cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laboratory Evaluation of Commercially Available Platforms to Detect West Nile and Zika Viruses From Honey Cards.

Commercially available assays utilizing antigen or nucleic acid detection chemistries provide options for mosquito control districts to screen their mosquito populations for arboviruses and make timely operational decisions regarding vector control. These assays may be utilized even more advantageously when combined with honey-soaked nucleic acid preservation substrate (‘honey card’) testing by reducing or replacing the time- and labor-intensive efforts of identifying and processing mosquito pools. We tested artificially inoculated honey cards and cards fed upon individually by West Nile virus (WNV) and Zika virus (ZIKV)-infected mosquitoes with three assays to compare detection rates and the limit of detection for each platform with respect to virus detection of a single infected mosquito and quantify the time interval of virus preservation on the cards. Assays evaluated included CDC protocols for real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for WNV and ZIKV, Pro-Lab Diagnostics ProAmpRT WNV loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) and ZIKV LAMP assays, and the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) WNV assay. Real-time RT-PCR was the most sensitive assay and the most robust to viral RNA degradation over time. To maximize the detection of virus, honey cards should be left in the traps ≤1 d if using LAMP assays and ≤3 d if using real-time RT-PCR to detect viruses from field samples. The WNV RAMP assay, although effective for pool screening, lacks sensitivity required for honey card surveillance. Future studies may determine the minimum number of infectious mosquitoes required to feed on a honey card that would be reliably detected by the LAMP or RAMP assays.
An empirical study of service postponement: locating the push–pull boundary

The purpose of this paper is to determine if service firms can profitably perform postponement. We develop a general model to identify the optimal location of the push–pull boundary, or extent of p...
Mast Cell Mediators of Significance in Clinical Practice in Mastocytosis

Mast cells leave evidence, a "fingerprint," of their participation in acute and chronic clinical events. That fingerprint is an elevation, either chronic or acute, in levels of their secreted mediators or their metabolites. Of these, only serum tryptase is currently one of the diagnostic criteria for systemic mastocytosis or mast cell activation. Combinations of easily obtained and quantified urinary mast cell mediator metabolite levels correlate well with bone marrow findings of systemic mastocytosis. By inhibiting synthesis of or blockading receptors to the elevated mast cell mediator, relief of clinical symptoms can often be achieved.
Post-acquisition integrative versus independent innovation: A story of dueling success factors

Abstract Technological acquisitions have become a popular complement to internal innovation in order to overcome the time-compression diseconomies of internal innovation. As such, acquisition success greatly depends on the expeditious leveraging of target knowledge. Confounding our understanding of leveraging target knowledge is that targets play two distinct innovative roles post-acquisition: conduct innovative activities in conjunction with acquirers (integrative innovation) and continue innovative activities independent of acquirers (independent innovation). To understand how factors differentially affect these two types of innovation, I connect two disparate concepts: relative absorptive capacity and selective intervention. I develop theory and find evidence that while relative absorptive capacity creates the communication capabilities that accelerate integrative innovation, it simultaneously deteriorates the information asymmetries between targets and acquirers leading to greater opportunities for acquirer intervention into target innovative activities that delay independent innovation.
The Etiology of Conduct Disorders

In the opening chapter of this book, I outlined several principles that guide an applied-science approach to treating children and adolescents with conduct disorders. One principle is that intervention should be based on a clear understanding of why some individuals engage in serious patterns of antisocial and aggressive behaviors. This link between research and practice allows for the design of interventions that attempt to remove or reduce these causal factors or, if this is not possible, to minimize the harmful effects of these causal influences. Therefore, understanding the causal processes that underlie conduct disorders is not just a scientific exercise but a critically important endeavor to the practicing clinician. Unfortunately, understanding the development of conduct disorders is also a very complex process for a number of reasons.
Interstitial Brachytherapy Should Be Standard of Care for Treatment of High-Risk Prostate Cancer

High-risk prostate cancer represents a therapeutic challenge for both the urologist and radiation oncologist. Biochemical outcomes with radical prostatectomy and external-beam radiation therapy are poor in this subset of patients. These unfavorable results have led some to believe that high-risk prostate cancer is not curable with conventional treatment approaches, which has been an impetus for many of the current trials using neoadjuvant chemotherapy and prostatectomy. With the established efficacy of interstitial brachytherapy, these efforts are likely excessive. Most modern trials indicate excellent biochemical control rates among high-risk patients treated with an aggressive locoregional approach that includes brachytherapy. A thoughtful review of the literature would suggest that interstitial brachytherapy offers a therapeutic advantage over other local treatment modalities and should be considered standard treatment for aggressive organ-confined prostate cancer.
Améry and Nietzsche on Resentment, Collective Guilt, and Historical Revisionism

This chapter argues that Amery’s account of resentment is influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche’s account of revenge and ressentiment and that resentment provides an existential means which assists Amery in refiguring his social standing as a Holocaust survivor in post-war Europe. He elaborates his account while concurrently drawing out the limitations of Nietzsche’s account. From Amery’s standpoint, his theory of resentment is fit to expose the horrors of the Holocaust that the demand for reconciliation and assimilation strives to repress. His steadfast commitment to resentment is an existential mechanism to resist the oblivion that post-war Europe expects from Jewish communities.
Epiphyte Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution in an Old Sitka Spruce Crown

Preserving biodiversity in remaining old-growth forests is a high priority for many land managers. To this end, we inventoried the diversity, abundance, and distribution of epiphyte species in one 318-year-old, 86 m tall Picea sitchensis tree on the north coast of California. In 39 plots, we recorded species present and mean percent cover for each species. Our findings include the following: 1) 68 epiphyte species were found in this one tree; 2) epiphyte diversity increased with height; 3) lichens had the highest diversity of all epiphyte classes; and 4) mosses had the highest percent cover of all epiphyte classes. These findings highlight the capacity for old trees to serve as reservoirs of biodiversity in younger forests.
High School All Over Again: The Problem of Redundant College Mathematics

Using linked high school and college records for a national sample of students, I document the first college math courses that students take and examine how they compare with high school coursework...
Caregiving for Older Adults with Limited English Proficiency: Transitioning from Hospital to Home.

Although the family caregiver workforce is increasingly diverse, little is known about culturally and linguistically diverse caregivers and patients for whom they care. Caregiver roles include communicating with health care teams on behalf of patients with language barriers. Our objective is to describe characteristics and experiences of caregivers for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) immediately following hospital discharge. Cross-sectional. Primary informal caregivers for Chinese- and Spanish-speaking patients with LEP discharged from a large academic medical center’s orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and cardiovascular inpatient floors from June 2012 to August 2013. Bilingual-bicultural research assistants conducted baseline structured interviews with patients or surrogates in the hospital, and 3 weeks after discharge, gathering demographic and health information. They then interviewed by phone informal caregivers, identified by patients, to determine caregiving experiences. One hundred fifty-eight caregivers were interviewed post-discharge. Two-thirds (69.0%) were adults caring for parents or grandparents, and 20.9% were spouses or partners. Sixty-nine (43.7%) caregivers had LEP themselves, yet only 12% of patients reported having access to professional interpreters at the time discharge instructions were provided. Ninety percent reported performing three or more caregiving roles for the patient (helping at home, helping with medical decisions, helping with medical forms, helping communicate with medical staff, and talking with doctors about medical care). Forty percent reported moderate/high levels of perceived stress (some, most, or all of the time) caring for the patient. Multivariate regression revealed caregivers for Chinese-speaking patients, and those for patients discharged to another hospital were most likely to report moderate/high levels of perceived stress. Culturally and linguistically diverse caregivers perform multiple roles caring for patients with LEP, often have LEP themselves, and experience notable levels of stress. These results also demonstrate an opportunity to expand the use of professional interpreters at hospital discharge to avoid communication errors.
Latitudinal constraints on the abundance and activity of the cyanobacterium UCYN‐A and other marine diazotrophs in the North Pacific

The number of marine environments known to harbor dinitrogen (N-2)-fixing (diazotrophic) microorganisms is increasing, prompting a reassessment of the biogeography of marine diazotrophs and N(2)fix ...
The Prevalence and Impact of Hepatic Steatosis on Response to Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in HIV-HCV Coinfection.

(1) Background: Direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with high sustained virologic response (SVR) and overcomes negative predictive factors, including steatosis, in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. The impact of steatosis on SVR in patients with HIV–HCV coinfection is unknown. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients treated with direct-acting antivirals was performed. Demographic, laboratory and direct-acting antiviral regimen data were prospectively collected. Metabolic syndrome and its components—diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity—were assessed. Hepatic steatosis (≥5%) was defined by liver biopsy or controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measurement during vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). (3) Results: A total of 151 HIV–HCV-coinfected patients on combined antiretroviral therapy and direct-acting antiviral therapy were included in this analysis. Prevalence of steatosis by liver biopsy (n = 34) or CAP (≥263 db/m) during VCTE (n = 92) was 27% and was independently associated with obesity (OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.43–6.82; p = 0.004) and the metabolic syndrome (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.01–0.15; p = 0.01). The overall SVR rate (n = 148) was 95% and was not impacted by the presence of steatosis (p = 0.42). (4) Conclusions: Hepatic steatosis is common in HIV–HCV coinfection, correlates with obesity and the metabolic syndrome and does not impact SVR.
Evaluation and analysis of ethylene production using oxidative dehydrogenation

Abstract A HYSYS simulator was utilized to predict the performance of an ethylene oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) production facility using alternative diluents and separation technology not currently used in the standard industrial process. An ODH process system was modeled with ethane being fed along with air into a reactor with simultaneous mixing with pure methane to lower the product gas temperature. The methane feed was later separated from the other product gases and eventually fed into a recycle stream. This process was fairly expensive due to the use of a demethanizer within the process recycle stream. Safety and operational improvements for the ODH process was another aspect of this analysis that yielded interesting results. By the inclusion of storage vessels before and after the ODH reactor, the reactor unit can operate even in the event of an upstream or downstream failure, resulting in less downtime for the process.
The Delivery of Public Health Interventions Via the Internet: Actualizing Their Potential

The Internet increasingly serves as a platform for the delivery of public health interventions. The efficacy of Internet interventions has been demonstrated across a wide range of conditions. Much more work remains, however, to enhance the potential for broad population dissemination of Internet interventions. In this article, we examine the effectiveness of Internet interventions, with particular attention to their dissemination potential. We discuss several considerations (characterizing reach rates, minimizing attrition, promoting Web site utilization, use of tailored messaging and social networking) that may improve the implementation of Internet interventions and their associated outcomes. We review factors that may influence the adoption of Internet interventions in a range of potential dissemination settings. Finally, we present several recommendations for future research that highlight the potential importance of better understanding intervention reach, developing consensus regarding Web site usage metrics, and more broadly integrating Web 2.0 functionality.
Peripheral nervous system manifestations of rheumatological diseases

Rheumatological diseases result in immune-mediated injury to not only connective tissue, but often components of the peripheral nervous system. These overlap conditions can be broadly categorized as peripheral neuropathies and overlap myositis. The peripheral neuropathies are distinctive as many have unusual presentations such as non-length-dependent, small fiber neuropathies and sensory neuronopathies (both due to dorsal root ganglia dysfunction), multiple mononeuropathies (e.g. vasculitic neuropathies), and even cranial neuropathies. Overlap myositis is increasingly recognized and is often associated with specific autoantibodies. Sarcoidosis also has widespread neurological manifestations and impacts both the peripheral nerves and muscle. Much work is needed to fully characterize the vast presentations of these overlap diseases. Given the rarity of these disorders, they are understudied, resulting in significant knowledge gaps with regards to their underlying pathophysiology and the best treatment approach. A basic knowledge of these disorders is mandatory for both practicing rheumatologists and neurologists as prompt recognition and early initiation of immunotherapy may prevent significant morbidity and permanent disability.
Library Experiences of Technical Services and Special Collections During the COVID-19 Pandemic at Edith Garland Dupré Library, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The COVID-19 pandemic put a major strain on everyday life. Academic institutions were forced to close, leaving many employees to resort to teleworking. Academic libraries were put in an unusual position, as they strove to provide access to library materials and services, despite limited to no access to the actual sites. This proved to be especially tricky for technical services and special collections departments, which heavily rely on being present at libraries. Therefore, these departments needed to develop solutions that would allow them to continue performing their duties while adhering to stay-at-home orders. With careful preparation and frequent communication, the technical services and special collections departments of Edith Garland Dupre Library at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette were able to successfully adapt to teleworking and continue providing needed library services. This article details the teleworking experiences of five departments within technical services and special collections during the pandemic, including strategies developed and challenges faced.
Applying Service-Dominant Logic to Peer-to-Peer Experiences Between Master Forest Owner Volunteers and Woodland Owners in New York State

Peer learning programs in forestry are a valuable resource for woodland owners, yet many forestry outreach programs in the U.S. and Europe are underutilized. Recent literature has suggested that current models peer learning and outreach programs could benefit from adopting a service-dominant logic, which centers on value creation through exchange, such as trusted peer relationships. This study employs a service dominant logic approach to examine the peer-to-peer experience between woodland owners and Master Forest Owner (MFO) Volunteers, a peer learning program offered through Cooperative Extension in New York State. A quantitative survey was administered to woodland owners that previously had a visit with a peer volunteer in the last ten years. Additionally, this study examined whether or not “peerness,” or a shared sense of similar practical tasks, contributed to the peer learning experience and any decisions woodland owners made after a visit with an MFO. The results from this study support a service-dominant logic approach to future marketing and outreach campaigns to draw more woodland owners to the program. Furthermore, we found that the co-creative value and trust produced during the peer-to-peer learning experience via the service-dominant lens overrides any potential differences among peer volunteers and woodland owners, in terms of perceived “peerness.”
Elucidating patient-perceived role in "decision-making" among African Americans receiving lung cancer care through a county safety-net system.

We explored patient-perceived role in “decision-making” related to active treatment and palliation among African Americans receiving lung cancer care through a county safety-net system. Drawing from a cohort of over 100 African Americans treated in a safety-net hospital, we invited a subsample of 13 patient-caregiver dyads to participate in a series of dyadic, ethnographic interviews conducted at the patients’ homes. Over 40 h of transcripts were analyzed in an iterative process resulting in reported themes. Findings from ethnographic interviews demonstrated that healthcare communication with physicians is difficult for patients. While caregivers and patients describe a deep engagement in lung cancer care, they expressed a concurrent lack of understanding of their prognosis and outcomes of treatment. Dyads did not discuss their lung cancer experience in terms of decision-making; rather, most articulated their role as following physician guidance. Distinct lack of understanding about disease course, severity, and prognosis may constrain patient perception of the need for informed decision-making over the course of care. Dyadic interviews detailing safety-net patient experiences of lung cancer care raise important questions about how clinicians, as well as researchers, conceptualize processes of informed decision-making in vulnerable populations. Safety-net patients may not perceive their role as involving informed decision-making and further may lack understanding of disease course and individual prognosis. Safety-net patient dyads expressed high involvement in care and a desire for clarity; clinicians should be prepared to clearly communicate disease stage and prognosis.
Are Plasmalemma Redox Protons Involved in Growth Control by Plant Cells

It has been established (Barr 1987,1988) that in cultured carrot cells protons are excreted from two different sources: by the action of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase, located on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, and through plasmalemma NADH-dehydrogenase (Brightman et al., 1987,1988), a transmembrane enzyme, which transports electrons in association with protons across the plasmalemma from the cytoplasmic side toward the outside of the cell. Evidence for this comes from studies with inhibitors of the H+-ATPase and plasma membrane redox. In this study, two new inhibitors of plasma membrane redox reactions, acridine orange and neutral red, were tested on H+ excretion and growth of carrot cells. H+ excretion, potassium ferricyanide reduction, NADH oxidase and peroxidase activities were also assayed on carrot cells grown for 8 days in presence of high NaC1 concentrations (100–300 mM). It was found that acridine orange in concentrations of 3–15 µM inhibited H+ excretion from 50–85% and ferricyanide reduction 100% upon direct addition of acridine orange to carrot cells, but growing carrot cells with acridine orange in similar concentrations stimulated the H+-ATPase-generated H+ but inhibited ferricyanide reduction and associated redox H+ 100%. Carrot cell growth, NADH oxidase and peroxidase were inhibited from 80–100%. Neutral red inhibited the action of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase > 50%, and growth and associated plasma membrane redox activities from 50–100%. Growth of carrot cells on high NaCl concentrations also inhibited the H+-ATPase-excreted H+ 38% and growth, measured as dry weight of carrot cells, 66%, while plasma membrane redox functions — ferricyanide reduction, NADH oxidation and peroxidase activity gave from 90–100% inhibition. From these data it appears that H+ excretion by plasma membrane redox reactions controls H+ in some special membrane domain that is associated with carrot cell proliferation.
Applications of Decision Support: The State of Minnesota Experience

The State of Minnesota (USA) is a very active user of decision support systems (DSS) and group decision support systems (GDSS) technology. This paper reviews several applications of DSS and GDSS within the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Finance (DoF) within the government of the State of Minnesota. In particular, the following systems are illustrated and evaluated: (1) An automated JAD application for the design of a Social Services Information System [GDSS/DHS], (2) A Children's Social Services Information System [DSS/DHS], (3) A Budget Information System [DSS/DoF], and (4) a Revenue Forecasting System [DSS/DoF]. In addition to describing the purpose and nature of each system, the paper discusses the benefits of each application and focuses on lesson that have been learned in developing and using these applications.
Strain profile and piezoelectric performance of piezocomposites with 2-2 and 1-3 connectivities

The piezoelectric performance of 1-3-type composite depends critically on the stress transfer between the two constituents phases. The results of an investigation of the elastic and piezoelectric behavior of composites with 2-2 and 1-3 connectivities are presented. By taking into account the nonuniform strain profiles in the constituent phases, the theoretical model presented can quantitatively predict the performance of these composites. Theoretical predictions agree quantitatively with the experimental results. >
Computer Architecture: Single and Parallel Systems

Classification of designs Von Neumann architecture pipelining RISC versus CISC architecture interconnection networks multiprocessors and multicomputers parallel programming and parallel algorithms in multiprocessors/multicomputers environment data flow and systolic array architectures future horizons for architecture. Appendices: basic components of VLSI design combinational and sequential circuits hardware description language - VHDL.
Implementation of an NIC (nearly instantaneous companding) 32 kbps transcoder using the TMS320C25 digital signal processor

The authors present the design of a 32 kb/s data adaptive NIC transcoding algorithm and its implementation on the TMS320C25 digital signal processor. Some preliminary test results are presented for a single-stage rate-change filter for the rate conversion from 8 kHz to 6.667 kHz and vice versa. A two-stage rate-change filter using the combined decimator and rate-change filter approach is then designed to replace the original 128-tap single-filter. It is shown that since a rate change rate from 40 kHz to 6.667 kHz requires a decimation factor of M=6, a two-stage decimation of M=3 followed by M=2 will lead to further savings because a decimation filter for M=3 requires 11 taps while that for M=2 requires 53 taps. >
Biological grounding of recruitment learning and vicinal algorithms in long-term potentiation

Biological networks are capable of gradual learning based on observing a large number of exemplars over time as well as of rapidly memorizing specific events as a result of a single exposure. The focus of research in neural networks has been on gradual learning, and the modeling of one-shot memorization has received relatively little attention. Nevertheless, the development of biologically plausible computational models of rapid memorization is of considerable value, since such models would enhance our understanding of the neural processes underlying episodic memory formation. A few researchers have attempted the computational modeling of rapid (one-shot) learning within a framework described variably as recruitment learning and vicinal algorithms. Here it is shown that recruitment learning and vicinal algorithms can be grounded in the biological phenomena of long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Toward this end, a computational abstraction of LTP and LTD is presented, and an "algorithm" for the recruitment of binding-detector (or coincidence-detector) cells is described and evaluated using biologically realistic data.
Azabicyclo chemistry—V

Abstract As a potential route to 9-functionalized-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes we have investigated the silver nitrate catalyzed solvolysis of N-chloro-N-methyl-2-cyclohexene-1-ethanamine ( 4a ) in methanol. By this route we obtained 1-methyl-7(a)-methoxy- cis -octahydroindole ( 5a ), 1-methyl-7-chloro- cis -octahydroindole ( 6a ), 2-methy ( 8a ) in the approximate ratio of 75:1:3:23, respectively. The structure proofs of 5a and 8a were accomplished by chemical interrelating the two and by double resonance NMR spectroscopy, while the structures of 6a and 7a were assigned by mass spectroscopy. Appropriate deuterium studies substantiated the mass spectral fragmentation pathways. Mechanistically we favor the formation of the products by invoking the intermediacy of a nitrenium ion.
Law: Change and Evolution

This article focuses first on macroevolutionary change, looking at theories of long-term legal change involving whole systems, groups of systems, or law in general. Theorists discussed include Marx, Maine, Durkheim, Weber, Schwartz and Miller, Galanter, Selznick, and Watson. The second part is concerned with more general theories of legal change. It discusses the ‘autonomy’ of the legal system, typologies of legal change, the need to distinguish long-run change from short-run change, the differences made by democratic and totalitarian tendencies in society, and the role played by the legal system in social change.
Proximal regulatory elements and nuclear activities required for transcription of the human Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-1) gene

Abstract We herein demonstrate competence of the 5′ upstream region −1374 to +16 of the human growth factor-activatable Na + /H + exchanger (NHE-1) gene to promote transcription of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene in cells of hepatic origin (HepG2), vascular-smooth-muscle origin (VSM A7r5) and fibroblasts (3T3). We also describe the mapping of the regulatory elements required for such transcription. Sequential 5′ end-deletions indicated that the 5′ boundary of the positive regulatory elements of NHE-1 transcription is localized downstream of nucleotide −252 in both HepG2 and VSM A7r5 cells but downstream of nucleotide −654 in 3T3 cells. Footprinting analysis of the 0.25-kb promoter fragment using rat liver nuclear extracts identified 4 protected regions as follows: A, −31 to −9; B, −108 to −65; C, −124 to −111; and D, −239 to −215. Internal deletion and nucleotide substitutions within regulatory element D revealed its essential role for transcription of the human NHE-1 gene in HepG2 and VSM A7r5 cells. DNA binding and competition assays using rat liver nuclear extracts indicated that regulatory element D is recognized by 5 nuclear activities. Four of these activities (designated as NHE-1D1-4) are competed out completely by oligonucleotides containing the binding sites of transcription factors CREB, AP3, NFY, and other CCAAT box-binding proteins (C/EBPα or related proteins). This competition profile might be explained by the presence of homology between regulatory element D and the consensus sequence of C/EBP as well as the other competitor oligonucleotides. The actual relationship between these nuclear activities and the C/EBP family of proteins (or other transcription factors) remains to be determined.
Complex control of mouse apolipoprotein B gene expression revealed by targeted duplication.

Abstract An elevated plasma level of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Subtle genetic abnormalities in gene expression including an increased expression of the APOB gene may play an important role in determining overall risk. In an attempt to increase mouse Apob expression, we used gene targeting and duplicated ≈65 kb of genomic DNA containing the Apob locus in its natural genomic position in mice. While we successfully generated mice carrying the Apob gene duplication, the amount of the total Apob mRNA was not increased in their liver. In the intestine, total Apob mRNA was reduced to half of the wild-type mice. Plasma lipids in the Apob duplication mice were not altered. Expression analyses showed that the proximal Apob gene in the duplicated locus was preferentially expressed in both tissues suggesting a limitation of tissue-specific enhancer function. The previously characterized distant intestinal control element was not duplicated, explaining the unequal ratio of intestinal Apob expression. While the existence of an additional liver-specific enhancer element is unknown, our findings suggest the presence of an additional enhancer outside the duplicated region, and that Apob gene expression is more complicated than previously thought.
Influence of viscous incubation media on the resistance to diffusion of the intestinal unstirred water layer in vitro.

Everted sacs of rat intestine were incubated in media made viscous with Na-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). This increased the resistance to diffusion of the mucosal unstirred water layer, as measured by the half-time for the establishment of osmotic streaming potentials. The increase was not however linearly related to viscosity, but reached a maximum, equivalent to an apparent thickness of 500 μ, at a viscosity of about 100 cP (shear rate=50 s−1).
AMINO ACID COORDINATION TO CHROMIUM(III) WITH MERIDIONAL GEOMETRY

Abstract L-lysine and L-glutamic acid can be made to coordinate as tridentate ligands with meridional geometry in octahedral mixed ligand complexes where the other ligand is tridentate and has a preference for meridional coordination. Both [Cr(dpt)(L-lys)]2+ (Hlys = lysine, dpt = di(3-aminopropyl)amine) and [Cr(glygly)(L-glu)]− (H 2 glygly = glycylglycine, H 2 glu = glutamic acid) exhibit meridional geometry.
Vegetation history in central Kentucky and Tennessee (USA) during the last glacial and deglacial periods

Knowledge about vegetation dynamics during the last glacial and deglacial periods in southeastern North America is under-constrained owing to low site density and problematic chronologies. New pollen records from two classic sites, Anderson Pond, TN, and Jackson Pond, KY, supported by AMS 14C age models, span 25.2–13.7 ka and 31.0–15.4 ka, respectively. A transition from Pinus dominance to Picea dominance is recorded at Jackson Pond ca. 26.2 ka, ~ coincident with Heinrich Event H2. Anderson and Jackson Ponds record a transition from conifer to deciduous-tree dominance ~ 15.9 and 15.4 ka, respectively, marking the development of no-analog vegetation characterized by moderate to high abundances of Picea, Quercus, Carya, Ulmus, Fraxinus, Ostrya/Carpinus, Cyperaceae, and Poaceae, and preceding by ~ 2000 yr the advent of similar no-analog vegetation in glaciated terrain to the north. No-analog vegetation developed as a time-transgressive, south-to-north pattern, mediated by climatic warming. Sporormiella abundances are consistently low throughout the Jackson and Anderson Pond records, suggesting that megafaunal abundances and effects on vegetation varied regionally or possibly that the Sporormiella signal was not well-expressed at these sites. Additional records with well-constrained chronologies are necessary to assess patterns and mechanisms of vegetation dynamics during the last glacial and deglacial periods.
Elution of steroids after thin-layer chromatography☆

Abstract A method of steroid elution from Silica Gel G after thin-layer chromatography is presented. The method is based on the principle of column chromatography. This technique gives adequate and reproducible recoveries and a high state of compound purity.
CAPTURE: A Communications Architecture for Progressive Transmission via Underwater Relays With Eavesdropping

As analysis of imagery and other science data plays a greater role in mission execution, there is an increasing need for autonomous marine vehicles to transmit these data to the surface. Communicating imagery and full-resolution sensor readings to surface observers remains a significant challenge. Yet, without access to the data acquired by an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), surface operators cannot fully understand the mission state of a vehicle. This paper presents an architecture capable of multihop communication across a network of underwater acoustic relays. In concert with an abstracted physical layer, CAPTURE provides an end-to-end networking solution for communicating science data from autonomous marine vehicles. Automatically selected imagery, SONAR, and time-series sensor data are progressively transmitted across multiple hops to surface operators. To incorporate human feedback, data are transmitted as a sequence of gradually improving data “previews.” Operators can request arbitrarily high-quality refinement of any resource, up to an error-free reconstruction. The results of three diverse field trials on SeaBED, OceanServer, and Bluefin AUVs, with drastically different software architectures, are also presented.
Effects of ionic strength on fractionation of amebic antigens by acid precipitation

Abstract An aqueous extract of antigen was prepared from washed, ruptured trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, and dialyzed against distilled water to remove NaCl. It was divided into four aliquot samples, in which the ionic strength of NaCl was adjusted to 0.0, 0.068, 0.136, and 0.272. The adjusted aliquots were fractionated by acid precipitation, and the fractions were assayed for antigenic reactivity in hemagglutination and complement fixation tests, and for content of nitrogen and carbohydrates. The added NaCl exerted a strong influence on the solubility of proteins and antigens on fractionation by acid precipitation. In the absence of added electrolyte, precipitation of hemagglutination antigens was virtually complete at a pH of 4.8, but when NaCl was added to achieve an ionic strength of 0.272, most of the antigen measured by hemagglutination or complement fixation tests was soluble. The concentration of nitrogen in the fractions paralleled the reactivity of antigen when assayed by the hemagglutination test, but not the complement fixation test. The activity of complement fixing antigen more closely paralleled the carbohydrate content of fractions. The significance of these findings was discussed in relation to reproducibility of fractionation studies and the composition of amebic antigens.
The Frattini subgroups of linear Noetherian groups

Abstract If G is a linear Noetherian group, then (a) Φ(G), the Frattini subgroup of G is nilpotent; (b) if G Φ(G) is nilpotent, then G is nilpotent.
Global atmospheric concentrations and source strength of ethane

A study of the variation in ethane (C2H6) concentration between northern and southern latitudes over three years is presented together with a new estimate of its source strength. Ethane concentrations vary from 0.07 to 2 p.p.b.v. (parts per billion by volume) in air samples collected in remote surface locations in the Pacific (latitude 71 N-47 S) in all four seasons between September 1984 and June 1985. The variations are consistent with southerly transport from sources located chiefly in the Northern Hemisphere, further modified by seasonal variations in the strength of the reaction of C2H6 with OH radicals. These global data can be combined with concurrent data for CH4 and the laboratory reaction rates of each with OH to provide an estimate of three months as the average atmospheric lifetime for C2H6 and 13 + or - 3 Mtons for its annual atmospheric release.
An analysis of catalyzed facilitated transport

Abstract Carrier-facilitated transport with a homogeneously catalyzed reaction in a thin liquid membrane is shown to involve mass transfer augmentation due to both the catalyst binding and chemical reaction steps. The problem is explored with the reversible reaction: T + Catalyst = T – Catalyst S + T – Catalyst = Catalyst + TS which is taken to occur in a globally non-reactive membrane system. Only the species T is transferred across the boundaries, other species being confined within the membrane. The finite lifetimes of reactant-catalyst complexes indicate that such complex formation would allow mass transfer augmentation by further reaction in addition to simple facilitated transport by the catalyst. A chemical equilibrium and a linearized kinetic model are used to derive analytic descriptions which delineate, under appropriate conditions, the relative importance of catalyst binding and chemical reaction steps to overall carrier-mediated transport augmentation.
Incidence, management, and results of hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation in the era of donor to recipient match.

Abstract Introduction Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) is an important complication after liver transplantation. However, studies are not conclusive in terms of definition, incidence, best treatment, and timing of intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of SSHA that occurred in a single center over the past 12 years, pointing out diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Methods The incidence of HAS was reviewed in 258 liver transplant recipients between January 1999 and December 2011. All patients underwent Doppler ultrasound (DUS) at fixed times. Multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) was performed to confirm the DUS findings. Results HAS occurred in 23 cases (9.3%). In all cases diagnosis was performed by DUS resulting in a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99.6%. Based on DUS and MDCTA data integration, in 10 cases we adopted the “wait and see” strategy, whereas 13 patients underwent interventional radiology techniques. Conclusion DUS monitoring is efficacious in the diagnosis of HAS after liver transplantation. Interventional radiology procedures are safe and efficacious.
A green process for producing biodiesel from feather meal.

This paper describes a new and environmentally friendly process for developing biodiesel from commercial feather meal, a waste product of the poultry industry. Currently, feather meal is used as an animal feed, given its high protein content, and also as a fertilizer because of its high nitrogen content. In this work, we have extracted fat from the feather meal in boiling water (70 °C) and then transesterified the fat into biodiesel using KOH and methanol; 7−11% biodiesel (on a dry basis) is produced in this process. ASTM analysis of the prepared feather meal biodiesel confirmed that the biodiesel is of good quality and comparable to other biodiesels made from other common feedstocks. Given the amount of feather meal produced by the poultry industry, it is estimated that this process can create 150−200 million gallons of biodiesel in the United States and 593.2 million gallons worldwide.
Effects of verapamil and carbon monoxide on blood pressure and heart mass in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Studies were carried out to examine the relationship between blood pressure lowering using the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil, and regression of ventricular hypertrophy, in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Untreated male SHR showed rapidly developing hypertension (systolic pressure 194 ± 2 mm Hg, 109 days of age) and moderate ventricular hypertrophy. Verapamil (Calan-SR, G.D. Searle Co.) treatment for 30 days at maximum doses of 18.7 and 49.9 mg/kg per day supplied in the food, lowered blood pressure maximally 37 mm Hg. The drug had no effect on heart rate. Decrease in the mass of the left ventricle plus interventricular septum was positively correlated with the verapamil-induced decrease in blood pressure (r = 0.69, P < 0.001). SHR exposed continuously to 500 ppm carbon monoxide (CO) for 30 days showed a similar decrease in blood pressure (33.0 mm Hg). Such SHR, however, displayed increases in mass of the left ventricle plus septum and right ventricle, and of hematocrit, nearly identical to same age Sprague-Dawley rats similarly exposed to CO. Neither verapamil nor CO treatment altered myocardial water content. The results suggest that a modest lowering of blood pressure with verapamil in the SHR produces a relatively rapid decrease in left ventricular mass. It also shows that even when afterload is reduced in the SHR, as with CO, substantial ventricular hypertrophy develops, probably because of augmented preload, and that it is comparable to that produced in non-hypertensive rats.
Amperometric Ethanol Biosensors Based on Chitosan-NAD+-Alcohol Dehydrogenase Films

The reagentless and oxygen-independent biosensors for ethanol were developed based on the covalent immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) on chitosan (CHIT) chains. The CHIT-NAD+-ADH structures were adsorbed onto carbon nanotubes (CNT) in order to provide a signal transduction based on the recycling of redox states of NAD cofactor at CNT (detection limit, 8–30 µM ethanol; dynamic range up to 20 mM). The CHIT-NAD+-dehydrogenase/CNT hybrid material represents a general approach to the development of dehydrogenases-based electrochemical biosensors. Interestingly, the CHIT-NAD+ solutions preserved their enzymatic activity even after five years of storage at 4 °C.
Automatic user steering for interactive data exploration

The amount of data that have flooded databases during the last few years have created several new problems for the data management community to address. One of the most prominent is the discovery of new and interesting information that is hidden in the underlying big data sets. As of now, in order to explore these data sets users begin with a few general queries, study their output and iteratively issue more specific ones until they discover interesting information. This is an onerous process that requires time and effort. In this thesis we are developing an automatic data exploration framework that will make the discovery of new information in a vast data space both effective and efficient. Our system asks users for their relevance feedback on strategically collected samples in an interactive manner, steers them towards the interesting parts of the database and eventually formulates the query that retrieves their data of interest. Our preliminary results are encouraging and allow us to persevere in the development of such a system.
The Energy Balance and Deformation Mechanisms of Thrust Sheets

The total energy involved in emplacing a thrust sheet is expended in initiation and growth of the thrust surface, slip along this surface, and deformation within the main mass of the sheet. This total energy can be determined from potential energy considerations knowing the initial and final geometry from balanced cross sections after defining the thrust’s thermodynamic system boundaries. Emplacement of the McConnell thrust in the Canadian Rockies involved ca. 1019 J of gravitational work, an order of magnitude greater than any possible work by longitudinal compressive surface forces. A new theory for the initiation and growth of thrusts as ductile fractures is based on a demonstration that thrust displacement is linearly related to thrust map length and that fold complexes at the ends of thrusts are constant in size for a given metamorphic grade. Much of the total work is dissipated within the body of the sheet. Field observations show which mechanisms of dissipation are most important at various positions within the thrust sheet, and it is found that only the top 5 km of the McConnell was dominated by frictional sliding. A novel type of sliding along discrete surfaces is pressure solution slip, in which obstacles are by-passed by diffusive mass transfer. Fibres and pressure solution grooves are diagnostic features of this sliding law, in which slip velocity is linearly related to shear stress. Pressure solution slip is widespread at depths greater than about 5 km, but at this depth penetrative whole rock deformation by pressure solution becomes dominant - marked by cleavage and stretching directions - and accounts for much of the finite strain within the thrust sheet. The McConnell thrust has an outer layer which deformed by frictional sliding and this overlies a massive linearly viscous core responsible for much of the energy dissipation and gross mechanical behaviour.
Copernicus observations of Ly-alpha and Mg II emission from HR 1099 /V711 Tauri/ and UX Ari

Ultraviolet observations of two RS CVn binaries obtained with Copernicus are described. High-resolution (0.05 A) U1 observations indicate that both HR 1099 and UX Ari display broad Ly-alpha emission. The Ly-alpha emission strength from HR 1099 is variable and seems to be correlated with orbital phase, while the UX Ari results indicate no significant variation. Moderate resolution (0.51 A) V2 scans of both systems show variable Mg II h and k emission-line profiles which usually matched the velocity of the more active star in each binary. Additionally, displaced emission components were seen at velocities of up to + or - 250 km/s, indicative of high-velocity gas motions. The radial velocities of these emission features from HR 1099 are marginally correlated with orbital phase. Highly active and variable chromospheric phenomena are found to be the most consistent explanation of these results.
Systems Behavior, Feed-back Loops, and High Blood Pressure Research

A major challenge to those investigating the etiology and progress of hypertension, as well as of other diseases, results from the fact that the control and regulation of most bodily functions are comprised of multiple feedback loops involving many bodily "systems." Thus, mechanisms which seem to offer clues as to the etiology of an abnormality, when investigated as an isolated function, fail to explain the etiology when sought in the intact experimental animal or patient. Examples of simple closed-loop systems are described to illustrate the effects of feed-back. A simplified diagram of several factors known to play a role in the control and regulation of the characteristies of the blood vessel wall is described to illustrate the multiplicity of the feed-back pattern which probably occurs. Furthermore, it is evident that almost none of the factors which constitute the loops have been evaluated sufficiently to permit characterization of the system. It is not surprising that apparently promising clues turn...