cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of temperature on the mechanism by which compounds are retained in gas-liquid chromatography

Abstract The influence of temperature on the retention mechanism and solvation interactions of 46 varied solutes in 10 representative stationary phases of different polarity within the temperature range of 60 to 140°C is discussed. Gas-liquid partition is shown to the dominant retention mechanism for most solutes with inrterfacial adsorption of increasing importance at low phase loadings, low temperatures and for solutes of different polarity to that of the stationary phase. Guidelines are presented for predicting those conditions for which interfacial adsorption is likely to be a significant retention mechanism. A cavity model is used to characterize the solvation process in terms of the free energy contributions to solvation from the cavity-dispersion interactions and the sum of the remaining polar interactions. As a function of temperature it is shown that the contribution from polar interactions are only weakly temperature dependent over the temperature range studied while the cavity-dispersion interactions term shows a much more significant variation becoming less favorable for solute transfer at higher temperatures. In all cases, the contribution of the cavity-dispersion interactions term is favorable for solute transfer from the gas phase to the liquid phase. Principal component analysis is used to identify the factors contributing to the solvation process and their individual temperature dependence. In the case of the cavity-dispersion interactions term one factor accounts for more than 99.7% of the total variance. Three factors are identified as contributing to the polar interactions term. The first principle component accounts for more than 95% of the total variance at all temperatures and by correlation with other independent scales of dipolarity/polarizability is identified as representing the contribution from orientation and induction interactions. The two remaining principal components are shown to represent hydrogen-bond formation and charge-transfer complexation involving systems with π-electrons. The temperature dependence of the principal components provides insights into the general role of polar intermolecular interactions on the solvation process and their temperature variation.
Experimental Optimization of Electrode Composition for Ionic Polymer Transducers in Sensing

Ionic Polymer Transducers (IPTs), also known as Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs), are a promising group of intelligent materials which exhibit electromechanical coupling behavior in both actuation and sensing. They are composed of an electroactive ionomer, inserted between metallic electrodes. In this study, IPTs are experimentally examined as a sensor in the aspect of electrode composition optimization. Sensors with electrodes having several volumetric percentages of metallic powder, ruthenium dioxide -RuO2-, are tested in bending under different step displacement inputs to explore the output current response. Optimum metallic powder content in the electrode solution for a sensor generating maximum current output is determined. Furthermore, the magnitude of the tip deflection’s effect on sensitivity is examined. The IPTs used in the experiments are fabricated via Direct Assembly Process which enables direct control over the electrode architecture.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The stereospecificity of proton addition to cycloheptatrieneiron tricarbonyl

Abstract Proton addition to cycloheptatrieneiron tricarbonyl to give the cycloheptadienyliron tricarbonyl cation has been shown to occur exclusively exo to iron in trifluoroacetic acid and sulfuric acid. The stereospecificity was determined by an 1H NMR analysis of the cycloheptadienyl-d2-iron tricarbonyl cation formed from reaction of the specifically labeled exo-cycloheptatriene-d1-iron tricarbonyl complex with trifluoroacetic acid-d1 and sulfuric acid-d2.
Improving clustering stability with combinatorial MRFs

As clustering methods are often sensitive to parameter tuning, obtaining stability in clustering results is an important task. In this work, we aim at improving clustering stability by attempting to diminish the influence of algorithmic inconsistencies and enhance the signal that comes from the data. We propose a mechanism that takes m clusterings as input and outputs m clusterings of comparable quality, which are in higher agreement with each other. We call our method the Clustering Agreement Process (CAP). To preserve the clustering quality, CAP uses the same optimization procedure as used in clustering. In particular, we study the stability problem of randomized clustering methods (which usually produce different results at each run). We focus on methods that are based on inference in a combinatorial Markov Random Field (or Comraf, for short) of a simple topology. We instantiate CAP as inference within a more complex, bipartite Comraf. We test the resulting system on four datasets, three of which are medium-sized text collections, while the fourth is a large-scale user/movie dataset. First, in all the four cases, our system significantly improves the clustering stability measured in terms of the macro-averaged Jaccard index. Second, in all the four cases our system managed to significantly improve clustering quality as well, achieving the state-of-the-art results. Third, our system significantly improves stability of consensus clustering built on top of the randomized clustering solutions.
Schistosoma mansoni: kinetics and class specificity of hypergammaglobulinemia induced during murine infection.

Abstract Inbred mice infected with moderate numbers of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae develop a dramatic hyperglobulinemia which occurs in two stages. The first response accompanies the development of the parasite from schistosomulum into adult worm and is characterized by an elevation in serum IgG2a and IgG2b globulins. The second response, initiated several weeks after eggs first appear in the host, consists of a striking 5–13-fold increase in the levels of IgM, IgA, and IgG1 present in the infected mouse sera. The concentration of serum immunoglobulin at the peak of the response is approximately 50 mg/ml with IgG1 globulins accounting for over 80% of this total. A significant portion of the IgG1 immunoglobulins elevated during the infection consists of antibodies specific for schistosome egg antigens. However, much of the elevated IgG1 and essentially all of the elevated IgM immunoglobulins have no demonstrable specificity for parasite antigens.
Carbon Nanomaterials in Silica Aerogel Matrices

Silica aerogels are ultra low-density, high surface area materials that are extremely good thermal insulators and have numerous technical applications. However, their mechanical properties are not ideal, as they are brittle and prone to shattering. Conversely, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and graphene-based materials, such as graphene oxide, have extremely high tensile strength and possess novel electronic properties. By introducing SWNTs or graphene-based materials into aerogel matrices, it is possible to produce composites with the desirable properties of both constituents. We have successfully dispersed SWNTs and graphene-based materials into silica gels. Subsequent supercritical drying results in monolithic low-density composites having improved mechanical properties. These nanocomposite aerogels have great potential for use in a wide range of applications.
Comments on nucleon mean free paths in nuclear matter

Abstract It is suggested that recent evidence cited for a fourfold increase in the mean free path of nucleons in nuclear matter results from an error in formulation of the exciton model. The literature cited as being in support of the longer mean free path is reviewed and found to be in disagreement with the new value, and in quite reasonable agreement with results used over the past 30 years.
Electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of meso-substituted free-base corroles in nonaqueous media: reactions of (Cor)H3, [(Cor)H4]+, and [(Cor)H2]-.

Eleven free-base corroles with different electron-donating or electron-withdrawing meso substituents were characterized as to their electrochemistry and UV−visible spectroscopy in benzonitrile (PhCN) or pyridine containing tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate (0.1 M). Six forms of the compounds with different numbers of protons and/or oxidation states were spectroscopically identified and are represented as (Cor)H3, (•Cor)H2, [(Cor)H2]-, [(•Cor)H2]2-, [(Cor)H4]+, and [(•Cor)H4]2+, where Cor is a trianionic corrole macrocycle. The electrochemistry and UV−visible properties are a function of corrole basicity, solvent basicity, and types or sizes of the meso substituents, and the compounds could be subdivided into one of two different groups, one of which comprises sterically hindered corroles and another that does not. The electroactive species in PhCN is (Cor)H3, whereas in pyridine, one inner proton dissociates, generating a mixture of (Cor)H3, [(Cor)H2]-, and pyH+. The addition of one electron to [(Cor)H2]-...
Studying Polymer-Dispersed Liquid-Crystal Formation by FTIR Spectroscopy. 2. Phase Separation and Ordering

Polymerization-induced phase separation to form polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) is a complex process involving simultaneous curing and phase separation to form nematic microdomains. Real-time FTIR spectroscopy has been used to simultaneously observe and quantify the curing process using a model systema fast photocurable matrix (NOA65) and a liquid crystal (E7). While the role of FTIR spectroscopy in monitoring chemical changes is well recognized and reinforced for PDLCs, it is demonstrated in this paper that it is also a powerful tool to monitor physical changes (phase separation and nematic ordering). Phase separation was detected during the curing process by a scattering-induced change in the absorbance spectrum of the sample. Nematic ordering could be observed and quantified based on a change in a characteristic band of the liquid crystal. Moreover, the phase separation and the onset of nematic ordering are temporally resolved. The conversion at phase separation decreases strongly with an inc...
Women, work, social support and psychiatric morbidity

Data from a community survey are presented comparing psychiatric morbidity among women (n=1,710), examining the effects of marital status, employment status, and social contacts with significant others, controlling statistically for the effects of age, education, and income. Contrary to earlier results reported by Findlay-Jones and Burvill (1979), we found both married and unmarried women who were employed had lower morbidity rates. Furthermore, analysis of covariance results indicate that when marital status, employment, and social contacts are considered simultaneously, only the latter variable is a significant predictor of psychiatric morbidity among women.
The leukotriene E4 puzzle: finding the missing pieces and revealing the pathobiologic implications.

The intracellular parent of the cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs), leukotriene (LT) C 4 , is formed by conjugation of LTA 4 and reduced glutathione by LTC 4 synthase in mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, and macrophages. After extracellular export, LTC 4 is converted to LTD 4 and LTE 4 through sequential enzymatic removal of glutamic acid and then glycine. Only LTE 4 is sufficiently stable to be prominent in biologic fluids, such as urine or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, of asthmatic individuals and at sites of inflammation in animal models. LTE 4 has received little attention because it binds poorly to the classical type 1 and 2 cysLT receptors and is much less active on normal airways than LTC 4 or LTD 4 . However, early studies indicated that LTE 4 caused skin swelling in human subjects as potently as LTC 4 and LTD 4 , that airways of asthmatic subjects (particularly those that were aspirin sensitive) were selectively hyperresponsive to LTE 4 , and that a potential distinct LTE 4 receptor was present in guinea pig trachea. Recent studies have begun to uncover receptors selective for LTE 4 : P2Y 12 , an adenosine diphosphate receptor, and CysLT E R, which was observed functionally in the skin of mice lacking the type 1 and 2 cysLT receptors. These findings prompt a renewed focus on LTE 4 receptors as therapeutic targets that are not currently addressed by available receptor antagonists.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis of Published Studies: An Overview and Best Practices

Systematic reviews and meta-analytic approaches are widely used in the clinical arena to integrate outcome data from published studies in a patient population that address a set of related research hypotheses. The credibility of this line of research is dependent on how the studies are chosen, how the data are assembled, and how the results are reported. In this brief report, we provide an overview of the minimum set of reporting requirements for systematic reviews and meta-analyses based on the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. As with any research, following a set of established guidelines is essential for quality and consistency of the findings across studies and for assessment of clinical utility.
Exploring New Directions for Research in the Radical Political Economy of Consumption

The sphere of consumption and the behavior of consumers has been a neglected area of investigation by radical political economists. The production/consumption duality is examined with special refer...
Phenol and free ammonia inhibition to Nitrosomonas activity

Abstract Laboratory evaluations were conducted of the rate of ammonia bio-oxidation to nitrite by an autotrophic culture of strict nitrifiers. Ammonia oxidation biokinetics was found to follow Michaelis-Menten type relationships. Experiments were conducted to quantify the influence of phenol, and the influence of un-ionized (free) ammonia on biokinetic parameters. Results show that the Michaelis-Menten constant varies with the square root of ambient phenol concentration, and that the influence of un-ionized ammonia on ammonia oxidation may be best described by a “substrate-inhibition” model which follows from classical Monod kinetics. This model explains, to a large degree, observed differences in ammonia bio-oxidation rates as functions of pH. Conclusions based on engineering calculations are presented to illustrate design and operational considerations for the biological removal of wastewater ammonia.
Oil-recovery predictions for surfactant polymer flooding

Abstract There is increasing interest in surfactant–polymer (SP) flooding because of the need to increase oil production from depleted and water flooded reservoirs. Prediction of oil recovery from SP flooding, however, is complex and time consuming. Thus, a quick and easy method is needed to screen reservoirs for potential SP floods. This paper presents a scaling model that is capable of producing reasonable estimates of oil recovery for a SP flood using a simple spreadsheet calculation. The model is also useful for initial SP design. We present key dimensionless groups that control recovery for a SP flood. The proper physics for SP floods including the optimal salinity in the three-phase region and the trapping number for residual oil saturation determination has been incorporated. Based on these groups, a Box–Behnken experimental design is performed to generate response surface fits for oil recovery prediction at key dimensionless times. The response surfaces derived can be used to estimate the oil recovery potential for any given reservoir and are ideal for screening large databases of reservoirs to identify the most attractive chemical flooding candidates. The response function can also be used for proper design of key parameters for SP flooding. Our model will aid engineers to understand how key parameters affect oil recovery without performing time consuming chemical simulations. This is the first time that dimensionless groups for SP flooding have been derived comprehensively to obtain a response function of oil recovery as a function of dimensionless groups.
A PRELIMINARY INVENTORY OF THEORIES AVAILABLE TO GUIDE THE REFORM OF SOCIALIST SOCIETIES

Although at present there is great interest in the reforms now taking place in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and China, occasionally one hears that there is no theory of how to transform an authoritarian, centrally planned society into a democratic, free-market society. That may be narrowly true, but much is known about how social systems change. This paper briefly reviews some of the currently available theories. Limiting the discussion to theories of economic, political, and psychological or cultural change, the paper groups the theories into three types. There are theories of how social systems operate, theories of how social systems change, and theories of how one can intervene to change a social system.
Maximum pipelining linear recurrence on static data flow computers

This paper investigates the principles of mapping linear recurrences on static data flow computers. For a linear recurrence with a single variable, the key is to properly introduce a feedback loop in the machine level data flow graphs. We show that, in order to achieve maximum pipelining, thecritical dependence delay of the recurrence must be matched with the necessarycomputational delay of the graph. Two possible mapping techniques are discussed, which are (1) changing the dependence delay by introducing an additional companion pipeline; (2) changing the computational delay by inserting FIFOs. The mapping of the Valfor-iter construct, the major language feature for expressing recurrences in Val, is outlined.
An Enlarging Ulcer

PRESENTATION A patient’s incision would not heal, despite antibiotic therapy and debridement; finally the cause was identified after much testing and consultation with 2 teams. The odyssey began when an obese 73-year-old woman was admitted to the surgical service for ventral hernia repair and panniculectomy. Surgery was uneventful, but her postoperative course was complicated by wound breakdown and painful necrotic-appearing skin at the surgical site. Cultures from the wound were sent, and she was placed on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Despite 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy, the patient had no clinical response and was taken back to the operating room for debridement of the wound. (By this time, the first set of cultures proved negative.) Non-vital tissue was removed, and intraoperative cultures were sent. She returned to the floor with an open horizontal wound, which extended down to the level of the fascia and across her entire abdomen. The defect was loosely packed with gauze with the ultimate goal of healing via secondary intention or with a future surgical procedure. Within days of debridement, the tissue at the wound edges began to look necrotic again, with devitalized areas giving way to shallow ulceration continuous with the wound bed. The patient had intermittent low-grade fevers, and blood cultures were drawn. She continued on intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam, 1.5 g every 6 hours, with a recommendation from the infectious diseases consultant to complete a 14-day course. At that time, the dermatology consult service was contacted.
Eigenenergies of fermions bound in Skyrme fields

A numerical method is applied to the calculation of bound-state energies of fermions in Skyrme fields. The models considered for the field are smoothed one- and two-step wells and a numerical approximation to the exact hedgehog soliton. The results for the smoothed wells confirm earlier work that showed the fermion spectrum to be sensitive to local variations in the Skyrme field. The spectrum for the hedgehog Skyrmion is similar to the spectra obtained by others for linear and exponential models.
Comparative clinical evaluation of biochemical and genomic tumor markers

The clinical utilities of established biochemical tumor markers and of emerging genomic markers are compared by six formal criteria: [1] tests negative in health or benign disease, [2] produced exclusively by specific tumor cells, [3] present frequently in the targeted malignancy, [4] detectable in occult disease, [5] degree of expression reflects tumor burden and prognosis, and [6] degree of expression correlates with therapeutic result. Evaluation of eight widely accepted marker systems combining a biochemical indicator with a specific cancer, on the one hand, and five representative genomic marker-target combinations involving chromosomal translocation, gene amplification and mutation, on the other hand, produces three main conclusions: First, specified applications are sufficiently well documented for the best biochemical markers to now tailor analytical performance goals to these uses. Second, further clinical trials of genomic markers are needed to document the useful linkage of specific indicators with specific clinical problems. Third, the different profiles of marker characteristics defining the two classes of indicators suggest some mutually complementary uses.
HCV infection prevalence lower than expected among 18-40-year-old injection drug users in San Diego, CA.

San Diego, California shares the world’s busiest land border crossing with Tijuana, Mexico—a city where 95 % of injection drug users (IDUs) test hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody-positive. Yet, little is known about the prevalence and risk behaviors for HCV among IDUs in San Diego. In 2009–2010, 18–40-year-old IDUs in San Diego County completed a risk assessment interview and serologic testing for HCV and HIV infection. Recruitment involved respondent-driven sampling, venue-based sampling at a syringe exchange program, and convenience sampling. Correlates of HCV infection were identified by multivariable logistic regression. Among 510 current IDUs, 26.9 % (95 % CI 23.0–30.7 %) and 4.2 % (95 % CI 2.4–5.9 %) had been infected with HCV and HIV, respectively. Overall, median age was 28 years; 74 % were male; 60 % white and 29 % Hispanic; and 96 % were born in the U.S. Median years of injecting was 6; 41 % injected daily; 60 % injected heroin most often; 49 % receptively shared syringes and 68 % shared other injection paraphernalia; and only 22 % reported always using new syringes in the past 3 months. Two thirds had ever traveled to Mexico and 19 % injected in Mexico. HCV infection was independently associated with sharing injection paraphernalia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.69) and SEP use (AOR = 2.17) in the previous 3 months, lifetime history of drug overdose (AOR = 2.66), and increased years of injecting (AOR = 2.82, all P values <0.05). Controlling for recruitment method did not alter results. HCV infection prevalence among IDUs in San Diego was modest compared to other US cities and much lower than Tijuana. Given that known individual-level HCV risk factors were common in San Diego, the city’s lower HCV prevalence might be due to differences in social and structural factors between the cities.
Karyotypic and clinical progression in chronic myelogenous leukemia after 30 years.

We have previously described a patient (S. S.) who was diagnosed as having chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), possibly radiation-induced, in 1960, at age 9, and shown to be Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive in 1961 [1-3]. She subsequently had a cyclic clinical course, requiring periodic therapy, but with no evidence of karyotypic progression in multiple studies through our most recent report in 1988 [3]. In 1987, the t(9;22) chromosome translocation in her leukemic cells was shown to have resulted in a typical rearrangement in the breakpoint cluster region of chromosome 22 [2]. We now describe clinical progression to blast crisis in this patient 30 years after the original diagnosis, associated with characteristic nonrandom additional chromosome changes.
On asymmetric costs of disequilibrium and forecasting money demand

Abstract The assumption of asymmetric costs of disequilibrium in money demand leads to data partitioning into situations of binding money demand and surplus money balances. It is found that joint fitting of equations to this data division (for 1952:i–1973:iv) leads to reduction in SSE and to forecasts that are superior to those obtained from a corresponding single equation. The primary reason for the improvement is probably the flexibility allowed by the allocation of observations between situations of positive and negative excess demand.
Catalytic Hydroliquefaction of Low-Rank Coals

Abstract Hydroliquefaction behavior of α-cellulose, leonardite, four lignites, and two subbituminous coals suspended in an anthracene oil carrier has been investigated in the presence of Co-Mo/Al2O3 catalyst at 425°C and at an average pressure of 1,300 psig in a batch reactor for 30-min reaction time. Both total conversion of moisture-ash free solids and total yield of liquid products were greater for all but one of the lignites than for the subbituminous coals. Partial demineralization by HCl washing decreased both the total conversion of and pentane-soluble oil yield from lignites. It had relatively little effect on subbituminous coals. Although cellulose was almost completely converted to liquids and gases, no pentane-soluble oils were produced.
Gas-phase ion unimolecular dissociation for rapid phosphopeptide mapping by IRMPD in a Penning ion trap: an energetically favored process.

This communication discusses the efficient detection of the most important and common protein modification, phosphorylation, using ESI-FTICR-MS and IRMPD. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that...
Primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland.

Objective To report the case of a 59-year-old man with a right lacrimal gland mass, subsequently diagnosed as primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Design Interventional case report. Methods We report the clinical presentation, histopathologic and immunohistochemical features, and treatment of a patient with primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. The current literature regarding this uncommon neoplasm also is reviewed. Results Excisional biopsy revealed primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. The patient subsequently underwent extensive local resection of the tumor and is awaiting radiotherapy to the orbit and neck. A literature search revealed only 3 prior reports of primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Conclusions Although uncommon, primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland displays characteristic histologic and immunohistochemical findings that allow its distinction from the other primary lacrimal gland adenocarcinomas. Awareness and recognition of this rare malignancy may aid in further delineation of its biologic behavior, management, and prognosis.
Noise Inhibited Frequency Generation in Wideband Parametric Mixers

Generation of frequency combs in noise inhibited parametric mixers is reviewed. Fundamental impairment mechanisms and performance limits set by the physical platform are discussed in all-fiber and monolithic devices.
Synthesis and NMR Assignment of the Two Diastereomers of 8,6′-Cyclo-2′,6′-Dideoxyadenosine

We herein present the first synthesis and characterization of the two C5′ diastereomers of 8,6′-cyclo-2′,6′-dideoxyadenosine. Starting from commercially available 2′-deoxyadenosine, the target cyclonucleosides were synthesized in 11 linear steps. Following a zinc-mediated cyclization reaction to form the seven-membered ring, the stereochemistry of the newly formed chiral center was established using two-dimensional NOESY NMR experiments. [Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids for the free supplemental resource.]
A fully integrated successive-approximation switched-capacitor DC-DC converter with 31mV output voltage resolution

Ultra-low power microsystems are gaining more popularity due to their applicability in critical areas of societal need. Power management in these microsystems is a major challenge as a relatively high battery voltage (e.g., 4V) must be down-converted to several low supplies, such as 0.6V for near-threshold digital circuits and 1.2V for analog circuits [1]. Furthermore, the small form factors of such systems rule out the use of external inductors, making switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC converters the favored topology [2-4].
Chemical-based fecal source tracking methods: current status and guidelines for evaluation

Fecal source tracking is a rapidly evolving field for which there have been a number of method evaluation studies, workshops, review articles and a book that synthesize information about method efficacy. Chemicals that are specific to human wastewater offer several potential advantages over biologically based methods, but have received less scrutiny. More than 35 chemical analytes have been found to consistently occur in human waste streams and here we review these potential human-origin indicators in context of seven evaluation criteria. Some chemical methods offer advantages over microbial methods: they are generally faster to prepare and analyze, more source-specific because they are not confounded by regrowth in the environment, and some may be more geographically and temporally stable. However, they often require specialized equipment and are usually more expensive regarding sample preparation and analysis. Additionally, most chemicals that are specific to human waste-streams occur at concentrations low enough to be diluted below detection limits once the waste-stream enters the ambient environment. These two factors will likely result in chemical measures being used more often as cross-validation supplements or initial screening approaches, rather than replacements for microbial measures. Cross-validation supplements include several chemicals that are highly specific to human sources and can be important contributors when certainties about human sources are critical, such as in drinking water applications. At least one set of chemicals, fecal sterols and stanols, may have potential for identification of other sources in addition to humans. Of all the chemicals examined to date, optical brighteners (OBs) in detergents have shown considerable promise, especially for screening purposes. Optical brighteners are not as sensitive as most microbial assessments, but can be measured with a hand-held fluorometer, providing near real-time and relatively inexpensive tracking of signals in the field, if the human fecal source contains an OB concentration large enough to produce a measurable signal.
Studying health outcomes in farmworker populations exposed to pesticides.

A major goal of studying farmworkers is to better understand how their work environment, including exposure to pesticides, affects their health. Although a number of health conditions have been associated with pesticide exposure, clear linkages have yet to be made between exposure and health effects except in cases of acute pesticide exposure. In this article, we review the most common health end points that have been studied and describe the epidemiologic challenges encountered in studying these health effects of pesticides among farmworkers, including the difficulties in accessing the population and challenges associated with obtaining health end point data. The assessment of neurobehavioral health effects serves as one of the most common and best examples of an approach used to study health outcomes in farmworkers and other populations exposed to pesticides. We review the current limitations in neurobehavioral assessment and strategies to improve these analytical methods. Emerging techniques to improve our assessment of health effects associated with pesticide exposure are reviewed. These techniques, which in most cases have not been applied to farmworker populations, hold promise in our ability to study and understand the relationship between pesticide exposure and a variety of health effects in this population.
Phospholamban does not Interact with E2 Intermediates of the Cardiac Calcium Pump Stabilized by Metal Fluorides

The phospholamban (PLB) monomer binds in the groove between M2, M4, and M9 of the cardiac calcium pump (SERCA2a) and inhibits enzyme activity. We previously demonstrated that cross-linking of PLB with engineered Cys-residues to this region is prevented by micromolar Ca, but is stimulated by the nucleotides ATP or ADP. We proposed that PLB inhibits the catalytic activity of the enzyme by stabilizing a unique, nucleotide bound, Ca-free intermediate of SERCA2a (E2•ATP). Stabilization of E2•ATP prevents Ca binding at the high affinity Ca binding sites and formation of E1, thus blocking the kinetic cycle. To further test our model, we have now checked if PLB interacts with other E2 conformations, notably, SERCA2a with the bound metal fluorides (MgF42-, AlF4-, or BeF3-), which mimic the E2•Pi, E2P, and E2-P states, respectively. Interactions between PLB and SERCA2a were examined by cross-linking of N30C-PLB to K328 of WT-SERCA2a at the cytoplasmic extension of M4 and of V49C-PLB to V89C-SERCA2a at the C-terminal end of M2. Insect cell microsomes co-expressing N30C-PLB/SERCA2a or V49C-PLB/V89C-SERCA2a were first incubated with the metal fluorides in Ca-free buffer, and then subjected to chemical cross-linking. All these metal fluorides prevented cross-linking of PLB to SERCA2a at both the cytoplasmic and transmembrane regions, suggesting that PLB does not interact with E2•Pi, E2P, and E2-P formed in the absence of nucleotide. Remarkably, however, the cross-linking of PLB to SERCA2a was completely restored upon addition of 3mM ATP, allowing formation of E2•ATP. These results strongly support our model in which E2•ATP is the single conformation binding PLB, and further suggest that the binding interaction between E2•ATP and PLB is very strong, sufficient to prevent formation of E2•Pi, E2P, or E2-P, even when stabilized by metal fluorides.
The Grassmannian geometry of spectra

Using bundles over Grassmannians, we construct a category of spectra which underlies Boardman’s stable category, has itself a symmetric monoidal smash product, and which produces RO(G)-graded equivariant cohomology theories from group actions on spectra. May’s vast array of categories of spectra embed in our single category, and a variety of adjoint functors allow us to deduce properties of our category from those of his. The construction of these functors forces us to develop a theory of parametrized spaces and spectra as well.
Ruthenium and rhodium complexes anchored to europium oxide nanoparticles

Abstract We report the synthesis of ruthenium and rhodium polypyridyl complexes with ester substituents and the attachment of these complexes onto europium oxide nanoparticles through the surface-anchoring deeb ligand (deeb = diethyl-2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylate). Characterization by 1 H NMR, electronic absorption and IR spectroscopies, and mass spectrometry showed structural and photochemical properties consistent with deeb complexes. Solid luminescence spectra of Eu 2 O 3 nanoparticles modified with [Rh(deeb) 2 Cl 2 ](PF 6 ) at 77 K show the characteristic emission of Eu 2 O 3 which will be used in the future to study interfacial energy dynamics.
Methods for Separation of Free, Short, Medium, and Long Chain Fatty Acids and for Their Decarboxylation

A system for separation and quantitation of free fatty acids by HPLC is described. This system provides for separation of short, medium, and long chain, saturated from unsaturated, branched from unbranched free fatty acids, and iso- from anteiso-branched acids of equal carbon number, and for their quantitation. An efficient method and inexpensive apparatus for performing the Schmidt degradation on separated acids is also presented. Standard and plant-derived branched and straight chain fatty acids were investigated using these methods. The latter were radiolabeled in vivo and released from trichome-exudated sugar esters by saponification. Free fatty acids were separated by reversed-phase C-18 HPLC using gradients of acetonitrile/H2O, containing 0.01 M H3PO4. Separated acids were converted to their potassium salts and transferred to easily and inexpensively fashioned, triple-well septum vials containing a center well for trapping CO2. Sulfuric acid was placed in a tip well atop the center well and the vial was closed. Tipping the vial allowed the acid to spill to the sample without the need to puncture the septum or transfer acid via a syringe. The system allowed for the introduction of an additional CO2-trapping reagent, midreaction. This arrangement improved CO2 recovery to 99-100% and its reproducibility to about +/- 3%.
Catalysis of slow charge transfer reactions at polypyrrole-coated glassy carbon electrodes

Abstract Oxidation of ascorbic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and dopamine are compared at polypyrrole-coated glassy carbon and naked glassy carbon electrodes. These currents are mass-transport limited and not limited by permeation into or through the polypyrrole film. Ascorbic acid oxidation occurs at potentials 300 mV more negative at polypyrrole-coated electrodes and the rising slope of rotated disk voltammograms changes by over 100 mV. A similar enhancement in electrochemical reversibility is observed for dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, whereas dopamine is oxidized at slightly more positive potentials at polypyrrole-coated electrodes. Comparing the electrochemistry of dopamine and dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid, it appears that the electrochemical reversibility differences for these substances are to some degree result of electrostatic interactions between the anionic solutes, or anionic reaction intermediates, and anionic functional groups on carbon or cationic fixed sites in oxidized polypyrrole.
Clinical Indications for Probiotics: An Overview

Probiotic bacteria are used to treat or prevent a broad range of human diseases, conditions, and syndromes. In addition, there are areas of medical use that have been proposed for future probiotic applications. Randomized double-blind studies have provided evidence of probiotic effectiveness for the treatment and prevention of acute diarrhea and antibiotic-induced diarrhea, as well as for the prevention of cow milk-induced food allergy in infants and young children. Research studies have also provided evidence of effectiveness for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea, relapsing Clostridium difficile-induced colitis, and urinary tract infections. There are also studies indicating that probiotics may be useful for prevention of respiratory infections in children, dental caries, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. Areas of future interest for the application of probiotics include colon and bladder cancers, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. The probiotics with the greatest number of proven benefits are Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG and Saccharomyces boulardii.
Cardioprotective effect of interleukin-10 in murine myocardial ischemia-reperfusion

We investigated the cardioprotective effects of rat interleukin-10 in a murine model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (20 min ischemia, 24 h reperfusion). Interleukin-10 (100 microg/rat) administered 15 min prior to reperfusion, significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated myocardial injury compared to rats receiving only 0.9% saline as a vehicle, as indicated by a reduced loss of myocardial creatine kinase from the ischemic-reperfused myocardium. Cardiac myeloperoxidase activity was also significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated by interleukin-10 within the ischemic-reperfused region compared to vehicle treated rats. To further investigate the mechanism of interleukin-10 we observed the in vitro adherence of neutrophil to rat vascular endothelium. Interleukin-10 treatment significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated neutrophil adherence to rat superior mesenteric artery endothelium stimulated with interleukin-1beta. Thus, interleukin-10 demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects as evidenced by a decrease in myocardial creatine kinase loss as well as an inhibition of neutrophil accumulation within the myocardium. It appears as though interleukin-10 mediates its effects, at least in part, by inhibiting leukocyte-endothelial interactions.
Plasmin Cleaves Tumor Necrosis Factor α Exodomain from Sheep Follicular Endothelium: Implication in the Ovulatory Process

Ovulation in the sheep is predicated on plasmin up-regulation at the ovarian surface-follicular interface, release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha from contiguous endothelium, and apoptotic cell death. The objectives of this investigation were to determine whether plasmin elicits TNFalpha secretion from thecal endothelium of ovine follicles, to characterize the site(s) of enzymatic attack, and to assess the physiological consequence of soluble TNFalpha action. Endothelial cells of thecal tissues isolated from antral follicles of eCG-primed anestrous ewes shed (histochemical depletion) TNFalpha into incubation medium (ovarian cell DNA fragmentation bioassay, Western blot detection) upon exposure to plasmin. Immunopurification and N-terminal sequence analysis indicated that TNFalpha was excised from its transmembrane precursor at the Arg79-Ser80 and Lys88-Pro89 linkages. Microinjection of TNFalpha into the apical wall of explanted follicles induced cellular apoptosis and stigma development. We suggest that plasmin-mediated cleavage of TNFalpha exodomain from its membrane anchor along thecal endothelium is a determinant of tissue dissolution within the formative ovulatory rupture site of ewes.
ON THE OCCURRENCE AND BIOLOGY OF NEPYTIA FREEMANI (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE) IN UTAH

Nepytia freemani Munroe reached outbreak proportions in one area in north central Utah in 1965 and subsided in early 1967. The looper has a 1-year life cycle and overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae issue from eggs in mid-May, feed during the summer months, and begin pupation in late July. Adults appear in August and females lay clusters of small oval eggs on both sides of the needle. White fir is the preferred host but Douglas-fir is also fed on. Even though defoliation was extremely heavy, topkill was the only permanent damage. Starved larvae fed on ground vegetation in the understory. Parasitism was heavy but its overall effectiveness in causing the sudden population decline is unknown.
Influence of System, Environment, and Procedures on Knowledge Submission Frequency

Organizations continue to struggle with encouraging employees to participate in knowledge management initiatives. Research is replete with examples of organizations that implemented knowledge management systems in order to find them under utilized. In this paper, we report the results of a case study conducted to examine the impact of system, environment, and procedures on knowledge submission frequency. Our findings indicate that in the absence of a consistently publicized procedure for knowledge management, system and environmental characteristics (i.e., supervisor relationship) are the most important factors in knowledge submission frequency. However, once the procedures are publicized clearly and repeatedly, system and procedural characteristics are most influential in predicting knowledge submission frequency
Parallel processing for the load flow of power systems: the approach and applications

A description is given of homotopy-based computational parallel algorithms for solving for all the roots of a system of algebraic polynomial equations. Also presented is a convenient polynomial representation of the load flow equations of power systems. The algorithm techniques are then applied to obtain all steady-state solutions of the load flow for five-bus and seven-bus power system networks. A special probability-one homotopy method is tailored for the load flow to reduce the computational complexity while still guaranteeing the finding of all solutions computationally. More importantly and practically, the numerical implementation of the solution procedures exploits inherent parallelism in the load flow equations to be efficiently executed on massively parallel distributed-memory multiprocessors. >
Mentoring – Is it failing women?

Mentoring programs are gaining traction as human resource development initiatives that can support women to advance in their careers in organizations. However, some of these programs are falling short of delivering on this promise due to particular inherent flaws. This case study considers the following three potential flaws of formal mentoring programs: (a) formal mentoring programs reinforcing hierarchy over partnership when it comes to female mentees; (b) formal mentoring programs acculturating to normative practices that perpetuate gender bias; and (c) formal mentoring programs only counting as remedial solutions for women. For each of these flaws, questions are presented to initiate dialogue on how mentoring programs can better support women's careers.
Preliminary operational results of the new coil protection system for TFTR

An advanced, microcomputer-based, coil monitoring and protection system has been designed, built, and installed at the TFTR (Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor). The TFTR coil protection system is summarized, and the results of preliminary testing are shown. Comparisons are made between coil stress levels calculated by the new coil protection system and stress levels calculated using the TFTR systems code. The comparison of stress and temperature profiles shows close agreement between the two systems. The microprocessor-based system used at TFTR is necessarily executing much simpler code, but any differences in the results will show the new protection system to be conservative. The user interface between this stand-alone protection system and CICADA, TFTR's central computer data-acquisition and control system, is also described. The interface with CICADA provides control-room personnel with valuable, real-time displays of coil stresses and coil temperatures as well as important status information related to the proper operation of the protection system. Discussion of the control room provides some insight into the features of the coil protection system. >
Differences That Work: Organizational Excellence Through Diversity

The article presents a review of the book “Differences That Work: Organizational Excellence Through Diversity,” edited by Mary C. Gentile.
Risk factors for recurrence amongst high intermediate risk patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To determine risk factors associated with recurrence in patients with high intermediate risk (HIR) endometrioid adenocarcinoma. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients with HIR endometrioid adenocarcinoma who underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy at the University of Pennsylvania between 1990 and 2009 was performed. RESULTS A total of 103 women with HIR endometrial cancer were identified. Multivariable analysis revealed that ≥2/3 myometrial invasion (HR, 4.79; p=0.010) and grade 3 disease (HR, 3.04; p=0.045) were independently predictive of distant metastases. The 5-year distant metastases free survival (DMFS) for patients with neither or one of these risk factors was 89%, and the 5-year DMFS for patients with both risk factors was 48% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with both grade 3 disease and deep third myometrial invasion have a high risk of distant metastases. Identifying these patients may be important in rationally selecting patients for systemic therapy.
Paleozoic proto-mantis shrimp revisited

A review and revision of the Paleozoic proto-stomatopods results in the recognition of a new species of Tyrannophontes Schram, 1969, T. gigantion, from the Middle Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek, Essex biota. A new family, Daidalidae, and new genus, Daidal, are required to separate a previously recognized taxon, T. acanthocercus Jenner, Hof, and Schram, 1998. Both Perimecturus pattoni Peach, 1908 and Gorgonophontes cf. fraiponti (Schollmann, 2004) appear at present to be best placed within Daidal, the latter as a new species, D. schoellmanni. The genus Gorgonophontes Schram, 1984 is allocated to a new family, Gorgonophontidae. Members of the family Tyrannophontidae reveal features of their maxillipeds that clearly relate them as a sister group to Unipeltata. A cladistic analysis of all known Paleozoic Palaeostomatopoda Brooks, 1962 and Archaeostomatopodea Schram, 1969 reveals a series of stem-group proto-mantis shrimp that lead to the crown-group Unipeltata Latreille, 1825.