cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XPS study of non-bridging oxygens in Na2OSiO2 gels

Abstract XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) has been used to differentiate bridging oxygens from non-bridging oxygens in various glass-forming systems. This paper reports the successful application of XPS to sol-gel derived Na 2 OSiO 2 . Two peaks were observed in the O 1s spectra. One of these can be ascribed to non-bridging oxygens. The relative amount of non-bridging oxygens increased with the heat-treatment temperature. The XPS spectra of gels heated to 600 °C are similar to those of the corresponding melt-formed glasses.
Diffusion-controlled recombination of charged particles

Abstract A theory of diffusion-controlled recombination of charged particles is developed. It becomes evident that at large times the long-range Coulomb interaction acting between particles causes a mean-field behavior of the system. The long-time decay of particle densities and the crossover time from non-classical to mean-field behavior are obtained. The effects of an external electric field are also clarified.
The association of anti-P and early abortion

The current report details the serologic findings in a case reported previously of a P1k woman, para 0 gravida 13, who was treated during her fourteenth pregnancy with plasmapheresis to reduce the anti-P titer. These studies suggest that anti-P can induce early abortion in Pk women and that the abortions are immunologically mediated. Further, this case supports the disputed proposal that the anti-P component of anti-PP1Pk is responsible for pregnancy loss in p women.
Comparative proteomic analysis of Listeria monocytogenes strains F2365 and EGD.

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive, food-borne pathogen that causes disease in both humans and animals. There are three major genetic lineages of L. monocytogenes and 13 serovars. To further our understanding of the differences that exist between different genetic lineages/serovars of L. monocytogenes, we analyzed the global protein expression of the serotype 1/2a strain EGD and the serotype 4b strain F2365 during early-stationary-phase growth at 37°C. Using multidimensional protein identification technology with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 1,754 proteins from EGD and 1,427 proteins from F2365, of which 1,077 were common to both. Analysis of proteins that had significantly altered expression between strains revealed potential biological differences between these two L. monocytogenes strains. In particular, the strains differed in expression of proteins involved in cell wall physiology and flagellar biosynthesis, as well as DNA repair proteins and stress response proteins.
International employment in clinical practice: influencing factors for the dental hygienist

: Purpose: To assess demographics, job characteristics, geographical regions, resources and commitment, which influence dental hygienists seeking international clinical practice employment opportunities. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to a convenience sample of members of the Dental Hygienists’ Association of the City of New York. Statistical analyses were conducted and frequency distributions and relationships between variables were calculated. Results: Seventy-two percent of respondents reported that they are or may be interested in working overseas. Italy and Spain (67%) were the regions of most interest. Salary (65%) was cited as the most influencing factor in selection, whereas non-compliance with the equivalency to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards (74%) was the most frequently perceived barrier. Multiple language fluency was statistically significant (0.003) regarding interest in overseas employment. Conclusion: Policy makers, employers and educators need to be aware of these findings should recruitment be a possibility to render urgently needed oral hygiene care in regions where there is a perceived shortage of dental hygienists.
New Estimates of the Impact of EDA Public Works Program Investments on County Labor Markets

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) makes public works investments in distressed areas throughout the nation. In this study, these investments are found to have significantly positive effects on county employment levels after controlling for a variety of geographic, economic, and demographic factors. The investments have no significant effect on employee compensation. The estimates indicate that EDA public works investment provides counties with jobs at relatively low cost, suggesting that such investments are an effective means of job creation and retention in targeted counties. The article’s final section qualifies this conclusion somewhat, discussing the possibility that EDA investments act as a proxy for a coordinated local economic development strategy and evaluating the potential benefits of ameliorating regional decline.
Applying Marketing Techniques to Improve Students' Perceptions of Marketing

Even though the ratio of marketing majors to all business students has been shrinking on a nationwide basis, the trend can be reversed by applying marketing techniques. This study used a simulated before-after quasi-experimental design to demonstrate how students' perceptions can be assessed. Specific modifications were implemented to meet students' needs and expectations. The follow-up measure 18 months later showed not only an enrollment increase in marketing courses, but a more favorable perception of marketing among nonmajors as well.
Current Approaches to Punitive Action for Medication Errors by Boards of Pharmacy

BACKGROUNDTo increase disclosure of errors and lead to system improvements, publications recommend a nonpunitive approach to medication errors. To our knowledge there is no published information regarding the extent or bases on which boards of pharmacy invoke punitive action against pharmacists involved in medication errors.OBJECTIVETo determine how often and on what bases boards of pharmacy determine punitive action to be taken against pharmacists involved in medication error events.METHODSThe policies, procedures, and practices regarding medication errors by pharmacists for 49 of the 50 US boards of pharmacy were reviewed by pharmacy students at the University of New Mexico as a Safe Medication Practices class assignment.RESULTSMost boards of pharmacy invoke punitive action against pharmacists involved in medication errors. Most states do not have specific rules or regulations that stipulate errors as actual violations and most determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. The major determinants of p...
Estimating the grazing impact of marine micro-zooplankton

This paper describes a dilution technique for estimating the micro-zooplankton grazing impact on natural communities of marine phytoplankton. Experiments performed in coastal waters off Washington, USA (October, 1980), yield estimates of micro-zooplankton impact equivalent to 6 to 24% of phytoplankton standing biomass and 17 to 52% of production per day. Indirect evidence suggests that most of this impact is due to the feeding of copepod nauplii and tintinnids; in contrast, non-loricate ciliates, comprising 80 to 90% of numerical abundance, appeared to contribute little to phytoplankton mortality.
Quantum theory of spontaneous emission and excitation near a phase-conjugating mirror

We present a quantum-electrodynamic theory of spontaneous emission in the presence of a phase-conjugating mirror (PCM) and show that the radiative relaxation rate is increased owing to the amplification of quantum noise by the PCM. For any finite value of the PCM reflectivity an atom in any initial state will relax to a steady state with a finite probability of being excited. In particular, there is a finite probability of spontaneous excitation of a ground-state atom placed near the PCM. The fluorescence spectrum of an atom near a PCM is generally described by two Lorentzian functions.
Capture and Reproductive Trends in Summer Bat Communities in West Virginia: Assessing the Impact of White-Nose Syndrome

Abstract Although it has been widely documented that populations of cave-roosting bats rapidly decline following the arrival of white-nose syndrome (WNS), longer term reproductive effects are less well-known and essentially unexplored at the community scale. In West Virginia, WNS was first detected in the eastern portion of the state in 2009 and winter mortality was documented in 2009 and 2010. However, quantitative impacts on summer bat communities remained unknown. We compared “historical” (pre-WNS) capture records and reproductive rates from 11,734 bats captured during summer (15 May to 15 August) of 1997–2008 and 1,304 captures during 2010. We predicted that capture rates (number of individuals captured/net-night) would decrease in 2010. We also expected the energetic strain of WNS would cause delayed or reduced reproduction, as denoted by a greater proportion of pregnant or lactating females later in the summer and a lower relative proportion of juvenile captures in the mid–late summer. We found a dr...
Corneal Epithelial Cell Viability Following Exposure to Ophthalmic Solutions Containing Preservatives and/or Antihypertensive Agents

Introduction This in-vitro study compared the toxicity of bimatoprost 0.01% containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK) 0.02% with other commercial BAK-free or BAK-containing prostaglandin analogs.
Relationships between Pinus ponderosa forest structure, light characteristics, and understory graminoid species presence and abundance

Productivity of graminoid species is known to vary in response to different Pinus ponderosa densities. Specific forest structural characteristics related to these differences remain elusive, yet are important for management objectives that aim at a diverse understory vegetation composition. In this study, we have addressed the effects of P. ponderosa forest structure and light environments on individual graminoid species presence and abundance. Graminoid species presence was positively related to mean diameter of P. ponderosa trees (including seedlings), but presence was poorly related to light characteristics. Larger tree diameters may relate to graminoid species presence through shade intensity because shade under larger diameter trees is less dense. The abundance of small diameter trees indicates past disturbance and exposed mineral soil which may favor some graminoid species over others. Graminoid species abundance measured as basal area cover and plant numbers were more closely related to direct sunlight. Cool-season species performed better on sites with spring/autumn or morning summer sun while the larger plants of warm-season species were on sites with midday summer sun. These results suggest that manipulation of forest structure to maintain stands of large diameter trees in a patchy distribution will create a variety of direct sun regimes needed to maintain a diverse grass understory. This type of forest structure is also consistent with pre-European southwestern P. ponderosa forest conditions. # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Partition based spatial-merge join

This paper describes PBSM (Partition Based Spatial-Merge), a new algorithm for performing spatial join operation. This algorithm is especially effective when neither of the inputs to the join have an index on the joining attribute. Such a situation could arise if both inputs to the join are intermediate results in a complex query, or in a parallel environment where the inputs must be dynamically redistributed. The PBSM algorithm partitions the inputs into manageable chunks, and joins them using a computational geometry based plane-sweeping technique. This paper also presents a performance study comparing the the traditional indexed nested loops join algorithm, a spatial join algorithm based on joining spatial indices, and the PBSM algorithm. These comparisons are based on complete implementations of these algorithms in Paradise, a database system for handling GIS applications. Using real data sets, the performance study examines the behavior of these spatial join algorithms in a variety of situations, including the cases when both, one, or none of the inputs to the join have an suitable index. The study also examines the effect of clustering the join inputs on the performance of these join algorithms. The performance comparisons demonstrates the feasibility, and applicability of the PBSM join algorithm.
Spatial heterogeneity of post‐dispersal survivorship of Queensland rainforest seeds

Short-term seed survivorship for several species of the Queensland rainforest was compared in forests and early successional fields, treefall gaps and forest interior, and an array of microhabitats (tree buttresses, logs, forest floor with and without leaf litter cover). Seed survivorship was lower in forest than in field at one site, but equal at another. No differences were found in and out of treefall gaps, in contrast to several other studies. Microsites had little consistent influence on short-term seed survivorship. A survey of the literature showed no consistent habitat or microhabitat patterns in seed survivorship.
Giant Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare. Approximately 600 cases have been described in the literature. We report a case of a young man with a giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura that filled his entire left hemithorax and anterior mediastinum and extended into the right side of his chest. The diagnostic modalities employed, the operation, and the postoperative management resulting in complete resection of the tumor and full lung reexpansion are described.
Diffraction tomographic algorithm for the detection of three-dimensional objects buried in a lossy half-space

A diffraction tomographic (DT) algorithm has been proposed for detecting three-dimensional (3-D) dielectric objects buried in a lossy ground, using electric dipoles or magnetic dipoles as transmitter and receiver, where the air-earth interface has been taken into account and the background is lossy. To derive closed-form reconstruction formulas, an approximate generalized Fourier transform is introduced. Using this algorithm, the locations, shapes, and dielectric properties of buried objects can be well reconstructed under the low-contrast condition, and the objects can be well detected even when the contrast is high. Due to the use of fast Fourier transforms to implement the problem, the proposed algorithm is fast and quite tolerant to the error of measurement data, making it possible to solve realistic problems. Reconstruction examples are given to show the validity of the algorithm.
The Self-Harm Inventory (SHI): Development of a scale for identifying self-destructive behaviors and borderline personality disorder.

Intentional self-harm behavior is an important clinical phenomenon that appears highly related to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Self-harm behavior in the context of borderline personality probably exists along a continuum from graphic, self-harm behavior to milder forms of self-sabotaging behavior that might be viewed as self-defeating Relatively little attention has been paid to developing a self-report measure of intentional self-harm, particularly as a screening device for detecting BPD. In Study 1, an initial list of self-harm behaviors encountered in clinical practice was narrowed to those behaviors related to BPD in a sample comprised of adults from both a mental health and non-mental health setting. All participants (N = 221) underwent a semistructured diagnostic interview for BPD. Using a cut-off score of 5 on the resulting 22-item Self-Harm Inventory (SHI), 83.7% of research participants were correctly classified as having BPD or not. In Study 2, women (N = 285) sampled from an outpatient medical setting completed the SHI and a widely used self-report measure of BPD. The SHI cut-off score resulted in correct classification of 87.9% of the individuals. In Study 3, using a sample of adults involuntarily hospitalized for psychiatric reasons (N = 32), the SHI performed at least as well as another self-report measure of BPD in diagnosing participants (the final diagnosis was based on a semistructured interview). The results are discussed with regard to potential advantages and utility of the SHI and need for further validation.
Theory of structural response to macroscopic electric fields in ferroelectric systems

We have developed and implemented a formalism for computing the structural response of a periodic insulating system to a homogeneous static electric field within density-functional perturbation theory (DFPT). We consider the thermodynamic potentials $E(\mathbf{R},\ensuremath{\eta},\mathcal{E})$ and $F(\mathbf{R},\ensuremath{\eta},\mathbf{P}),$ whose minimization with respect to the internal structural parameters $\mathbf{R}$ and unit cell strain $\ensuremath{\eta}$ yields the equilibrium structure at fixed electric field $\mathcal{E}$ and polarization $\mathbf{P},$ respectively. First-order expansion of $E(\mathbf{R},\ensuremath{\eta},\mathcal{E})$ in $\mathcal{E}$ leads to a useful approximation in which $\mathbf{R}(\mathbf{P})$ and $\ensuremath{\eta}(\mathbf{P})$ can be obtained by simply minimizing the zero-field internal energy with respect to structural coordinates subject to the constraint of a fixed spontaneous polarization $\mathbf{P}.$ To facilitate this minimization, we formulate a modified DFPT scheme such that the computed derivatives of the polarization are consistent with the discretized form of the Berry-phase expression. We then describe the application of this approach to several problems associated with bulk and short-period superlattice structures of ferroelectric materials such as ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{PbTiO}}_{3}.$ These include the effects of compositionally broken inversion symmetry, the equilibrium structure for high values of polarization, field-induced structural phase transitions, and the lattice contributions to the linear and the nonlinear dielectric constants.
Quantitative clinical pharmacology is transforming drug regulation.

Prior to 1970s, development and regulation of new drugs was devoid of a fully quantitative, pathophysiological conceptual foundation. Malcolm Rowland pioneered, in collaboration with colleagues and friends, our modern understanding of drug clearance concepts, and equipped drug development and regulatory scientists with key investigative tools such as physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, standardized approaches to characterizing drug metabolism, and microdosing. From the 1970s to the present, Malcolm Rowland has contributed to key advances in pharmacokinetics that have had transformational impacts on drug regulatory science. These advances include concepts that have led to the fundamental understanding that mechanistically derived, quantitative variations in drug concentrations, rather than assigned dosage alone, drive pharmacodynamic effects (PKPD)—including disease biomarkers and clinical outcomes. This body of knowledge has transformed drug development and regulatory science theory and practice from naive empiricism to a mechanism/model-based, quantitative scientific discipline. As a result, it is now possible to incorporate pre-clinical in vitro data on drug physico-chemical properties, metabolizing enzymes, transporters and permeability properties into PBPK-based simulations of expected PK distributions and drug–drug interactions in human populations. The most comprehensive application of PK-PD is in the modeling and simulation of clinical trials in the context of model-based drug development and regulation, imbedded in the “learn-confirm paradigm”. Regulatory agencies have embraced these advances and incorporated them into regulatory requirements, approval acceleration pathways and regulatory decisions. These developments are reviewed here, with emphasis on key contributions of Malcolm Rowland that facilitated this transformation.
School-Based Interventions

When considering interventions for mental health problems in schools, the application of traditional models with emphasis on symptoms and disorders may not feasible or desirable. Generally, formal DSM-IV diagnoses are not needed in schools, unless services are being delivered by professionals who are receiving health insurance reimbursement or are working for agencies that require diagnoses. These models focus on internal pathology as the primary source of problems and as the focus of treatment. Adelman and Taylor (2010) suggest that such an emphasis, while not discounting the presence of internal pathology in some children, creates a narrow perspective on problems and ways to approach them. They suggest that the majority of children’s emotional and behavioral problems are due primarily to sociocultural and economic factors. Relatively few children have diagnosable mental disorders, and Adelman and Taylor suggest that complex classification systems that focus on “…personal pathology has skewed theory, research, practice, and public policy” (p. 11). Rather, mental health in schools should take a broader perspective and focus on the following:
Ethics and Christology - Rediscovering Jesus in Evolutionary History

Ethics and Christology - Rediscovering Jesus in Evolutionary History The rather perplexing issue of whether and how Christology should relate to Ethics can, for me at least, only be resolved by first asking how exactly, in the case of Jesus, God’s revelation is located not just in history, but specifically in evolutionary history itself. The evolutionary history of our species, as well as those characteristics that we normally see as defining the distinctiveness of Homo sapiens (consciousness, imagination, moral awareness, religious propensities, etc.) should not only directly impact notions of our own embodied personhood, but also what it would mean to understand Jesus’ embodied mind, his consciousness and self-awareness, as defining his personhood. In this sense a focus on the identity of Jesus will shape the ethical relevance of who He was, what He did, what He said, and why we today might feel compelled to follow that example.
Insights from the Metagenome of an Acid Salt Lake: The Role of Biology in an Extreme Depositional Environment

The extremely acidic brine lakes of the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia are home to some of the most biologically challenging waters on Earth. In this study, we employed metagenomic shotgun sequencing to generate a microbial profile of the depositional environment associated with the sulfur-rich sediments of one such lake. Of the 1.5 M high-quality reads generated, 0.25 M were mapped to protein features, which in turn provide new insights into the metabolic function of this community. In particular, 45 diverse genes associated with sulfur metabolism were identified, the majority of which were linked to either the conversion of sulfate to adenylylsulfate and the subsequent production of sulfide from sulfite or the oxidation of sulfide, elemental sulfur, and thiosulfate via the sulfur oxidation (Sox) system. This is the first metagenomic study of an acidic, hypersaline depositional environment, and we present evidence for a surprisingly high level of microbial diversity. Our findings also illuminate the possibility that we may be meaningfully underestimating the effects of biology on the chemistry of these sulfur-rich sediments, thereby influencing our understanding of past geobiological conditions that may have been present on Earth as well as early Mars.
Depressive Experiences of Nonreferred Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cognitive-Developmental Perspective

The cognitive theory of depression proposed by Beck and the cognitive developmental theory proposed by Piaget provided the theoreticalframeworks for an exploratory and developmentally based investi...
Completing Brahmagupta’s Extension of Ptolemy’s Theorem

Brahmagupta extended Ptolemy’s theorem on cyclic quadrilaterals to find the lengths of the diagonals, the segments made when they are cut at the point of intersection of the diagonals, and the lengths of the sides of the needles, the figures formed when opposite sides of the quadrilateral are extended until they meet. Proofs of these results are given, and a derivation of the 19th century result of the length of the third diagonal is given. This “diagonal” is formed by connecting the tips of the needles with a line segment.
Solutions: American Leaders Speak Out on Criminal Justice

Mass incarceration. In recent years it’s become clear that the size of America’s prison population is unsustainable – and isn’t needed to protect public safety. In this remarkable bipartisan collaboration, the country’s most prominent public figures and experts join together to propose ideas for change. In these original essays, many authors speak out for the first time on the issue. The vast majority agree that reducing our incarcerated population is a priority. Marking a clear political shift on crime and punishment in America, these sentiments are a far cry from politicians racing to be the most punitive in the 1980s and 1990s. Mass incarceration threatens American democracy. Hiding in plain sight, it drives economic inequality, racial injustice, and poverty. How do we achieve change? From using federal funding to bolster police best practices to allowing for the release of low-level offenders while they wait for trial, from eliminating prison for low-level drug crimes to increasing drug and mental health treatment, the ideas in this book pave a way forward. Solutions promises to further the intellectual and political momentum to reform our justice system.
BET Bromodomain Inhibition Releases the Mediator Complex from Select cis-Regulatory Elements

The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein BRD4 can physically interact with the Mediator complex, but the relevance of this association to the therapeutic effects of BET inhibitors in cancer is unclear. Here, we show that BET inhibition causes a rapid release of Mediator from a subset of cis-regulatory elements in the genome of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. These sites of Mediator eviction were highly correlated with transcriptional suppression of neighboring genes, which are enriched for targets of the transcription factor MYB and for functions related to leukemogenesis. A shRNA screen of Mediator in AML cells identified the MED12, MED13, MED23, and MED24 subunits as performing a similar regulatory function to BRD4 in this context, including a shared role in sustaining a block in myeloid maturation. These findings suggest that the interaction between BRD4 and Mediator has functional importance for gene-specific transcriptional activation and for AML maintenance.
Rearing of the Omnivorous Leaf Roller in the Laboratory on Artificial Diet

A constant supply of an insect species under investigation is helpful in both basic and applied entomological research. In fact, many of the new experimental approaches to pest control such as male-sterilization techniques and sex-pheromone studies are primarily depen-dent upon the adequate availability of a large number of insects with a fair degree of uniformity in their age, vigor, shape, and size. Laboratory-reared insects are also useful in various toxicological, pathological, and physiological investigations.
Surrogate Fuel Development Based on Droplet Combustion: Comparison of Multi-component Mixtures with an Aviation Fuel

This study examines the extent to which three and four component mixtures can replicate the burning characteristics of an aviation fuel, Jet-A (designated by the Air Force as “POSF4658”). The three component mixture (n-decane/iso-octane/toluene with a molar ratio 42.67/33.02/24.31) was previously developed to match the derived cetane number and H/C ratio of Jet-A, whereas the four component mixture (n-dodecane/iso-octane/1,3,5trimethylbenzene/n-propylbenzene with a molar ratio 40.41/29.48/7.28/22.83) had been proposed based on a refinement that further matched Jet-A’s molecular weight and threshold sooting index. The approach taken in this paper is that the extent to which a proposed blend may be a useful surrogate could in part be based on the extent to which the surrogate would replicate certain features of the base case for liquid combustion, namely spherical symmetry. Accordingly, in this paper experiments were carried out in an environment that minimizes convection and thereby promotes spherical flame symmetry in the droplet burning process. The initial droplet diameters were fixed at 0.56±0.04 mm. Droplet combustion “targets” measured included the evolution of the droplet, flame and soot shell diameters. Results suggest that the four component mixture better replicates Jet-A’s these targets than does the three component blend.
Effect of membrane lipids on the lactosylceramide molecular species specificity of CMP-N-acetylneuraminate:lactosylceramide sialyltransferase

It has previously been shown that when the molecular species specificity of rat liver Golgi CMP-N-acetylneuraminate:lactosylceramide alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase was determined, using as the substrate lactosylceramide (LacCer) incorporated into liposomes prepared with rat liver Golgi lipids, the enzyme showed a pronounced variation in activity towards the various molecular species of LacCer (J. Lipid Res. 1989. 30: 1789-1797). In this paper, -the LacCer molecular species specificity of sialyltransferase from neuroblastoma NB2a cells was examined using five naturally occurring and three synthetic molecular species of LacCer. The enzyme activity was determined by following the formation of [14C]GM3 from CMP-[14C]neuraminic acid and individual molecular species of LacCer incorporated into liposomes. Nonspecific lipid transfer protein was included in the enzyme assay to facilitate the transfer of LacCer and other lipids between the liposomes and the membrane where sialyltransferase is located. In these enzyme assays the liposomes contained approximately 10 times more lipid phosphorus than either the microsomal fraction of NB2a cells or the Golgi fraction of rat liver. Thus, in the presence of nonspecific lipid transfer protein, the lipid composition of the membrane where sialyltransferase is located was modified to resemble the lipid composition of the liposomes. When the molecular species specificity of NB2a cell sialyltransferase was determined with LacCer incorporated into liposomes prepared with NB2a cell lipids, the enzyme showed no specificity towards the various molecular species of LacCer. However, when the molecular species specificity of NB2a cell sialyltransferase was determined with LacCer incorporated into liposomes prepared with rat liver Golgi lipids, the enzyme showed a variation in activity towards the various LacCer molecular species similar to that observed with the liver Golgi enzyme using liposomes prepared with liver Golgi lipids. Likewise, when the molecular species specificity of rat liver Golgi sialyltransferase was determined with LacCer incorporated into liposomes prepared with NB2a cell lipids, the liver enzyme then showed no specificity towards the various molecular species of LacCer. These results indicate that the lipid environment of the membrane can alter the molecular species specificity of sialyltransferase towards its lipid substrate, LacCer.
Study on RHD Gene Polymorphism Among RhD-negative Blood Donors in Hunan

Objective To evaluate the distribution of RHD specific exons in 133 blood donors in Hunan Province who were classified as RhD-negative by serological methods,and to explore the association between the genomic structure and serological results. Methods The polymerase chain reaction using-sequence specific primers(PCR-SSP) was used to amplify exons 2,3,4,5,6,7,9 and 10 of RHD gene,allele 1227A and exons 1,2 and 5 of RHCE gene,as well as intron 4 in each of them.Absorption-elution tests were done in a part of the samples. Results The 133 cases of RhD-negative phenotypes consisted of 69 ccee,57 Ccee,4 CCee,3 CcEe,and 1 ccEe.Among them,85 cases lacked the eight RHD exons indicated above(63.9),24 cases had all the RHD exons examined(18.05%),while 16 individuals carried at least one RHD exon(12.03%).24 samples were Del phenotype by the absorption-elution tests. Conclusions Polymorphisms of Rh-negative individuals in Hunan population were observed.Del phenotypes were highly detected among the apparently RhD-negative individuals and Del cases had the possibility of carrying the intact RHD gene.The RhD-negative individuals carried RHD gene were mainly found the RHC phenotype while Rhc phenotypes among the RhD-negative cases were also found.So it is necessary to combine serological study with gene phenotyping before DNA-based RhD genotyping is performed.
9 Social Inequality and Access to Services in Premodern Cities

We use spatial analytical methods to illuminate one aspect of the urban experience: equity of access to facilities that provide material, religious, and assembly services. We compare three cities known from archaeology (Teotihuacan, Tikal, and Empuries) and three historical cities (Bhaktapur, Chester, and Lamu). Some neighborhoods had better access to service facilities than others, pointing to ancient patterns of spatial inequality. Data on house size suggest that status also impacted service access. Greater travel time to service facilities negatively impacts the well-being of urban residents in two ways: it reduces access to key services, and it takes time away from other activities. Our methods for identifying these spatial patterns of inequality open a new window on the implications of social inequality for the premodern urban experience.
Effect of breakfast eating versus breakfast skipping on obesity related anthropometry: a systematic review

BackgroundBreakfast consumption is frequently recommended for weight loss and the prevention of obesity. Although breakfast eating has been repeatedly associated with lower BMIs through numerous ob...
Identification of Langerhans-like cells in the immunocompetent tissues of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most powerful antigen presenting cells (APCs) that have a critical role in bridging innate and adaptive immune responses in vertebrates. Dendritic cells have been characterized morphologically and functionally in the teleost fish models such as rainbow trout, salmonids, medaka, and zebrafish. The presence of DCs with remarkable similarities to human Langerhans cells (LCs) has been described in the spleen and anterior kidney of salmonids and rainbow trout. However, there is no evidence of the presence of DCs and their role in channel catfish immunity. In this study, we assessed DC-like cells in the immunocompetent tissues of channel catfish by immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We identified Langerin/CD207+ (L/CD207+) cells in the channel catfish anterior kidney, spleen and gill by IHC. Moreover, we described the cells that resembled mammal LC DCs containing Birbeck-like (BL) granules in channel catfish spleen, anterior and posterior kidneys and gill by TEM. Our data suggest that cells with DC-like morphology in the immune related organs of catfish may share morphological and functional properties with previously reported DCs in teleost fish and mammals. More detailed knowledge of the phenotype and the function of catfish DCs will not only help gain insight into the evolution of the vertebrate adaptive immune system but will also provide valuable information for development and optimization of immunotherapies and vaccination protocols for aquaculture use.
Background: Energy Use, Capacity, and Policies

This chapter provides background and context for the book, including the four alternative energy case studies provided in Part II and the analysis of public opinion data in Part III. The development of alternative energy technologies is a primary focus of energy policy in California, Oregon, and Washington, with each of the states engaged in regional efforts with British Columbia to promote the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy of 2013. Although more conservative Idaho is not a signatory to the action plan, it does have enormous renewable energy capacity and does offer some renewable energy incentive programs in conjunction with utilities. This chapter provides each state’s energy profile in terms of overall consumption and the major sources of energy currently in use, followed by an overview of state renewable energy capacity, as well as current regional and state energy policies.
Analysis of Alcohol-Involved Pedestrian Fatalities in the United States, 2003–2015

Background In 2015, 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S., a 9.5% increase from 2014 and the highest number since 1996. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 40% of pedestrian fatalities in 2013 involved alcohol; however limited research exists on factors that contribute to these alcohol-involved fatalities. This study examines trends in alcohol-involved pedestrian fatalities across demographic and crash specific variables. Methods Using the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), this study analyzed 59,754 pedestrian fatalities between 2003 and 2015. Alcohol-involved crashes include any crash where a pedestrian's BAC was at least 0.01 g/dL. Descriptive statistics included frequencies of demographic (age, sex, race, ethnicity, urbanicity) and crash specific variables (intersection type, time of week). Logistic regression models were also used to determine the likelihood of alcohol-involvement across demographic and crash specific variables. Results Young adults (21–34) were the most common age group and had greater odds of being in an alcohol-involved fatality than any other age group. Females were less likely (AOR: 0.685, p Conclusions Demographic and crash specific variables influence alcohol involvement in pedestrian fatalities. Pedestrian fatalities, specifically those involving alcohol, is a public health and transportation issue. Targeted interventions such as education and enforcement in areas of high pedestrian fatalities involving alcohol are needed.
Asymmetric Structure of the Dimerization Domain of PhoR, a Sensor Kinase Important for the Virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The PhoP–PhoR two-component system is essential for the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and therefore represents a potential target for developing novel antituberculosis therapies. However, little is known about the mechanism by which this two-component system regulates the virulence. In this study, we demonstrated that a phoR mutant Mtb strain has phenotypes similar to those of a phoP mutant, suggesting that PhoP and PhoR work in the same pathway to regulate Mtb virulence. We determined the structure of the dimerization and histidine phosphotransfer (DHp) domain of PhoR to a 1.9 A resolution. The structure revealed that the DHp domain is a dimer. Each subunit consists of two antiparallel α helices connected by a loop of five residues. The two subunits of the dimer fold into a four-helical bundle with a continuous hydrophobic core. The topology of the four-helical bundle is identical to the histidine kinases that are known to have a cis-autophosphorylation mechanism, suggesting that PhoR is ...
Cognition, personality, and stress in budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus

To study the fitness effects of individual variation in cognitive traits, it is paramount to understand whether traits such as personality and physiological stress influence cognitive performance. We first tested whether budgerigars showed both consistent personalities and cognitive performance across time and tasks. We tested object and food neophobia, and exploratory behavior. We measured cognitive performance in habituation, ability to solve foraging problems, spatial memory, and seed discrimination tasks. Budgerigars showed consistency in their neophobic tendencies and these tendencies were associated with their exploratory behavior. Birds were also consistent in how they performed in most of the cognitive tasks (temporal consistency), but were not consistent in their performance across tasks (context consistency). Neither corticosterone levels (baseline and stress-induced) showed a significant relationship with either cognitive or personality measures. Neophobic and exploratory tendencies determined the willingness of birds to engage only in the seed discrimination task. Such tendencies also had a significant effect on problem-solving ability. Our results suggest that consistent individual differences in cognitive performance along with consistent differences in personality could determine response to environmental change and therefore have important fitness consequences.
Theory of many-body radiative heat transfer without the constraint of reciprocity

Understanding electromagnetic heat transfer in many-body systems is critical to exploring new physics effects that can arise in reciprocal and nonreciprocal many-body systems. Here, the authors develop explicit and compact formulas for electromagnetic heat transfer in systems consisting of a large number of bodies without the constraint of reciprocity. They go on to demonstrate the emergence of a persistent heat current at thermal equilibrium and a directional heat flow at nonequilibrium in systems composed of multiple magneto-optical particles. This opens up possibilities for controlling near-field electromagnetic heat transfer using complex reciprocal and nonreciprocal systems.
Understanding credit card payment behavior among college students

College students remain a lucrative target market for credit card companies even after the advent of the Credit Card Act of 2009. Unfortunately, many students are not prepared to use credit responsibly or make payments in a timely manner. Numerous studies reveal risky student credit behaviors, lack of credit knowledge or irresponsible management of credit. However, there remains a need for more information on college students’ payment behaviors. This paper aims to explain credit card payment behavior among college students by segmenting college students into payment behavior groupings. Using an online survey, students provided their credit card payment activity and demographic characteristics. The results of this study shed light on different credit card payment behaviors by segmenting college students into four behavioral segments based on useful characteristics. Clear distinctions exist between segments who behave in responsible ways versus those who do not practice responsible behaviors. These segmentation results add to the understanding of Lyons (2004; Journal of Consumer Affairs 38 (1): 56–80) who determined a means of identifying Financially at Risk students (FAR) with payment behavior. Given potentially dangerous effects of targeted credit card marketing to college students, findings about payment behavior of college students will help policymakers, credit card companies and college administrators.
Incorporation of Data Analysis throughout the ChE Curriculum Made Easy with DataFit.

At Florida Tech, we have incorporated DataFit from Oakdale Engineering[1] throughout the entire curriculum, beginning with ChE 1102, an eight-week, one-day-per-week, two-hour, one-credit-hour, second-semester Introduction to Chemical Engineering course in a hands-on computer classroom.[2] Our experience is that students retain data analysis concepts when such concepts are formally taught to them in ChE 1102 and then periodically reinforced throughout their academic careers. This paper outlines examples of several problems that have been included in my senior and graduate courses, including heat of absorption of hydrogen into a metal hydride, particle size distributions, and reaction rate law analysis. All Excel and DataFit files are available at http://my.fit.edu/~jbrenner/datafitanalysispaper2.zip.
THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF FATTY ACIDS IN THE CELLULAR SLIME MOLD, DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM.

Although considerable progress has been made in recent years in understanding the biosynthesis of saturated fatty acids, the mechanisms of deu (b) cis-vaccenic acid, 18 : l(ll), and an 18 carbon diunsaturated acid, 18:2(5,11); and (c) stearic acid, 18:0, oleic acid, 18:1(g), and a diunsaturated acid, 18:2(5,9). The occurrence of this mixture of distinctive monoenoic and dienoic fatty acids has afforded a convenient system for studying the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. In the present paper are reported experiments on the synthesis in growing cells of unsaturated fatty acids from radioactive short and long chain saturated fatty acids. The distribution of radioactivity among the fatty acids of the ameba was determined, as was also the distribution of radioactivity within individual unsaturated fatty acids. The results indicate that palmitate serves as the common precursor for 16:1(g), 16:2(5,9), 18:1(11), and18:2 (5,11), andthat 18:1(g) and 18:2(5,9) are derived from stearate, which in turn may be derived from palmitate.
Surface contamination in the operating room: use of adenosine triphosphate monitoring.

We prospectively investigated contamination of high-contact surfaces in the operating room (OR) using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) monitoring. We tested whether contamination would increase from morning (AM) to afternoon (PM), despite cleaning between cases. Second, we compared the degree of OR contamination to non-OR control sites. ORs with high case volumes were selected for the study. Ten sites in each OR were swabbed using the AccuPoint® HC ATP Sanitation Monitoring device, which provided a numerical measure of contamination (relative light units, RLUs). According to the manufacturer, surfaces are considered clean at ≤ 400 RLUs. AM measurements were taken before the start of surgical cases and PM measurements were taken after cases were completed. Eighty morning and 70 afternoon samples were obtained from 8 ORs. Apart from the OR floor, laryngoscope handles had the highest level of morning contamination (1204 RLUs, interquartile range 345, 2603), with 75% of AM samples and 100% of PM samples exceeding 400 RLUs. This contamination was comparable to hospital toilet seats (87% of samples exceeding 400 RLUs). No sites showed statistically significant increases in contamination from AM to PM. Apart from the OR floors, laryngoscope handles emerged as a key OR site where improved cleaning practices may reduce cross-contamination risk. While some sites showed increased contamination over the course of the day, none of these met statistical significance thereby offering tentative evidence that current cleaning practices during case turnover are effective for most sites.
Characterization of MBE-grown 1.55-µm GaSb-based multiple-quantum-well lasers at cryogenic temperatures

GaSb-based multiple-quantum-well lasers with In0.2Ga0.8Sb wells, Al0.35Ga0.65Sb barriers, and Al0.9Ga0.1Sb claddings have been fabricated as broad-area Fabry-Perot devices of dimensions 1000 μm × 800 μm. Their current-voltage and light-current characteristics, as well as emission spectra have been measured over a wide temperature range from 280 K down to 20 K. These data have been analyzed for experimental information on carrier freeze out, gain changes related to temperature, temperature-dependence of series resistance, and prospects for high-performance lasers operating at cryogenic temperatures.
Assessment of Insecticide/Miticide Treatments on Soybean Cyst Nematode Bioassays Under Greenhouse Conditions

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN)–soybean pathosystem is often reproduced under greenhouse conditions for basic research purposes, increasing inoculum, and soybean germplasm screening. Application of...