cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assay of influenza virus infectivity with chicken embryonic membranes.

SummaryAn assay technic has been developed for titrating PR8 influenza A virus infectivity on preparations of chorioallantoic membranes removed from chicken embryos. This technic is simpler and less laborious than the standard assay method involving the use of chicken embryos. It is comparable in accuracy to the embryo technic although appreciably less sensitive. Evidence is submitted to show that both technics measure the same infectious entity.
Some Aspects of Morphology and Development in the Chytridiales

SUMMARY Single-sporangium isolates of Chytridium ottariensis, Chytriomyces hyalinus, Phlyctochytrium powhatanensis, and Rhizophydium sphaerocarpum have a stable type of thallus development regardless of the growth medium or substrate used. However, medium is highly influential on the size range of sporangia and resting spores. Thallus growth on standard chytrid baits is epi-endobiotic and also interbiotic; resting spores produced on these baits occur on or in the substrate. Sporangium and resting spore size ranges for 17 isolates of C. hyalinus on a given medium were not significantly different. Apophysis shape within any one strain on any medium was highly variable and ranged from spherical, clavate, elongate, to catenulate. Both lid and flap opercula occurred in five of the 17 strains but in the remaining 12 the opercula were either flap or lid but not both. Location of thallus, position of resting spore, and presence of catenulate apophyses were not constant within any strain for any medium or substrate. In an exploration of species concepts in the chytrids, it becomes immediately apparent that the constancy of the characters used to delineate families, genera, and species needs verification. The stability of many characters used for separation of genera has not been established since very few species of chytrids have been studied in axenic culture or tested for variability on natural substrates. Some indications of the morphologic plasticity of these organisms are found in recent
Analysis of variation trend of mortality rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Ningbo

Objective T o analyze the mortality and variation trend of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( C O PD) in Ningbo from 2002 to 2012 and to provide evidences for prevention and control strategy of C O PD.Methods T he data of death surveillance for C O PD in Ningbo from 2002 to 2012 was collected and analyzed by the death registry report software authorized by M inistry of Health of C hina and PASW 18. 0 software. Results Standardized mortality rate of C O PD of Ningbo residents declined from 82. 35 /100 thousand of 2002 to 52. 21 /100 thousand of 2012. T he average decline rate was 4. 5% per year. T he trend of mortality rate of C O PD was declining( χ2= 1 191. 401, P 0. 01). T he standardized mortality rate of males was 63. 80 /100 thousand, which was significantly higher than 59. 73 /100 thousand of females( χ2= 22. 952, P 0. 01). T he standardized mortality rate of rural areas was 86. 99 /100 thousand, which was significantly higher than 34. 44 /100 thousand of urban areas( χ2= 1 079. 716, P 0. 01). T he standardized mortality rate increased with the age( χ2= 115 672. 084, P 0. 01). Conclusion COPD has become a serious public health problem. T he death of COPD patients is relevant to various factors and comprehensive prevention and control measures need to be implemented.
Preparation of MgO/LDPE Nanocomposites and Its Space Charge Property

To decrease the accumulation of space charge in low density polyethylene(LDPE),we prepared magnesium oxide(MgO)/ LDPE nanocomposites by mixing melted LDPE and MgO nano-powder.The dispersion and particle size of MgO in MgO/LDPE nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM),the crystallinity of MgO/LDPE nanocomposites with different contents of MgO was determined by using differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),the space charge distribution of MgO/LDPE nanocomposites with different content of MgO was measured by using pulse electro-acoustic(PEA),and the tensile properties were measured.The experimental results reveal MgO particles with diameters of about 50 nm are well dispersed in MgO/LDPE nanocomposites.The elastic modulus and tensile strength of LDPE/MgO nanocomposites with different content of MgO are higher than those of pure LDPE,and reach the maximum at the MgO loading of 2%.The crystallinity of MgO/LDPE nanocomposites with different contents of MgO is higher than that of pure LDPE.The space charge injection and mobility of MgO/LDPE nanocomposite can be suppressed by nano MgO loading,and the space charge of MgO/LDPE nanocomposite is effectively suppressed at the MgO loading of 3%.
Application of Micro-seismic Monitoring on Fighting Against Illegal Mining

Illegal mining around large state-owned mines makes serious impact on mining order,and it affects mining safety seriously and leads to great risk.Based the theory of the microseism monitor's space and time localization technology,various development applications have been done to the microseism observation system.We can find that space and time localization technology has advantages on fighting against illegal mining,for instance,all days' real time monitoring.And the location accuracy is very perfect.This technology is playing a important role in protecting country's mineral resources and in safeguarding mining industry safely and orderly.
Learning Sensor, Space and Object Geometry

Robots with many sensors are capable of generating volumes of high-dimensional perceptual data. Making sense of this data and extracting useful knowledge from it is a difficult problem. For robots lacking proper models, trying to understand a stream of uninterpreted data is an especially acute problem. One critical step in linking raw uninterpreted perceptual data to cognition is dimensionality reduction. Current methods for reducing the dimension of data do not meet the demands of a robot situated in the world, and methods that use only perceptual data do not take full advantage of the interactive experience of an embodied robot agent. This work proposes a new scalable, incremental and active approach to dimensionality reduction suitable for extracting geometric knowledge from uninterpreted sensors and effectors. The proposed method uses distinctive state abstractions to organize early sensorimotor experience and sensorimotor embedding to incrementally learn accurate geometric representations based on experience. This approach is applied to the problem of learning the geometry of sensors, space, and objects. The result is evaluated using techniques from statistical shape analysis.
Mechanical stabilization in the mandibular anterior segment

Teeth in the mandibular anterior region of the mouth, affected by years of periodontal disease and resultant bone loss, frequently require treatment for the patient to be able to chew comfortably and effectively. Often patients choose to keep compromised teeth, despite being presented with treatment options involving a fixed or removable prosthesis. In these situations, mechanical stabilization becomes necessary. Current treatment possibilities include bonding with resin composite or placement of a bonded metal mesh splint, a cast metal resin-bonded retainer, or a fiber-reinforced resin composite splint. Coupled with good oral hygiene practices, these mechanical stabilization techniques can provide increased oral comfort and improved function, especially for geriatric dental patients.
The Effects of Bull Urine on Puberty and Calving Date in Crossbred Beef Heifers

The effects of bull urine on the percentage of heifers reaching puberty and on subsequent calving dates were examined with 52 crossbred beef heifers. Heifers were palpated for ovarian condition and classified as prepubertal or pubertal before (Palpation I) and after (Palpation II) eight weekly oronasal treatments with bull urine or water. A larger percentage of urine-treated than water-treated heifers reached puberty during the experimental period (67 vs 32%; P less than .05), supporting the hypothesis that bull urine contains a priming pheromone. Body weight of urine-treated heifers that did not reach puberty by Palpation II was lower than that of water-treated heifers that did not reach puberty (P less than .05), indicating that an association exists between body weight and the response to pheromonal cues in bull urine. There were no treatment differences in pregnancy rate after a 90-d breeding period, and no differences in pregnancy rate between heifers that had reached puberty before the breeding season started and heifers that had not reached puberty. Urine-treated heifers reaching puberty during the experiment calved earlier (P less than .05) in the calving season than did water-treated heifers of the same category. The distribution of these calvings was also different (P less than .01), resulting in a shorter calving season for urine-treated heifers. More heifers that had reached puberty by Palpation II calved in the first 20 d of the calving season that did heifers that had not reached puberty by Palpation II, regardless of treatment group (P = .02). There was a tendency for urine-treated heifers to calve earlier than water-treated heifers, with the exception of urine-treated heifers that had not reached puberty by Palpation II. These data support the hypothesis that there is a priming pheromone in bull urine that can hasten the onset of puberty in beef heifers.
The environmental health specialists network--EHS-Net.

Editor’s note: NEHA strives to provide up­ to-date and relevant information on en­ vironmental health and to build partner­ ships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we will feature a column from the Environmental Health Services Branch (EHSB) of the Centers for Disease Con­ trol and Prevention (CDC) in every issue of the Journal. EHSB’s objective is to strengthen the role of state, local, and national environ­ mental health programs and profession­ als to anticipate, identify, and respond to adverse environmental exposures and the consequences of these exposures for hu­ man health. The services being developed through EHSB include access to topical, relevant, and scientific information; con­ sultation; and assistance to environmen­ tal health specialists, sanitarians, and environmental health professionals and practitioners. EHSB appreciates NEHA’s invitation to provide monthly columns for the Journal. EHSB staff will be highlighting a variety of concerns, opportunities, challenges, and successes that we all share in environmen­ tal public health.
Home Environmental Influences on Childhood Obesity in the Latino Population: A Decade Review of Literature

Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing ethnically diverse group in the United States. Latino children are also among the most overweight and obese ethnic groups of children in the United States. Research over the last decade has identified the home environment as a key influence on the diet and physical activity of children. To summarize cross-sectional and longitudinal research that has identified factors within the home environment of Latino families that are associated with childhood obesity and to provide recommendations for future research and intervention development with Latino families. A decade review from 2005 to 2015 was conducted. Studies identifying factors within the home environments of Latino families that were associated with childhood obesity were examined. Five main factors were identified across the literature as home environment factors that are associated with childhood obesity in Latino children. These factors included: parental influences (e.g., parent feeding practices, modeling), screen time, physical activity/sedentary behavior, socioeconomic status/food security and sleep duration. The current review identified several home environment factors that may contribute to the disparities in childhood obesity for Latino children. Results from this review such as, focusing on decreasing controlling parent feeding practices, and increasing parent modeling of healthy behaviors and child sleep duration, can be used in developing culturally-specific interventions for Latino children.
DNA methyltransferase accessibility protocol for individual templates by deep sequencing.

A single-molecule probe of chromatin structure can uncover dynamic chromatin states and rare epigenetic variants of biological importance that bulk measures of chromatin structure miss. In bisulfite genomic sequencing, each sequenced clone records the methylation status of multiple sites on an individual molecule of DNA. An exogenous DNA methyltransferase can thus be used to image nucleosomes and other protein–DNA complexes. In this chapter, we describe the adaptation of this technique, termed Methylation Accessibility Protocol for individual templates, to modern high-throughput sequencing, which both simplifies the workflow and extends its utility.
Out‐of‐pocket costs and burden among rural breast cancer survivors

Little is known about out-of-pocket (OOP) costs incurred for medical and health needs by rural breast cancer survivors and what factors may be associated with higher OOP costs and the associated economic burden. Data were examined for 432 survivors participating in the Rural Breast Cancer Survivor Intervention trial. OOP costs were collected using the Work and Finances Inventory survey at baseline and four assessments every 3 months. Mean and median OOP costs and burden (percent of monthly income spent on OOP costs) were reported and factors associated with OOP costs and burden identified with generalized linear models fitted with over-dispersed gamma distributions and logarithmic links (OOP costs) and with beta distributions with logit link (OOP burden). OOP costs per month since the end of treatment were on average $232.7 (median $95.6), declined at the next assessment point to $186.5 (median $89.1), and thereafter remained at that level. Mean OOP burden was 9% at baseline and between 7% and 8% at the next assessments. Factors suggestive of contributing to higher OOP costs and OOP burden were the following: younger age, lower income, time in survivorship from diagnosis, and use of supportive services. OOP costs burden rural breast cancer survivors, particularly those who are younger and low income. Research should investigate the impact of OOP costs and interventions to reduce economic burden.
Time–space fractional governing equations of one‐dimensional unsteady open channel flow process: Numerical solution and exploration

Although fractional integration and differentiation have found many applications in various fields of science, such as physics, finance, bioengineering, continuum mechanics, and hydrology, their engineering applications, especially in the field of fluid flow processes, are rather limited. In this study, a finite difference numerical approach is proposed to solve the time–space fractional governing equations of 1-dimensional unsteady/non-uniform open channel flow process. By numerical simulations, results of the proposed fractional governing equations of the open channel flow process were compared with those of the standard Saint-Venant equations. Numerical simulations showed that flow discharge and water depth can exhibit heavier tails in downstream locations as space and time fractional derivative powers decrease from 1. The fractional governing equations under consideration are generalizations of the well-known Saint-Venant equations, which are written in the integer differentiation framework. The new governing equations in the fractional-order differentiation framework have the capability of modelling nonlocal flow processes both in time and in space by taking the global correlations into consideration. Furthermore, the generalized flow process may possibly shed light on understanding the theory of the anomalous transport processes and observed heavy-tailed distributions of particle displacements in transport processes.
A New Superstructure Optimization Paradigm for Process Synthesis with Product Distribution Optimization: Application to An Integrated Shale Gas Processing and Chemical Manufacturing Process

We propose a novel process synthesis framework that combines product distribution optimization of chemical reactions and superstructure optimization of the process flowsheet. A superstructure with a set of technology/process alternatives is first developed. Next, the product distributions of the involved chemical reactions are optimized to maximize the profits of the effluent products. Extensive process simulations are then performed to collect high-fidelity process data tailored to the optimal product distributions. Based on the simulation results, a superstructure optimization model is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) to determine the optimal process design. A tailored global optimization algorithm is used to efficiently solve the large-scale nonconvex MINLP problem. The resulting optimal process design is further validated by a whole-process simulation. The proposed framework is applied to a comprehensive superstructure of an integrated shale gas processing and chemical manufacturing process, which involves steam cracking of ethane, propane, n-butane, and i-butane. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 123–143, 2018
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in children

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) occurs in 1 of 500 adults and is considered to be one of the most common causes of death in young people under 35 years of age. Children with HCM are usually asymptomatic and the overall annual mortality beyond the first year of life is 1%. Septal myectomy is safe and effective in children with obstructive HCM and published data shows improved late survival compared to untreated HCM. Patient selection and surgical expertise remain critical components to ensuring successful outcomes of septal myectomy, particularly when considering prophylactic myectomy in a seemingly asymptomatic patient.
Intelligent Group Suggestions Based on Students' Conceptual Understanding: (Abstract Only)

Collaborative learning can be beneficial for students, but its success is highly dependent on the characteristics of the students grouped together. Structuring group interactions enhances the effectiveness of collaborative learning [1] and therefore the structuring must be done appropriately. Creating successful groups is challenging for instructors, who generally do not have the ability to hand-select groups. We have created a system to dynamically recommend student groups for short-term collaboration. Instructors can request group suggestions based on various criteria related to students' performance on assessment materials. This system creates groups based on different pedagogical theories we find to be salient to group learning.
A comparative study of ALOS-2 PALSAR and landsat-8 imagery for land cover classification using maximum likelihood classifier

Abstract This study examines ALOS-2 PALSAR L-band dual-polarization (HH and HV) SAR data and Landsat-8 optical imagery for land cover classification. The SAR data has been preprocessed first, which included radiometric calibration, geocoding, and speckle filtering. The HH/HV band ratio has been used to create the third band, and thus a synthetic RGB SAR image was created. The Landsat-8 data was also preprocessed for the classification process. For land cover classification of both SAR and optical datasets, the supervised maximum likelihood classifier was used. Training samples were selected from the Landsat-8 optical imagery with the support of information available in Google Earth; the same pixel locations of training data were used to extract training data from SAR image as well. The Landsat-8 optical imagery was classified and also used for visual assessment of the SAR land cover classification results. Accuracy assessment has been done for both the results of SAR and Landsat-8 data. The SAR classified output gives us accuracy of 93.15% and the Landsat-8 classified map accuracy was 91.34%, while the Kappa coefficient for SAR and Landsat-8 classified images is 0.92 and 0.89, respectively. Classification limitations exist in some cases, such as roads being merged in vegetation areas and some of the barren land is merged in settlements. The land cover classification can be expected to be further improved using polarimetric decomposition methods and fusion of SAR data with optical data.
Structural Variants of Human and Murine Immunoglobulins

Much of the current knowledge of immunoglobulin structure and function has been derived from studies of the homogeneous proteins produced by patients with neoplasms of plasma cells and lymphocytes. These proteins are antigenically and chemically closely related to the normal immunoglobulins and there is now little doubt that most of the homogeneous proteins in these patients are structurally normal molecules. (See reviews: Milstein and Pink, 1970; Gally and Edelman, 1972; Natvig and Kunkel, 1973; Wang and Fudenberg, 1974). This conclusion has received further support from the discovery of an ever-increasing number of myeloma proteins and macroglobulins possessing antibody activity (Seligmann and Brouet, 1973), a result which suggests strongly that all of these molecules could be shown to be antibodies if one knew the appropriate antigen with which to test. Only since 1963, with the discovery of heavy chain disease proteins in man (Franklin et al., 1963), and of half-molecule IgA proteins in the mouse (Potter and Kuff, 1964) has the existence of structurally altered molecules in association with plasma cell and lymphocyte neoplasms been recognized. Since that time, an ever-increasing number of studies have attempted to use Table I Properties of Human Immunoglobulins Immunoglobulin Property IgG IgA IgM IgD IgE Heavy chain class and subclasses γ α μ δ ∈ γ1, γ2, γ3 α1, α2 Several δ 1 and 2- γ4 Light chain type κ and λ κ and λ κ and λ κ and λ κ and λ Molecular formula L2γ2 L 2α2 a or (L2μ2)5J C L2 δ2 L2∈2 (L2α2)2 SC b J c Sedimentation coefficient (S 20,w) 7 7 19 7 8 Molecular weight 150,000 160,000a 900,000 180,000 200,000 Valence 2 2 5(10) 2 2 Complement fixation (lysis) +++ 0 ++++ 0 0 Biological survival (plasma T1/2 days) 21 6 5 3 2 Serum concentration (mean, mg/100 ml) 1000 200 120 3 .05 Placental transfer +++ 0 0 0 0 Reaginic activity 0 0 0 0 ++++ Homogeneous protein G myeloma A myeloma Macroglob. D myeloma E myeloma a For monomeric basic four-chain unit only. b Secretory component. c J chain. these proteins and the tumors producing them to obtain structural and genetic information that could not be derived from studies of intact molecules.
Shift Work and Circadian Rhythms

This article discusses how the need to work outside of normal ‘daylight’ hours can conflict with the dictates of the human biological clock (circadian system), thus leading to problems with alertness and safety at work, sleep at home, social and domestic interactions, and the maintenance of good health.
Semirigid Ureteroscopy for Ureteral Calculi

Semirigid ureteroscopy (SRURS) is a common and invaluable diagnostic and therapeutic modality for the treatment of ureteral calculi. Innovations in optics and scope design have allowed for improved treatment and outcomes with SRURS. Overall, SRURS is a widely available, safe, and effective option in the management of ureteral calculous disease for the practicing urologist.
Universality-Diversity Paradigm: Music, Materiomics, and Category Theory

The transition from the material structure to function, or from nanoscale components to the macroscale system, is a challenging proposition. Recognizing how Nature accomplishes such a feat—through universal structural elements, relatively weak building blocks, and self-assembly—is only part of the solution. The complexity bestowed by hierarchical multi-scale structures is not only found in biological materials and systems—it arises naturally within other fields such as music or language, with starkly different functions. If we wish to exploit understanding of the structure of music as it relates to materials, we need to define the relevant properties and functional relations in an abstract sense. One approach may lie in category theory, presented here in the form of ontology logs (ologs), that can transcend the traditional definitions of materials, music, or language, in a consistent and mathematically robust manner.
An Unusual Case of Gastritis in One Patient Receiving PD-1 Blocking Therapy: Coexisting Immune-Related Gastritis and Cytomegaloviral Infection

The programmed death 1 (PD-1), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) immune checkpoints are negative regulators of T-cell immune function. Inhibition of these targets by antibodies (PD-1 blocking therapy) has been explored to treat solid malignancies such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and other cancers. PD-1 blocking therapy is known to cause gastrointestinal tract adverse events in some patients and some of the adverse events are thought to be immune-mediated. Cancer patients receiving PD-1 blocking therapy have often failed several lines of chemotherapy and thus potentially are susceptible to a variety of infections including cytomegaloviral infection. However, there has not been any report of concurrent immune-mediated gastroenterocolitis and cytomegaloviral infection in cancer patients receiving PD-1 blocking therapy. Herein, we report one unusual case of histologically confirmed gastritis with features of immune-mediated pangastritis and cytomegaloviral infection in one patient who had metastatic urothelial carcinoma and received PD-1 blocking therapy, initially with atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1 antibody) followed by a switch to pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody) because of tumor progression. Pembrolizumab was held and intravenous ganciclovir treatment was started, the patient's symptoms (abdominal pain and vomiting) were significantly improved and she was discharged from the hospital in stable conditions on hospital day 5. Pathologists should be aware of PD-1 blocking therapy-associated immune-mediated gastrointestinal tract adverse effect and concurrent cytomegaloviral infection.
Desired Sample Size for Estimating the Skewness Under Skew Normal Settings

In this paper, the desired sample size for estimating the skewness parameter with given closeness and confidence level under skew normal populations. The confidence intervals for skewness parameter are constructed based on the desired sample sizes using two pivots, chi-square distribution and F-distribution. Computer simulations support our main results. At the end, a real data example is provided for illustration of constructed confidence intervals.
Optimization of a Novel Series of Selective CNS Penetrant CB2 Agonists.

The compound (Ia) shows excellent selectivity as CB2 agonist (EC50 2.7 nM) over the CB1 receptor and demonstrates a good central nervous system (CNS) penetration in rat.
Anthropocentrism and Taxidermy in Santiago Nazarian's Neve negra

In the present essay, I argue that taxidermy is a fundamental element in Brazilian novelist Santiago Nazarian’s Neve negra (2017). To do so, I frame my argument by using studies on anthropocentrism and the relationship between the human and the non-human through taxidermy. The first part of the essay examines recent studies on taxidermy and primary sources from the nineteenth century that center on the art and science of skinning, preparing, and mounting dead specimens. The second part focuses on a close reading of Nazarian’s novel by studying the narrator’s patriarchal and masculine anxieties in conjunction with taxidermy and the non-human characters that appear in the novel.
Instructions as constraints in motor skill acquisition

One of the major roles of teachers and coaches in physical activity and sport is to convey information to the performer so as to enhance performance, learning and skill level. The role of instructional strategies in physical activity and sport has been the source of considerable study in the field of motor skill acquisition (e.g. Holding, 1965; Singer, 1975; Williams & Hodges, 2004; Wulf, 2007). Instructional strategies are interventions by an instructor in the motor learning of an individual or group that are presumed to facilitate the process of motor skill acquisition.
Omnipresence: Invoking the Divine Name YHWH in Rabbinic Blessing

This chapter explores how understanding YHWH as a “rigid designator” or means to address God is reinforced through religious practice. It focuses on the rabbinic decree to mandate invoking the Name in every liturgical act, thus disseminating the most potent of temple rituals in daily life. As a result of this decree, ordinary worshipers were equated with high priests who can summon the divine presence along with its accompanying abundance. The significance of this rabbinic move is demonstrated by juxtaposing it to that of Hekhalot mystics and Second Temple sects such as the “morning bathers” (tovley shacharin) and Qumran scribes. The chapter also compares the rabbinic understanding of invoking the name to that of Philo, showing that for the rabbis, liturgy became a form of theophany, thanks to the presence of the Name.
Applying an educative approach to engage stakeholder values in evaluations of STEM research and education programmes

Stakeholder values regarding a programme’s worth and their own principles or standards can aid or impede an evaluation. The evaluator’s challenge and responsibility is to successfully engage multip...
Trapped in a Double Bind: Chinese Overseas Student Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), the COVID-19 disease cases stemming from it, and the resulting pandemic have imposed severe, distressing, physical, and psychologic...
The theory of planned behavior and strength training in college-aged women.

Objectives: Using Theory of Planned Behavior, the objective of this study was to determine how attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavior control related to intent to strength training by c...
Ionic strength and polyelectrolyte molecular weight effects on floc formation and growth in Taylor-Couette flows

Polyelectrolyte-driven flocculation of suspended particulate in solution is an important process in a variety of industrial processes such as drinking water treatment and composite material synthesis. Flocculation depends on a wide variety of physicochemical and hydrodynamic properties, which affect floc size, growth rate, and floc morphology. Floc formation and growth behavior is explored here using two different molecular weights of a cationic polyacrylamide flocculant and anisotropic Na-bentonite clay particles under a variety of solution ionic strengths. A Taylor-Couette cell with radial injection capabilities was used to study the effects of solution ionic strength and polyelectrolyte molecular weight on floc size, growth rate, and floc morphology during the flocculation process with a constant global velocity gradient. The floc size generally decreased with increasing ionic strength whereas the floc growth rate initially increased then decreased. This likely occurred due to charge screening effects, where increased bentonite aggregate size and a less expanded polyelectrolyte conformation at higher ionic strengths results in a decreased ability for the polyelectrolyte to bridge multiple bentonite aggregates. The densification of bentonite aggregates at higher ionic strengths resulted in floc morphologies that were more resistant to shear-induced breakage. With the exceptions of optimal dose concentration and dispersion coefficients, there were no clear differences in the floc growth rate behaviors for the two molecular weights studied. This work contributes to an improved understanding of the physicochemical complexities of polyelectrolyte-driven flocculation that can inform dosing requirements for more efficient industrial operations.
The Philosophy of Creative Solitudes: edited by David Jones, Bloomsbury, 2019, New York, 240 pp., $39.95 (paperback), ISBN-13 978-1350212534

It almost seems as if David Jones anticipated the current pandemic in bringing out this wonderful collection of essays about solitude. Covid-19 has meant loneliness for many, but it has also left o...
Targeting in Advertising Markets: Implications for Offline Versus Online Media

We develop a model with many advertisers (products) and many advertising markets (media). Each advertiser sells to a dierent segment of consumers, and each medium has a dierent ability to target advertising messages. We characterize the competitive equi- librium in the media markets and evaluate the implications of targeting in advertising markets. An increase in the targeting ability leads to an increase in the total number of purchases (matches), and hence in the social value of advertising. Yet, an improved targeting ability also increases the concentration of …rms advertising in each market. Surprisingly, we then …nd that the equilibrium price of advertisements is …rst increasing, then decreasing in the targeting ability. We trace out the implications of targeting for competing media. We distinguish o­ ine and online media by their targeting ability: low versus high. As consumers' relative exposure to online media increases, the revenues of o­ ine media decrease, even though the price of advertising might increase.
Frequency comb ptychoscopy.

Multiheterodyne techniques using frequency combs—radiation sources whose lines are perfectly evenly-spaced—have revolutionized science. By beating sources with the many lines of a comb, their spectra are recovered. Even so, these approaches are fundamentally limited to probing coherent sources, such as lasers. They are unable to measure most spectra that occur in nature. Here we present frequency comb ptychoscopy, a technique that allows for the spectrum of any complex broadband source to be retrieved using a comb. In this approach, the spectrum is reconstructed by unfolding the simultaneous beating of a source with each comb line. We demonstrate this both theoretically and experimentally, at microwave frequencies. This approach can reconstruct the spectrum of nearly any complex source to high resolution, and the speed, resolution, and generality of this technique will allow chip-scale frequency combs to have an impact in a wide swath of new applications, such as remote sensing and passive spectral imaging. Frequency-comb-based multiheterodyne spectroscopy requires that total bandwidth of the measured spectrum covers less than half the comb spacing, which is usually not the case for incoherent spectra. Here, the authors propose a technique that lifts this requirement, and demonstrate it in the microwave regime.
Relational–Cultural Theory: A Supportive Framework for Transracial Adoptive Families

Transracially adopted children and adolescents are subject to increased risks to their mental health and identity development as a result of racism and microaggressions. The risks are exacerbated b...
Review: insights gained from modelling high-grade glioma in the mouse.

High grade gliomas (HGG) are devastating primary brain tumors with universally poor prognoses. Advances toward effective treatments require improved understanding of pathogenesis and relevant model systems for preclinical testing. Mouse models for HGG provide physiologically relevant experimental systems for analysis of HGG pathogenesis. There are advantages and disadvantages to the different methodologies used to generate such models, including implantation, genetic engineering or somatic gene transfer approaches. This review highlights how mouse models have provided insights into the contribution of specific mutations to tumor initiation, progression, and phenotype, the influence of tumor microenviroment, and the analysis of cell types that can give rise to glioma. HGGs are a highly heterogeneous group of tumors, and the complexity of diverse mutations within common signaling pathways as well as the developmental and cell-type context of transformation contribute to the overall diversity of glioma phenotype. Enhanced understanding of the mutations and cell types giving rise to HGG, along with the ability to design increasingly complex mouse models that more closely approximate the process of human gliomagenesis will continue to provide improved experimental systems for dissecting mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and for preclinical testing.
Unexpected Antitumorigenic Effect of Fenbendazole when Combined with Supplementary Vitamins

Diet containing the anthelminthic fenbendazole is used often to treat rodent pinworm infections because it is easy to use and has few reported adverse effects on research. However, during fenbendazole treatment at our institution, an established human lymphoma xenograft model in C.B-17/Icr-prkdcscid/Crl (SCID) mice failed to grow. Further investigation revealed that the fenbendazole had been incorporated into a sterilizable diet supplemented with additional vitamins to compensate for loss during autoclaving, but the diet had not been autoclaved. To assess the role of fenbendazole and supplementary vitamins on tumor suppression, 20 vendor-supplied 4-wk-old SCID mice were assigned to 4 treatment groups: standard diet, diet plus fenbendazole, diet plus vitamins, and diet plus both vitamins and fenbendazole. Diet treatment was initiated 2 wk before subcutaneous flank implantation with 3 x 107 lymphoma cells. Tumor size was measured by caliper at 4-d intervals until the largest tumors reached a calculated volume of 1500 mm3. Neither diet supplemented with vitamins alone nor fenbendazole alone caused altered tumor growth as compared with that of controls. However, the group supplemented with both vitamins and fenbendazole exhibited significant inhibition of tumor growth. The mechanism for this synergy is unknown and deserves further investigation. Fenbendazole should be used with caution during tumor studies because it may interact with other treatments and confound research results.
Personal Network Characteristics of Youth in Substance Use Treatment: Motivation for and Perceived Difficulty of Positive Network Change

ABSTRACTBackground: Among youth in substance use treatment, peer substance use consistently predicts worse treatment outcomes. This study characterized personal (egocentric) networks of treated youth and examined predictors of adolescents’ motivation and perceived difficulty in making changes in the peer network to support recovery. Methods: Adolescents (aged 14–18; N = 155) recruited from substance use treatment reported on substance use severity, motivation to abstain from substance use, abstinence goals such as “temporary abstinence,” motivation and perceived difficulty in reducing contact with substance-using peers, and personal network characteristics. Personal network variables included composition (proportion of abstinent peers) and structure (number of network members, extent of ties among members) for household and nonhousehold (peer) members. Results: Although a majority of peer network members were perceived as using alcohol or marijuana, youth in treatment had relatively high motivation to abs...
X-Ray Determination of the 3 d -Orbital Population in Vanadium Metal

The ratio of the integrated intensities of the (330)-(411) and the (600)-(442) reflections was measured with Mo $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ x rays on a [110] vanadium single-crystal plate 0.004 in. thick. From these ratios the population of the ${t}_{2g}$-orbital charge density was determined to be (81\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6)% (remainder ${e}_{g}$) compared with 60% ${t}_{2g}$ for a spherically symmetric charge density. The ${t}_{2g}$-orbital charge density points toward the eight nearest neighbors in bcc vanadium.
Recognition of Petroleum-bearing Traps by Unusual Isotopic Compositions of Carbonate-cemented Surface Rocks

Unusual carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions characterize outcropping dolomitic sandstone of Permian age over the Davenport oil field, Oklahoma. The δC 13 PDB ranges from −5.1 to −11.3/mil and the δO 18 SMOW ranges from +28.8 to +48.8/mil. Areal distribution of both isotopic ranges is systematic and closely reflects the distribution of petroleum in the producing interval at a depth of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). The 20/mil positive oxygen range in these surface rocks suggests evaporative fractionation of ground water controlled by the near-surface expansion of vertically migrating dry natural gas from the underlying deposit. The rather light, though unexceptional, carbon values, unlike those reported for other hydrocarbon-derived carbonate rocks, indicate only partial chemical or biochemical oxidation of the gas, suggesting further that the leakage rate was relatively rapid. At the Cement oil field, Oklahoma, similar relations in surface rocks occur, but the carbon isotopic values are exceptionally light (−5.5 to −39.2/ml relative to PDB), indicating significant near-surface oxidation of slowly seeping hydrocarbons of low molecular weight. The occurrence of carbonate rocks derived from the chemical oxidation or bacterial conversion of hydrocarbons is well known (Thode and others, 1953; S. R. Silverman and others, unpub. data; Russell and others, 1967; Hathaway and Degens, 1968; Mamchur, 1969; Davis and Kirkland, 1970). Such carbonates typically have δC 13 PDB values more negative than about −25/mil. Similarly, unusual isotopic signatures have been documented in carbonate-cemented sandstone and calcitized gypsum cropping out over the Cement oil field in the southeastern part of the Anadarko basin of Oklahoma (Donovan, 1974). There, the rock cements display carbon isotopic ratios that are increasingly light and oxygen ratios that are increasingly heavy toward the crest of the anticlinal structure. These trends are limited areally and are systematic in their patterns, reflecting the subsurface distribution of petroleum. Both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons have leaked from the Cement reservoirs; much of the hydrocarbon was oxidized and the carbon incorporated into the interstitial carbonate cements of the overlying rocks. Rapid vertical leakage of gas, expansive under depressurization, resulted in preferential evaporation of H 2 O 16 , compared with H 2 O 18 from near-surface ground waters. This evapo-escape to the atmosphere. Rayleigh distillation proceeds if escape rates cause evaporation of ground water at rates faster than the replacement or recharge rate of meteoric water. Rocks whose isotopic compositions reflect an intermediate mix of these contrasting processes have not yet been found but presumably exist. The existence of these kinds of isotopically anomalous carbonate cements would prove useful in petroleum exploration independently of other kinds of geochemical indicators.
Divergence-Based Similarity Measure for Spoken Document Retrieval

We propose a novel, divergence-based similarity measure for spoken document retrieval (SDR). We derive a dynamic programming algorithm that measures Kullback-Leibler divergence between two HMMs first. The measure is further generalized to a graph matching algorithm, which is efficient for SDR application. The proposed approach compares the underlying acoustic models of keywords and a target database to alleviate the impact of mismatched vocabulary and language model, e.g. different domains. Experimental results on the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) database show that the proposed approach achieves a comparable performance, compared with the word posterior based approach. It outperforms the latter when there is a mismatch in language model. The approach is promising for building an open-vocabulary, domain independent SDR application.
Mechanistic Effects of Deuteration on the Aqueous Corrosion of Nuclear Waste Glasses

Isotopically labeled water has been utilized by several researchers to help elucidate the glass dissolution mechanism in aqueous media. However, most of the results have been obtained with simple silicate glasses and have utilized low surface-to-volume (S/V) ratios and relatively short time scales. In this paper we report the results of an extensive study of the leach behavior of the preliminary West Valley nuclear waste glass composition, WV205, in deuterium oxide using multiple S/V ratios at both short and long times. The WV205 glass was leached in parallel in both ordinary deionized water and in deuterated water at five S/V ratios (20, 100, 200, 2000 and 6000 m−1) at 90°C under PCT (the SRL-modified MCC3 procedure) conditions with sampling at 1, 3, 7, 28, 56, 120 days, and four times annually thereafter; the tests will continue for several years. Initial rates were determined by measurements at shorter times with polished monoliths. A significant isotope effect, as measured by the ratio of leach rates, RH20/RD20, was found at all S/V ratios and reached values as large as 360%. Our data yield different values for RH20/RD20 in the diffusion, matrix dissolution, and saturation dominated regimes with the largest effect in the middle stage. Large values of RH20/RD20 would be characteristic of a primary kinetic isotope effect suggestive of a bond breakage involving hydrogen in the rate determining step.
Dual Functions of Thyroid Hormone Receptors in Vertebrate Development: The Roles of Histone-Modifying Cofactor Complexes

Thyroid hormone (TH) receptor (TR) plays critical roles in vertebrate development. Transcription studies have shown that TR activates or represses TH-inducible genes by recruiting coactivators or corepressors in the presence or absence of TH, respectively. However, the developmental roles of these TR cofactors remain largely unexplored. Frog metamorphosis is totally dependent on TH and mimics the postembryonic period in mammalian development during which TH levels are also high. We have previously proposed a dual function model for TR in the development of the anuran Xenopus laevis. That is, unliganded TR recruits corepressors to TH-inducible genes in premetamorphic tadpoles to repress these genes and prevent premature metamorphic changes and subsequently, when TH becomes available, liganded TR recruits coactivators to activate these same genes, leading to metamorphosis. Over the years, we and others have used molecular and genetic approaches to demonstrate the importance of the dual functions of TR in Xe...
Evidence for the presence of disulfide bridges in opioid receptors essential for ligand binding. Possible role in receptor activation

The mobility of purified mu opioid binding protein in SDS-polyacrylamide gek electrophoresis is sensitive to the presence of reducing agents. In the presence of increasing concentrations of DTT the apparent molecular weight increases in a stepwise fashion from 53 kDa to 65 kDa. This reduction in mobility is attributed to the successive breakage of disulfide bridges, resulting in an increasingly asymmetric molecule. Treatment of cell membranes from various brain areas with reducing agents, such as DTT, produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of opioid binding. Sensitivity to DTT inhibition varied between receptor types, mu greater than delta much greater than kappa. For mu receptors, agonist binding was considerably more sensitive to DTT than antagonist binding. Inhibition by DTT is readily reversible and is unaffected by Na+ and/or Mg2+ ions. Reversibility may be partially prevented by the inclusion of a low concentration of a reducing reagent such as glutathione which does not inhibit binding but blocks reformation of disulfide bonds. Scatchard analysis of saturation data shows that DTT causes a pronounced decrease in binding affinity with little effect on receptor number. It is suggested that disulfide bonds are essential for ligand binding and that cleavage of one or more of these bonds may play a role in opioid receptor activation by agonists.