cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of chemical representations in physical chemistry textbooks

That different levels of representation are important for complete understanding of chemistry is an accepted fact in the chemistry education community. This study sought to uncover types of representations used in given physical chemistry textbooks. Textbooks play a central role in the teaching and learning of science (chemistry), and in some cases textbooks are the curriculum (Chiappetta and Fillman, 2007; Gkitzia et al., 2011). The books are not only central to instructors' curriculum; they are also a major resource for students' reference especially outside of class. Using a coding rubric developed by Gkitzia et al. (2011), the physical chemistry textbooks were analyzed to determine at what level(s) the included representations conveyed chemistry content. Representations were also analyzed for their characteristics or features. Results indicate that the analyzed texts contain at least one representation on 95% of the sampled pages and, on average each page contains about 1.4 representations. The vast majority of the representations are symbolic level representations, accounting for about 85% of representations. Particulate or submicroscopic representations were in a slightly higher proportion than macroscopic and multiple representations, but these collectively only accounted for about 15% of the representations in the textbooks. Our results indicate no significant difference in the types of representations used in textbooks for chemistry and life science majors. Across editions of a number of textbooks, there does not seem to be a difference in the type and proportion of representations used. An analysis of the representations showed that virtually all were completely related to the accompanying text, had surface features that were clear and explicit, and captions were concise, explicit and completely described associated representations. Implications of our findings to the chemistry education community are described.
Effect of cathode GDL characteristics on mass transport in PEM fuel cells

Abstract The effect of the content of the hydrophobic agent in the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) on the mass transport in the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was studied using mercury porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical polarization techniques. The mercury intrusion data and SEM micrograph indicated that the hydrophobic agent alters the surface and bulk structure of the GDL, thereby controlling gas-phase void volume and liquid water transport. The electrochemical polarization curves were measured and quantitatively analyzed to determine the oxygen transport limitation both in the catalyst layer and the GDL. Evaluation of the parameter ζ, which represents the cathode GDL characteristics for liquid water transport, indicated that the optimized content of the hydrophobic agent and effective water management results from a trade-off between the hydrophobicity and the absolute permeability for faster water drainage.
Time Resolved Scanning PIV measurements at fine scales in a turbulent jet

Abstract The temporal and spatial complexity of turbulent flows at intermediate and small scales has prevented the acquisition of full three-dimensional experimental data sets for validating classical turbulent theory and Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). Experimental techniques like Particle Velocimetry, PIV, allow non-intrusive planar measurements of turbulent flows. The present work applied a Time Resolved Scanning PIV system, TRS-PIV, capable of obtaining three-dimensional two-component velocities to measure the small scales of a turbulent jet. When probing the small scales of these flows with PIV, the uncertainty of the measured turbulent properties are determined by the characteristics of the PIV system and specially the thickness of the laser sheet. A measurement of the particle distribution across the thickness of the laser sheet is proposed as a more detailed description of the PIV sheet thickness. The high temporal and spatial resolution of the TRS-PIV system allowed obtaining quasi-instantaneous volumetric vector fields at the far field of a round turbulent jet in water, albeit for a low Reynolds number of 1478 due to the speed limitations of the present camera and scanning system. Six of the nine components of the velocity gradient tensor were calculated from the velocity measurements. This allowed the visualization with near Kolmogorov-scale resolution of the velocity gradient structures in three-dimensional space. In general, these structures had a complex geometry corresponding to elongated shapes in the form of sheets and tubes. An analysis of the probability density function, pdf, of the velocity gradients calculated showed that the on-diagonal (off-diagonal) velocity gradient components were very similar to each other even for events at the tails of the pdfs, as required for homogeneous isotropy. The root mean square of the components of the velocity gradients is also calculated and their ratio of off-diagonal components to on-diagonal components satisfied the 2 factor required for homogeneous isotropic flows. The ratio of the longitudinal Taylor scale to the transverse Taylor scale was also calculated agreeing with the homogeneous isotropic turbulence requirements within 1%.
Processing of normal and non-glycosylated forms of toad pro-opiocortin by rat intermediate (pituitary) lobe pro-opiocortin converting enzyme activity.

Abstract The influence of glycosylation of a prohormone, pro-opiocortin, on its processing by intermediate (pituitary) lobe converting enzyme activity in vitro was studied. [3H]-arginine-labeled glycosylated and non-glycosylated pro-opiocortins were isolated from untreated, and tunicamycin treated toad neurointermediate lobes, respectively, after pulse-labeling in [3H]-arginine containing incubation media. These labeled precursors were then incubated at 37°C in the presence of pro-opiocortin converting enzyme activity derived from rat intermediate lobe (pituitary) secretory granule lysates. The rates of conversion of the glycosylated and nonglycosylated pro-opiocortins to smaller peptide products, in vitro , were similar. Analysis of the peptide products by immunoprecipitation with ACTH and β-endorphin antisera, and subsequent electrophoresis on acid-urea gels, indicate a comparable processing in vitro of the two forms of pro-opiocortin substrate. The only difference was that the normally glycosylated peptide products derived from glycosylated pro-opiocortin (i.e., 13K ACTH, 21K ACTH, and the 16K glycopeptide) differed in their gel electrophoretic mobilities from their counterparts derived from non-glycosylated prohormone, in a manner consistent with the absence of carbohydrate on the latter's peptides. These data show that glycosylation of the prohormone does not influence its processing in vitro by the converting enzyme activity.
Generation of node lists using segment analysis

This paper presents two straightforward algorithms for generating node lists for reducible graphs. The algorithms are much simpler than those of Aho and Ullman [1]. The length of the node list produced by the algorithms given here is bounded above by (d + 1)n, where n is the number of nodes in the graph and d is the number of nodes that are tails of back edges. For realistic programs, however, the algorithms given here produce much shorter node lists, generally of length less than 3n. This paper emphasizes simplicity of the algorithms.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a single-center evolving experience.

Objectives To review our laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) experience, examine the evolution of technique, and compare the outcomes between the early and recent experience. The indications and surgical technique of LPN continuously evolve. Methods Data for 184 patients who underwent LPN for a tumor between October 2002 and August 2008 was retrieved from a prospective database. Surgical and functional outcomes for the entire cohort were analyzed and the first 50 (group 1) and most recent 50 (group 2) cases were compared. Results The groups were similar in terms of baseline renal function, body mass index, and comorbidities. The mean tumor size and the proportion of central tumors in groups 1 and 2 were 2.4 vs 3 cm and 12% vs 52%, respectively (P 4 cm had more complications (P = .042). In group 2 the estimated blood loss and hospital stay decreased (243 vs 140 mL, P = .01, 1.4 vs 2.5 days, P Conclusions With growing experience and technical modifications, LPN is now performed for patients with larger and more central tumors. Longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate oncologic outcomes.
Solar Oblateness and Magnetic Field

It has been suggested that the observed Solar oblateness may be caused by a gravitational quadrupole moment. The answer may not be so simple, however, because of magnetic stress and differential rotation between the radiation layer and the core.
Prospects in the Academic Labor Market for Economists

This paper discussed what the academic labor market for economists is likely to look like in the years ahead. After tracing out trends in PhD production of new economists, including the increasing share of new PhDs who are foreign residents, it presents new evidence on the growing use of part-time and full-time non tenure-track faculty in U.S. economics departments, the growing salary differentials between economists employed at private and public doctoral universities, and how economists' salaries have changed relative to those of faculty in other disciplines.
The Long-Term Hydrographic Record at Bermuda

Abstract A long, by oceanographic standards, time series of hydrographic observations at Bermuda was begun in 1954 and continues to the present. Analysis of this dataset has shown the temperature and salinity variations on interannual timescales to be largely independent in the surface layer (0–200 dbar), where integral timescales for salinity are 50% longer than for temperature and surface salinity changes are correlated with decadal changes in the 18°C Water production. Temperature/salinity anomalies are highly correlated in the thermocline where the interannual variability at that level is accountable to either vertical oscillations of the thermocline with amplitudes of ±50 m or meridional oscillations of the horizontal gradient set up at the southern edge of the recirculation gyre of ±300 kim. Salinity changes in the deepest layer observed at Bermuda station “S” (1500–2500 dbar) are uncorrelated with temperature, masked by measurement errors in the early years of the time series. Inclusion of earlier ...
Clinical features and pharmacologic treatment of behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Behavioral symptoms are an integral component of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and an important cause of failure of home care. Well-chosen pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments can improve many of the distressing problem behaviors that occur in the course of the disease and, in some cases, may delay institutionalization. However, controlled trials remain scarce, and prediction of treatment outcome for individual patients is still uncertain at best. Recent improvements in the characterization of behavioral syndromes in AD hold promise for increasing the specificity of treatment choice and the predictability of response. This article reviews features of the major behavioral problems associated with AD and evidence for the effectiveness of existing treatments. We argue that the origins of behavioral disturbances include both intrinsic neurobiological aspects of the disease and environmental provocations, and present an approach to treatment decision-making that respects both the clinician's need to intervene to reduce suffering and the limitations of current knowledge.
Anomalous transmission properties of a conducting fiber composite material at high frequency

An anomalous resonant behavior is observed in the transmission through composite layers of randomly oriented conducting fibers at frequencies above the primary one-half wavelength dipole resonance. The echo of radiation from the encounter of waves propagating along fibers, which are oriented in the direction of the incident wave, with the discontinuity at the end, is found to be the cause of the anomaly. This end-fire echo dominates the dipole radiation pattern for electrically long conductors at oblique angles. Layers of randomly distributed 1 cm long fibers having a 0.8/cm3 number density are examined from 1 to 50 GHz through a series of numerical experiments using the finite difference time domain method. Composites made from the same fibers aligned with the incident electric field do not exhibit the anomalous resonant behavior. Transmission for these aligned fibers is well-explained using Beer’s law, given the total cross section for a single dipole.
LQR-trees: Feedback Motion Planning via Sums-of-Squares Verification

Advances in the direct computation of Lyapunov functions using convex optimization make it possible to efficiently evaluate regions of attraction for smooth non-linear systems. Here we present a feedback motion-planning algorithm which uses rigorously computed stability regions to build a sparse tree of LQR-stabilized trajectories. The region of attraction of this non-linear feedback policy âprobabilistically coversâ the entire controllable subset of state space, verifying that all initial conditions that are capable of reaching the goal will reach the goal. We numerically investigate the properties of this systematic non-linear feedback design algorithm on simple non-linear systems, prove the property of probabilistic coverage, and discuss extensions and implementation details of the basic algorithm.
Switching considerations to combat spectral pollution in TDMA for satellite broadcasting

A better switching technique for combating spectral pollution i.e. spectral spreading of burst time-division multiple access (TDMA) digital FM and pi /4-QPSK (quadrature phase-shift keying) systems, is proposed. The effects of rectangular, linear, and raised cosine ramp on/off switching are examined for two prototypes using both hardware experimental methods and computer simulation for different gating rates, duty cycles, roll-off factors of transmitter filter and ramp on/off times. The measures results agree with the computer simulation results and indicate that the adjacent channel interference (ACI) caused by the burst operating in TDMA pi /4-QPSK is significantly reduced by raised cosine switching in comparison with other types of switching. >
Multiple Self-Reported Concussions Are More Prevalent in Athletes With ADHD and Learning Disability.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated how attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disability (LD) are associated with concussion history and performance on standard concussion assessment measures. Based on previous reports that developmental disorders are associated with increased injury proneness and poorer cognitive performance, we anticipated that ADHD and LD would be associated with increased history of concussion and poorer baseline performance on assessment measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample aggregated data from two separate projects: the National Collegiate Athletic Association Concussion Study and Project Sideline. INTERVENTIONS: We analyzed preseason baseline data from 8056 high school and collegiate athletes (predominantly male football players) enrolled in prior studies of sport-related concussion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures included demographic/health history, symptoms, and cognitive performance. RESULTS: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and LD were associated with 2.93 and 2.08 times the prevalence, respectively, of 3+ historical concussions (for comorbid ADHD/LD the prevalence ratio was 3.38). In players without histories of concussion, individuals with ADHD reported more baseline symptoms, and ADHD and LD were associated with poorer performance on baseline cognitive tests. Interactive effects were present between ADHD/LD status and concussion history for self-reported symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Neurodevelopmental disorders and concussion history should be jointly considered in evaluating concussed players. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical judgments of self-reported symptoms and cognitive performance should be adjusted based on athletes' individual preinjury baselines or comparison with appropriate normative samples. Language: en
TechnoTriage digital triage system for low death/high casualty disaster scenarios

A computerized version of the current triage process has been developed to include additional parameters, such as location data, and provide a way to easily transfer the data collected. This system allows for more rapid and efficient management of victims in disaster areas, and thus, increases the potential for saving lives.
El Nivel y estructura de los precios de los esclavos de las plantaciones Cubanas a mediados del siglo XIX: Algunas Perspectivas Comparativas

En el resurgir contemporaneo del interes por la esclavitud y las sociedades esclavistas en America, el uso de datos de precios ha sido una de las fuentes fundamentales que han utilizado los historiadores y los economistas para analizar la naturaleza de la economia esclavista. Despues del trabajo de Conrad y Meyer, los estudiosos han intentado interpretar la conducta de los hacendados, asi como sus expectativas y creencias, mediante un detallado analisis de la pauta de cambios de los precios de los esclavos a lo largo del tiempo. A pesar de su importancia, se han recogido sorprendentemente pocos datos sistematicos de precios, aparte de las series cruciales elaboradas para los mercados de esclavos de Estados Unidos. Solo recientemente se han generado series de una forma sistematica para las demas sociedades esclavistas importantes, como Brasil y las Indias occidentales britanicas. Varias economias esclavistas importantes y secundarias del resto del Nuevo Mundo todavia carecen de esa informacion. En este contexto, la principal area que menos
Gait alterations in rats following attachment of a device and application of altered knee loading.

Animal models are widely used to study cartilage degeneration. Experimental interventions to alter contact mechanics in articular joints may also affect the loads borne by the leg during gait and consequently affect the overall loading experienced in the joint. In this study, force plate analyses were utilized to measure parameters of gait in the rear legs of adult rats following application of a varus loading device that altered loading in the knee. Adult rats were assigned to Control, Sham, or Loaded groups (n≥4/each). Varus loading devices were surgically attached to rats in the Sham and Loaded groups. In the Loaded group, this device applied a controlled compressive overload to the medial compartment of the knee during periods of engagement. Peak ground reaction forces during walking were recorded for each rear leg of each group. Analyses of variance were used to compare outcomes across groups (Control, Sham, and Loaded), leg (Contralateral, Experimental) and device status (Disengaged, Engaged) to determine the effects of surgically attaching the device and applying a compressive overload to the joint with the device. The mean peak vertical force in the experimental leg was reduced 30% in the Sham group in comparison to the contralateral leg and the Control group indicating an effect of attaching the device to the leg (p<0.01). No differences were found in ground reaction forces between the Sham and Loaded groups with application of compressive overloads with the device. The significant reduction in vertical force due to the surgical attachment of the varus loading device must be considered and accounted for in future studies.
Improved Decision Support in Space Exploration via System-of-Systems Analysis

A nascent analysis methodology is presented to support long-term decision making for space exploration. The methodology is executed in a system-of-systems engineering framework which includes a unifying lexicon for problem definition (across disciplines) and establishment of modeling boundaries. The three phase framework and the underlying methodology is applied to the task of generating and evaluating space exploration architectures. In particular, the proof-of concept examines a solar system mobility network, which embodies a more versatile exploration strategy through a distributed capabilities approach. Since extensive reporting of the full set of simulation results that have been obtained are outside the paper's scope, the focus is instead on illustrating how the system-of-systems methodology can illuminate implications of various technical, operational, policy, and economic decisions. The overarching goal of the research is better informed decision making at the system-of-systems level.
Precooked Bran‐Enriched Wheat Flour Using Extrusion: Dietary Fiber Profile and Sensory Characteristics

The effect of precooking by extrusion processing on the dietary fiber profile of wheat flour substituted with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% wheat bran was evaluated. Depending on the level of bran, total dietary fiber (TDF) and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) in uncooked flours ranged from 4.2% to 17.2% and 1.5% to 2.4%, respectively. Precooking by extrusion significantly increased SDF in flours (by 22% to 73%); although in most cases it also led to a significant decrease in TDF. Cookies and tortillas produced from uncooked and precooked flours with 0% and 20% substituted bran were evaluated for consumer acceptability using a 9-point hedonic scale. With a few exceptions, all cookies had scores ranging from 6 to 7 ("like slightly" to "like moderately") for each attribute, including overall acceptability, appearance, texture, crumbliness, and flavor. Tortillas were rated for the same attributes except for crumbliness, which was replaced with chewiness. In most cases, tortilla scores ranged from 5 to 7 ("neither like nor dislike" to "like moderately"). Consumer acceptability scores of cookies from uncooked flour did not change significantly with increase in bran substitution from 0% to 20%. However, consumer scores for tortillas did decrease significantly with increase in bran level. Extrusion precooking of the flours did not improve the consumer acceptability of cookies and tortillas; however, it did improve their dietary fiber profile by increasing the SDF significantly.
Sensitivity of Circumpolar Deep Water Transport and Ice Shelf Basal Melt along the West Antarctic Peninsula to Changes in the Winds

CircumpolarDeepWater (CDW) can be found near the continental shelfbreak around most of Antarctica. Advection of this relatively warm water (up to 28C) across the continental shelf to the base of floating ice shelves is thought to be a critical source of heat for basal melting in some locations. A high-resolution (4 km) regional ocean‐sea ice‐ice shelf model of the west Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) coastal ocean was used to examine the effects of changes in the winds on across-shelf CDW transport and ice shelf basal melt. Increases and decreases in the strength of the wind fields were simulated by scaling the present-day winds by a constant factor. Additional simulations considered effects of increased Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) transport. Increased wind strength and ACC transport increased the amount of CDW transported onto the WAP continental shelf but did not necessarily increase CDW flux underneath the nearby ice shelves. The basal melt underneath some of the deeper ice shelves actually decreased with increased wind strength. Increased mixing over the WAP shelf due to stronger winds removed more heat from the deeper shelf waters than the additional heat gained from increased CDW volume transport. The simulation results suggest that the effect on the WAP ice shelves of the projected strengthening of the polar westerlies is not a simple matter of increased winds causing increased (or decreased) basal melt. A simple budget calculation indicated that iron associated with increased vertical mixing of CDW could significantly affect biological productivity of this region.
Functional and molecular characterization of an anion exchanger in airway serous epithelial cells.

Serous cells secrete Cl− and HCO3 − and play an important role in airway function. Recent studies suggest that a Cl−/HCO3 − anion exchanger (AE) may contribute to Cl− secretion by airway epithelial...
Novel Lipoglycopeptides as Inhibitors of Bacterial Signal Peptidase I

Signal peptidase (SPase) I is responsible for the cleavage of signal peptides of many secreted proteins in bacteria. Because of its unique physiological and biochemical properties, it serves as a potential target for development of novel antibacterial agents. In this study, we report the production, isolation, and structure determination of a family of structurally related novel lipoglycopeptides from a Streptomyces sp. as inhibitors of SPase I. Detailed spectroscopic analyses, including MS and NMR, revealed that these lipoglycopeptides share a common 14-membered cyclic peptide core, an acyclic tripeptide chain, and a deoxy-alpha-mannose sugar, but differ in the degree of oxidation of the N-methylphenylglycine residue and the length and branching of the fatty acyl chain. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that these peptides are potent and competitive inhibitors of SPase I with K(i) 50 to 158 nm. In addition, they showed modest antibacterial activity against a panel of pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentration of 8-64 microm against Streptococcus pneumonniae and 4-8 microm against Escherichia coli. Notably, they mechanistically blocked the protein secretion in whole cells as demonstrated by inhibiting beta-lactamase release from Staphylococcus aureus. Taken together, the present discovery of a family of novel lipoglycopeptides as potent inhibitors of bacterial SPase I may lead to the development of a novel class of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Transport and Mixing in Jupiter's Stratosphere Inferred from Comet S-L9 Dust Migration

We use a series of 230-nm wavelength images acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 to trace the spreading of debris introduced into Jupiter's stratosphere by the impact of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9. Impact debris was transported rapidly equatorward by stratospheric winds from the impact latitude at −45° to at least −20° during the 3.2-year period covered by the observations. We use the observations to test the formulation of mixing and transport in two-dimensional (latitude–height) models for the jovian stratosphere. Two different models for the transport are considered. In the first model, advection by the residual circulation of Westet al.(1992,Icarus100, 245–259) is taken to be the sole transport mechanism. We find that this circulation advects the debris slowly poleward, in disagreement with the observations. In the second model, horizontal diffusive transport by large-scale quasi-geostrophic eddies is also included. The horizontal eddy diffusion coefficients (Kyy) are derived from a map of annual-average Eliassen–Palm flux divergence produced by Westet al.(1992). Introduction of the derived Kyyinto the dynamical model causes a rapid spreading of the debris in both the equatorward and the poleward directions. We find that the predicted rate of equatorward spreading of the impact debris optical depth is in good agreement with that derived from the observations. We conclude that our derived eddy Kyyprovides a useful first-order description of zonal mean eddy transport at mid-latitudes in the southern hemisphere of Jupiter's stratosphere.
High-rate analysis of source coding for symmetric error channels

In this paper, new results are derived for the high-rate performance of source coding for symmetric error channels (i.e., a channel where all index errors are equally likely) for a large class of distortion measures. Expressions are derived for the expected distortion including the effect of channel errors as the number of quantization levels N gets large. It is shown that the distortion can asymptotically be approximated as the sum of the source quantization distortion and the channel error induced distortion. In addition, the expressions obtained can be used to glean key insights on the relative amounts of source and channel coding necessary to attain a balanced system, i.e., one where neither the distortion caused by the source quantization nor the distortion caused by channel errors dominate the performance. Optimization of the codebook for minimizing the expected distortion is also considered, and theoretical expressions are derived for the optimal point density.
A comparative study of the chromosomes of the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus ERXL.) and the black rat (Rattus rattus L.)

By the use of a satisfactory technique, excellently preserved spermatogenetic tissue was had both for Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus. The careful examination of twelve spermatogonial cells of the former species and of twenty in the latter species shows that R. rattus has forty diploid chromosomes and R. norvegicus, forty-two. A careful examination of the haploid cells of both species, both in the first and in the second spermatocyte divisions, confirms the diploid determinations. Both species have an unequal pair in the spermatogonial divisions and the finding of a similar unequal pair in the first spermatocyte division constitutes the evidence for an X-Y mechanism in each. A comparison of the morphology of the first spermatocyte tetrads in the two species reveals the presence of a large K-shaped chromosome in R. norvegicus which is not present in R. rattus. Furthermore, a comparison of the X-Y complex in both the spermatogonial and first spermatocyte divisions shows that these are morphologically different in the two species, the Y in particular being markedly dissimilar in size. A short discussion as to the bearing of these findings on the questions of the origins of the two species and their known intersterility is presented. The marked similarity of the tetrads of the black rat to those described for the mouse is noted.
A self-reporting methodology for rapid data analysis in usability testing

The author describes a methodology for collecting data in usability testing that asks subjects of a test to do structured self-reporting using a questionnaire in an iterative process. The subjects fill out one copy of the questionnaire after each of the tasks that comprise the usability test. The author discusses the problems in usability testing that motivated the design of this methodology, the methodology itself, its advantages and disadvantages, the kinds of data that it is best suited to collect, and how to design a test that uses it. >
Macrophages and post-burn immune dysfunction

The activation of a pro-inflammatory cascade after burn injury appears to be important in the development of subsequent immune dysfunction, susceptibility to sepsis and multiple organ failure. Macrophages are major producers of pro-inflammatory mediators and their productive capacity for these mediators is markedly enhanced following thermal injury. Thus, macrophage hyperactivity (as defined by increased productive capacity for pro-inflammatory mediators) appears to be of critical importance in the development of post-burn immune dysfunction. This review will focus on the current state of knowledge with regards to the role of macrophages in the development of post-burn immune dysfunction. Particular areas of discussion include: nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme systems, macrophages and the T-helper (Th)-1/Th-2 cytokine responses, alterations in macrophages signal transduction and a potential role for gamma/delta T-cells in the development of macrophage hyperactivity following thermal injury. A more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between macrophage activity and post-burn immune dysfunction will hopefully provide the basis for improved therapeutic regimes in the treatment of burn patients.
On Logical Relativity

One logic or many? I say—many. Or rather, I say there is one logic for each way of specifying the class of all possible circumstances, or models, i.e., all ways of interpreting a given language. But because there is no unique way of doing this, I say there is no unique logic except in a relative sense. Indeed, given any two competing logical theories T1 and T2 (in the same language) one could always consider their common core, T, and settle on that theory. So, given any language L, one could settle on the minimal logic T0 corresponding to the common core shared by all competitors. That would be a way of resisting relativism, as long as one is willing to redraw the bounds of logic accordingly. However, such a minimal theory T0 may be empty if the syntax of L contains no special ingredients the interpretation of which is independent of the specification of the relevant Lmodels. And generally —I argue— this is indeed the case.
Data Sources Regarding the Nonmedical Use of Pharmaceutical Opioids in the United States

Objective: Recent increases in the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids and the adverse outcomes associated with them have stimulated a large amount of research and data collection on this public health problem. Systematic organization of the available data sources is needed to facilitate ongoing research, analysis, and evaluation. This work offers a systematic categorization of data sources regarding the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in the United States. Methods: A list of keywords regarding the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids was used to conduct systematic searches in PubMed®. Filtration of search results generated 92 peer-reviewed academic articles, published between January 1995 and April 2012, as well as a number of primary data sources. Lists of topics were developed independently by two researchers which were later compared and consolidated. All sources were then categorized according to their relevance to each of these topics and according to their capacity for geographical and longitudinal trend analysis. Results: Tables cataloging data sources can be used to identify data relevant to specific topics in diversion, nonmedical use, and adverse outcomes associated with pharmaceutical opioids, and they illustrate global trends in data coverage, identifying several topics that have minimal data. A network diagram illustrates global trends in data coverage, showing variation among sources in the number of topics they cover, as well as variation among topics in the number of sources that cover them. Conclusions: The categorization of data sources is hoped to facilitate ongoing research, analysis, and evaluation of this public health problem by serving as a guide for researchers, policy makers, and others who seek data regarding the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in the United States.
What Hath Raich Wrought? Five Takes

The Court's decision in Gonzales v. Raich provides an opportunity to reflect on the Rehnquist Court's apparent run at establishing a judicially-enforceable federalism. Two of the most visible symbols of this effort were the decisions in United States v. Lopez and United States v. Morrison, in which the Court twice struck down acts of Congress as beyond the scope of its commerce power. Now, nearly ten years after Lopez and five years after Morrison, Raich leaves many wondering whether the Court provided an answer to John Nagle's question whether Lopez was destined to be a watershed or a "but see cite." In this article, which will appear in a Lewis & Clark Law Review Symposium on Raich, we offer our tentative, impressionistic answer(s) to the question we pose in the title. In doing so, we move from the practical impact of Raich (i.e., what does this mean for as-applied challenges to which lower courts were becoming receptive?) to more abstract ones (e.g., does Raich represent the third death of federalism, or was the Rehnquist Court's federalism project an illusion?).
HIGH-RESOLUTION AGE MODEL BASED ON AMS RADIOCARBON AGES FOR KETTLE LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA, USA

A high-resolution age model was developed for Kettle Lake, North Dakota, USA, from a series of 53 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon ages calibrated with Bayesian statistical methods, which provide a monotonically increasing series of calibrated ages with depth. Evident in the sediment are several slumps, debris flows, or landslides, which are confirmed by 14C dating. Removal of these facies produces a continuous sedimentary sequence for the past 13,000 yr with exception of one ~260-yr hiatus associated with a 1.5-m-thick slump deposit. All ages except one are on terrestrial macrofossils and charcoal. A test age on aquatic organic detritus shows a hardwater effect of 600 yr at ~2000 cal BP. Two ages from the same level on herbaceous charcoal and Chenopodium seeds are statistically the same, which further demonstrates the suitability of charcoal from grassland environments for AMS 14C age control. However, 2 specimens of wood charcoal are too old relative to bracketing ages and glacial geologic history. These ages confirm the sedimentary interpretation of redeposition and provide a caution about the longevity of wood charcoal in the environment and its suitability for age control in lacustrine sediments.
The Influence of Dexmedetomidine on Ultrasound-induced Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage in Rats.

The use of xylazine, a veterinary sedative, with ketamine for rat anesthesia has been shown to enhance the pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) effect of diagnostic ultrasound. This study was undertaken to assess whether the sedative/analgesic dexmedetomidine, commonly used in the intensive care unit, can also enhance ultrasound-induced PCH. Female Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized with various combinations of ketamine plus xylazine or dexmedetomidine. The dosage of dexmedetomidine was reduced for some groups to doses relevant to human clinical usage. The right thorax of all rats was shaved and depilated for ultrasound transmission and the rats were scanned with diagnostic ultrasound using a 7.6-MHz linear array in a 38°C de-gassed water bath. There was no significant difference in PCH results for the recommended anesthetic dosages of ketamine plus xylazine and ketamine plus 500 μg/kg dexmedetomidine. The varied doses of dexmedetomidine enhanced the PCH, even for the lowest dose of 4 μg/kg, equivalent to a low human dose of 0.64 μg/kg. There was no significant difference in PCH for 500 μg/kg dexmedetomidine with or without ketamine. Further research is needed to identify and characterize other factors that may modify the patient risk from ultrasound-induced PCH.
Vaginal Progesterone for Contraception

Silastic vaginal rings impregnated with progesterone (P) or progesterone and estradiol (E) were used in nine women for thirty 21-day cycles to study the effect on ovarian function. The average daily rates of release of P and E from the rings were 2.2mg/day and 220 μg/day, respectively. In anovulatory treatment cycles the mean plasma level of P was 0.9ng/ml. E levels fluctuated in the range seen in normally cycling women due to endogenous E production. In a menopausal woman the E levels increased to 50 to 100pg/ml during treatment and FSH levels declined. Ovulation occurred in 18 (60%) of the treated cycles, and resulted in one pregnancy. Although the results rule out the use of these rings for contraceptive purposes, they indicate that at higher dosages the Silastic vaginal ring offers a mode of administration of natural steroids to be used in hormonal contraception.
Manuel Pérez, Los cuentos del predicador: historias y ficciones para la reforma de costumbres en la Nueva España

MANUEL PEREZ, Los cuentos del predicador: historias y ficciones para la reforma de costumbres en la Nueva Espana. Madrid, Universidad de Navarra, Iberoamericana-Vervuert y Bonilla-Artigas Editores, 2011, 245 pp. ISBN: 978-84-8489-580-0
Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Associations Between CT Features and Patient Survival.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between CT features and survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study included 763 patients with histopathologically confirmed ccRCC who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced CT between 1999 and 2011. Imaging features, both qualitative (cystic tumor, necrosis, tumor contact with renal sinus, renal vein invasion, peritumoral stranding, and peritumoral neovascularity) and quantitative (maximal tumor diameter and distance from the tumor to the renal sinus), were evaluated. Univariate and multivariable Cox regressions were used to assess associations of imaging features with disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-specific progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS. Greater tumor size and the presence of renal vein invasion on CT were associated with decreased DSS and disease-specific PFS (p < 0.05), and the presence of extensive necrosis (more than two-thirds of the tumor volume) ...
Taking a Holistic View of Housing Policy

Orfield, Stancil, Luce, and Myott (2015) has spurred significant discussion and commentary, as well as several critiques. Here, we respond to the preceding critique mounted by Schwartz, as well as ...
Calcium Looping Process for Enhanced Catalytic Hydrogen Production with Integrated Carbon Dioxide and Sulfur Capture

Enhancement in the production of high purity hydrogen (H2) from fuel gas, obtained from coal gasification, is limited by thermodynamics of the water gas shift reaction. However, this constraint can...
Genetic Control of Natural Resistance to Trypanosoma rhodesiense: Transfer of Resistance with Bone Marrow or Spleen Cells

Inbred strains of mice differ greatly in their innate resistance to Trypanosoma rhodesiense, the etiologic agent of African sleeping sickness. BALB/c mice are very susceptible to this organism, whereas C57BL/6 mice are highly resistant. This difference is regulated by at least three distinct genes. An adoptive transfer study was performed in order to determine the tissue site of expression of these genes. Three inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J, C3H.SW/SnJ, and BALB.B) that differ in resistance to T. rhodesiense, but are histocompatible at the H-2 locus, were used in the study. The adoptive transfer of normal bone marrow cells from C57BL/6J (resistant) mice into X-irradiated BALB.B (susceptible) mice rendered the recipient mice resistant to a subsequent experimental challenge with T. rhodesiense. Conversely, the transfer of bone marrow cells from BALB.B mice into irradiated C57BL/6J mice rendered the latter mice susceptible. Resistance could also be adoptively transferred from C57BL/6J mice to a second susceptible strain, C3H.SW/SnJ, by using either bone marrow or spleen cells. These findings demonstrate that although multiple genes control innate resistance to T. rhodesiense, all or most of these genes appear to control the development or function of cells whose progenitors reside in the spleen and bone marrow.
SU-F-J-76: Evaluation of the Performance of Different Deformable Image Registration Algorithms in Helical, Axial and Cone-Beam CT Images of a Mobile Phantom

Purpose: To investigate quantitatively the performance of different deformable-image-registration algorithms (DIR) with helical (HCT), axial (ACT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) by evaluating the variations in the CT-numbers and lengths of targets moving with controlled motion-patterns. Methods: Four DIR-algorithms including demons, fast-demons, Horn-Schunk and Locas-Kanade from the DIRART-software are used to register CT-images of a mobile-phantom. A mobile-phantom is scanned with different imaging techniques that include helical, axial and cone-beam CT. The phantom includes three targets with different lengths that are made from water-equivalent material and inserted in low-density-foam which is moved with adjustable motion-amplitudes and frequencies. Results: Most of the DIR-algorithms are able to produce the lengths of the stationary-targets, however, they do not produce the CT-number values in CBCT. The image-artifacts induced by motion are more regular in CBCT imaging where the mobile-target elongation increases linearly with motion-amplitude. In ACT and HCT, the motion-artifacts are irregular where some mobile -targets are elongated or shrunk depending on the motion-phase during imaging. The DIR-algorithms are successful in deforming the images of the mobile-targets to the images of the stationary-targets producing the CT-number values and length of the target for motion-amplitudes < 20 mm. Similarly in ACT, all DIR-algorithms produced the actual CT-number and length of the stationary-targets for motion-amplitudes < 15 mm. As stronger motion-artifacts are induced in HCT and ACT, DIR-algorithms fail to produce CT-values and shape of the stationary-targets and fast-demons-algorithm has worst performance. Conclusion: Most of DIR-algorithms produce the CT-number values and lengths of the stationary-targets in HCT and ACT images that has motion-artifacts induced by small motion-amplitudes. As motion-amplitudes increase, the DIR-algorithms fail to deform mobile-target images to the stationary-images in HCT and ACT. In CBCT, DIR-algorithms are successful in producing length and shape of the stationary-targets, however, they fail to produce the accurate CT-number level.
Design of a Toolbox for Fabrication of Analytical Microfluidic Systems Using Porous Polymer Monoliths

Two building blocks required for the construction of complex microfluidic systems, namely a preconcentration unit and a mixer, have been designed, prepared, and evaluated. These elements consisting of porous polymer monoliths were prepared in situ via a UV initiated polymerization. The function of the monolithic concentrator was demonstrated with the enrichment of Coumarin 519, a hydrophobic tetrapeptide, and green fluorescent protein. An increase in concentration by a factor as high as 103 was achieved. Monolithic mixer with a length of only 5 mm and an internal volume of 45 nL enabled efficient mixing of two streams in a broad range of flow velocities.
A. C. losses in multifilamentary composite superconducting strands and cables

A.C. losses in multifilamentary composite superconducting strands and cables have been measured in adiabatic conditions for transverse field sweep rates up to 70 Ts-1. Measurements were performed on NbTi and Nb3Sn conductors of several configurations and surface preparations: single strands, soldered strands and cables of varying degrees of compaction composed of bare strands, strands with CuNi barriers and strands with chrome plating. To achieve the adiabatic measurements, the test conductor was placed in a chamber which was evacuated and then subjected to an exponentially decaying field. By measuring the induced temperature rise of the test conductor the A.C. losses are computed from cryogenic enthalpy plots. Loss data are characterized in terms of effective coupling current time constants.
Collecting Diffraction Data

This chapter discusses the geometric principles of diffraction, revealing, in both the real space of the crystal's interior and in reciprocal space, the conditions that produce reflections. It also discusses how these conditions allow the crystallographer to determine the dimensions of the unit cell and the symmetry of its contents, and how these factors determine the strategy of data collection. Also, it highlights the devices used to produce and detect X-rays, and to measure precisely the intensities and positions of reflections. The other topics covered in the chapter are geometric principles of diffraction—the generalized unit cell, indices of the atomic planes in a crystal, conditions that produce diffraction, the reciprocal lattice, Bragg's law in reciprocal space, number of measurable reflections, unit–cell dimensions, unit–cell symmetry; collection X-ray diffraction data—X-ray sources, detectors, cameras, scaling, and postrefinement of intensity data, determining unit–cell dimensions and symmetry, and the strategy of collecting data.