cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Helical Twisting Power of Amino Acids in a Nematic Lyophase

Abstract The nematic lyophase of disodium cromoglycate dissolved in water can be made chiral by adding a wide variety of amino acids whose ability to induce helicity is systematically studied. Long, bulky side chains lead to small helical twisting power (HTP), whereas increased hydrophilicity of side chains leads to larger HTP. Some dipeptides have dramatically large HTP's. These factors can be understood in terms of a geometric and steric model.
The preparation of hyperbranched aromatic and aliphatic polyether epoxies by chloride‐catalyzed proton transfer polymerization from ABn and A2 + B3 monomers

Hyperbranched polymers consisting of aromatic or aliphatic polyether cores and epoxide chain-end peripheries were prepared by proton transfer polymerization. AB 2 diepoxyphenol monomer 1 proved to be well suited for the preparation of hyperbranched aromatic polymer 2 by this proton transfer polymerization. The use of chloride-ion catalysis, rather than conventional base catalysis, for the preparation of polymers from diepoxyphenol 1 offered a unique method to control the ultimate molecular weight of the polymer product through variations of the initial concentration of monomer 1 in tetrahydrofuran. An alternative route to hyperbranched polyether epoxies made use of commercially available or easily prepared aliphatic monomers of the types AB 2 , AB 3 , and A 2 + B 3 . Although these aliphatic polymerizations can be initiated with a base, chloride-ion catalysis proved most effective for controlling the polymerization. The hyperbranched epoxies were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and multi-angle laser light scattering. Chemical modification of the polymers after polymerization was carried out via nucleophilic addition on the epoxide groups or derivatization of the hydroxy substituents within the hyperbranched polymer structure. Spectroscopic measurements suggested that some such ring-opened materials may adopt reverse unimolecular micellar structures in appropriate solution environments.
Scaling and performance of a priority packet queue for real-time applications

Real-time multiprocessor applications are typically characterized by hard deadlines which severely constrain interprocessor communications. Contention for communication resources and the use of first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffering can introduce priority inversion, resulting in missed deadlines. This paper investigates the scaling and performance of a novel 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS Priority Packet Queue (PPQ) design. Its unique segmented architecture effectively exploits the packetized nature of traffic within most real-time networks and achieves 96% the speed of a high-speed packet FIFO. The PPQ can either perform priority inheritance or overwrite lower priority packets during queue overflow, and robustly handles asynchronous read and write clocks of widely disparate frequencies. Comparison results show that the PPQ offers over twice the speed of the conventional design, and promises even greater relative speed improvement for larger designs. >
Biodiversity (Communications arising (reply)): Suspect evidence of transgenic contamination/Maize transgene results in Mexico are artefacts (see editorial footnote)

Our original publication1 contained two separate conclusions derived from two methodological approaches. First, using PCR, we detected the presence of three distinct transgenic DNA sequences in maize landraces in Oaxaca, Mexico1. Second, we attempted to establish the genomic context of transgene insertion using i-PCR. The criticisms raised by Metz and Futterer and by Kaplinsky et al. relate principally to our second statement.
Genome-wide transcriptional profiling data from chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) peripheral blood

The disease Lupus erythematosus (LE), exhibits a variety of clinical manifestations with potentially wide-ranging multi-organ damage to joints, tendons, kidney, lung, heart, blood vessels, central nervous system and skin [1,2] Systemic changes are likely to trigger organ specific manifestation of the disease. Here, we provide the data examined to address the gap in knowledge regarding causes and mechanisms contributing to the autoimmune attack on skin in chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE). The raw gene expression data files (CEL files) are provided with this article [3].
Controlled Trial of the Effect of Length, Incentives, and Follow-up Techniques on Response to a Mailed Questionnaire

Mailed questionnaires are an economical method of data collection for epidemiologic studies, but response tends to be lower than for telephone or personal interviews. As part of a follow-up study of volunteers who provided a brief health history and blood sample for a blood specimen bank in 1989, the authors conducted a controlled trial of the effect of length, incentives, and follow-up techniques on response to a mailed questionnaire. Interventions tested included variations on length of the questionnaire, effect of a monetary incentive, and effect of a postcard reminder versus a letter accompanied by a second questionnaire. Response was similar for the short (16-item, 4-page) and long (76-item, 16-page) questionnaire groups. The non-monetary [corrected] incentive did not improve the frequency of response. The second mailing of a questionnaire was significantly better than a postcard reminder in improving responses (23% vs. 10%). It is important to systematically test marketing principles to determine which techniques are effective in increasing response to mailed questionnaires for epidemiologic studies.
Abnormalities in 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor binding in severe-seizure genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-9s)

Abstract The present study was designed to determine whether abnormalities in serotonin receptor binding co-exist with the presynaptic serotonergic deficits that have previously been identified in the genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR) brain. In vitro binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT (0.16–10.3 nM) to 5-HT1A receptor sites was found to be decreased in the hippocampus of severe seizure GEPRs (GEPR-9s) when compared to nonepileptic control rats, while no difference in [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding was observed in the GEPR-9 corpora quadrigemina or midbrain tegmenrum. The decreased binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT to hippocampal membranes was due to a decrease in Bmax (P
Macrophages, inflammation, and atherosclerosis

The macrophage plays a diverse array of roles in atherogenesis and lipoprotein metabolism. The macrophage functions as a scavenger cell, an immune mediator cell, and as a source of chemotactic molecules and cytokines. Chemokines have been implicated in promoting migration of monocytes into the arterial intima. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) attracts monocytes bearing the chemokine receptor CCR-2. Macrophage expression of cyclooxygenase-2, a key enzyme in inflammation, promotes atherosclerotic lesion formation in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice. In the arterial intima, monocytes differentiate into macrophages, which accumulate cholesterol esters to form lipid-laden foam cells. Foam cell formation can be viewed as an imbalance in cholesterol homeostasis. The uptake of atherogenic lipoproteins is mediated by scavenger receptors, including SR-A and CD36. In the macrophage, ACAT-1 is responsible for esterifying free cholesterol with fatty acids to form cholesterol esters. Surprisingly, deficiency of macrophage ACAT-1 promotes atherosclerosis in LDLR-deficient mice. A number of proteins have been implicated in the process of promoting the efflux of free cholesterol from the macrophage, including apoE, ABCA1, and SRB-1. Macrophage-derived foam cells express the adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP), aP2, a cytoplasmic FABP that plays an important role in regulating systemic insulin resistance in the setting of obesity. ApoE-deficient mice null for macrophage aP2 expression develop significantly less atherosclerosis than controls wild type for macrophage aP2 expression. These results demonstrate a significant role for macrophage aP2 in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions independent of its role in systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, macrophages deficient in aP2 display alterations in inflammatory cytokine production. Through its distinct actions in adipocytes and macrophages, aP2 links features of the metabolic syndrome including insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.
Black-hole uniqueness theorems in Euclidean quantum gravity

The Euclidean section of the classical Lorentzian black-hole solutions has been used in approximating the functional integral in the Euclidean path-integral approach to quantum gravity. In this paper the claim that classical black-hole uniqueness theorems apply to the Euclidean section is disproved. In particular, it is shown that although a Euclidean version of Israel's theorem does provide a type of uniqueness theorem for the Euclidean Schwarzschild solution, a Euclidean version of Robinson's theorem does not allow one to form conclusions about the uniqueness of the Euclidean Kerr solution. Despite the failure of uniqueness theorems, ''no-hair'' theorems are shown to exist. Implications are discussed. A precise mathematical statement of the Euclidean black-hole uniqueness conjecture is made and the proof, left as an unsolved problem in Riemannian geometry.
Contributions to the Forum

Mark Salter's (2007) article involves an imaginative use of Foucault's ideas of heterotopia and confessionary complex to understand the bordering activities that take place at airports. In my opinion, two particularly important features of the article lie in its countering both excessively laudatory accounts of airports as transversal places and the similarly frequent failure to note the relative inefficiencies with which airports fulfill their security functions because of their inherent contradictions (screening for objects versus identifying dangerous persons, etc.) and all of the other activities they carry out, such as transportation and, increasingly, shopping by those not subject to containment and deportation. In a number of respects, however, it is …
Influence of Entrance Geometry on Heat Transfer in Rotating Rectangular Cooling Channels (AR=4:1) With Angled Ribs

The effect of entrance geometry on the heat transfer in rotating, narrow rectangular cooling channels is investigated in this study. Both smooth channels and channels with angled ribs are considered with three different entrance conditions: fully developed, sudden contraction, and partial sudden contraction. The rectangular channel has as aspect ratio of 4:1, and it is oriented at 135° with respect to the plane of rotation. In the test section with angled ribs, the ribs are angled at 45° to the mainstream flow. The rib height-to-hydraulic diameter ratio (e/D h ) is 0.078, and the rib pitch-to-height ratio (P/e) is 10. The range of flow parameters includes Reynolds number (Re=5000-40,000), rotation number (Ro=0.0-0.302), and inlet coolant-to-wall density ratio (Δρ/ρ=0.12)
Efficient techniques for transition testing

Scan-based transition tests are added to improve the detection of speed failures in sequential circuits. Empirical data suggests that both data volume and application time will increase dramatically for such transition testing. Techniques to address the above problem for a class of transition tests, called enhanced transition tests, are proposed in this article.The first technique, which combines the proposed transition test chains with the ATE repeat capability, reduces test data volume by 46.5% when compared with transition tests computed by a commercial transition test ATPG tool. However, the test application time may sometimes increase. To address the test time issue, a new DFT technique, Exchange Scan, is proposed. Exchange scan reduces both data volume and application time by 46.5%. These techniques rely on the use of hold-scan cells and highlight the effectiveness of hold-scan design to address test time and test data volume issues. In addition, we address the problem of yield loss due to incidental overtesting of functionally-untestable transition faults, and we formulate an efficient adjustment to the algorithm to keep the overtest ratio low. Our experimental results show that up to 14.5% reduction in overtest ratio can be achieved, with an average overtest reduction of 4.68%.
Radar Depolarization in the Ground-Based System Due to Chaff

In practical applications it is necessary to analyze radar scattering by a chaff cloud in a ground-based system rather than in the scattering plane-based system. By means of the Stokes-parameter method, a series of expressions of the bistatic radar scattering cross section (BRSCS) corresponding to arbitrarily polarized combinations of transmitters and receivers are derived in the ground-based system in the present study. The influence of chaff wires' orientation on the BRSCS is also studied based on the comparison between the cases of the spherically randomly oriented wires and the horizontally Gaussian-distribution-oriented wires, which may provide a valuable reference for designing various types of chaff as well as transmitter and receiver systems upon different demands.
Computational and experimental study of the effect of secondary flow on the temperature field and primary flow in a heated horizontal tube

Abstract The fully developed temperature field and axial velocity profile are measured for a fluid with a Prandtl number of 80 at the outlet of a long horizontal tube which is heated electrically. The defining partial differential equations are solved by finite difference techniques to obtain the secondary flow patterns as well as the temperature field and axial velocity field. Relatively large secondary flows are found for temperature differences between the wall and the fluid as low as 0·05°F. For (GP) 1 4 greater than 30 boundary layer theory appears to be a good approximation to the temperature field. There are large temperature gradients near the wall; the isotherms in the core are horizontal and there is a significant temperature variation in the vertical direction. Although the secondary flow had a large effect on the temperature field it had little effect on the axial velocity distribution as has been predicted for large Prandtl number. The secondary flow pattern shows relatively large upward velocities near the wall and small downward velocities in the core. The thicknesses of the velocity and temperature boundary layers are approximately equal. These results agree with a treatment of the problem, based on dimensional reasoning, that has been presented in a previous paper from this laboratory.
A Method to Localize RF ${\bm B}_{\bf 1}$ Field in High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems

In high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, B0 fields of 7 and 9.4 T, the RF field shows greater inhomogeneity compared to clinical MRI systems with B0 fields of 1.5 and 3.0 T. In multichannel RF coils, the magnitude and phase of the input to each coil element can be controlled independently to reduce the nonuniformity of the RF field. The convex optimization technique has been used to obtain the optimum excitation parameters with iterative solutions for homogeneity in a selected region of interest. The pseudoinverse method has also been used to find a solution. The simulation results for 9.4- and 7-T MRI systems are discussed in detail for the head model. Variation of the simulation results in a 9.4-T system with the number of RF coil elements for different positions of the regions of interest in a spherical phantom are also discussed. Experimental results were obtained in a phantom in the 9.4-T system and are compared to the simulation results and the specific absorption rate has been evaluated.
Leucocytozoonosis in Nestling Bald Eagles in Michigan and Minnesota

Thirteen of 21 nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) examined for blood parasites in Michigan and Minnesota (USA) during June and July 1997 had patent infections of Leucocytozoon toddi. No other parasites were seen. The degree of parasitemia was light and varied from 1 to 2 on the Ashford Scale. Several of the infected nestlings appeared to have elevated levels of heterophils in their peripheral circulating blood. One of the infected nestlings also showed signs of severe anemia. We believe this is the first report of L. toddi in the bald eagle.
(Carrying the Fire on) No Road for Old Horses: Cormac McCarthy's Untold Biblical Stories

Abstract: Three “major” movies have been based on the novels of Cormac McCarthy: All the Pretty Horses, No Country for Old Men, and The Road. In a landscape of loss, these fictions realize strange, new biblical stories about those who are neither chosen nor special and thus those who do not find the promise, are the prey of demons, and live after a secular apocalypse. These fictions are strange, new versions of Job in which no whirlwind answers, Job’s adversary roams unbound, and Job’s self-curse has become a luxury. Amidst an implacable fate, the fictions’ call to “carry the fire” differs from biblical faith in election and providence and from popular assumptions about US exceptionalism.
Magnetic dynamo activity in mechanically driven compressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Magnetic dynamo activity in a homogeneous, dissipative, polytropic, two-dimensional, turbulent magneto-fluid is simulated numerically. The magneto-fluid is simulated numerically. The magneto-fluid is, in a number of cases, mechanically forced so that energy input balances dissipation, thereby maintaining constant energy. In the presence of a mean magnetic field, a magneto-fluid whose initial turbulent magnetic energy is zero quickly arrives at a state of non-zero turbulent magnetic energy. If the mean magnetic field energy density is small, the turbulent magnetic field can achieve a local energy density more than four hundred times larger; if the mean magnetic field energy density is large, then equipartition between the turbulent magnetic and kinetic energy is achieved. Compared to the presence of a mean magnetic field, compressibility appears to have only a marginal effect in mediating the transfer of turbulent kinetic energy into magnetic energy.
Educational Brokerage: A Mechanism for Establishing Elders as Educators.

Although frequently underutilized as educators, older adults can be valuable resources to universities, colleges, and communities. This paper examines some reasons for underutilization of elders and suggests an educational brokerage system as a means of maximizing their educational contributions and rewards. A case study of an emerging brokerage system is presented.
The effects of pre–B-cell colony–enhancing factor on the human fetal membranes by microarray analysis

Abstract Objective Our purpose was to show the effects of pre–B-cell colony–enhancing factor on the genes that are expressed by the human fetal membranes. Study design Explants of fetal membranes (amnion, chorion, and decidua) from three term patients were treated with 100 ng/mL recombinant human pre–B-cell colony–enhancing factor for 4 hours. RNAs were hybridized to gene chips that contained >18,000 known genes. One experiment was done in triplicate to assess replication. Data were analyzed to quantitate the signal intensities of each complementary DNA on the array. Confirmation of the results was carried out on tissues from nine other patients by the measurement of the proteins or quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Results Replication gave Conclusion Pre–B-cell colony–enhancing factor appears to be at the proximal end of the pathway to labor initiation and may link sterile distention-induced labor with that of infection-induced labor.
Distributive Conjugal Transfer in Mycobacteria Generates Progeny with Meiotic-Like Genome-Wide Mosaicism, Allowing Mapping of a Mating Identity Locus

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria generates variation and drives evolution, and conjugation is considered a major contributor as it can mediate transfer of large segments of DNA between strains and species. We previously described a novel form of chromosomal conjugation in mycobacteria that does not conform to classic oriT-based conjugation models, and whose potential evolutionary significance has not been evaluated. Here, we determined the genome sequences of 22 F1-generation transconjugants, providing the first genome-wide view of conjugal HGT in bacteria at the nucleotide level. Remarkably, mycobacterial recipients acquired multiple, large, unlinked segments of donor DNA, far exceeding expectations for any bacterial HGT event. Consequently, conjugal DNA transfer created extensive genome-wide mosaicism within individual transconjugants, which generated large-scale sibling diversity approaching that seen in meiotic recombination. We exploited these attributes to perform genome-wide mapping and introgression analyses to map a locus that determines conjugal mating identity in M. smegmatis. Distributive conjugal transfer offers a plausible mechanism for the predicted HGT events that created the genome mosaicism observed among extant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium canettii species. Mycobacterial distributive conjugal transfer permits innovative genetic approaches to map phenotypic traits and confers the evolutionary benefits of sexual reproduction in an asexual organism.
Educational Justice and Socio‐Economic Segregation in Schools

Sociologists exploring educational injustice often focus on socio-economic segregation as a central measure of injustice. The comprehensive ideal, furthermore, has the idea of socio-economic integration built into it. The current paper argues that socio-economic segregation is valuable only insofar as it serves other, more fundamental values. This matters because sometimes policy-makers will find themselves facing trade-offs between increasing integration and promoting the other, more fundamental values that underpin the value of integration.
Modeling test cases for security protocols with SecureMDD

Designing and executing test cases for security-critical protocols is a technically complicated and tedious process. SecureMDD is a model-driven approach that enables development of security-critical applications based on cryptographic protocols. In this paper we introduce a method which combines the model-driven approach used in SecureMDD with the design of functional and security tests. We construct and evaluate new modeling guidelines that allow the modeler to easily define such test cases during the modeling stage. We also implement model transformation routines to generate runnable tests for actual implementation of applications developed with SecureMDD.
The Logic of Consistency and the Logic of Truth

In “Truth and Probability” Ramsey claimed that the logic of consistency for probability is not a logic of truth. After supporting this claim, he proceeded to explore the possibilities for a logic of truth for probability. An examination of Ramsey's intent reveals that Ramsey was far from being an orthodox Bayesian when it comes to statistical reasoning. The relations between Ramsey's thought and the ideas of Keynes and Peirce are discussed.
Physical Inactivity Rapidly Induces Insulin Resistance and Microvascular Dysfunction in Healthy Volunteers

Objectives— Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Vascular dysfunction contributes to atherogenesis and has been linked to insulin resistance. Methods and Results— We measured insulin sensitivity by glucose tolerance test and vascular function by ultrasound and venous occlusion plethysmography in 20 healthy subjects (14 men, 6 women) at baseline and during 5 days of bed rest. Bed rest led to a 67% increase in the insulin response to glucose loading ( P <0.001) suggesting increased insulin resistance and produced increases in total cholesterol and triglycerides. Bed rest led to decreased reactive hyperemia in the forearm (1317±404 to 1112±260 mL/min, P =0.01) and the calf (28.5±7.0 to 22.2±8.7 mL/min/dL, P =0.003) indicating impaired microvascular function. Bed rest decreased brachial artery diameter and increased systolic blood pressure suggesting increased basal arterial tone. There were no changes in circulating inflammatory markers arguing against systemic inflammation as a mechanism for vascular dysfunction in this setting. Conclusions— Physical inactivity was associated with the development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, increased blood pressure, and impaired microvascular function in healthy volunteers. Our findings may provide insight into the pathogenesis of vascular disease in sedentary individuals and emphasize that even short-term physical inactivity may have adverse metabolic and vascular consequences.
Ramanujan-Type Congruences for Three Colored Frobenius Partitions

Abstract Using the theory of modular forms, we show that the three-colored Frobenius partition function vanishes modulo some small primes in certain arithmetic progressions.
Poly(N,N‐diacylhydrazone)s: Polymers containing imide and imine functions linked by nitrogen–nitrogen bonds

Reaction de dianhydride pyromellitique et du dianhydride de l'acide benzophenone tetracarboxylique-3,3',4,4' avec la dihydrazone du terephtalaldehyde
Training and Competency Evaluation for Interpretation of 12-Lead Electrocardiograms: Recommendations from the American College of Physicians*

This paper is part 1 of a 2-part series on interpretation of 12-lead resting electrocardiograms (ECGs). Part 1 is a position paper that presents recommendations for initial competency, competency assessment, and maintenance of competency on ECG interpretation, as well as recommendations for the role of computer-assisted ECG interpretation. Part 2 is a systematic review of detailed supporting evidence for the recommendations. Despite several earlier consensus-based recommendations on ECG interpretation, substantive evidence on the training needed to obtain and maintain ECG interpretation skills is not available. Some studies show that noncardiologist physicians have more ECG interpretation errors than do cardiologists, but the rate of adverse patient outcomes from ECG interpretation errors is low. Computers may decrease the time needed to interpret ECGs and can reduce ECG interpretation errors. However, they have shown less accuracy than physician interpreters and must be relied on only as an adjunct interpretation tool for a trained provider. Interpretation of ECGs varies greatly, even among expert electrocardiographers. Noncardiologists seem to be more influenced by patient history in interpreting ECGs than are cardiologists. Cardiologists also perform better than other specialists on standardized ECG examinations when minimal patient history is provided. Pending more definitive research, residency training in internal medicine with Advanced Cardiac Life Support instruction should continue to be sufficient for bedside interpretation of resting 12-lead ECGs in routine and emergency situations. Additional experience or training in ECG interpretation when the patient's clinical condition is unknown may be useful but requires further study.
The effect of electrolytes on the contractile elements of muscle.

The effects of changes in electrolyte concentration on muscles which had been preserved in 50 per cent glycerol or washed in water were studied. The psoas preparation of Szent-Gyorgyi was generally used, but smooth and cardiac muscle gave the same results. If the preparations are immersed in 0.16 molar NaCl or KCl and if the electrolyte subsequently is washed out with distilled water, tension rises. This effect is not obtained if solutions of CaCl(2) or MgCl(2) are used, but it is restored by brief immersion in NaCl or KCl solutions. Changes in pH have no effect. It is concluded that divalent cations are bound more firmly than monovalent ions, but that divalent exchange with monovalent ions. After the application of ATP washing out electrolytes produces a much larger and more rapid rise in tension. This effect persists after ATP has been washed out and seems to be due to the removal of a substance which diminishes the dissociation of bound cations. Washing out electrolytes also causes a large increase in transparency and swelling. These effects are also enhanced by previous application of ATP and are abolished or diminished by divalent cations. The rise in tension and the swelling are explained as the result of an increase in the charge of the polar groups of the proteins. Because this mechanism produces only a small degree of shortening, it does not explain normal contraction, but it may be a part of this process. The significance of the phenomena described in relation to recent theories of the mechanism of muscular contraction is discussed. The observations show that increase in the charge of the contractile proteins causes contraction, not relaxation, as has been commonly assumed.
Sex differences in the association between cortisol concentrations and laboratory pain responses in healthy children.

Background: Research in adult populations has highlighted sex differences in cortisol concentrations and laboratory pain responses, with men exhibiting higher cortisol concentrations and reduced pain responses compared with women. Yet, less is known about the relationship of cortisol concentrations to pain in children. Objective: This study examined associations between sex, cortisol, and pain responses to laboratory pain tasks in children. Methods: Salivary cortisol samples from subjects aged 8 to 18 years were obtained at baseline after entering the laboratory (SCb), after the completion of all pain tasks (SC1), and at the end of the session (SC2), 20 minutes later. Blood cortisol samples were also taken after completion of the pain tasks (BC1) and at the end of the session (BC2), 20 minutes later. Subjects completed 3 counterbalanced laboratory pain tasks: pressure, heat, and cold pressor tasks. Pain measures included pain tolerance, and self-reported pain intensity and unpleasantness for all 3 tasks. Results: The study included 235 healthy children and adolescents (119 boys, 116 girls; mean age, 12.7 years; range, 8–18 years; 109 [46.4%] were in early puberty; 94 [40.0%] white). Salivary and blood cortisol levels were highly correlated with each other. Salivary cortisol levels for the total sample and for boys and girls declined significantly from SCb to SC1 (P < 0.01), although there were no significant changes from SC1 to SC2. No significant sex differences in salivary or blood cortisol levels were evident at any assessment point. Separate examination of the cortisol–laboratory pain response relationships by sex (controlling for age and time of day) suggested different sex-specific patterns. Higher cortisol levels were associated with lower pain reactivity (ie, increased pressure tolerance) among boys compared with girls at SC1, SC2, and BC1 (SC1: r = 0.338, P = 0.003; SC2: r = 0.271, P = 0.020; and BC1: r = 0.261, P = 0.026). However, higher cortisol levels were related to higher pain response (ie, increased cold intensity [BC2: r = 0.229, P = 0.048] and unpleasantness [BC1: r = 0.237, P = 0.041]) in girls compared with boys. Conclusions: These findings suggest important sex differences in cortisol–pain relationships in children and adolescents. Cortisol levels were positively associated with increased pain tolerance in boys and increased pain sensitivity in girls. (Gend Med. 2009;6[Theme Issue]:193–207) © 2009 Excerpta Medica Inc.
Structure‐Activity for uptake and toxicity of DDT‐type insecticides utilizing an NMR method for estimating σ*

Structure-activity relationships were examined in toxicological studies with DDT-type insecticides. The Taft σ* parameter for the electronegative character of substituents correlated well with the uptake of the analogs through insect tarsi and with acute oral toxicities to mice. Substituent groups with stronger electron-withdrawing capacities penetrated more slowly through the insect cuticle and were markedly more toxic to mice. A nuclear magnetic resonance method was utilized to obtain estimated σ* values for use in the correlations.
Imputing a convex objective function

We consider an optimizing process (or parametric optimization problem), i.e., an optimization problem that depends on some parameters. We present a method for imputing or estimating the objective function, based on observations of optimal or nearly optimal choices of the variable for several values of the parameter, and prior knowledge (or assumptions) about the objective. Applications include estimation of consumer utility functions from purchasing choices, estimation of value functions in control problems, given observations of an optimal (or just good) controller, and estimation of cost functions in a flow network.
Performance of a YSO/LSO phoswich detector for use in a PET/SPECT system

The performance of a YSO/LSO phoswich detector module is evaluated for potential use as in a combined PET/SPECT imaging system. The high light output of LSO (/spl sim/5-6 times EGO) would allow the construction of a detector block that would have similar intrinsic resolution characteristics at 140 keV as a conventional high resolution EGO block detector at 511 keV (/spl sim/4 mm FWHM). However, the intrinsic radioactivity of LSO prevents the use of this scintillator in single photon counting mode. YSO is a scintillator with higher light output than LSO but worse absorption characteristics than LSO at higher energies. In a phoswich detector block the two detector materials are combined, where YSO is placed in a front layer and is used for single photon imaging and LSO in a second layer is used for PET imaging. Since the scintillation decay times in YSO and LSO are significantly different (70 and 40 ns, respectively), events in the two detector materials can be separated by pulse shape discrimination. In measurements of the system resolution using a high resolution collimator, the spatial resolution at 10 cm collimator distance was 8.5 mm for the phoswich detector compared to 7.6 mm for a conventional scintillation camera. However, in SPECT simulations of the two detector systems of a 20 cm diameter hot spot phantom imaged at different collimator distances using a high resolution collimator, no appreciable difference in resolution was seen in the reconstructed images between the two camera systems, including the ideal situation of zero distance between collimator and phantom.
Si/Ge uni-traveling carrier photodetector

We have fabricated and characterized a germanium on silicon uni-traveling carrier photodetector for analog and coherent communications applications. The device has a bandwidth of 20GHz, a large-signal 1dB saturation photocurrent of 20mA at −3V, and a low thermal impedance of 520K/W.
Medication Adherence in Adolescents With Behaviorally-acquired HIV: Evidence for Using a Multimethod Assessment Protocol

Abstract Purpose The present study investigated medication adherence in an understudied population, adolescents with behaviorally acquired HIV, to improve upon prior methodological limitations using concurrent collection of HIV health status markers (viral load [VL]; percentage CD4 count [CD4%]) and multimethod adherence assessment (pill count, missed doses, off-schedule dosing). Methods Participants: A total of 60 youth with behaviorally acquired HIV receiving routine care in a multidisciplinary specialty clinic in the Mid-Southern United States. Adherence was assessed by routine pharmacy pill count and self-reported 3-day recall of doses missed and doses taken off-schedule, collected concurrently with clinically obtained VL and CD4% indicators. Adherence measures were evaluated as predictors of VL and CD4% using logistic regression analyses. Results Adherence difficulties were detected by all assessment methods, with off-schedule dosing appearing the most problematic (29.4% taken off-schedule). Self-report of doses missed ( p = .038) and off-schedule dosing ( p = .021) significantly predicted detectable VL. For each percent increase in nonadherence by off-schedule dosing, there was a 2% increased likelihood of detectable VL. No adherence measure significantly correlated with CD4%; pharmacy pill count did not relate to either health status marker. Conclusions This study is the first to document multimethod medication adherence measurement in a defined sample of adolescents with behaviorally acquired HIV, using imposed concurrent collection of CD4% and VL. Adherence difficulties were detected regardless of assessment strategy, with off-schedule dosing representing the greatest nonadherence behavior. Both 3-day recall methods predicted VL. Further investigation of adherence in larger samples of youth with behaviorally acquired HIV is needed to better understand the relationship to CD4% suppression.
Efficacy and safety of alosetron in women with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Summary Background Irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms of abdominal pain, discomfort, and altered bowel function. Antagonists of the type 3 serotonin receptor (5-HT 3 ) have shown promising results in the relief of IBS-associated symptoms. We aimed to confirm these findings by doing a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Methods We studied 647 female IBS patients with diarrhoea-predominant or alternating bowel patterns (diarrhoea and constipation). 324 patients were assigned 1 mg alosetron and 323 placebo orally twice daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week post-treatment period. Adequate relief of abdominal pain and discomfort was the primary endpoint; secondary endpoints included improvements in urgency, stool frequency, and stool consistency. Analysis was by intention to treat. Findings 79 (24%) of patients in the alosetron group and 53 (16%) in the placebo group dropped out. The difference in the drop-out rate between groups was mainly due to a greater occurrence of constipation in the alosetron group. A greater proportion of alosetron-treated patients than placebo-treated patients (133 [41%] vs 94 [29%], respectively) reported adequate relief for all 3 months of treatment (difference 12% [4·7–19·2]). Alosetron also significantly decreased urgency and stool frequency, and increased stool firmness. Constipation occurred in 30% and 3% of patients in the alosetron and placebo groups, respectively. Interpretation Alosetron was well tolerated and clinically effective in alleviating pain and bowel-related symptoms in this population of women with IBS.
An improved unbiased method for diffspect quantification in epilepsy

Determining the region of seizure onset is of critical importance for treating medically intractable epilepsy. Comparisons between an ictal and interictal Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) images have been shown to be successful in localizing focal epilepsy. The Ictal-Interictal Subtraction Analysis by Statistical Parametric Mapping (ISAS) algorithm remains one the more successful algorithms for comparing these images. However ISAS is limited by its statistical design. This design introduces a scan order bias in the estimation of the normal variance of sequential SPECT images. We have corrected this bias by estimating the normal variance with a half-normal distribution. In this paper we present an updated algorithm (ISAS HN) based on the original ISAS algorithm with a corrected estimate of the normal variance and an open-source utility for ISAS HN.
Re-Visiting Hiroshima: The Role of US and Japanese History Textbooks in the Construction of National Memory.

This paper originates from the perspective that school textbooks are crucial organs in the process of constructing legitimated ideologies and beliefs and are a reflection of the values considered important by powerful groups in society. This claim is explored through investigating the manner in which a selection of history textbooks in use in US and Japanese schools invites students to understand the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Linking narrative with historical analysis, the paper presents evidence which suggests that US and Japanese children are provided with a narrow view of the past which in promoting asense of unity and patriotism limits the development of a critical historical consciousness.
Local Renal Aldosterone System and Its Regulation by Salt, Diabetes, and Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor

CYP11B2 is the enzyme responsible for aldosterone synthesis mainly in the adrenal gland. In this study, we hypothesized that CYP11B2 gene, protein, and aldosterone are produced locally in kidney and regulated by low salt intake, angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor and insulin-deficient diabetes hyperglycemia. We used real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining, and microdialysis techniques to monitor changes in renal CYP11B2 mRNA and protein and aldosterone production in normal, adrenalectomized, or streptozotocin-induced insulin-deficient diabetic hyperglycemic rats. In normal kidney, CYP11B2 mRNA and protein were localized mainly in the renal cortex and upregulated by angiotensin II and low salt intake. The angiotensin II effect was reversed by AT1 receptor blocker valsartan. Immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated presence of CYP11B2 in glomeruli. Although aldosterone was absent in plasma of adrenalectomized rats, it was present in renal interstitium and tissue. Diabetes increased renal cortical and total kidney CYP11B2 mRNA and protein. Lowering blood glucose with insulin decreased total renal CYP11B2 mRNA and protein. Despite lack of significant changes in blood glucose, valsartan treatment caused significant reduction in renal CYP11B2 mRNA and protein. In presence of diabetes, there was an increase in CYP11B2 immunostaining in glomeruli and proximal tubules. This expression was abrogated with insulin or valsartan treatment. These results demonstrate the presence of all components of local renal aldosterone system. This system is physiologically active because it is regulated by angiotensin II and low salt intake. In insulin-deficient diabetes hyperglycemia rat model, glucose, insulin, and AT1 receptor modulate CYP11B2 expression in the kidney.
Kinetic characterization of biomass dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis: Mixtures of hardwoods, softwood, and switchgrass

The effects of woody biomass mixtures were investigated on the rates of hemicellulose hydrolysis by dilute acid. Very good agreement between the model predictions and single species acid hydrolysis data confirmed the validity of a pseudo first-order model approach. This model was then utilized to predict monomer sugar concentrations for mixtures of hardwood (aspen, basswood, and red maple), a softwood (balsam), and the energy crop switchgrass, with very good agreement. The results of this study show that there are not significant synergistic or antagonistic effects by mixtures of woody biomass species on the kinetics of hemicellulose hydrolysis by dilute acid. Kinetic parameters were developed for each woody biomass species with xylose formation activation energies ranging from 76.19–171.20 kJ/mol, and pre-exponential factors ranging from 2.19 × 108–7.73 × 1019 min−1. Overall xylose yields for pure biomass species ranged from approximately 66–88% with balsam having the lowest yield and switchgrass producing the highest yield. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Vapor-deposited glasses provide clearer view of two-level systems.

Glasses and crystals play different roles in technology. When precise control of local structure is required, as in silicon-based electronics, crystals are used. On the other hand, when macroscopic homogeneity is required, as in optical fibers, glasses are used. The pairing of local disorder and macroscopic homogeneity in glasses is not a coincidence. The range of local packing arrangements present in glassy materials allows “defects,” such as impurities, to be locally accommodated in contrast to crystals for which disruptive grain boundaries are often the consequence. The flexible local packing of glasses also provides an opportunity for materials engineering. Many glasses with different structures and properties can be prepared with exactly the same composition. This last feature is a key element in the experiments of Perez-Castaneda et al. (1). Perez-Castaneda et al. report that two different glasses made from the same organic molecule can have dramatically different heat capacities below 1 K.
New physical layer features of 3GPP LTE release-13 [Industry Perspectives]

The worldwide proliferation of versatile mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) over the last few years have clearly changed people’s lifestyles. In parallel, the ever increasing demands of mobile broadband Internet have catalyzed a huge market growth of fourth-generation (4G) cellular services, which is mainly facilitated by radio access technologies including Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution (LTE), as well as its enhanced version, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). Generally speaking, LTE-A is referred to as Release-10 of 3GPP standards, and its achievable performance makes it a true 4G technology according to the definitions given by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The knowledge economy, the KAM methodology and World Bank operations

This paper highlights the importance of knowledge for long-term economic growth. It presents the concept of the knowledge economy, an economy where knowledge is the main engine of economic growth. The paper also introduces the knowledge economy framework, which asserts that sustained investments in education, innovation, information and communication technologies, and a conducive economic and institutional environment will lead to increases in the use and creation of knowledge in economic production, and consequently result in sustained economic growth. In order to facilitate countries trying to make the transition to the knowledge economy, the Knowledge Assessment Methodology (KAM) was developed. It is designed to provide a basic assessment of countries' readiness for the knowledge economy, and identifies sectors or specific areas where policymakers may need to focus more attention or future investments. The KAM is currently being widely used both internally and externally to the World Bank, and frequently facilitates engagements and policy discussions with government officials from client countries.
Rebuffing Refugee Journalists The Profession’s Failure to Help Jews Persecuted by Nazi Germany

When Nazi Germany forced Jewish scholars and professionals to flee Europe, many disciplines found homes for them in the United States. One did not. The journalism profession made little effort to help their European colleagues. The nation’s accredited journalism schools did not add a single displaced European scholar and rebuffed pleas to re-educate foreign journalists. If anything, practicing journalists were more hostile. This monograph seeks to fill a gap in the vast literature on the intellectual migration, explores the ways in which the American journalism community could have assisted their European colleagues, and offers possible explanations for their inaction.
EXPRESSION AND LOCALIZATION OF ACTIVIN BETA A-SUBUNIT AND ACTIVIN RECEPTORS IN TM3, A MOUSE LEYDIG CELL LINE

We have determined whether TM3 cells, a cell line derived from a murine Leydig cell tumor, (a) transcribe messenger RNAs encoding the βA-subunits of inhibin/activin, and activin receptors I, II, and IIB, and (b) produce activin-A protein. Messenger RNAs for inhibin/activin βA-subunits and activin receptors II, and IIB in TM3 cells were localized and expressed using in situ hybridization and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, respectively. The identity of the RT-PCR products was confirmed by DNA sequencing of PCR products. Immunocytochemically, activin-A was localized in these cells. We observed that messenger RNAs encoding activin βA-subunit as well as activin receptors II, and IIB were expressed and activin protein was produced by TM3 cells. These findings suggest that activin-A may have autocrine functions in TM3 cells and that activin-A may be involved in regulating the growth and differentiation of mouse Leydig cells.