cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ruthenium Removal Using Silica-Supported Aromatic Isocyanides

Abstract New silica gel scavengers containing aromatic isocyanides have been synthesized and evaluated for Ru removal. A thiol-ene click reaction was used to attach the isocyanide precursor to a thiol-containing siloxane. Conventional methods for grafting to silica gel at elevated temperature resulted in significant hydrolysis of the isocyanide. A novel cleavage reaction was developed to quantitate the amount of surface-loaded isocyanide. Binding by the new materials was comparatively evaluated for a variety or Ru carbene catalysts. The optimal conditions were extended to two ring-closing metatheses (RCM). The residual Ru was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For facile RCM reactions, the UV data agreed with the ICP-MS results. However, more difficult RCM did not correlate well with the UV data. This was interpreted in terms of varying extent of catalyst decomposition. In all cases, isocyanide scavenger reagents were found to be superior to commonly used, silica gel-based metal scavengers.
Peripheral markers of oxidative stress in Labrador retrievers with copper-associated hepatitis.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress in dogs with copper-associated hepatitis (CAH) as compared with healthy controls, and to evaluate if these markers correlate with hepatic copper concentrations and hepatic histopathologic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective study. Plasma reactive metabolite concentrations, plasma antioxidant potential, and plasma and urine isoprostane concentrations were determined in Labrador retrievers with copper-associated hepatitis (n=9) as well as in breed- and sex-matched (n=9) and age- and sex-matched (n=9) healthy control populations. Possible correlations between markers of oxidative stress and hepatic histopathological features also were investigated. RESULTS Reactive metabolites (median, range) were over twofold greater in dogs with copper-associated hepatitis (87.2 RFU/μL, 60.9 to 185.6 RFU/μL) as compared to breed- and sex-matched (38.2 RFU/μL, 22.4 to 116.8 RFU/μL) and age- and sex-matched controls (32.0 RFU/μL, 18.5 to 127.4 RFU/μL). Antioxidant potential was decreased in copper-associated hepatitis dogs (6.5 TE/μL, 5.1 to 7.7 TE/μL) as compared to breed- and sex-matched controls (8.2 TE/μL, 5.3 to 11.8 TE/μL). Both reactive metabolite concentrations and the reactive metabolite to antioxidant potential ratio were positively correlated with hepatic copper concentrations. Plasma and urine isoprostanes were variable and not significantly different between populations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Labrador retrievers with copper-associated hepatitis have altered oxidant status. Plasma reactive metabolite concentrations and the reactive metabolite to antioxidant potential ratio could be useful biomarkers. However, neither plasma nor urine isoprostanes were useful biomarkers for copper-associated hepatitis.
Economic and management value of weed maps at harvest in semi-arid cropping systems of the US Pacific Northwest

Weed maps created late in the growing season are potentially useful in regions where late maturing weeds are problematic and need to be controlled before they produce seed. The objectives of this study were to (1) spatially characterize the population dynamics of predominant weed species and apply this information into quantifying the effect of treated and untreated weed infestations on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields and (2) evaluate potential herbicide savings with post-harvest site-specific treatments. Multi-year grain yield and weed data were acquired at harvest in each of four years (2015–18) within a dryland production field (9.2 ha) in eastern Oregon. Abundance of weed species (2015) and percent cover of weed species (2016, 2017 and 2018) were visually estimated on a square grid based on dividing the field into 7-m2 cells. Spatial patterns in the weed community were subject to rapid change and depended on year, crop and weed control strategy. While tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum) was the most predominant and competitive species, the spatial distribution of this weed and that of other species varied each year. Tumble mustard and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) were equally problematic in spring wheat and winter wheat whereas Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) was problematic in spring wheat and downy brome (Bromus tectorum) in winter wheat. Potential savings from site-specific herbicide application varied from 10 to 95% based on percentage of field infested. Weed maps at harvest are useful for studying weed dynamics, identifying potentially herbicide-resistant weeds and planning site-specific weed management. Combined with yield maps, weed maps at harvest are also useful for explaining crop yield variability that is associated with weed competition and weed control in furtherance of integrated weed management strategies.
Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

The diagnosis and management of ventricular dysfunction is central to the practice of cardio-oncology. Physician-scientists and clinicians strive to compartmentalize ventricular dysfunction into distinct categories as an aid in the understanding of the disease. But the practice of cardio-oncology does not often afford such a luxury in that most clinical presentations involving ventricular dysfunction have multifactorial determinants. Exploring the entity of stress cardiomyopathy provides a good conceptual framework for the examination of acute ventricular dysfunction in cancer patients.
Development of a Survey Instrument to Measure Display Compellingness

The goal of this research was to develop an empirically determined measurement instrument of the compellingness of an interface. Compellingness describes how likely something is to capture attention, attract interest, and convince someone of different opinions, beliefs and actions. Overly compelling displays may cause users to under or overestimate the validity of data that is presented, leading to faulty decision making, distractions, and missed information. However, no measure currently exists to determine the level of compellingness of an interface. Literature review and a semantics survey were used to develop a pool of items that relate or contribute to compellingness, and two expert reviews of the list resulted in 28 potential questions. These 28 questions were fielded in study with a map-based task. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s Alpha were used on the results to eliminate questions, identify factor groupings, and quantify the amount each question loaded on the factor groupings. Additionally, the survey is organized into three factors of compellingness: human, computer, and interaction, resulting in a two-level survey. That analysis resulted in a final compellingness survey with 22 questions across six sub-factors and a final Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.92. Measuring the underlying aspects of compellingness in an interface will enable researchers to understand the interaction between compellingness and other human factors issues such as trust, attention allocation, information quality, performance, error, and workload.
The formation of P particle increased immunogenicity of norovirus P protein

As a commentary on a recently published paper in Immunology, this article summaries the principle of norovirus P particle as a promising vaccine against noroviruses. It emphasizes the importance of P particle formation in the immune enhancement of the vaccine and methods for production/verification of high quality P particles which may be easily neglected by researchers.
Building Mathematics-Based Software Systems to Advance Science and Create Knowledge

Kurt Mehlhorn's foundational results in computational geometry provide not only a basis for practical geometry systems such as Leda and CGAL, they also, in the spirit of Euclid, provide a sound basis for geometric truth. This article shows how Mehlhorn's ideas from computational geometry have influenced work on the logical basis for constructive geometry. In particular there is a sketch of new decidability results for constructive Euclidean geometry as formulated in computational type theory, CTT. Theorem proving systems for type theory are important in establishing knowledge to the highest standards of certainty, and in due course they will play a significant role in geometry systems.
T/R module for CASA Phase-Tilt Radar Antenna Array

This paper describes the transmit/receive module for the X-band Phase-Tilt array antenna being developed at the Engineering Research Center for the Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA). Architecture, fabrication and electrical performance are described. The RF subsystem is designed with commercial-off-the-shelf GaAS MMICs. The design includes a custom PIN diode based diversity switch that provides polarization diversity to the array elements in both transmit and receive channels. The module operates at 9.36 GHz and has a bandwidth of 1.0 GHz. Gain and phase are controlled by a 6-bit digital attenuator and 6-bit digital phase shifter respectively. Commands and RF switching signals are controlled with a FPGA. The T/R modules were fully tested using a measurement station developed specifically for this purpose.
The alcohol warning and adolescents: 5-year effects.

OBJECTIVES: This study, a follow-up to the authors earlier report, examined the effects of the alcohol warning label on adolescents during the first 5 years that the warning was required. METHODS: Surveys were administered to 10th-grade (n = 16,661) and 12th-grade (n = 15,856) students from the 1989-1990 school year through the 1994-1995 school year. The measures were awareness of, exposure to, and recognition memory of the alcohol warning label; beliefs about the risks listed on the warning; and open-ended statements about consequences of alcohol use, alcohol consumption, and self-reported driving after drinking. RESULTS: There were increases in warning awareness, exposure, and recognition memory. These effects leveled off approximately 3.5 years after the inclusion of the warning on alcohol beverage containers. There was no beneficial change attributable to the warning in beliefs, alcohol consumption, or driving after drinking. CONCLUSIONS: The initial positive effects of the alcohol warning label on adolescents have leveled off, consistent with theories of repeated exposure to persuasive information. The alcohol warning has not affected adolescents' beliefs about alcohol or alcohol-related behaviors.
The Roots of Backpropagation: From Ordered Derivatives to Neural Networks and Political Forecasting

THESIS. Beyond Regression: New Tools for Prediction and Analysis in the Behavioral Sciences. Dynamic Feedback, Statistical Estimation, and Systems Optimization: General Techniques. The Multivariate ARMA(1,1) Model: Its Significance and Estimation. Simulation Studies of Techniques of Time--Series Analysis. General Applications of These Ideas: Practical Hazards and New Possibilities. Nationalism and Social Communications: A Test Case for Mathematical Approaches. APPLICATIONS AND EXTENSIONS. Forms of Backpropagation for Sensitivity Analysis, Optimization, and Neural Networks. Backpropagation Through Time: What It Does and How to Do It. Neurocontrol: Where It Is Going and Why It Is Crucial. Neural Networks and the Human Mind: New Mathematics Fits Humanistic Insight. Index.
Nutrient excess promotes accumulation of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells in adipose tissue (641.12)

Obesity has been implicated as a major risk factor for the development of several chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes. Because adipose tissue (AT) must remodel remarkably to accommodate lip...
Evaluating the Validity and Applicability of Automated Essay Scoring in Two Massive Open Online Courses

The use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) to expand students’ access to higher education has raised questions regarding the extent to which this course model can provide and assess authentic, higher level student learning. In response to this need, MOOC platforms have begun utilizing automated essay scoring (AES) systems that allow students to engage in critical writing and free-response activities. However, there is a lack of research investigating the validity of such systems in MOOCs. This research examined the effectiveness of an AES tool to score writing assignments in two MOOCs. Results indicated that some significant differences existed between Instructor grading, AES-Holistic scores, and AES-Rubric Total scores within two MOOC courses. However, use of the AES system may still be useful given instructors’ assessment needs and intent. Findings from this research have implications for instructional technology administrators, educational designers, and instructors implementing AES learning activities in MOOC courses.
Cluster observations of fast magnetosonic waves in the heliosphere current sheet

We present Cluster spacecraft observations of large-amplitude (δ|B|/|B|∼1) fast-mode magnetosonic waves in the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). The crossings of the HCS and the associated heliospheric plasma sheet (HPS) are encountered by Cluster in the near-Earth solar wind and by ACE upstream of Earth. Multiple current layers are detected in correspondence with small-scale discontinuities in the regime of open magnetic field lines within the HCS. Fast magnetosonic waves are observed at one current layer, accompanying the phase-steeped edge of a large-amplitude transverse Alfven wave. The observed fast-mode waves are in the frequency range 0.01 Hz–0.2 Hz, characterized by a strong correlation between variations of plasma density and magnetic field strength. Analysis of ratio δE/δBindicate that the fast-mode wave packet consists of an antisunward propagating component and a larger sunward propagating component in the rest frame of the solar wind. The fast-mode waves are not observed by ACE in the upstream solar wind. The generation of the fast-mode waves may relate to the development of the phase-steeped Alfven wave and has profound effects on the evolution of the solar wind plasma.
The relationship between category typicality and concept familiarity: evidence from Spanish- and English-speaking monolinguals.

We examined the relationship between an item’s familiarity and its category typicality, employing ratings obtained from Spanish- and English-speaking monolinguals living in southern Florida. In the first experiment, Spanish- and English-speaking monolinguals were asked to rate the prototypicality of instances of 12 common language categories. The correlations between the Spanish and English speakers’ rated item typicality indicated that the prototypicality gradients of the Spanish and English monolinguals were fairly discrepant for a number of categories. In the second experiment, we examined the degree to which these differences in cultural typicality could be accounted for by differences in rated cultural familiarity. It was predicted that, if familiarity plays a role in determining cultural differences in prototypicality, statistically controlling for the effects of cultural familiarity should result in higher interlingual typicality correlations. This should be true particularly for those categories for which there is a wide discrepancy in the typicality gradients for the two language groups. These predictions were confirmed. Consequently, we conclude that item familiarity is at least one variable influencing cultural differences in category typicality gradients.
Reconstruction of lensing from the cosmic microwave background polarization

Gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization field has been recognized as a potentially valuable probe of the cosmological density field. We apply likelihood-based techniques to the problem of lensing of CMB polarization and show that if the B-mode polarization is mapped, then likelihood-based techniques allow significantly better lensing reconstruction than is possible using the previous quadratic estimator approach. With this method the ultimate limit to lensing reconstruction is not set by the lensed CMB power spectrum. Second-order corrections are known to produce a curl component of the lensing deflection field that cannot be described by a potential; we show that this does not significantly affect the reconstruction at noise levels greater than 0.25 μK arcmin. The reduction of the mean squared error in the lensing reconstruction relative to the quadratic method can be as much as a factor of two at noise levels of 1.4 μK arcmin to a factor of ten at 0.25 μK arcmin, depending on the angular scale of interest.
Every finite semigroup is embeddable in a finite relatively free semigroup

Abstract The title result is proved by a Murskii-type embedding. Results on some related questions are also obtained. For instance, it is shown that every finitely generated semigroup satisfying an identity ξd=ξ2d is embeddable in a relatively free semigroup satisfying such an identity, generally with a larger d; but that an uncountable semigroup may satisfy such an identity without being embeddable in any relatively free semigroup. It follows from known results that every finite group is embeddable in a finite relatively free group. It is deduced from this and the proof of the title result that a finite monoid S is embeddable by a monoid homomorphism in a finite (or arbitrary) relatively free monoid if and only if its group of invertible elements is either {e} or all of S.
Identification of acetylenes in the output from a jet-stirred combustor by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-fourier transform infrared spectrometry

When analyzed by gas Chromatographic mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), some combustion-derived components yield equivocal mass spectra whose simple patterns suggest aromatic rings but whose molecular mass rule out such structures. Although acyclic polyunsaturated molecules are strongly suggested, the lack of structural detail and the scarcity of reference compounds lowers confidence in GC-MS data. Fortunately, Fourier-transform infrared Spectrometry is well-suited to the identification of unsaturated molecules and often provides the complementary information required for complete characterization.
Correlates of Gambling Among Eighth-Grade Boys and Girls

BACKGROUND: This study examined the correlates of gambling behavior among eighth-grade students. METHODS: Children (n = 15,865) enrolled in publicly funded schools in Oregon completed the 2008 Oregon Healthy Teens survey. Multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the combined and independent associations between risk and protective factors with active gambling among male and female youth separately. RESULTS: Approximately 17% of eighth-grade girls and 33% of eighth-grade boys had gambled during the past 3 months. Most health risk behaviors were positively associated with gambling. However, gambling was also positively associated with frequent physical activity participation and, among boys, eating 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Logistic regression analyses identified significant differences among risk and protective factors between active gamblers and non-gamblers. Regardless of gender, relative to active gamblers, non-gamblers were more likely to hold strong personal health beliefs, be uninvolved in antisocial behavior, exhibit good safety behaviors, and not have experienced a mouth injury while playing sports during the past year. Female gamblers were more likely to be active tobacco users, to speak a language other than English at home, and engage in more than 2 hours a day of screen time than non-gamblers. Male gamblers were more likely to be physically active, Hispanic, use alcohol, and perceive lower levels of social control in their neighborhoods than non-gamblers. CONCLUSIONS: Gambling may be a topic that is appropriate for inclusion in school programs targeting health risk reduction among eighth-grade students. Language: en
Acceleration of the dual-field domain decomposition algorithm using GPU clusters

The dual-field domain decomposition algorithm based on the element-level decomposition is accelerated using GPU clusters for electromagnetic analysis in the time domain. Various aspects of the implementation are investigated, and an optimal implementation strategy is proposed to utilize GPU's parallelized architecture. An example shows that through careful arrangement of the GPU memory and thread allocation, a significant speedup can be achieved on a GPU cluster.
Beginnings and early history of the International Conferences on Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems: Development of the basic ideas in the field

The early history of the principal meeting in the field of biological NMR spectroscopy, the International Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems (ICMRBS), is presented from the perspective of one of the founders.
A systems approach to evaluate nutrient and pesticide transport from artificially drained cropland

Artificial drainage by subsurface and open drains, which is practiced in heavily cultivated areas of the United States, can enhance the transport of nutrients and pesticides to surface waters. Analyses of drainage data show that Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota are the leading states with artificially drained croplands. Several experimental fields in different parts of the country utilizing artificial drainage have been monitored in the past to determine the loss of nutrients and the results of 12 such studies are summarized here in tabular form. The several interacting processes that take place in a watershed and that contribute to the movement of nutrients and pesticides to surface waters are extremely complex. To effectively study the dynamic nature of the transport processes and to develop control measures, an interdisciplinary systems approach is proposed. The central feature of the systems approach is the development of a computer simulation model representing the time-variant interaction of the major biophysiochemical processes that contribute to the loss of nutrients and pesticides. A flow diagram showing the inputs, outputs, and interactions of the various processes considered in the model, along with a description of the field monitoring program designed to provide the data for the model development, is given in the report.
Seeking a ‘critical mass’: middle-class parents’ collective engagement in city public schooling

A growing body of literature has begun to explore the individual identities, motivations, and school choices of middle-class, typically white, parents who choose to reside in socioeconomically and racially mixed central city neighborhoods. Drawing on qualitative research in three US cities, we argue that a focus on middle-class parents’ collective engagement in schooling is particularly important in under-resourced urban contexts. In these environments, we show, middle-class parents’ use of social networks often extends beyond basic information-sharing about school quality to encompass a range of activities undertaken with other families ‘like them’ who have also chosen to enroll their children in an urban public school. We find that, in some instances, middle-class parents’ collective actions can benefit an entire class or school. Yet in other instances, their activation of social capital can contribute to processes of social reproduction in urban schooling by excluding or marginalizing low-income studen...
The diffractive-resonance interference model and its application to K−p scattering☆☆☆

Abstract A diffraction-resonance interference (DIM) model [3] is shown to reproduce qualitatively the K − p elastic, polarization, and charge exchange data from ≈ 0.8 to 2.6 GeV/ c over the entire angular interval. Since the phenomenological diffraction background is highly suggestive of a Pomeranchukon behaviour, it is felt that this model presents further evidence in support of the Harari-Freund conjecture [5]. In the spirit of this conjecture, inadequacies of DIM in the description of data in regions localized in momentum are interpreted as evidence for the existence of as yet unresolved resonant states.
The effects of metrizamide on the lung

The pathologic effects of metrizamide on the lung were studied at 24 h and 48 h after its instillation in varying concentrations selectively into the right lungs of a series of immature dogs. Iso-osmolar and slightly hyperosmolar concentrations of metrizamide were found to cause mononuclear interstitial infiltration, focal areas of pneumonia and in some cases alveolar hemorrhage. Control bacterial studies showed that the reaction was aseptic.
On a global projection-type error bound for the linear complementarity problem

Abstract We consider a projection-type error bound for the linear complementarity problem involving a matrix M and vector q . First, we show that the Mangasarian-Ren sufficient condition on M for this error bound to hold globally, for all q such that the problem is solvable, is also necessary. Second, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions on M and q for this error bound to hold globally, thus extending a result of Luo and Tseng which in addition assumes M is psd-plus. Third, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions on M for this error bound to hold globally, independent of q . These conditions are closely related to M being Lipschitzian. We also discuss application of our result to the affine variational inequality problem.
Protein patterns as codes for tumor identification.

Abstract Particulate-fraction and soluble-fraction proteins from examples of breast carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and colon adenocarcinoma and their corresponding normal tissues were resolved on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The Coomassie blue-stained protein patterns were quantitated using a scanning densitometer and were reduced to simple three-part numerical codes. The codes were (a) specific for each tissue and (b) in the examples of lymphoma and colon adenocarcinoma, indicated a strong similarity between tumors and their respective normal tissues.
Spatial velocity distribution and acceleration in serial subvalve tunnel and valvular obstructions: An in vitro study using doppler color flow mapping

To evaluate the spatial distribution of flow velocities, turbulence and spatial acceleration in serial tunnel-valve obstruction, Doppler color flow mapping was performed in a pulsatile flow model with a tunnel obstruction (1.0 or 1.5 cm2) inserted at 2, 20 and 40 mm proximal to a mildly stenotic bioprosthetic valve studied at flow rates of 1, 2.7 and 4.9 liters/min. Measured pressure gradients were consistently higher across the tunnel (mean +/- SD 32.7 +/- 26.5 mm Hg) than across the tunnel plus valve (28.8 +/- 26.9 mm Hg, p less than 0.01). Doppler color flow map images were analyzed using a Sony RGB video-digitizing computer, providing numerical velocity assignments for the blue, red and green (variance) pixel components to allow the flow maps to be constructed into digital velocity maps and pseudo three-dimensional velocity maps. The maximal velocity stream extended distal to the tunnel (2 to 19 mm), and the length of this extension correlated well with the pressure gradient measured across the tunnel (r = 0.89), with a rapidly decelerating and turbulent spray area seen immediately distal to the valve. Pressure gradient calculated from the maximal velocity derived from the color flow map, which could only be estimated from the velocity maps for the 1.5 cm2 tunnel, correlated well with the gradient measured across the tunnel (18.0 +/- 14.1 versus 19.2 +/- 14.5 mm Hg, respectively, r = 0.98). Acceleration was seen proximal to both tunnels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Recombinant human erythropoietin in the anemia of prematurity : results of a placebo-controlled pilot study

Experimental and clinical data implicate inadequate erythropoletin production as an important reason that infants acquire this anemia and suggest that recombinant human erythropoletin (r-HuEPO) might be used to treat or prevent it. We therefore randomly assigned 20 small premature infants (birth weight ≤1250 gm) who were highly likely to require erythrocyte transfusions for anemia of prematurity to receive 6 weeks of treatment with either intravenously administered r-HuEPO (at a dose of 100 units/kg twice each week) or a placebo. Hematologic measurements, transfusion requirements, and growth were followed during therapy and for 6 months thereafter. Treated (EPO) and control babies did not differ with respect to weight, hematocrit, overall mean absolute reticulocyte count, calculated erythrocyte mass, or rate of growth. However, reticulocyte counts increased earlier in patients given r-HuEPO. Six of ten babies in the EPO group, and 8 of 10 assigned to the control group, received at least one erythrocyte transfusion during treatment. For all infants the amount of blood sampled for laboratory tests was strongly predictive of the volume of packed erythrocytes transfused ( r =0.890; p =0.0001). Of nine infants who had
It Happened at Cormantin: Locating the Origin of the Atlantic English-Based Creoles

Comparative and sociohistorical facts suggest that Sranan arose among castle slaves on the Gold Coast in the 1630s. Jamaican Maroon Spirit Language is an offshoot of early Sranan, which allows the deduction that creole English had developed in Suriname by 1671. However, during the English hegemony there, 1651-1667, Suriname harbored only small plantations, where Whites worked closely with equal numbers of Blacks. Such conditions were unlikely to produce Sranan, and conditions in other English colonies were similar, disallowing them as possible sources of importation. Disproportionate lexical and structural influence from Lower Guinea Coast languages, and other evidence, suggests that the language actually took shape on the West African coast.
An RF-MEMS switch with mN contact forces

This paper presents a new RF MEMS switch design which is capable of generating large forces under electrostatic actuation. The switch is 155×130 µm2, and results in 0.8–1.8 mN of contact force at 80–100 V, with a release force of 0.50 mN. The design is also highly insensitive to biaxial stress and to stress gradients. A prototype switch, fabricated on a high resistivity silicon substrates using an 8 µm-thick gold cantilever, results in pull-in voltage of 62 V, a switching time of 6 µs, and an upstate capacitance of 24 fF. The contact metal is Au-Ru and the measured switch resistance dropped from 250 Ω to 1.2 Ω for V act = 60 − 100 V, showing the large contact-force operation of the switch. Measurements versus temperature show excellent stability from 25 – 105° C.
Transcriptionally active chromatin is sensitive to Neurospora crassa and S1 nucleases

We have examined the distribution of Neurospora crassa and S1 nuclease cleavage products in the chromatin of the 87A7 heat shock locus of Drosophila melanogaster. Both of these nucleases generate single and double-strand breaks in chromatin at specific sites in the 87A7 locus. Before heat induction, we find that the 5' ends of the two 87A7 hsp 70 genes contain N. crassa and S1 nuclease hypersensitive sites, while there are only a few cleavage products from elsewhere in the locus. With N. crassa nuclease, we observe one major 5' fragment, and this is derived from cleavage in a DNA segment mapping about 90 to 115 base-pairs from the beginning of the transcription unit. With S1 nuclease, we find two 5' cleavage products. The first maps about 120 to 130 base-pairs from the beginning of the gene. Interestingly, this site is also sensitive to S1 nuclease in supercoiled but not linear naked DNA. The other fragment maps very close to the transcription start site (approximately 0 to -15 base-pairs). After heat induction, there is a transition in the chromatin architecture of 87A7. First, there is a marked reduction in the yield of the prominent 5' N. crassa and S1 nuclease fragments. Second, the entire hsp 70 gene, as well as the spacer DNA just downstream from the 3' end of the gene, becomes highly sensitive to both of these nucleases.
The Effects of Device Dimension, Substrate Temperature, and Gate Metallization on the Reliability of AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors

The effects of source field plates on AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor reliability under off-state stress conditions were investigated using step-stress cycling. The source field plate enhanced the drain breakdown voltage from 55V to 155V and the critical voltage for off-state gate stress from 40V to 65V, relative to devices without the field plate. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the degradation of the gate contacts. The presence of cracking that appeared on both source and drain side of the gate edges was attributed to the inverse piezoelectric effect. In addition, a thin oxide layer was observed between the Ni gate contact and the AlGaN layer, and both Ni and oxygen had diffused into the AlGaN layer. The critical degradation voltage of AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors during off-state electrical stress was determined as a function of Ni/Au gate dimensions (0.1-0.17μm). Devices with different gate length and gate-drain distances were found to exhibit the onset of degradation at different source-drain biases but similar electric field strengths, showing that the degradation mechanism is primarily field-driven. The temperature dependence of sub-threshold drain current versus gate voltage at a constant drain bias voltage were used to determine the trap densities in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) before and after the off-state stress. Two different trap densities were obtained for the measurements conducted at 300-493K and 493-573K, respectively.
Endotoxin inactivation via steam-heat treatment in dilute simethicone emulsions used in biopharmaceutical processes

Simethicone emulsion is used to regulate foaming in cell culture operations in biopharmaceutical processes. It is also a potential source of endotoxin contamination. The inactivation of endotoxins in dilute simethicone emulsions was assessed as a function of time at different steam temperatures using a Limulus amebocyte lysate kinetic chromogenic technique. Endotoxin inactivation from steam-heat treatment was fit to a four-parameter double exponential decay model, which indicated that endotoxin inactivation was biphasic, consisting of fast and slow regimes. In the fast regime, temperature-related effects were dominant. Transitioning into the slow regime, the observed temperature dependence diminished, and concentration-related effects became increasingly significant. The change in the Gibbs free energy moving through the transition state indicated that a large energy barrier must be overcome for endotoxin inactivation to occur. The corresponding Arrhenius pre-exponential factor was >>10(12) s(-1) suggesting that endotoxins in aqueous solution exist as aggregates. The disorder associated with the endotoxin inactivation reaction pathway was assessed via the change in entropy moving through the transition state. This quantity was positive indicating that endotoxin inactivation may result from hydrolysis of individual endotoxin molecules, which perturbs the conformation of endotoxin aggregates, thereby modulating the biological activity observed. Steam-heat treatment decreased endotoxin levels by 1-2 logarithm (log) reduction (LRV), which may be practically relevant depending on incoming raw material endotoxin levels. Antifoam efficiency and cell culture performance were negligibly impacted following steam-heat treatment. The results from this study show that steam-heat treatment is a viable endotoxin control strategy that can be implemented to support large-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Thermal Isomerization of Tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane and Bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene through the (E,Z)-1,3-Cycloheptadiene Intermediate

The thermal isomerization of tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane and bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene was studied using ab initio methods at the multiconfiguration self-consistent field level. The lowest-energy pathway for thermolysis of both structures proceeds through the (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene intermediate. Ten transition states were located, which connect these three structures to the final product, (Z,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene. Three reaction channels were investigated, which included the conrotatory and disrotatory ring opening of tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane and bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene and trans double bond rotation of (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene. The activation barrier for the conrotatory ring opening of tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane to (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene was found to be 40 kcal mol-1, while the disrotatory pathway to (Z,Z)-1,3-cyclohetpadiene was calculated to be 55 kcal mol-1. The thermolysis of bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-6-ene via a conrotatory pathway to (E,Z)-1,3-cycloheptadiene had a 35 kcal mol-1 barrier, while...
Abiotic transformation of estrogens in synthetic municipal wastewater: an alternative for treatment?

The abiotic transformation of estrogens, including estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and ethinylestradiol (EE2), in the presence of model vegetable matter was confirmed in this study. Batch experiments were performed to model the catalytic conversion of E1, E2, E3 and EE2 in synthetic wastewater. Greater than 80% reduction in the parent compounds was achieved for each target chemical after 72 h with the remaining concentration distributed between aqueous and solid phases as follows: 13% and 7% for E1, 10% and 2% for E2, 6% and 2% for E3, and 8% and 3% for EE2, respectively. Testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone were also monitored in this study, and their concentrations were found to be in agreement with initially spiked amount. Data collected under laboratory conditions provided the basis for implementing new abiotic wastewater treatment technologies that use inexpensive materials.
Nonlinear hydrodynamic shock propagation analysis by the finite element method

Abstract The method of weighted residuals is used in conjunction with the finite element method to solve the nonlinear hydrodynamic field equations. The algebraic equations which result from the finite element approximations were solved using the Standard Newton-Raphson method, the Modified Newton-Raphson method, the Self-Correcting Incremental Method, and the Method of Successive Substitutions. Also, the Gear 2-Step and 3-Step temporal operators were employed along with the Park temporal operator and a first order backward difference method to obtain the transient response. Solutions for 1-dimensional shock and rarefaction waves obtained using the method agree with theoretically predicted values and with values obtained using a finite difference method. Of the four temporal operators investigated, none was determined to be superior. However, based upon computational cost and solution accuracy, the Self-Correcting Incremental Method and the Modified Newton-Raphson Method with Jacobian reformation after every three iterations both proved superior to the other methods studied for solution of the nonlinear equations.
Physicians' perceptions about managed care restrictions on antibiotic prescribing.

The purpose of this study was to compare physicians’ perceptions about managed care restrictions on drug prescribing with objective measures of the restrictions’ effects. When asked a general question, 17 emergency medicine physicians in one urban, university hospital answered that they had to prescribe an antibiotic that was not their first choice because of managed care restrictions 32% of the time. The actual frequency of prescribing other than first-choice antibiotics, which was determined by asking the same physicians about the prescription of specific antibiotics for specific patients seen recently in the emergency department, was 6% (p<.0001). We conclude that emercency medicine physicians treating patients in one managed care system significantly overstimated the restrictions imposed by managed care formularies on their antibiotic prescribing practices. Additional studies are warranted to measure the extent of this bias.
Modeling the cAMP-induced allosteric transition using the crystal structure of CAP-cAMP at 2.1 A resolution.

After an allosteric transition produced by the binding of cyclic AMP (cAMP), the Escherichia coli catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) binds DNA specifically and activates transcription. The three-dimensional crystal structure of the CAP-cAMP complex has been refined at 2.1 A resolution, thus enabling a better evaluation of the structural basis for CAP phenotypes, the interactions of cAMP with CAP and the roles played by water structure. A review of mutational analysis of CAP together with the additional structural information presented here suggests a possible mechanism for the cAMP-induced allostery required for DNA binding and transcriptional activation. We hypothesize that cAMP binding may reorient the coiled-coil C-helices, which provide most of the dimer interface, thereby altering the relative positions of the DNA-binding domains of the CAP dimer. Additionally, cAMP binding may cause a further rearrangement of the DNA-binding and cAMP-binding domains of CAP via a flap consisting of beta-strands 4 and 5 which lies over the cAMP.
Efficiency-Risk Tradeoffs in Electricity Markets with Dynamic Demand Response

In order to study the impact of dynamic demand response in the future smart grid, we examine in an abstract framework how a tradeoff between efficiency and risk arises under different market architectures. We first examine the system performance under noncooperative and cooperative market architectures. The statistics of the stationary aggregate demand processes show that, although the noncooperative load scheduling scheme leads to an efficiency loss, the stationary distribution of the corresponding aggregate demand process has a smaller tail, resulting in less frequent aggregate demand spikes. Cooperative dynamic demand response, on the other hand, makes the market place more efficient at the cost of increased risk of aggregate demand spikes. The market architecture determines the locus of the system performance with respect to the tradeoff curve. We also investigate how a properly designed real-time electricity pricing mechanism can help the system operator achieve a target tradeoff between efficiency and risk in a noncooperative market. We further provide a convex characterization of the Pareto front of system performance measures, which serves as a benchmark of the tradeoffs for the system operator to evaluate the pricing rules.
Reaction of 5 and 6 year olds to dental injection after viewing the needle: pilot study.

The aim was to evaluate the practice of hiding the needle prior to dental anesthesia administration to children. Fourteen 5 and 6 year olds received dental treatment in two sessions. The needle was...
Development of Concrete Bridge Data Schema for Interoperability

The advancement of key aspects of bridge information modeling for software interoperability and data exchange has attracted increasing interest from various stakeholders in the bridge industry. Potential benefits include reductions in project delivery time, errors, and cost. However, a lack of standardized data exchange protocols hinders the development and deployment of such modeling. This situation causes the still-all-too-fragmented bridge industry to waste a large amount of money each year. The research presented in this paper was motivated by the advantages of using interoperability to streamline the approaches used to deliver concrete bridge projects. Every bridge project requires frequent communication; without improved software interoperability, projects can become bogged down with requests for information. This paper develops, demonstrates, and implements key aspects of interoperable data schema protocols that can be used to facilitate the exchange of bridge information in the planning, design, d...
Regenerative release of calcium from functionally discrete subcellular stores by inositol trisphosphate

Fluorescence imaging was used to determine the spatial and temporal patterns of subcellular calcium (Ca 2+ ) liberation induced in Xenopus oocytes by photorelease of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins P 3 ) from a caged precursor. Increasing levels of Ins P 3 evoked Ca 2+ release that began in a graded m anner but, at varying threshold levels of Ins- P 3 , localized sites then showed transient and asynchronous ‘puffs’ of Ca 2+ release. With higher levels of Ins. P 3 , Ca 2+ from adjacent sites formed a focus for initiation of a propagating Ca 2+ wave. The results show that Ins .P 3 -sensitive Ca 2+ stores are arranged as distinct and functionally independent units, and that Ca 2+ is released in both graded and regenerative fashions.
Current Status of Multiple Comparisons of Means in Designed Experiments

Abstract Procedures for differentiating means in designed contrasts and post-data comparisons are appraised on recent evidence on sensitivity (power) and degree of protection of type I error rate. Orthogonal f-tests, Bonferroni t-statistics, Scheffe’s interval, Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference, Student-Newman-Keuls procedure, Duncan's Multiple range test, Least Significant Difference, and Dunnett's t-test are discussed. Designed contrasts (especially orthogonal ones) permit use of tests more sensitive than those recommended for testing of comparisons selected post-data. If one must resort to all possible pair-wise comparisons, then Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference test (or possibly the Student-Newman-Keuls procedure) should be used to avoid the large inflation of type I error rate incurred by Least Significant Difference of Duncan's test. Examples of applications of recommended techniques are given.
Comparison of P300 from passive and active tasks for auditory and visual stimuli

The P300 event-related brain potential (ERP) was elicited with a stimulus-sequence paradigm for auditory and visual stimuli in separate active and passive task response conditions. Auditory stimuli in the passive task yielded P300 waveforms similar to those obtained from the active task condition. Visual stimuli in the passive task yielded much smaller P300 waveforms that were not morphologically consistent with those from the active task. The results suggest that auditory stimuli produce more robust P300 components than visual stimuli in passive task situations.
Community Food Security and Nutrition Educators

Nutrition educators research, teach, and conduct outreach within the field of community food security (CFS), yet no clear consensus exists concerning what the field encompasses. Nutrition education needs to be integrated into the CFS movement for the fundamental reason that optimal health, well-being, and sustainability are at the core of both nutrition education and CFS. Establishing commonalities at the intersection of academic research, public policy development, and distinctive nongovernmental organizations expands opportunities for professional participation. Entry points for nutrition educators' participation are provided, including efforts dedicated to education, research, policy, programs and projects, and human rights.
Are fashion‐conscious consumers more likely to adopt eco‐friendly clothing?

Purpose – Previous studies regard purchasing of environmentally friendly clothing (EFC) as a subset of environmental behavior. However, like all clothing, EFC also reflects a consumer's fashion choices, and the many variables that influence EFC purchase decisions must be understood for apparel companies to effectively market eco‐friendly products. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify whether fashion and shopping orientation are determinants of EFC purchase intention.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted to examine the effects of fashion orientation, shopping orientation, and environmental concern and eco‐friendly behavior on purchase intention of EFC. A total of 329 usable questionnaires were collected from young female consumers aged 18‐25 years.Findings – Factor analysis was used to evaluate both independent variables – predictors: fashion orientation, shopping orientation, environmental concern, and eco‐friendly behavior – and the dependent variable – purchase intention re...