cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of low and high dose melagatran and other antithrombotic drugs on platelet aggregation.

Background Thrombin-induced aggregation of human platelets can be completely inhibited by melagatran, the bioactive form of ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor. Methods The potential of melagatran to differentially inhibit α- and γ-thrombins was tested with a synthetic thrombin substrate. Washed human platelets were also employed to determine if melagatran differentially inhibited α- and γ-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation at distinct platelet thrombin receptors. In vitro studies were conducted with washed human platelets to determine thrombin-induced aggregation responses in the presence of varying doses of the anti-thrombotic drugs: melagatran, argatroban, heparin, and hirudin. Results Melagatran rapidly inhibits the hydrolysis of a thrombin chromogenic substrate within 0–1 min with α-, β- and γ-thrombin being equally inhibited by high dose melagatran while α-thrombin was significantly more sensitive at low doses. The maximum level of melagatran inhibition of α- and γ-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation requires platelets to be pre-incubated with the drug for 10–30 min. Melagatran appears to have no direct effect on the PAR-1 receptor. It does appear to have a direct effect on the GPIbα thrombin receptor activity as well as the PAR-4 receptor. Inhibition of platelet aggregation is dose dependent, however, at low melagatran doses (0.01–0.04 nM) platelets aggregate at significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels. The lower the level of thrombin-induced aggregation that was observed with control samples (aggregations from 10% to 39%), corresponded with a higher observed melagatran-induced stimulation with drug-treated platelets. The range of stimulation varies between several hundred percent at ∼10% aggregation to around 20% at about 20–39% aggregation. Preliminary studies indicate that this in vitro stimulatory effect is abrogated in platelets derived from volunteers who took aspirin (81 mg/day) for 7 days. Three other anti-thrombotic drugs, argatroban, heparin and hirudin, were tested with low drug levels but none were found to consistently stimulate the reaction. Conclusions These results indicate that melagatran acts as both a direct thrombin inhibitor and indirectly by some interaction with the platelet membrane. While melagatran has been withdrawn from clinical use, its ability to differentially inhibit γ-thrombin/PAR-4 versus α-thrombin/PAR-1 at low doses may warrant it, or less toxic analogs to be used in the future for as yet unknown disease states involving PAR-4.
Value Co-Creation: Factors Affecting Discretionary Effort Exertion

Value co-creation in the context of effort exertion at a fitness center is examined. To benefit from their fitness center membership, customers must exert effort utilizing the equipment and facilities made available by the center. We find three factors that influence customer effort exertion: personal goal clarity (what do I want to get out of my membership), service relevance (how will working out at the center help me achieve my fitness goals), and employee interactions (how do service employees facilitate my effort exertion). We also find that the amount of effort exerted positively impacts customer satisfaction.
HDAC6 Inhibitors Modulate Lys49 Acetylation and Membrane Localization of β-Catenin in Human iPSC-Derived Neuronal Cells

We examined the effects of isoform-specific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors on β-catenin posttranslational modifications in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). β-catenin is a multifunctional protein with important roles in the developing and adult central nervous system. Activation of the Wnt pathway results in stabilization and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, resulting in activation of multiple target genes. In addition, β-catenin forms a complex with cadherins at the plasma membrane as part of the adherens junctions. The N-terminus of β-catenin has phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and acetylation sites that regulate its stability and signaling. In the absence of a Wnt signal, Ser33, Ser37, and Thr41 are constitutively phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). β-Catenin phosphorylated at these sites is recognized by β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTrCP), which results in ubiquitination and degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The N-terminal regulatory domain of β-catenin also includes Ser45, a phosphorylation site for Casein Kinase 1α (CK1α) and Lys49, which is acetylated by the acetyltransferase p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF). The relevance of Lys49 acetylation and Ser45 phosphorylation to the function of β-catenin is an active area of investigation. We find that HDAC6 inhibitors increase Lys49 acetylation and Ser45 phosphorylation but do not affect Ser33, Ser37, and Thr41 phosphorylation. Lys49 acetylation results in decreased ubiquitination of β-catenin in the presence of proteasome inhibition. While increased Lys49 acetylation does not affect total levels of β-catenin, it results in increased membrane localization of β-catenin.
Measuring Volterra kernels (II)

Accurate measurement of Volterra kernels is an essential step in the modelling of weakly non-linear physical systems via the block box approach, and in model validation. This paper is a sequel to an earlier paper,1 where practical methods for measuring Volterra kernels were presented along with a quick method for measuring the second-order Volterra kernels. This paper extends that quick method for measuring higher-order frequency-domain Volterra kernels of weakly non-linear systems. We further developed the quick method to measure directly the points of the Volterra kernels which are located along one or more axes in the frequency domain, thus making our method complete and more accurate than that presented in Reference 1. We illustrate our method by actually measuring a weakly non-linear circuit whose Volterra kernels can be accurately calculated. the experimentally measured and the theoretically predicted results agree remarkably well.
Preparing graduate students for graduate‐level study and research

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a graduate level course in information research for thesis‐based Master's degree students in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University for which the College Librarian served as the instructor of record. It also seeks to report the results of research conducted to investigate the impact of the course and its effect on graduate student confidence and preparedness.Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires were used to measure student perception of their confidence and preparedness for graduate study and research before and after completing a for‐credit course.Findings – Students' self‐perceived levels of confidence and preparedness increased after taking the course. Most felt the course was useful and the content would help them to complete their theses more efficiently and effectively. The majority of students also completed the administrative tasks that are required for graduate‐level study.Originality/va...
Contrasting roles: Eastern and Western European women

Abstract The article presents an overview of the status of women in Western and Eastern Europe during the last decade. Relevant research in English is reviewed. Four indicators of women's status are treated: (1) equality before the law, (2) educational opportunities for women, (3) position in the labor force, and (4) level of leadership in social institutions. Successes and shortcomings in each division are cited; problem areas with presently incomplete information are indicated. The paper makes several recommendations for further research and better dissemination of information.
Occurrence of a New Russian Wheat Aphid Biotype in Colorado

Russian wheat aphid [RWA, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko)] is a serious pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the western USA Great Plains region. While variation in virulence among different RWA isolates has been reported elsewhere, no such variation has been documented among North American RWA isolates. Our objective was to confirm observations in spring 2003 suggesting that a new biotype of RWA was present in southeastern Colorado. The new biotype induced greater injury (leaf rolling and overall plant damage) than the original biotype in standard greenhouse seedling screening tests with a limited collection of resistant and susceptible cultivars. A second experiment with a broader collection of known RWA resistance sources identified only one accession, 94M370 (Dn7 gene), with resistance to the new biotype. Development of wheat cultivars with resistance to this new biotype will depend on rapid identification and deployment of new resistance sources.
Purification of Pharmaceutical Excipients with Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), with carbon dioxide as the solvent, was tested for its ability to remove common reactive impurities from several pharmaceutical excipient powders including starch, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Extraction of the small molecule impurities, formic acid and formaldehyde, was conducted using SFE methods under conditions that did not result in visible physical changes to polymeric excipient powders. It could be shown that spiked, largely surface-bound, impurities could be removed effectively; however, SFE could only remove embedded impurities in the excipient particles after significant exposure times due to slow diffusion of the impurities to the particle surfaces. Attempts at hydrogen peroxide extraction were hindered by its low solubility in CO2, thereby effectively precluding SFE for removal of hydrogen peroxide from excipients. This work suggests that SFE will only be commercially useful for removal of low molecular weight impurities in polymeric excipients when migration of the impurities to the particle surfaces is sufficiently rapid for extraction to be completed in a reasonable time frame.
Human placental endothelin: expression of endothelin-1 mRNA by human placental fibroblasts in culture

Abstract Endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA is expressed by the human placenta in a developmentally regulated manner and has been shown to stimulate the growth of placental mesenchymal cells. The ability of placental fibroblasts to express preproET-1 mRNA was studied to determine if ET-1 could potentially participate via autocrine mechanisms in the proliferation of placental fibroblasts. Fibroblasts were isolated from normal placentae at various gestational ages (7–19 weeks and term) and their abilities to express preproET-1 mRNA in culture evaluated by Northern analysis. Sparse, rapidly growing cultures of placental fibroblasts expressed preproET-1 mRNA at each gestational age in the presence of 10% FBS. The regulation of preproET-1 expression in placental fibroblasts was studied by exposing cells to known mitogenic stimuli. Quiescent, confluent monolayers of placental fibroblasts expressed no detectable levels of preproET-1 mRNA under basal conditions. Epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 ng/ml), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1, 5 ng/ml), or interleukin 1β (IL-1β) alone, had no significant effect on steady state preproET-1 mRNA levels. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, increased the steady state levels of preproET-1 mRNA at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. In the presence cycloheximide, IL-1β markedly stimulated preproET-1 mRNA expression, whereas EGF was less effective. TGF-β1 had no effect in the presence or absence of cycloheximide. In contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 20 nM) exerted a small stimulatory effect on preproET-1 mRNA expression which was not influenced by cycloheximide. These data demonstrate that placental fibroblasts express preproET-1 mRNA while actively growing and that its expression is regulated by specific growth promoting stimuli. These data suggest that placental ET-1 may act, in part, via autocrine mechanisms to regulate the growth or function of placental fibroblasts.
A Load Adaptive subcarrier and bit allocation algorithm for non-real time services in an OFDMA system

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) is an efficient access technique that allocates different subcarriers to multiple users where each subcarrier is loaded with a number of bits belonging to that user. Allocating subcarriers and bits to multiple users has been the focus of many algorithms that attempt to maximize the throughput or minimize the total transmit power used. Non-real time applications such as web browsing are dominant applications in most of the emerging wireless networks. A key performance measure of such applications is the average packet delay provided by the network. In this paper, we propose a novel Load Adaptive (LA) algorithm for non-real time services that allocates the subcarriers and bits to each user according to its individual load and the available transmit power so as to minimize the overall average packet delay for all users. The algorithm takes into account queueing theory and the quality of service requirement of each user. Numerical results show that the overall average packet delay of the proposed algorithm is significantly reduced compared to other algorithms.
Joint coherence in games of incomplete information

Decisions are often made under conditions of uncertainty about the actions of supposedly-rational competitors. The modeling of optimal behavior under such conditions is the subject of noncooperative game theory, of which a cornerstone is Harsanyi's formulation of games of incomplete information. In an incomplete-information game, uncertainty may surround the attributes as well as the strategic intentions of opposing players. Harsanyi develops the concept of a Bayesian equilibrium, which is a Nash equilibrium of a game in which the players' reciprocal beliefs about each others' attributes are consistent with a common prior distribution, as though they had been jointly drawn at random from populations with commonly-known proportions of types. The relation of such game-theoretic solution concepts to subjective probability theory and nonstrategic decision analysis has been controversial, as reflected in critiques by Kadane and Larkey and responses from Harsanyi, Shubik, and others, which have appeared in this journal. This paper shows that the Bayesian equilibrium concept and common prior assumption can be reconciled with a subjective view of probability by i supposing that players elicit each others' probabilities and utilities through the acceptance of gambles, and ii invoking a multi-agent extension of de Finetti's axiom of coherence no arbitrage opportunities, a.k.a. "Dutch books". However, the Nash property of statistical independence between players is weakened, and the probability distributions characterizing a solution of the game admit novel interpretations.
Optimal Primary-Backup Protocols

We give primary-backup protocols for various models of failure. These protocols are optimal with respect to degree of replication, failover time, and response time to client requests.
Pure Time Preference: Reply to Johansson and Rosenqvist

Johansson and Rosenqvist reject our argument for the rational permissibility of pure time preferences (PTP). Johansson and Rosenqvist's main objection is that where two options, X and Y, have equal intrinsic value, there will be a reason to be indifferent between X and Y, and therefore a reason to not hold a PTP for X or Y. In this reply, we argue that if two options have equal intrinsic value, it does not follow that you have a reason to be indifferent. Rather, the two equally large intrinsic values cancel each other out, like two equal weights on kitchen scales.
Neurologic morbidity and quality of life in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a prospective cross-sectional study

Purpose Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is treated with potentially neurotoxic drugs and neurologic complications in long-term survivors are inadequately studied. This study investigated neurologic morbidity and its effect on quality of life in long-term survivors of childhood ALL.
2004–2005 Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellowship Report

The Bunnell Traveling Fellowship was established in 1982 with the purpose of sponsoring a young hand surgeon in the development of national and international relationships that contribute to his/her pursuit of higher learning and that foster the principles of scholarship of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. I was fortunate to be selected as the 24th Sterling Bunnell Fellow, and I had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the 23 former fellows. In Bunnell's Surgery of the Hand, Fourth Edition (Boyes JH, ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott; 1964:561-567), a man with a brachial plexus injury was described. The recommended treatment was shoulder arthrodesis and transhumeral amputation, followed by fitting of an above-elbow prosthesis. Sterling Bunnell has been quoted as saying, "To someone who has nothing, a little is a lot." Nowhere in the field of hand surgery is this more true than in patients with brachial plexus injuries. The theme and purpose of my traveling fellowship was to evaluate the status and advances of adult brachial plexus surgery throughout the world, to determine the utility of the contralateral C7 nerve transfer, to evaluate the optimal reconstruction of grasp, and finally to determine the philosophies of experts around the world regarding the treatment of these patients.
Augmentation of meniscal repairs with cyanoacrylate glue

Cyanoacrylate glues are biodegradable, bacteriostatic, hemostatic adhesives which have been used experimentally in surgical procedures on many tissues. This study evaluates the efficacy of cyanoacrylate glues used for in vitro bovine meniscus repair. Our hypothesis was that a local adhesive might improve fixation of meniscus tears reapproximated with suture, or obviate the need for suture. Three highviscosity flexible cyanoacrylate glues were tested and their tensile strengths compared to those of suture alone and suture augmented with glue. The flexible formulation enables the glue to deform with the meniscus during movement of the knee joint. Bovine meniscus tissue was used as the model to compare the tensile strength at the meniscus repair site using the 300 cps glue in combination with 3-0 prolene suture, 300 cps cyanoacrylate glue alone, and suture alone. Twenty specimens were included in each repair group, and the peak load to failure was normalized for surface area and subjected to analysis of variance. Results of the analysis showed that the peak load to failure of the combination of cyanoacrylate glue plus suture was significantly higher than that of glue alone (P < .0001), but not significantly higher than that of suture alone (P = .18). However, in tissues repaired with suture, tissue separation at the tear site was noted almost immediately after distraction started, as a result of the elasticity of the suture. The combination of cyanoacrylate glue plus suture provided the maximum tensile strength before tissue separation. Because tissue separation may interfere with the meniscal healing process, glue used in combination with suture appears to offer some advantage mechanically. The cyanoacrylate formulations studied did not seem suitable for use without suture in meniscus repair. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hardware self-tuning and circuit performance monitoring

Self-tuning is a new clocking methodology borrowing heavily from both the synchronous and self-timed disciplines. A self-tuned system has an adjustable clock and measurement logic. During the tuning process the adjustable clock is made to run faster and faster until before the system fails. After tuning and during operation each cycle is measured and, if a failure is imminent, the system is retuned. During the tuning phase test vectors-either hardware embedded or software-select near maximum speed for a particular instance of the system. As self-tuning is predicated on self-test, it is essential to build in self-test features. These same self-test features are useful in circuit level performance monitoring. Two extremes on the continuum of self-tuning are discussed: at one extreme is purely hardware self-tuning and at the other, nearly purely software. Data is given from an experimental self-tuned primary memory indicating 70 ns access time DRAM can be operated at 45 ns or less. >
PROLIFIC WRITERS IN MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY: A RESEARCH NOTE

Success and promotion within an academic setting depends heavily upon one's ability to publishscholarly work. The “publish or perish” syndrome, and how it relates to marital and family therapy, is of importance to current and aspiring academicians' futures as well as those who wish to impact the field. Research was conducted to identify the most prolific journal writers in the field, and 18 persons were surveyed in order to ascertain how they organized themselves personally and professionally, in order to write productively. The results are analyzed, and recommendations are made regarding the organization of oneself for publishing success.
Individualism–Collectivism and Co-operation: A Cross-Society and Cross-Level Examination

We examined the influence of Individualism and Collectivism (I‐C) on co-operation in workgroups at three levels (societal, organizational, and personal). Data were from 153 American business students representing an individualistic society and 207 Vietnamese counterparts (a collectivistic society). Participants role-played managers for a simulated company with either a collectivistic or individualistic organizational culture in a computerized social-dilemma game. Societal cultures did not moderate the interaction effect between organization-level I‐C and person-level Individualism. Those high on individualism pursued their own gains in a dominantly individualistic organizational culture, yet behaving co-operatively in a collectivistic organizational culture. Interestingly, societal cultures moderated the effect of organizational culture on co-operation, such that the positive relationship between organization-level I‐C and co-operation was weaker in a collectivistic society (Vietnam) than in an individualistic society (the United States). The results indicate the need for an integrative, cross-level approach to better understand the determinants of co-operation across societies, organizations, and individuals.
Evolution along the mutation gradient in the dynamic mitochondrial genome of salamanders

Mitochondria are intracellular organelles where oxidative phosphorylation is carried out to complete ATP synthesis. Mitochondria have their own genome; in metazoans, this is a small, circular molecule encoding 13 electron transport proteins, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. In invertebrates, mitochondrial gene rearrangement is common, and it is correlated with increased substitution rates. In vertebrates, mitochondrial gene rearrangement is rare, and its relationship to substitution rate remains unexplored. Mitochondrial genes can also show spatial variation in substitution rates around the genome due to the mechanism of mtDNA replication, which produces a mutation gradient. To date, however, the strength of the mutation gradient and whether movement along the gradient in rearranged (or otherwise modified) genomes impacts genic substitution rates remain unexplored in the majority of vertebrates. Salamanders include both normal mitochondrial genomes and independently derived rearrangements and expansions, providing a rare opportunity to test the effects of large-scale changes to genome architecture on vertebrate mitochondrial gene sequence evolution. We show that: 1) rearranged/expanded genomes have higher substitution rates; 2) most genes in rearranged/expanded genomes maintain their position along the mutation gradient, substitution rates of the genes that do move are unaffected by their new position, and the gradient in salamanders is weak; and 3) genomic rearrangements/expansions occur independent of levels of selective constraint on genes. Together, our results demonstrate that large-scale changes to genome architecture impact mitochondrial gene evolution in predictable ways; however, despite these impacts, the same functional constraints act on mitochondrial protein-coding genes in both modified and normal genomes.
Outbreak Management and Implications of a Nosocomial Norovirus Outbreak

Background. Noroviruses are enterically transmitted and are a frequent cause of gastroenteritis, affecting 23 million people annually in the United States. We describe a norovirus outbreak and its control in a tertiary care hospital during February-May 2004. Methods. Patients and health care workers met the case definition if they had new onset of vomiting and/or diarrhea during the outbreak period. Selected stool samples were tested for norovirus RNA. We also determined outbreak costs, including the estimated lost revenue associated with unit closures, sick leave, and cleaning expenses. Results. We identified 355 cases that affected 90 patients and 265 health care workers and that were clustered in the coronary care unit and psychiatry units. Attack rates were 5.3% (7 of 133) for patients and 29.9% (29 of 97) for health care workers in the coronary care unit and 16.7% (39 of 233) for patients and 38.0% (76 of 200) for health care workers in the psychiatry units. Thirteen affected health care workers (4.9%) required emergency department visits or hospitalization. Detected noroviruses had 98%-99% sequence identity with representatives of a new genogroup II.4 variant that emerged during 2002-2004 in the United States (e.g., Farmington Hills and other strains) and Europe. Aggressive infection-control measures, including closure of units and thorough disinfection using sodium hypochlorite, were required to terminate the outbreak. Costs associated with this outbreak were estimated to be $657,644. Conclusions. The significant disruption of patient care and cost of this single nosocomial outbreak support aggressive efforts to prevent transmission of noroviruses in health care settings.
The role of Brg1, a catalytic subunit of mammalian chromatin-remodeling complexes, in T cell development.

Mammalian SWI–SNF-related complexes use brahma-related gene 1 ( Brg1 ) as a catalytic subunit to remodel nucleosomes and regulate transcription. Recent biochemical data has linked Brg1 function to genes important for T lymphocyte differentiation. To investigate the role of SWI–SNF-related complexes in this lineage, we ablated Brg1 function in T lymphocytes. T cell–specific Brg1 -deficient mice showed profound thymic abnormalities, CD4 derepression at the double negative (DN; CD4− CD8−) stage, and a developmental block at the DN to double positive (CD4+ CD8+) transition. 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation and annexin V staining establish a role for Brg1 complexes in the regulation of thymocyte cell proliferation and survival. This Brg1 -dependent cell survival is specific for developing thymocytes as indicated by the presence of Brg1 -deficient mature T lymphocytes that have escaped the developmental block in the thymus. However, reductions in peripheral T cell populations lead to immunodeficiency and compromised health of mutant mice. These results highlight the importance of chromatin-remodeling complexes at different stages in the development of a mammalian cell lineage.
PARAMETRIC STUDIES OF SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSES USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT TECHNIQUE: GEOMETRIC EFFECT

Many existing factors are found to affect the factor of safety (FS) for slope stability analysis due to the different analysis methods employed. Even when the same analysis method is used, such as finite element (FE) method; if the element type, node number, boundary conditions, and model dimensions change, different FS numbers will be present. The remarkable improvement on computational tools makes three-dimensional (3-D) FE approaches easier to access. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present the advantages of 3-D FE techniques used in slope stability analysis in terms of geometry and boundary conditions. Furthermore, this paper presents the parametric studies on several cases using 2-D limit equilibrium methods (LE), as well as the 2-D and 3-D FE analyses. The elastic-plastic Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is employed in the analyses. The comparisons are made between these numerical methods for homogeneous and nonhomogeneous slopes. The strength reduction factor (SFR) obtained from the 2-D analyses is considered to be relatively conservative compared to 3-D FE analysis. However, the discrepancy on the SFR between 2-D and 3-D FE analyses is very limited unless the boundary conditions change on z planes. The boundary conditions assumed in the z planes are important to 3-D finite element analysis, while the effect of length in the z direction can be ignored if the roller-roller type of conditions is applied. The progressive failure can also be observed in the increments of analysis. Moreover, the limitations of LE and 2-D FE analyses are also identified when the complex failure mechanism of a slope is concerned.
Economic Analysis of Land and Livestock Management Interventions to Improve Resilience of a Pastoral Community in Southern Ethiopia

A linear programming (LP) analysis is presented of land and livestock management interventions that could increase the economic resilience of a cattle-based pastoral community in the Harweyu Pastoral Association, located in the north-central region of the Borana Plateau of southern Ethiopia. As a result of decades of overgrazing and lack of fire, encroachment by invasive, noxious woody shrubs and trees has markedly reduced the grass production upon which grazing cattle rely. More frequent and severe droughts and reduced grazing productivity, coupled with an increasing human population, have resulted in food aid becoming pervasive in the system. This suggests that the pastoral population has become less resilient over time. We examine the effects of altering the mix of the larger livestock species (introducing more browsing camels relative to grazing cattle), clearing stands of woody plants to promote grass production and expanding the use of traditional deferred grazing practices (kalo) to allow more grass forage to be available in the long dry season, which constitutes another resource bottleneck in the system. Results suggest that clearing the woody plants on a large scale (33% of the Harweyu landscape) would have the most positive impact on the ability of people to promote cattle production and could reduce dependence on food aid by almost one-third.
Analysis by Gas Chromatography of Amines and Nitrosamines Produced In Vivo and In Vitro by Proteus mirabilis

Reproducible procedures suitable for routine analysis of small quantities of body fluids and culture media were developed by use of gas-liquid chromatography, heptafluorobutyric-anhydride derivatives, and electron-capture detectors. Proteus mirabilis was isolated from two clinical cases of bacteriuria, and the alkalineextractable products elaborated by this organism in vivo were compared with those produced in vitro. N-nitrosodimethylamine, a potent carcinogen, was produced along with other amines by P. mirabilis in all urines tested (both in vivo and in vitro) and in cooked-meat medium. This compound was not produced in vitro by a strain of Escherichia coli tested on the same substrates. The significance of these findings was evaluated, with emphasis on the carcinogenic activity and toxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine and on the use of gas-liquid chromatography as a tool for the diagnosis of urinary-tract disease.
Photoluminescence Quenching of Porous Silicon

Photoluminescence from porous silicon can be quenched reversibly by a variety of molecular species. Quenching pathways for chemically incorporated surface species, physisorbed species (that undergo no net chemical transformation), and for electron donating reagents have all been identified. For systems involving charge transfer quenching, the concentration dependence typically follows a Stern-Volmer type of relationship, with the more easily oxidized molecules producing the largest Stern-Volmer slopes (most efficient quenching). The slope of the Stern-Volmer plot is dependent upon the particular wavelength that the Stern-Volmer data are obtained from. Data interpretation is complicated by the fact that porous Si shows a wavelength dependent emission lifetime, although when this is taken into account the data can be qualitatively described within the context of a driving-force dependent quenching model. A simple model for understanding the various photoluminescence quenching phenomena observed with porous Si is presented, involving an ensemble of emissive states with energy dependent lifetimes and Stern-Volmer quenching behavior. The model adequately accounts for both red and blue spectral shifts that have been observed upon photoluminescence quenching.
New Species of Typhoctes from Panama (Hymenoptera: Typhoctidae)

A new species of Typhoctes Ashmead is described from Panama based upon 25 males and one female. The new species represents the southernmost component of Typhoctes and is the only tropical species for which males have been collected. Collecting data from two consecutive years indicates that adults emerge late in the rainy season.
Microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment and energy generation

Abstract Microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems employ the bioelectrochemical catalytic activity of microbes to produce electricity from the oxidation of organic, and in some cases inorganic, substrates. Theoretically, almost all the substrates that can be metabolized by microorganisms are able to serve as the feedstock in MFCs, such as simple chemical compounds, urban sewage, agricultural, brewery, food, and dairy farm and various industrial wastewaters. MFC technology represents a unique and novel platform to process waste and wastewater sources that allows for energy and resource recovery along with water sanitation in a single configuration. They have the potential to provide the paradigm shift for wastewater treatment from “environmental protection” to “resource recovery.” Energy and valuable resource content in the wastewater sources presents a promising potential for their recovery to develop sustainable technologies. Thus MFCs can be integrated into existing wastewater treatment systems to enhance energy, water, and nutrient resource recovery. This chapter provides an overview of the principles of wastewater treatment in MFCs, comparison with other energy recovery alternatives from wastewater, substrate utilization in MFCs, process developments, and organic, nutrient, and metal removal capacities in MFCs. Recent developments in pilot-scale studies and integration with other wastewater treatment systems are also discussed.
Research on the Analytical Method of Gas Chromatography for 2-Diethylaminoethanol in the Air of Workplace

[Objective] To established a GC analytical method for 2-Diethylaminoethanol in the air of workplace. [Methods] 2-Diethylaminoethanol in air was adsorbed on activated charcoal tube,desorbed by CS2 solvent and then analyzed by GC. [Results] The relative standard deviation in the concentration range of 5.0-200 μg/mL was 2.6%-6.4%. Regression equation was Y = 5.34X-7.32,r=0.9998. The minimum determination limit was 0.23 mg/m3(air sample of 3 L). The desorption efficiency was 86.1%-92.8%,RSD was 1.9%-5.8%. The activated charcoal tube adsorbed 2-Diethylaminoethanol may be stable for 5 days with a decay rate of 9.5%,the efficiency of sampling by this method was more than 90%. [Conclusion] The method was sensitive,specific,reliable and suitable for the determination of 2-Diethylaminoethanol in the air of workplace.
HYDROGEN EVOLUTION REACTION OF THE COMPOSITE LaNi_5/Ni-S ALLOY FILM IN ALKALINE MEDIUM

By molten salt electrolysis combined with aquatic electrodeposition,the composite LaNi_5/Ni-S film with high stability and hydrogen evolution reaction activity was obtained.The results showed that in the Na_3AlF_6-La_2O_3 (mass ratio of 92:8) molten salt system,although the cathodic potential is much lower than the decomposition potential of lanthanum,the LaNi5 film could be obtained due to the strong depolarization ability of Ni cathode.The composite LaNi_5/Ni-S film (η_(150)=75 mV,80℃) could absorb more H atoms,which would be oxidized and avoid the dissolution of the Ni-S film under the state of open-circuit effectively and prolong the lifetime of the cathode.
Changes in serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase caused by acute perioperative myocardial infarction and by transatrial cardiac surgical procedures.

A prospective clinical study was conducted to ascertain if a patient’s postoperative elevation in serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme coupled with determination of the lactate dehydrogenase1/lactate dehydrogenase2 ratio could differentiate whether atrial or ventricular myocardium was the source of these changes. Animal studies have shown that atrial myocardium is as rich a source of creatine kinase MB as is ventricular myocardium. Atrial myocardium has a lactate dehydrogenase,/lactate dehydrogenase2 ratio less than 1.00, whereas in ventricular myocardium the ratio is greater than 1.00. Sixty-four patients were assigned to six groups on the basis of serial electrocardiograms and vectorcardiograms by a cardiologist who was unaware of their clinical courses. The control group (Group 1) consisted of 16 patients admitted to the coronary care unit who had no electrocardiographic changes. Three surgical groups without electrocardiographic or vectorcardiographic evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction were studied: 10 patients undergoing routine coronary artery bypass procedures (Group 2), six adults undergoing repair of secundum atrial septal defect (Group 3), and 13 patients having mitral valve replacement (Group 4). Two groups of surgical patients who had acute perioperative transmural myocardial infarctions confirmed by serial electrocardiograms and vectorcardiograms were studied: 15 patients (Group 5) who had elective coronary artery bypass procedures and four (Group 6) who had mitral valve replacement. This study suggests that serum creatine kinase MB levels in excess of 50 IU/L on the postoperative day 1 and day 2 samples coupled with serum lactate dehydrogenase,/lactate dehydrogenase2 ratios greater than 1.00 on the postoperative day 2 and day 3 samples support the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Patient groups undergoing procedures necessitating atriotomies had average elevations in serum creatine kinase MB and in the lactate dehydrogenase1/lactate dehydrogenase2 ratio, but these were significantly less than those seen when acute perioperative myocardial infarction had occurred.
SU-F-T-575: Verification of a Monte-Carlo Small Field SRS/SBRT Dose Calculation System

Purpose: To develop a methodology for validation of a Monte-Carlo dose calculation model for robotic small field SRS/SBRT deliveries. Methods: In a robotic treatment planning system, a Monte-Carlo model was iteratively optimized to match with beam data. A two-part analysis was developed to verify this model. 1) The Monte-Carlo model was validated in a simulated water phantom versus a Ray-Tracing calculation on a single beam collimator-by-collimator calculation. 2) The Monte-Carlo model was validated to be accurate in the most challenging situation, lung, by acquiring in-phantom measurements. A plan was created and delivered in a CIRS lung phantom with film insert. Separately, plans were delivered in an in-house created lung phantom with a PinPoint chamber insert within a lung simulating material. For medium to large collimator sizes, a single beam was delivered to the phantom. For small size collimators (10, 12.5, and 15mm), a robotically delivered plan was created to generate a uniform dose field of irradiation over a 2×2cm2 area. Results: Dose differences in simulated water between Ray-Tracing and Monte-Carlo were all within 1% at dmax and deeper. Maximum dose differences occurred prior to dmax but were all within 3%. Film measurements in a lung phantom show high correspondence of over 95% gamma at the 2%/2mm level for Monte-Carlo. Ion chamber measurements for collimator sizes of 12.5mm and above were within 3% of Monte-Carlo calculated values. Uniform irradiation involving the 10mm collimator resulted in a dose difference of ∼8% for both Monte-Carlo and Ray-Tracing indicating that there may be limitations with the dose calculation. Conclusion: We have developed a methodology to validate a Monte-Carlo model by verifying that it matches in water and, separately, that it corresponds well in lung simulating materials. The Monte-Carlo model and algorithm tested may have more limited accuracy for 10mm fields and smaller.
Impact of Wildfires on Atmospheric Ammonia Concentrations in the US: Coupling Satellite and Ground Based Measurements

Gaseous ammonia plays a crucial role in the earth’s atmosphere. Major sources of atmospheric ammonia include agriculture and fires. As the climate continues to change, the pattern of fires across the US will also change, leading to changes in ammonia emissions. This study examines four major science questions using satellite and in-situ data from 2010–2014: (1) How have concentrations of ammonia changed across the US? (2) How have the strength and frequency of fires changed? (3) How has this change in fires impacted ammonia emissions? (4) How does the US EPA NEI compare with the calculated emissions? Satellite and in-situ data were used to evaluate the annual concentrations of ammonia and to calculate the total ammonia emissions across the continental US. The results of this study showed that ammonia concentrations have slightly increased over the five-year period. The total fire number and the average fire radiative power have decreased, while the total yearly burn area has increased. The calculated ammonia emissions from fires on a national scale show an increasing trend and when compared with the US EPA NEI for ammonia emissions from fires, annual ammonia emissions are, on average, a factor of 0.49 higher than the NEI.
Lateral-Directional Statics; Control for Trim

In this chapter we shall consider sets of steady flight conditions involving motion out of the plane-of-symmetry of the airplane. For these conditions, we are concerned to know the relations between flight variables and control deflections for trim. Pilots often maintain steady flight for more or less extended intervals, and at these times the steady trim relationships are apparent. It will be seen that certain of these are very important, and criteria based on steady flight may well represent critical design conditions for many features of the airplane. We shall use the linearized equations (2d, 4c, and 6c, all of Chapter XV), for the perfectly symmetrical airplane, stated in Chapter XV. The motion variables are Δα, Δϕ, and Δϕ the control settings are δa and δr. Since motion is to be steady, we shall omit terms involving time derivatives of these quantities.
Sag mir, wer dein Freund ist, und ich sag dir, wer du bist

Dieses Kapitel beschaftigt sich mit der wissenschaftlicher Analyse der Lebensweisheit „Sag mir, wer dein Freund ist, und ich sage dir, wer du bist“ aus der Perspektive des Strebens nach Zugehorigkeit. Als Gegentendenz wurde das Zitat von Malcolm Forbes ausgewahlt „Ohne Ausnahme jeder mochte eine Ausnahme sein“, die das Streben nach Individualitat schildert. Beide Tendenzen wurden anhand psychologischer Theorien und empirischen Befunden analysiert. Es werden positive und negative Konsequenzen beider Tendenzen identifiziert und Implikationen fur die Gesellschaft aus der Perspektive von Sozial-, Arbeits- und Wirtschaftspsychologie diskutiert.
Ex vivo MRI transverse relaxation in community based older persons with and without Alzheimer's dementia.

Abstract Alterations of the transverse relaxation rate, R 2 , measured using MRI, are observed in older persons with Alzheimer’s (AD) dementia. However, the spatial pattern of these alterations and the degree to which they reflect the accumulation of common age-related neuropathologies are unknown. In this study, we characterized the profile of R 2 alterations in post-mortem brains of persons with clinical diagnosis of AD dementia and investigated how the profile differs after accounting for neuropathologic indices of AD, cerebral infarcts, Lewy body disease, hippocampal sclerosis and transactive response DNA-binding protein 43. Data came from 567 post-mortem brains donated by participants in two cohort studies of aging and dementia. R 2 was quantified using fast spin echo imaging. Voxelwise linear regression examined R 2 alterations between subjects diagnosed with AD dementia at death and those with no cognitive impairment. Voxels showing significant R 2 alterations were clustered into regions of interest (ROIs). Three R 2 profiles were compared, which were adjusted for (1) demographics only; (2) demographics and AD pathology; (3) demographics, AD pathology and other common neuropathologies. R 2 alterations were observed throughout the hemisphere, most commonly in white matter. Of the distinct ROIs identified, the largest region encompassed large portions of white matter in all lobes. This ROI became smaller in size but remained largely intact after adjusting for AD and other neuropathologic indices. Further, R 2 alterations identify AD dementia with improved accuracy, above and beyond demographics and neuropathologic indices (p 2 alterations in AD dementia are not solely reflective of common age-related neuropathologies, suggesting that other mechanisms are at work.
Evaluating the relative impact of positive and negative encounters with police: a randomized experiment

Examines the influence of positive, negative, and neutral police behavior during traffic stops on citizen perceptions of police. Participants were randomly assigned to view a video clip of a simulated traffic stop in which the officer communicates with the driver in a positive (procedurally just), negative (procedurally unjust), or neutral manner. After viewing the video, participants completed a survey about their perceptions of police, including their level of trust in police, obligation to obey police orders, and willingness to cooperate with police. Observing positive interactions with police enhanced people’s self-reported willingness to cooperate with police, obligation to obey police and the law, and trust and confidence in police, whereas observing negative interactions undermined these outcomes. The effects of these interactions were much stronger for encounter-specific outcomes than for more general outcomes. The results from this randomized experiment confirm that procedural justice can enhance people’s prosocial attitudes toward police, whereas procedural injustice can undermine these attitudes. While positive (procedurally just) interactions tend to have weaker effects than negative (procedurally unjust) interactions, this study finds little support for the notion that only negative experiences shape people’s views about the police.