cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability of the Viscoelastic Constants Along the Aortic Axis of the Dog

The application of elastomeric theory to the study of the viscoelastic properties of the dog's aorta shows that the same value of the elastomeric parameter β may be used to describe the elastic behavior of aorta strips under both static and dynamic conditions. The variations in the parameter β and the damping fraction γ with the strip's location may be distinguished only for the extremes of the central arterial axis because of the wide variability of mechanical properties among dogs. The viscoelastic properties apparently do not correlate with the measured geometric properties of the unstressed aortic strip.
Canonical frontal circulation patterns in terms of Green's functions for the Sawyer‐Eliassen equation

Green's function solutions for the Sawyer-Eliassen equation are derived and compared for quasi-geostrophic and semi-geostrophic two-dimensional frontal dynamics in vertically bounded domains. The semi-geostrophic Green's functions provide a framework for understanding canonical frontal circulation patterns arising from interactions, or coupling, between upper- and lower-tropospheric jet-front systems. Previously documented conceptual models for these circulation patterns are reproduced by the solutions. A noteworthy finding is that vertical coupling produces a deep and narrow region of ascent when the upper- and lower-tropospheric point sources for the Green's functions share the same sign and absolute momentum surface.
Ecological Risk Aversion and Foraging Behaviors of Juvenile Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

The ‘ecological risk aversion hypothesis’ [C.H. Janson and C.P. van Schaik, Juvenile Primates, Oxford Univ. Press, New York (1993), pp. 57–74] proposes that the pattern of slow growth characteristic of juvenile primates is a response to ecological risks (predation and starvation) experienced by juveniles. Juveniles are thought to avoid predation risk by positioning themselves near conspecifics, therefore experiencing high levels of feeding competition with older individuals, reduced access to resources and, consequently, high starvation risks during periods of food scarcity. The present study compared the foraging behaviors of juvenile and adult squirrel monkeys, a small neotropical primate characterized by a long juvenile period, to determine how predation and starvation risks affected juvenile behaviors. The study was conducted in Eastern Amazonia, in a seasonal environment. Due to their slow development, small body size and large group sizes, it was expected that juveniles in this species would behave in a manner consistent with the risk aversion hypothesis. However, age differences in foraging efficiency and foraging success were smaller than predicted. There was also no evidence that juveniles sacrificed access to food for predator protection. Adults did not have preferential access to fruit patches and direct competition was rare. Feeding competition for prey, the most common resource in the troop's diet, was negligible. Therefore, the slow growth and long juvenile period of squirrel monkeys do not correspond with evidence of predation or starvation risk, as predicted by the risk aversion hypothesis.
Volatile Components in Aqueous Essence and Fresh Fruit of Cucumis melo cv. Athena (Muskmelon) by GC-MS and GC-O

A comparative study between the aromatic profile of muskmelon aqueous essence and the puree of fresh fruit was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Results obtained show a total of 53 components quantified in the essence and 38 in the fresh fruit. In addition, four new components are described for the first time as contributors to the aromatic profile of muskmelon including 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 2,3-butanediol, methyl 3-phenylpropionate, and ethyl 3-phenylpropionate (found only in the puree of the fruit). The olfactometric analysis revealed the presence of 25 components with aromatic activity. Esters, alcohols, and one sulfur component [ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate] appear to be the most important contributors to the essence aroma. The aromagram of fresh fruit is richer in high molecular weight components, which have not yet been positively identified and do not present detectable peaks in the flame ionization detector.
Multiple Regression with Varying Levels of Correlation among Predictors: Monte Carlo Sampling from Normal and Non-Normal Populations

This study investigated the effects of the violation of the assumption of normality in the conditional distributions of the dependent variable coupled with the condition of multicollinearity upon the outcome of testing the hypothesis H0:β' = 0 in the two-predictor regression equation. A monte carlo approach was utilized in which three different distributions were sampled for two sample sizes over thirty-four population correlation matrices. Based upon the results of this study, the violation of this assumption in the conditional distributions of the criterion has no systematic effect upon the testing of the hypothesis H0:βi' = 0 (i = 1, 2)(α =.05) in the three variable regression equation.
Local modification of solvent dynamics by polymeric solutes

Abstract Extensive oscillatory flow birefringence and dynamic viscoelastic measurements on a variety of polymer-solvent systems indicate that the solvent contributions to the measured solution properties are not given by the neat solvent birefringence or viscosity, respectively, by contrast with the predictions of chain dynamics theory. Rather, the high frequency limiting plateaus observed in the loss components of both the dynamic birefringence and dynamic viscosity, designated S′∞ and η′∞, respectively, represent the appropriate solvent contributions. Measurements of solvent rotational and translational friction in some of the same polymer-solvent systems provide direct support for the postulate that the values of S′∞ and η′∞ reflect predominantly polymer-induced modifications to the dynamics of the solvent surrounding the chains.
Structure and dynamics of ammonia in Li-ammonia intercalated TiS2: a proton NMR study

Abstract Measurements of NMR line widths and spin-lattice relaxation times for protons, as functions of temperature and NMR frequency, have in recent years yielded much information about the ammonia molecule intercalated into TiS 2 . In conjunction with neutron powder diffraction studies, NMR has been used to probe: (1) intercalated ammonia's molecular motions, (2) distortions in its structure and (3) bonding interactions with its host. The effects of intercalation with Li-ammonia solutions, instead of pure NH 3 , have been found to be especially large on the first and third of these, indicating a restricted range for rotational motion of the molecule during diffusion and at the same time weakened bonding of the ammonia protons to TiS 2 sulfur layers. Frequency and temperature dependences of spectral density functions (from T 1 measurements) have been examined for evidence of two-dimensional diffusion. Current findings from NMR bearing on these and related subjects will be reviewed, and comparisons with NH 3 -intercalated TiS 2 will be made.
Molt cycle regulation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of the blackback land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, and the differential expression of a myostatin-like factor during atrophy induced by molting or unweighting.

SUMMARY In decapod crustaceans, claw muscle undergoes atrophy in response to elevated ecdysteroids while thoracic muscle undergoes atrophy in response to unweighting. The signaling pathways that regulate muscle atrophy in crustaceans are largely unknown. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth in mammals, and a myostatin-like cDNA is preferentially expressed in muscle of the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis (Gl-Mstn) . Contrary to prediction, levels of Gl-Mstn mRNA decreased dramatically in both the claw closer and weighted thoracic muscles when molting was induced by either eyestalk ablation (ESA) or multiple limb autotomy (MLA). However, the effect of molt induction was greater in the claw muscle. By late premolt, Gl-Mstn mRNA in the claw muscle decreased 81% and 94% in ESA and MLA animals, respectively, and was negatively correlated with ecdysteroids. Gl-Mstn mRNA in thoracic muscle decreased 68% and 82% in ESA and MLA animals, respectively, but was only weakly correlated with ecdysteroid. Claw and thoracic muscles also differed to varying extents in the expression of ecdysteroid receptor ( Gl-EcR and Gl-RXR ), elongation factor-2 ( Gl-EF-2 ), and calpain T ( Gl-CalpT ) in response to molt induction, but levels of the four transcripts were not correlated with ecdysteroid. The downregulation of Gl-Mstn expression in premolt claw muscle coincided with 11- and 13-fold increases in protein synthesis in the myofibrillar and soluble protein fractions, respectively. Furthermore, the rate of the increase in the synthesis of soluble proteins was greater than that of myofibrillar proteins during early premolt (1.4:1, soluble:myofibrillar), but the two were equivalent during late premolt. By contrast, Gl-Mstn mRNA increased 3-fold and Gl-CalpT mRNA decreased 40% in unweighted thoracic muscle; there was little or no effect on Gl-EF-2, Gl-EcR , and Gl-RXR mRNA levels. These data indicate that Gl-Mstn expression is negatively regulated by both ecdysteroids and load-bearing contractile activity. The downregulation of Gl-Mstn in claw muscle may induce the elevated protein turnover associated with remodeling of the contractile apparatus during molt-induced atrophy. The upregulation of Gl-Mstn in unweighted thoracic muscle suggests that this factor is also involved in disuse atrophy when hemolymph ecdysteroid levels are low.
The Interferon-Inducible Protein Viperin Inhibits Influenza Virus Release by Perturbing Lipid Rafts

Interferons initiate the host antiviral response by inducing a number of genes, most with no defined antiviral function. Here we show that the interferon-induced protein viperin inhibits influenza A virus release from the plasma membrane of infected cells. Viperin expression altered plasma membrane fluidity by affecting the formation of lipid rafts, which are detergent-resistant membrane microdomains known to be the sites of influenza virus budding. Intracellular interaction of viperin with farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), an enzyme essential for isoprenoid biosynthesis, decreased the activity of the enzyme. Overexpression of FPPS reversed viperin-mediated inhibition of virus production and restored normal membrane fluidity, and reduction of FPPS levels by siRNA inhibited virus release and replication, indicating that the FPPS interaction underlies viperin's effects. These findings suggest that targeting the release stage of the life cycle may affect the replication of many enveloped viruses. Furthermore, FPPS may be an attractive target for antiviral therapy.
Dissolution of the European Consensus

Drouyn de Lhuys, having dealt with Italy in certain terms, by describing the uselessness of further negotiations on the Roman question, turned to London. Perhaps his intention was to separate Italy from England’s influence, though in his first correspondence he confessed that he “despaired of establishing an understanding” with England. He hoped that differences on Italy would not go beyond discussion, the more so as his political views led him “to concert with England on all other questions and particularly on those connected with the East.” 1 This lure of concessions by France in the east was shrugged off by Russell and Palmerston for both ministers were still moved by the severity of Drouyn’s circular of the 18th. It was Palmerston’s intention to send a new note to France, condemning the occupation of Rome.2 But this was a usual practice of England, only made more significant by the new step it had just taken in its Roman policy. As early as September Russell had taken up discussions with his Roman envoy, Odo Russell, who was in London on leave, so as to arrive at a project for removing the pope from Rome.3 The foreign secretary admitted to have no great hope for achieving such a purpose, but it was clear to the English statesmen generally that the willing departure of the pontiff from Rome would remove the pretext France claimed for its continued occupation of the city.
Higher Order Organization of Human Placental Aromatase

Abstract Aromatase (CYP19A1) is an integral membrane enzyme that catalyzes the removal of the 19-methyl group and aromatization of the A-ring of androgens. All human estrogens are synthesized from their androgenic precursors by this unique cytochrome P450. The crystal structure of active aromatase purified from human placenta has recently been determined in complex with its natural substrate androstenedione in the high-spin ferric state of heme. Hydrogen bond forming interactions and tight packing hydrophobic side chains closely complement puckering of the steroid backbone, thereby providing the molecular basis for the androgenic specificity of aromatase. In the crystal, aromatase molecules are linked by a head-to-tail intermolecular interaction via a surface loop between helix D and helix E of one aromatase molecule that penetrates the heme-proximal cavity of the neighboring, crystallographically related molecule, thus forming in tandem a polymeric aromatase chain. This intermolecular interaction is similar to the aromatase-cytochrome P450 reductase coupling and is driven by electrostatics between the negative potential surface of the D–E loop region and the positively charged heme-proximal cavity. This loop-to-proximal site link in aromatase is rather unique—there are only a few of examples of somewhat similar intermolecular interactions in the entire P450 structure database. Furthermore, the amino acids involved in the intermolecular contact appear to be specific for aromatase. Higher order organization of aromatase monomers may have implications in lipid integration and catalysis.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute: The Intersection of Science and Health Care

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), a nonprofit corporation that is neither an agency nor an establishment of the U.S. government. PCORI's mission is to support the production of well-validated scientific evidence to assist the nation in making informed decisions about a broad range of health care-related issues. In this Commentary, the directors of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Institutes of Health discuss PCORI's opportunities to contribute to a robust portfolio of scientific inquiry that builds on their agencies' investment in comparative effectiveness research.
Confidence level-based robust design of cantilever retaining walls in sand

Abstract Reliability-based geotechnical design entails accurate sample statistics (i.e., mean and standard deviation or coefficient of variation, denoted herein as cov) of soil parameters. However, the cov values of soil parameters are difficult to determine with confidence due to the limited availability of high-quality data and inherent spatial variability. As a result, estimated cov values of soil parameters can vary within a wide range, which can result in overdesign or underdesign. In this paper, a confidence level (CL)-based method is proposed to address the problem of geotechnical design in the face of uncertainty. Here, CL is a measure of confidence that the target reliability index will be satisfied in the face of uncertainty in the estimated cov. The proposed method is demonstrated through the design of a cantilever retaining wall in sand. To ensure the practicality of the proposed method, a simplified approach was developed, which requires little extra effort over that required for traditional reliability-based design. To develop the CL-based method further, a metric called the “true reliability index” is proposed, which is the actual reliability index in the face of the uncertainty in the estimated parameter statistics (mainly cov).
Sediment deposition and soil nutrient heterogeneity in two desert grassland ecosystems, southern New Mexico

The role of wind in changing the spatial heterogeneity of soil resources in erosion-dominated semiarid ecosystems is well known. Yet the effect of windblown sediment deposition on soil nutrient distribution and ecosystem dynamics at local and landscape scales has received little attention. We examined the effects of enhanced sediment deposition on the spatial distribution of soil nutrients at the Jornada Experimental Range, southern New Mexico. Enhanced sediment deposition was obtained as a result of grass cover reduction in the upwind portion of the experiment in two sites co-dominated by mesquite and one of two grass species with different morphologies. The spatial characteristics of soil available nitrogen (including ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate), phosphate, potassium, and calcium were quantified using a variety of traditional and geostatistical analyses. Our results showed that enhanced deposition led to considerable reduction in both mean soil nutrient concentrations and coefficients of variation over a two-year period (2004–2006). Given the observed increase in the scale of spatial dependence for available nitrogen, but not for potassium, phosphate, and calcium following enhanced sediment deposition, we suggest that soil available nitrogen may be particularly responsive to increased aeolian activities due to livestock grazing and other anthropogenic activities that remove vegetation. Our study further suggests that soil particles deposited in the downwind area may be “nutrient-imbalanced.” Specifically, the lower-than-normal available nitrogen concentrations in the wind-deposited soils may inhibit the growth of grasses and the germination of seeds. For wind-erodible ecosystems found in southern New Mexico, structures of Bouteloua-dominated communities may be particularly susceptible to change under enhanced soil erosion conditions.
Using process mining to identify coordination patterns in IT service management

We empirically analyze the database used in the help desk process between a national US public agency and its global outsourcing provider. We considered the question of whether the database might reveal a deeper level of knowledge than was apparent from direct inspection. Our results reveal that four constructs underlie this process. Three are confirmed through covariance-based structural equation modeling and a fourth is implied through existing data. Our results suggest refinement in service level agreements to create a different type of governance coordination to assist in aligning the outsourcing provider's execution more closely with the client's needs.
Estimation of Genetic Variability in Natural Populations of DROSOPHILA SIMULANS by Two-Dimensional and Starch Gel Electrophoresis

Genic variation in natural populations of Drosophila simulans was surveyed using allozymic and two-dimensional electrophoretic techniques. Consistent with some previous reports, allozymic heterozygosity appeared lower than in the sibling species D. melanogaster (0.07 vs. 0.16). No variation was detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis of 19 lines scored for 70 abundant proteins. This is consistent with reported reductions in estimates of genic heterozygosity by two-dimensional electrophoresis in D. melanogaster, Mus musculus, and man. Although the amount of intraspecific variation detected in abundant proteins was lower than that detected for allozymes in D. simulans and D. melanogaster, the genetic distances between the sibling species calculated from the two data sets are not significantly different (0.35 and 0.20). The allozyme and two-dimensional electrophoresis data confirmed the impression from other measures of genetic variation (mitochondrial DNA restriction maps and inversion polymorphisms) that D. simulans is substantially less variable than D. melanogaster.
Influences of environment and disturbance on forest patterns in coastal oregon watersheds

Modern ecology often emphasizes the distinction between traditional theories of stable, environmentally structured communities and a new paradigm of disturbance-driven, nonequilibrium dynamics. However, multiple hypotheses for observed vegetation patterns have seldom been explicitly tested. We used multivariate statistics and variation partitioning methods to assess the relative influences of environmental factors and disturbance history on riparian and hillslope forests. Our study area was the Cummins Creek Wilderness, located in the Oregon Coast Range. Most of the wilderness burned at least once between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, creating a mosaic of younger forests with a few old-growth patches. Species composition on hillslopes varied primarily along a climatic gradient from moist maritime environments to drier inland climates but was relatively insensitive to forest age structure. The abundance of Tsuga heterophylla, a fire-sensitive, late-successional tree species, decreased with distance from old-growth patches, suggesting possible seed-source limitations following the historical fires. In contrast to species composition, hillslope forest structure was primarily related to fire history but was largely independent of environmental gradients. Old-growth structure characteristics such as large dominant trees, large snags, high down-wood volumes, and high tree size diversity increased with stand age and with the presence of remnant trees that survived the fires. Riparian forests had high shrub cover, abundant hardwoods, and high down-wood volumes, while the conifer-dominated hillslopes had high overstory density and basal area. Maritime climates and their associated plant species extended further inland in riparian areas than on hillslopes. Advance regeneration densities were higher in riparian forests within 5 km of the coast than in any other portion of the study area. Riparian forest structure and composition were related to both environmental and disturbance variables, with stream gradient and size integrating much of the fine-scale variability in disturbance regimes. No single theoretical framework was sufficient to explain the vegetation patterns observed in these forested watersheds. Our findings suggest a conceptual model of forest landscapes in which the relative influences of environment and disturbance on vegetation patterns are contingent on the facet of vegetation considered (composition vs. structure) and the portion of the landscape examined (hillslope vs. riparian).
Chordoma: current concepts, management, and future directions

Chordoma is a rare bone cancer that is aggressive, locally invasive, and has a poor prognosis. Chordomas are thought to arise from transformed remnants of notochord and have a predilection for the axial skeleton, with the most common sites being the sacrum, skull base, and spine. The gold standard treatment for chordomas of the mobile spine and sacrum is en-bloc excision with wide margins and postoperative external-beam radiation therapy. Treatment of clival chordomas is unique from other locations with an enhanced emphasis on preservation of neurological function, typified by a general paradigm of maximally safe cytoreductive surgery and advanced radiation delivery techniques. In this Review, we highlight current standards in diagnosis, clinical management, and molecular characterisation of chordomas, and discuss current research.
Subtype‐specific interactions of type C staphylococcal enterotoxins with the T‐cell receptor

The goal of this study was to investigate the molecular interaction between superantigens and the T-cell receptor (TCR). Using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess T-cell proliferation profiles, we found that SEB, SEC1, SEC2 and SEC3 expanded human T cells bearing V beta 3, V beta 12, V beta 13.2, V beta 14, V beta 15, V beta 17 and V beta 20. SEC2 and SEC3 have the additional ability to expand T cells bearing V beta 13.1, and their expansion of V beta 3 was markedly reduced compared to SEB and SEC1. Based on the activity of SEC1 mutants containing single amino acid substitutions, we concluded that the differential abilities of these native toxins to stimulate V beta 3 and V beta 13.1 was determined by the residue in position 26, located in the base of the SEC alpha 3 cavity. The SEC1 mutant, in which Val in position 26 was substituted with the analogous SEC2/SEC3 residue (Tyr), generated a V beta expansion profile that was indistinguishable from those generated by SEC2 and SEC3. Using these findings, the co-ordinates of a recently reported murine TCR beta-chain crystal structure, and other documented information, we propose a compatible molecular model for the interaction of SEC3 with the T-cell receptor. In this model complex, the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) 1 and 2 and the hypervariable loop 4 of the V beta element contact SEC3 predominantly through residues in the alpha 3 cavity of the toxin. CDR3 of the beta chain is not involved in any toxin contacts. The proposed model not only includes contacts identified in previous mutagenesis studies, but is also consistent with the ability of tyrosine and valine in position 26 to differentially affect the expansion of V beta s 3 and 13.1 by the SEC superantigens.
Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease: the end of the beginning.

In his 1939 Goulstonian Lectures to the Royal College of Physicians in London, Harold Himsworth addressed the “Mechanisms of Diabetes.” In the course of these 3 presentations,1–3 he provided evidence that “diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the essential lesion is a diminished ability of the tissue to utilize glucose. The high blood sugar is a controlled and compensatory phenomenon, the object of which is to facilitate the utilization of glucose by the tissues.” In addition, he challenged the conventional wisdom that “all causes of human diabetes could be explained by deficiency of insulin” and went on to utter the heretical notion that “a state of diabetes might result from inefficient action of insulin as well as from a lack of insulin.” Thus, the notion of a causal role of insulin resistance in human disease was born almost 70 years ago. Article p 3066 Despite the fact that Himsworth was among the most distinguished clinical investigators of his time and in 1949 concluded in the Oliver-Shappey Lectures to the Royal College of Physicians4 “that it appears we should accustom ourselves to the idea that primary deficiency of insulin is only one, and then not the commonest cause of the diabetes syndrome,” the idea that resistance to insulin action could have adverse consequences had little resonance over the next several decades. However, this situation begin changing rapidly with the introduction of methods to quantify insulin-mediated glucose disposal,5,6 and it soon became clear7,8 that the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were, in Himsworth’s terms, “insulin insensitive.” Subsequent prospective studies were published demonstrating that insulin resistance and/or compensatory hyperinsulinemia as a surrogate estimate of insulin resistance predicted the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus,9,10 providing the final evidence of the prescience of Himsworth’s mechanistic …
On strong metric dimension of graphs and their complements

A vertex x in a graph G strongly resolves a pair of vertices v,w if there exists a shortest x − w path containing v or a shortest x − v path containing w in G. A set of vertices S ⊆ V (G) is a strong resolving set of G if every pair of distinct vertices of G is strongly resolved by some vertex in S. The strong metric dimension of G, denoted by sdim(G), is the minimum cardinality over all strong resolving sets of G. For a connected graph G of order n ≥ 2, we characterize G such that sdim(G) equals 1, n − 1, or n − 2, respectively. We give a Nordhaus-Gaddum-type result for the strong metric dimension of a graph and its complement: for a graph G and its complement \(\bar G\), each of order n ≥ 4 and connected, we show that \(2 \leqslant sdim\left( G \right) + sdim\left( {\bar G} \right) \leqslant 2\left( {n - 2} \right)\). It is readily seen that \(sdim\left( G \right) + sdim\left( {\bar G} \right) = 2\) if and only if n = 4; we show that, when G is a tree or a unicyclic graph, \(sdim\left( G \right) + sdim\left( {\bar G} \right) = 2\left( {n - 2} \right)\) if and only if n = 5 and \(G \cong \bar G \cong C_5\), the cycle on five vertices. For connected graphs G and \(\bar G\) of order n ≥ 5, we show that \(3 \leqslant sdim\left( G \right) + sdim\left( {\bar G} \right) \leqslant 2\left( {n - 3} \right)\) if G is a tree; we also show that \(4 \leqslant sdim\left( G \right) + sdim\left( {\bar G} \right) \leqslant 2\left( {n - 3} \right)\) if G is a unicyclic graph of order n ≥ 6. Furthermore, we characterize graphs G satisfying \(sdim\left( G \right) + sdim\left( {\bar G} \right) = 2\left( {n - 3} \right)\) when G is a tree or a unicyclic graph.
Active and passive spectroscopic imaging in the DIII-D tokamak

Wide-angle, 2D imaging of Doppler-shifted, Balmer alpha (Dα) emission from high energy injected neutrals, charge exchange recombination (CER) emission from neutral beam interaction with thermal ions and fully stripped impurity ions and visible bremsstrahlung (VB) from the core of DIII-D plasmas has been carried out. Narrowband interference filters were used to isolate the specific wavelength ranges of visible radiation for detection by a tangentially viewing, fast-framing camera. Measurements of the Dα emission from fast neutrals injected into the plasma from the low field side reveal the vertical distribution of the beam, its divergence and the variation in its radial penetration with density. Modeling of this emission using both a full Monte Carlo collisional radiative code as well as a simple beam attenuation code coupled to Atomic Data and Analysis Structure emissivity lookup tables yields qualitative agreement, however the absolute magnitudes of the emissivities in the predicted distribution are larger than those measured. Active measurements of carbon CER brightness are in agreement with those made independently along the beam midplane using DIII-D's multichordal, CER spectrometer system, confirming the potential of this technique for obtaining 2D profiles of impurity density. Passive imaging of VB, which can be inverted to obtain local emissivity profiles, is compared with measurements from both a calibrated filter/photomultiplier array and the standard multichordal CER spectrometer system.
Approach to the Patient with a Suspected Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reaction

CADRs are common and generally have a mild, self-resolving course with minimal associated morbidity and mortality. However, subsets of CARDs are more severe, require intervention, and have significant risk of associated morbidity and mortality. For this reason, it is crucial that the clinician recognize signs and symptoms worrisome for a more severe CARD so that appropriate triage, work-up, and treatment are initiated. In all CADRs the most important first step is identification and withdrawal of the culprit medications.
How Consumer Perceptions of Network Size and Social Interactions Influence the Intention to adopt Peer-to-Peer Technologies

People join peer-to-peer networks for economic and social reasons. From an economic perspective, people join peer-to-peer (P2P) networks based on the size of the networks. However, from a sociological perspective, when people adopt technologies, they create an alternative social network motivated by extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. In this study, we develop a conceptual framework for measuring the impact of economic and social factors drawn from theories of network externalities and social exchange. The preliminary data analyses show that perceived size of network influences perceived network externalities, and in turn, network externalities have an impact on intention to adopt P2P technologies. In addition, we found that social benefit is also an important antecedent of adopting P2P technologies. Our preliminary results provide insights on how people reconcile economic and social considerations when choosing to adopt a P2P technology.
Progression of changes in dopamine transporter binding site density as a result of cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys.

The present study examined the time course of alterations in levels of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding sites that accompany cocaine self-administration using quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography with [3H]WIN 35,428. The density of dopamine transporter binding sites in the striatum of rhesus monkeys with 5 d, 3.3 months, or 1.5 years of cocaine self-administration experience was compared with DAT levels in cocaine-naive control monkeys. Animals in the long-term (1.5 years) exposure group self-administered cocaine at 0.03 mg/kg per injection, whereas the initial (5 d) and chronic (3.3 months) treatment groups were each divided into lower dose (0.03 mg/kg per injection) and higher dose (0.3 mg/kg per injection) groups. Initial cocaine exposure led to moderate decreases in [3H]WIN 35,428 binding sites, with significant changes in the dorsolateral caudate (−25%) and central putamen (−19%) at the lower dose. Longer exposure, in contrast, resulted in elevated levels of striatal binding sites. The increases were most pronounced in the ventral striatum at the level of the nucleus accumbens shell. At the lower dose of the chronic phase, for example, significant increases of 21–42% were measured at the caudal level of the ventral caudate, ventral putamen, olfactory tubercle, and accumbens core and shell. Systematic variation of cocaine dose and drug exposure time demonstrated the importance of these factors in determining the intensity of increased DAT levels. With self-administration of higher doses especially, increases were more intense and included dorsal portions of the striatum so that every region at the caudal level exhibited a significant increase in DAT binding sites (20–54%). The similarity of these findings to previous studies in human cocaine addicts strongly suggest that the increased density of dopamine transporters observed in studies of human drug abusers are the result of the neurobiological effects of cocaine, ruling out confounds such as polydrug abuse, preexisting differences in DAT levels, or comorbid psychiatric conditions.
Serving the Public Good: Challenges of Dental Education in the Twenty-First Century

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of the roles and responsibilities of dental education in serving the public good, and the extent to which they are being met, from the vantage point of leaders at the university and state level. Five questions were developed to gather views on dental education's success in meeting the expectations and needs of the public. Fifty- one interviews were conducted with leaders at seven institutions and with public officials in six states. Overall, dental education was perceived as fulfilling its public purpose in promoting oral health, providing access to care, and conducting relevant research. However, significant areas for improvement were noted including better communication of accomplishments to key stakeholders, graduating a more socially aware, culturally sensitive, and community-oriented dental practitioner, and being a committed partner with other community leaders in improving access to care for all citizens. Current programs aimed at addressing these gaps (e.g., Pipeline, Profession, and Practice program) are discussed. Dental education can address these perceptions only by produc- ing graduates who desire to fulfill their obligations to society and serve the public good.
Laser-Ablated Microfluidics for Nanoflow Life Science Measurements

An overview of the laser ablation fabrication method for polymer microfluidic chips is presented with a discussion of some of the interesting and useful designs and applications of the technology along with a presentation of measurement results for some life science applications.
Interaction of cellulose with small molecules. II. Ethylenediamine, ethylene glycol, and tetramethylene sulfone

The interactions of cellulose with highly hygroscopic ethylenediamine and ethylene glycol and with the less hygroscopic tetramethylene sulfone have been determined. The measurements are based on the difference between the equilibrium vapor pressure of films containing known percentages of aqueous softener and the equilibrium vapor pressure of the same aqueous softener not perturbed by the presence of cellulose. The equilibrium moisture content of unsoftened cellulose (α), the equilibrium moisture content of the plasticizing molecule (β), and the equilibrium moisture content of the treated cellulose (γ) were measured as a function of relative humidity and of plasticizer content in the film. From these data relative interaction values expressed as p/p0 ratios (partial pressures of water in softened film and in aqueous softener solutions) or as deviation from additivity, δ = α + β − γ, were calculated. An interpretation of the data in terms of the relative affinities of water for softener and cellulose, arid cellulose for water and softener, is given.
Establishing a model organism: A report from the first annual Nematostella meeting

The sea anemone Nematostella vectensis has developed into a model organism for studying genome evolution and animal development.
Pharmacist education in the era of genomic medicine.

Summary Pharmacists are increasingly expected to incorporate an understanding of the genomic contributions to medication management in their daily practice, and a general consensus exists that many pharmacists are not adequately prepared to effectively make use of genomic information. In November 2011, the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health convened a meeting to discuss the status of genomics education for pharmacists. A variety of pharmacist organizations and other stakeholder groups attended the 2-day event and explored the current status of pharmacist genomic education, barriers and facilitators to enhanced education, and important next steps to ensure that pharmacists are prepared for the coming decades. This report summarizes the background, content, and outcomes from this meeting.
Rational inference of relative preferences

Statistical decision theory axiomatically assumes that the relative desirability of different options that humans perceive is well described by assigning them option-specific scalar utility functions. However, this assumption is refuted by observed human behavior, including studies wherein preferences have been shown to change systematically simply through variation in the set of choice options presented. In this paper, we show that interpreting desirability as a relative comparison between available options at any particular decision instance results in a rational theory of value-inference that explains heretofore intractable violations of rational choice behavior in human subjects. Complementarily, we also characterize the conditions under which a rational agent selecting optimal options indicated by dynamic value inference in our framework will behave identically to one whose preferences are encoded using a static ordinal utility function.
Lewis Driscoll and Delta Cargo

Lewis Driscoll faces a number of challenging property, plant, and equipment issues. If he purchases a new crane, what ancillary costs should be capitalized? What depreciation method should he choose? How should he account for disposal options for the old forklifts? Not only will his decisions affect current and future profitability, but they may also impact others' bonuses based on company performance.
Ratio of True to Fixed-Interval Maximum Rainfall

Observations of precipitation amounts at specified times may fail to indicate the maximum amounts for a given interval because the period of precipitation may extend over more than one observational interval. Because the time of precipitation is a chance phenomenon, the amount of such overlap or straddle can be evaluated on the basis of probability. It is shown that a model based on simple assumptions yields values for the adjustment factors that are near those presently used, which are based on empirical averages. The empirical factors have been determined at stations equipped with recording gages as the ratio of average maximum amounts for true intervals and average maximum amounts recorded for the observational interval. For a single interval, the factor is approximately 114%.
Voltage-dependent spin flip in magnetically substituted graphene nanoribbons: Towards the realization of graphene-based spintronic devices

We examine the possibility of using graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with directly substituted chromium atoms as a spintronic device. Using density functional theory, we simulate a voltage bias across a constructed GNR in a device setup where a magnetic dimer has been substituted into the lattice. Through this first-principles approach, we calculate the electronic and magnetic properties as a function of Hubbard $U$, voltage, and magnetic configurations. By calculating the total energy of each magnetic configuration, we determine that the initial antiferromagnetic ground state flips to a ferromagnetic state with applied bias. Mapping this transition point to the calculated conductance for the system reveals that there is a distinct change in conductance through the GNR, which indicates the possibility of a spin valve. We also show that this corresponds to a distinct shift in the induced magnetization within graphene.
Hyperbranched polymers via RAFT self-condensing vinyl polymerization

RAFT-mediated self-condensing vinyl polymerization is a promising synthetic tool to create well-defined hyperbranched polymers. The functional group tolerance of RAFT, as well as the inherent ability to install readily functionalizable end groups, allow for formation of highly functionalized materials with unique properties. Due to the controlled nature of RAFT, it is possible to synthesize polymers with predetermined branching frequencies, resulting in materials with tunable properties and readily tailored macromolecular structure. This minireview gives an overview of this emerging field, emphasizing structural variety, monomer functionality, and post-polymerization modifications that have been employed to prepare previously inaccessible materials.
Davenport: Res Judicata Applied

The Fifth Circuit applied res judicata in Davenport and the gift tax on 1980 gifts may finally be paid. The article details a long history of litigation culminating in this case.
Emergent pacemaker placement in a patient with Lyme carditis-induced complete heart block and ventricular asystole

We report a case of a 31-year-old man who presented to the emergency department after four episodes of syncope within a 24 h time span. He was found to have symptomatic complete heart block associated with episodes of ventricular asystole lasting 5–6 s. He underwent emergent permanent pacemaker insertion during which he was found to have no underlying rhythm. He was later found to have positive serologies for Lyme disease despite no known exposure to ticks and neither signs nor symptoms of the disease. The pacemaker was ultimately removed due to resolution of his heart block with antibiotic therapy.
P-type surface charge transfer doping of black phosphorus field-effect transistors

In this work, a new approach to chemically dope black phosphorus (BP) is presented which significantly enhances device performance of few-layer BP field-effect transistors (FETs). By applying 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ), low on-state resistance and high field-effect mobility are achieved, where the mobility has been increased from 181.1 cm2/Vs to 228.5 cm2/Vs and the on-state resistance has been decreased from 7.4 Ω·mm down to 3.2 Ω·mm achieving a record high drain current of 531.8 mA/mm with a moderate channel length of 1.5 μm. In addition, transfer length method (TLM) structure has demonstrated a 2.9 times reduction in sheet resistance, and nearly 1.3 times decrease in contact resistance upon p-type surface charge transfer doping of BP FETs.
New Perspectives on the Mechanism of Insulin Action

Publisher Summary Experimental strategies that have proved most useful in providing insight into the question of insulin action have generally related to one of four categories. These include biochemical characterization of the insulin receptor itself, studies on possible mediator substances or pathways, characterization of target membrane systems for insulin action, and studies on the complex cytoplasmic enzyme systems that respond to insulin. This chapter discusses the advances that have been made in the first three approaches and presents some new results using these three strategies. A well-documented property of the insulin receptor complex is the presence of two classes of intersubunit disulfides. Mild reductant treatment of the native receptor complex reduces its apparent molecular weight on dodecyl sulfate gels from the 350,000–400,000 dalton range to about half that size. For a Triton X-100-solubilized affinity labeled receptor preparation, an addition of 10 or 50 mM dithiothreitol leads to the formation of a receptor species about half the apparent molecular weight of the native receptor. The partially reduced receptor fragment of about 200,000 daltons contains an α and β subunit. Complete reduction of the receptor complex gives rise to the highly labeled α and poorly labeled β subunits. The much higher degree of affinity labeling of α versus β subunit suggests that the former may contain the hormone binding site, but this is not proved.
Micropolar Theory of Liquid Crystals

A unified, nonlinear, hydrodynamic theory of liquid crystals is presented. The theory makes use of the balance laws of micropolar continuum mechanics. New strain and rate measures appropriate to liquid crystals and suspensions are introduced. The nonlinear constitutive equations are obtained for the nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals employing these measures and the micro-inertia tensor. The thermodynamic restrictions are studied in detail. The relation of the theory to the director theory is established. The solution is given for the shear flow of nematic liquids in a channel.
Controls of Primary Production

This chapter deals with selected variables (light, nutrients, and temperature) that function as proximate or immediate controls of abundance and activity of marine primary producers. Grazing and sinking, two other major proximate factors affecting producers, are discussed in Sects. 10.3 and 15.2.4. These proximate controls act to set rates, govern densities, sizes, and other responses by producers. Later chapters deal with driver variables (hydrodynamics, climate, weather, and geology) that act as the ultimate mechanisms that determine the conditions under which the action of proximate controls, and the responses of the producers and consumer organisms, take place. These linkages constitute the rather complicated matrix of interactions that generates the very varied features and conditions across environments. These interactions result in the complex set of controls of communities and ecosystems that will be the focus of later chapters.