cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methodological advances in differential psychology

Methods for differential psychologists are the methods of all scientists: describe and test models of data. Our field is distinguished by the nature of our data and the specialized tools we use for analysis. For the differential psychologist, data come from self-report, from observations, from physiology, and from behavioral residues. Data are recorded over time and over space. The challenges of collecting data are limited only by our imagination. Methods of analysis emphasize model fitting and model evaluation.
The Misadventures of Enrique Chagoya: Aesthetic Marginalization in Interpretations of Jesus Christ

This essay is an investigation of the relationship between homosexual interpretations of Jesus Christ and artistic explorations of the meaning of Christ to the LGBTQ community. I begin with an analysis of the public backlash to Enrique Chagoya’s 2010 lithograph The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals which features a depiction of Christ in a homoerotic situation. My analysis focuses both on Chagoya’s place in the historical canon of artists that create religious art that challenges heteronormative interpretations of Jesus and also the resulting destruction of Chagoya’s work. My analysis examines the cultural importance of homosexual interpretations of Christ in the on-going debates about homosexuality as well as the biblical justifications for such interpretations. More, I argue that the public backlash to art that challenges traditionally held beliefs about Christ creates a cultural force for further marginalizing the LGBTQ community. I argue that traditional power structures, especially in contemporary America, rely upon the aesthetic marginalization of those individuals deemed to be engaged in subversive lifestyles in order to maintain their dominance in cultural discourse. Ironically, I argue, the attempts to subdue such artwork generates the necessary conditions for public discourse that will ultimately undermine the traditional cultural beliefs that undergird the protests against artists like Chagoya.
The clinical spectrum of isolated peripheral motor dysfunction.

Introduction Isolated peripheral motor dysfunction due to lower motor neuron or peripheral nerve disorders presents an interesting challenge to clinicians because of the diverse differential diagnosis with a broad range of prognoses.
A Collarette on a Donkey: The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition and the Limitations of Contagion Theory

When ideas or tactics catch on across parties in a multiparty system the process is termed contagion. Scholars have identified many examples of contagion, particularly dealing with gender quotas an...
The Truth about Tracing

If Kevin’s kleptomania is so severe that it produces in him a literally irresistible desire to steal, then there is a straightforward sense in which he couldn’t help himself (at the time he steals). This sort of severe kleptomania is plausibly thought to excuse Kevin’s behavior on the grounds that his behavior was not sufficiently under his control. So, it looks like some sort of “control condition” will be a necessary component of any plausible theory of moral responsibility. Similarly, if Kevin’s friends are planning a surprise party for him but they neglect to tell Dan that it’s a surprise and Dan subsequently talks openly with Kevin about the party, Dan’s ignorance plausibly excuses his behavior. Since he didn’t know (and, we suppose, could not have been expected to
A Statistical Approach to Identifying Schools Demonstrating Substantial Improvement in Student Learning

The rising tide behind the school turnaround movement is significant, as national education leaders continue to call for the rapid improvement of the nation's lowest-performing schools. To date, little work has been done to identify schools that are drastically improving their performance. Using publically available school-level student achievement data from Minnesota, we begin to detail the statistical and practical steps necessary to identify schools rapidly improving their performance.
Pivot size in gaussian elimination

LetA = (a ij ) be a real n x n matrix such that |a ij | < 1. It has been conjectured by WILKINSON that if the process of Gaussian elimination with complete pivoting is applied to A then all the pivots are less than or equal to n in absolute value. This conjecture is proved forn=4.
A model for the structure of point-like fermions: Qualitative features and physical description

A model for the structure of point-like fermions as tightly bound composite states is described. The model is based upon the premise that electromagnetism is the only fundamental interaction. The fundamental entity of the model is an object called the vorton. Vortons are semiclassical monopole configurations of electromagnetic charge and field, constructed to satisfy Maxwell's equations. Vortons carry topological charge and one unit each of two different kinds of angular momenta, and are placed in magnetically bound pair states having angular momentum l=1/2. The topological charge prevents the mutual annihilation of the vorton pair. The helicity eigenstates of the vortons' intrinsic angular momenta form the basis for a set of internal quantum numbers for the pair which distinguish the different (point-like) pair states. Sixteen fourcomponent spinor states, eight leptonic and eight hadronic, are obtained. Eleven of these are identified with the quantum numbers of the experimentally known particles: e, ve, μ, vμ, τ, vτ; p, n, Λ, Λc, and b. Thus one new heavy lepton with its neutrino and three new quark states are predicted. Some possibilities for the extension of this model are discussed.
Recklessness, depression, and reasons for living in predicting suicidality in college students

To assess the predictive value of recklessness in suicidality, 155 college students took the Sommerfeldt-Clark Adolescent Experience Scale (S-C), Zung Self-Rating Depression scale, Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL), and the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI). The S-C Suicidal Tendencies subscale accounted for the most variance in suicidality (26.0%) and Coping Beliefs of the Reasons for Living subscale accounted for additional variance (5.6%). Further, the S-C was moderately internally consistent (Cronbach alpha=.83) and had adequate validity, as indicated by significant correlations in the expected directions with the SSI total score (r=.25, p< .01), and RFL total score (r= −.28, p<.001). Recklessness was not a component of suicidality among those non-clinical older adolescents, but may be a factor in clinical or younger samples of adolescents.
Fatigue behaviour of magnesium to steel dissimilar friction stir lap joints

A short study has been conducted to assess the performance of friction stir welded Mg/steel lap joints under dynamic loads. The major mode of failure was found to be top Mg sheet fracture. Crack initiation is noted to have taken place at the Mg/steel interface. The fatigue life of the joints is found to be significantly different than the fatigue data of the Mg alloy obtained from the literature. The reasons behind such a difference have been examined in this work.
The determination of the inotropic effect of exposure of dogs to bromotrifluoromethane and bromochlorodifluoromethane

Seventeen beagle dogs representing both sexes and weighing an average of 10 kg each were used in open-chest experiments. The dogs were anesthetized by the continuous iv infusion of a mixture of 10% ethanol and 60 mg/liter morphine sulfate in 5% glucose in water. Left ventricular pressure was monitored through a metal cannula inserted through the left ventricular free wall following a left-side thoractomy. Left ventricular pressure was used to control the horizontal deflection and dPdt was used to control the vertical deflection of a vector oscilloscope. Peak dPdt÷P was calculated from the Lissajous figures generated, and provided an index of the inotropic state of the left ventricular myocardium. The method was validated using isoproterenol and propranolol, known inotropic agents. Since CBrF3 and CBrClF2 cause changes in mean arterial pressure, the effects of variable afterload on peak dPdt÷P were determined by aortic constriction. Both fluoroalkanes were demonstrated to produce concentration-dependent decreases in peak dPdt÷P that reflected decreased mycocardial contractility.
Integrating remote sensing and local vegetation information for a high-resolution biogenic emissions inventory: Application to an urbanized, semiarid region

ABSTRACT This paper presents a methodology for the development of a high-resolution (30-m), standardized biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions inventory and a subsequent application of the methodology to Tucson, AZ. The region's heterogeneous vegetation cover cannot be modeled accurately with low-resolution (e.g., 1-km) land cover and vegetation information. Instead, local vegetation data are used in conjunction with multispectral satellite data to generate a detailed vegetation-based land-cover database of the region. A high-resolution emissions inventory is assembled by associating the vegetation data with appropriate emissions factors. The inventory reveals a substantial variation in BVOC emissions across the region, resulting from the region's diversity of both native and exotic vegetation. The importance of BVOC emissions from forest lands, desert lands, and the urban forest changes according to regional, metropolitan, and urban scales. Within the entire Tucson region, the average isopr...
Universal Amplitudes in Finite-Size Scaling: Generalisation to Arbitrary Dimensionality

The relationship between the correlation length and critical exponents in finite width strips in two dimensions is generalised to cylindrical geometries of arbitrary dimensionality d. For d not=2 these correspond, however, to curved spaces. The result is verified for the spherical model.
Effect of genetic deficiency of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase on autoantibody production and renal disease in MRL/lpr mice

Abstract Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) places non-template-coded nucleotides (N additions) in the VH CDR3 of T cell receptors and immunoglobulins. Amino acids coded for by N additions are important in autoantibody binding of dsDNA in lupus. We hypothesized that a genetic lack of TdT would modulate disease in lupus-prone mice. To test this hypothesis, we derived TdT-deficient MRL/lpr mice. Serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and anti-dsDNA producing splenocytes were significantly lower in the TdT − versus TdT + littermates. Albuminuria, glomerular IgG deposition, and pathologic renal disease were significantly reduced in the TdT − mice. Sequence analysis of anti-dsDNA hybridomas derived from TdT − mice revealed a lack of N additions, short VH CDR3 segments, yet the presence of VH CDR3 arginines. Thus, the genetic absence of TdT reduces autoantibody production and clinical disease in MRL/lpr mice, confirming the importance of N additions in the autoimmune response in these mice.
Effects of internal and external control of reinforcement on binary-choice probability learning.

This study investigated the relationship between belief in one's ability to control reinforcements and performance in a binary-choice probability-learning situation under varying conditions of risk. The probability-learning task required S repeatedly to predict whether a red or green bulb would light up next. Red was programmed to occur 75% of the time. The sequence was random and not contingent upon Ss' responses. Rotter's Internal-External scale was used to select Ss who generally believed reinforcements were affected by their own behavior (internals) to compare with individuals who believed that most reinforcements were beyond personal control (externals). The conditions of risk were no-payoff, win or lose, win or break even, lose or break even, and reverse (lose for a correct guess and break even for an incorrect one). Performance on the reverse condition differed from all others, with Ss selecting the objectively more frequent event significantly less often. The difference resulted from the behavior ...
Ferrocene as a molecular building block in lariat ethers and other complexing agents

Abstract Several novel ferrocene derivatives have been prepared which possess functional groups on both cyclopentadienyl rings. The ability of these compounds to complex protons and other cations has been assessed by several methods and the results are reported. Evidence is presented for sidearm cooperativity in the complexation phenomenon.
Pyroelectric Properties of a New Family of Synthetic Polypeptide Polymers

Abstract The pyroelectric response of a triglycerol-gelatin film, belonging to a new family of pyroelectric modified polypeptides, is examined over a temperature range from-20°C to +85°C, by the dynamic Chynoweth1 technique. The size of the observed pyroelectric coefficient of the film is found to be comparable to that of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), the best known piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymer.
Evaluation of paramedic programs using outcomes of prehospital resuscitation for cardiac arrest

Two evaluation methods, one statistical and one comparative, were developed to assess the effectiveness of paramedic programs in King County, Washington. The outcome of hospital admission following prehospital cardiac arrest was used as a measure of effectiveness. In the statistical method, actual outcomes were compared with predicted outcomes. Predictive variables for admission were time from collapse to initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and time from collapse to definitive care. Given knowledge of the predictive variables, the statistical evaluation enabled us to determine the probability of the outcome following cardiac arrest. In the comparative method, outcomes were compared with a standard in an adjacent community. Using this method, we identified program elements that could lead to improved outcome. Both evaluation methods are easily implemented.
Effect of Illness on Hormonal Response to Footshock Stress

AbstractThe corticosterone (CORT) and prolactin (PRL) responses to 1.0 mA of footshock were measured in healthy rats and rats with pneumonia. No differences in basal PRL levels were seen, but basal CORT levels were significantly increased in the sick animals. Healthy rats showed a significant increase in both PRL and CORT after receiving footshock whereas the sick rats showed no changes. The adapative value of the current findings are Unclear at this time.
Depth focusing reflection tomography with application to prestack depth migration

Reflection tomography can determine velocity models and reflector depth, but has limitations: (1) it is unstable in the presence of strong lateral velocity changes; (2) it is strongly dependent on the starting reference model; (3) it requires constraints or a priori information, and (4) it is computationally inefficient. In order to overcome limitations, three strategies have been combined in Depth Focusing Reflection Tomography (DFRT). It uses (1) a smaller parameterization at the early inversion stage (variable parameterization), (2) consistent depth perturbation as a criterion for the extremum problem (depth focusing concept), and (3) a systematic exploring process instead of a random search to find a global extremum (exploring process).
Spiritual Coping, Family History, and Perceived Risk for Breast Cancer—Can We Make Sense of it?

Differences in spiritual beliefs and practices could influence perceptions of the role of genetic risk factors on personal cancer risk. We explored spiritual coping and breast cancer risk perceptions among women with and without a reported family history of breast cancer. Analyses were conducted on data from 899 women in primary care clinics who did not have breast cancer. Structural equation modeling (SEM), linear, and logistic modeling tested an interaction of family history of breast cancer on the relationship between spiritual coping and risk perceptions. Overall analyses demonstrated an inverse relationship between spiritual coping and breast cancer risk perceptions and a modifying effect of family history. More frequent spiritual coping was associated with lower risk perceptions for women with positive family histories, but not for those with negative family histories. Results support further research in this area that could influence communication of risk information to cancer genetic counseling patients.
The cellular impacts of diesel exhaust particles: beyond inflammation and death.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and increasing respiratory mortality and morbidity 1. In western countries, exhausts from diesel and gasoline vehicles constitute a major portion of PM and have been suspected of increasing the risk of lung cancer 2. An important component of PM is the diesel exhaust particle (DEP), which is comprised of a carbon core that adsorbs a mixture of metals and organic chemicals, including carcinogens 3. The small size and large surface area of DEP allow these particles to penetrate deep into the lung and deposit toxic chemicals throughout the respiratory tract 2. Due to their location and function, epithelial cells are one of the first and major PM targets. The impact of DEP on airway epithelial cells includes inflammation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. It has been established that DEP chemicals can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) 4. The sources of ROS generation are related to the particle content of transition metals and organic chemicals 4. Excessive ROS can lead to a state of oxidative stress, which can induce a variety of cellular responses including DNA damage 4. Moreover, many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) associated with DEP are genotoxic as they form a PAH-DNA adduct 5, 6. PM-induced DNA damage includes: increased frequency of mutation; single-strand breaks; and the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine and PAH-DNA adducts 2, 4. Airway epithelial cells are at greater risk of DNA damage because of their constant exposure to PM-induced oxidative stress …
Cross-band relative absorption technique for the measurement of molecular mixing ratios

We describe a new method for the measurement of molecular mixing ratios called Cross-Band Relative Absorption (CoBRA). The proposed method is based on relative measurements in different molecular bands referenced to a band of O2 with properly selected wavelength combinations providing high level of cancelation in temperature sensitivities. The CoBRA approach is particularly promising for satellite based remote sensing of molecular mixing ratios of the atmospheric trace gases. Very low temperature sensitivities and the potential of achieving close weighting function matching for the measurement and reference wavelengths are the main advantages of the method. The effectiveness of CoBRA approach is demonstrated for the retrieval of CO2 mixing ratios (XCO2) with application to the ASCENDS mission.
Investigations on the inheritance of color and carotenoid content in phloem and xylem of carrot roots ( Daucus carota L.)

Investigations on the inheritance of root color in carrot (Daucus carota L.) were carried out by crossing uniformly colored roots to various tinge type roots, i.e. roots of which the xylem differs in color from the phloem. A single major gene (Y) was found to be responsible for the observed differences in progenies of orange x tinge orange-white (orange referring to phloem color, white to xylem color) crosses. Plants carrying the dominant Y-allele had either white or tinge orange-white roots, whereas plants with orange roots were of the genotype yy. Similarly one major gene (Y 2) determined the segregation found in progenies of orange x yellow crosses. In the latter crosses, plants having the dominant Y 2-allele had either yellow or tinge orange-yellow roots while the recessive would be orange. Variation in phloem color, i.e. differences between white and tinge orange-white or between yellow and tinge orange-yellow, was apparently caused by minor genes, modifiers, gene interactions, or by genes that are not involved in carotenogenesis in a direct way. When both the Y- and Y 2-genes were present, the roots were always white. Usually white roots gave a digenic segregation pattern in the F2 when crossed to orange, but there was some evidence that a third gene (Y 1) was segregating in some crosses. Tinge orange-white x yellow crosses gave approximately the same results as orange x white crosses, confirming that the same Y- and Y 2-genes were segregating. In crosses between orange lines and a light yellow line (RY) certain F1 's appeared to have a light orange xylem and a fairly dark orange phloem, which seems to be some evidence for the existence of recessive yellow. Although almost nothing is known yet about the genetics of RY it is assumed that it still carries a dominant inhibitor gene which may be leaky in heterozygous condition. The value of such a line as an aid in the selection of superior orange lines is discussed. Alpha- and beta-carotene were found to be the major pigments in orange carrot tissue; phytofluene, zetacarotene, gamma-carotene and xanthophylls were shown to be present in smaller amounts. Besides xanthophylls and a small amount of beta-carotene dark yellow carrot tissue appeared to contain an appreciable amount of an unidentified pigment (pigment I). Light yellow and white phloem or xylem tissue were low in total carotenoids.
Nitration of polypeptides using ethanol in reaction buffers minimizes crosslinking.

Abstract High concentrations of ethanol are effective in reducing the intermolecular crosslinking which predominates when the reactions of tetranitromethane with the carboxypeptidase inhibitor from potatoes, a chymotrypsin inhibitor also from potatoes, and insulin are carried out under standard conditions. Including reagents such as ethanol may be of general utility in the preparation of monomeric nitro- derivatives of hydrophobic, low-molecular-weight proteins.
Mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of closed-cell PVC foams

A comprehensive study of the mechanical behaviour of closed-cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foams with varying densities is conducted under tension, compression and impact loading. Experimental results on four classes of high-performance PVC foams show that the elastic modulus, strength and energy absorption of such foams are highly dependent on density. The compressive energy absorption is considerably higher than that under tensile loading. Impact resistance is found to increase linearly with foam density over the range of densities explored. In particular, it is demonstrated that the maximum impact energy and impact resistance are both attained by the PVC foam with the highest density. The impact test results are integrated with findings from high-speed camera and ultrasound imaging of failed specimens to explore the correlation between energy absorption and damage mechanisms. Experimental results on quasi-static behaviour are interpreted using available modelling tools for closed-cell foams to establish...
High temperature shear strength of T650-35/HFPE-II-52 polyimide matrix unidirectional composite

The shear strength of a 4-ply unidirectional composite laminate consisting of carbon fibers (T650-35) and a polyimide matrix (HFPE-II-52) was measured over a temperature range of 25 to 315°C. The tests were performed using a Iosipescu test sample, modified to provide a more uniform shear stress distribution across the gauge section and loaded with an Arcan type test fixture. The test specimen design is based on the results of an extensive finite element study. Shear strength tests were performed on dry, 50% RH and 100% RH moisture saturated samples. Results of the experiment show that shear strength decreases from approximately 120 MPa at 25°C to 60 MPa at 315°C and that moisture saturated samples have a 5–10 MPa lower shear strength than dry samples.
A simple orthogonal multiple factor approximation procedure.

This paper describes a simple orthogonal multiple factor approximation procedure that involves no inversion of the sign of negative residuals, the estimation of only as many communalities as there are factors, and none or only a few minor rotations of the axes in an attempt to obtain a “meaningful” solution. It also suggests a technique for the estimation of those communalities that must be estimated. The factor loadings obtained by means of this procedure, which we shall designate as the pre-selection procedure, are affected by the order in which the factors are obtained, showing a reduction in variance accounted for by each successive factor, as is characteristic of the centroid, bi-factor, and principal factor solutions. The entire procedure takes considerably less time than that involved in the orthodox centroid method alone.
Abstract 3525: Functional analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A comparison of Afatanib, Lapatinib, and Gefitinib in human tumor primary cultures.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Introduction: Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) tyrosine kinases has provided effective therapies for NSCLC, breast & GI cancers. However, secondary mutations can confer resistance. New multi-targeted and/or irreversible inhibitors (TKI's) may overcome these mechanisms. We used the ex vivo analysis of programmed death (EVA/PCD) to compare the activity of the irreversible EGFr TKI, BIBW 2992 (Afatanib) with Gefitinib and Lapatinib and examined downstream signals with inhibitors of MEK/ERK & PI3K/mTOR. Methods: Human tumor 1° culture microspheroids isolated from 54 individual-patient specimens obtained at surgery or aspiration were examined for EGFr-TKI induced programmed cell death, using morphologic & metabolic endpoints as previously described (Nagourney R, Curr. Treat Opt in Oncol., 2006). Lethal concentration 50% (LC50’s) interpolated from 5-point dose response curves were compared and drug correlations were conducted by Pearson-Moment. Results: BIBW activity favored upper GI, NSCLC and ovary over breast and colorectal cancer. In NSCLC, EGFr mutation (+) tumors were significantly more sensitive than wild type to BIBW (P < .05). Patients relapsing after Erlotinib who carried T790M mutations remained BIBW sensitive despite Gefitinib resistance. BIBW activity correlated with Gefitinib (r = 0.35, P= 0.05) and the MEK/ERK inhibitor AZD 6244 (r = 0.43, P < 0.05) and trended to correlation with Lapatinib, but did correlate with mTOR or mTOR/PI3K inhibitors, Everolimus & BEZ235. Of 3 patients treated with Afatanib, 2 of 3 showed benefit, 1 durable SD & 1 durable PR. Conclusions: BIBW reveals activity in several tumor types including NSCLC, GI and ovary. In NSCLC LC50’s significantly favor EGFr mutation (+) ‘s with favorable results in T790M(+) patients. Correlations with AZD 6244 but not Everolimus or BEZ235, suggest MEK/ERK pathway to be the operative survival signal. EVA/PCD analysis in human tumor 1°cultures offers a platform to study novel strategies for EGFr-targeted therapies. Supported by the Vanguard Cancer Foundation & the Nagourney Institute. Citation Format: Robert Alan Nagourney, Paula J. Bernard, Eric Federico, Sophie Nguyen, Steven S. Evans. Functional analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A comparison of Afatanib, Lapatinib, and Gefitinib in human tumor primary cultures. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3525. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3525
Insufficiency of chemical network model integration using a high-order Taylor series method

The rate of change for the concentrations of chemical substances in a set of reactions is modeled by a nonlinear dynamical system, which warrants the use of numerical integration methods for differential equations. Previous work advocates the use of a specialized high-order Taylor series method because of an observed reduction in computation time. Contrastingly, we show combinatorial and computational difficulties of the standard Taylor series method, which may dramatically increase computational time or reduce the quality of output. We provide two implementations, a naive algorithm and an algorithm employing dynamic programming; we are able to overcome only some numerical obstacles and therefore conclude that the Taylor series approach is insufficient for large sets of reactions having many chemical substances.
Effect of Localizing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Nutrition, Santa Barbara County

The US agrifood system is very productive, but highly centralized and resource intensive with very weak links between production and consumption. This contributes to high levels of malnutrition and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). A popular approach to improvement is localization—reducing direct transport (farm to retail distance, or “food miles”). We examined Santa Barbara County (SBC) California, which mirrors the high production, nutritional and environmental problems, and growing localization movement of California. SBC ranks in the top 1% of US counties in value of agricultural products, and >80% of this value is produce (fruits and vegetables). We calculated the amount of produce grown in and consumed in SBC and estimated that >99% of produce grown in SBC is exported from the county, and >95% of produce consumed in SBC is imported. If all produce consumed in SBC was grown in the county (100% localization), it would reduce GHGE from the agrifood system <1%, and not necessarily affect nutrition. While...
Soil salinity patterns in Tamarix invasions in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA.

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) is an exotic, invasive shrub of riparian corridors in the western United States that can promote soil salinization via leaf exudates as Tamarix litter accumulates on the soil surface. Tamarix stands occur in association with big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), and cottonwood (Populus deltoides) in northern Wyoming, depending on topographic position. Revegetation of Tamarix-invaded sites can be limited by altered soil conditions. Tamarix stands in northcentral Wyoming were selected to determine the relationship of Tamarix shrubs and associated vegetation to soil salinity, pH, and nutrients. In general, salinity of surface soils (0-5 cm) was greater and pH was lower than in deeper soils. Surface soils (0-5 cm) beneath Tamarix have greater salinity and lower pH than soil in interspaces. Because soil salinity in the Bighorn Basin is lower than levels documented in most Tamarix stands of the southwestern United States, many species used for revegetation should tolerate soil conditions here following Tamarix control.
A conserved role for Hox paralog group 4 in regulation of hematopoietic progenitors.

Regulatory circuits that control stem cell fate decisions can be identified and understood by manipulating individual regulatory elements genetically. While impractical in the rare somatic stem cells of primary tissue, this approach is feasible in embryonic stem cells differentiated in vitro into the somatic stem cell type of interest. We present an improved highly efficient targeting system allowing genes to be integrated into a predetermined, doxycycline-inducible locus, and corresponding inducible embryonic stem cell lines to be generated rapidly. We apply this system to evaluate a key hematopoietic progenitor cell regulatory element, HoxB4, and its mammalian paralogs, whose effects have not yet been tested in this context. We show that all Hox paralog group 4 members, A4, B4, C4, and D4, have similar effects on hematopoietic stem and progenitor self-renewal in vitro, and thus classify Hox paralog group 4 as promoting self-renewal. Each paralog group 4 member both promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation, enabling the exponential expansion of hematopoietic progenitors from the c-kit+/CD41+ cell fraction of day 6 murine embryoid bodies. By evaluating a set of deletion mutants we show that sequences in addition to the homeodomain and hexapeptide motif are required for this activity. These results highlight the utility of this expression system to perform functional and structural analyses of genetic regulators of cell fate decisions.
The influence of excessive levels of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol on the growth and tissue appearance of market weight chickens

SUMMARY An experiment was conducted to demonstrate the growth and histological effects of feeding 1α-OH vitamin D3 (1α-OH-D3) at 0, 1, 3, and 5 times the level necessary to reduce the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia and improve phytate P utilization in broiler chickens (0, 5, 15, and 25 µg/kg). High-yield broiler chicks were fed corn- and soybean meal-based diets and raised in floor pens to 42 d of age. The overall growth rate of birds in this trial was excellent, with 3.10-kg males and 2.63-kg females at 42 d of age. Feed efficiency was also excellent, at 1.55 and 1.70 kg of feed/kg of BW gain for males and females, respectively. Feeding 25 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D3 significantly decreased feed consumption, growth rate, and FCR. Growth depression was greater in males than in females. No gross lesions or abnormalities were observed in the heart, kidney, bursa of Fabricius, pancreas, eye, intestine, liver, spleen, lungs, or skin tissue of control birds or broilers fed 1α-OH-D3 at any level. Mild to moderate kidney mineralization occurred when broilers were fed 15 µg/kg of 1α-OH-D3.
Analysis of impact of body mass index on outcomes of laparoscopic renal surgery.

Abstract Objectives As the prevalence of obesity increases in the United States, it has become more important to assess its impact on surgical outcomes. We evaluated the significance of obesity on laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Methods This was a prospective database study evaluating patients who underwent either LRN or LPN from October 2002 to January 2006. Patients were divided into five groups as determined by the World Health Organization body mass index (BMI) classification: less than 25.0, 25.0 to 29.9, 30.0 to 34.9, 35.0 to 39.9, and 40.0 kg/m2 or more. Demographic (age, tumor size, American Society for Anesthesiologists score), operative (estimated blood loss, operative time, open conversion), and postoperative (complications, hospital stay, margin status) data were compared. Results Of 239 patients who had undergone LRN or LPN during the study period, 146 underwent LRN and 85 underwent LPN. Of the 239 patients, 42% were obese. No statistical significance was determined for estimated blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, number of open conversions, or complications. However, a trend toward increased operative time and intraoperative complications was determined using linear and logistic regression analyses. Conclusions Laparoscopic renal surgery is safe in overweight and obese patients and may be the surgical management of choice in this subset of patients. However, obese patients should be warned that their degree of obesity may be associated with increased difficulty of surgery as reflected by a trend toward longer operative times and more intraoperative complications.
The Effects of Lymphocytes, Sera and Long-Acting Thyroid Stimulator from Patients with Graves' Disease on Retrobular Fibroblasts

ABSTRACT Lymphocytes, both living and freeze-thawed, stimulated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) production and glucose utilization by monolayer fibroblast cultures derived from human retrobulbar connective tissue. Freeze-thawed lymphocytes from patients with Graves' disease, most of whom had active ophthalmopathy, were significantly (p < 0.05) more potent in this system than lymphocytes from normal subjects. The stimulating qualities of the lymphocytes could not be related to any clinical feature of the disease. Living lymphocytes from patients did not differ significantly from those of normal individuals in potency to stimulate the retrobulbar fibroblasts. Sera, including LATS containing sera, and IgG fractions of sera containing LATS produced changes in the cultures which were no different than those observed for comparable specimens from normal individuals. Graves' ophthalmopathy, in which accumulations of GAG play a prominent role, may develop from the interaction of lymphocytes and orbital connective tissue...
Case History of Floating Mud Cap Drilling Techniques-Ardalin Field, Timan Pechora Basin, Russia

Floating Mud Cap Drilling Techniques have been used in the drilling industry since the early part of the 20th century. Rotating Heads have made this practice almost obsolete, but the practice is still used in areas where carbonate reservoirs experience either partial or full loss of returns. The objective carbonate interval in the Ardalin field often experiences full loss of returns that cannot be controlled by conventional western or Russian techniques. Field operations occur in an ecologically sensitive tundra environment, under arctic weather conditions, accessible by only helicopter in summer and snow road in winter. Rotating heads would have been costly and difficult to design for a Russian rig. Floating Mud Cap Drilling operations, thougj basically a simple procedure, requiredfore thought and planning in order to be successful under these conditions. This paper will present the thought processes and planning used to successfully drill through the objective interval with full loss of mud returns.
Vector dissipativity theory and stability of feedback interconnections for large-scale non-linear dynamical systems

Recent technological demands have required the analysis and control design of increasingly complex, large-scale non-linear dynamical systems. In analysing these large-scale systems, it is often desirable to treat the overall system as a collection of interconnected subsystems. Solution properties of the large-scale system are then deduced from the solution properties of the individual subsystems and the nature of the system interconnections. In this paper we develop an analysis framework for large-scale dynamical systems based on vector dissipativity notions. Specifically, using vector storage functions and vector supply rates, dissipativity properties of the composite large-scale system are shown to be determined from the dissipativity properties of the subsystems and their interconnections. Furthermore, extended Kalman–Yakubovich–Popov conditions, in terms of the subsystem dynamics and interconnection constraints, characterizing vector dissipativeness via vector system storage functions are derived. Fin...
(d,pγ) Reactions and the surrogate reaction technique

Abstract Neutron-capture reactions on neutron-rich nuclei are important to understand r-process nucleosynthesis, as well as applied needs such as stewardship science and nuclear energy. Because of the short half-lives of these species, it is not possible to measure these reactions directly with neutron beams on unstable targets. The (d,pγ) reaction with radioactive ion beams has been proposed as a surrogate reaction for (n,γ). Experiments to develop (d,pγ) techniques with radioactive ion beams and to demonstrate the efficacy of the (d,pγ) reaction as a surrogate for (n,γ) are discussed.
Recent crustal subsidence at Yellowstone Caldera, Wyoming

Following a period of net uplift at an average rate of 15±1 mm/year from 1923 to 1984, the east-central floor of Yellowstone Caldera stopped rising during 1984–1985 and then subsided 25±7 mm during 1985–1986 and an additional 35±7 mm during 1986–1987. The average horizontal strain rates in the northeast part of the caldera for the period from 1984 to 1987 were: \(\dot \varepsilon\)1 = 0.10 ± 0.09 μstrain/year oriented N33° E±9° and \(\dot \varepsilon\)2 = 0.20 ± 0.09 μstrain/year oriented N57° W±9° (extension reckoned positive). A best-fit elastic model of the 1985–1987 vertical and horizontal displacements in the eastern part of the caldera suggests deflation of a horizontal tabular body located 10±5 km beneath Le Hardys Rapids, i.e., within a deep hydrothermal system or within an underlying body of partly molten rhyolite. Two end-member models each explain most aspects of historical unrest at Yellowstone, including the recent reversal from uplift to subsidence. Both involve crystallization of an amount of rhyolitic magma that is compatible with the thermal energy requirements of Yellowstone's vigorous hydrothermal system. In the first model, injection of basalt near the base of the rhyolitic system is the primary cause of uplift. Higher in the magmatic system, rhyolite crystallizes and releases all of its magmatic volatiles into the shallow hydrothermal system. Uplift stops and subsidence starts whenever the supply rate of basalt is less than the subsidence rate produced by crystallization of rhyolite and associated fluid loss. In the second model, uplift is caused primarily by pressurization of the deep hydrothermal system by magmatic gas and brine that are released during crystallization of rhyolite and them trapped at lithostatic pressure beneath an impermeable self-sealed zone. Subsidence occurs during episodic hydrofracturing and injection of pore fluid from the deep lithostatic-pressure zone into a shallow hydrostatic-pressure zone. Heat input from basaltic intrusions is required to maintain Yellowstone's silicic magmatic system and shallow hydrothermal system over time scales longer than about 105 years, but for the historical time period crystallization of rhyolite can account for most aspects of unrest at Yellowstone, including seismicity, uplift, subsidence, and hydrothermal activity.
A New Simple Calculator of Load Flow in A-C Networks

LOAD-FLOW analysis in a-c networks is increasing in importance because of the greater use of loop circuits in transmission and distribution systems to obtain the advantages of network operation.
EXPLORATIONS OF ALKYL POLYOLS AS CLASS I ORGANIC MODIFIERS TO ADJUST SELECTIVITY IN MICELLAR ELECTROKINETIC CAPILLARY CHROMATOGRAPHY

In this study, we investigated a novel series of micelle modifiers useful to alter selectivity in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC). These modifiers were alkyl polyalcohols, including 1-octanol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,2,3-octanetriol, 1,2-hexanediol, and 1,2-butanediol, which act as class I organic modifiers in that their effects are on the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle rather than the surrounding aqueous phase. This characteristic allows the alkyl polyols to effect resolution when applied at concentrations as low as 20 mM (0.25% v/v) by altering the selectivity observed with SDS without a modifier. The effects of the alkyl polyols on the critical micelle concentration of SDS, electroosmotic flow, and electrophoretic mobility of the SDS micelle are presented. These modifiers had little impact on the migration time window at the concentrations explored. Changes in selectivity induced by the alkyl polyols for a large set of model compounds are presented. Trends indicate that solutes capable of forming hydrogen bonds tend to decrease their interactions with the micellar phase while nonhydrogen bonding solutes increase their interactions upon addition of the modifiers. The solvation parameter model was used to characterize the induced changes in selectivity. This model suggests that even though the modifiers are structurally similar, each produced a unique set of system constants. It was also demonstrated that the addition of alkyl polyols improved the correlation between the partition coefficients of SDS and water to 1-octanol and water. The usefulness of the alkyl polyols was demonstrated by examining their effects on the separation of 11 priority phenols.
Solid-state NMR characterization of high-loading solid solutions of API and excipients formed by electrospinning.

ABSTRACT: A major focus area in improving pharmaceutical manufacturing is decreasing powder-handling steps such as milling, granulation, and blending. One approach to go directly from active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and excipients in solution to a formulated drug product is to use electrospinning to make solid formulations of API in a polymer. Because of the rapid evaporation rate in electrospinning, the process usually results in a well-mixed solid dispersion of drugs in the polymer. In this study, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance is used to examine phase separation in formulations of aliskiren (SPP) and indomethacin (IND) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) prepared by electrospinning and hot-melt extrusion. It was found that 1:1 SPP–PVP, 1:1 IND–PVP, and 4:1 SPP–PVP formulations prepared by electrospinning are homogeneous solid solutions down to a 2–11 nm length scale, whereas a 4:1 SPP–PVP formulation prepared by hot-melt extrusion exhibits phase separation with domain sizes of 20–100 nm or larger.
Bone marrow transplantation for therapy-related myelodysplasia: comparison with primary myelodysplasia

Therapy-related myelodysplasia (MDS) is a fatal marrow disorder distinct from primary MDS. We examined the efficacy of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) as a treatment for patients with therapy-related MDS. Eighteen patients with therapy-related MDS and twenty-five patients with primary MDS received an allogeneic, syngeneic, or unrelated donor BMT. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis included methotrexate, methotrexate plus cyclosporine, FK-506, or T cell depletion. Conditioning regimens consisted of cyclophosphamide/total body irradiation, with and without cytosine arabinoside, busulfan/cyclophosphamide, and cyclophosphamide/etoposide/carmustine. For patients with therapy-related MDS, the median age was 32 years and the actuarial disease-free survival was 24% (95% confidence interval 6, 42%) with a median follow-up of 3 years. For patients with primary MDS, the median age was 36 years and the actuarial disease-free survival at 3 years was 43% (95% confidence interval 22, 64%). Four of the therapy-related patients and two of the primary patients have relapsed. Three patients experienced graft failure; all three had received T cell-depleted marrow and two had marrow fibrosis. Our results suggest that patients with therapy-related MDS can be successfully transplanted. Transplantation should be considered early in the disease, since long-term disease-free survival is achievable.
Determination of the enantiomeric composition of samples of cocaine by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection.

Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitation of the enantiomers of cocaine. Mixtures of the naturally occurring (−)-cocaine and synthetically produced (+)-cocaine were hydrolysed in water to (+) and (−)-benzoyl ecgonine. Esterification with an optically pure 2-octanol resulted in diastereoisomers that could be separated on bare silica gel using an acetonitrile-aqueous ammonium phosphate mobile phase.
Instance-Level Constraint-Based Semisupervised Learning With Imposed Space-Partitioning

A new method for semisupervised learning from pairwise sample (must- and cannot-link) constraints is introduced. It addresses an important limitation of many existing methods, whose solutions do not achieve effective propagation of the constraint information to unconstrained samples. We overcome this limitation by constraining the solution to comport with a smooth (soft) class partition of the feature space, which necessarily entails constraint propagation and generalization to unconstrained samples. This is achieved via a parameterized mean-field approximation to the posterior distribution over component assignments, with the parameterization chosen to match the representation power of the chosen (generative) mixture density family. Unlike many existing methods, our method flexibly models classes using a variable number of components, which allows it to learn complex class boundaries. Also, unlike most of the methods, ours estimates the number of latent classes present in the data. Experiments on synthetic data and data sets from the UC Irvine machine learning repository show that, overall, our method achieves significant improvements in classification performance compared with the existing methods.