cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal influence on the response of wild and domestic norway rats to a novel environment

The influence of the maternal environment on the response of adult wild and domestic Norway rats to a novel environment was assessed by comparing the behavior of reciprocal hybrid groups to each other and to the parental strains. Wild rats exhibited shorter latencies for activity, greater total activity, more time grooming, smaller body weights, and larger adrenals than domestic rats. (Defecation rates were similar.) Reciprocal hybrids were intermediate to the parent strains for all variables. With the exception of total activity little evidence was obtained for a maternal influence on the behavioral responses studied. Differences between wild and domestic rats in response to a novel environment are more readily explained by genetic changes accompanying the domestication process than by differences in the maternal environments.
High temperature elastic properties of polycrystalline mar-m200 (a nickel base superalloy)

A sonic resonance technique has been used to measure the variation in Young’s modulus and shear modulus of MAR-M200 at elevated temperatures to 1125 K. The slopes of these moduli with temperature are found to change abruptly at 915 and 970 K, respectively. The reason for the above noted changes appears to be related to the elastic behavior of the γ phase of MAR-M200.
Overview of cold regions mobility modeling at CRREL

Abstract Over the last several decades, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) has extensively tested and analyzed issues related to vehicle performance in winter. Using this knowledge and the experimental database, models were developed to capture the important elements for cold regions mobility performance. These models span a range of resolutions and fidelities and include three-dimensional finite element models of tire–terrain interaction, vehicle dynamics models of vehicles on winter surfaces, semi-empirical cold regions algorithms for winter performance within the NATO reference mobility model (NRMM), all-season vehicle performance in force-on-force war-gaming simulations, and vehicle–surface interaction for real-time vehicle simulators. Each of these types of models is presented along with examples of their application.
Coupled Nongray Radiating Flow about Ablating Planetary Entry Bodies

A method of solution for the fully coupled radiating gas flow about an ablating, planetary entry body is developed and applied to Venusian entries. The method couples an inviscid flow solution and a boundary-layer solution (laminar or turbulent) in which the divergence of the radiative flux is included in the energy equation for the solution of each gas layer. The treatment of radiation includes molecular band, continuum, and line transitions with a detailed frequency dependence of the absorption coefficient. Results are presented at typical conditions for unmanned, scientific probes during Venusian entries. These results show that the radiative flux toward the body is attenuated in the boundary layer at downstream regions of the body as well as at the stagnation point and that, even when radiation absorption by ablation products is accounted for, the radiative heating rates along the downstream regions of the body can, under certain conditions, exceed the stagnation-point values. It is also shown that, for Venusian entry, the spectral distribution of radiative flux and the magnitude of radiation absorption by ablation products depend strongly on entry velocity, and that the state of the boundary layer (i.e., laminar or turbulent) can significantly influence the amount of ablation product absorption or emission that occurs in various spectral regions.
Integrity as a Business Asset

In this post-Enron era, we have heard much talk about the need for integrity. Today’s employees perceive it as being in short supply. A recent survey by the Walker Consulting Firm found that less than half of workers polled thought their senior leaders were people of high integrity. To combat the perceived lack of corporate integrity, companies are stressing their probity. This stress is problematic because executives tend to instrumentalize the value of integrity. This paper argues that integrity needs to be better defined because the current mode of talking about the subject is misleading. The paper considers three traditions’ understanding of the idea of integrity, argues that integrity is intrinsically valuable, and concludes with some reflections on the way in which integrity, properly understood, functions as a business asset.
Computations of boiling flows

Abstract A numerical method to simulate liquid–vapor phase change is presented. The method is based on the so-called single field formulation where one set of equations for conservation of mass, momentum and energy are written for the entire flow field. Interfacial source terms for surface tension, interphase mass transfer and latent heat are added as delta functions that are non-zero only at the phase boundary. The equations are discretized by a finite difference method on a regular grid and the phase boundary is explicitly tracked by a moving front. A comparison of numerical results to the exact solution of a one-dimensional test problem shows excellent agreement. The method is applied to film boiling, where vapor bubbles are generated from a thin film next to a hot wall. Although the film boiling simulations presented here are two-dimensional, the resulting heat transfer rate and wall temperatures are found to be in good agreement with experimental observations.
MOV10 and FMRP Regulate AGO2 Association with MicroRNA Recognition Elements

The fragile X mental retardation protein FMRP regulates translation of its bound mRNAs through incompletely defined mechanisms. FMRP has been linked to the microRNA pathway, and we show here that it associates with the RNA helicase MOV10, also associated with the microRNA pathway. FMRP associates with MOV10 directly and in an RNA-dependent manner and facilitates MOV10's association with RNAs in brain and cells, suggesting a cooperative interaction. We identified the RNAs recognized by MOV10 using RNA immunoprecipitation and iCLIP. Examination of the fate of MOV10 on RNAs revealed a dual function for MOV10 in regulating translation: it facilitates microRNA-mediated translation of some RNAs, but it also increases expression of other RNAs by preventing AGO2 function. The latter subset was also bound by FMRP in close proximity to the MOV10 binding site, suggesting that FMRP prevents MOV10-mediated microRNA suppression. We have identified a mechanism for FMRP-mediated translational regulation through its association with MOV10.
Scattering by a slender void in a homogeneous conducting wire rope

A thin prolate spheroidal void in an infinite conducting circular cylinder is used to model a broken strand in a wire rope. The rope is excited by an azimuthal magnetic line current which is a model for a thin toroidal coil. The anomalous external fields are computed from the induced electric and magnetic dipole moments of the void. The results have applications to nondestructive testing of wire ropes.
Two-coordinate d9 complexes. synthesis and oxidation of NHC nickel(I) amides

Reaction of the d9−d9 Ni(I) monochloride dimer, [(IPr)Ni(μ-Cl)]2 (1), with NaN(SiMe3)2 and LiNHAr (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) gives the novel monomeric, 2-coordinate Ni(I) complexes (IPr)Ni{N(SiMe3)2} (2) and (IPr)Ni(NHAr) (3). Reaction of 2 with Cp2Fe+ results in its 1-e− oxidation followed by β-Me elimination to give a base-stabilized iminosilane complex [(IPr)Ni(CH3){κ1-N(SiMe3)=SiMe2·Et2O}][BArF4] (6). Oxidation of 3 gives [(IPr)Ni(η3-NHAr)(THF)][BArF4] (4), which upon loss of THF affords dimeric [(IPr)Ni(N,η3:NH═C6iPr2H3)]2[BArF4]2 (5).
Synthesis and characterization of some cobalt(III) complexes

Abstract Some mixed ligand complexes of cobalt(II) containing ethylenediamine, picoline, lutidine and imidazole have been synthesized and characterized by visible, IR and NMR spectrometry. They all appear to have a cis configuration. The strength of metal to ligand bond in comparison to proton to ligand bond is found to be weaker in picoline and pyridine complexes and stronger in imidazole complexes.
Deriving motion from megavoltage localization cone beam computed tomography scans.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) projection data consist of views of a moving point (e.g. diaphragm apex). The point is selected in identification views of extreme motion (two inhale, two exhale). The room coordinates of the extreme points are determined by source-to-view ray tracing intersections. Projected to other views, these points become opposite corners of a motion-bounding box. The view coordinates of the point, relative to the box, are used to interpolate between extreme room coordinates. Along with the views' time stamps, this provides the point's room coordinates as a function of time. CBCT-derived trajectories of a tungsten pin, moving 3 cm cranio-caudally and 1 cm elsewhere, deviate from expected ones by at most 1.06 mm. When deviations from the ideal imaging geometry are considered, mean errors are less than 0.2 mm. While CBCT-derived cranio-caudal positions are insensitive to the choice of identification views, the bounding box determination requires view separations between 15 and 163°. Inhale views with the two largest amplitudes should be used, though corrections can account for different amplitudes. The information could be used to calibrate motion surrogates, adaptively define phase triggers immediately before gated radiotherapy and provide phase and amplitude sorting for 4D CBCT.
Long-Term Effects of Fluidized Bed Combustion Material Applied at Disposal Levels on Soil Properties

This study was conducted to assess changes in soil properties of a soil that received a one-time application (360 Mg ha−1) of fluidized bed combustion material (FBCM) 23 years earlier. Soil samples were taken at three depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). Samples were also collected from an adjacent field with the same soil type for control. Hot nitric acid and Mehlich 3 extractions were used for total and extractable elements. Analyses indicated improvement in soil physical and chemical properties after 23 years of FBCM application. For example at the 20- to 30-cm depth, soil pH values increased from 4.9 to 7.7, whereas calcium concentrations increased from 0.23 to 1.52 g kg−1 with FBCM amendment. In most cases, metal concentrations were less with FBCM amendment. Results from this study demonstrated that soil physical and chemical improvements from FBCM were maintained even 23 years after an extremely high application of FBCM.
The interactive effects of a cadmium stress, a selenium deficiency and water temperature on the survival and reproduction of Daphnia magna Straus

Abstract The interactive effects of a Se deficiency and a Cd stress on Daphnia magna were evaluated at 20 and 25°C over a 25-day exposure. The effects of a Se deficiency and of a Cd stress differed at the two temperatures. A Se deficiency had no observable direct effect on daphnids maintained at 20°C but resulted in massive abortions of eggs in animals maintained at 25°C. A Cd stress caused an increase in mortality, a decrease in egg production and a decrease in the number of broods/female at 20°C but had no effect on survival at 25°C. Its effect on reproduction at the higher temperature was an increase in the abortion rate and a decrease in the number of broods/female. Based on total young/female, Se-enriched animals were more sensitive to a Cd stress at 25°C, and Se-deficient animals were more sensitive at 20°C. This was because Se-deprived animals were more sensitive to 1.5 μg Cd/l than control animals at 20°C but not at 25°C. At an exposure of 3.0 μg Cd/l, Se-deprived animals were more sensitive than Se-enriched animals at both temperatures.
GPS navigation…but what is it doing to us?

In the classic film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Butch and Sundance try every devious trick they know to lose the posse chasing them. Yet they keep coming on, prompting Butch to exclaim in exasperation: “Who are those guys?” Spotting one man on the ground, looking for clues, Sundance thinks it's Lord Baltimore, a “full-blooded Indian…who could track anybody, over anything, day or night.” Perhaps the fictional Lord Baltimore was portrayed a sigma or two out on the bell curve of Native American tracking ability, but survival in a pre-GPS navigational milieu demanded such skills. This paper will examine the flip side of GPS navigation, asking what the technology doing it all for us is also doing to us. The conventional wisdom insists that we have better things to do than find our own way from here to there without turn by turn directions. While it may be true that losing the ability to find one's own way, as once we were compelled, may be no great loss, as a tributary feeding into the river of what's going on across the board of human skill erosion, it's a symptom of far more serious summing going on.
A new species of Hexathrombium Cooreman, 1944 based on parasitic larva on Erotylids from Brazil (Acari: Eutrombidiidae)

Hexathrombium abirami n. sp. (Acari: Eutrombidiidae) an ectoparasite larvae of Erotylidae (Coleoptera) from Brazil is described. A key to larval Hexathrombium is given
Fatigue Crack Closure Following a Step-Increase Load

A Dugdale-Barenblatt model is used to examine the effects of crack closure following a step increase in the applied cyclic loading. Complex function formulation is employed to calculate opening and contact loads. It is shown that the effect of previous history of loading on crack growth is significant only when the extent of crack growth is within about one plastic zone size. 14 references.
Evaluation of a Low Emission Gas Turbine Operated on Hydrogen

The ever increasing strain on traditional centralized power generation and distribution systems has led to an increase in the use of distributed generation (DG) technologies. DG technologies are commonly found in urban areas that are sensitive to criteria pollutants, and as a result, they are subject to increasingly stringent emission regulations. Paralleling the growth of installed DG is the ever-increasing interest in hydrogen as an alternative fuel to natural gas. As a hydrogen infrastructure is developed, a desire to use this new fuel for DG applications will evolve. Microturbine generators (MTGs) are one example of DG technology that has emerged in this paradigm and are the technology of interest in the present work. To evaluate the potential role for hydrogen fired MTGs in this paradigm, understanding of what emission levels can be expected from such a system is needed The current study retrofits a natural gas fired MTG for operation on hydrogen and characterizes the resulting operability and emissions performance. The results of implementing design changes to improve emissions performance while maintaining stability and safety of the MTG when operating on hydrogen fuel are presented. The results also show improved stability limits which are utilized to help attain lower emissions of NOx. Further optimization is needed to achieve the NOx levels necessary to meet current regulations.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The Art and Craft of Portraying Data

Lima presents a collection of exemplary visualizations of data, and Yau offers hands-on guidance for effectively displaying information.
Measurement of Absolute Lung Density by Compton-Scatter Densitometry

The non-invasive determination of absolute lung density would be of great importance if it could be used in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary edema. To obtain this measurement, we have developed a a portable densitometer using CdTe room-temperature detectors, compact collimators made of tantalum tubes and a Gd-153 source. System response in the density range of 0.1 to 1 g/cm3 is linear. Variations in the absorption paths of up to 8 cm of lucite do not produce significant changes on measured density values.
The availability and use of Joint Publications Research Service translations in U.S. GPO depository libraries in New York state

Abstract In this study, the availability and use of Joint Publications Research Service (JPRS) translations in GPO designated depository libraries in New York State are examined. A survey of GPO depository libraries in New York State was designed to answer three questions: (1) How many libraries select JPRS translations? (2) How are JPRS translations organized and accessed? (3) Is there any correlation between the attitudes of librarians toward JPRS translations and the library's choice of methods of organizing and indexing JPRS translations? From the data obtained, it appears that 40% of GPO depository libraries in New York State are holders of JPRS translations. Approximately one-third of these libraries organize JPRS translations by JPRS numbers, and more than half subscribe to Transdex Index . The attitudes of documents librarians are correlated with the library's choice of methods of organizing and indexing JPRS translations.
The structural basis for the altered substrate specificity of the R292D active site mutant of aspartate aminotransferase from E. coli.

Two refined crystal structures of aspartate aminotransferase from E. coli are reported. The wild type enzyme is in the pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) form and its structure has been determined to 2.4 A resolution, refined to an R-factor of 23.2%. The structure of the Arg292Asp mutant has been determined at 2.8 A resolution, refined to an R-factor of 20.3%. The wild type and mutant crystals are isomorphous and the two structures are very similar, with only minor changes in positions of important active site residues. As residue Arg292 is primarily responsible for the substrate charge specificity in the wild type enzyme, the mutant containing a charge reversal at this position might be expected to catalyze transamination of arginine as efficiently as the wild type enzyme effects transamination of aspartate [Cronin, C.N. and Kirsch, J.F. (1988) Biochemistry, 27, 4572-4579]. This mutant does in fact prefer arginine over aspartate as a substrate, however, the rate of catalysis is much slower than that of the wild type enzyme with its physiological substrate, aspartate. A comparison of these two structures indicates that the poorer catalytic efficiency of R292D, when presented with arginine, is not due to a gross conformational difference, but is rather a consequence of both small side chain and main chain reorientations and the pre-existing active site polar environment, which greatly favors the wild type ion pair interaction.
An efficient contrast-enhancement method using the analog to digital converter

The study presents a hybrid method of contrast enhancement using the analog to digital converter (ADC) for use in high-speed industrial applications. The proposed framework processes the digitized image in efficient steps to generate the low and high offsets of the ADC. These offsets are used to modify the analog image signal by an affine transform, such that the digitization of the transformed signalis the enhanced image. Since the signal transformation is mostly done in the analog domain, the method is efficient, and its implementation is inexpensive. As an example, the enhancement method is used in applications where, given images of varying initial contrast, we can obtain an user-specified contrast for all images. These images are then segmented by a simpler image-processing algorithm. The method is a generalization of existing ADC-based enhancement methods and is compared experimentally to the digital domain techniques. An application of the method is given for the enhancement of laser-etched characters on industrial parts.
Electrophoresis of phosphoglycerate kinase.

A technique for the visualization of phosphoglycerate kinase on starch gel after electrophoresis is described. Three bands of activity were found in hemolysates prepared from normal red cells. When ATP, a substrate of the enzyme, was incorporated into the gel, only a single band was found. This suggested that ATP complexed with the enzyme and/or produced configurational changes. Incidentally, it was found that ATP markedly altered the electrophoretic mobility of hemoglobin. Red cells of 92 Caucasian males, 121 Caucasian females, 114 Negro males, 10 Negro females, 4 Oriental males, and 4 Oriental females were examined. No evidence of an electrophoretic polymorphism of this enzyme was found. Patterns of activity similar to those found in red cells were found in liver, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle.
Optical implementation of binary symmetric logic functions

Optical implementations of binary multiple-variable symmetric logic functions are proposed. By using a triangular array of lossless beam splitters together with optical on-off switches, an optical binary symmetric logic module (OBSLM) is experimentally implemented. The applications of the OBSLM to optical digital, symbolic, and neural computing are discussed.
A-ring hydroxymethyl 19-nor analogs of the natural hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation

Abstract A series 5–8 of 1- and 3-CH2OH 19-nor analogs of the hormone calcitriol (1) has been prepared. Surprisingly, 19-nor 1α-CH2OH analog 5a is more antiproliferative at 100 nM concentration than the corresponding regioisomeric analog 6a with the natural 1α-OH group, and 1α-CH2OH hybrid analog 7a is similar in antiproliferative potency to calcitriol (1) even at low nanomolar concentrations.
3D-IHCP on a finite cube

Abstract The numerical solution of the three-dimensional inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP) on a finite cube is investigated. By applying a mollification procedure, a fully explicit space-marching finite-difference scheme is developed. Numerical examples and computational details are provided.
Multiclass subpixel target detection using functions of multiple instances

The Multi-class Convex-FUMI (Multi-class C-FUMI) method is developed and described. The method is capable of learning prototypes for multiple target classes from hyperspectral imagery. Multi-class C-FUMI is a non-traditional supervised learning method based on the Functions of Multiple Instances (FUMI) concept. The FUMI concept differs significantly from traditional supervised by the assumption that only functions of target patterns are available. Moreover, these functions are likely to involve other non-target patterns. In this paper, data points which are convex combinations of multiple target and several non-target prototypes are considered. Multi-class C-FUMI learns the target and non-target patterns, the number of non-target patterns, and the weights (or proportions) of all the prototypes for each data point. For hyperspectral image analysis, the target and non-target prototypes estimated using Multi-class C-FUMI are the endmembers for the target and non-target (background) materials. For this method, training data need only binary labels indicating whether a data point contains or does not contain some proportion of a target endmember; the specific target proportions for the training data are not needed. After learning the target prototype using the binary-labeled training data, target detection is performed on test data. Results showing sub-pixel target detection on highly mixed simulated hyperspectral data generated from the ASTER spectral library are presented.
Distal lower extremity paresthesia and foot drop developing during adalimumab therapy

The development of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor biologic therapy is arguably one of the most significant achievements in the treatment of rheumatic diseases to date. Neurologic events suggestive of demyelination have been reported for patients receiving treatment with the antitumor necrosis factor agents etanercept and infliximab. We describe the onset of lower extremity paresthesia and foot drop in a patient who was receiving adalimumab for the treatment of psoriasis and examine the relationship of tumor necrosis factor antagonism and demyelinating disease.
Crystallographic orientation of columnar grains in cast beryllium

Abstract The orientation distribution of the “C”-axes with respect to the columnar, or growth, axes of columnar grains in large beryllium castings has been measured by an optical technique. The distribution is nearly random, with a small tendency for the “C”-axes to be perpendicular to the growth axis. The distribution of angles between the “C”-axes of adjacent grains is nonrandom; small angle boundaries are favored and there is some indication of the existence of growth twins.
The Relation of English Language Proficiency to Educational Aspirations of Mexican-American Eighth Graders

The present study examined the relation of English language proficiency to the educational aspirations of Mexican American eighth graders. Research consistently has documented low levels of participation in postsecondary education by Hispanic youth. The present study proposed that English language proficiency had a significant relation to the educational aspirations of Mexican American eighth graders and estimated the proposed relation, controlling for other relevant causes of educational aspirations. The sample consisted of 1,641 Mexican American eighth graders. Results indicated that there was a significant although moderate direct relation of language proficiency to educational aspirations and academic achievement. The findings are of theoretical and practical significance and provide support that better English language skills might lead to improved educational outcomes for Mexican American students. The study also underscores the need for more empirical research on language issues and their relation ...
Exploring differences in how men and women respond to threats to positive face on social media

A three-condition (rejection, criticism, control) experiment (N=78) with gender treated as an additional factor and moderating variable examined gender differences in response to two types of threats to positive face - rejection and criticism - on a social-networking site. Results showed it did not matter if men or women were rejected or criticized on a social-networking site; both threats to positive face lead to more retaliatory aggression, compared to the control. However, men retaliated to a greater extent than women to both types of threats. Also, men responded differently to criticism than to rejection, while women's results did not vary. Findings are discussed in relation to face theory and politeness theory, particularly in regard to computer-mediated communication.
A comparison of screening methods for colorectal cancer using simulation modeling

We used a discrete-event simulation model of the natural history of colorectal cancer (CRC) to do a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the latest CRC screening strategies recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the newest screening modalities for which clinical efficacy has been established. Cost-effectiveness was based on discounted costs and quality-adjusted life-years. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis examined the uncertainty in important parameter estimates. Considering all populations (average and high risk), annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy every five years and annual FOBT, and colonoscopy every ten years were the three strategies that demonstrated a greater than 50% probability of not being dominated in probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Depending on the maximum acceptable marginal cost-effectiveness value, any of these procedures have a high likelihood of becoming preferred (most effective strategy given a specific cost limit per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved).
Two-fluid flow in sedimentary rock : simulation, transport and complexity

The macroscopic properties and structure of the flow of two immiscible fluids through Fontainebleau sandstone are studied by numerical simulation. The pore space geometry was obtained by X-ray microtomography (Kinney et al. 1993) and the numerical simulations were performed by a new lattice-gas cellular automaton method (Olson & Rothman 1995). We first validate the numerical method by showing that the drag on a cubic array of spherical drops matches theoretical predictions. As a further test, we present a comparison between computed relative permeability and experimental measurements on the same rock. We then present a study of fluid–fluid coupling; we find that it is significant, and that it appears to be reciprocal: the flux of one fluid due to forcing on the other is the same, regardless of which fluid is forced. Lastly, we characterize the complexity and organization of the flow by means of a statistical parameter, the skewness of the distribution of local velocities.
Automated, Parallel Optimization Algorithms for Stochastic Functions

We propose a hierarchical framework and new parallel algorithms for stochastic function optimization under conditions where the function to be optimized is subject to random noise, the variance of which decreases with sampling time. This is the situation expected for many real-world and simulation applications where results are obtained from sampling, and contain experimental error or random noise. Our new optimization algorithms are based on a downhill simplex algorithm, with extensions that alter the timing of simplex operations based on the level of noise in the function evaluations. Three proposed optimization methods, which we term maxnoise, point-to-point comparison, and a combination of these two, are tested on the Rosenbrock function and found to be better than previous stochastic optimization methods. The parallel frame work implementing the optimization algorithms is also new, and is based on a master-worker architecture where each worker runs a massively parallel program. The parallel implementation allows the sampling to proceed independently on multiple processors, and is demonstrated to scale well up to over 100 vertices. It is highly suitable for clusters with an ever increasing number of cores per node. The new methods have been applied successfully to the reparameterization of the TIP4P water model, achieving thermodynamic and structural results for liquid water that are as good as or better than the original model, with the advantage of a fully automated parameterization process.
Radioguided Parathyroidectomy is Successful in 98.7% of Selected Patients.

Objective: To examine an individualized approach to patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in an effort to identify factors that would differentiate patients who can be treated with radioguided parathyroidectomy (RP) from those that require more extensive parathyroid exploration (PE) using intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) measurement and to compare rates of recurrent and persistent hypercalcemia.Methods: A total of 100 patients were retrospectively studied. Patients with positive single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans underwent surgeon-performed sonography (SPS) followed by RP. Patients with negative or equivocal SPECT scans underwent PE utilizing SPS as a guide and IOPTH. The success rate, recurrence and persistence rates, and rate of bilateral exploration were compared.Results: Seventy-five percent of patients with PHPT had a positive SPECT scan and underwent RP, whereas 25% of patients had a negative SPECT scan and underwent PE with IOPTH utilizing SPS as a guide. ...
Prüfer's ascent result via Inc

Let R be an integral domain whose integral closure is a Pr¨fer domain. It is proved that R ⊆ T has the incomparability property for each integral domain T which contains R and is algebraic over R. As a corollary, one has a new proof of Pr¨fer's ascent result, which states that if R is as above and T is the integral closure of R in some field containing R, then T is a Pr¨fer domain.
Systemic and secretory antibody response of atopic and non‐atopic individuals to intranasally administered tetanus toxoid

Summary Groups of atopic and non-atopic individuals were immunized intranasally with fluid tetanus toxoid, an antigen which normally does not gain access to the nasal cavity. Anti-tetanus toxoid antibody response was evaluated in nasal wash, sputum and serum specimens by passive haemagglutination. Titres were high in serum and low in exocrine fluids throughout the course of immunization. Mean nasal wash titres rose to a significantly higher level in the normal than in the atopic group. Twelve of twenty normal subjects responded with a greater than three-fold rise in nasal antibody as opposed to one of nineteen atopic individuals. Exocrine anti-toxoid haemagglutinating activity was inhibited by anti-IgA but not by anti-IgM or IgE, suggesting that the bulk of secretory antibody was IgA.
Heterodimeric JAK–STAT activation as a mechanism of persistence to JAK2 inhibitor therapy

Chronic exposure to JAK2 inhibitors leads to reactivation of downstream signalling through the formation of heterodimers between JAK2 and other JAK kinases in myeloproliferative neoplasms, which can be overcome with Hsp90 inhibitors. Mutations in JAK kinases, in particular JAK2, are frequent in some malignancies and JAK inhibitors have been trialled for example in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Here, Ross Levine and colleagues demonstrate that MPN cells can persist under conditions of chronic JAK2 inhibition, because JAK2 forms a heterodimer with other JAK kinases, leading to persistent JAK2 activation. This mode of drug 'persistence' seems to occur in patients treated with JAK2 inhibitor. Therapeutic approaches that induce JAK2 degradation may therefore be more effective than treatment with JAK2 inhibitors alone. The identification of somatic activating mutations in JAK2 (refs 1–4) and in the thrombopoietin receptor gene (MPL)5 in most patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) led to the clinical development of JAK2 kinase inhibitors6,7. JAK2 inhibitor therapy improves MPN-associated splenomegaly and systemic symptoms but does not significantly decrease or eliminate the MPN clone in most patients with MPN. We therefore sought to characterize mechanisms by which MPN cells persist despite chronic inhibition of JAK2. Here we show that JAK2 inhibitor persistence is associated with reactivation of JAK–STAT signalling and with heterodimerization between activated JAK2 and JAK1 or TYK2, consistent with activation of JAK2 in trans by other JAK kinases. Further, this phenomenon is reversible: JAK2 inhibitor withdrawal is associated with resensitization to JAK2 kinase inhibitors and with reversible changes in JAK2 expression. We saw increased JAK2 heterodimerization and sustained JAK2 activation in cell lines, in murine models and in patients treated with JAK2 inhibitors. RNA interference and pharmacological studies show that JAK2-inhibitor-persistent cells remain dependent on JAK2 protein expression. Consequently, therapies that result in JAK2 degradation retain efficacy in persistent cells and may provide additional benefit to patients with JAK2-dependent malignancies treated with JAK2 inhibitors.
Colony size optimisation in colony-based laser imaging for microbial source tracking

The colony-based laser scatter imaging provides a convincing solution to microbial source tracking. The optical scattering patterns of bacterial colonies are tightly correlated to the corresponding growth patterns. This relationship is manifested as the development of optical scattering patterns with the increment of colony size. An investigation was conducted into this relationship and the optimal range of colony size for improving the accuracy of microbial source tracking technique. All the bacterial samples from five host species were cultivated under the same conditions. The optical scattering patterns were recorded for the average colony diameter from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, using a bench top laser imaging system. Gabor wavelet was utilised to encode image signatures. Fuzzy-C-means was employed to cluster the colony patterns from the same host species. The experimental results demonstrate that the optimal range of the colony diameters is 0.8-1.0 mm. The corresponding identification rate of microbial source tracking is >80%.
Sperm banking: use and outcomes in patients treated for testicular cancer

Authors from the USA present a study aimed at identifying the frequency with which sperm banking was used in patients being treated for testicular cancer. They found that only a minority of their patients chose to bank sperm, and among those who did, the use was low. Advanced penile cancer requires extensive ablative surgery with resultant anatomical defects that can result in severe loss of quality of life. Authors from the UK describe their experience with the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in such patients, finding it to be useful. They stressed that a multidisciplinary approach involving the urological reconstructive surgeon and the plastic surgeon is essential. OBJECTIVE To identify the frequency that sperm banking was used by men being treated for testicular cancer at our institution, and to characterize the differences between men choosing to bank sperm or not, and outcomes in terms of after-treatment pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS A questionnaire addressing sperm banking and fertility was administered to men treated for testicular cancer at our institution between 1994 and 2004; the results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS Overall, 31 of 129 (24%) respondents had banked sperm. Of these, two had used their banked sperm to father a child, and 12 had had children naturally. Men who banked sperm were a mean of 10.3 years younger (P < 0.001) and less likely to have children at the time of diagnosis (P < 0.025) than men choosing not to bank sperm. The cost of banking sperm was reported to include a mean fee of US $358 (median 300, range 0–1000), and a mean annual maintenance fee of $243.86 (median 300, range 0–1200). CONCLUSIONS Only a minority of men in this study chose to bank sperm (24%). Among those who did, the use of banked sperm was low (<10%), and many men could have children without using banked sperm. Given the relatively high costs of sperm banking and the low rate of sample use, patients should be counselled on the costs and benefits of sperm banking before treatment for testicular cancer.
The Persistence of the Black Farmer: The Contemporary Relevance of the Lenin‐Chayanov Debate1

Previous empirical studies of black farmers have identified socioeconomic and demographic variables as important to their success and survival. The theories of Lenin and Chayanov also highlight the role of demographic and socioeconomic factors in the differentiation of the peasantry. Panel data from a survey of black small-scale farm operators in the North Carolina Piedmont are used to test hypotheses based upon the Lenin-Chayanov debate . A multivariate analysis shows that black farm- ers who survived owned tobacco quota, had more on-farm household labor, had smaller households, and had higher gross farm incomes than those who left agriculture. These results point to the need to synthesize Lenin's macro-level focus on class formation and Chayanov's micro-level focus on enterprise formation in order to understand smallholder persis- tence. Over the five-year period studied, approximately 50 percent of the original respondents were no longer actively operating farms indicating that the future of the black smallholder remains precarious.
Grenzfragen: Orientierung in virtuellen Netzwelten

Die Wirklichkeit, so melden die Medien, habe Konkurrenz bekommen. Durch Computeranimationen bevolkern bereits Dinosaurier, Tornados und Auserirdische tauschend echt unsere Kinofilme. Computerspiele, Disneyland und Freizeitparks gaukeln kunstliche Welten vor, die bunter, abenteuerlicher und reizvoller zu sein scheinen als die Wirklichkeit. Teleworking, Telebanking und Teleshopping finden in virtuellen Markten, Firmen, Banken und Kaufhausern statt, die nur in weltweiten Computer-, Information-und Kommunikationsnetzen existieren und Raum und Zeit uberwinden. Und schon verheist die Technik des Cyberspace unbegrenzte virtuelle Welten, in denen unsere Illusionen und Phantasien auch physisch und sinnlich erfahrbar werden. Mehr und mehr verschwimmt die Grenze zwischen Sein und Schein. Virtualitat wird zum Orientierungsproblem, je weiter sich Computer-, Informations -und Kommunikationstechnologien entwickeln.
Catfishes of the genus Auchenipterichthys (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae): a revisionary study

The Neotropical auchenipterid catfish genus Auchenipterichthys is reviewed and found to include four species. Auchenipterichthys thoracatus, formerly considered to be widely distributed throughout the Amazon River basin, is found to be restricted to the upper Madeira River basin. The widespread Amazonian species that had been misidentified as A. thoracatus is, instead, A. coracoideus; a species that also occurs in the upper Essequibo River. Auchenipterichthys longimanus, the most widely distributed species of the genus, is found through much of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. The fourth species of the genus, A. punctatus (and its junior synonym A. dantei), is found in the upper portions of the Orinoco and Negro River basins in Venezuela and the central portions of the Amazon River basin in Brazil. All four species of Auchenipterichthys are redescribed and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided.
Risk of repeat anti-incontinence surgery following sling release: a review of 93 cases.

Purpose: Sling procedures are the most common surgery for stress urinary incontinence in women. Lower urinary tract symptoms are well documented complications of these procedures that develop in 5% to 20% of patients. A common treatment for postoperative urinary retention and bothersome obstructive voiding symptoms after anti-incontinence surgery is sling release. While previous studies indicated the risk of recurrent stress urinary incontinence after surgical release of slings, there is a paucity of data on how many patients require repeat anti-incontinence procedures.Materials and Methods: After receiving institutional review board approval we retrospectively reviewed the records of 143 consecutive female sling release procedures performed by 2 subspecialized urologists at our clinic from January 2000 through August 2012. A total of 121 patients underwent documented followup at our clinic, of whom 93 were treated with sling release for obstruction or retention after sling placement. We identified the ch...
Compromised Bone Health in Non-Obese, Older Women with Low Caloric Intake

Low calorie diets are often employed to reverse obesity and lower the risk of other diseases. Further, to maintain a certain physique and/or minimize the incidence of obesity, normal weight, older women may consume a diet low in calories. However, a low caloric intake can potentially compromise bone formation elevating the risk of osteoporosis. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) from non-obese, peri- and postmenopausal women who were placed into one of three groups based upon their daily caloric intake to determine if bone health was compromised when caloric intake was low. Women (age range 44–80 years old) with a body mass index <25 were separated into one of three groups based upon a dietary analysis to assess nutritional intake: those who consumed 100% of the recommended minimum daily requirement (RMDR, n = 21), 80% RMDR (n = 16), or 55% RMDR (n = 15). BMD was determined via dual energy X-ray absorptiometer from the lumbar spine and femur (left & right). The 55% RMDR group demonstrated significantly lower femoral BMD (~10% lower, P < 0.05) and a trend toward lower BMD of the spine compared to both the 80% RMDR (P = 0.13) and 100% RMDR groups (P = 0.15). There were no significant differences in BMD between the 80% RMDR and 100% RMDR groups. The results suggest that bone health was maintained with moderately low caloric intake (i.e. 80%RMDR) whereas extremely low caloric intake (i.e. 55% RMDR) can compromise bone health in non-obese, older women.
Influence of Fire on Native and Nonnative Salmonid Populations and Habitat in a Western Montana Basin

Abstract Anticipated increases in the frequency and severity of wildfire may threaten the persistence of native salmonid populations in headwater streams in western North America. This study used extensive pre- and postfire data to assess whether wildfire leads to hypothesized declines in native westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi and bull trout Salvelinus confluentus populations along with increases in the prevalence and abundance of nonnative brook trout S. fontinalis. Postfire cutthroat trout density was negatively correlated with the proportion of basin area that burned at moderate to high severity, but the declines in density after fires were less pronounced for bull trout and brook trout. Recovery of cutthroat trout was generally rapid in severely affected reaches. Contrary to expectation, there was no evidence of a marked increase in abundance or invasion by brook trout after wildfire. Brook trout exhibited the most severe declines in debris flow–affected reaches among all species...
Analysis of Discrete Variables in Animal Breeding Contexts

Abstract Many traits of bioeconomic importance in animal production (survival, calving difficulty, disease resistance) present discontinuous distributions of phenotypes. Animal breeders generally have resorted to conventional techniques based on the multivariate normal distribution to estimate functions and test hypotheses on discrete data. The linear logistic model is an alternative to conventional techniques for fixed models describing dichotomous and polychotomous random variables. Data from a line-crossing experiment with rats illustrate computational procedures for the logistic model, and this is compared against ordinary least-squares techniques.
Effects of litter amendments on broiler growth characteristics and Salmonella colonization in the crop and cecum

SUMMARY Salmonella can be prevalent in poultry litter and can be a source of contamination for chicks newly arrived at the poultry house. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of litter amendments on broiler grow-out characteristics (BW and feed conversion), litter moisture, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium colonization in the litter, crop and cecum. Because Salmonella Typhimurium is a pathogen of concern to the poultry industry, 2 types of litter amendments and 2 types of feed additions were created and tested to determine the effects of broiler growth, litter moisture, and litter efficacy against Salmonella colonization. Litter amendments consisted of a combination of acidic calcium sulfate and either diatomaceous earth or hydrated sodium calcium aluminiosilicate. Feed additions consisted of differing amounts of sodium bisulfate. For the litter amendment experiments, chicks were placed into pens in isolation rooms. Each litter amendment was applied to 3 pens for replicates of experimental groups. Litter samples were taken weekly from 5 areas in each pen and were combined for the determination of Salmonella colony-forming units per gram of litter. At 3 and 6 wk after placement, birds from each pen were killed by CO2 asphyxiation. Efficacy of the litter amendments varied among experimental groups in broiler growth characteristics and efficacy against Salmonella.
Electrophysiological mapping of the segmental innervation of the saphenous and sural nerves

Delineation of an area of sensory loss is often helpful in localizing a lesion at the spinal or root level. We have studied the segmental innervation of two cutaneous nerves, the saphenous and the sural, during selective posterior rhizotomy. Each nerve was stimulated electrically, and recordings were made from dorsal roots L-3 to S-2 in 30 patients. We found that both nerves received innervation through at least three spinal levels. The level of maximum innervation was approximately equally divided between L-3 and L-4 for the saphenous nerve. The sural nerve received maximum innervation through S-1 in 80% of the cases, but the remainder came through L-5 or S-2. These findings provide electrophysiologic evidence that these cutaneous nerves have multiple segmental supply, and the sensory area they supply does not lie solely within a single dermatome.