cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Faunal analysis from Kibaoni, a late precolonial Pimbwe village in Rukwa Valley, Tanzania: first reconstructions of cultural and environmental histories

The cultural history and past ecology of the northern Rukwa Valley, southwestern Tanzania, are largely unknown. We report here the results of excavations conducted at Kibaoni, a Pimbwe village located near Katavi National Park, which, based on ceramic typologies, displays a long sequence of occupation dating to as early as the fourth century AD. The faunal remains at the site indicate opportunistic hunting practices similar to those seen in Rukwa today, despite the numerous political and demographic changes of the past century. Our analysis contributes to the construction of a cultural history for the region and indicates that further study will aid in understanding the interplay between humans and the environment in late precolonial, interior East Africa.
ESI-MS, DFT, and synthetic studies on the H2-mediated coupling of acetylene: Insertion of C=X bonds into rhodacyclopentadienes and Brønsted acid cocatalyzed hydrogenolysis of organorhodium intermediates

The catalytic mechanism of the hydrogen-mediated coupling of acetylene to carbonyl compounds and imines has been examined using three techniques: (a) ESI-MS and ESI-CAD-MS analyses, (b) computational modeling, and (c) experiments wherein putative reactive intermediates are diverted to alternate reaction products. ESI-MS analysis of reaction mixtures from the hydrogen-mediated reductive coupling of acetylene to α-ketoesters or N-benzenesulfonyl aldimines corroborate a catalytic mechanism involving C═X (X = O, NSO2Ph) insertion into a cationic rhodacyclopentadiene obtained by way of acetylene oxidative dimerization with subsequent Bronsted acid cocatalyzed hydrogenolysis of the resulting oxa- or azarhodacycloheptadiene. Hydrogenation of 1,6-diynes in the presence of α-ketoesters provides analogous coupling products. ESI mass spectrometric analysis again corroborates a catalytic mechanism involving carbonyl insertion into a cationic rhodacyclopentadiene. For all ESI-MS experiments, the structural assignments...
Social group utility maximization game with applications in mobile social networks

In this paper, we develop a social group utility maximization game model that takes into account both social relationships and physical coupling among users. Specifically, instead of maximizing one's individual utility, each user aims to maximize its social group utility that hinges heavily on its social ties with other users. A salient feature of this model is that it spans the continuum space between non-cooperative game and network utility maximization - two extreme paradigms based on drastically different assumptions that users are selfish and altruistic, respectively. Based on this model, we study two important applications in mobile social networks: random access control and power control, and quantify the impact of social ties on users' strategies and network efficiency. In particular, our results show that, as the strength of social ties increases from the minimum to the maximum, the social-aware Nash equilibrium strategy of a player in this model migrates from the Nash equilibrium strategy in a standard non-cooperative game to the social-optimal strategy in network utility maximization. Therefore, the proposed social group utility maximization game model offers a general framework that encompasses non-cooperative game and network utility maximization as special cases, and we believe that it will open a new door to exploring the impact of social behavior on networking.
“Outside Agitators” and Crowds: Results from a Computer Simulation Model

Computer simulation is used to investigate the success of an "outside agitator," specifically the likelihood of a persistent extremist leading into "radical" action a gathering of moderates not otherwise disposed to militancy. The theoretical frame work and computer simulation translation on which this work is based (Johnson & Feinberg forthcoming) assumes an ambiguous situation confronting a gathering in which each member can be located on a 10-point scale of action-choices. In the ensuing milling process, cues for action are offered and crowd members respond by shifting their choices andlor physical locations; thus, consensus for action is achieved and crowd structure emerges. In this test we generated a gathering of moderates and a persistently radical influence source, and varied whether gatherings initially maintained physical distance between themselves and the agitators. Results generally suggest that outside agitators usually cannot influence a crowd of moderates to take radical action. The variables most related to agitator success are crowd suggestibility, the action-choice advocated by the agitator, and the probability of movement within the physical space. Thus, the agitator is likely to be successful only in the specific and infrequent circumstances of a small gathering in a highly ambiguous situation in which the crowd members are not suspicious of the outsider. Outcomes showing the effects of microstructural conditions for emergent structure are also presented and discussed. *This paper describes an equal joint effort and is a revision of a paper presented at tne 1986 meetings of the North Central Sociological Association. Our work has been supported in part by Taft Faculty Summer Fellowships and by the University of Cincinnati Computer Center. Drue Johnston conducted a library search that contributed to this paper. Cecil Craig provided a mathematical solution to a problem in the design of the simulation model's operation. We are especially grateful for the contribution of Pamela Oliver. Her many thoughtful questions forced us to search for answers that we believe considerably improved this paper and the entire project. We retain responsibility for any errors of omission or commission. Direct correspondence to either author, Department of Sociology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0378. C 1988 The University of North Carolina Press
Brain Growth Rates in Craniosynostotic Rabbits

Abstract Objective: It has been suggested that abnormal brain morphology or growth rates may be a primary causal factor of craniosynostosis due, in part, to a lack of normal growth stretch and tension at the sutural margins. The purpose of the present study was to quantify cerebral hemisphere morphology and growth in a rabbit model of nonsyndromic coronal suture synostosis to determine whether cerebral dysmorphology is primary or secondary to synostosis in this model. Design: Fifty-seven brains (114 hemispheres) were examined from 40 normal control rabbits and 17 rabbits with bilateral coronal suture synostosis ranging in age from 25 to 450 days postconception (synostosis occurs at approximately 23 days postconception in this model). The calvariae were removed, the brains were fixed in 10% paraformaldehyde, and in situ bilateral measurements of cerebral hemisphere length and cerebral hemisphere width were obtained using a Wild microscope with a camera lucida attachment and digital caliper. Regression anal...
Microanalysis of 4-Month Infant Vocal Affect Qualities and Maternal Postpartum Depression

This study examined the association of 6-week maternal self-report depressive symptoms measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) with 4-month infant vocal affect qualities. This was part a larger study which examined many additional domains of both infant and maternal behavior. Infant vocal affect qualities were examined in 122 4-month old infants during face-to-face play in relation to 6-week maternal depressive symptoms. Mothers were categorized depressed (26.2%) based on a 16+ cutoff on the CES-D. Videotaped interactions were coded on a 1-s time basis for infant vocal affect qualities (high positive, neutral/positive, fuss/whimper, cry, angry protest and silent.) Infants of depressed mothers were more vocally activated in both positive and negative qualities. In addition, infants of depressed mothers were more vocally variable, specifically in and out of fuss/whimper, as well as more likely to change, rather than maintain vocal states.
The location of abdominal wall blood vessels in relationship to abdominal landmarks apparent at laparoscopy.

Objective : Our purpose was to evaluate the location of the major blood vessels of the abdominal wall relative to landmarks apparent at laparoscopy. Study Design : Abdominal computed tomographic images of 21 reproductive-aged women at an academic center were retrospectively reviewed to determine the location of the inferior epigastric, superficial epigastric, and superficial circumflex iliac arteries and the lateral rectus muscle margins in relation to the symphysis pubis, the umbilicus, and the abdominal midline. These locations were correlated with each other and with body mass index using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results : Above the symphysis the inferior and superficial epigastric arteries were 5.6 ± 1.0 cm (mean ± SD) and 5.5 ± 2.0 cm from the midline, respectively. Although the location of these two vessels correlated ( r = 0.6, p = 0.02), the mean difference in their location was 1.4 ± 1.1 cm. Near the level of the umbilicus the superficial epigastric and circumflex iliac arteries and the lateral rectus muscle margin were 4.6 ± 1.4 cm, 10.7 ± 1.7 cm, and 7.6 ± 1.5 from the midline, respectively. Only the lateral rectus muscle margin correlated with body mass index ( r = 0.65, p = 0.004). Conclusion : When laparoscopic landmarks are not visible to guide placement, lateral trocars should be placed approximately 8 cm from the midline and at least 5 cm above the symphysis to minimize the risk of vessel injury.
Isoflurane Produces Marked and Nonlinear Decreases in the Vasoconstriction and Shivering Thresholds

In summary, we present a new model for evaluating thermoregulatory effects of drug administration, pregnancy, illness, etc. Specifically, we experimentally manipulated both skin and core temperatures, and subsequently compensated for the changes in skin temperature using the relationships between skin and core contributions to thermoregulatory control. We thus were able to report our results for warm- and cold-responses in terms of calculated core-temperature thresholds at a single designated skin temperature. Advantages of this model include its being nearly noninvasive and requiring relatively little core temperature manipulation. Using this technique, we have shown that the shape and magnitude of thermoregulatory impairment produced by various anesthetic drugs differs. Propofol linearly increases the sweating threshold and linearly decreases the vasoconstriction and shivering threshold. In contrast, volatile anesthetics produce a nonlinear reduction in the major cold-response thresholds, reducing the vasoconstriction and shivering thresholds disproportionately at higher anesthetic concentrations. Midazolam not only produces a different magnitude of thermoregulatory impairment, but also a novel pattern of threshold changes. Anesthetic-induced thermoregulatory impairment thus depends both on anesthetic type and dose.
Dynamo-electric amplifiers with matric computor feedback control

The interconnection of dynamo-electric machines and analytic computers yields interesting and useful properties not available from either of the devices singly. Moreover, the homogeneity between Kron's modern matric-mathematical description of dynamo-electric machines on the one hand, and the mathematics pertinent to Matric Computors on the other hand, yields unity of concepts and notation. This is additionally exhibited by the ease with which dynamos and Matric Computors can rationally be combined into single electric networks. The objective of this didactic paper is to introduce the elemental concepts of the supermatric equation of state describing the interconnections of dynamo-electric amplifiers with Matric Computors, the latter being the control elements whose mathematical entries dominate the performance of the composite interconnected system.
Sensitization of photoconductive effects in zinc oxide.

— The current status of research on sensitized photoconductive effects in zinc oxide is reviewed. The various types of chemical and spectral photosensitization processes observed in polycrystalline specimens can be explained qualitatively with a generalized electron acceptor molecule (EAM) model. in which electronegative surface agents trap zinc oxide conduction electrons in the dark and illumination causes a release of the trapped electrons. The EAM may be an adsorbed gas or vapor, adsorbed dye molecules, or an aggregated dye film, depending on the particular photoeffect.
Quantum inequalities and singular negative energy densities

There has been much recent work on quantum inequalities to constrain negative energy. These are uncertainty principle-type restrictions on the magnitude and duration of negative energy densities or fluxes. We consider several examples of apparent failures of the quantum inequalities, which involve passage of an observer through regions where the negative energy density becomes singular. We argue that this type of situation requires one to formulate quantum inequalities using sampling functions with compact support. We discuss such inequalities, and argue that they remain valid even in the presence of singular energy densities.
Lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin: Temporal variation in normal dogs☆

Abstract The lymphocyte response to mitogens is frequently used as a screening method for monitoring general immunocompetence. In practice, however, the technique is potemtially misleading. The results presented here suggest that temporal variation in lymphocyte response is the norm. Considerable variation in response to phytohemagglutinin was found for several dogs tested over different time periods. The response for any individual dog also fluctuated whether testing was at 2-week intervals, daily, or even every 4 h. This temporal variation remained whether seperated lymphocytes or whole blood was cultured and when the results were expressed on a per lymphocyte basis. This suggests that there is a real difference in the response capability of individual lymphocytes. Factors affecting the numbers of leukocytes and the proportions of different types of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood are suggested as a possible source of the variation. Because of the inherent variation in lymphocyte responsiveness, it is necessary to test at different intervals to obtain an accurate indication of the general status of an individual's immunocompetence and to determine the time of peak response capability for that individual.
Size dependence of lattice parameter for SixGe1−x nanoparticles

Abstract The phenomenon of the influence of the size of a material on its properties has been predicted theoretically and was confirmed for many materials experimentally by many researchers. It is a purpose of this paper to increase understanding of the influence of size on properties for silicon, germanium and alloy silicon–germanium nanoparticles. The relationships between lattice parameter and inverse particle radius had been investigated. The data obtained from the experiments show an unpredicted result that the lattice parameter of the Si x Ge 1− x nanoparticle expands by up to 1.5% when the size of the particle decreases to 7 nm. A calibration technique for a higher precision measurement of the lattice parameter is presented. The particles under investigation were deposited on an amorphous carbon substrate in order to prevent the influence of the misfit between deposit and crystalline substrate on the particle’s behavior.
Application of the consistency approach to reduce animal use in vaccine potency testing

Biologics are usually produced from live organisms, and the manufacturing process often involves a degree of natural variability. Characterization of biologics such as vaccines is inherently difficult due to the complex molecular structure of the antigens they contain and the presence of excipients such as preservatives and adjuvants that can interfere with testing. Therefore, each batch, lot, or serial produced must be tested before market release to ensure that the product complies with regulatory standards. This batch release testing emphasizes quality control of the final product and may be characterized by an extensive use of laboratory animals. The consistency approach is based upon the principle that the quality of a biologic is the result of the strict application of a quality system and consistent production. Subsequent batches are determined to be similar to clinically evaluated batches and therefore acceptable for release through the in-process testing that comprises this quality system. The European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) organized international workshops in 2006 and 2010 to discuss the consistency approach and its potential to reduce the number of animals used in testing of biological products. This paper provides an overview of these workshops.
Neuronal plasticity in the cerebellar cortex and lateral nucleus.

The cortex and the lateral nucleus of the cerebellum in the normal rat were studied and compared in the electron microscope for examples of changes or apparently spontaneous degeneration in neuronal perikarya and processes. No degenerating neurons and only very rare examples of altered axons were found in the cortex. The lateral nucleus in the same animals, on the other hand, showed degenerating neurons and examples of alteration in dendrites and axons. These changes are interpreted as being examples of remodelling in the lateral nucleus, or neuronal plasticity. Thus, comparison of these two locations in the cerebellum demonstrates that all parts of the brain do not display neuronal degeneration or alteration with equal frequency. The cerebellar cortex appears to have connections that are more stable than the lateral nucleus, one of the deep cerebellar nuclei.
LNG is linking regional natural gas markets: Evidence from the gravity model

Abstract Evidence exists that global natural gas markets have become more integrated over time. One possible explanation for this increased level of integration is that increased liquefied natural gas trade has increased the opportunity for price arbitrage by decreasing transport costs. If this explanation is true, then the natural gas market should become relatively more integrated because countries separated by large distances would be more willing to trade with each other. We employ a gravity model to test whether trade in liquefied natural gas has helped to de-regionalize the total natural gas market, using trade in the compressed natural gas market as a comparison benchmark. The results indicate that liquefied natural gas is indeed a global commodity, whereas the compressed natural gas markets are more regional. Importantly, we find that trade in liquefied natural gas has de-regionalized the total natural gas market.
THE EFFECT OF PUBERTY AND SHORT-TERM ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF TESTOSTERONE UNDECANOATE ON GH TESTS AND SEX-STEROID RELATED PLASMA COMPOUNDS IN GH DEFICIENT PATIENTS

SUMMARY In twelve boys and two girls, with idiopathic (partial) growth hormone deficiency diagnosed at prepubertal age, we studied the effect of spontaneous puberty (six patients) as well as the effect of sex-steroid priming (eight patients). Six boys received testosterone undecanoate and two girls ethinyloestradiol for 5 days. Two pubertal patients showed a normal GH response, the patients primed with testosterone or oestrogen did not, despite a distinct effect on sex-steroid related plasma compounds. Reevaluation of GH status appears to be worthwhile in GH deficient patients presenting with short stature, growth deceleration at an early pubertal age and delayed sexual maturation. Sex-steroid priming is unlikely to alter the outcome of GH testing, whenever marked growth deceleration is evident at prepubertal age.
Peroxynitrite induced mitochondrial biogenesis following MnSOD knockdown in normal rat kidney (NRK) cells

Superoxide is widely regarded as the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) which initiates downstream oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress contributes, in part, to many disease conditions such as cancer, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, diabetes, aging, and neurodegeneration. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide into hydrogen peroxide which can then be further detoxified by other antioxidant enzymes. MnSOD is critical in maintaining the normal function of mitochondria, thus its inactivation is thought to lead to compromised mitochondria. Previously, our laboratory observed increased mitochondrial biogenesis in a novel kidney-specific MnSOD knockout mouse. The current study used transient siRNA mediated MnSOD knockdown of normal rat kidney (NRK) cells as the in vitro model, and confirmed functional mitochondrial biogenesis evidenced by increased PGC1α expression, mitochondrial DNA copy numbers and integrity, electron transport chain protein CORE II, mitochondrial mass, oxygen consumption rate, and overall ATP production. Further mechanistic studies using mitoquinone (MitoQ), a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant and L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor demonstrated that peroxynitrite (at low micromolar levels) induced mitochondrial biogenesis. These findings provide the first evidence that low levels of peroxynitrite can initiate a protective signaling cascade involving mitochondrial biogenesis which may help to restore mitochondrial function following transient MnSOD inactivation.
The Relationship between Selected Household Characteristics and Housing in the United States.

This article examines the influence of changes in American households (i.e., the phenomenal increase in single-parent families and one-person households, race/ethnicity, household income, family size and structure) on the housing market. Survey research data indicate that many families with children, especially large minority and female-headed families which are disproportionately represented among the poor, suffer severe housing problems. After discussing future housing needs in the United Slates based upon alternative Census Bureau projections of household formation, several suggestions are made for increasing the supply of inexpensive family rental housing, for reducing restrictive rental practices against families with children, and for facilitating homeownership among lower-income families.
A FRET-based indicator for imaging mitochondrial zinc ions.

A strategy based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to transform a red-emitting fluorophore into a ratiometric indicator for mitochondrial ZnII is demonstrated.
Large volume reconstruction from laser scanning microscopy using micro-CT as a template for deformation compensation

In biomedical research, there is an increased need for reconstruction of large soft tissue volumes (e.g. whole organs) at the microscopic scale from images obtained using laser scanning microscopy (LSM) with fluorescent dyes targeting selected cellular features. However, LSM allows reconstruction of volumes not exceeding a few hundred im in size and most LSM procedures require physical sectioning of soft tissue resulting in tissue deformation. Micro-CT (mCT) can provide deformation free tomographic image of the whole tissue volume before sectioning. Even though, the spatial resolution of mCT is around 5 mm and its contrast resolution is poor, it could provide information on external and internal interfaces of the investigated volume and therefore could be used as a template in the volume reconstruction from a very large number of LSM images. Here we present a method for accurate 3D reconstruction of the murine heart from large number of images obtained using confocal LSM. The volume is reconstructed in the following steps: (i) Montage synthesis of individual LSM images to form a set of aligned optical planes within given physical section; (ii) Image enhancement and segmentation to correct for non-uniform illumination and noise; (iii) Volume matching of a synthesized physical section to a corresponding sub-volume of mCT; (iv) Affine registration of the physical section to the selected mCT sub-volume. We observe correct gross alignment of the physical sections. However, many sections still exhibit local misalignment that could be only corrected via local nonrigid registration to mCT template and we plan to do it in the future.
Fractionation of refractory siderophile elements in metal from the Rose City meteorite

— An ∼4 × 9 × 12-mm concentration of metal (dubbed RC1) situated between silicate melt and a relict chondritic clast in the Rose City H5 impact-melt breccia is compositionally heterogeneous. Approximately 65 wt% of RC1 is enriched in the refractory siderophile elements, Os and Ir, by 30–40% relative to bulk H chondrite metal; ∼20 wt% is depleted in these elements by 31–35%; and 15 wt% is depleted by a considerably greater amount (75%). Common and volatile siderophile elements are essentially unfractionated in all three regions; W is fractionated to only a moderate degree. The compositions of the different regions of RC1 are similar to those of previously analyzed metal nodules and veins in shocked but unmelted ordinary chondrites. All of these objects probably formed by a complex process involving vaporization of chondritic material, rapidly followed by oxidation of W to form volatile oxides, fractional condensation of refractory siderophile elements, transport of the residual vapor (containing common and volatile siderophile elements as well as W oxide) and condensation of this vapor in fractures and voids or on metallic liquid substrates. The common occurrence of vugs in shock-heated chondrites and the pervasiveness of vaporization effects recorded in metal masses and veins underscores the important role of superheating in the formation of impact breccias.
Bovine Papillomavirus E7 Oncoprotein Inhibits Anoikis

The bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E7 oncoprotein is required for the full transformation activity of the virus. Although BPV-1 E7 by itself is not sufficient to induce cellular transformation, it enhances the abilities of the other BPV-1 oncogenes to induce anchorage independence. We have been exploring the mechanisms by which E7 might affect the transformation efficiency of other viral oncoproteins and in particular whether it might protect cells from apoptosis. We report here that BPV-1 E6 and E7 can each independently inhibit anoikis, a type of apoptosis that is induced upon cell detachment. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we determined regions of the E7 protein that were essential for its antiapoptotic activity. The ability of E7 to inhibit anoikis did partially correlate with an ability to enhance anchorage independence of BPV-1 E6-transformed cells. In addition, the antiapoptotic activity of E7 also only partially correlated with its ability to bind p600, a cellular protein that has previously been reported to play a role in anoikis. We conclude that the contribution of E7 to BPV-induced cellular transformation may involve its ability to inhibit anoikis but that additional functional activities must also be involved.
Selection of highly metastatic rat MTLn2 mammary adenocarcinoma cell variants using in vitro growth response to transferrin.

We previously found that the proliferative response to transferrin and the expression of transferrin receptors (TfR) on the cell surface of various rat 13762NF mammary adenocarcinoma cell sublines correlated with their spontaneous metastatic capability. To further assess the involvement of transferrin and TfR in metastasis, transferrin-responsive cells were selected from the poorly-metastatic, lowtransfferin responsive 13762NF MTLn2 subline. When maintained in low serum (0.3%) conditions, MTLn2 cells failed to survive. However, if like medium was supplemented with 0.5mg/ml rat transferrin, some colonies emerged, presumably due to their ability to proliferate in response to the added transferrin. The surviving cells were expanded and exposed to ten or 20 similar cycles of transferrin growth selection to obtain the sublines MTLn2-Tf10 and MTLn2-Tf20, respectively. The MTLn2-Tf20 cells proliferated in response to transferrin at a rate similar to that of the high metastatic 13762NF sublines. Using immunofluorescent staining, Scatchard analysis, and affinity isolation of TfR, we discovered that the MTLn2Tf20 cells had 5 to 6 times more TfR than did the parental MTLn2 line. When injected into the mammary fat pads of rats, the MTLn2-Tf20 line metastasized to the axillary lymph node in seven out of ten animals and to the lungs in six out of ten (median number A 13). No metastases were seen in the MTLn2 parental line. The MTLn2-Tf10 cells showed intermediate properties compared with the MTLn2 and MTLn2-Tf20 cells. The results indicate that variant cells with a high response to transferrin may be more metastatic than the bulk cells in a poorly metastatic population. The selection of cells with high levels of TfR and a higher proliferative response to transferrin results in sublines with greater potentials for spontaneous metastasis. J. Cell. Physiol. 174:48‐57, 1998. q 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Revealed preference, stochastic dominance, and the expected utility hypothesis

Abstract This paper shows that a choice function is either consistent with the expected utility hypothesis or is ex ante dominated for some prior.
Postoperative Intravesical Therapy to Prevent Bladder Tumor Recurrence: Are We Ready to Listen Yet?

In this issue of European Urology, O’Brien et al [1] report the results from the One Dose Mitomycin C (ODMIT-C) trial, a prospective, randomized, multicenter study that was conducted in Britain between 2000 and 2006 to evaluate the ability of a single postoperative dose of mitomycin C (MMC) following nephroureterectomy to prevent subsequent bladder tumor recurrence. Because bladder tumors have been reported to occur in up to 50% of patients with a history of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) [2], the subject matter is particularly relevant clinically. The results of the modified intention-to-treat analysis demonstrate a reduction in postoperative intravesical bladder tumor recurrence from 27% in the control group to 17% in the treatment arm (p = 0.055) [1]. Moreover, by perprotocol analysis, the authors noted an absolute risk reduction of 11% (p = 0.03) with MMC therapy. The relative risk reduction with treatment was 40%, and the number needed to treat to prevent one bladder tumor recurrencewas nine. In addition, no serious adverse events were reported as a result of MMC treatment. Thus the study provides prospective randomized trial evidence to support a safe and efficacious therapy. Importantly, the question remains as to what will be the impact of this trial,whichprovidesuswith level 1 evidence to support the use of intravesical MMC after nephroureterectomy, on clinical practice? Given the paucity of level 1 evidence within our field, the authors are to be commended for their study design. Admittedly, the trial has its flaws, as does any study. For one, histologic proof of UTUC was not required for entry into the study. As such, although 284 patients were randomized, 20 patients (11 from the MMC arm and 9 from the standard-care arm) were excluded from analysis because either no tumor or nonurothelial carcinoma
The extent of long-range order in γ′ particles extracted from Renè 63 superalloy

Abstract The long-range ordering parameter, s , was determined by using x-ray diffraction on γ′ (Ni 3 Al) particles extracted from heat-treated sheet of a nickel-base superalloy, Rene 63. The particles contained substantial amounts of Co, Cr, and Ti in addition to Ni and Al. A mean value of s of 0.78 ± 0.04 was obtained after appropriate corrections, compared with 0.99 ± 0.02 for a pure Ni 3 Al reference alloy. The experiments suggest that the Ni and Al atoms in the superalloy γ′ seek out their pure phase sites.
Brief Report: Anomalous Neural Deactivations and Functional Connectivity During Receptive Language in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Functional MRI Study

Neural mechanisms that underlie language disability in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been associated with reduced excitatory processes observed as positive blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) responses. However, negative BOLD responses (NBR) associated with language and inhibitory processes have been less studied in ASD. In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging showed that the NBR in ASD participants was reduced during passive listening to spoken narratives compared to control participants. Further, functional connectivity between the superior temporal gyrus and regions that exhibited a NBR during receptive language in control participants was increased in ASD participants. These findings extend models for receptive language disability in ASD to include anomalous neural deactivations and connectivity consistent with reduced or poorly modulated inhibitory processes.
High-speed 3D brain activity quantification with Compressive Light-Field Microscopy

We present a non-imaging light-field microscopy method for volume quantification of neural activity in scattering brain tissue. Individual neuron fluorescence is computed directly by independent component identification in the phase-space time domain, without deconvolution.
Drug discovery for a new generation of covalent drugs

Introduction: The design of target-specific covalent inhibitors is conceptually attractive because of increased biochemical efficiency through covalency and increased duration of action that outlasts the pharmacokinetics of the agent. Although many covalent inhibitors have been approved or are in advanced clinical trials to treat indications such as cancer and hepatitis C, there is a general tendency to avoid them as drug candidates because of concerns regarding immune-mediated toxicity that can arise from indiscriminate reactivity with off-target proteins. Areas covered: The review examines potential reason(s) for the excellent safety record of marketed covalent agents and advanced clinical candidates for emerging therapeutic targets. A significant emphasis is placed on proteomic techniques and chemical/biochemical reactivity assays that aim to provide a systematic rank ordering of pharmacologic selectivity relative to off-target protein reactivity of covalent inhibitors. Expert opinion: While tactics to...
STARS portends a bright future for resource sharing

Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS) is a new section of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) that will bring together librarians and library staff involved with interlibrary loan, document delivery, remote circulation, access services, cooperative reference, cooperative collection development, remote storage, and other shared library services, as well as publishers, producers, and suppliers of products and services that support resource sharing activities. This brief article provides information about the section and its activities.
An Electrochemical Impedance Evaluation and Laser Irradiation Effects on the Electronic Structure of Silicon Containing Diamond-Like Carbon Coating

Abstract : Hard, adherent, 2-micro-thick lubricious silicon containing diamond-like carbon coatings (Si-DLC) were synthesized by 40 keV Ar+ ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) of tetraphenyl-tetramethyl-trisiloxane oil on two, 5-cm x 5-cm x 0.64-cm-thick 4340 steel substrates. Two different substrate surface finishes were examined, one polished and one 600-grit finish (unpolished). The corrosion resistance of the Si-DLC coating was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a O.005N concentration sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. Low-frequency impedance data from each of the coatings were compared with those of bare steel. The Si-DLC coating deposited on the polished substrate performed slightly better than the one deposited on the unpolished surface. Overall, the Si-DLC coating did not appear to offer very much corrosion protection to the steel. This was manily attributed to the presence of defects in the coating. Furthermore, to study the effect of radiation on the electronic structure of the Si-DLC coating, three Si-DLC coatings synthesized under the same deposition conditions on silicon substrates at various oil precursor temperatures were irradiated by a 335-mn wavelength, 0.37 W, pulsed YAG laser at 35 kHz Corrosion and irradiation results and procedures to minimize the pinhole density in the Si-DLC coating are discussed in detail.
Differential Emotions Theory as a Theory of Personality Development

In The Face of Emotions, which was Carroll Izard’s first major attempt at elaborating his differential emotions theory (DET), he stated that the book “presents a theoretical framework for the study...
Isolation of C-reactive proteins of man, monkey, rabbit and dog by affinity chromatography on phosphorylated cellulose

Abstract The ability of C-reactive protein (CRP) to complex with organic monophosphates in the presence of calcium was exploited in devising a method for isolating this protein in a simple, highly selective way employing phosphorylated cellulose. The same procedure was found to provide CRPs from monkey, rabbit and dog as well and may prove to be a general procedure for the isolation of CRP of other species.
The Application of Basic Economic Principles to Real-World Fisheries Management and Regulation

The article provides a brief history of fisheries management and the development of the fisheries economics paradigm taking into account the distinction between fisheries management (the decision to control the amount and timing of fisheries exploitation) and fisheries regulation (the specification of the rules and procedures to control the actual taking of fish such that actual mortality is equal to the desired mortality). It is noted that the concepts from regulation analysis have been commonly adopted in real-world management practices, but this has not been the case for the concepts from fisheries management analysis. Preliminary analysis of why this is so and suggestions for how to correct it are suggested.
Lipid composition of dark and white muscle from white sucker (Catostomus commersoni)

The lipids from dark and white muscle of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) were fractionated by thin-layer chromatography and fatty acid composition of each lipid class studied by gas-liquid chromatography. Dark muscle had a higher content of total lipid than white muscle (6.2% vs 1.4%) which was mostly accounted for by triglycerides. Phospholipid (PL) concentration was 521 ± 47 and 395 ± 34 mg/l00 of dark and white muscle, respectively. Phospha-tidylcholine was the predominant PL class in both muscles though the concentrations of other PL classes were much higher in the dark muscle. Palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1 n7), oleic acid (18:l n9), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n3) were the major fatty acids present. White muscle contained higher percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) than the dark muscle. The free fatty acid concentration was about the same (∼7%) in both dark and white muscle.
Collision-avoidance behaviors of minimally restrained flying locusts to looming stimuli

Visually guided collision avoidance is of paramount importance in flight, for instance to allow escape from potential predators. Yet, little is known about the types of collision-avoidance behaviors that may be generated by flying animals in response to an impending visual threat. We studied the behavior of minimally restrained locusts flying in a wind tunnel as they were subjected to looming stimuli presented to the side of the animal, simulating the approach of an object on a collision course. Using high-speed movie recordings, we observed a wide variety of collision-avoidance behaviors including climbs and dives away from – but also towards – the stimulus. In a more restrained setting, we were able to relate kinematic parameters of the flapping wings with yaw changes in the trajectory of the animal. Asymmetric wing flapping was most strongly correlated with changes in yaw, but we also observed a substantial effect of wing deformations. Additionally, the effect of wing deformations on yaw was relatively independent of that of wing asymmetries. Thus, flying locusts exhibit a rich range of collision-avoidance behaviors that depend on several distinct aerodynamic characteristics of wing flapping flight.
Prognostics approach for power MOSFET under thermal-stress aging

The prognostic technique for a power MOSFET presented in this paper is based on accelerated aging of MOSFET IRF520Npbf in a TO-220 package. The methodology utilizes thermal and power cycling to accelerate the life of the devices. The major failure mechanism for the stress conditions is die-attachment degradation, typical for discrete devices with lead-free solder die attachment. It has been determined that die-attach degradation results in an increase in ON-state resistance due to its dependence on junction temperature. Increasing resistance, thus, can be used as a precursor of failure for the die-attach failure mechanism under thermal stress. A feature based on normalized ON-resistance is computed from in-situ measurements of the electro-thermal response. An Extended Kalman filter is used as a model-based prognostics techniques based on the Bayesian tracking framework. The proposed prognostics technique reports on preliminary work that serves as a case study on the prediction of remaining life of power MOSFETs and builds upon the work presented in [1]. The algorithm considered in this study had been used as prognostics algorithm in different applications and is regarded as suitable candidate for component level prognostics. This work attempts to further the validation of such algorithm by presenting it with real degradation data including measurements from real sensors, which include all the complications (noise, bias, etc.) that are regularly not captured on simulated degradation data. The algorithm is developed and tested on the accelerated aging test timescale. In real world operation, the timescale of the degradation process and therefore the RUL predictions will be considerable larger. It is hypothesized that even though the timescale will be larger, it remains constant through the degradation process and the algorithm and model would still apply under the slower degradation process. By using accelerated aging data with actual device measurements and real sensors (no simulated behavior), we are attempting to assess how such algorithm behaves under realistic conditions.
Detection of norovirus capsid proteins in faecal and food samples by a real time immuno-PCR method.

Aims: To develop a sensitive real time immuno-polymerase chain reaction (rtI-PCR) method for detecting norovirus (NV) capsid protein in food samples. Methods and Results: The viral antigens were captured by two polyclonal antisera against recombinant Norwalk viral-like particles (rNVLPs). Biotin-conjugated antibodies, avidin and biotin-conjugated DNA reporter were used to convert the protein signals into DNA signals. The reporter DNA was then amplified by addition of primers and PCR. A real time PCR method was used in order to perform a quantitative post-PCR analysis. One hundred rNVLPs (10 fg) and a NV sample containing 660 rNVLPs equivalent particle units (66 fg) could be detected by this method. Conclusion: The PCR inhibitors present in the food samples had minimal effect on antigen capture and were removed by multiple wash steps during the rtI-PCR procedure. The sensitivity of rtI-PCR was >1000-fold higher than the standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and approximately 10 times higher than reverse transcription PCR in detection of NV capsid protein in stool and food samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report of a rtI-PCR method to detect NV in contaminated food samples without concentration or purification of the virus.
Addressing statin adverse effects in the clinic: the 5 Ms.

With the release of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults, emphasis has been placed on using evidence-based intensity of therapy to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, rather than focusing on goal cholesterol levels. Before initiating therapy, however, it is critical that physicians and patients discuss 4 key topics: (1) the benefit of ASCVD risk reduction, (2) medication adverse effects, (3) drug–drug interactions, and (4) patient preferences. To facilitate discussion of statin adverse effects, we present here an evidence-based review of the 5 Ms of statin adverse effects: metabolism, muscle, medication interactions, major organ effects, and memory. “Metabolism” represents the small risk of new-onset diabetes that comes with statins, which is highest in those with diabetes risk factors. “Muscle” requires discussion of the wide range of musc...
Composition of Gum Turpentines of Pines. XII. A Report on Pinus montezumae, P. oocurpa, and P. leiophylla*

Turpentines from three Mexican species of pine, Pinus montezumae, P. oocarpa, and P. IeiopbyIIa, have been investigated systematically. The physical and chemical characteristics of the turpentines studied are reported.
Extraction of thermal resistance for fully-depleted SOI MOSFETs

This paper presents a convenient and direct method for extracting thermal impedance for fully-depleted SOI MOSFETs. The results are consistent with thermal resistance calculations using a physical model. Demonstration of the use of a Thermal Impedance Pre-Processor applied to an electrothermal circuit model in the simulator Saber to predict thermal transient response is also provided along with measurement data.
Cardiovascular and Behavioral Response to Auditory Stimuli in Boys With Fragile X Syndrome

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether young boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS) exhibit abnormal physiological or behavioral responses to a moderately intense auditory stimulus, as heightened sensory reactivity is believed to contribute to problem behaviors in this population. METHODS We examined the physiological basis, via heart activity, of auditory startle in young boys with FXS (n = 22) compared with typically developing controls (n = 27). Associations with mental age, behavioral reactivity, and chronological age were examined. RESULTS Results suggest that older boys with FXS display increased cardiac reactivity to auditory input than younger boys with FXS that distinguishes them from typically developing controls. Higher mental age was associated with decreased latency to react. CONCLUSIONS Results contribute to increased understanding of the pathology in sensory processing in boys with FXS, which can inform refinement of the phenotype in young children with FXS and aid in the development of efficacious psychopharmacological and/or behavioral interventions.
Shock-Wave Behavior in Explosive Monocrystals

The shock response of explosive monocrystals is strongly anisotropic. Shock initiation sensitivity depends strongly on crystal orientation in PETN. This can be understood in terms of steric hindrance to shear during the shock-induced deformation of the molecular crystal. This initiation mechanism appears to be tribochemical rather than thermal. Related work by other researchers is also discussed.