cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scintillating Solutions Containing Heavy Elements

The use of heavy metals in scintillators (excited by high energy) is limited by two factors: 1) Such materials are very often not sufficiently soluble in solvents exhibiting considerable energy transfer, and 2) they generally quench the excitation energy of the solution and thereby decrease the fluorescent output. The latter effect was found to be due mostly to a quenching of the excited molecules of the solvent which are responsible for transferring energy, and to a lesser extent to the quenching of the fluorescent molecule, although this process also occurs. To circumvent the first difficulty one uses solvents with better solubilities for the metal compounds, but the choice is limited because of poor energy transfer characteristics of many of them. One of the best solvents found up to now is p-dioxane, which exhibits considerable energy transfer and shows better solubility properties than most of the other energy transferring solvents. Another means of overcoming difficulties of solubility is to use organic solvents favorable from the standpoint of solubility, but not so favorable from that of energy transfer. One can effectively induce considerable energy transfer in many of these solutions and thus produce high energy excited fluorescence by adding a relatively small amount, of the order of 10 per cent, of an effective liquid solvent (one which shows energy transfer).
Modified zeolite membrane reactor for high temperature water gas shift reaction

Abstract A porous α-alumina tube supported MFI-type zeolite membrane was modified by depositing molecular silica species in the zeolitic channels via in situ catalytic cracking of methyl diethoxysilane at a limited number of active sites. The modified zeolite membrane exhibited a H 2 /CO 2 perm-selectivity of 68.3 with H 2 permeance of 2.94 × 10 −7 mol/m 2 s Pa at 550 °C. The modified zeolite membrane tube was packed with a cerium-doped ferrite catalyst for water gas shift (WGS) reaction in a temperature range of 400–550 °C. The WGS reaction results demonstrate that the zeolite membrane reactor is effective for enhancing CO-conversion ( χ CO ) at kinetically favorable high temperatures especially when high space velocity (WHSV) and low steam-to-CO ratios R H 2 O / CO are used. At 550 °C with a WHSV of 60,000 h −1 and a R H 2 O / CO of 1.0, the MR achieved χ CO of 81.7% which was significantly higher than the χ CO obtained in the traditional packed-bed reactor, which was 62.5%, and well above the equilibrium conversion ( χ CO, e = 65%) as well. The results also suggest that, at high temperature (i.e. >500 °C), further enhancement of CO-conversion to near completion requires both membrane improvement and high-pressure operation.
Spontaneous neuronal calcium spikes and waves during early differentiation

Calcium ions play critical roles in neuronal development, but the factors that govern spontaneous fluctuations in intracellular calcium are not well understood. Transient, repeated elevations of calcium in embryonic Xenopus spinal neurons have been recorded over periods of 1 hr in vitro and in vivo, confocally imaging fluo-3-loaded cells at 5 sec intervals. Calcium spikes and calcium waves are found both in neurons in culture and in the intact spinal cord. Spikes rise rapidly to approximately 400% of baseline fluorescence and have a characteristic double exponential decay, while waves rise slowly to approximately 200% of baseline fluorescence and decay slowly as well. Imaging of fura-2-loaded neurons indicates that intracellular calcium increases from 50 to 500 nM during spikes. Both spikes and waves are abolished by removal of extracellular calcium. Developmentally, the incidence and frequency of spikes decrease while the incidence and frequency of waves are constant. Spikes are generated by spontaneous calcium-dependent action potentials that can be triggered by low- threshold, T-type calcium current and are eliminated by agents that block voltage-dependent calcium channels. They can be elicited by depolarization, are generated in an all-or-none manner, and are rapidly and bidirectionally propagated. Spikes also utilize intracellular calcium stores, since blocking release from stores substantially reduces their amplitude. Waves are not elicited by depolarization nor by activation of glutamate receptors, and are propagated at a rate consistent with diffusion of calcium. Waves are blocked by Ni2+ at a higher concentration than required to block classical voltage-dependent calcium channels. Previous work now suggests that spikes are required for expression of the transmitter GABA and for potassium channel modulation. The present study indicates that waves in growth cones are likely to regulate neurite extension.
Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis suspected for isolated Neuro-Behçet: A diagnostic conundrum

Behcet disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing autoimmune disease. Involvement of the nervous system occurs in 5-50% and is referred to as Neuro-Behcet's (NBD). The clinical diagnosis of NBD can be challenging, particularly when the history is atypical and the systemic manifestations of the disorder are absent or scant. We report a young Caucasian man who presented with a non-specific systemic illness evolving rapidly to a basilar meningitis with a neutrophilic pleocytosis. Shortly afterwards, he developed a cervical myelopathy and ultimately a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and brainstem involvement with an active uveitis. There was no history of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers or genital ulcers, other skin lesions, or thrombophlebitis. The diagnosis was supported by the clinical, radiographic and laboratory findings including heterozygosity for the HLA-B51 allele on genetic testing. NBD must be included in the differential diagnosis of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, especially when it is associated with uveitis.
Energetics-based design of small flapping-wing micro air vehicles

In this paper, the energetics of a flapping-wing micro air vehicle (MAV) is analyzed with the objective of designing it. The salient features of this paper are as follows: 1) designing an energy storage mechanism in the air vehicle similar to an insect thorax that stores part of the kinetic energy of the wing as elastic potential energy during a flapping cycle; 2) inclusion of simplified aerodynamic wing models and inertia of the mechanism using rigid-body modeling techniques; 3) optimization of parameters of the energy storage mechanism using the dynamic models, so that energy input from the external actuators is minimized during a flapping cycle. A series of engineering prototypes based on these studies have been planned which will justify the use of these mathematical techniques
Human epidermal keratinocytes undergo (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate-dependent differentiation but not apoptosis

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is an important chemopreventive agent derived from green tea. We recently reported that EGCG treatment enhances keratinocyte differentiation as evidenced by increased human involucrin promoter activity [Balasubramanian,S., Efimova,T. and Eckert,R.L. (2002) J. Biol. Chem., 277, 1828--1836]. In the present paper, we extend these findings and show that EGCG also increases the expression of other differentiation markers—procaspase 14 and type I transglutaminase (TG1). Both TG1 mRNA and protein level, and activity are increased by treatment with EGCG. Increased TG1 activity is evidenced by a direct transglutaminase assay, and by the ability of EGCG to stimulate the covalent incorporation of fluorescein cadaverine substrate into crosslinked intracellular structures. In contrast, type II transglutaminase levels are not altered by EGCG treatment. We also assessed whether EGCG promotes keratinocyte apoptosis. We show that EGCG treatment does not promote the cleavage of procaspase-3, -8, -9 or poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Moreover, treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, does not reverse the EGCG-associated reduction in cell viability. In addition, there is no increase in cells having sub-G1/S DNA content, and no evidence for the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. These findings confirm, using several endpoints, that EGCG treatment enhances normal keratinocyte differentiation but does not promote apoptosis.
Energie, Leben und ATP (Nobel-Vortrag)

Die Zeit genutzt hat Paul Boyer wahrend eines Vortrags, der ihn nicht sonderlich interessierte: Beim Nachdenken uber die verwirrenden Ergebnisse von 18O-Austauschexperimenten erkannte er, das nicht die Synthese von ATP, sondern hauptsachlich dessen anschliesende Freisetzung von der protonenmotorischen Kraft abhangt, die aus den Oxidationsprozessen der Atmungskette stammt – das Konzept des Bindungswechsel-Mechanismus der ATP-Synthese war geboren. Fur die ATP-Synthase, die die Bildung von ATP aus ADP und anorganischem Phosphat, eine der wichtigsten Reaktionen in der Natur, katalysiert, fordert dieses Konzept Eigenschaften wie sequentielle Konformationsanderungen und eine diese Anderungen bewirkende Rotation, die dieses Enzym als einzigartige molekulare Maschine erscheinen lassen.
Tellurium-Rich CdTe, and the Effect of Tellurium Content on the Properties of CdTe

Co-evaporation of CdTe and Te has been reported to result in CdTe films with high hole concentrations. Higher carrier density should result in more efficient solar cells if the carrier lifetime is not effected. This achievement could have a large effect on CdTe technology, in which carrier density has been limited to the 1014–1015 cm−3 range. Reproducing the work from the open literature and analyzing the films in more detail revealed that material with a high hole concentration can be obtained by co-evaporating CdTe and Te. However, analysis of these films indicated that the measured high carrier density is not because of doping of the CdTe base material but because of an integrated network of Te present as its own phase within the CdTe matrix.
Demo abstract: Signal reconstruction with subnyquist sampling using wireless sensor networks

Data streaming for sensor networks is an emerging class of application that can offer significant safety and utility enhancements in a number of critical environments. In one such application, disaster response, a wireless sensor network may assist in the detection of living victims trapped in collapsed buildings. As a step towards this goal, this paper addresses the very high bandwidth and processing requirements posed by streaming applications, and demonstrates a sub-Nyquist sampling procedure for reconstructing higher-resolution speech signals.
Characteristics of pathological gamblers with a problem gambling parent.

This analysis compares the characteristics of adult pathological gamblers with and without a problem gambling parent. A sample of 517 individuals with current DSM-IV pathological gambling was categorized based on presence of a parental problem gambler. Groups were compared on clinical characteristics, gambling severity, gambling-related problems, and psychiatric comorbidity. Although the groups were similar on most measures, pathological gamblers with at least one problem gambling parent were more likely to have a father with an alcohol abuse/dependence problem; have financial and legal problems; and report daily nicotine use. Females with a problem gambling parent had significantly earlier onset of gambling behavior, were significantly more likely to have a father with an alcohol use disorder, and were significantly more likely to have financial problems secondary to gambling than females without a problem gambling parent. Males with a problem gambling parent were significantly more likely to have a fath...
Indoor Residential Chemical Emissions as Risk Factors for Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children: a Review

Practical Implications ‐ Composite wood materials that emit formaldehyde, flexible plastics that emit plasticizers, and new paint have all been associated with increased risks of respiratory and allergic health effects in children. Although causal links have not been documented, and other correlated indoor-related exposures may ultimately be implicated, these findings nevertheless point to a new class of little recognized indoor risk factors for allergic and respiratory disease, distinct from the current set of indoor risk factors. The available evidence thus raises initial questions about many common residential practices: for instance, using pressed wood furnishings in children’s bedrooms, repainting infant nurseries, and encasing mattresses and pillows with vinyl for asthmatic children. The findings summarized here suggest a need for substantially increased research to replicate these findings, identify causal factors, and validate preventive strategies.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Impurities in ZnO Nanoparticles

Semiconductor nanoparticles have a range of potential applications in electronic, optoelectronic and spintronic devices. Zinc oxide (ZnO), a wide-bandgap semiconductor, has emerged as an important material for such applications. In this work, impurities in ZnO nanoparticles were investigated with infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and the results show the presence of CO2 impurities in ZnO nanoparticles. Isotopic substitution was used to verify the frequency assignment and the results demonstrate conclusively that the impurities originate from the precursors. Isochronal annealing experiments were performed to study the formation and stability of the CO2 molecules. In addition to unintentional CO2 impurities, we intentionally introduced hydrogen into ZnO nanoparticles. Our results show that post-growth annealing in hydrogen dramatically changes IR transmission, reflection and electrical properties of the nanoparticles.
Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation: A review of randomized trials with special reference to the stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation II (SPAF II) trial

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is common and is associated with a high risk of systemic embolism. Recently, several large randomized trials have been completed that have established the efficacy of antithrombotic therapy for both primary and secondary prevention of systemic thromboembolism with an acceptable rate of bleeding complications in these patients. This section of clinical trials review summarizes data from all published randomized trials of antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation. The efficacy of aspirin versus warfarin is analyzed. The role of clinical and echocardiographic findings to stratify patients is also highlighted. The Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation II trial is discussed in detail.
Evidence of emerging hookah use among university students: a cross-sectional comparison between hookah and cigarette use

Background The emergence of hookah is being noted on college campuses and in large U.S. cities and evidence points to an increasing trend for college students. The purpose of this study was to assess hookah use and identify associations with cigarette smoking and demographic factors.
Seismic Recordings of the Carlsbad, New Mexico, Pipeline Explosion of 19 August 2000

On 19 August 2000 two seismometer networks in southeastern New Mexico recorded signals from a natural gas pipeline explosion. Analysis of the particle motion, arrival times, and durations of the seismic signals indicates that three impulsive events occurred with origin times of 11:26:18.8 ± 1.9, 11:26:43.6 ± 2.1, and 11:27:01.7 ± 2.0 (UCT). The first event was caused by the explosive blowout of the buried, high-pressure pipeline, and the second event was caused by the ignition of the vented natural gas. The nature of the third event is unclear; however, it was likely created by a secondary ignition. There were also two extended seismic events that originated at the same time as the first two impulsive events. The first resulted from the preignition venting of the gas and lasted for about 24 sec, while the second resulted from the postignition roaring of the flames and lasted for about 1 hr. Many of the source constraints provided by the seismic data were not available from any other investigative technique and thus were valuable to a diverse range of parties including the New Mexico state police, law firms involved in litigation related to the accident, the National Transportation and Safety Board, and the general public. Manuscript received 13 September 2002.
Analysis and equalization of data-dependent jitter

Data-dependent jitter limits the bit-error rate (BER) performance of broadband communication systems and aggravates synchronization in phase- and delay-locked loops used for data recovery. A method for calculating the data-dependent jitter in broadband systems from the pulse response is discussed. The impact of jitter on conventional clock and data recovery circuits is studied in the time and frequency domain. The deterministic nature of data-dependent jitter suggests equalization techniques suitable for high-speed circuits. Two equalizer circuit implementations are presented. The first is a SiGe clock and data recovery circuit modified to incorporate a deterministic jitter equalizer. This circuit demonstrates the reduction of jitter in the recovered clock. The second circuit is a MOS implementation of a jitter equalizer with independent control of the rising and falling edge timing. This equalizer demonstrates improvement of the timing margins that achieve 10/sup -12/ BER from 30 to 52 ps at 10 Gb/s.
Why newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency is essential: a case report

Physicians caring for infants in the first months of life need to know the normal ranges for absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) during that age. Any ALC <2500/microL is potentially pathogenic in early infancy and should be evaluated. We report the case of a 4-month-old white girl with a 2-month history of an oral ulcer, intermittent fever, recurrent otitis, decreased appetite, weight loss, and a new respiratory illness with hypoxemia. She had been in an in-home day care since birth. The patient's primary care physician had seen her frequently and obtained blood counts, but her persistent lymphopenia had not been appreciated. The infant was ultimately diagnosed with T(-)B(-)NK(+) (lacking both B and T lymphocytes and having primarily natural killer [NK] cells), recombinase-activating gene 2 (RAG2)-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). However, because she had already developed 2 difficult-to-treat viral infections (parainfluenza 3 and adenovirus), she did not survive long enough to receive a bone marrow transplant. Newborn screening would not only have made the diagnosis at birth but would have led to measures to protect her from becoming infected before she could receive a transplant. Newborn screening would also reveal the true incidence of SCID and define the range of conditions characterized by severely impaired T-cell development. Until screening for SCID and other T-cell defects becomes available for all neonates (either by quantifying T-cell receptor excision circles in Guthrie spots or using other tests that quantify T cells), all pediatricians should know the normal range for ALCs according to age. Recognition of the characteristic lymphopenia of SCID can facilitate early diagnosis.
Regulation of insulin action by CEACAM1

Activation of the tyrosine kinase of the insulin receptor by insulin binding initiates a cascade of signaling pathways that mediates the metabolic and growth-promoting effects of insulin. Insulin action is regulated by the amount of circulating insulin, which is, in turn, partially regulated by insulin clearance in liver. Receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis followed by degradation mediates insulin clearance. Earlier studies in transfected cells suggested that the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), a substrate of the insulin receptor in liver, upregulates receptor-mediated insulin endocytosis and degradation in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, a transgenic mouse, L-SACC1, overexpressing a dominant-negative phosphorylation-defective S503A CEACAM1 mutant in liver was established. The transgenic mouse demonstrated that CEACAM1 increases insulin clearance to maintain insulin sensitivity. Because insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes, understanding the mechanism of CEACAM1 regulation of insulin clearance and action might lead to novel therapeutic strategies against this disease.
Crossover from Dimer Nucleation to Adatom Exchange During Submonolayer Epitaxy

The nucleation and growth of islands in the early stages of epitaxial growth is studied with kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations and self-consistent mean field rate equations. Specifically, adatom exchange and irreversible dimer formation are allowed to compete equally as the origin of two-dimensional islands. The island size distribution and number density are found to satisfy a dynamic crossover scaling form. The critical island size evolves from one to zero with increasing temperature, decreasing flux, and increasing coverage.
Cognitive decline in schizophrenia from childhood to midlife: A 33-year longitudinal birth cohort study

Abstract Background We examined cognitive deficits before and after onset of schizophrenia in a longitudinal study that: 1) covers a long time interval; 2) minimizes test unreliability by including the identical measure at both childhood and post-onset cognitive assessments; and 3) minimizes bias by utilizing a population-based sample in which participants were selected neither for signs of illness in childhood nor for being at risk for schizophrenia. Methods Participants in the present study, Developmental Insult and Brain Anomaly in Schizophrenia (DIBS), were ascertained from an earlier epidemiologic study conducted in Oakland, CA. The original version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), a test of receptive vocabulary, was administered at age 5 or 9 and repeated as part of the DIBS study at an average age of 40. There were 10 DIBS cases with DSM-IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 15 demographically similar DIBS controls with both child and adult PPVT scores. Results Cases scored significantly lower than controls in childhood (d = 0.95) and adulthood (d = 1.67). Residualized scores indicating the number of SDs above or below one's predicted adult score revealed a mean case–control difference of − 1.51 SDs, consistent with significant relative decline over time among the cases (p Conclusions In this prospective study, individuals who developed adult schizophrenia manifested impaired receptive vocabulary during childhood and further relative deterioration (or lack of expected improvement) between childhood and midlife. Limitations should also be acknowledged, including the small sample size and the fact that we cannot be certain when the continued deterioration took place.
Fast T1 mapping determined using incomplete inversion recovery look-locker 3D balanced SSFP acquisition and a simple two-parameter model fit.

Purpose: To evaluate a fast T1 mapping technique using incomplete inversion recovery 3D balanced steady-state free precession acquisition along with a two-parameter model fit. Materials and Methods: Using Bloch simulations, we explored the two-parameter model fit for data acquired using such an acquisition scheme. The parameter space over which the fit holds good was determined through simulations. A linear correction was derived for the R1* (1/T1*) values so determined. Two phantoms and six volunteers were scanned using the described technique. Comparison scans using full recovery as well as gold standard inversion recovery spin echo were also performed. Results: The two-parameter fit works exceedingly well over a large parameter space. T1 values in the phantoms showed an error of 4.9% and 39% before correction and 0.9% and 1.6% after correction. For the six volunteers, error in T1 value was 5.3% for white matter (WM) and 2.4% for gray matter (GM) after correction, while it was 11.2% and 18.2% before correction. Conclusion: The work presented here allows for T1 map determination with higher resolution and shorter acquisition time than previously possible. The technique is especially well suited for GM/WM T1 mapping. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1437–1444. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Implementation of MCDM methodology in decision support systems

An overview is presented of the extent to which multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have already been implemented in decision-support software. Existing MCDM software is outlined and briefly discussed. The software implementation of MCDM techniques can be divided into three categories: commercially available software packages for general-purpose decision support; software packages developed primarily for research purposes that are not yet commercially available; and programs written for the experimental implementation of MCDM methods. It is noted that the use of MCDM techniques in real-life decision-making is still very limited and it is suggested that limited usage, and thus the lack of an expressed need for MCDM software, may be responsible for the lag in the development of user-friendly software for MCDM. >
Vulnerability and the Ethics of Facial Tissue Transplantation

Two competing intuitions have dominated the debate over facial tissue transplantation. On one side are those who argue that relieving the suffering of those with severe facial disfigurement justifies the medical risks and possible loss of life associated with this experimental procedure. On the other are those who say that there is little evidence to show that such transplants would have longterm psychological benefits that couldn’t be achieved by other means and that without clear benefits, the risk is simply too great. Ethicists on both sides have called for more analysis of the link between the face and personal identity in order to get a better grasp on potential gains and losses. This paper responds to that call by looking at contemporary philosophical analyses of the relation between organ transplants and personal identity and between the human face, human dignity, and human vulnerability. It is argued that the face matters not because it is the unique marker of our identity, but because of its role in the intersubjective constitution of moral identity and human dignity.
Life Before Model Systems: General Zoology at August Weismann's Institute

SYNOPSIS. With the current interest in and criticism of Model Systems Research in mind, I review some of the details of a research program at the turn of the century. I present data about career trajectories of the degree recipients in August Weismann's Institute of Zoology, in Freiburg i/Br., Germany. I ennumerate the organisms they use in their research and provide some discussion about the level of analysis performed by certain students bound for academic careers. I conclude that between 1880 and 1912 diversity prevailed in career objectives, research projects, organisms investigated and levels of analysis. This was the diversity of a General Zoology suited to Weismann's primary interests in evolution and the contemporary expectations of academic zoology. This General Zoology contrasts with the organism specific research prevalent at the same institute directed by Hans Spemann between 1918 and 1931. In closing I propose a sequence of historical stages which changed the General Zoology at the beginning of the current century into Model Systems Research at the end.
Fibroepithelial Polyp Associated with Congenital Ureteral Diverticulum: Report of 2 Cases

AbstractWe report 2 cases of a single fibroepithelial polyp in conjunction with ureteral diverticula. Ureterorenoscopy is valuable in the identification of the benign nature of these lesions preoperatively to avert unnecessary nephroureterectomy. The etiology of fibroepithelial polyps remains unknown, although many theories have been proposed. Recent evidence has suggested that these lesions may be a developmental anomaly. Congenital ureteral diverticula also are thought to be of developmental origin. We hypothesize that fibroepithelial polyps and congenital diverticula of the ureter are part of a spectrum of the same developmental anomaly.
A STABLE MUREXIDE REAGENT FOR THE ESTIMATION OF CALCIUM IN MICRO QUANTITIES OF SERUM.

The effects of various solvents on the fading rate of alkaline murexide were studied. Glycerol, methanol, and propylene glycol were found to retard the fading rate of murexide at pH 12.0 to a considerable extent. Propylene glycol was the most satis-factory of these solvents. It was further noted that the fading rate of alkaline murexide in propylene glycol-water solution was directly proportional to the amount of water contained in the reagent, and that a reagent stable for at least 1 week at room temperature could be prepared.
Becca Brothers: Da Click

This series of short cases (see also UVA-QA-0632) is written for use with high-school students. Da Click is a successful local rap band that has attracted the attention of the national recording company Becca Brothers. The series presents a multiissue negotiation over the groups first recording contract. There are congruent, distributive, and integrative issues that provide an opportunity for creating and claiming value.
Makeup and Women at Work

This is a story about gender, makeup and the law. Darlene Jespersen, a bartender, was fired from her job of fifteen years at Harrah's Casino because she refused to wear makeup. Jespersen responded with a lawsuit that traveled to the Ninth Circuit, where she was represented by LAMBDA Legal, the preeminent gay rights litigation organization. Makeup, some will argue, is a trivial thing. Why would Darlene Jespersen (choose to) lose her job over makeup? More generally, how did favoring (as opposed to prohibiting) a practice that so many women (but not men) engage in become the basis for a sex discrimination suit? Why was LAMBDA involved? What is at stake? Isn't makeup a vehicle for women to express their autonomy and individuality? Finally, do we really want the federal government involved in policing employers' makeup policies? Because anti-discrimination law has been wedded to a biological conception of sex, it has not grappled well with sex discrimination cases that implicate makeup and grooming. This is particularly problematic in today's labor market because few contemporary employers are likely to exclude all women from their workplace; they are far more likely to engage in intra-gender screening based on whether a woman's self presentation is in accord with social scripts about gender normative behavior. Using Jespersen as a point of departure, we reveal how makeup is implicated in this screening process and explain why its regulation ought to be conceptualized as a form of discrimination on the basis of sex.
Does the Chinese Government Value Good Firms? Evidence from P-Chips and Red-Chips Listed in Hong Kong

The very long line of Chinese firms waiting to be approved for listing on the Chinese stock exchanges provides a context for testing whether the Chinese government picks the best (largest and most profitable) firms for listing on the Chinese stock exchanges. Capital-hungry Chinese firms that are not approved for listing on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges frequently choose to reorganize themselves as overseas corporations, followed by listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. These overseas corporations with mainland Chinese operations and Hong Kong listings are called "Red-chips" if they are predominantly state-owned entities (SOEs) and "P-chips" if they are not SOEs. We propose that the Chinese government granted approval to raise equity capital domestically to those firms with better political connections (the political connectedness hypothesis) and/or to those firms with better performance and prospects (the performance hypothesis) We find that different hypotheses are consistent with the results for SOEs than with the results for Non-SOEs. We find that the political connectedness hypothesis holds for the SOEs, and the performance hypothesis holds for the Non-SOEs. We conclude that the Chinese government has approved more politically connected SOEs and more profitable Non-SOEs to list domestically.
Fast Hybrid Simulation with Geographically Distributed Substructures

The hybrid simulation test method is a versatile technique for evaluating the seismic performance of structures by seamlessly integrating both physical and numerical simulations of substructures into a single test model. Using hybrid testing, complex structural systems composed of multiple large-scale experimental and numerical substructures can be evaluated by linking experimental facilities using the internet. In this paper, a distributed control strategy is presented that supports the implementation of hybrid testing with geographically distributed substructures using advanced algorithms that offer improved accuracy. The objectives are to provide a scalable framework for multiple-substructure testing at distributed sites and to improve the reliability of the test results by minimizing strain-rate and force relaxation errors in the remote experimental substructures. The control strategy is based on a multi-threaded simulation coordinator combined with an event-driven controller at the remote experimental sites. The effectiveness of this procedure is demonstrated by computing the earthquake response of a six-span bridge model with five remote experimental and numerical column substructures distributed within laboratories across the U.S. Further, the distributed tests were implemented using a secure network link between the testing sites that was developed for the NEES cyber-infrastructure.
Mechanistic Studies of Alkene Isomerization Catalyzed by CCC-Pincer Complexes of Iridium

Iridium complexes containing CCC-pincer m-phenylene-bridged N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were examined as catalysts for alkene isomerization. Complexes containing either mesityl or adamantyl side groups were found to catalyze the isomerization of a number of alkenes to the internal isomers, including 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, and allylbenzene. Mechanistic studies indicate a surprising dichotomy, apparently caused by ligand steric effects. For the mesityl-substituted catalyst, several lines of evidence provide strong support for isomerization via an iridium allyl hydride intermediate: (1) H–D crossover experiments indicate that 1,3-hydrogen migration is exclusively intramolecular, (2) the catalyst resting state, a π-allyl hydride species, was isolated and serves as a kinetically competent catalyst, (3) NMR experiments indicate that the π-allyl hydride resting state undergoes reversible C–H reductive elimination that is rapid relative to catalytic turnover, and (4) kinetic studies indicate that the isom...
Investigation of Plague Prevention and Control Capacity Building in Sichuan Province

Objective To understand the situation of capacity building for plague prevention and control in Sichuan province,discover problems,and provide evidence for plague prevention and control capacity building.Methods The situation of capacity building for plague prevention and control in CDCs which had task on plague monitoring at three different levels(provincial,municipal and county level) was analyzed.Results There was no independent plague prevention and control organization in Sichuan province.There were 5 specialized divisions and 28 non-specialized divisions,33(25.0%) specific duty members in 132 professionals.Among 132 professionals,67(50.76%) in junior title,33(25.0%) in intermediate title,16(12.12%) in senior titles;staff were mainly secondary educated,only 2 graduates(2.27%),19 undergraduates(14.39%).There were 2 national surveillance sites,11 provincial surveillance sites,Only the Shiqu national plague surveillance site could accomplish surveillance work independently.Reservation of materials in emergency mostly meet the requirements of plague emergencies.Conclusion Sichuan plague prevention and control capabilities as a whole is low,staff titles and qualifications are low,the development is not balanced.Additional training,continuing education,and talent introduction are needed for the comprehensive development of plague prevention and control in Sichuan province.
Discussion on Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment Mode of Chronic and Noncon Tagious Diseases in Community

Objective:To discuss comprehensive prevention and treatment mode of chronic and noncontagious diseases in community. Methods:Related research information was collected by the methods of literature reduction,demonstration collection,interview and investigation,group symposium,questionnaire research,etc. And investigating objects included administrators,leaders of professional institutions,working staffs,and so on. Results:Health promotion strategies should run through the whole process of chronic and noncontagious diseases prevention and treatment in community,under the domination of public health organization. Making periodical physical examination and health archives as breakthrough points,health services as health appraisal,high-risks screening,intervention management,and health maintenance were developed aiming at different periods of people’s lifecycle. And the same attention should be given to the integration of clinic medicine and public health,the combination of three grades’ prevention,and the association of multi-subjects and multi-departments. Conclusion:The comprehensive prevention and treatment of chronic and noncontagious diseases in community should be developed under the participation of multi-departments and based on health promotion and health maintenance.
Pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by mitral valve obstruction in sheep

We hypothesized that left atrial hypertension results in pulmonary vasoconstriction, which is obscured by the expected passive decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. The objectives of this stud...
El papel de la epidemiología en el control de la diarrea y los rotavirus.

Deseo agradecer a la Sociedad Colombiana de Parasitologia y Medicina Tropical y de manera muy especial al Dr, Antonio D´Alessandro, al Dr Pablo Barreto, y al Dr Alvaro Duenas, oportunidad que me han brindado de venir una vez mas a Cali para dirigirme a ustedes. Esta me ha sido una ocasion maravillosa para renovar amistades antiguas que comenzaron durante los 3 anos que trabaje en Cali. La dedicacion a la Salud Publica que he percibido aqui es tan fuerte como la haya podido experimentar en otros sitios. Sentir esa dedicacion trae de nuevo memorias muy agradables.
A high efficiency and compact inductive power transfer system compatible with both 3.3kW and 7.7kW receivers

This paper proposes a high-efficiency, compact inductive power transfer (IPT) system for the stationary charging of electric vehicles, which contains a single transmitter and two receivers of different power. The transmitter is compatible with both 3.3kW and 7.7kW receivers. A double-sided LCC compensation circuit is adopted to realize the IPT system. In the magnetic coupler design, the external compensation inductors are integrated into the main coils without introducing extra magnetic couplings. The design procedure of the circuit parameters is provided, in which high system efficiency is maintained for both the 3.3kW and 7.7kW receivers. A prototype is implemented to validate the proposed system. The transmitter coil size is 500mm×500mm, the 3.3kW receiver coil size is 300mm×300mm, and the 7.7kW receiver size is 420mm×420mm. When the air-gap is 150mm, the 3.3kW receiver system achieves a dc-dc efficiency of 95.4%, and the 7.7kW receiver system achieves a dc-dc efficiency of 95.2%.
A novel method of quantifying brain atrophy associated with age-related hearing loss.

Abstract A growing body of evidence has shown that a relationship between age-related hearing loss and structural brain changes exists. However, a method to measure brain atrophy associated with hearing loss from a single MRI study (i.e. without an interval study) that produces an independently interpretable output does not. Such a method would be beneficial for studying patterns of structural brain changes on a large scale. Here, we introduce our method for this. Audiometric evaluations and mini-mental state exams were obtained in 34 subjects over the age of 80 who have had brain MRIs in the past 6 years. CSF and parenchymal brain volumes (whole brain and by lobe) were obtained through a novel, fully automated algorithm. Atrophy was calculated by taking the ratio of CSF to parenchyma. High frequency hearing loss was associated with disproportional temporal lobe atrophy relative to whole brain atrophy independent of age ( r = 0.471, p = 0.005). Mental state was associated with frontoparietal atrophy but not to temporal lobe atrophy, which is consistent with known results. Our method demonstrates that hearing loss is associated with temporal lobe atrophy and generalized whole brain atrophy. Our algorithm is efficient, fully automated, and able to detect significant associations in a small cohort.
Rax-dependent PKR activation is required for host anti-viral defense after vesicular stomatitis virus infection

4450 The interferon-inducible dsRNA-dependent kinase PKR has been well studied as a component of host anti-viral defense. In this context, PKR is activated by dsRNA byproducts produced during viral infection to phosphorylate the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) and stop de novo protein synthesis. In previous studies we discovered and characterized Rax, which to date is the only identified cellular PKR activator. Rax is also a dsRNA binding protein, yet the role of Rax in host antiviral defense is not clear. Now we report that the level of Rax expression in murine embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells directly affects resistance to infection by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Knock-down of Rax expression in MEF cells by 80% using siRNA prevents virus-induced PKR activation and eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Consequently, cells with reduced Rax display in creased VSV protein synthesis and viral titers >1000 fold higher than control cells 24 hours after infection. In contrast, expression of exogenous Rax in MEF cells promotes PKR activation and eIF2alpha phosphorylation upon VSV infection and inhibits viral protein production resulting in decreased viral titer after infection compared to control cells. Interestingly, both lowering and increasing Rax expression enhanced cell death after infection with VSV. We propose that increased Rax expression promotes enhanced PKR activity and apoptosis while reduced Rax expression results in failure to activate PKR and increases cell death due to increased viral production following infection with VSV. Taken together, our findings indicate that Rax-dependent PKR activation is required for proper cellular host defense to infection by VSV. This may indicate that the Rax-PKR signaling axis has a necessary role to inhibit viral induced cellular transformation.
Adult and embryonic metabolism in birds and the role of shell conductance

The mass-specific metabolic rate (SMR) of the non-passerine avian embryo at the pre-internal pipping (pre-IP) stage is about half that predicted for an adult bird of the same body mass. It has been suggested that the typical embryo at this stage of development has an SMR which is similar to that of the incubating adult even though its body mass is ca. 15–20 times smaller (Hoyt and Rahn, 1980). The low embryonic metabolic rate at pre-IP may be set by the limit imposed on gas transport by shell conductance. Increased metabolic demand beyond pre-IP for the final hatching act cannot be met by gas diffusion through the shell without profound hypoxia; it must be satisfied by the initiation of pulmonary gas ex­change. However, the low embryonic metabolic rate at pre-IP appears to be precisely matched in each species to shell conductance so that similar air cell O2. and CO2, tensions are found across a wide spectrum of embryonic size and incubation period. These values are ca. 100 and 40 torr for \({P_{{O_2}}}\) , and \({P_{C{O_2}}}\) , respec­tively, at the pre-IP stage of development.
High resolution ultrafast imaging of microbubble destruction during sonoporation

Ultrasound-mediated drug delivery using microbubbles is a growing field with applications ranging from targeted chemotherapy to permeating the blood brain barrier. Despite the potential clinical impact of this technique, the precise parameters needed to reliably induce cell sonoporation, or increased cellular permeability, are not well understood. The goal of this work is to use high frame rate imaging to visualize bubble destruction and propagation in order to extrapolate the parameters of importance in performing in vitro sonoporation. Through this work, it was observed that acoustic shadowing occurs at high microbubble concentrations (>1M bubbles/ml), which inhibits ultrasound delivery to bubbles next to cells. Pressure attenuation was observed to dramatically increase with increasing microbubble concentration. Unique microbubble destruction patterns shown with high resolution, ultrafast imaging included streaming, vortexing and standing waves. The complexity of the microbubble destruction patterns during sonication as observed for the first time with high resolution ultrafast imaging will provide guidance on how to achieve reliable sonoporation.
Photoelectrochemical Kinetics and Related Devices

Semiconductor photoelectrochemical kinetics is important practically because its application may give a system for the production of a storable fuel. The objective of the present chapter is to pick out very selectively and describe outstanding contributions which have been made in the last 20 years to this area and to indicate some needed areas of advance.
Treatment of keratoacanthoma: Is intralesional methotrexate an option?

BACKGROUNDKeratoacanthomas (KAs) are a variant of squamous cell carcinomas. Some KAs have shown aggressive behaviour, leading to metastasis and death. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice f...
Investigation of Potential Risk Factors For Groundings of Commercial Vessels In U.S. Ports

We formulate a Bayesian model to estimate the physical risk of grounding during transits into and out of port as a function of potential risk factors. We assemble and analyze information on factors surrounding groundings in three U.S. ports between 1981 and 1995. Although the data are far from perfect, it is possible to establish associations between grounding risk and changes in factors such as vessel type and size, wind speed, and visibility.
A rare case of spontaneous rupture of uterine surface vessels in pregnancy mimicking acute appendicitis.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP), an unprovoked, non-traumatic intraperitoneal bleed in pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum, is a rare but potentially life-threatening clinical condition. Here, we report a rare case of spontaneous rupture of uterine surface variceal vessels in the second trimester of pregnancy mimicking acute appendicitis that posed diagnostic difficulties and challenges in management.