cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polymerization by oxidative coupling. II. Co-redistribution of poly(2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with phenols

Poly(2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene ether) reacts with phenols in the presence of an initiator to form a mixture of low molecular weight hydroxyarylene ethers. Although the reaction is similar to the equilibration of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with phenols, higher reaction temperatures and larger initiator concentrations are required. Compounds as 3,3′,5,5′-tetraphenyl-4,4′-diphenoquinone, tert-butyl perbenzoate, and benzoyl peroxide are active initiators. The structure of the polymer affects the extent to which the polymer equilibrates.
β2‐ADRENOCEPTORS REGULATE INDUCTION OF MYOCARDIAL ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE IN MICE in vivo

Abstract The pharmacological characteristics of the myocardial adrenoceptor of the mouse have been examined during embryogenesis by measuring ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) induction. 2 A four fold elevation of ODC activity was observed after isoprenaline (10 mg/kg, s.c.), and enzyme activity was increased two to three fold following adrenaline (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or terbutaline given by direct injection to the foetus (10 microgram/500 mg). 3 Pretreatment with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol (10 mg/kg), totally blocked the increase in ODC activity. 4 Elevation of myocardial ODC activity was not inhibited by metoprolol, a relatively specific beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, at a dose of 10 mg/kg. 5 Since the increase in ODC activity was blocked by a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) and enzyme activity was stimulated by terbutaline, a beta 2-agonist, we conclude that beta 2-adrenoceptors are selectively coupled to the regulation of murine cardiac ODC activity following catecholamine stimulation.
Whole-grain continuing education for school foodservice personnel: keeping kids from falling short.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this project was to develop and test whole-grain continuing education for school foodservice personnel. Methods A continuing education program was developed to address planning, purchasing, preparing, and serving whole-grain food in schools. Participants completed a pre-post questionnaire to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes and intention. Results Participants (n = 211) were mostly non-Hispanic white women. Pre-post test scores indicated improvements in whole-grain knowledge and intention to find whole-grain recipes for school menus ( P Conclusions and Implications Whole-grain education for school foodservice personnel may increase awareness and menu placement and increase opportunities for whole-grain consumption by children.
Co-culture with astrocytes or microglia protects metabolically impaired neurons

Thiamine deficiency (TD) is a model of chronic impairment of oxidative metabolism that leads to neurodegeneration. TD induces oxidative stress and death in neurons, but does not kill astrocytes, microglia or brain endothelial cells. TD primary hippocampal neurons were either cultured alone, or co-cultured with primary astrocytes or microglia. After 7 days of TD, 50% of the neurons died, and the processes of many of the surviving neurons were severely truncated. When TD neurons were co-cultured with astrocytes or microglia, neurons did not die nor show decreased neurite outgrowth. Thus, neuronal-glial interactions are critical for maintaining neuronal homeostasis during chronic metabolic impairment.
Trajectories, orbit squeezing, and residual zonal flow in a tokamak pedestal

Particle orbits and the Rosenbluth–Hinton residual zonal flow are evaluated for the case of a strong equilibrium radial electric field Er = −(d/dψ)|∇ψ|as observed in a tokamak pedestal. The ordering used is Er ~ Bpvi/c, where Bp is the poloidal field and vi is the ion thermal speed. The earlier calculations of Kagan and Catto for this regime (2009 Phys. Plasmas 16 056105) correctly describe the effect of a uniform d/dψ, but not the 'orbit squeezing' effects associated with electric field shear d2/dψ2 (Kagan and Catto 2009 Phys. Plasmas 16 099902). The present paper gives the corrected dependence on electric field shear for a quadratic equilibrium potential (ψ). Analytical results are given for the large-aspect-ratio limit and a numerical approach is outlined for performing calculations at finite aspect ratio.
The through-film electrical properties of sputtered GaAs films with aluminum contacts

Abstract Results are presented for a.c. and d.c. electrical measurements made on Al-GaAs-Al sandwich structures. The d.c. current-voltage characteristics were found to be strongly temperature dependent; this is indicative either of Schottky emission over the metal-semiconductor interfacial barrier or of Poole-Frenkel conduction in the bulk. The a.c. measurements of impedance, magnitude and phase angle indicate that a Schottky barrier is present at the interface and that the small signal contact and bulk resistance are of comparable magnitudes. An analysis of Schottky emission over the interfacial potential barrier when back-to-back Schottky barriers are present is given and it is shown that both Schottky emission and Poole-Frenkel conduction are present and can be separated.
Let's not get too JAKed up!

Comment on Goerttler et al, page [2862][1] Goerttler and colleagues present a classification of the Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative disorders, based upon a battery of molecular markers. In this issue, Goerttler and colleagues report their efforts to define a subpopulation of patients
MULTIPLE SCATTERING OF SURFACE WATER-WAVES AND WAVE FORCES ON CYLINDER ARRAYS

The interactions between water waves and arrays of three-dimensional bodies are studied in the context of linearized potential flow. The bodies are vertical cylinders with an arbitrary cross section. These cylinders could be fully submerged, semi-submerged or fully extended throughout the water. Using the eigenfunction expansion method, the three-dimensional diffraction problem is reduced to a set of two-dimensional boundary value problems corresponding to propagation and evanescent models. An integral equation for each boundary value problem is found and solved numerically with appropriate boundary conditions. This method is, therefore, exact since the diffraction of evanescent modes are included. Numerical results for wave forces and moments are obtained for several examples. Good agreement between the exact three-dimensional numerical solutions and the present numerical results is achieved if two or more evanescernt modes are kept in the computations.
Symmetric and asymmetric light dark matter

to DM ratio to be less than ∼ 2 × 10 −6 (10 −1 ) for DM mass mX = 1 MeV (10 GeV) with ionizing efficiency factorf ∼ 1. We determine the minimum annihilation cross section for achieving these asymmetries subject to the relic density constraint; these cross sections are larger than the usual thermal annihilation cross section. On account of collider constraints, such annihilation cross sections can only be obtained by invoking light mediators. These light mediators can give rise to significant DM self-interactions, and we derive a lower bound on the mediator mass from elliptical DM halo shape constraints. We find that halo shapes require a mediator with mass m� & 4 × 10 −2 MeV (40 MeV) for mX =1 MeV (10 GeV). We map all of these constraints to the parameter space of DM-electron and DM-nucleon scattering cross sections for direct detection. For DM-electron scattering, a significant fraction of the parameter space is already ruled out by beam-dump and supernova cooling constraints.
Nonrelativistic parity-violating hydrodynamics in two spatial dimensions

We construct the nonrelativistic parity-violating hydrodynamic description of a two-dimensional dissipative, normal fluid in the presence of small $U(1)$ background fields and vorticity. This is achieved by taking the nonrelativistic limit of the recently developed relativistic hydrodynamics in $2+1$ dimensions. We identify and interpret the resulting parity-violating contributions to the nonrelativistic constitutive relations, which include the Hall current flowing perpendicular to the temperature gradient, the Hall viscosity, and the Leduc-Righi energy current. Also a comparison of our findings is made with the nonrelativistic parity-violating hydrodynamics obtained from a light-cone dimensional reduction.
Effects of captopril and propanolol on bradykinin-induced changes in vascular pressures, lymph total protein concentration, and weight in canine forelimbs.

Abstract Sixty-minute local intraarterial infusions of bradykinin (0.8, 5, or 10 μg base/min) produced transient forelimb vasodilation and dose-related increases in lymph flow, lymph total protein concentration, total protein transport, and weight in forelimbs perfused at a controlled flow rate. Mean aortic pressure was not affected by these infusion rates of bradykinin. Following pretreatment with captopril, the local intraarterial infusion of these same doses of bradykinin produced sustained systemic hypotension. The increase in protein efflux and edema formation produced by local infusions of bradykinin following pretreatment with captopril was markedly increased during the infusion of the low dose of bradykinin (0.8 μg base/min, ia), but was attenuated during the local infusion of the larger dose of bradykinin (5 μg base/min, ia). Following pretreatment with both captopril and propranolol, the increase in protein efflux and edema formation produced by this larger dose of bradykinin (5 μg base/min) was greater than that produced by infusions of this dose of bradykinin alone or after pretreatment with captopril. Moreover, the increase in protein efflux and edema formation was greater during the infusion of the higher dose of bradykinin than during the infusion of the low dose of this autacoid under these conditions. The 60-min infusion of a massive dose of bradykinin into the left ventricular chamber (280 μg base/min) produced sustained decreases in aortic and forelimb perfusion pressure, but little edema formation relative to that produced by local intraarterial infusions of this agent. In contrast, the 60-min intravenous infusion of only 5 μg base/min of bradykinin following pretreatment with both captopril and propranolol produced profound systemic hypotension and marked increases in protein efflux and edema formation in forelimbs perfused at a controlled flow rate comparable to that produced by the local intraarterial infusion of this dose of bradykinin alone. These data demonstrate that endogenous kininases and catecholamines may dramatically affect the increase in protein efflux and edema formation produced by either local or systemic infusions of bradykinin by modulating the magnitude of the increase in macromolecular permeability.
Delay test quality maximization through process-aware selection of test set size

The quality of a delay test set hinges not only on test patterns and the distribution of the delay defects but on the variations in process parameters as well. Process variations result in the same delay test set displaying differences from die to die in the detection of particular delay defects at the identical circuit node. The application of an identical test set to all devices independent of process variations consequently results in delivering inefficiencies in test time utilization. This paper proposes a delay test technique that adaptively changes the size of the test set based on the position of the device in the process variation space in order to maximize test quality within a given test time.
Cucurbit[7]uril induces superior probe performance for single-molecule detection

The photophysics of a complex between cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and rhodamine 6G (R6G) was investigated using single-molecule spectroscopy. On the basis of the distribution of fluorescence intensity, two stable conformations of the CB7/R6G complex were identified. Both exhibit enhanced fluorescence relative to R6G alone. The two conformations are attributed to a flexible inclusion complex of R6G in CB7. Our single-molecule measurements also indicate that the photostability of R6G upon complex formation improves by 13× as opposed to 1.5× reported from ensemble measurements. The simplicity of using CB7 to enhance the fluorescence performance of a fluorophore makes it a promising strategy to deliver better probes for single-molecule spectroscopy in physical and life sciences research.
Human suppressor T cells: induction, differentiation, and regulatory functions.

Abstract T-cell-mediated suppression of human immune responses involves a complex interaction between distinct lymphocyte subsets with suppressor-inducer and suppressor-effector functions. Recent studies with subset-specific monoclonal antibodies have defined a characteristic phenotype of suppressor-inducer cells (CD4 + Leu8 + 2H4 + 4B4 − ) that can be distinguished from that of helper cells for antibody synthesis (CD4 + Leu8 − 2H4 − 4B4 + ). Similarly, suppressor-effector cells (CD8 + CD11 + Tp44 − can typically be defined as a subset separable from cytotoxic T cells (CD8 + CD11 − Tp44 + ). Both antigen-specific and nonspecific interactions are important in suppressor T-cell activation and function. Soluble signals required for differentiation of CD8 + suppressor cells include an indomethacin-sensitive monocyte product and interferon gamma. In contrast, proliferation of the CD8 + suppressor cell subset depends on stimulations first by a product of CD4 + Leu8 + cells, T suppressor cell growth factor, and second by interleukin 2. Although the molecular basis of antigen-specific interactions between CD4 + and CD8 + cells in suppressor cell generation has not been defined, it may involve both conventional, presumably MHC-restricted, interactions between antigen and antigen receptors, as well as anti-idiotypic interactions of suppressor-effectors with determinants on suppressor-inducer receptors. Progress in elucidating requirements for activation, growth, and differentiation of suppressor cells should facilitate long-term culture of such cells and lead to clearer understanding of mechanism of suppressor-cell mediated immunoregulation.
PMD9 Evaluation of a Pathway for Providing Pharmaceutical Care

Self-medication and the use of clinical pathways have become important tools in managing scarce health care resources. To determine the success of such programs, it is essential to measure health outcomes and patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate a pharmaceutical care pathway via patient satisfaction with service and product, and willingness to pay (WTP). METHODS: The pathway, focusing on cough, cold, sinus, and allergy OTC medications, was used by 18 pharmacy interns to counsel customers. These customers (experimental group) answered demographic questions instore and later received follow-up phone calls to determine their levels of satisfaction and WTP. The data for the control group was collected using in-store surveys. The control group was not counseled using the pathway. The data were analyzed to make comparisons between the experimental and control groups, based on demographic data, satisfaction scores, and WTP amounts. RESULTS: After controlling for independent covariates such as age, gender, income, etc., it was found that the control group's (n = 210) WTP was $1.47 less than the experimental group's (n = 213). Also, the level of overall satisfaction (service and product) in the control group was found to be almost 20% less than that of the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental group was more satisfied with the counseling service and product that they purchased. This group was also more willing to pay for the service they had received. It was found that the WTP amoung was not influenced by factors such as age, educational level, income, gender, race, family size, or marital status but only by the difference in counseling received. Overall satisfaction appears to have been influenced by the structured counseling and by the education level, where the level of satisfaction was directly proportional to the level of education.
pH Dependent Conformational Changes and Electrostatic Effects in Plastocyanin

Reduction of plastocyanin (PC) caused a change in the electric field at the surface of the molecule which resulted in a 0.3 pH unit increase in the pKa of a nitrated derivative of Tyr 83. This change in electrical potential could alter the affinity for cytochrome f which is known to bind at this site. Conversely, properties of the copper center, including the pH dependence of the reduction potential, are regulated by the charge on the surface of the molecule. Both the reduction potential and conformation (as measured by near-UV circular dichroic spectra) were pH dependent. Thus the conformation and electrostatic behavior of PC are dependent on oxidiation state, pH and surface charge, raising the possibility that its redox activity is controlled by the pH gradient.
Objective measures of swallowing in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting salivary and lacrimal glands. Durational measures of the oral phase of swallowing were obtained on 34 patients with primary SS and 34 age-matched controls from analyses of ultrasound scans. Two conditions were examined: a basal (BA) swallow (only endogeneous secretions present in the subjects' mouths) and a 10 ml water bolus (WB) swallow. The patients with SS produced swallowing durations significantly longer (p less than 0.05) than those of the controls for each of the two conditions. Moreover, unlike normals, over 40% of the patients with SS produced WB swallows that were longer than their BA swallows. For further analyses, patients with SS were classified into two groups based on the difference in duration between their BA and WB swallows. These two groups differed from each other on clinical evaluations of oral motor function and presenting complaints. No significant differences were found between these two groups for salivary function or immunologic profile. These findings support the hypothesis that dysphagia can result from conditions leading to salivary gland dysfunction and document the need for the assessment of swallowing function in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.
SOCIAL INCOME AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

The nonprofit or volunteer sector, including both the contributors of monetary gifts and voluntary labor, has strong incentives now to shift its allocations by region and by sector. Shifts in the distribution of investments in community social capital are especially pronounced in sectors and local areas whose social heterogeneity has retarded public sector response to the demand for collective consumption goods. The redistribution of firms and households on the regional and national scales not only withdraws needed social capital from the places of origin but provides, questionable benefits, in proportion to tax incentives, to the destination regions or sectors. The theoretical justifications which underlie the so-called nonmarketplace activities of the volunteer sector can be demonstrated to have only partial nonmarketplace functions. Some empirical study of this phenomena has begun, which can help to provide policy recommendations for the management of the volunteer sector and to assist donors as well as potential recipient communities to derive more benevolent outcomes from pure and “impure” altruistic activities.
“Advanced Modeling Grid Research: An overview of DOE's activities”

Shifting operational data analytics from a traditionally off-line environment to real-time situational awareness (e.g., visibility) to measurement-based, fast control will require significant advancements in algorithms and computational approaches. The Advanced Modeling Grid Research Program at the U.S. Department of Energy leverages scientific research in mathematics for application to power system models and software tools. This will result in a new class of decision support tools that will simulate dynamic events and help inform operators on real-time conditions to maintain stability.
Outcomes after minimally invasive esophagomyotomy

Abstract Background . Thoracic surgeons traditionally performed thoracotomy and myotomy for achalasia. Recently minimally invasive approaches have been reported with good success. This report summarizes our single-institution experience using video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) or laparoscopy (LAP) for the treatment of achalasia. Methods . A review of 62 patients undergoing minimally invasive myotomy for achalasia was performed. There were 27 male and 35 female patients. Mean age was 53 years (range 14 to 86). Thirty-seven (59.7%) had failed prior treatments (balloon dilation, botulinim toxin injection, or prior surgery). Outcomes studied were dysphagia score (1 = none, 5=severe), Short-Form 36 quality of life (SF36 QOL) score, and heartburn-related QOL index (HRQOL). Results . Surgery included myotomy and partial fundoplication (5 VATS and 57 LAP). Mortality was zero, and complications occurred in 9 (14.5%) patients. There were 6 perforations (4 repaired by LAP and 2 open). Median length of stay was 2 days, time to oral intake was 1 day. At a mean of 19 months follow-up, 92.5% of patients were satisfied with outcome. Dysphagia scores improved from 3.6 to 1.5 ( p Conclusions . Minimally invasive myotomy and partial fundoplication for achalasia improved dysphagia in 92.5% of patients with heartburn and QOL scores were comparable with normal values at 19-month follow-up. The laparoscopic approach offers excellent results and was the preferred approach by our thoracic group for treating achalasia. Thoracic residency training should strive to include laparoscopic esophageal experience.
Three-field isocentric breast irradiation using asymmetric jaws and a tilt board.

Abstract Perfect abutment of medial and lateral tangential breast portals with the adjacent supraclavicular field may be achieved with ease. A simple and safe approach was developed using a tilt board and new technology that is standard on a popular linear accelerator. The patient is secured on a tilt board as a means to level the chest wall. Isocenter is placed at depth on the matchline, where asymmetric jaws are used to produce non-divergent field edges and a perfect abutment. This is done without the need for table or collimator rotations, beam-splitters, or vertical cephalad blocks. The dorsal beam edge of the tangents is made coplanar by rotating the gantry more than 180°. This procedure produces a dosimetrically sharp field edge and eliminates concern about block transmission and excess dose to the contralateral breast. Set-up is fast, and the steps involved are simple and few. Advantages and limitations of this technique are presented.
Strength of welded joints of Cr–Mn steels with elevated content of nitrogen in hydrogen-containing media

We analyze the operating characteristics of welded joints of austenitic high-nitrogen steels. The influence of hydrogen- and chloride-containing media on the structurally sensitive properties of heterogeneous welded joints is investigated. It is shown that the heat-affected zone, where the residual welding stresses are superimposed on the stresses caused by the influence of the ambient media and in-service defects, proves to be especially sensitive to the influence of hydrogen degradation.
The flip-side of social capital: The distinctive influences of trust and mistrust on health in rural China

Abstract Despite increasing evidence that social capital is positively associated with health, the pathways that link social capital to health are not definitive and invite further investigation. This paper uses household survey data from 22 villages in China in 2002 to test the relationship between social capital and the self-reported health status of the rural population. Focusing on the cognitive dimension of social capital, this paper complements current social capital research by introducing an overlooked distinction between trust and mistrust. Trust and mistrust are measured at the individual and aggregate levels, and the distinct ways in which they affect general and mental health are explored. We adopt an ordered logistic regression using survey procedures in SAS version 9.1 to account for the stratified and clustered data structure. The results suggest that: (1) individual-level trust and mistrust are both associated with self-reported health in rural China – trust is positively associated with both general health and mental health, while mistrust is more powerfully associated with worse mental health; and (2) the effects of individual-level trust and mistrust are dependent on village context – village-level trust substitutes for individual-level trust, while individual-level mistrust interacts positively with village-level mistrust to affect health. However, an unexpected protective health effect of mistrust is found in certain types of villages, and this unique result has yet to be examined. Overall, this study suggests the conceptual difference between trust and mistrust and the differential mechanisms by which trust and mistrust affect health in rural China. It also suggests that effective policies should aim at enhancing trust collectively or reducing mistrust at the personal level to improve health status in rural areas of China.
The effect of immunosuppressants and adoptive transfer in monocrotaline pyrrole pneumotoxicity

Monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP) is a pyrrolizidine alkaloid that causes pulmonary vascular injury and pulmonary hypertension in rats. The lesions in lungs of MCTP-treated rats are similar to those occurring in humans with primary pulmonary hypertension. Thus, the MCTP-treated rat is a good animal model for this disease. The mechanisms by which MCTP causes lung injury are unknown. The character of the pulmonary lesions and the delay in onset of the injury after a single low dose of MCTP suggest that immune mechanisms may be important in the pathogenesis. Accordingly, rats were treated with MCTP and the immunosuppressants antilymphocyte serum (ALS) or cyclosporin A (CyA). Neither ALS nor CyA completely protected rats from the injury due to MCTP. Several series of experiments also were undertaken to assess the effect of lymphocytes adoptively transferred from MCTP-treated donor rats into MCTP-treated recipient rats. Adoptive transfer of lymphocytes did not decrease the onset time of the injury or increase the severity of lesions due to MCTP in the recipients. These results indicate that immune mechanisms are probably not involved in MCTP-induced pulmonary injury.
On some growth models with a small parameter

We consider the behavior of the asymptotic speed of growth and the asymptotic shape in some growth models, when a certain parameter becomes small. The basic example treated is the variant of Richardson's growth model on ℤd in which each site which is not yet occupied becomes occupied at rate 1 if it has at least two occupied neighbors, at rate ɛ≦1 if it has exactly 1 occupied neighbor and, of course, at rate 0 if it has no occupied neighbor. Occupied sites remain occupied forever. Starting from a single occupied site, this model has asymptotic speeds of growth in each direction (as time goes to infinity) and these speeds determine an asymptotic shape in the usual sense. It is proven that as ɛ tends to 0, the asymptotic speeds scale as ɛ1/d and the asymptotic shape, when renormalized by dividing it by ɛ1/d , converges to a cube. Other similar models which are partially oriented are also studied.
Effect of the Ligand in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Reactions Initiated by Photodimers of 9‐Bromoanthracene

Slow initiation from the bridgehead radical in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions initiated by 9-bromoanthracene photodimers leads to polymers' products possessing high PDI values and higher than expected M n values. We report here the effects of changing the ligand from N,N,N',N",N"-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) to the highly active tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me 6 TREN) or tris[(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine (TPMA) in an attempt to push the initial equilibrium further toward the initiating bridgehead radical. Overall, the ligand choice was found to add negligible control to the ATRP of styrene with any increase in the rate of initiation offset by an increase in the rate of propagation, leading to anthracene-labeled polystyrene with similar PDI (≈1.6) and M n values regardless of the ligand choice.
METABOLISM OF TESTOSTERONE BY NEOPLASTIC HUMAN PROSTATE

ONE of the most important contributions to the treatment of inoperable human carcinoma has been the application of endocrinologic control measures to prostatic carcinoma, developed by Dr. Charles Huggins twelve years ago. Orchiectomy and/or estrogen therapy appear to have increased the survival rate in this type of metastatic carcinoma (1, 2). Further benefit to some of these patients has been obtained more recently by total adrenalectomy, thereby insuring the removal of all known endogenous sources of androgenic hormones (3). It is believed that the favorable response manifested by some prostatic carcinomas to antiandrogenic therapy depends upon the degree to which the malignant tissue retains dependence upon the specific hormonal stimuli characteristic of the tissue of origin. The improvement of some premenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer after oophorectomy lends additional support to this concept of residual sensitivity to hormones in cancers arising in accessory sex organs. These clinica...
Vapor–liquid equilibria predictions at high-pressures with the Huron–Vidal mixing rule

Abstract In this work we propose an equation of state (EoS) framework that uses the Huron–Vidal (HV) mixing rule to correlate binary low-pressure vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) for several non-ideal mixtures. The parameters from the data reduction procedure are used for VLE predictions at high-pressures. The EoS applied is the Stryjek–Vera modification of the Peng–Robinson model. The excess Gibbs energy ( G E ) model incorporated in the HV mixing rule is based on one-fluid theory. Two parameters are assigned per binary mixture. The binary mixture size parameter is replaced by the mean of the pure component molecular size parameters. A single energy parameter is assigned per binary pair, which is regressed from low-pressure experimental data. Good predictions of the model are shown for VLE at high temperatures and pressures and for a few ternary systems. A physical interpretation of the energy parameters is revealed in terms of the relative strength of like to unlike interactions in the mixture. A comparison for two ternary systems is shown with the Reformulated Wong–Sandler (RWS) [AIChE J. 32 (1992) 671] mixing rule in its predictive form.
Towards an ecology of consciousness

Forms characteristic of the earth itself are inherent in the design of man. Man's being emerged out of a cosmic matrix whose morphic aspects man himself expresses. These forms and their functional interrelationships are the very conditions of consciousness. This paper proposes that the relationship between human consciousness and its complete environment should be the subject matter of an emerging discipline, the ecology of consciousness. Constructs useful in the ecology of plants and animals should be coordinated to psychological constructs. These coordinating constructs should be based upon study of the most pervasive morphic regularities at the biophysical level. An analysis of the design of man suggests many possibilities, especially when one considers the known neurophysiological and biochemical conditioners of consciousness. Educational (experiential) strategies for the transformation of consciousness should also be explored. These might include the manipulation of variables such as volume, duration...
If You Build it Will They Come? Teachers’ Online Use of Student Performance Data

AbstractTesting of students and computer systems to store, manage, analyze, and report the resulting test data have grown hand-in-hand. Extant research on teacher use of electronically stored data are largely qualitative and focused on the conditions necessary (but not sufficient) for effective teacher data use. Absent from the research is objective information on how much and in what ways teachers use computer-based student test data, even when supposed precursors of usage are in place. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by analyzing the online activities of teachers in one mid-size urban district. Utilizing Web logs collected between 2008 and 2010, I find low teacher interaction with Web-based pages that contain student test information that could potentially inform practice. I also find no evidence that teacher usage of Web-based student data are related to student achievement gains, but there is reason to believe these estimates are downwardly biased.
Performance of joint frequency phase modulation over Rayleigh fading channels

Joint frequency-phase modulation (JFPM) is a constant envelope digital modulation technique where both the frequency and phase of the signal are varied. The authors consider the problems of signal design, receiver structure, bandwidth efficiency and the probability of error performance with coherent or noncoherent detection of JFPM signals over Rayleigh fading channels. A noncoherent receiver for the JFPM signals is introduced, and an exact expression for the bit error rate is obtained. Error rate performance using diversity techniques in a Rayleigh fading channel is evaluated. Results show that JFPM performs better than conventional noncoherent M-ary FSK or M-ary DPSK of comparable bandwidth efficiency.
Hand Sanitization Rates in an Urban Emergency Medical Services System

Abstract Background Hand sanitizing, although often a “forgotten” practice, has been demonstrated to be a leading factor in preventing infectious disease transmission in health care environments. Previous studies have looked at hand-sanitization rates in hospital settings, but we are aware of very few describing this in the prehospital setting. Because emergency medical services (EMS) providers are potential vectors of infectious disease spread, it is important to know if their hand-sanitization practices are sufficient. Objective The objective of this study was to describe the hand-sanitization rates for a convenience sample of an urban EMS system. Methods A convenience sampling of paramedics employed by an urban paramedic ambulance service (55,000+ runs/year) underwent prospective, blinded observation during a 6-month period. Observations were conducted by paramedic students during 8-h and 12-h shifts. Recorded data points included any modality of hand sanitizing (e.g., soap/water, anti-germicidal gels or foams, anti-germicidal wipes) immediately surrounding all patient contacts and meals. Glove use during patient contact was also recorded. Trips to the restroom were not directly observed and hand sanitizing after this event was assumed. Duration of any sanitizing event was not recorded. Data points were analyzed using simple and descriptive statistics. Results Fifty-three paramedics (of 108 paramedic employees) were observed during 258 patient contacts. Paramedics were observed to sanitize their hands after 162 of these (62.8%). If hand sanitizing is assumed in the 16 immediate trips to the restroom after patient contact, the compliance rate increased to 68.9%. Hands were sanitized immediately before patient contact only three times (1.1%) and nine times during patient contact (3.5%). Gloves were not worn during 32 of the patient contacts (12.4%). Hand sanitizing occurred before 8 of 42 meals (19%) and after 25 of 42 meals (59.5%). Conclusions Hand-sanitization events were noted in this convenience sample group a majority of times in association with patient contact. However, there appears to be substantial room for improvement. This suggests that EMS services should work to improve hand-sanitization compliance. Increased instruction, education, or access to hygiene equipment should be investigated as avenues to improve future compliance.
Reverse blocking lateral MOS-gated switches for AC power control applications

Abstract Two new high voltage reverse blocking lateral device structures, called the lateral MOS gated thyristor (LMGT) and lateral IGBT with P+-diverter (LIGBT-D), are presented. Both of these devices are designed to support high reverse voltage suitable for ac power control applications. These devices utilize thyristor current conduction controlled by MOS gate and realize MOS gate controlled switching and current saturation characteristics. The fabricated devices had a bidirectional blocking voltage capability of 600 V. Switching measurements yielded a turn-off time 3 and 5 μs for the LMGT and LIGBT-D devices.
A randomized experiment testing inmate classification systems

Research Summary: In California, incarceration in the state prison system is in part organized by security level. The higher the security level, the more restrictive the setting. Upon arrival at a reception center, new inmates are scored within a classification system that is used to determine the appropriate level of security. In this paper, we report on the development and testing of a new inmate classification scoring system. Over 20,000 inmates took part in a randomized experiment in which half were assigned to their housing using the existing scoring system and half were assigned to their housing using the new scoring system. There were two key outcomes: (1) potential mismatches between the number of inmates assigned to different security levels and the available beds and (2) reports of inmate misconduct. :: Policy Implications: We conclude there to be some potential crowding problems, but that the new scoring system is much better than the old scoring system in sorting inmates by the likelihood of misconduct. We also conclude that some predictors popular in the past are no longer effective (e.g., marital status), while some new predictors are extremely powerful (e.g., gang activity), and that one can build in a number of mandatory housing placements (e.g., for sex offenders) and not degrade the overall effectiveness of the new classification system. Finally, the new classification system is shown to be more user-friendly than the existing classification system and well received by the staff responsible for implementing it. KEYWORDS: Juvenile justice Language: en
Room temperature nonlinear ballistic nanodevices for logic applications

Ballistic transport appears when the size of electronic devices is reduced below the electron mean free path. By using latest fabrication techniques and proper material system, the ballistic behavior can be achieved in nano-scale devices even at room temperature (RT). In [1], Song has presented a ballistic rectifier which demonstrates the nonlinear transport at RT. However, the functionality of this device was constraint to rectification only. Using this well established theory, and to extend the functionality beyond rectification, our group proposed a novel device in which we added two in-plane strategically placed gates as shown in SEM image in Fig. 1. This led to formation of ballistic deflector transistor (BDT) [2]. In BDT, without biasing the lateral gates, we replicated the rectifying behavior shown in Fig. 2, certifying the presence of non-linear effect at RT.
Cross analysis of keeping personal information in different forms

This paper examines keeping behavior of personal information in different forms by reviewing and analyzing previous empirical studies on keeping personal information. By adopting user-centered and cross-form perspectives, similar behaviors as well as unique behaviors in keeping different forms of personal information are reviewed and comparatively analyzed. The identification of similarities and differences of keeping behaviors among different forms of personal information widens our understanding of personal information management (PIM). The results of this study have practical implication for human computer interaction (HCI) studies in designing tools, devices and interfaces that are more effective in supporting individuals' PIM.
Upstream adverse effects in risk assessment: A model of polychlorinated biphenyls, thyroid hormone disruption and neurological outcomes in humans

Abstract Background Increasing data on early biological changes from chemical exposures requires new interpretation tools to support decision-making. Objectives To test the possibility of applying a quantitative approach using human data linking chemical exposures and upstream biological perturbations to overt downstream outcomes. Methods Using polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures and maternal thyroid hormone (TH) perturbations as a case study, we model three relationships: (1) prenatal PCB exposures and TH changes, using free T 4 (FT 4 ); (2) prenatal TH and childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes; and (3) prenatal PCB exposures and childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes (IQ). We surveyed the epidemiological literature; extracted relevant quantitative data; and developed models for each relationship, applying meta-analysis where appropriate. Results For relationship 1, a meta-analysis of 3 studies gives a coefficient of −0.27 pg/mL FT 4 per ln(sum of PCBs) (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.82 to 0.27). For relationship 2, regression coefficients from three studies of maternal FT 4 levels and cognitive scores ranged between 0.99 IQ points/(pg/mL FT 4 ) (95% CI −0.31 to 2.2) and 7.6 points/(pg/mL FT 4 ) (95% CI 1.2 to 16.3). For relationship 3, a meta-analysis of five studies produces a coefficient of −1.98 IQ points (95% CI −4.46 to 0.50) per unit increase in ln(sum of PCBs). Combining relationships 1 and 2 yields an estimate of −2.0 to −0.27 points of IQ per unit increase in ln(sum of PCBs). Conclusions Combining analysis of chemical exposures and early biological perturbations (PCBs and FT 4 ) with analysis of early biological perturbations and downstream overt effects (FT 4 and IQ) yields estimates within the range of studies of exposures and overt effects (PCBs and IQ). This is an example approach using upstream biological perturbations for effect prediction.
Chair's summary: Innate and adaptive immune responses in airway disease.

The lungs are constantly exposed to the external environment, which contains myriad particles and molecules that are potentially antigenic. The respiratory immune system must maintain a state of tolerance, discriminating between potentially harmful pathogens that could promote infectious disease while ignoring innocuous particles such as dust or pollen. These immunological control systems develop during early life and are greatly influenced by genetics, infection history, age, and environmental conditions such as smoking, diet, and pollution. Asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia are thought to occur as a consequence of disruption of these control systems and disturbance of respiratory tolerance. Conversely, excessive immunological tolerance may lead to ineffective clearance of infectious agents such as influenza, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus, or Streptococcus pneumoniae, which in turn may lead to inflammatory lung disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. Respiratory diseases represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and deaths due to these diseases are increasing worldwide. Moreover, the very young and the elderly are disproportionately represented at the more severe end of the disease spectrum, with asthma being more common in children and COPD and emphysema occurring later in life. It is clear that a better understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying respiratory immune homeostasis is vital to developing novel therapeutic agents and vaccines for disease prevention and control. Traditionally, diseases have been associated specifically with either innate or adaptive immune pathways—for example, innate immunity for infections and COPD or adaptive immune systems for asthma. However, the distinction between the different arms of the immune system is becoming less apparent, and it is clear that most diseases involve contributions from both sides of the immune system. Understanding these interactions is critical in the search for more effective therapies for diseases, which are common and ever-increasing. The focus of the 29th Transatlantic Airway Conference was how innate and adaptive immune system pathways contribute to the development of a variety of lung diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and respiratory infections. The papers that the speakers presented at the meeting covered the broad areas of epithelium–immune system interactions, early effector mechanisms, the influence of the microbiome and host defense mechanisms, and immunomodulatory and regulatory pathways. The talks highlighted novel aspects of the immune system and revealed the complexity of interactions that operate within the lung.
Human gallstones contain pronucleating nonmucin glycoproteins that are immunoglobulins.

OBJECTIVE: Pronucleating nonmucin glycoproteins in human cholesterol and black gallstones were isolated and identified. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Gallbladder bile contains nonmucin glycoproteins that are pronucleating of cholesterol monohydrate crystals. Little is known about the presence or activity of these proteins within gallstones. METHODS: Nonmucin glycoproteins were isolated from single cholesterol (n = 8), multiple cholesterol (n = 8), and black pigment (n = 8) gallstones by concanavalin A lectin-affinity chromatography. The proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gradient electrophoresis. Western blot analysis was performed for Fab immunoglobulin fragments, and heavy chains from the immunoglobulin G, A, E, and M subclasses. A crystal observation time assay was performed on the combination of isolated nonmucin glycoproteins from gallstones and isolated Fab fragments. RESULTS: Nonmucin glycoproteins of molecular weights 10, 15, 17, 22, 28, and 208 kD were identified in gallstones. These six nonmucin glycoproteins shortened the crystal observation time by more than 50% (p < 0.01) compared with model bile. Western blot analysis confirmed the identity of the 22- and 28-kD proteins as immunoglobulin Fab fragments. These were seen in all gallstones, irrespective of the gallstone type. The isolated Fab 28-kD fragment from the gallstones of 23 patients shortened the extrapolated crystal observation time by 78% (p < 0.01). However, commercially available Fab fragments had no effect on either cholesterol crystal appearance or growth. CONCLUSIONS: Nonmucin glycoproteins that are pronucleating for cholesterol monohydrate crystals are also found in human cholesterol and black pigment gallstones. Fab immunoglobulin fragments were found in all gallstones irrespective of the gallstone type. Fab immunoglobulin fragments from gallstones shortened the crystal observation time but not crystal growth or total crystal content compared with model bile or commercially available Fab fragments. These data suggest that an antigen-immune (Fab) complex may contribute to cholesterol crystal function.
Shopping trip behavior: An empirical investigation

The purpose of this article is to describe shopping trip behavior empirically using shopping trip data. A better understanding of this aspect of the purchase process can assist in generating testable hypotheses as to how the shopping trip decision may influence other choice decisions.
The effect of temperature and saturation ratio on vapor grown cadmium crystals

Abstract The growth of cadmium crystals from the vapor has been studied as a function of vapor saturation and growth temperature. The temperature of growth was varied from 240°C to 300°C, and the saturation ratio, defined as the actual partial pressure of vapor at the crystal over the equilibrium vapor pressure of cadmium at the growth temperature, was varied from 2 to 30 at each growth temperature. The morphology of the crystal growth was observed to change from whiskers at low saturation ratios to platelets at higher saturation ratios. The temperature dependence of the critical saturation ratio was found to conform to the temperature dependence of two-dimensional nucleation on the crystal, as presented by Hirth and Pound).