cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature dependent device characteristics of graphene/h-BN/Si heterojunction

Graphene-on-semiconductor heterojunction solar cell is an emerging class of photovoltaics with potential for efficient and reliable energy conversion systems. The interfaces between graphene and lightly-doped semiconductor play a key role in charge-carrier separation and recombination dynamics. Owing to the low Schottky barrier height-induced interfacial charge carrier recombination, the graphene-on-silicon (Si) heterojunction solar cells suffer from instability in power conversion efficiency over time. Therefore, it is critical to engineer the interface to enhance the barrier height by interfacing a chemically-stable, insulating, and atomically-thin layer. Further, the temperature dependent photovoltaic characteristics of such stacked architectures are unknown, and temperature dependent behavior is critical to understand the MIS junction behavior and photovoltaic phenomenon. Here, we have introduced hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as a tunneling interlayer in graphene-on-Si heterojunction solar cells, which enables the passivation of the chemical dangling bonds on the Si surface. The effect of temperature on the performance of graphene/h-BN/Si PV cell is examined. Thin films of h-BN are directly synthesized on lightly-doped Si surface via a bottom-up chemical-surface-adsorption strategy followed by the transfer of a graphene monolayer. The 2D layer-on-2D layer-on-3D bulk semiconductor nanoarchitecture of graphene/h-BN/Si forms a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS)-type junction, where the h-BN acts as an electron-blocking layer to avoid interfacial charge carrier recombination. A 4-fold increase in open-circuit voltage (VOC) is found for graphene/h-BN/Si heterojunction cell (0.52 V) in contrast to the graphene/Si cell (0.13 V), which is due to the increase in the Schottky barrier height and hence built-in electric potential. Interestingly, the VOC linearly decreases by only ~4% with every 10 K increase in temperature. This work will lead to an evolution of new 2D/2D/3D nanoarchitectures for mechanically-robust, high performance, and durable optoelectronic functionalities.
Large-Scale Gradient-Free Deep Learning with Recursive Local Representation Alignment.

Training deep neural networks on large-scale datasets requires significant hardware resources whose costs (even on cloud platforms) put them out of reach of smaller organizations, groups, and individuals. Backpropagation, the workhorse for training these networks, is an inherently sequential process that is difficult to parallelize. Furthermore, it requires researchers to continually develop various tricks, such as specialized weight initializations and activation functions, in order to ensure a stable parameter optimization. Our goal is to seek an effective, neuro-biologically-plausible alternative to backprop that can be used to train deep networks. In this paper, we propose a gradient-free learning procedure, recursive local representation alignment, for training large-scale neural architectures. Experiments with residual networks on CIFAR-10 and the large benchmark, ImageNet, show that our algorithm generalizes as well as backprop while converging sooner due to weight updates that are parallelizable and computationally less demanding. This is empirical evidence that a backprop-free algorithm can scale up to larger datasets.
The Hereby-Commit Account of Inference

An influential way of distinguishing inferential from non-inferential processes appeals to representational states: an agent infers a conclusion from some premises only if she represents those prem...
Dual Solid/Liquid Sampling Design as a Modular System for Mobile Human and Machine Sampling Soft Material Applications

This prototypical sampling system is designed to support sampling of solids and liquids by humans and/or machines with the goal of adaptively (in space and in time) taking small volumes of soft samples such as coral polyps, sponges, fish tissue or liquid samples from any overlying water layer. The purpose of this tool is to provide a minimally invasive way to collect samples of oceanic soft materials with minimal impact and be useful in manned, ROV or unmanned exploration and sampling efforts. Once collected, the solid and extracted samples are to be archived for later laboratory analysis for high content analytical results.
Demystifying the Dark Web Opioid Trade: Content Analysis on Anonymous Market Listings and Forum Posts.

Background: Opioid use disorder presents a public health issue afflicting millions across the globe. There is a pressing need to understand the opioid supply chain to gain new insights into the mitigation of opioid use and effectively combat the opioid crisis. The role of anonymous online marketplaces and forums that resemble eBay or Amazon, where anyone can post, browse, and purchase opioid commodities, has become increasingly important in opioid trading. Therefore, a greater understanding of anonymous markets and forums may enable public health officials and other stakeholders to comprehend the scope of the crisis. However, to the best of our knowledge, no large-scale study, which may cross multiple anonymous marketplaces and is cross-sectional, has been conducted to profile the opioid supply chain and unveil characteristics of opioid suppliers, commodities, and transactions. Objective: We aimed to profile the opioid supply chain in anonymous markets and forums via a large-scale, longitudinal measurement study on anonymous market listings and posts. Toward this, we propose a series of techniques to collect data; identify opioid jargon terms used in the anonymous marketplaces and forums; and profile the opioid commodities, suppliers, and transactions. Methods: We first conducted a whole-site crawl of anonymous online marketplaces and forums to solicit data. We then developed a suite of opioid domain–specific text mining techniques (eg, opioid jargon detection and opioid trading information retrieval) to recognize information relevant to opioid trading activities (eg, commodities, price, shipping information, and suppliers). Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive, large-scale, longitudinal study to demystify opioid trading activities in anonymous markets and forums. Results: A total of 248,359 listings from 10 anonymous online marketplaces and 1,138,961 traces (ie, threads of posts) from 6 underground forums were collected. Among them, we identified 28,106 opioid product listings and 13,508 opioid-related promotional and review forum traces from 5147 unique opioid suppliers’ IDs and 2778 unique opioid buyers’ IDs. Our study characterized opioid suppliers (eg, activeness and cross-market activities), commodities (eg, popular items and their evolution), and transactions (eg, origins and shipping destination) in anonymous marketplaces and forums, which enabled a greater understanding of the underground trading activities involved in international opioid supply and demand. Conclusions: The results provide insight into opioid trading in the anonymous markets and forums and may prove an effective mitigation data point for illuminating the opioid supply chain.
Collateral Learning through Service-Learning: Developing Competent Business Professionals

Stakeholders of business schools expect graduates to have certain collateral skills in addition to the specific skills required by the discipline. These skills have been identified as quantitative analysis, information technology, diversity, teamwork and interpersonal, critical and analytical thinking, verbal and written communication, and ethical. This literature review suggests that service-learning should be an excellent way to help students develop collateral as well as discipline-specific skills. This may be due to the high motivation to learn that students gain from working in the real world with individuals whose lives are impacted by the quality of service provided by the students.
Normative Parameters of Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness and Associations with Patient Characteristics and Function.

# Background Quantifying muscle stiffness may aid in the diagnosis and management of individuals with muscle pathology. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to establish normative parameters and variance estimates of muscle stiffness in the gastrocnemius muscle in a resting and contracted state. A secondary aim was to identify demographic, anthropometric, medical history factors, and biomechanical factors related to muscle stiffness. # Methods Stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured in both a resting and contracted state in 102 asymptomatic individuals in this cross-sectional study. Differences based on muscle state (resting vs contracted) and sex (female vs male) were assessed using a 2 X 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA). Associations between muscle stiffness and sex, age, BMI, race, exercise frequency, exercise duration, force production, and step length were assessed using correlation analysis. # Results Gastrocnemius muscle stiffness significantly increased from a resting to a contracted state \[mean difference: 217.5 (95% CI: 191.3, 243.8), p < 0.001\]. In addition, muscles stiffness was 35% greater for males than females in a resting state and 76% greater in a contracted state. Greater muscle stiffness in a relaxed and contracted state was associated with larger plantarflexion force production (*r* = .26, p < 0.01 and *r* = .23, p < 0.01 respectively). # Conclusion Identifying normative parameters and variance estimates of muscle stiffness in asymptomatic individuals may help guide diagnosing and managing individuals with aberrant muscle function. # Level of Evidence 2b Individual Cohort Study # Clinical Relevance *What is known about the subject:* Muscle stiffness has been shown to be related to individuals with pathology such as Achilles tendinopathy; however, research is sparse regarding normative values of muscle stiffness. Measuring muscle stiffness may also be a way to potentially predict individuals prone to injury or to monitor the effectiveness of management strategies. *What this study adds to existing knowledge:* This study establishes defined estimates of muscle stiffness of the gastrocnemius in both a relaxed and contracted state in healthy individuals. Myotonometry measures of muscle stiffness demonstrated an increase in stiffness during contraction that varies by sex. Greater gastrocnemius muscle stiffness was associated with increased plantarflexion force production.
Tree Composition and Demography of a Second Growth Hardwood Forest in Berrien County, Michigan

The tree species composition of a small, second growth forest in Berrien County, Michigan, about one-half mile east of Lake Michigan, was determined from tree numbers and diameters gathered using the T-square method. The forest is dominated by northern red oak (Quercus rubra), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and red maple (Acer rubrum). When compared to upland sites, lowland sites had greater species diversity (14 compared to 11) and a greater basal area (57.84 compared to 39.16 m2 . ha–1), but had a lower density (317.89 compared to 357.05 trees . ha–1) of trees. Size class structure of the tree species generally showed that they were replacing themselves and will continue for some time into the future.
Noise sensitivity of projection neural networks

The authors analyze network sensitivity to noise introduced at both the neural and interconnect levels. Two ANNs (artificial neural networks) are analyzed. The first is the alternating projection neural network (APNN), which can be used as a content-addressable memory. The authors show that its performance improves as the percentage of clamped neurons is increased. The second is the layered classifier artificial neural network (L-CANN), whose performance is based on nonlinearly augmented synthetic discriminant functions (also called composite matched filters). It is shown for the L-CANN that the covariances are strongly dependent on the number of hidden neurons. For both ANNs, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the interconnects remains constant, the performance improves as the number of hidden neurons is increased. >
Jewish Migration Experiences Through the Eyes of Deborah Dash Moore

Deborah Dash Moore, citing Oscar Handlin, suggests a similarity between immigration from country to country and internal migration (moves within a country). Immigration to America by large numbers of Jews was primarily the result of the poor and oppressed conditions that they were forced to endure in Europe. Freedom was arguably their principle objective, and the expansion of freedom seemed to be at the very heart of the internal migration by Jews to Sunbelt cities after World War II. Thus, this analysis will briefly explore the similarities between the Jewish immigration to America and their migration to cities throughout the United States.
Business design for an on demand business enterprise

Today, enterprises are faced with the challenge of better aligning the IT investment with their strategic direction. This is especially true for CIOs of the enterprises. In this paper, we propose the concept of business design integration that is a systematic approach to vertically integrate a number of business design related activities, ranging from strategy formulation, business redesign, to the redesign of operations environment. It also provides better communication mechanisms for different roles surrounding the CIOs. Role based analysis is critical for our study of business design integration in this paper To illustrate how to realize the proposed approach, we introduce the prototype of business design portal as a tool to facilitate the communication amongst people responsible for various aspects of business design. The approach and associated concepts, prototype tools and methods proposed in this paper could be useful for on demand business transformation in scenarios such as business transformation outsourcing (BTO) and business process outsourcing (BPO)
The System of Technical Regulation in Russia: The Possible and Expected Impact on Competition

The article considers the development of the technical regulation reform in Russian Federation and the potential impact of technical regulation on competition and competitiveness of industries and the Russian economy as a whole. It concludes that the reform has been actually reduced, and it is demanded for in the framework of the modernization scenario of Russia’s economy development.
Role of p53 in regulating tissue response to radiation by mechanisms independent of apoptosis

Radiation exposure leads to diverse outcomes in vivo across different tissues and even within the same cell lineage. The diversity of radiation response in vivo is at least partially attributable to the status of the tumor suppressor p53, a master regulator of cellular response to stress, and activation of its transcriptional targets. In certain cells, such as hematopoietic progenitors and transit amplifying cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium, activation of p53 by radiation triggers the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. However, in many other cells, activation of p53 by radiation does not result in apoptosis, which underscores the importance of understanding the role of p53 in regulating radiation response through alternative mechanisms. In this review, we summarize recent studies using genetically engineered mice to dissect the role of p53 in (I) cells where its activation is dissociated from the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, such as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and vascular endothelial cells and (II) tissues where activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis does not promote the acute radiation syndrome, such as the GI epithelium. We highlight findings showing that the apoptosis-independent response of p53 to radiation in vivo can contribute to death or survival in a cell-type dependent manner, which underscores the complexity by which p53 regulates the cellular and tissue response to radiation.
Signs from the precambrian : The geologic framework of rocky mountain region derived from aeromagnetic data

Recently compiled aeromagnetic data greatly enhance our understanding of the Precambrian basement from the Rocky Mountain region by providing a means to (1) extrapolate known geology exposed in generally widely separated uplifts into broad covered areas, and (2) delineate large-scale structural features that are not readily discernable solely from outcrop mapping. In the Wyoming Province, Archean granite and gneiss terranes generate semi-circular bands of magnetic highs and lows, respectively, primarily reflecting Late Archean magmatic and deformation events that modified the older craton. In contrast, the subdued magnetic signature of the Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement of the Rocky Mountain region does not allow straightforward distinction of the Yavapai, Matzatzal and Mojave provinces. This is not the case for the Mesoproterozoic (∼1.4 Ga) iron-rich granites. Although variable in magnetic expression where exposed and drilled, most are associated with highs. Many of these plutons intruded shear zones and therefore produce long, linear magnetic highs, particularly conspicuous in Arizona. A spectacular, high-amplitude magnetic potential high defines broad region of thick (∼>10 km) magnetite-rich granite, perhaps underlain by coeval mafic crust. In the east, this high corresponds to the Western Granite-Rhyolite Province. Based on the continuity of the regional magnetic high, we extend the western limit of the province from its current position in New Mexico to southeastern California. This implies that the province lay at the edge of the North American margin at the time of the late Proterozoic break-up of Rodinia and may be present in one of the conjugate rifted pieces.
Bordering on Conventional: The Politics of Iraqi Resettlement to the US and Europe, 2003–2011

Of some 2.5 million Iraqi citizens internationally displaced in the wake of Operation Iraqi Freedom, less than 100,000 have achieved permanent international resettlement. This paper compares US and EU policies regulating the selection and admission of Iraqi refugees since 2003, focusing on the divergent political priorities and structural considerations underpinning variations in resettlement levels during this time. I argue that US resettlement of Iraqi refugees is primarily an element of foreign policy, defined by strategic objectives in Iraq and the surrounding region, whereas admissions to the EU reflect ongoing intra-European debates surrounding the construction and modification of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Whereas resettlement to the US increased drastically following a “strategic” reframing of the Iraqi refugee crisis in 2007, failures in the implementation of CEAS’s “standardization” agenda, compounded by enhanced European restrictions on refugee movement, have limited Iraqi admissions to Europe during this time.
Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidative cleavage of ketones by quinolinium dichromate

The kinetics of the oxidation of ketones (cyclic and arylalkyl) by quinolinium dichromate (QDC), in an acid medium, has been investigated. The rate of the reaction was proportional to the concentrations of the ketone, QDC, and acid. The order of reactivity for the cyclic ketones was C6 > C8 > C5 > C7 (ring size) and acetophenone > propiophenone > butyrophenone > valerophenone (arylalkyl ketones). A kinetic isotope effect, k H/k D = 5.80, was observed (cyclohexanone and cyclohexanone-d4). The rate data have been rationalized using conformational considerations. The mechanism involved the attack of the protonated QDC on the enol form (of the ketone), in the rate-determining step, forming a cyclic chromate ester. Subsequent cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond of the ester yielded carboxylic acids as the products.
Synergistic effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor genotype and poor glycaemic control on risk of nephropathy in IDDM

We investigated the contribution of polymorphisms in the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) to renal complications in an inception cohort of 152 insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients examined 15-21 years after diabetes onset. This nested case-control study included 79 normoal-buminuric control subjects and 73 cases with evidence of nephropathy ranging from microalbuminuria to overt proteinuria. Subjects were genotyped for two AGTR1 polymorphisms (T573→C and A1166→C), and an adjacent CA repeat microsatellite. Allele C1166 and the 140 bp allele of the microsatellite were more frequent among nephropathy cases than normoalbuminuric control subjects (0.322 vs 0.247, and 0.618 vs 0.521, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant. Although not significant by themselves, the AGTR1 polymorphisms contributed significantly to the risk of diabetic nephropathy when accompanied by poor glycaemic control. Among patients with frequent severe hyperglycaemia during the first decade of diabetes, the relative risk of nephropathy among allele C1166 carriers was 12.1 (95 % CI: 3.7-39.8), whereas it was only 1.4 (95 % CI: 0.6-3.5) among allele A1166 homozygotes. The difference between relative risks was highly significant (x 2 = 8.25, p = 0.004 with 1 df). A similar pattern of higher risk of microalbuminuria, specifically among those carriers of allele C1166 who had poor glycaemic control was also found in an independent study of a cross-sectional sample of 551 IDDM individuals, although the effect was smaller in magnitude. We conclude that DNA sequence differences in the AGTR1 gene may modify the noxious effects of hyperglycaemia on the kidney. Allele C1166 carriers might especially benefit from nephropathy prevention programmes. [Diabetologia (1997) 40: 1293-1299]
The Differential Importance of the Evidence and the Expert on Perceptions of Confessions

In this study, we examined the effects of expert witness testimony and commonly used interrogation tactics on perceptions of confessions and equivocal forensic evidence. Results indicated perceptions of forensic evidence were influenced by expert testimony. Assessments of the value of forensic evidence were significantly lower for participants exposed to expert testimony, compared to those not exposed. This finding demonstrates the potential of expert testimony regarding interrogations to affect other types of testimony. In addition, perceptions of the interrogating detective were influenced by type of tactic. Participants' ratings of the detective were lowest in the maximization interrogation condition compared to minimization and length. Results are discussed in terms of the role of expert testimony and interrogation tactics as related to perceptions of forensic-type evidence.
Chromatographic separation of continuous mixtures in distributed pores

Abstract Complex multi-component mixtures are conveniently modeled with frequency distribution functions that are continuous functions of a molecular property, e.g., molecular radius. Size-exclusion chromatographic separations can be simulated by accounting for the partitioning of the species in the pores of the stationary phase. The mathematical theory in this paper describes the separation of solutes based on relative sizes of pores and molecules. Linear partition coefficients are represented for continuous distributions of molecular sizes in either continuous or discrete distributions of cylindrical pores. Fractal distributions of pores also illustrate the partitioning behavior. The mass balance equation that governs the frequency distribution of the spherical molecules can be solved exactly when axial dispersion is the only rate process. This equilibrium-dispersive model yields temporal moment expressions that are also useful for interpreting chromatographic data.
The Wages of Social Responsibility

Typical socially responsible investors tilt their portfolios toward stocks of companies with high scores on social responsibility characteristics such as community, employee relations and the environment. We analyze returns during 1992-2007 of stocks rated on social responsibility by KLD and find that this tilt gave socially responsible investors a return advantage relative to conventional investors. However, typical socially responsible investors also shun stocks of companies associated with tobacco, alcohol, gambling, firearms, military, and nuclear operations. We find that such shunning brought to socially responsible investors a return disadvantage relative to conventional investors. The return advantage of tilts toward stocks of companies with high social responsibility scores is largely offset by the return disadvantage that comes from the exclusion of stocks of 'shunned' companies. The return of the DS 400 Index of socially responsible companies was approximately equal to the return of the S&P 500 Index of conventional companies. Socially responsible investors can do both well and good by adopting the best-in-class method in the construction of their portfolios. That method calls for tilts toward stocks of companies with high scores on social responsibility characteristics, but refrains from calls to shun the stock of any company, even one that produces tobacco.
Oxyhalogen–sulfur chemistry — Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of methionine by aqueous iodine and acidified iodate

The oxidation of methionine (Met) by acidic iodate and aqueous iodine was studied. Though the reaction is a simple two-electron oxidation to give methionine sulfoxide (Met–S=O), the dynamics of the...
Methamphetamine induces autophagy as a pro-survival response against apoptotic endothelial cell death through the Kappa opioid receptor

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant with high abuse potential and severe neurotoxicity. Recent studies in animal models have indicated that METH can impair the blood–brain barrier (BBB), suggesting that some of the neurotoxic effects resulting from METH abuse could be due to barrier disruption. We report here that while chronic exposure to METH disrupts barrier function of primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), an early pro-survival response is observed following acute exposure by induction of autophagic mechanisms. Acute METH exposure induces an early increase in Beclin1 and LC3 recruitment. This is mediated through inactivation of the protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6K pathway, and upregulation of the ERK1/2. Blockade of Kappa opioid receptor (KOR), and treatment with autophagic inhibitors accelerated METH-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the early autophagic response is a survival mechanism for endothelial cells and is mediated through the kappa opioid receptor. Our studies indicate that kappa opioid receptor can be therapeutically exploited for attenuating METH-induced BBB dysfunction.
Drug Clearance and Arterial Uptake After Local Perivascular Delivery to the Rat Carotid Artery

Abstract Objectives. We attempted to characterize how drug released into the perivascular space enters the arterial wall and how it is cleared from the local environment. Background. Drug released into the perivascular space can enter the artery either from the adventitial aspect or from the lumen after absorption by the extraarterial capillaries and mixing within the systemic circulation. Some investigators suggest that this latter mechanism dominates, and they question whether local drug release is synonymous with local deposition. Methods. We investigated both the pathways by which adventitially released drug is cleared from the perivascular space and those by which drug enters the blood vessel wall. Inulin was used to follow drug release from implanted devices and subsequent entry to the circulation, because of its first-pass urinary excretion. Heparin was used to follow arterial deposition because of its vasoactivity and tissue-binding properties. The different potential pathways of drug entry and egress were systematically removed and the effects on metabolism and deposition determined. Results. Ligature occlusion of the artery did not decrease inulin excretion or heparin deposition. Extravascular wraps designed to shield the device from extramural capillaries reduced inulin excretion rates 10-fold but did not alter heparin deposition into the vessel wall. The deposition of drug after perivascular delivery was 500 times higher than after intraperitoneal administration. Conclusions. Although almost all the drug released into the perivascular space is cleared through the extravascular capillaries, virtually all the deposited drug diffuses directly from the perivascular space, and little arrives from the endovascular aspect. These data support the view that local drug release leads directly to increased local drug concentration. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1645–50)
Do workstations work too well?: an investigation into library workstation popularity and the “principle of least effort”

Library workstations, with their colorful screens, menu options, databases, CD-ROMs, and other bells and whistles, lull users into trusting that they provide one-stop reference shopping covering all time periods for everything from journal citations to technical reports and patents. The Library has promoted workstation access and ease of use to the point of luring patrons away from other, possibly more appropriate, print indexes. In turn, have these workstations, aided by the “Principle of Least Effort,” changed the nature of how research is performed in academic libraries? A number of statistical data point to increased dependence on workstations at the Chemistry Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. These and other statistics are examined to determine the changing nature of library research. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Intertemporal tenure choices

Abstract An intertemporal model of household tenure choice is estimated using data from the Michigan Panel Survey on Income Dynamics. Unlike empirical studies that focus on household tenure differences at any point in time, this analysis considers choice patterns over a 4-year period. The estimation results often indicate substantial leads, lags, and household condition duration effects on the structure of tenure status choices and the timing of their change. An implication of these findings is that inferences based on analyses of tenure choice at one particular point in time often are misleading.
ACUTE TOXICITY AND ANTICHOLINESTERASE ACTION OF O,O-DIMETHYL O-(4-(METHYLTHIO)-M-TOLYL) PHOSPHOROTHIOATE (DMTP; BAYTEX) AND RELATED COMPOUNDS.

Abstract The acute toxicity of O,O -dimethyl O -[4-(methylthio)- m -tolyl] phosphorothioate (DMTP; Baytex; Bayer 29493) was studied. By the intraperitoneal route the LD 50 values ranged from 125 mg/kg to 325 mg/kg for mice, guinea pigs, and rats. By the oral route the LD 50 values ranged from 190 mg/kg to 310 mg/kg. The sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives of DMTP exhibited toxicity similar to that of the parent compound. Measurements of the anticholinesterase action of DMTP in vivo demonstrated that the enzyme activity of the brain and peripheral tissues exhibit similar susceptibility and the inhibitory effect is of long duration. The oxygen analog of DMTP was about 13 times more toxic than the parent compound by the intraperitoneal route to rats. The sulfoxide derivative of the oxygen analog was equal to the oxygen analog in toxicity, but the sulfone derivative was about 3 times more toxic than the oxygen analog. These possible metabolites of DMTP exerted a strong anticholinesterase action in vitro and the effects in vivo were much more rapidly reversible than those of DMTP. The S-methyl isomer was about 6 times more toxic than DMTP and differed in its in vivo anticholinesterase action by inhibiting the cholinesterase activity of the brain to a much lesser extent than peripheral tissues. Repeated daily injection of DMTP demonstrated that it has a marked tendency to produce cumulative toxic effects leading to mortality. Potentiation of acute toxicity was observed in rats when DMTP was given simultaneously with Delnav, Co-Ral, or malathion.
Two lightly stabilized decacarbonyltriosmium complexes

Abstract In cyclooctene solution H 2 Os 3 (CO) l0 reacts with ethylene to form Os 3 (CO) 10 (C 8 H 14 ) 2 , which can be transformed to Os 3 (CO) 10 (NCCH 3 ) 2 . These two labile complexes are useful intermediates for preparation of decacarbonyltriosmium derivatives.
Variable near-surface deformation along the Commerce segment of the Commerce geophysical lineament, southeast Missouri to southern Illinois, USA

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated a plausible link between surface and near-surface tectonic features and the vertical projection of the Commerce geophysical lineament (CGL). The CGL is a 5- to 10-km-wide zone of basement magnetic and gravity anomalies traceable for more than 600 km, extending from Arkansas through southeast Missouri and southern Illinois and into Indiana. Twelve kilometers of high-resolution seismic reflection data, collected at four sites along a 175-km segment of the CGL projection, are interpreted to show varying amounts of deformation involving Tertiary and some Quaternary sediments. Some of the locally anomalous geomorphic features in the northern Mississippi embayment region (i.e., paleoliquefaction features, anomalous directional changes in stream channels, and areas of linear bluff escarpments) overlying the CGL can be correlated with specific faults and/or narrow zones of deformed (faulted and folded) strata that are imaged on high-resolution seismic reflection data. There is an observable change in near-surface deformation style and complexity progressing from the southwest to the northeast along the trace of the CGL. The seismic reflection data collaborate mapping evidence which suggests that this region has undergone a complex history of deformation, some of which is documented to be as young as Quaternary, during multiple episodes of reactivation under varying stress fields. This work, along with that of other studies presented in this volume, points to the existence of at least one major crustal feature outside the currently defined zone of seismic activity (New Madrid Seismic Zone) that should be considered as a significant potential source zone for seismogenic activity within the midcontinent region of the United States.
Change in Inpatient Rehabilitation Admissions for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury After Implementation of the Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System

Abstract Hoffman JM, Donoso Brown E, Chan L, Dikmen S, Temkin N, Bell KR. Change in inpatient rehabilitation admissions for individuals with traumatic brain injury after implementation of the Medicare inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system. Objective To evaluate the impact of Medicare's inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) on use of inpatient rehabilitation for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Retrospective cohort study of patients with TBI. Setting One hundred twenty-three level I and II trauma centers across the U.S. who contributed data to the National Trauma Data Bank. Participants Patients (N=135,842) with TBI and an Abbreviated Injury Score of the head of 2 or greater admitted to trauma centers between 1995 and 2004. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measure Discharge location: IRF, skilled nursing facility, home, and other hospitals. Results Compared with inpatient rehabilitation admissions before IRF PPS came into effect, demographic characteristics of admitted patients changed. Those admitted to acute care trauma centers after PPS was enacted (January 2002) were older and nonwhite. No differences were found in rates of injury between men and women. Over time, there was a significant drop in the percent of patients being discharged to inpatient rehabilitation, which varied by region, but was found across all insurance types. In a logistic regression, after controlling for patient characteristics (age, sex, race), injury characteristics (cause, severity), insurance type, and facility, the odds of being discharged to an IRF after a TBI decreased 16% after Medicare's IRF PPS system was enacted. Conclusions The enactment of the Medicare PPS appears to be associated with a reduction in the chance that patients receive inpatient rehabilitation treatment after a TBI. The impact of these changes on the cost, quality of care, and patient outcome is unknown and should be addressed in future studies.
Nature conservation, rural livelihoods, and territorial control in Andean Ecuador

Abstract The Ecuadorian sierra , or Andean region, has during recent decades witnessed a marked expansion of nature conservation initiatives. This paper explores the relations and tensions between this proliferation of conservation interventions and the struggles of rural Andean communities to assert territorial authority and to consolidate their livelihoods. Through an analysis of three rounds of conservation initiatives in an indigenous campesino cooperative in the south-central sierra , I argue for a conceptualization of the outcomes and trajectories of conservation as coproduced through histories of interaction between conservation actors and rural resource users. Within this analytical framework, I underscore the importance of taking into account the agency of rural communities, their historical landscape claims, and the dynamism of their livelihood interests.
Site of suppression of Banzi viral replication by an antiviral factor released from Aedes albopictus cells persistently infected with Banzi virus

The ability of the antiviral factor present in culture medium of Aedes albopictus cells persistently infected with the flavivirus, Banzi virus, to inhibit the replication of Banzi virus was examined. The anti-Banzi viral factor did not inhibit the uncoating of the virion. Levels of viral RNA were markedly reduced in mosquito cells treated with the antiviral factor. Syntheses of negative-strand and of positive-strand viral RNA species were inhibited to approximately the same extent. This inhibition was virus-specific in that the anti-Banzi viral factor had no effect on the synthesis of viral RNA in mosquito cells infected with either Japanese encephalitis or Eastern equine encephalitis viruses. The anti-Banzi viral factor inhibited the in vitro Banzi viral RNA synthesis but not that of Eastern equine encephalitis virus or of Japanese encephalitis virus.
Analysis of the Influence of Media on the Evaluation of the Serviceability of Metallic Products

We present the results of analytic investigations of the interaction of loaded materials with working media in pores and grooves. It is shown that the mechanical and physicochemical effects accompanying the process of interaction with ambient conducting media are responsible for the redistribution of electric charges, which may lead to errors in the results of diagnostics of the serviceability of metallic products. To exclude this possibility, we propose a procedure taking into account the actual operating conditions.
Precambrian-Cambrian transition problem in western North America: Part I. Tommotian fauna in the southwestern Great Basin and its implications for the base of the Cambrian System

An assemblage of shelly fossils has been discovered in the Lower Member of the Deep Spring Formation in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Preliminary taxonomic analysis suggests that the fossils consist of a variety of hyoliths, coleolids, and other elements. The fossils lie about 1,000 m down-section from the first trilobites and appear to be slightly younger than or possibly coeval with Wyattia . The fossils show affinities to Tommotian taxa from Siberia and other continents. Thus, partial stratigraphic equivalents to the Tommotian Stage, whose base marks the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary, can be defined for the southern Great Basin.
Enhance the Yield Shear Stress of Magnetorheological Fluids

To enhance the yield shear stress of magnetorheological (MR) fluids is an important task. Since thick columns have a yield stress much higher than a single-chain structure, we enhance the yield stress of an MR fluids by changing the microstructure of MR fluids. Immediately after a magnetic field is applied, we compress the MR fluid along the field direction. SEM images show that the particle chains are pushed together to form thick columns. The shear force measured after the compression indicates that the yield stress can reach as high as 800 kPa under a moderate magnetic field, while the same MR fluid has a yield stress of 80 kPa without compression. This enhanced yield stress increases with the magnetic field and compression pressure and has an upper limit well above 800 kPa. The method is also applicable to electrorheological fluids.
Dynamics of Reproduction by Hatchery-Origin Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) at Stony Island Reef, Lake Ontario

Natural recruitment from hatchery-origin lake trout in the Great Lakes has been minimal, except in Lake Superior and a few limited areas in Lake Huron. Quantitative studies of survival between egg deposition and fry emergence were conducted on a spawning reef in the eastern basin of Lake Ontario to determine variables associated with poor reproduction of hatchery-origin lake trout. Thirty to 90 mesh bags were buried in the substrate of Stony Island Reef in 1990, 1991, and 1992 to collect eggs and fry. Bags were retrieved on three dates over the six month period between the end of spawning and fry emergence. Mean egg abundance in the substrate increased significantly (P < 0.01) from 700 m−2 in 1990 to 3,572 m−2 in 1991 and 3,355 m−2 in 1992. Change in egg abundance probably resulted from an increase in the proportion of Seneca strain spawners, rather than an increase in the total number of adults in the eastern basin. Mean embryo survival from spawning to late November or early December was 45% (range, 27–57%), approximately 7.5% (range, 7.4–7.5%) to mid–April, and about 3% (range, 1.8–3.9%) to the time of emergence in mid-May. Much of the early mortality of fertilized eggs was probably due to physical shock caused by water currents during storms. Mortality later in development was caused by predation and possibly poor incubation quality of substrate along the base of the reef due to sedimentation. A life history model for lake trout in Lake Ontario was developed and parameters set with the levels of fertilization and egg-to-fry survival rate estimated in this study. Other parameters were estimated from stocking rates and previous studies. Model output indicated that the current lake trout population has the potential to produce over 1.2 million age-1 fish annually. No evidence exists for this level of recruitment in Lake Ontario. Natural recruitment may be limited by a low proportion of eggs incubating in suitable substrate and/or low survival of fry to age-1. These problems could be due to a combination of 1) a limited amount of spawning habitat, 2) ineptitude of some strains to locate or recognize spawning habitat, 3) disease-related mortality during the swim-up life stage, and 4) mortality from fish predation shortly after swim-up. Managers need to reconsider current strategies and time requirements necessary to achieve restoration goals and objectives for lake trout in Lake Ontario.
Dynamic Evaluation of a Digital Wireless Intracranial Pressure Sensor for the Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury in a Swine Model

The monitoring and control of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) are the major requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or hydrocephalus. Widely used commercially available ICP measuring devices require the use of a tethered fiber optic probe, which can cause complications, such as infection and hemorrhage. The use of a probe also prohibits immediate (at the time of induced injury) and long-term measurements of ICP. Therefore, we have developed and tested a small fully embedded wireless ICP sensor, incorporating a novel antenna and packaging arrangement. Evaluations were performed in-vitro and in-vivo to demonstrate the robustness of this microwave pressure-monitoring system. This is the first report of in-vivo tests in a dynamic study of continuous (every 6 s) wireless ICP measurements in a swine model of closed-head rotational-acceleration induced TBI using a digital device. In particular, our device measured extreme changes in ICP immediately upon rapid head rotation that persisted for hours after the injury. The readings matched well those obtained from a commercially available tethered monitor. Our device can be utilized in the future as a tool to diagnose and track long-term ICP changes.
Low molecular weight rat fibroblast tropomyosin 5 (TM-5): cDNA cloning, actin-binding, localization, and coiled-coil interactions

Previous studies have shown that three distinct genes encode six isoforms of tropomyosin (TM) in rat fibroblasts: the alpha gene encodes TM-2, TM-3, TM-5a, and TM-5b, the beta gene encodes TM-1, and the TM-4 gene encodes TM-4. Here we report the characterization of a cDNA clone encoding the most recent rat fibroblast TM to be identified, herein referred to as TM-5, that is the product of a fourth gene that is homologous to the human hTMnm gene, herein referred to as the rat slow-twitch alpha TM gene. The cDNA clone is approximately 1.7 kb and encodes a protein of 248 amino acids. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the TM-5 protein was found to co-migrate with fibroblast TM-5a and 5b. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of TM-5 to other fibroblast isoforms encoded by the alpha, beta, and TM-4 genes revealed a high degree of homology, although there were regions of divergence among the different isoforms. The gene encoding TM-5 is expressed in all tissues examined including skeletal muscle, stomach, heart, liver, kidney, uterus, spleen, brain, and diaphragm. However, Northern blot and RNase protection analyses revealed the presence of different mRNAs in fibroblasts, striated muscle (skeletal and diaphragm), and brain, which are expressed via alternative RNA splicing and the use of alternative promoters. The TM-5 protein was expressed in a bacterial system and tested for its ability to bind actin in vitro and in vivo. The apparent TM association constant (Ka) was taken as the free concentration at half saturation and was found to be 3 microM for TM-5 compared to 2 microM for TM-5b at an F-actin concentration of 42 microM. When fluorescently-labeled TM-5 was microinjected into living rat fibroblasts, it localized to the stress fibers and ruffles of the leading lamella. The coiled-coil interactions of TM-5 with other low and high molecular weight TM isoforms were studied. TM-5 and TM-4 were capable of dimerizing with each other as well as with other low molecular weight isoforms (TM-5a and TM-5b), but not with the HMW isoforms (TM-1, TM-2, and TM-3). In addition, TM-5a and TM-5b were unable to heterodimerize with each other. The implications of these results in understanding the role of TM diversity in cytoskeletal dynamics are discussed.
Evaluation of an instrumented walkway for measurement of the kinematic parameters of gait

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic gait parameters measured with an instrumented walkway system (GAITRite®) and a video-based system (peak performance motus 3.1®). Subjects walked across a GAITRite mat with embedded pressure sensors. Reflective markers were attached to subjects’ shoes and video capture was simultaneously performed during each trial. Video data were then digitized manually using peak software. Correlation coefficients for all parameters measured with both systems were high (≥0.94). Significant differences between systems were found with analysis of variance (ANOVA) for two parameters, step length and stride velocity (P=0.003, 0.0002). The results of this study indicate that the instrumented walkway gave comparable results for temporal parameters but further investigation is needed to evaluate the fidelity of its spatial performance.