cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of solvent-oxygen ion pairs in photooxidation of CdSe nanocrystal quantum dots.

Understanding the mechanisms for photodegradation of nanocrystal quantum dots is an important step toward their application in real-world technologies. A usual assumption is that photochemical modifications in nanocrystals, such as their photooxidation, are triggered by absorption of a photon in the dot itself. Here, we demonstrate that, contrary to this commonly accepted picture, nanocrystal oxidation can be initiated by photoexcitation of solvent–oxygen ion pairs that relax to produce singlet oxygen, which then reacts with the nanocrystals. We make this conclusion on the basis of photolysis studies of solutions of CdSe nanocrystals. Our measurements indicate a sharp spectral onset for photooxidation, which depends on solvent identity and is 4.8 eV for hexane and 3.4 eV for toluene. Importantly, the photooxidation onset correlates with the position of a new optical absorption feature, which develops in a neat solvent upon its exposure to oxygen. This provides direct evidence that nanocrystal photooxidati...
Using a Spatial System for Teaching Operant Concepts

This article demonstrates how to teach operant concepts by means of a spatial representation system. The system is useful for teaching any set of related concepts.
Cultivation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Without the Embryoid Body Step Enhances Osteogenesis In Vitro

Osteogenic cultures of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are predominately derived from three-dimensional cell spheroids called embryoid bodies (EBs). An alternative method that has been attempted and merits further attention avoids EBs through the immediate separation of ESC colonies into single cells. However, this method has not been well characterized and the effect of omitting the EB step is unknown. Herein, we report that culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) without the EB stage leads to a sevenfold greater number of osteogenic cells and to spontaneous bone nodule formation after 10-12 days. In contrast, when hESCs were differentiated as EBs for 5 days followed by plating of single cells, bone nodules formed after 4 weeks only in the presence of dexamethasone. Furthermore, regardless of the inclusion of EBs, bone matrix formed, including cement line matrix and mineralized collagen, which displayed apatitic mineral (PO4) with calcium-to-phosphorous ratios similar to those of hydroxyapatite and human bone. Together these results demonstrate that culturing hESCs without an EB step can be used to derive large quantities of functional osteogenic cells for bone tissue engineering.
Developments, recommendations and applications of tests for evaluating the chemical stability of high-level radioactive solid waste forms

Abstract The chemical stability of any proposed high-level radioactive waste form, and particularly its reaction with the groundwater during longterm deep geological disposal, is an important factor in its evaluation and characterisation. The two most important issues related to this field of study are: (1) the pH behaviour of the leaching medium; (2) the fractional release of radioactivity to the surrounding environment. The problems associated with pH measurement are discussed. The advantages of the use of fractional releases of the radioactive species (instead of normalised leach rate) to describe the release mechanisms involved in the chemical behaviour of the waste form during long-term deep geological disposal periods are also emphasised.
Bridging perspectives of parents, teachers and co-researchers: Methodological reflections on cross-cultural research

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how researchers situated themselves and how they learned to effectively communicate each other throughout the process of collaborative cross-cultural research. Co-researchers, with diverse cultural backgrounds (Korean and Caucasian-American), reflect on the meanings and implications of their collaborative experiences. The implications of multicultural collaboration in qualitative research, including challenges and benefits, are presented. In the paper the authors introduce themselves as researchers, overview the cross-cultural research that the authors collaborated on, detail the method used to reflect on the collaborative research, and highlight areas or themes that seemed particularly salient in the research experience.
The effects of representatives' power within their own organizations on the outcome of a negotiation.

The article examines the impact of representatives' power within their own organization on the outcome of a negotiation and the dynamics of interorganizational relationships. The authors begin by d...
Gelatin-templated gold nanoparticles as novel time-temperature indicator

UNLABELLED Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were generated by mixing of gelatin solution and gold precursor (HAuCl(4,) 1 mM) under isothermal condition (80 °C). The effects of gelatin concentration (1% to 6%) and pH (3, 5, and 9) on the color signal of gelatin-templated AuNPs were examined. The λ(max) of AuNPs shifted from 535 to 552 nm at 1% gelatin, and the color intensity of the AuNPs was a maximum at 2% gelatin. The speed of color development was accelerated at pH 3, and the AuNPs prepared at pH 3 were bigger (45 to 162 nm) and more irregular in shape than those prepared at pH 5 or 9. When the performance of gelatin nanoreactor as time-temperature indicator (2%, pH 5) was evaluated in a simulated frozen storage, clear color signals developed as little as 6 h of exposure at 30 °C and the intensity of the color signal was proportional to duration of exposure. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Gelatin-gold precursor mixture acted as a "nanoreactor" for gold nanoparticle synthesis without need for any additional reactants. When the gelatin-templated AuNPs were exposed to 30 °C, color signals developed with intensities that depended on the duration of exposure. The reaction was irreversible and colors were easily discerned by the naked eye.
Equatorial Front in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Abstract The equatorial front in the eastern Pacific Ocean observed during 14 October–7 December, 1971, from R/V Yaquina of Oregon State University is discussed. The front is clearly defined at the sea surface by a large horizontal gradient of temperature, salinity, σt and nitrate. Equatorial upwelling, which is believed to be driven by the prevailing wind and the Equatorial Undercurrent, appears as the primary source of the cold water on the south side of the front in the region west of the Galapagos Islands. In vertical distributions of various properties of the water across the equator, equatorial upwelling is apparent over the equator in the region between the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuadorian coast. It is suggested that the equatorial front in this region is also associated with the equatorial upwelling.
Hydrogen Production via Hydrolysis of Zn in a Hot Wall Flow Reactor

Hydrolysis of Zn is investigated as the second step in a ZnO/Zn redox solar water splitting process. Zinc is evaporated and hydrolyzed in a hot wall flow tubular reactor. The design of the reactor was suggested by prior studies at ETH-Swiss Federal Institute in which simultaneous synthesis of hydrogen and zinc oxide nanoparticles was the goal. The influence of the reactor temperature and residence time on hydrogen conversion was measured for 1023 and 1073 K. Particle yield was measured in-situ using a scanning differential mobility sizer. Particle composition and morphology were characterized with X-ray diffraction and microscopy. In agreement with the prior work, hydrogen conversions of 87 to 96 percent at temperatures above zinc saturation are attributed primarily to hydrolysis of zinc(g) at the wall of the reactor.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Energy substrate-supplemented resuscitation affects brain monocarboxylate transporter levels and gliosis in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock.

Background Monocarboxylate (MC)-supplemented resuscitation has been shown to attenuate cellular injury after hemorrhagic shock. However, little is known about its effect on the central nervous system. The brain can use MCs such as lactate, pyruvate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate as energy substrates. The transit of MCs into the central nervous system is facilitated by the monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), and their blockage can exacerbate neuronal damage. We examined the expression of MCT1 and markers specific for activation of astroglia and microglia in the brains of rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. The hypothesis was that resuscitation with MC-based fluids would be accompanied by MCT1 up-regulation and glial response. Methods Rats (n = 30) were subjected to volume-controlled hemorrhage. Test groups included: sham, no resuscitation, resuscitation with normal saline, resuscitation with racemic lactated Ringer's solution, resuscitation with pyruvate Ringer's solution, and resuscitation with beta-hydroxybutyrate-containing ketone Ringer's solution. Plasma levels of MC were measured serially. The brains were investigated using GFAP, CD11b, CD43, MCT1, and GLUT1 immunohistochemistry. Results Rats resuscitated with MC-containing fluids had increased levels of MCT1 in brain endothelial cells and neuropil compared with sham rats. Enhanced staining was localized to the choroid plexus, astrocytic end feet, and white matter structures. None of the resuscitation treatment induced astrocytic hyperplasia, and pyruvate Ringer's solution and ketone Ringer's solution resuscitation led to hypertrophy of astrocytes. Conclusion In hemorrhagic shock, resuscitation with MC-based fluids increased brain MCT1 level and led to activation of astrocytes. Enhanced MC trafficking could be an essential route for energy supply to neurons under adverse circulatory conditions.
Transmembrane voltage potential is an essential cellular parameter for the detection and control of tumor development in a Xenopus model

Understanding mechanisms that orchestrate cell behavior into appropriately patterned tissues and organs within the organism is an essential element of preventing, detecting and treating cancer. Bioelectric signals (resting transmembrane voltage potential gradients in all cells) underlie an important and broadly conserved set of control mechanisms that regulate pattern formation. We tested the role of transmembrane potential in tumorigenesis mediated by canonical oncogenes in Xenopus laevis. Depolarized membrane potential (Vmem) was a characteristic of induced tumor-like structures (ITLSs) generated by overexpression of Gli1, KrasG12D, Xrel3 or p53Trp248. This bioelectric signature was also present in precursor ITLS sites. Vmem is a bioelectric marker that reveals ITLSs before they become histologically and morphologically apparent. Moreover, voltage was functionally important: overexpression of hyperpolarizing ion transporters caused a return to normal Vmem and significantly reduced ITLS formation in vivo. To characterize the molecular mechanism by which Vmem change regulates ITLS phenotypes, we performed a suppression screen. Vmem hyperpolarization was transduced into downstream events via Vmem-regulated activity of SLC5A8, a sodium-butyrate exchanger previously implicated in human cancer. These data indicate that butyrate, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, might be responsible for transcriptional events that mediate suppression of ITLSs by hyperpolarization. Vmem is a convenient cellular parameter by which tumors induced by human oncogenes can be detected in vivo and represents a new diagnostic modality. Moreover, control of resting membrane potential is functionally involved in the process by which oncogene-bearing cells depart from normal morphogenesis programs to form tumors. Modulation of Vmem levels is a novel and promising strategy for tumor normalization.
Bundling Strategies When Products Are Vertically Differentiated and Capacities Are Limited

We consider a seller who owns two capacity-constrained resources and markets two products (components) corresponding to these resources as well as a bundle comprising the two components. In an environment where all customers agree that one of the two components is of higher quality than the other and that the bundle is of the highest quality, we derive the seller's optimal bundling strategy. We demonstrate that the optimal solution depends on the absolute and relative availabilities of the two resources as well as upon the extent of subadditivity of the quality of the products. The possible strategies that can arise as equilibrium behavior include a pure components strategy, a partial-or full-spectrum mixed bundling strategy, and a pure bundling strategy, where the latter strategy is optimal when capacities are unconstrained. These conclusions are contrary to findings in the prior literature on bundling that demonstrated the unambiguous dominance of the full-spectrum mixed bundling strategy. Thus, our work expands the frontier of bundling to an environment with vertically differentiated components and limited resources. We also explore how the bundling strategies change as we introduce an element of horizontal differentiation wherein different types of customers value the available components differently.
Understanding the impact of recent advances in isoprene photooxidation on simulations of regional air quality

Abstract. The CMAQ (Community Multiscale Air Quality) us model in combination with observations for INTEX-NA/ICARTT (Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment–North America/International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation) 2004 are used to evaluate recent advances in isoprene oxidation chemistry and provide constraints on isoprene nitrate yields, isoprene nitrate lifetimes, and NOx recycling rates. We incorporate recent advances in isoprene oxidation chemistry into the SAPRC-07 chemical mechanism within the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) CMAQ model. The results show improved model performance for a range of species compared against aircraft observations from the INTEX-NA/ICARTT 2004 field campaign. We further investigate the key processes in isoprene nitrate chemistry and evaluate the impact of uncertainties in the isoprene nitrate yield, NOx (NOx = NO + NO2) recycling efficiency, dry deposition velocity, and RO2 + HO2 reaction rates. We focus our examination on the southeastern United States, which is impacted by both abundant isoprene emissions and high levels of anthropogenic pollutants. We find that NOx concentrations increase by 4–9% as a result of reduced removal by isoprene nitrate chemistry. O3 increases by 2 ppbv as a result of changes in NOx. OH concentrations increase by 30%, which can be primarily attributed to greater HOx production. We find that the model can capture observed total alkyl and multifunctional nitrates (∑ANs) and their relationship with O3 by assuming either an isoprene nitrate yield of 6% and daytime lifetime of 6 hours or a yield of 12% and lifetime of 4 h. Uncertainties in the isoprene nitrates can impact ozone production by 10% and OH concentrations by 6%. The uncertainties in NOx recycling efficiency appear to have larger effects than uncertainties in isoprene nitrate yield and dry deposition velocity. Further progress depends on improved understanding of isoprene oxidation pathways, the rate of NOx recycling from isoprene nitrates, and the fate of the secondary, tertiary, and further oxidation products of isoprene.
WT1 regulates the development of the posterior taste field.

Despite the importance of taste in determining nutrient intake, our understanding of the processes that control the development of the peripheral taste system is lacking. Several early regulators of taste development have been identified, including sonic hedgehog, bone morphogenetic protein 4 and multiple members of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, the regulation of these factors, including their induction, remains poorly understood. Here, we identify a crucial role for the Wilms' tumor 1 protein (WT1) in circumvallate (CV) papillae development. WT1 is a transcription factor that is important in the normal development of multiple tissues, including both the olfactory and visual systems. In mice, WT1 expression is detectable by E12.5, when the CV taste placode begins to form. In mice lacking WT1, the CV fails to develop normally and markers of early taste development are dysregulated compared with wild type. We demonstrate that expression of the WT1 target genes Lef1 , Ptch1 and Bmp4 is significantly reduced in developing tongue tissue derived from Wt1 knockout mice and that, in normal tongue, WT1 is bound to the promoter regions of these genes. Moreover, siRNA knockdown of WT1 in cultured taste cells leads to a reduction in the expression of Lef1 and Ptch1 . Our data identify WT1 as a crucial transcription factor in the development of the CV through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways that have established roles in the formation and patterning of taste placodes.
Predation on Spider Mite Eggs by the Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), an Opportunist in a Cotton Agroecosystem

Larvae and adult females of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), showed a functional predatory response to increases in density of spider mite eggs. Female flower thrips showed a faster rate of egg discovery than did larvae, but larval thrips had a higher upper limit for predation than did adult females, which was exhibited by a shorter egg handling time for larvae. Spider mite webbing on the eggs and leaf surface significantly inhibited predation by thrips larvae. Flower thrips are omnivorous opportunists, because they can resort to herbivory when mite eggs are absent or scarce. Thrips are important as herbivores, predators, and prey for other predators. Information on predation by flower thrips will lead to a better understanding of their impact on spider mite populations in the field.
Salt bridge relay triggers defective LDL receptor binding by a mutant apolipoprotein.

Abstract Background Apolipoprotein-E (apo-E), a 34kDa blood plasma protein, plays a key role in directing cholesterol transport via its interaction with the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The amino-terminal domain of apo-E forms an unusually elongated four-helix bundle arranged such that key basic residues involved in LDL receptor binding form a cluster at the end of one of the helices. A common apo-E variant, apo-E2, corresponding to the single-site substitution Arg158→Cys, displays minimal LDL receptor binding and is associated with significant changes in plasma cholesterol levels and increased risk of coronary heart disease. Surprisingly, the site of mutation in this variant is physically well removed (>12a) from the cluster of LDL receptor binding residues. Results We now report the refined crystal structure of the amino-terminal domain of apo-E2, at a nominal resolution of 3.0a. This structure reveals significant conformational changes relative to the wild-type protein that may account for reduced LDL receptor binding. Removal of the Arg158 side chain directly disrupts a pair of salt bridges, causing a compensatory reorganization of salt bridge partners that dramatically alters the charge surface presented by apo-E to its receptor. Conclusions It is proposed that the observed reorganization of surface salt bridges is responsible for the decreased receptor binding by apo-E2. This reorganization, essentially functioning as a mutationally-induced electrostatic switch to turn off receptor binding, represents a novel mechanism for the propagation of conformational changes over significant distances.
Electrical properties of ultrafine-grained yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics

Nanoparticles of yttria-doped tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramics (Y-TZP) with an average crystallite size of less than 9 nm were prepared by a combustion synthesis process. Dense and fine-grained ({lt}200 nm) Y-TZP ceramics were obtained by fast-firing using temperatures lower than 1400{degree}C and dwell times of less than 2 min. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to measure conductivities of oxygen vacancies in the grain and the grain boundary of the fine-grained Y-TZP. The relationships between the concentration of the oxygen vacancies in the grain boundary and measurable physical parameters were determined semiquantitatively. The oxygen vacancy concentrations and activation energies for the oxygen-ion conduction in the grain and the grain boundary of the fine-grained Y-TZP were found to be independent of the average grain size in the average grain-size range of 90{endash}200 nm. These experimental results suggest that, in order to retain the abnormally high oxygen vacancy concentrations of the Y-TZP nanoparticles and thus enhance the oxygen-ion conductivity, it may be necessary to decrease the average grain size to approximately 10 nm.{copyright} {ital 1997 Materials Research Society.}
Case report: severe reversible cardiomyopathy associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the setting of diabetic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic syndrome

Background This case study features a woman who presented with clinical and laboratory findings consistent with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic syndrome (HHNS), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) who was noted to have a transient decrease in myocardial function. To our knowledge, this is the first case discussing the overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms could increase susceptibility to SIRS-induced cardiomyopathy. It is imperative that this clinical question be investigated further as such a relationship may have significant clinical implications for prevention and future treatments, particularly in patients similar to the one presented in this clinical case.
Surface Science Spectra: a hybrid journal-database

Database collections were quite minimal in surface spectroscopies in 1990, when the American Vacuum Society (now named AVS, The Science and Technology Society) began to develop a spectral database, called Surface Science Spectra (or SSS); http://sss.avs.org. (Surface spectroscopies include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and other spectroscopic methods.) The AVS foresaw that producing a high-quality spectral database would be a benefit to the user community Furthermore, because the mission of the AVS includes education, professional growth of its members, support of research, and dissemination of knowledge, the society especially wanted the scientific community involved in developing and contributing to the database.
Bad riddance or good rubbish? Ownership and not loss aversion causes the endowment effect.

People typically demand more to relinquish the goods they own than they would be willing to pay to acquire those goods if they did not already own them (the endowment effect). The standard economic explanation of this phenomenon is that people expect the pain of relinquishing a good to be greater than the pleasure of acquiring it (the loss aversion account). The standard psychological explanation is that people are reluctant to relinquish the goods they own simply because they associate those goods with themselves and not because they expect relinquishing them to be especially painful (the ownership account). Because sellers are usually owners, loss aversion and ownership have been confounded in previous studies of the endowment effect. In two experiments that deconfounded them, ownership produced an endowment effect but loss aversion did not. In Experiment 1, buyers were willing to pay just as much for a coffee mug as sellers demanded if the buyers already happened to own an identical mug. In Experiment 2, buyers’ brokers and sellers’ brokers agreed on the price of a mug, but both brokers traded at higher prices when they happened to own mugs that were identical to the ones they were trading. In short, the endowment effect disappeared when buyers were owners and when sellers were not, suggesting that ownership and not loss aversion causes the endowment effect in the standard experimental paradigm.
Concise Integer Linear Programming Formulations for Dependency Parsing

We formulate the problem of non-projective dependency parsing as a polynomial-sized integer linear program. Our formulation is able to handle non-local output features in an efficient manner; not only is it compatible with prior knowledge encoded as hard constraints, it can also learn soft constraints from data. In particular, our model is able to learn correlations among neighboring arcs (siblings and grandparents), word valency, and tendencies toward nearly-projective parses. The model parameters are learned in a max-margin framework by employing a linear programming relaxation. We evaluate the performance of our parser on data in several natural languages, achieving improvements over existing state-of-the-art methods.
Induction support for KBDSS development: a proposed system design

Over the past few years, designing and implementing DSSs that incorporate artificial intelligence/expert system technology (knowledge-based DSS, or KBDSS) have represented an important new research arena. Most efforts have resulted in frameworks for further research and/or the development of demonstrative applications that have been assessed with regard to their impacts on decision makers. Much has been learned in the past decade related to preferred KBDSS development methodologies, predictable pitfalls, desirable technological approaches. etc. The acquisition of knowledge for inclusion into a KBDSS, however, remains an under-addressed research issue. A design is proposed for a knowledge acquisition support tool that incorporates machine learning induction algorithms. The proposed design for an induction support system represents one approach for evolving an intelligent computer-based assistant for KBDSS builders and practitioners. >
Digital watermarking models for resolving rightful ownership and authenticating legitimate customer

Abstract Tampering resistance of a digital watermark scheme has recently drawn much attention of many researchers after various techniques against image manipulations have been presented and proved robust. In this paper, two digital watermark models for resolving rightful ownership are presented; the second one also authenticates the legitimate customer – the user such as a webmaster that obtains an image from an Internet site and wants to use it on his/her site. A scheme conformed to Model-II is presented with simulation results that demonstrate its robustness against JPEG compression, mean and median filtering, noise, cropping, and scaling besides tampering. A comparison to Scheme Lin-O also demonstrates that this proposed scheme is just as robust against image manipulations while requiring no original for watermark detection.
Seed Pathology Progress in Academia and Industry

Seed pathology involves the study and management of diseases affecting seed production and utilization, as well as disease management practices applied to seeds. In this paper, three aspects of seed pathology are discussed: research innovations in detection of seedborne pathogens and elucidation of their epidemiology; advances in development and use of seed treatments; and progress toward standardization of phytosanitary regulations and seed health testing methods. The application of nucleic-acid based detection methods in seed health testing has been facilitated by integrating conventional or real-time PCR with other technologies (e.g., BIO-PCR, IMS-PCR, MCH-PCR). PCR-based methods and pathogen marker technologies are being applied to epidemiological research on seedborne pathogens, e.g., seed transmission mechanisms, the influence of external biotic and abiotic factors on seed transmission, and tracking progress of seed-transmitted pathogens. Seed treatment use is discussed in terms of the revolutionary expansion in seed-applied insecticide use, impacts of new fungicide active ingredients, and the effects of some seed treatments on crop physiology. International seed trade has been affected significantly by changing phytosanitary regulations, not always based on science. Efforts are underway to revise phytosanitary regulations to reflect pest risk analysis outcomes and to develop standards for seed health testing methods that facilitate safe and efficient international trade in seeds.
Usable autonomic computing systems: the administrator's perspective

One of the primary motivations behind autonomic computing (AC) is the problem of administrating highly complex systems. AC seeks to solve this problem through increased automation, relieving system administrators of many burdensome activities. However, the AC strategy of managing complexity through automation runs the risk of making management harder. We performed field studies of current administrator work practices to inform the design of AC in order to ensure that it simplifies system management. In this paper, we analyze what system administrators do in terms of three important activities: rehearsal and planning, maintaining situation awareness, and managing multitasking, interruptions and diversions. We provide guidelines for constructing AC environments that support these activities.
Households: Productivity and Consumption

Households are production and consumption units contributing to national economies. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, households comprise all persons who occupy a housing unit. A concept in consumer behavior research is the household life cycle (HLC), a segmentation process that acknowledges that income and family composition and other factors alter consumption patterns. Digitization, the digital representation of diverse forms of information (such as sound, text, image, or voice) has deeply impacted the creation, support, use, and consumption of information by households. Sustainable households take into account ecology, economy, and social needs, present, and future.
The Economics of Death Ceilings

Incentive design involves a tradeo between motivating agents and distorting their efforts; for many tasks the distortions are such that flat rewards may be optimal. Yet organizations of all types - from school boards to the FBI - increasingly utilize rewards based on observable performance metrics. We describe the eects of one such attempt,
NMR spiral surface microcoils: Design, fabrication, and imaging

NMR investigation of volume-limited chemical and biological samples requires a radio frequency (RF) microcoil with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over the region of interest. Conventional approaches using solenoidal microcoils provide high sensitivity (RF field strength per unit current) and spectral resolution but require the sample and sample container to be enclosed by the coil. Planar surface microcoils provide an alternative configuration that allows direct access to the sample, but with the sacrifice of RF field uniformity. In this study we evaluate a family of planar RF microcoils (500 MHz, Archimedean geometry, 1–6 turns, inner radius 0.75 to 4 mm, and conductor widths of 75, 100, and 200 μm). The design, fabrication, and performance (electrical and NMR) of the coils are described. This coil configuration exhibits a high local SNR, easy fabrication, good electrical properties, and moderate spectral uniformity (suitable for imaging and low resolution NMR spectroscopy). This design can also be scaled to smaller dimensions. These results suggest that planar spiral RF microcoils will find applications in multimodality microscopy and microfludic devices where sample manipulation and coil integration with the microanalysis systems is necessary. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 17B: 1–10, 2003.
Reflection Geometry Photorefractive Asymmetric Fabry-Perot Multiple Quantum Well Devices

Asymmetric Fabry-PerOt (ASFP) resonance in conjunction with a multiple quantum well (MQW) structure may enhance dynamic holographic imaging. Fewer fabrication steps, as well as the suppression of the zero-order interference beams, can lead to significant improvements in image quality and nonlinear optical effects. This paper discusses the fabrication of a monolithic ASFP/MQW structure. The optical characterization of the structure is described and the electrooptic properties of the structure are then investigated via two-wave mixing.
King Lear's Inability to Grieve Aging 1

The Tragedy of King Lear, written in Shakespeare's mature years as he himself was approaching retirement, presents us with an aged ruler who realizes it is time to turn over his kingdom to younger, stronger hands. He does this by constructing a “love test,” apportioning his kingdom according to which daughter loves him best. This essay argues that the test represents Lear's regression into childhood dependency rather than a realistic acceptance of his aging and that this infantile approach to retirement and aging dooms him and his family to disaster.
On the existence of a quantum phase transition in a two-row Hubbard model

With the means of a canonical transformation of a new type the existence of a quantum phase transition is shown for a two-row Hubbard model.
Detecting Malicious Exploit Kits using Tree-based Similarity Searches

Unfortunately, the computers we use for everyday activities can be infiltrated while simply browsing innocuous sites that, unbeknownst to the website owner, may be laden with malicious advertisements. So-called malvertising, redirects browsers to web-based exploit kits that are designed to find vulnerabilities in the browser and subsequently download malicious payloads. We propose a new approach for detecting such malfeasance by leveraging the inherent structural patterns in HTTP traffic to classify exploit kit instances. Our key insight is that an exploit kit leads the browser to download payloads using multiple requests from malicious servers. We capture these interactions in a "tree-like" form, and using a scalable index of malware samples, model the detection process as a subtree similarity search problem. The approach is evaluated on 3800 hours of real-world traffic including over 4 billion flows and reduces false positive rates by four orders of magnitude over current state-of-the-art techniques with comparable true positive rates. We show that our approach can operate in near real-time, and is able to handle peak traffic levels on a large enterprise network --- identifying 28 new exploit kit instances during our analysis period.
Scheme Design of Information Flow for Smart Power Transformers

Intelligent component,in which a number of intelligent electronic devices(IEDs) endowed with different functions are integrated,is the core of the smart power transformer.To realize the intelligence functions of smart power transformer,the information flows related to measuring,controlling,monitoring and protection among the IEDs inside the intelligent component,just as the information flows between the IEDs and the components/parts of smart power transformer and those between IEDs and advanced applications have to be well designed.On the basis of analyzing the information flow demand of smart power transformer,a detailed design scheme,in which the measuring information flow,controlling information flow,monitoring information flow and protection information flow are included,is given.This information flow design scheme is available to the design of intelligent components of smart power transformer.
The influence of inhalable PM10 in outdoor air on birth weight of the newborn

Objective To investigate influence of inhalable particulate matter≤10μm in aerodynamic size(PM10) in outdoor air onbirth weight of the newborn.Methods Utilizing perinatal health data in all obstetric institutions of one district of Guangzhou city from2003～2005 and concentration data of inhalable particulate matter≤10μm (PM10) per day from monitoring spots in the same district from2002～2005,PM10 exposure level per day of the pregnant women during each trimester of pregnancy WaS calculated according to her lastmenstrnal period(LMP)and birth date of the newborn,and then the influence of PM10 on birth weight of the newborn was estimated.Results There were significant differences in birth weight between the different subgroups of fetal sex,maternal age,maternal occupation,and maternal original address,high risk factors during pregnancy and gravidity.In different trimesters of pregnancy,there were significantdifferences in birth weight between different groups of different exposure levels of PM10(67.6μg/m3,67.6～162.4μg/m3 and162.4μg/m3).Multiple linear regression analysis shown that each increase of 10μg/m3 in concentration of inhalable PM10 during earlyand middle trimesters of pregnancy could cause a reduction of about 2.2～2.7g in birth weight.Conclusion Many factors can affect birthweight of the newborn, and high concentration of inhalable PM10 in outdoor air is one of most important factors,and it is related to lowbirth weight of the newborn.
Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Qingxin county, Guangdong from 2006 to 2010

Objective To understand the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Qingxin county, Guangdong province from 2006 to 2010. Method According to the schistosomiasis surveillance protocols of Guangdong province, synchronous surveillances of Oncomelania hupensis and infection sources in the former endemic areas were carried out in the Qingxin county, and the surveillance data were analyzed. Results From 2006 to 2010, an area of 13 hm2 in Qingxin county was surveyed and no living Oncomelania hupensis was found. 12 patients with a history of previous schistosomiasis were re-examined, and no chronic or advanced-stage infection was found. 10 out of 1 122 young people living in the endemic areas were sero-positive in the DIGFA test and no schistosomiasis patient was found. 2 456 subjects from the migrating population were also examined using the DIGFA test, 80 subjects were found to be sero-positive. Among these 2 456 subjects, 13 chronic schistosomiasis patients were found, and schistosome eggs were found in the stools from 2 patients. 38 imported cases were reported through the passive surveillance system from 2006 to 2010. Furthermore,1 900 cattle were surveyed by stool examination, and none of cattle was infected by Schistosoma japonicum. Conclusions Schistosomiasis is successfully controlled in Qingxin county. The surveillance program should be continued, especially the monitoring of the imported infection sources and Oncomelania hupensis.
Abstract 17128: Primary Prevention With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in High-risk Long-QT Syndrome Patients

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is currently indicated for the treatment of long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients who survived aborted cardiac arrest. However, data regarding the role of ICD in primary prevention in patients with LQTS is scarce. Methods: The study population comprised 212 LQTS patients (65% genotype positive) from the Rochester LQTS Registry who had ICD implantation for primary prevention. Cox regression model was used to identify clinical variables that were associated with appropriate shock and inappropriate shock. The efficacy of β-blockers was determined using a time-dependent analysis. Results: During a median follow up time of 9.2±4.9 years the cumulative event rates of appropriate shocks and inappropriate shocks were 23% and 34% respectively. In the entire cohort appropriate shock was associated with QTc ≥ 550 msec (HR=3.94; CI 2.08-7.46; p Conclusions: Among LQTS patients in whom ICD is implanted for primary prevention, QTc duration and history of syncope while on β-blockers therapy are associated increased risk for appropriate shock. β-blocker treatment remains important in this high-risk group. Those with an ICD implanted before age 15 were at a higher risk of receiving an inappropriate shock.
Das fortgeschrittene Lungenkarzinom

Bei der Behandlung des fortgeschrittenen Lungenkarzinoms werden neue molekulare Ziele fur spezifische Medikamente identifiziert werden. Man wird auch Resistenzmechanismen bei bereits gebrauchlichen Therapeutika verstehen und uberwinden. Es ist zu hoffen, dass damit die Prognose der Patienten weiter verbessert werden kann. Es ergeben sich aber auch neue, bisher noch nicht geloste Probleme. Wie kann man genugend Tumorgewebe fur die nun zahlreichen notigen Analysen gewinnen? Wie lassen sich Studien mit genugend groser Patientenzahl durchfuhren, wenn die Untergruppen sehr klein sind? Welche validen Endpunkte gibt es fur Studien mit sehr wirksamen Medikamenten, bei denen aber ein Cross-over zugelassen ist? Zur Losung dieser Fragen wird eine gute Kooperation zwischen den beteiligten Fachrichtungen wie auch den nationalen und internationalen Forschungsgruppen erforderlich sein.
An improved Four-Russians method and sparsified Four-Russians algorithm for RNA folding.

The basic RNA secondary structure prediction problem or single sequence folding problem (SSF) was solved 35 years ago by a now well-known $$O(n^3)$$ -time dynamic programming method. Recently three methodologies—Valiant, Four-Russians, and Sparsification—have been applied to speedup RNA secondary structure prediction. The sparsification method exploits two properties of the input: the number of subsequence Z with the endpoints belonging to the optimal folding set and the maximum number base-pairs L. These sparsity properties satisfy $$0 \le L \le n / 2$$ and $$n \le Z \le n^2 / 2$$ , and the method reduces the algorithmic running time to O(LZ). While the Four-Russians method utilizes tabling partial results. In this paper, we explore three different algorithmic speedups. We first expand the reformulate the single sequence folding Four-Russians $$\Theta \left(\frac{n^3}{\log ^2 n}\right)$$ -time algorithm, to utilize an on-demand lookup table. Second, we create a framework that combines the fastest Sparsification and new fastest on-demand Four-Russians methods. This combined method has worst-case running time of $$O(\tilde{L}\tilde{Z})$$ , where $$\frac{{L}}{\log n} \le \tilde{L}\le min\left({L},\frac{n}{\log n}\right)$$ and $$\frac{{Z}}{\log n}\le \tilde{Z} \le min\left({Z},\frac{n^2}{\log n}\right)$$ . Third we update the Four-Russians formulation to achieve an on-demand $$O( n^2/ \log ^2n )$$ -time parallel algorithm. This then leads to an asymptotic speedup of $$O(\tilde{L}\tilde{Z_j})$$ where $$\frac{{Z_j}}{\log n}\le \tilde{Z_j} \le min\left({Z_j},\frac{n}{\log n}\right)$$ and $$Z_j$$ the number of subsequence with the endpoint j belonging to the optimal folding set. The on-demand formulation not only removes all extraneous computation and allows us to incorporate more realistic scoring schemes, but leads us to take advantage of the sparsity properties. Through asymptotic analysis and empirical testing on the base-pair maximization variant and a more biologically informative scoring scheme, we show that this Sparse Four-Russians framework is able to achieve a speedup on every problem instance, that is asymptotically never worse, and empirically better than achieved by the minimum of the two methods alone.
Biofilm colonization of Mycobacterium abscessus: New threat in hospital-acquired surgical site infection.

Abstract Introduction Rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are hazardous cause of post-operative soft tissue infection leading to nosocomial outbreaks following various surgical procedures, especially laparoscopic surgeries using heat sensitive, non-autoclavable surgical instruments. Methodology Surgery department of our hospital noticed increase in rate of post-laparoscopic abdominal port site infection (PSI) and informed the Microbiology Department. A prospective investigational study of defined cases with the aim of source tracing and formulation of infection control measures was initiated. Pus or wound scrapings were collected and processed for aerobic, anaerobic bacteria and Mycobacterium, both by staining and culture. Environmental samples were collected from laparoscopic instruments, and different parts of operation theatre (OT). Mycobacterial isolates were speciated by line probe assay. All the cases were treated with clarithromycin and ofloxacin ± amikacin. Results Among 15 cases of PSI, 11 patients had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 3 had laparoscopic mesh hernioplasty and one had laparoscopic orchidopexy. Of the 13 pus/discharge specimens examined, 11 revealed growth of NTM. All the isolates were identified as Mycobacterium abscessus by line probe assay. Scraping of biofilm from the disinfectant tray also produced growth of the same organism. Plastic trays used for disinfectants were replaced with metal trays and instructed to do mechanical scrubbing before autoclaving at regular interval. No similar PSI cases were notified after those measures were taken, till date. Conclusions This study has shown the need of culture and identification of pathogens causing persistent post surgical wound infections and illuminated importance of rapid source tracing in resource constraint situation which could control outbreak.
A Disease and Stage Risk Grouping System for Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract 327 Background: The outcome of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) varies significantly based on the patients9 disease and stage at the time of HSCT. When analyzing outcomes of HSCT in heterogeneous patient populations, whether in retrospective or prospective studies, it is therefore necessary to stratify patients based on their disease/stage risk. At present, there is no robust method for doing so; the most commonly used breakdowns are based on older data that may not be applicable today, and do not incorporate cytogenetics for myeloid diseases, which are an important prognostic factor. Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 1539 patients transplanted between 2000 and 2009 at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women9s Hospital, and reviewed their disease type (including cytogenetics) and stage at HSCT. Based on proportional hazards modeling for overall survival (with a median follow-up of 35 months), we defined disease and stage risk groups, with independent analyses performed in the 812 patients who underwent myeloablative conditioning (MAC) and the 727 who underwent reduced intensity conditioning (RIC). We used the results to define overall disease/stage risk groups for both MAC and RIC HSCT. Results: Interestingly, the disease risk groups turned out to be identical for MAC and RIC; the stage risk groups were very similar, except for the assignment of CR>1 to low risk in MAC but high risk in RIC. The groups were as follows: Low-risk disease: AML with favorable cytogenetics, CLL, CML, Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (excluding extranodal T-cell lymphomas) Intermediate-risk disease: ALL, AML or MDS with intermediate cytogenetics, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and multiple myeloma High-risk disease: AML or MDS with adverse cytogenetics, extranodal T-cell lymphomas Low-risk stage: CR1, CR>1 (for MAC), PR1, untreated disease, CP CML High-risk stage: CR>1 (for RIC), PR>1, induction failure or active relapse, accelerated or blast phase CML Those groups could be combined to form 4 overall groups with highly significantly different OS and PFS (Table and Figure). Conclusion: We propose a disease/stage risk grouping scheme for patients undergoing HSCT, applicable to both myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning transplantation, which separates patients into 4 groups with significantly different OS and PFS. This scheme could be used for prognostic purposes, and to stratify patients in retrospective studies or in clinical trials. In the future, it may be further validated and refined through registry studies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.