cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of endoscopic ultrasound on diagnosis and management of presumed mucinous neoplasms when done for pancreatic cyst morphology change on non-invasive surveillance imaging.

Background and study aims Guidelines for management of presumed neoplastic pancreatic cysts have encouraged noninvasive imaging for low-risk surveillance, while reserving endoscopic ultrasound for worrisome features including morphologic change. We aim to study the impact of endoscopic ultrasound on diagnosis and management compared with non-invasive imaging. Patients and methods A single-institution pancreatic cyst database was retrospectively queried for patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound for the indication of change in cyst morphology. Diagnoses were classified as presumed mucinous neoplasm with or without worrisome features or high-risk stigmata and non-mucinous lesions. Management decisions were defined a priori as surgical evaluation for patients with high-risk stigmata, positive cytology or mural nodule, or continued surveillance for all others. Results Between January 2013 and October 2016, 709 pancreas cyst endoscopic ultrasounds were performed of which 89 were for cyst morphology change seen on noninvasive imaging including 10 presumed pseudocysts, nine presumed serous cystadenomas, and 70 presumed mucinous cystic neoplasms. Cyst morphologic changes included increase in caliber of the main pancreatic duct (7 cases), increase in cyst size (68 cases), cyst ≥ 30 mm (10 cases), and presence of a solid nodule (1 case). Median cyst size increase was 5 mm with interquartile range of 4 mm over 2.1 ± 1.9 years. Endoscopic ultrasound done for morphologic change resulted in a change in diagnosis and management in 16 % and 13 % of cases, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic ultrasound has a modest but clinically significant role in impacting diagnosis and management for presumed mucinous cystic neoplasms when performed for the indication of cyst morphology change.
A Meta-Analysis of Non-Repetitive Reading Fluency Interventions for Students With Reading Difficulties:

This meta-analytic review investigated non-repetitive reading fluency interventions for K-12 students with reading difficulties. Eight studies met inclusion criteria. The approaches were distinguis...
The retinal environment induces microglia-like properties in recruited myeloid cells

Microglia are essential to the development of the CNS and its homeostasis. Our prior findings suggested a niche model to describe the behaviors of retinal microglia. Here, we ask whether new myeloid cells recruited to the retina are constrained to resemble endogenous microglia morphologically and functionally. Use of CD11cDTR/GFP transgenic mouse allowed identification of two niches of retinal microglia distinguished by being GFPlo or GFPhi. We also used transgenic mice in which CX3CR1+ cells expressed YFP and were depletable following tamoxifen-induced expression of diphtheria toxin subunit A. We employed several ablation and injury stimulation protocols to examine the origin and fate of myeloid cells repopulating the retina. Analysis of retinal myeloid cells was done by microscopy, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR. We found that the origin of new GFPhi and GFPlo myeloid cells in the retina of CD11cDTR/GFP mice, whether recruited or local, depended on the ablation and stimulation protocols. Regardless of origin, new GFPlo and GFPhi retinal myeloid cells were CD45medCD11b+Ly6G−Ly6CloIba1+F4/80+, similar to endogenous microglia. Following tamoxifen-induced diphtheria toxin ablation, myeloid cell repopulation differed in the retina compared to the brain and optic nerve. Stimulation of replacement GFPhi cells was substantially attenuated in repopulating retinas after tamoxifen-induced diphtheria toxin ablation compared to control or radiation-ablated mice. In radiation bone marrow chimeric mice, replacement GFPhi myeloid cells from the circulation were slow to repopulate the retina unless stimulated by an optic nerve crush injury. However, once stimulated, recruited GFPhi cells were found to concentrate on injured retinal ganglion cells and were morphologically similar to GFPhi cells in non-ablated control CD11cDTR/GFP mice. The results support the idea that GFPhi cells in the CD11cDTR/GFP mouse, whether recruited or from resident microglia, mark a unique niche of activated retinal myeloid cells. We conclude that the retinal environment has a potent influence on the function, morphology, and proliferative capacity of new myeloid cells regardless of their origin, compelling them to be equivalent to the endogenous microglia.
Clustering of SCG Events Using Unsupervised Machine Learning

Seismocardiography (SCG) is the measurement of chest surface vibrations induced by cardiac activity. SCG beats are typically averaged to reduce noise and determine average SCG waveforms and features. Variability in SCG morphology impedes precise determination of average waveforms. Hence, it is desirable to group SCG beats into clusters with minimal intra-cluster heterogeneity. Cardio-pulmonary interactions are known to contribute to SCG variability. Therefore, grouping SCG signals by their respiratory phase may be helpful. SCG signals and respiratory flowrate were simultaneously measured in seventeen subjects (Age: 23 ± 3.5 years, 7 female). Unsupervised machine learning was implemented to cluster SCG beats according to their morphology. The time domain amplitudes of the SCG beats were used as the feature vector. K-medoids clustering was employed with dynamic time warping (DTW) distance as the heterogeneity measure. The quality of the clustering was measured using mean silhouette values and the elbow method for varying clusters numbers. Optimal clustering was achieved when SCG beats were split into two groups. Using respiratory flow information, SCG beats were labeled as inspiratory vs. expiratory, and as high vs. low lung volumes. The SCG groups determined by machine learning were compared with these labels. Grouping SCG based on lung volume phases yielded more homogeneous clusters than grouping by inspiration vs. expiration (p < 0.01). Unsupervised clustering reduced the intra-cluster variability by an average of 15% across subjects. Grouping by lung volume and inspiration vs. expiration reduced variability by 6% and 3%, respectively. The variability reduction may help more precise determination of average SCG waveforms and features, thereby improving SCG diagnostic utility.
SEER and Gene Expression Data Analysis Deciphers Racial Disparity Patterns in Prostate Cancer Mortality and the Public Health Implication.

A major racial disparity in prostate cancer (PCa) is that African American (AA) patients have a higher mortality rate than European American (EA) patients. We filtered the SEER 2009–2011 records and divided them into four groups regarding patient races and cancer grades. On such a partition, we performed a series of statistical analyses to further clarify the aforementioned disparity. Molecular evidence for a primary result of the epidemiological analysis was obtained from gene expression data. The results include: (1) Based on the registry-specific measures, a significant linear regression of total mortality rate (as well as PCa specific mortality rate) on the percentage of (Gleason pattern-based) high-grade cancers (PHG) is demonstrated in EAs (p < 0.01) but not in AAs; (2) PHG and its racial disparity are differentiated across ages and the groups defined by patient outcomes; (3) For patients with cancers in the same grade category, i.e. the high or low grade, the survival stratification between races is not significant in most geographical areas; and (4) The genes differentially expressed between AAs’ and EAs’ tumors of the same grade category are relatively rare. The perception that prostate tumors are more lethal in AAs than in EAs is reasonable regarding AAs’ higher PHG, while high grade alone could not imply aggressiveness. However, this perception is questionable when the comparison is focused on cases within the same grade category. Supporting observations for this conclusion hold a remarkable implication for erasing racial disparity in PCa. That is, “Equal grade, equal outcomes” is not only a verifiable hypothesis but also an achievable public health goal.
Sand tray therapy: A variety of approaches.

Sand tray therapy is an expressive therapy that has the unique and impressive quality of being quite adaptive and flexible. This chapter explores two elements: it is crucial that sand tray materials be specific, that is, purposeful and intentional; and sand tray therapy should be done by trained therapists. Sand tray therapy theory and techniques should always be theoretically based. As the use of sand tray expands, it is practiced by psychologists, counselors, family therapists, social workers, and other mental health practitioners. Providing the client an area in which to work and create is the key to setting up a sand tray therapy space. The chapter focuses on a specific, or rigid, sand tray therapy protocol, there are some basic elements that the authors consider important in the overall process. These include: room preparation; introduction to the client; creation of the sand tray; post-creation process; sand tray clean-up; and documenting the session.
Transplant Operative Considerations in Pulmonary Hypertension With Severe Right Heart Failure

Over the past several decades, the operation of choice for end-stage lung disease secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) has shifted from heart-lung transplantation (HLT) to bilateral lung transplantation (BLT). This change has maintained excellent long-term outcomes and is appropriate for the majority of patients presenting with end-stage disease in need of transplantation. However, a distinct subset of patients with severe PH have an excessive early mortality within 90 days of transplantation. Based on the different causes of this early mortality compared to BLT recipients with other indications, right heart failure and refractory primary graft dysfunction appear to play a significant role. It is therefore critical to identify this subset of patient during their evaluation for transplant. This distinction would allow specific patient referral for HLT, which may mitigate those causes of early mortality. Similarly, there is a subgroup of BLT recipients for severe PH that fail to recover right ventricular function, with suboptimal long-term functional status that is independent of early survival. Identification and referral for HLT of these patients may also be important. In this manuscript, we describe our institutional approach and consideration for the risks of early mortality from right heart failure and primary graft dysfunction, as well failure of right ventricular recovery long term. The described evaluation is used to ascertain those patients with severe PH who may benefit from an HLT over BLT.
A causal study of bumetanide on a marker of excitatory-inhibitory balance in the human brain

Bumetanide has received much interest as a potential pharmacological modulator of the putative imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) signaling that is thought to characterize autism spectrum conditions. Yet, currently, no studies of bumetanide efficacy have used an outcome measure that is modeled to depend on E/I balance in the brain. In this manuscript, we present the first causal study of the effect of bumetanide on an objective marker of E/I balance in the brain, binocular rivalry, which we have previously shown to be sensitive to pharmacological manipulation of GABA. Using a within-subjects placebo-control crossover design study, we show that, contrary to expectation, acute administration of bumetanide does not alter binocular rivalry dynamics in neurotypical adult individuals. Neither changes in response times nor response criteria can account for these results. These results raise important questions about the efficacy of acute bumetanide administration for altering E/I balance in the human brain, and highlight the importance of studies using objective markers of the underlying neural processes that drugs hope to target.
Introducing the Rupture Criticality Index to Compare Risk Factor Combinations Associated With Aneurysmal Rupture.

Background Relative risk is insufficient to guide treatment decision-making for unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Our objective was to introduce a novel risk assessment methodology called the Rupture Criticality Index (RCI), which allows for concurrent evaluation of groups of risk factors (RFs). Methods From a retrospective database of saccular aneurysms, we identify 915 patients and delineate 50 potential RFs for aneurysms in 11 unique locations. RF combinations for multivariable analysis were defined by aneurysm size, location, and a third variable from the study design. Data analysis was performed by applying frequency distribution methods to define the RCI of each RF combination. Results RF combinations at greatest risk were small (4.8–8.2 mm) or medium (8.3–14.5 mm) anterior communicating aneurysms (ACoA) in male individuals (RCI 9.87–10), small ACoA in those ≤37 years or 38–55 years (RCI 8.67–8.99), medium basilar tip aneurysms (BTAs) in male individuals (RCI 10), and large (14.6–22.5 mm) BTA in Caucasians or those aged 38–55 years (RCI 9.25, 9.35, respectively). Conclusions We introduce the concept of RCI and compare how RF combinations are associated with aneurysmal rupture. This novel approach to aneurysmal rupture identifies high-risk clinical presentations and can be used to guide clinical decision-making in patients with non-traditional risks.
Non-BPS branes on a Calabi-Yau threefold and Bose-Fermi degeneracy

We consider the spectrum of open strings for non-BPS D-brane configuration in type-II string theory on a Calabi-Yau threefold. In general, there is no degeneracy between bosonic and fermionic states. However we find special values for the moduli space of Calabi-Yau threefolds there are non-BPS brane configurations which have an exact degeneracy between bosonic and fermionic states. For these values there is no force between pairs of non-BPS D-branes. This gives rise to a possibility of building diverse non-supersymmetric gauge field theories on the brane world-volume. We use the approach recently elaborated by Gaberdiel and Sen.
Cross-Selective Aza-Pinacol Coupling via Atom Transfer Catalysis

A cross-selective aza-pinacol coupling of aldehydes and imines has been developed to afford valuable β-amino alcohols. This strategy enables chemoselective conversion of aliphatic aldehydes to kety...
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Application Process

Over the last year, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread across the world as a global pandemic, bringing unprecedented changes to the healthcare landscape for patients and physicians. Medical trainees have been similarly affected, as medical schools throughout the United States have implemented remote learning-based curriculums and withdrawn third- and fourth-year students from in-hospital clerkships. Of particular importance is the impact of COVID-19 on current orthopaedic surgery residents applying to subspecialty fellowship programs. Because of the highly transmissible nature of the virus and current social distancing restrictions, orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship interviews are being held virtually during the 2020–2021 application cycle. This transition to videoconference interviewing may de-emphasize an applicant's unique personality or interpersonal interactions that are traditionally captured in a variety of settings during the interview day. In turn, this may lead to increased prioritization of various aspects of the application, such as the applicant’s residency program, letters of recommendation, and research productivity. Matching to a sports medicine fellowship program is an inherently competitive process and the COVID-19 pandemic presents novel challenges to orthopaedic residents in their efforts to successfully match. The purpose of this review is to describe the changes made to the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship interview process resulting from COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 application cycle and discuss how these changes may impact the future fellowship application process. This review discusses the changes made to the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship interview process caused by COVID-19 during the 2020–2021 application cycle. This review also assesses how such changes may impact the future application process and proposes potential adaptations to the current virtual interview format if it should become the new standard moving forward.
Marxist Literary Criticism Today: Barbara Foley, (London and New York: Pluto Press, 2019, 265 pp., $27.00)

While correctly described by its publisher as a basic introduction to Marxist literary criticism, Barbara Foley’s book is also a fresh renovation of its subject both for those familiar with the lit...
Potential test systems for chemotherapeutic agents against prostatic cancer.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the potential test systems for chemotherapeutic agents against prostatic cancer. The testing of agents potentially useful in the therapy of prostatic cancer is facing the lack of an appropriate in vivo model system for cancer of the prostate in a suitable animal in which such drugs could be tested. The development of chemotherapeutic agents against prostatic cancer assumes a crucial aspect in this disease, with full recognition and dependency on the value and implications of hormonal therapy in cancer of the prostate. The effects of estrogens on the 5α-RA are less clearly understood than those of androgens. The administration of estrogens to intact animals does decrease greatly the 5α-RA. It is found that cyclophosphamide, 5-FU1 isophosphamide, adriamycin, diglycolaldehyde, bleomycin, and CCNU caused the largest decreases in prostatic weight. Hydroxyurea and thiotepa led to some gain in body weight and gains in prostatic weights. It is shown that thiotepa and hydroxyurea also cause noncompetitive activation of 5α-RA in the dorsolateral and ventral glands of the rat.
Morphological and Structural Changes During the Yeast-to-Mold Conversion of Phialophora dermatitidis

The details of the morphological and structural events occurring during yeast-to-mold conversion of the human pathogenic fungus Phialophora dermatitidis as seen by phase-contrast microscopy and electron microscopy are described and illustrated. Budding yeasts growing exponentially were observed to have thin walls and a cytoplasm exhibiting the characteristics of rapidly growing cells including numerous mitochondria, abundant ribosomes, few vacuoles, and little accumulation of storage material. In contrast, thick-walled yeasts were characterized by less apparent or significantly fewer mitochondria and ribosomes and the presence of considerable amounts of storage materials. Microscope observations of yeast-to-mold conversion revealed that only thick-walled yeasts having prominent lipid bodies in their cytoplasm converted to hyphal forms. Typically, the thick-walled yeast formed two to a number of moniliform hyphal cells which in turn often produced true hyphae. The results indicated that yeasts of P. dermatitidis must acquire spore-like characteristics by becoming thick-walled and by accumulating considerable endogenous substrate reserves before they convert and produce hyphae.
Characterization of melanocyte-specific autoantibodies in vitiligo-prone Smyth line chickens. (BA2P.128)

Autoimmune vitiligo is characterized by the loss of pigment-producing melanocytes (MC) in the skin. The autoimmune vitiligo-prone Smyth line (SL) of chicken together with the parental Brown line (BL) and vitiligo-resistant Light Brown Leghorn (LBL) chickens constitutes an excellent animal model for this disorder. Although cell-mediated immunity has long been known to contribute to the etiopathology of SL vitiligo (SLV) the role of humoral immunity is less clear. We recently completed a time-course study examining levels of IgG specific to MC lysate in SL and control plasma. Results showed elevated (P<0.05) MC-lysate specific IgG levels in SL chickens 1-2 weeks prior to and throughout SLV development. To evaluate the binding characteristics of MC-specific IgG, primary MC isolated from growing feathers were incubated with IgG purified from the serum of SLV (birds with SLV) and control chickens. IgG binding was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Regardless of the source of MC (SL, BL, LBL), significant binding was only observed with SLV-IgG (mean fluorescence intensity increased approximately 100%). This effect was not observed when MC were incubated with IgG purified from egg yolk of SLV hens. Further characterization of autoantibodies from SLV chickens may provide insight into their role in the loss of MC in SLV. Studies evaluating such mechanisms as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-mediated cytotoxicity are underway.
Intrinsic properties defined

L'A. propose une definition des proprietes intrinseques en termes de contraction d'un monde, qui permet de distinguer le changement reel de la conception du changement de l'ecole de Cambridge, d'une part, et de distinguer les objets identiques des objets numeriquement identiques, d'autre part. Examinant la critique de la conception de l'intrinseque et de l'extrinseque de J. Kim developpee par D. Lewis, l'A. montre que la nature intrinseque se comprend a la lumiere du principe d'independance, en son sens large, et a la lumiere de la notion de propriete qualitative, en son sens etroit
Chapter 9 Calculating Binding Free Energy in Protein–Ligand Interaction

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the calculation of binding free energy in protein–ligand interaction. A deeper understanding of the way a protein recognizes its biologically relevant ligand or a small molecule inhibitor will have a profound effect on the understanding of biological recognition processes and on the ability to design small molecule therapeutics. Binding afﬁnity can be estimated experimentally by kinetic experiments that measure the inhibition of the protein or enzyme in the presence of both the inhibitor and substrate and is reported as an inhibition constant. Theoretical calculations determine the free energy of binding in a more direct fashion by calculating the properties of individual structures of the protein, ligand, and the complex, or of their ensembles. Binding free energy is a state function and is treated as such in these calculations, which means that it is independent of the path taken from the reactants to the product. Polarization and charge transfer play a signiﬁcant role in molecular interactions. Such effects can be captured by using quantum mechanics. Rigorous and exhaustive calculation of electrostatic interaction energies can be performed at high levels of the quantum theory. Such calculations are feasible only for small model chemistries and are severely restricted by the computational cost associated with the study of larger molecules.
Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Irradiated Metals and Alloys

The effects of neutron irradiation on the microstructural evolution of metals and alloys are reviewed, with an emphasis on the roles of crystal structure, neutron dose and temperature. The corresponding effects of neutron irradiation on mechanical properties of metals and alloys are summarized, with particular attention on the phenomena of low temperature radiation hardening and embrittlement. The prospects of developing improved high-performance structural materials with high resistance to radiation-induced property degradation are briefly discussed.
Dollarization of bank deposits: Causes and consequences

Abstract This paper assesses the benefits and risks associated with dollarization of bank deposits. We provide novel empirical evidence on the determinants of deposit dollarization, its role in promoting financial development, and on whether dollarization is associated with financial instability. We find that: (a) the credibility of macroeconomic policy and the quality of institutions are both key determinants of cross-country variations in dollarization; (b) dollarization is likely to promote financial deepening only in a high inflation environment; and (c) financial instability is likely higher in dollarized economies. The implications of these findings for financial sector and monetary policies are briefly discussed.
Research Issues in Sustainable Consumption: Toward an Analytical Framework for Materials and the Environment

We define key research questions as a stimulus to research in the area of industrial ecology. The first group of questions addresses analytical support for green engineering and environmental policy. They relate to (i) tools for green engineering, (ii) improvements in life cycle assessment, (iii) aggregation of environmental impacts, and (iv) effectiveness of a range of innovative policy approaches. The second group of questions addresses the dynamics of technology, economics, and environmental impacts. They relate to (v) the environmental impacts of material and energy consumption, (vi) the potential for material efficiency, (vii) the relation of technological and economic development to changes in consumption patterns, and (viii) the potential for technology to overcome environmental impacts and constraints. Altogether, the questions create an intellectual agenda for industrial ecology and integrate the technological and social aspects of sustainability.
Resurrection of the genus Selleophytum (Asteraceae: Coreopsideae)

After thorough morphological examination, a consideration of chromosome numbers and molecular studies, the genus Selleophytum is resurrected. A description of the only known species in the genus with an illustration is provided A neotype is selected.
Toluene metabolites as biological indicators of exposure.

The measurement of exhaled and excreted xenobiotics and their metabolites can provide accurate, non-invasive, and time-flexible measurements of internal dose. We analyzed rates of exhaled (2)H(8)-toluene and excreted urinary metabolites from 33 exposures of men to 50 ppm of (2)H(8)-toluene for 2 h at rest. The total dose was distributed as follows: exhaled (2)H(8)-toluene, 13 +/- 6.2%; (2)H(5)-hippuric acid, 75 +/- 6.4%; (2)H(7)-o-cresol, 0.31 +/- 0.22%; (2)H(7)-m-cresol, 0.53 +/- 0.44%; and (2)H(7)-p-cresol, 11 +/- 3.8%. Interindividual variability was assessed using the coefficients of variation for peak exhalation or excretion rates, and fractions of dose excreted: (2)H(8)-toluene, c.v.=60, 47%; (2)H(5)-hippuric acid, 29, 8.6%; (2)H(7)-o-cresol, 80, 73%; (2)H(7)-m-cresol, 37, 83%; and (2)H(7)-p-cresol, 38, 34%. Excretion rates of the cresols were stable over the first 5 h post-exposure, and o-cresol was determined to be the best urinary indicator of exposure, given the lower background levels of this isomer. The hippuric acid/cresol rate ratios for the first 5 h post-exposure could be described by single exponential terms, and thus provided a means for estimating time since exposure for any finite toluene duration/exposure combination.
Situated learning in an abstract algebra classroom

Advisory committees of mathematics consider abstract algebra as an essential component of the mathematical preparation of secondary teachers, yet preservice teachers find it challenging to connect the topics addressed in this advanced course with the high school algebra they must someday teach. This study analyzed the mathematical content knowledge that developed in preservice teachers during a semester course in abstract algebra utilizing Lerman's “person-in-practice-in-person” lens. This unit of analysis provided insights into the situated nature of the algebra learned by illuminating how the goals of the instructor and preservice teachers impacted the community of practice created in the university classroom and how participating in that community impacted the preservice teachers' mathematical identities.
Eliminating Barriers to Physical Activity: Using Cultural Negotiation and Competence

Culture and education are profound influences on teaching and learning. These acts are transmitted by a group's core values, beliefs, attitudes, type of communication, and linguistic styles. Pai, A...
Inducing rules for expert system development: an example using default and bankruptcy data

With rapidly growing interest in the development of knowledge-based computer consulting systems for various problem domains, the difficulties associated with knowledge acquisition have special importance. This paper reports on the results of experiments designed to assess the effectiveness of an inductive algorithm in discovering predictive knowledge structures in financial data. The quality of the results are evaluated by comparing them to results generated by discriminant analysis, individual judgments, and group judgments. A partial intersection of predictive attributes occurs. More importantly, for all cases tested, the inductively produced knowledge structures perform better than the competing models.
The effects of nonperiodic void spacing upon intergranular creep cavitation

Abstract The effects of nonperiodic void spacing upon creep rupture by intergranular cavitation is investigated. This is done by carrying out a Monte Carlo simulation of a 1-D model consisting of long, cylindrical voids having a uniform random spatial distribution along the grain boundary of a bicrystal. It is found that a progressive sintering and void coalescence process leads to times-to-failure which on the average are an order of magnitude greater than that predicted in the case where the voids are taken to be periodically spaced. Also predicted is a slightly greater dependence on times-to-failure with applied remote stress than that predicted in the equispaced case. Of particular note is the scatter in the predicted times-to-failure at constant remote stress, which is found to be well-described by a Weibull cumulative distribution function.
Comparison of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with capillary gas chromatography in the separation of phenols, anilines and polynuclear aromatics Potential field-screening applications of MEKC

Abstract Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is known to be complementary to liquid chromatography, but comparison of CE with capillary gas chromatography (GC) for applicable analytes has not been extensive. Capillary GC has been the preeminent separation technique for environmental analysis, but CE has yet to be applied systematically to the determination of environmental analytes. We present data on separations of three classes of semivolatile analytes of interest to environmental analysis: phenols, anilines and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs). Standard GC conditions were used to illustrate typical separations observed on 30-m and 40-m columns. Rapid analyses were addressed using a high-temperature 15-m column of thinner film. CE separations employed borate buffer with sodium cholate as the micellar agent in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The effects of organic additives were studied using methanol, acetone and tetrahydrofuran. γ-Cyclodextrin was also used in MEKC to enhance the separation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and to examine its effects on separations of phenols and anilines. Short capillaries effected very rapid (
Formation of Pancreatic Islets Involves Coordinated Expansion of Small Islets and Fission of Large Interconnected Islet-like Structures

The islets of Langerhans, micro-organs for maintaining glucose homeostasis, range in size from small clusters of <10 cells to large islets consisting of several thousand endocrine cells. Islet size distributions among various species are similar and independent of body size, suggesting an intrinsic limit to islet size. Little is known about the mechanisms regulating islet size. We have carried out a comprehensive analysis of changes of islet size distribution in the intact mouse pancreas from birth to eight months, including mathematical modeling to quantify this dynamic biological process. Islet growth was size-dependent during development, with preferential expansion of smaller islets and fission of large interconnected islet-like structures occurring most actively at approximately three weeks of age at the time of weaning. The process of islet formation was complete by four weeks with little or no new islet formation thereafter, and all the β-cells had low proliferation potential in the adult, regardless of islet size. Similarly, in insulinoma-bearing mice, the early postnatal developmental process including fission followed the same time course with no new islet formation in adults. However, tumor progression led to uncontrolled islet growth with accelerated expansion of larger islets. Thus, islet formation and growth is a tightly regulated process involving preferential expansion of small islets and fission of large interconnected islet-like structures.
Quantifying dust emissions from desert landforms, eastern Mojave Desert, USA

Abstract The measurement of natural dust emissions from desert landforms is crucial in environmental hazard assessment and field checking the accuracy of global dust models. More than 500 individual dust measurements from eight common desert landforms in southern California were collected using the PI-SWERL (Portable In Situ Wind Erosion Lab). The largest emitters of dust are dry washes (13.787 to 0.007 mg m − 2 s − 1 ), dunes, playa margins, distal alluvial fans, and lacustrine beaches. Low emitters include salt-crusted playas (0.692 to 0.002 mg m − 2 s − 1 ), silt–clay-crusted playas, and desert pavements. High emissions are a function of saltating sand that bombards the surface, liberating dust-sized particles for entrainment. Low dust emissions are primarily a function of surface crusting, gravel armoring, and vegetation density. PI-SWERL measurements reveal that emission rates can vary by at least three orders of magnitude, reflecting local variability in soil texture and continuity of surface crusts. Shear-stress partitioning models can be applied to dust data measured by the PI-SWERL to account for large surface roughness features, such as vegetation. The results presented here give an approximation of the contributions to atmospheric dust loading by landforms in the Mojave Desert, and can potentially be used to improve atmospheric dust models.
A comparative analysis of statistical, fuzzy, and artificial neural pattern recognition techniques

A common mathematical foundation for the comparative analysis of statistical, fuzzy, and artificial neural pattern recognition or decision making systems is presented. This development uses abstract algebraic techniques to characterize the functions generating decision surfaces and the learning/training processes involved in each technique.
Women Who Have Sex With Other Women: HIV Seroprevalence in New York State Counseling and Testing Programs

This report provides HIV seroprevalence data for women who are sexually active with women (WSW) choosing to access services in four of New York State's counseling and testing programs from January 1993 to June 1994. During that period, these programs tested 27,370 women. When questioned about sexual activity since 1978, 3.7% of these women reported sexual activity exclusively with women, 5.3% reported sexual activity with both women and men and 90.1% reported sexual activity exclusively with men. HIV seroprevalence in women sexually active exclusively with women in this sample was calculated at 3.0%, at 4.8% in women sexually active with both women and men and at 2.9% in women sexually active exclusively with men. According to the self-reported data in this study, injecting drug use is, by far, the predominant risk factor for seropositive WSW. Significant HIV-related public health/preventative implications for WSW and their service providers are suggested by this data, including the need for prevention education targeted to WSW who are IDUs, the need to provide culturally sensitive education to WSW detailing safer sexual behaviors both with women and with men as well as the need for evaluation of all risk factors when providing risk reduction education to WSW.
CONFORMATIONAL STUDIES OF CYCLOPROPYLMETHYLACETYLENE FROM TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT FT-IR SPECTRA OF XENON SOLUTIONS AND AB INITIO CALCULATIONS

The infrared (3500 to 30 cm-1) spectra of gaseous and solid and the Raman (3500 to 20 cm-1) spectra of the liquid [with quantitative depolarization ratios] and solid cyclopropylmethylacetylene, c-C3H5CH2CCH (ethynylmethylcyclopropane), have been recorded. Additionally, variable temperature (−55 to −100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm-1) of the title compound dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. Utilizing four conformer pairs, an enthalpy difference of 147 ± 14 cm-1 (1.76 ± 0.17 kJ/mol) was obtained, with the cis rotamer the more stable conformer. At ambient temperature there is approximately 48% of the cis conformer present. However, the gauche conformer remains in the annealed solid. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies are reported for both conformers from ab initio calculations. The calculations were carried out at the restricted Hartree−Fock...
Hybrid mixture theory based moisture transport and stress development in corn kernels during drying: Validation and simulation results

Abstract The moisture transport and stress development mechanisms were elucidated for corn kernels using numerical solution of three-scale fluid transport equation. The 3D kernel structure was captured using micro-CT scanning and imported into finite elements package. The experimental drying profiles were predicted with reasonable accuracy (R2 = 0.88–0.99 and CV = 3.5–9.5%). During simulations, the region with highest moisture content was observed to be away from the geometric center covering parts of soft-endosperm and germ. The high moisture flux was observed under the pericarp, in soft-endosperm toward top and in region connecting soft-endosperm and germ. The germ due to its lower moisture diffusivity in comparison to hard and soft endosperms, retained higher moisture and exhibited lower moisture flux. These observations agreed with previous magnetic resonance imaging based studies. Intermittent drying simulations indicated that fan on/off strategies with suitable time step-size would be a viable option for drying corn with lower stress-cracking and additional energy savings.
Gödel's universe

The legacy of one of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century. Kurt Godel (one of Time magazine's “20 greatest thinkers and scientists of the twentieth century”), the clash between Arthur Eddington and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, and the hominid Proconsul. These are a few of your favourite things, to be found in this year's collection of seasonal book reviews.
A simple and rapid procedure for the purification of plasmid DNA using reverse-phase C18 silica beads

A simple and efficient procedure for the rapid isolation of plasmid DNA free of chromosomal DNA and with only minor contamination with RNA is described. The protocol is a modification of the boiling method described by Holmes and Quigley [(1981) Anal. Biochem. 114, 193-197.] and utilizes C18 reverse-phase silica beads for final concentration and purification of plasmid DNA. The entire procedure can be carried out in 1 day and does not require the use of phenol or cesium chloride gradients, which require considerable labor and may sometimes cause nicking and lower recoveries of supercoiled DNA. The plasmid DNA obtained by this method retains biological activity, is supercoiled, and is suitable for restriction and DNA sequence analysis.
Dimensional crossover in superlattice superconductors

We have observed dimensional crossover from anisotropic three-dimensional behavior to two-dimensional behavior in both the temperature dependence and the angular dependence of the upper critical fields of Nb/Cu superlattice superconductors. The crossover occurs when the coherence length xi/sub perpendicular/ perpendicular to the layer planes is of the order of the copper layer thickness D/sub Cu/. We have observed the crossover (1) by varying the temperature, thereby varying xi/sub perpendicular/ relative to D/sub Cu/ and (2) by varying D/sub Cu/ relative to xi/sub perpendicular/. The complicating effects due to surface superconductivity have been eliminated by placing thick copper films as the outside layers of the samples. The measurements are in qualitative agreement with theoretical models of layered superconductors.
A Piezoelectric Immunosensor for the Detection of Cocaine

Abstract A piezoelectric crystal immunosensor has been developed for the detection and determination of cocaine in the concentration range 10–300 μg/liter (part per billion) with a relative SD of 10–19%. Benzoylecgonine antibody, the major metabolite of cocaine, was layered onto the gold electrodes of a 10 MHz piezoelectric crystal, which was precoated with protein G. The protein G immobilization procedure showed the best results in terms of sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility. The piezoelectric immunosensor technology demonstrated in this work shows a successful application which could have a tremendous impact on drug of abuse monitoring.
Development of a Mobile App for Learning System Dynamics

This paper presents the development of a mobile app for learning System Dynamics. A course in System Dynamics is required in most mechanical and other engineering curricula. The app implements several types of the first order and the second order systems under various conditions. Based on the user inputs, the app solves the relevant System Dynamics equations and displays the graphs. The users are able to observe and analyze results by changing the parameters. The user-friendly app was developed for Android and iOS smartphone platforms. The developed app can serve as a complementary learning tool for System Dynamics in Mechanical Engineering. It may help students to understand important concepts and theories behind numerical results, such as the relationships between input and output, solutions in time-domain and frequency-domain, three vibration modes for the systems, and the effects of equation constants and input selections on output responses.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Controlled rotation of micro-particles with multi-trap rotating tweezers generated by Moiré technique

We demonstrate controlled rotation of micro-particles with multi-trap rotating tweezers established with optical propelling beams. Such propelling beams contain rotating intensity blades generated by Moire technique but with no mechanical movement or phase-sensitive interference.
The relation of cerebral dominance and handedness to visual evoked potentials

Evoked responses can be characterized with respect to latency and amplitude. The latency of the evoked response depends upon whether the person is right-handed or left-handed. In right-handed subjects, the left (dominant) hemisphere has a longer latency than the right when used as a direct hemisphere. Similarly, when the so-called dominant (right) hemisphere of left-handed subjects is used as the direct hemisphere it shows a longer latency than when the non-dominant hemisphere is used. This has been interpreted as an indication that a longer processing time is required in cortical or subcortical systems. Another asymmetry in response occurs with respect to amplitude. While right-handed persons show no difference in the amplitude of the response between right (direct) and left (direct) hemispheres, this is not so for left-handed individuals in whom the response of the right (so-called dominant) hemisphere is larger when used as the direct hemisphere. The responses from left- and right-handed people were compared to one another. The left (dominant) hemisphere of right-handed persons has a longer latency than the left (non-dominant) hemisphere of the left-handed person. Similarly, the latency of the responses from the right (dominant) hemisphere of the left-handed subjects is longer than that from the right (non-dominant) hemisphere of right-handed subjects. The amplitude of responses recorded from the right (dominant) hemisphere of left-handed people appears to be larger in general than those from the right (non-dominant) hemisphere of right-handed people, but the data were not statistically significant.
Fundamental experiments on thermal desorption of contaminants from soils

The goals of this research are to develop an understanding of the transport phenomena that occur during the desorption of contaminants from soil and to obtain rate information. This information can then be used to develop a model to predict the performance of full-scale thermal treatment systems for optimization and cost reduction.
Multiple Distant Amino Acid Residues Present in the Serpentine Region of the Follitropin Receptor Modulate the Rate of Agonist-induced Internalization

Abstract The amino acid sequences of the human (h) and rat (r) follitropin receptors (FSHR) are ∼89% identical, but the half-time of internalization of agonist mediated by the rFSHR is ∼3 times faster than that of the hFSHR. Chimeras of the hFSHR and the rFSHR showed that this difference in rate is dictated mostly by the serpentine domain. Further analysis identified six residues, two non-contiguous residues in the transmembrane helix 4 (Leu/Thr in the rFSHR and Met/Ile in the hFSHR), three non-contiguous residues in the third intracellular loop (Thr/Thr/Lys in the rFSHR and Ile/Asn/Arg in the hFSHR), and one in transmembrane helix 7 (Tyr in the rFSHR and His in the hFSHR) that are fully responsible for the difference in the rates of internalization of the hFSHR and the rFSHR.
Selection of Polymeric Excipients for Poorly Soluble Drugs

Pharmaceutical drug delivery systems consists of variety of additional constituents other than its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) required for pharmacological activity [1]. These constituents are defined as excipients by International pharmaceutical excipients council and are required to be properly evaluated for safety before included in delivery systems [2]. Excipients, although pharmacological inert are a key determinant of delivery systems performance. They are included in a delivery systems not for their direct therapeutic action, but are added to the delivery systems to either aid in processing during its manufacture (for e.g., vehicles, co-solvents, anti-adherents, polymers), protect, support and enhance stability, bioavailability and patient acceptability (for e.g., anti-oxidants, preservatives, disintegrants, coatings,sweetening agents, flavoring agents), assist in product identification (for e.g colorants), or enhance other attributes of the safety and effectiveness of the drug delivery system during its storage and use [3].
Glutathione. IV. Intracellular oxidation and membrane injury.

Abstract 1. 1. Incubation of erythrocytes containing carbon monoxide hemoglobin at 37° is oxygenated isotonic buffer after treatment with azoester at 1° leads to hemolysis in vitro . 2. 2. Hemolysis is only observed after the use of quantities of azoester greater than that required to oxidize all the intracellular GSH to GSSG. 3. 3. Hemolysis is explained as the consequence of membrane damage produced by the free radicals generated by excess azoester. 4. 4. Membrane damage occurs in the absence of GSH and leads to cell lysis. We term the phenomenon the “GSH loss catastrophe”.