cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Dehydration

The paraffin method has frequently been criticised because of its hardening and shrinking effect on tissue. The author believes this distortion is due to the dehydration and not to the immersion in melted paraffin. An experimentally controlled series of various tissues was dehydrated in different dehydrating reagents, dioxan, isobutyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol with chloroform. Except for the dehydration, the tissues were treated identically. In every case, dioxan proved to be a better dehydrating reagent with less shrinkage and brittleness than any of the others. Ethyl alcohol with chloroform produced the greatest degree of distortion.
Reliability‐based analysis of service recovery

To succeed, service businesses must offer their customers high‐quality, reliable service. However, many of the characteristics that make services unique also make it difficult to ensure consistently correct performance. To promptly identify and correct errors when they occur, service managers have been advised to include recovery steps in their service processes. However, while service recovery has anecdotal support, the literature has so far not offered management tools for analytically evaluating a system's needs for recovery measures or assessing their potential benefit. To provide such a tool, this paper transfers the logic of reliability theory, which is widely used in the design of electrical and mechanical systems. The application of this approach yields several useful insights for managers, to include the effects of various process structure characteristics.
What do drug transporters really do

Potential drug-drug interactions mediated by the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter and solute carrier (SLC) transporter families are of clinical and regulatory concern. However, the endogenous functions of these drug transporters are not well understood. Discussed here is evidence for the roles of ABC and SLC transporters in the handling of diverse substrates, including metabolites, antioxidants, signalling molecules, hormones, nutrients and neurotransmitters. It is suggested that these transporters may be part of a larger system of remote communication ('remote sensing and signalling') between cells, organs, body fluid compartments and perhaps even separate organisms. This broader view may help to clarify disease mechanisms, drug-metabolite interactions and drug effects relevant to diabetes, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, gout, liver disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, inflammatory syndromes and organ injury, as well as prenatal and postnatal development.
Conditioned flavor preference learning by intragastric administration of l-glutamate in rats.

The preference for foods or fluids in rats is partly dependent on its postingestive consequences. Many studies have investigated postingestive effect of high caloric substances, such as carbohydrate or fat. In this study, we examined postingestive effect of L-glutamate at the preferable concentration using conditioned flavor preference paradigm. Adult male rats with chronic intragastric (IG) cannula were trained to drink a flavored solution (conditioned stimulus; CS+) paired with IG infusion of nutrient solution and another flavored solution (CS-) with IG distilled water infusion on alternate days. The nutrient solution was 60mM monosodium L-glutamate, sodium chloride or glucose. Before and after conditioning, rats received 30min two-bottle choice tests for CS+ and CS- solution. All groups exhibited no significant preference for CS+ in pre-test period. By the last half of conditioning period, intake of CS+ solution was significantly higher than that of CS- in MSG group, but not in NaCl and glucose groups. After conditioned, the MSG group showed significantly higher intake and preference for CS+ solution (69.9%), while the NaCl and glucose group did not show any significant intake and preference for CS+ solution (50.9%, 43.5%, respectively). These results indicate that the amino acid L-glutamate at a preferable concentration has a positive postingestive effect as demonstrated by its ability to condition a flavor preference. The mechanism(s) for this positive effect could be through a direct effect on gut Glu receptors rather than the provision of calories or glucose from metabolized Glu; Further studies are needed to test these hypotheses.
Charring does not affect wood infestation by subterranean termites

Fire is an important part of forest ecosystems, as is the insect fauna. Changes in wood brought about by fire may alter the ability of termites to use the wood, interrupting the decay cycle of woody debris. The ability of termites to find, infest, and feed upon wood after it had been charred was evaluated in the laboratory and field. Eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), fed on char from burned wood had significantly reduced numbers of protozoa compared to termites fed on pine shavings, but significantly more than starved termites. The ability of termites to find and infest wood was not affected by surface charring. In a laboratory choice test, there were no significant differences in the onset of feeding by termites between charred and non-charred wood boards. Likewise in the field, no differences were observed in the time to initial attack by termites on charred and non-charred wood boards or bolts. Because termites will likely survive fires of low to moderate intensity, in most cases, there should be no disruption of the termite contribution to forest nutrient and carbon cycles.
New Theory of Superconductivity

Based on three earlier papers which treat electromagnetic, elastogravitational, and radiant-nonradiant thermal phenomena in terms of six types of electric or nonelectric charges, the authors classify states of matter as hyperefficient, efficient, semiefficient, and hypoefficient in transmitting a particular type of charge, by means of a generalization of Ohm's law to two or three dimensions. Conventional states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, vacuum) are associated with torsional (gravitational) charges. Applications are made to electric superconductivity of crystals at elevated temperatures, and to frequency shift (gravitational red shift, Lamb shift, and Zeeman and Stark effects).
Simple high-temperature thermal diffusivity apparatus

A simple and inexpensive thermal diffusivity apparatus is described for measurement up to1600 K. The novel features of the apparatus include a light pipe, a long furnace, and a differential thermocouple. A low heat‐load sample holder for clamping the sample in a vertical position is also described. The results of measurements on AXM‐5Q graphite are reported.
A physiological difference between bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris), resistant and susceptible to halo blight, caused by Pseudomonas phaseolicola

SUMMARY Lines of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), which were resistant or susceptible to the halo-blight disease incited by Pseudomonas phaseolicola, were derived from a cross between the resistant variety Red Mexican U.I. No. 3 and the susceptible variety Kinghorn Wax. Homogenates of the leaves absorbed oxygen rapidly when placed in an oxygen electrode or a Warburg flask. Preparations of healtlyj resistant leaves had a higher uptake than those of healthy susceptible leaves, grown to the same stage at the same time. This was checked on the parental varieties and with 24 F 3 progenies of the cross. Only one line, a resistant, was difficult to distinguish by oxygen uptake on some occasions. Attempts were made, using the crude homogenates, to reveal the nature of the oxidation as a guide to more precise analysis. Maximum uptake occurred between pH 3–4 and 5, homogenate derived from 0.5 g. fresh weight of leaf absorbing about 100 μl. of oxygen in the 1st hr. at 25° C. R.Q.'S were low, 0·06 to 0·3. Several inhibitors of metal oxidases had no effect, but hydroxylamine, azide and cyanide inhibited by 20, 30 and 40%, respectively, at 10-3M. Krebs cycle acids and malonic acid had no effect, but glycolic and dihydroxymaleic acids were readily oxidized. Preparations from young resistant leaves oxidized dihydroxymaleic acid more rapidly than did those of young susceptible leaves, and the rate could be greatly influenced by different phenols. The oxygen uptake was not thought to be due to respiration, nor was there any evidence that it was associated with copper oxidases. The tentative suggestion is made that the uptake was caused by an oxidative peroxidation, comparable with indoleacetic acid oxidation.
How leaders influence organizational effectiveness

Abstract The flexible leadership theory explains how top executives and other leaders can influence the financial performance of a business organization. Three key determinants of financial performance are efficiency, adaptation, and human capital. A wide range of leadership behaviors, management programs, structural forms, and external initiatives can be used to influence these performance determinants. Management programs and systems are usually more effective when they are mutually compatible and appropriate for the situation. Effective performance requires a cooperative effort by the multiple leaders in an organization, and they must be flexible and adaptive as the situation changes. The theory provides a way to integrate findings from several different and largely separate literatures.
SU-C-116-02: Volumetric Dose Deposition in the Breast Using Real-Time Dosimetry

Purpose: To empirically determine the angular dose distribution to a breast in a digital breast tomosythesis and mammography system using real-time dosimetry technology. Methods: Three breast phantoms, constructed from polyethylene to simulate adipose tissue, were fabricated based on ninety cranio-caudal mammography patients. The smallest (3.2 cm), average (5.1 cm), and largest (7.0 cm) breast thickness matched the measured breast shape using 13 mm polyethylene sheets. Technique factors, which matched the automatic settings in both tomo and mammo were used. Phantoms were designed to be modular allowing a dose probe to be placed in various heights and depths. A total of 390 signal trains, comprised of 15-individual pulses (one for each angle) in tomo-mode and a single pulse for mammo, were collected using a real-time air ionization chamber (AccuGold, Radcal, Monrovia, CA). The signal train was integrated to generate a dose value at each location. This data was then used to generate a dynamic model of cumulative dose deposition as a function of x-ray tube angle in tomo and mammo modes. Additionally, the effective linear attenuation coefficient for each energy was calculated. Using a look up table for the linear attenuation of polyethylene, the effective energy was calculated. Results: The dose deposition decreases from the compression paddle to the detector. Cumulative dose from tomo scan was comparable to that of mammo; differences in cumulative dose increased with phantom size. The effective energy for tomo at 28, 31 and 35 kVp with Al filter was calculated to be 19.7, 21.7 and 25 kV respectively. For mammo at 26, 29 (Rh filter) and 30 kV (Ag filter) was found to be19.1, 20.4 and 23.7 respectively. Conclusion: The volumetric dose deposition in Hologics dBT system shows angular dependence as a function of angle in tomo mode. NIH Grants
Group Decision by Consensus: Reaching Unity in the Society of Friends

For over 300 years the members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) have been making group decisions without voting. Their method is to find a ”sense of the meeting’which represents a consensus of those involved. Ideally this consensus is not simply “unanimity,” or an opinion on which all members happen to agree, but a “unity”: a higher truth which grows from the consideration of divergent opinions and unites them all. Friends can “unite” in support of action which shows due consideration to the individuality of each member and to their corporate concerns. As an illustration of this method, we will analyze in some detail the group process of a Quaker committee as it worked with a difficult social problem over a period of one year. Before beginning the analysis, we will summarize some of the main points in the process of reaching the “sense of the meeting” as it has been described by Friends and others. Also we will review the functional theory of social interaction which will provide the basis for theoretical analysis.
An electronic model for the effect of alloying elements on the phosphorus induced grain boundary embrittlement of steel

Abstract Phosphorus is the most common embrittling element in commercial steels. It has long been recognized from experimental work that the embrittlement caused by phosphorus depends on the alloying elements present in the steel. In particular, it has been found that chromium and manganese enhance this embrittlement. In this paper we show, from results of fully quantum mechanical calculations, that these effects can be explained by a model based on differences in electronegativity between phosphorus and the metal atoms. Our results show that phosphorus is more electronegative with respect to chromium and manganese than to iron and that more charge is drawn from these atoms onto phosphorus. Consequently, less charge is available to participate in the metal-metal bonds and they are weakened. The weakening of these bonds leads to embrittlement. The result that phosphorus is more electronegative with respect to manganese and chromium than to iron is in agreement with the Pauling electonegativity scale. However, we find that phosphorus is more electonegative with respect to chromium than to manganese. This result is the reverse of what would be assumed on the basis of naive use of Pauling's scale.
Purified diets: some cautions about casein

Growth and intake of weanling rats on five casein-based purified diets and matched cereal-based diets were compared. The results support Lat's conjecture that the failure of animals to exhibit normal growth on some purified diets may be attributed to their failure to consume sufficient casein. Given a choice, the rats consumed both types of food, composing a diet in which the ratio of purified to cereal-based diet was 2:1, and they grew normally. Although the growth-promoting characteristics of caseins from different sources varied, the preference ratio between casein- and cereal-based diets was the same with one exception: a reduced preference for purified diet was shown by animals who had previously experienced subnormal growth for an extended period of time on a purified diet. These results show that all caseins are not equivalent in their growth-promoting properties. Further, they show that rats are exquisitely sensitive to the nutritional properties of their diets and, given the opportunity, can compose a diet which yields normal growth.
Delay Guarantees for Throughput-Optimal Wireless Link Scheduling

We consider the question of obtaining tight delay guarantees for throughout-optimal link scheduling in arbitrary topology wireless ad-hoc networks. Two classes of scheduling policies are considered: 1) a maximum queue-length weighted independent set scheduling policy and 2) a randomized independent set scheduling policy where the set scheduling probabilities are selected optimally. Both policies stabilize all queues for any set of feasible packet arrival rates, and are therefore throughput-optimal. For these policies, we show that the average packet delay is bounded by a constant that depends on the chromatic number of the interference graph, and the arrival slack in the system-a metric representing the overall load on the network. We prove that this upper bound is asymptotically tight in the sense that there exist classes of topologies where the expected delay attained by any scheduling policy is lower bounded by the same constant. We extend our upper bounds to the case of multi-hop sessions. Through simulations, we study how our analysis compares with actual delays computed for i.i.d., Markovian, and trace-driven packet arrival processes.
Atmospheric transport of soil dust from Africa to South America

The arid and desert regions of North Africa are a prolific source of atmospheric dust. This dust is, for example, responsible for the ‘red snows’ reported in the Alps and Pyrenees1 and for dust falls further north in Europe2–6, but these phenomena are infrequent and sporadic. By contrast, the transport of mineral dust into the tropical North Atlantic is common and often produces a widespread dense haze7. Investigations in the past 15 yr8–11 have shown that, in the summer months12,13, the distribution of dust is related to macro and micro-meteorological circumstances, that the dust often reaches altitudes of 5–7 km and that it may be spread over several hundreds of kilometres in latitude and extend to the Caribbean Sea and the south-east United States. We report here the results from an aerosol sampling station at Cayenne, French Guiana, which indicate that large quantities of soil dust are being carried out of North Africa and across the Atlantic during the winter months as well but at this time of year the transport is primarily to South America.
Do Not Take Confucians as Kantians: Comments on Liu Qingping’s Interpretation of Confucian Teachings

I want to commend LIU Qingping’s critical attitude toward Confucianism. Indeed, for Confucianism to be re-appropriated, it has to go through a transformative process in which it will inevitably drop some ideas that are outdated, inappropriate, or simply wrong. There is not only no need for any contemporary Confucian to defend everything Confucius and Mencius said; to the contrary, we have to critically assess their teachings in order to fully appreciate what Confucianism can offer us today. Liu’s criticism brings up difficult issues that modern Confucian scholars are often silent about, and it is largely due to his initiation and continuous sharp criticisms that these issues are now confronted by the scholarly circle with the attention that they deserve. I think Confucius andMencius would agree with everything Liu says if they were Kantians. However, they are not. Unlike the Kantian rule-oriented ethic that provides universal ethical principles, Confucianism focuses on the process of person-making, as explained by David Hall and Roger Ames in their Thinking Through Confucius (Hall and Ames 1987: 118). It is more like a gongfu system, if we understand the word gongfu in a broad sense of cultivation of embodied abilities for human flourishing. For a rule-oriented ethic, all that matters is whether certain rules or principles are followed and which rule takes priority when it is in conflict with other rules. However, when we take Confucianism as a gongfu system, the matter is quite different. The teachings of a gongfu system are not principles to be followed categorically, but practical guidance that leads to certain intended results. The most striking and revealing example of Liu’s misreading of Confucian texts and consequently his unfair assessment of them is perhaps his way of dealing with a quote from Mencius, where Mencius says that “to urge one another to what is good is the way of friends, but such urging between father and son is the greatest injury to the love between them” (Mencius 4B30; also in 4A18). The quote is clearly an example of giving practical advice about what is best to do in different relationships. In Mencius 4A18, the point is Dao (2008) 7:45–49 DOI 10.1007/s11712-008-9040-6
Infection of phytoplankton by viruses and reduction of primary productivity

NATURAL marine waters contain roughly 106 to 109 virus particles per ml, yet their role in aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that they infect remain largely unknown. Electron microscopy has been used to study interactions between viruses and their hosts, focusing mainly on pathogens to prokaryotic organisms1–5. Here we demonstrate that viral pathogens infect a variety of important marine primary producers, including diatoms, cryptophytes, prasinophytes and chroococcoid cyanobacteria. Also, addition to sea water of particles in the 0.002–0.2 μm size range, concentrated from sea water by ultrafiltration, reduced primary productivity ([14C]bicarbonate incorporation) by as much as 78%. These results indicate that, in addition to grazing and nutrient limitation, infection by viruses could be a factor regulating phytoplankton community structure and primary productivity in the oceans.
Absorption spectroscopy of the complexation between superpotent guanidinium sweeteners and specific monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract Spectroscopic studies of antibody-antigen interactions can provide useful information about the interactive motifs and energetics involved in the intermolecular association process. In this study we used absorption spectroscopy to examine the interactions between five different monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and four superpotent ligand sweeteners. Quantitative changes in the absorption spectra in the wavelength range of 230–800 nm were utilized for the determination of intrinsic association constants and thermodynamic parameters of the mAb-ligand complexes. The intrinsic association constants for the mAb-ligand complexes were found to be in the range of 10 7 –10 5 IM −1 and were in agreement with previous radioimmunoassay determinations. For two mAb, qualitative changes in the spectra in the 340 nm range could be identified and were related to the presence of charge-transfer interaction between the guanidinium ligand and aromatic residues in the binding site of the mAb. A charge transfer spectra was observed in mAb NC10.8 with two different sweetener ligands. The thermodynamic parameters of the ligand-mAb interactions were analyzed by van't Hoff plots and in almost all cases the reactions were found to be enthalpically driven. The determinations of intrinsic affinity and thermodynamic parameters may be useful in computer-aided molecular modelling studies of the antibody binding pocket and predicted ligand docking orientations. Antibody NC6.8 was found to react with this set of sweetener ligands in a rank order that is related to their sweetness potencies and the spectroscopic findings for NC6.8 are in agreement with the X-ray diffraction data of the Fab-ligand crystal structures. These studies may shed light on the molecular nature of these superpotent sweetener ligands and their interactions with putative taste receptors.
Differential Rotation and Reconnection as Basic Causes of Some Coronal Reorientations

A process is suggested by which a coronal structure (with underlying filament) may form between a polar crown structure and a low-latitude bipolar region. During the ascending phase of the solar cycle the identifying underlying filament should lie poleward and westward of the active region, but during the descending phase it should appear as an eastward extension of the filament separating leader and follower photospheric fields within the active region.
Spontaneous low threshold spike bursting in awake humans is different in different lateral thalamic nuclei

Spontaneous action potential bursts associated with low threshold calcium spikes (LTS) occur in multiple human lateral thalamic nuclei, each with different physiologic characteristics. We now test the hypothesis that different patterns of spontaneous LTS bursting occur in these nuclei during awake surgery in patients with essential tremor and the arm at rest. This protocol was chosen to minimize the effect of the patient's disease upon thalamic activity which is a potential confound in a surgical study of this type. Neuronal activity was studied in the human thalamic nuclei receiving somatic sensory input (Vc, ventral caudal), input from the deep cerebellar nuclei (Vim, ventral intermediate), or input from the pallidum (Vo, ventral oral). In each nucleus the burst rates were significantly greater than zero. Burst rates were higher in Vc than in Vim, while firing rates were lower. These findings suggest that neurons in Vc are hyperpolarized and have more frequent inhibitory events. Pre-burst inter-spike intervals (ISIs) were significantly longer in Vc, but were significantly shorter when corrected for the average ISIs between bursts (burst rate/inverse of the primary event rate). These results suggest that inhibitory events in Vc are of lower magnitude relative to a hyperpolarized resting membrane potential. Studies in many species demonstrate that input from the pallidum to the thalamus is inhibitory, suggesting that input to Vo is predominantly inhibitory. However, neurons in Vo have neither slower firing rates nor more frequent LTS bursts. Previous studies have found that spontaneous LTS is similar between classes of neurons within Vc, as defined by their response to thermal and painful stimuli. The differences in spontaneous LTS between human nuclei but not between functional classes within a nucleus may be a basic organizing principle of thalamic inhibitory circuitry.
Semi-empirical approximations for the coulomb and bond integrals in simple LCAO-MO methods: I. Alternant and non-alternant hydrocarbons

It is suggested that the Coulomb integral in simple LCAO-MO methods is given by αr = − (Ir + NmaxĒEs), where Ir is the valence state ionization potential of atom r, Ēs is the average of the valence state electron-affinities of the nearest neighbors of r, and Nmax is the maximum π-bond order of atom r. It is assumed that a parabolic relation holds between the bond integral βrs and the overlap integral Srs. All bond integrals and overlap integrals are included. Bond orders and π-electron densities are calculated for a representative number of alternant and non-alternant hydrocarbons. Comparison with values obtained by other simple LCAO-MO methods and by advanced MO calculations suggests that the proposed parametrization introduces some electron-electron interaction in the Huckel methods.
Real and Imagined Extremist Threats in Mexico and along the U.S.-Mexico Border: ‘Colombianization’ as an Antidote to Leftist and Criminal Extremist Networks

The term 'Colombianization' conjures up images of such extreme corruption, violence and mayhem that it has always been Mexico's worst nightmare to have it applied to the country. However, given Colombia's extraordinary accomplishments in its battle against its main extremist threat, this article argues that 'Colombianization' is now associated with hope and successful strategies to reduce extremist violence and increase the effectiveness of the state. It advocates recognizing that Mexico, like Colombia, faces leftist extremist threats that, while weak, have the potential to be dangerous if they should become networked with other groups or obtain drug resources. Worries about right-wing extremism at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the fear of strong police due to memories of the Dirty War have been counterproductive. It recommends incorporating local level strategies into the Merida Initiative that combine experiments used successfully in both Colombia and Mexico. The FICLAR strategy stands for Fast, Integrated, Counterinsurgency-centric, Law-based, Alternative development-focused and requiring the Re-establishment of elite consensus. Language: en
Grid frequency and voltage support using PV systems with energy storage

An optimized operating scheme for a utility connected community based photovoltaic (PV) system is described. The system can participate in grid ancillary services like frequency and voltage regulation functions based on the Smart Grid framework. The proposed model comprises of a PV plant with Li-ion batteries coupled to the grid with the help of a three phase inverter. A two-way communication between the PV plant and the grid is assumed. The PV/storage plant provides constant updates on its current kW/kVar capability and the grid transmits the demand for specific amounts of power and for specific lengths of time. The battery charging energy can originate from either the PV system or the grid depending on the prevailing energy prices. The batteries are discharged when two conditions are met: the grid requests energy from the community-based PV system and if the PV system itself fails to meet the requested kW or kVar demand. The PV plant and the battery storage are integrated with the grid with the help of dc-dc and dc-ac converters in such a way that bi-directional flow of active and reactive powers can be achieved. Controllers integrating energy sources respond to the received signals and attempt to fulfill the grid demand. The system response is almost instantaneous and thus can be very helpful in frequency and voltage regulation.
“Peek-a-Boo” Data Retrieval in Infrared Spectroscopy

As the number of cards in the Wyandotte-ASTM system of data retrieval increase, the time to sort for an answer increases accordingly. Simpler and more rapid methods of storage and retrieval are desirable. This paper describes our limited, but promising, experience with an inverted "peek-a-boo" system as it applies to the particular needs of our laboratory. In this system each card represents a characteristic, and each compound has a location in the Cartesian grid of the card. Holes are drilled at the location of the compound having the characteristic described by the card. A complete deck requires 250 cards and can retain information for 10,000 compounds. Searching is based on optical coincidence. Advantages of the system are simplicity, rapidity of output, ease of adding characteristics, and relatively inexpensive equipment.
Relation between non-equilibrium effects and the activation energy of a unimolecular reaction: low pressure decomposition of CO2

Abstract The observed activation of energy for a unimolecular reaction in the low pressure limit deviates from the high pressure activation energy by two contributing factors; these factors are discussed and applied to the decomposition of CO2. The correction is found to be approximately 30 kcal.
Steady and Unsteady Simulations of Turbulent Flow and Transport in Ultraviolet Disinfection Channels

The effects of unsteadiness in the turbulent flow through a staggered array of circular cylinders, modeling an ultraviolet disinfection system, are studied by means of solutions of the two-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier.Stokes equations incorporating the standard k - ϵ turbulence model. Time averaging is applied to the unsteady solution, and the time-averaged characteristics are compared with a solution where a steady flow is a priori assumed, as well as with time-averaged measurements. Differences between the predictions of time-averaged and the steady-flow models are found to be largest in the entrance region of the array, and to decline in importance in the downstream direction. Comparison with measurements indicate that, while the time-averaged unsteady model predictions exhibited better agreement in some respects, the turbulent kinetic energy remained substantially underpredicted. Predictions of head losses through the array are also discussed.
Parentage and sex allocation in the facultatively polygynous ant Myrmicatahoensis

Most social groups have the potential for reproductive conflict among group members. Within insect societies, reproduction can be divided among multiple fertile individuals, leading to potential conflicts between these individuals over the parentage of sexual offspring. Colonies of the facultatively polygynous ant Myrmicatahoensis contain from one to several mated queens. In this species, female sexuals were produced almost exclusively by one queen. The parentage of male sexuals was more complex. In accordance with predictions based on worker sex-allocation preferences, male-producing colonies tended to have low levels of genetic relatedness (i.e., high queen numbers). Correspondingly, males were often reared from the eggs of two or more queens in the nest. Further, over half of the males produced appeared to be the progeny of fertile workers, not of queens. Overall investment ratios were substantially more male biased than those predicted by genetic relatedness, suggesting hidden costs associated with the production of female sexuals. These costs are likely to include local resource competition among females, most notably when these individuals are adopted by their maternal nest.
Protein nanoarray made by size-dependent self-assembly for detection of mouse immunoglobulin G and octamer-4

An alternative approach for fabricating a protein array at nanoscale (<100 nm) is suggested with a capability of characterization and/or localization of multiple components on a nanoarray. Basically, fluorescent micro- and nanospheres each conjugated with different proteins are size-dependently self-assembled (SDSA) onto these nanometer wells that were created on the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate by electron beam lithography (EBL). Particles of different diameters are added serially, and electrostatically attached to the corresponding wells through electrostatic attraction between the carboxylic groups of the spheres and p-doped silicon substrate underneath the PMMA layer. This SDSA was enhanced by wire-guide manipulation of droplets on the surface containing nanometer wells. Target detection utilizes fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from fluorescent beads to target (mouse immunoglobulin G = mIgG or Octamer-4 = Oct4) and its antibody bound on the beads. The 180 nm blue beads are conjugated with mIgG to capture anti-mIgG-FITC. The 50 nm green and 100 nm yellow-green beads are conjugated with anti-Oct4 to capture Oct4 peptides; where the secondary anti-Oct4 tagged with phycoerythrin via F(ab)2 fragment is then added to function as an indicator of Oct4 detection. These protein-conjugated particles are added serially from the largest to the smallest and the particles are successfully self-assembled to the respective nanometer wells to achieve sizedependent self-assembly. FRET signals are detected through fluorescence and confocal microscopes, and further confirmed by Fluorolog3 spectrofluorometer. Therefore, SDSA is a valuable approach for the fabrication of multiple components array; and FRET is a useful biorecognition technique for the detection of mIgG, Oct4 or other targets of interest.
Secrets of a long life

Two books on ageing understate the challenges of prolonging a healthy lifespan, finds Caleb Finch.
"Everything's Upside Down. We'll Call It Upside Down Valley!": Siblings' Creative Play Themes, Object Use, and Language during Pretend Play.

Research Findings: Pretend play is an important context that supports young children's developing social-cognitive and creative abilities. The play behaviors of 70 sibling dyads in early and middle childhood were examined for the following indices of creativity in play: (a) play themes (set-up/organization, expected, creative), (b) object use (set-up/organization, expected transformations, creative transformations), and (c) descriptive language (adjectives, adverbs). Internal state references, which are markers of social understanding (i.e., cognitive and emotional states), were also coded. Findings showed that (a) children who engaged in set-up themes (i.e., stating and describing play themes) and set-up object use (i.e., organizing props) were less likely to develop play scenarios with expected themes (i.e., themes that emanated from the props’ defining characteristics, such as a farmer milking a cow) or creative themes (i.e., themes that moved beyond the constraints imposed by the play materials, such ...
Perceptions of Apollo: Myth, nostalgia, memory or all of the above?

Abstract This essay explores the place of the Apollo program in the popular recollection of Americans more than 30 years after the last Moon landings in 1972, partly through a discussion of films and popular music. The collective memory of this singular episode in the history of the USA has altered over time. It has taken on mythical qualities, as well as a nostalgia for a time long gone. From a postmodern, post-cold war perspective Project Apollo appears increasingly unique, an experience born out of cold war rivalries long gone in which a demonstration of American technological capability was required. Many in the spaceflight community seek to become a multi-planetary species, and they point to Apollo in an increasingly mythical way as a representation of something that should be replicated. But the circumstances that made Apollo succeed have long since passed.
High-efficiency photochemical hole burning for an infrared color center

The photochemical hole-burning properties of the 8892-A\r{} zero-phonon-line defect absorption in electron-irradiated NaF:${\mathrm{OH}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and NaF:${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ at liquid-helium temperatures are described and analyzed. This system is the first reported example of high-efficiency (${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$) hole burning for a color center in alkali halides. Although the width of the inhomogeneously broadened line increases linearly as the ${\mathrm{OH}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ concentration is varied by a factor of 25, the hole width extrapolated to zero burning power remains essentially constant at 1.65\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15 GHz over the same range. In contrast to most other color centers, holes can be burned 100% deep in this system, which suggests the absence of strong reverse reactions. A kinetic model for hole-growth data is presented that includes the effects of the homogeneous line shape and the dependence of the density of centers and burning flux upon distance into the sample. The hole-growth dynamics follow first-order kinetics quite well over two decades in time indicating that the quantum efficiency is essentially constant for all centers. This is evidence that the hole-burning process involves electron tunneling over a well-defined single barrier.
Research Note: Genetic Variation of Plasma Growth Hormone and Its Genetic Association with Growth Traits in Young Chickens

Abstract A pedigreed, randomly mated population of 25 sire families was assessed for genetic variation in body weight, gain, and plasma growth hormone (GH) under conditions of reduced temperature brooding (26.7 C) from day of hatch to 7 days of age. Heritability estimates (h2) for 7-day body weight and gain were moderate to high. The calculated h2 for GH was moderate. Plasma levels of GH were not phenotypically or genotypically correlated with body weight or gain.
Prioritizing Regulatory Barriers to Combined Heat and Power Adoption Using Selected Case Studies

ABSTRACT This study looks at five cases and assesses the influence of regulatory requirements on the adoption of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies controlling for other adoption relevant variables. Furthermore, the present study not only looks at adopters but also at nonadopters of CHP technologies. The article identifies a prioritized approach to reducing regulatory barriers associated with CHP adoption.
TH-A-220-11: Comparative Study of Tumor Volume Segmentation Techniques and Their Sensitivity to Imaging Parameters

Purpose: PETimaging with FDG has been proposed for accurate tumor delineation in radiotherapy. Different methods have been proposed to segment tumors using PET‐images. However, their sensitivity to imaging parameters variations is usually neglected. This work compares delineation techniques and investigates their sensitivity to imaging parameters. Methods: PET/CT scans of twenty patients were acquired in both 2D and 3D mode. Ten images per patient were created by varying parameters in the reconstruction algorithm within clinical settings. Tumor volumes within each image were segmented using the techniques of thresholding (40% of maximum standardized uptake value), gradient‐based (local‐maximum gradient), and region‐growing (nearest‐pixel within a fixed phantom‐based‐cutoff). Percent volume change was used to assess the tumor volume sensitivity to imaging parameters for each segmentation technique. Results: Tumor volumes were largest (29.2±46.2cm3) using gradient‐based and smallest (20.1±36.6cm3) for thresholding. Thresholding was least sensitive to varying imaging parameters while region growing presented the largest volume discrepancies. Across the ten combinations of acquisition/reconstruction parameters variations, the volume differences were 10%±9% (range [−45%,60%]), 18%±15% (range [−70%,75%]) and 24%±24% (range, [−80%, 140%]) for thresholding, gradient‐based and region‐growing respectively. Thresholding showed least sensitivity when iteration number and grid size were varied; however gradient‐based was least sensitive to post‐reconstruction‐filter variation. Conclusions: Phantom‐based analysis showed small volume difference between segmentation techniques. However, analysis of patient images showed large range of volume variations to imaging parameters, even with more sophisticated segmentation methods, such as gradient‐based and region‐growing. Sensitivity studies of segmentation algorithms against imaging parameters must precede acceptance and use in the clinical environment, especially if these techniques are used in multi‐centre clinical trials where inconsistency in tumor definition could have an effect on treatment outcomes.
Effects on lutein adsorption of adding polar solvents to silicic acid or to soy oil/hexane miscellas

Polar solvents limit adsorption of lutein from a soy oil miscella on silicic acid by competitive adsorption. Water and selected alcohols were added to miscella and adsorbent to observe if the mode of adding solvent affected lutein adsorption. No differences were produced by the method of addition. However, different mechanisms of limiting lutein adsorption were observed. Isopropanol limited lutein adsorption by competitive adsorption. Water was less competitive because it was less soluble in the miscella and was more thermodynamically stable as free water. Propanediol, a polyol, totally inhibited lutein adsorption by binding silica particles together. This study may have implications for silicic acid adsorption of oil components from hydrolyzed oils in which glycerides and free glycerol are present.
"She drank his money": survival sex and the problem of violence in taverns in Gauteng province, South Africa.

This article examines the practice of "survival sex" in the taverns of Soweto and Hammanskraal area, South Africa. Women who engage in survival sex do not self-identify as commercial sex workers, and the community does not identify them as such. Those who structure HTVprevention programs should not confound such women with commercial sex workers, because effective intervention may vary between the two groups. Violence against women who engage in survival sex in taverns is common, as it is argued that, when a woman accepts beer from a man, she is obliged to exchange sex (because she has "drunk his money "). The South African government should prioritize the reduction of violence as a way to reduce HIV transmission, as, in the context of violence, women do not have the option of negotiating safer sex. [violence, rape, HIV/AIDS, women, South Africa, survival sex]
Influence of boric acid additive size on green lubricant performance

As the industrial community moves towards green manufacturing processes, there is an increased demand for multi-functional, environmentally friendly lubricants with enhanced tribological performance. In the present investigation, green (environmentally benign) lubricant combinations were prepared by homogeneously mixing nano- (20 nm), sub-micrometre- (600 nm average size) and micrometre-scale (4 μm average size) boric acid powder additives with canola oil in a vortex generator. As a basis for comparison, lubricants of base canola oil and canola oil mixed with MoS(2) powder (ranging from 0.5 to 10 μm) were also prepared. Friction and wear experiments were carried out on the prepared lubricants using a pin-on-disc apparatus under ambient conditions. Based on the experiments, the nanoscale (20 nm) particle boric acid additive lubricants significantly outperformed all of the other lubricants with respect to frictional and wear performance. In fact, the nanoscale boric acid powder-based lubricants exhibited a wear rate more than an order of magnitude lower than the MoS(2) and larger sized boric acid additive-based lubricants. It was also discovered that the oil mixed with a combination of sub-micrometre- and micrometre-scale boric acid powder additives exhibited better friction and wear performance than the canola oil mixed with sub-micrometre- or micrometre-scale boric acid additives alone.
Postdural puncture cephalgia

Since August Bier reported the first case in 1898, postdural puncture cephalgia (PDPC) has been a problem for patients after dural puncture. Bier’s article discussed the pathophysiology of low-pressure headache caused by the leaking of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid to the epidural space. Clinical and laboratory research for the last 30 years has shown that use of small-gauge needles, particularly of the pencil-point design, is associated with a lower risk of PDPC than traditional cutting-point needle tips (Quincke-point needle). The taking of a thorough history can rule out other causes of headache. A postural component of headache is the sine qua non of PDPC. In high-risk patients, that is, those younger than 50 years of age, postpartum, large-gauge needle puncture, epidural blood patch should be performed within 24 to 48 hours of dural puncture. The optimum volume of blood has been shown to be 12 to 20 mL for adult patients. Complications resulting from autologous epidural blood patch are rare.
The influence of glancing incidence excitation upon the Auger yield curve of gold

Abstract Auger electron yield curves (peak height versus primary energy) for the N 6,7 VV gold peak are presented and it is shown that one maximum is observed for normally incident primary electrons while grazing incidence gives rise to two maxima. This results from Coster-Kronig influences on the total N 6,7 ionization cross section. The experimental data show that slope changes in the yield curve are not always observed upon crossing the critical energy for Coster-Kronig transitions, even though significant Coster-Kronig influences may be present in an Auger electron transition.
Herpesviruses throw a curve ball: new insights into microRNA biogenesis and evolution.

Validation and comparison of previously unknown microRNA genes in related herpesviruses yielded several surprises, most notably in regard to viral evolution and microRNA biogenesis. An explosion of literature has recently appeared describing the identification and mechanism of action of microRNAs (miRNAs)—small RNA regulators of gene expression in plant and animal cells.
Trajectories of Delinquency From Adolescence to Adulthood

Rising immigration rates to the United States have been associated with increased public sentiment against immigrant populations and fears that immigration will lead to escalations in crime and delinquency. However, surprisingly few researchers have studied delinquency among immigrant youth overall or in comparison with U.S.-born youth. Guided by a life-course perspective, this article uses three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to describe longitudinal variations in delinquency by gender, race/ethnicity, immigrant generation, coethnic community concentration, and their interactions. The article finds that first-generation Asian females and second-generation Hispanic females have the highest risk of delinquency during early adolescence. During late adolescence, Asian and Hispanic third-plus generation youth have the highest risk of delinquency. However, as youth transition to adulthood, the rates of delinquency for all population groups converge.