cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social-cognitive risk for suicide and new relationship formation: False perception, self-fulfilling prophecy, or both?

OBJECTIVE This study examined the impact of social-cognitive constructs associated with increased suicide risk (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) on relationship formation during real-time interactions of older adolescents with strangers in a dyadic context. METHOD Two hundred and seventy-four older adolescents (61.9% female, M age = 18.96 years) were paired with same-gender strangers and completed a laboratory-based interaction task. Both target participants and their partners answered questions about their interaction at three time points during the 45-min session. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized models. RESULTS Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness predicted interpersonal consequences during the interaction. In the first model, thwarted belongingness led targets to inaccurately perceive their partners' assessments of the interaction. This misperception negatively impacted the participants' own desires for friendship. In the second model, thwarted belongingness predicted decreases in targets' desire to continue the conversation, whereas perceived burdensomeness predicted higher levels of desire to continue the conversation. For females, thwarted belongingness in particular was related to new relationship formation in these models. Overall, those who desired to continue talking were more likely to like their partner at the end of the conversation. CONCLUSIONS Results add to our understanding of how perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness contribute to increased social alienation, which could serve to increase suicide risk.
Effects of the degree of steam flaking and dietary concentration of wet distillers grains on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle

ABSTRACT Objectives The objective was to determine the effects of degree of steam flaking of corn (SFC) on performance of finishing cattle fed diets containing wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Materials and Methods Crossbred steers (n = 214: initial BW = 357 ± 26.0 kg) and heifers (n = 121: initial BW = 323 ± 30.9 kg) were randomly assigned to 54 pens and 6 diets containing 0, 15, or 30% WDGS and corn steam flaked to either 321 or 270 g/L bulk density (25 or 21 lb/bu, respectively) in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Results and Discussion There were no interactions between WDGS concentration and SFC bulk density for growth performance (P > 0.48), and growth performance was not influenced by the degree of steam flaking of corn (P > 0.29). Dry matter intake (P Implications and Applications Results suggest optimal performance is achieved in SFC-based finishing diets when WDGS is fed at 15% of DM and that increasing the degree of steam flaking of corn to less than 321 g/L does not improve cattle performance in diets containing WDGS.
Mild olefin formation via bio-inspired vitamin B12 photocatalysis

Dehydrohalogenation, or elimination of hydrogen-halide equivalents, remains one of the simplest methods for the installation of the biologically-important olefin functionality. However, this transformation often requires harsh, strongly-basic conditions, rare noble metals, or both, limiting its applicability in the synthesis of complex molecules. Nature has pursued a complementary approach in the novel vitamin B12-dependent photoreceptor CarH, where photolysis of a cobalt–carbon bond leads to selective olefin formation under mild, physiologically-relevant conditions. Herein we report a light-driven B12-based catalytic system that leverages this reactivity to convert alkyl electrophiles to olefins under incredibly mild conditions using only earth abundant elements. Further, this process exhibits a high level of regioselectivity, producing terminal olefins in moderate to excellent yield and exceptional selectivity. Finally, we are able to access a hitherto-unknown transformation, remote elimination, using two cobalt catalysts in tandem to produce subterminal olefins with excellent regioselectivity. Together, we show vitamin B12 to be a powerful platform for developing mild olefin-forming reactions.
Building Secure Systems with LIO (Demo)

LIO is an information flow control (IFC) system. In this demo, we give an overview of the Haskell LIO library and show how LIO can be used to build secure systems. In particular, we show how to build secure web applications with high-level data-security policies and describe how LIO automatically enforces these policies.
Ecclesial Belonging in a World of Pure Experience: William James, W. E. B. du Bois, and Religious Rationality in Crisis

The global COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted several instances of churches violating state issued and scientifically recommended guidelines designed to keep populations healthy and to prevent the further spread of the disease. While these instances are minority responses to these orders, they nonetheless raise questions about the rationality of ecclesial belonging in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, I draw on the work of William James and W. E. B. Du Bois to articulate a conception of ecclesial belonging as a social epistemological process engaging a complex, fluid multiplicity of knowers of various scales. I argue that, in this view, ecclesial rationality involves the construction of a concatenation of internal and external practices individual believers and groups can traverse so long as they consistently satisfy a plurality of desiderata. I suggest that what is irrational about religious-based defiance of COVID-19 guidelines is the church-sanctioned severance of internal from external practices. I suggest that this behavior is supported by a failure to grasp the demands of ecclesial rationality rather than embrace them, and that this conception of rationality may have been eroded by the value-neutral skepticism of secular rationality. © 2021 Walter Scott Stepanenko, published by De Gruyter 2021.
Microswimmer Combing: Controlling Interfacial Dynamics for Open-Surface Multifunctional Screening of Small Animals

Image-based screening of multicellular model organisms is critical for both investigating fundamental biology and drug development. Current microfluidic techniques for high-throughput manipulation of small model organisms, although useful, are generally complicated to operate, which impedes their widespread adoption by biology laboratories. To address this challenge, this paper presents an ultrasimple and yet effective approach, "microswimmer combing," to rapidly isolate live small animals on an open-surface array. This approach exploits a dynamic contact line-combing mechanism designed to handle highly active microswimmers. The isolation method is robust, and the device operation is simple for users without a priori experience. The versatile open-surface device enables multiple screening applications, including high-resolution imaging of multicellular organisms, on-demand mutant selection, and multiplexed chemical screening. The simplicity and versatility of this method provide broad access to high-throughput experimentation for biologists and open up new opportunities to study active microswimmers by different scientific communities.
When data security goes wrong: Examining the impact of stress, social contract violation, and data type on consumer coping responses following a data breach

Abstract Data breaches and misuse of data are rising, causing compromised consumer privacy. This research explores the impact of stress and perceptions of a social contract violation have on both firm-focused outcomes and consumer protection behaviors following a data breach. Additionally, we investigate the impact that the type of data lost/compromised in the breach– personally identifiable (PII) and non-personally identifiable (NPII)– has on these outcomes. To explore this, we conduct an experimental survey (Study 1) of 230 respondents. Results indicate that stress and perceptions of social contract violation impact our outcome variables. The results differences in terms of how these impact consumer coping behaviors across different data types (PII vs. NPII). In Study 2 we explore how industry clusters differ in their levels of stress and social contract violation, actions businesses can take to them, and whether these actions could help reduce negative consumer responses.
Automated Vehicle Designing Based on Internet of Things using Raspberry pi B

The objective of this project is to encourage the way toward driving a vehicle via automating it. The aftereffect of this project will diminish the number of fender benders happening nowadays. The thought is to make an autonomous vehicle(a mixed-race model of Level two and three) that utilizes just some sensors(collision indicators, temperature locators and so on) and camera module to go between objections with negligible/no human mediation. The vehicle contains a prepared Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) which will predict all the boundaries that are needed for efficiently driving a vehicle. They are legitimately associated with the fundamental guiding component, and the yield of the deep learning model will decide the directing point of the vehicle.
Weekend Versus Weekday Asthma-Related Emergency Department Utilization.

Abstract Objective : To assess variation in asthma-related Emergency Department (ED) use between weekends and weekdays. Methods : Cross-sectional administrative claims-based analysis using California 2016 Medicaid data and Vermont 2016 and Massachusetts 2015 all-payer claims databases. We defined ED use as the rate of asthma-related ED visits per 100 child-years. A weekend visit was a visit on Saturday or Sunday, based on date of ED visit claim. We used negative binomial regression and robust standard errors to assess variation between weekend and weekday rates, overall and by age group. Results : We evaluated data from 398,537 patients with asthma. The asthma-related ED visit rate was slightly lower on weekends (weekend: 18.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 18.3-19.0], weekday: 19.6 [95% CI, 19.3-19.8], p 0.05). Conclusions : In this multi-state analysis of children with asthma, we found limited overall variation in pediatric asthma-related ED utilization on weekends versus weekdays. These findings suggest that increasing access options during the weekend may not necessarily decrease asthma-related ED use.
Development, validation and application of a coupled reduced-order CFD model for building control applications

Abstract Small-to-moderate sized commercial buildings commonly use rooftop units (RTUs) to provide indoor comfort. These applications are often characterized by significant spatial variations in comfort due to poor thermostat placement and poor coordination of RTUs leading to high energy and demand costs and marginal comfort. Tools are needed that can assess both energy and comfort performance for these types of applications so that the benefits of improved RTU coordination and control can be evaluated in terms of energy and comfort and so that appropriate real-time strategies can be developed. In this paper we discuss a method for generating and coupling tractable reduced order models for the building envelope and for the indoor air dynamics. Overall assessments of the coupled model are performed for a typical sit down restaurant that employs four rooftop units. Measurements are available from the site to validate the models.
Studies on the Mitochondrial Adenosine Triphosphatase System II. THE ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN OLIGOMYCIN-SENSITIVE ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE FROM BOVINE HEART MITOCHONDRIA

Abstract An oligomycin-sensitive adenosine triphosphatase complex has been purified from bovine heart mitochondria by ammonium sulfate fractionation in presence of bile salts. With the exception of flavin and a small amount of cytochromes b and c1 the preparation is devoid of electron transfer components. The catalytic properties of the ATPase complex as judged by sensitivity to various inhibitors, specificity toward triphosphonucleotides, and activation by metals are not changed during the course of the isolation from sub-mitochondrial particles. The oligomycin-sensitive ATPase complex has been further resolved into two fractions. One of these is a soluble ATPase enzyme which is not inhibited by oligomycin and is cold inactivated. This water-soluble enzyme has been identified with the previously isolated F1. Analysis of the protein components of the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel indicates that the enzyme complex contains in addition to the set of proteins characteristic of F1, two proteins that are not referable to F1.
Modifier genes and variation in cystic fibrosis

The availability of molecular tools to carry out genotyping has led to a flurry of association studies between specific genes and clinical indices of disease or disease susceptibility. Human studies, for the most part, have a limited number of subjects available, precluding whole genome types of approaches. 'Candidate gene' strategies have consequently become widespread, probably in part due to the inherent similarity to clinical association studies. Such studies in cystic fibrosis have found tantalizing results in genes involved in infection and inflammation, but many other relevant pathways remain untapped. Genome scanning approaches may eventually uncover genes not currently recognized as important to cystic fibrosis. In the meantime, while thousands of polymorphisms are cataloged and other genomic resources become more available, the number of association studies with candidate genes will no doubt increase. To make sense of these studies, the choice of gene and phenotype must be carefully considered.
NBS-LASL Racetrack Microtron

The NBS-LASL racetrack microtron (RTM) is a joint project of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL). This is a new accelerator research project whose goal is to determine the feasibility of building a high-energy, high-current, cw electron accelerator using beam recirculation and room-temperature rf acceleration structures. The NBS-LASL RTM is being designed and built to develop the required technology for a large national 1 to 2 GeV cw accelerator for nuclear physics research and to prove experimentally that high currents can be accelerated successfully in an RTM. Some of the parameters of the NBS-LASL RTM are 185 MeV final energy, 550 μA maximum current, 15 passes, 12 MeV one-pass energy gain, and 2380 MHz frequency. One 450 kW cw klystron will supply rf power to both the 5 MeV injector and the 12 MeV linac in the RTM.
The usefulness of the cervical range of motion device in the ocular motility examination.

Objectives To determine if the cervical range of motion (CROM) device, an instrument designed to assess the range of motion in the cervical spine, may be suited for accurately quantifying the magnitude of a patient's abnormal head posture, limitation of ductions, or range of single binocular vision at distance fixation. Methods The CROM device was used to measure abnormal head postures in 10 subjects and limitations of ductions in 12 patients by 2 masked observers. In addition, it was used to test the diplopia field in 17 patients at one third of a meter and 6 m. These findings were compared with a standard diplopia field performed on a Goldmann perimeter. Results For 10 subjects with abnormal head postures, the findings of the 2 observers had a mean±SD difference of 1.0°±0.7° ( P =.15, paired t test). For the assessment of limitations of ductions, the findings of the 2 observers had a mean±SD difference of 1.1°±2.6° ( P =.17, paired t test). For the 17 patients undergoing diplopia field testing, the results obtained on the Goldmann perimeter and with CROM device at the same test distance were essentially identical (mean±SD difference of 1.3°±0.95°; P =.88, paired t test); however, there was a significant difference between the results at one third of a meter and 6 m (mean±SD difference of 6.0°±1.1° for esotropic patients [ P =.001]; mean±SD difference of 6.0°±2.6° for exotropic patients [ P =.002]). Conclusion The CROM device seems to be suitable for testing abnormal head postures, limitations of ductions, and the range of single binocular vision.
A systems theory approach to the feedback stabilization of infinitesimal and finite-amplitude disturbances in plane Poiseuille flow

A systems theory framework is presented for the linear stabilization of two-dimensional laminar plane Poiseuille flow. The governing linearized Navier{Stokes equations are converted to control-theoretic models using a numerical discretization scheme. Fluid system poles, which are closely related to Orr{Sommerfeld eigenvalues, and fluid system zeros are computed using the control-theoretic models. It is shown that the location of system zeros, in addition to the well-studied system eigenvalues, are important in linear stability control. The location of system zeros determines the eect of feedback control on both stable and unstable eigenvalues. In addition, system zeros can be used to determine sensor locations that lead to simple feedback control schemes. Feedback controllers are designed that make a new fluid{actuator{sensor{ controller system linearly stable. Feedback control is shown to be robust to a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The systems theory concepts of modal controllability and observability are used to show that feedback control can lead to short periods of highamplitude transients that are unseen at the output. These transients may invalidate the linear model, stimulate nonlinear eects, and/or form a path of ‘bypass’ transition in a controlled system. Numerical simulations are presented to validate the stabilization of both single-wavenumber and multiple-wavenumber instabilities. Finally, it is shown that a controller designed upon linear theory also has a strong stabilizing eect on two-dimensional nite-amplitude disturbances. As a result, secondary instabilities due to innitesimal three-dimensional disturbances in the presence of a nite-amplitude two-dimensional disturbance cease to exist.
Enzyme-regulated topology of a cyclic peptide brush polymer for tuning assembly

Norbornenyl cyclic elastin-like peptides were polymerized via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to generate thermally responsive brush polymers. The thermally-responsive nature of the materials could be attenuated by the addition of a proteolytic enzyme that causes the cyclic peptide side chains to be linearized.
Inverse filtering of radar signals using compressed sensing with application to meteors

[1] Compressed sensing, a method which relies on sparsity to reconstruct signals with relatively few measurements, provides a new approach to processing radar signals that is ideally suited to detailed imaging and identification of multiple targets. In this paper, we extend previously published theoretical work by investigating the practical problems associated with this approach. In deriving a discrete linear radar model that is suitable for compressed sensing, we discuss what the discrete model can tell us about continuously defined targets and show how sparsity in the latter translates to sparsity in the former. We provide details about how this problem can be solved when using large data sets. Through comparisons with matched filter processing, we validate our compressed sensing technique and demonstrate its application to meteors, where it has the potential to answer open questions about processes like fragmentation and flares. At the cost of computational complexity and an assumption of target sparsity, the benefits over pulse compression using a matched filter include no filtering sidelobes, noise removal, and higher possible range and Doppler frequency resolution.
A Glycine Betaine Importer Limits Salmonella Stress Resistance and Tissue Colonization by Reducing Trehalose Production

Mechanisms by which Salmonella establish chronic infections are not well understood. Microbes respond to stress by importing or producing compatible solutes, small molecules that stabilize proteins and lipids. The Salmonella locus opuABCD (also called OpuC) encodes a predicted importer of the compatible solute glycine betaine. Under stress conditions, if glycine betaine cannot be imported, Salmonella enterica produce the disaccharide trehalose, a highly effective compatible solute. We demonstrate that strains lacking opuABCD accumulate more trehalose under stress conditions than wild-type strains. ΔopuABCD mutant strains are more resistant to high-salt, low-pH and -hydrogen peroxide, conditions that mimic aspects of innate immunity, in a trehalose-dependent manner. In addition, ΔopuABCD mutant strains require the trehalose production genes to out-compete wild-type strains in mice and macrophages. These data suggest that in the absence of opuABCD, trehalose accumulation increases bacterial resistance to stress in broth and mice. Thus, opuABCD reduces bacterial colonization via a mechanism that limits trehalose production. Mechanisms by which microbes limit disease may reveal novel pathways as therapeutic targets.
The effects of muscle fatigue on bone strain

There is anecdotal evidence that bone strains may increase to the point that bone becomes susceptible to rapid failure when muscles become fatigued. To determine whether neuromuscular response could be a factor in accelerating bone failure, we tested the hypothesis that muscle fatigue causes a significant increase in peak principal and shear strains in bone. Ten adult foxhounds were subjected to rigorous exercise that caused muscular fatigue while myoelectrical activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings and strain on the distal tibia were monitored simultaneously. Ground reaction forces on the dog hindlimbs were measured before and after strain gauges had been applied to the tibia. The data show a significant shift to lower median myoelectrical frequencies in the quadriceps, indicating muscular fatigue, following the 20 min exercise period. In conjunction with this shift, peak principal and shear strains increased on both compressive and tensile cortices of the tibia and shear strain on the tensile cortex increased significantly (P = 0.02). The largest changes were along the anterior and anterolateral surfaces of the tibia, where peak principal strain increased by an average of 26-35% following muscular fatigue. The cross-sectional strain distribution was calculated at the gauge site at peak strain at the beginning of the exercise period and at peak strain after 20 min of exercise. These data show a change in strain distribution when muscle becomes fatigued. Strains on the posterior cortex of the bone showed the greatest change. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between median myoelectrical frequency and bone strain after 20 min of exercise (Spearman r2 = 1.00; P = 0.05). These data show that muscle fatigue may be associated with increased bone strain.
Physical limits on information processing

We derive a fundamental upper bound on the rate at which a device can process information (i.e., the number of logical operations per unit time), arising from quantum mechanics and general relativity. In Planck units a device of volume V can execute no more than the cube root of V operations per unit time. We compare this to the rate of information processing performed by nature in the evolution of physical systems, and find a connection to black hole entropy and the holographic principle.
Two, more readily computable equivariant Nielsen numbers I. Nielsen theory for M-ads

Abstract In this, the first of two papers outlining a Nielsen theory for “two, more readily computable equivariant numbers”, we define and study two Nielsen type numbers N ( f , k ; X − { X ν } ν ∈ M ) and N ( f , k ; X , { X ν } ν ∈ M ) , where f and k are M-ad maps. While a Nielsen theory of M-ads is of interest in its own right, our main motivation lies in the fact that maps of M-ads accurately mirror one of two fundamental structures of equivariant maps. Being simpler however, M-ad Nielsen numbers are easier to study and to compute than equivariant Nielsen numbers. In the sequel, we show our M-ad numbers can be used to form both upper and lower bounds on their equivariant counterparts. The numbers N ( f , k ; X − { X ν } ν ∈ M ) and N ( f , k ; X , { X ν } ν ∈ M ) , generalize the generalizations to coincidences, of Zhao's Nielsen number on the complement N ( f ; X − A ) , respectively Schirmer's relative Nielsen number N ( f ; X , A ) . Our generalizations are from the category of pairs, to the category of M-ads. The new numbers are lower bounds for the number of coincidence points of all maps f ′ and k ′ which are homotopic as maps of M-ads to f, respectively k firstly on the complement of the union of the subspaces X ν in the domain M-ad X, and secondly on all of X. The second number is shown to be greater than or equal to a sum of the first of our numbers. Conditions are given which allow for both equality, and Mobius inversion. Finally we show that the fixed point case of our second number generalizes Schirmer's triad Nielsen number N ( f ; X 1 ∪ X 2 ) . Our work is very different from what at first sight appears to be similar partial results due to P. Wong. The differences, while in some sense subtle in terms of definition, are profound in terms of commutability. In order to work in a variety of both fixed point and coincidence points contexts, we introduce in this first paper and extend in the second, the concept of an essentiality on a topological category. This allows us to give computational theorems within this diversity. Finally we include an introduction to both papers here.
Relationships between the Mehlich-III soil test extraction procedure and standard soil test methods in North Dakota

Abstract One hundred surface soil samples were randomly selected from actual fanner samples submitted to the North Dakota State University Soil Testing Laboratory for comparing the usefulness of the Mehlich‐III extractant with results from currently used methods for extracting phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) from neutral to alkaline pH soils from the northern Great Plains. Soil pH's were distributed across a range from pH 7.0 to 8.3. The Mehlich‐III extractant correlated well with P, K, and Zn values obtained by the Olsen, neutral normal ammonium acetate (1M NH4OAc, pH 7.0) or DTPA (diethylenetriamenepentaacetic acid) extraction procedures, respectively. The Mehlich‐III extractant was somewhat correlated with Cu by the DTPA method but poorly correlated with DTPA‐extractable Fe and Mn. The Mehlich‐III extractant appears to be adequate for extraction of P, K, and Zn across concentration ranges normally found in most agricultural soils in North Dakota.
Vibrotactile Sensory Substitution for Object Manipulation: Amplitude Versus Pulse Train Frequency Modulation

Incorporating sensory feedback with prosthetic devices is now possible, but the optimal methods of providing such feedback are still unknown. The relative utility of amplitude and pulse train frequency modulated stimulation paradigms for providing vibrotactile feedback for object manipulation was assessed in 10 participants. The two approaches were studied during virtual object manipulation using a robotic interface as a function of presentation order and a simultaneous cognitive load. Despite the potential pragmatic benefits associated with pulse train frequency modulated vibrotactile stimulation, comparison of the approach with amplitude modulation indicates that amplitude modulation vibrotactile stimulation provides superior feedback for object manipulation.
Nikolai N. Anitschkow and the lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis

One hundred years ago, Nikolai N. Anitschkow published his seminal observations that rabbits fed a diet with only high-cholesterol developed atheromatous lesions in association with greatly elevated blood cholesterol. For many years, Anitschkow's observations received little recognition. However, eventually a combination of experimental work, autopsy studies, epidemiological investigation and clinical trials has led to the firm establishment of the essential role of lipids in the response to injury theory of atherosclerosis. The twists and turns in the acceptance of the lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis is briefly reviewed. Today, it is well worth celebrating the 100th anniversary of the seminal insight into human vascular disease of the brilliant experimental pathologist, Nikolai N. Anitschkow.
Preserving the Divine: ατο- Prefixed Generative Terms and the Untitled Treatise in the Bruce Codex

In Greek literature from antiquity, there is a set of terms formed from verbs of origination or generation and prefixed with ατο-, which are represented primarily in three types of literature prior to the fifth century: in the surviving fragments from Numenius, in apologetic histories which incorporate oracular statements about first gods, and in the reports about and examples of Sethian literature. By considering the range of transliterated words in the Coptic Untitled Treatise based upon ατο- prefixed generative terms from Greek, we can discern several of the traditions that underlie this text’s multiple, often competing, narratives about the structure and population of the divine world. Many of those traditions are also recorded in apologetic histories, and comparison with these shows that the Untitled Treatise is an example of a different mode of historical writing, one which is preservationist rather than explicitly persuasive.
Grating-coupled excitation of Tamm waves

We formulated a boundary-value problem for the excitation of Tamm waves guided by the periodically corrugated interface of a homogeneous material and a rugate filter. Both partnering materials are isotropic and dielectric. After solving the problem using the rigorous coupled-wave approach, the total transmittance, total reflectance, and absorptance were calculated as functions of the angle of incidence of a plane wave that could be either p or s polarized. The excitation of a Tamm wave was inferred for every absorptance peak that is independent of the thicknesses of both partnering materials. Therefore, multiple Tamm waves can be simultaneously excited using a converging or diverging incident beam instead of an incident plane wave. Even though the absorptance peaks are very low when a Tamm wave is excited, the corresponding spikes in the total-reflectance curves are much larger and guarantee experimental detection, as well as application to optical sensing.
Optimal coherent image amplification by two-wave coupling in photorefractive BaTiO3

Coherent image amplification by two-wave coupling in a crystal of photorefractive BaTiO3 is analyzed. This amplifier is optimized with respect to such operational characteristics as gain versus amplified image quality and space-bandwidth product. Experimental results that demonstrate coherent image amplification of 4000, space-bandwidth product of 1,000,000, and gray-level dynamic range of greater than 100 are presented.
Nanostructured MnO2: Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties as a supercapacitor electrode material

Abstract The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of the hydrothermally prepared manganese oxide (MnO 2 ) nanostructures are discussed in this paper. Interesting nanostructures of MnO 2 , mixture of nanostructured surface with a distinct plate-like morphology and nanorods, have been prepared by employing hydrothermal synthesis under mild conditions. The specific surface area of the prepared material was 132 m 2 g −1 . Electrochemical properties of the synthesized nanostructured material were studied using galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry in a mild aqueous electrolyte that showed a high specific capacitance of 168 Fg −1 . In addition, the synthesized nanomaterial showed a good reversibility and cycling stability.
Shear and longitudinal ultrasonic measurements of solid fat dispersions

Dispersions of coating fat in corn oil (2.5–12.5 wt%) were prepared following two different protocols: Type A dispersions had an average crystal size of 30–36 μm, whereas type B dispersions were less than 1 μm. In both dispersions the fat crystals were aggregated into larger structures (up to 80 μm). The longitudinal ultrasonic properties (i.e., velocity, attenuation, and reflectance) were linearly related to the solid fat content, but only attenuation was sensitive to the different microstructures. The velocity and reflectance measurements were modeled using the Urick equation. Shear ultrasonic reflectance and oscillatory viscometry were used to measure the dynamic viscosity of all dispersions. According to both methods, type B samples were always more viscous than type A at a similar solids content. The correlation between the two techniques was good (r 2>0.99), but the numeric agreement was different for both systems.
Home production and the tax system

Abstract This study explores the impact of income taxation on the home production behavior of families. Using data from the Michigan Survey of Income Dynamics for 1976, a home production equation relating time spent in home production to various tax, economic, and demographic variables is estimated for husbands and wives. The study extends earlier work in the area by including both one- and two-earner families in the estimation and by using a two-stage technique for imputing a wage rate to wives not working outside the home. The results show clearly that taxation tends to encourage the home production activity of wives and discourage that of husbands. At the same time, total home production of the family increases as a result of taxation. Differential responses by race are also uncovered.
Best response dynamics and socially stable strategies

Abstract An evolutionarily stable strategy (Maynard Smith and Price, Nature (London) 246 (1973), 15–18) is a strategy which is robust against a tiny invasion of mutants. Best response dynamics is a dynamic process in which the frequency of a strategy increases only if it is a best response to the present strategy distribution. Gilboa and Matsui (Econometrica 59 (1991), 859–867) proposed a stability concept directly derived from this dynamic process. Modifying the above two stability concepts, this paper shows the equivalence between the static concept and the dynamic one. Their set-valued versions always exist. Examples are given to see their usefulness in analyzing forward induction and preplay communication.
Radiofrequency field-induced thermal cytotoxicity in cancer cells treated with fluorescent nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Nonionizing radiation, such as radiofrequency field and near infrared laser, induces thermal cytotoxicity in cancer cells treated with gold nanoparticles. Quantum dots are fluorescent semiconducting nanoparticles that were hypothesized to induce similar injury after radiofrequency field irradiation. METHODS: Gold nanoparticles and 2 types of quantum dot (cadmium-selenide and indium-gallium-phosphide) conjugated to cetuximab (C225), a monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-1, demonstrated concentration-dependent heating in a radiofrequency field. The authors investigated the effect of radiofrequency field exposure after targeted nanoparticle treatment in a coculture of 2 human cancer cell lines that have differential EGFR-1 expression (a high-expressing pancreatic carcinoma, Panc-1, and a low-expressing breast carcinoma, Cama-1). RESULTS: Radiofrequency revealed that Panc-1 or Cama-1 cells not containing gold nanoparticles or quantum dots had a viability of >92%. The viability of Panc-1 cells exposed to the radiofrequency field after treatment with 50 nM Au-C225 was 39.4% ± 8.3% without injury to bystander Cama-1 cells (viability was 93.7% ± 1.0%; P ∼ .0006). Panc-1 cells treated with targeted cadmium-selenide quantum dots were only 47.5% viable after radiofrequency field exposure (P<.0001 compared with radiofrequency only Panc-1 control cells). Targeted indium-gallium-phosphide quantum dots decreased Panc-1 viability to 58.2% ± 3.4% after radiofrequency field exposure (P = ∼.0004 compared with Cama-1 and Panc-1 controls). CONCLUSIONS: The authors selectively induced radiofrequency field cytotoxicity in Panc-1 cells without injury to bystander Cama-1 cells using EGFR-1–targeted nanoparticles, and demonstrated an interesting bifunctionality of fluorescent nanoparticles as agents for both cancer cell imaging and treatment. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Open Bays as Nurseries for Louisiana Brown Shrimp

Previous studies of Louisiana estuaries have indicated a central role of Spartina alterniflora marshes in supporting production of the commercially important brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus. Brown shrimp are an estuarine-dependent species and spend one to three springtime months in estuaries as small juveniles, with highest shrimp densities found at marsh edges. Later estuarine and offshore production of brown shrimp is correlated both with marsh area and with abundance of smaller juveniles found in unvegetated open bays near marshes. This paper investigates the idea that open bays are an additional important nursery habitat for Louisiana brown shrimp, with bays possibly supporting the bulk of shrimp populations even while shrimp densities expressed on a square meter basis are lower in the bays. To assay possible differences in shrimp abundances and residency in marsh ponds vs. adjacent open bays, springtime field work was conducted in 2004–2006 near the Louisiana University Marine Consortium Laboratory at Cocodrie, Louisiana. Seine surveys showed similar-sized shrimp were present in marsh ponds (<20 m in diameter) and an adjacent open bay (<1 m deep, 2 km in diameter) and that shrimp were twice as dense in the marsh ponds. Natural C, N, and S isotope tags provided distinctive labeling of shrimp from marsh ponds versus bays; shrimp residency appeared high in both areas with <10% of shrimp present as immigrants from other areas. Widely spaced collections from several Louisiana bay systems and also Galveston Bay, Texas showed that the S isotope tags provided the most general tags for marsh origins, with low S isotope values of 1–9‰ in shrimp muscle tissue consistently indicating marsh origins. Importance of marshes for brown shrimp production across Terrebonne and Barataria Bays, Louisiana was evaluated with S isotopes using spring 2005 collections. Results showed that marshes supported about 1/3 of total shrimp production; 2/3 of Louisiana brown estuarine shrimp production may depend on the three to four times more extensive open bays. Given these results, coastal restoration efforts in Louisiana might focus on measures such as barrier island conservation and restoration that protect both bays and marshes, rather than focusing on measures that specifically target marshes and neglect open bays.
A bypass trapped-flow analysis system evaluation of enzyme kinetic parameters with a coupled enzyme assay and fluorescence detection.

Abstract The newly developed flow instrument, bypass trapped-flow analysis system (ByT-FAS), was used to perform enzyme assays and generate data for evaluation of an enzyme's kinetic parameters. The enzyme assay was yeast hexokinase coupled to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the production of reduced NADPH was monitored fluorometrically. The kinetic parameters of hexokinase that were evaluated with the system were the apparent Km's of the substrates glucose and ATP, and the Ki of the competitive inhibitor for ATP, ADP. The ByT-FAS generated data were comparable to other manually derived published values of the kinetic constants for hexokinase and validates the utility of the ByT-FAS system for making absolute enzyme measurements. The semi-automated ByT-FAS system can perform analyses more rapidly than manual assay techniques with less manual manipulation and smaller sample and/or reagent volumes.
Highly dispersed MgO-supported model Pd-Mo catalysts prepared from bimetallic clusters : chemisorption and selective catalytic reduction of NO

Model supported palladium and palladium-molybdenum catalysts prepared from organometallic precursors and previously characterized by a variety of chemical and physical methods were examined by IR spectroscopy of NO chemisorption and tested for their activities as catalysts in the competitive NO + CO + O2 reaction. The IR results reveal distinctive behavior of the catalyst made from a bimetallic precursor, and the activity results show that this catalyst is more selective for NO reduction than the other catalysts, but its stability is vulnerable to the reaction conditions. The high selectivity is attributed to Pd-Mo interactions, which are inferred to be stronger in the catalyst prepared from a bimetallic precursor than in catalysts prepared from monometallic precursors.
Basolateral K+ conductance establishes driving force for cation absorption by outer sulcus epithelial cells.

Outer sulcus epithelial cells were recently found to actively reabsorb cations from the cochlear luminal fluid, endolymph, via nonselective cation channels in the apical membrane. Here we determined the transport properties of the basolateral membrane with the whole-cell patch clamp technique; the apical membrane contributed insignificantly to the recordings. Outer sulcus epithelial cells exhibited both outward and inward currents and had a resting membrane potential of −90.4 ± 0.7 mV (n= 78), close to the Nernst potential for K+ (−95 mV). The reversal potential depolarized by 54 mV for a tenfold increase in extracellular K+ concentration with a K+/Na+ permeability ratio of 36. The most frequently observed K+ current was voltage independent over a broad range of membrane potentials. The current was reduced by extracellular barium (10−5 to 10−3 m), amiloride (0.5 mm), quinine (1 mm), lidocaine (5 mm) and ouabain (1 mm). On the other hand, TEA (20 mm), charybdotoxin (100 nm), apamin (100 nm), glibenclamide (10 μm), 4-aminopyridine (1 mm) and gadolinium (1 mm) had no significant effect. These data suggest that the large K+ conductance, in concert with the Na+,K+-ATPase, of the basolateral membrane of outer sulcus cells provides the driving force for cation entry across the apical membrane, thereby energizing vectorial cation absorption by this epithelium and contributing to the homeostasis of endolymph.
X-RADIOGRAPHY OF SLABS OF THE ALLENDE METEORITE

X-radiographs of eight slabs of the Allende meteorite, each about 8 mm thick, reveal significant chemical and textural heterogeneities of our Allende fragment at the 100–1000 g level. They also reveal systematic arrangements of chondrules (“strings”). Our preliminary interpretation is that the observed features are probably all due to regolith processes on Allende's parent body, and that these processes included “mini” slope slides along dry, “sandy” slopes.
Vasospasm and Thrombus Formation as Possible Mechanisms of Stroke Related to Alkaloidal Cocaine

Background “Crack” cocaine (alkaloidal cocaine) induces ischemic stroke. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are not well documented in humans. We present pertinent information on three patients whose ischemic strokes involved the territory of the internal carotid artery and were associated with crack use. Case Descriptions These patients were investigated clinically, radiologically, intraoperatively, and/or histopathologically at the same institution, and the diagnostic evaluations did not reveal a definite cardiac or hematologic cause for stroke. Large filling defects were noted on conventional carotid angiography in two of these patients; in the third patient, the histopathological changes were compatible with vasospasm. To our knowledge, these changes have not been previously documented in human arteries. Conclusions We suggest that some brain infarcts among crack cocaine users may result from vasospasm of large arteries and secondary intravascular thrombosis.
A negative experiment with univariate blending functions

Abstract Univariate rational blending functions are investigated in this paper. It is shown that the usual Kronecker delta condition is not sufficient to define visually pleasing interpolants. The set of functions taken in this paper satisfy this condition; however, they produce small identations in the interpolant where it looks as if a thumb had pushed the curve. An insight into the geometric structure of the interpolation explains this negative effect.
Hematopoietic growth factors as adjuncts to antiretroviral therapy.

Anemia and neutropenia are common complications of HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine exacerbates bone marrow suppression by inhibiting proliferation of blood cell progenitor cells. In addition, treatment for opportunistic infections or malignancies can involve the use of myelosuppressive drugs. As a consequence, severe anemia and neutropenia can result, thereby limiting the utilization of antiretroviral drugs. Since antiretroviral therapy can increase survival, drugs that ameliorate myelosuppression are important adjuncts in the treatment of HIV-infected patients. Three hematopoietic growth factors are effective in the treatment of anemia or neutropenia. In four placebo-controlled trials, erythropoietin (EPO) at doses up to 600 U/kg/wk decreased mean transfusion requirements by 37%, increased mean hematocrit by 4.5% and corrected anemia in the majority of patients receiving zidovudine over a 12-week period. In a separate study, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) corrected le...
Peanut allergy: Recurrence and its management

Background Although peanut allergy may recur, the frequency with which this occurs is unknown. Objective The goals of this study were to determine the rate of peanut allergy recurrence, identify risk factors for recurrent peanut allergy, and develop specific recommendations for the treatment of patients with resolved peanut allergy. Methods Children who outgrew peanut allergy were evaluated with questionnaires, skin tests, and peanut-specific IgE levels. Patients were invited to undergo a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) unless the history of a possible recurrence reaction was so convincing that a challenge would be potentially dangerous. Results Sixty-eight patients were evaluated. Forty-seven patients continued to tolerate peanut, of whom 34 ingested concentrated peanut products at least once per month and 13 ate peanut infrequently or in limited amounts but passed a DBPCFC. The status of 18 patients was indeterminate because they ate peanut infrequently or in limited amounts and declined to have a DBPCFC. After excluding 12 patients originally diagnosed with peanut allergy based solely on a positive skin prick test or peanut-specific IgE level, 3 of 15 patients who consumed peanut infrequently or in limited amounts had recurrences, compared with no recurrences in the 23 patients who ate peanut frequently ( P =.025). The recurrence rate was 7.9 (95% CI, 1.7% to 21.4%). Conclusion Children who outgrow peanut allergy are at risk for recurrence, and this risk is significantly higher for patients who continue largely to avoid peanut after resolution of their allergy. On the basis of these findings, we now recommend that patients eat peanut frequently and carry epinephrine indefinitely until they have demonstrated ongoing peanut tolerance.
Effects of nurse management on the quality of heart failure care in minority communities: a randomized trial.

Background Despite therapies proven effective for heart failure with systolic dysfunction, the condition continues to cause substantial hospitalization, disability, and death, especially among African-American and other nonwhite populations.