least cross-linker showed the highest yield stress and a storage modulus of 16 kPa when condensed as a microgel paste at pH 7.4. Two oppositely-charged growth factors could be encapsulated into the microgels and endothelial cells were able to proliferate into the 3D microgel scaffold. This work motivates further research on the applications of the chitosan microgel scaffold as an injectable and microporous scaffold in regenerative medicine.
The influence of shock-shock interval and escape schedule on escape and avoidance behavior

Three rats were trained on a continuous escape-signaled adjusting avoidance schedule. When the rat failed to avoid, pulsed grid shock (shock-shock = 0 s) was presented. A lever press terminated shock and produced a 10-s avoidance component. Each additional lever press added another 10 s to the avoidance component (upper limit = 110 s). One of 10 different auditory warning stimuli was associated with each interval. Later sessions provided fixed interval, variable ratio, and differential reinforcement of other behavior escape schedules. Each escape schedule maintained escape rates comparable to the rates produced in appetitive studies. Escape rates varied inversely with the shock-shock interval. The data yielded during the avoidance periods indicated that some intermittent escape schedules improved avoidance performance. Further, the majority of the avoidance responses were shifted to and continued to be emitted during warning stimuli and intervals temporally distant to shock. The data were interpreted as support for the two-factor theory of avoidance, but they also lend support to safety-signal explanation of avoidance behavior.
Tryptophan Lyase (NosL): A Cornucopia of 5′-Deoxyadenosyl Radical Mediated Transformations

Tryptophan lyase (NosL) is a radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzyme that catalyzes the formation of 3-methyl-2-indolic acid from l-tryptophan. In this paper, we demonstrate that the 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical is considerably more versatile in its chemistry than previously anticipated: hydrogen atom abstraction from Nα-cyclopropyltryptophan occurs at Cα rather than the amino group with NosL Y90A and replacing the substrate amine with a ketone or an alkene changes the chemistry from hydrogen atom abstraction to double bond addition. In addition, the 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical can add to the [4Fe−4S] cluster and dithionite can be used to trap radicals at the active site.
Reptile-associated salmonellosis: an under-recognised problem in Ireland?

Introduction Reptiles serve as reservoirs of Salmonella and can shed Salmonella in their faeces. During the last decade ownership of “exotic pets”, such as reptiles, has increased in Ireland. From 2005 to May 2008, 14 cases of reptile-associated human salmonellosis were identified in Ireland. Eight of the 14 cases were in infants less than 1 year of age. The authors describe a case of reptile-associated salmonellosis and review the epidemiology. Case Report In September 2007, an 8-week-old male infant was hospitalised with two-days of watery diarrhoea (6 stools/day), fever (38.8°C), decreased oral intake, lethargy, pallor and signs of mild to moderate dehydration. Investigations: WBC, 5100 (N, 2.8); Hb, 10 g/dl; platelets, 402 000; C-reactive protein, 39; LP was traumatic and Gram stain negative. He received ceftriaxone, gentamicin and intravenous fluids. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures remained negative. He became afebrile, his general condition improved and he was discharged home after 48 h. Two days later, stool cultures were reported positive for Salmonella enterica serovar Stanley. He was readmitted and treated with 10-days intravenous amoxicillin. A more detailed history revealed a pet Chinese water dragon at home. An identical Salmonella serotype was isolated from stool specimens obtained from the pet reptile. The infant made a full recovery. Five months later, he was seen in outpatients and was doing well. However, repeat stool culture remains positive for Salmonella. Conclusions Unless specific enquiry is made regarding ownership of or contact with reptiles, it is likely that many cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis go unrecognised. Increased awareness of the possibility of acquiring infection from reptiles is required. Veterinarians, pet-shop owners, public health officials, and paediatricians should provide such information to potential reptile owners and carers who own reptiles. The US and several European states have guidelines aimed at reducing reptile-associated salmonellosis. At present, no such guidelines exist in Ireland.
Error estimates for multiwavelet approximations of a class of history dependent operators

This paper presents a multiwavelet approximation technique for a class of history dependent operators. The study is motivated by increasing interest in estimation and control techniques for dynamical systems whose governing equations include history dependent nonlinearities. The functional differential equations in this paper are constructed using integral operators that depend on distributed parameters. We derive the rate of convergence of finite dimensional approximations to the infinite dimensional model as a function of mesh resolution for the history dependent operators in this paper. We also study a collection of predictor-corrector integration methods that can attain the convergence rates derived for the history dependent operators in this paper, provided that certain smoothness conditions apply.
Refused versus recommended adjuvant chemotherapy in the United States: A reason for concern.

6016 Background: We designed this study to identify factors driving treatment recommendations and refusal in surgically treated patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Using the 2001-2008 California Cancer Registry (CCR), we constructed a cohort of 22,469 patients surgically treated for three GI cancers and eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy (stage III colon cancer in patients < 80 years, Ib-IVM0 gastric cancer, or nonmetastatic resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma). Information on chemotherapy receipt, recommendation, and refusal was utilized to construct our outcome measures. Multivariate logistic regression models identified predictors of recommendation and refusal of adjuvant chemotherapy across three GI cancer sites, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Of those eligible for adjuvant therapy, only 61.4% were recommended treatment and 54.3% received it. Refusal rate was 3.5%. Persons who were older, black, publicly insured or uninsured, or with g...
Clinical characteristics of adult alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) patients (Pts) on front-line therapies: An MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) series.

11069Background: ARMS is considered to be one of the most aggressive pediatric malignancies. Adults with ARMS notoriously experience inferior outcomes. Our goal was to define our adult population w...
La historicidad de imágenes oníricas quechuas sudperuanas

Las imagenes semioticas estan enlazadas a sus modos de interpretacion y siempre, de una forma especifica, a una cultura. Para este estudio usamos la descripcion de la interpretacion de suenos quechuas sudperuanos presente en el Ritual formulario de Perez Bocanegra junto a la etnografia contemporanea. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar que el modo de interpretacion de los signos oniricos es distinto de los signos narrativos y rituales, aun cuando los mismos signos se usen a traves de estos medios. Los signos narrativos se anclan en relaciones sintacticas, los signos rituales en relaciones tanto sintacticas como pragmaticas. Por lo tanto, estos ultimos tienen una estabilidad diacronica mayor que los signos oniricos. Este trabajo es un paso a una teoria general de la estabilidad de formas culturales, a traves de anclas y replicadores semioticos
On the cause of two prompt shock-induced relativistic electron depletion events

Abstract Dayside interplanetary (IP) shock-induced injections are known to be a source of highly relativistic electrons in Earth's outer radiation belt, and are possibly the only source of >1 MeV electrons in the inner belt. The associated electron energization process is well understood and modeled. Recently, relativistic electron depletion echoes have also been associated with IP shocks, but the processes driving the depletions are less well understood. In this study, we investigate in detail two shock induced >1 MeV electron depletion events observed by the Van Allen Probes, March 17, 2015 and May 24, 2013, and draw similarities to night-side substorm related enhancements and depletions. Both events exhibit shock induced enhancements on one of the Van Allen Probes and depletions on the other in >1 MeV channels, such observations have not previously been reported. The depletion of >1 MeV electrons during the March 17, 2015 event is associated with enhancements in 10 s–100 s keV electrons on the same spacecraft. The depletion is consistent with the effects of a lack of seed electrons at larger radial distances combined with inward motion due to asymmetric compression by the shock impact. The immediate enhancements and depletions of 75 keV–2.6 MeV electrons are explained by the local phase space density radial profile. Observations of electron flux dynamics during the May 24, 2013 event can also be explained by a lack of a seed population at larger radial distances, supported by butterfly distributions observed during the event. The electron's inward radial motion can be attributed to the inward propagating impulse also associated with the >1 MeV electron enhancements observed on the complementary probe, rather than global asymmetric compression. This causal mechanism has parallels to substorm related depletions. Alternatively, evidence is provided to attribute the sudden depletions to losses due to a sudden but brief inward motion of the magnetopause.
A Biologic Rhythm in Waking Fantasy

One of Freud’s early ideas was that the mental processes made vivid in dreaming have an influence on everyday waking thoughts and behavior. A problem with this concept has been the difficulty in measuring and confirming the action of any psychic agencies that Freud postulated, such as the unconscious, the libido, or the id.
A Rapid Analytical Procedure for Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Plant Material

There are several methods of analysis available for detection of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), a biologically active component of marihuana derived from Cannabis sativa L. These range from simple colorimetric tests (Beam 1911) to the Duquenois-Levine reaction which replaced the Beam test (Hahas, 1975). Analytical laboratories having available to them gas chromatography instrumentation utilize the procedures of Lerner (1986), Fetterman et al. (1971), Turner and Hadley (1973), or the DEA (1976) method when small quantities of material are evaluated.
Intermolecular Forces and Spectra in Weak Charge Transfer Interactions

Electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes have been known for many years. Although they manifest themselves in many ways, such as solubility and chemical reactivity, probably the most characteristic property of EDA complexes is the appearance of an intense absorption band that is not present in the separated donor and acceptor species. This band, often broad and structureless, usually is in the visible and/or near ultraviolet regions, giving rise in many cases to large color changes when the individual components are mixed. Many spectroscopic studies generating various thermodynamic parameters have been carried out on EDA complexes over the past thirty years following the classic papers by Benesi and Hildebrand (1) on 1:1 iodine complexes with aromatic hydrocarbons and Mulliken’s (2, 3) subsequent explanation of the absorption band based on a charge transfer (CT) resonance model. This CT theory has been widely covered in many review articles and monographs, including those of Mulliken and Person (4, 5).
A spatially explicit hierarchical model to characterize population viability.

Many of the processes that govern the viability of animal populations vary spatially, yet population viability analyses (PVAs) that account explicitly for spatial variation are rare. We develop a PVA model that incorporates autocorrelation into the analysis of local demographic information to produce spatially explicit estimates of demography and viability at relatively fine spatial scales across a large spatial extent. We use a hierarchical, spatial, autoregressive model for capture-recapture data from multiple locations to obtain spatially explicit estimates of adult survival (ϕad ), juvenile survival (ϕjuv ), and juvenile-to-adult transition rates (ψ), and a spatial autoregressive model for recruitment data from multiple locations to obtain spatially explicit estimates of recruitment (R). We combine local estimates of demographic rates in stage-structured population models to estimate the rate of population change (λ), then use estimates of λ (and its uncertainty) to forecast changes in local abundance and produce spatially explicit estimates of viability (probability of extirpation, Pex ). We apply the model to demographic data for the Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) collected across its geographic range in Arizona. There was modest spatial variation in λ ^ (0.94-1.03), which reflected spatial variation in ϕ ^ ad (0.85-0.95), ϕ ^ juv (0.70-0.89), and ψ ^ (0.07-0.13). Recruitment data were too sparse for spatially explicit estimates; therefore, we used a range-wide estimate ( R ^ = 0.32 1-yr-old females per female per year). Spatial patterns in demographic rates were complex, but ϕ ^ ad , ϕ ^ juv , and λ ^ tended to be lower and ψ ^ higher in the northwestern portion of the range. Spatial patterns in Pex varied with local abundance. For local abundances >500, Pex was near zero ( 0.25). This approach to PVA offers the potential to reveal spatial patterns in demography and viability that can inform conservation and management at multiple spatial scales, provide insight into scale-related investigations in population ecology, and improve basic ecological knowledge of landscape-level phenomena.
Post-Soviet Primas: Challenging Archive and Repertoire

In ballet’s dual conceptual tracts of archive and repertoire, choreography and dance technique became largely associated with the field of repertoire, due to their potential to resist the structures of the archive. In my work, I set out to examine contemporary Russian ballet narratives of leading prima ballerinas, who consistently associate choreography and dance technique with the archive rather than the repertoire. Defining themselves as “interpreters” of the “texts,” rather than dancers, and rendering re-staged classical ballets as “editions,” rather than independent choreographies, primas challenge ballet power structures and assign a higher value to dancers’ work. As ballet remains a state-sponsored and state-administered sphere in contemporary Russia, it is important to analyze how and why leading artists distance themselves from historical ballets and traditions of “classical dance,” while largely acting as its cultural agents. I rely on the notions of archive and repertoire, as theorized by Diana Taylor and Rebecca Schneider, and dance technique, as defined by Susan Foster, Judith Hamera, Randy Martin, and Claudia Brazzale. I argue that Russian primas frame ballet as an archival art, through the use of the notions of “text” or “edition” in relation to choreography and “school” or “classicism” in relation to dance technique
Classification of Unknotted Ribbons in the Plane and on the Sphere

The aim of this paper is to classify unknotted ribbons in the plane and on the sphere up to regular isotopy.
Moving Beyond the Frame: Geovisualization of Landscape Change Along the Southwestern Edge of Yosemite National Park

As part of the 1930s New Deal programs, the Civilian Conservation Corps funded a team of photographers to capture forest landscapes, including those in the Stanislaus National Forest and southwestern portion of Yosemite National Park. While initially, the program focused on assessing travel time, terrain challenges, and viewable area, the program went on to acquire expressly made Osborne Panoramic Cameras, which were used to take panoramic photos from fire towers and other potential lookout peaks. We utilized panoramic photos by Lester Moe, which are typical unidirectional panoramic images (360° x-axis) as the basis for this repeat photography project. Many of the human and natural features have changed in the intervening years, which present an added challenge for obtaining aligned photo sets. We utilized a combination of geovisualization technologies to capture, compare, and communicate imagery, including the Wide-Area Visualization Environment (WAVE) and omnidirectional “spherical projection” CaveCam (360° x- and y-axis). This workflow applies a novel technological approach to a common landscape photography method to overcome some of the challenges associated with repeatability and offer valuable additional high-resolution data.
Cellular Origins of Beige Fat Cells Revisited

Activated beige adipocytes have therapeutic potential due to their ability to improve glucose and lipid homeostasis. To date, the origin of beige adipocytes remains enigmatic. Whether beige cells arise through de novo differentiation from resident precursors or through reprogramming of mature white adipocytes has been a topic of intense discussion. Here, we offer our perspective on the natural origin of beige adipocytes in mice. In particular, we revisit recent lineage-tracing studies that shed light on this issue and offer new insight into how environmental housing temperatures early in life influence the mode of beige adipocyte biogenesis upon cold exposure later in life. We suggest a unified model in which beige adipocytes (UCP1+ multilocular cells) in rodents initially arise predominantly from progenitors (i.e., de novo beige adipogenesis) upon the first exposure to cold temperatures and then interconvert between “dormant beige” and “active beige” phenotypes (i.e., beige cell activation) upon subsequent changes in environmental temperature. Importantly, we highlight experimental considerations needed to visualize de novo adipogenesis versus beige cell activation in mice. A precise understanding of the cellular origins of beige adipocytes emanating in response to physiological and pharmacological stimuli may better inform therapeutic strategies to recruit beige adipocytes in vivo.
Design of a Virtual Reality Tour System for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Case Study

This study focuses on VR as a form of therapy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). The research aim is to develop an immersive and interactive VR system that is tailored for IDD individuals, for which most currently available VR experience systems are not optimized. Being intimately familiar with a place through an interactive VR tour will help alleviate social anxiety—very provident to IDD individuals. Accordingly, we create a hotspot-based VR tour system, which can provide an almost lifelike experience of visiting and learning about the location. We have conducted experiments with nondisabled individuals, acting as the control group, and IDD individuals, acting as the experimental group, to evaluate the tour system and compare the results between two groups. Our experiments show that the VR tour has a positive impact on the IDD individuals. In this article, we present the design of our VR tour system and its evaluation results.
A comparison of nitrate removal and denitrifying bacteria populations among three wetland plant communities

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is an invasive, cool-season grass commonly dominating wetlands with high nutrient loads. Its impact on nitrogen removal via denitrification in wetlands is unknown. Most studies of denitrification in treatment wetlands have focused on the effects of physical or chemical variables and not on the effects of plant roots on the soil environment. The purpose of this study was to measure effects of plant type on denitrification rates in typical wetland soils of the midwestern United States by comparing wet prairie mix, switchgrass-dominated, and reed canary grass plant communities. Nitrate (NO3- ) removal and other parameters were measured in miniature wetlands, or mesocosms, containing each plant community transplanted from a small agricultural treatment wetland in southern Minnesota. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to quantify the total bacteria population (measured with 16S rRNA genes) and denitrifying gene abundance (measured with nosZ genes) from the rhizosphere of each plant community. The wet prairie mix mesocosms on average removed the most NO3- in each test (p = .01 and .08). Whereas the wet prairie mix removed the most NO3- from the surface water (p < .01), reed canary grass removed more from the subsurface (p < .01). Ratios of denitrifying to total bacteria were higher in the wet prairie mix than in the other communities' root zones (p < .05). Results suggest that reed canary grass invasion could reduce denitrification in wetlands, especially during the spring and fall when it is growing but other plants are dormant.
Innate tissue properties drive improved tendon healing in MRL/MpJ and harness cues that enhance behavior of canonical healing cells.

Development of tendon therapeutics has been hindered by the lack of informative adult mammalian models of regeneration. Murphy Roth's Large (MRL/MpJ) mice exhibit improved healing following acute tendon injuries, but the driver of this regenerative healing response remains unknown. The tissue-specific attributes of this healing response, despite a shared systemic environment within the mouse, support the hypothesis of a tissue-driven mechanism for scarless healing. Our objective was to investigate the potential of MRL/MpJ tendon extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived coatings to regulate scar-mediated healing. We found that deviations in the composition of key structural proteins within MRL/MpJ vs C57Bl/6 tendons occur synergistically to mediate the improvements in structure and mechanics following a 1-mm midsubstance injury. Improvement in mechanical properties of healing MRL/MpJ vs C57Bl/6 tendons that were isolated from systemic contributions via organ culture, highlighted the innate tendon environment as the driver of scarless healing. Finally, we established that decellularized coatings derived from early-deposited MRL/MpJ tendon provisional extracellular matrix (provisional-ECM), can modulate canonical healing B6 tendon cell behavior by inducing morphological changes and increasing proliferation in vitro. This study supports that the unique compositional cues in MRL/MpJ provisional-ECM have the therapeutic capability to motivate canonically healing cells toward improved behavior; enhancing our ability to develop effective therapeutics.
Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) for adults aging with a long-term mobility disability.

Abstract Background There are growing numbers of adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities. Very little is known about the challenges this population experiences with everyday activities, and such challenges are likely to be greater and more complex than those of older adults who experience mobility declines later in life. Objectives The current manuscript presents in-depth insights on the specific activity challenges experienced by older adults with long-term mobility disabilities, and the response strategies they employ to overcome those challenges. Methods In-depth, structured interviews designed to assess challenges and response strategies for a range of daily activities were conducted with sixty older adult participants (ages 60–79) who self-identified as having a mobility disability for a minimum of 10 years. A coding scheme was developed to classify emerging themes. We identify the most common challenges and responses reported across all 6 broad categories as well as for a single activity category as an exemplar of an in-depth activity analysis. Results A needs taxonomy revealed challenges and response themes in relation to the most difficult activities identified by the participants. Frequently reported challenges included physical limitations and accessibility challenges. Common response strategies (e.g., utilizing tools or technologies, obtaining assistance from others, or modifying the approach to the task) were successfully mapped onto the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation model. Conclusions Findings reveal the unique challenges individuals face when engaging in everyday activities, and the potential of affordable and effective supports to promote aging-in-place, functional independence, and community engagement for adults aging with long-term mobility disability.
Uptake of Infliximab Biosimilars Among the Medicare Population.

This cross-sectional study uses Medicare data to examine the uptake of Inflectra and Renflexis, and investigates physician prescribing behavior in switching between biologic and biosimilar versions.
High contrast probe cleavage detection on porous silicon biosensors via quantum dot labeled DNA probes

Abstract Using porous silicon (PSi) interferometer sensors, we show the first experimental implementation of the high contrast probe cleavage detection (HCPCD) mechanism. HCPCD makes use of dramatic optical signal amplification caused by cleavage of high-contrast nanoparticle labels on probes instead of the capture of low-index biological molecules. An approximately 2 nm reflectance peak shift was detected after cleavage of DNA-quantum dot probes from the PSi surface via exposure to a 12.5 nM DNase enzyme solution for 2 hrs. This signal change is 20 times greater than the resolution of the spectrometer used for the interferometric measurements, and the interferometric measurements agree with the interferometric response predicted by simulations and fluorescence measurements. These proof of principle experiments show a clear path to real-time, highly sensitive and inexpensive point-of-care readout for a broad range of biological diagnostic assays that generate signal via nucleic acid cleavage.
Abstract 16731: Early Onset of Menopause and Premature Cardiovascular Disease: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women and early onset of menopause before the age of 40 years has been identified as a risk enhancer for future CVD event...
Beta Blockers for Suspected or Diagnosed Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Compared with placebo, beta-blocker use in patients with acute MI reduces short-term (less than three months) risk of MI and long-term (more than three months) risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.
Improving Solution Processed CIGSSe Devices Through Colloidal Nanoparticle Ligand Exchange

Solution processing of CIGSSe photovoltaics using colloidal nanoparticles has emerged as a promising, low toxicity fabrication method. However, carbonaceous impurities from nanoparticle surface ligands have continually hindered grain growth and resulting device efficiencies. In this work an exhaustive ligand exchange was employed to strip nanoparticles of carbonaceous ligands and subsequently stabilize them with inorganic sulfide ligands, yielding non-toxic, high mass concentration inks, which were blade coated in ultra-smooth, crack free precursor films. Selenization of precursor films yielded substantial enhancement of grain growth over non-ligand-exchanged nanoparticle films when sodium content was judiciously tuned. As such, an increase in device efficiency was observed over conventional non-ligand-exchanged methods, removing a long standing limitation of nanoparticle based, solution processed CIGSSe photovoltaics.
Die beliebtesten Spar- und Anlageformen

Eine Reise durch das letzte JahrzehntWagt man eine Zeitreise durch das letzte Jahrzehnt der Finanzmarkte, so stost man unweigerlich auf die internationale Finanzkrise, die bereits im Sommer 2007 in der US-Immobilienkrise ihren Ursprung genommen hatte. Die Finanzkrise zeigte ab Herbst 2008 auch deutliche Auswirkungen auf die Realwirtschaft und sturzte auch die Finanzmarkte in dramatische Turbulenzen. In weiterer Folge brachen die Aktienkurse weltweit ein. Doch welche Auswirkungen hatte dieser weltweite Einbruch auf das Interesse fur unterschiedliche Spar- und Anlageformen von Herr und Frau Osterreicher? Und wie sieht die Lage mehr als 10 Jahre danach aus? Das zeigt das vierteljahrliche Stimmungsbarometer von GfK Austria, das Informationen uber das aktuelle Interesse der OsterreicherInnen an verschiedenen Spar- und Anlageformen – unabhangig von der tatsachlichen Nutzung – liefert.Stichworter: Sparformen, Anlageformen, Anlagetrends, Anlageinteressen, Immobilien, Bausparer, Sparbuch, Aktien, Investmentfonds, Kryptowahrung.JEL-Classification: G 21, G24, O 16, R21, R 33.If we travel back in time through the last decade of the financial markets, we inevitably come across the international financial crisis, which originated in summer 2007 in the US real estate crisis. The financial crisis in autumn 2008 also had a significant impact on the real economy and also threw the financial markets into dramatic turbulence. Subsequently, share prices collapsed worldwide. But what impact has this global slump on the interest for different forms of savings and investment of the Austrians? And what does the situation look like more than 10 years later? These results are shown in GfK Austria’s quarterly mood barometer that delivers information about the current interest in different saving and investment products in Austria – independent of the actual usage of these products.
Lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic enteritis with or without globule leukocyte hyperplasia in 4 goats

Four, mature, client-owned goats were presented to referral hospitals for recurrent diarrhea despite treatment for intestinal parasitism. Common clinical findings included diarrhea, poor condition, neutrophilia, and hypoalbuminemia. Testing for common infectious causes of diarrhea in goats was negative. Ultrasonography and computed tomography in 2 cases was suggestive of enteritis, including thickened intestinal walls and fluid filled, dilated small intestines, respectively. Lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic enteritis (LEE) was ultimately diagnosed on intestinal biopsy histopathology based on the presence of small intestinal villous blunting and increased numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils predominantly within the lamina propria. Numerous globule leukocytes were also noted on histopathology in 3 cases. All goats responded favorably to corticosteroid treatment with weight gain and resolution of diarrhea and clinicopathologic abnormalities. Relapses occurred, and complete cure was difficult to achieve. Reported in other species, this series describes the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of LEE in adult goats.
Porcine dermis compared with polypropylene mesh for laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the surgical outcomes 12 months after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy performed with porcine dermis and the current gold standard of polypropylene mesh.METHODS:Patients scheduled for laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy were eligible for this randomized controlled trial. Both our clinical re
Gross: FLP Sequence and its Consequence

The author analyzes the recent Gross case in which the taxpayer made gifts of stock to her children through an FLP.
Nanometer-Scale Probes

Scanning probe microscopes using nanometer-scale probes enable imaging of materials with spatial resolution on the order of atoms. The most popular scanning probe techniques, including scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), can be used to measure the topographical, electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of materials in environments including vacuum, air, and water. High spatial resolution is achieved by confining interactions between the probe and sample surface to the nanometer-scale dimensions of the probe itself. As a result of their unique imaging and measurement capabilities, scanning probe microscopes using nanometer-scale probes have become essential for high-resolution characterization of biomaterials and biological molecules. Keywords: scanning probe microscopy; atomic force microscopy; scanning tunneling microscopy; scanning near-field optical microscopy; magnetic force microscopy; friction force microscopy; cantilever; optical fiber; piezoelectric scanning
Testing of Oscillators

To guarantee correct functioning of oscillators the amplifier gain and the series resistance of the resonator constituting this module have to be tested. A method is proposed whereby the oscillator configuration remains as in application.
Advanced Publishing Technologies and Services

The sections in this article are 1 Desktop Publishing 2 The Future of Print Publishing 3 Online Publishing 4 The Future of Online Publishing 5 Conclusion
Characteristics of Nanofluids

Nanofluids are macroscopically homogeneous suspensions of nanoparticles in base fluids. This chapter examines the physicochemical characteristics of nanofluid suspensions, starting with the methods of preparation and processing of nanoparticles and nanofluids. A short section describes the definition of the “size” of nanoparticles and statistical descriptions of this important variable. The main part of the chapter gives detailed descriptions of characteristics that are unique or important in nanofluid suspensions: 1. Surface-to-volume ratio 2. Brownian movement including the associated effect of thermophoresis 3. Electrical effects and the double layer, including the zeta potential and electrophoresis 4. Aggregation of nanoparticles
The latitudinal position of peak marine diversity in living and fossil biotas

Aim Peak marine taxonomic diversity has only rarely occurred at or near the equator during the Phanerozoic Eon, in contrast to the present-day pattern. This fundamental difference is difficult to reconcile because the latitude at which peak diversity occurs for living marine taxa has not yet been explicitly determined at a broad taxonomic and spatial scale. Here, we attempt to determine this value in order to compare the contemporary and fossil patterns directly. Location Our data are global in coverage. Methods We used a literature compilation of 149 present-day marine latitudinal diversity gradients. We summed the number of marine taxa that exhibited peak diversity within 10° latitudinal bins. In addition, we recorded locality data, general habitat (benthic/pelagic), and the taxonomic level of the study organisms. Results We found that peak diversity for most sampled marine taxa currently occurs between 10° and 20° N, even after correcting for a Northern Hemisphere sampling bias. Moreover, this peak position is a global phenomenon: it is found across habitats and higher taxa, within all sampled ocean basins, and on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Benthic taxa, which dominate our data, exhibit one peak at 10°–20° N, while pelagic taxa exhibit a peak at 10°–20° N and an additional peak at 10°–20° S, producing a distinct trough at the equator. Main conclusions Our data indicate that peak marine diversity for many taxa is currently within 10°–20° N rather than at the equator, and that this is not likely to result from either undersampling at lower latitudes or the pattern being dominated by a particular taxon. Possible explanations may include a coincidence with the intertropical convergence zone, a mid-domain effect, abundant shallow marine habitat, or high ocean temperatures at latitudes nearest the equator. Regardless of its exact cause, the position of peak diversity should be considered a fundamental feature of the latitudinal diversity gradient that must be accounted for within attempts to explain the latter’s existence.
The effect of heart rate, acetylcholine, and vagal stimulation on antegrade and retrograde His-Purkinje conduction in the intact heart

Abstract In ten dogs the effects of acetylcholine, graded vagal stimulation, and heart rate on both antegrade and retrograde His-Purkinje conduction were evaluated. His bundle pacing was used to obtain the antegrade His-Purkinje conduction time and pacing the ventricle and recording the retrograde His bundle electrogram gave the retrograde His-Purkinje conduction time. Acetylcholine and vagal stimulation sufficient to produce cardiac arrest had no effect on antegrade and retrograde His-Purkinje conduction. Similarly, pacing at cycle lenghts varying from 400 to 200 msec. had no effect on antegrade or retrograde conduction time. However, when the cycle length of ventricular pacing was decreased to less than 200 msec. various degrees of retrograde His-Purkinje conduction delay and block developed.
An Investigation of Value-, Impression-, and Outcome-Relevant Involvement on Attitudes, Purchase Intentions, and Information Seeking

This investigation explored the relationship between value-relevant (VRI), impression-relevant (IRI), and outcome-relevant involvement (ORI) on information-seeking behaviors, attitudes, and purchase intentions. Results revealed that grocery shoppers' (N = 175) ORI was positively associated with information-seeking behaviors, attitudes, and purchase intentions of foods high in fiber. Neither VRI nor IRI predicted attitudes or purchase intentions. Results are discussed with an emphasis on information seeking among the three types of involvement and message-design strategies with respect to promoting foods high in fiber.
HIGH-FREQUENCY LIMIT OF 15.1-Mev BREMSSTRAHLUNG

The 15.1-Mev scattering resonance in carbon is used to study the yield of photons at the high-frequency limit of the bremsstrahlung spectrum. A survey of the yield at 0 deg was carried out for several elements. The 0 deg yield at the limit increases strongly with the atomic number in agreement with recent calculations. Measurements of the 15.1Mev isochromats from a thin thorium (Z = 90) target for several angles are presented and compared with available calculations. A value of 1.61 plus or minus 0.18 mb is obtained for (k/Z/sup 2/ ) (d sigma /dk), the cross section integrated over angle. This is in reasonable agreement with theoretical values of 1.96 mb based on the inverse photoeffect and 1.74 mb as obtained from a direct evaluation of the bremsstrahlung matrix element in the extreme relativistic limit. (auth)
Observation of long-range small-molecule NOEs using a neoteric sensitivity enhancement scheme.

A new method to increase the sensitivity of the 1D transient NOE experiment for molecules in the positive NOE regime is presented. This method, the reverse NOE, simply replaces the conventional relaxation delay between scans. Transient positive NOE enhancements from all other spins are used to accelerate the recovery of the target resonance toward its equilibrium intensity. In favorable cases, the intensity of the target peak at the start of an experiment can actually be increased beyond its equilibrium value. There is also a sensitivity enhancement in the rapid pulsing regime, where recovery is always incomplete. This sensitivity enhancement is illustrated with the one-dimensional double pulsed field gradient spin echo NOE experiment to observe a "fourth-order" NOE. Sensitivity gains of 30% are demonstrated.
Kinetic intermediates in RNA folding

The folding pathways of large, highly structured RNA molecules are largely unexplored. Insight into both the kinetics of folding and the presence of intermediates was provided in a study of the Mg(2+)-induced folding of the Tetrahymena ribozyme by hybridization of complementary oligodeoxynucleotide probes. This RNA folds via a complex mechanism involving both Mg(2+)-dependent and Mg(2+)-independent steps. A hierarchical model for the folding pathway is proposed in which formation of one helical domain (P4-P6) precedes that of a second helical domain (P3-P7). The overall rate-limiting step is formation of P3-P7, and takes place with an observed rate constant of 0.72 +/- 0.14 minute-1. The folding mechanism of large RNAs appears similar to that of many multidomain proteins in that formation of independently stable substructures precedes their association into the final conformation.
Plastic buckling of eccentrically stiffened circular cylindrical shells.

A solution for the plastic buckling of eccentrically stiffened cylinders is derived by use of the J2 deformation theory of plasticity for a set of simply supported edge boundary conditions. The uniaxial character of the stiffeners and the stiffener eccentricity (asymmetry about the cylinder middle surface) are explicitly accounted for as is a variable Poisson's ratio in the plastic region. A closed-form stability criterion is obtained for axial compression, lateral pressure, and hydrostatic pressure loadings. The present results are more realistic for most practical stiffened cylinders than an existing solution in which an orthotropic shell model is used. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effect of plastic action on the buckling load of a typical aerospace structure.
Light scattering by anisotropic elliptical objects

The small-angle light scattering in Hv and Vv modes is calculated for elliptical disks with the use of an elliptical coordinate system. The method is general for all degrees of ellipticity, from a circular disk to rodlike extensions, and permits the definition of any desired dipole orientations. The solution is obtained by computer-assisted numeric integration. Two models are considered, an “elliptical” one an “affine deformation” one differing in the orientation of scattering dipoles. The calculated patterns show a significant dependence of the distribution of the scattered intensity on the size and the elliptical axial ratio in both models, permitting the determination of both the size and the degree of ellipticity of the disk from its patterns. In addition, the differences between the calculated results for the two models are sufficiently large to permit the selection of the experimentally appropriate model, at least within the range of moderate degree of ellipticity.
Variation of Traits of a Mating Appraisal Program

Abstract Data from Mating Appraisal for Profit of Midwest Breeders Cooperative were analyzed for a model with evaluator, herd, parity, sire, linear days milked, quadratic days milked, interaction of evaluator by parity, and residual. Parity affected all traits except basic form and legs. Evaluators interacted with parity, and sires affected all traits. All traits except front were affected by quadratic days milked and all traits by linear days milked. Heritabilities from paternal half sisters were basic form .96, scale .55, front .34, body .42, back .13, legs .14, feet .16, rump .13, rear udder .13, fore udder .14, center support .14, and teats .19. The heritability of basic form may be inflated by sire identification prior to scoring. Traits in close physical proximity showed genetic correlations in excess of .50; those not in close proximity showed smaller or negative correlations. Correlations with basic form showed that thicker cows score superior for correlated traits. Subcodes were used for seven of the traits in the program. Heritabilities for subcodes generally were small, ranging from .00 to .15 with most less than .10. Changes in conformation can result from selection, but selection on specific faults (subcodes) will not yield changes quickly.
Pixel-based criteria-oriented analysis of time-lapse Ca2+-fluorescence images

Abstract Since its inception, the analysis of time-lapse video-images acquired during Ca 2+ imaging experiments using fluorescence microscopy has been progressively optimized for achieving a high temporal resolution. In contrast, the spatial resolution of the acquired images is often compromised during analysis to varying degrees by the need to draw regions of interest (ROI). We developed a strategy to analyze images at the acquired spatial resolution—pixel-by-pixel, grouping all pixels based on criteria of interest (COI) in regard to their associated fluorescence values over time and visualizing the distributions of the pixel-groups detected in a pseudo-colored map. We applied this pixel-based COI-strategy to the analysis of relative intracellular free calcium levels (Ca i 2+ ) in attached cultured embryonic hippocampal cells under baseline and experimental conditions designed to evaluate the contribution of extracellular Ca 2+ (Ca e 2+ ) to baseline Ca i 2+ levels. We discovered distinct groups of Ca e 2+ -dependent Ca i 2+ regulation patterns emergent during the earliest phases of hippocampal cell differentiation, which were not limited to inter-cell differences. Thus, pixel-based COI-analysis of time-lapse images can be used to disclose distinct patterns of Ca e 2+ -dependent Ca i 2+ levels and their corresponding subcellular distributions in developing hippocampal cells. Such a strategy should be useful in studying the emergence and distribution of Ca i 2+ signaling at subcellular levels of resolution using fluorescence microscopy.
An intercomparison of hurricane forecasts using SSM/I and TRMM rain rate algorithm(s)

Three different Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) rain rate algorithms are evaluated as a means of improving both the physical initialization and the hurricane forecast output of the Florida State University Global Spectral Model (FSU GSM). These SSM/I rain rate algorithms are known as Cal/Val, NESDIS, and GPROF 4.0. In addition the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) TMI – 2A12 rain rate algorithm is validated, and its impact on FSU GSM hurricane forecasts is also studied.
A laminar solid core photonic crystal waveguide

A one-dimensional model is presented to explain the physics of solid core photonic crystal fibers. The model provides a clear way to demonstrate many of the interesting characteristics of these fibers: variation of cladding index with wavelength, endlessly single-mode operation, short wavelength index limit, long wavelength index limit, and variation of these properties with the air/silica fraction. The effective index is calculated for a laminar cladding consisting of periodic layers of alternating high and low index dielectrics. The waveguide model consists of the same periodic layers surrounding a high-index core through which most of the light propagates. The light is confined by total internal reflection. The model is shown to be an accurate analogue for a more complicated two-dimensional finned dielectric waveguide.
Gender, Race, and Sentencing

Race and gender pose empirical and policy problems that are both similar and different for the U. S. criminal justice system. They are similar in that blacks and women occupy subordinate social and economic positions in American life, and their interests are less likely to be represented in the justice system than are those of white men. They are different in that blacks are overrepresented in arrest statistics and jail and prison populations while women are underrepresented. If over- (or under-) representation is assumed to result from similar effects of bias and subordination, the two patterns are hard to explain. The empirical literature on criminal courts reveals policy dilemmas in achieving "just" sentencing practices. Blacks (and especially black men) may be more likely than white men or women to benefit from tightly limited discretion and limited individualization of sentencing whereas women (both black and white) may be more likely to benefit from broader discretion and greater individualization. ...