cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A parallel architecture graphics processor

A parallel architecture for realizing a graphics system for real-time display of computer-generated images is proposed. The graphics architecture is configured with an arbitrary number of identical channels. The screen display space is partitioned into n/sup 2/ zones. The implementation algorithms are distributed in three stages of n processors connected by n*n switches. The first stage rasterizes the objects. The second stage generates the depth values for the intermediate pixels when it receives two matching tags (i.e. two pixels with the same y coordinate). The x coordinates are then used as tags to communicate the depth values to the third stage. Since the depth values are passed, finding the minimum removes the hidden surfaces. Each channel generates its own version of the screen, and a combination unit combines these versions to produce the final image. >
A Study of Voluntary Organizational Membership: The Assimilation Process in a Community Choir

Whereas most previous research on organizational assimilation has examined the process of employees joining, becoming a part of, or leaving organizations as part of their careers, this study examines the assimilation process of volunteer members of a community choir. Results indicate that many of the same concepts apply to both employees and volunteers during anticipatory socialization, encounter, metamorphosis, and exit. However, volunteer experiences are different from employee experiences in a number of important areas throughout the process, especially regarding exit. These findings have implications for other volunteer organizations and for assimilation research in general.
Alkalic magmas generated by partial melting of garnet pyroxenite

Many oceanic-island basalts (OIBs) with isotopic signatures of recycled crustal components are silica poor and strongly nepheline (ne) normative and therefore unlike the silicic liquids generated from partial melting of recycled mid-oceanic-ridge basalt (MORB). High-pressure partial-melting experiments on a garnet pyroxenite (MIX1G) at 2.0 and 2.5 GPa produce strongly ne-normative and silica-poor partial melts. The MIX1G solidus is located below 1350 and 1400 8C at 2 and 2.5 GPa, respectively, slightly cooler than the solidus of dry peridotite. Chemographic analysis suggests that natural garnet pyroxenite compositions straddle a thermal divide. Whereas partial melts of compositions on the silica-excess side of the divide (such as recycled MORB) are silica saturated, those from silica-deficient garnet pyroxenites can be alkalic and have similar- ities to low-silica OIB. Although the experimental partial melts are too rich in Al2O3 to be parental to highly undersaturated OIB suites, higher-pressure (4-5 GPa) partial melting of garnet pyrox- enite is expected to yield more appropriate parental liquids for OIB lavas. Silica-deficient garnet pyroxenite, which may originate by mixing of MORB with peridotite, or by recycling of other mafic lithologies, represents a plausible source of OIB that may resolve the apparent contradiction of strongly alkalic composition with iso- topic ratios characteristic of a recycled component.
The Genomics of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia continues to be a major cause of neonatal morbidity, despite significant progress in the treatment of preterm neonates. The cause is multifactorial, with prematurity as the primary culprit and other factors including ventilator-induced lung injury, exposure to oxygen, and inflammation. Recent studies in twins show that 53% of the variance is attributable to genetic factors. In this review, we critically evaluate published association studies of candidate gene polymorphisms.
An approach to line labeling using Markov random fields

A method is presented for obtaining a line labeling from a greyscale image of opaque trihedral objects, using Markov random fields (MRFs). Orientation sensitive filters provide evidence to an MRF which marks the lines and junctions in the original image. These lines and junctions are then extracted and used to build a graph for another, coupled MRF, in which graph nodes represent individual junctions and lines rather than pixels. The paper emphasizes the design and operation of this latter, coupled MRF. An important aspect of this work is the fact that junctions and lines are both labeled by this coupled system, in contrast to earlier work, which took junction labels as given and immutable. This gives rise to a robust system, in which prior knowledge of acceptable configurations can serve to override noisy or misleading evidence. >
Prolongation of survival following depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in mice with experimental brain tumors.

Object Regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells have been shown to play an important role in the regulation of the immune response. Whereas the presence of these cells has been associated with immune suppression, the lack of regulatory T (Treg) cells has been shown to induce autoimmunity. The purpose of this study was to define the role of Treg cells in tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). Methods The authors implanted syngeneic GL261 tumor cells in the brains or flanks of C57BL/6 mice. The resulting tumors were later removed at specific time points, and the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was analyzed by performing flow cytometry for the presence of Treg cells. In a separate experiment, mice with GL261 tumors were treated with injections of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to determine whether depletion of Treg cells may have an impact on the length of survival in mice with brain tumors. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from mice with GL261 tumors were found to have a significant increase...
Cavity-enhanced mid-infrared absorption in perforated graphene

Graphene's unique electronic structure due to its two-dimensional nature results in numerous advantageous properties, such as highly tunable chemical potential and the ability to support highly confined surface plasmons with exceptionally long lifetimes. In the context of optical absorbers, we theoretically calculate, using both analytical and numerical techniques, that the coupling of a continuous monolayer of perforated graphene to simple optical cavities results in greatly enhanced absorption in the mid-infrared regime due to graphene surface plasmons, with tunability of the resonance peak by more than its full width at half maximum. We identified and studied two distinct cases: quarter wavelength Fabry-Perot cavities which result in near- unity absorption, and deeply subwavelength cavities which enhance the universal graphene absorption approximately fourfold. The structural simplicity and large spectral tunability of the proposed designs render them applicable to infrared modulators, sensors, and bolometers. © 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) (DOI: 10.1117/1.JNP.8.083888)
Species-level analysis of diets of two mormoopid bats from Puerto Rico

Abstract Molecular approaches, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allow biologists to analyze the diet of mammals in more detail than conventional techniques, by targeting DNA of prey found within feces. Diets of the Antillean ghost-faced bat (Mormoops blainvillei) and sooty mustached bat (Pteronotus quadridens) on Puerto Rico were determined via PCR, and resulting sequences of DNA were compared with those in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD). We identified 21 species consumed by M. blainvillei and 4 by P. quadridens, although an additional 12 sequences were identified to genus or family. Seven taxa in the diet of these bats were of agricultural or human-health concern. All sequences, including those that did not match a reference insect in BOLD, were collapsed into molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) and used to demonstrate that dietary breadth (Levin's measure) of M. blainvillei was 18% less than that of P. quadridens and that dietary overlap (Schoener's index) between species was ...
Effective Tension in Robbins's Economic Methodology

Lionel Robbins' Essay is one of the most influential methodological works in twentieth century economics. This said, the Essay is not philosophically seamless; it exhibits certain tensions that are not easily reconciled within any specific philosophical characterization of scientific knowledge. This paper discusses these issues, but also emphasizes that these tensions did not inhibit the influence of the Essay within economics. In fact, it is argued that these philosophical tensions actually contributed to its influence. It was a methodology for economics, not for philosophers, and its influence needs to be understood within the context of 1930s marginalist economics.
MicroRNA-194 (miR-194) regulates ROMK channel activity by targeting intersectin 1.

The aim of the study is to explore the role of miR-194 in mediating the effect of high-K (HK) intake on ROMK channel. Northern blot analysis showed that miR-194 was expressed in kidney and that HK ...
Predictive occurrence models for coastal wetland plant communities: delineating hydrologic response surfaces with multinomial logistic regression

Abstract Understanding plant community zonation along estuarine stress gradients is critical for effective conservation and restoration of coastal wetland ecosystems. We related the presence of plant community types to estuarine hydrology at 173 sites across coastal Louisiana. Percent relative cover by species was assessed at each site near the end of the growing season in 2008, and hourly water level and salinity were recorded at each site Oct 2007–Sep 2008. Nine plant community types were delineated with k- means clustering, and indicator species were identified for each of the community types with indicator species analysis. An inverse relation between salinity and species diversity was observed. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) effectively segregated the sites across ordination space by community type, and indicated that salinity and tidal amplitude were both important drivers of vegetation composition. Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) were used to predict the probability of occurrence of the nine vegetation communities as a function of salinity and tidal amplitude, and probability surfaces obtained from the MLR model corroborated the CCA results. The weighted kappa statistic, calculated from the confusion matrix of predicted versus actual community types, was 0.7 and indicated good agreement between observed community types and model predictions. Our results suggest that models based on a few key hydrologic variables can be valuable tools for predicting vegetation community development when restoring and managing coastal wetlands.
Human oocytes reprogram somatic cells to a pluripotent state

The exchange of the oocyte’s genome with the genome of a somatic cell, followed by the derivation of pluripotent stem cells, could enable the generation of specific cells affected in degenerative human diseases. Such cells, carrying the patient’s genome, might be useful for cell replacement. Here we report that the development of human oocytes after genome exchange arrests at late cleavage stages in association with transcriptional abnormalities. In contrast, if the oocyte genome is not removed and the somatic cell genome is merely added, the resultant triploid cells develop to the blastocyst stage. Stem cell lines derived from these blastocysts differentiate into cell types of all three germ layers, and a pluripotent gene expression program is established on the genome derived from the somatic cell. This result demonstrates the feasibility of reprogramming human cells using oocytes and identifies removal of the oocyte genome as the primary cause of developmental failure after genome exchange. The generation of animals by transfer of the genome from an adult cell into an unfertilized oocyte 1 , and the isolation of pluripotent stem cells from human blastocysts 2 , raised the prospect of generating stem cells with a patient’s genome. This prospect holds much medical promise as these patient-specific stem cells could be used to generate differentiated cells for cell replacement. Unfortunately, progress towards this goal has been slowed by legal and social considerations limiting the availability of human oocytes for research. Despite these limitations, several studies were conducted 3–11 , but none have achieved the
Effect of state legislation prohibiting denial of emergency department patient claims.

Abstract Study objective: On July 1, 1996, two Florida state laws were implemented to prevent denial of legitimate patient claims. Our objective was to determine whether the laws have been effective in reducing inappropriate denials as measured by the proportion of claims and charges denied. Methods: A comprehensive set of claims for in-state emergency physician services from a physician billing company were analyzed for the period January 1996 through June 1997, covering 6 months before and 12 months after the effective date of state legislation. The number of facilities included in the data varied from 55 to 67 (mean 63). Denials were classified into 6 categories by payer type. Gross denials were those claims that were completely not paid by the payer, net denials represented the amount denied after patient payments. Downcoding was not examined in this study. Main outcome measures were the proportion of claims and charges denied before and after July 1, 1996. Results: The classification of relative proportions of primary payers did not change appreciably over the study period. The proportion of denied claims decreased significantly (Kruskal-Wallis P Conclusion: After initiation of state legislation, payers continue to inappropriately deny claims, although the number of claims and total charges denied has decreased. In response to this legislation, payers are denying larger claims and patient copayments have increased. [Seaberg DC, Stimler JE, Wears RL. Effect of state legislation prohibiting denial of emergency department patient claims. Ann Emerg Med. March 2000;35:267-271.]
Fixation probabilities in a spatially heterogeneous environment

We consider a simple model of a one-locus, two-allele population inhibiting a two-patch system and experiencing spatially heterogeneous viability selection. The populaton size is finite. We use a diffusion approximation and singular perturbation techniques to find the probability of fixation of a mutant allele. We focus on situations in which each allele is advantageous in one patch and deleterious in the other patch. Our theoretical results support the previous conclusions that, under certain conditions, small populations respond faster to selection than do large populations. We emphasize that knowledge of the dependence of migration rates on population size is crucial in evaluating the effects of population size on the rate of evolution.
Effects of Teaching Experience, Knowledge of Performer Competence, and Knowledge of Performance Outcome on Performance Error Identification

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if experienced tennis teachers could be differentiated from inexperienced tennis teachers on the basis of their ability to identify common performance errors in films depicting the performance of the tennis forehand. The study also sought to determine if the differences in error detection proficiency between the two groups would be greater when subjects were provided with preresponse information concerning the performer's level of competence in the skill (PCI) and postresponse information concerning the outcome produced by the response (POI). The error detection proficiency of 40 experienced tennis teachers and 40 undergraduate physical education students was assessed under conditions of PCI and POI present, PCI present and POI absent, PCI absent and POI present, and PCI and POI absent. Results indicated that the experienced teachers, although significantly more accurate in detecting errors than the novice teachers, were only marginally so. No positive e...
Relationship Marketing In Niger Delta's Oil Communities

This qualitative phenomenological case study is based on the exploration and production activities of a major oil company in Nigeria, the companys experiences within its operating community, and the relationship marketing actions that the company may take in order to maintain general non-disruptive operational atmosphere in the area. Data was collected by interviewing 25 of the stakeholders within the community (Creswell, 2007) to determine their opinions on the general tension in the area as related to the communitys relationship with the major oil company. The interviewees were then asked for their opinions on possible steps that can be taken toward resolution of the problem of unrests in the area resulting from the operations of the major oil company. Specifically, in-depth semi-structured interview methodology was used (Moustakas, 1994). Each participant was asked the following three questions: What do you feel, in general, about your experience of the different unrests that have occurred between the particular major oil company and the host community in the recent past? What do you think can be done to resolve the problems that periodically lead to these unrests? Who is best suited to implement permanent solution to the problem(s)? The data collected was analyzed for themes, that is, clusters of meanings from the significant statement, sentences, or quotes, obtained from the interview transcriptions (Creswell, 2007). The researchers repeated lived experiences (Moustakas, 1994) of the problem of unrest in the area, was also relevant. Results showed that community leaders and some of the other stakeholders in the community desire a greater development of the relationship between the company and the community. They feel greater involvement of the community in the major oil companys projects undertaken for the community would help. Employment of more citizens of the community in technical areas such as engineering and geology are also desirable. In this connection, the company may consider some form of community tutoring or educational upgrade programs to bring high school students in the community up to speed in mathematics and other science subjects. Further, even though the research showed that the major oil company annually budgets substantial amount and carries out infrastructural projects for the community, the general feeling is that an increase in the level and scope would be advantageous for the companys long-term operations in the community.
Evaluation of the Single Ventricle

The terms “single ventricle” and “functional single ventricle” apply to a broad group of congenital cardiac lesions that, despite their marked anatomic heterogeneity, share a common, unifying characteristic: a biventricular intracardiac repair cannot be performed to separate the systemic and pulmonary circulations. In essence, a single functional ventricular pumping chamber supplies both the systemic and pulmonary vascular beds; oxygenated and deoxygenated blood blend together, and all patients exhibit some degree of systemic arterial desaturation. In the management of these patients, the ultimate goal is to separate the systemic and pulmonary circulations such that deoxygenated systemic venous blood returns passively to the pulmonary arteries without the assistance of a separate pumping chamber. The resultant physiology, known as Fontan physiology, forms the basis for the current management of the single ventricle patient. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can play an important role in the diagnostic evaluation of single ventricle patients. The most common application of TEE is in the intraoperative setting—preoperatively, to verify anatomy and physiology, and postoperatively, to evaluate the results of cardiac surgery. However, there are other non-operative settings in which TEE can be utilized to evaluate the detailed anatomy of the single ventricle patient, and to examine some of the possible problems and complications in operated patients. This chapter explores the use of TEE in the single ventricle patient.
Forest Element Cycling

Up to this point, we have focused on the effects of acid deposition on soils and soil solution. Acid deposition may affect nutrient cycles in forests quite directly by changing fluxes via solution (i.e., foliage and soil leaching). These changes in solution flux may in turn result in changes in solid-phase fluxes (litterfall) and, thus, affect the rate and nature of nutrient cycles as well, as will be discussed below. Also, the mere presence of a forest canopy affects input via dry deposition (gaseous and particulate); coniferous forests generally receive higher dry deposition inputs because of their perennial canopy and greater leaf area (Hofken 1983; Matzner 1983; Skeffington 1983).
Value of Schedule Delays by Time of Day: Evidence from Usage Data from High-Occupancy Toll Lanes on State Road 167

This study estimated the value of schedule delays (VSD) along the high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on State Road 167 in the state of Washington on the basis of revealed preference data from toll-paying users. More than 5 months of tolling records that included more than 1 million lane choices were used in the analysis. A mixed logit model was estimated to account for heterogeneity at the individual level. Drivers were assumed to evaluate reliability relative to their desired or expected arrival times (i.e., reference points). Three empirically determined reference point specifications were employed to calculate schedule delays, and the sensitivity of the results with respect to reference points was reported accordingly. The model estimations showed significant variations in the estimated VSDs for different times of day and also in different travel directions. The differences in VSD estimations could be as high as $17/h in a single time period depending on the reference point assumption. Reference point ass...
Field Trials and Laboratory Bioassays of CME 134, a New Insect Growth Regulator, Against Heliothis zea and Other Lepidopterous Pests of Soybeans

We conducted field experiments in 1982 and 1983 in central Alabama to determine the effectiveness of CME 134, a new insect growth regulator with molt-inhibiting activity, on immature lepidopterous pests of soybeans including the soybean looper ( Pseudoplusia includens [Walker]), the corn earworm ( Heliothis zea [Boddie]), the green cloverworm ( Plathypena scabra [Fabr.]), and the velvetbean caterpillar ( Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner). CME 134 was applied in doses of 16.5, 33.0, 66.0, 132.0, and 264.0 g (AI)/ha. CME 134-treated plots remained almost completely free of lepidopterous pests for at least 55 days after application in the 1982 tests, demonstrating high residual activity. Results of laboratory experiments suggested that residual activity was maintained through larvicidal activity of CME 134 residues on leaf surfaces. Dosage-mortality responses were determined for CME 134 against Heliothis zea larvae by continuous feeding on diet media in which the product was incorporated. LC50 values following 7 days of exposure were 21.9, 18.2, and 24.0 μg (AI)/ml diet medium for first-, third-, and fourth-instar larvae, respectively. LC50 values based on total larval + pupal mortality in insects initially exposed in the same three instars were 2.8, 2.2, and 3.7μg(AI)/ml medium, respectively. Dosage-mortality regressions for total larval + pupal mortality did not differ among instars. Early instars in general, died more rapidly than did later instars. Later instars died during the prepupal-to-pupal transformation.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Soft-Story Light-Frame Wood Buildings

Many older multi-story woodframe buildings in the United States were not designed according to the earthquake engineering principles. Most of these older buildings have a soft first story due to the existence of large garage doors or retail store window openings. These soft-story buildings are prone to large lateral movements (displacements and rotations) and even pancake collapses in the first story during earthquakes. Analyzing the stability and seismic performance of soft-story buildings that undergo large deformations require a geometric nonlinear analysis. This paper presents a new three dimensional (3D) model for nonlinear dynamic analysis of woodframe buildings under large deformations. In the proposed 3D model, the floor and roof diaphragms are modeled using a 3D two-node twelve degrees of freedom (DOF) corotational frame element. In corotational formulation, the orientation of the frame elements is updated in each modeling time step. The use of corotational formulation and 3D frame element allows the numerical model accurately captures the in-plane and out-of-plane motions of the diaphragms under large rotations. Two-node six DOFs (three translations and three rotations) link elements which represent the shear walls and wall studs are used to connect the diaphragms in a 3D space. To reduce the computational demand, shape functions are utilized in the proposed 3D model to eliminate the DOFs of the link elements from dynamic analysis. In other words, the size of the building stiffness matrix for dynamic analysis does not increase as more link elements (shear walls) are added to the structural model. An example application of the proposed 3D model for modeling a three-story building with soft first story is presented.
The Track of the Triangle: Form and Meaning in the Sepik, Papua New Guinea

THIS ARTICLE deals with the relationship between morphology and meaning in art, focusing on the triangle implemented as a preferred shape in visual art by Sepik cultures. It is an inquiry into how far the triangle conveys meaning that cannot be communicated by any other form, meaning thus determined through itself. By means of the triangle, fundamental values associated with gender, men and women, skull and vulva, killing/death/the creation of ancestors and women’s sexuality, and women as in-marrying wives, as well as the generation of life, become expressed simultaneously, depending on the orientation of the triangle. Thus, what might be called dualism is in fact complementarity contained and united in a single form. Moreover, in structuralist anthropological theory the triangle is often used as a model to visualize ternary structures and to explain the mediating process between dualisms and oppositions (Levi-Strauss 1963:143-162, 251266; Wagner 1986). I shall demonstrate that the Abelam (as well as other Sepik cultures) use the triangle as their own cultural expression rather than as a model created by outsiders, though the basic idea of the triangle or ternary structures as mediating between oppositions seems to be underlying both. Anthony Forge was among the first who argued that “Abelam painting could be regarded as a form of language operating on its own rules and communicating things that are not communicable by other methods” (1970: 288). In a later article he elaborated this topic by speaking about cultural sign systems that may or may not choose art as a medium. However, all
Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of food poisonings in Zunyi City between 2007 and 2011

Objective The study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of food poisoning incidents in Zunyi City, so to provide a reference for the prevention and control of food poisoning. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed on food poisonings reported in Zunyi City between 2009 and 2011. Results A total of 82 incidents of food poisoning were reported in Zunyi City between 2009 and 2011, including 1466 cases poisoned and 14 cases died from the poisonings. The incidents peaked in second and third quarters of the years, and the majority of the cases occurred in rural areas(46.34%) and within families(40.24%). Toxic plants and animals were the main cause of the incidents(48.78%), among which most were associated with bacteria and microorganisms(34.72%). Conclusion Prevention and control of food poisonings caused by bacteria and microorganisms, as well as toxic plants and animals should be emphasized during summer and autumn.
Transferred Translation of Predicate Negations in Chinese Scientific Writings

Predicate negations in Chinese scientific writings seldom act as general negation,and are frequently translated into:1) special negation,including subject,verbal-object and prepositional-object negation;2) implicit negation,by means of negative affix and word,phrase or construction of negative implication;3) positive sentence,non-negative in both construction and implication.Special negation and implicit negation make objective statements,whereas general negation tends to involve subjective evaluation or attitude,which is inconsistent with objectivity for scientific writing.Proper inter-lingual conversion may be achieved by referring to the semantic nature of predicate negation construction.
The separate existence of the pituitary erythropoietic hormone.

Although it is recognized that a number of factors are involved in the mechanism controlling red blood cell production, the anterior pituitary furnishes one factor of importance. This pituitary factor is apparently a hormone distinct from other trophic hormones. It is allied chemically only to ACTH and yet both biological and chemical evidence indicates that the pituitary erythropoietic hormone and ACTH are not the same. The major problem in further elucidating the role of the pituitary in the control of erythropoiesis resolves itself into developing a satisfactory method of preparation of erythropoietic hormone which will separate it from ACTH. It is true that no ACTH preparation has been made which does not possess some erythropoietic activity, and no pituitary erythropoietic hormone has been prepared which is entirely devoid of ACTH. Nevertheless, the proportion of these two activities in different preparations has varied so greatly as to assure their separate existence. Autolytic digestion consistently reduces the ACTH activity, while erythropoietic activity is retained. It has been found that oxycellulose is a better adsorbent of ACTH than of erythropoietic hormone. These observations add chemical evidence to the accumulated biological evidence establishing the separate existence of these two pituitary principles.
Raw Milk, Raw Power: States of (Mis)Trust

In recent years, raw milk has emerged as one of the most contentious food commodities, considered a serious health risk by public health officials and a source of healing and nourishment by raw milk proponents. The purpose of this article is to explore the ways in which consumers construct and experience trust in food that is often procured in informal markets. Because the image of an overreaching, exploitative government features prominently in popular narratives surrounding raw milk consumption, this article is explicitly concerned with the role of the state in public food debates. Drawing on two complementary empirical cases of raw milk consumption in the United States and postsocialist Lithuania, I argue that there are two competing projects that underlie the struggles surrounding raw milk provisioning in both sites: the politics of recognition and the politics of sovereignty. As similarly argued by Charles Taylor, the politics of recognition emphasizes the efforts of raw milk consumers to be accepted, supported, and recognized by the larger polity, including its public health institutions, legislative bodies, and welfare state. On the other hand, raw milk proponents call for sovereignty, postulating that food choices and intake should lie outside of state prerogatives. More broadly, this study reveals how trust in a food product is tied to the ongoing legitimacy crisis of the modern state, and in particular how a renewed value of locavorism becomes anchored in a fundamental distrust of the postindustrial, postwelfare state and its institutions.
Autoradiographic Estimation of Red Cell D Antigen Content Using 125I–Anti-D and 125I Membrane Labeling

The D antigen content of red cells in the venous circulation of normal adult donors was estimated autoradiographically with 125I–anti-D. The distribution of silver grains on individual cells deviated significantly from a Poisson distribution, indicating that there was nonuniform labeling. Neuraminidase and papain modification of red cells prior to antibody binding resulted in increased anti-D binding and a labeling pattern that more closely approximated the Poisson, demonstrating that part of the labeling heterogeneity was associated with membrane properties affecting antibody binding. Membrane iodination of intact red cells with lactoperoxidase, which served as a nonantibody membrane label, produced a labeling pattern indistinguishable from that found with immunologically bound anti-D. Membrane iodination with iodine monochloride produced a significantly different labeling pattern with a large proportion of unlabeled and heavily labeled cells. Neuraminidase and papain modification prior to membrane iodination did not produce an increase in the quantity of 125I–incorporated into the membrane nor did it significantly change the non-Poisson grain count distribution. Anti-D labeling heterogeneity was associated with immunologic and technical factors associated with autoradiography. The results, however, could not conclusively rule out differences in intrinsic D antigen content of circulating red cells.
The effects of dynamics on the triboelectrification of volcanic ash

Lightning is often observed during explosive volcanic eruptions, and the charging processes associated with these displays have been attributed to several mechanisms. In this work we delineate a set of experiments designed to quantify silicate-based triboelectric charging in the volcanic context. Using natural samples from three different volcanoes, we show that the rate of triboelectrification in a fluidized bed depends on the energy input into the granular system. Experiments are conducted employing nonintrusive electrostatic sensors, ensuring that all charge exchange arises solely from particle-particle collisions. At higher fluidization energies, particles undergo more frequent and energetic collisions, facilitating the transfer of charge. This finding implies that triboelectric charging could help promote charging in regions of the eruptive system that contain numerous particle-particle collisions such as the conduit and gas thrust regions. Our experiments also suggest that surface charge density is capped, at least in part, by atmospheric conditions, specifically the breakdown characteristics of the gas.
Continuous and Discontinuous Dynamic Crossover in Supercooled Water in Computer Simulations.

The dynamic crossover behavior of supercooled water as described by the first-principle based WAIL potential was investigated. Below the second liquid–liquid critical point, the viscosity shows a discontinuous jump consistent with a first-order phase transition between the high density liquid and the low density liquid. Above the critical point, a continuous transition occurs with only the first derivative of viscosity being discontinuous, and the dynamic crossover temperature is about 8 K below the thermodynamic switchover temperature. The 8 K shift can be explained by a delay in dynamic crossover, which does not occur until the more viscous liquid starts to dominate the population and jams the flow. On the basis of finite-size effects observed in our simulations, we believe that dynamic discontinuity may be observable above the critical point in confined water when the confinement is on a length scale shorter than the spatial correlation.
How the Other Half Ate: A History of Working-Class Meals at the Turn of the Century

In How the Other Half Ate, Katherine Leonard Turner argues that both the way working-class Americans ate at the turn of the century and the rhetoric of middle-class reformers’ discourse about those...
Two Cellular Components of Bone Marrow Origin Contribute to Pulmonary Irradiation Fibrosis.

Abstract Following lung irradiation of C57BL/6NHsd mice, migration of marrow origin macrophages into the lungs is detectable at 100 days followed by migration of marrow origin fibroblasts into areas of developing organizing alveolitis/fibrosis. To demonstrate the importance of each cellular migration, mice were irradiated to 20 Gy to the pulmonary cavity. Beginning at day 80, the mice were injected (daily for 15 days I.P.) with antibodies to either mouse macrophages or to a pan-T-cell antigen (M1/70 or TIB-207, respectively). Groups of mice were injected at day 80 with DS-red labeled Smad3+/+ clonal bone marrow stromal cell line cells or a GFP+ Smad3−/− bone marrow stromal cell line. The mice were then followed for survival. Mice injected with the M1/70 antibody had increased survival compared to those receiving TIB-207 or control irradiated mice (percent survival at 180 days 90% and 60% compared to 40%, p=0.0225 and 0.8263). There was a decrease in the number of macrophages in the lungs of mice injected with M1/70 compared to TIB-207 injected or control irradiated mice. Mice injected with bone marrow stromal cells from the Smad3−/− line, which have abrogation of the TGF-β signaling pathway, showed decreased numbers of labeled cells in areas of organizing alveolitis/fibrosis compared to mice that were injected with Smad3+/+ cells at 120 days (5.4 ± 1.6% vs. 21.0 ± 3.3% cells per 100x high powered field in areas of organizing alveolitis/fibrosis, respectively, p = 0.0003). These results demonstrate a critical importance of both marrow hematopoietic (macrophage) and stromal fibroblasts to the development of irradiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Elevated Serum Neutrophil Elastase but Not Proteinase 3 Is Present in Patients with Myeloid Leukemia.

Abstract Proteinase 3 (P3) and neutrophil elastase (NE) are abnormally expressed in the cytoplasm of myeloid leukemia, and we have shown that the HLA-A2-restricted peptide PR1 is processed and cross-presented from both proteins by antigen-presenting cells (APC) to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). PR1-specific CTL kills leukemia cells and contributes to cytogenetic remission in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Both exogenous P3 and NE can bind to monocytes and P3 promotes DC maturation in vitro. Since high levels of circulating P3 were found in patients with the ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis Wegener's granulomatosis, modulation of DC by P3 has been implicated in reversal of tolerance. The role of extracellular P3 and NE in reversing tolerance in patients with myeloid leukemia is unknown. We used an ELISA assay to assess P3 and NE level in the sera of patients with AML and CML. Serum NE level was highly increased in all 15 AML patients studied (1045±149 ng/ml, n = 15) and in all 15 CML patients (1013±128, n = 15), compared to a control group of healthy donors (54±13 ng/ml, n = 4; p = 0.0038 and p = 0.0014, respectively). In contrast, serum P3 was increased in only 5 out of 18 (28%) AML patients (47 ± 18, n = 18 ng/ml) and in 8 out of 28 (29%) CML patients (95 ± 44 ng/ml, n = 28) compared to a group of 14 healthy donors (10 ± 2.2 ng/ml; p = 0.09 and p = 0.06, respectively). There was no relationship between elevated serum NE and P3 levels (r=0.16, n=35). P3 level in untreated patients and healthy donors did not change within at least 13 months, although P3 decreased after allogeneic BMT in 5 out of 5 patients (p
Preliminary evaluation on the effectiveness of varying doses of supplemental tryptophan as a calmative in horses.

Abstract Tryptophan (Trp), the amino acid precursor to serotonin, is a common ingredient in many commercial equine calming supplements. However, there is little scientific research to support the efficacy of tryptophan at modifying horse behavior. The objective of this study was to examine how various doses of supplemental tryptophan impact reactive behavior and physiological stress measurements in the horse. Eleven horses (9 geldings, 2 mares) were assigned a series of four treatments in a randomized crossover design. Supplemental tryptophan was provided orally at rates of 0 (CON), 20 (LOW), 40 (MED), and 60 (HIGH) mg/kg bodyweight for three days. Horses received behavior tests to measure startle response on Days 1 and 3 of treatment. Heart rate measurements and the speed at which horses fled from startling stimuli were recorded. Serum glucose, lactate, and cortisol levels were compared before and after startle tests. Additionally, a subset of samples was analyzed for tryptophan content and the ratio of tryptophan to other large neutral amino acids. Significant sedative effects were seen at LOW Day 1 on heart rate during the startle test (P = 0.05) and on change in serum lactate levels (P = 0.03). At MED Day 1, sedative effects were seen on change in serum cortisol levels (P = 0.01). Excitatory effects were seen at MED Day 3 on the time for heart rate to return to baseline after the startle test (P = 0.03). No significant effects were seen at the HIGH dose. Amino acid analysis verified treatment effect on Day 1. Across treatments, levels were similar on Days 1 and 3 (P = 0.9) while there were no significant increases in amino acids on Day 3 (P = 0.98). Overall, tryptophan supplementation had both sedative and excitatory effects on physiological stress measurements but did not change reactive behavior of horses in this study.
Organizational structures and outcomes of newly hired and experienced nurse practitioners in New York State

Abstract Background Given the projected increase in the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce, the number of NPs in health care organizations will grow. However, little is known about the capacity of these organizations to create conducive environments for NP practice. Purpose Examine and compare the NP patient panel, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and organizational structures of NPs with less than three (newly hired) and more than three (experienced) years of experience in their current job. Methods An online survey of New York State Nurse Practitioner Association members was conducted in 2012; 278 NPs completed measures of NP patient panel, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and organizational structures. Discussion Both newly hired and experienced NPs faced organizational challenges such as poor relations with administration and lack infrastructure for care. Newly hired NPs were twice more likely to have turnover intentions. Conclusion These organizational barriers should be addressed by administrators to assure optimal NP practice.
Socioeconomic status discrimination and C-reactive protein in African-American and White adults

Abstract Objectives We examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES) discrimination and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a biracial cohort of middle-aged adults using an intersectionality framework. Methods Participants were 401 African-American and White adults from a population-based cohort in the Southeastern United States. SES discrimination was self-reported with a modified Experiences of Discrimination Scale, and CRP levels were assayed from blood samples. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations among SES discrimination, race, education, and CRP after controlling for age, gender, racial and gender discrimination, financial and general stress, body mass index, smoking, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms. Intersectional effects were tested using race × SES discrimination, education × SES discrimination and race × education × SES discrimination interactions. Results Adjusting for sociodemographics, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and all relevant two-way interaction terms, we observed a significant race × education × SES discrimination interaction (p = 0.019). In adjusted models stratified by race and education, SES discrimination was associated with elevated CRP among higher educated African-Americans (β = 0.29, p = 0.018), but not lower educated African-Americans (β= −0.13, p = 0.32); or lower educated (β= −0.02, p = 0.92) or higher educated (β= −0.01, p = 0.90) Whites. Conclusions Findings support the relevance of SES discrimination as an important discriminatory stressor for CRP specifically among higher educated African-Americans.
Mackie's Internalisms

John Mackie is famous for defending an error theory about moral judgments. His main arguments for this controversial view are based on relativity and on queerness. He calls the argument from queerness “more important” and “more generally applicable” (1977, p. 38), and then he divides this argument into metaphysical and epistemological parts. I subdivide the metaphysical part further into an argument from internalism and an argument from supervenience. This Chapter explores part of Mackie's argument from internalism.
Iron Metabolism and Its Disorders

Publisher Summary Iron is the second most abundant metal and the fourth most common element. Unfortunately, it is chemically unstable and is easily oxidized to an insoluble ferric form, which is the form found in rocks and soils. Ferric iron is unavailable for most biological systems. All living organisms, except possibly Lactobacillus, require iron. It is important for biological processes because it can exist in two oxidation states: Fe 2+ and Fe 3+, which can be easily interconverted. Iron is so inaccessible that organisms use a variety of mechanisms to get iron from their environments. Because free iron can catalyze free radicals from molecular oxygen and hydrogen ions, it can have disastrous consequences for biological materials. So, intracellular iron is bound to or incorporated into various proteins or other chelates to reduce its toxicity. Those proteins or chelates are responsible for the absorption, storage, and biological activity of iron. Study of iron metabolism involves a study of the physiological compounds associated with it.
Authentication of pork in meat mixtures using PRM mass spectrometry of myosin peptides

Adulteration of meat products is a major concern not only for economic fraud, but also for ethical reasons. In this study, we presented a parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry approach for detection of trace pork in meat mixtures (chicken, sheep, and beef). Specific peptides were identified and screened by a shotgun proteomic approach based on tryptic digests of certain protein. Five surrogate peptides from myosin were screened and then used for pork detection by PRM of Orbitrap MS. When the most sensitive peptide was selected, the LOD in mixed meat can be up to 0.5%. The RSD values between detected and designated pork levels (1%, 5% and 50%) were 4–15%. The targeted method developed can be applied to identify and quantify the pork in meat mixture.