cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of novel Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac binding proteins in Manduca sexta midgut through proteomic analysis

The crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis are widely used in transgenic crops and commercially available insecticides. Manduca sexta, the tobacco hornworm, is the model insect for B. thuringiensis studies. Although brush border vesicles prepared from larval M. sexta midgut have been used in numerous mode-of-action studies of B. thuringiensis toxins, their protein components are mostly unknown. Vesicles prepared from the brush border of M. sexta midgut were analyzed using one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to establish a midgut brush border proteome. Sub-proteomes were also established for B. thuringiensis Cry1Ac binding proteins and glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchored proteins. Peptide mass fingerprints were generated for several spots identified as Cry1Ac binding proteins and GPI-anchored proteins and these fingerprints were used for database searches. Results generally did not produce matches to M. sexta proteins, but did match proteins of other Lepidoptera. Actin and alkaline phosphatase were identified as novel proteins that bind Cry1Ac in addition to the previously reported aminopeptidase N. Aminopeptidase N was the only GPI-anchored protein identified. Actin, aminopeptidase N, and membrane alkaline phosphatase were confirmed as accurate protein identifications through western blots.
Thermoelectric Properties of Bi 2 Te 2 Se Compensated by Native Defects and Sn Doping

In Bi2Te2Se the defect chemistry involves native defects that compete such that they can either exchange dominance or else significantly compensate each other. Here we show how the net carrier concentration, n − p, which depends on the relative amounts of these defects and is readily obtained from Hall data, can be used as a fundamental materials parameter to describe the varied behavior of the thermoelectric properties as a function of compensation. We report the effects of tuning this parameter over multiple orders of magnitude by hole-doping the n-type material Bi2Te2Se0.995, which is already significantly compensated because of its Se deficiency. Crystals with different levels of hole doping were achieved by two separate approaches, namely by selecting pieces from different locations in an undoped crystal in which a systematic carrier concentration gradient had been induced by its growth conditions, and alternatively by doping with Sn for Bi. The thermoelectric power factors for Bi2−xSnxTe2Se0.995 for x = 0, 0.002, 0.005, 0.010, and 0.040 are reported, and the dependence of the transport properties on the extent of compensation is discussed.
An empirical test of a decision theory model for entrepreneurial acts

A decision theory model is presented where the decision to start a firm is assumed to be a rational economic decision of a utility maximizer. The model is tested using data for business births in 82 Mississippi counties over the period 1979-1987. Results of the aggregated model are encouraging but suggest that the alternative to a risky venture is not riskless wage labour. Rather, wage labour also carries a risk which is important in determining whether to start a business. The results indicate that there is a strong economic motivation in entrepreneurial ventures which must be considered in addition to psychological factors. The model suggests that encouragement of entrepreneurial ventures can be based upon lowering thc costs of start-ups and policies that increase the probability of success.
Relationship of Weight-Based Teasing and Adolescents' Psychological Well-Being and Physical Health.

BACKGROUND: To date, research has focused primarily on psychological correlates of weight-based teasing. In this study, we extended previous work by also examining physical health-related variables (eg, physical self-concept and physical fitness [PF]). METHODS: Participants included 1419 middle school students (637 boys and 782 girls). Of these, 245 (17.3%) reported being teased about being overweight. Participants completed measures of self-esteem, depression, physical self-concept, physical activity (PA) self-efficacy, and self-report physical and sedentary activities. Participants also completed PF testing. RESULTS: After controlling for demographic characteristics, participants who were teased about being overweight had higher scores on depression and lower scores on self-esteem, physical self-concept, PA self-efficacy, and health-related measures of PF in comparison to participants who were not teased. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support previous research indicating relationships between teasing and low levels of psychological well-being, physical self-concept, and PA self-efficacy, and establishes one between weight-based teasing and different types of PF. Research is needed to determine the potential causal nature of the relationships between teasing and fitness and evidence-based interventions are needed to reduce weight-based teasing and its potential effects on health and well-being. Language: en
The Effect on Colon Visualization During Colonoscopy of the Addition of Simethicone to Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution: A Randomized Single-Blind Study

The Effect on Colon Visualization During Colonoscopy of the Addition of Simethicone to Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution: A Randomized Single-Blind Study
Amphetamine Promotes Neostriatal Ascorbate Release via a Nigro-Thalamo-Cortico-Neostriatal Loop

In the neostriatum, amphetamine and other dopamine agonists elevate the extracellular level of ascorbate, which is known to modulate neostriatal function. Although both D1 and D2 receptors have been linked to neostriatal ascorbate release, ample evidence suggests it is controlled by areas outside the neostriatum. The present series of experiments used selective lesions and intracerebral drug infusions to probe the involvement of the ventromedial thalamus and substantia nigra pars reticulata. Our results implicate both of these sites in amphetamine-induced increases in the release of neostriatal ascorbate. Thus, whereas unilateral electrolytic lesions of the substantia nigra pars reticulata completely abolished the ability of systemic amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg) to increase extracellular ascorbate in ipsilateral neostriatum, intranigral infusions of this drug (10 and 30 micrograms/microliters) elevated neostriatal ascorbate release. This infusion effect, moreover, was blocked by electrolytic lesions of the ipsilateral ventromedial thalamus, which receives input from the substantia nigra pars reticulata and projects to the cerebral cortex. These results, combined with previous evidence implicating cortical projections to neostriatum as the source of extracellular ascorbate, suggest that neostriatal ascorbate release is regulated, at least in part, by a nigro-thalamo-cortico-neostriatal pathway.
Optimization based automated curation of metabolic reconstructions

Currently, there exists tens of different microbial and eukaryotic metabolic reconstructions (e.g., Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus subtilis) with many more under development. All of these reconstructions are inherently incomplete with some functionalities missing due to the lack of experimental and/or homology information. A key challenge in the automated generation of genome-scale reconstructions is the elucidation of these gaps and the subsequent generation of hypotheses to bridge them. In this work, an optimization based procedure is proposed to identify and eliminate network gaps in these reconstructions. First we identify the metabolites in the metabolic network reconstruction which cannot be produced under any uptake conditions and subsequently we identify the reactions from a customized multi-organism database that restores the connectivity of these metabolites to the parent network using four mechanisms. This connectivity restoration is hypothesized to take place through four mechanisms: a) reversing the directionality of one or more reactions in the existing model, b) adding reaction from another organism to provide functionality absent in the existing model, c) adding external transport mechanisms to allow for importation of metabolites in the existing model and d) restore flow by adding intracellular transport reactions in multi-compartment models. We demonstrate this procedure for the genome- scale reconstruction of Escherichia coli and also Saccharomyces cerevisiae wherein compartmentalization of intra-cellular reactions results in a more complex topology of the metabolic network. We determine that about 10% of metabolites in E. coli and 30% of metabolites in S. cerevisiae cannot carry any flux. Interestingly, the dominant flow restoration mechanism is directionality reversals of existing reactions in the respective models. We have proposed systematic methods to identify and fill gaps in genome-scale metabolic reconstructions. The identified gaps can be filled both by making modifications in the existing model and by adding missing reactions by reconciling multi-organism databases of reactions with existing genome-scale models. Computational results provide a list of hypotheses to be queried further and tested experimentally.
Home-delivered Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) for Depressed, Cognitively Impaired, Disabled Elders: A Preliminary Study

Objectives This preliminary study examines the efficacy of 12-week home-delivered problem adaptation therapy (PATH) versus home-delivered supportive therapy (ST) in reducing depression and disability in 30 depressed, cognitively impaired, disabled older adults. Design A 12-week randomized clinical trial. Research assistants were unaware of the participants' randomization status. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Setting Weill-Cornell Advanced Center for Interventions and Services Research. Participants Thirty elders with major depression, cognitive impairment, and disability were recruited through advertisement and the Home-Delivered Meals Program of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. Intervention PATH is a home-delivered intervention designed to reduce depression and disability in depressed, cognitively impaired, disabled elders. PATH is based on problem-solving therapy and integrates environmental adaptation and caregiver participation. PATH is consistent with Lawton's ecologic model of adaptive functioning in aging. Measurements Depression and disability were measured with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale—24 items and Sheehan Disability Scale, respectively. Client Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction with treatment. Results Mixed-effects model analyses revealed that PATH was more efficacious than ST in reducing depression and disability at 12 weeks. Participants in both treatment groups were satisfied with treatment. Conclusions This preliminary study suggests that PATH is well accepted and efficacious in depressed elders with major depression, cognitive impairment, and disability. Because this population may not adequately respond to antidepressant medication treatment, PATH may provide relief to many patients who would otherwise remain depressed and continue to suffer.
Primary productivity and related data from tropical and subtropical marine sediments

Measurements in situ were made of oxygen exchange and 14C fixation in calcareous sediments off the coast of Florida, USA, and at various sites in the Caribbean Sea at depths to 60 m. Sediment samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, nitrogen and photosynthetic pigments. In some cases, measurements were made of the pH of sediment interstitial water and its concentration of total CO2. In the Caribbean Sea, routine hydrological sampiing was undertaken and in situ plankton productivity determined.
FTIR imaging coupled with multivariate analysis for study of initial diffusion of different solvents in cellulose acetate butyrate films

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging was used to study the initial diffusion of different solvents in cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) films containing different amounts of acetyl and butyryl substituents. Different solvents and solvent/non-solvent mixtures were also studied. The FTIR imaging system allowed acquisition of sequential images of the CAB films as solvent penetration proceeded without disturbing the system. The interface between the non-swollen polymer and the initial swelling front could be identified using multivariate data analysis tools. For a series of ketone solvents the initial diffusion coefficients and diffusion rates could be quantified and were found to be related to the polar and hydrogen interaction parameters in the Hansen solubility parameters of the solvents. For the solvent/non-solvent system the initial diffusion rate decreased less than linearly with the weight-percent of non-solvent present in the solution, which probably was due to the swelling characteristic of the non-solvent. For a given solvent, increasing the butyryl content of the CAB increased the initial diffusion rate. Increasing the butyryl content from 17 wt.% butyryl to 37 wt.% butyryl produced a considerably larger increase in initial diffusion rate compared to an increase in butyryl content from 37 wt.% to 50 wt.% butyryl.
Separations using carbon dioxide.

CO2 causes structural switching in receptors and their host−guest complexes, producing insoluble supramolecular polymers. Upon precipitation these polymers trap, separate, and keep their guests for extended time, with no solvent needed. However, they can dissociate back to their monomers by releasing CO2 upon heating or addition of acid. Greenhouse gas CO2 can thus be used as a building block for separating materials.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Metaplastic Breast Carcinomas With Chondroid Differentiation: Expression of the E-cadherin Repressor Snail

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor progression and is induced by the master regulator Snail, a transcription factor that down-regulates epithelial genes, including E-cadherin, and up-regulates mesenchymal genes. Metaplastic breast carcinomas with chondroid different
Solution-phase synthesis of pyrrole-imidazole polyamides.

Pyrrole−imidazole polyamides are DNA-binding molecules that are programmable for a large repertoire of DNA sequences. Typical syntheses of this class of heterocyclic oligomers rely on solid-phase methods. Solid-phase methodologies offer rapid assembly on a micromole scale sufficient for biophysical characterizations and cell culture studies. In order to produce gram-scale quantities necessary for efficacy studies in animals, polyamides must be readily synthesized in solution. An 8-ring hairpin polyamide 1, which targets the DNA sequence 5′-WGWWCW-3′, was chosen for our synthesis studies as this oligomer exhibits androgen receptor antagonism in cell culture models of prostate cancer. A convergent solution-phase synthesis of 1 from a small set of commercially available building blocks is presented which highlights principles for preparing gram quantities of pyrrole−imidazole oligomers with minimal chromatography.
Evaluation of Nutrition Support Pharmacist Interventions

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the number and types of interventions performed by our nutrition support service (NSS) pharmacists that were not directly related to the nutrition formula prescription. Methods: This was an institutional review board–approved retrospective study of all adult pharmacy NSS consultations from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. All interventions assessed were categorized as the following: fluids and electrolytes, glucose management, alternate therapy, diagnostics, general laboratory result monitoring, vitamin and trace element monitoring, discontinuing medication, adding medication, dose adjustment, and other. The primary endpoint was to determine the total number of interventions and their acceptance rates. The secondary endpoint was to determine which categories had the most accepted and most denied interventions. Results: There were 132 adult consults evaluated with a total of 383 interventions performed. The overall acceptance rate was 84%, and the...
Preparation of alkyl N-acetyl-α- and -β-d-glucosaminides and their microbiological activity for Lactobacillus bifidus var. Penn☆

Abstract The preparation of the lower alkyl N -acetyl-α- and -β- d -glucosaminides has been described using N -acetyl- d -glucosamine and the corresponding alcohol in the presence of a cation exchanger. Chromatographic separation resulted in the isolation of the crystalline methyl, ethyl, and n -propyl N -acetyl-α- d -glucosaminides and crystalline methyl, ethyl, and n -propyl N -acetyl-β- d -glucosaminides. The alkyl N -acetyl-β- d -glucosaminides were found to be active as growth factors for Lactobacillus bifidus var. Penn whereas the corresponding alkyl N -acetyl-α- d -glucosaminides were inactive. The ethyl and n -propyl N -acetyl-β- d -glucosaminides were considerably more active than the methyl compound.
Sequence analysis of peptides bound to MHC class II molecules

CD4 T cells recognize peptide fragments of foreign proteins bound to self class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Naturally processed peptide fragments bound to MHC class II molecules are peptides of 13-17 amino acids which appear to be precessively truncated from the carboxy terminus, perhaps after binding to the MHC class II molecule. The finding of predominant self peptides has interesting implications for antigen processing and self-non-self discrimination.
Hierarchical overdispersed Poisson model with macrolevel autocorrelation

Abstract We review Bayesian analysis of hierarchical non-standard Poisson regression models with an emphasis on microlevel heterogeneity and macrolevel autocorrelation. For the former case, we confirm that negative binomial regression usually accounts for microlevel heterogeneity (overdispersion) satisfactorily; for the latter case, we apply the simple first-order Markov transition model to conveniently capture the macrolevel autocorrelation which often arises from temporal and/or spatial count data, rather than attaching complex random effects directly to the regression parameters. Specifically, we extend the hierarchical (multilevel) Poisson model into negative binomial models with macrolevel autocorrelation using restricted gamma mixture with unit mean and Markov transition covariate created from preceding residuals. We prove a mild sufficient condition for posterior propriety under flat prior for the interesting fixed effects. Our methodology is implemented by analyzing the Baltic sea peracarids diurnal activity data published in the marine biology and ecology literature.
The effect of impurities and supersaturation on the rapid growth of KDP crystals

Potassium orthophosphate (KDP) crystals were grown at the growth rates from 0.5 to 25 mm/day. The distribution of impurities connected with the vicinal and sectoral structure of the rapidly grown crystals is described. It has been shown that to decrease the effect of impurities and to obtain crystals of high homogeneity, rapid growth should be performed at high supersaturations outside the dead zone and the region of the sharp increase of the growth rate with supersaturation.
DNA Fragmentation and HSP70 Protein Induction in Hippocampus and Cortex Occurs in Separate Neurons Following Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusions

DNA nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and heat shock protein (HSP)70 immunocytochemistry were performed on the same brain sections 1 (n = 6), 3 (n = 12), and 7 (n = 7) days following permanent middle cereb...
Inhibition of human mitochondrial peptide deformylase causes apoptosis in c-myc-overexpressing hematopoietic cancers

Inhibition of human mitochondrial peptide deformylase (HsPDF) depolarizes the mitochondrial membrane, reduces mitochondrial protein translation and causes apoptosis in Burkitt's lymphoma. We showed that HsPDF mRNA and protein levels were overexpressed in cancer cells and primary acute myeloid leukemia samples. Myc regulates mitochondria and metabolism; we also demonstrated c-myc regulated the expression of HsPDF, likely indirectly. Inhibition of HsPDF by actinonin blocked mitochondrial protein translation and caused apoptotic death of myc-positive Burkitt's lymphoma, but not myc-negative B cells. Inhibition of mitochondrial translation by chloramphenicol or tetracycline, structurally different inhibitors of the mitochondrial ribosome, which is upstream of deformylase activity, followed by treatment with actinonin, resulted in reversal of the biochemical events and abrogation of the apoptosis induced by actinonin. This reversal was specific to inhibitors of HsPDF. Inhibition of HsPDF resulted in a mitochondrial unfolded protein response (increased transcription factors CHOP and CEB/P and the mitochondrial protease Lon), which may be a mechanism mediating cell death. Therefore, HsPDF may be a therapeutic target for these hematopoietic cancers, acting via a new mechanism.
The role of ordinary conversation and shared activity in the main effect between perceived support and affect

People with high perceived support have better mental health, but how this occurs is not well understood. We tested hypotheses from relational regulation theory that the main effect between perceived support and affect primarily reflects ordinary conversation and shared activity. In two studies (n = 193; n = 149), students rated three important network members and psychological reactions to each. In a third study (n = 72) strangers shared an activity in a round-robin design. Affect was strongly determined by with who participants were interacting or thinking about. Perceived support, ordinary conversation, and shared activity were strongly linked, and each was related to high positive affect, low negative affect, perceived similarity, and few negative thoughts. Perceived support's link to affect emerged when strangers shared a brief activity. Thus, much of perceived support's main effect with affect could be explained as resulting from ordinary conversation and shared activity.
Malignant melanoma in a blind eye

A 62-year-old man developed a malignant melanoma in his left eye that had been blind due to trauma for 35 years. This case illustrates the difficulties in detection and early diagnosis of occult malignant melanoma of the uveal tract in phthistic globes. The necessity for long-term follow-up of posttraumatic eyes is stressed.
Targeted Enrichment of Specific Regions in the Human Genome by Array Hybridization

While whole-genome resequencing remains expensive, genomic partitioning provides an affordable means of targeting sequence efforts towards regions of high interest. There are several competitive methods for targeted capture; these include molecular inversion probes, microdroplet-segregated multiplex PCR, and on-array or in-solution capture-by-hybridization. Enrichment of the human exome by array hybridization has been successfully applied to pinpoint the causative allele of Mendelian disorders. This protocol focuses on the application of Agilent 1 M arrays for capture-by-hybridization and sequencing on the Illumina platform, although the library preparation method may be adaptable to other vendors' array platforms and sequencing technologies.
Lessons Learned about Research and Management: A Case Study from a Midwest Lowland Savanna, U.S.A

Integrating research and practice is a fundamental challenge for restoration and conservation. Scientists recognize restoration as an opportunity to test basic ecological principles, and that core scientific practices such as establishing control plots, replication, monitoring, and data management are fundamental to learning from restoration and management. However, practical constraints inherent to many projects often work against fully integrating research and management. In 2005, we had the opportunity to evaluate a lowland savanna that had been undergoing restoration by The Nature Conservancy since 1997. We used the data generated as a case study to evaluate how the restoration process might have changed had scientists been involved from the outset. Prescribed fire is the primary tool used to restore upland savanna and was chosen by The Nature Conservancy to manage the lowland savanna. In open areas dominated by Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), fire was associated with reduced cover of this highly invasive species and an increase in native species richness. However, other results suggested that management options beyond the use of fire are needed to restore this lowland savanna. In retrospect, an approach that integrated the skills of researchers and managers at the outset of the study would have altered many of the restoration goals and processes. Pretreatment data, greater replication, and systematically varying treatments could have provided a more robust assessment of treatment effects. We recognize, however, that impediments in staffing, funding, and time were barriers to following this course of action.
Reaching During Virtual Rotation: Context Specific Compensations for Expected Coriolis Forces

Subjects who are in an enclosed chamber rotating at constant velocity feel physically stationary but make errors when pointing to targets. Reaching paths and endpoints are deviated in the direction of the transient inertial Coriolis forces generated by their arm movements. By contrast, reaching movements made during natural, voluntary torso rotation seem to be accurate, and subjects are unaware of the Coriolis forces generated by their movements. This pattern suggests that the motor plan for reaching movements uses a representation of body motion to prepare compensations for impending self-generated accelerative loads on the arm. If so, stationary subjects who are experiencing illusory self-rotation should make reaching errors when pointing to a target. These errors should be in the direction opposite the Coriolis accelerations their arm movements would generate if they were actually rotating. To determine whether such compensations exist, we had subjects in four experiments make visually open-loop reaches to targets while they were experiencing compelling illusory self-rotation and displacement induced by rotation of a complex, natural visual scene. The paths and endpoints of their initial reaching movements were significantly displaced leftward during counterclockwise illusory rotary displacement and rightward during clockwise illusory self-displacement. Subjects reached in a curvilinear path to the wrong place. These reaching errors were opposite in direction to the Coriolis forces that would have been generated by their arm movements during actual torso rotation. The magnitude of path curvature and endpoint errors increased as the speed of illusory self-rotation increased. In successive reaches, movement paths became straighter and endpoints more accurate despite the absence of visual error feedback or tactile feedback about target location. When subjects were again presented a stationary scene, their initial reaches were indistinguishable from pre-exposure baseline, indicating a total absence of aftereffects. These experiments demonstrate that the nervous system automatically compensates in a context-specific fashion for the Coriolis forces associated with reaching movements.
Asymmetric oxidation of β-ketoesters with benzoyl peroxide; enantioselective formation of protected tertiary alcohols

Abstract Asymmetric oxidation of β-ketoesters by the benzoyl peroxide quench of their lithioenamines formed with (S)-valine-t-butyl esters has been accomplished with good enantioselectivity for the formation of tertiary benzoate esters. This procedure thus enables generation of tertiary alcohols in protected form.
Identification of Cross-Species Shared Transcriptional Networks of Diabetic Nephropathy in Human and Mouse Glomeruli

Murine models are valuable instruments in defining the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), but they only partially recapitulate disease manifestations of human DN, limiting their utility. To define the molecular similarities and differences between human and murine DN, we performed a cross-species comparison of glomerular transcriptional networks. Glomerular gene expression was profiled in patients with early type 2 DN and in three mouse models (streptozotocin DBA/2, C57BLKS db/db, and eNOS-deficient C57BLKS db/db mice). Species-specific transcriptional networks were generated and compared with a novel network-matching algorithm. Three shared human-mouse cross-species glomerular transcriptional networks containing 143 (Human-DBA STZ), 97 (Human-BKS db/db), and 162 (Human-BKS eNOS(-/-) db/db) gene nodes were generated. Shared nodes across all networks reflected established pathogenic mechanisms of diabetes complications, such as elements of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathways. In addition, novel pathways not previously associated with DN and cross-species gene nodes and pathways unique to each of the human-mouse networks were discovered. The human-mouse shared glomerular transcriptional networks will assist DN researchers in selecting mouse models most relevant to the human disease process of interest. Moreover, they will allow identification of new pathways shared between mice and humans.
Absorption characteristics of periodic arrangements of infinite helices

The absorption properties of periodic arrangements of lossy, infinite helices are investigated. The helices are assumed to be embedded in free space and backed by a p.e.c. plane. The method of moments is used to solve for the scattering parameters of a single layer, and a multiscattering technique is used to form a composite matrix that describes the scattering due to several layers. The resistivity of the wire, the pitch to length ratio of the helix, and the thickness of the layer are shown to affect the power absorbed. >
Strong and weak blow-up of the viscous dissipation rates for concentrated suspensions

We study the overall dissipation rate of highly concentrated non-colloidal suspensions of rigid neutrally buoyant particles in a Newtonian fluid. This suspension is confined to a finite size container, subject to shear or extensional boundary conditions at the walls of the container. The corresponding dissipation rates determine the effective shear viscosity μ* and the extensional effective viscosity λ*. We use recently developed discrete network approximation techniques to obtain discrete forms for the overall dissipation rates, and analyse their asymptotics in the limit when the characteristic interparticle distance goes to zero. The focus is on the finite size and particle wall effects in spatially disordered arrays. Use of the network approximation allows us to study the dependence of μ* and λ* on variable distances between neighbouring particles in such arrays. Our analysis, carried out for a two-dimensional model, can be characterized as global because it goes beyond the local analysis of flow in a single gap between two particles and takes into account hydrodynamic interactions in the entire particle array. The principal conclusion in the paper is that, in general, asymptotic formulae for μ* and λ* obtained by global analysis are different from the formulae obtained from local analysis. In particular, we show that the leading term in the asymptotics of μ* is of lower order than suggested by the local analysis (weak blow-up), while the order of the leading term in the asymptotics of λ* depends on the geometry of the particle array (either weak or strong blow-up). We obtain geometric conditions on a random particle array under which the asymptotic order of λ* coincides with the order of the local dissipation in a gap between two neighbouring particles, and show that these conditions are generic. We also provide an example of a uniformly closely packed particle array for which the leading term in the asymptotics of λ* degenerates (weak blow-up).
Intraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy As Treatment of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Cancer

TO THE EDITOR: Verwaal et al are to be congratulated for their efforts to evaluate in a phase III randomized trial the clinical utility of “aggressive surgical cytoreduction” followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as a management strategy for peritoneal carcinomatosis resulting from a colorectal malignancy. Unfortunately, a major conceptual flaw in the study’s design prevents any meaningful conclusions to be drawn from the results of this otherwise interesting study. The investigators elected to compare a strategy that combined aggressive surgery with HIPEC versus standard intravenous chemotherapy plus palliative surgery (if necessary). However, if the aim of the study was to evaluate the highly experimental, complex, costly, and potentially very morbid regional chemotherapy strategy, this trial has failed to address this important question. A more appropriate trial design would have been to randomly assign patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis to aggressive surgical cytoreduction with or without HIPEC. With the present study design, the demonstrated survival benefit may have been due principally, if not totally, to the extensive surgery, with the regional chemotherapy only adding toxicity. The favorable impact on survival associated with an attempt at “interval surgical cytoreduction” (without the subsequent administration of intraperitoneal chemotherapy) has been documented in ovarian cancer, and the major influence of the volume of residual disease on survival has been clearly shown in the current study (median survival of 20 months v 5 months for patients with “limited” versus “extensive” residual cancer, respectively). As appropriately noted by the authors: “... it cannot be excluded that the observed effect was exclusively or mainly caused by the aggressive cytoreduction alone.” In sum, this study fails to provide any support for the routine (as opposed to investigative) use of HIPEC in this clinical setting. It is hoped that these investigators will follow their important initial efforts with a phase III randomized trial that directly addresses the unique contribution (if any) of the regional chemotherapy component of this intensive management strategy.
Spectral Characterization of Nitrogen in Farmland Soil by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Nitrogen is one of the most important elements in farmland soil, and nitrogen content is one of the evaluation indicators of fertilizers. It is difficult to measure the nitrogen content in farmland soil because the chemical and physical properties of farmland soil are complex. Through the adoption of buffer gases to remove the influence of the nitrogen in air, this paper studied the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) characteristics of nitrogen in soil to establish a foundation for in situ measurement of nitrogen in farmland soil. Three characteristic spectral lines have been found. Based on the precise controlling of laser power and triggering of delay time between laser generation and spectra collection, we have studied the effects of laser energy on LIBS spectral characteristics and the time evolution characteristics to supply the basis of parameter optimization for the measurement. In addition, we have studied the relationship between nitrogen concentration and LIBS spectral intensit...
Retrieval Efficiency of DNA-Based Databases of Digital Signals

Using DNA to store digital signals, or data in general, offers significant advantages when compared to other media. The DNA molecule, especially in its double-stranded form, is very stable, compact, and inexpensive. In the past, we have shown that DNA can be used to store and retrieve digital signals encoded and stored in DNA. We have also shown that DNA hybridization can be used as a similarity criterion for retrieving digital signals encoded and stored in a DNA database. Retrieval is achieved through hybridization of ?query? and ?data? DNA molecules. In this paper, we present a mathematical framework to simulate single-query and parallel-query scenarios, and to estimate hybridization efficiency. Our framework allows for exact numerical solutions as well as closed-form approximations under certain conditions. Similarly to the digital domain, we define a DNA SNR measure to assess the performance of the DNA-based retrieval scheme in terms of database size and source statistics. With approximations, we show that the SNR of any finite-sized DNA-based database is upper bounded by the SNR of an infinitely large DNA-based database that has the same source distribution. Computer simulations are presented to validate our results.
Conservation of Information in Search: Measuring the Cost of Success

Conservation of information theorems indicate that any search algorithm performs, on average, as well as random search without replacement unless it takes advantage of problem-specific information about the search target or the search-space structure. Combinatorics shows that even a moderately sized search requires problem-specific information to be successful. Computers, despite their speed in performing queries, are completely inadequate for resolving even moderately sized search problems without accurate information to guide them. We propose three measures to characterize the information required for successful search: 1) endogenous information, which measures the difficulty of finding a target using random search; 2) exogenous information, which measures the difficulty that remains in finding a target once a search takes advantage of problem-specific information; and 3) active information, which, as the difference between endogenous and exogenous information, measures the contribution of problem-specific information for successfully finding a target. This paper develops a methodology based on these information measures to gauge the effectiveness with which problem-specific information facilitates successful search. It then applies this methodology to various search tools widely used in evolutionary search.
A Psychometric Evaluation of Schein’s (1985) Career Orientations Inventory

Since its introduction, Schein’s Career Orientations Inventory (COI) has been widely used to assess and advise individuals who are making both initial and specialty career choices. Employed by both practitioners and researchers, the COI was designed to identify the person’s “career anchors,” also known as their career identities. Individuals are expected to have the highest job satisfaction and performance when their job specialization matches their career anchors. However, little published research has evaluated the psychometric properties of the COI. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis, calculated the subscale reliabilities, and correlated the career anchors with Holland’s career interests to examine its convergent and discriminant validities. In this article, we report on the psychometric properties of the COI based on our sample of 165 midcareer college graduates and make several suggestions on the use and interpretation of the COI.
DC Circuit Model of TiO2-based Memristors

DC circuit model of TiO2 memristors is developed based on the reported I-V data. The method described can easily be implemented to realize memristor based circuitries that serve different application platforms fabricated using any material combination. The time varying length of conductive filaments inside memristor, responsible for the observed switching mechanism, is implemented as the state variable and the state equations are modified accordingly. Once the device physics is taken into account the circuit model can be further adapted to predict the behavior of memristor with altered dimensions.
Strictly-Stationary Processes and Ergodic Theory

Stationary processes (with T = R1 or ℤ) were defined in Chapter 1, section 3 as processes whose finite-dimensional distributions are invariant under translations of t. So far we have used only the invariance of the second-order moments (“wide-sense” stationarity), but in this chapter the full strength of stationarity will be needed. The main new probabilistic result will be the strong law of large numbers; through this we make contact with the interesting branch of analysis known as ergodic theory. Of course, if the strictly-stationary process has finite second moments the theory developed in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 will apply as well, but the mathematical flavor of the present chapter is quite different from those earlier ones.
Free Vibration of the Triple-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Natural frequencies of the triple-walled carbon nanotubes (TWCNTs) are determined both exactly and approximately. For the case of TWCNT which is simply supported at it ends closed-form solutions are obtained. It is shown that there are three series of natural frequencies corresponding to the cubic polynomial equation for natural frequency squares. For the TWCNT that has other boundary conditions approximate Bubnov-Galerkin and Petrov-Galerkin methods are applied. Simple polynomial coordinate functions are utilized. Each of these methods yields three natural frequencies corresponding to the lower and of each frequency spectra.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Reflections on Place Matters Poverty, Politics, and Power in the Modern Metropolis

On the occasion of the publication of the 3rd edition, one of the authors of Place Matters reflects on the tensions in the arguments of the book and how it has been variously received by scholars. ...
Collective future thought: Concept, function, and implications for collective memory studies

This article introduces and develops the concept of “collective future thought” and its implications for the interdisciplinary field of (collective) memory studies. The study of collective memory h...
Inhibition of bombesin-stimulated acid secretion by immunoneutralization of gastrin in dogs

Bombesin-like peptides stimulate gastrin release and gastric acid secretion. The increase in gastric acid output is thought to be secondary to gastrin release. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed specifically to gastrin (MAb 28.2) was used to study the role of circulating gastrin in the regulation of bombesin-stimulated acid secretion in dogs. Seven conscious, fasted dogs with gastric fistulas received intravenous bombesin infusions in fourfold increasing doses from 200 to 3,200 pmol.kg-1.h-1. Each dose was given for 45 min. On separate days, dogs were pretreated with an intravenous infusion of 7 mg of MAb 28.2 or vehicle (0.1% canine serum albumin). Samples of gastric effluent were collected by gravity drainage through the gastric fistula, and acid output was measured by titration of gastric effluent to pH 7.0, using 0.2 N NaOH. Plasma gastrin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Bombesin infusion produced dose-dependent increases in plasma gastrin concentrations and gastric acid output. Administration of gastrin MAb 28.2 abolished bombesin-stimulated gastric acid output. Immunoneutralization of circulating gastrin in vivo using a gastrin monoclonal antibody in dogs indicates that the acid stimulatory response to bombesin is mediated by gastrin.
Knowledge Appropriation and the Complexity of Regional Innovation Systems: A Conceptual Precursor to Simulation

This chapter explores contentious perspectives on regional competitive advantage by proposing a conceptual model of the impact of knowledge appropriation activities of firms embedded in a region’s innovation system on that region’s competitive advantage over time. This model provides the precursor to simulation and empirical research that may refine and integrate disparate conceptions of the dynamics of regional advantage. Perspectives of spatial economics and industrial agglomeration that have emerged over decades to explain regional economic growth (Porter, 1980; Krugman, 1994) differ on the relationship between knowledge appropriation and a region’s competitive advantage (Audretsch, 1998). Regional competitive advantage (or competitiveness) is defined here as the innovative performance of a region (Saxenian, 1994; Kenney, 2000). Innovation performance is conceived throughout this study as the value extracted from innovations created and exploited in the market through innovation and production systems in a region.1 This chapter attempts to bring parsimony to these theoretical contrasts on regional advantage by integrating them through knowledge- and complexity-based views of innovation activity in regional inter-organizational systems (Lomi and Larsen, 1996; Uzzi, 1997; Almeida and Kogut, 1999).
The Problems of Authority and the Want of Apprenticeship in Soldiers' Character Development.

AbstractMilitaries that take a character development approach in their moral education programs but rely heavily on authority figures as subject matter experts to teach soldiers face two serious problems. First, soldiers improperly defer to their instructors and, as a result, do not understand the moral virtues taught in class. Second, instructors are in a poor position to motivate soldiers to develop character through the goal-oriented, measurable and supervised practice of specific virtues. These problems threaten character-based moral education programs because people must understand and practice the moral virtues to form good character. Building on the work of several prominent moral philosophers, I propose that militaries can mitigate the problems of authority in moral education and enhance soldiers’ character development by incorporating an apprenticeship model which leverages the mutual trust that soldiers share with leaders and peers.
Recurrent Obstructive Giant Inflammatory Polyposis of the Colon

Inflammatory polyps are relatively common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The term giant inflammatory polyposis is used to describe inflammatory polyps greater than 1.5 cm in any dimension. Their clinical presentation can be varied, ranging from asymptomatic, with incidental detection on radiological or endoscopic testing, to symptomatic, with rectal bleeding and colonic obstruction. Although giant inflammatory polyposis is a rare finding, it is of clinical importance, since it is easily mistaken for colon cancer, with patients sometimes undergoing radical surgeries. We describe an unusual case of giant inflammatory polyposis causing recurrent symptomatic obstruction despite multiple segmental colectomies in a patient with indeterminate colitis. This is the first such reported case in English literature to the best of our knowledge.
RSA based biometric encryption system using FPGA for increased security

The biometric encryption system is a significant addition in the areas of privacy, security and convenience among its users. The intent of this research is to propose an RSA based biometric encryption system which can be realized on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) using hardware-software co-design methods. Due to the high number of hackers that stand to profit from sub-par security methods, the proposed design will serve as a high level of security. This implementation can be applied in many areas of life including but not limited to password replacement, building and equipment access, and payroll and timekeeping procedures.
Conducting Child Custody Evaluations: Best Practices for Mental Health Counselors who Are Court-Appointed as Child Custody Evaluators

As the number of high-conflict separation cases continues to rise, mental health counselors are increasingly called upon to assist courts with child custody evaluations. Counselors can provide family courts with invaluable services either as treating or as forensic experts. Because each of these roles is unique, however, it is imperative that counselors who provide services to family courts understand the differences. Ethical, legal, and malpractice risks also increase considerably for counselors who provide courts with expert testimony. The purpose of this paper is to (a) discuss the central differences between the roles of counselor and of child custody evaluator, and (b) describe best practices for conducting child custody evaluations.