cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Early Care and Education Quality

High-quality early care and education (ECE) programs are thought to increase opportunities for all children to succeed in school, but recent findings call into question whether these programs affect children as anticipated. In this article, I examine research relating the quality of ECE to children's outcomes, finding somewhat inconsistent and modest associations with widely used measures of process and structural quality, and more consistent and stronger associations with other dimensions of ECE such as curricula and type of ECE program. I discuss why the associations between ECE quality and outcomes are so modest, including limited children's outcomes, psychometric issues with quality measures, and a need to revise and expand measures of ECE quality. The evidence indicates that we need to focus on the content of instruction and teaching practices, as well as the extent to which teachers actively scaffold learning opportunities. We also need to continue to focus on the quality of interactions between teachers and children, and on children's access to age-appropriate activities.
Super-resolution imaging in biomedicine, edited by A. Diaspro and M. A. M. J. van Zandvoort

‘Super-resolution’ imaging refers to imaging techniques that result in image resolutions below the so-called ‘diffraction limit’, first formulated by Abbe in 1873. In the early 1990s, several metho...
Ventilator Withdrawal at the End of Life

Some mechanically ventilated cancer patients will not be restored to a desirable baseline function after a trial of critical care. Decisions with these patients and/or their surrogates may be made to withdraw mechanical ventilation (MV) and allow a natural, comfortable death. Withdrawal of MV leads to patient suffering and distress and to high levels of psychological distress among family members if not performed correctly [1]. The focus of this chapter is the process of withdrawing MV to ensure patient respiratory comfort.
History and Teaching Statistics

When Terry Speed arrived in Berkeley in the 1980s, I too was a new arrival. He was coming to Berkeley as a senior hire and I as a junior. It was through our connection to David Pollard that we discovered our mutual interest in teaching statistics. We first collaborated on a small project to introduce computing into the advanced undergraduate theoretical statistics course. The computing exercises we developed were aimed at students uncovering, through simulation studies, some of the rules of thumb that a practicing statistician regularly uses. This was not as successful as we had hoped because our students didn’t see any reason to care about the simulation results. We had fallen into the trap Terry warns against in Speed [10]: teaching pseudo-applied statistics with context-free numbers. Subsequent attempts led us to connect the work to real applications and then to the template described in Nolan and Speed [8] and used in Stat Labs: Mathematical Statistics through Applications [9]. It would seem that this template should have been an immediate and obvious result of Speed [10]. It wasn’t. While Terry modestly claims to be “no exception – for allowing ourselves to forget the fundamental importance of the interplay of questions, answers and statistics”, I dare conjecture that one of his goals in the project was for me to gain experience through trial and error in developing an effective approach to teaching statistics.
Eddy-Current Detection of Pitting Corrosion in Aircraft Lap-Splices

Corrosion is one of the most important limits on the life of transport aircraft. The outer skin of transports consists of thin sheets of aluminum that in many aircraft are fastened at lap-splices. The infiltration of moisture initiates corrosion between the sheets and thus internally erodes the outer covering of the plane. A substantial effort has been undertaken to find ways to detect and quantitatively measure such hidden corrosion. It has been shown that the swept-frequency or pulsed eddy-current impedance can be used to quantitatively measure uniform loss of material (over areas > 1 cm2) in both the first and second layers of the lap-splice [1, 2, 3]. Consequently, eddy-currents form the basis for a quantitative inspection system. However, corrosion does not always result in a uniform loss of material. Sometimes the loss is highly localized and is aptly described as “pitting corrosion”. Consequently, there is a need for understanding the effects of such pits on the eddy-current response.
Evaluating the impact of radiation therapy on patient quality of life following primary artificial urinary sphincter placement

Background: The impact of prior radiation therapy on patient satisfaction following primary artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement is not well described, therefore our aim was to evaluate the effect of radiation on patient satisfaction among men undergoing primary AUS with and without a history of prior radiation. Methods: From 1983–2011, 1,082 men underwent primary AUS placement at our institution. Of these, 467 were alive, with an intact primary AUS and invited to participate in a mailed survey assessing AUS status, patient satisfaction, and urinary control. Clinical subjective outcomes were assessed via reported change in urinary control from pre-operative to post-AUS placement. Results: In total, 229/467 (49%) of men with an intact primary AUS completed the survey, with a median follow-up of 8.4 years [interquartile range (IQR) 5.8–11.4]. Of these, 64 men (28%) had a prior history of radiation therapy. Both men with and without history of radiation, reported a high likelihood of electing to have AUS surgery again, 87% vs . 91% respectively (P=0.87), and of recommending AUS surgery to a family member, 86% vs . 93% respectively (P=0.18). There were no significant differences between those with and without prior radiation with regard to rates of reported: substantial improvement in urinary control following surgery (72% vs . 78%, P=0.30), minimal bothersome leakage (57.1% vs . 66%, P=0.31), and pad use ≤1 pad/day (49% vs . 59%, P=0.06). Conclusions: In a large cohort of primary AUS implants with and without prior radiation therapy we noted a high-level of satisfaction and though many patients still utilized 1 or more pads/day with long-term follow-up. Importantly, there was no significant difference in quality of life (QoL) outcomes compared between those with and without prior radiation therapy.
Colliding Ecosystems: Interpreting the Complex Social World of Adolescent Children of Immigrants:

This article proposes Urie Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development as an interpretive lens for recognizing the challenges presented to the adolescent children of immigrant adults...
A Mixed Integer Nonlinear Program Based Power Load Estimator for Distribution Grid

An accurate power load estimation enables the controller to reduce the power loss and voltage fluctuation efficiently in the distribution grid. In this paper, we propose a mixed integer nonlinear program (MINLP) based power load estimator to detect and estimate the regular and unexpected abnormal loads with noise corrupted measurement in a photovoltaic-connected power distribution system. The power load data for different customers is from Southern California Edison. Unexpected abnormal power loads and measurement noise are simulated in several case studies to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of the power load estimators. The proposed new estimator solves an MINLP to detect abnormal power loads and accurately calculate their amplitudes. All parameters of this new estimator can be specified with clear guidelines, and its computational burden is not high. Finally, six different scenarios are presented to highlight the superiority of the proposed new estimator.
Online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Students perspectives

This research study examines the attitudes of Pakistani higher education students towards compulsory digital and distance learning university courses amid Coronavirus (COVID-19). Undergraduate and postgraduate were surveyed to find their perspectives about online education in Pakistan. The findings of the study highlighted that online learning cannot produce desired results in underdeveloped countries like Pakistan, where a vast majority of students are unable to access the internet due to technical as well as monetary issues. The lack of face-to-face interaction with the instructor, response time and absence of traditional classroom socialization were among some other issues highlighted by higher education students.
IC Discrimination via Novel S-Parameter Measurement Technique

A novel technique is presented for the discrimination of Integrated Circuits (ICs) which involves an analysis of the complex reflection coefficient of RF signals (300 kHz to 500 MHz) on the pins of the device. Identical ICs in 8-pin SOIC packages are placed in the test socket of a custom test setup involving an electric network analyzer (ENA) and a 1x8 relay matrix. A measurement of the reflection coefficient for the device under test (DUT) is used to calculate the root mean square error (RMSE) between the DUT and a measurement taken from the empty socket. This is completed for each of the possible states of the relay matrix resulting in a 1x256 feature vector which can be used in a classification analysis. A multivariate logistic regression is used to generate the classification models. These models are trained using synthetic samples generated from the statistical distribution of samples collected empirically. DUTs were chosen from a set of two device families including several part numbers per family and multiple lot IDs per part number. Using this technique to identify devices resulted in an accuracy of 100% when identifying device family and part number and an accuracy of 77% when discriminating between devices with identical part numbers but different lot IDs.
External Evaluators Learning? Exploration and Exploitation in Innovation and Regulator Routines

Existing literature has established the importance of organizational learning for successful innovation and organizational adaptation. Yet, given the importance of external actor in evaluating inno...
Defeatist performance beliefs in individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis and outpatients with chronic schizophrenia

AIM Prior studies indicate that defeatist performance beliefs (DPBs) are elevated in those in the chronic phase of schizophrenia (SZ) and associated with negative symptoms, functional outcome and neurocognitive impairment. However, it is unclear whether these same patterns of results hold in participants at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. METHODS Two studies were conducted to determine whether prior results in SZ could be replicated and extended to CHR. Participants included 184 healthy controls (CN) and 186 outpatients with chronic SZ for Study 1, and 30 CN and 35 CHR in Study 2. In both studies, participants completed the DPB scale and measures of negative symptoms, psychosocial functioning and neurocognition. RESULTS Both chronic SZ and CHR participants had elevated DPBs compared to CN (p's < .01). In SZ, higher DPBs were associated with greater negative symptoms (r's = .31-.37, p's < .01), poorer social functioning and impaired social cognition (r = -.40, P < .001). In CHR, greater DPBs were associated with poorer social functioning (r = -.52, P < .05) and impairments in the neurocognitive domains of reasoning (r = -.48, P < .05) and processing speed (r = -.41, P < .05). Models testing whether DPBs mediated links between negative symptoms and functioning, negative symptoms and cognition and cognition and functioning were nonsignificant in SZ and CHR samples. CONCLUSIONS Findings generally provide support for the cognitive model of negative symptoms and functioning and suggest that DPBs are an important clinical target across phases of psychotic illness.
Birth weight predicts patient outcomes in infants who undergo congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of low birthweight (LBW) infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) compared to normal birthweight (NBW) i...
Components for Polarization Control

Controlling the state of polarization for a propagating mode on an integrated optical chip is a particularly challenging aspect of integrated optical engineering. A significant aspect of that challenge is the need for fabrication with several different forms of materials. In fact in many cases the use of a hybrid approach is required. In this chapter, a wide variety of approaches from simple metal over layers to complex layered structure, and carefully fabricated optical nanostructures are examined for their use in polarization control.
A Simple Experimental Test of the Coase Conjecture: Fairness in Dynamic Bargaining

We conduct a novel experimental test of the Coase conjecture using subjects' private information about preferences for fairness. In an infinite horizon bargaining game, a proposer proposes a division of chips, until a responder accepts. Given private information about fairness preferences and patient players, the Coase conjecture predicts almost immediate agreement on equal payoffs. We test this for two different chip-to-money exchange rates, and compare outcomes to ultimatum games. Behavior closely matches theory. In particular, when chips are worth more to proposers than responders, initial offers, minimum acceptable offers, responder payoffs and efficiency are significantly larger in the infinite horizon.
The impact of public policies on acculturation: A mixed-method study of Latinx immigrants' experiences in four US states

AIMS This study sought to understand the impact of public policies on Latinx immigrants' acculturation. METHODS Four hundred thirty-eight first generation Latinx immigrants completed survey measures and a subset (n = 73) participated in 12 focus groups across four US states with distinct immigration-related policies: Arizona, New Mexico, Maryland, and Virginia. RESULTS Latinx immigrants living in states with more restrictive immigration-related public policies were less likely to make cultural changes in the ways they desired. Policies impacted acculturation directly by requiring and restricting certain cultural expressions, and indirectly through cultivating the community's climate. Multiple factors appeared to shape policies' influences on acculturation, including confusion from swift policy changes, inconsistent policy implementation, competing policies at divergent ecological levels, and individuals' relative privilege from intersecting personal characteristics. CONCLUSIONS More inclusive and supportive immigration-related policies may improve Latinx immigrants' abilities to acculturate in their preferred ways.
Longitudinal Trajectories and Correlates of Post-Caregiving Depressive Symptoms in Former Caregivers of Persons With Alzheimer's Disease or a Related Dementia.

Background:Despite the end of caregiving responsibilities, caregivers’ depressive symptoms continue following the death of the care recipient with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD). ...
Comparative analysis of pesticide effects on natural enemies in western orchards: A synthesis of laboratory bioassay data

Abstract Pesticides are commonly used for pest management in apple, pear and walnut orchards in the western U.S. and may disrupt biological control of secondary pests in these crops. A comparative analysis was made of results obtained from a series of laboratory bioassays of acute mortality and life table response experiments to estimate lethal and sublethal effects of eight pesticides on seven natural enemy species through use of stage-structured population models. Even though a number of the pesticides tested were reduced-risk products, all of them with the exception of copper plus mancozeb and chlorantraniliprole, caused more than 80% acute mortality of at least one life stage of at least one of the natural enemy species at a full field-rate concentration and could thus be considered moderately harmful according to the International Organization for Biological Control classification for laboratory bioassays. Important sublethal effects included reductions in daily fecundity and egg fertility. From integration of the lethal and sublethal effects in matrix models, the mean of the estimated intrinsic rates of increase for natural enemy species was negative for exposure to cyantraniliprole, lambda-cyhalothrin and spinetoram, but positive and not significantly different from the control for exposure to chlorantraniliprole, copper plus mancozeb, novaluron, and sulfur. For comparisons among pesticides, there appears to be considerable variation in response among natural enemy species that can only be represented effectively from a full life table response experiment and a population-level endpoint, whereas among natural enemy species, their population-level response to the range of pesticides tested could frequently be represented by acute adult mortality alone.
Developing fuzzy state models as markov chain models with fuzzy encoding

This paper examines the relationship and establishes the equivalence between a class of dynamic fuzzy models, called Fuzzy State Models (FSM), and recently introduced Markov Chain models with fuzzy encoding. The equivalence between the two models leads to a methodology for learning FSMs from data and a systematic way for model based design of rule-based fuzzy controllers. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a case study of vehicle adaptive cruise control system in which an FSM is identified from simulation data and a fuzzy feedback controller is generated by exploiting the Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP).
Tax Consequences of Assigning Life Insurance - Time for Another Look

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 furnishes the courts and the Internal Revenue Service an opportunity to close certain loopholes in the federal tax consequences of assigning life insurance. About twenty years ago, we published an article arguing that the tax consequences of assigning life insurance affords taxpayers unwarranted opportunities for tax avoidance. Since then, developments in the case law and Internal Revenue Service rulings have broadened the loopholes. In this update of our article, we show how the new tax law supports our original position. The most litigated estate tax issue concerning life insurance is whether the proceeds are includible in the insured's gross estate. A leading case on this issue is Estate of Silverman v. Commissioner, a case decided by the Tax Court in 1973. Our position is that the Silverman analysis gives taxpayers a windfall and provides life insurance an unfair advantage over other investment vehicles. We argue that Silverman was inconsistent with the law existing when the case was decided and, more importantly, is inconsistent with section 2035 as reformulated by the 1997 Act. To set the stage for our argument, we begin with brief discussions of the operation of life insurance. We next survey the relevant provisions of the tax laws, as they now exist, that apply to life insurance policies and proceeds. Finally, we examine several different types of circumstances in which an insured has assigned life insurance to a third party and consider whether the current tax treatment of such assignments has it right, in light of the amendments to section 2035 made by the 1981 Act and especially the 1997 Act. Special emphasis will be given to the Silverman-type situation in which the insured assigns a policy within three years of death and the assignee pays the post-assignment premiums.
Poem and Story

Perhaps now we read more hybrids of story and poem than the pure strain of either form ?if it exists. The fusions and partial fusions take many forms, among them the prose poem and the short poetic novel. The deliberately prosaic, almost technical object study in verse is another. For a while in the 70's the workshops had everybody writing these, but they have been supplanted, it appears, by the dramatic monologue, a danger ously charming form that has been simmering along in American poetry for years. Many a poet casting about for a subject must have been startled at the ease with which a character from the encyclopedia page could be in duced to speak up. It is unusual to pick up a first collection that does not contain one or more; schoolchildren must be doing them now instead of reports. Frank Bidart's work in the form stands out starkly in the midst of all the proficiency. His "The War of Vaslav Nijinsky," a 30-page poem including prose passages from writings of Romola Nijinsky and other prose "based on" biographies, is an example of the monologue at its most electric. It and the 22-page "Confessional" make up most off Bidart's third book The Sacrifice. If, to place these two poems, we were to ask Trotsky's question, "To which order of feelings does a given artistic work correspond," we would have to set them with Dostoyevsky and plays of Shakespeare. Both poems concern bedeviled individuals, and personal suffering that is related to but transcends events.
Induction of a reversible, non-cytotoxic S-phase delay by resveratrol: implications for a mechanism of lifespan prolongation and cancer protection

Background and purpose: Resveratrol (RES) has been shown to prolong lifespan and prevent cancer formation. At present, the precise cellular mechanisms of RES actions are still not clearly understood, and this is the focus of this study. Experimental approach: Using human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived HepG2 cells as a model, we studied RES-induced changes in cell growth, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Key results: RES at lower concentrations induced a strong but reversible S-phase delay and mild DNA synthesis inhibition, yet without causing apoptotic or necrotic cell death. At high concentrations, RES induced apoptosis, which is mainly mediated by the mitochondrial pathway. Overall, RES was a relatively weak apoptotic agent. Mechanistically, MEK inhibition was identified as an important early signalling event for RES-induced apoptosis. In comparison, activation of CDK2 and checkpoint kinase 2, and inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase/Akt signalling pathway contributed to the induction by RES of a reversible, non-cytotoxic S-phase delay. Conclusion and implications: It is hypothesized that the induction of a non-cytotoxic S-phase delay may represent a useful mechanistic strategy for lifespan prolongation and cancer prevention. When cell cycles are selectively slowed down in the S phase, it would cumulatively increase the total lifespan of an organism if the total numbers of cell divisions of a given organism are assumed to remain basically constant. Likewise, when cells proceed through the cell cycles at a reduced pace during DNA replication, it may allow cells more time to repair the damaged DNA, and thereby reduce the chances for mutagenesis and tumour initiation.
The Globalization of Disability Rights Law

This article traces the development of the disability rights under international law as well as the development of domestic disability laws following the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States in 1990. Just as globalization has changed the way such areas as corporate, criminal, and environmental law are thought about and practiced, so too has disability rights entered the era of globalization. This Article is divided into four sections. Part I of this Article provides an overview of the development of the human rights model of disability that is now reflected in some countries' domestic disability laws, as well as in international instruments. Part II of this Article documents the development of domestic disability rights laws throughout the world. While the enactment of domestic disability laws in various countries has been influenced by the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, these various domestic laws vary widely in structure, coverage, and approach. Part III of the Article presents an analysis of international and regional treaties and binding rules of customary law that have been used to enforce rights of people with disabilities. The final section of this Article includes a discussion of current efforts by the United Nations to enact a treaty on the rights of people with dis- abilities.
SOME FACTORS WHICH AFFECT THE INITIATION OF GROWTH OF CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS

Howard, Dexter H. (University of California, Los Angeles). Some factors which affect the initiation of growth of Cryptococcus neoformans. J. Bacteriol. 82:430-435. 1961.-The observation that a strain of Cryptococcus neoformans failed to grow in a medium containing normal human serum led to an investigation of some of the physiological factors controlling initiation of growth by this fungus. The data presented show that the growth of C. neoformans is markedly inhibited in media with initial pH values slightly above neutrality. The growth of four strains of the fungus was completely suppressed in peptone broth at pH values above 8. The growth of two strains was partially inhibited at a pH of 7.3. Two other strains grew well at 7.3, but were partially inhibited at pH 7.5. The growth in media at pH values which partially inhibited multiplication was granular in appearance. Microscopically the granules were composed of clumps of yeast cells. The possibility is suggested that pH may exert a portion of its effect on the growth of C. neoformans by influencing those factors which affect the stability of the cells in suspension. At a temperature of 25 C, growth of the fungus was initiated in media with a pH which suppressed growth at a temperature of 37 C. Under the experimental conditions employed in these studies, proteose peptone no. 3 (Difco) serves as both a carbon and a nitrogen source. However, glucose, which is assimilated by C. neoformans in contrast to lactose, permitted the growth of the fungus at pH values which suppressed growth in the absence of the sugar. Since weakly buffered media, containing filtered, normal human serum, have an alkaline reaction higher than that shown to suppress the growth of C. neoformans, it was concluded that this factor was primarily responsible for the failure of the fungus to reproduce in tissue culture media. However, it is also possible to show that even under optimal pH conditions normal human serum exerts an anticryptococcal effect. This activity of human serum was relatively heat-stable and was expressed only in high concentrations of serum. Serum adsorbed with viable cells of C. neoformans also inhibited the growth of the fungus, but a partially purified globulin fraction of serum was not inhibitory. The data are discussed in relation to the work of other investigators.
Wigandia brevistyla : una nueva Hydrophyllaceae de la República Dominicana

Wigandia brevistyla X. Cornejo is segregated here from W. pruritiva Spreng. due to its characteristics. Very short styles, shorter corollas and a distinctive allopatric distribution, that is restricted to the central mountain range (Cordillera Central) in the Dominican Republic.
Those Who Forget the Regulatory Successes of the Past are Condemned to Failure

This paper shows that the reregulation of the savings & loan (S&L) industry was successful because the regulators correctly identified the primary cause of the second phase of the debacle as an epidemic of “accounting control fraud” and took effective measures to contain such frauds. Control frauds occur when the persons controlling a seemingly legitimate organization use it as a “weapon” to defraud. In the financial sector, accounting control fraud is the “weapon of choice.” The regulators’ primary insights were (1) that lenders optimize accounting fraud by engaging in a distinctive operational pattern that would be irrational for any honest firm and (2) that such frauds’ “Achilles’ heel” is the need to grow rapidly, and (3) the deregulation of the industry produced a “criminogenic environment” that led to an epidemic of control fraud that caused a regional bubble in commercial real estate. The regulators used the distinctive pattern to identify and prioritize the frauds for closure while they were still reporting record profits and minimal losses and to adopt a rule restricting growth. They deliberately burst the financial bubble. The regulators also worked with law enforcement to obtain over 1000 “priority” convictions of senior insiders. A similar criminogenic environment produced the housing bubble and the current crisis. The regulators and prosecutors appear to have forgotten all of the regulatory and prosecutorial successes of the S&L debacle. This essay argues that there is no substitute for effective regulation. Deregulation and desupervision, which rely on private market discipline do not prevent or contain such epidemics. On the contrary, they foster a climate that encourages them.
Taxonomic Revision of Cave Crayfish in the Genus Cambarus, Subgenus Aviticambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) with Descriptions of Two New Species, C. speleocoopi and C. laconensis, Endemic to Alabama, U.S.A.

Abstract As historically recognized, three stygobitic species of the subgenus Aviticambarus, genus Cambarus inhabit Mississippian limestone caves along the southern edge of the Southern Appalachians and Highland Rim in southeastern Tennessee and Northern Alabama, U.S.A. These include Cambarus hamulatus, C. jonesi, and C. veitchorum. All stygobitic members of the genus Procambarus inhabit caves in Florida, Cuba, and Mexico with exception of P. pecki (in the monotypic subgenus Remoticambarus), which exists in only three caves with C. jonesi in Northwestern Alabama. It was hypothesized that Procambarus pecki was derived from a primitive Procambarus stock that gave rise to the genera Cambarus and Orconectes based on the morphological shapes of the gonopods. Excluding the unsampled rare C. veitchorum, here we present 16S rDNA phylogenetic evidence, contrary to former morphological-based inferences, for the recognition of five distinct Aviticambarus lineages including P. pecki. Cambarus laconensis is a new spec...
A clearer vision for in vivo imaging.

Progress continues in the development of smaller, more penetrable probes for biological imaging.
Synthesis and characterization of the new quaternary two-dimensional materials KCu2NbQ4(Q = Se, S)

Abstract Reaction of K 2 Se 5 or K 2 S 5 with elemental Nb, Cu, and Se or S affords KCu 2 NbSe 4 or KCu 2 NbS 4 . The structure of KCu 2 NbSe 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. KCu 2 NbSe 4 crystallizes with four formula units in the space group C 16 2 v - C 2 cm of the orthorhombic system in a cell of dimensions a = 5.663(2) A, b = 18.791(5) A, c = 7.645(3) A at −167°C. The structure consists of two-dimensional metal-chalcogen layers separated by K + cations. The Nb atom and two independent Cu atoms are in tetrahedral sites, and there appears to be some substitutional disorder among these sites, as judged from the isotropic thermal parameters. The CuSe 4 and NbSe 4 tetrahedra share edges and corners to make up the two-dimensional layers. If we arbitrarily choose a cutoff of 4.00 A then the K atom is coordinated by nine Se atoms. The metal tetrahedra have their expected dimensions with NbSe distances varying from 2.392(3) to 2.452(3) A and CuSe distances from 2.427(2) to 2.440(4) A. There are short metal-metal interactions with NbCu distances at 2.831(1) and 2.833(4) A. From Weissenberg photography KCu 2 NbS 4 is found to be isostructural: cell dimensions at room temperature are a = 5.76 A, b = 18.46 A, c = 7.45 A.
When replication teaches more than the original experiment--the saga of the unknown unknown.

We recently published a description of the molecular mechanism involved in “progressive hemorrhagic necrosis”, a pathological process that evolves during several hours after spinal cord injury, that is attributable to progressive capillary fragmentation, and that is due to upregulation and activation of SUR1-regulated channels in microvascular endothelium. In this commentary, we reflect on the independent replication of our original experiment by Dr. Phillip Popovich and colleagues, and how their initial attempt at replication led to the unexpected finding that anisotropy of spinal cord tissues strongly influences the patterns of both primary and secondary hemorrhage that are observed after impact injury to the spinal cord.
A symmetric variational finite element-boundary integral equation coupling method

Abstract This paper is concerned with the development of a mixed variational principle for coupling finite element and boundary integral methods in interface problems, using the generalized Poisson's equation as a prototype situation. One of its primary objectives is to compare the performance of fully variational procedures with methods that use collocation for the treatment of boundary integral equations. A distinctive feature of the new variational principle is that the discretized algebraic equations for the coupled problem are automatically symmetric since they are all derived from a single functional. In addition, the condition that the flux remain continuous across interfaces is satisfied naturally. In discretizing the problem within inhomogeneous or loaded regions, domain finite elements are used to approximate the field variable. On the other hand, only boundary elements are used for regions where the medium is homogeneous and free of external agents. The corresponding integral equations are discretized both by fully variational and by collocation techniques. Results of numerical experiments indicate that the accuracy of the fully variational procedure is significantly greater than that of collocation for the complete interface problem, especially for complex disturbances, at little additional computational cost. This suggests that fully variational procedures may be preferable to collocation, not only in dealing with interface problems, but even for solving integral equations by themselves.
Inelastic pion scattering from 12C.

Differential cross sections for inelastic pion scattering from $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ at incident energies of 100 to 291 MeV and momentum transfers \ensuremath{\le}300 MeV/c have been measured and are compared to results obtained from other probes, particularly electrons and protons. Angular distributions and excitation functions are presented for many of the bound states, including the 4.44-MeV (${2}^{+}$,0), 7.66-MeV (${0}^{+}$,0), 9.64-MeV (${3}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$,0), 12.71-MeV/15.11-Mev (${1}^{+}$;0,1) doublet, 16.11-MeV (${2}^{+}$,1), 19-MeV (${4}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$;0,1) doublet, and ${2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ states at 18.25 and 19.4 MeV. Distorted-wave impulse-approximation calculations using both macroscopic and microscopic descriptions of the nuclear wave functions are compared to the data. The observation of an anomalous excitation function for the 15.11-MeV level and the observation of dramatic ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$/${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ asymmetries near 18 and 19 MeV excitation due to isospin mixing between ${2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ states and between members of the ${4}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ doublet are of particular interest.
Pressure effects in the kinetics of cw laser induced reactions

Rate constantsk and translational temperaturesT have been determined for the decompositions of ethyl acetate and perfluorocyclobutane at various pressures induced by a continuous (cw) CO2 laser. Arrhenius plots give activation energies in good agreement with those reported for thermal rate constantsk1. The ratiosk/k1 become progressively larger than unity with decreasing reactant pressure, indicative of laser induced non-thermalization, but the values ofk/kt appear to reach limiting values at low pressures, similar to effects reported elsewhere for CH3CF2Cl. Analysis of the data suggests important general features of vibrational-translational energy transfer in polyatomic compounds.
Biomimetic Coatings to Control Cellular Function through Cell Surface Engineering

Biologically inspired materials and structures with tailored biological, physical, and chemical properties provide an indispensable platform to actively modulate and protect cell function in hostile and synthetic environments (e.g., devices or matrices). Herein, recent innovations are discussed in cell surface engineering methods based on bulk hydrogels, microgels, and ultrathin capsules derived from inorganic, polymeric, biomolecular, or nanoparticle materials applicable to various protective and interaction mediating applications. These biomimetic cell coatings can dramatically increase cell viability and stability in a hostile environment and expand their applicability for demanding biomedical, biotechnology, and bioelectronics applications. Some of the most recent studies of traditional inorganic and organic gels, polymeric and biomolecular microgels, and ultrathin conformal soft shells from polymers and proteins are also discussed. Proper selection of chemical composition and assembly conditions has potential to dramatically enhance viability of encapsulated cells by increasing their mechanical stability, masking the cell surface from immunological agents, increasing mechanical stability, and providing chemical resistance to aggressive environments. Some recent examples of such robust and viable protected cells for biotechnology and bioelectronics are presented.
Asymmetric versus Symmetric Tethering Patterns in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Geometric Differences from Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography

Background Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) results from mitral leaflet tethering from left ventricular remodeling. Heterogeneity in local or global left ventricular remodeling can result in differential tethering patterns and affect mitral valve function and the degree of mitral regurgitation. The aims of this study were to compare mitral valve geometry in asymmetric and symmetric tethering patterns using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and to examine the impact of tethering pattern on IMR severity. Methods Sixty-two patients with moderate or greater IMR underwent three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for the assessment of mitral valve geometry. Symmetric and asymmetric tethering patterns were determined by mitral regurgitation jet direction and coaptation of the mitral leaflets. The ratio of posterior to anterior leaflet tethering angle was a measure of tethering pattern (the higher the ratio, the more asymmetric the pattern). Overall tethering degree was assessed by tenting volume (TV). Results Compared with the symmetric group, the asymmetric group had less annular dilatation, greater annular heights (10.3 ± 1.9 vs 8.5 ± 1.9 mm, P P P P P = .001) were predictors of IMR severity. Conclusions Differences in mitral valve geometry are observed between asymmetric and symmetric tethering patterns in IMR. IMR degree is affected by both the pattern of tethering and the total degree of tethering. For the same degree of tethering, an asymmetric pattern is associated with increased MR severity. The pattern of mitral leaflet tethering may be considered in therapeutic decision making.
The electric field effect on the sensitivity of tin oxide gas sensors on nanostructured substrates at low temperature

A novel low-temperature SnO2 gas sensor was prepared and studied on silicon nanostructures formed by femtosecond laser irradiation. By applying a bias voltage on the silicon substrate to alter the charge distribution on the surface of the SnO2, carbon monoxide (CO), and ammonia (NH3) gas can be distinguished by the same sensor at room temperature. The experimental results are explained with a mechanism that the sensor works at low temperature because of adsorption of gas molecules that trap electrons to the surface of the SnO2.
Single-molecule studies of diffusion by oligomer-bound dyes in organically modified sol-gel-derived silicate films.

Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy is used to study dye diffusion within organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) films. ORMOSIL films are prepared from sols containing tetraethoxysilane and isobutyltrimethoxysilane in 2:1 and 1:9 molar ratios. Nile red and a new silanized form of nile red that can be covalently attached to the silicate matrix are used as fluorescent probe molecules. The number and rate of single molecules diffusing through these films increases dramatically with increasing film organic content. Autocorrelation of the fluorescence images yields a quantitative measure of the relative populations of fixed and diffusing species. Surprisingly, both “free” and silicate-bound nile red exhibit relatively facile translational motions. Single-molecule/single-point fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is used to measure the dye diffusion coefficients in submicrometer-scale film regions. The most common diffusion coefficients for “free” and silicate-bound nile red molecules in the 1:9 f...
Cell encapsulation and oxygenation in nanoporous microcontainers.

With strides in stem cell biology, cell engineering and molecular therapy, the transplantation of cells to produce therapeutic molecules endogenously is an attractive and achievable alternative to the use of exogenous drugs. The encapsulation of such cell transplants in semi-permeable, nanoporous constructs is often required to protect them from immune attack and to prevent their proliferation in the host. However, effective graft immunoisolation has been mostly elusive owing to the absence of a high-throughput method to create precisely controlled, high-aspect-ratio nanopores. To address the clinical need for effective cell encapsulation and immunoisolation, we devised a biocompatible cell-encapsulating microcontainer and a method to create highly anisotropic nanopores in the microcontainer’s surface. To evaluate the efficacy of these nanopores in oxygenating the encapsulated cells, we engineered 9L rat glioma cells to bioluminesce under hypoxic conditions. The methods described above should aid in evaluating the long term survival and efficacy of cellular grafts.
A Descriptive Study of Non-obese Persons with Night Eating Syndrome and a Weight-Matched Comparison Group

The purpose of this study was to characterize the Night Eating Syndrome (NES) and its correlates among non-obese persons with NES, and to compare them to non-obese healthy controls. Nineteen non-obese persons with NES were compared to 22 non-obese controls on seven-day, 24-hour prospective food and sleep diaries, the Eating Disorder Examination and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnoses interviews, and measures of disordered eating attitudes and behavior, mood, sleep, stress, and quality of life. Compared to controls, persons with NES reported significantly different circadian distribution of food intake, greater depressed mood, sleep disturbance, disordered eating and body image concerns, perceived stress, decreased quality of life, and more frequent Axis I comorbidity, specifically anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. These findings are the first to describe the clinical significance of night eating syndrome among non-obese individuals in comparison to a non-obese control group, and they suggest that NES has negative health implications beyond that associated with obesity.
Prevention of a low energy isomerization of ionized butanoic acid at higher energies by competing rearrangements

Abstract Metastable butanoic acid ions exchange γ-hydrogens extensively prior to eliminating ethylene, but only slightly prior to losing methyl. It is established here that ions undergoing both fragmentations reach CH 3 ĊHCH 2 C(OH) 2 + , but that ions losing methyl isomerize further while those which lose ethylene return to CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 CO 2 H +· . The latter, but not the former, ions undergo extensive exchange of the β-, γ- and carboxyl hydrogens. We surmise that the pathway taken is determined by whether an ion contains enough energy to undergo CH 3 ĊHCH 2 C(OH) 2 + → CH 3 CH 2 ĊHC(OH) 2 + . The rapid switch from 5-membered to 3-membered ring rearrangements is attributed to a much more rapid rise in the rate of the latter with increasing internal energy. Reactions important at low energies can be suppressed at higher energies by rapid increases in the rates of competing reactions with increasing internal energy.
The proteomic advantage: Label-free quantification of proteins expressed in bovine milk during experimentally induced coliform mastitis

Coliform mastitis remains a primary focus of dairy cattle disease research due in part to the lack of efficacious treatment options for the deleterious side effects of exposure to LPS, including profound intra-mammary inflammation. To facilitate new veterinary drug approvals, reliable biomarkers are needed to evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive therapies for the treatment of inflammation associated with coliform mastitis. Most attempts to characterize the host response to LPS, however, have been accomplished using ELISAs. Because a relatively limited number of bovine-specific antibodies are commercially available, reliance on antibodies can be very limiting for biomarker discovery. Conversely, proteomic approaches boast the capability to analyze an unlimited number of protein targets in a single experiment, independent of antibody availability. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a widely used proteomic strategy for the identification of proteins in complex mixtures, has gained popularity as a means to characterize proteins in various bovine milk fractions, both under normal physiological conditions as well as during clinical mastitis. The biological complexity of bovine milk has, however, precluded the complete annotation of the bovine milk proteome. Conventional approaches to reducing sample complexity, including fractionation and the removal of high abundance proteins, has improved proteome coverage, but the dynamic range of proteins present, and abundance of a relatively small number of proteins, continues to hinder comparative proteomic analyses of bovine milk. Nonetheless, advances in both liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation, including nano-flow liquid chromatography (nano-LC), nano-spray ionization, and faster scanning speeds and ionization efficiency of mass spectrometers, have improved analyses of complex samples. In the current paper, we review the proteomic approaches used to conduct comparative analyses of milk from healthy cows and cows with clinical mastitis, as well as proteins related to the host response that have been identified in mastitic milk. Additionally, we present data that suggests the potential utility of LC-MS/MS label-free quantification as an alternative to costly labeling strategies for the relative quantification of individual proteins in complex mixtures. Temporal expression patterns generated using spectral counts, an LC-MS/MS label-free quantification strategy, corresponded well with ELISA data for acute phase proteins with commercially available antibodies. Combined, the capability to identify low abundance proteins, and the potential to generate temporal expression profiles, indicate the advantages of using proteomics as a screening tool in biomarker discovery analyses to assess biologically relevant proteins modulated during disease, including previously uncharacterized targets.
The weak type L1 convergence of eigenfunction expansions for pseudodifferential operators

Soit M une variete compacte connexe lisse sans bord de dimension n≥2. Soit P(D) un operateur pseudodifferentiel elliptique d'ordre 1 sur M qui est auto-adjoint par rapport a une densite positive lisse dx. On demontre la convergence faible de type L 1 pour les developpements en fonctions propres
Deformation mechanisms and constitutive modeling for silicon nitride undergoing laser-assisted machining

Material deformation behavior has been studied for silicon nitride containing 10 wt% of YSiAlON glass under laser-assisted machining (LAM). Material removal mechanisms were inferred from scanning electron microscopy observations of the chips, and the shear zone stress was determined using three-dimensional machining theory with a new approach to determining shear angles for segmented chips formed in LAM. The effects of operating conditions on the shear zone stress were determined from an experimental parametric study, and the results were used to develop a constitutive equation for the deformation process.