cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH‐RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY METHOD FOR ULTRA‐TRACE ANALYSIS OF CHLORINATED DIOXINS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES INCLUDING VIET NAM ERA VETERANS

Chlorinated dioxins are labeled and recognized by both the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as "persistent organic pollutants". Their potential for high toxicity is one of the primary factors behind intense public and regulatory scrutiny and the need to measure the compounds at very low limits, specifically the isomer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). This article highlights the early mass spectrometry methods to investigate, detect, confirm, and quantify chlorinated dioxins and the initial applications involving human biomonitoring, as attempts were made to attribute health effects to TCDD exposure. This effort represented a complex and difficult scientific response to the pressing need to investigate expected exposures and alleged subsequent medical effects, which in the case of the Viet Nam veterans was being attempted a decade or more after their exposure. It is noteworthy that this method and its development touched on delicate issues involving human subjects, war veterans, environmental contamination, and was difficult not only scientifically, but for ethical and political reasons as well. Stable-isotope dilution with analysis by gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) became the method of choice because of its ability to monitor characteristic ions and isotope ratios to quantify and qualify/confirm the analyte in the presence of coextracting and coeluting interferences at these low levels with the highest possible confidence. This method was rigorously tested and validated before it was used to discover and monitor levels in the environment and in various populations at then unprecedented low levels. These early studies demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring dioxins in humans even decades after exposure, and led to the detection of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the general population as well as specific overexposed populations. These studies also provided strong evidence regarding the origins of the 2,3,7,8-isomer in the environment. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev.
Capping Mobility to Control COVID-19: A Collision-based Infectious Disease Transmission Model

Abstract We developed a mobility-informed disease-transmission model for COVID-19, inspired by collision theory in gas-phase chemistry. This simple kinetic model leads to a closed-form infectious population as a function of time and cumulative mobility. This model uses fatality data from Johns Hopkins to infer the infectious population in the past, and mobility data from Google, without social-distancing policy, geological or demographic inputs. It was found that the model appears to be valid for twenty hardest hit counties in the United States. Based on this model, the number of infected people grows (shrinks) exponentially once the relative mobility exceeds (falls below) a critical value (∼30% for New York City and ∼60% for all other counties, relative to a median mobility from January 3 to February 6, 2020). A simple mobility cap can be used by government at different levels to control COVID-19 transmission in reopening or imposing another shutdown.
Phosphorus requirement for biomass accumulation is higher compared to photosynthetic biochemistry for three ornamental shrubs

Abstract Ornamental nursery producers grow a variety of plant taxa in soil-less substrates and rely on frequent water and nutrient applications to maximize plant growth and quality. This study was performed to understand the morpho-physiological basis of plant response to phosphorus (P) additions and to identify the optimum P concentration required for three common woody ornamental taxa: Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Queen of Hearts’, Cornus obliqua ‘Powell Gardens’ and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’. In a greenhouse experiment, all plants were watered with a complete nutrient solution that varied in P concentration (0, 0.7, 1.3, 2.5, 3.7, 6.5 mg L−1). Optimum P concentration for photosynthetic biochemistry was dependent on taxa and ranged between 2.5 and 3.7 mg L−1. For total dry biomass, the optimum P concentration was approximately 4.0 mg L−1 for all three taxa. Phosphorus concentration below 2.5 mg L−1 reduced leaf size and resulted in greater partitioning of biomass and P to root growth. Analysis of responses of photosynthesis to intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (A/Ci curves) indicated a continuous increase in photosynthetic parameters to increasing P concentration. Rate of rubisco for carboxylation (Vcmax), RuBP regeneration rate (J), and the rate of triose phosphate use (TPU) limited photosynthesis in P-deficient plants for all three taxa. Light-harvesting efficiency (Fv’/Fm’) for all three taxa was less sensitive to P addition than photosynthetic biochemistry or plant growth. The optimal P concentrations identified in this study are lower than common recommendations and less than the amounts provided by typical commercial fertilizers. Thus, for these three taxa, application of P above 4 mg L−1 in combination with excess irrigation resulting in leachate could have negative environmental consequences without improving crop growth or physiology.
Autism in China: A biosocial review

With a true artist’s musicality, Jordan stands up before his peers at NYU Steinhardt’s Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy to play an improvisational xylophone solo. In Kunming, China, at the MoreToBaby Center for Mental Health Therapy, Chenxuang enthusiastically beats his tambourine to the tune of a Chinese children’s rhyme. Though thousands of miles apart, Jordan and Chenxuang have much in common—they are both five-year old boys who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests in social, communicative and behavioral impairments (CDC, 2011). Both seem content; however, their drastically different surroundings influence the way they experience autism. Jordan plays well-crafted musical instruments in a research facility; Chenxuang plays with donated plastic tambourines in a center with fading posters, peeling paint and aging equipment. Next year, Jordan will likely return to the same building to continue his therapy; due to constant relocation and closure, it is unclear whether Chenxuang will return to the same center. Two therapists tend to Jordan and four other boys; with the center severely understaffed, Chenxuang has to have a parent attend class with him every day. Each attends one of the best centers in his respective region, yet one is underfunded compared to the other. Such examples prompt the need for a biosocial analysis that studies the influence of environmental, social and political factors on biological diseases. After all, it is impossible to understand human behavior, abnormal psychopathology or mental health care without accounting for social and cultural phenomena (Jenks, 2005; Chiang a Lin, Tseng & and Eng-Kung, 1995). The relationship between symptoms and social stigma is especially worth examining because it may have a strong and enduring effect on the well-being of those who face mental health problems (Kleinman,1986; Pearson, 1995; Link et al., 1995). Psychiatry in China is a fusion of Eastern and Western thought, a canvas onto which cultural ideas have fostered various interpretations of autism spectrum disorder. In addition, politics impact the manner in which resources are allocated for treatment. Though there have been many studies on the development of Chinese psychiatry and mental health, few have focused on the diagnosis and treatment of autism. This paper provides an overview of how historical, cultural and political factors affect an autistic individual’s experience.
Probing the Hill Sphere of (486958) 2014 MU69: HST FGS Observations during the 2017 July 17 Stellar Occultation

We observed the 2017 July 17 stellar occultation of HD 168233 by the Kuiper Belt Object (486958) 2014 MU69, the close flyby target of the extended New Horizons mission. Rather than capture a solid body occultation by the KBO itself, our program aimed to constrain the opacity of rings, moons, or other debris in the nearby environment. We used the Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensors (HST FGS) instrument in TRANS F583W mode to collect 40 Hz time resolution photometry of the stellar occultation star for two HST orbits during this observation. We present the results of reduction and calibration of the HST FGS photometry, and set upper limits on rings or other dust opacity within the Hill sphere of (486958) 2014 MU69 at distances ranging from ~20000 km to ~75000 km from the main body.
Ultrasound Findings were Associated With Radiographic Changes, But Not Clinical and Functional Outcomes in Hand Osteoarthritis

Objective. There is a debate over the relevance of ultrasound abnormalities to the pain, functional impairment, and radiologic severity in hand osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to determine the association between ultrasound abnormalities and clinical, functional, and radiographic measures in hand OA. Methods. A total of 66 patients was consecutively enrolled. All patients with gray-scale synovitis, joint effusion, and osteophytes were examined by ultrasound for 20 hand joints. Radiographic changes in both hands were evaluated by the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system and were described as total radiographic severity score and number of affected joints. Other measures were also assessed, including each patient’s visual analogue scale for pain, the Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis for functional disability, and grip and pinch strength for hand muscle strength. Results. In total, 10 patients with gray-scale synovitis, 35 with joint effusion, and 66 with osteophytes were detected in hand OA scans on ultrasound. Osteophytes on ultrasound were significantly associated with total radiographic severity score and number of affected joint (r=0.293, p=0.003 and r=0.336, p＜0.001, respectively). In addition, there were weak associations of synovitis and joint effusion with radiographic changes. Patients with higher total radiographic severity score showed larger number of ultrasound-detected abnormalities, such as synovitis, joint effusion, and osteophytes (p=0.011, p=0.002, and p＜0.001, respectively). Conclusion. This study shows that ultrasound findings, especially osteophytes, were associated with radiographic changes based on K-L grade, but not clinical and functional status in hand OA. (J Rheum Dis 2021;28:17-24)
Spatially Varying Coefficient Models with Sign Preservation of the Coefficient Functions

This paper considers the estimation and inference of spatially varying coefficient models, while preserving the sign of the coefficient functions. In practice, there are various situations where coefficient functions are assumed to be in a certain subspace. For example, they should be either nonnegative or nonpositive on a domain by their nature. However, optimization on a global space of coefficient functions does not ensure that estimates preserve meaningful features in their signs. In this paper, we propose sign-preserved and efficient estimators of the coefficient functions using novel bivariate spline estimators under their smoothness conditions. Our algorithm, based on the alternating direction method of multipliers, yields estimated coefficient functions that are nonnegative or nonpositive, consistent, and efficient. Simulation studies are conducted to address the advantages of the sign preservation method for a specific situation, where coefficient functions have sign constraints. Furthermore, we propose residual bootstrap-based confidence intervals for sign preserving coefficient functions over the domain of interest after adjusting the inherent bias of penalized smoothing spline techniques. Finally, we evaluate our method in a case study using air temperature, land surface temperature, and elevation in the USA. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Low-Lying Electronic States of the Nickel Dimer.

The generalized Van Vleck second order multireference perturbation theory (GVVPT2) method was used to investigate the low-lying electronic states of Ni2. Because the nickel atom has an excitation energy of only 0.025 eV to its first excited state (the least in the first row of transition elements), Ni2 has a particularly large number of low-lying states. Full potential energy curves (PECs) of more than a dozen low-lying electronic states of Ni2, resulting from the atomic combinations 3F4 + 3F4 and 3D3 + 3D3, were computed. In agreement with previous theoretical studies, we found the lowest lying states of Ni2 to correlate with the 3D3 + 3D3 dissociation limit, and the holes in the d-subshells were in the subspace of delta orbitals (i.e., the so-dubbed δδ-states). In particular, the ground state was determined as X 1Γg and had spectroscopic constants: bond length (Re) = 2.26 A, harmonic frequency (ωe) = 276.0 cm-1, and binding energy (De) = 1.75 eV; whereas the 1 1Σg+ excited state (with spectroscopic constants: Re = 2.26 A, ωe = 276.8 cm-1, and De = 1.75) of the 3D3 + 3D3 dissociation channel lay at only 16.4 cm-1 (0.002 eV) above the ground state at the equilibrium geometry. Inclusion of scalar relativistic effects through the spin-free exact two component (sf-X2C) method reduced the bond lengths of both of these two states to 2.20 A, and increased their binding energies to 1.95 eV and harmonic frequencies to 296.0 cm-1 for X 1Γg and 297.0 cm-1 for 1 1Σg+. These values are in good agreement with experimental values of Re = 2.1545 ± 0.0004 A, ωe = 280 ± 20 cm-1, and D0 = 2.042 ± 0.002 eV for the ground state. All states considered within the 3F4 + 3F4 dissociation channel proved to be energetically high-lying and van der Waals-like in nature. In contrast to most previous theoretical studies of Ni2, full PECs of all considered electronic states of the molecule were produced.
Comparative Effectiveness and Tolerability of Transperineal MRI-Targeted Prostate Biopsy under Local versus Sedation.

Abstract Objectives To assess the prostate cancer diagnostic yield, complications, and costs of transperineal prostate biopsies when performed with local anesthesia versus sedation. Methods Data were prospectively collected for men undergoing transperineal MRI-targeted biopsy at the outpatient clinic and tertiary hospital of a single center between October 2017 to February 2020. These data included demographic, procedural, and pathologic variables and complications. Time-driven activity-based costing was performed to compare procedural costs. Results 126 men were included. Age, BMI and PSA were similar for local (n = 45) vs sedation (n = 81), all P>0.05. Detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC) on combined systematic and targeted biopsy was similar for local vs sedation (24% vs 36%; P = 0.2). Local had lower detection on targeted biopsies alone (8.9% vs 25%; P = 0.03). However, fewer targeted cores were obtained per region of interest with local vs sedation (median 3 vs 4 cores; P Conclusion Transperineal biopsy with local anesthesia is safe with comparable outcomes to sedation. While the number of cores taken differed, there was no statistical difference in the detection of clinically significant cancer.
Critical Lessons and the Campaign That Continues

This closing chapter looks beyond the 1980s and the official end of the CLS movement in order to appreciate the long-term lessons provided by the Crits. The Crits have left an indelible imprint on the modern legal academy in the United States, and they have demonstrated how leftist legal reform might emerge out of law schools today.
Amorphous Cathodes for Lithium Batteries

Interest in ambient temperature secondary lithium batteries has focused recently on the use of crystalline layered compounds as cathode materials (1). In particular the dichalcogenide, TiS2, has been found to possess many of the characteristics desired of a secondary electrode, such as a continuous non-stoichiometric phase, LixTiS2 for o<χ<l, high electron conductivity, and high free energy of reaction. Many of the other dichalcogenides show similar but generally inferior electrochemical characteristics. However, amongst the group VIB dichalcogenides, crystalline molybdenum disulfide only intercalates about 0.1 Li/Mo and the tungsten compounds react directly to the lithium chalcogenide, Li2S or Li2Se. This behavior is just that expected from thermodynamic calculations. Ideally to achieve optimum energy storage capacity, either volumetric or gravimetric, reaction with more than one alkali metal per transition metal is desired without breaks in the discharge curve as observed with VSe2. Although some crystalline trichalcogenides such as TiS3, MoO3 and NbSe3 have been studied only one, NbSe3, shows significant reversibility under deep discharge conditions and it contains heavy, expensive and toxic components; moreover, its gravimetric energy density under load is less than that of TiS2. This paper discusses some initial work on a new class of cathode materials, amorphous transition metal chalcogenides. As examples, the properties of MoS2, MoS3 and V2S5 will be described (2).
Size Matters: Small Distributed Biomass Energy Production Systems for Economic Viability

Current large scale biomass energy production systems including cellulosic ethanol, gasification, and pyrolysis facilities face significant technical and economic hurdles. Compared with these large scale systems, small distributed biomass energy production systems (DBEPS) are believed to offer advantages including lower capital costs, lower feedstock costs, simplified transportation and logistics and higher returns for biomass producers. DBEPS compliant technologies are expected to make utilization of regional biomass supplies practical and economically viable in the near-term. This paper presents arguments on the need and importance of DBEPS, available DBEPS options, and an economic scenario of DBEPS implementation on an average size farm in the US. Keywords: renewable energy, biomass, biorefining, pyrolysis, thermochemical conversion DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2008.01.064-068 Citation: Roger Ruan, Paul Chen, Richard Hemmingsen, Vance Morey, Doug Tiffany. Size matters: small distributed biomass energy production systems for economic viability. Int J Agric & Biol Eng. 2008;1(1): 64
When to Consider Ovarian Artery Embolization in UAE

The ovarian artery is a major collateral pathway to the uterus and may act as a source of fibroid perfusion. This chapter gives an overview about the ovarian artery anatomy, imaging techniques to visualize collateral arterial supply to uterine fibroids, the technique of ovarian artery embolization (OAE) as well as the risks and benefits of supplemental OAE in the setting of uterine fibroid embolization.
Barroco excremental. Conjunciones y disyunciones en la ensayística de Octavio Paz

Lo que va a emerger con la recuperacion del Barroco Latinoamericano es la desfiguracion de la dialectica cultural con que se percibe la relacion entre el colonialismo y la dependencia como una relacion dada entre el cuerpo y el espiritu del capitalismo, vistos en terminos de una narrativa de la bipolaridad. Ya sea como una critica a la moral, o al individualismo, el barroco va a ir habilitando un cuestionamiento a los sentidos del erotismo como una expresion en que se interrogan las funciones del cuerpo y las constelaciones materiales que atraviesan y recorren las divisiones entre cultura y naturaleza. El problema para reconocer el sentido del ensayo y el barroco latinoamericanos es en este sentido particular: se trata de su agotamiento como instrumento de la transculturacion y de su orientacion como un discurso del mestizaje. Podemos decir que la rehabilitacion del vinculo entre el barroco y el ensayo arranca del modo con que se aprecian las relaciones entre el cuerpo y el erotismo como una contrapartida a la lectura weberiana del desencantamiento moderno y la primacia concedida al espiritu del capitalismo.
A W-band integrated silicon-germanium loop-back and front-end transmit-receive switch for Built-in-self-test

This paper presents a front-end switch that integrates the ability to provide both loop-back testing and transmit-receive operation. In addition, power detectors are integrated with capacitive couplers to sense the power levels at the transmitter output and the receiver input. The measured results show the power detectors have constant responsivity and can predict the power level within 0.5 dB. These capabilities are added to the front-end switch while maintaining an insertion loss of 2.3–2.5 dB and an isolation of 19.5 dB at 94 GHz.
Low resting potential and postnatal upregulation of NMDA receptors may cause Cajal-Retzius cell death.

Using in situ patch-clamp techniques in rat telencephalic slices, we have followed resting potential (RP) properties and the functional expression of NMDA receptors in neocortical Cajal–Retzius (CR) cells from embryonic day 18 to postnatal day 13, the time around which these cells normally disappear. We find that throughout their lives CR cells have a relatively depolarized RP (approximately −50 mV), which can be made more hyperpolarized (approximately −70 mV) by stimulation of the Na/K pump with intracellular ATP. The NMDA receptors of CR cells are subjected to intense postnatal upregulation, but their similar properties (EC50, Hill number, sensitivity to antagonists, conductance, and kinetics) throughout development suggest that their subunit composition remains relatively homogeneous. The low RP of CR cells is within a range that allows for the relief of NMDA channels from Mg2+ blockade. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that CR cells may degenerate and die subsequent to uncontrolled overload of intracellular Ca2+ via NMDA receptor activation by ambient glutamate. In support of this hypothesis we have obtained evidence showing the protection of CR cells via in vivo blockade of NMDA receptors with dizocilpine.
Housing Mortgage in the Russian Federation in H1 2013

In Q2 2013, the monthly weighted average interest rate on ruble-denominated housing mortgage loans was no longer on the rise, after a more than year-long period of growth: the interest rate for June was 12.6% against its record high of 12.9% in March 2013. The volume of housing mortgage lending in Q2 2013 amounted to Rb 315.5bn, which is by 26.63% higher than the volume of similar loans granted over Q2 2012. The share of outstanding ruble-denominated debt against housing mortgage credits relative to the sum of residual debt continues to be on the decline (1.24% as of 1 July 2013 against 1.41% as of 1 April 2013); the same is true with regard to the corresponding share of outstanding debt denominated in foreign currencies (12.45% as of 1 July 2013 against 11.78% as of 1 April 2013). The share of debt against defaulted housing mortgage credits (HMC) (with payments overdue for periods over 180 days) in the sum of total debt denominated in all currencies shrank to 1.15%.
Two-Time-Level Semi-Lagrangian Modeling of Precipitating Clouds

Abstract This paper discusses two-time-level semi-Lagrangian approximations for the bulk warm-rain microphysics embedded in the framework of an anelastic cloud model. The central theoretical issue is a semi-Lagrangian integration of the rain-evolution equation. Because departure points of rain trajectories differ from those of flow trajectories and the terminal velocity of the precipitation depends on the concentration of the precipitation itself, effective semi-Lagrangian approximations are not necessarily straightforward. Some simplifying assumptions are adopted that compromise formal accuracy and computational efficiency of the method. Theoretical considerations are illustrated with idealized simulations of precipitating thermal convection and orographically forced clouds. Comparisons with corresponding results obtained using a more traditional, flux-form Eulerian cloud model document highly competitive performance of the semi-Lagrangian approach. Although derived for the warm-rain parameterization, th...
Interspike interval patterning in recurrent nerve fibre activity during respiration.

L'interaction des donnees sensorielles pharyngiennes provenant du nerf glossopharyngien et des influences synaptiques respiratoires du tronc cerebral sur les motoneurones crâniens du noyau ambigu, indique que la caracteristique de decharge repetee des fibres motrices du nerf recurrent durant la respiration devient nonstereotypee durant l'alternance de la deglutition et de l'inspiration.
Prostaglandin and myokine involvement in the cyclooxygenase-inhibiting drug enhancement of skeletal muscle adaptations to resistance exercise in older adults

Twelve weeks of resistance training (3 days/wk) combined with daily consumption of the cyclooxygenase-inhibiting drugs acetaminophen (4.0 g/day; n = 11, 64 ± 1 yr) or ibuprofen (1.2 g/day; n = 13, ...
Mutagenicity and toxicity of visible fluorescent light to cultured mammalian cells

MANY cultured mammalian cells are characterised by karyotypic instability, high rates of spontaneous transformation and high frequencies of background mutation. The toxicity of visible light for mammalian cells1–4 is usually attributed to photochemical reactions between light and the culture medium, and riboflavin, tryptophan and tyrosine are often thought to mediate this toxicity1–3. Light has been shown to produce strand breaks in DNA5,6. Because many tissue culture operations are conducted under fluorescent light, we have investigated whether the toxicity and DNA strand-breaking activity of light are accompanied by mutagenicity. We report here that this is the case.
Observation of O(1D) produced from photodissociation of HO2 at 193 and 248 nm

The photodissociation processes of HO2 were investigated, using ArF and KrF laser photons. HO2 was produced by a three‐body reaction: H+O2+He→HO2+He. The primary products from HO2 photodissociation are O(1D)+OH(X 2Π). O(1D) then transfers its energy to O2 to form O2(b 1Σ+g), giving emission at 7620 A. This O2 emission band is identified both from its wavelength and its rates of quenching by various gases. The O(1D) production is confirmed by its quenching rates with N2 and Xe. The cross section for the production of O(1D) at 248 nm is larger than that at 193 nm by a factor of 3. The electronic states and photodissociation processes of HO2 that lead to the production of O(1D)+OH(X 2Π) are discussed.
In Support of Altruism in Hinduism

opposite error: he exaggerates and confuses their differences, and slants several interpretations to favor his hypothesis. He fails to attain the fair and balanced comparison which he recommends. I shall draw much evidence from a book called Sanatana Dharma: an Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics, second edition, published by the Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College, Benares, 1904. Its classical character is guaranteed by the four chief sources of its quotations: Laws of Manu, 74; Upanishads, 62; Vedas, 52; and the Bhagavad Gita, 51. Several quotations will come from Eastern Religions and Western Thought (Oxford, 1939) by the great philosopher and Vice-president of India, S. Radhakrishnan. Lines from the Gita were
Toeplitz system associated with the product of a formal Laurent series and a Laurent polynomial

A method is proposed for solving linear algebraic systems with Toeplitz matrices generated by $T ( z ) = C( z )\Phi ( z )$, where $C( z )$ is a Laurent polynomial and $\Phi ( z )$ is a formal Laurent series, and a convenient method is available for solving systems with Toeplitz matrices generated by $\Phi ( z )$. Special cases of the method provide $O( n )$ procedures for solving $n \times n$ systems with banded or rationally generated Toeplitz matrices. The latter do not require recursion with respect to n.
Variable Ti-content and grain size of titanomagnetite as a function of cooling rate in very young MORB

Transmission electron microscopy observations and rock magnetic measurements on a pillow from the ‘New Flow’, extruded in 1993 at the Juan de Fuca Ridge, demonstrate that Ti-content in large (up to 40 μm) titanomagnetite grains varies as a function of the cooling rate. Large grains in the interior of the pillow have a narrow composition range of approximately x=0.6, where x represents the ulvospinel content in the solid solution series with magnetite. In contrast, the titanomagnetite grains near the pillow rim are progressively smaller and have a broad composition range (average x=∼0.45). Within 0.5 cm of the rim a significant portion of the grains is single domain (SD) to superparamagnetic (SP) and appears to have little or no Ti. This lower Ti-content provides a ready explanation for the higher Curie temperature near the glassy margin of the pillow. Moreover, determination of the oxidation state of the titanomagnetite does not show low temperature oxidation anywhere within the pillow, indicating no rapid alteration to titanomaghemite as previously suggested for this very young mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) in order to explain the Curie temperatures. Submicrometer titanomagnetite in interstitial glass in the interior of the pillow also shows variable x values. These grains make contributions to susceptibility that show up as high (up to ∼580°C) Curie temperatures in thermomagnetic analyses and they appear to be SD to SP. The variation of x values for the titanomagnetite in the MORB is consistent with thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, because crystallization of titanomagnetite in the MORB is controlled by processes depending on cooling rate and crystal-melt fractionation.
One RNA aptamer sequence, two structures: a collaborating pair that inhibits AMPA receptors

RNA is ideally suited for in vitro evolution experiments, because a single RNA molecule possesses both genotypic (replicable sequence) and phenotypic (selectable shape) properties. Using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), we found a single 58-nt aptamer sequence that assumes two structures with different functions, both of which are required to inhibit the GluR2 AMPA receptor channel. Yet, the two structures, once formed during transcription, appear to be incapable of interconverting through unfolding and refolding, presumably due to their extraordinary structural stability. Thus, our results suggest more broadly that natural RNA molecules can evolve to acquire alternative structures and associated functions. Such divergence of RNA phenotype may precede gene duplication at the genome level.
Alkaline Pretreatment of Coastal Bermudagrass for Bioethanol Production

Lignocellulosic materials are regarded as an alternative energy source for bioethanol production to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Pretreatment is important for improving the enzymatic digestibility of lignocelluloses to increase the yield of fermentable sugars. Alkaline (sodium hydroxide and lime (calcium hydroxide)) pretreatment of coastal bermudagrass for enhanced reducing sugars recovery was investigated in this study. The effect of NaOH pretreatment at 121°C using 1%, 2% and 3% (w/v) NaOH for 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes was evaluated first. Lower NaOH concentrations (0.5% and 0.75%) and lower temperatures (50, 80 and 100°C) were then examined. Lime (0.1 g Ca(OH)2/g raw biomass) pretreatment of the biomass was conducted at room temperature, 50°C, 80°C, and 121°C. Total reducing sugars, glucose and xylose were analyzed. The optimal NaOH pretreatment conditions at 121°C for glucose and xylose production are 15 minutes and 0.75% NaOH. However, to maximize total reducing sugars production, pretreatment at 121°C for 30 minutes using 1% NaOH is needed. The highest reducing sugars yield reached up to approximate 86% of theoretical maximum for NaOH pretreatment. Sodium hydroxide is more efficient than lime at 121°C for improved reducing sugars yield. Increasing temperature reduced the optimal pretreatment time at the same lime loading. The reducing sugars production under optimal pretreatment times was enhanced by 8% of theoretical maximum from room temperature to 80°C.
Screening for Breast Cancer with Mammography: Current Status and An Overview

This article reviews the current status of Mammographic screening in early detection of Breast cancer. A brief introduction on the global breast cancer burden is followed by an overview of the data proving the benefits of screening mammography in those countries where screening programs are in place. The screening recommendations, the benchmarks of a successful mammographic screening program and an overview of the guidelines that have been implemented for ensuring quality assurance in the USA and Europe are presented. The pertinent aspects of mammographic interpretation and the role of non mammographic screening methods are also discussed.
Representation of individual differences in rectangular proximity data through anti-Q matrix decomposition

Decomposition of a rectangular proximity matrix into a sum of equal-sized matrices, each constrained to display a certain order pattern, called an anti-Q form, can be interpreted as a less restrictive analogue of singular value decomposition. Both decomposition techniques share the ultimate goal of identifying a parsimonious representation of the original matrix in the form of an approximation through a small sum of components. The specific patterning of the extracted anti-Q matrices lends to subsequent analyses steps (by treating each anti-Q component as a separate proximity matrix), and representations as a discrete two-mode ultrametric or a continuous unidimensional unfolding. Because both models entail the same number of estimated weights, a direct comparison of their fit values can be carried out. Thus, for each extracted anti-Q matrix we can distinguish whether a categorical (discrete) or a dimensional structure provides the better representation. A generalization of anti-Q decomposition is proposed to a cube formed by rectangular proximity matrices observed from multiple data sources, and therefore, as a way of representing individual differences. In addressing this task within a 'deviation-from-the-mean paradigm', the individual proximity matrices are decomposed against a reference structure derived from the aggregate body of data. Assessment of overall agreement with the reference structure for each data source, as well as discrete and continuous representations fit to each extracted confirmatory anti-Q matrix, provide a detailed inter- and intra-individual analysis of the predominate characterization of the relationships between row and column objects. As an illustrative application, we analyze criterion-based rankings given by males and females for various contraceptive measures.
Influence of triple-dipole forces on θoc in the inert gas solids

Abstract Preliminary calculations of the effect of triple-dipole forces upon the Debye temperature θoc for the inert gas solids are reported for a 6–12 all neighbor Lennard-Jones potential.
Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of chromosomal proteins during in vitro transcription

Abstract Under conditions commonly used for studying transcription in vitro, both isolated HeLa cell nuclei and chromatin exhibited protein kinase activity. The protein kinase activity of nuclei did not change when transcription was inhibited. However, when chromatin transcription was inhibited the level of concomitant chromosomal protein phosphorylation decreased. Electrophoretic analysis showed that the increase in chromosomal protein phosphorylation during transcription was due to a general increase in the phosphorylation of previously phosphorylated proteins and not to the phosphorylation of a specific protein. The increase was not due to an increase in the rate of turnover of phosphate groups. Chromatin that had been dissociated and reconstituted lost the protein kinase activity.
Dimorphic study of surgical anatomic landmarks of the lateral ramus of the mandible

Sixty-three human cadaver hemimandibles of known sexual origin were studied. The anatomic relationship between the midpoint of the waist of the lateral ramus and the mandibular foramen was examined and compared with that of the antilingula. No statistical differences were found between either these two landmarks or the sexes.
Automatic speaker age and gender recognition using acoustic and prosodic level information fusion

The paper presents a novel automatic speaker age and gender identification approach which combines seven different methods at both acoustic and prosodic levels to improve the baseline performance. The three baseline subsystems are (1) Gaussian mixture model (GMM) based on mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) features, (2) Support vector machine (SVM) based on GMM mean supervectors and (3) SVM based on 450-dimensional utterance level features including acoustic, prosodic and voice quality information. In addition, we propose four subsystems: (1) SVM based on UBM weight posterior probability supervectors using the Bhattacharyya probability product kernel, (2) Sparse representation based on UBM weight posterior probability supervectors, (3) SVM based on GMM maximum likelihood linear regression (MLLR) matrix supervectors and (4) SVM based on the polynomial expansion coefficients of the syllable level prosodic feature contours in voiced speech segments. Contours of pitch, time domain energy, frequency domain harmonic structure energy and formant for each syllable (segmented using energy information in the voiced speech segment) are considered for analysis in subsystem (4). The proposed four subsystems have been demonstrated to be effective and able to achieve competitive results in classifying different age and gender groups. To further improve the overall classification performance, weighted summation based fusion of these seven subsystems at the score level is demonstrated. Experiment results are reported on the development and test set of the 2010 Interspeech Paralinguistic Challenge aGender database. Compared to the SVM baseline system (3), which is the baseline system suggested by the challenge committee, the proposed fusion system achieves 5.6% absolute improvement in unweighted accuracy for the age task and 4.2% for the gender task on the development set. On the final test set, we obtain 3.1% and 3.8% absolute improvement, respectively.
Scattering of a Rayleigh wave by an elastic wedge whose angle is less than 180

The steady-state problem of scattering of an incident Rayleigh wave by an elastic wedge whose angle is less than 180° is considered. The problem is reduced to the numerical solution of a pair of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind whose kernels are continuous functions. Numerical results are given for the amplitude and phase of the Rayleigh waves transmitted and reflected by the corner.
A graduate programme in pediatric nursing.

Resume L'article decrit le programme des deux annees d'etudes academiques requises pour l'obtention du titre de Master of Science (Pediatric Nursing, a l'Universite du Wisconsin, Madison. Ce programme a ete concu pour preparer des cliniciennes specialisees a assumer des postes de responsabilite et de direction dans le domaine des soins aux meres et aux enfants. Il comporte aussi la preparation a l'enseignement en matiere de nursing pediatrique ou de certaines specialisations cliniques relevant de ce meme domaine. Les considerations qui ont inspire l'enonce des objectifs et l'economie du programme decoulent de convictions acquises au cours de travaux en conseil. Un expose de ces convictions et des objectifs du programme precede la description de celui-ci. L'article communique aussi des details interessants sur le developpement et la mise en oeuvre du programme. Le nursing est le terrain d'etude principal et le programme tout entier est axe sur lui. Les cours portent sur trois aspects des soins infirmiers: 1° Les soins pediatriques sur le plan familial; 2° La recherche en matiere de nursing; 3° La preparation a un terrain d'activite choisi. La fin de l'article traite du plan et des methodes d'enseignement. On y trouve aussi un schema des matieres des cours et une justification du choix de ces matieres. La participation a l'observation d'enfants des differents âges et de leurs familles est pratiquee a l'hopital, en clinique et a domicile. Des experiences pedagogiques englobent aussi la theorie relative au terrain d'activite choisi et des occasions de verification pratique des aptitudes. L'enseignement clinique est dispense dans le contexte des rapports d'etudiant a professeur. L'etudiante participe au choix des experiences pedagogiques. Elle assume la responsabilite de la mise en marche des activites d'equipe et du plan des experiences a entreprendre avec les enfants et les familles retenus comme objets d'etude. Son etude des familles est souvent poursuivie d'un bout a l'autre du programme. L'etudiante assure la continuite des soins a la famille en consultant les assistantes sociales commises a la collectivite a laquelle appartiennent les enfants admis a l'hopital. D'autres aspects de l'enseignement clinique sont la participation de l'etudiante aux activites, dans le service et en clinique, des infirmieres attachees a la faculte et sa presence aux entretiens individuels de direction. L'etudiante est aussi encouragee a chercher des appuis chez des personnes d'autres disciplines. Les pediatres et les membres des equipes relevant d'autres disciplines sont volontiers disposes a la conseiller. L'etude d'un probleme de nursing et un rapport sur les observations faites sont exiges pour satisfaire aux conditions d'obtention du titre de Master of Science.
Prospective and retrospective semantic processing: Prediction, time, and relationship strength in event-related potentials

Abstract Semantic context effects have variously been attributed to prospective processing – predictions about upcoming words – or to retrospective appreciation of relationships after reading both context and target. In two experiments, we altered the core variable distinguishing prospective from retrospective processing, namely time. Word pairs varying in strength of relationship were presented sequentially, to allow time for anticipation of the second word, or simultaneously. For both sorts of presentation, the amplitude of the N400 component of the event-related potential was graded from Unrelated to Moderate/Weak to Strong associates. Strong associates showed a temporal advantage over weaker associates – an earlier context effect – only during sequential presentation. Spatial distributions of the N400 context effects also differed for simultaneous versus sequential presentation.
Spinal endomorphin 2 antinociception and the mechanisms that produce it are both sex- and stage of estrus cycle-dependent in rats.

Abstract Endomorphin 2 (EM2) is the predominant endogenous mu-opioid receptor (MOR) ligand in the spinal cord. Given its endogenous presence, antinociceptive responsiveness to the intrathecal application of EM2 most likely reflects its ability to modulate nociception when released in situ. In order to explore the physiological pliability of sex-dependent differences in spinal MOR-mediated antinociception, we investigated the antinociception produced by intrathecal EM2 in male, proestrus female, and diestrus female rats. Antinociception was reflected by changes in tail flick latency to radiant heat. In females, the spinal EM2 antinociceptive system oscillated between analgesically active and inactive states. During diestrus, when circulating estrogens are low, spinal EM2 antinociceptive responsiveness was minimal. In contrast, during proestrus, when circulating estrogens are high, spinal EM2 antinociception was robust and comparable in magnitude to that manifest by males. Furthermore, in proestrus females, spinal EM2 antinociception required spinal dynorphin and kappa-opioid receptor activation, concomitant with MOR activation. This is required for neither spinal EM2 antinociception in males nor the antinociception elicited in proestrus females by spinal sufentanil or [d-Ala 2 , N -methyl-Phe 4 ,Gly-ol 5 ]-enkephalin, which are prototypic MOR-selective nonpeptide and peptide agonists, respectively. These results reveal that spinal EM2 antinociception and the signaling mechanisms used to produce it fundamentally differ in males and females. Perspective The inability to mount spinal EM2 antinociception during defined stages of the estrus (and presumably menstrual) cycle and impaired transition from spinal EM2 analgesically nonresponsive to responsive physiological states could be causally associated with the well-documented greater severity and frequency of chronic intractable pain syndromes in women vs men.
Optimization of anti-pseudomonal antibiotics for cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations: II. cephalosporins and penicillins.

Acute pulmonary exacerbations (APE) are well-described complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) and are associated with progressive morbidity and mortality. Despite aggressive management with two or more intravenous anti-pseudomonal agents, approximately 25% of exacerbations will result in a loss of lung function. The aim of this review is to provide an evidence-based summary of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD), tolerability, and efficacy studies utilizing anti-pseudomonal cephalosporins (i.e., ceftazidime and cefepime) and penicillins (i.e., piperacillin–tazobactam and ticarcillin–clavulanate) in the treatment of APE and to identify areas where further study is warranted. The ceftazidime and cefepime dosing ranges from the literature are 200–400 mg/kg/day divided every 6–8 hr, maximum 8–12 g/day, and 150–200 mg/kg/day divided every 6–8 hr, up to 6–8 g/day, respectively. The literature supported dosing ranges for piperacillin and ticarcillin are 350–600 mg/kg/day divided every 4 hr, maximum 18–24 g/day of piperacillin component, and 400–750 mg/kg/day divided every 6 hr, up to 24–30 g/day of ticarcillin component, respectively. As a large portion of CF patients will not regain their lung function following an APE, we suggest the need to optimize antibiotic dosing and dosing regimens used to treat an APE in efforts to improve outcomes for CF patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Future studies are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of higher than FDA-approved doses of ceftazidime, cefepime, and ticarcillin–clavulanate in APE. The usefulness of high dose piperacillin (>600 mg/kg/day) may be limited due to treatment-related adverse effects. Further understanding of these adverse effects in CF patients is needed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:107–122. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensorimotor model of bat echolocation and prey capture.

A model of the bat sensorimotor system is developed using acoustics, signal processing, and control theory to illustrate the fundamental issues in accomplishing prey capture with echolocation. This model indicates that successful nonpredictive tracking of an ideal prey can be accomplished with a very simple system. Circular apertures approximate the mouth and ears for deriving acoustic beam patterns, using the big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus as a model. Fundamental and overtone frequency components in the emissions allow two simultaneous acoustic beams to be defined. A pair of nonlinear, time‐variable, sampled‐data controllers alter the bat’s heading by applying yaw and pitch heading corrections. The yaw correction attempts to position the prey in the midsagittal plane by nulling the interaural intensity difference of the fundamental component. The pitch correction compares the intensities of the overtone and fundamental components and acts to null their difference. By initiating pitch correction when the overtone intensity first exceeds that of the fundamental, the ambiguity problem is solved and the prey is directed to the capture region. Simulations of passive prey capture indicate that the capture probability decreases as the prey speed increases. Both quick and sluggish prey are considered, with sluggish prey found to be caught with slightly better efficiency. The magnitude of the prey’s lateral motion just prior to capture is observed to be an important factor determining capture. The presence of a blind stage is considered, during which the interference of the emission with the echo is assumed to disrupt any sonar information. The presence of such a blind stage is found to have negligible effect on capture efficiency.