cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Taking an Anti-Sacrificial Stance: The Essentializing Rhetoric and Affective Nature of Meat Consumption in Islam

Informed by lived experience and research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the authors analyze rhetorics of Muslim veg(etari)anism. Research on Muslim advocacy for veganism and animal welfare, particularly as these intersect with MENA environmental sustainability, is rare. The chapter fills this gap by analyzing Qur’anic scripture concerning animal welfare and environmental justice. It critiques essentializing rhetorics of carnism and anthropatriarchy, discursive constructions and enactments of emerging Muslim veganism, and how these discourses re/imagine or resist practices of and perceptions about Islam. The study addresses affective resonance surrounding dhabīḥah [ritual slaughter for halāl animals] particularly for Eid al-Adha [Feast of the Sacrifice], which illuminates intersectional marginalization by non-Muslims, challenges of diversity and inclusion within Islam, and construction and communication of identity through Othered consumption practices.
Posterior-first two-stage approach to en bloc resection of locally recurrent rectal cancer involving the pelvic sidewall

Using standard anterior-only or anterior then posterior approaches can make an R0 resection difficult to achieve in patients with pelvic sidewall recurrences because of confined working spaces and poor visibility. Given the limitations of standard approaches, we have used a novel posterior-first then anterior 2-stage approach allowing us to widely expose and secure deep margins and control vessels under direct visualization. We present a technical note describing this approach in patients with recurrent rectal cancer involving the pelvic sidewall with extrapelvic extension. The posterior-first approach may assist in achieving a higher number of R0 resections in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer involving the pelvic sidewall.
Functional Homology for Antibody-Dependent Phagocytosis Across Humans and Rhesus Macaques

Analyses of human clinical HIV-1 vaccine trials and preclinical vaccine studies performed in rhesus macaque (RM) models have identified associations between non-neutralizing Fc Receptor (FcR)-dependent antibody effector functions and reduced risk of infection. Specifically, antibody-dependent phagocytosis (ADP) has emerged as a common correlate of reduced infection risk in multiple RM studies and the human HVTN505 trial. This recurrent finding suggests that antibody responses with the capability to mediate ADP are most likely a desirable component of vaccine responses aimed at protecting against HIV-1 acquisition. As use of RM models is essential for development of the next generation of candidate HIV-1 vaccines, there is a need to determine how effectively ADP activity observed in RMs translates to activity in humans. In this study we compared ADP activity of human and RM monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to bridge this gap in knowledge. We observed considerable variability in the magnitude of monocyte and PMN ADP activity across individual humans and RM that was not dependent on FcR alleles, and only modestly impacted by cell-surface levels of FcRs. Importantly, we found that for both human and RM phagocytes, ADP activity of antibodies targeting the CD4 binding site was greatest when mediated by human IgG3, followed by RM and human IgG1. These results demonstrate that there is functional homology between antibody and FcRs from these two species for ADP. We also used novel RM IgG1 monoclonal antibodies engineered with elongated hinge regions to show that hinge elongation augments RM ADP activity. The RM IgGs with engineered hinge regions can achieve ADP activity comparable to that observed with human IgG3. These novel modified antibodies will have utility in passive immunization studies aimed at defining the role of IgG3 and ADP in protection from virus challenge or control of disease in RM models. Our results contribute to a better translation of human and macaque antibody and FcR biology, and may help to improve testing accuracy and evaluations of future active and passive prevention strategies.
Can Students Learn from Grading Erroneous Computer Programs

Learning from erroneous examples involves the intentional inclusion of errors as part of the learning process. Prior works, mostly from the field of mathematics, have investigated how this can be used in blended learning environments to help students. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most learning activities have shifted to online, motivating us to study and utilize students’ use of an existing grading platform. Students were tasked to evaluate various degrees of erroneous answers as their learning opportunities, resembling program debugging. The grading process was engineered to supply feedback to students by revealing the actual marks and remarks to help them address their misconceptions and prepare them for an upcoming exam. This study presents our findings from clickstream data of students taking a synchronous online Computer Informatics class. How different students approached the activity was looked into: the amount of time spent and the difference of their assigned grade to that of a subject expert’s. Although it is still inconclusive whether students learned from erroneous computer programs, we found that students who were proactive in seeking feedback had better midterm scores than those who were not. This underscores the importance of feedback in this learning process.
Acute Medical Diagnoses Are Common in “Found Down” Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department as Trauma

Abstract Background Patients often present to the emergency department (ED) as “found down,” with limited history to suggest a primary traumatic or medical etiology. Objective The study objective was to describe the characteristics of “found down” adult patients presenting to the ED as trauma, specifically the incidence of acute medical diagnoses and major trauma. Methods Using an institutional trauma registry, we reviewed trauma activations with the cause of injury “found down” between January 2008 and December 2012. We excluded patients with cardiac arrest, transfers from other hospitals, and patients with a more than likely (>50%) traumatic or medical etiology on initial ED presentation. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed by two independent abstractors. We abstracted demographic, clinical, injury severity, and outcomes variables. Major trauma was defined as Injury Severity Score ≥ 16. Results There were 659 patients identified with the cause of injury “found down.” A total of 207 (31%) patients met inclusion criteria; median age was 67 years (interquartile range 50–82 years), and 110 (53%) were male. Among the included patients, 137 (66%, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 59–73%) had a discharge diagnosis of an acute medical condition, 14 (7%, 95% Cl 4–11%) with major trauma alone, 21 (10%, 95% Cl 6–15) with both an acute medical condition and major trauma, and 35 (17%, 95% Cl 12–23%) with minor trauma. The most common acute medical diagnoses were toxicological (56 patients, 35%; 95% Cl 28–43%) and infectious (32 patients, 20%; 95% Cl 14–27%). Conclusion Acute medical diagnoses were common in undifferentiated ED patients “found down” in an institutional trauma registry. Clinicians should maintain a broad differential diagnosis in the workup of the undifferentiated “found down” patient.
Untranslated Leader Sequences and Enhanced Messenger RNA Translational Efficiency

The analysis of gene regulation has been facilitated by model experimental systems which represent the extremes of a particular mechanism; that is, by identifying examples of controls which function either with extraordinary efficiency or not at all, investigators are provided with a system which might be manipulated to characterize the underlying control elements. Messenger RNAs which translate with high-level efficiency have been studied both to define fundamental mechanisms of protein synthesis and also to gain a more complete understanding of why some messenger RNAs translate with greater efficiency than others. For some of these efficient mRNAs, experimental evidence has localized control to nucleotides at the 5′ terminus of the mRNA preceding the initiation codon--the noncoding or untranslated leader sequence. In this paper, we describe examples of high-level mRNA translational efficiency related to the noncoding 5′ leader, summarize current understanding of the mechanism of enhanced translation, and comment upon what has been learned from the study of these mRNAs.
Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modeling and Phenotypic Drug Discovery

In vitro cell models are invaluable tools for studying diseases and discovering drugs. Human induced pluripotent stem cells, particularly derived from patients, are an advantageous resource for generating ample supplies of cells to create unique platforms that model disease. This manuscript will review recent developments in modeling a variety of diseases (including their cellular phenotypes) with induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients. It will also describe how researchers have exploited these models to validate drugs as potential therapeutics for these devastating diseases.
Haloaldehyde polymers. XVII. Stabilization of polychloral by termination with hindered aliphatic isocyanates

Stabilization of chloral homopolymer has been achieved by anionic cryotachensic polymerization of chloral in the presence of hindered aliphatic isocyanates. Initiation was accomplished with strong anionic initiators, such as lithium tertbutoxide or weak anions, such as in the phosphonium chloride from the reaction of Ph3P with chloral. Unlike aromatic isocyanates which are readily incorporated into polychloral, hindered aliphatic isocyanates reacted very sluggishly and apparently after the chloral polymerization had come to completion. Isocyanate terminated polychloral is thermally stable and has a maximum rate of thermal degradation well above 300°C. Its urethane end group can be seen in the IR in thick sections, but polymer samples have otherwise all the characteristics of chloral homopolymer. Eine Stabilisierung von Polychloral wurde durch anionische Polymerisation von Trichlor-acetaldehyd in Gegenwart sterisch gehinderter aliphatischer Isocyanate erreicht. Die Initiierung erfolgte mit stark anionischen Initiatoren, wie Lithium-tert.-butylat oder mit schwachen Anionen, wie dem Phosphoniumchlorid aus Triphenylphosphin und Trichloracetaldehyd. Anders als aromatische Isocyanate, die rasch in Polychloral eingebaut werden, reagieren sterisch gehinderte aliphatische Isocyanate sehr langsam, und die Reaktion ist erst nach der Chloralpolymerisation beendet. Durch Isocyanatabbruch hergestelltes Polychloral ist thermisch stabil und das Maximum der Geschwindigkeit des thermischen Abbaus liegt uber 300°C. Die Urethanendgruppen sind in dicken Schichten infrarotspektroskopisch nachweisbar. Ansonsten hat das Polymer die Eigenschaften des Chloralhomopolymers.
Multimechanistic combination enhances selenium’s antiproliferative effect in prostate cancer cells (826.2)

The anti-cancer activity of selenium (Se) has been demonstrated by multiple in vitro and in vivo studies. However, none have sought to combine different forms of Se, with their varied mechanisms, t...
Discounting Of Delayed Reinforcers: Measurement By Questionnaires Versus Operant Choice Procedures

The ability of a reinforcer to maintain behavior decreases as a hyperbolic function of its delay. This discounted value can help explain impulsivity defined as the choice of an immediate, small reinforcer over a delayed, large reinforcer. Human operant studies using consumable reinforcers such as videos have found impulsivity with delays under 1 min. However, measures of discounting rates using questionnaires that describe hypothetical amounts of monetary reinforcers and delays of days, months, or years have found discounting rates that are much too low to explain impulsive choice in operant procedures. A comparison of discounting rates across questionnaire and operant studies indicates that questionnaires produce slower discounting because of the absence of both reinforcement and consumption processes. Combining reinforcement with questions about future reinforcers could facilitate the integration of questionnaire research into a behavioral framework.
Use of the polymerase chain reaction to clone and sequence a cDNA encoding the bovine alpha 3 chain of type IV collagen

A novel type IV collagen, alpha 3(IV), has previously been isolated from a collagenase digest of bovine and human glomerular and lens basement membranes. The cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the alpha 3(IV) chain is described here. Using the polymerase chain reaction, with primers derived from the known 27-residue bovine alpha 3(IV) amino acid sequence, a 68-base pair bovine genomic fragment (KEM68) which encodes the known peptide sequence, was synthesized. KEM68 was then used to screen a bovine lens cDNA library and a 1.5-kilobase partial cDNA clone obtained, encoding 471 residues of the bovine alpha 3(IV) chain: 238 residues from the triple helical collagenous domain and all 233 residues of the noncollagenous domain. The collagenous repeat sequence has three interruptions, coinciding with those in the alpha 1(IV) chain. The noncollagenous domain has 12 cysteine residues in identical positions to those of other type IV collagens and 71, 61, and 70% overall similarity with the human alpha 1(IV), alpha 2(IV), and alpha 5(IV) chains. The noncollagenous domain of alpha 3(IV) is of particular interest as it appears to be the component of glomerular basement membrane that reacts maximally with the Goodpasture antibody. Furthermore, such antigenicity is absent from collagenase digests of the glomerular basement membrane of some patients with Alport syndrome. The alpha 3(IV) cDNA clone described here now permits study of the molecular pathology of COL4A3 in Alport syndrome.
High-Throughput Sequencing Technologies

The human genome sequence has profoundly altered our understanding of biology, human diversity, and disease. The path from the first draft sequence to our nascent era of personal genomes and genomic medicine has been made possible only because of the extraordinary advancements in DNA sequencing technologies over the past 10 years. Here, we discuss commonly used high-throughput sequencing platforms, the growing array of sequencing assays developed around them, as well as the challenges facing current sequencing platforms and their clinical application.
Manipulating light on a silicon chip

We demonstrate ultra-fast compact low power devices on silicon. The devices include electro-optic, all-optical and bistable modulators. These devices enhance the electro-optical and non-linearities properties of silicon using light confinement effects.
Role of codon choice in the leader region of the ilvGMEDA operon of Serratia marcescens.

Leucine participates in multivalent repression of the Serratia marcescens ilvGMEDA operon by attenuation (J.-H. Hsu, E. Harms, and H.E. Umbarger, J. Bacteriol. 164:217-222, 1985), although there is only one single leucine codon that could be involved in this type of control. This leucine codon is the rarely used CUA. The contribution of this leucine codon to the control of transcription by attenuation was examined by replacing it with the commonly used leucine codon CUG and with a nonregulatory proline codon, CCG. These changes left intact the proposed secondary structure of the leader. The effects of the codon changes were assessed by placing the mutant leader regions upstream of the ilvGME structural genes or the cat gene and measuring acetohydroxy acid synthase II, transaminase B, or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activities in cells grown under limiting and repressing conditions. The presence of the common leucine codon in place of the rare leucine codon reduced derepression by about 70%. Eliminating the leucine codon by converting it to proline abolished leucine control. Furthermore, a possible context effect of the adjacent upstream serine codon on leucine control was examined by changing it into a glycine codon.
Objects of translation material culture and medieval “hindu-muslim” encounter, Flood, Finbarr B.

(2010). Objects of translation material culture and medieval “hindu-muslim” encounter, Flood, Finbarr B. Material Religion: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 382-383.
SU‐E‐J‐194: Radiation‐Induced CT Number Changes Observed During Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: To characterize radiation‐induced CT number (CTN) changes in tumor from the CT data acquired during IGRT for head and neck cancer and to investigate the potential for using this change as a indicator for response‐adapted radiation therapy (RT). Methods: CTN changes are measured on daily diagnostic‐quality CTs acquired during image‐guided IMRT using a CT‐on‐rails (CTVision, Siemens) for 28 patients with head and neck cancers, treated with 70 Gy in 35 fractions and concurrent chemotherapy. Differences in the distribution of CTN in Hounsfield units (HU) for various regions of interest (ROI) between daily CT sets were quantified. These RIOs included gross tumor volume (GTV), the spinal cord irradiated and un‐irradiated tissues. Statistical analyses compared histogram mean, standard deviation, CTN of peak and asymmetry, to indentify inter‐fraction trends in each ROI. Correlation of the CTN changes in GTV with tumor regression and local control will be evaluated. Results: Inter‐fraction changes in the CTN histograms for the GTV were observed with no ascertainable correlations to tumor regression. Similar, but reduced changes, were observed in the cord. There were no noticeable CT number differences in un‐irradiated tissue, indicating that the changes observed in the GTV and cord were radiation‐induced. For the GTV, the mean CT number varied as much as +13 HU and −12.5 HU over 30 fractions. Conclusion: Radiation‐induced CT number changes in tumor were observed from the daily CTs acquired during RT delivery for patients with head and neck cancer. The inter‐fraction CTN variation was patient‐specific and showed no correlation to tumor regression for the patients studied. The correlation of the CTN change in tumor with local control will be presented.
Single-crystal fibers for laser power delivery

Single-crystal sapphire fibers were grown by the laser heated pedestal growth technique. Loss spectra are presented which show attenuation coefficients of less than 1 dB/m at the Er:YAG laser wavelength. Laser pulses of 600 mJ at this wavelength were delivered through the fibers with no laser induced damage. Flexural strength measurements made on these fibers indicate a 0.75% strain to failure when tested under 4-point loading. X-ray photography results show that the crystal quality of fibers grown by this technique is excellent. Initial experiments with a melt extruded teflon cladding on the sapphire fibers are very promising. The teflon is effective at preventing evanescent coupling to water, as might be expected.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Amphetamine-induced increase in planarian locomotor activity and block by UV light.

The dopamine D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride decreases spontaneous locomotor velocity of planarians (pLMV) in an enantiomeric-selective and dose-dependent manner and is significantly attenuated by UV light (254 and 366 nm). We now report that amphetamine (10 μM) produced the opposite effect and was also reversed by UV light. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that the effects of dopaminergic ligands and UV light on pLMV relate to interaction with neurotransmitter transduction process(es).
Symptom measurement in the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) (P-1): psychometric properties of a new measure of symptoms for midlife women.

Purpose: To evaluate scalability of a symptom scale administered to women enrolled in the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) (P-1) conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP).Patients and methods: Responses of 11,064 women recruited into a study of 20 mg daily tamoxifen versus placebo to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women were analyzed. Exploratory factor analyses of the 12 month data were conducted on a random subset of 4,000 women to estimate the factor structure. Baseline data on these same 4,000 women were analyzed to confirm the structure. The remaining sample was divided randomly into two data sets. Data on each set were then grouped by age (35–49, 50–59, or ≥60 years) and treatment (tamoxifen or placebo) to corroborate these analyses. Correlations between the obtained symptom clusters and two standard instruments (SF-36 and CES-D) were examined. Content analysis of open-ended responses was also conducted.Results: Eight clinically-interpretable clusters of symptoms were identified and confirmed: Cognitive symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, vasomotor symptoms, nausea, sexual problems, bladder problems, body image, and vaginal symptoms. Scoring for each scale represented by these eight clusters is provided. Content analysis of open-ended responses suggested four items that are additional candidates: fatigue, back problems, abdominal pain, and leg/foot cramps or pain. Conclusions: Symptoms associated with hormone therapy for breast cancer can vary. Nevertheless, the BCPT Eight Symptom Scale (BESS) can be clustered into clinically relevant and reproducible factors that may be useful in future outcomes research.
Erratum to: Document binarization with automatic parameter tuning

H2009-T1 96.4 96.6 96.6 96.1 96.6 H2009-T2 93.3 93.4 92.5 93.1 93.1 H2009-1 92.7 95.9 95.4 95.8 95.8 H2009-2 90.1 96.4 88.8 96.2 95.7 H2009-3 94.7 95.6 92.0 94.8 95.1 H2009-4 92.1 94.7 93.9 94.6 94.5 H2009-5 86.5 92.7 91.9 92.3 92.6 H2010-1 93.7 96.2 95.0 95.4 96.0 H2010-2 89.0 96.1 95.4 95.7 95.4 H2010-3 94.4 94.7 93.3 94.7 94.7 H2010-4 92.9 94.4 93.5 93.8 93.9 H2010-5 92.9 96.5 96.1 96.5 96.4 H2010-6 90.9 91.2 90.4 90.9 90.9 H2010-7 95.0 95.2 94.8 95.0 95.1 H2010-8 92.6 93.7 92.2 93.5 93.4 H2010-9 92.6 93.8 92.9 92.1 93.5 H2010-10 88.8 92.7 90.8 92.5 87.2 P2009-T1 88.5 97.4 96.7 97.3 97.2 P2009-T2 98.0 98.5 98.1 98.4 98.5 P2009-1 93.9 94.3 90.4 94.0 94.2 P2009-2 96.8 96.9 96.8 96.8 96.9 P2009-3 97.6 98.4 98.2 98.2 98.3 P2009-4 93.5 93.8 92.8 92.9 92.8 P2009-5 88.6 91.5 84.7 91.2 84.3 Hand 92.3 94.7 93.3 94.3 94.1 Print 93.9 95.8 93.9 95.6 94.6 All 92.7 95.0 93.5 94.7 94.3
Modeling Receivers in Optical Communication Systems With Polarization Effects

The authors use a new receiver model to demonstrate that, in optical communication systems, the bit-error rate depends not only on the optical signal-to-noise ratio but also on the polarization states of the signal and the noise.
Lumen Formation During Development of the Rat Submandibular Gland

This study utilized electron microscopy and enzyme histochemistry to examine the morphological steps associated with the formation of a lumen in the end-buds of the embryonic rat submandibular gland. Lumen formation involved the development of junctional complexes by the central cells of the end-buds late on the 16th day of gestation. These junctional complexes established the apical domains of the presecretory cells, and cytofilament aggregates were observed beneath the presumptive luminal plasma membranes. This central area of the end-buds showed strong myosin ATPase activity, presumably associated with the cytofilaments. On the 17th day of gestation, small lumina appeared at the sites delineated by the junctional complexes. The myosin ATPase activity appeared to surround the newly opened lumina. By the 18th day of gestation, microvilli were seen projecting into the lumina, and secretory granules were often visible in the apical cytoplasm near the luminal plasma membranes of the early secretory cells. M...
Situational factors in behavioral fear assessment: A progress report

Behavioral Avoidance Tests (BATs) are often used in psychotherapy analog research to assess anxiety in relation to a target object both prior to and after treatment. Their use is based upon the assumption that they provide clear, behavioral data which are less biased than self-report or therapist ratings, but they may be open to other, more sutle sources of bias which could alter BAT data and, in turn, the results and conclusions of analog research. Some early data from a research project designed to assess this possibility are reported and their implications discussed.
Children's learning as a function of variation in stimulus characteristics and motor involvement☆

Abstract Results of two artificial letter learning experiments are reported. In Experiment 1, 229 preschool children were randomly assigned to one of five conditions: Two-dimensional small print size (2DS), two-dimensional large print size (2DL), two-dimensional large where subject traced stimuli mounted on cards (3DL), or three-dimensional large stimuli where subject was directed to manipulate stimuli during the first study trial (3DLM). Errors in the 3DLM condition were significantly less than in 2DS, 2DLT, and 3DL. Also, errors in the 2DL condition were significantly less than in 2DS. A replication experiment with kindergarten children failed to show any differences among the treatments. Results are discussed in terms of stimulus dimensions and motor involvement in children's letter learning. Implications for instruction and future research are noted.
High-energy scattering in general non-Abelian gauge theories

We have computed high-energy amplitudes for two-body scattering processes to eighth order in perturbation theory in the general class of renormalizable non-Abelian gauge theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking. We further study these amplitudes in detail in three models with degenerate, nonzero vector-meson masses after symmetry breaking: Models I and II are based on the same gauge group, SU(2), but employ different symmetry-breaking Higgs schemes; model III is based on the gauge group SU(3), but uses a similar Higgs scheme as II. It is found that the amplitudes have very similar asymptotic behavior. In particular, the existence of Regge poles and trajectories in these amplitudes is a common feature in general theories based on any gauge group, and is insensitive to the details of the symmetry-breaking mechanism. This supports the applicability of non-Abelian gauge models of strong interactions in high-energy hadron physics. (AIP)
Impact of variant pancreatic arterial anatomy and overlap in regional perfusion on the interpretation of selective arterial calcium stimulation with hepatic venous sampling for preoperative localization of occult insulinoma.

Background To determine the impact of variant pancreatic arterial anatomy and overlap in regional perfusion on the interpretation of selective arterial calcium stimulation (SACST) with hepatic venous sampling for preoperative localization of occult insulinoma. Methods An institutional review board–approved retrospective review was undertaken of 42 patients with surgically confirmed, occult insulinoma who underwent SACST from January 1996 to March 2014. Location of the insulinoma was predicted initially based on the biochemical results of SACST alone according to Doppman's criteria. Pancreatic arteriograms were reviewed blinded to the biochemical results and the regional perfusion of each artery assessed. The anatomic and perfusion data were combined with the biochemical results to make a second prediction and compared with the surgical findings. Results The biochemical results were positive in 1, 2, and 3 arterial distributions in 73.8%, 21.4%, and 4.8% of patients, respectively. The celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) anatomy were aberrant in 38.1% and 35.7% of patients, respectively. Clinically significant variations included dorsal pancreatic artery replaced to SMA (21.4%) and celiac stenosis (4.8%). Significant variation and overlap in regional pancreatic perfusion was observed, particularly for the SMA. Sensitivity for insulinoma localization was 54.8% (diagnostic arteriography), 73.8% (biochemical data), 88.1% (biochemical, anatomic, perfusion data), and 92.8% (arteriographic, biochemical, anatomic, perfusion data). Conclusion Careful review of the pancreatic arterial anatomy and regional perfusion is critical for correct interpretation of the biochemical results of SACST and improves the sensitivity of localization for occult insulinoma, particularly in the presence of pancreatic arterial variants or overlap in regional perfusion.
Civil Society Perspectives on Humanitarian Intervention

This article explores the multiple roles played by civil society actors in relation to policy debates relating to whether to advocate or oppose humanitarian intervention under a variety of specific circumstances or in general. There is no consistent civil society viewpoint, but rather a range of disagreements relating to whether there exists a genuine imminent threat of humanitarian catastrophe, whether the political will exists to intervene in a manner that protects a threatened population, and whether a reliance on force for humanitarian ends should ever be supported in the absence of a mandate from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Most civil society voices prefer to assess each case on its own rather than to be for or against humanitarian intervention as a general proposition. A consensus would look favourably upon humanitarian intervention endorsed by the UNSC. The problems arise where such an endorsement is not obtainable. The NATO War of 1999 to safeguard the endangered Albanian populatio...
Origin of the Linear Term in the Expression for the Approach to Saturation in Ferromagnetic Materials

There has been confusion for many years over the origin of the $\frac{a}{H}$ term in the expression for the approach to saturation, $\frac{M}{{M}_{s}}=1\ensuremath{-}\frac{a}{H}\ensuremath{-}\frac{b}{{H}^{2}}+cH$, observed in many ferromagnetic materials. A calculation is presented which suggests that residual internal strain contributes significantly to this term. Internal strain has previously been thought to contribute only to the $\frac{b}{{H}^{2}}$ term. It is further suggested that the $\frac{a}{H}$ term has been overemphasized and has validity only over a limited region of the $H$ axis. The effect of internal strain is deduced from consideration of a problem concerning nonhydrostatic strains induced in slightly porous magnetic material subject to external hydrostatic pressure. A comparison with recent experimental work supports the calculation.
Solution of algebraic equations

Abstract The decomposition method discussed in a recent book solves operator equations of the form Fu = g where g may be deterministic or stochastic and the operator F may be linear or even strongly nonlinear and contain stochastic process coefficients or parameters. It may be a differential or partial differential operator or an algebraic operator. Thus, the method will approximate solutions rapidly and accurately in very wide classes of equations. This paper shows application to simple algebraic equations.
An evaluation of conditions that may affect the performance of houseboat exhaust stacks in prevention of carbon monoxide poisonings from generators

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers evaluated two exhaust stack designs for reducing carbon monoxide (CO) exposures from gasoline-powered generator exhaust on houseboats. Tests were conducted (a) after dark, (b) in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, (c) during temperature inversions, (d) under various generator loads, and (e) at different houseboat trim angles. Two different designs of houseboat exhaust stacks were evaluated and compared with the side-exhaust configuration, which is standard on many houseboats. The two designs were flagpole and vertical stack. Both exhaust stacks performed dramatically better than the standard water level, side-exhaust configuration. The highest mean CO concentrations on the upper and lower decks of the houseboat with the vertical exhaust stack were 27 ppm and 17 ppm. The highest mean CO concentrations on the upper and lower decks of the houseboat with the modified flagpole stack were 5 ppm and 2 ppm. These findings are ...
External validity reporting in behavioral treatment of childhood obesity: a systematic review.

Context To aid translation of childhood obesity interventions evidence into practice, research studies must report results in a way that better supports pragmatic decision making. The current review evaluated the extent to which information on key external validity dimensions, participants, settings, interventions, outcomes, and maintenance of effects, was included in research studies on behavioral treatments for childhood obesity. Evidence acquisition Peer-reviewed studies of behavioral childhood obesity treatments published between 1980 and 2008 were identified from (1) electronic searches of social science and medical databases; (2) research reviews of childhood obesity interventions; and (3) reference lists cited in these reviews. Included studies reported on a controlled obesity intervention trial, targeted overweight or obese children aged 2–18 years, included a primary or secondary anthropometric outcome, and targeted change in dietary intake or physical activity behaviors. Evidence synthesis 1071 publications were identified and 77 met selection criteria. Studies were coded on established review criteria for external validity elements. All studies lacked full reporting of generalizability elements. Across criteria, the average reporting was 23.9% (range=0%–100%). Infrequently reported were setting-level selection criteria and representativeness, characteristics regarding intervention staff, implementation of the intervention content, costs, and program sustainability. Conclusions Enhanced reporting of relevant and pragmatic information in behavioral investigations of childhood obesity interventions is needed to improve the ability to evaluate the applicability of results to practice implementation. Such evidence would improve translation of research to practice, provide additional explanation for variability in intervention outcomes, and provide insights into successful adaptations of interventions to local conditions.
Dynamics of extracellular enzymatic activities in a shallow Mediterranean ecosystem (Tindari ponds, Sicily)

Three microbial extracellular enzymes, leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), β-glucosidase (β-glu) and alkaline phosphatase (AP), were studied in six small Mediterranean littoral ponds, to evaluate the diversity of microbial activities relative to prevailing environmental conditions. The marked diversification of the trophic states, ranging from oligotrophy to eutrophy, in the ponds was reflected in a range of enzyme patterns at different spatial and temporal scales. There were higher levels and greater variability of microbial activity in the oldest and most ‘confined’ ponds (ranges: 0.55–4360.00 nm h−1, 0.15–76.44 nm h−1, 1.29–1600.00 nm h−1 for LAP, β-glu and AP respectively) compared with the youngest and most seaward ponds (ranges: 22.64–612.0 nm h−1, 0.06–48.89 nm h−1, 0.32–744.0 nm h−1 for LAP, β-glu and AP respectively). The close relationship of the degradative potential with chlorophyll-a and particulate organic carbon could be a consequence of the stimulating effect of phytoplankton-released polymeric compounds (organic matter) and/or a response of the microbial community to warm temperatures, which were recorded from July to September. Within an area less than 1 km2, different aquatic ecosystems coexist and maintain their distinctive properties in terms of microbial biogeochemical processes.
Husserl on the teachings of the Buddha

Abstract A previously untranslated essay by Edmund Husserl on the subject of Buddhism is presented along with a commentary on parallels between the methods of transcendental phenomenology and Buddhism. Eugen Fink's comment that the stages of phenomenological method are essentially stages of Buddhist self‐discipline is explored in the context of why Husserl's transcendental phenomenology was not taken up by other phenomenologists. The authors speculate that Husserl may have encountered realms of experience outside that of the majority of phenomenologists due to an advanced level of introspective ability on Husserl's part, that allowed him to access the transcendental domain of experience.
The effect of an electrical current on snake venom toxicity

An electric current (twenty 11 A, 7000V spikes s −1 for 90s) from a commercial stun gun was applied directly to a rattlesnake venom solution in an electrolysis cell with 2 electrode compartments and a central compartment, in order to evaluate the effect that high voltage electroshock might have on the lethality of the venom. The venom was electroshocked for 18 times longer than recommended by stun gun manufacturers. There was no measurable inactivation of the venom using LD 50 determinations in mice. A venom sample was electrolyzed at a voltage lower than that from the stun gun, but with 4–5 times the total charge delivered from the stun gun. This inactivated the venom at the electrodes, but not within the central compartment, demonstrating that there was no direct effect of the electric field on the activity of the snake venom.
Eculizumab for the Treatment of De Novo Thrombotic Microangiopathy Post Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation—A Case Report

A 34-year-old female recipient of a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant presented 7 days posttransplant with acute renal allograft dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Renal biopsy revealed acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and acute thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Clinical and laboratory manifestations, which had only partly responded to treatment with daily plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, resolved rapidly and completely to eculizumab (Soliris, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cheshire, Conn), a complement factor C5 antibody. De novo posttransplant TMA is a rare and serious complication that can lead to graft loss in up to one third of cases. This is the first report of successful treatment of de novo TMA with eculizumab, which has previously shown benefit in recurrent atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome as well as in refractory acute AMR. Targeted complement inhibition offers the promise of a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in de novo TMA, especially in light of recent evidence suggesting that genetic mutations in complement regulatory proteins may predispose transplant recipients to this serious disease.
Bahamian coral reefs yield evidence of a brief sea-level lowstand during the last interglacial

The growth of large, bank-barrier coral reefs on the Bahamian islands of Great Inagua and San Salvador during the last interglacial was interrupted by at least one major cycle of sea regression and transgression. The fall of sea level resulted in the development of a wave-cut platform that abraded early Sangamon corals in parts of the Devil's Point reef on Great Inagua, and produced erosional breaks in the reefal sequences elsewhere in the Devil's Point reef and in the Cockburn Town reef on San Salvador. Minor red caliche and plant trace fossils formed on earlier interglacial reefal rocks during the low stand. The erosional surfaces subsequently were bored by sponges and bivalves, encrusted by serpulids, and recolonized by corals of younger interglacial age during the ensuing sea-level rise. These later reefal deposits form the base of a shallowing-upward sequence that developed during the rapid fall of sea level that marked the onset of Wisconsinan glacial conditions. Petrographic studies reveal a diagenetic sequence that supports this sea-level history. Preservation of pristine coralline aragonite, coupled with advances in U/Th age dating, allow these events in the history of the reefs to be placed in a precise chronology. We use these data to show that there was a time window of 1,500 years or less during which the regression/transgression cycle occurred and that rates of sea-level change must have been very rapid. We compare our results with the GRIP ice-core data, and show that the history of the Bahamian coral reefs indicates an episode of climate variability during the last interglacial greater than any reported in what is widely believed to be the more stable climate of the Holocene interglacial.
An upper bound of Σ 1(ai log ai) for quasi-primitive sequences

A nonempty sequence A = {ai} of integers a1 < a2 < …, which are greater than or equal to two, is called quasi-primitive if there do not exist three distinct integers ai, aj, ak ∈ A such that (ai, aj) = ak. We show that |Σ 1(ai log ai < 4.2022 for any quasi-primitive sequence.
Wayless abyss: Mysticism, mediation and divine nothingness

This essay considers the tradition of apophatic mysticism through the lens of mediation. Focusing on the work of John Ruusbroec and Meister Eckhart, the essay develops a theory of ‘divine mediation,’ a form of mediation that encompasses the paradoxical negation of mediation itself.
The Police Law 1995: organization, functions, powers and accountability of the Chinese police

Since the early 1980s, with the implementation of the policy of economic modernization, China has experienced a significant increase in crime. In order to meet the challenge of the rising crime rate under the new social and economic conditions, China has implemented a series of police reforms. Based on the newly promulgated Police Law and other relevant laws and regulations, discusses the organization, functions, powers and accountability issues of the contemporary Chinese police system.
A developmental study of semantic elaboration and interpretation in recognition memory.

Abstract Two experiments examined semantic elaboration and interpretation in recognition memory of 4-year-olds and college students. Subjects were presented pictures of color-specific and non-color-specific items, and then tested for their recognition of the chroma of the items. In Experiment 1, one-half of the presentation items were black and white and one-half colored, and testing always involved one black and white and one colored choice. In Experiment 2, all of the presentation items were colored, and testing always involved two colored choices. In both studies, the pattern of results of the two age groups was similar. Experiments 1 and 2 indicated that recognition judgments were based on representations that were elaborated with preexperimentally acquired semantic color information, and Experiment 2 also indicated that recognition judgments were based on representations that contained interpretive information about the appropriateness of the colors of the items. The results were considered to support and extend the view that when young children and adults share a common knowledge base, they are likely to engage in similar and extensive semantic processing.
Spin flip probability of electron due to torsional wave

The probability of spin flip of an electron due to a torsional wave is calculated. It is compared to the electromagnetic case, and ways to detect torsion are discussed.
Robotic-assisted instruments enhance minimally invasive mitral valve surgery ☆

Abstract Background . The potential for totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery has been advanced by the development of minimally invasive techniques. Recently surgical robots have offered instrument access through small ports, obviating the need for a significant thoracotomy. This study tested the hypothesis that a microsurgical robot with 5 degrees of freedom is capable of performing an endoscopic mitral valve replacement (MVR). Methods . Dogs (n = 6) were placed on peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass; aortic occlusion was achieved with endoaortic clamping and transesophageal echocardiographic control. A small left seventh interspace "service entrance" incision was used to insert sutures, retractor blade, and valve prosthesis. Robotically controlled instruments included a thoracoscope and 5-mm needle holders. MVR was performed using an interrupted suture technique. Results . Excellent visualization was achieved with the thoracoscope. Instrument setup required 25.8 minutes (range 12 to 37); valve replacement required 69.3 ± 5.39 minutes (range 48 to 78). MVR was accomplished with normal prosthetic valve function and without misplaced sutures or inadvertent injuries. Conclusions . This study demonstrates the feasibility of adjunctive use of robotic instrumentation for minimally invasive MVR. Clinical trials are indicated.
Attention: Control in the Visual Cortex

A recent study in which the human visual cortex was directly stimulated to create visual percepts has shown that visual spatial attention can act directly on neural activity in sensory cortex without involving attentional modulation of subcortical visual inputs.
New Cytotoxic Indole Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana calcarea from the Madagascar Rainforest.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the alkaloid portion of a CH2Cl2−MeOH extract of Tabernaemontana calcarea resulted in the isolation of the three new cytotoxic indole alkaloids, 1−3, and the 12 known alkaloids voacangine (4), isovoacangine (5), coronaridine (6), 11-hydroxycoronaridine (7), voacristine (8), 19-epi-voacristine (9), isovoacristine (10), ibogamine (11), 10-methoxyibogamine (12), 11-methoxyibogamine (13), heyneanine (14), and 19-epi-heyneanine (15). The structures of the new compounds 1−3 were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic interpretation. All the compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line.
Adaptation of the X-Ray Milliprobe for the Examination of Small Single Crystals Obtained from Lunar Samples

In this laboratory the x-ray milliprobe apparatus is in standard use for the analysis by x-ray fluorescence under x-ray excitation of samples as small as 1 mm in a flat specimen section. The instrument is a General Electric model XRD6 semifocusing spectrometer. In the holder the specimen is bathed in intense tungsten (or chromium) radiation from a type EA-75 dual target x-ray tube, and the excited radiation is collimated by a 1-mm beam tunnel. The collimated x-radiation is then analyzed with a curved LiF crystal and detected with a flow proportional counter. Four different analyzing crystals are available to provide optimum focusing over a wide range of wavelengths. The apparatus and procedure have been described by Rose et al.1
Analysis of LO and TO phonon assisted free exciton luminescence in silicon

Abstract Linefits are made of LO and TO phonon assisted free exciton luminescence spectra in silicon. The temperature range covered is 1.55–4.0 K. Values of the recombination rates, the phonon energy splitting, the intrinsic line broadening, and the exciton ground state splitting are deduced. The splitting of the indirect ground state is found to be 0.31±0.03 meV.
Machine vision detection parameters for plant species identification

Machine vision based on classical image processing techniques has the potential to be a useful tool for plant detection and identification. Plant identification is needed for weed detection, herbicide application or other efficient chemical spot spraying operations. The key to successful detection and identification of plants as species types is the segmentation of plants form background pixel regions. In particular, it would be beneficial to segment individual leaves form tops of canopies as well. The segmentation process yields an edge or binary image which contains shape feature information. Results indicate that red-green-blue formats might provide the best segmentation criteria, based on models of human color perception. The binary image can be also used as a template to investigate textural features of the plant pixel region, using gray image co-occurrence matrices. Texture features considers leaf venation, colors, or additional canopy structure that might be used to identify various type of grasses or broadleaf plants.
Financial institutions and economic development: A comparison of Great Britain and France in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

Financial Institutions and Economic Development : A Comparison of Great Britain and France in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries