cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relativistic jets: Physics and simulations

Jets are one of the more dramatic and visible manifestations of black hole accretion. It is becoming increasingly accepted that magnetic fields underlie the mechanism behind the launching of relativistic jets. At the same time it is now appreciated that the fundamental driving mechanism behind accretion is due to magnetohydrodynamical processes and the stresses they engender. Global disk simulations in full general relativity have begun to reveal the radial dependence of disk stresses and the intimate connections between accretion and jet-launching. This talk will review the issues involved, the recent progress that has been made, and the challenges that remain.
New perspectives on forbidden symmetries, quasicrystals, and Penrose tilings

Quasicrystals are solids with quasiperiodic atomic structures and symmetries forbidden to ordinary periodic crystals—e.g., 5-fold symmetry axes. A powerful model for understanding their structure and properties has been the two-dimensional Penrose tiling. Recently discovered properties of Penrose tilings suggest a simple picture of the structure of quasicrystals and shed new light on why they form. The results show that quasicrystals can be constructed from a single repeating cluster of atoms and that the rigid matching rules of Penrose tilings can be replaced by more physically plausible cluster energetics. The new concepts make the conditions for forming quasicrystals appear to be closely related to the conditions for forming periodic crystals.
Novel approach to template recognition by image expansion with nonorthogonal wavelets

This article concentrates on three related issues: a generalized scheme for non-orthogonal image representation, expansion matching of templates and implementation of expansion with restoration techniques. First, the requirements for general representation of discrete L2(R) signals by expansion with non-orthogonal basis functions (BFs) are examined. It is proved that both circulant and truncated self-similar BFs in a dense configuration have to satisfy only minor conditions to serve as complete bases for discrete L2(R) signals. A novel Discriminative Signal-to-Noise Ratio (DSNR) is then defined. The DSNR is more relevant to template matching since it considers as 'noise' even the filter's off-center response to the template. Maximization of this performance criterion leads to an expansion scheme that employs a BF set that consists of template-similar basis functions. In addition, it is proved that such an expansion matching is precisely equivalent to minimum squared error restoration with Wiener filters, thus enabling an efficient implementation of our technique.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Childhood physical abuse, early social support, and risk for maltreatment: current social support as a mediator of risk for child physical abuse.

Abstract Objective: The study investigated whether perceptions of social support in adulthood partially mediated the associations between childhood experiences (i.e., receipt of physical abuse and levels of early social support) and adult risk for child physical abuse. Method: Participants included 598 general population adults who completed self-report measures designed to assess childhood physical abuse, perceptions of early and current social support, and risk factors for child physical abuse. Structural equation modeling was used to test and cross validate a model that included the direct effects of child physical abuse and early social support on child physical abuse risk, as well as mediated effects through an influence on adult perceptions of social support. Results: Childhood physical abuse and early social support covaried, such that receipt of physical abuse was associated with lower levels of perceived early social support. Early support, but not child physical abuse, had an indirect effect (i.e., through current support) on child physical abuse risk. More specifically, levels of early support were directly related to adult perceptions of support, and adult perceptions of support were inversely associated with child physical abuse risk. Childhood physical abuse was directly related to child physical abuse risk. Conclusions: Low levels of early support may impact risk for child physical abuse by affecting perceptions of others as supportive in adulthood. The receipt of physical abuse in childhood, however, does not appear to impact perceptions of support in adulthood. Research is needed to identify additional factors that may explain the association between receipt of physical abuse in childhood and increased risk of child physical abuse in adulthood.
Comparison of Si(100) and Si(111) surfaces after moderate to high exposures of XeF2

Two common silicon surface orientations, the (111) and the (100), were simultaneously exposed to XeF2 over a wide range of doses from 60 to 7×105 langmuirs. At moderate levels of exposure (less than 7 × 04 L) a difference in the amount of fluorine remaining bound to the two different surfaces is observed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. At exposures above 7 × 104 L, the fluorine content of the two crystals is indistinguishable. Additionally, the fluorine content does not saturate even at exposures of 7 × 105 L. These results indicate that an amorphous silicon-fluorine overlayer, which extends at least several layers into the bulk, forms on both surfaces when exposed to large amounts of XeF2.
Modeling analysis of an enthalpy recovery wheel with purge air

Abstract A purge section is typically used to reduce the carryover of contaminants in enthalpy recovery wheels. A one-dimensional transient heat and mass transfer model is developed to analyze the performance of enthalpy recovery wheels both with and without purge air. The governing equations are coupled, and the variables are solved using a trial and error method. The enthalpy recovery wheel model without purge air is validated using previously published results with good agreement. Finally, the results of an enthalpy recovery wheel with purge air are presented, and indicate that there is an optimum wheel depth and rotation speed to achieve maximum performance for enthalpy recovery wheels with purge air.
A BLOCKWISE RELAXATION LABELING SCHEME AND ITS APPLICATION TO EDGE DETECTION IN CARDIAC MR IMAGE SEQUENCES

We present a segmentation scheme for magnetic resonance (MR) image sequences based on vector quantization of a block-partitioned image followed by a relaxation labeling procedure. By first searching a coarse segmentation, the algorithm yields very fast and effective performance on images that are inherently noisy, and can effectively use the correlation in a sequence of images for robust performance and efficient implementation. The algorithm defines feature vectors by the local histogram on a block-partioned image and approximates the local histograms by normal distributions. The relative entropy is chosen as the meaningful distance measure between the feature vectors and the templates. After initial computation of the normal distribution parameters, a blockwise classification maximization algorithm classifies blocks in the block-partitioned image by minimizing their relative entropy distance for a coarse-resolution segmentation; and finally, finer resolution is obtained by contextual Bayesian relaxation labeling in which label update is performed pixelwise by incorporating neighborhood information. Sequence processing is then performed to segment all images in the sequence. The scheme is applied to left ventricular boundary detection in short-axis MR image sequences, and results are presented to show that the algorithm successfully extracts the endocardial contours and that sequence processing significantly improves edge detection performance and can avoid local minima problems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 9, 340–350, 1998
Continuous interscalene block provided superior analgesic control through the first postoperative week after rotator cuff repair.

Salviz EA, Xu D, Frulla A, Kwofie K, Shastri U, Chen J, Shariat AN, Littwin S, Lin E, Choi J, Hobeika P, Hadzic A. Continuous Interscalene Block in Patients Having Outpatient Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Trial. Anesth Analg. 2013 Dec;117(6):1485-92. ### Question: In patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery, how do continuous interscalene brachial plexus block (CISB), single-injection interscalene brachial plexus block (SISB), and general anesthesia (GA) compare through the first postoperative week? ### Design: Randomized (unclear concealment), blinded (outcome assessors), controlled trial with 1 week of follow-up. ### Setting: St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. ### Patients: 70 patients ≥18 years of age who were scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Exclusion criteria included open shoulder procedures, contraindications to regional anesthesia, and upper extremity neurological disorders. 63 patients (90%; mean age 55 years, 65% women) completed the study. ### Intervention: Patients were allocated to CISB (n = 24), SISB (n = 24), or GA (n = 22). CISB and SISB were carried out with use of both ultrasound guidance and confirmatory nerve stimulation. A high-frequency linear transducer was used to identify the interscalene trunks and roots. After skin anesthesia was achieved, an 18-gauge …
Ultra-flat Brillouin gain spectrum via linear combination of two acoustically anti-guiding optical fibres

A novel approach to broadening and flattening the Brillouin gain spectrum is presented. A linear combination of two acoustically anti-guiding optical fibres gives rise to a Brillouin spectrum with less than 0.5 dB gain variation over>200 MHz. The fibres are selected so that they possess individual Brillouin spectra that are shifted in frequency from each other, such that a relative maximum of one overlaps with a relative minimum of the other.
Disposition of intravenous and intraperitoneal cefoxitin during chronic intermittent peritoneal dialysis.

The disposition of intravenous and intraperitoneal administered cefoxitin was evaluated in four males undergoing intermittent peritoneal dialysis. Each patient received 1 g of cefoxitin intravenously prior to an eight-hour dialysis; subsequently, one patient received another 1 g intravenous dose prior to an 18-hour dialysis while each of the other three patients had 100 mg of cefoxitin added to their eight hourly exchanges of dialysis fluid with 2 L per exchange. Serial blood, dialysate, and urine samples were collected and analyzed for cefoxitin by a microbiologic assay. Twenty-four hours after intravenous administration, serum cefoxitin concentrations were greater than 16 µg/mL (therapeutic breakpoint) in each patient. Mean cefoxitin dialysate concentrations averaged 7.8 ± 3.8 µg/mL and were greater than 16 µg/mL in only 2 of 43 exchanges. After intraperitoneal administration, serum cefoxitin concentrations were highest after the eighth exchange (range 5.6 to 10.6 µg/mL). Thus, diffusion of cefoxitin across the placental membrane was not extensive. Dialysis removed only 10% to 20% of the intravenous dose.
Detection of endogenous substances with enzymatic microelectrode biosensors in the kidney

Direct real-time measurements of purinergic agents and reactive oxygen species concentrations have been of great value in understanding the functional roles of these substances in a number of diseases including chronic kidney disease and hypertension. The interstitial concentrations of these intermediate signaling molecules and dynamics of their release are important autocrine and paracrine factors in the kidney, which play a key role in the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and kidney damage. Analysis of signaling mechanisms, especially in vivo and ex vivo, has been slowed by deficiencies of existing methods for direct measurements of the signaling molecules concentrations in whole organs and acute changes in response to endocrine factors. The multienzymatic microelectrode biosensors technique was originally developed and used for the detection of purines release in the brain and in present could be modified to identify the interplay between different substances that could be measured simultaneously in whole organs, such as the kidney. Adaptation of this method for renal and cardiovascular studies represents a unique powerful approach for real-time monitoring of substance level fluctuations in organs or tissues under normal or pathological conditions.
Nanocapsular Dispersion of Thymol for Enhanced Dispersibility and Increased Antimicrobial Effectiveness against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in Model Food Systems

Essential oils are marginally soluble in water, making it challenging to evenly disperse them in foods and resulting in an increased tendency to bind with food lipids and proteins, resulting in lowered antimicrobial efficacy. In the current study, free and nano-dispersed (ND) thymol were compared in terms of their antimicrobial efficacies against Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43889 and 43894 and Listeria monocytogenes strains Scott A and 101 in apple cider and 2% reduced-fat milk. Apple cider was adjusted to pHs 5.5 and 3.5, and antimicrobial tests were performed at 0.3-, 0.5-, 0.75-, and 1.0-g/liter thymol concentrations at 35, 32, 25, and 4°C. Overall, 0.5 and 1.0 g/liter thymol in nano-dispersion and along with free thymol were inhibitory and bactericidal, respectively, against bacterial strains under all treatment conditions. At pH 5.5, 0.5 g/liter ND thymol was bacteriostatic against L. monocytogenes and E. coli for up to 48 h. At pH 3.5, L. monocytogenes controls did not survive beyond 12 h but E. coli survived and was inhibited by 0.5 g/liter ND thymol after 12 and 48 h in apple cider. E. coli strains were significantly sensitive to 4°C and pH 3.5 (P < 0.05). When bacteria were tested in 2% reduced-fat milk at 35 or 32°C, ND and free thymol demonstrated inhibition at 4.5 g/liter. Thus, the current technology seems to be promising and novel, enabling thymol-containing nano-dispersions that are not only transparent but also effective against pathogens in food applications, especially in clear beverages.
Upregulation of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 expression by HIV-1 in vitro

Co-infections with HIV-1 and the human T leukemia virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1, HTLV-2) occur frequently, particularly in large metropolitan areas where injection drug use is a shared mode of transmission. Recent evidence suggests that HIV-HTLV co-infections are associated with upregulated HTLV-1/2 virus expression and disease. An in vitro model of HIV-1 and HTLV-1/2 co-infection was utilized to determine if cell free HIV-1 virions or recombinant HIV-1 Tat protein (200-1,000 ng/ml) upregulated HTLV-1/2 expression and infectivity. Exposure to HIV-1 increased the number of HTLV-1 antigen expressing cells, from 6% at baseline to 12% at 24 hr, and 20% at 120 hr (P < 0.05) post-exposure. A similar, although less robust response was observed in HTLV-2 infected cells. HIV-1 co-localized almost exclusively with HTLV-1/2 positive cells. Exposure to HIV-1 Tat protein (1,000 ng/ml) increased HTLV-1 p19 expression almost twofold by 48 hr, and cells co-stimulated with 10 nM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) showed almost a fourfold increase over baseline. It is concluded that HIV-1 augments HTLV-1/2 infectivity in vitro. The findings also suggest a role for the HIV-1 Tat protein and PMA-inducible cellular factors, in HIV-1 induced HTLV-1/2 antigen expression.
Conserved Structures of Mediator and RNA Polymerase II Holoenzyme

Single particles of the mediator of transcriptional regulation (Mediator) and of RNA polymerase II holoenzyme were revealed by electron microscopy and image processing. Mediator alone appeared compact, but at high pH or in the presence of RNA polymerase II it displayed an extended conformation. Holoenzyme contained Mediator in a fully extended state, partially enveloping the globular polymerase, with points of apparent contact in the vicinity of the polymerase carboxyl-terminal domain and the DNA-binding channel. A similarity in appearance and conformational behavior of yeast and murine complexes indicates a conservation of Mediator structure among eukaryotes.
The Cork City flood of November 2009: Lessons for flood risk management and climate change adaptation at the urban scale

Flood hazards are a pressing challenge in several Irish and European cities and their impacts seem likely to intensify as climate change brings sea level rise, changes in storm patterns and increases in rainfall. Drawing on the example of Cork City and the November 2009 flood in particular, this paper evaluates contemporary policy and decision-making responses to flood hazards to determine whether they are sufficient to address current and future flood risks and vulnerabilities. It is clear that current policy and practice remains heavily influenced by a risk management paradigm that emphasises physical exposure and largely ignores socio-economic vulnerability. Floods and the losses they induce are seen as identical while engineering and technological fixes are viewed as the optimal means of reducing future flood losses. This framing of flood hazards is shaped by several influences including the historic evolution of flood policy and current institutional structures. The November 2009 flood highlights the limits of current policy and practice. Recent changes in national and European policy may also prove to be ineffective in facilitating effective adaptation and further changes in policy and practice are likely to be required.
Metal monolayer deposition by replacement of metal adlayers on electrode surfaces

Abstract A new metal deposition method is demonstrated by deposition of a submonolayer of Pt, a monolayer of Pd and a bilayer of Ag on Au(1 1 1) surfaces by using a Cu adlayer as a template. The deposition of these metals occurs as a spontaneous irreversible redox process in which a Cu adlayer, obtained by underpotential deposition, is oxidized by more noble metal cations, which are reduced and simultaneously deposited. The Pt deposit is a two-dimensional submonolayer consisting of partially interconnected nano-clusters of monoatomic height. Pd forms a uniform, but textured monolayer, while Ag forms a bilayer. The deposit of each metal uniformly covers the entire gold surface without preferential deposition along the step edges. This method provides surface adlayer-controlled growth, as compared to the current distribution controlled growth in conventional electrodeposition.
Association between H-2 antigens and thyroglobulin influences the immunogenicity of thyroglobulin in mice.

To ascertain the role of H-2 in the immunogenicity of thyroglobulin, congenic strains of mice, B10.BR (H-2khigh-responder) and B10.02 (H-2d, low-responder) were immunized with purified thyroglobulin (from B10.BR and B10.D2) which was or was not passed through affinity columns of Sepharose coupled to anti-H-2k or anti-H-2d sera. Thyroglobulin absorbed with the same anti-H-2 as its source did not induce thyroglobulin antibodies or thyroid infiltrates in mice of the same strain and induced thyroid lesions but no antibodies in mice of the opposite strain. These experiments suggest that thyroglobulin, an autoantigen, is associated with syngeneic histocompatibility antigens in vivo and this association is important for the (auto) antigenicity of thyroglobulin.
The Strange Case of Relative Gratification and Potential for Political Violence: The V-Curve Hypothesis*

Perception of discrepancy between optimum level of achievement with respect to desired values and actual level of achievement is a concept that has figured importantly in explanations of collective violence and its subset, political violence (approval of and readiness to engage in behaviors which constitute progressively greater challenge to a political regime). Hypotheses about relationships between a number of static and dynamic achievement discrepancy constructs (labeled “relative gratification,” and built from a variant of the Cantril Self-Anchoring scale) are tested. The achievement discrepancy constructs generally show only a weak degree of association with potential for political violence. However, measures of shift over time in discrepancy show an unexpected and intriguing relationship with potential for political violence: individuals who perceive negative change and individuals who perceive positive change show the highest potential for political violence, while individuals who perceive no change show the lowest potential for political violence; and this V-Curve relationship persists in the presence of various control variables. Moreover, absolute magnitude of shift in discrepancy from present to future shows a moderate degree of correlation with potential for political violence, and makes an independent contribution to a linear additive model. The data base is a sample of a population in which instances of political violence have been relatively frequent in the past.
A new species and new records of chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) from North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract Gahrliepia (Walchia) dumogaensis is described from a specimen collected from Paruromys dominator Sulawesi, Indonesia. Records are given for Leptotrombidium deliense (Walch) Gahrliepia lupella Traub & Evans, Odontacarus australiensis (Hirst), Schoengastia sulawesiensis (Goff et al.), and Walchiella oudemansi (Walch) collected off murid rodents in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Progress on nonlinear optical chromophores and polymers for practical electro-optic waveguide application

The realization of practical electro-optical devices based on the poled polymer waveguide approach is contingent on the simultaneous solution of a number of outstanding materials and fabrication issues. We have prepared and studied the molecular properties of a number of heterocycle containing chromophores with structures derived from high temperature polymer materials and further evaluated many of them as guests in polyimide polymer hosts. Correlations between the structure of these chromophores and their physical properties including optical nonlinearity, absorption, dipole moment and thermal stability have been made. Furthermore, a correlation between thermal stability and oxidation potential for some of these heterocyclic chromophores has been found and extension of this correlation to other types of nonlinear chromophores is suggested.
Remanence enhancement in magnetically interacting particles

In this paper, we report an effective-medium theory on the remanence of magnetically interacting particles to demonstrate the effect of intergranular magnetostatic interactions on the remanence enhancement of materials, which agrees excellently with micromagnetic simulations. A dimensionless parameter \ensuremath{\lambda} measuring the competition between anisotropy energy and magnetostatic energy is defined, which completely characterizes the remanence of magnets if the exchange coupling is negligible, appropriate when the grain size is 10 nm or larger. Three distinct regimes were observed: $\ensuremath{\lambda}l0.1$ for hard magnets, where anisotropy energy dominates and little remanence enhancement is observed; $0.1l\ensuremath{\lambda}l1$ for intermediate magnets where up to 50% remanence enhancement is observed due to the increased intergranular magnetostatic energy; and $\ensuremath{\lambda}g1$ for soft magnets, where the dominance of magneto-static energy leads to much reduced remanence in the materials.
Cache placement, pilfering, and a recovery advantage in a seed-dispersing rodent: Could predation of scatter hoarders contribute to seedling establishment?

Abstract Scatter-hoarding mammals are thought to rely on spatial memory to relocate food caches. Yet, we know little about how long these granivores (primarily rodents) recall specific cache locations or whether individual hoarders have an advantage when recovering their own caches. Indeed, a few recent studies suggest that high rates of pilferage are common and that individual hoarders may not have a retriever’s advantage. We tested this hypothesis in a high-density (>7 animals/ha) population of eastern gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) by presenting individually marked animals (>20) with tagged acorns, mapping cache sites, and following the fate of seed caches. PIT tags allowed us to monitor individual seeds without disturbing cache sites. Acorns only remained in the caches for 12–119 h (0.5–5 d). However, when we live-trapped and removed some animals from the site immediately after they stored seeds (thus simulating predation), their seed caches remained intact for significantly longer periods (16–27 d). Cache duration corresponded roughly to the time at which squirrels were returned to the study area. These results suggest that squirrels have a retriever’s advantage and may remember specific cache sites longer than previously thought. We further suggest that predation of scatter hoarders who store seeds for long periods and also possess a recovery advantage may be one important mechanism by which seed establishment is achieved.
Hardiness and depression in the institutionalized elderly

I N THE YEAR 2020, there are likely to be about 43 million elderly Americans, approximately 2.5 million of whom will be in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) (Khachaturian, 1984). Recent studies indicate that there are high prevalence rates of depression in LTCFs. There has been a tendency to view depression as a result of biological, genetic, or social influences. There is a dearth of information on the institutionalized elderly and their personality characteristics, their views, and their attitudes. How these factors affect depression is unknown. Kobasa (1979) proposed that persons who experience high degrees of stress and who do not become ill have a personality characteristic, which was termed "hardiness" by the investigator. According to Kobasa, the hardy person is characterized by commitment, control, and challenge, three factors that deter the development of depression (Kobasa, Maddi, & Courington, 1981). To address the concerns about the broad use of the term "hardiness" in relation to health, Pollock (1986) proposed the health-related hardiness construct. There are two major differences between this construct and the general understanding of hardiness. First, the three characteristics of hardiness have been defined from the perspective of health. Second, the presence rather than the absence of these characteristics is measured (Pollock & Duffy, 1990). Health-related control is defined as the sense of mastery or self-confidence needed to appropriately appraise and interpret health stressors. Commitment involves the motivation and competence to effectively cope with the threat of a health stressor. Finally, challenge refers to the reappraisal of a health stressor as potentially beneficial and as an opportunity for growth (Pollock, 1989). Three recent studies have discussed the effect of hardiness on adaptation to health problems. Lee (1983) found that those adults who possessed the hardiness characteristic remained active and adjusted to the difficulties of living with cancer. Contrada (1985) determined that those high in hardiness had a lower diastolic pressure than those low in hardiness during a sensorimotor task. Solomon, Temoshok, O'Leary, and Zich (1987) noted that lower hardiness scores were significantly related to higher lymphocyte counts in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients. The relationship of hardiness and depression has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hardiness and depression in the institutionalized elderly.
Augmentation of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in lung tissue during recovery of animals from acute ozone exposure.

Abstract After O 3 -mediated lung injury in rats (3 ppm O 3 exposure for 4 hr) recovery was studied in terms of alteration in lung mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. As judged from O 2 consumption, succinate oxidation in lung homogenate exhibited a 20% ( P 2 /min/lung) within 12 hr and the peak rate (55% over control, P P P 2 consumption observed in exposed rat lungs, therefore, would be attributable primarily to increase in population of mitochondria. Enhanced mitochondrial metabolism might serve as an index for assessing the repair process of injured lung.
Participant and Site Characteristics Related to Participant Retention in a Diabetes Prevention Translational Project

Using multilevel analysis, this study investigated participant and site characteristics associated with participant retention in a multisite diabetes prevention translational project among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. We analyzed data from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians Diabetes Prevention Program (SDPI-DP), a lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes implemented in 36 AI/AN grantee sites. A total of 2,553 participants were recruited and started the intervention between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2008. They were offered the 16-session Lifestyle Balance Curriculum from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in the first 16-24 weeks of intervention. Generalized estimating equation models and proportional hazards models with robust standard error estimates were used to evaluate the relationships of participant and site characteristics with retention. As of July 31, 2009, about 50 % of SDPI-DP participants were lost to follow-up. Those who were younger, male, with lower household income, no family support person, and more baseline chronic pain were at higher risk for both short-term and long-term retention failure (i.e., not completing all 16 DPP sessions and loss to follow-up, respectively). Sites with large user populations and younger staff had lower likelihood of retaining participants successfully. Other site characteristics related to higher risk for retention failure included staff rating of participant disinterest in SDPI-DP and barriers to participant transportation and child/elder care. Future translational initiatives need to pay attention to both participant- and site-level factors in order to maximize participant retention.
Reversible DI-π-methane rearrangements of bicyclic organosilicon compounds

Abstract The photochemistry of 5,6-benzo-2,2,3,3-tetramethyl(2,3-disilabicyclo[2.2.2.]octa-5,7-diene) (I) has been investigated. Unlike thermolysis of I, which produces tetramethyldisilene as intermediate, irradiation at 10 K in an argon matrix or 77 K in a 3-methylpentane glass led to a di-π-methane photorearrangement to give 3,4-benzo-6,7-disila-6,6,7,7-tetramethylbicyclo [3.3.0.0 2,8 ]. octane. Photolysis of I at room temperature in cyclohexane did, however, give tetramethyldisilene.
Agar gel electrophoretic patterns of pepsinogen zymograms in Barrett's esophagus

Abstract Histologically identified biopsy specimens from patients with Barrett's esophagus were examined for their proteolytic activity and the zymogram patterns. The squamous epithelia had no proteolytic activity. The three types of Barrett's epithelium varied in their proteolytic activity and the number of bands on zymograms. The specialized epithelium had only one band, the junctional epithelium had two, and the fundic type of epithelium had seven bands. These seven bands were similar to those observed in fundic mucosa from the stomach. The zymograms in different types of Barrett's epithelium closely correlated with the presence of chief cells.
Pseudoischemic “false positive” S-T segment changes induced by hyperventilation in patients with mitral valve prolapse

Hyperventilation-induced S-T segment changes that simulate myocardial ischemia have previously been noted, but the origin of this electrocardiographic finding has never been defined. To investigate further the basis for this response, the records were reviewed of 1,678 consecutive patients who underwent forced hyperventilation for 90 seconds and treadmill exercise testing. Twenty-eight patients (1.7 percent) were identified in whom hyperventilation resulted in ischemic-appearing S-T segment changes, and follow-up was possible in 21 (17 women, 4 men). Of the 21 patients, 16 (76 percent), including 15 (88 percent) of the 17 women, had evidence of mitral valve prolapse, 6 on auscultation alone, 2 on echocardiography alone and 6 with a combination of studies. Ten of the 21 patients had a negative exercise test; of the 11 patients who had a positive exercise test, only 1 had angiographic evidence of coronary arterial narrowing. The finding of ischemic-appearing S-T segment changes in response to forced hyperventilation has a high predictive value for the presence of mitral valve prolapse, particularly in women. The possible association of autonomic factors and mitral valve prolapse in the pathogenesis of an abnormal response to hyperventilation is discussed.
Ontology as a Mechanism for Application Integration and Knowledge Sharing in Collaborative Design: A Review

In this paper, we draw attention to ontology as a mechanism for application integration and knowledge sharing in collaborative design. The paper provides a comprehensive literature review on this topic. It starts with its concepts, classification, and difference from other related technologies. Then the usage of ontology is discussed. Following the ontology life cycle, this paper compares several ontology authoring languages, ontology building methodologies and tools. It reviews some recent work on applying ontology to collaborative design. It concludes with a discussion on future R&D directions.
Spectroscopic Studies of DNA-Drug Binding Affinities: Sequence Context and Methylation Effects

Fluorescence spectroscopy studies of 7-Aminoactinomycin D (7-AMD) binding to dodecamers containing the Cre binding sequence demonstrate that binding affinity is directly related to both sequence context and cytosine methylation. Importantly, it was also found that methylation effects on binding affinity are sequence dependent. The native d[TTTCACGTGAAA]2 and d[AAGAACGTTCTT]2 samples show very similar binding affinities in their native forms, while native d[GAAAACGTTTTC]2 has a dissociation constant four-fold higher than either of these samples. Upon methylation, d[TTTCA-m5-CGTGAAA]2 shows the greatest change in the dissociation constant, increasing two-fold. The d[AAGAA-m5-CGTTCTT]2 sequence has a 1.5-fold increase in the dissociation constant, while the d[GAAAACGTTTTC]2 sequence shows no significant change in binding affinity upon methylation. NMR and FTIR evidence will be presented to further explain these phenomena and provide evidence that backbone conformations due to flanking sequence and methylation state are responsible for these differences.
Learning to belong: exploring young children’s participation at the start of school

by Caroline Bath, London, Routledge, 2009, 114 pp., £22.99 (paperback), ISBN 9‐780415‐483681 In Learning to belong, Caroline Bath opens a new and important line of inquiry in the field of early chi...
Graphical determination of acid dissociation constants of substances contaminated by strong mineral acid or base.

Abstract Nonlogarithmic graphical treatments of acid/base titration data are presented which can identify and compensate for unknown contaminations of a compound by either a strong mineral acid or base. The methods which have been demonstrated allow an accurate determination of an acid dissociation constant of a compound in the presence of up to 50% contamination by strong mineral acid or base.
Enhancing validity through beneficiaries' equitable involvement in identifying and prioritizing homeless children's educational problems

The participation of program stakeholders in evaluations improves the relevance, and thus the validity, of evaluation findings. Validity might be compromised, however, if special procedures are not used to ensure program beneficiaries' equitable involvement with other participating stakeholder groups, who usually have more power and familiarity with evaluation procedures. This article describes program beneficiaries' involvement in a study to identify and prioritize the educational problems of homeless children. In the study, three stakeholder groups were involved: teachers, homeless shelter providers, and parents (the program beneficiaries). The article shows how the parents equitably participated in the study and discusses how their equitable participation enhanced the validity of the evaluation findings.
Subspaces of C*-algebras

Abstract Basic properties of matricially normed spaces are considered, and a simple matrix norm characterization of the subspaces of C ∗ -algebras is given. The latter result is used to study the Haagerup tensor products and quotients of such subspaces.
Barriers and solutions in implementing occupational health and safety services at a large nuclear weapons facility.

The Hanford Nuclear Reservation is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's largest nuclear weapons sites. The enormous changes experienced by Hanford over the last several years, as its mission has shifted from weapons production to cleanup, has profoundly affected its occupational health and safety services. Innovative programs and new initiatives hold promise for a safer workplace for the thousands of workers at Hanford and other DOE sites. However, occupational health and safety professionals continue to face multiple organizational, economic, and cultural challenges. A major problem identified during this review was the lack of coordination of onsite services. Because each health and safety program operates independently (albeit with the guidance of the Richland field operations office), many services are duplicative and the health and safety system is fragmented. The fragmentation is compounded by the lack of centralized data repositories for demographic and exposure data. Innovative measures such as a questionnaire-driven Employee Job Task Analysis linked to medical examinations has allowed the site to move from the inefficient and potentially dangerous administrative medical monitoring assignment to defensible risk-based assignments and could serve as a framework for improving centralized data management and service delivery.
Fenoprofen: Inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis

Abstract Fenoprofen, an anti-inflammatory agent, is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis at physiological substrate concentration. I 50 's of 1 μM to 100 μM were obtained when the concentration of arachidonate was increased from 1 μM to 82 μM. In contrast, a small change in I 50 was observed with indomethacin. Kinetic studies indicated that inhibition by fenoprofen was competitive while that of indomethacin was non-competitive.
A computer-aided molecular model for high volatile bituminous coal☆

Abstract This study defines a three dimensional chemical representation of a coal macromolecule based on data from physiochemical analyses. Both atomic and molecular information is introduced in the computerized model ( signature program). The atomic information includes elemental analysis and 13C NMR data. The molecular information involves analyses of the pyrolysis products of the macromolecule. The components analyzed are molecular fragments of the coal and their structures are determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main task of the program is to assemble these fragments to obtain a molecule which is consistent with the atomic information. The computerized method, based on a combinatorial program is able to compute one, several or all non-isomorphic models which can be built. An example of such an approach is presented for vitrinite from high volatile bituminous coal. The signature program was used to construct one of the many possible structural isomers in three dimensions. An energy minimization program was subsequently applied to identify the structure as it might exist in it lowest energy conformation. The resulting model forms a reasonable representation in terms of energy, density, and number of cross-links.
ATM-based fiber optic network for scalable and modular PACS design

In this work we present our initial effort in developing a scalable and modular network architecture for cost-effective medical communication system providing real-time universal access in multimedia format. Target applications of such an integrated network design include telemedicine, teleradiology, electronic claims processing and supply ordering, teleconsultation, and home patient monitoring.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum-Independent Contractile Function in Serca2 Ablated Hearts

Effective contraction and relaxation of the heart requires the robust transport of Ca2+ to and from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The cardiac SR Ca-ATPase, SERCA2a, is responsible for sequestering Ca2+ to the SR during the contractile cycle, and has diminished expression and function in failing hearts. We have used a model of inducible cardiac-specific Serca2 gene disruption, the Serca2fl/fl mouse, to probe the relationship between decreased SERCA2a expression and cardiac dysfunction. 4 weeks after gene disruption, SERCA2a protein content in KO hearts is less than 5% of control. Despite severely impaired ex vivo function of isolated hearts and cardiomyocytes at this time, in vivo heart function is mildly impaired and KO mice survive until 7-10 weeks post-knockout, indicating that loss of SERCA2a is temporarily compensated. This finding of preserved cardiac function in vivo in the context of severe SERCA2a depletion is surprising and warrants a detailed dissection of potential compensatory mechanisms. Published studies have found that sarcolemmal Ca2+ transport mechanisms such as L-type Ca2+ current, Na-Ca exchange, and plasma membrane Ca-ATPase activity are increased following this loss of SERCA2a protein. These observations prompt the hypothesis that sarcolemmal Ca2+ transport remodeling may partially compensate for diminished SR Ca2+ handling in KO hearts. We have begun to investigate this hypothesis by perfusing isolated Serca2 KO hearts with caffeine to evaluate SR-independent contractile function. During caffeine perfusion, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressures were lower in KO hearts than controls consistent with the reduced SR Ca2+ stores in KO myocytes. Interestingly, during prolonged caffeine perfusion, systolic performance was similar in control and KO hearts. This is functional evidence that trans-sarcolemmal transient adaptations in KO hearts are not of sufficient magnitude to differentiate KO from WT when SR function is disabled by caffeine.
Monodisperse rodcoil' copolymers

Objective here has been to initiate experimental work on the phase and scaling behavior of rod-coil systems. In this paper the authors report on the synthesis and preliminary characterization of the first monodisperse rodcoil copolymer in which both rod and coil segments are part of the molecular backbone. A representation is shown by molecular graphics of an energy-minimized conformation of their rodcoil polymer. Also the rodlike segment when detached from the coil exhibits liquid crystalline behavior demonstrating the stiff segment's high aspect ratio in a condensed phase. The thermotropic behavior of the rod component may lead to the formation of various mesophases with changing temperature, and the long-range order may be influenced by external fields. The coils may also act to isolate liquid crystalline domains into discrete monolayers, forming nanoscale liquid crystals. As far as they know the only work reported so far involves side-chain liquid crystalline polymers coupled to polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate), but here the rod and coil components are not part of the same molecular backbone. Therefore, these systems lack an abrupt change in backbone rigidity along the chain's contour length.
Women and postfertilization effects of birth control: consistency of beliefs, intentions and reported use.

Background This study assesses the consistency of responses among women regarding their beliefs about the mechanisms of actions of birth control methods, beliefs about when human life begins, the intention to use or not use birth control methods that they believe may act after fertilization or implantation, and their reported use of specific methods.
The Bad News and the Good News: The Long-Term Consequences of Having Used an Alternative Work Schedule

Research suggests that women who adopt alternative work arrangements may be viewed less favorably than women who work a regular schedule. This study examined whether those negative perceptions persist even after the woman returns to a regular schedule. One hundred twenty-five employed MBA students participated in an experimental study in which work schedule was manipulated. Participants reviewed a personnel file for a female employee who was either on a regular schedule or who had previously been on a reduced-workload schedule. They then completed a questionnaire assessing their perceptions of the target employee. Contrary to the authors' expectations, results revealed that the female employee who had previously been on an reduced workload schedule was actually viewed as having significantly greater advancement motivation and advancement capability than a female employee who had always used a regular schedule. She was also somewhat more likely to be recommended for a promotion.
Electrodiffusion model simulation of the potassium channel.

The drift-diffusion (Poisson–Nernst–Planck) model is applied to the potassium channel in a biological membrane plus surrounding solution baths. Two-dimensional cylindrically symmetric simulations of the K channel in KCl solutions are presented which show significant boundary layers at the ends of the channel and display the spreading of charge into the bath regions. The computed current–voltage curve shows excellent agreement with experimental measurements. In addition, the response of the K channel to time-dependent applied voltages is investigated.
Some properties of Alfven waves: Observations in the tail lobes and the plasma sheet boundary layer

[1] We report properties of substorm-related, globally excited Alfven waves on a temporal scale of 6 to 300 s (3.3 to 167 mHz) at geocentric distances between 5 and 6 RE. The waves were observed in the tail lobes and the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) by the Polar satellite. In each region we made the following observations: (1) The tail lobe Alfven waves started at substorm onset as determined from ground magnetometer data. Hence these ULF lobe waves can possibly be used as a new substorm indicator. Although on open field lines, they often showed local standing wave signatures with a large perpendicular scale size and a near-zero net Poynting flux. We do not classify those waves as FLR but interpret them as the superposition of incident and reflected waves. The same oscillations were simultaneously recorded in ground magnetometer data. Immediately poleward of the PSBL, the lobe Alfven waves traveled earthward (no reflection), suggesting their dissipation in the ionosphere. The lobe waves were superimposed on the signature of a field-aligned current (FAC). The onset of this FAC was simultaneous to the onset of the magnetic substorm bay. (2) The substorm-related PSBL Alfven waves carried two to three orders of magnitude larger Poynting flux (∼1 erg cm−2 s−1) than the lobe Alfven waves. These PSBL waves were a mixture of standing and traveling Alfven waves for different frequency ranges. Most Poynting flux was carried in large-scale earthward traveling waves (40–300 s). For one event, we also measured large standing wave components (>0.5 erg cm−2 s−1), but such events are rare. In the intermediate range (40–67 s), which overlaps with the Pi2 range, some waves showed clear standing wave signatures. At smaller periods (6–24 s), noninterfering earthward and tailward traveling waves were present with small Poynting fluxes (<0.05 erg cm−2 s−1). A trend for increasing E to B ratios with increasing wave frequency was observed. The PSBL waves were left-hand elliptically polarized. The wave vector was within 35° of the background magnetic field direction, suggesting that the waves were phase-mixed. The large-amplitude, substorm-related PSBL Alfven wave events (∼1 erg cm−2 s−1) were found in regions of upward currents.