cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Grenada's “Carib Stones” via the Rock Art Stability Index

Abstract While not well-known or well-studied, Grenada's (Caribbean) Carib Stones host over 100 individual petroglyphs (rock engravings) representing some of the Caribbean's best examples. Two sites were assessed for this study: Duquesne Bay along the northwest Caribbean coast and Mt. Rich in the northern tropical rainforest. Their importance notwithstanding, little has been done to manage or assess the Stones other than basic glyph recording. This study employed the Rock Art Stability Index (RASI) to assess and document each panel's overall geologic stability. Using more than three-dozen rock decay elements, RASI represents an efficient and rapid tool to assess petroglyphs and pictographs, assigning an “Excellent–Good–Problems–Urgent Danger–Great Danger–Severe Danger” ranking based on a quantitative score. Overall, 13 panels were assessed individually, with a few exhibiting “Good” status, two in “Great Danger”, and the remaining exhibiting “Problems”. Analyses show the Duquesne Bay site remains at the behest of its proximity to water, such as stagnating puddles, waves, or storm and household runoff. In contrast, the Mt. Rich site receives substantial rainfall and remains under rainforest canopy, yet is significantly more stable. This research demonstrates the need for further monitoring efforts and lays the groundwork for continued study and assessment of the Carib Stones, while at the same time raising their profile to the international stage in hopes of securing greater recognition ultimately leading to better management practices.
Culture-Independent Evaluation of the Appendix and Rectum Microbiomes in Children with and without Appendicitis

Purpose The function of the appendix is largely unknown, but its microbiota likely contributes to function. Alterations in microbiota may contribute to appendicitis, but conventional culture studies have not yielded conclusive information. We conducted a pilot, culture-independent 16S rRNA-based microbiota study of paired appendix and rectal samples. Methods We collected appendix and rectal swabs from 21 children undergoing appendectomy, six with normal appendices and fifteen with appendicitis (nine perforated). After DNA extraction, we amplified and sequenced 16S rRNA genes and analyzed sequences using CLoVR. We identified organisms differing in relative abundance using ANOVA (p<0.05) by location (appendix vs. rectum), disease (appendicitis vs. normal), and disease severity (perforated vs. non-perforated). Results We identified 290 taxa in the study's samples. Three taxa were significantly increased in normal appendices vs. normal rectal samples: Fusibacter (p = 0.009), Selenomonas (p = 0.026), and Peptostreptococcus (p = 0.049). Five taxa were increased in abundance in normal vs. diseased appendices: Paenibacillaceae (p = 0.005), Acidobacteriaceae GP4 (p = 0.019), Pseudonocardinae (p = 0.019), Bergeyella (p = 0.019) and Rhizobium (p = 0.045). Twelve taxa were increased in the appendices of appendicitis patients vs. normal appendix: Peptostreptococcus (p = 0.0003), Bilophila (p = 0.0004), Bulleidia (p = 0.012), Fusobacterium (p = 0.018), Parvimonas (p = 0.003), Mogibacterium (p = 0.012), Aminobacterium (p = 0.019), Proteus (p = 0.028), Actinomycineae (p = 0.028), Anaerovorax (p = 0.041), Anaerofilum (p = 0.045), Porphyromonas (p = 0.010). Five taxa were increased in appendices in patients with perforated vs. nonperforated appendicitis: Bulleidia (p = 0.004), Fusibacter (p = 0.005), Prevotella (p = 0.021), Porphyromonas (p = 0.030), Dialister (p = 0.035). Three taxa were increased in rectum samples of patients with appendicitis compared to the normal patients: Bulleidia (p = 0.034), Dialister (p = 0.003), and Porphyromonas (p = 0.026). Conclusion Specific taxa are more abundant in normal appendices compared to the rectum, suggesting that a distinctive appendix microbiota exists. Taxa with altered abundance in diseased and severely diseased (perforated) samples may contribute to appendicitis pathogenesis, and may provide microbial signatures in the rectum useful for guiding both treatment and diagnosis of appendicitis.
Sterols and Temperature Tolerance in the Fungus Pythium

A fungus of Pythium species survives high and low temperatures longer when a suitable sterol is added to the growth medium.
Informal communications, nonformal communications and mentoring in public accounting firms

Abstract Control is important within public accounting firms for a variety of reasons. Yet professional pronouncements are limited in providing guidance to auditors in the form of formally stated rules and requirements. The purpose of this article is to examine the non-formalized, non-rule oriented approaches employed in large public accounting firms to effect control. More specifically, it is directed towards understanding the possible roles of informal and nonformal communications and mentoring in managing public accounting firms. Based upon evidence gathered using a naturalistic, qualitative research methodology, it is concluded that: (1) informal communications exist in public accounting firms, play a limited role in informing organizational members of the politics and power within the organization, and are of some benefit to lower level individuals; and (2) nonformal communications and mentoring are involved with the performance of audit tasks, socialization of the individual firm, and instruction as to politics and power within the organization, and benefit the protege, mentor and firm, though at some cost. Implications of the study are also explored.
Myths and Misconceptions about Threads

The semantics of variables shared across threads, usually called "memory models", have evolved significantly over the last decade, but open problems and some controversy remains. I'll briefly review where we are, and argue that a number of assumptions that still appear common in large parts of the research and programming communities are wrong, or at least questionable, especially for programming languages like C and C++. In particular, I will argue that: Full, unrestricted sequential consistency is not a particularly desirable or useful programming model, in that it depends on access granularity, a property often, and for excellent reasons, hidden by both programming language and library specifications.Hardware level violations of sequential consistency are often not an indication of bugs. For example, correctly synchronized programs based on spin-locks can be expected to violate sequential consistency at the hardware level, while appearing sequentially consistent at the source level.There are no benign data races in C and C++, certainly not in theory, but also not in practice. Any data race gives license to the compiler to mis-compile your program. A future compiler is likely to use that license, even if your current one does not.Condition variable wait and notify, as provided by mainstream programming languages, do not impact program partial correctness beyond the fact that waiting temporarily releases a mutex. They do not, in any other way, ensure "happens-before" ordering. For partial correctness purposes, notify is a no-op.Relaxed memory ordering, as currently defined by Java, C, or C++, is not well-defined at the programming language, as opposed to machine architecture, level. We're working on that, but stronger ordering is much easier to define than really weak ordering.
Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards as brief measures of information processing speed

The construct and discrimant validity of Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards as measures of information processing speed were examined. In Study 1, seven commonly used speeded neuropsychological measures, including Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards, were subjected to factor analysis. Two factors emerged. Factor 1 was labeled visual-motor scanning speed. Factor 2 was labeled information processing speed and included Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards. Study 2 compared 42 cardiac transplant candidates and 46 age, education, and IQ matched college student controls on Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards. The cardiac patients were significantly slower on both Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards but did not make more errors. These results suggest that Serial 7s and Alphabet Backwards can be used as brief and technically simple measures of information processing speed.
Low-dose carbon monoxide inhibits progressive chronic allograft nephropathy and restores renal allograft function

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) represents progressive deterioration of renal allograft function with fibroinflammatory changes. CAN, recently reclassified as interstitial fibrosis (IF) and tub...
A simplified 14CO2-trapping microassay for tyrosine hydroxylase activity.

This 14CO2-trapping microassay for tyrosine hydroxylase activity uses microtest tubes (1.5 or 2.0 ml) with pierceable caps for injecting the reaction mixture. A folded filter paper strip (1 × 4 cm) impregnated with Protosol is placed directly inside the top of the tube prior to capping in order to trap liberated 14CO2. The effects of several variables and components involved in the assay have been systematically studied. The tyrosine hydroxylation reaction may be optimized by incubating 300 μg protein with 150 μM l-Tyr, 0.8 mM 6MPH4, 1 mM FeSO4, and 0.12 M Tris-acetate buffer (pH 5.8) for 10 min at 37°C. The DOPA decarboxylation reaction may be optimized by continual incubation of the tyrosine hydroxylation medium with 175 μg hog kidney aromatic-l-amino acid decarboxylase, 6.25 mM 3-iodotyrosine, and 0.125 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) for 30 min at 37°C. Under these conditions, the radioactivity of 14CO2 recovered after 1 h at 37°C may reach 14,000 dpm, whereas the blank only has 300 dpm (< 3% of test value). This microassay is fast (< 2 h to complete all reactions) and convenient for performing a large number of determinations.
Butyrate reversibly arrests the proliferation of normal and rous sarcoma virus-infected chicken heart mesenchymal cells

Abstract Sodium butyrate at 5 × 10 −3 M reversibly arrests the proliferation of both normal and RSV-infected chicken heart mesenchymal cells. This finding suggests that butyrate acts by causing nonspecific inhibition of cell proliferation, rather then by specifically suppressing the neoplastic phenotype or by inducing recovery of cells from the neoplastic state.
Work in progress — Engineering a context-based college algebra course

An apparent trend in university mathematics courses is that students approach mathematical problems methodically without understanding the context. A large contributor to this trend is the lack of true connections with real applications in most collegelevel algebra courses. For those students pursuing a STEM degree, this disconnect is often perpetuated in later courses in their major. Evidence suggests redesigning College Algebra content to become more context-based could promote a deeper understanding and eliminate the disconnect between fundamentals and applications. Developing the course would involve a structural redesign, creating a different flow of topics while simultaneously relating them to real applications.
Family adjustment to American culture

When international students and professors bring their families to the United States, the entire family goes through the typical stages of culture shock. However, parents can help their children go through those stages more easily by employing certain strategies.
Synthesis and polymerization of epiperchloratohydrin

Epiperchloratohydrin (I) was synthesized and polymerized. Although covalent perchlorates are known to be hydrolytically unstable, I dissolved in benzene could be rapidly washed with water without causing major hydrolysis. A simple method for dehydrating silver perchlorate by an azeotropic distillation was used. Compound I before and after polymerization was explosive and required special care.
Predicting Behavior in a Social Influence-Situation from Attitude-Scale Measures of Prejudice:

To determine whether Ss with high or low scores on attitude scales measuring prejudice would be influenced differently by black and white confederates, 40 high- and 40 low-scoring white college stu...
Breast cancer risk and hysterectomy status: the Multiethnic Cohort study.

Objective The main objective was to examine the association between simple hysterectomy (without bilateral oophorectomy) and breast cancer risk. Because hysterectomy prevalence varies by ethnicity, the secondary objective was to examine whether inclusion of women with hysterectomies affects the estimates of breast cancer risk by ethnicity.
Native Valve Infective Endocarditis: What Is the Optimal Timing for Surgery?

IE remains a dreaded disease masquerading under a myriad of presentations in an evolving epidemiological environment. In our continuing endeavor against this deadly disease, echocardiography has evolved into an indispensable diagnostic tool to define structural complications and guide therapy. Timing of surgical intervention for IE remains a subject of intense debate and depends on the cardiac and systemic complications of the infection, the virulence of the organism, and the responsiveness to medical therapy. A judicious agreement among cardiologist, cardiovascular surgeon, and infectious disease specialist should define whether surgical intervention is warranted and, if so, the optimal timing. Further optimization of guidelines will help in the diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis but will never be a substitute for sound judgment and experience.
“The Nerd Within”: Mass Media and the Negotiation of Identity among Computer-Using Men

This article examines media representations of nerds as part of the cultural context within which a group of participants on an online forum perform their identities. Given their frequent use of co...
Fairness in Assessment for Personnel Selection

A review of several recent court cases (Gold and Bruno, 1975) where personnel selection agencies were called on to defend the job relatedness of their examination procedures suggests that psychometricians might address themselves to some of the less technical issues in testing for personnel selection and the judicial-legal system might better understand the technical limitations of the current state of the art. This paper is addressed to that objective, reviewing some of the practical and legal limitations on conducting validity studies for personnel selection procedures and suggesting an ad hoc model that may be useful in raising and resolving questions about job relatedness of tests.
Abstract 1751: A phase I study of lenalidomide in combination with bevacizumab, sorafenib, temsirolimus, or 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in patients with advanced cancers

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Patients with advanced cancer have limited therapeutic options. We conducted an investigator-initiated 4-arm phase I study of lenalidomide (len) combined with bevacizumab (bev), sorafenib (soraf), temsirolimus (tem), or 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in patients with advanced cancers. Patients and Methods: Patients were treated with escalating doses of len (5, 10, 20 mg daily) combined with bev (5, 7.5, 10 mg/m2 on days 1, 15); soraf (200, 400mg daily); tem (15, 20, 25mg on days 1, 8, 15, 22); or FOLFOX (oxaliplatin 65, 85 mg/m2 on day 1). The escalation phase (“3+3”) was followed by an expansion phase per arm. Response was assessed by RECIST v.1. Patients were to receive enoxaparin prophylaxis. Results: Overall, 101 patients were enrolled; and 59 were treated in the dose escalation phase (4 arms) and are included in this analysis (169 cycles to date). Diagnoses were colorectal cancer (n=19), sarcoma (n=5), ovarian (n=4), lung (n=3), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=3), melanoma (n=4), neuroendocrine (n=2), prostate (n=2) and other (n=17). The median number of cycles/patient was 2 (range, 1-10). Pretreatment characteristics and outcomes are shown in Table. Two DLTs were noted: Grade 3 transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on enoxaparin in the len + FOLFOX arm and Grade 3 acute renal failure (ARF) in the len + tem arm. Three pts (two on enoxaparin prophylaxis and one not) had venous thrombosis while on study. Fifteen of 59 (25%) pts had prolonged stable disease (SD) for > 4 months, including 7 (12%) for > 6 mos. The len+soraf and len+tem arms have reached the maximum dose level tested; currently, expansion phase). The lev+bev and len+FOLFOX arms are in the dose escalation phase. Conclusion: Lenalidomide combined with bev, soraf, tem or FOLFOX is well tolerated and it is associatd with antitumor activity in patients with advanced solid tumors. Anticoagulation phophylaxis is needed. ![Figure][1] Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1751. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1751 [1]: pending:yes
A Mixed Methods Approach to Investigating Food Safety Behavior in a Sample of Native American and Hispanic Caregivers of Young Children

Foodborne illness (FBI) disproportionately affects children and minority populations in the U.S. A mixed methods convergence model design was used to explore the food safety knowledge and behavior of Native American (NA) and Hispanic (Hisp) caregivers in New Mexico who prepare food for young children in the home. Quantitative and qualitative research methods (a validated food safety knowledge survey (r=.793) and focus group interviews) were implemented in parallel within each ethnic group, the datasets were analyzed separately per group and the results were converged at the point of interpretation. Equal priority was given to each dataset type. The Health Belief Model was used as a theoretical framework to guide qualitative inquiry. An integrative summary of the quantitative and qualitative results was created and meta-inferences identified contradictory and confirmatory elements of the evidence across both groups. A purposeful sample of fifty-five participants in New Mexico (28 NA; 27 Hisp) completed the food safety knowledge survey and participated in focus groups. Quantitative composite mean scores for the Native American (NA) group (M=66%) and Hispanic (His) group (M=65%) indicated low food safety knowledge. A MANOVA conducted to compare the two groups’ mean knowledge scores found no significant difference between groups on the food safety subscales [Wilks’ ? = .852, F(6,44) = 1.278, p = .287, ?2 = .162].The lowest scoring subscale for both groups was ‘cook’, addressing proper cooking methods (NA=.61, Hisp=.55). Mixed methods analyses revealed that participants overall perceived moderate to high self-efficacy regarding safe food preparation, food purchasing, cooking food, and storing of food, however, the related food safety knowledge item scores were low. Food safety knowledge was often inconsistent with reported food safety practices. Moderate/high self-efficacy may provide a false sense of low risk for FBI.
Charge-transfer and thermochromic phenomena in solid polyelectrolytes

Preparation par condensation de bipyridine-4,4' avec des dihalogenures aromatiques donnant des polycations avec des azotes quaternaires dans le motif unitaire
Recent hybrid origin of three rare Chinese turtles

Three rare geoemydid turtles described from Chinese trade specimens in the early 1990s, Ocadia glyphistoma, O. philippeni, and Sacalia pseudocellata, are suspected to be hybrids because they are known only from their original descriptions and because they have morphologies intermediate between other, better-known species. We cloned the alleles of a bi-parentally inherited nuclear intron from samples of these three species. The two aligned parental alleles of O. glyphistoma, O. philippeni, and S. pseudocellata have 5–11.5 times more heterozygous positions than do 13 other geoemydid species. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the two alleles from each turtle are strongly paraphyletic, but correctly match sequences of other species that were hypothesized from morphology to be their parental species. We conclude that these rare turtles represent recent hybrids rather than valid species. Specifically, “O. glyphistoma” is a hybrid of Mauremys sinensis and M.␣cf. annamensis, “O.␣philippeni” is a hybrid of M. sinensis and Cuora trifasciata, and “S. pseudocellata” is a hybrid of C. trifasciata and S. quadriocellata. Conservation resources are better directed toward finding and protecting populations of other rare Southeast Asian turtles that do represent distinct evolutionary lineages.
Crystals, Defects and Microstructures: Modeling Across Scales

Materials science has emerged as one of the central pillars of the modern physical sciences and engineering, and is now even beginning to claim a role in the biological sciences. A central tenet in the analysis of materials is the structure-property paradigm, which proposes a direct connection between the geometric structures within a material and its properties. The increasing power of high-speed computation has had a major impact on theoretical materials science and has permitted the systematic examination of this connection between structure and properties. In this graduate textbook, Rob Phillips examines the various methods that have been used in the study of crystals, defects and microstructures and that have made such computations possible. A second key theme is the presentation of recent efforts that have been developed to treat problems involving either multiple spatial or temporal scales simultaneously.
Towards universal enrichment nanocoating for IR-ATR waveguides

Polymer multilayered nanocoating capable of concentrating various chemical substances at IR-ATR waveguide surfaces is described. The coating affinity to an analyte played a pivotal role in sensitivity enhancement of the IR-ATR measurements, since the unmodified waveguide did not show any analyte detection.
In Vitro Bile Acid Binding Activity within Flour Fractions from Oat Lines with Typical and High β-Glucan Amounts

Whole flours from four oat lines with different amounts of beta-glucan (4.8-8.1%) were examined for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic and lignin concentrations. These data, along with the beta-glucan percentages, were compared with bile acid (BA) binding. Only the lignin concentrations of the flours significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with the BA binding values. The oat flours also were fractionated into bran, protein concentrate, starch, layer above starch, and soluble beta-glucan (SBG)-free flour, and their BA binding capacities were evaluated. The bran fractions were the only fractions that bound greater BA than did the whole oat flours on dry matter basis. Extraction of the soluble beta-glucan to create the SBG-free flour significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the BA binding of the remaining flour. These data suggest that BA binding of the oat flours involves the synergistic interactions of the oat components, with beta-glucan and lignin (insoluble fiber) having a great impact.
Dopaminergic but not noradrenergic mediation of hyperactivity and performance deficits in the developing rat pup

The relative contribution of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in behavioral arousal was examined in developing rat pups using intracisternal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) either alone or following pretreatment with desmethylimipramine (DMI). Such treatments were designed to examine the effects of preferential reduction of DA (DA depletion), NE (NE depletion), or both catecholamines (CA depletion) in the development of motor activity and escape performance. General motor activity increased with age and, over all ages, DA-depleted pups tended to exhibit greater activity. This was most apparent at 15 days of age, where DA-depleted pups were significantly more active than controls, NE-depleted, or CA-depleted pups. DA-depleted pups failed to exhibit the steep decline in activity over time (habituation of activity) demonstrated by the control and NE-depleted pups, while pups depleted of both CA fell into an intermediate position in habituation. Escape latency in a T-maze at 20 days and shuttle box at 26 days of age indicated comparable performance to controls for NE-depleted pups, while those animals in DA-depleted and CA-depleted groups appeared unable to perform the task. Brain CA concentrations (determined by a radioenzymatic assay) indicated preferential reduction of DA in the DA-depleted group to concentrations 25% of controls, reduction of NE to 62% of controls in the NE-depleted group, and reductions of DA to 42% and NE to 60% in the CA-depleted group. These results suggest that preferential reduction of brain DA in the developing rat pup increases motor activity and impairs habituation of activity during the stage of behavioral arousal in week 3 of postnatal life. A theory incorporating both NE facilitory mechanisms and pre- and postsynaptic dopaminergic mechanisms in the mesolimbic-dopaminergic pathway is proposed.
What Forces Does Cell Traction Force Microscopy Measure

It is probably fair to say that the field of cell mechanics emerged with the pioneering work of Harris et al. [1], who observed that cells grown on thin silicone sheets generated wrinkling patterns — unfortunately, quantifying the forces at the cellular level was virtually impossible with their system. Almost two decades later, the study of cell mechanics began in earnest when Pelham and Wang [2] introduced a more rigorous method for quantifying individual cell-generated forces that quickly became known as cell traction force microscopy (CTFM), some form of which is now used in cell mechanics labs around the world. The basic idea underlying the original CTFM method is that the forces generated by cells can be calculated by solving an inverse problem for the displacement field experimentally measured by tracking microspheres embedded in a thin elastic substratum (typically polyacrylamide gel) on which the cells are cultured.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Harnessing the UN system into a common approach on communication for development

In the UN system, conflicts and contradictions seldom concern the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as such, but rather the means of achieving them. These differences of opinion about priorities,...
Laser Beam Combining Technology

Single laser elements will always have an upper limit of power. Progress in technology continuously demands higher power. This could be satisfied by developing a parallel but generic technology of laser beam combiner. Current state of technology is summarized from this "generic" point of view, categorizing the specific approaches that exploit the various parameters (or properties) of light beam and/or laser cavities.
Viral surveillance and subclinical viral infection in pediatric kidney transplantation

The more potent immunosuppressive therapy that has successfully reduced the incidence of acute rejection and improved graft outcomes has also resulted in a higher incidence of viral complications. Sensitive molecular methods now allow for the detection of subclinical viral infection, which is increasingly recognized due to the adoption of routine post-transplant viral surveillance protocols. The goal of viral surveillance is the detection of subclinical viral infection that triggers an intervention; one that either prevents progression to viral disease or leads to early diagnosis of viral disease, which is associated with improved outcomes. Knowledge of the epidemiology and natural history of subclinical viral infection and viral disease, as well as patient-specific risk factors, is required to establish the optimal surveillance schedule which achieves the goal of early diagnosis. Evidence that detection of subclinical viral infection can impact viral disease is variable depending on the virus. This review will summarize the current data on the role of viral surveillance for BK virus (BKV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in the pediatric kidney transplant population.
Induction of mouse hepatic ornithine decarboxylase by skin application of 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Topically applied 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on mouse skin was able to induce liver ornithine decarboxylase. Maximum induction occurred 10 h after a single application. Whereas no induction was noticeable at doses of 0.17 and 1.7 nmoles, 17 and 177 nmoles of 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate caused about 30- and 57-fold increases respectively.
Transformer Winding Deformation Diagnosis by Induced Voltage Test

During induction voltage test, the changes of data such as output voltage and output current reflects the changes of the equivalent parameters of the transformer. Through the analysis of testing data, diagnosis of winding deformation of the transformer can be made. Transformer condition evaluation can be provided on the basis of these data. In this paper, induction voltage test data is analyzed after a transformer tripping. Winding deformation of the transformer is judged. Relevance judgment is confirmed by disassembling inspection.
Assessment of Latin American and Caribbean Countries in the International Economy

Based on the construction of two composite indices for economic integration, this paper looks at the hierarchical position of Latin America and the Caribbean. The two indices, called the speed of integration and the initial level of integration, are composed of changes and initial values of real trade as a share of GDP, institutional investor rating, FDI as a share of GDP, and manufacturing export as a share of GDP. Mexico ranked first and Peru ranked last for the speed index, while Trinidad and Tobago ranked first and Nicaragua ranked last for the initial level index.
Supraclavicular approaches to brachial plexus anesthesia

The concept of a continuous perineural and perivascular space surrounding the brachial plexus from roots to terminal nerves simplifies conduction anesthesia of the upper extremity. As with peridural techniques, the space may be entered at any level, and following the injection of a local anesthetic, the extent of anesthesia will depend on the volume of anesthetic and the level at which it is injected. The single injection techniques based on this concept have resulted in both an increased incidence of success and a decreased incidence of serious complications as compared to the multiple injection techniques used previously. The space above the clavicle, the interscalene space, is potentially just such a space; and it is only after the injection of a local anesthetic that it expands to become a true, fluid-filled compartment. Furthermore, this space is quite extensive in its vertical and horizontal axes but very narrow in its anteroposterior axis. It was for this reason that the original subclavian perivascular and interscalene techniques both called for the needle to be introduced in one of the long axes of the space, whereas the more recently introduced parascalene techniques all call for the needle to be inserted in the very narrow anteroposterior axis. As a result, the chance of the needle leaving the space during the performance of the block is minimized with the subclavian perivascular and interscalene techniques, whereas with the parascalene techniques the slightest movement of even the properly placed needle may cause it to leave the space, resulting in the injection of local anesthetic outside of the fascial compartment. In short, the subclavian perivascular and interscalene techniques of brachial plexus block can provide simple, safe, and effective anesthesia for all types of surgery on the upper extremity and shoulder.
Advanced Modeling of Micro-Turbine Controls for System Analysis

With the increased penetration of distributed generation (DG) on power systems, there is much research to look into the impact of the DG on the operations of the power systems. While often there is a concern that the DG will have an adverse effect on the power system, the presence of an alternative source provides an opportunity to use the capabilities of the source to enhance and support the system. Through advanced control of the DG, power system personnel may investigate how changing the DG settings prior to planned switching or major load changes may reduce transient impacts on the system. Additionally the DG provides an opportunity to investigate the feature of intentional islanding during a major event. This paper covers some theory about distributed generation as the micro-turbine components and model are presented. Then an explanation about what is the Universal Controller Architecture, and some advantages of its use are presented. The case of study and model implementation are also presented along with the preliminary results and conclusions.
ARACHIS HYPOGAEA. NORMAL MEGASPOROGENESIS AND SYNGAMY WITH OCCASIONAL SINGLE FERTILIZATION

EXTERNALLY NORMAL FRUITS which are empty or contain only shriveled seeds occur frequently in the cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. These seed failures are caused by an unfavorable environment (calcium deficiency) or by an unfavorable genetic constitution (interspecific hybridization). An explanation in developmental terms of the observed sterility in this geocarpic plant is of both agronomic and botanic interest. To provide a factual basis for such an interpretation it first was necessary to examine the reproductive mechanism of the species for possible irregularity and to determine whether empty fruits could arise by parthenocarpy. This paper presents the result, a description of the life history of Arachis hypogaea from ovule initiation to syngamy. MATERIAL AND METHODS.-Flower buds and very young fruits were collected from plants of the Virginia and Spanish varieties, grown under field conditions at Raleigh, N. C. There were no important differences between the varieties in the phases of development considered. Fertilization stages were obtained by tagging individual flowers at anthesis and collecting at 2-hr. intervals during the succeeding 40 hr. Karpechenko's fixative was used with an aspirator; sections were cut at 10-15 g and stained in Heidenhain's haematoxylin or in Delafield's and safranin. Best results followed bleaching in one per cent potassium permanganate (Johansen, 1940). Plasmolysis was troublesome only in mature embryo sacs. OBSERVATIONS.-The ovule. Early stages of carpel and ovule development (fig. 1-3) occur in buds 1-3-mm. long in which the anthers already have a well differentiated archesporium. The apical ovule arises first (fig. 2) from the ventral margin of the carpel, and appears before the carpel is completely closed. The basal ovule arises immediately below the apical one (fig. 3). The two ovules (occasionally three), which occur in the Virginia and Spanish varieties, are inserted alternately along the ventral suture (fig. 14). One-ovulate carpels are rare. The primary archesporial cell is probably hypodermal, but is not distinguishable from the adjacent meristematic cells of the nucellar apex. When it first appears, the single megasporocyte is in the subhypodermal cell-layer and is associated with one
Light element composition of the atmospheric aerosol at Cape Grim (Tasmania) and Townsville (Queensland) by PIXE and PESA

Abstract Aerosols were collected during September 1979 at Cape Grim, Tasmania and at Kissing Point, Townsville, Queensland by six-stage single orifice cascade impactors and stacked-filter samplers. The impactor samples were analyzed by PIXE for 18 elements, among them sulfur. The stacked-filter units consisted of a 8 μm Nuclepore prefilter and a Teflon filter which quantitatively collects all the particles passed through the prefilter. The Teflon filters were analyzed by proton elastic scattering analysis (PESA) for the light elements up to potassium. The following elements were detected: C, N, O, Na, Mg, Si, S, Cl, and K. The stoichiometric relationship between carbon and fluorine in the Teflon filter material (CF 2 ) permits the precise subtraction of the carbon contained in the filter from the carbon in the sample. The detection limit for carbon is 0.08 μ m −3 air. Two airmass types were observed at Cape Grim: purely marine air during south-westerly flow, which had not made contract with land areas for at least five days, and airmasses from the Australian continent during northerly flow. No fine particle mode is detectable for sulfur during marine conditions; during northerly flow such a mode occurs around 0.5 μm aerodynamic diameter. Good agreement is found between the sulfur analyses on impactors by PIXE and on filters by PESA. Carbon concentrations at Cape Grim are around 0.25 μg m −3 , most of it in the form of organic material. During marine flow no soot carbon is detectable. At Townsville, a period of continental flow brought large amounts of soot carbon from biomass burning to the sampling site. These carbon concentrations were accompanied by a large increase of fine particle potassium and silica, diagnostic for biomass combustion. A pronounced fine particle mode was evident for sulfur under these conditions. During a subsequent period of onshore flow from the east, this mode was still present in attenuated form. Stoichiometric relationships between sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen in the Townsville samples suggest that the aerosol consists largely of ammonium sulfate.
Diffusion of Pollution Prevention Policy

Prevention is growing in importance as a method of reducing industrial pollution, though it is by no means easy to do. Diffusion of the prevention approach may be enhanced by increasing the risks associated with doing nothing or sticking to control technologies, while providing settings where trust can grow.
Augmented Reality 3D Displays With Micro Integral Imaging

In this paper, we present a 3D augmented reality micro integral imaging display system by combining conventional integral imaging and an augmented reality technique. Compared with conventional integral imaging, our proposed system has two advantages: 1) it provides 3D augmented reality display capability and 2) it has a compact design. To validate the feasibility of our proposed method, we experimented with a 3D scene and used two computer-generated objects for augmented reality. By combining the captured 2D elemental images of the 3D object and the computer generated virtual objects, we reconstruct 3D images for the augmented reality micro integral imaging display system. To the best of our knowledge, the first report on a video see through 3D augmented reality display has been experimentally demonstrated with a micro integral imaging display system. The proposed 3D system has potential to be applied to the head mounted display system due to its small form factor.
Correlation effects in the relativistic impulse approximation treatment of proton-nucleus elastic scattering

Target nucleon correlation contributions to intermediate energy proton-nucleus elastic scattering observables are explored within the context of a semirelativistic multiple scattering model. A general, nonlocal expression for this second-order relativistic optical potential model is derived and discussed. Use is made of the local, projectile-target nucleon interaction given by the relativistic impulse approximation together with a shell model target nucleus wave function represented in a suitable, four-component form. For this initial investigation a simplified model is then assumed in which only the scalar and time-like vector components of the projectile-nucleon interaction are retained and in which the lower components of the target wave function are omitted. Intermediate propagation of positive and negative energy projectile states are included, as are important nonlocalities arising from the Dirac propagator for the projectile. Numerical estimates are provided for several cases of interest. Individual terms in the correlation contribution to the optical potential are fairly large; significant cancellations occur, however, resulting in relatively small changes in the calculated proton-nucleus elastic scattering observables. The differential cross section predictions are increased in magnitude at forward angles, although to a lesser degree than in nonrelativistic models of correlation effects. Analyzing powers and spin rotation functions, which are generally described quite well by the first-order relativistic impulse approximation model, are not significantly affected by these corrections, except at large scattering angles. These results indicate that the semirelativistic impulse approximation model considered here is stable with respect to higher-order multiple scattering contributions, at least to the level of two-body target nucleon correlations. The erroneous target mass dependence of the first-order relativistic impulse approximation model is not corrected by these effects, however.
Sympathetic nerve fibers and ganglia in canine cervical vagus nerves: Localization and quantitation

Background Cervical vagal nerve (CVN) stimulation may improve left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with heart failure. Objectives To test the hypothesis that sympathetic structures are present in the CVN and to describe the location and quantitate these sympathetic components of the CVN. Methods We performed immunohistochemical studies of the CVN from 11 normal dogs and simultaneously recorded stellate ganglion nerve activity, left thoracic vagal nerve activity, and subcutaneous electrocardiogram in 2 additional dogs. Results A total of 28 individual nerve bundles were present in the CVNs of the first 11 dogs, with an average of 1.87±1.06 per dog. All CVNs contain tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (sympathetic) nerves, with a total cross-sectional area of 0.97±0.38 mm 2 . The sympathetic nerves were nonmyelinated, typically located at the periphery of the nerve bundles and occupied 0.03%–2.80% of the CVN cross-sectional area. Cholineacetyltransferase-positive nerve fibers occupied 12.90%–42.86% of the CVN cross-sectional areas. Ten of 11 CVNs showed tyrosine hydroxylase and cholineacetyltransferase colocalization. In 2 dogs with nerve recordings, we documented heart rate acceleration during spontaneous vagal nerve activity in the absence of stellate ganglion nerve activity. Conclusions Sympathetic nerve fibers are invariably present in the CVNs of normal dogs and occupy in average up to 2.8% of the cross-sectional area. Because sympathetic nerve fibers are present in the periphery of the CVNs, they may be susceptible to activation by electrical stimulation. Spontaneous activation of the sympathetic component of the vagal nerve may accelerate the heart rate.
An epigenetic mechanism for capecitabine resistance in mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an uncommon malignancy whose global incidence continues to rise. The therapeutic standard for advanced disease is intravenous pemetrexed and cisplatin. The anti-folate capecitabine is significantly less effective than pemetrexed. The balance between thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is critical to the efficacy of capecitabine. DNA from mesothelioma cell lines was bisulfite treated and examined by MS-PCR, RNA was obtained for real-time PCR analysis, and protein lysates were obtained for Western immunoblot analysis. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay, comparing 5-aza-CdR pretreated or untreated cells with 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (DFUR), 5-FU, and pemetrexed. Finally bisulfite sequencing of the extracellular growth factor-1 (ECGF-1) gene was performed on 4 mesothelioma samples and pericardial tissue. One of the four cell lines tested (H290) was methylated for ECGF-1. This corresponded to a lack of TP expression by real-time PCR and Western immunoblot. Treatment with 1muM 5-aza-CdR increased TP mRNA and protein expression in H290. DFUR, the substrate for TP, showed increased cytotoxicity when delivered after 5-aza-CdR exposure in the methylated cell line. There was no difference in any of the unmethylated cell lines when cells were exposed to 5-FU or pemetrexed with or without 5-aza-CdR. Patient tumor samples revealed an increased number of methylated CpG sites in ECGF-1 compared to normal pericardium. Methylation of ECGF-1, leads to transcriptional silencing of TP and may explain the lack of any effect of capecitabine, especially when compared to pemetrexed.
HIGH PROTEIN DIETS STIMULATE RENAL PROTEIN OXIDATION IN EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES.

Calorie restriction increases macro- and chaperone-mediated autophagy (MA & CMA) protecting against organ damage by destroying oxidized proteins (OX) and p62/sequestisome 1 labeled aggregates (p62). Altering dietary protein changes kidney damage in DM, but the effect on renal cortical MA, CMA, OX and p62 is unknown. 60 mg/kg streptozotocin Diabetic (D) Sprague-Dawley rats (200 g) or control (C) were fed isocaloric 12% (L), 23% (M) or 40% (H) protein diets for 21 days (6 groups, each n= 7-11). Body weight at 21 days was 16-22% lower than C in all D rats (p + 25vs. 482 + 23 mg/dl, p + 13 vs. 66 + 11%, p + 32%, p
Occupational exposure of operating room personnel to trichlorethylene

Nous avons mesure les concentrations de trichlorethylene aussi bien dans l'atmosphere de la salle d'operation et a la fin de l'expiration des anesthesistes au cours et a la suite de l'administration de trichlorethylene. La concentration la plus elevee de trichlorethylene dans la salle d'operation etait de 103 ppm (parties par million) et est survenue durant une anesthesie ou l'anesthesiste lui-meme et la machine a anesthesie etaient partiellement enfermes dans une tente avec des champs chirurgicaux. La plupart des taux variaient entre 2 et 14 ppm. A la fin d'expiration des anesthesistes, le trichlorethylene etait mesurable jusqu'a sept heures apres un travail professionnel de routine.
How can virtual communities create value for business

Virtual communities include everything from discussion boards to massive multiplayer online role-playing games and virtual realities such as Second Life. The business world has assumed that virtual communities can be leveraged to provide access to consumers and consumer data. The benefits of this assumption have not always been realized. The purpose of this article is to understand why some business ventures into virtual communities fail and others succeed. Why do virtual communities support certain types of business activities and not others? Which firm activities are the best candidates to benefit from being positioned in virtual communities? The theories of social contracts and trust explain how firms can successfully participate in virtual communities. The theories have implications in the context of transaction-oriented, interest-oriented, relationship-oriented, and fantasy-oriented communities. The value chain provides an instructive background to understand which firm activities are candidates for being included in virtual communities. Success in virtual communities depends on an attitude of contribution, dedication of resources, building a critical mass, and matching community and business needs. Because many social technologies are in the disillusionment stage of the hype cycle, further research in the business use of virtual communities is needed to guide business practices as we move to full adoption.
An Ultrafiltration Activated Carbon Treatment System for Renovating Fishery Refrigeration Brines

Abstract An ultrafiltration-activated carbon system has been developed to renovate contact refrigeration brines, used on fishing vessels, before reuse and to salvage usable byproducts. The spent brines were first ultrafiltered with 30,000 Mw cut off membranes then treated with activated coconut charcoal. Brine chemical oxygen demand was reduced by 64.2%, Kjeldahl nitrogen by 71% and volatile matter by 79.4%. Material salvaged in the retentate exhibited a balanced amino acid profile and showed no accumulation of heavy metals. These materials may be used as animal feeds.