cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A spot that can kill.

A 3-year-old girl who had recently completed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presented with a rapidly evolving painful black lesion on her right pinna (fi gure) and associated extensive erythema and swelling. Ecthyma gangrenosum was diagnosed. Despite treatment with antibiotics and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, the swelling and erythema continued to spread: resection of the aff ected area was undertaken. Histological examination confi rmed ecthyma gangrenosum. Successful reconstruction of the pinna was subsequently done. Ecthyma gangrenosum is a skin infection characterised by a necrotic centre surrounded by an erythematous halo. The infection is more common in children than adults, and is particularly common in immuno compromised individuals: indeed, it can be the fi rst indication of an underlying serious illness. Ecthyma gangrenosum is classically caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but can be caused by a wide range of other bacteria. The lesion commonly arises in the gluteal or perineal regions but can occur at any site, as demonstrated by this case. Initial treatment consists of antimicrobials, but surgical excision may be required. Rapid recognition and treatment are essential to avert substantial tissue destruction. Isolated ecthyma gangrenosum has an estimated mortality rate of up to 25%—which is greatly increased by concomitant sepsis. Lancet 2007; 369: 1540
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of polyprenyl phosphates

Polyprenyl phosphates, including undecaprenyl phosphate and dolichyl phosphate, are essential intermediates in several important biochemical pathways including N-linked protein glycosylation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and prokaryotic cell wall biosynthesis. Herein, we describe the evaluation of three potential undecaprenol kinases as agents for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of polyprenyl phosphates. Target enzymes were expressed in crude cell envelope fractions and quantified via the use of luminescent lanthanide-binding tags (LBTs). The Streptococcus mutans diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) was shown to be a very useful agent for polyprenol phosphorylation using ATP as the phosphoryl transfer agent. In addition, the S. mutans DGK can be coupled with two Campylobacter jejuni glycosyltransferases involved in N-linked glycosylation to efficiently biosynthesize the undecaprenyl pyrophosphate-linked disaccharide needed for studies of PglB, the C. jejuni oligosaccharyl transferase.
Scanners and Recorders for Imagery Transmission

The current trend toward higher bandwidths, finer resolutions, and the desire for dry rapid film processing will require new approaches toward scanning and recording of imagery. This paper will first discuss present technology in high bandwidth, high resolution laser recording. These devices can achieve resolutions up to 200 lp/mm at recording rates up to 340 X 10 6 Hz. It will be shown that little improvement can be expected over today's technology due to fundamental component and physics limitations. The remainder of the paper will describe a new approach that employs integrated optics in the development of modulators and scanners. An integrated optic scanner could conceivably scan light at information rates exceeding 1 gbs (109 bits/sec) without any mechanical motion.
Localization of More Sources Than Sensors via Jointly-Sparse Bayesian Learning

We analyze the jointly-sparse signal recovery problem in the regime where the number of sources k is larger than the number of measurements M. We show that the support set of sources can still be recovered with sparse Bayesian learning (M-SBL) even if k ≥ M. We provide sufficient conditions on the dictionary and sources which theoretically guarantee support set recovery in the noiseless case of M-SBL. We validate our sufficient conditions with experiments and also demonstrate that M-SBL outperforms M-CoSaMP, the algorithm recently used to localize more sources than sensors. Finally, we experimentally show robustness of the approach in the presence of noise.
Experimental demonstration of acceleration and focusing of magnetically confined plasma rings.

We have demonstrated acceleration of magnetically confined plasma rings in a coaxial accelerator, with acceleration of 0.02-mg ring masses to 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ cm/sec at \ensuremath{\ge} 30% efficiency. In some cases low-mass rings have reached a velocity of 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ cm/sec. When the accelerated rings translate into conical electrodes, we have observed focusing of rings by a factor of \ensuremath{\sim}3 in radius, with a factor of \ensuremath{\ge} 4 magnetic field amplification. A reasonably complete accounting of ring mass, momentum, and energy confirms the basic concept of acceleration of stable, well-confined magnetized plasma rings.
Photoelectrochemical Study of Pyrargyrite in Acid Media

Silver antimony sulfide (Ag3SbS3, pyrargyrite) was synthesized by a solid state route from silver, antimony and sulfur powder precursors under an argon atmosphere. The product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and found to be Ag3SbS3 pyrargyrite alone, with a bandgap (Eg) of 2.0 eV. We analyzed the ground sample by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The bulk composition was found to be consistent with stoichiometric ratios. Surface characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that the surface is depleted of Ag and S with an excess of Sb. Surface oxygen was found to be predominantly bound to Sb. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical behavior of films on fluorine-doped tin oxide was compared to the behavior of bulk electrodes prepared from pieces of pyrargyrite grown under Ar. The films’ photoelectrochemical behavior was consistent with a p-type material with the conduction band aligned to reduce H+ in acid media. The photocurrent showed evidence of states with energies in the forbidden region that were localized at the surface and filled in the dark. Under illumination, photogenerated holes oxidized these surface states and caused recombination. On platinized films, electrons from H2 oxidation filled these states. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is not changed in any way and is properly cited. For permission for commercial reuse, please email: oa@electrochem.org. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0801503jes] All rights reserved.
Photodissociation studies of small peptide ions by Fourier transform mass spectrometry

Fourier transform mass spectrometry was used to study the 193 nm photodissociation of laser-desorbed peptide ions. The output of an excimer laser was split and the two beams were directed sequentially at a sample probe to form ions, and through an aperture in the analyzer cell, to cause photodissociation of trapped ions. A solenoid-driven shutter that is capable of rapid switching (30 ms) between the open and closed states allowed a single laser to be used for both desorption/ionization and photodissociation. Multiple laser pulses were required to fragment a significant fraction of the precursor ions (five pulses yielded 40% dissociation). Collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectra of the peptides were recorded and compared with the photodissociation mass spectra. Photo-activation of peptide ions produced lower yields of fragment ions formed by loss of small molecules (H2O, NH3, CO, CO2) than did CAD, and produced higher yields of structurally informative sequence ions. For most peptides, the efficiency of ion fragmentaton by photodissociation paralleled the condensed-phase molar absorptivity of the peptide at 193 nm. A comparison of these data with those of previous studies suggested that both the ionization method and the observation time (dictated by the type of mass spectrometer) influence the appearance of the photodissociation mass spectrum.
Materials characterization of explanted polypropylene hernia meshes

Hernia repair with prosthetic mesh significantly decreases the rate of recurrence compared with traditional, primary suture repair by reducing the tension on the edges of the wound. However, there are several complications associated with the use of mesh that may be due to the chronic inflammatory reaction to the mesh or a loss of compliance after degradation of the material. Mesh contraction and migration can also occur, sometimes resulting in a recurrent hernia. Based on the chemical structure of the polypropylene mesh material and the physiological conditions to which it is subjected, it is possible that oxidation is responsible for these changes in material properties. Oxidation would result in surface cracking, decreased melting temperature, loss of mass, and reduced compliance of the material. The objective of this study was to identify physiochemical changes in the surface and bulk properties of explanted polypropylene hernia meshes compared to pristine polypropylene mesh materials. Several characterization techniques were utilized, including scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and compliance testing. Overall, the results supported our hypothesis that oxidation is involved with the degradation of polypropylene hernia mesh materials.
Optically controlled delays for broadband pulses

We propose a scheme that provides large controllable delays for broadband optical pulses. The system is based on the steep dispersion of a coherently driven medium, in which the narrow electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) band is overcome by using spatial and temporal processing.
Cross-cultural Service Learning: American and Russian Students Learn Applied Organizational Communication:

In an unusual cross-cultural endeavor, American and Russian students engaged in service learning as part of an organizational communication class in which they applied their skills to assist non-pr...
An attractor model for hippocampal place cell hysteresis

Abstract It is well-known that identical sensory input under different perceptual, behavioral or contextual conditions can produce distinct patterns of activity in the place cells of the rodent hippocampus. However, the mechanisms underlying this have not been completely clarified. A recent experiment has shown that place cell activity on a 3-arm maze exhibits hysteresis as the maze is rotated with respect to distal cues. The apparent angular extent of a place field is greater when a maze arm rotates out of it than when it rotates back into the field. In this report, we present a simple attractor-based model of the hippocampus that reproduces this hysteresis phenomenon. The model allows us to make predictions about changes in the hysteresis effect as the animal becomes more familiar with the maze in several orientations. It also has implications for the place field remapping phenomenon seen in many hippocampal experiments.
Testicular doses in image-guided radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Purpose To investigate testicular doses contributed by kilovoltage cone-beam computed tomography (kVCBCT) during image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) of prostate cancer. Methods and Materials An EGS4 Monte Carlo code was used to calculate three-dimensional dose distributions from kVCBCT on 3 prostate cancer patients. Absorbed doses to various organs were compared between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatments and kVCBCT scans. The impact of CBCT scanning mode, kilovoltage peak energy (kVp), and CBCT field span on dose deposition to testes and other organs was investigated. Results In comparison with one 10-MV IMRT treatment, a 125-kV half-fan CBCT scan delivered 3.4, 3.8, 4.1, and 5.7 cGy to the prostate, rectum, bladder, and femoral heads, respectively, accounting for 1.7%, 3.2%, 3.2%, and 8.4% of megavoltage photon dose contributions. However, the testes received 2.9 cGy from the same CBCT scan, a threefold increase as compared with 0.7 cGy received during IMRT. With the same kVp, full-fan mode deposited much less dose to organs than half-fan mode, ranging from 9% less for prostate to 69% less for testes, except for rectum, where full-fan mode delivered 34% more dose. As photon beam energy increased from 60 to 125 kV, kVCBCT-contributed doses increased exponentially for all organs, irrespective of scanning mode. Reducing CBCT field span from 30 to 10 cm in the superior–inferior direction cut testicular doses from 5.7 to 0.2 cGy in half-fan mode and from 1.5 to 0.1 cGy in full-fan mode. Conclusions Compared with IMRT, kVCBCT-contributed doses to the prostate, rectum, bladder, and femoral heads are clinically insignificant, whereas dose to the testes is threefold more. Full-fan CBCT usually deposits much less dose to organs (except for rectum) than half-fan mode in prostate patients. Kilovoltage CBCT–contributed doses increase exponentially with photon beam energy. Reducing CBCT field significantly cuts doses to testes and other organs.
Some observations on Estonian and Russian versification

My paper deals with some problems involved in the transfer of a versification system from one language to anotheran exceedingly common phenomenon. In modern Estonian poetry at least seven different systems of versification are presently current:1 three tonic systems (syllabotonic, accentual, vers libre); three quantitative systems (traditional folk verse; classical quantitative meters used with great success in translations of Greek and Latin poetry, most recently by Ants Oras in a beautiful rendition of Vergil's Bucolics ; and linear-quantitative verse used with equally great success by Aleksis Rannit, a. o.); finally, syllabic verse, which has been used in translations of Romance syllabic poetry with good success. All of these systems, except, of course, that of folk verse, a quantitative trochaic tetrameter, were borrowed at one time or another from the poetry of foreign languages. Today Estonian poetry is flourishing both in Soviet occupied Estonia and in emigration. Emigr/ poets, naturally, gravitate toward the poets of the English-speaking world and the Romance nations. Estonian poets back home are inevitably exposed to a great deal of Russian influence. To begin with, they cannot help becoming familiar with Russian poetry. Many of them translate Russian poetry into Estonian. All the better known Estonian poets are being translated into Russian. Last but not least, the all-pervading pressure of Russification promotes all tendencies toward acculturation, and convergent tendencies in poetry might by expected to be among them. Russian poetry is still dominated by rhymed syllabotonic and accentual verse, while the poetry of the West has largely abandoned traditional metric and rhyming patterns. Therefore, a prevalence in Estonian poetry of rhymed syllabotonic and accentual verse would a priori represent a tendency toward acculturation, while the use of quantitative verse and vers libre would be a tendency in the other direction. In this paper I would like to confront some apparently parallel prosodie traits of Estonian and Russian verse, and try to determine their actual relationship. Let me begin with some statistics. A recent study by J. Pftldmae 2 suggests that in the 19th century 84% of all Estonian Kunstdichtung was still trochaic, and of this 85% in quatrains, 70% with abab rhyme: while in the 20th century, with 71.3% of all poetry syllabotonic, iambs represent 41.5% of the total and trochees a mere 16.8%. I did some counting of my own, using Paul Rummo's large anthology of Estonian poetry (1967) for this purpose.
Study of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over Fe/SiO2: Reactive scavenging with pyridine and cyclohexene

Abstract The synthesis of hydrocarbons from H 2 and CO was studied on a silica-supported Fe catalyst. The synthesis was carried out at 1.54 atm and 200 to 255 °C in a differential reactor. Conversion of CO never exceeded 2%. The working catalyst is achieved by transforming Fe 2 O 3 into a mixture of Fe 3 O 4 , bulk carbides, and iron under synthesis conditions. Synthesis product distributions and the rate of methane formation are reported. Trends in CO 2 formation and the presence of cyclic hydrocarbons, saturated and unsaturated, suggest the presence of some Fe 3 O 4 at the catalyst surface. Cyclohexene addition to the feed generates low concentrations of alkyl-substituted cyclohexenes and cyclohexanes consistent with reported scavenging studies over Ru. Pyridine addition to the feed generates alkyl-substituted pyridines. The results suggest that the scavengers react with species involved in chain propagation.
Comparative effects of overweight on cardiovascular risk in younger versus older men.

The relation of age and body mass index (BMI) to atherosclerosis risk factors was examined in 357 men. Older (≥45 years) men had higher (p 110 μU/ml (28.2 vs 9.5%, p < 0.001). In contrast, among older men, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose values was not significantly greater in the subgroup with high BMI. However, elevations of fasting (19.6 vs 6.4%, p < 0.05) and 1-hour insulin (29.3 vs 11.5%, p < 0.01) values were more common among older men with higher BMIs. Data indicate that older men have greater values for several cardiovascular risk factors than do younger men. Overweight increases the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors more in younger men.
National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program — hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance in the eastern United States

Abstract A geochemical reconnaissance of twenty-five eastern states for uranium will be conducted by the Savannah River Laboratory for the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration. A sound technical basis for the reconnaissance is being developed by intensive studies of sampling, analysis, and data management. Results of three orientation studies in the southern Appalachian Piedmont and Blue Ridge areas indicate that multi-element analysis of minus 100-mesh (
Detection of True IgE-expressing Mouse B Lineage Cells

B lymphocyte immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination (CSR) is a process wherein initially expressed IgM switches to other IgH isotypes, such as IgA, IgE and IgG. Measurement of IgH CSR in vitro is a key method for the study of a number of biologic processes ranging from DNA recombination and repair to aspects of molecular and cellular immunology. In vitro CSR assay involves the flow cytometric measurement surface Ig expression on activated B cells. While measurement of IgA and IgG subclasses is straightforward, measurement of IgE by this method is problematic due to soluble IgE binding to FceRII/CD23 expressed on the surface of activated B cells. Here we describe a unique procedure for accurate measurement of IgE-producing mouse B cells that have undergone CSR in culture. The method is based on trypsin-mediated cleavage of IgE-CD23 complexes on cell surfaces, allowing for detection of IgE-producing B lineage cells by cytoplasmic staining. This procedure offers a convenient solution for flow cytometric analysis of CSR to IgE.
Serotonin: Waiting but Not Rewarding

A new study in mice demonstrates that stimulating dorsal raphe serotonin boosts patient waiting but stimulation itself is not rewarding. Dorsal raphe serotonin's unique contribution provides a neural locus for impulsivity and related failures of patience.
There’s an App for that: The Uses and Gratifications of Online Social Networks for Gay Men

This essay is an exploratory study of the uses and gratifications of social networking applications and sites widely utilized by gay men. Based on findings from six different focus groups and intercept interviews with gay and bisexual men, this essay explores the motivations and perceived benefits of social networking sites that allow for the creation of a virtual community of sexual minorities. This paper also considers these technological developments as part of a larger history of gay men communicating with other gay men within a culture where talk about homosexuality is closely policed and often restricted. Through a uses and gratifications approach, this essay discusses the needs and motivations that bring gay men online to social network sites, how they manage multiple identities online and the resulting gratifications of their online activity.
FORTIFICATION OF DRY-MILLED SORGHUM WITH OILSEED PROTEINS

The effect of soy and cottonseed fortification on the nutritional characteristics, storage stability, flavor and color of sorghum was determined. Protein efficiency ratios were significantly higher in blends of sorghum meal with up to 25% defatted, toasted soy than in blends of sorghum meal with liquid cyclone process cottonseed flour. Lysine was found to be nutritionally limiting in blends containing 15% soy or cottonseed flour. Combinations of sorghum grits, meal and flour with 15% soy grits and flour and cottonseed were stored at 49°C for 2 months, 37°C for 6 months and 25°C for 12 months. All combinations displayed adequate stability as measured by changes in available lysine, fat acidity and flavor. Flavor comparisons were made between all-sorghum meal and blends containing up to 50% soy or cottonseed flour. The flavor of all blends was acceptable. There were no preferences between all-sorghum meal and blends containing up to 20% soy or 50% cottonseed flour. Color changes were more apparent with additions of cottonseed than soy.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate Based on a Self-Assembled Monolayer for Use in Gene Diagnostics

The development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrates for cancer gene detection is described. The detection method uses Raman active dye-labeled DNA gene probes, self-assembled monolayers, and nanostructured metallic substrates as SERS-active platforms. The mercaptohexane-labeled single-stranded DNA (SH−(CH2)6-ssDNA)/6-mercapto-1-hexanol system formed on a silver surface is characterized by atomic force microcopy. The surface-enhanced Raman gene (SERGen) probes developed in this study can be used to detect DNA targets via hybridization to complementary DNA probes. The probes do not require the use of radioactive labels and have a great potential to provide both sensitivity and selectivity. The effectiveness of this approach and its application in cancer gene diagnostics (BRCA1 breast cancer gene) are investigated.
Screening of potential cancer-preventing chemicals for inhibition of induction of ornithine decarboxylase in epithelial cells from rat trachea.

Sixty-one selected chemicals were evaluated in rat tracheal epithelial (2C5) cells for their capacity to inhibit induction (or inhibit directly) the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, the activity of which is associated with cell growth and division. a-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was used as a positive control. At non-toxic concentrations, six test compounds had substantial activity (values for IC 50 DFMO/IC 50 compound >1): N-(2-carboxyphenyl)-all-trans-retinamide, ZK 119010 {2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1-[6-(1-pyrrolidinyl)hexyl]-1H-indol-5-ol), curcumin, 18-α-olean-12-ene-3β,23,28-triol, genistein and phenethyl isothiocyanate. These should be considered for further development as cancer preventive agents.
A MEMS reconfigurable pixel microstrip patch antenna for conformal load bearing antenna structures (CLAS) concept

A four by four pixelated microstrip patch antenna is reconfigured in three frequencies using RF MEMS switches. The proposed antenna can be integrated within a physical structure under the CLAS concept which can replace bolt-on antennas. Structural testing of the antenna clearly demonstrates the structural robustness of this CLAS reconfigurable antenna.
Lead concentrations in the northeast Pacific: evidence for global anthropogenic perturbations

Lead concentrations were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry in 34 surface- and deep-water samples collected in the northeast Pacific between Hawaii and California and off the California coast using a deep-water sampler protected against fouling by contamination from the ship and hydrowire. Measured concentrations lie more than one order of magnitude below previously published open ocean values and they show that in most cases 90% or more of the total lead is in a dissolved form. Lead concentrations are about 10-fold higher in surface and thermocline waters than in deep waters; values drop as low as 1 ng/kg (5 pmol/kg) below 3500 m depth. Lead profiles thus appear different compared to those of most trace metals, which show enrichment in deep waters compared to surface concentrations. Lead concentrations in surface waters increase from 5 to 15 ng/kg (25 to 75 pmol/kg) along a transect starting from a location 200 km off the California coast and continuing towards the center of the North Pacific Gyre. This increase is congruent with that observed for ^(210)Pb concentrations in the same waters sampled at the same time. Lead is supplied to the open North Pacific largely from the atmosphere, at a rate of about 60 ng/cm^2 yr, which exceeds the prehistoric oceanic output flux of authigenic lead recorded in pelagic sediments about tenfold. This excess originates from emissions from smelters and combustion of leaded gasoline, overwhelming natural lead inputs that entered the ocean during prehistoric time probably largely through rivers. Vertical lead concentration profiles below the surface mixed layer are probably not in steady state. There, concentrations must be increasing in response to the increase of anthropogenic inputs because the estimated lead residence times are more than 20 years in the thermocline and about 80 years in deep waters. Based on an estimated 10-fold input and concentration increase since the mid-eighteenth century in the surface mixed layer in the central northeast Pacific, it is calculated that the 10 ng/kg average concentration between 100 and 900 m is 2 to 5 times larger, and the 1.8 ng/kg average concentration between 900 and 5000 m depth is about 2 times larger than it was in the mid-eighteenth century. Profiles of lead concentrations in the North Atlantic are expected to be shifted generally to larger values by a factor of 2 to 3 compared to those in the North Pacific because of the effects of greater industrial lead contamination, while lead concentration profiles in the South Pacific are expected to be shifted generally to lower values compared to the North Pacific by about this same factor because of the effects of lesser industrial lead contamination.
The Designation of Women Biologists

MANY years ago, Dr. Eigenmann, of the University of Indiana, finding certain small fresh-water fishes of South America very perplexing, decided to turn them over to one of his most capable students, Miss Marion Durbin. In due course of time Miss Durbin published a new genus and twelve new species of Tetragonopterid Characins, small fishes of a type which has since become very popular in parlour aquaria. Miss Durbin married Dr. Max Ellis, and papers on South American fishes, with new species, were afterwards written by each. As the species are usually cited, they are credited to Ellis, and the reader may or may not know that if they belong to a certain family they are of Max Ellis, if of another they were described by the former Miss Durbin. The first initial being the same in both cases, it is necessary to cite two initials to indicate which is which. In 1921 some new South American birds were published by G. K. Cherrie and Mrs. E. M. B. Reichenberger. There has just appeared an admirable revision of the birds of Matto Grosso, by Mrs. Naumburg. But Mrs. Naumburg is identical with the former Mrs. Reichenberger.
Radiative lifetimes in Cr I by laser induced fluorescence

Abstract Comprehensive sets of accurate absolute transition probabilities are increasingly important in spectral synthesis and other astrophysical data analysis. Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is recognized as an accurate and broadly applicable method of determining lifetimes. We present measurements of radiative lifetimes for 131 levels in Cr I, mostly odd-parity. Efforts to reduce systematic errors are discussed. These measurements will be combined with branching fractions obtained by Fourier transform spectroscopy to determine an extensive set of transition probabilities for Cr I.
Manipulating Chlorine Atom Bonding on the Si(100)-(2 x 1) Surface with the STM

Chlorine atoms strongly chemisorbed at dangling bond sites on the Si(100)-(2 x 1) surface are observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to hop between adjacent sites. The origin of this behavior is suggested to be an interaction between the field of the probe tip and the dipole moment of the silicon—chlorine bond. Chlorine atom migration is shown to be facilitated by the presence of a metastable chlorine bridge—bonded minimum. The STM probe was used to excite single chlorine atoms into this bridging configuration, resulting in a local population inversion. Selective application of voltage pulses between the probe tip and the surface rearranged the local bonding and induced transformations between different types of chlorine sites. In this manner, adsorbed species can be dissected and their composition and structure directly probed.
Null Hypothesis Disrespect in Neuropsychology: Dangers of Alpha and Beta Errors

Abstract To understand why there are so many inconsistencies and contradictory findings among hemispheric-asymmetry studies, data were analyzed from a large study of 300 left-handers. These data included information on familial sinistrality (FS), handwriting posture (HPO), a measure of cognitive performance, and five measures of hemispheric specialization. Using computer simulation methodology, 40 independent samples of 36 to 65 subjects each were drawn randomly with replacement. The sample data were analyzed and the results compared to those of the parent “population.” Often, the samples poorly reflected the parent “population,” and some procedures substantially inflated error rates. These procedures are discussed and specific guidelines suggested. These results are also discussed in the broader context of the necessity for investigators in neuropsychology to differentiate between the statistical and clinical significance of research findings; and to develop a more positive attitude toward the design, ex...
The formation of ordered ω-related phases in alloys of composition Ti4Al3Nb

During cooling of an alloy of composition Ti4Al3Nb from a B2 phase field above 1100°C, a metastable trigonal (P3m1) ω-related phase, designated ω″, forms along with small amounts of D019 and L10 phases. The ω″ phase exhibits partial collapse of 111 planes and reordering relative to its B2 parent. An apparently equilibrium low temperature phase with the B82 structure was found after 26 days of annealing at 700°C. Both ω″ and B82 structures were verified by means of transmission electron microscopy and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The latter permitted detailed analysis of the collapse parameters and site occupancies. The observed transformation path, B2(Pm3m)→ω″(P3m1)→B82 (P63/mmc), occurs in two steps. The first involveds a subgroup transition during cooling that is primarily displacive with reordering consistent with the trigonal symmetry imposed by the ω-collapse. The second involves a supergroup transition during prolonged annealing that is primarily replacive and constitutes a chemical disordering. The direct equilibrium transformation, B2→B82, without the formation of an intermediate trigonal phase, can only occur by a reconstructive transformation.
VII-some aspects of the dielectric loss measurement problem

This paper points out some of the difficulties of making accurate power measurements at very low power factors. It deals with the lack of reference standards of known and constant power factor, especially for moderate sized samples and at high voltages. It also points out that a method of measuring an added loss as a check on a given test outfit's accuracy is not a check at all, although it has been used as such in several instances. Reference is made to calorimetrical methods of calibrating a testing outfit and to special forms of resistors that have very low time constant and are suitable for this class of test work.
A note on efficient zero-knowledge proofs and arguments (extended abstract)

In this note, we present new zero-knowledge interactive proofs and arguments for languages in NP. To show that x e L, with an error probability of at most 2-k, our zero-knowledge proof system requires O(|x|c1)+O(lgc2|x|)k ideal bit commitments, where c1 and c2 depend only on L. This construction is the first in the ideal bit commitment model that achieves large values of k more efficiently than by running k independent iterations of the base interactive proof system. Under suitable complexity assumptions, we exhibit zero knowledge arguments that require O(lgc|x|kl bits of communication, where c depends only on L, and l is the security parameter for the prover. This is the first construction in which the total amount of communication can be less than that needed to transmit the NP witness. Our protocols are based on efficiently checkable proofs for NP[4].
2.4.1 Using System Engineering on A C-17 Performance Improvement Project

A complete system engineering process is applied to a pilot project that will determine the initial deployment of the system engineering process for future projects. It was a challenge to complete the entire system engineering process to include project team utilization of system engineering tools in such a short time span. Therefore, system engineering products had to be useful and productive to the project. The system requirements definition, Quality Function Deployment (QFD) evaluation, trade study, risk identification and risk mitigation processes were completed in a timely manner and assisted in the System Requirements, System Design and Preliminary Design Reviews successfully.
Sex differences in arachidonate cyclo-oxygenase products in elicited rat peritoneal macrophages

Abstract Peritoneal macrophages were elicited by Freund's incomplete adjuvant from adult male and female Fisher 344 rats. The release of prostaglandin E 2 and thromboxane B 2 from these macrophages was determined by radioimmunoassay. The basal release of these products was the same for males and females. The macrophages of the female rats released, in a dose-dependent manner, significantly more prostaglandin E 2 and thromboxane B 2 than macrophages from the male, following challenge with either a participate stimulus, zymosan (25–150 μg/ml) or a soluble stimulus, calcium ionophore A23187 (1 · 10 −7 –1 · 10 −6 M). These results may relate to gender differences in immune responses.
On Ramsey numbers involving starlike multipartite graphs

The Ramsey number r(G, H) is evaluated exactly in certain cases in which both G and H are complete multipartite graphs K(n,1, n2, …. nk). Specifically, each of the following cases is handled whenever n is sufficiently large: r(K(1, m1, …. mk), K(1, n)), r(K(1, m), K(n1, …. nk, n)), provided m ≧ 4, and r(K(1, 1, m), K(nk, …, nk, n)).
Better memory functioning associated with higher total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in very elderly subjects without the apolipoprotein e4 allele

Objective To examine the association of cholesterol with cognitive functioning in oldest old community dwelling individuals with and without the apolipoprotein e4 (APOE4) allele. Method One hundred eighty-five nondemented, community dwelling individuals (≥85) were assessed with a broad neuropsychological battery. Bloods were drawn to assess total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as for APOE genotyping. Results In contrast to our expectations, high total cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol were associated with higher memory scores for noncarriers of the APOE4 allele. No significant associations between cognitive performance and lipid profile were found for carriers of the APOE4 allele. Conclusions In oldest old nondemented noncarriers of the APOE4 allele, high cholesterol is associated with better memory function. Further examination of the role of APOE genotype on the association between cholesterol and cognitive performance, especially in the oldest old is warranted.
Towards detecting software performance anti-patterns using classification techniques

This paper presents a non-intrusive machine learning approach called Non-intrusive Performance Anti-pattern Detecter (NiPAD) for identifying and classifying software performance anti-patterns. NiPAD uses only system performance metrics-as opposed to analyzing application level performance metrics or source code and the design of a software application to identify and classify software performance anti-patterns within an application. The results of applying NiPAD to an example application show that NiPAD is able to predict the One Lane Bridge software performance anti-pattern within a software application with 0.94 accuracy.
Noncomplement Fixing, IgG4 Autoantibodies Predominate in Patients With Anti-Epiligrin Cicatricial Pemphigoid

This study characterized the specific reactivity, IgG subclass, and complement fixing ability of anti-laminin-5 IgG from 12 patients with anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid. Circulating IgG from all patients bound the dermal side of 1 M NaCl split skin, immunoprecipitated laminin-5 produced by biosynthetically radiolabeled human keratinocytes, and (in 10 of 12 cases) immunoblotted the laminin-α3 subunit. Analysis of the distribution of IgG subclasses in these patients' circulating anti-laminin-5 autoantibodies by semiquantitative indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using the HP series of subclass-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed: (i) IgG 4 predominant autoantibodies in seven of 11 sera; (ii) IgG 1 and IgG 2 at substantially lower levels in a smaller number of sera; and (iii) no specific IgG 3 anti-laminin-5 autoantibodies in any patients. The same IgG 4 -dominant profile of anti-laminin-5 autoantibodies was found in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies of purified human laminin 5. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy of six skin biopsies from three patients found that IgG 4 was also the predominant subclass of IgG in epidermal basement membranes in situ . Consistent with these findings, sera from 11 of 11 patients with anti-laminin-5 IgG autoantibodies did not fix C3 to epidermal basement membranes in vitro . These immunochemical studies suggest that complement activation does not play a major role in the pathophysiology of this disease and that subepidermal blisters in these patients may develop via a direct effect of anti-laminin-5 IgG itself.
Clarification to “Examining Rater Errors in the Assessment of Written Composition With a Many‐Faceted Rasch Model”

In the article “Examining Rater Errors in the Assessment of Written Composition With a Many-Faceted Rasch Model” (JEM, Volume 31, Number 2, Summer 1994), the data presented in Figure 3 may be misleading. The “four clear spikes” (p. 106) that appear in Figure 3 were highlighted by the automatic scaling procedure used by the computer program that generated this histogram; as is well known, the use of different scaling units would yield histograms with different shapes (Moore & McCabe, 1993). For example, when the same data are presented as a bar chart (see Figure 1 below) rather than as a histogram, the four spikes are not evident. As graphical procedures become more readily available to measurement researchers, additional research and discussion are needed regarding standards for evaluating data displays that do not simply reproduce the actual data values.
The osmometric behavior of human erythrocytes.

Abstract A reexamination of the data of Farrant and Woolgar ( Cryobiology , 9 , 9–15 (1972)) demonstrates that human erythrocytes exhibit osmometric behavior as predicted from the Boyle-Van't Hoff law when suspended in sodium chloride solutions as high as 3.5 osmolal. A Boyle-Van't Hoff plot is linear with r = 0.998. However, 24% of the water in isotonic red blood cells appears to be osmotically-inactive, although nearly 75% of this apparent non-osmotic water can be accounted for by the water of hydration of hemoglobin. These facts have direct significance to hypotheses concerning hemolysis as well as to the modeling of osmometric events which occur at sub-zero temperatures.
Subgroup variation in U.S. drinking patterns: results of the 1992 national longitudinal alcohol epidemiologic study

Abstract Data from the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Study (NLAES) revealed that 44% of U.S. adults 18 years of age and older were current drinkers who had consumed at least 12 drinks in the year preceding the interview. Twenty-two percent were former drinkers, and 34% were lifetime abstainers. These figures represent an 8% decrease in the prevalence of current drinking relative to 1988. The proportion of current drinkers decreased with age, was higher for men than women, increased with education and income, was lower than average among Black and Hispanic adults, was highest among never-married adults and lowest among those who were widowed, was lower in the South than in other regions, and was lower in rural than urban areas. The probabilities of ever having consumed five or more (5+) drinks or having been intoxicated in the past year revealed similar patterns to those already noted, but the probabilities of heavy drinking or intoxication on a weekly or more frequent basis showed no variation by race or ethnicity. Average daily consumption of more than 1 ounce of ethanol differed from the preceding measure of heavy drinking in its variation across population subgroups, declining less sharply with age and exhibiting a U-shaped pattern with respect to income. Examination of the prevalence of heavy drinking among current drinkers rather than within the total population revealed several differences, the most striking reversal being that the probability of heavy drinking decreased with education and income. Multiple logistic regression models predicting the various drinking outcomes indicated that most of the differentials held true after adjusting for intercorrelation among the sociodemographic variables.
Reinventing oversight in the twenty-first century: the question of capacity

This article addresses a key question emerging from this project based at the University of Minnesota: the fundamental capacity of government to engage in “dynamic oversight” of emergent technologies. This conception of oversight requires additional or new types of capacity for government agencies that must arbitrate conflicts and endow any outcomes with necessary democratic legitimacy. Rethinking oversight thus also requires consideration of the fundamental design and organizational capacity of the regulatory regime in the democratic state.
Is there remyelination during aging of the primate central nervous system

The effect of aging on myelin sheaths in the rhesus monkey was studied in the vertical bundles of nerve fibers that traverse monkey cerebral cortex in primary visual area 17 and prefrontal area 46. As shown previously, with age the internodes of many of these myelin sheaths show structural changes, the most common of which is an accumulation of electron-dense cytoplasm within some sheaths, a change which is considered to indicate that breakdown of myelin is taking place. Supporting the suggestion that myelin is breaking down with age, astrocytes in the cortices of old monkeys contain phagocytosed myelin and some of the inclusion bodies in astrocytes label with antibodies to myelin basic protein. There is also evidence that remyelination is taking place. Thus, we have found an increase in the frequency of profiles of paranodes when transverse sections of the nerve fibers are examined. The increase in paranodal frequency with age is 57% in area 17 and 90% in area 46. This increase cannot all be attributed to lengthening of paranodes with age, because in area 17 the 11% increase in mean paranodal length with age is insufficient to account for an age-related increase in paranodal profile frequency. Consequently, there must be an increase in the number of internodal lengths of myelin with age, as would occur if shorter lengths of myelin are produced by remyelination. In support of the proposal that remyelination is occurring, short internodal lengths of myelin have been found in the nerve bundles passing through the cortices of old monkeys and inappropriately thin sheaths occur around some axons. Both of these features are generally considered to be the hallmarks of remyelination. Consequently, it is proposed that in the aging cerebral cortex of the monkey there is some breakdown of internodes of myelin with subsequent remyelination that leads to the formation of some new and shorter internodal lengths of myelin.
Correlation of Exhaled Nitric Oxide, Spirometry and Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Asthma severity is monitored by spirometry. However, this does not directly measure airway inflammation. Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a proposed method to measure airway inflammation non-invasively. Previous studies have shown that FeNO correlates with endobronchial biopsies and symptoms in patients with asthma. We monitored daily asthma symptoms compared to monthly spirometry and FeNO. Total monthly symptom scores correlated with both forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1) and FeNO. FeNO had a strong correlation than FEV1. FeNO and FEV1 were not correlated. We propose that FeNO should be used as an additional monitoring tool for asthma.
The Durability of Imposed Democracy

Why do imposed democracies endure and how do policy choices by imposing states affect durability? To study these questions, we formulate expectations linking durability to structural domestic condi...
A new class of modified binomial distributions with applications to certain toxicological experiments

A large class of distributions is proposed to fit the binary data obtained from certain toxicological experiments in which, for example, the outcome of interest is the occurrence of dead or malformed fetuses in a litter. This class of distribution includes the additive model proposed by Altham (1978) as a special case. The fits to three real-life data sets using this new distribution are shown to be much better than those provided by beta-binomial distribution used by Williams (1975) and by the correlated-binomial distribution proposed by Kupper and Haseman (1978).
Perceived organizational effectiveness, job satisfaction, culture, and communication: Challenging the traditional view

This study challenges the traditional view that organizational culture, relationships, and communication activities precede or produce the outcomes of job satisfaction and perceived organizational effectiveness. Specifically, the study (a) empirically examines job satisfaction and perceived effectiveness for their potential as important explanatory processes for the outcomes of organizational culture, relationships, and information receiving and sending, and (b) empirically compares the traditional model with the competing conceptualization. Results of a canonical correlation analysis utilizing 2245 individuals in 21 organizations in various parts of the world indicate that 54.8% of the variance in perceptions of culture, relationships, information receiving, and information sending can be explained by job satisfaction and perceived organizational effectiveness. Results of a nested model comparison of the two models using latent variable path analysis demonstrated that the competing conceptualization is a...