cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plato on Pleasure and the Good Life

Introduction: Pleasure and the good life 1. Goodnes and the good life: the Euthydemus 2. Pleasure, virtue, and happiness in the Gorgias 3. Pleasure as a conditional good in the Phaedo 4. Pleasure and moral psychology in Republic IV and IX 5. The Philebus I: virtue, value, and 'likeness to God' 6. The Philebus II: pleasure transformed 7. Pleasure, value, and moral psychology in the Republic, Laws, and Timaeus Epilogue: Pleasure and happiness in Plato's Protagoras
Enhancing learning in a data communication and networking course with laboratory experiments

This paper introduces a set of laboratory experiments developed for a senior-level data communication course at Georgia Southern University. The goal is to enhance understanding of network protocols and their applications. The experiments are designed to provide rapid feedback and learning. Furthermore, students will have a clear view of issues associated with the design and implementation of protocols, simulation and performance evaluation techniques and packet analysis.
Arsenophonus and Sodalis Symbionts in Louse Flies: an Analogy to the Wigglesworthia and Sodalis System in Tsetse Flies

Symbiosis between insects and bacteria result in a variety of arrangements, genomic modifications, and metabolic interconnections. Here, we present genomic, phylogenetic, and morphological characteristics of a symbiotic system associated with Melophagus ovinus, a member of the blood-feeding family Hippoboscidae. The system comprises four unrelated bacteria representing different stages in symbiosis evolution, from typical obligate mutualists inhabiting bacteriomes to freely associated commensals and parasites. Interestingly, the whole system provides a remarkable analogy to the association between Glossina and its symbiotic bacteria. In both, the symbiotic systems are composed of an obligate symbiont and two facultative intracellular associates, Sodalis and Wolbachia. In addition, extracellular Bartonella resides in the gut of Melophagus. However, the phylogenetic origins of the two obligate mutualist symbionts differ. In Glossina, the mutualistic Wigglesworthia appears to be a relatively isolated symbiotic lineage, whereas in Melophagus, the obligate symbiont originated within the widely distributed Arsenophonus cluster. Although phylogenetically distant, the two obligate symbionts display several remarkably similar traits (e.g., transmission via the host's "milk glands" or similar pattern of genome reduction). To obtain better insight into the biology and possible role of the M. ovinus obligate symbiont, "Candidatus Arsenophonus melophagi," we performed several comparisons of its gene content based on assignments of the Cluster of Orthologous Genes (COG). Using this criterion, we show that within a set of 44 primary and secondary symbionts, "Ca. Arsenophonus melophagi" is most similar to Wigglesworthia. On the other hand, these two bacteria also display interesting differences, such as absence of flagellar genes in Arsenophonus and their presence in Wigglesworthia. This finding implies that a flagellum is not essential for bacterial transmission via milk glands.
Antagonizing the αvβ3 integrin inhibits angiogenesis and impairs woven but not lamellar bone formation induced by mechanical loading

Angiogenesis and osteogenesis are critically linked, although the role of angiogenesis is not well understood in osteogenic mechanical loading. In this study, either damaging or non-damaging cyclic axial compression was used to generate woven bone formation (WBF) or lamellar bone formation (LBF), respectively, at the mid-diaphysis of the adult rat forelimb. αvβ3 integrin–targeted nanoparticles or vehicle was injected intravenously after mechanical loading. β3 integrin subunit expression on vasculature was maximal 7 days after damaging mechanical loading, but was still robustly expressed 14 days after loading. Accordingly, targeted nanoparticle delivery in WBF-loaded limbs was increased compared with non-loaded limbs. Vascularity was dramatically increased after WBF loading (+700% on day 14) and modestly increased after LBF loading (+50% on day 14). This increase in vascularity was inhibited by nanoparticle treatment in both WBF- and LBF-loaded limbs at days 7 and 14 after loading. Decreased vascularity led to diminished woven, but not lamellar, bone formation. Decreased woven bone formation resulted in impaired structural properties of the skeletal repair, particularly in post-yield behavior. These results demonstrate that αvβ3 integrin–mediated angiogenesis is critical for recovering fracture resistance after bone injury but is not required for bone modeling after modest mechanical strain. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Tracing patterns of erosion and drainage in the Paleogene Himalaya through ion probe Pb isotope analysis of detrital K-feldspars in the Indus Molasse, India

Abstract The Indus Molasse is a pre- and syn-tectonic sedimentary sequence situated in the Indus Suture Zone of the western Himalaya. Spanning in time the collision of India and Asia, this deposit is well placed to record the evolving uplift and erosion history of the early Himalayan orogen. Nd isotope analyses from clay extracted from shales interbedded within the dominantly alluvial sequence indicate a low negative ϵNd (−1.64 to 0.72), in the basal Paleocene Chogdo Formation, slightly more negative than measured values from the Transhimalaya and Kohistan/Dras Arc. Up-section ϵNd becomes more negative, as low as −10.05, indicating influence of a different, more enriched source. Ion microprobe Pb isotopic analyses of single K-feldspars help constrain this source as being either the Lhasa or Karakoram Blocks, with westward paleo-current flow favoring the former. 207Pb/204Pb ratios are too low to be consistent with known Indian plate sources, a conclusion supported by the lack of muscovite or garnet that would be indicative of a High Himalayan contribution. Given the known age of rapid cooling of the High Himalaya at ∼20 Ma, and the lack of exposure of suitable lithologies prior to that time, an age of sedimentation prior to ∼20 Ma is inferred. The post-collisional change in paleo-flow and provenance is suggested to reflect the initiation of the Indus River during the Early Eocene. This study demonstrates the power of combined bulk sediment and single grain analyses in resolving provenance in tectonically complex settings.
Oxygen fugacities of basaltic and andesitic magmas

Experimentally determined oxygen fugacities in equilibrium with the original ferrous to ferric iron ratios of nine basalts and andesites range from 10−8·5 to 10−6·4 atm at 1200°C. There is a strong tendency for the ƒO2 to increase with increasing acidity of the rocks studied. Theoretical calculations of equilibrium ƒO2's, using equilibrium constants determined from single experimental runs, gave results reasonably close to the actual values provided runs in the ƒO2 range 10−6 to 10−8 atmospheres were used. Calculations based on runs made in an air atmosphere were in substantial error. Based on the determined ƒO2's of four rocks from the Mt. Hood area, a probable maximum range inƒO2 of 10−9 to 10−6.5 atm is deduced for rocks of the Cascade Province, ranging from most basic to most acidic, at their liquidus temperatures. If the oxygen fugacity is important in controlling the differentiation trend of Cascade rocks, the mechanism must be operative within this range.
Novel mono-tetrahydrofuran ring acetogenins, from the bark of Annona squamosa, showing cytotoxic selectivities for the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line, PACA-2

The bark of Annona squamosa yielded three new mono-tetrahydrofuran (THF) ring acetogenins, each bearing two flanking hydroxyls and a carbonyl group at the C-9 position. These compounds were isolated using the brine shrimp lethality assay as a guide for the bioactivity-directed fractionation. (2,4-cis and trans)-Mosinone A (1) is a mixture of ketolactone compounds bearing a threo/trans/threo ring relationship and s double bond two methylene units away from the flanking hydroxyl. The other two new acetogenins differ in their stereochemistries around the THF ring; mosin B (2) has a threo/trans/erythro configuration across the ring, and mosin C (3) possesses a threo/cis/threo relative stereochemistry. Also found was annoreticuin-9-one (4), a known acetogenin that bears a threo/trans/threo ring configuration and a C-9 carbonyl and is new to this species. The structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 1-4 all showed selective cytotoxic activity against the human pancreatic tumor cell line, PACA-2, with potency 10-100 times that of Adriamycin.
The chemisorption of H2O and O2 on Cu films on ZnO(0001)O

Abstract The interactions of water and oxygen with well-defined Cu films on the oxygen-terminated ZnO(0001)-O surface has been studied, mainly using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and low-energy He+ ion scattering (LEIS). The Cu films, which were from submonolayer to multilayer in coverage, had been structurally characterized in previous studies using XPS, LEIS, ARXPS, LEED, work function measurements and CO adsorption. Submonolayer films, deposited at low temperatures in the form of 2D islands, adsorb water and oxygen much like the Cu(110) surface. Upon annealing to high temperatures, these films show a shift in the Cu-derived water TPD peak from 168 down to 158 K, consistent with a conversion of the Cu film from one offering Cu(110)-like sites to one offering Cu(111)-like sites. Even heavy doses of Cu show a water TPD peak due to free ZnO(0001)-O sites, consistent with a film structure where thick Cu islands only cover most, but not all of the surface, with clean ZnO patches between. The fraction of the ZnO surface which is exposed (as measured by this water TPD peak's area) increases with the pre-annealing temperature of the Cu film above 550 K, due to 3D clustering of the Cu. Between 130 K and 370 K, the influence of submonolayer Cu islands on the water desorption temperature from these free ZnO sites decreases, suggesting that small Cu 2D islands coalesce into larger 2D islands. Oxygen-dosed, submonolayer Cu films showed no clear evidence for a hydroxyl state in water TPD.
Adrenergic Manipulation and Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH)-Induced Thyrotropin (TSH) Release1

ABSTRACT At weekly intervals, five healthy volunteers received 100 μg of synthetic thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) 60 min into a four-hr infusion of each of the following agents: normal saline, isoproterenol, phentolamine, norepinephrine, and propranolol. Plasma thyrotropin (TSH) was determined serially in all five subjects, while in two plasma cortisol and growth hormone were also determined. Neither ∝ or β adrenergic stimulation nor blockade affected TRH induced TSH release and the mean maximal incremental rise of TSH during all infusions was not significantly different from the saline control. Plasma GH remained undetectable in both subjects in whom it was measured and plasma cortisol remained constant in one subject while in another a small but significant rise occurred after TRH, irrespective of infusion.
Low Temperature Growth of ZnO Nanorods by Chemical Bath Method

ZnO nanorods grown by chemical bath methods are of great interest in photovoltaic and electronic device applications because they offer low cost, low temperature deposition techniques compared to conventional molecular beam vapor deposition and sputtering methods. Our previous studies of ZnO nanorods grown by chemical bath technique on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates at 90 C for 8-10 hours resulted in uniform growth of hexagonally shaped closed nanorod structures. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques to map changes in surface morphology of nanorods grown on various substrates. Morphology of ZnO nanorods at temperatures 80C, 90C, 95C and 100C for 9 hours of hydrothermal growth also resulted in hexagonal shaped nanorods of various sizes and surface roughness. In addition, we studied the changes in surface morphology of ZnO nanorods on indium tin oxide coated glass, aluminum coated glass, and conducting tin oxide glass substrate. In this paper, we present quantitative data on changes in cluster size and shape of nanorods as the growth substrate and deposition temperature are varied. We will also discuss conductivity changes of ZnO nanorods deposited on various substrates.
Effect of Oxidation State of Iron on Phase Separation in Sodium Silicate Glasses

The effect of the oxidation state of iron on the phase separation of xNa 2 O.(100- x)SiO 2 glasses, x = 18.56 and 13, containing 0.5 mol% Fe 2 O 3 was studied. The oxidation state of iron in the glasses was varied by changing the melting conditions, such as melting temperature and melting atmosphere. The oxidation states of the iron ion were determined using colorimetric and UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometric methods, and a comparison was made between the results obtained using these two methods. Immiscibility temperatures of the glasses were determined using opalescence and clearing methods. The immiscibility temperature of the sodium silicate binary glasses decreased ∼25°C with the addition of 0.5 mol% Fe 2 O 3 . The immiscibility temperature of the doped glasses increased slightly with increased concentration of Fe 2+ ion in the glass. The prediction of immiscibility tendency on the addition of a minor amount of third component was made using models proposed by Tomozawa and Obara and Nakagawa and Izumitani. The Tomozawa and Obara model showed good agreement with measured immiscibility values.
The concepts of thermodynamic friction, thermal available energy, chemical available energy and thermal energy

Abstract Internal energy can be pictured as the energy contained by quiescent matter because of particle motion—the thermal energy—and because of particle interaction—the chemical energy. Attempts to separate these two parts thus far have yielded only qualitative discussions with no logical formulations. In the present paper, definitions of chemical available energy and thermal energy are justified and expressions for these new properties and their changes are rigorously developed. First, thermodynamic friction is defined to include not only the usual mechanical form, but also forms called here the chemical and thermal friction. Then, the concepts of chemical available energy, thermal available energy and thermal energy are defined, and the equations of change for these new properties are developed. It is proved quantitatively that mechanical and chemical friction are, respectively, the irreversible conversion of mechanical energy and chemical available energy into thermal energy of less availability, while thermal friction is the degradation of thermal energy through temperature gradients. The equations are applicable for chemically reacting or non-reacting fluid systems, with or without diffusion. The developments have been restricted to systems with conservative body forces, alike for all species, to avoid distracting attention from the main thesis: the mathematical and physical relationships between friction and available energy. 1
Understanding the Role of Three-Dimensional Topology in Determining the Folding Intermediates of Group I Introns

Many RNA molecules exert their biological function only after folding to unique three-dimensional structures. For long, noncoding RNA molecules, the complexity of finding the native topology can be a major impediment to correct folding to the biologically active structure. An RNA molecule may fold to a near-native structure but not be able to continue to the correct structure due to a topological barrier such as crossed strands or incorrectly stacked helices. Achieving the native conformation thus requires unfolding and refolding, resulting in a long-lived intermediate. We investigate the role of topology in the folding of two phylogenetically related catalytic group I introns, the Twort and Azoarcus group I ribozymes. The kinetic models describing the Mg(2+)-mediated folding of these ribozymes were previously determined by time-resolved hydroxyl (∙OH) radical footprinting. Two intermediates formed by parallel intermediates were resolved for each RNA. These data and analytical ultracentrifugation compaction analyses are used herein to constrain coarse-grained models of these folding intermediates as we investigate the role of nonnative topology in dictating the lifetime of the intermediates. Starting from an ensemble of unfolded conformations, we folded the RNA molecules by progressively adding native constraints to subdomains of the RNA defined by the ∙OH time-progress curves to simulate folding through the different kinetic pathways. We find that nonnative topologies (arrangement of helices) occur frequently in the folding simulations despite using only native constraints to drive the reaction, and that the initial conformation, rather than the folding pathway, is the major determinant of whether the RNA adopts nonnative topology during folding. From these analyses we conclude that biases in the initial conformation likely determine the relative flux through parallel RNA folding pathways.
Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome in Post-Operative Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) are both causes of hyponatremia in pediatric neurosurgical patients often with similar presenting symptoms; however, despite similar clinical characteristics the treatment for CSWS and SIADH can be drastically different, which makes the distinction critical for post-operative treatment. Further complicating matters, are the exact mechanism for CSWS which remains unclear, and the incidence and severity of CSWS is not well studied in pediatric neurosurgical patients. We hypothesized that CSWS occurs frequently in post-operative brain tumor patients and is an important cause of post-operative hyponatremia in these patients. We designed a single institution retrospective cohort study of all pediatric brain tumor patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection at our institution between January 2005 and December 2009. Of the 282 patients undergoing 291 operations, post-operative CSWS was identified in 15 cases (5%), and was more frequently observed than SIADH (nine cases, 3%). Median onset of CSWS was on post-operative day 3, lasting a median of 2.5 days. Patients with CSWS were more likely to have suffered post-operative stroke (40 vs. 4.6%, P < 0.001), have chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors (40 vs. 3.8%, P = 0.002), and be younger (mean age 5.9 vs. 9.7 years, P = 0.01) than eunatremic patients. In addition, nearly half of the patients with CSWS (47%) had post-operative hyponatremic seizures. The diagnosis of CSWS should be strongly considered in hyponatremic pediatric patients with significant natriuresis following brain tumor resection, and a treatment initiated promptly to prevent neurologic sequeleae.
Denoising image via minimum variance bound Bayesian estimator

In this paper, a wavelet denoising images together with minimum variance bound for Bayesian least-squares estimator is investigated. Closer to a realistic situation, and unlike previous methods used for Bayesian least-squares estimator, for the case discussed here it is not necessary to know the variance of the noise. The parameters relative to Bayesian least-squares estimators of the model built up are carefully discussed and least-squares estimator based on Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is then established. An example, an improved Bayesian estimator that is a natural extension of the Wiener solution together with wavelet denoising image, is presented to illustrate our discussion.
A survey of black scale, Saissetia oleae [Hom. : Coccidae] parasitoids [Hym. : Chalcidoidea] in southern California

A survey of black scaleSaissetia oleae (Olivier) parasitoids present in southern California was conducted between September 1987 and September 1989. From 308 collections of black scale-infested citrus, olive, and oleander twigs from 19 sites in southern California, 1,610 specimens were collected. Nine primary and six secondary parasitoid species were identified. Four primary species were abundant in southern California:Metaphycus bartletti Annecke & Mynhardt,M. helvolus (Compere),Scutellista caerulea (Fonscolombe) (=S. cyanea Motschulsky), andDiversinervus elegans Silvestri. The most common secondary parasitoids wereMarietta mexicana (Howard),Cheiloneurus noxius Compere, andTetrastichus minutus (Howard). In the coastal region of southern California,M. bartletti was the most abundant parasitoid, followed in order byD. elegans, S. Caerulea, andM. helvolus. In the intermediate and interior regions,M. helvolus was most abundant.D. elegans was second most abundant in the intermediate region, but was rare in the interior region.M. bartletti was second in abundance in the interior region and third in the intermediate region.
Bottom line research for advertising media decisions

The need to measure real value in the form of net revenue produced per cost incurred in print media research is emphasized. The results of a large scale pilot research project support the usefulness of such measures. The performances of eight magazines in generating real value in a tourism promotion program are compared. Survey data from 1,961 inquirers from an advertisement placed in the eight magazines indicated substantial differences in the performances of the magazines.
Medical Treatment of Glaucoma Associated with Cicatricial Retinopathy of Prematurity

Corticosteroid eyedrops decreased the intraocular pressures of seven children with painful glaucoma secondary to grade V retinopathy of prematurity. Initial intraocular pressures ranged from 48 to 60 mm Hg in the affected eyes. After follow-up periods of six months to seven years, the intraocular pressures ranged from 12 to 21 mm Hg. None of the children required surgery and three no longer require any medication.
Magnesium Pemoline: Effect on Avoidance Conditioning in Rats

Rats administered 20 milligrams of magnesium pemoline per kilo gram of body weight learned to avoid shock in a jump-out apparatus in fewer trials than did controls. However, the results suggested that the principal effect of the drug was to facilitate the avoidance behavior of those animals that tended to "freeze" in response to electric grid shock. No differences in retention were observed between experimental and control animals that had achieved equal levels of learnine.
Updated version of the critical values of the standardized fourth moment

The shortcomings of tables of critical values of the fourth moment test for nonnormality are discussed. A detailed study is presented giving very accurate critical values and an estimate of the accuracy of each value.
Maternal role attainment with medically fragile infants: Part 2. relationship to the quality of parenting†

We examined which components of maternal role attainment (identity, presence, competence) influenced quality of parenting for 72 medically fragile infants, controlling for maternal education and infant illness severity. Maternal competence was related to responsiveness. Maternal presence and technology dependence were inversely related to participation. Greater competence and maternal education were associated with better normal caregiving. Presence was negatively related although competence was positively related to illness-related caregiving. Mothers with lower competence and more technology dependent children perceived their children as more vulnerable and child cues as more difficult to read. Maternal role attainment influenced parenting quality for these infants more than did child illness severity; thus interventions are needed to help mothers develop their maternal role during hospitalization and after discharge. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:35–48, 2011
Multiphoton fragmentation spectra of zirconium and niobium cluster cations

Abstract The dissociation energies of the mass-selected zirconium dimer cation ( 90 Zr 2 + ) and niobium cation clusters, Nb2+ and Nb4+, were investigated using laser vaporization techniques coupled with time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectroscopy for production of jet-cooled cationic cluster beams. The selected cationic species were then fragmented by irradiation with an Nd:YAG-pumped (532 nm), tunable-pulsed PDL dye laser in the 15,500–18,500 cm−1 region. Dissociation energies were directly measured from a significant sharp rise in the spectral background as D 0 ( 90 Zr 2 + )=4.18±0.01 , D0(Nb2+)=5.94±0.01, and D0(Nb+3–Nb)=5.994±0.004 eV. We also estimate the first ionization energy of 90 Zr 2 + to be 5.82±0.01 eV using the thermochemical cycle.
Predictive imaging marker of bevacizumab efficacy: perfusion MRI.

Intuitively it seems a “killer app” for perfusion imaging (Table 1) would be its use as an early marker for glioblastoma (GB) therapy response and relapse in the setting of anti-angiogenic therapy. In fact, in a letter commenting on the first paper characterizing bevacizumab treatment of brain tumors, the potential for perfusion imaging in monitoring anti-angiogenic therapy was raised.1,2 The hope was that tumors that showed decreased perfusion after initiation of bevacizumab would do better than those without change. Another possibility was that perfusion would increase in tumors as they start to develop resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy. This would precede significant tumor growth, thereby adding value to standard assessment of disease burden based on tumor size measurements. While inherently appealing, neither of these hypotheses is well supported to date, despite the widespread use of bevacizumab and availability of perfusion imaging for over a decade. Potentially the issue is impacted by lack of substantially improved outcomes for patients treated with bevacizumab. After all, it is hard to have a marker of survival benefit, for instance, when little or no benefit exists. But even the pathophysiology of these tumors suggests reasons why changes in perfusion may not be tightly linked to outcomes. For instance it is not uncommon for a tumor that appears to respond to bevacizumab to show progression on the subsequent scan. Rapid development of bevacizumab resistance is not uncommon and may be independent of initial response.3 If true, this would degrade the performance of perfusion changes as an early response marker.
Influence of Methylobacterium on iron translocation in plants

Iron metabolism in plants is essential to maintain optimal growth and iron nutrition is dependent on uptake of iron from the environment and movement of iron in the plant tissues. We have examined the translocation of iron in plant leaves following foliar application of FeEDTA to Vicia faba and Zea mays. Using radiolabeled iron, we observed that iron translocation is stimulated by products of Methylobacterium mesophylicum and by the cytokinin, kinetin. When cytokinins were applied to leaves along with 55FeEDTA, the rate of iron translocation was greater than in controls without cytokinin addition. Since recent studies indicate that M. mesophylicum is widely distributed in the environment as a pyllospheric bacterium, this organism may have an important role in enhancing translocation of nutrients in plant leaves.
Enrichment of fusobacteria from the rumen that can utilize lysine as an energy source for growth

Abstract Ruminal lysine degradation is a wasteful process that deprives the animal of an essential amino acid. Mixed ruminal bacteria did not deaminate lysine (50 mM) at a rapid rate, but lysine degrading bacteria could be enriched if Trypticase (5 mg/mL) was also added. Lysine degrading isolates produced acetate, butyrate and ammonia, were non-motile, stained Gram-negative and could also utilize lactate, glucose, maltose or galactose as an energy source for growth. Lactate was converted to acetate and propionate, and 16S rDNA indicated that their closest relatives were Fusobacterium necrophorum. Growing cultures produced ammonia at rates as high as 2400 nmol/mg protein/mL/min. Washed cell suspensions took up 14C lysine (3 μM) at an initial rate of 6 nmol/mg protein/min, and glucose addition did not affect the transport. Cells washed aerobically had the same transport rate as those handled anaerobically, but only if the transport buffer contained sodium. The affinity constant for sodium was 8 mM, and sodium could not be replaced by lithium. Cells treated with the sodium/proton antiporter, monensin (5 μM), did not take up lysine, but a protonophore that inhibited growth (tetrachlorosalicylanilide, 10 μM) had no effect. An artificial membrane potential created by potassium diffusion did not increase the rate of lysine transport, and an Eadie-Hofstee plot indicated the transport rate was directly proportional to the lysine concentration. Decreasing the pH from 6.7 to 5.5 caused an 85% decrease in the rate of lysine transport. The addition of F. necrophorum JB2 (130 μg protein/mL) to mixed ruminal bacteria increased lysine degradation 10-fold, but only if the pH was 6.7 and monensin was not present. Further work will be needed to see if dietary lysine enriches fusobacteria in vivo.
Influences on intercultural relations: Counseling implications for American adolescents in Germany

A comparison of the relative importance of variables shown to influence the outcome of interracial contact was made in an intercultural contact situation. Implications of the findings for counseling applications were discussed. The variables studied were: amount of contact, length of time living in the country, norms, personal association, initial attitudes toward the country (expectations and first impressions), and attitudes toward people in general. The subjects were 199 American adolescents living in Germany and enrolled in on-base American schools for military dependents. The data were collected by questionnaires administered by faculty members at the schools during regular class time. Attitudes toward Germans, attitudes toward Germany and social distance toward German adolescents were utilized as the dependant variables. The analyses controlled for past intercultural experience and the age, sex, and ethnic group of the subjects. Three variables affected subjects' attitudes toward Germany: norms, first impressions, and sex of subject. The same three variables plus attitudes toward people affected attitudes toward Germans. Three different variables affected the social distance scale: age, sex, and expectations. Age and sex were control variables and appear to be artifacts of the particular social climate of the situation under study. Thus, norms, first impressions, expectations, and attitudes toward people appear to be the major influences on attitudes toward members of another culture. Amount of contact, length of time living in the country and personal association do not appear to be important in intercultural interaction. Suggestions were made for the preparation of educational programs and for family, group and individual counseling for families with adolescents who are transferred to new cultural environments.
Large Hyperpigmented Perianal Tumor

Anorectal melanomas are rare tumors that occur more frequently with advancing age and peak in the sixth and seventh decades (Felz et al., 2001). Surgery is considered to be optimal therapy; however, chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been shown to be effective in a small number of patients.
Bearing their share of the burden: Europe in Afghanistan

Abstract This article assesses the relative burden European members of NATO are bearing in the war in Afghanistan. Some argue that the current contribution of European forces is on par with the American contribution. However, current studies do not analyze Europe's ISAF contribution in comparison to some benchmark by which relative burden-sharing can be accurately determined. This article compares Europe's involvement in the war in Afghanistan to past missions, current contributions and in light of the benefits each country is likely to enjoy. The quantitative and qualitative findings show that there is an extensive amount of free-riding occurring both in terms of hard and soft power, although it varies across time and even within NATO Europe. Inadequate forces provided by European NATO countries jeopardize the likelihood of success in Afghanistan.
“Solar tree”: Exploring new form factors of organic solar cells

Abstract Organic solar cells have great potential as a clean and renewable solar energy conversion system, due to their low cost materials, ease of production, and lack of harmful emissions. The rapid improvement in organic solar cell performance in recent years has triggered significant interests in developing organic solar cells for commercial applications. Harnessing the unique set of characteristics of organic solar cells, here we demonstrate a new form factor for organic solar cells, a “solar tree” or an electricity-generating artificial tree with organic solar cells as leaves. We first fabricated polymer:fullerene based organic solar cells on flexible plastic substrates that show similar performance to devices on rigid glass substrates using the inverted device structure. Large-area flexible devices were fabricated and cut into palm leaf shapes with an active device area of 6.5 cm 2 using a steel rule die. 12 leaf-shaped organic solar cells were then assembled to form a prototype “solar palm tree”. Two different wiring configurations among the devices provided different power delivery modes: a low-voltage, high-current “fan mode” and a high voltage, low-current “LED mode”.
Development of carotid body/petrosal ganglion response to hypoxia.

Abstract Carotid body chemoreceptors undergo significant maturational changes in the post-natal period over a period of days to weeks. This is likely initiated by the rise in P a O 2 at the time of birth and reflects the changing value of “normoxia” from 25 Torr to near 100 Torr. Chemoreceptors in the newborn period have a lower absolute discharge frequency and the dynamic response to acute hypoxia is less compared to the adult. This maturation change appears due to changes occurring presynaptically to the afferent nerve fibers. Hypoxia-induced secretion from the glomus cell (catecholamine and other constituents of dense cored vesicles) is enhanced whilst constitutive (non-hypoxia-dependent) release is reduced with age. On the post-synaptic side, the number of afferent synaptic sites increases four- to five-fold in the post-natal period and there may be an increase in afferent nerve excitability. Both of these changes are subject to environmental perturbations in which post-natal exposure to chronic hypoxia or hyperoxia leads to significantly reduced organ sensitivity and function. Thus, developmental changes and environmental factors may significantly change the ability of an animal to detect and respond to hypoxic insults, perhaps leading to periods of heightened vulnerability to hypoxic stresses.
Quantified rates of geomorphic change on a modern carbonate tidal flat, Bahamas

Comparison of aerial photographs and ultrahigh-resolution remote sensing data reveals changes in the geomorphology of a modern carbonate tidal flat. In the 58 yr between acquisition of the two data sets, several tidal channels have extended headward more than 100 m, channel bars have stabilized, the shoreline has eroded as much as 50 m, the inland algal marsh locally has prograded as much as 90 m, and many mangrove ponds have increased in size. These changes over the known time interval allow quantification of the rates of these geomorphic processes and suggest rates of migration of landforms to several meters per year. Some observed rates appear to be different than rates averaged over the past several thousand years, however, possibly because of changes in storm activity or circulation patterns. These data illustrate the dynamic nature of the entire coastal tidal-flat system, not just the shoreline, and reflect the system9s response to factors including relative rises in sea level.
Cortical spreading depression-induced aversion to saccharin at two levels of KCI: Electroencephalographic verification

Cannulated, male albino rats were placed on a 23-hr water deprivation schedule. The animals were allowed a daily 10-min access to an orange extract solution in a large animal cage for 5 days. On the sixth day of deprivation the animals were randomly divided into three groups given either 12% KCI, 25% KCI, or Ringers solution applied unilaterally to the cortex immediately after access to saccharine. On the seventh day of deprivation, each animal was placed in a two-choice situation with an 0.15% saccharine solution and an 0.08% orange extract solution. Both the 12 and 25% KCI groups developed an aversion to the saccharin. EEG recordings verified the presence of cortical spreading depression in both groups. These results verify the finding that cortical spreading depression has aversive properties.
The Seven Principles of Good Practice: A framework for evaluating on-line teaching

Traditionally, campus-based courses rely on student evaluations to provide instructors with feedback about their teaching effectiveness. However, current instructor evaluation instruments do not tap the essential teaching practices recommended for effective on-line teaching. This exploratory study used the Seven Principles of Good Practice of Chickering and Gamson [AAHE Bull. 39 (1987) 3] to design a 35-item questionnaire to assess the effectiveness of an Internet-based educational statistics course. Results from the questionnaire indicated that most learners perceived that the instructor used constructivist-based principles to effectively promote student learning and that the course was a valuable learning experience. Instructional practices identified for improvement included the creation of more stimulating discussion questions and better instructor monitoring of study groups to ensure equal participation.
Generative Works: From Recombinant Poetics to Recombinant Informatics

Seaman has been active in the creation of differing Cyber worlds from the early 90's onward. This paper will cover historical approaches including The World Generator / The Engine of Desire (1996 to present) a generative virtual environment-exploring Recombinant Poetics, The Architecture of Association (with Daniel Howe), Engine of Engines (Howe | Seaman) (2011 - present), the more recent generative Cyber world systems - A China of Many Senses (2011/2012), and The Many Senses Engine (2013 - present), and The Insight Engine (2014) exploring Recombinant Informatics - an explatory approach to bisociational transdisciplinary research. He will discuss his collaboration with John Supko - including the co-leadership of the new Emergence Lab at Duke University in the new Media Arts and Sciences program. Seaman also has long term plans related to an integrated network of focused sensing, dynamic virtual environments, recombinant Informatics, and speed of light computation - The Light-Data Domain, A collaboration with Tuan Vo-Dinh, head of the Duke Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics.
An experimental model of the timing of hominid and carnivore influence on archaeological bone assemblages

Abstract Experiments were conducted to assess the timing of carnivore and hominid influence on archaeological bone assemblages. The results of disturbance by mainly spotted hyaenas to simulated archaeological assemblages of hammerstone-broken bovid limb bones show that assemblages accumulated and fed upon by hominids first will nonetheless still be attractive to bone-ravaging carnivores. Such experimental assemblages usually show a virtually complete deletion of epiphyseal fragments, and a maximum incidence of tooth-marked long bone fragments of 45%, with an average of approximately 15%. The results therefore provide for the first time a quantified explanation of how an archaeological bone assemblage can come to bear traces of both taphonomic agents. Assemblages accumulated and fed upon first by spotted hyaenas, in contrast, preserve an incidence of tooth-marked long bone fragments in excess of 67% and averaging approximately 82%. The different intensities of tooth marking are accompanied by equally distinctive incidences of features of hammerstone breakage. Within constraints imposed by physical taphonomic and other factors, these criteria provide a means for testing the primacy of hominids over carnivores in the accumulation of fossil bone assemblages.
Diagnostic and surgical implications of child abuse.

• One hundred fifty-six children younger than 13 years of age with blunt abdominal injuries were reviewed, and those injured in accidents (89%) were compared with those injured by child abuse (11%). Abused children were younger (mean age, 2½ years) and all presented late to medical attention with a history that was inconsistent with their physical findings. Only 65% of abused children had physical or roentgenographic signs of prior abuse, while 35% had no signs of prior abuse. The abdominal organs injured were different; 61% of accidentally injured children suffered injuries to a single, solid organ, and only 8% had hollow viscus injuries, while 65% of abused children had hollow viscus injuries. Physicians should suspect child abuse when children have unexplained injuries (especially young children with hollow viscus injuries) even when other signs of child abuse are absent, and they should suspect hollow viscus injury in abused children. (Arch Surg1988;123:1101-1105)
Evaluation of a coordinated control system for a pair of powered transfemoral prostheses

The authors present a control system for a pair of powered prostheses that leverages communication between the devices in order to enhance awareness and improve stability for the user. The control system is implemented on a pair of powered knee and ankle prostheses previously developed by the authors and tested on a healthy subject using able body adapters. The healthy subject also walked on a pair of passive prostheses, with both cases being monitored through motion capture. The kinematic data from the powered system closely match those seen in healthy subjects and show a marked improvement over the passive devices.
A large collapsed-state RNA can exhibit simple exponential single-molecule dynamics.

Abstract The process of large RNA folding is believed to proceed from many collapsed structures to a unique functional structure requiring precise organization of nucleotides. The diversity of possible structures and stabilities of large RNAs could result in non-exponential folding kinetics (e.g. stretched exponential) under conditions where the molecules have not achieved their native state. We describe a single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) study of the collapsed-state region of the free energy landscape of the catalytic domain of RNase P RNA from Bacillus stearothermophilus (Cthermo). Ensemble measurements have shown that this 260 residue RNA folds cooperatively to its native state at ≥1 mM Mg2+, but little is known about the conformational dynamics at lower ionic strength. Our measurements of equilibrium conformational fluctuations reveal simple exponential kinetics that reflect a small number of discrete states instead of the expected inhomogeneous dynamics. The distribution of discrete dwell times, collected from an “ensemble” of 300 single molecules at each of a series of Mg2+ concentrations, fit well to a double exponential, which indicates that the RNA conformational changes can be described as a four-state system. This finding is somewhat unexpected under [Mg2+] conditions in which this RNA does not achieve its native state. Observation of discrete well-defined conformations in this large RNA that are stable on the seconds timescale at low [Mg2+] (
Scaling at the metal–insulator transition in two dimensions

Abstract The recently discovered two-dimensional metal–insulator transition will be reviewed and discussed in the light of the scaling theory of localization. It will be shown that an observed symmetry relating conductivity and resistivity follows directly from the critical behavior associated with such a transition. The status of both Fermi-liquid and non-Fermi-liquid approaches will be discussed.
Controls and Frequency of Preferential Flow Occurrence: A 175‐Event Analysis

Despite the widespread acceptance of hydrologic importance, controls on the initiation of preferential flow in natural soil profiles and the frequency of its occurrence at different times of year remain elusive. This study determined the controls and frequency of preferential flow occurrence in the Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory. Soil moisture profiles and precipitation were monitored at 10 sites along a topographic gradient for >3 yr, encompassing 175 precipitation events. For each event and each site, the flow regime was classified as either preferential flow, sequential flow, or nondetectable flow based on the sequence of soil moisture response at various depths within the same site. Preferential flow here specifically refers to out-of-sequence soil moisture response, with a deeper horizon responding to precipitation earlier than a shallower horizon. Indices describing antecedent precipitation, precipitation characteristics, precipitation timing, and initial soil moisture were examined to determine the characteristics of events that resulted in preferential flow vs. those that resulted in sequential flow. Analyses showed that preferential flow was common throughout the catchment, occurring during 17 to 54% of the 175 events at each of the 10 monitored sites. Preferential flow occurred in at least one site during 90% of the 175 events. While the frequency of preferential flow appeared insensitive to topographic position, the controls on preferential flow initiation varied with landscape position. Analysis of subsets of the time series data showed that while the frequency of preferential flow can be determined from 1 yr of real-time monitoring, the controls on preferential flow require much longer (≥3 yr) monitoring to be reliably identified.
Bonding of oxygen on aluminum: Relation between energy-band and cluster models

A study of some factors which influence the position and shape of the resonance bands of adsorbates on surfaces is presented with emphasis upon the case of oxygen chemisorbed on aluminum. A twofold approach has been taken to determine the relative roles of local and delocalized electron effects: the energy-band structure for a thin film geometry is correlated with the eigenvalue spectrum from a "surface-molecule" cluster model. Oxygen resonance features are found to depend mainly upon a bond mechanism involving orbitals directed parallel to the surface such that the local bonding in the cluster model provides a reasonable description of the resonance position. Delocalization of the substrate electrons in the plane is found to provide a bulklike background against which the localized resonance is observed.
Hazard and risk assessment of chemical mixtures using the toxic equivalency factor approach.

There is considerable public, regulatory, and scientific concern regarding human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which include compounds that directly modulate steroid hormone receptor pathways (estrogens, antiestrogens, androgens, antiandrogens) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds. Based on quantitative structure-activity relationships for both AhR and estrogen receptor (ER) agonists, the relative potency (RP) of individual compounds relative to a standard (e.g. TCDD and 17-beta-estradiol) have been determined for several receptor-mediated responses. Therefore, the TCDD or estrogenic equivalent (TEQ or EQ, respectively) of a mixture is defined as TEQ = sigma[T(i)]xRP(i)or EQ=sigma[E(i)]xRP(i), where T(i) and E(i) are concentrations of individual AhR or ER agonists in any mixture. This approach for risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting mixtures assumes that for each endocrine response pathway, the effects of individual compounds are essentially additive. This paper will critically examine the utility of the TEQ/EQ approach for risk assessment, the validity of the assumptions used for this approach, and the problems associated with comparing low dose exposures to xeno and natural (dietary) endocrine disruptors.