cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pump–probe polarized transient hole burning (PTHB) dynamics of hydrated electron revisited

Abstract Femtosecond PTHB spectroscopy was expected to demonstrate the existence of distinct s–p absorption subbands originating from the three nondegenerate p- like excited states of hydrated electron in anisotropic solvation cavity. Yet no conclusive experimental evidence either for this subband structure or the reorientation of the cavity on the picosecond time scale has been obtained. It is shown here that rapid reorientation of s–p transition dipole moments in response to small scale motion of water molecules is the likely culprit. The polarized bleach is shown to be too low in amplitude and too short lived to be observed reliably on the sub-picosecond time scale.
Surface spreading of intergranular corrosion on stainless steels

Abstract The spreading of intergranular corrosion was investigated using micrometer scale simulations and experimental verifications on sensitized stainless steel [UNS S30400]. The degree of sensitization, presence of a pit, and applied potential all affected spreading. The inputs used in the simulation were obtained from Fe– X Cr( X = 10, 12, 14, 16 wt.%)–Mo–Ni alloys representing various grain boundary Cr depletion levels. Corroding grain boundaries and pits triggered corrosion of nearby sensitized boundaries due to Ohmic potential drop. Large connected clusters of corroding grain boundaries formed at high fractions of Cr-depleted grain boundaries. The metallurgical, electrochemical and geometric conditions for this behavior could be forecasted.
Are smaller weight losses or more achievable weight loss goals better in the long term for obese patients

Weight losses and psychological well-being were examined at 30 months in 69 men and 61 women initially treated with behavior therapy as a function of (a) initial weight loss and (b) weight-loss goals. Initial weight losses were positively, not negatively, related to weight loss at 30 months. Weight loss goals did not predict short-term or long-term weight loss. People who reached weight goals had better long-term weight losses than those who did not, but this finding was largely due to differences in initial weight loss. Psychological well-being at 30 months was not related to initial weight losses or goals. Although correlational rather than experimental, these results do not support the hypothesis that obese patients should be encouraged to set lower weight-loss goals.
Global analysis of relativistic heavy-ion collisions☆

Abstract A global analysis of relativistic heavy-ion collisions is proposed which entails a measurement of the momentum of all emitted particles. The resultant thrust is a measure of final-state momentum flow and provides information on the global dynamics governing the collisions. This proposal is tested with a relativistic hydrodynamic model for collisions of equal-mass nuclei. The angle at which the thrust, or maximal directed momentum flow, occurs is O° CM for grazing collisions and increases monotonically to 90° CM for central collisions. Experimental observation of this dramatic behaviour would imply a mean free path much less than the size of the colliding nuclei.
Kinetics of trichloroethylene and toluene toxicity to Pseudomonas putida F1.

The goal of the present study was to elucidate the distribution of viable bacteria in chemical gradients and to evaluate the toxic effect of high concentrations of contaminants on contaminant-degrading bacteria under prolonged exposure. Accumulations of viable Pseudomonas putida F1 (P. putida F1) cells were observed surrounding trichloroethylene (TCE)-containing plugs. Results from this work indicate that P. putida F1 immediately adjacent to a TCE source become nonviable, whereas cells accumulating farther away use chemotaxis to migrate toward regions with optimal chemical concentrations in the form of concentrated bacterial bands. A method was developed to test the toxicity of model contaminant stressors, TCE and toluene, to P. putida F1; data obtained from toxicity experiments were fit to linear and exponential bacterial viability-decay models. Toxicity of TCE to P. putida F1 was best described with an exponential viability-decay model, with a viability-decay constant kTCE = 0.025 h−4.95 (r2 = 0.965). Toluene toxicity showed a marginally better fit to the linear viability-decay model (r2 = 0.976), with a viability-decay constant ktoluene = 0.208 h−1. Best-fit model parameters obtained for both TCE and toluene were used to predict bacterial viability in toxicity experiments with higher contaminant concentrations and matched well with experimental data. Results from the present study can be used to predict bacterial accumulation and viability near nonaqueous-phase liquid (NAPL) sources in groundwater and may be helpful in designing bioremediation strategies for sites contaminated with residual NAPLs. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:56–63. © 2009 SETAC
Electrospun nanofibrous membranes for high flux microfiltration

Abstract Highly porous electrospun nanofibrous membranes have gained considerable interest in water filtration applications. To understand the effects of electrospun nanofibrous structures on the filtration performance, a series of nanofibrous membranes with different fiber diameters, diameter distributions and membrane thicknesses were prepared and studied. The results indicate a strong correlation between the physical parameters of the membrane and the filtration performance. For example, a thicker membrane with a smaller average fiber diameter greatly favors the formation of a smaller pore size and narrower pore size distribution, although the influence of the membrane thickness is relatively limited. Based on successful control of the total composite structure (electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/non-woven polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) containing the electrospun layer thickness of 200 ± 10 μm and a mean fiber diameter of 100 ± 20 nm, a high flux microfiltration (MF) membrane with a maximum pore size of 0.62 ± 0.03 μm and a mean pore size of 0.22 ± 0.01 μm was obtained. The PAN/PET nanofibrous MF membranes performed significantly better than the commercial MF membrane of the same mean pore size (0.22 μm), with two to three times higher flux (∼1.5 L/m2 h). The nanofibrous MF filter could maintain a very high rejection ratio of micro-particle and bacteria (LRV = 6). The results suggest that electrospun nanofibrous membranes are excellent materials for high-flux MF applications.
The Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection among Reproductive-Age Women in the United States, 2001–2004

Background Trichomonas vaginalis infection is a common sexually transmitted protozoal infection and is associated with several adverse health outcomes, such as preterm birth, delivery of a low-birth weight infant, and facilitation of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. The annual incidence in the United States has been estimated to be 3-5 million cases. However, there are no data on the prevalence of trichomoniasis among all reproductive-age women. We estimated the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection from a nationally representative sample of women in the United States. Methods Women aged 14-49 years who participated in the National Health and Examination Survey cycles for 2001-2004 provided self-collected vaginal swab specimens. The vaginal fluids extracted from these swabs were evaluated for the presence of T. vaginalis using polymerase chain reaction. Results Overall, 3754 (81%) of 4646 women provided swab specimens. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3%-4.3%); for non-Hispanic white women, it was 1.3% (95% CI, 0.7%-2.3%); for Mexican American women, it was 1.8% (95% CI, 0.9%-3.7%); and for non-Hispanic black women, it was 13.3% (95% CI, 10.0%-17.7%). Factors that remained associated with increased likelihood of T. vaginalis infection in multivariable analyses included non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity, being born in the United States, a greater number of lifetime sex partners, increasing age, lower educational level, poverty, and douching. Conclusions The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection among women in the United States was 3.1%. A significant racial disparity exists; the prevalence among non-Hispanic black women was 10.3 times higher than that among non-Hispanic white and Mexican American women. Optimal prevention and control strategies for T. vaginalis infection should be explored as a means of closing the racial disparity gaps and decreasing adverse health outcomes due to T. vaginalis infection.
Household demand for catfish in Louisiana.

Addressing the lack of information on the demand for specific aquaculture species, this article presents the results of a cross-sectional analysis of consumer demand for commercial pond-raised catfish in Louisiana. Results indicate that size of household and Catholic religious preference positively influenced the consumption of pond-raised catfish. However, children present in the household negatively influences the household's expenditures for pond-raised catfish fillets. The number of years that a household has resided in Louisiana is positively associated with expenditures on catfish. Empirical analysis also indicates that catfish fillets are perceived to be an inferior good in Louisiana, which agrees with previous research results.
Community detection in graphs through correlation

Community detection is an important task for social networks, which helps us understand the functional modules on the whole network. Among different community detection methods based on graph structures, modularity-based methods are very popular recently, but suffer a well-known resolution limit problem. This paper connects modularity-based methods with correlation analysis by subtly reformatting their math formulas and investigates how to fully make use of correlation analysis to change the objective function of modularity-based methods, which provides a more natural and effective way to solve the resolution limit problem. In addition, a novel theoretical analysis on the upper bound of different objective functions helps us understand their bias to different community sizes, and experiments are conducted on both real life and simulated data to validate our findings.
Stadiums: Architecture and the Iconography of the Beautiful Game

For many, football is at its core a game about space. Indeed Johan Cruyff, one of the greatest players of the postwar era, was called ‘Pythagoras in boots’. And yet, although analysts and observers have long commented on the use of space by the players on the pitch, far less critical attention has been paid to the nature of the designed space in which that activity takes place: the stadium. Likewise, many historians of sport and historians of architecture have neglected the architecture of stadiums as a site for inquiry. This article mines the intertwined social practices of sport and architecture in order to understand how the visual iconography of the stadiums are deployed to define urban, national, and sporting identity.
Seed Size and Seeding Depth Influence on Canola Emergence and Performance in the Northern Great Plains

Dramatic increases in canola (Brassica napus L.) production in the Northern Great Plains and lack of regional research prompted evaluating seeding depth and seed size effects on crop performance. Seedling emergence and yield of four seed size categories of an open-pollinated and a hybrid cultivar were evaluated at 25- and 50-mm seeding depths at Casselton and Prosper, ND, in 1999 and 2000. The study was a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 8 factorial arrangement of seeding depth and genotype seed size (GS) category. Agronomic characters evaluated included pure live seed emergence (PLSE), flower initiation and duration, seed yield, seed oil concentration, plant lodging, and white mold [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary]. The environment × depth interaction for PLSE indicated 24 to 41% lower PLSE from the deeper seeding depth at three environments; however, PLSE was not influenced by seeding depth at one environment. Genotype seed size treatments did not influence PLSE. The hybrid GS treatments produced 26% greater yield than the open-pollinated GS treatments when averaged across environments. White mold incidence was 4.5 times greater from stands at the 25- than 50-mm depth, at one environment, because of high PLSE that enhanced disease development. Seed yield and oil concentration, plant height, and lodging were not affected by GS treatments. Although seeding at the 50-mm depth reduced PLSE, yield may be maintained provided sufficient stands exist. However, due to the uncertainty in stands from deep seeding, the recommendation would be not to seed deeper than 25 mm.
Computational modeling of bone density profiles in response to gait: a subject-specific approach.

The goal of this study is to explore the potential of computational growth models to predict bone density profiles in the proximal tibia in response to gait-induced loading. From a modeling point of view, we design a finite element-based computational algorithm using the theory of open system thermodynamics. In this algorithm, the biological problem, the balance of mass, is solved locally on the integration point level, while the mechanical problem, the balance of linear momentum, is solved globally on the node point level. Specifically, the local bone mineral density is treated as an internal variable, which is allowed to change in response to mechanical loading. From an experimental point of view, we perform a subject-specific gait analysis to identify the relevant forces during walking using an inverse dynamics approach. These forces are directly applied as loads in the finite element simulation. To validate the model, we take a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scan of the subject’s right knee from which we create a geometric model of the proximal tibia. For qualitative validation, we compare the computationally predicted density profiles to the bone mineral density extracted from this scan. For quantitative validation, we adopt the region of interest method and determine the density values at fourteen discrete locations using standard and custom-designed image analysis tools. Qualitatively, our two- and three-dimensional density predictions are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. Quantitatively, errors are less than 3% for the two-dimensional analysis and less than 10% for the three-dimensional analysis. The proposed approach has the potential to ultimately improve the long-term success of possible treatment options for chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis on a patient-specific basis by accurately addressing the complex interactions between ambulatory loads and tissue changes.
Monitoring the Hematologic Complications of Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures have a variety of hemostatic defects that lead to bleeding and the frequent need for transfusion of allogeneic blood products. Dilution of the patient's blood volume by the extracorporeal circuit priming so lution causes depletion of platelets and coagulation factor levels. Contact of blood with the extracorporeal circuit induces a hemorrhagic diathesis through a vari ety of mechanisms. Contact activation causes the for mation of kallikrein, bradykinin, and complement acti vation, leading to a whole-body inflammatory reaction. Intrinsic coagulation is stimulated, leading to subse quent activation of the fibrinolytic system. Platelet dys function caused by the effects of the extracorporeal circuit on platelet membrane integrity and the effects of circulating platelet inhibitors have also been described. The use of high-dose heparin for CPB mitigates these effects but does not completely eliminate them. Prota mine, administered to antagonize hepari...
Case Report: Reduction Mammoplasty in an HIV-Positive Woman

Mortality rates have decreased in medically compliant patients with HIV. More HIV-positive patients are requesting procedures that improve their quality of life. Reduction mammoplasty has been proven to predictably relieve back, neck, and shoulder pain related to macromastia. A case report is presented demonstrating an HIV patient who underwent a reduction mammoplasty for symptomatic macromastia.
Recent changes in heavy metal contamination at near-channel positions of the Lahn River, central Germany

Abstract Short-term monitoring of heavy metal concentrations along rivers affords the opportunity to examine the persistence of contaminants in the fluvial environment. This paper examines changes in the concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn at near-channel positions along a 75-km reach of the Lahn River, an agrarian watershed in central Germany, between 2000 and 2007. Thirty-three sites sampled in 2000 were re-sampled in 2007 in order to document changes in trace metal contamination. The concentrations of Cu and Pb decreased between 2000 and 2007, whereas the concentration of Zn was statistically unchanged. The Pb concentration decreased at 82% of the sample sites over the study period, whereas Cu concentrations decreased at 70% of the sites. Site-to-site variation in the concentrations of Pb with distance downstream from potential source areas declined between 2000 and 2007. The downstream variation in Cu also decreased over the study period, albeit to a lesser degree. The decrease in Pb, and to a lesser extent Cu, concentrations adjacent to the Lahn River appears to reflect the recent reductions in the release of trace elements to the environment. Zinc concentrations were unchanged, suggesting that it is derived from different sources than are Cu and Pb or is cycling through the watershed differently than Cu and Pb. Lower concentrations of Cu and Pb in channel bank sediments translate to a reduced risk of future downstream heavy metal pollution in the study area.
Chiefly power and food storage in southeastern North America

Abstract Recent research on late prehistoric and early historic Native American sites in southeastern North America reveals a series of changes in the nature of food storage activities. These alterations are related to changes in sociopolitical complexity and household organization, and shed light on the importance of storage in the emergence and collapse of complex, hierarchically‐ranked societies in this region. It is argued that the ability of elites to control surplus foods and communal storage facilities played a major role in the emergence of chiefdoms in southeastern North America (c. AD 1000), and that the return of primary food storage to individual households during the Protohistoric and Historic periods (AD 1550–1750) played an important part in their collapse.
Preliminary Results on Luminaire Designs for Hybrid Solar Lighting Systems

We report on the design of two hybrid lighting luminaires that blend light from a fiber optic end-emitted solar source with electric T8 fluorescent lamps. Both designs involve the retrofit of a commercially-available recessed fluorescent luminaire with minimal reductions in the original luminaire's optical efficiency. Two methods for high-angle dispersion of fiber optic end-emitted solar light are described and the resulting spatial intensity distributions, simulated using ZEMAX, are compared with standard cylindrical fluorescent tubes. Differences in spatial intensity distribution are qualitatively characterized and potential design improvements discussed.
Instantaneous shock location and one-dimensional nonlinear stability of viscous shock waves

We illustrate in a simple setting the instantaneous shock tracking approach to stability of viscous conservation laws introduced by Howard, Mascia, and Zumbrun. This involves a choice of the definition of instanteous location of a viscous shock‐ we show that this choice is time-asymptotically equivalent both to the natural choice of least
Postural stability of the two-degree-of-freedom biped by general linear feedback

The use of linear feedback to stabilize the two-degree-of-freedom model of a biped is considered. Linear feedback is used not only for stabilization but also for placing the system poles and for altering the system characteristics. The use of constraints to reduce the number of external inputs required to control the model is investigated. The effect of various linear feedback strategies on the nonlinear model is studied via computer simulation.
Network performance evaluation using frame size and quality traces of single-layer and two-layer video: A tutorial

Video traffic is widely expected to account for a large portion of the traffic in future wireline and wireless networks, as multimedia applications are becoming increasingly popular. Consequently, the performance evaluation of networking architectures, protocols, and mechanisms for video traffic becomes increasingly important. Video traces, which give the sizes, deadlines, and qualities of the individual video frames in a video sequence, have been emerging as convenient video characterizations for networking studies. In this tutorial we give an introduction to the use of video traces in networking studies. First we give a brief overview of digital video and its encoding and playout. Then we present a library of traces of single- and two-layer encoded video. We discuss the statistical properties of the traces and the resulting implications for the transport of video over networks. Finally we discuss the factors that need to be considered when using video traces in network performance evaluations. In particular, we introduce performance metrics that quantify the quality of the delivered video. We outline a procedure for generating video load for network simulations from the traces, and discuss how to meaningfully analyze the outcomes of these simulations.
Symbolic Planning and Control Using Game Theory and Grammatical Inference

A system can accomplish an objective specified in temporal logic while interacting with an unknown, dynamic but rule-governed environment, by employing grammatical inference and adapting its plan of action on-line. The purposeful interaction of the system with its unknown environment can be described by a deterministic two-player zero-sum game. Using special new product operations, the whole game can be expressed with a factored, modular representation. This representation not only offers computational benefits but also isolates the unknown behavior of the dynamic environment in a particular subsystem, which then becomes the target of learning. As the fidelity of the identified environment model increases, the strategy synthesized based on the learned hypothesis converges in finite time to the one that satisfies the task specification.
DSM-5 Field Trials in the United States and Canada, Part II: Test-Retest Reliability of Selected Categorical Diagnoses

ObjectiveThe DSM-5 Field Trials were designed to obtain precise (standard error <0.1) estimates of the intraclass kappa as a measure of the degree to which two clinicians could independently agree on the presence or absence of selected DSM-5 diagnoses when the same patient was interviewed on separate occasions, in clinical settings, and evaluated with usual clinical interview methods.MethodEleven academic centers in the United States and Canada were selected, and each was assigned several target diagnoses frequently treated in that setting. Consecutive patients visiting a site during the study were screened and stratified on the basis of DSM-IV diagnoses or symptomatic presentations. Patients were randomly assigned to two clinicians for a diagnostic interview; clinicians were blind to any previous diagnosis. All data were entered directly via an Internet-based software system to a secure central server. Detailed research design and statistical methods are presented in an accompanying article.ResultsThere ...
Progressive image transmission by transform coefficient residual error quantization

A progressive image transmission scheme based on iterative transform coding structure is proposed for application in interactive image communication over low-bandwidth channels. The scheme not only provides progressive transmission, but also guarantees lossless reproduction combined with a degree of compression. The image to be transmitted undergoes an orthogonal transform, and the transform coefficients are quantized (scalar or vector) before transmission. The novelty is that the residual error array due to quantization is iteratively fedback and requantized (scalar or vector); the coded residual error information is progressively transmitted and utilized in reconstructing the successive approximations. It is shown that the average reconstruction error variance converges to zero as the number of iterative stages approaches infinity. In practice, lossless reproduction can be achieved with a small number of iterations by using an entropy coder on the final residual-error image. Computer simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique. >
Active electromagnetic detection of objects buried in the sea bottom

The problem of electromagnetic induction of an object buried in the sea bottom is studied using a simple model of scattering from a sphere in a two-layer medium. The near-field scattering problem, including the interaction between the sphere and the interface, is solved exactly.
A user-friendly statistical package for microcomputers

A package of user-friendly data-analysis and tutorial routines was developed for the Apple II microcomputer. The programs are concerned with common topics found in introductory statistics texts. Formal evaluations were obtained from Baylor University psychology students and statistics faculty.
Secure collaborations over message boards

We provide a message board model for collaborative systems, and propose an architecture and protocol for securing collaborative applications over message boards. The proposed architecture employs only efficient symmetric cryptographic principles, and low complexity trust modules with each participant. The trust modules are used to protect group secrets and reduce susceptibility to denial of service attacks. We outline an architecture and elements of a protocol for Secure Collaborations over Message Boards (SCMB). The SCMB protocol can serve as a foundation over which a wide range of collaborative applications can be realised.
What can industry do to facilitate dietary and behavioural changes

The food industry has five important roles in facilitating needed dietary and behavioural changes. Two of these roles are direct ones. Industry can increase the availability of a wide variety of basic commodities and new foods that help consumers meet dietary recommendations. It is also responsible for developing and formulating appealing, healthy and effective food products that decrease risks of chronic degenerative disease. Industry also plays an indirect role in facilitating dietary change by motivating consumers to select and prepare foods that will result in healthy dietary patterns. It can also participate in coalitions to facilitate other behaviours that decrease risks. Finally, it can collaborate actively in applied and fundamental research to further our understanding of the associations between food and health.
Museums in the Classroom and Classrooms in the Museum

Museums can be a vital asset to teachers of anthropology in two major ways. First, museums can be utilized as a teaching resource by incorporating exhibits and specimens into extant curriculum. Second, museums can provide an ideal setting for internships and training programs that can benefit students, museums, and colleges alike. My personal experience with collaborative museum-college programs, first as a student intern, later as an assistant professor of anthropology, and now as a museum administrator, has led me to conclude that there is an overwhelming commonality of purpose between museums and colleges, making cooperative ventures both beneficial and mutually rewarding. All museums, be they art, history, or science museums, ultimately may be defined in the same way: they are permanent, public, educational institutions that provide systematic care for collections (Burcaw 1975:9). In terms of common goals, museums and colleges share a commitment to education. As Van Dorn has noted (1984:221), the educational aspect of museum services has increased dramatically in recent years, bringing the respective roles of museums and colleges even closer together. Likewise, institutions of formal learning always have understood that maintaining collections for study and exhibition can be an important part of the educational process. Some universities and colleges have extensive fine arts collections and, in certain cases, superlative anthropological collections. However, cooperative programs between museums and colleges are probably more the exception than the rule. Museums still tend to focus on maintaining and caring for their collections, viewing educational programs as a lesser priority. Colleges tend to focus more on education per se, using specimens, artifacts, and art objects strictly as a supplement to their general educational program (if, indeed, they're used at all). Neither museums nor colleges should need to be convinced of the benefits of cooperation, but both may require a template upon which to model a working relationship.
Postpartum Psychosis: Detection of Risk and Management

Mrs. A, a 34-year-old married mother who lived with her husband and their 5year-old daughter, strangled her infant son to death 3 weeks after birth. She had a planned, healthy pregnancy with some depression at 28 weeks’ gestation. She had a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, giving birth to a healthy boy, “B.” She began breastfeeding immediately. From postpartum days 2 through 11, her depression worsened. She was unable to sleep but could not get out of bed or attend to her hygiene. She was suspicious that her husband would harm B. On postpartum day 2, she began having obsessional, ego-dystonic images of throwing B out the window. She believed, despite the pediatrician’s reassurances, that she was harming B with her breast milk and that he was losing weight. She was unable to give him a bath, believing that he had “gas” or “something bad” inside and could not be moved.
Evaluation of vehicle substances on vitamin D bioavailability: A systematic review

Vitamin D insufficiency is a common medical condition. Vitamin supplements can be ingested to improve vitamin D status. It is not known if the vehicle substance that is combined with the vitamin D tablet influences the bioavailability of vitamin D. The purpose of this review is to examine the impact of different vehicles on vitamin D bioavailability. A comprehensive literature search identified studies that directly compared the absorption of vitamin D from two or more vehicles. The change in mean serum 25(OH)D per average daily dose of vitamin D supplemented was calculated and compared among the studies. We identified four clinical studies that compared two different vehicles of vitamin D. Vitamin D in an oil vehicle produced a greater 25(OH)D response than vitamin D in a powder or an ethanol vehicle in healthy subjects. There are limited studies that have compared the influence of the vehicle substance on vitamin D bioavailability. Future studies should examine bioavailability among different vehicle substances such as oil, lactose powder, and ethanol and examine if there are any differences in bioavailability among different patient populations including those with fat malabsorption.
Nature and Technology in History

This essay sketches an expanded theoretical conception of the roles of nature and technology in history, one that is based on a social ontology that does not separate nature and society. History has long been viewed as the realm of past human action. On this conception, nature is treated largely as an Other of history, and technology is construed chiefly as a means for human fulfillment. There is no history of nature, and the history of technology becomes the history of useful products. The essay discusses the changes wrought in these understandings by a social ontology that depicts social existence as inherently transpiring in nexuses of practices and material arrangements. The first implication is that the domain of history should be expanded from the realm and course of past human activity to the realm and course of past practice-arrangement nexuses. In turn, this wider conception transforms the significance of nature and technology in history. Until recently, most accounts of the relationship between society/history and nature have presumed that society and history are separate from nature. On my account, by contrast, nature is part of society: a component of the practice—arrangement nexuses through which social life progresses. Human history, consequently, is a social—natural history that encompasses the varying presence and roles of nature in human coexistence. Technology, meanwhile, is not just useful products, and not just a mediator of society/history and nature. It also is (1) something through which humans manage social life and the nature that is part of it, largely by drawing nature into this site and thereby conjointly transforming society, technology, and nature in history; and (2) something that, over time, plays an increasingly central role in the nexuses where social life transpires. Through technology, in short, social—natural history takes form and advances.
Transcription of All amoC Copies Is Associated with Recovery of Nitrosomonas europaea from Ammonia Starvation

amoCAB operons. The distal 70 type amoCAB promoter was constitutively active in the presence of ammonia, but the proximal promoter was only active when cells were recovering from ammonia starvation. The lone, divergent copy of amoC (amoC3) was expressed only during recovery. Both the proximal amoC1,2 promoter and the amoC3 promoter are similar to gram-negative E promoters, thus implicating E in the regulation of the recovery response. Although modeling of subunit interactions suggested that a nonconservative proline substitution in AmoC3 may modify the activity of the holoenzyme, characterization of a amoC3 strain showed no significant difference in starvation recovery under conditions evaluated. In contrast to the amo transcripts, a delayed appearance of transcripts for a gene required for CO2 fixation (cbbL) suggested that its transcription is retarded until sufficient energy is available. Overall, these data revealed a programmed exit from starvation likely involving regulation by E and the coordinated regulation of catabolic and anabolic genes. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria fulfill an important biological role because they carry out the first reaction in the oxidative pathway of the nitrogen cycle. These bacteria obtain energy for growth from the oxidation of ammonia and acquire the majority of their carbon through the fixation of CO2 via the Calvin cycle. Since these microorganisms must compete with plants and other microorganisms that assimilate ammonia for biosynthesis (47, 48), it is likely that they have developed adaptive strategies to cope with periods of ammonia starvation. Both Nitrosomonas cryotolerans and Nitrosomonas europaea have been shown to be particularly resilient to energy source deprivation. Following 10 weeks of starvation, N. cryotolerans retained 85% of initial viability, showed no apparent degradation of DNA, protein, or RNA, and maintained an active electron transport system (21). Studies of N. europaea demonstrated persistence of the AmoB protein and immediate oxidation of added ammonia following 1 year of starvation for ammonia (38, 51). This remarkable resistance to starvation likely reflects unique physiological facets of these highly specialized microorganisms. In this study, we examined transcription of genes for key energy-generating (ammonia oxidation) and energyconsuming (CO2 fixation) reactions during recovery of N. europaea from ammonia starvation. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite (NO2 ) in two enzymatic reactions. Ammonia is first oxidized to hydroxylamine (NH2OH) in an energy-consuming step by
Les digital humanities : accomplissements et défis pour un agencement post-disciplinaire

En quoi la theorie de l’agencement de Manuel DeLanda peut-elle permettre d’apprehender la position originale des digital humanities au sein de l’universite ? Apres avoir rappele la theorie de l’agencement de DeLanda et precise son rapport a la philosophie deleuzienne, nous montrerons que le champ des digital humanities constitue un agencement post-disciplinaire original au sein de la topologie universitaire, a travers quatre modalites de codage : son infrastructure en reseau, la technologie utilisee pour la recherche, une communaute de valeurs et un rapport pragmatique a sa denomination. Toutefois, l’ouverture et la conservation de cet espace de possibilites se font au prix d’une certaine fragilite : nous presenterons ensuite les nombreux defis qui accompagnent les digital humanities, principalement l’equilibre a trouver pour garder cet agencement ouvert a de nouvelles collaborations, tout en empechant toute reterritorialisation par des contraintes exterieures. Au sein de ces debats, nous nous concentrerons dans la derniere partie sur le role des competences techniques pour les chercheur(e)s en SHS.
Evaluating the Hand: Issues in Reliability and Validity

Evaluation of hand function is a qualitative and quantitative process. This article provides a review of several quantitative tests and measures used to evaluate range of motion, edema, muscle performance, sensation, dexterity, and physical capacity. The validity and reliability of these instruments are emphasized. Some of the hand assessments reviewed are in the early developmental phase with further refinements yet to come. This article demonstrates the continued need to provide support for the validity and reliability of hand-assessment instrumentation. Regardless of the statistical support provided, however, the authors believe that hand therapy will remain an art as well as a science.
Targeted nanosystems: Advances in targeted dendrimers for cancer therapy

Abstract Dendrimers possess discrete highly compact nanostructures constituted of successive branched layers. Soon after the inception of dendrimers, recognition of their tunable structures and biologically favorable properties provoked a great enthusiasm in delving deeply into the utility of dendrimers for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. One of the most important nanotechnology applications is the development of nanomedicines for targeted cancer therapies. Tremendous success in targeted therapies has been achieved with the use of dendrimer-based nanomedicines. This article provides a concise review on latest advances in the utility of dendrimers in immunotherapies and hormone therapies. From the Clinical Editor Much basic and clinical research has been done since the invention of dendrimers, which are highly branched nano-sized molecules with the ability to act as carriers in nanomedicine. In this concise review article, the authors highlighted the current use of dendrimers in immunotherapies and hormone therapies in the fight against cancers.
Do ACE-I protect against the development of doxorubicin cardiac toxicity?

6623 Background: Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline, has been associated with irreversible cardiotoxicity. Recently, newer agents such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitors have been...
Studies on the role of the adrenal in renin kinetics.

SummaryRenin substrate and renin reaction velocity rise transiently with stress reactions such as sham operation and these changes are shown to be mediated via pituitary-adrenal stimulation. Salt administration raises slightly the renin substrate level but does not change renin reaction velocity. The augmentation of renin substrate which follows nephrectomy is diminished by prior adrenalectomy. The concomitant rise in renin reaction velocity is not modified by adrenalectomy. Reasons are given for assigning a primary role to loss of a renal inhibitor in the increased renin reaction velocity which accompanies the hypertension which is seen in the partially or completely renoprival rat.
Clinical, Biological and Radiological Characteristics of Patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Encephalitis (S53.008)

Objective: To describe features of a large cohort of patients with neurological manifestations of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Background: RMSF is a multi-system disease with increased risk of death when presenting with encephalitis. Only isolated cases of RMSF with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings have been described. Little is known about the neuroradiological features; consensus exists on diagnostic imaging hallmarks. Design/Methods: We retrospectively analyzed Vanderbilt University Adult and Children’s hospital electronic records (2007-2013). Patients with confirmed or probable RMSF based on the Centers Disease Control criteria and neurologic manifestations were included in the analysis. Patients with headache only were excluded. Results: We identified 80 patients with RMSF. 27 (34[percnt]) had neurologic involvement. Median age was 26 years (0.5-83). Thirteen patients were children (<18 years old; median 8; range 0.5-16) and 14 were adults (median 55.5; 26-83). Children presented and were imaged sooner (p=0.0027) after symptom onset (median 9 vs. 24 days to MRI). Encephalitis was the most common neurologic manifestation (89[percnt]), followed by seizures (22[percnt]) and hyperreflexia (15[percnt]). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis, available in 18/27 demonstrated pleocytosis (median 98; 1-964). Fifteen patients (56[percnt]) had brain MRI with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI); 87[percnt] were abnormal, including all MRIs obtained within 3 weeks of onset. Eight (53[percnt]) revealed multiple punctate lesions on DWI distributed throughout the subcortical white matter, a pattern resembling a starry sky. This pattern was not observed beyond two weeks from symptom onset. Multifocal T2-hyperintense lesions and leptomeningeal enhancement were also observed. Conclusions: Neurologic manifestations occur in up to 1/3 of patients with RMSF. Early recognition and treatment of this curable condition improves outcomes. The starry sky sign was only observed in children but may be an early radiological sign in both children and adults and can assist in the diagnosis of RMSF encephalitis. Disclosure: Dr. Bradshaw has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ivey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bagnato has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pruthi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bloch has nothing to disclose.
A new species of Solenidium (Orchidaceae) from Ecuador

A new species from Ecuador; Solenidium portillae (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) is described, com- pared with the other two accepted species in the genus, and illustrated. A brief history of the genus is pre- sented and a key to the species is provided.
Languages Across Borders: Social Network Development in an Adolescent Two-Way Dual-Language Program

Background/ContextTwo-way dual-language programs have become an increasingly popular educational model in the United States for language minority and majority speakers, with a small but growing num...
Design of Envelope Packaging Composite Materials with Highly Efficient Moisture Barrier Performance

Objective To Study the design and material selection of envelope packaging composite materials. Methods The function mechanism of envelope packaging was briefly introduced, the moisture barrier property, usability, environmental suitability and manufacturability were analyzed, the influencing factors on moisture barrier performance were analyzed based on the environment and material characteristics, and the structure design as well as functional material selection were studied. Results The multilayer structure design, functional materials selection and key attention points were summarized and analyzed. Conclusion The performance design, structure design, and functional material selection must first of all meet the packaging protection requirements of the equipments, and meanwhile take account of the usability and economical efficiency.
Obesity in children.

The most common definition of obesity in childhood is weight in excess of 20% above ideal weight for age and gender and skinfold thickness in excess of the 85th percentile for age and gender. Any treatment plan for overweight children and adolescents should include three major components: diet, exercise and family-based behavior management. Children and adolescents should not be placed on restrictive diets because adequate calories are needed for proper growth and development. Aside from calorie excess and inactivity, genetics and environment predispose a child to be obese. Therefore, any program or treatment plan must include the caretakers, who in most cases are also overweight or obese.
A satellite system for assisted reproductive technologies: an evaluation *

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Satellite System for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) was initiated in 1984, and now serves most of North Carolina and parts of two adjoining states. The system was established to enhance the care of infertile couples at the community level, to assure a sufficiently large volume of patients at UNC Hospitals to support appropriate quality control measures, and to allow couples undergoing ART to have most of their care in their own community. This paper reports an assessment of the outcome of this program. Neither pregnancy rates, nor any other measurable result of the program differed between patients managed in the satellites and those cared for at UNC Hospitals.
The role of angiogenesis in tumor growth.

Experimental and clinical evidence is here assembled in support of the concept that the development of a solid tumor progresses from a prevascular phase to a vascular phase. The prevascular tumor does not induce angiogenesis, is limited in size, and rarely metastasizes. The vascularized tumor induces host microvessels to undergo angiogenesis, has the potential to rapidly expand its cell population, and has a propensity to metastasize. Thus, angiogenesis is necessary but not sufficient for tumor growth and metastasis. Neovascularization of a tumor requires that a critical number of its cells have switched to the angiogenic phenotype. The mechanisms by which tumor cells become angiogenic, subjects of current study, are reviewed here. At least two general categories are recognized: (i) angiogenic activity arises from the tumor cell itself in the form of the release of angiogenic molecules such as basic fibroblast growth factor; (ii) angiogenic activity arises from host cells recruited by the tumor (e.g. macrophages), or is mobilized from the extracellular matrix, or requires concomitant loss of physiological inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. Accumulating evidence indicates that for most tumors, the switch to the angiogenic phenotype depends upon the outcome of a balance between angiogenic stimulators and angiogenic inhibitors, both of which may be produced by tumor cells and perhaps by certain host cells.
The West Indies and Middle America: Contrasting Origins and Diversity

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a comparative study of the herpetofaunas of the West Indies and Middle America. Both of these regions received many lineages of their biota from the same source areas—North America and South America, but their compositions are extremely different. Thus, the biogeography of these two areas provides a fascinating challenge for retrodiction. Middle America is defined as the Central American countries and southeastern Mexico east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The West Indies excludes the Netherlands Antilles, and the continental islands of Trinidad and Tobago. A major problem in dealing with the biogeography of the herpetofaunas of Middle America and the West Indies is a lack of evidence defining monophyletic lineages, and the absence of phylogenetic analyses of taxa within those lineages. The two largest genera, Anolis and Eleutherodactylus , inhabiting both regions have been subjected to at least partial analyses. Among lizards, the gekkonid genus Sphaerodactylus occurs on the mainland in Middle and South America, but is especially diverse in the West Indies.